1
__FORCETOC__侯君集侯君集，豳州三水人。 以材雄稱。 少事秦王幕府，從征討有功，擢累左虞候、車騎將軍，封全椒縣子。 預誅隱太子尤力。 王即位，拜左衛將軍，進封潞國公，邑千戶。 貞觀四年，遷兵部尚書，俄檢校吏部尚書，參議朝政。
__FORCETOC__Hou Junji was a native of Sanshui in Bin Prefecture. He was renowned for his martial prowess. In his youth he served on the staff of the Prince of Qin; he followed him on campaigns and distinguished himself, rising through the posts of Left Armor Guard and Cavalry General and receiving the title heir of Quanjiao County. He played an outstanding part in the execution of the Hidden Crown Prince. When the prince became emperor, he was appointed Left Guard General and advanced to Duke of Lu with a fief of one thousand households. In the fourth year of Zhenguan (630) he was made Minister of War, and shortly thereafter acting Minister of Personnel, joining in deliberations on state policy.
2
李靖討吐谷渾，以君集為積石道行軍總管。 師次鄯州，議所向。 君集曰：「王師已至，而賊不走險，天贊我也。 若以精兵掩不備，彼不我虞，必有大利。 若遁岨山谷，克之實難。」 靖然其計，簡銳士，約齎深入，追及其眾於庫山，大戰，破之，進會大非川，平其國。
When Li Jing marched against Tuyuhun, Junji was appointed campaign commander on the Jishi route. The army halted at Shan Prefecture while commanders debated their line of advance. Junji said, "Our army is already here, yet the enemy has not withdrawn into difficult country — Heaven itself is aiding us. If we send picked troops against them while they are unprepared, they will not be on their guard, and the advantage will be great. If they slip away into steep mountains and ravines, defeating them will be far harder." Li Jing approved the plan, picked elite troops, arranged for a light supply train on a deep thrust, caught the enemy at Mount Ku in a major battle and broke them, then pressed on to the Great Non River and brought their state to submission.
3
會詔世封功臣，授陳州刺史，更封陳； 群臣不願封，進吏部尚書。 君集本以行伍奮，不知學； 後貴，益自喜，好書。 及典選，分明課最，有譽于時。
An edict then granted hereditary fiefs to meritorious ministers; he was appointed prefect of Chen and his title was changed to Duke of Chen; but when the ministers as a body declined enfeoffment, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel instead. Junji had risen from the ranks and had no schooling; once he had grown eminent he became still more self-satisfied and took up reading. When he oversaw official selection he ranked candidates clearly by merit and won a strong reputation at court.
4
吐蕃圍松州，授當彌道行軍大總管以擊之。 高昌不臣，拜交河道行軍大總管出討。 王曲文泰笑曰：「唐去我七千里，磧鹵二千里無水草，冬風裂肌，夏風如焚，行賈至者百之一，安能致大兵乎？ 使能頓吾城下一再旬，食盡當潰，吾且系而虜之。」 君集次磧口，而文泰死，子智盛襲位。 進營柳穀，候騎言國方葬死君，諸將請襲之。 君集曰：「不可，天子以高昌驕慢，使吾龔行天罰，今襲人於墟墓間，非問罪也。」 於是鼓而前。 賊嬰城自守，遣諭之，不下。 乃刊木塞塹，引撞車毀其堞，飛石如雨，所向無敢當，因拔其城，俘男女七千，進圍都城，初，文泰與西突厥欲穀設約，有急相援。 及是，欲穀設益懼，西走，智盛失援，乃降。 高昌平，君集刻石紀功還。
When Tibetans besieged Song Prefecture, he was appointed campaign commander on the Dangmi route to drive them off. When Gaochang rebelled, he was made campaign commander on the Jiaohe route and sent to subdue the kingdom. King Qu Wentai of Gaochang laughed and said, "Tang lies seven thousand li away; two thousand li of desert and salt flats have neither grass nor water; winter winds flay the skin and summer winds scorch like flame; only one merchant in a hundred who sets out ever arrives — how could they field a great army? Even if they could sit under our walls for a fortnight, once their food ran out they would break; then I would take them bound as captives." Junji encamped at the desert pass; Wentai died, and his son Zhicheng took the throne. He advanced and encamped at Willow Valley; scouts reported that the kingdom was burying its late ruler, and the generals urged a surprise attack. Junji said, "No. The Son of Heaven sent us because Gaochang was arrogant and insolent, to execute Heaven's punishment; to attack people amid funeral mounds is not how one brings a criminal state to account." He had the drums sounded and marched forward. The enemy shut themselves in the city; he sent messengers to summon their surrender, but they refused. He felled timber to fill the moat, brought up battering rams to smash the battlements, and stones flew like rain so that nothing could withstand him; he took the city and seized seven thousand men and women, then pressed on to besiege the capital. Earlier, Wentai had made a pact with Yipishe of the Western Turks to support each other in crisis. Now Yipishe grew still more afraid, fled westward, Zhicheng lost his ally, and surrendered. With Gaochang pacified, Junji set up a stone monument to record his achievements and returned.
