1
資治通鑑第191卷卷第一百九十一
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 191.
2
【唐紀七】起閼逢涒灘六月，盡柔兆閹茂八月，凡二年有奇。
[Tang Records 7] From the sixth month of Eyan Tuitan through the eighth month of Rouzhao Yanmao—a little more than two years in all.
3
六月，辛丑，上幸仁智宮避暑。
In the sixth month, on the day xinchou, the emperor went to Renzhi Palace to escape the summer heat.
4
辛亥，瀧州、扶州獠作亂，遣南尹州都督李光度等擊平之。
On xinhai, the Liao people of Long and Fu prefectures rose in revolt; the court sent the Nanyinzhou area commander Li Guangdu and others to attack and put down the rebellion.
5
丙辰，吐谷渾寇扶州，刺史蔣善合擊走之。 壬戌，慶州都督楊文幹反。
On bingchen, Tuyuhun raided Fu Prefecture; Prefect Jiang Shanhe attacked and drove them off. On renxu, Qingzhou area commander Yang Wengan rebelled.
6
初，齊王元吉勸太子建成除秦王世民，曰：「當為兄手刃之！」 世民從上幸元吉第，元吉伏護軍宇文寶於寢內，欲刺世民； 建成性頗仁厚，遽止之。 元吉慍曰：「為兄計耳，於我何有！」
Earlier, Prince of Qi Li Yuanji had urged Crown Prince Li Jiancheng to eliminate Prince of Qin Li Shimin, saying, "Let me kill him for you with my own hand!" When Shimin accompanied the emperor on a visit to Yuanji's residence, Yuanji hid guard officer Yuwen Bao in the bedchamber to stab Shimin; Jiancheng, whose nature was rather humane, stopped him at once. Yuanji said angrily, "I am doing this for my elder brother—what do I get out of it!"
7
建成擅募長安及四方驍勇二千餘人為東宮衛士，分屯左、右長林，號長林兵。 又密使右虞侯率可達志從燕王李藝發幽州突騎三百，置宮東諸坊，欲以補東宮長上，為人所告。 上召建成責之，流可達志於巂州。
On his own authority Jiancheng recruited more than two thousand fierce warriors from Chang'an and from all quarters as Eastern Palace guards, quartered them at Left and Right Changlin, and called them the Changlin troops. He also secretly sent Right Yuhou commander Kedazhi to obtain three hundred frontier cavalry from Prince of Yan Li Yi in Youzhou and station them in the wards east of the palace, intending to fill out the Eastern Palace changshang ranks; someone reported the scheme. The emperor summoned Jiancheng and rebuked him, and exiled Kedazhi to Xizhou.
8
楊文幹嘗宿衛東宮，建成與之親厚，私使募壯士送長安。 上將幸仁智宮，命建成居守，世民、元吉皆從。 建成使元吉就圖世民，曰：「安危之計，決在今歲！」 又使郎將爾朱煥、校尉橋公山以甲遺文幹。 二人至豳州，上變，告太子使文幹舉兵，使表裡相應； 又有寧州人杜鳳舉亦詣宮言狀。 上怒，托他事，手詔召建成，令詣行在。 建成懼，不敢赴。 太子舍人徐師謨勸之據城舉兵； 詹事主簿趙弘智勸之貶損車服，屏從者，詣上謝罪，建成乃詣仁智宮。 未至六十里，悉留其官屬於毛鴻賓堡，以十餘騎往見上，叩頭謝罪，奮身自擲，幾至於絕。 上怒不解，是夜，置之幕下，飼以麥飯，使殿中監陳福防守，遣司農卿宇文穎馳召文幹。 穎至慶州，以情告之，文幹遂舉兵反。 上遣左武衛將軍錢九隴與靈州都督楊師道擊之。
Yang Wengan had once served as night guard at the Eastern Palace; Jiancheng was on close terms with him and privately had him recruit stalwart men and send them to Chang'an. When the emperor was about to visit Renzhi Palace, he ordered Jiancheng to remain in the capital as regent; Shimin and Yuanji both accompanied him. Jiancheng had Yuanji go and plot against Shimin, saying, "Whether we live or die will be decided this year!" He also sent Langjiang Erzhu Huan and Xiaowei Qiao Gongshan to deliver armor to Wengan. When the two reached Bin Prefecture, they submitted a petition accusing the crown prince of ordering Wengan to raise troops so that capital and frontier might act in concert; and a man of Ning Prefecture, Du Fengju, also went to the palace to report the same. The emperor was furious; on the pretext of another matter he issued a personal edict summoning Jiancheng and ordering him to come to the imperial camp. Jiancheng was afraid and did not dare go. Crown Prince Gentleman Attendant Xu Shimou urged him to hold the city and raise troops; Household Steward Registrar Zhao Hongzhi urged him to travel in reduced state, leave his attendants behind, and go to beg the emperor's pardon; Jiancheng then set out for Renzhi Palace. Before he had gone sixty li, he left all his officials at Maohongbin Fort and rode on with only a dozen horsemen to see the emperor; he kowtowed in apology and threw himself about in anguish, nearly fainting. The emperor's anger did not subside; that night he lodged Jiancheng under a tent, fed him barley meal, and had Palace Director Chen Fu guard him; he sent Minister of Imperial Granaries Yuwen Ying posthaste to summon Wengan. When Ying reached Qing Prefecture, he told Wengan how things stood, and Wengan thereupon raised troops in rebellion. The emperor sent Left Wuwei General Qian Jiulong and Lingzhou area commander Yang Shidao to attack him.
9
甲子，上召秦王世民謀之，世民曰：「文幹豎子，敢為狂逆，計府僚已應擒戮； 若不爾，正應遣一將討之耳。」 上曰：「不然。 文幹事連建成，恐應之者眾。 汝宜自行，還，立汝為太子。 吾不能效隋文帝自誅其子，當封建成為蜀王。 蜀兵脆弱，它日苟能事汝，汝宜全之； 不能事汝，汝取之易耳！」
On jiazi, the emperor summoned Prince of Qin Li Shimin to counsel with him. Shimin said, "Wengan is a mere stripling who dared commit wild treason; his staff have surely already been seized and executed; if not, we need only send a general to suppress him." The emperor said, "Not so. Wengan's affair is tied to Jiancheng; I fear many will rally to him. You should go in person; when you return, I will make you crown prince. I cannot imitate Emperor Wen of Sui in executing my own son; I shall enfeoff Jiancheng as King of Shu. Shu's troops are weak; if someday he can serve you, you ought to spare him; if he cannot serve you, you will take him easily enough!"
10
上以仁智宮在山中，恐盜兵猝發，夜，帥宿衛南出山外，行數十里，東宮官屬將卒繼至者，皆令三十人為隊，分兵圍守之。 明日，復還仁智宮。
Because Renzhi Palace stood in the mountains, the emperor feared that rebel troops might strike suddenly; at night he led the palace guard south out of the mountains and marched several tens of li. Eastern Palace officials and soldiers who arrived afterward were formed into companies of thirty and surrounded by detachments on guard. The next day he returned to Renzhi Palace.
11
世民既行，元吉與妃嬪更迭為建成請，封德彝復為之營解於外，上意遂變，復遣建成還京師居守。 惟責以兄弟不睦，歸罪於太子中允王珪、左衛率韋挺、天策兵曹參軍杜淹，並流於巂州。 挺，沖之子也。 初，洛陽既平，杜淹久不得調，欲求事建成。 房玄齡以淹多狡數，恐其教導建成，益為世民不利，乃言於世民，引入天策府。
After Shimin had set out, Yuanji and the consorts took turns pleading for Jiancheng; Feng Deyi again worked to clear matters for him from outside, and the emperor's mind changed; he sent Jiancheng back to the capital to remain as regent. He blamed only the brothers' discord, laid the guilt on Crown Prince Zhongyun Wang Gui, Left Weilü Wei Ting, and Heavenly Stratagem Army Caocan Du Yan, and exiled them all to Xizhou. Wei Ting was the son of Wei Chong. Earlier, after Luoyang had been pacified, Du Yan had long gone without an appointment and wished to attach himself to Jiancheng. Fang Xuanling, knowing Yan's crafty ways, feared he would counsel Jiancheng to Shimin's further disadvantage and spoke to Shimin, who brought Yan into the Heavenly Stratagem headquarters.
12
突厥寇代州之武周城，州兵擊破之。
The Turks raided Wuzhou city in Dai Prefecture; the prefectural troops attacked and defeated them.
13
秋，七月，己巳，苑君璋以突厥寇朔州，總管秦武通擊卻之。
In autumn, the seventh month, on jisi, Yuan Junzhang led Turks in a raid on Shuo Prefecture; area commander Qin Wutong attacked and drove them back.
14
楊文幹襲陷寧州，驅掠吏民出據百家堡。 秦王世民軍至寧州，其黨皆潰。 癸酉，文幹為其麾下所殺，傳首京師。 獲宇文穎，誅之。
Yang Wengan made a surprise attack and seized Ning Prefecture, drove off officials and commoners, and withdrew to hold Baijia Fort. When Prince of Qin Li Shimin's army reached Ning Prefecture, Wengan's followers all scattered. On guiyou, Wengan was killed by his own subordinates, and his head was sent to the capital. Yuwen Ying was captured and executed.
15
丁丑，梁師都行台白伏願來降。
On dingchou, Liang Shidu's headquarters officer Bai Fuyuan came to surrender.
16
戊寅，突厥寇原州； 遣寧州刺史鹿大師救之，又遣楊師道趨大木根山，邀其歸路。 庚辰，突厥寇隴州； 遣護軍尉遲敬德擊之。
On wuyin, the Turks raided Yuan Prefecture; the court sent Ning Prefecture prefect Lu Dashi to the rescue and also sent Yang Shidao to hurry to Damugen Mountain to cut off their retreat. On gengchen, the Turks raided Long Prefecture; the court sent Guard General Yuchi Jingde to attack them.
17
吐谷渾寇岷州。 辛巳，吐谷渾、党項寇松州。 癸未，突厥寇陰盤。
Tuyuhun raided Min Prefecture. On xinsi, Tuyuhun and the Tangut raided Song Prefecture. On guiwei, the Turks raided Yinpan.
18
甲申，扶州刺史蔣善合擊吐谷渾於松州赤磨鎮，破之。
On jiashen, Fu Prefecture prefect Jiang Shanhe attacked Tuyuhun at Chimo in Song Prefecture and defeated them.
19
己丑，突厥吐利設與苑君璋寇并州。
On jichou, the Turk Tuli she and Yuan Junzhang raided Bing Prefecture.
20
甲子，車駕還京師。
On jiazi, the imperial carriage returned to the capital.
21
或說上曰：「突厥所以屢寇關中者，以子女玉帛皆在長安故也。 若焚長安而不都，則胡寇自息矣。」 上以為然，遣中書侍郎宇文士及逾南山至樊、鄧，行可居之地，將徒都之。 太子建成、齊王元吉、裴寂皆贊成其策，蕭瑀等雖知其不可，而不敢諫。 秦王世民諫曰：「戎狄為患，自古有之。 陛下以聖武龍興，光宅中夏，精兵百萬，所征無敵，奈何以胡寇擾邊，遽遷都以避之，貽四海之羞，為百世之笑乎！ 彼霍去病漢廷一將，猶志滅匈奴； 況臣忝備籓維，願假數年之期，請系頡利之頸，致之闕下。 若其不效，遷都未晚。」 上曰：「善。」 建成曰：「昔樊噲欲以十萬眾橫行匈奴中，秦王之言得無似之！」 世民曰：「形勢各異，用兵不同，樊噲小豎，何足道乎！ 不出十年，必定漠北，非敢虛言也！」 上乃止。 建成與妃嬪因共譖世民曰：「突厥雖屢為邊患，得賂則退。 秦王外托禦寇之名，內欲總兵權，成其篡奪之謀耳！」
Someone said to the emperor, "The Turks raid Guanzhong again and again because their families and all their wealth are in Chang'an. Burn Chang'an and move the capital elsewhere, and the barbarian raids will cease of themselves." The emperor thought this correct and sent Secretariat Vice-Director Yuwen Shiji over the Southern Mountains to Fan and Deng to survey habitable ground, intending to move the capital. Crown Prince Jiancheng, Prince of Qi Yuanji, and Pei Ji all approved the plan; Xiao Yu and others, though they knew it was wrong, did not dare remonstrate. Prince of Qin Shimin remonstrated, saying, "Barbarian troubles have existed since antiquity. Your Majesty rose by sacred martial prowess and made the central land your dwelling; you have a million crack troops whom none can withstand—how can you, because barbarian raiders trouble the border, hastily move the capital to avoid them, and bring shame on the empire and laughter for a hundred generations! Huo Qubing was but one general of the Han court, yet still aspired to destroy the Xiongnu; how much more, when I unworthily hold a frontier post, may I beg a few years' time and bind Jieli's neck and deliver him to your palace gates. If I fail, moving the capital will not be too late." The emperor said, "Well said." Jiancheng said, "Fan Kuai once wanted to lead a hundred thousand men rampaging through the Xiongnu lands—does not the Prince of Qin's speech sound just like that!" Shimin said, "Circumstances differ and the use of troops differs; Fan Kuai was a petty fellow—not worth mentioning! Within ten years I shall surely pacify the northern desert—that is no empty boast!" The emperor then abandoned the plan. Jiancheng and the consorts thereupon slandered Shimin together, saying, "Although the Turks have repeatedly troubled the border, they withdraw when bribed. The Prince of Qin outwardly uses the name of repelling invaders but inwardly wishes to gather military authority and accomplish his plot to seize the throne!"
