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隋書卷六十七列傳第三十二
Book of Sui, Volume 67, Biographies 32
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虞世基
Yu Shiji
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虞世基,字茂世,會稽余姚人也。 父荔,陳太子中庶子。 世基幼沉靜,喜慍不形于色,博學有高才,兼善草隸。 陳中書令孔奐見而曰:「南金之貴,屬在斯人。」 少傅徐陵聞其名,召之,世基不往。 後因公會,陵一見而奇之,顧謂朝士曰:「當今潘、陸也。」 因以弟女妻焉。 仕陳,釋褐建安王法曹參軍事,曆祠部殿中二曹郎、太子中舍人。 遷中庶子、散騎常侍、尚書左丞。 陳主嘗于莫府山校獵,令世基作《講武賦》,於坐奏之曰:
Yu Shiji, whose style name was Maoshi, came from Yuyao in Kuaiji prefecture. His father Li had served as Junior Mentor to the crown prince of Chen. From childhood Shiji was reserved and even-tempered; neither pleasure nor anger showed on his face. He was widely read and exceptionally gifted, and excelled at both cursive and clerical calligraphy. Kong Huan, Director of the Secretariat under Chen, met him and remarked, "The finest gold of the south belongs to this man alone." When Junior Tutor Xu Ling heard of his reputation he sent for him, but Shiji declined to come. Later, at an official assembly, Xu Ling took one look at him and was astonished; turning to the court officials he said, "Here are our own Pan Yue and Lu Ji." He accordingly gave him his younger brother's daughter in marriage. Under Chen he began his career as legal aide to the Prince of Jian'an, then served successively in the Sacrifices and Palace bureaus and as attendant in the crown prince's household. He rose to Junior Mentor, Regular Attendant of Cavalry, and Left Assistant Director in the Secretariat. Once when the Chen emperor held a martial hunt on Mount Mofu, he had Shiji compose a "Rhapsody on Military Exercises" and recite it before the assembled company:
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夫玩居常者,未可論匡濟之功; 應變通者,然後見帝王之略。 何則? 化有文質,進讓殊風,世或澆淳,解張累務。 雖複順紀合符之後,望雲就日之君,且修戰於版泉,亦治兵於丹浦。 是知文德武功,蓋因時而並用,經邦創制,固與俗而推移。 所以樹鴻名,垂大訓,拱揖百靈,包舉六合,其唯聖人乎!
Those content with ordinary ease cannot be judged for the merit of saving the realm; only those who meet change with resourcefulness reveal a true emperor's strategy. Why is this so? Civilization has its cultured and martial sides; advance and restraint follow different customs; ages may run thin or deep, and policy must loosen or tighten accordingly. Even after the age when heaven's signs aligned, and even for rulers whom the people revered as they do the sun, the Yellow Emperor still drilled troops at Banquan and King Wu still marshaled armies at Danpu. From this we know that civil virtue and martial achievement are deployed together as the times require, and that governing the state and founding institutions must move with the customs of the age. To raise a great name, hand down enduring instruction, bow before the hundred spirits, and embrace all within the six directions—only the sage can do this!
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鶉火之歲,皇上禦宇之四年也。 萬物交泰,九有乂安,俗躋仁壽,民資日用。 然而足食足兵,猶載懷于履薄; 可久可大,尚懍乎於禦朽。 至如昆吾遠贐,肅慎奇賝,史不絕書,府無虛月。 貝胄雍弧之用,犀渠闕鞏之殷,鑄名劍于尚方,積雕戈於武庫。 熊羆百萬,貔豹千群,利盡五材,威加四海。 爰于農隙,有事春蒐,舍爵策動,觀使臣之以禮,沮勸賞罰,乃示民以知禁。 盛矣哉,信百王之不易,千載之一時也! 昔上林從幸,相如於是頌德,長楊校獵,子雲退而為賦。 雖則體物緣情,不同年而語矣,英聲茂實,蓋可得而言焉。 其辭曰:
In the year marked by the Quail Fire asterism, it was the fourth year of His Majesty's reign. The ten thousand things flourished in harmony; the nine regions were at peace; customs approached benevolence and longevity; the people enjoyed their daily needs. Yet though food and arms were ample, he still bore in mind the peril of walking on thin ice; what might long endure and grow great, he still guarded with the caution of one repairing rotten timbers. Tribute arrived from distant Kunwu and rare gifts from Sushen; the histories record them without cease, and the treasuries knew no idle month. Shell helmets and ceremonial bows stood ready; rhinoceros-hide shields and tower shields filled the arsenals; famous swords were cast at the Imperial Workshop, and carved halberds stocked the armory. Armies bold as bears and brown bears numbered in the millions, hosts fierce as leopards and panthers in the thousands; every weapon's edge was honed, and might reached across the four seas. Then in the farming season's pause came the spring hunt: cups were set aside and merit recorded; ministers were watched for proper ritual; rewards and punishments were applied, teaching the people what the law forbade. How magnificent! Truly a constant among the hundred kings, a moment that comes once in a thousand years! Long ago at Shanglin Park the emperor went hunting and Sima Xiangru praised his virtue; at Changyang a martial hunt was held and Yang Xiong withdrew to compose a rhapsody. Though in describing things and voicing feeling they cannot quite be compared, their splendid renown and solid achievement may still be told. The text reads:
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惟則天以稽古,統資始於群分。 膺錄圖而出震,樹司牧以為君。 既濟寬而濟猛,亦乃武而乃文。 北怨勞乎殷履,南伐盛于唐勳。 彼周幹與夏戚,粵可得而前聞。 我大陳之創業,乃撥亂而為武。 戡定艱難,平壹區宇。 從喋喋之樂推,爰蒼蒼而再補。 故累仁以積德,諒重規而襲矩。 惟皇帝之休烈,體徇齊之睿哲。 敷九疇而鹹敘,奄四海而有截。 既搜揚於帝難,又文思之安安。 幽明請吏,俊乂在官。 禦璿璣而七政辨,朝玉帛而萬國歡。 昧旦丕顯,未明思治。 道藏往而知來,功參天而兩地。 運聖人之上德,盡生民之能事。 於是禮暢樂和,刑清政肅。 西暨析支,東漸蟠木。 罄圖諜而效祉,漏川泉而禔福。 在靈貺而必臻,亦何思而不服。 雖至治之隆平,猶戒國而強兵。 選羽林於六郡,詔蹶張于五營。 兼折衝而餘勇,鹹重義而輕生。 遂乃因農隙以教民,在春蒐而習戰。 命司馬以示法,帥掌固而清甸。 導旬始以前驅,伏鉤陳而後殿。 抗鳥旌於析羽,飾魚文於被練。 爾乃革軒按轡,玉虯齊鞅。 屯左矩以啟行,擊右鐘而傳響。 交雲罕之掩映,紛劍騎而來往。 指攝提於鬥極,洞閶闔之弘敞。 跨玄武而東臨,款黃山而北上。 隱圓闕之迢遞,屆方澤之塏爽。 于斯時也,青春晚候,朝陽明岫。 日月光華,煙雲吐秀。 澄波瀾于江海,靜氛埃於宇宙。 乘輿乃禦太一之玉堂,授軍令于紫房。 蘊龍韜之妙算,誓武旅於戎場。 銳金顏於庸蜀,躪鐵騎于漁陽。 彀神弩而持滿,彏天弧而並張。 曳虹旗之正正,振夔鼓之鏜鏜。 八陳肅而成列,六軍儼以相望。 拒飛梯於縈帶,聳樓車于武岡。 或掉鞅而直指,乍交綏而弗傷。 裁應變而蛇擊,俄蹈厲以鷹揚。 中小枝於戟刃,徹蹲劄於甲裳。 聊七縱于孟獲,乃兩擒于卡莊。 始軒軒而鶴舉,遂離離以雁行。 振川穀而橫八表,蕩海嶽而耀三光。 諒窈冥之不測,羌進退而難常。 亦有投石扛鼎,超乘挾輈。 衝冠聳劍,鐵楯銅頭。 熊渠殆凶,武勇操牛。 雖任鄙與賁、育,故無得而為仇。 九攻既決,三略已周。 鳴鐲振響,風卷電收。 於是勇爵班,金奏設,登元、凱而陪位,命方、邵而就列。 三獻式序,八音未闋。 舞干戚而有豫,聽鼓鞞而載悅。 俾挾纊與投醪,鹹忘軀而殉節。 方席捲而橫行,見王師之有征。 登燕山而戮封豕,臨瀚海而斬長鯨。 望雲亭而載蹕,禮升中而告成。 實皇王之神武,信蕩蕩而難名者也。
Heaven alone takes antiquity as its model and orders the beginning among the world's divisions. He received the celestial chart and arose in power, setting stewards of the people upon the throne. Having prevailed, he was lenient yet also stern, both martial and civil in turn. Northern foes were subdued as on King Wu of Zhou's march; southern campaigns flourished as in the achievements of King Tang. The shields of Zhou and axes of Xia may still be heard of from ages past. Our great Chen rose by quelling disorder through martial force. It conquered hardship and unified the realm. Following the people's acclaim it was raised up; then azure Heaven set the realm right once more. Therefore benevolence was heaped up to accumulate virtue, and heavy precedents were inherited and followed. The emperor's glorious achievement embodies the wise and even-handed sagacity of a true ruler. He spread the Nine Categories and all were set in order; he embraced the four seas and brought them to heel. He had already sought out talent in the founding struggle, and was cultured in thought and serene in rule. Spirits and men alike sought worthy officers; outstanding men filled the posts. He mounted the jade armillary sphere and the seven regulators were set right; the myriad states brought jade and silk and rejoiced. Before dawn he was already at work; before daylight he was planning governance. The Way held the past and foresaw the future; his merit matched Heaven and paired with Earth. He wielded the sage's supreme virtue and brought the people's full capacity to fruition. Thereupon ritual flourished and music harmonized; punishments were clear and government austere. West to Qizhi, east to Panmu—his