Volume 84 Biographies 9: Li, Mi

25%李密李密，字玄邃，一字法主，其先遼東襄平人。曾祖弼，魏司徒，賜姓徒何氏，入周為太師、魏國公。祖曜，邢國公。父寬，隋上柱國、蒲山郡公。遂家長安。

Li Mi, styled Xuansui and also known as Fazhu, traced his ancestry to Xiangping in Liaodong. His great-grandfather Bi had served as Minister over the Masses of Wei, was granted the surname of the Tuhe clan, and after entering Zhou rose to Grand Preceptor and Duke of Wei. His grandfather Yao held the title Duke of Xing. His father Kuan was a Sui Grand Illustrious Pillar of State and Duke of Pushan Commandery. The family then made its home in Chang'an.

密趣解雄遠，多策略，散家貲養客禮賢不愛藉。以廕為左親衛府大都督、東宮千牛備身。額銳角方，瞳子黑白明澈。煬帝見之，謂宇文述曰：「左仗下黑色小兒為誰？」曰：「蒲山公李寬子密。」帝曰：「此兒顧盼不常，無入衛。」它日，述諭密曰：「君世素貴，當以才學顯，何事三衛間哉！」密大喜，謝病去，感厲讀書。聞包愷在緱山，往從之。以蒲韉乘牛，掛《漢書》一帙角上，行且讀。越國公楊素適見於道，按轡躡其後，曰：「何書生勤如此？」密識素，下拜。問所讀，曰：「《項羽傳》。」因與語，奇之。歸謂子玄感曰：「吾觀密識度，非若等輩。」玄感遂傾心結納。嘗私自密曰：「上多忌，隋歷且不長，中原有一日警，公與我孰後先？」密曰：「決兩陣之勝，噫嗚咄嗟，足以詟敵，我不如公。攬天下英雄馭之，使遠近歸屬，公不如我。」

Mi was quick-witted, bold, and far-seeing, skilled in strategy. He spent his family fortune entertaining retainers, treated the worthy with respect, and never stinted. Through hereditary privilege he was appointed Grand Commander of the Left Personal Guard Office and a Thousand-Ox Guard attendant in the Eastern Palace. He had a sharp forehead and square jaw, and his eyes were bright and clear. When Emperor Yang noticed him, he asked Yuwen Shu, "Who is that dark-complexioned boy beneath the left honor guard? The answer came: "That is Li Mi, son of Li Kuan, Duke of Pushan. The emperor said, "That boy's eyes are restless—do not let him serve in the guard. On another day Shu advised Mi, "Your family has long been eminent; you ought to make your name through talent and learning. Why linger among the Three Guards? Mi was delighted. He pleaded illness, resigned his post, and threw himself into study with renewed fervor. When he learned that Bao Kai was on Mount Gou, he went to study under him. He rode an ox fitted with a straw saddle, hung a volume of the Book of Han from its horn, and read as he traveled. Duke of Yue Yang Su happened to see him on the road, slowed his horse, and rode up behind him. "What scholar reads with such diligence?" he asked. Mi recognized Su and dismounted to pay his respects. When asked what he was reading, he replied, "The Biography of Xiang Yu. They fell into conversation, and Su was impressed by his intelligence. On returning home he told his son Xuangan, "From what I have seen of Mi's insight and capacity, he is not like the rest of you. Xuangan thereupon gave Mi his wholehearted friendship. Once he spoke privately to Mi. "The emperor is deeply suspicious," he said, "and the Sui will not endure much longer. If trouble erupts in the Central Plains, which of us would move first—you or I? Mi replied, "When it comes to deciding a battle in the field—deciding victory in a shout or a sigh, enough to terrify the enemy—I am not your equal. But gathering the heroes of the realm and driving them so that near and far submit—that is where you fall short of me."

大業九年，玄感舉兵黎陽，遣人入關迎密。密至，謀曰：「今天子遠在遼左，去幽州尚千里，南限鉅海，北阻強胡，號令所通，惟榆林一道爾。若鼓而入薊，直扼其喉，高麗抗其前，我乘其後，不旬月賫糧竭，舉麾召之，眾可盡取，然後傳檄而南，天下定矣，上計也。關中四塞之地，彼留守衛文升，易人耳。若徑行勿留，直保長安，據函、崤，東制諸夏，是隋亡襟帶，我勢萬全，中計也。若因近趣便，先取東都，頓兵堅城下，不可以勝負決，下計也。」玄感曰：「公之下計，乃吾上策。今百官家屬皆在洛，當先取之，以搖其心。且經城不拔，何以示武？」密計不行。玄感至東都，所戰必克，自謂功在旦暮。既獲內史舍人韋福嗣，遂任之，故謀不專密。福嗣恥見執，策議皆持兩端。密揣其貳，謂玄感曰：「福嗣窮，為我虜，誌在觀望。公初舉大事，奸人在側，事必敗，請斬以徇。」不從。密謂所親曰：「玄感好反而不圖勝，吾屬虜矣！」福嗣果遁去。會左武候大將軍李子雄得罪，傳送行在，道殺使者，奔玄感，勸舉大號。玄感問密，密曰：「昔張耳諫陳勝自王，荀彧止魏武求九錫，皆見疑外。今密將無類之乎？然阿諛順旨，非義士也。且公雖屢勝，而郡縣未有應者，東都尚強，救兵踵來，公當率精甲，身定關中，奈何亟自帝？」玄感笑而止。

