2
Li Xian, styled Xianhe; his ancestors were men of Chengji in Longxi. His great-grandfather, serving as sub-commandant under Emperor Taiwu of Wei, attacked the Liangshan Tuge and fell in battle; he was posthumously made General Pacifying the West and Administrator of Longxi Commandery. His grandfather Bin took over his father's command, garrisoned Gaoping, and settled the family there. His father Wenbao died early. At the end of Western Wei's Datong era, because the Xian brothers had won great distinction, their father was posthumously honored as Governor of Jing, Yuan, and Dongqin provinces and as Minister of Works.
3
From boyhood Li Xian had strong character and never acted without purpose. Once while out walking he met an old man with snow-white beard and brows who said to him: "I am eighty years old and have seen many men of talent, but none like you. You are destined to govern a province. Apply yourself." At nine he began formal study but only grasped the broad outlines and never troubled himself with textual minutiae. Someone told him: "Half-hearted study is worse than none at all." Li Xian replied: "Every man has his own path. Am I to grind away at books waiting to be questioned, or lead pupils and hold a school? I need only hear the teachings in broad outline to fill what I lack. As for loyalty and filial piety, those I carry engraved in my heart." His critic withdrew, abashed and silenced. At fourteen, when his father died, he took charge of his younger brothers and raised them with devoted affection.
4
魏永安中，万俟醜奴據岐、涇等諸州反叛，魏孝莊遣爾朱天光率兵擊破之。 其黨万俟道洛、費連少渾猶據原州，未知醜奴已敗。 天光遣使造賢，令密圖道洛。 天光率兵續進。 會賊黨万俟阿寶戰敗逃還，私告賢曰：「醜奴已敗，王師行至此。 阿寶以性命相投，願能存濟。」 賢因令阿寶偽為醜奴使，紿道洛等曰：「今已破臺軍，須與公計事，令阿寶權守原州，公宜速往。」 道洛等信之，是日便發。 旣出而天光至，遂克原州。 道洛乃將麾下六千人奔於牽屯山。 天光見賢曰：「道洛之出，子之力也。」 賢又率鄉人出馬千匹以助軍，天光大悅。 時原州亢旱，天光以乏水草，乃退舍城東五十裏，牧馬息兵。 令都督長孫邪利行原州事，以賢為主簿。 道洛復乘虛忽至，時賊黨千餘人在城中，密為內應，引道洛入城，遂殺邪利。 賢復率鄉人殊死拒戰，道洛乃退走。
During Northern Wei's Yong'an era, Moqi Chounu rebelled and seized Qi, Jing, and neighboring provinces; Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei sent Erzhu Tianguang to crush him. Chounu's lieutenants Moqi Daoluo and Feilian Shaohun still held Yuan Province, unaware that Chounu had already fallen. Tianguang sent an envoy to Li Xian with orders to devise a secret stratagem against Daoluo. Tianguang then marched in support with his main force. When the defeated rebel Moqi Abao fled back to the city, he confided to Li Xian: "Chounu is beaten. The imperial army is almost upon us. I stake my life on you—please find some way to save me." Li Xian then had Abao pose as Chounu's messenger and deceive Daoluo and his men: "We have routed the imperial army and need to confer with you at once. Abao will hold Yuan Province for now—you must come immediately." Daoluo and his officers believed the story and marched out the same day. As soon as they were gone, Tianguang arrived and captured Yuan Province. Daoluo fled with six thousand men to Qiantun Mountain. Tianguang told Li Xian: "Luring Daoluo out was your doing." Li Xian also rallied local men to supply a thousand horses for the army, and Tianguang was delighted. Yuan Province was then in severe drought. Short of fodder and water, Tianguang pulled back fifty li east of the city to graze his horses and rest his men. He left Supervisor Commander Zhangsun Xieli in charge of the province and made Li Xian his chief clerk. Daoluo seized the moment and struck again. More than a thousand rebel sympathizers inside the city opened the gates, let him in, and killed Zhangsun Xieli. Li Xian rallied the townspeople for a desperate stand and drove Daoluo back.
5
Another rebel leader, Dafu Xian, then besieged the provincial seat and assaulted it day and night, but was beaten back again and again. Li Xian slipped through by a side route to Yong Province to beg Tianguang for relief. Tianguang agreed, and Li Xian set out on the return journey. By then the rebel camps ringed the city on every side, and there seemed no way in. At dusk he disguised himself as a woodcutter and mingled with enemy foragers until he reached the foot of the wall. Men inside lowered cloth and hauled him up; the rebels only then realized what was happening and loosed a wild storm of arrows. None found their mark. He entered the city and announced that the main army was close behind. When the rebels heard it, they broke and fled at once. He rose in turn to General of Majestic Ferocity, Palace General, and Magistrate of Gaoping.
