Volume 65 Biographies 30: Zhou Luohou, Zhou Fashang, Li Jing, Murong Sancang, Xue Shixiong, Wang Rengong, Quan Wu, Tu Wanxu, Dong Chun, Zhao Cai

周羅睺

Zhou Luohou

周羅睺，字公佈，九江尋陽人也。父法暠，仕梁冠軍將軍、始興太守、通直散騎常侍、南康內史，臨蒸縣侯。羅睺年十五，善騎射，好鷹狗，任俠放蕩，收聚亡命，陰習兵書。從祖景彥誡之曰：「吾世恭謹，汝獨放縱，難以保家。若不喪身，必將滅吾族。」羅睺終不改。陳宣帝時，以軍功授開遠將軍、句容令。後從大都督吳明徹與齊師戰于江陽，為流矢中其左目。齊師圍明徹於宿預也，諸軍相顧，莫有鬥心。羅睺躍馬突進，莫不披靡。太僕卿蕭摩訶因而副之，斬獲不可勝計。進師徐州，與周將梁士彥戰于彭城，摩訶臨陣墜馬，羅睺進救，拔摩訶於重圍之內，勇冠三軍。明徹之敗也，羅睺全眾而歸，拜光遠將軍、鐘離太守。十一年，授使持節、都督霍州諸軍事。平山賊十二洞，除右軍將軍、始安縣伯，邑四百戶，總管檢校揚州內外諸軍事。賜金銀三千兩，盡散之將士，分賞驍雄。陳宣帝深歎美之。出為晉陵太守，進爵為侯，增封一千戶。除太僕卿，增封並前一千六百戶。尋除雄信將軍，使持節、都督豫章十郡諸軍事、豫章內史。獄訟庭決，不關吏手，民懷其惠，立碑頌德焉。至德中，除持節，都督南川諸軍事。江州司馬吳世興密奏羅睺甚得人心，擁眾嶺表，意在難測，陳主惑焉。蕭摩訶、魯廣達等保明之。外有知者，或勸其反，羅睺拒絕之。軍還，除太子左衛率，信任逾重，時參宴席。陳主曰：「周左率武將，詩每前成，文士何為後也？」都官尚書孔范對曰：「周羅睺執筆制詩，還如上馬入陣，不在人後。」自是益見親禮。出督湘州諸軍事，還拜散騎常侍。

Zhou Luohou, whose courtesy name was Gongbu, came from Xunyang in Jiujiang commandery. His father Fagao had served Liang as Champion General, Administrator of Shixing, Regular Attendant for Direct Communication, Internal Secretary of Nankang, and Marquis of Linzheng. By fifteen he was an expert horseman and archer who loved hawking and hunting dogs; he lived as a swaggering knight-errant, gathered outlaws about him, and studied military texts in secret. His father's cousin Jing Yan warned him: "Our line has always been dutiful and careful, yet you alone run wild. You will be hard put to keep the family intact. If you do not lose your own life, you will surely destroy our whole clan. Luohou never changed his ways. Under Emperor Xuan of Chen he was rewarded for military service with the post of General Who Opens the Distance and Magistrate of Jurong. He later followed the commander-in-chief Wu Mingche against the Qi army at Jiangyang and was hit in the left eye by a stray arrow. When Qi forces besieged Mingche at Suyu, the allied armies exchanged uneasy glances and none dared to fight. Luohou spurred his horse straight into the enemy line, and nothing could stand before him. Grand Minister of Husbandry Xiao Mohe then joined the attack, and the slaughter and captures were beyond count. When the army advanced on Xuzhou and fought the Zhou general Liang Shiyan at Pengcheng, Mohe was unhorsed in the press of battle; Luohou charged in, dragged him from the thick of the encirclement, and his courage ranked first in all three armies. After Mingche's defeat, Luohou brought the entire force back intact and was appointed General of Expansive Light and Administrator of Zhongli. In the eleventh year he received the staff of authority and was made commander of all military affairs in Huo province. He pacified the mountain bandits of the twelve cave strongholds, was made General of the Right Army and Baron of Shian with a fief of four hundred households, and was put in overall charge of military affairs within and beyond Yangzhou. He was given three thousand taels of gold and silver, distributed the whole sum among his officers and men, and shared it out to reward the bravest fighters. Emperor Xuan of Chen sighed deeply in admiration. He was sent out as Administrator of Jinling, advanced to marquis, and his fief was increased by a thousand households. He was appointed Grand Minister of Husbandry, and his fief, including previous grants, was raised to sixteen hundred households. He was soon made General of Majestic Trust, bearer of the staff, commander of military affairs in the ten commanderies of Yuzhang, and Internal Secretary of Yuzhang. He judged lawsuits in open court without leaving matters to clerks; the people cherished his kindness and erected a stele in praise of his virtue. During the Zhade era he was given the staff of authority and made commander of all military affairs in the Southern Pass. Wu Shixing, assistant commander of Jiangzhou, secretly reported that Luohou had won extraordinary loyalty, held troops south of the passes, and might harbor designs that were hard to read; the Chen ruler was troubled. Xiao Mohe, Lu Guangda, and others vouched for him and cleared his name. Among those who knew him from outside, some urged him to rebel, but Luohou refused. When the army returned he was made Left Guardian of the Heir Apparent; the court trusted him ever more deeply, and he was often invited to banquets. The Chen ruler said: "Commander Zhou is a fighting man, yet his poems are always finished first—why do the literati lag behind? Minister of Revenue Kong Fan replied: "When Zhou Luohou takes up the brush to compose verse, it is like mounting a horse and charging into battle—he is never behind anyone." From then on he was treated with still greater intimacy and honor. He went out to command military affairs in Xiang province and, on his return, was appointed Regular Attendant.

晉王廣之伐陳也，都督巴峽緣江諸軍事，以拒秦王俊，軍不得渡，相持逾月。遇丹陽陷，陳主被擒，上江猶不下，晉王廣遣陳主手書命之，羅睺與諸將大臨三日，放兵士散，然後乃降。高祖慰諭之，許以富貴。羅睺垂泣而對曰：「臣荷陳氏厚遇，本朝淪亡，無節可紀。陛下所賜，獲全為幸，富貴榮祿，非臣所望。」高祖甚器之。賀若弼謂之曰：「聞公郢、漢捉兵，即知揚州可得。王師利涉，果如所量。」羅睺答曰：「若得與公周旋，勝負未可知也。」其年秋，拜上儀同三司，鼓吹羽儀，送之於宅。先是，陳裨將羊翔歸降於我，使為鄉導，位至上開府，班在羅睺上。韓擒於朝堂戲之曰：「不知機變，立在羊翔之下，能無愧乎？」羅睺答曰：「昔在江南，久承令問，謂公天下節士。今日所言，殊匪誠臣之論。」擒有愧色。其年冬，除豳州刺史，俄轉涇州刺史，母憂去職。未期，復起，授豳州刺史，並有能名。

When Prince Jin Guang marched against Chen, Luohou commanded all forces along the Ba gorges and the Yangzi to block Qin Prince Jun; neither army could cross, and they faced each other for more than a month. When Danyang fell and the Chen ruler was taken, the upper Yangzi still held out; Prince Jin Guang sent the captive ruler's own handwritten command, and Luohou and his generals mourned openly for three days, dismissed the troops, and only then surrendered. Emperor Gaozu comforted him and promised him wealth and high office. Luohou answered through his tears: "Your servant received great kindness from the house of Chen; when that dynasty fell I had no loyal deed worth recording. Whatever Your Majesty grants me, merely to be spared is fortune enough; wealth, glory, salary, and rank are not what I seek. Emperor Gaozu thought very highly of him. He Ruo said to him: "When I heard that you were holding troops at Ying and Han, I knew at once that Yangzhou could be taken. When the imperial army crossed the river with ease, events proved exactly as I had judged. Luohou replied: "Had I been able to meet you in battle, the outcome would still have been uncertain." That autumn he was appointed Senior Palace Attendant of the Third Rank, and drums and feathered banners escorted him home. Earlier, the Chen deputy general Yang Xiang had surrendered and served as guide; he rose to Upper Opener of the Government, ranking above Luohou at court. At court Han Qin teased him: "You did not know when to turn with the times, yet you stand below Yang Xiang—can you feel no shame? Luohou replied: "Long ago in the south I had heard your fine reputation and took you for the empire's man of integrity. What you say today is nothing like the speech of a loyal minister." Han Qin flushed with shame. That winter he was made Administrator of Bin province, soon transferred to Jing province, and left office to mourn his mother. Before the mourning term was finished he was recalled and again made Administrator of Bin; in both posts he won a name for ability.

十八年，起遼東之役，徵為水軍總管。自東萊泛海，趣平壤城，遭風，船多飄沒，無功而還。十九年，突厥達頭可汗犯塞，從楊素擊之。虜眾甚盛，羅睺白素曰：「賊陣未整，請擊之。」素許焉，與輕勇二十騎直沖虜陣，從申至酉，短兵屢接，大破之。進位大將軍。仁壽元年，為東宮右虞候率，賜爵義寧郡公，食邑一千五百戶。俄轉右衛率。煬帝即位，授右武候大將軍。漢王諒反，詔副楊素討平之，進授上大將軍。其年冬，帝幸洛陽。陳主卒，羅睺請一臨哭，帝許之。縗絰送至墓所，葬還，釋服而後入朝。帝甚嘉尚，世論稱其有禮。時諒餘党據晉、絳等三州未下，詔羅睺行絳、晉、呂三州諸軍事，進兵圍之。為流矢所中，卒于師，時年六十四。送柩還京，行數里，無故輿馬自止，策之不動，有飄風旋繞焉。絳州長史郭雅稽顙咒曰：「公恨小寇未平邪？尋即除殄，無為戀恨。」於是風靜馬行，見者莫不悲歎。其年秋七月，子仲隱夢見羅睺曰：「我明日當戰。」其靈坐所有弓箭刀劍，無故自動，若人帶持之狀。絳州城陷，是其日也。贈柱國、右翊衛大將軍，諡曰壯。贈物千段。子仲安，官至上開府。