sway reached both. Maps and registers were filled with offerings of blessing; rivers and springs poured forth fortune. Where heaven's gifts were due they surely came; who could think of not submitting? Though rule reached utmost peace and harmony, he still guarded the state and strengthened the army. He selected Forest Guards from the six commanderies and summoned archers from the five camps. All could repel the foe and still had courage to spare; all valued duty and held life lightly. Then he used the farming season's pause to instruct the people and in the spring hunt drilled for war. He ordered the Minister of War to display the law and the commanders to secure the passes and clear the countryside. He led the Xunshi banner as vanguard and posted the Gouchén banner as rear guard. He raised bird banners on plumed staffs and adorned fish-scale patterns on quilted armor. Then the leather chariot checked its reins and jade dragon fittings lined the yoke. The left wing halted to begin the march; the right bell was struck and the sound carried far. Cloud canopies crossed in light and shadow; sword cavalry wove back and forth. They pointed toward Sheti at the celestial pole and passed the vast breadth of heaven's gate. They crossed the Black Tortoise sector and looked east; they approached Mount Huang and marched north. The round watchtower faded in the distance; they reached the square marsh's open ground. At this hour spring's green awaited evening; the morning sun lit the mountain peaks. Sun and moon shed their splendor; mist and clouds breathed forth beauty. Waves cleared on rivers and seas; dust stilled across the cosmos. The imperial carriage entered the jade hall of the Great One and issued military orders in the purple chamber. He harbored the dragon stratagem's subtle plans and pledged the martial host on the field of war. He honed his warriors in Yong and Shu and trampled iron cavalry at Yuyang. He fitted divine crossbows and held them at full draw; he strung the celestial bow and drew it taut. Rainbow banners trailed in ordered ranks; Kui drums boomed in steady rhythm. The eight formations stood solemnly in ranks; the six armies faced one another in stern array. Flying ladders were blocked at the winding ramparts; siege towers rose on Martial Mound. Some loosened the bridle and charged straight ahead; reins crossed in mock combat yet no one was hurt. Adapting to the moment they struck like serpents; then treading hard they soared like hawks. They struck small branches on halberd blades and pierced targets through armor and skirts. For a time they released their foe seven times as with Meng Huo; then twice captured him as at Kazhuang. At first they rose loftily like cranes; then spread apart in goose formation. They shook valleys and rivers and spanned the eight directions; they swept seas and mountains and gleamed upon sun, moon, and stars. Surely the obscure is beyond measure—how advance and retreat are hard to predict! There were also men who hurled stones and lifted tripods, leaping onto chariots and seizing the shafts. Caps were thrust up and swords raised high; iron shields and bronze helms gleamed. Men fierce as Xiong Qu were nearly deadly; men bold as Wu Yong could seize oxen. Though warriors rivaled Ren Zhi, Ben Bo, and Xia Yu, none could stand as their foe. The nine assaults were decided; the three strategies were complete. Bells rang and sounds shook; wind rolled up and lightning faded. Thereupon brave ranks were awarded, golden music was played; the foremost heroes took their seats; Fang and Shao were ordered into the ranks. The three offerings proceeded in order; the eight instruments had not yet ceased. They danced with shields and axes in delight; hearing drums and hand-drums they were filled with joy. They shared warm garments and cast wine to one another; all forgot their bodies and died for duty. As mats were rolled and they marched across the land, one saw the royal army go forth to war. They ascended Mount Yan and slew the great boar; they came to the vast sea and cut down the long whale. They gazed at Cloud Pavilion and halted the imperial train; they performed the rite on the central peak and announced success. Truly this is the divine martial power of the emperor—vast beyond naming!
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陳主嘉之,賜馬一匹。 及陳滅歸國,為通直郎,直內史省。 貧無產業,每傭書養親,怏怏不平。 嘗為五言詩以見意,情理淒切,世以為工,作者莫不吟詠。 未幾,拜內史舍人。
The Chen emperor praised it and rewarded him with a horse. When Chen fell he returned home and became General Communication Attendant, serving in the Imperial Secretariat. Poor and without property, he often copied books for hire to support his parents, brooding with discontent. He once wrote pentasyllabic verse to express his feelings; the emotion was poignant, contemporaries judged it masterly, and poets everywhere recited it. Before long he was appointed Secretariat Attendant.
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煬帝即位,顧遇彌隆。 禮書監河東柳顧言博學有才,罕所推謝,至是與世基相見,歎曰:「海內當共推此一人,非吾儕所及也。」 俄遷內史侍郎,以母憂去職,哀毀骨立。 有詔起令視事,拜見之日,殆不能起,帝令左右扶之。 哀其羸瘠,詔令進肉,世基食輒悲哽,不能下。 帝使謂之曰:「方相委任,當為國惜身。」 前後敦勸者數矣。 帝重其才,親禮逾厚,專典機密,與納言蘇威、左翊衛大將軍宇文述、黃門侍郎裴矩、御史大夫裴蘊等參掌朝政。 于時天下多事,四方表奏日有百數。 帝方凝重,事不庭決,入閤之後,始召世基口授節度。 世基至省,方為敕書,日且百紙,無所遺謬。 其精審如是。 遼東之役,進位金紫光祿大夫。 後從幸雁門,帝為突厥所圍,戰士多敗。 世基勸帝重為賞格,親自撫循,又下詔停遼東之事。 帝從之,師乃複振。 及圍解,勳格不行,又下伐遼之詔。 由是言其詐眾,朝野離心。
When Emperor Yang took the throne, his favor grew ever greater. Director of Rites Liu Guyan of Hedong was learned and talented and rarely praised anyone; when he met Shiji he sighed and said, "Within the empire this one man alone deserves universal acclaim; none of us can match him." Soon he was promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat; when his mother died he left office, mourning so grievously that he was skin and bone. An edict recalled him to duty; on the day he came to audience he could scarcely stand, and the emperor ordered attendants to support him. Pitying his emaciation, the emperor ordered meat served; Shiji ate and at once choked with grief, unable to swallow. The emperor sent word: "I am entrusting you with great responsibility; you must spare your strength for the state." He urged him thus several times. The emperor valued his talent and treated him with ever greater personal regard, entrusting him with confidential affairs; with Su Wei, Yuwen Shu, Pei Ju, Pei Yun, and others he jointly directed the government. At that time the realm was in turmoil; memorials from every quarter numbered in the hundreds each day. The emperor was grave and deliberate; matters were not decided in open court; after entering the inner chambers he would summon Shiji and dictate his instructions orally. Shiji would go to the secretariat and draft the edicts—nearly a hundred documents a day, without omission or error. Such was his precision and care. During the Liaodong campaign he was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. Later he accompanied the emperor to Yanmen; the emperor was surrounded by the Turks and many soldiers were defeated. Shiji urged the emperor to renew the reward standards, personally comfort the troops, and issue an edict halting the Liaodong campaign. The emperor followed his advice and the army's morale revived. When the siege was lifted, the promised rewards were not granted, and another edict was issued to attack Liaodong. Because of this people said he had deceived the masses, and court and countryside alike lost faith in him.
