Volume 63 Biographies 28: Fan Zigai, Shi Xiang, Yuan Shou, Yang Yichen, Wei Xuan, Liu Quan

隋書卷六十三列傳第二十八

Book of Sui, Volume 63, Biographies Twenty-Eight

○樊子蓋

Fan Zigai

樊子蓋，字華宗，廬江人也。祖道則，梁越州刺史。父儒，侯景之亂奔于齊，官至仁州刺史。子蓋解褐武興王行參軍，出為慎縣令，東汝、北陳二郡太守，員外散騎常侍，封富陽縣侯，邑五百戶。周武帝平齊，授儀同三司，治郢州刺史。高祖受禪，以儀同領鄉兵，後除樅陽太守。平陳之役，以功加上開府，改封上蔡縣伯，食邑七百戶，賜物三千段，粟九千斛。拜辰州刺史，俄轉嵩州刺史。母憂去職。未幾，起授齊州刺史，固讓，不許。其年，轉循州總管，許以便宜從事。十八年入朝，奏嶺南地圖，賜以良馬雜物，加統四州，令還任所，遣光祿少卿柳謇之餞於霸上。

Fan Zigai, whose style name was Huazong, came from Lujiang. His grandfather Dao Ze had served as Inspector of Yue Province under the Liang. His father Ru fled to Northern Qi during Hou Jing's rebellion and eventually became governor of Renzhou. Upon entering service, Zigai became an aide to the Prince of Wuxing, then magistrate of Shen County, grand administrator of Dongru and Beichen, supernumerary regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Fuyang with a fief of five hundred households. After Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou conquered Qi, he was made a third-rank colonel with ceremonial parity and acting governor of Yingzhou. When Emperor Wen accepted the throne, he led local militia while holding the rank of ceremonial colonel, and was later appointed grand administrator of Zongyang. During the conquest of Chen, his achievements earned him promotion to senior opening-office general, a change of fief to Baron of Shangcai with seven hundred households, and gifts of three thousand bolts of silk and nine thousand hu of grain. He was appointed governor of Chenzhou and soon afterward transferred to governor of Songzhou. He resigned his post to observe mourning for his mother. Shortly afterward he was recalled and appointed governor of Qizhou; he declined firmly, but the court would not allow it. In that same year he was made general-in-chief of Xunzhou, with leave to act at his own discretion. In the eighteenth year he came to court and presented a map of the Lingnan region; the emperor bestowed fine horses and assorted gifts, added four prefectures to his jurisdiction, and ordered him back to his post, with Vice Director of the Imperial Household Liu Jianzhi seeing him off at Bashang.

煬帝即位，征還京師，轉涼州刺史。子蓋言於帝曰：「臣一居嶺表，十載於茲，犬馬之情，不勝戀戀。願趨走闕庭，萬死無恨。」帝賜物三百段，慰諭遣之，授銀青光祿大夫、武威太守，以善政聞。大業三年入朝，帝引之內殿，特蒙褒美。乃下詔曰：「設官之道，必在用賢，安人之術，莫如善政。龔、汲振德化于前，張、杜垂清風於後，共治天下，實資良守。子蓋幹局通敏，操履清潔，自剖符西服，愛惠為先，撫道有方，寬猛得所。處脂膏不潤其質，酌貪泉豈渝其性，故能治績克彰，課最之首。凡厥在位，莫匪王臣，若能人思奉職，各展其效，朕將冕旒垂拱，何憂不治哉！」於是進位金紫光祿大夫，賜物千段，太守如故。五年，車駕西巡，將入吐谷渾。子蓋以彼多鄣氣，獻青木香以禦霧露。及帝還，謂之曰：「人道公清，定如此不？」子蓋謝曰：「臣安敢言清，止是小心不敢納賄耳。」由此賜之口味百餘斛，又下詔曰：「導德齊禮，實惟共治，懲惡勸善，用明黜陟。朕親巡河右，觀省人風，所曆郡縣，訪采治績，罕遵法度，多蹈刑網。而金紫光祿大夫、武威太守樊子蓋，執操清潔，處涅不渝，立身雅正，臨人以簡。威惠兼舉，寬猛相資，故能畏而愛之，不嚴斯治。實字人之盛績，有國之良臣，宜加褒顯，以弘獎勵。可右光祿大夫，太守如故。」賜縑千匹，粟麥二千斛。子蓋又自陳曰：「臣自南裔，即適西垂，常為外臣，未居內職。不得陪屬車，奉丹陛，溘死邊城，沒有遺恨。惟陛下察之。」帝曰：「公侍朕則一人而已，委以西方則萬人之敵，宜識此心。」六年，帝避暑隴川宮，又雲欲幸河西。子蓋傾望鑾輿，願巡郡境，帝知之，下詔曰：「卿夙懷恭順，深執誠心，聞朕西巡，欣然望幸。丹款之至，甚有可嘉。宜保此純誠，克終其美。」是歲，朝于江都宮，帝謂之曰：「富貴不還故鄉，真衣繡夜行耳。」敕廬江郡設三千人會，賜米麥六千石，使謁墳墓，宴故老。當時榮之。還除民部尚書。時處羅可汗及高昌王款塞，複以子蓋檢校武威太守，應接二蕃。

When Emperor Yang took the throne, Zigai was recalled to the capital and transferred to governor of Liangzhou. Zigai said to the emperor, "I have lived beyond the southern ranges for ten years now, and my devotion as your servant cannot overcome my longing for court. I beg to serve at the palace gates—even ten thousand deaths would leave me without regret." The emperor granted him three hundred bolts of goods, comforted him, and sent him on his way, appointing him Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and grand administrator of Wuwei, where his good governance became widely known. In the third year of Daye he came to court; the emperor brought him into the inner hall and singled him out for special praise. He then issued an edict saying, "The way to establish offices lies in employing the worthy, and the art of settling the people is nowhere better than good government. Gong Sheng and Ji Sui spread moral transformation in earlier times; Zhang Chang and Du Shi handed down a pure tradition afterward—to govern the realm together truly depends on capable prefects. Zigai is capable and quick-witted, pure in conduct and bearing; since taking up his commission in the west he has put kindness first, governed with sound method, and balanced lenience and severity fittingly. Though placed amid wealth and luxury, it does not stain his character; though he might dip from the Greedy Spring, how could it alter his nature? For this reason his administrative achievements stand out clearly, and he ranks first in assessment. All who hold office are the king's ministers; if each man devotes himself to his duty and each displays his worth, I shall let my crown hang and fold my hands—what worry is there that the realm will not be well governed!" Thereupon he was advanced to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal, granted a thousand bolts of goods, and continued as grand administrator as before. In the fifth year the emperor toured west, intending to enter Tuyuhun territory. Because that region was thick with miasmic vapor, Zigai presented eaglewood to ward off mist and dew. When the emperor returned, he said to him, "People say you are incorrupt—is it really so?" Zigai apologized and said, "I would not dare claim to be incorrupt; I am only careful and dare not accept bribes." Thereupon he was granted more than a hundred hu of delicacies, and another edict was issued saying, "Guiding virtue and harmonizing ritual are truly the means of joint governance; punishing evil and encouraging good are how promotion and demotion are made clear. I personally toured the region west of the Yellow River to observe the customs of the people; in the commanderies and counties I passed through I inquired into administrative achievements—few observed the laws, and many fell into the penal net. Yet Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal and Grand Administrator of Wuwei Fan Zigai holds his conduct pure and clean, stays unstained amid corruption, stands upright in person, and treats people with simplicity. He combines authority and kindness, balances lenience and severity, and therefore can make men fear yet love him—governing without harshness. This is truly a great achievement for settling the people and a fine minister for the state; he should receive added praise and display to broaden encouragement and reward. He may be appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Right Seal and continue as grand administrator as before." He was granted a thousand bolts of silk and two thousand hu of grain and wheat. Zigai also submitted a statement saying, "I came from the southern marches and went straight to the western frontier; I have constantly served as an outer official and have never held an inner post. I have been unable to follow the attendant carriage or attend the vermilion steps; to die suddenly on the frontier would leave me without regret. Only may Your Majesty take note of this. The emperor said, "When you attend me, you are my one man alone; when I entrust the west to you, you are a match for ten thousand men—you should recognize what this means." In the sixth year the emperor took his summer retreat at Longchuan Palace and again spoke of wishing to visit Hexi. Zigai looked eagerly for the imperial carriage and wished the emperor to tour his jurisdiction; the emperor knew this and issued an edict saying, "You have long cherished respectful obedience and deeply held sincere devotion; hearing that I tour west, you gladly look for my visit. Such sincerity of heart is very much to be praised. You should preserve this pure sincerity and bring your excellence to completion." That year he attended court at Jiangdu Palace; the emperor said to him, "Wealth and honor without returning to one's homeland is like wearing embroidered robes at night." He ordered Lujiang Commandery to set out a gathering of three thousand men, granted six thousand shi of rice and wheat, and had him pay respects at his ancestral tombs and feast the elders of his homeland. At the time this was regarded as a signal honor. On his return he was appointed Minister of the People. At the time the qaghan of the Western Turks and the king of Gaochang came to the border with tribute; Zigai was again made acting grand administrator of Wuwei to receive the two foreign states.

