1
資治通鑑第179卷卷第一百七十九
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 179
2
【隋紀三】起上章灘，盡昭陽大淵獻，凡四年。
Sui Records 3, from the Shangzhangtan year through the Zhaoyang Dayuanxian year—a span of four years.
3
春，二月，熙州人李英林反。 三月，辛卯，以揚州總管司馬河內張衡為行軍總管，帥步騎五萬討平之。
In spring, in the second month, Li Yinglin of Xizhou rose in rebellion. In the third month, on the day xinmao, Zhang Heng of Henei—chief administrator under the Yangzhou military governor—was appointed campaigning commander and led fifty thousand foot soldiers and cavalry to suppress and pacify the revolt.
4
賀若弼復坐事下獄，上數之曰：「公有三太猛：嫉妒心太猛，自是、非人心太猛，無上心太猛。」 既而釋之。 他日，上謂侍臣曰：「弼將伐陳，謂高熲曰：『陳叔寶可平也。 不作高鳥盡、良弓藏邪？』 熲云『必不然。』 及平陳，遽索內史，又索僕射。 我語熲曰：『功臣正宜授勳官，不可預朝政。』 弼後語熲：『皇太子於己，出口入耳，無所不盡。 公終久何必不得弼力，何脈脈邪！』 意圖廣陵，又圖荊州，皆作亂之地，意終不改也。」
He Ruobi was imprisoned again over some offense. The emperor enumerated his faults: "You have three fatal excesses: jealousy runs too deep in you, you insist too stubbornly on being right and everyone else wrong, and you show far too little deference to your superiors." He was soon released. One day the emperor told his attendants: "When Bi was preparing to attack Chen, he said to Gao Yong: 'Chen Shubao can be subdued. Surely you won't treat me like the proverb says—when the high birds are gone, the good bows are put away?' Yong answered: 'Of course not.' But once Chen was subdued, he immediately demanded the Secretariat directorship, then the vice-premiership as well. I told Yong: 'Men who have earned merit should receive honorary posts—not seats in government.' Later Bi told Yong: 'The Crown Prince confides in me completely—nothing he says stays between us. In time you'll surely need my help—why play these secretive games?' He was fixated on Guangling and Jingzhou—both notorious centers of unrest—and he never changed."
5
夏，四月，壬戌，突厥達頭可汗犯塞，詔命晉王廣、楊素出靈武道，漢王諒、史萬歲出馬邑道以擊之。
In summer, the fourth month, on the day renxu, Tardu Khan of the Turks raided the border. The emperor ordered Prince Jin Yang Guang and Yang Su out by the Lingwu route, and Prince Han Yang Liang and Shi Wansui by the Mayi route to drive him back.
6
長孫晟帥降人為秦州行軍總管，受晉王節度。 晟以突厥飲泉，易可行毒，因取諸藥毒水上流，突厥人畜飲之多死，於是大驚曰：「天雨惡水，其亡我乎！」 因夜遁。 晟追之，斬首千餘級。
Changsun Sheng took command of surrendered troops as campaigning commander of Qinzhou, under Prince Jin's orders. Knowing the Turks drank from a spring where poison could be introduced upstream, Sheng drugged the headwaters. Turk men and beasts drank and died in large numbers. Terror spread: "Heaven has sent poisoned rain—are we being destroyed?" That night they fled. Sheng gave chase and took more than a thousand heads.
7
史萬歲出塞，至大斤山，與虜相遇。 達頭遣使問：「隋將為誰？」 候騎報：「史萬歲也。」 突厥復問：「得非敦煌戍卒乎？」 候騎曰：「是也。」 達頭懼而引去。 萬歲馳追百餘里，縱擊，大破之，斬數千級； 逐北，入磧數百里，虜遠遁而還。 詔遣長孫晟復還大利城，安撫新附。
Shi Wansui crossed the border to Mount Dajin and met the enemy there. Tardu sent a messenger to ask: "Who commands the Sui forces?" The scouts replied: "Shi Wansui." The Turks pressed: "Isn't he the man from the Dunhuang garrison?" The scouts confirmed: "Yes, that's him." Tardu was terrified and pulled back. Wansui chased them hard for more than a hundred li, smashed their line, and took several thousand heads; He drove the fleeing northerners deep into the desert for hundreds of li before turning back once they had scattered beyond reach. The court sent Changsun Sheng back to Dali Fort to settle the newly submitted tribes.
8
達頭復遣其弟子俟利伐從磧東攻啟民，上又發兵助啟民守要路； 俟利伐退走入磧。 啟民上表陳謝曰：「大隋聖人可汗憐養百姓，如天無不覆，地無不載。 染干如枯木更葉，枯骨更肉，千世萬世，常為大隋典羊馬也。」 帝又遣趙仲卿為啟民築金河、定襄二城。
Tardu again sent his nephew Helifa to strike Qimin from east of the desert; the emperor also sent troops to help Qimin hold the critical passes; Helifa fell back into the desert. Qimin sent a memorial of thanks: "The Sage Khan of Great Sui nurtures his people as heaven covers all and earth bears all. I, Ran'gan, am like dead wood sprouting new leaves, bare bones clothed in flesh again; for ten thousand generations I shall herd sheep and horses for Great Sui." The emperor also dispatched Zhao Zhongqing to build the Jinhe and Dingxiang fortresses for Qimin.
9
秦孝王俊久疾，未能起，遣使奉表陳謝。 上謂其使者曰：「我戮力創茲大業，作訓垂范，庶臣下守之。 汝為吾子，而欲敗之，不知何以責汝！」 俊慚怖，疾遂篤，乃復拜俊上柱國； 六月，丁丑，俊薨。 上哭之，數聲而止。 俊所為侈麗之物，悉命焚之。 王府僚佐請立碑，上曰：「欲求名，一卷史書足矣，何用碑為！ 若子孫不能保家，徒與人作鎮石耳！」 俊子浩，崔妃所生也； 庶子曰湛。 群臣希旨，奏稱：「漢之栗姬子榮、郭后子強皆隨母廢，今秦王二子，母皆有罪，不合承嗣。」 上從之，以秦國官為喪主。
Prince Qin Xiaojun had been bedridden with illness for a long time and sent an envoy with a memorial of apology. The emperor told the envoy: "I labored to build this empire and set an example for those who come after, expecting my officials to honor that legacy. You are my own son, yet you would throw it away—I scarcely know how to answer for you!" Jun was stricken with shame and dread; his illness worsened, and the emperor restored him as Honorary Pillar of State; In the sixth month, on the day dingchou, Jun died. The emperor wept briefly and stopped. Every luxurious thing Jun had accumulated was ordered burned. His staff asked to erect a stele; the emperor said: "If you want a name, one page in the histories is enough—why need a stone monument? If your descendants cannot hold the house together, the stone will only anchor someone else's gate!" Jun's son Hao was born to Consort Cui; His son by a concubine was Zhan. Flattering the emperor, ministers reported: "In Han times, Liu Rong son of Lady Li and Liu Qiang son of Empress Guo lost succession when their mothers fell; both sons of Prince Qin have mothers guilty of offenses and should not inherit." The emperor agreed, making a Qin official chief mourner instead.
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初，上使太子勇參決軍國政事，時有損益，上皆納之。 勇性寬厚，率意任情，無矯飾之行。 上性節儉，勇嘗文飾蜀鎧，上見而不悅，戒之曰：「自古帝王未有好奢侈而能久長者。 汝為儲後，當以儉約為先，乃能奉承宗廟。 吾昔日衣服，各留一物，時復觀之以自警戒。 恐汝以今日皇太子之心忘昔時之事，故賜汝以我舊所帶刀一枚，並菹醬一合，汝昔作上士時常所食也。 若存記前事，應知我心。」
At first the emperor had Crown Prince Yong take part in military and state affairs; the emperor accepted his suggestions whenever he offered them. Yong was open and generous by nature, following his own inclinations without affectation. The emperor lived simply; Yong once had Shu armor ornamented with designs. The emperor disapproved and warned him: "No emperor in history who loved extravagance lasted long. As heir, you must make thrift your first duty if you hope to serve the ancestral temple. I kept one piece from each set of old clothes and look at them now and then to remind myself. I fear that as Crown Prince you'll forget humbler days. So I give you the sword I once wore and a jar of pickled sauce—the food you ate as a senior gentleman. If you remember where you came from, you'll understand what I mean."
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後遇冬至，百官皆詣勇，勇張樂受賀。 上知之，問朝臣曰：「近聞至日內外百官相帥朝東宮，此何禮也？」 太常少卿辛但對曰：「於東宮，乃賀也，不得言朝。」 上曰：「賀者正可三數十人，隨情各去，何乃有司徵召，一時普集！ 太子法服設樂以待之，可乎？」 因下詔曰：「禮有等差，君臣不雜。 皇太子雖居上嗣，義兼臣子，而諸方岳牧正冬朝賀，任土作貢，別上東宮； 事非典則，宜悉停斷！」 自是恩寵始衰，漸生猜阻。
Later, at the winter solstice, officials flocked to Yong's residence; he held music and accepted their congratulations. Learning of this, the emperor asked his ministers: "I've heard that at the solstice officials inside and outside the court all went together to the Eastern Palace—what kind of ceremony is that?" Director of Rituals Xin Dan answered: "At the Eastern Palace it was congratulations, not a formal court audience." The emperor said: "A few dozen might offer congratulations as they please—why did the offices summon everyone at once? The Crown Prince in full ceremonial dress with music laid on—is that acceptable?" He then issued an edict: "Rites observe rank; subjects must not mingle with the sovereign as equals. Though heir apparent, the Crown Prince is still a subject; yet regional governors sent solstice greetings and tribute separately to the Eastern Palace— This is irregular and must cease entirely!" From then his favor began to fade, and mistrust grew between them.
12
勇多內寵，昭訓雲氏尤幸。 其妃元氏無寵，遇心疾，二日而薨，獨孤後意有他故，其責望勇。 自是雲昭訓專內政，生長寧王儼、平原王裕、安成王筠； 高良娣生安平王嶷、襄城王恪； 王良媛生高陽王該、建安王韶； 成姬生穎川王煚； 後宮生孝實、孝范。 後彌不平，頗遣人伺察，求勇過惡。 晉王廣，彌自矯飾，唯與蕭妃居處，後庭有子皆不育，後由是數稱廣賢。 大臣用事者，廣皆傾心與交。 上及後每遣左右至廣所，無貴賤，廣必與蕭妃迎門接引，為設美饌，申以厚禮； 婢僕往來者，無不稱其仁孝。 上與後嘗幸其第，廣悉屏匿美姬於別室，唯留老醜者，衣以縵彩，給事左右； 屏帳改用縑素； 故絕樂器之弦，不令拂去塵埃。 上見之，以為不好聲色，還宮，以語侍臣，意甚喜。 侍臣皆稱慶，由是愛之特異諸子。
Yong kept many favored concubines; Lady Yun, of Zhaoxun rank, was his favorite. His wife Lady Yuan had fallen out of favor; she took ill with heart trouble and died within two days. Empress Dugu suspected foul play and blamed Yong. Thereafter Lady Yun Zhaoxun ruled the inner household. She bore Prince Yan of Changning, Prince Yu of Pingyuan, and Prince Jun of Ancheng; Lady Gao bore Prince Ni of Anping and Prince Ke of Xiangcheng; Lady Wang bore Prince Gai of Gaoyang and Prince Shao of Jian'an; Lady Cheng bore Prince Jiong of Yingchuan; Lesser palace women bore Xiaoshi and Xiaofan. The empress grew more bitter and sent agents to watch for Yong's missteps. Prince Jin Yang Guang, by contrast, practiced careful self-restraint; he lived alone with Consort Xiao and let no sons from the rear quarters survive—so the empress often praised his virtue. Every influential minister Guang cultivated with deliberate warmth. Whenever the emperor or empress sent attendants to Guang—high or low—he and Consort Xiao met them at the gate, served fine food, and lavished attention on them; Every servant who passed through praised his kindness and filial devotion. When the emperor and empress visited, Guang hid every beautiful woman in a side room and kept only plain, elderly attendants dressed in coarse silk nearby; He replaced embroidered screens with plain hemp cloth; He broke the strings of his instruments and left the dust on them undisturbed. The emperor took this as proof Guang scorned pleasure and music; back at the palace he told his attendants, greatly pleased. His attendants offered congratulations; from that point his favor surpassed every other son.
