Volume 78 Biographies 43: Artists

藝術夫陰陽所以正時日，順氣序者也；卜筮所以決嫌疑，定猶豫者也；醫巫所以禦妖邪，養性命者也；音律所以和人神，節哀樂者也；相術所以辯貴賤，明分理者也；技巧所以利器用，濟艱難者也。此皆聖人無心，因民設教，救恤災患，禁止淫邪。自三五哲王，其所由來久矣。然昔之言陰陽者，則有箕子、裨灶、梓慎、子韋；曉音律者，則師曠、師摯、伯牙、杜夔；敘卜筮，則史扁、史蘇、嚴君平、司馬季主；論相術，則內史叔服、姑布子卿、唐舉、許負；語醫，則文摯、扁鵲、季咸、華佗；其巧思，則奚仲、墨翟、張平子、馬德衡。凡此諸君者，仰觀俯察，探賾索隱，鹹詣幽微，思侔造化，通靈入妙，殊才絕技。或弘道以濟時，或隱身以利物，深不可測，固無得而稱焉。近古涉乎斯術者，鮮有存夫貞一，多肆其淫僻，厚誣天道。或變亂陰陽，曲成君欲，或假託神怪，熒惑民心。遂令時俗妖訛，不獲返其真性，身罹災毒，莫得壽終而死。藝成而下，意在茲乎？曆觀經史百家之言，無不存夫藝術，或敘其玄妙，或記其迂誕，非徒用廣異聞，將以明乎勸戒。是以後來作者，或相祖述，故今亦采其尤著者，列為《藝術篇》雲。

The arts of yin-yang exist to set the calendar aright and keep human activity in step with the seasons. Divination exists to cut through doubt and settle what reason alone cannot decide. Medicine and ritual healing serve to repel malign forces and preserve life. Music harmonizes heaven and humanity and gives proper measure to sorrow and celebration. Physiognomy distinguishes rank and fortune and clarifies the lines fate draws among men. Technical ingenuity refines tools and sees people through hard times. The sages pursued none of these for personal gain; they shaped them as public teachings to relieve suffering in disaster and to check excess and evil. Their roots reach back to the sage rulers of antiquity and stretch across the ages. Masters of yin-yang in antiquity include Jizi, Pi Zao, Zi Shen, and Zi Wei; Masters of music include Shi Kuang, Shi Zhi, Boya, and Du Kui; In divination, there were Shi Bian, Shi Su, Yan Junping, and Sima Jizhu; In physiognomy, there were Inner Scribe Shufu, Gubu Ziqing, Tang Ju, and Xu Fu; In medicine, there were Wen Zhi, Bian Que, Ji Xian, and Hua Tuo; In ingenious craft, there were Xi Zhong, Mo Di, Zhang Heng, and Ma Jun. These men read heaven above and earth below, probing what is hidden and reaching into the subtle. Their minds rivaled creation itself; their insight touched the numinous. Each possessed rare genius and supreme mastery. Some brought the Way into the world to save their times; others withdrew from sight yet still served others. Their depths cannot be measured, and no praise can do them justice. In later ages, few who pursued these arts kept to a single-minded integrity. Most gave free rein to perverse practices and grossly abused the name of Heaven's Way. Some twisted the laws of yin and yang to gratify a ruler's desires; others used false omens and marvels to mislead the people. Custom grew grotesque and corrupt; people lost their true natures, fell prey to disaster, and died before their time. When an art has reached its height, it declines—is that what this means? Read through the classics, histories, and all schools of learning and you find the arts everywhere recorded—some telling of their wonders, some of their absurdities—not merely to entertain with marvels, but to teach by warning. Later writers have followed one another in recording such stories, and so I have gathered the most notable among them into this "Treatise on the Arts."

庾季才子質盧太翼耿詢

Yu Jicai, Zi Zhi, Lu Taiyi, and Geng Xun

庾季才，字叔奕，新野人也。八世祖滔，隨晉元帝過江，官至散騎常侍，封遂昌侯，因家于南郡江陵縣。祖詵，梁處士，與宗人易齊名。父曼倩，光祿卿。季才幼穎悟，八歲誦《尚書》，十二通《周易》，好占玄象。居喪以孝聞。梁廬陵王績辟荊州主簿，湘東王繹重其術藝，引授外兵參軍。西台建，累遷中書郎，領太史，封宜昌縣伯。季才固辭太史，元帝曰：「漢司馬遷曆世屍掌，魏高堂隆猶領此職，不無前例，卿何憚焉。」帝亦頗明星曆，因共仰觀，從容謂季才曰：「朕猶慮禍起蕭牆，何方可息？」季才曰：「頃天象告變，秦將入郢，陛下宜留重臣，作鎮荊陝，整旆還都，以避其患。假令羯寇侵蹙，止失荊湘，在於社稷，可得無慮。必久停留，恐非天意也。」帝初然之，後與吏部尚書宗懍等議，乃止。俄而江陵陷滅，竟如其言。

Yu Jicai, styled Shuyi, came from Xinye. Eight generations back his ancestor Yu Tao crossed the Yangtze with Emperor Yuan of Jin, rose to Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, received the title Marquis of Suichang, and settled the family in Jiangling, Nan Commandery. His grandfather Shen was a Liang recluse who shared renown with his kinsman Yi. His father Manqian served as Director of the Imperial Household. Jicai was precocious: at eight he could recite the Documents, at twelve he had mastered the Changes, and he took to reading the heavens. He was known for filial devotion during his period of mourning. Prince Ji of Luling recruited him as Registrar of Jing Province; Prince Yi of Xiangdong, impressed by his skills, made him External Army Aide. When the Western Headquarters was established, he rose through the ranks to Palace Gentleman, concurrently served as Grand Astrologer, and was enfeoffed as Baron of Yichang. Jicai firmly declined the post of Grand Astrologer. Emperor Yuan said, "In Han, Sima Qian held this office generation after generation; in Wei, Gao Tanglong still held it—there is precedent. Why do you shrink from it? The emperor was also fairly versed in astronomy and the calendar; they therefore observed the heavens together, and at leisure the emperor said to Jicai, "I still worry that trouble will rise within the palace walls—what means can quell it? Jicai said, "Recently the heavens have shown signs of change: Qin forces will enter Ying. Your Majesty should leave senior ministers behind to guard Jing and Shaan, marshal your banners, and return to the capital to avoid the calamity. Even if the Jie invaders press hard, you would lose only Jing and Xiang; the altars of state themselves need not be at risk. If you stay long, I fear that will not accord with Heaven's intent. At first the emperor agreed, but after discussing the matter with Minister of Personnel Zong Jin and others, he dropped the plan. Before long Jiangling fell and was destroyed, exactly as he had said.

周太祖一見季才，深加優禮，令參掌太史。每有征討，恆預侍從。賜宅一區，水田十頃，並奴婢牛羊什物等，謂季才曰：「卿是南人，未安北土，故有此賜者，欲絕卿南望之心。宜盡誠事我，當以富貴相答。」初，郢都之陷也，衣冠士人多沒為賤。季才散所賜物，購求親故。文帝問：「何能若此？」季才曰：「僕聞魏克襄陽，先昭異度，晉平建業，喜得士衡。伐國求賢，古之道也。今郢都覆敗，君信有罪，晉紳何咎，皆為賤隸！鄙人羈旅，不敢獻言，誠切哀之，故贖購耳。」太祖乃悟曰：「吾之過也。微君遂失天下之望！」因出令免梁俘為奴婢者數千口。

At their first meeting, Emperor Taizu of Zhou treated Jicai with exceptional courtesy and had him assist in managing the Grand Astrologer's office. Whenever there was a campaign, he was always present in attendance. He was granted one residence, ten qing of irrigated fields, and slaves, servants, cattle, sheep, and other goods, and the emperor said to Jicai, "You are a man of the south and are not yet settled in the northern lands; this grant is meant to cut off your longing to look south. Serve me with full loyalty, and I shall repay you with wealth and honor. When Ying fell at first, many gentry and officials were reduced to servitude. Jicai distributed what he had been granted to purchase and redeem relatives and old friends. Emperor Wen asked, "How can you do this? Jicai said, "I have heard that when Wei took Xiangyang, they first sought out Yi Du; when Jin pacified Jianye, they rejoiced to gain Lu Ji. In conquering a state, one seeks out the worthy—such is the ancient Way. Now Ying has been overthrown; if the lord was guilty, what crime did the gentry commit, that all should become base slaves! I am but a man stranded far from home and dare not speak up; I was moved only by pity, and so I redeemed them. Taizu then understood and said, "This was my fault. But for you, I would have lost the hope of the realm! He then issued an order freeing several thousand Liang captives who had been made slaves and servants.

武成二年，與王褒、庾信同補麟趾學士。累遷稍伯大夫、車騎大將軍、儀同三司。其後大塚宰宇文護執政，謂季才曰：「比日天道，有何徵祥？」季才對曰：「荷恩深厚，若不盡言，便同木石。頃上臺有變，不利宰輔，公宜歸政天子，請老私門。此則自享期頤，而受旦、奭之美，子孫籓屏，終保維城之固。不然者，非複所知。」護沈吟久之，謂季才曰：「吾本意如此，但辭未獲免耳。公既王官，可依朝例，無煩別參寡人也。」自是漸疏，不復別見。及護滅之後，閱其書記，武帝親自臨檢，有假託符命，妄造異端者，皆致誅戮。唯得季才書兩紙，盛言緯候災祥，宜反政歸權。帝謂少宗伯斛斯徵曰：「庾季才至誠謹愨，甚得人臣之禮。」因賜粟三百石，帛二百段。遷太史中大夫，詔撰《靈台秘苑》，加上儀同，封臨潁伯，邑六百戶。宣帝嗣位，加驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，增邑三百戶。

In the second year of Wucheng, he was appointed together with Wang Bao and Yu Xin as a Linqi Academician. He was promoted repeatedly to Grand Master of the Palace, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Senior Grand Master of State with the Three Excellencies' Honors. Later, when Grand Minister Yuwen Hu held power, he said to Jicai, "Of late, what omens has Heaven shown? Jicai replied, "Your grace has shown me deep favor; if I do not speak fully, I am no better than wood or stone. Recently there has been a change in the upper palace—a sign unfavorable to the chief minister. My lord should return power to the Son of Heaven and request retirement in his private home. Then you yourself will enjoy a full span of years and receive the glory of the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao; your descendants will serve as bulwarks of the realm and forever preserve the strength of the outer walls. Otherwise, what follows is beyond my knowledge. Hu pondered a long while, then said to Jicai, "That was my original intent, but my resignation was never accepted. Since you hold a royal office, follow court routine; there is no need to come separately to see me. From then on he gradually kept his distance and no longer received separate audiences. After Hu was destroyed, when his papers were examined, Emperor Wu personally inspected them; those who had forged mandates of fate and invented heterodox doctrines were all put to death. Only two letters from Jicai were found, strongly urging that the weft texts and celestial signs showed disaster and auspice and that power should be returned to the throne. The emperor said to Junior Director of the Imperial Clan Husi Zheng, "Yu Jicai is utterly sincere, careful, and upright—truly he observes the rites proper to a minister. He therefore granted three hundred shi of grain and two hundred bolts of silk. Jicai was promoted to Grand Master of the Astrologer's Office; an edict ordered him to compile the Secret Garden of the Spirit Terrace, and he was given the added honor of Senior Grand Master of State, enfeoffed as Baron of Linying with a fief of six hundred households. When Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, Jicai was given the additional titles of General of Agile Cavalry and Senior Grand Master of State with the Opening of an Office, and his fief was increased by three hundred households.

