1
于栗磾
Yu Lidi
2
于栗磾，代人也。 能左右馳射，武藝過人。 登國中，拜冠軍將軍，假新安子。 後與寧朔將軍公孫蘭領步騎二萬，潛自太原從韓信故道開井陘路，襲慕容寶於中山。 既而車駕後至，見道路修理，大悅，即賜其名馬。 及趙魏平定，太祖置酒高會，謂栗磾曰：「卿即吾之黥彭。」 大賜金帛，進假新安公。 太祖田於白登山，見熊將數子，顧謂栗磾曰：「卿勇幹如此，寧能搏之乎？」 對曰：「天地之性，人為貴。 若搏之不勝，豈不虛斃一壯士。 自可驅致御前，坐而制之。」 尋皆擒獲。 太祖顧而謝之。 永興中，關東羣盜大起，西河反叛。 栗磾受命征伐，所向皆平，即以本號留鎮平陽。 轉鎮遠將軍，河內鎮將，賜爵新城男。 栗磾撫導新邦，甚有威惠。
Yu Lidi came from Dai. He could shoot from horseback at full gallop in either direction, and his martial prowess was exceptional. In the Dengguo period he was made Champion General and granted the provisional title Marquis of Xin'an. Later he and Pacification-of-the-North General Gongsun Lan commanded twenty thousand foot and horse, stole from Taiyuan along Han Xin's old line to reopen the Jingxing route, and struck Murong Bao at Zhongshan. When the emperor arrived afterward and saw the roads in good repair, he was delighted and immediately rewarded Lidi with prized horses. After Zhao and Wei were pacified, Emperor Taizu held a great banquet and told Lidi, "You are my Ying Bu and Peng Yue rolled into one." He lavished gold and silk on him and promoted his provisional title to Duke of Xin'an. While hunting on Mount Bai, Emperor Taizu saw a bear with several cubs and asked Lidi, "A man as bold and capable as you—could you take that beast in a fight?" He answered, "In Heaven and Earth's order, human life is what matters most. If I fought and lost, would that not throw away a good soldier for nothing? Better to drive it before you and take it at your leisure." Before long he had captured them all. The emperor turned and thanked him for the lesson. During Yongxing, bandit armies swarmed through the east of the Pass and Xihe rose in revolt. Lidi took command on campaign and swept all before him; he was then left to hold Pingyang under his existing rank. He was made Pacifier-of-the-Distance General and garrison commander of Henei, with the barony of Xincheng. Lidi governed the newly won lands with a firm hand and real benevolence.
3
劉裕之伐姚泓也，栗磾慮其北擾，遂築壘於河上，親自守焉。 禁防嚴密，斥候不通。 裕甚憚之，不敢前進。 裕遺栗磾書，遠引孫權求討關羽之事，假道西上，題書曰「黑矟公麾下」。 栗磾以狀表聞，太宗許之，因授黑矟將軍。 栗磾好持黑矟以自標，裕望而異之，故有是語。 奚斤之征虎牢也，栗磾別率所部攻德宗河南太守王涓之於金墉，涓之棄城遁走。 遷豫州刺史，將軍如故，進爵新安侯。 洛陽雖歷代所都，久為邊裔，城闕蕭條，野無煙火。 栗磾刊闢榛荒，勞來安集。 德刑既設，甚得百姓之心。 太宗南幸盟津，謂栗磾曰：「河可橋乎？」 栗磾曰：「杜預造橋，遺事可想。」 乃編次大船，構橋於冶坂。 六軍既濟，太宗深歎美之。
When Liu Yu marched against Yao Hong, Lidi feared a northern incursion and built river fortifications, guarding them in person. His blockade was tight; no scout could pass. Liu Yu held him in deep respect and would not push north. Liu Yu wrote to Lidi, invoking at length Sun Quan's request to strike Guan Yu as precedent for a western passage, and addressed the letter "To the camp of the Duke of the Black Spear." Lidi reported this to the throne; Emperor Taizong agreed and created him Black Spear General. Lidi was known for bearing a black spear as his badge; Liu Yu had noticed it from afar, which explains the epithet. During Xi Jin's siege of Hulao, Lidi led his own force against Dade's Henan administrator Wang Juanzhi at Jinyong; Juanzhi abandoned the city and fled. He was transferred to Governor of Yuzhou at the same general's rank and raised to Marquis of Xin'an. Luoyang had been capital to dynasty after dynasty, yet it had long lain on the frontier—its walls and gates were hollow, and no smoke rose from the fields. Lidi cut back the wilderness, called people home, and settled them in peace. With law and mercy in place, he won the people's trust. Emperor Taizong went south to Meng Ford and asked Lidi, "Can we bridge this river?" Lidi replied, "Du Yu once bridged a river—the precedent is there to follow." He then lashed great boats together and threw a bridge across at Yebankou. When the whole army had crossed, Emperor Taizong praised him with deep admiration.
4
世祖之征赫連昌，敕栗磾與宋兵將軍、交趾侯周幾襲陝城。 昌弘農太守曹達不戰而走。 乘勝長驅，仍至三輔。 進爵為公，加安南將軍。 平統萬，遷蒲坂鎮將。 時弘農、河內、上黨三郡賊起，栗磾討之。 轉虎牢鎮大將，加督河內軍。 尋遷使持節、都督兗相二州諸軍事、[1]鎮南將軍、枋頭都將。 又為外都大官，平刑折獄，甚有聲稱。 卒，年七十五。 賜東園祕器、朝服一具、衣一襲。 贈太尉公。
On Emperor Shizu's campaign against Helian Chang, he ordered Lidi and Song-Bing General, Marquis of Jiaozhi Zhou Ji, to take Shan City by surprise. Chang's Hongnong administrator Cao Da fled without a fight. They pressed the victory in a long pursuit all the way into the Three Metropolises. He was raised to duke and made Pacifier of the South General as well. After Tongwan fell, he was posted as garrison commander of Puban. When rebels broke out in Hongnong, Henei, and Shangdang, Lidi put them down. He became great garrison commander of Hulao with oversight of the Henei forces. He was soon made Bearer of the Staff, commander of all forces in Yan and Xiang, Pacifier of the South General, and chief commander at Fangtou. He also served as Grand Officer of the Outer Court, where his judgments won wide renown. He died at seventy-five. The court granted him the Eastern Garden funeral regalia, one set of court dress, and a full suit of robes. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Grand Commandant.
5
栗磾自少治戎，迄于白首，臨事善斷，所向無前。 加以謙虛下士，刑罰不濫。 世祖甚悼惜之。
Lidi had soldiered from youth to white hair; in action he decided swiftly and nothing stood in his path. He was modest with his men and never abused the lash. Emperor Shizu mourned him deeply.
6
子洛拔，襲爵。 少以功臣子，拜侍御中散。 有姿容，善應對，恭慎小心。 世祖甚加愛寵，因賜名焉。 車駕征討，恒在侍衞，擢領監御曹事。 從征涼州，既平，賜奴婢四十口，轉監御曹令。 恭宗之在東宮，厚加禮遇，洛拔以恭宗雖則儲君，不宜逆自結納，恒畏避屏退，左轉領候宮曹事。 頃之，襲爵。 出為使持節、散騎常侍、寧東將軍、和龍鎮都大將、營州刺史。 以治有能名，進號安東將軍。 又為外都大官。 會隴西屠各王景文等恃險竊命，私署王侯，高宗詔洛拔與南陽王惠壽督四州之眾討平之，徙其惡黨三千餘家於趙魏。 轉拜侍中、殿中尚書。 遷尚書令，侍中如故。 在朝祗肅，百僚憚之。 太安四年卒，時年四十四。 洛拔有六子。
His son Luoba inherited the title. As a young man, being a meritorious minister's son, he was made Attendant Imperial Scribe. He was handsome, quick in conversation, and unfailingly respectful and careful. Emperor Shizu favored him greatly and gave him his personal name. On every campaign he rode in the imperial guard and was put in charge of the Bureau of Imperial Escort. He joined the Liangzhou campaign and, after its pacification, received forty household slaves and was made director of the Bureau of Imperial Escort. When Gongzong was crown prince he showered Luoba with favor, but Luoba felt that even a heir apparent was not someone with whom a subject should court private ties; he kept his distance and was shifted to head the palace waiting office instead. Before long he inherited his father's title. He was sent out as Bearer of the Staff, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Pacifier of the East General, chief commander of the Helong garrison, and Governor of Yingzhou. His able administration won him promotion to Pacifier of the East General. He again served as Grand Officer of the Outer Court. When Longxi Tuge chiefs such as Wang Jingwen seized the highlands and set up their own lords, Emperor Gaozong ordered Luoba and Prince of Nanyang Huishou to lead four provinces' troops against them; more than three thousand rebel households were relocated to Zhao and Wei. He was made Palace Attendant and Director of the Palace Secretariat. He rose to Director of the Masters of Writing while keeping his post as Palace Attendant. In court he was grave and disciplined, and the officials stood in awe of him. He died in the fourth year of Tai'an, at forty-four. Luoba had six sons.
