1
文閔明武宣諸子
The Sons of Emperor Wen, Emperor Xiaomin, Emperor Wu, and Emperor Xuan
2
文帝十三子。 姚夫人生世宗,後宮生宋獻公震,文元皇后生孝閔皇帝,文宣皇后叱奴氏生高祖、衛剌王直,達步干妃生齊王憲,王姬生趙僭王招,後宮生譙孝王儉、陳惑王純、越野王盛、代奰王達、冀康公通、滕聞王逌。 齊煬王別有傳。
Emperor Wen (Yuwen Tai) had thirteen sons. Consort Yao bore Shizong; ladies of the rear palace bore Duke of Song the Exalted Zhen; Empress Wen Yuan bore Emperor Xiaomin; Empress Wen Xuan of the Chilu clan bore Yuwen Yong (the future Emperor Wu) and Prince of Wei the Impetuous Zhi; Consort Tabghan bore Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian; a royal lady bore Prince of Zhao the Presumptuous Zhao; the rear palace bore Prince of Qiao the Filial Jian, Prince of Chen the Bewildered Chun, Prince of Yue the Wild Sheng, Prince of Dai the Proud Da, Duke of Ji the Peaceful Tong, and Prince of Teng the Cultivated You. Prince of Qi the Flamboyant (Yuwen Xian) has a separate biography.
3
宋獻公震,字彌俄突。 幼而敏達,年十歲,誦孝經、論語、毛詩。 後與世宗俱受禮記、尚書於盧誕。 大統十六年,封武邑公,二千戶。 尚魏文帝女,其年薨。 保定元年,追贈使持節、柱國大將軍、少師、大司馬、大都督、青徐等十州諸軍事、青州刺史; 進封宋國公,增邑并前一萬戶。 無子,以世宗第三子寔為嗣。 寔字乾辯,建德三年,進爵為王。 大象中,為大前疑。 尋為隋文帝所害,國除。
Duke of Song the Exalted Yuwen Zhen, styled Mi'etu. Clever and perceptive from childhood, at ten he could recite the Classic of Filial Piety, the Analects, and the Mao Odes. Later he and Shizong together studied the Record of Rites and the Venerated Documents under Lu Dan. In the sixteenth year of Datong (550), he was enfeoffed Duke of Wuyi with a fief of two thousand households. He married a daughter of Emperor Wen of Wei and died that same year. In the first year of Baoding (561), he was posthumously granted bearer of the staff of authority, pillar-of-state grand general, junior preceptor, grand marshal, grand governor, commander-in-chief of military affairs in ten provinces including Qing and Xu, and governor of Qing Province; He was advanced to Duke of Song, the fief increased to ten thousand households in all. Having no son, Shizong's third son Shi was made his heir. Shi, styled Qianbian; in the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. During Daxiang (579–581), he was grand front advisor. Soon he was killed by Yang Jian; the fief was abolished.
4
衛剌王直,字豆羅突。 魏恭帝三年,封秦郡公,邑一千戶。 武成初,出鎮蒲州,拜大將軍,進衛國公,邑萬戶。 保定初,為雍州牧,尋進位柱國,轉大司空,出為 (梁) 襄州總管。 天和中,陳湘州刺史華皎舉州來附,詔直督綏德公陸通、大將軍田弘、權景宣、元定等兵赴援,與陳將淳于量、吳明徹等戰於沌口。 直軍不利,元定遂投江南。 直坐免官。
Prince of Wei the Impetuous Yuwen Zhi, styled Douluotu. In the third year of Emperor Gong of Wei (556), he was enfeoffed Duke of Qin commandery with a fief of one thousand households. At the beginning of the Wucheng era (559), he went out to command Pu Province, was appointed grand general, and advanced to Duke of Wei with a fief of ten thousand households. At the beginning of Baoding (561), he was governor of Yong Province; soon advanced to pillar-of-state, transferred to grand minister of works, and went out as [variant: Liang] commander-in-chief of Xiang Province. During Tianhe (566–572), Chen Xiangzhou governor Hua Jiao brought his province over to Zhou; an edict ordered Yuwen Zhi to supervise Suide Duke Lu Tong, grand generals Tian Hong, Quan Jingxuan, Yuan Ding, and others in marching to the relief, and they fought Chen generals Chunyu Liang, Wu Mingche, and others at Dun mouth. Yuwen Zhi's army fared badly; Yuan Ding then defected to the south. Yuwen Zhi was dismissed from office as punishment.
