1
高肇于勁胡國珍李延寔
Gao Zhao; Yu Jin; Hu Guozhen; Li Yanshi
2
高肇，字首文，文昭皇太后之兄也。 自云本勃海蓨人，五世祖顧，晉永嘉中避亂入高麗。 父颺，字法脩。 高祖初，與弟乘信及其鄉人韓內、冀富等入國，拜厲威將軍、河間子，乘信明威將軍，俱待以客禮，賜奴婢牛馬綵帛。 遂納颺女，是為文昭皇后，生世宗。
Gao Zhao, courtesy name Shouwen, was the elder brother of Empress Dowager Wen Zhao. He claimed descent from Tiao in Bohai. His fifth-generation ancestor Gu had fled the disorders of the Jin Yongjia era and taken refuge in Goguryeo. His father was Yang, courtesy name Faxing. Early in the reign of Emperor Gaozu, he entered the kingdom with his younger brother Chengxin and fellow townsmen Han Nei, Ji Fu, and others. He was made General of Illustrious Might and Marquis of Hejian; Chengxin was made General of Bright Prestige. Both were received as honored guests and given slaves, horses, cattle, and silks. He then married Yang's daughter, who became Empress Wen Zhao and bore Emperor Shizong.
3
颺卒。 景明初，世宗追思舅氏，徵肇兄弟等。 錄尚書事、北海王詳等奏：「颺宜贈左光祿大夫，賜爵勃海公，諡曰敬。 其妻蓋氏宜追封清河郡君。」 詔可。 又詔颺嫡孫猛襲勃海公爵，封肇平原郡公，肇弟顯澄城郡公。 三人同日受封。 始世宗未與舅氏相接，將拜爵，乃賜衣幘引見肇、顯于華林都亭。 皆甚惶懼，舉動失儀。 數日之間，富貴赫弈。 是年，咸陽王禧誅，財物珍寶奴婢田宅多入高氏。 未幾，肇為尚書左僕射、領吏部、冀州大中正，尚世宗姑高平公主，遷尚書令。
Yang died. Early in the Jingming era, Emperor Shizong, mindful of his mother's family, summoned Zhao and his brothers to court. The Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, Prince of Beihai Xiang, and others submitted a memorial: "Yang should be posthumously granted the title Left Grand Master of the Palace, enfeoffed as Duke of Bohai, and given the posthumous epithet Jing. His wife, Lady Gai, should be posthumously ennobled as Lady of Qinghe Commandery." The edict approved. Another edict appointed Yang's legitimate grandson Meng to succeed to the dukedom of Bohai, enfeoffed Zhao as Duke of Pingyuan Commandery, and Zhao's younger brother Xian as Duke of Chengcheng Commandery. All three were enfeoffed on the same day. Until then Emperor Shizong had never met his maternal uncles. Before conferring their titles, he gave them caps and robes and received Zhao and Xian at the Du Pavilion in Hualin Park. Both were deeply frightened, and their deportment was altogether unseemly. Within a few days they had risen to dazzling wealth and rank. That year Prince of Xianyang Xi was put to death, and much of his property, treasure, slaves, fields, and houses passed to the Gao family. Before long Zhao was made Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, head of the Ministry of Personnel, and Grand Rectifier of Jizhou. He married Emperor Shizong's paternal aunt, the Princess of Gaoping, and was promoted to Director of the Masters of Writing.
4
肇出自夷土，時望輕之。 及在位居要，留心百揆，孜孜無倦，世咸謂之為能。 世宗初，六輔專政，後以咸陽王禧無事構逆，由是遂委信肇。 肇既無親族，頗結朋黨，附之者旬月超昇，背之者陷以大罪。 以北海王詳位居其上，構殺之。 又說世宗防衞諸王，殆同囚禁。 時順皇后暴崩，世議言肇為之。 皇子昌薨，僉謂王顯失於醫療，承肇意旨。 及京兆王愉出為冀州刺史，畏肇恣擅，遂至不軌。 肇又譖殺彭城王勰。 由是朝野側目，咸畏惡之。 因此專權，與奪任己。 又嘗與清河王懌於雲龍門外廡下，忽忿諍，大至紛紜。 太尉、高陽王雍和止之。 高后既立，愈見寵信。 肇既當衡軸，每事任己，本無學識，動違禮度，好改先朝舊制，出情妄作，減削封秩，抑黜勳人。 由是怨聲盈路矣。 延昌初，遷司徒。 雖貴登台鼎，猶以去要怏怏形乎辭色。 眾咸嗤笑之。 父兄封贈雖久，竟不改瘞。 三年，乃詔令遷葬。 肇不自臨赴，唯遣其兄子猛改服詣代，遷葬於鄉。 時人以肇無識，哂而不責也。
Because Zhao came from foreign soil, contemporaries looked down on him. Once he held high office, he attended closely to affairs of state, working tirelessly, and the world at large regarded him as capable. Early in Emperor Shizong's reign the six chief ministers monopolized power. Later, when Prince of Xianyang Xi plotted rebellion without cause, the emperor placed his trust in Zhao instead. Zhao had no family at court and instead built a faction. Supporters were promoted within a month; opponents were ruined on grave charges. Prince of Beihai Xiang outranked him, so Zhao framed him and had him killed. He also persuaded Emperor Shizong to place the princes under heavy guard, so that they were kept almost like prisoners. When Empress Shun died suddenly, public rumor blamed Zhao. When the imperial son Chang died, many believed the physician Wang Xian had bungled his care at Zhao's bidding. When Prince of Jingzhao Yu went out to Jizhou as governor, he feared Zhao's arbitrary rule and eventually rebelled. Zhao also slandered Prince of Pengcheng Xie and had him killed. From then on court and countryside alike watched him with hostility, and all feared and hated him. He therefore monopolized power, granting and taking away offices as he saw fit. He once quarreled heatedly with Prince of Qinghe Yi in the corridor outside the Yunlong Gate, and the dispute nearly came to blows. Grand Marshal Prince of Gaoyang Yong intervened and stopped them. After Empress Gao was enthroned, he grew still more favored and trusted. Once Zhao held the reins of government, he did as he pleased in every matter. He had little learning and often violated ritual propriety. He liked to overturn former institutions, acting on whim, cutting ranks and enfeoffments and pushing aside men of merit. Complaints against him filled the land. Early in the Yan Chang era he was made Grand Tutor. Though he had risen to one of the highest offices, he still showed his resentment at losing real power in his words and expression. Everyone mocked him for it. Although his father and elder brothers had long received posthumous honors, he still did not have their remains reburied. In the third year an edict finally ordered their remains moved. Zhao did not go himself. He sent only his nephew Meng, dressed in mourning, to Dai to move the remains home for reburial. Contemporaries, deeming Zhao ignorant, only sneered and did not hold it against him.