及高祖為丞相，嘗夜召季才而問曰：「吾以庸虛，受茲顧命，天時人事，卿以為何如？」季才曰：「天道精微，難可意察，切以人事卜之，符兆已定。季才縱言不可，公豈複得為箕、潁之事乎？」高祖默然久之，因舉首曰：「吾今譬猶騎獸，誠不得下矣。」因賜雜彩五十匹，絹二百段，曰：「愧公此意，宜善為思之。」大定元年正月，季才言曰：「今月戊戌平旦，青氣如樓闕，見於國城之上，俄而變紫，逆風西行。《氣經》雲：'天不能無雲而雨，皇王不能無氣而立。 '今王氣已見，須即應之。二月日出卯入酉，居天之正位，謂之二八之門。日者，人君之象，人君正位，宜用二月。其月十三日甲子，甲為六甲之始，子為十二辰之初，甲數九，子數又九，九為天數。其日即是驚蟄，陽氣壯發之時。昔周武王以二月甲子定天下，享年八百，漢高帝以二月甲午即帝位，享年四百，故知甲子、甲午為得天數。今二月甲子，宜應天受命。」上從之。

When Gaozu became Chancellor, he once summoned Jicai at night and asked, "I have received this charge in my mediocrity and inadequacy—what do you make of the signs of Heaven and the affairs of men? Jicai said, "The Way of Heaven is subtle and hard to grasp by mere intent; judged strictly by human affairs, the omen is already fixed. Even if Jicai said it could not be done, would you, my lord, still be able to retire to the life of Ji and Ying? Gaozu was silent a long while, then raised his head and said, "I am now like a man riding a beast—I truly cannot dismount. He then granted fifty bolts of patterned silk and two hundred bolts of plain silk, saying, "I am ashamed before your intent; think carefully on this. In the first month of the first year of Dading, Jicai said, "On the day wuxu of this month at dawn, green qi like a tower-gate appeared above the capital; soon it turned purple and moved west against the wind. The Classic of Qi says, "Heaven cannot be without clouds and yet send rain; a king cannot be without qi and yet stand firm. Now the kingly qi has appeared; you must respond to it at once. In the second month the sun rises at mao and sets at you, occupying the central position of Heaven—this is called the Gate of Two Eights. The sun is the image of the ruler; when the ruler occupies the correct position, the second month should be used. On the thirteenth day of that month, jiazi, jia is the beginning of the six jia and zi the beginning of the twelve branches; jia counts as nine and zi also counts as nine—nine is Heaven's number. That day is also the Awakening of Insects, when yang qi surges forth vigorously. Formerly King Wu of Zhou on jiazi of the second month settled the realm and enjoyed eight hundred years; Emperor Gaozu of Han on jiawu of the second month took the throne and enjoyed four hundred years—thus one knows that jiazi and jiawu accord with Heaven's number. On jiazi of the second month now, you should accept Heaven's mandate. The emperor followed his advice.

開皇元年，授通直散騎常侍。高祖將遷都，夜與高熲、蘇威二人定議，季才旦而奏曰：「臣仰觀玄象，俯察圖記，龜兆允襲，必有遷都。且堯都平陽，舜都冀土，是知帝王居止，世代不同。且漢營此城，經今將八百歲，水皆鹹鹵，不甚宜人。願陛下協天人之心，為遷徙之計。」高祖愕然，謂熲等曰：「是何神也！」遂發詔施行，購絹三百段，馬兩匹，進爵為公。謂季才曰：「朕自今已後，信有天道矣。」於是令季才與其子質撰《垂象》、《地形》等志。上謂季才曰：「天地秘奧，推測多途，執見不同，或致差舛。朕不欲外人干預此事，故使公父子共為之也。」及書成奏之，賜米千石，絹六百段。九年，出為均州刺史。策書始降，將就籓，時議以季才術藝精通，有詔還委舊任。季才以年老，頻表去職，每降優旨不許。會張胄玄曆行，及袁充言日影長。上以問季才，季才因言充謬。上大怒，由是免職，給半祿歸第。所有祥異，常使人就家訪焉。仁壽三年卒，時年八十八。

In the first year of Kaihuang, he was appointed Regular Attendant in Direct Service. When Gaozu was about to move the capital, he settled the plan at night with Gao Jiong and Su Wei; the next morning Jicai memorialized, "Your servant, looking up to observe the dark signs and looking down to examine charts and records, finds that tortoise and milfoil omens all agree—there must be a move of the capital. Moreover, Yao made his capital at Pingyang and Shun at Jizhou—thus one knows that where emperors and kings dwell differs from age to age. Moreover, Han built this city; nearly eight hundred years have passed, and the water is all brackish and bitter—not very suitable for human habitation. I pray Your Majesty will harmonize the hearts of Heaven and man and plan the move. Gaozu was startled and said to Jiong and the others, "What kind of spirit is this! An edict was then issued to carry it out; he was rewarded with three hundred bolts of silk and two horses, and his rank was advanced to Duke. He said to Jicai, "From now on I shall believe that Heaven has a Way. He then ordered Jicai and his son Zhi to compile treatises such as Hanging Images and Topography. The emperor said to Jicai, "The secrets of Heaven and Earth are profound; there are many paths of inference, and fixed opinions that differ can lead to error. I do not wish outsiders to interfere in this matter, and so I have you, father and son, undertake it together. When the work was completed and submitted, he was granted a thousand shi of rice and six hundred bolts of silk. In the ninth year he was sent out as Governor of Jun Prefecture. When the appointment edict had just been issued and he was about to take up his post as a frontier lord, court opinion held that Jicai's arts were supremely refined, and an edict recalled him to his former duties. Jicai, being old, repeatedly memorialized to leave office, but each time a gracious edict refused permission. It happened that Zhang Zhouxuan's calendar was put into use, and Yuan Chong spoke of the lengthening of the sun's shadow. The emperor questioned Jicai about it, and Jicai declared that Chong was in error. The emperor flew into a rage, stripped him of office, and sent him home on half pay. Whenever omens appeared, the court still sent messengers to his house to consult him. He died in the third year of Renshou, aged eighty-eight.

季才局量寬弘，術業優博，篤于信義，志好賓遊。常吉日良辰，與琅琊王褒、彭城劉㲄、河東裴政及宗人信等，為文酒之會。次有劉臻、明克讓、柳抃之徒，雖為後進，亦申遊款。撰《靈台秘苑》一百二十卷，《垂象志》一百四十二卷，《地形志》八十七卷，並行於世。

Jicai was open-hearted and learned, steadfast in loyalty, and fond of gathering friends for conversation. On fine days he would meet Wang Bao of Langya, Liu Yan of Pengcheng, Pei Zheng of Hedong, and his kinsman Xin for literary gatherings over wine. After them came Liu Zhen, Ming Kerang, Liu Bian, and others—juniors, but welcome in his circle nonetheless. He authored the Secret Garden of the Spirit Terrace in 120 scrolls, Records of Hanging Images in 142 scrolls, and Records of Topography in 87 scrolls, all of which circulated widely.

瘐質，字行修，少而明敏，早有志尚。八歲誦梁世祖《玄覽》、《言志》等十賦，拜童子郎。仕周齊煬王記室。開皇元年，除奉朝請，曆鄢陵令，遷隴州司馬。大業初，授太史令。操履貞愨，立言忠鯁，每有災異，必指事面陳。而煬帝性多忌刻，齊王暕亦被猜嫌。質子儉時為齊王屬，帝謂質曰：「汝不能一心事我，乃使兒事齊王，何向背如此邪？」質曰：「臣事陛下，子事齊王，實是一心，不敢有二。」帝怒不解，由是出為合水令。八年，帝親伐遼東，征詣行在所。至臨渝謁見，帝謂質曰：「朕承先旨，親事高麗，度其土地人民，才當我一郡，卿以為克不？」質對曰：「以臣管窺，伐之可克，切有愚見，不願陛下親行。」帝作色曰：「朕今總兵至此，豈可未見賊而自退也？」質又曰：「陛下若行，慮損軍威。臣猶願安駕住此，命驍將勇士指授規模，倍道兼行，出其不意。事宜在速，緩必無功。」帝不悅曰：「汝既難行，可住此也。」及師還，授太史令。九年，複征高麗，又問質曰：「今段複何如？」對曰：「臣實愚迷，猶執前見。陛下若親動萬乘，糜費實多。」帝怒曰：「我自行尚不能克，直遣人去，豈有成功也！」帝遂行。既而禮部尚書楊玄感據黎陽反，兵部侍郎斛斯政奔高麗，帝大懼，遽而西還，謂質曰：「卿前不許我行，當為此耳。今者玄感其成事乎？」質曰：「玄感地勢雖隆，德望非素，因百姓之勞苦，冀僥倖而成功。今天下一家，未易可動。」帝曰：「熒惑入鬥如何？」對曰：「鬥，楚之分，玄感之所封也。今火色衰謝，終必無成。」十年，帝自西京將往東都，質諫曰：「比歲伐遼，民實勞敝，陛下宜鎮撫關內，使百姓畢力歸農。三五年間，令四海少得豐實，然後巡省，於事為宜。陛下思之。」帝不悅，質辭疾不從。帝聞之，怒，遣使馳傳，鎖質詣行在所。至東都，詔令下獄，竟死獄中。

