1
長孫儉長孫紹遠弟澄兄子兕斛斯徵
Zhangsun Jian; Zhangsun Shaoyuan; Zhangsun Cheng (younger brother); Zhangsun Si (nephew); Hu Sizheng
2
長孫儉，河南洛陽人也。 本名慶明。 其先，魏之枝族，姓托拔氏。 孝文遷洛，改為長孫。 五世祖嵩，魏太尉、北平王。
Zhangsun Jian came from Luoyang in Henan. He was originally named Qingming. His ancestors were a cadet line of Wei bearing the surname Tuoba. When Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, the family took the surname Zhangsun. His fifth-generation ancestor Song had been Grand Commandant of Wei and Prince of Beiping.
3
儉少方正，有操行，狀貌魁梧，神彩嚴肅，雖在私室，終日儼然。 性不妄交，非其同志，雖貴遊造門，亦不與相見。 孝昌中，起家員外散騎侍郎，從爾朱天光破隴右。 太祖臨夏州，以儉為錄事，深器敬之。 賀拔岳被害，太祖赴平涼，凡有經綸謀策，儉皆參預。 從平侯莫陳悅，留儉為秦州長史。 時西夏州仍未內屬，而東魏遣許和為刺史，儉以信義招之，和乃舉州歸附。 卽以儉為西夏州刺史，總統三夏州。
From boyhood Zhangsun Jian was upright and principled, with a imposing frame and a grave, commanding presence; even in private he sat all day with unbroken dignity. He made no casual friendships; if a man was not of his mind, no matter how highborn the visitor at his gate, he would not receive him. In the Xiaochang era he entered service as Supernumerary Attendant Cavalier in Ordinary and followed Erzhu Tianguang in the conquest of Longyou. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai took up post at Xia Province, he appointed Zhangsun Jian recorder-in-chief and valued him deeply. After He Ba Yue was murdered, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai marched to Pingliang; Zhangsun Jian took part in every major plan and policy. After Houmochen Yue was defeated, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai left Zhangsun Jian behind as chief clerk of Qin Province. Western Xia Province had not yet submitted, but Eastern Wei had sent Xu He as its governor; Zhangsun Jian won him over with good faith, and Xu He brought the whole province over. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai then made Zhangsun Jian governor of Western Xia Province with overall authority over the three Xia provinces.
4
時荊襄初附，太祖表儉功績尤美，宜委東南之任，授荊州刺史、東南道行臺僕射。 所部鄭縣令泉璨為民所訟，推治獲實。 儉卽大集僚屬而謂之曰：「此由刺史教誨不明，信不被物，是我之愆，非泉璨之罪。」 遂於廳事前，肉袒自罰，舍璨不問。 於是屬城肅勵，莫敢犯法。 魏文帝璽書勞之。 太祖又與儉書曰：「近行路傳公以部內縣令有罪，遂自杖三十，用肅羣下。 吾昔聞『王臣謇謇，匪躬之故』，蓋謂憂公忘私，知無不為而已。 未有如公刻身罰己以訓羣僚者也。 聞之嘉歎。」 荊蠻舊俗，少不敬長。 儉殷勤勸導，風俗大革。 務廣耕桑，兼習武事，故得邊境無虞，民安其業。 吏民表請為儉構清德樓，樹碑刻頌，朝議許焉。 在州遂歷 （二） ［七］載。
When Jing and Xiang had just submitted, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai memorialized that Zhangsun Jian's record was outstanding and that the southeast should be entrusted to him; he was made governor of Jing Province and vice director of the Southeastern Circuit Executive Office. Quan Can, magistrate of Zheng County in his jurisdiction, was denounced by the people, and an inquiry proved the charges true. Zhangsun Jian then assembled his entire staff and said: "This happened because I failed to teach and lead clearly enough for trust to reach the people. The fault is mine, not Quan Can's. He then bared his back in the courtyard before the hall, flogged himself, and dismissed the case against Quan Can. From that day the subordinate districts stood in awe, and no one dared break the law. Emperor Wen of Wei sent him an imperial letter of commendation. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai also wrote to Zhangsun Jian: "Travelers lately tell me that when a county magistrate under you was found guilty, you had yourself beaten thirty strokes to awe your staff. I have heard the saying that a king's minister must speak plainly and forget himself for the realm's sake—that is, to care for the public good and hold nothing back. Yet that is only the common measure. Never have I known a man who punished his own body to teach his colleagues, as you have done. When I heard of it, I marveled and rejoiced." Among the Jing tribes the old custom held that the young owed little respect to their elders. Zhangsun Jian worked patiently to guide them, and local customs changed profoundly. He pushed farming and mulberry cultivation while keeping the people trained for war, so the frontier stayed quiet and the people could live by their trades in peace. Officials and commoners petitioned to build a Pure Virtue Tower for Zhangsun Jian and to raise a stele in his praise; the court approved. He served in the province for [variant: two] seven years.