In the eighteenth year, when the Liaodong campaign was launched, he was summoned as commander of the naval forces. He sailed from Donglai toward Pyongyang, met fierce winds, lost many ships, and returned without success. In the nineteenth year, when the Türk qaghan Tardu raided the frontier, he followed Yang Su against them. The enemy host was very large; Luohou told Su: "Their formation is not yet set—let me strike them. Su agreed; with twenty picked light horsemen he charged straight into the enemy line and, from mid-afternoon until evening, fought hand to hand again and again until the foe was thoroughly broken. He was promoted to Great General. In the first year of Renshou he became Right Commandant of the Eastern Palace Household Guards, was enfeoffed as Duke of Yining commandery, and received a fief of fifteen hundred households. He was soon transferred to Right Commandant of the Imperial Guards. When Emperor Yang took the throne, he was appointed Great General of the Right Martial Guards. When Prince Han Liang rebelled, an edict made him Yang Su's deputy to suppress the revolt, and he was advanced to Senior Great General. That winter the emperor went to Luoyang. When the former Chen ruler died, Luohou asked leave to go and mourn him once, and the emperor granted it. He went in hemp mourning garb to escort the body to the tomb; after the burial he put off mourning dress and only then returned to court. The emperor greatly praised this conduct, and public opinion called him a man of proper ritual. At that time Liang's remaining followers still held Jin, Jiang, and other prefectures; an edict put Luohou in command of military affairs in Jiang, Jin, and Lü, and he advanced to besiege them. He was struck by a stray arrow and died in the field at the age of sixty-four. As the bier was being sent back to the capital, after a few li the carriage and horses for no apparent reason halted of themselves; though whipped, they would not move, and a swirling wind circled about them. Guo Ya, chief administrator of Jiang prefecture, kowtowed and prayed: "Does my lord resent that the petty bandits are not yet destroyed? They will soon be wiped out—do not linger in resentment. At that the wind died down and the horses moved on; all who witnessed it sighed in grief. That autumn, in the seventh month, his son Zhongyin dreamed that Luohou said: "Tomorrow I shall fight. At his spirit seat the bows, arrows, swords, and blades moved of themselves for no reason, as though a man were buckling them on and taking them up. Jiang prefecture city fell on that very day. He was posthumously made Pillar of State and Great General of the Right Wing Guards, with the posthumous name Zhuang (Stalwart). A thousand bundles of goods were granted as mourning gifts. His son Zhong'an rose to the rank of Upper Opener of the Government.

周法尚

Zhou Fashang

周法尚，字德邁，汝南安成人也。祖靈起，梁直閤將軍、義陽太守、廬桂二州刺史。父炅，定州刺史、平北將軍。法尚少果勁有風概，好讀兵書。年十八，為陳始興王中兵參軍，尋加伏波將軍。其父卒後，監定州事，督父本兵。數有戰功，遷使持節、貞毅將軍、散騎常侍，領齊昌郡事，封山陰縣侯，邑五千戶。以其兄武昌縣公法僧代為定州刺史。

Zhou Fashang, whose courtesy name was Demai, came from Ancheng in Ruyang commandery. His grandfather Lingqi had been Liang Direct Attendant at the Gate, Administrator of Yiyang, and Inspector of Lu and Gui provinces. His father Jiong had been Administrator of Dingzhou and General Who Pacifies the North. In youth Fashang was resolute and spirited, and loved to read books of war. At eighteen he became Central Army Major on the staff of Chen's Prince of Shixing, and was soon given the additional title General Who Subdues Waves. After his father's death he supervised Dingzhou affairs and took command of his father's former troops. After repeated victories in battle he was promoted to bearer of the staff, General of Steadfast Resolution, and Regular Attendant, placed in charge of Qichang commandery, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Shanyin with a fief of five thousand households. His elder brother Faseng, Duke of Wuchang county, was made Administrator of Dingzhou in his place.

法尚與長沙王叔堅不相能，叔堅言其將反。陳宣帝執禁法僧，發兵欲取法尚。其下將吏皆勸之歸北，法尚猶豫未決。長史殷文則曰：「樂毅所以辭燕，良由不猶已。事勢如此，請早裁之。」法尚遂歸於周。宣帝甚優寵之，拜開府、順州刺史，封歸義縣公，邑千戶。賜良馬五匹，女妓五人，彩物五百段，加以金帶。陳將樊猛濟江討之，法尚遣部曲督韓明詐為背己，奔于陳，偽告猛曰：「法尚部兵不願降北，人皆竊議，盡欲叛還。若得軍來，必無鬥者，自當於陣倒戈耳。」猛以為然，引師急進。法尚乃陽為畏懼，自保于江曲。猛陳兵挑戰，法尚先伏輕舸於浦中，又伏精銳于古村之北，自張旗幟，迎流拒之。戰數合，偽退登岸，投古村，猛舍舟逐之，法尚又疾走。行數里，與村北軍合，復前擊猛。猛退走赴船，既而浦中伏舸取其舟楫，建周旗幟。猛於是大敗，僅以身免，虜八千人。

Fashang and the Prince of Changsha, Shujian, were on bad terms; Shujian reported that he was about to rebel. Emperor Xuan of Chen arrested and imprisoned Faseng and sent troops to seize Fashang. His officers all urged him to go over to the north, but Fashang hesitated and could not decide. Chief Clerk Yin Wence said: "Yue Yi left Yan for no other reason than that they no longer trusted him. Matters stand as they do now—please decide quickly. Fashang thereupon went over to Zhou. Emperor Xuan treated him with great favor, appointed him Opener of the Government and Administrator of Shunzhou, and enfeoffed him as Duke of Guiyi county with a fief of a thousand households. He was given five fine horses, five female entertainers, five hundred bundles of colored goods, and a gold belt besides. The Chen general Fan Meng crossed the Yangzi to attack him; Fashang sent his subordinate commander Han Ming, who pretended to turn against him and fled to Chen, falsely telling Meng: "Fashang's troops do not wish to surrender to the north; they whisper among themselves and all want to rebel and return. If your army comes, they will surely not fight; they will turn their blades in the ranks of their own accord. Meng believed him and hurried his army forward. Fashang then feigned fear and held himself on the defensive at the river bend. Meng drew up his troops and offered battle; Fashang had already hidden light boats in the harbor and elite troops north of Gucun village, and himself raised banners and flags to meet the current and resist. After several clashes he feigned retreat, went ashore, and made for Gucun; Meng abandoned his boats and pursued, and Fashang fled swiftly again. After several li he joined the troops north of the village and turned to strike Meng again. Meng retreated in haste toward his boats, but the hidden boats in the harbor soon seized his vessels and oars and raised Zhou banners and flags. Meng was utterly defeated, barely escaping with his life; eight thousand men were captured.

高祖為丞相，司馬消難作亂，陰遣上開府段珣率兵陽為助守，因欲奪其城。法尚覺其詐，閉門不納，珣遂圍之。于時倉卒，兵散在外，因率吏士五百人守拒二十日。外無救援，自度力不能支，遂拔所領，棄城遁走。消難虜其母弟及家累三百人歸於陳。高祖受禪，拜巴州刺史，破三鵶叛蠻於鐵山，復從柱國王誼擊走陳寇。遷衡州總管四州諸軍事，改封譙郡公，邑二千戶。後上幸洛陽，召之，及引見，賜金鈿酒鐘一雙，彩五百段，良馬十五匹，奴婢三百口，給鼓吹一部。法尚固辭，上曰：「公有大功于國，特給鼓吹者，欲令公鄉人知朕之寵公也。」固與之。歲餘，轉黃州總管。上降密詔，使經略江南，伺候動靜。及伐陳之役，以行軍總管隸秦孝王，率舟師三萬出於樊口。陳城州刺史熊門超出師拒戰，擊破之，擒超於陣。轉鄂州刺史，尋遷永州總管，安集嶺南，賜縑五百段，良馬五匹，仍給黃州兵三千五百人為帳內。陳桂州刺史錢季卿、南康內史柳璿、西衡州刺史鄧暠、陽山太守毛爽等前後詣法尚降。陳定州刺史呂子廓據山洞反，法尚引兵逾嶺，子廓兵眾日散，與千餘人走保岩險，其左右斬之而降。賜彩五百段，奴婢五十口，並銀甕寶帶，良馬十匹。十年，尋轉桂州總管，仍為嶺南安撫大使。

While Gaozu still served as Chancellor, Sima Xiaonan rebelled and secretly sent Upper Opener of the Government Duan Xun with troops who pretended to help defend the city but actually meant to seize it. Fashang saw through the ruse, shut the gates and refused to admit them, and Xun thereupon laid siege to the city. Caught off guard with his troops scattered elsewhere, he led five hundred clerks and soldiers and held the city for twenty days. With no relief coming from outside, he judged that he could not hold out, withdrew the men under his command, abandoned the city, and fled. Xiaonan captured his mother, younger brother, and three hundred members of their household and took them back to Chen. After Gaozu accepted the throne, Fashang was appointed Administrator of Bazhou; he defeated the rebel tribes of Sanya at Iron Mountain and again followed Pillar of State Wang Yi in driving off Chen raiders. He was made Governor-General of Hengzhou with authority over military affairs in four prefectures, and his title was changed to Duke of Qiao commandery with a fief of two thousand households. Later, when the Emperor visited Luoyang, he summoned Fashang; at their audience he gave him a pair of gold-inlaid wine goblets, five hundred bolts of colored silk, fifteen fine horses, three hundred servants, and a mounted musical escort. Fashang firmly declined, but the Emperor said, "You have rendered great service to the state. I am granting you a mounted musical escort especially so that the people of your home district will know how highly I favor you. The Emperor insisted on granting it to him all the same. A little more than a year later, he was transferred to Governor-General of Huangzhou. The Emperor sent down a secret edict ordering him to oversee Jiangnan and keep watch on conditions there. During the campaign against Chen, serving as Mobile Campaign Commander under Prince Qin Xiao, he led thirty thousand naval troops out from Fankou. Xiong Menchao, Administrator of Chengzhou under Chen, marched out to give battle; Fashang defeated him and captured Chao on the field. He was transferred to Administrator of Ezhou, then soon made Governor-General of Yongzhou to pacify Lingnan; he was granted five hundred bolts of silk and five fine horses, and also given three thousand five hundred Huangzhou troops as his personal guard. Qian Jiqing, Administrator of Guizhou under Chen, Liu Xuan, Administrator of Nankang, Deng Gao, Administrator of Xihengzhou, Mao Shuang, Administrator of Yangshan, and others came one after another to surrender to Fashang. Lü Zikuo, Administrator of Dingzhou under Chen, seized mountain strongholds and rebelled; Fashang led troops over the ranges, and Zikuo's forces dwindled day by day until he fled with a little over a thousand men to hold a rocky fastness, where his attendants beheaded him and surrendered. He was granted five hundred bolts of colored silk, fifty servants, a silver jar and precious belt, and ten fine horses. In the tenth year he was soon transferred to Governor-General of Guizhou and also made Pacification Commissioner of Lingnan.

