1
王盟字子仵，明德皇后之兄也。 其先樂浪人。 六世祖波，前燕太宰。 祖珍，魏黃門侍郎，贈幷州刺史、樂浪公。 父羆，伏波將軍，以良家子鎮武川，因家焉。
Wang Meng, styled Ziwu, was the elder brother of Empress Mingde. His family came from Lelang. Six generations back, Bo had been grand preceptor of Former Yan. His grandfather Zhen had served Wei as yellow gate gentleman-attendant and was posthumously made governor of Bing and Duke of Lelang. His father Pi, a general who crosses the waves, was posted to Wuchuan as a soldier of good family and made the town his home.
2
魏正光中，破六汗拔陵攻陷諸鎮，盟亦為其所擁。 拔陵破後，流寓中山。 孝昌初，除積射將軍，從蕭寶夤西征。 寶夤僭逆，盟遂逃匿民間，以觀其變。 及爾朱天光入關，盟出從之。 隨賀拔岳為前鋒，擒万俟醜奴，平秦隴，常先登力戰。 拜征西將軍、平秦郡守。 太祖將討侯莫陳悅，徵盟赴原州以為留後大都督，鎮高平。 悅平，除原州刺史。
During Wei's Zhenguang era, Mohe Chen Bajie overran the frontier garrisons, and Wang Meng was swept up with his forces. When Bajie fell, he drifted to Zhongshan. Early in the Xiaochang era he became crossbow-shooting general and marched west under Xiao Baoyin. When Xiao Baoyin rebelled, Wang Meng went into hiding among the people to see how events would unfold. When Erzhu Tianguang entered the passes, Wang Meng came forward and joined him. As vanguard under He Ba Yue he helped capture Wanqij Chounu and pacify Qin and Long, often first over the wall and fighting at the fore. He was made general who campaigns west and governor of Pingqin commandery. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai prepared to attack Houmo Chen Yue, he summoned Wang Meng to Yuan Province, made him rear-guard grand commander, and posted him at Gaoping. After Houmo Chen Yue was crushed, Wang Meng became governor of Yuan Province.
3
魏孝武至長安，封魏昌縣公，邑一千戶。 大統初，復加車騎大將軍、儀同三司。 三年，徵拜司空，尋轉司徒。 迎魏文帝悼后於茹茹。 加侍中，遷太尉。 魏文帝東征，以留後大都督行雍州事，節度關中諸軍。 趙青雀之亂，盟與開府李虎輔魏太子出頓渭北。 事平，進爵長樂郡公，增邑幷前二千戶，賜姓拓 （拔） 〔王〕氏。 東魏侵汾川，圍玉壁，盟以左軍大都督守蒲阪。 軍還，遷太保。 九年，進位太傅，加開府儀同三司。
When Emperor Xiaowu reached Chang'an, Wang Meng was enfeoffed Duke of Weichang with a fief of one thousand households. Early in the Datong era he was further made grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol. In the third year he was recalled and made minister of works, then soon transferred to minister over the masses. He escorted Empress Ai, consort of Emperor Wen of Wei, back from the Rouran. He was given attendant-in-ordinary and promoted to grand commandant. When Emperor Wen of Wei marched east, Wang Meng stayed behind as rear-guard grand commander, acting governor of Yong, directing every army in Guanzhong. During Zhao Qingque's rebellion, Wang Meng and Li Hu, opening-office, took the Wei crown prince and encamped north of the Wei River. When the rebellion was put down, he was raised to Duke of Changle, his fief reaching two thousand households in all, and granted the surname Tuo [variant: ba] Wang. When Eastern Wei invaded the Fen valley and besieged Yubi, Wang Meng held Puyuan as left-army grand commander. After the army returned, he was made grand protector. In the ninth year he was raised to grand tutor and given opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol.
4
盟姿度弘雅，仁而泛愛。 雖位居師傅，禮冠群后，而謙恭自處，未嘗以勢位驕人。 魏文帝甚尊重之。 及有疾，數幸其第，親問所欲。 其見禮如此。 大統十一年，薨，贈本官，諡曰孝定。
Wang Meng carried himself with broad refinement, benevolent and open-handed toward all. Though he ranked as grand tutor, above the consorts in ritual precedence, he remained humble and never flaunted power or rank. Emperor Wen of Wei held him in the highest regard. When he fell ill, the emperor visited his home again and again and asked in person what he wanted. Such was the honor he received. In Datong 11 he died; his offices were posthumously confirmed, and he was given the posthumous title Xiaoding.
