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卷19 列傳第11 達奚武 子震 侯莫陳順 豆盧寧 宇文貴 楊忠 王雄

Volume 19 Biographies 11: Da Xiwu; Zi Zhen; Houmo Chenshun; Dou Luning; Yu Wengui; Yang Zhong; Wang Xiong

Chapter 19 of 周書 · Book of Zhou
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Chapter 19
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1
Da Xiwu — Zi Zhen — Houmo Chen Shun — Dou Luning — Yuwen Gui — Yang Zhong — Wang Xiong
2
Da Xiwu, styled Chenxing, came from Dai. His grandfather Juan had been garrison commander of Huaihuang under Wei. His father Chang served as garrison commander of Qiancheng.
3
As a young man Da Xiwu was bold and independent, loved horsemanship and archery, and caught the attention of He Ba Yue. When He Ba Yue marched into Guan-you he made Da Xiwu a separate commander, and Da Xiwu gave himself entirely to his service. For battlefield achievements he received the posts of overseer of the Feathered Forest guard and cadet commander. After Houmo Chen Yue murdered He Ba Yue, Da Xiwu and Zhao Gui recovered the body and returned to Pingliang, where they helped install Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. After Yue was put down, Da Xiwu was made palace attendant for loose conduct and commander, and enfeoffed as Baron of Xuchang with three hundred households. When Emperor Xiaowu fled west into Guan, Da Xiwu was given direct-pavilion duty and made a military staff officer in Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's chancellery. Early in the Datong era he became governor of East Qinzhou, was given the additional title attendant gentleman of scattered cavalry, and was raised to duke.
4
退 便
When Gao Huan invaded on three fronts with Dou Tai and Gao Aocao, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai wanted to concentrate and destroy Dou Tai. Most of his generals disagreed, but Da Xiwu and Su Chuo sided with him, and Dou Tai was taken. Gao Huan then retreated. As Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai pressed toward Hongnong he sent Da Xiwu with two riders to reconnoiter. Da Xiwu ran into enemy scouts, fought at once, took six heads and three prisoners, and returned. When Gao Huan pushed toward Shayuan, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai sent Da Xiwu out to scout once more. Da Xiwu took three men, all dressed in enemy uniforms. At dusk, a hundred paces from the camp, he dismounted and eavesdropped until he learned their night watchwords. Then he rode through the camps posing as a night patrol. Anyone out of order he flogged on the spot. Having mapped the enemy's disposition in full, he reported back to Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai was deeply impressed. Da Xiwu then joined the battle and helped rout the enemy. He was made grand commander, promoted to Duke of Gaoyang, and given the titles of grand general of chariots and cavalry and feoffal peer with ceremonial parity of three offices.
5
退
In Datong 4, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai marched to relieve Luoyang, and Da Xiwu led a thousand horsemen as vanguard. At Gucheng he and Li Bi broke the force of Modu Lou Daiwen. Pushing on to Heqiao, Da Xiwu fought hard again and killed Gao Aocao, Gao Huan's minister of education. He was promoted to palace attendant, grand general of fast cavalry, and opening-the-feudatory with ceremonial parity of three offices. He was assigned governor of North Yongzhou. At Mount Mang the main army faltered again. Gao Huan pressed the advantage and pushed to Shan. Da Xiwu led troops to block him, and Gao Huan withdrew. In time he was promoted to grand general.
6
退
In year 17 an edict sent Da Xiwu with thirty thousand men to subdue the Han River region. Liang generals Yang Xian and Liang Shen surrendered Wuxing and Baima. Da Xiwu left detachments to hold both towns. Xiao Xun, Liang governor of Liang Province and Marquis of Yifeng, held Nanzheng stubbornly. Da Xiwu besieged the city for weeks until Xiao Xun offered to submit, and Da Xiwu lifted the siege. Then Liang Prince Xiao Ji of Wuling sent Yang Qianyun with more than ten thousand men to relieve Xiao Xun, and Xiao Xun shut the gates again. Fearing encirclement when the relief force arrived, Da Xiwu picked three thousand crack horsemen and intercepted Yang Qianyun at Baima, routing him completely. Yang Qianyun fled. Da Xiwu then paraded Liang prisoners and severed heads beneath the walls. When Xiao Xun learned the relief army was broken, he surrendered and led thirty thousand people into court submission. Everything north of Zijian was now pacified. The following year Da Xiwu brought his army home in triumph. The court first planned to make Da Xiwu a pillar of state. He said: "As a pillar of state I should not rank above Yuan Zixiao." He stood firm and refused the honor. He left office as grand general to garrison Yubi. Da Xiwu studied the ground and built three defensive posts at Lechang, Huying, and Xincheng. When Qi general Gao Gouzi attacked Xincheng with a thousand horsemen, Da Xiwu ambushed him and took every man.
7
退
When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, Da Xiwu was made pillar of state and grand minister of crime. When Qi governor Sima Xiaonan of North Yuzhou defected with his province, an edict sent Da Xiwu and Yang Zhong to escort him in. Early in the Wucheng era he became grand master of ceremonies and was advanced to Duke of Zheng with ten thousand households. When Qi general Hulu Dun raided Fen and Jiang, Da Xiwu met him with ten thousand cavalry and drove him back. Da Xiwu built Baibi fortress and left Quan Yan and Xue Yusheng, both with opening-the-feudatory rank, to hold it.