遼東之役，征攝左武衛將軍，出長岑道。後以宿衛不行。進授左光祿大夫，尚書如故。其年帝還東都，以子蓋為涿郡留守。九年，車駕複幸遼東，命子蓋為東都留守。屬楊玄感作逆，來逼王城，子蓋遣河南贊治裴弘策逆擊之，返為所敗，遂斬弘策以徇。國子祭酒楊汪小有不恭，子蓋又將斬之。汪拜謝，頓首流血，久乃釋免。於是三軍莫不戰慄，將吏無敢仰視。玄感每盡銳攻城，子蓋徐設備禦，至輒摧破，故久不能克。會來護兒等救至，玄感解去。子蓋凡所誅殺者數萬人。

In the Liaodong campaign he was appointed on campaign as General of the Left Martial Guard and advanced by the Changcen route. Later, because of palace guard duty, he did not go. He was advanced to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Left Seal and continued as minister as before. That year the emperor returned to the eastern capital and made Zigai acting commander of Zhuo Commandery. In the ninth year the imperial carriage again visited Liaodong and ordered Zigai to be acting commander of the Eastern Capital. When Yang Xuangan rebelled and came to press the royal city, Zigai sent Assistant Director of Henan Pei Hongce to strike him, but Hongce was defeated in turn; Zigai then executed Hongce to display to the army. Director of the Imperial Academy Yang Wang showed a slight lack of respect, and Zigai was again about to execute him. Wang bowed in apology, knocking his head until it bled; only after a long time was he released and spared. Thereupon the three armies all trembled in fear, and officers and clerks did not dare look up. Xuangan each time deployed his best troops to attack the city; Zigai slowly made his preparations for defense, and whenever the enemy came he shattered them, so that for a long time they could not take it. When Lai Hu'er and others arrived with relief, Xuangan withdrew and left. In all, the persons Zigai executed numbered in the tens of thousands.

又檢校河南內史。車駕至高陽，追詣行在所。既而引見，帝逆勞之曰：「昔高祖留蕭何于關西，光武委寇恂以河內，公其人也。」子蓋謝曰：「臣任重器小，寧可竊譬兩賢！但以陛下威靈，小盜不足除耳。」進位光祿大夫，封建安侯，尚書如故。賜縑三千匹，女樂五十人。子蓋固讓，優詔不許。帝顧謂子蓋曰：「朕遣越王留守東都，示以皇枝磐石；社稷大事，終以委公。特宜持重，戈甲五百人而後出，此亦勇夫重閉之義也。無賴不軌者，便誅鋤之。凡可施行，無勞形跡。今為公別造玉麟符，以代銅獸。」又指越、代二王曰：「今以二孫委公與衛文升耳。宜選貞良宿德有方幅者教習之。動靜之節，宜思其可。」於是賜以良田、甲第。十年冬，車駕還東都，帝謂子蓋曰：「玄感之反，神明故以彰公赤心耳。析珪進爵，宜有令謨。」是日下詔，進爵為濟公，言其功濟天下，特為立名，無此郡國也。賜縑三千匹，奴婢二十口。後與蘇威、宇文述陪宴積翠亭，帝親以金杯屬子蓋酒，曰：「良算嘉謀，俟公後動，即以此杯賜公，用為永年之瑞。」並綺羅百匹。

He was also made acting director of the interior of Henan. When the imperial carriage reached Gaoyang, he was summoned to pursue to the traveling palace. Shortly afterward he was granted audience; the emperor went forward to comfort him and said, "In former times Emperor Gaozu left Xiao He in Guanxi, and Emperor Guangwu entrusted Kou Xun with Henei—you are such a man. Zigai apologized and said, "My burden is heavy and my vessel small—how could I dare compare myself to those two worthies! It is only that, by Your Majesty's awesome might, a petty bandit is not enough to be eliminated." He was advanced to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, enfeoffed as Marquis of Jian'an, and continued as minister as before. He was granted three thousand bolts of silk and fifty female musicians. Zigai firmly declined, but a gracious edict would not permit it. The emperor turned to Zigai and said, "I dispatch the Prince of Yue to remain at the Eastern Capital as a sign that the imperial branch is a bedrock boulder; the great affairs of state I ultimately entrust to you. You should especially hold to weightiness; five hundred men in armor and arms should follow before you go out—this too is the meaning of the brave man who double-bars his door. As for worthless and unprincipled men, execute and weed them out. Whatever may be carried out, do not trouble yourself over formalities. Now I have had made for you a separate jade lin tally to replace the bronze beast." He also pointed to the two princes, Yue and Dai, and said, "Now I entrust these two grandsons to you and to Wei Wensheng. You should select upright and good men of established virtue and proper measure to instruct and teach them. In the norms of movement and stillness, you should consider what is fitting." Thereupon he was granted fine fields and a fine mansion. In the winter of the tenth year the imperial carriage returned to the Eastern Capital; the emperor said to Zigai, "Xuangan's rebellion—the spirits therefore used it to display your loyal heart. To break off a tally and advance in rank, there should be a fine pronouncement." That day an edict was issued advancing his rank to Duke of Ji, meaning that his merit aided the realm; a title was specially established for him, and there was no such commandery or state. He was granted three thousand bolts of silk and twenty male and female servants. Later, together with Su Wei and Yuwen Shu, he attended a banquet at the Accumulated Emerald Pavilion; the emperor personally bestowed a golden cup upon Zigai with wine and said, "Fine plans and excellent counsel—we wait for your later move; with this cup I grant you, to serve as an omen of long years." He was also granted a hundred bolts of figured silk.

十一年，從駕汾陽宮。至於雁門，車駕為突厥所圍，頻戰不利。帝欲以精騎潰圍而出，子蓋諫曰：「陛下萬乘之主，豈宜輕脫，一朝狼狽，雖悔不追。未若守城以挫其銳，四面徵兵，可立而待。陛下亦何所慮，乃欲身自突圍！」因垂泣，「願暫停遼東之役，以慰眾望。聖躬親出慰撫，厚為勳格，人心自奮，不足為憂。」帝從之。其後援兵稍至，虜乃引去。納言蘇威追論勳格太重，宜在斟酌。子蓋執奏不宜失信。帝曰：「公欲收物情邪？」子蓋默然不敢對。從駕還東都。時絳郡賊敬槃陀、柴保昌等阻兵數萬，汾、晉苦之。詔令子蓋進討。于時人物殷阜，子蓋善惡無所分別，汾水之北，村塢盡焚之。百姓大駭，相率為盜。其有歸首者，無少長悉坑之。擁數萬之眾，經年不能破賊，有詔征還。又將兵擊宜陽賊，以疾停，卒於京第，時年七十有二。上悲傷者久之，顧謂黃門侍郎裴矩曰：「子蓋臨終有何語？」矩對曰：「子蓋病篤，深恨雁門之恥。」帝聞而歎息，令百官就吊，賜縑三百匹，米五百斛，贈開府儀同三司，諡曰景。會葬者萬餘人。武威民吏聞其死，莫不嗟痛，立碑頌德。

In the eleventh year he followed the imperial carriage to Fenyang Palace. When they reached Yanmen, the imperial carriage was surrounded by the Turks; battle after battle went badly. The emperor wished to break out with picked cavalry; Zigai remonstrated, "Your Majesty is the lord of ten thousand chariots—how should you lightly cast yourself off? Once you fall into distress, even regret will not overtake it. It is not as good as holding the city to blunt their edge; summon troops on all four sides, and they may be awaited standing. What does Your Majesty have to worry about, that you wish to break through in person!" Thereupon he wept and said, "I wish to suspend the Liaodong campaign for the time being to comfort the people's hopes. If Your Sacred Person goes out in person to comfort and soothe them, and makes the reward scale generous, the people's hearts will rouse themselves of their own accord—there is nothing to worry about." The emperor followed this. Afterward relief troops gradually arrived, and the barbarians then withdrew and left. Counselor Su Wei pursued the discussion that the reward scale was too heavy and should be weighed and adjusted. Zigai held to his memorial that one should not fail to keep faith. The emperor said, "Do you wish to win over popular sentiment? Zigai was silent and did not dare reply. He followed the imperial carriage back to the Eastern Capital. At the time the bandits of Jiang Commandery Jing Pantuo, Chai Baochang, and others held weapons in the tens of thousands; Fen and Jin suffered from them. An edict ordered Zigai to advance and attack the rebels. At the time the region was thick with people; Zigai made no distinction between the innocent and the guilty, and north of the Fen River he burned every village stockade. The common people were terrified and rose up as bandits in droves. Those who came to surrender, young or old alike, he had buried alive without exception. Though he commanded tens of thousands, for years he could not defeat the rebels; an edict recalled him to court. He was again to lead troops against the bandits of Yiyang, but fell ill and halted; he died at his residence in the capital at the age of seventy-two. The emperor grieved for a long time and, turning to Vice Director of the Yellow Gate Pei Ju, asked, "What did Zigai say before he died?" Ju replied, "Zigai was gravely ill and deeply regretted the disgrace at Yanmen." On hearing this the emperor sighed and ordered all officials to offer condolences; he granted three hundred bolts of silk and five hundred hu of rice, posthumously appointed him opening-office third rank with ceremonial parity, and gave the posthumous title Jing. More than ten thousand people attended his funeral. When the officials and people of Wuwei heard of his death, all mourned him; they erected a stele to praise his virtue.