22
上校獵城南，太子、秦、齊王皆從，上命三子馳射角勝。 建成有胡馬，肥壯而喜蹶，以授世民曰：「此馬甚駿，能超數丈澗。 弟善騎，試乘之。」 世民乘以逐鹿，馬蹶，世民躍立於數步之外，馬起，復乘之，如是者三，顧謂宇文士及曰：「彼欲以此見殺，死生有命，庸何傷乎！」 建成聞之，因令妃嬪譖之於上曰：「秦王自言，我有天命，方為天下主，豈有浪死！」 上大怒，先召建成、元吉，然後召世民入，責之曰：「天子自有天命，非智力可求； 汝求之一何急邪！」 世民免冠頓首，請下法司案驗。 上怒不解，會有司奏突厥入寇，上乃改容，勞勉世民，命之冠帶，與謀突厥。 閏月，己未，詔世民、元吉將兵出幽州以御突厥，上餞之於蘭池。 上每有寇盜，輒命世民討之，事平之後，猜嫌益甚。
The emperor hunted south of the city; the crown prince and the Princes of Qin and Qi all followed, and the emperor ordered the three sons to gallop and shoot in contest for victory. Jiancheng had a barbarian horse, fat, strong, and prone to bucking; he gave it to Shimin, saying, "This horse is very swift and can leap ravines several zhang wide. Younger brother, you ride well—try it." Shimin mounted it to chase deer; the horse bucked; Shimin leaped clear several paces away; the horse rose and he mounted again—three times in all. He turned and said to Yuwen Shiji, "They meant to kill me with this—life and death are fated; what harm is there!" When Jiancheng heard of it, he had the consorts slander Shimin to the emperor, saying, "The Prince of Qin said himself, 'I have Heaven's mandate and am destined to rule the realm—how could I die in vain!" The emperor was furious; he first summoned Jiancheng and Yuanji, then summoned Shimin and rebuked him, saying, "The Son of Heaven has his own Heaven's mandate—it cannot be sought by wit or force; why are you in such haste to seek it!" Shimin removed his cap and kowtowed, asking that the matter be referred to the judicial offices for investigation. The emperor's anger did not subside; just then the offices reported a Turk invasion, and the emperor's expression changed; he comforted Shimin, ordered him to put on cap and belt, and deliberated with him on the Turks. In the intercalary month, on jiwei, an edict ordered Shimin and Yuanji to lead troops out from Youzhou to repel the Turks; the emperor saw them off at Lan Pool. Whenever there were bandits or raiders, the emperor would always order Shimin to suppress them; after each campaign suspicion and estrangement grew worse.
23
初，隋末，京兆韋仁壽為蜀郡司法書佐，所論囚至市，猶西向為仁壽禮佛，然後死。 唐興，爨弘達帥西南夷內附，朝廷遣使撫之，類皆貪縱，遠民患之，有叛者。 仁壽時為巂州都督長史，上聞其名，命檢校南寧州都督，寄治越巂，使之歲一至其地慰撫之。 仁壽性寬厚，有識度，既受命，將兵五百人至西洱河，周歷數千里，蠻、夷豪帥皆望風歸附，來見仁壽。 仁壽承製置七州、十五縣，各以其豪帥為刺史、縣令，法令清肅，蠻、夷悅服。 將還，豪帥皆曰：「天子遣公都督南寧，何為遽去？」 仁壽以城池未立為辭。 蠻、夷即相帥為仁壽築城，立廨捨，旬日而就。 仁壽乃曰：「吾受詔但令巡撫，不敢擅留。」 蠻、夷號泣送之，因各遣子弟入貢。 壬戌，仁壽還朝，上大悅，命仁壽徙鎮南寧，以兵戍之。
Earlier, at the end of Sui, Wei Renshou of Jingzhao was a judicial clerk in Shu commandery; condemned prisoners, when they reached the market, still faced west to bow to the Buddha on Renshou's behalf before they died. When Tang arose, Cuan Hongda led the southwestern tribes in submission; the court sent envoys to pacify them, who were mostly greedy and unrestrained; the distant peoples suffered and some rebelled. Renshou was then chief clerk to the Xizhou area commander; the emperor heard his name and appointed him acting Nanning area commander, with administration lodged at Yuexi, ordering him to visit the region once a year to comfort and pacify the people. Renshou was generous by nature and had sound judgment; once commissioned, he led five hundred troops to the West Er River, toured several thousand li, and barbarian and tribal chieftains submitted at the report of his coming and came to see him. Renshou received imperial authorization to establish seven prefectures and fifteen counties, appointing each tribal chieftain as prefect or magistrate; laws and orders were clear and strict, and the tribes were pleased and submitted. When he was about to return, the chieftains all said, "The Son of Heaven sent you, sir, to command Nanning—why leave so soon?" Renshou pleaded that the city walls had not yet been built. The tribes thereupon joined in building a city for Renshou and erecting government offices; in ten days it was done. Renshou then said, "I received the edict only to tour and pacify—I dare not stay on my own authority." The tribes wept aloud as they saw him off, and each sent sons to present tribute. On renxu, Renshou returned to court; the emperor was greatly pleased and ordered Renshou to transfer his command to Nanning and garrison it with troops.
24
苑君璋引突厥寇朔州。
Yuan Junzhang led the Turks in a raid on Shuo Prefecture.
25
八月，戊辰，突厥寇原州。
In the eighth month, on wuchen, the Turks raided Yuan Prefecture.
26
己巳，吐谷渾寇鄯州。
On jisi, Tuyuhun raided Shan Prefecture.
27
壬申，突厥寇忻州，丙子，寇并州； 京師戒嚴。 戊寅，寇綏州，刺史劉大俱擊卻之。
On renshen, the Turks raided Xin Prefecture; on bingzi, they raided Bing Prefecture; the capital was placed under martial alert. On wuyin, they raided Sui Prefecture; Prefect Liu Daju attacked and drove them back.
28
是時，頡利、突利二可汗舉國入寇，連營南上，秦王世民引兵拒之。 會關中久雨，糧運阻絕，士卒疲於征役，器械頓弊，朝廷及軍中鹹以為憂。 世民與虜遇於幽州，勒兵將戰。 己卯，可汗帥萬餘騎奄至城西，陳於五隴阪，將士震恐。 世民謂元吉曰：「今虜騎憑陵，不可示之以怯，當與之一戰，汝能與我俱乎？」 元吉懼曰：「虜形勢如此，奈何輕出？ 萬一失利，悔可及乎！」 世民曰：「汝不敢出，吾當獨往。 汝留此觀之。」 世民乃帥騎馳詣虜陳，告之曰：「國家與可汗和親，何為負約，深入我地！ 我秦王也，可汗能鬥，獨出與我斗； 若以眾來，我直以此百騎相當耳！」 頡利不之測，笑而不應。 世民又前，遣騎告突利曰：「爾往與我盟，有急相救； 今乃引兵相攻，何無香火之情也！」 突利亦不應。 世民又前，將渡溝水，頡利見世民輕出，又聞香火之言，疑突利與世民有謀，乃遣止世民曰：「王不須渡，我無他意，更欲與王申固盟約耳。」 乃引兵稍卻。 是後霖雨益甚，世民謂諸將曰：「虜所恃者弓矢耳，今積雨彌時，筋膠俱解，弓不可用，彼如飛鳥之折翼； 吾屋居火食，刀槊犀利，以逸制勞，此而不乘，將復何待！」 乃潛師夜出，冒雨而進，突厥大驚。 世民又遣說突利以利害，突利悅，聽命。 頡利慾戰，突利不可，乃遣突利與其夾畢特勒阿史那思摩來見世民，請和親，世民許之。 思摩，頡利之從叔也。 突利因自托於世民，請結為兄弟。 世民亦以恩意撫之，與盟而去。
At this time Khans Jieli and Tuli led their whole nation in invasion, encamping in succession as they marched south; Prince of Qin Li Shimin led troops to resist them. Guanzhong had suffered long rains; grain transport was cut off; soldiers were worn out by campaigns and weapons were ruined; at court and in the army all were anxious. Shimin encountered the barbarians at You Prefecture, arrayed his troops, and was about to give battle. On jimao, the khan led more than ten thousand horsemen in a sudden arrival west of the city and formed battle lines at Wulong Slope; officers and soldiers were shaken with fear. Shimin said to Yuanji, "The barbarian horsemen press upon us—we must not show timidity; we ought to give them battle. Will you go with me?" Yuanji said in fear, "The barbarians' position is so strong—how can you go out lightly? If we are defeated, will regret avail us!" Shimin said, "If you do not dare go out, I shall go alone. You stay here and watch." Shimin then galloped with his horsemen to the barbarian lines and said, "Our state and the khan are joined by marriage alliance—why break the treaty and penetrate deep into our territory! I am the Prince of Qin; if the khan can fight, come out alone and fight me; if you come with a multitude, I will meet you with just these hundred horsemen!" Jieli could not fathom him; he smiled and did not reply. Shimin advanced again and sent a horseman to tell Tuli, "You once allied with me and promised aid in emergency; now you lead troops against me—where is the bond of sworn brotherhood!" Tuli also did not reply. Shimin advanced again and was about to cross the ditch; Jieli saw Shimin come out so boldly and, hearing the talk of sworn brotherhood, suspected Tuli and Shimin of plotting together; he sent word to stop Shimin, saying, "Prince, you need not cross; I have no other intent—I only wish to renew and strengthen our alliance." He then drew his troops back somewhat. After this the steady rain grew heavier; Shimin said to the generals, "The barbarians rely on bow and arrow; the rain has lasted so long that sinew and glue are undone and bows cannot be used—they are like birds with broken wings; we dwell in houses, eat cooked food, and our blades and spears are sharp—we use rest to overcome their fatigue; if we do not seize this moment, what shall we wait for!" He then sent troops out secretly by night, advanced through the rain, and the Turks were greatly alarmed. Shimin also sent envoys to persuade Tuli with considerations of advantage and harm; Tuli was pleased and obeyed. Jieli wished to fight but Tuli would not allow it; he then sent Tuli with his jabimilitele Ashina Simo to see Shimin and request a marriage alliance; Shimin agreed. Simo was Jieli's younger cousin on the father's side. Tuli thereupon entrusted himself to Shimin and asked to be joined as sworn brothers. Shimin also treated him with gracious favor, made alliance with him, and they departed.
29
庚寅，岐州刺史柴紹破突厥於杜陽谷。
On gengyin, Qi Prefecture prefect Chai Shao defeated the Turks at Duyang Valley.
30
壬申，突厥阿史那思摩入見，上引升御榻，慰勞之。 思摩貌類胡，不類突厥，故處羅疑其非阿史那種，歷處羅、頡利世，常為夾畢特勒，終不得典兵為設。 既入朝，賜爵和順王。
On renshen, the Turk Ashina Simo came to audience; the emperor had him brought up to the imperial couch and comforted and encouraged him. Simo's appearance resembled that of the Hu rather than the Turks; therefore Chuluo suspected he was not of the Ashina clan; through the reigns of Chuluo and Jieli he was always a jabimilitele and never obtained command of troops as a she. Once he entered court, he was granted the title King of Heshun.
31
丁酉，遣左僕射裴寂使於突厥。
On dingyou, Left Pushe Pei Ji was sent as envoy to the Turks.
32
九月，癸卯，日南人姜子路反，交州都督王志遠擊破之。
In the ninth month, on guimao, a man of Rinan, Jiang Zilu, rebelled; Jiaozhou area commander Wang Zhiyuan attacked and defeated him.