13
上密令善相者來和遍視諸子，對曰：「晉王眉上雙骨隆起，貴不可言。」 上又問上儀同三司韋鼎：「我諸兒誰得嗣位？」 對曰：「至尊、皇后所最愛者當與之，非臣敢預知也。」 上笑曰：「卿不肯顯言邪！」
The emperor secretly had the physiognomist Lai He examine each son. Lai reported: "The twin bones above Prince Jin's brows rise high—fortune beyond telling." He also asked Senior Colonel Wei Ding: "Which of my sons will inherit the throne?" Wei answered: "Whoever Your Majesty and the empress love most—that is beyond my knowing." The emperor laughed: "So you won't say it outright!"
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晉王廣美姿儀，性敏慧，沉深嚴重； 好學，善屬文； 敬接朝士，禮極卑屈； 由是聲名籍甚，冠於諸王。
Prince Jin Yang Guang was handsome and quick-witted, grave and reserved by nature; He loved learning and wrote well; He treated court gentlemen with extreme deference; His reputation soared above every other prince.
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廣為揚州總管，入朝，將還鎮，入宮辭後，伏地流涕，後亦泫然泣下。 廣曰：「臣性識愚下，常守平生昆弟之意，不知何罪失愛東宮，恆蓄成怒，欲加屠陷。 每恐讒譖生於投杼，鴆毒遇於杯勺，是用勤憂積念，懼履危亡。」 後忿然曰：「睍地伐漸不可耐，我為之娶元氏女，竟不以夫婦禮待之。 專寵阿雲，使有如許豚犬。 前新婦遇毒而夭，我亦不能窮治，何故復於汝發如此意！ 我在尚爾，我死後，當魚肉汝乎！ 每思東宮竟無正嫡，至尊千秋萬歲之後，遣汝等兄弟向阿雲兒前再拜問訊，此是幾許苦痛邪！」 廣又拜，嗚咽不能止，後亦悲不自勝。 自是後決意欲廢勇立廣矣。
As Yangzhou military governor Guang came to court; before returning to his post he entered the palace to farewell the empress. He fell prostrate and wept; the empress wept too. Guang said: "I am slow-witted and have always kept brotherly affection—but somehow I've lost the Crown Prince's favor. He nurses a settled anger and wants my destruction. I live in dread of slander—like the mother who doubted her son—and poison in every cup. Anxiety fills my days; I fear I am walking toward death." The empress said furiously: "Min'diwo grows impossible—I chose a Yuan girl for his wife, and he never treated her as a wife should be treated. He dotes on A-Yun alone and fills the palace with worthless brats. When the new bride died by poison I couldn't even pursue it fully—why must you turn such thoughts toward me now! While I'm alive it comes to this—as when I'm gone, won't they cut you to pieces like fish on a board! Every time I think the Eastern Palace has no legitimate heir—when the Emperor passes, you'll bow before A-Yun's brat—what humiliation is that!" Guang bowed again, sobbing uncontrollably; the empress could not contain her grief. From that moment she resolved to depose Yong and make Guang heir.
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廣與安州總管宇文述素善，欲述近己，奏為壽州刺史。 廣尤親任總管司馬張衡，衡為廣畫奪宗之策。 廣問計於述，述曰：「皇太子失愛已久，令德不聞於天下。 大王仁孝著稱，才能蓋世，數經將領，頻有大功； 主上之與內宮，鹹所鍾愛，四海之望，實歸大王。 然廢立者國家大事，處人父子骨肉之間，誠未易謀也。 然能移主上意者，唯楊素耳，素所與謀者唯其弟約。 述雅知約，請朝京師，與約相見，共圖之。」 廣大悅，多繼金寶，資述入關。
Yang Guang had long been close to Yuwen Shu, the regional commander of Anzhou. Wanting Shu at his side, he memorialized the throne to have him appointed prefect of Shouzhou. Guang placed particular trust in the commander's aide-de-camp, Zhang Heng, who drew up for him a plan to wrest away the heirship. Guang asked Shu for advice. Shu said, "The crown prince has long fallen from grace, and his virtue is unheard of anywhere in the empire. Your Highness is famed for benevolence and filial piety, and your abilities outshine the age. You have led armies time and again and won great victories one after another. Both His Majesty and the inner palace hold you dear, and the hopes of the whole realm truly rest with Your Highness. Yet to depose one heir and install another is a grave affair of state, and it stands between a father and his own flesh and blood—truly no easy thing to scheme over. Still, the only man who can turn the emperor's mind is Yang Su, and the only man Su ever plots with is his younger brother Yue. Shu had known Yue well for years. He asked permission to go to the capital, met with Yue, and together they laid plans. Guang was delighted and gave Shu a great store of gold and jewels to fund his journey through the pass into the capital."
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約時為大理少卿，素凡有所為，皆先籌於約而後行之。 述請約，盛陳器玩，與之酣暢，因而共博，每陽不勝，所繼金寶盡輸之約。 約所得既多，稍以謝述。 述因曰：「此晉王之賜，令述與公為歡樂耳。」 約大驚曰：「何為爾？」 述因通廣意，說之曰：「夫守正履道，固人臣之常致； 反經合義，亦達者之令圖。 自古賢人君子，莫不與時消息以避禍患。 公之兄弟，功名蓋世，當途用事有年矣，朝臣為足下家所屈辱者，可勝數哉！ 又，儲後以所欲不行，每切齒於執政； 公雖自結於人主，而欲危公者固亦多矣！ 主上一旦棄群臣，公亦何以取庇！ 今皇太子失愛於皇后，主上素有廢黜之心，此公所知也。 今若請立晉王，在賢兄之口耳。 誠能因此時建大功，王必永銘骨髓，斯則去累卵之危，成太山之安也。」 約然之，因以白素。 素聞之，大喜，撫掌曰：「吾之智思，殊不及此，賴汝啟予。」 約知其計行，復謂素曰：「今皇后之言，上無不用，宜因機會早自結托，則長保榮祿，傳祚子孫。 兄若遲疑，一旦有變，令太子用事，恐禍至無日矣！」 素從之。
Yue was then deputy director of the Court of Judicial Review. In whatever Yang Su did, he always consulted Yue first and only then acted. Shu invited Yue out, spread before him a lavish array of curios and fine objects, and they drank deep together. Then they gambled, and each time Shu pretended to lose, handing over every piece of gold and treasure he had brought. After Yue had won a sizable sum, he began to thank Shu in earnest. Shu then said, "These were gifts from the Prince of Jin, sent so that you and I might enjoy ourselves together." Yue was greatly alarmed and said, "What is the meaning of this?" Shu then revealed Guang's intentions and pressed his case: "To hold to what is upright and walk the proper path is, to be sure, the usual duty of a minister. Yet to bend the letter of the law when righteousness demands it is also the shrewd course of a man who sees clearly. From ancient times, every worthy man and gentleman has shifted with the times to keep clear of disaster. Your brothers' fame and deeds tower over the age. They have held power at court for years, and the officials your house has humbled are beyond counting! Moreover, the heir apparent, denied what he wants, grinds his teeth at those who govern. Though you have secured your own ties to the throne, there are many who would gladly see you ruined! If the emperor should one day cast his ministers aside, where will you turn for shelter? The crown prince has already lost the empress's favor, and the emperor has long wished to remove him—you know this as well as anyone. If you now petition to make the Prince of Jin heir, it would take no more than a word from your distinguished brother. If you can render a great service at this moment, the prince will remember it to his marrow. You will cast off danger piled like eggs one atop another and win security firm as Mount Tai." Yue agreed and reported the whole matter to Yang Su. When Su heard this, he was overjoyed. Clapping his hands, he said, "My own wit never reached so far—I owe this to you for opening my eyes." Yue, seeing that the plan would work, added, "The empress's words—the emperor never refuses them. You should seize this chance early and bind yourself to her. Then you will keep rank and emolument for life and pass them on to your children. Brother, if you delay, and the crown prince one day takes power, I fear ruin will come upon you almost at once!" Su took his advice.
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後數日，素入侍宴，微稱「晉王孝悌恭儉，有類至尊」。 用此揣後意。 後泣曰：「公言是也！ 吾兒大孝愛，每聞至尊及我遣內使到，必迎於境首； 言及違離，未嘗不泣。 又其新婦亦大可憐，我使婢去，常與之同寢共食。 豈若睍地伐與阿雲對坐，終日酣宴，暱近小人，疑阻骨肉！ 我所以益憐阿{麻女}者，常恐其潛殺之。」 素既知後意，因盛言太子不才。 後遂遺素金，使贊上廢立。
A few days later, while attending the emperor at a banquet, Yang Su casually remarked that the Prince of Jin was filial, brotherly, respectful, and frugal—in every way like the emperor himself. He used this to sound out the empress's mind. The empress wept and said, "You speak the truth! That son of mine is deeply filial and loving. Whenever he hears that His Majesty or I have sent palace envoys, he always goes to the border of his domain to meet them. When he speaks of our separation, he never fails to weep. His new bride, too, is truly to be pitied. I send maids to her, and she often sleeps and eats together with them. How unlike Modi and A-Yun, sitting face to face and feasting all day, dallying with petty men and sowing distrust among their own kin! The reason I pity A-ma all the more is that I live in constant fear Modi will secretly have him killed." Once Su knew the empress's mind, he went on at length about the crown prince's lack of ability. "The empress then sent Yang Su gold and had him press the emperor to depose the heir and install another."
19
勇頗知其謀，憂懼，計無所出，使新豐人王輔賢造諸厭勝； 又於後園作庶人村，室屋卑陋，勇時於中寢息，布衣草褥，冀以當之。 上知勇不自安，在仁壽宮，使楊素觀勇所為。 素至東宮，偃息未入，勇束帶待之，素故久不進，以激怒勇； 勇銜之，形於言色。 素還言：「勇怨望，恐有他變，願深防察！」 上聞素譖毀，甚疑之。 後又遣人伺覘東宮，纖介事皆聞奏，因加誣飾以成其罪。
Yong came to know something of the plot. Anxious and afraid, and with no plan to hand, he had Wang Fujian of Xinfeng prepare various apotropaic charms. He also built in the rear garden a Commoners' Village of low, shabby houses. Yong would sometimes sleep there on coarse cloth and straw bedding, hoping by this to turn fate aside. The emperor knew Yong was ill at ease. While staying at Renshou Palace, he sent Yang Su to observe what Yong was doing. When Su reached the Eastern Palace, he pretended to rest and would not go in. Yong girded himself and waited, but Su deliberately kept him waiting a long time to provoke him. Yong nursed the affront, and it showed in his words and face. On his return Su reported, "Yong is resentful and discontent. I fear he may attempt something else—Your Majesty should guard against him with the utmost care!" The emperor, having heard slander again and again, grew deeply suspicious. The empress also sent men to spy on the Eastern Palace. The smallest matters were all reported to the throne, and false embellishments were piled on until his guilt was complete.
20
上遂疏忌勇，乃於玄武門達至德門量置候人，以伺動靜，皆隨事奏聞。 又，東宮宿衛之人，侍官以上，名籍悉令屬諸衛府，有勇健者鹹屏去之。 出左衛率蘇孝慈為淅州刺史，勇愈不悅。 太史令袁充言於上曰：「臣觀天文，皇太子當廢。」 上曰：「玄象久見，群臣不敢言耳。」 充，君正之子也。
The emperor thereupon grew cold and wary toward Yong. He posted lookouts in numbers all along the route from Xuanyang Gate to Zhide Gate to watch every movement, and each incident was reported as it happened. Moreover, the Eastern Palace's resident guards, from chamberlains upward, were all transferred on the rolls to the various guard offices, and the strongest among them were all removed. Zu Xiaoci, commander of the Left Guard, was sent out as prefect of Xizhou, and Yong grew even more unhappy. Yuan Chong, the director of the Astronomical Bureau, said to the emperor, "Your servant has read the heavens: the crown prince is fated to be deposed." The emperor said, "Those celestial signs have long been plain. The officials simply did not dare speak of them." Chong was the son of Junzheng.
