1
資治通鑑第171卷卷第一百七十一
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 171
2
【陳紀五】起玄黓執徐，盡閼逢敦，凡三年。
[Chen Records 5] From Xuanno Zhixu through Yanfeng Dun—three years in all.
3
春，正月，丙午，以尚書僕射徐陵為左僕射牂，中書監王勱為右僕射。
In spring, the first month, on bingwu, Xu Ling was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and Wang Li was appointed Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing.
4
已巳，齊主祀南郊。
On jisi, the Northern Qi ruler sacrificed at the southern suburb.
5
庚午，上享太廟。
On gengwu, the Chen emperor offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
6
辛未，齊主贈琅邪王儼為楚恭哀帝以慰太后心，又以儼妃李氏為楚帝后。
On xinwei, the Northern Qi ruler posthumously honored Prince Yan of Langya as Emperor Gong'ai of Chu to console the empress dowager, and installed Prince Yan's consort, Lady Li, as empress of Chu.
7
二月，癸酉，周遣大將軍昌城公深聘於突厥，司賓李除、小賓部賀遂禮聘於齊。 深，護之子也。
In the second month, on guiyou, Northern Zhou sent Grand General Duke Shen of Changcheng to the Turks on a diplomatic mission, and Director of Guests Li Chu and Junior Director of Guests He Suili to Northern Qi. Duke Shen was the son of Yuwen Hu.
8
已卯，齊以衛菩薩為太尉。 辛巳，以並省吏部尚書高元海為尚書左僕射。
On jimao, Northern Qi appointed Wei Pusa Grand Marshal. On xinsi, Gao Yuanhai, Director of the Masters of Writing for the Combined Secretariat, was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing.
9
已酉，封皇子叔卿為建安王。
On jiyou, the Chen emperor enfeoffed his son Shuqing as Prince of Jian'an.
10
庚寅，齊以尚書左僕射唐邕為尚書令，侍中祖珽為左僕射。 初，胡太后既幽於北宮，珽欲以陸令萱為太后，為令萱言魏保太后故事。 且謂人曰：「陸雖婦人，然實雄傑。 自女媧以來，未之有也。」 令萱亦謂珽為「國師」、「國寶」，由是得僕射。 三月，癸卯朔，日有食之。
On gengyin, Northern Qi appointed Tang Yong Director of the Masters of Writing and Zu Ting Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. Earlier, after Empress Dowager Hu had been confined to the Northern Palace, Zu Ting sought to install Lu Lingxuan as empress dowager, citing for her the precedent of Empress Dowager Bao of Wei. He also told others, "Though Lu is a woman, she is truly a hero among heroes. Since the time of Nüwa, nothing like her has existed." Lingxuan in turn called Zu Ting "National Teacher" and "National Treasure," and through this he gained the post of vice director. In the third month, on the guimao new moon, a solar eclipse occurred.
11
初，周太祖為魏相，立左右十二軍，總屬相府； 太祖殂，皆受晉公護處分，凡所征發，非護書不行。 護第屯兵侍衛，盛於宮闕。 諸子、僚屬皆貪殘恣橫，士民患之。 周主深自晦匿，無所關預，人不測其淺深。
Earlier, when Northern Zhou's Taizu served as chancellor of Wei, he established twelve armies on the left and right, all placed under the chancellor's office; after Taizu's death they all fell under the control of Duke Hu of Jin, and no levy or dispatch could proceed without a document bearing Hu's authority. Hu's mansion garrisoned more guards than the palace itself. His sons and retainers were greedy, cruel, and overbearing, and the people groaned under them. The Zhou emperor kept himself deeply hidden, intervening in nothing, so that none could gauge his intentions.
12
護問稍伯大夫庾季才曰：「比日天道何如？」 季才對曰：「荷恩深厚，敢不盡言？ 頃上台有變，公宜歸政天子，請老私門。 此則享期頤之壽，受旦、□之美，子孫常為籓屏。 不然，非復所知。」 護沉吟久之，曰：「吾本志如此，但辭未獲免耳。 公既王官，可依朝例，無煩別參寡人也。」 自是疏之。
Yuwen Hu asked Junior Grand Master of Qi Yi Jicai, "What do the heavens portend of late?" Jicai answered, "Having received such deep favor from you, how could I not speak plainly? The Upper Platform has lately shifted; you should return authority to the Son of Heaven and ask leave to retire to your own household. Then you may live out a full span of years, win the renown of the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao, and your descendants will forever serve as bulwarks of the state. Otherwise, I cannot say what will come of it." Hu brooded for a long time and said, "That has always been my intent, but I have not yet been released from office. As you are a royal official, follow court routine; there is no need to call on me apart from that." From that time he kept his distance from Jicai.
13
衛公直，帝之母弟也，深暱於護。 及沌口之敗，坐免官，由是怨護，勸帝誅之，冀得其位。 帝乃密與直及右宮伯中大夫宇文神舉、內史下大夫太原王軌、右侍上士宇文孝伯謀之。 神舉，顯和之子； 孝伯，安化公深之子也。
Duke Zhi of Wei, the emperor's younger brother by the same mother, was on very close terms with Yuwen Hu. After the defeat at Dunkou he was stripped of office, and from that time he resented Hu, urging the emperor to kill him in hopes of taking his place. The emperor then secretly conspired with Zhi, with Yuwen Shenju, Palace Steward of the Right and Grand Master of the Middle, with Wang Gui of Taiyuan, Junior Master of Writing of the Interior, and with Yuwen Xiaobo, Attendant Gentleman of the Right. Shenju was the son of Xianhe; Xiaobo was the son of Duke Shen of Anhua.
14
帝每於禁中見護，常行家人禮，太后賜護坐，帝立侍於旁。 丙辰，護自同州還長安，帝御文安殿見之。 因引護入含仁殿謁太后，且謂之曰：「太后春秋高，頗好飲酒，雖屢諫，未蒙垂納。 兄今入朝，願更啟請。」 因出懷中《酒誥》授之，曰：「以此諫太后。」 護既入，如帝所戒讀《酒誥》； 未畢，帝以玉珽自後擊之，護踣於地。 帝令宦者何泉以御刀斫之，泉惶懼，斫不能傷。 衛公直匿於戶內，躍出，斬之。 時神舉等皆在外，更無知者。
Whenever the emperor received Hu inside the palace, he observed the etiquette of kin; the empress dowager would give Hu a seat while the emperor stood in attendance beside him. On bingchen, Hu returned from Tong Province to Chang'an, and the emperor received him in Wen'an Hall. He then led Hu into Honren Hall to visit the empress dowager and said to him, "The empress dowager is advanced in years and much given to wine; though I have admonished her repeatedly, she has not heeded me. Elder brother, now that you are in court today, I hope you will plead with her once more." He then produced the Admonition on Wine from his robe and handed it to Hu, saying, "Use this to admonish the empress dowager." When Hu entered, he read the Admonition on Wine as the emperor had directed; before he had finished, the emperor struck him from behind with a jade scepter and Hu collapsed to the floor. The emperor ordered the eunuch He Quan to strike him with the imperial blade, but Quan, terrified, could not land a wound. Duke Zhi of Wei, who had been hiding behind the door, sprang out and cut him down. Shenju and the others were all outside at the time, and no one else knew what had happened.
15
帝召宮伯長孫覽等，告以護已誅，令收護子柱國譚公會、大將軍莒公至、崇業公靜、正平公乾嘉及其弟乾基、乾光、乾蔚、乾祖、乾威並柱國北地侯龍恩、龍恩弟大將軍萬壽、大將軍劉勇、中外府司錄尹公正、袁傑、膳部下大夫李安等，於殿中殺之。 覽，稚之孫也。
The emperor summoned Palace Steward Changsun Lan and the others, announced that Hu had been killed, and ordered the arrest of Hu's sons—Duke Hui of Tan, Duke Zhi of Ju, Duke Jing of Chongye, and Duke Qianjia of Zhengping—together with his younger brothers Qianji, Qian'guang, Qianwei, Qianzu, and Qianwei, as well as Marquis Long'en of Beidi, Long'en's younger brother Grand General Wanshou, Grand General Liu Yong, Chief Clerk Yin Gongzheng, Yuan Jie, and Master of Provisions Li An, and had them all slain in the hall. Lan was the grandson of Zhizhi.
16
初，護既殺趙貴等，諸將多不自安。 侯龍恩為護所親，其從弟開府儀同三司植謂龍恩曰：「主上春秋既富，安危繫於數公。 若多所誅戮以自立威權，豈唯社稷有累卵之危，恐吾宗亦緣此而敗，兄安得知而不言！」 龍恩不能從。 植又承間言於護曰：「公以骨肉之親，當社稷之寄，願推誠王室，擬跡伊、周，則率土幸甚！」 護曰：「我誓以身報國，卿豈謂吾有他志邪！」 又聞其先與龍恩言，陰忌之，植以憂卒。 及護敗，龍恩兄弟皆死，高祖以植為忠，特免其子孫。
Earlier, after Hu had killed Zhao Gui and the others, many of the generals were uneasy. Hou Long'en was a favorite of Hu's; his younger cousin Zhi, who held the rank of Opening the Fount with Ritual Equal to the Third Rank, said to Long'en, "The sovereign is already mature in years, and the realm's safety rests on a handful of great men. If you slaughter many men to build your own authority, will the altars of state alone face peril piled like eggs in a tower? I fear our house will be ruined as well. Elder brother, how can you know this and keep silent!" Long'en would not heed him. Zhi also seized an occasion to tell Hu, "As one bound by flesh and blood to the throne, you bear the charge of the realm; if you would serve the royal house with full sincerity and walk in the footsteps of the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao, all under heaven would rejoice!" Hu said, "I have sworn to repay the state with my life—do you think I harbor some other design!" When he also heard of Zhi's earlier words to Long'en, he secretly bore him ill will, and Zhi died of grief. When Hu fell, Long'en and his brothers were all executed, but Gaozu judged Zhi loyal and specially spared his descendants.
17
大司馬兼小塚宰、雍州牧齊公憲，素為護所親任，賞罰之際，皆得參預，權勢頗盛。 護欲有所陳，多令憲聞奏，其間或有可不，憲慮主相嫌隙，每曲而暢之，帝亦察其心。 及護死，召憲入，憲免冠拜謝； 帝慰勉之，使詣護第收兵符及諸文籍。 衛公直素忌憲，固請誅之，帝不許。
Grand Marshal Duke Xian of Qi, who also served as Junior Grand Steward and governor of Yong Province, had long been trusted by Hu and took part in every decision of reward and punishment; his power was considerable. When Hu wished to submit a proposal, he often had Xian relay it to the throne; when something was unacceptable, Xian, fearing a rift between sovereign and minister, would soften and clarify it, and the emperor saw his intent as well. When Hu died, the emperor summoned Xian; Xian removed his cap and bowed in gratitude; the emperor comforted him and sent him to Hu's mansion to collect the military tallies and all papers and records. Duke Zhi of Wei had long resented Xian and pressed hard for his execution, but the emperor refused.
18
護世子訓為蒲州刺史，是夜，帝遣柱國越公盛乘傳征訓，至同州，賜死。 昌城公深使突厥未還，遣開府儀同三司宇文德繼璽書就殺之。 護長史代郡叱羅協、司錄弘農馮遷及所新任者，皆除名。
Hu's eldest son Training was governor of Pu Province; that night the emperor sent Duke Sheng of Yue by relay post to summon him, and at Tong Province Training was ordered to take his own life. Duke Shen of Changcheng was still on his mission to the Turks; the emperor sent Yuwen De, who held the rank of Opening the Fount with Ritual Equal to the Third Rank, with the imperial writ to overtake and kill Training. Hu's chief clerk Chiluo Xie of Dai, his recorder Feng Qian of Hongnong, and all who had lately been appointed in his service were struck from the registers.
19
丁巳，大赦，改元。 以宇文孝伯為車騎大將軍，與王軌並加開府儀同三司。 初，孝伯與帝同日生，太祖愛之，養於第中，幼與帝同學。 及即位，欲引致左右，託言欲與孝伯講習舊經，故護弗之疑也，以為右侍上士，出入臥內，預聞機務。 孝伯為人，沉正忠諒。 朝政得失，外間細事，無不使帝聞之。
On dingsi, the emperor proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name. Yuwen Xiaobo was appointed Grand Cavalry General, and he and Wang Gui were both granted the rank of Opening the Fount with Ritual Equal to the Third Rank. Xiaobo had been born on the same day as the emperor; Taizu favored him and raised him in his household, and from childhood he studied with the emperor. After his accession the emperor wished to keep Xiaobo near him; he claimed that he wanted to study the old classics with him, so Hu suspected nothing and appointed him Attendant Gentleman of the Right, with access to the inner apartments and a share in confidential affairs. Xiaobo was grave, upright, loyal, and trustworthy. Nothing of court policy, right or wrong, and no small matter from beyond the palace escaped his reporting to the emperor.
