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=陳紀八=
Chen Records 8
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上章困敦，一年。
Spanning the year Shangzhang Kundun—one year in all.
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1春，正月，癸巳，周天元祠太廟。
1. In spring, the first month, on guisi, Northern Zhou's Emperor Tianyuan offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
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2戊戌，以左衛將軍任忠為南豫州刺史，督緣江軍防事。
2. On wuxu, Left Guard General Ren Zhong was made Governor of Southern Yuzhou with overall command of Yangtze frontier defenses.
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3乙卯，周稅入市者人一錢。
3. On yimao, Zhou imposed a one-cash levy on everyone entering the markets.
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4二月，丁巳，周天元幸露門學，釋奠。
4. In the second month, on dingsi, Emperor Tianyuan visited the Lumengate Academy for the ceremonial libation to Confucius.
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5戊午，突厥入貢於周，且迎千金公主。
5. On wuwu, the Turks brought tribute to Zhou and came to receive Princess Qianjin for marriage.
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6乙丑，周天元改制為天制，敕為天敕。 壬午，尊天元皇太后為天元上皇太后，天皇太后為天元聖皇太后。 癸未，詔楊后與三后皆稱太皇后，司馬后直稱皇后。
6. On yichou, Emperor Tianyuan renamed imperial regulations "Heavenly Regulations" and edicts "Heavenly Edicts." On renwu, the Tianyuan Empress Dowager was elevated to Supreme Tianyuan Empress Dowager, and the Tianhuang Empress Dowager to Sagely Tianyuan Empress Dowager. On guiwei, an edict declared that Empress Yang and the three other empresses would all bear the title Grand Empress, while Empress Sima alone would be called simply Empress.
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行軍總管杞公亮，天元之從祖兄也。 其子西陽公溫妻尉遲氏，蜀公迥之孫，有美色，以宗婦入朝。 天元飲之酒，逼而淫之。 亮聞之，懼； 三月，軍還，至豫州，密謀襲韋孝寬，並其眾，推諸父為主，鼓行而西。 亮國官茹寬知其謀，先告孝寬，孝寬潛設備。 亮夜將數百騎襲孝寬營，不克而走。 戊子，孝寬追斬之，溫亦坐誅。 天元即召其妻入宮，拜長貴妃。 辛卯，立亮弟永昌公椿為杞公。
Campaigning commander-in-chief Duke Qi of Qi, Yuwen Liang, was Emperor Tianyuan's first cousin once removed. His son, Duke Xiyang Wen, had married Lady Yuchi, granddaughter of Duke Shu Yuwen Jiong—a woman of striking beauty who came to court in her capacity as a royal clansman's wife. Emperor Tianyuan plied her with wine, then forced himself upon her. When Liang learned of this, he was terrified; in the third month, as his army returned to Yuzhou, he secretly plotted to strike Wei Xiaokuan, absorb his troops, install one of the imperial uncles as emperor, and march west at the head of his army. Liang's staff officer Ru Kuan discovered the plot and warned Xiaokuan in advance; Xiaokuan quietly made his preparations. That night Liang led several hundred cavalry in a night assault on Xiaokuan's camp; when it failed, he fled. On wuzi, Xiaokuan ran him down and executed him; Wen was put to death as well for his connection to the plot. Emperor Tianyuan at once summoned the woman into the palace and made her Senior Noble Consort. On xinmao, Liang's younger brother, Duke Yongchang Chun, was installed as the new Duke of Qi.
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周天元如同州，增候正、前驅、式道候為三百六十重。 自應門至於赤岸澤，數十里間，幡旗相蔽，音樂俱作。 又令虎賁持鈒馬上，稱警蹕。 乙未，改同州宮為成天宮。 庚子，還長安。 詔天台侍衛之官，皆著五色及紅、紫、綠衣，以雜色為緣，名曰「品色衣」，有大事，與公服間服之。 壬寅，詔內外命婦皆執笏，其拜宗廟及天台，皆俯伏如男子。
Emperor Tianyuan traveled to Tongzhou and expanded the ranks of outriders, vanguard runners, and ceremonial escorts to three hundred and sixty tiers. From the Ying Gate to Chian Marsh, for dozens of li, banners blotted out the sky and music sounded without cease. He also had Tiger Guards ride with clanging gongs, crying the imperial progress. On yiwei, the Tongzhou palace was renamed the Palace of Accomplished Heaven. On gengzi, he returned to Chang'an. An edict required Tian Terrace guards to wear robes in five colors plus red, purple, and green, trimmed in contrasting hues—these "graded-color robes" were to be worn on ceremonial occasions alongside regular court dress. On renyin, an edict commanded that all titled ladies, within the palace and without, carry ceremonial tablets; when worshipping at the Ancestral Temple and Tian Terrace, they were to prostrate themselves exactly as men did.
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天元將立五皇后，以問小宗伯狄道辛彥之。 對曰：「皇后與天子敵體，不宜有五。」 太學博士西城何妥曰：「昔帝嚳四妃，虞舜二妃。 先代之數，何常之有！」 帝大悅，免彥之官。 甲辰，詔曰：「坤儀比德，土數惟五，四太皇后外，可增置天中太皇后一人。」 於是以陳氏為天中太皇后，尉遲妃為天左太皇后。 又造下帳五，使五皇后各居其一，實宗廟祭器於前，自讀祝版而祭之。 又以五輅載婦人，自帥左右步從。 又好倒懸雞及碎瓦於車上，觀其號呼以為樂。
Emperor Tianyuan planned to install five empresses and consulted Junior Director of the Imperial Clan Xinyan Zhi of Didao. He answered, "The empress is the Son of Heaven's equal in rank; there ought not to be five of them." Imperial Academy erudite He Tuo of Xicheng objected: "In antiquity Emperor Ku had four consorts and Emperor Shun had two. How fixed were the numbers of former ages, after all!" The emperor was delighted and stripped Xinyan Zhi of his post. On jiachen, an edict declared, "Earthly virtue mirrors the feminine principle, and earth's number is five. Beyond the four Grand Empress Dowagers, one Central Heaven Grand Empress Dowager may now be appointed." Lady Chen was accordingly made Central Heaven Grand Empress Dowager, and Consort Yuchi Left Heaven Grand Empress Dowager. He also erected five lower tents, one for each empress; ancestral temple vessels were set before them, and each empress read the prayer tablet and conducted her own sacrifice. He also had five imperial carriages carry the women, while he himself led his attendants on foot behind them. He also amused himself by hanging chickens upside down and smashing tiles from his carriage, delighting in their cries of distress.
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7夏，四月，癸亥，尚書左僕射陸繕卒。
7. In summer, the fourth month, on guihai, Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat Lu Chan died.
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8己巳，周天元祠太廟； 己卯，大雩； 壬午，幸仲山祈雨； 甲申，還宮，令京城士女於衢巷作樂迎候。
8. On jisi, Emperor Tianyuan sacrificed at the Imperial Ancestral Temple; on jimao, a great rain-prayer ceremony was held; on renwu, he went to Zhong Mountain to pray for rain; on jiashen, he returned to the palace and commanded the men and women of the capital to line the streets with music to welcome him home.
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9五月，癸巳，以尚書右僕射晉安王伯恭為僕射。
9. In the fifth month, on guisi, Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat Prince Jin'an Bo Gong was confirmed as Vice Director.
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10周楊后性柔婉，不妨忌，四皇后及嬪、御等，咸愛而仰之。 天元昏暴滋甚，喜怒乖度，嘗譴后，欲加之罪。 后進止詳閒，辭色不撓，天元大怒，遂賜后死，逼令引訣，后母獨孤氏詣閣陳謝，叩頭流血，然後得免。
10. Zhou's Empress Yang was gentle and unjealous by nature; the four empresses and all palace ladies alike loved and looked up to her. Emperor Tianyuan grew ever more erratic and brutal; his moods swung wildly out of control, and on one occasion he rebuked the empress and meant to punish her. The empress remained composed in bearing and unflinching in speech; Tianyuan was enraged and sentenced her to death, forcing her to bid farewell. Her mother, Lady Dugu, came to the palace gate to plead, knocking her head until blood flowed—and only then was the empress spared.
