1
趙貴獨孤信侯莫陳崇
Zhao Gui — Du Guxin — Houmo Chen Chong
2
趙貴字元貴，天水南安人也。 曾祖達，魏庫部尚書、臨晉子。 祖仁，以良家子鎮武川，因家焉。
Zhao Gui, styled Yuangui, came from Nan'an in Tianshui commandery. His great-grandfather Da had served as Wei minister of the treasury and held the title Marquis of Linjin. His grandfather Ren, posted to Wuchuan as a soldier of good family, made the town his home.
3
貴少穎悟，有節槩。 魏孝昌中，天下兵起，貴率鄉里避難南遷。 屬葛榮陷中山，遂被拘逼。 榮敗，爾朱榮以貴為別將，從討元顥有功，賜爵燕樂縣子，授伏波將軍、武賁中郎將。 從賀拔岳平關中，賜爵魏平縣伯，邑五百戶。 累遷鎮北將軍、光祿大夫、都督。
Zhao Gui was bright and quick-minded from boyhood, with a strong sense of honor. During Emperor Xiaochang's reign, as war spread across the land, Zhao Gui led his neighbors south to escape the fighting. When Ge Rong captured Zhongshan, Zhao Gui was taken and forced into his service. After Ge Rong's defeat Erzhu Rong made Zhao Gui a separate commander; on the campaign against Yuan Hao he earned distinction, received the viscounty of Yanle, and was appointed general who calms the waves and palace guard commandant of martial retainers. He followed Heba Yue in pacifying Guanzhong and was enfeoffed Earl of Weiping with five hundred households. He rose step by step to general who pacifies the north, grand master of splendid happiness, and area commander.
4
及岳為侯莫陳悅所害，將吏奔散，莫有守者。 貴謂其黨曰：「吾聞仁義豈有常哉，行之則為君子，違之則為小人。 朱伯厚、王叔治感意氣微恩，尚能蹈履名節； 況吾等荷賀拔公國士之遇，寧可自同衆人乎？」 涕泣歔欷。 於是從之者五十人。 乃詣悅詐降，悅信之。 因請收葬岳，言辭慷慨，悅壯而許之。 貴乃收岳屍還，與寇洛等糾合其衆，奔平涼，共圖拒悅。 貴首議迎太祖，語在《太祖紀》。 太祖至，以貴為大都督，領府司馬。 悅平，以本將軍、持節，行秦州事、當州大都督。 為政清靜，民吏懷之。
When Houmochen Yue murdered Heba Yue, the officers and staff scattered; no one held the army together. Zhao Gui told his followers: "I have heard that benevolence and righteousness are not fixed rules—live by them and you are a gentleman; abandon them and you are a small man. Zhu Bohou and Wang Shuzhi, stirred by the smallest debt of friendship, still kept their names clean; how much more we, whom Lord Heba treated as men of the realm—can we sink to the level of the crowd?" He wept aloud. Fifty men followed him. He went to Houmochen Yue and pretended to submit; Yue believed him. He asked leave to recover Heba Yue's body for burial; his speech was fierce and moving, and Yue, impressed, agreed. Zhao Gui recovered the body and withdrew; with Kou Luo and others he rallied the troops, withdrew to Pingliang, and planned resistance against Houmochen Yue. Zhao Gui was first to propose welcoming Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai; the account is in the Grand Progenitor's annals. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai arrived, he made Zhao Gui grand commander and chief clerk of the headquarters. After Houmochen Yue was crushed, Zhao Gui kept his rank, received full credentials, and governed Qin Province as its grand commander. His rule was calm and clean, and both officials and people held him in affection.
5
齊神武舉兵向洛，使其都督韓軌，進據蒲阪。 太祖以貴為行臺，與梁禦等討之。 未濟河而魏孝武已西入關。 拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司、兼右衛將軍。 時曹泥據靈州拒守，以貴為大都督，與李弼等率衆討之。 進爵為侯、增邑五百戶。 又以預立魏文帝勳，進爵為公，增邑通前一千五百戶。 尋授岐州刺史。 時以軍國多務，藉貴力用，遂不之部。 仍領大丞相府左長史，加散騎常侍。 梁仚定稱亂河右，以貴為隴西行臺，率衆討破之。 從太祖復弘農，戰沙苑，拜侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，進爵中山郡公，除雍州刺史。 從戰河橋，貴與怡峰為左軍，戰不利，先還。 又從援玉壁，齊神武遁去。 高仲密以北豫州降，太祖率師迎之，與東魏人戰於邙山。 貴為左軍，失律，諸軍因此並潰。 坐免官，以驃騎、大都督領本軍。 尋復官爵，拜御史中尉，加大將軍。 東魏將高岳、慕容紹宗等圍王思政於潁川，貴率軍援之，東南諸州兵亦受貴節度。 東魏人遏洧水灌城，軍不得至，思政遂沒。 貴乃班師。 尋拜柱國〔大〕將軍，賜姓乙弗氏。 茹茹寇廣武，貴擊破之，斬首數千級，收其輜重，振旅而還。 六官建，以貴為太保、大宗伯，改封南陽郡公。 孝閔帝踐阼，遷太傅、大冢宰，進封楚國公，邑萬戶。
Gao Huan marched on Luoyang and sent his commander Han Gui to seize Puban. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai made Zhao Gui mobile headquarters commander and, with Liang Yu and others, marched against Han Gui. Before they crossed the Yellow River, Emperor Xiaowu of Wei had already fled west through the Pass. He was made grand general of chariots and cavalry with three-division court equipage and concurrent right guard general. Cao Ni was holding out in Ling Province; Zhao Gui was made grand commander and, with Li Bi and others, led troops against him. He was raised to marquis and his fief increased by five hundred households. He was further raised to duke for helping establish Emperor Wen of Wei, with a combined fief of one thousand five hundred households. He was soon appointed governor of Qi Province. Military and state business was too urgent to spare him; he never took up the Qi governorship. He remained left chief clerk of the grand chancellor's headquarters and was also made regular attendant of the scattered cavalry. Liang Qiding rebelled west of the river; Zhao Gui was made Longxi mobile headquarters commander and crushed him. He followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai in recovering Hongnong and fighting at Shaya, then became palace attendant, grand general of fast cavalry, and acting three excellencies with court equipage; he was raised to Duke of Zhongshan and made governor of Yong Province. At Heqiao Zhao Gui and Yi Feng commanded the left wing; the fight went badly and they withdrew first. He again followed the campaign to relieve Yubi, after which Gao Huan withdrew. When Gao Zhongmi surrendered North Yuzhou, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai marched to receive him and fought Eastern Wei at Mount Mang. Zhao Gui held the left wing, broke formation, and the whole army collapsed with him. He was dismissed from office but kept command of his army as grand general of fast cavalry and grand commander. Soon his titles were restored; he was made censor-in-chief and promoted to grand general. Eastern Wei generals Gao Yue and Murong Shaozong besieged Wang Sizheng at Yingchuan; Zhao Gui marched to relieve him, and southeastern provincial forces also fell under his command. The enemy dammed the Wei River and flooded the city; Zhao Gui's army could not reach it, and Wang Sizheng was lost. Zhao Gui withdrew. He was soon made grand pillar-of-state general and granted the surname Yifu. When the Rouran raided Guangwu, Zhao Gui routed them, took several thousand heads, captured their supply train, and returned in good order. When the six offices were established, Zhao Gui became grand tutor and grand herald, and his title was changed to Duke of Nanyang. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, Zhao Gui was made grand tutor and grand minister of state, raised to Duke of Chu with a fief of ten thousand households.
