Volume 12 Biographies 4: Prince Xian of Qiyang

齊煬王憲

Prince Xian of Qiyang Yuwen Xian

保定中，徵還京，拜雍州牧。及晉公護東伐，以尉遲迥為先鋒，圍洛陽。憲與達奚武、王雄等軍於邙山。自餘諸軍，各分守險要。齊兵數萬，奄出軍後，諸軍恇駭，竝各退散。唯憲與王雄、達奚武率衆拒之。而雄為齊人所斃，三軍震懼。憲親自督勵，衆心乃安。時晉公護執政，雅相親委，賞罰之際，皆得預焉。

During Baoding (561–565), he was recalled to the capital and appointed governor of Yong Province. When Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu campaigned east, Yuchi Jiong was made vanguard and besieged Luoyang. Yuwen Xian with Daxi Wu, Wang Xiong, and others encamped on Mount Mang. The remaining armies each guarded strategic passes separately. Northern Qi troops numbering tens of thousands suddenly appeared behind the army; the various armies were frightened and all dispersed in retreat. Only Yuwen Xian with Wang Xiong and Daxi Wu led troops to resist them. But Wang Xiong was killed by Northern Qi men; the whole army was shaken with fear. Yuwen Xian personally urged them on, and the troops' hearts then settled. At the time Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu held the government; he was naturally close and trusted Yuwen Xian; in matters of rewards and punishments Xian was always consulted.

天和三年，以憲為大司馬，治小冢宰，雍州牧如故。四年，齊將獨孤永業來寇，盜殺孔城防主能奔達，以城應之。詔憲與柱國李穆將兵出宜陽，築崇德等五城，絕其糧道。齊將斛律明月率衆四萬，築壘洛南。五年，憲涉洛邀之，明月遁走。憲追之，及于安業，屢戰而還。是歲，明月又率大衆於汾北築城，西至龍門。晉公護謂憲曰：「寇賊充斥，戎馬交馳，遂使疆埸之間，生民委弊。豈得坐觀屠滅，而不思救之。汝謂計將安出？」曰：「如憲所見，兄宜暫出同州，以為威勢，憲請以精兵居前，隨機攻取。非惟邊境清寧，亦當別有克獲。」護然之。

In the third year of Tianhe (568), Yuwen Xian was made grand marshal, administering the junior grand chancellorate; governor of Yong Province as before. In the fourth year (569), Northern Qi general Dugu Yongye came to raid; bandits killed Kongcheng garrison commander Neng Benda, who fled to the enemy and yielded the city to them. An edict ordered Yuwen Xian and Pillar-of-State Li Mu to lead troops out through Yiyang, build Chongde and four other cities, and cut their supply lines. Northern Qi general Hulu Mingyue led forty thousand men and built fortifications south of the Luo. In the fifth year (570), Yuwen Xian crossed the Luo to intercept him; Hulu Mingyue fled. Yuwen Xian pursued him, caught up at Anye, fought repeatedly, and returned. That year Hulu Mingyue again led a great host to build fortifications north of the Fen, westward to Longmen. Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu said to Yuwen Xian: "Bandits and enemies fill the land; war-horses clash incessantly; thus between the frontiers the people are worn down and ruined. How can we sit and watch slaughter without thinking to save them? What plan do you think should be adopted?" He replied: "As I see it, elder brother should temporarily go out to Tong Province to display authority; I ask to lead picked troops in the van and seize opportunities to attack. Not only will the border be cleared and settled; there should also be separate captures to be made." Yuwen Hu approved.

六年，乃遣憲率衆二萬，出自龍門。齊將新蔡王王康得以憲兵至，潛軍宵遯。憲乃西歸。仍掘移汾水，水南堡壁，復入於齊。齊人謂略不及遠，遂弛邊備。憲乃渡河，攻其伏龍等四城，二日盡拔。又進攻張壁，克之，獲其軍實，夷其城壘。斛律明月時在華谷，弗能救也，北攻姚襄城，陷之。時汾州又見圍日久，糧援路絕。憲遣柱國宇文盛運粟以饋之。憲自入兩乳谷，襲克齊柏社城，進軍姚襄。齊人嬰城固守。憲使柱國、譚公會築石殿城，以為汾州之援。齊平原王段孝先、蘭陵王高長恭引兵大至，憲命將士陣而待之。大將軍韓歡為齊人所乘，遂以奔退，憲身自督戰，齊衆稍卻。會日暮，乃各收軍。

In the sixth year (571), he then sent Yuwen Xian with twenty thousand men out from Longmen. Northern Qi general Prince of Xincai Wang Kangde, when Yuwen Xian's army arrived, quietly withdrew his force by night. Yuwen Xian then returned west. He also diverted the Fen River; the fortresses south of the water reverted to Northern Qi. Northern Qi men thought the raid would not reach far, and thereupon relaxed border defenses. Yuwen Xian then crossed the river and attacked their Fulong and three other cities; in two days all were taken. He also advanced to attack Zhangbi, captured it, seized their military stores, and levelled the fortifications. Hulu Mingyue was then at Huagu and could not rescue; Yuwen Xian attacked north and took Yaoxiang city. At the time Fen Province was also besieged for a long time; grain and relief routes were cut off. Yuwen Xian sent Pillar-of-State Yuwen Sheng to transport grain and supply it. Yuwen Xian himself entered Liangru Valley, surprised and took Northern Qi's Baishe city, and advanced to Yaoxiang. Northern Qi men held the city and defended resolutely. Yuwen Xian had Pillar-of-State Tan Gonghui build Shidian city as relief for Fen Province. Northern Qi Prince of Pingyuan Duan Xiaoxian and Prince of Lanling Gao Changgong brought great armies; Yuwen Xian ordered officers and men to form up and await them. Grand General Han Huan was struck by Northern Qi; he thereupon fled in retreat; Yuwen Xian personally directed the battle and Northern Qi forces gradually withdrew. At dusk both sides withdrew their armies.