21
晉王廣又令督王府軍事姑臧段達私賂東宮幸臣姬威，令伺太子動靜，密告楊素； 於是內外喧謗，過失日聞。 段達因脅姬威曰：「東宮過失，主上皆知之矣。 已奉密詔，定當廢立； 君能告之，則大富貴！」 威許諾，即上書告之。
The Prince of Jin, Guang, also had Duan Da of Guzang, who oversaw the princely establishment's military affairs, secretly bribe Ji Wei, a favored minister of the Eastern Palace, to watch the crown prince's movements and report them in secret to Yang Su. Slander then swelled inside and outside the palace, and fresh faults were reported day after day. Duan Da then threatened Ji Wei, saying, "The crown prince's faults—the emperor already knows them all. A secret edict has already been issued. His removal and replacement are settled. If you will report them, great wealth and rank await you!" Ji Wei agreed and at once submitted a written denunciation.
22
秋，九月，壬子，上至自仁壽宮。 翌日，御大興殿，謂侍臣曰：「我新還京師，應開懷歡樂； 不知何意翻邑然愁苦！」 吏部尚書牛弘對曰：「臣等不稱職，故至尊憂勞。」 上既數聞譖毀，疑朝臣悉知之，故於眾中發問，冀聞太子之過。 弘對既失旨，上因作色，謂東宮官屬曰：「仁壽宮此去不遠，而令我每還京師，嚴備仗衛，如入敵國。 我為下利，不解衣臥。 昨夜欲近廁，故在後房恐有警急，還移就前殿，豈非爾輩欲壞我家國邪！」 於是執太子左庶子唐令則等數人付所司訊鞠； 命楊素陳東宮事狀以告近臣。
In autumn, in the ninth month, on the day Renzi, the emperor returned from Renshou Palace. The next day he took his seat in the Daxing Hall and said to the attending ministers, "I have just returned to the capital and ought to open my heart in joy. Yet for some reason I am instead sunk in gloom and sorrow!" Niu Hong, minister of personnel, replied, "We have failed in our duties, and that is why Your Majesty is troubled and weary." The emperor had heard slander again and again and suspected that the whole court knew of it. He therefore raised the question in public, hoping someone would speak of the crown prince's faults. Hong's answer missed the mark. The emperor's face darkened, and he said to the Eastern Palace officials, "Renshou Palace is not far away, yet every time I return to the capital I must arm my guards as if entering enemy country. When I need to relieve myself, I dare not even undress to sleep. Last night, when I wanted to go to the privy, I feared something urgent in the rear chambers and moved to the front hall. Is this not because you mean to ruin my house and my realm?" He then seized several men, including the crown prince's left privy counselor Tang Lingze, and handed them over to the authorities for interrogation. He ordered Yang Su to lay out the full account of the Eastern Palace and report it to the ministers closest to him.
23
素乃顯言之曰：「臣奉敕向京，令皇太子檢校劉居士餘黨。 太子奉詔，作色奮厲，骨肉飛騰，語臣云：『居士黨盡伏法，遣我何處窮討！ 爾作右僕射，委寄不輕，自檢校之，何關我事！』 又云：『昔大事不遂，我先被誅，今作天子，竟乃令我不如諸弟，一事以上，不得自遂！』 因長歎回視云：『我大覺身妨。』」 上曰：「此兒不堪承嗣久矣，皇后恆勸我廢之。 我以布衣時所生，地復居長，望其漸改，隱忍至今。 勇嘗指皇后侍兒謂人曰：『是皆我物。』 此言幾許異事！ 其婦初亡，我深疑其遇毒，嘗責之，勇即懟曰：『會殺元孝矩。』 此欲害我而遷怒耳。 長寧初生，朕與皇后共抱養之，自懷彼此，連遣來索。 且雲定興女，在外私合而生，想此由來，何必是其體胤！ 昔晉太子取屠家女，其兒即好屠割。 今倘非類，便亂宗祏。 我雖德慚堯、舜，終不以萬姓付不肖子！ 我恆畏其加害，如防大敵； 今欲廢之以安天下！」
Su then spoke openly: "Your servant, by imperial order, came to the capital and instructed the crown prince to investigate the remaining followers of Liu Jushi. The crown prince received the edict, changed color, and flared up in fury until his whole body seemed to bristle. He told me, 'Liu Jushi's party has already been executed to the last man—where am I supposed to hunt them down! You are the right vice director. The trust placed in you is no small thing—investigate it yourself. What has that to do with me!' He also said, 'When the great enterprise failed before, I was the first marked for death. Now that I am heir to the throne, he still makes me less than my younger brothers—not in one thing may I have my way!' Then he sighed deeply, looked back, and said, 'I feel more and more that I am in the way.'" The emperor said, "This son has long been unfit to succeed me. The empress has constantly urged me to remove him. He was born when I was still a commoner, and he is my eldest besides. I hoped he would mend by degrees, and so I have borne with him until now. Yong once pointed at the empress's maids and said to others, 'Those are all mine.' What strange words are these! When his wife first died, I strongly suspected poison. I once rebuked him, and Yong shot back, 'I will kill Yuan Xiaoju.' He meant to harm me and was merely venting his rage on someone else. When Changning was first born, the empress and I together held and reared him, yet he kept us at a distance in his heart and sent again and again to take the child back. Moreover, it is said she is the daughter of Yun Dingxing, born from a secret union abroad. Given such origins, why must she be my own flesh and blood! In old times the Jin crown prince took a butcher's daughter, and his son delighted in slaughtering and carving flesh. If today he is not of the same kind, he will throw the ancestral temple into disorder. Though my virtue falls short of Yao and Shun, I will never hand the myriad people over to an unworthy son! I have lived in constant fear that he would harm me, as if guarding against a great enemy. Now I mean to remove him so that the realm may be secure!"
24
左衛大將軍五原公元旻諫曰：「廢立大事，詔旨若行，後悔無及。 讒言罔極，惟陛下察之。」
Yuan Min, Duke of Wuyuan and general of the Left Guard, remonstrated: "To depose one heir and install another is a grave matter. If the edict goes forth, regret will come too late. Slander knows no bounds. I beg Your Majesty to look into it with care."
25
上不應，命姬威悉陳太子罪惡。 威對曰：「太子由來與臣語，唯意在驕奢，且云：『若有諫者，正當斬之，不殺百許人，自然永息。』 營起台殿，四時不輟。 前蘇孝慈解左衛率，太子奮髯揚肘曰：『大丈夫會當有一日，終不忘之，決當快意。』 又宮內所須，尚書多執法不與，輒怒曰：『僕射以下，吾會戮一二人，使知慢我之禍。』 每云：『至尊惡我多側庶，高緯、陳叔寶豈孽子乎！」 嘗令師姥卜吉凶，語臣云：『至尊忌在十八年，此期促矣。』」 上泫然曰：「誰非父母生，乃至於此！ 朕近覽《齊書》，見高歡縱其兒子，不勝忿憤，安可傚尤邪！」 於是禁勇及諸子，部分收其黨與。 楊素舞文巧詆，鍛煉以成其獄。
The emperor made no reply. He ordered Ji Wei to set forth in full the crown prince's crimes. Ji Wei replied, "In all his talk with me, the crown prince has cared only for arrogance and luxury. He has said, 'If anyone remonstrates, he should simply be beheaded. Kill a hundred or so, and naturally all will fall silent forever. He builds terraces and halls without cease through all four seasons. When Su Xiaoci was removed as commander of the Left Guard, the crown prince stroked his beard and threw back his elbow, saying, 'A real man will have his day. I will not forget this—I shall have my satisfaction yet.' Moreover, when the palace needed supplies, the Secretariat often upheld the law and refused them. He would rage and say, 'From the vice directors down, I will kill one or two so they learn the cost of slighting me.' He constantly said, 'His Majesty dislikes that I have many sons by concubines—were Gao Wei and Chen Shubao not sons by secondary wives!' He once had a divining crone read his fortune and told me, 'His Majesty's fatal year falls in the eighteenth year of the cycle—that day is close at hand.'" The emperor said through tears, "Who is not born of parents—yet to come to this! I have lately been reading the Book of Qi and saw how Gao Huan indulged his son. I could not contain my anger. How could we follow so foul an example!" With that, Yang Yong and his sons were placed under confinement, and a portion of their associates were taken into custody. Yang Su manipulated the written record with cunning calumny and fabricated evidence until the prosecution was complete.
26
居數日，有司承素意，奏元旻常曲事於勇，情存附托，在仁壽宮，勇使所親裴弘以書與旻，題云：「勿令人見」。 上曰：「朕在仁壽宮，有纖介事，東宮必知，疾於驛馬，怪之甚久，豈非此徒邪！」 遣武士執旻於仗。 右衛大將軍元冑時當下直，不去，因奏曰：「臣向不下直者，為防元旻耳。」 上以旻及裴弘付獄。
A few days later, the judicial authorities, acting on Yang Su's wishes, reported that Yuan Min had long fawned upon Yong and kept himself ready to serve him. At Renshou Palace, Yong had his confidant Pei Hong deliver a letter to Min with the inscription: "Do not let anyone see this." The Emperor said, "Whenever I am at Renshou Palace, even the smallest affair reaches the Eastern Palace sooner than a post horse. I have found that strange for a long time—surely it is these men!" He then sent armed guards to arrest Yuan Min at his post of duty. Right Guard General Yuan Zhou was scheduled to leave his shift but stayed on, then submitted a memorial: "The reason I did not go off duty was to keep watch over Yuan Min." The Emperor had Min and Pei Hong thrown into prison.
27
先是，勇見老枯槐，問：「此堪何用？」 或對曰：「古槐尤宜取火。」 時衛士皆佩火燧，勇命工造數千枚，欲以分賜左右； 至是，獲於庫。 又藥藏局貯艾數斛，索得之，大以為怪，以問姬威，威曰：「太子此意別有所在，至尊在仁壽宮，太子常飼馬千匹，云：『徑往守城門，自然餓死。』」 素以威言詰勇，勇不服，曰：「竊聞公家馬數萬匹，勇忝備太子，馬千匹，乃是反乎！」 素又發東宮服玩，似加琱飾者，悉陳之於庭，以示文武群官，為太子之罪。 上及皇后迭遣使責問勇，勇不服。
Previously, Yang Yong had noticed an old dead locust tree and asked, "What use could this serve?" Someone answered, "Ancient locust wood is especially good for striking fire." At that time the palace guards all carried fire-strikers. Yong ordered artisans to make several thousand of them, planning to give them out to his followers. By now they were discovered in the storehouse. They also found several hu of mugwort stored in the Pharmaceutical Depot, and took this as highly suspicious. When they questioned Ji Wei, he said, "The Crown Prince's purpose in this is something else entirely. When His Majesty is at Renshou Palace, the Crown Prince keeps a thousand horses on hand and says, 'Ride straight to the city gates and hold them—they will starve of their own accord.' Yang Su pressed Yong with Wei's testimony. Yong refused to accept the charge and said, "I have heard that the state keeps tens of thousands of horses. I, Yong, happen to be Crown Prince—are a thousand horses treason?" Yang Su also had the Eastern Palace's robes and curios—anything that looked extravagantly ornamented—brought out and laid in the courtyard to show the assembled civil and military officials as proof of the Crown Prince's offenses. The Emperor and Empress dispatched envoys one after another to reproach and interrogate Yong, but he would not concede guilt.