5
直高祖母弟,性浮詭,貪狠無賴。 以晉公護執政,遂貳於帝而昵護。 及沌口還,慍於免黜,又請帝除之,冀得其位。 帝夙有誅護之意,遂與直謀之。 及護誅,帝乃以齊王憲為大冢宰。 直旣乖本望,又請為大司馬,意欲總知戎馬,得擅威權。 帝揣知其意,謂之曰:「汝兄弟長幼有序,寧可反居下列也?」 乃以直為大司徒。
Yuwen Zhi was a younger brother on the emperor's grandmother's side; by nature he was frivolous and deceitful, greedy and ruthless, and unrestrained. Because Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu held the government, he sided against the emperor while currying favor with Hu. When he returned from Dun mouth, he resented his dismissal; he also urged the emperor to remove Hu, hoping to take his place. The emperor had long intended to kill Yuwen Hu; he then plotted with Yuwen Zhi. After Hu was executed, the emperor made Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian grand minister of war. Yuwen Zhi, disappointed in his original ambition, again asked to be made grand marshal, intending to command all military affairs and wield power at will. The emperor perceived his intent and said to him: "You brothers have an order of senior and junior—how could you willingly rank below?" He then made Yuwen Zhi grand minister of education.
6
建德三年,進爵為王。 初,高祖以直第為東宮,更使直自擇所居。 直歷觀府署,無稱意者,至廢陟屺佛寺,欲居之。 齊王憲謂直曰:「弟兒女成長,理須寬博,此寺褊小,詎是所宜。」 直曰:「一身尚不自容,何論兒女!」 憲怪而疑之。 直嘗從帝校獵而亂行,帝怒,對衆撻之。 自是憤怨滋甚。 及帝幸雲陽宮,直在京師,舉兵反,攻肅章門。 司武尉遲運閉門拒守,直不得入。 語在《運傳》。 直遂遁走,追至荊州,獲之,免為庶人,囚於別宮。 尋而更有異志,遂誅之,及其子賀、貢、塞、響、賈、秘、津、乾理、乾璪、乾悰等十人,國除。
In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. Initially Yuwen Yong had assigned Yuwen Zhi's residence as the Eastern Palace and had him choose another dwelling. Yuwen Zhi toured the government compounds and found none satisfactory; coming to the abandoned Siji Buddhist temple, he wished to live there. Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian said to him: "Younger brother, your children are grown; they need room—this temple is cramped; how can it be suitable?" Yuwen Zhi said: "I can hardly fit myself—what of children!" Xian was startled and grew suspicious. Yuwen Zhi once followed the emperor on a hunt and broke formation; the emperor was angry and had him beaten before the company. From then his resentment deepened. When the emperor was at Yunyang Palace, Yuwen Zhi was in the capital, raised troops in revolt, and attacked Suzhang Gate. Director of Martial Affairs Yuchi Yun shut the gate and held it; Yuwen Zhi could not enter. The account is in the "Biography of Yuchi Yun." Yuwen Zhi then fled; pursued to Jing Province, he was captured, reduced to commoner status, and imprisoned in a separate palace. Before long he showed further treasonous intent; he was executed together with his sons He, Gong, Sai, Xiang, Jia, Mi, Jin, Qianli, Qianbao, Qiancong, and ten others in all; the fief was abolished.
7
趙僭王招,字豆盧突。 幼聰慧,博涉羣書,好屬文。 學庾信體,詞多輕豔。 魏恭帝三年,封正平郡公,邑一千戶。 武成初,進封趙國公,邑萬戶。 保定中,拜為柱國,出為益州總管。 建德元年,授大司空,轉大司馬。 三年,進爵為王,除雍州牧。 四年,大軍東討,招為後三軍總管。 五年,又從高祖東伐,率步騎一萬出華谷,攻齊汾州。 及幷州平,進位上柱國。 東夏底定,又為行軍總管,與齊王討稽胡。 招擒賊帥劉沒鐸,斬之,胡寇平。 宣政中,拜太師。 大象元年五月,詔以洺州襄國郡邑萬戶為趙。 招出就國。 二年,宣帝不豫,徵招及陳、越、代、滕五王赴闕。 比招等至而帝已崩。
Prince of Zhao the Presumptuous Yuwen Zhao, styled Douluotu. Clever from youth, widely read, and fond of literary composition. He studied the style of Yu Xin; his diction was often light and ornate. In the third year of Emperor Gong of Wei (556), he was enfeoffed Duke of Zhengping with a fief of one thousand households. At the beginning of Wucheng (559), he was advanced to Duke of Zhao with a fief of ten thousand households. During Baoding (561–565), he was appointed pillar-of-state and went out as commander-in-chief of Yizhou. In the first year of Jiande (572), he was granted grand minister of works and transferred to grand marshal. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince and made governor of Yong Province. In the fourth year of Jiande (575), when the great army marched east, Zhao served as rear third army commander-in-chief. In the fifth year of Jiande (576), again following Yuwen Yong east, he led ten thousand infantry and cavalry out through Huagu to attack Qi's Fen Province. When Bingzhou was pacified, he advanced to senior pillar-of-state. When the eastern regions were settled, he again became mobile commander-in-chief and, with Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian, suppressed the Ji Hu. Zhao captured the bandit chief Liu Moduo and beheaded him; the Hu raiders were pacified. During Xuanzheng (578), he was appointed grand preceptor. In the fifth month of the first year of Daxiang (579), an edict made Xiangguo commandery in Mozhou, with ten thousand households, Zhao's fief. Zhao went out to take up his fief. In the second year of Daxiang (580), Emperor Xuan fell ill; Zhao and the princes of Chen, Yue, Dai, and Teng were summoned to court. By the time Zhao and the others arrived, the emperor had already died.