5
子勵，字丑興，性忠果，有才幹。 年十七，從太祖入關，及太祖平秦隴，定關中，勵常侍從。 太祖嘗謂之曰：「為將，坐見成敗者上也，被堅執銳者次也。」 勵曰：「意欲兼之。」 太祖大笑。 尋拜平東將軍、散騎常侍，賜爵梁甫縣公。 大統初，為千牛備身直長、領左右，出入臥內，小心謹肅。 魏文帝嘗曰：「王勵可謂不二心之臣也。」 沙苑之役，勵以都督領禁兵從太祖。 勵居左翼，與帳下數十人用短兵接戰，當其前者，死傷甚眾。 勵亦被傷重，遂卒于行間，時年二十六。 太祖深悼焉。 贈使持節、太尉、領尚書令、十州諸軍事、雍州刺史，追封咸陽郡公，諡曰忠武。 子弼襲爵。 尚魏安樂公主，官至撫軍將軍、大都督、通直散騎常侍。
His son Wang Li, styled Chouxing, was loyal and resolute by nature, with real talent and drive. At seventeen he followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai through the passes; when Yuwen Tai pacified Qin and Long and secured Guanzhong, Wang Li was constantly at his side. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai once told him: "The best general reads the field from afar; the next best fights in the front line." Wang Li said: "I aim to do both." Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai laughed aloud. He was soon made general who pacifies the east and attendant of scattered cavalry, and enfeoffed Duke of Liangfu. Early in the Datong era he became captain of the thousand-ox bodyguard and commander of the left and right guard, passing in and out of the inner quarters with scrupulous care. Emperor Wen of Wei once said: "Wang Li is a minister without a second heart." At Shayuan, Wang Li commanded the forbidden troops under Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. Wang Li held the left wing; with a few dozen household troops he fought hand to hand, and those who met him fell in heaps. Wang Li was badly wounded himself and died on the field, aged twenty-six. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai mourned him deeply. He was posthumously given bearer of the staff, grand commandant, director of the masters of writing, command over ten provinces, and governor of Yong; raised after death to Duke of Xianyang with the posthumous title Zhongwu. His son Wang Bi succeeded to the title. He married Princess Anle of Wei and rose to general who pacifies the army, grand commander, and unobstructed-direct attendant of scattered cavalry.
6
懋性溫和，小心敬慎。 宿衛宮禁，十有餘年，勤恪當官，未嘗有過。 魏文帝甚嘉之。 廢帝二年，除南岐州刺史，進爵安寧郡公，增邑幷前二千戶。 魏恭帝二年，遷大將軍、大都督。 後拜小司寇。 卒于官。 子悅嗣。 官至大將軍、同州刺史，改封濟南郡公。
Wang Bi was gentle by nature, careful and reverently cautious. For more than ten years he guarded the palace precincts, diligent in duty and without a single fault. Emperor Wen of Wei praised him highly. In the Deposed Emperor's second year he became governor of South Qishan, was raised to Duke of Anning, and his fief reached two thousand households in all. In Emperor Gong of Wei's second year he was made grand general and grand commander. He was later appointed junior minister of justice. He died in office. His son Wang Yue succeeded. He rose to grand general and governor of Tong, and his title was changed to Duke of Jinan.
7
王子顯
Wang Zixian
8
盟兄子顯，幼而敏悟，沉靜少言。 初為太祖帳內都督，累遷奉車都尉、寧朔將軍、車騎大將軍、儀同三司、燕朔顯蔚四州諸軍事、燕州刺史、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、光祿卿、鳳州刺史，賜爵洛邑縣公，進位大將軍，卒。 子誼嗣。
Wang Meng's nephew Wang Zixian was clever and quick-witted from boyhood, calm and sparing of speech. He began as a commander in Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's tent and rose through chariot-court commandant, general of pacifying the north, grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol, commander of Yan, Shuo, Xian, and Wei, governor of Yan, grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, director of the imperial household, and governor of Feng; was enfeoffed Duke of Luoyi, raised to grand general, and died. His son Wang Yi succeeded.
9
誼倜儻有大志，深為高祖所親委。 少歷顯職，見重於時。 位至柱國、平陽郡公。 宣帝卽位，進封揚國公，拜大司空。 大象末，襄州總管、上柱國。
Wang Yi was bold and high-minded, and won the deep trust of High Ancestor Yuwen Yong. From youth he held conspicuous posts and was respected in his time. He rose to pillar of state and Duke of Pingyang. When Emperor Xuan succeeded, he was raised to Duke of Yang and made grand minister of works. At the end of the Daxiang era he was governor-general of Xiang and upper pillar of state.
10
賀蘭祥
He Lanxiang
11
賀蘭祥字盛樂。 其先與魏俱起，有紇伏者，為賀蘭莫何弗，因以為氏。 其後有以良家子鎮武川者，遂家焉。 父初真，少知名，為鄉閭所重。 尚太祖姊建安長公主。 保定二年，追贈太傅、柱國、常山郡公。
He Lanxiang, styled Shengle. His clan had risen with Wei; an ancestor named Gefuzhe had been a Helan mohefu, and from that came their surname. Later some of the clan were posted to Wuchuan as soldiers of good family and made the town their home. His father Chuzhen was known from youth and respected throughout the district. He married Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's elder sister, Princess Jian'an the Long. In Baoding 2 he was posthumously made grand tutor, pillar of state, and Duke of Changshan.