6
When He Ba Yue was murdered by Houmochen Yue, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai marched west to punish him. Li Xian, his younger brother Li Yuan, Mu, and others secretly joined Houmochen Chong in the uprising. For his service he was made a supervisor and kept on as garrison commander of Yuan Province. As the main force neared Qin Province, Yue abandoned the city and fled. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai sent his nephew Dao in pursuit with Li Xian as vanguard. After more than four hundred li of fighting they caught Yue at Qiantun Mountain, where he slit his own throat on the field. Li Xian himself was badly wounded, and his horse took a stray arrow. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai commended him, gave him slaves, cloth, silk, and livestock, and appointed him Staff Bearer, Grand General Pacifying the Army, and supervisor.
7
When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai ordered Li Xian to ride out with cavalry to receive and escort him. Many of the eastern soldiers then wanted to desert and go home. The emperor put Li Xian at the rear with three hundred picked horsemen. The men feared him, and none dared to bolt. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Xiagi with a fief of one thousand households. He was soon made Left Supervisor and General Pacifying the East and returned to garrison Yuan Province.
8
In the second year of Datong, a local man named Dou Lu Lang murdered Supervisors Daye Shu'er and others, seized the provincial city, and rebelled. Li Xian gathered local leaders and laid out his plan: "These rebels struck in haste and killed two commanders. Their numbers look strong, but success has already made them reckless. They govern by nothing but terror and looting. Outsiders ruling a mob that came together by chance—such a force will fall apart on its own. Strike them from inside now and they will lose heart. Do as I say and we will have them within days." Everyone agreed. Li Xian then led three hundred volunteers in two columns and, under cover of night with drums and shouts, charged out. The rebels panicked and broke in a single clash. Dou Lu Lang cut his way out and fled. Li Xian pursued with only three horsemen, caught him, and cut off his head. He was promoted to chief clerk of Yuan Province and soon given charge of provincial affairs.
9
四年，莫折後熾連結賊黨，所在寇掠。 賢率鄉兵與行涇州事史寧討之。 後熾列陣以待。 賢謂寧曰：「賊聚結歲久，徒衆甚多，數州之人，皆為其用。 我若總一陣併力擊之，彼旣同惡相濟，理必總萃於我。 其勢不分，衆寡莫敵。 我便救尾，無以制之。 今若令諸軍分為數隊，多設旗鼓，掎角而前，以脅諸柵。 公別統精兵，直指後熾，按甲而待，莫與交鋒。 後熾欲前，則憚公之銳。 諸柵欲出，則懼我疑兵。 令其進不得戰，退不得走，以候其懈，擊之必破。 後熾一敗，則衆柵不攻自拔矣。」 寧不從，屢戰頻北。 賢乃率數百騎徑掩後熾營，收其妻子、僮隸五百餘人，並輜重等。 屬後熾與寧戰勝，方欲追奔，忽聞賢至，乃棄寧與賢接戰。 賢手斬十餘級，生獲六人，賊遂大敗。 後熾單騎遁走。 師還，以功賞奴婢四十口，雜畜數百頭。
In the fourth year, Mozhe Houchi joined with rebel bands and ravaged the countryside. Li Xian marched with local levies alongside Shi Ning, acting governor of Jing Province, to suppress them. Houchi drew up his lines and waited. Li Xian told Ning: "These rebels have been gathering strength for years. Their ranks are huge, and men from several provinces fight for them. If we mass every man into one battle line, they will rally to one another and throw their whole weight against us. United, they will outnumber us beyond hope. Even chasing their rear we could not bring them to heel. Instead, split our forces into several columns with many flags and drums and advance in pincers to threaten each stockade— while you take the elite straight at Houchi, hold your ground, and refuse battle. Houchi will not dare advance for fear of your crack troops. The stockades will not dare sally out for fear of our decoy columns. Hem them in so they can neither fight nor flee. When their guard slackens, strike—and they will break. Once Houchi falls, the rest of the stockades will collapse without a blow." Ning refused the plan, fought head-on again and again, and kept losing. Li Xian then led several hundred horsemen in a direct raid on Houchi's camp and captured his wives, children, and retainers—more than five hundred people—together with baggage and supplies. Houchi had just beaten Ning and was about to pursue when word came that Li Xian was upon him. He broke off against Ning and turned to fight Li Xian. Li Xian personally killed more than ten men and took six alive. The rebels were routed. Houchi escaped alone on horseback. When the army returned, he was rewarded with forty slaves and several hundred head of livestock for his service.