28
冬，十月，乙丑，上使人召勇，勇見使者，驚曰：「得無殺我邪？」 上戎服陳兵，御武德殿，集百官立於東面，諸親立於西面，引勇及諸子列於殿庭，命內史侍郎薛道衡宣詔，廢勇及其男、女為王、公主者，並為庶人。 勇再拜言曰：「臣當伏屍都市，為將來鑒戒； 幸蒙哀憐，得全性命！」 言畢，泣下流襟，既而舞蹈而去，左右莫不閔默。 長寧王儼上表乞宿衛，辭情哀切； 上覽之閔然。 楊素進曰：「伏望聖心同於螫手，不宜復留意。」
In winter, in the tenth month, on the day yichou, the Emperor sent for Yong. When Yong saw the messenger, he cried out in fear, "They aren't going to kill me, are they?" The Emperor appeared in martial garb with troops drawn up, presided in Wude Hall, assembled the officials on the east and the imperial kinsmen on the west, and had Yong and his sons brought forward and lined up in the courtyard. He ordered Secretariat Vice Minister Xue Daoheng to proclaim the edict deposing Yong and reducing to commoner status all his sons who had been enfeoffed as kings and all his daughters who had been made princesses. Yong bowed twice and said, "Your subject deserves to lie dead in the public square as a warning to those who come after. Yet by your gracious mercy I am allowed to keep my life!" When he had finished, tears soaked the front of his robe. He then performed the parting obeisance and withdrew, and everyone present grieved in silence. Prince Changning, Yang Yan, submitted a memorial begging to remain on night watch; his language was heartbreakingly sincere. When the Emperor read it, he was deeply moved. Yang Su stepped forward and said, "I beg Your Majesty to treat this as one treats a hand that has been stung—do not let your heart linger on it any longer."
29
己巳，詔：「元旻、唐令則及太子家令鄒文騰、左衛率司馬夏侯福、典膳監元淹、前吏部侍郎蕭子寶、前主璽下士何竦並處斬，妻妾子孫皆沒官。 車騎將軍榆林閻毘、東郡公崔君綽、游騎尉沈福寶、瀛州術士章仇太翼，特免死，各杖一百，身及妻子、資財、田宅皆沒官。 副作大匠高龍叉、率更令晉文建、通直散騎侍郎元衡皆處盡。」 於是集群官於廣陽門外，宣詔戮之。 乃移勇於內史省，給五品料食。 賜楊素物三千段，元冑、楊約並千段，賞鞫勇之功也。
On jisi, an edict declared: "Yuan Min, Tang Lingze, the Crown Prince's household steward Zou Wenteng, Left Guard Commandant's major Xia Houfu, Provisioners Commissioner Yuan Yan, former Vice Minister of Personnel Xiao Zibao, and former Chief Seal Attendant He Song shall all be executed, and their wives, concubines, and descendants shall be confiscated as government slaves. General of Chariots and Cavalry Yan Pi of Yulin, Duke of Dongjun Cui Junchuo, Cavalry Commandant Shen Fubao, and the Yingzhou diviner Zhangqiu Taiyi were specially spared execution and instead each received a hundred strokes of the rod; they themselves, their wives and children, their property, fields, and houses were all confiscated. Assistant Master Craftsman Gao Longcha, Director of the Water Clock Jin Wenjian, and Attendant Cavalier Regular Gentleman Yuan Heng were all executed along with their families." The officials were then gathered outside Guangyang Gate, the edict was read aloud, and the condemned were put to death. Yong was then transferred to the Secretariat Directorate and given provisions befitting a fifth-rank official. Yang Su was rewarded with three thousand bolts of goods, and Yuan Zhou and Yang Yue each with a thousand bolts, in recognition of their service in prosecuting Yong.
30
文林郎楊孝政上書諫曰：「皇太子為小人所誤，宜加訓誨，不宜廢黜。」 上怒，撻其胸。
Palace Scholar Yang Xiaozheng submitted a memorial of remonstrance: "The Crown Prince has been led astray by petty men. He ought to be corrected and instructed, not deposed." The Emperor flew into a rage and beat him on the chest.
31
初，雲昭訓父定興，出入東宮無節，數進奇服異器以求悅媚； 左庶子裴屢諫，勇不聽。 政謂定興曰：「公所為不合法度。 又，元妃暴薨，道路籍籍，此於太子，非令名也。 公宜自引退，不然，將及禍。」 定興以告勇，勇益疏政，由是出為襄州總管。 唐令則為勇所暱狎，每令以弦歌教內人，右庶子劉行本責之曰：「庶子當輔太子以正道，何有取媚於房帷之間哉！」 令則甚慚而不能改。 時沛國劉臻、平原明克讓、魏郡陸爽，並以文學為勇所親； 行本怒其不能調護，每謂三人曰：「卿等正解讀書耳！」 夏侯福嘗於閣內與勇戲，福大笑，聲聞於外。 行本聞之，待其出，數之曰：「殿下寬容，賜汝顏色。 汝何物小人，敢為褻慢！」 因付執法者治之。 數日，勇為福致請，乃釋之。 勇嘗得良馬，欲令行本乘而觀之，行本正色曰：「至尊置臣於庶子，欲令輔導殿下，非為殿下作弄臣也。」 勇慚而止。 及勇敗，二人已卒，上歎曰：「向使裴政、劉行本在，勇不至此。」
Earlier, Yun Zhaoxun's father Yang Dingxing had come and gone from the Eastern Palace without restraint, repeatedly offering outlandish clothes and curious objects to please and flatter the Crown Prince. Left Counselor Pei Zheng remonstrated again and again, but Yong would not heed him. Pei Zheng told Dingxing, "Your conduct does not conform to proper standards. Moreover, the Crown Princess died suddenly, and gossip ran rife through the streets—this does the Crown Prince no credit. You should remove yourself before it is too late; otherwise calamity will find you." Dingxing reported this to Yong, and Yong grew still colder toward Pei Zheng, who was eventually sent out to serve as regional commander of Xiangzhou. Tang Lingze was on familiar terms with Yong and was often ordered to instruct the palace women in music and song. Right Counselor Liu Xingben rebuked him: "A counselor's duty is to guide the Crown Prince along the right path—what place is there for winning favor in the inner quarters!" Tang Lingze was deeply ashamed, but he could not mend his ways. At that time Liu Zhen of Pei, Ming Kerang of Pingyuan, and Lu Shuang of Weijun were all close to Yong for their literary accomplishments. Liu Xingben, angry that they failed to guide and protect the Crown Prince, would often say to the three of them, "All you know how to do is read books!" Xia Houfu once amused himself with Yong inside the pavilion; he laughed so loudly that the sound carried outside. When Xingben heard this, he waited until Xia Houfu came out and scolded him: "His Highness, in his forbearance, has shown you favor. What sort of base creature are you, to behave with such disrespect!" He then handed him over to the disciplinary officers for punishment. A few days later Yong pleaded for Xia Houfu, and he was released. Yong once acquired a fine horse and wanted Xingben to ride it while he looked on. Xingben's face hardened as he said, "His Majesty appointed me counselor in order to guide and instruct Your Highness—not to become Your Highness's court jester." Ashamed, Yong dropped the matter. By the time Yong fell from power, both men were already dead. The Emperor sighed and said, "If only Pei Zheng and Liu Xingben had still been there, Yong would never have come to this pass."
32
勇嘗宴宮臣，唐令則自彈琵琶，歌《嫵媚娘》。 洗馬李綱起白勇曰：「令則身為宮卿，職當調護； 乃於廣座自比倡優，進淫聲，穢視聽。 事若上聞，令則罪在不測，豈不為殿下之累邪！ 臣請速治其罪！」 勇曰：「我欲為樂耳，君勿多事！」 綱遂趨出。 及勇廢，上召東宮官屬切責之，皆惶懼無敢對者。 綱獨曰：「廢立大事，今文武大臣皆知其不可，而莫肯發言，臣何敢畏死，不一為陛下別白言之乎！ 太子性本中人，可與為善，可與為惡。 向使陛下擇正人輔之，足以嗣守鴻基。 今乃以唐令則為左庶子，鄒文騰為家令，二人唯知以弦歌鷹犬娛悅太子，安得不至於是邪！ 此乃陛下之過，非太子之罪也。」 因伏地流涕嗚咽。 上慘然良久曰：「李綱責我，非為無理，然徒知其一，未知其二。 我擇汝為宮臣，而勇不親任，雖更得正人，何益哉！」 對曰：「臣所以不被親任者，良由奸臣在側故也。 陛下但斬令則、文騰，更選賢才以輔太子，安知臣之終見疏棄也！ 自古廢立塚嫡，鮮不傾危，願陛下深留聖思，無貽後悔。」 上不悅，罷朝，左右皆為之股慄。 會尚書右丞缺，有司請人，上指綱曰：「此佳右丞也！」 即用之。
Yong once entertained his palace staff. Tang Lingze played the pipa himself and sang "The Charming Maid." Mentor Li Gang rose and addressed Yong: "Tang Lingze is a palace minister. His duty is to guide and protect you. Yet here, before this whole gathering, he puts himself on a level with entertainers and actors, performing lewd songs that defile sight and hearing. If word of this reaches the Emperor, Tang Lingze's offense will be beyond measure—and will it not also bring ruin upon Your Highness! I beg that he be punished immediately!" Yong said, "I only wanted a little amusement—stay out of it!" Li Gang then rushed out. After Yong was deposed, the Emperor summoned the Eastern Palace officials and rebuked them severely. All were terrified, and no one dared answer. Li Gang alone spoke up: "Deposing and installing an heir is a momentous affair. Every civil and military minister in court knows this was wrong, yet none would speak. How could I, for fear of death, fail to set the truth plainly before Your Majesty even once! The Crown Prince's character is neither good nor bad by nature; he can be led toward virtue or toward vice. Had Your Majesty chosen upright men to assist him, he would have been fully capable of inheriting and preserving the imperial foundation. Instead Tang Lingze was made Left Counselor and Zou Wenteng household steward—men who knew only how to divert the Crown Prince with music, hunting hawks, and dogs. How could matters not have ended this way! This is Your Majesty's failing, not the Crown Prince's crime." He then prostrated himself, weeping and choking with grief. The Emperor looked grim for a long moment and said, "Li Gang's rebuke is not without reason, but he sees only one side and not the other. I chose you as a palace officer, yet Yong would not place his trust in you. Even if we had found better men, what good would it have done!" Li Gang replied, "The reason I was not trusted was simply that wicked ministers stood at his side. If Your Majesty would execute Tang Lingze and Zou Wenteng and choose worthy men to assist the Crown Prince, how can you be sure I would remain estranged forever! Since ancient times, deposing the legitimate heir has rarely failed to bring disaster. I beg Your Majesty to weigh this carefully and leave no room for later regret." The Emperor was displeased and dismissed court. Everyone around him trembled with fear. It happened that the post of Right Assistant Minister of the Secretariat was vacant. When the officials asked whom to appoint, the Emperor pointed at Li Gang and said, "He will make an excellent Right Assistant Minister!" Li Gang was appointed on the spot.
33
太平公史萬歲還自大斤山，楊素害其功，言於上曰：「突厥本降，初不為寇，來塞上畜牧耳。」 遂寢之。 萬歲數抗表陳狀，上未之悟。 上廢太子，方窮東宮黨與。 上問萬歲所在，萬歲實在朝堂，楊素曰：「萬歲謁東宮矣！」 以激怒上。 上謂為信然，令召萬歲。 時所將士在朝堂稱冤者數百人，萬歲謂之曰：「吾今日為汝極言於上，事當決矣。」 既見上，言「將士有功，為朝廷所抑！」 詞氣憤厲。 上大怒，令左右Ξ殺之。 既而追之，不及，因下詔陳其罪狀，天下共冤惜之。
Duke of Taiping Shi Wansui returned from Mount Dajin. Yang Su, resentful of his victory, told the Emperor, "The Turks had already submitted. They were not raiding at all—they had merely come to graze their herds along the frontier." The matter was accordingly set aside. Shi Wansui submitted memorial after memorial setting out the facts, but the Emperor failed to understand. When the Emperor deposed the Crown Prince, he was at the same time hunting down the Eastern Palace faction. The Emperor asked where Shi Wansui was. Wansui was in fact at court, but Yang Su said, "Wansui has gone to call on the Eastern Palace!" He said this to inflame the Emperor's wrath. The Emperor took this for truth and ordered Shi Wansui summoned. At that moment several hundred of the soldiers he had commanded were in the hall protesting their mistreatment. Wansui told them, "Today I will plead your case to the utmost before the Emperor. This should be decided once and for all." When he appeared before the Emperor, he declared, "These soldiers have earned merit, yet the court is suppressing them!" His words were fierce and indignant. The Emperor was furious and ordered his attendants to beat Shi Wansui to death on the spot. He soon sent men to recall the order, but it was too late. An edict was then issued listing Wansui's crimes, and people throughout the empire mourned the injustice.