33
癸卯，突厥寇綏州，都督劉大俱擊破之，獲特勒三人。
On guimao, the Turks raided Sui Prefecture; area commander Liu Daju attacked and defeated them and captured three tele.
34
冬，十月，己巳，突厥寇甘州。
In winter, the tenth month, on jisi, the Turks raided Gan Prefecture.
35
辛未，上校獵於鄠之南山； 癸酉，幸終南。
On xinwei, the emperor conducted a hunting review south of the mountains at Hu; on guiyou, he visited Zhongnan.
36
吐谷渾及羌人寇疊州，陷合川。
Tuyuhun and the Qiang raided Die Prefecture and seized Hechuan.
37
丙子，上幸樓觀，謁老子祠； 癸未，以太牢祭隋文帝陵。
On bingzi, the emperor visited Louguan and paid homage at the shrine of Laozi; on guiwei, he sacrificed with the great offering at the tomb of Emperor Wen of Sui.
38
十一月，丁卯，上幸龍躍宮； 庚午，還宮。
In the eleventh month, on dingmao, the emperor visited Longyue Palace; on gengwu, he returned to the palace.
39
太子詹事裴矩權檢校侍中。
Crown Prince Household Steward Pei Ju was appointed acting provisional Palace Attendant.
40
春，正月，丙辰，以壽州都督張鎮周為舒州都督。 鎮周以舒州本其鄉里，到州，就故宅多市酒餚，召親戚故人，與之酣宴，散發箕距，如為布衣時，凡十日。 既而分贈金帛，泣與之別，曰：「今日張鎮周猶得與故人歡飲，明日之後，則舒州都督治百姓耳，君民禮隔，不復得為交遊。」 自是親戚故人犯法，一無所縱，境內肅然。
In spring, the first month, on bingchen, Shou Prefecture area commander Zhang Zhenzhou was made area commander of Shu Prefecture. Because Shu Prefecture was his native place, Zhenzhou on reaching office went to his old residence, bought much wine and food, summoned kinsmen and old friends, and feasted with them in revelry, hair loose and legs sprawled, as in his days as a commoner—for ten days in all. Then he distributed gold and silk as gifts, wept as he parted from them, and said, "Today Zhang Zhenzhou can still drink in joy with old friends; from tomorrow on I am only the Shu Prefecture area commander governing the people—the rites between ruler and subject divide us, and we can no longer be companions in pleasure." From then on, when kinsmen and old friends violated the law, he showed no leniency whatever, and within his jurisdiction all was orderly.
41
丁巳，遣右武衛將軍段德操徇夏州地。
On dingsi, Right Wuwei General Duan Decao conducted a punitive sweep of Xia Prefecture territory.
42
吐谷渾寇疊州。
Tuyuhun raided Die Prefecture.
43
是月，突厥、吐谷渾各請互市，詔皆許之。 先是，中國喪亂，民乏耕牛，至是資於戎狄，雜畜被野。
That month, the Turks and Tuyuhun each requested border markets; an edict permitted both. Earlier, China had suffered disorder and the people lacked draft oxen; by this time they obtained them from the barbarians, and mixed livestock covered the fields.
44
夏，四月，乙亥，党項寇渭州。
In summer, the fourth month, on yihai, the Tangut raided Wei Prefecture.
45
甲申，上幸鄠縣，校獵於甘谷，營太和宮於終南山； 丙戌，還宮。
On jiashen, the emperor visited Hu County, conducted a hunting review at Gangu, and built Taihe Palace on Zhongnan Mountain; on bingxu, he returned to the palace.
46
西突厥統葉護可汗遣使請婚，上謂裴矩曰：「西突厥道遠，緩急不能相助，今求婚，何如？」 對曰：「今北寇方強，為國家今日計，且當遠交而近攻，臣謂宜許其婚以威頡利； 俟數年之後，中國完實，足抗北夷，然後徐思其宜。」 上從之。 遣高平王道立至其國，統葉護大喜。 道立，上之從子也。
Western Turk Khan Tongyehu sent envoys to request marriage; the emperor said to Pei Ju, "The Western Turks are far away and cannot aid us in time of need—now they seek marriage; what do you think?" He replied, "Now the northern foe is still strong; for the state's plan today, we ought for the moment to befriend those far and attack those near; I think we should grant the marriage to overawe Jieli; wait several years until China is complete and solid and sufficient to resist the northern barbarians, and then slowly consider what is fitting." The emperor followed this advice. He sent Prince of Gaoping Li Daoli to their state; Tongyehu was greatly pleased. Daoli was the emperor's nephew.
47
初，上以天下大定，罷十二軍。 既而突厥為寇不已，辛亥，復置十二軍，以太常卿竇誕等為將軍，簡練士馬，議大舉擊突厥。
Earlier, because the realm was greatly settled, the emperor had disbanded the twelve armies. Soon afterward, because the Turks raided without cease, on xinhai the twelve armies were re-established, with Minister of Imperial Rites Dou Yan and others as generals; troops and horses were selected and trained, and a great campaign against the Turks was discussed.
48
甲寅，涼州胡睦伽陀引突厥襲都督府，入子城； 長史劉君傑擊破之。
On jiayin, the Liang Prefecture Hu Mujiatuo led the Turks in a surprise attack on the area headquarters and entered the inner city; Chief Clerk Liu Junjie attacked and defeated them.
49
六月，甲子，上幸太和宮。
In the sixth month, on jiazi, the emperor visited Taihe Palace.
50
丙子，遣燕郡王李藝屯華亭縣及彈箏峽，水部郎中姜行本斷石嶺道以備突厥。
On bingzi, Prince of Yanjun Li Yi was sent to garrison Huating County and Tanzheng Gorge; Water Bureau Director Jiang Xingben blocked the Shiling road to guard against the Turks.
51
丙戌，頡利可汗寇靈州。 丁亥，以右衛大將軍張瑾為行軍總管以御之，以中書侍郎溫彥博為長史。 先是，上與突厥書用敵國禮，秋，七月，甲辰，上謂侍臣曰：「突厥貪婪無厭，朕將征之，自今勿復為書，皆用詔敕。」
On bingxu, Khan Jieli raided Ling Prefecture. On dinghai, Right Weida General Zhang Jin was made campaign commander to resist him, with Secretariat Vice-Director Wen Yanbo as chief clerk. Earlier, in letters to the Turks the emperor had used the etiquette of equal states; in autumn, the seventh month, on jiachen, the emperor said to his attending ministers, "The Turks are greedy and insatiable; I shall campaign against them; from now on do not write letters again—use only edicts and commands."
52
丙午，車駕還宮。
On bingwu, the imperial carriage returned to the palace.
53
己酉，突厥頡利可汗寇相州。
On jiyou, Turk Khan Jieli raided Xiang Prefecture.
54
睦伽陀攻武興。
Mujiatuo attacked Wuxing.
55
丙辰，代州都督藺謨與突厥戰於新城，不利； 覆命行軍總管張瑾屯石嶺，李高遷趨大谷以御之。 丁巳，命秦王出屯蒲州以備突厥。
On bingchen, Dai Prefecture area commander Lin Mo fought the Turks at Xincheng with an unfavorable outcome; orders were sent again for campaign commander Zhang Jin to encamp at Shiling and Li Gaoqian to hurry to Dagu to resist them. On dingsi, Prince of Qin was ordered to go out and encamp at Pu Prefecture to guard against the Turks.
56
八月，壬戌，突厥逾石嶺，寇并州； 癸亥，寇靈州； 丁卯，寇潞、沁、韓三州。
In the eighth month, on renxu, the Turks crossed Shiling and raided Bing Prefecture; on guihai, they raided Ling Prefecture; on dingmao, they raided the three prefectures of Lu, Qin, and Han.
57
左武候大將軍安修仁擊睦伽陀於且渠川，破之。
Left Wuhou Grand General An Xiuren attacked Mujiatuo at the Quju River and defeated him.
58
詔安州大都督李靖出潞州道，行軍總客任瑰屯太行，以御突厥。 頡利可汗將兵十餘萬大掠朔州。 壬申，并州道行軍總管張瑾與突厥戰於太谷，全軍皆沒，瑾脫身奔李靖。 行軍長史溫彥博為虜所執，虜以彥博職在機近，問以國家兵糧虛實，彥博不對，虜遷之陰山。 庚辰，突厥寇靈武。 甲申，靈州都督任城王道宗擊破之。 丙戌，突厥寇綏州。 丁亥，頡利可汗遣使請和而退。
An edict ordered An Prefecture grand area commander Li Jing to advance by the Lu Prefecture route and campaign commander Ren Gui to encamp at Taihang to resist the Turks. Khan Jieli led more than a hundred thousand troops in a great plunder of Shuo Prefecture. On renshen, Bing Prefecture-route campaign commander Zhang Jin fought the Turks at Taigu; the whole army was destroyed; Jin escaped alone and fled to Li Jing. Campaign chief clerk Wen Yanbo was seized by the barbarians; because Yanbo's post was close to the inner councils, they questioned him on the state's military strength and grain stores; Yanbo did not answer, and the barbarians moved him to Yinshan. On gengchen, the Turks raided Lingwu. On jiashen, Ling Prefecture area commander Prince of Rencheng Li Daozong attacked and defeated them. On bingxu, the Turks raided Sui Prefecture. On dinghai, Khan Jieli sent envoys to request peace and withdrew.
59
九月，癸巳，突厥沒賀咄設陷并州一縣。 丙申，代州都督藺謨擊破之。
In the ninth month, on guisi, the Turk Mohezhuoshe seized one county of Bing Prefecture. On bingshen, Dai Prefecture area commander Lin Mo attacked and defeated him.
60
癸卯，初令太府檢校諸州權量。
On guimao, for the first time the Grand Treasury was ordered to inspect and verify the standard weights of all prefectures.
61
丙午，右領軍將軍王君廓破突厥於幽州，俘斬二千餘人。
On bingwu, Right Lingjun General Wang Junkuo defeated the Turks at You Prefecture, capturing and killing more than two thousand men.
62
突厥寇藺州。
The Turks raided Lin Prefecture.
63
冬，十月，壬申，吐谷渾寇疊州，遣扶州刺史蔣善合救之。
In winter, the tenth month, on renshen, Tuyuhun raided Die Prefecture; Fu Prefecture prefect Jiang Shanhe was sent to the rescue.
64
戊寅，突厥寇鄯州，遣霍公柴紹救之。
On wuyin, the Turks raided Shan Prefecture; Duke of Huo Chai Shao was sent to the rescue.
65
十一月，辛卯朔，上幸宜州。
In the eleventh month, on the first day xinmao, the emperor went to Yizhou.
66
權檢校侍中裴矩罷判黃門侍郎。
Acting Palace Attendant-in-Chief Pei Ju was relieved of his concurrent post as Vice Minister of the Yellow Gate.
67
戊戌，突厥寇彭州。
On wuxu, the Turks raided Peng Prefecture.
68
庚子，以天策司馬宇文士及權檢校侍中。
On gengzi, Heavenly Stratagem Army Marshal Yuwen Shiji was appointed acting Palace Attendant-in-Chief.
69
辛丑，徙蜀王元軌為吳王，漢王元慶為陳王。
On xinchou, Prince of Shu Li Yuan Gui was redesignated Prince of Wu, and Prince of Han Li Yuan Qing was redesignated Prince of Chen.
70
癸卯，加秦王世民中書令，齊王元吉侍中。
On guimao, Prince of Qin Li Shimin was additionally appointed Palace Director, and Prince of Qi Li Yuanji was made Palace Attendant.
71
丙午，吐谷渾寇岷州。
On bingwu, Tuyuhun raided Min Prefecture.
72
戊申，眉州山獠反。
On wushen, the mountain Liao of Mei Prefecture rose in revolt.
73
十二月，辛酉，上還至京師。
In the twelfth month, on xinyou, the emperor returned to the capital.
74
庚辰，上校獵於鳴犢泉； 辛巳，還宮。
On gengchen, the emperor reviewed the hunt at Mingdu Spring; On xinsi, he returned to the palace.
75
以襄邑王神符檢校揚州大都督。 始自丹楊徙州府及居民於江北。
Prince of Xiangyi Li Shenfu was appointed inspector-in-chief of the Yangzhou superior area command. For the first time the prefectural seat and its residents were moved from Danyang north of the Yangzi.
76
春，正月，己亥，詔太常少卿祖孝孫等更定雅樂。
In spring, the first month, on jihai, an edict ordered Grand Music Master Vice Director Zu Xiaosun and others to revise the court music.
