1
厙狄峙楊荐趙剛王慶趙昶王悅趙文表
Biographies of She Dishi, Yang Jian, Zhao Gang, Wang Qing, Zhao Chang, Wang Yue, and Zhao Wenbiao
2
厙狄峙，其先遼東人，本姓段氏，匹磾之後也，因避難改焉。 後徙居代，世為豪右。 祖淩，武威郡守。 父貞，上洛郡守。
She Dishi's ancestors came from Liaodong. The clan had originally borne the surname Duan and descended from Pi Di, but changed their name while fleeing calamity. They later moved to Dai and for generations ranked among the local magnates. His grandfather Ling served as administrator of Wuwei commandery. His father Zhen was administrator of Shangluo commandery.
3
峙少以弘厚知名，善騎射，有謀略。 仕魏，位高陽郡守。 為政仁恕，百姓頗悅之。 孝武西遷，峙乃棄官從入關。 大統元年，拜中書舍人，參掌機密，以恭謹見稱。 遷黃門侍郎。
As a young man Dishi was known for his generous temperament; he was a fine rider and archer and had a strategist's mind. He entered service under Wei and rose to administrator of Gaoyang commandery. His rule was humane and lenient, and the people held him in genuine affection. When Emperor Xiaowu withdrew westward, Dishi resigned his post and followed him through the Pass into Guanzhong. In the first year of Datong he was made a palace secretariat attendant, given a share in confidential state business, and won praise for his respectful discretion. He was promoted to gentleman attendant at the Yellow Gate.
4
時與東魏爭衡，戎馬不息，蠕蠕乘虛，屢為邊患。 朝議欲結和親，乃使峙往。 峙狀貌魁梧，善於辭令。 蠕蠕主雅信重之，自是不復為寇。 太祖謂峙曰：「昔魏絳和戎，見稱前史。 以君方之，彼有愧色。」 封高邑縣公，邑八百戶。 遷驃騎將軍、岐州刺史，加散騎常侍，增邑二百戶，開府儀同三司。 恭帝元年，征拜侍中。
Eastern Wei and the western court were then locked in rivalry, warfare never ceased, and the Rouran took advantage of the opening to raid the frontier again and again. The court resolved to seek a marriage alliance and dispatched Dishi on the mission. Dishi was tall and imposing and gifted in diplomatic speech. The Rouran khan came to trust and esteem him deeply, and from that time they ceased their border raids. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai told Dishi, "In antiquity Wei Jiang reconciled the Rong tribes and won renown in the histories of the past. Set beside you, those earlier men would blush with shame." He was enfeoffed as duke of Gaoyi county with eight hundred households. He was promoted to general of fast cavalry and inspector of Qi Province, made regular attendant of scattered cavalry, given two hundred additional fief households, and granted the privileges of an office equal to the Three Excellencies. In the first year of Emperor Gong he was summoned to court and made palace attendant.
5
蠕蠕滅後，突厥強盛，雖與文帝通好，而外連齊氏。 太祖又令峙銜命喻之。 突厥感悟，卽執齊使，歸諸京師。 錄前後功，拜大將軍、安豐郡公，邑通前二千戶。 尋除小司空。
After the fall of the Rouran the Turks rose in strength; though they kept up friendly ties with Yuwen Tai, they also maintained an outward alliance with Qi. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai again sent Dishi with imperial orders to remonstrate with them. The Turks took his words to heart, seized the Qi envoys at once, and sent them to the capital. In recognition of his past and recent service he was made grand general and duke of Anfeng commandery, with a combined fief of two thousand households. Before long he was appointed minor minister of works.
6
孝閔踐阼，轉小司寇。 世宗初，為都督益潼等三十一州諸軍事、益州刺史。 峙性寬和，尚清靜，甚為夷獠所安。 保定四年，除 （宣） 〔宜〕州刺史。 天和三年，入為少師。 峙以年老，表乞骸骨，手詔許之。 五年，卒。 贈同州刺史。 諡曰定。
When Emperor Xiaomin came to the throne he was made minor minister of justice. Early in Emperor Shizong's reign he was made area commander over the military affairs of thirty-one provinces including Yi and Tong, and inspector of Yi Province. Dishi was even-tempered and fond of quiet governance, and the tribal peoples of the region found deep reassurance under his rule. In Baoding year 4 he was made [emended: Yi] governor of Yi Province. In the third year of Tianhe he was recalled to court and made junior preceptor. Dishi, feeling the weight of his years, submitted a memorial asking to retire; the emperor answered with a personal edict granting his request. He died in the fifth year. After his death he was posthumously made inspector of Tong Province. He was given the posthumous name Ding.
7
子嶷嗣。 少知名，起家吏部上士。 歷小內史、小納言，授開府階，遷職方中大夫，為蔡州刺史。 卒於官。 子授嗣。
His son Ni succeeded to his rank. Ni was known from youth and entered service as a senior clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. He served as junior palace secretary and junior remonstrance officer, received the rank of an office equal to the Three Excellencies, rose to central director in the Bureau of Appointments, and was made inspector of Cai Province. He died while holding office. His son Shou succeeded him.
8
楊荐字承略，秦郡寧夷人也。 父寶，昌平郡守。 荐幼孤，早有名譽。 性廉謹，喜怒不形於色。 魏永安中，隨爾朱天光入關討羣賊，封高邑縣男。 文帝臨夏州，補帳內都督。 及平侯莫陳悅，使荐入洛陽請事。 魏孝武帝授文帝關西大行臺，仍除荐直閤將軍。 時馮翊長公主嫠居，孝武意欲歸諸文帝，乃令武衛元毘喻旨。 荐歸白，文帝又遣荐入洛陽請之。 孝武卽許焉。 孝武欲向關中，荐贊成其計。 孝武曰：「卿歸語行臺迎我。」 文帝又遣荐與長史宇文測出關候接。 孝武至長安，進爵清水縣子。
Yang Jian, courtesy name Chenglüe, came from Ningyi in Qin commandery. His father Bao served as administrator of Changping commandery. Jian was orphaned young but early won a name for himself. He was upright and cautious by nature, and neither pleasure nor anger showed in his countenance. During Wei's Yongan era he followed Erzhu Tianguang through the Pass to suppress rebels and was enfeoffed baron of Gaoyi county. When Yuwen Tai assumed command at Xia Province, Jian was made an adjutant in his personal staff. After the defeat of Houmochen Yue, Yuwen Tai sent Jian to Luoyang to report on affairs. Emperor Xiaowu of Wei appointed Yuwen Tai grand field secretariat of the Western Pass and at the same time made Jian general of the direct guard. The Princess of Fengyi was then living in widowhood, and Emperor Xiaowu wished to give her to Yuwen Tai in marriage; he therefore had Military Guard Yuan Pi convey his intent. Jian returned and reported back; Yuwen Tai then sent him again to Luoyang to ask for her hand. Emperor Xiaowu at once consented. When Emperor Xiaowu resolved to withdraw into Guanzhong, Jian helped bring the plan to fruition. Emperor Xiaowu said, "Go back and tell the field secretariat to come and fetch me." Yuwen Tai then sent Jian with chief clerk Yuwen Ce through the Pass to welcome him. After Emperor Xiaowu reached Chang'an, Jian was promoted to viscount of Qingshui county.