In the ninth year of the Daye reign, Xuangan raised troops at Liyang and sent men through the passes to bring Mi to join him. When Mi arrived, he laid out a plan. "The emperor is far away in the eastern Liao region," he said, "still a thousand li from Youzhou. The sea lies to the south and the strong Hu peoples to the north; the only route by which his orders can reach him is the single road through Yulin. If we march in force on Ji and seize its throat, Goguryeo will hold him on one front and we on the other. In less than ten days his supplies will run out. Raise the banner and summon him, and his whole army can be taken. Then issue proclamations southward and the realm will be settled—that is the best plan. Guanzhong is a land locked in on four sides. The garrison commander there is Wei Wensheng—a man easily replaced. If we press straight on without stopping, secure Chang'an, hold Hangu and Xiao, and from there control the eastern domains—that is the Sui dynasty's vital belt, and our position would be utterly secure. That is the middle plan. If we take the convenient nearby target first—the Eastern Capital—and camp beneath its strong walls, victory and defeat cannot be decided. That is the worst plan. Xuangan replied, "Your worst plan is my best strategy. The families of all the officials are in Luoyang. We should take it first to shake their resolve. Besides, if we pass a city without capturing it, how can we display our martial prowess? Mi's plan was not adopted. When Xuangan reached the Eastern Capital, he won every battle he fought and believed success was within reach. After capturing Palace Secretary Wei Fusi, he put him in charge of affairs, and from then on Mi no longer held sole counsel. Fusi was ashamed at being captured, and in every deliberation he straddled both sides. Mi sensed his disloyalty and told Xuangan, "Fusi is at the end of his rope and has become our captive. His intent is to watch and wait. When you first raise a great undertaking and a traitor stands at your side, the affair is bound to fail. Behead him to warn the army. Xuangan refused. Mi told his confidants, "Xuangan delights in turning back and does not plan for victory. We shall become captives! Fusi did indeed flee. At that time Left Martial Guard General Li Zixiong had been condemned and was being escorted to the imperial camp. On the road he killed the escort, fled to Xuangan, and urged him to assume the imperial title. Xuangan asked Mi for his view. Mi said, "In the past Zhang Er admonished Chen Sheng against proclaiming himself king, and Xun Yu stopped Cao Cao from seeking the Nine Bestowments—both were viewed with suspicion from without. Will I now be treated the same? Yet to flatter and follow the sovereign's wishes is not the conduct of a man of honor. Moreover, though you have won repeatedly, no commanderies or counties have yet risen in response. The Eastern Capital is still strong, and relief armies follow one after another. You ought to lead picked troops and personally secure Guanzhong—why hurry to declare yourself emperor? Xuangan laughed and dropped the matter.

及隋軍至，玄感曰：「策安決？」密曰：「元弘嗣方戍隴右，可陽言其反，使迎我，因引軍西。」從之。至陜，欲圍弘農宮，密曰：「今紿眾入關，機在速，而追兵踵我，若前不得據險，退無所守，何以共完！」玄感不聽。留攻三日，不能拔，引去，至閺鄉，追及而敗。

When the Sui army arrived, Xuangan asked, "What plan shall decide matters? Mi said, "Yuan Hongsi is now garrisoning Longyou. We can falsely announce that he has rebelled and summon us to join him, then lead the army west. Xuangan followed this plan. When they reached Shaan, they wished to besiege Hongnong Palace. Mi said, "We have deceived the army into entering the passes, and speed is everything. Yet pursuing troops follow at our heels. If we cannot seize a strong position ahead, we have nowhere to retreat—how can we succeed together? Xuangan would not listen. They remained to attack for three days but could not take it, then withdrew. At Wenxiang they were overtaken and defeated.

密羸行入關，為邏所獲，與支黨護送帝所。密謂眾曰：「吾等至行在，且菹醢，今尚可以計脫，何為安就鼎鑊？」眾然之。乃令出所有金示監使曰：「即死，幸報德。」使者顧金，禁漸弛，益市酒，飲笑歡嘩，守者懈，密等遂夜亡去。抵平原，賊郝孝德不見禮，去之淮陽。歲饑，削木皮以食。變姓名為劉智遠，教授諸生自給，鬱鬱不得志，哀吟泣下。人有告太守趙佗者，佗捕之，遁免。往依媦婿雍丘令丘君明，轉匿大俠王季才家，為吏跡捕，復亡去。

Mi, emaciated from the march, entered the passes and was captured by patrols. He and his followers were escorted to the emperor's camp. Mi told the group, "When we reach the imperial camp we shall be minced and pickled. We can still escape by stratagem—why calmly accept the cauldron? The group agreed. They brought out all their gold and showed it to the supervising escort. "Since we are about to die," they said, "we beg you to accept this in gratitude. The escort eyed the gold, and the restrictions gradually loosened. They bought more wine and drank, laughing and shouting in revelry. The guards relaxed, and Mi and the others fled by night. Reaching Pingyuan, he found no welcome from the bandit Hao Xiaode and went on to Huaiyang. That year there was famine, and he scraped tree bark to eat. He changed his name to Liu Zhiyuan, taught students to support himself, and sank into depression. He mournfully sang until tears fell. Someone reported him to Prefect Zhao Tuo. Tuo arrested him, but he escaped. He went to stay with his wife's brother-in-law Qiu Junming, magistrate of Yongqiu, then hid in the house of the knight-errant Wang Jicai. When officials tracked him down, he fled again.

時東郡賊翟讓聚黨萬人，密因介其徒王伯當以策幹讓曰：「今主昏於上，人怨於下，銳兵盡之遼海，和親絕於突厥，南巡流連，空棄關輔，此實劉、項挺興之會。足下資豪桀，士馬精勇，指罪誅暴，為天下先，楊氏不足亡也。」讓由是加禮，遣說諸賊，至輒下。因為讓計曰：「今稟無見糧，難以持久，卒遇敵，其亡無時。不如取滎陽，休兵館谷，待士逸馬肥，乃可與人爭利。」讓聽之，遂破金堤關，徇滎陽諸縣，皆下。滎陽太守楊慶、河南討捕大使張須陀合兵討讓，讓素憚須陀，欲引去。密曰：「須陀健而無謀，且驟勝易驕，吾為公破之。」讓不得已，陣而待。密率驍勇常何等二十人為遊騎，伏千兵莽間。須陀素輕讓，引兵搏之，讓少卻，伏發，與遊軍乘之，遂殺須陀。