8
In Baoding 3 he was made grand guardian. That same year the court launched an eastern campaign. Duke Yang Zhong of Sui brought the Turks down the northern route while Da Xiwu led thirty thousand horsemen eastward, planning to meet at Jinyang. Da Xiwu reached Pingyang but failed to push forward after the rendezvous date. Yang Zhong had already withdrawn, and Da Xiwu did not yet know it. Qi general Hulu Mingyue wrote Da Xiwu: "The swan has already risen into the open sky, yet the fowler still stares at the bog." Reading the letter, Da Xiwu turned his army around and marched home. He was assigned governor of Tong Province. The following year he joined Duke Hu of Jin on the eastern expedition. Yuwen Jiong was then besieging Luoyang when the enemy broke him. Da Xiwu and Prince Yuwen Xian of Qi blocked the pursuit at Mount Mang. At night they pulled the troops in. Prince Xian wanted to wait for daylight and fight again. Da Xiwu wanted to withdraw. They argued fiercely without reaching a decision. Da Xiwu said: "The army at Luoyang is broken and the men are terrified. If we do not march tonight, by tomorrow we will not get home at all. I have soldiered for years and seen how these situations turn. Your Highness is young and untested. How can you abandon several camps of men in a single moment?" Prince Xian yielded, and the entire force got back safely. In Tianhe 3 Da Xiwu became grand tutor.
9
退
In his early days Da Xiwu had been fond of luxury and show. Once he rose to high office he dropped all ceremonial display. He usually rode alone with only one or two men at his side. He posted no halberds at his gate and always left only one door panel shut even in daylight. Someone told Da Xiwu: "Your rank leads the nobles and your fame fills the age. A man in your position should look the part when he goes abroad. Why carry yourself so casually? Da Xiwu answered: "That is not how I see it. When I wore plain cloth I never dreamed of wealth. I cannot forget that overnight. The realm is still unsettled and I have not yet repaid the state's kindness. How can I fuss over pomp and ceremony?" The man withdrew in embarrassment.
10
使 宿
While Da Xiwu governed Tong Province a drought struck. Emperor Yuwen Yong ordered him to pray at Mount Hua, whose shrine stood at the foot of the peak—the usual place for such rites. Da Xiwu told his staff: "I hold one of the three highest offices yet have failed to set heaven and earth in order, so that in the heart of the farming season the rains have stopped, the emperor is anxious, and the people are terrified. The trust placed in me is heavy and so is my burden. I cannot pray where everyone else does. I must climb to the summit and offer my devotion where the spirit truly dwells." Mount Hua rose sheer for thousands of feet, its paths nearly impassable and barely trodden by men. Da Xiwu was past sixty. With only a few companions he hauled himself up by vines and branches until at last he reached the top. There he kowtowed and prayed, voicing the people's desperate plea. Night fell before he could descend, so he slept on the mountain on a bed of grass. He dreamed that a man in white came, took his hand, and said: "What effort you have made—I honor it deeply. He started awake and prayed with even greater reverence. At dawn clouds gathered on every side, and soon rain fell, soaking the land near and far. When Emperor Yuwen Yong heard of it he wrote to commend Da Xiwu: "You are aged in years and weighty in virtue, and you assist me in governing. Lately heaven and earth have been out of balance and the rains have failed. I told you only to pray at the temple below. I never thought you would ignore the danger and climb to the summit. But the spirit realm sees all, hidden or open, and answered your sincerity with rain. I am deeply gratified and will not forget what you have done. I send you a gift of one hundred bolts of colored silks. Reflect on good counsel and help me where I fail. Remember that your place now is to counsel from your seat, not to wear yourself out on the mountain again."
11
便 祿 滿
Zi Zhen, styled Menglue. From boyhood he was ferocious and brave, a natural rider and archer who on foot could keep pace with a galloping horse and whose strength outmatched ordinary men. Early in the Datong era he entered service as supernumerary attendant gentleman of scattered cavalry. Once when Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai was hunting north of the Wei, a hare bolted past him. Zi Zhen and the other generals gave chase. His horse went down and threw him, but he kept his footing, drew his bow on foot, and dropped the hare with one shot. He glanced back as the horse was getting up, spun around, and vaulted back into the saddle. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai laughed with delight: "Only this father could have such a son!" He rewarded Da Xiwu with one hundred bolts of colored silk. In the sixteenth year he was enfeoffed as Duke of Changyi with a fief of one thousand households. He rose through the posts of general who pacifies the army, silver-gleaming blue-light grand master, unobstructed-direct attendant of scattered cavalry, grand general of chariots and cavalry, equal-to-three-division protocol, and attendant of scattered cavalry. At the start of Emperor Xiaoming's reign he was given equal-to-three-division protocol and right center grand prefect, promoted to grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, and raised to Duke of Puning. Wu [variant: cheng] At the start of the Wucheng reign he was raised to Duke of Guangping and appointed governor of Hua Province. Though Zi Zhen had been born to privilege and trained in arms from youth, he proved skilled at guiding people and shaping local custom. When his term ended and he returned to court, the people missed him.
12
退
In Baoding fourth year, during the great eastern campaign, every other general fled while Zi Zhen fought on, and his army alone escaped intact. In Tianhe first year he was made grand general, led troops against the Ji Hu, and crushed them. In the sixth year he was made pillar of state. At the start of Jiande he inherited the ducal title of Zheng and was sent out as area commander of Jin Province with authority over eleven provinces and nine garrisons and as governor of Jin. In the fourth year he followed Emperor Wen on the eastern campaign as commander of the front third of the army. The next year he marched east again with ten thousand foot and horse, held Tongjun River, took the garrisons of Yining and Wusu, and routed Bing Province. He was promoted to upper pillar of state. He then helped pacify Ye and was given two concubines, a troupe of female musicians, and fine gifts, and was made grand master of ceremonies. His father Da Xiwu had once held that office, and contemporaries saw it as a signal honor. During the Xuanzheng era he was sent as area commander of Yuan with authority over three provinces and two garrisons and as governor of Yuan. He was soon relieved and returned home. He died at home early in the Kaihuang era of Sui.
