Volume 70 Biographies 35: Yang Xuangan, Li Zixiong, Zhao Yuanshu, Hu Shizheng, Liu Yuanjin, Li Mi, Pei Renji

楊玄感楊玄感，司徒素之子也。體貌雄偉，美鬚髯。少時晚成，人多謂之癡，其父每謂所親曰：「此兒不癡也。」及長，好讀書，便騎射。以父軍功，位至柱國，與其父俱為第二品，朝會則齊列。其後高祖命玄感降一等，玄感拜謝曰：「不意陛下寵臣之甚，許以公廷獲展私敬。」初拜郢州刺史，到官，潛布耳目，察長吏能不。其有善政及贓污者，纖介必知之，往往發其事，莫敢欺隱。吏民敬服，皆稱其能。後轉宋州刺史，父憂去職。歲餘，起拜鴻臚卿，襲爵楚國公，遷禮部尚書。性雖驕倨，而愛重文學，四海知名之士多趨其門。

Yang Xuangan was the son of Yang Su, who had held the post of Minister of Works and the title Duke of Situ. He was powerfully built and striking in appearance, with a splendid beard. As a youth he was slow to show his abilities, and many took him for a simpleton; his father would often tell intimates, "This son of mine is no fool. When he came of age, he took to study and proved adept at horsemanship and archery. On account of his father's battlefield honors he attained the rank of Pillar of State; father and son alike held second-grade emoluments and took their places side by side at court. Later Gaozu had Xuangan lowered one rank in precedence. Xuangan bowed his thanks and said, "I never imagined Your Majesty would honor me so far as to let me show filial regard even in the formal court. On his first appointment as inspector of Yingzhou he quietly placed observers to test whether local administrators were competent or corrupt. Good governance and graft alike he came to know down to the smallest particular, and he was apt to bring abuses to light so that none could hide them. Officials and people alike stood in awe of him and acclaimed his ability. He was later moved to Songzhou as inspector, then resigned to observe mourning for his father. A little over a year later he was recalled as Chamberlain for Dependencies, succeeded to the dukedom of Chu, and was promoted to Minister of Rites. For all his pride he cultivated learning, and men of renown from across the realm thronged his house.

自以累世尊顯，有盛名於天下，在朝文武多是父之將吏，復見朝綱漸紊，帝又猜忌日甚，內不自安，遂與諸弟潛謀廢帝，立秦王浩。及從征吐谷渾，還至大斗拔谷，時從官狼狽，玄感欲襲擊行宮。其叔慎謂玄感曰：「士心尚一，國未有釁，不可圖也。」玄感乃止。

Conscious of his family's generations of glory and his own fame throughout the realm, and that many at court had once served under his father, he watched the court slip into disorder and the emperor grow ever more suspicious. Uneasy at heart, he and his brothers secretly planned to remove the emperor and install Prince Qin Hao. On the Tuyuhun campaign, marching back through Dabopeng Valley when the court was in disarray, he contemplated a surprise attack on the imperial camp. His uncle Yang Shen told him, "The army is still of one mind and the realm shows no crack in its order—you must not attempt this. Xuangan abandoned the plan.

時帝好征伐，玄感欲立威名，陰求將領。謂兵部尚書段文振曰：「玄感世荷國恩，寵踰涯分，自非立效邊裔，何以塞責！若方隅有風塵之警，庶得執鞭行陣，少展絲髮之功。明公兵革是司，敢布心腹。」文振因言於帝，帝嘉之，顧謂羣臣曰：「將門必有將，相門必有相，故不虛也。」於是賚物千段，禮遇益隆，頗預朝政。

The emperor was bent on military campaigns, and Xuangan, eager to win a name in arms, quietly sought a field command. He told Minister of War Duan Wenzhen, "My family has long enjoyed the state's favor, and I have been honored beyond my deserts. Unless I win distinction on the frontier, how can I answer for myself! Should trouble flare on the marches, I might at least serve in the ranks and offer whatever small service I can. As you oversee military affairs, I take the liberty of speaking to you frankly. Wenzhen relayed this to the emperor, who was pleased and told the court, "A general's house breeds generals, a minister's house breeds ministers—the proverb is true." He was rewarded with a thousand lengths of silk, his honors increased, and he came to take a considerable hand in court affairs.

帝征遼東，命玄感於黎陽督運。于時百姓苦役，天下思亂，玄感遂與武賁郎將王仲伯、汲郡贊治趙懷義等謀議，欲令帝所軍眾飢餒，每為逗遛，不時進發。帝遲之，遣使者逼促，玄感揚言曰：「水路多盜賊，不可前後而發。」其弟武賁郎將玄縱、鷹揚郎將萬碩並從幸遼東，玄感潛遣人召之。時將軍來護兒以舟師自東萊將入海，趣平壤城，軍未發。玄感無以動眾，乃遣家奴偽為使者，從東方來，謬稱護兒失軍期而反。玄感遂入黎陽縣，閉城大索男夫。於是取帆布為牟甲，署官屬，皆準開皇之舊。移書傍郡，以討護兒為名，各令發兵，會於倉所。以東光縣尉元務本為黎州刺史，趙懷義為衞州刺史，河內郡主簿唐禕為懷州刺史。有眾且一萬，將襲洛陽。唐禕至河內，馳往東都告之。越王侗、民部尚書樊子蓋等大懼，勒兵備禦。修武縣民相率守臨清關，玄感不得濟，遂於汲郡南渡河，從亂者如市。數日，屯兵上春門，眾至十餘萬。子蓋令河南贊治裴弘策拒之，弘策戰敗。瀍、洛父老競致牛酒。玄感屯兵尚書省，每誓眾曰：「我身為上柱國，家累鉅萬金，至於富貴，無所求也。今者不顧破家滅族者，但為天下解倒懸之急，救黎元之命耳。」眾皆悅，詣轅門請自效者，日有數千。與樊子蓋書曰：

When the emperor marched against Liaodong, he put Xuangan in charge of supply transport at Liyang. The people were ground down by forced labor and rebellion was in the air. Xuangan conspired with Majordomo Wang Zhongbo, Jijun Administrator Zhao Huaiyi, and others to starve the armies in the field by holding back shipments and never sending supplies on schedule. When the emperor grew impatient and sent envoys to hurry him, Xuangan announced publicly, "Pirates infest the waterways—we cannot risk sending convoys one after another. His brothers Xu Zong, a majordomo, and Wan Shuo, a general, were both with the emperor in Liaodong, and Xuangan secretly summoned them. General Lai Huer was about to sail from Donglai with a fleet toward Pyongyang, but his force had not yet embarked. Unable to rally the people on his own authority, he sent a household slave posing as a courier from the east with a false report that Lai Huer had missed his deadline and turned rebel. Xuangan then seized Liyang county, shut the gates, and pressed every able-bodied man into service. They fashioned armor from sailcloth, appointed officials, and organized their regime on the model of the Kaihuang era. He wrote to neighboring prefectures, calling on them to raise troops to punish Lai Huer and muster at the granary depot. He appointed Yuan Wuben, magistrate of Dongguang, inspector of Liyang; Zhao Huaiyi, inspector of Weizhou; and Tang Yi, chief clerk of Henei, inspector of Huaizhou. With nearly ten thousand men he prepared to march on Luoyang. Tang Yi reached Henei and rode at full speed to the Eastern Capital to raise the alarm. Prince of Yue Yang Tong, Minister of Population Fan Zigai, and the court were thrown into panic and hurried to mobilize for defense. The people of Xiuwu barred Linqing Pass, blocking his crossing; he forded the river south of Jijun, and rebels flocked to him in throngs. Within days he had encamped at Shangchun Gate with a host of more than a hundred thousand. Zigai sent Henan Administrator Pei Hongce to oppose him, but Hongce was routed. Elders along the Chan and Luo rivers competed to bring cattle and wine in welcome. Xuangan quartered his army in the Ministry of State Affairs compound and told his followers at each rally, "I am already a Pillar of State, and my house holds wealth beyond counting—in rank and riches I want for nothing. I risk ruin for my house and clan only to lift the empire from its desperate plight and save the lives of the common people. The crowd cheered him, and thousands each day presented themselves at his gate to enlist. He wrote to Fan Zigai:

:夫建忠立義，事有多途，見機而作，蓋非一揆。昔伊尹放太甲於桐宮，霍光廢劉賀於昌邑，此並公度內，不能一二披陳。

Loyalty and righteous action may take many forms, and seizing the moment admits more than one right course. Yi Yin once confined Tai Jia in the Tong Palace; Huo Guang deposed Liu He at Changyi—both acted within the bounds of public duty. I cannot rehearse every precedent here.

:高祖文皇帝誕膺天命，造茲區宇，在琁璣以齊七政，握金鏡以馭六龍，無為而至化流，垂拱而天下治。今上纂承寶曆，宜固洪基，乃自絕於天，殄民敗德。頻年肆眚，盜賊於是滋多，所在修治，民力為之凋盡。荒淫酒色，子女必被其侵，躭玩鷹犬，禽獸皆離其毒。朋黨相扇，貨賄公行，納邪佞之言，杜正直之口。加以轉輸不息，徭役無期，士卒填溝壑，骸骨蔽原野。黃河之北，則千里無煙，江淮之間，則鞠為茂草。

Emperor Wen received the Mandate, founded this realm, aligned the heavens from his throne, and ruled as if holding a golden mirror to the age—through effortless governance the empire was transformed, and with hands at rest he brought order under Heaven. The present emperor should have secured the throne his forebear left him, but he has turned his back on Heaven, ruining his people and his own virtue. Repeated amnesties have only bred more outlaws, and endless public works have drained the people to the bone. He debauches himself with wine and women, preying on the young; he dotes on hawks and hounds, and even beasts flee his cruelty. Factions egg one another on, bribery is open in the streets, flatterers are heard and honest men silenced. On top of this, supply convoys never stop and corvée knows no end—soldiers fill the ditches and bones litter the fields. North of the Yellow River the land lies smokeless for a thousand li; between the Yangzi and Huai, fields have gone to wilderness.

:玄感世荷國恩，位居上將，先公奉遺詔曰：「好子孫為我輔弼之，惡子孫為我屏黜之。」所以上禀先旨，下順民心，廢此淫昏，更立明哲。四海同心，九州響應，士卒用命，如赴私讎，民庶相趨，義形公道。天意人事，較然可知。公獨守孤城，勢何支久！願以黔黎在念，社稷為心，勿拘小禮，自貽伊戚。誰謂國家一旦至此，執筆潸泫，言無所具。

My family has long enjoyed the state's favor, and I hold the rank of chief general. My late father was charged by the late emperor's testament: "Let worthy descendants support the throne; let unworthy ones be cast out. I therefore obey my father's charge and the people's will, removing this dissolute ruler and setting a wise man in his place. All within the seas are united, the provinces answer as one; soldiers fight as if settling a private score, and the people flock to the cause in the name of justice. Heaven's will and the people's mind are plain for all to see. You alone hold a doomed city—how long can you last?! Think of the people and the realm; do not cling to petty loyalty and bring ruin on yourself. Who could have imagined the realm brought so low? My pen trembles with tears, and words are not enough.