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后父大前疑堅，位望隆重，天元忌之，嘗因忿謂后曰：「必族滅爾家！」 因召堅，謂左右曰：「色動，即殺之。」 堅至，神色自若，乃止。 內史上大夫鄭譯，與堅少同學，奇堅相表，傾心相結。 堅既為帝所忌，情不自安，嘗在永巷，私於譯曰：「久願出籓，公所悉也，願少留意！」 譯曰：「以公德望，天下歸心。 欲求多福，豈敢忘也！ 謹即言之。」
The empress's father, Grand Mentor Yang Jian, held great rank and prestige; Tianyuan resented him and once said in fury to the empress, "I will wipe out your entire clan!" He then summoned Jian and told his attendants, "If his face changes color, kill him on the spot." When Jian arrived, his expression was perfectly calm, and the emperor relented. Palace Secretariat Grand Master Zheng Yi had been Jian's schoolmate in youth; struck by Jian's bearing, he gave him his wholehearted loyalty. Now under the emperor's suspicion, Jian could not rest easy; once in the Eternal Lane he confided to Yi, "I have long wished to take a provincial post—you know this; please give it some thought!" Yi replied, "Given your virtue and standing, the hearts of the realm already turn to you. To seek your good fortune—how could I ever forget! I shall bring it up immediately."
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天元將遣譯入寇，譯請元帥。 天元曰：「卿意如何？」 對曰：「若定江東，自非懿戚重臣，無以鎮撫。 可令隨公行，且為壽陽總管以督軍事。」 天元從之。 己丑，以堅為揚州總管，使譯發兵會壽陽。 將行，會堅暴有足疾，不果行。
When Emperor Tianyuan was about to send Yi on campaign against Chen, Yi asked who would command the army. Tianyuan asked, "What do you recommend?" He answered, "To hold the lands east of the Yangtze, nothing less than a senior imperial kinsman can keep order there. Send the Duke of Sui with the army, and make him Commander-in-Chief of Shouyang to oversee operations." Tianyuan agreed. On jichou, Jian was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Yangzhou, and Yi was ordered to mobilize troops and rendezvous with him at Shouyang. Just as he was about to depart, Jian was suddenly stricken with a severe foot ailment and never went.
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甲午夜，天元備法駕，幸天興宮。 乙未，不豫而還。 小御正博陵劉昉，素以狡諂得幸於天元，與御正中大夫顏之儀並見親信。 天元召昉、之儀入臥內，欲屬以後事，天元瘖，不復能言。 昉見靜帝幼沖，以楊堅后父，有重名，遂與領內史鄭譯、御飾大夫柳裘、內史大夫杜陵韋謨、御正下士朝那皇甫績謀引堅輔政。 堅固辭，不敢當。 昉曰：「公若為，速為之； 不為，昉自為也。」 堅乃從之，稱受詔居中侍疾。 裘，惔之孫也。 是日，帝殂。 秘不發喪。 昉、譯矯詔以堅總知中外兵馬事。 顏之儀知非帝旨，拒而不從。 昉等草詔署訖，逼之儀連署，之儀厲聲曰：「主上升遐，嗣子沖幼，阿衡之任，宜在宗英。 方今趙王最長，以親以德，合膺重寄。 公等備受朝恩，當思盡忠報國，奈何一旦欲以神器假人！ 之儀有死而已，不能誣罔先帝。」 昉等知不可屈。 乃代之儀署而行之。 諸衛既受敕，並受堅節度。
At midnight on jiawu, Tianyuan rode out in full imperial procession to the Tianxing Palace. On yiwei, he fell gravely ill and returned. Junior Imperial Rectifier Liu Fang of Boling had long won Tianyuan's favor through cunning flattery; he and Imperial Rectifier Grand Master Yan Zhiyi were both trusted confidants. Tianyuan summoned Fang and Zhiyi to his bedside to entrust them with the succession, but he had lost his voice and could no longer speak. Fang saw that Emperor Jing was a child and that Yang Jian, the empress's father, commanded great prestige; he joined Chief Palace Secretary Zheng Yi, Ornaments Grand Master Liu Qiu, Palace Secretary Grand Master Wei Mo of Duling, and Junior Imperial Rectifier Huangfu Ji of Chaona in a plot to install Jian as regent. Jian firmly declined, saying he dared not accept. Fang said, "Sir, if you mean to act, act now; if not, Fang will act in your place." Jian then agreed, claiming he had received an edict to remain at the emperor's bedside and tend his illness. Qiu was a grandson of Liu Tan. That same day the emperor died. The death was kept secret; no mourning was announced. Fang and Yi forged an edict placing Jian in overall command of all armies, civil and military. Yan Zhiyi knew this was not the emperor's true wish and refused to go along. Fang and his allies drafted the edict and signed it, then pressed Zhiyi to add his name; Zhiyi declared in a ringing voice, "Our lord has departed; the heir is a child. The regency belongs to a worthy of the imperial house. The Prince of Zhao is eldest among the princes; in kinship and virtue he is the one who should bear this burden. You have all received the court's favor; you should be thinking of loyal service to the state—how can you in a single day hand the imperial regalia to an outsider! Zhiyi accepts only death; he will not deceive the late emperor." Fang and his allies saw he could not be moved. They signed in his place and issued the edict. All palace guards, having received the edict, fell under Jian's command.
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堅恐諸王在外生變，以千金公主將適突厥為辭，征趙、陳、越、代、滕五王入朝。 堅索符璽，顏之儀正色曰：「此天子之物，自有主者，宰相何故索之！」 堅大怒，命引出，將殺之； 以其民望，出為西邊郡守。
Fearing the princes stationed outside the capital might raise trouble, Jian cited Princess Qianjin's impending marriage to the Turks as pretext to summon the five princes of Zhao, Chen, Yue, Dai, and Teng to court. Jian demanded the imperial seals; Yan Zhiyi said sternly, "These belong to the Son of Heaven and have their rightful keeper—why should a chief minister demand them!" Jian was furious and ordered him dragged out for execution; but because of his popular esteem, he was instead sent out as governor of a western border commandery.
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丁未，發喪。 靜帝入居天台。 罷正陽宮。 大赦，停洛陽宮作。 庚戌，尊阿史那太后為太皇太后，李太后為太帝太后，楊后為皇太后，朱后為帝太后，其陳后、元后、尉遲后並為尼。 以漢王贊為上柱國、右大丞相，尊以虛名，實無所綜理。 以楊堅為假黃鉞、左大丞相，秦王贄為上柱國。 百官總己以聽於左丞相。
On dingwei, the emperor's death was formally announced. Emperor Jing moved into the Tian Terrace. Construction at the Zhengyang Palace was halted. A general amnesty was declared and work on the Luoyang palace was suspended. On gengxu, Empress Dowager Ashina was elevated to Grand Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Li to Grand Imperial Empress Dowager, Empress Yang to Empress Dowager, and Empress Zhu to Imperial Empress Dowager; Empresses Chen, Yuan, and Yuchi were all forced to take Buddhist vows. Prince Han Zan was named Senior Pillar of State and Right Grand Chancellor—a title of honor with no real authority. Yang Jian was made Acting Holder of the Golden Battle-Axe and Left Grand Chancellor; Prince Qin Zan was named Senior Pillar of State. All officials turned their affairs over to the Left Chancellor.
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堅初受顧命，使邗國公楊惠謂御正下大夫李德林曰：「朝廷賜令總文武事，經國任重。 今欲與公共事，必不得辭。」 德林曰：「願以死奉公。」 堅大喜。 始，劉昉、鄭譯議以堅為大塚宰，譯自攝大司馬，昉又求小塚宰。 堅私問德林曰：「欲何以見處？」 德林曰：「宜作大丞相、假黃鉞、都督中外諸軍事，不爾，無以壓眾心。」 及發喪，即依此行之。 以正陽宮為丞相府。
When Jian first received the regency, he sent Duke Hanguo Yang Hui to tell Junior Imperial Rectifier Li Delin, "The court has placed you in charge of all civil and military affairs; governing the state is a grave responsibility. I wish to share this burden with you; you must not refuse." Delin replied, "I will serve you unto death." Jian was overjoyed. At the outset, Liu Fang and Zheng Yi had planned to make Jian Grand Chamberlain, with Yi taking the Grand Marshal's post for himself and Fang seeking the Junior Chamberlain's office. Yang Jian took Li Delin aside and asked, "How do you think I ought to be positioned?" Li Delin replied, "You should be made Grand Chancellor, given the yellow battle-axe in acting capacity, and named supreme commander of all forces at court and in the provinces. Without that, you will never hold the people's loyalty." When the death was formally announced, he did exactly that. He established his chancellery in Zhenyang Palace.