13
Zi Zhen's younger brother Ji was general of chariots and cavalry and Viscount of Weinan. In late Daxiang he was governor of Yi Province and, with Wang Qian, raised troops in Shu. They were soon defeated, and he was executed.
14
便
In the fourth year, when Emperor Wen of Wei marched east, Shun stayed in Chang'an with Grand Commandant Wang Meng, Vice Premier Zhou Huida, and others to guard the capital. At that time Zhao Qingque rebelled; Wang Meng and Zhou Huida took the Wei crown prince and encamped north of the Wei River. Houmo Chen Shun fought the rebels at Weiqiao, routed them again and again, and kept them bottled up. When Emperor Wen returned, he took Shun by the hand and said: "At Weiqiao you showed extraordinary force." Then he took off his own gold-inlaid jade-bridged belt and gave it to him.
15
西
In South Qizhou the Di chieftain Fu Anshou proclaimed himself King of Taibai, stormed Wudu, and threw the region into alarm. Shun was again made grand commander and sent to put him down. The rebels held the mountain passes, and his army could not advance. Shun planted disinformation and split their inner circle; offered credible rewards and lured away their followers. When Anshou saw he was trapped, he brought a thousand tribal households to submit. About then Shun's brother Chong was enfeoffed Duke of Pengcheng and Shun was made Duke of Hejian. The next year he received grand general of swift cavalry, opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, acting authority over Western Xia Province, and the title Duke of Anping. In the sixteenth year he was made grand general and sent as area commander of Jing with authority over fifty-two provinces along the South Mountain route and as governor of Jing. When Emperor Xiaomin acceded, he was made junior preceptor and raised to pillar of state. He died that same year.
16
Dou Luning, styled Yong'an, came from Tujin in Changli. His clan had originally been Murong, a collateral line of Former Yan. An early ancestor, Sheng, was associated with Yan. At the start of Huangshi he submitted to Wei, was made administrator of Changle, and received the surname Doulu—or so some say, taking it to escape calamity. His father Chang was garrison general of Rouxuan, a man of formidable repute praised in his day. At the start of Wucheng, in recognition of Dou Luning's service, his father was posthumously given pillar-of-state grand general, junior guardian, and Duke of Fuling.
17
Dou Luning was bold and spirited from youth, stood eight chi tall, cut a handsome figure, and excelled at mounted archery. During Yong'an he entered the passes as a separate commander under Erzhu Tianguang and was made a commander. For defeating Moqi Chounu he was given the rank of Baron of Lingshou. He once met Liang Chaoding on the Pingliang River and they practiced archery together. At a hundred paces they hung sedge grass as a target; Ning shot seven times and hit five. Chaoding admired his skill and showered him with gifts. After Tianguang's defeat, when Houmochen Yue rebelled, Dou Luning and Li Bi brought their forces over to Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai.
18
西 祿 祿 使 輿
For escorting Emperor Xiaowu west he was enfeoffed Earl of Heyang with five hundred households. In Datong first year he was made front general, raised to marquis, and given three hundred more households. He was transferred to governor of Xian and chief arbiter of Xian. He was soon made general who pacifies the army and silver-gleaming blue-light grand master, raised to duke, and given five hundred more households. He received the posts of general who stabilizes the east and golden-purple-gleaming grand master. He followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai in capturing Dou Tai, recovering Hongnong, and winning at Shaya, and was made grand general of martial guards and grand commander. He was soon promoted to grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol and eight hundred more households. As governor of North Hua he soon won renown for integrity and fair dealing. He was given the added title of attendant of scattered cavalry. In the seventh year he followed Yu Jin in defeating the Ji Hu chieftain Liu Pingfu at Shang commandery. When Liang Chaoding rebelled, Dou Luning was made army marshal with oversight of all Longyou military affairs. After the rebels were crushed he was raised to attendant-in-ordinary, commissioner bearing the staff, grand general of swift cavalry, and opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol. In the ninth year he followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai to welcome Gao Zhongmi, fought Eastern Wei at Mount Mang, was made left guard general, raised to Duke of Fanyang, and given four hundred more households. In the sixteenth year he was made grand general. The Qiang chieftain Bangqi Tie [variant: cong] Bangqi Tiecong, Zheng Wuchou, and others rebelled; Dou Luning led troops and put them down. In the second year of Emperor Gong of Wei he was re-enfeoffed Duke of Wuyang and made right vice director of the Masters of Writing. When Liang general Wang Lin sent Hou Fanger and Pan Chuntuo against Jiangling, Dou Luning with Cai You and Zheng Yong drove them off. In the third year the Wu Xing Di and the Gu [variant: dao] Dao Di, Wei Dawang, and others rose together; Dou Luning put them down again. When Emperor Xiaomin acceded he was given pillar-of-state grand general. At the start of the Wucheng reign he was sent out as governor of Tong. He again commanded armies against the Ji Hu chieftains Hao Abao and Liu Sangde and defeated them. On return he was made grand minister of justice, raised to Duke of Chu with a fief of ten thousand households and separate sustenance from Yanting county of one thousand households whose taxes he collected. In Baoding fourth year he was made governor of Qi. When the great eastern campaign began, Dou Luning rode to war despite illness. In the fifth year he died at Tong, aged sixty-six. He was posthumously given grand guardian, command over ten provinces including Tong and Fu, and governor of Tong. His posthumous title was Zhao.