6
初，貴與獨孤信等皆與太祖等夷，及孝閔帝卽位，晉公護攝政，貴自以元勳佐命，每懷怏怏，有不平之色，乃與信謀殺護。 及期，貴欲發，信止之。 尋為開府宇文盛所告，被誅。
At first Zhao Gui, Du Guxin, and others had stood as equals of Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai; when Emperor Xiaomin came to the throne Yuwen Hu took power as regent, and Zhao Gui—counting himself a founding minister—grew resentful and began plotting with Du Guxin to kill him. When the day arrived Zhao Gui meant to strike; Du Guxin held him back. Soon Yuwen Sheng exposed the plot, and Zhao Gui was executed.
7
獨孤信，雲中人也，本名如願。 魏氏之初，有三十六部，其先伏留屯者，為部落大人，與魏俱起。 祖俟尼，和平中，以良家子自雲中鎮武川，因家焉。 父庫者，為領民酋長，少雄豪有節義，北州咸敬服之。
Du Guxin came from Yunzhong; his birth name was Ruyuan. In the early Wei there were thirty-six tribal divisions; his forebear of Fuliu Tun was paramount of his division and rose with the Wei. His grandfather Sini, posted from Yunzhong to Wuchuan as a soldier of good family during the Heping era, made the town his home. His father Kuzhe was a tribal chief; bold, honorable, and fierce from youth, he commanded respect across the north.
8
信美容儀，善騎射。 正光末，與賀拔度等同斬衛可孤，由是知名。 以北邊喪亂，避地中山，為葛榮所獲。 信旣少年，好自修飾，服章有殊於衆，軍中號為獨孤郎。
Du Guxin was handsome and a fine horseman and archer. At the close of the Zhenguang era he and Heba Du and others killed Wei Ke'gu and won a name for it. When the northern frontier collapsed he took refuge at Zhongshan and was seized by Ge Rong. Du Guxin was still young, fastidious about his appearance, and dressed finer than the rest; the army called him the Dugu Gentleman.
9
及爾朱氏破葛榮，以信為別將。 從征韓婁，信疋馬挑戰，擒賊漁陽王袁肆周，以功拜員外散騎侍郎。 尋轉驍騎將軍，因鎮滏口。 元顥入洛，榮以信為前驅，與顥黨戰於河北，破之。 拜安南將軍，賜爵爰德縣侯。
After the Erzhu clan defeated Ge Rong, Du Guxin was made a separate commander. On campaign against Han Lou, Du Guxin rode out alone to challenge the enemy and captured the rebel Prince of Yuyang, Yuan Sizhou; for this he was made acting gentleman attendant of the scattered cavalry. He was soon made general of fierce cavalry and garrisoned Fukou. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, Erzhu Rong made Du Guxin vanguard; north of the river he routed Yuan Hao's allies. He was appointed general who pacifies the south and enfeoffed Marquis of Yuande.
10
建明初，出為荊州新野鎮將，帶新野郡守。 尋遷荊州防城大都督，帶南鄉守。 頻典二部，皆有聲績。 賀拔勝出鎮荊州，乃表信為大都督。 從勝攻梁下溠戍，破之，遷武衛將軍。 及勝弟岳為侯莫陳悅所害，勝乃令信入關，撫岳餘衆。 屬太祖已統岳兵，信與太祖鄉里，少相友善，相見甚歡。 因令信入洛請事，至雍州，大使元毗又遣信還荊州。 尋徵信入朝，魏孝武雅相委任。
At the start of the Jianming era he went out as garrison commander of Xinye in Jing Province and concurrently administered Xinye commandery. He was soon made Jing Province's grand commander for city defense and concurrently administrator of Nanxiang. He held two posts in succession, and in each earned a strong reputation. When Heba Sheng took up the Jing Province garrison, he recommended Du Guxin as grand commander. He followed Heba Sheng against Liang's Xiasao garrison, took it, and was promoted to martial guard general. When Houmochen Yue killed Heba Sheng's brother Heba Yue, Sheng sent Du Guxin through the Pass to rally Yue's remaining troops. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had already taken over Heba Yue's army; he and Du Guxin were from the same home country and had been friends since youth, and their meeting was warm. Yuwen Tai then sent Du Guxin to Luoyang on business; at Yong Province the grand envoy Yuan Pi sent him back to Jing Province. Du Guxin was soon recalled to court, and Emperor Xiaowu of Wei relied on him deeply.