5
其年，大舉征蜀，以肇為大將軍，都督諸軍為之節度。 與都督甄琛等二十餘人俱面辭世宗於東堂，親奉規略。 是日，肇所乘駿馬停於神虎門外，無故驚倒，轉臥渠中，鞍具瓦解，眾咸怪異。 肇出，惡焉。
That year a major campaign was launched against Shu. Zhao was made Grand General and given overall command of the armies. He and more than twenty commanders, including Zhen Chen, took leave of Emperor Shizong in the Eastern Hall and received the emperor's strategy in person. That day Zhao's mount, waiting outside the Shenhu Gate, suddenly bolted and fell into a ditch, shattering its saddle and trappings. Everyone regarded it as an ill omen. Zhao took it as a bad sign when he set out.
6
四年，世宗崩，赦罷征軍。 肅宗與肇及征南將軍元遙等書，稱諱言，以告凶問。 肇承變哀愕，非唯仰慕，亦私憂身禍，朝夕悲泣，至于羸悴。 將至，宿瀍澗驛亭，家人夜迎省之，皆不相視。 直至闕下，衰服號哭，昇太極殿，奉喪盡哀。
In the fourth year Emperor Shizong died. An amnesty was proclaimed and the expeditionary army was recalled. Emperor Suzong wrote to Zhao, General Who Conquers the South Yuan Yao, and the others, using the prescribed taboo language to announce the emperor's death. When Zhao received the news he was stunned with grief. It was not only mourning for the emperor; he also feared for his own life, weeping day and night until he was wasted and haggard. As he neared the capital he lodged at the Chanjian post station. His family came out at night to see him, but none could bear to meet one another's eyes. He went straight to the palace gate in mourning dress, wailing aloud. He ascended the Hall of Supreme Ultimate and mourned the coffin with full ceremony.
7
太尉高陽王先居西柏堂，專決庶事，與領軍于忠密欲除之。 潛備壯士直寢邢豹、伊瓫生等十餘人於舍人省下。 肇哭梓宮訖，於百官前引入西廊，清河王懌、任城王澄及諸王等皆竊言目之。 肇入省，壯士搤而拉殺之。 下詔暴其罪惡，又云刑書未及，便至自盡，自餘親黨，悉無追問，削除職爵，葬以士禮。 及昏，乃於厠門出其尸歸家。 初，肇西征，行至函谷，車軸中折。 從者皆以為不獲吉還也。 靈太后臨朝，令特贈營州刺史。 永熙二年，出帝贈使持節、侍中、中外諸軍事、太師、大丞相、太尉公、錄尚書事、冀州刺史。
Grand Marshal Prince of Gaoyang Yong had already taken up residence in the Western Cypress Hall and controlled routine government. He and Commander of the Guards Yu Zhong secretly plotted to kill Zhao. They secretly posted more than ten strongmen of the inner guard, including Xing Bao and Yi Qiusheng, in the Office of Attendants. After Zhao had finished mourning before the coffin, he was led before the assembled officials into the western corridor. Prince of Qinghe Yi, Prince of Rencheng Cheng, and the other princes whispered among themselves as they watched. When Zhao entered the inner office, the strongmen seized him and strangled him to death. An edict exposed his crimes and declared that he had taken his own life before formal sentence could be passed. His other kin and associates were not prosecuted. His offices and titles were revoked, and he was buried with commoner's rites. At dusk his body was taken out through the privy gate and sent home. Earlier, on his western campaign, Zhao's carriage axle had snapped in two at Hangu Pass. His followers had all taken it as a sign that he would not return safely. When Empress Dowager Ling assumed regency, she ordered him specially posthumously granted the post of Governor of Yingzhou. In the second year of Yongxi Emperor Chu posthumously granted him Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Palace Attendant, Commander-in-Chief of All Armies Within and Without, Grand Preceptor, Grand Chancellor, Duke of Grand Marshal, Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, and Governor of Jizhou.