19
At first Dou Luning had no son and adopted his brother Yong'en's son Ji. When he later had a son of his own, Zan, his relatives all urged him to make Zan heir. Dou Luning said: "A brother's son is as good as one's own—why should I choose?" So he kept Ji as his heir. People praised him for it. When Dou Luning died, Ji inherited the title, rose young to high office, and at the end of Daxiang was upper pillar of state and area commander of Li. Zan, for Dou Luning's service, was made Marquis of Huayang at the start of Jiande. He rose to opening-office equal-to-three-division grand general and Duke of Wuyang.
20
使
Yong'en had shown judgment from youth and won praise among his peers. He first followed Dou Luning in serving Houmochen Yue, then came over with him to Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai and was made exterminating-bandits general. For escorting Emperor Xiaowu he was enfeoffed Earl of Xinxing with five hundred households. He fought in many campaigns with distinction and was made soaring-dragon general and palace-gentleman grand master. In Datong eighth year he was made direct attendant of the inner chamber and right trusted commander, soon made commander, with unobstructed-direct attendant of scattered cavalry added. In the sixteenth year he received commissioner bearing the staff, grand general of chariots and cavalry, and equal-to-three-division protocol. In the first year of the deposed Wei emperor he was raised to grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol. The next year he was sent out as governor of Cheng. In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei he was raised to Long [Zhi — completing Longzhi] he was enfeoffed Marquis of Longzhi county. In the third year Grand General Shi Ning, Duke of Anzheng, followed the Turkic khan into Tuyuhun; Yong'en was ordered to lead five thousand cavalry to garrison He and Shan provinces on the frontier. When Emperor Min of Xiaojing succeeded, Yong'en was made governor of Shan Province, enfeoffed Duke of Woye county, and given an additional thousand households. He was soon transferred to chief clerk of the Longyou governor-general's office. In Wucheng 1 (559) he was made commander of military affairs in Li, Sha, and Wen provinces and governor of Li Province. When the Man of Wen Province rebelled, Yong'en led troops and crushed them. In Baoding 1 (561) he entered court as chief clerk of the bureau of reviews. The next year he again went out as chief clerk of the Longyou governor-general's office. Doulu Ning, enfeoffed Duke of Chu for founding merit, asked that his earlier fief of Wuyang commandery, three thousand households, be added to Woye's enfeoffment, and the court granted it. His fief was increased again, bringing the total to four thousand five hundred households. He soon died in office at the age of forty-eight. Posthumously he was made junior guardian, commander of military affairs in You, Ji, and five other provinces, and governor of You Province. His posthumous title was Jing (Respectful). His son Tong succeeded to the title.
21
Yuwen Gui, styled Yonggui, came from Daji in Changli commandery. The family moved to Xia Province. His father was Modugan. During Baoding, because Yuwen Gui had won distinction, his father was posthumously made pillar grand general, junior tutor, governor of Xia Province, and duke of Anping commandery. When Yuwen Gui's mother first conceived him, she dreamed that an old man handed her a child, saying, "I give you this son—may he live long and rise high." When he was born he looked just as in the dream, and so he was given the courtesy name Yonggui (Ever Noble).
22
As a youth Yuwen Gui studied with teachers, but once he laid aside his books and sighed: "A man should take sword in hand and win rank on horseback—how can he waste his life as a bookish doctor!" At the end of Zhengguang, Poliuhan Baling besieged Xia Province; Governor Yuan Ziyong shut the gates and held firm, appointing Gui commander to relieve the city. In dozens of battles before and after, the whole army admired his courage. Later, after escorting Ziyong back, bandit chiefs Chigan Qilin, Xue Chongli, and others had camps everywhere and sent troops to intercept; Gui fought hard each time and always routed them. He was made regular palace horseman. He again followed Ziyong against Ge Rong; the army was beaten, fled to Ye, and was surrounded by Ge Rong. The rebels attacked again and again; each time Gui was lowered by rope to sally forth, and none dared meet his charge. But the enemy host was vast, and the siege dragged on without end. Gui then slipped out through a tunnel, went north to Erzhu Rong, and reported the rebels' strength; Rong took his counsel to heart. He then followed Rong and captured Ge Rong at Fekou and was promoted to separate commander. He again followed Yuan Tianmu in pacifying Xing Gao and was made commander. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, Gui led local troops with Erzhu Rong to burn the river bridge and fought with great merit. He was further made general who subdues captives and enfeoffed Marquis of Gerong with a fief of one thousand households. He was made governor of Ying Province and entered court as martial guard general and [Ge — completing within-the-palace] grand commander within the palace gate.
23
西
Following Emperor Xiaowu of Wei on the move west, he was promoted to Duke of Huazheng commandery. At the start of Datong he was made right guard general. Yuwen Gui was skilled at mounted archery and had true command talent. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai also favored and trusted him deeply as a kinsman of the imperial house. In the third year he was promoted to chariots-and-cavalry grand general and commissioner with ceremonial status equal to the three excellencies. He entered Luoyang together with Dugu Xin.