11
及孝武西遷，事起倉卒，信單騎及之於瀍澗。 孝武歎曰：「武衛遂能辭父母，捐妻子，遠來從我。 世亂識貞良，豈虛言哉。」 卽賜信御馬一疋，進爵浮陽郡公，邑一千戶。
When Emperor Xiaowu fled west the crisis came in an instant; Du Guxin rode alone and caught up with him at Chan Stream. Emperor Xiaowu sighed and said: "The martial guard can leave parents, abandon wife and children, and ride from afar to follow me. In chaos one learns who is true—those were not empty words." He gave Du Guxin one of the imperial horses and raised him to Duke of Fuyang with a fief of one thousand households.
12
時荊州雖陷東魏，民心猶戀本朝。 乃以信為衛大將軍、都督三荊州諸軍事，兼尚書右僕射、東南道行臺、大都督、荊州刺史以招懷之。 信至武陶，東魏遣其弘農郡守田八能，率蠻左之衆，拒信于淅陽； 又遣其都督張齊民，以步騎三千出信之後。 信謂其衆曰：「今我士卒不滿千人，而首尾受敵。 若卻擊齊民，則敵人謂為退走，必來要截。 未若先破八能。」 遂奮擊，八能敗而齊民亦潰。 信乘勝襲荊州。 東魏刺史辛纂勒兵出戰。 士庶旣懷信遺惠，信臨陣喻之，莫不解體。 因而縱兵擊之，纂大敗，奔城趨門，未及闔，信都督楊忠等前驅斬纂。 語在《忠傳》。 於是三荊遂定。 就拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司。
Though Jing Province had fallen to Eastern Wei, the people still looked to the old court. Du Guxin was therefore made grand general of the guard, commander of the three Jing provinces, concurrent right vice-minister of the Masters of Writing, southeast-route mobile headquarters commander, grand commander, and governor of Jing Province to win them back. When Du Guxin reached Wutao, Eastern Wei sent Tian Baneng, administrator of Hongnong, with southern tribal forces to block him at Xiyang; and sent Zhang Qimin with three thousand foot and horse to strike from the rear. Du Guxin told his men: "We have fewer than a thousand soldiers and enemies before and behind us. If we turn on Qimin, they will read it as retreat and cut us off. Better break Baneng first." He attacked at once; Baneng was routed and Qimin's force collapsed with him. Du Guxin pressed the victory and swept into Jing Province. Eastern Wei's governor Xin Zuan marched out to fight. The officials and people already owed Du Guxin their loyalty; when he spoke to them from the front, their will to resist melted away. He then unleashed his troops; Xin Zuan was routed, ran for the gate, and before it could close Yang Zhong and the vanguard cut him down. The account is in Yang Zhong's biography. The three Jing provinces were thus secured. He was then made grand general of chariots and cavalry with three-division court equipage.
13
東魏又遣其將高敖曹、侯景等率衆奄至。 信以衆寡不敵，遂率麾下奔梁。 居三載，梁武帝方始許信還北。 信父母旣在山東，梁武帝問信所往，信答以事君無二。 梁武帝深義之，禮送甚厚。
Eastern Wei sent Gao Aocao, Hou Jing, and others with a sudden assault force. Outnumbered, Du Guxin led his personal followers and fled to Liang. After three years in Liang, Emperor Wu of Liang at last allowed Du Guxin to return north. Du Guxin's parents were in Shandong; when Emperor Wu asked where he meant to go, Du Guxin answered that a subject serves one lord only. Emperor Wu admired his loyalty and sent him north with rich honors.
14
大統三年秋，至長安。 自以虧損國威，上書謝罪。 魏文帝付尚書議之，七兵尚書、陳郡王 （王言） 〔玄〕等議，以為「邊將董戎，龔行天罰，喪師敗績，國刑無舍。 荊州刺史獨孤如願，任當推轂，遠襲襄、宛，斬賊帥辛纂，傳首京師，論功語效，寔合嘉賞。 但庸績不終，旋致淪沒，責成之義，朝寄有違。 然孤軍數千，後援未接，賊衆我寡，難以自固。 旣經恩降，理絕刑書。 昔秦宥孟明，漢舍廣利，卒能改過立功，垂芳竹帛。 以今方古，抑有成規。 臣等參議，請赦罪，復其舊職」。 魏文帝詔曰：「如願荊、襄之役，寔展功效。 旣屬強寇，力屈道窮，歸賊不可，還朝路絕，適事求宜，未足稱過。 違難如吳，誠貫夷險，義全終始，良可嘉歎。 復情存謙退，款心謝責。 甯容議及恩降，止雲免咎，斯則事失權宜，理乖通變。 可轉驃騎大將軍，加侍中、開府，其使持節、儀同三司、浮陽郡公悉如故。」
In the autumn of Datong 3 (537) he reached Chang'an. Believing he had shamed the state, he wrote to apologize for his failure. Emperor Wen of Wei referred the matter to the Masters of Writing—the Minister of the Seven Armies, Prince of Chen commandery [variant: Wang Yan] Xuan and others deliberated, saying: "Frontier generals who bear Heaven's mandate to chastise wrongdoers and yet lose their armies—the law knows no mercy. Jing Province governor Du Guxin, entrusted with full command, had raided deep into Xiang and Wan, beheaded the rebel leader Xin Zuan, and sent his head to the capital—a feat that plainly merited reward. Yet his success was not sustained and he was soon lost; by the rule that a commission must be fulfilled, he had failed the court's trust. Still, he had only a few thousand men with no reinforcements, outnumbered and unable to stand alone. Grace had already been shown him, so the penal code no longer applied. Qin once spared Meng Ming and Han forgave Li Guangli; both went on to redeem themselves and win lasting fame. Comparing present with past, there was clear precedent. We your ministers therefore ask that his offense be pardoned and his former office restored." Emperor Wen of Wei decreed: "Du Guxin's campaign in Jing and Xiang did show real service. He met a powerful enemy, was spent, and could neither submit to the foe nor find a way home—given the circumstances, he can hardly be blamed. He bore hardship through every danger with constancy from first to last—truly admirable. He had shown humility and offered a sincere apology. To treat this as no more than a pardon from punishment falls short of what the moment requires. Let him be made grand general of agile cavalry, with attendant-in-ordinary and opening-the-feudatory added; his staff, three-division court equipage, and ducal title of Fuyang shall all stand as before."
