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卷10 列傳第2 邵惠公顥 杞簡公連 莒莊公洛生 虞國公仲

Volume 10 Biographies 2: Duke Hao of Shaohui; Duke Lian of Qijian; Duke Luosheng of Juzhuang; Duke Zhong of Yuguo

Chapter 10 of 周書 · Book of Zhou
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Chapter 10
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1
() 椿
Duke Hui of Shao Yuwen Hao; sons Shifen and Yuwen Dao (Hu) Shifen's son Yuwen Zhou; Yuwen Dao's sons Guang, Liang, Yi, Chun, and Zhong; Duke Jian of Qi Yuwen Lian; Duke Zhuang of Ju Yuwen Luosheng; son Puti; Duke Zhong of Yuguo Yuwen Zhong; son Xing
2
歿
Duke Hui of Shao Yuwen Hao was the elder brother of Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. Emperor De married Lady Wang of Lelang; she became Empress De. She bore Yuwen Hao, then Duke Jian of Qi Yuwen Lian, then Duke Zhuang of Ju Yuwen Luosheng, and finally Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. Yuwen Hao was supremely filial; when Empress De died, his mourning went beyond ritual bounds, and all in the neighborhood looked on him with respect and wonder. When Emperor De fought Wei Kegu at the Southern River of Wuchuan and fell from his horse in the field, Yuwen Hao galloped to his aid with a few riders, cut down dozens of the enemy, put their force to flight, and enabled Emperor De to remount and escape. Soon the enemy pursuit cavalry came up in strength, and Yuwen Hao fell fighting. At the beginning of Baoding (561), Yuwen Hao was posthumously granted Grand Preceptor, pillar-of-state grand general, grand chancellor, chief commander, commander of all military affairs in ten provinces including Heng and Shuo, and governor of Heng Province. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Shao, with a fief of ten thousand households. His posthumous title was Hui (Kind). Yuwen Hao had three sons: Shifen, Yuwen Dao, and Yuwen Hu. Yuwen Hu has a separate biography.
3
歿
Shifen was fifteen when Duke Hui died; grieving his early loss, he served his mother with a filial devotion that became renowned. In the Yong'an era (528–530), when Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai entered Guan, Shifen could not leave his mother and remained at Jinyang. After Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had pacified Qin and Long, Shifen was killed by Gao Huan, Duke of Qi Shenwu. At the beginning of Baoding (561), Shifen was posthumously granted grand general, junior grand chancellor, chief commander, commander of all military affairs in Ji and Ding provinces, and governor of Ji Province. He inherited the title Duke of Shao. His posthumous title was Jing (Resplendent). His son Yuwen Zhou succeeded.
4
Yuwen Zhou was orphaned young and poor, yet showed considerable drive and strategic ability. When Duke Jing was killed, Yuwen Zhou, because of his youth, was sent to the castration quarters. At the beginning of Baoding (561), an edict ordered that Yuwen Hui, son of Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu, should succeed to Duke Jing's enfeoffment. In the Tianhe era (566–572), when peace was made with Northern Qi, Yuwen Zhou first returned to Guanzhong. He was granted grand general and commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol, and inherited the title Duke of Shao. He was soon appointed master-of-clans middle grandee, advanced to grand general, sent out as governor of Yuan Province, and transferred to governor of Xing Province. At the end of the Daxiang era (579–581), when Yang Jian, Duke of Sui, served as regent, Yuwen Zhou raised provincial troops to support Yuchi Jiong; he fought Yang Su, Duke of Qinghe, was defeated, fled, was captured at Shiji, and beheaded. The ducal fief was abolished.
5
(Zhou's son) Yuwen Hui, style name Ganren loved learning from childhood and was clever and bright. In the second year of Western Wei Emperor Gong (555), for Yuwen Hu's merit in pacifying Jiangling, he was granted the title Marquis of Jiangling county. At the beginning of Baoding (561), he succeeded after Duke Jing and was appointed flying-cavalry grand general and commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol. In the second year (562), he was appointed commander of the six garrisons of Tong Pass at Pu Province and governor of Pu Province. When Yuwen Zhou returned from Northern Qi, Yuwen Hui's enfeoffment was changed to Duke of Tan. Soon he was advanced to pillar-of-state. At the beginning of Jiande (572), he was executed together with Yuwen Hu. In the fifth month of the third year (574), he was posthumously honored and his former enfeoffment was restored.