24
便 便 退 退
Eastern Wei's Ying Province [Zhang — completing chief clerk] chief clerk He Ruotong held Yingchuan and surrendered; Eastern Wei sent generals Yao Xiong, Zhao Yu, and Shiyun Bao with twenty thousand men to attack Yingchuan. Gui led two thousand foot and horse from Luoyang to relieve the city and halted at Yangdi. Xiong and the others had already crossed Ma Bridge, thirty li from Yingchuan; Eastern Wei mobile headquarters commander Ren Xiang also brought more than forty thousand men to join Xiong. The other generals all said the enemy outnumbered them and they should not give battle. Gui said: "The turns of war cannot be judged by ordinary reckoning. Men of old who beat larger forces always foresaw the outcome and chose a plan that had to succeed. I may be no strategist, but I say advancing to join He Ruotong is our best course. Let me explain it for all of you. Yao Xiong and the others will think Yingchuan isolated and helpless, and that we are a small force advancing alone; if they throw everything at Ying, they will take it at a stroke. Once Yingchuan falls they will unite with Ren Xiang's army, and the combined threat will be far worse. By halting at Yangdi we are already counted among the doomed. If He Ruotong falls, what good are we doing here? Advance into Yingchuan and we have walls to hold. When Xiong sees us inside the city he will be caught off guard—advancing, he will hesitate; retreating, he cannot. Then we and the other armies can strike with full force—where would we fail? Do not doubt it." With that he entered Yingchuan. Xiong and the others pressed forward; Gui led a thousand men with their backs to the wall and met Xiong in battle; when his horse was hit by an arrow he fought on foot at close quarters. His men fought with all their might. Xiong was routed and fled; Zhao Yu surrendered on the field; they captured the baggage train and more than ten thousand prisoners, then released them all. When Ren Xiang heard that Xiong had been beaten, he did not dare advance. Soon Commissioner Yi Feng arrived with five hundred cavalry; Gui pressed the victory and drove on Xiang. Xiang fell back to Wancheng; they pursued and caught up with him. Night fell and the two sides formed ranks and faced each other. At dawn they fought again and took many prisoners and heads. After Xiang's army was broken, Shiyun Bao surrendered as well.
25
The army then returned. Emperor Wen of Wei was at the Tianyou Garden; he set a golden goblet on a marquis's head and told the nobles and ministers that whoever hit it with an arrow would receive it. Gui hit it with a single shot. The emperor laughed and said, "The art of Yang Youji—just like this!" He was promoted to palace attendant, grand general of flying cavalry, and opening-the-feudatory commissioner with ceremonial status equal to the three excellencies. He served as governor of Xia and Qi provinces. In the sixteenth year he was made left chief clerk of the central-and-outer office and promoted to grand general.
26
Tanchang King Liang Miding was driven out by his clansman Liao Gan and fled to surrender. There was also the Qiang chieftain Bangqi Tiecong, who after Liang Xianding's rebellion held Quzhu River, gathered several thousand tribesmen, and with Zheng Wuchou of Wei Province stirred the Qiang to rebel; they fortified more than ten stockades in rugged country. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai ordered Yuwen Gui, Doulu Ning, and Shi Ning to campaign against them. Gui and the others captured and beheaded Tiecong and Wuchou. Shi Ning separately attacked Liao Gan, defeated him, and then installed Miding. They also established Min Province at Quzhu River. The court praised their achievement and erected a stele at Suban to record it.
27
西
At the beginning of the Deposed Emperor's reign he went out as governor of Qi Province. In the second year he was made grand commander, commander of military affairs in Xing, Xi, Gai, and six other provinces, and governor of Xing Province. The Di of Xing Province had rebelled earlier; once Gui reached the province, the people gradually calmed. Gui memorialized to establish garrison farms in Liang Province, and several provinces grew prosperous. In the third year an edict ordered Gui to replace Yuchi Jiong as garrison commander in Shu. At that time Li Guangci of Long Province, an opening-the-feudatory officer, rebelled at Yanting with his followers Bo Yucheng, Kou Shitang, Qiao Yan, Pu Hao, Ma Shu, and others and besieged Long Province. Li Zhi of the province also raised a rebel band; Opening-the-Feudatory Zhang Dun took up arms in support. Gui then ordered Opening-the-Feudatory Chinu Xing to relieve Long Province and Opening-the-Feudatory Cheng Ya to attack Zhi and Dun. Hard pressed, they surrendered and were sent to the capital as prisoners. He was made commander of military affairs in Yi, Tong, and eight other provinces and governor of Yi Province, and at the same time promoted to junior minister of education. Shu had long been troubled by banditry; Gui recruited bold and able men, organized them into twenty-four roaming-army sections to hunt down robbers, and the plague largely ceased.
28
When Emperor Min of Xiaojing succeeded, Gui was promoted to pillar of state and made chief director of imperial clan affairs. At the start of Wucheng he campaigned against Tuyuhun together with Helan Xiang. When the army returned he was promoted to Duke of Xu with a fief of ten thousand households. His former title was transferred to enfeoff one son. He was made grand minister of works, served as junior director of the grand steward, then grand minister of education, and finally grand tutor.
29
使
Yu Wengui loved music and chess and could lose himself in them for hours. Yet he was generous and fond of nurturing talent, and contemporaries praised him for it. Near the end of Baoding (561–565), he was sent with the Turks to escort the empress home. In the second year of Tianhe (568), he died on the road back at Zhangye. He was posthumously made grand tutor and given the posthumous title Mu.
30
His son Shan succeeded him. He rose to privilege equal to three ministers, grand general, pillar-of-state, and governor of Luo Province. Dismissed for a crime, he was soon restored to his former rank and appointed grand director of ceremonies. At the end of Daxiang (581), he was promoted to upper pillar-of-state. Shan's younger brother Xin received the title marquis of Huazheng commandery in youth for their father's military service. Fearless and unmatched in valor, he had a commander's talent and strategic mind. At the end of Daxiang he became an upper pillar-of-state and was enfeoffed duke of Ying. Xin's younger brother Kai loved learning from youth, wrote competently, mastered many arts, and was especially clever with design. He too received the title baron of Shuangquan county for their father's military service. He soon inherited his grandfather's title, duke of Anping commandery. He entered service as a right-attendant upper gentleman and rose to chief director of the central secretariat. During Baoding he attained the rank of upper privilege to open a government office.