15
尋拜領軍。 仍從太祖復弘農，破沙苑。 改封河內郡公，增邑二千戶。 時俘虜中有信親屬，始得父凶問，乃發喪行服。 尋起為大都督，率衆與馮翊王元季海入洛陽。 潁、豫、襄、廣、陳留之地，竝相繼款附。 四年，東魏將侯景等率衆圍洛陽。 信據金墉城，隨方拒守，旬有餘日。 及太祖至瀍東，景等退走。 信與李遠為右軍，戰不利，東魏遂有洛陽。 六年，侯景寇荊州，太祖令信與李弼出武關。 景退，以信為大使，慰撫三荊。
He was soon made commander of the guard. He again followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai in recovering Hongnong and winning at Shaya. His title was changed to Duke of Henei and his fief increased by two thousand households. Among the prisoners were Du Guxin's kinsmen; from them he first learned of his father's death and went into mourning. He was soon recalled to serve as grand commander and entered Luoyang with Prince of Fengyi Yuan Jihai at the head of the army. Ying, Yu, Xiang, Guang, and Chenliu submitted one after another. In the fourth year Hou Jing and other Eastern Wei generals besieged Luoyang. Du Guxin held Jinyong and beat back attacks from every side for more than ten days. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai reached the east bank of the Chan, Hou Jing and the others withdrew. Du Guxin and Li Yuan commanded the right wing; the fight went badly and Eastern Wei took Luoyang. In the sixth year Hou Jing raided Jing Province; Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai sent Du Guxin and Li Bi out through Wu Pass. When Hou Jing withdrew, Du Guxin was made grand envoy to reassure the three Jing provinces.
16
尋除隴右十州大都督、秦州刺史。 先是，守宰闇弱，政令乖方，民有冤訟，歷年不能斷決。 及信在州，事無壅滯。 示以禮教，勸以耕桑，數年之中，公私富實。 流民願附者數萬家。 太祖以其信著遐邇，故賜名為信。 七年，岷州刺史、赤水蕃王梁仚定舉兵反，詔信討之。 仚定尋為其部下所殺。 而仚定子弟，仍收其餘衆。 信乃勒兵向萬年，頓三交口。 賊並力拒守，信因詭道趨稠松嶺。 賊不虞信兵之至，望風奔潰。 乘勝逐北，徑至城下，賊並出降。 加授太子太保。 邙山之戰，大軍不利。 信與于謹收散卒自後擊之，齊神武追騎驚擾，諸軍因此得全。 十二年，涼州刺史宇文仲和據州不受代，太祖令信率開府怡峯討之。 仲和嬰城固守，信夜令諸將以沖梯攻其東北，信親帥壯士襲其西南，值明克之。 擒仲和，虜其民六千戶，送于長安。 拜大司馬。 十三年，大軍東討。 時以茹茹為寇，令信移鎮河陽。 十四年，進位柱國大將軍。 錄剋下溠、守洛陽、破岷州、平涼州等功，增封，聽回授諸子。 於是第二子善封魏寧縣公，第三子穆文侯縣侯，第四子藏義甯縣侯，邑各一千戶； 第五子順項城縣伯，第六子陀建忠縣伯，邑各五百戶。 信在隴右歲久，啟求還朝，太祖不許。 或有自東魏來者，又告其母凶問，信發喪行服。 屬魏太子與 （世） 〔太〕祖巡北邊，因至河陽吊信。 信陳哀苦，請終禮制，又不許。 於是追贈信父庫者司空公，追封信母費連氏常山郡君。 十六年，大軍東討，信率隴右數萬人從軍，至崤阪而還。 遷尚書令。 六官建，拜大司馬。 孝閔帝踐阼，遷太保、大宗伯，進封衛國公，邑萬戶。
He was soon appointed grand commander of the ten Longyou provinces and governor of Qin Province. Before this the local officials had been weak, policy had gone awry, and lawsuits had piled up unresolved for years. Under Du Guxin nothing stalled in the province. He taught courtesy and urged farming and silk production; within a few years public and private stores were full. Tens of thousands of refugee families chose to settle under his rule. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, seeing that his trustworthiness was known far and wide, gave him the name Xin ("Trust"). In the seventh year Liang Xiansheng, king of the Chishui tribes and governor of Min Province, rebelled; an edict sent Du Guxin against him. Xiansheng was soon killed by his own followers. His sons and brothers still held the remnant force together. Du Guxin marched on Wannian and encamped at Sankou Crossing. The rebels massed to hold him off; Du Guxin took a hidden route toward Chousong Ridge. The rebels did not expect him; at his approach they broke and ran. He pressed the pursuit to the walls and the rebels surrendered en masse. He was further made grand tutor of the heir apparent. At Mount Mang the main army was defeated. Du Guxin and Yu Jin rallied the broken troops and struck from the rear; Gao Huan's pursuers were thrown into disorder and the army got away intact. In the twelfth year Yuwen Zhonghe, governor of Liang Province, refused to yield his post; Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai sent Du Guxin with Yi Feng to suppress him. Zhonghe shut himself in the city; by night Du Guxin sent his generals with scaling ladders against the northeast while he himself led picked men against the southwest—the city fell at dawn. He took Zhonghe prisoner, resettled six thousand of his people, and sent them to Chang'an. He was made grand marshal. In the thirteenth year the main army marched east on campaign. The Rouran were raiding at the time, so Du Guxin was ordered to move his garrison to Heyang. In the fourteenth year he was promoted to pillar-of-state grand general. For taking Xia, holding Luoyang, breaking Min Province, and pacifying Liang Province his fief was increased and he was allowed to pass portions to his sons. His second son Shan received Weining county, his third Mu Wenhou county, and his fourth Zang Yining county—each with a fief of one thousand households; his fifth son Shun Xiangcheng county and his sixth Tuo Jianzhong county—each with five hundred households. Du Guxin had been in Longyou many years and asked to return to court; Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai refused. Someone arriving from Eastern Wei brought word of his mother's death; Du Guxin went into mourning again. It happened that the Wei crown prince and [variant: Shi] Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai was touring the northern frontier and came to Heyang to console Du Guxin. Du Guxin pleaded his grief and asked to finish mourning; again he was refused. The court posthumously made his father Kuzhe duke of works and his mother Lady Feilian Lady of Changshan commandery. In the sixteenth year, when the main army marched east, Du Guxin led tens of thousands from Longyou as far as Xiao Pass and then returned. He was made director of the Masters of Writing. When the six offices were established, he was appointed grand marshal. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, Du Guxin was made grand tutor and grand minister of clan affairs, raised to Duke of Wei with a fief of ten thousand households.
