1
突厥之先，平涼雜胡也，姓阿史那氏。 後魏太武滅沮渠氏，阿史那以五百家奔茹茹，世居金山，工於鐵作。 金山狀如兜鍪，俗呼兜鍪爲「突厥」，因以爲號。 或云，其先國於西海之上，爲鄰國所滅，男女無少長盡殺之。 至一兒，不忍殺，刖足斷臂，棄於大澤中。 有一牝狼，每銜肉至其所，此兒因食之，得以不死。 其後遂與狼交，狼有孕焉。 彼鄰國者，復令人殺此兒，而狼在其側。 使者將殺之，其狼若爲神所憑，欻然至於海東，止於山上。 其山在高昌西北，下有洞穴，狼入其中，遇得平壤茂草，地方二百餘里。 其後狼生十男，其一姓阿史那氏，最賢，遂爲君長，故牙門建狼頭纛，示不忘本也。 有阿賢設者，率部落出於穴中，世臣茹茹。 至大葉護，種類漸強。 當後魏之末，有伊利可汗，以兵擊鐵勒，大敗之，降五萬餘家，遂求婚於茹茹。 茹茹主阿那瑰大怒，遣使罵之。 伊利斬其使，率衆襲茹茹，破之。 卒，弟逸可汗立，又破茹茹。 病且卒，舍其子攝圖，立其弟俟鬥，稱爲木杆可汗。 木杆勇而多智，遂擊茹茹，滅之，西破挹怛，東走契丹，北方戎狄悉歸之，抗衡中夏。 後與西魏師入侵東魏，至於太原。
The Turks traced their origins to the mixed Hu peoples of Pingliang and bore the surname Ashina. After Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei destroyed the Juqu clan, five hundred Ashina households fled to the Rouran and settled for generations on Mount Jin, where they became expert smiths. Mount Jin resembled a helmet, and since helmets were commonly called "Tujue" in their tongue, they adopted that as their name. According to tradition, their forebears once had a state west of the sea until a neighboring power annihilated it, killing men and women of all ages without mercy. One infant boy they spared from death—but only after mutilating his feet and cutting off his arms before abandoning him in a vast swamp. A she-wolf regularly brought him meat, and by eating what she brought, the boy survived. In time he coupled with the wolf, and she conceived. The neighboring kingdom sent men once more to kill the boy, but the wolf remained at his side. Just as the envoys were about to strike, the wolf—seeming possessed by a spirit—swept eastward across the sea and halted on a mountain. The mountain stood northwest of Gaochang. A cave at its base led to a broad plain of lush grassland stretching more than two hundred li in every direction. The wolf later gave birth to ten sons. The one surnamed Ashina was the most capable and became their chieftain. For this reason a wolf-head banner was erected at the headquarters gate, a reminder never to forget their origins. A chieftain named Axienshe led the tribe out of the cave, and for generations they served the Rouran as subjects. Under Dayehu, the tribe gradually grew in strength. Near the end of Northern Wei, Illi Qaghan attacked the Tiele and crushed them, bringing more than fifty thousand households to submission. He then sought a marriage alliance with the Rouran. The Rouran ruler Anagui was furious and sent an envoy to denounce him. Illi executed the envoy and led his warriors in a raid against the Rouran, breaking their forces. Upon his death, his younger brother Yi Qaghan took the throne and once again routed the Rouran. As illness brought him to death's door, he passed over his son Shetu and installed his younger brother Sidou as Mughan Qaghan. Mughan was bold and shrewd. He destroyed the Rouran, crushed the Yeda in the west, and drove the Khitan eastward until every northern tribe submitted to him, giving the Turks the power to stand as equals against the Central Plains. He later allied with Western Wei armies in an invasion of Eastern Wei that pushed as far as Taiyuan.
2
其俗畜牧爲事，隨逐水草，不恆厥處。 穹廬氈帳，被髮左衽，食肉飲酪，身衣裘褐，賤老貴壯。 官有葉護，次設特勤，次俟利發，次吐屯發，下至小官，凡二十八等，皆世爲之。 有角弓、鳴鏑、甲、槊、刀、劍。 善騎射，性殘忍。 無文字，刻木爲契。 候月將滿，輒爲寇抄。 謀反叛殺人者皆死，淫者割勢而腰斬之。 鬥傷人目者償之以女，無女則輸婦財，折支體以輸馬，盜者則償贓十倍。 有死者，停屍帳中，家人親屬多殺牛馬而祭之，繞帳號呼，以刀劃面，血淚交下，七度而止。 於是擇日置屍馬上而焚之，取灰而葬。 表木爲塋，立屋其中，圖畫死者形儀及其生時所經戰陣之狀。 嘗殺一人，則立一石，有至千百者。 父兄死，子弟妻其群母及嫂。 五月中，多殺羊馬以祭天，男子好樗蒲，女子踏鞠，飲馬酪取醉，歌呼相對。 敬鬼神，信巫覡，重兵死而恥病終，大抵與匈奴同俗。
They lived by herding livestock, moving with the seasons from pasture to pasture without a permanent home. They dwelt in domed felt tents, wore their hair loose with garments folded left over right, subsisted on meat and fermented milk, dressed in furs and coarse wool, and held the young in esteem while looking down on the aged. Their offices included the Yehu, followed by the Sheteqin, the Yilibo, and the Tutunbo, down through twenty-eight ranks of lesser officials—all positions passed down through families. Their armaments included composite bows, whistling arrows, armor, lances, knives, and swords. They excelled at mounted archery and were by nature ruthless. They had no written language and recorded agreements by carving marks into wood. They typically launched their raids when the moon was nearly full. Conspiracy, rebellion, and murder were capital offenses. Adulterers were castrated and then cut in half at the waist. Injuring someone's eye in a brawl required compensation with a daughter—or bridal wealth if one had no daughter. Broken limbs were compensated with horses. Thieves paid ten times the value of what they stole. When a person died, the body was laid out in the tent while family and kin slaughtered cattle and horses as offerings, circled the tent wailing, and cut their faces with knives until blood and tears ran together—repeating this seven times. On an auspicious day the body was placed on a horse and cremated, and the ashes were buried. Wooden markers ringed the burial site, and within a house was built bearing painted portraits of the deceased and scenes from the battles he had fought in life. Each enemy slain was commemorated with a standing stone; some warriors accumulated hundreds or even thousands. Upon a father's or elder brother's death, younger men married their stepmothers and sisters-in-law. In the fifth month they slaughtered sheep and horses as offerings to Heaven. Men gambled at chupu, women played cuju, and all drank fermented mare's milk until drunk, singing and shouting across the camp. They venerated spirits, trusted shamans, glorified death in battle and scorned dying of illness—in most respects their customs mirrored those of the Xiongnu.
3
木杆在位二十年，卒，復舍其子大邏便而立其弟，是爲佗缽可汗。 佗缽以攝圖爲爾伏可汗，統其東面，又以其弟褥但可汗子爲步離可汗，居西方。 時佗缽控弦數十萬，中國憚之，周、齊爭結姻好，傾府藏以事之。 佗缽益驕，每謂其下曰：「我在南兩兒常孝順，何患貧也！」 齊有沙門惠琳，被掠入突厥，因謂佗缽曰：「齊國富強者，爲有佛法耳。」 遂說以因緣果報之事。 佗缽聞而信之，建一伽藍，遣使聘于齊氏，求《淨名》、《涅槃》、《華嚴》等經，並《十誦律》。 佗缽亦躬自齋戒，繞塔行道，恨不生內地。 在位十年，病且卒，謂其子菴羅曰：「吾聞親莫過於父子。 吾兄不親其子，委地於我。 我死，汝當避大邏便也。」 及佗缽卒，國中將立大邏便，以其母賤，衆不服。 菴羅母貴，突厥素重之。 攝圖最後至，謂國中曰：「若立菴羅者，我當率兄弟以事之； 如立大邏便，我必守境，利刃長矛以相待矣。」 攝圖長而且雄，國人皆憚，莫敢拒者，竟以菴羅爲嗣。 大邏便不得立，心不服菴羅，每遣人罵辱之。 菴羅不能制，因以國讓攝圖。 國中相與議曰：「四可汗之子，攝圖最賢。」 因迎立之，號伊利俱盧設莫何始波羅可汗，一號沙缽略。 治都斤山。 菴羅降居獨洛水，稱第二可汗。 大邏便乃請沙缽略曰：「我與爾俱可汗子，各承父後。 爾今極尊，我獨無位，何也？」 沙缽略患之，以爲阿波可汗，還領所部。
Mughan reigned twenty years. Upon his death, his son Daluobian was passed over in favor of his younger brother, who became Töpöl Qaghan. Töpöl appointed Shetu as Erfu Qaghan to govern the east, and made the son of his brother Rutan Qaghan the Buli Qaghan, who held the western territories. Töpöl commanded several hundred thousand warriors, and the Central States trembled before him. Northern Zhou and Northern Qi vied to win his favor through marriage alliances, draining their treasuries to appease him. Töpöl grew increasingly arrogant and often told his followers: "I have two dutiful sons in the south—why should I ever want for anything? A Qi monk named Huilin, captured and taken to live among the Turks, told Töpöl: "Qi owes its wealth and power to the Buddhist Dharma." He proceeded to teach the doctrine of karmic cause and effect. Töpöl was convinced and built a monastery. He sent envoys to Qi requesting the Vimalakirti, Nirvana, and Avatamsaka sutras, along with the Ten Recitations Vinaya. Töpöl himself observed fasting and precepts, circumambulated pagodas in devout procession, and lamented that he had not been born in the civilized heartland. After ten years on the throne, as illness brought him near death, he told his son Anluo: "I have always heard that no bond runs deeper than that between father and son. My elder brother passed over his own son and entrusted the realm to me instead. When I die, you must stay clear of Daluobian. After Töpöl's death, the realm prepared to install Daluobian, but the people refused to accept him because his mother was of low birth. Anluo's mother was of noble lineage, and the Turks had long held her in high regard. Shetu arrived last and addressed the assembly: "If Anluo is chosen, I and my brothers will serve him faithfully; but if Daluobian is chosen, I will hold my territory and greet you with drawn blades and leveled spears. Shetu was tall and formidable, and everyone feared him. None dared oppose him, and Anluo was ultimately installed as successor. Denied the throne, Daluobian refused to accept Anluo's authority and repeatedly sent men to revile and humiliate him. Unable to contain the situation, Anluo yielded the realm to Shetu. The assembly deliberated: "Among the four qaghans' sons, Shetu is the most capable. They welcomed and installed him, giving him the title Illi Gul Shemohe Shiboluo Qaghan, also known as Ishbara. He established his court at Mount Dujin. Anluo withdrew to the Duluo River and styled himself the Second Qaghan. Daluobian then appealed to Ishbara: "You and I are both sons of qaghans, each heir to our father's line. You now hold supreme authority, yet I alone have no rank—why should this be? Ishbara, troubled by the complaint, named him Apo Qaghan and restored him to command of his own followers.