8
隋文帝輔政,加招等殊禮,入朝不趨,劍履上殿。 隋文帝將遷周鼎,招密欲圖之,以匡社稷。 乃邀隋文帝至第,飲於寢室。 招子員、貫及妃弟魯封、所親人史冑,皆先在左右,佩刀而立。 又藏兵刃于帷席之間,後院亦伏壯士。 隋文帝從者多在合外,唯楊弘、元冑、冑弟威及陶徹坐於戶側。 招屢以佩刀割瓜啖隋文帝,隋文帝未之疑也。 元冑覺變,扣刀而入。 招乃以大觴親飲冑酒,又命冑向廚中取漿。 冑不為之動。 滕王逌後至,隋文帝降階迎之,元冑因得耳語曰:「形勢大異,公宜速出。」 隋文帝共逌等就坐,須臾辭出。 後事覺,陷以謀反。 其年秋,誅招及其子德廣公員、永康公貫、越攜公乾銑、弟乾鈴、乾鏗等,國除。 招所著文集十卷,行於世。
When Yang Jian (later Emperor Wen of Sui) directed the government, he granted Zhao and others extraordinary honors: they need not quicken their step at court and might enter the hall with sword and shoes. When Yang Jian was about to seize the Zhou throne, Zhao secretly plotted against him to save the dynasty. He invited Yang Jian to his mansion and entertained him in the bedroom. Zhao's sons Yuan and Guan, his consort's younger brother Lu Feng, and his confidant Shi Zhou stood by with swords drawn. He also hid weapons in the curtains and bedding, and posted strong men in the rear courtyard. Most of Yang Jian's attendants waited outside; only Yang Hong, Yuan Zhou, Zhou's younger brother Wei, and Tao Che sat beside the door. Zhao repeatedly cut melon with his belt knife and offered it to Yang Jian, who suspected nothing. Yuan Zhou sensed danger, struck his blade, and entered. Zhao then personally offered Zhou a large cup of wine and ordered him to the kitchen for broth. Zhou did not move. Prince of Teng You arrived later; Yang Jian went down the steps to greet him, and Yuan Zhou whispered: "Everything has changed—you must leave at once." Yang Jian sat briefly with You and the others, then excused himself and left. Later the plot was discovered; he was charged with treason. That autumn Yang Jian executed Zhao together with his sons Duke of Deguang Yuan, Duke of Yongkang Guan, Duke of Yuexie Qianxian, and younger brothers Qianling and Qianheng; the fief was abolished. Zhao's collected writings in ten scrolls circulated in his day.