77
甲寅，以左僕射裴寂為司空，日遣員外郎一個更直其第。
On jiayin, Left Vice Minister of Works Pei Ji was appointed Minister of Works; each day one exterior department official was assigned on rotating duty at his residence.
78
二月，庚申，以齊王元吉為司徒。
In the second month, on gengshen, Prince of Qi Li Yuanji was appointed Minister of Education.
79
丙子，初令州縣祀社稷，又令士民裡閉相從立社。 各申祈報，用洽鄉黨之歡。 戊寅，上祀社稷。
On bingzi, prefectures and counties were for the first time ordered to sacrifice to the altars of soil and grain, and gentry and commoners were also to form lane associations and establish altars together. Each group was to offer prayers of thanksgiving and report, fostering goodwill among neighbors. On wuyin, the emperor sacrificed to the altars of soil and grain.
80
丁亥，突厥寇原州，遣折威將軍楊毛擊之。
On dinghai, the Turks raided Yuan Prefecture; the court sent General Who Suppresses Might Yang Mao to attack them.
81
三月，庚寅，上幸昆明池； 壬辰，還宮。
In the third month, on gengyin, the emperor visited Kunming Pond; On renchen, he returned to the palace.
82
癸巳，吐谷渾、党項寇岷州。 戊戌，益州道行台尚書郭行方擊眉州叛獠，破之。
On guisi, Tuyuhun and the Qiang tribes raided Min Prefecture. On wuxu, Yizhou-route acting area commander-in-chief Guo Xingfang attacked the rebel Liao of Mei Prefecture and defeated them.
83
壬寅，梁師都寇邊，陷靜難鎮。
On renyin, Liang Shidu raided the frontier and seized Jingnan garrison.
84
丙午，上幸周氏陂。
On bingwu, the emperor visited the Zhou clan embankment.
85
辛亥，突厥寇靈州。
On xinhai, the Turks raided Ling Prefecture.
86
乙卯，車駕還宮。
On yimao, the imperial carriage returned to the palace.
87
癸丑，南海公歐陽胤奉使在突厥，帥其徒五十人謀掩襲可汗牙帳； 事洩，突厥囚之。
On guichou, Duke of Nanhai Ouyang Yin, while on mission among the Turks, led his party of fifty men in a plot to surprise the khan's camp by night; The plot was discovered, and the Turks imprisoned them.
88
丁巳，突厥寇涼州，都督長樂王幼良擊走之。
On dingsi, the Turks raided Liang Prefecture; area commander Prince of Changle Li Youliang attacked and drove them off.
89
戊午，郭行方擊叛獠於洪、雅二州，大破之，俘男女五千口。
On wuwu, Guo Xingfang attacked the rebel Liao in Hong and Ya prefectures and won a great victory, capturing five thousand men and women.
90
夏，四月，丁卯，突厥寇朔州； 庚午，寇原州； 癸酉，寇涇州。
In summer, the fourth month, on dingmao, the Turks raided Shuo Prefecture; On gengwu, they raided Yuan Prefecture; On guiyou, they raided Jing Prefecture.
91
戊寅，安州大都督李靖與突厥頡利可汗戰於靈州之硤石，自旦至申，突厥乃退。
On wuyin, An Prefecture superior area commander Li Jing fought Khan Jieli of the Turks at Xiashi in Ling Prefecture; from dawn until the hour shen the Turks withdrew.
92
太史令傅奕上疏請除佛法曰：「佛在西域，言妖路遠； 漢譯胡書，恣其假托。 使不忠不孝削髮而揖君親，游手游食易服以逃租賦。 偽啟三塗，謬張六道，恐心曷愚夫，詐欺庸品。 乃追懺既往之罪，虛規將來之福； 佈施萬錢，希萬倍之報，持齋一日，冀百日之糧。 遂使愚迷，妄求功德，不憚科禁，輕犯憲章； 有造為惡逆，身墜刑網，方乃獄中禮佛，規免其罪。 且生死壽夭，由於自然； 刑德威福，關之人主； 貧富貴賤，功業所招； 而愚僧矯詐，皆雲由佛。 竊人主之權，擅造化之力，其為害政，良可悲矣！ 降自羲、農，至於有漢，皆無佛法，君明臣忠，祚長年久。 漢明帝始立胡神，西域桑門自傳其法。 西晉以上，國有嚴科，不許中國之人輒行髡發之事。 洎於苻、石，羌、胡亂華，主庸臣佞，政虐祚短，梁武、齊襄，足為明鏡。 今天下僧尼，數盈十萬，剪刻繒彩，裝束泥人，競為厭魅，迷惑萬姓。 請令匹配，即成十成餘戶，產育男女，十年長養，一紀教訓，可以足兵。 四海免蠶食之殃，百姓知威福所在，則妖惑之風自革，淳樸之化還興。 竊見齊朝章仇子佗表言：『僧尼徒眾，糜損國家，寺塔奢侈，虛費金帛。』 為諸僧附會宰相，對朝讒毀，諸尼依托妃、主，潛行謗讟，子佗竟被囚執，刑於都市。 及周武平齊，制封其墓。 臣雖不敏，竊慕其蹤。」
Grand Astrologer Fu Yi submitted a memorial requesting the abolition of Buddhism, saying, "Buddha arose in the Western Regions, his teachings demonic and his path remote; When Chinese translated those foreign scriptures, they let impostors invent whatever they pleased. They turned the disloyal and unfilial into shaven monks who still made obeisance to rulers and kin, idle wanderers who ate without working, changing their dress to evade taxes and levies. They falsely proclaimed the three evil paths and absurdly expounded the six rebirths, terrifying hearts and fooling simple men, defrauding the common crowd. They urged repentance for sins already committed and vainly promised blessings yet to come; Give ten thousand coins in alms and hope for ten thousandfold reward; fast one day and expect grain enough for a hundred. Thus the foolish were led astray to seek merit recklessly, unafraid of the law, lightly breaking the statutes; Men who had committed treason and fallen into the executioner's net would worship Buddha in prison, hoping thereby to escape punishment. Life, death, length of days, and early demise all follow nature; Punishment, favor, authority, and blessing depend on the sovereign; Poverty, wealth, noble rank and low come from one's deeds; Yet deluded monks lie and claim all this comes from Buddha. They usurp the sovereign's power and arrogate to themselves the force of creation—how harmful this is to government is truly lamentable! From the age of Fuxi and Shennong down through the Han there was no Buddhism; rulers were wise, ministers loyal, and dynasties endured. Emperor Ming of Han first set up this foreign god, and shramanas from the Western Regions spread their teaching of their own accord. Through Western Jin and earlier dynasties the state kept strict laws forbidding Chinese subjects to shave their heads. Under the Fu and Shi regimes, Qiang and Hu ravaged China; rulers grew feeble and ministers sycophantic, rule turned harsh and reigns brief—Emperor Wu of Liang and Wenxiang of Qi stand as clear mirrors. Today monks and nuns number more than a hundred thousand; they cut silk into ornaments, dress clay images, and vie in black magic that misleads the people. Order them matched in marriage and they will form more than ten-part households; after bearing children, ten years of rearing and twelve years of training would supply troops enough. The realm would be spared the devouring of silkworms; the people would know where reward and punishment lie; the wind of demonic deception would die away and honest custom revive. I recall Zhangqiu Zituo of the Qi dynasty, who wrote: 'The monk and nun orders drain the state; temples and pagodas are luxurious and waste gold and silk.' Monks colluded with the chief minister to slander him at court; nuns relied on consorts and princesses to spread secret calumny. Zituo was seized in the end and executed in the marketplace. When Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Qi, he had Zituo's tomb enfeoffed in honor. Though I am unworthy, I secretly admire his example."
93
上詔百官議其事，唯太僕卿張道源稱奕言合理。 蕭瑀曰：「佛，聖人也，而奕非之； 非聖人者無法，當治其罪。」 奕曰：「人之大倫，莫如君父。 佛以世嫡而叛其父，以匹夫而抗天子。 蕭瑀不生於空桑，乃遵無父之教。 非孝者無親，瑀之謂矣！」 瑀不能對，但合手曰：「地獄之設，正為是人！」
The emperor ordered all officials to discuss the matter; only Grand Master of the Stables Zhang Daoyuan said Yi's argument was sound. Xiao Yu said, "The Buddha is a sage, yet Yi denounces him; He who denounces a sage is lawless and ought to be punished." Fu Yi said, "Among the great bonds of humanity, none surpasses lord and father. Buddha, as heir apparent of his age, rebelled against his father; as a common man he defied the Son of Heaven. Xiao Yu was not born from a hollow mulberry tree, yet he follows a teaching that knows no father. He who is unfilial is without kin—that is Yu!" Yu could not answer, but only joined his palms and said, "Hell was made precisely for such a man!"
94
上亦惡沙門、道士苟避征徭，不守戒律，皆如奕言。 又寺觀鄰接廛邸，混雜屠沽。 辛巳，下詔命有司沙汰天下僧、尼、道士、女冠，其精勤練行者，遷居大寺觀，給其衣食，無令闕乏。 庸猥粗穢者，悉令罷道，勒還鄉里。 京師留寺三所，觀二所，諸州各留一所，餘皆罷之。
The emperor also detested Buddhist monks and Daoist priests who shirked levies and corvée and did not keep their precepts—all as Yi had said. Moreover, temples and abbeys stood beside market wards, mingling with butchers and wine sellers. On xinsi, an edict ordered the authorities to purge monks, nuns, Daoist priests, and female Daoists throughout the realm; those diligent in practice were to be moved to major temples and abbeys and provided food and clothing so that nothing was lacking. The mediocre, coarse, and unclean were all ordered to leave the clergy and were compelled to return to their home districts. In the capital three temples and two abbeys were retained; each prefecture kept one establishment; all the rest were abolished.
95
傅奕性謹密，既職在占候，杜絕交遊，所奏災異，悉焚其稿，人無知者。
Fu Yi was cautious and secretive by nature; once charged with observing omens, he cut off all social contact; whatever calamities and portents he reported, he burned every draft, so that no one knew.
96
癸未，突厥寇西會州。
On guiwei, the Turks raided West Hui Prefecture.
97
五月，戊子，虔州胡成郎等殺長史，叛歸梁師都； 都督劉旻追斬之。
In the fifth month, on wuzi, Hu Cheng Lang and others of Qian Prefecture killed the chief clerk and rebelled, going over to Liang Shidu; Area commander Liu Min pursued and beheaded them.
98
壬辰，党項寇廓州。
On renchen, the Qiang tribes raided Kuo Prefecture.
99
戊戌，突厥寇秦州。
On wuxu, the Turks raided Qin Prefecture.
100
壬寅，越州人盧南反，殺刺史寧道明。
On renyin, Lu Nan of Yue Prefecture rebelled and killed Prefect Ning Daoming.
101
丙午，吐谷渾、党項寇河州。
On bingwu, Tuyuhun and the Qiang tribes raided He Prefecture.
102
突厥寇蘭州。
The Turks raided Lan Prefecture.
103
丙辰，遣平道將軍柴紹將兵擊胡。
On bingchen, the court sent General of the Level Road Chai Shao to lead troops against the barbarians.
104
六月，丁巳，太白經天。
In the sixth month, on dingsi, the planet Venus crossed the heavens.
105
秦王世民既與太子建成、齊王元吉有隙，以洛陽形勝之地，恐一朝有變，欲出保之，乃以行台工部尚書溫大雅鎮洛陽，遣秦府車騎將軍滎陽張亮將左右王保等千餘人之洛陽，陰結納山東豪傑以俟變，多出金帛，恣其所用。 元吉告亮謀不軌，下吏考驗； 亮終無言，乃釋之，使還洛陽。
Prince of Qin Li Shimin, having fallen out with Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince of Qi Li Yuanji, regarded Luoyang as a place of strategic strength and feared that trouble might come at any moment; he wished to go out and secure it. He therefore stationed route-area Works Minister Wen Daya at Luoyang and sent Qin Palace Cavalry General Zhang Liang of Xingyang to lead Wang Bao and more than a thousand of his personal guard to Luoyang, secretly winning over the powerful families east of the mountains to await events, spending gold and silk freely as they saw fit. Yuanji reported that Zhang Liang was plotting sedition, and he was handed over to the authorities for interrogation; Zhang Liang said nothing to the end; he was then released and sent back to Luoyang.