5
初，君集配沒罪人不以聞，又私取珍寶、婦女，將士因亦盜入，不能制。 及還京師，有司劾之，詔君集詣獄簿對。 中書侍郎岑文本諫曰：「高昌之罪，議者以其遐遠，欲置度外，唯陛下奮獨見之明，授決勝之略，君集得指期平殄。 今推勞將帥，從征之人悉蒙重賞，未逾數日，更以屬吏，天下聞之，謂陛下錄過遺功，無以勸後。 且古之出師，克敵有重賞，不勝蒙顯戮。 當其有功也，雖貪財縱欲，尚蒙爵邑； 其無功也，雖勤躬潔己，不免鈇鉞。 故曰：'記人之功，忘人之過，宜為君者也。 '昔李廣利貪不愛卒，陳湯盜所收康居財物，二主皆赦其罪，封侯賜金。 夫將帥之臣，廉慎少而貪沒多。 軍法曰：'使智，使勇，使貪，使愚。 故智者樂立其功，勇者好行其志，貪者邀趨其利，愚者不計其死。 '是以前聖使人，必收所長而棄所短。 陛下宜申宥君集，俾復朝列，以勸有功。」 帝寤，釋不問。
Earlier he had distributed condemned men without reporting it to the throne, and privately seized treasures and women; his troops followed suit with looting he could not control. On his return to the capital the responsible offices impeached him, and an edict ordered Junji to prison to answer the charges. Vice Director of the Secretariat Cen Wuben remonstrated: "On Gaochang's crime, court opinion, because the kingdom was remote, would have let the matter pass; only Your Majesty, with singular resolve, entrusted the strategy for decisive victory, and Junji brought them to ruin within the appointed time. Now you have lavished rewards on the commanders and every man who marched; within days you hand him over to the clerks — the realm will say Your Majesty remembers faults and forgets merit, and nothing will encourage those who follow. Moreover, in antiquity armies that conquered received great rewards, and armies that failed suffered open execution. When they succeeded, even if they were greedy and licentious, they still received titles and estates; when they failed, even if they were scrupulous and self-denying, they did not escape the axe. Hence the saying: "Record a man's achievements and forget his faults — that is what befits a ruler. In the past Li Guangli was greedy and indifferent to his troops; Chen Tang stole booty taken from Kangju — both emperors pardoned them, made them marquises, and gave them gold. Among commanders, the scrupulous are few and the grasping are many. Military law says: "Employ the wise, employ the brave, employ the greedy, employ the foolish. The wise delight in winning merit, the brave in fulfilling their purpose, the greedy in rushing after gain, and the foolish in giving no thought to death. That is why the sage rulers of old, in employing men, always took their strengths and set aside their faults. Your Majesty should extend clemency to Junji, restore him to court office, and thereby encourage merit hereafter." The emperor took the point and released him without further proceedings.
6
君集自恃有功，以它罪被系，居怏怏不平。 會張亮出洛州都督，君集謬激說曰：「何為見排？」 亮曰：「公排我，尚誰咎？」 君集曰：「我平一國還，觸天子嗔，何能排君？」 因攘袂曰：「鬱鬱不可活，能反乎？ 當與公反。」 亮密以聞。 帝曰：「卿與君集皆功臣，今獨相語而無左驗，奈何？」 秘不發，待君集如初。 皇太子承乾數有過，慮廢，知君集犯望，因其婿賀蘭楚石為千牛，私引君集入，問自安計。 君集舉手謂曰：「此手當為殿下用之。」 又遣楚石語承乾曰：「魏王得愛，陛下若有詔召，願毋輕入。」 承乾納之。 然君集常畏謀泄，忽忽不自安，或中夕驚吒，妻怪之，曰：「公，國大臣，何為爾？ 若有所負，宜自歸，首領尚可全。」 不從。
Junji, confident in his achievements, had nevertheless been detained on other charges and brooded in discontent. When Zhang Liang was departing as military governor of Luo, Junji goaded him falsely: "Why are you being pushed aside?" Liang said, "You pushed me aside — whom else should I blame?" Junji said, "I subdued a kingdom and returned only to provoke the emperor's anger — how could I have pushed you aside?" He rolled up his sleeves and said, "Life like this is unbearable — shall we rebel? I will rebel with you." Liang reported it to the throne in secret. The emperor said, "You and Junji are both meritorious ministers; now you tell me of words spoken between you alone, with no corroboration — what am I to do?" He kept the matter secret and continued to treat Junji as before. Crown Prince Chengan had repeatedly given offense and feared deposition; knowing Junji was discontent, he used his son-in-law Helan Chushi, a Palace Attendant, to bring Junji in secretly and ask how he might secure his position. Junji raised his hand and said, "This hand is meant to serve Your Highness." He also sent Chushi to warn Chengan: "The Prince of Wei is in favor; if the emperor should summon you, do not go lightly." Chengan took the advice. Yet Junji lived in constant fear that the plot would leak; he was restless and uneasy, and sometimes cried out in the night. His wife was alarmed and said, "You are a great minister of state — why behave like this? If you have something on your conscience, you should confess; your life may still be spared." He would not listen.
7
承乾事覺，捕君集下獄。 楚石告狀，帝自臨問，曰：「我不欲令刀筆吏辱公。 君集辭窮不能對。 帝語群臣曰：「君集于國有功，朕不忍置諸法，將丐其命，公卿其許我乎？」 君臣皆曰：「君集罪大逆不道，請論如法。」 帝乃謂曰：「與公訣矣，今而後，徒見公遺像已！」 因泣下，遂斬之，籍其家。 君集臨刑色不變，謂監吏曰：「我豈反者乎？ 蹉跌至此。 然嘗為將，破二國，若言之陛下，丐一子以守祭祀。」 帝聞，原其妻及一子，徙嶺表。
When Chengan's plot was exposed, Junji was arrested and imprisoned. Chushi laid information against him; the emperor questioned him in person, saying, "I do not wish petty clerks to humiliate you. Junji had no answer left to give. The emperor told the assembled ministers, "Junji has served the state with merit; I cannot bear to hand him to the law and wish to beg his life — will you grant it?" They replied as one, "Junji's crime is treason of the gravest kind; let him be judged by law." The emperor then said to him, "We part here; hereafter I shall see only your portrait!" He wept, then had him executed and confiscated his household. At the block Junji's face did not change; he told the officer, "Am I truly a rebel? I have stumbled to this pass. Yet I was once a general who subdued two kingdoms; if you speak to His Majesty, beg one son to keep the ancestral rites." On hearing this, the emperor spared his wife and one son and exiled them to the far south.