5
徵授大行臺尚書，兼相府司馬。 嘗與羣公侍坐于太祖，及退，太祖謂左右曰：「此公閒雅，孤每與語，嘗肅然畏敬，恐有所失。」 他日，太祖謂儉曰：「名實理須相稱，尚書旣志安貧素，可改名儉，以彰雅操。」
He was summoned to court and appointed minister of the Grand Executive Office, while also serving as major of the grand chancellor's office. Once, while sitting with the other lords in attendance on Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, he withdrew with them afterward; Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai told his attendants: "That man is refined and easy in manner. Whenever I talk with him I find myself sitting up straight in awe, afraid I may say something unworthy. Another day Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said to Zhangsun Jian: "Name and conduct ought to match. You, Minister, aspire to live plainly and without excess; you should take the name Jian to show that refinement."
6
又除行臺僕射、荊州刺史。 時梁岳陽王蕭詧內附，初遣使入朝，至荊州。 儉於廳事列軍儀，具戎服，與使人以賓主禮相見。 儉容貌魁偉，音聲如鐘，大為鮮卑語，遣人傳譯以問客。 客惶恐不敢仰視。 日晚，儉乃著裙襦紗帽，引客宴於別齋。 因序梁國喪亂，朝廷招攜之意，發言可觀。 使人大悅。 出曰：「吾所不能測也。」
He was again appointed vice director of the executive office and governor of Jing Province. At that time the Liang Prince of Yueyang, Xiao Cha, had submitted to the court and sent his first embassy through Jing Province. In the reception hall Zhangsun Jian drew up a military guard, put on full martial dress, and received the envoys with formal host-and-guest ceremony. Zhangsun Jian was towering in build and spoke in a deep, bell-like voice; he addressed them at length in Xianbei and had interpreters relay his questions. The envoys were so awed that they did not dare raise their eyes. That evening he changed into civilian skirt-robe and gauze cap and entertained the guests at a separate banquet. He then spoke of the Liang realm's ruin and of the court's wish to welcome and restore them; his remarks were eloquent and compelling. The envoys were deeply pleased. When they departed they said, "He is beyond our power to measure."
7
及梁元帝嗣位於江陵，外敦鄰睦，內懷異計。 儉密啟太祖，陳攻取之謀。 於是徵儉入朝，問其經略。 儉對曰：「今江陵旣在江北，去我不遠。 湘東卽位，已涉三年。 觀其形勢，不欲東下。 骨肉相殘，民厭其毒。 荊州軍資器械，儲積已久，若大軍西討，必無匱乏之慮。 且兼弱攻昧，武之善經。 國家旣有蜀土，若更平江漢，撫而安之，收其貢賦，以供軍國，天下不足定也。」 太祖深然之，乃謂儉曰：「如公之言，吾取之晚矣。」 令儉還州，密為之備。 尋令柱國、燕公于謹總戎衆伐江陵。 平，以儉元謀，賞奴婢三百口。 太祖與儉書曰：「本圖江陵，由公畫計，今果如所言。 智者見未萌，何其妙也。 但吳民離散，事藉招懷，南服重鎮，非公莫可。」 遂令儉鎮江陵。 進爵昌寧公，遷大將軍，移鎮荊州，總管五十二州。
When Liang Emperor Yuan took the throne at Jiangling, he cultivated neighborly courtesy abroad while secretly nursing other designs. Zhangsun Jian secretly reported to Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai and laid out a plan to seize Jiangling. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai then summoned Zhangsun Jian to court and asked for his strategy. Zhangsun Jian answered: "Jiangling now lies north of the Yangtze, close at hand. Emperor Yuan of Xiangdong has already reigned three years. Judging by the situation, he has no wish to march east. His own kin have torn one another apart, and the people are sick of the suffering. Jing Province has long hoarded arms and supplies; if a great army moves west, we need not fear want. Besides, to join against the weak and strike the blind is the finest rule of war. The realm already holds Shu; if we also pacify the Jiang-Han region, soothe and settle it, and take its tribute and taxes for army and state, the rest of the empire will not be hard to secure. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai strongly agreed and said to Zhangsun Jian: "As you say, I have moved too late. He ordered Zhangsun Jian back to his province to make secret preparations." Soon afterward he put Pillar of State Yu Jin, Duke of Yan, in command of the army for the assault on Jiangling. After the city fell, Zhangsun Jian was rewarded with three hundred slaves as the original architect of the campaign. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai wrote to Zhangsun Jian: "The plan for Jiangling was yours from the start, and events have proved you right. The wise foresee what has not yet budded—how subtle your insight was. But the people of Wu are scattered and must be won back by kindness; no one but you can hold this great southern stronghold." He then put Zhangsun Jian in charge of Jiangling. Zhangsun Jian was raised to Duke of Changning and grand general, moved his headquarters to Jing Province, and took overall command of fifty-two provinces.