8
肇子植。 自中書侍郎為濟州刺史，率州軍討破元愉，別將有功。 當蒙封賞，不受，云：「家荷重恩，為國致效是其常節，何足以應進陟之報。」 懇惻發於至誠。 歷青、相、朔、恒四州刺史，卒。 植頻莅五州，皆清能著稱，當時號為良刺史。 贈安北將軍、冀州刺史。
Zhao's son Zhi. After serving as Palace Secretariat Attendant he became Governor of Jizhou. He led the provincial army to defeat Yuan Yu and distinguished himself as a separate commander. He was due for enfeoffment and reward but refused, saying, "Our family has received great favor from the throne. Serving the state is our plain duty—how could that merit promotion in return?" His earnestness came from genuine conviction. He served in turn as governor of Qing, Xiang, Shuo, and Heng provinces, then died. Zhi governed five provinces in all, earning a reputation for integrity and competence, and his contemporaries hailed him as an excellent governor. He was posthumously granted the title General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Jizhou.
9
肇長兄琨，早卒。 襲颺封勃海郡公，贈都督五州諸軍事、鎮東大將軍、冀州刺史。 詔其子猛嗣。
Zhao's elder brother Kun died young. He inherited Yang's title as Duke of Bohai Commandery and was posthumously granted Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of Five Provinces, General Who Guards the East, and Governor of Jizhou. An edict appointed his son Meng as successor.
10
猛，字豹兒。 尚長樂公主，即世宗同母妹也。 拜駙馬都尉，歷位中書令。 出為雍州刺史，有能名。 入為殿中尚書。 卒，贈司空、冀州刺史。 出帝時，復贈太師、大丞相、錄尚書事。 公主無子。 猛先在外有男，不敢令主知，臨終方言之，年幾三十矣。 乃召為喪主，尋卒，無後。
Meng, courtesy name Bao'er. He married the Princess of Changle, Emperor Shizong's younger uterine sister. He was appointed Commandant of Escort Cavalry and later served as Director of the Palace Secretariat. He went out to Yongzhou as governor and earned a reputation for competence. He returned to court as Director of the Palace. He died and was posthumously granted Minister of Works and Governor of Jizhou. Under Emperor Chu he was again posthumously granted Grand Preceptor, Grand Chancellor, and Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing. The princess had no children. Meng had earlier fathered a son while away from home but dared not tell the princess. Only on his deathbed did he reveal the boy, who was nearly thirty. The son was summoned to lead the mourning, but he soon died too, and the line ended.
11
琨弟偃，字仲游。 太和十年卒。 正始中，贈安東將軍、都督、青州刺史，諡曰莊侯。 景明四年，世宗納其女為貴嬪。 及于順皇后崩，永平元年立為皇后。 二年，八座奏封后母王氏為武邑郡君。
Kun's younger brother Yan, courtesy name Zhongyou. He died in the tenth year of Taihe. During the Zhengshi era he was posthumously granted General Who Pacifies the East, Commander-in-Chief, and Governor of Qingzhou, with the posthumous epithet Marquis Zhuang. In the fourth year of Jingming Emperor Shizong took his daughter as Honored Consort. After Empress Shun of the Yu clan died, she was enthroned as empress in the first year of Yongping. In the second year the eight chief ministers memorialized to enfeoff the empress's mother, Lady Wang, as Lady of Wuyi Commandery.
12
偃弟壽，早卒。 壽弟即肇也。
Yan's younger brother Shou died young. Shou's younger brother was Zhao himself.
13
肇弟顯，侍中、高麗國大中正，早卒。
Zhao's younger brother Xian, who had served as Palace Attendant and Grand Rectifier of Goguryeo, also died young.
14
于勁，字鍾葵，太尉拔之子。 頗有武略。 以功臣子，又以功績，位沃野鎮將，賜爵富昌子，拜征虜將軍。 世宗納其女為后，封太原郡公。 妻劉氏，為章武郡君。 後拜征北將軍、定州刺史。 卒，贈司空，諡曰恭莊公。 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。 [2]勁雖以后父，但以順后早崩，竟不居公輔。
Yu Jin, courtesy name Zhongkui, was the son of Grand Marshal Ba. He was skilled in military affairs. As the son of a meritorious minister and for his own achievements, he became garrison commander of Woye, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Fuchang, and was appointed General Who Punishes the Barbarians. Emperor Shizong took his daughter as empress, and Jin was enfeoffed as Duke of Taiyuan Commandery. His wife, Lady Liu, was ennobled as Lady of Zhangwu Commandery. He was later appointed General Who Campaigns North and Governor of Dingzhou. He died and was posthumously granted Minister of Works, with the posthumous epithet Duke Gongzhuang. From Li Dili down to Jin, the family had been eminent for generations: one empress, four men posthumously made dukes, three commanders of the guards, two directors of the masters of writing, and three founding marquises. [2] Though Jin was the empress's father, Empress Shun died young, and he never rose to chief minister.