10
In the eighth year he was appointed Governor of Yuan Province. Though Li Xian had soldiered since youth, he understood civil administration well, cared for his home district, and won deep goodwill among the people. In the twelfth year he followed Dugu Xin on campaign to Liang Province and helped pacify it. He then pacified Zhangye and four neighboring commanderies before returning. Soon afterward the Ruru besieged the provincial seat, looting the people and driving off herds. Li Xian wanted to sally out and fight, but Grand Supervisor Wang De wavered and could not decide. Li Xian pressed hard for action, and Wang De at last agreed. Li Xian formed his men to march out, but the enemy learned of it in advance and began to pull back. Li Xian then led cavalry in pursuit, killed more than two hundred men, took more than a hundred prisoners, and recovered more than twenty thousand camels, horses, cattle, and sheep, with loot beyond reckoning. The people who had been robbed were able to live in peace again. He was further granted Staff Bearer, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Equal in Three Departments.
11
In the sixteenth year he was promoted to Grand General of Fast Cavalry and General of the Grand Office, Equal in Three Departments. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai escorted the Wei crown prince on a tour of the west and reached Yuan Province, he visited Li Xian's home, yielded the senior seat by age, and shared the village drinking ceremony with him. Later Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai came to Yuan Province again, had Li Xian ride in state with full ceremonial dress, and received him with the honors due a feudal lord before visiting his home and feasting with him all day. Every member of his clan received gifts according to rank.
12
In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei he was raised to Duke of Hexi Commandery, his fief rising to two thousand households in all. Later, when his nephew Zhi was put to death, Li Xian was stripped of rank and office as kin punishment. He was soon reappointed Staff Bearer, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Equal in Three Departments. At that time the barbarian peoples of Jing Province rose in revolt, and Pan of the Opening Office was sent to suppress them. Li Xian and He Ruo Dun were ordered to take seven thousand horsemen by a side road, intercept the barbarian chief Wen Zirong, and rout him completely. They then built Wenyang city north of Ping Province to hold the area. He was soon made Governor of Ying Province. Because Ba and Xiang had only recently submitted, an edict put Li Xian in overall command of the armies to pacify the region. He then resettled more than two thousand households from Jiangxia to fill out An Province, built Zengshan fort, and returned. In Baoding 2 an edict restored Li Xian's rank and title and reappointed him Governor of Gua Province.
13
高祖及齊王憲之在繈褓也，以避忌，不利居宮中。 太祖令于賢家處之，六載乃還宮。 因賜賢妻吳姓宇文氏，養為侄女，賜與甚厚。 及高祖西巡，幸賢第，詔曰：「朕昔沖幼，爰寓此州。 使持節、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、大都督、瓜州諸軍事、瓜州刺史賢，斯土良家，勳德兼著，受委居朕，輔導積年。 念其規弼，功勞甚茂。 食彼桑椹，尚懷好音，矧茲惠矣，其庸可忘？ 今巡撫居此，不殊代邑，舉目依然，益增舊想。 雖無屬籍，朕處之若親。 凡厥昆季乃至子侄等，可並豫宴賜。」 於是令中侍上士尉遲愷往瓜州，降璽書勞賢，賜衣一襲及被褥，幷御所服十三環金帶一要、中廄馬一匹、金裝鞍勒、雜彩五百段、銀錢一萬。 賜賢弟申國公穆亦如之。 子侄男女中外諸孫三十四人，各賜衣一襲。 又拜賢甥厙狄樂為儀同。 賢門生昔經侍奉者，二人授大都督，四人授帥都督，六人別將。 奴已免賤者，五人授軍主，未免賤者十二人酬替放之。
While Emperor Gaozu and Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian were still infants, taboo made it inauspicious for them to remain in the palace. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had them stay at Li Xian's home, and only after six years did they return to the palace. He then gave Li Xian's wife, née Wu, the surname Yuwen, treated her as his own niece, and lavished gifts upon them. When Emperor Gaozu toured the west and visited Li Xian's home, he issued an edict: "In my childhood I lived in this province. Li Xian—Staff Bearer, Grand General of Fast Cavalry, Equal in Three Departments with Opening Office, Grand Governor-General, commander of Gua military affairs, and Governor of Gua—came from a fine local family, won distinction in both merit and virtue, was entrusted to live with me, and guided me for many years. Thinking of his guidance and support, his service has been abundant indeed. One who ate mulberries there still remembers the place fondly—how much more should I remember such kindness? How could I forget it? Now, touring the place where I once lived, it is no different from my old home. Every sight is unchanged, and my old memories grow all the stronger. Though he is not kin by the registers, I treat him as family. All his brothers and nephews alike shall share in the feast and gifts." He then sent Attendant Palace Gentleman Yuchi Kai to Gua Province with an imperial letter of commendation for Li Xian, together with a suit of clothes and bedding, the emperor's own thirteen-ring gold belt, a horse from the imperial stables with gold-mounted saddle and bridle, five hundred bolts of colored silk, and ten thousand in silver cash. Li Xian's younger brother Mu, Duke of Shen, received the same. Thirty-four sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren on both sides of the family each received a suit of clothes. He also made Li Xian's nephew Kudil Le an Equal in Protocol. Of Li Xian's former disciples who had once attended him, two were made Grand Governors-General, four Command Governors-General, and six Separate Generals. Of his slaves already freed from servile status, five were made Army Chiefs; twelve still in servile status were compensated and manumitted.
