1
李圓通李圓通,京兆涇陽人也。 父景,以軍士隸武元皇帝,因與家僮黑女私,生圓通。 景不之認,由是孤賤,給使高祖家。 及為隋國公,擢授參軍事。 初,高祖少時,每宴賓客,恆令圓通監廚。 圓通性嚴整,左右婢僕咸所敬憚。 唯世子乳母恃寵輕之,賓客未供,每有幹請,圓通不許,或輒持去。 圓通大怒,叱廚人撾之數十,叫呼之聲徹於閤內,僚吏左右代其失色。 賓去之後,高祖具知之,召圓通,命坐賜食,從此獨善之,以為堪當大任。 高祖作相,賜封懷昌男。 久之,授帥都督,進爵新安子,委以心膂。 圓通多力勁捷,長於武用。 周氏諸王素憚高祖,每伺高祖之隙,圖為不利,賴圓通保護,獲免者數矣。 高祖深感之,由是參預政事。 授相國外兵曹,仍領左親信。 尋授上儀同。 高祖受禪,拜內史侍郎,領左衛長史,進爵為伯。 曆左右庶子、給事黃門侍郎、尚書左丞,攝刑部尚書,深被任信。 後以左丞領左翊衛驃騎將軍。 伐陳之役,圓通以行軍總管從楊素出信州道,以功進位大將軍,進封萬安縣侯,拜揚州總管長史。 尋轉并州總管長史。 秦孝王仁柔自善,少斷決,府中事多決於圓通。 入為司農卿、治粟內史,遷刑部尚書。 後數歲,復為并州長史。 孝王以奢侈得罪,圓通亦坐免官。 尋檢校刑部尚書事。 仁壽中,以勳舊進爵郡公。 煬帝嗣位,拜兵部尚書。 帝幸揚州,以圓通留守京師。 判宇文述田以還民,述訴其受賂。 帝怒而徵之,見帝於洛陽,坐是免官。 圓通憂懼發疾而卒。 贈柱國,封爵悉如故。 子孝常,大業末,為華陰令。 陳茂陳茂,河東猗氏人也。 家世寒微,質直恭謹,為州裡所敬。 高祖為隋國公,引為僚佐,遇待與圓通等。 每令典家事,未嘗不稱旨,高祖善之。 後從高祖與齊師戰于晉州,賊甚盛,高祖將挑戰,茂固止不得,因捉馬鞚。 高祖忿之,拔刀斫其額,流血被面,詞氣不撓。 高祖感而謝之,厚加禮敬。 其後官至上士。 高祖為丞相,委以心膂。 及受禪,拜給事黃門侍郎,封魏城縣男,每典機密。 在官十餘年,轉益州總管司馬,遷太府卿,進爵為伯。 後數載,卒官。 子政嗣。
Li Yuantong was a native of Jingyang in Jingzhao. His father Jing served as a soldier under Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. He had an affair with a household slave called Hei Nü, and she bore Yuantong. Jing refused to acknowledge him, so Yuantong grew up isolated and in humble circumstances, working as a servant in the household of the future Emperor Wen. Once Yang Jian was made Duke of Sui, Yuantong was promoted to serve as his military adjutant. In his youth, whenever the future Emperor Wen held banquets for guests, he always put Yuantong in charge of the kitchen. Yuantong was stern and exacting by nature, and the maids and servants in the household all respected and feared him. Only the crown prince's wet nurse, secure in her favor, looked down on him. Before the guests had been served, she would often make demands; Yuantong refused them, or she would simply carry food away herself. Yuantong flew into a rage and had the kitchen staff beat her several dozen strokes. Her screams echoed through the hall, and the officials and attendants nearby all blanched in alarm. After the guests had gone, the future Emperor Wen learned what had happened. He summoned Yuantong, had him sit down, and shared a meal with him. From then on he favored Yuantong above others and judged him capable of great trust. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, he enfeoffed Yuantong as Baron of Huaichang. Before long he was appointed commander-in-chief, raised to Viscount of Xin'an, and entrusted as one of Yang Jian's closest confidants. Yuantong was powerfully built, quick, and agile, and excelled in military matters. The princes of the Northern Zhou had long feared Yang Jian and constantly watched for chances to harm him. Time and again Yuantong's protection kept him from disaster. Yang Jian was deeply moved by his loyalty and from then on brought him into deliberations on state affairs. He was appointed to the Chancellor's bureau of external military affairs while continuing to command the left personal guard. He was soon appointed Senior Pillar of State. When Yang Jian accepted the throne, Yuantong was made Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Chief Clerk of the Left Guard, and was raised to the rank of baron. He served in turn as Left and Right Subordinate Tutor, Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and acted as Minister of Justice, winning deep trust from the emperor. Later, while still Left Vice Director, he also commanded the Left Yiwu Guard with the title General of Cavalry. During the conquest of Chen, Yuantong served as campaign commander under Yang Su on the Xinzhou route. For his achievements he was promoted to Grand General, enfeoffed as Marquis of Wan'an, and appointed chief clerk to the Governor-General of Yangzhou. He was soon transferred to the same post under the Governor-General of Bingzhou. Prince Xiao of Qin was mild and easygoing and rarely decisive, so most matters in his household were settled by Yuantong. He was recalled to the capital as Minister of Agriculture and Internal Secretary for Grain Administration, and later became Minister of Justice. Several years later he returned to serve again as chief clerk of Bingzhou. When the prince was punished for extravagance, Yuantong was dismissed from office as well. He was soon appointed acting Minister of Justice. During the Renshou era he was raised to Duke of a commandery in recognition of his long service and merit. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Yuantong was appointed Minister of War. When the emperor went on tour to Yangzhou, he left Yuantong in charge of the capital. He ruled that fields held by Yuwen Shu should be returned to the common people. Shu then accused him of taking bribes. The emperor was furious and summoned him to Luoyang, where he was stripped of office on that charge. Overcome with anxiety and fear, Yuantong fell ill and died. He was posthumously honored as Pillar of State, and all his titles were left unchanged. His son Xiaochang served as magistrate of Huayin late in the Daye era. Chen Mao was a native of Yishi in Hedong. His family was of humble origin. Plainspoken, upright, and respectful, he was held in esteem throughout his district. When Yang Jian was made Duke of Sui, he took Mao onto his staff and treated him with the same regard as Yuantong. Whenever he was put in charge of household affairs he never failed to please, and Yang Jian came to rely on him. Later, when Yang Jian fought the Qi army at Jinzhou, the enemy force was overwhelming and Yang Jian was about to engage. Mao held him back by force, gripping the horse's reins. Yang Jian flew into a rage, drew his sword, and struck Mao across the forehead until blood covered his face, yet Mao's manner did not waver. Moved by his loyalty, Yang Jian apologized and treated him with exceptional honor. He later rose to the rank of Senior Gentleman. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, he entrusted Mao as one of his closest confidants. When Yang Jian took the throne, Mao was made Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, enfeoffed as Baron of Weicheng, and regularly handled confidential affairs. After more than ten years in office he became military aide to the Governor-General of Yizhou, then Minister of the Palace Storehouses, and was raised to baron. A few years later he died while still in office. His son Zheng succeeded him.