遂進逼都城。

He then pressed the attack on the capital.

刑部尚書衞玄，率眾數萬，自關中來援東都。以步騎二萬渡瀍、澗挑戰，玄感偽北。玄逐之，伏兵發，前軍盡沒。後數日，玄復與玄感戰，兵始合，玄感詐令人大呼曰：「官軍已得玄感矣。」玄軍稍怠。玄感與數千騎乘之，於是大潰，擁八千人而去。玄感驍勇多力，每戰親運長矛，身先士卒，喑鳴叱咤，所當者莫不震攝。論者方之項羽。又善撫馭，士樂致死，由是戰無不捷。玄軍日蹙，糧又盡，乃悉眾決戰，陣於北邙，一日之間，戰十餘合。玄感弟玄挺中流矢而斃，玄感稍却。樊子蓋復遣兵攻尚書省，又殺數百人。

Minister of Justice Wei Xuan marched from Guanzhong with tens of thousands to relieve the Eastern Capital. He crossed the Chan and Jian with twenty thousand foot and horse to give battle; Xuangan feigned a retreat. Wei pursued, ambush troops rose, and the vanguard was wiped out. Days later Wei engaged him again. As the lines met, Xuangan had men shout falsely, "The imperial army has taken Xuangan. Wei's troops faltered. Xuangan charged with several thousand horsemen, routing the army; Wei escaped with eight thousand men. Fierce and immensely strong, he fought at the head of his men with a long spear in hand, roaring so that none who faced him failed to quail. Commentators compared him to Xiang Yu. He knew how to win men's loyalty, and his soldiers fought gladly to the death; for a time he was unbeaten in the field. Wei's position grew tighter daily and his supplies ran out; he threw his whole force into a decisive battle on Mount Beimang, fighting more than ten clashes in a single day. Xuangan's brother Xu Ting was struck down by an arrow, and Xuangan fell back. Fan Zigai sent troops against the Ministry compound again and killed several hundred more.

帝遣武賁郎將陳稜攻元務本於黎陽，武衞將軍屈突通屯河陽，左翊衞大將軍宇文述發兵繼進，右驍衞大將軍來護兒復來赴援。玄感請計於前民部尚書李子雄，子雄曰：「屈突通曉習兵事，若一渡河，則勝負難決，不如分兵拒之。通不能濟，則樊、衞失援。」玄感然之，將拒通。子蓋知其謀，數擊其營，玄感不果進。通遂濟河，軍於破陵。玄感為兩軍，西抗衞玄，東拒屈突通。子蓋復出兵，於是大戰，玄感軍頻北。復請計於子雄，子雄曰：「東都援軍益至，我師屢敗，不可久留。不如直入關中，開永豐倉以賑貧乏，三輔可指麾而定。據有府庫，東面而爭天下，此亦霸王之業。」會華陰諸楊請為鄉導，玄感遂釋洛陽，西圖關中，宣言曰：「我已破東都，取關西矣。」宇文述等諸軍躡之。至弘農宮，父老遮說玄感曰：「宮城空虛，又多積粟，攻之易下。進可絕敵人之食，退可割宜陽之地。」玄感以為然，留攻之，三日城不下，追兵遂至。玄感西至閿鄉，上槃豆，布陣亘五十里，與官軍且戰且行，一日三敗。復陣於董杜原，諸軍擊之，玄感大敗，獨與十餘騎竄林木間，將奔上洛。追騎至，玄感叱之，皆懼而返走。至葭蘆戍，玄感窘迫，獨與弟積善步行。自知不免，謂積善曰：「事敗矣。我不能受人戮辱，汝可殺我。」積善抽刀斫殺之，因自刺，不死，為追兵所執，與玄感首俱送行在所。磔其屍於東都市三日，復臠而焚之。餘黨悉平。其弟玄奬為義陽太守，將歸玄感，為郡丞周琁玉所殺。玄縱弟萬碩，自帝所逃歸，至高陽，止傳舍，監事許華與郡兵執之，斬於涿郡。萬碩弟民行，官至朝請大夫，斬於長安。並具梟磔。公卿請改玄感姓為梟氏，詔可之。

The emperor sent Chen Ling against Yuan Wuben at Liyang, posted Qu Tu Tong at Heyang, ordered Yuwen Shu forward in support, and recalled Lai Huer to the rescue. Xuangan consulted the former Minister of Population Li Zixiong, who said, "Qu Tu Tong knows war. Once he crosses the river, the issue will be in doubt—better to detach troops and block him. If he cannot cross, Fan and Wei will be cut off from reinforcement. Xuangan agreed and prepared to block Qu Tu Tong. Fan Zigai learned of the plan and repeatedly attacked his camp, so Xuangan could not move against Qu. Qu Tu Tong crossed the river and encamped at Poling. Xuangan split his force, facing Wei Xuan in the west and Qu Tu Tong in the east. Fan Zigai sallied again; in the great battle that followed Xuangan's army was repeatedly driven back. He consulted Li Zixiong again, who said, "Reinforcements pour into the Eastern Capital and we have lost again and again—we cannot remain here. Better to strike straight into Guanzhong, open the Yongfeng granary to feed the hungry, and the capital region will fall at a gesture. Hold the treasuries, turn east, and contend for the empire—that is the path of a hegemon. The Yang kin of Huayin offered to guide him, so he abandoned Luoyang and marched west toward Guanzhong, proclaiming, "I have taken the Eastern Capital and now seize the west." Yuwen Shu and the other imperial armies pressed close behind. At Hongnong Palace the local elders waylaid him and urged, "The palace is lightly held and full of grain—it will fall easily. Take it and you cut the enemy's supplies; hold it and you command the Yiyang region. He agreed and laid siege, but after three days the city still stood and the pursuers caught up. He marched west to Wenxiang and took up position on Pandou, his line stretching fifty li; fighting as he retreated, he lost three battles in a single day. He made a stand at Dongdu Plain, was routed, and fled into the woods with only a dozen horsemen, heading for Shangluo. When pursuers caught up, he roared at them and they fled in terror. At Jialu Post, hard pressed, he fled on foot with only his brother Jishan. Seeing there was no escape, he told Jishan, "All is lost. I will not endure the shame of capture—kill me. Jishan struck him down with his sword, then stabbed himself but survived; the pursuers seized him and sent him, with Xuangan's head, to the emperor's camp. His body was dismembered and displayed in the Eastern Capital market for three days, then cut apart and burned. The remaining rebels were all suppressed. His brother Xu Jiang, governor of Yiyang, was marching to join him when the commandery aide Zhou Xianyu killed him. Xu Zong's brother Wan Shuo fled the imperial camp, reached Gaoyang, and lodged at a post station; the supervisor Xu Hua and local troops seized him and executed him at Zhuo. Wan Shuo's brother Minxing, who had risen to Court Gentleman for Consultation, was executed at Chang'an. All were dismembered and put on public display in the same manner. The court asked that Xuangan's clan name be changed to Xiao, meaning "owl," and the emperor assented.

初，玄感圍東都也，梁郡人韓相國舉兵應之，玄感以為河南道元帥。旬月間，眾十餘萬，攻剽郡縣。至于襄城，遇玄感敗，兵漸潰散，為吏所執，傳首東都。李子雄李子雄，渤海蓨人也。祖伯賁，魏諫議大夫。父桃枝，東平太守，與鄉人高仲密同歸於周，官至冀州刺史。子雄少慷慨，有壯志。弱冠從周武帝平齊，以功授帥都督。

When Xuangan besieged the Eastern Capital, Han Xiangguo of Liang commandery rose in support, and Xuangan appointed him marshal of the Henan circuit. Within weeks he mustered more than a hundred thousand men and raided the surrounding prefectures. At Xiangcheng he learned of Xuangan's defeat; his army melted away, he was captured, and his head was sent to Luoyang. Li Zixiong was a native of Mao in Bohai commandery. His grandfather Bo Ben had served Wei as Remonstrating and Advising Grand Master. His father Taozhi, once governor of Dongping, had submitted to Zhou with his townsman Gao Zhongmi and risen to inspector of Jizhou. From youth Zixiong was generous and high-minded, with a warrior's ambition. At twenty he followed Emperor Wu of Zhou in the conquest of Qi and was made a commander-in-chief for his service.

高祖作相，從韋孝寬破尉迥於相州，拜上開府，賜爵建昌縣公。高祖受禪，為驃騎將軍。伐陳之役，以功進位大將軍，歷郴、江二州刺史，並有能名。仁壽中，坐事免。

When Gaozu was Chancellor, he followed Wei Xiaokuan in defeating Yuwen Jiong at Xiangzhou, was made Grand Opening Master, and enfeoffed as Duke of Jianchang. When Gaozu took the throne, Zixiong became General of Agile Cavalry. In the Chen campaign he was promoted to Great General, then served as inspector of Chen and Jiang, earning a name for competence in both posts. During the Renshou era he was dismissed for an offense.

漢王諒之作亂也，煬帝將發幽州兵以討之。時竇抗為幽州總管，帝恐其有二心，問可任者於楊素。素進子雄，授大將軍，拜廉州刺史，馳至幽州，止傳舍，召募得千餘人。抗恃素貴，不時相見。子雄遣人諭之。後二日，抗從鐵騎二千，來詣子雄所。子雄伏甲，請與相見，因擒抗。遂發幽州兵步騎三萬，自井陘以討諒。時諒遣大將軍劉建略地燕、趙，正攻井陘，相遇於抱犢山下，力戰，破之。遷幽州總管，尋徵拜民部尚書。

When Prince of Han Yang Liang rebelled, Emperor Yang prepared to mobilize the Youzhou army against him. Dou Kang was overall commander of Youzhou, and the emperor, fearing disloyalty, asked Yang Su whom he could trust. Su recommended Zixiong, who was made Great General and inspector of Lianzhou, rode at once to Youzhou, lodged at a post station, and raised more than a thousand men. Kang, counting on Su's backing, did not come to see him at once. Zixiong sent men to summon him. Two days later Kang arrived with two thousand armored horsemen. Zixiong had laid an ambush, received him for a meeting, and seized him. He then marched thirty thousand Youzhou foot and horse through Jingxing Pass against Liang. Liang had sent Liu Jian to overrun Yan and Zhao and was attacking Jingxing; they met below Mount Baodu, fought hard, and Zixiong routed him. He was made overall commander of Youzhou, then recalled as Minister of Population.

子雄明辯有器幹，帝甚任之。新羅嘗遣使朝貢，子雄至朝堂與語，因問其冠制所由。其使者曰：「皮弁遺象。安有大國君子而不識皮弁也！」子雄因曰：「中國無禮，求諸四夷。」使者曰：「自至已來，此言之外，未見無禮。」憲司以子雄失詞，奏劾其事，竟坐免。俄而復職，從幸江都。帝以仗衞不整，顧子雄部伍之。子雄立指麾，六軍肅然。帝大悅曰：「公真武候才也。」尋轉右武候大將軍，後坐事除名。

Clear-minded and capable, he enjoyed the emperor's strong trust. When Silla sent tribute envoys, Zixiong met them in court and asked about the origin of their caps. The envoy replied, "It preserves the form of the leather cap. What gentleman of a great kingdom does not know the leather cap! Zixiong retorted, "China has lost its rites and must seek them among the barbarians." The envoy answered, "Since I arrived, apart from that remark, I have seen no discourtesy." The censorate impeached him for the gaffe, and he was dismissed. He was soon restored and accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu. When the imperial guard fell into disorder, the emperor had Zixiong put the ranks in order. Zixiong took command on the spot, and the whole army fell into perfect order. The emperor was delighted and said, "You truly have the makings of a guard commander. He was soon made Right Martial Guard General, but later was struck from the rolls for an offense.