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時眾情未壹，堅引司武上士盧賁置左右。 將之東宮，百官皆不知所從。 堅潛令賁部伍仗衛，因召公卿，謂曰：「欲求富貴者宜相隨。」 往往偶語，欲有去就。 賁嚴兵而至，眾莫敢動。 出崇陽門，至東宮，門者拒不納，賁諭之，不去； 嗔目叱之，門者遂卻，堅入。 賁遂典丞相府宿衛。 賁，辯之弟子也。 以鄭譯為丞相府長史，劉昉為司馬，李德林為府屬，二人由是怨德林。
Popular opinion was still divided, so Yang Jian kept Supervising Martial Senior Attendant Lu Ben at his side. When he set out for the Eastern Palace, the officials had no idea which side to take. Yang Jian quietly had Lu Ben muster armed guards, then summoned the chief ministers and told them, "Whoever wants wealth and rank should come with me." Men murmured in small groups, uncertain whether to go or stay. Lu Ben marched up with a disciplined force, and no one dared move. They passed through Chongyang Gate and reached the Eastern Palace, where the gatekeepers refused them entry; Lu Ben ordered them aside, but they would not budge. He fixed them with a glare and shouted them down, and the gatekeepers finally stepped aside; Yang Jian went in. Lu Ben was then put in charge of the chancellery's night watch. Lu Ben had been a disciple of Lu Bian. He named Zheng Yi chief administrator of the chancellery, Liu Fang marshal, and Li Delin a staff officer; Zheng and Liu took a dislike to Delin from that moment on.
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內史下大夫勃海高熲明敏有器局，習兵事，多計略，堅欲引之入府，遣楊惠諭意。 熲承旨，欣然曰：「願受驅馳。 縱令公事不成，熲亦不辭滅族。」 乃以為相府司錄。
Gao Jiong of Bohai, an Inner Scribe Lower Grandee, was sharp-minded and far-seeing, well versed in war and rich in stratagems. Yang Jian wanted him in the chancellery and sent Yang Hui to sound him out. Gao Jiong accepted the message and said gladly, "I am yours to command. Even if the enterprise fails, I will not flinch from the destruction of my whole house." He was then appointed chief clerk of the chancellery.
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時漢王贊居禁中，每與靜帝同帳而坐。 劉昉飾美妓進贊，贊甚悅之。 昉因說贊曰：「大王，先帝之弟，時望所歸。 孺子幼沖，豈堪大事！ 今先帝初崩，人情尚擾。 王且歸第，待事寧後，入為天子，此萬全計也。」 贊年少，性識庸下，以為信然，遂從之。
Prince of Han Zan was then living inside the palace and sat under the same canopy with Emperor Jing every day. Liu Fang dressed up beautiful entertainers and sent them to Zan, who was delighted with them. Fang then pressed his case: "Your Highness is the late emperor's own brother—the man the age looks to. That child on the throne is too young to bear the weight of rule! The late emperor has only just died, and the realm is still unsettled. Withdraw to your own residence for now. Once things calm down, you can enter and take the throne. That is the surest course." Zan was young and not very bright; he took this for good counsel and did as Fang said.
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堅革宣帝苛酷之政，更為寬大，刪略舊律，作《刑書要制》，奏而行之； 躬履節儉，中外悅之。
Yang Jian swept away Emperor Xuan's harsh rule and replaced it with a milder one. He trimmed the old statutes and drafted Essentials of Penal Law, which he submitted and put into force. He lived plainly himself, and people throughout the court and the realm approved.
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堅夜召太史中大夫庾季才，問曰：「吾以庸虛，受茲顧命。 天時人事，卿以為何如？」 季才曰：「天道精微，難可意察。 竊以人事卜之，符兆已定。 季才縱言不可，公豈復得為箕、穎之事乎！」 堅默然久之，曰：「誠如君言。」 獨孤夫人亦謂堅曰：「大事已然，騎虎之勢，必不得下，勉之！」
That night Yang Jian summoned Yu Jicai, Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, and asked, "I am a mediocre man who has been handed this deathbed trust. What do you make of Heaven's signs and the state of the realm?" Jicai replied, "Heaven's way is too subtle to read by guesswork alone. But if I judge by what men are doing, the signs are already set. Even if I were to say otherwise, could you still wash your ears in the Ying and retire to Mount Ji like Xu You?" Yang Jian was silent a long while, then said, "You are right." Lady Dugu told him as well, "The die is cast. Once you are riding a tiger, there is no getting off. Press forward!"
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堅以相州總管尉遲迥位望素重，恐有異圖，使迥子魏安公惇奉詔書召之會葬。 壬子，以上柱國韋孝寬為相州總管； 又以小司徒叱列長義為相州刺史，先令赴鄴； 孝寬續進。
Yuwen Jiong, area commander of Xiang Province, was a man of long-standing rank and prestige, and Yang Jian feared he might have designs of his own. He had Jiong's son, Duke of Wei'an Dun, deliver an imperial summons to bring him to the funeral. On renzi he named Upper Pillar of State Wei Xiaokuan area commander of Xiang Province. He also appointed Junior Minister of Education Chilie Changyi governor of Xiang Province and sent him ahead to Ye. Wei Xiaokuan followed after.
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陳王純時鎮齊州，堅使門正上士崔彭征之。 彭以兩騎往止傳捨，遣人召純。 純至，彭請屏左右，密有所道，遂執而鎖之，因大言曰：「陳王有罪，詔征入朝，左右不得輒動！」 其從者愕然而去。 彭，楷之孫也。
Prince of Chen Chun was then holding Qi Province, and Yang Jian sent Gate Inspector Senior Attendant Cui Peng to summon him to court. Cui Peng rode in with two escorts, halted at a relay station, and sent for Chun. When Chun arrived, Cui Peng dismissed the attendants as if to speak in confidence, then seized and shackled him. He shouted, "Prince of Chen stands accused. By imperial order he is summoned to court. No one move!" His followers stood stunned, then fell back. Cui Peng was a grandson of Cui Kai.
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六月，五王皆至長安。
In the sixth month all five princes arrived in Chang'an.
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11庚申，周復行佛、道二教。 舊沙門、道士精志者，簡令入道。
11. On gengshen Zhou restored Buddhism and Daoism. Former monks and priests of proven devotion were screened and allowed to resume their orders.
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12周尉遲迥知丞相堅將不利於帝室，謀舉兵討之。 韋孝寬至朝歌，迥遣其大都督賀蘭貴，繼書候韋孝寬。 孝寬留貴與語以審之，疑其有變，遂稱疾徐行； 又使人至相州求醫藥，密以伺之。 孝寬兄子藝，為魏郡守，迥遣藝迎孝寬，孝寬問迥所為，藝黨於迥，不以實對。 孝寬怒，將斬之。 藝懼，悉以迥謀語孝寬。 孝寬攜藝西走，每至亭驛，盡驅傳馬而去，謂驛司曰：「蜀公將至，宜速具酒食。」 迥尋遣儀司大將軍梁子康將數百騎追孝寬，追者至驛，輒逢盛饌，又無馬，遂遲留不進。 孝寬與藝由是得免。
12. Yuwen Jiong saw that Chancellor Yang Jian meant to harm the imperial house and began plotting to raise an army against him. When Wei Xiaokuan reached Chaoge, Jiong sent his grand area commander Helan Gui with repeated messages to greet him. Wei Xiaokuan kept Helan Gui with him and questioned him closely. Smelling trouble, he pleaded illness and slowed his march. He also sent men to Xiang Province on the pretext of fetching medicine, using them to watch what was happening. Wei Xiaokuan's nephew Yi was prefect of Wei Commandery. Jiong sent Yi to meet him, but when Xiaokuan asked what Jiong was up to, Yi, who sided with Jiong, lied. Wei Xiaokuan flew into a rage and was ready to execute him. Terrified, Yi told Wei Xiaokuan everything about Jiong's plot. Wei Xiaokuan fled west with Yi in tow. At every relay station he seized all the post horses and rode on, telling the clerks, "The Duke of Shu is coming. Have food and wine ready at once." Jiong soon sent Grand General of the Ceremonial Office Liang Zikang after him with several hundred horsemen. At every station the pursuers found a lavish spread waiting and no horses to ride, so they fell further and further behind. In this way Wei Xiaokuan and Yi got away.
32
堅又令候正破六韓裒詣迥諭旨，密與總管府長史晉昶等書，令為之備。 迥聞之，殺昶及裒； 集文武士民，登城北樓，令之曰：「楊堅藉後父之勢，挾幼主以作威福，不臣之跡，暴於行路。 吾與國舅甥，任兼將相； 先帝處吾於此，本欲寄以安危。 今欲與卿等糾合義勇，以匡國庇民，何如？」 眾鹹從命。 迥乃自稱大總管，承製置官司。 時趙王招入朝，留少子在國，迥奉以號令。
Yang Jian also sent Houzheng Polu Hanpi to Jiong with an official message, while secretly writing to Jin Chang, chief administrator of the area command, and others to ready themselves. When Jiong learned of this, he executed Jin Chang and Hanpi. He gathered officials, soldiers, and townspeople, mounted the north gate tower, and proclaimed, "Yang Jian has used his position as the empress's father to seize power through a child emperor. His treason is plain for all on the road to see. I am the empress's nephew by marriage, entrusted with both civil and military command. The late emperor posted me here to safeguard the realm in its hour of danger. I mean to rally loyal men among you to restore the state and protect the people. Will you follow me?" The crowd assented as one. Jiong declared himself Grand Area Commander and, claiming imperial authority, set up a full government apparatus. Prince of Zhao Zhao was then at court and had left his youngest son in the province; Jiong used the boy to lend his regime legitimacy.