20
帝閱護書記，有假托符命妄造異謀者，皆坐誅； 唯得庾季才書兩紙，盛言緯候災祥，宜返政歸權，帝賜季才粟三百石，帛二百段，遷太中大夫。
The emperor examined Hu's papers; all who had forged portents and plotted rebellion were executed; he found only two letters from Yi Jicai, urging him at length, by the signs of heaven, to restore authority to the throne; the emperor rewarded Jicai with three hundred shi of grain and two hundred bolts of silk and promoted him to Grand Palace Grandee.
21
癸亥，以尉遲迥為太師，柱國竇熾為太傅，李穆為太保，齊公憲為大塚宰，衛公直為大司徒，陸通為大司馬，柱國辛威為大司寇，趙公招為大司空。
On guihai, Wei Chidijiong was appointed Grand Master, Dou Chi Grand Tutor, Li Mu Grand Protector, Duke Xian of Qi Grand Steward, Duke Zhi of Wei Grand Minister of Education, Lu Tong Grand Marshal, Xin Wei Grand Judge, and Duke Zhao Grand Minister of Works.
22
時帝始親覽朝政，頗事威刑，雖骨肉無所寬借。 齊公憲雖遷塚宰，實奪之權。 又謂憲侍讀裴文舉曰：「昔魏末不綱，太祖輔政； 及周室受命，晉公復執大權； 積習生常，愚者謂法應如是。 豈有年三十天子而可為人所制乎！ 《詩》云：『夙夜匪懈，以事一人。』 一人，謂天子耳。 卿雖陪侍齊公，不得遽同為臣，欲死於所事。 宜輔以正道，勸以義方，輯睦我君臣，協和我兄弟，勿令自致嫌疑。」 文舉鹹以白憲，憲指心撫幾曰：「吾之夙心，公寧不知！ 但當盡忠竭節耳，知復何言！」
The emperor now began to handle government himself and relied heavily on harsh punishments, sparing not even his own kin. Though Duke Xian of Qi was named Grand Steward, his real authority was taken from him. He also told Xian's attendant reader Pei Wenchu, "In the disorder at the end of Wei, Taizu took charge of government; when Zhou received the mandate, Duke Hu of Jin again seized great power; custom piled upon custom until fools thought this was how things must be. Can a Son of Heaven of thirty years be ruled by another! The Odes say, 'From early to late without slack, to serve one man.' One man' means the Son of Heaven alone. Though you attend Duke Xian of Qi, you must not at once treat him as your lord as you do me; I mean to be faithful even unto death to the one I serve. Assist him with the right path, counsel him in righteousness, knit together lord and minister and knit together brothers, and do not let suspicion arise between us. Wenchu reported all of this to Xian; Xian touched his heart and stroked the desk, saying, "What has long been in my heart—do you think you do not know it! I have only to exhaust loyalty and integrity—what more is there to say!"
23
衛公直，性浮詭貪狠，意望大塚宰； 既不得，殊怏怏； 更請為大司馬，欲據兵權。 帝揣知其意，曰：「汝兄弟長幼有序，豈可返居下列！」 由是用為大司徒。
Duke Zhi of Wei was by nature frivolous, deceitful, greedy, and ruthless, and he coveted the Grand Stewardship; when he did not get it he was deeply displeased; he then asked instead for the post of Grand Marshal, seeking to hold military power. The emperor saw through his intent and said, "Among you brothers seniority is fixed—how could you take a lower place!" Accordingly he was appointed Grand Minister of Education.
24
夏，四月，周遣工部成公建、小禮部辛彥之聘於齊。
In summer, the fourth month, Northern Zhou sent Duke Jian of the Ministry of Works and Junior Director of Rites Xin Yanzhi on diplomatic missions to Northern Qi.
25
庚寅，周追尊略陽公為孝閔皇帝。
On gengyin, Northern Zhou posthumously honored the Duke of Lueyang as Emperor Xiaomin.
26
癸巳，周立皇子魯公贇為太子，大赦。
On guisi, Northern Zhou installed the emperor's son Yun, Duke of Lu, as crown prince and proclaimed a general amnesty.
27
五月，癸卯，王勱卒。
In the fifth month, on guimao, Wang Li died.
28
齊尚書右僕射祖珽，勢傾朝野。 左丞相咸陽王斛律光惡之，遙見，輒罵曰：「多事乞索小人，欲行何計！」 又嘗謂諸將曰：「邊境消息，兵馬處分，趙令恆與吾輩參論。 盲人掌機密以來，全不與吾輩語，正恐誤國家事耳。」 光嘗在朝堂垂簾坐； 珽不知，乘馬過其前，光怒曰：「小人乃敢爾！」 後珽在內省，言聲高慢，光適過，聞之，又怒。 珽覺之，私賂光從奴問之，奴曰：「自公用事，相王每夜抱膝歎曰：『盲人入，國必破矣！』」 穆提婆求娶光庶女，不許。 齊主賜提婆晉陽田，光言於朝曰：「此田，神武帝以來常種禾，飼馬數千匹，以擬寇敵。 今賜提婆，無乃闕軍務也。」 由是祖、穆皆怨之。
Zu Ting, Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing in Northern Qi, wielded power that dominated court and countryside alike. Left Prime Minister Prince Xianyang Hu Guang detested him; whenever he saw him from afar he would shout, "You meddling beggar of a petty man—what plot are you hatching now!" He also once told the generals, "Border intelligence and the disposition of troops—Commander Zhao always consulted with us. Since this blind man took charge of secrets, he will not speak with us at all, and I truly fear he will ruin the affairs of state." Hu Guang once sat behind the curtain in the court hall; Zu Ting, unaware, rode his horse past in front of him; Hu Guang raged, "You petty wretch—how dare you!" Later, when Zu Ting was in the Inner Secretariat speaking in a loud, arrogant voice, Hu Guang happened to pass by, heard him, and grew angry once more. Zu Ting noticed this and secretly bribed one of Hu Guang's attendants to ask about it; the man said, "Ever since you took office, the prince hugs his knees each night and sighs, 'When the blind man gets in, the state is finished!' Mutipo asked to marry Hu Guang's daughter by a concubine, but Guang refused." When the Northern Qi ruler granted Mutipo fields at Jinyang, Hu Guang said at court, "Since the time of Emperor Shenwu these fields have always grown grain to feed thousands of horses against enemy raids. To give them to Mutipo now will surely cripple our military readiness." From this both Zu Ting and Mutipo bore him a grudge.
29
斛律後無寵，珽因而間之。 光弟羨，為都督、幽州刺史、行台尚書令，亦善治兵，士馬精強，鄣候嚴整，突厥畏之，謂之「南可汗」。 光長子武都，為開府儀同三司，梁、兗二州刺史。
Empress Huo of the Huo clan had fallen from favor, and Zu Ting used the opening to set them at odds. Guang's younger brother Xian served as area commander, governor of You Province, and acting director of the mobile secretariat; he too was expert in military affairs, with elite troops and horses and stern border defenses, so that the Turks feared him and called him "the Southern Khan." Guang's eldest son Wudu held the rank of Opening the Fount with Ritual Equal to the Third Rank and governed Liang and Yan provinces.
30
光雖貴極人臣，性節儉，不好聲色，罕接賓客，杜絕饋餉，不貪權勢。 每朝廷會議，常獨後言，言輒合理。 或有表疏，令人執筆，口佔之，務從省實。 行兵仿其父金之法，營舍未定，終不入幕； 或竟日不坐，身不脫介冑，常為士卒先。 士卒有罪，唯大杖撾背，未嘗妄殺，眾皆爭為之死。 自結髮從軍。 未嘗敗北，深為鄰敵所憚。 周勳州刺史韋孝寬密為謠言曰：「百升飛上天，明月照長安。」 又曰：「高山不推自崩，槲木不扶自舉。」 令諜人傳之於鄴，鄴中小兒歌之於路。 珽因續之曰：「盲老公背受大斧，饒舌老母不得語。」 使其妻兄鄭道蓋奏之。 帝以問珽，珽與陸令萱皆曰：「實聞有之。」 珽因解之曰：「百升者，斛也。 盲老公，謂臣也，與國同憂。 饒舌老母，似謂女侍中陸氏也。 且斛律累世大將，明月聲震關西，豐樂威行突厥，女為皇后，男尚公主，謠言甚可畏也。」 帝以問韓長鸞，長鸞以為不可，事遂寢。
Though Hu Guang stood at the pinnacle of the court, he was frugal by nature, cared nothing for music or women, rarely received guests, refused gifts, and did not grasp for power. In court councils he usually spoke last, and what he said was always sound. When he drafted memorials, he had a scribe take dictation, always aiming for brevity and plain fact. On campaign he followed his father Jin's methods: until the camp was fully laid out he would not enter his tent; sometimes he would go the whole day without sitting down, never removing his armor, always leading the troops from the front. When soldiers erred he only beat their backs with a heavy staff and never killed capriciously, so that all were eager to die for him. He had soldiered since he was a youth. He had never known defeat, and neighboring enemies deeply feared him. Wei Xiaokuan, governor of Xun Province in Northern Zhou, secretly composed a ballad: "A hundred sheng flies up to heaven; the bright moon shines on Chang'an." It also ran, "A high mountain needs no push to crumble; an oak needs no prop to fall." He had agents spread it in Ye, where children sang it in the streets. Zu Ting then added lines: "The blind old husband takes a great axe on his back; the garrulous old mother may not speak." He had his wife's elder brother Zheng Daogai report it to the throne. The emperor asked Zu Ting, and Ting and Lu Lingxuan both said they had indeed heard it. Zu Ting then explained, "'A hundred sheng' means Huo—the Huo clan. "The blind old husband" means me, for I share the state's anxieties. The phrase "the garrulous old mother" seems to mean Lady Lu, the Female Palace Attendant. Moreover, the Huo clan has produced great generals for generations; Mingyue's fame shakes the western passes and Fengle's prestige reaches the Turks; their daughter is empress and their sons have married princesses—the ballad is truly alarming." "The emperor consulted Han Changluan, who opposed action, and the matter was dropped."
31
珽又見帝，請間，唯何洪珍在側。 帝曰：「前得公啟，即欲施行，長鸞以為無此理。」 珽未對，洪珍進曰：「若本無意則可； 既有此意而不決行，萬一洩露，如何？」 帝曰：「洪珍言是也。」 然猶未決。 會丞相府佐封士讓密啟云：「光前西討還，敕令散兵，光引兵逼帝城，將行不軌，事不果而止。 家藏弩甲，奴僮千數，每遣使往豐樂、武都所，陰謀往來。 若不早圖，恐事不可測。」 帝遂信之，謂何洪珍曰：「人心亦大靈，我前疑其欲反，果然。」 帝性怯，恐即有變，令洪珍馳召祖珽告之：「欲召光，恐其不從命。」 珽請「遣使賜以駿馬，語云：『明日將游東山，王可乘此同行。』 光必入謝，因而執之。」 帝如其言。
Zu Ting again requested a private audience with the emperor; only He Hongzhen was present. The emperor said, "When I received your memorial earlier I meant to act on it at once, but Changluan said there was no grounds for it." Before Zu Ting could answer, Hongzhen stepped forward and said, "If you had never intended it, that would be one thing; but now that you have formed the intent and do not act, what if it leaks out?" The emperor said, "Hongzhen is right." Yet he still could not decide. Just then Feng Shirang, an aide in the chancellor's office, sent a secret memorial claiming that when Hu Guang returned from his western campaign, though ordered to disband his troops, he had marched on the capital intending treason, and had only stopped when the plot failed. He kept crossbows and armor at home, maintained a thousand-odd slaves and servants, and constantly sent agents to Fengle and Wudu on secret business. Unless he is dealt with soon, the outcome may be beyond control." The emperor believed him and told He Hongzhen, "Hearts are uncannily perceptive—I suspected he meant to rebel, and so it proves." Timid by nature and fearing immediate trouble, the emperor sent Hongzhen at speed to summon Zu Ting and said, "We wish to summon Guang, but fear he will not come." Zu Ting proposed, "Send an envoy with a fine horse and say, 'Tomorrow I shall visit Eastern Hill; you may ride this and come with me. Guang will certainly come in to give thanks, and then you can seize him." "The emperor did as he advised.
32
六月，戊辰，光入，至涼風堂，劉桃枝自後撲之，不僕，顧曰：「桃枝常為如此事。 我不負國家。」 桃枝與三力士以弓弦罥其頸，拉而殺之，血流於地，剷之，跡終不滅。 於是下詔稱其謀反，並殺其子開府儀同三司世雄、儀同三司恆伽。
In the sixth month, on wuchen, Hu Guang entered the palace; at Cool Breeze Hall Liu Taozhi struck him from behind, but he did not fall and turned to say, "Taozhi is always doing things like this. I have not betrayed the state." Taozhi and three strongmen looped a bowstring around his neck and strangled him; blood pooled on the floor, and though they scraped it away the stain would never disappear. An edict then declared that he had plotted rebellion, and his sons Shixiong and Hengqia were executed as well.
