1
寔君者，昭成皇帝之庶長子也。 性愚戇，安忍不仁。 昭成季年，苻堅遣其行唐公苻洛等來寇南境，昭成遣劉庫仁逆戰於石子嶺。 昭成時不勝，不能親勒眾軍，乃率諸部避難陰山，度漠北。 高車四面寇抄，復度漠南。 苻洛軍退，乃還雲中。
Lord Shi, born to a concubine, was Emperor Zhaocheng's eldest son. He was slow-witted and stubborn, cruel by nature and devoid of mercy. Late in Zhaocheng's reign Fu Jian sent Fu Luo, Duke of Xingtang, and others against the southern marches; Zhaocheng dispatched Liu Kuren to fight them at Shizi Ridge. Zhaocheng was losing and too weak to command the army himself, so he led the tribes into the Yin Mountains and beyond the northern desert. Gaoche bands harried them from every quarter, forcing him back south of the desert. After Fu Luo retreated he returned to Yunzhong.
2
初，昭成以弟孤讓國，乃以半部授孤。 孤卒，子斤失職懷怨，欲伺隙為亂。 是時，獻明皇帝及秦明王翰皆先終，太祖年六歲，昭成不豫，慕容后子閼婆等雖長，而國統未定。 斤因是說寔君曰：「帝將立慕容所生，而懼汝為變，欲先殺汝，是以頃日以來，諸子戎服，夜持兵仗，遶汝廬舍，伺便將發，吾愍而相告。」 時苻洛等軍猶在君子津，夜常警備，諸皇子挾仗徬徨廬舍之間。 寔君視察，以斤言為信，乃率其屬盡害諸皇子，昭成亦暴崩。 其夜，諸皇子婦及宮人奔告苻洛軍，堅將李柔、張蚝勒兵內逼，部眾離散。 苻堅聞之，召燕鳳問其故，以狀對。 堅曰：「天下之惡一也。」 乃執寔君及斤，轘之於長安西市。
Earlier Zhaocheng had ceded half the realm to his brother Gu when Gu renounced the throne. After Gu's death his son Jin, stripped of office, brooded on revenge and waited for a chance to rebel. Emperor Xianming and Prince Qinming Han were already dead; Taizu was only six; Zhaocheng lay ill; and though Yueba and other sons of Empress Murong were grown, no heir had been chosen. Jin then told Lord Shi: "The emperor means to put Murong's son on the throne and, fearing you will rebel, plans to kill you first. That is why the princes have lately gone about in armor at night with weapons in hand, circling your quarters for a chance to strike. Out of pity I warn you." Fu Luo's troops still held Junzi Ford and stood watch through the nights, while the princes paced the lodges armed. Lord Shi looked about, took Jin at his word, and with his men slaughtered every prince; Zhaocheng died the same night. That night the princes' wives and palace women fled to Fu Luo's camp; Fu Jian's generals Li Rou and Zhang Hao pressed inward with troops and the tribes broke apart. Fu Jian, hearing the news, summoned Yan Feng and asked what had happened; Yan Feng told him the whole affair. Fu Jian said, "There is only one kind of evil in the world." He seized Lord Shi and Jin and had them dismembered at Chang'an's West Market.
3
寔君孫勿期，位定州刺史，賜爵林慮侯。 卒。
Lord Shi's grandson Wuqi served as Inspector of Dingzhou and was enfeoffed Marquis of Linlu. He passed away.
4
子六狀，真定侯。
His son Liuzhuang held the title Marquis of Zhending.
5
子儀，長七尺五寸，容貌甚偉，美鬚髯，有算略，少能舞劍，騎射絕人。 太祖幸賀蘭部，侍從出入。 登國初，賜爵九原公。 從破諸部，有謀戰功。
His son Yi stood seven feet five, strikingly handsome with a splendid beard; clever in counsel, he danced with the sword as a youth and was unmatched in mounted archery. When Taizu visited the Helan, Yi attended him wherever he went. At the opening of the Dengguo era he was made Duke of Jiuyuan. He campaigned in the subjugation of the tribes and won distinction both in counsel and in the field.
6
及太祖將圖慕容垂，遣儀觀釁。 垂問儀太祖不自來之意，儀曰：「先人以來，世據北土，子孫相承，不失其舊。 乃祖受晉正朔，[3]爵稱代王，東與燕世為兄弟。 儀之奉命，理謂非失。」 垂壯其對，因戲曰：「吾威加四海，卿主不自見吾，云何非失？」 儀曰：「燕若不修文德，欲以兵威自強，此乃本朝將帥之事，非儀所知也。」 及還，報曰：「垂死乃可圖，今則未可。」 太祖作色問之。 儀曰：「垂年已暮，其子寶弱而無威，謀不能決。 慕容德自負才氣，非弱主之臣。 釁將內起，是可計之。」 太祖以為然。 後改封平原公。
As Taizu prepared to move against Murong Chui he sent Yi to test the enemy. Chui asked why Taizu had not come himself; Yi replied: "Since our ancestors' time we have held the north, generation after generation, without forfeiting our heritage. Our founder accepted investiture under the Jin calendar,[3] took the title King of Dai, and for generations Yan and we have stood as brothers in the east. My coming on orders is, by rights, no lapse." Chui admired the answer and said in jest, "My power spans the seas—yet your master will not come to see me. How is that no fault?" Yi said, "If Yan neglects civil virtue and trusts only to arms, that is a matter for our generals, not for me to judge." On his return he reported, "Chui can be struck only when he is near death—not yet." Taizu's face darkened and he pressed him for an explanation. Yi said, "Chui is old; his son Bao is feeble and commands no awe; he cannot settle on a plan. Murong De is proud of his gifts and will not serve a feeble lord. Strife will break out within their house—then they can be taken." Taizu agreed. He was later reassigned as Duke of Pingyuan.
7
太祖征衞辰，儀出別道，獲衞辰尸，傳首行宮。 太祖大喜，徙封東平公。 命督屯田於河北，自五原至棝楊塞外，分農稼，大得人心。 慕容寶之寇五原，儀攝據朔方，要其還路。 及并州平，儀功多，遷尚書令。 從圍中山。 慕容德之敗也，太祖以普驎妻周氏賜儀，并其僮僕財物。 尋遷都督中外諸軍事、左丞相，進封衞王。 中山平，復遣儀討鄴，平之。 太祖將還代都，置中山行臺，詔儀守尚書令以鎮之，遠近懷附。 尋徵儀以丞相入輔。 又從征高車。 儀別從西北破其別部。 又從討姚平，有功，賜以絹布綿牛馬羊等。 儀膂力過人，弓力將十石； 陳留公虔，矟大稱異。 時人云：「衞王弓，桓王矟。」
On Taizu's campaign against Wei Chen, Yi took a separate road, seized Wei Chen's body, and sent the head to the field headquarters. Taizu was delighted and raised him to Duke of Dongping. He was ordered to oversee garrison agriculture in Hebei from Wuyuan to beyond Yusang Pass, apportioning the harvests, and won deep loyalty among the people. When Murong Bao struck at Wuyuan, Yi held Shuofang and barred his retreat. After Bingzhou was pacified his service stood foremost and he was made Director of the Masters of Writing. He took part in the siege of Zhongshan. After Murong De's defeat Taizu gave Yi Lady Zhou, Murong Pulong's wife, with her household and possessions. He was soon made Grand Commander of All Armies Within and Without and Left Chancellor, and was raised to Prince of Wei. After Zhongshan fell he was sent again to take Ye and subdued it. As Taizu prepared to return to the Dai capital he established a traveling secretariat at Zhongshan and left Yi as Director of the Masters of Writing to hold the city; the region submitted willingly. Yi was soon recalled to serve at court as chancellor. He campaigned again against the Gaoche. Yi took a separate route from the northwest and shattered a detached Gaoche force. He joined the attack on Yao Ping and was rewarded with silk, cloth, cotton, cattle, horses, sheep, and the like. Yi's strength was extraordinary; his bow drew nearly ten stone; and Duke of Chenliu Qian's spear was famed as matchless. Men said at the time, "Prince of Wei's bow, Prince Huan's spear."