遼東之役，帝令從軍自效，因從來護兒自東平將指滄海。會楊玄感反於黎陽，帝疑之，詔鎖子雄送行在所。子雄殺使者，亡歸玄感。玄感每請計於子雄，語在玄感傳。及玄感敗，伏誅，籍沒其家。趙元淑博陵趙元淑，父世模，初事高寶寧，後以眾歸周，授上開府，寓居京兆之雲陽。高祖踐阼，恒典宿衞。後從晉王伐陳，先鋒遇賊，力戰而死。朝廷以其身死王事，以元淑襲父本官，賜物二千段。元淑性疎誕，不治產業，家徒壁立。後數歲，授驃騎將軍，將之官，無以自給。時長安富人宗連，家累千金，仕周為三原令。有季女，慧而有色，連獨奇之，每求賢夫。聞元淑如是，請與相見。連有風儀，美談笑，元淑亦異之。及至其家，服玩居處擬於將相。酒酣，奏女樂，元淑所未見也。元淑辭出，連曰：「公子有暇，可復來也。」後數日，復造之，宴樂更侈。如此者再三，因謂元淑曰：「知公子素貧，老夫當相濟。」因問元淑所須，盡買與之。臨別，元淑再拜致謝，連復拜曰：「鄙人竊不自量，敬慕公子。今有一女，願為箕帚妾，公子意何如？」元淑感愧，遂娉為妻。連復送奴婢二十口、良馬十餘匹，加以縑帛錦綺及金寶珍玩。元淑遂為富人。

In the Liaodong campaign the emperor ordered him to redeem himself in the ranks, and he followed Lai Huer from Dongping toward the sea. When Yang Xuangan rebelled at Liyang the emperor grew suspicious and ordered Zixiong shackled and brought to the imperial camp. Zixiong killed the escort and fled to Xuangan. Xuangan often sought his counsel, as recounted in Xuangan's biography. When Xuangan fell, Zixiong was executed and his property confiscated. Zhao Yuanshu of Boling—his father Shimao had first served Gao Baoning, then brought his followers to Zhou, was made Grand Opening Master, and settled at Yunyang in the capital region. When Gaozu took the throne, Shimao served permanently in the palace guard. He later followed the Prince of Jin against Chen; in the vanguard he met the enemy, fought hard, and was killed. Because he had died in the prince's service, the court let Yuanshu inherit his father's post and gave him two thousand lengths of silk. Yuanshu was careless and improvident, kept no estate, and lived in bare poverty. Years later he was made General of Agile Cavalry, but on the eve of taking office he had nothing to live on. A wealthy Chang'an man named Zong Lian, worth a thousand in gold, had served Zhou as magistrate of Sanyuan. He had a youngest daughter, clever and beautiful, whom he cherished and for whom he always sought a worthy husband. Hearing of Yuanshu, he asked to meet him. Lian was dignified and witty, and Yuanshu was impressed. At Lian's house, furnishings and quarters rivaled those of a general or minister. When the wine was flowing, female musicians performed—splendor Yuanshu had never known. As Yuanshu left, Lian said, "Come again when you have time, my lord. Days later he returned, and the entertainment was even grander. After several such visits Lian told him, "I know you have been poor; let me help you. He asked what Yuanshu needed and bought it all for him. As Yuanshu bowed his thanks, Lian bowed in return and said, "Forgive my presumption—I have long admired you, my lord. I have a daughter who would be honored to serve you as wife—what do you say? Moved and ashamed, Yuanshu took her as his wife. Lian also gave him twenty servants, more than ten fine horses, silks and brocades, and gold and jewels. Yuanshu was suddenly a wealthy man.

及煬帝嗣位，漢王諒作亂，元淑從楊素擊平之。以功進位柱國，拜德州刺史，尋轉潁川太守，並有威惠。因入朝，會司農不時納諸郡租穀，元淑奏之。帝謂元淑曰：「如卿意者，幾日當了？」元淑曰：「如臣意不過十日。」帝即日拜元淑為司農卿，納天下租，如言而了。帝悅焉。

When Emperor Yang succeeded, Prince of Han Yang Liang rebelled, and Yuanshu followed Yang Su to suppress him. For his service he was made Pillar of State, then inspector of Dezhou and soon grand administrator of Yingchuan, winning respect in both posts. On a visit to court he reported that the Director of Agriculture was failing to collect the grain taxes on schedule. The emperor asked him, "How long would it take, in your view? Yuanshu said, "No more than ten days, in my judgment." The emperor appointed him Director of Agriculture that same day; he collected the empire's rents and finished within ten days as promised. The emperor was pleased.

禮部尚書楊玄感潛有異志，以元淑可與共亂，遂與結交，多遺金寶。遼東之役，領將軍，典宿衞，加授光祿大夫，封葛公。明年，帝復征高麗，以元淑鎮臨渝。及玄感作亂，其弟玄縱自帝所逃歸，路經臨渝。元淑出其小妻魏氏見玄縱，對宴極歡，因與通謀，并授玄縱賂遺。及玄感敗，人有告其事者，帝以屬吏。元淑言與玄感結婚，所得金寶則為財娉，實無他故。魏氏復言初不受金。帝親臨問，卒無異辭。帝大怒，謂侍臣曰：「此則反狀，何勞重問！」元淑及魏氏俱斬於涿郡，籍沒其家。斛斯政河南斛斯政，祖椿，魏太保、尚書令、常山文宣王；父恢，散騎常侍、新蔡郡公。政明悟有器幹，初為親衞，後以軍功授儀同，甚為楊素所禮。大業中，為尚書兵曹郎。政有風神，每奏事，未嘗不稱旨。煬帝悅之，漸見委信。楊玄感兄弟俱與之交。

Minister of Rites Yang Xuangan secretly plotted rebellion and, thinking Yuanshu a useful ally, befriended him and sent him lavish gifts of gold and jewels. In the Liaodong campaign he served as a leading general, commanded the palace guard, was made Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, and enfeoffed as Duke of Ge. The next year, on another campaign against Goryeo, the emperor posted Yuanshu at Linyu. When Xuangan rebelled, his brother Xu Zong fled the imperial camp and passed through Linyu. Yuanshu introduced his concubine Lady Wei, feasted Xu Zong lavishly, conspired with him, and gave him gifts for the road. After Xuangan's defeat someone informed on him, and the emperor turned the case over to the judges. Yuanshu claimed he had married into Xuangan's family and that the gold was merely betrothal gifts, with no treasonous intent. Lady Wei likewise denied ever accepting gold. The emperor questioned them in person, but their stories never changed. The emperor flew into a rage and told his attendants, "This is open treason—why question them further! Yuanshu and Lady Wei were beheaded at Zhuo, and their property was confiscated. Hu Shizheng of Henan—his grandfather Chun had been Wei Grand Tutor, Minister of State Affairs, and Prince Wenxuan of Changshan; his father Hui, Regular Attendant and Duke of Xincai. Shizheng was clever and capable; he began in the personal guard, won the rank of Peer for military merit, and was highly regarded by Yang Su. During the Daye era he served as Secretary in the Ministry of War. He had presence and grace, and every report he made pleased the emperor. Emperor Yang took a liking to him and gradually came to trust him. He was on friendly terms with Yang Xuangan and his brothers.

遼東之役，兵部尚書段文振卒，侍郎明雅復以罪廢，帝彌屬意。尋遷兵部侍郎。于時外事四夷，軍國多務，政處斷辯速，稱為幹理。玄感之反也，政與通謀。及玄縱等亡歸，亦政之計也。帝在遼東，將班師，窮治玄縱黨與。內不自安，遂亡奔高麗。明年，帝復東征，高麗請降，求執送政。帝許之，遂鎖政而還。至京師，以政告廟，左翊衞大將軍宇文述奏曰：「斛斯政之罪，天地所不容，人神所同忿。若同常刑，賊臣逆子何以懲肅，請變常法。」帝許之。於是將政出金光門，縛政於柱，公卿百僚並親擊射，臠割其肉，多有噉者。噉後烹煮，收其餘骨，焚而揚之。劉元進餘杭劉元進，少好任俠，為州里所宗。兩手各長尺餘，臂垂過膝。

In the Liaodong campaign Minister of War Duan Wenzhen died and Vice Minister Ming Ya was dismissed; the emperor turned increasingly to Shizheng. He was soon made Vice Minister of War. With frontier troubles on every side and the state overwhelmed with business, he decided cases swiftly and was praised for his efficiency. When Xuangan rebelled, Shizheng conspired with him. The flight of Xu Zong and the others was also his doing. The emperor was in Liaodong preparing to withdraw and was hunting down Xu Zong's accomplices. Unable to bear the pressure, he fled to Goryeo. The next year, on another eastern campaign, Goryeo offered surrender and agreed to hand Shizheng over. The emperor agreed, and Shizheng was brought back in chains. At the capital he was reported to the ancestral temple. Left Guard General Yuwen Shu memorialized, "Hu Shizheng's crime outrages Heaven and Earth and stirs the wrath of gods and men alike. Ordinary punishment will not suffice to warn traitors—I beg that the law be set aside. The emperor consented. Shizheng was led out through the Golden Light Gate, bound to a post, and the whole court shot at him, cut his flesh, and many ate it. When they had finished eating his flesh, they boiled what remained, collected the bones, burned them, and cast the ashes to the wind. Liu Yuanjin of Yuhang. From youth he loved bold, chivalrous deeds, and his district looked up to him. Each of his hands measured more than a foot in length, and his arms reached below his knees.