後數年入朝，以本官宿衛。賜彩三百段，米五百石，絹五百匹。未幾，桂州人李光仕舉兵作亂，令法尚與上柱國王世積討之。法尚馳往桂州，發嶺南兵，世積出岳州，征嶺北軍，俱會于尹州。光仕來逆戰，擊走之。世積所部多遇瘴，不能進，頓於衡州，法尚獨討之。光仕帥勁兵保白石洞，法尚捕得其弟光略、光度，大獲家口。其黨有來降附，輒以妻子還之。居旬日，降者數千人。法尚捕兵列陣，以當光仕，親率奇兵，蔽林設伏。兩陣始交，法尚馳擊其柵，柵中人皆走散，光仕大潰，追斬之。賜奴婢百五十口，黃金百五十兩，銀百五十斤。仁壽中，遂州獠叛，復以行軍總管討平之。巂州烏蠻叛，攻陷州城，詔令法尚便道擊之。軍將至，賊棄州城，散走山谷間，法尚捕不能得。於是遣使慰諭，假以官號，偽班師，日行二十里。軍再舍，潛遣人覘之，知其首領盡歸柵，聚飲相賀。法尚選步騎數千人，襲擊破之，獲其渠帥數千人，虜男女萬餘口。賜奴婢百口，物三百段，蜀馬二十匹。軍還，檢校潞州事。

Several years later he came to court and, retaining his original office, served in the palace guard. He was granted three hundred bolts of colored silk, five hundred shi of rice, and five hundred bolts of plain silk. Before long, Li Guangshi of Guizhou raised troops in rebellion, and the Emperor ordered Fashang and Upper Pillar of State Wang Shiji to suppress him. Fashang hurried to Guizhou and mobilized the troops of Lingnan, while Shiji marched out from Yuezhou and summoned the armies of Lingbei; the two forces met at Yinzhou. Guangshi came out to give battle, but they struck him and drove him off. Most of Shiji's troops fell victim to miasma and could not advance, so they halted at Hengzhou while Fashang alone pursued the suppression. Guangshi led crack troops to hold Baishi Cave; Fashang captured his younger brothers Guanglue and Guangdu and seized a great many of their dependents. Whenever any of Guangshi's followers came over in surrender, Fashang immediately returned their wives and children to them. Within ten days, several thousand men surrendered. Fashang drew up his main force to face Guangshi while personally leading an elite detachment to hide in the forest and lay an ambush. As soon as the two armies clashed, Fashang charged the palisade; the men inside scattered in flight, Guangshi was utterly routed, and he was pursued and beheaded. He was granted one hundred fifty servants, one hundred fifty liang of gold, and one hundred fifty jin of silver. During the Renshou period, the Liao tribes of Suizhou rebelled, and again serving as Mobile Campaign Commander he suppressed and pacified them. The Black Barbarians of Xizhou rebelled and captured the prefectural city, and an edict ordered Fashang to attack them by the nearest route. As his army was nearing the city, the rebels abandoned it and scattered into the mountain valleys, and Fashang could not catch them. Thereupon he sent envoys to reassure them, granted them nominal official titles, feigned a withdrawal, and marched only twenty li a day. After the army had made two camps, he secretly sent scouts and learned that the rebel chieftains had all returned to their stockade and were gathered there drinking in celebration. Fashang selected several thousand infantry and cavalry, launched a surprise attack and routed them, captured several thousand chieftains, and took more than ten thousand men and women captive. He was granted one hundred servants, three hundred bundles of goods, and twenty Shu horses. When the army returned, he was put in charge of affairs at Luzhou.

煬帝嗣位，轉雲州刺史。後三歲，轉定襄太守，進位金紫光祿大夫。時帝幸榆林，法尚朝於行宮。內史令元壽言於帝曰：「漢武出塞，旍旗千里。今御營之外，請分為二十四軍，日別遣一軍發，相去三十里，旗幟相望，鉦鼓相聞，首尾連注，千里不絕。此亦出師之盛者也。」法尚曰：「不然，兵亙千里，動間山川，卒有不虞，四分五裂。腹心有事，首尾未知，道阻且長，難以相救。雖是故事，此乃取敗之道也。」帝不懌曰：「卿意以為如何？」法尚曰：「結為方陣，四面外距，六宮及百官家口並住其間。若有變起，當頭分抗，內引奇兵，出外奮擊，車為壁壘，重設鉤陳，此與據城理亦何異！若戰而捷，抽騎追奔，或戰不利，屯營自守。臣謂牢固萬全之策也。」帝曰：「善。」因拜左武衛將軍，賜良馬一匹，絹三百匹。

When Emperor Yang succeeded to the throne, Fashang was transferred to Administrator of Yunzhou. Three years later he was made Administrator of Dingxiang and advanced to Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. At that time the Emperor was at Yulin, and Fashang came to audience at the traveling palace. Inner Secretariat Director Yuan Shou said to the Emperor, "When Emperor Wu of Han marched beyond the frontier, his banners and flags stretched for a thousand li. Beyond the imperial encampment, I propose dividing the force into twenty-four armies, dispatching one army each day thirty li apart so that banners and flags are visible to one another and gongs and drums can be heard from end to end, linking head and tail in an unbroken line for a thousand li. That too would be a magnificent display for an army on campaign. Fashang said, "That is not so. An army strung out for a thousand li, with mountains and rivers breaking up its movements, will splinter at the first unexpected blow. If trouble strikes the center, the front and rear will not even know; the roads are obstructed and long, and mutual rescue will be impossible. Even though this follows an old precedent, it is a recipe for defeat." The Emperor, displeased, said, "What do you think ought to be done?" Fashang said, "Form a square camp and face outward on all four sides, with the six palaces and the households of all officials placed within it. If trouble arises, meet it with divided resistance at the front while drawing elite troops from within to strike fiercely outside; wagons serve as ramparts and the Gouchen formation is deployed in depth—how is that in principle any different from holding a city! If the battle goes well, detach cavalry to pursue the fleeing enemy; if it goes badly, hold the camp and stand on the defensive. In my view, that is a firm and fully secure strategy." The Emperor said, "Good." Thereupon Fashang was appointed General of the Left Martial Guard and granted one fine horse and three hundred bolts of silk.

明年，黔安夷向思多反，殺將軍鹿願，圍太守蕭造，法尚與將軍李景分路討之。法尚擊思多於清江，破之，斬首三千級。還，從討吐谷渾，法尚別出松州道，逐捕亡散，至於青海。賜奴婢一百口，物二百段，馬七十匹。出為敦煌太守，尋領會甯太守。遼東之役，以舟師指朝鮮道，會楊玄感反，與將軍宇文述，來護兒等破之。以功進右光祿大夫，賜物九百段。時有齊郡人王薄、孟讓等舉兵為盜，眾十餘萬，保長白山。頻戰，每挫其銳。賜奴婢百口。明年，復臨滄海，在軍疾甚，謂長史崔君肅曰：「吾再臨滄海，未能利涉，時不我與，將辭人世。立志不果，命也如何！」言畢而終，時年五十九。贈武衛大將軍，諡曰僖。有子六人。長子紹基，靈壽令，少子紹范，最知名。

The next year the Qian'an tribesman Xiang Siduo rebelled, killed General Lu Yuan, and besieged Administrator Xiao Zao; Fashang and General Li Jing suppressed him by separate routes. Fashang attacked Siduo on the Qing River, defeated him, and took three thousand heads. On his return he joined the campaign against Tuyuhun; Fashang marched separately by the Songzhou route, pursuing scattered fugitives as far as Qinghai. He was granted one hundred servants, two hundred bundles of goods, and seventy horses. He went out to serve as Administrator of Dunhuang and soon also held the concurrent post of Administrator of Huining. During the Liaodong campaign, while commanding the naval force toward Korea, he turned back when Yang Xuangan rebelled and, together with Generals Yuwen Shu, Lai Huer, and others, defeated him. For his merit he was promoted to Grand Master of Splendor of the Right and granted nine hundred bundles of goods. At that time Wang Bo, Meng Rang, and others of Qi commandery raised troops as bandits; their force numbered more than a hundred thousand, and they held Changbai Mountain. He fought them repeatedly and each time blunted their momentum. He was granted one hundred servants. The next year, once again on the coast, he fell gravely ill in camp and said to Chief Clerk Cui Junsu, "I have twice come to the eastern sea yet never managed a successful crossing; time will not wait for me—I am about to leave this world. My ambition remains unfulfilled—such is fate; what can be done! He finished speaking and died; he was fifty-nine years old. He was posthumously appointed Great General of the Martial Guard and given the posthumous name Xi. He had six sons. His eldest son Shaoji was Magistrate of Lingshou; his youngest son Shaofan was the most famous.

李景，字道興，天水休官人也。父超，周應、戎二州刺史。景容貌奇偉，膂力過人，美須髯，驍勇善射。平齊之役，頗有力焉，授儀同三司。以平尉迥，進位開府，賜爵平寇縣公，邑千五百戶。開皇九年，以行軍總管從王世積伐陳，陷陳有功，進位上開府，賜奴婢六十口，物千五百段。及高智慧等作亂江南，復以行軍總管從楊素擊之。別平倉嶺，還授鄜州刺史。十七年，遼東之役，為馬軍總管。及還，配事漢王。高祖奇其壯武，使袒而觀之，曰：「卿相表當位極人臣。」尋從史萬歲擊突厥於大斤山，別路邀賊，大破之。後與上明公楊紀送義成公主于突厥，至恆安，遇突厥來寇。時代州總管韓洪為虜所敗，景率所領數百人援之。力戰三日，殺虜甚眾，賜物三千段，授韓州刺史。以事王故，不之官。仁壽中，檢校代州總管。漢王諒作亂并州，景發兵拒之。諒遣劉暠襲景，戰於城東。升樓射之，無不應弦而倒。選壯士擊之，斬獲略盡。諒復遣嵐州刺史喬鐘葵率勁勇三萬攻之。景戰士不過數千，加以城池不固，為賊衝擊，崩毀相繼。景且戰且築，士卒皆殊死鬥，屢挫賊鋒。司馬馮孝慈、司法參軍呂玉並驍勇善戰，儀同三司侯莫陳乂多謀畫，工拒守之術。景知將士可用，其後推誠於此三人，無所關預，唯在閣持重，時出撫循而已。月餘，朔州總管楊義臣以兵來援，合擊，大破之。先是，景府內井中甃上生花如蓮，並有龍見，時變為鐵馬甲士。又有神人長數丈見於城下，其跡長四尺五寸。景問巫，對曰：「此是不祥之物，來食人血耳。」景大怒，推出之。旬日而兵至，死者數萬焉。景尋被征入京，進位柱國，拜右武衛大將軍，賜縑九千匹，女樂一部，加以珍物。

