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卷九十 列傳第十五 二劉殷許程柴任丘

Volume 90 Biographies 15: Two Lius, Yin, Xu, Cheng, Chai, Ren, Qiu

Chapter 90 of 新唐書 · New Book of Tang
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Chapter 90
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1
Liu Hongji
2
西祿 使 西
Liu Hongji came from Chiyang in Yong Prefecture. As a young man he received a hereditary appointment as a Right Merit Attendant under the Sui. Late in the Daye era he marched on the Liaodong campaign; his funds ran out before he had reached Fenyin, realizing that missing the deadline meant death, he and his men slaughtered an ox to break the law and maneuvered officials into arresting them. More than a year later he was released on payment of a fine; he then went into hiding and stole horses to live on. When he reached Taiyuan he quietly pledged himself to Gaozu. He also saw that the future Taizong possessed uncommon talent and placed himself under him all the more firmly. From this he won intimate favor, riding out and in with him, and sometimes even entering his private chambers. As the uprising was about to begin, Hongji raised troops and gathered two thousand men. When Wang Wei and others blocked the great plan, Hongji and Changsun Shunde hid behind the gate and had their men seize them. He followed the capture of Xihe; when Song Laosheng was routed and threw himself from his horse into a ditch, Hongji took his head and was made Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. When the army reached Pu he led his men across the river first and took Fengyi. He was appointed envoy of the Weibei Circuit, with Yin Kaishan as his deputy. He swept west through Fufeng until his host reached sixty thousand; crossing the Wei to the south, he encamped at the old site of Chang'an and paraded his troops at Guangming Gate. The Sui general Wei Wensheng came to oppose him; Hongji struck back and took more than a thousand armored men and several hundred horses. The other armies had not yet come up, but Hongji won first. Gaozu was delighted and gave him twenty horses. When the capital was secured his achievement stood first, and he was made General-in-Chief of the Right Valiant Cavalry Guard.
3
西 西
In the campaign against Xue Ju they fought at Qianshui Plain; all eight commanders' forces were destroyed, but Hongji's alone kept fighting until his arrows were spent and the enemy took him. Because he had not yielded in danger, the emperor gave his household exceptional care. Once Ren Chuo was subdued he made his way back and was reinstated in his former post. When Liu Wuzhou attacked Taiyuan, Hongji held Pingyang and was captured by the rebels again. Soon he escaped and returned, and was named Left First Commander-in-Chief. He followed the Prince of Qin at Baibi, leading two thousand elite troops by way of Lizhou toward Xihe to cut off the enemy's retreat. The rebels were at their peak; Hongji shut himself in the fort and husbanded his forces. When Song Jingang fled, he led cavalry in pursuit to Jiexiu and, joining forces with the Prince, smashed them completely. He was enfeoffed repeatedly until he became Duke of Ren. After campaigning against Liu Heita he returned and was appointed General of the Well Battle-axe. When the Turks troubled the border he commanded ten thousand infantry and cavalry to guard the frontier, from north of Bin eastward to Ziwu Ridge and westward to Linjing, erecting barriers to hold off the nomads.
4
祿
Early in Zhenguan, when Li Xiaochang and others conspired rebellion, he was demoted to commoner status for associating with them. A year later he was recalled as prefect of Yi and his title was restored. He was summoned and made Minister of the Court for the Imperial Clan, with his fief changed to the state of Kui. Citing old age he asked to retire and was made Mighty General Who Assists the State, attending court on the first and fifteenth of each month with salary and gifts equal to his former rank. When Taizong campaigned against Liaodong he was recalled as Grand Commander of the Forward Army; at Mount Zhubei he distinguished himself, and his enfeoffment households were raised in stages to eleven hundred. He died and was posthumously made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Privileges Equal to the Three Excellencies and Governor of Bingzhou; he was buried beside Zhaoling with the posthumous title Xiang.
5
使
When Hongji first fell ill he gave each of his sons fifteen slaves and five qing of land, and told those close to him: "If they are capable, they hardly need great riches; if they are not, holding to this they can still escape hunger and cold. Everything else he gave away among relatives and friends. His son Renshi inherited the title.