及晉公護誅，高祖召憲入，憲免冠拜謝。帝謂之曰：「天下者，太祖之天下，吾嗣守鴻基，常恐失墜。冢宰無君淩上，將圖不軌，吾所以誅之，以安社稷。汝親則同氣，休戚共之，事不相涉，何煩致謝。」乃詔憲往護第，收兵符及諸簿書等。尋以憲為大冢宰。時高祖旣誅宰臣，親覽朝政，方欲導之以政，齊之以刑，爰及親親，亦為刻薄。憲旣為護所委任，自天和之後，威勢漸隆。護欲有所陳，多令憲聞奏。其間或有可不，憲慮主相嫌隙，每曲而暢之。高祖亦悉其心，故得無患。然猶以威名過重，終不能平，雖遙授冢宰，寔奪其權也。

When Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu was executed, High Ancestor Yuwen Yong summoned Yuwen Xian in; Xian removed his cap and bowed in apology. The emperor said to him: "The realm is Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's realm; I succeed and guard the great foundation, constantly fearing it may fall. The grand chancellor was without a lord yet overawed his sovereign and plotted treason; I executed him for this to secure the altars of state. You are kin of the same breath; we share weal and woe; the matter does not concern you—why trouble yourself to apologize?" An edict then ordered Yuwen Xian to go to Yuwen Hu's residence and collect military tallies and all registers and documents. Soon Yuwen Xian was made grand chancellor. At the time High Ancestor Yuwen Yong had already executed the chief minister and personally oversaw court affairs; he wished to guide by governance and align by punishments, yet toward kin he was also harsh. Yuwen Xian had been entrusted by Yuwen Hu; from Tianhe onward his authority gradually rose. When Yuwen Hu wished to submit something, he often had Yuwen Xian hear and report it. Among these there were sometimes points that could not be approved; Yuwen Xian, fearing rift between sovereign and minister, always smoothed and expounded them. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong also fully knew his heart, so he remained without trouble. Yet because his renown was too weighty, in the end harmony could not be achieved; though grand chancellor was conferred from afar, in reality his power was taken away.

開府裴文舉，憲之侍讀，高祖常御內殿，引見之。謂曰：「晉公不臣之跡，朝野所知，朕所以泣而誅者，安國家，利百姓耳。昔魏末不綱，太祖匡輔元氏；有周受命，晉公復執威權。積習生常，便謂法應須爾。豈有三十歲天子而可為人所制乎。且近代以來，又有一弊，暫經隸屬，便即禮若君臣。此乃亂代之權宜，非經國之治術。《詩》云：『夙夜匪解，以事一人。』一人者，止據天子耳。雖陪侍齊公，不得即同臣主。且太祖十兒，寧可悉為天子。卿宜規以正道，勸以義方，輯睦我君臣，協和我骨肉。無令兄弟，自致嫌疑。」文舉拜謝而出，歸以白憲。憲指心撫几曰：「吾之夙心，公寧不悉，但當盡忠竭節耳，知復何言。」

Opening-the-feudatory Pei Wenju was Yuwen Xian's tutor; High Ancestor Yuwen Yong often received him in the inner hall. He said: "Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu's disloyal conduct is known throughout court and countryside; the reason I wept as I executed him was to secure the state and benefit the people. Formerly at the end of Wei when order failed, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai supported and assisted the Yuan clan; when Zhou received the Mandate, Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu again wielded authority and power. Accumulated custom became routine, and one then thought the law ought necessarily to be so. How can a thirty-year-old Son of Heaven be controlled by others? Moreover in recent times there has been another abuse: after brief subordination, one immediately treats them with the rites of lord and minister. This is a makeshift of chaotic ages, not the governing art of ordering a state. The 《Poetry》 says: "From early dawn till late at night, to serve the One Man." The One Man" refers only to the Son of Heaven. Though you attend and serve Yuwen Xian, Duke of Qi, you must not immediately treat it as the same as minister and lord. Moreover Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had ten sons—could all be Sons of Heaven? You should admonish him with the correct Way and encourage him with righteous conduct; harmonize our lord and ministers and reconcile our kin. Do not let brothers bring suspicion upon themselves." Pei Wenju bowed in thanks and withdrew, then returned and told Yuwen Xian. Yuwen Xian pointed to his heart and stroked the table, saying: "My long-standing intent—would you not know it? I need only exhaust loyalty and exhaust integrity; what more is there to say?"

建德（二）年，進爵為王。憲友劉休徵獻《王箴》一首，憲美之。休徵後又以此箴上高祖。高祖方剪削諸弟，甚悅其文。憲常以兵書繁廣，難求指要，乃自刊定為《要略》五篇，至是表陳之。高祖覽而稱善。

Jiande (second) year (572), he was advanced in rank to prince. Yuwen Xian's friend Liu Xiuzheng presented a 《Prince's Admonition》 in one piece; Xian praised it. Liu Xiuzheng later also submitted this admonition to High Ancestor Yuwen Yong. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong was then curtailing his younger brothers and was greatly pleased with the text. Yuwen Xian often found military books too vast and hard to grasp for essentials; he therefore edited and fixed them into five chapters of the 《Essentials》, and at this time submitted them in a memorial. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong read them and praised them.

