Volume 85 Biographies 50: Yuwen Huaji, Yuwen Zhiji, Wang Shichong

序夫肖形天地，人稱最靈，以其知父子之道，識君臣之義，異夫禽獸者也。傳曰：「人生在三，事之如一。」然則君臣父子，其道不殊，父不可以不父，子不可以不子，君不可以不君，臣不可以不臣。故曰君猶天也，天可讎乎！是以有罪歸刑，見危授命，竭忠貞以立節，不臨難而苟免。故聞其風者，懷夫慷慨，千載之後，莫不願以為臣。此其所以生榮死哀，取貴前哲者矣。至於委質策名，代卿世祿，出受心膂之寄，入參帷幄之謀，身處機衡，肆趙高之姦宄，世荷權寵，行王莽之桀逆，生靈之所讎疾，犬豕不食其餘。雖薦社污宮，彰必誅之釁，斵棺焚骨，明篡殺之咎，可以懲夫既往，未足深誡將來。昔孔子修春秋，而亂臣賊子知懼，抑使之求名不得，欲蓋而彰者也。今故正其罪名，以冠於篇首，庶後之君子見作者之意焉。宇文化及宇文化及，左翊衞大將軍述之子也。性兇險，不循法度，好乘肥挾彈，馳騖道中，由是長安謂之輕薄公子。煬帝為太子時，常領千牛，出入臥內。累遷至太子僕。數以受納貨賄，再三免官。太子嬖昵之，俄而復職。又以其弟士及尚南陽公主。化及由此益驕，處公卿間，言辭不遜，多所陵轢。見人子女狗馬珍玩，必請託求之。常與屠販者遊，以規其利。煬帝即位，拜太僕少卿，益恃舊恩，貪冒尤甚。大業初，煬帝幸榆林，化及與弟智及違禁與突厥交市。帝大怒，囚之數月。還至青門外，欲斬之而後入城，解衣辮髮，以公主故，久之乃釋，并智及並賜述為奴。述薨後，煬帝追憶之，遂起化及為右屯衞將軍，智及為將作少監。

Preface: Shaped in the image of heaven and earth, humankind is deemed the most sentient of creatures, for people grasp the bonds between father and son and the duties between ruler and subject—qualities that set them apart from beasts. The tradition says: "From birth a person stands under three obligations, and to serve them all is one and the same duty." Thus the principles governing ruler and subject, father and son, are fundamentally the same: a father must be a father, a son must be a son, a sovereign must be a sovereign, and a minister must be a minister. Hence the saying that the ruler is like heaven itself—who could dream of turning against heaven? For this reason the loyal accept punishment when they err, surrender their lives when danger threatens, exhaust fidelity and integrity to uphold their honor, and never seek an easy escape in the face of peril. Those who hear of such virtue are stirred to noble feeling, and even a millennium later none who learn of them fail to wish they might have served such masters. This is what wins them glory in life and lamentation in death, and what earns them the esteem of sages past. But those who pledge allegiance and register their names, who inherit noble rank and hereditary stipends, who abroad receive the ruler's deepest trust and at court join deliberations in the inner council, who hold the levers of power and unleash treachery like Zhao Gao's, who enjoy privilege generation after generation and commit outrage like Wang Mang's—the living loathe them as enemies, and even dogs and swine will not touch their remains. Though dragging their bodies to the altars of earth and defiling their ancestral halls exposes crimes deserving death, and smashing their coffins and burning their bones makes clear the guilt of usurpation and murder, such punishments may chastise the dead but are not enough to warn those yet to come. Long ago, when Confucius compiled the Spring and Autumn Annals, rebellious ministers and traitorous sons learned to fear, for he denied them the fame they craved—those who sought to hide their deeds only made them more conspicuous. We therefore set forth their crimes by name at the head of this chapter, so that later readers may grasp the historian's intent. Yuwen Huaji was the son of Yuwen Shu, General-in-Chief of the Left Yiwu Guard. Violent and unscrupulous by nature, he scorned the law, loved to ride blooded mounts with a sling at his side, and careered recklessly through the streets, so that Chang'an dubbed him a dissolute young rake. While Yang Guang was still crown prince, Huaji often commanded the Thousand-Ox guard and came and went freely within the heir's private apartments. He rose through successive promotions to Master of the Heir's Household. He was repeatedly caught taking bribes and dismissed from office again and again. The crown prince doted on him, and he was soon restored to office each time. His standing rose further when his younger brother Shiji married Princess Nanyang. Emboldened by this connection, Huaji grew ever more arrogant among the high officials, speaking with insolence and bullying many. Whenever he saw another man's children, horses, dogs, or precious curios, he would demand them as gifts. He often consorted with butchers and peddlers to squeeze profit from them. When Yang Guang ascended the throne, Huaji was made Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud; trading on old favor, he grew greedier and more corrupt than ever. Early in the Daye era, when the emperor toured Yulin, Huaji and his brother Zhiji broke the ban on trade with the Turks. The emperor flew into a rage and imprisoned them for months. On the return to the capital they were halted outside the Green Gate, where the emperor meant to behead them before entering the city; their robes were stripped and their hair bound like condemned men's, but because of the princess they were held a long while and then spared—both brothers were given to their father Shu as slaves instead. After Shu died, the emperor's fond memories returned, and he restored Huaji as general of the Right Tunwei Guard and Zhiji as vice director of palace construction.

是時李密據洛口，煬帝懼，留淮左，不敢還都。從駕驍果多關中人，久客羈旅，見帝無西意，謀欲叛歸。時武賁郎將司馬德戡總領驍果，屯於東城，風聞兵士欲叛，未之審，遣校尉元武達陰問驍果，知其情，因謀構逆。共所善武賁郎將元禮、直閤裴虔通互相扇惑曰：「今聞陛下欲築宮丹陽，勢不還矣。所部驍果莫不思歸，人人耦語，並謀逃去。我欲言之，陛下性忌，惡聞兵走，即恐先事見誅。今知而不言，其後事發，又當族滅我矣。進退為戮，將如之何？」虔通曰：「上實爾，誠為公憂之。」德戡謂兩人曰：「我聞關中陷沒，李孝常以華陰叛，陛下收其二弟，將盡殺之。吾等家屬在西，安得無此慮也！」虔通曰：「我子弟已壯，誠不自保，正恐旦暮及誅，計無所出。」德戡曰：「同相憂，當共為計取。驍果若走，可與俱去。」虔通等曰：「誠如公言，求生之計，無以易此。」因遞相招誘。又轉告內史舍人元敏、鷹揚郎將孟秉，符璽郎李覆、牛方裕，直長許弘仁、薛良，城門郎唐奉義，醫正張愷等，日夜聚博，約為刎頸之交，情相款昵，言無迴避，於座中輒論叛計，並相然許。時李孝質在禁，令驍果守之，中外交通，所謀益急。趙行樞者，樂人之子，家產巨萬，先交智及，勳侍楊士覽者，宇文甥，二人同告智及。智及素狂悖，聞之喜，即共見德戡，期以三月十五日舉兵同叛，劫十二衞武馬，虜掠居人財物，結黨西歸。智及曰：「不然。當今天實喪隋，英雄並起，同心叛者已數萬人，因行大事，此帝王業也。」德戡然之。行樞、薛良請以化及為主，相約既定，方告化及。化及性本駑怯，初聞大懼，色動流汗，久之乃定。