8
始，帝命李靖教君集兵法，既而奏：「靖且反，兵之隱微，不以示臣。」 帝以讓靖，靖曰：「方中原無事，臣之所教，足以制四夷，而求盡臣術，此君集欲反耳。 靖為右僕射，君集為兵部尚書，同還省，君集馬過門數步乃覺，靖語人曰：「君集其有異慮乎？」 後果如言。 張亮張亮，鄭州滎陽人。 起畎畝，志趣奇譎，雖外敦厚而內不情。 隋大業末，李密略地滎、汴，亮從之，未甚甄識。 時軍中有謀叛去者，亮輒以告，密愛其誠，乃署驃騎將軍，隸李勣。 勣以黎陽歸，亮頗佐佑之，擢鄭州刺史。 會王世充取鄭，亮提孤軍不敢入，亡命共城山。 俄檢校定州別駕。 勣討劉黑闥，使亮守相州，賊方盛，棄城遁。
Earlier the emperor had Li Jing instruct Junji in the art of war; afterward Junji reported, "Jing is on the verge of rebellion — he withholds the subtle points of strategy from me." The emperor reproached Jing; Jing said, "While the heartland was at peace, what I taught was enough to subdue the four quarters; to demand every secret of my craft — that shows Junji meant to rebel. Jing was Right Vice Director and Junji Minister of War; riding back together from court, Junji's horse passed the gate several paces before he reined in — Jing remarked, "Does Junji have something else on his mind?" Events later bore him out. __FORCETOC__Zhang Liang was a native of Xingyang in Zheng Prefecture. He came up from the plowlands with eccentric ambitions; though he seemed outwardly mild and honest, inwardly he was cold and calculating. At the end of the Sui, when Li Mi seized the Xing and Bian region, Liang joined him but won little notice. Whenever men in the army plotted to desert, Liang reported them; Mi valued his loyalty and made him Rapid Cavalry General under Li Ji. When Ji surrendered Liyang, Liang gave him strong support and was promoted to prefect of Zheng. When Wang Shichong took Zheng, Liang held an isolated force and dared not enter the city; he fled to Mount Gongcheng. He was soon appointed acting vice prefect of Ding. When Ji campaigned against Liu Heita, he left Liang to hold Xiang Prefecture; the rebels were at their peak, and Liang abandoned the city and fled.
9
房玄齡以亮沈果有謀，白秦王，引為車騎將軍。 隱太子將作難，命亮統左右千人之洛陽，陰結山東豪傑以備變。 齊王告亮反，高祖以屬吏詰訊，終無所言，乃得釋。 王即位，除右衛將軍，封長平郡公。 累遷御史大夫，進封鄅國公，食益州戶五百。 歷豳夏汭鄜三州都督、相州長史，徙鄖國。 召拜工部尚書。 亮為政多伺察，發擿隱微，示神明，抑強恤弱，所至有績。 拜太子詹事，出為洛州都督。 侯君集已誅，以刑部尚書參預朝政。
Fang Xuanling, seeing Liang's depth, resolve, and cunning, recommended him to the Prince of Qin, who made him Cavalry General. When the Hidden Crown Prince plotted rebellion, he ordered Liang to command a thousand guardsmen at Luoyang and secretly rally powerful men of the east against any turn of events. The Prince of Qi accused Liang of rebellion; Gaozu had him interrogated by the responsible offices, but Liang said nothing throughout and was released. When the prince became emperor, he was made Right Guard General and enfeoffed as Duke of Changping. He rose to Censor-in-Chief, was advanced to Duke of Yu, and drew income from five hundred households in Yi Prefecture. He served as military governor of Bin, Xia, Rui, and Fu and as chief administrator of Xiang, then was transferred to the title Duke of Yun. He was recalled and appointed Minister of Works. In office he relied heavily on surveillance, ferreting out hidden wrongdoing and projecting an air of omniscience, curbing the powerful and aiding the weak; wherever he served he left a record of success. He was made Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, then sent out as military governor of Luo. After Hou Junji's execution he was made Minister of Justice and joined in deliberations on state affairs.
10
時茂州俚童張仲文自稱天子，有司論斥乘輿有罪當死，攝刑部尚書韋挺奏：「童乃妖言，無死坐。」 帝怒曰：「爾作威福於下，而歸虐朕耶！」 挺失據趨出。 亮為挺直之，帝曰：「公欲取剛正名乎？」 亮不謝，帝寤曰：「甯屈我，以申公之請。」 童免死。
At that time a Li youth of Mao Prefecture, Zhang Zhongwen, proclaimed himself emperor; the responsible offices held that insulting the imperial carriage warranted death; Acting Minister of Justice Wei Ting argued, "A child's wild talk does not carry the death penalty." The emperor flared up: "You play the tyrant below and then make me out the cruel one!" Ting lost his composure and fled the hall. Liang spoke up for Ting; the emperor said, "Are you trying to win a name for righteous remonstrance?" Liang did not back down; the emperor recovered and said, "I would rather yield than refuse your plea." The boy was spared.
11
帝將伐高麗，亮頻諫，不納，因自請行，詔為平壤道行軍大總管。 引兵自東萊浮海，襲破沙卑城，進至建安，營壁未立，賊奄至，亮不知所為，踞胡床直視無所言，眾謂其勇，得自安。 於是副將張金樹鼓於軍，士奮擊，因破賊。 及從帝還，至并州，乃得罪。
When the emperor prepared to campaign against Goguryeo, Liang remonstrated repeatedly in vain, then volunteered for the field and was appointed campaign commander on the Pingrang route. He led his army from Donglai by sea, stormed Shabie, and advanced to Jian'an; before the camp was fortified the enemy fell upon them. Liang sat motionless on a folding camp chair, staring ahead without a word; the men mistook this for composure and steadied themselves. His deputy Zhang Jinshu then beat the drums; the troops charged with spirit and broke the enemy. On the return march, when the army reached Bingzhou, he fell into disgrace.