33
甲子，堅發關中兵，以韋孝寬為行軍元帥，郕公梁士彥、樂安公元諧、化政公宇文忻、濮陽公武川宇文述、武鄉公崔弘度、清河公楊素、隴西公李詢等皆為行軍總管，以討迥。 弘度，楷之孫； 詢，穆之兄子也。
On jiazi Yang Jian mobilized the armies of Guanzhong. He made Wei Xiaokuan supreme field commander and named Duke of Ye Liang Shiyan, Duke of Le'an Yuan Xie, Duke of Huazheng Yuwen Xin, Duke of Puyang Wuchuan Yuwen Shu, Duke of Wuxiang Cui Hongdu, Duke of Qinghe Yang Su, Duke of Longxi Li Xun, and others as campaign commanders to crush Jiong. Cui Hongdu was a grandson of Cui Kai. Li Xun was a nephew of Li Mu's elder brother.
34
初，宣帝使計部中大夫楊尚希撫慰山東，至相州，聞宣帝殂，與尉遲迥發喪。 尚希出，謂左右曰：「蜀公哭不哀而視不安，將有他計。 吾不去，懼及於難。」 遂夜從捷徑而遁。 遲明，迥覺，追之不及，遂歸長安。 堅遣尚希督宗兵三千人鎮潼關。 雍州牧畢剌王賢，與五王謀殺堅，事洩，堅殺賢，並其三子，掩五王之謀不問。 以秦王贄為大塚宰，杞公椿為大司徒。 庚子，以柱國梁睿為益州總管。 睿，御之子也。
Earlier Emperor Xuan had sent Yang Shangxi, Director of the Accounting Bureau, to reassure the eastern provinces. When he reached Xiang Province and learned the emperor was dead, he joined Yuwen Jiong in proclaiming the mourning. On his way out Shangxi told his attendants, "The Duke of Shu mourns without sorrow and keeps shifting his eyes. He is planning something else. If I stay, I am afraid I will be caught up in it." That night he slipped away by a back road. At daybreak Jiong realized what had happened and gave chase, but could not catch him. Shangxi made it back to Chang'an. Yang Jian sent Shangxi with three thousand clan troops to hold Tong Pass. Prince of Bila Xian, governor of Yong Province, joined the five princes in a plot to kill Yang Jian. When it was exposed, Yang Jian executed Xian and his three sons, then hushed up the other princes' involvement. He appointed Prince of Qin Zan Grand Preceptor and Duke of Qi Chun Grand Minister of Education. On gengzi he named Pillar of State Liang Rui area commander of Yi Province. Liang Rui was a son of Liang Yu.
35
13周遣汝南公神慶、司衛上士長孫晟送千金公主於突厥。 晟，幼之曾孫也。
13. Zhou dispatched Duke of Runan Shen Qing and Supervising Guard Senior Attendant Zhangsun Sheng to escort Princess Qianjin to the Turks. Zhangsun Sheng was a great-grandson of Zhangsun You.
36
又遣建威侯賀若誼賂佗缽可汗，且說之以求高紹義。 佗缽偽與紹義獵於南境，使誼執之。 誼，敦之弟子也。 秋，七月，甲申，紹義至長安，徙之蜀； 久之，病死於蜀。
Zhou also sent Marquis of Jianwei He Ruo Yi to bribe Khan Tuoban and persuade him to surrender Gao Shaoyi. Tuoban feigned a hunting expedition with Shaoyi on the southern border and had He Ruo Yi take him captive. He Ruo Yi had been a disciple of He Dun. In the seventh month of autumn, on jiashen, Gao Shaoyi arrived in Chang'an and was exiled to Shu. In time he died of illness in Shu.
37
14周青州總管尉遲勤，迥之弟也。 初得迥書，表送之，尋亦從迥。 迥所統相、衛、黎、洺、貝、趙、冀、瀛、滄、勤所統青、齊、膠、光、莒等州皆從之，眾數十萬。 滎州刺史邵公冑，申州刺史李惠，東楚州刺史費也利進，潼州刺史曹孝遠，各據本州，徐州總管司錄席毘羅據兗州，前東平郡守畢義緒據蘭陵，皆應迥； 懷縣永橋鎮將紇豆陵惠以城降迥。 迥使其所署大將軍石遜攻建州，建州刺史宇文弁以州降之。 又遣西道行台韓長業攻拔潞州，執刺史趙威，署城人郭子勝為刺史。 紇豆陵惠襲陷鉅鹿，遂圍恆州。 上大將軍宇文威攻汴州，莒州刺史烏丸尼等帥青、齊之眾圍沂州，大將軍檀讓攻拔曹、亳二州，屯兵梁郡。 席毘羅眾號八萬，軍於蕃城，攻陷昌慮、下邑。 李惠自申州攻永州，拔之。
14. Yuwen Qin, Zhou's area commander of Qing Province, was Yuwen Jiong's younger brother. When he first received Jiong's letter he forwarded it to court in a memorial, but soon joined the rebellion himself. The provinces under Jiong's command—Xiang, Wei, Li, Ming, Bei, Zhao, Ji, Ying, and Cang—and those under Qin—Qing, Qi, Jiao, Guang, and Ju—all rose with him. Their combined forces ran into the hundreds of thousands. Governor of Xing Province Duke of Shao Zhou, Governor of Shen Province Li Hui, Governor of Eastern Chu Province Fei Yeli Jin, and Governor of Tong Province Cao Xiaoyuan each seized his province. Xi Piluo, chief clerk of the Xu Province area command, took Yan Province; Bi Yixu, former administrator of Dongping Commandery, held Lanling. All of them rallied to Jiong. Hedouling Hui, commander of Yongqiao garrison in Huai County, surrendered his post to Jiong. Jiong sent his appointee Grand General Shi Xun against Jian Province, and Governor Yuwen Bian surrendered the province. He also sent Western Route Commissioner Han Changye to take Lu Province, captured Governor Zhao Wei, and installed a local man, Guo Zisheng, as governor. Hedouling Hui stormed Julu and then laid siege to Heng Province. Senior Grand General Yuwen Wei attacked Bian Province. Governor of Ju Province Wuhwan Ni led Qing and Qi troops against Yi Province. Grand General Tan Rang seized Cao and Bo provinces and encamped at Liang Commandery. Xi Piluo's army was said to number eighty thousand men. He camped at Fancheng and took Changyu and Xiayi. From Shen Province Li Hui attacked Yong Province and took it.
38
迥遣使招大左輔、并州刺史李穆，穆鎖其使，封上其書。 穆子士榮，以穆所居天下精兵處，陰勸穆從迥，穆深拒之。 堅使內史大夫柳裘詣穆，為陳利害，又使穆子左侍上士渾往布腹心。 穆使渾奉尉斗於堅，曰：「願執威柄以尉安天下。」 又十三環金帶遺堅。 十三環金帶者，天子之服也。 堅大悅，遣渾詣韋孝寬述穆意。 穆兄子崇，為懷州刺史，初欲應迥； 後知穆附堅，慨然太息曰：「闔家富貴者數十人，值國有難，竟不能扶傾繼絕，復何面目處天地間乎！」 不得已亦附於堅。 迥子誼，為朔州刺史，穆執送長安； 又遣兵討郭子勝，擒之。
Jiong sent envoys to win over Grand Left Assistant Li Mu, governor of Bing Province. Mu put the envoys in chains and forwarded their letter sealed to court. Mu's son Shirong, knowing that Bing Province held the empire's best troops, secretly urged his father to join Jiong. Li Mu refused outright. Yang Jian sent Inner Scribe Grandee Liu Qiu to Li Mu to explain the stakes, and also sent Mu's son, Left Attendant Senior Attendant Hun, to speak for him in the frankest terms. Li Mu had Hun present the commander's baton to Yang Jian, saying, "I wish you would take up authority and bring peace to the realm. He also sent Yang Jian the thirteen-ring gold belt. The thirteen-ring gold belt was an emblem reserved for the Son of Heaven. Yang Jian was greatly pleased and sent Hun to Wei Xiaokuan to convey Li Mu's intent. Li Mu's nephew Chong, governor of Huaizhou, at first wished to join Yuwen Jiong; When he learned that Li Mu had sided with Yang Jian, he sighed deeply and said, "Several dozen of us in this house enjoy wealth and rank, yet in a time of national crisis we cannot even shore up what is falling or carry on what is broken—what face have we left to show under heaven and earth! With no other choice, he too submitted to Yang Jian. Yuwen Jiong's son Yi, governor of Shuozhou, Li Mu seized and sent to Chang'an; He also sent troops against Guo Zisheng and captured him.