4
沙缽略勇而得衆，北夷皆歸附之。 及高祖受禪，待之甚薄，北夷大怨。 會營州刺史高寶甯作亂，沙缽略與之合軍，攻陷臨渝鎮。 上敕緣邊修保鄣，峻長城，以備之，仍命重將出鎮幽、并。 沙缽略妻，宇文氏之女，曰千金公主，自傷宗祀絕滅，每懷復隋之志，日夜言之于沙缽略。 由是悉衆爲寇，控弦之士四十萬。 上令柱國馮昱屯乙弗泊，蘭州總管叱李長叉守臨洮，上柱國李崇屯幽州，達奚長儒據周盤，皆爲虜所敗。 於是縱兵自木硤、石門兩道來寇，武威、天水、安定、金城、上郡、弘化、延安六畜鹹盡。 天子震怒，下詔曰：
Ishbara was bold and won the loyalty of his people, and every northern tribe submitted to him. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, his treatment of the Turks was cold and dismissive, stirring deep resentment among the northern tribes. When Gao Baoning, governor of Ying Prefecture, rose in rebellion, Ishbara joined his forces and together they captured Linyu Fort. The emperor ordered border fortifications repaired and the Great Wall heightened in defense, and dispatched senior generals to garrison You and Bing provinces. Ishbara's wife was a Yuwen princess known as Princess Qianjin. Grieving the extinction of her dynasty's ancestral rites, she nursed a constant desire to restore Northern Zhou and spoke of it to Ishbara day and night. At her urging he mobilized his entire force for raids—four hundred thousand warriors. The emperor ordered Feng Yu to encamp at Yifu Marsh, Chilichangcha to hold Linzao, Li Chong to garrison Youzhou, and Daxi Changru to defend Zhoupan—but all were defeated by the invaders. He then sent his armies raiding through the Muxia and Shimen passes, stripping Wuwei, Tianshui, Anding, Jincheng, Shangjun, Honghua, and Yan'an of all their livestock. The emperor was furious and issued an edict:
5
往者魏道衰敝，禍難相尋，周、齊抗衡，分割諸夏。 突厥之虜，俱通二國。 周人東慮，恐齊好之深，齊氏西虞，懼周交之厚。 謂虜意輕重，國逐安危，非徒並有大敵之憂，思減一邊之防。 竭生民之力，供其來往，傾府庫之財，棄于沙漠，華夏之地，實爲勞擾。 猶復劫剝烽戍，殺害吏民，無歲月而不有也。 惡積禍盈，非止今日。 朕受天明命，子育萬方，湣臣下之勞，除既往之弊。 以爲厚斂兆庶，多惠豺狼，未嘗感恩，資而爲賊，違天地之意，非帝王之道。 節之以禮，不爲虛費，省徭薄賦，國用有餘。 因入賊之物，加賜將士，息道路之民，務於耕織。 清邊制勝，成策在心。 凶醜愚暗，未知深旨，將大定之日，比戰國之時，乘昔世之驕，結今時之恨。 近者盡其巢窟，俱犯北邊，朕分置軍旅，所在邀截，望其深入，一舉滅之。 而遠鎮偏師，逢而摧翦，未及南上，遽已奔北，應弦染鍔，過半不歸。 且彼渠帥，其數凡五，昆季爭長，父叔相猜，外示彌縫，內乖心腹，世行暴虐，家法殘忍。 東夷諸國，盡挾私仇，西戎群長，皆有宿怨。 突厥之北，契丹之徒，切齒磨牙，常伺其便。 達頭前攻酒泉，其後于闐、波斯、挹怛三國一時即叛。 沙缽略近趣周盤，其部內薄孤、束紇羅尋亦翻動。 往年利稽察大爲高麗、靺鞨所破，娑毗設又爲紇支可汗所殺。 與其爲鄰，皆願誅剿。 部落之下，盡異純民，千種萬類，仇敵怨偶，泣血拊心，銜悲積恨。 圓首方足，皆人類也，有一於此，更切朕懷。 彼地咎徵妖作，年將一紀，乃獸爲人語，人作神言，云其國亡，訖而不見。 每冬雷震，觸地火生，種類資給，惟藉水草。 去歲四時，竟無雨雪，川枯蝗暴，卉木燒盡，饑疫死亡，人畜相半。 舊居之所，赤地無依，遷徙漠南，偷存晷刻。 斯蓋上天所忿，驅就齊斧，幽明合契，今也其時。 故選將治兵，贏糧聚甲，義士奮發，壯夫肆憤，願取名王之首，思撻單于之背，雲歸霧集，不可數也。 東極滄海，西盡流沙，縱百勝之兵，橫萬里之衆，亙朔野之追躡，望天崖而一掃。 此則王恢所說，其猶射癰，何敵能當，何遠不服！ 但皇王舊跡，北止幽都，荒遐之表，文軌所棄。 得其地不可而居，得其民不忍皆殺，無勞兵革，遠規溟海。 諸將今行，義兼含育，有降者納，有違者死。 異域殊方，被其擁抑，放聽復舊。 廣辟邊境，嚴治關塞，使其不敢南望，永服威刑。 臥鼓息烽，暫勞終逸，制禦夷狄，義在斯乎！ 何用侍子之朝，甯勞渭橋之拜。 普告海內，知朕意焉。
In former times the Wei dynasty fell into decline, calamities followed in succession, and Northern Zhou and Northern Qi contended for supremacy, carving up the Central Plains. The Turks maintained relations with both rival states. Northern Zhou feared in the east that Qi had won the Turks' deepest favor; Northern Qi feared in the west that Zhou had secured the closest ties. Each state judged its safety by where the Turks' favor lay—not merely sharing the burden of a common threat, but scheming to shift the danger onto the rival's border. They exhausted the people's labor to supply the Turks' endless visits, drained their treasuries to feed the desert—the Central Plains were ground down by the burden. And still they raided frontier posts, slaughtered officials and commoners—hardly a month passed without such outrages. Their wickedness has piled up and their doom has ripened—this is no recent development. Having received Heaven's mandate, I nurture all within the four seas, pity my subjects' suffering, and set out to undo the abuses of the past. I judged that taxing the people heavily to shower gifts on wolves who never showed gratitude but turned those gifts against us violated Heaven's intent and was no way for an emperor to rule. I have restrained them with proper dignity, refused wasteful expenditure, reduced corvée labor and lightened taxes—and the state's coffers remain full. Booty taken from the invaders I have distributed as rewards to my officers and soldiers, while giving the people along the frontier roads respite to devote themselves to farming and weaving. The strategy for securing the borders and achieving victory is already formed in my mind. These brutal fools, blind to my deeper purpose, mistook the day of universal peace for the age of warring states—drawing on old arrogance to stoke new hatred. Recently they emptied their camps and invaded the northern frontier en masse. I have deployed armies at every point to intercept them, hoping they will penetrate deep so that I may destroy them in a single blow. Yet our frontier garrisons and detached columns met and cut them down. Before they could push south they were already fleeing north—more than half of those who fell to arrow and blade never returned home. Moreover, their chieftains number five. Brothers vie for supremacy, fathers and uncles suspect one another. Outwardly they show unity while inwardly they are torn apart. Generation after generation they have ruled through cruelty, and their own household law is savage. Every eastern tribe nurses a private grudge against them; every western chieftain harbors an old grievance. To the north, the Khitan and their kin gnash their teeth, ever watching for an opening. Tardu had previously attacked Jiuquan, and afterward Khotan, Persia, and the Yeda all rebelled at the same time. Ishbara had recently pressed toward Zhoupan, and within his own domain Bogu and Shuheluo soon rose in rebellion. In earlier years Lijicha was crushed by Goguryeo and the Mohe, and Suobishe was killed by Hezhi Qaghan. Every neighbor wishes to see them destroyed. Beneath their rule live peoples of countless origins—thousands of tribes, myriad grudges, enemies and wronged parties who weep blood and beat their breasts, nursing grief and accumulated hatred. Round of head and square of foot—they are human beings all. That any of this should be so weighs all the more heavily on my heart. In their lands ominous portents and supernatural disturbances have persisted for nearly twelve years—beasts speaking with human voices, men uttering prophecies of their nation's fall, then vanishing without a trace. Every winter brings thunder, and fire springs from the ground at a touch. Their livelihood depends entirely on pasture and water. Last year brought no rain or snow through all four seasons. Rivers ran dry, locusts swarmed, vegetation withered, and famine and pestilence killed half their people and livestock. Their old pastures lie barren and desolate. They have migrated south of the desert, clinging to life moment by moment. Surely Heaven itself is enraged, driving them toward the executioner's block. The signs from above and below are aligned—the time has come. I have therefore chosen my generals, trained my armies, stockpiled provisions and armor. Righteous men rise in ardor, stalwart warriors unleash their fury, eager to claim the heads of barbarian kings and lash the backs of chanyu—they gather like clouds and mist, beyond all counting. From the eastern sea to the western sands, with an army undefeated in a hundred battles and forces stretching ten thousand li, we shall pursue them across the northern steppe and sweep them clean to the horizon. This is what Wang Hui meant—it is like lancing an abscess. What enemy can stand against us? What distant land will not submit! Yet the ancient domain of emperors and kings extended north only to Youdu. Beyond the remote wilderness lies land that civilization itself has abandoned. Their land cannot be settled; their people cannot all be slaughtered. There is no need for arms and armor, nor to extend our ambitions to the distant sea. Generals, in this campaign your duty is both to nurture and to restrain: accept those who surrender; put to death those who resist. Peoples of foreign lands oppressed by the Turks—release them and allow them to return to their former ways. Broaden our frontier defenses and strictly govern the passes, so that they dare not look south and forever submit to our authority. Lay down drums and extinguish beacon fires—temporary toil for lasting peace. To control and restrain the barbarians—this is the purpose! Why require hostages at court, or trouble ourselves with ceremonial bows at Wei Bridge? Let this be proclaimed throughout the realm, so all may know my intent.