31
歿
When Shiyun Bao and Zhao Yu came to court, both were first made grand generals of chariots and cavalry with privilege equal to three ministers. Bao was later promoted to grand general, commander of Liang, Gan, and Gua provinces, and governor of Liang Province, and enfeoffed duke of Dongcheng commandery. During Emperor Shizong's reign, when Tuyuhun threatened Liang Province, Bao was defeated and killed in battle.
32
Yang Zhong was a native of Huayin in Hongnong. His childhood name was Nunu. His great-grandfather Yuanshou, in early Wei times, was marshal of Wuchuan garrison and settled the family at Shenwu Shuitui. His grandfather Lie was dragon-charger general and prefect of Taiyuan commandery. His father Zhen became distant-campaign general for military merit. Amid the chaos at the end of Wei he took refuge at Zhongshan, raised a band of volunteers against Xianyu Xiuli, and was killed. During Baoding, in recognition of Yang Zhong's service, his father was posthumously made pillar-of-state and grand general, junior tutor, and duke of Xingcheng commandery.
33
Yang Zhong had a fine beard, stood seven feet eight inches tall, looked imposing, was unmatched in arms, and combined deep judgment with a commander's strategic sense. At eighteen he was traveling as a guest on Mount Tai. When Liang forces attacked and captured the commandery, he was taken prisoner to the south. After five years in Liang he followed Prince of Beihai Yuan Hao into Luoyang and was made straight-gate general. When Hao was defeated, Erzhu Dulü took him onto his staff as a banner commander. When Erzhu Zhao rode into Luoyang from Bing Province with light cavalry, Yang Zhong was with him. He was enfeoffed baron of Chang county and made commander, and also received a separate fief as baron of Xiaohuang county. He followed Dugu Xin in taking Liang's Xiazhao garrison and pacifying Nanyang, winning merit in both.
34
西 西祿 退
When Gao Huan marched south against the court, Yang Zhong was with Dugu Xin at Luoyang and followed Emperor Xiaowu west, being promoted to marquis. He also took part in pacifying Tong Pass and capturing Huiluo city. He was appointed general who pacifies the west and grand master with silver seal and purple ribbon. When Eastern Wei's governor of Jing Province, Xin Zuan, held Xiang city, Yang Zhong followed Dugu Xin against him; Zuan was routed and fled. Dugu Xin sent Yang Zhong with commanders Kang Luo'er and Yuan Changsheng as vanguard; they galloped to the walls and shouted at the gatekeepers: "The main army is here and men inside will open the gates—if you want to live, why not run!" The gatekeepers all fled. Yang Zhong, Luo'er, and Changsheng rode into the city, drew their bows, and shouted; none of Xin Zuan's hundred-odd guards dared resist. They beheaded Zuan as a warning and the city submitted in fear. After half a year, pressed by Eastern Wei, he fled with Dugu Xin to Liang. Emperor Wu of Liang was deeply impressed and made him (Da) [Wen] commander-in-chief of virtue, Marquis Outside the Pass.
35
西祿 祿
In the third year of Datong (537), he returned to court with Dugu Xin. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai brought him into his personal following. Once on a hunt at Longmen with Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, Yang Zhong alone faced a fierce beast, gripped its waist with his left hand, and pulled out its tongue with his right. Yuwen Tai was greatly impressed. The northern court called such beasts "yanzi," and gave him that word as his style name. He took part in capturing Dou Tai and winning the battle of Sha Garden. He was made general who campaigns west and grand master with golden seal and purple ribbon, and promoted to duke of Xiangcheng county. At Heqiao, Yang Zhong and five picked men fought desperately to hold the bridge, and the enemy dared not advance. For this he was made grand master with left seal and purple ribbon and governor of Yun Province, with concurrent rank as great governor-general. He again joined Li Yuan in defeating the Black Water Jiehu, and with Yi Feng lifted the siege of Yubi before being transferred to governor of Luo Province. At Mount Mang he was first over the wall and broke the enemy line. He was made great governor-general and promoted to grand general of chariots and cavalry with privilege equal to three ministers and attendant at the gate. His mother, Lady Gai, was posthumously enfeoffed lady of Beihai commandery. He was soon made commander of Shu, Yan, Xian, and Wei provinces and governor of Shu Province, and also given attendant within the palace, grand general of agile cavalry, and privilege to open an office equal to three ministers. When Eastern Wei besieged Yingchuan, the barbarian chief (Ri) [Tian] Zhuqing held perilous ground in rebellion; Zhong led troops to attack and pacify him.
36
西
When Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze and Emperor Wu of Liang was defeated, Ma Bofu, Liang prefect of Yiyang, surrendered Xiazhao city. The court seized the moment to push into the Han and Mian region and made Yang Zhong commander of fifteen provinces, stationing him at Xiang city. With Bofu as guide he attacked Liang's Qixing commandery and Chang Province and captured both. Xiao Cha, Liang prince of Yueyang and governor of Yong Province, had submitted as a vassal but still wavered in loyalty. From Fancheng Yang Zhong paraded along the Han with banners changing in relay; he had only two thousand horsemen, but Xiao Cha, watching from a tower, took them for thirty thousand and submitted in fear.