9
魏大統元年，蠕蠕請和親。 文帝遣荐與楊寬使，幷結婚而還。 進爵為侯。 又使荐納幣於蠕蠕。 魏文帝郁久閭后崩，文帝遣僕射趙善使蠕蠕更請婚。 善至夏州，聞蠕蠕貳於東魏，欲執使者。 善懼，乃還。 文帝乃使荐往，賜黃金十斤、雜彩三百疋。 荐至蠕蠕，責其背惠食言，幷論結婚之意。 蠕蠕感悟，乃遣使隨荐報命焉。
In the first year of Wei's Datong era the Rouran sought a marriage alliance. Yuwen Tai sent Jian with Yang Kuan as envoys; they concluded the marriage and returned together. He was promoted to marquis. Yuwen Tai again sent Jian to the Rouran to present betrothal gifts. After the death of Empress Yujiulü, Yuwen Tai sent vice director Zhao Shan to the Rouran to renew the marriage request. When Shan reached Xia Province he learned that the Rouran had turned toward Eastern Wei and meant to seize the envoys. Fearing for his life, Shan turned back. Yuwen Tai then sent Jian in his place, granting him ten catties of gold and three hundred bolts of mixed silks. When Jian reached the Rouran he rebuked them for betraying past kindness and breaking their word, and laid out once more the purpose of the marriage alliance. The Rouran took his words to heart and sent envoys back with him to report to the court.
10
及侯景來附，文帝令荐與鎮遏。 荐知景翻覆，遂求還，具陳事實。 文帝乃遣使密追助景之兵。 尋而景叛。
When Hou Jing defected to the western court, Yuwen Tai ordered Jian to garrison the area and keep him in check. Jian saw that Hou Jing was treacherous and unreliable, asked to be recalled, and laid out the facts in full. Yuwen Tai then secretly sent envoys to recall the troops supporting Hou Jing. Before long Hou Jing rebelled.
11
十六年，大軍東討。 文帝恐蠕蠕乘虛寇掠，乃遣荐往更論和好，以安慰之。 進使持節、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，加侍中。
In the sixteenth year the main army marched east on campaign. Fearing the Rouran would exploit the opening to raid while the army was away, Yuwen Tai sent Jian again to renew friendly relations and reassure them. He was promoted to envoy bearing the staff, grand general of fast cavalry, and the privileges of an office equal to the Three Excellencies, with the added title of palace attendant.
12
孝閔帝踐阼，除御伯大夫，進爵姚谷縣公。 仍使突厥結婚。 突厥可汗弟地頭可汗阿史那庫頭居東面，與齊通和，說其兄欲背先約。 計謀已定，將以荐等送齊。 荐知其意，乃正色責之，辭氣慷慨，涕泗橫流。 可汗慘然良久曰：「幸無所疑，當共平東賊，然後發遣我女。」 乃令荐先報命，仍請東討。 以奉使稱旨，遷大將軍。 保定四年，又納幣於突厥。 還，行小司馬，又行大司徒。 從陳公純等逆女於突厥，進爵南安郡公。 天和三年，遷總管、梁州刺史。 後以疾卒。
When Emperor Xiaomin came to the throne he was made grand master of the imperial clan and promoted to duke of Yaogu county. He was again sent to the Turks to arrange a marriage alliance. The khan's younger brother, the eastern tegin Ashina Kutou, held the east and was on friendly terms with Qi; he urged his brother to break the prior pact. The plan was already fixed: Jian and his party were to be handed over to Qi. Reading their intent, Jian rebuked them to their faces with fierce dignity, his voice ringing with passion until tears streamed down his cheeks. The khan, visibly shaken, was silent a long while, then said, "Put your doubts aside—we will join forces against the eastern enemy, and only then will I send my daughter on her way." He had Jian return with the reply first and asked that an eastern expedition be launched. For fulfilling the imperial commission so ably he was promoted to grand general. In Baoding year 4 he again went to the Turks to present betrothal gifts. After his return he served concurrently as minor minister of war and grand minister of education. He accompanied Duke of Chen Chun and others to fetch the bride from the Turks and was promoted to duke of Nan'an commandery. In the third year of Tianhe he was made area commander and inspector of Liang Province. He later died of illness.
13
趙剛字僧慶，河南洛陽人也。 曾祖蔚，魏幷州刺史。 祖寧，高平太守。 父和，太平中，陵江將軍，南討度淮，聞父喪，輒還。 所司將致之於法，和曰：「罔極之恩，終天莫報。 若許安厝，禮畢而卽罪戮，死且無恨。」 言訖號慟，悲感傍人。 主司以聞，遂宥之。 喪畢，除寧遠將軍。 大統初，追贈右將軍、膠州刺史。
Zhao Gang, courtesy name Sengqing, came from Luoyang in Henan. His great-grandfather Wei had served Wei as inspector of Bing Province. His grandfather Ning was administrator of Gaoping. His father He, during the Taiping era, was general who crosses the Yangtze; while campaigning south of the Huai he heard of his father's death and turned back at once. The authorities were about to punish him, but He said, "A parent's boundless grace can never be repaid in a lifetime. If you allow me to bury him properly, I will submit to punishment the moment the rites are done, and go to my death without regret. He finished speaking and broke into wailing sobs that moved all who stood near. The chief official reported the matter, and he was pardoned. After the mourning period he was made general of distant pacification. Early in the Datong era he was posthumously made general of the right and inspector of Jiao Province.