8
世祖之初育也，太祖喜，夜召儀入。 太祖曰：「卿聞夜喚，乃不怪懼乎？」 儀曰：「臣推誠以事陛下，陛下明察，臣輒自安。 忽奉夜詔，怪有之，懼實無也。」 太祖告以世祖生，儀起拜而歌舞，遂對飲申旦。 召羣臣入，賜儀御馬、御帶、縑錦等。
When Shizu was born Taizu rejoiced and called Yi to him at night. Taizu asked, "When you were summoned at night, were you not afraid?" Yi said, "I serve Your Majesty with open heart; Your Majesty sees clearly, and I am always at peace. A sudden summons at night may surprise, but it never frightens me." Taizu told him of Shizu's birth; Yi rose, bowed, sang and danced for joy, and they drank together until dawn. He then summoned the court and gave Yi the imperial horse, belt, silks, and brocades.
9
先是，上谷侯岌、張兗，代郡許謙等有名于時，學博今古，初來入國，聞儀待士，先就儀。 儀並禮之，共談當世之務，指畫山河，分別城邑，成敗要害，造次備舉。 謙等歎服，相謂曰：「平原公有大才不世之略，吾等當附其尾。」
Earlier Hou Ji of Shanggu, Zhang Gun, Xu Qian of Dai, and other scholars famed for learning had come into the realm; hearing Yi honored talent, they sought him out first. Yi welcomed them all and debated the affairs of the day, mapping rivers and passes, naming cities and strongpoints, and weighing victory and defeat at every hinge—he could rehearse them all without pause. Qian and the rest marveled and said to one another, "The Duke of Pingyuan has genius and a strategy for the ages—we should follow in his wake."
10
太祖以儀器望，待之尤重，數幸其第，如家人禮。 儀矜功恃寵，遂與宜都公穆崇謀為亂，伏武士伺太祖，欲為逆。 崇子遂留在伏士中，太祖召之，將有所使。 遂留聞召，恐發，踰牆告狀，太祖祕而恕之。 天賜六年，天文多變，占者云「當有逆臣伏尸流血」。 太祖惡之，頗殺公卿，欲以厭當天災。 儀內不自安，單騎遁走。 太祖使人追執之，遂賜死，葬以庶人禮。 儀十五子。
Taizu valued Yi's stature and often visited his house with the ease of kin. Proud of his deeds and secure in Taizu's favor, Yi conspired with Duke of Yidu Mu Chong, posted swordsmen to ambush Taizu, and planned treason. Chong's son Suiliu was among the hidden men when Taizu called for him on other business. Hearing the summons Suiliu feared discovery, scaled the wall to reveal the plot, and Taizu concealed the matter and spared him. In the sixth year of Tiansi the heavens showed many omens; diviners said a traitor would die amid slaughter. Taizu loathed the omen and executed many high officials, hoping to turn aside the calamity. Yi, shaken within, fled alone on horseback. Taizu had him pursued, seized, and granted death; he was buried with common rites. Yi left fifteen sons.
11
子纂，五歲，太祖命養於宮中。 少明敏，動止有禮，太祖愛之，恩與諸皇子同。 世祖踐阼，除定州刺史，封中山公，進爵為王，賜步挽几以優異之。 [4]纂好酒愛佞，政以賄成，世祖殺其親嬖人。 後悔過修謹，拜內大將軍。 居官清約簡慎，更稱廉平。 纂於宗屬最長，宗室有事，咸就諮焉。 薨，諡曰簡。
His son Zuan, aged five, Taizu ordered raised in the palace. Clever and courteous from childhood, he won Taizu's love equal to the imperial sons. At Shizu's accession he became Inspector of Dingzhou, was made Duke of Zhongshan and then prince, and received a hand-drawn carriage and folding stool as marks of favor. [4] Zuan drank heavily and kept sycophants; office went to the highest bidder until Shizu executed his pet courtiers. He later repented, grew careful in conduct, and was made Grand General of the Inner Palace. In office he lived plainly and carefully, and men again praised his integrity. As the senior of the clan, he was the one the imperial kindred consulted in every family matter. He died and was posthumously styled Jian.
12
纂弟良，性忠篤。 太宗追錄儀功，封南陽王以紹儀後。
Zuan's brother Liang was steadfast and true by nature. Emperor Taizong, recording Yi's service, made Liang Prince of Nanyang to carry on his line.
13
子禎，通解諸方之語，便騎射。 世祖時，為司衞監。 從征蠕蠕，忽遇賊別部，多少不敵，禎乃就山解鞍放馬，以示有伏，賊果疑而避之。
His son Zhen mastered many tongues and excelled in horsemanship and archery. Under Shizu he served as Director of the Palace Guards. On campaign against the Rouran he suddenly met a detached band too numerous to fight; Zhen rode to a hill, slipped saddles, and loosed the horses as if an ambush lay hidden—the enemy suspected a trap and withdrew.
14
高祖初，賜爵沛郡公。 後拜南豫州刺史。 大胡山蠻時時鈔掠，前後守牧多羈縻而已。 禎乃設畫，召新蔡、襄城蠻魁三十餘人，禎盛武裝，於州西為置酒，使之觀射。 先選左右能射者二十餘人，禎自發數箭皆中，然後命左右以次而射，並中。 先出一囚犯死罪者，使服軍衣，亦參射限，命射不中，禎即責而斬之。 蠻魁等伏伎畏威，相視股慄。 又預教左右取死囚十人，皆著蠻衣，云是鈔賊。 禎乃臨坐，偽舉目瞻天，微有風動，禎謂蠻曰：「風氣少暴，似有鈔賊入境，不過十人，當在西南五十里許。」 即命騎追掩，果縛送十人。 禎告諸蠻曰：「爾鄉里作賊如此，合死以不？」 蠻等皆叩頭曰：「合萬死。」 禎即斬之。 乃遣蠻還，并加慰諭。 諸蠻大服，自是境無暴掠，淮南之人相率投附者三千餘家，置之城東汝水之側，名曰歸義坊。
Early in Gaozu's reign he was made Duke of Pei. He was later appointed Inspector of Southern Yuzhou. The tribes of Great Hu Mountain raided often, and earlier governors had done little more than placate them. Zhen devised a stratagem: he summoned more than thirty chiefs of the Xincai and Xiangcheng tribes, appeared west of the city in full armor, feasted them, and made them watch an archery display. He first chose twenty-odd expert bowmen from his guard; Zhen shot several arrows himself, every one on target, then had his men shoot in turn—all hit. He then produced a condemned man in soldier's dress to shoot with the rest, with orders that Zhen would rebuke and behead him on a miss. The chieftains cowered before his show of force, glancing at one another with shaking knees. He had also secretly prepared ten condemned men dressed as raiders and passed off as bandits. Zhen then took his seat, pretended to scan the sky, and when a breeze stirred said to the tribesmen, "The wind runs fierce—raiders have crossed the border, no more than ten, about fifty li southwest." He sent horsemen at once; they returned with exactly ten bound men. Zhen asked the chiefs, "When your people raid like this, do they deserve death?" They kowtowed and cried, "They deserve death a thousand times over." Zhen had the ten men beheaded on the spot. He sent the chiefs home with soothing words. The tribes were thoroughly cowed; raiding ceased within his borders, and more than three thousand households south of the Huai came over; he settled them east of the city along the Ru in a quarter named Returning Allegiance.
15
初，豫州城豪胡丘生數與外交通。 及禎為刺史，丘生嘗有犯，懷恨圖為不軌，詐以婚進城人告云：「刺史欲遷城中大家，送之向代。」 共謀翻城。 城人石道起以事密告禎，速掩丘生并諸預謀者。 禎曰：「吾不負人，人何以叛，但丘生誑誤。 若即收掩，眾必大懼。 吾靜以待之，不久自當悔服。」 語未訖，而城中三百人自縛詣州門，陳丘生譎誑之罪。 丘生單騎逃走。 禎恕而不問。
Earlier the city magnate Hu Qiusheng of Yuzhou had repeatedly dealt with outsiders. When Zhen took office Qiusheng, smarting from an earlier offense, plotted treason; under cover of a wedding he entered the city and told the people, "The inspector means to uproot the leading families and send them to Dai." They conspired to seize the city. A townsman named Shi Daoqi reported the plot in secret; Zhen moved at once to seize Qiusheng and his fellow conspirators. Zhen said, "I have wronged no one—why should they rebel? Only Qiusheng has misled them. If I arrest them now the people will panic. I will wait calmly; soon they will repent and submit of themselves." He had barely finished speaking when three hundred townsmen came to the gate with ropes on their own backs, denouncing Qiusheng's lies. Qiusheng escaped on a lone horse. Zhen pardoned him and pursued the matter no further.