6
Yin Kaishan
7
西
Yin Kaishan, personal name Qiao, was known by his style; his family had long lived in the south. His grandfather Buhai had served Chen as Minister of Agriculture. After Chen fell they moved to the capital region and became residents of Hu. Kaishan was learned and skilled at correspondence; under the Sui he was magistrate of Dagu. When Gaozu raised his army Kaishan was recruited as staff officer to the great general and joined the attack on Xihe. He served as chief clerk to the Weibei Circuit commander. Bandits in the Guanzhong region each flaunted their power and refused to submit to any leader; Kaishan was sent to win them over, and all came down. With Liu Hongji he held the old city, defeated Wei Wensheng's force, was enfeoffed as Duke of Chen Commandery, and was moved to the Chancellor's staff.
8
As Vice Minister of Personnel he accompanied the Prince of Qin against Xue Ju. The Prince fell seriously ill and lay in camp; he entrusted the army to Liu Wenjing and warned him: "The enemy is at full strength—seek a quick victory. Do not engage them yet; when their grain is gone and their men are spent, then you may act. Kaishan was eager to make his mark and urged Wenjing: "The Prince is ill and fears you cannot finish the task, so he does not want to fight. You should seize the moment and control the enemy—do not leave the whole burden to the Prince when he recovers. Please array the troops and overawe them. They gave battle at Zheyi, were caught by Ju's counterstroke, and suffered a crushing defeat. He was handed to the law as deserving death, but an edict spared him and he was struck from the rolls as a commoner. Soon afterward, after the pacification of Ren Chuo, his title was restored; he served concurrently as Minister of War on the Eastern Shaanxi circuit and was later transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. In the campaign against Wang Shichong he earned merit and was advanced to Duke of Yun.
9
On the campaign against Liu Heita he died of illness on the march; the Prince mourned him deeply, and an edict posthumously made him Right Vice Director of the great Eastern Shaanxi office, with the posthumous title Jie. In the fourteenth year of Zhenguan he was granted joint sacrifice in Gaozu's temple hall together with the Prince of Huai'an Li Shentong, the Prince of Hejian Li Xiaogong, and Minister of the People Liu Zhenghui. In the Yonghui era he was posthumously further honored as Minister of Works.
10
Liu Zhenghui
11
Liu Zhenghui came from Zuo in Hua Prefecture. During the Daye era he was adjutant of the Hawk-and-Bolt garrison at Taiyuan, and his troops served under Gaozu. When Wang Wei and others turned disloyal, the Prince of Qin wished to strike first and sent Zhenghui with an urgent memorial accusing them of rebellion. By then the recruits were assembled; they seized Wei and the others and only then raised the army—this was Zhenghui's doing.
12
調 祿
When the Great General's Office was set up he was Household Registrar, then moved to the Chancellor's staff. At the start of Wude he was made Vice Minister of the Court for the Imperial Clan and left to guard Taiyuan; he put frontier affairs in order and won submission near and far. When Liu Wuzhou attacked Bingzhou the leading men of Jinyang rose for him; Zhenghui was taken by Wuzhou but kept sending secret reports on the enemy's movements. After the region was pacified his rank was restored; he served as Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and was enfeoffed Duke of Xing. Early in Zhenguan he was transferred to Governor of Hong Prefecture and died there. Taizong wrote in his own hand: "Zhenghui took part in the righteous rising and rendered exceptional service; his funeral should be of a special grade. He was therefore posthumously made Minister of the People with the posthumous title Xiang. Later his fief was changed to the state of Yu.
13
His son Xuanyi inherited the title and married the Princess of Nanping. Under Gaozong he served as prefect of Ru Prefecture. His second son Qi, in the Changshou era, was Vice Minister of the Celestial Office; he recommended Zhang Zhuo and Sima Zheng as inspecting censors; the two tried to thank him through Shentu Yang, but Qi said sternly: "Recommending talent is not a private favor—why thank me? All who heard it were struck with awe. Later he was framed by a cruel official and executed.