39
迥招徐州總管源雄、東郡守於仲文，皆不從。 雄，賀之曾孫； 仲文，謹之孫也。 迥遣宇文冑自石濟，宇文威自白馬濟河，二道攻仲文，仲文棄郡走還長安，迥殺其妻子。 迥遣檀讓徇地河南，丞相堅以仲文為河南道行軍總管，使詣洛陽發兵討讓，命楊素討宇文冑。
Yuwen Jiong tried to win over Xu Province governor Yuan Xiong and Dong Commandery magistrate Yu Zhongwen, but neither would follow him. Xiong was the great-grandson of He; Zhongwen was the grandson of Jin. Yuwen Jiong sent Yuwen Zhou to cross at Shiji and Yuwen Wei to cross at Baima; the two columns attacked Zhongwen. Zhongwen abandoned his post and fled to Chang'an, and Jiong killed his wife and children. Yuwen Jiong sent Tan Rang to sweep through Henan. Chancellor Yang Jian made Zhongwen Grand Marshal for the Henan Route, sent him to Luoyang to raise troops against Rang, and ordered Yang Su to attack Yuwen Zhou.
40
丁未，周以丞相堅都督中外諸軍事。
On dingwei, Northern Zhou made Chancellor Yang Jian commander-in-chief of all armies at home and abroad.
41
鄖州總管司馬消難亦舉兵應迥，己酉，周以柱國王誼為行軍元帥，以討消難。
Yunzhou governor Sima Xiaonan also raised troops in support of Yuwen Jiong. On jiyou, Zhou appointed Pillar of State Wang Yi campaign marshal to attack Xiaonan.
42
廣州刺史于顗，仲文之兄也，與總管趙文表不協； 詐得心疾，誘文表，手殺之，因唱言文表與尉遲迥通謀。 堅以迥未平，因勞勉之，即拜吳州總管。
Guangzhou governor Yu Yi, Zhongwen's elder brother, was at odds with governor Zhao Wenbiao; He feigned heart disease to lure Wenbiao in, killed him with his own hand, and then proclaimed that Wenbiao had been in league with Yuwen Jiong. Because Yuwen Jiong had not yet been suppressed, Yang Jian praised and encouraged him and immediately appointed him governor of Wuzhou.
43
趙僭王招謀殺堅，邀堅過其第，堅繼酒淆就之。 招引入寢室，招子員、貫及妃弟魯封等皆在左右，佩刀而立，又藏刃於帷席之間，伏壯士於室後。 堅左右皆不得從，唯從祖弟開府儀同大將軍弘、大將軍元冑坐於戶側。 冑，順之孫也。 弘、冑皆有勇力，為堅腹心。 酒酣，招以佩刀刺瓜連啖堅，欲因而刺之。 元冑進曰：「相府有事，不可久留。」 招訶之曰：「我與丞相言，汝何為者！」 叱之使卻。 冑嗔目憤氣，扣刀入衛。 招賜之酒，曰：「吾豈有不善之意邪！」 卿何猜警如是？ 招偽吐，將入後邠，冑恐其為變，扶令上坐，如此再三。 招偽稱喉乾，命冑就廚取飲，冑不動。 會滕王逌後至，堅降價迎之。 冑耳語曰：「事勢大異，可速去！」 堅曰：「彼無兵馬，何能為！」 冑曰：「兵馬皆彼物，彼若先發，大事去矣！ 冑不辭死，恐死無益。」 堅復入坐。 冑聞室後有被甲聲，遽請曰：「相府事殷，公何得如此！」 因扶堅下床趨去。 招將追之。 冑以身蔽戶，招不得出； 堅及門，冑自後至。 招恨不時發，彈指出血。 壬子，堅誣招與越野王盛謀反，皆殺之，及其諸子。 賞賜元冑，不可勝計。
Prince of Zhao Zhao Zhao plotted to kill Yang Jian and invited him to his residence. Yang Jian, already drunk, went along. Zhao led him into the bedchamber. Zhao's sons Yuan and Guan, his consort's younger brother Lu Feng, and others stood at hand with swords drawn. Blades were hidden among curtains and bedding, and strongmen lay in wait behind the room. None of Yang Jian's attendants was allowed to follow. Only his cousin, Opening Grand General of Equal Rank Hong, and Grand General Yuan Zhou sat by the door. Zhou was the grandson of Shun. Hong and Zhou were both brave and strong, trusted confidants of Yang Jian. When the wine had gone deep, Zhao sliced melon with his girdle sword and kept offering pieces to Yang Jian, intending to stab him in the act. Yuan Zhou stepped forward and said, "There is urgent business at the chancellery—we cannot stay long." Zhao scolded him: "I am speaking with the Chancellor—what are you doing here!" He shouted at him to step back. Zhou glared in fury, hand on his sword, and entered to guard Yang Jian. Zhao offered him wine, saying, "Surely I mean you no harm! Why are you so suspicious and on guard? Zhao pretended to vomit and made to go to the rear courtyard. Zhou, fearing treachery, supported him back to his seat—this happened again and again. Zhao claimed his throat was dry and ordered Zhou to fetch drink from the kitchen. Zhou did not budge. Just then Prince of Teng You arrived. Yang Jian went out in person to welcome him. Zhou whispered, "The situation has changed completely—leave at once!" Yang Jian said, "He has no troops—what can he do!" Zhou said, "The armed men are all his men. If he strikes first, everything is lost! Zhou did not shrink from death, but feared dying to no purpose." Yang Jian sat down again. Zhou heard the clink of armor from behind the room and urgently said, "The chancellery is pressed with business—how can you linger like this!" He thereupon helped Yang Jian down from the couch and hurried away. Zhao was about to pursue them. Zhou blocked the door with his body, and Zhao could not get out; Yang Jian reached the door; Zhou came up from behind. Zhao regretted that he had not acted in time and snapped his finger until it bled. On renzi, Yang Jian falsely charged Zhao and Prince of Yue Sheng with plotting rebellion. All were executed, along with their sons. Yuan Zhou was rewarded with gifts beyond counting.
44
周室諸王數欲伺隙殺堅，堅都督臨涇李圓通常保護之，由是得免。
The princes of the Zhou house repeatedly looked for chances to kill Yang Jian. His commander of Linjing, Li Yuantong, constantly protected him, and so he escaped harm.
45
癸丑，周主封其弟衍為葉王，術為郢王。
On guichou, the Zhou ruler enfeoffed his younger brothers Yan as Prince of Ye and Shu as Prince of Ying.
46
周豫、荊、襄三州蠻反，攻破郡縣。
In Zhou, the tribal peoples of Yu, Jing, and Xiang provinces rebelled and overran commanderies and counties.
47
周韋孝寬軍至永橋城，諸將請先攻之。 孝寬曰：「城小而固，若攻而不拔，損我兵威。 今破其大軍，此何能為！」 於是引軍壁於武陟。 尉遲迥遣其子魏安公惇帥眾十萬入武德，軍於沁東。 會沁水漲，孝寬與迥隔水相持不進。
Wei Xiaokuan's army reached Yongqiao. The generals asked to attack it first. Xiaokuan said, "The city is small but strong. If we attack and fail to take it, our martial prestige will suffer. If we smash their main army now, what can this place do!" He therefore led his army to encamp at Wuzhi. Yuwen Jiong sent his son, Duke of Wei'an Dun, at the head of one hundred thousand men into Wude, and encamped east of the Qin River. When the Qin River rose, Xiaokuan and Yuwen Jiong faced each other across the water without advancing.
