1
長孫無忌從父:敞從父弟:操子:詮族叔:順德褚遂良曾孫:璆韓瑗來濟異母兄:恒李義琰子:巢從祖弟:義琛上官儀
Zhangsun Wuji; his father's elder brother's son Chang; his father's younger brother Cao; his son Quan; his clan uncle Shunde; Chu Suiliang's great-grandson Qiu; Han Yuan; Lai Ji and his half-brother Heng; Li Yiyan and his son Chao and his cousin Yichen; and Shangguan Yi.
2
長孫無忌
Zhangsun Wuji.
3
長孫無忌，字輔機。 性通悟，博涉書史。 始，高祖兵度河，進謁長春宮，授渭北道行軍典簽。 從秦王征討有功，累擢比部郎中、上党縣公。
Zhangsun Wuji, whose style name was Fujii. He was quick-witted by nature and widely read in books and history. When Emperor Gaozu's army first crossed the Yellow River, Wuji went to pay his respects at Changchun Palace and was appointed staff officer on the Weibei campaign. He followed the Prince of Qin on military campaigns with distinction and was promoted in succession to Director in the Ministry of Justice and Duke of Shangdang County.
4
皇太子建成毒王，王病，舉府危駭。 房玄齡謂無忌曰：「禍隙已芽，敗不旋踵矣。 夫就大計者遺細行，周公所以絀管、蔡也。」 遂俱入白王，請先事誅之，王未許。 無忌曰：「大王以舜何如人？」 王曰：「浚哲文明，為子孝，為君仁，又何議哉？」 對曰：「向使浚井弗出，得為孝乎？ 塗廩弗下，得為仁乎？ 大杖避，小杖受，良有以也。」 王未決。 事益急，乃遣無忌陰召房玄齡、杜如晦定計。 無忌與尉遲敬德、侯君集、張公謹、劉師立、公孫武達、獨孤彥雲、杜君綽、鄭仁恭、李孟嘗討難，平之。 王為皇太子，授左庶子。 即位，遷吏部尚書，以功第一，進封齊國公。 帝以無忌皇后兄，又少相友，眷倚日厚，常出入臥內。 進尚書右僕射。 突厥頡利可汗已盟而政亂，諸將請遂討之。 帝顧新歃血，不取為失機，取之失信，計猶豫，以問大臣。 蕭瑀曰：「兼弱攻昧，討之便。」 無忌曰：「今我務戢兵，待夷狄至，乃可擊。 使遂弱，且不能來，我又何求？ 臣謂按甲存信便。」 帝曰：「善。」 然卒取突厥。
Crown Prince Li Jiancheng poisoned the Prince of Qin, who fell gravely ill, throwing the entire household into alarm. Fang Xuanling said to Wuji, "The seeds of disaster have already been sown; ruin will follow in no time. Those who pursue a great design must set aside petty scruples—this is why the Duke of Zhou punished his brothers Guan and Cai. They then went in together to inform the prince and urged him to strike first and kill Jiancheng, but the prince would not agree. Wuji said, "Your Highness, what sort of man do you consider Shun to have been? The prince replied, "Deeply wise and civilly brilliant—as a son he was filial, as a ruler he was benevolent. What more is there to say?" Wuji answered, "If he had been trapped in a well and never come out, could he still have been called filial? If he had not lowered the granary roof, could he still have been called benevolent? Avoid the heavy blow, accept the light one—there is sound reason in that." The prince still could not decide. As the crisis intensified, the prince sent Wuji in secret to summon Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui to finalize their plan. Wuji joined Yuchi Jingde, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin, Liu Shili, Gongsun Wuda, Dugu Yanyun, Du Junchuo, Zheng Rengong, and Li Mengchang in suppressing the uprising and restoring order. When the prince became crown prince, Wuji was appointed Left Guardian of the Heir. When the prince ascended the throne, Wuji was made Minister of Personnel; ranked first in merit, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Qi. Because Wuji was the empress's elder brother and had been his friend since youth, the emperor's favor and reliance on him grew daily, and Wuji was often admitted to the inner bedchamber. He was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. The Türkic qaghan Jieli had sworn alliance with the Tang but his realm was in turmoil, and the generals urged an immediate campaign against him. The emperor reflected on their recent blood oath: to refrain would be to miss the moment, yet to attack would be to break faith. Uncertain, he consulted his senior ministers. Xiao Yu said, "It is the way of statecraft to join with the weak and strike the faltering—an attack would be expedient. Wuji said, "Our present aim is to keep the sword sheathed. Let us wait until the barbarians come to us, and then we may strike. If they weaken and cannot even come, what more do we need? I believe it is better to hold our forces in check and honor our pledge." The emperor said, "Well said." Yet in the end he did subdue the Türks.
5
或有言無忌權太盛者，帝持表示無忌曰：「我與公君臣間無少疑，使各懷所聞不言，斯則蔽矣。」 因普示君臣曰：「朕子幼，無忌于我有大功，視之猶子也。 疏間親、新間舊之謂不順，朕無取焉。」 無忌亦自懼貴且亢，後又數言之，遂解僕射，授開府儀同三司。 與房玄齡、杜如晦、尉遲敬德皆以元勳封一子郡公。 進冊司空，知門下、尚書省事，無忌辭，又因高士廉口陳「以外戚位三公，嫌議者謂天子以私後家」。 帝曰：「朕任官必以才，不者，雖親若襄邑王神符，不妄授； 若才，雖仇如魏征，不棄也。 夫緣後兄愛昵，厚以子女玉帛，豈不得？ 以其兼文武兩器，朕故相之，公等孰不曰然？」 無忌固讓，詔答曰：「黃帝得力牧，為五帝先； 夏禹得咎繇，為三王祖； 齊桓得管仲，為五伯長； 朕得公，遂定天下。 公其無讓！」 帝又思所與共艱難，賴無忌以免，作《威鳳賦》以賜，且況其功。
When some said Wuji's power had grown too great, the emperor showed him the memorial and said, "Between us as ruler and minister there should be no shadow of doubt. If each of you keeps what he hears to himself, that is how courts go blind. He then displayed it to the whole court and declared, "My sons are still young. Wuji has rendered me great service, and I regard him as a son. To drive wedges between kin and to set newcomers against old companions is disloyalty, and I will have none of it." Wuji himself feared that his rank had grown too high and proud. After such remarks were repeated, he was relieved of the vice directorship and given the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the status of the Three Dukes. He, together with Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Yuchi Jingde, was granted a hereditary commandery dukedom for one son each in recognition of their founding merit. He was enfeoffed as Minister of Works and put in charge of the Chancellery and the Department of State Affairs. Wuji declined, and through Gao Shilian he added that as an imperial in-law occupying one of the Three Ducal posts, critics would say the emperor was favoring his wife's clan. The emperor replied, "I appoint men solely by talent. Without it, even a kinsman as close as Prince of Xiangyi Shenfu would not receive office rashly; but where there is talent, even an adversary like Wei Zheng I do not cast aside. If I wished merely to shower my empress's brother with honors, wealth, and titles, who could object? It is because he unites civil and military gifts that I made him chief minister. Do any of you disagree? Wuji still refused. An edict answered, "The Yellow Emperor had Li Mu and became foremost among the Five Emperors; Yu of Xia had Gao Yao and became the ancestor of the Three Dynasties; Duke Huan of Qi had Guan Zhong and became leader of the Five Hegemons; I have you, and thus the realm was settled. Do not decline further! The emperor also recalled how they had shared hardship together and how he had owed his survival to Wuji. He composed the "Ode to the Majestic Phoenix" as a gift and praised his achievements.
6
帝欲功臣並世襲刺史，貞觀十一年，乃詔有司：「朕憑明靈之祐，賢佐之力，克翦多難，清宇內。 蓋時屯共資其力，世安專享其利，朕所不取。 刺史，古諸侯，雖名不同，而監統一也。 無忌等義貫休戚，效挺夷險，嘉庸懿績，簡在朕心。 其改錫土宇，用世及之制。」 乃以無忌為趙州刺史，以趙為公國； 房玄齡宋州刺史，國于梁； 杜如晦贈密州刺史，國于萊； 李靖濮州刺史，國于衛； 高士廉申州刺史，國于申； 侯君集陳州刺史，國于陳； 道宗鄂州刺史，王江夏； 孝恭觀州刺史，王河間； 尉遲敬德宣州刺史，國于鄂； 李勣蘄州刺史，國于英； 段志玄金州刺史，國于褒； 程知節普州刺史，國于盧； 劉弘基朗州刺史，國于夔； 張亮澧州刺史，國于鄖。 凡十有四人。 余官食邑尚不在。 無忌等辭曰：「群臣披荊刺，事陛下。 今四海混一，誠不願違遠左右，而使世牧外州，與遷徙等。」 帝曰：「割地封功臣，欲公等後嗣長為籓翰，而薄山河之誓，反為怨望，朕亦安可強公土宇邪？」 遂止。 後帝幸其第，自家人姻婭勞賜皆有差。 久之，進位司徒。
The emperor wished to grant his meritorious ministers hereditary prefectures. In the eleventh year of Zhenguan he issued an edict to the relevant offices: "By the aid of bright spirits and worthy assistants, I have overcome many trials and brought order to the realm. In hardship all shared their strength; in peace to enjoy the rewards alone is something I will not accept. A prefect is the modern equivalent of the feudal lords of old; the title differs, but the charge of oversight is the same. Wuji and his fellows have shared my fortunes through good and ill, stood firm in peace and peril, and their fine deeds are engraved on my heart. Let them be granted domains under a system of hereditary succession. Wuji was made Prefect of Zhao, with Zhao as his ducal domain; Fang Xuanling Prefect of Song, with his domain at Liang; Du Ruhui, posthumously Prefect of Mi, with his domain at Lai; Li Jing Prefect of Pu, with his domain at Wei; Gao Shilian Prefect of Shen, with his domain at Shen; Hou Junji Prefect of Chen, with his domain at Chen; Daozong Prefect of E, Prince of Jiangxia; Xiaogong Prefect of Guan, Prince of Hejian; Yuchi Jingde Prefect of Xuan, with his domain at E; Li Ji Prefect of Qi, with his domain at Ying; Duan Zhixuan Prefect of Jin, with his domain at Bao; Cheng Zhijie Prefect of Pu, with his domain at Lu; Liu Hongji Prefect of Lang, with his domain at Kui; Zhang Liang Prefect of Li, with his domain at Yun. Fourteen men in all. The remaining officials' fief incomes were not yet included. Wuji and the others declined, saying, "We have braved hardship in Your Majesty's service. Now that the realm is united, we truly do not wish to be sent far from your side to govern distant prefectures in perpetuity, as though we were being exiled. The emperor said, "I meant these domains to make your descendants long-term bulwarks of the realm. If you disdain this oath sworn over mountains and rivers and turn resentful instead, how can I force domains upon you?" The plan was abandoned. Later the emperor visited his residence and bestowed graded rewards on every member of the household, from kin to in-laws. After some time he was promoted to Minister of Education.