12
祥年十一而孤，居喪合禮。 長於舅氏，特為太祖所愛。 雖在戎旅，常博延儒士，教以書傳。 太祖初入關，祥與晉公護俱在晉陽，後乃遣使迎致之，語在《護傳》。 年十七，解褐奉朝請，加威烈將軍。 祥少有膽氣，志在立功。 尋擢補都督，恆在帳下。 從平侯莫陳悅，又迎魏孝武。 以前後功，封撫夷縣伯，邑五百戶。 仍從擊潼關，獲東魏將薛長孺。 又攻回洛城，拔之。 還，拜左右直長，進爵為公，增邑幷前一千三百戶。 大統三年，從儀同于謹攻楊氏壁，祥先登，克之。 遷右衛將軍，加持節、征虜將軍。 沙苑之役，詔祥留衛京師。 後以留守功，增邑八百戶。 尋除鎮西將軍。 四年，魏文帝東伐，祥領軍從戰河橋，以功加使持節、大都督。 八年，遷車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍。 九年，從太祖與東魏戰於邙山，進位驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，加侍中。
He Lanxiang was orphaned at eleven and observed the mourning rites properly. Raised in his uncle's household, he was especially cherished by Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. Even on campaign he gathered Confucian scholars and had them taught the classics and histories. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai first entered the passes, He Lanxiang and Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu were both at Jinyang; only later did he send envoys to fetch them—the account is in the Biography of Hu. At seventeen he entered service as supernumerary attendant at court and was given the added title general of awesome might. From youth He Lanxiang had courage and aimed to win distinction. He was soon chosen and made a commander, always serving in the headquarters staff. He helped pacify Houmo Chen Yue and later escorted Emperor Xiaowu of Wei west. For his cumulative service he was enfeoffed Baron of Fuyi with five hundred households. He then joined the attack on Tong Pass and captured Eastern Wei general Xue Changru. He attacked Huiluo city next and took it. On returning he was made left and right direct captain, raised to duke, and his fief reached one thousand three hundred households in all. In Datong 3, following Yu Jin in the attack on Yangshi Rampart, He Lanxiang was first over the wall and took it. He was made right guard general with bearer of the staff and general who captures the enemy. At Shayuan he was ordered by edict to stay and guard the capital. Later, for guarding the capital, he received eight hundred more households. He was soon made general who garrisons the west. In the fourth year, when Emperor Wen of Wei marched east, He Lanxiang led troops to Heqiao and, for his service, received bearer of the staff and grand commander. In the eighth year he was made grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol and attendant of scattered cavalry. In the ninth year he followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai against Eastern Wei at Mount Mang, was raised to grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, and given attendant-in-ordinary.
13
十四年，除都督三荊南襄南雍平信江隨二郢淅十二州諸軍事、荊州刺史，進爵博陵郡公。 先是，祥嘗行荊州事，雖未期月，頗有惠政，至是重往，百姓安之。 由是漢南流民，襁負而至者日有千數。 遠近蠻夷，莫不款附。 祥隨機撫納，咸得其歡心。 時盛夏亢陽，祥乃親巡境內，觀政得失。 見有發掘古冢，暴露骸骨者，乃謂守令曰：「此豈仁者之為政耶。」 於是命所在收葬之，卽日澍雨。 是歲，大有年。 州境先多古墓，其俗好行發掘，至是遂息。
In the fourteenth year he was made commander of military affairs in twelve provinces—Three Jing, South Xiang, South Yong, Ping, Xin, Jiang, Sui, the two Ying, and Xi—and governor of Jing, and was raised to Duke of Boling. He Lanxiang had briefly governed Jing before; though less than a month in office, his rule had already been benevolent, and when he returned the people were reassured. From then on refugees south of the Han came by the thousand each day, infants bound to their backs. Tribes near and far all came in willing submission. He Lanxiang received and reassured them as each case required, winning every heart. That summer brought fierce drought; He Lanxiang then toured his jurisdiction in person to see where governance had failed. When he found old graves robbed and bones left exposed, he told the local magistrates: "Is this how a benevolent man governs?" He then ordered the local authorities to collect and rebury the remains, and that same day a soaking rain fell. That year brought a bumper harvest. The province had long held many ancient tombs and a custom of grave-robbing, which now ceased.
14
祥雖太祖密戚，性甚清素。 州境南接襄陽，西通岷蜀，物產所出，多諸珍異。 時旣與梁通好，行李往來，公私贈遺，一無所受。 梁雍州刺史、岳陽王蕭詧，欽其節儉，乃以竹屏風、絺綌之屬及以經史贈之。 祥難違其意，取而付諸所司。 太祖後聞之，並以賜祥。 尋被徵還。
Though He Lanxiang was a close kinsman of Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, he lived plainly and without ostentation. The province bordered Xiangyang in the south and opened west to Min and Shu, and its lands yielded many rare goods. Relations with Liang were then friendly and travelers passed back and forth, but he accepted no gifts, public or private. Xiao Cha, Liang governor of Yong and Prince of Yueyang, admired his thrift and sent bamboo screens, fine hemp cloth, and sets of classics and histories. Unwilling to spurn the gesture outright, He Lanxiang accepted the gifts and turned them over to the proper office. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai learned of this, he had everything sent on to He Lanxiang. He was soon recalled to court.