15
子暉，字宣明，后母弟也。 少有氣幹。 襲爵，位汾州刺史。 暉善事人，為尒朱榮所親，以女妻其子長孺。 歷侍中、河南尹，後兼尚書僕射、東南道行臺。 與齊獻武王討平羊侃於兗州。 元顥入洛，害之。
His son Hui, courtesy name Xuanming, was the empress's younger uterine brother. From youth he showed force of character and ability. He inherited the family title and served as Governor of Fenzhou. Hui was skilled at winning people over. Erzhu Rong favored him and gave him his daughter as wife for his son Changru. He served in turn as Palace Attendant and Intendant of Henan, and later as Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Commissioner of the Southeastern Circuit. Together with Prince of Qi Who Offered the Kingdom, he put down Yang Kan's rebellion in Yanzhou. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, he had Hui killed.
16
勁弟天恩，位內行長、遼西太守。 卒，贈平東將軍、燕州刺史。
Jin's younger brother Tian'en served as Director of the Inner Service and Governor of Liaoxi. He died and was posthumously granted General Who Pacifies the East and Governor of Yanzhou.
17
天恩子仁生，位太中大夫。
Tian'en's son Rensheng served as Grand Master of Palace Counsel.
18
仁生子安定，平原郡太守、高平郡都將。 [3]卒。
Rensheng's son Anding served as Governor of Pingyuan Commandery and Commander-in-Chief of Gaoping Commandery. [3] He died.
19
胡國珍，字世玉，安定臨涇人也。 祖略，姚興渤海公姚逵平北府諮議參軍。 父淵，赫連屈丐給事黃門侍郎。 世祖克統萬，淵以降款之功賜爵武始侯。 後拜河州刺史。
Hu Guozhen, courtesy name Shiyu, was a native of Linjing in Anding. His grandfather Lue had served as staff adviser in the Northern Pacification Office of Yao Kui, Duke of Bohai, under Yao Xing. His father Yuan had served as Attendant at the Yellow Gate under Helian Qugai. When Emperor Shizu conquered Tongwan, Yuan was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wushi for surrendering in good faith. He was later appointed Governor of Hezhou.
20
國珍少好學，雅尚清儉。 太和十五年襲爵，例降為伯。 女以選入掖庭，生肅宗，即靈太后也。 肅宗踐祚，以國珍為光祿大夫。 靈太后臨朝，加侍中，封安定郡公，給甲第，賜帛布綿縠奴婢車馬牛甚厚。 追崇國珍妻皇甫氏為京兆郡君，置守冢十戶。 尚書令、任城王澄奏，安定公屬尊望重，親賢羣矚，宜出入禁中，參諮大務。 詔可。 乃令入決萬幾。 尋進位中書監、儀同三司，侍中如故，賞賜累萬。 又賜絹歲八百匹，妻梁四百匹，男女姊妹兄弟各有差，皆極豐贍。 國珍與太師、高陽王雍，太傅、清河王懌，太保、廣平王懷，入居門下，同釐庶政。 詔依漢車千秋、晉安平王故事，給步挽一乘，自掖門至于宣光殿得以出入，并備几杖。 後與侍中崔光俱授帝經，侍直禁中。 國珍尋上表，陳刑政之宜。 詔皆施行。 熙平初，[4]加國珍使持節、都督、雍州刺史、驃騎大將軍、開府。 靈太后以國珍年老，不欲令其在外，且欲示以方面之榮，竟不行。 遷司徒公，侍中如故，就宅拜之。 靈太后、肅宗率百僚幸其第，宴會極歡。 又追京兆郡君為秦太上君。 [5]太上君景明三年薨於洛陽，於此十六年矣。 太后以太上君墳瘞卑局，更增廣，為起塋域門闕碑表。 侍中崔光等奏：「案漢高祖母始諡曰昭靈夫人，後為昭靈后，薄太后母曰靈文夫人，皆置園邑三百家，長丞奉守。 今秦太上君未有尊諡，陵寢孤立，即秦君名，宜上終稱，兼設掃衞，以慰情典。 請上尊諡曰孝穆，權置園邑三十戶，立長丞奉守。」 太后從之。 封國珍繼室梁氏為趙平郡君，元叉妻拜為女侍中，封新平郡君，又徙封馮翊君。 國珍子祥妻長安縣公主，即清河王懌女也。
Guozhen loved learning from youth and prized simplicity and frugality. In the fifteenth year of Taihe he inherited the family title, which by precedent was reduced to earl. His daughter was selected for the imperial harem, bore Emperor Suzong, and became Empress Dowager Ling. When Emperor Suzong came to the throne, he appointed Guozhen Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. When Empress Dowager Ling assumed regency, he was made Palace Attendant and enfeoffed as Duke of Anding Commandery. She granted him a fine mansion and lavish gifts of silks, cloth, slaves, carriages, horses, and cattle. Guozhen's wife, Lady Huangfu, was posthumously honored as Lady of Jingzhao Commandery, and ten households were assigned to tend the tomb. Director of the Masters of Writing Prince of Rencheng Cheng memorialized: "The Duke of Anding is eminent in rank and reputation, and the court looks to him as kin and elder. He should have access to the inner palace and advise on great affairs of state." The edict approved. He was then authorized to take part in deciding state affairs. Soon he was promoted to Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat and Honored with the Three Insignia while retaining his post as Palace Attendant. Rewards poured in by the tens of thousands. He was granted eight hundred bolts of silk a year, his wife Lady Liang four hundred, and sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers each received lavish shares. Guozhen joined Grand Preceptor Prince of Gaoyang Yong, Grand Tutor Prince of Qinghe Yi, and Grand Guardian Prince of Guangping Huai in the Gate Below to oversee routine government together. By edict, following the precedents of Han's Che Qianqiu and Jin's Prince of Ping'an, he was given a hand-drawn carriage and allowed to pass from the Yebi Gate to the Hall of Proclaiming Light. A couch and staff were also provided. Later he and Palace Attendant Cui Guang together instructed the emperor in the classics