1
起閼逢執徐，盡著雍涒灘，凡五年。 1春，正月，甲子，日有食之。
The period covered runs from the Qimao year of the cycle through Zhuoyong, five years in all. 1 In spring, on the first day of the first month (jiazi), a solar eclipse occurred.
2
2己巳，隋主享太廟； 辛未，祀南郊。
2 On jisi, Emperor Wen of Sui performed the ancestral rites at the Imperial Temple; on xinwei he offered sacrifice at the Southern Altar.
3
壬申，梁主入朝於隋，服通天冠、絳紗袍，北面受郊勞。 及入見於大興殿，隋主服通天冠、絳紗袍，梁主服遠遊冠、朝服，君臣並拜。 賜縑萬匹，珍玩稱是。
On renshen the Liang emperor came to the Sui court in the Tongtian crown and crimson gauze robe, facing north to receive the greeting prescribed for the suburban sacrifice. When he was received in the Hall of Great Prosperity, the Sui emperor wore the Tongtian crown and crimson gauze robe while the Liang ruler wore the traveling crown and court robes; the two rulers exchanged bows as equals. He was given ten thousand bolts of silk and a comparable array of precious objects.
4
隋前華州刺史張賓、儀同三司劉暉等造《甲子元歷》成，奏之。 壬辰，詔頒新歷。
Zhang Bin, formerly governor of Hua Province under Sui, Liu Hui, a third-rank ceremonial peer, and others finished the Jiazi Primordial Calendar and submitted it to the throne. On renchen an edict ordered the new calendar to be issued throughout the realm.
5
3癸巳，大赦。
3 On guisi a general amnesty was declared.
6
4二月，乙巳，隋主餞梁主於灞上。
4 In the second month, on yisi, Emperor Wen of Sui gave a farewell banquet for the Liang emperor at Bashang.
7
突厥蘇尼部男女萬餘口降隋。
More than ten thousand men and women of the Turkish Suni tribe surrendered to Sui.
8
庚戌，隋主如隴州。
On gengxu the Sui emperor traveled to Long Province.
9
突厥達頭可汗請降於隋。
Tatou Khan of the Turks asked to surrender to Sui.
10
夏，四月，庚子，隋以吏部尚書虞慶則為右僕射。 隋上大將軍賀婁子干發五州兵擊吐谷渾，殺男女萬餘口，二旬而還。
In summer, in the fourth month on gengzi, Sui named Yu Qingze, Minister of Personnel, Right Vice Premier. Sui Grand General Helou Zigan raised troops from five provinces, struck the Tuyuhun, killed more than ten thousand people, and returned within twenty days.
11
帝以隴西頻被寇掠，而俗不設村塢，命子干勒民為堡，仍營田積穀。 子幹上書曰：「隴右、河西，土曠民稀，邊境未寧，不可廣佃。 比見屯田之所，獲少費多，虛役人功，卒逢踐暴； 屯田疏遠者請皆廢省。 但隴右之人以畜牧為事，若更屯聚，彌不自安。 但使鎮戍連接，烽堠相望，民雖散居，必謂無慮。」 帝從之。 以子幹曉習邊事，丁巳，以為榆關總管。
Because Longxi had suffered repeated raids and the local custom was not to build fortified villages, the emperor ordered Zigan to compel the people to erect forts while also farming fields and stockpiling grain. Zigan wrote to the throne: "In Longyou and Hexi the land is vast and the people few; the border is still unsettled, and large-scale farming is impracticable. Lately I have seen garrison farms yield little while costing much, waste labor in vain, and in the end have their crops trampled underfoot; I ask that remote garrison farms be abolished entirely. The people of Longyou live by herding; if they are forced into settlements they will only grow more uneasy. If only the garrisons are linked and beacon towers keep watch on one another, the people may live scattered yet still feel safe." The emperor accepted his advice. Because Zigan knew the border country well, on dingsi he was appointed overall commander at Yuguan Pass.
12
5五月，以吏部尚書江總為僕射。
5 In the fifth month Jiang Zong, Minister of Personnel, was appointed Vice Premier.
13
6隋主以渭水多沙，深淺不常，漕者苦之，六月，壬子，詔太子左庶子宇文愷帥水工鑿渠，引渭水，自大興城東至潼關三百餘里，名曰廣通渠。 漕運通利，關內賴之。
6 Because the Wei River was sandy and its depth unpredictable, making transport by water arduous, in the sixth month on renzi the Sui emperor ordered Yuwen Kai, Left Assistant to the Crown Prince, to lead hydraulic engineers in cutting a canal to divert the Wei from east of Daxing to Tong Pass, more than three hundred li in length, called the Guangtong Canal. Grain transport ran smoothly, and the Guanzhong region came to depend on it.
14
7秋，七月，丙寅，遣兼散騎常侍謝泉等聘於隋。
7 In autumn, in the seventh month on bingyin, he sent Xie Quan, concurrent Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and others on a friendly mission to Sui.
15
8八月，壬寅，隋鄧恭竇熾卒。
8 In the eighth month, on renyin, Dou Chi, Duke of Deng, died in Sui.
16
9乙卯，將軍夏侯苗請降於隋，隋主以通和，不納。
9 On yimao General Xiahou Miao offered to defect to Sui, but the Sui emperor, wishing to preserve friendly relations, refused to accept.
17
10九月，甲戌，隋主以關中饑，行如洛陽。
10 In the ninth month, on jiaxu, famine in Guanzhong drove the Sui emperor to travel to Luoyang.
18
11隋主不喜詞華，詔天下公私文翰並宜實錄。 泗州刺史司馬幼之，文表華艷，付所司治罪。 治書侍御史趙郡李諤亦以當時屬文，體尚輕薄。 上書曰：「魏之三祖，崇尚文詞，忽君人之大道，好彫蟲之藝。 下之從上，遂成風俗。 江左、齊、梁，其弊彌甚：競一韻之奇，爭一字之巧； 連篇累牘，不出月露之形，積案盈箱，唯是風雲之狀。 世俗以此相高，朝廷據茲擢士。 祿利之路既開，愛尚之情愈篤。 於是閭裡童昏，貴游總草，未窺六甲，先制五言。 至如羲皇、舜、禹之典，伊、傅、周、孔之說，不復關心，何嘗入耳。 以傲誕為清虛，以緣情為勳績，指儒素為古拙，用詞賦為君子。 故文筆日繁，其政日亂，良由棄大聖之軌模，構無用以為用也。 今朝廷雖有是詔，如聞外州遠縣，仍踵弊風：躬仁孝之行者，擯落私門，下加收齒； 工輕薄之藝者，選充吏職，舉送天朝。 蓋由刺史、縣令未遵風教。 請普加采察，送台推劾。」 又上言：「士大夫矜伐干進，無復廉恥，乞明加罪黜，以懲風軌。」 詔以諤前後所奏頒示四方。
11 The Sui emperor disliked flowery language and decreed that all official and private writing in the realm should record facts plainly. Sima Youzhi, governor of Si Province, submitted florid memorials and was handed over to the authorities for punishment. Li E of Zhao, Attending Secretary in the Office for Drafting Imperial Documents, likewise held that contemporary writing still favored frivolous style. He wrote to the throne: "The three founders of Wei exalted literary ornament, neglected the great duties of rulership, and delighted in trivial word-craft. Those below imitated those above until it became custom. South of the Yangzi, under Qi and Liang, the abuse grew worse still: writers vied for a single striking rhyme and fought over the cleverness of a single character; page after page never rose above images of moon and dew; piled desks and overflowing boxes held nothing but descriptions of wind and clouds. Society esteemed this above all else, and the court promoted officials on that basis. Once the path to salary and profit lay open, devotion to such writing grew ever more intense. Thus village children and noble scions alike composed five-character verse before they had even mastered the six jia. The classics of Fuxi, Shun, and Yu, and the teachings of Yi Yin, Fu Yue, the Duke of Zhou, and Confucius no longer interested them and never reached their ears. They took arrogance and extravagance for refinement, emotional indulgence for achievement, called plain Confucian conduct old-fashioned, and made rhapsodic verse the mark of a gentleman. Thus writing grew ever more elaborate and government ever more chaotic, precisely because they abandoned the great sage's model and made the useless their standard of worth. Although the court has issued such a decree, I hear that distant prefectures and counties still follow the old abuse: men who practiced benevolence and filial piety were turned away at their gates and taxed for coming of age; those skilled in frivolous arts were selected for office and sent up to the capital. This was because prefects and magistrates did not enforce the court's teaching. I ask that investigations be conducted everywhere and offenders sent to the Censorate for prosecution." He added: "Scholar-officials boast and scramble for advancement without shame; I beg that clear punishments and dismissals be imposed to restore public morals." An edict ordered Li E's successive memorials promulgated throughout the realm.
19
12突厥沙缽略可汗數為隋所敗，乃請和親。 千金公主自請改姓楊氏，為隋主女。 隋主遣開府儀同三司徐平和使於沙缽略，更封千金公主為大義公主。 晉王廣請因釁乘之，隋主不許。
12 Shabolue Khan of the Turks, having been defeated repeatedly by Sui, sought a marriage alliance. Princess Qianjin herself asked to take the surname Yang and be recognized as a daughter of the Sui emperor. The Sui emperor sent Xu Pinghe, a third-rank ceremonial peer, as envoy to Shabolue and re-enfeoffed Princess Qianjin as Princess Dayi. Prince of Jin Yang Guang asked to seize the opportunity to attack, but the Sui emperor refused.
20
沙缽略遣使致書曰：「從天生大突厥天下賢聖天子伊利居盧設莫何沙缽略可汗致書大隋皇帝：皇帝，婦父，乃是翁比。 此為女夫，乃是兒例。 兩境雖殊，情義如一。 自今子子孫孫，乃至萬世，親好不絕。 上天為證，終不違負！ 此國羊馬，皆皇帝之畜。 彼之繒彩，皆此國之物。」
Shabolue sent an envoy with a letter: "I, Shabolue Khan, Heaven-born Great Turk, sage and holy ruler of all under heaven, Ilugur Shemohe, write to the Great Sui Emperor: You are my wife's father and stand to me as a grandfather. As her husband I stand to you as a son. Though our two realms differ, our bond is one. From now through sons and grandsons, even for ten thousand generations, our kinship and friendship shall not end. Heaven be witness—I shall never break faith! The sheep and horses of this land are all yours, Emperor. The silks and brocades on your side are all goods of this land."