14
Seventh-generation descendant Chongwang
15
使使 使 使 使 婿 使 使
His seventh-generation descendant Chongwang, styled Xitu, passed the jinshi examination; Prince Ning of Xuan-She recruited him as transport patrol officer. When Cui Anqian commanded Xu and then the Sword South circuit, Chongwang and four brothers all served in his staff, and the age regarded them as a talented clan. When Anqian entered the capital as Minister of Personnel, Chongwang again headed the Southern Bureau as Director and handled selections with clarity. When Xizong went south of the mountains, Wang Chongrong resented the eunuchs and refused to perform his duties; a high-ranking envoy was needed, and instructions were carved at Hezhong urging him to reform; Chongwang went as Remonstrating Censor with credentials. On arrival he set forth the righteousness owed between ruler and minister and moved him; Chongrong submitted and offered to kill Zhu Mei to prove his loyalty. When he returned his mission pleased the throne and he was raised to Hanlin Academician. When Zhaozong took the throne he was promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat and Concurrent Councilor. When Zhang Jun campaigned against Taiyuan, Chongwang firmly opposed it, and Jun was indeed defeated. He was replaced as Vice Director of the Gate and put in charge of the Department of Revenue. Yushan commander Yang Shouxin rebelled and by night deployed troops below the palace gates. The emperor arrayed troops at Yanxi Gate and ordered Chongwang to guard the revenue treasury. At dawn the Han guang Gate had not yet opened; palace guards stood on either side, about to loot Chang'an on a grand scale. Soon a cry went up that the chancellor was coming; the gate opened; Chongwang reined in his horse and addressed them: "The emperor leads the central camp in person; you are the imperial guard—will you not kill the rebels before the emperor to win merit, but only loot and earn an evil name? The men all murmured agreement. At Everlasting Joy Gate the rebels saw troops coming and fled; the whole army shouted "Long live!" That day the capital was not thrown into chaos—it was due to his effort. He was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Ministry of Works. Zhu Quanzhong plotted to seize Xu and Si and memorialized that a senior minister replace Shi Pu; Chongwang was therefore made Military Commissioner of Wuning. Pu refused the order, and Chongwang returned as Minister of Ceremonies. Wang Ke and Wang Hong were fighting over Hezhong; the court appointed Cui Yin as military commissioner. Ke was Li Keyong's son-in-law. A clerk at Li Keyong's Taiyuan lodge, Xue Zhiqin, said: "If Lord Cui takes Hezhong, he is not as close to our lord as Lord Liu of Guangde. Guangde was the ward where Chongwang lived. Later, when Li Maozhen and Wang Xingyu entered the capital and killed the chief ministers, he was demoted to prefectural adjutant of Zhaozhou. After Xingyu was killed, Keyong vindicated him and recalled him as Minister of Personnel. When Wang Tuan joined the government as Minister of Personnel, Chongwang was transferred to the Ministry of War. Wang Jian sought to annex Dongchuan; Chongwang was made Military Commissioner of Eastern Sword South and Concurrent Councilor. Before he arrived, Jian had already sent Wang Zongdi to hold the post; Chongwang returned as Minister of War. He died and was posthumously made Minister of Works.
16
Chongwang's elder brother Chonggui
17
使
His elder brother Chonggui, styled Zichang. He passed the jinshi, rose through important offices, and ended as Military Commissioner of Qinghai. A wealthy merchant in Guang arranged a night meeting with a courtesan, but another thief killed her and left the knife behind. The merchant entered the courtesan's house, stepped in blood, realized what had happened, and fled by boat. Officers tracked him down and arrested him; the courtesan's account showed he had not killed her. Chonggui was hosting a great feast for the army and had all the cooks assembled; he dismissed them only at sunset. In secret he swapped the abandoned knife for a kitchen knife and mixed it in. Next morning, as the cooks took knives from the kitchen, one refused to leave, saying: "This is not my knife. Questioned, he gave the owner's name. When they went to look, he had already fled. Chonggui executed another prisoner, announced it was the merchant, and displayed the body in the market. The escaped cook returned, was seized, and confessed everything. His sharp discernment was of this kind. When relatives or friends asked him for money he usually refused and only gave them a painting of lychees instead. Yet he could not restrain his household; after his death some sold pearls and kingfisher ornaments, and his name was damaged.