9
譙孝王儉,字侯幼突。 武成初,封譙國公,邑萬戶。 天和中,拜大將軍,尋遷柱國,出為益州總管。 建德三年,進爵為王。 五年,東伐,以本官為左一軍總管,攻永固城,拔之。 進平并、鄴,拜大冢宰。 是歲,稽胡反,詔儉為行軍總管,與齊王憲討之。 有胡帥自號天柱者,據守河東,儉攻破之,斬首三千級。 宣政元年二月,薨。 子乾惲嗣。 大定中,為隋文帝所害,國除。 陳惑王純,字堙智突。 武成初,封陳國公,邑萬戶。 保定中,除岐州刺史,加開府儀同三司。 使於突厥迎皇后,拜大將軍。 尋進位柱國,出為秦州總管,轉陝州總管,督鴈門公田弘拔齊宜陽等九城。 建德三年,進爵為王。 四年,大軍東伐,純為前一軍總管。 以帝寢疾,班師。 五年,大軍復東討,詔純為前一軍,率步軍二萬守千里徑。 幷州平,進位上柱國,即拜幷州總管。 宣政中,除雍州牧,遷太傅。 大象元年五月,以濟南郡邑萬戶為陳。 純出就國。 二年,朝京師。 時隋文帝專政,翦落宗枝,遂害純,并世子謙及弟扈公讓、讓弟議等,國除。 越野王盛,字立久突。 武成初,封越國公,邑萬戶。 天和中,進爵為王。 四年,大軍伐齊,盛為後一軍總管。 五年,大軍又東討,盛率所領,拔齊高顯等數城。 幷州平,進位上柱國。 從平鄴,拜相州總管。 宣政元年,入為大冢宰。 汾州稽胡帥劉受邏干反,詔盛率諸軍討平之。 大象元年,遷大前疑,轉太保。 其年,詔以豐州武當、安富二郡邑萬戶為越。 盛出就國。 二年,朝京師。 其秋,為隋文帝所害,并其子忱、悰、恢、懫、忻等五人,國除。 代奰王達,字度斤突。 性果決,善騎射。 武成初,封代國公,邑萬戶。 天和元年,拜大將軍、右宮伯,拜左宗衞。 建德初,進位柱國,出為荊淮等十四州十防諸軍事、荊州刺史。 在州有政績,高祖手勑襃美之。 所管灃州刺史蔡澤黷貨被訟,贓狀分明。 以其世著勳庸,不可加戮; 若曲法貸之,又非奉上之體。 乃令所司,精加按劾,密表奏之。 事竟得釋,終亦不言。 其處事周慎如此。 達雅好節儉,食無兼膳,侍姬不過數人,皆衣綈衣。 又不營資產,國無儲積。 左右嘗以為言,達從容應之曰:「君子憂道不憂貧,何煩於此。」 三年,進爵為王。 出為益州總管。 高祖東伐,以為右一軍總管。 齊淑妃馮氏,尤為齊後主所幸,齊平見獲,帝以達不邇聲色,特以馮氏賜之。 宣帝即位,進位上柱國。 大象元年,拜大右弼。 其年,詔以潞州上黨郡邑萬戶為代。 達出就國。 二年,朝京。 其年冬,為隋文帝所害,及其世子執、弟蕃國公轉等,國除。
Prince of Qiao the Filial Yuwen Jian, styled Houyoutu. At the beginning of Wucheng (559), he was enfeoffed Duke of Qiao with a fief of ten thousand households. During Tianhe (566–572), he was appointed grand general; soon transferred to pillar-of-state and went out as commander-in-chief of Yizhou. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. In the fifth year of Jiande (576), on the eastern campaign, he served as left first army commander-in-chief, attacked Yonggu fortress, and took it. Advancing, he helped pacify Bing and Ye and was appointed grand minister of war. That year the Ji Hu rebelled; an edict made Jian mobile commander-in-chief to suppress them with Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian. A Hu leader styling himself Heavenly Pillar held Hedong; Jian defeated him and took three thousand heads. In the second month of the first year of Xuanzheng (578), he died. His son Qianyun succeeded. During Dading (581), he was killed by Yang Jian; the fief was abolished. Prince of Chen the Bewildered Yuwen Chun, styled Yinzhitu. At the beginning of Wucheng (559), he was enfeoffed Duke of Chen with a fief of ten thousand households. During Baoding, he was made governor of Qi Province and granted the Three Excellencies of the Opening Office. Sent to the Turks to welcome the empress, he was appointed grand general. Soon advanced to pillar-of-state; he went out as commander-in-chief of Qinzhou, transferred to Shanzhou, and supervised Yannmen Duke Tian Hong in capturing nine Qi cities including Yiyang. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. In the fourth year of Jiande (575), when the great army marched east, Chun was front first army commander-in-chief. Because the emperor fell gravely ill, the army withdrew. In the fifth year of Jiande (576), when the great army again marched east, an edict made Chun front first army, leading twenty thousand infantry to hold Qianli Path. When Bingzhou was pacified, he advanced to senior pillar-of-state and was at once appointed commander-in-chief of Bingzhou. During Xuanzheng, he was made governor of Yong Province and transferred to grand tutor. In the fifth month of the first year of Daxiang (579), Jinan commandery with ten thousand households was made Chen's fief. Chun went out to take up his fief. In the second year of Daxiang (580), he attended court in the capital. At that time Yang Jian monopolized the government and cut away the imperial house; he killed Chun together with heir Qian and younger brothers Duke of Hu Rang and Rang's younger brother Yi; the fief was abolished. Prince of Yue the Wild Yuwen Sheng, styled Lijiutu. At the beginning of Wucheng (559), he was enfeoffed Duke of Yue with a fief of ten thousand households. During Tianhe (566–572), he was advanced to prince. In the fourth year of Jiande (575), when the great army attacked Qi, Sheng was rear first army commander-in-chief. In the fifth year of Jiande (576), when the great army again marched east, Sheng led his command and captured several Qi cities including Gaoxian. When Bingzhou was pacified, he advanced to senior pillar-of-state. Following the pacification of Ye, he was appointed commander-in-chief of Xiangzhou. In the first year of Xuanzheng (578), he entered office as grand minister of war. Liu Shouluogan, a Ji Hu leader in Fen Province, rebelled; an edict ordered Sheng to lead the armies and pacify him. In the first year of Daxiang (579), he was transferred to grand front advisor and then to grand guardian. That year, an edict made Wudang and Anfu commanderies in Fengzhou, with ten