6
於是以河間王弘、上柱國豆盧勣、竇榮定、左僕射高熲、右僕射虞慶則並爲元帥，出塞擊之。 沙缽略率阿波、貪汗二可汗等來拒戰，皆敗走遁去。 時虜饑甚，不能得食，於是粉骨爲糧，又多災疫，死者極衆。 既而沙缽略以阿波驍悍，忌之，因其先歸，襲擊其部，大破之，殺阿波之母。 阿波還無所歸，西奔達頭可汗。 達頭者，名玷厥，沙缽略之從父也，舊爲西面可汗。 既而大怒，遣阿波率兵而東，各落歸之者將十萬騎，遂與沙缽略相攻。 又有貪汗可汗，素睦于阿波，沙缽略奪其衆而廢之，貪汗亡奔達頭。 沙缽略從弟地勤察別統部落，與沙缽略有隙，復以衆叛歸阿波。 連兵不已，各遣使詣闕，請和求援，上皆不許。 會千金公主上書，請爲一子之例，高祖遣開府徐平和使于沙缽略。 晉王廣時鎮并州，請因其釁而乘之，上不許。 沙缽略遣使致書曰：「辰年九月十日，從天生大突厥天下賢聖天子伊利俱盧設莫何始波羅可汗致書大隋皇帝：使人開府徐平和至，辱告言語，具聞也。 皇帝是婦父，即是翁，此是女夫，即是兒例。 兩境雖殊，情義是一。 今重疊親舊，子子孫孫，乃至萬世不斷，上天爲證，終不違負。 此國所有羊馬，都是皇帝畜生，彼有繒彩，都是此物，彼此有何異也！」 高祖報書曰：「大隋天子貽書大突厥伊利俱盧設莫何沙缽略可汗：得書，知大有好心向此也。 既是沙缽略婦翁，今日看沙缽略共兒子不異。 既以親舊厚意，常使之外，今特別遣大臣虞慶則往彼看女，復看沙缽略也。」 沙缽略陳兵，列其寶物，坐見慶則，稱病不能起，且曰：「我父伯以來，不向人拜。」 慶則責而喻之。 千金公主私謂慶則曰：「可汗豺狼性，過與爭，將齧人。」 長孫晟說諭之，攝圖辭屈，乃頓顙跪受璽書，以戴於首。 既而大慚，其群下因相聚慟哭。 慶則又遣稱臣，沙缽略謂其屬曰：「何名爲臣？」 報曰：「隋國稱臣，猶此稱奴耳。」 沙缽略曰：「得作大隋天子奴，虞僕射之力也。」 贈慶則馬千匹，並以從妹妻之。
The emperor appointed Prince Hong of Hejian, the supreme pillar Dou Luqi, Dou Rongding, Left Vice Director Gao Jiong, and Right Vice Director Yu Qingze as commanders-in-chief and sent them beyond the frontier to attack the Turks. Ishbara led Apo Qaghan, Tanhan Qaghan, and others to resist, but all were defeated and fled. The Turks were starving and could find no food, grinding bones into meal to survive. Pestilence swept through their camps, and the dead were beyond counting. Ishbara, envying Apo's martial prowess, took advantage of his early return to raid his followers, crushing them and killing Apo's mother. Apo returned to find himself homeless and fled west to Tardu Qaghan. Tardu, whose personal name was Dianjue, was Ishbara's paternal uncle and had formerly been the Western Qaghan. Enraged, Tardu sent Apo east with an army. Nearly one hundred thousand horsemen from various tribes rallied to him, and they attacked Ishbara. Tanhan Qaghan, who had always been allied with Apo, had his followers seized and was deposed by Ishbara. He fled to Tardu. Ishbara's younger cousin Diliqiecha, who commanded a separate tribe and had fallen out with Ishbara, rebelled with his followers and joined Apo. Fighting continued without cease. Each side sent envoys to the Sui court seeking peace and aid, but the emperor refused them all. Princess Qianjin submitted a memorial requesting that the relationship be formalized as that of father-in-law and son. Emperor Gaozu dispatched Xu Pinghe as envoy to Ishbara. Prince of Jin Yang Guang, then garrisoning Bingzhou, asked permission to strike while the Turks were divided. The emperor refused. Ishbara sent a letter reading: "On the tenth day of the ninth month of the Chen year, the Heaven-born Great Turkic Sage Son of Heaven Illi Gul Shemohe Shiboluo Qaghan writes to the Great Sui Emperor: Your envoy Xu Pinghe has arrived. I am honored by your message and have heard it in full. The Emperor is my wife's father—that is, my father-in-law. I am my wife's husband—that is, a son to him. Though our two realms differ, our bond of affection and duty is one. With these ties of kinship binding sons and grandsons for ten thousand generations, Heaven is my witness—I shall never betray this bond. All the sheep and horses in my realm belong to the Emperor. The silks and brocades in yours are the same goods—what difference is there between us! Emperor Gaozu replied: "The Great Sui Son of Heaven sends this letter to the Great Turkic Illi Gul Shemohe Ishbara Qaghan: I have received your letter and know you harbor good will toward us. As Ishbara's father-in-law, I regard him today no differently than a son. I have always sent envoys out of affection for our kinship. Now I specially dispatch the great minister Yu Qingze to visit my daughter and also to see Ishbara." Ishbara deployed his troops, displayed his treasures, and received Qingze while seated, claiming illness and refusing to rise. He said: "Since the time of my fathers and uncles, we have never bowed to anyone." Qingze rebuked him and made his duty clear. Princess Qianjin privately warned Qingze: "The qaghan has the nature of a wolf. Press him too hard and he will bite. Zhangsun Sheng persuaded him further. With his arguments exhausted, Shetu prostrated himself and knelt to receive the imperial letter, placing it on his head. Deeply ashamed, he and his followers gathered together and wept bitterly. Qingze further had him styled a subject. Ishbara asked his followers: "What does it mean to be a subject? They replied: "To be a subject of Sui is the same as being called a slave among us." Ishbara said: "That I am now a slave of the Great Sui Son of Heaven is thanks to Vice Director Yu." He presented Qingze with a thousand horses and gave him a younger cousin in marriage.
7
時沙缽略既爲達頭所困，又東畏契丹，遣使告急，請將部落度漠南，寄居白道川內，有詔許之。 詔晉王廣以兵援之，給以衣食，賜以車服鼓吹。 沙缽略因而擊阿波，破擒之。 而阿拔國部落乘虛掠其妻子。 官軍爲擊阿拔，敗之，所獲悉與沙缽略。 沙缽略大喜，乃立約，以磧爲界，因上表曰：
Beset by Tardu and fearing the Khitan in the east, Ishbara sent an urgent appeal requesting to lead his tribe south across the desert to settle in the White Road River valley. An edict granted his request. The emperor ordered Prince of Jin Yang Guang to aid him with troops, provide food and clothing, and bestow carriages, robes, and a ceremonial guard. Ishbara then attacked Apo, defeated him, and took him captive. Meanwhile the Aba tribe took advantage of the opening to plunder his wife and children. Sui troops attacked the Aba and defeated them, giving all that was captured to Ishbara. Greatly pleased, Ishbara established a treaty with the desert as the boundary and submitted a memorial:
8
大突厥伊利俱盧設始波羅莫何可汗臣攝圖言：大使尚書右僕射虞慶則至，伏奉詔書，兼宣慈旨，仰惟恩信之著，逾久愈明，徒知負荷，不能答謝。 伏惟大隋皇帝之有四海，上契天心，下順民望，二儀之所覆載，七曜之所照臨，莫不委質來賓，回首面內。 實萬世之一聖，千年之一期，求之古昔，未始聞也。 突厥自天置以來，五十余載，保有沙漠，自王蕃隅。 地過萬里，士馬億數，恆力兼戎夷，抗禮華夏，在於北狄，莫與爲大。 頃者氣候清和，風雲順序，意以華夏其有大聖興焉。 況今被沾德義，仁化所及，禮讓之風，自朝滿野。 竊以天無二日，土無二王，伏惟大隋皇帝，真皇帝也。 豈敢阻兵恃險，偷竊名號，今便感慕淳風，歸心有道，屈膝稽顙，永爲籓附。 雖復南瞻魏闕，山川悠遠，北面之禮，不敢廢失。 當今待子入朝，神馬歲貢，朝夕恭承，唯命是視。 至於削衽解辮，革音從律，習俗已久，未能改變。 闔國同心，無不銜荷，不任下情欣慕之至。 謹遣第七兒臣窟含真等奉表以聞。
The Great Turkic Illi Gul Sheboluo Mohe Qaghan, your subject Shetu, respectfully states: Your great envoy, Right Vice Director Yu Qingze, has arrived bearing your edict and benevolent intent. Your grace and trust grow clearer with each passing day. I can only bear this burden and cannot adequately express my gratitude. The Great Sui Emperor holds the four seas, matching Heaven's will above and the people's hopes below. All beneath the sky and sun, all illuminated by the seven luminaries, submit their allegiance and turn toward your court. You are truly a sage of ten thousand generations, an era come once in a thousand years—unprecedented in all antiquity. The Turks, since Heaven established them more than fifty years ago, have held the desert and ruled their own borderlands. Our territory spans more than ten thousand li, our warriors and horses number in the hundreds of millions. We long matched our strength against all the frontier tribes and treated the Central States as equals. Among the northern peoples, none was greater. Recently the climate has been clear and harmonious, winds and clouds in proper order—I understood that a great sage would arise in the Central States. Now having been touched by your virtue and righteousness, the spirit of courtesy and yielding fills your court and spreads across the land. Heaven has no two suns; the earth has no two kings. The Great Sui Emperor is the true emperor. How would I dare to rely on arms and terrain, stealthily usurping titles? Now, moved by your pure governance, my heart turns to the Way. Bending knee and knocking forehead, I shall forever be your frontier subject. Though your palace lies far to the south across distant mountains and rivers, I dare not neglect the rites of facing north in submission. Henceforth I shall send my son to court, present divine horses as annual tribute, and respectfully await your commands morning and evening. As for cutting our lapels, unbraiding our hair, and changing our speech to follow your standards—these customs are long established and cannot yet be changed. The whole realm is of one heart; none fail to bear your grace. I cannot contain the fullness of my joy and admiration. Respectfully I dispatch my seventh son Kuhanzhen and others to present this memorial.
9
高祖下詔曰：「沙缽略稱雄漠北，多曆世年，百蠻之大，莫過於此。 往雖與和，猶是二國，今作君臣，便成一體。 情深義厚，朕甚嘉之。 荷天之休，海外有截，豈朕薄德所能致此！ 已敕有司肅告郊廟，宜普頒天下，咸使知聞。」 自是詔答諸事並不稱其名以異之。 其妻可賀敦，周千金公主，賜姓楊氏，編之屬籍，改封大義公主。 策拜窟含真爲柱國，封安國公，宴於內殿，引見皇后，賞勞甚厚。 沙缽略大悅，於是歲時貢獻不絕。 七年正月，沙缽略遣其子入貢方物，因請獵於恆、代之間，又許之，仍遣人賜其酒食。 沙缽略率部落再拜受賜。 沙缽略一日手殺鹿十八頭，齎尾舌以獻。 還至紫河鎮，其牙帳爲火所燒，沙缽略惡之，月餘而卒。 上爲廢朝三日，遣太常弔祭焉。 贈物五千段。
Emperor Gaozu issued an edict: "Ishbara has held sway north of the desert for many generations. Among the hundred barbarian peoples, none is greater. Formerly, though at peace, we were still two states. Now, as lord and subject, we have become one. The bond is deep and the duty sincere—I greatly commend this. Receiving Heaven's blessing, all beyond the seas is at peace—how could my meager virtue alone bring this about! I have ordered the officials to announce this solemnly at the suburban altars and ancestral temples. Let it be promulgated throughout the realm so all may know. From this time, edicts and replies addressed to him no longer used his personal name, marking his special status. His wife Kehedun, the former Zhou Princess Qianjin, was granted the surname Yang, enrolled in the imperial clan register, and re-enfeoffed as Princess Dayi. Kuhanzhen was appointed pillar of state and enfeoffed as Duke of Anguo. He was feasted in the inner hall, introduced to the empress, and rewarded most generously. Ishbara was greatly pleased, and from then on sent tribute without cease through the seasons. In the first month of the seventh year, Ishbara sent his son to present tribute and requested permission to hunt between Heng and Dai. Permission was granted, and envoys were sent bearing wine and food. Ishbara led his tribe in double prostration to receive the gifts. Ishbara personally killed eighteen deer in a single day and presented their tails and tongues as tribute. Returning to Zihe Fort, his headquarters tent was consumed by fire. Ishbara took this as an ill omen and died a little over a month later. The emperor suspended court for three days and dispatched the Minister of Ceremonies to offer condolences and sacrifices. Five thousand bolts of goods were sent as gifts.