At that time Zhai Rang of Dongjun had gathered a band of ten thousand men. Mi sent his follower Wang Bodang with a plan to approach Rang. "The ruler is benighted above and the people resentful below," he said. "Sharp troops are exhausted at the Liao coast, peace with the Turks is broken, the southern tour drags on, and the capital region is abandoned—this is truly the moment for a Liu Bang or Xiang Yu to rise. You possess the resources of a great hero, with elite soldiers and horses. Point out crimes and punish tyranny, take the lead for the realm—the house of Yang is not beyond destruction. Rang therefore treated him with greater respect and sent him to persuade other bandits. Wherever he went, they submitted. He then devised a plan for Rang. "Our stores have no visible grain," he said, "and it is hard to endure long. If we suddenly meet the enemy, destruction will come at any moment. Better to take Xingyang, rest the army and live off the grain stores, wait until the men are rested and the horses fat, and then contend for advantage. Rang listened. He broke through the Jindi Pass, swept the counties of Xingyang, and all submitted. Xingyang Prefect Yang Qing and Henan Pursuit-and-Capture Commissioner Zhang Xituo combined forces to attack Rang. Rang had always feared Xituo and wished to withdraw. Mi said, "Xituo is strong but lacks strategy, and repeated victories make him arrogant. I will break him for you. Rang had no choice but to form battle lines and wait. Mi led twenty picked horsemen including Chang He as skirmish cavalry and hid a thousand soldiers in the brush. Xituo had always looked down on Rang and led his troops to grapple with him. Rang retreated slightly; the ambush struck, and together with the skirmishers they pressed the attack and killed Xituo.

十三年，讓分兵與密，別為牙帳，號蒲山公。密持軍嚴，雖盛夏號令，士皆若負霜雪，然戰得金寶，盡散之，繇是人為用。復說讓曰：「今群豪競興，公宜先天下攘除群兇，寧常剽奪草間求活哉？若直取興洛倉，發粟以賑窮乏，百萬之眾一朝可附，霜王之業成矣。」讓曰：「仆起畎隴，誌不及此，須君得倉，更議之。」

In the thirteenth year, Rang divided troops and gave Mi a separate headquarters, with the title Duke of Pushan. Mi maintained strict discipline in the army; even in midsummer his orders made the men feel as if bearing frost and snow. Yet when spoils of gold and jewels were won in battle, he distributed them all, and thereby won men's willing service. He again counseled Rang. "The great heroes rise in rivalry," he said. "You ought to sweep away the wicked for the realm first—why always plunder and scramble for survival in the grass? If you take the Xingluo Granary directly, open the grain to relieve the destitute, a force of a million can rally to you in a morning, and the enterprise of a true king is accomplished. Rang said, "I rose from the fields and furrows; my ambition did not reach this far. Wait until you take the granary, and then we shall discuss it further."

二月，密以千人出陽城北，逾方山，自羅口拔興洛倉，據之，獲縣長柴孝和。開倉賑食，眾繦屬至數十萬。隋越王侗遣將劉長恭、房崱討密，又令裴仁基統兵出成臯西。密乃為十隊，跨洛水，抗東、西二軍。令單雄信、徐世勣、王伯當騎為左右翼，自引麾下急擊長恭等，破之。東都震恐，眾保太微城，臺寺俱滿。

In the second month, Mi led a thousand men out north of Yangcheng, crossed Mount Fang, took the Xingluo Granary through Luokou, held it, and captured Magistrate Chai Xiaohe. Opening the granary to distribute grain, the people came in swarms numbering several hundred thousand. Sui Prince of Yue Yang Tong sent Generals Liu Changgong and Fang E to attack Mi, and also ordered Pei Renji to command troops out west of Chenggao. Mi then formed ten companies, crossed the Luo River, and faced the eastern and western armies. He ordered Shan Xiongxin, Xu Shiji, and Wang Bodang as cavalry on the left and right wings, and personally led his own troops in a swift attack on Changgong and the others, defeating them. The Eastern Capital was shaken with fear. The people fortified themselves in Taiwei City, and the government offices were all filled to capacity.

讓等乃推密為主，建號魏公。鞏南設壇場，即位，刑牲歃血，改元永平，大赦，其文移稱行軍元帥魏公府。以讓為司徒，邴元真左長史，房彥藻右長史，楊德方左司馬，鄭德韜右司馬，單雄信左武候大將軍，徐世勣右武候大將軍。祖君彥記室。城洛口，周四十里，居之。命護軍將軍田茂廣造雲三百具，以機發石，為攻城械，號「將軍砲」。進逼東都，燒上春門。

Rang and the others thereupon pushed Mi as leader and established the title Duke of Wei. South of Gong they set up an altar. Mi took the throne, slaughtered a victim and drank the blood oath, changed the era name to Yongping, declared a general amnesty, and his documents bore the title Headquarters of the Campaign Marshal, Duke of Wei. He made Rang Minister over the Masses, Bing Yuanzhen Left Chief Clerk, Fang Yanzao Right Chief Clerk, Yang Defang Left Major, Zheng Detao Right Major, Shan Xiongxin Left Martial Guard General, and Xu Shiji Right Martial Guard General. Zu Junyan served as Recorder. They walled Luokou, forty li in circumference, and made it their base. He ordered Protector-General Tian Maoguang to build three hundred cloud-ladders that launched stones by mechanism as siege engines, called "General's Catapults." He pressed close to the Eastern Capital and burned the Shangchun Gate.