16
後徵為都牧尚書。 薨，贈侍中、儀同三司，諡簡公。 有八子。
He was later recalled as Director of Pasturage in the Masters of Writing. He died and was posthumously made Attendant-in-ordinary with the ceremonial rank of the Three Dukes, styled Duke Jian. Eight sons survived him.
17
第五子瑞。 初瑞母尹氏，有娠致傷。 後畫寢，夢一老翁具衣冠告之曰：「吾賜汝一子，汝勿憂之。」 寤而私喜。 又問筮者，筮者曰：「大吉。」 未幾而生瑞，禎以為協夢，故名瑞，字天賜。 位太中大夫。 卒，贈太常卿。
The fifth son was Rui. Rui's mother Lady Yin had been injured while carrying him. Later, resting in her chamber, she dreamed an old man in court dress who said, "I give you a son—do not grieve." She woke and rejoiced in secret. She consulted a diviner, who said, "Great fortune." Soon after Rui was born; Zhen took it as fulfillment of the dream and named him Rui, style Tiansi. He served as Grand Master of Palace Counsel. He died and was posthumously made Minister of Ceremonies.
18
儀弟烈，剛武有智略。 元紹之逆，百僚莫敢有聲，惟烈行出外，詐附紹募執太宗。 紹信之，自延秋門出，遂迎立太宗。 以功進爵陰平王。 薨，諡曰熹。 子裘襲。
Yi's brother Lie was bold in war and shrewd in counsel. During Yuan Shao's revolt the court was mute; only Lie went abroad, pretended to join Shao, and raised men to seize Emperor Taizong. Shao trusted him; Lie led his men out through Yanchiu Gate and brought Emperor Taizong to the throne. For this service he was raised to Prince of Yinping. He died and was posthumously styled Xi. His son Qiu inherited the line.
19
烈弟觚，勇略有膽氣，少與兄儀從太祖，侍衞左右。 使於慕容垂，垂末年，政在羣下，遂止觚以求賂。 太祖絕之。 觚率左右數十騎，殺其衞將走歸。 為慕容寶所執，歸中山，垂待之逾厚。 觚因留心學業，誦讀經書數十萬言，垂之國人咸稱重之。 太祖之討中山，慕容普驎既自立，遂害觚以固眾心，太祖聞之哀慟。 及平中山，發普驎柩，斬其尸，收議害觚者高霸、程同等，皆夷五族，以大刃剉殺之。 乃改葬觚，追諡秦愍王，封子夔為豫章王以紹觚。
Lie's brother Gu was bold and resourceful; in youth he followed Yi in serving Taizu as a guardsman. Sent to Murong Chui, he found the court in Chui's last years controlled by underlings who detained him and demanded a bribe. Taizu broke off relations with Yan. Gu rode out with a few dozen men, killed the guard commander, and fled home. Murong Bao captured him and brought him back to Zhongshan, where Chui treated him with growing favor. Gu applied himself to learning, mastered hundreds of thousands of words of the classics, and won esteem throughout Yan. When Taizu marched on Zhongshan, Murong Pulong, having seized power, killed Gu to bind his followers to him; Taizu mourned deeply when he heard. After Zhongshan fell he opened Pulong's coffin and hacked the corpse apart, seized Gao Ba, Cheng Tong, and the rest who had plotted Gu's death, exterminated their clans to the fifth degree, and had them cut apart with great blades. He reburied Gu as Prince of Qin Min and enfeoffed his son Kui as Prince of Yuzhang to continue the line.
20
常山王遵，昭成子壽鳩之子也。 少而壯勇，不拘小節。 太祖初，有佐命勳，賜爵略陽公。 慕容寶之敗也，別率騎七百邀其歸路，由是有參合之捷。 及平中山，拜尚書左僕射，加侍中，領勃海之合口。 [5]及博陵、勃海羣盜起，遵討平之。 遷州牧，封常山王。 遵好酒，天賜四年，坐醉亂失禮於太原公主，賜死，葬以庶人禮。
Zun, Prince of Changshan, descended from Zhaocheng through his son Shoujiu. From youth he was fierce and free of petty scruple. In Taizu's early days he helped establish the realm and was made Duke of Lueyang. When Murong Bao was routed he took seven hundred horsemen to block the retreat and won the victory at Canhe. After Zhongshan fell he became Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Attendant-in-ordinary, and held Hekou in Bohai. [5] When bandits rose in Boling and Bohai he suppressed them. He was made Inspector and enfeoffed Prince of Changshan. Zun drank heavily; in the fourth year of Tiansi he insulted the Princess of Taiyuan while drunk, was granted death, and was buried with common rites.
21
子素，太宗從母所生，特見親寵。 少引內侍，頻歷顯官，賜爵尚安公，拜外都大官。 世祖初，復襲爵。 休屠郁原等叛，素討之，斬渠率，徙千餘家於涿鹿之陽，立平原郡以處之。 及平統萬，以素有威懷之略，拜假節、征西大將軍以鎮之。 後拜內都大官。 高宗即位，務崇寬征，罷諸雜調。 有司奏國用不足，固請復之，惟素曰：「臣聞『百姓不足，君孰與足。』」 帝善而從之。 詔羣臣議定皇子名，素及司徒陸麗議曰：「古帝王之制名，其體有五：有信，有義，有象，有假，有類。 伏惟陛下當盛明之運，應昌發之期，誕生皇子，宜以德命。」 高宗從之。 素宗屬之懿，又年老，帝每引入，訪以治國政事。 固辭疾歸第。 雅性方正，居官五十載，終始如一，時論賢之。 薨，諡曰康，陪葬金陵，配饗廟庭。
His son Su was born to Emperor Taizong's maternal aunt and was singularly favored. Raised from youth in the inner palace, he rose through high office, was made Duke of Shang'an, and became Grand Officer of the Outer Court. At Shizu's accession he inherited the title anew. When the Xiutu of Yuyuan rebelled he crushed them, beheaded their leader, and resettled more than a thousand households south of Zhuolu in the new Pingyuan commandery. After Tongwan fell his reputation for stern mercy won him appointment as Grand General Who Pacifies the West with full authority to hold the region. He was later made Grand Officer of the Inner Court. At Emperor Gaozong's accession he pursued a policy of leniency and abolished miscellaneous levies. Officials reported the treasury empty and begged to restore the levies; only Su said, "I have heard that when the people lack, the ruler cannot abound. The emperor approved and held to Su's counsel." The court was ordered to name the newborn princes; Su and Minister of State Lu Li argued that ancient rulers used five kinds of names: trust, righteousness, image, borrowing, and category. They urged that at this flourishing season, when Your Majesty had begotten a prince, the child should receive a name drawn from virtue. Emperor Gaozong agreed. Su stood foremost among the clan and was by then aged; the emperor often summoned him to counsel on state affairs. He pleaded illness and withdrew to his home. Upright by nature, he served fifty years without change, and his age called him worthy. He died, was styled Kang, buried at Jinling, and honored with temple sacrifice.
22
長子可悉陵，年十七，從世祖獵，遇一猛虎，陵遂空手搏之以獻。 世祖曰：「汝才力絕人，當為國立事，勿如此也。」 即拜內行阿干。 又從平涼州。 沮渠茂虔令一驍將與陵相擊，兩槊皆折。 陵抽箭射之，墜馬，陵恐其救至，未及拔劍，以刀子戾其頸，使身首異處。 世祖壯之，即日拜都幢將，封暨陽子。 卒于中軍都將。
His eldest son Kesiling, seventeen, joined Shizu on a hunt, met a tiger, and brought it down bare-handed as tribute. Shizu said, "Your strength is matchless—serve the state with deeds, not with stunts like this." He was at once made Inner Aghan. He joined the pacification of Liangzhou. Juqu Maoqian sent a champion against Kesiling; both spears shattered. Kesiling shot him from the saddle; before reinforcements could arrive and before he could draw his sword he slit the man's throat with a knife and severed head from body. Shizu admired the feat and that same day made him Chief of the Imperial Banners and Marquis of Jiyang. He died in office as Chief General of the Central Army.