其秋，高祖幸雲陽宮，遂寢疾。衛王直於京師舉兵反。高祖召憲謂曰：「衛王構逆，汝知之乎？」憲曰：「臣初不知，今始奉詔。直若逆天犯順，此則自取滅亡。」高祖：「汝即為前軍，吾亦續發。」直尋敗走。高祖至京師，憲與趙王招俱入拜謝。高祖曰：「管蔡為戮，周公作輔，人心不同，有如其面。但愧兄弟親尋干戈，於我為不足耳。」初，直內深忌憲，憲隱而容之。且以帝之母弟，每加友敬。晉公護之誅也，直固請及憲。高祖曰：「齊公心跡，吾自悉之，不得更有所疑也。」及文宣皇后崩，直又密啟云：「憲飲酒食肉，與平日不異。」高祖曰：「吾與齊王異生，俱非正嫡，特為吾意，今袒括是同。汝當愧之，何論得失。汝親太后之子，偏荷慈愛。今但須自勖，無假說人。」直乃止。

That autumn High Ancestor Yuwen Yong visited Yunyang Palace and there fell gravely ill. Prince of Wei Yuwen Zhi raised troops in rebellion at the capital. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong summoned Yuwen Xian and said: "Prince of Wei Yuwen Zhi has plotted rebellion—do you know of it?" Yuwen Xian replied: "Your servant at first did not know; now I have received the edict. If Yuwen Zhi defies Heaven and violates order, this is to bring destruction upon himself." High Ancestor Yuwen Yong said: "You shall be the forward army; I too shall follow in dispatch." Yuwen Zhi soon was defeated and fled. When High Ancestor Yuwen Yong reached the capital, Yuwen Xian with Yuwen Zhao, Prince of Zhao, both entered to bow in thanks. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong said: "Guan and Cai were executed; the Duke of Zhou then served as regent—hearts differ as faces differ. I only regret that brothers turned kinship to arms; for me this is not enough." Earlier Yuwen Zhi deeply resented Yuwen Xian inwardly; Xian concealed and tolerated him. Moreover as the emperor's younger brother by the same mother, he always treated him with friendship and respect. When Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu was executed, Yuwen Zhi firmly requested that Yuwen Xian be included. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong said: "Yuwen Xian, Duke of Qi's intentions and conduct—I know them myself; there must be no further suspicion." When Empress Dowager Wenxuan died, Yuwen Zhi again secretly reported: "Yuwen Xian drinks wine and eats meat no differently from ordinary days." High Ancestor Yuwen Yong said: "I and Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian were born of different mothers; neither of us was the legitimate heir; it was specially my wish—now baring the arm we are the same. You ought to feel ashamed; why discuss gain and loss? You are the empress dowager's son by partial favor and specially cherished. Now you need only encourage yourself; do not borrow words to speak of others." Yuwen Zhi thereupon stopped.

四年，高祖將欲東討，獨與內史王誼謀之，餘人莫得知也。後以諸弟才略，無出於憲右，遂告之。憲即贊成其事。及大軍將出，憲表上私財以助軍費曰：「臣聞撫機適運，理藉時來，兼弱攻昧，事資權道。伏惟陛下繼明作聖，闡業弘風，思順天心，用恢武略。方使長蛇外翦，宇宙大同，軍民內向，車書混一。竊以龍旗雷動，天網雲布，芻粟糧餼，或須周給。昔邊隅未靜，卜式願上家財；江海不澄，衛茲請獻私粟。臣雖不敏，敢忘景行。謹上金寶等一十六件，少助軍資。」詔不納，而以憲表示公卿曰：「人臣當如此，朕貴其心耳，寧須物乎。」乃詔憲率衆二萬為前軍，趣黎陽。高祖親圍河陰，未克。憲攻拔武濟，進圍洛口，收其東西二城。以高祖疾，班師。是歲，初置上柱國官，以憲為之。

In the fourth year (575), High Ancestor Yuwen Yong wished to campaign east and consulted only Inner Scribe Wang Yi; no one else knew. Later, because among his younger brothers in talent and strategy none surpassed Yuwen Xian, he told him. Yuwen Xian at once endorsed the undertaking. When the great army was about to march out, Yuwen Xian submitted a memorial offering private wealth to assist military expenses, saying: "Your servant has heard that grasping opportunity and fitting the times relies on timely arrival; attacking the weak while they are dim relies on expedient strategy. I respectfully consider that Your Majesty succeeds the bright and becomes sage, expands the enterprise and spreads the wind, thinks in accord with Heaven's heart, and employs martial strategy. You are about to make the long serpent be trimmed abroad and the cosmos wholly united; soldiers and people turn inward, and chariots and script are merged as one. I venture to think that when the dragon banner moves like thunder and Heaven's net spreads like clouds, fodder, grain, and provisions may need to be supplied all around. Formerly when the frontier was not yet settled, Bu Shi wished to offer his household wealth; when rivers and seas were not clear, Wei Zi requested to present private grain. Your servant, though not clever, dares not forget such shining example. I respectfully submit gold and treasures and other items in sixteen kinds, to assist military funds in small measure." An edict did not accept them, but showed Yuwen Xian's memorial to the ministers and nobles, saying: "A minister ought to be like this; I value his heart—why need material things?" An edict then ordered Yuwen Xian to lead twenty thousand men as the forward army, hastening to Liyang. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong personally besieged Heyin but did not capture it. Yuwen Xian attacked and took Wuji, advanced to besiege Luokou, and captured its eastern and western cities. Because of High Ancestor Yuwen Yong's illness, the army withdrew. That year the office of superior pillar-of-state was first established; Yuwen Xian was made one.