Li Jing, styled Daoxing, was a native of Xiuguan in Tianshui. His father Chao had served as Administrator of Ying and Rong under Zhou. Jing had a strikingly imposing appearance, strength beyond ordinary men, a handsome beard and whiskers, and was fierce, brave, and skilled with the bow. In the campaign to pacify Qi he distinguished himself and was appointed Commissioner's Assistant of the Third Rank. For suppressing Yuwen Yong he was promoted to Opener of the Government and enfeoffed as Duke of Pingkou county with a fief of one thousand five hundred households. In the ninth year of Kaihuang, serving as Mobile Campaign Commander under Wang Shiji in the attack on Chen, he distinguished himself in the assault on Chen, was promoted to Upper Opener of the Government, and was granted sixty servants and one thousand five hundred bundles of goods. When Gao Zhihui and others rebelled in Jiangnan, he again served as Mobile Campaign Commander under Yang Su in suppressing them. He separately pacified Cangcang Ridge and, on his return, was appointed Administrator of Fuzhou. In the seventeenth year, during the Liaodong campaign, he served as Cavalry Commander. When he returned, he was assigned to serve the Prince of Han. Gaozu marveled at his stalwart build, had him bare his torso for inspection, and said, "Your physiognomy shows that you are destined to reach the highest rank among ministers. Soon afterward he followed Shi Wansui in attacking the Turks at Mount Dajin; marching by a separate route he intercepted the enemy and won a great victory. Later, together with Duke of Shangming Yang Ji, he escorted Princess Yicheng to the Turks; at Heng'an they encountered a Turkish raiding force. At that time Governor-General of Daizhou Han Hong had been defeated by the enemy, and Jing led several hundred men under his command to his relief. After three days of fierce fighting he killed a great many of the enemy; he was granted three thousand bundles of goods and appointed Administrator of Hanzhou. Because he was still serving the Prince, he did not take up the post. During the Renshou period he served as acting Governor-General of Daizhou. When the Prince of Han, Liang, rebelled at Bingzhou, Jing mobilized troops to resist him. Liang sent Liu Kui to attack Jing, and they fought east of the city. Jing mounted the tower and shot at them; every arrow found its mark and the men fell as the bowstrings sounded. He then selected stalwart warriors to sally forth against them and killed or captured nearly all of the enemy. Liang again sent Qiao Zhongkui, Administrator of Lanzhou, with thirty thousand crack troops to attack him. Jing had no more than a few thousand fighters, and the city walls were weak besides; under the enemy assault, sections of wall collapsed one after another. Jing fought even as he rebuilt the walls; his soldiers fought to the death and repeatedly blunted the enemy assault. Major Feng Xiaoci and Judicial Assistant Lü Yu were both fierce and skilled in battle; Commissioner's Assistant of the Third Rank Hou Mochen Yi was resourceful and expert in defensive warfare. Jing knew his officers and men could be relied upon; thereafter he entrusted everything to these three men without interfering, sitting gravely in the pavilion and only going out from time to time to encourage the troops. After more than a month, Governor-General of Shuozhou Yang Yichen arrived with relief troops; joining forces, they inflicted a crushing defeat on the rebels. Earlier, lotus-like flowers had appeared on the brickwork of a well inside Jing's headquarters, and a dragon was seen there; at times it changed into armored soldiers mounted on iron horses. A divine being several zhang tall was also seen below the city, leaving footprints four chi five cun long. Jing questioned the shamans, who answered, "This is an inauspicious creature come to feed on human blood. Jing flew into a rage and had them driven out. Within ten days the army arrived, and tens of thousands died. Before long Jing was summoned to the capital, promoted to Pillar of State, and appointed Right General of the Wuwei Guards; he received nine thousand bolts of silk, a troupe of female musicians, and other precious gifts.

景智略非所長，而忠直為時所許，帝甚信之。擊叛蠻向思多，破之，賜奴婢八十口。明年，擊吐谷渾于青海，破之，進位光祿大夫。賜奴婢六十口，縑二千匹。五年，車駕西巡，至天水，景獻食於帝。帝曰：「公，主人也。」賜坐齊王暕之上。至隴川宮，帝將大獵，景與左武衛大將軍郭衍俱有難言，為人所奏。帝大怒，令左右Ξ之，竟以坐免。歲餘，復位，與宇文述等參掌選舉。明年，攻高麗武厲城，破之，賜爵苑丘侯，物一千段。八年，出渾彌道。九年，復出遼東。及旋師，以景為殿。高麗追兵大至，景擊走之。賚物三千段，進爵滑國公。楊玄感之反也，朝臣子弟多預焉，而景獨無關涉。帝曰：「公誠直天然，我之梁棟也。」賜以美女。帝每呼李大將軍而不名，其見重如此。十二年，帝令景營遼東戰具于北平，賜御馬一匹，名師子𩢴。會幽州賊楊仲緒率眾萬餘人來攻北平，景督兵擊破之，斬仲緒。于時盜賊蜂起，道路隔絕，景遂召募，以備不虞。武賁郎將羅藝與景有隙，遂誣景將反。帝遣其子慰諭之曰：「縱人言公窺天闕，據京師，吾無疑也。」後為高開道所圍，獨守孤城，外無聲援，歲餘，士卒患腳腫而死者十將六七，景撫循之，一無離叛。遼東軍資多在其所，粟帛山積，既逢離亂，景無所私焉。及帝崩于江都，遼西太守鄧暠率兵救之，遂歸柳城。後將還幽州，在道遇賊，見害。契丹、靺軻素感其恩，聞之莫不流涕，幽、燕人士於今傷惜之。有子世謨。

Jing was not especially gifted in strategy, but his loyalty and integrity won wide esteem, and the emperor placed great trust in him. He attacked the rebel chieftain Xiang Siduo, defeated him, and was rewarded with eighty male and female slaves. The following year he attacked the Tuyuhun at Qinghai Lake, routed them, and was promoted to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He received sixty male and female slaves and two thousand bolts of silk. In the fifth year, during the emperor's western tour to Tianshui, Jing presented a feast to him. The emperor said, "You, sir, are the host here. He gave him a seat above Prince of Qi Yang Zhao. At Longchuan Palace, when the emperor was preparing a great hunt, Jing and Left General of the Wuwei Guards Guo Yan both voiced private objections, and someone reported them. The emperor was furious and ordered his attendants to beat them; Jing was ultimately dismissed from office on that charge. After more than a year he was restored to office and, together with Yuwen Shu and others, shared responsibility for official appointments. The following year he attacked Wuli in Goguryeo, took the city, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yuanqiu with a grant of one thousand bolts of goods. In the eighth year he marched out by the Hunmi route. In the ninth year he again marched into Liaodong. When the army withdrew, Jing was assigned to command the rearguard. Goguryeo pursuit troops came up in force, but Jing attacked and drove them off. He was rewarded with three thousand bolts of goods and promoted to Duke of Huaguo. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, many sons of court officials were implicated, but Jing alone had no part in it. The emperor said, "You, sir, are upright by nature—you are my mainstay. He was rewarded with beautiful women. The emperor always addressed him as "General Li" without using his given name—such was the esteem in which he was held. In the twelfth year the emperor ordered Jing to prepare Liaodong war materiel at Beiping and granted him an imperial horse named Shizi Tuo. Just then the Youzhou rebel Yang Zhongxu led more than ten thousand men to attack Beiping; Jing commanded the troops, defeated them, and beheaded Zhongxu. Bandits were rising everywhere and roads were cut off; Jing thereupon recruited troops to guard against the unexpected. Brigade Vice Commander of the Military Guards Luo Yi bore a grudge against Jing and falsely accused him of plotting rebellion. The emperor sent his son to reassure him, saying, "Even if people say you are eyeing the imperial palace and mean to seize the capital, I do not doubt you. Later he was besieged by Gao Kaodao and held a lone city with no relief from outside; after more than a year, six or seven out of ten soldiers died of swollen feet, yet Jing comforted and cared for them and not one deserted. Much of the Liaodong campaign's supplies were stored at his post, with grain and cloth piled like mountains, yet amid the chaos Jing took nothing for himself. When the emperor died at Jiangdu, Governor of Liaoxi Deng Hao led troops to relieve him, and Jing then returned to Liucheng. Later, as he was returning to Youzhou, he was killed by bandits on the road. The Khitan and Mohe, who had long felt his kindness, wept when they heard the news; people of You and Yan still mourn him to this day. He had a son named Shimò.

慕容三藏

Murong Sancang

慕容三藏，燕人也。父紹宗，齊尚書左僕射、東南道大行台。三藏幼聰敏，多武略，頗有父風。仕齊，釋褐太尉府參軍事，尋遷備身都督。武平初，襲爵燕郡公，邑八百戶。其年，敗周師于孝水，又破陳師于壽陽，轉武衛將軍。又敗周師于河陽，授武衛大將軍。又轉右衛將軍，別封范陽縣公，食邑千戶。周師入鄴也，齊後主失守東遁，委三藏等留守鄴宮。齊之王公以下皆降，三藏猶率麾下抗拒周師。及齊平，武帝引見，恩禮甚厚，詔曰：「三藏父子誠節著聞，宜加榮秩。」授開府儀同大將軍。其年，稽胡叛，令三藏討平之。開皇元年，授吳州刺史。九年，奉詔持節涼州道黜陟大使。其年，嶺南酋長王仲宣反，圍廣州，詔令柱國、襄陽公韋洸為行軍總管，三藏為副。至廣州，與賊交戰，洸為流矢所中，卒，詔令三藏檢校廣州道行軍事。十年，賊眾四面攻圍，三藏固守月餘。城中糧少矢盡，三藏以為不可持久，遂自率驍銳，夜出突圍擊之。賊眾敗散，廣州獲全。以功授大將軍，賜奴婢百口，加以金銀雜物。十二年，授廓州刺史。州極西界，與吐谷渾鄰接，奸宄犯法者皆遷配彼州，流人多有逃逸。及三藏至，招納綏撫，百姓愛悅，繦負日至，吏民歌頌之。高祖聞其能，屢有勞問。其年，當州畜產繁孳，獲醍醐奉獻，賚物百段。十三年，州界連雲山響，稱萬年者三，詔頒郡國，仍遣使醮於山所。其日景雲浮於上，雉間兔馴壇側，使還具以聞，上大悅。十五年，授疊州總管。党項羌時有翻叛，三藏隨便討平之，部內夷夏咸得安輯。仁壽元年，改封河內縣男。大業元年，授和州刺史。三年，轉任淮南郡太守，所在有惠政。其年，改授金紫光祿大夫。大業七年卒。