14
In the fourth year, when the royal army marched east, the court feared the western frontier was exposed to Qiang and Hun raids and appointed Li Xian Staff Bearer, area commander of He Province, commander of three provinces and seven garrisons, and Governor of He. He Province had never before had an area command; one was now created for the first time. Li Xian then greatly expanded garrison farming to cut the cost of grain transport; and posted many scouts to guard against enemy raids. The Qiang and Hun thereupon kept quiet and did not dare move east. In the fifth year Tanchang raided the border, leaving the people destitute, and an area-command headquarters was set up at Tao Province to hold them down. The He area command was abolished, and Li Xian was reassigned area commander of Tao, commander of seven garrisons, and Governor of Tao. When the Qiang attacked Shimen garrison, destroyed bridges and roads to cut off relief, Li Xian met them with a thousand horsemen, killed and captured several hundred men in successive clashes, and drove the enemy off. The Qiang then brought in several thousand Tuyuhun horsemen to invade the western frontier. Li Xian learned of it in secret and sent troops to ambush them on the pass, inflicting another great defeat. The enemy were terrified and no longer dared raid the border. Soon the Tao area command was abolished, the headquarters was restored at He Province, and Li Xian was again put in command.
15
Mindful of Li Xian's old kindness, Emperor Gaozu summoned him and made him Grand General. In the third month of Tianhe 4 he died in the capital at the age of sixty-eight. Emperor Gaozu came in person to mourn him, and his grief moved all who were present. Posthumously he was granted Staff Bearer, Pillar-of-State Grand General, Grand Governor-General, commander of the military affairs of ten provinces including Jing, Yuan, and Qin, and Governor of Yuan. His posthumous title was Huan ("Steadfast"). His son Duan succeeded him.
16
Duan, styled Yonggui, rose through the posts of Equal in Three Departments with Opening Office, Palace Master of the Department of Accounts, and Governor of Zhong. He followed Emperor Gaozu in the conquest of Qi and fell in battle at Ye; posthumously he was made Upper Grand General, enfeoffed as Duke of Xiangyang, and given the posthumous title Guo ("Resolute"). Duan's younger brother Ji held Equal in Three Departments. Ji's younger brother Chong rose to Palace Master of the Treasury Department, Upper Pillar-of-State, and Duke of Guangzong. Chong's younger brother Xiaogui was Grand General Equal in Three Departments with Opening Office and Baron of Shengqian. Xiaogui's younger brother Xun held high office from an early age. At the end of the Daxiang reign he was Upper Pillar-of-State and Duke of Longxi.
17
Li Xian's younger brother Li Yuan, styled Wansui. From boyhood he had breadth of mind and a commanding presence. Once, while playing at war with other boys, he deployed them in ranks with the discipline of a real army. The commandery administrator saw it, marveled at it, and had him perform again. The boys panicked and ran off, but Yuan seized a staff, shouted them back into line, and re-formed the advance with even bolder spirit than before. The commandery administrator said: "This boy is destined to become a general. He is no ordinary child." When he grew up he read widely in books and records, but knew only their general drift.
18
魏正光末，天下鼎沸，勒勒賊胡琮侵逼原州，其徒甚盛。 遠昆季率勵鄉人，欲圖拒守，而衆情猜懼，頗有異同。 遠乃按劍而言曰：「頃年以來，皇家多難。 匈黨乘機，肆其毒螫。 王畧未振，緩其梟夷。 正是忠臣立節之秋，義士建功之日。 丈夫豈可臨難苟免，當在死中求生耳。 諸人並世載忠貞，沐浴教義，今若棄同卽異，去順效逆，雖五尺童子，猶或非之，將復何顏以見天下之士。 有異議者，請以劔斬之！」 於是衆皆股栗，莫不聽命。 乃相與盟歃，遂深壁自守。 而外無救援，城遂陷。 其徒多被殺害，唯遠兄弟並為人所匿，得免。 遠乃言於賢曰：「今逆賊孔熾，屠戮忠良。 遠欲間行入朝，請兵救援。 兄晦迹和光，可以免禍。 內伺釁隙，因變立功。 若王師西指，得復表裏相應，旣殉國家之急，且全私室之危。 豈若窘迫凶威，坐見夷滅！」 賢曰：「是吾心也。」 遂定東行之策。 遠乃崎嶇寇境，得達京師。 魏朝嘉之，授武騎常侍。 俄轉別將，賜帛千匹，幷弓刀衣馬等。
At the end of Wei's Zhengguang era the realm was in turmoil; the Lele bandit Hu Cong pressed on Yuan Province with a very large following. Li Yuan and his brothers rallied the townspeople to hold the city, but the people were fearful and divided in opinion. Li Yuan then drew his sword and said: "In recent years the dynasty has suffered one disaster after another. The Hun faction seized the moment and spread their poison. The throne has not yet restored its authority, and their punishment has been postponed. This is precisely the time for loyal ministers to stand firm and for men of honor to win distinction. How can a man facing danger think only of saving himself? One must find life in the midst of death. Your families have been loyal for generations and steeped in duty. If you now abandon unity, turn from the lawful course, and follow rebellion—even a child would condemn you. What face would you show the men of honor under Heaven? Anyone who disagrees, let him be cut down where he stands!" At that everyone