21
帝復書曰：「大隋天子貽書大突厥沙缽略可汗：得書，知大有善意。 既為沙缽略婦翁，今日視沙缽略與兒子不異。 時遣大臣往彼省女，復省沙缽略也。」 於是遣尚書右僕射虞慶則使於沙缽略，車騎將軍長孫晟副之。
The emperor wrote back: "The Great Sui Son of Heaven sends this letter to Shabolue Khan of the Great Turks: I have received your letter and know that your goodwill is great. As Shabolue's father-in-law, from this day I regard him as no different from a son. I shall presently send a great minister to visit my daughter and Shabolue as well." Thereupon he sent Right Vice Premier Yu Qingze as envoy to Shabolue, with General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhangsun Sheng as his deputy.
22
沙缽略陳兵列其珍寶，坐見慶則，稱病不能起，且曰：「我諸父以來，不向人拜。」 慶則責而諭之。 千金公主私謂慶則曰：「可汗豺狼性； 過與爭，將嚙人。」 長孫晟謂沙缽略曰：「突厥與隋俱大國天子，可汗不起，安敢違意！ 但可賀敦為帝女，則可汗是大隋女婿，奈何不敬婦翁！」 沙缽略笑謂其達官曰：「須拜婦翁！」 乃起拜頓顙，跪受璽書，以戴於首，既而大慚，與群下相聚慟哭。 慶則又遣稱臣，沙缽略謂左右曰：「何謂臣？」 左右曰：「隋言臣，猶此雲奴耳。」 沙缽略曰：「得為大隋天子奴，虞僕射之力也。」 贈慶則馬千匹，並以從妹妻之。
Shabolue drew up his troops, displayed his treasures, and received Qingze seated, claiming illness and refusing to rise, saying: "Since my fathers' time I have bowed to no one." Qingze rebuked him and lectured him. Princess Qianjin told Qingze privately: "The khan has a wolf's nature; if you push him too hard, he will bite." Zhangsun Sheng said to Shabolue: "Turks and Sui are both great powers ruled by Sons of Heaven; if you do not rise, how dare we defy the emperor's will! But Kehedun is the emperor's daughter, so you are the Great Sui's son-in-law—how can you fail to honor your father-in-law!" Shabolue laughed and told his high officials: "I must bow to my father-in-law!" He then rose, kowtowed, knelt to receive the imperial letter and placed it on his head; afterward, deeply ashamed, he wept together with his followers. Qingze further had him address himself as a subject; Shabolue asked his attendants: "What does 'subject' mean?" They said: "In Sui speech 'subject' means the same as our word 'slave.'" Shabolue said: "To become a slave of the Great Sui Son of Heaven—that is Vice Premier Yu's doing." He gave Qingze a thousand horses and married him to a younger cousin of his own.
23
冬，十一月，壬戌，隋主遣兼散騎常侍薛道衡等來聘，戒道衡「當識朕意，勿以言辭相折。」
In winter, in the eleventh month on renxu, the Sui emperor sent Xue Daoheng, concurrent Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and others on a friendly mission, instructing Daoheng: "You must understand my intent and not try to best them in debate."
24
13是歲，上於光昭殿前起臨春、結綺、望仙三閣，各高數十丈，連延數十間，其窗、牖、壁帶、縣楣、欄、檻皆以沈、檀為之，飾以金玉，間以珠翠，外施珠簾，內有寶床、寶帳，其服玩瑰麗，近古所未有。 每微風暫至，香聞數里。 其下積石為山，引水為池，雜植奇花異卉。
13 That year the emperor built before the Hall of Bright Radiance the three towers Linchun, Jieqi, and Wangxian, each several tens of zhang high and extending for dozens of bays; windows, lattices, wall bands, beams, railings, and balustrades were all of aloeswood and sandalwood, adorned with gold, jade, pearls, and kingfisher feathers; pearl curtains hung outside, and inside were precious couches and canopies—furnishings so magnificent that nothing like them had been seen in recent memory. Whenever a light breeze stirred, the fragrance could be smelled for miles. Below them stones were piled into hills, channels drew water into pools, and rare flowers and exotic plants were planted throughout.
25
上自居臨春閣，張貴妃居結綺閣，龔、孔二貴嬪居望仙閣，並復道交相往來。 又有王、李二美人，張、薛二淑媛，袁昭儀、何婕妤、江脩容，並有寵，迭游其上。 以宮人有文學者袁大捨等為女學士。 僕射江總雖為宰輔，不親政務，日與都官尚書孔范、散騎常侍王瑳等文士十餘人，侍上游宴後庭，無復尊卑之序，謂之「狎客」。 上每飲酒，使諸妃、嬪及女學士與狎客共賦詩，互相贈答，采其尤艷麗者，被以新聲，選宮女千餘人習而歌之，分部迭進。 其曲有《玉樹後庭花》、《臨春樂》等，大略皆美諸妃嬪之容色。 君臣酣歌，自夕達旦，以此為常。
The emperor lived in the Linchun Tower, Consort Zhang in the Jieqi Tower, and Honored Ladies Gong and Kong in the Wangxian Tower, linked by covered walkways so they could visit one another. The beauties Wang and Li, the fair ladies Zhang and Xue, Lady Yuan the Zhaoyi, Lady He the Jieyu, and Lady Jiang the Xiurong were all favored and took turns visiting the towers. Palace women of literary accomplishment such as Yuan Dashe were appointed female academicians. Although Vice Premier Jiang Zong was chief minister, he neglected government; day after day he and more than ten literati such as Kong Fan, Minister of the Capital Office, and Wang Chao, Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, attended the emperor in feasting in the rear palace without regard for rank, and were called "intimate guests." Whenever the emperor drank, he had consorts, ladies, and female academicians compose poetry with the intimate guests and exchange verses; the most florid were set to new music, and more than a thousand palace women learned and sang them, entering in groups by turns. Among the songs were "Jade Tree in the Rear Court" and "Linchun Joy," which for the most part praised the beauty of the consorts and ladies. Ruler and ministers sang in drunken revelry from evening until dawn as their daily custom.
26
張貴妃名麗華，本兵家女，為龔貴嬪侍兒，上見而悅之，得幸，生太子深。 貴妃發長七尺，其光可鑒，性敏慧，有神彩，進止詳華，每瞻視眄睞，光采溢目，照映左右。 善候人主顏色，引薦諸宮女； 後宮鹹德之，競言其善。 又有厭魅之術，常置淫祀於宮中，聚女巫鼓舞。 上怠於政事，百司啟奏，並因宦者蔡脫兒、李善度進請； 上倚隱囊，置張貴妃於膝上，共決之。 李、蔡所不能記者，貴妃並為條疏，無所遺脫。 因參訪外事，人間有一言一事，貴妃必先知白之； 由是益加寵異，冠絕後庭。 宦官近習，內外連結，援引宗戚，縱橫不法，賣官鬻獄，貨賂公行； 賞罰之命，不出於外。 大臣有不從者，因而譖之。 於是孔、張之權熏灼四方，大臣執政皆從風諂附。
Consort Zhang, named Lihua, was originally the daughter of a military family and served Honored Lady Gong as an attendant; the emperor saw her, was pleased, favored her, and she bore Crown Prince Shen. Her hair was seven chi long and shone like a mirror; she was quick-witted and brilliant, graceful in bearing; whenever she glanced aside, light seemed to overflow her eyes and illuminate those around her. She was skilled at reading the emperor's mood and recommending palace women; the entire rear palace was grateful to her and vied in praising her virtues. She also practiced sorcery, regularly setting up illicit sacrifices in the palace and gathering shamanesses to dance and drum. The emperor neglected government; memorials from all offices were submitted through the eunuchs Cai Tuo'er and Li Shandu; the emperor would lean on a cushioned bolster, place Consort Zhang on his knees, and decide matters with her. What Li and Cai could not remember, the consort would set out in orderly detail without omitting anything. Because she inquired into outside affairs, whenever anything was said or done in the realm, the consort would always learn of it first and report it; thereby her favor grew ever greater, and she stood above all others in the rear palace. Eunuchs and court favorites linked palace and realm, pulling in imperial kinsmen by marriage, acting lawlessly as they pleased, selling offices and trading in judicial verdicts while bribes flowed openly; Orders of reward and punishment came from nowhere but within the palace. Any high minister who refused to go along was slandered on that account. Thus the power of Kong Fan and Consort Zhang scorched the realm, and every minister in office followed the wind and fawned.
27
孔范與孔貴嬪結為兄妹； 上惡聞過失，每有惡事，孔范必曲為文飾，稱揚讚美，由是寵遇優渥，言聽計從。 群臣有諫者，輒以罪斥之。 中書舍人施文慶，頗涉書史，嘗事上於東宮，聰敏強記，明閒吏職，心算口占，應時條理，由是大被親幸。 又薦所善吳興沈客卿、陽惠朗、徐哲、暨慧景等，雲有吏能，上皆擢用之； 以客卿為中書舍人。 客卿有口辯，頗知朝廷典故，兼掌金帛局。 舊制：軍人、士人並無關市之稅。 上盛修宮室，窮極耳目，府庫空虛，有所興造，恆苦不給。 客卿奏請，不問士庶並責關市之征，而又增重其舊。 於是以陽惠朗為太市令，暨慧景為尚書金、倉都令史，二人家本小吏，考校簿領，纖毫不差； 然皆不達大體，督責苛碎，聚斂無厭，士民嗟怨。 客卿總督之，每歲所入，過於常格數十倍。 上大悅，益以施文慶為知人，尤見親重，小大眾事，無不委任。 轉相汲引，珥貂蟬者五十人。
Kong Fan and Consort Kong Guibin became sworn brother and sister; The emperor hated to hear of his own faults; whenever something went wrong, Kong Fan would gloss it over and speak praise and admiration, and thereby won exceptional favor—his words were heeded and his plans followed. Whenever any official remonstrated, the emperor would immediately punish and dismiss him. Shi Wenqing, an Attendant Drafting Secretary, was well read in history; he had served the emperor when he was crown prince. Quick-witted with a powerful memory and thoroughly versed in administrative work, he could calculate in his head and dictate answers on the spot, arranging affairs promptly and in order—wherefore he came to enjoy great personal favor. He also recommended men he favored—Shen Keqing of Wuxing, Yang Huilang, Xu Zhe, Ji Huijing, and others—claiming they had administrative talent, and the emperor promoted and employed them all; He appointed Shen Keqing Attendant Drafting Secretary. Keqing was eloquent and well acquainted with court precedents, and he also supervised the Gold and Silk Office. Under the old regulation, soldiers and scholars paid no market toll taxes at the passes. The emperor lavishly built palaces to the limit of what eye and ear could desire; the treasury was empty, and whenever he undertook construction he always lacked funds. Keqing memorialized requesting that scholars and commoners alike be charged market toll taxes, and that the old rates be increased as well. Thereupon Yang Huilang was made Chief Market Commissioner and Ji Huijing Director of Clerks for the Ministry's Gold and Granary sections; both came from families of petty clerks, and in auditing ledgers not the smallest item was off; Yet neither understood the larger picture; their supervision was harsh and petty, their exactions insatiable, and scholars and common people groaned in resentment. Keqing oversaw the whole operation; each year's intake exceeded the normal quota by several tens of times. The emperor was greatly pleased and all the more regarded Shi Wenqing as a man who knew talent; he was especially trusted and honored, and matters great and small were entrusted to him without exception. Through successive mutual recommendations, fifty men wore the insignia of high office at their caps.