17
趙貴誅後，信以同謀坐免。 居無幾，晉公護又欲殺之，以其名望素重，不欲顯其罪，逼令自盡於家。 時年五十五。
After Zhao Gui's execution Du Guxin was dismissed for complicity in the plot. Before long Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu wanted him dead; unwilling to expose the charge against so famous a man, he forced Du Guxin to kill himself at home. He was fifty-five.
18
信風度弘雅，有奇謀大略。 太祖初啟霸業，唯有關中之地，以隴右形勝，故委信鎮之。 旣為百姓所懷，聲振鄰國。 東魏將侯景之南奔梁也，魏收為檄梁文，矯稱信據隴右不從宇文氏，仍云無關西之憂，欲以威梁人也。 又信在秦州，嘗因獵日暮，馳馬入城，其帽微側。 詰旦，而吏民有戴帽者，咸慕信而側帽焉。 其為鄰境及士庶所重如此。
Du Guxin was magnanimous and elegant, with bold plans and far-reaching designs. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai first built his power base he held only Guanzhong; because Longyou was strategically vital, he put Du Guxin in charge there. The people already loved him, and his fame resounded in neighboring states. When Hou Jing defected south to Liang, Wei Shou drafted a proclamation to Liang falsely claiming that Du Guxin held Longyou in defiance of the Yuwen house and that the west need not be feared—aiming to intimidate Liang. Once while hunting in Qin Province Du Guxin rode into town at dusk with his hat slightly askew. The next morning every official and townsman who wore a hat copied him and wore it tilted. Such was the weight he carried with neighbors and with officials and people alike.
19
善 （子） 〔字〕伏陀，幼聰慧，善騎射，以父勳，封魏寧縣公。 魏廢帝元年，又以父勳，授驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，加侍中，進爵長安郡公。 孝閔帝踐阼，除河州刺史。 以父負舋，久廢於家。 保定三年，乃授龍州刺史。 天和六年，襲爵河內郡公，邑二千戶。 從高祖東討，以功授上開府。 尋除兗州刺史，政存簡惠，百姓安之。 卒於位，年三十八。 贈使持節、柱國、定趙恆滄瀛五州諸軍事、定州刺史。
Shan [variant: Zi] styled Futu, clever from childhood and skilled at riding and archery; for his father's service he was enfeoffed Duke of Weining. In the first year of the Deposed Emperor of Wei (551) he was again promoted for his father's service to grand general of agile cavalry with opening-the-feudatory three-division court equipage and attendant-in-ordinary, and raised to Duke of Chang'an. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, he was made governor of He Province. Because of his father's disgrace he remained at home for years. In Baoding 3 (563) he was appointed governor of Long Province. In Tianhe 6 (569) he succeeded to the ducal title of Henei with a fief of two thousand households. He followed Emperor Wu on the eastern campaign and was made upper opening-the-feudatory for his service. He was soon made governor of Yan Province; his rule was simple and benevolent, and the people lived securely. He died in office at thirty-eight. Posthumously he was made bearer of the staff, pillar-of-state, commander over Ding, Zhao, Heng, Cang, and Ying provinces, and governor of Ding.
20
信長女，周明敬后； 第四女，元貞皇后； 第七女，隋文獻后。 周隋及皇家，三代皆為外戚，自古以來，未之有也。
Du Guxin's eldest daughter became Empress Mingjing of Zhou; his fourth daughter, Empress Yuanzhen; and his seventh daughter, Empress Wenxian of Sui. For three reigns—Northern Zhou, Sui, and the imperial house—his daughters were empresses; nothing like it had ever been seen.
21
隋文帝踐極，乃下詔曰：「褒德累行，往代通規； 追遠慎終，前王盛典。 故使持節、柱國、河內郡開國公信，風宇高曠，獨秀生人，睿哲居宗，清猷映世。 宏謨長策，道著於弼諧； 緯義經仁，事深於拯濟。 方當宣風廊廟，亮采臺階，而世屬艱危，功高弗賞。 眷言令範，事切於心。 今景運初開，椒闈肅建。 載懷塗山之義，無忘褒紀之典。 可贈太師、上柱國、冀定相滄瀛趙恆洺貝十州諸軍事、冀州刺史，〔封〕趙國公，邑一萬戶。 諡曰景。」 追贈信父庫者使持節、太尉、上柱國、定恆滄瀛平燕六州諸軍事、定州刺史，封趙國公，邑一萬戶。 諡曰恭。 信母費連氏，贈太尉恭公夫人。
When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne he issued an edict: "To honor virtue and accumulated merit is an ancient rule; to remember the dead and finish well is a royal duty of old. The late Du Guxin—bearer of the staff, pillar-of-state, and founding duke of Henei—stood above his contemporaries in bearing and wisdom, his clear purpose shining through the age. His great plans and long counsel served the realm in harmony; his weaving of righteousness and benevolence went deep in succoring the people. Just as he should have served prominently at court, the times turned perilous and his high merit went unrewarded. Recalling his example touches the heart. Now a new fortune opens and the inner palace is duly established. Mindful of the duty owed at Tushan, we must not neglect the rites of honoring the worthy. Let him be posthumously made grand preceptor and upper pillar-of-state, commander over Ji, Ding, Xiang, Cang, Ying, Zhao, Heng, Mo, Bei, and Ji provinces, governor of Ji, and enfeoffed Duke of Zhao with a fief of ten thousand households. His posthumous title was Jing (Illustrious)." Du Guxin's father Kuzhe was posthumously made bearer of the staff, grand commandant, superior pillar of state, director of military affairs in Ding, Heng, Cang, Ying, Ping, and Yan provinces, and inspector of Ding Province; he was enfeoffed Duke of Zhao with a fief of ten thousand households. His posthumous title was Gong (Respectful). Du Guxin's mother, Lady Feilian, was posthumously made Lady of Grand Commandant Gong.