thousand households, Yue's fief. Sheng went out to take up his fief. In the second year of Daxiang (580), he attended court in the capital. That autumn he was killed by Yang Jian, together with his sons Chen, Cong, Hui, Man, and Xin, five in all; the fief was abolished. Prince of Dai the Proud Yuwen Da, styled Dujintu. By nature he was resolute and decisive, skilled in horsemanship and archery. At the beginning of Wucheng (559), he was enfeoffed Duke of Dai with a fief of ten thousand households. In the first year of Tianhe (566), he was appointed grand general and right palace elder, and left guard commander. At the beginning of Jiande (572), he advanced to pillar-of-state and went out as commander-in-chief of military affairs in fourteen provinces including Jing and Huai and ten defenses, and as governor of Jing Province. In the province he had administrative achievements; Yuwen Yong personally wrote an edict praising him. Cai Ze, governor of Feng Province under his jurisdiction, was sued for corruption; the evidence was clear. Because his house was long distinguished in merit, he could not be executed; yet bending the law to pardon him would not accord with serving the throne. He therefore ordered the responsible offices to investigate thoroughly and submitted a secret memorial. The matter ended in release, yet he never spoke of it. He handled affairs with such thorough caution. Da loved frugality: his meals had no double dishes, his serving women numbered only a few, and all wore plain silk. He also did not accumulate property; his fief had no stores. Those around him once spoke of this; Da calmly replied: "The noble person worries about the Way, not poverty—why trouble over this?" In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. He went out as commander-in-chief of Yizhou. When Yuwen Yong marched east, he was made right first army commander-in-chief. Lady Feng, refined consort of Qi, was especially favored by the Later Lord of Qi; when Qi fell she was captured, and because Da did not indulge in music and beauty, the emperor specially bestowed Lady Feng upon him. When Emperor Xuan took the throne, he advanced to senior pillar-of-state. In the first year of Daxiang (579), he was appointed grand right assistant. That year, an edict made Shangdang commandery in Luzhou, with ten thousand households, Dai's fief. Da went out to take up his fief. In the second year of Daxiang (580), he attended court in the capital. That winter he was killed by Yang Jian, together with his heir Zhi and younger brother Duke of Fan Zhuan; the fief was abolished.
10
冀康公通,字屈率突。 武成初,封冀國公,邑萬戶。 天和六年十月,薨。 子絢嗣。 建德三年,進爵為王。 大象中,為隋文帝所害,國除。
Duke of Ji the Peaceful Yuwen Tong, styled Qushuotu. At the beginning of Wucheng (559), he was enfeoffed Duke of Ji with a fief of ten thousand households. In the tenth month of the sixth year of Tianhe (571), he died. His son Xuan succeeded. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. During Daxiang (579–581), he was killed by Yang Jian; the fief was abolished.
11
滕聞王逌,字爾固突。 少好經史,解屬文。 武成初,封滕國公,邑萬戶。 天和末,拜大將軍。 建德初,進位柱國。 三年,進爵為王。 六年,為行軍總管,與齊王憲征稽胡。 逌破其渠帥穆友等,斬首八千級。 還,除河陽總管。 宣政元年,進位上柱國。 其年,伐陳,詔逌為元帥,節度諸軍事。 大象元年五月,詔以荊州新野郡邑萬戶為滕。 逌出就國。 二年,朝京。 其年冬,為隋文帝所害,并子懷德公祐、祐弟箕國公裕、弟禮禧等,國除。 逌所著文章,頗行於世。
Prince of Teng the Cultivated Yuwen You, styled Er'gutu. From youth he loved the classics and histories and was skilled in literary composition. At the beginning of Wucheng (559), he was enfeoffed Duke of Teng with a fief of ten thousand households. At the end of Tianhe (572), he was appointed grand general. At the beginning of Jiande (572), he advanced to pillar-of-state. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. In the sixth year of Jiande (577), he was mobile commander-in-chief and, with Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian, campaigned against the Ji Hu. You defeated their chieftains including Mu You and took eight thousand heads. On return, he was made commander-in-chief of Heyang. In the first year of Xuanzheng (578), he advanced to senior pillar-of-state. That year, on the campaign against Chen, an edict made You supreme commander directing all military affairs. In the fifth month of the first year of Daxiang (579), an edict made Xinye commandery in Jingzhou, with ten thousand households, Teng's fief. You went out to take up his fief. In the second year of Daxiang (580), he attended court in the capital. That winter he was killed by Yang Jian, together with his son Duke of Huaide You, You's younger brother Duke of Ji Yu, and younger brother Lixi; the fief was abolished. You's writings circulated widely in his day.