6
西 使祿 宿 退 使
Yuwen Dao, style name Pusa. In youth he was bold and heroic, possessed benevolence and kindness, and Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai loved him. At first he was with his uncles in Ge Rong's army; when Ge Rong was defeated, they were relocated to Jinyang. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai followed Helba Yue into Guan, Yuwen Dao followed west and constantly joined the campaigns. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai campaigned against Houmochen Yue, he made Yuwen Dao commander and garrisoned Yuan Province. When Houmochen Yue was defeated and fled north through the old frontier pass, Yuwen Dao led cavalry in pursuit, caught him at Qiantun Mountain, beheaded him, and sent his head to the capital. For his merit he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Raoyang county with a fief of five hundred households, appointed Champion General, and given the additional post of Regular Attendant through direct connection. When Western Wei Emperor Wen acceded, for merit in settling the succession he was advanced to duke, his fief was increased by five hundred households, and he was appointed bearer of staff of authority, Regular Attendant Imperial Secretary, chariots-and-cavalry grand general, and Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. In the third year (535), when Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai marched east, Yuwen Dao entered palace guard service and was appointed director of the guard and chief commander. When Gao Huan, Duke of Qi Shenwu, crossed the river and invaded Fengyi, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai led his army into Guan from Hongnong. Yuwen Dao directed the left and right imperial guard, joined at Shaye, fought Gao Huan, and inflicted a great defeat. He was advanced to commissioner equal to Three Excellencies. The next year, when Western Wei Emperor Wen marched east, Yuwen Dao was left as governor of Hua Province. When Zhao Qingque, Yu Fude, Murong Siqing, and others rebelled, Yuwen Dao from Hua Province led his troops against them, captured Yu Fude, and beheaded Murong Siqing. He advanced to camp at Wei Bridge and joined Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's army. When the affair was pacified, he was advanced to Duke of Zhangwu commandery, and his fief together with the former totaled two thousand households. Soon he was additionally given palace attendant, commissioner, flying-cavalry grand general, and junior tutor of the crown prince. When Gao Zhongmi surrendered Beiyu, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai led the generals in supporting the Western Wei crown prince on an eastern campaign; Yuwen Dao was again made chief commander of military affairs in Hua, East Yong, and the two Yong provinces, and acting governor of Hua Province. Yuwen Dao trained troops and drilled soldiers and mastered methods of defense. When the main army suffered a setback, the Eastern Wei army pursued as far as Chousang; learning that Guanzhong was prepared, they withdrew. When Hou Jing surrendered Henan and came over, sending envoys to request aid, the court debated responding; Yuwen Dao was then summoned as chief commander of Longyou, commander of all military affairs in fifteen provinces including Qinnan, and governor of Qin Province. When Northern Qi declared itself emperor, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai dispatched Guanzhong troops to campaign against it; Western Wei Emperor Wen sent Prince of Qi Kuo to garrison Longyou and summoned Yuwen Dao back to court. He was appointed grand general, chief commander of all military affairs in twenty-three provinces including the Three Yong and Two Hua, and garrisoned Xianyang. When the main army returned, he returned to his former post.