and kept watch within the palace. Guozhen soon submitted a memorial on penal and administrative policy. An edict ordered all his proposals carried out. Early in the Xiping era, [4] Guozhen was further granted Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Commander-in-Chief, Governor of Yongzhou, Rapid Cavalry General, and the right to establish a headquarters. Empress Dowager Ling did not wish to send the aged Guozhen away from court, yet wanted to honor him with a regional command. In the end he never took up the post. He was made Grand Tutor while retaining his post as Palace Attendant. The appointment was conferred at his home. Empress Dowager Ling and Emperor Suzong led the court to his home for a lavish banquet. Lady of Jingzhao Commandery was further posthumously honored as Grand Supreme Lady of Qin. [5] The Grand Supreme Lady had died in Luoyang in the third year of Jingming—sixteen years had passed. The empress dowager found the Grand Supreme Lady's tomb too modest and had the burial mound enlarged, with gates, towers, and steles erected. Palace Attendant Cui Guang and others memorialized: "By Han precedent, Emperor Gaozu's mother was first titled Lady Zhaoling, later Empress Zhaoling; Empress Dowager Bo's mother was titled Lady Lingwen. Each had a tomb estate of three hundred households with officials to maintain it. The Grand Supreme Lady of Qin has no posthumous title and her tomb lacks proper maintenance. She should receive a final honorific title and tomb guardians, in keeping with ritual propriety. We request the posthumous epithet Xiaomu and a provisional tomb estate of thirty households with officials to maintain it." The empress dowager approved. Guozhen's second wife, Lady Liang, was enfeoffed as Lady of Zhaoping Commandery. Yuan Cha's wife was appointed Lady Attendant and enfeoffed as Lady of Xinping Commandery, later transferred to Lady of Fengyi. Guozhen's son Xiang married the Princess of Chang'an County, daughter of Prince of Qinghe Yi.
21
國珍年雖篤老，而雅敬佛法，時事齋潔，自強禮拜。 至於出入侍從，猶能跨馬據鞍。 神龜元年四月七日，步從所建佛像，發第至閶闔門四五里。 八日，又立觀像，晚乃肯坐。 勞熱增甚，因遂寢疾。 靈太后親侍藥膳。 十二日薨，年八十。 給東園溫明祕器、五時朝服各一具、衣一襲，贈布五千匹、錢一百萬、蠟千斤。 大鴻臚持節監護喪事。 太后還宮，成服於九龍殿，遂居九龍寢室。 肅宗服小功服，舉哀於太極東堂。 又詔自始薨至七七，皆為設千僧齋，令七人出家； 百日設萬人齋，二七人出家。 先是巫覡言將有凶，勸令為厭勝之法。 國珍拒而不從，云吉凶有定分，唯修德以禳之。 臨死與太后訣云：「母子善治天下，以萬人之心，勿視大臣面也。」 殷勤至於再三。 又及其子祥，云：「我唯有一子，死後勿如比來威抑之。」 靈太后以其好戲，時加威訓。 國珍故以為言。
Though deeply aged, Guozhen revered Buddhism, kept regular fasts, and still forced himself to perform prostrations. When he went abroad with his attendants, he could still mount a horse and ride. On the seventh day of the fourth month of the first year of Shengui, he walked on foot behind the Buddha image he had commissioned, from his home to within four or five li of the Changhe Gate. On the eighth he stood again to view the image and would not sit until evening. Exhaustion and fever worsened, and he took to his bed. Empress Dowager Ling personally tended his medicines and meals. He died on the twelfth, aged eighty. He was granted imperial funerary vessels, one set of court robes for each season, and a full suit of garments, along with five thousand bolts of cloth, a million cash, and a thousand jin of wax. The Grand Herald supervised the funeral with imperial authority. The empress dowager returned to the palace, donned mourning dress in the Hall of Nine Dragons, and took up residence in the Nine Dragons chamber. Emperor Suzong wore five-month mourning and mourned in the Eastern Hall of Supreme Ultimate. An edict also ordered that from the day of death until the forty-ninth day, a feast for a thousand monks should be held on each occasion and seven persons ordained; on the hundredth day a feast for ten thousand was to be held, and twenty-seven persons ordained. Earlier shamans had foretold misfortune and urged protective rites. Guozhen refused, saying fortune and misfortune are ordained and can be averted only by cultivating virtue. On his deathbed he bade the empress dowager farewell: "Mother and son must govern the realm well. Rule with the hearts of the people in mind—do not defer to the faces of great ministers." He repeated this earnestly again and again. He also spoke to his son Xiang: "I have only one son. After my death, do not keep disciplining him as you have lately." Empress Dowager Ling had often scolded Xiang for his love of play. That was why Guozhen spoke of it.