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帝幸江都,次鞏縣,世基以盜賊日盛,請發兵屯洛口倉,以備不虞。 帝不從,但答雲:「卿是書生,定猶恇怯。」 于時天下大亂,世基知帝不可諫止,又以高熲、張衡等相繼誅戮,懼禍及己,雖居近侍,唯諾取容,不敢忤意。 盜賊日甚,郡縣多沒。 世基知帝惡數聞之,後有告敗者,乃抑損表狀,不以實聞。 是後外間有變,帝弗之知也。 嘗遣太僕楊義臣捕盜于河北,降賊數十萬,列狀上聞。 帝歎曰:「我初不聞賊頓如此,義臣降賊何多也!」 世基對曰:「鼠竊雖多,未足為慮。 義臣克之,擁兵不少,久在閫外,此最非宜。」 帝曰:「卿言是也。」 遽追義臣,放其兵散。 又越王侗遣太常丞元善達間行賊中,詣江都奏事,稱李密有眾百萬,圍逼京都,賊據洛口倉,城內無食,若陛下速還,烏合必散,不然者,東都決沒。 因歔欷嗚咽,帝為之改容。 世基見帝色憂,進曰:「越王年小,此輩誑之。 若如所言,善達何緣來至?」 帝乃勃然怒曰:「善達小人,敢廷辱我!」 因使經賊中,向東陽催運,善達遂為群盜所殺。 此後外人杜口,莫敢以賊聞奏。
The emperor went to Jiangdu and halted at Gong County; as banditry grew daily, Shiji requested troops to garrison the Luokou granary against surprise attack. The emperor refused and only replied, "You are a scholar and surely still timid and fearful." The realm was in chaos; Shiji knew the emperor could not be dissuaded, and with Gao Jiong, Zhang Heng, and others executed one after another, he feared for his own life; though he served at the emperor's side, he only assented and dared not oppose him. Banditry grew worse daily and many commanderies and counties fell. Shiji knew the emperor hated repeated bad news; when reports of defeat arrived he would tone down the memorials and not report the full truth. After this, when trouble arose in the provinces, the emperor knew nothing of it. He once sent Yang Yichen to suppress bandits in Hebei; Yichen subdued several hundred thousand rebels and submitted a detailed report. The emperor sighed and said, "I had not realized banditry had grown so severe—how many rebels has Yichen subdued!" Shiji replied, "Though petty thieves are many, they are not worth concern. Yichen has defeated them but commands a large force and has long been outside the capital—this is most improper." The emperor said, "You are right." He hastily recalled Yichen and dispersed his troops. The Prince of Yue also sent Yuan Shanda by secret route through rebel territory to Jiangdu to report that Li Mi commanded a million men and was besieging the eastern capital; the rebels held the Luokou granary and the city had no food; if the emperor returned quickly the rabble would scatter, otherwise the eastern capital would surely fall. He sobbed and wept, and the emperor's expression changed. Seeing the emperor's worried look, Shiji stepped forward and said, "The Prince of Yue is young; these people are deceiving him. If things were as they say, how could Shanda have reached here at all?" The emperor flared with anger and said, "Shanda is a petty man who dares insult me in open court!" He sent him back through rebel territory to Dongyang to urge grain transport, and Shanda was killed by the bandits. After this no one outside dared report bandit activity in memorials.
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世基貌沉審,言多合意,是以特見親愛,朝臣無與為比。 其繼室孫氏,性驕淫,世基惑之,恣其奢靡。 雕飾器服,無複素士之風。 孫複攜前夫子夏侯儼入世基舍,而頑鄙無賴,為其聚斂。 鬻官賣獄,賄賂公行,其門如市,金寶盈積。 其弟世南,素國士,而清貧不立,未曾有所贍。 由是為論者所譏,朝野鹹共疾怨。 宇文化及殺逆也,世基乃見害焉。
Shiji was grave in manner and his words usually pleased the emperor; he was especially favored, and no court minister could compare with him. His second wife, Lady Sun, was proud and dissolute; infatuated with her, Shiji indulged her extravagance. Their vessels and dress were lavishly ornamented, far from the manner of a plain scholar. Lady Sun also brought her former husband's son Xiahou Yan into Shiji's household; coarse and worthless, he amassed wealth for them. They sold offices and judgments; bribes flowed openly; their gate was like a market and gold and jewels piled high. His younger brother Shinan was a man of integrity but poor and unsupported; Shiji never gave him anything. Because of this critics mocked him, and court and countryside alike hated and resented him. When Yuwen Huaji murdered the emperor, Shiji was killed as well.
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長子肅,好學多才藝,時人稱有家風。 弱冠早沒。 肅弟熙,大業末為符璽郎。 次子柔、晦,並宣義郎。 化及將亂之夕,宗人虞伋知而告熙曰:「事勢以然,吾將濟卿南渡,且得免禍,同死何益!」 熙謂伋曰:「棄父背君,求生何地? 感尊之懷,自此訣矣。」 及難作,兄弟競請先死,行刑人於是先世基殺之。
His eldest son Su was studious and talented; contemporaries praised the family's tradition. He died young before reaching his prime. Su's younger brother Xi served as Seal and Credential Attendant at the end of the Daye era. The second sons Rou and Hui were both Gentlemen for Spreading Righteousness. On the eve of Huaji's rebellion, his clansman Yu Ji learned of it and told Xi, "Events have come to this; I will ferry you south across the river so you may escape—what use is dying together!" Xi said to Ji, "Abandoning one's father and turning against one's lord—where could one seek life? I am touched by your kindness, but from this we part forever." When disaster struck, the brothers competed to die first; the executioners killed Shiji first, then them.