7
西西 滿 椿 椿
Yuwen Dao was magnanimous and clear-sighted, skilled at governing and winning people; all whom he received gave him their full loyalty. In affairs he was reverent and cautious, as though always falling short. Whenever Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai campaigned, Yuwen Dao always remained to guard; officials and commoners were deeply attached to him, and the court valued him for this. In the twelfth month of the first year of Western Wei Emperor Gong (554), he died at Shanggui, aged forty-four. The Wei emperor sent palace attendant Prince of Yuyang Yuwen Sheng to oversee the funeral. He was granted his former office and additionally made Minister over the Masses and governor of Qin Province; his posthumous title was Xiao (Filial). The court held that because Yuwen Dao had pacified the western Rong and his authority and kindness were conspicuous, they wished his line to command Longyou for generations to manifest his virtue; he was therefore buried on Wujiang plain west of Shanggui. More than ten thousand Chinese and frontier peoples attended the funeral; offerings lined the road and wailing filled the wilds; all cried, "Has our lord abandoned us?" Young and old together carried earth to form a tumulus more than fifty chi high and more than eighty paces around. Government officers stopped them; only then did they weep and take their leave. The affection he left behind and the longing for him were like this. In the fifth year of Tianhe (568), he was again posthumously granted Grand Preceptor, pillar-of-state, and Duke of Bin. Yuwen Dao had five sons: Guang, Liang, Yi, Chun, and Zhong. Liang and Chun were both given in adoption to the Qi line. Yuwen Guang, style name Qiangui. In youth he was stern and proper and loved literature. At first he was enfeoffed as Duke of Yongchang commandery. When Emperor Xiaomin Yuwen Jue acceded, his enfeoffment was changed to Duke of Tianshui commandery. When Shizong Yuwen Yu acceded, he was appointed flying-cavalry grand general and commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol, and sent out as governor of Qin Province. In the early Wucheng era (559), he was advanced to grand general, transferred to governor-general of Liang Province, advanced to Duke of Cai, and his fief was increased by ten thousand households. At the beginning of Baoding (561), he entered court service as junior minister of justice. Soon, retaining his office, he garrisoned Pu Province and concurrently directed military affairs at Tong Pass and the six garrisons. In the second year (562), he was appointed governor-general of Qin Province, commander of military affairs in thirteen provinces, and governor of Qin Province. Yuwen Guang was clear-sighted and skilled at comforting and governing; the people revered and delighted in him. At the time the sons of Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu and Guang's younger brother Duke of Qi Yuwen Liang and others were extravagant in dress and luxuries beyond regulations; Guang alone followed ritual propriety, humbled himself to treat scholars, and court and countryside praised him for it. Once while attending a meal with High Ancestor Yuwen Yong, he found the melon delicious, presented it to the emperor, and pleased him. In the fourth year, he was advanced to pillar-of-state. Because Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu had long monopolized authority, Guang urged him to restrain himself; Hu would not heed him. In the third year of Tianhe (568), he was appointed governor-general of Shan Province and was dismissed because of illness. When Duke Xiao was posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Bin, an edict summoned Yuwen Guang to inherit the title.
8
綿
At first, Yuwen Guang's mother Lady Li, because Guang's illness had lasted years, worried herself into sickness and thereby died. Yuwen Guang having entered mourning, his illness grew still worse, and he died from grief-induced destruction. The age said the mother died of Guang's illness and Guang died for his mother—filial piety and kindness reached their utmost in one clan. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong in plain white mourning garb personally attended; the hundred officials all assembled. His former subordinate commissioner-equal Li Chongxin and others submitted a memorial, saying: We have heard that nurturing filial piety completes loyalty, the highest duty among the people; honoring virtue and fostering goodness is a constant rule of state. We venture to consider the late Yuwen Guang, Duke of Bin: an excellent kinsman of fine reputation, the focus of all eyes, whose conduct surpassed the feudal lords and whose merit fortified the realm. Receiving the sacrificial flesh and raising his banner, his authority extended through Qin and Long; dispensing regulations and dispatching couriers, his transforming influence overflowed Xiaoshan and Hangu. Recently when his bodily harmony was disturbed, he obeyed an edict and returned to the capital; where medicine reached him, his grave illness gradually improved. Yet calamities still gathered; meeting this extreme grief, his surpassing filial nature aggravated his old illness, and through this ruin and collapse he died. Reflecting on this, our grief is penetrating and we cannot restrain ourselves.