子蓋無他權略，在軍持重，未嘗負敗，臨民明察，下莫敢欺。然嚴酷少恩，果於殺戮，臨終之日，見斷頭鬼前後重遝為之厲雲。

Zigai had no special stratagems; in the army he was steady and never suffered defeat; in governing the people he was sharp-sighted, and none beneath him dared deceive him. Yet he was severe and cruel, sparing little kindness, and decisive in killing; on the day of his death he was said to see headless ghosts before and behind, piled in layers, haunting him.

○史祥

Shi Xiang

史祥，字世休，朔方人也。父甯，周少司徒。祥少有文武才幹，仕周太子車右中士，襲爵武遂縣公。高祖踐阼，拜儀同，領交州事，進爵陽城郡公。祥在州頗有惠政。後數年，轉驃騎將軍。伐陳之役，從宜陽公王世積，以舟師出九江道，先鋒與陳人合戰，破之，進拔江州。上聞而大悅，下詔曰：「朕以陳叔寶世為僭逆，挻虐生民，故命諸軍，救彼塗炭。小寇狼狽，顧恃江湖之險，遂敢泛舟楫擬抗王師。公親率所部，應機奮擊，沉溺俘獲，厥功甚茂。又聞帥旅進取江州。行軍總管、襄邑公賀若弼既獲京口，新義公韓擒尋克姑熟。驃騎既渡江岸，所在橫行。晉王兵馬即入建業，清蕩吳、越，旦夕非遠。驃騎高才壯志，是朕所知，善為經略，以取大賞，使富貴功名永垂竹帛也。」進位上開府。尋拜蘄州總管，未幾，征拜左領左右將軍。後以行軍總管從晉王廣擊突厥于靈武，破之。遷右衛將軍。

Shi Xiang, whose style name was Shixiu, came from Shuofang. His father Ning had served as Junior Minister of Education under Northern Zhou. Xiang showed civil and military talent in his youth; he served as right attendant of the heir apparent's carriage under Zhou and inherited the title Duke of Wusui. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he was appointed a ceremonial colonel, took charge of Jiaozhou affairs, and was advanced to Duke of Yangcheng Commandery. In his province Xiang governed with considerable benevolence. Several years later he was transferred to general of agile cavalry. In the campaign against Chen he followed the Duke of Yiyang, Wang Shiji, leading a fleet along the Jiujiang route; as vanguard he engaged the Chen forces, defeated them, and advanced to capture Jiangzhou. The emperor heard this and was greatly pleased, and issued an edict saying, "I take Chen Shubao to have been a usurper for generations, cruel and oppressive toward the people; therefore I ordered the armies to rescue them from misery. The petty rebel, hard pressed, relied on the peril of rivers and lakes and dared to float boats intending to resist the royal army. You personally led your command, struck at the right moment with fierce attack, drowned and captured the enemy, and your achievement was outstanding. I also hear that the army is advancing to take Jiangzhou. Campaign General-in-Chief and Duke of Xiangyi He Ruobi has already taken Jingkou, and the Duke of Xinyi Han Qin soon took Guku. The general of agile cavalry has already crossed the south bank and marches at will wherever he goes. The Prince of Jin's soldiers and horses will soon enter Jianye; to pacify Wu and Yue is only a matter of days. The general of agile cavalry has lofty talent and great ambition—I know this well; plan your strategy wisely to win a great reward, and let wealth, honor, and fame endure forever in the histories. He was advanced to senior opening-office general. Soon he was appointed general-in-chief of Qizhou; before long he was summoned and appointed general of the left guard of the left. Later, as campaign general-in-chief, he followed the Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, to strike the Turks at Lingwu and defeated them. He was transferred to general of the right guard.

仁壽中，率兵屯弘化以備胡。煬帝時在東宮，遺祥書曰：

In the Renshou era he led troops to garrison Honghua to guard against the northern barbarians. When Yang Guang was crown prince in the Eastern Palace, he sent Xiang a letter saying:

將軍總戎塞表，胡虜清塵，秣馬休兵，猶事校獵，足使李廣慚勇，魏尚愧能，冠彼二賢，獨在吾子。昔餘濫舉，推轂治兵，振皇靈於塞外，驅犬羊乎大漠。于時同行軍旅，契闊戎旃，望龍城而衝冠，眄狼居而發憤。將軍英圖不世，猛氣無前，但物不遂心，<俛從事。每一思此，我勞如何。將軍宿心素志，早同膠漆，久而敬之，方成魚水。近者陪隨鑾駕，言旋上京，本即述職南蕃，宣條下國，不悟皇鑒曲發，備位少陽，戰戰兢兢，如臨冰穀。至如建節邊境，征伐四方，褰帷作牧，綏撫百姓，上稟成規，下盡臣節，是所願也，是所甘心。仰慕前修，庶得自效。謬其入守神器，元良萬國，身輕負重，何以克堪！所望故人，匡其不逮。比監國多暇，養疾閑宮，厭北閣之端居，罷南皮之馳射。博望之苑，既乏名賢，飛蓋之園，理乖終宴。親朋遠矣，琴書寂然，想望吾賢，疹如疾首。

General, you command the army beyond the passes; the barbarians are cleared from the frontier; though you rest your horses and lay down your arms, you still go hunting—enough to make Li Guang ashamed of his courage and Wei Shang ashamed of his ability; you surpass those two worthies and stand alone, my friend. In former days I was rashly promoted, took charge of the army, shook imperial majesty beyond the passes, and drove the barbarians across the great desert. At that time we marched together in the army, sharing hardships under the campaign banners, gazing toward Longcheng and bristling with rage, looking toward Langjuxu and burning with indignation. General, your heroic design is unmatched in the age and your fierce spirit without peer—but things do not accord with the heart, and you are forced to bow and submit to lesser affairs. Each time I think of this, how great is my distress! General, your long-held heart and plain ambition were early as close as glue and lacquer; with long respect they became like fish and water. Recently, accompanying the imperial carriage, I spoke of returning to the capital; originally I was to report to duty in the southern marches and proclaim regulations in the lower states—but unawares the imperial regard bent down and I was installed as crown prince; trembling in fear, it is as if treading on ice over a valley. As for establishing insignia on the border, campaigning on the four sides, serving as grand administrator, and soothing the common people—reporting above to imperial regulations and below fulfilling a minister's duty: these are what I wish, and what I give my heart to gladly. Looking up to former exemplars, I hope to prove my worth. Erroneously I have entered to guard the throne, heir to ten thousand states; my person is slight yet the burden heavy—how can I bear it! What I look to from an old friend is that you correct my shortcomings. Recently, while supervising the state I have had much leisure and nursed illness in the idle palace; I am weary of dwelling quietly in the northern pavilion and have ceased the galloping archery of Nanpi. In the garden of Bowang there is a lack of famous worthies; in the park of Flying Canopy, a feast to the end is contrary to reason. Kin and friends are far away; zither and books are silent; thinking of you, my worthy friend, it is like an illness in the head.

祥答書曰：

Xiang replied in a letter saying:

行人戾止，奉所賜況，恩紀綢繆，形于文墨。不悟飛雪增冰之地，忽載三陽，毳幙韋韝之鄉，俄聞九奏。精駭思越，莫知啟處。祥少不學軍旅，長遇升平，幸以先人緒餘，備職宿衛。懼駑蹇無致遠之用，朽薄非折衝之材，豈欲追蹤古人，語其優劣？曩者王師薄伐，天人受脤，絕漠揚旌，威震海外。當此之時，猛將如雲，謀夫如雨。至若祥者，列于卒伍，預聞指蹤之規，得免逗遛之責，循涯揣分，實為幸甚。爰以情喻雷、陳，事方劉、葛，信聖人之屈己，非庸人之擬議。何則？川澤之大，汙潦攸歸，松柏之高，蔦蘿斯托。微心眷眷，孟侯所知也。抑惟體元良之德，煥重離之暉，三善克修，萬邦以正。斯固道高周誦，契葉商皓，豈在管蠡所能窺測！伏承監國多暇，養德怡神，咀嚼六經，逍遙百氏。追西園之愛客，眷南皮之出遊，疇昔之恩，無忘造次。祥自忝式遏，載罹寒暑，身在邊隅，情馳魏闕。每至清風夕起，朗月孤照，想鳴葭之啟路，思托乘于後車。塞表京華，山川悠遠，瞻望浮雲，伏增潸結。