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裴蘊,河東聞喜人也。 祖之平,梁衛將軍。 父忌,陳都官尚書,與吳明徹同沒于周,賜爵江夏郡公,在隋十餘年而卒。 蘊性明辯,有吏幹。 在陳仕曆直閣將軍、興甯令。 蘊以其父在北,陰奉表于高祖,請為內應。 及陳平,上悉閱江南衣冠之士,次至蘊,上以為夙有向化之心,超授儀同。 左僕射高熲不悟上旨,進諫曰:「裴蘊無功于國,寵逾倫輩,臣未見其可。」 上又加蘊上儀同,熲複進諫,上曰:「可加開府。」 熲乃不敢複言,即日拜開府儀同三司,禮賜優洽。 曆洋、直、隸三州刺史,俱有能名。 大業初,考績連最。 煬帝聞其善政,征為太常少卿。 初,高祖不好聲技,遣牛弘定樂,非正聲清商及九部四儛之色,皆罷遣從民。 至是,蘊揣知帝意,奏括天下周、齊、梁、陳樂家子弟,皆為樂戶。 其六品已下,至於民庶,有善音樂及倡優百戲者,皆直太常。 是後異技淫聲鹹萃樂府,皆置博士弟子,遞相教傳,增益樂人至三萬餘。 帝大悅,遷民部侍郎。
Pei Yun came from Wenxi in Hedong. His grandfather Zhiping was a guard general of Liang. His father Ji was Director of the Ministry of Justice under Chen; he was captured with Wu Mingche by Northern Zhou and ennobled as Duke of Jiangxia; he lived in Sui more than ten years before his death. Yun was sharp and articulate and had strong administrative ability. Under Chen he served as Direct Gate General and magistrate of Xingning. Because his father was in the north, Yun secretly submitted a memorial to Emperor Gaozu offering to serve as an inside agent. When Chen fell, the emperor reviewed the southern gentry in turn; when he reached Yun, believing Yun had long wished to submit, he exceptionally granted him Palace Attendant rank. Left Vice Director Gao Jiong did not grasp the emperor's intent and remonstrated, "Pei Yun has rendered no service to the state; his favor exceeds his peers—I do not see how this is justified." The emperor further promoted Yun to Senior Palace Attendant; Jiong remonstrated again; the emperor said, "Then make him Opening the Government." Jiong dared speak no further; that same day Yun was appointed Grand Master of the Palace with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, Third Class, with generous gifts. He served as governor of Yang, Zhi, and Ji prefectures, earning a reputation for ability in each. At the beginning of the Daye era, his performance evaluations were repeatedly top-ranked. Emperor Yang heard of his good governance and summoned him as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Earlier Emperor Gaozu disliked music and entertainments; he sent Niu Hong to regulate music and dismissed all non-orthodox sounds, clear shang melodies, and the nine departments' four dances, returning performers to the populace. By then Yun guessed the emperor's intent and memorialized to register music-house descendants from Zhou, Qi, Liang, and Chen throughout the realm as music households. Those of sixth rank and below, down to commoners skilled in music or in singing, acting, and variety entertainments, were all assigned to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Thereafter exotic skills and licentious music all gathered in the Music Bureau; doctorate students were appointed to teach one another, and musicians increased to more than thirty thousand. The emperor was greatly pleased and promoted him to Vice Director of the Ministry of Population.
13
于時猶承高祖和平之後,禁網疏闊,戶口多漏。 或年及成丁,猶詐為小,未至於老,已免租賦。 蘊曆為刺史,素知其情,因是條奏,皆令貌閱。 若一人不實,則官司解職,鄉正裡長皆遠流配。 又許民相告,若糾得一丁者,令被糾之家代輸賦役。 是歲大業五年也,諸郡計帳,進丁二十四萬三千,新附口六十四萬一千五百。 帝臨朝覽狀,謂百官曰:「前代無好人,致此罔冒。 今進民戶口皆從實者,全由裴蘊一人用心。 古語雲,得賢而治,驗之信矣。」 由是漸見親委,拜京兆贊治,發擿纖毫,吏民懾憚。
The realm still enjoyed the peace left by Emperor Gaozu; regulations were lax and household registers had many omissions. Some who had reached adulthood still falsely claimed to be minors; some not yet old were already exempt from rent and tax. Yun had served repeatedly as prefectural governor and knew these abuses well; he therefore memorialized ordering physical inspection of all registrants. If even one registrant was found false, the responsible officials were dismissed and village and hamlet heads were exiled. He also allowed mutual denunciation; if one concealed adult male was reported, the reported household had to pay his taxes and corvée. That year, the fifth year of Daye, the commanderies' census accounts reported 243,000 new adult males and 641,500 newly registered dependents. The emperor reviewed the reports in court and told the officials, "Former ages had no capable men, which led to this widespread fraud. That the registered population is now accurate is entirely due to Pei Yun's devoted effort alone. The old saying holds that finding the worthy brings good government—here the truth of it is proved!" From this he was gradually entrusted with greater responsibility, appointed Assistant Administrator of Jingzhao; he exposed every detail and officials and commoners alike feared him.
14
未幾,擢授御史大夫,與裴矩、虞世基參掌機密。 蘊善候伺人主微意,若欲罪者,則曲法順情,鍛成其罪。 所欲宥者,則附從輕典,因而釋之。 是後大小之獄皆以付蘊,憲部大理莫敢與奪,必稟承進止,然後決斷。 蘊亦機辯,所論法理,言若懸河,或重或輕,皆由其口,剖析明敏,時人不能致詰。 楊玄感之反也,帝遣蘊推其黨與,謂蘊曰:「玄感一呼而從者十萬,益知天下人不欲多,多即相聚為盜耳。 不盡加誅,則後無以勸。」 蘊由是乃峻法治之,所戮者數萬人,皆籍沒其家。 帝大稱善,賜奴婢十五口。 司隸大夫薛道衡以忤意獲譴,蘊知帝惡之,乃奏曰:「道衡負才恃舊,有無君之心。 見詔書每下,便腹非私議,推惡于國,妄造禍端。 論其罪名,似如隱昧,源其情意,深為悖逆。」 帝曰:「然。 我少時與此人相隨行役,輕我童稚,共高熲、賀若弼等外擅威權,自知罪當誣惣。 及我即位,懷不自安,賴天下無事,未得反耳。 公論其逆,妙體本心。」 於是誅道衡。 又帝問蘇威以討遼之策,威不願帝複行,且欲令帝知天下多賊,乃詭答曰:「今者之役,不願發兵,但詔赦群盜,自可得數十萬。 遣關內奴賊及山東曆山飛、張金稱等頭別為一軍,出遼西道,諸河南賊王薄、孟讓等十餘頭並給舟楫,浮滄海道,必喜於免罪,競務立功,一歲之間,可滅高麗矣。」 帝不懌曰:「我去尚猶未克,鼠竊安能濟乎?」 威出後,蘊奏曰:「此大不遜,天下何處有許多賊!」 帝悟曰:「老革多奸,將賊脅我。 欲搭其口,但隱忍之,誠極難耐。」 蘊知上意,遣張行本奏威罪惡,帝付蘊推鞫之,乃處其死。 帝曰:「未忍便殺。」 遂父子及孫三世並除名。 蘊又欲重己權勢,令虞世基奏罷司隸刺史以下官屬,增置禦史百餘人。 於是引致奸黠,共為朋黨,郡縣有不附者,陰中之。 于時軍國多務,凡是興師動眾,京都留守,及與諸蕃互市,皆令禦史監之。 賓客附隸,遍于郡國,侵擾百姓,帝弗之知也。 以渡遼之役,進位銀青光祿大夫。 及司馬德戡將為亂,江陽長張惠紹夜馳告之。 蘊共惠紹謀,欲矯詔發郭下兵民,盡取榮公來護兒節度,收在外逆党宇文化及等,仍發羽林殿腳,遣范富婁等入自西苑,取梁公蕭钜及燕王處分,扣門援帝。 謀議已定,遣報虞世基。 世基疑反者不實,抑其計。 須臾,難作,蘊歎曰:「謀及播郎,竟誤人事。」 遂見害。 子愔為尚輦直長,亦同日死。
Before long he was promoted to Censor-in-Chief and with Pei Ju and Yu Shiji jointly managed confidential affairs. Yun was skilled at reading the emperor's subtle intent; when the emperor wished to punish someone, he would bend the law and forge the case. Those the emperor wished to pardon he would attach to lenient statutes and release. After this all cases great and small were entrusted to Yun; the Ministry of Justice and Court of Review dared not override him; they had to await his instructions before deciding. Yun was also quick-witted; in legal argument his words flowed like a river; whether the penalty was heavy or light came from his mouth alone; his analysis was sharp, and no one could refute him. