2
李延孫，伊川人也。 祖伯扶，魏太和末，從征懸瓠有功，為汝南郡守。 父長壽，性雄豪，有武藝。 少與蠻酋結託，屢相招引，侵滅關南。 孝昌中，朝議恐其為亂，乃以長壽為防蠻都督，給其鼓節，以慰其意。 長壽冀因此遂得任用，亦盡其智力，防遏群蠻。 伊川左右，寇盜為之稍息。 永安之後，盜賊蜂起，長壽乃招集叛亡，徒侶日盛。 魏帝藉其力用，因而撫之。 乃授持節、大都督，轉鎮張白塢。 後為河北郡守，轉河內郡守。 所歷之處，咸以猛烈聞。 討捕諸賊，頻有功。 授衛大將軍、北華州刺史，賜爵清河郡公。 及魏孝武西遷，長壽率勵義士拒東魏。 孝武嘉之，復授潁川郡守，遷廣州刺史。 東魏遣行臺侯景率兵攻之，長壽衆少，城陷，遂遇害。 大統元年，追贈太尉、使持節、侍中、驃騎大將軍、冀定等十二州諸軍事、定州刺史。
Li Yansun came from Yichuan. His grandfather Bofu distinguished himself in the late Taihe campaigns against Xuanhu and was appointed administrator of Runan commandery. His father Changshou was a bold, formidable man skilled in arms. In youth he allied with tribal chieftains and repeatedly led them in raids that ravaged the lands south of the passes. During the Xiaochang era the court, fearing he would stir up rebellion, appointed Changshou commander for the defense against the tribes and bestowed on him drums and credentials of authority to win him over. Changshou hoped this would lead to formal employment, and he threw all his wit and energy into holding the tribal peoples in check. Around Yichuan, raiding and banditry eased somewhat as a result. After the Yong'an period unrest spread like swarming bees; Changshou gathered deserters and fugitives until his following grew daily. The Wei emperor valued his strength and made a point of keeping him on side. He received the insignia of a commissioner with plenipotentiary powers and the rank of grand commander-in-chief, and was posted to garrison Zhangbaiwu. He later served as administrator of Hebei commandery and then of Henei. Wherever he served, he was known for his ruthless severity. His campaigns against bandits brought him repeated credit. He was made General of the Guard and governor of Beihua province and enfeoffed as Duke of Qinghe. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei withdrew to the west, Changshou rallied loyal volunteers to resist Eastern Wei. Xiaowu praised him, reappointed him administrator of Yingchuan, and promoted him to governor of Guang province. Eastern Wei sent its executive commissioner Hou Jing against him with an army; Changshou had too few men, his city fell, and he was killed. In the first year of Datong he was posthumously honored as Grand Commandant, commissioner with full plenipotentiary powers, Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, commander-in-chief over military affairs in twelve provinces including Ji and Ding, and governor of Ding province.
3
Yansun was likewise a formidable warrior with a commander's gifts. From youth he campaigned with Changshou and won renown for bravery. He began his career as a general of the Direct Gate. When Heba Sheng took office as governor of Jing province, he recommended Yansun for a command. He pacified the outlaw routes and won considerable credit in doing so. After Changshou was killed, Yansun came back and rallied his father's former forces.
4
After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei withdrew to the west, officials of the court fled into exile. When Prince of Guangling Xin, Chief Clerk of the Records Office Changsun Zhi, Prince of Yingchuan Binzhi, Prince of Anchang Zijun, the princes of Jianning, Jiangxia, and Longdong, and many other officials fled east with their families to seek Yansun's protection, he led his men to escort them, gave them precious gifts, and saw them all safely through to Guanzhong. Gao Huan of Northern Qi took this as a grave threat and sent the executive commissioner Murong Shaozong and others to attack him along several routes. Yansun roused his troops to battle, routed the enemy completely, and on the field slew Xue Xi, their governor of Yang province. The loyalist cause rallied anew. Yansun was appointed executive commissioner for the capital south, given overall command of military affairs in Henan, and made governor of Guang province. He was soon promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, given the privilege of ceremonial parity with the Three Dukes, made grand commander-in-chief, and enfeoffed as Duke of Huashan. Entrusted with heavy responsibility, Yansun made it his personal mission to pacify the Yi and Luo region. Again and again he defeated larger forces with smaller ones, and his fame spread terror through enemy territory.