14
剛少機辯，有幹能。 起家奉朝請。 累遷鎮東將軍、銀青光祿大夫，歷大行臺郎中、征東將軍，加金紫階，領司徒府從事中郎，加閤內都督。 及魏孝武與齊神武構隙，剛密奉旨召東荊州刺史馮景昭率兵赴闕。 未及發，而神武已逼洛陽，孝武西遷。 景昭集府僚文武，議其去就。 司馬馮道和請據州待北方處分。 剛曰：「公宜勒兵赴行在所。」 久之更無言者。 剛抽刀投地曰：「公若為忠臣，可斬道和； 如欲從賊，可見殺。」 景昭感悟，遂率衆赴關右。 屬侯景逼穰城，東荊州人楊祖歡等起兵應景，以其衆邀景昭於路。 景昭戰敗，剛遂沒於蠻。 後自贖免。 乃見東魏東荊州刺史李魔憐，勸令歸關西。 魔憐納之，使剛至幷州密觀事勢。 神武引剛內宴，因令剛齎書申勅荊州。 剛還報魔憐，仍說魔憐斬祖歡等，以州歸西。 魔憐乃使剛入朝。
Gang was quick-witted and capable from youth. He entered service as attendant at court. He rose through repeated promotions to general who pacifies the east and grand master with the silver seal and blue ribbon, served as director in the grand field secretariat and general who campaigns east, received the gold-and-purple rank, became attendant gentleman in the Ministry of Education, and was made inner headquarters adjutant. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei and Gao Huan fell out, Gang secretly received orders to summon Feng Jingzhao, inspector of Eastern Jing Province, to lead troops to the capital. Before they could march, Gao Huan had already closed on Luoyang and Emperor Xiaowu withdrew westward. Jingzhao gathered his civil and military staff to debate their course. Chief administrator Feng Daohe urged holding the province and waiting for orders from the north. Gang said, "Your lordship should muster troops and go to the emperor's camp." A long silence followed. Gang drew his sword, threw it to the ground, and said, "If you mean to stay loyal, strike Daohe down; if you mean to follow the rebel, kill me instead." Jingzhao took his point and led his men west of the Pass. Just then Hou Jing pressed Xiangcheng; Yang Zuhuan of Eastern Jing and others rose for Hou Jing and waylaid Jingzhao on the road. Jingzhao was beaten in battle and Gang fell into barbarian hands. He later ransomed himself and went free. He then saw Li Molian, Eastern Wei inspector of Eastern Jing, and urged him to return to the western court. Molian agreed and sent Gang to Bing Province to watch affairs in secret. Gao Huan entertained Gang at a private banquet and had him carry letters with imperial orders to Jing Province. Gang returned to Molian and again urged him to execute Zu Huan and the others and surrender the province to the west. Molian then sent Gang to court.
15
大統初，剛於霸上見太祖，具陳關東情實。 太祖嘉之，封陽邑縣子，邑三百戶，除車騎將軍、左光祿大夫。 論復東荊州功，進爵臨汝縣伯，邑五百戶。
Early in Datong, at Bashang, Gang saw Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai and laid out in full what was happening east of the Pass. Yuwen Tai praised him, enfeoffed him as viscount of Yangyi with three hundred households, and made him general of chariots and cavalry and left grand master of splendid happiness. For recovering Eastern Jing Province he was promoted to baron of Linru with five hundred households.
16
初，賀拔勝、獨孤信以孝武西遷之後，並流寓江左。 至是剛言於魏文帝，請追而復之。 乃以剛為兼給事黃門侍郎，使梁魏興，齎移書與其梁州刺史杜懷寶等論鄰好，幷致請勝等移書。 寶卽與剛盟歃，受移赴建康，仍遣行人隨剛報命。 是年，又詔剛使三荊，聽在所便宜從事。 使還，稱旨，進爵武城縣侯，除大丞相府帳內都督。 復使魏興，重申前命。 尋而梁人禮送賀拔勝、獨孤信等。
After Emperor Xiaowu withdrew west, Heba Sheng and Dugu Xin had both been living in exile south of the Yangtze. Gang now asked Emperor Wen of Wei to recall them and restore them to service. Gang was made concurrent supervisor in the attendant-in-ordinary's office at the Yellow Gate and sent to Liang's Wei Xing with letters to Liang inspector Du Huaibao and others on neighborly relations, and with the request to return Sheng and the others. Huaibao at once swore alliance with Gang, took the letters to Jiankang, and sent an envoy back with Gang to report. That year an edict again sent Gang on mission to the three Jing regions with authority to act as local conditions required. When he returned with the mission and satisfied the court, he was promoted to marquis of Wucheng and made adjutant in the grand chancellor's personal staff. He was sent again to Wei Xing to renew the earlier orders. Before long Liang courteously sent Heba Sheng, Dugu Xin, and the others on their way.
17
頃之，御史中尉董紹進策，請圖梁漢。 以紹為行臺、梁州刺史，率士馬向漢中。 剛以為不可，而朝議已決，遂出軍。 詔竟無功而還，免為庶人。 除剛潁川郡守，加通直散騎常侍、衛大將軍。
Soon afterward censor-in-chief Dong Shao submitted a plan to strike Liang's Han region. Shao was made mobile headquarters commissioner and inspector of Liang Province and led troops toward Hanzhong. Gang thought the plan unsound, but the court had already decided; the army marched anyway. The expedition returned without success by imperial order, and Shao was stripped of rank and reduced to commoner status. Gang was made administrator of Yingchuan, with the added titles direct regular attendant of scattered cavalry and guard grand general.
18
從復弘農。 進拜大都督、東道軍司，節度開府李延孫等七軍，攻復陽城，擒太守王智納。 轉陳留郡守。 東魏行臺吉寧率衆三萬攻陷郡城，剛突出，還保潁川，重行郡事。 復為侯景所破，乃率餘衆赴洛陽。 大行臺元海遣剛還郡徵糧。 時景衆已入潁川，剛於西界招復陽翟二萬戶，轉輸送洛。 明年，洛陽不守。 剛遠隔敵中，連戰破東魏廣州刺史李仲侃。 時侯景別帥陸太、潁川郡守高沖等衆八千人，寇襄城等五郡。 剛簡步騎五百，大破沖等。 開府李延孫為長史楊伯簡所害，剛擊斬之。 又攻拔廣州，進軍陽翟。 侯景自鄴入魯陽，與剛接戰。 旬有三日，旋軍宜陽。 時河南城邑，一彼一此。 剛復出軍伊、洛，侯景亦度河築城。 剛前後下景三郡，獲郡守一人，別破其行臺梅遷，斬首千餘級。 除尚書金部郎中。 高仲密以北豫州來附，兼大行臺左丞，持節赴潁川節度義軍。 師還，剛別破侯景前驅于南陸，復獲其郡守二人。
He took part in recovering Hongnong. He was promoted to grand area commander and eastern-route army secretary, put in command of seven armies including Li Yansun's, retook Yangcheng, and captured administrator Wang Zhina. He was transferred to administrator of Chenliu commandery. Eastern Wei mobile headquarters commissioner Ji Ning took thirty thousand men, captured the commandery seat, and Gang broke out, fell back on Yingchuan, and resumed commandery duties. Hou Jing defeated him again, and he led his survivors to Luoyang. Grand mobile headquarters commissioner Yuan Hai sent Gang back to the commandery to levy grain. By then Hou Jing's troops had entered Yingchuan; on the western border Gang rallied twenty thousand households at Yangdi and shipped provisions to Luoyang. The next year Luoyang fell. Cut off deep in enemy country, Gang fought again and again and defeated Eastern Wei Guang inspector Li Zhongkan. At that time Hou Jing's lieutenant Lu Tai, Yingchuan administrator Gao Chong, and others with eight thousand men raided five commanderies including Xiangcheng. Gang picked five hundred infantry and cavalry and routed Gao Chong and his force. Li Yansun was murdered by his chief clerk Yang Bojian; Gang attacked and killed Bojian. He took Guang Province again and advanced on Yangdi. Hou Jing came from Ye into Luyang and gave battle to Gang. They fought for thirteen days; then Gang withdrew toward Yiyang. Henan's towns and cities were then divided between the two sides. Gang campaigned again along the Yi and Luo; Hou Jing also crossed the river and built forts. In repeated operations Gang took three of Hou Jing's commanderies, captured one administrator, and separately routed Hou Jing's mobile headquarters under Mei Qian, taking more than a thousand heads. He was made secretary in the gold bureau of the Ministry of Works. When Gao Zhongmi defected with North Yuzhou, Gang was concurrently made left assistant of the grand mobile headquarters, bore the staff to Yingchuan, and coordinated the loyalist forces. On the army's return Gang separately routed Hou Jing's vanguard at Nanlu and captured two more commandery administrators.