10
初，攝圖以其子雍虞閭性芃，遺令立其弟葉護處羅侯； 雍虞閭遣使迎處羅侯，將立之。 處羅侯曰：「我突厥自木杆可汗以來，多以弟代兄，以庶奪嫡，失先祖之法，不相敬畏。 汝當嗣位，我不憚拜汝也。」 雍虞閭又遣使謂處羅侯曰：「叔與我父，共根連體，我是枝葉。 甯有我作主，令根本反同枝葉，令叔父之尊下我卑稚！ 又亡父之命，其可廢乎！ 願叔勿疑。」 相讓者五六，處羅侯竟立，是爲葉護可汗。 以雍虞閭爲葉護。 遣使上表言狀，上賜之鼓吹幡旗。 處羅侯長頤僂背，眉目疏朗，勇而有謀，以隋所賜旗鼓西征阿波。 敵人以爲得隋兵所助，多來降附，遂生擒阿波。 既而上書請阿波死生之命，上下其議。 左僕射高熲進曰：「骨肉相殘，教之蠹也。 存養以示寬大。」 上曰：「善。」 熲因奉觴進曰：「自軒轅以來，獯粥多爲邊患。 今遠窮北海，皆爲臣妾，此之盛事，振古未聞，臣敢再拜上壽。」 其後處羅侯又西征，中流矢而卒，其衆奉雍虞閭爲主，是爲頡伽施多那都藍可汗。 雍虞閭遣使詣闕，賜物三千段。 每歲遣使朝貢。 時有流人楊欽亡入突厥中，謬云彭國公劉昶與宇文氏謀反，令大義公主發兵擾邊。 都藍執欽以聞，並貢葧布、魚膠。 其弟欽羽設部落強盛，都藍忌而擊之，斬首於陣。 其年，遣其母弟褥但特勤獻於闐玉杖，上拜褥但爲柱國、康國公。 明年，突厥部落大人相率遣使貢馬萬匹，羊二萬口，駝、牛各五百頭。 尋遣使請緣邊置市，與中國貿易，詔許之。
Initially, Shetu, finding his son Yudoulu weak in character, left instructions to install his younger brother Yehu Chuluohou as qaghan; Yudoulu sent envoys to welcome Chuluohou, intending to install him as qaghan. Chuluohou said: "Since Mughan Qaghan, our Turks have often replaced elder brothers with younger ones and usurped legitimate heirs with lesser sons, abandoning the law of our ancestors and losing all mutual respect. You should succeed to the throne. I do not shrink from bowing to you. Yudoulu sent envoys to tell Chuluohou: "Uncle and my father share one root and one body. I am but the branch and leaf. How could I take the throne and make the root become like the branch, placing my uncle's honored status beneath my lowly youth! Moreover, how can I set aside my deceased father's command! I pray you, uncle, do not doubt." They yielded to each other five or six times. In the end Chuluohou was installed as Yehu Qaghan. Yudoulu was appointed Yehu. He sent envoys to report the situation. The emperor bestowed upon him musical ensembles, banners, and flags. Chuluohou had a long neck and stooped back, with sparse but clear features. Brave and resourceful, he marched west against Apo bearing the banners and drums bestowed by Sui. The enemy believed he had Sui troops at his back. Many surrendered to him, and he captured Apo alive. He then submitted a memorial requesting a decision on Apo's life or death, and the matter was referred for discussion at court. Left Vice Director Gao Jiong said: "Kin slaughtering kin—this is the bane of good governance. Spare him and let him live, to show magnanimity. The emperor said: "Good." Gao Jiong raised a cup and said: "Since the time of the Yellow Emperor, the Xiongnu have been a constant frontier menace. Now driven to the ends of the northern sea, all have become your subjects—an achievement unprecedented since antiquity. Your servant dares bow twice and offer congratulations." Chuluohou later marched west again, was struck by an arrow, and died. His followers installed Yudoulu as leader, who became Jiagashiduona Dulü Qaghan. Yudoulu sent envoys to court and was granted three thousand bolts of goods. Each year he sent envoys to court with tribute. At that time the exile Yang Qin fled to the Turks and falsely claimed that Liu Chang, Duke of Peng, was plotting rebellion with the Yuwen clan, and that Princess Dayi had been ordered to raise troops and harass the border. Dulü seized Qin and reported the matter, and also presented tribute of hemp cloth and fish glue. His younger brother Qinyushe commanded a powerful tribe. Envying his strength, Dulü attacked and beheaded him on the battlefield. That year he sent his younger maternal brother Rutan Teqin to present a Khotan jade staff. The emperor appointed Rutan as pillar of state and Duke of Kang. The following year, the great chiefs of the Turkic tribes together sent envoys presenting ten thousand horses, twenty thousand sheep, and five hundred camels and cattle each as tribute. They soon sent envoys requesting border markets for trade with China. An edict granted their request.
11
平陳之後，上以陳叔寶屏風賜大義公主，主心恆不平，因書屏風爲詩，敘陳亡自寄。 其辭曰：「盛衰等朝暮，世道若浮萍。 榮華實難守，池台終自平。 富貴今何在？ 空事寫丹青。 杯酒恆無樂，弦歌詎有聲！ 餘本皇家子，飄流入虜庭。 一朝睹成敗，懷抱忽縱橫。 古來共如此，非我獨申名。 唯有《明君曲》，偏傷遠嫁情。」 上聞而惡之，禮賜益薄。 公主復與西面突厥泥利可汗連結，上恐其爲變，將圖之。 會主與所從胡私通，因發其事，下詔廢黜之。 恐都藍不從，遣奇章公牛弘將美妓四人以啖之。 時沙缽略子曰染幹，號突利可汗，居北方，遣使求婚。 上令裴矩謂之曰：「當殺大義主者，方許婚。」 突利以爲然，復譖之，都藍因發怒，遂殺公主于帳。 都藍與達頭可汗有隙，數相征伐，上和解之，各引兵而去。
After the conquest of Chen, the emperor bestowed Chen Shubao's screen upon Princess Dayi. Her heart was never at peace, and she wrote a poem on the screen lamenting Chen's fall and expressing her own sorrow. The poem read: "Rise and fall are like morning and evening; the ways of the world drift like duckweed. Glory and splendor are hard to hold; ponds and terraces in the end return to level ground. Where is wealth and nobility now? They survive only as painted images. Wine cups bring no lasting joy; how can string and song have sound! I was born a child of the imperial house, yet drifted into the barbarian court. One morning, witnessing rise and fall, my heart overflowed with grief. Since antiquity it has always been thus—I am not alone in my fate. Only the 'Song of the Bright Lord' especially wounds the heart of one sent far in marriage. When the emperor heard of this he was displeased, and the gifts and courtesies bestowed upon her grew ever thinner. The princess again allied with Nili Qaghan of the Western Turks. The emperor feared she would cause trouble and began plotting against her. When it was discovered that the princess had a secret affair with a Hu attendant, the matter was exposed and an edict deposed her. Fearing Dulü would refuse, the emperor dispatched Niu Hong, Duke of Qizhang, bearing four beautiful courtesans to win him over. At that time Ishbara's son Rangan, styled Tuli Qaghan, who dwelt in the north, sent envoys requesting a marriage alliance. The emperor had Pei Ju tell him: "Only when you kill Princess Dayi will marriage be permitted. Tuli agreed and slandered her again. Enraged, Dulü killed the princess in her tent. Dulü had a rift with Tardu Qaghan and repeatedly campaigned against each other. The emperor mediated, and each withdrew their troops.
12
十七年，突利遣使來逆女，上舍之太常，教習六禮，妻以宗女安義公主。 上欲離間北夷，故特厚其禮，遣牛弘、蘇威、斛律孝卿相繼爲使，突厥前後遣使入朝三百七十輩。 突利本居北方，以尚主之故，南徙度斤舊鎮，錫賚優厚。 雍虞閭怒曰：「我大可汗也，反不如染幹！」 於是朝貢遂絕，數爲邊患。 十八年，詔蜀王秀出靈州道以擊之。 明年，又遣漢王諒爲元帥，左僕射高熲率將軍王詧、上柱國趙仲卿並出朔州道，右僕射楊素率柱國李徹、韓僧壽出靈州，上柱國燕榮出幽州，以擊之。 雍虞閭與玷厥舉兵攻染幹，盡殺其兄弟子侄，遂度河，入蔚州。 染幹夜以五騎與隋使長孫晟歸朝。 上令染幹與雍虞閭使者因頭特勤相辯詰，染幹辭直，上乃厚待之。 雍虞閭弟都速六棄其妻子，與突利歸朝，上嘉之。 敕染幹與都速六樗蒲，稍稍輸以寶物，用慰其心。 夏六月，高煩、楊素擊玷厥，大破之。 拜染幹爲意利珍豆啟民可汗，華言「意智健」也。 啟民上表謝恩曰：「臣既蒙豎立，復改官名，昔日奸心，今悉除去，奉事至尊，不敢違法。」 上於朔州築大利城以居之。 是時安義主已卒，上以宗女義成公主妻之，部落歸者甚衆。 雍虞閭又擊之，上復令入塞。 雍虞閭侵掠不已，遷于河南，在夏、勝二州之間，發徒掘塹數百里，東西拒河，盡爲啟民畜牧之地。 於是遣越國公楊素出靈州，行軍總管韓僧壽出慶州，太平公史萬歲出燕州，大將軍姚辯出河州，以擊都藍。 師未出塞，而都藍爲其麾下所殺，達頭自立爲步迦可汗，其國大亂。 遣太平公史萬歲出朔州以擊之，遇達頭於大斤山，虜不戰而遁，追斬首虜二千餘人。 晉王廣出靈州，達頭遁逃而去。 尋遣其弟子俟利伐從磧東攻啟民。 上又發兵助啟民守要路，俟利伐退走入磧。 啟民上表陳謝曰：「大隋聖人莫緣可汗，憐養百姓，如天無不覆也，如地無不載也。 諸姓蒙威恩，赤心歸服，並將部落歸投聖人可汗來也。 或南入長城，或住白道，人民羊馬，遍滿山谷。 染幹譬如枯木重起枝葉，枯骨重生皮肉，千萬世長與大隋典羊馬也。」
In the seventeenth year, Tuli sent envoys to escort his bride. The emperor lodged her at the Ministry of Ceremonies to be instructed in the six rites of marriage, and gave him the imperial clanswoman Princess Anyi as his wife. The emperor wished to sow discord among the northern tribes and therefore treated Tuli with especial generosity, dispatching Niu Hong, Su Wei, and Hulu Xiaoqing in succession as envoys. The Turks sent envoys to court three hundred and seventy times in all. Tuli had originally dwelt in the north. Because of his marriage to the princess, he moved south to the old garrison at Dujin and received generous gifts and rewards. Yudoulu said in anger: "I am the Great Qaghan, yet I am treated worse than Rangan! Thereupon tribute to court ceased, and he repeatedly raided the frontier. In the eighteenth year, an edict ordered Prince Xiu of Shu to advance by the Lingzhou route to attack him. The following year, Prince Liang of Han was dispatched as commander-in-chief. Left Vice Director Gao Jiong led General Wang Yan and the supreme pillar Zhao Zhongqing by the Shuozhou route; Right Vice Director Yang Su led the pillars Li Che and Han Shoushou from Lingzhou; and the supreme pillar Yan Rong from Youzhou—all to attack the Turks. Yudoulu and Dianjue raised troops to attack Rangan, killing all his brothers, sons, and nephews. They then crossed the river and entered You Prefecture. Rangan fled by night with five horsemen and the Sui envoy Zhangsun Sheng to submit to the Sui court. The emperor had Rangan debate face to face with Yudoulu's envoy Yintou Teqin. Rangan spoke plainly and truthfully, and the emperor thereupon treated him generously. Yudoulu's younger brother Dusuliu abandoned his wife and children and submitted to court with Tuli. The emperor commended him. The emperor ordered Rangan to play chupu with Dusuliu, deliberately losing treasures to him to comfort his heart. In the sixth month of summer, Gao Jiong and Yang Su attacked Dianjue and routed him utterly. Rangan was appointed Yilizhendou Qimin Qaghan—in Chinese, meaning "wise and vigorous." Qimin submitted a memorial of gratitude: "Your subject, having been installed and given a new title, has cast off all former treacherous intent. Serving Your Majesty, I dare not violate the law. The emperor built Dali Fort at Shuozhou for him to dwell in. Princess Anyi had by then died. The emperor gave him the imperial clanswoman Princess Yicheng in marriage, and many tribes returned to submit. Yudoulu attacked him again. The emperor again ordered Qimin to enter the frontier passes for protection. As Yudoulu's raids continued, Qimin was relocated to Henan, between Xia and Sheng prefectures. Corvée laborers dug trenches several hundred li long, bounded east and west by the river, all set aside as pastureland for Qimin. The emperor dispatched Duke Yang Su of Yueguo from Lingzhou, the marching commander Han Shoushou from Qingzhou, Duke Shi Wansui of Taiping from Yanzhou, and the great general Yao Bian from Hezhou—all to attack Dulü. Before the armies had crossed the frontier, Dulü was killed by his own subordinates. Tardu installed himself as Bujia Qaghan, and the Turkic realm fell into great disorder. Duke Shi Wansui of Taiping was dispatched from Shuozhou to attack Tardu. Encountering him at Mount Dajin, the Turks fled without fighting. In pursuit more than two thousand were killed. Prince of Jin Yang Guang advanced from Lingzhou, and Tardu fled. Tardu soon sent his nephew Yilibo to attack Qimin from east of the desert. The emperor again dispatched troops to help Qimin hold the strategic passes. Yilibo retreated and fled into the desert. Qimin submitted a memorial of thanks: "The Great Sui Sage Qaghan pities and nurtures the people, like Heaven that covers all, like Earth that bears all. All clans have received your awesome grace. With loyal hearts they submit, bringing their tribes to join the Sage Qaghan. Some enter south of the Great Wall, some dwell on the White Road—people, sheep, and horses fill every valley. Rangan is like a withered tree sprouting leaves anew, like dry bones regrowing flesh—I shall forever tend sheep and horses for Great Sui for ten thousand generations."