12
孝閔帝一男。 陸夫人生紀厲王康。
Emperor Xiaomin had one son. Lady Lu bore Prince of Ji the Stern Yuwen Kang.
13
紀厲王康,字乾定。 保定初,封紀國公,邑萬戶。 建德三年,進爵為王。 仍出為總管利始等五州、大小劍二防諸軍事、利州刺史。 康驕矜無軌度,信任僚佐盧奕等,遂繕脩戎器,陰有異謀。 司錄裴融諫止之,康不聽,乃殺融。 五年,詔賜康死。 子湜嗣。 大定中,為隋文帝所害,國除。
Prince of Ji the Stern Yuwen Kang, styled Qianding. At the beginning of Baoding (561), he was enfeoffed Duke of Ji with a fief of ten thousand households. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. He then went out as commander-in-chief of Lishi and four other provinces, the defenses of Greater and Lesser Sword, and all related military affairs, and as governor of Li Province. Kang was arrogant and lawless, trusting aides such as Lu Yi; he repaired weapons and secretly plotted rebellion. Recorder Pei Rong remonstrated with him; Kang refused to listen and killed Rong. In the fifth year of Jiande (575), an edict granted him death. His son Shi succeeded. During Dading (581), he was killed by Yang Jian; the fief was abolished.
14
明帝三男。 徐妃生畢剌王賢,後宮生酆王貞、宋王寔。
Emperor Ming (Yuwen Yu) had three sons. Consort Xu bore Prince of Bi the Impetuous Xian; ladies of the rear palace bore Prince of Feng Zhen and Prince of Song Shi.
15
畢剌王賢,字乾陽。 保定四年,封畢國公。 建德三年,進爵為王。 出為華州刺史,遷荊州總管,進位柱國。 宣政中,入為大司空。 大象初,進位上柱國、雍州牧、太師。 明年,宣帝崩。 賢性強濟,有威略。 慮隋文帝傾覆宗社,言頗泄漏,尋為所害,幷其子弘義、恭道、樹孃等,國除。
Prince of Bi the Impetuous Yuwen Xian, styled Qianyang. In the fourth year of Baoding (564), he was enfeoffed Duke of Bi. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. He went out as governor of Hua Province, was transferred to commander-in-chief of Jing Province, and advanced to pillar-of-state. During Xuanzheng (578), he entered office as grand minister of works. At the beginning of Daxiang (579), he advanced to senior pillar-of-state, governor of Yong Province, and grand preceptor. The next year Emperor Xuan (Yuwen Yun) died. Xian was forceful and resolute, with authority and strategic sense. Fearing Yang Jian would overthrow the dynasty, he let his views slip; soon he was killed, together with his sons Hongyi, Gongdao, and Shuniang; the fief was abolished.
16
酆王貞,字乾雅。 初封酆國公。 建德三年,進爵為王。 大象初,為大冢宰。 後為隋文帝所害,幷子濟陰郡公德文,國除。
Prince of Feng Yuwen Zhen, styled Qianya. He was first enfeoffed Duke of Feng. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. At the beginning of Daxiang (579), he was grand minister of war. Later he was killed by Yang Jian, together with his son Duke of Jiyin Dewen; the fief was abolished.
17
武帝生七男。 李皇后生宣帝、漢王贊,厙汗姬生秦王贄、曹王允,馮姬生道王充,薛世婦生蔡王兌,鄭姬生荊王元。
Emperor Wu (Yuwen Yong) had seven sons. Empress Li bore Emperor Xuan and Prince of Han Zan; Consort Kuhan bore Prince of Qin Zan and Prince of Cao Yun; Lady Feng bore Prince of Dao Chong; Lady Xue bore Prince of Cai Dui; Lady Zheng bore Prince of Jing Yuan.