trembled with fear, and none dared disobey. They swore a common oath, strengthened the walls, and held out. No relief came from outside, and the city fell. Most of their followers were slaughtered; only Li Yuan and his brothers were hidden by others and survived. Li Yuan then said to Li Xian: "The rebels now run rampant and butcher the loyal. I mean to slip through the enemy lines to court and beg for relief troops. Brother, keep a low profile and bide your time—you can escape harm that way. Watch from within for an opening, and strike when the moment comes. When the royal army marches west, we can coordinate from within and without—serving the state in its crisis and saving our family as well. Surely that is better than cowering under the enemy and waiting to be destroyed!" Li Xian said: "That is exactly what I feel." They then settled on the plan for Li Yuan to go east. Li Yuan then made his way through enemy-held country by a hard road and reached the capital. The Wei court praised him and made him Regular Palace Attendant of Martial Cavalry. He was soon made Separate General and given a thousand bolts of silk, together with bow, blade, clothing, and horse.
19
When Erzhu Tianguang marched west, he gave Li Yuan picked troops and made him guide through the country. Tianguang admired Li Yuan's talent and reputation, treated him with special favor, and made him General Who Quells the Waves, Administrator of Changcheng, and Chief Rectifier of Yuan Province.
20
後以應侯莫陳崇功，遷高平郡守。 太祖見遠，與語悅之，令居麾下，甚見親遇。 及魏孝武西遷，授假節、銀青光祿大夫、主衣都統，封安定縣伯，邑五百戶。 魏文帝嗣位之始，思享遐年，以遠字可嘉，令扶帝升殿。 遷使持節、征東大將軍，進爵為公，增邑千戶，仍領左右。 從征竇泰，復弘農，並有殊勳。 授都督、原州刺史。 太祖謂遠曰：「孤之有卿，若身體之有手臂之用，豈可暫輟於身。 本州之榮，乃私事耳。 卿若述職，則孤無所寄懷。」 於是遂令遠兄賢代行州事。 沙苑之役，遠功居最，除車騎大將軍、儀同三司，進爵陽平郡公，邑三千戶。 尋從獨孤信東畧，遂入洛陽。 為東魏將侯景等所圍。 太祖至，乃解。 及河橋之戰，遠與獨孤信為右軍，不利而退。 除大丞相府司馬。 軍國機務，遠皆參之，畏避權勢，若不在己。 時河東初復，民情未安，太祖謂遠曰：「河東國之要鎮，非卿無以撫之。」 乃授河東郡守。 遠敦獎風俗，勸課農桑，肅遏姦非，兼修守禦之備。 曾未期月，百姓懷之。 太祖嘉焉，降書勞問。 征為侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。 魏建東宮，授太子少傅，尋轉少師。
Later, for merit in answering Houmochen Chong, he was transferred to Administrator of Gaoping. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai met Li Yuan, spoke with him, and was pleased; he kept him in his own service and treated him with marked favor. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, Li Yuan was granted provisional staff, Silver Seal Blue-Girdle Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Chief of the Imperial Wardrobe Corps, and enfeoffed Baron of Anding with five hundred households. At the beginning of Emperor Wen of Wei's reign, wishing long life for himself and finding Li Yuan's style name auspicious, he had him support the emperor up the hall steps. He was made Staff Bearer and Grand General Pacifying the East, raised to duke with an added fief of one thousand households, and continued to command the Left and Right. He followed campaigns against Dou Tai and in the recovery of Hongnong, distinguishing himself in both. He was appointed Governor-General and Governor of Yuan Province. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said to Li Yuan: "Having you is like having arms and legs—how can I do without you even for a moment? The honor of governing this province is a private matter. If you leave to take up your post, I have nowhere to turn." He then had Li Yuan's elder brother Li Xian act as governor in his place. At Shayuan, Li Yuan's merit ranked first; he was made Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Equal in Three Departments, and raised to Duke of Yangping with a fief of three thousand households. He soon followed Dugu Xin on an eastern campaign and entered Luoyang. There he was besieged by Eastern Wei generals led by Hou Jing. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai arrived, the siege was lifted. At the River Bridge battle Li Yuan and Dugu Xin commanded the right wing; the fight went badly and they withdrew. He was appointed Chief Clerk of the Grand Chancellor's Office. He took part in all urgent military and state affairs, yet shunned power as if it were not his to grasp. Hedong had just been recovered and the people were still unsettled. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said to Li Yuan: "Hedong is a vital fortress of the state. No one but you can pacify it." He then made Li Yuan Administrator of Hedong. Li Yuan encouraged good customs, promoted farming and sericulture, sternly checked crime, and strengthened the defenses. In less than a month the people had come to love him. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai commended this and sent a letter of praise and inquiry. He was summoned as Palace Attendant, Grand General of Rapid Cavalry, and Opening Office with Equal-to-Three-Ministers honors. When Western Wei established the Eastern Palace, he was appointed junior preceptor to the crown prince and soon transferred to junior mentor.