Your messenger has arrived; I receive what you bestowed, and your gracious regard, close and intimate, is expressed in writing. Unawares in a land where flying snow adds to ice, the warmth of spring suddenly arrives; in a land of felt curtains and leather quivers, the music of court is suddenly heard. My spirit is startled and my thoughts scattered; I do not know how to comport myself. I in my youth did not study military affairs; in my maturity I met an age of peace; fortunately, through my forebears' remaining estate, I fill a post in the palace guard. I fear that a lame nag has no use for going far, and a rotten plank is not material for breaking the foe—how would I wish to follow the ancients and speak of superiority or inferiority? In former days the royal army campaigned; Heaven and man received the sacrificial meat; banners were raised across the desert, and awe shook the lands beyond the seas. At that time fierce generals were like clouds, and strategists like rain. As for me, I was ranked among the soldiers, heard beforehand the rules of command, and was spared the blame of delay—measuring my portion against my capacity, it was truly very fortunate. Therefore with feeling I compare you to Lei and Chen, and the matter to Liu and Ge; I believe a sage bends himself—this is not a matter for mediocre men to discuss. Why is this? Great rivers and marshes—all muddy runoff returns to them; tall pine and cypress—all creepers cling to them. My slight heart's deep regard—my lord knows it. Moreover, embodying the virtue of the worthy heir, brightening the radiance of the crown, the three excellences are fully cultivated, and the ten thousand states are set right. This is truly a Way higher than the Zhou recitation, a bond like the leaves of Shang and Hao—how could a measuring tube glimpse it! I respectfully hear that while supervising the state you have much leisure, nurturing virtue and pleasing the spirit, studying the Six Classics and roaming among the hundred schools. Following the beloved guests of the Western Garden, cherishing the outings of Nanpi—the kindness of former days, do not forget it even in haste. Since taking on the task of repelling invaders I have passed through cold and heat; my body is on the border, but my feelings race to the capital. Whenever the clear wind rises in the evening and the bright moon shines alone, I think of the reed pipes opening the road and wish to ride in the rear carriage. Beyond the passes the capital is far; mountains and rivers stretch between us; gazing at floating clouds, I bow and my tears increase.

太子甚親遇之。

The crown prince treated him with great intimacy.

煬帝即位，漢王諒發兵作亂，遣其將綦良自滏口徇黎陽，塞白馬津，餘公理自太行下河內。帝以祥為行軍總管，軍于河陰，久不得濟。祥謂軍吏曰：「餘公理輕而無謀，才用素不足稱，又新得志，謂其眾可恃。恃眾必驕。且河北人先不習兵，所謂擁市人而戰。以吾籌之，不足圖也。」乃令軍中修攻具，公理使諜知之，果屯兵于河陽內城以備祥。祥於是艤船南岸，公理聚甲以當之。祥乃簡精銳於下流潛渡，公理率眾拒之。祥至須水，兩軍相對，公理未成列，祥縱擊，大破之。東趣黎陽討綦良等。良列陣以待，兵未接，良棄軍而走。於是其眾大潰，祥縱兵乘之，殺萬餘人。進位上大將軍，賜縑彩七千段，女妓十人，良馬二十匹。轉太僕卿。帝嘗賜祥詩曰：「伯煚朝寄重，夏侯親遇深。貴耳唯聞古，賤目詎知今，早厓勁草質，久有背淮心。掃逆黎山外，振旅河之陰。功已書王府，留情《太僕箴》。」祥上表辭謝，帝降手詔曰：「昔歲勞公問罪河朔，賊爾日塞兩關之路，據倉阻河，百姓脅從，人亦眾矣。公竭誠奮勇，一舉克定。《詩》不雲乎：'喪亂既平，既安且寧。 '非英才大略，其孰能與於此邪！故聊示所懷，亦何謝也。」

When Emperor Yang acceded, the Prince of Han, Yang Liang, raised troops in rebellion and sent his generals Qi Liang from Fukou to strike toward Liyang and block the Baima Ford, while Yu Gongli came down from the Taihang Mountains into Henei. The emperor made Xiang campaign general-in-chief; he encamped at Heyin and for a long time could not cross the river. Xiang said to the army officers, "Yu Gongli is rash and without strategy; his talent and ability have never been noteworthy; moreover he has newly gained his aim and thinks his host can be relied upon. To rely on numbers is surely to become arrogant. Moreover the people of Hebei have never practiced arms—it is what is called leading market people into battle. By my reckoning, he is not worth plotting against. Thereupon he ordered the army to prepare siege engines; Gongli sent spies to learn of it and indeed massed troops in the inner city of Heyang to guard against Xiang. Xiang thereupon moored his boats on the south bank; Gongli gathered armor to oppose him. Xiang then selected picked troops to cross secretly downstream; Gongli led his host to resist him. When Xiang reached the Xu River the two armies faced each other; Gongli had not yet formed his ranks when Xiang attacked and greatly defeated him. He pressed east toward Liyang to attack Qi Liang and the others. Liang drew up his ranks to await him; before the troops had joined battle, Liang abandoned his army and fled. Thereupon his host collapsed in great disorder; Xiang loosed his troops to pursue them and killed more than ten thousand men. He was advanced to senior general-in-chief, granted seven thousand bolts of figured silk, ten female musicians, and twenty fine horses. He was transferred to Minister of the Stud. The emperor once bestowed a poem on Xiang saying, "Bo Jiu's court commission is weighty; Xiahou's intimate regard is deep. The noble ear hears only the ancients; the base eye—how would it know the present? Early the tough quality of cliff grass; long has there been a heart to turn away from the Huai. Sweeping the rebels beyond Lishan, shaking the army north of the river. Merit is already recorded in the royal house; affection remains for the "Minister of the Stud's Admonition." Xiang submitted a memorial declining thanks; the emperor sent a handwritten edict saying, "In former years I labored you to punish guilt in Heshuo; the rebel at that time blocked the road through the two passes, held the granary and blocked the river—the common people were compelled to follow, and his forces were also numerous. You exhausted your sincerity and exerted your courage; in one move you conquered and settled it. Does not the Odes say, "The turmoil and disorder are already pacified; already there is peace and rest." Unless a heroic talent of great design, who could share in this! Therefore I briefly show my feelings—what is there to thank for?"

尋遷鴻臚卿。時突厥啟民可汗請朝，帝遣祥迎接之。從征吐谷渾，祥率眾出間道擊虜，破之，俘男女千餘口。賜奴婢六十人，馬三百匹。進位左光祿大夫，拜左驍衛將軍。及遼東之役，出蹋頓道，不利而還。由是除名為民。俄拜燕郡太守，被賊高開道所圍，祥稱疾不視事。及城陷，開道甚禮之。會開道與羅藝通和，送祥於涿郡，卒於途。

Soon he was transferred to Director of Guests. At the time Qaghan Qimin of the Turks requested an audience; the emperor sent Xiang to welcome him. On the campaign against Tuyuhun, Xiang led his host out by a bypath to strike the barbarians, defeated them, and captured more than a thousand men and women. He was granted sixty male and female servants and three hundred horses. He was advanced to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Left Seal and appointed General of the Left Martial Cavalry. In the Liaodong campaign he advanced by the Tadun route, met with ill fortune, and returned. Thereupon he was removed from office and made a commoner. Before long he was made governor of Yan Commandery, but when the rebel Gao Kaidao besieged him, Xiang feigned illness and refused to take up his duties. After the city fell, Kaidao treated him with marked respect. When Kaidao reached an accord with Luo Yi, he sent Xiang toward Zhuo Commandery, but Xiang died en route.

有子義隆，永年令。祥兄雲，字世高，弟威，字世儀，並有幹局。雲官至萊州刺史、武平縣公，威官至武賁郎將、武當縣公。

He left a son, Yilong, who served as magistrate of Yongnian. Xiang's elder brother Yun, styled Shigao, and his younger brother Wei, styled Shiyi, both possessed real administrative ability. Yun reached the posts of inspector of Laizhou and Marquis of Wuping, while Wei rose to general of the Martial Tiger Guard and Marquis of Wudang.