四月，隋虎牢將裴仁基、淮陽太守趙佗降，長白山賊孟讓以所部歸密。以仁基為上柱國，與讓率兵二萬襲回洛倉，守之。入都城掠居人，火天津橋。隋出軍乘之，仁基等敗，還保鞏。司馬楊德方戰死。密自督眾三萬，破隋軍於故城，復得回洛倉。俄而德韜死，乃以鄭颋為左司馬，鄭虔象右司馬。諸賊帥黎陽李文相、洹水張升、清河趙君德、平原郝孝德皆歸密，因襲取黎陽倉。永安大族周法明舉江、黃地附之，齊郡賊徐圓郎、任城大俠徐師仁來歸。密令幕府移檄州縣，列煬帝十罪，天下震動。

In the fourth month, Sui Tiger Cage General Pei Renji and Huaiyang Prefect Zhao Tuo surrendered, and Meng Rang of the Changbai Mountain bandits came with his followers to join Mi. He made Renji a Grand Illustrious Pillar of State and, together with Rang, led twenty thousand troops to strike Huiluo Granary and hold it. Entering the capital city they plundered the inhabitants and set fire to the Tianjin Bridge. The Sui sent out troops to take advantage of the situation. Renji and the others were defeated and returned to hold Gong. Major Yang Defang died in battle. Mi personally commanded thirty thousand men, defeated the Sui army at Gucheng, and recovered Huiluo Granary. Soon Detao died, and he appointed Zheng Hui as Left Major and Zheng Qianxiang as Right Major. The bandit chiefs Li Wenxiang of Liyang, Zhang Sheng of Huanshui, Zhao Junde of Qinghe, and Hao Xiaode of Pingyuan all submitted to Mi, and he thereupon struck and took Liyang Granary. Zhou Faming, a great clan leader of Yong'an, raised the lands along the Jiang and Huang rivers to join him; the Qi Commandery bandit Xu Yuanlang and the Ren Commandery knight-errant Xu Shiren came to submit. Mi ordered his headquarters to send proclamations to the commanderies and counties, listing ten crimes of Emperor Yang, and the realm was shaken.

護軍柴孝和說密曰：「秦地阻山帶河，項背之亡，漢得之王。今公以仁基壁回洛，翟讓保洛口，公束鎧倍道趨長安，百姓誰不郊迎？是征而不戰也。眾附兵強，然後東向，指捴豪傑，天下廓清無事矣。今遲之，恐為人先。」密曰：「仆懷此久，顧我部皆山東人，今未下洛，安肯與我偕西？且諸將皆群盜，不相統一，敗則掃地矣。」遂止。是時，隋軍益出，密負銳，急與之確，中流矢，臥營中，隋軍乘之，密眾潰，棄倉守洛口。

Protector Chai Xiaohe counseled Mi. "The Qin lands are blocked by mountains and girded by rivers," he said. "When Xiang Yu perished with his back to them, the Han obtained them and became king. If you leave Renji to hold Huiluo, Zhai Rang to hold Luokou, and you gird on armor and double-time toward Chang'an, which common people would not come out to the suburbs to welcome you? That is conquering without fighting. When the masses attach themselves and the army is strong, then turn eastward, gather the heroes, and the realm will be cleared without further trouble. If we delay now, I fear someone else will act first. Mi said, "I have long cherished this plan, but my troops are all men from east of the mountains. Luoyang is not yet taken—how would they be willing to go west with me? Moreover, the generals are all bandit chiefs and are not unified. If we are defeated, all will be swept away. He thereupon desisted. At that time the Sui army came out in greater force. Mi, relying on his sharp troops, hurried to join battle, was struck by a flying arrow, and lay in camp. The Sui army took advantage; Mi's forces collapsed, abandoned the granary, and held Luokou.

高祖起師太原，密自謂主盟，遣將軍張仁則致書於帝，呼為兄，請以步騎會河內。帝覽書，笑曰：「密陸梁，不可折簡致之。吾方定京師，未能東略，若不與，是生一隋。密適為吾守成臯，拒東都兵，使不得西，更遣剽將莫如密。吾寧推順，使驕其誌，我得留撫關中，大事濟矣。」令記室溫大雅作報書，厚禮尊讓。密大喜，示其下，曰：「唐公見推，顧天下無可慮者。」遂專事隋。

When Emperor Gaozu raised his army at Taiyuan, Mi considered himself the chief ally and sent General Zhang Renze with a letter to the emperor, addressing him as elder brother and asking to meet with infantry and cavalry at Henei. The emperor read the letter and laughed. "Mi is unruly," he said. "One cannot summon him with a brief note. I am just now securing the capital and cannot yet advance east. If I do not respond, that creates another Sui. Mi happens to guard Chenggao for me, blocking the Eastern Capital troops so they cannot go west. To send a raiding general, none is better than Mi. I would rather defer to him and let his ambition swell. I can remain to pacify Guanzhong, and the great affair will succeed. He ordered Recorder Wen Daya to compose a reply with generous gifts and deferential respect. Mi was greatly pleased and showed the letter to his subordinates. "The Duke of Tang shows me deference," he said. "Surely there is nothing left to worry about in the realm. He thereupon devoted himself solely to fighting the Sui.

九月，遣將李士才將兵十二萬，攻隋鷹揚郎將張珣河陰，舉之。珣極罵不屈死。齊方士徐鴻客上書勸密因士氣趨江都，挾帝以令天下。密異其言，具幣邀之，已亡去。煬帝遣王世充選卒十萬擊密，世充營洛西，戰不利，更陳洛北，登山以望洛口。密引度洛，與世充戰。密兵多騎與長槊，而北薄山，地隘騎迮不得騁。世充多短兵盾，蹙之，密軍卻，世充乘勝進攻密月城。密還洛南，引而西，突世充營，世充奔還。師徒多喪，孝和溺死洛水，密哭之慟。自是大小六十余戰。

In the ninth month he sent General Li Shicai to lead one hundred twenty thousand troops to attack Sui Eagle-Flying General Zhang Xun at Heyin and took him. Xun cursed him fiercely, refused to submit, and died. The Qi geomancer Xu Hongke submitted a memorial urging Mi to take advantage of troop morale and hurry to Jiangdu, seizing the emperor to command the realm. Mi was struck by his words, prepared gifts to invite him, but he had already fled. Emperor Yang sent Wang Shichong to select one hundred thousand troops to attack Mi. Shichong camped west of the Luo and fought without success, then redeployed north of the Luo and climbed a mountain to view Luokou. Mi led his troops across the Luo and fought Shichong. Mi's army had many cavalry and long spears, but to the north they pressed against the mountains. The ground was narrow and the cavalry could not charge freely. Shichong had many short weapons and shields and pressed them hard. Mi's army retreated, and Shichong pressed his advantage and attacked Mi's Moon City. Mi returned south of the Luo, led his troops west, and burst into Shichong's camp. Shichong fled back. Many officers and men were lost. Xiaohe drowned in the Luo River, and Mi mourned him bitterly. From then on there were more than sixty battles, large and small.