8
儉舊嘗詣闕奏事，時值大雪，遂立於雪中待報，自旦達暮，竟無惰容。 其奉公勤至，皆此類也。 三年，以疾還京。 為夏州總管，薨，遺啟世宗，請葬于太祖陵側，並以官所賜之宅還官。 詔皆從之。 追封鄶公。 荊民儀同趙超等七百人，感儉遺愛，詣闕請為儉立廟樹碑，詔許之。 詔曰：「昔叔敖辭沃壤之地，蕭何就窮僻之鄉，以古方今，無慚曩哲。 言尋嘉尚，弗忘于懷。 而有司未達大體，遽以其第卽便給外。 今還其妻子。」 子隆。
Once, when Zhangsun Jian went to the palace to report on affairs, a heavy snow was falling; he stood in the snow from morning until night waiting for an answer, never once showing weariness. His devotion to duty was always of this order. In the third year he returned to the capital because of illness. He served as overall commander of Xia Province, then died; in his final memorial to Emperor Shizong he asked to be buried beside Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's tomb and to return to the state the house he had received as an official grant. The emperor granted both requests. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Kuai. Seven hundred men of Jing, led by honorary companion Zhao Chao, moved by Zhangsun Jian's lingering kindness, petitioned at court to build him a temple and stele; the emperor approved. An edict said: "Long ago Shu Ao refused rich land and Xiao He settled in a poor, remote place; measured against those ancients, Zhangsun Jian need not blush before the sages of old. Such virtue deserves lasting remembrance. Yet the officials failed to understand the larger meaning and had hastily turned his house over to others. Let his wife and children have it back. His son was Long.
9
長孫紹遠字師，河南洛陽人。 少名仁。 父稚，魏太師、錄尚書、上黨王。
Zhangsun Shaoyuan, styled Shi, came from Luoyang in Henan. As a boy he was called Ren. His father Zhi had been Grand Preceptor of Wei, recorder of the Masters of Writing, and Prince of Shangdang.
10
紹遠性寬容，有大度，望之儼然，朋儕莫敢褻狎。 雅好墳籍，聰慧過人。 時稚作牧壽春，紹遠幼，年甫十三。 稚管記王碩聞紹遠強記，心以為不然。 遂白稚曰：「伏承世子聰慧之姿，發於天性，目所一見，誦之於口。 此旣曆世罕有，竊願驗之。」 於是命紹遠試焉。 讀《月令》數紙，纔一遍，誦之若流。 自是碩乃歎服。
Zhangsun Shaoyuan was open-hearted and magnanimous; he looked so grave and dignified that even his peers dared not treat him lightly. He loved the classics and was unusually quick of mind. At the time his father Zhi was governor of Shouchun; Zhangsun Shaoyuan was only thirteen. Zhi's registrar Wang Shuo heard that Zhangsun Shaoyuan had a prodigious memory and did not believe it. He therefore told Zhi: "I hear that the heir's brilliance is inborn—that what he sees once he can recite at once. Such a gift is all but unheard of in any age, and I would like to put it to the test. Zhi then had Zhangsun Shaoyuan tested." He read several pages of the Monthly Ordinances once through and recited them fluently from memory. From that day Wang Shuo was fully convinced.