○元壽

Yuan Shou

元壽，字長壽，河南洛陽人也。祖敦，魏侍中、邵陵王。父寶，周涼州刺史。壽少孤，性仁孝，九歲喪父，哀毀骨立，宗族鄉黨鹹異之。事母以孝聞。及長，方直，頗涉經史。周武成初，封隆城縣侯，邑千戶，保定四年，改封儀隴縣侯，授儀同三司。開皇初，議伐陳，以壽有思理，奉使於淮浦監修船艦，以強濟見稱。四年，參督漕渠之役，授尚書主爵侍郎。八年，從晉王伐陳，除行台左丞，兼領元帥府屬。及平陳，拜尚書左丞。高祖嘗出苑觀射，文武並從焉。開府蕭摩訶妻患且死，奏請遣子向江南收其家產，御史見而不言。壽奏劾之曰：

Yuan Shou, whose style name was Changshou, came from Luoyang in Henan. His grandfather Dun had served the Wei as chamberlain-attendant-in-ordinary and as Prince of Shaoling. His father Bao had been governor of Liang Province under Northern Zhou. Shou was orphaned young and by nature gentle and filial. When he lost his father at nine, grief left him wasted to skin and bone, and kin and neighbors alike were astonished. His filial devotion to his mother became widely known. As he matured he proved upright and principled, with a solid grounding in the classics and histories. Early in Emperor Wucheng's reign he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Longcheng with a fief of one thousand households; in Baoding year 4 he was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Yilong and made a third-rank commissioner with ceremonial parity. At the opening of the Kaihuang era, when plans were made to attack Chen, Shou's sound judgment earned him a mission to the Huai shore to oversee shipbuilding, where his energetic effectiveness won praise. In year 4 he helped supervise work on the canal and was appointed vice director of the Ministry of Personnel for enfeoffments. In year 8 he followed the Prince of Jin against Chen, becoming left assistant of the mobile secretariat while also serving on the marshal's staff. After Chen was pacified, he was appointed left assistant of the Ministry of Works. Emperor Wen once went out to the archery park, with civil and military officials in attendance. Acting grand general Xiao Mohe's wife lay gravely ill; he petitioned to send his son to Jiangnan to recover family property, yet the censor who witnessed it kept silent. Shou submitted an impeachment memorial, saying:

臣聞天道不言，功成四序，聖皇垂拱，任在百司。御史之官，義存糾察，直繩莫舉，憲典誰寄？今月五日，鑾輿徙蹕，親臨射苑，開府儀同三司蕭摩訶幸廁朝行，預觀盛禮，奏稱請遣子世略暫往江南重收家產。妻安遇患，彌留有日，安若長逝，世略不合此行。竊以人倫之義，伉儷為重，資愛之道，烏鳥弗虧。摩訶遠念資財，近忘匹好，又命其子舍危惙之母，為聚斂之行。一言才發，名教頓盡。而兼殿內侍御史臣韓微之等，親所聞見，竟不彈糾。若知非不舉，事涉阿縱；如不以為非，豈關理識？謹按儀同三司、太子左庶子、檢校治書侍御史臣劉行本，出入宮省，備蒙任遇，攝職憲台，時月稍久，庶能整肅纓冕，澄清風教。而在法司，虧失憲體，瓶罄罍恥，何所逃愆！臣謬膺朝寄，忝居左轄，無容寢默，謹以狀聞。其行本、微之等，請付大理。

I have heard that Heaven's Way needs no words, yet through it the four seasons run their course; the sage emperor governs without strain, and responsibility falls on the hundred offices. The censor's charge is investigation and correction; if the straight cord of law is never raised, to whom can the penal code be entrusted? On the fifth of this month the imperial procession moved to the archery park, where the emperor presided in person. Xiao Mohe, acting grand general with third-rank ceremonial parity, marched in the imperial train, watched the grand rite, and petitioned to send his son Shilüe temporarily to Jiangnan to recover family property once more. His wife An is dangerously ill and has lingered for days; should she die, Shilüe should not be sent away on such a journey. In the bonds of human life, nothing weighs more than husband and wife; in the duty of cherishing those we love, not even the filial crow falls short. Mohe broods over distant wealth while forgetting the wife at his side, and would send his son away from a dying mother on a mission of greed. With a single utterance he had undone the whole fabric of moral teaching. Yet Han Weizhi, concurrent palace attendant censor, and others who heard and saw it with their own ears and eyes never impeached him. If they knew it was wrong and kept silent, that is connivance and dereliction; if they did not think it wrong, what then becomes of judgment and moral sense? I respectfully note that Liu Xingben, third-rank commissioner with ceremonial parity, left assistant to the crown prince, and acting director of the Bureau of Documents and attendant censor, moving in and out of the palace offices, has enjoyed full trust; after months in charge of the censorate, he ought to have restored official decorum and clarified public morals. Yet in the legal office he has failed the penal code itself; when the lesser vessel is empty, the greater is shamed—how can he escape blame? I have wrongly received the court's trust and hold the left vice-directorship; I cannot keep silent, and respectfully submit this report. I ask that Xingben, Weizhi, and the others be referred to the Court of Judicial Review.

上嘉納之。尋授太常少卿。數年，拜基州刺史，在任有公廉之稱。入為太府少卿。進位開府。煬帝嗣位，漢王諒舉兵反，左僕射楊素為行軍元帥，壽為長史。壽每遇賊，為士卒先，以功授大將軍，遷太府卿。四年，拜內史令，從帝西討吐谷渾。壽率眾屯金山，東西連營三百餘裡，以圍渾主。及還，拜右光祿大夫。七年，兼左翊衛將軍，從征遼東，行至涿郡，遇疾卒，時年六十三。帝悼惜焉，哭之甚慟。贈尚書右僕射、光祿大夫，諡曰景。

The emperor approved the memorial and accepted his recommendation. Before long he was appointed vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Several years later he became governor of Jizhou, where his fair and incorrupt conduct won wide praise. He was recalled to court as vice director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury. He was promoted to acting grand general. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled; left vice director Yang Su served as campaign marshal, with Shou as his chief secretary. Whenever Shou met the enemy he led from the front; for his service he was made general-in-chief and transferred to director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury. In year 4 he was appointed director of the Palace Secretariat and accompanied the emperor west against Tuyuhun. Shou encamped at Jinshan with camps stretching more than three hundred li east and west to surround the Tuyuhun ruler. On his return he was made right grand master of splendid happiness. In year 7, also serving as general of the Left Wing Guard, he joined the Liaodong campaign; he reached Zhuo Commandery, fell ill, and died at sixty-three. The emperor grieved deeply and wept over him at length. He was posthumously granted the posts of right vice director of the Ministry of Works and grand master of splendid happiness, with the posthumous name Jing.

子敏，頗有才辯，而輕險多詐。壽卒後，帝追思之，擢敏為守內史舍人，而交通博徒，數漏泄省中語。化及之反也，敏創其謀，偽授內史侍郎，為沈光所殺。

His son Min was clever and articulate, but reckless, treacherous, and much given to deceit. After Shou's death the emperor, thinking of his father, raised Min to acting palace secretariat attendant, but Min consorted with gamblers and repeatedly leaked confidential court business. When Yu Wen Huaji rebelled, Min helped hatch the plot, was given the false title of vice director of the Palace Secretariat, and was killed by Shen Guang.

○楊義臣

Yang Yichen

楊義臣，代人也，本姓尉遲氏。父崇，仕周為儀同大將軍，以兵鎮恆山。時高祖為定州總管，崇知高祖相貌非常，每自結納，高祖甚親待之。及為丞相，尉迥作亂，崇以宗族之故，自囚於獄，遣使請罪。高祖下書慰諭之，即令馳驛入朝，恆置左右。開皇初，封秦興縣公。歲餘，從行軍總管達奚長儒擊突厥于周盤，力戰而死。贈大將軍、豫州刺史，以義臣襲崇官爵。時義臣尚幼，養于宮中，年未弱冠，奉詔宿衛如千牛者數年，賞賜甚厚。上嘗從容言及恩舊，顧義臣嗟歎久之，因下詔曰：「朕受命之初，群凶未定，明識之士，有足可懷。尉義臣與尉迥，本同骨肉，既狂悖作亂鄴城，其父崇時在常山，典司兵甲，與迥鄰接，又是至親，知逆順之理，識天人之意，即陳丹款，慮染惡徒，自執有司，請歸相府。及北夷內侵，橫戈制敵，輕生重義，馬革言旋。操表存亡，事貫幽顯，雖高官大賞，延及於世，未足表松筠之志，彰節義之門。義臣可賜姓楊氏，賜錢三萬貫，酒三十斛，米麥各百斛，編之屬籍，為皇從孫。」未幾，拜陝州刺史。義臣性謹厚，能馳射，有將領之才，由是上甚重之。其後突厥達頭可汗犯塞，以行軍總管率步騎三萬出白道，與賊遇，戰，大破之。明年，突厥又寇邊，雁門、馬邑多被其患。義臣擊之，虜遂出塞，因而追之，至大斤山，與虜相遇。時太平公史萬歲軍亦至，義臣與萬歲合軍擊虜，大破之，萬歲為楊素所陷而死，義臣功竟不錄。仁壽初，拜朔州總管，賜以禦甲。