煬帝興遼東之役，百姓騷動，元進自以相表非常，陰有異志，遂聚眾，合亡命。會帝復征遼東，徵兵吳、會，士卒皆相謂曰：「去年吾輩父兄從帝征者，當全盛之時，猶死亡太半，骸骨不歸；今天下已罷敝，是行也，吾屬其無遺類矣。」於是多有亡散，郡縣捕之急。既而楊玄感起於黎陽，元進知天下思亂，於是舉兵應之。三吳苦役者莫不響至，旬月眾至數萬。將渡江，而玄感敗。吳郡朱爕、晉陵管崇亦舉兵，有眾七萬，共迎元進，奉以為主。據吳郡，稱天子，爕、崇俱為僕射，署置百官。毗陵、東陽、會稽、建安豪傑多執長吏以應之。帝令將軍吐萬緒、光祿大夫魚俱羅率兵討焉。元進西屯茅浦，以抗官軍，頻戰互有勝負。元進退保曲阿，與朱爕、管崇合軍，眾至十萬。緒進軍逼之，相持百餘日，為緒所敗，保於黃山。緒復破之，爕戰死，元進引趣建安，休兵養士。二將亦以師老，頓軍自守。

When Emperor Yang launched the Liaodong campaigns, the people were in uproar. Yuanjin believed his features marked him for greatness and secretly nursed rebellious designs; he gathered followers and took in outlaws. When the emperor again marched on Liaodong and conscripted men from Wu and Kuaiji, the soldiers said among themselves: "Last year our fathers and brothers followed the emperor east—even at the empire's height, more than half died, and their bones never came home; Now the realm is spent. On this march, not one of us will survive. Many fled and scattered, and the local authorities hunted them down without mercy. When Yang Xuangan rebelled at Liyang, Yuanjin saw that the empire was ripe for revolt and raised his own forces in support. Laborers oppressed throughout the Three Wu flocked to him, and within a month his following swelled to tens of thousands. He was on the point of crossing the Yangzi when Xuangan's rebellion collapsed. Zhu Can of Wu and Guan Chong of Jinling also took up arms. With seventy thousand men they welcomed Yuanjin and installed him as their chief. They seized Wu commandery, Yuanjin declared himself emperor, and Can and Chong were both made Vice Ministers as a full court was appointed. Local leaders across Piling, Dongyang, Kuaiji, and Jian'an seized their magistrates and rallied to the cause. The emperor dispatched General Tuwán Xù and Grand Master Yu Juluo to crush them. Yuanjin encamped at Maopu on the west to block the imperial forces, and in repeated clashes each side claimed victories. Yuanjin fell back on Qu'e, joined Zhu Can and Guan Chong, and their combined strength rose to one hundred thousand. Xù pressed the attack, and after more than a hundred days of stalemate Yuanjin was beaten back and took refuge on Mount Huang. Xù defeated him again. Can fell in battle. Yuanjin withdrew toward Jian'an to regroup and restore his men's strength. The two imperial generals, their troops worn out, halted and held their positions.

俄而二將俱得罪，帝令江都郡丞王世充發淮南兵擊之。有大流星墜於江都，未及地而南逝，磨拂竹木皆有聲，至吳郡而落于地。元進惡之，令掘地，入二丈，得一石，徑丈餘。後數日，失石所在。世充既渡江，元進將兵拒戰，殺千餘人。世充窘急，退保延陵柵。元進遺兵，人各持茅，因風縱火。世充大懼，將棄營而遁。遇反風，火轉，元進之眾懼燒而退。世充簡銳卒掩擊，大破之，殺傷太半，自是頻戰輒敗。元進謂管崇曰：「事急矣，當以死決之。」於是出挑戰，俱為世充所殺。其眾悉降，世充坑之於黃亭澗，死者三萬人。其餘黨往往保險為盜。其後董道冲、沈法興、李子通等乘此而起，戰爭不息，逮於隋亡。李密李密字法主，真鄉公衍之從孫也。祖耀，周邢國公。父寬，驍勇善戰，幹略過人，自周及隋，數經將領，至柱國、蒲山郡公，號為名將。密多籌算，才兼文武，志氣雄遠，常以濟物為己任。開皇中，襲父爵蒲山公，乃散家產，賙贍親故，養客禮賢，無所愛吝。與楊玄感為刎頸之交。後更折節，下帷耽學，尤好兵書，誦皆在口。師事國子助教包愷，受史記、漢書，勵精忘倦，愷門徒皆出其下。大業初，授親衞大都督，非其所好，稱疾而歸。

Soon both generals fell from favor, and the emperor ordered Wang Shichong, assistant magistrate of Jiangdu, to lead Huainan forces against Yuanjin. A great meteor fell toward Jiangdu. Before it touched the ground it veered south, tearing through bamboo groves with a roar, and only struck earth when it reached Wu commandery. Yuanjin took it as an evil omen and had the ground excavated. At a depth of two zhang they found a stone more than ten feet across. Within days the stone had vanished. Once Shichong had crossed the Yangzi, Yuanjin met him in battle and killed more than a thousand of his men. Shichong was driven to extremity and pulled back into the stockade at Yanling. Yuanjin sent his men forward, each carrying bundles of straw, and set fires before the wind. Shichong was terrified and prepared to abandon his camp and flee. A wind shift drove the flames back on Yuanjin's army, which broke off in fear of being consumed. Shichong picked elite troops for a surprise attack and shattered them, killing or wounding more than half. From then on Yuanjin lost every battle. Yuanjin told Guan Chong, "Matters are desperate. We must stake our lives on one final clash. They rode out to give battle and were both slain by Shichong. His followers surrendered en masse. Shichong had thirty thousand of them buried alive at Huangting Brook. The remaining rebels scattered to rough country and turned bandit. In their wake Dong Daochong, Shen Faxing, Li Zitong, and others rose in turn, and war raged on until the fall of Sui. Li Mi, courtesy name Fazhu, was a collateral descendant of Yan, Duke of Zhenxiang. His grandfather Yao had been Duke of Xing under the Zhou. His father Kuan was a fierce, capable commander whose strategic gifts set him apart. From Zhou through Sui he held repeated commands, rising to Pillar of State and Duke of Pushan, and was accounted one of the age's great generals. Mi was a master strategist, accomplished in both letters and arms, with far-reaching vision; he made it his life's work to redeem the realm. During Kaihuang he inherited his father's title of Duke of Pushan, then gave away his family wealth to support kin and friends, drew talented men to his house, and held nothing back. He and Yang Xuangan were sworn friends as close as brothers. Later he disciplined himself, secluded himself in study, devoted himself above all to military classics, and knew them by heart. He studied under Bao Kai of the Imperial Academy, mastering the Shiji and Hanshu with tireless zeal until he surpassed every fellow student. Early in Daye he was appointed chief commander of the personal guard, a post he disdained; he pleaded illness and resigned.

及楊玄感在黎陽，有逆謀，陰遣家僮至京師召密，令與弟玄挺等同赴黎陽。玄感舉兵而密至，玄感大喜，以為謀主。玄感謀計於密，密曰：「愚有三計，惟公所擇。今天子出征，遠在遼外，地去幽州，懸隔千里。南有巨海之限，北有胡戎之患，中間一道，理極艱危。今公擁兵，出其不意，長驅入薊，直扼其喉。前有高麗，退無歸路，不過旬月，齎糧必盡。舉麾一召，其眾自降，不戰而擒，此計之上也。又關中四塞，天府之國，有衞文昇，不足為意。今宜率眾，經城勿攻，輕齎鼓行，務早西入。天子雖還，失其襟帶，據險臨之，故當必剋，萬全之勢，此計之中也。若隨近逐便，先向東都，唐禕告之，理當固守。引兵攻戰，必延歲月，勝負殊未可知，此計之下也。」玄感曰：「不然。公之下計，乃上策矣。今百官家口並在東都，若不取之，安能動物？且經城不拔，何以示威？」密計遂不行。

When Yang Xuangan was at Liyang plotting rebellion, he secretly sent a servant to the capital to summon Mi and his brother Xuanting to join him there. When Xuangan rose in arms and Mi arrived, Xuangan was overjoyed and made him his chief strategist. Xuangan asked Mi for counsel. Mi said, "I have three plans. The choice is yours. The Son of Heaven is on campaign far beyond the Liao frontier, a thousand li from Youzhou. To the south lies the sea; to the north, barbarian raiders; between them a single route—the most perilous ground imaginable. If you march now by surprise straight on Ji, you seize them by the throat. Goryeo lies ahead; retreat is cut off. Within a month their supplies will fail. Raise your banner and they will surrender without a fight. That is the best plan. Alternatively, Guanzhong is the empire's fortress, defended on four sides. Wei Wensheng alone is no concern. Lead your men west, bypassing walled cities without siege, traveling light and fast. Even if the emperor returns, without the heartland you hold the passes above him and cannot fail. That is the sound plan. If you strike east toward Luoyang as convenience dictates, Tang Yi will warn them, and they will rightly hold firm. A siege will drag on for months with no certainty of victory. That is the worst course. Xuangan said, "No. Your worst plan is my best strategy. The families of the whole court are in Luoyang. Without seizing it, how can we win men's loyalty? And if we bypass a city without capturing it, where is our terror?" Mi's counsel went unheeded.

玄感既至東都，皆捷，自謂天下響應，功在朝夕。及獲韋福嗣，又委以腹心，是以軍旅之事，不專歸密。福嗣既非同謀，因戰被執，每設籌畫，皆持兩端。後使作檄文，福嗣固辭不肯。密揣知其情，因謂玄感曰：「福嗣元非同盟，實懷觀望。明公初起大事，而姦人在側，聽其是非，必為所誤矣。請斬謝眾，方可安輯。」玄感曰：「何至於此！」密知言之不用，退謂所親曰：「楚公好反而不欲勝，如何？吾屬今為虜矣！」後玄感將西入，福嗣竟亡歸東都。

Once Xuangan reached Luoyang he won every encounter and believed the empire would rally to him and victory was days away. When he captured Wei Fusi he took him into his inner circle, and military decisions no longer belonged to Mi alone. Fusi had never been part of the plot; captured in battle, he hedged every counsel he gave. When they ordered him to draft a manifesto, he refused outright. Mi read his intentions and told Xuangan, "Fusi was never one of us. He waits to see which way fortune turns. You have only just raised this great cause, yet a traitor stands at your ear. Heed his advice and you are undone. Cut off his head before the army, and only then can you command loyalty. Xuangan said, "Surely not to that!" Mi knew he had been dismissed. To his intimates he said, "The Duke of Chu toys with defeat yet will not seize victory—what are we to do? We are prisoners already! Later, as Xuangan turned west, Fusi escaped back to Luoyang.

時李子雄勸玄感速稱尊號，玄感以問於密。密曰：「昔陳勝自欲稱王，張耳諫而被外，魏武將求九錫，荀彧止而見疎。今者密欲正言，還恐追蹤二子，阿諛順意，又非密之本圖。何者？兵起已來，雖復頻捷，至於郡縣，未有從者。東都守禦尚強，天下救兵益至，公當身先士眾，早定關中。廼欲急自尊崇，何示不廣也！」玄感笑而止。

Li Zixiong urged Xuangan to declare himself emperor without delay; Xuangan consulted Mi. Mi said: "When Chen Sheng sought a royal title, Zhang Er warned him and was cast aside. When Cao Cao moved toward the Nine Gifts, Xun Yu opposed him and was distanced. If I speak honestly, I risk sharing their fate; to flatter you goes against everything I stand for. Why? Though we have won battle after battle, no district or county has joined us. Luoyang still holds firm, and relief armies gather daily. You should lead the charge yourself and secure Guanzhong without delay. Yet you rush to crown yourself—what message of grand vision does that send! Xuangan only laughed and let the matter drop.