Yu Zhi, styled Xingxiu, was clever as a boy and early showed strong purpose. At eight he could recite ten fu by Emperor Shizu of Liang, including "Dark Contemplation" and "Declaring Intent," and was made Attendant Boy. Under Zhou he served as Recorder to Prince Yang of Qi. In the first year of Kaihuang he became Attendant at Court, later served as Magistrate of Yanling, and was promoted to Administrator of Long Prefecture. At the start of the Daye era he was appointed Grand Astrologer. He was upright and outspoken; whenever omens appeared he spoke plainly to the throne. Emperor Yang was suspicious by nature, and Prince Xiu of Qi likewise fell under suspicion. Zhi's son Jian served Prince Qi, and the emperor said to Zhi, "You cannot give me your whole loyalty—you set your son to serve Prince Qi. Why this divided allegiance? Zhi replied, "I serve Your Majesty; my son serves Prince Qi. It is one loyalty, not two. The emperor would not be appeased and sent Zhi out as Magistrate of Heshui. In the eighth year the emperor marched personally against Liaodong and summoned Zhi to the field headquarters. At Linyu the emperor asked Zhi, "I follow my predecessor's intent in attacking Goguryeo myself. Its land and people are no more than one of our commanderies—do you think we can conquer it? Zhi answered, "By my limited judgment the war can be won, but I would rather Your Majesty not go yourself. The emperor flushed and said, "I have brought the army this far—how can I turn back before even seeing the enemy? Zhi added, "If Your Majesty goes in person, I fear it will weaken the army's prestige. I would rather Your Majesty stay here safely and send bold generals to direct the campaign, marching by forced stages to strike where the enemy does not expect. Speed is everything; delay will bring failure. Displeased, the emperor said, "Since you find it hard to go, stay here. When the army returned, Zhi was appointed Grand Astrologer. In the ninth year, with Goguryeo attacked again, the emperor asked Zhi, "How does this campaign look now? He replied, "I am dull and still hold to my earlier view. If Your Majesty leads the imperial host in person, the cost will be enormous. The emperor snapped, "If I go myself and still cannot win, how could sending others alone succeed! The emperor went anyway. Soon Minister of Rites Yang Xuangan rebelled at Liyang and Vice Minister of War Husi Zheng fled to Goguryeo. The emperor hurried west in alarm and told Zhi, "You would not let me go—it was for this. Will Xuangan succeed now? Zhi said, "Xuangan holds strong ground but no moral authority; he relies on popular exhaustion and hopes for a lucky break. The realm is united; he will not easily prevail. The emperor asked, "What of Mars entering the Dipper? He replied, "The Dipper marks the Chu region—Xuangan's fief. The fire star is fading; he will not succeed in the end. In the tenth year, as the emperor prepared to leave the Western Capital for the Eastern Capital, Zhi remonstrated, "Years of Liaodong campaigns have exhausted the people. Your Majesty should settle the heartland and let the people return fully to farming. In three to five years, when the realm has regained some prosperity, a tour would be appropriate. Your Majesty, please consider this. The emperor was displeased; Zhi pleaded illness and refused to accompany him. Enraged, the emperor sent a courier to shackle Zhi and bring him to the field headquarters. At the Eastern Capital an edict sent him to prison, where he died.

子儉，亦傳父業，兼有學識。仕曆襄武令、元德太子學士、齊王屬。義甯初，為太史令，時有盧太翼、耿詢，並以星曆知名。

His son Jian inherited his father's arts and had scholarly attainments of his own. He served as Magistrate of Xiangwu, Academician to the Crown Prince of Yuande, and Aide to Prince Qi. At the start of Yining he became Grand Astrologer; Lu Taiyi and Geng Xun were then both renowned for astronomy and calendrics.

盧太翼，字協昭，河間人也，本姓章仇氏。七歲詣學，日誦數千言，州裡號曰神童。及長，閒居味道，不求榮利。博綜群書，爰及佛道，皆得其精微。尤善占候算曆之術。隱于白鹿山，數年徙居林慮山茱萸澗。請業者自遠而至，初無所拒，後憚其煩，逃於五臺山。地多藥物，與弟子數人廬於岩下，蕭然絕世，以為神仙可致。皇太子勇聞而召之，太翼知太子必不為嗣，謂所親曰：「吾拘逼而來，不知所稅駕也！」及太子廢，坐法當死，高祖惜其才而不害，配為官奴。久之，乃釋。其後目盲，以手摸書而知其字。仁壽末，高祖將避暑仁壽宮，太翼固諫不納，至於再三。太翼曰：「臣愚豈敢飾詞，但恐是行鑾輿不反。」高祖大怒，系之長安獄，期還而斬之。高祖至宮寢疾，臨崩，謂皇太子曰：「章仇翼，非常人也，前後言事，未嘗不中。吾來日道當不反，今果至此，爾宜釋之。」及煬帝即位，漢王諒反，帝以問之。答曰：「上稽玄象，下參人事，何所能為？」未幾，諒果敗。帝常從容言及天下氏族，謂太翼曰：「卿姓章仇，四嶽之胄，與盧同源。」於是賜姓為盧氏。大業九年，從駕至遼東，太翼言於帝曰：「黎陽有兵氣。」後數日而玄感反書聞，帝甚異之，數加賞賜。太翼所言天文之事，不可稱數，關諸秘密，世莫得聞。後數載，卒於洛陽。

Lu Taiyi, styled Xiezhao, came from Hejian; his original surname was Zhangqiu. At seven he entered school and recited several thousand characters daily; neighbors called him a prodigy. As an adult he lived in seclusion, savoring the Way, and sought neither fame nor gain. He mastered many books, including Buddhist and Daoist texts, reaching their subtle core in each. He was especially skilled in prognostication, observation, calculation, and calendrics. He withdrew to Mount Bailu, then after several years moved to Zhuyu Stream in the Linlu Mountains. Students came from afar; at first he never refused them, but later, weary of the crowd, he fled to Mount Wutai. Medicinal herbs grew there in abundance; he built a hut on the cliffs with several disciples, cut off from the world, believing immortality attainable. Crown Prince Yong summoned him; Taiyi knew the prince would never succeed and told his intimates, "I have been dragged here—I do not know where this will end! When the prince was deposed, Taiyi faced death; Gaozu spared his talent and made him a government slave instead. After a long while he was freed. Later he went blind and could read by feeling the characters with his hand. At the end of Renshou, as Gaozu prepared to summer at Renshou Palace, Taiyi remonstrated firmly and was ignored, even after repeating himself again and again. Taiyi said, "I am no flatterer—I only fear the imperial carriage will not return from this journey. Gaozu was furious, imprisoned him in Chang'an, and set a date to behead him on his return. Gaozu fell ill at the palace; on his deathbed he told the crown prince, "Zhangqiu Yi is no ordinary man—his predictions have never missed. I said I would not return, and so it has proved; you should release him. When Emperor Yang took the throne and Prince Xiu of Han rebelled, the emperor asked Taiyi about it. He replied, "Judging heaven above and men below—what can he accomplish? Before long Prince Xiu was indeed defeated. The emperor often spoke of great clans and told Taiyi, "Your surname Zhangqiu marks you as descended from the Four Peaks, of the same origin as the Lu. He then granted him the surname Lu. In the ninth year of Daye, on the Liaodong campaign, Taiyi told the emperor, "There is a martial aura at Liyang. Days later came word of Xuangan's rebellion; the emperor was astonished and richly rewarded him. Taiyi's predictions about heaven were countless and touched state secrets the world never heard. Several years later he died at Luoyang.

耿詢，字敦信，丹陽人也。滑稽辯給，伎巧絕人。陳後主之世，以客從東衡州刺史王勇於嶺南。勇卒，詢不歸，遂與諸越相結，皆得其歡心。會郡俚反叛，推詢為主。柱國王世積討擒之，罪當誅。自言有巧思，世積釋之，以為家奴。久之，見其故人高智寶以玄象直太史，詢從之受天文算術。詢創意造渾天儀，不假人力，以水轉之，施於暗室中，使智寶外候天時，合如符契。世積知而奏之，高祖配詢為官奴，給使太史局。後賜蜀王秀，從往益州，秀甚信之。及秀廢，複當誅，何稠言于高祖曰：「耿詢之巧，思若有神，臣誠為朝廷惜之。」上於是特原其罪。詢作馬上刻漏，世稱其妙。煬帝即位，進欹器，帝善之，放為良民。歲餘，授右尚方署監事。七年，車駕東征，詢上書曰：「遼東不可討，師必無功。」帝大怒，命左右斬之，何稠苦諫得免。及平壤之敗，帝以詢言為中，以詢守太史丞。宇文化及弑逆之後，從至黎陽，謂其妻曰：「近觀人事，遠察天文，宇文必敗，李氏當王，吾知所歸矣。」詢欲去之，為化及所殺。著《鳥情占》一卷，行於世。韋鼎韋鼎，字超盛，京兆杜陵人也。高祖玄，隱于商山，因而歸宋。祖睿，梁開府儀同三司。父正，黃門侍郎。鼎少通脫，博涉經史，明陰陽逆刺，尤善相術。仕梁，起家湘東王法曹參軍。遭父憂，水漿不入口者五日，哀毀過禮，殆將滅性。服闋，為邵陵王主簿。侯景之亂，鼎兄昂卒于京城，鼎負屍出，寄于中興寺。求棺無所得，鼎哀憤慟哭，忽見江中有物，流至鼎所，鼎切異之。往見，乃新棺也，因以充殮。元帝聞之，以為精誠所感。侯景平，司徒王僧辯以為戶曹屬，曆太尉掾、大司馬從事、中書侍郎。

Geng Xun, styled Dunxin, came from Danyang. He was witty, eloquent, and surpassingly ingenious. Under Chen Emperor Houzhu he followed Governor Wang Yong of East Heng Province to Lingnan as a client. When Yong died, Xun did not return north but bonded with the Yue peoples and won their affection. When tribal leaders in the commandery rebelled, they made Xun their chief. Pillar of State Wang Shiji captured him in punitive action; the crime called for death. He claimed ingenious skill; Shiji spared him and kept him as a household slave. Long afterward he found his old acquaintance Gao Zhibao serving as Direct Astrologer and studied astronomy and calculation under him. Xun invented a water-driven armillary sphere needing no human hand; placed in a dark room, when Zhibao watched the sky outside, the two matched perfectly. Shiji reported it; Gaozu made Xun a government slave and assigned him to the Astrologer's Bureau. Later he was given to Prince Xiu of Shu and followed him to Yizhou, where the prince trusted him deeply. When the prince was deposed, Xun again faced death; He Chou told Gaozu, "Geng Xun's ingenuity is near miraculous—the court would be the poorer for losing him. The emperor thereupon specially pardoned him. Xun built a portable clepsydra for use on horseback, and contemporaries marveled at it. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Xun presented a tilt-vessel; the emperor approved and freed him as a commoner. More than a year later he was appointed Supervisor of the Right Palace Workshops. In the seventh year, on the eastern campaign, Xun memorialized, "Liaodong cannot be subdued; the army will fail. The emperor was furious and ordered him beheaded; He Chou's desperate remonstrance saved him. After the defeat at Pyongyang the emperor judged Xun right and made him Acting Director of the Astrologer's Office. After Yuwen Huaji's regicide, at Liyang he told his wife, "Watching men near and heaven far, Yuwen will fail and the Li will rise—I know where to go. Xun tried to leave but Huaji killed him. He wrote Bird-Omen Prognostics in one scroll, which circulated widely. Wei Ding, styled Chaosheng, came from Duling in Jingzhao. His ancestor Xuan withdrew to Mount Shang and later entered Song service. His grandfather Rui served Liang as Senior Grand Master of State with the Opening of an Office. His father Zheng was Vice Director of the Secretariat. From youth Ding was free-spirited and widely read in the classics and histories; he understood yin-yang and reversal cycles and was especially skilled in physiognomy. Under Liang he began as Legal Officer Aide to Prince Yi of Xiangdong. At his father's death he took no food or drink for five days; his grief exceeded the rites and nearly cost him his life. When mourning ended he served as Secretary to Prince Shao of Ling. During Hou Jing's rebellion Ding's elder brother Ang died in the capital; Ding carried the body out and laid it at Zhongxing Temple. Unable to find a coffin, Ding wept in grief and rage until something in the river drifted toward him—he was astonished. He found it was a new coffin and used it for the burial. Emperor Yuan took it as a response to sincere devotion. After Hou Jing was pacified, Wang Sengbian made him a member of the Households Bureau; he rose through posts as Aide to the Grand Commandant, staff to the Grand Marshal, and Vice Director of the Secretariat.