18
Chongwang's younger brother Chonglu
19
西 使 殿 使西
His younger brother Chonglu, styled Jiaowen, also passed the jinshi and rose to Supplementation Censor and Hanlin Academician; when Xizong fled south of the mountains he served as historiographer to the heir Prince Yun and was not executed. In the Jingfu era he was Director of the Water Department with charge of drafting edicts. He was on intimate terms with Cui Zhaowei. The emperor made Wei Zhaodu and Li Xi chief ministers, while Zhaowei relied outwardly on the Bin and Qi armies to prolong his power. The emperor then honored Xi generously; Zhaowei, fearing displacement, plotted with him to block Xi's appointment. When Xi's appointment edict was issued, Chonglu would snatch the document and wail loudly. The emperor asked why; Chonglu said: "Even if talent is scarce, how can we make a treacherous man chancellor? Xi got his recent post through Yang Fugong and Ximen Chongsui — how can we use him? Du Rangneng's disgraceful death is not yet expunged — can we repeat that mistake? Xi therefore did not become chancellor. Xi also memorialized accusing him of treachery, stating that "in the south Yang Shouliang slandered me, and I cannot be intimate with Fugong." He also said: "When Chongwang was chancellor his private clerk visited the Left Army daily and was close to Fugong. Wearing a silk headcloth and mourning sash, he would not enter the forbidden gate; Chonglu wept before the hall and cursed heaven's fraud — nearly a demon in human form. Moreover his father took poison after a bribery conviction. Chonglu himself was Zhu Mei's historiographer and wrote the memorial urging enthronement. Sent from Taiyuan to the western circuit, he saw Tian Lingzi and rushed down the steps — the collapse of court ritual began with Chonglu. Their mutual abuse was vulgar and petty, like street traders. When Chonggui first heard of the weeping over the edict, he was furious and refused to eat. He said: "Our brothers never ruined our names chasing profit; now, unhappily, this son was born. Later Wang Xingyu and Cui Zhaowei were executed in turn; Chonglu was demoted to registrar of Yazhou. He ended as Director of the Water Department.
20
使
Xu Shao, styled Sizong, came from Anlu in An Prefecture. His father Faguang had been prefect of Chu under the Sui. When the Prince of Yuan was Grand Protector of An, Shao was still a boy and studied with the future Gaozu; they were fond of each other. At the end of Daye he was transit governor of Yiling; when bandits rose his district alone stayed intact, and hundreds of thousands of refugees gathered; he opened the granaries to feed them. When news of Yang's death arrived, Shao led officials and people in mourning for three days and submitted his district to Prince Tong of Yue. Later, when Wang Shichong seized the throne, he sent envoys offering Qian'an, Wuling, and Liyang to the Tang and was made prefect of Xia and enfeoffed Duke of Anlu. Gaozu wrote recalling their old friendship to comfort and win him over.
21
婿西 便
When Xiao Xian's general Dong Jingzhen surrendered, Shao was ordered to lead troops to receive him. For defeating Xian, his son Zhiren was made prefect of Wen. Xian sent Yang Daosheng to besiege Xia; Shao attacked and repelled him. Xian's general Chen Puhuan sailed upriver with great ships, together with Kaizhou's Xiao Sheti raiding Ba and Shu; Shao sent Zhiren, his son-in-law Zhang Xuanjing, and aide Li Hongjie to fight at Xiling, destroyed the force, captured Puhuan, and seized all the warships. South of the river stood Fortress Pacify Shu facing Yiling, with Jingmen Fortress looming to the east — all steep strongpoints. Xian stationed troops there; Shao sent Zhiren and others to attack Jingmen and captured it. An edict praised him and allowed discretionary authority. Shao's territory bordered Shichong and Xian; subordinates who robbed as bandits he executed, but captives he supplied and released; both states were moved by his righteousness and raids stopped. He was advanced to Duke of Qiao and given a thousand bolts of silk.