5
In the fourth year of Datong he was murdered by his chief clerk Yang Bolan. He was later posthumously honored as Minister of Works and governor of six provinces including Ji and Ding. His son Renjie inherited the spirit of his grandfather and father. He rose to the rank of a baron with an establishment equal to the Three Dukes and to the governorship of He province, and his title was changed to Duke of Yingchuan. Yansun's younger brother Yisun likewise rose to a baron's establishment equal to the Three Dukes.
6
Wei You, whose courtesy name was Fabao, came from Shanbei in Jingzhao. From youth he was known to the world by his courtesy name rather than his given name. His clan had been a leading local family for generations. His grandfather Pian served as chief clerk of Yong province. Recommended as a cultivated talent, he was appointed erudite of the Secretariat. His father Yi was Forward General and administrator of Shangluo commandery. In the Wei Datong era, in recognition of Fabao's achievements, Yi was posthumously honored as governor of Qin province.
7
In youth Fabao loved the life of the wandering knight, yet he was plainspoken, upright, and sparing of words. His companions were reckless outlaws and desperate men. Those who fled to him in desperate need usually found shelter with him. Though often hunted by the authorities, he never abandoned his ways; after his father's death he cared for his mother and elder brother with devoted filial piety and won renown for it. Admiring Li Changshou's character, he married Changshou's daughter and settled south of the passes. At the end of the Zhenguang era the empire was in turmoil on every side. Princes and nobles in peril often found refuge with him and many were saved entirely; the great families were deeply grateful. He was appointed supernumerary gentleman-attendant of the scattered cavalry and additionally made General of the Light Chariot. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei withdrew to the west, Fabao came from south of the mountains to join the imperial camp. He was appointed Right General and Grand Master of Palace Counsel, enfeoffed as Baron of Gu'an with a fief of two hundred households.
8
及長壽被害，其子延孫收長壽餘衆，守禦東境。 朝廷恐延孫兵少不能自固，乃除法保東洛州刺史，配兵數百人，以援延孫。 法保至潼關，弘農郡守韋孝寬謂法保曰：「恐子此役，難以吉還也。」 法保曰：「古人稱不入虎穴，不得虎子。 安危之事，未可預量。 縱為國殞身，亦非所恨。」 遂倍道兼行。 東魏陝州刺史劉貴以步騎千餘邀之。 法保命所部為圓陣，且戰且前。 數日，得與延孫兵接，乃幷勢置柵於伏流。 未幾，太祖追法保與延孫率衆還朝，賞勞甚厚。 乃授法保大都督。 四年，除河南尹。 及延孫被害，法保乃率所部，據延孫舊柵。 頻與敵人交兵，每身先士卒，單馬陷陣，是以戰必被傷。 嘗至關南，與東魏人戰，流矢中頸，從口中出，當時氣絕。 輿至營，久之乃蘇。 九年，拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司，鎮九曲城。
After Changshou was killed, his son Yansun rallied the remnants of his father's forces and held the eastern frontier. Fearing Yansun had too few men to hold his ground, the court appointed Fabao governor of East Luoyang province and assigned him several hundred troops to reinforce him. At Tong Pass, Wei Xiaokuan, administrator of Hongnong commandery, told Fabao, "I fear you will be lucky to come back alive from this mission." Fabao replied, "As the ancients said, one who will not enter the tiger's den cannot take the tiger cub. Whether one lives or dies cannot be foretold. Even if I die for the state, I shall have no regrets." With that he pressed forward at double speed. Liu Gui, Eastern Wei's governor of Shan province, intercepted him with more than a thousand foot and horse. Fabao formed his men into a circle and fought his way forward. After several days he linked up with Yansun's forces; together they built fortified camps at Fulu. Before long the Grand Ancestor recalled Fabao and Yansun with their troops to court and rewarded them handsomely. Fabao was then made grand commander-in-chief. In the fourth year he was appointed intendant of Henan. After Yansun was killed, Fabao led his men to hold Yansun's former camps. He fought the enemy again and again, always leading from the front and charging alone into the enemy ranks, and so he was wounded in nearly every battle. Once south of the passes he fought Eastern Wei troops; a stray arrow struck his neck and passed out through his mouth, and he lost consciousness on the spot. Carried back to camp, he did not revive for a long time. In the ninth year he was made General of Chariots and Cavalry with ceremonial parity to the Three Dukes and posted to garrison Jiuqu city.