12
初，亮棄故妻，更娶李氏。 李妒悍，私通歌兒，養為子，名慎幾。 亮子顗數諫止，亮不納。 李好左道，交通巫覡，橈政事。 亮為相州，假子公孫節以讖有「弓長之主當別都」，亮自以相舊都，「弓長」其姓，陰有怪謀。 術家程公穎者，亮素與厚，陰謂曰：「君前言陛下真天下主，何其神邪！」 公穎內曉，即稱亮臥若龍，當大貴。 亮曰：「國家殆必亂，吾臂龍鱗奮矣，慎幾且大貴。」 公孫常者，節兄也，亮謂曰：「吾有妾，相者云必為諸王姬。」 常曰：「我兄子大品言，有神告公名在讖書。」 亮悅。 會陝人常德發其謀，並言亮養假子五百。 帝使馬周案之，亮讕辭曰：「囚等畏死，見誣耳。」 因自陳佐命舊臣。 帝曰：「亮養子五百將何為？ 正欲反耳。」 詔百官議，皆言亮當誅。 帝遣長孫無忌、房玄齡就獄謂曰：「法者，天下平，與公共為之。 公不自修，乃至此，將奈何？」 於是斬西市，籍其家。 薛萬鈞薛萬均，本燉煌人，後徙京兆咸陽。 父世雄，大業末為涿郡太守，萬均與弟萬徹因客幽州，以材武為羅藝所厚善。 與藝歸款，高祖授萬均上柱國、永安郡公。
Earlier he had cast off his first wife and married a Lady Li. Lady Li was jealous and overbearing; she secretly kept a singing boy, adopted him as a son, and named him Shenji. Liang's son Yan remonstrated again and again, but Liang would not listen. Lady Li dabbled in heterodox cults, consorted with shamans, and meddled in state affairs. While Liang governed Xiang, his foster son Gongsun Jie cited a prophecy that "the lord of bow-and-long shall rule a separate capital"; Liang noted that Xiang was an ancient capital and that "bow-long" (gong-zhang) echoed his surname Zhang, and secretly nursed treasonous ambitions. A diviner named Cheng Gongying, whom Liang had long favored, heard him say in private, "You once declared that His Majesty was the true ruler of all under Heaven — how prescient you were!" Gongying understood at once and declared that Liang in repose was like a dragon and destined for greatness. Liang said, "The realm will surely fall into chaos; the dragon scales on my arm are stirring, and Shenji too will rise high." Gongsun Chang was Jie's elder brother; Liang told him, "I have a concubine whom fortune-tellers say is destined to marry a prince." Chang said, "My nephew Dapin says a spirit revealed that your name appears in the prophecy texts." Liang was delighted. Then a man of Shan named Chang De exposed the plot and reported that Liang had raised five hundred foster sons. The emperor had Ma Zhou investigate; Liang prevaricated: "These men fear death and have slandered me." He pleaded that he was an old minister who had helped establish the dynasty. The emperor said, "What did you want with five hundred foster sons? To rebel, of course." He ordered the officials to deliberate; all agreed Liang must die. The emperor sent Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling to the prison with the message: "Law is the foundation of peace in the realm, and we made it together. You would not restrain yourself, and matters have come to this — what can be done?" He was executed at the western market and his property was confiscated. __FORCETOC__Xue Wanjun was originally from Dunhuang and later moved to Xianyang in the capital district. His father Shixiong served as prefect of Zhuo at the end of the Sui; Wanjun and his younger brother Wanche sojourned in Youzhou, where their martial prowess won the deep favor of Luo Yi. When Yi submitted to Tang, Gaozu made Wanjun Supreme Pillar of State and Duke of Yong'an.
13
竇建德帥眾十萬寇范陽，藝迎拒之。 萬均曰：「眾寡不敵，宜以計勝。」 即教藝羸兵阻水以誘之，萬均自以精騎百匿城左。 建德師度水，邀半度擊之，大敗其眾。 明年，建德以二十萬騎來攻，兵已緣堞，萬均與萬徹率死士百人出地道，掩擊其背，眾驚潰去。 秦王平劉黑闥，引萬均為右二護軍，北門長上。
Dou Jiande led a hundred thousand men against Fanyang; Yi marched out to oppose him. Wanjun said, "We are too few to meet them directly; we must win by strategy." He had Yi post weak troops at the river to lure the enemy while he himself hid a hundred picked horsemen to the city's left. When Jiande's army was half across the water, he struck and routed them utterly. The next year Jiande returned with two hundred thousand cavalry; the enemy had already reached the walls when Wanjun and Wanche led a hundred picked men through a tunnel, struck from behind, and sent the host fleeing in panic. When the Prince of Qin suppressed Liu Heita, he made Wanjun Second Protector of the Right and senior commander at the northern palace gate.
14
柴紹之討梁師都也，以萬均為副，萬徹亦從。 距朔方數十里，突厥兵驟至，王師卻，萬均兄弟橫擊之，斬其驍將，虜陣歡，乘之，俘殺相藉。 突厥走，遂圍師都。 諸將以城險未可下，萬均曰：「城中氣死，鼓不能聲，破亡兆也。」 既而賊果斬師都降。 拜左屯衛將軍。
On Chai Shao's campaign against Liang Shidu, Wanjun served as his deputy and Wanche accompanied them. A few dozen li from Shuofang, Turk forces suddenly appeared and the Tang army gave ground; the brothers charged across the enemy line, killed their boldest commander, threw the Turk formation into disorder, and pressed the attack until captives and corpses lay heaped together. The Turks fled, and they laid siege to Shidu. The generals thought the strong walls made the city untakable; Wanjun said, "The spirit inside is dead — their drums can scarcely sound; ruin is already upon them." Soon the enemy killed Shidu and surrendered. He was appointed commander of the Left Unicorn Guard.
15
俄為沃沮道行軍副總管，從李靖討吐谷渾。 軍次青海，萬均、萬徹各以百騎行前，卒與虜遇，萬均單騎馳突，無敢當者。 還語諸將曰：「賊易與。」 復馳進擊，斬數千級，勇蓋三軍。 追奔至積石山，大風折旗，萬均曰：「虜且來！」 乃勒兵。 俄而虜至，萬均直前斬其將，眾遂潰，追至圖倫磧乃還，與靖會青海。 璽書勉勞，遷本衛大將軍。 又副侯君集擊高昌，曲智盛堅守未下，萬均麾軍進，智盛懼，乃降。 進潞國公。
He soon became deputy commander on the Woju route and followed Li Jing against Tuyuhun. At Qinghai, Wanjun and Wanche each led a hundred horsemen in advance; they suddenly met the enemy, and Wanjun charged alone with no one able to withstand him. On returning he told the generals, "These foes are easy to handle." He charged again, killing several thousand; his valor outshone the entire army. Pursuing the fugitives to Mount Jishi, a fierce wind snapped the banners; Wanjun cried, "The enemy is upon us!" He immediately drew up the troops. The enemy soon appeared; Wanjun cut down their commander at the front, the host broke, and he pursued to the Tumen sands before returning to join Li Jing at Qinghai. An imperial letter praised and rewarded him, and he was promoted to Grand General of his guard. He again served under Hou Junji against Gaochang; Qu Zhicheng held the city stubbornly until Wanjun pressed the attack, whereupon Zhicheng, in fear, surrendered. He was advanced to Duke of Lu.
