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李延孫韋祐韓雄陳忻魏玄
Biographies of Li Yansun, Wei You, Han Xiong, Chen Xin, and Wei Xuan
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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 Xuanchi 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 Mentor, 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.
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延孫亦雄武有將帥才略。 少從長壽征討，以勇敢聞。 初為直閤將軍。 賀拔勝為荊州刺史，表延孫為都督。 肅清鵶路，頗有功力焉。 及長壽被害，延孫乃還，收集其父之衆。
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.
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自魏孝武西遷之後，朝士流亡。 廣陵王欣、錄尚書長孫稚、潁川王斌之、安昌王子均及建甯、江夏、隴東諸王幷百官等攜持妻子來投延孫者，延孫卽率衆衛送，並贈以珍玩，咸達關中。 齊神武深患之，遣行臺慕容紹宗等數道攻之。 延孫獎勵所部出戰，遂大破之，臨陣斬其揚州刺史薛喜。 於是義軍更振。 乃授延孫京南行臺、節度河南諸軍事、廣州刺史。 尋進車騎大將軍、儀同三司、大都督，賜爵華山郡公。 延孫既荷重委，每以剋清伊、洛為己任。 頻以少擊衆，威振敵境。
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.
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大統四年，為其長史楊伯蘭所害。 後贈司空、冀定等六州刺史。 子人傑，有祖、父風。 官至開府儀同三司、和州刺史，改封潁川郡公。 延孫弟義孫，亦官至開府儀同三司。
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.
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韋祐字法保，京兆山北人也。 少以字行於世。 世為州郡著姓。 祖駢，雍州主簿。 舉秀才，拜中書博士。 父義，前將軍、上洛郡守。 魏大統時，以法保著勳，追贈秦州刺史。
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.
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法保少好遊俠，而質直少言。 所與交遊，皆輕猾亡命。 人有急難投之者，多保存之。 雖屢被追捕，終不改其操，父沒，事母兄以孝敬聞。 慕李長壽之為人，遂娶長壽女，因寓居關南。 正光末，四方雲擾。 王公被難者或依之，多得全濟，以此為貴遊所德。 乃拜員外散騎侍郎，加輕車將軍。 及魏孝武西遷，法保從山南赴行在所。 除右將軍、太中大夫，封固安縣男，邑二百戶。
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.
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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.
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及侯景以豫州來附，法保率兵赴景。 景欲留之，法保疑其有貳心，乃固辭還所鎮。 十五年，加驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，尋進爵為公。 會東魏遣軍送糧饋宜陽，法保潛邀之。 轉戰數十里，兵少不敵，為流矢所中，卒於陣。 諡曰莊。 子初嗣。 建德末，位至開府儀同大將軍、閻韓防主。
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.
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韓雄字木蘭，河南東垣人也。 祖景，魏孝文時為赭陽郡守。
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.
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雄少敢勇，膂力絕人，工騎射，有將率材略。 及魏孝武西遷，雄便慷慨有立功之志。 大統初，遂與其屬六十餘人於洛西舉兵，數日間，衆至千人。 與河南行臺楊琚共為掎角。 每抄掠東魏，所向克獲。 徒衆日盛，州縣不能禦之。 東魏洛州刺史韓賢以狀聞，鄴乃遣其軍司慕容紹宗率兵與賢合勢討雄。 戰數十合，雄兵略盡，兄及妻子皆為賢所獲，將以為戮。 乃遣人告雄曰：「若雄至，皆免之。」 雄與其所親謀曰：「奮不顧身以立功名者，本望上申忠義，下榮親戚。 今若忍而不赴，人謂我何。 既免之後，更思其計，未為晚也。」 於是，遂詣賢軍，卽隨賢還洛。 乃潛引賢黨，謀欲襲之。 事泄，遁免。
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.
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時太祖在弘農，雄至上謁。 太祖嘉之，封武陽縣侯，邑八百戶。 遣雄還鄉里，更圖進取。 雄乃招集義衆，進逼洛州。 東魏洛州刺史元湛委州奔河陽，其長史孟彥舉城款附。 俄而領軍獨孤信大軍繼至，雄遂從信入洛陽。 時東魏將侯景等圍蓼塢，雄擊走之。 又從太祖戰於河橋。 軍還，仍鎮洛西。 拜假平東將軍、東郡守，遷北中郎將。 邙山之役，太祖命雄率衆邀齊神武於隘道。 神武怒，命三軍併力取雄。 雄突圍得免。 除東徐州刺史。 太祖以雄劬勞積年，乃徵入朝，屢加賞勞。 復遣還州。
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.
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東魏東雍州刺史郭叔略與雄接境，頗為邊患。 雄密圖之，乃輕將十騎，夜入其境，伏於道側。 遣都督韓仕於略城東，服東魏人衣服，詐若自河陽叛投關西者。 略出馳之，雄自後射之，再發咸中，遂斬略首。 除河南尹，進爵為公，加車騎大將軍、儀同三司、大都督、散騎常侍。 尋進驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、侍中、河南邑中正。 孝閔帝踐阼，進爵新義郡公，增邑通前三千八百戶，賜姓宇文氏。 世宗二年，除使持節、都督、中徐虞洛四州諸軍事、中州刺史。
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.
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雄久在邊，具知敵人虛實。 每率衆深入，不避艱難。 前後經四十五戰，雖時有勝負，而雄志氣益壯。 東魏深憚之。 天和三年，卒于鎮。 贈大將軍、中華宜義和五州諸軍事、中州刺史。 諡曰威。 子禽嗣。
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
忻與韓雄里閈姻婭，少相親昵。 俱總兵境上三十餘載，每有禦扞，二人相赴，常若影響。 故得數對勍敵，而常保功名。 雖竝有武力，至於挽強射中，忻不如雄； 散財施惠，得士衆心，則雄不如忻。 身死之日，將吏荷其恩德，莫不感慟焉。 子萬敵嗣。 朝廷以忻雅得士心，還令萬敵領其部曲。
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.
17
魏玄字僧智，任城人也。 六世祖休，仕晉為魯郡守。 永嘉南遷，遂居江左。 父承祖，魏景明中，自梁歸魏，家於新安。
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.
18
玄少慷慨，有膽略。 普泰中，除奉朝請。 頻從軍與梁人交戰。 永安初，以功授征虜將軍、中散大夫。 及魏孝武西遷，東魏北徙，人情騷動，各懷去就。 玄遂率募鄉曲，立義于關南，卽從韋法保與東魏司徒高敖曹戰於關口。 及獨孤信入洛陽，隸行臺楊琚防馬渚。 復與高敖曹接戰。 自是每率鄉兵，抗拒東魏。 前後十餘戰，皆有功。
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.
19
邙山之役，大軍不利，宜陽、洛州皆為東魏守。 崤東立義者，咸懷異望。 而玄母及弟並在宜陽。 玄以為忠孝不兩立，及率義徒還關南鎮撫。 太祖手書勞之，除洛陽令，封廣宗縣子，邑四百戶。 十三年，與開府李義孫攻拔伏流城，又剋孔城，卽與義孫鎮之。 尋移鎮伏流。 十四年，授帥都督、東平郡守，轉河南郡守，加大都督。 十六年，洛安民雍方雋據郡外叛，率步騎一千，自號行臺，攻破郡縣，囚執守令。 玄率弘農、九曲、孔城、伏流四城士馬討平之。 魏恭帝二年，拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司。
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.
20
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.
21
全文以中華書局、一九七一年十一月版《周書》為本校。
This full text has been collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the Book of Zhou (November 1971).