Li Mi then held Luokou, and the emperor, fearful, lingered south of the Huai and dared not return to the capital. Many of the emperor's elite guard were men from Guanzhong; weary of long exile on campaign, they saw no sign that the emperor meant to head west again and plotted to desert and return home. The Martial Guard officer Sima Dekan then commanded the elite guard, encamped in the eastern city. Hearing rumors that the troops meant to mutiny but unable to confirm them, he sent company commander Yuan Wuda to sound them out secretly; learning their minds, he began plotting treason. With his confidants Yuan Li, a Martial Guard officer, and Pei Qiantong, a direct attendant, Dekan stirred them up, saying: "We hear His Majesty plans to build a palace at Danyang and will never return west. Every man under our command longs for home; they whisper in pairs and plot to desert together. If I report this, His Majesty is suspicious by nature and cannot bear word of troops deserting—we would be executed out of hand. Yet if we know and say nothing, when the plot erupts we shall still face extermination of our clans. Whether we speak or stay silent, we face death—what can we do? Pei Qiantong replied: "That is truly how things stand, and I share your worry." Dekan told them both: "I hear Guanzhong has fallen, Li Xiaochang rebelled at Huayin, and His Majesty has seized his two younger brothers and means to execute them all. Our kin are still in the west—how can we not fear for them?" Qiantong said: "My grown sons and brothers are in no safer case—I expect execution at any hour and see no way out." Dekan said: "Since we share the same peril, we must plot together. If the guard desert, we can flee with them." Qiantong and the rest agreed: "You are right—no surer path to survival exists." They then recruited one another in turn. Word spread to Secretariat attendant Yuan Min, Hawk-raising officer Meng Bing, seal officers Li Fu and Niu Fangyu, direct attendants Xu Hongren and Xue Liang, gate officer Tang Fengyi, court physician Zhang Kai, and others. Night and day they gambled together, swore blood-brother oaths, grew intimate, spoke without reserve, and openly debated rebellion at the gaming table—all nodding assent. Li Xiaozhi was then under guard, with elite troops posted around him, so that conspirators within and without could communicate freely and the plot gathered urgency. Zhao Xingshu, son of a court musician and heir to a fortune of tens of thousands, had long been close to Zhiji. Yang Shilan, an attendant in meritorious service and a Yuwen nephew, joined him in telling Zhiji. Wild and reckless by nature, Zhiji was delighted and went at once with them to Dekan. They set the fifteenth day of the third month to rise together, seize the war horses of the Twelve Guards, plunder the townsfolk's goods, and march west in a body. Zhiji objected: "That will not do. Heaven has forsaken Sui; heroes rise on every side. Tens of thousands already share our purpose—seize the moment and this becomes an emperor's enterprise. Dekan agreed. Xingshu and Xue Liang proposed making Huaji their leader; only after the pact was sealed did they tell him. Dull and timid by nature, Huaji was terrified at first hearing, his face draining of color as sweat poured forth; only after a long while did he steady himself.

義寧二年三月一日，德戡欲宣言告眾，恐以人心未一，更思譎詐以脅驍果，謂許弘仁、張愷曰：「君是良醫，國家任使，出言惑眾，眾必信。君可入備身府，告識者，言陛下聞說驍果欲叛，多醞毒酒，因享會盡鴆殺之，獨與南人留此。」弘仁等宣布此言，驍果聞之，遞相告語，謀叛逾急。德戡知計既行，遂以十日總召故人，諭以所為。眾皆伏曰：「唯將軍命！」其夜，奉義主閉城門，乃與虔通相知，諸門皆不下鑰。至夜三更，德戡於東城內集兵，得數萬人，舉火與城外相應。帝聞有聲，問是何事。虔通偽曰：「草坊被燒，外人救火，故諠囂耳。」中外隔絕，帝以為然。孟秉、智及於城外得千餘人，劫候衞武賁馮普樂，共布兵分捉郭下街巷。至五更中，德戡授虔通兵，以換諸門衞士。虔通因自開門，領數百騎，至成象殿，殺將軍獨孤盛。武賁郎將元禮遂引兵進，宿衞者皆走。虔通進兵，排左閤，馳入永巷，問：「陛下安在？」有美人出，方指云：「在西閤。」從往執帝。帝謂虔通曰：「卿非我故人乎！何恨而反？」虔通曰：「臣不敢反，但將士思歸，奉陛下還京師耳。」帝曰：「與汝歸。」虔通因勒兵守之。

On the first day of the third month of the second year of Yining, Dekan wished to announce the plot publicly but feared the troops were not yet of one mind; he devised further deceit to drive the guard and told Xu Hongren and Zhang Kai: "You are trusted physicians in imperial service—your words will sway the men. Enter the Personal Guard quarters and spread word that His Majesty has heard the guard mean to rebel, has brewed poisoned wine in quantity, and at the next feast will poison them all, keeping only the southern troops here. Hongren and the rest spread this tale; the guard passed it from man to man, and the conspiracy gathered speed. Seeing his ruse had worked, Dekan on the tenth day summoned all his confederates and laid out the plan. All bowed low: "We await the general's command alone! That night Fengyi took charge of the gates in concert with Qiantong, and at every gate the locks were left unset. By the third watch Dekan had mustered tens of thousands within the eastern city and lit beacon fires to signal allies outside. Hearing the uproar, the emperor asked what was amiss. Qiantong lied: "A hay storehouse is afire and men outside are fighting the blaze—that is the noise. Cut off from the world outside, the emperor believed him. Outside the walls Meng Bing and Zhiji rallied more than a thousand men, seized Awaiting Guard officer Feng Pule, and deployed troops to seize the streets below the ramparts. By the fifth watch Dekan handed Qiantong troops to relieve the guards at every gate. Qiantong opened the gates himself, led several hundred horsemen to Chengxian Hall, and killed General Dugu Sheng. Martial Guard officer Yuan Li advanced with his men, and the night guards scattered. Qiantong pressed forward, broke through the left gate, galloped into the Eternal Lane, and cried: "Where is His Majesty? A palace lady appeared and pointed: "In the western pavilion." They went and seized the emperor. The emperor said to Qiantong: "Are you not an old friend of mine? What grievance drives you to rebel? Qiantong replied: "I dare not rebel, Your Majesty—only the troops long for home and wish to escort you back to the capital." The emperor said: "Then return with me." Qiantong deployed troops to hold him under guard.