106
建成夜召世民，飲酒而鴆之，世民暴心痛，吐血數升，淮安王神通扶之還西宮。 上幸西宮，問世民疾，敕建成曰：「秦王素不能飲，自今無得復夜飲！」 因謂世民曰：「首建大謀，削平海內，皆汝之功。 吾欲立汝為嗣，汝固辭； 且建成年長，為嗣日久，吾不忍奪也。 觀汝兄弟似不相容，同處京邑，必有紛競，當遣汝還行台，居洛陽，自陝以東皆王之。 仍命汝建天子旌旗，如漢梁孝王故事。」 世民涕泣，辭以不欲遠離膝下。 上曰：「天下一家，東、西兩都，道路甚邇。 吾思汝即往，毋煩悲也。」 將行，建成、元吉相與謀曰：「秦王若至洛陽，有土地甲兵，不可復制； 不如留之長安，則一匹夫耳，取之易矣。」 乃密令數人上封事，言「秦王左右聞往洛陽，無不喜躍，觀其志趣，恐不復來。」 又遣近幸之臣以利害說上。 上意遂移，事復中止。
Jiancheng summoned Shimin at night for wine and poisoned him; Shimin was seized with violent heart pain and vomited several sheng of blood; Prince of Huai'an Li Shen Tong helped him back to the Western Palace. The emperor visited the Western Palace and inquired after Shimin's illness, then charged Jiancheng, "Prince of Qin has never been able to hold his wine—from now on he must not drink with him at night again!" He then said to Shimin, "You were first to raise the great plan and pacify the realm within the seas—all of that is your achievement. I wished to make you my heir, but you firmly declined; Moreover Jiancheng is the elder and has long been heir—I cannot bear to displace him. Seeing that you brothers seem unable to get along, if you remain together in the capital there will surely be strife. I shall send you back to your route-area to dwell at Luoyang; from Shan eastward all shall be your domain. He further ordered that you raise the Son of Heaven's banners, following the precedent of Prince Xiao of Liang under the Han." Shimin wept and declined on the ground that he did not wish to be far from his father's side. The emperor said, "All under Heaven is one family; the eastern and western capitals lie very close together. When I miss you I can go to you at once—do not grieve over it." As he was about to depart, Jiancheng and Yuanji plotted together, saying, "If Prince of Qin reaches Luoyang with land, armor, and troops, he will no longer be controllable; Better to keep him in Chang'an; then he is only a commoner, and easy to deal with." They then secretly had several men submit sealed memorials stating, "Prince of Qin Li Shimin's attendants, hearing that he is to go to Luoyang, are all overjoyed; judging by their mood, he may never come back." They also sent favored intimates to argue the pros and cons before Emperor Li Yuan. The emperor changed his mind, and the plan was called off again.
107
建成、元吉與後宮日夜譖訴世民於上，上信之，將罪世民。 陳叔達諫曰：「秦王有大功於天下，不可黜也。 且性剛烈，若加挫抑，恐不勝憂憤，或有不測之疾，陛下悔之何及！」 上乃止。 元吉密請殺秦王，上曰：「彼有定天下之功，罪狀未著，何以為辭！」 元吉曰：「秦王初平東都，顧望不還，散錢帛以樹私恩，又違敕命，非反而何！ 但應速殺，何患無辭！」 上不應。
Crown Prince Li Jiancheng, Prince of Qi Li Yuanji, and the palace women slandered Li Shimin to Emperor Li Yuan day and night; the emperor believed them and was about to punish Shimin. Chen Shuda remonstrated, saying, "Prince of Qin Li Shimin has rendered great service to the realm and must not be removed. Moreover his nature is fierce; if you crush him further, he may not bear the grief and rage, or suffer some sudden illness—and then how will Your Majesty ever make amends!" The emperor thereupon desisted. Yuanji secretly asked that Prince of Qin be killed. The emperor said, "He helped settle the empire; no clear charge has been proved—what excuse could we give!" Yuanji said, "When Prince of Qin first pacified the eastern capital he lingered and would not return, scattered gold and silk to buy private loyalty, and defied your orders—if that is not treason, what is! Kill him at once—why worry about finding grounds!" The emperor did not agree.
108
秦府僚屬皆憂懼不知所出。 行台考功郎中房玄齡謂比部郎中長孫無忌曰：「今嫌隙已成，一旦禍機竊發，豈惟府朝塗地，乃實社稷之憂； 莫若勸王行周公之事以安家國。 存亡之機，間不容髮，正在今日！」 無忌曰：「吾懷此久矣，不敢發口； 今吾子所言，正合吾心，謹當白之。」 乃入言世民。 世民召玄齡謀之，玄齡曰：「大王功蓋天地，當承大業； 今日憂危，乃天贊也，願大王勿疑！」 乃與府屬杜如晦共勸世民誅建成、元吉。
The staff of the Qin Palace were all anxious and at a loss. Route-area Director of Examination of Merit Fang Xuanling said to Director of the Revenue Bureau Changsun Wuji, "The breach is already complete; once disaster strikes in secret, it will not be the Qin Palace alone that is ruined but the whole realm; better to urge the prince to do what the Duke of Zhou did and secure the house and the state. Life and death hang by a hair—today is the day!" Wuji said, "I have long felt this but dared not speak; what you say now is exactly my thought; I shall report it at once." He then went in and told Shimin. Shimin summoned Fang Xuanling to counsel with him. Xuanling said, "Your Highness, your achievements overshadow heaven and earth; you should inherit the great enterprise; today's peril is heaven aiding you—do not doubt it!" He and the palace officer Du Ruhui together urged Shimin to kill Jiancheng and Yuanji.
109
建成、元吉以秦府多驍將，欲誘之使為己用，密以金銀器一車贈左二副護軍尉遲敬德，並以書招之曰：「願迂長者之眷，以敦布衣之交。」 敬德辭曰：「敬德，蓬戶甕牖之人，遭隋末亂離，久淪逆地，罪不容誅。 秦王賜以更生之恩，今又策名籓邸，唯當殺身以為報； 於殿下無功，不敢謬當重賜。 若私交殿下，乃是貳心，徇利忘忠，殿下亦何所用！」 建成怒，遂與之絕。 敬德以告世民，世民曰：「公心如山嶽，雖積金至鬥，知公不移。 相遺但受，何所嫌也！ 且得以知其陰計，豈非良策！ 不然，禍將及公。」 既而元吉使壯士夜刺敬德，敬德知之，洞開重門，安臥不動，刺客屢至其庭，終不敢入。 元吉乃譖敬德於上，下詔獄訊治，將殺之。 世民固請，得免。 又譖左一馬軍總管程知節，出為康州刺史。 知節謂世民曰：「大王股肱羽翼盡矣，身何能久！ 知節以死不去，願早決計。」 又以金帛誘右二護軍段志玄，志玄不從。 建成謂元吉曰：「秦府智略之士，可憚者獨房玄齡、杜如晦耳。」 皆譖之於上而逐之。
Because the Qin Palace had many fierce commanders, Jiancheng and Yuanji tried to win them over, secretly sending a cartload of gold and silver vessels to Left Second Vice Protector of the Army Yuchi Jingde and a letter inviting him: "We hope you will extend your favor to us and renew the friendship of our common days." Jingde declined, saying, "I am a man of humble gate and broken window; caught in the chaos at the end of Sui, I long dwelt among rebels and deserved death. Prince of Qin Li Shimin granted me a new life, and now I have pledged myself to his house; I can only repay him with my life; I have done nothing for Your Highness and dare not accept such rich gifts. If I kept a private tie with Your Highness, that would be divided loyalty—selling honor for gain. Of what use would I be to you!" Jiancheng was furious and broke with him. Jingde told Shimin. Shimin said, "Your heart is immovable as a mountain; though they heaped gold by the bushel, I knew you would not waver. Take whatever they send—why refuse! We can learn their secret designs—is that not the better plan! Otherwise disaster will reach you." Soon Yuanji sent bravos to stab Jingde by night. Jingde knew of it, threw open his inner gates, and lay still; the assassins came again and again to his courtyard but never dared enter. Yuanji then slandered Jingde to the emperor, who ordered him imprisoned and interrogated, intending to execute him. Shimin pleaded hard and secured his release. They also slandered Left First Cavalry Army Commander-in-Chief Cheng Zhijie, who was sent out as prefect of Kang Prefecture. Zhijie said to Shimin, "Your Highness, your arms and wings are all gone—how can you last! Zhijie will not leave you even at the cost of his life; decide soon." They also tried to buy Right Second Protector of the Army Duan Zhixuan with gold and silk; Zhixuan refused. Jiancheng said to Yuanji, "Of the Qin Palace's strategists, only Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui need be feared." They slandered both to the emperor and had them dismissed.
110
世民腹心唯長孫無忌尚在府中，與其舅雍州治中高士廉、左候車騎將軍三水侯君集及尉遲敬德等，日夜勸世民誅建成、元吉。 世民猶豫未決，問於靈州大都督李靖，靖辭； 問於行軍總管李世勣，世勣辭； 世民由是重二人。
Of Shimin's inner circle only Changsun Wuji still remained in the palace, together with his uncle Yong Prefecture Administrator Gao Shilian, Left Waiting Cavalry-and-Chariot General Hou Junji of Sanshui, Yuchi Jingde, and others, who night and day urged Shimin to kill Jiancheng and Yuanji. Shimin still hesitated. He asked Lingzhou Grand Area Commander Li Jing; Jing declined to answer; he asked Campaigning Army Commander-in-Chief Li Shiji; Shiji also declined; Shimin therefore esteemed both men the more.
111
會突厥郁射設將數萬騎屯河南，入塞，圍烏城，建成薦元吉代世民督諸軍北征； 上從之，命元吉督右武衛大將軍李藝、天紀將軍張瑾等救烏城。 元吉請尉遲敬德、程知節、段志玄及秦府右三統軍秦叔寶等與之偕行，簡閱秦王帳下精銳之士以益元吉軍。 率更丞王晊密告世民曰：「太子語齊王：『今汝得秦王驍將精兵，擁數萬之眾，吾與秦王餞汝於昆明池，使壯士拉殺之於幕下，奏雲暴卒，主上宜無不信。 吾當使人進說，令授吾國事。 敬德等既入汝手，宜悉坑之，孰敢不服！』」 世民以咥言告長孫無忌等，無忌等勸世民先事圖之。 世民歎曰：「骨肉相殘，古今大惡。 吾誠知禍在朝夕，欲俟其發，然後以義討之，不亦可乎！」 敬德曰：「人情誰不愛其死！ 今眾人以死奉王，乃天授也。 禍機垂發，而王猶晏然不以為憂，大王縱自輕，如宗廟社稷何！ 大王不用敬德之言，敬德將竄身草澤，不能留居大王左右，交手受戮也！」 無忌曰：「不從敬德之言，事今敗矣。 敬德等必不為王有，無忌亦當相隨而去，不能復事大王矣！」 世民曰：「吾所言亦未可全棄，公更圖之。」 敬德曰：「王今處事有疑，非智也； 臨難不決，非勇也。 且大王素所畜養勇士八百餘人，在外者今已入宮，擐甲執兵，事勢已成，大王安得已乎！」
Just then the Türk leader Yushishe camped south of the Yellow River with tens of thousands of horsemen, crossed the border, and besieged Wucheng. Jiancheng recommended that Yuanji replace Shimin in commanding the northern armies; the emperor agreed and ordered Yuanji to command Right Martial Guard General Li Yi, Heavenly Record General Zhang Jin, and others to relieve Wucheng. Yuanji asked that Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie, Duan Zhixuan, and Qin Palace Right Third Commander Qin Shubao accompany him, and picked the finest troops under Prince of Qin Li Shimin to strengthen Yuanji's force. Registrar of the Directorate for Palace Revenues Wang Xi secretly told Shimin, "The crown prince said to the Prince of Qi, 'Now that you have Prince of Qin Li Shimin's fierce commanders and elite troops, with tens of thousands at your back, he and I will give you a farewell feast at Kunming Pool and have bravos throttle him under the awning; we shall report that he died suddenly, and the emperor should not doubt it. I will send men to persuade him to hand the realm over to me. Once Jingde and the rest are in your hands, bury them all—who would dare resist!' Shimin told Changsun Wuji and the others what Wang Xi had said; they urged him to strike first. Shimin sighed and said, "Brothers tearing one another apart is the greatest evil in any age. I know disaster is near, yet I wish to wait until they move and then punish them in the name of justice—is that not possible!" Jingde said, "Who does not cling to life! Yet now these men are ready to die for you—that is heaven's mandate. Disaster is about to break, yet Your Highness sits at ease as if unconcerned. Even if you hold your own life cheap, what of the altars of the realm! If Your Highness will not heed me, I shall flee to the wilds rather than stay at your side to be butchered with folded hands!" Wuji said, "If we ignore Jingde, all is lost. Jingde and the rest will no longer be yours; I too must leave and cannot serve you again!" Shimin said, "What I said is not wholly wrong either; think again." Jingde said, "To doubt at the decisive moment is not wisdom; to face peril and not decide is not courage. Besides, the more than eight hundred warriors you have long kept are already in the palace in armor with weapons drawn—the deed is set in motion; how can Your Highness turn back!"