Murong Sancang was a native of Yan. His father Shaozong had been Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Grand Commissioner of the Southeast Circuit under Northern Qi. From childhood Sancang was clever and quick-witted, skilled in military affairs, and very much in his father's mold. He entered service under Qi, beginning his career as an aide in the Grand Marshal's office and soon rising to bodyguard commander. At the beginning of the Wuping era he inherited the title Duke of Yancheng with a fief of eight hundred households. That year he defeated Zhou troops at Xiaoshui and Chen troops at Shouyang, and was transferred to General of the Wuwei Guards. He again defeated Zhou troops at Heyang and was appointed General of the Wuwei Guards. He was transferred again to General of the Right Guards and separately enfeoffed as Duke of Fanyang county with a fief of one thousand households. When Zhou troops entered Ye, the last ruler of Northern Qi lost the capital and fled east, leaving Sancang and others to hold the palace at Ye. The princes and officials of Qi down to the lowest ranks all surrendered, but Sancang still led his followers in resisting the Zhou army. When Qi was pacified, Emperor Wu of Zhou received him in audience with great favor and issued an edict: "The loyal integrity of Sancang and his father is well known; they should be granted honorable rank. He was appointed General for Opening the Court with Equal Standing. That year the Ji Hu rebelled, and he was ordered to suppress and pacify them. In the first year of Kaihuang he was appointed Governor of Wuzhou. In the ninth year he was ordered by imperial edict to serve as inspection commissioner for promotions and demotions on the Liangzhou circuit, bearing the credentials of office. That year the Lingnan chieftain Wang Zhongxuan rebelled and besieged Guangzhou; an edict appointed Pillar of State and Duke of Xiangyang Wei Kuang as campaigning commander-in-chief, with Sancang as his deputy. When they reached Guangzhou and fought the rebels, Kuang was struck by a stray arrow and died; an edict put Sancang in charge of military affairs on the Guangzhou circuit. In the tenth year the rebels attacked from all sides and besieged the city; Sancang held firm for more than a month. Provisions in the city ran low and arrows were exhausted; Sancang judged that the siege could not be endured, so he personally led crack troops in a night sortie to break the encirclement and attack. The rebels were routed and scattered, and Guangzhou was saved. For his merit he was appointed General-in-Chief and granted one hundred male and female slaves, along with gold, silver, and other goods. In the twelfth year he was appointed Governor of Guozhou. The prefecture lay at the far western frontier, bordering Tuyuhun; criminals were exiled there, and many exiles escaped. When Sancang arrived he recruited and pacified the people; they came to love and trust him, families arrived daily with children on their backs, and officials and commoners sang his praises. Emperor Gaozu heard of his ability and repeatedly sent messages of appreciation. That year livestock in the prefecture bred abundantly; ghee was obtained and presented in tribute, and he was rewarded with one hundred bolts of goods. In the thirteenth year Lianyun Mountain in the prefecture resounded, thrice proclaiming "ten thousand years"; an edict was sent to the commanderies and kingdoms, and envoys were dispatched to perform sacrificial rites at the mountain. That day auspicious clouds floated above; pheasants mingled and rabbits were tame beside the altar; when the envoy returned and reported in full, the emperor was greatly pleased. In the fifteenth year he was appointed Governor-General of Diezhou. The Tangut Qiang rebelled from time to time; Sancang suppressed them as needed, and within his jurisdiction both barbarians and Chinese lived in peace. In the first year of Renshou his title was changed to Baron of Henei county. In the first year of Daye he was appointed Governor of Hezhou. In the third year he was transferred to Administrator of Huainan commandery; wherever he served he governed with kindness. That year he was appointed Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Golden Seal. He died in the seventh year of Daye.

三藏從子遐，為澶水丞，漢王反，抗節不從，以誠節聞。

Sancang's nephew Xia was deputy magistrate of the Zhan River; when Prince of Han rebelled, he upheld his integrity and refused to follow, and was known for loyal steadfastness.

薛世雄

Xue Shixiong

薛世雄，字世英，本河東汾陰人也，其先寓居關中。父回，字道弘，仕周，官至涇州刺史。開皇初，封舞陰郡公，領漕渠監，以年老致事，終於家。世雄為兒童時，與群輩遊戲，輒畫地為城郭，令諸兒為攻守之勢，有不從令者，世雄輒撻之，諸兒畏憚，莫不齊整。其父見而奇之，謂人曰：「此兒當興吾家矣。」年十七，從周武帝平齊，以功拜帥都督。開皇時，數有戰功，累遷儀同三司、右親衛車騎將軍。煬帝嗣位，番禺夷、獠相聚為亂，詔世雄討平之。遷右監門郎將。從帝征吐谷渾，進位通議大夫。

Xue Shixiong, styled Shiying, was originally from Fenyin in Hedong; his family had long lived in Guanzhong. His father Hui, styled Daohong, served Zhou and rose to Governor of Jingzhou. At the beginning of Kaihuang he was enfeoffed Duke of Wuyin commandery, served as superintendent of the transport canal, retired on account of old age, and died at home. As a child, when Shixiong played with his companions he would trace cities and walls on the ground and set the other boys to attack and defend; any who disobeyed he would whip, and the boys feared him so much that all fell into proper ranks. His father saw this and marveled, saying to others, "This boy will revive our house. At seventeen he followed Emperor Wu of Zhou in the pacification of Qi and, for his merit, was appointed commander of the wielders of authority. During Kaihuang he won repeated military honors and rose in succession to Commissioner's Assistant of the Third Rank and Right Guard Cavalry General of the Imperial Attendants. When Emperor Yang succeeded the throne, the Yi and Liao of Panyu gathered in rebellion; an edict ordered Shixiong to suppress and pacify them. He was transferred to Vice Commander of the Door Guard. He followed the emperor on the campaign against Tuyuhun and was promoted to Master for Direct Remonstrance.

世雄性廉謹，凡所行軍破敵之處，秋毫無犯，帝由是嘉之。帝嘗從容謂群臣曰：「我欲舉好人，未知諸君識不？」群臣咸曰：「臣等何能測聖心。」帝曰：「我欲舉者薛世雄。」群臣皆稱善。帝復曰：「世雄廉正節概，有古人之風。」於是超拜右翊衛將軍。歲餘，以世雄為玉門道行軍大將，與突厥啟民可汗連兵擊伊吾。師次玉門，啟民可汗背約，兵不至，世雄孤軍度磧。伊吾初謂隋軍不能至，皆不設備，及聞世雄兵已度磧，大懼，請降，詣軍門上牛酒。世雄遂于漢舊伊吾城東築城，號新伊吾，留銀青光祿大夫王威以甲卒千餘人戍之而還。天子大悅，進位正議大夫，賜物二千段。遼東之役，以世雄為沃沮道軍將，與宇文述同敗績於平壤。還次白石山，為賊所圍百餘重，四面矢下如雨。世雄以羸師為方陣，選勁騎二百先犯之，賊稍卻，因而縱擊，遂破之而還。所亡失多，竟坐免。明年，帝復征遼東，拜右候衛將軍，兵指蹋頓道。軍至烏骨城，會楊玄感作亂，班師。帝至柳城，以世雄為東北道大使，行燕郡太守，鎮懷遠。于時突厥頗為寇盜，緣邊諸郡多苦之，詔世雄發十二郡士馬，巡塞而還。十年，復從帝至遼東，遷左禦衛大將軍，仍領涿郡留守。未幾，李密逼東都，中原騷動，詔世雄率幽、薊精兵將擊之。軍次河間，營于郡城南，河間諸縣並集兵，依世雄大軍為營，欲討竇建德。建德將家口遁，自選精銳數百，夜來襲之。先犯河間兵，潰奔世雄營。時遇雰霧晦冥，莫相辨識，軍不得成列，皆騰柵而走，於是大敗。世雄與左右數十騎遁入河間城，慚恚發病，歸於涿郡，未幾而卒，時年六十三。有子萬述、萬淑、萬鈞、萬徹，並以驍武知名。

Shixiong was incorruptible and careful by nature; wherever his armies marched and defeated the enemy they took not the slightest thing, and the emperor commended him for it. The emperor once said casually to his ministers, "I wish to promote a worthy man—do you know who I have in mind? The ministers all said, "How could we fathom the sage mind?" The emperor said, "The man I wish to promote is Xue Shixiong." The ministers all praised the choice. The emperor added, "Shixiong is incorrupt, upright, and high-minded—he has the bearing of men of old. Thereupon he was exceptionally promoted to General of the Right Wing Guard. After more than a year Shixiong was made campaigning general of the Yumen route and, joining forces with the Türk Qimin Khan, attacked Yiwu. When the army halted at Yumen, Qimin Khan broke the agreement and his troops never came; Shixiong crossed the desert with his lone army. Yiwu at first believed Sui troops could not reach them and made no preparations; when they heard that Shixiong's army had already crossed the desert they were greatly afraid, submitted, and came to the camp gate with cattle and wine. Shixiong then built a city east of the old Han city of Yiwu, naming it New Yiwu; he left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal Wang Wei with more than a thousand armored soldiers to garrison it and returned. The Son of Heaven was greatly pleased, promoted him to Master for Regular Remonstrance, and granted two thousand bolts of goods. In the Liaodong campaign he was made army commander of the Woju route and, together with Yuwen Shu, suffered defeat at Pyongyang. On the return they halted at Baishi Mountain and were surrounded by bandits in more than a hundred rings; arrows fell from every side like rain. Shixiong arrayed his weakened troops in a square formation and selected two hundred crack horsemen to strike first; the bandits fell back slightly, and he then unleashed a full attack, broke through, and returned. Losses were heavy, and in the end he was dismissed from office on that account. The following year the emperor again campaigned against Liaodong and appointed him General of the Right Rear Guard; his troops marched by the Tadun route. When the army reached Wugu city, Yang Xuangan rebelled, and the forces withdrew. When the emperor reached Liucheng, he appointed Shixiong envoy of the Northeast Route and acting Administrator of Yan commandery, garrisoning Huaiyuan. At that time the Türks raided frequently, and the frontier commanderies suffered greatly; an edict ordered Shixiong to mobilize troops from twelve commanderies, patrol the border passes, and return. In the tenth year he again followed the emperor to Liaodong, was made General-in-Chief of the Left Courage Guard, and continued as garrison commander of Zhuo commandery. Before long Li Mi pressed upon the Eastern Capital and the Central Plain was in turmoil; an edict ordered Shixiong to lead elite troops from You and Ji to attack him. The army halted at Hejian and encamped south of the commandery seat; the counties of Hejian all gathered troops and pitched camp around Shixiong's main force, intending to attack Dou Jiande. Jiande fled with his family, personally selected several hundred crack troops, and raided them by night. They first struck the Hejian troops, who broke and fled into Shixiong's camp. Thick fog descended and none could tell friend from foe; the army could not hold its ranks, men leaped the palisades and fled, and the force was utterly routed. Shixiong fled into Hejian city with several dozen horsemen of his personal suite; consumed by shame and rage he fell ill, returned to Zhuo commandery, and died soon afterward at the age of sixty-three. He had four sons—Wanshu, Wanshu, Wanjun, and Wanche—all renowned for martial prowess.