及宇文述、來護兒等軍且至，玄感謂密曰：「計將安出？」密曰：「元弘嗣統強兵於隴右，今可揚言其反，遣使迎公，因此入關，可得紿眾。」玄感遂以密謀，號令其眾，因引西入。至陝縣，欲圍弘農宮，密諫之曰：「公今詐眾入西，軍事在速，況乃追兵將至，安可稽留！若前不得據關，退無所守，大眾一散，何以自全？」玄感不從，遂圍之，三日攻不能拔，方引而西。至於閿鄉，追兵遂及。

As Yuwen Shu, Lai Huer, and other imperial forces drew near, Xuangan asked Mi, "What is our plan? Mi said, "Yuan Hongsi holds strong forces in Longyou. Spread word that he has rebelled and summon him. March into the passes under that pretext and you can rally the troops." Xuangan adopted Mi's plan, proclaimed it to his army, and marched west. At Shaan county he wanted to besiege Hongnong Palace. Mi urged him: "You have tricked the army into marching west—speed is everything, and the pursuers are close. How can we linger! Fail to seize the passes and with no refuge behind, the army will scatter—how then will any of us survive? Xuangan refused. He besieged the palace for three days without success, then marched on west. At Wen village the pursuers overtook him.

玄感敗，密間行入關，與玄感從叔詢相隨，匿於馮翊詢妻之舍。尋為鄰人所告，遂捕獲，囚於京兆獄。是時煬帝在高陽，與其黨俱送帝所。在途謂其徒曰：「吾等之命，同於朝露，若至高陽，必為葅醢。今道中猶可為計，安得行就鼎鑊，不規逃避也？」眾咸然之。其徒多有金，密令出示使者曰：「吾等死日，此金並留付公，幸用相瘞。其餘即皆報德。」使者利其金，遂相然許。及出關外，防禁漸弛，密請通巿酒食，每讌飲喧譁竟夕，使者不以為意。行次邯鄲，夜宿村中，密等七人皆穿牆而遁，與王仲伯亡抵平原賊帥郝孝德。孝德不甚禮之，備遭饑饉，至削樹皮而食。仲伯潛歸天水，密詣淮陽，舍於村中，變姓名稱劉智遠，聚徒教授。經數月，密鬱鬱不得志，為五言詩曰：「金風蕩初節，玉露凋晚林。此夕窮塗士，空軫鬱陶心。眺聽良多感，慷慨獨霑襟。霑襟何所為？悵然懷古意。秦俗猶未平，漢道將何冀！樊噲巿井徒，蕭何刀筆吏。一朝時運合，萬古傳名器。寄言世上雄，虛生真可愧。」詩成而泣下數行。時人有怪之者，以告太守趙他。縣捕之，密乃亡去，抵其妹夫雍丘令丘君明。後君明從子懷義以告，帝令捕密，密得遁去，君明竟坐死。

When Xuangan was defeated, Mi stole into the passes with Xuangan's cousin Xun and hid in Xun's wife's house in Fengyi. Neighbors soon denounced them; Mi was seized and thrown into the Jingzhao prison. The emperor was then at Gaoyang; Mi and his companions were sent to him there. On the road he told his fellows, "Our lives are as morning dew. Once we reach Gaoyang we will be chopped to mince. We can still act while on the road. Why walk straight to the cauldron without planning our escape? All agreed. Many of his companions had gold. Mi showed it to the escort and said, "On the day we die, leave this gold with you for a decent burial. What remains is yours in gratitude. The escorts, tempted by the gold, agreed. Beyond the passes the guard slackened. Mi secured permission to buy wine and food, and each night they feasted until dawn while the escorts took no notice. At Handan they lodged in a village by night. Mi and seven others broke through the wall and fled with Wang Zhongbo to the bandit leader Hao Xiaode on the Plain. Xiaode showed them little courtesy. They suffered famine so severe they stripped bark from trees to eat. Zhongbo slipped back to Tianshui. Mi made for Huaiyang, lodged in a village under the name Liu Zhiyuan, gathered students, and taught. After several months Li Mi remained restless and thwarted in ambition. He wrote a pentasyllabic poem: "Golden wind shakes the year's first turning; jade dew withers the late woods. Tonight a wanderer at the road's end nurses only thwarted grief in vain. Gazing and listening stir deep feeling; moved to passion, he alone wet his collar with tears. Why do tears soak the collar? Because he broods sadly on the heroes of old. Qin's ways are not yet put right—what hope remains for Han's mandate? Fan Kuai was a butcher from the marketplace; Xiao He a clerk who kept accounts with knife and brush. When fortune turned in a single morning, their fame endured for ten thousand generations. I tell the mighty of this world: to live empty-handed is a true disgrace." When he finished the poem, tears streamed down his face. Some in the district thought him odd and reported him to Prefect Zhao Ta. The county sought to arrest him. Mi fled to his brother-in-law Qiu Junming, magistrate of Yongqiu. Later Junming's nephew Huaiyi denounced him. The emperor ordered Mi captured. Mi got away, but Junming was executed in the end.

會東郡賊帥翟讓聚黨萬餘人，密歸之。其中有知密是玄感亡將，潛勸讓害之。密大懼，乃因王伯當以策干讓。讓遣說諸小賊，所至輒降下，讓始敬焉，召與計事。密謂讓曰：「今兵眾既多，糧無所出，若曠日持久，則人馬困敝，大敵一臨，死亡無日。未若直趣滎陽，休兵館穀，待士馬肥充，然可與人爭利。」讓從之，於是破金堤關，掠滎陽諸縣，城堡多下之。滎陽太守郇王慶及通守張須陁以兵討讓。讓數為須陁所敗，聞其來，大懼，將遠避之。密曰：「須陁勇而無謀，兵又驟勝，既驕且狠，可一戰而擒。公但列陣以待，保為公破之。」讓不得已，勒兵將戰，密分兵千餘人於林木間設伏。讓與戰不利，軍稍却，密發伏自後掩之，須陁眾潰。與讓合擊，大破之，遂斬須陁於陣。讓於是令密建牙，別統所部。

About then Zhai Rang, rebel leader in the Eastern Commandery, mustered more than ten thousand men, and Mi threw in his lot with him. Some in the band knew Mi had been a general under Yang Xuangan and quietly urged Rang to kill him. Mi was terrified. He had Wang Bodang offer plans to win Rang over. Rang sent him to win over smaller bands; wherever he went they submitted. Rang came to respect him and called him into council. Mi told Rang: "Your force is large but there is no grain. If this drags on, men and horses will be exhausted. When a strong enemy comes, you will not live to see another day. Better march straight on Xingyang, rest the army and fill the granaries, and only when horses and men are strong fight for mastery." Rang agreed. They stormed Jin Embankment Pass, plundered the Xingyang counties, and took many strongholds. Xingyang Administrator Xun Wangqing and Acting Prefect Zhang Xuotuo marched against Rang with government troops. Rang had lost repeatedly to Xuotuo. When he heard Xuotuo was coming, he panicked and prepared to flee. Mi said: "Xuotuo is brave but no strategist. His men have won too quickly—they are arrogant and brutal. One battle will take him. Draw up your lines and wait. I pledge to defeat him for you." Rang had no choice but to fight. Mi posted more than a thousand men in ambush among the woods. Rang's attack faltered and his line gave ground. Mi sprang the ambush from behind; Xuotuo's army broke. Mi and Rang struck together, routed the enemy, and cut down Xuotuo in the fray. Rang then let Mi set up his own headquarters and lead his own troops.

密復說讓曰：「昏主蒙塵，播蕩吳、越，蝟毛競起，海內饑荒。明公以英桀之才，而統驍雄之旅，宜當廓清天下，誅剪羣凶，豈可求食草間，常為小盜而已！今東都士庶，中外離心，留守諸官，政令不一。明公親率大眾，直掩興洛倉，發粟以賑窮乏，遠近孰不歸附！百萬之眾，一朝可集，先發制人，此機不可失也。」讓曰：「僕起隴畝之間，望不至此。必如所圖，請君先發，僕領諸軍，便為後殿。得倉之日，當別議之。」密與讓領精兵七千人，以大業十三年春，出陽城，北踰方山，自羅口襲興洛倉，破之。開倉恣民所取，老弱繈負，道路不絕。

Mi urged Rang again: "The blinded emperor wanders in exile. Chaos roils Wu and Yue. Rebels sprout like hedgehog bristles. Famine grips the land. You have heroic talent and command fierce warriors. You should pacify the realm and destroy the wicked—not live as a petty thief forever, scraping a living in the weeds! The Eastern Capital is divided within and without. The officials left behind cannot agree on orders. Lead your main force straight on the Xingluo Granary, open the stores and feed the starving—who would not rally to you? A million men could gather in a day. Strike first—this chance will not come again." Rang said: "I was a farmer. I never dreamed of such heights. If we do as you say, you go first. I will follow with the rest and cover the rear. When the granary is ours, we can talk again." Mi and Rang led seven thousand elite troops. In spring of Daye year 13 they left Yangcheng, crossed Fang Mountain to the north, and stormed the Xingluo Granary through Luokou. They opened the stores to the people. Old and young came in endless streams, children on their backs, filling the roads.

越王侗武賁郎將劉長恭率步騎二萬五千討密，密一戰破之，長恭僅以身免。讓於是推密為主。密城洛口周廻四十里以居之。房彥藻說下豫州，東都大懼。讓上密號為魏公。密初辭不受，諸將等固請，乃從之。設壇場，即位，稱元年，置官屬以房彥藻為左長史，邴元真右長史，楊德方左司馬，鄭德韜右司馬。拜讓司徒，封東郡公。其將帥封拜各有差。長白山賊孟讓掠東都，燒豐都市而歸。密攻下鞏縣，獲縣長柴孝和，拜為護軍。武賁郎將裴仁基以武牢歸密，因遣仁基與孟讓率兵二萬餘人襲迴洛倉，破之，燒天津橋，遂縱兵大掠。東都出兵乘之，仁基等大敗，僅以身免。密復親率兵三萬逼東都，將軍段達、武賁郎將高毗、劉長恭等出兵七萬拒之，戰於故都，官軍敗走，密復下廻洛倉而據之。俄而德韜、德方俱死，復以鄭頲為左司馬，鄭虔象為右司馬。

Liu Changgong, Brave Attendant General to Prince of Yue Yang Tong, marched on Mi with twenty-five thousand men. Mi routed him in one fight; Changgong barely escaped alive. Rang then pressed Mi to become leader. Mi fortified Luokou—a circuit of forty li—and made it his seat. Fang Yanzao won over Yuzhou. The Eastern Capital was terrified. Rang offered Mi the title Duke of Wei. Mi refused at first, but when the generals insisted he accepted. He raised an altar, took the throne, proclaimed year one, and appointed a court: Fang Yanzao as Left Chief Clerk, Bing Yuanzhen as Right Chief Clerk, Yang Defang as Left Marshal, Zheng Detao as Right Marshal. He made Rang Minister of Works and Duke of the Eastern Commandery. His commanders received titles and ranks in due order. Meng Rang of Changbai Mountain raided the Eastern Capital, burned Fengdu Market, and withdrew. Mi took Gong County, captured Magistrate Chai Xiaohe, and made him Protector of the Army. Brave Attendant General Pei Renji surrendered Wulao to Mi. Mi sent Renji and Meng Rang with over twenty thousand men against Huiluo Granary. They took it, burned Tianjin Bridge, and sacked the city. The Eastern Capital counterattacked. Renji and the others were crushed; only a few got away alive. Mi led thirty thousand men against the Eastern Capital himself. General Duan Da, Brave Attendant Generals Gao Pi and Liu Changgong, and others met him with seventy thousand. At the old capital the government forces broke and fled. Mi reoccupied Huiluo Granary. Soon Detao and Defang died. Mi replaced them with Zheng Ting as Left Marshal and Zheng Qianxiang as Right Marshal.