34
十一月，戊子，立晉王廣為皇太子。 天下地震，太子請降章服，宮官不稱臣。 十二月，戊午，詔從之。 以宇文述為左衛率。 始，太子之謀奪宗也，洪州總管郭衍預焉，由是征衍為左監門率。
In the eleventh month, on the day wuzi, Prince Jin Yang Guang was installed as Crown Prince. An earthquake shook the empire. The new Crown Prince asked to reduce his ceremonial insignia and robes, and the palace officials ceased addressing themselves as subjects. In the twelfth month, on the day wuwu, an edict approved his request. Yuwen Shu was appointed Left Guard Commandant. From the beginning, when the Crown Prince plotted to seize the succession, Hongzhou regional commander Guo Yan had taken part; for this he was summoned to court and appointed Left Gate Commandant.
35
帝囚故太子勇於東宮，付太子廣掌之。 勇自以廢非其罪，頻請見上申冤，而廣遏之不得聞。 勇於是升樹大叫，聲聞帝所，冀得引見。 楊素因言勇情志昏亂，為癲鬼所著，不可復收。 帝以為然，卒不得見。
The Emperor imprisoned the former Crown Prince Yong in the Eastern Palace and placed him under Crown Prince Guang's supervision. Yong believed he had been deposed without cause and repeatedly asked to see the Emperor to plead his innocence, but Guang prevented it and the Emperor never heard him. Yong then climbed a tree and shouted at the top of his voice until the sound reached the Emperor's residence, hoping to be summoned. Yang Su then said that Yong's mind was deranged, that he was possessed by a mad demon, and could not be reclaimed. The Emperor accepted this explanation, and Yong was never allowed to see him.
36
初，帝之克陳也，天下皆以為將太平，監察御史房彥謙私謂所親曰：「主上忌刻而苛酷，太子卑弱，諸王擅權，天下雖安，方憂危亂。」 其子玄齡亦密言於彥謙曰：「主上本無功德，以詐取天下，諸子皆驕奢不仁，必自相誅夷，今雖承平，其亡可翹足待。」 彥謙，法壽之玄孫也。
Earlier, when the Emperor conquered Chen, the empire believed universal peace was at hand. Supervising Censor Fang Yanqian said privately to those close to him, "The sovereign is jealous, harsh, and cruel; the Crown Prince is weak; the princes each hold power in their own right. Though the realm appears secure, I already foresee disorder." His son Fang Xuanling also spoke privately to Yanqian, "The sovereign had no real merit to begin with; he won the realm through deception. His sons are all arrogant, extravagant, and cruel. They will surely destroy one another. Though the age looks peaceful now, its collapse can be awaited with folded legs." Fang Yanqian was the great-great-grandson of Fang Fashou.
37
玄齡與杜果之兄孫如晦皆預選，吏部侍郎高孝基名知人，見玄齡，歎曰：「僕閱人多矣，未見如此郎者，異日必為偉器，恨不見其大成耳！」 見如晦，謂曰：「君有應變之才，必任棟樑之重。」 俱以子孫托之。
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, grandson of Du Guo's elder brother, were both selected for office. Gao Xiaoji, Vice Minister of Personnel and a renowned judge of men, saw Xuanling and exclaimed, "I have observed men all my life and never seen a young man like this one. Someday he will become a pillar of the state—I only regret that I shall not live to see him reach his full stature!" When he saw Du Ruhui, he said, "You have the talent to meet changing circumstances. You will surely bear the weight of a great pillar." To both of them he entrusted his descendants.
38
帝晚年深信佛道鬼神，辛巳，始詔「有盜毀佛及天尊、岳、鎮、海、瀆神像者，以不道論； 沙門毀佛像，道士毀天尊像者，以惡逆論。」
In his later years the Emperor came to place deep faith in Buddhism, Daoism, and the spirit world. On the day xinsi he issued his first edict on the matter: "Anyone who steals or destroys images of Buddha, the Celestial Worthy, or the spirits of mountains, commanderies, seas, and waterways shall be charged under the statute on heterodoxy; If Buddhist monks destroy Buddha images or Daoist priests destroy Celestial Worthy images, they shall be charged under the statute on treacherous rebellion."
39
是歲，征同州刺史蔡王智積入朝。 智積，帝之弟子也。 性修謹，門無私謁，自奉簡素，帝甚憐之。 智積有五男，止教讀《論語》、《孝經》，不令交通賓客。 或問其故，智積曰：「卿非知我者！」 其意蓋恐諸子有才能以致禍也。
That year the Emperor summoned Wang Zhiji, Prince of Cai and governor of Tongzhou, to court. Zhiji was a nephew of the Emperor. Disciplined and cautious by nature, he admitted no private callers at his gate and lived frugally on his own account. The Emperor held him in deep affection. Zhiji had five sons. He had them read only the Analects and the Classic of Filial Piety and forbade them to socialize with visitors. When someone asked why, Zhiji said, "You do not truly know me! His meaning, in all likelihood, was that he feared his sons' abilities might bring calamity upon them.
40
齊州行參軍章武王伽送流囚李參等七十餘人詣京師，行至滎陽，哀其辛苦，悉呼謂曰：「卿輩自犯國刑，身嬰縲紲，固其職也； 重勞援卒，豈不愧心哉！」 參等辭謝。 伽乃悉脫其枷鎖，停援卒，與約曰：「某日當至京師，如致前卻，吾當為汝受死。」 遂捨之而去。 流人感悅，如期而至，一無離叛。 上聞而驚異，召見與語，稱善久之。 於是悉召流人，令攜負妻子俱入，賜宴於殿庭而赦之。 因下詔曰：「凡在有生，含靈稟性，咸知善惡，並識是非。 若臨以至誠，明加勸導，則俗必從化，人皆遷善。 往以海內亂離，德教廢絕，吏無慈愛之心，民懷奸詐之意。 朕思遵聖法，以德化民，而伽深識朕意，誠心宣導，參等感悟，自赴憲司：明是率土之人，非為難教。 若使官盡王伽之儔，民皆李參之輩，刑厝不用，其何遠哉！」 乃擢伽為雍令。
Wang Jia of Zhangwu, an adjunct militia officer in Qizhou, was escorting more than seventy exiled convicts, including Li Can, to the capital. When they reached Xingyang, moved by their suffering, he summoned them all and said, "You broke the laws of the state and wear shackles—that is only fitting; yet to burden the escort soldiers so heavily—does that not weigh on your conscience? Li Can and the others apologized. Jia then removed all their cangues and shackles, dismissed the escort detail, and struck a bargain with them: "You must reach the capital on the appointed day. If any of you lag behind as before, I will die in your place. Then he let them go and set out alone. The exiles were deeply moved and kept their word, arriving on time without a single defection. When the Emperor heard of this he was astonished. He summoned Jia, spoke with him at length, and praised him warmly. He then summoned all the exiles, had them enter with their wives and children, feasted them in the palace courtyard, and granted them a general pardon. He then issued an edict: "Every living being endowed with spirit and nature knows good from evil and can tell right from wrong. If officials meet them with perfect sincerity and guide them plainly, custom will change and people will turn toward what is good. In the past the realm was torn by chaos, moral instruction collapsed, officials had no heart for kindness, and the people nursed deceit in their breasts. I mean to follow the way of the sages and transform the people through virtue. Jia understood my purpose deeply and preached it in earnest; Li Can and his companions were moved to repentance and surrendered themselves to the authorities. This shows that the people of the realm are not beyond teaching. If every official were a Wang Jia and every subject a Li Can, punishments could be laid aside altogether. How far off is such an age! With that he promoted Jia to magistrate of Yong."
41
太史令袁充表稱：「隋興已後，晝日漸長，開皇元年，冬至之景長一丈二尺七寸二分； 自爾漸短，至十七年，短於舊三寸七分。 日去極近則景短而日長，去極遠則景長而日短； 行內道則去極近，行外道則去極遠。 謹按《元命包》云：『日月出內道，璇璣得其常。』 《京房別對》曰：『太平，日行上道； 昇平，行次道； 霸代，行下道。』 伏惟大隋啟運，上感乾元，景短日長，振古希有。」 上臨朝，謂百官曰：「景長之慶，天之祐也。 今太子新立，當須改元，宜取日長之意以為年號。」 是後百工作役，並加程課，以日長故也。 丁匠苦之。
Grand Astrologer Yuan Chong submitted a memorial stating: "Since the founding of Sui, the daylight hours have steadily lengthened. In the first year of Kaihuang the noon shadow at the winter solstice measured one zhang, two chi, seven cun, and two fen; from that point it has grown shorter year by year, until in the seventeenth year it fell three cun and seven fen below the earlier measure. When the sun draws near the celestial pole the shadow shortens and the day lengthens; when it draws far from the pole the shadow lengthens and the day shortens. Travel along the inner path brings the sun nearer the pole; travel along the outer path takes it farther away. I have carefully consulted the Yuanming Bao, which says: 'When sun and moon travel the inner path, the celestial pivot keeps its proper order.' The Jingfang Bie Dui states: 'In an age of supreme peace the sun travels the upper path; in an age of modest peace it travels the middle path; in an age of mere hegemony it travels the lower path.' I respectfully submit that great Sui has received the Mandate, stirred by the power of Heaven itself. Shadows growing shorter and days growing longer are a wonder seldom seen since antiquity." The Emperor held court and told the assembled officials, "This blessing of lengthening days is Heaven's favor upon us. The Crown Prince has just been installed, so the era name must be changed. Let us take the meaning of lengthening days for the new reign title. After that, quotas on corvée labor for every public works project were increased on the grounds that the days had grown longer. The drafted craftsmen were driven to misery by it."
42
春，正月，乙酉朔，赦天下，改元。
In spring, the first month, on yiyou—the first day of the month—the Emperor pardoned the empire and changed the reign title.
43
以尚書右僕射楊素為左僕射，納言蘇威為右僕射。
Yang Su, Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, was appointed Left Vice Director; Su Wei, Director of the Palace Secretariat, was appointed Right Vice Director.
44
丁酉，徙河南王昭為晉王。
On dingyou, Prince Zhao of Henan was reassigned as Prince of Jin.
45
突厥步迦可汗犯塞，敗代州總管韓弘於恆安。
The Tujue qaghan Boka raided the frontier and defeated Han Hong, military governor of Daizhou, at Heng'an.
46
以晉王昭為內史令。
Prince Zhao of Jin was appointed Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
47
二月，乙卯朔，日有食之。
In the second month, on yimao—the first day of the month—there was a solar eclipse.
48
夏，五月，己丑，突厥男女九萬口來降。
In summer, the fifth month, on jichou, ninety thousand Tujue men and women surrendered.
49
六月，乙卯，遣十六使巡省風俗。
In the sixth month, on yimao, he sent out sixteen envoys to tour the provinces and inspect local customs.
50
乙丑，詔以天下學校生徒多而不精，唯簡留國子學生七十人，太學、四門及州縣學並廢。 前殿內將軍河間劉炫上表切諫，不聽。 秋，七月，戊戌，改國子學為太學。
On yichou an edict declared that students in schools across the empire were too many and too poorly trained. Only seventy students at the Directorate of Education were to be kept; the Imperial Academy, the Four Gates School, and all prefectural and county schools were abolished. Former Palace Interior General Liu Xuan of Hejian submitted a forceful memorial in protest, but the Emperor would not heed him. In autumn, the seventh month, on wuxu, the Directorate of Education was renamed the Imperial Academy.