7
長子烈，善射，少言，有不可犯之色。 少拜羽林中郎，遷羽林中郎將。 延興初，敕領寧光宮宿衞事。 遷屯田給納。
The eldest son Lie was a fine archer, sparing of speech, with a bearing no one cared to cross. In youth he entered the Feathered Forest as a central commander and rose to general of that guard. At the start of Yanxing he was ordered to command the night guard of Ningguang Palace. He was made director of garrison-field provisions.
8
太和初，秦州刺史尉洛侯，雍州刺史、宜都王目辰，長安鎮將陳提等，貪殘不法，烈受詔案驗，咸獲贓罪，洛侯、目辰等皆致大辟，提坐徙邊。 仍以本官行秦雍二州事。 遷司衞監，總督禁旅。 從幸中山，車駕還次肆州，司空苟頹表沙門法秀詃惑百姓，潛謀不軌，詔烈與吏部尚書 〈闕〉 丞祖馳驛討之。 會秀已平，轉左衞將軍，賜爵昌國子。 遷殿中尚書，賜帛三千匹。 于時高祖幼冲，文明太后稱制，烈與元丕、陸叡、李沖等各賜金策，許以有罪不死。 加散騎常侍，遷前將軍，進爵洛陽侯。 尋轉衞尉卿。 從駕南征，加鎮南將軍。
Early in Taihe, Qinzhou inspector Wei Luohou, Yongzhou inspector and Prince of Yidu Muchen, Chang'an garrison commander Chen Ti, and others were corrupt and lawless; Lie was ordered to investigate them. All were convicted of graft; Luohou, Muchen, and others were executed, and Ti was banished to the frontier. He retained his rank while acting for Qin and Yong provinces. He was made director of the palace guards with overall command of the imperial army. He accompanied the emperor to Zhongshan; on the return the court halted at Si Province, where Minister of Works Gou Tui reported that the monk Faxiu was misleading the people and plotting rebellion. An edict ordered Lie and the Minister of the Masters of Writing for Official Personnel 〈Text missing in the manuscript.〉 Chengzu to ride post-haste and suppress the plot. Faxiu had already been crushed; Lie was made General of the Left Guard and enfeoffed as Viscount of Changguo. He was promoted to Director of the Palace Secretariat and given three thousand bolts of silk. The emperor was still a child and Empress Dowager Wenming ruled in his name; Lie, Yuan Pi, Lu Rui, Li Chong, and others each received a golden writ promising that no capital crime would take their lives. He was made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, promoted to Forward General, and raised to Marquis of Luoyang. He was soon made Commandant of the Guards. On the southern campaign he was made Pacifier of the South General as well.
9
及遷洛陽，人情戀本，多有異議，高祖問烈曰：「卿意云何？」 烈曰：「陛下聖略淵遠，非愚管所測。 若隱心而言，樂遷之與戀舊，唯中半耳。」 高祖曰：「卿既不唱異，即是同，深感不言之益。 宜且還舊都，以鎮代邑。」 敕留臺庶政，一相參委。 車駕幸代，執烈手曰：「宗廟至重，翼衞不輕，卿當祗奉靈駕，時遷洛邑。 朕以此事相託顧，非不重也。」 烈與高陽王雍奉遷神主於洛陽，高祖嘉其勳誠，遷光祿卿。
When the court moved to Luoyang, many clung to the old capital and murmured against the change; Emperor Gaozu asked Lie, "What do you think?" Lie said, "Your Majesty's design is too deep for a man like me to judge. If I speak honestly, half the people welcome the move and half mourn the old home." The emperor said, "You are not leading the opposition—that is support enough. I am grateful for your restraint. Return for now to the old capital and hold the Dai homeland firm." He left him in charge of all government at the northern capital. When the emperor went to Dai, he took Lie's hand and said, "The ancestral temple is the weightiest charge and its guard no light duty. Escort the spirit tablets reverently and bring them to Luoyang in due time. I am entrusting this to you—not because it is a small matter." Lie and Prince of Gaoyang Yong brought the spirit tablets to Luoyang; the emperor praised their loyal service and made Lie Director of the Imperial Household.
10
十九年，大選百僚，烈子登引例求進。 烈表曰：「臣上或近臣，下不決引一人， 〈疑〉 而恩出分外，冀荷榮祿。 當今聖明之朝，理應謙讓，而臣子登引人求進，是臣素無教訓，請乞黜落。」 高祖曰：「此乃有識之言，不謂烈能辦此。」 乃引見登，詔曰：「朕今創禮新邑，明揚天下，卿父乃行謙讓之表，而有直士之風，故進卿為太子翊軍校尉。」 又加烈散騎常侍，封聊城縣開國子，食邑二百戶。
In the nineteenth year, during the great civil-service selection, Lie's son Deng cited precedent to seek promotion. Lie memorialized: "Your servant, whether as a superior or a close minister at court, has never once chosen to recommend anyone below, 〈Doubtful or missing text in the manuscript.〉 Yet he seeks favor beyond his due and hopes for rank and salary. In so enlightened a court he ought to have known humility; instead my son Deng had himself put forward for promotion. That shows I have failed to teach him. I beg to be dismissed." The emperor said, "That is the speech of a man of sense—I did not think Lie capable of it." He summoned Deng and said, "I am founding a new capital and seeking talent across the land. Your father has just shown the humility of a true gentleman, so I promote you to Colonel of the Crown Prince's Supporting Army." He also made Lie Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and enfeoffed him as founding viscount of Liaocheng county with two hundred households.
11
及穆泰、陸叡謀反舊京，高祖幸代，泰等伏法。 賜烈及李沖璽書，述金策之意。 語在陸叡傳。 是逆也，代鄉舊族，同惡者多，唯烈一宗，無所染預。 高祖嘉其忠操，益器重之。 歎曰：「元儼決斷威恩，深自不惡，然而為臣盡忠猛決，不如烈也。 爾日烈在代都，必即斬其五三元首耳。 烈之節概，不謝金日磾也。」
When Mu Tai and Lu Rui plotted rebellion at the old capital, Emperor Gaozu went to Dai; Tai and his fellows were executed. He sent Lie and Li Chong sealed letters recalling the promise of the golden writs. The full account appears in the biography of Lu Rui. It was treason, and many old families of Dai were implicated—but Lie's house alone was untouched. Emperor Gaozu praised his loyalty and relied on him still more heavily. He sighed and said, "Yuan Yan is formidable in judgment and favor and no mean man—but as a minister utterly loyal, fierce, and decisive, he cannot match Lie. If Lie had been in Dai that day, he would have cut down the rebel leaders on the spot. Lie in moral fiber is the equal of Jin Midi."