至旦，孟秉以甲騎迎化及。化及未知事果，戰慄不能言，人有來謁之者，但低頭據鞍，答云「罪過」。時士及在公主第，弗之知也。智及遣家僮莊桃樹就第殺之，桃樹不忍，執詣智及，久之乃見釋。化及至城門，德戡迎謁，引入朝堂，號為丞相。令將帝出江都門以示羣賊，因復將入。遣令狐行達弒帝於宮中，又執朝臣不同己者數十人及諸外戚，無少長害之，唯留秦孝王子浩，立以為帝。

At dawn Meng Bing rode out in armor to welcome Huaji. Huaji still did not know the coup had succeeded; he trembled speechless on his saddle, and when men came to salute him he only bowed his head and muttered "My fault." Shiji was then at the princess's mansion and knew nothing of events. Zhiji sent his servant Zhuang Taoshu to kill him at the mansion; Taoshu could not bring himself to strike, seized Shiji instead, and brought him to Zhiji, who held him a long while before sparing him. When Huaji reached the gate, Dekan met him with obeisance, led him to the audience hall, and proclaimed him Chancellor. He had the emperor paraded outside the Jiangdu Gate to display him to the rebel host, then brought him back within. He sent Linghu Xingda to murder the emperor in the palace, seized dozens of courtiers who opposed him along with numerous imperial affines, and slaughtered them without regard to age, sparing only Prince Hao, son of Emperor Xiaojing of Qin, whom he enthroned as puppet emperor.

十餘日，奪江都人舟楫，從水路西歸。至顯福宮，宿公麥孟才、折衝郎將沈光等謀擊化及，反為所害。化及於是入據六宮，其自奉養一如煬帝故事。每於帳中南面端坐，人有白事者，默然不對。下牙時，方收取啟狀，共奉義、方裕、良、愷等參決之。行至徐州，水路不通，復奪人車牛，得二千兩，並載宮人珍寶。其戈甲戎器，悉令軍士負之。道遠疲極，三軍始怨。德戡失望，竊謂行樞曰：「君大謬誤我。當今撥亂，必藉英賢，化及庸暗，羣小在側，事將必敗，當若之何？」行樞曰：「在我等爾，廢之何難！」因共李本、宇文導師、尹正卿等謀，以後軍萬餘兵襲殺化及，更立德戡為主。弘仁知之，密告化及，盡收捕德戡及其支黨十餘人，皆殺之。引兵向東郡，通守王軌以城降之。

Within a fortnight he seized the boats of Jiangdu's people and set out westward by water. At Xianfu Palace, household steward Mai Mengcai, shock-campaign officer Shen Guang, and others plotted to strike Huaji down but were themselves killed. Huaji then seized the six palaces and maintained himself in every way as Emperor Yang had done. Each day he sat facing south within his tent; when petitioners came he answered not a word. Only when court ended did he gather memorials for Fengyi, Fangyu, Liang, Kai, and the rest to decide jointly. At Xuzhou the waterways were blocked, so he seized carts and oxen from the populace—two thousand teams in all—and loaded palace women and treasure aboard. Weapons and armor he made the soldiers carry on their backs. The march was long and exhaustion extreme; the army began to murmur. Dekan, bitterly disappointed, whispered to Xingshu: "You misled me badly. To restore order one needs a true hero; Huaji is dull and petty men swarm about him—the enterprise must fail. What can we do? Xingshu replied: "That rests with us—how hard is it to depose him?" Together with Li Ben, Yuwen Daoshi, Yin Zhengqing, and others they plotted to use the rear guard—more than ten thousand men—to surprise and kill Huaji and make Dekan leader instead. Hongren learned of the plot and secretly informed Huaji, who seized Dekan and more than ten of his faction and executed them all. He marched toward Dong Commandery, where transit intendant Wang Gui surrendered the city.

元文都推越王侗為主，拜李密為太尉，令擊化及。密遣徐勣據黎陽倉。化及渡河，保黎陽縣，分兵圍勣。密壁清淇，與勣以烽火相應。化及每攻倉，密輒引兵救之。化及數戰不利，其將軍于弘達為密所擒，送於侗所，鑊烹之。化及糧盡，渡永濟渠，與密決戰於童山，遂入汲郡求軍糧，又遣使拷掠東郡吏民以責米粟。王軌怨之，以城歸於李密。化及大懼，自汲郡將率眾圖以北諸州。其將陳智略率嶺南驍果萬餘人，張童兒率江東驍果數千人，皆叛歸李密。化及尚有眾二萬，北走魏縣。張愷等與其將陳伯謀去之，事覺，為化及所殺。腹心稍盡，兵勢日蹙，兄弟更無他計，但相聚酣宴，奏女樂。醉後，因尤智及曰：「我初不知，由汝為計，強來立我。今所向無成，士馬日散，負殺主之名，天下所不納。今者滅族，豈不由汝乎？」持其兩子而泣。智及怒曰：「事捷之日，都不賜尤，及其將敗，乃欲歸罪。何不殺我以降建德？」兄弟數相鬬鬩，言無長幼，醒而復飲，以此為恒。其眾多亡，自知必敗，化及歎曰：「人生故當死，豈不一日為帝乎？」於是鴆殺浩，僭皇帝位於魏縣，國號許，建元為天壽，署置百官。