Yang Yichen came from Dai and was originally of the Yuchi clan. His father Chong served Northern Zhou as a third-rank commissioner grand general and held troops at Hengshan. When Emperor Wen was governor-general of Dingzhou, Chong saw that his bearing was extraordinary and deliberately cultivated his favor; the future emperor treated him with great warmth. When Wen became chancellor, Yuchi Wei rebelled; because they were kin, Chong had himself imprisoned and sent a messenger to confess his family's guilt. The emperor sent a letter of reassurance, then summoned him post-haste to court and kept him constantly at his side. At the opening of Kaihuang he was enfeoffed as Duke of Qinxing County. A little over a year later he followed campaign governor-general Daxi Changru against the Turks at Zhoupan, fought fiercely, and was killed. He was posthumously made general-in-chief and governor of Yuzhou, and Yichen inherited his offices and title. Yichen was still a boy and was reared in the palace; before he came of age he served by imperial order in the palace guard like the Thousand-Ox guards for several years, with lavish rewards. Once, speaking fondly of old companions, the emperor turned to Yichen and sighed at length, then issued an edict: "When I first received the Mandate, the realm was still unsettled, and clear-sighted men were men one could truly rely upon. Yuchi Yichen and Yuchi Wei were blood kin; when Wei rose in mad rebellion at Ye, his father Chong was at Changshan commanding troops on Wei's border and was his closest relative. Knowing the difference between loyalty and treason and reading Heaven's intent, he at once declared his faith, feared being tainted by rebels, surrendered himself to the law, and asked to answer at the chancellor's court. When the northern barbarians invaded, he took up arms against the foe, held righteousness dearer than life, and fell on campaign to return only in a horse-hide shroud. His conduct bridged life and death and reached through this world and the next; though high rank and rich reward passed down through his house, they were not enough to honor his steadfast resolve or burnish the name of his loyal family. Yichen shall be granted the surname Yang, thirty thousand strings of cash, thirty hu of wine, one hundred hu each of rice and wheat, enrollment in the imperial clan register, and the status of imperial clansman from the younger line." Soon afterward he was appointed governor of Shaanzhou. Yichen was cautious and steady, skilled in horsemanship and archery, and showed real commander's talent, so the emperor held him in high regard. Later, when Tardu Qaghan of the Turks raided the frontier, Yichen marched as campaign governor-general with thirty thousand horse and foot out the White Road, met the enemy in battle, and routed them. The following year the Turks raided again, and Yanmen and Mayi suffered heavily. Yichen attacked them; the raiders fled beyond the border, and he pursued them to Dajin Mountain, where he caught up with them. Shi Wansui, Duke of Taiping, then arrived with his army; Yichen joined forces with him and won a great victory. Wansui was destroyed by Yang Su and died, and Yichen's achievements went unrewarded. At the opening of the Renshou era he became governor-general of Shuozhou and was granted imperial armor.

煬帝嗣位，漢王諒作亂并州。時代州總管李景為漢王將喬鐘葵所圍，詔義臣救之。義臣率馬步二萬，夜出西陘，遲明行數十裡。鐘葵覘見義臣兵少，悉眾拒之。鐘葵亞將王拔驍勇，善用矛，射之者不能中，每以數騎陷陣。義臣患之，募能當拔者。車騎將軍楊思恩請當之。義臣見思恩氣貌雄勇，顧之曰：「壯士也！」賜以卮酒。思恩望見拔立於陣後，投觴於地，策馬赴之。再往不克，義臣複選騎士十余人從之。思恩遂突擊，殺數人，直至拔麾下。短兵方接，所從騎士退，思恩為拔所殺。拔遂乘之，義臣軍北者十餘裡。於是購得思恩屍，義臣哭之甚慟，三軍莫不下泣。所從騎士皆腰斬。義臣自以兵少，悉取軍中牛驢，得數千頭，複令兵數百人，人持一鼓，潛驅之澗穀間，出其不意。義臣晡後複與鐘葵軍戰，兵初合，命驅牛驢者疾進。一時鳴鼓，塵埃張天，鐘葵軍不知，以為伏兵發，因而大潰，縱擊破之。以功進位上大將軍，賜物二千段，雜彩五百段，女妓十人，良馬二十匹。尋授相州刺史。後三歲，征為宗正卿。未幾，轉太僕卿。從征吐谷渾，令義臣屯琵琶峽，連營八十裡，南接元壽，北連段文振，合圍渾主于覆袁川。其後複征遼東，以軍將指肅慎道。至鴨綠水，與乙支文德戰，每為先鋒，一日七捷。後與諸軍俱敗，竟坐免。俄而復位。明年，以為軍副，與大將軍宇文述趣平壤。至鴨綠水，會楊玄感作亂，班師，檢校趙郡太守。妖賊向海公聚眾作亂，寇扶風、安定間，義臣奉詔擊平之。尋從帝複征遼東，進位左光祿大夫。時渤海高士達，清河張金稱並相聚為盜，眾已數萬，攻陷郡縣。帝遣將軍段達討之，不能克。詔義臣率遼東還兵數萬擊之，大破士達，斬金稱。又收合降賊，入豆子<鹵亢>，討格謙，擒之，以狀聞奏。帝惡其威名，遽追入朝，賊由是複盛。義臣以功進位光祿大夫，尋拜禮部尚書。未幾，卒官。

When Emperor Yang took the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled in Bingzhou. Governor-general Li Jing of Daizhou was then besieged by Qiao Zhongkui, a general of Prince Liang; Yichen was ordered to relieve him. Yichen led twenty thousand horse and foot, stole out by night through West Pass, and by dawn had marched several tens of li. Zhongkui saw how few men Yichen had and massed his whole army to block him. Zhongkui's lieutenant Wang Ba was a fierce warrior with the spear; arrows could not bring him down, and again and again he broke the line with a handful of riders. Yichen was vexed by this and sought a man who could stand against Ba. Cavalry general Yang Si'en volunteered to face him. Seeing Si'en's bold and fierce mien, Yichen turned to him and said, "A true warrior!" and gave him a cup of wine. Si'en spotted Ba at the rear of the enemy line, flung down his cup, and spurred straight at him. Twice he charged and failed; Yichen then chose more than ten mounted warriors to go with him. Si'en then drove home his attack, cut down several men, and reached Ba's own standard. They had just closed in hand to hand when the riders with him fell back, and Ba killed Si'en. Ba pressed the advantage, and Yichen's army fell back northward more than ten li. They recovered Si'en's body at a price; Yichen mourned him bitterly, and the whole army wept. The riders who had retreated were all executed by waist-slicing. Knowing his force was too small, Yichen gathered every ox and donkey in the army—several thousand head—and sent several hundred men, each with a drum, to drive them secretly through ravines and valleys for a surprise blow. That afternoon Yichen engaged Zhongkui again; as the lines met he ordered the ox-and-donkey drivers to rush forward. Drums burst out at once and dust blotted the sky; Zhongkui's men, thinking an ambush had sprung, broke and fled in panic, and Yichen chased them to complete rout. For this service he was promoted to senior general-in-chief and rewarded with two thousand bolts of goods, five hundred bolts of colored silks, ten female entertainers, and twenty fine horses. Before long he was appointed governor of Xiangzhou. Three years later he was recalled as director of the Imperial Clan. Soon afterward he was transferred to director of the Imperial Stud. On the Tuyuhun campaign Yichen was posted at Pipa Pass with camps stretching eighty li, linking south with Yuan Shou and north with Duan Wenzhen to surround the Tuyuhun ruler at the Fuyuan River. He later joined the Liaodong campaign again, commanding operations along the Sushen route. At the Yalu River he battled Eulji Mundeok, leading the van again and again and winning seven engagements in a single day. He was later defeated along with the rest of the army and, in the end, stripped of his post. Before long he was reinstated. The following year he was appointed army deputy and, with Grand General Yuwen Shu, advanced on Pyongyang. They had reached the Yalu when Yang Xuangan rebelled. The expedition was called off, and Yichen was assigned as acting Grand Administrator of Zhao Commandery. The rebel leader Xiang Haigong raised a force and harassed the region between Fufeng and Anding. Yichen was ordered to attack and put the revolt down. He soon accompanied the emperor on another Liaodong campaign and was promoted to Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. At that time Gao Shida of Bohai and Zhang Jincheng of Qinghe had banded together as bandits. Their followers already numbered in the tens of thousands, and they were overrunning commanderies and counties. The emperor sent General Duan Da against them, but Duan could not prevail. Yichen was ordered to lead the tens of thousands of troops returning from Liaodong against them. He crushed Gao Shida and killed Zhang Jincheng. He then reassembled surrendered rebels, marched into the Douzi foothills, attacked Ge Qian, captured him, and reported his success to the throne. The emperor, resentful of his growing renown, abruptly recalled him to court, and the rebels flourished once more. For his victories Yichen was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and soon after appointed Minister of Rites. He died in office not long afterward.