18
漢王贊,字乾依。 初封漢國公。 建德三年,進爵為王,仍柱國。 大象末,隋文帝輔政,欲順物情,乃進上柱國、右大丞相。 外示尊崇,寔無綜理。 及諸方略定,又轉太師。 尋為隋文帝所害,幷其子淮陽公道德、弟道智、道義等,國除。
Prince of Han Yuwen Zan, styled Qianyi. He was first enfeoffed Duke of Han. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince while remaining pillar-of-state. At the end of Daxiang (581), Yang Jian directed the government and, wishing to placate opinion, advanced him to senior pillar-of-state and right grand chancellor. Outwardly he was honored; in fact he held no real authority. When the realm was pacified, he was transferred to grand preceptor. Soon he was killed by Yang Jian, together with his son Duke of Huaiyang Daode and younger brothers Daozhi and Daoyi; the fief was abolished.
19
秦王贄,字乾信。 初封秦國公。 建德三年,進爵為王。 上柱國、大冢宰、大右弼。 尋為隋文帝所害,并其子忠誠公靖智、弟靖仁等,國除。 曹王允,字乾仕。 初封曹國公。 建德三年,進爵為王。
Prince of Qin Yuwen Zan, styled Qianxin. He was first enfeoffed Duke of Qin. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince. He held the offices of senior pillar-of-state, grand minister of war, and grand right assistant. Soon he was killed by Yang Jian, together with his son Duke of Zhongcheng Jingzhi and younger brother Jingren; the fief was abolished. Prince of Cao Yuwen Yun, styled Qianshi. He was first enfeoffed Duke of Cao. In the third year of Jiande (574), he was advanced to prince.
20
道王充,字乾仁。 建德六年,封王。
Prince of Dao Yuwen Chong, styled Qianren. In the sixth year of Jiande (577), he was enfeoffed as prince.
21
蔡王兌,字乾俊。 建德六年,封王。
Prince of Cai Yuwen Dui, styled Qianjun. In the sixth year of Jiande (577), he was enfeoffed as prince.
22
荊王元,字乾儀。 宣政元年,封王。 元及兌、充、允等竝為隋文帝所害,國除。
Prince of Jing Yuwen Yuan, styled Qianyi. In the first year of Xuanzheng (578), he was enfeoffed as prince. Yuan together with Dui, Chong, Yun, and the others were all killed by Yang Jian; their fiefs were abolished.
23
宣帝三子。 朱皇后生靜皇帝,王姬生鄴王 (衍) 衎,皇甫姬生郢王術。
Emperor Xuan had three sons. Empress Zhu bore Emperor Jing (Yuwen Chan); a royal lady bore Prince of Ye [variant: Yan] Kan, and Lady Huangfu bore Prince of Ying Shu.
24
鄴王 (衍) 衎,大象二年,封王。
Prince of Ye [variant: Yan] Yuwen Kan; in the second year of Daxiang (580), he was enfeoffed as prince.
25
郢王術,大象二年,封王。 與 (衍) 衎並為隋文帝所害,國除。
Prince of Ying Shu; in the second year of Daxiang (580), he was enfeoffed as prince. Together with [variant: Yan] Kan they were all killed by Yang Jian; their fiefs were abolished.
26
史臣曰:昔賢之議者,咸云以周建五等,歷載八百; 秦立郡縣,二世而亡。 雖得失之迹可尋,是非之理互起,而因循莫變,復古未聞。 良由著論者溺於貴達,司契者難於易業,詳求適變之道,未窮於至當也。 嘗試論之:
The historiographer says: In olden days commentators all said that Zhou established the five ranks of nobility and endured eight hundred years; Qin established commanderies and counties and fell in the second generation. Though one can trace the record of gain and loss, and arguments over right and wrong alternate, custom never changed and no one sought to restore antiquity. Truly because theorists were beholden to the eminent, and officials clung to established practice—the art of adapting institutions to the times was never pursued to its proper end. Let us try to discuss it:
27
夫皇王迭興,為國之道匪一; 賢聖間出,立德之指殊塗。 斯豈故為相反哉,亦云治而已矣。 何則? 五等之制,行於商周之前; 郡縣之設,始於秦漢之後。 論時則澆淳理隔,易地則用舍或殊。 譬猶干戈日用,難以成垓下之業; 稷嗣所述,不可施成周之朝。 是知因時制宜者,為政之上務也; 觀民立教者,經國之長策也。 且夫列封疆,建侯伯,擇賢能,置牧守,循名雖曰異軌,責實抑亦同歸。 盛則與之共安,衰則與之共患。 共安系乎善惡,非禮義無以敦風; 共患寄以存亡,非甲兵不能靖亂。 是以齊、晉帥禮,鼎業傾而復振; 溫、陶釋位,王綱弛而更張。 然則周之列國,非一姓也,晉之群臣,非一族也,豈齊、晉強于列國,溫、陶賢於群臣者哉,蓋勢重者易以立功,權輕者難以盡節故也。 由此言之,建侯置守,乃古今之異術; 兵權勢位,蓋安危之所階乎。