21
Gao Zhongmi, Eastern Wei's governor of North Yu Province, offered to surrender his province and defect. At that time Gao Huan had encamped at Heyang. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai thought Zhongmi's position too distant to support easily, and all the generals feared the mission. Li Yuan said: "North Yu lies deep in enemy territory, and Gao Huan holds Hene; by ordinary reckoning rescue is nearly impossible. But war demands speed, and success depends on timing. The ancients said: "If you do not enter the beast's den, how can you take the beast's cub?" If we strike with a surprise force where they do not expect, the affair may yet succeed. Gain or loss is the common lot of war. If we hesitate and do not go, there will never be a day of victory." Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai was pleased and said: "What Li Wansui has said is rather to my liking." He thereupon made him director of the mobile secretariat and sent him east as vanguard. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai followed with the main army. Li Yuan then marched secretly, extracted Zhongmi, and brought him back. He again followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai in the battle at Mount Mang. When the main army was beaten, Li Yuan alone kept his command in order and covered the retreat. He was soon made area commander over the twenty-one garrisons of Yi Province, Hongnong, and the rest.
22
Li Yuan was skilled at winning people over, had capacity and strategy, and his defenses and battle preparations were all sharp and thorough. He generously treated people beyond the border and used them as spies, so he always learned enemy movements first. Even when some spies were exposed and executed, he did not regret it. Such was his hold on men's hearts. Once while reviewing a hunt at Sha Stockade he saw a stone in thick reeds, took it for a crouching rabbit, shot it, and drove the arrowhead more than an inch into the stone. When he went to look, it was a stone. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai heard and marveled, and wrote: "Long ago General Li Guang himself had this feat; you now repeat it—truly the virtue runs in the family. Even the fame of Xiongqu cannot claim the honor alone."
23
Eastern Wei general Duan Xiaoxian led twenty thousand infantry and cavalry toward Yiyang, ostensibly to deliver grain but in fact with designs on the region. Li Yuan learned his plan in secret, sent troops to surprise and rout him, and captured his baggage train and equipment. Xiaoxian fled. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai thereupon granted his own horse, a gold belt, bed curtains, clothing and bedding, and two thousand bolts of mixed silks, and made him grand general.
24
Before long he was made left vice director of the secretariat. Li Yuan told Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai: "I am a common man of Qin and Long, no greater in talent or skill than any other. All my life I hoped for nothing beyond a single commandery governorship. Meeting the right moment, I was able to serve a sage ruler. When the lord is honored the minister rises, and so it has come to this. Now I stand among the highest ranks, my title outranks a full marquis, I hold a frontier command, and life and death are in my hands. That is not only honor for a moment—it also brings glory to my house. But the vice director of the secretariat stands at the head of government; to grant it now only adds to my burden of blame. If Your Grace wishes to preserve me, I beg that this appointment be withdrawn." Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said: "Your merit and virtue are both outstanding; the court admires and relies on you; you were chosen from the multitude—what is there to decline? Moreover, between us the bond is like flesh and bone—how could I allow you to yield over mere office and rank? That would deeply disappoint me." Li Yuan had no choice and accepted the post. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai also had his eleventh son Yuwen Da become Li Yuan's adopted son—this was the Prince of Dai. Such was the intimacy with which he was treated.
25
At that time Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's primary heir had not yet been established; Emperor Ming, though eldest, already showed mature virtue; Xiaomin was the son of the primary wife, but he was still very young. He then summoned the assembled lords and said: "I wish to establish a son by the primary wife; I fear the grand marshal may have doubts." The grand marshal was Dugu Xin, father of Emperor Ming's empress. All were silent; Li Yuan said: "In establishing a son, one takes the primary wife's son, not the eldest—the Rites make the principle clear. The Duke of Lüeyang should be heir apparent—what doubt has Your Grace? If Xin is the problem, I ask to cut off Xin at once." He then drew his sword and rose. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai also rose and said: "What affair has come to this!" Xin again explained himself, and Li Yuan then stopped. Thereupon all the assembled lords followed Li Yuan's proposal. Going outside he bowed in apology to Xin and said: "Facing a great affair, one cannot do otherwise." Xin also apologized to Li Yuan and said: "Today I rely on you to decide this great deliberation." When the Six Offices were established, he was appointed minor minister of justice. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, he was advanced to pillar of state and grand general, with a fief of one thousand households. He again garrisoned Hongnong.