○衛玄

Wei Xuan

衛玄，字文升，河南洛陽人也。祖悅，魏司農卿，父扌剽，侍中、左武衛大將軍，玄少有器識，周武帝在籓，引為記室。遷給事上士，襲爵興勢公，食邑四千戶。轉宣納下大夫。武帝親總萬機，拜益州總管長史，賜以萬釘寶帶。稍遷開府儀同三司、太府中大夫，治內史事，仍領京兆尹，稱為強濟。宣帝時，以忤旨免官。高祖作相，檢校熊州事。和州蠻反，玄以行軍總管擊平之。及高祖受禪，遷淮州總管，進封同軌郡公，坐事免。未幾，拜嵐州刺史。會起長城之役，詔玄監督之。俄檢校朔州總管事。後為衛尉少卿。仁壽初，山獠作亂，出為資州刺史以鎮撫之。玄既到官，時獠攻圍大牢鎮，玄單騎造其營，謂群獠曰：「我是刺史，銜天子詔安養汝等，勿驚懼也。」諸賊莫敢動。於是說以利害，渠帥感悅，解兵而去。前後歸附者十餘萬口。高祖大悅，賜縑二千匹，除遂州總管，仍令劍南安撫。煬帝即位，複征為衛尉卿。夷、獠攀戀，數百里不絕。玄曉之曰：「天子詔征，不可久住。」因與之訣，夷、獠各揮涕而去。歲餘，遷工部尚書。其後拜魏郡太守，尚書如故。帝謂玄曰：「魏郡名都，衝要之所，民多奸宄，是用煩公。此郡去都，道裡非遠，宜數往來，詢謀朝政。」賜物五百段而遣之。未幾，拜右候衛大將軍，檢校左候衛事。大業八年，轉刑部尚書。遼東之役，檢校右禦衛大將軍，率師出增地道。時諸軍多不利，玄獨全眾而還。拜金紫光祿大夫。九年，車駕幸遼東，使玄與代王侑留守京師，拜為京兆內史，尚書如故。許以便宜從事，敕代王待以師傅之禮。

Wei Xuan, whose style name was Wensheng, came from Luoyang in Henan. His grandfather Yue had served Wei as Minister of Agriculture; his father Bo as Palace Attendant and Grand General of the Left Martial Guard. From youth Xuan showed ability and judgment. While Emperor Wu of Zhou was still a prince, he took Xuan on as a secretary. He rose to Senior Clerk to the Emperor and inherited the dukedom of Xingshi, with a fief of four thousand households. He was promoted to Grand Master of Spreading Instruction, Lower Rank. When Emperor Wu took personal control of government, Xuan was appointed chief clerk to the Governor-General of Yizhou and was granted a jeweled belt studded with ten thousand nails. He rose to General with the Opening Office and ceremonial parity with the Three Excellencies, and Grand Master of the Grand Treasury, Middle Rank, managing the affairs of the Inner Scribe while also serving as Governor of Jingzhao. He was known for being vigorous and capable. Under Emperor Xuan he lost his post for defying the throne. When Gaozu became Chancellor, Xuan was put in charge of Xiong Prefecture on an acting basis. When the tribes of He Prefecture rebelled, Xuan, as Commander on Campaign, attacked and subdued them. After Gaozu accepted the throne, Xuan was made Governor-General of Huaizhou and enfeoffed as Duke of Tonggui Commandery, but was later removed from office for an offense. Shortly thereafter he was made Governor of Lan Prefecture. When work began on the Great Wall, an edict put Xuan in charge of supervising the construction. Soon after he was assigned acting duties as Governor-General of Shuozhou. He later served as Vice Director of the Palace Guard. At the start of the Renshou era, when the mountain tribes rose in revolt, he was dispatched as Governor of Zi Prefecture to pacify the region. Once in office, Xuan found the tribes besieging Dalao Fort. He rode alone into their camp and told the assembled chiefs, "I am your governor. I come with the Son of Heaven's order to protect and provide for you. Have no fear. None of the rebels dared move. He then spoke to them of gain and loss. The chieftains were won over, disbanded their forces, and withdrew. In the end more than a hundred thousand people came over to his authority. Gaozu was delighted and rewarded him with two thousand bolts of silk. Xuan was made Governor-General of Suizhou and charged with continuing the pacification of Jiannan. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Xuan was recalled and made Director of the Palace Guard. The Yi and Liao clung to him in farewell, lining the road for hundreds of li. Xuan told them, "The Son of Heaven has summoned me. I cannot linger. He took his leave; the Yi and Liao wept as they saw him go. A little over a year later he was made Minister of Works. He was later appointed Grand Administrator of Wei Commandery while keeping his ministerial rank. The emperor told Xuan, "Wei Commandery is a celebrated seat and a vital crossroads. Its people are rife with schemers and criminals. That is why I must impose on you. The commandery is not far from the capital. You should come and go often and keep me advised on affairs of state. The emperor gave him five hundred bolts of goods and sent him on his way. Before long he was made Grand General of the Right Garrison Guard and put in acting charge of the Left Garrison Guard as well. In the eighth year of Daye he became Minister of Justice. In the Liaodong campaign he served as acting Grand General of the Right Imperial Guard and led troops out through Zengdi Pass. While most of the army met with disaster, Xuan alone brought his force back intact. He was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal. In the ninth year, when the emperor marched on Liaodong, he left Xuan and Prince Dai You to hold the capital. Xuan was appointed Inner Scribe of Jingzhao while keeping his ministerial title. He was authorized to act at his own discretion, and Prince Dai was instructed to treat him with the deference owed a teacher.

會楊玄感圍逼東都，玄率步騎七萬援之。至華陰，掘楊素塚，焚其骸骨，夷其塋域，示士卒以必死。既出潼關，議者恐崤、函有伏兵，請於陝縣沿流東下，直趣河陽，以攻其背。玄曰：「以吾度之，此計非豎子所及。」於是鼓行而進。既度函穀，卒如所量。於是遣武賁郎將張峻為疑軍于南道，玄以大兵直趣城北。玄感逆拒之，且戰且行，屯軍金穀。于軍中掃地而祭高祖曰：「刑部尚書、京兆內史臣衛文升，敢昭告于高祖文皇帝之靈：自皇家啟運，三十餘年，武功文德，漸被海外。楊玄感孤負聖恩，躬為蛇豕，蜂飛蟻聚，犯我王略。臣二世受恩，一心事主，董率熊羆，志梟凶逆。若社稷靈長，宜令醜徒冰碎，如或大運去矣，幸使老臣先死。」詞氣抑揚，三軍莫不涕咽。時眾寡不敵，與賊頻戰不利，死傷大半。玄感盡銳來攻，玄苦戰，賊稍卻，進屯北芒。會宇文述、來護兒等援兵至，玄感懼而西遁。玄遣通議大夫斛斯萬善、監門直閣龐玉前鋒追之，及於閿鄉，與宇文述等合擊破之。車駕至高陽，征詣行在所。帝勞之曰：「社稷之臣也。使朕無西顧之憂。」乃下詔曰：「近者妖氛充斥，擾動關、河，文升率勵義勇，應機響赴，表裡奮擊，摧破凶醜，宜升榮命，式弘賞典。可右光祿大夫。」賜以良田、甲第，資物巨萬。還鎮京師，帝謂之曰：「關右之任，一委於公。公安，社稷乃安；公危，社稷亦危。出入須有兵衛，坐臥恆宜自牢，勇夫重閉，此其義也。今特給千兵，以充侍從。」賜以玉麟符。十一年，詔玄安撫關中。時盜賊蜂起，百姓饑饉，玄竟不能救恤，而官方壞亂，貨賄公行。玄自以年老，上表乞骸骨，帝使內史舍人封德彝馳諭之曰：「京師國本，王業所基，宗廟園陵所在，藉公耆舊，臥以鎮之。朕為國計，義無相許，故遣德彝口陳指意。」玄乃止。義師入關，自知不能守，憂懼稱疾，不知政事。城陷，歸於家。義甯中卒，時年七十七。