2
政字弘道,倜儻有文武大略,善鐘律,便弓馬。 少養宮中,年十七,為太子千牛備身。 時京師大俠劉居士重政才氣,數從之遊。 圓通子孝常與政相善,並與居士交結。 及居士下獄誅,政及孝常當從坐,上以功臣子,撻之二百而赦之。 由是不得調。 煬帝時,授協律郎,遷通事謁者,兵曹承務郎。 帝美其才,甚重之。 宇文化及之亂也,以為太常卿。 後歸大唐,卒于梁州總管。 張定和張定和,字處謐,京兆萬年人也。 少貧賤,有志節。 初為侍官。 會平陳之役,定和當從征,無以自給。 其妻有嫁時衣服,定和將鬻之,妻靳固不與,定和於是遂行。 以功拜儀同,賜帛千匹,遂棄其妻。 是後數以軍功加上開府、驃騎將軍。 從上柱國李充擊突厥,先登陷陣,虜刺之中頸,定和以草塞創而戰,神氣自若,虜遂敗走。 上聞而壯之,遣使者齎藥,馳詣定和所勞問之。 進位柱國,封武安縣侯,賞物二千段,良馬二匹,金百兩。 煬帝嗣位,拜宜州刺史,尋轉河內太守,頗有惠政。 歲餘,徵拜左屯衛大將軍。 從帝征吐谷渾,至覆袁川。 時吐谷渾主與數騎而遁,其名王詐為渾主,保車我真山,帝命定和率師擊之。 既與賊相遇,輕其眾少,呼之令降,賊不肯下。 定和不被甲,挺身登山,賊伏兵于岩穀之下,發矢中之而斃。 其亞將柳武建擊賊,悉斬之。 帝為流涕,贈光祿大夫。 時舊爵例除,於是復封武安侯,諡曰壯武。 贈絹千匹,米千石。 子世立嗣,尋拜為光祿大夫。 張奫張奫,字文懿,自雲清河人也,家于淮陰。 好讀兵書,尤便刀楯。 周世,鄉人郭子翼密引陳寇,奫父雙欲率子弟擊之,猶豫未決。 奫贊成其謀,竟以破賊,由是以勇決知名。 起家州主簿。 高祖作相,授大都督,領鄉兵。 賀若弼之鎮壽春也,恆為間諜,平陳之役,頗有功焉。 進位開府儀同三司,封文安縣子,邑八百戶,賜物二千五百段,粟二千五百石。 歲餘,率水軍破逆賊笮子游於京口、薛子建於和州。 徵入朝,拜大將軍。 高祖命升御坐而宴之,謂奫曰:「卿可為朕兒,朕為卿父。 今日聚集,示無外也。」 其後賜綺羅千匹,綠沉甲、獸文具裝。 尋從楊素征江表,別破高智慧於會稽、吳世華於臨海。 進位上大將軍,賜奴婢六十口,縑彩三百匹。 曆撫、顯、齊三州刺史,俱有能名。 ,為行軍總管,從漢王諒征遼東。 諸軍多物故,奫眾獨全。 高祖善之,賜物二百五十段。 仁壽中,遷潭州總管,在職三年卒。 有子孝廉。 麥鐵杖麥鐵杖,始興人也。 驍勇有膂力,日行五百里,走及奔馬。 性疏誕使酒,好交遊,重信義,每以漁獵為事,不治產業。 陳太建中,結聚為群盜,廣州刺史歐陽頠俘之以獻,沒為官戶,配執禦傘。 每罷朝後,行百餘里,夜至南徐州,俞城而入,行光火劫盜。 旦還,及時仍又執傘。 如此者十餘度,物主識之,州以狀奏。 朝士見鐵杖每旦恆在,不之信也。 後數告變,尚書蔡徵曰:「此可驗耳。」 于仗下時,購以百金,求人送詔書與南徐州刺史。 鐵杖出應募,齎敕而往,明旦及奏事。 帝曰:「信然,為盜明矣。」 惜其勇捷,誡而釋之。
Zheng, whose style was Hongdao, was bold and unconventional, with broad talent in both civil and military affairs. He was skilled in music theory and expert in archery and horsemanship. Raised in the palace from childhood, he became an armed attendant to the crown prince at seventeen. At that time Liu Jushi, a celebrated man of the capital's underworld, admired Zheng's talent and often kept his company. Yuantong's son Xiaochang was close to Zheng, and both were tied to Jushi's circle. When Jushi was imprisoned and executed, Zheng and Xiaochang were due to be punished as associates. Because they were sons of meritorious officials, the emperor had them flogged two hundred strokes and then pardoned them. After that he was passed over for regular appointments. Under Emperor Yang he was appointed Harmonizer, then Protocol Officer and assistant in the Bureau of Military Affairs. The emperor admired his talent and held him in high regard. During Yuwen Huaji's rebellion he was made Minister of Ceremonies. He later submitted to the Tang and died while serving as Governor-General of Liangzhou. Zhang Dinghe, whose style was Chumi, was a native of Wannian in Jingzhao. He grew up poor but was known for his resolve and integrity. He began his career as an attendant officer. When the campaign to conquer Chen began, Dinghe was called to join the army but had no money for the journey. His wife still had her wedding clothes. Dinghe meant to sell them, but she refused to part with them, so he set out for the campaign all the same. For his achievements he was made Pillar of State and given a thousand bolts of silk, after which he cast off his wife. After that he rose repeatedly through military merit to Superlative Pillar of State and General of Cavalry. Serving under the Supreme Pillar Li Chong against the Turks, he was first over the ramparts into the enemy line. A Turk spear struck him in the neck; he stuffed the wound with grass and kept fighting, calm as ever, until the enemy broke and fled. The emperor was impressed by his courage and sent an envoy with medicine, riding posthaste to Dinghe's camp to commend him. He was promoted to Pillar of State and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wu'an, with rewards of two thousand lengths of goods, two fine horses, and a hundred taels of gold. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Dinghe was made Governor of Yizhou and soon transferred to Administrator of Henei, where he earned a reputation for benevolent rule. After little more than a year he was recalled and appointed Grand General of the Left Tunwei Guard. He accompanied the emperor on the campaign against the Tuyuhun as far as Fuyuan River. The Tuyuhun ruler had fled with only a handful of horsemen. A noble pretended to be the ruler and held Chewozhen Mountain, and the emperor ordered Dinghe to attack him. When he met the enemy he scorned their small numbers and called on them to surrender, but they refused to yield. Dinghe went up the mountain without armor. Enemy troops lay in ambush in the ravines below and shot him dead. His second-in-command Liu Wujian attacked the enemy and cut them down to the last man. The emperor wept over his death and posthumously honored him as Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Because old titles were usually abolished by regulation at the time, he was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Wu'an with the posthumous name Zhuangwu. A thousand bolts of silk and a thousand piculs of grain were granted to his family. His son Shili succeeded him and was soon made Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Zhang Ben, whose style was Wenyi, claimed descent from Qinghe and lived in Huaiyin. He loved reading military texts and was especially adept with sword and shield. During the Northern Zhou, a townsman named Guo Ziyi secretly guided Chen raiders into the area. Ben's father Shuang wanted to lead the clan's young men against them but could not make up his mind. Ben urged the plan through, and they routed the raiders. From that time he was known for courage and resolve. He began his official career as a prefectural registrar. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, he appointed Ben Grand Commander and put him in charge of local militia. While He Ruobi held Shouchun, Ben regularly served as his spy. In the conquest of Chen he distinguished himself. He was promoted to Defender-in-Chief with the privileges of the Three Excellencies, enfeoffed as Viscount of Wen'an with eight hundred households, and given two thousand five hundred lengths of goods and two thousand five hundred piculs of grain. A year later he led the fleet to defeat the rebels Ze Ziyou at Jingkou and Xue Zijian at Hezhou. Recalled to court, he was appointed Grand General. The emperor had him take a place on the imperial dais and feast with him, saying, "You may be my son, and I your father. Today's gathering shows there is no distance between us. Afterward he received a thousand bolts of fine silk, a suit of Lüchen armor, and a full set of beast-patterned military equipment. He soon followed Yang Su south of the Yangzi, separately defeating Gao Zhihui at Kuaiji and Wu Shihua at Linhai. He was promoted to Senior Grand General and given sixty household slaves and three hundred bolts of colored silk. He served in turn as governor of Fu, Xian, and Qi, earning a reputation for competence in each post. He served as campaign commander and followed Prince Liang of Han on the expedition against Liaodong. Most of the armies suffered heavy losses, but Ben's troops alone came through intact. The emperor was pleased and rewarded him with two hundred fifty lengths of goods. During the Renshou era he was made Governor-General of Tanzhou and died in office after three years. He had a son named Xiaolian. Mai Tiezhang was a native of Shixing. Fierce and powerfully built, he could cover five hundred li in a day and keep pace with a galloping horse. Unrestrained and eccentric, he drank heavily, loved company, and prized loyalty. He spent his days fishing and hunting and never troubled himself with property or business. During Chen's Taikang era he led a band of robbers until Ouyang He, governor of Guangzhou, captured him and sent him up as tribute. He was made a government slave and assigned to hold the imperial parasol at court. After court each day he would travel more than a hundred li, reach Southern Xuzhou by night, scale the walls, and rob by torchlight. By dawn he was back, and at the proper hour he was again holding the parasol at court. This happened more than ten times until victims recognized him and the prefecture reported it to the throne. Court officials saw Tiezhang at his post every morning and refused to believe it. After repeated reports, Minister Cai Zheng said, "This can be tested." When court was dismissed, he offered a hundred in gold for someone to deliver an imperial edict to the governor of Southern Xuzhou. Tiezhang volunteered, carried the edict south, and was back by the next dawn to report. The emperor said, "So it is true. His thievery is proven." Yet the emperor valued his courage, admonished him, and let him go.