陳武帝在南徐州，鼎望氣知其當王，遂寄孥焉。因謂陳武帝曰：「明年有大臣誅死，後四歲，梁其代終，天之歷數當歸舜後。昔周滅殷氏，封媯滿于宛丘，其裔子孫因為陳氏。僕觀明公天縱神武，繼絕統者，無乃是乎！」武帝陰有圖僧辯意，聞其言，大喜，因而定策。及受禪，拜黃門侍郎，俄遷司農卿、司徒右長史、貞威將軍，領安右晉安王長史、行府國事，轉廷尉卿。太建中，為聘周主使，加散騎常侍。尋為秘書監、宣遠將軍，轉臨海王長史，行吳興郡事。入為太府卿。至德初，鼎盡質貨田宅，寓居僧寺。友人大匠卿毛彪問其故，答曰：「江東王氣盡於此矣。吾與爾當葬長安。期運將及，故破產耳。」

At South Xuzhou Ding read the qi and knew Chen Wudi would become king, and sent his family to join him. He told Chen Wudi, "Next year a great minister will die by execution; four years later Liang's mandate ends and Heaven's succession returns to Shun's line. When Zhou destroyed Yin it enfeoffed Gui Man at Wancheng; his descendants became the Chen clan. I see in you Heaven's gift and divine martial prowess—the restorer of a broken line. Could it not be you? Wudi already secretly planned against Sengbian; hearing this he was delighted and fixed his strategy. At the abdication he became Vice Director of the Secretariat, then Minister of Agriculture, Senior Secretary on the Right, General of Manifest Prestige, Chief Secretary to Prince Jin'an, acting fief administrator, then Director of the Court of Justice. In the Taijian era he was envoy to betroth a Zhou princess and received the added title Regular Attendant. Soon he became Director of the Secretariat, General of Extended Reach, Chief Secretary to Prince Linhai, and acting administrator of Wuxing Commandery. He entered court as Director of the Imperial Treasury. At the start of Zhide he pawned all his property and lodged in a temple. His friend Mao Biao, Grand Master of Works, asked why; he answered, "Jiangdong's kingly qi is exhausted here. You and I shall be buried in Chang'an. The turn of fate is near—that is why I have ruined my estate."

初，鼎之聘周也，嘗與高祖相遇，鼎謂高祖曰：「觀公容貌，故非常人，而神監深遠，亦非群賢所逮也。不久必大貴，貴則天下一家，歲一周天，老夫當委質。公相不可言，願深自愛。」及陳平，上馳召之，授上儀同三司，待遇甚厚。上每與公王宴賞，鼎恆預焉。高祖嘗從容謂之曰：「韋世康與公相去遠近？」鼎對曰：「臣宗族分派，南北孤絕，自生以來，未嘗訪問。」帝曰：「公百世卿族，何得爾也。」乃命官給酒肴，遣世康與鼎還杜陵，樂飲十餘日。鼎乃考校昭穆，自楚太傅孟以下二十餘世，作《韋氏譜》七卷。時蘭陵公主寡，上為之求夫，選親衛柳述及蕭瑒等以示於鼎。鼎曰：「瑒當封侯，而無貴妻之相，述亦通顯，而守位不終。」上曰：「位由我耳。」遂以主降述。上又問鼎：「諸兒誰得嗣？」答曰：「至尊、皇后所最愛者，即當與之，非臣敢預知也。」上笑曰：「不肯顯言乎？」

On his Zhou mission Ding once met Gaozu and said, "Your face is no ordinary man's; your insight is deep beyond other worthies. Soon you will rise to great honor; when honored the realm will be one family. When a year completes its heavenly cycle, this old man will offer allegiance. Your fate cannot be spoken of—please cherish yourself deeply. When Chen fell the emperor summoned him and appointed him Senior Grand Master of State with the Three Excellencies' Honors, treating him generously. Whenever the emperor feasted princes and dukes, Ding was always present. Gaozu once asked him at leisure, "How close are you to Wei Shikang? Ding replied, "Our clan split; north and south are cut off. From birth I have never inquired. The emperor said, "Your clan is a hundred-generation ministerial house—how can this be? He ordered wine and food supplied and sent Shikang with Ding to Duling to feast for more than ten days. Ding verified the generations from Chu Grand Tutor Meng downward for twenty-plus generations and compiled the Genealogy of the Wei Clan in seven scrolls. Princess of Lanling was widowed; the emperor selected Imperial Guard Liu Shu and Xiao Yang among others to show Ding. Ding said, "Yang will be enfeoffed but lacks a noble wife's physiognomy; Shu will rise but not hold rank to the end. The emperor said, "Rank is in my hands. He then gave the princess to Shu in marriage. The emperor again asked, "Which son will succeed? He answered, "Whomever Your Majesty and the empress love most—that one will receive it; I dare not presume to know. The emperor laughed, "You won't speak plainly?"

開皇十二年，除光州刺史，以仁義教導，務弘清靜。州中有土豪，外修邊幅，而內行不軌，常為劫盜。鼎于都會時謂之曰：「卿是好人，那忽作賊？」因條其徒黨謀議逗留，其人驚懼，即自首伏。又有人客遊，通主家之妾，及其還去，妾盜珍物，於夜亡，尋于草中為人所殺。主家知客與妾通，因告客殺之。縣司鞫問，具得奸狀，因斷客死。獄成，上於鼎，鼎覽之曰：「此客實奸，而殺非也。乃某寺僧詃妾盜物，令奴殺之，贓在某處。」即放此客，遣掩僧，並獲贓物。自是部內肅然不言，鹹稱其有神，道無拾遺。尋追入京，以年老多病，累加優賜。頃之，卒，年七十九。來和來和，字弘順，京兆長安人也。少好相術，所言多驗。大塚宰宇文護引之左右，由是出入公卿之門。初為夏官府下士，累遷少卜上士，購爵安定鄉男。遷畿伯下大夫，進封洹水縣男。高祖微時，來詣和相，和待人去，謂高祖曰：「公當王有四海。」及為丞相，拜儀同，既受禪，進爵為子。開皇末，和上表自陳曰：

In Kaihuang year twelve he became Governor of Guang Prefecture, teaching benevolence and righteousness and promoting clarity and quiet. A local strongman in the prefecture kept proper appearances outwardly but robbed and plundered inwardly. At a public gathering Ding said to him, "You are a good man—why turn bandit? He listed the gang's plots; the man was alarmed and confessed. A traveling guest had an affair with his host's concubine; when he left she stole valuables and fled by night, and was later found killed in the grass. The host knew of the affair and accused the guest of murder. The county established the adultery and sentenced the guest to death. Ding read the completed case and said, "The guest was adulterous but did not kill. A monk at a certain temple seduced the concubine to steal, had a slave kill her, and the loot is at a certain place. He released the guest, seized the monk, and recovered the stolen goods. Thereafter the commandery was quiet; all praised his divine insight, and nothing lost on the road was picked up. Soon he was recalled; old and often ill, he received repeated special favors. Before long he died, aged seventy-nine. Lai He, styled Hongshun, came from Chang'an in Jingzhao. From youth he loved physiognomy; his words often came true. Grand Minister Yuwen Hu kept him at his side, and he passed through the gates of dukes and ministers. He began as Lower Clerk in the Summer Government Office, rose to Senior Diviner Clerk, and purchased the title Baron of Anding Township. He became Lower Grand Master of the Ji Domain and advanced to Baron of Huanshui County. When Gaozu was still obscure, Lai had He read his face; after Lai left, He told Gaozu, "You will become king and possess all within the seas. When Gaozu became Chancellor, He was appointed Senior Grand Master of State; after the abdication his rank advanced to Viscount. At the end of Kaihuang, He submitted a personal memorial:

臣早奉龍顏，自周代天和三年已來，數蒙陛下顧問，當時具言至尊膺圖受命，光宅區宇。此乃天授，非由人事所及。臣無勞效，坐致五品，二十餘年。臣是何人，敢不慚懼！愚臣不任區區之至，謹錄陛下龍潛之時，臣有所言一得，書之秘府，死無所恨。昔陛下在周，嘗與永富公竇榮定語臣曰：「我聞有行聲，即識其人。」臣當時即言公眼如曙星，無所不照，當王有天下，願忍誅殺。建德四年五月，周武帝在雲陽宮，謂臣曰：「諸公皆汝所識，隋公相祿何如？」臣報武帝曰：「隋公止是守節人，可鎮一方。若為將領，陳無不破。」臣即于宮東南奏聞。陛下謂臣，此語不忘。明年，烏丸軌言于武帝曰：「隋公非人臣。」帝尋以問臣，臣知帝有疑，臣詭報曰：「是節臣，更無異相。」于時王誼、梁彥光等知臣此語。大象二年五月，至尊從永巷東門入，臣在永巷門東，北面立，陛下問臣曰：「我無災障不？」臣奏陛下曰：「公骨法氣色相應，天命已有付屬。」未幾，遂總百揆。

Your servant early received the dragon countenance; since Zhou Tianhe year three I have repeatedly been consulted, and then fully stated that Your Majesty would receive the mandate and illuminate the realm. This is Heaven's grant, not within human reach. Your servant had no merit yet sat at the fifth rank for more than twenty years. What kind of man am I that I dare not feel shame and fear! I cannot bear this utmost sincerity; I respectfully record what Your Majesty said in obscurity that I got right once, and place it in the secret archive—then I can die without regret. Formerly in Zhou Your Majesty spoke with Duke of Yongfu Dou Rongding and told me, "I hear a man's gait and know the man. I then said your eyes are like dawn stars, illuminating all—when you become king, please restrain executions. In Jiande year four, fifth month, Zhou Wudi at Yunyang Palace asked me, "The lords are all men you know—how is Chancellor Sui's emolument? I reported, "Chancellor Sui only keeps his integrity—he can guard one region. As a general he would break Chen without fail. I then reported this at the palace's southeast. Your Majesty told me you never forgot these words. The next year Wuji told Zhou Wudi, "Chancellor Sui is no subject of a king. The emperor soon asked again; knowing he had doubts, I falsely reported, "He is a man of integrity—no other physiognomy. Wang Yi, Liang Yanguang, and others knew my words then. In Daxiang year two, fifth month, Your Majesty entered from the Everlasting Lane's east gate; I stood north of that gate, and Your Majesty asked, "Do I have no calamity? I memorialized, "Your bone structure and qi-color correspond—Heaven's mandate is already entrusted. Before long you indeed took charge of all affairs.