When Yang Xuangan laid siege to the Eastern Capital, Xuan led seventy thousand foot and horse to its relief. At Huayin he exhumed Yang Su's tomb, burned the bones, and razed the burial grounds—showing his soldiers they must fight to the death. Once through Tong Pass, his advisers feared an ambush in the Qin Mountains passes and urged him to follow the river east from Shaan County straight to Heyang and strike the rebels from behind. Xuan said, "By my judgment, that plan is beyond what such a stripling could have devised. He marched forward at the beat of the drums. After passing Hangu Pass, events unfolded exactly as he had predicted. He sent Valiant Guard Lieutenant Zhang Jun with a diversionary force along the southern road, while he himself led the main army straight for the north of the city. Xuangan marched out to meet him, fighting as he withdrew, and made camp at Jingu. In camp he swept clean a plot of ground and offered sacrifice to Gaozu, saying, "Your subject Wei Wensheng, Minister of Justice and Inner Scribe of Jingzhao, declares before the spirit of Emperor Wen: Since the dynasty received the Mandate, more than thirty years have passed. Its martial might and civil virtue have spread even beyond the seas. Yang Xuangan has betrayed imperial grace and turned serpent and pig himself. Swarming like bees and ants, he has violated the throne's dominion. I have been favored through two reigns and serve my sovereign with undivided loyalty. I lead troops bold as bears and tigers, resolved to behead this villain. If the altars of state endure, may these wretched rebels be shattered like ice. But if the dynasty's fortune has already turned, then let this old servant die first. His words rang with passion; across the whole army men wept till they could barely speak. Outnumbered, they fought the rebels again and again without success. More than half the force was killed or wounded. Xuangan threw in his best troops. Xuan fought desperately and slowly drove the rebels back, advancing to encamp at Northern Mang. When reinforcements under Yuwen Shu and Lai Huer arrived, Xuangan took fright and fled west. Xuan sent Privy Counselor Husi Wanshan and Direct Attendant of the Gate Inspector Pang Yu in pursuit. They caught up at Wenxiang and, joining Yuwen Shu's force, broke the rebels completely. When the emperor reached Gaoyang, Xuan was summoned to the encampment. The emperor praised him: "You are a pillar of the realm. You have spared me all fear for the west. An edict followed: "Evil omens have lately filled the land and stirred turmoil in the Pass and Yellow River regions. Wensheng rallied loyal volunteers, answered the crisis at once, and struck the rebels within and without until they broke. Let his honors be raised and our rewards made plain. Let him be Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He was granted fertile land, a fine mansion, and goods worth a fortune. Back in the capital, the emperor told him, "The safety of the region west of the Pass rests entirely on you. When you are secure, the realm is secure; when you are imperiled, the realm is imperiled as well. You must have armed guards whenever you go out, and never let down your guard even at rest. The saying runs that a brave man keeps his doors double-barred—and that is the idea. I hereby assign you a thousand soldiers as your personal guard. He was also given the jade tally of command. In the eleventh year he was ordered to pacify Guanzhong. Bandits swarmed everywhere and the people starved, yet Xuan could not relieve them. Officialdom collapsed into chaos, and bribery ran unchecked. Feeling his age, Xuan asked to retire. The emperor sent Palace Secretary Feng Deyi posthaste with this message: "The capital is the foundation of the realm, the seat of our royal enterprise, where ancestral temples and imperial tombs stand. I depend on your stature and experience to hold it firm, even from your bed. For the sake of the state I cannot agree, and have sent Deyi to tell you so in person. Xuan withdrew his request. When the rebel army entered the Pass, knowing he could not hold the city, he grew anxious, pleaded illness, and abandoned all affairs of state. When the city fell, he retired to his home. He died in the first year of Yining, aged seventy-seven.

子孝則，官至通事舍人、兵部承務郎，早卒。

His son Xiaoze rose to Communication Secretary and Assistant Clerk in the Ministry of War, but died young.

○劉權

Liu Quan

劉權，字世略，彭城豐人也。祖軌，齊羅州刺史。權少有俠氣，重然諾，藏亡匿死，吏不敢過門。後更折節好學，動循法度。初為州主簿，仕齊，釋褐奉朝請、行台郎中。及齊滅，周武帝以為假淮州刺史。高祖受禪，以車騎將軍領鄉兵。後從晉王廣平陳，以功進授開府儀同三司，賜物三千段。宋國公賀若弼甚禮之。開皇十二年，拜蘇州刺史，賜爵宗城縣公。于時江南初平，物情尚擾，權撫以恩信，甚得民和。煬帝嗣位，拜衛尉卿，進位銀青光祿大夫。大業五年，從征吐谷渾，權率眾出伊吾道，與賊相遇，擊走之。逐北至青海，虜獲千餘口，乘勝至伏俟城。帝複令權過曼頭、赤水，置河源郡、積石鎮，大開屯田，留鎮西境。在邊五載，諸羌懷附，貢賦歲入，吐谷渾餘燼遠遁，道路無壅。征拜司農卿。加位金紫光祿大夫。尋為南海太守。行至鄱陽，會群盜起，不得進，詔令權召募討之。權率兵與賊相遇，不與戰，先乘單舸詣賊營，說以利害。群賊感悅，一時降附，帝聞而嘉之。既至南海，甚有異政。數歲，遇盜賊群起，數來攻郡，豪帥多願推權為首，權竟盡力固守以拒之。子世徹又密遣人齎書詣權，稱四方擾亂，英雄並起，時不可失，諷令舉兵。權召集佐僚，對斬其使，竟無異圖，守之以死。卒官，時年七十。

Liu Quan, whose style name was Shilüe, came from Feng in Pengcheng. His grandfather Gui had served Qi as Governor of Luo Prefecture. In youth Quan had the temper of a knight-errant and prized his word above all. He sheltered fugitives and the condemned, and magistrates did not dare cross his threshold. Later he reformed himself, took up learning, and conducted himself by the law. He began as a prefectural chief clerk. Under Qi he entered service as Responder at Court and Staff Officer of the Mobile Headquarters. After Qi's fall, Emperor Wu of Zhou made him acting Governor of Huai Prefecture. When Gaozu took the throne, Quan was made General of Chariots and Cavalry and given command of local militia. He later followed Prince Jin in the campaign to pacify Chen and, for his merits, was promoted to General with the Opening Office and ceremonial parity with the Three Excellencies, with a grant of three thousand bolts of goods. He Ruo Bi, Duke of Song, treated him with marked respect. In the twelfth year of Kaihuang he was made Governor of Su Prefecture and enfeoffed as Duke of Zongcheng County. The south had only just been pacified and the people were still uneasy, but Quan won them over with kindness and trust until harmony prevailed. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Quan was made Minister of the Guards and promoted to Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. In the fifth year of Daye, during the expedition against Tuyuhun, Quan led his forces along the Yiwu route, clashed with the enemy, and drove them off. Pursuing them north as far as Qinghai, he took more than a thousand captives and pressed his advantage all the way to Fuqi City. The emperor then sent Quan through Mantou and Chishui to establish Heyuan Commandery and the Jishi garrison, launch large-scale military colonies, and stay on to guard the western frontier. For five years on the frontier the Qiang tribes rallied to him, annual tribute flowed in, the surviving Tuyuhun bands fled into the distance, and the roads lay open. He was recalled to court and appointed Minister of Revenue. He was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal. Before long he was appointed grand administrator of Nanhai. When he reached Poyang, widespread banditry broke out and he could not continue; the court ordered Quan to raise troops and put the rebels down. Quan marched out and encountered the rebels, but rather than fight he first took a lone boat to their camp and reasoned with them about the costs and consequences. The rebels were deeply moved and surrendered en masse; when the emperor heard of it, he praised Quan's achievement. Once in Nanhai, he distinguished himself with remarkable administration. After a few years bandits rose in force and repeatedly attacked the commandery; many local leaders wanted to make Quan their head, but he threw all his energy into holding the city against them. His son Shiche also secretly sent an envoy with a letter urging that with turmoil everywhere and heroes rising on every side, the moment must not be missed—and suggesting that Quan should take up arms. Quan assembled his staff, executed the messenger before them all, never wavered in his loyalty, and vowed to hold the city unto death. He died in office at the age of seventy.

世徹倜儻不羈，頗為時人所許。大業末，群雄並起，世徹所至之處，輒為所忌，多拘禁之，後竟為兗州賊帥徐圓朗所殺。

Shiche was daring and unrestrained, and won considerable admiration among his contemporaries. In the closing years of Daye, as rival warlords rose on every side, Shiche was resented wherever he went, often imprisoned, and was eventually killed by Xu Yuanlang, a bandit chieftain in Yanzhou.

權從父烈，字子將，美容儀，有器局，官至鷹揚郎將。有子德威，知名於世。

Quan's uncle Lie, whose style name was Zijiang, was handsome in appearance and broad in outlook, and rose to colonel who displays majesty. He had a son named Dewei, who became well known in his own day.

史臣曰：子蓋雅有幹局，質性嚴敏，見義而勇，臨機能斷，保全都邑，勤亦懋哉！楊諒干紀，史祥著獨克之效，群盜侵擾，義臣致三捷之功，此皆名重當年，聲流後葉者也。元壽彈奏行本，有意存夫名教，然其計功稱伐，猶居義臣之後，端揆之贈，不已優乎？文升東都解圍，頗亦宣力，西京居守，政以賄成，鄙哉鄙哉，夫何足數！劉權淮楚舊族，早著雄名，屬擾攘之辰，居尉佗之地，遂能拒子邪計，無所覬覦，雖謝勤王之謀，足為守節之士矣。

The historiographer writes: Zigai had true administrative talent, a stern and sharp temperament, courage when justice called for it, and decisive judgment in the moment; in preserving cities and towns his diligence was truly admirable. When Yang Liang violated imperial order, Shi Xiang won a victory all on his own; when bandits ravaged the land, Yichen scored three triumphs—these men were celebrated in their own time and their fame survives in later ages. Yuan Shou's impeachment of Liu Xingben was meant to uphold moral propriety, yet measured by martial achievement he still ranked below Yichen—was the grant of chief counselor not rather too lavish? Wensheng did exert himself in breaking the siege of the Eastern Capital, but while holding the Western Capital his rule was built on bribery—contemptible, contemptible; he scarcely merits mention at all! Liu Quan came from an old Huai-Chu family and had won martial renown early on; in those turbulent years, holding a post in the far south where Zhao Tuo once ruled, he rejected his son's sedition and harbored no ambition of his own; though he never marched to rescue the throne, he may still be counted among men who kept their integrity.

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