23
弟陪斤，襲爵，坐事國除。
His brother Peijin inherited the title but lost the fief for a crime.
24
陪斤子昭，小字阿倪，尚書張彝引兼殿中郎。 高祖將為齊郡王簡舉哀，[6]而昭乃作宮懸。 高祖大怒，詔曰：「阿倪愚騃，誰引為郎！」 於是黜彝白衣守尚書，昭遂停廢。 世宗時，昭從弟暉親寵用事，稍遷左丞。 世宗崩，于忠執政，昭為黃門郎，又曲事之。 忠專權擅威，枉陷忠賢，多昭所指導也。 靈太后臨朝，為尚書、河南尹。 聾而佷戾，理務峭急，所在患之。 尋出為雍州刺史，在州貪虐，大為人害。 後入為尚書，諂事劉騰，進號征西將軍。 卒，贈尚書左僕射。 納貨元叉，所以贈禮優越。
Peijin's son Zhao, called Ani in youth, was introduced by Master of Writing Zhang Yi as a concurrent palace attendant. When Gaozu was to mourn Prince of Qi Jun, Zhao composed palace music instead. Gaozu raged and said, "Ani is a fool—who made him an attendant!" Zhang Yi was reduced to commoner rank to serve in the Masters of Writing, and Zhao was dismissed. Under Emperor Shizong his cousin Hui held favor and power, and Zhao rose by degrees to Left Vice Director. After Shizong's death Yu Zhong seized power; Zhao served as Yellow Gate Attendant and fawned on him again. Zhong ruled by force and ruined loyal men, often on Zhao's prompting. Under Empress Dowager Ling he became Director of the Masters of Writing and Intendant of Henan. Deaf and brutal, he ran affairs with savage haste and was dreaded wherever he served. He was soon sent out as Inspector of Yongzhou, where his greed and cruelty did great harm. Recalled to the Masters of Writing, he flattered Liu Teng and was raised to General Who Pacifies the West. He died and was posthumously made Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. He had bribed Yuan Cha, and so his funeral honors were lavish.
25
昭弟紹，字醜倫。 少聰慧。 遷尚書右丞。 紹斷決不避強禦。 世宗詔令檢趙脩獄，以脩佞幸，因此遂加杖罰，令其致死。 帝責紹不重聞。 紹曰：「脩姦佞甚於董賢，臣若不因釁除之，恐陛下復被哀帝之名。」 以其言正，遂不罪焉。 及出，廣平王懷拜紹，賀曰：「阿翁乃皇家之正直，雖朱雲、汲黯何以仰過。」 紹曰：「但恨戮之稍晚，以為愧耳。」 卒於涼州刺史。
Zhao's brother Shao, style Choulun. Clever from youth. He was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. In judgment Shao never shrank from the powerful. Emperor Shizong ordered him to review Zhao Xiu's case; Xiu was a court favorite, so Shao added beatings and drove the sentence to death. The emperor rebuked Shao for not seeking a second report. Shao said, "Xiu's villainy outdid Dong Xian's; had I not seized the chance to remove him, Your Majesty might have gone the way of Emperor Ai." His words were just, and the emperor spared him. As he left, Prince of Guangping Huai bowed to him and said, "Uncle, you are the house's conscience—Zhu Yun and Ji An are not fit to be named beside you!" Shao said, "I only regret the killing came late—that is my shame." He died as Inspector of Liangzhou.
26
陪斤弟忠，字仙德。 少沉厚，以忠謹聞。 高祖時，累遷右僕射，賜爵城陽公，加侍中、鎮西將軍，有翼贊之勤，百僚咸敬之。 太和四年，病篤辭退，養疾於高柳。 輿駕親送都門之外，賜雜綵二百匹，羣僚侍臣執別者，莫不涕泣。 及卒，皆悼惜之。 諡曰宣，命有司為立碑銘。 有十七子。
Peijin's brother Zhong, style Xiande. From youth he was grave and steady, famed for loyalty. Under Gaozu he rose to Right Vice Director, was made Duke of Chengyang, Attendant-in-ordinary, and General Who Guards the West, and won the respect of the whole court for steadfast service. In the fourth year of Taihe, gravely ill, he resigned and went to nurse his health at Gaoliu. The emperor escorted him beyond the capital gate in person, gave him two hundred bolts of silk, and the ministers who bade him farewell wept. At his death the court mourned him. He was styled Xuan, and the throne ordered officials to raise a memorial stele. He left seventeen sons.
27
子盛，字始興，襲爵，位謁者僕射。 卒。
His son Sheng, styled Shixing, inherited the fief and rose to Supervisor of Palace Ushers. He died.
28
盛弟壽興，[8]少聰慧好學。 世宗初，為徐州刺史，在官貪虐，失於人心。 其從兄侍中暉，深害其能，因譖之於帝，詔尚書崔亮馳驛檢覆。 亮發日，受暉旨，遂鞭撻三寡婦，令其自誣，稱壽興壓己為婢。 壽興終恐不免，乃令其外弟中兵參軍薛脩義將車十乘，運小麥經其禁之旁。 壽興因踰牆出。 脩義以大木函盛壽興，其上加麥，載之而出。 遂至河東，匿脩義家。 逢赦，乃出見世宗，自陳為暉所譖，世宗亦更無所責。
Sheng's younger brother Shouxing, [8] was bright and bookish from boyhood. Early in Emperor Shizong's reign he became inspector of Xuzhou; greedy and brutal in office, he lost the people. His cousin Palace Attendant Hui, who envied his talent, denounced him to the throne; Cui Liang of the Masters of Writing was ordered to investigate by express relay. On the day he departed Liang followed Hui's orders, had three widows beaten until they confessed that Shouxing had pressed them into servitude. Convinced he would not escape, Shouxing had his brother-in-law Xue Xiuyi, a staff officer, drive ten carts of wheat past the compound where he was held. Shouxing scaled the wall and fled. Xiuyi hid him in a great wooden chest, piled wheat on top, and drove him out. He reached Hedong and lay hidden in Xiuyi's home. After an amnesty he appeared before Shizong, said Hui had framed him, and was not punished further.
29
初，壽興為中庶子時，王顯在東官，賤，因公事壽興杖之三十。 及顯有寵，為御史中尉，奏壽興在家每有怨言，誹謗朝廷。 因帝極飲無所覺悟，遂奏其事，命帝注可，直付壽興賜死。 帝書半不成字，當時見者亦知非本心，但懼暉等威，不敢申拔。 及行刑日，顯自往看之。 壽興命筆自作墓誌銘曰：「洛陽男子，姓元名景，有道無時，其年不永。」 餘文多不載。 顧謂其子曰：「我棺中可著百張紙，筆兩枚，吾欲訟顯於地下。 若高祖之靈有知，百日內必取顯，如遂無知，亦何足戀。」 及世宗崩，顯尋被殺。 壽興之死，時論亦以為前任中尉彈高 〈闕〉 讒諷所致。 靈太后臨朝，三公郎中崔鴻上疏理壽興，詔追雪，贈豫州刺史，諡曰莊。 壽興弟益生，少亡。
Once, while Shouxing served as junior mentor in the Eastern Palace, Wang Xian held a low post; on official grounds Shouxing had him thrashed thirty strokes. When Xian grew powerful as Censor-in-Chief, he reported that Shouxing grumbled at home and reviled the court. The emperor was drunk and unheeding; Xian submitted the charge, had him scrawl approval, and sent the order straight to Shouxing to die. The emperor's characters were half-formed; witnesses knew his heart was not in it, yet they feared Hui and dared not intervene. On the day of execution Xian went to watch in person. Shouxing called for brush and ink and wrote his own epitaph: "A man of Luoyang, surname Yuan, given name Jing—virtue without its hour, years cut short." The remainder is not fully recorded. He told his son, "Lay a hundred sheets of paper and two brushes in my coffin. I intend to bring suit against Xian below. If Gaozu's spirit sees, he will take Xian within a hundred days; if the dead know nothing, why linger at all?" When Shizong died, Xian was killed soon after. When Shouxing died, contemporaries also blamed the former censor's impeachment of Gao 〈lacuna〉 for the slander that had set the tragedy in motion. When Empress Dowager Ling ruled, Cui Hong of the Three Excellencies petitioned to clear him; the court posthumously exonerated him, made him inspector of Yuzhou, and styled him Zhuang. His brother Yisheng died in youth.