15
十六年，拜大將軍。 太祖以涇渭溉灌之處，渠堰廢毀，乃命祥脩造富平堰，開渠引水，東注於洛。 功用旣畢，民獲其利。 魏廢帝二年，行華州事。 後改華州為同州，仍以祥為刺史。 尋拜尚書左僕射。 六官建，授小司馬。 孝閔帝踐祚，進位柱國，遷大司馬。 時晉公護執政，祥與護中表，少相親愛，軍國之事，護皆與祥參謀。 及誅趙貴，廢孝閔帝，祥有力焉。
In the sixteenth year he was made grand general. Where the Jing and Wei were used for irrigation, canals and dikes had fallen into ruin, so Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai put He Lanxiang in charge of rebuilding the Fuping weir, opening a canal, and sending water east into the Luo. When the work was done, the people benefited. In the second year of the deposed Wei emperor he acted as governor of Hua. Hua was later renamed Tong, and He Lanxiang remained its governor. He was soon made left vice director of the Masters of Writing. When the Six Offices were established he was made junior minister of war. When Emperor Xiaomin acceded he was raised to pillar of state and made grand minister of war. While Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu held power, he and He Lanxiang—cousins by marriage and friends from youth—planned military and state affairs together. He Lanxiang helped when Zhao Gui was killed and Emperor Xiaomin was deposed.
16
武成初，吐谷渾侵涼州，詔祥與宇文貴總兵討之。 祥乃遣其軍司檄吐谷渾曰：
At the start of Wucheng, when Tuyuhun invaded Liang Province, He Lanxiang and Yuwen Gui were ordered to take command against them. He Lanxiang sent his army marshal to proclaim to Tuyuhun:
17
夫二氣旣分，三才定位，樹之以君，本為黔首，豈使悖義違道，肆於民上？ 昔魏氏不綱，群方幅裂，豺狼橫噬，龜玉已毀，喁喁黔黎，咸墜塗炭。 我先皇神武應期，一匡天下，東戡南剪，無思不服。 天鑒有周，世篤英聖，遂廓洪基，奄荒萬宇。 固則神皋西嶽，險則百二猶在。 卿士師師，羣后率職。 故知三靈之所睠集，四隩之所來蘇也。
When yin and yang were divided and heaven, earth, and man had taken their places, rulers were established for the people's sake—how could one rebel against righteousness, violate the Way, and lord it over the people? Once Wei lost control, the realm splintered, predators ravaged unchecked, the royal jade was shattered, and the people fell into misery. Our late emperor, divinely martial, answered the age, set the realm right at a stroke, conquered east and south, and left none who thought to resist unsubdued. Heaven favored Zhou; generation after generation it produced heroic sages, cleared the great foundation, and embraced the ten thousand regions. Where the land was firm stood the sacred heartland and western peaks; where it was perilous, the hundred passes still held. Ministers and grandees led in good order, and the host of lords performed their duties. Thus one knows the three spirits have turned their favor here and the four corners of the earth have revived.
18
彼國世在西垂，作藩于魏。 值中原政亂，遂阻皇風，首鼠兩端，伺我邊隙。 先皇含垢藏疾，仍存聘享，欲睦之以鄰好，申之以婚姻。 彼國苞藏禍心，屢違盟約，外結仇讐，自貽近患，是故往年致突厥之師也。 自爾迄今，蜂蠆彌毒，入我姑臧，俘我河縣，芟夷我菽麥，虔劉我蒼生。 我皇武以止戈，文以懷遠，德覃四海，化溢八荒。 以彼惡稔禍盈，故命龔行九伐。 武臣猛將，天張雷動，皆六郡良家，三秦精銳，揮戈擐甲，同萃龍沙。 柱國、博陵公祥，貴戚重望，乃文乃武，受脤廟堂，元戎啟路； 太傅、燕國公 （于） 謹，英猷不世，應變無窮，仗旄指麾，為其謀主； 柱國、化政公貴，早播威聲，奇正兼設，直取龍涸，濟自南河。 突厥與國睦親，同恥反道，驅引弓之民，總穹廬之衆，解鞍成山，雲蒸霧合。
Your state has for generations dwelt in the western marches as a frontier domain of Wei. When the central plains fell into disorder you blocked the imperial wind, played both sides, and watched for gaps on our borders. The late emperor swallowed insult and hid his injury, yet still maintained embassies and tribute, hoping to bind you in neighborly friendship and marriage. Your state harbored treachery, broke treaties again and again, allied abroad with enemies, and brought calamity on itself—hence the Turkish army of former years. Since then the sting has grown ever more venomous: you entered our Guzang, captured He county, cut down our millet and wheat, and slaughtered our people. Our emperor uses martial power to stop war and civil virtue to win the distant; his virtue fills the four seas and his transforming influence overflows the eight directions. Because your wickedness was ripe and your calamities full, he ordered the punitive expedition of nine campaigns. Warrior ministers and fierce generals, heaven-stretched and thunder-shaken, all drawn from good families of the six commanderies and elite troops of the three Qins, swung spears, donned armor, and gathered at Longsha. Pillar of state and Duke of Boling He Lanxiang, a kinsman of weighty repute, both civil and martial, received the sacrificial meat in the ancestral temple and opened the way as commander-in-chief; Grand tutor and Duke of Yan [variant: yu] Yu Jin, with strategy unmatched in the age and inexhaustible in adapting to change, bearing the banner and directing the host, was chief strategist; Pillar of state and Duke of Huazheng Yuwen Gui, who early spread his martial renown, combined orthodox and unorthodox tactics, took Longge straight, and crossed from the South River. The Turks are in friendly kinship with our state and share shame at rebellion against the Way; they drive bow-bearing peoples and gather the hosts of the felt tents; saddles unhitched pile like mountains as clouds of steam and mist combine.