28
孔范自謂文武才能，舉朝莫及，從容白上曰：「外間諸將，起自行伍，匹夫敵耳。 深見遠慮，豈其所知！」 上以問施文慶，文慶畏范，亦以為然； 司馬申復贊之。 自是將帥微有過失，即奪其兵，分配文吏； 奪任忠部曲以配范及蔡征。 由是文武解體，以至覆滅。
Kong Fan considered himself a man of both civil and military talent whom the whole court could not match. At his ease he told the emperor: "The generals outside all rose from the ranks—they are no match for anyone but common soldiers. Profound vision and far-reaching deliberation—how could they know such things!" The emperor asked Shi Wenqing; Wenqing, in fear of Fan, also said it was so; Sima Shen again endorsed it. From this time on, whenever a commander had the slightest fault, his troops were immediately taken away and assigned to civil officials; Ren Zhong's personal troops were taken and assigned to Kong Fan and Cai Zheng. Thereby civil and military forces lost cohesion, leading ultimately to ruin.
29
1春，正月，戊午朔，日有食之。
1 In spring, on the first day of the first month (wuwu), a solar eclipse occurred.
30
2隋主命禮部尚書牛弘修五禮，勒成百卷； 戊辰，詔行新禮。
2 The Sui emperor ordered Niu Hong, Minister of Rites, to compile the Five Rituals, which when finished filled one hundred fascicles; On wuchen an edict ordered the new rituals put into practice.
31
三月，戊午，隋以尚書左僕射高熲為左領軍大將軍。
In the third month, on wuwu, Sui appointed Gao Jiong, Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, as Left General Who Leads the Army.
32
3豐州刺史章大寶，昭達之子也，在州貪縱，朝廷以太僕卿李暈代之。 暈將至，辛酉，大寶襲殺暈，舉兵反。
3 Zhang Dabao, governor of Feng Province and son of Zhang Zhaoda, was greedy and licentious in his province; the court sent Li Hun, Grand Stable Master, to replace him. As Hun was about to arrive, on xinyou Dabao launched a surprise attack and killed Hun, then raised troops in rebellion.
33
4隋大司徒郢公王誼與隋主有舊，其子尚帝女蘭陵公主。 帝待之恩禮稍薄，誼頗怨望。 或告誼自言名應圖讖，相表當王； 公卿奏誼大逆不道。 壬寅，賜誼死。
4 Wang Yi, Duke of Ying and Grand Minister of Education in Sui, had old ties with the Sui emperor; his son had married the emperor's daughter, Princess Lanling. The emperor's gracious treatment grew somewhat thin, and Yi nursed considerable resentment. Someone reported that Yi had said his name matched omens in prognostic texts and that his physiognomy showed he was destined to be king; The highest officials memorialized that Yi had committed treason. On renyin Yi was sentenced to death by imperial grant.
34
戊申，隋主還長安。
On wushen the Sui emperor returned to Chang'an.
35
5章大寶遣其將楊通攻建安，不克。 官軍將至，大寶眾潰，逃入山，為追兵所擒，夷三族。
5 Zhang Dabao sent his general Yang Tong to attack Jian'an without success. As government troops were arriving, Dabao's forces broke up; he fled into the mountains, was captured by pursuers, and his three clans were exterminated.
36
6隋度支尚書長孫平奏，「令民間每秋家出粟麥一石已下，貧富為差，儲之當社，委社司檢校，以備凶年，名曰義倉。」 隋主從之。 五月，甲申，初詔郡、縣置義倉。 平，儉之子也。 時民間多妄稱老、小以免賦役，山東承北齊之弊政，戶口租調，奸偽尤多。 隋主命州縣大索貌閱，戶口不實者，裡正、黨長遠配； 大功以下，皆令析籍，以防容隱。 於是計帳得新附一百六十四萬餘口。 高熲又言民間課輸無定簿，難以推校，請為輸籍法，遍下諸州，帝從之，自是奸無所容矣。
6 Changsun Ping, Director of the Revenue Ministry in Sui, memorialized: "Let each household in autumn contribute grain and wheat below one picul according to the measure of rich and poor; store it at the local altar, entrust inspection to the altar officers, and reserve it against famine years—this shall be called the Charity Granary." The Sui emperor assented. In the fifth month, on jiashen an edict first ordered counties and commanderies to establish Charity Granaries. Ping was the son of Jian. At that time many among the people falsely claimed to be old or young to evade tax and corvée; Shandong, inheriting the corrupt policies of Northern Qi, had especially many frauds in household registration and land tax. The Sui emperor ordered the provinces and counties to conduct a thorough household inspection and face verification; where registrations were false, the neighborhood heads and clan chiefs were exiled to distant posts; All relatives within the degree of dagong mourning and below were ordered to separate their household registers to prevent concealment. Thereupon the census accounts showed more than 1.64 million newly registered persons. Gao Jiong further said that among the people tax payments had no fixed register and were hard to verify; he requested that a Delivery Register Law be instituted and sent to all provinces. The emperor agreed, and from then on fraud had nowhere to hide.
37
諸州調物，每歲河南自潼關，河北自蒲板，輸長安者相屬於路，晝夜不絕者數月。
Each year tribute goods from the provinces—from Tong Pass in Henan and from Puban in Hebei—those bound for Chang'an followed one after another along the roads without ceasing day or night for months.
38
7梁主殂，謚曰孝明皇帝，廟號世宗，世宗孝慈儉約，境內安之。 太子琮嗣位。
7 The Liang ruler died; his posthumous title was Emperor Xiaoming, temple name Shizong. Shizong was filial, benevolent, and frugal, and the realm within his borders was at peace. Crown Prince Cong succeeded to the throne.
39
8初，突厥阿波可汗既與沙缽略有隙，分而為二，阿波浸強，東距都斤，西越金山，龜茲、鐵勒、伊吾及西域諸胡悉附之，號西突厥。 隋主亦遣上大將軍元契使於阿波以撫之。
8 Earlier, the Türk qaghan Abo, having had a rupture with Shebolue, had split into two; Abo gradually grew strong, holding the region east to Dujin and west beyond Jinshan Mountain; Kucha, the Tiele, Yiwu, and all the Hu of the Western Regions attached to him, and he was called the Western Türks. The Sui emperor also dispatched Senior General Yuan Qi as envoy to Abo to mollify him.
40
9秋，七月，庚申，遣散騎常侍王話等聘於隋。
9 In autumn, the seventh month, on gengshen, the Chen emperor dispatched Attendant Cavalier Wang Hua and others on a mission of courtesy to Sui.
41
突厥沙缽略既為達頭所困，又畏契丹，遣使告急於隋，請將部落度漠南，寄居白道川。 隋主許之，命晉王廣以兵援之，給以衣食，賜之車服鼓吹。 沙缽略因西擊阿波，破之。 而阿拔國乘虛掠其妻子； 官軍為擊阿拔，敗之，所獲悉與沙缽略。 沙缽略大喜，乃立約，以磧為界，因上表曰：「天無二日，土無二王。 大隋皇帝，真皇帝也！ 豈敢阻兵恃險，偷竊名號！ 今感慕淳風，歸心有道，屈膝稽顙，永為籓附。」 遣其子庫合真入朝。
The Türk Shebolue, having been beset by Datou and also fearing the Khitan, sent envoys to Sui in urgent appeal, asking to lead his tribes south across the desert and lodge at White Road River. The Sui emperor granted this, ordered Prince of Jin Yang Guang to assist him with troops, supplied food and clothing, and bestowed chariots, robes, and musical escort. Shebolue thereupon struck west against Abo and defeated him. But Abo's people seized the opportunity to plunder his wife and children; Government troops attacked Abo's forces, defeated them, and gave all the captives to Shebolue. Shebolue was greatly pleased, then established a treaty with the desert as boundary, and submitted a memorial saying: "Heaven has not two suns; earth has not two kings. The Great Sui emperor is the true emperor! How would I dare to rely on arms, hold to defensible terrain, and steal a title! Now moved by your pure culture, my heart turns to the Way; kneeling and bowing my forehead to the ground, I shall forever be your vassal ally." He sent his son Kuhezhan to court.
42
八月，丙戌，庫合真至長安。 隋主下詔曰：「沙缽略往雖與和，猶是二國； 今作君臣，便成一體。」 因命肅告郊廟，普頒遠近； 凡賜沙缽略詔，不稱其名。 宴庫合真於內殿，引見皇后，賞勞甚厚。 沙缽略大悅，自是歲時貢獻不絕。
In the eighth month, on bingxu, Kuhezhan arrived at Chang'an. The Sui emperor issued an edict: "Shebolue, though formerly at peace, was still a second state; now as ruler and subject, we have become one body." He thereupon ordered solemn announcement at the suburban altars and temples, promulgated far and near; In all edicts granted to Shebolue, his personal name was not used. He feasted Kuhezhan in the inner hall, presented him to the empress, and rewarded him with great generosity. Shebolue was greatly pleased; from then on tribute and offerings never ceased season by season.