11
魏孝武初，累遷司徒右長史。 及齊神武稱兵而帝西遷，紹遠隨稚奔赴。 又累遷殿中尚書、錄尚書事。 太祖每謂羣公曰：「長孫公任使之處，令人無反顧憂。 漢之蕭、寇，何足多也。 然其容止堂堂，足為當今模楷。」 六官建，拜大司樂。 孝閔踐阼，封上黨公。
Early in the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei he rose to chief clerk of the right under the Minister of Public Works. When Gao Huan took up arms and the emperor moved west, Zhangsun Shaoyuan went with his father to join him. He was promoted again to palace master of writing and recorder of the Masters of Writing. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai often told the other ministers: "Wherever Lord Zhangsun is placed in office, men serve without looking back over their shoulders. The Xiao and Kou of Han were nothing beside him. And his bearing is so upright and commanding that he is a model for our own age. When the Six Offices were established, Zhangsun Shaoyuan was made grand master of music." When Emperor Xiaomin came to the throne, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Shangdang.
12
初，紹遠為太常，廣召工人，創造樂器，土木絲竹，各得其宜。 為黃鐘不調，紹遠每以為意。 嘗因退朝，經韓使君佛寺前過，浮圖三層之上，有鳴鐸焉。 忽聞其音，雅合宮調，取而配奏，方始克諧。 紹遠乃啟世宗行之。 紹遠所奏樂，以八為數。 故梁黃門侍郎裴正上書，以為昔者大舜欲聞七始，下洎周武，爰創七音。 持林鐘作黃鐘，以為正調之首。 詔與紹遠詳議往復，於是遂定以八為數焉。 授小司空。 高祖讀史書，見武王克殷而作七始，又欲廢八而懸七，幷除黃鐘之正宮，用林鐘為調首。 紹遠奏云：「天子懸八，肇自先民，百王共軌，萬世不易。 下逮周武，甫修七始之音。 詳諸經義，又無廢八之典。 且黃鐘為君，天子正位，今欲廢之，未見其可。」 後高祖竟 （廢） 〔行〕七音。 屬紹遠遘疾，未獲面陳，慮有司遽損樂器，乃書與樂部齊樹之。
While serving as grand master of ceremonial, Zhangsun Shaoyuan gathered craftsmen from far and wide to make new instruments, fitting wood, clay, silk, and bamboo each to its proper use. The yellow bell pitch would not settle, and the problem weighed on him constantly. Once, leaving court, he passed Han Shijun's Buddhist temple and noticed a sounding bell on the three-tiered pagoda. When he heard it strike, the tone matched the gong pitch perfectly; he took the bell, matched it in performance, and at last achieved harmony. Zhangsun Shaoyuan then memorialized Emperor Shizong to adopt it. The music Zhangsun Shaoyuan submitted took eight as its governing number. Pei Zheng, former Attendant Secretary of the Yellow Gate of Liang, submitted a memorial arguing that in antiquity Great Shun had wished to hear the Seven Beginnings and that, down to King Wu of Zhou, the seven tones were first established. He treated Forest Bell as Yellow Bell and made it the head of the standard pitch sequence. An edict ordered Zhangsun Shaoyuan to debate the matter in detail; the court then fixed the number at eight. Pei Zheng was appointed Lesser Minister of Works. Emperor Gaozu read the histories and, seeing that King Wu had created the Seven Beginnings after conquering Yin, again wished to abolish the eight-tone system and suspend seven sets, remove Yellow Bell as the principal palace pitch, and use Forest Bell as the leading tone. Zhangsun Shaoyuan memorialized: "The Son of Heaven suspends eight sets of bells and chimes—a practice reaching back to antiquity, shared by a hundred kings and unchanging through the ages. Down to King Wu of Zhou, he merely restored the music of the Seven Beginnings. A careful reading of the canonical texts offers no precedent for abolishing the eight-tone system. Moreover Yellow Bell is the sovereign pitch and the Son of Heaven's proper station; to abolish it now seems impossible to justify." In the end Emperor Gaozu (abolished) [deleted character] implemented the seven-tone system. Just then Zhangsun Shaoyuan fell ill. Unable to present his views in person and fearing that the relevant offices would hastily cut back the instruments, he wrote to Qi Shuzhi of the Music Bureau.
13
澄字士亮。 年十歲，司徒李琰之見而奇之，遂以女妻焉。 十四，從征討，有策謀，勇冠諸將。 及長，容貌魁岸，風儀溫雅。 魏孝武初，除征東將軍、渭州刺史。
Cheng, styled Shiliang. At ten he so impressed Minister over the Masses Li Yanzhi that Li gave him his daughter in marriage. At fourteen he joined campaigns, showed strategic talent, and outstripped the other generals in courage. When grown he was tall and imposing, with a warm and refined bearing. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei's reign he was made General Pacifying the East and Governor of Wei Province.