9
祿 宿
We who served under him often received his parting counsels. Looking up to his past conduct, he restrained himself in self-cultivation; his rank reached supreme duke, his revenues matched a thousand chariots; the salary and stipends he received fully provided for his dependents without remainder; utensils and luxury goods he took only as sufficed. Whenever he spoke of life and death, he especially maintained simplicity. He did not praise Wu's burial rites like the First Emperor of Qin, ridicule stone coffins while praising thick firewood. Now the burial site has been divined and a date set, and the distant ancestors approach; we truly fear that once death comes like morning dew, this wish cannot be fulfilled. We humbly hope Your Majesty will extend unprecedented kindness, bestow pouring grace, remember the departed, show pity to the hidden soul, command the offices to fulfill his lifelong wish, and keep the burial rites frugal.
10
便 使 西
The edict said: "Having read Chongxin and the others' memorial, mourning is only increased. Yuwen Guang, Duke of Bin, screen of the realm and excellent reputation, model of the imperial clan, words manifest in conduct, conduct forms a gentleman's standard. Just when one relied on excellent kin to assist court government, he suddenly met bitter hardship and was destroyed. He opened his hands and returned whole, never forgetting elegant integrity. Speaking of the past, the heart is shaken. Formerly Hejian's literary talent was commemorated by the Commandant of Justice; Donghai's modest restraint was praised after death. May former canons be consulted and old regulations followed. Let the words of changing the mat fulfill his dying wish; the request to dismiss lavish burial not mar his fine end." Thereupon he was granted his former office and additionally made Grand Tutor. He was buried in Longxi. The responsible offices all followed the edict and together kept frugal simplicity. His son Qia succeeded. In the Dading era (581), when Yang Jian served as regent, because members of the imperial clan were killed, the ducal fief was abolished.
11
椿
Yuwen Liang, style name Gandé. In the early Wucheng era (559), he was enfeoffed as Duke of Yongchang commandery. Later he inherited the title Duke Lie and was appointed commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol and governor-general of Liang Province. At the end of Tianhe (572), he was appointed master-of-clans middle grandee and advanced to grand general. When Yuwen Guang, Duke of Bin, died, Yuwen Liang was made governor-general of Qin Province, and all troops formerly under Guang were assigned to him. Yuwen Liang achieved very little in governing the province. Soon he was advanced to pillar-of-state. After Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu was executed, Yuwen Liang's heart was uneasy, and he indulged only in wine. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong personally wrote a reprimanding edict. During Jiande (572–578), when High Ancestor Yuwen Yong marched east, Yuwen Liang was made commander of the second army on the right. When Bing Province was pacified, he was advanced to superior pillar-of-state. He still followed in pacifying Ye and was transferred to Grand Minister of Education. When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun acceded, he was sent out as governor-general of An Province. Early in the Daxiang era (579), an edict made Yuwen Liang campaign commander-in-chief; with the supreme commander Wei Xiaokuan, Duke of Yun, and others he marched against Chen. Liang took the Anlu route, captured Huangcheng, repeatedly plundered riverside villages, seized captives, and gave them to his soldiers as booty. When the army reached Yu Province, Liang secretly told Chief Clerk Du Shijun: "The emperor's excess grows worse by the day and the realm is in danger. As a member of the royal house, I cannot sit idle while everything collapses. If we surprise the Duke of Yun, take his army, set up one of our uncles as ruler, and march forward to the drum, who would refuse to follow?" That night he led several hundred riders in a night assault on Xiaokuan's camp. Liang's household officer Ru Kuan learned of the plot, sent word ahead by fast courier, and Xiaokuan made ready. Liang failed, fled, and Xiaokuan ran him down and executed him. His son Ming was put to death on account of Liang's rebellion. An edict made Liang's younger brother Chun heir to Duke Lie.
12
西
Yi, styled Qianyi. At the opening of the Wucheng era he received the title Duke of Xiyang Commandery. He died young and was posthumously titled Zhao. He left no son, so Wen, son of Yuwen Liang, Duke of Qi, succeeded him. Later Wen was executed for Liang's revolt and the fief was abolished.