王仁恭

Wang Rengong

王仁恭，字元實，天水上邽人也。祖建，周鳳州刺史。父猛，鄯州刺史。仁恭少剛毅修謹，工騎射。弱冠，州補主簿，秦孝王引為記室，轉長道令，遷車騎將軍。從楊素擊突厥于靈武，以功拜上開府，賜物三千段。以驃騎將軍典蜀王軍事。山獠作亂，蜀王命仁恭討破之，賜奴婢三百口。及蜀王以罪廢，官屬多罹其患。上以仁恭素質直，置而不問。煬帝嗣位，漢王諒舉兵反，從楊素擊平之。以功進位大將軍，拜呂州刺史，賜帛四千匹，女妓十人。歲餘，轉衛州刺史，尋改為汲郡太守，有能名。征入朝，帝呼上殿，勞勉之，賜雜彩六百段，良馬二匹。遷信都太守，汲郡吏民扣馬號哭於道，數日不得出境，其得人情如此。遼東之役，以仁恭為軍將。及帝班師，仁恭為殿，遇賊，擊走之。進授左光祿大夫，賜絹六千段，馬四十匹。明年，復以軍將指扶餘道，帝謂之曰：「往者諸軍多不利，公獨以一軍破賊。古人云，敗軍之將不可以言勇，諸將其可任乎？今委公為前軍，當副所望也。」賜良馬十匹，黃金百兩。仁恭遂進軍，至新城，賊數萬背城結陣，仁恭率勁騎一千擊破之。賊嬰城拒守，仁恭四面攻圍。帝聞而大悅，遣舍人詣軍勞問，賜以珍物。進授光祿大夫，賜絹五千匹。會楊玄感作亂，其兄子武賁郎將仲伯預焉，仁恭由是坐免。尋而突厥屢為寇患，帝以仁恭宿將，頻有戰功，詔復本官，領馬邑太守。其年，始畢可汗率騎數萬來寇馬邑，復令二特勤將兵南過。時郡兵不滿三千，仁恭簡精銳逆擊，破之。其二特勤眾亦潰，仁恭縱兵乘之，獲數千級，並斬二特勤。帝大悅，賜縑三千匹。其後突厥復入定襄，仁恭率兵四千掩擊，斬千餘級，大獲六畜而歸。于時天下大亂，百姓饑餒，道路隔絕，仁恭頗改舊節，受納貨賄，又不敢輒開倉廩，賑恤百姓。其麾下校尉劉武周與仁恭侍婢奸通，恐事泄，將為亂，每宣言郡中曰：「父老妻子凍餒，填委溝壑，而王府君閉倉不救百姓，是何理也！」以此激怒眾，吏民頗怨之。其後仁恭正坐聽事，武周率其徒數十人大呼而入，因害之，時年六十。武周於是開倉賑給，郡內皆從之，自稱天子，署置百官，轉攻傍郡。

Wang Rengong, styled Yuanshi, came from Shanggui in Tianshui. His grandfather Jian had been Prefect of Fengzhou under the Zhou. His father Meng had been Prefect of Shanzhou. In youth Rengong was firm, disciplined, and careful, and skilled in mounted archery. At twenty he was made chief clerk of the prefecture; Prince Xiao of Qin took him on as registrar, after which he became magistrate of Changdao and was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. He followed Yang Su in attacking the Türks at Lingwu; for his merit he was made Upper Opener of the Government and granted three thousand bundles of goods. As General of Swift Cavalry he directed the military affairs of the Prince of Shu. When the mountain Liao rebelled, the Prince of Shu ordered Rengong to put them down; for defeating them he was granted three hundred servants. When the Prince of Shu was deposed for crime, many of his staff were caught up in the fallout. Because Rengong had always been straightforward, the emperor let the matter drop. When Emperor Yang succeeded the throne, Prince of Han Liang rebelled; Rengong followed Yang Su and helped put down the revolt. For his merit he was promoted to Great General, made Prefect of Lüzhou, and granted four thousand bolts of silk and ten female entertainers. After a year he was transferred to Prefect of Weizhou, then made Administrator of Ji commandery, where he won a reputation for ability. Summoned to court, the emperor had him called up to the hall, praised and encouraged him, and granted six hundred bundles of mixed silks and two fine horses. When he was transferred to Administrator of Xindu, the officials and people of Ji commandery seized his horse's bridle and wept in the road; for days he could not leave the commandery—such was the affection he had won. In the Liaodong campaign he served as an army commander. When the emperor withdrew, Rengong commanded the rearguard; he met bandits, attacked them, and drove them off. He was promoted to Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and granted six thousand bolts of silk and forty horses. The following year he again served as army commander on the Fuyu route; the emperor said to him, "In the past many armies fared badly, yet you alone with one army broke the enemy. The ancients said that a defeated general may not speak of courage—can the other commanders really be trusted? Now I am entrusting you with the vanguard; you must live up to what I expect." With that he was granted ten fine horses and a hundred taels of gold. Rengong then advanced to Xincheng, where tens of thousands of bandits formed battle lines with their backs to the city wall; he led a thousand crack horsemen and routed them. The bandits held the city and resisted; Rengong besieged it on all four sides. The emperor was greatly pleased when he heard, sent a palace secretary to the army with greetings, and granted precious gifts. He was promoted to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and granted five thousand bolts of silk. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, his nephew Colonel of the Martial Retainers Zhongbo took part; Rengong was dismissed on that account. Before long the Türks raided repeatedly; because Rengong was a veteran with many victories, an edict restored his former office and made him Administrator of Mayi commandery. That year Shibi Khan led tens of thousands of horsemen against Mayi and sent two tegins to lead troops south across the border. The commandery had fewer than three thousand troops; Rengong selected crack troops, met the enemy head-on, and defeated them. The two tegins' forces also broke; Rengong pursued with all his troops, took several thousand heads, and beheaded both tegins. The emperor was greatly pleased and granted three thousand bolts of fine silk. Later the Türks again entered Dingxiang; Rengong led four thousand men in a surprise attack, took more than a thousand heads, and returned with a great haul of livestock. The empire was in turmoil, the people were starving, and roads were cut off; Rengong departed from his former integrity, accepting bribes, yet still did not dare open the granaries to relieve the people. A commandant under him, Liu Wuzhou, had an affair with one of Rengong's serving maids; fearing exposure, he plotted rebellion and repeatedly proclaimed throughout the commandery, "Fathers, elders, wives, and children freeze and starve, filling ditches and gullies, yet Prefect Wang keeps the granaries closed and will not save the people—what sort of justice is that!" With this he inflamed the people, and officials and commoners grew deeply resentful. Later, while Rengong was presiding in the hall of audience, Wuzhou led several dozen followers bursting in with a shout and killed him; he was sixty years old. Wuzhou then opened the granaries and distributed grain; the whole commandery rallied to him. He styled himself emperor, appointed officials, and began attacking neighboring commanderies.

權武，字武挵，天水人也。祖超，魏秦州刺史。父襲慶，周開府，從武元皇帝與齊師戰於并州，被圍百餘重。襲慶力戰矢盡，短兵接戰，殺傷甚眾，刀矛皆折，脫胄擲地，向賊大罵曰：「何不來斫頭也！」賊遂殺之。武以忠臣子，起家拜開府，襲爵齊郡公，邑千二百戶。武少果勁，勇力絕人，能重甲上馬。嘗倒投于井，未及泉，復躍而出，其拳捷如此。從王謙破齊服龍等五城，增邑八百戶。平齊之役，攻陷邵州，別下六城，以功增邑三百戶。宣帝時，拜勁捷左旅上大夫，進位上開府。高祖為丞相，引置左右。及受禪，增邑五百戶。後六歲，拜淅州刺史。伐陳之役，以行軍總管從晉王出六合，還拜豫州刺史。在職數年，以創業之舊，進位大將軍，檢校潭州總管。其年，桂州人李世賢作亂，武以行軍總管與武候大將軍虞慶則擊平之。慶則以罪誅，功竟不錄，復還於州。多造金帶，遺嶺南酋領，其人復答以寶物，武皆納之，由是致富。後武晚生一子，與親客宴集，酒酣，遂擅赦所部內獄囚。武常以南越邊遠，治從其俗，務適便宜，不依律令，而每言當今法急，官不可為。上令有司案其事，皆驗。上大怒，命斬之。武於獄中上書，言其父為武元皇帝戰死于馬前，以此求哀。由是除名為民。仁壽中，復拜大將軍，封邑如舊。未幾，授太子右衛率。煬帝即位，拜右武衛大將軍，坐事免，授桂州刺史。俄轉始安太守。久之，徵拜右屯衛大將軍，尋坐事除名。卒於家。有子弘。

Quan Wu, styled Wunong, came from Tianshui. His grandfather Chao had been Prefect of Qinzhou under Wei. His father Xiqing held the rank of Opener of the Government under the Zhou; he followed Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou against the Qi at Bingzhou and was encircled in more than a hundred rings. Xiqing fought until his arrows were spent, then closed to hand-to-hand combat, killing and wounding many; when sabers and spears broke he cast off his helmet, threw it to the ground, and shouted at the enemy, "Why don't you come and take my head!" The enemy then killed him. As the son of a loyal minister, Wu began his career as Opener of the Government, inheriting the title Duke of Qi commandery with a fief of twelve hundred households. In youth Wu was resolute and bold, with strength beyond ordinary men; he could mount a horse while wearing heavy armor. Once he was thrown headfirst into a well; before he reached the water he leaped out again—such was his astonishing agility. He followed Wang Qian in capturing five Qi cities including Fulong, and his fief was increased by eight hundred households. In the campaign to pacify Qi he took Shaozhou and captured six other cities; for his merit his fief was increased by three hundred households. Under Emperor Xuan he was made Senior Grand Master of the Left Swift Brigade and promoted to Upper Opener of the Government. When Gaozu was chief minister, he brought Wu into his personal staff. When Gaozu accepted the throne, Wu's fief was increased by five hundred households. Six years later he was made Prefect of Xizhou. In the campaign against Chen he served as mobile campaign commander under Prince Jin, marching from Liuhe; on his return he was made Prefect of Yuzhou. After several years in office, as one who had helped found the dynasty, he was promoted to Great General and made acting regional commander of Tanzhou. That year Li Shixian of Guizhou rebelled; Wu, as mobile campaign commander, joined Great General of the Martial Guards Yu Qingze in putting down the revolt. Qingze was executed for a crime, and Wu's achievement went unrewarded; he returned to his post. He had many gold belts made and sent them to Lingnan chieftains, who repaid him with precious goods; Wu accepted them all and grew wealthy. Later, when Wu fathered a son in his old age, he held a feast with close friends; deep in his cups he pardoned the prisoners in his jurisdiction on his own authority. Wu often held that because the Southern Yue frontier was remote, rule should follow local custom and practicality rather than statute; he also remarked constantly that the laws were too harsh and official life was unbearable. The emperor ordered an investigation; every charge was confirmed. The emperor was furious and ordered his execution. From prison Wu submitted a memorial saying his father had died fighting before Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou's horse, and pleaded for mercy on that account. On that account he was stripped of rank and reduced to commoner status. During the Renshou era he was again made Great General with his fief restored as before. Before long he was made Right Commandant of the Heir Apparent's Guard. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Wu was made Great General of the Right Martial Guard; dismissed for an offense, he was appointed Prefect of Guizhou. Soon he was transferred to Administrator of Shian commandery. After a long absence from court he was summoned and made Great General of the Right Garrison Guard; soon he was dismissed and disgraced for an offense. He died at home. He had a son named Hong.