7
太子承乾廢，帝欲立晉王，未決，坐兩儀殿，群臣已罷，獨留無忌、玄齡、勣言東宮事，因曰：「我三子一弟，未知所立，吾心亡聊。」 即投床，取佩刀自向，無忌等驚，爭抱持，奪刀授晉王，而請帝所欲立。 帝曰：「我欲立晉王。」 無忌曰：「謹奉詔，異議者斬！」 帝顧王曰：「舅許汝矣，宜即謝。」 王乃拜。 帝復曰：「公等與我意合，天下其謂何？」 答曰：「王以仁孝聞天下久矣，固無異辭； 有如不同，臣負陛下百死。」 於是遂定。 以無忌為太子太師、同中書門下三品，「同三品」自此始。 帝又欲立吳王恪，無忌密爭止之。 帝征高麗，詔攝侍中。 還，辭師傅官，聽罷太子太師，遙領揚州都督。
After Crown Prince Chengqian was deposed, the emperor wished to install the Prince of Jin but had not decided. In the Hall of Two Principles, after dismissing the court he kept Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Li Ji to discuss the succession and said, "I have three sons and one younger brother, and I do not know whom to install. My heart is unsettled. He then threw himself on the bed, drew his girdle knife, and turned it on himself. Wuji and the others rushed to restrain him, wrested away the knife and handed it to the Prince of Jin, and asked whom the emperor wished to install. The emperor said, "I wish to install the Prince of Jin. Wuji said, "Your command is received. Whoever dissents shall be executed!" The emperor turned to the prince and said, "Your uncle has agreed for you. You should thank him at once." The prince bowed. The emperor then said, "You agree with my intent—what will the realm say? They answered, "The prince has long been known throughout the realm for benevolence and filial piety. Surely there will be no dissent; and if there is any dissent, we deserve a hundred deaths before Your Majesty. The succession was thus settled. Wuji was made Grand Preceptor of the Heir and Associate with the Three Departments at the rank of the Three Dukes—the title "Associate with the Three Dukes" dates from this appointment. When the emperor again wished to install Prince Wu Ke, Wuji secretly remonstrated and stopped him. When the emperor campaigned against Goguryeo, Wuji was ordered to serve as acting Palace Attendant. On the emperor's return, Wuji resigned his tutor's post, was relieved of Grand Preceptor of the Heir, and held the distant post of Military Governor of Yangzhou.
8
帝嘗從容問曰：「朕聞君聖臣直，人常苦不自知，公宜面攻朕得失。」 無忌曰：「陛下神武聖文，冠卓千古，性與天道，非臣等愚所及，誠不見有所失。」 帝曰：「朕冀聞過，公等乃相諛悅。 朕當評公等可否以相規。」 謂：「高士廉心術警悟，臨難不易節，所乏者骨鯁耳。 唐儉有辭，善和解人，酒杯流行，發言可意，事朕二十年，未嘗一言國家事。 楊師道性謹審，自能無過，而懦不更事，緩急非可倚。 岑文本敦厚，文章、論議其所長也，謀常經遠，自當不負於物。 劉洎堅正，其言有益，不輕然諾於人，能自補闕。 馬周敏銳而正，評裁人物，直道而行，所任皆稱朕意。 褚遂良鯁亮，有學術，竭誠親於朕，若飛鳥依人，自加憐愛。 無忌應對機敏，善避嫌，求于古人，未有其比； 總兵攻戰，非所善也。」
The emperor once asked at leisure, "They say that when the ruler is sage the minister is upright, yet men often fail to know themselves. You should speak frankly of my faults and merits. Wuji replied, "Your Majesty is divinely martial and sagely cultured, surpassing all ages, and your nature accords with Heaven. We are too dull to discern any fault." The emperor said, "I hoped to hear of my faults, yet you only flatter one another. I shall appraise each of you in turn and use that to admonish you." He said, "Gao Shilian is alert of mind and unwavering in crisis—what he lacks is blunt forthrightness. Tang Jian is eloquent and skilled at smoothing disputes over wine, and his words are pleasing—but in twenty years of service he has never once spoken on affairs of state. Yang Shidao is cautious and never errs, but he is timid and inexperienced and cannot be relied on in a crisis. Cen Wenben is sincere and generous; writing and debate are his strengths, and his plans are far-sighted—he will not fail the realm. Liu Ji is firm and upright; his counsel is useful, he does not lightly promise others, and he can remedy his own lapses. Ma Zhou is keen and upright; in judging men he follows the straight path, and every man he has recommended has suited my intent. Chu Suiliang is blunt and bright, learned, and devoted to me like a bird clinging to its perch—I cannot help but cherish him. Wuji is quick and agile in counsel and skilled at avoiding suspicion—among men of old there is none to compare; but commanding troops in battle is not his strength."
9
二十三年，帝疾甚，召入臥內，帝引手捫無忌頤，無忌哭，帝感塞，不得有所言。 翌日，與遂良入受詔，顧遂良曰：「我有天下，無忌力也。 爾輔政，勿令讒毀者害之。」 有頃，崩。 方在離宮，皇太子悲慟，無忌曰：「大行以宗廟、社稷屬殿下，宜速即位。」 因秘不發喪，請還宮。
In the twenty-third year of his reign the emperor fell gravely ill and summoned Wuji to his bedside. He took Wuji's hand and stroked his jaw; Wuji wept, and the emperor, overcome with emotion, could say no more. The next day Wuji entered with Suiliang to receive the imperial testament. The emperor turned to Suiliang and said, "I owe this realm to Wuji. Assist in governing, and do not let slanderers destroy him. Shortly afterward he died. They were at a detached palace when the crown prince was overcome with grief. Wuji said, "The late emperor has entrusted the ancestral temples and the altars of state to Your Highness. You should ascend the throne at once. He kept the death secret, did not announce mourning, and urged an immediate return to the capital.
10
太子即位，是為高宗。 進無忌太尉，檢校中書令，猶知門下、尚書二省。 固辭尚書省，許之。 帝欲立武昭儀為后，無忌固言不可。 帝密以寶器錦帛十余車賜之，又幸其第，擢三子皆朝散大夫，昭儀母復詣其家申請。 許敬宗數勸之，無忌厲色折拒。 帝后召無忌、遂良及于志寧言后無息，昭儀有子，必欲立之者。 無忌已數諫，即曰：「先帝付託遂良，願陛下訪之。」 遂良極道不可，帝不聽。
The crown prince ascended the throne and became Emperor Gaozong. Wuji was promoted to Grand Marshal and acting Director of the Secretariat, while retaining charge of the Chancellery and the Department of State Affairs. He firmly declined the Department of State Affairs, and his request was granted. When the emperor wished to install Lady Wu as empress, Wuji firmly declared that it could not be done. The emperor secretly sent him more than ten cartloads of treasures and silks, visited his residence in person, promoted all three of his sons to Masters of Palace Attendance, and Lady Wu's mother came again to plead at his door. Xu Jingzong repeatedly urged him on, but Wuji sternly refused. The emperor and empress summoned Wuji, Suiliang, and Yu Zhining and said that the empress had no sons while Lady Wu had a son, and that they were determined to install her. Wuji, having already remonstrated several times, said, "The late emperor entrusted Suiliang. Your Majesty should consult him. Suiliang argued with all his force that it could not be done, but the emperor would not listen.