26
遠子植，在太祖時已為相府司錄參軍，掌朝政。 及晉公護執權，恐不被任用，乃密欲誅護。 語在《孝閔帝紀》。 謀頗漏泄，護知之，乃出植為梁州刺史。 尋而廢帝，召遠及植還朝。 遠恐有變，沉吟久之，乃曰：「大丈夫寧為忠鬼，安能作叛臣乎！」 遂就徵。 旣至京師，護以遠功名素重，猶欲全宥之。 乃引與相見，謂之曰：「公兒遂有異謀，非止屠戮護身，乃是傾危宗社。 叛臣賊子，理宜同疾，公可早為之所。」 乃以植付遠。 遠素鍾愛於植，植又口辯，乃云初無此謀。 遠謂為信然。 詰朝，將植謁護，護謂植已死，乃曰：「陽平公何意乃自來也？」 左右云：「植亦在門外。」 護大怒曰：「陽平公不信我矣！」 乃召入，仍命遠同坐，令帝與植相質於遠前。 植辭窮，謂帝曰：「本為此謀，欲安社稷，利至尊耳。 今日至此，何事云云。」 遠聞之，自投於床曰：「若爾，誠合萬死。」 於是護乃害植，幷逼遠令自殺。 時年五十一。 植弟叔諧、叔謙、叔讓亦死。 餘並以年幼得免。
Li Yuan's son Li Zhi had already served in Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's time as director of records in the chancellor's office and controlled court government. When Duke Yuwen Hu of Jin seized power, fearing he would not be employed, Li Zhi secretly plotted to kill Hu. The account is in the Records of Emperor Xiaomin. The plot largely leaked out; Hu learned of it and sent Li Zhi out as governor of Liang Province. Soon afterward the emperor was deposed; Li Yuan and Li Zhi were summoned back to court. Li Yuan feared trouble, hesitated long, and then said: "A great man would rather be a loyal ghost—how could he become a rebel minister!" He thereupon answered the summons. When he reached the capital, Hu, because Li Yuan's fame and merit had long been weighty, still wished to spare him. He then led him in to meet and said: "Your son indeed had a different plot—not only to kill me but to overturn the state. Rebel ministers and traitor sons by right should share the hatred—you may act early against him." He then handed Li Zhi over to Li Yuan. Li Yuan had always loved Li Zhi deeply; Li Zhi was also glib and declared he had had no such plot at first. Li Yuan believed him. At dawn the next day he was about to lead Li Zhi to call on Hu; Hu thought Li Zhi was already dead and said: "Duke of Yangping, what intent is this that you have come yourself?" Attendants said: "Li Zhi is also outside the gate." Hu was furious and said: "Duke of Yangping no longer trusts me!" He then summoned them in, ordered Li Yuan to sit with him, and had the emperor and Li Zhi confront each other before Li Yuan. Li Zhi was cornered; he said to the emperor: "This plot was originally to settle the realm and benefit Your Majesty alone. Today it has come to this—what is all this talk." Li Yuan heard it and threw himself on the bed, saying: "If so, you truly deserve ten thousand deaths." Thereupon Hu killed Li Zhi and also forced Li Yuan to kill himself. He was then fifty-one years old. Li Zhi's younger brothers Shuxie, Shuqian, and Shurang also died. The rest were all spared because they were young.
27
In the first year of Jiande, when Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu was executed, an edict said: "The late bearer of staff, pillar of state and grand general, chief commander, and founding Duke of Yangping Li Yuan, early received missions of trust and long showed merit, inwardly advising in the inner councils and outwardly guarding the frontiers. He devoted himself to the throne, yet suffered violent death. Thinking of his steadfast loyalty, my grief is deepened still. Honors should be added to make his loyal constancy shine forth." His former office was posthumously confirmed, with the added post of commander of military affairs for the fifteen provinces including Shan and Xiong and governor of Shan Province. His posthumous name was Zhong (Loyal). At the start of Kaihuang in Sui, he was posthumously made upper pillar of state and Duke of Li state with a fief of three thousand households, and his posthumous name was changed to Huai (Cherished). Li Zhi and all his younger brothers likewise received added posthumous titles.
28
Li Zhi's younger brother Li Ji, styled Zhonghe. From youth he had a fine reputation, handsome bearing, skill in debate, wide reading, and especial mastery of mounted archery. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai summoned him, marveled at him, and had him marry Princess Yigui. In the tenth year of Datong he entered service as supernumerary regular attendant of the scattered cavalry. Later, because of his father's merit, he was enfeoffed Duke of Jian'an county with a fief of one thousand households. He rose to general who pacifies the army, grand master with silver-blue-golden-light seal, regular attendant through direct connection of the scattered cavalry, and head of the grand chancellor's personal staff. He was soon made grand commander and raised to Duke of Qinghe commandery.