22
When the Prince of Zhao Li Xiaogong and others replaced Xian, he was again ordered to direct troops against Jingzhou. He fell ill and died in camp; the emperor wept for him. In Zhenguan he was posthumously made Governor of Jing. Zhiren first received the fief of Xiaochang through merit; when Shao died he continued guarding Yiling and ended as Governor of Liang. The second son Tushi.
23
Tushi had ability and breadth, studied literature, and passed the jinshi. He rose to Supervising Censor, Vice Director of the Gate, and Third Rank Councilor. In the Longshuo era he was Left Chancellor. Gaozong wrote in his own hand an edict for the Liaodong generals and told Xu Jingzong: "Tushi loves books — show it to him. Soon his son hunted on another man's land, quarreled, and Tushi angrily shot the man; Tushi concealed it and did not report it, and someone exposed him. The emperor reproved him: "A chancellor who brutalizes the people — is that not lording power over them? Tushi apologized and said: "Those who lord power are great armies and heavy commands that despise imperial law. I am a civil official — how would I dare!" The emperor said: "Do you mean you have no troops?" Jingzong seized on this to impeach him, and he was dismissed. After a long interval he was prefect of Qian, then of Xiang, governing with leniency; the people set up a stone to praise him. Someone in his department took bribes; Tushi could not bear to prosecute him but gave him the Admonition on Integrity; the man was ashamed, reformed, and became upright. He was advanced to Minister of the People. He died and was posthumously made Governor of You with posthumous title Jian and buried beside Gongling. Shao was first Duke of Qiao; because Zhiren already had a fief, an edict had grandson Lishi inherit; Lishi ended as secretary of Luo Prefecture.
24
The son Qinji
25
Qinji's younger brother Qinming
26
西 使
Qinming, younger brother of Qinji, through military merit became General of the Left Jade Bell Guard, Grand Protector of Anxi, and Duke of Yanshan. He went out as Governor of Liang. Once while inspecting lightly mounted, the Turk Mohe's troops suddenly arrived and seized him. The bandits brought him to Ling Prefecture and made him urge surrender. Qinming came to the foot of the wall and shouted: "I have no food — do you have good sauce? Do you have millet? And lend me one stick of ink! The bandit camp was surrounded by water on four sides; only one road led in. Qinming meant to choose a general and crack troops for a night raid, but the city did not understand his subtlety and he was killed. The brothers died in the ruler's service; the age calls them loyal.
27
Cheng Zhijie
28
宿
Cheng Zhijie, born Yaojin, came from Dong'e in Ji Prefecture. He was skilled with the cavalry lance. Late in the Sui, when bandits rose everywhere, Zhijie gathered several hundred men to defend his home district. Later he served Li Mi, who picked eight thousand elite troops for four Swift Cavalry commands as his personal guard, the "Inner Army"; Mi often said they were worth a million men. Zhijie led one Swift Cavalry unit and was favored exceptionally. When Wang Shichong fought Mi, Zhijie's inner cavalry camp was at Beimang and Shan Xiongxin's outer camp at Yanshi. Shichong attacked Xiongxin; Mi sent Zhijie and Pei Xingyan to help. Xingyan took an arrow and fell; Zhijie charged to save him, killed several men, forced the enemy aside, lifted Xingyan onto a horse, and rode off. Pursuers struck with lances; he broke the lances, killed the pursuers, and got away. When Mi was defeated he was taken by Shichong. Disliking Shichong, he fled with Qin Shubao and was made Left Third Commander of the Qin princely household. He helped defeat Song Jingang, Dou Jiande, and Wang Shichong, repeatedly commanding the Left First Horse Army, seizing banners and charging first, and was enfeoffed Duke of Su. In year seven the Hidden Crown Prince slandered him and he was posted to Kang; he told the Prince of Qin: "You have lost your right and left hands — can you long remain safe? Zhijie would die before he would leave! After the affair was settled he was made Right Guard of the Crown Prince. Soon he became General-in-Chief of the Right Martial Guard with seven hundred substantive households. In Zhenguan he was Governor of Lu and Left Commander-in-Chief, and his fief became the state of Lu. In Xianqing year two he was Grand Commander of the Onion Mountain campaign against Helu. At Dudu City thousands of barbarians surrendered; Zhijie massacred the city and withdrew, and Helu fled far away. On return he was dismissed for it. Soon he was recalled as prefect of Qi and retired. He died and was posthumously made General-in-Chief of Swift Cavalry and Grand Protector of Yi, buried beside Zhaoling. His son Chuliang married the Princess of Qinghe.