五年，大舉東討，憲率精騎二萬，復為前鋒，守雀鼠谷。高祖親圍晉州。憲進兵克洪同、永安二城，更圖進取。齊人焚橋守險，軍不得進，遂屯於永安。齊主聞晉州見圍，乃將兵十萬，自來援之。時柱國、陳王純頓軍千里徑，大將軍、永昌公椿屯雞棲原，大將軍宇文盛守汾水關，並受憲節度。憲密謂椿曰：「兵者詭道，去留不定，見機而作，不得遵常。汝今為營，不須張幕，可伐栢為菴，示有形勢。令兵去之後，賊猶致疑也。」時齊主分軍萬人向千里徑，又令其衆出汾水關，自率大兵與椿對陣。宇文盛馳騎告急，憲自以千騎救之。齊人望谷中塵起，相率遽退。盛與柱國侯莫陳芮涉汾逐之，多有斬獲。俄而椿告齊衆稍逼，憲又回軍赴之。會椿被勑追還，率兵夜返。齊人果謂栢菴為帳幕也，不疑軍退，翌日始悟。

In the fifth year (576), a great campaign east was launched; Yuwen Xian led twenty thousand picked cavalry again as vanguard, holding Sparrow-Mouse Valley. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong personally besieged Jin Province. Yuwen Xian advanced troops and captured Hongtong and Yong'an cities, then planned further advance. Northern Qi men burned bridges and held strategic passes; the army could not advance and thereupon encamped at Yong'an. The Northern Qi ruler, hearing Jin Province was besieged, then led one hundred thousand troops himself to relieve it. At the time Pillar-of-State Yuwen Chun, Prince of Chen, halted the army at Thousand-Li Path; Grand General Chun, Duke of Yongchang, encamped at Roosting-Chicken Plain; Grand General Yuwen Sheng held Fen River Pass—all under Yuwen Xian's command. Yuwen Xian secretly told Chun: "War is the way of deception; going and staying are unfixed; one acts as opportunity arises and must not follow routine. You now make camp—need not spread awnings; you may cut cypress to make huts and display visible form. When troops leave afterward, the enemy will still be led to doubt." At the time the Northern Qi ruler divided ten thousand troops toward Thousand-Li Path and also ordered his host out through Fen River Pass; he himself led the great army to face Chun in battle array. Yuwen Sheng galloped on horseback to report urgency; Yuwen Xian himself with one thousand cavalry went to rescue. Northern Qi men seeing dust rise in the valley withdrew in succession in haste. Yuwen Sheng with Pillar-of-State Houmochen Rui crossed the Fen in pursuit; many were beheaded and captured. Soon Chun reported Northern Qi forces gradually pressing; Yuwen Xian again turned the army to go to him. It happened that Chun received an edict to return and led troops back by night. Northern Qi men indeed thought the cypress huts were tent awnings; they did not suspect the army had withdrawn and only understood the next day.

時高祖已去晉州，留憲為後拒。齊主自率衆來追，至於高梁橋。憲以精騎二千，阻水為陣。齊領軍段暢直進至橋。憲隔水招暢與語，語畢，憲問暢曰：「若何姓名？」暢曰：「領軍段暢也。公復為誰？」憲曰：「我虞（侯）〔候〕大都督耳。」暢曰：「觀公言語，不是凡人，今日相見，何用隱其名位？」陳王純、梁公侯莫陳芮、內史王誼等並在憲側。暢固問不已。憲乃曰：「我天子太弟齊王也。」指陳王以下，並以名位告之。暢鞭馬而去，憲即命旋軍，而齊人遽追之，戈甲甚銳。憲與開府宇文忻各統精卒百騎為殿以拒之，斬其驍將賀蘭豹子、山褥瓌等百餘人，齊衆乃退。憲渡汾而及高祖於玉壁。

At the time High Ancestor Yuwen Yong had already left Jin Province and left Yuwen Xian as rear guard. The Northern Qi ruler himself led troops in pursuit, reaching Gaoliang Bridge. Yuwen Xian with two thousand picked cavalry blocked the water and formed battle array. Northern Qi commander-in-chief Duan Chang advanced straight to the bridge. Yuwen Xian across the water summoned Duan Chang to speak; when speech was finished, Xian asked Chang: "What is your name?" Duan Chang said: "Commander-in-chief Duan Chang. Sir, who are you again?" Yuwen Xian said: "I am only a great commander of Yu (Hou) [Hou] after all." Duan Chang said: "Judging by your speech, you are no ordinary man; meeting today—why hide name and rank?" Yuwen Chun, Prince of Chen; Houmochen Rui, Duke of Liang; Inner Scribe Wang Yi; and others were all at Yuwen Xian's side. Duan Chang pressed his questions without cease. Yuwen Xian then said: "I am the Son of Heaven's elder brother, Prince of Qi." He pointed to Prince of Chen and those below and told each name and rank. Duan Chang whipped his horse and departed; Yuwen Xian at once ordered the army to turn, but Northern Qi men hurriedly pursued; spears and armor were very sharp. Yuwen Xian with Opening-the-feudatory Yuwen Xin each commanded one hundred picked troops as rear guard to resist them; they beheaded their fierce generals Helan Baozi, Shan Ruguai, and more than one hundred men; Northern Qi forces then withdrew. Yuwen Xian crossed the Fen and caught up with High Ancestor Yuwen Yong at Yubi.