19
往歲王師西伐，成都不守； 桴鼓南臨，江陵底定。 鑿空萬里，辟地千都，荒服畏威，膜拜厥角。 成敗之機，較然可見。 若能轉禍為福，深識事宜，君臣相率，輿櫬稽顙，則爵等顯除，永蕃西服； 如其徘徊危邦，覬延時漏，覆宇湮祀，良助寒心。 幸思嘉謀，以圖去就。
In former years the royal army marched west and Chengdu did not hold; drums and bells pressed south and Jiangling was settled to the bottom. They opened empty lands ten thousand li away and carved out territories of a thousand capitals; the wild borderlands feared their might and bowed in submission. The hinge of victory and defeat is clearly visible. If you can turn calamity into blessing, deeply recognize what the times require, and ruler and ministers together come bearing coffins and kowtow in submission, then ranks and titles will be removed and you will forever guard the western domains; if you linger in a perilous state, hoping to prolong your time, and overturn your realm and extinguish your sacrifices, you will only deepen our cold resolve. Consider good counsel and decide whether to stay or go.
20
遂與吐渾廣定王、鐘留王等戰，破之。 因拔其洮陽、 （共） 〔洪〕和二城，以其地為洮州。 撫安西土，振旅而還。 進封涼國公，邑萬戶。 保定 （四） 年薨，年四十八。 贈使持節、太師、同岐等十二州諸軍事、同州刺史。 諡曰景。
He then fought the Tuyuhun princes Guangding and Zhongliu and defeated them. He then captured their Taoyang and [variant: gong] Hong and Er counties and made the territory Taozhou. He pacified the western lands and returned with his army in good order. He was raised to Duke of Liang with a fief of ten thousand households. Baoding [variant: four] He died that year, aged forty-eight. He was posthumously given bearer of the staff, grand tutor, command over twelve provinces including Tong and Qi, and governor of Tong. His posthumous title was Jing.
21
有七子，敬讓璨師寬知名。 敬少歷顯職，封化隆縣侯。 後襲爵涼國公，位至柱國大將軍、華州刺史。 讓，大將軍、鄜州刺史、河東郡公。 璨，開府儀同三司、宜陽縣公。 〔建德五年，從高祖于幷州，戰歿，贈上大將軍，追封清都郡公。 師，尚世宗女，位至上儀同大將軍、幽州刺史、博陵郡公。 寬，開府儀同大將軍、武始郡公。 祥弟隆，大將軍、襄樂縣公。〕
He had seven sons; Jing, Rang, Can, Shi, and Kuan were well known. Jing in youth held eminent posts and was enfeoffed Marquis of Hualong. He later inherited the ducal title of Liang, rose to pillar-of-state grand general, and became governor of Hua. Rang was grand general, governor of Fu, and Duke of Hedong. Can held opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol and was Duke of Yiyang. [In Jiande fifth year Can followed Emperor Wen at Bing Province, fell in battle, and was posthumously made upper grand general and Duke of Qingdu. Shi married Emperor Xiaoming's daughter and rose to upper equal-to-three-division grand general, governor of You, and Duke of Boling. Kuan was opening-office equal-to-three-division grand general and Duke of Wuzhi. He Lanxiang's younger brother Long was grand general and Duke of Xiangle.
22
隋文帝與祥有舊，開皇初，追贈上柱國。
Emperor Wen of Sui had old ties with He Lanxiang and posthumously made him upper pillar of state at the start of Kaihuang.