Yuan Wendu enthroned Prince Yue Tong and appointed Li Mi Grand Marshal with orders to attack Huaji. Li Mi sent Xu Jixing to hold the Liyang granary. Huaji crossed the river, fortified Liyang county, and sent detachments to besiege Jixing. Li Mi fortified at Qingqi and coordinated with Jixing by beacon fire. Whenever Huaji attacked the granary, Li Mi marched to its relief. Huaji lost battle after battle; his general Yu Hongda was captured by Li Mi, sent to Prince Tong's court, and boiled alive in a cauldron. With supplies exhausted, Huaji crossed the Yongji Canal and fought Li Mi in a decisive battle at Tongshan, then entered Ji Commandery for provisions and sent agents to torture officials and commoners in Dong Commandery for grain. Wang Gui, resentful, surrendered the city to Li Mi. Terrified, Huaji planned to march north from Ji Commandery and seize the northern provinces. General Chen Zhilüe led more than ten thousand Lingnan elite troops and Zhang Tong'er several thousand Jiangdong elite troops—all deserted to Li Mi. Huaji still had twenty thousand men and fled north to Wei county. Zhang Kai and his general Chen Bomou tried to desert; discovered, they were executed by Huaji. His inner circle dwindled and his forces shrank daily; the brothers could do nothing but feast together to female music. Drunk, he blamed Zhiji: "I never wanted this—you forced the crown on me. Nothing succeeds, our forces scatter daily, we bear the name of regicides, and the world rejects us. Our clan faces extinction—is it not your fault? He seized his two sons and wept. Zhiji snapped: "When we won you never blamed me; now we lose, you shift the blame. Why not kill me and surrender to Dou Jiande? The brothers brawled repeatedly without regard for rank, sobered, drank again—this became their routine. As his men deserted and defeat loomed, Huaji sighed: "Man is born to die—was one day as emperor not worth it? He poisoned Hao, declared himself emperor at Wei county, named his state Xu, adopted the era name Tianshou, and appointed officials.

攻元寶藏於魏州，四旬不剋，反為所敗，亡失千餘人。乃東北趣聊城，將招攜海曲諸賊。時遣士及徇濟北，求餽餉。大唐遣淮安王神通安撫山東，并招化及。化及不從，神通進兵圍之，十餘日不剋而退。竇建德悉眾攻之。先是，齊州賊帥王薄聞其多寶物，詐來投附。化及信之，與共居守。至是，薄引建德入城，生擒化及，悉虜其眾。先執智及、元武達、孟秉、楊士覽、許弘仁，皆斬之。乃以轞車載化及之河間，數以殺君之罪，并二子承基、承趾皆斬之，傳首於突厥義成公主，梟於虜庭。士及自濟北西歸長安。

He attacked Yuan Baocang at Weizhou; after forty days without success he was defeated and lost more than a thousand men. He marched northeast toward Liaocheng to recruit coastal bandits. He sent Shiji to scour Jibei for supplies. Tang sent Prince Huai'an Li Shentong to pacify Shandong and summon Huaji to submit. Huaji refused; Shentong besieged him over ten days without success and withdrew. Dou Jiande attacked with his entire army. Earlier the Qi bandit Wang Bo, hearing of Huaji's treasure, feigned submission. Huaji trusted him and made him co-defender of the city. Bo then admitted Jiande's troops, captured Huaji alive, and seized his entire force. Zhiji, Yuan Wuda, Meng Bing, Yang Shilan, and Xu Hongren were seized first and beheaded. Huaji was carted to Hejian, charged repeatedly with regicide, and beheaded with his sons Chenggi and Chengzhi; their heads were sent to the Turkic Princess Yicheng and displayed on the frontier. Shiji returned from Jibei to Chang'an.

智及幼頑凶，好與人羣鬬，所共遊處，皆不逞之徒，相聚鬬雞，習放鷹狗。初以父功，賜爵濮陽郡公。蒸淫醜穢，無所不為。其妻長孫，妬而告述，述雖為隱，而大忿之，纖芥之愆，必加鞭箠。弟士及恃尚主，又輕忽之。唯化及每事營護，父再三欲殺，輒救免之，由是頗相親昵。遂勸化及遣人入蕃，私為交易。事發，當誅，述獨證智及罪惡，而為化及請命。帝因兩釋。述將死，抗表言其凶勃，必且破家。帝後思述，授智及將作少監。

Zhiji was violent from youth, brawling constantly with unruly companions who cockfought and hunted with hawks and dogs. For his father's merit he was made Duke of Puyang. He committed every sort of incest and debauchery. His jealous wife Zhangsun reported him to Shu, who concealed the matter but flogged him for the slightest fault. Younger brother Shiji, backed by a princess marriage, treated him with contempt. Only Huaji shielded him; Shu several times meant to kill him but Huaji always intervened, and they grew close. Zhiji persuaded Huaji to send men for illicit frontier trade. When discovered they faced execution; Shu testified only against Zhiji and pleaded for Huaji. The emperor spared them both. Dying, Shu memorialized that Zhiji's violence would destroy the clan. The emperor later recalled Shu and made Zhiji vice director of palace construction.

其江都殺逆之事，智及之謀也。化及為丞相，以為左僕射，領十二衞大將軍。化及僭號，封齊王。竇建德破聊城，獲而斬之，并其黨十餘人，皆暴屍梟首。司馬德戡司馬德戡，扶風雍人也。父元謙，仕周為都督。德戡幼孤，以屠豕自給。有桑門釋粲，通德戡母和氏，遂撫教之，因解書計。開皇中，為侍官，漸遷至大都督。從楊素出討漢王諒，充內營左右，進止便僻，俊辯多姦計，素大善之。以勳授儀同三司。大業三年，為鷹揚郎將。從討遼左，進位正議大夫，遷武賁郎將。煬帝甚昵之。

The Jiangdu regicide was Zhiji's doing. As chancellor Huaji made him left vice minister and general of the Twelve Guards. When Huaji declared himself emperor, Zhiji was made Prince of Qi. Jiande captured and beheaded him at Liaocheng, exposing more than ten of his faction. Sima Dekan was a native of Yong in Fufeng commandery. His father Yuanqian served as a Zhou commander. Orphaned young, Dekan butchered pigs for a living. Monk Shi Can knew his mother Lady He, raised and taught him, and he learned writing and reckoning. Under Kaihuang he became an attendant officer and rose to grand commander. On Yang Su's campaign against Prince Han Liang he served in the inner camp, was nimble and eloquent with many schemes, and Su favored him greatly. For merit he received the title Honored Companion, Third Rank. In Daye year three he became hawk-raising gentleman. On the Liaodong campaign he rose to correct counselor and martial guard gentleman. The emperor doted on him.