高祖又令憲率兵六萬，還援晉州。憲遂進軍，營于涑水。齊主攻圍晉州，晝夜不息。間諜還者，或云已陷。憲乃遣柱國越王盛、大將軍尉遲迥、開府宇文神舉等輕騎一萬夜至晉州。憲進軍據蒙坑，為其後援，知城未陷，乃歸涑川。尋而高祖東轅，次於高顯，憲率所部，先向晉州。明日，諸軍總集，稍逼城下。齊人亦大出兵，陣於營南。高祖召憲馳往觀之。憲返命曰：「是易與耳，請破之而後食。」帝悅曰：「如汝所言，吾無憂矣。」憲退，內史柳虯私謂憲曰：「賊亦不少，王安得輕之？」憲曰：「憲受委前鋒，情兼家國，掃此逋寇，事等摧枯。商周之事，公所知也，賊兵雖衆，其如我何。」旣而諸軍俱進，應時大潰。其夜，齊主遁走，憲輕騎追之。旣及永安，高祖續至。齊人收其餘衆，復據高壁及洛女砦。高祖命憲攻洛女，破之。明日，與大軍會於介休。

High Ancestor Yuwen Yong again ordered Yuwen Xian to lead sixty thousand troops back to relieve Jin Province. Yuwen Xian thereupon advanced the army and encamped at Su River. Northern Qi forces besieged Jin Province day and night without cease. Spies who returned sometimes said it had fallen. Yuwen Xian then sent Pillar-of-State Yuwen Sheng, Prince of Yue; Grand General Yuchi Jiong; Opening-the-feudatory Yuwen Shenju; and others with ten thousand light cavalry by night to Jin Province. Yuwen Xian advanced the army and held Meng Pit as rear support; knowing the city had not fallen, he then returned to Su River. Soon High Ancestor Yuwen Yong turned east; he halted at Gaoxian; Yuwen Xian led his division first toward Jin Province. The next day the various armies assembled and gradually pressed beneath the walls. Northern Qi men also sent out a great army and formed battle array south of the camp. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong summoned Yuwen Xian to gallop and observe them. Yuwen Xian returned with his report: "These are easy to deal with; please let me break them and then eat." The emperor was pleased and said: "As you say, I have no worry." Yuwen Xian withdrew; Inner Scribe Liu Qiu privately said to Yuwen Xian: "The enemy are not few—how can you, Prince, treat them lightly?" Yuwen Xian said: "I have been entrusted as vanguard; feeling embraces both family and state; sweeping away these fugitive bandits is like snapping dry wood. The affairs of Shang and Zhou—you know them; though enemy troops are many, what can they do to me?" Soon after the various armies all advanced; at the time they were utterly routed. That night the Northern Qi ruler fled; Yuwen Xian with light cavalry pursued him. When he reached Yong'an, High Ancestor Yuwen Yong followed in arrival. Northern Qi men gathered their remaining troops and again held Gaobi and Luonü Fort. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong ordered Yuwen Xian to attack Luonü and broke it. The next day he joined the great army at Jiezhou.

時齊主已走鄴，留其從兄安德王延宗據并州。延宗因僭偽號，出兵拒戰。高祖進圍其城，憲攻其西面，克之。延宗遁走，追而獲之。以功進封第二子安城公質為河間王，拜第三子賨為大將軍。仍詔憲先驅趣鄴。明年，進克鄴城。

At the time the Northern Qi ruler had already fled to Ye; he left his cousin Prince of Ande Yan Zong to hold Bing Province. Yan Zong thereupon assumed a false title and sent troops to resist in battle. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong advanced to besiege the city; Yuwen Xian attacked its western face and captured it. Yan Zong fled; pursuing, they captured him. For merit his second son Yuwen Zhi, Duke of Ancheng, was advanced in enfeoffment to Prince of Hejian; his third son Yuwen Cong was appointed grand general. An edict then ordered Yuwen Xian as vanguard to hasten to Ye. The next year he advanced and captured Ye city.

齊任城王湝、廣甯王孝珩等據守信都，有衆數萬。高祖復詔憲討之。仍令齊主手書與湝曰：「朝廷遇緯甚厚，諸王無恙。叔若釋甲，則無不優待。」湝不納，乃大開賞募，多出金帛，沙門求為戰士者，亦數千人。憲軍過趙州，湝令間諜二人覘窺形勢，候騎執以白憲。憲乃集齊之舊將，遍示之。又謂之曰：「吾所爭者大，不在汝等。今放汝還，可即充我使。」乃與湝書曰：

Northern Qi Prince of Rencheng Gao Ta, Prince of Guangning Xiao Heng, and others held and defended Xindu, with troops numbering tens of thousands. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong again ordered Yuwen Xian to suppress them. He also had the Northern Qi ruler write in his own hand to Gao Ta, saying: "The court has treated the latitude of the realm with great kindness; the princes are unharmed. Uncle, if you lay down arms, there will be nothing but generous treatment." Gao Ta did not accept; he then opened wide rewards and recruitment, putting out much gold and silk; monks who sought to become warriors also numbered several thousand. When Yuwen Xian's army passed Zhao Province, Gao Ta ordered two spies to observe the situation; patrol cavalry seized them and reported to Yuwen Xian. Yuwen Xian then assembled Northern Qi's former generals and showed them all around. He also said to them: "What I contend for is great; it is not in you. Now I release you to return; you may at once serve as my envoys." He then wrote Gao Ta a letter, saying:

山川有間，每深勞佇，仲春戒節，納履惟宜。承始屆兩河，仍圖三（位）〔魏〕，二者交戰，想無虧德。昔魏曆雲季，海內橫流，我太祖撫運乘時，大庇黔首。皇上嗣膺下武，式隆景業，興稽山之會，總盟津之師。雷駭唐郊，則野無橫陣；雲騰晉水，則地靡嚴城。襲偽之酋，旣奔竄於草澤；竊號之長，亦委命於旌門。德義振於無垠，威風被於有截。彼朝宿將舊臣，良家戚裏，俱升榮寵，皆縻好爵。是使臨漳之下，效死爭驅；營丘之前，奮身畢命。此豈唯人事，抑亦天時。宜訪之道路，無俟傍說。