12
詔除領軍將軍。 以本官從征荊沔，加鼓吹一部。 高祖謂彭城王勰曰：「烈先朝舊德，智勇兼有，軍之大計，宜共參決。」 宛鄧既平，車駕還洛，論功加散騎常侍、金紫光祿大夫。 二十三年，蕭寶卷遣其太尉陳顯達入寇馬圈，高祖輿疾赴之，執烈手曰：「都邑空虛，維捍宜重。 可鎮衞二宮，以輯遠近之望。」 顯達破走，高祖崩於行宮，彭城王勰總一六軍，祕諱而返，稱詔召世宗會駕魯陽。 以烈留守之重，密報凶問。 烈處分行留，神色無變。
He was appointed General of the Palace Guards by imperial edict. He joined the Jing-Mian campaign in the same rank and was granted a military band. Emperor Gaozu told Prince of Pengcheng Xie, "Lie is a veteran of the previous reign, wise and brave alike—you should share in every major military decision." After Wan and Deng fell, the emperor returned to Luoyang and rewarded him with Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Grand Master of Splendid Brightness with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. In the twenty-third year, Xiao Baojuan's Grand Commandant Chen Xianda invaded Maquan; though ill, Emperor Gaozu went in person and took Lie's hand. "The capital is nearly bare," he said. "Its defense is paramount. Hold the two palaces and steady the hopes of the realm." Xianda was routed, but the emperor died at the field palace. Prince of Pengcheng Xie took command of the army, concealed the death, and marched back under orders summoning Emperor Shizong to meet the coffin at Luyang. Lie, left to guard the capital, was told the news in secret. Lie settled what remained to be done without a change in his bearing.
13
世宗即位，寵任如前。 咸陽王禧為宰輔，權重當時，曾遣家僮傳言於烈曰：「須舊羽林虎賁執仗出入，領軍可為差遣。」 烈曰：「天子諒闇，事歸宰輔，領軍但知典掌宿衞，有詔不敢違，理無私給。」 奴惘然而返，傳烈言報禧。 禧復遣謂烈曰：「我是天子兒，天子叔，元輔之命，與詔何異？」 烈厲色而答曰：「向者亦不道王非是天子兒、叔。 若是詔，應遣官人，所由遣私奴索官家羽林，[2]烈頭可得，羽林不可得！」 禧惡烈剛直，遂議出之，乃授使持節、散騎常侍、征北將軍、恒州刺史。 烈不願藩授，頻表乞停，輒優答弗許。 烈乃謂彭城王勰曰：「殿下忘先帝南陽之詔乎？ 而逼老夫乃至於此。」 遂以疾固辭。
When Emperor Shizong succeeded, Lie enjoyed the same favor as before. Prince of Xianyang Xi, the chief minister, wielded enormous power. He once sent a servant to Lie with this message: "I need veteran Feathered Forest guards armed for my comings and goings—the Commander of the Guards can supply them." Lie replied, "The emperor is in mourning and affairs rest with the chief minister. I command only the palace guard—I obey edicts, but I do not hand out troops on private request." The servant went back baffled and reported Lie's answer to Xi. Xi sent again: "I am the emperor's son and uncle. A chief minister's order—is it not as good as an edict?" Lie answered coldly, "I never denied that you are the emperor's son and uncle. If it were an edict, you would send an officer—not a household slave to demand the imperial guard. [2] You may have my head, but you will not have the guard!" Xi hated Lie's inflexibility and arranged to send him away, appointing him Bearer of the Staff, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Campaign North General, and Governor of Hengzhou. Lie did not want a provincial post and memorialized repeatedly to decline; each time the court graciously refused. Lie then said to Prince of Pengcheng Xie, "Have you forgotten the late emperor's charge at Nanyang? Yet you drive an old man this far." He then pleaded illness and refused outright.
14
世宗以禧等專擅，潛謀廢之。 會二年正月礿祭，[3]三公並致齋於廟，世宗夜召烈子忠謂曰：「卿父忠允貞固，社稷之臣。 明可早入，當有處分。」 忠奉詔而出。 質明，烈至，世宗詔曰：「諸父慢怠，漸不可任，今欲使卿以兵召之，卿其行乎？」 烈對曰：「老臣歷奉累朝，頗以幹勇賜識。 今日之事，所不敢辭。」 乃將直閣已下六十餘人，宣旨召咸陽王禧、彭城王勰、北海王詳，衞送至于帝前。 諸公各稽首歸政。 以烈為散騎常侍、車騎大將軍、領軍，進爵為侯，增邑三百戶，并前五百戶。 自是長直禁中，機密大事，皆所參焉。
Emperor Shizong, finding Xi and his faction overbearing, secretly planned to strip them of power. In the first month of the second year came the Yue sacrifice;[3] the Three Excellencies were fasting at the ancestral temple. That night the emperor summoned Lie's son Zhong and said, "Your father is loyal, upright, and steadfast—a true pillar of the state. Come early tomorrow—you will receive your orders." Zhong withdrew with his orders. At dawn Lie came in. The emperor said, "My uncles have grown negligent and can no longer be trusted. I want you to summon them at sword-point. Will you go?" Lie answered, "I have served several reigns and am known, such as I am, for resolve and courage. I will not refuse today's task." He took more than sixty men of the Direct Attendants and below, proclaimed the summons to Princes Xi of Xianyang, Xie of Pengcheng, and Xiang of Beihai, and escorted them under guard to the throne. Each prince kowtowed and surrendered his powers. Lie was made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Commander of the Guards, raised to marquis with three hundred added households for a total of five hundred. From then on he kept constant watch in the palace and was consulted on every secret matter of state.
15
太尉、咸陽王禧謀反也，武興王楊集始馳於北邙以告。 時世宗從禽於野，左右分散，直衞無幾，倉卒之際，莫知計之所出。 乃敕烈子忠馳覘虛實。 烈時留守，已處分有備，因忠奏曰：「臣雖朽邁，心力猶可，此等猖狂，不足為慮。 願緩蹕徐還，以安物望。」 世宗聞之，甚以慰悅。 及駕還宮，禧已遁逃。 詔烈遣直閤叔孫侯將虎賁三百人追執之。
Grand Commandant Prince of Xianyang Xi plotted rebellion; Prince of Wuxing Yang Jishi rode post-haste to Northern Mang to warn the emperor. The emperor was hunting; his attendants were scattered and his guard thin. In the sudden alarm no one knew what to do. He ordered Lie's son Zhong to ride ahead and learn the truth. Lie, left in charge, had already made his dispositions. Through Zhong he reported: "I am old, but my wits still serve. This rabble is nothing to fear. Return at your leisure to steady the court and the people." The emperor was greatly reassured. By the time the emperor reached the palace, Xi had already fled. Lie was ordered to send Direct Attendant Shusun Hou with three hundred tiger guards to run Xi down and capture him.
16
順后既立，以世父之重，彌見優禮。 八月，暴疾卒，時年六十五。 世宗舉哀於朝堂，給東園第一祕器，朝服一具，衣一襲； 賜錢二百萬，布五百匹； 贈使持節、侍中、大將軍、太尉公、雍州刺史； 追封鉅鹿郡開國公，增邑五百戶，并前千戶。 烈有五子。
When Empress Shun was enthroned, Lie as the emperor's senior uncle received still greater honor. In the eighth month he died suddenly, at sixty-five. Emperor Shizong mourned him in the audience hall and granted the highest-grade Eastern Garden funeral regalia, one set of court dress, and a full suit of robes; two million in cash and five hundred bolts of cloth; posthumously Bearer of the Staff, Palace Attendant, Grand General, Duke of Grand Commandant, and Governor of Yongzhou; and posthumously enfeoffed as founding duke of Julu commandery with five hundred added households for a total of one thousand. Lie had five sons.
17
長子祚，字萬年。 太和中，為中散，稍遷恒州別駕。 襲父爵。 除假節、振威將軍、沃野鎮將，貪殘多所受納。 坐免官，以公還第。 卒，贈平州刺史。
The eldest son Zuo, courtesy name Wannian. During Taihe he was a palace scribe and later became aide of Hengzhou. He inherited his father's title. He was made provisional staff-bearer, Quelling Might General, and garrison commander of Woye, where he was greedy, cruel, and took many bribes. He was dismissed and sent home as a duke. He died and was posthumously made Governor of Pingzhou.
18
祚子若，襲爵。 多酒過，為叔父景所撾殺。 子順襲。 卒，子馥襲。
Zuo's son Ruo inherited the title. He drank to excess and was beaten to death by his uncle Jing. His son Shun inherited. He died; his son Fu inherited.