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, the emperor sent Yun to investigate his associates and told him, "Xuangan gave one call and a hundred thousand followed—this shows the people do not want large numbers; when too many gather they become bandits. Unless we execute them all, there will be no deterring others afterward." Yun therefore applied harsh justice; tens of thousands were executed and their families' property confiscated. The emperor greatly praised him and bestowed fifteen servants. Director of the Capital Xue Daoheng was punished for offending the emperor; Yun knew the emperor hated him and memorialized, "Daoheng relies on his talent and old association; he harbors disloyal thoughts. Whenever an edict was issued he privately criticized it, blaming the state and recklessly stirring trouble. Judging by the letter of the law his offense seems obscure, but tracing his intent it is deeply rebellious." The emperor said, "Exactly. When I was young I campaigned with this man; he looked down on my youth; together with Gao Jiong, He Ruo Bi, and others he arrogated power, and knew himself guilty. When I took the throne he felt uneasy; only because the realm was at peace had he not yet rebelled. Your account of his treason perfectly captures what I have long felt." Daoheng was thereupon executed. The emperor also asked Su Wei about the strategy for attacking Liaodong; Wei did not want the emperor to campaign again and wished him to know how many bandits filled the realm; he answered evasively, "For this campaign I would not send troops; only issue an edict pardoning the bandit hosts and you will naturally gain several hundred thousand men. Send the Guanzhong slave-bandits and Shandong leaders such as Lishan Fei and Zhang Jincheng as a separate army along the Liaoxi route; equip the dozen-odd Henan bandit chiefs Wang Bo, Meng Rang, and others with boats to sail the eastern sea route—they will rejoice at pardon and compete for merit; within a year Goguryeo can be destroyed." The emperor said displeased, "When I go I still cannot conquer them—how can petty thieves succeed?" After Wei left, Yun memorialized, "This is grossly insubordinate—where in the realm are there so many bandits!" The emperor understood and said, "The old man is full of treachery; he uses bandits to threaten me. I want to shut his mouth but can only bear it in silence—it is truly unbearable." Yun knew the emperor's intent and had Zhang Xingben memorialize Wei's crimes; the emperor entrusted Yun to investigate him and arranged his execution. The emperor said, "I cannot yet bear to kill him outright." Thereupon father, son, and three generations of descendants were all struck from the registers. Yun also wished to increase his power and had Yu Shiji memorialize to abolish subordinate officials from Director of the Capital downward and add more than a hundred censors. Thereupon he brought in the treacherous to form factions; commanderies and counties that did not submit were secretly attacked. At that time military and civil affairs were pressing; whenever troops were mobilized, the capital was left under guard, or trade was conducted with frontier peoples—censors were assigned to oversee it all. Clients and dependents spread through every commandery, harassing the people, of which the emperor knew nothing. For the Liaodong campaign he was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon. When Sima Dekan was about to rebel, the magistrate of Jiangyang Zhang Huishao rode through the night to warn him. Yun and Huishao plotted to forge an edict mobilizing capital troops and civilians, place everything under Laihuer's command, seize the rebel Yuwen Huaji and his party outside, dispatch palace guards, send Fan Fulou and others from the Western Park to secure Xiao Ju and the Prince of Yan, and storm the gate to rescue the emperor. Once the plan was set they sent word to Yu Shiji. Shiji doubted the report of rebellion and suppressed the plan. In a moment disaster struck; Yun sighed, "Consulting that Broadcast Gentleman ruined everything." He was thereupon killed. His son Yin, Direct Attendant of the Imperial Carriage, died the same day.
15
裴矩,字弘大,河東聞喜人也。 祖他,魏都官尚書。 父訥之,齊太子舍人。 矩繈褓而孤,及長好學,頗愛文藻,有智數。 世父讓之謂矩曰:「觀汝神識,足成才士,欲求宦達,當資幹世之務。」 矩始留情世事。 齊北平王貞為司州牧,辟為兵曹從事,轉高平王文學。 及齊亡,不得調。 高祖為定州總管,召補記室,甚親敬之。 以母憂去職。 高祖作相,遣使者馳召之,參相府記室事。 及受禪,遷給事郎,奏舍人事。 伐陳之役,領元帥記室。 既破丹陽,晉王廣令矩與高熲收陳圖籍。 明年,奏詔巡撫嶺南,未行而高智慧、汪文進等相聚作亂,吳、越道閉,上難遣矩行。 矩請速進,上許之。 行至南康,得兵數千人。 時俚帥王仲宣逼廣州,遣其所部將周師舉圍東衡州。 矩與大將軍鹿願赴之,賊立九柵,屯大庾嶺,共為聲援。 矩進擊破之,賊懼,釋東衡州,據原長嶺。 又擊破之,遂斬師舉,進軍自南海援廣州。 仲宣懼而潰散。 矩所綏集者二十餘州,又承制署其渠帥為刺史、縣令。 及還報,上大悅,命升殿勞苦之,顧謂高熲,楊素曰:「韋洸將二萬兵,不能早度嶺,朕每患其兵少。 裴矩以三千敝卒,徑至南康。 有臣若此,朕亦何憂!」 以功拜開府,賜爵聞喜縣公,賚物二千段。 除民部侍郎,尋遷內史侍郎。
Pei Ju, whose style name was Hongda, came from Wenxi in Hedong. His grandfather Ta was Director of the Ministry of Justice under Wei. His father Nezhi was attendant in the crown prince's household under Qi. Ju was orphaned in infancy; when grown he loved learning, favored literary craft, and was resourceful. His elder uncle Rangzhi told him, "Judging your talent, you could become an accomplished man; if you seek advancement, you should master practical affairs of state." Ju then turned his attention to practical affairs. When the Prince of Beiping Zhen served as governor of Sizhou he recruited Ju as military bureau aide; Ju later became literary scholar to the Prince of Gaoping. When Qi fell he could not obtain a new appointment. When Emperor Gaozu was governor-general of Dingzhou he summoned Ju as recorder and treated him with great regard. He left office to mourn his mother. When Gaozu became chancellor he sent a messenger to summon Ju to serve in the chancellery secretariat. When Gaozu took the throne Ju was made Attendant for Submitting Matters and handled palace attendant affairs. In the campaign against Chen he headed the commander's secretariat. After Danyang fell, the Prince of Jin ordered Ju and Gao Jiong to collect Chen maps and archives. The next year he memorialized to tour Lingnan; before he departed Gao Zhihui, Wang Wenjin, and others rebelled, the Wu and Yue routes were cut, and the emperor hesitated to send Ju. Ju asked to advance at once and the emperor agreed. Reaching Nankang he gathered several thousand troops. The Liao chief Wang Zhongxuan was pressing Guangzhou and sent his general Zhou Shiju to besiege Eastern Hengzhou. Ju and General Lu Yuan marched to relieve the siege; the rebels built nine palisades on Dayu Ridge to support one another. Ju attacked and defeated them; the rebels fled Eastern Hengzhou and held Yuan-chang Ridge. He defeated them again, beheaded Shiju, and marched from Nanhai to relieve Guangzhou. Zhongxuan fled and his forces scattered. Ju pacified more than twenty prefectures and, by imperial commission, appointed local chieftains as prefects and magistrates. On his return the emperor was delighted, had him received in hall, and said to Gao Jiong and Yang Su, "Wei Guang led twenty thousand men yet could not cross the ridge in time—I always feared his force was too small. Pei Ju with three thousand worn troops went straight to Nankang. With a minister like this, what have I to fear!" For his merit he was made Opening the Government, ennobled as Duke of Wenxi County, and given two thousand bales of gifts. He was appointed Vice Director of the Ministry of Population and soon promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat.