Mountains and rivers lie between us; I have long awaited word; as the mid-spring season arrives, the time is right to march. I learn you have just reached the two rivers and still scheme for the three (positions) [Wei]; the two sides at war—I trust virtue is not impaired. Formerly when Wei's calendar reached its clouded end, within the seas flowed crosswise; our Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai grasped the turning and rode the time, greatly sheltering the black-haired people. The emperor succeeds and receives martial completion, greatly elevates the bright enterprise, raises the meeting at Mount Kuaiji, and gathers the host at Mengjin. Thunder terrified the Tang suburbs, then in the fields there was no battle array; clouds soared over Jin waters, then on the ground there were no stern walls. The chieftain of the false regime already fled in panic through marsh and thicket; the chief who stole a title also entrusted his life at the banner gate. Virtue and righteousness shake the boundless; majestic wind covers the truncated realm. That court's veteran generals and old ministers, good families and imperial kin, all rose in glory and favor and were all tethered to fine ranks. Thus beneath Linzhang they strove in death and raced in charge; before Yingqiu they exerted body and ended life. This is not only human affairs; it is also Heaven's season. You should inquire on the road; do not wait for side reports."

吾以不武，任總元戎，受命安邊，路指幽、冀。列邑名藩，莫不屈膝，宣風導禮，皆荷來蘇。足下高氏令王，英風夙著，古今成敗，備諸懷抱，豈不知一木不維大廈，三諫可以逃身哉！且殷微去商，侯服周代；項伯背楚，賜姓漢朝。去此弗圖，苟狥亡轍，家破身殞，為天下笑。又足下諜者為候騎所拘，軍中情實，具諸執事。知以弱卒瑣甲，欲抗堂堂之師；縈帶汙城，冀保區區之命。戰非上計，無待卜疑；守乃下策，或未相許。已勒諸軍，分道並進，相望非遠，憑軾有期。兵交命使，古今通典，不俟終日，所望知幾也。

Though I am no warrior, I bear overall command of the armies; charged with pacifying the frontier, my route points to You and Ji. Famous commanderies and honored principalities all bent the knee; where we spread virtue and guided ritual, all welcomed deliverance. Your Highness, as a prince of the Gao clan, has long been famed for heroic bearing; the rise and fall of ages past are all stored in your breast—surely you know that one timber cannot brace a great hall, and that after three remonstrances one may withdraw and save oneself! Wei of Yin left Shang and accepted a Zhou fief; Xiang Bo deserted Chu and was granted a surname in Han. Turn from this plan, follow the road to ruin, and your house will be destroyed, your life lost, and yourself the laughingstock of the realm. Your spies, moreover, were seized by our scout cavalry; the true state of your army is fully known to my commanders. You know that with weak troops and threadbare armor you mean to resist a stately host; you ring a mired city with encircling streams, hoping to preserve a petty life. Fighting is not the best plan—no divination is needed to see that; holding out is the lower strategy, and may not even be permitted. I have already ordered the armies to advance on separate routes; we are not far apart, and a meeting at the carriage rail is near at hand. When armies clash, envoys are sent—an ancient common practice. I shall not wait all day; I hope you will know the right moment.

憲至信都，湝陣於城南，憲登張耳冢以望之。俄而湝所署領軍尉相願偽出略陣，遂以衆降。相願，湝心腹也，衆甚駭懼。湝大怒，殺其妻子。明日復戰，遂破之，俘斬三萬人，擒湝及孝珩等。憲謂湝曰：「任城王何苦至此？」湝曰：「下官神武帝子，兄弟十五人，幸而獨存。逢宗社顛覆，今日得死，無愧墳陵。」憲壯之，命歸其妻子，厚加資給。又問孝珩。孝珩布陳國難，辭淚俱下，俯仰有節，憲亦為之改容。

Yuwen Xian reached Xindu; Gao Rui drew up battle lines south of the city, and Yuwen Xian ascended Zhang Er's mound to observe them. Before long Wei Xiangyuan, the camp commander Gao Rui had appointed, feigned going out to reconnoiter the lines and thereupon surrendered with his troops. Xiangyuan was Gao Rui's trusted confidant; the army was greatly terrified. Gao Rui in great rage killed Xiangyuan's wife and children. The next day they fought again; Yuwen Xian broke them, capturing and slaying thirty thousand men, and seized Gao Rui, Gao Xiaoyuan, and the others. Yuwen Xian said to Gao Rui: "Prince of Rencheng, why have you forced yourself to this pass?" Gao Rui said: "Your humble servant is a son of Emperor Shenwu; of fifteen brothers I alone survive by fortune. Facing the overthrow of the altars of state, to die today is to be without shame before the tombs." Yuwen Xian admired him, ordered his wife and children returned, and generously rewarded him. He also questioned Gao Xiaoyuan. Gao Xiaoyuan laid out the state's calamity, words and tears together falling; bowing and rising he had proper measure—Yuwen Xian too changed expression on his account.

憲素善謀，多算略，尤長於撫御，達於任使，摧鋒陷陣，為士卒先，群下感悅，咸為之用。齊人夙聞威聲，無不憚其勇略。及并州之捷，長驅敵境，蒭牧不擾，軍無私焉。

Yuwen Xian had always been good at planning, with many stratagems; he was especially skilled at comforting and controlling troops, and adept at assignment and employment; crushing the vanguard and breaking through battle lines, he went before the soldiers as their leader—the men were moved and pleased, and all served him willingly. The people of Northern Qi had long heard his formidable reputation; none failed to fear his courage and strategy. When he won the victory at Bing Province, he drove deep into enemy territory; fodder and herds were not disturbed, and the army took nothing for private gain.