19
祚弟忠，字思賢，本字千年。 弱冠拜侍御中散。 文明太后臨朝，刑政頗峻，侍臣左右，多以微譴得罪。 忠朴直少言，終無過誤。 太和中，授武騎侍郎，因賜名登。 轉太子翊軍校尉。
Zuo's younger brother Zhong, courtesy name Sixian, originally Qiannian. At his capping he was made Attendant Imperial Scribe. Under Empress Dowager Wenming's regency justice was harsh, and many court attendants fell for minor slips. Zhong was plain, upright, and quiet, and never once gave offense. During Taihe he became Gentleman of the Martial Cavalry and received the personal name Deng. He was made Colonel of the Crown Prince's Supporting Army.
20
世宗即位，遷長水校尉。 尋除左右郎將，[4]領直寢。 元禧之謀亂也，車駕在外，變起倉卒，未知所之。 忠進曰：「臣世蒙殊寵，乃心王室。 臣父領軍，付留守之重計，防遏有在，必無所慮。」 世宗即遣忠馳騎觀之，而烈分兵嚴備，果如所量。 世宗還宮，撫背曰：「卿差強人意。」 賜帛五百匹。 又曰：「先帝賜卿名登，誠為美稱，朕嘉卿忠款，今改卿名忠。 既表貞固之誠，亦所以名實相副也。」
When Emperor Shizong succeeded, he was made Commandant of the Ever-Flowing Waters. He was soon made General of the Left and Right [4] and placed in charge of the imperial bedchamber guard. When Yuan Xi rebelled, the emperor was away hunting; the crisis came suddenly and no one knew what to do. Zhong stepped forward and said, "My family has enjoyed extraordinary favor for generations; my heart is with the throne. My father commands the guard and was left in charge; he will have made every provision—there is nothing to fear." The emperor sent Zhong at once to see; Lie had already deployed his forces—and all was exactly as Zhong had said. Back at the palace the emperor clapped his shoulder and said, "You did well." He gave him five hundred bolts of silk. He added, "The late emperor named you Deng—a fine name. I honor your loyalty and now rename you Zhong. It marks your steadfast loyalty and makes the name fit the man."
21
父憂去職。 未幾，起復本官。 遷司空長史。 于時太傅、錄尚書、北海王詳親尊權重，將作大匠王遇多隨詳所欲而給之。 後因公事，忠於詳前謂遇曰：「殿下國之周公，阿衡王室，所須材用，自應關旨，何至阿諛附勢，損公惠私也。」 遇既不寧，詳亦慚謝。 遷征虜將軍，餘如故。 以平元禧功，封魏郡開國公，食邑九百戶。 尋遷散騎常侍，兼武衞將軍。 每以鯁氣正辭，為北海王詳所忿，面責忠曰：「我憂在前見爾死，不憂爾見我死時也。」 忠曰：「人生於世，自有定分，若應死於王手，避亦不免； 若其不爾，王不能殺。」 詳因忠表讓之際，密勸世宗以忠為列卿，令解左右，聽其讓爵。 於是詔停其封，優進太府卿。
He left office to mourn his father. Before long he was recalled to his former post. He was made chief clerk of the Minister of Works. Grand Tutor and Recorder of the Masters of Writing Prince of Beihai Xiang was powerful and close to the throne; Master of Works Wang Yu supplied his every whim. Later, on official business, Zhong said to Wang Yu in Xiang's presence: "His Highness is the state's Duke of Zhou; whatever he needs should pass through proper channels. Why fawn on power and rob the public purse for private ends?" Yu was uneasy; Xiang apologized in embarrassment. He was made Campaign Barbarians General; his other duties were unchanged. For suppressing Yuan Xi's rebellion he was enfeoffed as founding duke of Wei commandery with nine hundred households. He was soon made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and concurrently Martial Guard General. His blunt honesty angered Prince of Beihai Xiang, who confronted him: "I worry about outliving you, not about you outliving me." Zhong replied, "Each man's span is fixed. If I am fated to die by your hand, flight will not save me; if not, you cannot kill me." Xiang used Zhong's memorial of modesty to urge the emperor to promote him to the ranks of ministers, strip him of his post at court, and let him surrender his title. The court halted his enfeoffment and promoted him to Director of the Imperial Treasury instead.
22
正始二年秋，詔忠以本官使持節、兼侍中，為西道大使，刺史、鎮將贓罪顯暴者，以狀申聞，守令已下，便即行決。 與撫軍將軍、尚書李崇分使二道。 忠劾并州刺史高聰贓罪二百餘條，論以大辟。 還，除平西將軍、華州刺史。 遭繼母憂，不行。 服闋，授安北將軍、相州刺史。 又為衞尉卿，河南邑中正。 詔忠與吏部尚書元暉、度支尚書元匡、河南尹元萇等推定代方姓族。 高肇忌其為人，欲密出之，乃言於世宗，稱中山要鎮，作捍須才，以忠器能，宜居其位。 於是出授安北將軍、定州刺史。 世宗既而悔之，復授衞尉卿，領左衞將軍、恒州大中正。 密遣中使詔曰：「自比股肱褫落，心膂無寄。 方任雖重，比此為輕。 故輟茲外任，委以內務。 當勤夙無怠，稱朕所寄也。」 延昌初，除都官尚書，加平南將軍，領左衞、中正如故。 又加散騎常侍。 嘗因侍宴，賜之劍杖，舉酒屬忠曰：「卿世秉貞節，故恒以禁衞相委。 昔以卿行忠，賜名曰忠。 今以卿才堪禦侮，以所御劍杖相賜。 循名取義，意在不輕。 其出入周旋，恒以自防也。」 忠頓首陳謝。 遷侍中、領軍將軍，忠面陳讓云：「臣無學識，不堪兼文武之任。」 世宗曰：「當今學識有文者不少，但心直不如卿。 欲使卿劬勞於下，我當憂無於上。」
In autumn of the second year of Zhengshi, Zhong was ordered as Bearer of the Staff and concurrent Palace Attendant to serve as envoy on the western circuit. Where governors and garrison commanders were openly corrupt, he was to report to the throne; for county and district officials he could pass sentence on the spot. He and Pacification Army General and Master of Writing Li Chong divided the empire between them on two routes. Zhong impeached Bingzhou inspector Gao Cong on more than two hundred counts of graft and argued for execution. On his return he was made Pacifier of the West General and Governor of Huazhou. He was mourning his stepmother and did not take up the post. When mourning ended he was made Pacifier of the North General and Governor of Xiangzhou. He also served as Commandant of the Guards and as rectifier of the Henan district. Zhong was ordered, together with Minister of Personnel Yuan Hui, Minister of Revenue Yuan Kuang, Intendant of Henan Yuan Chang, and others, to fix the ranking of Dai-region clans. Gao Zhao disliked him and wanted him out of court; he told Emperor Shizong that Zhongshan was a key garrison needing a capable defender and that Zhong was the man for the post. Zhong was sent out as Pacifier of the North General and Governor of Dingzhou. The emperor soon regretted it and recalled him as Commandant of the Guards, with the Left Guard and as grand rectifier of Hengzhou. He secretly sent a palace messenger with these words: "Lately I have lost my right arms; I have no one to lean on. A provincial post is weighty, but lighter than what I need from you. So I am ending your service abroad and entrusting you with affairs at court. Work from dawn without slackening—that is what I ask of you." At the start of Yanzhang he was made Minister of Justice and Pacifier of the South General, keeping the Left Guard and his rectifier duties. He was also made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. Once at a banquet he gave Zhong sword and staff, raised his cup, and said, "Your family has served with integrity for generations—that is why I always trust you with the palace guard. I named you Zhong for your loyalty. Now, because your talent can repel insult, I give you the sword and staff I carry myself. Name and gift match; do not take this lightly. Carry them whenever you move about the palace." Zhong kowtowed in thanks. He was made Palace Attendant and General of the Palace Guards. Zhong declined to his face: "I lack learning and am unfit for both civil and military command. The emperor said, "Men of learning are not rare, but none are as straight-hearted as you. I want you to bear the labor below so that I need not worry above."