Sovereigns and kings rise in succession; the way to found a state is not single; worthies and sages appear in turn; the aim of establishing virtue takes different paths. Surely this is not deliberate contradiction—it is simply governance. How so? The system of five ranks operated before Shang and Zhou; the establishment of commanderies and counties began after Qin and Han. Times differ, so decadence and purity are worlds apart; circumstances differ, so what is adopted or abandoned may vary. It is like using arms daily—hard to accomplish the enterprise of Gaixia; what Jisi (Sima Qian) set forth cannot be applied in the court of accomplished Zhou. Thus adapting measures to the times is the supreme task of governing; observing the people to establish teaching is the long strategy of ordering a state. Demarcating territory, enfeoffing marquises and earls, selecting the worthy, appointing governors and defenders—by name the tracks differ, but in demanding real results they aim at the same end. In prosperity they share security; in decline they share calamity. Shared security depends on conduct; without ritual and righteousness custom cannot be tempered; shared calamity rests on survival or extinction; without arms disorder cannot be stilled. Thus Qi and Jin led with ritual, and the royal enterprise tilted yet revived; Huan Wen and Tao Kan relinquished rank, and the royal framework slackened yet was drawn tight again. Zhou's feudal states were not of one surname; Jin's ministers were not of one clan—were Qi and Jin stronger than the other states, and Wen and Tao worthier than other ministers? Heavy power makes merit easy; light authority makes full loyalty hard. From this we see that enfeoffing princes and appointing governors are techniques that differ between antiquity and the present; military authority, power, and position are the steps on which security and danger depend.
28
太祖之定關右,日不暇給,旣以人臣禮終,未遑藩屏之事。 晉蕩輔政,爰樹其黨,宗室長幼,竝據勢位,握兵權,雖海內謝隆平之風,而國家有磐石之固矣。 高祖克翦芒刺,思弘政術,懲專朝之為患,忘維城之遠圖,外崇寵位,內結猜阻。 自是配天之基,潛有朽壤之墟矣。 宣皇嗣位,凶暴是聞,芟刈先其本枝,削黜遍於公族。 雖復地惟叔父,親則同生,文能附衆,武能威敵,莫不謝卿士于當年,從侯服於下國。 號為千乘,勢侔匹夫。 是以權臣乘其機,謀士因其隙,遷龜鼎速於俯拾,殲王侯烈于燎原。 悠悠邃古,未聞斯酷。 豈非摧枯振朽,易為力乎。
When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai settled Guanzhong, he had no leisure; having died in the status of a minister, he had no time to enfeoff a princely screen. Yuwen Hu assisted the government and planted his faction; senior and junior of the imperial house alike held power and grasped military authority—though peace within the realm was gone, the state had the solidity of bedrock. Yuwen Yong cut away rivals, intending to improve governance, punishing court monopoly while forgetting the long-range plan of a princely bulwark; outwardly he honored rank, inwardly he bred suspicion. From then the foundation that should match Heaven secretly held crumbling ruin. Emperor Xuan succeeded; cruelty and violence were notorious; he mowed down the root branches of the clan and cut away the royal kin throughout. Though in title they were the emperor's uncles, born of the same house, able in civil matters to win followers and in martial to awe foes—all alike resigned high office and wore a lesser lord's dress. Titled lords of a thousand chariots, in power they were no more than commoners. Thus powerful ministers seized their chance, strategists their openings; shifting the sacred tripod was swift as picking something up, and extinguishing princes fierce as a prairie fire. In remote antiquity such cruelty was unheard of. Was it not that withering the withered and shaking the rotten makes change easy?
29
向使宣皇采姬、劉之制,覽聖哲之術,分命賢戚,布於內外,料其輕重,間以親疎,首尾相持,遠近為用。 使其勢位也足以扶危,其權力也不能為亂。 事業旣定,僥倖自息。 雖使臥赤子,朝委裘,社稷固以久安,億兆可以無患矣。 何后族之地,而勢能窺其神器哉。
Had Emperor Xuan adopted the systems of the Zhou founders Ji Fa and Liu Lei, surveyed sage techniques, assigned worthy kin inside and outside the court, gauged their weight, mixed near and distant kin, head and tail supporting each other, far and near each serving a use— made their position enough to support the state in peril, and their power unable to make disorder— when the enterprise was settled, opportunists would of themselves cease. Though an infant lay on the throne and the court entrusted the fur robe, the altars would stand firm and the people be without fear. How then could a consort's kin have power to seize the throne?