33
祖珽使二千石郎邢祖信簿錄光家。 珽於都省問所得物，祖信曰：「得弓十五，宴射箭百，刀七，賜槊。」 珽厲聲曰：「更得何物？」 曰：「得棗杖二十束，擬奴僕與人斗者，不問曲直，即杖之一百。」 珽大慚，乃下聲曰：「朝廷已加重刑，郎中何宜為雪！」 及出，人尤其抗直，祖信慨然曰：「賢宰相尚死，我何惜餘生！」 齊主遣使就州斬斛律武都，又遣中領軍賀拔伏恩乘驛捕斛律羨，仍以洛州行台僕射中山獨孤永業代羨，與大將軍鮮于桃枝發定州騎卒續進。 伏恩等至幽州，門者白：「使人衷甲，馬有汗，宜閉城門。」 羨曰：「敕使豈可疑拒！」 出見之。 伏恩執而殺之。 初，羨常以盛滿為懼，表解所職，不許。 臨刑，歎曰：「富貴如此，女為皇后，公主滿家，常使三百兵，何得不敗！」 及其五子伏護、世達、世遷、世辨、世酋皆死。
Zu Ting sent Xing Zuxin, a gentleman of the two-thousand-bushel rank, to inventory Hu Guang's household. At the metropolitan office Zu Ting asked what had been found; Zuxin reported, "Fifteen bows, a hundred banquet arrows, seven knives, and one ceremonial spear." Zu Ting demanded in a harsh voice, "What else?" He answered, "Twenty bundles of jujube staffs—for whenever servants fought, he would beat them a hundred strokes without asking who was in the right." Zu Ting flushed with shame and lowered his voice: "The court has already passed sentence—why should you speak in his defense!" When he left, many criticized his bold frankness; Zuxin said with feeling, "If even so worthy a minister can be killed, why should I spare what life remains!" The Northern Qi ruler sent agents to behead Huo Wudu in his province and dispatched Central Army Commander Heluo Fu'en by relay post to seize Huo Xian; Dugu Yongye of Zhongshan replaced Xian as vice director on the Luoyang mobile secretariat, while Grand General Xianyu Taozhi led cavalry from Ding Province in support. When Fu'en reached You Province, the gatekeeper reported, "The envoys wear armor beneath their robes and their horses are lathered—the gates should be shut." Xian said, "How can we suspect and refuse imperial envoys!" He went out to receive them. Fu'en seized and killed him. Earlier Xian had often feared the danger of holding too much power and asked to resign, but was refused. At his execution he sighed, "With such wealth and honor—a daughter who was empress, princesses throughout the household, three hundred soldiers always at call—how could we not fall!" His five sons Fuhu, Shida, Shiqian, Shibian, and Shiyou were all executed as well.
34
周主聞光死，為之大赦。
When the Zhou emperor heard of Hu Guang's death, he proclaimed a general amnesty.
35
祖珽與侍中高元海共執齊政。 元海妻，陸令萱之甥也，元海數以令萱密語告珽。 珽求為領軍，齊主許之，元海密言於帝曰：「孝征漢人，兩目又盲，豈可為領軍！」 因言珽與廣寧王孝珩交結，由是中止。 珽求見，自辨，且言：「臣與元海素嫌，必元海譖臣。」 帝弱顏，不能諱，以實告之，珽因元海與司農卿尹子華等結為朋黨。 又以元海所洩密語告令萱，令萱怒，出元海為鄭州刺史。 子華等皆被黜。
Zu Ting and Palace Attendant Gao Yuanhai together controlled the government of Northern Qi. Yuanhai's wife was Lu Lingxuan's niece, and Yuanhai often repeated Lingxuan's private remarks to Zu Ting. Zu Ting asked to be made army commander and the ruler agreed, but Yuanhai secretly told the emperor, "Xiaozheng is a Han Chinese and blind in both eyes—how can he command the armies!" He also claimed that Zu Ting was close to Prince Xiaoxiang of Guangning, and on that pretext the appointment was stopped. Zu Ting sought an audience, defended himself, and said, "Yuanhai and I have long been at odds—he must be slandering me." The emperor's face fell; unable to hide the truth, he told Zu Ting everything, and Zu Ting then formed a faction with Yin Zihua, director of the directorate of agriculture, and others against Yuanhai. He also told Lu Lingxuan what Yuanhai had betrayed in confidence; enraged, she had Yuanhai sent out as governor of Zheng Province. Zihua and his allies were all dismissed.
36
珽自是專主機衡，總知騎兵、外兵事，內外親戚，皆得顯位。 帝常令中要人扶侍出入，直至永巷，每同御榻論決政事，委任之重，群臣莫比。
From then on Zu Ting alone held the levers of power, overseeing cavalry and frontier forces, and his kin inside and outside the court all won high office. The emperor regularly had attendants support him in and out, even into the Long Lane, and discussed policy with him on the imperial couch; no minister matched his authority.
37
秋，七月，遣使如周。
In autumn, the seventh month, Chen sent envoys to Northern Zhou.
38
八月，庚午，齊廢皇后斛律氏為庶人。 以任城王湝為右丞相，馮翊王潤為太尉，蘭陵王長恭為大司馬，廣寧王孝珩為大將軍，安德王延宗為大司徒。
In the eighth month, on gengwu, Northern Qi deposed Empress Huo of the Huo clan and reduced her to commoner status. Prince Cheng of Rencheng was appointed Right Chancellor, Prince Run of Fengyi Grand Minister of Education, Prince Changgong of Lanling Grand Marshal, Prince Xiaoxiang of Guangning Grand General, and Prince Yanzong of Ande Grand Minister of Education.
39
齊使領軍封輔相聘於周。
Northern Qi sent Army Commander Feng Fuxiang on a diplomatic mission to Northern Zhou.
40
辛未，周使司城中大夫杜杲來聘。 上謂之曰：「若欲合從圖齊，宜以樊、鄧見與。」 對曰：「合從圖齊，豈弊邑之利！ 必須城鎮，宜待得之於齊，先索漢南，使臣不敢聞命。」
On xinwei, Northern Zhou sent Grand Master Du Guo of the City within the Walls on a diplomatic mission. The Chen emperor told him, "If you wish to ally with us against Qi, you should cede Fan and Deng first." He replied, "An alliance against Qi is hardly to our state's advantage alone! If you insist on fortified towns, wait until you take them from Qi; to demand Han'nan in advance is more than I dare relay to my sovereign."
41
初，齊胡太后自愧失德，欲求悅於齊主，乃飾其兄長仁之女置宮中，令帝見之，帝果悅，納為昭儀。 又斛律後廢，陸令萱欲立穆夫人； 太后欲立胡昭儀，力不能遂，乃卑辭厚禮以求令萱，結為姊妹。 令萱亦以胡昭儀寵幸方隆，不得已，與祖珽白帝立之。 戊子，立皇后胡氏。
Earlier, Empress Dowager Hu of Northern Qi, ashamed of her misconduct, sought to win the ruler's favor; she dressed up her elder brother Ren's daughter, placed her in the palace, and had the emperor see her; he was pleased and took her as Brilliant Companion. After Empress Huo was deposed, Lu Lingxuan wished to make Lady Mu empress; the empress dowager wished to install Brilliant Companion Hu but could not prevail, so she humbled herself with gifts and won Lingxuan as a sworn sister. Lingxuan, seeing that Brilliant Companion Hu was then in high favor, had no choice; she and Zu Ting persuaded the emperor to install her. On wuzi, Lady Hu was installed as empress.
42
已丑，齊以北平王仁堅為尚書令，特進許季良為左僕射，彭城王寶德為右僕射。
On jichou, Northern Qi appointed Prince Renjian of Beiping Director of the Masters of Writing, Xu Jiliang Left Vice Director with the rank of Special Advance, and Prince Baode of Pengcheng Right Vice Director.
43
癸已，齊主如晉陽。
On guisi, the Northern Qi ruler went to Jinyang.
44
九月，庚子朔，日有食之。
In the ninth month, on the gengzi new moon, a solar eclipse occurred.
45
辛亥，大赦。
On xinhai, a general amnesty was proclaimed.
46
冬，十月，庚午，周詔：「江陵所虜充官口者，悉免為民。」
In winter, the tenth month, on gengwu, Northern Zhou issued an edict: "All captives from Jiangling held as official slaves are hereby freed as commoners."
47
辛未，周遣小匠師楊勰等來聘。 周綏德公陸通卒。
On xinwei, Northern Zhou sent Junior Master Artisan Yang Xie and others on a diplomatic mission. Duke Tong of Suide of Northern Zhou died.
48
乙酉，上享太廟。
On yiyou, the Chen emperor offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
49
齊陸令萱欲立穆昭儀為皇后，每私謂齊主曰：「豈有男為皇太子，而身為婢妾者乎！」 胡後有寵於帝，不可離間。 令萱乃使人行厭蠱之術，旬朔之間，胡後精神恍惚，言笑無恆，帝漸畏而惡之。 令萱一旦忽以皇后服御衣被穆昭儀，又別造寶帳，爰及枕席器玩，莫非珍奇。 坐昭儀於帳中，謂帝曰：「有一聖女出，將大家看之。」 及見昭儀，令萱乃曰：「如此人不作皇后，遣何物人作！」 帝納其言。
Lu Lingxuan wished to make Brilliant Consort Mu empress and often told the Northern Qi ruler privately, "How can a crown prince's mother remain a mere concubine!" Empress Hu still held the emperor's favor and could not be separated from him. Lingxuan then had sorcery worked against her; within a month Empress Hu grew confused, her speech and laughter erratic, and the emperor came to fear and loathe her. One day Lingxuan suddenly dressed Brilliant Consort Mu in the empress's robes and regalia and had a jeweled canopy made, with pillows, bedding, and ornaments all of the rarest kind. She seated the Brilliant Consort in the canopy and told the emperor, "A holy woman has appeared—come and see her." When he saw her, Lingxuan said, "If this woman is not made empress, what sort of woman should be!" The emperor took her advice.
50
甲午，立穆氏為右皇后，以胡氏為左皇后。
On jiawu, Lady Mu was installed as Right Empress and Lady Hu as Left Empress.
51
十一月，庚戌，周主行如羌橋，集長安以東諸軍都督以上，頒賜有差。 乙卯，還宮。 以趙公招為大司馬。
In the eleventh month, on gengxu, the Northern Zhou ruler went to Qiang Bridge, gathered every army commander stationed east of Chang'an, and distributed rewards according to rank. On yimao, he returned to the palace. Duke Zhao Zhao was appointed Grand Marshal.
52
壬申，周主如斜谷，集長安以西諸軍都督以上，頒賜有差。 丙戌，還宮。
On renshen, the Northern Zhou ruler went to Xie Valley, gathered every army commander west of Chang'an, and distributed rewards according to rank. On bingxu, he returned to the palace.
53
庚寅，周主游道會苑，以上善殿壯麗，焚之。
On gengyin, the Northern Zhou ruler visited Dao Assembly Park and, finding Upper Goodness Hall too lavish, had it burned.
54
十二月，辛巳，周主祀南郊。
In the twelfth month, on xinsi, the Northern Zhou ruler sacrificed at the southern suburb.
55
齊胡後之立，非陸令萱意，令萱一旦於太后前作色而言曰：「何物親侄，作如此語！」 太后問其故，令萱曰：「不可道。」 固問之，乃曰：「語大家云：『太后行多非法，不可以訓。』 「太后大怒，呼後出，立剃其發，送還家。 辛丑，廢胡後為庶人。 然齊主猶思之，每致物以通意。
Empress Hu's installation had not been Lu Lingxuan's plan; one day Lingxuan turned angry before the empress dowager and said, "What kind of kinswoman by marriage dares speak like this!" The empress dowager asked why; Lingxuan said, "I cannot say." Pressed again and again, she finally said, "She told His Majesty, 'The empress dowager's conduct is mostly improper and unfit to instruct anyone.' The empress dowager flew into a rage, had the empress brought out, shaved her head on the spot, and sent her home. On xinchou, Empress Hu was deposed and reduced to commoner status. Yet the Northern Qi ruler still missed her and kept sending gifts to show his affection.
56
自是令萱與其子侍中穆提婆勢傾內外，賣官鬻獄，聚斂無厭。 每一賜與，動傾府藏。 令萱則自太后以下，皆受其指麾； 提婆則唐邕之徒，皆重足屏氣； 殺生與奪，唯意所欲。
From then on Lingxuan and her son, Palace Attendant Mu Tiba, dominated court and realm, selling offices and verdicts and amassing wealth without end. Every grant to them nearly drained the treasury. Lingxuan commanded everyone from the empress dowager down; and men such as Tang Yong trembled before Tiba and scarcely dared breathe; life and death, reward and punishment—all lay in their hands alone.
57
乙巳，周以柱國田弘為大司空。
On yisi, Northern Zhou appointed Pillar of State Tian Hong Grand Minister of Works.