先是，稽胡劉沒鐸自稱皇帝，又詔憲督趙王招等討平之。語在稽胡傳。

Earlier, among the Ji-barbarians Liu Moduo had styled himself emperor; an edict again ordered Yuwen Xian to supervise Prince Zhao Yuwen Zhao and the others in suppressing and pacifying them. The account is in the Ji-barbarians biography.

憲自以威名日重，潛思摒退。及高祖欲親征北蕃，乃辭以疾。高祖變色曰：「汝若憚行，誰為吾使？」憲懼曰：「臣陪奉鑾輿，誠為本願，但身嬰疹疾，不堪領兵。」帝許之。

Yuwen Xian himself felt his formidable name growing daily heavier, and secretly thought of withdrawing from court. When High Ancestor Yuwen Yong wished to campaign in person against the northern marches, Yuwen Xian declined on grounds of illness. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong changed color and said: "If you fear the campaign, who will serve as my envoy?" Yuwen Xian in fear said: "Your servant accompanies and attends the imperial carriage—this is truly my wish; but my person is afflicted with eruptive illness and cannot bear to command troops." The emperor permitted it.

尋而高祖崩，宣帝嗣位，以憲屬尊望重，深忌憚之。時高祖未葬，諸王在內治服。司衛長孫覽總兵輔政，而諸王有異志，奏令開府于智察其動靜。及高祖山陵還，諸王歸第。帝又命智就宅候憲，因是告憲有謀。帝乃遣小冢宰宇文孝伯謂憲曰：「三公之位，宜屬親賢，今欲以叔為太師，九叔為太傅，十一叔為太保，叔以為何如？」憲曰：「臣才輕位重，滿盈是懼。三師之任，非所敢當。且太祖勳臣，宜膺此舉。若專用臣兄弟，恐乖物議。」孝伯反命，尋而復來曰：「詔王晚共諸王俱至殿門。」憲獨被引進，帝先伏壯士於別室，至即執之。憲辭色不撓，固自陳說。帝使于智對憲。憲目光如炬，與智相質。或謂憲曰：「以王今日事勢，何用多言？」憲曰：「我位重屬尊，一旦至此，死生有命，寧復圖存。但以老母在堂，恐留茲恨耳。」因擲笏於地。乃縊之。時年三十五。以于智為柱國，封齊國公。又殺上大將軍安邑公王興、上開府獨孤熊、開府豆盧紹等，皆以昵於憲也。帝旣誅憲，無以為辭，故托興等與憲結謀，遂加其戮。時人知其冤酷，咸云伴憲死也。

Before long High Ancestor Yuwen Yong died; Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun succeeded to the throne. Because Yuwen Xian's rank and reputation were exalted and heavy, the emperor deeply feared and dreaded him. At that time High Ancestor Yuwen Yong was not yet buried; the princes wore mourning within the palace. Director of Guard Zhangsun Lan commanded troops and assisted in government, while the princes harbored divergent intentions; he memorialized ordering Yu Zhi to observe their movements. When High Ancestor Yuwen Yong's tomb rites were completed, the princes returned to their residences. the emperor again ordered Yu Zhi to wait at Yuwen Xian's residence and observe him; on this account he reported that Yuwen Xian had a plot. The emperor thereupon sent Junior Tomb Director Yuwen Xiaobo to say to Yuwen Xian: "The Three Excellencies' posts should belong to close kin and the worthy; now we wish to make Uncle Grand Preceptor, Ninth Uncle Grand Tutor, and Eleventh Uncle Grand Protector—what does Uncle think?" Yuwen Xian said: "Your servant's talent is light and his position heavy—overflow is what I fear. The Three Preceptors' offices are not what I dare undertake. Moreover Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's meritorious ministers should receive these appointments. If my brothers alone are employed, I fear it will violate public opinion." Xiaobo returned with his report; soon he came again and said: "The edict orders the king to come together with the other princes to the palace gate this evening." Yuwen Xian alone was summoned in; the emperor had first hidden strong men in a side room, and as soon as he arrived they seized him. Yuwen Xian's expression and color did not waver; he firmly pleaded his own case. The emperor sent Yu Zhi to confront Yuwen Xian. Yuwen Xian's gaze was like torches; he and Yu Zhi cross-examined each other. Someone said to Yuwen Xian: "Given your situation today, what use is much talk?" Yuwen Xian said: "My position is exalted and my kinship honored; suddenly to come to this—life and death are fate; how could I still plot to live? Only that my old mother is still at home—I fear she will keep this regret." Thereupon he cast his court tablet to the ground. He was thereupon strangled. He was thirty-five years old. Yu Zhi was made pillar-of-state and enfeoffed as Duke of Qi state. They also killed Grand General of the Upper Army Wang Xing, Duke of Anyi, Upper Opener-of-Gates Dugu Xiong, and Opener-of-Gates Doulu Shao—all because they were intimate with Yuwen Xian. The emperor, having already executed Yuwen Xian, had no other pretext; therefore he claimed that Wang Xing and the others had joined Yuwen Xian in plotting, and thereupon added them to the slaughter. People of the time knew it was cruel injustice; all said they had died as companions to Yuwen Xian.

憲所生母達步干氏，茹茹人也。建德三年，册為齊國太妃。憲有至性，事母以孝聞。太妃舊患風熱，屢經發動，憲衣不解帶，扶侍左右。憲或東西從役，每心驚，其母必有疾，乃馳使參問，果如所慮。憲六子，貴、質、賨、貢、乾禧、乾洽。

Yuwen Xian's birth mother was of the Tabogan clan—a Rouran woman. In the third year of Jiande (574) she was enfeoffed as Grand Consort of Qi state. Yuwen Xian had utmost nature; in serving his mother he was famed for filial piety. The Grand Consort had long suffered wind-and-heat illness; it repeatedly flared up, and Yuwen Xian did not loosen his belt but supported and attended at her side. When Yuwen Xian was away on campaigns east or west, his heart would suddenly start; invariably his mother had taken ill—he would dispatch a fast courier to inquire, and it proved exactly as he feared. Yuwen Xian had six sons: Gui, Zhi, Cong, Gong, Qianxi, and Qianqia.