從至江都，領左右備身驍果萬人，營於城內。因隋末大亂，乃率驍果謀反，語在化及事中。既獲煬帝，與其黨孟秉等推化及為丞相。化及首封德戡為溫國公，邑三千戶，加光祿大夫，仍統本兵。化及意甚忌之。後數日，化及署諸將，分配士卒，乃以德戡為禮部尚書，外示美遷，實奪其兵也。由是憤怨，所獲賞物皆賂於智及，智及為之言。行至徐州，捨舟登陸，令德戡將後軍，乃與趙行樞、李本、尹正卿、宇文導師等謀襲化及，遣人使于孟海公，結為外助。遷延未發，以待使報。許弘仁、張愷知之，以告化及，因遣其弟士及陽為遊獵，至于後軍。德戡不知事露，出營參謁，因命執之，并其黨與。化及責之曰：「與公戮力共定海內，出於萬死。今始事成，願得同守富貴，公又何為反也？」德戡曰：「本殺昏主，苦其毒害。推立足下，而又甚之。逼於物情，不獲已也。」化及不對，命送至幕下，縊而殺之，時年三十九。裴虔通裴虔通，河東人也。初，煬帝為晉王，以親信從，稍遷至監門校尉。煬帝即位，擢舊左右，授宣惠尉，遷監門直閤。累從征役，至通議大夫。與司馬德戡同謀作亂，先開宮門，騎至成象殿，殺將軍獨孤盛，擒帝于西閤。化及以虔通為光祿大夫、莒國公。化及引兵之北也，令鎮徐州。化及敗後，歸於大唐，即授徐州總管，轉辰州刺史，封長蛇男。尋以隋朝殺逆之罪，除名，徙於嶺表而死。王充王充字行滿，本西域人也。祖支頹䅶，徙居新豐。頹䅶死，其妻少寡，與儀同王粲野合，生子曰瓊，粲遂納之以為小妻。其父收幼孤，隨母嫁粲，粲愛而養之，因姓王氏，官至懷、汴二州長史。充捲髮豺聲，沉猜多詭詐，頗窺書傳，尤好兵法，曉龜策推步盈虛，然未嘗為人言也。

At Jiangdu he commanded ten thousand elite personal guards within the city. In the Sui collapse he led the guard in rebellion, as told in Huaji's account. After seizing the emperor he and Meng Bing's faction made Huaji chancellor. Huaji first made him Duke of Wen, three thousand households, grand master for splendid happiness, still commanding his troops. Huaji deeply mistrusted him. Days later Huaji reassigned troops and made Dekan minister of rites—ostensibly promotion, in fact stripping his command. Resentful, he bribed Zhiji with every reward; Zhiji pleaded for him. At Xuzhou they disembarked; Huaji put Dekan in the rear guard while he plotted with Zhao Xingshu, Li Ben, Yin Zhengqing, Yuwen Daoshi, and others to strike Huaji and sent envoys to Meng Haigong for aid. They delayed, awaiting the envoy's reply. Hongren and Zhang Kai informed Huaji, who sent Shiji hunting toward the rear guard. Unaware, Dekan left camp to pay respects and was seized with his faction. Huaji reproached him: "We survived ten thousand deaths together to settle the realm. Success is at hand and I wished to share wealth—why rebel? Dekan said: "We killed the tyrant because we suffered his cruelty. We made you leader, yet you surpassed him. Circumstance left me no choice." Huaji said nothing, had him strangled below the tent; he was thirty-nine. Pei Qiantong was from Hedong. When Yang Guang was Prince of Jin, Qiantong served as trusted intimate and rose to gate guard company commander. On accession he promoted old intimates, making Qiantong Xuanhui captain then direct gate attendant. He campaigned repeatedly to general for promoting justice. With Dekan he opened the gates, rode to Chengxian Hall, killed Dugu Sheng, and seized the emperor in the western pavilion. Huaji made him grand master for splendid happiness and Duke of Ju. When Huaji marched north he garrisoned Qiantong at Xuzhou. After Huaji's defeat he submitted to Tang, became Xuzhou regional commander, then Chen prefect and Baron of Changshe. Soon stripped for Sui regicide and banished to the south, where he died. Wang Shichong, style Xingman, was of Western Regions origin. His grandfather Zhi Niantu settled in Xinfeng. After Niantu died his young widow lay with Honored Companion Wang Can and bore Qiong; Can took her as concubine. Shichong's father was raised by Can after the remarriage; Shichong took the Wang surname and his father became prefect of Huai and Bian. Shichong had curly hair and a harsh voice, was secretive and cunning, studied books especially military arts and divination, yet never spoke of them.

開皇中，為左翊衞，後以軍功拜儀同，授兵部員外。善敷奏，明習法律，而舞弄文墨，高下其心。或有駁難之者，充利口飾非，辭義鋒起，眾雖知其不可而莫能屈，稱為明辯。

Under Kaihuang he served the Left Yiwu Guard; for merit he became honored companion and war ministry vice director. He drafted memorials expertly and knew law, yet twisted documents to his will. When challenged he argued brilliantly; though all knew him wrong none could best him, and he was called a master debater.

煬帝時，累遷至江都郡丞。時帝數幸江都，充善候人主顏色，阿諛順旨，每入言事，帝善之。又以郡丞領江都宮監，乃雕飾池臺，陰奏遠方珍物以媚於帝，由是益昵之。

Under Emperor Yang he rose to Jiangdu commandery assistant. The emperor often visited Jiangdu; Shichong read his mood, flattered him, and pleased him whenever he spoke. As assistant he oversaw the palace, adorned pools and terraces, and sent exotic tribute to win greater favor.

大業八年，隋始亂，充內懷徼倖，卑身禮士，陰結豪俊，多收眾心。江淮間人素輕悍，又屬盜賊羣起，人多犯法，有繫獄抵罪者，充皆枉法出之，以樹私恩。及楊玄感反，吳人朱爕、晉陵人管崇起兵江南以應之，自稱將軍，擁眾十餘萬。帝遣將軍吐萬緒、魚俱羅討之，不能剋。充募江都萬餘人，擊頻破之。每有剋捷，必歸功於下，所獲軍實，皆推與士卒，身無所受。由此人爭為用，功最居多。

In Daye year eight, as Sui collapsed, Shichong courted scholars, rallied heroes, and won popular hearts. Between Yangtze and Huai the people were fierce; as bandits rose he illegally freed prisoners to buy loyalty. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Zhu Fen of Wu and Guan Chong of Jingling raised a hundred thousand in Jiangnan. Generals Tuwan Xu and Yu Juluo failed to defeat them. Shichong recruited ten thousand Jiangdu men and repeatedly defeated them. He credited subordinates with every victory and gave all booty to the troops, keeping none. Men flocked to him and his achievements topped all others.