11
后既立，以無忌受賜而不助己，銜之。 敬宗揣后指，陰使洛陽人李奉節上無忌變事，與侍中辛茂將臨按，傅致反狀。 帝驚曰：「將妄人構間，殆不其然。」 敬宗具言：「反跡已露，陛下不忍，非社稷之福。」 帝泣曰：「我家不幸，高陽公主與我同氣，往謀反，今舅復爾，使我重愧天下，奈何？」 對曰：「房遺愛口乳臭，與女子反，安能就事？ 無忌奸雄，天下所畏伏，一旦竊發，陛下誰使禦之？ 今即急，恐攘袂一呼，以嘯同惡，且為宗廟憂。 陛下不見隋室乎？ 宇文化及父宰相，弟尚主，而身掌禁兵，煬帝處之不疑，然而起為戎首，遂亡隋。 願陛下決之。」 帝猶疑，更詔審核。 明日，敬宗言無忌反明甚，請逮捕。 帝泣曰：「舅果爾，我決不忍殺，後世其謂我何？」 敬宗曰：「漢文帝舅薄昭，從代來有功，後坐殺人，帝惜撓法，令朝臣喪服就哭之，昭自殺，良史不以為失。 今無忌忘先帝之德，舍陛下至親，乃欲移社稷、敗宗廟，豈特昭比邪？ 在法夷五族。 臣聞當斷不斷，反受其亂。 乘機亟行，緩必生變。 無忌與先帝謀取天下，天下伏其智，王莽、司馬懿之流。 今逆徒自承，何疑而不決？」 帝終不質問。 遂下詔削官爵封戶，以揚州都督一品俸置於黔州，所在發兵護送； 流其子秘書監沖等於嶺外； 從弟渝州刺史知仁貶翼州司馬。 後數月，又詔司空勣、中書令敬宗、侍中茂將等覆按反獄。 敬宗令大理正袁公瑜、御史宋之順等即黔州暴訊。 無忌投繯卒，沖免死，殺族子祥，流族弟思于檀口，大抵期親皆謫徙。
Once Empress Wu was installed, she resented Wuji for accepting imperial gifts yet refusing to support her. Reading the empress's intent, Jingzong secretly had a Luoyang man named Li Fengjie accuse Wuji of treason, and together with Palace Attendant Xin Maojiang he went to investigate and fabricate a case of rebellion. The emperor was alarmed and said, "Surely some reckless man is fabricating discord—it cannot be so. Jingzong replied in full, "The evidence of rebellion is already plain. If Your Majesty cannot bring yourself to act, it will not be a blessing to the realm." The emperor wept and said, "My house is cursed. Princess Gaoyang, my own sister, once plotted rebellion; now my uncle does the same. How can I again shame the realm before all the world? What am I to do?" Jingzong answered, "Fang Yiai is still wet behind the ears; he rebelled at a woman's instigation—how could he have accomplished anything? Wuji is a cunning and formidable man whom the realm fears and obeys. If he should rise in secret rebellion, whom would Your Majesty send against him? If you do not act at once, I fear he may raise his sleeves and summon all who share his evil intent—and the ancestral temples will be in peril. Has Your Majesty forgotten the house of Sui? Yuwen Huaji's father had been chief minister, his brother married an imperial princess, and he himself commanded the palace guard. Emperor Yang trusted him completely—yet he rose as leader of the rebels and the Sui was destroyed. I urge Your Majesty to decide at once." The emperor still hesitated and ordered a further investigation. The next day Jingzong declared that Wuji's guilt was clear and requested his arrest. The emperor wept and said, "If my uncle is truly guilty, I absolutely cannot bring myself to kill him. What will posterity say of me? Jingzong said, "Emperor Wen of Han's uncle Bo Zhao had served him faithfully since the days in Dai, yet when Bo Zhao was later convicted of murder the emperor, unwilling to bend the law, had court ministers go in mourning dress to weep for him. Bo Zhao killed himself, and good historians do not fault the emperor for this. Now Wuji has forgotten the late emperor's kindness, abandoned Your Majesty's closest kin, and sought to overturn the altars of state and ruin the ancestral temples—is he to be compared only with Bo Zhao? By law his five clans should be exterminated. I have heard that he who fails to decide when decision is required invites disaster upon himself. Seize the moment and act swiftly; delay will surely breed disaster. Wuji plotted with the late emperor to win the realm, and the world submits to his cunning—he is of the same breed as Wang Mang and Sima Yi. Now the conspirators themselves have confessed—why hesitate any longer?" In the end the emperor never questioned Wuji in person. An edict was issued stripping him of office, title, and fief, placing him at Qianzhou on the salary of a first-rank military governor, with troops dispatched along the route to escort him; his son Chong, Director of the Secretariat, and others were exiled beyond the Lingnan passes; his younger cousin Zhiren, Prefect of Yu, was demoted to Assistant Military Governor of Yizhou. Several months later another edict ordered Li Ji, Xu Jingzong, Xin Maojiang, and others to reinvestigate the treason case. Jingzong ordered Yuan Gongyu of the Court of Judicial Review and Censor Song Zhishun to conduct violent interrogation at Qianzhou. Wuji hanged himself; Chong was spared death; his clan nephew Xiang was executed; his clan brother Si was exiled to Tankou—in all, his close kin were banished.
12
初，無忌與遂良悉心奉國，以天下安危自任，故永徽之政有貞觀風。 帝亦賓禮老臣，拱己以聽。 綱紀設張，此兩人維持之也。 既二後廢立計不合，奸臣陰圖，帝暗於聽受，卒，以屠覆，自是政歸武氏，幾至亡國。
At first Wuji and Suiliang devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the state and took the realm's safety upon themselves, so that the Yonghui era retained something of the Zhenguan spirit. The emperor also honored his senior ministers and listened deferentially to their counsel. The laws and institutions were upheld—these two men maintained them. Once they disagreed over the deposition and installation of empresses, wicked ministers plotted in secret while the emperor listened to the wrong voices. In the end Wuji was destroyed, and from then on power passed to the house of Wu and the state nearly perished.
13
上元元年，追復官爵，以孫元翼襲封。 初，無忌自作墓昭陵塋中，至是許還葬。 文宗開成三年，詔曰：「每覽國史至太尉無忌事，未嘗不廢卷而歎。 其以裔孫鈞為猗氏令。」
In the first year of Shangyuan his offices and titles were posthumously restored, and his grandson Yuanyi inherited the enfeoffment. Wuji had long since prepared his tomb within the precinct of Zhaoling, and now he was permitted to be reburied there. In the third year of Kaicheng, Emperor Wenzong issued an edict saying, "Whenever I read the national history and come to Grand Marshal Wuji's case, I cannot help but put down the scroll and sigh. Let his descendant Jun be appointed Magistrate of Yishi."
14
從父敞
Paternal uncle by father's brother: Chang.
15
從父弟操
Younger paternal uncle by father's brother: Cao.
16
從父弟操，字元節。 父覽，為周大司徒、薛國公。 操有學術。 初，高祖辟署相國府金曹參軍。 未幾，檢校虞州刺史。 從秦王征討，常侍旁，與聞秘謀。 徙陝州，城中無井，人勤於汲，操為釃河溜入城，百姓利安。 以母喪解，長老守闕頌遺愛。 服除，封樂壽縣男。 為齊、揚、益三州刺史，課皆最，下詔褒揚。 永徽初，以陝州刺史卒，贈吏部尚書，諡曰安，葬給鼓吹，至虞罷。
His younger paternal uncle Cao, whose style name was Yuanjie. His father Lan had been Grand Minister of Education under Northern Zhou and Duke of Xue. Cao was a learned man. At first Emperor Gaozu appointed him Army Staff Officer of the Gold Bureau in the Chancellor's Office. Before long he was made acting Prefect of Yuzhou. He followed the Prince of Qin on campaign, constantly attended at his side, and shared in secret plans. When transferred to Shaanzhou, where the city had no wells and the people toiled at drawing water, Cao channeled the river into the city, to the great benefit of the populace. When he resigned to mourn his mother, elders kept vigil at the palace gate praising his kindness. When mourning ended he was enfeoffed as Baron of Leshou County. As Prefect of Qi, Yang, and Yi, his performance ratings were always the highest, and edicts praised him. At the beginning of Yonghui he died while serving as Prefect of Shaanzhou. He was posthumously made Minister of Personnel with the posthumous name An, and a musical escort was granted for his burial until mourning ended.
17
子詮
Son: Quan.
18
子詮，尚新城公主。 詮女兄為韓瑗妻。 無忌得罪，詮流巂州，有司希旨殺之。 詮有甥趙持滿者，工書，善騎射，力搏虎，走逐馬，而仁厚下士，京師無貴賤愛慕之。 為涼州長史，嘗逐野馬，射之，矢洞于前，邊人畏伏。 詮之貶，許敬宗懼持滿才能仇己，追至京，屬吏訊搒，色不變，曰：「身可殺，辭不可枉！」 吏代為占，死獄中。
His son Quan married Princess Xincheng. Quan's elder half-sister was the wife of Han Yuan. When Wuji fell from favor, Quan was exiled to Xizhou and killed by officials eager to please the court. Quan had a nephew named Zhao Chiman who was skilled at calligraphy and mounted archery, strong enough to wrestle tigers and run down horses, yet benevolent and humble toward scholars. In the capital, high and low alike admired him. As Chief Administrator of Liangzhou, he once chased wild horses and shot one—the arrow passed clean through—and the frontier people feared and submitted to him. When Quan was banished, Xu Jingzong feared Chiman's talent and had him pursued to the capital for interrogation and torture. Chiman's countenance never changed, and he said, "You may kill my body, but you cannot twist my words! The officials wrote a confession for him, and he died in prison.
19
族叔順德
Clan uncle: Shunde.
20
無忌族叔順德。 順德仕隋為右勳衛，征遼當行，亡命太原，素為高祖親厚。 太宗將起兵，令與劉弘基募士於外，聲備賊，至數萬人，乃結隊按屯。 大將軍府建，授統軍，從平霍邑、臨汾、絳郡有功。 與劉文靜擊屈突通於潼關，通將奔洛陽，順德跳追桃林，執通以獻，遂定陝縣。 以多進左驍衛大將軍，封薛國公。 討建成餘黨，食千二百戶，賜宮女，詔宿內省。 俄以受賕為有司劾發，帝曰：「順德元勳外戚，爵隆位厚至矣。 若令觀古今自鑒，有以益國家者，朕當與共府庫，何至以貪冒聞乎？」 因賜帛數十愧切之。 大理少卿胡演曰：「順德以賂破法，不可赦，奈何又賜之？」 帝曰：「使有恥者，得賜甚於戮； 如不能，乃禽獸也，殺之何益？」
Wuji's clan uncle Shunde. Shunde had served the Sui as a Right Merit Guard. When called up for the Liaodong campaign he fled to Taiyuan, where he had long been treated with favor by Emperor Gaozu. When Taizong was about to raise troops, he ordered Shunde and Liu Hongji to recruit men in the countryside, claiming to prepare against bandits, until they numbered in the tens of thousands, then formed ranks and encamped. When the Grand General's Office was established he was appointed Army Commander and distinguished himself in pacifying Huoyi, Linfen, and Jiang Commandery. With Liu Wenjing he attacked Qu Tu Tong at Tong Pass. When Tong tried to flee to Luoyang, Shunde pursued him to Taolin, captured him, and presented him as a prisoner, thus securing Shaan County. For his many achievements he was promoted to General of the Left Majestic Tiger Guard and enfeoffed as Duke of Xue. In suppressing Jiancheng's remaining faction he received a fief of twelve hundred households, was granted palace women, and was ordered to lodge in the Inner Secretariat. Soon he was impeached for accepting bribes. The emperor said, "Shunde is a founding merit and an imperial in-law; his rank and position are already as high as they can be. If he would learn from history and serve the state well, I would share the treasury with him—how did he come to be known for greed? He then bestowed several tens of bolts of silk to shame and admonish him. Vice Director Hu Yan of the Court of Judicial Review said, "Shunde broke the law through bribery and cannot be pardoned—why bestow gifts on him again? The emperor said, "For a man of shame, receiving such a gift is worse than execution; but if he cannot feel shame, he is no better than a beast—what good would killing him do?"