23
及世宗崩，夜中與侍中崔光遣右衞將軍侯剛迎肅宗於東宮而即位。 忠與門下議，以肅宗幼年，未親機政； 太尉、高陽王雍屬尊望重，宜入居西柏堂，省決庶政； 任城王澄明德茂親，可為尚書令，總攝百揆。 奏中宮，請即敕授。 御史中尉王顯欲逞姦計，與中常侍、給事中孫伏連等厲色不聽，寢門下之奏。 宮 〈闕〉 侍中、黃門，但牒六輔姓字齎來。 孫伏連等密欲矯太后令，以高肇錄尚書事，顯與高猛為侍中。 忠即於殿中收顯殺之。
When Emperor Shizong died, Zhong and Palace Attendant Cui Guang sent Right Guard General Hou Gang that night to bring Emperor Suzong from the Eastern Palace to the throne. Zhong and the Secretariat agreed that Suzong was young and had not yet taken the reins himself; Grand Commandant Prince of Gaoyang Yong, eminent and close to the throne, should enter the Western Cypress Hall and decide routine government; Prince of Rencheng Cheng, virtuous and of imperial blood, should be Director of the Masters of Writing and oversee all ministries. They memorialized the inner palace for immediate orders. Censor-in-Chief Wang Xian meant to carry out a treacherous plot; with Regular Palace Attendant Sun Fulian and others he refused to listen and blocked the Secretariat's memorial. The palace 〈Text missing in the manuscript.〉 Palace attendants and Yellow Gate officials were told only to bring lists of the six ministers' names. Sun Fulian and others secretly meant to forge the empress dowager's order making Gao Zhao Recorder of the Masters of Writing and appointing Xian and Gao Meng as palace attendants. Zhong seized Xian in the hall and killed him on the spot.
24
忠既居門下，又總禁衞，遂秉朝政，權傾一時。 初，太和中軍國多事，高祖以用度不足，百官之祿四分減一。 忠既擅權，欲以惠澤自固，乃悉歸所減之祿，職人進位一級。 舊制：天下之民絹布一匹之外，各輸綿麻八兩。 忠悉以與之。 忠白高陽王雍，自云世宗本許優轉。 雍憚忠威權，便順其意，加忠車騎大將軍。 忠自謂新故之際，有安社稷之功，諷動百僚，令加己賞。 於是太尉雍、清河王懌、廣平王懷難違其意，議封忠常山郡開國公，食邑二千戶。 百僚咸以為然。 忠又難於獨受，乃諷朝廷，同在門下者皆加封邑。 尚書左僕射郭祚、尚書裴植以忠權勢日盛，勸雍出忠。 忠聞之，逼有司誣奏其罪。 郭祚有師傅舊恩，裴植擁地入國，忠並矯詔殺之。 朝野憤怨，莫不切齒，王公已下，畏之累跡。 又欲殺高陽王雍，侍中崔光固執，乃止，遂免雍太尉，以王還第。 自此之後，詔命生殺，皆出於忠。
With the Secretariat and the palace guard in his hands, Zhong ruled the court and for a time his power knew no rival. Early in Taihe, with war and state expenses heavy, Emperor Gaozu had cut all official salaries by one quarter. Once in power, Zhong sought to buy loyalty by restoring the full salaries and promoting every officeholder one rank. By old rule, beyond one bolt of silk cloth per household, every taxpayer also owed eight ounces of cotton and hemp. Zhong remitted all of this as well. Zhong told Prince of Gaoyang Yong that Emperor Shizong had promised him a special promotion. Yong feared Zhong's power and went along, making him General of Chariots and Cavalry. Zhong believed he had saved the dynasty at the succession and pressed the officials to reward him. Grand Commandant Yong, Prince of Qinghe Yi, and Prince of Guangping Huai dared not refuse; they proposed enfeoffing Zhong as founding duke of Changshan commandery with two thousand households. The officials all assented. Unwilling to take the reward alone, Zhong had everyone in the Secretariat given enlarged fiefs as well. Left Vice Director Guo Zuo and Master of Writing Pei Zhi, alarmed at Zhong's growing power, urged Yong to send him away. Zhong heard of this and forced the authorities to frame charges against them. Guo Zuo had been tutor to the emperor; Pei Zhi had surrendered territory to the state—Zhong forged edicts and had them both killed. Court and country seethed with hatred; princes and officials alike walked in fear of him. He also tried to kill Prince of Gaoyang Yong, but Palace Attendant Cui Guang stood firm against it; Yong was merely stripped of the Grand Commandancy and sent home. From then on, edicts of life and death issued from Zhong alone.
25
既尊靈太后為皇太后，居崇訓宮，忠為儀同三司、尚書令、領崇訓衞尉，侍中、領軍如故。 靈太后臨朝，解忠侍中、領軍、崇訓衞尉，止為儀同、尚書令，加侍中。 忠為令旬餘，靈太后引門下侍官于崇訓宮，問曰：「忠在端右，聲聽何如？」 咸曰：「不稱厥位。」 乃出忠使持節、都督冀定瀛三州諸軍事、征北大將軍、冀州刺史。 太傅清河王等奏曰：「竊惟先帝升遐之初，皇上登極之始，四海謐然，宇內晏清。 至於奉迎乘輿，侍衞省闥，斯乃臣子之常節，職司之恒理，不容以此為功，妄開井邑。 臣等前議所以廣建茅土者，正以畏迫威權，苟免暴戾故也。 是以中議之際，以十三日夜入為無勳。 唯以拒違矯令，抑黜姦回，微可褒敍。 以前侍中臣忠總攝文武，侍中臣光久在樞密，讚同其意，故唯賞二人。 今尚書臣昭等無涯上訴，奉敕重議。 案王顯陰結姦徒，志為不逞； 高肇遠同凶逆，遙搆禍端。 無將之罪，事合洿戮。 而忠等徵罪，唯以厥身，不至孥戮，又出罪人，窮治不盡。 案律準憲，事在不輕。 暨皇上纂曆，聖后別宮，母子隔異，溫清道絕，皆忠等之咎。 過方厥勳，功微罪重。 又忠專權之後，擅殺樞納，輒廢宰輔，令朝野駭心。 遠近怪愕。 功過相除，悉不合賞。 請悉追奪。」 靈太后從之。
When Empress Ling was made empress dowager and moved to Chongxun Palace, Zhong became Equal in Honor to the Three Excellencies, Director of the Masters of Writing, and head of the Chongxun guard, retaining Palace Attendant and Commander of the Guards. When the empress dowager took power she stripped Zhong of Palace Attendant, Commander of the Guards, and head of the Chongxun guard, leaving him Equal in Honor and Director of the Masters of Writing with Palace Attendant restored. After barely ten days as director, the empress dowager summoned Secretariat officials to Chongxun Palace and asked, "How is Zhong doing in the chief post? All answered, "He is not fit for the office. She sent Zhong out as Bearer of the Staff, commander of Ji, Ding, and Ying, Campaign North Grand General, and Governor of Jizhou. Grand Tutor Prince of Qinghe and others memorialized: "At the late emperor's death and the new emperor's accession, the realm was at peace. Meeting the imperial carriage and guarding the palace gates are ordinary duties—not grounds for fiefs. We enlarged fiefs before only because we feared Zhong's power and sought to escape his wrath. In our deliberations we held that the events of the thirteenth night earned no merit. Only resisting forged orders and suppressing traitors deserved slight praise. Because Zhong had commanded civil and military affairs and Cui Guang, long in confidential posts, had agreed, only those two were rewarded. Now Master of Writing Zhao and others have appealed without limit, and we are ordered to reconsider. Wang Xian secretly joined traitors and meant to run riot; Gao Zhao from afar joined the plot and stirred trouble. Their crimes warranted execution. Yet Zhong punished only the principals, spared families, released accomplices, and did not pursue the conspiracy to the end. By law, these failings are grave. When the emperor succeeded, mother and son were kept apart and the rites of filial care were broken—all Zhong's doing. Their faults outweighed their merit. After seizing power he killed ministers on his own authority, removed chief ministers at will, and terrified the realm. Near and far were appalled. Merit and fault cancel out; none of it deserves reward. We ask that all rewards be revoked. The empress dowager agreed.