翟讓部將王儒信憚密威望，勸讓自為大冢宰，總秉眾務，收密權。讓兄寬亦曰：「天子當自取，何乃授人？」密聞之，與鄭颋陰圖讓。會世充兵又至，讓出拒，少退；密馳助之，戰石子河，世充走。明日，高會饗士，讓至密所，密令房彥藻引其左右就別帳飲。密出名弓示讓，讓挽滿，遣劍士蔡建從後擊之，並殺其兄、侄及儒信。密馳入讓壁慰諭，士無敢動者，以徐世勣、單雄信、王伯當分統其兵。隋將楊慶守滎陽，因說下之。世充夜襲倉城，密伏甲殪其眾。

Zhai Rang's officer Wang Ruxin feared Mi's prestige and urged Rang to make himself Grand Steward, take overall charge of affairs, and reclaim Mi's authority. Rang's elder brother Kuan also said, "The Son of Heaven ought to be taken by oneself—why hand it to another? When Mi heard of this, he and Zheng Hui secretly plotted against Rang. It happened that Shichong's army came again. Rang went out to resist and retreated slightly. Mi galloped to assist, fought at the Shizi River, and Shichong fled. The next day, at a grand feast for the officers, Rang came to Mi's quarters. Mi had Fang Yanzao lead Rang's attendants to a separate tent to drink. Mi produced a famous bow and showed it to Rang. When Rang drew it to the full, the swordsman Cai Jian struck him from behind, killing also his elder brother, nephew, and Ruxin. Mi galloped into Rang's camp to reassure the men. None dared stir. He put Xu Shiji, Shan Xiongxin, and Wang Bodang in charge of Rang's troops. Sui General Yang Qing held Xingyang. Mi persuaded him to submit. Shichong raided the granary city by night. Mi hid armored troops and slaughtered his force.

義寧二年，世充復營洛北，為浮梁，絕水以戰，密以千騎迎擊，不勝。世充進薄其壘，密提敢死士數百邀之，世充大潰，士爭橋溺死者數萬，洛水為不流，殺大將六人，獨世充脫。會夜大雨雪，士卒僵死且盡。密乘銳拔偃師，脩金墉城居之，有眾三十萬。又與東都留守韋津戰上春門，執津於陣。將作大匠宇文愷子儒童、河南留守職方郎柳續、河陽都尉獨孤武都、河內郡丞柳燮皆降。於是海岱、江淮間爭響附，竇建德、硃粲、楊士林、孟海公、徐圓朗、盧祖尚、周法明等悉上表勸進，府官屬亦請之。密曰：「東都未平，且勿議。」

In the second year of Yining, Shichong again camped north of the Luo, built a pontoon bridge, and cut off the water to fight. Mi met him with a thousand cavalry and did not prevail. Shichong pressed close to his ramparts. Mi led several hundred death-defying soldiers to intercept him. Shichong was routed in great disorder. Soldiers scrambling for the bridge drowned by the tens of thousands, and the Luo River ceased to flow. Six great generals were killed; Shichong alone escaped. That night a great rain and snow fell; the soldiers froze to death until nearly all were gone. Mi, relying on his sharp troops, took Yanshi, repaired Jinyong City, and made it his base, with a force of three hundred thousand. He also fought Eastern Capital Garrison Commander Wei Jin at the Shangchun Gate and captured Jin on the field. Director of Palace Construction Yuwen Kai's son Rutong, Henan Garrison Director of Office of Works Lang Liu Xu, Heyang Commandant Dugu Wudu, and Henei Commandery Assistant Director Liu Xie all surrendered. Thereupon between the eastern sea, Mount Tai, the Yangtze, and the Huai, all vied to respond and attach themselves. Dou Jiande, Zhu Can, Yang Shilin, Meng Haigong, Xu Yuanlang, Lu Zushang, Zhou Faming, and others all submitted memorials urging him to ascend the throne, and the officials of his headquarters also requested it. Mi said, "The Eastern Capital is not yet pacified. For the time being, do not discuss it."

五月，越王侗稱帝。六月，宇文化及擁兵十余萬至黎陽。侗遣使授密太尉、尚書令、東南道大行臺行軍元帥、魏國公，令平化及而後入輔，密受之。乃引兵東追化及黎陽。密知化及乏食，利速戰，乃持重以老其兵，使徐世勣保黎陽倉，化及攻不可下。密與隔水陣，遙謂化及曰：「公家本戎隸破野頭爾，父子兄弟受隋恩，至妻公主。上有失德不能諫，又虐殺之，冒天下之惡，今安往？能即降，尚全後嗣。」化及默然良久，乃瞋目為鄙語辱密。密顧左右曰：「此庸人，圖為帝，吾當折箠驅之。」乃以輕騎五百焚其攻具，火終夜不滅。度化及糧盡，乃偽與和，化及喜，使軍恣食，既而密饋不至，乃寤。遂大戰童山下，密中矢，頓汲縣堅壁。化及勢窮，掠汲郡，趣魏縣。其將陳智略、張童仁等率所部兵歸密，前後相踵。