22
侯莫陳崇字尚樂，代郡武川人。 其先，魏之別部，居庫斛真水。 五世祖曰太骨都侯。 其後，世為渠帥。 祖允，以良家子鎮武川，因家焉。 父興，殿中將軍、羽林監。
Houmo Chencheng, styled Shangle, came from Wuchuan in Dai commandery. His clan was a separate branch of the Wei people, settled on the Kuhuzhen River. His fifth-generation ancestor was titled Marquis Taigudu. Thereafter for generations they served as tribal chiefs. His grandfather Yun, posted to Wuchuan as a respectable household soldier, settled his family there. His father Xing was a palace guard general and supervisor of the Forest of Wings guard.
23
崇少驍勇，善馳射，謹愨少言。 年十五，隨賀拔岳與爾朱榮征葛榮。 又從元天穆討邢杲，平之。 以功除建威將軍。 別從岳破元顥於洛陽。 遷直寢。
From youth Chencheng was fierce and brave, skilled at mounted archery, careful and sparing of speech. At fifteen he followed Heba Yue with Erzhu Rong against Ge Rong. He again followed Yuan Tianmu against Xing Gao and crushed the rebellion. For his service he was made General Who Establishes Might. On a separate command under Heba Yue he defeated Yuan Hao at Luoyang. He was transferred to direct attendant of the inner quarters.
24
後從岳入關，破赤水蜀。 時万俟醜奴圍岐州，遣其將李。 尉遲菩薩將兵向武功。 崇從岳力戰破之，乘勝逐北，解岐州圍。 又赴百里細川，破賊帥侯伏侯元進柵。 醜奴率其餘衆奔高平，崇與輕騎逐北，至涇州長坑及之。 賊未成列，崇單騎入賊中，於馬上生擒醜奴。 於是大呼，衆悉披靡，莫敢當之。 後騎益集，賊徒因悉逃散，遂大破之。 岳以醜奴所乘馬及寶劍金帶賞崇。 除安北將軍、太中大夫、都督，封臨涇縣侯，邑八百戶。
Later, following Heba Yue through the Pass, he broke the Chishui Shu. At that time Wanqi Chounu besieged Qi Province and dispatched a general, Li. Yuchi Pusa led troops toward Wugong. Chencheng followed Heba Yue in hard fighting, routed the enemy, pursued the fleeing force, and lifted the siege of Qi Province. He again went to Baili Xichuan and broke the stockade of the rebel chief Houfu Hou Yuanjin. Chounu led the remnant host in flight toward Gaoping; Chencheng with light cavalry pursued north and caught them at Changkeng in Jing Province. Before the rebels could form ranks, Chencheng rode alone into their midst and captured Chounu alive from horseback. Then he gave a great shout; the enemy ranks collapsed, and none dared stand against him. More horsemen kept gathering behind him; the rebels therefore broke and scattered, and he won a great victory. Heba Yue rewarded Chencheng with Chounu's own horse and a treasured sword with golden belt. He was made pacifying-the-north general, palace attendant-in-ordinary, and commander, and enfeoffed Marquis of Linjing with a fief of eight hundred households.
25
及岳為侯莫陳悅所害，崇與諸將同謀迎太祖。 太祖至軍，原州刺史史歸猶為悅守。 太祖遣崇襲歸。 崇潛軍夜往，輕將七騎，直到城下，餘衆皆伏於近路。 歸見騎少，遂不設備。 崇卽入據城門。 時李遠兄弟在城內，先知崇來，於是中外鼓噪，伏兵悉起，遂擒歸，斬之以崇行原州事。 仍從平悅，轉征西將軍。 又遣崇慰撫秦州，別封廣武縣伯，邑七百戶。
When Heba Yue was murdered by Houmochen Yue, Chencheng and the other generals jointly planned to welcome Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai reached the army, Shi Gui, governor of Yuan Province, still held the city for Houmochen Yue. Yuwen Tai dispatched Chencheng to strike Shi Gui. Chencheng moved by night in secret; with seven light horsemen he went straight to the wall while the rest lay in ambush on the nearby roads. Shi Gui saw the horsemen were few and took no precautions. Chencheng at once entered and seized the gate. Li Yuan and his brothers were inside the city and had foreknown Chencheng's approach; thereupon they raised a clamor within and without, ambush troops sprang up everywhere, and they captured and beheaded Shi Gui; Chencheng then acted as governor of Yuan Province. Still following in the campaign against Houmochen Yue, he was transferred to campaigning-in-the-west general. Chencheng was again sent to reassure and settle Qin Province and was separately enfeoffed Baron of Guangwu with a fief of seven hundred households.