58
乙卯，周主享太廟。
On yimao, the Northern Zhou ruler offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
59
是歲，突厥木桿可汗卒，復捨其子大邏便而立其弟，是為佗缽可汗。 佗缽以攝圖為爾伏可汗，統其東面； 又以其弟褥但可汗之子為步離可汗，居西面。 周人與之和親，歲給繒絮錦彩十萬段。 突厥在長安者，衣錦食肉，常以千數。 齊人亦畏其為寇，爭厚賂之。 佗缽益驕，謂其下曰：「但使我在南兩兒常孝，何憂於貧！」
That year the Turkic kaghan Muhan died; the Turks again passed over his son Daluobian and enthroned his younger brother, known as Kaghan Tabo. Tabo made Shetu Erbo Kaghan and placed him in charge of the eastern wing; and made the son of his younger brother Rudan Buli Kaghan, who held the western wing. Northern Zhou allied with them by marriage and sent one hundred thousand bolts of silk, floss, and brocade each year. Turks living in Chang'an, dressed in brocade and feasting on meat, often numbered in the thousands. Northern Qi likewise feared Turkic raids and competed to buy them off with rich gifts. Tabo grew ever more arrogant and told his followers, "As long as I stay in the south and my two sons remain dutiful, why should I fear poverty!"
60
阿史那後無寵於周主，神武公竇毅尚襄陽公主，生女尚幼，密言於帝曰：「今齊、陳鼎峙，突厥方強，願舅抑情慰撫，以生民為念！」 帝深納之。
Empress Ashina had fallen from the Northern Zhou ruler's favor; Martial Spirit Duke Dou Yi, married to Princess Xiangyang, had a young daughter and spoke privately to the emperor: "Qi and Chen now stand divided, and the Turks are strong; I beg you, my uncle, to set aside personal feeling, show her kindness, and think of the people!" The emperor took the advice to heart.
61
春，正月，癸酉，以吏部尚書沈君理為右僕射。 戊寅，齊以並省尚書令高阿那肱錄尚書事，總知外兵及內省機密，與侍中城陽王穆提婆、領軍大將軍昌黎王韓長鸞共處衡軸，號曰「三貴」，蠹國害民，日月滋甚。
In spring, the first month, on guiyou, Shen Junli, Director of the Masters of Writing for Personnel, was appointed Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On wuyin, Northern Qi made Gao Anagou, Director of the Masters of Writing for the Combined Secretariat, Recorder of Affairs of the Masters of Writing, with overall charge of field armies and inner-court secrets; with Palace Attendant Prince Mu Tiba of Chengyang and General-in-Chief of the Guards Han Changluan, Prince of Changli, he formed the ruling trio called the "Three Nobles," a plague on state and people that worsened by the day.
62
長鸞弟萬歲，子寶行、寶信，並開府儀同三司，萬歲仍兼侍中，寶行、寶信皆尚公主。 每群臣旦參，帝常先引長鸞顧訪，出後，方引奏事官。 若不視事，內省有急奏事，皆附長鸞奏聞。 軍國要密，無不經手。 尤疾士人，朝夕宴私，唯事譖訴。 常帶刀走馬，未嘗安行，嗔目張拳，有啖人之勢。 朝士咨事，莫敢仰視，動致呵叱。 每罵云：「漢狗大不可耐，唯須殺之！」
Changluan's brother Wansui and his sons Baoxing and Baoxin all received mansions equal to the three dukes; Wansui also served as palace attendant, and Baoxing and Baoxin each married a princess. At each morning audience the emperor usually summoned Changluan first for private counsel and only afterward admitted officials with business to report. When the emperor did not hold court, urgent inner-court business was all relayed through Changluan. No important military or state secret escaped his hands. He especially hated scholar-officials and spent his private hours feasting and plotting slander. He always wore a sword and rode at full gallop, never walking calmly; glaring and fist clenched, he looked ready to devour a man. Court officials who came to him on business dared not meet his eye and were constantly shouted down. He often raged, "These Han dogs are intolerable—they ought all to be killed!"
63
庚辰，齊遣崔象來聘。
On gengchen, Northern Qi sent Cui Xiang on a diplomatic mission.
64
辛巳，上祀南郊； 甲午，享太廟； 二月，辛丑，祀明堂。
On xinsi, the Chen emperor sacrificed at the southern suburb; on jiawu, he offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple; in the second month, on xinchou, he sacrificed at the Bright Hall.
65
乙巳，齊立右皇后穆氏為皇后。 穆後母名輕霄，本穆氏之婢也，面有黥字。 後既以陸令萱為母，穆提婆為外家，號令萱曰「太姬」。 太姬者，齊皇后母號也，視一品，班在長公主上。 由是不復問輕霄。 輕霄自療面，欲求見後，太姬使禁掌之，竟不得見。
On yisi, Northern Qi installed Right Empress Lady Mu as empress. Empress Mu's mother, Qingxiao, had originally been a maid in the Mu household and bore tattoo marks on her face. The empress then took Lu Lingxuan as her mother and Mu Tiba as her maternal kin, and styled Lingxuan "Grand Dame." "Grand Dame" was the Northern Qi title for an empress's mother; it ranked as first grade and stood above long princesses. After that she no longer paid any attention to Qingxiao. Qingxiao treated her facial tattoos herself and tried to see the empress, but the Grand Dame had her kept under guard and she never gained an audience.
66
齊主頗好文學。 丙午，祖珽奏置文林館，多引文學之士以充之，謂之待詔； 以中書侍即博陵李德林、黃門侍郎琅邪顏之推同判館事，又命共撰《修文殿御覽》。
The Northern Qi ruler had a strong taste for literature. On bingwu, Zu Ting memorialized to establish the Forest of Literature Hall, recruited many literary scholars to fill it, and called them awaiting-edict scholars; Li Delin of Boling, Attendant Gentleman of the Secretariat, and Yan Zhitui of Langya, Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, were jointly placed in charge of the hall, and were also ordered to compile the "Imperial Overview of the Cultured Literary Hall."
67
甲寅，周太子贇巡省西土。
On jiayin, Northern Zhou's crown prince Yun toured the western provinces.
68
乙卯，齊以北平王堅錄尚書事。 丁巳，齊主如晉陽。
On yimao, Northern Qi made Prince Jian of Beiping Recorder of Affairs of the Masters of Writing. On dingsi, the Northern Qi ruler went to Jinyang.
69
壬戌，周遣司會侯莫陳凱等聘於齊。
On renxu, Northern Zhou sent Director of Conferences Houmochen Kai and others on a diplomatic mission to Northern Qi.
70
庚辰，齊主還鄴。
On gengchen, the Northern Qi ruler returned to Ye.
71
三月，己卯，周太子於岐州獲二白鹿以獻，周主詔曰：「在德不在瑞。」
In the third month, on jimao, the Northern Zhou crown prince captured two white deer at Qizhou and presented them; the Northern Zhou ruler issued an edict: "Virtue matters, not omens."
72
帝謀伐齊，公卿各有異同，唯鎮前將軍吳明徹決策請行。 帝謂公卿曰：「朕意已決，卿可共舉元帥。」 眾議以中權將軍淳於量位重，共署推之。 尚書左僕射徐陵獨曰：「吳明徹家在淮左，悉彼風俗； 將略人才，當今亦無過者。」 都官尚書河東裴忌曰：「臣同徐僕射。」 陵應聲曰：「非但明徹良將，裴忌即良副也。」 壬午，分命眾軍，以明徹都督征討諸軍事，忌監軍事，統眾十萬伐齊。 明徹出秦郡。 都督黃法□出歷陽。
The emperor planned an attack on Northern Qi; the high ministers were divided, but Front Garrison General Wu Mingche alone urged the campaign and volunteered to lead it. The emperor told the high ministers, "My mind is made up; recommend a commander-in-chief together." The ministers agreed on Central Authority General Chunyu Liang because of his senior rank and jointly signed a recommendation for him. Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Xu Ling alone said, "Wu Mingche comes from the Huai region and knows its customs thoroughly; in strategy and talent there is no better choice today." Director of Justice Pei Ji of Hedong said, "I agree with Vice Director Xu." Xu Ling answered at once, "Mingche is not only the right general—Pei Ji is the right second-in-command." On renwu, the armies were assigned; Wu Mingche was made overall commander of the campaign, Pei Ji army supervisor, and they led one hundred thousand men against Northern Qi. Wu Mingche marched out from Qin commandery. Commander Huang Faqu marched out from Liyang.
73
夏，四月，己亥，周主享太廟。
In summer, the fourth month, on jihai, the Northern Zhou ruler offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
74
癸卯，前巴州刺史魯廣達與齊師戰於大峴，破之。
On guimao, former Inspector of Ba Province Lu Guangda fought Northern Qi troops at Great Xian and routed them.
75
戊申，齊以蘭陵王長恭為太保，南陽王綽為大司馬，安德王延宗為太尉，武興王普為司徒，開府儀同三司宜陽王趙彥深為司空。
On wushen, Northern Qi appointed Prince Changgong of Lanling Grand Tutor, Prince Chuo of Nanyang Grand Marshal, Prince Yanzong of Ande Grand Marshal of State, Prince Pu of Wuxing Minister of Education, and Prince Yanshen of Yiyang, with a mansion equal to the three dukes, Minister of Works.
76
齊人於秦郡置秦州，州前江浦通塗水，齊人以大木為柵於水中。 辛亥，吳明徹遣豫章內史程文季將驍勇拔其柵，克之。 文季，靈洗之子也。 齊人議御陳師，開府儀同三司王紘曰：「官軍比屢失利，人情騷動。 若復出頓江、淮，恐北狄、西寇乘弊而來，則世事去矣。 莫若薄賦省徭，息民養士，使朝廷協睦，遐邇歸心。 天下皆當肅清，豈直陳氏而已。」 不從。 遣軍救歷陽，庚申，黃法□擊破之。 又遣開府儀同三司尉破胡、長孫洪略救秦州。
Northern Qi established Qin Province at Qin commandery; where the riverbank before the provincial seat joined the Tu River, they built a palisade of great logs in the water. On xinhai, Wu Mingche sent Administrator of Yuzhang Cheng Wenji with elite troops to storm the palisade and take it. Cheng Wenji was the son of Ling Xi. Northern Qi debated how to meet the Chen army; Wang Hong, with a mansion equal to the three dukes, said, "Our armies have lost again and again, and morale is shaken. If we deploy again to the Yangzi and Huai, the northern barbarians and western enemies may strike while we are weak—and then the realm is lost. Better to cut taxes and labor, let the people recover and train troops, and make court and realm whole again so that all turn to us. The whole realm would then be pacified—not Chen alone." His advice was rejected. They sent troops to relieve Liyang; on gengshen, Huang Faqu routed them. They also sent Yu Pohu and Zhangsun Honglue, each with a mansion equal to the three dukes, to relieve Qin Province.
77
趙彥深私問計於秘書監源文宗曰：「吳賊侏張，遂至於此。 弟往為秦、涇刺史，悉江、淮間情事，今何術以御之？」 文宗曰：「朝廷精兵，必不肯多付諸將； 數千已下，適足為吳人之餌。 尉破胡人品，王之所知。 敗績之事，匪朝伊夕。 國家待遇淮南，失之同於蒿箭。 如文宗計者，不過專委王琳，招募淮南三四萬人，風俗相通，能得死力； 兼令舊將將兵屯於淮北，足以固守。 且琳之於頊，必不肯北面事之，明矣。 竊謂此計之上者。 若不推赤心於琳，更遣餘人制肘，復成速禍，彌不可為。」 彥深歎曰：「弟此策誠足制勝千里，但口舌爭之十日，已不見從。 時事至此，安可盡言！」 因相顧流涕。 文宗名彪，以字行，子恭之子也。
Zhao Yanshen privately asked Director of the Secretariat Yuan Wenzong for advice: "The Chen invaders have grown so bold as to reach this point. You once governed Qin and Jing and know the Yangzi-Huai region inside out—what can we do to stop them?" Yuan Wenzong said, "The court will never give its best troops in large numbers to field commanders; a few thousand men at most would only become bait for the Chen army. You know Yu Pohu's character as well as anyone. Defeat will come soon enough. The state's policy toward Huainan treats it as lightly as disposable reed arrows. My plan would be to put Wang Lin wholly in charge, recruit thirty or forty thousand Huainan men—men who share local customs and will fight to the death; and at the same time station veteran generals north of the Huai with enough force to hold the line. And Wang Lin would never bow north to serve Chen Xu—that much is clear. I believe this is the best course. If you do not give Wang Lin your full trust and send others to restrain him, disaster will come all the faster and nothing can be done. Zhao Yanshen sighed and said, "Your plan could win a victory a thousand li away, but I have argued for ten days and already failed to win acceptance. Matters have come to this pass—what more is there to say!" Then they gazed at each other and wept. Yuan Wenzong's given name was Biao, but he was known by his style name; he was the son of Yuan Zigong.