14
魏文帝嘗與太祖及羣公宴，從容言曰：「《孝經》一卷，人行之本，諸公宜各引要言。」 澄應聲曰：「夙夜匪懈，以事一人。」 座中有人次曰：「匡救其惡。」 旣而出閤，太祖深歎澄之合機，而譴其次答者。
Emperor Wen of Wei once feasted with Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai and the assembled lords and said at ease: "The Classic of Filial Piety in one scroll is the root of human conduct. Gentlemen, each of you should quote a key passage." Cheng answered at once: "Be untiring from morning to night in serving one man." Someone else at the table said: "Rescue him from his evil." After they left the pavilion, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai greatly praised Cheng for hitting the mark and rebuked the man who had answered next.
15
後從太祖援玉壁，又從戰邙山，進位驃騎大將軍、開府。 孝閔踐阼，拜大將軍，封義門公，為玉壁總管。 卒，自喪初至及葬，世宗三臨之。 典祀中大夫宇文容諫曰：「君臨臣喪，自有節制。 今乘輿屢降，恐乖禮典。」 世宗不從。
Later he followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai to relieve Yubi and fought again at Mount Mang; he was raised to Grand General of Fast Cavalry and Opening Office. When Emperor Xiaomin succeeded, he was made Grand General, enfeoffed as Duke of Yimen, and appointed overall commander of Yubi. After his death, from the start of mourning through the burial, Emperor Ming visited three times. Palace Sacrifice Grand Master Yuwen Rong remonstrated: "When a sovereign attends a minister's mourning, ritual sets clear limits. For the imperial carriage to descend so often may violate ritual precedent." Emperor Ming did not listen.
16
澄操履清約，家無餘財。 太祖嘗謂曰：「我於公間，志無所惜，公有所須，宜卽具道。」 澄曰：「澄自頂至足，皆是明公恩造。 卽如今者，實無所須。」 雅對賓客，接引忘疲。 雖不飲酒，而好觀人酣興。 常恐座客請歸，每勅中廚別進異饌，留之止。
Cheng lived plainly and frugally; his household had no surplus wealth. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai once told him: "Between us I hold back nothing. If you need anything, say so at once." Cheng said: "From head to foot I owe everything to your grace. Even now I truly need nothing." He received guests with grace and attended them tirelessly. Though he did not drink himself, he loved watching others in the flush of wine. Fearing guests would ask to leave, he always had the central kitchen send out special dishes to keep them at table.
17
兕字若汗，性機辯，強記博聞，雅重賓游，尤善談論。 從魏孝武西遷。 天和初，累遷驃騎大將軍、開府，遷絳州刺史。
Si, styled Ruohan, was quick and eloquent by nature, with a strong memory and wide learning; he greatly valued guests and fellowship and was especially skilled at conversation. He followed Emperor Xiaowu of Wei on the westward migration. At the beginning of Tianhe, after successive promotions he became Grand General of Fast Cavalry and Opening Office, then was transferred as Governor of Jiang Province.
18
斛斯徵字士亮，河南洛陽人。 父椿，太傅、尚書令。 徵幼聰穎，五歲誦《孝經》、《周易》，識者異之。 及長，博涉羣書，尤精《三禮》，兼解音律。 有至性，居父喪，朝夕共一溢米。 以父勳累遷太常卿。
Hu Sizheng, styled Shiliang, came from Luoyang in Henan. His father Chun was Grand Tutor and Director of the Masters of Writing. From boyhood Hu Sizheng was clever and keen; at five he could recite the Classic of Filial Piety and the Book of Changes, and those who knew him marveled at it. When grown he read widely, mastered the Three Ritual Classics above all, and also understood pitch and rhythm. Deeply filial by nature, in mourning his father he ate only one yi of rice morning and evening. By his father's merit he rose repeatedly to Minister of Ceremonies.
19
自魏孝武西遷，雅樂廢缺，徵博采遺逸，稽諸典故，創新改舊，方始備焉。 又樂有錞于者，近代絕無此器，或有自蜀得之，皆莫之識。 徵見之曰：「此錞于也。」 衆弗之信。 徵遂依干寶《周禮注》以芒筒捋之，其聲極振，衆乃歎服。 徵乃取以合樂焉。 六官建，拜司樂中大夫，進位驃騎大將軍、開府。
After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei's westward migration court music had fallen into ruin; Hu Sizheng gathered what survived, checked it against canonical precedent, and by creating anew and reforming the old at last restored it. Music also includes the chunyu, an instrument long extinct in recent times; when one was brought from Shu, no one recognized it. Hu Sizheng saw it and said: "This is a chunyu." No one believed him. Hu Sizheng then followed Gan Bao's commentary on the Rites of Zhou and struck it with a bamboo tube; the sound rang out powerfully, and the onlookers marveled. He then incorporated it into the court music. When the Six Offices were established he was made Grand Master Director of Music and advanced to Grand General of Fast Cavalry and Opening Office.