吐萬緒

Tu Wanxu

吐萬緒，字長緒，代郡鮮卑人也。父通，周郢州刺史。緒少有武略，在周，起家撫軍將軍，襲爵元壽縣公。數從征伐，累遷大將軍、少司武。高祖受禪，拜襄州總管，進封穀城郡公，邑二千五百戶。尋轉青州總管，頗有治名。歲餘，突厥寇邊，朝廷以緒有威略，徙為朔州總管，甚為北夷所憚。其後高祖潛有吞陳之志，轉徐州總管，令修戰具。及大舉濟江，以緒領行軍總管，與西河公紇豆陵、洪景屯兵江北。及陳平，拜夏州總管。晉王廣之在籓也，頗見親遇，及為太子，引為左虞候率。煬帝嗣位，漢王諒時鎮并州，帝恐其為變，拜緒晉、絳二州刺史，馳傳之官。緒未出關，諒已遣兵據蒲阪，斷河橋，緒不得進。詔緒率兵從楊素擊破之，拜左武候將軍。大業初，轉光祿卿。賀若弼之遇讒也，引緒為證，緒明其無罪，由是免官。歲餘，守東平太守。未幾，帝幸江都，路經其境，迎謁道傍。帝命升龍舟，緒因頓首陳謝往事。帝大悅，拜金紫光祿大夫，太守如故。遼東之役，請為先鋒，帝嘉之，拜左屯衛大將軍，率馬步數萬指蓋馬道。及班師，留鎮懷遠，進位左光祿大夫。時劉元進作亂江南，以兵攻潤州，帝征緒討之。緒率眾至楊子津，元進自茅浦將渡江，緒勒兵擊走。緒因濟江，背水為柵。明旦，元進來攻，又大挫之，賊解潤州圍而去。緒進屯曲阿，元進復結柵拒。緒挑之，元進出戰，陣未整，緒以騎突之，賊眾遂潰，赴江水而死者數萬。元進挺身夜遁，歸保其壘。偽署僕射硃燮、管崇等屯於毗陵，連營百餘里。緒乘勢進擊，復破之，賊退保黃山。緒進軍圍之，賊窮蹙請降，元進、硃燮僅以身免。于陣斬管崇及其將軍陸顗等五千餘人，收其子女三萬餘口，送江都宮。進解會稽圍。元進復據建安，帝令進討之，緒以士卒疲敝，請息甲待至來春。帝不悅，密令求緒罪失，有司奏緒怯懦違詔，於是除名為民，配防建安。尋有詔征詣行在所，緒鬱鬱不得志，還至永嘉，發疾而卒。

Tu Wanxu, styled Changxu, was of Xianbei descent from Dai commandery. His father Tong had been Prefect of Yingzhou under the Zhou. From youth Xu showed military talent; under the Zhou he began his career as Pacification General and inherited the title Duke of Yuanshou county. He took part in many campaigns and rose step by step to Great General and Junior Director of Martial Affairs. When Gaozu accepted the throne, Xu was made regional commander of Xiangzhou and advanced to Duke of Gucheng commandery with a fief of twenty-five hundred households. Soon he was transferred to regional commander of Qingzhou, where he earned a solid reputation for governance. After a year the Türks raided the frontier; the court moved Xu to regional commander of Shuozhou on account of his prestige and ability, and the northern peoples greatly feared him. Later, when Gaozu secretly planned the conquest of Chen, Xu was transferred to regional commander of Xuzhou and ordered to prepare arms and equipment. When the main force crossed the Yangzi, Xu served as mobile campaign commander and, with Duke of Xihe Gedouling and Hong Jing, encamped on the north bank. When Chen was pacified, he was made regional commander of Xiazhou. When Prince Jin Guang held his fief he enjoyed great favor; when Guang became heir apparent he made Xu Left Commandant of the Household Guards. When Emperor Yang succeeded the throne, Prince of Han Liang held Bingzhou; fearing trouble, the emperor appointed Xu Prefect of Jin and Jiang and sent him post-haste to take office. Before Xu had left the pass, Liang had already sent troops to seize Puban and destroy the river bridge, blocking Xu's advance. An edict ordered Xu to follow Yang Su and defeat the rebels; he was then made General of the Left Martial Guards. At the beginning of the Daye era he was made Director of Splendid Happiness. When Heruo Bi fell victim to slander, he called Xu as witness; Xu testified to his innocence, and for that Xu lost his office. After more than a year he served as Administrator of Dongping commandery. Before long the emperor visited Jiangdu; as the route passed through Xu's territory, Xu received him and paid homage beside the road. The emperor ordered him aboard the imperial dragon boat; Xu kowtowed and apologized for what had passed. The emperor was greatly pleased, made him Grand Master of Golden Chariots with Purple Trappings, and left him in office as Administrator. In the Liaodong campaign he volunteered as vanguard; the emperor praised him, appointed him General-in-Chief of the Left Garrison Guard, and he led tens of thousands of horse and foot toward the Gaima route. When the army withdrew, he was left to garrison Huaiyuan and was advanced to Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. At that time Liu Yuanjin rebelled in Jiangnan and attacked Runzhou with troops; the emperor summoned Xu to suppress him. Xu led his troops to Yangzi Ford; Yuanjin was about to cross from Maopu; Xu marshaled his force and drove him back. Xu then crossed the river and built a palisade with the water at his back. At dawn the next day Yuanjin attacked and Xu routed him again; the rebels lifted the siege of Runzhou and withdrew. Xu advanced and encamped at Qu'e; Yuanjin again built palisades to hold him off. Xu provoked him into battle; Yuanjin came out to fight, but before his lines were set Xu charged with cavalry; the rebel host broke, and tens of thousands drowned in the river. Yuanjin slipped away alone by night and returned to hold his camp. The rebel Vice Director Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others were encamped at Piling in linked camps stretching more than a hundred li. Xu pressed the attack and routed them again; the rebels withdrew to hold Huangshan. Xu advanced and besieged them; the rebels, driven to extremity, begged to surrender; Yuanjin and Zhu Xie barely escaped with their lives. On the battlefield he beheaded Guan Chong and his general Lu Yi and more than five thousand others, took more than thirty thousand women and children captive, and sent them to the Jiangdu palace. He then went on to lift the siege of Kuaiji. Yuanjin again held Jian'an; the emperor ordered Xu to advance and suppress him, but Xu, finding his troops exhausted, asked to stand down and wait until spring. The emperor was displeased and secretly ordered a search for Xu's faults; the relevant offices memorialized that Xu was cowardly and had disobeyed the edict; he was then stripped of rank, reduced to commoner status, and assigned to garrison Jian'an. Soon an edict summoned him to the emperor's traveling residence; Xu, depressed and unfulfilled, returned as far as Yongjia, fell ill, and died.

董純，字德厚，隴西成紀人也。祖和，魏太子左衛率。父升，周柱國。純少有膂力，便弓馬。在周仕歷司禦上士、典馭下大夫，封固始縣男，邑二百戶。從武帝平齊，以功拜儀同，進爵大興縣侯，增邑通前八百戶。高祖受禪，進爵漢曲縣公，累遷驃騎將軍。後以軍功進位上開府。開皇末，以勞舊擢拜左衛將軍，尋改封順政縣公。漢王諒作亂并州，以純為行軍總管、河北道安撫副使，從楊素擊平之。以功拜柱國，進爵為郡公，增邑二千戶。轉左備身將軍，賜女妓十人，縑彩五千匹。數年，轉左驍衛將軍、彭城留守。齊王暕之得罪也，純坐與交通，帝庭譴之曰：「汝階緣宿衛，以至大官，何乃附傍吾兒，欲相離間也？」純曰：「臣本微賤下才，過蒙獎擢，先帝察臣小心，寵逾涯分，陛下重加收采，位至將軍。欲竭餘年，報國恩耳。比數詣齊王者，徒以先帝、先後往在仁壽宮，置元德太子及齊王於膝上，謂臣曰：'汝好看此二兒，勿忘吾言也。 '臣奉詔之後，每於休暇出入，未嘗不詣王所。臣誠不敢忘先帝之言。于時陛下亦侍先帝之側。」帝改容曰：「誠有斯旨。」於是舍之。後數日，出為汶山太守。歲餘，突厥寇邊，朝廷以純宿將，轉為榆林太守。虜有至境，純輒擊卻之。會彭城賊帥張大彪、宗世模等眾至數萬，保懸薄山，寇掠徐、兗。帝令純討之。純初閉營不與戰，賊屢挑之不出，賊以純為怯，不設備，縱兵大掠。純選精銳擊之，合戰於昌慮，大破之，斬首萬餘級，築為京觀。賊魏騏驎眾萬餘人，據單父，純進擊，又破之。及帝重征遼東，復以純為彭城留守。東海賊彭孝才眾數千，掠懷仁縣，轉入沂水，保五不及山。純以精兵擊之，擒孝才於陣，車裂之，餘黨各散。時百姓思亂，盜賊日益，純雖頻戰克捷，所在蜂起。有人譖純怯懦，不能平賊，帝大怒，遣使鎖純詣東都。有司見帝怒甚，遂希旨致純死罪，竟伏誅。