78
文宗子師為左外兵郎中，攝祠部，嘗白高阿那肱：「龍見當雩。」 阿那肱驚曰：「何處龍見？ 其色如何？」 師曰：「龍星初見，禮當雩祭，非真龍也。」 阿那肱怒曰：「漢兒多事，強知星宿！」 遂不祭。 師出。 竊歎曰：「禮既廢矣，齊能久乎！」
Yuan Wenzong's son Shi served as director in the Left Outer Troops Bureau and acting head of Sacrificial Affairs; he once told Gao Anagou, "A dragon has appeared—the rites call for a yu sacrifice." Anagou said in alarm, "Where was this dragon seen? What color was it?" Shi said, "The Dragon Star has just risen; ritual requires a yu sacrifice. It is not an actual dragon." Anagou snapped, "These Han meddlers poke their noses into everything, pretending they know the heavens!" He refused to hold the sacrifice. Shi withdrew. He sighed to himself, "The rites are already dead—how long can Northern Qi last?"
79
齊師選長大有膂力者為前隊，又有蒼頭、犀角、大力，其鋒甚銳，又有西域胡，善射，弦無虛發，眾軍尤憚之。 辛酉，戰於呂梁。 將戰，吳明徹謂巴山太守蕭摩訶曰：「若殪此胡，則彼軍奪氣，君才不減關羽矣。」 摩訶曰：「願示其狀，當為公取之。」 明徹乃召降人有識胡者，使指示之，自酌酒以飲摩訶。 摩訶飲畢，馳馬沖齊軍。 胡挺身出陳前十餘步，彀弓未發，摩訶遙擲銑鋧，正中其額，應手而僕。 齊軍大力十餘人出戰，摩訶又斬之。 於是齊軍大敗，尉破胡走，長孫洪略戰死。
The Northern Qi army picked tall, powerfully built men for the vanguard, including champions named Cangtou, Xijiao, and Dali whose front line cut like a razor; there was also a Western Regions archer who never missed, and every army feared them most of all. On xinyou, the two armies met at Lüliang. Before the battle, Wu Mingche told Xiao Mohe, administrator of Bashan, "If you kill that Hu, their army will lose heart—and your fame will stand no lower than Guan Yu's." Mohe said, "Point him out to me, and I will take his head for you." Mingche summoned a defector who could identify the archer, had him point the man out, and poured Mohe a cup of wine with his own hand. Mohe drained the cup, then charged straight into the Northern Qi ranks. The archer stepped a dozen paces in front of his line and was drawing his bow when Mohe hurled an iron mace from afar; it struck him square on the forehead and he dropped where he stood. More than ten of the Northern Qi champions came out to fight him; Mohe cut them down too. The Northern Qi army was routed; Yu Pohu fled, and Zhangsun Honglue was killed in the fighting.
80
破胡之出師也，齊人使侍中王琳與之俱。 琳謂破胡曰：「吳兵甚銳，宜以長策制之，慎勿輕鬥！」 破胡不從而敗，琳單騎僅免，還，至彭城，齊人即使之赴壽陽召募以拒陳師，復以盧潛為揚州道行台尚書。
When Yu Pohu took the field, Northern Qi sent Palace Attendant Wang Lin to accompany him. Lin told Pohu, "The Chen troops are very sharp. Use a long strategy to contain them—do not join battle lightly!" Pohu ignored him and was defeated; Lin escaped alone on horseback. When he reached Pengcheng, Northern Qi at once sent him to Shouyang to raise troops against the Chen army and again appointed Lu Qian director of the masters of writing on the Yangzhou circuit mobile headquarters.
81
甲子，南譙太守徐槾克石粱城。 五月，己巳，瓦梁城降。 癸酉，陽平郡降。 甲戌，徐槾克廬江城。 歷陽窘蹙乞降，黃法□緩之，則又拒守。 法□怒，帥卒急攻，丙子，克之，盡殺戍卒。 進軍合肥，合肥朔旗請降，法□禁侵掠，撫勞戍卒，與之盟而縱之。
On jiazi, Xu Shan, administrator of Nanqiao, took Shiliang city. In the fifth month, on jisi, Waliang city surrendered. On guiyou, Yangping commandery surrendered. On jiaxu, Xu Shan took Lujiang city. Hard pressed, Liyang begged to surrender; Huang Faqu eased the assault, and the city then closed its gates again. Faqu flew into a rage, stormed the city, and on bingzi took it, putting every defender to the sword. He marched on Hefei; at sight of his banners the city offered surrender. Faqu forbade looting, comforted the garrison, made a pact with them, and let them go.
82
丁丑，周以柱國侯莫陳瓊為大宗伯，滎陽公司馬消難為大司寇，江陵總管陸騰為大司空。 瓊，崇之弟也。
On dingchou, Northern Zhou appointed Pillar of State Houmochen Qiong grand chamberlain for the imperial clan, Duke of Xingyang Sima Xiaonan grand minister of justice, and area commander of Jiangling Lu Teng grand minister of works. Qiong was the younger brother of Houmochen Chong.
83
己卯，齊北高唐郡降。 辛巳，詔南豫州刺史黃法□徒鎮歷陽。 乙酉，南齊昌太守黃詠克齊昌外城。 丙戌，廬陵內史任忠軍於東關，克其東、西二城，進克蘄城； 戊子，又克譙郡城。 秦州城降。 癸巳，瓜步、胡墅二城降。 帝以秦郡，吳明徹之鄉里，詔具太牢，令拜祠上塚，文武羽儀甚盛，鄉人榮之。
On jimao, Gaotang commandery in northern Northern Qi surrendered. On xinsi, an edict ordered Huang Faqu, inspector of Southern Yu Province, to transfer his headquarters to Liyang. On yiyou, Huang Yong, administrator of Southern Qichang, took the outer wall of Qichang. On bingxu, Ren Zhong, interior secretary of Luling, fought at Dongguan, took its eastern and western cities, and advanced to capture Qichao; On wuzi, he also took Qiao commandery city. Qin Province city surrendered. On guisi, Guabu and Hushu both surrendered. Because Qin commandery was Wu Mingche's home, the Chen emperor ordered a full ta la sacrifice and sent him to worship at his family's tombs on the heights, with civil and military officers in splendid procession; the villagers were proud to see it.
84
齊自和士開用事以來，政體隳紊。 及祖珽執政，頗收舉才望，內外稱美。 珽復欲增損政務，沙汰人物，官號服章，並依故事。 又欲黜諸閹豎及群小輩，為政治之方，陸令萱、穆提婆議頗同異。 珽乃諷御史中丞麗伯律，令劾主書王子沖納賂。 知其事連提婆，欲使贓罪相及，望因此並坐及令萱。 猶恐齊主溺於近習，欲引後黨為援，乃請以胡後兄君瑜為侍中、中領軍； 又征君瑜兄梁州刺史君璧，欲以為御史中丞。 令萱聞而懷怒，百方排毀，出君瑜為金紫光祿大夫，解中領軍； 君璧還鎮梁州。 胡後之廢，頗亦由此。 釋王子沖不問。
Since He Shikai had held power in Northern Qi, the state had fallen into disorder. When Zu Ting took power, he gathered men of talent and reputation, and praise for him spread inside and outside the court. Zu Ting also sought to reform administration, purge unworthy men, and restore titles and insignia to ancient precedent. He also wanted to dismiss the eunuchs and petty favorites and put government on a proper footing; Lu Lingxuan and Mutipo strongly disagreed. Zu Ting then prompted imperial censor Li Bolü to impeach chief clerk Wang Zichong for taking bribes. Knowing the case touched Mutipo, he hoped to extend the bribery charge and bring down Lu Lingxuan as well. Still fearing the Northern Qi ruler was too besotted with his intimates, he sought allies from the empress's faction and asked that Empress Hu's elder brother Junyu be made palace attendant and director of the palace retainers; He also summoned Junyu's elder brother Junbi, inspector of Liang Province, intending to make him imperial censor. When Lu Lingxuan heard this she was furious and slandered Zu Ting by every means; Junyu was demoted to grand master with golden bell and purple ribbon and stripped of the directorship; Junbi returned to his post in Liang Province. Empress Hu's deposition owed much to this as well. Wang Zichong was released without further inquiry.
85
珽日以益疏，諸宦者更共譖之。 帝以問陸令萱，令萱憫默不對，三問，乃下床拜曰：「老婢應死。 老婢始聞和士開言孝征多才博學，意謂善人，故舉之。 比來觀之，大是奸臣。 人實難知，老婢應死。」 帝令韓長鸞檢按。 長鸞素惡珽，得其詐出敕受賜等十餘事。 帝以嘗與之重誓，故不殺，解珽侍中、僕射，出為北徐州刺史。 珽求見帝，長鸞不許，遣人推出柏閣，珽坐，不肯行，長鸞令牽曳而出。
Zu Ting grew daily more isolated, and the eunuchs together redoubled their slanders against him. The Northern Qi ruler asked Lu Lingxuan; she kept silent; after three questions she stepped down from the couch and bowed, saying, "This old slave deserves death. When I first heard He Shikai praise Xiaozheng's wide learning, I took him for a good man and recommended him. Having watched him since, I find him a thorough villain. People are hard to know. This old slave deserves death." The ruler ordered Han Changluan to investigate. Changluan had long hated Zu Ting and found more than ten offenses, including forging edicts and accepting gifts. Because they had once sworn a solemn oath together, the ruler did not kill him but stripped him of the posts of palace attendant and vice director of the masters of writing and sent him out as inspector of Northern Xu Province. Zu Ting asked for an audience; Changluan refused and sent men to thrust him out of the Cypress Pavilion. Zu Ting sat down and would not move, so Changluan had him dragged out.
86
癸巳，齊以領軍穆提婆為尚書左僕射，侍中、中書監段孝言為右僕射。 孝言，韶之弟也。 初，祖珽執政，引孝言為助，除吏部尚書。 孝言凡所進擢，非賄則舊，求仕者或於廣會膝行跪伏，公自陳請，孝言氣色揚揚，以為己任，隨事酬許。 將作丞崔成忽於眾中抗言曰：「尚書，天下尚書，豈獨段家尚書也！」 孝言無辭以應，唯厲色遣下而已。 既而與韓長鸞等共構祖珽，逐而代之。
On guisi, Northern Qi made Director of the Palace Retainers Mutipo left vice director of the masters of writing, and Palace Attendant and supervisor of the palace secretariat Duan Xiaoyan right vice director. Xiaoyan was the younger brother of Duan Shao. Earlier, when Zu Ting held power, he brought in Xiaoyan as an ally and appointed him director of the ministry of appointments. Every promotion Xiaoyan made went to a briber or an old crony; job-seekers sometimes crawled on their knees at public gatherings to plead their cases before him, and Xiaoyan looked triumphant, treating it as his right and granting favors as he pleased. Director of palace construction Cui Cheng suddenly spoke up in the crowd: "The director of the masters of writing serves the realm—not the Duan household alone!" Xiaoyan had no answer and could only send him away with a dark face. Thereafter he joined Han Changluan and others in framing Zu Ting, drove him out, and took his place.
87
齊蘭陵武王長恭，貌美而勇，以邙山之捷，威名大盛，武士歌之，為《蘭陵王入陳曲》，齊主忌之。 及代段韶督諸軍攻定陽，頗務聚斂，其所親尉相願問之曰：「王受朝寄，何得如此？」 長恭未應。 相願曰：「豈非以邙山之捷，欲自穢乎？」 長恭曰：「然。」 相願曰：「朝廷若忌王，即當用此為罪，無乃避禍而更速之乎！」 長恭涕泣前膝問計，相願曰：「王前既有功，今復告捷，聲威太重。 宜屬疾在家，勿預時事。」 長恭然其言，未能退。 及江、淮用兵，恐復為將，歎曰：「我去年面腫，今何不發！」 自是有疾不療。 齊主遣使鴆殺之。
Prince Changgong of Lanling in Northern Qi was handsome and brave; after the victory at Mount Mang his fame spread far and wide, and warriors sang "The Prince of Lanling Enters Chen"; the Northern Qi ruler grew jealous. When he replaced Duan Shao in overall command of the attack on Dingyang, he busied himself with amassing wealth; his intimate Wei Xiangyuan asked him, "Your Highness bears the court's charge—how can you behave so?" Changgong did not answer. Xiangyuan said, "Is it not because of the victory at Mount Mang that you wish to defile yourself?" Changgong said, "It is." Xiangyuan said, "If the court envies you, it will use this very conduct as your crime—are you not fleeing disaster only to hasten it?" Changgong wept, came forward on his knees, and asked for counsel; Xiangyuan said, "Your Highness already had great merit; now you report fresh victories—your fame weighs too heavily. You should plead illness and stay home; do not involve yourself in affairs of the day." Changgong agreed but could not bring himself to withdraw. When war broke out on the Yangzi and Huai, fearing he would again be made a general, he sighed, "My face swelled last year—why does it not swell now!" From then on he fell ill and refused treatment. The Northern Qi ruler sent an envoy to poison him.
88
六月，郢州刺史李綜克灄口城。 乙巳，任忠克合州外城。 庚戌，淮陽，沐陽郡並棄城走。
In the sixth month, Li Zong, inspector of Ying Province, took Shuankou city. On yisi, Ren Zhong took the outer wall of He Province. On gengxu, Huaiyang and Muyang commanderies both abandoned their cities and fled.