柴孝和說密曰：「秦地阻山帶河，西楚背之而亡，漢高都之而霸。如愚意者，令仁基守廻洛，翟讓守洛口，明公親簡精銳，西襲長安，百姓孰不郊迎，必當有征無戰。既剋京邑，業固兵強，方更長驅崤、函，掃蕩京、洛，傳檄指撝，天下可定。但今英雄競起，實恐他人我先，一朝失之，噬臍何及！」密曰：「君之所圖，僕亦思之久矣，誠為上策。但昏主尚在，從兵猶眾，我之所部，並山東人，既見未下洛陽，何肯相隨西入！諸將出於羣盜，留之各競雌雄。若然者，殆將敗矣。」孝和曰：「誠如公言，非所及也。大軍既未可西出，請間行觀隙。」密從之。孝和與數十騎至陝縣，山賊歸之者萬餘人。密時兵鋒甚銳，每入苑，與官軍連戰。會密為流矢所中，臥於營內，後數日，東都出兵擊之。密眾大潰，棄廻洛倉，歸洛口。孝和之眾聞密退，各分散而去。孝和輕騎歸密。

Chai Xiaohe advised Mi: "The Qin heartland is walled by mountains and rivers. Western Chu held it with its back to the land and fell. Gaozu made it his capital and ruled the realm. My counsel: leave Renji at Huiluo and Zhai Rang at Luokou. Take your best troops west against Chang'an. The people will greet you on the roads. You can win the capital without a fight. Once you hold the western capital your position will be secure. Then drive through the passes, sweep the eastern capitals, issue edicts—and the realm is yours. But rivals are rising everywhere. Another may reach Chang'an first. Miss this chance and you will regret it forever." Mi said: "I have weighed that plan for a long time. It is the best course. But the emperor still lives, his armies are large, and my men are all from the east. They have not seen Luoyang fall—why would they march west with me? My commanders were bandits themselves. Leave them behind and they will fight each other for power. That way lies ruin." Xiaohe said: "You are right. I cannot argue. If the main force cannot go west yet, let me scout by side routes and watch for a chance." Mi agreed. Xiaohe rode to Shan County with a few dozen men. More than ten thousand mountain rebels joined him. Mi's army was at its peak. Each raid into the imperial park brought repeated clashes with government troops. Mi was hit by a stray arrow and lay in camp. Days later the Eastern Capital attacked. Mi's army broke. They abandoned Huiluo Granary and fell back to Luokou. Xiaohe's men heard of the retreat and dispersed. Xiaohe rode back to Mi with a small escort.

帝遣王世充率江、淮勁卒五萬來討密，密逆拒之，戰不利。柴孝和溺死於洛水，密甚傷之。世充營於洛西，與密相拒百餘日。武陽郡丞元寶藏、黎陽賊帥李文相、洹水賊帥張昇、清河賊帥趙君德、平原賊帥郝孝德並歸於密，共襲破黎陽倉據之。周法明舉江、黃之地以附密，齊郡賊帥徐圓朗、任城大俠徐師仁、淮陽太守趙他等前後款附，以千百數。

The emperor sent Wang Shichong with fifty thousand Jiang-Huai veterans against Mi. Mi met him but lost the fight. Chai Xiaohe drowned in the Luo. Mi mourned him bitterly. Shichong camped west of the Luo and faced Mi for more than a hundred days. Yuan Baocang of Wuyang, Li Wenxiang of Liyang, Zhang Sheng of Huanshui, Zhao Junde of Qinghe, and Hao Xiaode of the Plain all joined Mi. Together they stormed and held Liyang Granary. Zhou Faming brought the Jiang and Huang regions to Mi. Xu Yuanlang of Qi, the champion Xu Shiren of Rencheng, Huaiyang Prefect Zhao Ta, and many others submitted—in thousands.

翟讓所部王儒信勸讓為大冢宰，總統眾務，以奪密權。讓兄寬復謂讓曰：「天子止可自作，安得與人？汝若不能作，我當為之。」密聞其言，有圖讓之計。會世充列陣而至，讓出拒之，為世充所擊退者數百步。密與單雄信等率精銳赴之，世充敗走。讓欲乘勝進破其營，會日暮，密固止之。明日，讓與數百人至密所，欲為宴樂。密具饌以待之，其所將左右，各分令就食。諸門並設備，讓不之覺也。密引讓入坐，有好弓，出示讓，遂令讓射。讓引滿將發，密遣壯士蔡建自後斬之，殞於牀下。遂殺其兄寬及王儒信，并其從者亦有死焉。讓所部將徐世勣，為亂兵所斫中，重創，密遽止之，僅而得免。單雄信等皆叩頭求哀，密並釋而慰諭之。於是率左右數百人詣讓本營。王伯當、邴元真、單雄信等入營，告以殺讓之意，眾無敢動者。乃令徐世勣、單雄信、王伯當分統其眾。

Wang Ruxin, a follower of Zhai Rang, urged Rang to become Grand Chancellor and run everything, stripping power from Mi. Rang's brother Kuan told him: "An emperor makes himself—how can you share the throne with anyone? If you will not take it, I will." Mi overheard and plotted to kill Rang. Shichong advanced in battle order. Rang went out to meet him and was driven back hundreds of paces. Mi rushed up with Shan Xiongxin and picked troops. Shichong broke and ran. Rang wanted to pursue and smash Shichong's camp, but night fell and Mi held him back. Next day Rang came to Mi's camp with several hundred men for a feast. Mi set a banquet and sent Rang's followers to eat in separate groups. Armed men waited at every gate. Rang noticed nothing. Mi seated Rang and showed him a fine bow, then asked him to draw it. As Rang drew the bow, Mi had Cai Jian strike him from behind. He died on the couch. Mi killed Kuan and Wang Ruxin too. Some of their attendants died in the tumult. Xu Shiji, a general under Rang, was cut in the confusion and badly wounded. Mi stopped the slaughter just in time to save him. Shan Xiongxin and the others kowtowed for mercy. Mi pardoned them and spoke reassuringly. Then Mi went with several hundred guards to Rang's old camp. Wang Bodang, Bing Yuanzhen, and Shan Xiongxin entered and announced Rang's death. No one dared stir. Mi put Xu Shiji, Shan Xiongxin, and Wang Bodang in command of Rang's men.

未幾，世充夜襲倉城，密逆拒破之，斬武賁郎將費青奴。世充復移營洛北，南對鞏縣，其後遂於洛水造浮橋，悉眾以擊密。密與千騎拒之，不利而退。世充因薄其城下，密簡銳卒數百人，分為三隊出擊之。官軍稍却，自相陷溺，死者數萬人，武賁郎將楊威、王辯、霍世舉、劉長恭、梁德重、董智通等諸將率皆沒于陣。世充僅而獲免，不敢還東都，遂走河陽。其夜雨雪尺餘，眾隨之者，死亡殆盡。密於是修金墉故城居之，眾三十餘萬。復來攻上春門，留守韋津出拒戰，密擊敗之，執津於陣。其黨勸密即尊號，密不許。及義師圍東都，密出軍爭之，交綏而退。

Soon Shichong raided the granary by night. Mi drove him off and killed Brave Attendant General Fei Qingnu. Shichong moved north of the Luo opposite Gong County, then built a pontoon bridge and brought his whole army against Mi. Mi met him with a thousand cavalry, lost, and pulled back. Shichong pressed the walls. Mi picked several hundred elite men in three columns and sallied out. The government line gave way. Men trampled one another into the river; tens of thousands died. Generals Yang Wei, Wang Bian, Huo Shiju, Liu Changgong, Liang Dezhong, Dong Zhitong, and many others fell in the battle. Shichong barely got away. He dared not return to the Eastern Capital and fled to Heyang. That night more than a foot of snow fell. Nearly all who followed him perished in the cold. Mi fortified the old city of Jinyong and made it his seat. His force exceeded three hundred thousand. He attacked Shangchun Gate again. The garrison commander Wei Jin marched out to fight; Mi routed him and took Jin prisoner in battle. His followers urged him to declare himself emperor. Mi refused. When the rebel armies besieged the Eastern Capital, Mi marched out to contest it, skirmished, and pulled back.

俄而宇文化及殺逆，率眾自江都北指黎陽，兵十餘萬。密乃自率步騎二萬拒之。會越王侗稱尊號，遣使者授密太尉、尚書令、東南道大行臺、行軍元帥、魏國公，令先平化及，然後入朝輔政。密遣使報謝焉。化及與密相遇，密知其軍少食，利在急戰，故不與交鋒，又遏其歸路，使不得西。密遣徐世勣守倉城，化及攻之，不能下。密與化及隔水而語，密數之曰：「卿本匈奴皁隸破野頭耳，父兄子弟並受隋室厚恩，富貴累世，至妻公主，光榮隆顯，舉朝莫二。荷國士之遇者，當須國士報之，豈容主上失德，不能死諫，反因眾叛，躬行殺虐，誅及子孫，傍立支庶，擅自尊崇，欲規篡奪，污辱妃后，枉害無辜？不追諸葛瞻之忠誠，乃為霍禹之惡逆。天地所不容，人神所莫祐，擁逼良善，將欲何之！今若速來歸我，尚可得全後嗣。」化及默然，俯視良久，乃瞋目大言曰：「共你論相殺事，何須作書語邪？」密謂從者曰：「化及庸懦如此，忽欲圖為帝王，斯乃趙高、聖公之流，吾當折杖驅之耳。」化及盛修攻具，以逼黎陽倉城，密領輕騎五百馳赴之。倉城兵又出相應，焚其攻具，經夜火不滅。

Soon Yuwen Huaji murdered the emperor and marched north from Jiangdu toward Liyang with more than a hundred thousand men. Mi led twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to meet him. Prince of Yue Yang Tong took the throne and sent envoys making Mi Grand Commandant, Director of the Department of State Affairs, Grand Commissioner for the Southeast, Campaign Marshal, and Duke of Wei, with orders to defeat Huaji first and then enter court as regent. Mi sent envoys to thank him. When Huaji and Mi met, Mi knew Huaji's men were short of food and would want a quick fight. Mi refused battle and blocked the road west so Huaji could not retreat. Mi left Xu Shiji to hold the granary city. Huaji attacked but failed to take it. Mi and Huaji shouted across the river. Mi denounced him: "You were a Xiongnu bondsman from Poyetou. Your whole clan enjoyed Sui favor for generations—even an imperial princess as wife. No one in court outshone you. A man treated as a champion should die for his lord. When the emperor lost his way you should have remonstrated unto death—not rebel, butcher the imperial house, set up a puppet, seize the throne, and ravage the innocent. You lack Zhuge Zhan's loyalty and imitate Huo Yu's treason. Heaven and earth reject you. Gods and men forsake you. Where can you drive honest men! Submit to me now and your line may yet survive." Huaji was silent, then glared and roared: "This is a fight to the death—why lecture me like a book!" Mi told his men: "Huaji is this feeble, yet dreams of empire—like Zhao Gao or the Duke of Sheng. I will break a stick and drive him off." Huaji built siege engines against Liyang granary. Mi galloped there with five hundred light cavalry. Troops from the granary sallied out, burned the siege engines, and the blaze burned all night.