51
初，帝受周禪，恐民心未服，故多稱符瑞以耀之，其偽造而獻者，不可勝計。 冬，十一月，己丑，有事於南郊，如封禪禮，板文備述前後符瑞以報謝雲。
Earlier, when the Emperor accepted the Zhou abdication, he feared the people were not yet won over, so he repeatedly proclaimed portents and auspicious signs to burnish his mandate. Those who forged such omens and presented them were beyond number. In winter, the eleventh month, on jichou, he performed rites at the Southern Altar in the manner of the Feng and Shan sacrifices. The wooden inscription set forth the portents of earlier and later times in full, offering thanks to Heaven.
52
山獠作亂，以衛尉少卿洛陽衛文昇為資州刺史鎮撫之。 文昇名玄，以字行。 初到官，獠方攻大牢鎮，文昇單騎造其營，謂曰：「我是刺史，銜天子詔，安養汝等，勿驚懼也！」 群獠莫敢動。 於是說以利害，渠帥感悅，解兵而去，前後歸附者十餘萬口。 帝大悅，賜縑二千匹。 壬辰，以文昇為遂州總管。
Mountain Liao rose in rebellion. Wei Wensheng of Luoyang, Deputy Director of the Palace Guard, was appointed governor of Zizhou to pacify them. Wensheng's personal name was Xuan; he was known by his style name. When he first took office the Liao were attacking Dalaozhen. Wensheng rode alone into their camp and said, "I am your governor. I come bearing the Son of Heaven's command to protect and provide for you. Do not be afraid! The Liao host did not dare move. He then explained what they stood to gain or lose. The chieftains were won over, laid down their arms, and withdrew. In all, more than one hundred thousand submitted before and after. The Emperor was delighted and rewarded him with two thousand bolts of silk. On renchen, Wensheng was appointed military governor of Suizhou.
53
潮、成等五州獠反，高州酋長馮盎馳詣京師，請討之。 帝敕楊素與盎論賊形勢，素歎曰：「不意蠻夷中有如是人！」 即遣盎發江、嶺兵擊之。 事平，除盎漢陽太守。
The Liao of five prefectures, including Chao and Cheng, rebelled. Feng Ang, chieftain of Gaozhou, raced to the capital and asked leave to suppress them. The Emperor ordered Yang Su to discuss the rebels' situation with Feng Ang. Su sighed and said, "I never imagined such a man could be found among the frontier peoples! He immediately sent Feng Ang to raise troops from the Jiang and Ling regions and strike the rebels. When the campaign was over, Feng Ang was appointed administrator of Hanyang.
54
詔以楊素為雲州道行軍元帥，長孫晟為受降使者，挾啟民可汗北擊步迦。
An edict named Yang Su commander-in-chief on the Yunzhou campaign route, appointed Changsun Sheng envoy for receiving surrenders, and ordered them to march north with Qimin Qaghan to attack Boka.
55
春，三月，己亥，上幸仁壽宮。
In spring, the third month, on jihai, the Emperor went to Renshou Palace.
56
突厥思力俟斤等南渡河，掠啟民男女六千口、雜畜二十餘萬而去。 楊素帥諸軍追擊，轉戰六十餘里，大破之，突厥北走。 素復進追，夜，及之，恐其越逸，令其騎稍後，親引兩騎並降突厥二人與虜並行，虜不之覺； 候其頓捨未定，趣後騎掩擊，大破之，悉得人畜以歸啟民。 自是突厥遠遁，磧南無復寇抄。 素以功進子玄感柱國，賜玄縱爵淮南公。
The Tujue leader Silijin and others crossed the river to the south, seized six thousand of Qimin's men and women and more than two hundred thousand head of mixed livestock, and withdrew. Yang Su led the army in pursuit, fought them for more than sixty li, and routed them completely. The Tujue fled north. Su pressed on again. By night he caught up with them, but feared they would escape beyond reach. He held his cavalry back a little, then personally took two riders and two surrendered Tujue and rode alongside the enemy column. The enemy did not notice. When their camp was not yet fully settled, he signaled the cavalry behind him to strike. He broke them completely, recovered all the people and livestock, and restored them to Qimin. After that the Tujue withdrew far to the north, and south of the desert there were no more raids. For this achievement Su had his son Xuangan promoted to Pillar of State and granted his son Xuanzong the title Marquis of Huainan.
57
兵部尚書柳述，慶之孫也，尚蘭陵公主，怙寵使氣，自楊素之屬皆下之。 帝問符璽直長萬年韋雲起：「外間有不便事，可言之。。」 述時侍側，雲起奏曰：「柳述驕豪，未嘗經事，兵機要重，非其所堪。 徒以主婿，遂居要職。 臣恐物議以陛下為『官不擇賢，專私所愛』，斯亦不便之大者。」 帝甚然其言，顧謂述曰：「雲起之言，汝藥石也，可師友之。」 秋，七月，丙戌，詔內外官各舉所知。 柳述舉雲起，除通事舍人。
Liu Shu, Minister of War and grandson of Liu Qing, had married Princess Lanling. Swollen with imperial favor, he threw his weight about arrogantly, and even men of Yang Su's stature deferred to him. The Emperor asked Wei Yunqi, Direct Clerk of Seals and Credentials from Wannian, "If there is anything amiss in the realm, speak of it. Liu Shu was standing beside him. Yunqi replied, "Liu Shu is proud and domineering. He has never managed serious business. Military affairs are weighty matters, and he is not equal to them. He holds a high post only because he is the emperor's son-in-law. I fear people will say of Your Majesty that you 'appoint men not for talent but for private affection.' That would be a grave evil in its own right." The Emperor strongly agreed. Turning to Liu Shu he said, "Yunqi's words are medicine and whetstone for you. Treat him as a teacher and friend." In autumn, the seventh month, on bingxu, an edict ordered officials throughout the government each to recommend men they knew. Liu Shu recommended Yunqi, who was appointed Master of Communications.
58
益州總管蜀王秀，容貌瑰偉，有膽氣，好武藝。 帝每謂獨孤-{后}-曰：「秀必以惡終，我在當無慮，至兄弟，必反矣。」 大將軍劉噲之討西爨也，帝令上開府儀同三司楊武通將兵繼進。 秀以嬖人萬智光為武通行軍司馬。 帝以秀任非其人，譴責之，因謂群臣曰：「壞我法者，子孫也。 譬如猛虎，物不能害，反為毛間蟲所損食耳。」 遂分秀所統。
Prince Xiu of Shu, military governor of Yizhou, was striking in appearance, bold in spirit, and devoted to martial arts. The Emperor often told Empress Dugu, "Xiu is bound to end badly. While I am alive there is nothing to fear, but once it comes to his brothers, he will surely rebel. When Grand General Liu Yan was campaigning against the Western Cuan, the Emperor ordered Yang Wutong, a general of the second rank with honorary third rank, to follow with reinforcements. Xiu appointed his favorite Wan Zhiguang as campaign marshal under Yang Wutong. The Emperor judged that Xiu had put the wrong man in place, rebuked him sharply, and then told the assembled ministers, "Those who wreck my laws are my own sons and grandsons. It is like a tiger: nothing in the wild can hurt it, yet it is eaten away by the lice in its fur." He then stripped Xiu of part of his command.
59
自長史元巖卒後，秀漸奢僭，造渾天儀，多捕山獠充宦者，車馬被服，擬於乘輿。
After Chief Administrator Yuan Yan died, Xiu grew increasingly extravagant and overstepped his rank. He built an armillary sphere, seized many mountain Liao to serve as eunuchs, and equipped his carriages, horses, and robes in imitation of the imperial train.
60
及太子勇以讒廢，晉王廣為太子，秀意甚不平。 太子恐秀終為後患，陰令楊素求其罪而譖之。 上遂征秀，秀猶豫，欲謝病不行。 總管司馬源師諫，秀作色曰：「此自我家事，何預卿也！」 師垂涕對曰：「師忝參府幕，敢不盡心！ 聖上有敕追王，以淹時月，今乃遷延未去。 百姓不識王心，倘生異議，內外疑駭，發雷霆之詔，降一介之使，王何以自明？ 願王熟計之！」 朝廷恐秀生變，戊子，以原州總管獨孤楷為益州總管，馳傳代之。 楷至，秀猶未肯行； 楷諷諭久之，乃就路。 楷察秀有悔色，因勒兵為備； 秀行四十餘里，將還襲楷，覘知有備，乃止。
When Crown Prince Yong was deposed on false charges and Prince Guang of Jin became heir, Xiu was deeply resentful. The Crown Prince, fearing Xiu would become a lasting threat, secretly ordered Yang Su to hunt for offenses with which to denounce him. The Emperor then summoned Xiu to court. Xiu hesitated and wanted to plead illness and stay away. Chief Administrator's aide Yuan Shi remonstrated with him. Xiu's face darkened and he said, "This is my own family's business. What business is it of yours!" Shi replied through tears, "I am honored to serve in Your Highness's headquarters. How could I fail to give you my utmost counsel! The Son of Heaven has issued an order summoning you. Months have already passed, yet you still linger and have not set out. The common people cannot read Your Highness's mind. If they take alarm, suspicion will spread inside and out. When a thunderous edict arrives and a single envoy is sent, how will you prove your innocence? I beg Your Highness to weigh this carefully!" The court, fearing Xiu might rebel, on wuzi appointed Dugu Kai, military governor of Yuanzhou, to replace him as governor of Yizhou and sent him posthaste. When Kai arrived, Xiu still refused to leave; Kai admonished him at length before he finally took to the road. Kai saw regret on Xiu's face and therefore kept his troops under arms as a precaution; Xiu had gone more than forty li when he was about to turn back and attack Kai, but seeing that Kai was on guard, he abandoned the plan.
61
八月，甲子，皇后獨孤氏崩。 太子對上及宮人哀慟絕氣，若不勝喪者； 其處私室，飲食言笑如平常。 又，每朝令進二溢米，而私令外取肥肉脯鮓，置竹桶中，以蠟閉口，衣袱裹而納之。
In the eighth month, on jiazi, Empress Dugu died. In the Emperor's presence and before the palace women, the Crown Prince wept and wailed until he seemed barely able to breathe, as though crushed by grief; In private his meals, conversation, and laughter were no different from before. Each morning he publicly ordered only two sheng of rice, but secretly had rich meats, dried flesh, and pickled fish smuggled in inside a wax-sealed bamboo bucket wrapped in cloth.
62
著作郎王劭上言：「佛說：『人應生天上及生無量壽國之時，天佛放大光明，以香花妓樂來迎。』 伏惟大行皇后福善禎符，備諸秘記，皆雲是妙善菩薩。 臣謹案八月二十二日，仁壽官內再雨金銀花； 二十三日，大寶殿後夜有神光； 二十四日卯時，永安宮北有自然種種音樂，震滿虛空； 至夜五更，奄然如寐，遂即升遐，與經文所說，事皆符驗。」 上覽之悲喜。
Editorial Director Wang Shao submitted a memorial: "The Buddha teaches that when one is destined for heaven or for the Land of Immeasurable Life, heaven and Buddha pour forth great light and come to welcome the soul with incense, flowers, dancers, and music. Your late Empress, blessed in merit and graced by omens recorded in many secret texts, is everywhere said to have been the Bodhisattva Miaoshan. I respectfully report that on the twenty-second day of the eighth month, flowers of gold and silver fell twice within Renshou Palace; on the twenty-third, a supernatural light appeared behind the Hall of Great Treasure in the deep hours of the night; on the twenty-fourth, at dawn, unearthly music of every kind rang north of Yong'an Palace, reverberating through the heavens; and by the fifth watch of the night she had quietly passed away as though in sleep—every sign matching the scriptures' description." When the Emperor read the memorial, he was moved both to joy and to sorrow.
63
九月，丙戌，上至自仁壽宮。
In the ninth month, on the day bingxu, the Emperor returned from Renshou Palace.