22
始國珍欲就祖父西葬舊鄉，後緣前世諸胡多在洛葬，有終洛之心。 崔光嘗對太后前問國珍：「公萬年後為在此安厝，為歸長安？」 國珍言當陪葬天子山陵。 及病危，太后請以後事，竟言還安定，語遂昏忽。 太后問清河王懌與崔光等，議去留。 懌等皆以病亂，請從先言。 太后猶記崔光昔與國珍言，遂營墓於洛陽。 太后雖外從眾議，而深追臨終之語，云：「我公之遠慕二親，亦吾之思父母也。」
At first Guozhen had wished to be buried in the west beside his grandfather in his native land. Later, seeing that many earlier Hu families had been buried at Luoyang, he came to favor burial there. Cui Guang once asked Guozhen before the empress dowager: "After your ten thousand years, will you be laid to rest here, or return to Chang'an?" Guozhen said he wished to be buried beside the imperial tombs. When he fell critically ill, the empress dowager asked his wishes. He finally said he wished to return to Anding, then lapsed into delirium. The empress dowager consulted Prince of Qinghe Yi, Cui Guang, and others on whether to bury him at Luoyang or Anding. Yi and the others held that delirium had confused his last words and urged following his earlier statement. The empress dowager recalled Cui Guang's earlier conversation with Guozhen and had a tomb prepared at Luoyang. Though she outwardly followed the court's advice, she deeply mourned his dying wish, saying, "My lord's longing for his parents in the west is like my own longing for my parents."
23
追崇假黃鉞、使持節、侍中、相國、都督中外諸軍事、太師、領太尉公、司州牧，號太上秦公，加九錫。 葬以殊禮，給九旒鑾輅，虎賁、班劍百人，前後部羽葆鼓吹，轀輬車； 諡文宣公； 賜物三千段、粟一千五百石。 又詔贈國珍祖父兄、父兄，下逮從子，皆有封職。 持節就安定監護喪事。 [6]靈太后迎太上君神柩還第，與國珍俱葬，贈襚一與國珍同。 及國珍神主入廟，詔太常權給以軒懸之樂、六佾之舞。 初國珍無男，養兄真子僧洗為後，後納趙平君，生子祥。
He was posthumously honored with the yellow battle-axe, Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Palace Attendant, Chancellor of State, Commander-in-Chief of All Armies Within and Without, Grand Preceptor, concurrent Duke of Grand Marshal, and Governor of Sizhou, titled Grand Supreme Duke of Qin, and granted the Nine Bestowals. He was buried with extraordinary rites: an imperial carriage with nine tassels, a hundred Tiger Guards with swords of office, feathered banners and drums before and behind, and a hearse; with the posthumous epithet Duke Wenxuan; and gifts of three thousand lengths of goods and fifteen hundred shi of grain. An edict also posthumously granted titles and offices to Guozhen's grandfather's elder brother, father's elder brother, and younger cousins. An envoy with imperial authority went to Anding to supervise the funeral. [6] Empress Dowager Ling brought the Grand Supreme Lady's coffin home and buried her with Guozhen, with funeral gifts equal to his. When Guozhen's spirit tablet entered the ancestral temple, the Minister of Ceremonies was ordered to provide suspended bells and the six-rows dance. At first Guozhen had no son and adopted his brother Zhen's son Sengxi as heir. Later he married Lady Zhaoping and fathered Xiang.
24
僧洗，字湛輝。 封爰德縣公，位中書監、侍中，改封濮陽郡公。 僧洗自永安後廢棄，不預朝政。 天平四年薨，詔給東園祕器，贈太師、太尉公、錄尚書事、雍州刺史，諡曰孝。
Sengxi, courtesy name Zhanhui. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Aide County, served as Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat and Palace Attendant, and was later re-enfeoffed as Duke of Puyang Commandery. From the Yong'an era onward Sengxi was sidelined and took no part in government. He died in the fourth year of Tianping. An edict granted imperial funerary vessels and posthumously granted him Grand Preceptor, Duke of Grand Marshal, Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, and Governor of Yongzhou, with the posthumous epithet Xiao.
25
真長子寧，[7]字惠歸。 襲國珍先爵，改為臨涇伯，後進為公。 歷岐涇二州刺史。 卒，諡曰孝穆。 女為清河王亶妃，生孝靜皇帝。 武定初，贈太師、太尉公、錄尚書事，諡曰孝昭。
Zhen's eldest son Ning, [7] courtesy name Huigui. He inherited Guozhen's former title, which was changed to Earl of Linjing and later raised to duke. He served in turn as governor of Qi and Jing provinces. He died and was given the posthumous epithet Xiaomu. His daughter was consort to Prince of Qinghe Dan and bore Emperor Xiaojing. Early in the Wuding era he was posthumously granted Grand Preceptor, Duke of Grand Marshal, and Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, with the posthumous epithet Xiaozhao.