16
臣聞禹定九州,導河不逾積石; 秦兼六國,設防止及臨洮。 故知西胡雜種,僻居遐裔,禮教之所不及,書典之所罕傳。 自漢氏興基,開拓河右,始稱名號者,有三十六國,其後分立,乃五十五王。 仍置校尉、都護,以存招撫。 然叛服不恆,屢經征戰,後漢之世,頻廢此官。 雖大宛以來,略知戶數,而諸國山川,未有名目。 至如姓氏風土,服章物產,全無纂錄,世所弗聞。 複以春秋遞謝,年代久遠,兼併誅討,互有興亡。 或地是故邦,改從今號,或人非舊類,因襲昔名。 兼複部民交錯,封疆移改,戎狄音殊,事難窮驗。 於闐之北,蔥嶺以東,考于前史,三十余國。 其後更相屠滅,僅有十存。 自餘淪沒,掃地俱盡,空有丘墟,不可記識。 皇上膺天育物,無隔華夷,率土黔黎,莫不慕化。 風行所及,日入以來,職貢皆通,無遠不至。 臣既因撫納,監知關市,尋討書傳,訪采胡人,或有所疑,即詳眾口。 依其本國服飾儀形,王及庶人,各顯容止,即丹青模寫,為《西域圖記》,共成三卷,合四十四國。 仍別造地圖,窮其要害。 從西頃以去,北海之南,縱橫所亙,將二萬里。 諒由富商大賈,周遊經涉,故諸國之事,罔不遍知。 複有幽荒遠地,卒訪難曉,不可憑虛,是以致闕。 而二漢相踵,西域為傳,戶民數十,即稱國王,徒有名號,乃乖其實。 今者所編,皆餘千戶,利盡西海,多產珍異。 其山居之屬,非有國名,及部落小者,多亦不載。 發自敦煌,至於西海,凡為三道,各有襟帶。 北道從伊吾,經蒲類海鐵勒部突厥可汗庭,度北流河水,至拂菻國,達於西海。 其中道從高昌、焉耆、龜茲、疏勒、度蔥嶺,又經鈸汗、蘇對沙那國、康國、曹國、何國、大小安國、穆國,至波斯,達於西海。 其南道從鄯善,於闐,硃俱波、喝槃陀,度蔥嶺,又經護密、吐火羅、挹怛、忛延,漕國,至北婆羅門,達於西海。 其三道諸國,亦各自有路,南北交通。 其東女國、南婆羅門國等,並隨其所往,諸處得達。 故知伊吾、高昌、鄯善,並西域之門戶也。 總湊敦煌,是其咽喉之地。 以國家威德,將士驍雄,泛濛汜而揚旌,越昆侖而躍馬,易如反掌,何往不至! 但突厥、吐渾分領羌胡之國,為其擁遏,故朝貢不通。 今並因商人密送誠款,引領翹首,願為臣妾。 聖情含養,澤及普天,服而撫之,務存安輯。 故皇華遣使,弗動兵車,諸蕃即從,渾、厥可滅。 混一戎夏,其在茲乎! 不有所記,無以表威化之遠也。
I have heard that Yu fixed the nine provinces and channeled the Yellow River no farther than Jishi; Qin united the six states and set its frontier defenses only as far as Lintao. Thus the mixed tribes of the western Hu live in remote borderlands beyond ritual teaching and rarely recorded in our classics. Since the Han rose and opened the lands west of the river, thirty-six states first bore titles; later they split into fifty-five kingdoms. They still appointed colonels and protectors to win submission and keep peace. Yet rebellion and submission shifted constantly and campaigns were frequent; under Later Han this office was often abolished. Though since Dayuan household counts were roughly known, the mountains and rivers of the various states had no established names. Surnames, local customs, dress, and products were wholly unrecorded and unknown to the world. Moreover, as ages passed, annexation and punitive campaigns alternated and states rose and fell in turn. Some lands were old states under new names; some peoples were not the old tribes yet kept former titles. Clans intermingled, borders shifted, and frontier languages differed—facts were hard to verify. North of Khotan and east of the Onion Mountains, earlier histories record more than thirty states. Later they slaughtered one another until only about ten survived. The rest perished utterly, leaving only ruins beyond identification. Your Majesty receives Heaven's mandate and nurtures all beings without distinction between Chinese and barbarian; all the people within the realm admire your civilizing influence. Where your influence reaches, even to the land of the setting sun, tribute routes are open and none are too distant to come. Through pacification and reception I oversaw the frontier markets, searched written sources, and interviewed foreigners; whenever in doubt I cross-checked with many informants. According to each state's dress and customs I depicted kings and commoners alike in paint, producing Records of the Western Regions with Maps in three scrolls covering forty-four states. I also made separate maps showing their strategic points in full. From west of Xiqing to south of the Northern Sea, the region spans nearly twenty thousand li. Surely because great merchants traveled these routes, affairs of the various states are widely known. Some remote wilderness areas cannot be verified and are therefore omitted rather than invented. Under the two Han dynasties, states of only a few dozen households were called kingdoms in the Western Regions records—titles empty of reality. Those I record now all have more than a thousand households, trade reaching the western sea, and produce many rare goods. Mountain peoples without state names and small tribes are mostly omitted. From Dunhuang to the western sea there are three routes, each with its chain of states. The northern route runs from Yiwu past the Pulei Sea, the Tiele tribes, and the Turk qaghan's court, crosses the north-flowing river, reaches Fulin, and arrives at the western sea. The central route runs from Gaochang, Yanqi, Kucha, and Shule across the Onion Mountains, then through Bohhan, Suduoshana, Kang, Cao, He, Greater and Lesser An, and Mu to Persia and the western sea. The southern route runs from Shanshan, Khotan, Zhujubo, and Hepantuo across the Onion Mountains, then through Humi, Tuhuoluo, Yidan, Qianyan, and Caoguo to North India and the western sea. The states along these three routes also have their own paths linking north and south. The Eastern Women's State, Southern India, and others can all be reached by the appropriate route. Thus Yiwu, Gaochang, and Shanshan are the gateways to the Western Regions. All converge on Dunhuang, its strategic throat. With the state's majesty and our fierce soldiers, to sail distant waters and cross Kunlun is as easy as turning the hand—where could we not go! Only the Turks and Tuyuhun, controlling the Qiang and Hu states, blocked the routes so tribute could not pass. Now through merchants they secretly send pledges of loyalty, eager to submit and become your subjects. Your sacred grace embraces all under Heaven; receive them and comfort them, striving for peace and order. Therefore send the imperial envoy without moving armies; the frontier peoples will follow, and Tuyuhun and the Turks can be destroyed. Uniting Chinese and barbarian—is the moment not now! Without recording these matters, there is no way to show how far your civilizing power reaches.