13
仁壽元年，代州總管韓洪爲虜所敗于恆安，廢爲庶人。 詔楊素爲雲州道行軍元帥，率啟民北征。 斛薛等諸姓初附於啟民，至是而叛。 素軍河北，值突厥阿勿思力俟斤等南度，掠啟民男女六千口、雜畜二十余萬而去。 素率上大將軍梁默輕騎追之，轉戰六十餘里，大破俟斤，悉得人畜以歸啟民。 素又遣柱國張定和、領軍大將軍劉升別路邀擊，並多斬獲而還。 兵既渡河，賊復掠啟民部落，素率驃騎范貴于窟結谷東南奮擊，復破之，追奔八十餘里。 是歲，泥利可汗及葉護俱被鐵勒所敗。 步迦尋亦大亂，奚、霫五部內徙，步迦奔吐谷渾。 啟民遂有其衆，歲遣朝貢。
In the first year of Renshou, the Daizhou commander Han Hong was defeated by the Turks at Heng'an and was demoted to commoner status. An edict appointed Yang Su as marching commander-in-chief of the Yunzhou route, leading Qimin on a northern campaign. The Huxie and other clans had initially submitted to Qimin but now rebelled. Su's army was north of the river when the Turks Abusi Yilibo and others crossed south, plundering six thousand of Qimin's people and more than two hundred thousand head of livestock before departing. Su led the supreme general Liang Mo with light cavalry in pursuit. After fighting over more than sixty li, he routed Yilibo and returned all the people and livestock to Qimin. Su also dispatched the pillars Zhang Dinghe and the commanding general Liu Sheng by separate routes to intercept. Both killed and captured many before returning. After the troops had crossed the river, the raiders again plundered Qimin's tribe. Su led the swift cavalry commander Fan Gui in a fierce attack southeast of Kujie Valley, defeating them again and pursuing the fleeing enemy over eighty li. That year, both Nili Qaghan and Yehu were defeated by the Tiele. Bujia soon also fell into great disorder. The five Xi and Mohe tribes moved inward, and Bujia fled to the Tuyuhun. Qimin thereupon came to possess their followers and sent tribute to court each year.
14
大業三年四月，煬帝幸榆林，啟民及義成公主來朝行宮，前後獻馬三千匹。 帝大悅，賜物萬二千段。 啟民上表曰：「已前聖人先帝莫緣可汗存在之日，憐臣，賜臣安義公主，種種無少短。 臣種末爲聖人先帝憐養，臣兄弟妒惡，相共殺臣，臣當時無處去，向上看只見天，下看只見地，實憶聖人先帝言語，投命去來。 聖人先帝見臣，大憐臣，死命養活，勝於往前，遣臣作大可汗坐著也。 其突厥百姓，死者以外，還聚作百姓也。 至尊今還如聖人先帝，捉天下四方坐也。 還養活臣及突厥百姓，實無少短。 臣今憶想聖人及至尊養活事，具奏不可盡，並至尊聖心裏在。 臣今非是舊日邊地突厥可汗，臣即是至尊臣民，至尊憐臣時，乞依大國服飾法用，一同華夏。 臣今率部落，敢以上聞，伏願天慈，不違所請。」 表奏，帝下其議，公卿請依所奏。 帝以爲不可，乃下詔曰：「先王建國，夷夏殊風，君子教民，不求變俗。 斷發文身，咸安其性，旃裘卉服，各尚所宜，因而利之，其道弘矣。 何必化諸削衽，縻以長纓，豈遂性之至理，非包含之遠度。 衣服不同，既辨要荒之敘，庶類區別，彌見天地之情。」 仍璽書答啟民，以爲磧北未靜，猶須征戰，但使好心孝順，何必改變衣服也。 帝法駕御千人大帳，享啟民及其部落酋長三千五百人，賜物二十萬段，其下各有差。 復下詔曰：「德合天地，覆載所以弗遣，功格區宇，聲教所以鹹洎。 至於梯山航海，請受正朔，襲冠解辮，同彼臣民。 是故《王會》納貢，義彰前冊，呼韓入臣，待以殊禮。 突厥意利珍豆啟民可汗志懷沈毅，世修籓職。 往者挺身違難，拔足歸仁，先朝嘉此款誠，授以徽號。 資其甲兵之衆，收其破滅之餘，復祀於既亡之國，繼絕於不存之地。 斯固施均亭育，澤漸要荒者矣。 朕以薄德，祗奉靈命，思播遠猷，光融今緒，是以親巡朔野，撫寧籓服。 啟民深委誠心，入奉朝覲，率其種落，拜首軒墀，言念丹款，良以嘉尚。 宜隆榮數，式優恆典。 可賜路車、乘馬、鼓吹、幡旗，贊拜不名，位在諸侯王上。」 帝親巡雲內，氵斥金河而東，北幸啟民所居。 啟民奉觴上壽，跪伏甚恭。 帝大悅，賦詩曰：「鹿塞鴻旗駐，龍庭翠輦回。 氈帳望風舉，穹廬向日開。 呼韓頓顙至，屠耆接踵來。 索辮擎膻肉，韋韝獻酒杯。 何如漢天子，空上單于台。」 帝賜啟民及主金甕各一，及衣服被褥錦彩，特勤以下各有差。 先是，高麗私通使啟民所，啟民推誠奉國，不敢隱境外之交。 是日，將高麗使人見，敕令牛弘宣旨謂之曰：「朕以啟民誠心奉國，故親至其所。 明年當往涿郡。 爾還日，語高麗王知，宜早來朝，勿自疑懼。 存育之禮，當同於啟民。 如或不朝，必將啟民巡行彼土。」 使人甚懼。 啟民仍扈從入塞，至定襄，詔令歸籓。
In the fourth month of the third year of Daye, Emperor Yang visited Yulin. Qimin and Princess Yicheng came to pay court at the traveling palace, presenting three thousand horses in all. The emperor was greatly pleased and bestowed twelve thousand bolts of goods. Qimin submitted a memorial: "In former days when the Sage Former Emperor was alive, he pitied your subject, bestowed Princess Anyi upon me, and in every way showed no shortcoming. Your subject's clan was pitied and nurtured by the Sage Former Emperor, but my brothers envied and hated me and together tried to kill me. I had nowhere to go—looking up I saw only Heaven, looking down I saw only Earth. Remembering the Sage Former Emperor's words, I entrusted my life to him and came. The Sage Former Emperor saw your subject, greatly pitied me, kept me alive at the cost of his own effort, better than before, and installed me as Great Qaghan. Of the Turkic people, aside from the dead, the rest gathered again as his subjects. Your Supreme Majesty now is again like the Sage Former Emperor, holding all within the four directions upon the throne. Again nurturing your subject and the Turkic people—truly showing no shortcoming. Your subject now recalls the nurturing deeds of the Sage and Your Supreme Majesty. Though I report them all, they cannot be fully told—all are within Your Supreme Majesty's sacred heart. Your subject is no longer the old frontier Turkic qaghan; I am Your Supreme Majesty's subject and citizen. When Your Supreme Majesty pities your subject, I beg to follow the great state's dress and customs and become one with the Central States. Your subject now leads my tribe and dares report this above. Humbly I pray for Heaven's compassion, that my request not be denied. When the memorial was submitted, the emperor referred it for discussion. The high officials requested compliance with what was proposed. The emperor considered this unacceptable and issued an edict: "The ancient kings established states; barbarian and civilized peoples have different customs. The noble man teaches the people without seeking to change their ways. Cut hair and tattooed bodies—each rests in their nature; felt coats and grass garments—each honors what suits them. Working with this, the Way is vast indeed. Why must all be transformed to cut their lapels and be tethered with long cords? Is this following nature to its utmost principle, or is it not the far-reaching measure of all-embracing tolerance? Different clothing already distinguishes the order of the frontier wilderness. Distinguishing the myriad peoples more clearly reveals Heaven and Earth's intent. He still sent an imperial letter in reply to Qimin, stating that north of the desert was not yet pacified and campaigning was still needed. So long as he kept a good heart and was filial and obedient, why must he change his clothing? The emperor in imperial procession entered a tent for a thousand men and feasted Qimin and three thousand five hundred chieftains of his tribe, bestowing two hundred thousand bolts of goods, with lesser amounts for those of lower rank. He again issued an edict: "Virtue matches Heaven and Earth; none is excluded from its covering and bearing. Merit reaches the realm; none is excluded from its sound and transformation. Peoples climb mountains and cross seas to request the calendar, adopt caps and unbraid their hair to become subjects like the rest— as the 'Royal Assembly' records tribute and former annals show righteousness; as Huhanye entered as subject and was treated with special ceremony. The Turkic Yilizhendou Qimin Qaghan's will is deep and resolute; for generations he has maintained his frontier duties. Formerly he stood forth against adversity and withdrew to return to benevolence. The former court commended this sincere pledge and granted him an honorific title. Supplying him with armed forces, gathering the remnants of destruction, restoring sacrifices in a state already perished, continuing the line in a land no longer existing. This is indeed extending equal nurturing, grace reaching even the frontier wilderness. I, with meager virtue, reverently receive the divine mandate, thinking to spread far-reaching plans and illuminate the present age. Therefore I personally tour the northern wilds and pacify the frontier subjects. Qimin deeply entrusted his sincere heart, came to pay court, and led his tribes to bow their heads at the palace steps. Reflecting on his loyal pledge, I greatly commend this. It is fitting to elevate his honors and accord him exceptional standing by permanent precedent. He shall be granted a state carriage, riding horses, musical ensembles, banners and flags. In announcements of obeisance his name need not be spoken, and his rank shall be above all feudal princes. The emperor personally toured Yunnei, waded the Jin River eastward, and proceeded north to visit where Qimin dwelt. Qimin raised a cup to offer congratulations on the emperor's longevity, kneeling and prostrating himself most respectfully. The emperor was greatly pleased and composed a poem: "At Deer Pass the great banner halts; from the Dragon Court the emerald carriage returns. Felt tents rise at the wind's approach; domed lodges open toward the sun. Huhanye arrives knocking his forehead; the chanyu follow one after another. With braided hair they bear mutton; with leather quivers they offer wine cups. How unlike the Han emperor, who vainly ascended the Chanyu Terrace! The emperor bestowed upon Qimin and the princess each a golden urn, as well as clothing, bedding, brocades, and silks. Teqin and those of lower rank received gifts according to their station. Earlier, Goguryeo had sent secret envoys to Qimin's domain. Qimin, with sincere loyalty to the state, dared not conceal foreign contacts beyond the border. That day the Goguryeo envoys were brought to audience. An edict ordered Niu Hong to proclaim: "Because Qimin serves the state with sincere heart, I have come personally to his domain. Next year I shall go to Zhuo Prefecture. When you return, tell the King of Goguryeo: he should come early to court and not doubt or fear. The courtesies of protection and support shall be the same as those accorded Qimin. If he fails to come to court, I shall certainly have Qimin patrol his territory. This left the envoys deeply alarmed. Qimin again followed the emperor into the frontier and, upon reaching Dingxiang, was ordered by edict to resume his vassal duties.