十年，齊郡賊帥孟讓自長白山寇掠諸郡，至盱眙，有眾十餘萬。充以兵拒之，而羸師示弱，保都梁山為五柵，相持不戰。後因其懈弛，出兵奮擊，大破之，乘勝盡滅賊，讓以數十騎遁去，斬首萬人，六畜、軍資莫不盡獲。帝以充有將帥才略，始遣領兵，討諸小盜，所向皆破之。然性矯偽，詐為善，能自勤苦，以求聲譽。

In year ten, Meng Rang of Qi raided from Changbai to Xuyi with a hundred thousand men. Shichong met him with a feigned weak force, fortified Mount Duliang in five camps, and held without battle. When they relaxed he struck fiercely, destroyed them utterly; Rang fled with dozens of horsemen; ten thousand heads fell and all livestock and supplies were seized. Seeing Shichong's military talent, the emperor first sent him against minor bandits and he broke them wherever he marched. Yet he was a hypocrite who played at virtue and wore hardship to win reputation.

十一年，突厥圍帝於雁門，充盡發江都人，將往赴難。在軍中，反首垢面，悲泣無度，曉夜不解甲，藉草而臥。帝聞之，以為愛己，益信任之。

In year eleven, when Turks besieged the emperor at Yanmen, Shichong mobilized all Jiangdu to march to his relief. On campaign he smeared his face, wept endlessly, slept in armor on straw day and night. The emperor took this as devotion and trusted him more than ever.

十二年，遷為江都通守。時厭次人格謙為盜數年，兵十餘萬，在豆子䴚中。充帥師破斬之，威振羣賊。又擊盧明月，破之於南陽，斬首數萬，虜獲極多。後還江都，帝大悅，自執杯酒以賜之。時充又知帝好內，乃言江淮良家有美女，並願備後庭，無由自進。帝逾喜，因密令閱視諸女，姿質端麗合法相者，取正庫及應入京物以娉納之。所用不可勝計，帳上云勑別用，不顯其實。有合意者，則厚賞充；或不中者，又以賚之。後令以船送東京，而道路賊起，使者苦役，於淮泗中沉船溺之者，前後十數。或有發露，充為秘之，又遽簡閱以供進。是後益見親昵。

In year twelve he became Jiangdu transit intendant. Bandit Ge Qian of Yanci held a hundred thousand men in Douzi Dam. Shichong crushed and beheaded him, terrifying the rebel hosts. He defeated Lu Mingyue at Nanyang, taking tens of thousands of heads and vast booty. Returning to Jiangdu, the delighted emperor personally offered him a cup of wine. Knowing the emperor's appetite for women, Shichong said Jiang-Huai families had daughters eager for the inner palace who could not present themselves. The emperor secretly ordered him to select beautiful women of proper physiognomy, paying betrothal gifts from the imperial treasury. Expenditure was incalculable, recorded as separate imperial orders without showing true costs. Those who pleased the emperor richly rewarded Shichong; those who did not still became gifts to Shichong. Boats sent them eastward, but bandits harassed the route; envoys drowned ten or more shipments in the Huai-Si. When losses were exposed Shichong concealed them and hurried fresh selections to court. Thereafter intimacy deepened.

遇李密攻陷興洛倉，進逼東都，官軍數却，光祿大夫裴仁基以武牢降于密，帝惡之，大發兵，將討焉。發中詔遣充為將軍，於洛口以拒密，前後百餘戰，互有勝負。充乃引軍渡洛水，逼倉城。李密與戰，充敗績，赴水溺死者萬餘人。時天寒大雪，兵士既渡水，衣皆霑濕，在道凍死者又數萬人，比至河陽，纔以千數。充自繫獄請罪，越王侗遣使赦之，召令還都。收合亡散，復得萬餘人，屯於含嘉城中，不敢復出。

When Li Mi took Xingluo granary and threatened Luoyang, government troops fell back and Pei Renji surrendered Wulao; the emperor mobilized a great army. An inner edict made Shichong general at Luokou; over a hundred indecisive battles followed. Shichong crossed the Luo and besieged the granary city. Li Mi defeated him; more than ten thousand drowned crossing the river. In bitter snow their soaked clothes froze tens of thousands more dead; only a thousand reached Heyang. Shichong asked punishment in bonds; Prince Yue Tong pardoned and recalled him. He regathered ten thousand survivors in Hanjia city and dared not venture out.

宇文化及殺帝於江都，充與太府卿元文都、將軍皇甫無逸、右司郎盧楚奉侗為主。侗以充為吏部尚書，封鄭國公。及侗取元文都、盧楚之謀，拜李密為太尉、尚書令，密遂稱臣，復以兵拒化及於黎陽，遣使告捷。眾皆悅，充獨謂其麾下諸將曰：「文都之輩，刀筆吏耳。吾觀其勢，必為李密所擒。且吾軍人每與密戰，殺其父兄子弟，前後已多，一旦為之下，吾屬無類矣。」出此言以激怒其眾。文都知而大懼，與楚等謀，將因充入內，伏甲而殺之。期有日矣，將軍段達遣其女婿張志以楚謀告之。充夜勒兵圍宮城，將軍費曜、田世闍等與戰於東太陽門外。曜軍敗，充遂攻門而入，無逸以單騎遁走。獲楚，殺之。時宮門尚閉，充令扣門言於侗曰：「元文都等欲執皇帝降于李密，段達知而以告臣。臣非敢謀反，誅反者耳。」文都聞變入，奉侗於乾陽殿，陳兵衞之。令將帥乘城以拒難，兵敗，又獲文都殺之。侗命開門以納充，充悉遣人代宿衞者，乃入謁，頓首流涕而言曰：「文都等無狀，謀相屠害，事急為此，不敢背國。」侗與之盟。充尋遣韋節等諷侗，令拜為尚書左僕射、總督內外諸軍事。又授其兄惲為內史令，入居禁中。