48
孝寬長史李詢密啟丞相堅云：「梁士彥、宇文忻、崔弘度並受尉遲迥餉金，軍中慅慅，人情大異。」 堅深以為憂，與內史上大夫鄭譯謀代此三人者，李德林曰：「公與諸將，皆國家貴臣，未相服從，今正以挾令之威控御之耳。 前所遣者，疑其乖異，後所遣者，又安知其能盡腹心邪！ 又，取金之事，虛實難用，今一旦代之，或懼罪逃逸； 若加縻縶，則自鄖公以下，莫不驚疑。 且臨敵易將，此燕、趙之所以敗也。 如愚所見，但遣公一腹心，明於智略，素為諸將所信服者，速至軍所，使觀其情偽。 縱有異意，必不敢動，動亦能制之矣。」 堅大悟，曰：「公不發此言，幾敗大事。」 乃命少內史崔仲方往監諸軍，為之節度。 仲方，猷之子也，辭以父在山東。 又命劉昉、鄭譯昉，辭以未嘗為將，譯辭以母老。 堅不悅。 府司錄高熲請行，堅喜，遣之。 熲受命亟發，遣人辭母而已。 自是堅措置軍事，皆與李德林謀之，時軍書日以百數，德林口授數人，文意百端，不加治點。
Xiaokuan's chief administrator Li Xun secretly reported to Chancellor Yang Jian: "Liang Shiyan, Yuwen Xin, and Cui Hongdu all accepted gold from Yuwen Jiong. The army is restless and morale is greatly shaken." Yang Jian was deeply worried and consulted Inner Scribe Grandee Zheng Yi about replacing the three. Li Delin said, "You and these generals are all eminent ministers of the state and do not yet defer to one another. You control them now only by the authority of the edict you hold. Those you sent before were suspected of disloyalty; those you send afterward—how can you know they will give you their whole hearts? Besides, the charge of taking gold is hard to verify. If you replace them at once, some may fear punishment and flee; If you add restraint and bondage, from the Duke of Yun downward none will fail to be alarmed and suspicious. Moreover, changing commanders on the eve of battle—this is why Yan and Zhao were defeated. In my humble view, send only one trusted confidant of yours, skilled in strategy and long respected by the generals, to reach the army quickly and observe their true disposition. Even if disloyal intent exists, they will not dare act; if they act, he can still restrain them." Yang Jian saw the point clearly and said, "Had you not spoken these words, I would nearly have ruined the great enterprise." He then ordered Junior Inner Scribe Cui Zhongfang to go oversee the armies and direct their movements. Zhongfang was the son of You. He declined on the ground that his father was in Shandong. He then ordered Liu Fang and Zheng Yi—Fang declined, saying he had never been a general; Yi declined, citing an aged mother. Yang Jian was displeased. Chief Clerk of the office Gao Jiong volunteered to go. Yang Jian was pleased and sent him. Gao Jiong received the commission and set out at once, sending someone only to bid farewell to his mother. From then on Yang Jian arranged all military affairs in consultation with Li Delin. Military dispatches then numbered in the hundreds daily. Delin dictated to several scribes at once; the wording covered every contingency without need for revision.
49
司馬消難以鄖、隨、溫、應、土、順、沔、儇、岳九州及魯山等八鎮來降，遺其子為質以求援。 八月，己未，詔以消難為大都督、總督九州八鎮諸軍事、司空，賜爵隨公。 庚申，詔鎮西將軍樊毅進督沔、漢諸軍事，南豫州刺史任忠帥眾趣歷陽，超武將軍陳慧紀為前軍都督，趣南兗州。
Sima Xiaonan surrendered to Chen with the nine provinces of Yun, Sui, Wen, Ying, Tu, Shun, Mian, Xuan, and Yue and eight garrisons including Lushan, sending his son as a hostage to seek aid. In the eighth month, on jiwei, Chen issued an edict appointing Sima Xiaonan Grand Commander, overall commander of the nine provinces and eight garrisons, and Minister of Works, and bestowed on him the title Duke of Sui. On gengshen, Chen issued an edict making Frontier General Fan Yi advance to supervise Mian and Han military affairs; Southern Yuzhou governor Ren Zhong led troops toward Liyang; Chaowu General Chen Huiji served as vanguard commander toward Southern Yanzhou.
50
周益州總管王謙亦不附丞相堅，起巴、蜀之兵以攻始州。 梁睿至漢川，不得進，堅即以睿為行軍元帥以討謙。
Wang Qian, Zhou governor of Yizhou, also would not submit to Chancellor Yang Jian. He raised Ba and Shu troops to attack Shizhou. Liang Rui reached Hanchuan but could not advance. Yang Jian immediately made Rui campaign marshal to attack Qian.
51
戊辰，詔以司馬消難為大都督水陸諸軍事。 庚午，通直散騎常侍淳於陵克臨江郡。
On wuchen, Chen issued an edict making Sima Xiaonan Grand Commander of all land and water forces. On gengwu, Direct-and-Regular Palace Attendant Chunyu Ling captured Linjiang Commandery.
52
梁世宗使中書舍人柳莊奉書入周。 丞相堅執莊手曰：「孤昔以開府，從役江陵，深蒙梁主殊眷。 今主幼時艱，猥蒙顧托。 梁主奕葉委誠朝廷，當相與共保歲寒。」 時諸將競勸梁主舉兵，與尉遲迥連謀，以為進可以盡節周氏，退可以席捲山南。 梁主疑未決。 會莊至，具道堅語，且曰：「昔袁紹、劉表、王凌、諸葛誕，皆一時雄傑，據要地，擁強兵，然功業莫就，禍不旋踵者，良由魏、晉挾天子，保京都，仗大順以為名故也。 今尉遲迥雖曰舊將，昏耄已甚； 司馬消難、王謙，常人之下者，非有匡合之才。 周朝將相，多為身計，競效節於楊氏。 以臣料之，迥等終當覆滅，隨公必移周祚。 未若保境息民，以觀其變。」 梁主深然之，眾議遂止。
Emperor Shizong of Liang sent Palace Secretariat Attendant Liu Zhuang bearing a letter into Zhou. Chancellor Yang Jian took Zhuang's hand and said, "When I was a mere opening office holder on the Jiangling campaign, I received the Liang ruler's exceptional favor. The present ruler is young and faces hard times; I have undeservedly received the charge of regency. The Liang ruler for generation after generation has pledged loyalty to the court. We should together preserve our bond through the cold season." Just then generals were all urging the Liang ruler to raise troops and join in conspiracy with Yuwen Jiong, arguing that advancing could fulfill loyalty to the Zhou house, while retreating could sweep up the lands south of the mountains. The Liang ruler hesitated, unable to decide. When Zhuang arrived, he fully conveyed Yang Jian's words and also said, "In the past Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Wang Ling, and Zhuge Dan were heroes of their age. They held strategic ground and commanded strong armies, yet their achievements came to nothing and disaster followed swift on their heels—precisely because Wei and Jin held the Son of Heaven, guarded the capital, and wielded the mandate of legitimacy as their banner. Today Yuwen Jiong, though called an old general, is already deep in senility; Sima Xiaonan and Wang Qian are men below the ordinary and lack talent to unite the realm. Zhou court ministers and generals mostly look to their own interest and vie to declare loyalty to the Yang clan. By my reckoning, Yuwen Jiong and the others will in the end be overthrown, and the Duke of Sui will surely transfer Zhou's mandate. Better to hold your borders, give the people rest, and watch how affairs change." The Liang ruler deeply agreed, and the clamor of counsel ceased.
53
高熲至軍，為橋於沁水。 尉遲惇於上流縱火筏，熲豫為土狗以御之。 惇布陳二十餘里，麾兵少卻，欲待孝寬軍半渡而擊之； 孝寬因其卻，鳴鼓齊進。 軍既渡，熲命焚橋，以絕士卒反顧之心。 惇兵大敗，單騎走。 孝寬乘勝進，追至鄴。
Gao Jiong reached the army and built a bridge across the Qin River. Yuwen Dun sent fire-rafts downstream from the upper river. Gao Jiong had prepared earthen water-blocks in advance to block them. Dun deployed battle lines over twenty li, ordered his troops to fall back slightly, intending to wait until Wei Xiaokuan's army was half across and then strike. Wei Xiaokuan, seeing the withdrawal, sounded drums and advanced all together. Once the army had crossed, Gao Jiong ordered the bridge burned to cut off any thought of turning back among the soldiers. Dun's army was utterly defeated; he fled alone on horseback. Wei Xiaokuan pressed the victory in pursuit as far as Ye.
54
庚午，迥與惇及惇弟西都公祐，悉將其卒十三萬陳於城南，迥別統萬人，皆綠巾、錦襖，號「黃龍兵」。 迥弟勤帥眾五萬，自青州赴迥，以三千騎先至。 迥素習軍旅，老猶被甲臨陳。 其麾下兵皆關中人，為之力戰，孝寬等軍不利而卻。 鄴中士民觀戰者數萬人，行軍總管宇文忻曰：「事急矣！ 吾當以詭道破之。」 乃先射觀者，觀者皆走，轉相騰藉，聲如雷霆。 忻乃傳呼曰：「賊敗矣！」 眾復振，因其擾而乘之。 迥軍大敗，走保鄴城。 孝寬縱兵圍之，李詢及思安伯代人賀婁子幹先登。
On gengwu, Yuwen Jiong with Dun and Dun's younger brother, Duke of Xidu You, mustered all their troops, one hundred thirty thousand, and formed battle lines south of the city. Jiong separately commanded ten thousand men, all in green headcloths and brocade jackets, called the "Yellow Dragon Army." Yuwen Jiong's younger brother Qin led fifty thousand men from Qingzhou to reinforce him, and three thousand horsemen reached the field ahead of the main body. Yuwen Jiong was a lifelong soldier; even in his old age he still put on armor and took his place at the front of the battle line. The soldiers under his command were all men from Guanzhong, and they fought for him with desperate valor; Wei Xiaokuan's forces fared poorly and fell back. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Ye had come out to watch the fighting. Campaign commander Yuwen Xin said, "The situation is desperate! I must break them by stratagem." He then ordered his archers to fire into the crowd of onlookers. The spectators all fled, trampling one another in waves, until the uproar rolled like thunder. Xin then had the cry passed down the ranks: "The rebels are routed!" His men took heart again, and he seized on the chaos to press the attack. Yuwen Jiong's army was shattered and fled back into Ye to make a stand. Wei Xiaokuan sent his troops to invest the city. Li Xun and Helou Zigan, Baron of Si'an, a man of the Dai, were the first over the walls.
