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卷64 列傳第29 李圓通 陳茂 張定和 張奫 麥鐵杖 沈光 來護兒 魚俱羅 陳稜 王辯

Volume 64 Biographies 29: Li Yuantong, Chen Mao, Zhang Dinghe, Zhang Bian, Mai Tiezhang, Shen Guang, Lai Hua'er, Yu Juluo, Chen Leng, Wang Bian

Chapter 64 of 隋書 · Book of Sui
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Chapter 64
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1
使 忿
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
便 調 使 祿 祿 便 簿 使
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
宿
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
祿宿 祿 祿 祿
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
竿 竿
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
竿 竿
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
使 使 使 使
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
祿 祿
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
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
使 使 使 貿 祿祿 宿祿 祿 宿 退 鹿
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
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.
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