3
陳亡後,徙居清流縣。 遇江東反,楊素遣鐵杖頭戴草束,夜浮渡江,覘賊中消息,具知還報。 後復更往,為賊所擒。 逆帥李棱遣兵仗三十人衛之,縛送高智慧。 行至慶亭,衛者憩食,哀其餒,解手以給其餐。 鐵杖取賊刀,亂斬衛者,殺之皆盡,悉割其鼻,懷之以歸。 素大奇之。 後敘戰勳,不及鐵杖,遇素馳驛歸於京師,鐵杖步追之,每夜則同宿。 素見而悟,特奏授儀同三司。 以不識書,放還鄉里。 成陽公李徹稱其驍武,,徵至京師,除車騎將軍,仍從楊素北征突厥,加上開府。 煬帝即位,漢王諒反於并州,又從楊素擊之,每戰先登。 進位柱國。 尋除萊州刺史,無治名。 後轉汝南太守,稍習法令,群盜屏跡。 後因朝集,考功郎竇威嘲之曰:「麥是何姓?」 鐵杖應口對曰:「麥豆不殊,那忽相怪!」 威赧然,無以應之,時人以為敏慧。 尋除右屯衛大將軍,帝待之逾密。
After Chen fell he moved to Qingliu County. When rebellion broke out in the lower Yangzi region, Yang Su sent Tiezhang with a bundle of grass on his head to swim the river by night, spy on the rebels, and return with a full report. He went again later and was captured by the rebels. The rebel leader Li Leng sent thirty armed men to escort him, bound, to Gao Zhihui. At Qingting the guards stopped to eat. Pitying his hunger, they untied his hands so he could eat. Tiezhang seized a sword, cut down every guard, sliced off all their noses, and carried them back as proof. Yang Su was astonished. When battle honors were recorded, Tiezhang was left out. Yang Su rode posthorses back to the capital; Tiezhang ran after him on foot and lodged with him each night. Yang Su understood and specially recommended him for Defender-in-Chief with the privileges of the Three Excellencies. Because he was illiterate, he was sent home. Li Che, Duke of Chengyang, praised his fighting skill. Summoned to the capital, he was made General of the Chariots and Cavalry, joined Yang Su against the Turks, and rose to Superlative Pillar of State. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled at Bingzhou. Tiezhang again followed Yang Su and was first over the ramparts in every battle. He was promoted to Pillar of State. He was soon made governor of Laizhou but left no mark as an administrator. Transferred to Runan as administrator, he gradually mastered the law and drove bandits from the region. Later, at a court assembly, Reviewing Officer Dou Wei mocked him: "What kind of surname is Mai?" Tiezhang shot back, "Wheat and beans are much the same—why make such a fuss?" Wei flushed and had nothing to say; contemporaries judged him quick-witted. He was soon made Grand General of the Right Tunwei Guard, and the emperor drew him ever closer.
4
鐵杖自以荷恩深重,每懷竭命之志。 及遼東之役,請為前鋒,顧謂醫者吳景賢曰:「大丈夫性命自有所在,豈能艾炷灸頞,瓜蒂噴鼻,治黃不差,而臥死兒女手中乎?」 將渡遼,謂其三子曰:「阿奴當備淺色黃衫。 吾荷國恩,今是死日。 我既被殺,爾當富貴。 唯誠與孝,爾其勉之。」 及濟,橋未成,去東岸尚數丈,賊大至。 鐵杖跳上岸,與賊戰,死。 武賁郎將錢士雄、孟金叉亦死之,左右更無及者。 帝為之流涕,購得其屍,下詔曰:「鐵杖志氣驍果,夙著勳庸,陪麾問罪,先登陷陣,節高義烈,身殞功存。 興言至誠,追懷傷悼,宜賚殊榮。 用彰飾德。 可贈光祿大夫、宿國公。 諡曰武烈。」 子孟才嗣。 尋授光祿大夫。 孟才有二弟,仲才、季才,俱拜正議大夫。 賵贈巨萬,賜轀輬車,給前後部羽葆鼓吹。 平壤道敗將宇文述等百餘人皆為執紼,王公已下送至郊外,士雄贈左光祿大夫、右屯衛將軍、武強侯,諡曰剛。 子傑嗣。 金叉贈右光祿大夫,子善誼襲官。
Deeply conscious of the emperor's favor, he was always ready to give his life. When the Liaodong campaign began, he volunteered for the vanguard and told the physician Wu Jingxian, "A real man's life belongs on the battlefield. Am I to endure moxibustion on my brow and melon-stem up my nose for jaundice, then die in bed like a child?" Before crossing the Liao, he told his three sons, "You should keep light yellow coats ready. I owe the state everything. Today I die. When I am killed, you will rise to wealth and honor. Hold fast to sincerity and filial piety." They crossed before the bridge was finished, still several zhang from the eastern bank, when the enemy swarmed in. Tiezhang leaped ashore, fought the enemy, and was killed. Martial Guardsmen Qian Shixiong and Meng Jincha died with him; none of those nearby could match their valor. The emperor wept, bought back his body, and issued an edict: "Tiezhang was fierce in spirit and long famed for merit. He followed the banners to punish the enemy and was first into the breach. Though he fell, his achievement endures. Moved to deepest grief, We grant him extraordinary honors. Let this display Our regard for loyal virtue. He is posthumously honored as Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and Duke of Suguo. His posthumous name is Wulie." His son Mengcai succeeded him. He was soon made Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Mengcai had two younger brothers, Zhongcai and Jicai, who were also made Rectifier Grand Masters. Funeral gifts ran to tens of thousands. He received a funeral carriage and front and rear escorts with feathered banners and martial music. More than a hundred defeated commanders of the Pingrang campaign, including Yuwen Shu, served as pallbearers, and nobles escorted the procession to the suburbs. Shixiong was posthumously honored as Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, General of the Right Tunwei Guard, and Marquis of Wuqiang, with the posthumous name Gang. His son Jie succeeded him. Jincha was posthumously honored as Right Grand Master for Splendid Happiness; his son Shanyi inherited his post.