19
時有流言傳剛東叛，齊神武因設反間，聲遣迎接。 剛乃率騎襲其下塢，拔之，露板言狀。 太祖知剛無貳，乃加賞賚焉。 除營州刺史，進爵為公，增邑二百戶，加大都督、車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍。
Rumors then spread that Gang had gone over to the east; Gao Huan set a counterplot and openly announced he would send men to welcome him. Gang led cavalry against their lower stockade, took it, and posted a public notice explaining what had happened. Yuwen Tai knew Gang was loyal and added rewards and gifts. He was made inspector of Ying Province, promoted to duke with two hundred additional fief households, and given the titles grand area commander, grand general of chariots and cavalry, equal in honor to the Three Excellencies, and regular attendant of scattered cavalry.
20
（漕） 〔渭〕州民鄭五醜構逆，與叛羌傍乞鐵匆相應，令剛往鎮之。 將發，魏文帝引見內寢，舉觴屬剛曰：「昔侯景在東，為卿所困。 黠羌小豎，豈足勞卿謀慮也。」 時五醜已剋定夷鎮，所在立柵。 剛至，竝攻破之，散其黨與。 五醜於是西奔鐵怱。 剛又進破鐵匆偽廣寧郡。 屬宇文貴等西討，詔以剛行渭州事，資給糧餼。 鐵匆平，所獲羌卒千人，配剛軍中，教以戎旅，皆盡其力用。 加驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，入為光祿卿。 六官建，拜膳部中大夫。
[emended: Ying] When the people of Wei Province, led by Zheng Wuchou, rebelled in concert with the rebel Qiang Pangqi Tiecong, Gang was ordered to go and pacify the region. Before he set out, Emperor Wen of Wei received him in the inner chambers, raised a cup, and told him, "You once had Hou Jing trapped in the east. These crafty Qiang upstarts are hardly worth your strategic attention." By then Wuchou had already taken Yizhen and stockades had gone up everywhere. When Gang arrived he stormed them one after another and broke up their bands. Wuchou then fled west to Tiecong. Gang advanced again and destroyed Tiecong's puppet Guangning commandery. When Yuwen Gui and others marched west, an edict put Gang in charge of Wei Province affairs and supplied his grain and provisions. After Tiecong was pacified, a thousand Qiang captives were assigned to Gang's army; drilled in military service, all gave their full strength. He received the added titles grand general of fast cavalry and opener of the way equal in honor to the Three Excellencies, and entered court as minister of splendid happiness. When the Six Offices were established he was made grand master in the Food Bureau.
21
孝閔帝踐阼，進爵浮陽郡公。 出為利州總管、利沙方渠四州諸軍事。 沙州氐恃險逆命，剛再討服之。 方州生獠自此始從賦役。 剛以偽信州濱江負阻，遠連殊俗，蠻左強獷，曆世不賓，乃表請討之。 詔剛率利沙等十四州兵，兼督儀同十人、馬步一萬往經略焉。 仍加授渠州刺史。 剛初至，渠帥憚其軍威，相次降款。 後以剛師出踰年，士卒疲弊，尋復亡叛。 後遂以無功而還。 又與所部儀同尹才失和，被徵赴闕。 遇疾，卒於路。 年五十七。 贈 （忠） 〔中〕淅涿三州刺史。 諡曰成。 子元卿嗣。
When Emperor Xiaomin came to the throne he was promoted to duke of Fuyang commandery. He went out as area commander of Li, with military authority over Li, Sha, Fang, and Qu provinces. The Di of Sha Province relied on difficult terrain and defied orders; Gang subdued them in two campaigns. From then on the raw Liao of Fang Province began to accept taxation and corvée labor. Gang, finding that the puppet Xin Province lay on the river behind natural barriers, linked to distant tribes, and held fierce tribal peoples who had never submitted for generations, memorialized asking to campaign against it. An edict ordered Gang to lead troops from fourteen provinces including Li and Sha, with ten officers equal to the Three Excellencies and ten thousand horse and foot under his command, to pacify the region. He was also made inspector of Qu Province. When Gang first arrived the Qu chieftains feared his army and surrendered one after another. Later, with his army in the field more than a year, the troops grew exhausted; soon they deserted and rebelled again. In the end he returned without success. He also quarreled with Yi Cai, one of his officers equal to the Three Excellencies, and was recalled to court. He fell ill on the way and died on the road. He was fifty-seven. Posthumously he was made [emended: Zhong] inspector of the three provinces Zhong, Xi, and Zhuo. He was given the posthumous name Cheng. His son Yuanqing succeeded him.
22
王慶字興慶，太原祁人也。 父因，魏靈州刺史、懷德縣公。
Wang Qing, courtesy name Xingqing, came from Qi in Taiyuan. His father Yin had served Wei as inspector of Ling Province and duke of Huaide county.