13
椿 椿 椿 椿 西
Yuwen Chun, style name Qianshou. At first he was enfeoffed as Duke of Yongchang commandery. During Baoding (561–565), he was granted commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol and master-of-clans middle grandee. At the beginning of Jiande (572), he was advanced to grand general. Soon he was appointed governor of Qi Province. In the fourth year (575), the people of Guanzhong suffered famine; Chun memorialized describing the situation, and an imperial letter commended and comforted him. Thereupon orders were issued to open granaries everywhere for relief. In the fourth year (575), when High Ancestor Yuwen Yong marched east, Chun together with Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian captured Wuji and four other cities. In the fifth year (576), when High Ancestor Yuwen Yong advanced from Jin Province, Chun led his forces to camp at Qijiyuan. When Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun acceded, he was appointed grand minister of justice. After Liang was executed, an edict ordered him to continue the enfeoffment of Duke Lie. Soon he was advanced to superior pillar-of-state and transferred to Grand Minister of Education. At the beginning of Dading (581), he was killed by Yang Jian, Duke of Sui, together with his five sons: Daozong, Duke of Xiyang; Ben; Renlin; Wuzi; and Lixian.
14
Zhong, styled Qiandao. At the opening of the Baoding era he was enfeoffed Duke of Tianshui Commandery. From boyhood he was slow-witted; his words and silences were erratic, and no one could read him. When Sui Emperor Wen Yang Jian ascended, he first meant to make Zhong Duke of Jie, but later had him killed along with his sons Zhonghe and Shulun.
15
歿 使
Duke Lian of Qi, Yuwen Lian, was careful and honest from childhood and resolute in battle. He followed Emperor De in the advance on Ding Province, camped on the Tang River, and there both died. At the opening of Baoding he was posthumously made commissioner bearing credentials, grand tutor, pillar-of-state general, grand minister of education, governor-general, commander-in-chief over Ding, Ji, and ten other provinces, and inspector of Ding Province; enfeoffed Duke of Qi, with a fief of five thousand households; and given the posthumous title Jian. His son (Guang) Yuan Bao was killed by Qi Shenwu. At the opening of Baoding he was posthumously made grand general, junior minister of education, grand governor-general, commander-in-chief over You, Yan, and six other provinces, and inspector of You Province. He inherited the dukedom of Qi and received the posthumous title Lie. Yuwen Liang, son of Duke of Zhangwu Dao, became heir.
16
使
Duke Luosheng of Ju, Yuwen Luosheng, was a young bravo who loved arms; grown, he was magnanimous, generous, and fond of nurturing talent. The best men of the northern provinces sought his company, yet few matched his ability. After Ge Rong defeated Xianyu Xiuli, he made Luosheng Prince of Yuyang and left him in command of Emperor De's remaining troops. Contemporaries called him the Luosheng Prince. Luosheng knew how to lead soldiers, and many bold fighters served under his banner. In battle none could stand before his vanguard, and his victories usually topped those of every other army. When Erzhu Rong settled Shandong he gathered local strongmen and moved them to Jinyang; Luosheng was among the prisoners. Erzhu Rong had long known his reputation and feared him in his heart. Before long Erzhu Rong had him killed. At the opening of Baoding he was posthumously made commissioner bearing credentials, grand guardian, pillar-of-state general, grand minister of tombs, grand clan elder, governor-general, commander-in-chief over Bing, Si, and ten other provinces, and inspector of Bing Province; enfeoffed Duke of Ju, with a fief of five thousand households; and given the posthumous title Zhuang.
17
His son Puti was killed by Qi Shenwu. At the opening of Baoding he was posthumously made grand general, junior clan elder, governor-general, commander-in-chief over Si, Heng, and six other provinces, and inspector of Si Province; he inherited the dukedom of Ju and received the posthumous title Mu. Yuwen Zhi, son of Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu, succeeded to the line.