112
世民訪之府僚，皆曰：「齊王凶戾，終不肯事其兄。 比聞護軍薛實嘗謂齊王曰：『大王之名，合之成「唐」字，大王終主唐祀。』 齊王喜曰：『但除秦王，取東宮如反掌耳。』 彼與太子謀亂未成，已有取太子之心。 亂心無厭，何所不為！ 若使二人得志，恐天下非復唐有。 以大王之賢，取二人如拾地芥耳，奈何徇匹夫之節，忘社稷之計乎！」 世民猶未決，眾曰：「大王以舜為何如人？」 曰：「聖人也。」 眾曰：「使舜浚井不出，則為井中之泥； 塗廩不下，則為廩上之灰，安能澤被天下，法施後世乎！ 是以小杖則受，大杖則走，蓋所存者大故也。」 世民命卜之，幕僚張公謹自外來，取龜投地，曰：「卜以決疑； 今事在不疑，尚何卜乎！ 卜而不吉，庸得已乎！」 於是定計。
Shimin consulted his staff; all said, "Prince of Qi Li Yuanji is brutal and will never serve his elder brother. We lately heard that Protector of the Army Xue Shi told the Prince of Qi, 'Your name, taken together, forms the character Tang—you are destined to rule the house of Tang.' Yuanji was delighted and said, 'Only remove Prince of Qin Li Shimin, and seizing the Eastern Palace is as easy as turning one's hand.' He and the crown prince have not yet finished their plot, but he already means to supplant the crown prince. With such restless ambition, what would he not do! If those two prevail, the realm may no longer belong to Tang. With Your Highness's worth, removing them is like picking seeds from the ground—why cling to private scruple and forget the state!" Shimin still hesitated. They said, "What sort of man was Shun, in Your Highness's view?" He said, "A sage." They said, "If Shun had not escaped when they sent him down the well, he would be mud at the bottom; if he had not fled when they set fire to the granary, he would be ashes on the roof—how could he have blessed the world and left his example to later ages! That is why he accepted a light beating but fled a heavy one—because the greater good mattered." Shimin ordered divination. Staff officer Zhang Gongjin came in from outside, seized the tortoise, and threw it down, saying, "One divines to settle doubt; there is no doubt now—why divine! If the omen were ill, could you stop anyway!" At that the decision was made.
113
世民令無忌密召房玄齡等，曰：「敕旨不聽復事王； 今若私謁，必坐死，不敢奉教。」 世民怒，謂敬德曰：「玄齡、如晦豈叛我邪！」 取所佩刀授敬德曰：「公往觀之，若無來心，可斷其首以來。」 敬德往，與無忌共諭之曰：「王已決計，公宜速入共謀之。 吾屬四人，不可群行道中。」 乃令玄齡、如晦著道士服，與無忌俱入，敬德自它道亦至。
Shimin had Wuji secretly summon Fang Xuanling and the others. They said, "The edict forbids us to serve the prince again; if we come in private we shall be put to death and dare not obey." Shimin was angry and said to Jingde, "Would Xuanling and Ruhui betray me!" He took the sword at his belt and handed it to Jingde, saying, "Go and see; if they will not come, cut off their heads and bring them here." Jingde went, and he and Wuji told them together, "The prince has made up his mind; come at once and counsel with him. We four must not walk the streets together." He had Xuanling and Ruhui put on Taoist robes and enter with Wuji, while Jingde came by another route.
114
己未，太白復經天。 傅奕密奏：「太白見秦分，秦王當有天下。」 上以其狀授世民。 於是世民密奏建成、元吉淫亂後宮，且曰：「臣于兄弟無絲毫負，今欲殺臣，似為世充、建德報仇。 臣今枉死，永違君親，魂歸地下，實恥見諸賊！」 上省之，愕然，報曰：「明當鞫問，汝宜早參。」
On jiwei, Venus again crossed the heavens. Fu Yi secretly memorialized, "Venus has appeared in the Qin asterism—Prince of Qin Li Shimin is destined to rule the realm." The emperor gave the memorial to Shimin. Shimin then secretly accused Jiancheng and Yuanji of debauching the inner palace, adding, "I have done my brothers no wrong, yet they would kill me—as if to avenge Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande. If I die unjustly I shall never see my sovereign and kin again; my ghost in the underworld would be ashamed to meet those villains!" The emperor read it, stunned, and replied, "We shall investigate tomorrow; come early to court."
115
庚申，世民帥長孫無忌等入，伏兵於玄武門。 張婕妤竊知世民表意，馳語建成。 建成召元吉謀之，元吉曰：「宜勒宮府兵，托疾不朝，以觀形勢。」 建成曰：「兵備已嚴，當與弟入參，自問消息。」 乃俱入，趣玄武門。 上時已召裴寂、蕭瑀、陳叔達等，欲按其事。
On gengshen, Shimin entered with Changsun Wuji and the others and posted ambush troops at Xuanwu Gate. Consort Zhang secretly learned the purport of Shimin's memorial and raced to tell Jiancheng. Jiancheng summoned Yuanji to counsel. Yuanji said, "We should muster the palace guards, plead illness, and stay away from court to see how matters stand." Jiancheng said, "Our forces are already ready; we should go in with you and attend court ourselves to learn what is afoot." They both went in and hurried toward Xuanwu Gate. By then the emperor had already summoned Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, Chen Shuda, and others to investigate the matter.
116
建成、元吉至臨湖殿，覺變，即跋馬東歸宮府。 世民從而呼之，元吉張弓射世民，再三不彀，世民射建成，殺之。 尉遲敬德將七十騎繼至，左右射元吉墜馬。 世民馬逸入林下，為木枝所絓，墜不能起。 元吉遽至，奪弓將扼之，敬德躍馬叱之。 元吉步欲趣武德殿，敬德追射，殺之。 翊衛車騎將軍馮翊馮立聞建成死，歎曰：「豈有生受其恩，而死逃其難乎！」 乃與副護軍薛萬徹、屈咥直府左車騎萬年謝叔方帥東宮、齊府精兵二千馳趣玄武門。 張公謹多力，獨閉關以拒之，不得入。 雲麾將軍敬君弘掌宿衛後，屯玄武門，挺身出戰，所親止之曰：「事未可知，且徐觀變，俟兵集，成列而戰，未晚也。」 君弘不從，與中郎將呂世衡大呼而進，皆死之。 君弘，顯俊之曾孫也。 守門兵與萬徹等力戰良久，萬徹鼓噪欲攻秦府，將士大懼； 尉遲敬德持建成、元吉首示之，宮府兵遂潰，萬徹與數十騎亡入終南山。 馮立既殺敬君弘，謂其徒曰：「亦足以少報太子矣！」 遂解兵，逃於野。
When Jiancheng and Yuanji reached Linhu Hall and sensed trouble, they spurred their horses east back toward their residences. Shimin pursued and called after them; Yuanji drew his bow and shot at Shimin but failed to draw it fully three times; Shimin shot Jiancheng and killed him. Yuchi Jingde came up with seventy riders; men on either side shot Yuanji and knocked him from his horse. Shimin's horse bolted into the woods and was tangled by a branch; he fell and could not get up. Yuanji rushed up, seized the bow, and was about to strangle him; Jingde spurred forward and shouted him down. Yuanji fled on foot toward Wude Hall; Jingde pursued and shot him dead. Assistant Guard Cavalry General Feng Li of Fufeng, hearing that Jiancheng was dead, sighed and said, "How can one accept his grace in life and then flee his peril in death?" He then joined Deputy Protector Xue Wanche and Quzhi Palace Left Cavalry of Wannian Xie Shufang, led two thousand crack troops from the Eastern Palace and the Prince of Qi's residence, and raced for Xuanwu Gate. Zhang Gongjian, a man of great strength, alone barred the gate against them, and they could not get through. Cloud-Banner General Jing Junhong, who commanded the rear night guard, was posted at Xuanwu Gate. He stepped forward to fight, but those close to him urged, "The situation is still unclear; watch how matters unfold, wait until our troops are gathered, and fight in formation—you will not be too late." Jing Junhong would not listen; he and Mid-Level General Lü Shiheng charged forward shouting, and both were killed. Jing Junhong was a great-grandson of Jing Xianjun. The gate guards battled Xue Wanche's men for a long time; Wanche raised a din and prepared to assault the Prince of Qin's residence, and the troops were deeply alarmed; Yuchi Jingde raised the heads of Jiancheng and Yuanji for all to see; the Eastern Palace and Qi residence troops broke and fled; Wanche escaped into the Zhongnan Mountains with several dozen riders. After Feng Li had killed Jing Junhong, he told his men, "That is repayment enough for the crown prince!" He then disbanded his force and fled into the countryside.
117
上方泛舟海池，世民使尉遲敬德入宿衛，敬德擐甲持矛，直至上所。 上大驚，問曰：「今日亂者誰邪？ 卿來此何為？」 對曰：「秦王以太子、齊王作亂，舉兵誅之，恐驚動陛下，遣臣宿衛。」 上謂裴寂等曰：「不圖今日乃見此事，當如之何？」 蕭瑀、陳叔達曰：「建成、元吉本不預義謀，又無功於天下，疾秦王功高望重，共為奸謀。 今秦王已討而誅之，秦王功蓋宇宙，率土歸心，陛下若處以元良，委之國務，無復事矣。」 上曰：「善！ 此吾之夙心也。」 時宿衛及秦府兵與二宮左右戰猶未已，敬德請降手敕，令諸軍並受秦王處分，上從之。 天策府司馬宇文士及自東上閣門出宣敕，眾然後定。 上又使黃門侍郎裴矩至東宮曉諭諸將卒，皆罷散。 上乃召世民，撫之曰：「近日以來，幾有投杼之惑。」 世民跪而吮上乳，號慟久之。
The emperor was then boating on the imperial pond; Shimin sent Yuchi Jingde in as night guard; Jingde came in full armor with spear in hand straight to the emperor's side. The emperor was greatly startled and asked, "Who has risen in revolt today? Why have you come here?" He answered, "The Prince of Qin, learning that the crown prince and Prince of Qi had rebelled, took up arms to punish them; fearing to alarm Your Majesty, he sent me to guard you." The emperor said to Pei Ji and the others, "I never thought to see this in my lifetime—what is to be done?" Xiao Yu and Chen Shuda said, "Jiancheng and Yuanji were never party to founding the dynasty and had no great deeds to their credit; jealous of the Prince of Qin's towering merit, they plotted together. The Prince of Qin has already punished them. His merit fills heaven and earth and the realm turns to him; if Your Majesty would name him heir and entrust him with state affairs, nothing more need be done." The emperor said, "Well said! That has long been my own wish." Fighting still raged between the palace guards, the Prince of Qin's troops, and the retainers of the two palaces; Jingde asked for an edict in the emperor's own hand placing all forces under the Prince of Qin's command, and the emperor agreed. Heavenly Stratagem Marshal Yuwen Shiji proclaimed the edict from the Upper Eastern Tower Gate, and only then did the troops calm down. The emperor also sent Yellow Gate Vice-Director Pei Ju to the Eastern Palace to explain matters to the officers and men, and they all dispersed. The emperor then summoned Shimin, embraced him, and said, "Lately I had nearly fallen into the error of doubting a good son," alluding to the tale of Zeng Shen's mother." Shimin knelt and pretended to nurse at the emperor's breast, weeping bitterly for a long while.
118
建成子安陸王承道、河東王承德、武安王承訓、汝南王承明、鉅鹿王承義，元吉子梁郡王承業、漁陽王承鸞、普安王承獎、江夏王承裕、義陽王承度，皆坐誅，仍絕屬籍。
All of Jiancheng's sons—Kings of Anlu, Hedong, Wu'an, Runan, and Julu—and all of Yuanji's sons—Kings of Liangjun, Yuyang, Pu'an, Jiangxia, and Yiyang—were put to death and struck from the imperial clan rolls.