37
使
Liu Zhongli, Liang governor of Si Province, left his chief clerk Ma Xiu to hold Anlu and led ten thousand men to raid Xiangyang. Earlier Sun Gao, Liang prefect of Jingling, had surrendered his commandery, and Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai sent great governor-general Fu Gui to garrison it. When Liu Zhongli arrived, Sun Gao seized Fu Gui and went over to him. Zhongli then sent his general Wang Shusun to hold Jingling with Sun Gao. Yuwen Tai was furious and ordered Yang Zhong south with an army. He attacked Liang's Sui commandery, captured it, and took its defender Huan He prisoner. Every fort along the route surrendered at his approach. Yang Zhong then pressed on to besiege Anlu. When Liu Zhongli learned that Sui had fallen, fearing Anlu could not hold he raced back to relieve it. His officers feared that once Zhongli arrived Anlu would be impossible to take and urged an immediate assault. Yang Zhong said: "Attack and defense are not the same game—we cannot storm it at once. If we linger and wear down our troops, we will be caught between the city and Zhongli's relief force—that is no plan at all. Southerners are used to fighting on water, not in open field battle. Zhongli is coming back by the nearest road; if we hit him unexpectedly with a picked force, his men will be tired and ours fresh—we can crush him in one stroke, and Anlu will fall without a siege while the rest of the cities can be won by dispatch alone." He chose two thousand horsemen, marched silently by night, and met Liu Zhongli at Chongtou. Yang Zhong himself broke the line, captured Liu Zhongli, and took his entire force prisoner. Ma Xiu surrendered Anlu; Wang Shusun killed Sun Gao and surrendered Jingling—just as Yang Zhong had foreseen. Emperor Yuan Di of Liang sent envoys offering his son Fanglue as hostage and a written covenant proposing Shicheng as Wei's border and Anlu as Liang's. He then withdrew his army. He was promoted to duke of Chenliu commandery.
38
西 忿
In the seventeenth year, Emperor Yuan Di of Liang turned on his elder brother, Prince of Shaoling Xiao Lun. Lun fled north and, with his former Xiling prefect Yang Sida and the local magnates Duan Zhenbao and Xiahou Zhenqia of Sui and Lu, plotted to send a hostage to Northern Qi and launch raids. Li Su, chief of Ruyang and a former follower of Xiao Lun, opened the gates and let him in. Emperor Yuan Di secretly informed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, who sent Yang Zhong to suppress him. He stormed the city at dawn and took it before sunset. He captured Xiao Lun, recited his crimes, and executed him; and also captured Prince of Anle Fang and killed him as well. When Yang Zhong had captured Liu Zhongli, he had treated him with great generosity. Once Liu Zhongli reached the capital he slandered Yang Zhong to Yuwen Tai, claiming he had looted gold, jewels, and precious objects on campaign. Yuwen Tai wanted a full investigation but, unwilling to punish so great a servant, let the matter drop. Yang Zhong was furious and regretted not having killed Liu Zhongli when he had the chance. Upon reaching this place they captured Xiao Lun and his followers and executed them all. Within the year Yang Zhong launched two campaigns and fully pacified the lands east of the Han. He governed his troops with leniency and won the loyalty of the newly submitted peoples.
39
When Emperor Gong of Wei first took the throne, he was granted the surname Piliuru and acted as governor of Tong Province. When Yu Jin attacked Jiangling, Yang Zhong led the vanguard, encamped at the river crossing, and cut off the enemy's escape routes. The Liang troops tied blades to their elephants' trunks to fight; Yang Zhong shot at them, and two elephants turned and fled. When Jiangling fell, the court installed Xiao Cha as Liang [variant: Wang] lord, and ordered Yang Zhong to garrison Rangcheng in a pincer position. He separately attacked the tribal peoples along the Mian River and subdued them all.
40
使 退 西 殿
When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, Yang Zhong entered the capital as junior chief steward. When Northern Qi raided the eastern frontier, Yang Zhong went out to garrison Puban. When Sima Xiaonan offered to surrender, Yang Zhong and pillar of state Daxi Wu went to support him. Together they led five thousand horsemen, each with one mount, and by a hidden route galloped five hundred li into Qi territory. They sent three envoys in succession to notify Sima Xiaonan, but none returned. Thirty li from Northern Yuzhou, Daxi Wu suspected treachery and wanted to turn back. Yang Zhong said: "Advance and we may die; retreat and we cannot live—" He alone took a thousand horsemen and galloped to the city by night. Cliffs rose sheer on every side; they heard only the watchmen's clappers. Daxi Wu came in person and waved several hundred horsemen westward. Yang Zhong held the remaining horsemen still, waited for the gate to open and entered, then galloped off to summon Daxi Wu. Qi garrison commander Fu Jingyuan mustered two thousand armored soldiers on the eastern wall and raised beacon fires in full alarm. Daxi Wu feared this and did not want to hold the city; he loaded up wealth and silk and sent Sima Xiaonan and his followers back first. Yang Zhong covered the retreat with three thousand horsemen; reaching the south bank of the Luo, all dismounted and lay down. Qi forces pursued them to the north bank of the Luo. Yang Zhong told his officers and men: "Eat your fill. We stand in dead ground—the enemy will not dare cross the river to meet our attack." The Qi army feigned a crossing; Yang Zhong galloped forward to strike, the Qi troops did not dare press close, and they slowly withdrew. Daxi Wu sighed and said: "Daxi Wu is the finest warrior under heaven—and today I am convinced!" Yang Zhong was advanced to pillar of state and grand general. In the first year of Wucheng (559) he was further enfeoffed as Duke of Sui with ten thousand households, with an additional thousand households in Jingling county whose rents and taxes he collected. Soon he was appointed director of the palace steward office.