上覽之大悅，進位開府，購物五百段，米三百石，地十頃。

The emperor read it with great pleasure, promoted him to Grand Master with the Opening of an Office, and granted five hundred bolts of goods, three hundred shi of rice, and ten qing of land.

和同郡韓則，嘗詣和相，和謂之曰：「後四五當得大官。」人初不知所謂。則至開皇十五年五月而終，人問其故，和曰：「十五年為三五，加以五月為四五。大官，槨也。」和言多此類。著《相經》四十卷。

Han Ze of the same commandery once came for a reading; He said, "In four or five years you will obtain a great office. People at first did not know what he meant. Ze died in Kaihuang year fifteen, fifth month; when asked, He said, "Fifteen years is three-five; adding the fifth month makes four-five. Great office means coffin. He's words were mostly of this kind. He authored Physiognomy Classic in forty scrolls.

道士張賓、焦子順、雁門人董子華，此三人，當高祖龍潛時，並私謂高祖曰：「公當為天子，善自愛。」及踐阼，以賓為華州刺史，子順為開府，子華為上儀同。

Daoists Zhang Bin, Jiao Zishun, and Dong Zihua of Yanmen—all three, when Gaozu was in obscurity, privately told him, "You will become Son of Heaven—cherish yourself. At the abdication Bin became Governor of Hua Prefecture, Zishun Grand Master with the Opening of an Office, and Zihua Senior Grand Master of State.

蕭吉楊伯醜臨孝恭劉祐

Xiao Ji, Yang Bochou, Lin Xiaogong, and Liu You

蕭吉，字文休，梁武帝兄長沙宣武王懿之孫也。博學多通，尤精陰陽算術。江陵陷，遂歸於周，為儀同。宣帝時，吉以朝政日亂，上書切諫。帝不納。及隋受禪，進上儀同，以本官太常考定古今陰陽書。吉性孤峭，不與公卿相沉浮，又與楊素不協，由是擯落於世，鬱鬱不得志。見上好徵祥之說，欲幹沒自進，遂矯其跡為悅媚焉。開皇十四年上書曰：「今年歲在甲寅，十一月朔旦，以辛酉為冬至。來年乙卯，正月朔旦，以庚申為元日，冬至之日，即在朔旦。《樂汁圖徵》雲：'天元十一月朔旦冬至，聖王受享祚。 '今聖主在位，居天元之首，而朔旦冬至，此慶一也。辛酉之日，即是至尊本命，辛德在丙，此十一月建丙子。酉德在寅，正月建寅為本命，與月德合，而居元朔之首，此慶二也。庚申之日，即是行年，乙德在庚，卯德在申，來年乙卯，是行年與歲合德，而在元旦之朝，此慶三也。《陰陽書》雲：'年命與歲月合德者，必有福慶。 '《洪範傳》雲：'歲之朝，月之朝，日之朝，主王者。 '經書並謂三長應之者，延年福吉。況乃甲寅部首，十一月陽之始，朔旦冬至，是聖王上元。正月是正陽之月，歲之首，月之先。朔旦是歲之元，月之朝，日之先，嘉辰之會。而本命為九元之先，行年為三長之首，並與歲月合德。所以《靈寶經》雲：'角音龍精，其祚日強。 '來歲年命納音俱角，曆之與經，如合符契。又甲寅、乙卯，天地合也，甲寅之年，以辛酉冬至，來年乙卯，以甲子夏至。冬至陽始，郊天之日，即是至尊本命，此慶四也。夏至陰始，祀地之辰，即是皇后本命，此慶五也。至尊德並乾之覆育，皇后仁同地之載養，所以二儀元氣，並會本辰。」上覽之大悅，賜物五百段。

Xiao Ji, styled Wenxiu, was a grandson of Prince Xuanwu of Changsha, elder brother of Liang Wudi. He was broadly learned and mastered many fields, especially yin-yang and calculation. When Jiangling fell he entered Zhou service as Senior Grand Master of State. Under Emperor Xuan, as court affairs grew corrupt daily, he submitted stern remonstrance. The emperor did not accept it. When Sui received the abdication he was promoted to Senior Grand Master of State and, as Director of Ceremonies, ordered to examine ancient and modern yin-yang books. Ji was solitary and aloof, not mingling with ministers; he also clashed with Yang Su and was cast aside, depressed and unfulfilled. Seeing the emperor loved auspicious signs, he wished to advance by flattery and disguised his manner accordingly. In Kaihuang year fourteen he memorialized, "This year is jia-yin; on the first day of the eleventh month, xin-you is the winter solstice. Next year yi-mao: on the first day of the first month, geng-shen is New Year's Day; the winter solstice falls on the first day of the month. The Classic of Music's Portent of Juice says, "On the first day of the eleventh month at the winter solstice, the sage king receives the mandate and enjoys the throne. Now the sage lord sits at Heaven's origin, and at the first day of the month comes the winter solstice—this is the first felicity. The day xin-you is Your Majesty's natal day; xin's virtue is in bing—this eleventh month establishes bing-zi. You's virtue is in yin; the first month establishes yin as natal day, combining with the month's virtue at New Year's head—this is the second felicity. The day geng-shen is the year of personal fortune; next year yi-mao combines year-fortune with year-virtue on New Year's morning—this is the third felicity. The Book of Yin-Yang says, "When natal fortune combines with year and month virtue, blessing must follow. The Tradition of the Great Plan says, "The morning of year, month, and day belong to the king. The classics all say that when the three chiefs respond, life extends and fortune is auspicious. Moreover jia-yin heads the year; the eleventh month starts yang; the first day at the winter solstice is the sage king's upper origin. The first month is the month of correct yang, head of the year and foremost of months. The first day is the year's origin, the month's morning, the day's fore—a meeting of auspicious seasons. Natal fortune is the fore of the nine origins; the year of personal fortune heads the three chiefs—both combine virtue with year and month. Therefore the Classic of the Numinous Treasure says, "The horn tone is dragon essence; its mandate grows daily stronger. Next year's natal fortune and received tone are both horn; calendar and classic match like tally and seal. Moreover jia-yin and yi-mao combine Heaven and Earth: in jia-yin the winter solstice is xin-you; next year yi-mao the summer solstice is jia-zi. The winter solstice begins yang and is the day of sacrifice to Heaven—it is Your Majesty's natal day; this is the fourth felicity. The summer solstice begins yin and is the day of sacrifice to Earth—it is the empress's natal day; this is the fifth felicity. Your Majesty's virtue matches Heaven's nurture; the empress's benevolence matches Earth's nurture—thus the two origins' qi meet at the natal days. The emperor read it with great pleasure and granted five hundred bolts of goods.

房陵王時為太子，言東宮多鬼巉，鼠妖數見。上令吉詣東宮，禳邪氣。于宣慈殿設神坐，有回風從艮地鬼門來，掃太子坐。吉以桃湯葦火驅逐之，風出宮門而止。又謝土，於未地設壇，為四門，置五帝坐。于時至寒，有楎蟆從西南來，入人門，升赤帝坐，還從人門而出。行數步，忽然不見。上大異之，賞賜優洽。又上言太子當不安位，時上陰欲廢立，得其言是之。由此每被顧問。

Prince of Fangling was then crown prince; the Eastern Palace was said to have many ghosts and rat demons appeared repeatedly. The emperor ordered Ji to the Eastern Palace to exorcise evil qi. At Xuanci Hall he set spirit seats; a whirlwind came from gen's ghost gate in the northeast, sweeping the crown prince's seat. Ji used peach broth and reed fire to drive it off; the wind went out the palace gate and stopped. He also performed soil-thanking rites, setting an altar at wei with four gates and seats for the Five Emperors. In extreme cold a toad came from the southwest, entered the human gate, ascended the Red Emperor's seat, and returned out the human gate. After several paces it suddenly vanished. The emperor was greatly astonished and rewarded him generously. He also said the crown prince would not hold his position securely; the emperor secretly wished to depose and install, and valued his words. From this he was frequently consulted.

及獻皇后崩，上令吉卜擇葬所，吉曆筮山原，至一處，雲「卜年二千，卜世二百」，具圖而奏之。上曰：「吉凶由人，不在於地。高緯父葬，豈不卜乎？國尋滅亡。正如我家墓田，若雲不吉，朕不當為天子；若雲不凶，我弟不當戰沒。」然竟從吉言。吉表曰：「去月十六日，皇后山陵西北，雞未鳴前，有黑雲方圓五六百步，從地屬天。東南又有旌旗車馬帳幕，佈滿七八裡，並有人往來檢校，部伍甚整，日出乃滅，同見者十餘人。謹案《葬書》雲：'氣王與姓相生，大吉。 '今黑氣當冬王，與姓相生，是大吉利，子孫無疆之候也。」上大悅。其後上將親臨發殯，吉複奏上曰：「至尊本命辛酉，今歲鬥魁及天岡，臨卯酉，謹按《陰陽書》，不得臨喪。」上不納。退而告族人蕭平仲曰：「皇太子遣宇文左率深謝餘雲：'公前稱我當為太子，竟有其驗，終不忘也。今卜山陵，務令我早立。我立之後，當以富貴相報。 '吾記之曰：'後四載，太子禦天下。 '今山陵氣應，上又臨喪，兆益見矣。且太子得政，隋其亡乎！當有真人出治之矣。吾前紿雲卜年二千者，是三十字也；卜世二百者，取三十二運也。吾言信矣，汝其志之。」

When Empress Xian died the emperor ordered Ji to select the burial site; Ji divined until one place yielded "two thousand years of divination, two hundred generations," drew a map, and submitted it. The emperor said, "Fortune and misfortune depend on men, not on the ground. When Gao Wei's father was buried, was it not divined? The state was soon destroyed. Just like our family graves—if they were inauspicious, I should not have become Son of Heaven; if not inauspicious, my brother should not have died in battle. Yet in the end he followed Ji's words. Ji memorialized, "On the sixteenth of last month, northwest of the empress's tomb, before cockcrow, black clouds five or six hundred paces square rose from earth to sky. Southeastward were banners, chariots, horses, and canopies filling seven or eight li, with people inspecting in orderly ranks, vanishing at sunrise—more than ten saw it. According to the Book of Burial: "When the site's qi is king and generates the surname, great fortune. Now the black qi is king in winter and generates the surname—greatly auspicious, a sign of boundless descendants. The emperor was greatly pleased. Later when the emperor would attend the funeral in person, Ji memorialized, "Your Majesty's natal fortune is xin-you; this year the Dipper and celestial ridge face mao-you—by the Book of Yin-Yang one must not attend a funeral. The emperor did not accept it. Retiring, he told clansman Xiao Pingzhong, "Crown Prince Yuwen deeply thanked me: 'You said I would become crown prince—it proved true, and I shall never forget. Now in divining the tomb he wants me established early. When established I shall repay you with wealth and honor. I recorded: four years hence the crown prince will rule the realm. Now the tomb's qi responds; the emperor attends the funeral—the omen grows clearer. When the crown prince takes power, will Sui not perish! A true man will arise to govern. My earlier deception that divination was two thousand years meant thirty characters; divination of two hundred generations took thirty-two cycles. My words are verified—remember them."