16
會有訴萬均與高昌女子亂，太宗欲窮治。 魏徵曰：君使臣以禮，若所訴實，罪且輕，虛則所失重矣。」 詔勿治。 後帝幸芙蓉園，坐清宮不謹下獄，憂憤卒。 帝驚悼，為舉哀，詔陪葬昭陵。 後嘗賜群臣膜皮，及萬徹而誤呼萬均，愴然曰：「萬均朕勳舊，忽口其名，豈死者有知，冀此賜乎？」 因命取焚之，舉坐感歎。 弟萬徹、萬淑、萬備。 弟萬徹萬徹與萬均歸高祖，授車騎將軍、武安縣公，事隱太子。 太子誅，萬徹督宮兵戰武門，噪而趨秦府，眾失色； 乃示以太子首，然後去，與數十騎亡之南山。 秦王數使貸諭，乃出謝。 王以其忠於所事，不之罪也。 從李靖討突厥頡利可汗，以功授統軍，進爵郡公。 曆右衛將軍、蒲州刺史。 副李勣擊薛延陀，與虜戰磧南，率數百騎為先鋒，繞擊陣後。 虜顧見，遂潰，斬首三千級，獲馬萬五千，封一子為縣侯。 改左衛將軍，尚丹陽公主，加駙馬都尉。 遷代州都督、右武衛大將軍。 太宗嘗曰：「當今名將，唯李勣、江夏王道宗、萬徹而已。 勣、道宗雖不能大勝，亦未嘗大敗； 至萬徹，非大勝即大敗矣。」 貞觀二十二年，以青丘道行軍總管帥師三萬伐高麗，次鴨淥水，以奇兵襲大行城，與高麗步騎萬余戰，斬虜將所夫孫。 虜皆震恐，遂傅泊汋城。 虜眾三萬來援，擊走之，拔其城。 萬徹在軍中，任氣不能下人，或有上書言狀者，帝愛其功，直加讓勖而已，即為焚書。 副將裴行方亦言其怨望。 李勣曰：「萬徹位大將軍，親主婿，而內懷不平，罪當誅。」 因詔除籍徙邊，會赦，還。 高宗永徽二年，授甯州刺史。 入朝，與房遺愛昵甚，因曰：「我雖病足，坐置京師，諸輩猶不敢動。」 遺愛曰：「若國有變，當與公共輔荊王。」 謀泄下獄，誅。 臨刑曰：「萬徹大健兒，留為國效死，安得坐遺愛殺之！」 遂解衣顧監刑者曰：「亟斬我！」 斬之不殊，叱曰：「胡不力！」 三斬乃絕。 弟萬淑萬淑亦以戰功顯。 曆右領軍將軍、梁郡公、暢武道行軍總管。 弟萬備萬備有至行，居母喪，廬墓前，太宗詔表異其門。 以尚輦奉禦從伐高麗。 李勣圍白岩，虜遣兵萬餘來援，將軍契苾何力以八百騎苦戰，中槊創甚，為賊所窘，萬備單馬進救，何力獲免。 仕至左衛將軍。
Someone then accused him of improper relations with a Gaochang woman, and Taizong wished to pursue the matter to the end. Wei Zheng said, "A ruler should treat his ministers with propriety; if the charge is true the offense is still slight, but if false the harm to the state would be great." An edict ordered that the matter not be pursued. Later, when the emperor visited Furong Garden, he was imprisoned for impropriety in the Pure Palace and died of grief and resentment. The emperor was shocked and grieved, ordered mourning for him, and granted burial at Zhaoling. Later, when distributing membrane pelts among the ministers, he came to Wanche but mistakenly called Wanjun's name and said in sorrow, "Wanjun was an old companion in merit — have I spoken his name because the dead still know, and hope for this gift?" He ordered it taken back and burned; the whole assembly was moved. His younger brothers were Wanche, Wanshu, and Wanbei. Younger brother Wanche — Wanche and Wanjun submitted to Gaozu; he was made Cavalry General and Duke of Wu'an and served the Hidden Crown Prince. When the crown prince was killed, Wanche led palace troops to fight at the Xuanwu Gate, shouting as he charged toward the Prince of Qin's residence; the onlookers turned pale; only when they showed him the crown prince's head did he withdraw, fleeing southward with a few dozen horsemen. The Prince of Qin sent envoys again and again to reassure him; at last he came out to submit. The prince spared him for loyalty to the charge he had served. On Li Jing's campaign against the Turk khaghan Jieli, he was made army commander for his merit and advanced to commandery duke. He served as Right Guard General and prefect of Pu. As Li Ji's deputy against Xue Yantuo, fighting south of the desert, he led several hundred horsemen as vanguard and struck around to the enemy's rear. The enemy saw him and broke; three thousand heads were taken and fifteen thousand horses captured; one son was enfeoffed as county marquis. He was made Left Guard General, married Princess Danyang, and was named Commandant Escort. He was transferred to military governor of Dai and Grand General of the Right Martial Guard. Taizong once said, "Among the famous generals of our day, only Li Ji, the Prince of Jiangxia Daozong, and Wanche count. Ji and Daozong may not win resounding victories, but they have never suffered crushing defeats; Wanche, by contrast, wins big or loses big." In the twenty-second year of Zhenguan (648) he led thirty thousand men as campaign commander on the Qingqiu route against Goguryeo, halted at the Yalu, sent picked troops in a surprise raid on Daxing city, fought more than ten thousand Goguryeo foot and horse, and killed the enemy general Suofusun. The enemy was terrified and withdrew to Bozhou. Thirty thousand reinforcements arrived; he defeated them and took the city. In camp Wanche was domineering and would not defer to others; memorials were filed against him, but the emperor valued his achievements, rebuked him lightly, and burned the papers. His deputy Pei Xingfang also reported his discontent. Li Ji said, "Wanche is a great general and the emperor's son-in-law, yet he nurses resentment — the offense warrants death." An edict struck him from the rolls and banished him to the frontier; he returned under a general amnesty. In the second year of Yonghui (651) he was appointed prefect of Ning. On a court visit he grew very close to Fang Yiai and said, "Though my feet ail me, seated in the capital I could still keep the rest in check." Yiai said, "If the realm should change, I will join you in supporting the Prince of Jing." The plot was exposed; he was imprisoned and executed. At the block he said, "Wanche is a stout warrior — let him die for the state; must he be killed because of Yiai!" He bared himself and told the executioner, "Strike quickly!" The first stroke failed to kill him; he shouted, "Strike harder!" Only the third stroke ended him. Younger brother Wanshu — Wanshu also won distinction in battle. He rose to Right Commander of the Palace Guards, Duke of Liang, and campaign commander on the Changwu route. Younger brother Wanbei — Wanbei was a man of supreme filial conduct; mourning his mother he built a hut before her tomb, and Taizong ordered his gate specially honored. He accompanied the campaign against Goguryeo as Director of the Imperial Carriage. When Li Ji besieged Baiyan, more than ten thousand enemy troops came to relieve the city; General Qibi Heli fought hard with eight hundred horsemen, was badly wounded by a spear and surrounded; Wanbei rode in alone and rescued him. He rose to Left Guard General.