When Huaji murdered the emperor at Jiangdu, Shichong with Yuan Wendu, Huangfu Wuyi, and Lu Chu enthroned Prince Yue Tong. Tong made Shichong minister of personnel and Duke of Zheng. Following Wendu and Lu Chu's plan, Tong appointed Li Mi grand marshal; Mi submitted, fought Huaji at Liyang, and reported victory. All rejoiced; Shichong alone told his generals: "Wendu's men are mere clerks. They will surely fall to Li Mi. Our men have killed Mi's kin in battle after battle; if we submit, none of us survives. He spoke thus to enrage his troops. Wendu, terrified, plotted with Chu to ambush Shichong when he entered the palace. The day was set until Duan Da's son-in-law Zhang Zhi exposed Chu's plot. Shichong surrounded the palace at night; Fei Yao and Tian Shikan fought him at the East Taiyang Gate. Yao fell; Shichong broke in; Wuyi fled alone. He seized and killed Chu. Gates still closed, Shichong knocked and told Tong: "Wendu meant to hand you to Li Mi; Duan Da informed me. I rebel not—I kill rebels. Wendu rushed Tong to Qianyang Hall under guard. Generals manned the walls, failed, and Wendu was captured and killed. Tong opened the gates; Shichong replaced the night guards, prostrated himself weeping: "Wendu plotted massacre in extremity—I betray not the state. Tong swore a covenant with him. Soon Shichong had Wei Jie urge Tong to name him left vice minister and supreme commander. He installed his brother Yun as secretariat director within the inner palace.

未幾，李密破化及還，其勁兵良馬多戰死，士卒皆倦。充欲乘其敝而擊之，恐人不一，乃假託鬼神，言夢見周公，乃立祠於洛水之上，遣巫宣言周公欲令僕射急討李密，當有大功，不則兵皆疫死。充兵多楚人，俗信妖妄，故出此言以惑之。眾皆請戰。充簡練精勇，得二萬餘人，馬千餘，遷營於洛水南。密軍偃師北山上。時密新得志於化及，有輕充之心，不設壁壘。充夜遣二百餘騎潛入北山，伏溪谷中，令軍秣馬蓐食。既而宵濟，人奔馬馳，遲明而薄密。密出兵應之，陣未成列而兩軍合戰，其伏兵蔽山而上，潛登北原，乘高下馳，壓密營。營中亂，無能拒者，即入縱火。密軍大驚而潰，降其將張童兒、陳智略，進下偃師。初，充兄偉及子玄應隨化及至東郡，密得而囚之於城中，至是，盡獲之。又執密長史邴元真妻子、司馬鄭虔象之母及諸將子弟，皆撫慰之，各令潛呼其父兄。兵次洛口，邴元真、鄭虔象等舉倉城以應之。密以數十騎遁逸，充悉收其眾。而東盡于海，南至于江，悉來歸附。充又令韋節諷侗，拜為太尉，署置官屬，以尚書省為其府。尋自稱鄭王。遣其將高略帥師攻壽安，不利而旋。又帥師攻圍穀州，三日而退。明年，自稱相國，受九錫備物，是後不朝侗矣。

Soon Li Mi defeated Huaji; his best troops and horses were dead and his men exhausted. Fearing disunity, Shichong feigned a dream of the Duke of Zhou, built a shrine on the Luo, and had shamans declare attack Mi or all would die of plague. His Chu troops believed in omens, so he used this to sway them. All clamored to fight. He mustered twenty thousand elite troops and a thousand horses south of the Luo. Mi camped on the northern mountain at Yanshi. Fresh from defeating Huaji, Mi despised Shichong and built no defenses. Shichong sent two hundred horsemen to hide in ravines north of the mountain while troops took dry rations. They crossed by night and struck at dawn. Mi met them before lines formed; ambushers climbed the ridge and swept down on Mi's camp. Camp chaos followed; they entered and fired the camp. Mi's army routed; Zhang Tong'er and Chen Zhilüe surrendered; Shichong took Yanshi. Brother Wei and son Xuanying, prisoners of Mi since following Huaji, were recovered. He seized kin of Mi's officers, comforted them, and had them summon their men. At Luokou, Yuanzhen and Qianxiang opened the granary city to him. Mi fled with dozens of horsemen; Shichong absorbed his entire force. From the sea to the Yangtze, all submitted. Wei Jie urged Tong to make him grand marshal with the secretariat as his headquarters. Soon he styled himself King of Zheng. General Gao Lüe attacked Shou'an unsuccessfully. He besieged Gu prefecture three days and withdrew. The next year he became chancellor with the Nine Bestowals and ceased attending Tong.

有道士桓法嗣者，自言解圖讖，充昵之。法嗣乃以孔子閉房記，畫作丈夫持一干以驅羊。法嗣云：「楊，隋姓也。干一者，王字也。居羊後，明相國代隋為帝也。」又取莊子人間世、德充符二篇上之，法嗣釋曰：「上篇言世，下篇言充，此即相國名矣。明當德被人間，而應符命為天子也。」充大悅曰：「此天命也。」再拜受之。即以法嗣為諫議大夫。充又羅取雜鳥，書帛繫其頸，自言符命而散放之。或有彈射得鳥而來獻者，亦拜官爵。既而廢侗於別宮，僭即皇帝位，建元曰開明，國號鄭。大唐遣秦王率眾圍之，充頻出兵，戰輒不利，都外諸城相繼降款。充窘迫，遣使請救於竇建德，建德率精兵援之。師至武牢，為秦王所破，擒建德以詣城下。充將潰圍而出，諸將莫有應之者，自知潛竄無所，於是出降。至長安，為讎人獨孤修德所殺。段達段達，武威姑臧人也。父嚴，周朔州刺史。達在周，年始三歲，襲爵襄垣縣公。及長，身長八尺，美鬚髯，便弓馬。

Daoist Huan Fasi, claiming prophecy skill, won Shichong's favor. Fasi painted from Confucius's Closed-Room Record a man with one pole driving sheep. Fasi said: "Yang is Sui's surname. The single pole forms the character for 'king.' After 'sheep' it shows the chancellor replacing Sui as emperor." He cited Zhuangzi's 'Human Affairs' and 'Full Virtue'; Fasi read shi and chong as Shichong's name. It prophesied virtue among the people and mandate as Son of Heaven. Shichong rejoiced: "This is Heaven's command." He bowed twice and accepted it. He made Fasi remonstrating counselor. He tied prophecy silk to birds' necks and released them. Those who shot down birds and presented them received rank. He deposed Tong, seized the throne, adopted era Kaiming, and named his state Zheng. Tang's Prince of Qin besieged him; every sortie failed and outer cities surrendered. Desperate, Shichong summoned Dou Jiande, who marched elite troops to his aid. At Wulao the Prince of Qin shattered Jiande's army and displayed him beneath the walls. Shichong meant to break out but no general followed; seeing escape impossible, he surrendered. At Chang'an his enemy Dugu Xiude killed him. Duan Da was from Guzang in Wuwei. His father Yan was Zhou prefect of Shuozhou. In Zhou, Da at age three inherited the dukedom of Xiangyuan. Grown, he stood eight feet with a fine beard, expert at bow and horse.