及煬帝嗣位，拜太府少卿，加位開府。嘗行經華陰，見楊素塚上有白氣屬天，密言於帝。帝問其故，吉曰：「其候素家當有兵禍，滅門之象。改葬者，庶可免乎！ '帝后從容謂楊玄感曰：「公家宜早改葬。」玄感亦微知其故，以為吉祥，托以遼東未滅，不遑私門之事。未幾而玄感以反族滅，帝彌信之。後歲餘，卒官。著《金海》三十卷，《相經要錄》一卷，《宅經》八卷，《葬經》六卷，《樂譜》二十卷及《帝王養生方》二卷，《相手版要決》一卷，《太一立成》一卷，並行於世。

When Emperor Yang succeeded, Ji was appointed Vice Director of the Imperial Treasury with the added rank of Grand Master with the Opening of an Office. Passing Huayin he saw white qi from Yang Su's tomb reaching heaven and secretly told the emperor. The emperor asked why; Ji said, "The sign is military calamity for Su's house—extermination of the clan. Reburial might avoid it! The emperor later told Yang Xuangan at leisure, "Your house should reburial early. Xuangan faintly knew the reason, thought it auspicious, and pleaded Liaodong was not yet pacified and he had no leisure for family matters. Before long Xuangan rebelled and his clan was exterminated; the emperor trusted Ji all the more. More than a year later he died in office. He authored Golden Sea in 30 scrolls, Essentials of Physiognomy in 1 scroll, Dwelling Classic in 8 scrolls, Burial Classic in 6 scrolls, Music Treatise in 20 scrolls, Methods for Nourishing the Emperor in 2 scrolls, Essentials for Reading Hand Tablets in 1 scroll, and Establishment of the Grand One in 1 scroll—all circulated widely.

時有楊伯醜，臨孝恭、劉祐，俱以陰陽術數知名。

At that time Yang Bochou, Lin Xiaogong, and Liu You were all famed for yin-yang and numerology.

楊伯醜，馮翊武鄉人也。好讀《易》，隱于華山。開皇初，被徵入朝，見公卿不為禮，無貴賤皆汝之。人不能測也。高祖召與語，竟無所答。上賜之衣服，至朝堂，舍之而去。於是被發陽狂，遊行市里，形體垢穢，未嘗櫛沐。嘗有張永樂者，賣卜京師，伯醜每從之遊。永樂為卦有不能決者，伯醜輒為分析爻象，尋幽入微。永樂嗟服，自以為非所及也。伯醜亦開肆賣卜。有人嘗失子，就伯醜筮者。卦成，伯醜曰：「汝子在懷遠坊南門道東北壁上，有青裙女子抱之，可往取也。」如言果得。或者有金數兩，夫妻共藏之，于後失金，其夫意妻有異志，將逐之。其妻稱冤，以詣伯醜，為筮之曰：「金在矣。」悉呼其家人，指一人曰：「可取金來！」其人赧然，應聲而取之。道士韋知常詣伯醜問吉凶，伯醜曰：「汝勿東北行，必不得已，當早還。不然者，楊素斬汝頭。」未幾，上令知常事漢王諒。俄而上崩，諒舉兵反，知常逃歸京師。知常先與楊素有隙，及素平并州，先訪知常，將斬之，賴此獲免。又人有失馬，來詣伯醜卜者。時伯醜為皇太子所召，在途遇之，立為作卦，卦成，曰：「我不遑為卿占之，卿且向西市東壁門南第三店，為我買魚作膾，當得馬矣。」其人如此言，須臾，有一人牽所失馬而至，遂擒之。崖州嘗獻徑寸珠，其使者陰易之，上心疑焉，召伯醜令筮。伯醜曰：「有物出自水中，質圓而色光，是大珠也。今為人所隱。」具言隱者姓名容狀。上如言簿責之，果得本珠。上奇之，賜帛二十匹。國子祭酒何妥嘗詣之論《易》，聞妥之言，倏然而笑曰：「何用鄭玄、王弼之言乎！」久之，微有辨答，所說辭義，皆異先儒之旨，而思理玄妙，故論者以為天然獨得，非常人所及也。竟以壽終。

Yang Bochou came from Wuxiang in Fenyang. He loved the Changes and withdrew to Mount Hua. At Kaihuang's start he was summoned to court; he made no courtesy to dukes and ministers, addressing all as "you." People could not fathom him. Gaozu summoned him to speak; he answered nothing. The emperor granted clothes; at court he cast them off and left. Thereafter he feigned madness with loose hair, wandering the markets filthy, never combing or bathing. Zhang Yongle sold divination in the capital; Bochou often wandered with him. When Yongle could not decide a hexagram, Bochou analyzed the lines, probing the subtle. Yongle sighed in admiration, feeling himself unable to match. Bochou also opened a divination shop. Once someone lost a child and came to Bochou for divination. When the hexagram was done Bochou said, "Your child is on the northeast wall of the south gate road in Huaiyuan Ward, held by a woman in a green skirt—go fetch him. It was exactly as he said and the child was recovered. A couple hid several taels of gold; later it was lost and the husband suspected the wife and was about to drive her out. The wife proclaimed innocence and went to Bochou, who divined, "The gold is still here. He called the household and pointed to one, saying, "Go fetch the gold! That person flushed and retrieved it at the word. Daoist Wei Zhichang asked Bochou about fortune; Bochou said, "Do not go northeast; if you must, return early. Otherwise Yang Su will cut off your head. Before long the emperor ordered Zhichang to serve Prince Xiu of Han. Soon the emperor died; Prince Xiu rebelled and Zhichang fled to the capital. Zhichang had a rift with Yang Su; when Su pacified Bingzhou he sought Zhichang to behead him—only by this was he spared. Another man lost a horse and came to Bochou for divination. Summoned by the crown prince, Bochou met the man on the road, made a hexagram, and said, "I have no leisure—go to the third shop south of the west market's east wall gate, buy fish kuai for me, and you will get your horse. The man did so; before long someone leading the lost horse came and he seized it. Ya Prefecture once presented an inch-pearl; the envoy secretly exchanged it and the emperor was suspicious; he summoned Bochou to divined. Bochou said, "An object from the water, round and bright—it is a great pearl. Now someone has hidden it. He fully stated the hider's name and appearance. The emperor checked the register as stated and recovered the original pearl. The emperor marveled and granted twenty bolts of silk. Academy Director He Tuo came to discuss the Changes; hearing Tuo, Bochou laughed, "What use are Zheng Xuan and Wang Bi! After long while he offered slight replies differing from earlier Confucians yet abstruse and marvelous—discussants considered him naturally unique. In the end he died at full span of years.

臨孝恭，京兆人也。明天文算術，高祖甚親遇之。每言災祥之事，未嘗不中，上因令考定陰陽。官至上儀同。著《欹器圖》三卷，《地動銅儀經》一卷，《九宮五墓》一卷，《遁甲月令》十卷，《元辰經》十卷，《元辰厄》一百九卷，《百怪書》十八卷，《祿命書》二十卷，《九宮龜經》一百一十卷，《太一式經》三十卷，《孔子馬頭易卜書》一卷，並行於世。

Lin Xiaogong came from Jingzhao. He understood astronomy and calculation; Gaozu treated him with great favor. Whenever he spoke of omens he never missed; the emperor ordered him to examine yin-yang. He reached Senior Grand Master of State with the Three Excellencies' Honors. He authored Tilt-Vessel Diagram in 3 scrolls, Treatise on the Earthquake Bronze Instrument in 1 scroll, Nine Palaces Five Tombs in 1 scroll, Hidden Armor Monthly Commands in 10 scrolls, Primordial Cycle Classic in 10 scrolls, Primordial Cycle Calamity in 109 scrolls, Book of a Hundred Marvels in 18 scrolls, Salary-and-Fate Book in 20 scrolls, Nine Palaces Tortoise Classic in 110 scrolls, Grand One Style Classic in 30 scrolls, and Confucius Horse-Head Changes Divination Book in 1 scroll—all circulated widely.

劉祐，滎陽人也。開皇初，為大都督，封索盧縣公。其所占候，合如符契，高祖甚親之。初與張賓、劉暉、馬顯定曆。後奉詔撰兵書十卷，名曰《金韜》，上善之。複著《陰策》二十卷，《觀台飛候》六卷，《玄象要記》五卷，《律曆術文》一卷，《婚姻志》三卷，《產乳志》二卷，《式經》四卷，《四時立成法》一卷，《安曆志》十二卷，《歸正易》十卷，並行於世。張胄玄張胄玄，渤海蓚人也。博學多通，尤精術數。冀州刺史趙煚薦之，高祖征授雲騎尉，直太史，參議律曆事。時輩多出其下，由是太史令劉暉等甚忌之。然暉言多不中，胄玄所推步甚精密，上異之。令楊素與術數人立議六十一事，皆舊法久難通者，令暉與胄玄等辯析之。暉杜口一無所答，胄玄通者五十四焉。由是擢拜員外散騎侍郎，兼太史令，賜物千段，暉及黨與八人皆斥逐之。改定新曆，言前曆差一日，內史通事顏敏楚上言曰：「漢時落下閎改《顓頊曆》作《太初曆》，雲後當差一日。八百年當有聖者定之。計今相去七百一十年，術者舉其成數，聖者之謂，其在今乎！」上大悅，漸見親用。

Liu You came from Xingyang. At Kaihuang's start he served as Grand Commander and was enfeoffed Duke of Suolu County. His prognostications matched like tally and seal; Gaozu was very close to him. At first with Zhang Bin, Liu Hui, and Ma Xian he fixed the calendar. Later by edict he compiled a military book in ten scrolls called Golden Sheath; the emperor approved it. He also authored Hidden Stratagem in 20 scrolls, Observation Platform Flying Prognostics in 6 scrolls, Essentials of the Dark Signs in 5 scrolls, Treatise on Pitch and Calendar in 1 scroll, Marriage Records in 3 scrolls, Childbirth Records in 2 scrolls, Style Classic in 4 scrolls, Four Seasons Establishment Method in 1 scroll, Pacifying Calendar Records in 12 scrolls, and Return-to-Correctness Changes in 10 scrolls—all circulated widely. Zhang Zhouxuan came from Su in Bohai. He was broadly learned and mastered many fields, especially numerology. Governor Zhao Shuang of Ji recommended him; Gaozu summoned him as Cloud Cavalry Captain in the Astrologer's Office to discuss law and calendar. Contemporaries mostly ranked below him; Grand Astrologer Liu Hui and others greatly envied him. Yet Hui often missed while Zhouxuan's calculations were precise; the emperor was impressed. He ordered Yang Su and numerologists to debate sixty-one points—all old methods long hard to apply—having Hui and Zhouxuan analyze them. Hui shut his mouth and answered nothing; Zhouxuan mastered fifty-four. He was promoted Extraordinary Regular Attendant and concurrently Grand Astrologer, granted a thousand bolts; Hui and his faction of eight were expelled. He revised the new calendar, saying the prior calendar was off one day; Clerk Yan Minchu submitted, "In Han Luoxia Hong revised the Zhuanxu Calendar into the Taichu Calendar, saying that after eight hundred years a sage would fix it. After eight hundred years a sage should fix it. Counting from then is seven hundred ten years; numerologists cite the round number—the sage's meaning—is it not now! The emperor was greatly pleased and gradually used him closely.