21
李孝常謀反，坐與交，削籍為民。 歲餘，帝閱功臣圖，見其像，憐之，遣宇文士及視順德，順德方頹然醉，遂召為澤州刺史，復爵邑。 順德素少檢，侈放自如，至是折節為政，以嚴明稱。 先時守長多通餉問，順德繩擿無所容，遂為良吏。 前刺史張長貴、趙士達占部中腴田數十頃，奪之以給貧單。 尋坐累還第。 喪息女，感疾甚，帝薄之，謂房玄齡曰：「順德無剛氣，以兒女牽愛至大病，胡足恤？」 未幾，卒，遣使弔之，贈荊州都督，諡曰襄。 貞觀十三年，封邳國公。 永徽中，加贈開府儀同三司。
When Li Xiaochang plotted rebellion, Shunde was implicated for associating with him and was struck from the registers to become a commoner. More than a year later the emperor reviewed the portrait gallery of meritorious ministers, saw Shunde's image, and took pity on him. He sent Yuwen Shiji to look in on him and found Shunde drunk and disheveled. Shunde was then recalled as Prefect of Zezhou and his title and fief were restored. Shunde had always been unrestrained and extravagant, but from this time he reformed his conduct in office and was known for severity and clarity. Previously local officials had freely exchanged gifts and favors; Shunde prosecuted them without mercy and became known as an excellent official. Former prefects Zhang Changgui and Zhao Shida had seized several tens of qing of fertile land in the prefecture; Shunde confiscated it and gave it to poor households. Soon he was implicated on accumulated charges and returned to private life. When he lost a daughter and fell gravely ill, the emperor looked down on him and said to Fang Xuanling, "Shunde has no firm spirit—he falls gravely ill over a daughter's death. Why should he be pitied? Before long he died. The emperor sent an envoy to offer condolences, posthumously made him Military Governor of Jingzhou, and gave him the posthumous name Xiang. In the thirteenth year of Zhenguan he was enfeoffed as Duke of Pi. During Yonghui he was additionally posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the status of the Three Dukes.
22
褚遂良
Chu Suiliang.
23
褚遂良，字登善，通直散騎常侍亮子。 隋大業末，為薛舉通事舍人。 仁杲平，授秦王府鎧曹參軍。 貞觀中，累遷起居郎。 博涉文史，工隸楷。 太宗嘗歎曰：「虞世南死，無與論書者！」 魏徵白見遂良，帝令侍書。 帝方博購王羲之故帖，天下爭獻，然莫能質真偽。 遂良獨論所出，無舛冒者。
Chu Suiliang, whose style name was Dengshan, was the son of Regular Attendant of the Palace Secretariat Chu Liang. At the end of the Sui dynasty he served Xue Ju as Attendant of Affairs. When Ren'guo was pacified he was appointed Army Staff Officer of the Armor Bureau in the Prince of Qin's household. During the Zhenguan era he rose in succession to Attendant of Daily Affairs. He was widely versed in literature and history and skilled in clerical and regular script calligraphy. Taizong once sighed and said, "Since Yu Shinan died, there is no one with whom I can discuss calligraphy! Wei Zheng introduced Suiliang to the emperor, who ordered him to attend at calligraphy. The emperor was then avidly collecting old works of Wang Xizhi, and the realm competed to present them, yet none could authenticate them. Suiliang alone judged their provenance, and never misattributed a single piece.
24
十五年，帝將有事太山，至洛陽，星孛太微，犯郎位。 遂良諫曰：「陛下撥亂反正，功超古初，方告成岱宗，而彗輒見，此天意有所未合。 昔漢武帝行岱禮，優柔者數年，臣愚願加詳慮。」 帝寤，詔罷封禪。
In the fifteenth year, as the emperor prepared to perform rites at Mount Tai and arrived at Luoyang, a comet appeared in the Supreme Palace Enclosure and encroached on the Official's Seat. Suiliang remonstrated, "Your Majesty has settled disorder and restored proper order, with merit surpassing antiquity. Just as you prepare to announce completion at Mount Tai, a comet suddenly appears—Heaven's intent is not yet aligned. Emperor Wu of Han deliberated for years before performing the Mount Tai rites. I urge Your Majesty to consider the matter more carefully. The emperor took heed and issued an edict canceling the feng and shan rites.
25
遷諫議大夫，兼知起居事。 帝曰：「卿記起居，大抵人君得觀之否？」 對曰：「今之起居，古左右史也，善惡必記，戒人主不為非法，未聞天子自觀史也。」 帝曰：「朕有不善，卿必記邪？」 對曰：「守道不如守官，臣職載筆，君舉必書。」 劉洎曰：「使遂良不記，天下之人亦記之矣。」 帝曰：「朕行有三：一，監前代成敗，以為元龜，二，進善人，共成政道； 三，斥遠群小，有受讒言。 朕能守而勿失，亦欲史氏不能書吾惡也。」
He was promoted to Grand Remonstrance Official and concurrently put in charge of the daily affairs records. The emperor asked, "You keep the daily affairs records—may the ruler generally view them? He replied, "Today's daily affairs records are the left and right historians of old. Good and evil must be recorded to warn the ruler against unlawful acts. I have never heard of a Son of Heaven viewing the histories himself." The emperor asked, "If I commit faults, will you surely record them?" He replied, "Keeping to one's office is more binding than keeping to abstract principle. My duty is to carry the brush—the ruler's every act must be written down." Liu Ji added, "Even if Suiliang did not record it, the people of the realm would." The emperor said, "My conduct rests on three principles: first, to observe the successes and failures of former ages as a great mirror; second, to advance good men and together complete the way of governance; third, to drive away petty men and not accept slanderous words. If I can hold to these and not fail, I also wish that the historians will have no evil to write of me."
26
是時，魏王泰禮秩如嫡，群臣未敢諫。 帝從容訪左右曰：「方今何事尤急？」 岑文本泛言禮義為急，帝以不切，未領可。 遂良曰：「今四方仰德，誰弗率者？ 唯太子、諸王宜有定分。」 帝曰：「有是哉！ 朕年五十，日以衰怠，雖長子守器，而弟、支子尚五十人，心常念焉。 自古宗姓無良，則傾敗相仍，公等為我簡賢者保傅之。 夫事人久，情媚熟，則非意自生，其令王府官不得過四考，著為令。」 帝嘗怪：「舜造漆器，禹雕其俎，諫者十餘不止，小物何必爾邪？」 遂良曰：「雕琢害力農，纂繡傷女工，奢靡之始，危亡之漸也。 漆器不止，必金為之，金又不止，必玉為之，故諫者救其源，不使得開。 及夫橫流，則無復事矣。」 帝咨美之。
At this time Prince Wei Tai received ritual rank and stipend equal to the legitimate heir, and no minister dared remonstrate. The emperor casually asked his attendants, "What matter today is most urgent? Cen Wenben spoke generally of ritual and righteousness as most urgent, but the emperor found this inapt and was not satisfied. Suiliang said, "The four quarters now look up to your virtue—who does not follow? Only the crown prince and the princes ought to have clearly fixed ranks. The emperor said, "That is exactly so! I am fifty years old and grow weaker by the day. Though the eldest son holds the vessel of succession, my younger brothers and branch sons still number fifty, and my heart is constantly troubled by this. Since antiquity, when imperial clansmen were not well nurtured, ruin followed in succession. Select worthy men to tutor and protect them for me. When men serve princes too long, familiarity breeds flattery and improper intentions arise. Order that princely household officials may not serve beyond four performance reviews, and establish this as a statute." The emperor once wondered aloud, "Shun made lacquer vessels and Yu carved sacrificial stands—more than ten remonstrators would not cease. Why make such a fuss over small things?" Suiliang said, "Carving and polishing harm farming, and embroidery injures women's work. This is the beginning of extravagance and the gradual approach of ruin. If lacquer vessels are not stopped, they will be made of gold; if gold is not stopped, they will be made of jade. Remonstrators therefore cut off the source and do not allow it to open. Once the flood runs unchecked, nothing more can be done." The emperor praised and commended this.
27
于時皇子雖幼，皆外任都督、刺史，遂良諫曰：「昔二漢以郡國參治，雜用周制。 今州縣率仿秦法，而皇子孺年並任刺史，陛下誠以至親扞四方。 雖然，刺史，民之師帥也，得人則下安措，失人則家勞攰。 故漢宣帝曰：'與我共治，惟良二千石乎。 '臣謂皇子未冠者，可且留京師，教以經學，畏仰天威，不敢犯禁，養成德器，審堪臨州，然後敦遣。 昔東漢明、章諸帝，友愛子弟，雖各有國，幼者率留京師，訓飭以禮。 訖其世，諸王數十百，惟二人以惡敗，自餘餐和染教，皆為善良。 此前事已驗，惟陛下省察。」 帝嘉納。
At this time, though the princes were still young, all were assigned as military governors and prefects in the provinces. Suiliang remonstrated, "The two Han dynasties governed through commanderies and kingdoms together, mixing in Zhou institutions. Now prefectures and counties follow Qin-style administration, yet princes still in tender years are all appointed prefects. Your Majesty truly means to use closest kin to defend the four quarters. Even so, a prefect is the teacher and leader of the people. With the right man the people are at ease; with the wrong man households are worn to exhaustion. Therefore Emperor Xuan of Han said, 'Those who govern with me—are they not the good two-thousand-bushel officials?' I say that princes who have not yet come of age should remain in the capital for the time being, be taught the classics, revere the imperial majesty, and dare not violate prohibitions. Once nurtured into virtue and capacity and truly fit to govern a prefecture, they may then be dispatched. The emperors Ming and Zhang of Eastern Han loved their younger kinsmen. Though each prince had a state, the young generally remained in the capital and were trained in ritual. Through their reigns the princes numbered in the tens and hundreds, yet only two were ruined through evil. The rest, nourished by harmony and shaped by teaching, all became good men. This precedent has already been tested. I urge Your Majesty to consider it. The emperor praised and accepted this.