5
孟才字智棱,果烈有父風。 帝以孟才死節將子,恩賜殊厚,拜武賁郎將。 及江都之難,慨然有復仇之志。 與武牙郎錢傑素交友,二人相謂曰:「吾等世荷國恩,門著誠節。 今賊臣弑逆,社稷淪亡,無節可紀,何面目視息世間哉!」 於是流涕扼腕,遂相與謀,糾合恩舊,欲于顯福宮邀擊宇文化及。 事臨發,陳籓之子謙知其謀而告之,與其党沈光俱為化及所害,忠義之士哀焉。 沈光沈光,字總持,吳興人也。 父君道,仕陳吏部侍郎,陳滅,家于長安。 皇太子勇引署學士。 後為漢王諒府掾,諒敗,除名。 光少驍捷,善戲馬,為天下之最。 略綜書記,微有詞藻,常慕立功名,不拘小節。 家甚貧窶,父兄並以傭書為事,光獨跅馳,交通輕俠,為京師惡少年之所朋附。 人多贍遺,得以養親,每致甘食美服,未嘗困匱。 初建禪定寺,其中幡竿高十餘丈,適遇繩絕,非人力所及,諸僧患之。 光見而謂僧曰:「可持繩來,當相為上耳。」 諸僧驚喜,因取而與之。 光以口銜索,拍竿而上,直至龍頭。 繫繩畢,手足皆放,透空而下,以掌拒地,倒行數十步。 觀者駭悅,莫不嗟異,時人號為「肉飛仙」。
Mengcai, whose style was Zhileng, was bold and fierce like his father. As the son of a general who died for the throne, Mengcai received exceptional favor and was made Martial Guard. When disaster struck at Jiangdu, he burned with the desire for revenge. He was close to Martial Guard Qian Jie. Together they said, "Our families have owed the state for generations, and our houses are known for loyalty. Now a traitor has murdered the emperor and the realm is lost. What integrity is left to us? How can we go on living?" Weeping, they swore to gather loyal friends and ambush Yuwen Huaji at Xianfu Palace. Just before the attack, Chen Fan's son Qian betrayed the plot. Mengcai and his comrade Shen Guang were killed by Huaji, and loyal men mourned them. Shen Guang, whose style was Zongchi, was a native of Wuxing. His father Jundao had been Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel under Chen; after Chen fell, the family settled in Chang'an. Crown Prince Yong took him on as a scholar. He later served Prince Liang of Han; when the prince was defeated, Guang was struck from the rolls. In youth he was swift and daring, unmatched in horsemanship and acrobatic riding. He had some learning and a touch of literary skill, longed to win fame, and cared little for convention. The family was desperately poor; his father and brothers copied books for hire while Guang roamed the capital with ruffians and knights-errant. Many gave him gifts, so he could support his parents with fine food and clothing and never knew want. When Chanding Temple was built, its banner pole stood more than ten zhang high. The rope broke beyond anyone's reach, and the monks were at a loss. Guang told the monks, "Bring the rope. I will go up for you." The monks were astonished and gladly handed it over. He took the rope in his teeth, climbed hand over hand to the dragon head, and tied it off. When the rope was secured he let go, dropped through the air, caught himself on his palms, and walked backward several dozen steps. Spectators were awestruck, and contemporaries called him the "Flesh-Flying Immortal."
6
大業中,煬帝徵天下驍果之士以伐遼左,光預焉。 同類數萬人,皆出其下。 光將詣行在所,賓客送至灞上者百餘騎。 光酹酒而誓曰:「是行也,若不能建立功名,當死於高麗,不復與諸君相見矣。」 及從帝攻遼東,以沖梯擊城,竿長十五丈,光升其端,臨城與賊戰,短兵接,殺十數人。 賊競擊之而墜,未及於地,適遇竿有垂絙,光接而復上。 帝望見,壯異之,馳召與語,大悅,即日拜朝請大夫,賜寶刀良馬,恆致左右,親顧漸密。 未幾,以為折衝郎將,賞遇優重。 帝每推食解衣以賜之,同輩莫與為比。
During the Daye era Emperor Yang recruited fierce warriors from across the realm for the Liaodong campaign; Guang was among them. Among tens of thousands of recruits, none matched him. When he set out for the imperial camp, more than a hundred mounted friends escorted him to Bashang. He poured a libation and swore, "On this campaign I will either win glory or die in Goguryeo and never see you again." In the Liaodong campaign he rode a fifteen-zhang assault ladder to the top, fought hand to hand above the wall, and killed more than ten men. The enemy struck him down, but before he hit the ground he caught a hanging rope on the pole and climbed back up. The emperor saw it from afar, was astonished, summoned him, and was delighted. That same day he made him Court Gentleman for Submission, gave him a treasured sword and fine horse, and kept him constantly at his side. Before long he was made General Who Breaks the Enemy, with exceptional rewards and favor. The emperor often shared his food and gave him his own clothes; none among his peers could compare.
7
光自以荷恩深重,思懷竭節。 及江都之難,潛構義勇,將為帝復仇。 先是,帝寵昵官奴,名為給使,宇文化及以光驍勇,方任之,令其總統,營于禁內。 時孟才、錢傑等陰圖化及,因謂光曰:「我等荷國厚恩,不能死難以衛社稷,斯則古人之所恥也。 今又俯首事讎,受其驅率,有靦面目,何用生為? 吾必欲殺之,死無所恨,公義士也,肯從我乎?」 光泣下沾衿,曰:「是所望于將軍也。 僕領給使數百人,並荷先帝恩遇,今在化及內營。 以此復讎,如鷹鸇之逐鳥雀。 萬世之功,在此一舉,願將軍勉之。」 孟才為將軍,領江淮之眾數千人,期以營將發時,晨起襲化及。 光語泄,陳謙告其事。 化及大懼曰:「此麥鐵杖子也,及沈光者,並勇決不可當,須避其鋒。」 是夜即與腹心走出營外,留人告司馬德戡等,遣領兵馬,逮捕孟才。 光聞營內喧聲,知事發,不及被甲,即襲化及營,空無所獲。 值舍人元敏,數而斬之。 遇德戡兵入,四面圍合。 光大呼潰圍,給使齊奮,斬首數十級,賊皆披靡。 德戡輒復遣騎,持弓弩,翼而射之。 光身無介胄,遂為所害。 麾下數百人皆鬥而死,一無降者。 時年二十八。 壯士聞之,莫不為之隕涕。 來護兒來護兒,字崇善,江都人也。 幼而卓詭,好立奇節。 初讀《詩》,至「擊鼓其鏜,踴躍用兵」、「羔裘豹飾,孔武有力」,舍書而歎曰:「大丈夫在世當如是。 會為國滅賊以取功名,安能區區久事隴畝!」 群輩驚其言而壯其志。 護兒所住白土村,密邇江岸。 于時江南尚阻,賀若弼之鎮壽州也,常令護兒為間諜,授大都督。 平陳之役,護兒有功焉,進位上開府。 從楊素擊高智慧於浙江,而賊據岸為營,周亙百餘里,船艦被江,鼓噪而進。 素令護兒率數百輕艓徑登江岸,直掩其營,破之。 時賊前與素戰不勝,歸無所據,因而潰散。 智慧將逃於海,護兒追至泉州,智慧窮蹙,遁走閩、越。 進位大將軍,除泉州刺史。 時有盛道延擁兵作亂,侵擾州境,護兒進擊,破之。 又從蒲山公李寬破汪文進於黟、歙,進位柱國。 ,除瀛州刺史,賜爵黃縣公,邑三千戶。 尋加上柱國,除右禦衛將軍。 煬帝即位,遷右驍衛大將軍,帝甚親重之。 ,從駕江都,賜物千段,令上先人塚,宴父老,州裡榮之。 數歲,轉右翊衛大將軍。 遼東之役,護兒率樓船,指滄海,入自壩水,去平壤六十里,與高麗相遇。 進擊,大破之,乘勝直造城下,破其郛郭。 於是縱軍大掠,稍失部伍,高元弟建武募敢死士五百人邀擊之。 護兒因卻,屯營海浦,以待期會。 後知宇文述等敗,遂班師。 明年,又出滄海道,師次東萊,會楊玄感作逆黎陽,進逼鞏、洛,護兒勒兵與宇文述等擊破之。 封榮國公,邑二千戶。 十年,又帥師度海,至卑奢城,高麗舉國來戰,護兒大破之,斬首千餘級。 將趣平壤,高元震懼,遣使執叛臣斛斯政,詣遼東城下,上表請降。 帝許之,遣人持節詔護兒旋師。 護兒集眾曰:「三度出兵,未能平賊,此還也,不可重來。 今高麗困弊,野無青草,以我眾戰,不日克之。 吾欲進兵,徑圍平壤,取其偽主,獻捷而歸。」 答表請行,不肯奉詔。 長史崔君肅固爭,不許。 護兒曰:」賊勢破矣,專以相任,自足辦之。 吾在閫外,事合專決,豈容千里稟聽成規! 俄頃之間,動失機會,勞而無功,故其宜也。 吾甯征得高元,還而獲譴,舍此成功,所不能矣。」 君肅告眾曰:「若從元帥,違拒詔書,必當聞奏,皆獲罪也。」 諸將懼,盡勸還,方始奉詔。 十三年,轉為左翊衛大將軍,進位開府儀同三司,任委逾密,前後賞賜不可勝計。 江都之難,宇文化及忌而害之。
Deeply conscious of the emperor's favor, he was always ready to give his life. When disaster struck at Jiangdu, he secretly gathered loyal men to avenge the emperor. The emperor had favored palace slaves called attendants. Yuwen Huaji, trusting Guang's prowess, put him in command of them within the inner palace. Mengcai, Qian Jie, and others were secretly plotting against Huaji. They told Guang, "We owe the state everything. To fail to die defending the realm is what the ancients despised. Now we bow to our enemy and take his orders. What face have we left? Why go on living? I mean to kill him and will die without regret. You are a man of honor—will you join me?" Guang wept until his collar was soaked. "That is what I have hoped for, General. I command several hundred attendants who owed the late emperor everything. They are now in Huaji's inner camp. With them we can take revenge as easily as a hawk takes sparrows. Glory for ages rests on this one stroke. I