9
When Hou Jing defected with Yuzhou, Fabao marched to join him. Hou Jing tried to keep him there, but Fabao suspected treachery and firmly refused, returning to his post. In the fifteenth year he was promoted to General of Agile Cavalry and given a baron's establishment equal to the Three Dukes; soon afterward his title was raised to duke. When Eastern Wei sent a convoy to supply Yiyang with grain, Fabao ambushed it. After fighting for dozens of li his outnumbered force was overwhelmed; struck by a stray arrow, he died on the battlefield. He was given the posthumous name Zhuang. His son Chu succeeded him. By the end of the Jiande era he had risen to a baron's establishment with the rank of great general and served as defender of Yanhan.
10
Han Xiong, whose courtesy name was Mulan, came from Dongyuan in Henan. His grandfather Jing served under Emperor Xiaowen of Wei as administrator of Zheyang commandery.
11
From youth Xiong was bold and fearless, with extraordinary strength; he excelled at mounted archery and showed the makings of a commander. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei withdrew to the west, Xiong was seized by a passionate desire to win distinction. At the opening of the Datong era he rose in arms west of the Luo with some sixty followers; within days his force grew to a thousand men. He coordinated with Yang Ju, executive commissioner of Henan, in a pincer strategy. His raids into Eastern Wei territory succeeded wherever he struck. His following swelled daily until the local provinces and commanderies could no longer contain him. Han Xian, Eastern Wei's governor of Luo province, reported the situation to the capital; Ye sent its army commander Murong Shaozong with troops to join Xian in suppressing Xiong. After dozens of clashes Xiong's force was nearly spent; Xian captured his elder brother, wife, and children and prepared to execute them. He sent word to Xiong: "If you surrender, they will all be spared." Xiong consulted his closest followers: "Men who risk everything for glory do so hoping to prove their loyalty above and bring honor to their families below. If I hold back now, what will people say of me? Once they are safe, I can still think of another plan—it will not be too late." With that he went to Xian's camp and returned with him to Luoyang. He secretly won over some of Xian's followers and plotted a surprise attack. The plot was discovered and he fled to safety.
12
The Grand Ancestor was then at Hongnong; Xiong went to present himself before him. The Grand Ancestor praised him and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Wuyang with a fief of eight hundred households. He sent Xiong home to plan the next advance. Xiong rallied loyal volunteers and advanced on Luo province. Yuan Zhan, Eastern Wei's governor of Luo province, abandoned his post and fled to Heyang; his chief clerk Meng Yan surrendered the city. Soon the army commander Dugu Xin arrived with the main force, and Xiong entered Luoyang with him. When Eastern Wei generals including Hou Jing besieged Liaowu, Xiong attacked and drove them away. He also fought under the Grand Ancestor at Heqiao. After the army withdrew, he continued to hold the west of the Luo. He was made acting General Who Pacifies the East and administrator of Dong commandery, then promoted to North Palace Gate General. At Mount Mang the Grand Ancestor ordered Xiong to ambush Gao Huan in a defile. Enraged, Gao Huan ordered all three armies to concentrate on capturing Xiong. Xiong broke out of the encirclement and escaped. He was appointed governor of East Xu province. Because Xiong had served strenuously on the frontier for many years, the Grand Ancestor summoned him to court and rewarded him again and again. He was then sent back to his province.