26
熙平元年春，御史中尉元匡奏曰：「臣聞事主不以幽貞革心，奉上不以𧼈捨虧節。 是以倚秦宮而慟哭，復楚之功已多； 陟盧龍而樹勤，廣魏之勳不淺。 而申包避賞，君子於是義之； 田疇拒命，良史所以稱美。 竊唯宮車晏駕，天人位易，正是忠臣孝子致節之秋。 前領軍將軍臣忠不能砥礪名行，自求多福，方因矯制，擅相除假，清官顯職，歲月隆崇。 臣等在蕃之時，乃心家國，書誚往來，憤氣成疚。 傷禮敗德，臣忠即主。 謹案臣忠世以鴻勳盛德，受遇累朝，出入承明，左右機近。 幸國大災，肆其愚戇，專擅朝命，無人臣之心。 裴郭受冤於既往，宰輔黜辱於明世。 又自矯旨為儀同三司、[5]尚書令、領崇訓衞尉，原其此意，便欲無上自處。 既事在恩後，宜加顯戮。 請御史一人、令史一人，就州行決。 崔光與忠雖同受召，[6]而謂光既儒望，朝之禮宗，攝心虛遠，不關世務。 但忠以光意望崇重逼光，[7]光若不同，又有危禍。 伏度二聖欽明。 深垂昭恕。 而自去歲正月十三日世宗晏駕以後，八月一日皇太后未親覽以前，諸有不由階級而權臣用命，或發門下詔書，或由中書宣敕，擅相拜授者，已經恩宥，正可免其叨竊之罪。 既非時望，朝野所知，冒階而進者，並求追奪。」 靈太后令曰：「直繩所糾，實允朝憲。 但忠事經肆宥，又蒙特原，無宜追罪。 餘如奏。」 又詔曰：「忠以往年大諱之際，開崇邑土。 然酬庸理乖，有司執奪。 豈宜一謬，棄其餘勳也。 但忠厥任禁要，誠節皎然，宜褒錫山河，以安厥望。 可靈壽縣開國公，邑五百戶。」
In spring of the first year of Xiping, Censor-in-Chief Yuan Kuang memorialized: "I have heard that a loyal servant does not change heart in seclusion, nor compromise integrity in hardship. Shen Baoxu wept against the Qin palace wall and won great merit in restoring Chu; Tian Chou climbed Lulong Pass and earned no small merit for Wei; yet Shen Bao refused reward, and gentlemen praised him for it; Tian Chou refused imperial orders, which good historians praise. When the emperor dies and the throne changes hands, it is the season for loyal ministers and filial sons to show their mettle. Former Commander of the Guards Zhong did not hone his conduct but sought his own advantage; he forged orders, made appointments on his own authority, and month by month climbed to higher offices. When we were in the provinces our hearts were with the state; letters of protest flew back and forth and our anger became a sickness. He injured ritual and ruined virtue—Zhong is the man responsible. Zhong's house has served with great merit for generations and enjoyed favor under successive emperors, always close to the throne. At the nation's calamity he indulged his folly, seized court authority, and showed no heart of a loyal minister. Pei and Guo were wronged; chief ministers were humiliated in broad daylight. He forged an edict making himself Equal in Honor to the Three Excellencies, [5] Director of the Masters of Writing, and head of the Chongxun guard—clearly placing himself above all. After such grace as he received, he deserves public execution. We ask that a censor and a clerk be sent to his province to execute sentence on the spot. Cui Guang was summoned with Zhong, [6] but as the court's ritual pillar he kept aloof from worldly affairs. Zhong forced Guang because of his prestige; [7] had Guang refused, he would have been in danger. We trust that Your Majesties are discerning. They will extend clear pardon. As for all who between the thirteenth day of the first month after Emperor Shizong's death and the first day of the eighth month before the empress dowager took power were appointed without proper procedure by powerful ministers—those already pardoned may be spared the crime of usurpation. But all who advanced by usurping rank, as court and country know, should have their appointments revoked. The empress dowager ordered: "The straight cord of justice has spoken rightly. But Zhong has already been pardoned once and specially spared; he should not be punished further. The rest as proposed. Another edict said, "Zhong received a great fief at the late emperor's death. The reward was unjust and the authorities revoked it. One error should not cancel all his merit. His service in the palace guard was vital and his loyalty clear; he should be rewarded with a fief to satisfy his due. Let him be founding duke of Lingshou county with five hundred households."
27
初，世宗崩後，高太后將害靈太后。 劉騰以告侯剛。 剛以告忠。 忠請計於崔光，光曰：「宜置胡嬪於別所，嚴加守衞，理必萬全，計之上者。」 忠等從之，具以此意啟靈太后，太后意乃安。 故太后深德騰等四人，並有寵授。 忠以毀之者多，懼不免禍。 願還京師，欲自營救。 靈太后不許。 二年四月，除尚書右僕射，加侍中，將軍如故。
At first, after Emperor Shizong died, Empress Dowager Gao intended to destroy Empress Dowager Ling. Liu Teng told Hou Gang. Gang told Zhong. Zhong asked Cui Guang for advice. Guang said: "Place the Hu concubine in a separate residence under strict guard; that is the safest course—the best plan. Zhong and the others agreed, reported the plan fully to Empress Dowager Ling, and her fears were put to rest. The empress dowager therefore owed Teng and the other four men a deep debt, and all were favored with appointments. Many spoke against him, and Zhong feared he would not escape punishment. He asked to return to the capital and save himself. Empress Dowager Ling refused. In the fourth month of the second year he was appointed Vice Director of the Masters of Writing on the Right and Attendant-in-Ordinary; his generalship was unchanged.
28
神龜元年三月，復儀同三司，疾病未拜，見裴郭為祟。 忠自知必死，表曰：「先帝錄臣父子一介之誠，昭臣家世奉公之節，故申之以婚姻，重之以爵祿，至乃位亞三槐，秩班九命。 自大明利見之始，百官總己之初，臣復得猥攝禁戎，緝寧內外，斯誠社稷之靈，兆民之福，臣何力之有焉。 但陛下以叡明御宇，皇太后以聖善臨朝，衽席不遺，簪屨弗棄，復乃寵窮出內，榮遍宮闈，[8]外牧兩河，入參百揆。 顧服知妖，省躬識戾。 而臣將慎靡方，致茲痾疚。 自去秋苦痢，纏綿迄今，藥石備嘗，日增無損。 又今年已來，力候轉惡，微喘緒息，振復良難。 鴻慈未酬，伏枕涕咽。 臣薄福無男，遺體莫嗣，貪及餘生，謹陳宿抱。 臣先養亡第四弟第二子司徒掾永超為子，猶子之念實切於心，乞立為嫡，傳此山河。」 靈太后令曰：「于忠表如此。 既誠勳宜錄，又無子可矜。 臨危所祈，不容致奪，可特聽如請，以彰殊效。」 忠薨，年五十七。 給東園祕器、朝服一具、衣一襲、錢二十萬、布七百匹、蠟三百斤，贈侍中、司空公。 有司奏：「太常少卿元端議，忠剛直猛暴，專戇好殺，案諡法剛強理直曰『武』，怙威肆行曰『醜』，宜諡武醜公。 太常卿元脩義議，忠盡心奉上，剪除凶逆，依諡法除偽寧真曰『武』，夙夜恭事曰『敬』，諡武敬公。 二卿不同。」 事奏，靈太后令曰：「可依正卿議。」
In the third month of Shengui 1 he was again made Equal in Honor to the Three Excellencies but, ill, did not take office; he saw Pei and Guo as demons. Knowing death was near, Zhong memorialized: "The late emperor recognized my family's loyalty across generations, joined us to the throne by marriage, and heaped rank and stipend upon us until I stood next to the Three Tree Lords with grade matching the Nine Orders. From the day the late emperor took the throne I again commanded the palace guard and kept the realm at peace—a blessing to the state, not my doing. Your Majesty governs with wisdom and the empress dowager with virtue, sparing none in the inner household; [8] I governed the two river regions abroad and served among the chief ministers at court. I saw omens in my dress and knew my own guilt. But I lacked restraint and brought on this grave illness. Since last autumn I have suffered dysentery without relief, though every remedy has been tried. This year my strength has failed further; shallow breath makes recovery unlikely. Your great kindness I cannot repay; I weep upon my pillow. I am poorly favored with no son to succeed me; clinging to what life remains, I state my long-held wish. I earlier adopted Yongchao, second son of my late fourth brother and a clerk in the Secretariat, as my son; I beg that he be made heir to inherit this fief. The empress dowager ordered: "Yu Zhong's memorial reads as follows. His loyal service deserves reward, and he has no son of his own. His deathbed plea cannot be refused; grant it specially to honor his service. Zhong died at fifty-seven. He received Eastern Garden secret coffin fittings, court robes, a suit of clothes, two hundred thousand coins, seven hundred bolts of cloth, and three hundred jin of wax, and was posthumously made Attendant-in-Ordinary and Duke of Works. The relevant offices reported: Vice Director of Ceremonials Yuan Duan argued that Zhong was fierce, violent, and willfully fond of killing; by posthumous-name law, "rigid and strong with straight principle" yields Wu and "relying on power to act wantonly" yields Chou—he should be styled Duke Wu-Chou. Director of Ceremonials Yuan Xiuyi argued that Zhong served the ruler faithfully and cut down the wicked; by posthumous-name law, "removing falsehood and settling truth" yields Wu and "diligent service day and night" yields Jing—he should be styled Duke Wu-Jing. The two directors disagreed. When the memorial reached the throne, Empress Dowager Ling ordered: "Follow the senior director's proposal."