30
忠弟德，封河間公。 卒於鎮南將軍，贈曹州刺史。
Zhong's brother De was made Duke of Hejian. He died as General Who Guards the South and was posthumously made inspector of Caozhou.
31
德子悝，潁川太守。 卒於光州刺史，諡曰恭。
De's son Ti served as administrator of Yingchuan. He died as inspector of Guang and was posthumously styled Gong.
32
忠子暉，[11]字景襲。 少沉敏，頗涉文史。 世宗即位，拜尚書主客郎。 巡省風俗，還，奏事稱旨，為給事黃門侍郎。
Zhong's son Hui, [11] styled Jingxi. As a youth he was grave and quick, with some learning in letters and history. At Shizong's accession he became Director of Foreign Guests in the Masters of Writing. After touring local customs he reported to the throne to satisfaction and was made attendant gentleman at the Yellow Gate.
33
初，高祖遷洛，而在位舊貴皆難於移徙，時欲和合眾情，遂許冬則居南，夏便居北。 世宗頗惑左右之言，外人遂有還北之問，至乃牓賣田宅，不安其居。 暉乃請間言事。 世宗曰：「先皇遷都之日，本期冬南夏北，朕欲聿遵成詔，故有外人之論。」 暉曰：「先皇移都，為百姓戀土，故發冬夏二居之詔，權寧物意耳。 乃是當時之言，實非先皇深意。 且北來遷人，安居歲久，公私計立，無復還情。 陛下終高祖定鼎之業，勿信邪臣不然之說。」 世宗從之。
When Gaozu moved the capital to Luoyang, old nobles balked at relocation; to soothe them the court allowed winters in the south and summers in the north. Shizong heeded his attendants; rumor spread of a return north, notices went up to sell houses, and people could not settle. Hui asked for a private audience. Shizong said, "When the late emperor moved the capital he meant winter south and summer north. I mean to keep that edict—hence the talk outside." Hui answered, "The move was for people who clung to their soil; the dual-residence edict was only to calm them for a time. That was speech for the hour, not his true intent. Those who came north have lived here for years; households and offices are settled—no one wishes to return. Finish Gaozu's work of fixing the capital. Do not heed wicked ministers who say otherwise." Shizong took his counsel.
34
再遷侍中，領右衞將軍，雖無補益，深被親寵。 凡在禁中要密之事，暉別奉旨藏之於櫃，唯暉入乃開，其餘侍中、黃門莫有知者。 侍中盧昶亦蒙恩眄，故時人號曰「餓虎將軍，飢鷹侍中」。
He rose again to palace attendant and general of the right guard; though he did little good, favor ran deep. Secret business of the inner palace went into a cabinet on Hui's orders alone; only he could open it—other attendants and yellow-gate officers knew nothing. Palace Attendant Lu Chang shared the favor, and people nicknamed them "the starving-tiger general and the hungry-eagle attendant."
35
遷吏部尚書，納貨用官，皆有定價，大郡二千匹，次郡一千匹，下郡五百匹，其餘受職各有差，天下號曰「市曹」。 出為冀州刺史，下州之日，連車載物，發信都，至湯陰間，首尾相繼，道路不斷。 其車少脂角，即於道上所逢之牛，生截取角以充其用。 暉檢括丁戶，聽其歸首，出調絹五萬匹。 然聚斂無極，百姓患之。
As minister of the imperial secretariat he sold offices at fixed rates—two thousand bolts for a great commandery, one thousand for a middling, five hundred for a lesser—and the realm called his ministry the market bureau. Made inspector of Jizhou, he left office with carts in an unbroken line from Xindu to Tangyin. When carts lacked grease or horn fittings, his men cut horns from oxen met on the road. He audited household registers, allowed self-report of dependents, and levied fifty thousand bolts of silk. Yet his levies never ceased, and the people groaned under them.
36
肅宗初，徵拜尚書左僕射，詔攝吏部選事。 上疏曰：「臣聞治人之本，實委牧守之官。 得其才則政平物理，失其人則訟興怨結。 自非察訪善惡，明加貶賞，將何以黜彼貪怠，陟此清勤也。 竊以大使巡省，必廣迎送之費； 御史馳糾，頗回威濫之刑。 且暫爾往還，理不委悉，縱有簡舉，良未平當。 愚謂宜令三司、八座、侍中、黃門，各布耳目，外訪州鎮牧將治人，守令能不。 若德教有方，清白獨著，宜以名聞，即加褒陟。 若治績無効，貪暴遠聞，亦便示牒，登加貶退。 如此則不出庭戶，坐知四方，端委垂拱，明賞審罰矣。」 又表以「御史之職，鷹鸇是任，必逞爪牙，有所噬搏。 若選後生年少、血氣方剛者，恐其輕肆勁直，傷物處廣。 愚謂宜簡宿官經事、忠良平慎者為之。」 詔付外，依此施行。
At Suzong's accession he was recalled as left vice director of the Masters of Writing and told to handle personnel selection. He submitted: "The root of rule lies in prefects and governors. Find the right men and government runs level; choose wrongly and suits multiply and resentment knots. Without inspection and clear reward and punishment, how dismiss the greedy and raise the diligent? Grand inspection envoys widen welcome and send-off costs; censors who ride post to impeach often bend authority into abusive punishment. Brief tours cannot grasp affairs fully; even when names are raised, justice is uneven. Let the Three Excellencies, Eight Seats, attendants, and yellow-gate officers each set eyes and ears abroad to learn how governors, commanders, and magistrates rule. Where teaching is sound and conduct pure, name them and promote them at once. Where rule fails or greed and cruelty travel far, publish the order and demote or dismiss. Then without leaving the hall you would know the realm—seated in dignity, with reward clear and punishment measured." He also wrote that censors are hawks and falcons—they must bare claw and seize prey. Choose hot-blooded youths and they will wound too widely. Choose seasoned officials who are loyal, steady, and even-tempered." An edict sent the plan out for implementation.
37
後詔暉與任城王澄、京兆王愉、東平王匡共決門下大事。 暉又上書論政要：「其一曰：御史之職，務使得賢，必得其人，不拘階秩，久於其事，責其成功。 其二曰：安人寧邊，觀時而動，頃來邊將，亡遠大之略，貪萬一之功，楚梁之好未聞，而蠶婦之怨屢結，斯乃庸人所為，銳於姦利之所致也。 平吳之計，自有良圖，不在於一城一戍也。 又河北數州，國之基本，飢荒多年，戶口流散。 方今境上兵復徵發，即如此日，何易舉動。 愚謂數年以來，唯宜靜邊以息占役，安人勸農，惠此中夏。 請嚴勅邊將，自今有賊戍求內附者，不聽輒遣援接，皆須表聞，違者雖有功，請以違詔書論。 三曰：國之資儲，唯藉河北。 飢饉積年，戶口逃散，生長姦詐，因生隱藏，出縮老小，妄注死失。 收人租調，割入於己。 人困於下，官損於上。 自非更立權制，善加檢括，損耗之來，方在未已。 請求其議，明宣條格。」 帝納之。
Later Hui was ordered, with Prince Cheng of Rencheng, Prince Yu of Jingzhao, and Prince Kuang of Dongping, to decide great Gate Department affairs together. Hui wrote again on essentials of rule: "First, censors must obtain worthy men—the right person, not bound by rank, long in post, held to results. Second, settle people and quiet borders and move as times require. Frontier generals lately grasp at trifling gains; goodwill with Chu and Liang is unheard of while silkworm-wives' grievances knot again—mediocrities keen for illicit profit. The plan to pacify Wu has its own design—not in one city or one garrison. Several Hebei provinces are the state's foundation; famine has run for years and households have scattered. Troops on the borders are levied again—even today, how easy is any move? For years the sole policy should be quiet borders, end corvée and garrison duty, settle people, encourage farming, and show grace to the central realm. Order frontier generals: when enemy garrisons seek to submit, do not receive them without memorial—violators judged by edict even if they have merit. Third, the state's stores rely only on Hebei. Famine piled up; households fled; fraud bred concealment—shrinking dependents on the rolls and falsely registering deaths. Tax and labor dues were cut into private pockets. The people suffered below; the treasury lost above. Unless new rules and strict inspection are set, the drain will not end. Debate this and proclaim the articles clearly." The emperor accepted it.