17
帝大悅,賜物五百段,每日引矩至禦坐,親問西方之事。 矩盛言胡中多諸寶物,吐谷渾易可併吞。 帝由是甘心,將通西域,四夷經略,鹹以委之。 轉民部侍郎,未視事,遷黃門侍郎。 帝複令矩往張掖,引致西蕃,至者十余國。 大業三年,帝有事于恆嶽,鹹來助祭。 帝將巡河右,複令矩往敦煌。 矩遣使說高昌王麹伯雅及伊吾吐屯設等,啖以厚利,導使入朝。 及帝西巡,次燕支山,高昌王、伊吾設等及西蕃胡二十七國,謁于道左。 皆令佩金玉,被錦罽,焚香奏樂,歌儛喧噪。 複令武威、張掖士女盛飾縱觀,騎乘填咽,周亙數十裡,以示中國之盛。 帝見而大悅。 竟破吐谷渾,拓地數千里,並遣兵戍之。 每歲委輸巨億萬計,諸蕃懾懼,朝貢相續。 帝謂矩有綏懷之略,進位銀青光祿大夫。 其冬,帝至東都,矩以蠻夷朝貢者多,諷帝令都下大戲。 征四方奇技異藝,陳於端門街,衣錦綺、珥金翠者以十數萬。 又勒百官及民士女列坐棚閣而縱觀焉。 皆被服鮮麗,終月乃罷。 又令三市店肆皆設帷帳,盛列酒食,遣掌蕃率蠻夷與民貿易,所至之處,悉令邀延就坐,醉飽而散。 蠻夷嗟歎,謂中國為神仙。 帝稱其至誠,顧謂宇文述、牛弘曰:「裴矩大識朕意,凡所陳奏,皆朕之成算。 未發之頃,矩輒以聞。 自非奉國用心,孰能若是!」 帝遣將軍薛世雄城伊吾,令矩共往經略。 矩諷諭西域諸國曰:「天子為蕃人交易懸遠,所以城伊吾耳。」 鹹以為然,不復來競。 及還,賜錢四十萬。 矩又白狀,令反間射匱,潛攻處羅,語在《突厥傳》。 後處羅為射匱所迫,竟隨使者入朝。 帝大悅,賜矩以貂裘及西域珍器。
The emperor was delighted and gave five hundred bales of gifts; daily he summoned Ju to the imperial seat to ask about the west. Ju stressed that the frontier lands held many treasures and that Tuyuhun could easily be conquered. The emperor was persuaded and intended to open the Western Regions; strategy toward the four frontiers was all entrusted to him. He was transferred to Vice Director of the Ministry of Population but before taking office was promoted to Yellow Gate Attendant. The emperor again sent Ju to Zhangye to bring in western peoples; more than ten states came. In the third year of Daye the emperor performed rites at Mount Heng; all came to assist at the sacrifice. When the emperor was about to tour the Hexi region he again sent Ju to Dunhuang. Ju sent envoys to persuade the King of Gaochang Qu Boya, the Yiwu chieftain, and others with rich rewards, guiding them to court. When the emperor toured west and halted at Mount Yanzhi, the King of Gaochang, the Yiwu chieftain, and twenty-seven western states paid homage along the route. All were dressed in jade, gold, and brocade, burned incense, played music, and sang and danced in noisy celebration. He also had the people of Wuwei and Zhangye dress in splendor to watch; riders and carriages packed the roads for miles, displaying China's grandeur. The emperor saw this and was greatly pleased. They finally defeated Tuyuhun, extended territory by thousands of li, and garrisoned troops there. Each year tribute worth hundreds of millions arrived; the frontier peoples were awed and sent tribute in succession. The emperor said Ju had a gift for winning over the frontier and promoted him to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon. That winter the emperor reached the eastern capital; as many foreigners came to pay tribute, Ju urged the emperor to hold grand festivities in the capital. Rare skills and exotic arts from every quarter were displayed on Duangmen Street; hundreds of thousands wore brocade and gold ornaments. He also ordered officials and commoners alike to sit in pavilion galleries and watch. All were dressed in splendor; the spectacle lasted a full month. He ordered market shops to set up canopies with food and drink, had frontier commissioners lead foreigners to trade with locals, and had them invited to feast wherever they went until drunk and sated. The foreigners sighed in wonder and called China a land of immortals. The emperor praised his sincerity and said to Yuwen Shu and Niu Hong, "Pei Ju understands my mind; whatever he submits is already my settled plan. Before I even announce it, Ju has already reported it. Without true devotion to the state, who could do this!" The emperor sent General Xue Shixiong to fortify Yiwu and ordered Ju to join him in planning. Ju explained to the Western Regions states, "The emperor fortifies Yiwu only because frontier trade routes are long and difficult." All agreed and ceased their objections. On his return he was given four hundred thousand cash. Ju again memorialized, setting counter-intelligence against Shekui and a secret attack on Chuluo, as told in the Biography of the Turks. Later Chuluo, pressed by Shekui, finally came to court with the envoys. The emperor was delighted and gave Ju sable coats and rare treasures from the west.
18
從帝巡於塞北,幸啟民帳。 時高麗遣使先通於突厥,啟民不敢隱,引之見帝。 矩因奏狀曰:「高麗之地,本孤竹國也。 周代以之封於箕子,漢世分為三郡,晉氏亦統遼東。 今乃不臣,別為外域,故先帝疾焉,欲征之久矣。 但以楊諒不肖,師出無功。 當陛下之時,安得不事,使此冠帶之境,仍為蠻貊之鄉乎? 今其使者朝于突厥,親見啟民,合國從化,必懼皇靈之遠暢,慮後伏之先亡。 脅令入朝,當可致也。」 帝曰:「如何?」 矩曰:「請面詔其使,放還本國,遣語其王,令速朝觀。 不然者,當率突厥,即日誅之。」 帝納焉。 高元不用命,始建征遼之策。 王師臨遼,以本官領武賁郎將。 明年,複從至遼東。 兵部侍郎斛斯政亡入高麗,帝令矩兼掌兵事。 以前後渡遼之役,進位右光祿大夫。 于時皇綱不振,人皆變節,左翊衛大將軍宇文述、內史侍郎虞世基等用事,文武多以賄聞。 唯矩守常,無贓穢之響,以是為世所稱。
He accompanied the emperor on a tour of the northern frontier and visited Qimin's tent. Goguryeo had sent envoys to the Turks first; Qimin did not dare conceal it and presented them to the emperor. Ju memorialized, "The land of Goguryeo was originally the state of Guzhu. Zhou enfeoffed Jizi there; Han divided it into three commanderies; Jin also ruled Liaodong. Now they refuse submission and stand apart as a foreign realm; the former emperor long wished to campaign against them. But because Yang Liang proved unworthy, the campaign achieved nothing. In Your Majesty's time, how can we tolerate this civilized land remaining barbarian territory? Now their envoys have seen Qimin at the Turks' court; seeing the whole realm submit, they must fear imperial power and worry they will be destroyed if they delay. Pressure them to come to court and they can be brought in." The emperor asked, "How?" Ju said, "Face their envoy, send him home, and tell their king to come to court at once. Otherwise lead the Turks and destroy them immediately." The emperor agreed. Gao Yuan disobeyed; the Liaodong campaign was then planned. When the imperial army reached Liaodong he served as Martial Guard Cavalry Commandant. The next year he again accompanied the campaign to Liaodong. Vice Director of War Husizheng fled to Goguryeo; the emperor had Ju also manage military affairs. For the Liaodong campaigns he was promoted to Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. The imperial order was failing and men changed loyalty; Yuwen Shu, Yu Shiji, and others held power, and officials were widely known for taking bribes. Only Ju remained upright without a reputation for corruption, and for this was praised.
19
還至涿郡,帝以楊玄感初平,令矩安集隴右。 因之會寧,存問曷沙那部落,遣闕達度設寇吐谷渾,頻有虜獲,部落致富。 還而奏狀,帝大賞之。 後從師至懷遠鎮,詔護北蕃軍事。 矩以始畢可汗部眾漸盛,獻策分其勢,將以宗女嫁其弟叱吉設,拜為南面可汗。 叱吉不敢受,始畢聞而漸怨。 矩又言於帝曰:「突厥本淳,易可離間,但由其內多有群胡,盡皆桀黠,教導之耳。 臣聞史蜀胡悉尤多奸計,幸于始畢,請誘殺之。」 帝曰:「善。」 矩因遣人告胡悉曰:「天子大出珍物,今在馬邑,欲共蕃內多作交關。 若前來者,即得好物。」 胡悉貪而信之,不告始畢,率其部落,盡驅六畜,星馳爭進,冀先互市。 矩伏兵馬邑下,誘而斬之。 詔報始畢曰:「史蜀胡悉忽領部落走來至此,雲背可汗,請我容納。 突厥既是我臣,彼有背叛,我當共殺。 今已斬之,故令往報。」 始畢亦知其狀,由是不朝。 十一年,帝北巡狩,始畢率騎數十萬,圍帝於雁門。 詔令矩與虞世基每宿朝堂,以待顧問。 及圍解,從至東都。 屬射匱可汗遣其猶子,率西蕃諸胡朝貢,詔矩宴接之。
When he returned to Zhuo Commandery, the emperor—Yang Xuangan's rebellion having just been crushed—sent Ju to restore order in Longyou. From there he went to Huining to inquire after the Ashina tribe and sent Quedu She against Tuyuhun; repeated raids brought rich spoils and made the tribe prosperous. He reported on his return, and the emperor richly rewarded him. Later he marched with the army to Huaiyuan Fort, where an edict put him in charge of northern frontier military affairs. Seeing Shibi Khan's following grow ever stronger, Ju proposed splitting his power: marry an imperial clanswoman to Shibi's brother Chiji She and install him as Southern Khan. Chiji dared not accept; when Shibi learned of the plan, resentment took root. Ju told the emperor again, "The Turks are simple by nature and easily set against one another—but many Hu bands among them are fierce and cunning; they are the ones who truly steer them. I have heard that Shishu Husi is especially full of treacherous schemes and stands high in Shibi's favor. I ask leave to lure him out and kill him." "Good," said the emperor." Ju then sent word to Husi: "The Son of Heaven has brought out great stores of rare goods at Mayi and wishes to trade freely with the frontier peoples. Whoever arrives first will get the best of them." Greedy and credulous, Husi told Shibi nothing. He led his whole tribe, drove off every head of livestock, and galloped night and day to reach the market first. Ju hid troops below Mayi, drew him in, and cut off his head. An edict was sent to Shibi: "Shishu Husi has suddenly fled here at the head of his tribe, claiming he has turned against you and begging us to shelter him. The Turks are our subjects; when one betrays, we should kill him together. He has already been executed, and we send word accordingly." Shibi knew what had really happened and from then on stopped coming to court. In the eleventh year the emperor went north on tour; Shibi led several hundred thousand horsemen and trapped him at Yanmen. An edict had Ju and Yu Shiji sleep in the audience hall every night, ready to be summoned for counsel. When the siege was broken, he followed the emperor to the eastern capital. Just then Shekui Khan sent his nephew at the head of the western frontier peoples to pay tribute, and Ju was ordered to feast and receive them.