29
于氏自曾祖四世貴盛，一皇后，四贈三公，領軍、尚書令，三開國公。 [9]忠性多猜忌，不交勝己，唯與直閤將軍章初瓌、千牛備身楊保元為斷金之交。 李世哲求寵於忠，私以金帛寶貨事初瓌、保元，初瓌、保元談之，遂被賞愛，引為腹心。 忠擅權昧進，為崇訓之由，皆世哲計也。 忠後妻中山王尼須女，微解詩書，靈太后臨朝，引為女侍中，賜號范陽郡君。
From the great-grandfather's generation the Yu clan flourished for four generations: one empress, four posthumous Grand Dukes, commanders of the guards and Director of the Masters of Writing, and three founding marquises. [9] Zhong was suspicious by nature and kept company only with men he could not surpass; his sworn friends were General of the Direct Gate Zhang Chugui and Palace Guard Attendant Yang Baoyuan. Li Shizhe sought Zhong's favor by secretly giving gold, silk, and treasures to Chugui and Baoyuan; they spoke for him, and he became a trusted confidant. Zhong's seizure of power, reckless promotions, and the Chongxun affair were all Li Shizhe's doing. Zhong's later wife was a daughter of Prince Zhongshan Ni and knew something of poetry and books; when Empress Dowager Ling took power she was made Lady Attendant and titled Lady of Fanyang Commandery.
30
永超名翻，襲爵。 尋卒。
Yongchao, styled Fan, inherited the title. He soon died.
31
子世衡，襲。 齊受禪，例降。
His son Shiheng succeeded. When Qi took the throne, titles were reduced by regulation.
32
忠弟景，字百年。 自司州從事，稍遷步兵校尉。 寧朔將軍、高平鎮將。 坐貪殘受納，為御史中尉王顯所彈，會赦免。 忠薨後，景為武衞將軍。 謀廢元叉，叉黜為征虜將軍、懷荒鎮將。 及蠕蠕主阿那瓌叛亂，鎮民固請糧廩，而景不給。 鎮民不勝其忿，遂反叛。 執縛景及其妻，拘守別室，皆去其衣服，令景著皮裘，妻著故絳襖。 其被毀辱如此。 月餘，乃殺之。
Zhong's younger brother Jing, styled Bainian. From Assistant in Si Province he rose to Colonel of Footmen. He was General Who Pacifies the North and commander of Gao-ping Garrison. He was impeached by Censor-in-Chief Wang Xian for extortion and bribery but pardoned at an amnesty. After Zhong died, Jing became General of the Martial Guard. He plotted to depose Yuan Cha; Cha demoted him to General Who Conquers the Barbarians and commander of Huaihuang Garrison. When the Rouran ruler Anagui rebelled, the garrison people repeatedly asked for grain from the stores, but Jing refused. Unable to bear their anger, the garrison people rebelled. They seized Jing and his wife, held them in separate rooms, stripped them, made Jing wear a fur robe and his wife an old crimson jacket. Such was the humiliation they suffered. More than a month later they killed them.
33
烈弟敦，自中散遷驍騎將軍。 景明中，假節，行并州事，除征虜將軍、恒州刺史。 卒官，贈使持節、平北將軍、恒州刺史。
Lie's younger brother Dun rose from Attendant to General of Valiant Cavalry. In the Jingming era he held the staff of authority and acted for Bing Province, and was made General Who Conquers the Barbarians and Inspector of Heng Province. He died in office and was posthumously made Commissioner Bearing the Staff, General Who Pacifies the North, and Inspector of Heng Province.
34
子昕，員外郎，直後，主衣都統，揚烈將軍，懷朔、武川鎮將，中散大夫。 孝昌中，使蠕蠕，與阿那瓌擒逆賊破洛汗聽明、出六斤等。 轉輔國將軍、北中郎將、恒州大中正。 又遷撫軍將軍、衞尉卿。 出為鎮東將軍，殷、恒州刺史。 還拜征東將軍，領左右。 天平中卒。 贈都督冀定州諸軍事、衞將軍、尚書僕射、儀同三司，諡曰文恭。
His son Xin served as Outer Section Officer, Attendant Behind the Throne, Director of the Master of Robes Corps, General Who Exalts Merit, commander of Huai-shuo and Wuchuan Garrisons, and Grand Master of Palace Attendance. In the Xiaochang era he was sent to the Rouran and with Anagui captured the rebels Polohan Tingming, Chuliujin, and others. He became General Who Supports the State, General of the North Gentlemen, and Chief Rectifier of Heng Province. He was promoted to General Who Calms the Army and Commandant of the Guards. He was posted as General Who Garrisons the East and Inspector of Yin and Heng Provinces. Recalled, he was made General Who Conquers the East and head of the Left and Right Corps. He died in the Tianping era. Posthumously made Commander-in-Chief of Ji and Ding Provinces, Guard General, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and Equal in Honor to the Three Excellencies; posthumously styled Wen-Gong.
35
長子揚仁。 武定中，勃海太守。
His eldest son was Yangren. In the Wuding era he was Prefect of Bohai.
36
揚仁弟叉羅，字仲綱。 中軍將軍、光州刺史。
Yangren's younger brother Chaluo, styled Zhonggang. He was General of the Central Army and Inspector of Guang Province.
37
叉羅弟子榮，魯郡太守。
Chaluo's nephew Rong was Prefect of Lu Commandery.
38
敦弟果，嚴毅直亮，有父兄之風。 自中散稍遷光祿大夫，守尚書，賜爵武城子。 太和中，歷朔、華、并、恒四州刺史。
Dun's younger brother Guo was stern, resolute, upright, and bright, with his father and brothers' character. From Attendant he rose to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, acting Director of the Masters of Writing, and was granted the title Marquis of Wucheng. In the Taihe era he served in turn as Inspector of Shuo, Hua, Bing, and Heng Provinces.
39
子礫，襲。 太子舍人，通直散騎常侍。 卒，贈右將軍、洛州刺史，諡曰哀。
His son Li succeeded. He was Attendant of the Crown Prince and General Palace Attendant. He died and was posthumously made General of the Right and Inspector of Luo Province; posthumously styled Ai.
40
子暉，征東將軍、金紫光祿大夫。
His son Hui was General Who Conquers the East and Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal and Purple Tassel.
41
暉弟道揚，儀同開府諮議參軍。
Hui's younger brother Daoyang was Equal in Honor Staff Opening Consultant.