38
陳留王虔，昭成子紇根之子也。 少以壯勇知名。 登國初，賜爵陳留公。 與衞王儀破黜弗部。 從攻衞辰。 慕容寶來寇，虔絕其左翼。 寶敗，垂恚憤來桑乾。 虔勇而輕敵，於陳戰沒。
Qian, Prince of Chenliu, was son of Heggen, son of Emperor Zhaocheng. From youth he was famed for strength and courage. At the start of Dengguo he was made Duke of Chenliu. With Prince Wei Yi he broke the Chufu tribe. He followed the attack on Wei Chen. When Murong Bao raided, Qian cut off his left wing. Bao was beaten; Chui came to Sanggan in rage. Brave but heedless, Qian fell in the field.
39
悅外和內佷。 太祖常以桓王死王事，特加親寵。 為左將軍，襲封。 後為宗師。 悅恃寵驕矜，每謂所親王洛生之徒言曰：「一旦宮車晏駕，吾止避衞公，除此誰在吾前？」 衞王儀，美髯，為內外所重，悅故云。 初，姚興之贖狄伯支，悅送之，路由雁門，悅因背誘姦豪，以取其意。 後遇事譴，逃亡，投雁門，規收豪傑，欲為不軌，為土人執送，太祖恕而不罪。 太宗即位，引悅入侍，仍懷姦計，說帝云：「京師雜人，不可保信，宜誅其非類者。 又雁門人多詐，并可誅之。」 欲以雪其私忿。 太宗不從。 悅內自疑懼，懷刀入侍，謀為大逆。 叔孫俊疑之，竊視其懷，有刀，執而賜死。
Yue was smooth outside and treacherous within. Because Prince Huan had died in royal service, Taizu favored him with special intimacy. He became general of the left and inherited the title. Later he was made imperial clan mentor. Proud in favor, he told intimates such as Wang Luosheng, "When the throne falls vacant I yield only to the Duke of Wei—who else stands before me?" Prince Wei Yi wore a fine beard and was revered within and without—hence the remark. When Yao Xing ransomed Di Bozhi, Yue escorted him through Yanmen and secretly won over local strongmen. Rebuked later, he fled to Yanmen to gather heroes for sedition; locals seized him and sent him in; Taizu pardoned him. Taizong brought him to court; Yue still plotted and told him, "The mixed people of the capital cannot be trusted—kill those not of our kind. The people of Yanmen are mostly deceitful—kill them as well." He meant to settle private scores. Taizong refused. Fearful within, he entered court with a hidden knife and plotted treason. Shusun Jun suspected him, glimpsed the knife at his breast, seized him, and had him put to death.
40
弟崇，世祖詔令襲桓王爵。 崇性沉厚。 初，衞王死後，太祖欲敦宗親之義，詔引諸王子弟入宴。 常山王素等三十餘人咸謂與衞王相坐，疑懼，皆出逃遁，將奔蠕蠕，唯崇獨至。 太祖見之甚悅，厚加禮賜，遂寵敬之，素等於是亦安。 久之，拜并州刺史，有政績。 從征蠕蠕，別督諸軍出大澤，越涿邪山，威懾漠北。 薨，諡曰景王。
His brother Chong was ordered by Emperor Shizu to inherit Prince Huan's title. Chong was grave and steady by nature. After Prince Wei's death Taizu wished to bind the clan and summoned princes' sons to feast. Prince Su of Changshan and more than thirty others feared implication with Prince Wei and fled toward the Rouran—only Chong came. Taizu was greatly pleased, honored him richly, and Su and the others took heart. In time he became inspector of Bingzhou and governed well. On campaign against the Rouran he led armies through the Great Marsh, crossed Zhuoye Mountain, and awed the northern desert. He died and was posthumously styled Prince Jing.
41
子建，襲，降爵為公。 位鎮北將軍、懷荒鎮大將。 卒。
His son Jian inherited; the rank was reduced to duke. He served as general who guards the north and great commander of Huaihuang Garrison. He died.
42
建子琛，位恒朔二州刺史。
Jian's son Chen was inspector of Heng and Shuozhou.
43
琛子翌，尚書左僕射。
Chen's son Yi was left vice director of the Masters of Writing.
44
虔兄顗，性嚴重少言，太祖常敬之。 雅有謀策，從平中山，以功賜爵蒲城侯、平盧太守，特見寵厚，給鼓吹羽儀，禮同岳牧。 莅政以威信著稱。 居官七年，乃以元易干代顗為郡。 時易干子萬言得寵於太祖，易干恃其子，輕忽於顗，不告其狀，輕騎卒至，排顗墜牀而據顗坐。 顗不知代己，謂以罪見捕，既而知之，耻其侮慢，謂易干曰：「我更滿被代，常也； 汝無禮見辱，豈可容哉！」 遂搏而殺之，以狀具聞。 太祖壯之。 萬言累以訴請，乃詔顗輸贖。 顗乃自請罪，太祖赦之，復免其贖。 病卒。
Qian's elder brother Yi was grave and sparing of speech; Taizu respected him. Skilled in strategy, he followed the pacification of Zhongshan, was made Marquis of Pucheng and administrator of Pinglu, and received drums, pipes, and banners with honors equal to a great lord. In office he was famed for authority and trust. After seven years Yuan Yigan was sent to replace him. Yigan's son Wanyan had Taizu's favor; Yigan slighted Yi, gave no notice, arrived with light cavalry, pushed Yi from the couch, and took his seat. Yi thought himself arrested for crime; learning the truth, he was shamed and said to Yigan, "When my term ends and I am replaced—that is normal; your rude insult—how can it be borne!" He grappled with him and killed him, then reported all to the throne. Taizu admired his act. Wanyan appealed repeatedly; an edict ordered Yi to pay ransom. Yi asked punishment for himself; Taizu pardoned him and waived the ransom. He died of illness.
45
毗陵王順，昭成子地干之子也。 性疏佷。 登國初，賜爵南安公。 及太祖討中山，留順守京師。 栢肆之敗，軍人有亡歸者，言大軍奔散，不知太祖所在。 順聞之，欲自立，納莫題諫，乃止。 時賀力眷等聚眾作亂於陰館，順討之不克，乃從留宮自白登南入繁畤故城，阻灅水為固，以寧人心。 太祖善之，進封為王，位司隸校尉。 太祖好黃老，數召諸王及朝臣親為說之，在坐莫不祗肅，順獨坐寐欠伸，不顧而唾。 太祖怒，廢之。 以王薨於家。
Shun, Prince of Piling, was son of Diggan, son of Emperor Zhaocheng. He was loose and obstinate by nature. At the start of Dengguo he was made Duke of Nan'an. When Taizu marched on Zhongshan he left Shun to guard the capital. After defeat at Baixi, fugitive soldiers said the main army had scattered and no one knew where Taizu was. Shun heard and meant to declare himself ruler; Mo Ti dissuaded him. Helijuan rebelled at Yin Guan; Shun failed to suppress him, left the palace, entered old Fanchi south from Baideng, and held the Zhaishui to steady hearts. Taizu approved, raised him to prince, and made him colonel director of retainers. Taizu loved Huang-Lao and lectured princes and ministers in person; all sat in reverence—Shun alone dozed, stretched, and spat. Taizu was enraged and deposed him. He died at home, still a prince.