In the fifth month, Prince of Yue Yang Tong declared himself emperor. In the sixth month, Yuwen Huaji led more than one hundred thousand troops to Liyang. Tong sent envoys to appoint Mi Grand Commandant, Director of the Department of State Affairs, Campaign Marshal of the Great Headquarters of the Southeast Circuit, and Duke of Wei, ordering him to pacify Huaji and then enter to assist the court. Mi accepted. He thereupon led his army east to pursue Huaji at Liyang. Mi knew Huaji lacked food and favored a swift battle, so he held his ground to wear down his troops and had Xu Shiji hold Liyang Granary. Huaji attacked but could not take it. Mi formed battle lines across the water and called to Huaji from afar. "Your family were originally military slaves of Poyetou," he said. "Father, sons, and brothers received Sui favor, even to marrying an imperial princess. When the sovereign lost virtue you could not remonstrate, and you cruelly killed him, daring the worst evil under heaven. Where can you go now? If you submit at once, your descendants may yet be preserved. Huaji was silent for a long while, then glared and uttered vulgar words to insult Mi. Mi looked at those beside him and said, "This mediocre man aspires to be emperor. I shall drive him with a whip. He then sent five hundred light cavalry to burn Huaji's siege engines. The fire burned all night without going out. When he judged Huaji's grain exhausted, he falsely made peace with him. Huaji was pleased and let his army eat freely. When Mi's provisions did not arrive, he awoke to the deception. A great battle was fought beneath Mount Tong. Mi was struck by an arrow and encamped at Ji County behind strong walls. Huaji's strength was exhausted. He plundered Ji Commandery and hurried toward Wei County. His generals Chen Zhilue, Zhang Tongren, and others led their troops to submit to Mi, one after another in succession.

初，化及留輜重東郡，遣所署刑部尚書王軌守之。至是，軌舉郡降密。由是引而西，遣使朝東都，執殺逆人於弘達獻於侗。侗召密入朝，至溫，聞世充殺元文都，乃止。遂歸金墉，拘侗使不遣。

At first Huaji had left baggage trains at Dongjun and sent his appointed Minister of Justice Wang Gui to guard them. At this time Gui raised the commandery to submit to Mi. Thereupon he led his army west, sent envoys to pay court at the Eastern Capital, arrested and killed the traitor Yu Hongda, and presented him to Tong. Tong summoned Mi to court. When he reached Wen, he heard that Shichong had killed Yuan Wendu and thereupon stopped. He returned to Jinyong and detained Tong's envoys without sending them back.

初，密既殺翟讓，心稍驕，不恤士，素無府庫財，軍戰勝，無所賜與，又厚撫新集，人心始離。民食興洛倉者，給授無檢，至負取不勝，委於道，踐輮狼扈。密喜，自謂足食。司倉賈潤甫諫曰：「人，國本；食，人天。今百姓饑捐，暴骨道路。公雖受命，然賴人之天以固國本。而稟取不節，敖庾之藏有時而儩，粟竭人散，胡仰而成功？」不聽。徐世勣數規其違，密內不喜，使出就屯，故下茍且無固誌。初，世充乏食，密少帛，請交相易，難之。邴元真好利，陰勸密許焉。後世充士飽，降者益少，密悔而止。

At first, after Mi killed Zhai Rang, his heart grew somewhat arrogant and he did not care for his officers. He had never had treasury wealth, and when the army won battles there were no rewards to give. Yet he treated newly gathered men generously, and hearts began to turn away. Those who ate from the Xingluo Granary were given grain without inspection. They carried off more than they could bear and cast it on the road, trampling it in disorder. Mi was pleased and considered his food supply sufficient. Granary Official Jia Runpu remonstrated. "The people are the root of the state," he said; food is the heaven of the people. Now the common people starve and perish, and bones lie exposed on the roads. Though you have received the mandate, you rely on the people's sustenance to secure the root of the state. Yet distribution is without restraint, and the granary stores will in time be depleted. When grain is exhausted the people scatter—on what can you rely to succeed? Mi would not listen. Xu Shiji repeatedly counseled against his violations. Mi inwardly disliked it and sent him out to garrison, so subordinates grew careless and had no firm resolve. At first Shichong lacked food while Mi had little silk. He requested mutual exchange, and Mi found it difficult. Bing Yuanzhen was greedy for profit and secretly urged Mi to agree. Afterward Shichong's soldiers were well fed, and those who surrendered grew fewer. Mi regretted it and stopped.

武德元年九月，世充悉眾決戰，先以騎數百度河，密遣迎戰，驍將十余人皆被創返。明日，密留王伯當守金墉，自引精兵出偃師，北阻邙山待之。密議所便，裴仁基曰：「世充悉勁兵來，東都必虛，請選眾二萬向洛，世充必自拔歸，我整軍徐還。兵法所謂彼歸我出，彼出我歸，以疲之也。」密眩於眾，不能用。仁基擊地嘆曰：「公後必悔！」遂出兵陣。世充陰索貌類密者，使縛之。既兩軍接，埃霧囂塞，世充軍，江淮士，出入若飛，密兵心動。世充督眾疾戰，使牽類密者過陣，噪曰：「獲密矣！」士皆呼萬歲，密軍亂，遂潰。裴仁基、祖君彥皆為世充所禽，偃師劫鄭颋叛歸世充。密提眾萬余馳洛口，將入城，邴元真已輸款世充，潛導其軍。密知不發，期世充度兵半洛水，掩擊之。候騎不時覺，比出，世充絕河矣。即引騎遁武牢，元真遂降，眾稍散。