23
尉遲綱
Wei Chigang
24
綱驍果有膂力，善騎射。 太祖甚寵之，委以心膂。 河橋之戰，太祖馬中流矢，因而驚奔。 綱與李穆等左右力戰，衆皆披靡，太祖方得乘馬。 以前後功，增邑八百戶，進爵為公，仍拜平遠將軍、步兵校尉。 八年，加通直散騎常侍、太子武衛率、前將軍，轉帥都督。 東魏圍玉壁，綱從太祖救之。 九年春，太祖復與東魏戰於邙山，大軍不利，人心離解。 綱勵將士，盡心翊衛。 遷大都督。 十四年，拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司，加散騎常侍，增邑三百戶。 俄遷驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，加侍中，進爵昌平郡公。 十七年，出為華州刺史。 魏廢帝二年，拜大將軍，兼領軍將軍。 及帝有異謀，言頗漏泄。 太祖以綱職典禁旅，使密為之備。 俄而帝廢，立齊王，仍以綱為中領軍，總宿衛。
Wei Chigang was fierce and strong, and excelled at mounted archery. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai greatly favored him and trusted him as a close aide. At the battle of Heqiao, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's horse was struck by a flying arrow and bolted in panic. Wei Chigang and Li Mu and others fought hard on either side until the enemy broke; only then could Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai remount. For his earlier and later service he received eight hundred more households, was raised to duke, and was made general who pacifies the distant and infantry commandant. In the eighth year he received unobstructed-direct attendant of scattered cavalry, crown prince martial guard commander, and front general, and was made garrison commander. When Eastern Wei besieged Yubi, Wei Chigang followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai to the relief. In the spring of the ninth year Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai again fought Eastern Wei at Mount Mang; the army was defeated and morale collapsed. Wei Chigang rallied the officers and soldiers and guarded the Grand Progenitor with all his strength. He was made grand commander. In the fourteenth year he was made grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol, given attendant of scattered cavalry, and three hundred more households. He was soon made grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, given attendant-in-ordinary, and raised to Duke of Changping. In the seventeenth year he was sent out as governor of Hua. In the second year of the deposed Wei emperor he was made grand general and concurrently commander of the guard army. When the emperor plotted treason, word leaked out. Because Wei Chigang commanded the forbidden guard, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had him prepare in secret. The emperor was soon deposed and the Prince of Qi enthroned; Wei Chigang remained central commander of the guard army and oversaw the palace guard.
25
綱兄迥率衆伐蜀，綱從太祖送之於城西，見一走兔，太祖命綱射之。 誓曰：「若獲此兔，必當破蜀。」 俄而綱獲兔而反。 太祖喜曰：「事平之日，當賞汝佳口。」 及克蜀，賜綱侍婢二人。 又常從太祖北狩雲陽，值五鹿俱起，綱獲其三。 每從游宴，太祖以珍異之物令諸功臣射而取之，綱所獲輒多。
When Wei Chigang's elder brother Jiong led troops against Shu, Wei Chigang followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai to see him off west of the city; they saw a fleeing hare, and the Grand Progenitor ordered Wei Chigang to shoot it. He swore: "If I get this hare, Shu will surely fall." Soon Wei Chigang brought back the hare. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said delightedly: "When the matter is settled, I shall reward you with a fine mouth." When Shu was taken, he gave Wei Chigang two serving maids. He also often joined Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai on northern hunts at Yunyang; when five deer rose together, Wei Chigang took three. At tours and banquets Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai would have the meritorious ministers shoot for rare objects; Wei Chigang always won the most.
26
孝閔帝踐阼，綱以親戚掌禁兵，除小司馬。 又與晉公護廢帝，語在《護傳》。 世宗卽位，進位柱國大將軍。 武成元年，進封吳國公，邑萬戶，除涇州總管、五州十一防諸軍事、涇州刺史。 是歲，大長公主薨于京師，綱去職。 尋起復本官。 保定元年，拜少傅。 俄而授大司空。 二年，出為陝州總管、七州十三防諸軍事、陝州刺史。 四年，晉公護東討，乃配綱甲士，留鎮京師。 綱以天子在宮，必無內慮，乃請出外，頓於咸陽。 大軍還，綱復歸鎮。 天和二年，以綱政績可稱，賜帛千段、穀六千斛、錢二十萬，增邑四百戶。 陳公純等以皇后阿史那氏自突厥將入塞，詔徵綱與大將軍王傑率衆迎衛於境首。 三年，追論河橋之功，封一子縣公，邑一千戶。 四年五月，薨于京師，時年五十三。 贈太保、十二州諸軍事、同州刺史。 諡曰武。
When Emperor Xiaomin acceded, Wei Chigang, as a kinsman commanding the forbidden troops, was made junior minister of war. He also helped Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu depose the emperor; the account is in the Biography of Hu. When Emperor Xiaoming acceded, he was raised to pillar-of-state grand general. In Wucheng 1 (559) Wei Chigang was raised to Duke of Wu with ten thousand households, and made area commander of Jing, commander of military affairs in five provinces and eleven garrisons, and governor of Jing. That year, when the Grand Princess died in the capital, Chigang resigned from office. He was soon recalled to his former post. In Baoding 1 (561) he was made junior tutor. Before long he was made grand minister of works. The next year he was sent out as area commander of Shan, commander of military affairs in seven provinces and thirteen garrisons, and governor of Shan. In the fourth year Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu campaigned east; Chigang was given armored troops and left to garrison the capital. Chigang reasoned that with the emperor in the palace there could be no internal threat, and asked to go out, encamping at Xianyang. When the main army returned, Chigang resumed his garrison post. In Tianhe 2 (567), for Chigang's commendable record in office, the court granted one thousand bolts of silk, six thousand hu of grain, two hundred thousand in cash, and four hundred more households. Because Empress Ashina was about to enter from the Turks, Chen Gongchun and others had an edict issued summoning Chigang and Grand General Wang Jie to lead troops to welcome and escort her at the frontier. In the third year, in recognition of his service at River Bridge, one son was enfeoffed county duke with a thousand households. In the fifth month of the fourth year he died in the capital at the age of fifty-three. Posthumously he was made grand tutor, commander of military affairs in twelve provinces, and governor of Tong. His posthumous title was Wu (Martial).