高祖為丞相，以大都督領親信兵，常置左右。及踐阼，為左直齋，累遷車騎將軍，兼晉王參軍。高智惠、李積等之作亂也，達率眾一萬，擊定方、滁二州，賜縑千段，遷進儀同。又破汪文進等於宣州，加開府，賜奴婢五十口，緜絹四千段。仁壽初，太子左衞副率。

When Gaozu was chancellor, Da as grand commander led trusted troops at his side. On accession he became left direct guard, rose to cavalry general and aide to the Prince of Jin. He pacified Fang and Chu in Gao Zhihui's rebellion, received a thousand bolts of silk, and rose to honored companion. He defeated Wang Wenjin at Xuanzhou, received opening-the-government rank, fifty slaves, and four thousand bolts of silk. At Renshou's start he was deputy leader of the crown prince's left guard.

大業初，以蕃邸之舊，拜左翊衞將軍。征吐谷渾，進位金紫光祿大夫。帝征遼東，百姓苦役，平原祁孝德、清河張金稱等並聚眾為羣盜，攻陷城邑，郡縣不能禦。帝令達擊之，數為金稱等所挫，亡失甚多。諸賊輕之，號為段姥。後用鄃令楊善會之計，更與賊戰，方致剋捷。還京師，以公事坐免。

Early in Daye, old ties from the prince's household won him general of the Left Yiwu Guard. On the Tuyuhun campaign he rose to grand master with golden seal and purple ribbon. On the Liaodong campaign corvée broke the people; Qi Xiaode, Zhang Jinching, and others seized cities prefectures could not hold. Da attacked them but Jinching repeatedly defeated him with heavy losses. Bandits mocked him as "Old Lady Duan." Later, using magistrate Yang Shanhui's plan, he finally won. Back at the capital he was dismissed for an official offense.

明年，帝征遼東，以達留守涿郡。俄復拜左翊衞將軍。高陽魏刀兒聚眾十餘萬，自號歷山飛，寇掠燕、趙。達率涿郡通守郭絢擊敗之。于時盜賊既多，官軍惡戰，達不能因機決勝，唯持重自守，頓兵饋糧，多無剋獲，時皆謂之為怯愞。

The next year, on the Liaodong campaign, the emperor left Da to hold Zhuo commandery. He was soon restored as general of the Left Yiwu Guard. Wei Dao'er of Gaoyang raised a hundred thousand men, styled himself Lishan Flying, and ravaged Yan and Zhao. Da with Zhuo transit intendant Guo Xuan defeated him. Bandits multiplied and troops loathed fighting; Da could not seize openings but camped cautiously, wasting grain with few victories, and men called him timid.

十二年，帝幸江都宮，詔達與太府卿元文都留守東都。李密據洛口，縱兵侵掠城下，達與監門郎將龐玉、武牙郎將霍舉率內兵出禦之。頗有功，遷左驍衞大將軍。王充之敗也，密復進據北芒，來至上春門，達與判左丞郭文懿、尚書韋津出兵拒之。達見賊盛，不陣而走，為密所乘，軍大潰，津沒於陣。由是賊勢日盛。

In year twelve the emperor went to Jiangdu and left Da with Grand Treasury Minister Yuan Wendu to guard Luoyang. Li Mi held Luokou and raided the walls; Da with Pang Yu and Huo Ju led palace troops out to resist. For merit he was made general-in-chief of the Left Xiao Guard. After Shichong's defeat Mi seized Beimang and reached Shangchun Gate; Da with Guo Wanyi and Minister Wei Jin marched out to resist. Seeing the rebels strong, Da fled without forming lines; Mi exploited it, the army routed, and Jin died in battle. Rebel strength grew daily thereafter.

及帝崩於江都，達與元文都等推越王侗為主，署開府儀同三司，兼納言，封陳國公。元文都等謀誅王充也，達陰告充，為之內應。及事發，越王侗執文都於充，充甚德於達，特見崇重。既破李密，達等勸越王加充九錫備物，尋諷令禪讓。充僭尊號，以達為司徒。及東都平，坐誅，妻子籍沒。

When the emperor died at Jiangdu, Da with Wendu enthroned Prince Yue Tong, made him opening-the-government honored companion, chief speaker, and Duke of Chen. When Wendu plotted to kill Shichong, Da secretly informed him and served as inside collaborator. When the plot erupted Tong handed Wendu to Shichong, who richly rewarded Da with special honor. After Mi's defeat Da urged Tong to grant Shichong the Nine Bestowals and soon hinted abdication. When Shichong seized the throne he made Da minister of education. When Luoyang fell he was executed and his family confiscated.

史臣曰：化及庸愞下才，負恩累葉，王充斗筲小器，遭逢時幸，俱蒙奬擢，禮越舊臣。既屬崩剝之期，不能致身竭命，乃因利乘便，先圖干紀，率羣不逞，職為亂階，拔本塞源，裂冠毀冕。或躬為戎首，或親行鴆毒，釁深指鹿，事切食蹯，天地所不容，人神所同憤。故梟獍凶魁，相尋葅戮，蛇豕醜類，繼踵誅夷，快忠義於當年，垂炯戒於來葉。嗚呼，為人臣者可不殷鑒哉！可不殷鑒哉！

The historian writes: Huaji was a mediocre ingrate of low talent; Shichong a petty man favored by fortune; both were promoted above veteran ministers. When the dynasty crumbled they would not die for it but seized advantage, led rebels, uprooted order, and tore the crown from the state. Some led armies themselves, some poisoned their lord; their crimes were as brazen as calling a deer a horse—heaven, earth, and all mankind raged against them. Thus these owl-hearted villains were minced in turn, these serpent swine exterminated one after another, satisfying justice then and warning generations yet to come. Alas—how can any minister fail to heed this stern warning! How can one fail to heed this warning!

Cite this Chapter