26
大統元年，除涇州刺史，加散騎常侍、大都督，進爵為公，累遷車騎大將軍、儀同三司、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，改封彭城郡公，邑三千戶。 三年，從擒竇泰，復弘農，破沙苑，增邑二千戶。 四年，從戰河橋，崇功居多。 七年，稽胡反，崇率衆討平之。 尋除雍州刺史，兼太子詹事。 十五年，進位柱國大將軍，轉少傅。 魏恭帝元年，出為寧州刺史，遷尚書令。 六官建，拜大司空。 孝閔帝踐阼，進封梁國公，邑萬戶，加太保。 歷大宗伯、大司徒。
In the first year of Datong (535) he was made governor of Jing Province, given scattered-cavalry regular attendant and grand commander, advanced to duke, and successively promoted to grand general of chariots and cavalry, equal-in-protocol to the three ministers, grand general of fast cavalry, and opener-of-office equal in rank to the three ministers; his title was changed to Duke of Pengcheng with a fief of three thousand households. In the third year he followed in capturing Dou Tai, recovering Hongnong, and breaking Shayuan; his fief was increased by two thousand households. In the fourth year he followed in the battle at Heqiao; Chencheng's merit ranked first. In the seventh year the Ji Hu rebelled; Chencheng led troops and put the rebellion down. Soon he was made governor of Yong Province and concurrently tutor to the crown prince. In the fifteenth year he was advanced to pillar grand general and transferred to junior mentor. In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei (554) he went out as governor of Ning Province and was transferred to director of the masters of writing. When the Six Offices were established, he was appointed grand minister of works. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, he was advanced to Duke of Liang with a fief of ten thousand households and made grand guardian. He served successively as grand minister of ritual and grand minister of education.
27
保定三年，崇從高祖幸原州，高祖夜還京師，竊怪其故。 崇謂所親人常昇曰：「吾昔聞卜筮者言，晉公今年不利。 車駕今忽夜還，不過是晉公死耳。」 於是衆皆傳之。 或有發其事者。 高祖召諸公卿於大德殿，責崇。 崇惶恐謝罪。 其夜，護遣使將兵就崇宅，逼令自殺。 禮葬如常儀。 諡曰躁。 護誅後，改諡曰莊閔。
In the third year of Baoding (563), Chencheng followed High Ancestor Yuwen Yong on a visit to Yuan Province; Yuwen Yong returned to the capital by night, privately wondering at the reason. Chencheng told his confidant Chang Sheng: "I once heard diviners say the Duke of Jin will meet ill fortune this year. The imperial carriage now suddenly returns by night—nothing but that the Duke of Jin will die." Thereupon the remark spread everywhere. Someone reported the matter. High Ancestor Yuwen Yong summoned the lords and ministers to Dade Hall and rebuked Chencheng. Chencheng fearfully begged forgiveness. That night Yuwen Hu sent envoys with troops to Chencheng's residence and forced him to take his own life. He was buried with the usual full rites. His posthumous title was Zao (Restless). After Yuwen Hu was executed, his posthumous title was changed to Zhuangmin (Solemn and Lamented).
28
子芮嗣。 拜大將軍，進位柱國。 從高祖東伐，率衆守太行道。 幷州平，授上柱國。 仍從平鄴，拜大司馬。
His son Rui succeeded. He was appointed grand general and advanced to pillar of state. Following High Ancestor Yuwen Yong's eastern campaign, he led troops to guard the Taihang route. When Bing Province was pacified, he was granted superior pillar of state. Still following in the pacification of Ye, he was appointed grand minister of war.
29
史臣曰：蕭何文吏自愛，懼秦法誅戮，乃推奉漢高； 李通家傳讖術，知劉氏當興，遂翊戴光武。 終而白水復禹，中陽纂堯。 方策以為美談，功臣仰其徽烈。 趙貴志懷忠義，首倡大謀，爰啟聖明，克復讐恥。 關中全百二之險，周室定三分之業，彼此一時，足為連類。 獨孤信威申南服，化洽西州。 信著遐方，光照鄰國。 侯莫陳崇以勇悍之氣，當戰爭之利，輕騎啟高平之扉，疋馬得長坑之捷。 竝以宏材遠略，附鳳攀龍，績著元勳，位居上衮。 而識慚明悊，咸以凶終，惜哉！ 信雖不免其身，慶延于後。 三代外戚，何其盛歟。
The historiographer writes: Xiao He, a literate clerk who prized his own safety, feared Qin law's punishments and thereupon raised up Han Gaozu; Li Tong's family handed down prognostic arts, knew the Liu house would rise, and thereupon supported Emperor Guangwu. In the end Liu Xiu restored the Han line at Baishui, and the throne passed as from Yao to Shun at Zhongyang. Historical records treat them as exemplary tales; later ministers look up to their eminence and glory. Zhao Gui was loyal at heart, first to raise the great design, helped open the way to sage rule, and avenged national dishonor. Guanzhong held the hundred-and-two strategic passes; the Zhou house fixed the three-part enterprise—they belong to the same age and are fully worthy of comparison. Du Guxin's authority reached the southern domains; his influence harmonized the western provinces. His trustworthiness was famed in distant lands; his brilliance shone on neighboring states. Houmo Chencheng, with fierce boldness and the advantage of war, opened Gaoping with light cavalry and won Changkeng with a single horse. All possessed great talent and far-reaching design; attaching themselves to the rising sovereign, they won founding merit and reached the highest ministerial rank. Yet they lacked the discernment to end well—all died violently. Pity! Though Du Guxin did not preserve his own life, blessing extended to his posterity. Three generations of consort kin—how flourishing indeed!
30
初，魏孝莊帝以爾朱榮有翊戴之功，拜榮柱國大將軍，位在丞相上。 榮敗後，此官遂廢。 大統三年，魏文帝復以太祖建中興之業，始命為之。 其後功參佐命，望實俱重者，亦居此職。 自大統十六年以前，任者凡有八人。 太祖位總百揆，督中外軍。 魏廣陵王欣，元氏懿戚，從容禁闈而已。 此外六人，各督二大將軍，分掌禁旅，當爪牙禦侮之寄。 當時榮盛，莫與為比。 故今之稱門閥者，咸推八柱國家云。 今幷十二大將軍錄之於左。
Initially Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei, because Erzhu Rong had merit in supporting the throne, appointed him pillar grand general with rank above the chancellor. After Erzhu Rong's defeat the office was abolished. In the third year of Datong (537), Emperor Wen of Wei again, because Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had built the restoration enterprise, first appointed him to the office. Thereafter those whose merit shared in founding the mandate and whose reputation and substance were both weighty also held this post. Before the sixteenth year of Datong (550), there were eight holders in all. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's position summarized all state affairs and supervised the central and external armies. Prince Yuan Xin of Guangling of Wei, an honored kinsman of the Yuan clan, merely moved at ease within the palace precincts. Besides these six men, each supervised two grand generals, divided command of the palace guard, and held the charge of fang and claw in defense against insult. At that time their glory and splendor had no equal. Therefore families today called great clans all esteem the Eight Pillars houses. The Twelve Senior Generals are also recorded below.