15
明年，朝於東都，禮賜益厚。 是歲，疾終，上爲之廢朝三日，立其子咄吉世，是爲始畢可汗。 表請尚公主，詔從其俗。 十一年，來朝於東都。 其年，車駕避暑汾陽宮，八月，始畢率其種落入寇，圍帝於雁門。 詔諸郡發兵赴行在所，援軍方至，始畢引去。 由是朝貢遂絕。 明年，復寇馬邑，唐公以兵擊走之。 隋末亂離，中國人歸之者無數，遂大強盛，勢陵中夏。 迎蕭皇后，置於定襄。 薛舉、竇建德、王世充、劉武周、梁師都、李軌、高開道之徒，雖僭尊號，皆北面稱臣，受其可汗之號。 使者往來，相望於道也。
The following year he came to court at the Eastern Capital, where the honors and gifts bestowed upon him grew ever more lavish. That year he died of illness. The emperor suspended court for three days in mourning and installed his son Tudiji as Shibi Qaghan. He submitted a memorial requesting marriage to an imperial princess, and an edict granted the request according to Turkic custom. In the eleventh year he came to court at the Eastern Capital. That year, while the emperor was summering at Fenyang Palace, Shibi led his tribes in a raid in the eighth month and besieged the emperor at Yanmen. An edict ordered the commanderies to dispatch troops to the emperor's location. Relief forces had barely arrived when Shibi withdrew. From that point on, tribute missions ceased entirely. The following year he raided Mayi again, but the Duke of Tang drove him off with troops. At the end of the Sui, amid chaos and upheaval, countless Chinese submitted to him. He grew immensely powerful, and his might came to overshadow the Central Plains. He welcomed Empress Xiao and established her at Dingxiang. Xue Ju, Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, Liu Wuzhou, Liang Shidu, Li Gui, Gao Kaidao, and others, though they had usurped royal titles, all turned north to declare themselves his subjects and accepted qaghan titles from him. Envoys traveled back and forth in such numbers that they could be seen all along the roads.
16
西突厥
Western Turks
17
西突厥者，木杆可汗之子大邏便也。 與沙缽略有隙，因分爲二，漸以強盛。 東拒都斤，西越金山，龜茲、鐵勒、伊吾及西域諸胡悉附之。 大邏便爲處羅侯所執，其國立鞅素特勤之子，是爲泥利可汗。 卒，子達漫立，號泥撅處羅可汗。 其母向氏，本中國人，生達漫而泥利卒，向氏又嫁其弟婆實特勤。 開皇末，婆實共向氏入朝，遇達頭亂，遂留京師，每舍之鴻臚寺。 處羅可汗居無恆處，然多在烏孫故地。 復立二小可汗，分統所部。 一在石國北，以制諸胡國。 一居龜茲北，其地名應娑。 官有俟發、閻洪達，以評議國事，自余與東國同。 每五月八日，相聚祭神，歲遣重臣向其先世所居之窟致祭焉。
The Western Turks were descended from Daluobian, son of Mughan Qaghan. After a falling-out with Ishbara, the Turks split into two realms, and the Western branch gradually grew powerful. To the east he held the line at Dujin; to the west he crossed the Altai Mountains. Kucha, the Tiele, Yiwu, and all the Hu peoples of the Western Regions submitted to him. Daluobian was seized by Chuluohou, and the realm installed the son of Yangsu Teqin as Nili Qaghan. Upon his death, his son Daman was installed and styled Nijue Chuluo Qaghan. His mother, Lady Xiang, was originally Chinese. She bore Daman, and after Nili's death she married his younger brother Poshi Teqin. Near the end of the Kaihuang era, Poshi entered court together with Lady Xiang. With Datou's rebellion underway, they remained in the capital and were lodged at the Honglu Temple. Chuluo Qaghan had no fixed residence, though he spent most of his time in the former territory of Wusun. He further installed two lesser qaghans to govern his divisions separately. One was stationed north of Shiguo to control the various Hu states. The other dwelt north of Kucha, at a place called Yingsa. Among his officials were Yifa and Yan Hongda, who deliberated on state affairs. The rest of the government was organized like that of the Eastern Turks. Every year on the eighth day of the fifth month they gathered to sacrifice to the spirits, and each year they dispatched high ministers to offer sacrifice at the cave where their forebears had once lived.
18
當大業初，處羅可汗撫御無道，其國多叛，與鐵勒屢相攻，大爲鐵勒所敗。 時黃門侍郎裴矩在敦煌引致西域，聞國亂，復知處羅思其母氏，因奏之。 煬帝遣司朝謁者崔君肅齎書慰諭之。 處羅甚踞，受詔不肯起。 君肅謂處羅曰：「突厥本一國也，中分爲二，自相仇敵。 每歲交兵，積數十年而莫能相滅者，明知啟民與處羅國其勢敵耳。 今啟民舉其部落，兵且百萬，入臣天子，甚有丹誠者，何也？ 但以切恨可汗而不能獨制，故卑事天子以借漢兵，連二大國，欲滅可汗耳。 百官兆庶咸請許之，天子弗違，師出有日矣。 顧可汗母向氏，本中國人，歸在京師，處於賓館。 聞天子之詔，懼可汗之滅，旦夕守闕，哭泣悲哀。 是以天子憐焉，爲其輟策。 向夫人又匍匐謝罪，因請發使以召可汗，令入內屬，乞加恩禮，同於啟民。 天子從之，故遣使到此。 可汗若稱籓拜詔，國乃永安，而母得延壽； 不然者，則向夫人爲誑天子，必當取戮而傳首虜庭。 發大隋之兵，資北蕃之衆，左提右挈，以擊可汗，死亡則無日矣。 奈何惜兩拜之禮，剿慈母之命，吝一句稱臣，喪匈奴國也！」 處羅聞之，矍然而起，流涕再拜，跪受詔書。 君肅又說處羅曰：「啟民內附，先帝嘉之，賞賜極厚，故致兵強國富。 今可汗後附，與之爭寵，須深結于天子，自表至誠。 既以道遠，未得朝覲，宜立一功，以明臣節。」 處羅曰：「如何？」 君肅曰：「吐谷渾者，啟民少子莫賀咄設之母家也。 今天子又以義成公主妻于啟民，啟民畏天子之威而與之絕。 吐谷渾亦因憾漢故，職貢不修。 可汗若請誅之，天子必許。 漢擊其內，可汗攻其外，破之必矣。 然後身自入朝，道路無阻，因見老母，不亦可乎？」 處羅大喜，遂遣使朝貢。
Early in the Daye era, Chuluo Qaghan governed harshly and unjustly. Many of his subjects rebelled, and after repeated clashes with the Tiele he suffered major defeats. At that time Yellow Gate Vice Director Pei Ju was in Dunhuang working to draw the Western Regions into contact with Sui. Learning of the turmoil in Chuluo's realm and knowing that Chuluo missed his mother, he memorialized the throne. Emperor Yang dispatched Palace Usher Cui Junsu with a letter of comfort and instruction. Chuluo was extremely arrogant and refused to rise when he received the edict. Junsu said to Chuluo: "The Turks were originally one people, but they split in two and became bitter enemies. They have fought year after year for decades without either side destroying the other, which shows plainly that Qimin's realm and yours are evenly matched in strength. Now Qimin has brought his entire tribe — nearly a million warriors — to submit to the Son of Heaven with such evident sincerity. Why do you think that is? Because he deeply resents you yet cannot overcome you alone, he has humbled himself before the Son of Heaven to borrow Han troops, intending to join two great powers and destroy you. Officials and commoners alike petitioned for approval, and the Son of Heaven did not refuse. The day of marching forth draws near. But your mother, Lady Xiang, is originally Chinese. She now lives in the capital, lodged in the guest residence. When she heard the Son of Heaven's edict, she feared for your destruction. Day and night she kept vigil at the palace gate, weeping in grief. The Son of Heaven took pity on her and halted the campaign on her account. Lady Xiang prostrated herself again to beg forgiveness and asked that envoys be sent to summon you, that you submit as an inner vassal, and that you receive the same honors as Qimin. The Son of Heaven agreed, and that is why envoys have been sent here. If you declare yourself a vassal and bow to receive the edict, your realm will be secure and your mother will be spared; otherwise Lady Xiang will be judged to have deceived the Son of Heaven, and she will certainly be executed with her head sent to your court. Great Sui will mobilize its armies and supply the northern tribes, and with forces closing in from every side, your day of death will not be far off. How can you begrudge two bows of submission, cut short your loving mother's life, refuse a single phrase declaring yourself subject, and lose your realm! When Chuluo heard this, he started up in alarm, wept as he bowed twice, and knelt to receive the edict. Junsu went on to persuade Chuluo: "When Qimin submitted to the court, the former emperor praised him and bestowed extremely generous gifts, which made his forces strong and his realm prosperous. Now that you submit later and must compete with him for favor, you must forge a deep bond with the Son of Heaven and show the utmost sincerity. Since the distance is great and you have not yet been able to attend court, you should perform some service to demonstrate your loyalty as a subject. Chuluo asked: "How?" Junsu said: "The Tuyuhun are the maternal kin of Mohezhuo She, Qimin's youngest son. The Son of Heaven has also given Princess Yicheng in marriage to Qimin, and Qimin, fearing the emperor's authority, has broken with them. The Tuyuhun, resentful toward the Han court, have also neglected their tribute duties. If you request permission to destroy them, the Son of Heaven will certainly grant it. Han will strike from within while you attack from without, and their defeat is certain. Then you may come to court in person, the roads will be open, and you may see your aged mother — would that not be fitting? Chuluo was greatly pleased and dispatched envoys with tribute.