119
初，建成許元吉以正位之後，立為太弟，故元吉為之盡死。 諸將欲盡誅建成、元吉左右百餘人，籍沒其家，尉遲敬德固爭曰：「罪在二凶，既伏其誅； 若及支黨，非所以求安也。」 乃止。 是日，下詔赦天下。 凶逆之罪，止於建成、元吉，自餘黨與，一無所問。 其僧、尼、道士、女冠並宜仍舊。 國家庶事，皆取秦王處分。
Earlier, Jiancheng had promised Yuanji that once he took the throne he would make him heir younger brother, and so Yuanji fought for him to the death. The generals wanted to execute more than a hundred of Jiancheng's and Yuanji's retainers and confiscate their property; Yuchi Jingde argued firmly, "Guilt rests with the two villains, who have already been killed; to extend punishment to their followers is no way to secure peace." They desisted. That day an edict proclaimed a general amnesty. The crimes of rebellion were confined to Jiancheng and Yuanji; all other associates were left unpunished. Monks, nuns, Daoist priests, and female Daoists were to continue as before. All state business was to be handled by the Prince of Qin.
120
辛酉，馮立、謝叔方皆自出； 薛萬徹亡匿，世民屢使諭之，乃出。 世民曰：「此皆忠於所事，義士也。」 釋之。
On xinyou, Feng Li and Xie Shufang both surrendered themselves; Xue Wanche remained in hiding; Shimin sent messengers again and again to reassure him, and he finally gave himself up. Shimin said, "These men were loyal to their masters—true men of honor." He pardoned them all.
121
癸亥，立世民為皇太子。 又詔：「自今軍國庶事，無大小悉委太子處決，然後聞奏。」
On guihai, Shimin was named crown prince. An edict followed: "Henceforth all civil and military affairs, great and small, shall be decided by the crown prince, who shall report to me afterward."
122
臣光曰：立嫡以長，禮之正也。 然高祖所以有天下，皆太宗之功； 隱太子以庸劣居其右，地嫌勢逼，必不相容。 向使高祖有文王之明，隱太子有泰伯之賢，太宗有子臧之節，則亂何自而生矣！ 既不能然，太宗始欲俟其先發，然後應之，如此，則事非獲已，猶為愈也。 既而為群下所迫，遂至蹀血禁門，推刃同氣，貽譏千古，惜哉！ 夫創業垂統之君，子孫之所儀刑也，彼中、明、肅、代之傳繼，得非有所指擬以為口實乎！
Sima Guang comments: Naming the eldest legitimate son as heir is the proper ritual order. Yet everything Gaozu won under Heaven was Taizong's doing; the Hidden Crown Prince held precedence through birth alone, while merit and power pressed from below—such positions could not coexist. Had Gaozu possessed King Wen's wisdom, the crown prince Taibo's virtue, and Taizong Zizang's selflessness, how could strife have arisen at all! That was impossible. Taizong at first wished to let them strike first and then answer in kind—still not ideal, but better. Yet his officers pressed him on, until blood was trampled at the palace gates and brother turned blade on brother—a stain on all ages. What a pity! Founders who establish dynasties set the pattern their heirs follow; did not the successions of Zhongzong, Ruizong, Suzong, and Daizong draw their justification from this very precedent?
123
戊辰，以宇文士及為太子詹事，長孫無忌、杜如晦為左庶子，高士廉、房玄齡為右庶子，尉遲敬德為左衛率，程知節為右衛率，虞世南為中舍人，褚亮為舍人，姚思廉為洗馬。 悉以齊王國司金帛什器賜敬德。
On wuchen, Yuwen Shiji was appointed crown prince household steward; Changsun Wuji and Du Ruhui were named left assistants to the heir; Gao Shilian and Fang Xuanling were named right assistants to the heir; Yuchi Jingde was made Left Weilü; Cheng Zhijie was made Right Weilü; Yu Shinan was made palace secretary; Chu Liang was made gentleman attendant; and Yao Silian was made study horse. All the gold, silks, and furnishings of the Prince of Qi's household office were bestowed on Jingde.
124
初，洗馬魏徵常勸太子建成早除秦王，及建成敗，世民召徵謂曰：「汝何為離間我兄弟！」 眾為之危懼，徵舉止自若，對曰：「先太子早從徵言，必無今日之禍。」 世民素重其才，改容禮之，引為詹事主簿。 亦召王珪、韋挺於巂州，皆以為諫議大夫。
Earlier, Study Horse Wei Zheng had often urged Crown Prince Jiancheng to eliminate the Prince of Qin early; when Jiancheng fell, Shimin summoned him and said, "Why did you set my brothers against each other!" The courtiers feared for him, but Wei Zheng was perfectly composed and replied, "Had the late crown prince heeded my counsel in time, he would not have met today's fate." Shimin had long valued his talent; his manner changed and he treated Wei Zheng with honor, appointing him chief clerk to the household steward. He also recalled Wang Gui and Wei Ting from Xizhou and made them both Remonstrance and Discussion Grandees.
125
世民命縱禁苑鷹犬，罷四方貢獻，聽百官各陳治道，政令簡肅，中外大悅。
Shimin released the hunting birds and hounds from the imperial park, ended tribute missions from the provinces, invited officials to speak freely on governance, and simplified administration; court and country alike rejoiced.
126
以屈突通為陝東大行台左僕射，鎮洛陽。
He appointed Qutu Tong left vice director of the Eastern Shaanxi Grand Metropolitan Prefecture, with his base at Luoyang.
127
益州行台僕射竇軌與行台尚書韋雲起、郭行方不協。 雲起弟慶儉及宗族多事太子建成，建成死，軌誣雲起與建成同反，收斬之。 行方懼，逃奔京師，軌追之，不及。
Yizhou Headquarters Vice Director Dou Gui was at odds with headquarters secretaries Wei Yunqi and Guo Xingfang. Yunqi's brother Qingjian and many of his kin had served Crown Prince Jiancheng; after Jiancheng's death, Dou Gui accused Yunqi of rebelling with him, had him arrested, and executed him. Guo Xingfang fled to the capital in fear; Dou Gui pursued but could not overtake him.
128
吐谷渾寇岷州。
Tuyuhun raided Min Prefecture.
129
突厥寇隴州； 辛未，寇渭州。 遣右衛大將軍柴紹擊之。
The Turks raided Long Prefecture; On xinwei, they raided Wei Prefecture. The court sent Right Guard Grand General Chai Shao to attack them.
130
廢益州大行台，置大都督府。
The Yizhou Grand Metropolitan Prefecture was abolished and a grand area commander headquarters was established.
131
壬申，上以手詔賜裴寂等曰：「朕當加尊號為太上皇。」
On renshen, the emperor sent a hand edict to Pei Ji and the others, saying, "I shall take the honored title of Retired Emperor."
132
辛巳，幽州大都督廬江王瑗反，右領軍將軍王君廓殺之，傳首。
On xinsi, Youzhou Grand Area Commander Li Yuan, King of Lujiang, rebelled; Right Leading Army General Wang Jun'guo killed him and sent his head.
133
初，上以瑗懦怯非將帥才，使君廓佐之。 君廓故群盜，勇悍險詐，瑗推心倚伏之，許為昏姻。 太子建成謀害秦王，密與瑗相結。 建成死，詔遣通事舍人崔敦禮馳驛召瑗。 瑗心不自安，謀於君廓。 君廓欲取瑗以為功，乃說曰：「大王若入，必無全理。 今擁兵為數萬，奈何受單使之召，自投罔罟乎！」 因相與泣。 瑗曰：「我今以命托公，舉事決矣。」 乃劫敦禮，問以京師機事； 敦禮不屈，瑗囚之，發驛徵兵，且召燕州剌史王詵赴薊，與之計事。 兵曹參軍王利涉說瑗曰：「王君廓反覆，不可委以機柄，宜早除去，以王詵代之。」 瑗不能決。 君廓知之，往見詵，詵方沐，握髮而出，君廓手斬之，持其首告眾曰：「李瑗與王詵同反，囚執敕使，擅自徵兵。 今詵已誅，獨有李瑗，無能為也。 汝寧隨瑗族滅乎，欲從我以取富貴乎？」 眾皆曰：「願從公討賊。」 君廓乃帥其麾下千餘人，逾西城而入，瑗不之覺； 君廓入獄出敦禮，瑗始知之，遽帥左右數百人被甲而出，遇君廓於門外。 君廓謂瑗眾曰：「李瑗為逆，汝何為隨之入湯火乎！」 眾皆棄兵而潰。 唯瑗獨存，罵君廓曰：「小人賣我，行自及矣！」 遂執瑗，縊之。 壬午，以王君廓為左領軍大將軍兼幽州都督，以瑗家口賜之。 敦禮，仲方之孫也。 乙酉，罷天策府。
Earlier, judging Yuan timid and unfit for command, the emperor had Jun'guo assist him. Jun'guo had been a bandit chief, brave, fierce, and treacherous; Yuan trusted him completely and promised him a marriage alliance. Crown Prince Jiancheng had plotted against the Prince of Qin and secretly allied with Yuan. After Jiancheng's death, an edict sent Communications Gentleman Cui Dunli by urgent relay to summon Yuan. Yuan was uneasy and took counsel with Jun'guo. Jun'guo wished to win merit by betraying him and urged, "Great King, if you go to court, you will surely not come back alive. You command tens of thousands of men—how can you answer a lone envoy's summons and walk into the net yourself!" They wept together. Yuan said, "I now entrust my life to you—the deed is decided." He then seized Dunli and questioned him about affairs in the capital; Dunli would not yield; Yuan imprisoned him, called up troops by relay post, and summoned Yan Prefecture inspector Wang Shen to Ji to plan with him. Army Caocan Wang Lishe urged Yuan, "Wang Jun'guo is treacherous and cannot be trusted with command; you should remove him early and put Wang Shen in his place." Yuan could not decide. Jun'guo learned of it, went to see Shen, who was bathing and came out clutching his hair; Jun'guo cut off his head with his own hand, held it up, and told the troops, "Li Yuan and Wang Shen have rebelled together, imprisoned the imperial envoy, and levied troops on their own authority. Shen is already dead; only Li Yuan remains, and he can do nothing. Will you follow Yuan to ruin with his clan, or follow me to wealth and honor?" All cried, "We will follow you to punish the traitor!" Jun'guo then led more than a thousand of his men over the west wall into the city before Yuan knew it; Jun'guo freed Dunli from prison; Yuan learned of it, hurried out in armor with several hundred men, and met Jun'guo at the gate. Jun'guo called to Yuan's men, "Li Yuan is a rebel—why follow him into fire and ruin!" They threw down their weapons and fled. Only Yuan was left. He cursed Jun'guo, "You wretch sold me out—you will get yours in turn!" He seized Yuan and strangled him. On renwu, Wang Jun'guo was made Left Leading Army Grand General and concurrently Youzhou area commander; Yuan's household was given to him as spoils. Cui Dunli was a grandson of Cui Zhongfang. On yiyou, the Heavenly Stratagem headquarters was abolished.
134
秋，七月，己丑，柴紹破突厥於秦州，斬特勒一人，士卒首千餘級。
In autumn, the seventh month, on jichou, Chai Shao defeated the Turks at Qin Prefecture, beheaded one Tiele chieftain, and took more than a thousand enemy heads.
135
以秦府護軍秦叔寶為左衛大將軍，又以程知節為右武衛大將軍，尉遲敬德為右武候大將軍。
Qin Shubao of the Prince of Qin's guard was made Left Guard Grand General; Cheng Zhijie was made Right Martial Guard Grand General, and Yuchi Jingde Right Martial Tiger Guard Grand General.
136
壬辰，以高士廉為侍中，房玄齡為中書令，蕭瑀為左僕射，長孫無忌為吏部尚書，杜如晦為兵部尚書。 癸巳，以宇文士及為中書令，封德彝為右僕射； 又以前天策府兵曹參軍杜淹為御史大夫，中書舍人顏師古、劉林甫為中書侍郎，左衛副率侯君集為左衛將軍，左虞候段志玄為驍衛將軍，副護軍薛萬徹為右領軍將軍，右內副率張公謹為右武候將軍，右監門率長孫安業為右監門將軍，右內副率李客師為領左右軍將軍。 安業，無忌之兄； 客師，靖之弟也。
On renchen, Gao Shilian was made Palace Attendant, Fang Xuanling Secretariat Director, Xiao Yu Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Zhangsun Wuji Minister of Personnel, and Du Ruhui Minister of War. On guisi, Yuwen Shiji was made Secretariat Director and Feng Deyi Right Vice Director; also the former Heavenly Strategies Bureau army-camp registrar Du Yan was made Censor-in-Chief; Secretariat drafting officers Yan Shigu and Liu Linpu were made Secretariat vice directors; Left Guard deputy commander Hou Junji was made Left Guard general; Left Brilliant Reedward section chief Duan Zhixuan was made Valiant Guard general; deputy guard commander Xue Wanche was made Right Leading Army general; Right Inner deputy commander Zhang Gongjin was made Right Martial Tiger Guard general; Right Palace Gate deputy commander Zhangsun Anye was made Right Palace Gate general; and Right Inner deputy commander Li Keshi was made commander of the Left and Right Personal Guard armies. Anye was Zhangsun Wuji's elder brother; Keshi was Li Jing's younger brother.