Dong Chun, styled Dehou, was a native of Chengji in Longxi commandery. His grandfather He had been Left Guard Commandant of the Heir Apparent under Wei. His father Sheng had been a Pillar of State under the Zhou. From youth Chun had great physical strength and was skilled with bow and horse. Under the Zhou he served in succession as Senior Clerk of the Chariot Office and Junior Grandee of the Chariot Registry, and was enfeoffed Baron of Gushi county with a fief of two hundred households. He followed Emperor Wu in the pacification of Qi; for merit he was appointed Commissioner with Equal Status, advanced to Marquis of Daxing county, and his fief was increased to eight hundred households in all. When Gaozu accepted the throne, he was advanced to Duke of Hanqu county and rose in succession to General of Fast Cavalry. Later, for military merit, he was advanced to Senior Grandee of a Separate Office. At the end of the Kaihuang era, on account of long service he was promoted to General of the Left Guard; soon he was re-enfeoffed Duke of Shunzheng county. When Prince of Han Liang rebelled in Bingzhou, Chun was made mobile campaign commander and deputy pacification commissioner on the Hebei route; he followed Yang Su and put down the rebellion. For merit he was appointed Pillar of State, advanced to commandery duke, and his fief was increased by two thousand households. He was transferred to General of the Left Attendant Guard and granted ten female entertainers and five thousand bolts of colored silk. Several years later he was transferred to General of the Left Valiant Guard and made garrison commander of Pengcheng. When Prince of Qi Yang fell from favor, Chun was implicated for associating with him; the emperor reprimanded him in court, saying, "You rose through palace guard service to high office—why attach yourself to my son and seek to drive us apart? Chun said, "Your servant was originally of humble origin and mediocre talent, yet was excessively favored and promoted; the former emperor saw my careful conduct and favored me beyond my deserts; Your Majesty again showed me great regard, and I rose to the rank of general. I wish to spend what years remain repaying the state's grace, that is all. The reason I have lately visited the Prince of Qi so often is only that the former emperor and empress, when they were at Renshou Palace, set the Yuande Heir Apparent and the Prince of Qi on their knees and said to me, 'Look well after these two sons, and do not forget my words.' After receiving that charge, whenever I went out on my days of rest I never failed to visit the prince's residence. Your servant truly dares not forget the former emperor's words. At that time Your Majesty also attended at the former emperor's side. The emperor changed expression and said, "There truly was such an intention." Thereupon he released him. Several days later he was sent out as Administrator of Wenshan. After more than a year the Türks raided the frontier; the court, because Chun was a veteran general, transferred him to Administrator of Yulin. Whenever the barbarians reached the border, Chun would strike and drive them back. Just then the bandit chiefs of Pengcheng, Zhang Dabiao and Zong Shimou, with forces numbering in the tens of thousands, held Xuanbo Mountain and raided Xu and Yan provinces. The emperor ordered Chun to suppress them. At first Chun closed his camp and refused battle; the bandits repeatedly provoked him but he would not come out; thinking him cowardly, they took no precautions and let their troops loot freely. Chun selected crack troops and struck; they joined battle at Changlü and he routed them completely, beheading more than ten thousand; he built a victory mound from the severed heads. The bandit Wei Qilin, with more than ten thousand followers, held Shanfu; Chun advanced, attacked, and defeated him again. When the emperor again launched the Liaodong campaign, Chun was again made garrison commander of Pengcheng. The Donghai bandit Peng Xiaocai, with several thousand followers, plundered Huairen county, then moved into the Yi River region and held Wubuji Mountain. Chun struck with elite troops, captured Xiaocai on the battlefield, had him torn apart by chariots, and the remaining bandits scattered. At that time the people were ripe for rebellion; bandits grew daily; though Chun won repeated victories, uprisings swarmed wherever he went. Someone slandered Chun as cowardly and unable to pacify the bandits; the emperor was furious and sent envoys to chain Chun and bring him to the Eastern Capital. The relevant offices, seeing the emperor's great anger, followed his intent and sentenced Chun to death; in the end he was executed.

趙才，字孝才，張掖酒泉人也。祖隗，魏銀青光祿大夫、樂浪太守。父壽，周順政太守。才少驍武，便弓馬，性粗悍，無威儀。周世為輿正上士。高祖受禪，屢以軍功遷上儀同三司。配事晉王，及王為太子，拜右虞候率。煬帝即位，轉左備身驃騎，後遷右驍衛將軍。帝以才籓邸舊臣，漸見親待。才亦恪勤匪懈，所在有聲。歲餘，轉右候衛將軍。從征吐谷渾，以為行軍總管，率衛尉卿劉權、兵部侍郎明雅等出合河道，與賊相遇，擊破之，以功進位金紫光祿大夫。及遼東之役，再出碣石道，還授左候衛將軍。俄遷右候衛大將軍。時帝每有巡幸，才恆為斥候，肅遏奸非，無所回避。在途遇公卿妻子有違禁者，才輒醜言大罵。多所援及，時人雖患其不遜，然才守正，無如之何。十年駕幸汾陽宮，以才留守東都。十二年，帝在洛陽，將幸江都。才見四海土崩，恐為社稷之患，自以荷恩深重，無容坐看亡敗，於是入諫曰：「今百姓疲勞，府藏空竭，盜賊蜂起，禁令不行。願陛下還京師，安兆庶，臣雖愚蔽，敢以死請。」帝大怒，以才屬吏。旬日，帝意頗解，乃令出之。帝遂幸江都，待遇逾昵。時江都糧盡，將士離心，內史侍郎虞世基、秘書監袁充等多勸帝幸丹陽。帝廷議其事，才極陳入京之策，世基盛言渡江之便。帝默然無言，才與世基相忿而出。宇文化及弑逆之際，才時在苑北，化及遣驍果席德方矯詔追之。才聞詔而出，德方命其徒執之，以詣化及。化及謂才曰：「今日之事，只得如此，幸勿為懷。」才默然不對。化及忿才無言，將殺之，三日乃釋。以本官從事，鬱鬱不得志。才嘗對化及宴飲，請勸其同謀逆者一十八人楊士覽等酒，化及許之。才執杯曰：「十八人止可一度作，勿復餘處更為。」諸人默然不對。行至聊城，遇疾。俄而化及為竇建德所破，才復見虜。心彌不平，數日而卒，時年七十三。

Zhao Cai, styled Xiaocai, was a native of Jiuquan in Zhangye commandery. His grandfather Kui had been Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Trappings under Wei and Administrator of Lelang. His father Shou had been Administrator of Shunzheng under the Zhou. From youth Cai was fierce and martial, skilled with bow and horse; by nature he was rough and bold and lacked dignified bearing. Under the Zhou he served as Senior Clerk of the Chariot Master. When Gaozu accepted the throne, he was repeatedly promoted for military merit to Commissioner's Assistant of the Third Rank with Equal Status. He was assigned to serve Prince Jin; when the prince became heir apparent, Cai was appointed Right Commandant of the Household Guards. When Emperor Yang succeeded the throne, he was transferred to Charioteer General of the Left Attendant Guard, and later promoted to General of the Right Valiant Guard. Because Cai was an old retainer from the prince's establishment, he gradually won favor and trust. Cai also served diligently without slackening and earned repute wherever he was posted. After more than a year he was transferred to General of the Right Household Guard. He followed the campaign against Tuyuhun as mobile campaign commander, leading Minister Steward Liu Quan, Vice Minister of War Ming Ya, and others out by the Hehe route; they met the enemy and defeated them, and for merit he was advanced to Grand Master of Golden Chariots with Purple Trappings. In the Liaodong campaign he again went out by the Jieshi route; on his return he was appointed General of the Left Household Guard. Soon he was transferred to General-in-Chief of the Right Household Guard. Whenever the emperor went on tour, Cai always served as advance scout, suppressing misconduct and wrongdoing without sparing anyone. On the road, if he met wives and children of high officials who violated prohibitions, Cai would revile them with foul language. Many were implicated; though people resented his lack of deference, Cai held to rectitude and they could do nothing about him. In the tenth year the imperial carriage visited Fenyang Palace; Cai was left to garrison the Eastern Capital. In the twelfth year the emperor was at Luoyang and planned to visit Jiangdu. Cai saw the realm crumbling on every side and feared disaster for the state; feeling himself deeply bound by grace, he could not sit and watch ruin unfold; he therefore remonstrated, saying, "Now the people are exhausted, the treasury is empty, bandits swarm like bees, and prohibitions go unenforced. I beg Your Majesty to return to the capital and settle the masses; though Your servant is dull and ignorant, I dare plead even unto death. The emperor was furious and handed Cai over to the legal officers. After ten days the emperor's mood eased somewhat, and he ordered Cai released. The emperor then visited Jiangdu and treated Cai with even greater intimacy. At that time supplies at Jiangdu were exhausted and officers and soldiers were disheartened; Vice Director of the Secretariat Yu Shiji, Director of the Palace Library Yuan Chong, and many others urged the emperor to go to Danyang. The emperor held court to discuss the matter; Cai argued strongly for returning to the capital; Shiji spoke at length of the convenience of crossing the Yangzi. The emperor fell silent; Cai and Shiji left in mutual anger. At the moment of Yuwen Huaji's regicide, Cai was in the north of the park; Huaji sent the elite guard Xi Defang with a forged edict to summon him. Cai heard the edict and came out; Defang ordered his men to seize him and bring him before Huaji. Huaji said to Cai, "Today's affair could only have turned out thus; please do not take it to heart. Cai kept silent and made no reply. Huaji, angered that Cai said nothing, was about to kill him, but after three days released him. He continued in his original office, depressed and unfulfilled. Once at a banquet with Huaji, Cai asked to propose a toast to the eighteen co-conspirators in the regicide, including Yang Shilan; Huaji consented. Cai raised his cup and said, "Those eighteen men could only do this once; let there be no second such deed elsewhere. All fell silent and made no reply. When they reached Liaocheng, he fell ill. Soon Huaji was defeated by Dou Jiande, and Cai was captured again. His heart grew ever more unsettled; within several days he died, at the age of seventy-three.

仁壽、大業間，有蘭興浴、賀蘭蕃，俱為武候將軍，剛嚴正直，不避強禦，咸以稱職知名。

Between the Renshou and Daye eras there were Lan Xingyu and Helan Fan, both Generals of the Martial Guards—stern, upright, and unafraid of the powerful; both were known for fulfilling their duties.

史臣曰：羅睺、法尚、李景、世雄、慕容三藏並以驍武之姿，當有事之日，致茲富貴，自取之也。仁恭初在汲郡，以清能顯達，後居馬邑，以貪吝敗亡，鮮克有終，惜矣！吐萬緒、董純各以立效當年，取斯高秩。緒請息兵見責，純遭譖毀被誅。大業之季，盜可盡乎！淫刑暴逞，能不及焉！趙才雖人而無儀，志在強直，固拒世基之議，可謂不苟同矣。權武素無行檢，不拘刑憲，終取黜辱，宜哉。

The historiographer says: Luohou, Fashang, Li Jing, Shixiong, and Murong Sancang all, with their fierce martial bearing, in days when service was needed attained such wealth and rank—they brought it on themselves. Rengong at first in Jijun commandery rose to prominence through integrity and ability; later at Mayi he was ruined by greed and stinginess—few can keep a good end to the last; a pity! Tu Wanxu and Dong Chun each, by establishing merit in their day, won such high rank. Xu, for asking to rest the army, was censured; Chun, slandered and ruined, was put to death. In the Daye reign, could the bandits ever be wiped out! Cruel punishments ran wild—who could match such excess! Zhao Cai lacked the outward manners of a gentleman, yet his aim was forceful and straight; he steadfastly opposed Yu Shiji's schemes—a man who did not go along for convenience. Quan Wu had long been without moral restraint and held himself above the penal code; that he ended in dismissal and disgrace was only as it should be.

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