urge you, General, to act." Mengcai was to lead several thousand men from the Jianghuai region and strike at dawn when the camp broke camp. The plot leaked, and Chen Qian reported it. Huaji was terrified. "This is Mai Tiezhang's son, and Shen Guang—they are unstoppable. We must avoid them." That night he fled the camp with his closest followers, sent word to Sima Dekan, and had troops arrest Mengcai. Hearing uproar in the camp, Guang knew the plot was exposed. Without armor he attacked Huaji's camp but found it empty. He came upon Attendant Yuan Min, cursed him, and cut him down. Dekan's troops arrived and surrounded him on all sides. Guang shouted and broke through the ring. His attendants fought with him, cut down dozens, and the enemy scattered. Dekan immediately sent cavalry again with bows and crossbows to shoot at him from both sides. Guang wore no armor and was killed. Several hundred men under his command fought to the death; not one surrendered. He was twenty-eight years old. When brave men heard of it, all wept for him. Lai Hu'er was a native of Jiangdu. His courtesy name was Chongshan. From childhood he was unusual and bold, eager to prove himself in extraordinary ways. When he first read the Book of Odes and came to the lines about drums sounding for war and warriors clad in leopard-trimmed furs, he put down the book and sighed: "A true man in this world should live like that. He should destroy the state's enemies and win glory—how could he spend his life plowing fields!" His companions were startled by his words but admired his ambition. Hu'er lived in Baitu Village, right by the river. The south of the Yangtze was still cut off. When He Ruo Bi was stationed at Shouzhou, he often used Hu'er as a spy and made him Grand Commander. In the campaign to conquer Chen, Hu'er distinguished himself and was promoted to Senior General of the Opening Gate. He followed Yang Su to attack Gao Zhihui on the Zhe River. The rebels held the shore in camps stretching more than a hundred li; their ships filled the river as they advanced with drums and battle cries. Su ordered Hu'er to lead several hundred light boats straight to the riverbank and storm their camp, breaking it. The rebels had already been defeated by Su and had nowhere to regroup, so they broke and fled. Zhihui tried to flee to the sea. Hu'er pursued him to Quanzhou; cornered, Zhihui escaped into Min and Yue. He was promoted to Great General and appointed Prefect of Quanzhou. At that time Sheng Daoyan raised troops in rebellion and raided the prefecture. Hu'er attacked and defeated him. He also followed the Duke of Pusan, Li Kuan, to defeat Wang Wenjin at Yi and She, and was promoted to Pillar of the State. He was appointed Prefect of Yingzhou and enfeoffed as Duke of Huang County with a fief of three thousand households. Soon he was made Senior Pillar of the State and appointed General of the Right Imperial Guard. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Hu'er was made Great General of the Right Valiant Guard, and the Emperor favored and trusted him deeply. He accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu, received a thousand bolts of goods, and was sent to visit his ancestors' tombs and feast the local elders—a great honor for the whole district. After several years he was transferred to Great General of the Right Imposing Guard. In the Liaodong campaign, Hu'er led tower ships toward the eastern sea, entered by the Banshui route, and met Goguryeo forces sixty li from Pyongyang. He pressed the attack, routed them, and following his victory drove straight to the city and broke through the outer walls. He then let his troops plunder freely and his ranks fell out of order. Gao Yuan's brother Jianwu recruited five hundred dare-to-die men to ambush him. Hu'er withdrew and encamped on the coast, waiting for the planned rendezvous. Later, learning that Yuwen Shu and the others had been defeated, he withdrew. The next year he set out again by the eastern sea route. His army halted at Donglai when Yang Xuangan rebelled at Liyang and pressed toward Gong and Luoyang. Hu'er mustered his troops and, with Yuwen Shu and others, defeated him. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Rong with a fief of two thousand households. In the tenth year he again led his army across the sea to Beishe City. Goguryeo mustered its whole nation to fight; Hu'er routed them and took more than a thousand heads. As he was about to advance on Pyongyang, Gao Yuan was terrified. He sent envoys to bring the rebel minister Qie Sizheng to the walls of Liaodong and submit a memorial begging to surrender. The Emperor agreed and sent an envoy with imperial credentials ordering Hu'er to withdraw. Hu'er assembled his men and said: "Three times we have marched out and failed to subdue the enemy. If we go back now, we may never come again. Goguryeo is exhausted now; the fields have no green grass. With our numbers we can crush them in days. I want to advance, surround Pyongyang directly, capture their false king, and return in triumph." He replied to the memorial asking permission to advance and refused to obey the decree. Chief Administrator Cui Junsu argued against it firmly and would not allow it. Hu'er said: "The enemy is broken. You have put me in sole command—that is enough to finish this. I am beyond the frontier; I must decide on my own. How can I wait a thousand li for orders on a plan already set! In an instant the chance is lost and all the labor comes to nothing—that is why a commander at the frontier must decide for himself. I would rather capture Gao Yuan and face punishment when I return than give up this victory—I cannot do that." Junsu told the assembly: "If we follow the Marshal and disobey the imperial decree, I must report it, and all of us will be punished." The generals were afraid and all urged withdrawal; only then did he obey the decree. In the thirteenth year he was transferred to Great General of the Left Imposing Guard and promoted to Grand Master of the Opening Gate with the ceremonial rank of the Three Preceptors. His responsibilities grew ever closer, and the rewards he received were beyond counting. At the catastrophe at Jiangdu, Yuwen Huaji killed him out of jealousy.