46
遼西公意烈，昭成子力真之子也。 先沒於慕容垂，太祖征中山，棄妻子迎於井陘。 及平中原，有戰獲勳，賜爵遼西公，除廣平太守。 時和跋為鄴行臺，意烈性雄耿，自以帝屬，耻居跋下，遂陰結徒黨，將襲鄴，發覺賜死。
Yilie, Duke of Liaoxi, was son of Lizhen, son of Emperor Zhaocheng. He had been lost to Murong Chui; when Taizu marched on Zhongshan he abandoned wife and children and welcomed him at Jingxing. When the central plains were pacified he won merit in battle and was made Duke of Liaoxi and administrator of Guangping. Heba held the mobile court at Ye; Yilie, bold and of imperial blood, was shamed to serve under him, plotted to seize Ye, was discovered, and was put to death.
47
子拔干，博知古今。 父雖有罪，太祖以拔干宗親，委之心腹。 有計略，屢效忠勤。 太宗踐阼，除勃海太守，吏人樂之。 賜爵武遂子。 轉平原鎮將，得將士心。 卒，諡曰靈公。
His son Bagan was learned in past and present. Though the father was guilty, Taizu trusted Bagan as kin. He had stratagems and served loyally again and again. At Taizong's accession he became administrator of Bohai; officials and people rejoiced. He was made Marquis of Wusui. Transferred to commander of Pingyuan Garrison, he won the troops' hearts. He died and was posthumously styled Duke Ling.
48
子受洛，襲，進爵武邑公。 卒。
His son Shouluo inherited and was advanced to Duke of Wuyi. He died.
49
子叱奴，武川鎮將。
His son Chinu commanded Wuchuan Garrison.
50
叱奴子洪超，頗有學涉。 大乘賊亂之後，詔洪超持節兼黃門侍郎綏慰冀部。 還，上言：「冀土寬廣，界去州六七百里，負海險遠，宜分置一州，鎮遏海曲。」 朝議從之，後遂立滄州。 卒於北軍將、[14]光祿大夫。
Chinu's son Hongchao was widely learned. After the Dacheng rebellion Hongchao was sent with credentials as attendant at the Yellow Gate to soothe Jizhou. On return he wrote: "Jizhou is vast; its borders lie six or seven hundred li from the seat; it backs on a dangerous coast—a separate province should guard the shore." The court agreed; Cangzhou was later established. He died as northern army general [14] and grand master for splendid happiness.
51
意烈弟勃，善射御，以勳賜爵彭城公。 卒，陪葬金陵。
Yilie's brother Bo was skilled at archery and driving; for merit he was made Duke of Pengcheng. He died and was buried with honor at Jinling.
52
長子粟，襲。 世祖時，督諸軍屯漠南。 蠕蠕 〈闕〉 表聞。 粟亮直，善馭眾，撫恤將士，必與之同勞逸。 征和龍，以功進封為王。 薨，陪葬金陵。
His eldest son Su inherited. Under Shizu he directed armies stationed on the southern desert. The Rouran 〈lacuna〉 and reported it in a memorial. Su was upright and skilled at command; he shared toil and rest with his men. On the Helong campaign he was raised to prince for merit. He died and was buried with honor at Jinling.
53
粟弟渾，少善弓馬，世祖嘉之。 會有諸方使命，渾射獸三頭，發皆中之，舉坐咸以為善。 及為宰官尚書，頗以驕縱為失，坐事免。 徙長社，為人所害。
Su's brother Hun was skilled with bow and horse from youth; Shizu praised him. When envoys from many regions came, Hun shot three beasts, every arrow true, and all at table admired him. As master of writing for palace affairs he grew proud and unrestrained and was dismissed for an offense. He was sent to Changshe and murdered.
54
昭成子窟咄。 昭成崩後，苻洛以其年長，逼徙長安，苻堅禮之，教以書學。 因亂隨慕容永東遷，永以為新興太守。
Kuduo, son of Emperor Zhaocheng. After Zhaocheng died, Fu Luo forced him to Chang'an for his seniority; Fu Jian honored him and taught him letters. In the turmoil he followed Murong Yong east; Yong made him administrator of Xinxing.
55
劉顯之敗，遣弟亢埿等迎窟咄，遂逼南界，於是諸部騷動。 太祖左右于桓等謀應之，同謀人單烏干以告。 太祖慮駭人心，沉吟未發。 後三日，桓以謀白其舅穆崇，崇又告之。 太祖乃誅桓等五人，餘莫題等七姓，悉原不問。 太祖慮內難，乃北踰陰山，幸賀蘭部，遣安同及長孫賀徵兵於慕容垂。 賀亡奔窟咄，安同間行遂達中山。 慕容垂遣子賀驎步騎六千以隨之。 安同與垂使人蘭紇俱還，達牛川，窟咄兄子意烈捍之。 安同乃隱藏於商賈囊中，至暮乃入空井，得免，仍奔賀驎。 軍既不至，而稍前逼。 賀染干陰懷異端，乃為窟咄來侵北部。 人皆驚駭，莫有固志。 於是北部大人叔孫普洛節及諸烏丸亡奔衞辰。 賀驎聞之，遽遣安同、朱譚等來。 既知賀驎軍近，眾乃小定。
After Liu Xian's defeat his brothers Kangqi and others welcomed Kuduo; he pressed the southern border and tribes stirred. Taizu's attendant Yu Huan and others plotted to join him; Shan Wugan reported it. Taizu feared panic and hesitated. Three days later Huan told his uncle Mu Chong; Chong reported again. Taizu executed Huan and five others; seven clans including Yu Mo Ti were pardoned. Fearing civil strife, Taizu crossed the Yin Mountains north to the Helan, and sent An Tong and Changsun He to levy troops from Murong Chui. He fled to Kuduo; An Tong by hidden routes reached Zhongshan. Murong Chui sent his son Heluo with six thousand foot and horse to follow. An Tong returned with Chui's envoy Lan He to Niuchuan; Kuduo's nephew Yilie resisted. An Tong hid in a merchant's pack; at dusk he entered an empty well, escaped, and fled to Heluo. The army had not arrived but the enemy pressed closer. Heranigan secretly turned traitor and invaded the north for Kuduo. All were terrified; none held firm. The northern great chief Shusun Puluo Jie and Wuhuan fled to Wei Chen. Heluo heard and urgently sent An Tong, Zhu Tan, and others. Once Heluo's army was known to be near, hearts steadied somewhat.
56
太祖自弩山幸牛川。 窟咄進屯高柳。 太祖復使安同詣賀驎，因克會期。 安同還，太祖踰參合，出代北與賀驎會於高柳。 窟咄困迫，望旗奔走，遂為衞辰殺之，帝悉收其眾。 賀驎別帝，歸於中山。
Taizu went from Nushan to Niuchuan. Kuduo advanced and encamped at Gaoliu. Taizu again sent An Tong to Heluo and fixed a rendezvous. An Tong returned; Taizu crossed Canhe, came out from north of Dai, and met Heluo at Gaoliu. Hard pressed, Kuduo fled at sight of the banners; Wei Chen killed him; the emperor gathered all his followers. Heluo took leave and returned to Zhongshan.
57
校勘記
Textual collation notes
58
魏書卷十五諸本目錄此卷注「闕」，百衲本、南本、汲本、局本有宋人校語云：「魏收書昭成子孫列傳亡。」 殿本考證云：「魏收書亡，後人所補。」 按此卷亦是以北史卷一五魏宗室傳相同諸傳補，間有溢出字句，當出於高氏小史。
Book of Wei juan 15: every edition's table of contents marks this scroll deficient; Song collation notes in the Baipu, Nan, Ji, and Ju editions say Wei Shou's biography of Zhaocheng's descendants is lost. The Palace edition's textual evidence says Wei Shou's text is lost and later hands supplemented it. Note: This scroll was likewise patched from the parallel lives in Beishi juan 15 (Wei imperial clan); stray phrases now and then surely come from Gaoshi xiaoshi.