19
帝將西狩，六年，遣侍御史韋節召處羅，今與車駕會於大鬥拔穀。 其國人不從，處羅謝使者，辭以他故。 帝大怒，無如之何。 適會其酋長射匱遣使來求婚，裴矩因奏曰：「處羅不朝，恃強大耳。 臣請以計弱之，分裂其國，即易制也。 射匱者，都六之子，達頭之孫，世爲可汗，君臨西面。 今聞其失職，附隸于處羅，故遣使來，以結援耳。 願厚禮其使，拜爲大可汗，則突厥勢分，兩從我矣。」 帝曰：「公言是也。」 因遣裴矩朝夕至館，微諷諭之。 帝於仁風殿召其使者，言處羅不順之意，稱射匱有好心，吾將立爲大可汗，令發兵誅處羅，然後當爲婚也。 帝取桃竹白羽箭一枝以賜射匱，因謂之曰：「此事宜速，使疾如箭也。」 使者返，路經處羅，處羅愛箭，將留之，使者譎而得免。 射匱聞而大喜，興兵襲處羅，處羅大敗，棄妻子，將左右數千騎東走。 在路又被劫掠，遁于高昌東，保時羅漫山。 高昌王麹伯雅上狀，帝遣裴矩將向氏親要左右，馳至玉門關晉昌城。 矩遣向氏使詣處羅所，論朝廷弘養之義，丁寧曉諭之，遂入朝，然每有怏怏之色。 以七年冬，處羅朝于臨朔宮，帝享之。 處羅稽首謝曰：「臣總西面諸蕃，不得早來朝拜，今參見遲晚，罪責極深，臣心裏悚懼，不能道盡。」 帝曰：「往者與突厥相侵擾，不得安居。 今四海既清，與一家無異，朕皆欲存養，使遂性靈。 譬如天上止有一個日照臨，莫不寧帖； 若有兩個三個日，萬物何以得安？ 比者亦知處羅總攝事繁，不得早來相見。 今日見處羅，懷抱豁然歡喜，處羅亦當豁然，不煩在意。」 明年元會，處羅上壽曰：「自天以下，地以上，日月所照，唯有聖人可汗。 今是大日，願聖人可汗千歲萬歲常如今日也。」 詔留其累弱萬餘口，令其弟達度關牧畜會寧郡。 處羅從征高麗，賜號爲曷薩那可汗，賞賜甚厚。 十年正月，以信義公主嫁焉，賜錦彩袍千具，彩萬匹。 帝將復其故地，以遼東之役，故未遑也。 每從巡幸。 江都之亂，隨化及至河北。 化及將敗，奔歸京師，爲北蕃突厥所害。
When the emperor prepared to hunt in the west, in the sixth year he dispatched Attendant Censor Wei Jie to summon Chuluo and ordered him to meet the imperial procession at Dabagu. His people refused to go, and Chuluo apologized to the envoy, declining on other grounds. The emperor was furious but could do nothing about it. Just then the chieftain Shegui sent envoys seeking marriage. Pei Ju memorialized: "Chuluo refuses to come to court because he relies on his strength alone. I ask to weaken him by stratagem, split his realm, and then he will be easy to control. Shegui is the son of Duliu and grandson of Datou. His line has held the qaghanate for generations and rules the western domains. Learning that he had lost his position and submitted to Chuluo, he sent envoys to seek an alliance. If Your Majesty treats his envoys generously and invests him as Great Qaghan, Turkic power will be divided and both factions will follow us. The emperor said: "You are right." He then sent Pei Ju to the guest lodge morning and evening to subtly persuade them. At Rensfeng Hall the emperor summoned Shegui's envoys, spoke of Chuluo's disobedience, praised Shegui's good intentions, and said he would install him as Great Qaghan, have him dispatch troops to destroy Chuluo, and then grant the marriage. The emperor took a white-feathered arrow of peach bamboo and bestowed it on Shegui, saying: "Act swiftly in this matter — move as fast as an arrow. The envoys returned. Passing through Chuluo's territory, Chuluo coveted the arrow and tried to keep it, but the envoys tricked him and got away. Shegui was delighted when he heard the news. He raised troops and attacked Chuluo, who suffered a crushing defeat, abandoned his wife and children, and fled east with several thousand mounted followers. On the road he was robbed again. He fled east of Gaochang and took refuge on Mount Shiluo. King Qu Boya of Gaochang submitted a report, and the emperor dispatched Pei Ju with Lady Xiang's close attendants, who galloped to Jinchang at Yumen Pass. Pei Ju sent an envoy from Lady Xiang to Chuluo's camp to explain the court's generous policy of support and repeatedly urged him to submit. Chuluo then came to court, though he often wore a discontented expression. In the winter of the seventh year, Chuluo came to court at Linshuo Palace, where the emperor feasted him. Chuluo kowtowed and apologized: "Your subject governs all the western tribes and could not come to court sooner. This audience comes late, and my guilt is profound. My heart trembles with fear, and words fail me. The emperor said: "In former times Turks and Chinese raided and harassed each other, and neither side could live in peace. Now the realm is at peace and we are as one family. I wish to preserve and nurture all peoples and let each live according to its nature. It is like heaven having only one sun shining down, under which all live in peace; if there were two or three suns, how could the myriad things find peace? I also know that you, Chuluo, have had many affairs to oversee and could not come sooner. Today, seeing you, my heart is filled with joy. You too should put your worries aside and not trouble yourself over this. At the New Year's assembly the following year, Chuluo offered a toast for long life: "From heaven above to earth below, wherever sun and moon shine, there is only the Sage Qaghan. Today you are the Great Sun. May the Sage Qaghan live a thousand years, ten thousand years, always as today. An edict ordered that more than ten thousand of his dependents and the weak be retained, and his younger brother Dadu be sent through the passes to herd livestock in Huining Commandery. Chuluo joined the campaign against Goguryeo and was granted the title Hesana Qaghan, with very generous rewards. In the first month of the tenth year, Princess Xinyi was given to him in marriage, along with one thousand brocade robes and ten thousand bolts of colored silk. The emperor intended to restore his former lands, but the Liaodong campaign left him no time to do so. He always accompanied the emperor on imperial tours. During the upheaval at Jiangdu he followed Huaji as far as Hebei. When Huaji was on the verge of defeat, he fled back to the capital and was killed by the northern Turks.
20
鐵勒之先，匈奴之苗裔也，種類最多。 自西海之東，依據山谷，往往不絕。 獨洛河北有僕骨、同羅、韋紇、拔也古、覆羅並號俟斤，蒙陳、吐如紇、斯結、渾、斛薛等諸姓，勝兵可二萬。 伊吾以西，焉耆之北，傍白山，則有契弊、薄落職、乙咥、蘇婆、那曷、烏訁雚、紇骨、也咥、於尼訁雚等，勝兵可二萬。 金山西南，有薛延陀、咥勒兒、十槃、達契等，一萬餘兵。 康國北，傍阿得水，則有訶咥、曷昚、撥忽、比干、具海、曷比悉、何嵯蘇、拔也未渴達等，有三萬許兵。 得嶷海東西，有蘇路羯、三索咽、蔑促、隆忽等諸姓，八千餘。 拂菻東則有恩屈、阿蘭、北褥九離、伏嗢昏等，近二萬人。 北海南則都波等。 雖姓氏各別，總謂爲鐵勒。 並無君長，分屬東、西兩突厥。 居無恆所，隨水草流移。 人性凶忍，善於騎射，貪婪尤甚，以寇抄爲生。 近西邊者，頗爲藝植，多牛羊而少馬。 自突厥有國，東西征討，皆資其用，以制北荒。
The Tiele traced their origins to the Xiongnu and comprised the greatest number of tribal groups. From east of the Western Sea they spread along valleys and mountains in an unbroken succession of settlements. North of the Duluo River lived the Pugu, Tongluo, Weihe, Bayegu, and Fuluo, all styled irkin, along with the Mengchen, Turuhe, Sijie, Hun, and Huxie clans — about twenty thousand warriors in all. West of Yiwu and north of Yanqi, along White Mountain, lived the Qibi, Boluozhi, Yidi, Supo, Nahe, Wuyan, Hegu, Yedi, and Yuniyannuan tribes — about twenty thousand warriors in all. Southwest of the Altai Mountains lived the Xueyantuo, Dile'er, Shipan, Daqi, and others — more than ten thousand warriors in all. North of Kang and along the Aideshui River lived the Hedi, Heshen, Bohu, Bigan, Juhai, Hebixi, Hesuo, and Bayeweikeda tribes — about thirty thousand warriors in all. East and west of the De'er Sea lived the Sulujie, Sansuoyan, Miecui, Longhu, and other clans — more than eight thousand people in all. East of Byzantium lived the Enqu, Alan, Beiru Jiuli, Fu'ohun, and others — nearly twenty thousand people in all. South of the Northern Sea were the Dubo and other tribes. Though their clans bore different names, they were collectively known as the Tiele. None had chieftains of their own; they were distributed among the Eastern and Western Turks. They had no permanent settlements and wandered wherever grass and water led them. By nature they were cruel and fierce, expert horsemen and archers, and exceedingly greedy — they lived by raiding and plunder. Those near the western frontier practiced some agriculture; they kept many cattle and sheep but few horses. Once the Turks had established their realm, every campaign east and west drew on the Tiele to help subdue the northern frontier.
21
其俗大抵與突厥同，唯丈夫婚畢，便就妻家，待產乳男女，然後歸舍，死者埋殯之，此其異也。 大業三年，遣使貢方物，自是不絕云。
Their customs were much like those of the Turks, except that after marriage a man went to live with his wife's family and returned home only once she had borne children, and the dead were buried — these were the differences. In the third year of Daye they sent envoys bearing local products as tribute, and from that time tribute never ceased.
22
奚本曰庫莫奚，東部胡之種也。 爲慕容氏所破，遺落者竄匿松、漠之間。 其俗甚爲不潔，而善射獵，好爲寇鈔。 初臣於突厥，後稍強盛，分爲五部：一曰辱紇王，二曰莫賀弗，三曰契個，四曰木昆，五曰室得。 每部俟斤一人爲其帥。 隨逐水草，頗同突厥。 有阿會氏，五部中爲盛，諸部皆歸之。 每與契丹相攻擊，虜獲財畜，因而得賞。 死者以葦薄裹屍，懸之樹上。 自突厥稱籓之後，亦遣使入朝，或通或絕，最爲無信。 大業時，歲遣使貢方物。
The Xi were originally known as the Kumo Xi, a branch of the Eastern Hu peoples. The Murong clan shattered them, and those who survived fled into hiding among the pine forests and desert wastes. Their ways were notably unclean; they were skilled hunters and archers and fond of raiding. At first they submitted to the Turks, but later they gradually grew stronger and split into five divisions: Ruohewang, Mohefu, Qige, Mukun, and Shide. Each division was led by a single irkin as its commander. They moved with the seasons following grass and water, much like the Turks. The Aihui clan was the strongest of the five divisions, and all the others submitted to it. They regularly raided the Khitan, seizing goods and livestock and thereby earning rewards. The dead were wrapped in reed mats and hung from trees. After the Turks submitted as vassals, the Xi too sent envoys to court, but relations were intermittent — of all the tribes, they were the least trustworthy. During the Daye era they sent envoys each year bearing local products as tribute.
23
契丹之先，與庫莫奚異種而同類，並爲慕容氏所破，俱竄於松、漠之間。 其後稍大，居黃龍之北數百里。 其俗頗與靺鞨同。 好爲寇盜。 父母死而悲哭者，以爲不壯。 但以其屍置於山樹之上，經三年之後，乃收其骨而焚之。 因酹而祝曰：「冬月時，向陽食。 若我射獵時，使我多得豬鹿。」 其無禮頑嚚，于諸夷最甚。 當後魏時，爲高麗所侵，部落萬餘口求內附，止于白貔河。 其後爲突厥所逼，又以萬家寄於高麗。 開皇四年，率諸莫賀弗來謁。 五年，悉其衆款塞，高祖納之，聽居其故地。 六年，其諸部相攻擊，久不止，又與突厥相侵，高祖使使責讓之。 其國遣使詣闕，頓顙謝罪。 其後契丹別部出伏等背高麗，率衆內附。 高祖納之，安置于渴奚那頡之北。 開皇末，其別部四千餘家背突厥來降。 上方與突厥和好，重失遠人之心，悉令給糧還本，敕突厥撫納之。 固辭不去。 部落漸衆，遂北徙逐水草，當遼西正北二百里，依託紇臣水而居。 東西亙五百里，南北三百里，分爲十部。 兵多者三千，少者千餘，逐寒暑，隨水草畜牧。 有征伐，則酋帥相與議之，興兵動衆合符契。 突厥沙缽略可汗遣吐屯潘垤統之。
The Khitan and the Kumo Xi were distinct tribes of the same broad family; both were broken by the Murong and fled together into the pine forests and desert wastes. They gradually grew in strength and settled several hundred li north of Huanglong. Their customs closely resembled those of the Mohe. They were given to raiding and robbery. Anyone who wept when parents died was considered weak. They simply placed the body in the trees on the mountains; after three years they collected the bones and burned them. They poured a libation and prayed: "In the winter months, feed facing the sun. When I hunt, grant me many pigs and deer." In their lack of propriety and obstinate wickedness they surpassed every other barbarian people. During Northern Wei, Goguryeo invaded them; more than ten thousand people of the tribe sought to submit to the court and halted at the Baipi River. Later, pressed by the Turks, they again placed ten thousand households under Goguryeo's protection. In the fourth year of Kaihuang, their mohefu chiefs led a delegation to pay homage at court. In the fifth year the entire people came to the frontier to submit; Emperor Gaozu received them and allowed them to remain in their former territory. In the sixth year their divisions fought one another without end and also raided the Turks; Emperor Gaozu sent envoys to rebuke them. Their leaders sent envoys to the capital, knocking their foreheads to the ground in apology. Later, Chufu and others of a separate Khitan division broke with Goguryeo and led their followers to submit to the court. Emperor Gaozu received them and settled them north of Kexina Ir. At the end of the Kaihuang era, more than four thousand households of a separate division broke with the Turks and came to surrender. The emperor was then reconciling with the Turks and feared alienating distant peoples; he supplied them all with grain and ordered them sent home, instructing the Turks to receive and pacify them. They steadfastly refused to go. The tribe gradually grew in numbers, moved north following grass and water, and settled two hundred li due north of Liaoxi along the Gechen River. Their territory stretched five hundred li east to west and three hundred li north to south, divided into ten divisions. The strongest divisions fielded three thousand warriors, the weakest more than a thousand; they moved with the seasons and herded wherever grass and water were found. When war was at hand, the chiefs deliberated together; to raise troops and mobilize the people they joined tally-tokens. Ishbara Qaghan of the Turks sent the tutun Pantie to command them.