8
長子楷,以父軍功授散騎郎、朝散大夫。 楷弟弘,仕至果毅郎將、金紫光祿大夫。 弘第整,武賁郎將、右光祿大夫。 整尤驍勇,善撫士眾,討擊群盜,所向皆捷。 諸賊甚憚之,為作歌曰:「長白山頭百戰場,十十五五把長槍,不畏官軍十萬眾,只畏榮公第六郎。」 化及反,皆遇害,唯少子恆、濟獲免。 魚俱羅魚俱羅,馮翊下邦人也。 身長八尺,膂力絕人,聲氣雄壯,言聞數百步。 弱冠為親衛,累遷大都督。 從晉王廣平陳,以功拜開府,賜物一千五百段。 未幾,沈玄懀、高智慧等作亂江南,楊素以俱羅壯勇,請與同行。 每戰有功,加上開府、高唐縣公,拜疊州總管。 以母憂去職。 還至扶風,會楊素率兵將出靈州道擊突厥,路逢俱羅,大悅,遂奏與同行。 及遇賊,俱羅與數騎奔擊,瞋目大呼,所當皆披靡,出左入右,往返若飛。 以功進位柱國,拜豐州總管。 初,突厥數入境為寇,俱羅輒擒斬之,自是突厥畏懼屏跡,不敢畜牧於塞上。
His eldest son Kai, on account of his father's military merit, was appointed Gentleman Attendant-at-Large and Grand Master for Governing the Court. Kai's younger brother Hong rose to Brigadier General of Righteous Courage and Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Traces. Hong's younger brother Zheng was a Commander of the Martial Guard and Grand Master of the Right Light Chariot. Zheng was especially fierce and brave, skilled at winning over his troops. When he attacked bandits he prevailed wherever he went. The bandits greatly feared him and made up a song: "On Changbai Mountain, battlefield of a hundred fights, ten here and five there with long spears—they fear not a hundred thousand government troops, they fear only the Duke of Rong's sixth son." When Huaji rebelled, they were all killed; only the youngest sons Heng and Ji escaped. Yu Juluo was a native of Xiabang in Fengyi. He stood eight chi tall, with unmatched strength, a powerful voice, and words that carried for hundreds of paces. At twenty he entered the Imperial Guard and was repeatedly promoted to Grand Commander. He followed Prince Guang of Jin in the conquest of Chen, was made General of the Opening Gate for his service, and received fifteen hundred bolts of goods. Before long Shen Xuanchi, Gao Zhihui, and others rebelled in the south. Yang Su, impressed by Juluo's valor, asked that he come along. He distinguished himself in every battle and was made Senior General of the Opening Gate and Duke of Gaotang County, then appointed Area Commander of Diezhou. He left office to mourn his mother. On his way back to Fufeng he met Yang Su leading troops out by the Lingzhou route against the Turks. Su was delighted, took him along, and memorialized for permission. When they met the enemy, Juluo charged with a few horsemen, glaring and shouting. All who faced him broke and fled as he darted left and right like lightning. For his merit he was promoted to Pillar of the State and appointed Area Commander of Fengzhou. At first the Turks repeatedly crossed the border to raid. Juluo always captured and executed them, and from then on the Turks were afraid and vanished from the frontier, not daring to graze their herds there.
9
初,煬帝在籓,俱羅弟贊以左右從,累遷大都督。 及帝嗣位,拜車騎將軍。 贊性凶暴,虐其部下,令左右炙肉,遇不中意,以簽刺瞎其眼。 有溫酒不適者,立斷其舌。 帝以贊籓邸之舊,不忍加誅,謂近臣曰:「弟既如此,兄亦可知。」 因召俱羅,譴責之,出贊於獄,令自為計。 贊至家,飲藥而死。 帝恐俱羅不自安,慮生邊患,轉為安州刺史。 歲餘,遷趙郡太守。 後因朝集,至東都,與將軍梁伯隱有舊,數相往來。 又從郡多將雜物以貢獻,帝不受,因遺權貴。 御史劾俱羅以郡將交通內臣,帝大怒,與伯隱俱坐除名。
Earlier, when Emperor Yang was still a prince, Juluo's younger brother Zan served at his side and was repeatedly promoted to Grand Commander. When the Emperor succeeded to the throne, Zan was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry. Zan was cruel and violent and tyrannized his subordinates. He had attendants roast meat for him; if it displeased him, he stabbed out their eyes with a skewer. If anyone warmed wine to his displeasure, he instantly cut out the man's tongue. Because Zan had been with him since his days as prince, the Emperor could not bear to execute him. He told close ministers: "If the younger brother is like this, one can guess what the elder is like." He then summoned Juluo and rebuked him, released Zan from prison, and told him to decide his own fate. Zan went home and took poison. The Emperor feared Juluo would feel insecure and that trouble might arise on the frontier, so he transferred him to Prefect of Anzhou. After more than a year he was transferred to Governor of Zhao Commandery. Later, coming to the Eastern Capital for the annual court assembly, he renewed old ties with General Liang Boyin and they visited each other often. He also brought many assorted goods from his commandery as tribute. The Emperor refused them, so he gave them to powerful officials instead. Censors impeached Juluo for a frontier commander consorting with palace officials. The Emperor was furious, and both Juluo and Boyin were stripped of rank.
10
未幾,越巂飛山蠻作亂,侵掠郡境。 詔俱羅白衣領將,並率蜀郡都尉段鐘葵討平之。 ,重征高麗,以俱羅為碣石道軍將。 及還,江南劉元進作亂,詔俱羅將兵向會稽諸郡逐捕之。 于時百姓思亂,從盜如市,俱羅擊賊帥朱燮、管崇等,戰無不捷。 然賊勢浸盛,敗而復聚。 俱羅度賊非歲月可平,諸子並在京、洛,又見天下漸亂,終恐道路隔絕。 于時東都饑饉,穀食踴貴,俱羅遣家僕將船米至東都糶之,益市財貨,潛迎諸子。 朝廷微知之,恐其有異志,發使案驗。 使者至,前後察問,不得其罪。 帝復令大理司直梁敬真就鎖將詣東都。 俱羅相表異人,目有重瞳,陰為帝之所忌。 敬真希旨,奏俱羅師徒敗衄,於是斬東都市,家口籍沒。 陳棱陳棱,字長威,廬江襄安人也。 祖碩,以漁釣自給。 父峴,少驍勇,事章大寶為帳內部曲。 告大寶反,授譙州刺史。 陳滅,廢於家。 高智慧、汪文進等作亂江南,廬江豪傑亦舉兵相應,以峴舊將,共推為主。 峴欲拒之,棱謂峴曰:「眾亂既作,拒之禍且及己。 不如偽從,別為後計。」 峴然之。 時柱國李徹軍至當塗,峴潛使棱至徹所,請為內應。 徹上其事,拜上大將軍、宣州刺史,封譙郡公,邑一千戶,詔徹應接之。 徹軍未至,謀泄,為其黨所殺,棱僅以獲免。 上以其父之故,拜開府,尋領鄉兵。 煬帝即位,授驃騎將軍。 ,拜武賁郎將。 後三歲,與朝請大夫張鎮周發東陽兵萬餘人,自義安泛海,擊流求國,月餘而至。 流求人初見船艦,以為商旅,往往詣軍中貿易。 棱率眾登岸,遣鎮周為先鋒。 其主歡斯渴剌兜遣兵拒戰,鎮周頻擊破之。 棱進至低沒檀洞,其小王歡斯老模率兵拒戰,棱擊敗之,斬老模。 其日霧雨晦冥,將士皆懼,棱刑白馬以祭海神。 既而開霽,分為五軍,趣其都邑。 渴剌兜率眾數千逆拒,棱遣鎮周又先鋒擊走之。 棱乘勝逐北,至其柵,渴剌兜背柵而陣。 棱盡銳擊之,從辰至未,苦鬥不息。 渴剌兜自以軍疲,引入柵。 棱遂填塹,攻破其柵,斬渴剌兜,獲其子島槌,虜男女數千而歸。 帝大悅,進棱位右光祿大夫,武賁如故,鎮周金紫光祿大夫。 遼東之役,以宿衛遷左光祿大夫。 明年,帝復征遼東,棱為東萊留守。 楊玄感之作亂也,棱率眾萬餘人擊平黎陽,斬玄感所署刺史元務本。 棱尋奉詔于江南營戰艦。 至彭城,賊帥孟讓眾將十萬,據都梁宮,阻淮為固。 棱潛於下流而濟,至江都,率兵襲讓,破之。 以功進位光祿大夫。 賜爵信安侯。 後帝幸江都宮,俄而李子通據海陵,左才相掠淮北,杜伏威屯六合,眾各數萬。 帝遣棱率宿衛兵擊之,往往克捷。 超拜右禦衛將軍。 復渡清江,擊宣城賊。 俄而帝以弑崩,宇文化及引軍北上,召棱守江都。 棱集眾縞素,為煬帝發喪,備儀衛,改葬于吳公台下,衰杖送喪,慟感行路,論者深義之。 棱後為李子通所陷,奔杜伏威,伏威忌之,尋而見害。 王辯王辯,字警略,馮翊蒲城人也。 祖訓,以行商致富。 魏世,出粟助給軍糧,為假清河太守。 辯少習兵書,尤善騎射,慷慨有大志。 在周以軍功授帥都督。 開皇初,遷大都督。 仁壽中,遷車騎將軍。 漢王諒之作亂也,從楊素討平之,賜爵武寧縣男,邑三百戶。 後三歲,遷尚舍奉御。 從征吐谷渾,拜朝請大夫。 數年,轉鷹揚郎將。 遼東之役,以功加通議大夫,尋遷武賁郎將。 及山東盜賊起,上谷魏刀兒自號曆山飛,眾十餘萬,劫掠燕、趙。 帝引辯升禦榻,問以方略。 辯論取賊形勢,帝稱善,曰:「誠如此計,賊何足憂也。」 於是發從行步騎三千,擊敗之,賜黃金二百兩。 明年,渤海賊帥高士達自號東海公,眾以萬數。 復令辯擊之,屢挫其銳。 帝在江都宮,聞而馳召之。 及引見,禮賜甚厚,復令往信都經略。 士達於是復戰,破之,優詔褒顯。 時賊帥郝孝德、孫宣雅、時季康、竇建德、魏刀兒等,往往屯聚,大至十萬,小至數千,寇掠河北。 辯進兵擊之,所往皆捷,深為群賊所憚。 及翟讓寇徐、豫,辯進,頻擊走之。 讓尋與李密屯據洛口倉,辯與王世充討密,阻洛水相持經年。 辯率諸將攻敗密,因薄其營,戰破外柵。 密諸營已有潰者,乘勝將入城,世充不知,恐將士勞倦,於是鳴角收兵,翻為密徒所乘。 官軍大潰,不可救止。 辯至洛水,橋已壞,不得渡,遂涉水,至中流,為溺人所引墜馬。 辯時身被重甲,敗兵前後相蹈藉,不能復上馬,竟溺死焉。 時年五十六。 三軍莫不痛惜之。 斛斯萬善河南斛斯萬善,驍勇果毅,與辯齊名。 大業中,從衛玄討楊玄感,頻戰有功。 及玄感敗走,萬善與數騎追及之,玄感窘迫自殺。 由是知名,拜武賁郎將。 突厥始畢之圍雁門也,萬善奮擊之,所向皆破。 每賊至,輒出當其鋒,或下馬坐地,引強弓射賊,所中皆殪。 由是突厥莫敢逼城,十許日竟退,萬善之力也。 其後頻討群盜,累功至將軍。 時有將軍鹿願、范貴、馮孝慈,俱為將帥,數從征討,並有名於世。 然事皆亡失,故史官無所述焉。