29
Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had supported the endangered realm and awed the throne; after the deposed Wei emperor succeeded, suspicion and rifts grew ever deeper. At that time all Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's sons were still very young; Duke Dao of Zhangwu and Duke Hu of Zhongshan were posted on distant commands east and west; he relied only on his sons-in-law as his inner guard. Li Ji together with Li Hui, Duke of Yicheng, Yu Yi, Duke of Changshan, and the rest were all martial-guard generals, each commanding part of the palace guard. The emperor deeply feared them, and so the secret plot leaked out.
30
When Emperor Gong of Wei took the throne, he was made commissioner with full credentials, grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol, given regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, raised to Duke of Dunhuang commandery, soon given attendant-in-ordinary, grand general of rapid cavalry, and opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, and appointed heir of Yangping state. When the Six Offices were established, he was appointed grand master of imperial rectification. When Emperor Xiaomin acceded, Li Ji was posted out as governor of Haizhou.
31
Soon after, because his elder brother Li Zhi was arrested, by precedent he should have been executed as guilty by association. Because his consort was of high rank and because his paternal uncle Li Mu pleaded for him, he was spared. In Wucheng year 2, he was made governor of Jiang Province. Having been posted out in disgrace, he constantly worried that he could not fulfill his ambitions. In the first year of Baoding, he died in office, aged thirty-one. Duke of Shen Li Mu especially cherished him; whenever he wept he was overcome with grief, and said to those close to him: "My fine son has left me—does the house truly mean to flourish?" In the first year of Xuanzheng, he was posthumously made bearer of staff, upper opening-office with equal-to-three-division protocol, grand general, governor of Cao, Xu, and Qiao provinces, and Duke of Dunhuang commandery, with the posthumous name Xiao (Filial). His son Li Wei succeeded.
32
Li Wei, styled Anmin, entered service as right attending upper gentleman, rose in stages to opening-office equal-in-three-departments, and then took over Yuan's title as Duke of Yangping. He followed Emperor Gaozu in the conquest of Qi and, for merit, was given upper opening-office and made army vice marshal. When Emperor Xuan acceded, he was raised to grand general and posted out as governor of Xiongzhou. By the end of the Daxiang era he had reached pillar of state.
33
史臣曰：李賢和兄弟，屬亂離之際，居戎馬之間，志畧縱橫，忠勇奮發，亟摧勍敵，屢涉艱危，而功未書於王府，仕不過於州郡。 及逢時值主，策名委質，或使煩莫府，或契闊戎行，荷生成之恩，蒙國士之遇，俱縻好爵，各著勳庸。 遂得任兼文武，聲彰內外，位高望重，光國榮家，跗萼連暉，椒聊繁衍，冠冕之盛，當時莫比焉。 自周迄隋，鬱為西京盛族，雖金、張在漢，不之尚也。
The historiographer writes: Li Xian and his brothers lived through civil collapse amid constant warfare; bold in design and fierce in loyalty, they repeatedly broke strong enemies and often faced mortal danger—yet their achievements went unrecorded at court, and their posts never rose above the prefectural level. When fortune and a worthy sovereign came together, they pledged their service: some were repeatedly called to headquarters, others spent years on campaign; nourished by imperial favor and honored as men of the realm, they all held high rank and each earned a record of merit. They came to hold both civil and military posts, their fame ringing at court and abroad, their standing lofty and their weight immense; they brought glory to the state and honor to their clans, their branches flourishing together in a brilliance of rank and office unmatched in their time. From Northern Zhou through Sui they stood as one of the great families of the Western Capital—a splendor that not even the Jin and Zhang clans of Han could surpass.
34
Yet when Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai first died, the successor was still a child. Within the court, meritorious ministers grew insubordinate; on the frontier, powerful foes pressed the borders. Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu, as a foster son bound by close kinship, shouldered the trust of the imperial charge; he pacified house and realm, cleared away opposition, overthrew Wei and raised Zhou, and won peace far and near. His achievements were already plain; his faults had not yet come to light. Li Zhi, favored under the previous reign and long privy to state secrets, feared that power had already slipped from his hands and that the future would not spare him; he opened the way to disaster and spun a web of slander—plotting from weakness against strength and driving a wedge between close kin. The sovereign lacked the clear judgment of Emperor Zhao of Han; the minister had a complaint like Shangguan Ji's. Suspicion and breach had already shown themselves, and a cause for strife followed in their wake. It exposed the grand minister's disloyal ambition, brought about the calamity of Emperor Xiaomin's deposition and murder—and Zhi was the source of it. Li Yuan had failed in proper family instruction and lacked foresight; that he was executed and his line destroyed was no undeserved fate.