17
在武德、貞觀時，又有盛彥師、盧祖尚、劉世讓、劉蘭、李君羨等，頗以功力顯，而皆不終，附于左。 附盛彥師盛彥師者，宋州虞城人。 少任俠。 隋大業末，為澄城長。 高祖兵至汾陰，彥師率賓客上謁，授行軍總管，從平京師，與史萬寶鎮宜陽。 李密叛，謀出山南，萬寶懼，謂彥師曰：「密，驍賊也，以王伯當輔之，挾思東歸之士，非計出萬全不為也，殆不可當。」 彥師笑曰：「請以數千兵為公梟其首。」 萬寶問計，答曰：「兵詭道也，難豫言。」 即引眾逾洛水，入熊耳山，命士持滿夾道，伏短兵溪穀間，令曰：「賊半度乃擊。」 所部皆笑曰：「賊趨洛州，何為備此？」 彥師曰：「密聲言入洛，其實走襄城就張善相，我據其要，必禽之。」 密果至，彥師橫擊，首尾不相救，遂斬密及伯當。 以功封葛國公，授武衛將軍，鎮熊州。
In the Wude and Zhenguan periods Sheng Yanshi, Lu Zushang, Liu Shirang, Liu Lan, Li Junxian, and others also won notice through martial service yet came to bad ends — they are appended below. Appended: Sheng Yanshi — Sheng Yanshi was from Yucheng in Song Prefecture. In youth he was a man of chivalry. At the end of the Sui he was magistrate of Chengcheng. When Gaozu's army reached Fenyin, Yanshi led his clients to submit and was made campaign commander; he helped pacify the capital and with Shi Wanbao garrisoned Yiyang. When Li Mi rebelled and planned to break southward, Wanbao was afraid and told Yanshi, "Mi is a formidable rebel, aided by Wang Bodang and leading men who yearn to return east — he will not move without a plan he deems foolproof; he will be hard to stop." Yanshi laughed and said, "Give me a few thousand men and I will bring you his head." Wanbao asked his plan; he replied, "War is deception — one cannot say in advance." He led his force across the Luo into Bear-Ear Mountain, posted archers with bows drawn along the path, hid short weapons in the streams and ravines, and ordered, "Attack when the enemy is half across." His troops all laughed: "The rebels are bound for Luozhou — why set an ambush here?" Yanshi said, "Mi proclaims he is entering Luoyang, but in truth he will flee to Xiangcheng to join Zhang Shanxiang; I hold the vital pass and will take him." Mi came as foretold; Yanshi struck across his column so van and rear could not support each other, and killed Mi and Wang Bodang. For this he was made Duke of Ge, appointed Martial Guard General, and posted to Xiongzhou.
18
討王世充也，彥師與萬寶軍伊闕，絕山南路。 世充平，為宋州總管。 始，彥師入關，世充以陳寶遇為宋州刺史，待其家不以禮。 及是，彥師因事殺之，又殺平生所惡數十家，州人震駭，皆重足立。
On the campaign against Wang Shichong, Yanshi and Wanbao held Yique and severed the southern mountain route. After Shichong's fall he became military governor of Song. When Yanshi had first entered the Pass, Shichong had appointed Chen Baoyu prefect of Song and treated his family discourteously. Now Yanshi used a pretext to kill him, and slaughtered several dozen families he had long hated; the prefecture was terrified, and men walked as if on coals.
19
徐圓朗反，詔為安撫大使，戰敗，為賊所執。 圓朗待之厚，命作書招其弟，使舉虞城叛。 彥師為書曰：「吾奉使無狀，為賊禽，誓死報國。 若宜善侍毋，勿以我為念。」 圓朗笑曰：「將軍，壯士也。」 置之。 武德六年，圓朗平，彥師得還。 高祖以罪誅之。 附盧祖尚盧祖尚，字季良，光州樂安人。 家饒財，好施，以俠聞。 隋大業末，募壯士捕盜，時年十九，善禦眾，所向有功，盜畏，不入境。 宇文化及之亂，據州稱刺史，歃血誓眾，士皆感泣。 越王侗立，遣使歸地，因署本州總管，封沈國公。
When Xu Yuanlang rebelled, he was named pacification commissioner, was defeated, and taken by the rebels. Yuanlang treated him well and ordered him to write urging his brother to rebel at Yucheng. Yanshi wrote, "I failed in my charge and was taken by rebels; I swear to die for the state. If you can, care for our mother and do not grieve for me." Yuanlang laughed and said, "General, you are a man of iron." He set the letter aside. In the sixth year of Wude (623) Yuanlang was suppressed and Yanshi returned. Gaozu executed him for his offenses. Appended: Lu Zushang — Lu Zushang, courtesy name Jiliang, was from Le'an in Guangzhou. His family was rich and open-handed; he was known as a man of chivalry. At the end of the Sui he raised men to hunt bandits; at nineteen he was adept at commanding troops, won wherever he fought, and bandits dared not enter his district. During Yuwen Huaji's rebellion he seized his prefecture, declared himself prefect, swore blood-oaths with his followers, and the men wept with emotion. When the Prince of Yue was enthroned, he submitted his territory and was made military governor of his prefecture and Duke of Shen.
20
王世充僭位，以州歸高祖，授刺史，封弋陽郡公。 從趙郡王孝恭討輔公祏，為前軍總管，下宣、歙，進擊賊帥馮惠亮、陳正通，破之。 曆蔣州刺史、壽州都督、瀛州刺史，有能名。
When Wang Shichong seized the throne, he surrendered his prefecture to Gaozu, was made prefect, and enfeoffed as Duke of Yiyang. On the Prince of Zhao's campaign against Fu Gongshi he served as vanguard, took Xuan and She, advanced against Feng Huiliang and Chen Zhengtong, and defeated them. He served as prefect of Jiang, military governor of Shou, and prefect of Ying, winning a name for competence everywhere he went.