55
崔弘度妹，先適迥子為妻，及鄴城破，迥窘迫升樓，弘度直上龍尾追之。 迥彎弓，將射弘度。 弘度脫兜鍪，謂迥曰：「頗相識不？ 今日各圖國事，不得顧私。 以親戚之情，謹遏亂兵，不許侵辱。 事勢如此，早為身計，何所侍也？」 迥擲弓於地，罵左丞相極口而自殺。 弘度顧其弟弘升曰：「汝可取迥頭。」 弘升斬之。 軍士在小城中者，孝寬盡坑之。 勤、惇、祐東走青州，未至，開府儀同大將軍郭衍追獲之。 丞相堅以勤初有誠款，特不之罪。 李惠先自縛歸罪，堅復其官爵。
Cui Hongdu's younger sister had earlier been married to Yuwen Jiong's son. When Ye fell, Jiong, cornered, climbed a tower; Hongdu went straight up the Dragon Tail ramp after him. Jiong bent his bow and was about to shoot Hongdu. Hongdu took off his helmet and said to Jiong, "Do you know me at all? Today each of us must answer to the state; private ties cannot be indulged. Out of regard for our kinship, I have kept the unruly soldiers in check and forbidden them to plunder or abuse anyone. Things have come to this pass—look to your own end. What are you waiting for?" Jiong threw his bow to the ground, cursed Left Chancellor Yang Jian with every foul word he knew, and killed himself. Hongdu turned to his younger brother Hongsheng and said, "You take Jiong's head." Hongsheng struck it off. The soldiers who had held the inner citadel—Wei Xiaokuan had every one of them buried alive. Qin, Dun, and You fled east toward Qingzhou, but before they could reach it, General Guo Yan overtook and captured them. Chancellor Yang Jian, because Qin had at the outset shown sincere loyalty, made a special exception and did not punish him. Li Hui had already bound himself and surrendered to accept punishment; Yang Jian restored his rank and title.
56
迥末年衰耄，及起兵，以小御正崔達拏為長史。 達拏，暹之子也，文士，無籌略，舉措多失，凡六十八日而敗。 於仲文軍至蓼隄，去梁郡七里。 檀讓擁眾數萬，仲文以羸師挑戰而偽北，讓不設備； 仲文還擊，大破之，生獲五千餘人，斬首七百級。 進攻梁郡，迥守將劉子寬棄城走。 仲文進擊曹州，獲迥所署刺史李仲康。 檀讓以餘眾屯成武，仲文襲擊，破之，遂拔成武。 迥將席毘羅，眾十萬屯沛縣，將攻徐州。 其妻子在金鄉，仲文遣人詐為毘羅使者，謂金鄉城主徐善淨曰：「檀讓明日午時至金鄉，宣蜀公令，賞賜將士。」 金鄉人皆喜。 仲文簡精兵，偽建迥旗幟，倍道而進。 善淨望見，以為檀讓，出迎謁。 仲文執之，遂取金鄉。 諸將多勸屠其城，仲文曰：「此城乃毘羅起兵之所，當寬其妻子，其兵自歸。 如即屠之，彼望絕矣。」 眾皆稱善。 於是毘羅恃眾來薄官軍，仲文設伏擊之，毘羅眾大潰，爭投洙水死，水為之不流。 獲檀讓，檻送京師； 斬毘羅，傳首。
In his last years Yuwen Jiong had grown feeble-minded; when he took up arms, he made the minor official Cui Danao his chief minister. Danao was the son of Xian—a man of letters, without strategic sense, whose decisions were mostly wrong—and the whole rebellion collapsed in sixty-eight days. Yu Zhongwen's army reached Liaodi, seven li from Liang commandery. Tan Rang had tens of thousands of men under him. Zhongwen offered battle with a weakened force and then feigned retreat; Rang took no precautions. Zhongwen wheeled about and attacked, routing the enemy; more than five thousand were taken alive and seven hundred heads were counted. He pressed on to Liang commandery, where Jiong's defending general Liu Zikuan abandoned the city and fled. Zhongwen advanced against Cao prefecture and captured Li Zhongkang, the governor Yuwen Jiong had installed. Tan Rang gathered the survivors at Chengwu. Zhongwen fell on them by surprise, broke their force, and took the city. Yuwen Jiong's general Xi Piruo had one hundred thousand men at Pei county and was preparing to strike at Xuzhou. His wife and children were at Jinxiang. Zhongwen sent a man posing as Piruo's envoy to tell Jinxiang's magistrate Xu Shanjing, "Tan Rang will reach Jinxiang at noon tomorrow to proclaim the Duke of Shu's orders and reward the troops." The people of Jinxiang were overjoyed. Zhongwen picked elite troops, flew Yuwen Jiong's banners as a ruse, and marched at forced pace. Shanjing saw them from a distance, took them for Tan Rang's force, and went out to receive them. Zhongwen seized him on the spot and took Jinxiang. Many of his officers urged him to slaughter the city. Zhongwen said, "This is the place where Piruo raised his army. If we treat his wife and children with mercy, his soldiers will come over of their own accord. If we massacre them now, they will have nothing left to hope for." Everyone agreed that this was wise. When Piruo, trusting to his numbers, came up to engage the imperial army, Zhongwen laid an ambush and broke him. Piruo's force disintegrated; men threw themselves into the Zhushui in such numbers that the river ceased to run. Tan Rang was taken alive and sent to the capital in a cage; Piruo was beheaded and his head was sent about as proof.
57
韋孝寬分兵討關東叛者，悉平之。 堅徙相州於安陽，毀鄴城及邑居。 分相州，置毛州、魏州。
Wei Xiaokuan sent columns against the rebels east of the passes and pacified them all. Yang Jian moved Xiang province to Anyang and demolished Ye city and its surrounding towns. He partitioned what had been Xiang province and created Mao and Wei provinces.
58
梁主聞迥敗，謂柳莊曰：「若從眾人之言。 社稷已不守矣！」
When the Liang emperor heard that Yuwen Jiong had been defeated, he said to Liu Zhuang, "Had we listened to the crowd, the altars of state would already have fallen!"
59
丞相堅之初得政也，待黃公劉昉、沛公鄭譯甚厚，賞賜不可勝計，委以心膂，朝野傾屬，稱為「黃、沛」。 二人皆恃功驕恣，溺於財利，不親職務。 及辭監軍，堅始疏之，恩禮漸薄。 高熲自軍所還，寵遇日隆。 時王謙、司馬消難未平，堅憂之，忘寢與食。 而昉逸游縱酒，相府事多遺落。 堅乃以高熲代昉為司馬； 不忍廢譯，陰敕官屬不得白事於譯。 譯猶坐廳事，無所關預，惶懼頓首，求解職； 堅猶以恩禮慰勉之。
When Yang Jian first took hold of power, he treated Liu Fang, Duke of Huang, and Zheng Yi, Duke of Pei, with extraordinary generosity—rewards beyond counting—and entrusted them as his closest confidants. All eyes in court and country turned to them, and men spoke of "Huang and Pei." Both grew arrogant on the strength of their service, wallowed in gain, and neglected their offices. Once they gave up their role as military overseers, Yang Jian began to distance himself from them, and his favor grew noticeably cooler. When Gao Jiong returned from the front, his standing at court rose day by day. Wang Qian and Sima Xiaonan were still in rebellion, and Yang Jian brooded over it until he could neither eat nor sleep. Meanwhile Fang roamed about in idleness and drank without restraint, and business at the chancellor's office piled up unattended. Yang Jian therefore replaced Fang with Gao Jiong as Chief Administrator; unwilling to dismiss Yi outright, he secretly ordered the staff not to bring any business before Yi. Yi still came and sat in the hall, but had nothing left to decide; terrified, he kowtowed and begged to be relieved of his post; yet Yang Jian still comforted him with words of favor and encouragement.