密知化及糧且盡，因偽與和，以敝其眾。化及不之悟，大喜，恣其兵食，冀密饋之。會密下有人獲罪，亡投化及，具言密情。化及大怒，其食又盡，乃渡永濟渠，與密戰于童山之下，自辰達酉。密為流矢所中，頓於汲縣。化及掠汲郡，北趣魏縣，其將陳智略、張童仁等所部兵歸于密者，前後相繼。初，化及以輜重留於東郡，遣其所署刑部尚書王軌守之。至是，軌舉郡降密，以軌為滑州總管。密引兵而西，遣記室參軍李儉朝於東都，執殺煬帝人于弘達以獻越王侗。侗以儉為司農少卿，使之反命，召密入朝。密至溫縣，聞世充已殺元文都、盧楚等，乃歸金墉。

Knowing Huaji's food was almost gone, Mi feigned peace to wear down his army. Huaji fell for it and let his men eat freely, expecting Mi to feed them. A man under Mi who had committed a crime fled to Huaji and revealed the whole plan. Huaji flew into a rage. When his food ran out he crossed the Yongji Canal and fought Mi at Tong Mountain from morning until evening. Mi was hit by a stray arrow and halted at Ji County. Huaji sacked Ji commandery and marched north toward Wei County. Generals Chen Zhilue and Zhang Tongren and others defected to Mi in droves. Huaji had left his supply train in the Eastern Commandery under his Minister of Punishments Wang Gui. Gui then surrendered the whole commandery to Mi, who made him overall commander of Huazhou. Mi marched west and sent Li Jian to the Eastern Capital with Yu Hongda, who had killed Emperor Yang, as a gift to Prince of Yue Yang Tong. Yang Tong made Jian Vice Minister of Agriculture and sent him back to summon Mi to court. At Wen County Mi learned Shichong had killed Yuan Wenshu and Lu Chu. He turned back to Jinyong.

世充既得擅權，乃厚賜將士，繕治器械，人心漸銳。然密兵少衣，世充乏食，乃請交易。密初難之，邴元真等各求私利，遞來勸密，密遂許焉。初，東都絕糧，人歸密者，日有數百。至此，得食，而降人益少，密方悔而止。密雖據倉，無府庫，兵數戰不獲賞，又厚撫初附之兵，於是眾心漸怨。時遣邴元真守興洛倉。元真起自微賤，性又貪鄙，宇文溫疾之，每謂密曰：「不殺元真，公難未已。」密不答，而元真知之，陰謀叛密。揚慶聞而告密，密固疑焉。會世充悉眾來決戰，密留王伯當守金墉，自引精兵就偃師，北阻邙山以待之。世充軍至，令數百騎渡御河，密遣裴行儼率眾逆之。會日暮，暫交而退，行儼、孫長樂、程䶧金等驍將十數人皆遇重創，密甚惡之。世充夜潛濟師，詰朝而陣，密方覺之，狼狽出戰，於是敗績，與萬餘人馳向洛口。世充夜圍偃師，守將鄭頲為其部下所翻，以城降世充。密將入洛口倉城，元真已遣人潛引世充矣。密陰知之而不發其事，因與眾謀，待世充之兵半濟洛水，然後擊之。及世充軍至，密候騎不時覺，比將出戰，世充軍悉已濟矣。密自度不能支，引騎而遁。元真竟以城降於世充。

Shichong seized power, lavished rewards on the troops, and rearmed them. Their spirit rose. Mi's men lacked clothes; Shichong lacked food. They proposed to trade. Mi hesitated, but Bing Yuanzhen and others, seeking private gain, pressed him until he agreed. While the Eastern Capital starved, hundreds a day had defected to Mi. Once they could eat elsewhere, fewer came over. Mi regretted the trade and stopped it. Mi held the granary but had no treasury. His men fought without pay while new recruits were pampered. Resentment spread. He sent Bing Yuanzhen to guard the Xingluo Granary. Yuanzhen came from nothing and was greedy. Yuwen Wen often told Mi, "Kill Yuanzhen or your troubles will never end." Mi said nothing. Yuanzhen heard and plotted to betray him. Yang Qing warned Mi, and Mi grew suspicious. Shichong marched out for a decisive battle. Mi left Wang Bodang at Jinyong and took elite troops to Yanshi, blocking the north at Mount Mang. Shichong sent hundreds of cavalry across the Imperial River. Mi sent Pei Xingyan to meet them. At dusk they skirmished and broke off. Pei Xingyan, Sun Changle, Cheng Yanjin, and a dozen other champions were badly wounded. Mi was furious. Shichong crossed the river by night and formed battle lines at dawn. Mi barely noticed in time, fought in disorder, was routed, and fled toward Luokou with ten thousand men. Shichong besieged Yanshi that night. His subordinates turned on defender Zheng Ting and surrendered the city. Mi tried to enter Luokou granary, but Yuanzhen had already let Shichong in. Mi knew but said nothing. He planned to attack when half Shichong's army was still crossing the Luo. Scouts failed to warn him in time. By the time Mi moved to fight, Shichong's whole army had crossed. Seeing he could not hold, Mi fled with his cavalry. Yuanzhen surrendered the city to Shichong.

密眾漸離，將如黎陽。人或謂密曰：「殺翟讓之際，徐世勣幾至於死。今創猶未復，其心安可保乎？」密乃止。時王伯當棄金墉，保河陽，密以輕騎自武牢渡河以歸之，謂伯當曰：「兵敗矣！久苦諸君，我今自刎，請以謝眾。」眾皆泣，莫能仰視。密復曰：「諸君幸不相棄，當共歸關中。密身雖愧無功，諸君必保富貴。」其府掾柳爕對曰：「昔盆子歸漢，尚食均輸，明公與長安宗族有疇昔之遇，雖不陪起義，然而阻東都，斷隋歸路，使唐國不戰而據京師，此亦公之功也。」眾咸曰：「然。」密遂歸大唐，封邢國公，拜光祿卿。裴仁基河東裴仁基，字德本。祖伯鳳，周汾州刺史。父定，上儀同。仁基少驍武，便弓馬。開皇初，為親衞。平陳之役，先登陷陣，拜儀同，賜物千段。以本官領漢王諒府親信。煬帝嗣位，諒舉兵作亂，仁基苦諫。諒大怒，囚之於獄。及諒敗，帝嘉之，超拜護軍。數歲，改授武賁郎將，從將軍李景討叛蠻向思多於黔安，以功進位銀青光祿大夫，賜奴婢百口，絹五百匹。擊吐谷渾於張掖，破之，加授金紫光祿大夫。斬獲寇掠靺鞨，拜左光祿大夫。從征高麗，進位光祿大夫。

Mi's army melted away. He prepared to go to Liyang. Someone warned Mi: "When you killed Zhai Rang, Xu Shiji nearly died. His wounds are not healed. Can you trust him?" Mi turned back. Wang Bodang had abandoned Jinyong for Heyang. Mi crossed from Wulao with a small escort and told Bodang, "All is lost! I have failed you too long. I will kill myself to answer the army." All wept and could not raise their eyes. Mi said: "If you will not abandon me, let us go west to the Passes together. I have achieved nothing, but you will still win wealth and rank. Staff officer Liu Can said: "When Chizi submitted to Han he was still fed from the transport offices. You have old ties in Chang'an. You did not join the uprising, but you held the Eastern Capital and cut Sui's retreat so Tang took the capital without a fight—that is your merit too." All agreed." Mi submitted to Tang, was made Duke of Xing, and appointed Minister of the Imperial Household. Pei Renji of Hedong—Pei Renji, courtesy name Deben. His grandfather Bofeng had been Inspector of Fenzhou under the Zhou. His father Ding held the rank of Senior Master of Equipage. As a youth Renji was a fierce fighter and expert archer and horseman. Early in the Kaihuang era he joined the imperial guard. In the conquest of Chen he was first over the wall. He was made Master of Equipage and rewarded with a thousand rolls of goods. He served as a trusted officer in Prince of Han Yang Liang's household. When Emperor Yang succeeded, Yang Liang rebelled. Renji remonstrated fiercely. Liang was furious and threw him in prison. When Liang fell, the emperor praised him and promoted him to Protector of the Army. Years later he became a Brave Attendant General and followed Li Jing against the rebel Xiang Siduo in Qian'an. For merit he rose to Silver-Gleam Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with a hundred slaves and five hundred bolts of silk. He fought the Tuyuhun at Zhangye, defeated them, and was made Gold-Gleam Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He defeated Mohe raiders and was made Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He campaigned against Goguryeo and rose to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness.

帝幸江都，李密據洛口，令仁基為河南道討捕大使，據武牢以拒密。及滎陽通守張須陁為密所殺，仁基悉收其眾，每與密戰，多所斬獲。時隋大亂，有功者不錄。仁基見強寇在前，士卒勞敝，所得軍資，即用分賞。監軍御史蕭懷靜每抑止之，眾咸怨怒。懷靜又陰持仁基長短，欲有所奏劾。仁基懼，遂殺懷靜，以其眾歸密。密以為河東郡公。其子行儼，驍勇善戰，密復以為絳郡公，甚相委昵。

When the emperor went to Jiangdu, Li Mi held Luokou and appointed Renji Grand Ambassador for Henan suppression, holding Wulao against Mi. After Zhang Xuotuo was killed, Renji absorbed his troops. In repeated clashes with Mi he killed and captured many. The Sui court was collapsing and meritorious service went unrewarded. Facing a powerful enemy with exhausted troops, Renji gave all captured supplies directly to his men. Army censor Xiao Huaijing kept blocking the payouts. The troops grew furious. Huaijing also gathered evidence against Renji for an impeachment memorial. Fearing impeachment, Renji killed Huaijing and defected to Mi with his troops. Mi made him Duke of Hedong. His son Xingyan was a fierce warrior. Mi made him Duke of Jiang and favored him greatly.