89
壬子，周皇孫衍生。 齊主游南苑，從官賜死者六十人。 以高阿那肱為司徒。
On renzi, the Northern Zhou imperial grandson Yansheng was born. The Northern Qi ruler toured the Southern Park and had sixty attendants put to death. Gao Anagou was appointed minister of education.
90
癸丑，程文季攻齊涇州，拔之。 乙卯，宣毅司馬湛陀克新蔡城。
On guichou, Cheng Wenji attacked Northern Qi's Jing Province and took it. On yimao, Zhan Tuo, chief clerk of the pacify campaigns staff, took Xincai city.
91
丙辰，齊使開府儀同三司王紘聘於周。
On bingchen, Northern Qi sent Wang Hong, with a mansion equal to the three dukes, on a diplomatic mission to Northern Zhou.
92
癸亥，黃法□克合州。 吳明徹進攻仁州，甲子，克之。
On guihai, Huang Faqu took He Province. Wu Mingche pressed the attack on Ren Province; on jiazi, he took it.
93
治明堂。
Work began on the Bright Hall.
94
秋，七月，戊辰，齊遣尚書左丞陸騫將兵二萬救齊昌，出自巴、蘄，遇西陽太守汝南周炅。 炅留羸弱，設疑兵以當之，身帥精銳，由間道邀其後，大破之。 己巳，征北大將軍吳明徹軍至峽口，克其北岸城； 南岸守者棄城走。 周炅克巴州。 淮北、絳城及穀陽士民，並殺其戍主，以城降。
In autumn, the seventh month, on wuchen, Northern Qi sent Left Assistant Director Lu Qian with twenty thousand troops to relieve Qichang, marching out from Ba and Qi, and met Zhou Jiong of Runan, administrator of Xiyang. Jiong left the weak behind, set decoy troops to hold the enemy, and personally led elite forces by a hidden path to strike their rear, routing them utterly. On jisi, Grand General for the Northern Campaign Wu Mingche's army reached Xiakou and took the city on the north bank; the defenders on the south bank abandoned the city and fled. Zhou Jiong took Ba Province. In Huaibei, Jiangcheng, and Guyang, gentry and commoners alike killed their garrison commanders and surrendered the cities.
95
齊巴陵王王琳與揚州刺史王貴顯保壽陽外郭，吳明徹以琳初入，眾心未固，丙戌，乘夜攻之，城潰，齊兵退據相國城及金城。
Northern Qi's Prince Baling Wang Lin and Yangzhou inspector Wang Guiyan held the outer precinct of Shouyang; Wu Mingche, reckoning that Lin had only just arrived and morale was not yet firm, on bingxu attacked by night; the wall collapsed, and the Northern Qi troops withdrew to Xiangguo city and Jincheng.
96
八月，乙未，山陽城降。 壬寅，盱眙城降，壬子，戎昭將軍徐敬辯克海安城。 青州東海城降。 戊午，平固侯敬泰等克晉州。 九月，甲子，陽平城降。 壬申，高陽太守沈善慶克馬頭城。 甲戌，齊安城降。 丙子，左衛將軍樊毅克廣陵楚子城。
In the eighth month, on yiwei, Shanyang city surrendered. On renyin, Xuyi city surrendered; on renzi, General Who Manifests Martial Majesty Xu Jingbian took Hai'an city. Donghai city in Qing Province surrendered. On wuwu, Marquis of Pinggu Jing Tai and others took Jin Province. In the ninth month, on jiazi, Yangping city surrendered. On renshen, Administrator of Gaoyang Shen Shanqing took Matou city. On jiaxu, Qi'an city surrendered. On bingzi, General of the Left Guards Fan Yi took Chuzi city of Guangling.
97
壬午，周太子贇納妃楊氏。 妃，大將軍隨公堅之女也。
On renwu, Northern Zhou crown prince Yun took Lady Yang as consort. The consort was the daughter of Grand General Duke Jian of Sui.
98
太子好暱近小人，左宮正宇文孝伯言於周主曰：「皇太子四海所屬，而德聲未聞。 臣忝宮官，實當其責。 且春秋尚少，志業未成，請妙選正人，為其師友，調護聖質，猶望日就月將。 如或不然，悔無及矣！」 帝斂容曰：「卿世載鯁直，竭誠所事。 觀卿此言，有家風矣。」 孝伯拜謝曰：「非言之難，受之難也。」 帝曰：「正人豈復過卿！」 於是以尉遲運為右宮正。 運，迥之弟子也。
The crown prince liked to keep petty men close. Left Palace Director Yuwen Xiaobo said to the Northern Zhou ruler: "The heir apparent is the hope of all under Heaven, yet no word of his virtue has been heard. I disgracefully hold a palace office and truly bear the blame. Moreover he is still young, and his purpose is not yet formed. Please choose upright men as his teachers and companions to nurture his character, in hope that he may steadily improve. If that is not done, it will be too late for regret!" The Northern Zhou ruler composed his countenance and said: "Your house has long been bluntly upright, and you serve with utter devotion. In these words of yours, I see your family's tradition." Xiaobo bowed in thanks and said: "The hard part is not speaking, but being heeded." The ruler said: "What upright man could surpass you!" Thereupon Yuchi Yun was appointed Right Palace Director. Yun was the nephew of Yuchi Jiong.
99
帝嘗問萬年縣丞南陽樂運曰：「卿言太子何如人？」 對曰：「中人。」 帝顧謂齊公憲曰； 「百官佞我，皆稱太子聰明睿智。 唯運所言忠直耳。」 因問運中人之狀。 對曰：「如齊桓公是也：管仲相之則霸，豎貂輔之則亂，可與為善，可與為惡。」 帝曰：「我知之矣。」 乃妙選宮官以輔之。 仍擢運為京兆丞。 太子聞之，意甚不悅。
The Northern Zhou ruler once asked Yue Yun of Nanyang, assistant magistrate of Wannian county: "What sort of man do you say the crown prince is?" He answered: "A middling man." The emperor turned and said to Duke of Qi Xian: "All my officials flatter me and call the crown prince bright and wise. Only what Yun said is loyal and straight." He then asked Yun what a middling man was like. He answered: "Like Duke Huan of Qi: with Guan Zhong as minister he became hegemon; with Shu Diao at his side he fell into disorder. He could be led to good or to evil." The emperor said: "I understand now." Thereupon he carefully chose palace officers to assist the crown prince. He also promoted Yun to assistant magistrate of Jingzhao. When the crown prince heard this, he was deeply displeased.
100
癸未，沈君理卒。
On guimi, Shen Junli died.
101
壬辰晦，前鄱陽內史魯天念克黃城。 冬，十月，甲午，郭默城降。
On the last day of renchen, Lu Tiannian, former administrator of Poyang, took Huang city. In winter, the tenth month, on jiawu, Guomo city surrendered.
102
己亥，以特進領國子祭酒周弘正為尚書右僕射。
On jihai, Zhou Hongzheng, Special Advance and Director of the Imperial University, was appointed Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing.
103
齊國子祭酒張雕，以經授齊主為侍讀，帝甚重之。 雕與寵胡何洪珍相結，穆提婆、韓長鸞等惡之。 洪珍薦雕為侍中，加開府儀同三司，奏度支事，大為帝所委信，常呼「博士」。 雕自以出於微賤，致位大臣，欲立效以報恩，論議抑揚，無所迴避，省宮掖不急之費，禁約左右驕縱之臣，數譏切寵要，獻替帷幄，帝亦深倚仗之。 雕遂以澄清為己任，意氣甚高，貴幸皆側目，陰謀陷之。
Zhang Diao, Director of the Imperial University of Northern Qi, lectured the Northern Qi ruler on the classics as his reader-in-waiting, and the emperor greatly valued him. Diao allied himself with the favored Hu clansman He Hongzhen, and Mu Tiba, Han Changluan, and others hated him. Hongzhen recommended Diao for palace attendant, granted him a mansion equal to the three dukes, and put him in charge of fiscal affairs; the emperor greatly trusted him and often called him "Doctor." Diao, having risen from humble origins to high office, wished to prove himself in repayment. In council he spoke without evasion, cut unnecessary palace expenses, restrained arrogant attendants, repeatedly rebuked the favored and powerful, and offered counsel at court—and the emperor deeply relied on him. Diao then made reform his mission; his bearing was very lofty, and the noble and favored all looked askance at him and secretly plotted to ruin him.
104
尚書左丞封孝琰，隆之之弟子也，與侍中崔季舒，皆為祖珽所厚。 孝琰嘗謂珽曰：「公是衣冠宰相，異於餘人。」 近習聞之，大以為恨。
Feng Xiaoyan, Left Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing, was the nephew of Feng Longzhi; he and Palace Attendant Cui Jishu were both favored by Zu Ting. Xiaoyan once said to Zu Ting: "You, sir, are a civil minister of the gentry class, unlike the others." Those close to the throne heard this and greatly resented it.
105
會齊主將如晉陽，季舒與張雕議，以為：「壽陽被圍，大軍出拒之，信使往還，須稟節度。 且道路小人，或相驚恐，以為大駕向并州，畏避南寇。 若不啟諫，恐人情駭動。」 遂與從駕文官連名進諫。 時貴臣趙彥深、唐邕、段孝言等，意有異同，季舒與爭，未決。 長鸞遽言於帝曰：「諸漢官連名總署，聲雲諫幸并州，其實未必不反，宜加誅戮。」 辛丑，齊主悉召已署名者集含章殿，斬季舒、雕、孝琰及散騎常侍劉逖、黃門侍郎裴澤、郭遵於殿庭，家屬皆徙北邊，婦女配奚官，幼男下蠶室，沒入貲產。 癸卯，遂如晉陽。
When the Northern Qi ruler was about to go to Jinyang, Cui Jishu and Zhang Diao argued: "Shouyang is besieged; the main army will go out to relieve it, and messengers going back and forth must await orders. Moreover people along the roads may panic, thinking the imperial carriage is heading for Bing Province to flee the southern invaders. If we do not remonstrate, I fear the people will be alarmed." Thereupon they joined the civil officials accompanying the court in a joint memorial of remonstrance. At the time the eminent ministers Zhao Yanshen, Tang Yong, Duan Xiaoyan, and others disagreed; Jishu argued with them, and no decision was reached. Han Changluan suddenly said to the emperor: "These Han officials have jointly signed a memorial, claiming to remonstrate against the journey to Bing Province, but in truth they may well be rebelling; they should be executed." On xinchou, the Northern Qi ruler summoned all who had signed to Hanzhang Hall and beheaded Cui Jishu, Zhang Diao, Feng Xiaoyan, Regular Palace Attendant Liu Ti, and Yellow Gate Attendants Pei Ze and Guo Zun in the courtyard. Their families were banished to the northern frontier; the women were assigned to the slave women's quarters, the young boys sent to the castration office, and their property confiscated. On guimao, he then went to Jinyang.
106
吳明徹攻壽陽，堰肥水以灌城，城中多病腫洩，死者什六七。 齊行台右僕射琅邪皮景和等救壽陽，以尉破胡新敗，怯懦不敢前，屯於淮口，敕使屢促之。 然始渡淮，眾數十萬，去壽陽三十里，頓軍不進。 諸將皆懼，曰：「堅城未拔，大援在近，將若之何？」 明徹曰：「兵貴神速，而彼結營不進，自挫其鋒，吾知其不敢戰，明矣。」 乙巳，躬擐甲冑，四面疾攻，一鼓拔之，生擒王琳、王貴顯、盧潛及扶風王可朱渾道裕、尚書左丞李騊駼送建康。 景和北遁，盡收其駝馬輜重。
Wu Mingche attacked Shouyang, dammed the Fei River to flood the city, and within the city many suffered swelling and dysentery; six or seven tenths of the people died. Pi Jinghe of Langya, Right Vice Director of Northern Qi's field headquarters, and others went to relieve Shouyang; because Wei Pohu had recently been defeated, they were timid and dared not advance, encamped at Huaikou, and imperial messengers repeatedly urged them on. Yet once they had crossed the Huai, their force numbered several hundred thousand; thirty li from Shouyang they halted and did not advance. All the generals were afraid and said: "The strong city has not yet fallen, and great relief is near—what are we to do?" Mingche said: "In war, speed is prized, yet they have encamped and will not advance, blunting their own edge—it is plain they dare not fight." On yisi, he personally donned armor, attacked swiftly on all four sides, and took the city at the first drum. Wang Lin, Wang Guixian, Lu Qian, Prince of Fufeng Kezhuhun Daoyu, and Left Assistant Director Li Taotu were captured alive and sent to Jiankang. Jinghe fled north, and Mingche seized all his camels, horses, and baggage train.