21
貞觀二年，交州都督以賄敗，太宗方擇人任之，咸以祖尚才備文武，可用也。 召見內殿，謂曰：「交州去朝廷遠，前都督不稱職，公為我行，無以道遠辭也。」 祖尚頓首奉詔，既而托疾自解，帝遣杜如晦等諭意曰：「匹夫不負然諾，公既許朕矣，豈得悔？ 三年當召，不食吾言。」 對曰：「嶺南瘴癘，而臣不能飲，當無還理。」 遂固辭。 帝怒曰：「我使人不從，何以為天下！」 命斬朝堂。 既而悔之，詔復其官。 附劉世讓劉世讓，字元欽，京兆醴泉人。 仕隋為徵仕郎。 高祖入長安，以湋川歸，授通議大夫。 時唐弼餘黨寇扶風，世讓自請安輯，許之，得其眾數千，因授安定道行軍總管，率兵二萬拒薛舉，戰不勝，與弟寶皆沒於賊。 舉令至城下，紿說使降。 世讓陽許之，至則告守者曰：「賊兵極於此矣，善自固！」 舉重其節，不加害。 秦王方屯高墌，世讓密遣寶間走王，言賊虛實。 高祖悅，賜其家帛千匹。 舉平，授彭州刺史。 俄領陝東道行軍總管，從永安王孝基討呂崇茂于夏縣，軍敗，為賊所囚。 聞獨孤懷恩有逆謀，唐儉語世讓曰：「懷恩謀行，則國難未息，可亡歸，白髮之。」 世讓逃還，高祖方濟河幸懷恩營，驚曰：「世讓之來，天也！」 因封為弘農郡公，賜田百畝、錢百萬。 母喪免，起為檢校并州總管。 竇建德之援王世充也，世讓率萬騎出黃沙嶺，襲洛州。 會突厥入寇，又詔以兵屯雁門，世讓馳騎八百赴之，而可汗軍大至，乃保武州。 可汗與高開道、苑君璋合眾攻之，城數壞； 輒立柵完拒。 鄭元璹先使可汗，可汗使來說，世讓叱曰：「丈夫奈何為夷狄作說客邪？」 久之，虜引去。 元璹還，具道其忠，賜良馬、金帶。 襄邑王神符鎮并州，世讓數以氣淩之，坐是削籍徙康州。 未幾，召授廣州總管。 帝問以備邊策，答曰：「突厥數南寇者，恃有馬邑為地耳。 如使勇將屯崞城，厚儲金帛以招降者，數出奇兵略城下，踐禾稼，不逾歲，馬邑可圖也。」 帝曰：「非公無可任者。」 乃使馳驛經略，於是世讓至馬邑。 高滿政以地來降，突厥患之，縱反間，云：「世讓與可汗為亂。」 帝不之察，因誅之，籍其家。 貞觀初，突厥降者言世讓無逆謀，乃原其妻子。 附劉蘭劉蘭字文郁，青州北海人。 仕隋鄱陽郡書佐。 涉圖史，能言成敗事。 性陰狡，以天下將亂，見北海完富，潛介賊破其鄉，取子女玉帛。 淮安王神通安撫山東，率宗黨歸順。 貞觀初，梁師都未平，蘭上書陳方略，太宗以為夏州都督府司馬。 師都以突厥兵頓城下，蘭僕旗息鼓，賊疑不敢迫，夜引去。 蘭追擊，破之，遂進軍夏州。 師都平，遷豐州刺史，召為右領軍衛將軍。 十一年，為夏州都督長史。 時突厥攜貳，郁射設阿史那摸末率屬帳居河南，蘭縱反間離之，頡利果疑。 摸末懼，來降，頡利急追，蘭逆拒，卻其眾。 封平原郡公，俄檢校代州都督。 初，長社許絢解讖記，謂蘭曰：「天下有長年者，咸言劉將軍當為天下主。」 蘭子昭又曰：「讖言海北出天子，吾家北海也。」 會鄠縣尉游文芝以罪繫獄當死，因發其謀，蘭及黨與皆伏誅。 附李君羨李君羨，洛州武安人。 初事李密，後為王世充驃騎。 惡世充為人，率其屬歸高祖，授上輕車都尉。 秦王引置左右，從破宋金剛於介休，加驃騎將軍，賜以宮人、繒帛。 從討王世充，為馬軍副總管。 世充子玄應自武牢轉糧入洛，君羨俘其軍，玄應走。 從破竇建德、劉黑闥，所向必先登摧其鋒，累授左衛府中郎將。 突厥至渭橋，君羨與尉遲敬德擊破之。 太宗曰：「使皆如君羨者，虜何足憂！」 改左武候中郎將，封武連縣公，北門長上。 在仗讀書不休，帝嘉勞。 曆蘭州都督、左監門衛將軍。 先是，貞觀初，太白數晝見，太史占曰：「女主昌。」 又謠言「當有女武王者」。 會內宴，為酒令，各言小字，君羨自陳曰「五娘子」。 帝愕然，因笑曰：「何物女子，乃此健邪！」 又君羨官邑屬縣皆「武」也，忌之。 未幾，出為華州刺史。 會御史劾奏君羨與狂人為妖言，謀不軌，下詔誅之。 天授中，家屬詣闕訴冤，武后亦欲自詫，詔復其官爵，以禮改葬。
In the second year of Zhenguan (628) the Jiaozhou governor was dismissed for bribery; Taizong sought a replacement, and all agreed Zushang combined civil and military gifts and was fit for the post. Called to the inner hall, Taizong told him, "Jiaozhou is remote and the last governor failed — go for me, and do not refuse because the journey is far." Zushang kowtowed and accepted; then he pleaded illness to back out; the emperor sent Du Ruhui and others to say, "Even a common man keeps his word — you have promised me; how can you withdraw? In three years I shall recall you — do not break faith with me." He replied, "The south is fever country, and I cannot drink wine — I shall not come back alive." He refused firmly. The emperor raged: "If my orders are not obeyed, how can I govern the realm!" He ordered him beheaded in the hall. He soon repented and restored his rank by edict. Appended: Liu Shirang — Liu Shirang, courtesy name Yuanqin, was from Liquan in the capital district. Under the Sui he served as a recruitment gentleman. When Gaozu entered Chang'an he submitted Weichuan and was made Grand Master for Discussion. When Tang Bi's remnants raided Fufeng, Shirang volunteered to pacify them, gathered several thousand men, was made campaign commander on the Anding route, led twenty thousand against Xue Ju, was defeated, and he and his brother Bao were captured. Ju brought him to the walls and feigned offers of surrender. Shirang feigned agreement; once inside he told the defenders, "The enemy has reached his limit here — hold fast!" Ju honored his steadfastness and did not harm him. The Prince of Qin was at Gaodi; Shirang secretly sent Bao to reach the prince and report the enemy's strength. Gaozu was pleased and gave his family a thousand bolts of silk. When Ju fell he was appointed prefect of Peng. Soon he led the Shandong route army with Prince Yong'an Xiaoji against Lü Chongmao at Xia; the army was beaten and he was taken. Learning that Dugu Huai'en plotted treason, Tang Jian told him, "If Huai'en moves, the realm will not know peace — escape and warn the emperor." Shirang fled back as Gaozu was crossing the river toward Huai'en's camp; Gaozu cried, "Shirang's arrival is Heaven's work!" He was enfeoffed Duke of Hongnong and given a hundred mu of land and a million in cash. He left office for his mother's mourning, then was recalled as acting military governor of Bing. When Dou Jiande aided Wang Shichong, Shirang led ten thousand horse out Huangsha Ridge to strike Luozhou. When the Turks invaded he was ordered to Yanmen; Shirang raced eight hundred horsemen thither, but the khaghan came in force and he held Wuzhou. The khaghan, Gao Kaidao, and Yuan Junzhang joined to attack; the walls were breached again and again; each time he threw up palisades and held them off. Zheng Yuansui had been envoy to the khaghan, who now sent a persuader; Shirang thundered, "What man plays envoy for barbarians?" In time the enemy withdrew. Yuansui returned, reported his loyalty in full, and he received fine horses and a gold belt. Prince of Xiangyi Shenfu held Bing; Shirang repeatedly browbeat him and was struck from the rolls and exiled to Kang. He was soon recalled as military