貴字乾福，少聰敏，涉獵經史，尤便騎射。始讀孝經，便謂人曰：「讀此一經，足為立身之本。」天和四年，始十歲，封安定郡公，邑一千五百戶。太祖之初為丞相也，始封此郡，未嘗假人，至是封貴焉。年十一，從憲獵於鹽州，一圍之中，手射野馬及鹿十有五頭。建德二年，冊拜齊國世子。四年，授車騎大將軍、儀同三司。尋出為豳州刺史。貴雖出自深宮，而留心庶政。性聰敏，過目輒記。嘗道逢二人，謂其左右曰：「此人是縣黨，何因輒行？」左右不識，貴便說其姓名，莫不嗟伏。白獸烽經為商人所燒，烽帥納貨，不言其罪。他日，此帥隨例來參，貴乃問云：「商人燒烽，何因私放？」烽帥愕然，遂即首服。其明察如此。五年四月卒，年十七。高祖甚痛惜之。

Gui, styled Qianfu, was from youth clever and quick; he ranged widely through the classics and histories, and was especially skilled at mounted archery. When he first read the Classic of Filial Piety, he said to people: "To read this one classic is enough to be the root of establishing oneself." In the fourth year of Tianhe (569), when he was only ten, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Anding commandery, with a fief of one thousand five hundred households. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai first became chief minister, he first enfeoffed this commandery and had never granted it to another—to this time it was granted to Gui. At eleven he followed Yuwen Xian hunting at Yan Province; in one encirclement he personally shot fifteen wild horses and deer. In the second year of Jiande (573) he was enfeoffed as heir of Qi state. In the fourth year (575) he was given grand general of chariots and cavalry and commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol. Soon he went out as governor of Bin Province. Though Gui came from the deep palace, he attended to common governance. By nature clever and quick, what passed before his eyes he at once remembered. Once on the road he met two men and said to his attendants: "These men are county partisans—why do they walk abroad at will?" His attendants did not recognize them; Gui thereupon stated their names, and none failed to sigh in admiration. White Beast beacon had been burned by merchants; the beacon commander accepted bribes and did not report the crime. Another day this commander came to pay respects according to routine; Gui then asked him: "Merchants burned the beacon—why did you privately release them?" The beacon commander was startled and thereupon confessed at once. His keen discernment was like this. In the fifth year of Jiande (576), fourth month, he died, aged seventeen. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong deeply grieved and regretted it.

質字乾祐，初封安城公。後以憲勳，進封河間郡王。賨字乾禮，大將軍、中垻公。貢出後莒莊公。乾禧，安城公。乾洽，龍涸公。並與憲俱被誅。

Zhi, styled Qianyou, was first enfeoffed as Duke of Ancheng. Later, on account of Yuwen Xian's merit, he was advanced to Prince of Hejian commandery. Cong, styled Qianli, was grand general and Duke of Zhongao. Gong was adopted out to Duke Zhuang of Ju. Qianxi was Duke of Ancheng. Qianqia was Duke of Longhu. All were executed together with Yuwen Xian.

史臣曰：自兩漢逮乎魏、晉，其帝弟帝子衆矣，唯楚元、河間、東平、陳思之徒以文儒播美，任城、琅邪以武功馳譽。何則？體自尊極，長於宮闈，佚樂侈其心，驕貴蕩其志，故使奇才高行，終鮮于天下之士焉。齊王奇姿傑出，獨牢籠於前載。以介弟之地，居上將之重，智勇冠世，攻戰如神，敵國繫以存亡，鼎命由其輕重。比之異姓，則方、召、韓、白，何以加茲。挾震主之威，屬道消之日，斯人而嬰斯戮，君子是以知周祚之不永也。昔張耳、陳餘賓客厮役，所居皆取卿相。而齊之文武僚吏，其後亦多至台牧。異世同符，可謂賢矣。

The historiographer says: From the Two Han through Wei and Jin, imperial younger brothers and imperial sons were many; only Prince Yuan of Chu, Prince of Hejian, Prince of Dongping, Prince Si of Chen, and the like spread fame through literary learning; Prince of Rencheng and Prince of Langye won renown through martial achievement. Why is this? In status they were most exalted; raised long in palace quarters—idleness and pleasure unsettled their hearts, pride and privilege dissipated their wills—so that men of unusual talent and lofty conduct were in the end rarely found among gentlemen of the realm. The Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian was singularly outstanding in wondrous stature, alone unmatched in past ages. With the standing of a younger brother by birth, he bore the weight of a commander-in-chief; wisdom and courage topped his age; in attack and battle he was like a spirit—the survival of enemy states hung on him; the destiny of the realm turned on his rise and fall. Compared with men of other surnames—Fang Shu and the Duke of Shao, Han Xin and Bai Qi—how could they surpass this? Clutching the awe that overawes his master, at a time when the Way was waning—such a man yet met such punishment—the gentleman therefore knows that Zhou's fortune would not long endure. Formerly Zhang Er and Chen Yu's guests and servants—those they employed all rose to minister and commandant rank. Yet Yuwen Xian's civil and military staff—afterward also mostly reached high provincial posts. Different ages, same tally—one may call them worthy.

全文以中華書局、一九七一年十一月版《周書》為本校。

This text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the 《Book of Zhou》 (November 1971).

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