27
第三子安，以嫡嗣。 大象末，位至柱國。 安兄運，別有傳。 運弟勤，少歷顯位。 大象末，青州總管。 起兵應伯父迥，事在《迥傳》。 安弟敬，尚世宗女河南公主，位至儀同三司。
His third son An succeeded as legitimate heir. At the end of the Daxiang era he rose to pillar of state. An's elder brother Yun has a separate biography. Yun's younger brother Qin rose young to high office. At the end of the Daxiang era he was area commander of Qing Province. He raised troops in support of his uncle Yuchi Jiong; the account is in the "Biography of Yuchi Jiong." An's younger brother Jing married Emperor Shizong's daughter, Princess Henan, and rose to opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes.
28
叱列伏龜
Chilie Fugui
29
叱列伏龜字摩頭陀，代郡西部人也。 世為部落大人。 魏初入附，遂世為第一領民酋長。 至龜，容貌瑰偉，腰帶十圍，進止詳雅，兼有武藝。 嗣父業，復為領民酋長。
Chilie Fugui, styled Motouduo, came from the western part of Dai Commandery. For generations his family had been tribal chieftains. When Wei first received them, the family for generations held the post of first tribally enrolled chieftain. By Fugui's time he was magnificent in appearance, with a belt ten arm-spans around, refined and dignified in bearing, and skilled in arms. He inherited his father's post and again became tribally enrolled chieftain.
30
魏正光五年，廣陽王深北征，請龜為甯朔將軍，委以帳內兵事。 尋除善無郡守。 孝昌三年，又除別將，從長孫稚西征。 以戰功，累遷征西將軍、金紫光祿大夫。 後還洛，授都督，遂為齊神武所寵任，加授大都督。 沙苑之敗，隨例來降。 太祖以其豪門，解縛禮之。 仍以邵惠公女妻之。 大統四年，封長樂縣公，邑一千戶。 自此常從太祖征討，亟有戰功。 八年，出為北雍州刺史，加大都督。 尋進位車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍。 十四年，徵拜侍中，加驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，除恆州刺史，增邑通前一千四百戶。 十七年，卒。 子椿嗣。
In Wei Zhengguang 5 (524), when Prince Guangyang Shen campaigned north, he asked for Fugui as general who pacifies the north and entrusted him with headquarters military affairs. He was soon made governor of Shanwu commandery. In Xiaochang 3 (527) he was made separate commander and followed Changsun Zhi on the western campaign. For battlefield merit he rose in stages to general who campaigns west and grand master with golden seal and purple ribbon. Later he returned to Luoyang, was made commander, and came under the favor of Gao Huan, who additionally made him grand commander. After the defeat at Shaya he surrendered as others had done. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, because he came from a great house, had his bonds cut and received him with full ceremony. He also gave him a daughter of Duke Hui of Shao Yuwen Hao in marriage. In Datong 4 (538) he was enfeoffed Duke of Changle with a thousand households. From then on he constantly followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai on campaign and won repeated distinction. In the eighth year he was sent out as governor of North Yong, with the additional rank of grand commander. He was soon raised to general of chariots and cavalry, opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes, and attendant gentleman of scattered cavalry. In the fourteenth year he was summoned as palace attendant, with additional rank as grand general of flying cavalry and opening-the-feudatory equal in rank to the three dukes, and made governor of Heng; his fief was increased to one thousand four hundred households in all. In the seventeenth year he died. His son Chun succeeded to the title.
31
椿字千年。 世宗時，拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司。 尋遷驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，改封永世縣公，邑一千二百戶。 保定二年，授幽州刺史。 天和初，除左宮伯，進位大將軍。
Chun, styled Qiannian. During Emperor Shizong's reign he was made general of chariots and cavalry and opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes. He was soon transferred to grand general of flying cavalry and opening-the-feudatory equal in rank to the three dukes, and re-enfeoffed Duke of Yongshi with twelve hundred households. In Baoding 2 (562) he was made governor of You Province. At the start of Tianhe he was made left palace guard and promoted to grand general.