26
子虔，字僧敬。 元叉之廢靈太后，虔時為千牛備身，與備身張車渠等謀殺叉。 事發，叉殺車渠等，虔坐遠徙。 靈太后反政，徵為吏部郎中。 太后好以家人禮與親族宴戲，虔常致諫，由是後宴謔多不預焉。 出為涇州刺史，封安陽縣侯。 興和三年，以帝元舅超遷司空公。 薨，贈太傅、太尉公、尚書僕射、徐州刺史，諡曰宣。 葬日，百官會葬，乘輿送於郭外。 子長粲。
His son Qian, courtesy name Sengjing. When Yuan Cha deposed Empress Dowager Ling, Qian was a guard of the Thousand Oxen and plotted with fellow guard Zhang Chequ and others to kill Cha. When the plot was exposed, Cha killed Chequ and the others. Qian was exiled to a distant post. When Empress Dowager Ling regained power, he was recalled as Director in the Ministry of Personnel. The empress dowager liked to feast and jest with kin in family fashion. Qian often remonstrated with her, and afterward was often excluded from such gatherings. He went out to Jingzhou as governor and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Anyang County. In the third year of Xinghe, as the emperor's senior maternal uncle he was promoted to Minister of Works. He died and was posthumously granted Grand Tutor, Duke of Grand Marshal, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and Governor of Xuzhou, with the posthumous epithet Xuan. On the day of burial the hundred officials attended the funeral, and the imperial carriage escorted the coffin beyond the city wall. His son was Changcan.
27
李延寔，字禧，隴西人，尚書僕射沖之長子。 性溫良，少為太子舍人。 世宗初，襲父爵清泉縣侯。 [8]累遷左將軍、光州刺史。 莊帝即位，以元舅之尊，超授侍中、太保，封濮陽郡王。 延寔以太保犯祖諱，又以王爵非庶姓所宜，抗表固辭。 徙封濮陽郡公，改授太傅。 尋轉司徒公，出為使持節、侍中、太傅、錄尚書事、青州刺史。 尒朱兆入洛，乘輿幽縶，以延寔外戚，見害於州館。 出帝初，歸葬洛陽。 贈使持節、侍中、太師、太尉公、錄尚書事、都督、雍州刺史，諡曰孝懿。
Li Yanshi, courtesy name Xi, was a native of Longxi and the eldest son of Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Li Chong. He was mild and good by nature and in youth served as Attendant of the Heir Apparent. Early in Emperor Shizong's reign he inherited his father's title as Marquis of Qingquan County. [8] He rose in turn to Left General and Governor of Guangzhou. When Emperor Zhuang came to the throne, Yanshi was promoted over rank to Palace Attendant and Grand Guardian as the emperor's senior maternal uncle, and enfeoffed as Prince of Puyang Commandery. Yanshi submitted a firm memorial of refusal, arguing that Grand Guardian violated an ancestral taboo and that a princely title was unsuitable for a commoner family. He was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Puyang Commandery and appointed Grand Tutor instead. Soon he was made Minister of Works, then sent out as Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Palace Attendant, Grand Tutor, Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, and Governor of Qingzhou. When Erzhu Zhao entered Luoyang and the emperor was held captive, Yanshi was killed at the provincial residence because he was imperial kin by marriage. Early in Emperor Chu's reign his remains were brought back for burial at Luoyang. He was posthumously granted Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Palace Attendant, Grand Preceptor, Duke of Grand Marshal, Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, Commander-in-Chief, and Governor of Yongzhou, with the posthumous epithet Xiaoyi.
28
長子彧，字子文，尚莊帝姊豐亭公主。 封東平郡公，位侍中、左光祿大夫、中書監、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、廣州刺史。 彧任俠交遊，輕薄無行。 尒朱榮之死也，武毅之士皆彧所進。 孝靜初，以罪棄市。
His eldest son Yu, courtesy name Ziwen, married the Princess of Fengting, Emperor Zhuang's elder sister. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Dongping Commandery and held the posts of Palace Attendant, Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat, Rapid Cavalry General, Honored with the Three Insignia and establishment of a headquarters, and Governor of Guangzhou. Yu was a chivalric rover who made many friends but was frivolous and dissolute. When Erzhu Rong died, the bold warriors who struck him down had all been introduced by Yu. Early in the Xiaojing era he was executed in the marketplace for his crimes.
29
史臣曰：三五哲王，深防遠慮。 舅甥之國，罕執鈞衡； 母后之家，無聞傾敗。 爰及後世，顛覆繼軌。 蓋由進不以禮，故其斃亦速。 其間或不泯舊基，[9]弗虧先構者，蓋處之以道，遠權之所致也。
The historiographer writes: The sage kings of antiquity took deep precautions and looked far ahead. In states ruled by uncles and nephews, few held the balance of power; and among families of empresses and empresses dowager, none were known to fall in ruin. In later ages, overthrow followed one after another. This was because they rose without proper ritual, and so their fall came swiftly. Among them, some did not destroy the old foundation [9] or impair what their forebears had built—because they were governed by principle and power was kept at a distance.
30
校勘記
Collation Notes
31
魏書卷八十三下諸本目錄此卷注「闕」字，卷末有宋人校語 〈殿本入考證〉 云：「魏收書外戚傳亡，史臣論全用隋書外戚傳 〈卷七九〉。」 按此卷亦以北史卷八０外戚傳補。 其于勁傳採北史卷三一于栗磾附于勁傳，李延寔傳採卷一００自序。 諸傳均有溢出語，當是以高氏小史等他書附益之。
Book of Wei, juan 83b: Various editions mark this juan as "deficient" in their tables of contents; Song-era collation notes appear at the end of the juan. 〈Palace Edition, entered into textual investigation〉 It states: "Wei Shou's chapter on families of imperial consorts is lost; the historiographer's discussion is taken entirely from the Book of Sui chapter on families of imperial consorts 〈juan 79〉 This juan was also supplemented from the chapter on families of imperial consorts in the History of the Northern Dynasties, juan 80. The biography of Yu Jin draws on the appended biography in the History of the Northern Dynasties, juan 31, under Yu Lidi; the biography of Li Yanshi draws on the autobiographical preface in juan 100. All the biographies contain passages not found in the main sources, probably added from works such as the Brief History of the Gao Clan.