64
冬，十月，癸丑，以工部尚書楊達為納言。 達，雄之弟也。
In winter, the tenth month, on the day guichou, Yang Da, Minister of Works, was appointed Nayan. Yang Da was the younger brother of Yang Xiong.
65
閏月，甲申，詔楊素、蘇威與吏部尚書牛弘等修定五禮。
In the intercalary month, on the day jiashen, the Emperor ordered Yang Su, Su Wei, Minister of Personnel Niu Hong, and others to compile and codify the Five Rites.
66
上令上儀同三司蕭吉為皇后擇葬地，得吉處，云：「卜年二千，卜世二百。」 上曰：「吉凶由人，不在於地。 高緯葬父，豈不卜乎！ 俄而國亡。 正如我家墓田，若雲不吉，朕不當為天子； 若雲不凶，我弟不當戰沒。」 然竟從吉言。 吉退，告族人蕭平仲曰：「皇太子遣宇文左率深謝余云：『公前稱我當為太子，竟有其驗，終不忘也。 今卜山陵，務令我早立。 我立之後，當以富貴相報。』 吾語之曰：『後四載，太子御天下。』 若太子得政，隋其亡乎！ 吾前紿云『卜年二千』者，三十字也； 『卜世二百』者，取世二傳也。 汝其識之！」
The Emperor charged Superior Yitong Third Rank Xiao Ji to find a burial site for the Empress. Ji chose an auspicious spot and declared, "Divination shows two thousand years of blessing and two hundred generations of rule." The Emperor replied, "Fortune and ruin depend on men, not on the ground. Did Gao Wei not divine when he buried his father? Yet his realm was lost within a few years. Consider my own family tombs: if they were truly inauspicious, I should never have become emperor; if they were auspicious, my brother should not have fallen in battle. Nevertheless he accepted Ji's reading in the end. Afterward Ji told his kinsman Xiao Pingzhong, "The Crown Prince sent the Left Commander of the Yuwen Household to thank me deeply. He said, 'You once foretold that I would be Crown Prince, and you were right. I shall never forget it. Now that you are divining the imperial tomb, see to it that I am enthroned without delay. Once I reign, I will repay you with wealth and honor.' I answered him, 'In four years the Crown Prince will take the throne.' If the Crown Prince comes to power, Sui is doomed! When I said 'two thousand years of divination,' I was deceiving him—thirty is the number I meant; and 'two hundred generations' meant only two reigns passed down. Mark this well!"
67
壬寅，葬文獻皇后於太陵。 詔以「楊素經營葬事，勤求吉地，論素此心，事極誠孝，豈與夫平戎定寇比其功業！ 可別封一子義康公，邑萬戶。」 並賜田三十頃，絹萬段，米萬石，金珠綾錦稱是。
On the day renyin, Empress Wenxian was interred at Tailing. An edict proclaimed that Yang Su, in directing the burial and tirelessly seeking an auspicious site, had shown a devotion and filial piety beyond anything owed for pacifying frontier enemies— one of his sons was to be enfeoffed separately as Duke of Yikang with ten thousand households. "He also received thirty qing of fields, ten thousand bolts of silk, ten thousand shi of grain, and gold, pearls, brocades, and fine silks in proportion.
68
蜀王秀至長安，上見之，不與語； 明日，使使切讓之。 秀謝罪，太子諸王流涕庭謝。 上曰：「頃者秦王糜費財物，我以父道訓之。 今秀蠹害生民，當以君道繩之。」 於是付執法者。 開府儀同三司慶整諫曰：「庶人勇既廢，秦王已薨，陛下見子無多，何至如是！ 蜀王性甚耿介，今被重責，恐不自全。」 上大怒，欲斷其舌，因謂群臣曰：「當斬秀於市以謝百姓。」 乃令楊素等推治之。
When Prince of Shu Yang Xiu arrived at Chang'an, the Emperor received him but refused to speak; The following day he sent an envoy to reprimand him sharply. Xiu pleaded guilty, and the Crown Prince and the other princes wept as they begged forgiveness in the courtyard. The Emperor said, "When the Prince of Qin squandered wealth, I corrected him as a father would a son. But Xiu has preyed upon the people. He must be judged as a prince who betrayed the duties of rule." Xiu was then handed over to the law officers. Defender-in-Chief Qing Zheng protested, "The deposed Prince Yong is gone, and the Prince of Qin is dead. Your Majesty has few sons left—why treat this one so harshly? Prince of Shu is proud and uncompromising. Under such punishment he may not survive." The Emperor flew into a rage and wanted to cut out Qing Zheng's tongue. He told the court, "Xiu should be beheaded in the marketplace to answer for the harm he has done the people." He ordered Yang Su and others to investigate and prosecute the case.
69
太子陰作偶人，縛手釘心，枷鎖杻械，書上及漢王姓名，仍云「請西嶽慈父聖母神兵收楊堅、楊諒神魂，如此形狀，勿令散蕩。」 密埋之華山下，楊素發之； 又雲秀妄述圖讖，稱京師妖異，造蜀地征祥； 並作檄文，云「指期問罪」，置秀集中，俱以聞奏。 上曰：「天下寧有是邪！」 十二月，癸巳，廢秀為庶人，幽之內侍省，不聽與妻子相見，唯獠婢二人驅使，連坐者百餘人。 秀上表摧謝曰：「伏願慈恩，賜垂矜愍，殘息未盡之間，希與瓜子相見； 請賜一穴，令骸骨有所。」 瓜子，其愛子也。 上因下詔數其十罪，且曰：「我今不知楊堅、楊諒是汝何親？」 後乃聽與其子同處。
The Crown Prince secretly fashioned dolls with bound hands and nails driven through their hearts, fitted with cangues, chains, and stocks. On them he wrote the Emperor's name and that of Prince of Han Yang Liang, adding, "We beg the divine army of the Merciful Father and Holy Mother of the Western Peak to seize the souls of Yang Jian and Yang Liang and hold them in this form, that they may not escape." He buried them secretly beneath Mount Hua, where Yang Su later dug them up; Xiu was also accused of spreading prognostic texts, proclaiming ominous signs in the capital and inventing favorable omens for Shu; and of drafting a proclamation vowing to "call him to account on a set day." All were found among Xiu's papers and reported to the throne. The Emperor exclaimed, "Can such things truly exist in this realm? In the twelfth month, on the day guisi, Xiu was stripped of princely rank and confined in the Directorate of Palace Attendants, forbidden to see his wife or children. Only two tribal servant girls attended him. More than a hundred others were punished as accessories. Xiu submitted a broken plea for mercy: "I beg Your Majesty's compassion. While I still draw breath, let me see Guazi once more; and grant me a grave, that my bones may have somewhere to rest." Guazi was the name of his beloved son. The Emperor then issued an edict listing ten crimes and added, "Tell me—what kin are Yang Jian and Yang Liang to you, that you curse them by name? Only afterward was he allowed to live with his son.
70
初，楊素嘗以少譴敕送南台，命治書侍御史柳彧治之。 素恃貴，坐彧床。 彧從外來見之，於階下端笏整容謂素曰：「奉敕治公之罪！」 素遽下。 彧據案而坐，立素於庭，辨詰事狀。 素由是銜之。 蜀王秀嘗從彧求李文博所撰《治道集》，彧與之； 秀遺彧奴婢十口。 及秀得罪，素奏彧以內臣交通諸侯，除名為民，配戍懷遠鎮。
Earlier, Yang Su had once been referred to the Southern Tribunal on a minor charge, with Impeachment Secretary Liu Yu assigned to try the case. Su, confident in his high rank, seated himself on Yu's bench. Yu entered from outside, saw this, and at the foot of the steps straightened his memorial tablet and his bearing. "I bear imperial orders to judge your offense!" he said. Su scrambled to his feet at once. Yu took the judge's seat, made Su stand in the courtyard, and examined the charges against him. From that day Su nursed a grudge against him. Prince of Shu Xiu had once asked Yu for Li Wenbo's Treatise on the Art of Governance, and Yu lent it to him; Xiu repaid him with ten slave servants. When Xiu fell, Su accused Yu of improper contact between an inner court official and a territorial prince. Yu was stripped of rank, reduced to common status, and exiled to Huaiyuan Garrison.
71
帝使司農卿趙仲卿往益州窮案秀事，秀之賓客經過之處，仲卿必深文致法，州縣長吏坐者太半。 上以為能，賞賜甚厚。
The Emperor sent Minister of Revenue Zhao Zhongqing to Yizhou to pursue Xiu's case to the fullest. Every place Xiu's guests had touched, Zhongqing stretched the law to its harshest edge, and more than half the local officials were punished. The Emperor judged him capable and rewarded him lavishly.
72
久之，貝州長史裴肅遣使上書，稱：「高熲以天挺良才，元勳佐命，為眾所疾，以至廢棄； 願陛下錄其大功，忘其小過。 又二庶人得罪已久，寧無革心！ 願陛下弘君父之慈，顧天性之義，各封小國，觀其所為：若能遷善，漸更增益； 如或不悛，貶削非晚。 今者自新之路永絕，愧悔之心莫見，豈不哀哉！」 書奏，上謂楊素曰：「裴肅憂我家事，此亦至誠也。」 於是征肅入朝。 太子聞之，謂左庶子張衡曰：「使勇自新，欲何為也？」 衡曰：「觀肅之意，欲令如吳太伯、漢東海王耳。」 肅至，上面諭以勇不可復收之意而罷遣之。 肅，俠之子也。
After some time, Chief Administrator of Beizhou Pei Su sent a memorial stating, "Gao Yong was Heaven-endowed talent and a founding minister who helped secure the throne, yet envy drove him to ruin; I ask Your Majesty to weigh his great service and overlook his minor faults. The two deposed princes have long been punished—is it not possible they have changed? Extend a ruler-father's mercy and honor natural affection. Grant each a small fief and watch what they do: if they amend their ways, restore their honors step by step; if they do not, further punishment can wait. As matters stand the road to redemption is closed and no remorse can show itself—is that not pitiable? When the memorial arrived, the Emperor told Yang Su, "Pei Su worries for my house. That is sincere loyalty." Pei Su was summoned to court. When the Crown Prince heard, he asked Left Palace Companion Zhang Heng, "If Yong is allowed to reform, what would that mean? Heng replied, "From Su's tone, he means something like Wu Taibo or the Prince of Donghai of Han." When Su arrived, the Emperor explained that Yong could not be restored and sent him home. Pei Su was the son of Pei Xia."
73
楊素弟約及從父文思、文紀、族父忌並為尚書、列卿，諸子無汗馬之勞，位至柱國、刺史； 廣營資產，自京師及諸方都會處，邸店、碾磑、便利田宅，不可勝數； 家僮數千，後庭妓妾曳綺羅者以千數； 第宅華侈，制擬宮禁； 親故吏布列清顯。 既廢一太子及一王，威權愈盛。 朝臣有違忤者，或至誅夷； 有附會及親戚，雖無才用，必加進擢，朝廷靡然，莫不畏附。 敢與素抗而不橈者，獨柳彧及尚書右丞李綱、大理卿梁毘而已。
Yang Su's brother Yue, his cousins Wensi and Wenji, and his clansman uncle Ji all held ministerial posts; his sons, without ever sweating in the saddle, rose to be Pillars of State and regional governors; The family amassed property on every side: in the capital and in every major market, inns, shops, mills, presses, and profitable estates beyond counting; household slaves ran to the thousands, and rear-garden concubines and entertainers draped in silk numbered a thousand or more; their mansions rivaled the palace in splendor and regulation; kinsmen, old allies, and former subordinates filled the most visible offices in the realm. After the deposition of one crown prince and one prince, his power only grew. Courtiers who crossed him might be executed to the last kin; cronies and relatives, however worthless, were promoted without fail, until the court bent to him and none dared stand apart. Only Liu Yu, Vice Minister Li Gang, and Chief Judge of Justice Liang Bi dared oppose him without yielding.