胄玄所為曆法，與古不同者有三事：

Zhouxuan's calendar differed from antiquity in three matters:

其一，宋祖沖之于歲周之末，創設差分，冬至漸移，不循舊軌。每四十六年，卻差一度。至梁虞𠠎曆法，嫌沖之所差太多，因以一百八十六年冬至移一度。胄玄以此二術，年限懸隔，追檢古注，所失極多，遂折中兩家，以為度法。冬至所宿，歲別漸移，八十三年卻行一度，則上合堯時日永星火，次符漢曆宿起牛初。明其前後，並皆密當。

First: Song's Zu Chongzhi at the year cycle's end created differential parts; the winter solstice gradually shifted off the old track. Every forty-six years it retreated one degree. In Liang Yu Xiao's calendar, Xiao thought Chongzhi's difference too great and made the winter solstice shift one degree every 186 years. Zhouxuan found these methods too far apart; checking ancient commentaries the errors were many; he split the difference as degree method. The winter solstice's lodge shifted; every 83 years it retreated one degree—above matching Yao's long days and mid-sky Fire Star, below matching Han calendar beginning at Ox. Before and after, all closely fit.

其二，周馬顯造《丙寅元曆》，有陰陽轉法，加減章分，進退蝕餘，乃推定日，創開此數。當時術者，多不能曉。張賓因而用之，莫能考正。胄玄以為加時先後，逐氣參差，就月為斷，於理未可。乃因二十四氣列其盈縮所出，實由日行遲則月逐日易及，令合朔加時早，日行速則月逐日少遲，令合朔加時晚。檢前代加時早晚，以為損益之率。日行自秋分已後至春分，其勢速，計一百八十二日而行一百八十度。自春分已後至秋分，日行遲，計一百八十二日而行一百七十六度。每氣之下，即其率也。

Second: Zhou's Ma Xian created the Bingyin Origin Calendar with yin-yang rotation, adding and subtracting chapter parts, advancing and retreating eclipse remainder—deducing fixed days. Numerologists of the time mostly could not understand. Zhang Bin used it but could not examine and correct. Zhouxuan considered adding the hour first and last by qi disparity with month as cutoff—in principle wrong. He listed surplus and deficit of each of the twenty-four qi: when the sun is slow the moon catches up daily, making new moon early; when fast the moon lags, making new moon late. Checking prior generations' early and late added hours he made rates of increase and decrease. From after the autumn equinox to the spring equinox the sun is fast—in 182 days it travels 180 degrees. From after the spring equinox to the autumn equinox the sun is slow—in 182 days it travels 176 degrees. Below each qi is its rate.

其三，自古諸曆，朔望值交，不問內外，入限便食。張賓立法，創有外限，應食不食，猶未能明。胄玄以日行黃道，歲一周天，月行月道，二十七日有餘一周天。月道交絡黃道，每行黃道內十三日有奇而出，又行黃道外十三日有奇而入，終而複始，月經黃道，謂之交，朔望去交前後各十五度已下，即為當食。若月行內道，則在黃道之北，食多有驗。月行外道，在黃道之南也，雖遇正交，無由掩映，食多不驗。遂因前法，別立定限，隨交遠近，逐氣求差，損益食分，事皆明著。

Third: In ancient calendars when new and full moon met crossing, regardless of inner or outer limit, entering the limit meant eclipse. Zhang Bin created an outer limit—when eclipse should occur it did not—yet still unclear. Zhouxuan considered the sun travels the Yellow Path yearly; the moon the moon path in 27-plus days. The moon path crosses the Yellow Path; within for 13-plus days then out, outside for 13-plus days then in; when new and full moon are within 15 degrees of crossing, eclipse should occur. If the moon travels the inner path north of the Yellow Path, eclipses mostly verify. On the outer path south of the Yellow Path, even at exact crossing there is no shadow and eclipses mostly fail. He followed the prior method, establishing fixed limits by crossing distance and qi disparity, increasing and decreasing eclipse parts—all clearly shown.

其超古獨異者有七事：

What surpassed antiquity had seven unique matters:

其一，古曆五星行度皆守恆率，見伏盈縮，悉無格准。胄玄推之，各得其真率，合見之數，與古不同。其差多者，至加減三十許日。即如熒惑平見在雨水氣，即均加二十九日，見在小雪氣，則均減二十五日。雖減平見，以為定見。諸星各有盈縮之數，皆如此例，但差數不同。特其積候所知，時人不能原其意旨。

First: Ancient calendars kept constant rates for the five planets; appearance, hiding, surplus, and deficit had no standard. Zhouxuan deduced each true rate; combined appearance numbers differed from antiquity. The greatest differences reached adding and subtracting some 30 days. For example Mars at mean appearance in Rain Water uniformly add 29 days; at Minor Snow subtract 25 days. Though subtracting mean appearance to make fixed appearance. Each star had surplus and deficit numbers—all such examples, but numbers differed. Only accumulated observations were known—contemporaries could not trace the intent.

其二，辰星舊率，一終再見，凡諸古曆，皆以為然，應見不見，人未能測。胄玄積候，知辰星一終之中，有時一見，及同類感召，相隨而出。即如辰星平晨見在雨水氣者，應見即不見，若平晨見在啟蟄氣者，去日十八度外，三十六度內，晨有木火土金一星者，亦相隨見。

Second: Mercury's old rate—one cycle, two appearances; ancient calendars all assumed this; when it should appear it did not—people could not measure. Zhouxuan's observations knew that within one Mercury cycle sometimes there was one appearance; and by sympathetic response, following out together. For example when Mercury at mean morning appearance in Rain Water should appear but does not; if at Awakening of Insects, beyond 18 degrees from the sun and within 36, if morning has Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal star, they also appear together.

其三，古曆步術，行有定限，自見已後，依率而推。進退之期，莫知多少。胄玄積候，知五星遲速留退真數皆與古法不同，多者至差八十餘日，留回所在亦差八十餘度。即如熒惑前疾初見在立冬初，則二百五十日行一百七十七度，定見在夏至初，則一百七十日行九十二度。追步天驗，今古皆密。

Third: Ancient step methods had fixed motion limits; after appearance, deduce by rate. Periods of advance and retreat—none knew how many. Zhouxuan's observations knew the five planets' slow, fast, stationary, and retreat true numbers differed from ancient methods—most reaching 80-plus days; stationary and retrograde positions differed 80-plus degrees. For example Mars prior swift at first appearance in early Winter Establishment—250 days traveling 177 degrees; fixed appearance at early Summer Establishment—170 days traveling 92 degrees. Checking against heaven, ancient and modern both closely fit.

其四，古曆食分，依平即用，推驗多少，實數罕符。胄玄積候，知月從木、火、土、金四星行有向背。月向四星即速，背之則遲，皆十五度外，乃循本率。遂於交分，限其多少。

Fourth: Ancient eclipse parts used mean values; verification rarely matched. Zhouxuan's observations knew when the moon follows Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal stars there is facing and backing. When facing the four stars the moon is fast; when backing slow—only beyond 15 degrees does it follow the original rate. He therefore at crossing parts limited the amount.

其五，古曆加時，朔望同術。胄玄積候，知日食所在，隨方改變，傍正高下，每處不同。交有淺深，遲速亦異，約時立差，皆會天象。

Fifth: Ancient added hours—new and full moon same method. Zhouxuan's observations knew solar eclipse location changes by region. Side, direct, high, and low differ; crossing shallow and deep, slow and fast differ—approximate time establishes disparity, all matching signs.

其六，古曆交分即為食數，去交十四度者食一分，去交十三度食二分，去交十度食三分。每近一度，食益一分，當交即食既。其應少反多，應多反少，自古諸曆，未悉其原。胄玄積候，知當交之中，月掩日不能畢盡，其食反少，去交五六時，月在日內，掩日便盡，故食乃既。自此已後，更遠者其食又少。交之前後在冬至皆爾。若近夏至，其率又差。所立食分，最為詳密。

Sixth: Ancient crossing parts were eclipse numbers: 14 degrees from crossing eats one part, 13 degrees two parts, 10 degrees three parts. Each nearer one degree the eclipse increases one part; at exact crossing total eclipse. When less should be more and more less—ancient calendars did not know the source. Zhouxuan knew at exact crossing the moon cannot completely cover the sun—eclipse is less; at five or six degrees when the moon is within the sun, covering completely, eclipse is total. Farther ones have less eclipse again. Before and after crossing at winter solstice are all thus. Near summer solstice the rates differ again. The established eclipse parts are most detailed.

其七，古曆二分，晝夜皆等。胄玄積候，知其有差，春秋二分，晝多夜漏半刻，皆由日行遲疾盈縮使其然也。

Seventh: Ancient calendar at the two equinoxes day and night are equal. Zhouxuan knew there is difference: at spring and autumn equinoxes day is half a clepsydra mark longer—because the sun's slow and fast surplus and deficit make it so.