43
10九月，將軍湛文徹侵隋和州，隋儀同三司費寶首擊擒之。
10 In the ninth month, General Zhan Wenche invaded Sui's He Province; Fei Baoshou, a Sui official of third rank ceremonial parity, attacked and captured him.
44
丙子，隋使李若等來聘。
On bingzi Sui envoys Li Ruo and others came on a mission of courtesy.
45
冬，十月，壬辰，隋以上柱國楊素為信州總管。
In winter, the tenth month, on renchen, Sui appointed Senior Pillar of State Yang Su as Overall Commander of Xin Province.
46
11初，北地傅縡以庶子事上於東宮，及即位，遷秘書監、右衛將軍兼中書通事舍人，負才使氣，人多怨之。 施文慶、沈客卿共譖縡受高麗使金，上收縡下獄。
11 Earlier, Fu Xiu of Beidi had served the emperor as tutor when he was crown prince; when the emperor ascended the throne, he was promoted to Director of the Secretariat, Right Guard General, and concurrently Attendant Drafting Secretary for General Affairs—talented but overbearing, and many resented him. Shi Wenqing and Shen Keqing together slandered Fu Xiu for accepting gold from a Goguryeo envoy; the emperor had Xiu arrested and imprisoned.
47
縡於獄中上書曰：「夫君人者，恭事上帝，子愛下民，省嗜欲，遠諂佞，未明求夜，日旰忘食，是以澤被區宇，慶流子孫。 陛下頃來酒色過度，不虔郊廟大神，專媚淫昏之鬼，小人在側，宦豎弄權。 惡忠直若仇讎，視生民如草芥。 後宮曳綺繡，廄馬餘菽粟，百姓流離，殭屍蔽野，貨賄公行，帑藏損耗。 神怒民怨，眾叛親離，臣恐東南王氣自斯而盡。」
From prison Fu Xiu submitted a memorial saying: "A ruler should reverently serve Heaven, love the people as his children, restrain appetites, keep flatterers at a distance, seek understanding before dawn and forget to eat until dusk—thereby his grace covers the realm and blessing flows to his descendants. Your Majesty of late has indulged excessively in wine and women, is not reverent toward the gods of the suburban altars and grand temples, and dotes exclusively on lewd and deluded spirits; petty men stand at your side and eunuchs manipulate power. You hate the loyal and upright as though they were mortal enemies and regard the living people as mere grass and chaff. In the rear palace silks and brocades trail behind; in the stables horses have surplus beans and grain; the common people wander homeless; unburied corpses cover the fields; bribes are openly traded; the treasury is depleted. The gods are angry and the people resentful; all abandon you and kinsmen depart—I fear the kingly qi of the southeast ends here."
48
書奏，上大怒。 頃之，意稍解，遣使謂縡曰：「我欲赦卿，卿能改過不？」 對曰：「臣心如面，臣面可改，則臣心可改。」 上益怒，令宦者李善慶窮治其事，遂賜死獄中。
When the memorial was submitted, the emperor was greatly enraged. Before long his anger somewhat eased; he sent an envoy to tell Fu Xiu: "I wish to pardon you—can you reform your ways?" Xiu replied: "Your servant's heart is like my face—if my face could be changed, then my heart could be changed." The emperor grew still more angry, ordered the eunuch Li Shanqing to investigate the matter thoroughly, and ultimately had him granted death in prison.
49
上每當郊祀，常稱疾不行，故縡言及之。 是歲，梁大將軍戚昕以舟師襲公安，不克而還。
Whenever the time came for suburban sacrifice, the emperor would usually claim illness and not go—therefore Fu Xiu had spoken of it. That year, General Qi Xin of Liang led a fleet in a surprise attack on Gong'an without success and returned.
50
12隋主征梁主叔父太尉吳王岑入朝，拜大將軍，封懷義公，因留不遣； 復置江陵總管以監之。
12 The Sui emperor summoned the Liang ruler's uncle, Grand Preceptor and Prince of Wu Chen, to court, appointed him Grand General and enfeoffed him as Duke of Huaiyi, then detained him and did not send him back; He reestablished the Jiangling overall command to oversee affairs there.
51
梁大將軍許世武密以城召荊州刺史宜黃侯慧紀； 謀洩，梁主殺之。 慧紀，高祖之從孫也。
General Xu Shiwu of Liang secretly offered the city to summon Jing Province governor Marquis of Yihuang Hui Ji; When the plot leaked out, the Liang ruler had him killed. Hui Ji was a grandnephew of Gaozu.
52
13隋主使司農少卿崔仲方發丁三萬，於朔方、靈武築長城，東距河，西至綏州，綿歷七百里，以遏胡寇。
13 The Sui emperor had Vice Minister of Agriculture Cui Zhongfang conscript thirty thousand laborers to build the Long Wall at Shuofang and Lingwu, from the river in the east to Suizhou in the west, running seven hundred li in all, to block Hu raiders.
53
1春，正月，梁改元廣運。
1 In spring, the first month, Liang changed the era name to Guangyun.
54
2甲子，党項羌請降於隋。
2 On jiazi the Di and Qiang of Dang sought surrender to Sui.
55
庚午，隋頒歷於突厥。
On gengwu Sui issued its calendar to the Türks.
56
二月，隋始令刺史上佐每歲暮更入朝，上考課。
In the second month, Sui for the first time ordered that each year-end the senior assistants of provincial governors should rotate to court for annual assessment.
57
丁亥，隋復令崔仲方發丁十五萬，於朔方以東，緣邊險要，築數十城。
On dinghai Sui again ordered Cui Zhongfang to conscript one hundred fifty thousand laborers east of Shuofang, along strategic points on the border, to build several tens of forts.
58
3丙申，立皇弟叔謨為巴東王，叔顯為臨江王，叔坦為新會王，叔隆為新寧王。
3 On bingshen day the emperor's younger brothers were ennobled: Shu Mo as Prince of Badong, Shu Xian as Prince of Linjiang, Shu Tan as Prince of Xinhui, and Shu Long as Prince of Xinning.
59
4庚子，隋大赦。
4 On gengzi day Sui issued a general pardon.
60
三月，己未，洛陽男子高德上書，請隋主為太上皇，傳位皇太子。 帝曰：「朕承天命，撫育蒼生，日旰孜孜，猶恐不逮。 豈效近代帝王，傳位於子，自求逸樂者哉！
In the third month on jiwei, a Luoyang commoner named Gao De submitted a memorial urging the Sui emperor to abdicate in favor of his crown prince and take the title of Retired Emperor. The emperor replied: "Heaven's mandate rests upon me; I labor from dawn till dusk to nurture the people, and still fear I am not equal to the task. Why should I imitate recent emperors who abdicate for their sons and retire to idleness and pleasure!
61
夏，四月，己亥，遣周磻等聘於隋。
In summer, in the fourth month on jihai, Zhou Pan and others were dispatched on a diplomatic mission to Sui.
62
5五月，丁巳，立皇子莊為會稽王。
5 In the fifth month on dingsi the emperor's son Zhuang was made Prince of Kuaiji.
63
6秋，八月，隋遣散騎常侍裴豪等來聘。
6 In autumn, the eighth month, Sui sent Pei Hao, Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and others on a friendly visit.
64
戊申，隋申明公李穆卒，葬以殊禮。
On wushen day Li Mu, Duke of Shenming, died and was buried with extraordinary rites.
65
閏月，丁卯，隋太子勇鎮洛陽。
In the intercalary month on dingmao, Crown Prince Yong of Sui took up residence at Luoyang as governor.
66
隋上柱國郕公梁士彥討尉遲迥，所當必破，代迥為相州刺史。 隋主忌之，召還長安。 上柱國杞公宇文忻與隋主少相厚，善用兵，有威名。 隋主亦忌之，以譴去官。 與柱國舒公劉昉皆被疏遠，閒居無事，頗懷怨望，數相往來，陰謀不軌。
Liang Shiyan, Duke of Cheng and a grand general of Sui, in campaigning against Yuchi Jiong shattered every force in his path and took Jiong's place as governor of Xiang Province. The Sui emperor grew wary of him and recalled him to Chang'an. Yuwen Xin, Duke of Qi and a grand general, had been on intimate terms with the Sui emperor since youth; he was a gifted commander with a formidable reputation. The Sui emperor likewise grew wary and dismissed him from office under a reprimand. He and Liu Fang, Duke of Shu, were both sidelined; idle and embittered, they met frequently and conspired in secret.
67
忻欲使士彥於蒲州起兵，己為內應，士彥之甥裴通預其謀而告之。 帝隱其事，以士彥為晉州刺史，欲觀其意； 士彥忻然，謂昉等曰：「天也！」 又請儀同三司薛摩兒為長史，帝亦許之。 後與公卿朝謁，帝令左右執士彥、忻、昉等於行間。 詰之，初猶不伏。 捕薛摩兒適至，命之庭對，摩兒具論始末，士彥失色，顧謂摩兒曰：「汝殺我！」 丙子，士彥、忻、昉皆伏誅，叔侄、兄弟免死除名。
Xin planned for Shiyan to raise an army at Pu Province while he acted as an inside accomplice; Shiyan's nephew Pei Tong learned of the plot and informed the throne. The emperor kept the report secret, appointed Shiyan governor of Jin Province, and watched to see what he would do; Shiyan was overjoyed and told Fang and the others, "This is Heaven's work!" He also asked that Xue Mo'er, a third-rank ceremonial peer, serve as his chief administrator, and the emperor assented. Later, at an audience with the court, the emperor had his attendants seize Shiyan, Xin, Fang, and the rest in mid-procession. Under interrogation they at first refused to admit guilt. Xue Mo'er was brought in just then; ordered to testify before the court, he related the plot in full. Shiyan turned pale and cried to Mo'er, "You have destroyed me!" On bingzi day Shiyan, Xin, and Fang were all put to death; their uncles, nephews, and brothers were spared but stripped of rank and name.
68
九月，辛巳，隋主素服臨射殿，命百官射三家資物以為誡。
In the ninth month on xinsi the Sui emperor, dressed in mourning white, appeared at the Archery Hall and had officials shoot at the family goods of the three conspirators' houses as a cautionary lesson.