29
祿 使
Chai Shao, styled Sichang, came from Linfen in Jin Prefecture. As a youth he was fierce and strong, famed for chivalry. He served as Thousand-Ox Attendant to the Sui crown prince. Gaozu married him to the Princess of Pingyang. When the uprising was planned Shao took a hidden route to join them. The crown prince Jiancheng and Prince of Qi Yuanji were also coming from Hedong and met them on the road. Jiancheng said: "Pursuit is urgent and officials may arrest us — let us join fierce bandits to save ourselves. Shao said: "That will not do. Bandits will know you are Tang princes and seize you for reward — you will die for nothing. Better hurry to Taiyuan." Entering Sparrow-Rat Valley they heard the uprising had begun, thought Shao had planned it, and congratulated one another. He was made chief clerk of the Right Commander-in-Chief's office, led Garrison Cavalry, and marched from Jinyang. He first reached Huoyi and reconnoitered. He reported: "Song Laosheng is alone in command; when our army comes he will fight and we can take him. When the main army came Laosheng did come out; Shao fought with merit. In taking Linfen and Jiang, Sui general Sang Xianhe attacked; Shao circled his rear and with Shi Danae struck him. Xianhe was defeated and the capital was secured. He was made Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Duke of Linfen. At Gaozu's accession he was General-in-Chief of the Left Wing Guard; on many campaigns he was advanced to Duke of Huo and made General-in-Chief of the Right Valiant Cavalry. When Tuyuhun and Tangut raided the frontier, Shao attacked; the enemy held high ground and rained arrows; the troops blanched. Shao sat calmly, had someone play the Kuchean pipa, and set two women dancing. The barbarians were puzzled, stopped shooting, and watched. When they relaxed he struck from the rear with elite cavalry; the enemy fled in rout and five hundred heads were taken. In Zhenguan year two he pacified Liang Shidu and became General-in-Chief of the Left Guard. He became prefect of Hua, Mighty General Who Guards the Army, and his fief moved to Qiao. When ill Taizong visited him personally. He died and was posthumously Governor of Jing with posthumous title Xiang. He had two sons: Zhewei and Lingwu. Zhewei was General of the Right Encampment Guard and inherited the title. For his brother's rebellion he was spared death and exiled to Shao. He was recalled as Governor of Jiaozhou and died. Lingwu married the Princess of Baling, became Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud, prefect of Wei, and Duke of Xiangyang. For plotting with Fang Yiai he was demoted to Lan and killed himself. The princess was also ordered to die.