28
太子承乾廢，魏王泰間侍，帝許立為嗣，因謂大臣曰：「泰昨自投我懷中云：『臣今日始得為陛下子，更生之日也。 臣惟有一子，百年後，當殺之，傳國晉王。』 朕甚憐之。」 遂良曰：「陛下失言。 安有為天下主而殺其愛子，授國晉王乎？ 陛下昔以承乾為嗣，復寵愛泰，嫡庶不明，紛紛至今。 若必立泰，非別置晉王不可。」 帝泣曰：「我不能。」 即詔長孫無忌、房玄齡、李勣與遂良等定策立晉王為皇太子。
After Crown Prince Chengqian was deposed, Prince Wei Tai attended the emperor closely, and the emperor agreed to install him as heir. He told the ministers, "Tai yesterday threw himself into my arms and said, 'Today I have finally become Your Majesty's son—it is a day of rebirth. I have only one son; when I die, I shall kill him and pass the realm to the Prince of Jin. I deeply pity him.' Suiliang said, "Your Majesty misspoke. How can a lord of the realm kill his beloved son and give the realm to the Prince of Jin? Your Majesty formerly made Chengqian heir, then again favored Tai—the line between legitimate and secondary heir was never clear, and confusion has continued to the present. If Tai must be installed, the Prince of Jin must be set apart elsewhere." The emperor wept and said, "I cannot." He then ordered Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, Suiliang, and others to settle the succession and install the Prince of Jin as crown prince.
29
時飛雉數集宮中，帝問：「是何祥也？」 遂良曰：「昔秦文公時，有侲子化為雉，雌鳴陳倉，雄鳴南陽。 侲子曰：『得雄者王，得雌者霸。』 文公遂雄諸侯，始為寶雞祠。 漢光武得其雄，起南陽，有四海。 陛下本封秦，故雄雌並見，以告明德。」 帝悅，曰：「人之立身，不可以無學。 遂良所謂多識君子哉！」 俄授太子賓客。
At this time flying pheasants repeatedly gathered in the palace, and the emperor asked, "What omen is this? Suiliang said, "In the time of Duke Wen of Qin, a boy transformed into a pheasant. The female cried at Chencang and the male at Nanyang. The boy said, 'He who obtains the male shall become king; he who obtains the female shall become hegemon.' Duke Wen then dominated the feudal lords and first established the shrine at Baoji. Emperor Guangwu of Han obtained the male, rose from Nanyang, and won the four seas. Your Majesty was originally enfeoffed in Qin; therefore both male and female appear, announcing your bright virtue." The emperor was pleased and said, "In establishing oneself, one cannot be without learning. Suiliang is truly a widely learned gentleman!" Shortly afterward he was appointed Guest of the Heir.
30
薛延陀請婚，帝己納其聘，復絕之。 遂良曰：「信為萬事本，百姓所歸。 故文王許枯骨而不違，仲尼去食存信，貴之也。 延陀，曩一俟斤耳。 因天兵北討，蕩平沙塞，威加諸外，而恩結於內，以為餘寇不可以無酋長，故璽書鼓纛，立為可汗。 負抱之恩，與天無極。 數遣使請婚于朝，陛下既開許，為禦北門受獻食。 今一朝自為進退，所惜少，所失多，虧信夷狄，方生嫌恨，殆不可以訓戎兵、勵軍事也。 且龍沙以北，部落牛毛，中國擊之不能盡，亦猶可北敗，芮芮興，突厥亡，延陀盛。 是以古人虛外實內，懷之以德。 使為惡，在夷不在華； 失信，在彼不在此也。 惟陛下裁幸。」 不納。
Xueyantuo requested a marriage alliance. The emperor had already accepted their betrothal gifts, then broke off the engagement. Suiliang said, "Faith is the root of all things and what the people turn to. King Wen kept his promise even to dry bones; Confucius said to abandon food but preserve faith—such is its value. Xueyantuo was formerly but a minor chieftain. When the imperial army marched north and swept clear the desert passes, its might extended beyond the borders while grace bound the inner tribes. Thinking that the remaining bandits needed a chieftain, the court issued an imperial edict with drums and banners and installed him as qaghan. The grace shown him is boundless as Heaven. He repeatedly sent envoys requesting marriage at court. Your Majesty had already openly promised, and he came to the Northern Gate to present tribute food. Now to advance and retreat at a whim in a single morning—what is spared is little and what is lost is great. Faith is impaired before the barbarians, resentment is just arising, and this can scarcely instruct frontier troops or encourage military affairs. Moreover, north of Longsha the tribes are as numerous as cattle hair, and China cannot strike them all down. Just as defeat may come from the north, so Rouran may rise, the Türks perish, and Xueyantuo flourish. Therefore the men of old kept the outer realm light and the inner realm strong, embracing the barbarians with virtue. If evil is done, let it be among the barbarians and not among the Chinese; if faith is broken, let it be on their side and not on ours. I urge Your Majesty to judge and decide. The emperor did not accept this.
31
帝欲自討遼東，遂良固勸無行：「一不勝，師必再興； 再興，為忿兵。 兵忿者，勝負不可必。」 帝然可。 會李勣詆其計，帝意遂決東。 遂良懼，上言：「臣請譬諸身。 兩京，腹心也； 四境，手足也； 殊裔絕域，殆非支體所屬。 高麗王陛下所立，莫離支殺之。 討其逆，夷其地，固不可失，但遣一二慎將，付銳兵十萬，翔旝雲輣，唾手可取。 昔侯君集、李靖皆庸人爾，猶能撅高昌，纓突厥，陛下止發蹤指示，得歸功聖明。 前日從陛下平天下，虓士爪臣，氣力未衰，可驅策，惟陛下所使。 臣聞涉遼而左，或水潦，平地淖三尺，帶方、玄菟，海壤荒漫，決非萬乘六師所宜行。」 是時，帝銳意蕩平，不見省。 進黃門侍郎，參綜朝政。 莫離支遣使貢金，遂良曰：「古者討殺君之罪，不受其賂。 魯納郜鼎太廟，《春秋》譏之。 今莫離支所貢不臣之篚，不容受。」 詔可，以其使屬吏。
When the emperor wished to campaign personally against Liaodong, Suiliang firmly urged against it: "One defeat, and the army must be raised again; raised again, it becomes an army driven by wrath. An army driven by wrath—victory and defeat cannot be assured. The emperor agreed that this was so. But then Li Ji disparaged his plan, and the emperor's mind was fixed on the eastern campaign. Alarmed, Suiliang submitted a memorial: "I ask to compare this to the body. The two capitals are the heart and belly; the four borders are the hands and feet; remote alien lands at the ends of the earth are scarcely parts of the limbs at all. The king of Goguryeo was installed by Your Majesty, and Yeon Gaesomun killed him. Punishing his rebellion and leveling his land cannot be neglected, but send one or two careful generals with a hundred thousand elite troops under soaring banners and cloud chariots, and it can be taken as easily as spitting. Formerly Hou Junji and Li Jing were ordinary men, yet they overthrew Gaochang and bound the Türks. Your Majesty need only give the signal and point the way, and the merit returns to your sage brilliance. The fierce warriors and loyal ministers who followed Your Majesty to pacify the realm still have strength undiminished. They can be commanded as Your Majesty wishes. I have heard that east of the Liao there are floods, with three feet of mud on level ground, and that Daifang and Xuantu are coastal wastelands vast and desolate—decidedly not where the emperor's six armies ought to march. At this time the emperor was set on total conquest and did not heed this. He was promoted to Vice Director of the Yellow Gate and participated in governing affairs. Yeon Gaesomun sent envoys presenting gold tribute. Suiliang said, "In antiquity, when punishing regicide, one did not accept bribes. Lu accepted the tripod of Zou into the Grand Temple, and the Spring and Autumn Annals rebuked this. The tribute Yeon Gaesomun presents is that of a disloyal subject and cannot be accepted. An edict approved this, and his envoys were handed over to the officials.
32
帝既平高昌，歲調兵千人往屯，遂良誦諍不可，帝志取西域，寘其言不用。 西突厥寇西州，帝曰：「往魏徵、褚遂良勸我立麹文泰子弟，不用其計，乃今悔之。」 帝于寢宮側別置院居太子，遂良諫，以為「朋友深交者易怨，父子滯愛者多愆。 宜許太子間還東宮，近師傅，專學藝，以廣懿德。」 帝從其言。 會父喪免，起復，拜中書令。
After the emperor pacified Gaochang, a thousand troops were levied each year to garrison there. Suiliang remonstrated repeatedly against this, but the emperor's intent was to take the Western Regions and he ignored the advice. When the Western Türks raided Xizhou, the emperor said, "Formerly Wei Zheng and Chu Suiliang urged me to install Qu Wentai's sons and younger kinsmen. I did not use their plan, and now I regret it. The emperor set up a separate courtyard beside the sleeping palace for the crown prince. Suiliang remonstrated, saying, "Close friends who associate too deeply easily grow resentful; father and son who linger too long in affection often accumulate faults. The crown prince should be allowed to return periodically to the Eastern Palace, be near his tutors, and devote himself to learning so as to broaden his virtue." The emperor followed his advice. When his father died he resigned to mourn, but was recalled from mourning and appointed Director of the Secretariat.