69
冬，十月，己酉，隋以兵部尚書楊尚希為禮部尚書。 隋主每旦臨朝，日昃不倦，尚希諫曰：「周文王以憂勤損壽，武王以安樂延年。 願陛下舉大綱，責成宰輔。 繁碎之務，非人主所宜親也。」 帝善之而不能從。
In winter, the tenth month on jiyou, Sui transferred Yang Shangxi from Minister of War to Minister of Rites. The Sui emperor held court each dawn and worked past sundown without tiring; Shangxi advised him: "King Wen of Zhou wore himself out with ceaseless cares and died young; King Wu lived long by trusting others to govern. Let Your Majesty grasp the broad outlines of policy and hold your ministers responsible for execution. Petty administrative details are not work for the Son of Heaven himself." The emperor praised the counsel but could not bring himself to follow it.
70
癸丑，隋置山南道行台於襄州； 以秦王俊為尚書令。 俊妃崔氏生男，隋主喜，頒賜群官。
On guichou day Sui established a circuit executive office for Shannan at Xiangzhou; Qin Wang Jun was appointed Director of the Department of State Affairs. When Jun's consort Lady Cui gave birth to a son, the delighted Sui emperor showered gifts on the entire bureaucracy.
71
直秘書內省博陵李文博，家素貧，人往賀之，文博曰：「賞罰之設，功過所存。 今王妃生男，於群官何事，乃妄受賞也！」 聞者愧之。
Li Wenbo of Boling, a clerk in the Secretariat, had always been poor; when visitors came to congratulate him on the imperial largesse, Wenbo said: "Rewards and punishments exist to honor merit and penalize fault. The prince's consort bore a son — what has that to do with us officials that we should accept a reward we did not earn!" Those who heard were put to shame.
72
7癸亥，以尚書僕射江總為尚書令，吏部尚書謝胄為僕射。
7 On guihai day Jiang Zong was promoted from Vice Director to Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Xie Zhou, Minister of Personnel, became Vice Director.
73
十一月，己卯，大赦。
In the eleventh month on jimao a general pardon was issued.
74
8吐谷渾可汗誇呂在位百年，屢因喜怒廢殺太子。 後太子懼，謀執誇呂而降； 請兵於隋邊吏，秦州總管河間王弘請以兵應之，隋主不許。 太子謀洩，為誇呂所殺，復立其少子嵬王訶為太子。 疊州刺史杜粲請因其釁而討之，隋主又不許。
8 Kualü, khan of the Tuyuhun, had ruled a hundred years and repeatedly deposed and killed heirs apparent on whim. Eventually a crown prince, fearing for his life, plotted to seize Kualü and defect; he asked Sui border officials for military support; Hong, Prince of Hejian and commander of Qin Province, offered to send troops, but the Sui emperor refused. The plot was discovered; Kualü executed the prince and installed his youngest son, Prince Wei He, as the new heir. Du Can, governor of Die Province, urged an attack while they were in turmoil, but again the Sui emperor declined.
75
是歲，嵬王訶復懼誅，謀帥部落萬五千戶降隋，遣使詣闕，請兵迎之。 隋主曰：「渾賊風俗，特異人倫，父既不慈，子復不孝。 朕以德訓人，何有成其惡逆乎！」 乃謂使者曰：「父有過失，子當諫爭，豈可潛謀非法，受不孝之名！ 溥天之下，皆朕臣妾，各為善事，即稱朕心。 嵬王既欲歸朕，唯教嵬王為臣子之法，不可遠遣兵馬，助為惡事！」 嵬王訶乃止。
That year Prince Wei He again feared death and planned to lead fifteen thousand tribal households in surrender to Sui, dispatching envoys to the capital to ask for troops to escort them in. The Sui emperor said: "These Tuyuhun barbarians follow customs alien to human decency — the father unloving, the son unfilial. I govern by moral example — why should I encourage their treachery!" Then he told the envoys: "When a father errs, a son should remonstrate openly — not plot treason in secret and bear the stain of unfiliality! All under Heaven are my subjects; let each do what is right, and that will satisfy me. If Prince Wei truly wishes to submit, I need only instruct him in the duties of a loyal subject — I will not dispatch an army to abet his crime!" Prince Wei He abandoned the plan.
76
1春，正月，戊寅，大赦，改元。
1 In spring, the first month on wuyin a general amnesty was issued and a new reign era was proclaimed.
77
2癸巳，隋主享太廟。
2 On guisi day the Sui emperor performed rites at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
78
乙未，隋制諸州歲貢士三人。
On yiwei day Sui decreed that each province should send three recommended scholars annually.
79
二月，丁巳，隋主朝日於東郊。
In the second month on dingsi the Sui emperor performed the solar rite at the Eastern Suburb.
80
遣兼散騎常侍王亨等聘於隋。
Wang Heng, concurrent Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and others were dispatched on a diplomatic mission to Sui.
81
隋發丁男十萬餘人修長城，二旬而罷。 夏，四月，於揚州開山陽瀆以通運。
Sui conscripted more than a hundred thousand men to repair the Great Wall, stopping after twenty days. In summer, the fourth month, the Shanyang Canal was dug at Yangzhou to open a transport route.
82
3突厥沙缽略可汗遣其子入貢於隋，因請獵於恆、代之間，隋主許之，仍遣人賜以酒食。 沙缽略帥部落再拜受賜。
3 Shabolu, khan of the Turks, sent his son to pay tribute to Sui and asked permission to hunt between Heng and Dai; the Sui emperor agreed and sent gifts of wine and food. Shabolu and his tribesmen bowed twice in accepting the gifts.
83
沙缽略尋卒，隋為之廢朝三日，遣太常弔祭。
Shabolu died shortly afterward; Sui canceled court for three days in mourning and sent the Minister of Ceremonies to perform condolence rites.
84
初，沙缽略以其子雍虞閭懦弱，遺令立其弟葉護處羅侯。 雍虞閭遣使迎處羅侯，將立之，處羅侯曰：「我突厥自木杵可汗以來，多以弟代兄，以庶奪嫡，失先祖之法，不相敬畏。 汝當嗣位，我不憚拜汝！」 雍虞閭曰：「叔與我父，共根連體。 我，枝葉也，豈可使根本反從枝葉，叔父屈於卑幼乎！ 且亡父之命，何可廢也！ 願叔勿疑！」 遣使相讓者五六，處羅侯竟立，是為莫何可汗。 以雍虞閭為葉護。 遣使上表言狀。
Previously Shabolu, deeming his son Yabghu Qagan too soft, had left orders that his brother Yehu Chuluohou should take the throne. Yabghu Qagan sent envoys to welcome Chuluohou and prepare to enthrone him; Chuluohou replied: "Since Khan Mucho's day our Turks have too often seen younger brothers supplant elders and bastards seize the succession — we have forsaken ancestral law and lost respect for one another. You are the rightful heir — I do not hesitate to bow before you!" Yabghu Qagan replied: "My uncle and my father are of one root and one body. I am but a branch — how can the root defer to the branch and make my uncle bow to his junior! And my late father's dying command — how can I disregard it! I beg you, Uncle — have no doubt!" They exchanged envoys five or six times, each insisting the other take the throne; in the end Chuluohou was installed as khan, known as Mohe Qagan. Yabghu Qagan was appointed Yehu (heir apparent). Envoys were sent with a memorial describing the succession.
85
隋使車騎將軍長孫晟持節拜之，賜以鼓吹、幡旗。 莫何勇而有謀，以隋所賜旗鼓西擊阿波； 阿波之眾以為得隋兵助之，多望風降附。 遂生擒阿波，上書請其死生之命。
Sui dispatched Zhangsun Sheng, General of Chariots and Cavalry, with imperial credentials to invest him, granting drums and banners. Mohe, brave and shrewd, led the drums and banners Sui had given him west to attack Apo; Apo's followers, thinking Sui troops had come to his aid, surrendered in droves at the mere sight of Mohe's banners. He captured Apo alive and sent a memorial asking the emperor to decide Apo's fate.
86
隋主下其議，樂安公元諧請就彼梟首； 武陽公李充請生取入朝，顯戮以示百姓。 隋主謂長孫晟：「於卿何如？」 晟對曰：「若突厥背誕，須齊之以刑。 今其昆弟自相夷滅，阿波之惡非負國家。 因其困窮，取而為戮，恐非招遠之道。 不如兩存之。」 左僕射高熲曰：「骨肉相殘，教之蠹也，宜存養以示寬大。」 隋主從之。
The Sui emperor took counsel; Yuan Xie, Duke of Le'an, urged beheading Apo where he stood; Li Chong, Duke of Wuyang, urged bringing Apo alive to the capital for a public execution as a warning. The Sui emperor asked Zhangsun Sheng: "What is your view?" Sheng replied: "When Turks breach their oaths, they must be disciplined by force. But now their brothers are destroying one another; Apo's offense is not treason against Sui. To seize him in his weakness and kill him would not be the way to win over distant peoples. Better to let them both live." Left Vice Premier Gao Bin said: "Fratricide is a rot in their customs; sparing them will show our magnanimity." The Sui emperor agreed.
87
4甲戌，隋遣兼散騎常侍楊同等來聘。
4 On jiaxu day Sui sent Yang Tong, concurrent Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and others on a friendly visit.
88
5五月，乙亥朔，日有食之。
5 In the fifth month, on the first day (yihai), there was a solar eclipse.
89
6秋，七月，己丑，隋衛昭王爽卒。
6 In autumn, the seventh month on jichou, Prince Wei Zhao Shuang of Sui died.
90
八月，隋主征梁主入朝。 梁主帥其群臣二百餘人發江陵； 庚申，至長安。
In the eighth month the Sui emperor summoned the ruler of Liang to the capital. The Liang ruler departed Jiangling with more than two hundred officials and ministers; arriving at Chang'an on gengshen day.