In the ninth month of the first year of Wude, Shichong mustered all his forces for a decisive battle. First he sent several hundred cavalry across the river. Mi sent troops to meet them, and more than ten fierce generals were wounded and returned. The next day Mi left Wang Bodang to hold Jinyong and personally led picked troops out of Yanshi, blocking Mount Mang to the north to await him. Mi deliberated on what was advantageous. Pei Renji said, "Shichong has brought all his strong troops, so the Eastern Capital must be empty. Let me select twenty thousand men to advance on Luo. Shichong is sure to withdraw of himself, and we can return our army at leisure. That is what the art of war calls: when they return we go out, when they go out we return—to wear them down. Mi was dazzled by the multitude and could not adopt it. Renji struck the ground and sighed. "You will surely regret this later!" he said. He thereupon led the army into formation. Shichong secretly sought a man resembling Mi in appearance and had him bound. When the two armies joined battle, dust and clamor filled the air. Shichong's army had many soldiers from the Jiang and Huai who moved in and out like flying. Mi's soldiers' hearts wavered. Shichong urged his troops to fight swiftly and had the Mi look-alike led past the battle line, shouting, "Mi has been captured! The soldiers all cried ten thousand years. Mi's army was thrown into disorder and collapsed. Pei Renji and Zu Junyan were both captured by Shichong. Yanshi coerced Zheng Hui to defect and return to Shichong. Mi led more than ten thousand men galloping to Luokou and was about to enter the city, but Bing Yuanzhen had already pledged allegiance to Shichong and secretly guided Shichong's army. Mi knew he could not set out and planned to wait until Shichong had half crossed the Luo River, then strike from cover. The scout cavalry did not alert in time. By the time they set out, Shichong had already cut off the river. He immediately led his cavalry in flight to Wulao. Yuanzhen thereupon surrendered, and the force gradually dispersed.

密將如黎陽，或曰：「向殺翟讓，世勣傷幾死，瘡猶未平，今可保乎？」時王伯當棄金墉屯河陽，密輕騎歸之，謂曰：「敗矣，久苦諸君，我今自刎以謝眾！」伯當抱密慟絕，眾皆泣，莫能仰視。密復曰：「幸不相棄，當共歸關中，密雖無功，諸君必富貴。」掾柳燮曰：「昔盆子歸漢，尚食均輸。公與唐同族，雖不共起，然遏隋歸路，使無西，故唐不戰而據京師，亦公功也。」密又謂伯當曰：「將軍族重，豈復與孤俱行哉？」伯當曰：「昔蕭何舉宗從漢，今不昆季盡行，以為愧。豈公一失利，輕去就哉？雖隕首穴胸，所甘已。」左右感動，遂來歸。

Mi was about to go to Liyang when someone said, "You killed Zhai Rang before. Xu Shiji was nearly killed and his wound is not yet healed—can you be safe there now? At that time Wang Bodang had abandoned Jinyong and garrisoned Heyang. Mi rode lightly to join him and said, "I am defeated. I have long troubled you all. Today I shall cut my own throat to apologize to the company! Bodang embraced Mi and wept until he lost consciousness. All wept, and none could look up. Mi again said, "If you are willing not to abandon me, let us together return to Guanzhong. Though I have no merit, you will surely be enriched and honored. Clerk Liu Xie said, "In the past when Liu Penzi returned to the Han, he still received equal distribution from the state granaries. You share the same clan as Tang. Though you did not rise together, you blocked the Sui return route so they could not go west, and thus Tang took the capital without fighting—that too is your merit. Mi again said to Bodang, "General, your clan is weighty. How could you again travel with me alone? Bodang said, "In the past Xiao He brought his whole clan to follow the Han. If I do not bring all my brothers now, I would be ashamed. Would I lightly leave or stay because you suffered one defeat? Even if my head were smashed and my breast pierced, I would accept it gladly. Those beside him were moved and thereupon came to submit.

初，密建號登壇，疾風鼓其衣，幾仆；及即位，狐鳴於旁，惡之。及將敗，鞏數有回風發於地，激砂礫上屬天，白日為晦；屯營群鼠相銜尾西北度洛，經月不絕。

At first, when Mi established his title and ascended the altar, a fierce wind whipped his robes and he nearly fell. When he took the throne, a fox cried beside him, and he regarded it as ill-omened. When he was about to be defeated, at Gong whirlwinds repeatedly rose from the ground, hurling sand and pebbles up to the sky until the bright day turned dim. In the camps rats bit one another's tails and crossed the Luo northwest in swarms, unceasing for a month.

及入關，兵尚二萬。高祖使迎勞，冠蓋相望，密大喜，謂其徒曰：「吾所舉雖不就，而恩結百姓，山東連城數百，以吾故，當盡歸國。功不減竇融，豈不以臺司處我？」及至，拜光祿卿，封邢國公，殊怨望。帝嘗呼之弟，妻以表妹獨孤氏。後禮寢薄，執政者又求賄，滋不平。因朝會進食，謂王伯當曰：「往在洛口，嘗欲以崔君賢為光祿，不意身自為此。」

When he entered the passes, his army still numbered twenty thousand. Emperor Gaozu sent men to welcome and comfort him. Officials in caps and carriages lined the road one after another. Mi was greatly pleased and told his followers, "Though what I raised did not succeed, I bound the common people in gratitude. Several hundred walled cities in Shandong, for my sake, should all return to the state. My merit is no less than Dou Rong's—surely they will not place me below the rank of a minister of the court? When he arrived he was appointed Director of the Imperial Household and enfeoffed as Duke of Xing, and he was deeply resentful. The emperor sometimes addressed him as younger brother and gave him his cousin of the Dugu clan in marriage. Afterward his treatment grew thin, and those in power also sought bribes, so his discontent increased. At a court assembly when presenting food, he said to Wang Bodang, "Back at Luokou I once wished to make Cui Junxian Director of the Imperial Household. I never imagined I would hold the post myself."

未幾，聞故所部將多不附世充者，高祖詔密以本兵就黎陽招撫故部曲，經略東都，伯當以左武衛將軍為密副。馳驛東至稠桑驛，有詔復召密，密大懼，謀叛。伯當止之，不從，乃曰：「士立義，不以存亡易慮。公顧伯當厚，願畢命以報。今可同往，死生以之，然無益也。」乃簡驍勇數十人，衣婦人服，戴幕釭，藏刀裙下，詐為家婢妾者，入桃林傳舍，須臾變服出，據其城。掠畜產，趣南山而東，馳告張善相以兵應己。

Before long, hearing that many of his former officers did not attach themselves to Shichong, Emperor Gaozu ordered Mi to take his original troops to Liyang to summon and pacify his former followers and plan strategy toward the Eastern Capital, with Bodang as Left Martial Guard General as Mi's deputy. He galloped east to Chousang Post Station when an edict recalled Mi again. Mi was greatly afraid and plotted rebellion. Bodang stopped him, but he would not listen, and then said, "A man who stands on principle does not change his resolve because of survival or destruction. You have always treated Bodang generously. I wish to give my life to repay you. We can go together, life or death as one—but it will do no good. He thereupon selected several dozen fierce warriors, dressed them in women's clothing, had them wear veiled hats, hid knives beneath their skirts, and feigned to be household maids and concubines entering Taolin relay station. In a moment they changed clothes, came out, and seized the city. They plundered livestock and hurried east toward the southern mountains, galloping to notify Zhang Shansxiang to bring troops to support them.