20
尋從幸江都宮。 時四方盜賊蜂起,郡縣上奏者不可勝計。 矩言之,帝怒,遣矩詣京師接候蕃客,以疾不行。 及義兵入關,帝令虞世基就宅問矩方略。 矩曰:「太原有變,京畿不靜,遙為處分,恐失事機。 唯願鑾輿早還,方可平定。」 矩複起視事。 俄而驍衛大將軍屈突通敗問至,矩以聞,帝失色。 矩素勤謹,未嘗忤物,又見天下方亂,恐為身禍,其待遇人,多過其所望,故雖至廝役,皆得其歡心。 時從駕驍果數有逃散,帝憂之,以問矩。 矩答曰:「方今車駕留此,已經二年。 驍果之徒,盡無家口,人無匹合,則不能久安。 臣請聽兵士于此納室。」 帝大喜曰:「公定多智,此奇計也。」 因令矩檢校,為將士等娶妻。 矩召江都境內寡婦及未嫁女,皆集宮監,又召將帥及兵等恣其所取。 因聽自首,先有奸通婦女及尼、女冠等,並即配之。 由是驍果等悅,鹹相謂曰:「裴公之惠也。」
Soon afterward he accompanied the emperor to the Jiangdu Palace. Rebels were rising everywhere; reports from commands and counties poured in beyond count. When Ju raised the matter, the emperor flew into a rage and ordered him to the capital to receive foreign envoys; Ju pleaded illness and did not go. When the rebel armies entered the passes, the emperor sent Yu Shiji to Ju's home to ask his counsel. Ju said, "Taiyuan is in turmoil and the capital region is unsettled; if we try to manage things from a distance, I fear we will lose our chance. I only pray the imperial carriage returns at once—only then can order be restored." Ju then returned to duty. Before long came word that Qu Tu Tong, General of the Valiant Guard, had been defeated; Ju reported it, and the emperor went pale. Ju had always been diligent and careful, never giving offense; now, with the realm in chaos and fearing for his own safety, he treated everyone better than they expected—even servants came to love him. The Valiant Corps in the imperial train were deserting in numbers; the emperor was troubled and asked Ju what to do. Ju answered, "The imperial carriage has now stayed here two full years. The Valiant Corps have no wives or children; without families, men cannot stay content for long. I ask that the soldiers be allowed to take wives here." The emperor was delighted. "You are full of wisdom—what a brilliant scheme!" He put Ju in charge of finding wives for the officers and men. Ju gathered every widow and unmarried woman in the Jiangdu region under palace supervision, then let commanders and soldiers choose freely among them. He also allowed men to confess prior affairs with women, nuns, or female Daoist adepts and had them married on the spot. The Valiant Corps were overjoyed and said among themselves, "This is Lord Pei's bounty."
21
宇文化及之亂,矩晨起將朝,至坊門,遇逆黨數人,控矩馬詣孟景所。 賊皆曰:「不關裴黃門。」 既而化及從百餘騎至,矩迎拜,化及慰諭之。 令矩參定儀注,推秦王子浩為帝,以矩為侍內,隨化及至河北。 及僭帝位,以矩為尚書右僕射,加光祿大夫,封蔡國公,為河北道安撫大使。 及宇文氏敗,為竇建德所獲,以矩隋代舊臣,遇之甚厚。 複以為吏部尚書,尋轉尚書右僕射,專掌選事。 建德起自群盜,未有節文,矩為制定朝儀。 旬月之間,憲章頗備,擬于王者。 建德大悅,每諮訪焉。 及建德渡河討孟海公,矩與曹旦等於洺州留守。 建德敗于武牢。 群帥未知所屬,曹旦長史李公淹、大唐使人魏徵等說旦及齊善行令歸順。 旦等從之,乃令矩與徵、公淹領旦及八璽,舉山東之地歸於大唐。 授左庶子,轉詹事、民部尚書。
When Yuwen Huaji rebelled, Ju rose early to attend court; at the ward gate rebels seized his bridle and dragged him to Meng Jing's house. The rebels said, "This has nothing to do with Vice Director Pei." Soon Huaji arrived with more than a hundred riders; Ju bowed to him, and Huaji spoke words of reassurance. He had Ju help draft the court ritual, installed Prince Hao of Qin as emperor, made Ju Palace Attendant, and Ju followed Huaji north to Hebei. When Huaji seized the throne, he made Ju Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, enfeoffed him as Duke of Cai, and appointed him Pacification Commissioner of the Hebei Circuit. When the Yuwen house fell, Dou Jiande captured Ju; as a veteran minister of the Sui, Ju was treated with great respect. Dou made him Director of the Ministry of Personnel, then soon transferred him to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, putting him in sole charge of appointments. Jiande had risen from the bandit ranks and had no court protocol; Ju drew up the court ritual for him. Within a month the laws and rites were largely in place, nearly matching those of a true king. Jiande was delighted and consulted him constantly. When Jiande crossed the river to attack Meng Haigong, Ju and Cao Dan stayed behind to hold Ming Prefecture. Jiande was defeated at Wulao. The commanders did not know where their loyalty lay; Cao Dan's chief administrator Li Gongyan, the Tang envoy Wei Zheng, and others persuaded Dan and Qi Shanxing to surrender. Dan agreed; Ju, Wei, and Gongyan then led Dan and the eight seals in surrendering all the lands east of the mountains to Great Tang. He was made Left Assistant to the Heir Apparent, then promoted to Grand Mentor and Director of the Ministry of Revenue.
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史臣曰:世基初以雅淡著名,兼以文華見重,亡國羈旅,特蒙任遇。 參機衡之職,預帷幄之謀,國危未嘗思安,君昏不能納諫。 方更鬻官賣獄,黷貨無厭,顛隕厥身,亦其所也。 裴蘊素懷奸險,巧於附會,作威作福,唯利是視,滅亡之禍,其可免乎? 裴矩學涉經史,頗有幹局,至於恪勤匪懈,夙夜在公,求諸古人,殆未之有。 與聞政事,多曆歲年,雖處危亂之中,未虧廉謹之節,美矣。 然承望風旨,與時消息,使高昌入朝,伊吾獻地,聚糧且末,師出玉門,關右騷然,頗亦矩之由也。
The historian writes: Yu Shiji was first known for quiet refinement and literary grace; an exile of a ruined kingdom, he was nonetheless singled out for high office. He held the levers of power and sat in on secret counsel—yet when the state was dying he never sought to save it, and when the ruler was lost he could not move him with honest advice. Instead he sold offices and verdicts, grasping for profit without end; that he fell and perished was only fitting. Pei Yun had always been treacherous and cunning, adept at ingratiation, drunk on power, and greedy for gain—how could he have escaped ruin? Pei Ju was versed in the classics and histories and had real talent for statecraft; in tireless devotion to duty, working from dawn till night on the state's business, the ancients themselves could scarcely match him. He took part in government for many years; even amid crisis and chaos he never lost his integrity—a thing to admire. Yet by reading the emperor's wishes and bending with the moment, he helped bring Gaochang to court, Yiwu to yield its territory, grain to pile up at Qiemo, and armies to pour through Yumen until Longyou was in uproar—and much of that, too, was Ju's doing.