31
使持節、太尉、柱國大將軍、大都督、尚書左僕射、隴右行臺、少師、隴西郡開國公李虎，
Commissioner with full credentials, grand commandant, pillar grand general, grand commander, left vice director of the masters of writing, Longyou mobile headquarters, junior preceptor, state-opening Duke of Longxi — Li Hu,
32
使持節、太傅、柱國大將軍、大宗伯、大司徒、廣陵王元欣，
Commissioner with full credentials, grand preceptor, pillar grand general, grand minister of ritual, grand minister of education, Prince of Guangling — Yuan Xin,
33
使持節、太保、柱國大將軍、大都督、大宗伯、趙郡開國公李弼，
Commissioner with full credentials, grand guardian, pillar grand general, grand commander, grand minister of ritual, state-opening Duke of Zhao — Li Bi,
34
使持節、柱國大將軍、大都督、大司馬、河內郡開國公獨孤信，
Commissioner with full credentials, pillar grand general, grand commander, grand minister of war, state-opening Duke of Henei — Du Guxin,
35
使持節、柱國大將軍、大都督、大司寇、南陽郡開國公趙貴，
Commissioner with full credentials, pillar grand general, grand commander, grand minister of justice, state-opening Duke of Nanyang — Zhao Gui,
36
使持節、柱國大將軍、大都督、大司空、常山郡開國公于謹，
Commissioner with full credentials, pillar grand general, grand commander, grand minister of works, state-opening Duke of Changshan — Yu Jin,
37
使持節、柱國大將軍、大都督、少傅、彭城郡開國公侯莫陳崇。
Commissioner with full credentials, pillar grand general, grand commander, junior mentor, state-opening Duke of Pengcheng — Houmo Chencheng.
38
右與太祖為八柱國。 （後竝改封，此竝太祖時爵。）
Those listed at right, together with Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, made the Eight Pillars. [All were later given new enfeoffments; these titles date from Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's time.]
39
使持節、大將軍、大都督、少保、廣平王元贊，
Commissioner with full credentials, grand general, grand commander, junior guardian, Prince of Guangping — Yuan Zan,
40
使持節、大將軍、大都督、淮 （安） 王元育，
Commissioner with full credentials, grand general, grand commander, Prince of Huai [An — completing Huai'an] Prince Yuan Yu,
41
使持節、大將軍、大都督、齊王元廓，
Commissioner with full credentials, grand general, grand commander, Prince of Qi — Yuan Kuo,
42
使持節、大將軍、大都督、秦七州諸軍事、秦州刺史、章武郡開國公宇文導，
Yuwen Dao — bearer of the staff, grand general and great governor-general of military affairs in the seven Qin provinces, governor of Qin Province, and founding duke of Zhangwu commandery,
43
使持節、大將軍、大都督、平原郡開國公侯莫陳順，
Houmo Chen Shun — bearer of the staff, grand general, great governor-general, and founding duke of Pingyuan commandery,
44
使持節、大將軍、大都督、雍七州諸軍事、雍州刺史、高陽郡開國公達奚武，
Daxi Wu — bearer of the staff, grand general and great governor-general of military affairs in the seven Yong provinces, governor of Yong Province, and founding duke of Gaoyang commandery,
45
使持節、大將軍、大都督、陽平公李遠，
Li Yuan — bearer of the staff, grand general, great governor-general, and duke of Yangping,
46
使持節、大將軍、大都督、范陽郡開國公豆盧寧，
Doulu Ning — bearer of the staff, grand general, great governor-general, and founding duke of Fanyang commandery,
47
使持節、大將軍、大都督、化政郡開國公宇文貴，
Yuwen Gui — bearer of the staff, grand general, great governor-general, and founding duke of Huazheng commandery,
48
使持節、大將軍、大都督、荊州諸軍事、荊州刺史、博陵郡開國公賀蘭祥，
Helan Xiang — bearer of the staff, grand general and great governor-general of military affairs in Jing Province, governor of Jing Province, and founding duke of Boling commandery,
49
使持節、大將軍、大都督、陳留郡開國公楊忠，
Yang Zhong — bearer of the staff, grand general, great governor-general, and founding duke of Chenliu commandery,
50
使持節、大將軍、大都督、岐州諸軍事、岐州刺史、武威郡開國公王雄。
Wang Xiong — bearer of the staff, grand general and great governor-general of military affairs in Qi Province, governor of Qi Province, and founding duke of Wuwei commandery.
51
右十二大將軍，又各統開府二人。 每一開府領一軍兵，是為二十四軍。 自大統十六年以前，十二大將軍外，念賢及王思政亦作大將軍。 然賢作牧隴右，思政出鎮河南，竝不在領兵之限。 此後功臣，位至柱國及大將軍者衆矣，咸是散秩，無所統御。 六柱國、十二大將軍之後，有以位次嗣掌其事者，而德望素在諸公之，不得預於此列。
These twelve grand generals each also commanded two opening offices. Each opening office led one army—twenty-four armies in all. Before the sixteenth year of Datong (550), besides the twelve grand generals, Nian Xian and Wang Sizheng also held the rank of grand general. But Nian Xian governed Longyou and Wang Sizheng held Henan; neither fell within the roster of troop commanders. Afterward many meritorious men reached pillar-of-state or grand general, but these were all nominal ranks with no troops under command. After the six pillars-of-state and twelve grand generals, successors inherited the posts by seniority, but their standing had always been below these original lords and they could not be counted among them.
52
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).