23
初，突厥與周和親，許納女為后。 而齊人知之，懼成合從之勢，亦遣使求婚，財饋甚厚。 突厥貪其重賂，便許之。 朝議以魏氏昔與蠕蠕結婚，遂為齊人離貳。 今者復恐改變，欲遣使結之。 遂授慶左武伯，副楊荐為使。 是歲，遂興入幷之役。 慶乃引突厥騎，與隨公楊忠至太原而還。 以齊人許送皇姑及世母，朝廷遂與通和。 突厥聞之，復致疑阻，於是又遣慶往喻之。 可汗感悅，結好如初。 五年，復與宇文貴使突厥逆女。 自此，以慶信著北蕃，頻歲出使。
At first the Turks and Northern Zhou were allied by marriage, and the Turks had promised a daughter as empress. When Qi learned of this, fearing a joint alliance, it too sent envoys to seek marriage with lavish gifts. The Turks, coveting the rich bribes, agreed at once. The court recalled that the Wei had once married the Rouran and that Qi had exploited the breach to divide them. Now they feared another change and wished to send envoys to bind the Turks. Qing was therefore made left military chief and sent as deputy to Yang Jian on the mission. That year the court launched the campaign into Bing. Qing led Turk cavalry and, with Duke of Sui Yang Zhong, reached Taiyuan and returned. Because Qi promised to send back the emperor's paternal aunt and the empress dowager, the court opened peace talks with Qi. The Turks heard of this, grew suspicious and obstructive again, and Qing was sent once more to explain. The khan was pleased and moved; friendly relations were restored as before. In the fifth year he again went with Yuwen Gui as envoy to the Turks to escort the bride home. Thereafter Wang Qing's reliability made him famous on the northern frontier, and he was sent on embassy year after year.
24
後更至突厥，屬其可汗暴殂，突厥謂慶曰：「前後使來，逢我國喪者，皆剺面表哀。 況今二國和親，豈得不行此事。」 慶抗辭不從，突厥見其守正，卒不敢逼。 武帝聞而嘉之。 錄慶前後使功，遷開府儀同三司、兵部大夫，進爵為公。
When he later returned to the Turks, their khan had died suddenly. The Turks told Qing, "Earlier envoys who came during our national mourning all gashed their faces to show grief. Now that our two states are allied by marriage, how can you refuse to do the same?" Qing stood firm and refused. Seeing that he would not bend, the Turks in the end did not dare force him. Emperor Wu heard of it and praised him. The court recorded Qing's service on his successive embassies and promoted him to opener of the Way with the Three Precedences and grandee of the Ministry of War, raising him to duke.
25
歷丹、中二州刺史。 為政嚴肅，吏不敢欺。 大象元年，授小司徒，加上大將軍、總管汾石二州五鎮諸軍事、汾州刺史。 又除延州總管，進位柱國。 開皇元年，進爵平昌郡公。 卒於鎮。 贈上柱國，諡曰莊。 子淹嗣。
He governed Dan and Zhong prefectures in succession. He governed with stern dignity, and his subordinates did not dare cheat him. In the first year of Daxiang he was made junior minister of education, given the added titles of senior grand general and area commander of military affairs for Fen and Shi prefectures and five garrisons, and appointed governor of Fen Prefecture. He was also made area commander of Yan Province and raised to pillar of state. In the first year of Kaihuang he was raised to Duke of Pingchang commandery. He died while holding his post. He was posthumously made senior pillar of state and given the posthumous title Zhuang. His son Yan succeeded him.
26
趙昶字長舒，天水南安人也。 曾祖襄，仕魏至中山郡守，因家於代。 祖泓，廣武令。 父琛，上洛郡守。
Zhao Chang, courtesy name Changshu, came from Nan'an in Tianshui commandery. His great-grandfather Xiang served Wei as governor of Zhongshan commandery and settled the family in Dai. His grandfather Hong was magistrate of Guangwu county. His father Chen had governed Shangluo commandery.
27
昶少聰敏，有志節。 弱冠，以材力聞。 孝昌中，起家拜都督，鎮小平津。 魏北中郎將高千甚敬重之。 千牧兗州，以昶行臨渙、北梁二郡事。 大統初，千還鎮陝，又以昶為長史、中軍都督。 太祖平弘農，擢為相府典簽。
From youth Zhao Chang was clever and keen, with firm resolve and integrity. Once he came of age he was known for talent and physical prowess. During the Xiaochang era he entered office as a commander and was posted to garrison Xiaoping Ford. Gao Qian, Northern Wei's general of the center army, held him in great esteem. When Gao Qian governed Yan Province, he put Chang in charge of Linhuan and Beiliang commanderies. At the opening of Datong, when Gao Qian returned to garrison Shaan, he again made Chang his chief clerk and central army commander. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai pacified Hongnong, Chang was promoted to records officer of the chancellor's headquarters.
28
大統九年，大軍失律於邙山，清水氐酋李鼠仁自軍逃還，憑險作亂。 隴右大都督獨孤信頻遣軍擊之，不克。 太祖將討之，欲先遣觀其勢。 顧問誰可為。 左右莫對。 昶曰：「此小豎爾，以公威，孰不聽命。」 太祖壯之，遂令昶使焉。 昶見鼠仁，喻以禍福。 羣凶聚議，或從或否。 其逆命者，復將加刃於昶。 而昶神色自若，志氣彌厲。 鼠仁感悟，遂相率降。 氐梁道顯叛，攻南由。 太祖復遣昶慰諭之，道顯等皆卽款附。 東秦州刺史魏光因徙其豪帥四十餘人幷部落於華州，太祖卽以昶為都督領之。
In the ninth year of Datong the main army was routed at Mount Mang; Qingshui Di chieftain Li Shuren deserted and, holding difficult ground, rebelled. Dugu Xin, great governor-general of Longyou, repeatedly sent troops against him but could not defeat him. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai planned to campaign against him and wanted first to send someone to assess the enemy's strength. He asked who could go. No one around him spoke up. Chang said, "This petty upstart — with your authority, who would dare refuse?" Yuwen Tai admired his boldness and sent Chang as envoy. Chang met Li Shuren and explained the consequences of submission and rebellion. The rebel leaders met to discuss the matter; some agreed, some refused. Those who resisted were again about to kill Chang. Yet Chang remained calm in face and spirit, and his resolve only hardened. Li Shuren was moved and led his followers in surrender. The Di chieftain Liang Daoxian rebelled and attacked Nanyou. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai again sent Chang to reassure them, and Daoxian and the others submitted at once. Eastern Qin Province inspector Wei Guang had moved more than forty tribal chiefs and their clans to Hua Province; Yuwen Tai then made Chang commander over them.
29
先是，汾州胡叛，再遣昶慰勞之，皆知其虛實。 及大軍往討，昶為先驅，遂破之。 以功封章武縣伯，邑五百戶。
Earlier, when the Hu of Fen Province rebelled, Chang had twice been sent to comfort them, so he knew their real strength and disposition. When the main army marched to suppress them, Chang led the van and routed them. For his service he was enfeoffed Baron of Zhangwu county with a fief of five hundred households.