91
隋主以梁主在外，遣武鄉公崔弘度將兵戍江陵。 軍至都州，梁主叔父太傅安平王巖、弟荊州刺史義興王□獻等恐弘度襲之，乙丑，遣其都官尚書沈君公詣荊州刺史宜黃侯慧紀請降。 九月，庚寅，慧紀引兵至江陵城下。 辛卯，巖等驅文、武、男、女十萬口來奔。
With the Liang ruler away, the Sui emperor sent Cui Hongdu, Duke of Wuxiang, to occupy Jiangling with troops. When the army reached Du Province, the Liang ruler's uncle Grand Tutor Prince Anping Yan, his brother Jing Province governor Prince of Yixing □ Xian, and others, fearing attack, sent Minister of Palace Affairs Shen Jungong on yichou day to Hui Ji, governor of Jing Province and Marquis of Yihuang, offering surrender. In the ninth month on gengyin day Hui Ji marched his army to Jiangling. On xinmao day Yan and his allies drove a hundred thousand men, women, officials, and soldiers into flight toward them.
92
隋主聞之，廢梁國； 遣尚書左僕射高熲安集遺民； 梁中宗、世宗各給守塚十戶； 拜梁主琮上柱國，賜爵莒公。
Learning of this, the Sui emperor dissolved the Liang state; he sent Left Vice Premier Gao Bin to pacify the displaced population; he assigned ten tomb-guarding households each to Liang's Middle and World Ancestors; and ennobled the Liang ruler Cong as Grand General and Duke of Ju.
93
7甲午，大赦。
7 On jiawu day a general pardon was issued.
94
8冬，十月，隋主如同州； 癸亥，如蒲州。
8 In winter, the tenth month, the Sui emperor traveled to Tongzhou; proceeding to Puzhou on guihai day.
95
9十一月，丙子，以蕭巖為開府儀同三司、東揚州刺史，蕭讞為吳州刺史。
9 In the eleventh month on bingzi day Xiao Yan was appointed third-rank ceremonial peer with open office and governor of Eastern Yangzhou, and Xiao Chen was made governor of Wu Province.
96
丁亥，以豫章王叔英兼司徒。
On dinghai day Prince Shuying of Yuzhang was made concurrent Minister of Education.
97
10甲午，隋主如馮翊，親祠故社； 戊戌，還長安。
10 On jiawu day the Sui emperor traveled to Pingyi and personally offered sacrifice at the old communal altars; On wuxu he returned to Chang'an.
98
是行也，內史令李德林以疾不從，隋主自同州敕書追之，與議伐陳之計。 及還，帝馬上舉鞭南指曰：「待平陳之日，以七寶裝嚴公，使自山以東無及公者。」
On this tour Li Delin, Director of the Secretariat, had stayed behind with illness; the Sui emperor sent an edict from Tong Province recalling him to deliberate the campaign against Chen. On the return journey the emperor, still mounted, raised his whip and pointed south. "When Chen falls," he said, "I will adorn you with the seven treasures—you will have no peer east of the mountains."
99
初，隋主受禪以來，與陳鄰好甚篤，每獲陳諜，皆給衣馬禮遣之，而高宗猶不禁侵掠。 故太建之末，隋師入寇； 會高宗殂，隋主即命班師，遣使赴吊，書稱姓名頓首。 帝答之益驕，書末云：「想彼統內如宜，此宇宙清泰。」 隋主不悅，以示朝臣。 上柱國楊素以為主辱臣死，再拜請罪。 隋主問取陳之策於高熲，對曰：「江北地寒，田收差晚； 江南水田早熟。 量彼收穫之際，微征士馬，聲言掩襲，彼必屯兵守禦，足得廢其農時。 彼既聚兵，我便解甲。 再三若此，彼以為常； 後更集兵，彼必不信。 猶豫之頃，我乃濟師； 登陸而戰，兵氣益倍。 又，江南土薄，捨多茅竹，所有儲積皆非地窖。 密遣行人因風縱火，待彼修立，復更燒之。 不出數年，自可財力俱盡。」 隋主用其策，陳人始困。
From the time the Sui emperor took the throne, relations with Chen had remained cordial; captured Chen spies were always clothed, horsed, and sent home with gifts, yet Emperor Gao still permitted border raids. Hence at the end of the Taikian reign Sui forces crossed the border; When Emperor Gao died soon after, the Sui emperor at once ordered the troops withdrawn and sent envoys of mourning; his letter bore his own name and a kowtow. The Chen emperor's reply grew bolder; he ended his letter: "I trust all is well in your realm; here the cosmos is at peace." The Sui emperor was offended and showed the letter to his ministers. Grand General Yang Su, holding that an insult to the sovereign demands a minister's life, bowed twice and pleaded for punishment. The Sui emperor asked Gao Yong how to conquer Chen. Gao Yong answered: "North of the Yangtze the land is cold and harvest comes late; in the south the paddies ripen early. At harvest time, feign a small mobilization and proclaim a surprise raid—they will mass troops to defend and lose the farming season entirely. Once they have gathered, we stand down. Do this again and again until they treat it as routine; then when we mobilize in earnest they will not believe us. In their moment of hesitation we cross the river; land and fight with morale twice what it would otherwise be. Moreover, the Jiangnan soil is thin; houses are mostly thatch and bamboo, and grain is stored above ground, not in cellars. Send agents secretly to set fires when the wind serves; let them rebuild, then burn again. In a few years their wealth and strength will be exhausted." The Sui emperor adopted the plan, and Chen began to suffer.
100
於是楊素、賀若弼及光州刺史高勱、虢州刺史崔仲方等爭獻平江南之策。 仲方上書曰：「今唯須武昌以下，蘄、和、滁、方、吳、海等州，更帖精兵，密營度計； 益、信、襄、荊、基、郢等州，速造舟楫，多張形勢，為水戰之具。 蜀、漢二江是其上流，水路衝要，必爭之所。 賊雖於流頭、荊門、延洲、公安、巴陵、隱磯、夏首、蘄口、湓城置船，然終聚漢口、峽口，以水戰大決。 若賊必以上流有軍，令精兵赴援者，下流諸將即須擇便橫渡； 如擁眾自衛，上江水軍鼓行以前。 彼雖恃九江、五湖之險，非德無以為固； 徒有三吳、百越之兵，無恩不能自立矣。」 隋主以仲方為基州刺史。
Thereupon Yang Su, He Ruo Bi, Gao Li of Guang Province, Cui Zhongfang of Guo Province, and others vied to offer plans for conquering the south. Cui Zhongfang submitted a memorial: "From Wuchang downstream, in Qi, He, Chu, Fang, Wu, Hai, and the other provinces, we need only redeploy elite troops and plan the campaign in secret; in Yi, Xin, Xiang, Jing, Ji, Ying, and the rest, build ships quickly, show force on many fronts, and ready the means for river battle. The Shu and Han are the upper Yangtze—critical waterways and certain ground for a decisive contest. The enemy may station vessels at Liutou, Jingmen, Yanzhou, Gong'an, Baling, Yinji, Xiashou, Qikou, and Pencheng, but in the end they will concentrate at Hankou and Xiakou for the decisive river battle. If the enemy sends elite troops upstream to reinforce, our downstream commanders must cross at the first good opportunity; if they hoard forces for defense, our upstream fleet will advance with drums beating. They may trust the defenses of Jiujiang and the Five Lakes, but without virtue no barrier holds; they have the armies of Wu and Yue, but without grace they cannot endure." The Sui emperor appointed Cui Zhongfang governor of Ji Province.
101
及受蕭巖等降，隋主益忿，謂高熲曰：「我為民父母，豈可限一衣帶水不拯之乎！」 命大作戰船。 人請密之，隋主曰：「吾將顯行天誅，何密之有！」 使投其柿於江，曰：「若彼懼而能改，吾復何求！」
After receiving the surrender of Xiao Yan and his fellows, the Sui emperor's wrath deepened. He told Gao Yong: "I am father and mother to the people—how can a strip of water keep me from saving them!" He ordered warships built on a great scale. When some urged secrecy, the Sui emperor said: "I mean to carry out Heaven's judgment in the open—why hide it!" He had the keels thrown into the river, saying: "If they take fright and mend their ways, what more could I ask!"
102
楊素在永安，造大艦，名曰「五牙」。 上起樓五層，高百餘尺； 左右前後置六拍竿，並高五十尺，容戰士八百人； 次曰「黃龍」，置兵百人。 自餘平乘、舴艋各有等差。
At Yong'an Yang Su built great warships called the Five-Tooth. Each bore five-story towers more than a hundred feet tall; with six battering poles fifty feet high on every side, each vessel carrying eight hundred fighters; Next came the Yellow Dragon class, with a hundred men each. Lesser patrol boats and skiffs filled out the fleet in ranked sizes.
103
晉州刺史皇甫續將之官，稽首言陳有三可滅。 帝問其狀，曰：「大吞小，一也； 以有道伐無道，二也； 納叛臣蕭巖，於我有詞，三也。 陛下若命將出師，臣願展絲發之效！」 隋主勞而遣之。
Huangfu Xu, newly appointed governor of Jin Province, kowtowed and declared three reasons Chen could be conquered. The emperor asked what he meant. He said: "The great swallowing the small—first; the righteous overthrowing the wicked—second; their sheltering the rebel Xiao Yan gives us cause—third. If Your Majesty sends armies forth, I will serve even unto my last breath!" The Sui emperor commended him and sent him to his post.
104
時江南妖異特眾，臨平湖草久塞，忽然自開。 帝惡之，乃自賣於佛寺為奴以厭之。 又於建康造大皇寺，起七級浮圖； 未畢，火從中起而焚之。
Omens multiplied in Jiangnan; the grass-choked Linping Lake suddenly cleared of its own accord. The Chen emperor took this as ill omen and sold himself as a slave to a temple to avert it. He also built the Great Imperial Temple in Jiankang and raised a seven-tier pagoda; Before it was finished fire broke out within and consumed it.