107
琳體貌閑雅，喜怒不形於色； 強記內敏，軍府佐吏千數，皆能識其姓名； 刑罰不濫，輕財愛士，得將卒心； 雖失地流寓在鄴，齊人皆重其忠義。 及被擒，故麾下將卒多在明徹軍中，見者皆歔欷，不能仰視，爭為之請命及致資給。 明徹恐其為變，遣使追斬之於壽陽東二十里，哭者聲如雷。 有一叟以酒脯來祭，哭盡哀，收其血而去。 田夫野老，知與不知，聞者莫不流涕。
Lin's bearing was easy and refined, and joy and anger did not show on his face; he had a strong memory and inward quickness, and among the thousand-odd staff officers of his army headquarters he could recognize every name; punishments were not excessive, he was generous with wealth and loved his officers, and he won the hearts of generals and soldiers; though he had lost his territory and lived in exile at Ye, the people of Northern Qi all respected his loyalty and righteousness. When he was captured, many of his former commanders and soldiers were in Mingche's army; those who saw him all sighed and wept, unable to look up, and vied to plead for his life and provide him with supplies. Mingche, fearing he might cause trouble, sent messengers to pursue and behead him twenty li east of Shouyang; the sound of weeping was like thunder. An old man came with wine and dried meat to make offerings, wept his fill, gathered up his blood, and departed. Farmers and country elders, whether they had known him or not—all who heard wept.
108
齊穆提婆、韓長鸞聞壽陽陷，握槊不輟，曰：「本是彼物，從其取去。」 齊主聞之，頗以為憂，提婆等曰：「假使國家盡失黃河以南，猶可作一龜茲國。 更可憐人生如寄，唯當行樂，何用愁為！」 左右嬖臣因共贊和之，帝即大喜，酣飲鼓舞，仍使於黎陽臨河築城戍。
Mu Tiba and Han Changluan of Northern Qi, hearing that Shouyang had fallen, continued playing jiju without pause and said: "It was theirs to begin with; let them take it." When the Northern Qi ruler heard this, he was rather worried. Tiba and the others said: "Even if the state should lose everything south of the Yellow River, we could still make a Kucha kingdom. Human life is but a lodging—all the more reason to seek pleasure; what use is worry!" The favored ministers at his side joined in praise, and the emperor was greatly pleased, drank deep, and danced for joy; he also had fortifications built at Liyang along the river.
109
丁未，齊遣兵萬人至穎口，樊毅擊走之。 辛亥，遣兵援蒼陵，又破之。 齊主以皮景和全軍而還，賞之，除尚書令。
On dingwei, Northern Qi sent ten thousand troops to Yingkou, and Fan Yi routed them. On xinhai, Chen sent troops to relieve Cangling and again defeated the enemy. The Northern Qi ruler, because Pi Jinghe had returned with his army intact, rewarded him and appointed him Director of the Masters of Writing.
110
丙辰，詔以壽陽復為豫州，以黃城為司州。 以明徹為都督豫、合等六州諸軍事、車騎大將軍、豫州刺史，遣謁者蕭淳風就壽陽冊命，於城南設壇，士卒二十萬，陳旗鼓戈甲。 明徹登壇拜受，成禮而退，將卒榮之。 上置酒，舉杯屬徐陵曰：「賞卿知人。」 陵避席曰：「定策聖衷，非臣力也。」 以黃法氍為征西大將軍、合州刺史。
On bingchen, an edict restored Shouyang as Yu Province and made Huang city Si Province. Wu Mingche was made commander-in-chief of the armies of Yu, He, and six other provinces, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and inspector of Yu Province; Emissary Xiao Chunfeng was sent to Shouyang to invest him. South of the city an altar was set up before two hundred thousand soldiers arrayed with banners, drums, flags, and armor. Mingche ascended the altar, bowed, and received the commission; when the rites were complete he withdrew, and the generals and soldiers took pride in the honor. The Chen emperor set out wine, raised his cup, and said to Xu Ling: "I reward you for knowing men." Xu Ling left his seat and said: "It was Your Majesty's decision; it was not my doing." Huang Faqu was appointed Grand General for the Western Campaign and inspector of He Province.
111
戊午，湛陀克齊昌城。 十一月，甲戌，淮陰城降。 庚辰，威虜將軍劉桃枝克朐山城。 辛巳，樊毅克濟陰城。 己丑，魯廣達攻濟南徐州，克之； 以廣達為北徐州刺史，鎮其地。
On wuwu, Zhan Tuo took Qichang city. In the eleventh month, on jiaxu, Huaiyin city surrendered. On gengchen, General Who Overawes Barbarians Liu Taozhi took Qushan city. On xinsi, Fan Yi took Jiyin city. On jichou, Lu Guangda attacked Jinan Xuzhou and took it; Lu Guangda was appointed inspector of Northern Xuzhou and garrisoned the place.
112
齊北徐州民多起兵以應陳，逼其州城。 祖珽命不閉城門，禁人不得出衢路，城中寂然。 反者不測其故，疑人走城空，不設備。 珽忽令鼓噪震天，反者皆驚走。 既而復結陳向城，珽令錄事參軍王君植將兵拒之，自乘馬臨陳左右射。 反者先聞其盲，謂其必不能出，忽見之，大驚。 穆提婆欲令城陷，不遣援兵，珽且戰且守，十餘日，反者竟散走。
The people of Northern Xuzhou in Northern Qi rose in arms in many places to respond to Chen and pressed the provincial city. Zu Ting ordered that the city gates remain open and forbade people to go out into the streets; within the city all was silent. The rebels could not fathom the reason, suspected that the people had fled and the city was empty, and made no preparations. Zu Ting suddenly ordered drums and shouts to shake heaven, and the rebels all fled in alarm. Afterward they re-formed and advanced on the city. Zu Ting ordered records officer Wang Junzhi to lead troops to resist them and himself mounted a horse, rode before the battle line, and shot left and right. The rebels had earlier heard that he was blind and assumed he surely could not come out; when they suddenly saw him, they were greatly alarmed. Mu Tiba wished the city to fall and sent no relief troops; Zu Ting fought while holding the city, and after more than ten days the rebels at last scattered and fled.
113
詔懸王琳首於建康市。 故吏梁驃騎倉曹參軍朱瑒致書徐陵求其首，曰：「竊以典午將滅，徐廣為晉家遺老； 當塗已謝，馬孚稱魏室忠臣。 梁故建寧公琳，當離亂之辰，總方伯之任，天厭梁德，尚思匡繼，徒蘊包胥之志，終遘萇弘之眚，至使身沒九泉，頭行千里。 伏惟聖恩博厚，明詔爰發，赦王經之哭，許田橫之葬。 不使壽春城下，唯傳報葛之人； 滄洲島上，獨有悲田之客。」 陵為之啟上。 十二月，壬辰朔，並熊曇朗等首皆還其親屬。 瑒瘞琳於八公山側，義故會葬者數千人。 瑒間道奔齊，別議迎葬，尋有壽陽人茅智勝等五人，密送其柩於鄴。 齊贈琳開府儀同三司、錄尚書事，謚曰忠武王，給轀輬車以葬之。
An edict ordered Wang Lin's head displayed in the market at Jiankang. A former subordinate, Zhu Yang, staff records officer of Liang's Marshal of Cavalry, wrote to Xu Ling asking for Wang Lin's head, saying: "I venture to observe that when the Jin house was near its end, Xu Guang was an old survivor of the Jin house; when the Cao house had passed, Ma Fu was hailed as a loyal minister of Wei. Former Duke of Jianning of Liang, Lin—in that hour of turmoil bore the charge of a regional commander; Heaven had turned from Liang, yet he still burned to restore the line; he kept Shen Baoxu's resolve, but met Chang Hong's fate, so that his body sank to the nine springs and his head was borne a thousand li. I bow before your broad grace: your edict has gone forth to spare Wang Jing's mourners and grant Tian Heng his burial. Do not leave below Shouchun's walls only the cold bearer of ill tidings; on some bleak isle, only Tian Heng's lone mourner." Xu Ling reported this to the emperor. In the twelfth month, on the renchen new moon, the heads of Xiong Tanlang and others were all returned to their kin. Zhu Yang buried Wang Lin on the slope of Mount Bagong; several thousand sworn clients and old associates came to the funeral. Zhu Yang fled by back roads to Northern Qi, where others separately arranged to receive the coffin; soon five men from Shouyang, Mao Zhisheng among them, secretly sent Wang Lin's bier to Ye. Northern Qi posthumously granted Wang Lin the rank of Opening the Fount with Ritual Equal to the Third Rank and appointment as Director of the Masters of Writing for the Combined Secretariat, with the posthumous title Loyal Martial King, and provided an imperial hearse for his burial.
114
癸巳，周主集群臣及沙門、道士，帝自升高坐，辨三教先後，以儒為先，道為次，釋為後。
On guisi, the Northern Zhou ruler assembled his ministers together with Buddhist and Daoist clergy; the emperor himself took the high seat and ranked the Three Teachings—Confucianism first, Daoism second, Buddhism last.
115
乙未，譙城降。
On yiwei, Qiao city surrendered.
116
乙巳，立皇子叔明為宜都王，叔獻為河東王。
On yisi, the Chen emperor enfeoffed his sons Shuming as Prince of Yidu and Shuxian as Prince of Hedong.
117
壬午，任忠克霍州。
On renwu, Ren Zhong captured Huo Province.
118
詔征安州刺史周炅入朝。 初，梁定州刺史田龍升以城降，詔仍舊任。 及炅入朝，龍升以江北六州、七鎮叛入於齊，齊遣歷陽王景安將兵應之。 詔以炅為江北道大都督，總眾軍以討龍升，斬之。 景安退走，盡復江北之地。
An edict summoned Zhou Jiong, inspector of An Province, to court. Earlier, Tian Longsheng, Liang's inspector of Ding Province, had surrendered his city; an edict confirmed him in his former post. When Zhou Jiong came to court, Tian Longsheng rebelled with six provinces and seven garrisons north of the Yangzi and defected to Northern Qi; Northern Qi sent Prince Jing'an of Liyang with troops to support him. An edict appointed Zhou Jiong grand commander of the Jiangbei circuit, put all armies under his command to suppress Tian Longsheng, and Tian was beheaded. Prince Jing'an withdrew in defeat, and all territory north of the Yangzi was recovered.
119
是歲，突厥求昏於齊。
That year, the Turks sought a marriage alliance with Northern Qi.
120
春，正月，壬戌朔，周齊公憲等七人進爵為王。
In spring, the first month, on the renxu new moon, Duke of Qi Yuwen Xian of Northern Zhou and six others were promoted to princely rank.
121
己巳，周主享太廟； 乙亥，耕藉田。
On jisi, the Northern Zhou ruler offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple; on yihai, he plowed the sacred field.
122
壬子，上享太廟。 甲申，廣陵金城降。
On renzi, the Chen emperor offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On jiashen, Jincheng of Guangling surrendered.
123
二月，壬午朔，日有食之。
In the second month, on the renwu new moon, there was a solar eclipse.
124
乙未，齊主還鄴。
On yiwei, the Northern Qi ruler returned to Ye.
125
丁酉，周紀國公賢等六人進爵為王。
On dingyou, Duke of Ji Yuwen Xian of Northern Zhou and five others were promoted to princely rank.
126
辛亥，上耕藉田。
On xinhai, the Chen emperor plowed the sacred field.
127
齊朔州行台南安王思好，本高氏養子，驍勇，得邊鎮人心。 齊主使嬖臣斫骨光弁至州，光弁不禮于思好，思好怒，遂反，云「欲入除君側之惡。」 進軍至陽曲，自號大丞相。 武衛將軍趙海在晉陽，蒼猝不暇奏，矯詔發兵拒之。 帝聞變，使尚書令唐邕等馳之晉陽。 辛丑，帝勒兵繼進。 未至，思好軍敗，投水死。 其麾下二千人，劉桃枝圍之，且殺且招，終不降，以至於盡。
Si Hao, Prince of Nan'an and mobile secretariat of Shuozhou in Northern Qi, was originally an adopted son of the Gao clan; fierce and brave, he had won the frontier garrisons' loyalty. The Northern Qi ruler sent his favorite Zhuogu Guangbian to the province; Guangbian treated Si Hao discourteously, and Si Hao, enraged, rebelled, declaring, "I mean to march in and purge the evil at the ruler's side." He marched to Yangqu and proclaimed himself Grand Chancellor. General of Martial Guards Zhao Hai was at Jinyang; caught off guard and with no time to report to the throne, he forged an edict and mobilized troops to resist him. When the emperor heard of the revolt, he sent Director of the Masters of Writing Tang Yong and others posthaste to Jinyang. On xinchou, the emperor himself led troops in pursuit. Before he arrived, Si Hao's army had been broken; he drowned himself. Two thousand of his followers were surrounded by Liu Taozhi, who alternately slaughtered them and called on them to yield; they never surrendered, and were wiped out to the last man.
128
先是，有人告思好謀反，韓長鸞女適思好子，奏言：「是人誣告貴臣，不殺無以息後。」 乃斬之。 思好既誅，告者弟伏闕下求贈官，長鸞不為通。
Earlier, someone had denounced Si Hao for plotting rebellion; Han Changluan's daughter was married to Si Hao's son, and she memorialized: "This man has falsely accused a great minister; unless he is executed, such slanders will never cease." The informer was then beheaded. After Si Hao's execution, the informer's younger brother waited at the palace gate to beg an official reward; Han Changluan refused to transmit his petition.