30
十五年，拜安夷郡守，帶長虵鎮將。 氐族荒獷，世號難治，昶威懷以禮，莫不悅服。 期歲之後，樂從軍者千餘人。 加授帥都督。 時屬軍機，科發切急，氐情難之，復相率謀叛。 昶又潛遣誘說，離間其情，因其攜貳，遂輕往臨之。 羣氐不知所為，咸來見昶。 乃收其首逆者二十餘人斬之，餘衆遂定。 朝廷嘉之，除大都督，行南秦州事。 時氐帥蓋鬧等反，昶復討擒之。 進撫軍將軍，加通直散騎常侍，又與史寧破宕昌羌、獠二十餘萬。 拜武州刺史、車騎大將軍、儀同三司、諸州軍事。
In the fifteenth year he was made governor of Anyi commandery and concurrently commander of Chang'ao Garrison. The Di were wild and fierce and had long been considered hard to govern; Zhao Chang won them with authority and kindness, and all submitted gladly. Within a year more than a thousand men willingly joined the army. He was additionally made commander-in-chief. Military demands were pressing and conscription was severe; the Di found it unbearable and again plotted rebellion. Chang again sent secret envoys to win men over and sow division; when their loyalties split, he went in person with only a light escort. The Di did not know what to do and all came to see Zhao Chang. He then seized more than twenty ringleaders and executed them, and the rest of the people settled down. The court commended him and made him great commander with acting authority over Southern Qin Province. When the Di chieftain Gai Nao and others rebelled, Chang campaigned against them again and captured them. He was promoted to general who pacifies the army, given the added rank of regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, and with Shi Ning defeated more than two hundred thousand Dangchang Qiang and Liao. He was made governor of Wu Province, chariot-and-horse grand general, opener of the Way with the Three Precedences, and commander of military affairs for the prefectures.
31
魏恭帝初，加驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。 潭水羌叛，殺武陵、潭水二郡守。 昶率儀同駱天义等騎步五千討平之。
At the opening of Emperor Gong of Wei's reign he was given the added ranks of swift-cavalry grand general and opener of the Way with the Three Precedences. Tanshui Qiang rose in revolt and slew the governors of Wuling and Tanshui. Chang led Luo Tianyi and other openers of the way with five thousand cavalry and infantry to suppress them.
32
世宗初，鳳州人仇周貢、魏興等反，自號周公，有衆八千人。 破廣化郡，攻沒諸縣，分兵西入，圍廣業、修城二郡。 廣業郡守薛爽、修城郡守杜杲等請昶為援。 昶遣使報杲，為周貢党樊伏興等所獲。 興等知昶將至，解修城圍，據泥功嶺，設六伏以待昶。 昶至，遂遇其伏，合戰，破之。 廣業之圍亦解。 昶追之至泥陽川而還。 興州人段吒及氐酋薑多復反，攻沒郡縣，昶討斬之。 語在《氐傳》。
At the opening of Emperor Shizong's reign, Qiu Zhougong and Wei Xing of Feng Province rebelled, styled themselves Duke Zhou, and mustered eight thousand followers. They overran Guanghua commandery, seized the counties, sent detachments west, and besieged Guangye and Xiucheng commanderies. Guangye governor Xue Shuang, Xiucheng governor Du Guo, and others asked Zhao Chang for relief. Chang sent an envoy to answer Du Guo, but Fan Fuxing and other Zhougong partisans captured him. Learning that Chang was coming, Fan Fuxing and his men lifted the siege of Xiucheng, held Nigong Ridge, and laid six ambushes for him. When Chang arrived he walked into the ambush, fought, and routed them. The siege of Guangye was lifted as well. Chang pursued them to the Niyang River and then withdrew. Duan Tuo of Xing Province and the Di chieftain Jiang Duo rebelled again, overran commanderies and counties, and were suppressed and beheaded by Chang. The account is given in the Biography of the Di.
33
昶自以被拔擢居將帥之任，傾心下士。 虜獲氐、羌，撫而使之，皆為昶盡力。 太祖常曰：「不煩國家士馬而能威服氐、羌者，趙昶有之矣。」 至是，世宗錄前後功，進爵長道郡公，賜姓宇文氏，賞勞甚厚。 二年，徵拜賓部中大夫，行吏部。 尋以疾卒。
Having been raised to command, Zhao Chang devoted himself wholeheartedly to the men under him. Captured Di and Qiang he treated kindly and employed, and all fought their hardest for him. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai often said, "Without costing the state soldiers and horses, yet able to awe the Di and Qiang into submission — only Zhao Chang can do that." At this point Emperor Shizong recorded his past and present service, raised him to Duke of Changdao commandery, granted him the surname Yuwen, and rewarded him lavishly. In the second year he was summoned to court as grandee of the Guest Department with acting authority in the Ministry of Personnel. He soon died of illness.
34
王悅字衆喜，京兆藍田人也。 少有氣幹，為州里所稱。 魏永安中，爾朱天光西討，引悅為其府騎兵參軍，除石安令。
Wang Yue, courtesy name Zhongxi, came from Lantian in Jingzhao commandery. From youth he had force of character and was respected in his home district. During Wei's Yongan era, when Erzhu Tianguang marched west, he recruited Wang Yue as cavalry adjutant in his headquarters and made him magistrate of Shi'an county.
35
十三年，侯景據河南來附，仍請兵為援。 太祖先遣韋法保、賀蘭願德等帥衆助之。 悅言於太祖曰：「侯景之於高歡，始則篤鄉黨之情，末乃定君臣之契，位居上將，職重台司，論其分義，有同魚水。 今歡始死，景便離貳。 豈不知君臣之道有虧，忠義之禮不足？ 蓋其所圖旣大，不恤小嫌。 然尚能背德於高氏，豈肯盡節於朝廷。 今若益之以勢，援之以兵，非唯侯景不為池中之物，亦恐朝廷貽笑將來也。」 太祖納之，乃遣行臺郎中趙士憲追法保等，而景尋叛。
In the thirteenth year Hou Jing held Henan and submitted to the court, still asking for troops as reinforcements. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai first sent Wei Fabao, Helan Yuande, and others to lead troops to his aid. Wang Yue told Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, "Hou Jing's tie to Gao Huan began as the warm affection of fellow townsmen and ended as a true lord-and-subject bond. He held the highest general's rank and the weightiest court office; in duty and trust they were like fish and water. Now that Huan has just died, Jing has already turned disloyal. Does he not see that the bond between lord and subject is broken and the rites of loyalty and righteousness count for nothing? It is simply that his ambitions are already vast and he does not care about lesser slights. Yet if he can betray the Gao clan, how would he serve the court with full loyalty? If we now strengthen his position and reinforce him with troops, Hou Jing will not stay a fish in a pond — and the court may become a laughingstock for generations to come." Yuwen Tai accepted his counsel and sent mobile headquarters bureau director Zhao Shixian to recall Fabao and the others; Hou Jing rebelled soon afterward.