熊州副將盛彥師率步騎伏陸渾縣南邢公峴之下，密兵度，橫出擊，斬之，年三十七，伯當俱死，傳首京師。時徐世勣尚為密保黎陽，帝遣使持密首往招世勣。世勣表請收葬，詔歸其屍，乃發喪，具威儀，三軍縞素，以君禮葬黎陽山西南五里，墳高七仞。密素得士，哭多歐血者。

Xiongzhou Vice Commander Sheng Yanshi led infantry and cavalry in ambush below Xinggong Ridge south of Luhun County. When Mi's troops crossed, they struck from the flank and beheaded him. He was thirty-seven years old. Bodang died with him, and his head was sent to the capital. At that time Xu Shiji was still holding Liyang for Mi. The emperor sent an envoy bearing Mi's head to summon Shiji. Shiji submitted a memorial requesting permission to collect and bury the body. An edict returned the corpse. He then held funeral rites with full ceremony. The three armies wore white hemp, and Mi was buried with the rites due a lord five li southwest of Mount Li in Liyang. The mound was seven ren high. Mi had always won men's hearts; many who wept vomited blood.

邴元真之降也，世充以為行臺仆射，鎮滑州。密故將杜才幹恨其背密，偽以兵歸之，斬取其首，祭密冢，已乃歸國。附單雄信單雄信，曹州濟陰人。與翟讓友善。能馬上用槍，密軍中號「飛將」。偃師敗，降世充，為大將。秦王圍東都，雄信拒戰，槍幾及王，徐世勣呵之曰：「秦王也！」遂退。後東都平，斬洛渚上。附祖君彥祖君彥，齊仆射孝徵子。博學強記，屬辭贍速。薛道衡嘗薦之隋文帝，帝曰：「是非殺斛律明月人兒邪？朕無用之。」煬帝立，尤忌知名士，遂調東都書佐，檢校宿城令，世謂祖宿城。負其才，常郁郁思亂。及為密草檄，乃深斥主闕。密敗，世充見之，曰：「汝為賊罵國足未？」君彥曰：「跖客可使刺由，但愧不至耳！」世充令撲之。既困臥樹下，世充已自欲盜隋，中悔，命醫許惠照往視之，欲其蘇。郎將王拔柱曰：「弄筆生有余罪。」乃蹙其心，即死，戮屍於偃師。【贊】贊曰：或稱密似項羽，非也。羽興五年霸天下，密連兵數十百戰不能取東都。始玄感亂，密首勸取關中；及自立，亦不能鼓而西，宜其亡也。然禮賢得士，乃田橫徒歟，賢陳涉遠矣！噫，使密不為叛，其才雄亦不可容於時雲。

When Bing Yuanzhen surrendered, Shichong made him Vice Director of the Great Headquarters and garrisoned Huazhou. Mi's former officer Du Caigan hated him for betraying Mi. He falsely returned with troops, beheaded him and took his head, sacrificed it at Mi's tomb, and then returned to the state. Appendix: Shan Xiongxin. Shan Xiongxin was a man of Jiyin in Caozhou. He was friendly with Zhai Rang. He could use a spear on horseback. In Mi's army he was called the "Flying General." After the defeat at Yanshi he surrendered to Shichong and became a great general. When the Prince of Qin besieged the Eastern Capital, Xiongxin resisted in battle. His spear nearly reached the prince. Xu Shiji shouted, "That is the Prince of Qin! He thereupon withdrew. Afterward when the Eastern Capital was pacified, he was beheaded on the Luo ford. Appendix: Zu Junyan. Zu Junyan was the son of Qi Minister over the Masses Xiaozheng. He was broadly learned with a strong memory and composed prose swiftly and abundantly. Xue Daheng once recommended him to Emperor Wen of Sui. The emperor said, "Is this not the son of the man who killed Hulü Mingyue? I have no use for him. When Emperor Yang ascended the throne he especially feared famous scholars and therefore transferred him to Eastern Capital clerk and Inspector of Suicheng Magistrate—the world called him Zu of Suicheng. Trusting in his talent, he was often depressed and contemplated rebellion. When he drafted proclamations for Mi, he deeply denounced the sovereign's faults. When Mi was defeated, Shichong saw him and said, "Have you cursed the state enough as a bandit? Junyan said, "Zhi's guest could be made to assassinate You—but I regret I did not reach that far! Shichong ordered him beaten. When he was exhausted and lay beneath a tree, Shichong himself already wished to usurp the Sui and halfway regretted it. He ordered the physician Xu Huizhao to go examine him, wishing him to revive. Commander Wang Bazhu said, "The man who wields the brush has more than enough guilt. He then pierced his heart, and Junyan died at once. The corpse was exposed at Yanshi. [Commentary] The commentary says: Some call Mi similar to Xiang Yu—but it is not so. Yu rose in five years and dominated the realm. Mi fought in succession for dozens and hundreds of battles yet could not take the Eastern Capital. At the start when Xuangan rebelled, Mi first counseled taking Guanzhong. When he established himself he likewise could not beat the drums and go west—it was fitting that he perished. Yet in honoring the worthy and winning men he was like Tian Heng and his followers. How far he surpassed Chen She! Alas—if Mi had not rebelled, his heroic talent likewise could not have been tolerated in his time.

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