13
Guo Shulue, Eastern Wei's governor of East Yong province, held a neighboring post and was a persistent threat on the border. Xiong laid a secret plan: with only ten horsemen he entered enemy territory by night and hid beside the road. He sent his commander Han Shi east of Lue city dressed as Eastern Wei soldiers, feigning a defection from Heyang to the west. Shulue rode out in pursuit; Xiong shot him from behind, both arrows struck home, and he cut off Shulue's head. He was made intendant of Henan, raised to duke, and additionally given the ranks of General of Chariots and Cavalry, ceremonial parity with the Three Dukes, grand commander-in-chief, and regular attendant of the scattered cavalry. He was soon promoted to General of Agile Cavalry, given a baron's establishment equal to the Three Dukes, made Palace Attendant, and appointed chief rectifier of the Henan district. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, Xiong was raised to Duke of Xinyi, his fief increased to a total of three thousand eight hundred households, and he was granted the surname Yuwen. In the second year of Shizong he was made commissioner with full plenipotentiary powers, commander over military affairs in Zhong, Xu, Yu, and Luo provinces, and governor of Zhong province.
14
Long service on the frontier had taught him the enemy's strengths and weaknesses in full. He repeatedly led deep raids without shrinking from hardship. He fought forty-five battles in all; win or lose, his fighting spirit only grew bolder. Eastern Wei came to fear him deeply. In the third year of Tianhe he died at his post. He was posthumously honored as Great General, commander-in-chief over the five provinces of Zhong, Hua, Yi, Yi, and He, and governor of Zhong province. He was given the posthumous name Wei. His son Qin succeeded him.
15
陳忻字永怡，宜陽人也。 少驍勇，有氣俠，姿貌魁岸，同類咸敬憚之。 魏孝武西遷之後，忻乃於辟惡山招集勇敢少年數十人，寇掠東魏，仍密遣使歸附。 大統元年，授持節、伏波將軍、羽林監、立義大都督，賜爵霸城縣男。 三年，太祖復弘農，東魏揚州刺史段琛拔城遁走。 忻率義徒於九曲道邀之，殺傷甚衆，擒其新安令張祗。 太祖嘉其忠款，使行新安縣事。 及獨孤信入洛，忻舉李延孫為前鋒，仍從信守金墉城。 及河橋戰不利，隨軍西還，復行新安縣事。 東魏遣土人牛道恆為 （揚） 陽州刺史，忻率兵擊破之，進爵為子。 常隨崤東諸將鎮遏伊、洛間，每有功效。 九年，與李遠迎高仲密，仍從戰邙山。 及大軍西還，復與韓雄等依山合勢，破東魏三城，斬其金門郡守方臺洛。 增邑六百戶。 尋行宜陽郡事。 東魏復遣劉盆生為金門郡守，忻又斬之。 除鎮遠將軍、魏郡守。 俄授使持節、平東將軍、顯州刺史。 太祖以忻威著敵境，仍留靜邊，弗令之任。 十年，侯景築九曲城，忻率衆邀之，擒其宜陽郡守趙嵩、金門郡守樂敬賓。 十三年，從李遠平九曲城，授帥都督。 東魏將爾朱渾願率精騎三千來向宜 （城） 陽，忻與諸將輕兵邀之，願遂退走。 十五年，除宜陽郡守，加大都督、撫軍將軍。 十六年，進車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍。 與齊將東方老戰于石泉，破之，俘獲甚衆。 時東魏每歲遣兵送米饋宜陽，忻輒與諸軍邀擊之，每多剋獲。
Chen Xin, whose courtesy name was Yongyi, came from Yiyang. In youth he was fierce and brave, full of chivalrous spirit, and imposing in stature; his peers respected and feared him. After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei withdrew to the west, Xin gathered several dozen bold young men on Mount Pibie, raided Eastern Wei, and secretly sent envoys to declare allegiance to the west. In the first year of Datong he received plenipotentiary credentials, was made General Who Subdues Waves, supervisor of the imperial guards, and commander of the righteous forces, and was enfeoffed as Baron of Bacheng. In the third year the Grand Ancestor recovered Hongnong; Duan Chen, Eastern Wei's governor of Yang province, abandoned the city and fled. Xin ambushed them on the Jiuqu road with his volunteers, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing Zhang Di, magistrate of Xin'an. The Grand Ancestor praised his loyalty and put him in charge of Xin'an county. When Dugu Xin entered Luoyang, Xin put Li Yansun at the head of the vanguard and joined Xin in holding Jinyong city. After the defeat at Heqiao he withdrew west with the army and again administered Xin'an county. Eastern Wei appointed the local leader Niu Daoheng as (Yang [in the received text]) governor of Yang province; Xin attacked and defeated him and was promoted to viscount. He regularly served with the generals east of Xiao in holding the Yi–Luo corridor, and won credit in every campaign. In the ninth year he joined Li Yuan in receiving Gao Zhongmi's defection and fought at Mount Mang. When the main army withdrew west, he joined Han Xiong and others in a mountain offensive, took three Eastern Wei cities, and slew Fang Tailuo, administrator of Jinmen