governor of Guang. The emperor asked his strategy for the frontier; he said, "The Turks raid south because they rely on Mayi as their base. Post bold commanders at Zhuo, heap gold and silk to win defectors, and send raiders again and again to trample the crops below the walls — within a year Mayi can be seized. The emperor said, "No one but you can do this." He sent him post-haste to carry out the plan; Shirang reached Mayi. Gao Manzheng surrendered the region; the Turks spread slander that Shirang was plotting with the khaghan. The emperor did not look into it and had him executed; his property was confiscated. Early in Zhenguan surrendered Turks said he had never plotted treason; his wife and children were spared. Appended: Liu Lan — Liu Lan, courtesy name Wenyü, was from Beihai in Qingzhou. Under the Sui he was a clerk in Poyang commandery. He studied histories and could discourse on rise and fall. Secretive and cunning, seeing chaos coming and Beihai still whole and rich, he secretly let bandits ravage his home district and seized women, jade, and silk. Prince Huai'an Shentong pacified Shandong; he led his lineage to submit. Early in Zhenguan, while Liang Shidu still held out, Lan submitted a plan; Taizong made him marshal of the Xia prefectural command. Shidu camped Turk troops below the walls; Lan hid his banners and stilled his drums; the enemy hesitated and dared not close; at night they withdrew. Lan pursued, broke them, and advanced on Xia. When Shidu fell he was made prefect of Feng, then summoned as Right Commander of the Unicorn Guard. In the eleventh year (637) he was chief administrator of Xia. The Turks were then divided; Yushishe Ashina Momo led dependent tents to settle south of the river; Lan sowed discord until Jieli grew suspicious. Momo, afraid, surrendered; Jieli pursued hard; Lan met him and drove his force back. He was enfeoffed Duke of Pingyuan and soon acting military governor of Dai. Earlier Xu Xuan of Changshe interpreted prophecy and told Lan, "Men say there is one who will live long as ruler — all say General Liu is destined for the throne." His son Zhao added, "The prophecy says the Son of Heaven will rise north of the sea — our house is Beihai." The county lieutenant You Wenzhi, facing death in prison, exposed the plot; Lan and his party were all executed. Appended: Li Junxian — Li Junxian was from Wu'an in Luozhou. He first served Li Mi, then became Rapid Cavalry general under Wang Shichong. Disgusted with Shichong, he led his men to Gaozu and was made Colonel of Light Chariots. The Prince of Qin kept him at his side; after the victory over Song Jingang at Jiexiu he was made Rapid Cavalry General and given palace women and silks. On the campaign against Shichong he was deputy commander of the horse army. Shichong's son Xuanying was convoying grain from Wulao to Luoyang; Junxian seized the convoy and Xuanying fled. On campaigns against Dou Jiande and Liu Heita he was always first to storm the enemy line; he rose to commandant in the Left Guard. When the Turks reached the Wei Bridge, he and Yuchi Jingde drove them off. Taizong said, "If all my officers were like Junxian, the barbarians would be nothing to fear!" He was made commandant of the Left Martial Guard, enfeoffed Duke of Wulian, and senior commander at the northern gate. On duty he read without pause; the emperor praised him. He served as military governor of Lan and director of the Left Gate Guards. Earlier, in early Zhenguan, Venus had repeatedly appeared by day; the court astrologer read, "A woman will rise." A rumor spread that "a woman warrior-king will come." At a palace feast a drinking game required childhood names; Junxian gave his as "Fifth Daughter." The emperor started, then laughed: "What kind of woman are you, to be so bold!" Moreover his posts and fiefs all contained the character wu (martial) — the emperor grew uneasy. Soon he was sent out as prefect of Hua. The censor impeached him for sorcerous talk with madmen and plotting rebellion; an edict ordered his death. In the Tianshou period his kin petitioned at court; Empress Wu wished to show her grace; an edict restored his rank and he was reburied with honor.
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贊曰：侯君集位將相私謁太子，張亮養子五百人，薛萬徹與狂豎謀，皆死有餘責，又何咎哉？ 乙太宗之明德，蔽於謠讖，濫君羨之誅，徒使孽後引以自神，顧不哀哉！
The commentators observe: Hou Junji, though he stood at the summit of power, paid secret court to the crown prince; Zhang Liang reared five hundred foster sons; Xue Wanche conspired with reckless men — each deserved death many times over; who could call their punishments unjust? Yet even Taizong's luminous virtue could be obscured by rumor and prophecy; he put Li Junxian to death on slight grounds, and only handed a later age of usurpers a tale to claim divine sanction — is that not lamentable?