33
帝寢疾，召遂良、長孫無忌曰：「歎武帝寄霍光，劉備托諸葛亮，朕今委卿矣。 太子仁孝，其盡誠輔之。」 謂太子曰：「無忌、遂良在，而毋憂。」 因命遂良草詔。 高宗即位，封河南縣公，進郡公。 坐事出為同州刺史。 再歲，召拜吏部尚書、同中書門下三品，監修國史，兼太子賓客。 進拜尚書右僕射。
As the emperor lay gravely ill, he summoned Suiliang and Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Emperor Wu entrusted Huo Guang, and Liu Bei entrusted Zhuge Liang—I now entrust you. The crown prince is benevolent and filial. Devote yourselves fully to assisting him. He told the crown prince, "With Wuji and Suiliang present, you need not worry." He then ordered Suiliang to draft the edict. When Gaozong ascended the throne, Suiliang was enfeoffed as Duke of Henan County and then advanced to Duke of a commandery. On account of an offense he was sent out as Prefect of Tongzhou. After two years he was recalled as Minister of Personnel, Associate with the Three Departments at the rank of the Three Dukes, Supervisor of the national history, and Guest of the Heir. He was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
34
帝將立武昭儀，召長孫無忌、李勣、于志寧及遂良人。 或謂無忌當先諫，遂良曰：「太尉，國元舅，有不如意，使上有棄親之譏。」 又謂勣上所重，當進，曰：「不可。 司空，國元勳，有不如意，使上有斥功臣之嫌。」 曰：「吾奉遺詔，若不盡愚，無以下見先帝。」 既入，帝曰：「罪莫大於絕嗣，皇后無子，今欲立昭儀，謂何？」 遂良曰：「皇后本名家，奉事先帝。 先帝疾，執陛下手語臣曰：『我兒與婦今付卿！』 且德音在陛下耳，可遽忘之？ 皇后無它過，不可廢。」 帝不悅。 翌日，復言，對曰：「陛下必欲改立后者，請更擇貴姓。 昭儀昔事先帝，身接帷第，今立之，奈天下耳目何？」 帝羞默。 遂良因致笏殿階，叩頭流血，曰：「還陛下此笏，丐歸田里。」 帝大怒，命引出。 武氏從幄後呼曰：「何不撲殺此獠？」 無忌曰：「遂良受顧命，有罪不加刑。」 會李勣議異，武氏立，乃左遷遂良潭州都督。
When the emperor was about to install Lady Wu as empress, he summoned Zhangsun Wuji, Li Ji, Yu Zhining, and Suiliang. Some said Wuji ought to remonstrate first. Suiliang said, "The Grand Marshal is the state's chief maternal uncle. If things go against his wish, the emperor will be reproached for abandoning kin. They also said Li Ji was highly valued by the emperor and ought to speak up. Suiliang said, "That cannot be. The Minister of Works is the state's chief founding merit. If things go against his wish, the emperor will be suspected of rejecting his meritorious ministers." He said, "I received the testamentary edict. If I do not exhaust my counsel, I cannot face the late emperor in the afterlife." After they entered, the emperor said, "No crime is greater than cutting off the succession. The empress has no son, and now I wish to install Lady Wu—what do you say?" Suiliang said, "The empress is from an eminent clan and served the late emperor. When the late emperor was ill, he took Your Majesty's hand and told me, 'My son and daughter-in-law I now entrust to you!' His virtuous words are still in Your Majesty's ears—how can they be suddenly forgotten? The empress has no other fault and cannot be deposed." The emperor was displeased. The next day Suiliang spoke again and said, "If Your Majesty must install a new empress, please choose another from an eminent clan. Lady Wu formerly served the late emperor and shared his bedchamber. To install her now—what will the eyes and ears of the realm say? The emperor was ashamed and fell silent. Suiliang placed his court tablet on the palace steps, knocked his head until it bled, and said, "I return this tablet to Your Majesty and beg to retire to my fields. The emperor was furious and ordered him led out. Lady Wu called from behind the curtain, "Why not beat this brute to death? Wuji said, "Suiliang received the testamentary charge. Even if guilty, he shall not be punished." Li Ji's opinion differed, Lady Wu was installed, and Suiliang was demoted to Military Governor of Tanzhou.
35
顯慶二年，徙桂州，未幾，貶愛州刺史。 遂良內憂禍，恐死不能自明，乃上表曰：「往者承乾廢，岑文本、劉洎奏東宮不可少曠，宜遣濮王居之，臣引義固爭。 明日仗入，先帝留無忌、玄齡、勣及臣定策立陛下。 當受遺詔。 獨臣與無忌二人在，陛下方草土號慟，臣即奏請即位大行柩前。 當時陛下手抱臣頸，臣及無忌請即還京，發哀大告，內外寧謐。 臣力小任重，動貽伊戚，螻螘餘齒，乞陛下哀憐。」 帝昏懦，牽於武后，訖不省。 歲餘，卒，年六十三。
In the second year of Xianqing he was moved to Guizhou, and before long demoted to Prefect of Aizhou. Suiliang inwardly feared disaster and worried that he could not clear his name even in death. He submitted a memorial saying, "When Chengqian was deposed, Cen Wenben and Liu Ji argued that the Eastern Palace could not be left vacant and that the Prince of Pu ought to dwell there. I firmly contested this on principle. The next day, entering with the imperial guard, the late emperor kept Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, and me to settle the succession and install Your Majesty. At that time we received the testamentary edict. Only Wuji and I were present. Your Majesty was wailing in mourning dress, and I immediately memorialized requesting that you ascend the throne before the late emperor's bier. At that time Your Majesty embraced my neck. Wuji and I urged an immediate return to the capital, the announcement of mourning, and the restoration of order within and without. My strength is small yet my burden heavy, and I constantly bring sorrow upon myself. In my remaining years I beg Your Majesty's pity. The emperor was weak and muddled, pulled by Empress Wu, and to the end did not heed this. After more than a year he died, aged sixty-three.
36
後二歲，許敬宗、李義府奏長孫無忌逆謀皆遂良驅煽，乃削官爵。 二子彥甫、彥沖流愛州，殺之。 帝遣詔聽其家北還。 神龍中，復官爵。 德宗追贈太尉。 文宗時，詔以遂良五世孫虔為臨汝尉。 安南觀察使高駢表遂良客窆愛州，二男一孫祔。 咸通九年，詔訪其後護喪歸葬陽翟云。
Two years later Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu memorialized that Zhangsun Wuji's treasonous plot had all been incited by Suiliang, and his offices and titles were stripped. His two sons Yanfu and Yancong were exiled to Aizhou and killed. The emperor issued an edict permitting his family to return north. During the Shenlong era his offices and titles were restored. Emperor Dezong posthumously granted him the title of Grand Marshal. During Emperor Wenzong's reign, an edict appointed Suiliang's fifth-generation descendant Qian as Captain of Linyou. Annam Observation Commissioner Gao Pian reported that Suiliang had been buried in Aizhou, with two sons and one grandson buried alongside him. In the ninth year of Xiantong an edict sought his descendants to escort the remains home for burial at Yangdi.
37
曾孫璆
Great-grandson: Qiu.
38
遂良曾孫璆，字伯玉，擢進士第，累拜監察御史裏行。 先天中，突厥圍北庭，詔璆持節監總督諸將，破之。 遷侍御史，拜禮部員外郎。 而氣象凝挺，不減在台時。
Suiliang's great-grandson Qiu, whose style name was Boyu, passed the jinshi examination and rose to Acting Investigating Censor. During Xiantian, when the Türks besieged Beiting, an edict ordered Qiu to bear the imperial staff and supervise the generals, and he defeated them. He was transferred to Attending Censor and appointed Vice Director in the Ministry of Rites. Yet his bearing remained stern and upright, no less than when he served at the Censorate.
39
韓瑗，字伯玉，京兆三原人。 父仲良，武德初，與定律令，建言：「周律，其屬三千，秦、漢後約為五百。 依古則繁，請崇寬簡，以示惟新。」 於是采《開皇律》宜於時者定之。 終刑部尚書、秦州都督府長史、潁川縣公。
Han Yuan, whose style name was Boyu, was a native of Sanyuan in Jingzhao. His father Zhongliang, at the beginning of Wude, helped codify laws and statutes and proposed, "Under Zhou law there were three thousand articles; after Qin and Han they were reduced to about five hundred. Following antiquity would make them cumbersome. I request honoring breadth and simplicity to show renewal. Thereupon they selected from the Kaihuang Code what suited the times and fixed it. He ended his career as Minister of Justice, Chief Administrator of the Qinzhou Military Governor's Office, and Duke of Yingchuan County.