105
11吳興章華，好學，善屬文。 朝臣以華素無伐閱，競排詆之，除大市令。 華鬱鬱不得志，上書極諫，略曰：「昔高祖南平百越，北誅逆虜，世祖東定吳會，西破王琳，高宗克復淮南，闢地千里，三祖之功勤亦至矣。 陛下即位，於今五年，不思先帝之艱難，不知天命之可畏； 溺於嬖寵，惑於酒色； 祠七廟而不出，拜三妃而臨軒； 老臣宿將棄之草莽，諂佞讒邪升之朝廷。 今疆場日蹙，隋軍壓境，陛下如不改弦易張，臣見麋鹿復游於姑蘇矣！」 帝大怒，即日斬之。
11 Zhang Hua of Wuxing was a devoted scholar and accomplished writer. Because Zhang Hua had no martial pedigree, court rivals slandered him until he was demoted to market magistrate. Bitter and thwarted, Zhang Hua submitted a stern memorial of remonstrance. In part he wrote: "Grand Ancestor pacified the Hundred Yue in the south and destroyed northern rebels; World Ancestor secured Wu and Kuaiji in the east and broke Wang Lin in the west; High Ancestor recovered Huainan and opened lands a thousand li—the three founding emperors toiled beyond measure. Your Majesty has reigned five years and still gives no thought to your father's hardships or to the dread weight of Heaven's mandate; you drown in favorites and lose yourself in wine and women; you send others to the ancestral temples while you receive three consorts from the throne; Veteran ministers and generals languish in obscurity while sycophants and schemers rise to court; The frontiers shrink daily and Sui armies press the border—unless Your Majesty changes course, I foresee deer grazing once more in the ruins of Gusu!" The emperor flew into a rage and had him executed the same day.
106
1春，正月，辛巳，立皇子為東陽王，恬為錢塘王。 遣散騎常侍袁雅等聘於隋； 又遣騎常侍九江周羅□將兵屯峽口，侵隋峽州。
1 In spring, first month, on xinsi day a prince was made Prince of Dongyang and Tian was made Prince of Qiantang. Yuan Ya, Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and others were dispatched on a friendly mission to Sui; And Zhou Luo□ of Jiujiang, Regular Attendant of Cavalry, was sent to garrison Xiakou with troops and raid Sui's Xia Province.
107
三月，甲戌，隋遣兼散騎常侍程尚賢等來聘。
In the third month on jiaxu day Sui sent Cheng Shangxian, concurrent Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and others on a friendly visit.
108
2戊寅，隋主下詔曰：「陳叔寶據手掌之地，恣溪壑之欲，劫奪閭閻，資產俱竭，驅逼內外，勞役弗已； 窮奢極侈，俾晝作夜； 斬直言之客，滅無罪之家； 欺天造惡，祭鬼求恩； 盛粉黛而執干戈，曳羅綺而呼警蹕； 自古昏亂，罕或能比。 君子潛逃，小人得志。 天災地孽，物怪人妖。 衣冠鉗口，道路以目。 重以背德違言，搖蕩疆場； 晝伏夜遊，鼠竊狗盜。 天之所覆，無非朕臣，每關聽覽，有懷傷惻。 可出師授律，應機誅殄； 在斯一舉，永清吳越。」 又送璽書暴帝二十惡； 仍散寫詔書三十萬紙，遍諭江外。
2 On wuyin day the Sui emperor proclaimed an edict: "Chen Shubao holds a handbreadth of land yet gorges like a glutton; he robs the people until nothing is left, presses nobles and commoners alike into endless labor, squanders wealth in boundless excess and turns day into night; executes those who speak plainly and destroys guiltless households; defies Heaven with wicked deeds and bribes ghosts for favor; paints his face and takes up arms, drags silks and brocades yet shouts for the imperial procession; Among the dissolute rulers of history, few rival him. The worthy flee into hiding; the base flourish. Heaven sends disasters, earth breeds portents, things turn uncanny, men grow monstrous. Scholars dare not speak; travelers dare only exchange glances. To this he adds broken faith and border provocations; skulking by day and raiding by night like rats and dogs. All beneath Heaven are my subjects; each report fills me with sorrow and pity. Let armies march under the code of war and destroy the enemy at the fitting hour; in one stroke Wu and Yue will be pacified forever." He also sent an imperial letter listing twenty of the emperor's crimes; and had three hundred thousand copies circulated south of the Yangtze.
109
太子胤，性聰敏，好文學，然頗有過失； 詹事袁憲切諫，不聽。 時沈后無寵，而近侍左右數於東宮往來，太子亦數使人至后所，帝疑其怨望，甚惡之。 張、孔二貴妃日夜構成后及太子之短，孔范之徒又於外助之。 帝欲立張貴妃子始安王深為嗣，嘗從容言之。 吏部尚書蔡征順旨稱讚，袁憲厲色折之曰：「皇太子，國家儲副，億兆宅心，卿是何人，輕言廢立！」 帝卒從征議。 夏，五月，庚子，廢太子胤為吳興王，立揚州刺史始安王深為太子。 征，景歷之子也。 深亦聰惠，有志操，容止儼然，雖左右近侍未嘗見其喜慍。 帝聞袁憲嘗諫胤，即日用憲為尚書僕射。
Crown Prince Yin was bright and devoted to letters, but prone to missteps; Grand Tutor Yuan Xian admonished him sternly, without effect. Empress Shen had fallen from favor, yet court attendants still frequented the Eastern Palace and the prince often sent messengers to her quarters; the emperor suspected conspiracy and loathed it. Consorts Zhang and Kong worked day and night to blacken the empress and prince; Kong Fan and his allies abetted them from without. The emperor wanted to make Prince Shen of Shi'an, Consort Zhang's son, heir, and once mentioned it casually. Cai Zheng, Minister of Personnel, flattered the notion; Yuan Xian rebuked him sharply: "The crown prince is the nation's heir—the people look to him—who are you to speak lightly of deposing him!" In the end the emperor sided with Cai Zheng. In summer, fifth month, on gengzi day Crown Prince Yin was demoted to Prince of Wuxing and Prince Shen of Shi'an, governor of Yang Province, was made crown prince. Cai Zheng was the son of Cai Jingli. Shen was likewise bright and principled, grave in manner; even his closest attendants never saw him show pleasure or anger. Learning that Yuan Xian had defended Yin, the emperor that same day made him Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
110
帝遇沈后素薄，張貴妃專後宮之政，後澹然，未嘗有所忌怨，身居儉約，衣服無錦繡之飾，唯尋閱圖史及釋典為事，數上書諫爭。 帝欲廢之而立張貴妃，會國亡，不果。
The emperor had long treated Empress Shen coldly while Consort Zhang ruled the inner palace. The empress remained serene, never jealous; she lived simply, wore no silk or brocade, passed her days reading history and Buddhist texts, and repeatedly submitted remonstrances. The emperor meant to depose her and elevate Consort Zhang, but the kingdom fell before he could.
111
冬，十月，己亥，立皇子蕃為吳郡王。
In winter, tenth month, on jihai day the emperor's son Fan was made Prince of Wu Commandery.
112
3己未，隋置淮南行省於壽春，以晉王廣為尚書令。
3 On jiwei day Sui established a Huainan branch secretariat at Shouchun and appointed Prince Guang of Jin as its director.
113
帝遣兼散騎常侍王琬、兼通直散騎常侍許善心聘於隋，隋人留於客館。 琬等屢請還，不聽。
The emperor sent Wang Wan, concurrent Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, and Xu Shanshan, concurrent Direct Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, on a diplomatic mission to Sui; the Sui detained them in the guest lodge. Wan and his party repeatedly asked to go home, but were refused.
114
甲子，隋以出師，有事於太廟，命晉王廣、秦王俊、清河公楊素皆為行軍元帥。 廣出六合，俊出襄陽，素出永安，荊州刺史劉仁恩出江陵，蘄州刺史王世積出蘄春，廬州總管韓擒虎出廬江，吳州總管賀若弼出廣陵，青州總管弘農燕榮出東海，凡總管九十，兵五十一萬八千，皆受晉王節度。 東接滄海，西拒巴、蜀，旌旗舟楫，橫亙數千里。 以左僕射高熲為晉王元師長史，右僕射王韶為司馬，軍中事皆取決焉； 區處支度，無所凝滯。
On jiazi day, as Sui prepared to take the field, the emperor performed rites at the Imperial Temple and named the Prince of Jin Guang, the Prince of Qin Jun, and Duke of Qinghe Yang Su campaign marshals. Guang advanced from Liuhe, Jun from Xiangyang, Su from Yong'an, Liu Ren'en of Jingzhou from Jiangling, Wang Shiji of Qizhou from Qichun, Han Qihu of Luzhou from Lujiang, He Ruo of Wuzhou from Guangling, and Yan Rong of Hongnong from the Eastern Sea—ninety commanders in all, 518,000 men, all under the Prince of Jin. Their line ran east to the Bohai Sea and west toward Ba and Shu; banners and fleets stretched thousands of li without break. Gao Yong, Left Vice Director, was made chief of staff to the Prince of Jin, and Wang Shao, Right Vice Director, was made chief secretary; all military decisions ran through them; and the allocation of forces and supplies never stalled.
115
十一月，丁卯，隋主親餞將士； 乙亥，至定城，陳師誓眾。
In the eleventh month on dingmao day the Sui emperor personally saw the army off; on yihai he reached Dingcheng, drew up the army, and addressed the troops.
116
4丙子，立皇弟叔榮為新昌王，叔匡為太原王。
4 On bingzi day he made his younger brothers Shurong Prince of Xinchang and Shukuang Prince of Taiyuan.
117
5隋主如河東； 十二月，庚子，還長安。 突厥莫何可汗西擊鄰國，中流矢而卒。 國人立雍虞閭，號頡伽施多那都藍可汗。
5 The Sui emperor traveled to Hedong; in the twelfth month on gengzi day he returned to Chang'an. The Turkic Mohe Kaghan attacked a western neighbor and was struck by an arrow and died in the field. The Turks raised Yongyulü to the throne as Kaghan Jiagshiduonadu.