王世充以東都食盡，悉眾詣偃師，與密決戰。密問計於諸將，仁基對曰：「世充盡銳而至，洛下必虛，可分兵守其要路，令不得東。簡精兵三萬，傍河西出，以逼東都。世充却還，我且按甲，世充重出，我又逼之。如此則此有餘力，彼勞奔命，兵法所謂『彼出我歸，彼歸我出，數戰以疲之，多方以誤之』者也。」密曰：「公知其一，不知其二。東都兵馬有三不可當：器械精，一也；決計而來，二也；食盡求鬬，三也。我按甲蓄力，以觀其敝，彼求鬬不得，欲走無路，不過十日，世充之首可懸於麾下。」單雄信等諸將輕世充，皆請戰，仁基苦爭不得。密難違諸將之言，戰遂大敗，仁基為世充所虜。世充以其父子並驍銳，深禮之，以兄女妻行儼。及僭尊號，署仁基為禮部尚書，行儼為左輔大將軍。行儼每有攻戰，所當皆披麾，號為「萬人敵」。世充憚其威名，頗加猜防。仁基知其意，不自安，遂與世充所署尚書左丞宇文儒童、尚食直長陳謙、祕書丞崔德本等謀反，令陳謙於上食之際，持匕首以劫世充，行儼以兵應於階下。指麾事定，然後出越王侗以輔之。事臨發，將軍張童仁知其謀而告之，俱為世充所殺。

With the Eastern Capital starving, Wang Shichong marched his whole army to Yanshi for a decisive battle with Mi. Mi asked his generals for counsel. Renji said: "Shichong brings everything he has. Luoyang must be empty. Hold the key roads so he cannot return east. Take thirty thousand elite troops west along the river and threaten the Eastern Capital. When he turns back we rest. When he marches out again we strike again. We keep our strength while he exhausts himself—the classic strategy: when he advances we withdraw, when he withdraws we advance, wear him down with repeated strikes and confuse him with many moves." Mi said: "You see one part, not the whole. Eastern Capital troops have three unbeatable advantages: first, fine weapons; second, they come determined to fight; third, they are starving and desperate. We wait and let them wear themselves out. They cannot get the fight they want and cannot escape. In ten days Shichong's head will hang from our standard." Shan Xiongxin and the others despised Shichong and demanded battle. Renji argued in vain. Mi could not overrule them. The army was crushed and Renji was taken by Shichong. Shichong honored them for their fighting prowess and married his niece to Xingyan. When Shichong declared himself emperor he made Renji Minister of Rites and Xingyan Left Assistant Grand General. In battle Xingyan swept all before him and was called "Match for Ten Thousand Men." Shichong feared his fame and watched him closely. Renji sensed the danger and plotted with Yuwen Rutong, Chen Qian, Cui Deben, and others to stab Shichong at dinner while Xingyan rose on the steps with troops. Once the coup succeeded they would install Prince of Yue Yang Tong as ruler. On the eve of the plot Zhang Tongren betrayed them. Shichong executed them all.

史臣曰：古先帝王之興也，非夫至德深仁格於天地，有豐功博利，弘濟艱難，不然，則其道無由矣。

The historian writes: Sage kings rise only when supreme virtue moves heaven and earth, or when vast merit relieves great hardship. Without that, there is no mandate.

自周邦不競，隋運將隆，武元、高祖並著大功於王室，平南國，摧東夏，總百揆，定三方，然後變謳歌，遷寶鼎。于時匈奴驕倨，勾吳不朝，既爭長於黃池，亦飲馬於清渭。高祖內綏外禦，曰不暇給，委心膂於俊傑，寄折衝於爪牙，文武爭馳，羣策畢舉。服猾夏之虜，掃黃旗之寇，峻五岳以作鎮，環四海以為池，厚澤被於域中，餘威震於殊俗。

When the Zhou declined and Sui rose, Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen both served the dynasty with great merit—pacifying the south, crushing the east, governing the realm, securing the three regions—then they took the throne. The Xiongnu grew arrogant; Wu did not pay court. They contested supremacy at Huangchi and watered horses on the Wei. Gaozu defended within and without, scarcely pausing to eat. He trusted his best men with power and war. Civil and military officers strove together; every stratagem was tried. He subdued barbarians and rebels, made the Five Sacred Peaks his walls and the four seas his moat. His grace filled the realm; his might shook distant lands.

煬帝蒙故業，踐丕基，阻伊、洛而固崤、函，跨兩都而總萬國。矜曆數之在己，忽王業之艱難，不務以道恤人，將以申威海外。運拒諫之智，騁飾非之辯，恥轍迹之未遠，忘德義之不修。於是鑿通渠，開馳道，樹以柳杞，隱以金槌。西出玉門，東踰碣石，塹山堙谷，浮河達海。民力凋盡，徭戍無期，率土之心，鳥驚魚潰。方西規奄蔡，南討流求，親總八狄之師，屢踐三韓之域。自以威行萬物，顧指無違，又躬為長君，功高曩列，寵不假於外戚，權不逮於羣下，足以𨏼轢軒、唐，奄吞周、漢，子孫萬代，人莫能窺，振古以來，一君而已。遂乃外疎猛士，內忌忠良，恥有盜竊之聲，惡聞喪亂之事。出師命將，不料眾寡，兵少力屈者，以畏懦受顯誅，竭誠克勝者，以功高蒙隱戮。或斃鋒刃之下，或殞鴆毒之中，賞不可以有功求，刑不可以無罪免，畏首畏尾，進退維谷。彼山東之羣盜，多出厮役之中，無尺土之資，十家之產，豈有陳涉亡秦之志，張角亂漢之謀哉！皆苦於上欲無厭，下不堪命，飢寒交切，救死雈蒲。莫識旌旗什伍之容，安知行師用兵之勢！但人自為戰，眾怒難犯，故攻無完城，野無橫陣，星離棊布，以千百數。豪傑因其機以動之，乘其勢而用之，雖有勇敢之士，明智之將，連踵覆沒，莫之能禦。煬帝魂褫氣懾，望絕兩京，謀竄身於江湖，襲永嘉之舊迹。既而禍生轂下，釁起舟中，思早告而莫追，唯請死而獲可。身棄南巢之野，首懸白旗之上，子孫勦絕，宗廟為墟。

Emperor Yang inherited a secure throne, held the passes of Yi and Luo and Xiao and Han, and ruled from two capitals over the realm. He thought the mandate was his alone, ignored the burden of rule, refused to govern with kindness, and sought glory abroad. He rejected counsel, excused his faults, chased ever farther campaigns, and forgot virtue. He dug the Grand Canal, built imperial highways, lined them with willows, and hid golden mallets in the banks. He went west through Jade Gate and east beyond Jieshi, cutting mountains, filling valleys, and channeling rivers to the sea. The people were exhausted. Labor and garrison duty never ended. The realm panicked like startled birds and scattered fish. He campaigned west against Yan and Cai and south against Liuqiu, leading barbarian armies again and again into Korea. He thought nothing could resist him. He outranked all past emperors, needed no in-laws, feared no minister—sure he surpassed the sage kings and would rule forever, unmatched in history. He distrusted his best fighters, hated loyal ministers, punished news of theft, and refused to hear of rebellion. He sent generals out without regard to odds. Defeated commanders were executed for cowardice; victorious ones were punished for overshadowing him. Some died in battle, some by poison. Merit won no reward; innocence won no pardon. Officers feared to advance and feared to retreat. The rebels east of the mountains were mostly conscripts with no land and no wealth—what did they have of Chen She's ambition to topple Qin or Zhang Jue's plot to ruin Han!" They suffered the emperor's endless demands above and unbearable orders below, hunger and cold together, and fled to save their lives. They knew nothing of military drill or command. How could they understand formal warfare!" Yet each fought for himself and collective rage was unstoppable. No walled city held; no field army stood. They spread like stars—thousands upon thousands. Heroes seized the moment and turned the tide. Brave commanders fell one after another and could not stop them. Emperor Yang lost heart and abandoned the two capitals, planning to flee south as the Jin court had fled at Yongjia. Soon rebellion struck at the capital and mutiny aboard his ship. He could not outrun disaster—he could only beg for death. He died abandoned in the wilderness. His head hung from a white flag. His line was cut off and the ancestral temple lay in ruins.

夫以開皇之初，比於大業之盛，度土地之廣狹，料戶口之眾寡，算甲兵之多少，校倉廩之虛實，九鼎之譬鴻毛，未喻輕重，培塿之方嵩岱，曾何等級！論地險則遼隧未擬於長江，語人謀則勾麗不侔於陳國。高祖掃江南以清六合，煬帝事遼東而喪天下。其故何哉？所為之迹同，所用之心異也。高祖北却強胡，南并百越，十有餘載，戎車屢動，民亦勞止，不為無事。然其動也，思以安之，其勞也，思以逸之。是以民致時雍，師無怨讟，誠在於愛利，故其興也勃焉。煬帝嗣承平之基，守已安之業，肆其淫放，虐用其民，視億兆如草芥，顧羣臣如寇讎，勞近以事遠，求名而喪實。兵纏魏闕，阽危弗圖，圍解雁門，慢遊不息。天奪之魄，人益其災，羣盜並興，百殃俱起，自絕民神之望，故其亡也忽焉。訊之古老，考其行事，此高祖之所由興，而煬帝之所以滅者也。可不謂然乎！其隋之得失存亡，大較與秦相類。始皇并吞六國，高祖統一九州，二世虐用威刑，煬帝肆行猜毒，皆禍起於羣盜，而身殞於匹夫。原始要終，若合符契矣。

Compare Kaihuang at its height with Daye at its peak—land, population, arms, granaries. The nine tripods beside a goose feather, a molehill beside Mount Song: the gap is beyond measure. In terrain, Liaodong was no match for the Yangzi campaign; in strategy, Goguryeo was no match for Chen. Gaozu pacified the south and united the realm. Emperor Yang campaigned in Liaodong and lost it. Why? Their actions looked alike; their intentions did not. Gaozu fought the northern barbarians and absorbed the south for more than ten years. The people labored; wars were frequent. He was not idle. Yet when he campaigned he meant to bring peace; when he burdened them he meant to give rest afterward. The people prospered and the army did not mutter. He ruled through care and reward, and his rise was swift. Emperor Yang inherited peace, then squandered it in debauchery, treated the people like grass and his ministers like enemies, exhausted the near to serve the far, and sought glory without substance. Rebellion reached the capital yet he would not act. After the siege at Wild Goose Gate he still wandered without urgency. Heaven withdrew its favor; men piled disaster on disaster. Rebels rose on every side. He lost the people and gods, and his fall was sudden. Ask the ancients and weigh their deeds: this is how Gaozu rose and how Emperor Yang fell. Is it not so! Sui's rise and fall largely mirror Qin's. The First Emperor united six states; Gaozu united the realm. The Second Emperor ruled by terror; Emperor Yang ruled by suspicion. Both were brought down by rebels and died at common hands. From beginning to end the parallel is exact.

玄感宰相之子，荷國重恩，君之失德，當竭股肱。未議致身，先圖問鼎，遂假伊、霍之事，將肆莽、卓之心。人神同疾，敗不旋踵，兄弟就葅醢之誅，先人受焚如之酷，不亦甚乎！李密遭會風雲，奮其鱗翼，思封函谷，將割鴻溝。朞月之間，眾數十萬，破化及，摧世充，聲動四方，威行萬里。雖運乖天眷，事屈興王，而義協人謀，雄名克振，壯矣！然志性輕狡，終致顛覆，其度長挈大，抑陳、項之季孟歟？

Xuangan was a minister's son favored by the state. When the emperor lost his way he should have given his life in service. Instead of serving faithfully he plotted usurpation, cloaking himself in Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou while acting like Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo. Men and gods alike reviled him. He fell in an instant. His brothers were butchered and his clan burned—is that not extreme enough! Li Mi rode the storm of the age, spread his wings, aimed to hold Hangu Pass and divide the empire like the warlords of old. Within months he commanded hundreds of thousands, defeated Huaji, crushed Shichong, and shook the realm. Though heaven denied him the throne, his cause won men's hearts and his fame endures—magnificent! Yet he was rash and cunning and fell in the end. Compared with Chen Sheng and Xiang Yu, where does he rank?

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