41
西 使
In the second year of Baoding (562) he was transferred to grand minister of works. The court then debated allying with the Turks to attack Qi; the ministers all said: "The Qi hold half the empire—their state is rich and their army strong. An advance from the northern desert into Bing Province would be extremely perilous, and the great general Hulu Mingyue would not be easily matched. To strike at their heartland would require no fewer than one hundred thousand men." Yang Zhong alone said: "An army wins through unity, not numbers—ten thousand horsemen are enough. Mingyue is a mere stripling—what can he do?" In the third year Yang Zhong was made commander-in-chief; grand generals Yang Zuan, Li Mu, Wang Jie, Erzhu Min, and opening-office holders Yuan Shou, Tian Hong, Murong Yan, and more than ten others all served under him. Daxi Wu was also ordered to lead thirty thousand infantry and cavalry by the southern route, to rendezvous at Jinyang. Yang Zhong left Erzhu Min to hold Shifen and sent roaming detachments along the river. Yang Zhong marched out from Wuchuan, visited his old home, sacrificed to his ancestors, feasted his officers and men, and swept through more than twenty garrisons. The Qi defended the narrow pass at Xingling; Yang Zhong sent surprise troops in a fierce assault and routed them utterly. He also left Yang Zuan encamped at Lingqiu as rear guard. The Turkic Muhan Khan together with [variant: Ye] Ditou Khan and Bu [variant: Sui] Buli Khan and others came to join with one hundred thousand horsemen. On New Year's Day of the fourth year they attacked Jinyang. Heavy snow fell for weeks; wind and cold were bitter. The Qi mustered all their picked troops, beating drums and shouting as they sallied forth. The Turks were terrified, withdrew up Western Mountain, and refused to fight. The whole army turned pale. Yang Zhong told his troops: "Fortune lies with Heaven—do not count numbers." He then led seven hundred men in foot combat; four or five in ten fell. Because Daxi Wu was late and never arrived, he withdrew the army. The Qi forces also did not dare pursue. The Turks then let their troops plunder freely from Jinyang to [variant: Luan] Pingcheng, more than seven hundred li—people and livestock were wiped out; captives and slain were very many. Emperor Wu sent envoys to welcome and reward Yang Zhong at Xia Province. When he reached the capital he was lavishly feasted and rewarded. Emperor Wu was about to appoint Yang Zhong grand tutor, but Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu, finding that he would not attach himself to Hu, objected; instead he was appointed commander of all military affairs in the six provinces of Jing [variant: You] Bin, Ling, Yun, Yan, and Xian, and governor of Jing Province.
42
使 使 使 退
That year the main army campaigned east again; Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu marched from Luoyang and ordered Yang Zhong out from Woye to coordinate with the Turks. Army grain was already scarce; the generals were worried but could find no solution. Yang Zhong said: "We must use an expedient to get through this." He summoned the Ji Hu chieftains and had them all seated. He sent Wang Jie to arrive with full military display, beating drums. Yang Zhong feigned surprise and questioned him. Wang Jie said: "The grand preceptor has already pacified Luoyang. The Son of Heaven heard that unruly Hu between Yin and Xia were stirring up trouble, and sent me to join you in punishing them." He also had a Turkic envoy gallop up and announce: "The khan has again entered Bing Province and left more than one hundred thousand troops below the Great Wall. He sends to ask you—if any Ji Hu will not submit, he wishes to come and join you in crushing them." Those seated were all terrified; Yang Zhong reassured them and sent them away. Thereupon the Hu submitted one after another, and supplies piled up. Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu had already withdrawn; Yang Zhong also ceased operations and returned to his post. Because his administrative record was commendable, an edict granted him three hundred thousand cash, five hundred bolts of cloth, and two thousand hu of grain.
43
歿
His younger brother Yang Zheng, during the Jian'e era, held opening-office rank and the title Duke of Chenliu; he followed Emperor Wu in pacifying Qi and died at Bing Province. Because Yang Zheng died in imperial service, an edict ordered his son Zhiji to inherit his office and title. Yang Zheng's younger brother [variant: Hui] Hui, at the end of the Daxiang era, was chief steward and Duke of Jingling county. [variant: Hui] Hui's younger brother Song, on Yang Zhong's merit, was granted the marquisate of Xingcheng commandery and died young. Song's younger brother Da, also on Yang Zhong's merit, held the title Duke of Zhou commandery.
44
Wang Xiong, courtesy name Hubutou, came from Taiyuan. His father Lun, on account of Xiong's [variant: Jie] heroic merit, was posthumously awarded pillar of state and grand general, junior tutor, and Duke of Ankang commandery.
45
The historiographer writes: Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai rose amid chaos and war, started from Pingliang, and pacified the lands west of the Pass. Foreign enemies pressed hard and internal troubles still raged; urgent dispatches flew back and forth and the war chariot was repeatedly driven forth. In the end he swept away lingering enemies and firmly consolidated the dynasty's foundation. Though strategy was laid in the council chamber, the achievement truly rested with the generals. Daxi Wu and the others all combined courage and stratagem, [variant: Gan] and met the opportune moment. Some served at the center of power, others won glory on the frontiers; they shared joy and sorrow and together endured hardship. They were truly the state's claws and fangs, the court's bulwark against insult. Yet Daxi Wu coordinated plans with Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai and secured the narrow [variant: Jian] Guan pass—the stratagems of Zhou Yu at Red Cliffs and Jia Xu's plan at Wucao Nest—how could these compare? One word can raise a state—this comes close to that.
46
This text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the 《Book of Zhou》 (November 1971).
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