129
丁未，齊主還鄴。 甲寅，以唐邕為錄尚書事。
On dingwei, the Northern Qi ruler returned to Ye. On jiayin, Tang Yong was appointed Director of the Masters of Writing for the Combined Secretariat.
130
乙卯，周主如雲陽宮。
On yimao, the Northern Zhou ruler went to the Yunyang Palace.
131
丙辰，周大赦。
On bingchen, Northern Zhou proclaimed a general amnesty.
132
庚申，周叱奴太后有疾。 三月，辛酉，周主還長安。 癸酉，太后殂。 帝居倚廬，朝夕進一溢米。 群臣表請，累旬乃止。 命太子總厘庶政。
On gengshen, Empress Dowager Chinu of Northern Zhou fell ill. In the third month, on xinyou, the Northern Zhou ruler returned to Chang'an. On guiyou, the empress dowager died. The emperor lived in a mourning hut beside the tomb, taking only one bowl of rice morning and evening. The ministers repeatedly memorialized in protest, and only after many days did he relent. He put the crown prince in charge of all routine administration.
133
衛王直譖齊王憲於帝曰：「憲飲酒食肉，無異平日。」 帝曰：「吾與齊王異生，俱非正嫡。 特以吾故，同袒括發。 汝當愧之，何論得失！ 汝，親太后之子，特承慈愛； 但當自勉，無論他人。」
Prince of Wei Yuwen Zhi slandered Duke of Qi Yuwen Xian to the emperor, saying, "Xian still drinks and eats meat as he always did." The emperor said, "The Prince of Qi and I were born of different mothers; neither of us is the legitimate heir. Only for my sake did he join me in baring his shoulders and binding his hair in mourning. You ought to feel ashamed before him—what business have you judging him! You are the empress dowager's own son and have enjoyed her special favor; you need only better yourself—do not speak of others."
134
夏，四月，乙卯，齊遣侍中薛孤康買吊於周，且會葬。
In summer, the fourth month, on yimao, Northern Qi sent Palace Attendant Xuegu Kangmai to Northern Zhou to offer condolences and attend the funeral.
135
初，齊世祖為胡後造珠裙褲，所費不可勝計； 為火所焚。 至是，齊主復為穆後營之。 使商胡繼錦彩三萬，與吊使偕往市珠。 周人不與，齊主竟自造之。 及穆後愛衰，其侍婢馮小憐大幸，拜為淑妃； 與齊主坐則同席，出則並馬，誓同生死。
Earlier, Northern Qi's Emperor Shizu had made a pearl skirt and trousers for Empress Hu at incalculable expense; the garment was destroyed by fire. Now the Northern Qi ruler had another made for Empress Mu. He sent a Sogdian merchant with thirty thousand rolls of brocade to accompany the condolence mission and buy pearls. The people of Northern Zhou would not sell, so the Northern Qi ruler had the pearls obtained and the garment made on his own. When Empress Mu's favor faded, her maid Feng Xiaolian became the object of extraordinary favor and was made Brilliant Consort; she and the Northern Qi ruler shared one seat when at rest and rode side by side when abroad, swearing to live and die as one.
136
五月，庚申，同葬文宣皇后於永固陵，周主跣行至陵所。 辛酉，詔曰：「三年之喪，達於天子。 但軍國務重，須自聽朝。 衰麻之節，苫廬之禮，率遵前典，以申罔極。 百僚宜依遺令，既葬而除。」 公卿固請依權制，帝不許，卒申三年之制。 五服之內，亦令依禮。
In the fifth month, on gengshen, Empress Wen Xuan was buried at Yonggu Mausoleum; the Northern Zhou ruler walked barefoot to the tomb. On xinyou, an edict declared, "The three-year mourning obligation applies even to the Son of Heaven. But military and state affairs are pressing, and I must resume hearing court myself. In hemp mourning garments and the rites of the mourning hut, I shall follow the ancient canon to express boundless grief. All officials should follow the late empress dowager's final wishes and lay mourning aside once the burial is complete." The high ministers repeatedly urged him to follow expedient regulations, but the emperor refused and in the end upheld the full three-year mourning. He also ordered those within the five degrees of mourning kinship to observe the rites in full.
137
庚午，齊大赦。
On gengwu, Northern Qi proclaimed a general amnesty.
138
齊人恐陳師渡淮，使皮景和屯西兗州以備之。 丙子，周禁佛、道二教，經、像悉毀，罷沙門、道士，並令還俗。 並禁諸淫祀，非祀典所載者盡除之。
Fearing that Chen armies would cross the Huai, the Northern Qi posted Pi Jinghe in western Yan Province to guard against them. On bingzi, Northern Zhou banned Buddhism and Daoism; scriptures and images were destroyed, monks and Daoist priests were dismissed, and all were ordered to return to lay life. Improper cults were also banned, and every shrine not authorized in the ritual canon was abolished.
139
六月，壬辰，周弘正卒。
In the sixth month, on renchen, Zhou Hongzheng died.
140
壬子，周更鑄五行大布錢，一當十，與布泉並行。
On renzi, Northern Zhou recoined the Five Elements large cloth coins, each worth ten, to circulate alongside the cloth spring coins.
141
戊午，周立通道觀以壹聖賢之教。
On wuwu, Northern Zhou established the Passage to the Way observatory to unify the teachings of the sages.
142
秋，七月，庚申，周主如雲陽，以右宮正尉遲運兼司武，與薛公長孫覽輔太子守長安。
In autumn, the seventh month, on gengshen, the Northern Zhou ruler went to Yunyang; he made Right Palace Director Yuchi Yun also Director of Military Affairs, and Duke of Xue Zhangsun Lan to assist the crown prince in holding Chang'an.
143
初，帝取衛王直第為東宮，使直自擇所居。 直歷觀府署，無如意者； 末取廢陟屺寺，欲居之。 齊王憲謂直曰：「弟子孫多，此無乃褊小？」 直曰：「一身尚不自容，何論子孫！」 直嘗從帝校獵而亂行，帝對眾撻之。 直積怨憤，因帝在外，遂作亂。 乙酉，帥其黨襲肅章門。 長孫覽懼，奔詣帝所。 尉遲運偶在門中，直兵奄至，手自闔門。 直黨與運爭門，斫傷運指，僅而得閉。 直久不得入，縱火焚門。 運恐火盡，直黨得進，取宮中材木及床榻以益火，膏油灌之，火轉熾。 久之，直不得進，乃退。 運帥留守兵，因其退而擊之，直大敗，帥百餘騎奔荊州。 戊子，帝還長安。 八月，辛卯，擒直，廢為庶人，囚於別宮，尋殺之。 以尉遲運為大將軍，賜賚甚厚。
Earlier, the emperor had taken Prince of Wei Yuwen Zhi's residence for the Eastern Palace and told Zhi to choose another home for himself. Zhi toured one official residence after another, but none pleased him; he finally settled on the abandoned Shengqi Temple and meant to live there. Duke of Qi Yuwen Xian said to him, "You have many sons and grandsons—isn't this place rather cramped?" Zhi replied, "I can barely find room for myself—what talk of sons and grandsons!" Once, when Zhi rode with the emperor on a hunt and broke formation, the emperor had him flogged before the whole company. Zhi nursed his grievance, and when the emperor was away from the capital he rose in rebellion. On yiyou, he led his followers in a surprise assault on Su Zhang Gate. Zhangsun Lan, terrified, fled to join the emperor. Yuchi Yun happened to be inside the gate when Zhi's troops suddenly arrived; he shut the gate himself. Zhi's men fought Yun for the gate, hacked his fingers, and only barely managed to shut it. Unable to break through for a long time, Zhi set the gate ablaze. Fearing the fire would burn out and let Zhi's men in, Yun piled palace timber and bed frames onto the blaze, poured oil over it, and the flames roared higher. After a long while, unable to force an entry, Zhi withdrew. Yun led the garrison troops and struck as Zhi retreated; Zhi was routed and fled to Jing Province with little more than a hundred horsemen. On wuzi, the emperor returned to Chang'an. In the eighth month, on xinmao, Zhi was captured, stripped of rank and made a commoner, imprisoned in a separate palace, and soon executed. Yuchi Yun was made Grand General and richly rewarded.
144
丙申，周主復如雲陽。
On bingshen, the Northern Zhou ruler again went to Yunyang.
145
癸丑，齊主如晉陽。 甲辰，齊以高勱為尚書右僕射。
On guichou, the Northern Qi ruler went to Jinyang. On jiachen, Northern Qi appointed Gao Li Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing.
146
九月，庚申，周主如同州。
In the ninth month, on gengshen, the Northern Zhou ruler went to Tong Province.
147
冬，十月，丙申，周遣御正弘農楊尚希、禮部盧愷來聘。 愷，柔之子也。
In winter, the tenth month, on bingshen, Northern Zhou sent Chief Minister Yang Shangxi of Hongnong and Director of Rites Lu Kai on a diplomatic mission. Lu Kai was the son of Lu Rou.
148
甲寅，周主如蒲州； 丙辰，如同州； 十一月，甲戌，還長安。
On jiayin, the Northern Zhou ruler went to Pu Province; on bingchen, he went to Tong Province; in the eleventh month, on jiaxu, he returned to Chang'an.
149
十二月，戊戌，以吏部尚書王瑒為右僕射，度支尚書孔奐為吏部尚書。 瑒，沖之子也。
In the twelfth month, on wuxu, Wang Chang was appointed Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and Kong Huan was appointed Director of the Ministry of Appointments. Wang Chang was the son of Wang Chong.
150
時新復淮、泗，攻戰、降附，功賞紛紜。 奐識鑒精敏，不受請托，事無凝滯，人皆悅服。 湘州刺史始興王叔陵，屢諷有司，求為三公。 奐曰：「袞章之職，本以德舉，未必皇枝。」 因以白帝，帝曰：「始興那忽望公！ 且朕兒為公，須在鄱陽王后。」 奐曰：「臣之所見，亦如聖旨。」
The Huai and Si regions had just been recovered, and with fighting, surrenders, and submissions, rewards and honors piled up in bewildering profusion. Kong Huan was keenly perceptive, accepted no private favors, handled affairs without delay, and won universal approval. Prince Shuling of Shixing, governor of Xiang Province, repeatedly pressed the responsible offices to make him one of the Three Dukes. Kong Huan said, "The Three Dukes are appointed for virtue—not necessarily for royal birth." He reported this to the emperor, who said, "Why should Shixing suddenly aspire to a dukedom! Besides, if one of my sons is to be made a duke, it must wait until after the Prince of Poyang." Kong Huan said, "What I see accords with Your Majesty's intent."
151
齊定州刺史南陽王綽，喜為殘虐，嘗出行，見婦人抱兒，奪以飼狗。 婦人號哭，綽怒，以兒血塗婦人，縱狗使食之。 常云：「我學文宣伯之為人。」 齊主聞之，鎖詣行在，至而宥之。 問：「在州何事最樂？」 對曰：「多聚蠍於器，置狙其中，觀之極樂。」 帝即命夜索蠍一鬥，比曉，得三二升，置浴斛，使人裸臥斛中，號叫宛轉。 帝與綽臨觀，喜噱不已。 因讓綽曰：「如此樂事，何不早馳驛奏聞！」 由是有寵，拜大將軍，朝夕同戲。 韓長鸞疾之，是歲，出為齊州刺史。 將發，使人誣告其反，奏云：「此犯國法，不可赦！」 帝不忍明誅，使寵胡何猥薩與之手搏，扼而殺之。」」
Prince Chuo of Nanyang, governor of Ding Province in Northern Qi, delighted in cruelty; once while out he saw a woman holding a child, snatched the child, and fed it to a dog. When the woman wailed, Chuo flew into a rage, smeared her with the child's blood, and set the dog on her to make her eat it. He often said, "I am learning to be like Duke Wenxuan." When the Northern Qi ruler heard of this, he had Chuo chained and brought to the mobile court, then pardoned him on arrival. He asked, "In your province, what gave you the greatest pleasure?" He answered, "Gathering many scorpions in a vessel and putting a monkey among them—to watch that was my greatest pleasure." The emperor at once ordered scorpions collected through the night—a full dou's measure; by dawn they had three or four liters, which were placed in a bathing tub; a man was made to lie naked in it, screaming and writhing. The emperor and Chuo watched and laughed with delight without end. He then reproached Chuo: "With pleasure like this, why did you not send word by post relay at once!" From this he won favor, was appointed Grand General, and spent his days in sport with the emperor. Han Changluan hated him, and that year Chuo was sent out as governor of Qi Province. As he was about to leave, agents were sent to accuse him falsely of rebellion, memorializing, "This man has violated the laws of the state and cannot be pardoned!" The emperor could not bear to execute him openly and ordered his favorite, the Hu tribesman He Weisa, to wrestle with him and strangle him to death.””