137
太子建成、齊王元吉之黨散亡在民間，雖更赦令，猶不自安，徼幸者爭告捕以邀賞。 諫議大夫王珪以啟太子。 丙子，太子下令：「六月四日已前事連東宮及齊王，十七日前連李瑗者，並不得相告言，違者反坐。」
The partisans of the late Crown Prince Jiancheng and Prince of Qi Yuanji who had scattered among the people, though amnestied again and again, were still uneasy; opportunists vied to denounce and capture them for reward. Remonstrance and Discussion Grand Master Wang Gui reported this to the crown prince. On bingzi the crown prince issued an order: "Matters before the fourth day of the sixth month that touch on the Eastern Palace or the Prince of Qi, and before the seventeenth day that touch on Li Yuan, must not be denounced; violators shall be punished under the counter-accusation law."
138
丁酉，遣諫議大夫魏徵宣慰山東，聽以便宜從事。 徵至磁州，遇州縣錮送前太子千牛李志安、齊王護軍李師行詣京師，徵曰：「吾受命之日，前宮、齊府左右皆赦不問； 今復送師行等，則誰不自疑！ 雖遣使者，人誰信之！ 吾不可以顧身嫌，不為國慮。 且既蒙國士之遇，敢不以國士報之乎！」 遂皆解縱之。 太子聞之，甚喜。
On dingyou, the court sent Remonstrance and Discussion Grand Master Wei Zheng to proclaim comfort in the Shandong region, with authority to act as circumstances required. When Zheng reached Ci Prefecture, he met prefectural officers escorting in bonds the former crown prince's thousand-bolt Li Zhian and the Prince of Qi's guard commander Li Shihang bound for the capital. Zheng said, "From the day I received my commission, those of the former palace and the Prince of Qi's household were all pardoned and not to be questioned; if you now again send Shihang and the rest, who will not suspect himself! Though the court sends envoys, who would believe them! I cannot for personal misgiving fail to consider the state. And since I have received the state's fellowship, how dare I not repay it as a man of the state would!" He thereupon released them all. When the crown prince heard of it, he was greatly pleased.
139
右衛率府鎧曹參軍唐臨出為萬泉丞，縣有系囚十許人，會春雨，臨縱之，使歸耕種，皆如期而返。 臨，令則之弟子也。
Right Guard Rate Office armor-camp registrar Tang Lin went out as Wanquan assistant magistrate; the county held some ten or so prisoners; when spring rains came, Lin released them to return home and plow and plant, and all came back on schedule. Tang Lin was Study Horse Lingze's nephew.
140
八月，丙辰，突厥遣使請和。
In the eighth month, on bingchen, the Turks sent envoys requesting peace.
141
壬戌，吐谷渾遣使請和。
On renxu, Tuyuhun sent envoys requesting peace.
142
癸亥，詔傳位於太子。 太子固辭，不許。 甲子，太宗即皇帝位於東宮顯德殿，赦天下； 關內及蒲、芮、虞、泰、陝、鼎六州免租調二年，自餘給復一年。
On guihai, an edict ordered the transfer of the throne to the crown prince. The crown prince firmly declined and was not permitted. On jiazi, Emperor Taizong took the throne at the Eastern Palace's Xiande Hall and amnestied the realm; Within the passes and the six prefectures Pu, Rui, Yu, Tai, Shan, and Ding were exempted from tax and corvée for two years; elsewhere relief was granted for one year.
143
癸未，詔以「宮女眾多，幽閟可愍，宜簡出之，各歸親戚，任其適人。」
On guiwei, an edict said, "The palace women are many; their seclusion is pitiable; they should be selected out and each returned to her kinfolk to marry as she wills."
144
初，稽胡酋長劉屳成帥眾降梁師都，師都信讒殺之，由是所部猜懼，多來降者。 師都浸衰弱，乃朝於突厥，為之畫策，勸令入寇。 於是頡利、突利二可汗合兵十餘萬騎寇涇州，進至武功，京師戒嚴。
Earlier, Ji-hu chieftain Liu Shancheng had led his followers to submit to Liang Shidu; Shidu believed slander and killed him, whereupon his followers grew suspicious and fearful, and many came over to Tang. As Shidu grew weaker, he went to pay court to the Turks and plotted for them, urging them to invade. Thereupon the two khans Jieli and Tuli combined more than a hundred thousand horsemen and raided Jing Prefecture, advancing as far as Wugong; the capital was placed under martial alert.
145
丙子，立妃長孫氏為皇后。 后少好讀書，造次必循禮法。 上為秦王，與太子建成、齊王元吉有隙，后奉事高祖，承順妃嬪，彌縫其闕，甚有內助。 及正位中宮，務崇節儉，服御取給而已。 上深重之，嘗與之議賞罰，后辭曰：「『牝雞之晨，唯家之索』，妾婦人，安敢豫聞政事！」 固問之，終不對。
On bingzi, Consort Zhangsun was made empress. The empress had loved reading from youth and in every situation observed ritual propriety. When the emperor was Prince of Qin he was at odds with Crown Prince Jiancheng and Prince of Qi Yuanji; the empress attended Gaozu, won over the consorts, and smoothed over their faults, giving great help within the palace. Once she held the central palace, she devoted herself to thrift; her dress and furnishings were only what sufficed. The emperor valued her deeply and once discussed rewards and punishments with her; the empress declined, saying, "'When the hen crows at dawn, the house is undone'—I am only a woman; how dare I presume to hear of government affairs!" He pressed her repeatedly, but she would not answer.
146
己卯，突厥進寇高陵。 辛巳，涇州道行軍總管尉遲敬德與突厥戰於涇陽，大破之，獲其俟斤阿史德烏沒啜，斬首千餘級。
On jimao, the Turks advanced and raided Gaoling. On xinsi, Jingzhou circuit campaigning commander Yuchi Jingde fought the Turks at Jingyang and routed them, capturing their irkin Ashina Shide Wumochuo and taking more than a thousand heads.
147
癸未，頡利可汗進至渭水便橋之北，遣其腹心執失思力入見，以觀虛實。 思力盛稱「頡利、突利二可汗將兵百萬，今至矣。」 上讓之曰：「吾與汝可汗面結和親，贈遺金帛，前後無算。 汝可汗自負盟約，引兵深入，於我無愧？ 汝雖戎狄，亦有人心，何得全忘大恩，自誇強盛？ 我今先斬汝矣！」 思力懼而請命。 蕭瑀、封德彝請禮遣之。 上曰：「我今遣還，虜謂我畏之，愈肆憑陵。」 乃囚思力於門下省。
On guiwei, Jieli Khan advanced to the north bank of the Wei River at Bian Bridge and sent his trusted man Zhishi Sili to audience to probe the court's strength. Sili boasted loudly, "The two khans Jieli and Tuli are leading a million men—they have arrived now." The emperor reproached him, saying, "I bound myself in marriage alliance with your khan face to face and bestowed gold and silks beyond counting. Your khan broke the alliance and led his army deep into our land—do you feel no shame toward us? Though you are barbarians, you still have human hearts—how can you utterly forget great kindness and boast of your strength? I will behead you first!" Sili was afraid and begged for his life. Xiao Yu and Feng Deyi asked that he be sent away with ceremony. The emperor said, "If I send him back now, the barbarians will think I fear them and encroach all the more." He then imprisoned Sili in the Secretariat.
148
上自出玄武門，與高士廉、房玄齡等立騎逕詣渭水上，與頡利隔水而語，責以負約。 突厥大驚，皆下馬羅拜。 俄而諸軍繼至，旌甲蔽野，頡利見執失思力不返，而上挺身輕出，軍容甚盛，有懼色。 上麾諸軍使卻而布陳，獨留與頡利語。 蕭瑀以上輕敵，叩馬固諫，上曰：「吾籌之已熟，非卿所知。 突厥所以敢傾國而來，直抵郊甸者，以我國內有難，朕新即位，謂我不能抗禦故也。 我若示之心弱，閉門拒守，虜必放兵大掠，不可復制。 故朕輕騎獨出，示若輕之； 又震曜軍容，使之必戰； 出虜不意，使之失圖。 虜入我地既深，必有懼心，故與戰則克，與和則固矣。 制服突厥，在此一舉，卿第觀之！」 是日，頡利來請和，詔許之。 上即日還宮。 乙酉，又幸城西，斬白馬，與頡利盟於便橋之上。 突厥引兵退。
The emperor himself rode out through Xuanwu Gate; with Gao Shilian, Fang Xuanling, and others he went straight to the Wei River on horseback and spoke with Jieli across the water, reproaching him for breaking the pact. The Turks were greatly alarmed; all dismounted and bowed in array. Before long the armies arrived in succession, banners and armor covering the plain; Jieli saw that Zhishi Sili had not returned, while the emperor had come forth lightly with so splendid an army, and he showed fear. The emperor waved the armies back to form battle lines and stayed alone to speak with Jieli. Xiao Yu thought the emperor was slighting the enemy and seized his horse to remonstrate firmly; the emperor said, "I have thought this through; it is not for you to know. The Turks dared bring their whole nation to the capital suburbs because they thought that with trouble within our state and my new accession I could not resist them. If I showed weakness, shut the gates, and held to defense, the barbarians would surely let their troops loose in great pillage beyond control. Therefore I came out lightly alone, as if slighting them; and again displayed our army's might to make them think battle certain; catching the barbarians off guard and unsettling their plans. The barbarians have penetrated deep into our land and must be afraid; therefore if we fight we win, and if we make peace we are secure. Subduing the Turks depends on this one move—just watch!" That day Jieli came requesting peace, and an edict granted it. The emperor returned to the palace the same day. On yiyou he again went to the west of the city, sacrificed a white horse, and made alliance with Jieli atop Bian Bridge. The Turks withdrew their army.
149
蕭瑀請於上曰：「突厥未和之時，諸將爭戰，陛下不許，臣等亦以為疑，既而虜自退，其策安在？」 上曰：「吾觀突厥之眾雖多而不整，君臣之志惟賄是求，當其請和之時，可汗獨在水西，達官皆來謁我，我若醉而縛之，因襲擊其眾，勢如拉朽。 又命長孫無忌、李靖伏兵於豳州以待之，虜若奔歸，仗兵邀其前，大軍躡其後，覆之如反掌耳。 所以不戰者，吾即位日淺，國家未安，百姓未富，且當靜以撫之。 一與虜戰，所損甚多； 虜結怨既深，懼而修備，則吾未可以得志矣。 故卷甲韜戈，啖以金帛，彼既得所欲，理當自退，志意驕惰，不復設備，然後養威伺釁，一舉可滅也。 將欲取之，必固與之，此之謂矣。 卿知之乎？」 瑀再拜曰：「非所及也。」
Xiao Yu asked the emperor, "Before peace with the Turks, the generals were eager to fight, but Your Majesty would not allow it; we too were doubtful, yet afterward the barbarians withdrew of themselves—where lay the strategy?" The emperor said, "I saw that though the Turk host was large it was not disciplined; ruler and ministers cared only for bribes. When they asked for peace, the khan alone was west of the river while his high officials all came to attend me; if I had seized them drunk and then struck their host, it would have been like pulling down rotten timber. I had also ordered Zhangsun Wuji and Li Jing to lie in ambush at Bin Prefecture; if the barbarians fled home, troops would block their front and the main army follow their rear—overthrowing them would have been as easy as turning the hand. The reason I did not fight is that I had just taken the throne, the state was not yet secure, and the people were not yet prosperous; for the time being we must calm and comfort them. One battle with the barbarians would cost us heavily; the barbarians would bear a deep grudge, and in fear would strengthen their defenses, and we could not yet achieve our aim. Therefore we rolled up armor and sheathed weapons and fed them gold and silks; once they had what they wanted, they would naturally withdraw, proud and slack and no longer on guard; then we could nurture our strength, watch for an opening, and destroy them in one stroke. To take, one must first give firmly—such is the meaning. Do you understand?" Xiao Yu bowed twice and said, "That is beyond me."