40
瑗少負節行。 博學，曉吏事。 貞觀中，以兵部侍郎襲爵。 永徽三年，遷黃門侍郎。 俄同中書門下三品，監修國史。 進侍中，兼太子賓客。 王后之廢，瑗雪泣言曰：「皇后乃陛下在籓時先帝所娶，今無罪輒廢，非社稷計。」 不納。 明日復諫曰：「王者立后，配天地，象日月。 匹夫匹婦尚知相擇，況天子乎？ 《詩》云：『赫赫宗周，褒姒滅之。』 臣讀至此，常輟卷太息，不圖本朝親見此禍。 宗廟其不血食乎！」 帝大怒，詔引出。 褚遂良貶潭州都督，明年瑗上言：「遂良受先帝顧託，一德無二，向日論事，至誠懇切，詎肯令陛下後堯、舜而塵史冊哉？ 遭厚謗醜言，損陛下之明，折志士之銳。 況被遷以來，再離寒暑，其責塞矣。 願寬無辜，以順眾心。」 帝曰：「遂良之情，朕知之矣。 其孛戾好犯上，朕責之，詎有過邪？」 瑗曰：「遂良，社稷臣。 蒼蠅點白，傅致有罪。 昔微子既去，殷以亡； 張華不死，晉不及亂。 陛下富有四海，安於清泰，忽驅逐舊臣，遂不省察乎？」 帝愈不聽。 瑗憂憤，自表歸田里，不報。
Yuan from youth possessed integrity and strong moral character. He was broadly learned and understood administrative affairs. During Zhenguan he inherited the family title while serving as Vice Minister of War. In the third year of Yonghui he was transferred to Vice Director of the Yellow Gate. Shortly afterward he became Associate with the Three Departments at the rank of the Three Dukes and Supervisor of the national history. He was promoted to Palace Attendant and concurrently Guest of the Heir. When Empress Wang was to be deposed, Yuan wept openly and said, "The empress was taken in marriage by the late emperor when Your Majesty was still a prince. To depose her without crime is not a plan for the altars of state. The emperor did not accept this. The next day he remonstrated again, "When a king installs an empress, she matches Heaven and Earth and mirrors the sun and moon. Even common men and women know to choose one another—how much more the Son of Heaven? The Odes say, 'Splendid was the Zhou of the ancestors—Baosi destroyed it.' When I read to this point, I often put down the scroll and sigh deeply. I never expected to witness this calamity in our own dynasty. Will the ancestral temples not go without blood sacrifice! The emperor was furious and ordered him led out. After Chu Suiliang was demoted to Military Governor of Tanzhou, Yuan submitted a memorial the next year: "Suiliang received the late emperor's testamentary charge with undivided loyalty. In his daily counsel he was utterly sincere—how could he wish Your Majesty to fall behind Yao and Shun and stain the historical records? He has suffered thick slander, impairing Your Majesty's clarity and breaking the keen edge of men of resolve. Moreover, since his transfer he has passed through two cycles of cold and heat—his punishment is already sufficient. I hope the innocent may be pardoned to accord with the people's hearts. The emperor said, "I know Suiliang's feelings already. He is perverse and fond of offending his superiors. I reprove him—is there any fault in that?" Yuan said, "Suiliang is a minister of the altars of state. A fly can speck white and fabricate guilt. Formerly, once Weizi departed, Yin perished; if Zhang Hua had not died, Jin would not have reached disorder. Your Majesty possesses the four seas and rests in peace—will you not examine why you suddenly drive away old ministers? The emperor listened even less. Grieved and indignant, Yuan submitted a memorial requesting retirement to his fields; no reply was given.
41
顯慶二年，許敬宗、李義府奏「瑗以桂州授遂良，桂用武地，倚之謀不軌。」 於是貶振州刺史，逾年，卒，年五十四。 長孫無忌死，義府等復奏瑗與通謀，遣使即殺之； 既至，瑗已死，發棺驗視乃還。 追削官爵，籍其家，子孫謫廣州官奴。 神龍初，武后遺詔復官爵。 自瑗與遂良相繼死，內外以言為讀將二十年。 帝造奉天宮，御史李善感始上疏極言，時人喜之，謂為「鳳鳴朝陽」。
In the second year of Xianqing, Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu memorialized, "Yuan gave Guizhou to Suiliang. Gui is a military region, and relying on him they plotted rebellion. Thereupon he was demoted to Prefect of Zhenzhou. After more than a year he died, aged fifty-four. After Zhangsun Wuji died, Yifu and others again memorialized that Yuan had conspired with him and sent envoys to kill him immediately; when they arrived Yuan was already dead. They opened the coffin to verify and then returned. His offices and titles were posthumously stripped, his household was registered, and his descendants were banished as official slaves in Guangzhou. At the beginning of Shenlong, Empress Wu's testamentary edict restored his offices and titles. From the time Yuan and Suiliang died in succession, frank speech was taboo at court and beyond for nearly twenty years. When the emperor built Fengtian Palace, Censor Li Shangan was the first to submit a bold memorial. People of the time rejoiced and called it "the phoenix crying toward the sun."
42
來濟，揚州江都人。 父護兒，隋左翊衛大將軍。 宇文化及難，闔門死之，濟幼得免。 轉側流離，而篤志為文章，善議論，曉暢時務，擢進士。 貞觀中，累遷通事舍人。 太子承乾敗，太宗問侍臣何以處之，莫敢對。 濟曰：「陛下上不失為慈父，太子得盡天年，則善。」 帝納之。 除考功員外郎。 十八年，初置太子司議郎，高其選，而以濟為之，兼崇賢館直學士。 遷中書舍人。 永徽二年，拜中書侍郎，兼弘文館學士，監脩國史。 俄同中書門下三品，封南陽縣男。 遷中書令，檢校吏部尚書。
Lai Ji was a native of Jiangdu in Yangzhou. His father Huer was Left Majestic Guard General under the Sui. During the disaster of Yuwen Huaji the whole household perished, but Ji, still young, escaped. Wandering and displaced, he devoted himself to writing, was skilled in discourse, understood current affairs clearly, and passed the jinshi examination. During Zhenguan he rose in succession to Attendant of Affairs. When Crown Prince Chengqian failed, Taizong asked the attending ministers how to deal with him, but none dared reply. Ji said, "Your Majesty would not fail to be a loving father. If the crown prince is allowed to live out his natural years, that would be best. The emperor accepted this. He was appointed Vice Director in the Ministry of Personnel's Merit Office. In the eighteenth year the Heir's Remonstrance Official was first established with high selection standards, and Ji was appointed to it while also serving as Direct Academician of the Chongxian Hall. He was transferred to Drafting Attendant of the Secretariat. In the second year of Yonghui he was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat, concurrently Academician of the Hongwen Hall, and Supervisor of the national history. Shortly afterward he became Associate with the Three Departments at the rank of the Three Dukes and was enfeoffed as Baron of Nanyang County. He was transferred to Director of the Secretariat and acting Minister of Personnel.
43
帝將以武氏為后，濟諫曰：「王者立后，以承宗廟、母天下，宜擇禮義名家、幽閒令淑者，副四海之望，稱神祗之意。 故文王興姒，《關睢》之化，蒙被百姓，其福如彼； 成帝縱欲，以婢為后，皇統中微，其禍如此。 惟陛下詳察。」 初，武氏被寵，帝特號「宸妃」。 濟與韓瑗諫：「妃有常員，今別立號，不可。」 武氏已立，不自安。 后更謾言濟等忠鯁，恐前經執奏，輒懷反仄，請加賞慰，而實銜之。 帝示濟及瑗，濟等益懼。
When the emperor was about to install Lady Wu as empress, Ji remonstrated, "A king installs an empress to inherit the ancestral temples and mother the realm. He ought to choose one from a ritually upright eminent clan—secluded, graceful, and virtuous—matching the hopes of the four seas and fulfilling the intent of the spirits. King Wen raised the Si clan, and the transforming influence of "Guansui" covered the common people—such was its blessing; Emperor Cheng indulged his desires and made a maidservant empress; the imperial line declined midway—such was its calamity. I urge Your Majesty to examine this carefully. At first, when Lady Wu was favored, the emperor specially titled her Imperial Consort. Ji and Han Yuan remonstrated, "Consorts have fixed quotas. To establish a separate title now cannot be done. After Lady Wu was installed as empress, she was not at ease. The empress falsely praised Ji and the others as loyal and blunt, claiming they might harbor unease because of their earlier remonstrances, and requested rewards and consolation for them—yet in fact she resented them. The emperor showed this to Ji and Yuan, and they grew even more fearful.
44
顯慶初，兼太子賓客，進爵為侯。 帝嘗從容問馭下所宜，濟曰：「昔齊桓公出遊，見老人，命之食，曰：『請遺天下食。』 遺之衣，曰：『請遺天下衣。』 公曰：『吾府庫有限，安得而給？』 老人曰：『春不奪農時，即有食； 夏不奪蠶工，即有衣。』 由是言之，省徭役，馭下之宜也。」 于時山東役丁，歲別數萬人，又議取庸以償雇，紛然煩擾，故濟對及之。 二年，兼詹事。 尋坐褚遂良事，貶台州刺史。 久之，徙庭州。 龍朔二年，突厥入寇，濟總兵拒之，謂其眾曰：「吾嘗絓刑罔，蒙赦死，今當以身塞責。」 遂不介胄而馳賊，沒焉，年五十三。 贈楚州刺史，給靈轜還鄉。
At the beginning of Xianqing he was concurrently Guest of the Heir and advanced in rank to Marquis. The emperor once casually asked what was fitting in governing subordinates. Ji said, "Formerly Duke Huan of Qi went on an outing, saw an old man, and ordered food for him. The man said, 'Please give food to the realm. He gave him clothing, and the man said, 'Please give clothing to the realm.' The duke said, 'My treasury is limited—how can I provide for all?' The old man said, 'If spring does not seize the farming season, there will be food;' if summer does not seize the silkworm workers, there will be clothing. From this it follows that reducing corvée labor is what is fitting in governing subordinates.' At that time corvée laborers east of the mountains numbered tens of thousands each year, and there was further discussion of substitute payments to compensate hired labor, causing widespread confusion—therefore Ji answered with this. In the second year he was concurrently Steward of the Heir. Soon he was implicated in Chu Suiliang's affair and demoted to Prefect of Taizhou. After a long time he was moved to Tingzhou. In the second year of Longshuo the Türks invaded. Ji gathered troops to resist them and said to his men, "I was once caught in the net of punishment and was spared death by pardon. Now I must use my body to fulfill my duty. He then rode against the enemy without armor and perished, aged fifty-three. He was posthumously made Prefect of Chuzhou, and a funeral carriage was granted to return him home.
45
初，濟與高智周、郝處俊、孫處約客宣城石仲覽家，仲覽衍於財，有器識，待四人甚厚。 私相與言志，處俊曰：「願宰天下。」 濟及智周亦然。 處約曰：「宰相或不可冀，願為通事舍人足矣。」 後濟領吏部，處約始以瀛州書佐入調，濟遽注曰「如志」，遂以處約為通事舍人。 後皆至公輔云。
At first Ji lodged with Gao Zhizhou, Hao Chujun, and Sun Chuyue at the home of Shi Zhonglan of Xuancheng. Zhonglan was wealthy and discerning, and treated the four men very generously. In private they spoke of their ambitions. Chujun said, "I wish to govern the realm. Ji and Zhizhou said the same. Chuyue said, "Grand councilor may be beyond hope. To be an Attendant of Affairs would be enough. Later, when Ji headed the Ministry of Personnel, Chuyue entered for assignment as a clerical assistant from Yingzhou. Ji immediately noted "as wished" and appointed Chuyue Attendant of Affairs. Later all reached the rank of grand councilor.