commandery. His fief was increased by six hundred households. He soon took charge of Yiyang commandery. When Eastern Wei sent Liu Pensheng as administrator of Jinmen, Xin slew him as well. He was made General Who Pacifies the Distant and administrator of Wei commandery. He was soon made commissioner with full plenipotentiary powers, General Who Pacifies the East, and governor of Xian province. Because Xin's reputation struck fear in enemy territory, the Grand Ancestor kept him on the frontier to hold the border and would not release him to take up his new post. In the tenth year Hou Jing built Jiuqu city; Xin intercepted him and captured Zhao Song, administrator of Yiyang, and Yue Jingbin, administrator of Jinmen. In the thirteenth year he joined Li Yuan in taking Jiuqu city and was made commander-in-chief. The Eastern Wei general Erzhu Hunyuan led three thousand elite horsemen toward Yi (cheng [in the received text]) Yang; Xin and the other generals intercepted him with a light force, and Hunyuan withdrew. In the fifteenth year he was made administrator of Yiyang commandery and additionally given the ranks of grand commander-in-chief and General Who Pacifies the Army. In the sixteenth year he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry with ceremonial parity to the Three Dukes and made regular attendant of the scattered cavalry. He defeated the Qi general Dongfang Lao at Shiquan and took a great number of prisoners. Each year Eastern Wei sent grain convoys to Yiyang; Xin and the other commanders ambushed them again and again with rich spoils.
16
In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei he again joined Husi Lian and others in fighting the Qi general Duan Xiaoxian at Jiuqu and routed him. In the second year he was made General of Agile Cavalry with a baron's establishment equal to the Three Dukes and additionally appointed palace attendant. That year he was made chief rectifier of Yiyang district and granted the surname Yuchi. Because Xin had served with distinction for many years, the Grand Ancestor posthumously enfeoffed his grandfather Kun and his father Xingsun as Equal in Honor to the Three Dukes—Kun as governor of Qi province and Xingsun as governor of Xu province. Dugu Yongye, Eastern Wei's governor of Luo province, was known for his cunning; he moved along the frontier, and his movements were unpredictable. Xin and Han Xiong constantly sent spies to watch him, and whenever Qi troops appeared they were beaten back. Yongye therefore feared Xin and the others and did not dare raid. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, Xin was summoned to court, raised to earl, and soon advanced again to Duke of Xuchang (jun [in the received text]) county duke, with a fief increased by one thousand households. In the first year of Wucheng he was made governor of Xiong province, and his fief increased to a total of two thousand six hundred households. He again joined Dile Qing in defeating the Qi general Wang Luansong. He then followed Pillar of State Lu Tong in recovering Shiquan city. In the first year of Tianhe he died in office.
17
Xin and Han Xiong were neighbors and kin by marriage and had been close since youth. For more than thirty years they commanded troops on the frontier; whenever danger threatened, one rushed to the other as swiftly as shadow follows form. Thus they faced formidable enemies again and again yet kept their fame and fortunes intact. Though both were men of great physical power, Xin could not match Xiong in drawing the heavy bow and hitting the mark; but in giving freely and winning the loyalty of his men, Xiong could not equal Xin. When he died, the officers and men who had benefited from his kindness were all overcome with grief. His son Wandi succeeded him. Because Xin had long held the loyalty of his troops, the court had Wandi take command of his old unit.
18
Wei Xuan, whose courtesy name was Sengzhi, came from Rencheng. His sixth-generation ancestor Xiu served the Jin as administrator of Lu commandery. At the Yongjia migration south the family settled in the lower Yangtze region. His father Chengzu defected from Liang to Wei in the Jingming era and settled at Xin'an.