60
15癸酉，智武將軍魯廣達克周之郭默城。 丙子，淳於陵克祐州城。
15. On guiyou, Intelligent Martial General Lu Guangda of Chen captured Guomo, a Zhou stronghold. On bingzi, Chunyu Ling took Youzhou city.
61
16周以漢王贊為太師，申公李穆為太傅，宋王實為大前疑，秦王贄為大右弼，燕公於寔為大左輔。 寔，仲文之父也。
16. Northern Zhou made Prince of Han Zan Grand Preceptor, Duke of Shen Li Mu Grand Tutor, Prince of Song Shi Grand Front Counselor, Prince of Qin Zhi Grand Right Assistant, and Duke of Yan Yu Shi Grand Left Assistant. Yu Shi was Yu Zhongwen's father.
62
17乙卯，周大赦。
17. On yimao, Northern Zhou proclaimed a general amnesty.
63
18周王誼帥四總管至鄖州，司馬消難擁其眾以魯山、甑山二鎮來降。
18. Northern Zhou's Prince Yi led four governors to Yun prefecture, where Sima Xiaonan came over with his followers, surrendering the garrisons at Lushan and Zhenshan.
64
初，消難遣上開府儀同大將軍段珣將兵圍順州，順州刺史周法尚不能拒，棄城走，消難虜其母弟而南。 樊毅救消難，不及。 周亳州總管元景山擊之，毅掠居民而去。 景山與南徐州刺史宇文弼追之，與毅戰於漳口。 一日三戰三捷。 毅退保甑山鎮，城邑為消難所據者，景山皆復取之。
Earlier, Xiaonan had sent General Duan Xun to besiege Shun prefecture. Governor Zhou Fashang could not hold the city, abandoned it and fled, and Xiaonan took his mother and younger brother captive before marching south. Fan Yi marched to relieve Xiaonan but arrived too late. Yuan Jingshan, Zhou governor of Bozhou, struck at him; Fan Yi plundered the local people and withdrew. Jingshan and Yuwen Bi, governor of Southern Xuzhou, pursued him and fought Fan Yi at Zhangkou. In a single day they fought three engagements and won all three. Fan Yi fell back to Zhenshan garrison, and Jingshan recovered every town Xiaonan had held.
65
19鄖州巴蠻多叛，共推渠帥蘭雒州為主，以附消難。 王誼遣諸將分討之，旬月皆平。 陳紀、蕭摩訶等攻廣陵，周吳州總管於顗擊破之。 沙州氐帥楊永安聚眾應王謙，大將軍樂寧公達奚儒討之。 楊素破宇文冑於石濟，斬之。
19. Many Ba tribes in Yun prefecture rose in rebellion, proclaiming the chieftain Lan Luozhou their leader and rallying to Xiaonan. Wang Yi sent his generals against them in separate columns, and within a month all were pacified. Chen Ji, Xiao Mohe, and others attacked Guangling, but Yu Yi, Zhou governor of Wuzhou, routed them. Yang Yongan, Di chieftain of Shazhou, mustered followers in support of Wang Qian; Grand General Da Xi Ru, Duke of Leping, was sent against him. Yang Su defeated Yuwen Zhou at Shiji and put him to death.
66
20周以神武公竇毅為大司馬，齊公於智為大司空； 九月，以小宗伯竟陵公楊惠為大宗伯。
20. Northern Zhou appointed Dou Yi, Duke of Shenwu, Grand Marshal, and Yu Zhi, Duke of Qi, Grand Minister of Works; and in the ninth month made Yang Hui, Duke of Jingling and former Minor Minister of Rites, Grand Minister of Rites.
67
21丁亥，周將王延貴帥眾援歷陽； 任忠擊破之，生擒延貴。
21. On dinghai, the Zhou general Wang Yangui led a force to relieve Liyang; Ren Zhong routed them and took Yangui alive.
68
22壬辰，周廢皇后司馬氏為庶人。 庚戌，以隨世子勇為洛州總管、東京小塚宰，總統舊齊之地。 壬子，以左丞相堅為大丞相，罷左、右丞相之官。
22. On renchen, Northern Zhou deposed Empress Sima and reduced her to commoner status. On gengxu, Yang Yong, heir of the Duchy of Sui, was made governor of Luozhou and deputy chancellor of the Eastern Capital, with overall authority over the former Qi territories. On renzi, Left Chancellor Yang Jian was made Grand Chancellor, and the posts of left and right chancellor were abolished.
69
23冬，十月，甲寅，日有食之。
23. In winter, the tenth month, on jiayin, there was an eclipse of the sun.
70
24周丞相堅殺陳惑王純及其子。
24. Northern Zhou Chancellor Yang Jian executed Prince Chen Chun and his son.
71
25周梁睿將步騎二十萬討王謙，謙分命諸將據險拒守。 睿奮擊，屢破之，蜀人大駭。 謙遣其將達奚惎、高阿那肱、乙弗虔等帥眾十萬攻利州，堰江水以灌之。 城中戰士不過二千，總管昌黎豆盧勣，晝夜拒守，凡四旬，時出奇兵擊惎等，破之； 會梁睿至，惎等遁去，睿自劍閣入，進逼成都。 謙令達奚惎、乙弗虔城守，親帥精兵五萬，背城結陳。 睿擊之，謙戰敗，將入城，惎、虔以城降。 謙將麾下三十騎走新都，新都令王寶執之。 戊寅，睿斬謙及高阿那肱，劍南平。
25. Liang Rui of Northern Zhou led two hundred thousand foot and horse against Wang Qian, who sent his generals to hold the defiles and resist. Rui attacked with relentless force, breaking them again and again, and the people of Shu were terrified. Qian sent his generals Da Xi Ji, Gao Anagun, and Yifu Qian with one hundred thousand men against Lizhou, damming the river to flood the city. There were no more than two thousand defenders in the city. Governor Dou Lu Ji of Changli held out day and night for forty days, and more than once sent raiding parties against Ji and the others and drove them back; When Liang Rui arrived, Ji and his fellows withdrew; Rui came through Jian'ge and pressed on toward Chengdu. Qian left Da Xi Ji and Yifu Qian to defend the city while he personally led fifty thousand elite troops and drew up his battle line with the walls at his back. Rui attacked and broke him. Qian was beaten and about to re-enter the city when Ji and Qian surrendered it. Qian fled to Xindu with thirty horsemen from his personal guard; the magistrate of Xindu, Wang Bao, seized him. On wuyin, Rui executed Qian and Gao Anagun, and the lands south of the passes were pacified.
72
十一月，甲辰，周達奚儒破楊永安，沙州平。
In the eleventh month, on jiachen, Da Xi Ru of Northern Zhou defeated Yang Yongan and pacified Shazhou.
73
丁未，周鄖襄公韋孝寬卒。 孝寬久在邊境，屢抗強敵； 所經略佈置，人初莫之解，見其成事，方乃驚服。 雖在軍中，篤意文史； 敦睦宗族，所得俸祿，不及私室。 人以此稱之。
On dingwei, Wei Xiaokuan, Duke of Yunxiang, died. Xiaokuan had spent years on the frontier, repeatedly facing down formidable foes; his dispositions were often beyond understanding at first, and men admired them only after they saw how well they worked. even in camp he devoted himself to letters and learning; he was generous to his clan, and none of his salary ever stayed in his own household. People praised him for this.
74
26十二月，庚辰，河東康簡王叔獻卒。
26. In the twelfth month, on gengchen, Prince Kangjian of Hedong, Chen Shuxian, died.
75
27癸亥，周詔諸改姓者，宜悉復舊。
27. On guihai, Zhou ordered that everyone who had changed surnames under prior edicts should restore their original family names.
76
甲子，周以大丞相堅為相國，總百揆，去都督中外、大塚宰之號，進爵為王，以安陸等二十郡為隨國，贊拜不名，備九錫之禮； 堅受王爵、十郡而已。
On jiazi, Zhou made Grand Chancellor Yang Jian Chancellor of State with authority over all government, stripped him of the titles Commander-in-Chief of All Forces and Grand Chamberlain, raised him to prince, carved out the State of Sui from Anlu and nineteen other commanderies, granted him the privilege of being addressed without naming his name in memorials, and invested him with the full Nine Bestowals; Yang Jian accepted only the princely title and ten commanderies, declining the rest.
77
辛未，殺代奰王達、滕聞王逌及其子。
On xinwei, Prince Daiyi of Dai, Da, and Prince Wen of Teng, You, were executed along with their sons.
78
壬申，以小塚宰元孝規為大司徒。
On renshen, Junior Chamberlain Yuan Xiaogui was appointed Grand Minister of Education.
79
28是歲，周境內有州二百一十一，郡五百八。
28. That year, Zhou's territory comprised two hundred eleven provinces and five hundred eight commanderies.