59
建國十年卒北史卷一五魏宗室傳「十」年作「十五年」。 按卷一三皇后傳稱昭成皇后慕容氏「生獻明帝及秦明王」。 據卷一序紀，建國七年夏六月慕容氏才與什翼犍婚，而且翰還有兄寔，則建國十年，翰是否已出生尚不可知，即十五年死也至多是六七歲的小兒，與傳所云「年十五便請率騎征討」，「及長統兵」等語不符。 此傳稱「建國十年卒」，北史稱「十五年卒」皆誤。 據卷一三獻明皇后賀氏傳稱「后少子秦王觚」，據此傳觚也是翰子，當是獻明太子拓跋寔死後，賀氏收繼為翰妻所生。 拓跋寔死在建國三十四年，見序紀，則翰死必在其後。 「十」字上下當有脫字。
"Died Jianguo year 10": Beishi juan 15 (Wei imperial clan) reads "ten years" as "fifteen years." Note: Juan 13 (Empresses) says Murong, empress of Zhaocheng, bore Emperor Xianming and the Prince of Qinming. Juan 1's annals place Murong's marriage to Shiyijian in summer, sixth month, year 7 of Jianguo, and Han had an elder brother Shi; by year 10 his birth is uncertain, and even death in year 15 would leave him six or seven—far too young for "at fifteen he asked to lead horse on campaign" and "when grown he commanded armies." Both this life ('died year 10') and Beishi ('died year 15') are in error. Juan 13 (Empress Xianming He) calls Gu the empress's younger son, Prince of Qin; this life makes Gu Han's son too—likely He adopted him after heir Tuoba Shi died, reckoning him Han's issue. Shi died in year 34 per the annals; Han cannot have died before that. Characters are missing before and after "ten."
60
乃祖受晉正朔按儀不得自稱其祖為「乃祖」，「乃」字疑為「及」之訛。
"His grandfather received Jin investiture": one may not style one's forebear "that grandfather" by ritual; nai likely corrupts ji (and).
61
賜步挽几以優異之冊府卷二七七 〈三二六九〉 頁「几」作「車」。 疑此傳「几」下脫「杖」字。 冊府以不可通，改「几」為「車」。
"Granted a hand-drawn couch to honor him specially." Cefu juan 277 〈folio 3269〉 That folio reads che (cart) for ji (couch). This life probably drops zhang (staff) after ji. Cefu, finding the line unusable, emended ji to che.
62
領勃海之合口按卷二太祖紀天興元年正月稱「略陽公元遵鎮勃海之合口」，這裏「領」當是「鎮」之訛。
"Held Hegu pass in Bohai": juan 2 (Taizu) has Yuan Zun "garrisoning" Hegu in the first month, Tianxing 1; ling should be zhen (garrison).
63
高祖將為齊郡王簡舉哀諸本及北史卷一五常山王遵傳「簡」並作「蘭」。 按本書卷二０、北史卷一九有齊郡王簡傳。 其人死於太和二十三年，元宏已病，為之「力疾發哀」。 本書高祖紀屢見，都作「簡」。 此傳以北史補，故亦承北史之訛，今據紀及本傳改。
"Gaozu was to mourn Prince Jian of Qi": every edition and Beishi juan 15 (Changshan Prince Zun) write Jian as Lan. Note: This work juan 20 and Beishi juan 19 both carry lives of Prince Jian of Qi. He died in Taihe 23; Yuan Hong was already sick and "forced mourning despite illness." Gaozu's annals in this book always read Jian. Patched from Beishi, this life repeats Beishi's mistake; emended per the annals and the dedicated biography.
64
仗入省按「仗入省」不可解。 北史卷六齊本紀上稱「孫騰帶仗入省，擅殺御史」。 知「仗」上當脫「帶」字。
"Entered the Directorate with arms": the phrase will not parse. Beishi juan 6 (Qi annals, upper) has Sun Teng "entering the Directorate armed and killing a censor on his own authority." Dai (bearing arms) must be missing before zhan.
65
盛弟壽興北史卷一五同，通志卷八四本傳作盛弟秉，字壽興」。 以下此傳和北史作「壽興」處，通志都作「秉」。 下文壽興臨死自作墓誌云：「洛陽男子，姓元名景。」 通志「景」也作「秉」。 按墓誌集釋元智墓誌 〈圖版五一〉 稱「祖昺，使持節散騎常侍、都督徐州諸軍事、平東將軍、徐州刺史、宗正卿」。 前人據官銜和世系證「昺」即「壽興」。 又卷六六崔亮傳也說他所劾的徐州刺史叫「元昞」。 壽興名「昞」 〈同昺〉 無可疑，北史避唐諱稱字，而自作墓誌則因有韵，改「昞」為「景」。 當時人地名常用同音字，或有他書作「秉」，鄭椎據以回改。 魏書原文，據崔亮傳自當作「昞」。
"Sheng's younger brother Shouxing": Beishi juan 15 agrees; Tongzhi juan 84 has Sheng's younger brother Bing, styled Shouxing." Every later "Shouxing" in this life and Beishi appears as "Bing" in Tongzhi. Below, Shouxing's deathbed self-composed epitaph runs: "A Luoyang man, family Yuan, personal name Jing." Tongzhi likewise gives Bing for Jing. Note: Muzhi jishi, Epitaph of Yuan Zhi 〈plate 51〉 names "Grandfather Bing, credential-bearing, Regular Cavalier Attendant, Commander of Xuzhou armies, General Pacifying the East, Xuzhou inspector, Director of the Imperial Clan." Earlier scholars identified Bing with Shouxing from titles and pedigree. Juan 66 (Cui Liang) likewise names the Xuzhou inspector he impeached Yuan Bing. Shouxing's true name was Bing. 〈same graph as Bing〉 Beyond doubt: Beishi gives the style to dodge Tang taboo; the self-written epitaph rhymes Bing as Jing. Homophones were common in names; some texts read the name as Bing, and Zheng Qiao restored that reading. Wei Shou's original, per Cui Liang, should read Bing.
66
懸門發斷嶷要 〈闕〉 而出錢氏考異卷三八云：「『要』下有闕文，當是要 〈即腰〉 帶之類。」
The gate mechanism broke and hit Ning's waist 〈text missing〉 "and emerged." Qian Daxin, Kaoyi juan 38: "Text is missing after yao; yao likely continues as 〈waist (yao)〉 belt or similar."
67
忠子暉北史卷一五作「悝弟暉」，則是忠弟德之子。 按上文壽興傳稱「從兄暉」。 壽興是忠子，暉若也是忠子，豈能稱從兄？ 又附傳照例各從其父兄，暉傳不列於忠傳後，而列於德傳後，也可證他是德之子。 宋趙明誠金石錄卷二十一元暉碑跋，已云魏書和北史不同，「以碑考之，北史是也」。 墓誌集釋元暉墓誌 〈圖版五五〉 稱「父冀州刺史、河間簡公」。 集釋卷三據元侔、元峻、元愔墓誌 〈均見本書〉 ，證明此「河間簡公」即此傳的元德，元侔等誌的元於德，北史是而魏書非。
"Zhong's son Hui": Beishi juan 15 has "Kui's younger brother Hui," hence De's son, not Zhong's. Note: Shouxing's life above calls Hui a "cousin." Shouxing is Zhong's son; if Hui were too, "cousin" would be impossible. Supplement lives follow their paternal line; Hui's is filed after De's, not Zhong's—more proof he is De's son. Zhao Mingcheng (Song), Jinshi lu juan 21, on Yuan Hui's stele already noted Wei shu disagrees with Beishi and concluded: "The stele proves Beishi right." Yuan Hui's epitaph in Muzhi jishi 〈plate 55〉 calls his father "Jizhou inspector, Duke Jian of Hejian." Jishi juan 3, citing epitaphs of Yuan Mou, Yuan Jun, and Yuan Yin 〈all cited in this work〉 , shows "Duke Jian of Hejian" is the Yuan De of this life; Mou and the others name Yuan as De's son—Beishi correct, Wei shu not.
68
凡二百七十卷張森楷云：「隋書經籍志 〈卷三四〉 只七十卷。」
"Two hundred seventy scrolls in all." Zhang Senkai: "Suishu, Bibliographic Treatise 〈juan 34〉 lists only seventy scrolls."
69
神龜元年卒按元暉墓誌：「神龜二年九月庚午卒。」 此傳誤。
"Died Shengui 1": Yuan Hui's epitaph gives "died gengwu, ninth month, Shengui 2." The life is wrong.
70
卒於北軍將「北軍將」，無此官名。 「北」上當脫一字，「將軍」誤倒為「軍將」。
"Died as North Army General": no such office exists. A character is missing before bei; jiangjun was transposed to junjiang.