30
調 使 祿 使 祿 使 使退 退 使
Ren Gui, styled Wei, came from Hefei in Lu Prefecture. His father Qibao was younger brother of Chen general Ren Zhong and Chen prefect of Dingyuan. Gui was orphaned young; Zhong cherished him and often said: "I have many sons, but they are mere hirelings. The one I trust with the house is Gui! At nineteen he served as acting magistrate of Lingxi. He became adjutant of Heng; Protector Wang Yong gave him all prefectural business. When Chen fell Gui urged Yong to hold the far south and install a Chen heir. Yong refused and surrendered to Sui; Gui quit his post and left. In Renshou he was aide of Hancheng and soon left. When Gaozu campaigned in Fen and Jin, Gui came to the camp and was made Hedong County Household Registrar. When Gaozu went to Jinyang he entrusted the Hidden Crown Prince to Gui. When the uprising began Gui came to Longmen to see him. Gaozu said: "Sui has lost the Way and the realm boils; as an imperial in-law in heavy office I cannot watch it fall. Jinyang is the realm's martial center — troops and horses are strong; leading them we can end the crisis. You are a general's son, shrewd in counsel — will this succeed? Gui said: "The throne is cruel and conscription endless; the people long for deliverance. You rise with heaven's mandate and righteous arms; discipline is strict and no city you take suffers harm. Forces in Guanzhong wait eagerly. Lead the righteous army and the people's wish — how could you fail? Gui knows Fengyi well and asks to go alone into the passes to proclaim your power and win the left flank. Cross at Liang Mountain, strike Hancheng, press Heyang, and take Chaoyi. Xiao Zao is a civil official — he will submit. Then win the other bandits, advance, hold Yongfeng's grain — even without the capital, Guanzhong is secured." Gaozu said: "That is exactly my mind!" He was made Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with silver seal. He sent Chen Yanshou and Shi Danae with six thousand troops toward Liang Mountain, with Gui and Xue Xian as envoys. Gaozu told Yanshou: "Outside affairs — consult Ren Gui. Soon Sun Hua, Bai Xuandu, and others submitted and prepared boats to ferry the army. Gui won Hancheng and with the generals attacked Drinking-Horse Spring and won. He was made Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and guarded Yongfeng granary. At Gaozu's accession he was prefect of Gu. Shichong repeatedly attacked Xin'an; Gui repelled him. For merit he was enfeoffed Duke of Guan. When the Prince of Qin marched east Gui followed to Mount Mang and supplied the army by water. When the east was pacified he was Pacification Commissioner of Henan. Wang Shibian surrendered Xuzhou; at Song, Xu Yuanlang rebelled; Liu Jun urged retreat to Bian; Gui laughed: "How timid you are! An old frontier general surely has a plan. The rebels took Chuqiu and besieged Yucheng; Gui sent Cui Shu and Zhang Gongjin with over a hundred magnates' sons as hostages to hold the city. Jun said: "Shu was Shichong's man, and the hostages' kin have rebelled — how can they hold the city? Gui did not answer. Shu mixed hostages with locals; when rebels neared some wavered and Shu killed their captains. The townspeople feared: "These are bandits' sons — how can we defend with them? Shu let each company kill its hostages and hung the heads outside the gate. Gui feigned anger: "I sent them to win people — why kill them? Later he told Jun: "I knew Cui Shu would manage it. The county had killed the bandits' sons, deepening the feud — the people now fought on their own." Yuanlang besieged Yucheng but could not capture it. After the rebels were subdued he became Commander of Xuzhou and remained commissioner. When Fu Gongshi rebelled he was ordered to cross the Yangzi at Yangzi Ford to attack. After Gongshi was subdued he was Governor of Han, then transferred to Shaan. Gui's brother Can was Provision Director for the Hidden Crown Prince. When the crown prince fell Can was punished and Gui was demoted to Governor of Tong. He died in the fourth year of Zhenguan. Gui served with merit, but many appointees were kin and friends; he tolerated bribery and favor-seeking, and the age criticized him. When Gui died the office reported in formal audience; Taizong said angrily: "When Du Ruhui died I could not work for days. Now Gui is dead and they do not report properly — is that what I want? If my own kin died, would you report it this way? After that great ministers' deaths were no longer announced in that formal manner.