19
From youth Xuan was high-spirited and bold, with courage and resource. During the Putai era he was appointed court attendant. He campaigned repeatedly against Liang. At the opening of the Yong'an era he was rewarded with the ranks of General Who Captures Barbarians and palace attendant of the central scattered cavalry. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei withdrew west and Eastern Wei moved its capital north, the people were unsettled and everyone weighed whether to stay or go. Xuan raised a loyal militia south of the passes and fought with Wei Fabao against Gao Aocao, Eastern Wei's Minister of Works, at the pass. When Dugu Xin entered Luoyang, he served under the executive commissioner Yang Ju in defending Mazhu. He fought Gao Aocao again. From then on he led local militia against Eastern Wei again and again. In more than ten engagements he won credit every time.
20
After the defeat at Mount Mang, Yiyang and Luo province fell into Eastern Wei hands. The loyalist leaders east of Xiao began to waver in their allegiance. Yet Xuan's mother and younger brother were both in Yiyang. Xuan believed loyalty and filial duty could not both be fully honored, and he led his volunteers back south of the passes to hold the frontier. The Grand Ancestor wrote him a personal letter of praise, appointed him magistrate of Luoyang, and enfeoffed him as Viscount of Guangzong with a fief of four hundred households. In the thirteenth year he and Li Yisun took Fulu city and then Kong city, which they garrisoned together. He soon moved his headquarters to Fulu. In the fourteenth year he was made commander-in-chief and administrator of Dongping commandery, then transferred to administrator of Henan and promoted to grand commander-in-chief. In the sixteenth year Yong Fangjun of Luo'an rebelled outside the commandery seat with a thousand foot and horse, declared himself an executive commissioner, overran the districts, and seized the local officials. Xuan led the forces of Hongnong, Jiuqu, Kong city, and Fulu and put down the rebellion. In the second year of Emperor Gong of Wei he was made General of Chariots and Cavalry with ceremonial parity to the Three Dukes.
21
When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, Xuan was raised to earl and his fief increased to a total of nine hundred households. In the first year of Baoding he transferred his headquarters to Manggu. In the fourth year he was made General of Agile Cavalry and Equal to the Three Dukes with a Separate Office, and moved his garrison to Yanhan. He again joined Yuchi Jiong in the siege of Luoyang. In the first year of Tianhe, Shan (xi [in the received text]) [zhou [in the received text]] Commander-in-Chief Yuchi Gang sent Xuan with Yitong Yuwen Neng, Zhao Gan, and five hundred foot and horse south of Lulu Crossing to ambush Dugu Yongye, Eastern Wei's governor of Luo province. Yongye had more than twenty thousand men. Xuan rode ahead with only five horsemen to scout, ran into them unexpectedly, and fought at once, killing and wounding dozens and seizing horses, armor, and spears before Yongye withdrew. In the second year he was raised to marquis. He was made defender of Baichao. In the third year he was transferred to governor of Xiong province. His rule was simple and generous, and the people were content. In the fourth year he became governor of He province and defender of Fulu and was raised to duke. In the fifth year the Qi general Hulu Mingyue marched on Yiyang with overwhelming force; Xuan met him in battle and won every engagement. He later died of illness in office.
22
史臣曰：二國爭強，四郊多壘，鎮守要害，義屬武臣。 李延孫等以勇略之姿，受扞城之寄。 灌瓜贈藥，雖有愧於昔賢； 禦侮折沖，足方駕於前烈。 用能觀兵伊、洛，保據崤、函，齊人沮西略之謀，周朝緩東顧之慮，皆數將之力也。
The historian writes: As the two realms struggled for mastery and fortresses multiplied along every border, holding the vital passes fell by right to men of war. Men such as Li Yansun, endowed with courage and stratagem, were entrusted with the defense of the frontier fortresses. They may not have matched the old stories of generals exchanging melons and medicine across the lines; yet in repelling invasion and breaking the enemy's charge they stood fully equal to the heroes of earlier ages. They kept armies on the Yi and Luo, held Xiao and Han, blunted Qi's designs in the west, and eased the Zhou court's fear of the east—all through the strength of these commanders.