74
始，毘為西寧州刺史，凡十一年，蠻夷酋長皆以金多者為豪雋，遞相攻奪，略無寧歲，毘患之。 後因諸酋長相帥以金遺毘，毘置金坐側，對之慟哭，而謂之曰：「此物饑不可食，寒不可衣，汝等以此相滅，不可勝數，今將此來，欲殺我邪！」 一無所納。 於是蠻夷感悟，遂不相攻擊。 上聞而善之，征為大理卿，處法平允。
Bi had served eleven years as governor of Xining, where tribal chiefs measured prestige in gold and raided one another year after year. The endless violence troubled him deeply. When the chiefs came together to present him with gold, Bi set the metal beside his seat and wept before them. "This cannot feed hunger or ward off cold," he said. "You have slaughtered one another over it beyond count. Do you bring it to me now intending to kill me as well? He refused every gift. The tribes were shamed into peace and ceased their raids. The Emperor praised his conduct, recalled him to serve as Chief Judge of Justice, and Bi administered the law with evenhanded fairness.
75
毘見楊素專權，恐為國患，乃上封事曰：「臣聞臣無有作威作福，其害於而家，凶於而國。 竊見左僕射越國公素，幸遇愈重，權勢日隆，搢紳之徒，屬其視聽。 忤旨者嚴霜夏零，阿旨者甘雨冬澍； 榮枯由其脣吻，廢興候其指麾； 所私皆非忠讜，所進鹹是親戚，子弟布列，兼州連縣。 天下無事，容息異圖； 四海有虞，必為禍始。 夫奸臣擅命，有漸而來，王莽資之於積年，桓玄基之於易世，而卒殄漢祀，終傾晉祚。 陛下若以素為阿衡，臣恐其心未必伊尹也。 伏願揆鑒古今，量為處置，俾洪基永固，率土幸甚！」 書奏，上大怒，收毘繫獄，親詰之。 毘極言「素擅寵弄權，將領之處，殺戮無道。 又太子、蜀王罪廢之日，百僚無不震竦，唯素揚眉奮肘，喜見容色，利國家有事以為身幸。」 上無以屈，乃釋之。
Seeing Yang Su's monopoly on power, Bi feared for the realm and submitted a sealed memorial: "I have read that when ministers wield arbitrary power and dispense arbitrary favor, their houses are harmed and the state brought to ruin. I observe that Left Pushe, Duke of Yue Yang Su, enjoys ever greater imperial favor; his power grows daily, and officials everywhere watch his eyes and ears for direction. Those who defied him met withering frost in midsummer; those who flattered him found sweet rain in deep winter; careers rose or fell on his word alone, and fortunes waited upon his gesture; his favorites were none of them honest advisers; his promotions were all relatives; sons and brothers held posts across province after province; in peacetime he may already be nursing other designs; in crisis he would surely be the source of disaster. Usurpers do not appear overnight: Wang Mang built his power over many years, Huan Xuan seized his moment at a dynastic turn—and both in the end destroyed their dynasties. If Your Majesty would make Su your Aheng—the regent at your right hand—I doubt his heart is truly that of an Yi Yin. I beg Your Majesty to weigh past and present, act as the times require, and so keep the dynasty's foundation secure—a blessing to every subject under Heaven. When the memorial reached him, the emperor flew into a rage, had Bi arrested and thrown into prison, and questioned him in person. Bi held nothing back: "Su hoards imperial favor and twists power to his own ends. Wherever he holds command, men die by his whim, without justice or restraint. When the Crown Prince and the Prince of Shu were deposed, every official at court trembled—every official but Su, who lifted his brows and squared his elbows, delight written on his face, as though the nation's crisis were his private windfall. The emperor could not gainsay him, and let him go."
76
其後上亦浸疏忌素，乃下敕曰：「僕射國之宰輔，不可躬親細務，但三五日一向省，評論大事。」 外示優崇，實奪之權也。 素由是終仁壽之末，不復通判省事。 出楊約為伊州刺史。
After that the emperor grew steadily cooler toward Su and more wary of him. He issued an edict: "The Vice Premier is the state's foremost minister. He must not bury himself in routine business; let him come to court only every few days to deliberate on weighty affairs. Outwardly it was honor; in truth it was the withdrawal of his authority. From then until the close of the Renshou reign, Su no longer handled day-to-day governance at all. Yang Yue was posted away as governor of Yizhou.
77
素既被疏，吏部尚書柳述益用事，攝兵部尚書，參掌機密； 素由是惡之。
With Su sidelined, Minister of Personnel Liu Shu gained ground. He doubled as acting Minister of War and was admitted to the inner circle of state secrets; and Su came to hate him for it.
78
太子問於賀若弼曰：「楊素、韓擒虎、史萬歲皆稱良將，其優劣何如？」 弼曰：「楊素猛將，非謀將； 韓擒虎鬥將，非領將； 史萬歲騎將，非大將。」 太子曰：「然則大將誰也？」 弼拜曰：「唯殿下所擇！」 弼意自許也。
The Crown Prince asked He Ruobi, "Yang Su, Han Qinhu, and Shi Wansui are all praised as fine generals. How do they rank against one another? Ruobi answered, "Yang Su is a fierce fighter, not a strategist; Han Qinhu is a brawler on the field, not a man to lead armies; Shi Wansui is a cavalryman, not a commander of the first rank. The Crown Prince asked, "Then who is the great commander? Ruobi bowed low. "That, Highness, is for you alone to decide! He meant himself, of course."
79
交州俚帥李佛子作亂，據越王故城，遣其兄子大權據龍編城，其別帥李普鼎據烏延城。 楊素薦瓜州刺史長安劉方有將帥之略，詔以方為交州道行軍總管，統二十七營而進。 方軍令嚴肅，有犯必斬； 然仁愛士卒，有疾病者親臨撫親，士卒亦以此懷之。 至都隆嶺，遇賊，擊破之。 進軍臨佛子營，先諭以禍福。 佛子懼，請降，送之長安。
In Jiaozhou the Li chieftain Li Fozi rose in rebellion, seizing the old capital of the King of Yue. He sent his brother's son Daquan to hold Longbian while a subordinate chief, Li Puding, took Wuyan. Yang Su recommended Liu Fang of Chang'an, governor of Guazhou, as a man of real command. The emperor made him campaigning commander on the Jiaozhou route at the head of twenty-seven battalions. Fang ran a tight army: any breach of discipline meant the headsman's block; yet he cared for his men, and when any fell sick he nursed them himself. The soldiers loved him for it. At Dulong Ridge they met the rebels and broke them. Pressing on to Fozi's camp, Fang first sent word of the rewards of surrender and the cost of resistance. Fozi, terrified, submitted and was escorted to Chang'an.
80
秋，八月，壬申，賜幽州總管燕榮死。 榮性嚴酷，鞭撻左右，動至千數。 嘗見道次叢荊，以為堪作杖，命取之，輒以試人。 人或自陳無罪，榮曰：「後有罪，當免汝。」 既而有犯，將杖之，人曰：「前日被杖，使君許以有罪宥之。」 榮曰：「無罪尚爾，況有罪邪！」 杖之自若。
In autumn, the eighth month, on renshen day, Yan Rong, regional commander of Youzhou, was condemned to death. Rong was savage by nature. He beat his attendants until the lash count ran into the thousands. Once, passing a roadside thicket, he decided the thorns would make excellent rods, had them cut, and at once tested them on whoever was at hand. When a man protested his innocence, Rong said, "Commit a crime later and I'll let you off then. When the same man did offend and the rod was raised again, he reminded Rong: "You beat me the other day and promised a pardon if I ever broke the law. Rong replied, "I flogged you when you were innocent. Do you think I'd spare you now that you're guilty? And he beat him all the same.
81
觀州長史元弘嗣遷幽州長史，懼為榮所辱，固辭。 上敕榮曰：「弘嗣杖十已上罪，皆須奏聞。」 榮忿曰：「豎子何敢玩我！」 於是遣弘嗣監納倉粟，揚得一糠一秕，皆罰之。 每笞雖不滿十，然一日之中，或至三數。 如是歷年，怨隙日構。 榮遂收弘嗣付獄，禁絕其糧，弘嗣抽衣絮雜水咽之。 其妻詣闕稱冤，上遣使按驗，奏榮暴虐，贓穢狼籍； 征還，賜死。 元弘嗣代榮為政。 酷又甚之。
Yuan Hongsi, long secretary of Guanzhou, was reassigned as long secretary of Youzhou. Dreading Rong's abuse, he refused the post outright. The emperor instructed Rong: "For any offense by Hongsi calling for more than ten strokes, you must first report to the throne. Rong snarled, "Who does this whelp think he is, playing me for a fool! He put Hongsi in charge of receiving granary grain and fined him for every speck of chaff or hollow kernel in the winnow. No single beating exceeded ten strokes, yet two or three floggings in one day were common. Year after year the hatred between them deepened. At last Rong jailed Hongsi and cut off his rations. Hongsi soaked scraps of cloth from his garments in water and swallowed them to stay alive. His wife appealed at court. The emperor sent investigators, who reported Rong's cruelty and brazen corruption; Rong was recalled and condemned to death. Yuan Hongsi succeeded him in office. He was crueler still.
82
九月，壬戌，置常平官。
In the ninth month, on renxu day, the Ever-Normal Granary offices were established.
83
是歲，龍門王通詣闕獻《太平十二策》，上不能用，罷歸。 通遂教授於河、汾之間，弟子自遠至者甚眾，累征不起。 楊素甚重之，勸之仕，通曰：「通有先人之弊廬足以蔽風雨，薄田足以具{衍食}粥，讀書談道足以自樂。 願明公正身以治天下，使時和歲豐，通也受賜多矣，不願仕也。」 或譖通於素曰：「彼實慢公，公何敬焉？」 素以問通，通曰：「使公可慢，則僕得矣； 不可慢，則僕失矣：得失在僕，公何預焉！」 素待之如初。 弟子賈瓊問息謗，通曰：「無辯。」 問止怨，曰：「不爭。」 通嘗稱：「無赦之國，其刑必平； 重斂之國，其財必削。」 又曰：「聞謗而怒者，讒之□也； 見譽而喜者，佞之媒也； 絕□去媒，讒佞遠矣。」 大業末，卒於家，門人謚曰文中子。
That year Wang Tong of Longmen came to court with his Twelve Policies for Great Peace. The emperor took no use of them, and Tong returned home unrewarded. He settled to teach between the Yellow and Fen Rivers. Students flocked to him from distant places, and though the court summoned him again and again, he never entered service. Yang Su held him in high regard and pressed him to serve. Tong replied, "I have my ancestors' humble roof, enough to keep off wind and rain, and a small plot enough for gruel. Books and talk of the Way are pleasure enough for me. What I ask is that you govern the realm with an upright heart, so that peace reigns and harvests abound. That would be gift enough for me. I have no wish to serve. Someone whispered to Su that Tong was secretly mocking him: "He looks down on you—why do you treat him with such respect? Su put the charge to Tong himself. Tong answered, "If you were a man one could treat lightly, I would be the better for it; if you are not such a man, then I lose. The gain or loss is mine alone—what has that to do with you? Su treated him just as he had before. His student Jia Qiong asked how to silence slander. Tong said, "Do not argue. Asked how to end resentment, he said, "Do not contend. Wang Tong once said, "In a realm that grants no pardons, punishments will be evenhanded; in a realm of heavy levies, its wealth will surely be drained. He also said, "He who flies into a rage at slander becomes the decoy of slander; he who brightens at praise becomes the go-between of flattery; cut off the decoy and dismiss the go-between, and slander and flattery will keep their distance. At the close of the Daye reign he died at home. His disciples gave him the posthumous title Master Wenzhong."
84
突厥步迦可汗所部大亂，鐵勒僕骨等十餘部，皆叛步迦降於啟民。 步迦眾潰，西奔吐谷渾； 長孫晟送啟民置磧口，啟民於是盡有步迦之眾。
The tribes under the Turkish khan Tardu fell into chaos. More than ten Tiele tribes, Pugu among them, broke from Tardu and submitted to Qimin. Tardu's army disintegrated and fled west toward Tuyuhun; Changsun Sheng installed Qimin at the desert pass, and Qimin thereby absorbed all of Tardu's people.