31
使 使 西
Qiu He came from Luoyang in Henan and later moved to Mei. In youth he was chivalrous and skilled in arms; in maturity he disciplined himself. Under Zhou he was Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Privileges Equal to the Three Excellencies. In Sui he was General of the Right Martial Guard, Duke of Pingcheng, and prefect of Zi, Liang, and Pu, famed for mild rule. When Prince Han rebelled, soldiers in women's dress seized Pu; He escaped and was reduced to commoner. Yuwen Shu was favored and He attached himself to him. Soon, for exposing Prince Wuling Yuan Chou's crime, he was again prefect of Dai. On the northern tour He gave fine provisions; at Shuozhou Yang Kuo gave nothing and the emperor was displeased. Shu praised He and the emperor made him prefect of Boling, telling Kuo to learn from him. When the emperor passed Boling again, He's feast was richer and the emperor was delighted. From then on every stop vied in luxury gifts — it began with He. Yet He won officials and soldiers by kindness. He became commandant of Tian Shui and entered as General of the Left Imperial Guard. Late in Daye Hainan suffered cruel officials and rebelled often. The emperor, hearing He's rule was pure, and with Pei Ju's recommendation, made him Grand Administrator of Jiaozhi; he governed wholeheartedly and the frontier was calmed. When Yang died He had not yet heard. Ning Changzhen joined Xiao Xian, Feng Ang joined Lin Shihong — each sent envoys; He refused. Linyi and western states sent pearls, rhinoceros horn, and gold, and He grew as rich as a king. Xian coveted his wealth and sent Changzhen to attack with southern tribes; He sent Gao Shilian to repel them and erected a memorial stone. When Sui veterans came from Jiangdu he learned the dynasty had fallen; he submitted to Tang, but passes were closed and he temporarily joined Xian. When Xian fell he returned. He was appointed Grand Commander of Jiaozhou and Duke of Tan. He sent Shilian with a memorial to request audience; his son Shili was sent to welcome him. Gaozu rose to meet him, took him to his private chambers, reminisced joyfully, feasted him with the nine suites, and made him General-in-Chief of the Left Martial Guard. He was old; as Ji was his homeland he was made prefect to live out his days. Soon he was made Special Advancement. He died in Zhenguan year eleven at eighty-six, posthumously Governor of Jing with title Xiang, buried beside Xianling. He had fifteen sons, many in high office; Xinggong was best known.
32
His son Xinggong
33
使 祿
Xinggong was brave and skilled in mounted archery. Late in Daye he and Shili raised ten thousand men to hold Mei; people flocked to them and bandits did not dare approach. Later slave rebels from Yuan besieged Fufeng while Prefect Dou Jin held out. When their food ran out the rebels dispersed toward Xinggong. He sent chiefs to urge them to welcome Gaozu, then led five hundred men with grain, cattle, and wine to the camp. The slave leader bowed; Xinggong struck him down and said: "If you are heroes, why serve as slaves? Let the realm no longer call you slave rebels. All submitted: "We wish to serve you." He led them with Shili to welcome the Prince of Qin north of the Wei and was made Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He fought on many campaigns, rose to Swift Cavalry of the Left First Office, and was richly rewarded. After the crown prince's fall he was raised to General of the Left Guard for merit. In Zhenguan he quarreled with his brother over their mother's burial and was reduced to commoner. He followed Hou Junji against Gaochang, was enfeoffed Duke of Tian Shui, and made General of the Right Martial Guard. Under Gaozong he was Grand General and prefect of Ji and Shaan, then retired. He died at eighty, posthumously Governor of Jing with title Xiang, buried beside Zhaoling. His rule was stern and subordinates feared him. Dismissed repeatedly, he was soon restored each time for his old service. Early on, campaigning against Wang Shichong, they fought at Mount Mang. Taizong probed the enemy with a few dozen riders, charging behind their lines; a long dike cut him off from the others — only Xinggong followed. Enemy horsemen caught up; an arrow hit Taizong's horse; Xinggong shot back without missing and they held back. He pulled the arrow, gave Taizong his horse, took a long blade on foot, cut a path through the enemy, and broke back to the lines. In Zhenguan stone figures of man and horse showing the arrow scene were set before Zhaoling to honor his valor. His son Shenji appears in the Biography of Cruel Officials.
34
The comment says: When a dynasty rises, its aura moves men to rally like timbers fitting a hall — each general finding his place. Such were these men. Yet all kept themselves within ritual and law — admirable indeed!"
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