Before long the Feishan tribes of Yuexi rebelled and raided the commandery. The Emperor ordered Juluo, though stripped of rank, to lead troops with Duan Zhongkui, Commandant of Shu Commandery, to suppress and pacify them. On the renewed campaign against Goguryeo, Juluo was made army commander of the Jieshi route. When he returned, Liu Yuanjin rebelled in the south. The Emperor ordered Juluo to lead troops through the Kuaiji commanderies to pursue and capture him. At that time the people were eager for rebellion and joined bandits as if at a market. Juluo attacked the bandit chiefs Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others and won every battle. Yet the rebels kept growing stronger; defeated, they regathered. Juluo judged that the rebels could not be subdued in months. His sons were all in the capital, and as the realm grew chaotic he feared the roads would be cut off. The Eastern Capital was starving and grain prices soared. Juluo sent household servants with boatloads of rice to sell there, bought more goods, and secretly brought his sons south. The court learned of this in part and, fearing disloyal intent, sent envoys to investigate. When the envoys arrived and questioned him repeatedly, they found no crime. The Emperor again ordered Liang Jingzhen, Direct Inspector of the Court of Judicature, to go to him in shackles and escort him to the Eastern Capital. Juluo looked like an extraordinary man and had double pupils in his eyes; secretly the Emperor resented this. Jingzhen, following the Emperor's intent, memorialized that Juluo's army had been defeated. Juluo was executed in the Eastern Capital market, and his household was confiscated. Chen Leng was a native of Xiang'an in Lujiang. His courtesy name was Changwei. His grandfather Shuo made his living by fishing. His father Xian was fierce and brave in youth and served Zhang Dabao as a personal guard. He reported Dabao's rebellion and was appointed Prefect of Qiao. When Chen fell, he was retired at home. When Gao Zhihui, Wang Wenjin, and others rebelled in the south, the heroes of Lujiang also raised troops in response. Because Xian was a former general, they made him their leader. Xian wished to refuse. Leng said to him: "Once rebellion has broken out everywhere, refusing will bring disaster on you. Better to pretend to join them and plan for what comes next." Xian agreed. At that time Li Che, Pillar of the State, reached Dangtu with his army. Xian secretly sent Leng to Che's camp to offer to serve as an inside contact. Che reported the affair to the court. Xian was made Grand General and Prefect of Xuanzhou, enfeoffed as Duke of Qiao Commandery with a fief of one thousand households, and an edict ordered Che to coordinate with him. Before Che's army arrived, the plot was discovered. Xian was killed by his own followers, and Leng barely escaped with his life. Because of his father's service, the Emperor made him General of the Opening Gate. Before long he took command of local militia. When Emperor Yang took the throne, he was appointed General of Fast Cavalry. He was also made Martial Guard. Three years later, together with Palace Attendant Zhang Zhenzhou, he raised more than ten thousand troops from Dongyang, sailed from Yi'an across the sea against the kingdom of Liuqiu, and arrived after a little over a month. When the people of Liuqiu first saw the fleet, they took it for a merchant convoy and often came to the camp to trade. Leng led his men ashore and sent Zhenzhou ahead as vanguard. Their king Huansikoulou sent troops to meet them, and Zhenzhou beat them again and again. Leng pushed on to Dimotan Cave. The lesser king Huansilaomo fought him, but Leng broke his force and took Laomo's head. That day fog and rain blotted out the sky, and the officers and soldiers were afraid. Leng sacrificed a white horse to the Sea God. Before long the weather cleared. They divided into five armies and pressed on toward the enemy capital. Koulou led several thousand men out to oppose them. Leng again sent Zhenzhou ahead, and he drove them off. Leng pursued the fleeing enemy to their palisade. Koulou turned his back to the stockade and drew up his battle line. Leng threw all his best troops into the attack. From the hour chen to the hour wei they fought without letup. Koulou, seeing his army exhausted, withdrew behind the stockade. Leng filled the moat, broke through the stockade, beheaded Koulou, captured his son Daosui, and returned with several thousand captives. The Emperor was greatly pleased. Leng was promoted to Right Grand Master for Splendid Happiness while keeping his Martial Guard post, and Zhenzhou was made Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Traces. During the Liaodong campaign, his service in the palace guard earned him promotion to Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. The next year the Emperor marched on Liaodong again, and Leng was left to hold Donglai. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Leng led more than ten thousand men, recaptured Liyang, and beheaded Yuan Wuben, the prefect Xuangan had installed. Before long Leng received orders to build warships in the south. At Pengcheng the bandit chief Meng Rang commanded one hundred thousand men. He seized Duliang Palace and used the Huai River as his defense. Leng secretly crossed farther downstream, reached Jiangdu, and led a surprise attack that broke Meng Rang. For this service he was promoted to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xin'an. Later the Emperor went to Jiangdu Palace. Before long Li Zitong seized Hailing, Zuo Caixiang raided north of the Huai, and Du Fuwei held Liuhe — each with an army of tens of thousands. The Emperor sent Leng with the palace guard against them, and he won victory after victory. He was suddenly promoted to General of the Right Imperial Guard. He crossed the Qing River again and attacked the bandits around Xuancheng. Before long the Emperor was assassinated. Yuwen Huaji marched north and ordered Leng to hold Jiangdu. Leng gathered his men in white mourning dress, held funeral rites for Emperor Yang, mustered the full guard of honor, and reburied him below Wugong Terrace. Clad in mourning and leaning on staves, they escorted the coffin. Their grief moved everyone on the road, and commentators praised his righteousness in the highest terms. Leng was later framed by Li Zitong and fled to Du Fuwei, but Fuwei resented him and soon had him killed. Wang Bian was a native of Pucheng in