32
自栗磾至勁 〈至〉 三開國公按此數語魏書本在卷三一于栗磾附于忠傳後，北史卷二三于栗磾傳移在于勁傳中，則在後的于忠所歷官爵，不當計算在內，所舉贈公、領軍、尚書令、開國公便都少了一人，實誤。 此傳以北史補，不記卷三一已有此語，以致複出。 參卷三一校記[九]。
From Li Dili to Jin 〈to〉 three founding marquises. In the Book of Wei these words originally followed the appended biography of Yu Zhong under Yu Lidi in juan 31; the History of the Northern Dynasties moved them into the biography of Yu Jin. Yu Zhong's later offices should not be counted here, so each category—posthumous dukes, commanders of the guards, directors of the masters of writing, and founding marquises—is one short. This is an error. Because this biography was supplemented from the History of the Northern Dynasties without noting that juan 31 already contained this passage, it appears twice. See collation note [9] to juan 31.
33
高平郡都將按郡無都將，「郡」當是「鎮」之訛。
Commander-in-Chief of Gaoping Commandery. Commanderies had no such office; "commandery" is likely a corruption of "garrison."
34
熙平初諸本及北史卷八０胡國珍傳「熙平」作「延和」，通志卷一六五胡國珍傳作「熙平中」。 按事見卷九肅宗紀熙平元年八月乙巳，延和乃拓跋燾年號，遠在其前。 今據通志改作「熙平」。 事在元年，「初」字不誤。
Early in Xiping. Various editions and the History of the Northern Dynasties biography of Hu Guozhen, juan 80, read "Yanhe" instead of "Xiping"; the Comprehensive Gazetteer, juan 165, reads "during Xiping." The event appears in the annals of Emperor Suzong, juan 9, on day yisi of the eighth month of the first year of Xiping. Yanhe is the reign title of Tuoba Tao, much earlier. Following the Comprehensive Gazetteer, we emend to "Xiping." The event occurred in the first year; "early" is correct.
35
又追京兆郡君為秦太上君按「追」下當脫「贈」或「尊」「崇」字。
Further posthumously honoring Lady of Jingzhao Commandery as Grand Supreme Lady of Qin. After "posthumously" a word such as "grant," "honor," or "exalt" is probably missing.
36
持節就安定監護喪事按胡國珍死和葬都在洛陽，何故「就安定監護喪事」？ 下文云：「迎太上君神柩還第」，疑「安定」下脫「公第」二字。
Bearing the staff of authority, going to Anding to supervise funeral affairs. Hu Guozhen died and was buried at Luoyang—why "going to Anding to supervise funeral affairs"? The text below says, "welcoming the Grand Supreme Lady's spirit coffin back to the residence." The two characters "duke's residence" are probably missing after "Anding."
37
真長子寧諸本「真」字連上段「諡曰孝」，「長子寧」提行。 成為胡僧洗諡「孝真」，「寧」是僧洗的長子。 按真乃國珍兄，見上文，寧乃僧洗兄。 北史原文本不提行，後人寫刻魏書則凡附見諸子孫無不提行，這裏由於誤讀，提行亦謬，致以兄為子，今改正。
Zhen's eldest son Ning. In various editions "Zhen" is joined to the preceding "posthumous epithet Xiao," and "eldest son Ning" begins a new line. This made it appear that Hu Sengxi's posthumous epithet was Xiaozhen and that Ning was Sengxi's eldest son. In fact Zhen was Guozhen's elder brother, as stated above; Ning was Sengxi's elder brother. The original History of the Northern Dynasties text did not break the line here. Later copyists of the Book of Wei always began new lines for appended descendants; misreading here wrongly made an elder brother appear as a son. This is now corrected.
38
襲父爵清泉縣侯按卷五三李沖傳，沖封「清淵縣侯」。 「清淵」為漢以來舊縣，卷一０六上地形志上，屬司州陽平郡。 此傳以北史補，避唐諱改「泉」。
Inherited his father's title as Marquis of Qingquan County. The biography of Li Chong in juan 53 records his enfeoffment as Marquis of Qingyuan County. Qingyuan was an old county name since Han; the Treatise on Geography, juan 106, places it in Yangping Commandery, Sizhou. This biography was supplemented from the History of the Northern Dynasties; "yuan" was changed to "quan" to avoid Tang taboo.
39
其間或不泯舊基諸本「泯」上有「斃」字。 此傳本出北史，北史傳論又本隋書卷七九外戚傳論，今檢隋書、北史都作「今或不隕舊基」，這裏「今或」作「其間」，「隕」作「泯」，均兩通，「斃」字則涉上「其斃亦速」而衍，今刪。
Among them, some did not extinguish the old foundation. Various editions have the character "destroy" before "extinguish." This chapter derives from the History of the Northern Dynasties, whose discussion in turn comes from the Book of Sui, juan 79. Both the Book of Sui and the History of the Northern Dynasties read "now some do not fall from the old foundation"; here "now some" appears as "among them" and "fall" as "extinguish"—both acceptable. The character "destroy" is a spurious addition from the preceding "their fall comes swiftly" and is deleted.