42
礫弟祇，卒於司徒掾。 贈鎮遠將軍、朔州刺史，諡曰悼。
Li's younger brother Qi died while serving as Clerk of the Secretariat of State. Posthumously made General Who Pacifies the Distant and Inspector of Shuo Province; posthumously styled Dao.
43
祇子元伯，中散大夫。
Qi's son Yuanbo was Grand Master of Palace Attendance.
44
果弟勁，事在外戚傳。
Guo's younger brother Jin is treated in the Biographies of the Empresses' Clans.
45
勁弟須，中散。 遷長水校尉，稍遷武衞將軍、太府卿、鎮南將軍、肆州刺史。 卒，贈侍中、車騎大將軍、尚書右僕射、儀同三司。 〈闕〉 冀州長史。 卒，贈征南將軍、燕州刺史，諡曰武。
Jin's younger brother Xu was Attendant. He rose to Colonel of the Long River, then to General of the Martial Guard, Minister of the Grand Storehouse, General Who Garrisons the South, and Inspector of Si Province. He died and was posthumously made Attendant-in-Ordinary, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing on the Right, and Equal in Honor to the Three Excellencies. 〈Text missing in the manuscript.〉 He was Chief Administrator of Ji Province. He died and was posthumously made General Who Conquers the South and Inspector of Yan Province; posthumously styled Wu.
46
子翊，太尉從事中郎、燕州刺史。
His son Yi was Attendant in the Secretariat of the Grand Commandant and Inspector of Yan Province.
47
子長文，字士端。 武定中，尚書考功郎。
Yi's son Zhangwen, styled Shiduan. In the Wuding era he was Director of the Bureau of Evaluation of the Masters of Writing.
48
須弟文仁，太中大夫。
Xu's younger brother Wenren was Grand Master of Palace Attendance.
49
史臣曰：魏定中原，于栗磾有武功於三世。 兼以虛己下物，罰不濫加，斯亦諸將所希矣。 拔任參內外，以著能名。 烈氣概沉遠，受任艱危之際，有柱石之質，殆禦侮之臣。 忠以骾朴見親，乘非其據，遂擅威權，生殺自己。 苟非女主之世，何以全其門族？ 其不誅滅，抑天幸也。
The historian writes: When Wei settled the Central Plains, Yu Lidi won military glory across three reigns. He also humbled himself before others and did not punish wantonly—rare among generals. Ba served in inner and outer posts and won a name for ability. Lie had a deep and steady spirit; in crisis he had the quality of a pillar—a minister who could repel insult to the state. Zhong was favored for blunt honesty but seized power unworthily, monopolizing authority with life and death at his own discretion. Had it not been an age of female rule, how could his house have survived intact? That they were not destroyed was merely heaven's favor.
50
校勘記
Collation notes.
51
都督兗相二州諸軍事諸本「相」作「桓」。 按魏無「桓州」。 下列官銜又有「枋頭都將」，枋頭在相州，「桓」字訛，今改正。
On "Commander-in-Chief of Yan and Xiang Provinces": various editions read Xiang as Huan. Note: Wei had no Huan Province. Later titles also include "Commander at Fangtou"; Fangtou is in Xiang Province, so Huan is a scribal error and is corrected here.
52
所由遣私奴索官家羽林御覽卷四二八 〈一九七０頁〉 「所由」作「何由」。 按「所由」常見於唐代文書，指主管的官吏，魏時罕見，疑作「何由」是。
Collation entry: "The official sent private slaves to demand imperial guards" — Imperial Readings, vol. 428. 〈Imperial Readings, p. 1970〉 Various editions read suoyou as heyou. Suoyou commonly denotes the responsible official in Tang documents but is rare in Wei texts; heyou is probably correct here.
53
會二年正月礿祭諸本「礿」作「初」。 按卷二一上咸陽王禧傳、卷二一下彭城王勰傳都作「礿祭」。 通鑑卷一四四 〈四四八二頁〉 也作「礿祭」。 「礿」是皇帝春祭宗廟之名，「初」乃形訛，今改正。
On the Yue sacrifice in the first month, year 2: all editions miswrite Yue as chu. Both the Xianyang Wang Xi and Pengcheng Wang Xie biographies (juan 21) read Yue sacrifice. Zizhi Tongjian juan 144 〈p. 4482〉 also reads Yue sacrifice. Yue is the emperor's spring temple sacrifice; chu is a graphic error and is corrected here.
54
尋除左右郎將北史卷二三于忠傳、御覽卷二四０ 〈一一三八頁〉 「右」作「中」。 按「左右郎將」乃左中郎將和右中郎將的合稱，疑作「左中郎將」是。
Soon made General of the Left and Right: Beishi juan 23 (Yu Zhong), Yulan juan 240 〈p. 1138〉 Right is written as central. Generals of the Left and Right denotes both left and right central commanders; left central commander alone is probably correct.
55
又自矯旨為儀同三司諸本「矯」下脫「旨」字，今據北史卷二三于忠傳、冊府卷五一九 〈六二０六頁〉 補。
Forged an edict making himself Equal in Honor to the Three Excellencies: all editions omit zhi under jiao; restored per Beishi juan 23 (Yu Zhong) and Cefu juan 519 〈p. 6206〉 Restored.
56
崔光與忠雖同受召冊府 〈同上卷頁〉 「召」作「詔」。 按崔光與于忠同在門下，上文說忠「乃諷朝廷，同在門下者皆加封邑」，所以說「雖同受詔」。 據傳文和卷六七崔光傳別無「同受召」的事。 疑「召」字為「詔」之訛。
Cui Guang and Zhong both received summons: Cefu 〈same juan and page〉 Summon is written as edict. Cui Guang and Yu Zhong were both in the Secretariat; the text says Zhong had all Secretariat colleagues enfeoffed—hence both received edicts. Neither this biography nor juan 67 (Cui Guang) mentions both being summoned. Summon is probably a corruption of edict.
57
但忠以光意望崇重逼光冊府 〈同上卷頁〉 「意望」作「聲望」，「逼光」下有「為助」二字。 按文義作「聲望」較長，「逼光」下有二字語意也較完足，疑此傳訛脫。 但如傳文亦可通，今不改。
Zhong compelled Guang because of his prestige: Cefu 〈same juan and page〉 Intent and prestige reads as voice and prestige; two characters for as aid follow compelled Guang. Voice and prestige fits better, and the extra two characters complete the sense; this passage may have dropped text. The received text is intelligible as it stands; left unchanged.
58
榮遍宮闈諸本「闈」訛「閨」，今據冊府卷八六三 〈一０二五二頁〉 改。
Glory filling the palace gates: all editions miswrite wei as gui; corrected per Cefu juan 863 〈p. 10252〉 Corrected.
59
于氏自曾祖四世貴盛一皇后四贈三公領軍尚書令三開國公北史卷二三于栗磾附于勁傳後作「自栗磾至勁，累世貴盛，一皇后，四贈公，三領軍，二尚書令，三開國公」。 本書于勁在卷八三下外戚傳下，外戚傳以北史補，故傳後語與北史同。 按這句話本當在忠傳後，北史移在勁傳後，實誤，別見卷八三下校記。 這裏「領軍」和「尚書令」上脫去數目字。 疑「三公」二字誤倒，當同北史作「四贈公，三領軍」，「尚書令」上脫「二」字。
The Yu clan flourished for four generations from the great-grandfather—one empress, four posthumous dukes, commanders of the guard, directors of the Masters of Writing, three founding dukes. Beishi juan 23, after Yu Jin, reads: from Lidi to Jin, generations of eminence—one empress, four posthumous dukes, three commanders of the guard, two directors of the Masters of Writing, three founding dukes. Yu Jin appears in juan 83b (External Kin), a section supplemented from Beishi—hence the closing lines match Beishi. This sentence belonged after Zhong's biography; Beishi misplaced it after Jin's—see juan 83b collation notes. Numerals are missing before Commander of the Guards and Director of the Masters of Writing. Three Excellencies is probably transposed; it should read as in Beishi: four posthumous dukes, three commanders of the guard, with two missing before Director of the Masters of Writing.