36
十四年，授雍州大中正、帥都督，加衛將軍、右光祿大夫、都督。 率所部兵從大將軍楊忠征隨郡、安陸，竝平之。 時懸兵深入，悅支度路程，勒其部伍，節減糧食。 及至竟陵，諸軍多有匱乏，悅出稟米六百石分給之。 太祖聞而嘉焉。 尋拜京兆郡守，加使持節、車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍，遷大行臺尚書。
In the fourteenth year he was made chief rectifier of Yong Province and commander-in-chief, with the added ranks of guard general, right grandee for shining virtue, and commander. He led his troops under Grand General Yang Zhong in the campaign against Sui and Anlu commanderies and helped pacify both. The army was deep in enemy country; Wang Yue calculated routes, kept the ranks in order, and rationed provisions. When they reached Jingling many units were short of supplies; Yue issued six hundred shi of ration rice and shared it among them. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai heard of it and praised him. He was soon made governor of Jingzhao commandery, given bearer of the staff, chariot-and-horse grand general, opener of the Way with the Three Precedences, and regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, and transferred to grand secretary of the great mobile headquarters.
37
又領所部兵從達奚武征梁漢。 軍出，武令悅說其城主楊賢。 悅乃貽之書曰：「夫惟德是輔，天道之常也； 見機而作，人事之會也。 梁主內虧刑政，外闕藩籬。 匹夫攘袂，舉國傾覆。 非直下民離心，抑亦上玄所棄。 我相公膺千齡之運，創三分之業，道洽區中，威振方外。 聲教所被，風行草偃； 兵車所指，雲除霧廓。 斯固天下所共聞，無俟二談也。 大將軍高陽公，韞韜略之秘，總熊羆之旅，受脤廟堂，威懷巴漢。 先附者必賞，後服者必誅。 君兵糧旣寡，救援路絕。 欲守，則城池無縈帶之險； 欲戰，則士卒有土崩之勢。 以此求安，未見其可。 昔韓信背項，前典以為美談； 黃權歸魏，良史稱其盛烈。 事有變通，今其則也。」 賢於是遂降。
He again led his troops under Daxi Wu in the campaign against Liang Han. When the army marched out, Daxi Wu ordered Wang Yue to persuade the city commander Yang Xian. Yue then sent him a letter saying, "He whom virtue assists follows Heaven's constant way; to act when the moment appears is the human occasion for success. The Liang ruler is deficient within in law and punishment and lacks without the barriers of frontier defense. A single commoner can raise his sleeves and overturn the realm. It is not only that the people below have lost heart — Heaven above has cast the realm aside as well. Our prime minister has embraced fortune a thousand years in the making and founded the tripartite enterprise; his Way fills the realm, and his authority resounds beyond the borders. Where his teaching spreads, the grass bends before the wind; Wherever his armies march, clouds clear and mists are swept away. All under Heaven has heard this already; there is no need to rehearse it again. Great General Daxi Wu, Duke of Gaoyang, holds hidden stratagems close, commands armies like bears and panthers, took sacrificial commission in the ancestral temple, and has awed and won over Ba and Han. Those who submit first will be rewarded; those who submit late will be punished. Your troops and supplies are already depleted, and relief cannot reach you. If you wish to hold out, your walls lack moats and natural barriers; If you wish to fight, your soldiers are on the brink of collapse. To seek safety on such terms is to chase the impossible. Formerly Han Xin abandoned Xiang Yu, and the classics praise it as wise action; Huang Quan submitted to Wei, and good historians praised his heroic choice. Circumstances allow change; that rule applies today." Thereupon Yang Xian submitted.
38
悅白武云：「白馬要衝，是必爭之地。 今城守寡弱，易可圖也。 若蜀兵更至，攻之實難。」 武然之，令悅率輕騎七百，徑趣白馬。 悅先示其禍福，其將梁深遂以城降。 梁武陵王紀果遣其將任奇率步騎六千，欲先據白馬。 行次闕城，聞已降，乃還。 及梁州平，太祖卽以悅行刺史事。 招攜初附，民吏安之。
Yue told Daxi Wu, "White Horse is a strategic crossroads and ground both sides must contest. The garrison is now sparse and weak, and the place can easily be seized. If Shu reinforcements arrive, taking it will truly be difficult." Daxi Wu agreed and ordered Yue to lead seven hundred light horsemen straight to White Horse. Yue first set out the consequences for them; the defending commander Liang Shen then surrendered the city. Liang Prince of Wuling Ji had indeed sent his general Ren Qi at the head of six thousand infantry and cavalry to seize White Horse first. Marching to Que City, they heard the place had already submitted and turned back. When Liang Prefecture was pacified, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had Yue act as its governor. He drew in those who had just submitted, and officials and people alike were reassured.
39
魏廢帝二年，徵還本任。 屬改行臺為中外府，尚書員廢，以儀同領兵還鄉里。 悅旣久居顯職，及此之還，私懷怏怏。 猶陵駕鄉里，失宗黨之情。 其長子康，恃 （悅） 舊望，遂自驕縱。 所部軍人，將有婚禮，康乃非理淩辱。 軍人訴之。 悅及康竝坐除名，仍配流遠防。 及于謹伐江陵，平，悅從軍展效，因留鎮之。
In the second year of Emperor Fei of Wei he was recalled to his former post. At that time the great mobile headquarters became the Central-and-Outer Directorate, Secretariat posts were abolished, and Yue returned home leading troops with equal-in-three-departments rank. Having long held high office, Yue returned in private discontent. He still lorded it over his home district and alienated kin and neighbors. His eldest son Kang drew on [supplied: Yue] Wang Yue's former standing, grew arrogant and unrestrained. Among the troops under his command, one soldier was about to marry; Kang humiliated him without cause. The soldier appealed against him. Yue and Kang were both dismissed from office and sent into distant frontier exile. When Yu Jin attacked and took Jiangling, Yue followed the campaign and performed well and was left to garrison the city.