Fengyi. His courtesy name was Jinglue. His grandfather Xun grew wealthy as a merchant. Under Wei he contributed grain to supply the army and was made Acting Prefect of Qinghe. As a youth Bian studied military texts and was especially skilled at mounted archery. He was generous and ambitious. Under Northern Zhou he was made Commander-in-Chief for his military service. At the beginning of the Kaihuang era he was promoted to Great Commander-in-Chief. During the Renshou era he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. When Prince Liang of Han rebelled, Bian followed Yang Su in putting down the revolt and was enfeoffed as Baron of Wuning with a fief of three hundred households. Three years later he was made Director of Palace Supplies Attendant. On the campaign against Tuyuhun he was made Palace Attendant. After several years he was made Yingyang Colonel. During the Liaodong campaign his service earned him promotion to General Discussion Master, and before long he was made Martial Guard. When bandits rose in Shandong, Wei Dao'er of Shanggu styled himself Flying over Mount Lishan. His army numbered more than one hundred thousand, and they ravaged Yan and Zhao. The Emperor had Bian come up to the imperial couch and questioned him about strategy. Bian explained how to take the bandits and laid out their situation. The Emperor praised him and said, "If we truly follow this plan, the bandits are nothing to fear." He then sent three thousand infantry and cavalry from his entourage with Bian, who defeated the bandits and received two hundred taels of gold. The next year the Bohai bandit chief Gao Shida styled himself Duke of the Eastern Sea, and his followers numbered in the tens of thousands. The Emperor again ordered Bian against him, and Bian repeatedly blunted his momentum. The Emperor was at Jiangdu Palace. When he heard of Bian's victories, he urgently summoned him. When Bian was received in audience, the honors and rewards were lavish. The Emperor again sent him to Xindu to oversee operations. Shida then gave battle again, but Bian broke him and received an edict of lavish praise. At the time bandit chiefs such as Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, and Wei Dao'er were encamped here and there — some with one hundred thousand men, others with only a few thousand — raiding Hebei. Bian marched against them and was victorious wherever he went, and the bandit hosts came to fear him deeply. When Zhai Rang raided Xu and Yu, Bian advanced and repeatedly drove him off. Rang soon joined Li Mi in holding Luokou Granary. Bian and Wang Shichong campaigned against Mi and faced each other across the Luo River for a full year. Bian led the generals in defeating Mi, pressed close to his camp, and broke through the outer stockade. Several of Mi's camps had already broken, and Bian was pressing the victory toward the city. Shichong did not know this and, fearing his men were exhausted, sounded the horn to recall the army — and Mi's followers turned the moment against them. The government army collapsed in a rout that could not be stopped. Bian reached the Luo River, but the bridge was already destroyed and he could not cross. He waded in, and at midstream drowning men pulled him off his horse. Bian was wearing heavy armor. Routed soldiers trampled one another before and behind him, he could not mount again, and in the end he drowned. He was fifty-six years old. The whole army grieved for him. Husi Wanshan of Henan was bold, brave, and resolute, and was as famous as Bian. During the Daye era he followed Wei Xuan against Yang Xuangan and repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. When Xuangan was defeated and fled, Wanshan overtook him with a few horsemen. Xuangan, cornered, killed himself. Because of this he became famous and was made Martial Guard. When Shibi Khan of the Turks besieged Yanmen, Wanshan fought fiercely and broke the enemy wherever he went. Whenever the enemy came he went out to meet their vanguard. Sometimes he dismounted, sat on the ground, and shot them with a powerful bow — every arrow found its mark. Because of this the Turks did not dare press the city. After some ten days they withdrew at last — and that was Wanshan's doing. Afterward he repeatedly campaigned against bandits and rose through merit to the rank of general. At the time Generals Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci were all commanders who repeatedly joined campaigns and were all famous in their day. But their deeds have all been lost, so the historiographers have nothing to say about them.
11
史臣曰:楚、漢未分,絳、灌所以宣力; 曹、劉競逐,關、張所以立名。 然則名立資草昧之初,力宣候經輪之會,攀附鱗翼,世有之矣。 圓通、護兒之輩,定和、鐵杖之倫,皆一時之壯士,困于貧賤。 當其鬱抑未遇,亦安知其有鴻鵠之志哉! 終能振拔污泥之中,騰躍風雲之上,符馬革之願,快生平之心,非遇其時,焉能至於此也! 俱羅欲加之罪,非其咎畔,王辯殞身勍敵,志實勤王。 陳棱縞素發喪,哀感行路,義之所動,固已深乎! 孟才、錢傑、沈光等,感恩懷舊,臨難忘生,雖功無所成,其志有可稱矣。
The historiographer says: Before Chu and Han had been divided, men like the Marquis of Jiang and Guan Ying found occasion to prove their worth; When Cao and Liu contended for supremacy, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei found occasion to make their names. Thus fame is won by those who rise in the earliest days of a new order, and strength is proved by those who wait for the moment when great plans are being laid. Riding the coattails of dragon and phoenix — the world has always known such men. Men like Yuantong and Hu'er, and warriors like Dinghe and Tiezhang, were all bold men of their time, yet trapped in poverty and low station. When they were still obscure and had not yet found their moment, who could have guessed they harbored the ambition of a soaring swan! In the end they pulled themselves up from the mud, leapt above the storm clouds, fulfilled the soldier's vow to die on campaign, and satisfied their hearts in life — had they not met their moment, how could they have reached such heights! When guilt was to be attached to Juluo, it was not for any fault of rebellion on his part. Wang Bian died before a fierce foe, yet his purpose was truly to serve the throne. Chen Leng donned white mourning dress and held funeral rites for the Emperor. His grief moved everyone on the road. When righteousness moves a man, it runs deep indeed! Mengcai, Qian Jie, Shen Guang, and others, grateful and faithful to old ties, faced danger without clinging to their lives. Though their deeds came to nothing, their purpose deserves praise.