32
閻慶字仁慶，河南河陰人也。 曾祖善，仕魏，曆龍驤將軍、雲州鎮將，因家于雲州之盛樂郡。 祖提，使持節、車騎大將軍、燉煌鎮都大將。 父進，有謀略，勇冠當時。 正光中，拜龍驤將軍。 屬衛可孤作亂，攻圍盛樂。 進率衆拒守，綿歷三載，晝夜交戰，未嘗休息，以少擊衆，城竟獲全。 以功拜盛樂郡守。 慶幼聰敏，重然諾，風儀端肅，望之儼然。 及衛可孤侵逼盛樂，慶隨父固守，頗有力焉。 拜別將，稍遷輕車將軍，加給事中。 後以軍功，拜步兵校尉、中堅將軍。
Yan Qing, styled Renqing, came from Heyin in Henan commandery. His great-grandfather Shan served Wei, rising through the posts of soaring-dragon general and garrison commander of Yun, and settled his family in Shengle commandery of Yun. His grandfather Ti was bearer of the staff of authority, general of chariots and cavalry, and supreme commander of the Dunhuang garrison. His father Jin was resourceful in counsel and unmatched in courage. During Zhengguang he was made soaring-dragon general. At that time Wei Ke'gu rebelled and besieged Shengle. Jin led the garrison in defense for three years, fighting day and night without rest; though outnumbered, he kept the city intact. For this service he was made governor of Shengle commandery. As a youth Yan Qing was clever and kept his word; dignified and solemn in bearing, he seemed imposing even at a distance. When Wei Ke'gu pressed Shengle, Qing followed his father in the defense and did good service. He was made separate commander, then gradually rose to light-chariot general with the additional title director of attendance. Later, for military merit, he was made commander of infantry and resolute general.
33
旣而齊神武舉兵入洛，魏孝武西遷，慶謂所親曰：「高歡跋扈，將有篡逆之謀，豈可苟安目前，受其控制也！」 遂以大統三年，自宜陽歸闕。 太祖謂慶曰：「高歡逆亂，宇內分崩，羣盜競興，入皆徇己。 卿遂能盡忠貞之節，重君臣之義，背逆歸順，舍危就安，雖古人所稱，何以加也。」 卽拜中堅將軍、奉車都尉。 河橋之役，以功拜前將軍、太中大夫，遷後將軍，封安次縣子，邑四百戶。 及邙山之戰，先登陷陳。 拜撫軍將軍、大都督，進爵為伯，增邑五百戶。
Before long Gao Huan raised troops and entered Luoyang, and Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west. Yan Qing told his intimates: "Gao Huan is overbearing and will usurp the throne—how can we rest content under his control?" In Datong 3 (537) he left Yiyang and returned to court. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said to Yan Qing: "Gao Huan is in rebellion; the realm is torn apart; bandits rise on every side; every man serves himself alone. Yet you kept faith with unstinted loyalty, honored the bond between ruler and minister, turned from rebellion and came over, left danger for safety—though the ancients were praised, what more could be said?" He thereupon made him resolute general and commandant of the imperial carriage. At River Bridge, for merit he was made forward general and grand master of palace consultation, then rear general, and enfeoffed Viscount of Anci with four hundred households. At Mount Mang he was first over the wall and broke the enemy line. He was made pacifying-army general and grand commander, raised to earl, and given five hundred more households.
34
慶善於綏撫，士卒未休，未嘗先舍，故能盡其死力，屢展勳勞。 累遷使持節、車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、雲州大中正，加侍中，賜姓大野氏。
Yan Qing was skilled at winning men over; he never retired before his troops rested, and so drew their utmost effort and won repeated distinction. He rose in stages to bearer of the staff of authority, general of chariots and cavalry, opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes, attendant gentleman of scattered cavalry, grand general of flying cavalry, opening-the-feudatory equal in rank to the three dukes, and chief rectifier of Yun; he was additionally made palace attendant and granted the surname Daye.
35
孝閔帝踐祚，出為河州刺史，進爵石保縣公，增邑千戶。 州居河外，地接戎夷。 慶留心撫納，頗稱簡惠。 就拜大將軍，進爵大安郡公，邑戶如舊。 入為小司空，除雲州刺史，轉寧州刺史。 慶性寬和，不苛察，百性悅之。 天和六年，進位柱國。
When Emperor Min of Xiaojing succeeded, he was sent out as governor of He Province, raised to Duke of Shibao, and given a thousand more households. The province lay beyond the Yellow River, on the frontier with the Rong and Yi. Yan Qing devoted himself to winning over the people and won praise for plain, kindly rule. He was immediately made grand general and raised to Duke of Da'an, his fief households remaining unchanged. He entered court as junior minister of works, then was made governor of Yun and later transferred to governor of Ning. Yan Qing was generous and mild by nature, not harsh in judgment, and the people were pleased with him. In Tianhe 6 (571) he was promoted to pillar of state.
36
長子常，先慶卒。 次子毗嗣。 大象末，位至大將軍。
His eldest son Chang died before Yan Qing. His second son Pi succeeded to the title. At the end of the Daxiang era he rose to grand general.
37
史臣曰：中陽御曆，沛邑多封侯； 白水配天，南陽皆貴戚。 是知階緣近屬，以取寵榮，其來尚矣。 王盟等始以親黨升朝，終以才能進達，勤宣運始，位列周行。 實參迹於功臣，蓋弗由於恩澤也。
The historiographer writes: When Liu Bang held the throne from Zhongyang, Pei produced many enfeoffed marquises; when Guangwu matched Heaven from Baishui, Nanyang was full of imperial kin. Thus one sees that rising through close kinship to win favor and glory is an age-old pattern. Wang Meng and the others at first entered court through kinship ties, but in the end rose through ability; from the dynasty's founding they served diligently and took their places at court. They truly walked in the footsteps of merit ministers—it was scarcely through favor alone.
38
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).