40
孝閔踐阼，依例復官。 授郢州。 尋拜使持節、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、大都督、司水中大夫，進爵藍田縣侯。 遷司憲中大夫，賜姓宇文氏，又進爵河北縣公。 悅性儉約，不營生業，雖出入榮顯，家徒四壁而已。 世宗手勅勞勉之，賜粟六百石。 保定元年，卒於位。 康嗣。 官至司邑下大夫。
When Emperor Xiaomin acceded, Yue was restored to office according to precedent. He received Ying prefecture. He was soon made commissioner with credentials, grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal-in-three-departments, great governor-general, and middle grandee of the Water Office, and was raised to Marquis of Lantian County. He was transferred to middle grandee of the Rectifier Office, granted the surname Yuwen, and raised to Duke of Hebei County. Wang Yue was frugal by nature and made no pursuit of profit; though he moved in the highest circles, his household remained bare. Emperor Shizong wrote a personal edict to praise and encourage him and granted six hundred shi of grain. In Baoding year 1 he died in office. Kang succeeded him. He rose to lower grandee of the Manors Office.
41
趙文表，其先天水西人也，後徙居南鄭。 累世為二千石。 父江，性方嚴，有度量。 歷官東巴州刺史、計部中大夫、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、御伯中大夫，封昌國縣伯。 贈虞絳二州刺史，諡曰貞。
Zhao Wenbiao's ancestors came from western Tianshui; the family later moved to Nanzheng. For generations the family had served as two-thousand-bushel officials. His father Jiang was upright and stern by nature and had real breadth of judgment. He held successive posts as governor of Eastern Ba Province, middle grandee of the Accounts Office, grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal-in-three-departments, and middle grandee of the Charioteer Office, and was enfeoffed Baron of Changguo County. He was posthumously made inspector of Yu and Jiang Provinces and given the posthumous name Zhen.
42
文表少而修謹，志存忠節。 便弓馬，能左右馳射。 好讀《左氏春秋》，略舉大義。 起家為太祖親信。 魏恭帝元年，從開府田弘征山南，以功授都督。 復從平南巴州及信州，遷帥都督。 又從許國公宇文貴鎮蜀，行昌城郡事。 加中軍將軍、左金紫光祿大夫。 保定元年，除許國公府司馬，轉大都督。 五年，授畿伯下大夫。 又為許國公府長史。 尋拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司。
Wenbiao from youth was careful and restrained and set his heart on loyalty and integrity. He was skilled with bow and horse and could shoot while galloping to either side. He loved Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals and could summarize its larger themes. He entered service as a trusted follower of Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei he followed Kaifu Tian Hong on the campaign south of the mountains and was made governor for his service. He again followed in the pacification of Southern Ba and Xin prefectures and was promoted to commanding governor. He again followed Duke of Xu Yuwen Gui in garrisoning Shu and served as acting administrator of Changcheng commandery. He received the added ranks of middle army general and left grand master with golden seal and purple ribbon. In Baoding year 1 he was made marshal of Duke of Xu Yuwen Gui's government office, then transferred to great governor-general. In the fifth year he was made lower grandee of the Capital Charioteer Office. He returned as chief administrator in the Duke of Xu's headquarters. He was soon made grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-in-three-departments rank.
43
仍從宇文貴使突厥，迎皇后，進止儀注，皆令文表典之。 文表斟酌而行，皆合禮度。 及皇后將入境，突厥托以馬瘦，行除。 文表慮其為變，遂說突厥使羅莫緣曰：「后自發彼藩，已淹時序，途經沙漠，人馬疲勞。 且東寇每伺間隙，吐谷渾亦能為變。 今君以可汗之愛女，結姻上國，曾無防慮，豈人臣之體乎。」 莫緣然之，遂倍道兼行，數日至甘州。 以迎后功，別封伯陽縣伯，邑六百戶。
He again followed Yuwen Gui as envoy to the Turks to welcome the empress, and Wenbiao was put in charge of all protocol for advances and halts. Wenbiao judged each step and carried it out, and everything accorded with ritual propriety. When the empress was about to cross the border, the Turks pleaded that the horses were exhausted and slowed the march. Wenbiao feared they meant treachery and persuaded the Turk envoy Luomoyuan, saying, "Since the empress left your frontier, seasons have passed; she has crossed deserts, and men and horses are worn out. Eastern enemies always watch for openings, and Tuyuhun too may exploit a crisis. You carry the khan's beloved daughter to marry into the superior state, yet take no precautions — is that the conduct of a loyal minister?" Luomoyuan agreed; they pressed on by forced marches and reached Gan Province in a few days. For his service in welcoming the empress he was separately enfeoffed Baron of Boyang County with a fief of six hundred households.
44
天和三年，除梁州總管府長史。 所管地名恆陵者，方數百里，竝生獠所居，恃其險固，常懷不軌。 文表率衆討平之。 遷蓬州刺史，政尚仁恕，夷獠懷之。 加驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。 又進位大將軍，爵為公。
In Tianhe year 3 he was made chief administrator of the Liang Prefecture governor-general's office. Within his jurisdiction lay Hengling, several hundred li across, inhabited by raw Liao who relied on the rugged terrain and constantly nursed rebellious designs. Wenbiao led troops against them and pacified the region. He was transferred to governor of Peng Prefecture, ruled with benevolence and lenience, and won the affection of Yi and Liao peoples. He received the added ranks of grand general of agile cavalry and opening-office equal-in-three-departments. He rose to great general and was enfeoffed as a duke.
45
大象中，拜吳州總管。 時開府于顗為吳州刺史。 及隋文帝執政，尉遲迥等舉兵，遠近騷然，人懷異望。 顗自以族大，且為國家肺腑，懼文表圖己，謀欲先之。 乃稱疾不出。 文表往問之，顗遂手刃文表。 因令吏人告云「文表謀反」，仍馳啟其狀。 隋文以諸方未定，恐顗為變，遂授顗吳州總管以安之。 後知文表無異志，雖不罪顗，而聽其子仁海襲爵。
In the Daxiang era he was made governor-general of Wu Prefecture. At the time Kaifu Yu Yan was governor of Wu Province. When Emperor Wen of Sui took power, Yuchi Jiong and others rose in arms; disturbance spread near and far, and people nursed divided loyalties. Yu Yan, considering himself of a great clan and kin to the imperial house, feared Wenbiao meant to move against him and planned to strike first. He pleaded illness and refused to leave his residence. Wenbiao went to visit him; Yu Yan then personally slew him. He then had officials and townspeople report that Wenbiao had plotted rebellion and immediately sent an urgent dispatch to the throne. Emperor Wen of Sui, with the realm not yet settled, feared Yu Yan would turn rebel and granted him the post of governor-general of Wu Prefecture to reassure him. Later, learning Wenbiao had borne no rebellious intent, he did not punish Yu Yan but allowed Wenbiao's son Renhai to inherit the title.
46
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).