118
6隋軍臨江，高熲謂行台吏部郎中薛道衡曰：「今茲大舉，江東必可克乎？」 道衡曰：「克之。 嘗聞郭璞有言：『江東分王三百年，復與中國合。』 今此數將周，一也。 主上恭儉勤勞，叔寶荒淫驕侈，二也。 國之安危在所寄任，彼以江總為相，唯事詩酒，拔小人施文慶，委以政事，蕭摩訶、任蠻奴為大將，皆一夫之用耳，三也。 我有道而大，彼無德而小，量其甲士不過十萬，西自巫峽，東至滄海，分之則勢懸而力弱，聚之則守此而失彼，四也。 席捲之勢，事在不疑。」 熲欣然曰：「得君言成敗之理，令人豁然。 本以才學相期，不意籌略乃爾。」
6 When the Sui army reached the Yangtze, Gao Yong asked Xue Daohang of the Field Secretariat's Ministry of Personnel: "With this full-scale campaign, can we take Jiangdong?" Daohang answered: "We can take it. I once heard Guo Pu say: 'The lands east of the Yangtze will be ruled separately for three hundred years, then reunite with the heartland.' That span is nearly complete—first. Our sovereign is reverent, frugal, and tireless, while Chen Shubao is dissolute, arrogant, and wasteful—second. A state's fate rests on those it appoints; they have Jiang Zong as chancellor and care only for wine and verse, they elevate the petty Shi Wenqing to govern affairs, and they put Xiao Mohe and Ren Mannu in command—all men of narrow talent—third. We have the Way and are mighty; they lack virtue and are small; their armored troops cannot exceed one hundred thousand; from Wuxia Gorge west to the Bohai Sea east, divided they are overextended and weak, gathered they cannot hold every point—fourth. Once the tide rolls in, the outcome is not in doubt." Gao Yong said gladly: "Your account of why we shall prevail clears the mind at once. I valued you for scholarship, not knowing your strategic judgment ran so deep."
119
秦王俊督諸軍國屯漢口，為上流節度。 詔以散騎常侍周羅□都督巴峽緣江諸軍事以拒之。
Prince of Qin Jun commanded the allied armies encamped at Hankou, directing the upper Yangtze. An edict named Zhou Luo□, Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, commander of all forces along the Ba-Xia riverfront, to hold them off.
120
楊素引舟師下三峽，軍至流頭灘。 將軍戚昕以青龍百餘艘、守狼尾灘，地勢險峭，隋人患之。 素曰：「勝負大計，在此一舉。 若晝日下船，彼見我虛實，灘流迅激，制不由人，則吾失其便； 不如以夜掩之。」 素新帥黃龍數千艘，銜枚而下，遣開府儀同三司王長襲引步卒自南岸擊昕別柵，大將軍劉仁恩帥甲騎自北岸趣白沙，遲明而至，擊之； 昕敗走，悉俘其眾，勞而遣之，秋毫不犯。
Yang Su led his fleet through the Three Gorges as far as Liutoutan. General Qi Xin held Langwei Beach with more than a hundred Green Dragon ships; the ground was steep and treacherous, and the Sui commanders worried over it. Su said: "The whole campaign turns on this one stroke. If we land by day they will see our strength; the rapids run too fast for us to control, and we will lose the advantage; better to strike under cover of night." Su led several thousand fresh Yellow Dragon ships downstream with the men gagged; he sent Wang Changxi, Honorary Grand Master of the Palace with the Third Rank of Honor, to strike Xin's outpost from the south bank with infantry, and Great General Liu Ren'en to rush Baisha from the north bank with armored cavalry; at dawn they fell upon the enemy; Qi Xin was routed and fled; his whole force was taken, then thanked and released without the least harm.
121
素帥水軍東下，舟艫被江，旌甲曜日。 素坐平乘大船，容貌雄偉，陳人望之，皆懼，曰：「清河公即江神也！」
Su drove his fleet east; the river was packed with ships, banners and armor blazing in the sun. Su stood on a great flat-decked ship, imposing in bearing; the Chen soldiers who saw him were terrified and cried: "The Duke of Qinghe is the god of the river!"
122
江濱鎮戍聞隋軍將至，相繼奏聞； 施文慶、沈客卿並抑而不言。
River garrisons, hearing the Sui army was near, sent report after report; but Shi Wenqing and Shen Keqing buried each report and said nothing.
123
初，上以蕭巖、蕭讞，梁之宗室，擁眾來奔，心忌之，故遠散其眾，以巖為東揚州刺史，讞為吳州刺史； 使領軍任忠出守吳興郡，以襟帶二州。 使南平王嶷鎮江州，永嘉王彥鎮南徐州。 尋召二王赴明年元會，命緣江諸防船艦悉從二王還都，為威勢以示梁人之來者。 由是江中無一斗船，上流諸州兵皆阻楊素軍，不得至。
Earlier the emperor had been wary of Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen, Liang princes who had defected with their followers; he had scattered their men and posted Yan to East Yangzhou and Chen to Wu; he sent Commandant of the Guard Ren Zhong to hold Wuxing and link the two provinces. He posted Prince of Nanping Liao at Jiangzhou and Prince of Yongjia Yan at South Xuzhou. He then summoned both princes to the coming New Year's court and ordered every river-defense ship to return with them to the capital, to impress would-be Liang defectors. Thus not one warship remained on the Yangtze, and upstream provincial troops were all blocked by Yang Su and never reached the front.
124
湘州刺史晉熙王叔文，在職既久，大得人和，上以其據有上流，陰忌之； 自度素與群臣少恩，恐不為用，無可任者，乃擢施文慶為都督、湘州刺史，配以精兵二千，欲令西上； 仍征叔文還朝。 文慶深喜其事，然懼出外之後，執事者持己短長，因進其黨沈客卿以自代。
Prince of Jinxi Shuwen, governor of Xiangzhou, had long held his post and won deep loyalty; because he controlled the upper Yangtze the emperor secretly feared him; judging that Yang Su owed the court ministers little loyalty and might not serve them well, and seeing no better choice, he made Shi Wenqing commander and governor of Xiangzhou with two thousand elite troops and ordered him upstream; and recalled Shuwen to the capital. Wenqing welcomed the post but feared rivals at court would use his absence against him, so he put his ally Shen Keqing forward to succeed him.
125
未發間，二人共掌機密。 護軍將軍樊毅言於僕射袁憲曰：「京口、採石俱是要地，各須銳兵五千，並出金翅二百，緣江上下，以為防備。」 憲及驃騎將軍蕭摩訶皆為以然，乃與文武群臣共議，請如毅策。 施文慶恐無兵從己，廢其述職，而客卿又利文慶之任，己得專權，俱言於朝曰：「必有論義，不假面陳； 但作文啟，即為通奏。」 憲等以為然，二人繼啟入，白帝曰：「此是常事，邊城將帥足以當之。 若出人船，必恐驚擾。」
Before he departed the two men held the reins of power between them. Colonel of the Guard Fan Yi told Vice Director Yuan Xian: "Jingkou and Caishi are both vital; each needs five thousand crack troops and two hundred Golden Wing ships patrolling the river." Yuan Xian and Flying Cavalry General Xiao Mohe agreed; they took the proposal to the full court and asked that Fan Yi's plan be adopted. Shi Wenqing feared that dispatching troops would leave him none to command and cost him his new post; Keqing, wanting Wenqing gone so he could rule alone, joined him at court in saying: "If debate is needed, there is no need to appear in person; write a memorial and it will reach the throne." Yuan Xian and the others agreed; the two men sent memorial after memorial telling the emperor: "This is routine; frontier commanders can handle it. Sending out ships and troops will only spread panic."
126
及隋軍臨江，間諜驟至，憲等殷勤奏請，至於再三。 文慶曰：「元會將逼，南郊之日，太子多從； 今若出兵，事便廢闕。」 帝曰：「今且出兵，若北邊無事，因以水軍從郊，何為不可！」 又曰：「如此則聲聞鄰境，便謂國弱。」 後又以貨動江總，總內為之遊說。 帝重違其意，而迫群官之請，乃令付外詳議。 總又抑憲等，由是議久不決。
When the Sui army reached the Yangtze, reports flooded in; Yuan Xian and his allies pleaded urgently again and again. Wenqing said: "The New Year's court is at hand, and on the day of the Southern Suburb rites the crown prince must attend; if we mobilize now the ceremonies will be ruined." The emperor said: "Mobilize for now; if the north stays quiet, the fleet can still join the suburban rites—why not?" Wenqing added: "Word will reach our neighbors and they will call the realm weak. They then bribed Jiang Zong, who pressed their case within the palace. The emperor hated to cross them, but under pressure from the officials he referred the matter to the outer court for full debate. Jiang Zong again blocked Yuan Xian and his allies, and the debate dragged on without resolution.
127
帝從容謂侍臣曰：「王氣在此。 齊兵三來，周師再來，無不摧敗。 彼何為者邪！」 都官尚書孔范曰：「長江天塹，古以為限隔南北，今日虜軍豈能飛渡邪！ 邊將欲作功勞，妄言事急。 臣每患官卑，虜若渡江，臣定作太尉公矣！」 或妄言北軍馬死，范曰：「此是我馬，何為而死！」 帝笑以為然，故不為深備，奏伎、縱酒、賦詩不輟。
The emperor told his attendants at ease: "Imperial fortune rests here. Qi invaded three times and Zhou twice, and each time they were shattered. What can they hope to do?" Minister of Justice Kong Fan said: "The Yangtze is Heaven's moat, the ancient boundary between north and south—can the northern army fly across it? Frontier commanders crave glory and cry wolf. I have always regretted my humble rank—if they cross the river I shall surely be made Grand Commandant Duke!" When someone claimed the northern horses were dying, Fan said: "Those are my horses—why should they die?" The emperor laughed and agreed, and so made no serious defense; he kept up music, feasting, and verse without pause.
128
7是歲，吐谷渾裨王拓跋木彌請以千餘家降隋。 隋主曰：「溥天之下，皆是朕臣，朕之撫育，俱存仁孝。 渾賊惛狂，妻子懷怖，並思歸化，自救危亡。 然叛夫背父，不可收納。 又其本意正自避死，今若違拒，又復不仁。 若更有音信，但宜慰撫，任其自拔，不須出兵應接。 其妹夫及甥欲來，亦任其意，不勞勸誘也。」
7 That year Tuoba Mimi, a Tuyuhun subordinate prince, asked to surrender to Sui with more than a thousand households. The Sui emperor said: "All under Heaven are my subjects; I nurture them all in benevolence and duty. The Tuyuhun king runs mad; wives and children tremble and long to come home and save themselves. Yet a traitor who turns against his lord and kin cannot simply be welcomed. Their aim is only to live; to turn them away now would be cruel. If more word comes, comfort them and let them flee on their own; do not send troops to meet them. If brothers-in-law and nephews wish to come, let them; do not press them."
129
8河南王移茲裒卒，隋主令其弟樹歸襲統其眾。」
8 When Henan King Yizibei died, the Sui emperor had his younger brother Shugui succeed him and take command of his people.”