18
Yuwen Zhi, style name Qianfu. At first he was enfeoffed as Duke of Chongye; later he inherited the title Duke Mu. At the beginning of Jiande (572), because of his father Yuwen Hu's execution, an edict made Bin, son of Prince of Wei Yuwen Zhi, heir to Duke Mu. In the third year (574), Yuwen Zhi's enfeoffment was posthumously restored.
19
Bin, styled Qianrui. Soon afterward he was executed for a capital offense. In Jiande 6 (577), again the Guangdu Gong, son of Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian, (Zhen) Gong succeeded to the title.
20
(Zhen) Gong, styled Qianzhen. At the opening of Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun's reign he was executed and the fief abolished.
21
使
Duke Zhong of Yuguo, Yuwen Zhong, was a paternal cousin of Emperor De. He died in Dai. At the opening of Baoding he was posthumously made commissioner bearing credentials, grand tutor, pillar-of-state general, grand minister of education, governor-general, commander-in-chief over Yan, Ping, and ten other provinces, and inspector of Yan Province; enfeoffed Duke of Yuguo, with a fief of three thousand households. His son Xing succeeded.
22
𨻽 使 使
Xing was born amid military turmoil; he was separated from Zhong while still very young and did not know the nearness or distance of his kinship. He and Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's brothers at first did not know one another. When Gao Huan, Duke of Qi Shenwu, attacked Shayuan, Xing was among the ranks; the army was defeated and he was taken captive, and by precedent was dispersed and assigned to various armies. Xing was broad and generous by nature, with breadth of purpose; though adrift through worldly vicissitudes, his bearing was admirable. In the second year of Western Wei Emperor Gong (555), he was recommended as worthy and good, appointed assistant administrator of his home commandery, and transferred to magistrate of Changshi county. In the second year of Baoding (562), an edict had Zhong's son Xing entered on the clan register. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong, because Xing was a close imperial kinsman, honored and treated him very generously, appointing him bearer of staff of authority, flying-cavalry grand general, commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol, and commander, and enfeoffing him as Duke of Daning commandery. Soon he was appointed master-of-clans middle grandee. In the fourth year (565), he was sent out as governor of Jing Province. In the fifth year (566), he was again summoned and appointed master-of-clans, advanced to grand general, and inherited the title Duke of Yuguo. In the second year of Tianhe (567) he died; High Ancestor Yuwen Yong came in person and grieved. An edict appointed Li Mu, Duke of Shen and grand minister of works, to oversee the funeral. He was posthumously granted bearer of staff of authority, pillar-of-state grand general, chief commander, commander of military affairs in six provinces including Heng and You, and governor of Heng Province; his posthumous title was Jing (Tranquil). His son Luo succeeded.
23
使
Luo, styled Yongluo. At nine he was appointed heir to the Duke of Yuguo. In Tianhe 4 (569) an edict made him inherit Xing's title. At the opening of Jiande he was made commissioner bearing credentials, chariot-and-cavalry general, and grandmaster with privilege equal to the Three Excellencies. When Emperor Jing Yuwen Chan died, Sui Emperor Wen Yang Jian made Luo Duke of Jie, declaring that he would be a guest of the Sui house.
24
The historian writes: From antiquity, founding rulers and heirs who kept the patrimony have relied not only on ministers outside the clan but also on help from royal kin. Close royal houses such as Lu, Wei, Liang, and Chu, and more distant ones such as Fan, Jiang, Jing, and Yan, all won renown and proved their merit and were not forgotten after a hundred generations. Consider Duke Xiao of Bin's feats of arms, crowned by good government; and Duke Wen of Cai's pure filial devotion, graced by thrift: towering figures, enough to eclipse the worthies of earlier ages. When the Sui house rose and, bearing Heaven's might, subdued the realm, generals, ministers, kings, and marquises all laid their lives open in submission and invoked the mandate to praise its virtue. Yuwen Zhou, by the closest kinship, held one province and joined the righteous rising—this may be called loyal and brave at once. His enterprise went unfulfilled—alas! Liang was truly a mediocrity who plotted extraordinary action amid great treason. The ancients spoke of men who do not measure their virtue or their strength—is this not exactly what they meant?
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