凡此胄玄獨得於心，論者服其精密。大業中卒官。許智藏許智藏，高陽人也。祖道幼，嘗以母疾，遂覽醫方，因而究極，世號名醫。誡其諸子曰：「為人子者，嘗膳視藥，不知方術，豈謂孝乎？」由是世相傳授。仕梁，官至員外散騎侍郎。父景，武陵王諮議參軍。智藏少以醫術自達，仕陳為散騎侍郎。及陳滅，高祖以為員外散騎侍郎，使詣揚州。會秦孝王俊有疾，上馳召之。俊夜中夢其亡妃崔氏泣曰：「本來相迎，比聞許智藏將至，其人若到，當必相苦，為之奈何？」明夜，俊又夢崔氏曰：「妾得計矣，當入靈府中以避之。」及智藏至，為俊診脈，曰：「疾已入心，郎當發巘，不可救也。」果如言，俊數日而薨。上奇其妙，賚物百段。煬帝即位，智藏時致仕於家，帝每有所苦，輒令中使就詢訪，或以蒐迎入殿，扶登禦床。智藏為方奏之，用無不效。年八十，卒於家。

All this Zhouxuan alone grasped; discussants admired its precision. In the Daye era he died in office. Xu Zhicang came from Gaoyang. His grandfather Daoyou, when his mother was ill, studied medical formulas and reached mastery—the age called him a famed physician. He admonished his sons, "As a son, tasting food and inspecting medicine—without knowing medicine, can it be filial? Therefore the craft passed generation to generation. He served Liang, reaching Extraordinary Regular Attendant. His father Jing was Advisory Aide to Prince Wu of Wuling. Zhicang from youth distinguished himself by medicine and served Chen as Regular Attendant. When Chen fell Gaozu made him Extraordinary Regular Attendant and sent him to Yang Province. Prince Xiaogong of Qin fell ill; the emperor urgently summoned him. At midnight the prince dreamed his deceased consort Lady Cui weeping, "I came to welcome you, but Xu Zhicang is coming—if he arrives he will torment me; what can be done? The next night he dreamed Lady Cui saying, "I have a plan—I shall enter the spirit office to avoid him. When Zhicang arrived he felt the pulse and said, "The illness has entered the heart; the prince will erupt in rash and cannot be saved. It was as he said; the prince died within days. The emperor marveled and granted a hundred bolts of goods. When Emperor Yang succeeded Zhicang had retired; whenever the emperor suffered ailment envoys inquired, or he was brought to the hall and helped to the imperial couch. Zhicang prescribed formulas; used, none failed. At eighty he died at home.

宗人許澄，亦以醫術顯。父奭，仕梁太常丞、中軍長史。隨柳仲禮入長安，與姚僧垣齊名，拜上儀同三司。澄有學識，傳父業，尤盡其妙。曆尚藥典禦、諫議大夫，封賀川縣伯。父子俱以藝術名重于周、隋二代。史失事，故附見雲。

Clansman Xu Cheng also distinguished himself by medicine. His father Shi served Liang as Assistant Director of Ceremonies and Chief Secretary of the Central Army. Following Liu Zhongli into Chang'an he shared renown with Yao Sengyuan and was appointed Senior Grand Master of State. Cheng had learning and inherited his father's craft, reaching its utmost subtlety. He served as Director of the Imperial Pharmacy and Director of Ceremonies, enfeoffed Baron of Hechuan. Father and son both were famed for craft through Zhou and Sui. The history lost their affairs, and so they are appended here.

萬寶常王令言

Wan Baochang and Wang Lingyan

萬寶常，不知何許人也。父大通，從梁將王琳歸於齊。後複謀還江南，事泄，伏誅。由是寶常被配為樂戶，因而妙達鐘律，遍工八音。造玉磬以獻于齊。又嘗與人方食，論及聲調。時無樂器，寶常因取前食器及雜物，以箸扣之，品其高下，宮商畢備，諧於絲竹，大為時人所賞。然曆周洎隋，俱不得調。開皇初，沛國公鄭譯等定樂，初為黃鐘調。寶常雖為伶人，譯等每召與議，然言多不用。後譯樂成奏之，上召寶常，問其可不，寶常曰：「此亡國之音，豈陛下之所宜聞！」上不悅。寶常因極言樂聲哀怨淫放，非雅正之音，請以水尺為律，以調樂器。上從之。寶常奉詔，遂造諸樂器，其聲率下鄭譯調二律。並撰《樂譜》六十四卷，具論八音旋相為宮之法，改弦移柱之變。為八十四調，一百四十四律，變化終於一千八百聲。時人以《周禮》有旋宮之義，自漢、魏已來，知音者皆不能通，見寶常特創其事，皆哂之。至是，試令為之，應手成曲，無所凝滯，見者莫不嗟異。於是損益樂器，不可勝紀，其聲雅淡，不為時人所好，太常善聲者多排毀之。又太子洗馬蘇夔以鐘律自命，尤忌寶常。夔父威，方用事，凡言樂者，皆附之而短寶常。數詣公卿怨望，蘇威因詰寶常，所為何所傳受。有一沙門謂寶常曰：「上雅好符瑞，有言徵祥者，上皆悅之。先生當言就胡僧受學，雲是佛家菩薩所傳音律，則上必悅。先生所為，可以行矣。」寶常然之，遂如其言以答威。威怒曰：「胡僧所傳，乃是四夷之樂，非中國所宜行也。」其事竟寢。寶常嘗聽太常所奏樂，泫然而泣。人問其故，寶常曰：「樂聲淫厲而哀，天下不久相殺將盡。」時四海全盛，聞其言者皆謂為不然。大業之末，其言卒驗。

Wan Baochang—no one knew his origin. His father Datong followed Liang general Wang Lin in returning to Qi. Later he plotted to return to Jiangnan; the plot leaked and he was executed. Baochang was assigned as a music-household member and mastered pitch and rhythm, skilled in all eight tones. He made jade chime-stones and presented them to Qi. Once while eating with others he discussed tonal modes. With no instruments at hand he struck dining vessels with chopsticks, grading pitch; gong and shang complete, harmonizing with strings and bamboo—greatly admired. Yet through Zhou and Sui he was never given an official post. At Kaihuang's start Duke of Pei Zheng Yi and others fixed music, initially as Yellow Bell mode. Though a performer, Yi often summoned Baochang to discuss—but mostly ignored his words. When Yi's music was submitted the emperor asked Baochang; he said, "This is the music of a perishing state—how should Your Majesty listen! The emperor was displeased. Baochang strongly said the music was grievous, dissolute, and unrestrained—not elegant correct tone—and requested a water ruler as pitch standard. The emperor followed this. Baochang received the edict and made all instruments; their sound was uniformly two standards lower than Zheng Yi's tuning. He compiled Music Treatise in 64 scrolls, fully discussing eight-tone rotation as palace method and shifting strings and moving pillars. He made 84 modes, 144 pitch standards, variations ending at 1,800 sounds. People considered the Rites of Zhou had rotation-as-palace meaning; since Han and Wei music masters could not penetrate it—seeing Baochang create this, all sneered. Trial was made; at hand melody formed without hesitation—observers sighed in wonder. He adjusted countless instruments; the sound was elegantly plain—not liked by contemporaries; Grand Temple music masters disparaged it. Crown Prince's Librarian Su Kui prided himself on pitch and especially resented Baochang. Kui's father Wei was in power; all who spoke of music attached to him and slighted Baochang. Several times complaining to dukes and ministers, Su Wei interrogated Baochang—from whom he received transmission. A monk told Baochang, "The emperor loves talismanic portents; whoever speaks auspicious signs delights him. Say you received instruction from a foreign monk, saying Buddhist bodhisattvas transmitted the pitch—then the emperor will be pleased. What you do can then be carried out. Baochang agreed and answered Wei thus. Wei angrily said, "Foreign monk transmission is barbarian music—not what China should practice. The matter was shelved. Baochang once heard Grand Temple music and wept. Asked why, he said, "The music is dissolute, harsh, and grievous—before long mutual slaughter will nearly exhaust the realm. The realm was fully prosperous; hearers considered it not so. At Daye's end his words were verified.

寶常貧無子，其妻因其臥疾，遂竊其資物而逃。寶常饑餒，無人贍遺，竟餓而死。將死也，取其所著書而焚之，曰：「何用此為？」見者於火中探得數卷，見行于世，時論哀之。

Baochang was poor without sons; his wife stole his goods and fled while he lay ill. Baochang starved unsupported and died of hunger. About to die he burned his books, saying, "What use is this? Observers retrieved several scrolls from the fire; they circulated—contemporaries mourned him.

開皇之世，有鄭譯、何妥、盧賁、蘇夔、蕭吉，並討論墳籍，撰著樂書，皆為當世所用。至於天然識樂，不及寶常遠矣。安馬駒、曹妙達、王長通、郭令樂等，能造曲，為一時之妙，又習鄭聲，而寶常所為，皆歸於雅。此輩雖公議不附寶常，然皆心服，謂以為神。

In Kaihuang Zheng Yi, He Tuo, Lu Ben, Su Kui, and Xiao Ji all discussed tomb classics and compiled music books—all used by the age. As for natural knowledge of music, none approached Baochang remotely. An Maju, Cao Miaoda, Wang Changtong, Guo Lingyue, and others could compose melodies—a marvel of the age—and practiced Zheng music; Baochang's work all returned to elegance. These men though publicly did not attach to Baochang, yet all in heart submitted, considering him divine.

時有樂人王令言，亦妙達音律。大業末，煬帝將幸江都，令言之子嘗從，于戶外彈胡琵琶，作翻調《安公子曲》。令言時臥室中，聞之大驚，蹶然而起曰：「變，變！」急呼其子曰：「此曲興自早晚？」其子對曰：「頃來有之。」令言遂歔欷流涕，謂其子曰：「汝慎無從行，帝必不返。」子問其故，令言曰：「此曲宮聲往而不反，宮者君也，吾所以知之。」帝竟被殺于江都。

Musician Wang Lingyan also mastered pitch and rhythm with subtlety. At Daye's end Emperor Yang was about to travel to Jiangdu; Lingyan's son had followed and outside played foreign pipa, performing the variation tune "Lord of Peace Son." Lingyan was in his bedchamber; hearing it he was alarmed, started up and said, "Change, change! He urgently called his son, "When did this tune arise? His son answered, "Just now. Lingyan sobbed and told his son, "Do not follow—the emperor will not return. Asked why, Lingyan said, "This tune's gong sound goes without returning; gong is the ruler—that is how I know. The emperor was indeed killed at Jiangdu.

史臣曰：陰陽卜祝之事，聖人之教在焉，雖不可以專行，亦不可得而廢也。人能弘道，則博利時俗，行非其義，則咎悔及身，故昔之君子所以戒乎妄作。今韋、來之骨法氣色，庾、張之推步盈虛，雖落下、高堂、許負、硃建，不能尚也。伯醜龜策，近知鬼神之情，耿詢渾儀，不差辰象之度，寶常聲律，動應宮商之和，雖不足遠擬古人，皆一時之妙也。許氏之運針石，世載可稱，蕭吉之言陰陽，近於誣誕矣。

The historiographer says: Yin-yang, divination, and prayer—the sages' teaching lies therein; though not to be practiced exclusively, they cannot be abandoned. If a man expands the Way he broadly benefits the age; if conduct violates principle, blame reaches the person—therefore gentlemen of old warned against reckless action. Now Wei and Lai's bone structure and qi-color, Yu and Zhang's calculation of surplus and void—even Luoxia, Gao Tang, Xu Fu, and Zhu Jian cannot surpass them. Bochou's divination nearly knew the spirits; Geng Xun's armillary sphere did not miss celestial degrees; Baochang's pitch moved in gong and shang harmony—though not matching ancients remotely, all were marvels of the age. The Xu clan's needles and stones were famed generation after generation; Xiao Ji's yin-yang talk approached deceit and absurdity.

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