24
室韋，契丹之類也。 其南者爲契丹，在北者號室韋，分爲五部，不相總一，所謂南室韋、北室韋、缽室韋、深末怛室韋、大室韋。 並無君長，人民貧弱，突厥常以三吐屯總領之。
The Shiwei belonged to the same broad family as the Khitan. Those to the south were the Khitan; those to the north were called the Shiwei, split into five sections under no single ruler — the Southern Shiwei, Northern Shiwei, Bo Shiwei, Shenmoda Shiwei, and Great Shiwei. None had chieftains of their own; the people were poor and weak, and the Turks regularly placed three tutuns over them.
25
南室韋在契丹北三千里，土地卑濕，至夏則移向西北貸勃、欠對二山，多草木，饒禽獸，又多蚊蚋，人皆巢居，以避其患。 漸分爲二十五部，每部有餘莫弗瞞咄，猶酋長也。 死則子弟代立，嗣絕則擇賢豪而立之。 其俗丈夫皆被發，婦人盤發，衣服與契丹同。 乘牛車，籧篨爲屋，如突厥氈車之狀。 渡水則束薪爲栰，或以皮爲舟者。 馬則織草爲韉，結繩爲轡。 寢則屈爲屋，以籧篨覆上，移則載行。 以豬皮爲席，編木爲藉。 婦女皆抱膝而坐。 氣候多寒，田收甚薄，無羊，少馬，多豬牛。 造酒食啖，與靺鞨同俗。 婚嫁之法，二家相許，婿輒盜婦將去，然後送牛馬爲娉，更將歸家。 待有娠，乃相隨還舍。 婦人不再嫁，以爲死人之妻難以共居。 部落共爲大棚，人死則置屍其上。 居喪三年，年唯四哭。 其國無鐵，取給於高麗。 多貂。
The Southern Shiwei lived three thousand li north of the Khitan on low, damp ground. In summer they moved northwest toward Mount Daibo and Mount Qiandui, where grass and game were plentiful but mosquitoes and gnats swarmed; everyone lived in tree nests to escape the pests. They gradually split into twenty-five divisions, each headed by a yemo fumoduo who served as chieftain. When a chieftain died, a son succeeded him; if the line died out, a worthy and powerful man was chosen. The men wore their hair loose and the women wore theirs coiled; their dress was the same as the Khitan. They traveled in ox-carts and made dwellings of woven matting, shaped like the Turks' felt-walled carts. To cross rivers they bound firewood into rafts, or sometimes made boats of hide. For horses they wove grass into saddles and knotted rope into bridles. For shelter they bent poles into a frame, covered it with matting, and loaded the whole structure onto carts when they moved. They used pig hide for mats and wove wood into bedding platforms. Women always sat with their knees drawn up. The climate was bitterly cold, harvests meager; they kept no sheep, few horses, but many pigs and cattle. They brewed fermented drink and consumed it — a custom shared with the Mohe. In marriage, once two families had agreed, the bridegroom would steal the bride away, then send cattle and horses as betrothal gifts and return her to her family. Only once she was pregnant did husband and wife return together to their home. Women did not remarry, believing that a dead man's wife was unfit to live with another. The tribe built a communal great shed; when someone died, the body was placed on top of it. Mourning lasted three years, but they wailed on only four days each year. They had no iron of their own and obtained it from Goguryeo. Sables were abundant.
26
南室韋北行十一日至北室韋，分爲九部落，繞吐紇山而居。 其部落渠帥號乞引莫賀咄，每部有莫何弗三人以貳之。 氣候最寒，雪深沒馬。 冬則入山，居土穴中，牛畜多凍死。 饒麞鹿，射獵爲務，食肉衣皮。 鑿冰，沒水中而網射魚鱉。 地多積雪，懼陷坑阱，騎木而行。 俗皆捕貂爲業，冠以狐狢，衣以魚皮。
Eleven days' travel north from the Southern Shiwei brought one to the Northern Shiwei, divided into nine tribal sections living around Mount Tuohe. Division chiefs were styled qiyin moheduo; each division had three mohefu as deputies. The climate was the bitterest of all; snow lay deep enough to bury horses. In winter they retreated into the mountains and lived in earthen pits; many cattle and livestock froze to death. Sable-deer were plentiful; hunting was their chief occupation; they ate meat and wore skins. They cut through ice, lowered nets into the water, and shot fish and turtles. Snow lay deep on the ground; fearing hidden pits, they traveled by riding wooden boards. By custom they all hunted sable for a living; they wore caps of fox and raccoon dog fur and clothes of fish skin.
27
又北行千里，至缽室韋，依胡布山而住，人衆多北室韋，不知爲幾部落。 用樺皮蓋屋，其餘同北室韋。
Another thousand li north brought one to the Bo Shiwei, who lived along Mount Hubu; their numbers exceeded those of the Northern Shiwei, though how many tribal sections they comprised is unknown. They roofed their dwellings with birch bark; in all other respects they resembled the Northern Shiwei.
28
從缽室韋西南四日行，至深末怛室韋，因水爲號也。 冬月穴居，以避太陰之氣。
Four days' travel southwest from the Bo Shiwei brought one to the Shenmoda Shiwei, who took their name from the river. In winter they lived in pit dwellings to escape the penetrating cold.
29
又西北數千里，至大室韋，徑路險阻，語言不通。 尤多貂及青鼠。
Several thousand li farther northwest lay the Great Shiwei; the routes were perilous and their speech was unintelligible. Sables and blue rats were especially abundant.
30
北室韋時遣使貢獻，餘無至者。
Only the Northern Shiwei occasionally sent envoys bearing tribute; the others never came.
31
史臣曰：四夷之爲中國患也久矣，北狄尤甚焉。 種落實繁，迭雄邊塞，年代遐邈，非一時也。 五帝之世，則有獯粥焉； 其在三代，則獫狁焉； 逮乎兩漢，則匈奴焉； 當塗、典午，則烏丸、鮮卑焉； 後魏及周，則蠕蠕、突厥焉。 此其酋豪，相繼互爲君長者也。 皆以畜牧爲業，侵鈔爲資，倏來忽往，雲飛鳥集。 智謀之士，議和親於廟堂之上，折沖之臣，論奮擊於塞垣之下。 然事無恆規，權無定勢，親疏因其強弱，服叛在其盛衰。 衰則款塞頓顙，盛則彎弓寇掠，屈申異態，強弱相反。 正朔所不及，冠帶所不加，唯利是視，不顧盟誓。 至於莫相救讓，驕黠憑陵，和親約結之謀，行師用兵之事，前史論之備矣，故不詳而究焉。 及蠕蠕衰微，突厥始大，至於木杆，遂雄朔野。 東極東胡舊境，西盡烏孫之地，彎弓數十萬，列處於代陰，南向以臨周、齊。 二國莫之能抗，爭請盟好，求結和親。 乃與周合從，終亡齊國。 高祖遷鼎，厥徒孔熾，負其衆力，將蹈秦郊。 內自相圖，遂以乖亂，達頭可汗遠遁，啟民願保塞下。 於是推亡固存，返其舊地，助討餘燼，部衆遂強。 卒于仁壽，不侵不叛，暨乎始畢，未虧臣禮。 煬帝撫之非道，始有雁門之圍。 俄屬群盜並興，於此浸以雄盛，豪傑雖建名號，莫不請好息民。 於是分置官司，總統中國，子女玉帛，相繼于道，使者之車，往來結轍。 自古蕃夷驕僭，未有若斯之甚也。 及聖哲膺期，掃除氛昆，暗于時變，猶懷旅拒，率其群醜，屢隳亭鄣，殘毀我雲、代，搖盪我太原，肆掠于涇陽，飲馬於渭汭。 聖上奇謀潛運，神機密動，遂使百世不羈之虜一舉而滅，瀚海龍庭之地，畫爲九州，幽都窮發之民，隸於編戶，實帝皇所不及，書契所未聞。 由此言之，雖天道有盛衰，亦人事之工拙也。 加以爲而弗恃，有而弗居，類天地之含容，同陰陽之化育，斯乃大道之行也，固無得而稱焉。
The historians say: The Four Barbarians have long been a scourge to China, and the Northern Di above all. Their tribes and clans are truly numerous; they have risen in turn to dominate the frontier across ages remote and distant — not in one era alone. In the age of the Five Emperors there was Xunyu; in the Three Dynasties there was Xianyun; by the two Han dynasties there was the Xiongnu; under the Han and Jin there were the Wuhuan and Xianbei; in Northern Wei and Northern Zhou there were the Rouran and Turks. These were their chieftains and strongmen, succeeding one another as rulers. All lived by herding and sustained themselves by raiding — appearing and vanishing in an instant, gathering and scattering like clouds and birds on the wing. Counselors debated marriage alliances in the imperial hall; frontier generals argued for bold strikes below the border walls. Yet policy had no fixed rule and power no settled balance — intimacy or distance followed strength and weakness; submission or rebellion followed rise and decline. When weak they came to the frontier passes and knocked their foreheads to the ground; when strong they bent their bows and raided — their postures of submission and aggression reversed with the shift of power. Beyond the reach of the imperial calendar and the constraints of civilization, they looked only to profit and cared nothing for oaths and treaties. As for their refusal to aid or yield to one another, their arrogance and cunning in imposing on others, and the whole history of marriage alliances and military campaigns — earlier histories have treated these at length, and they are not rehearsed in detail here. When the Rouran declined and the Turks first rose to power, Mughan came to dominate the northern steppe. Eastward their domain reached the old lands of the Eastern Hu; westward it extended to Wusun territory. With several hundred thousand warriors under arms, they camped north of Dai, facing south to threaten Northern Zhou and Northern Qi. Neither state could resist them. Both vied to request alliance and sought marriage ties. They then allied with Northern Zhou and ultimately destroyed Northern Qi. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, their followers were exceedingly fierce. Relying on their numbers, they were poised to raid the Qin heartland. They plotted against one another and fell into discord. Tardu Qaghan fled far away, while Qimin sought protection south of the frontier passes. The Sui court supported the perishing and strengthened the surviving, restored their old lands, and aided in suppressing the remaining embers. Their followers grew strong. Until the end of the Renshou era they neither invaded nor rebelled. Down to Shibi's reign, they did not fall short in the duties of subjects. Emperor Yang treated them improperly, and thus arose the siege at Yanmen. Soon, as rebellion spread everywhere, they gradually grew mighty. Though rival warlords established their own titles, none failed to sue for peace and seek their favor. They established offices and held sway over the Central States. Tribute of sons and daughters, jade and silks, flowed endlessly along the roads, and envoys' carriages came and went with wheels overlapping. Since antiquity, no barbarian arrogance and usurpation has ever reached such an extreme. When the sage emperor received the mandate and swept away chaos, the Turks—blind to the changing times—still harbored defiance. Leading their wicked hordes, they repeatedly destroyed frontier fortifications, ravaged Yun and Dai, shook Taiyuan, plundered Jingyang, and watered their horses at the Wei River bend. The sage emperor's wondrous stratagems worked in secret, his divine schemes moved covertly, and the barbarians unrestrained for a hundred generations were destroyed in a single stroke. The lands of the northern sea and dragon court were marked as the Nine Provinces; the people of the remote north were enrolled in household registers—an achievement no emperor had matched, an event no written record had ever recorded. From this we see that though Heaven's Way has its cycles of rise and decline, human effort—skillful or clumsy—also plays its part. Moreover, acting yet not boasting of it, possessing yet not dwelling in it—resembling Heaven and Earth's all-embracing tolerance, matching yin and yang's nurturing transformation—this is the fulfillment of the Great Way, and truly there are no words adequate to praise it.