20
後高祖以徵治經有師法，詔令教授皇太子。 宣帝時為魯公，與諸皇子等咸服青衿，行束修之禮，受業於徵，仍並呼徵為夫子。 儒者榮之。
Later Emperor Gaozu, finding Hu Sizheng's teaching of the classics authoritative, ordered him to instruct the crown prince. When Emperor Xuan was Duke of Lu, he and the other princes all wore the scholar's blue collar, performed the ceremony of bundled dried meat, studied under Hu Sizheng, and all called him Master. Confucian scholars regarded it as an honor.
21
宣帝嗣位，遷上大將軍、大宗伯。 時高祖初崩，梓宮在殯，帝意欲速葬，令朝臣議之。 徵與內史宇文孝伯等固請依禮七月，帝竟不許。 帝之為太子也，宮尹鄭譯坐不能以正道調護，被謫除名。 而帝雅親愛譯，至是拜譯內史中大夫，甚委任之。 譯乃獻新樂，十二月各一笙，每一笙用十六管。 帝令與徵議之，徵駁而奏，帝頗納焉。 及高祖山陵還，帝欲作樂，復令議其可不。 徵曰：「《孝經》云『聞樂不樂』。 聞尚不樂，其況作乎。」 鄭譯曰：「旣云聞樂，明卽非無。 止可不樂，何容不奏。」 帝遂依譯議。 譯因此銜之。
When Emperor Xuan succeeded, Hu Sizheng was transferred to Upper Grand General and Grand Director of Ceremonies. At that time Emperor Gaozu had just died and the coffin was still in temporary burial; the emperor wished to bury him quickly and ordered the court to debate the matter. Hu Sizheng, Inner Scribe Yuwen Xiaobo, and others firmly asked that the seven-month mourning rite be observed, but the emperor refused. When the emperor had been crown prince, Palace Superintendent Zheng Yi had been demoted and dismissed for failing to guide him properly. But the emperor had long been fond of Zheng Yi; he now made him Inner Scribe Senior Grand Master and entrusted him heavily. Zheng Yi thereupon presented new music: one sheng for each month, each sheng using sixteen pipes. The emperor ordered Hu Sizheng to discuss it with him; Sizheng rebutted the proposal in a memorial, and the emperor largely accepted his view. When the procession returned from Emperor Gaozu's tomb, the emperor wished to perform music and again ordered the court to debate whether it was permissible. Hu Sizheng said: "The Classic of Filial Piety says, 'On hearing music, one is not joyful. If even hearing music brings no joy, how much less should one perform it?" Zheng Yi said: "Since the text says 'hearing music,' music clearly exists. One need only refrain from joy—how can one refuse to perform it altogether?" The emperor then followed Zheng Yi's view. Zheng Yi thereby nursed a grudge against him.
22
帝后肆行非度，昏虐日甚。 徵以荷高祖重恩，嘗備位師傅，若生不能諫，死何以見高祖。 乃上疏極諫，指陳帝失，帝不納。 譯因譖之，遂下徵獄。 獄卒張元哀之，乃以佩刀穿獄牆，遂出之。 元卒被拷而終無所言。 徵遇赦得免。
Thereafter the emperor wantonly overstepped all bounds, and his folly and cruelty grew daily. Hu Sizheng, deeply indebted to Emperor Gaozu and having once served as tutor, thought: if he could not remonstrate while alive, how could he face Emperor Gaozu after death? He then submitted a memorial of fierce remonstrance, listing the emperor's faults; the emperor would not listen. Zheng Yi thereupon slandered him, and Hu Sizheng was thrown into prison. The jailer Zhang Yuan took pity on him, used his girdle knife to break through the prison wall, and got him out. Zhang Yuan was tortured in interrogation but never spoke. Hu Sizheng was spared when an amnesty was declared.
23
隋文踐極，例復官，除太子太傅，詔修撰樂書。 開皇初，薨。 子諺。 徵所撰《樂典》十卷。
When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Hu Sizheng was restored to office by precedent, made Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and ordered to compile a book on music. At the beginning of Kaihuang he died. His son was Yan. Hu Sizheng compiled the Music Canon in ten scrolls.
24
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).