46
異母兄恒
Half-brother by different mother: Heng.
47
濟異母兄恒，上元中，為黃門侍郎、同中書門下三品，父本驍將，而恒、濟俱以學行稱，相次知政事。 時虞世南子昶無才術，曆將作少匠、工部侍郎，主工作。 許敬宗曰：「護兒兒作相，世南男作匠，文武豈有種邪？」
Ji's half-brother Heng, during Shangyuan, was Vice Director of the Yellow Gate and Associate with the Three Departments at the rank of the Three Dukes. Their father had been a fierce general, yet Heng and Ji were both known for learning and conduct and successively managed state affairs. At the time Yu Shinan's son Chang had no talent or skill. He successively served as Vice Director of the Directorate for Palace Buildings and Vice Director in the Ministry of Works, overseeing construction. Xu Jingzong said, "Huer's son becomes chief minister, Shinan's son becomes a craftsman—can civil and military talent be inherited by breed?"
48
李義琰
Li Yiyan.
49
李義琰，魏州昌樂人，其先出隴西望姓。 及進士第，補太原尉。 李勣為都督，僚吏憚其威，義琰獨敢廷辨曲直，勣甚禮之。 徙白水令，有能名，擢司刑員外郎。 義琰姿體魁秀，博學，有智識。 累遷中書侍郎。 上元中，進同中書門下三品，兼太子右庶子。 高宗欲使武后攝國政，義琰與郝處俊固爭，事得寢。 章懷太子之廢，盡赦宮臣罪，庶子薛元超等皆蹈舞，義琰獨引咎涕泣，搢紳義之。 帝每顧問，必鯁切不回。 宅無正寢，弟義璡為市堂材送之。 義琰曰：「以吾為國相，且自愧，尚營美宇，是速吾禍，豈愛我者邪？」 義璡曰：「凡仕為丞尉，且崇第舍，兄位高，安可逼下哉？」 答曰：「不然。 事難全遂，物不兩興。 既處貴仕，又廣居宇，非有令德，必受其殃。」 卒不許。 後其木久腐，乃棄之。
Li Yiyan was a native of Changle in Weizhou. His ancestors came from the Wang clan of Longxi. Upon passing the jinshi examination he was appointed Assistant Magistrate of Taiyuan. When Li Ji was military governor, his staff feared his authority, but Yiyan alone dared argue right and wrong in open court, and Ji treated him with great respect. He was transferred as Magistrate of Baishui, gained a reputation for ability, and was promoted to Vice Director in the Ministry of Justice. Yiyan was tall and distinguished in bearing, broadly learned, and possessed wisdom and discernment. He rose in succession to Vice Director of the Secretariat. During Shangyuan he was advanced to Associate with the Three Departments at the rank of the Three Dukes and concurrently Right Guardian of the Heir. When Gaozong wished to have Empress Wu administer state affairs, Yiyan and Hao Chujun firmly contested it, and the matter was dropped. When Crown Prince Zhanghuai was deposed, all palace officials' crimes were pardoned. Guardians such as Xue Yuanchao danced in joy, but Yiyan alone took blame upon himself and wept, and the gentry honored him for this. Whenever the emperor consulted him, he was always blunt and firm and did not yield. His residence had no proper main chamber. His younger brother Yijin purchased hall timber on the market and sent it to him. Yiyan said, "That I am made chief minister is already a source of shame to me. To still build a fine dwelling is to hasten my calamity—can this be love for me? Yijin said, "Even those who serve as assistant magistrates and captains still honor their residences. Elder brother's rank is high—how can he be pressed so low?" He answered, "That is not so. Matters are hard to complete fully; things do not flourish in pairs. To hold high office and also expand one's dwelling—without outstanding virtue, one will surely receive calamity." In the end he did not consent. Later the timber rotted and was discarded.
50
義琰改葬其先，使舅家移塋而兆其所。 帝聞，怒曰：「是人不可使秉政。」 義琰懼，以疾乞骸骨，遷銀青光祿大夫，聽致仕，乃歸田裏。 公卿以下悉祖餞通化門外，時人比漢疏廣。 垂拱初，起為懷州刺史，自以失武后意，辭不拜，卒。
Yiyan reburied his ancestors, making his maternal kin move their tombs so that he could establish his own burial site there. When the emperor heard this, he angrily said, "This man cannot be allowed to hold power. Yiyan feared this, pleaded illness and requested retirement, was granted the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Silver Seal, permitted to retire, and returned to his fields. From grand councilors down all saw him off with a farewell feast outside Tonghua Gate. People of the time compared him to Shu Guang of Han. At the beginning of Chuigong he was recalled as Prefect of Huaizhou. Believing he had lost Empress Wu's favor, he declined the appointment and died.
51
子巢
Son: Chao.
52
子巢，幼豪俊，善騎射，而不治細行。 義琰嘗拘之，絕其交遊。 後亡走闕下，獻書陳利害。 拜監察御史，與李義府同按柳奭、韓瑗獄，遷殿中。 上書忤旨，貶龍編主簿。
His son Chao was bold and talented from youth, skilled at mounted archery, but did not attend to minor conduct. Yiyan once confined him and cut off his associations. Later he fled to the palace gates and submitted a memorial setting forth advantages and harms. He was appointed Investigating Censor, together with Li Yifu investigated the cases of Liu Shi and Han Yuan, and was transferred to the Palace Censorate. A memorial offended the imperial intent, and he was demoted to Registrar of Longbian.
53
從祖弟義琛
Younger cousin by father's brother: Yichen.
54
義琰從祖弟義琛。 義琛擢進士第，曆監察御史。 貞觀中，文成公主貢金，遇盜於岐州，主名不立。 太宗召群御史至，目義琛曰：「是人神情爽拔，可使推捕。」 義琛往，數日獲賊。 帝喜，為加七階。 初，義琰使高麗，其王據榻召見，義琰不拜，曰：「吾，天子使，可當小國之君，奈何倨見我？」 王祠屈，為加禮。 及義琛再使，亦坐召之，義琛匍匐拜伏。 時人由是見兄弟優劣。
Yiyan's younger cousin Yichen. Yichen passed the jinshi examination and successively served as Investigating Censor. During Zhenguan, Princess Wencheng presented gold tribute. It was robbed at Qizhou, and the case could not be solved. Taizong summoned the censors and, looking at Yichen, said, "This man's spirit is bright and outstanding. He can be sent to investigate and capture them. Yichen went, and within several days captured the bandits. The emperor was pleased and promoted him seven ranks. When Yiyan was envoy to Goguryeo, its king summoned him while reclining on a couch. Yiyan did not bow and said, "I am the Son of Heaven's envoy, equal to the ruler of a small state—why receive me with such arrogance? The king apologized and showed him added courtesy. When Yichen went as envoy a second time, he too was summoned while seated, and Yichen crawled and prostrated himself. People of the time thus saw the brothers' relative merits.
55
累遷刑部侍郎。 為雍州長史，時關輔大饑，詔貧人就食商、鄧，義琛恐流徙不還，上疏固爭。 左遷黎州都督，終岐州刺史。
He rose in succession to Vice Director in the Ministry of Justice. As Chief Administrator of Yongzhou, when the Guanzhong region suffered great famine, an edict ordered the poor to go for food to Shang and Deng. Yichen feared they would drift away and not return, and submitted a memorial firmly contesting this. He was demoted to Military Governor of Lizhou and ended his career as Prefect of Qizhou.
56
子綰，為柏人令，有仁政，縣為立祠。
His son Wan served as Magistrate of Bairen with benevolent governance, and the county erected a shrine for him.
57
上官儀
Shangguan Yi.
58
子庭芝，歷周王府屬，亦被殺。 庭芝女，中宗時為昭容，追贈儀為中書令、秦州都督、楚國公； 庭芝黃門侍郎、岐州刺史、天水郡公，以禮改葬。
His son Tingzhi served as an official of the Prince of Zhou's household and was also killed. Tingzhi's daughter, who during Zhongzong's reign was a Lady of Bright Countenance, had Yi posthumously granted the titles of Director of the Secretariat, Military Governor of Qinzhou, and Duke of Chu; Tingzhi was made Vice Director of the Yellow Gate, Prefect of Qizhou, and Duke of Tianshui Commandery, and was reburied according to ritual.
59
【贊】
Commentary.
60
贊曰：高宗之不君，可與為治邪？ 內牽嬖陰，外劫讒言，以無忌之親，遂良之忠，皆顧命大臣，一旦誅斥，忍而不省。 反天之剛，撓陽之明，卒使牝咮鳴辰，祚移后家，可不哀哉！ 天以女戎間唐而興，雖義士仁人抗之以死，決不可支。 然瑗、濟、義琰、儀四子可謂知所守矣。 噫，使長孫不逐江夏、害吳王，褚不譖死劉洎，其盛德可少訾乎！
The commentary says: Gaozong was no true ruler—how could one govern with him? Inwardly pulled by a favorite's shadow, outwardly seized by slanderous words—Wuji, his closest kin, and Suiliang, his loyal minister, both testamentary grand ministers, were in one day executed and cast out, and he endured this without reflection. He reversed Heaven's firmness and bent the brightness of the yang; in the end he let the hen crow at dawn and the throne pass to the empress's house—how pitiable! Heaven used the female warrior to divide Tang and rise. Though men of righteousness resisted with their lives, the dynasty could not be sustained. Yet Yuan, Ji, Yiyan, and Yi—the four of them—can be said to have known what to hold to. Alas! If Zhangsun had not driven away Jiangxia and harmed Prince Wu, and if Chu had not slandered Liu Ji to his death, could their great virtue have been even slightly faulted?