1
資治通鑑第193卷卷第一百九十三
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 193.
2
【唐紀九】起著雍困敦九月，盡重光單閼，凡三年有奇。
[Tang Records 9] From the ninth month of the fourth year of Zhenguan through the seventh year of Zhenguan—a span of somewhat more than three years.
3
九月，丙午，初令致仕官位在本品之上。
In the ninth month, on bingwu, the court first decreed that retired officials should hold rank above their nominal grade.
4
上曰：「比見群臣屢上表賀祥瑞，夫家給人足而無瑞，不害為堯、舜； 百姓愁怨而多瑞，不害為桀、紂。 後魏之世，吏焚連理木，煮白雉而食之，豈足為至治乎！」 丁未，詔：「自今大瑞聽表聞，自外諸瑞，申所司而已。」 嘗有白鵲構巢於寢殿槐上，合歡如腰鼓，左右稱賀。 上曰：「我常笑隋煬帝好祥瑞。 瑞在得賢，此何足賀！」 命毀其巢，縱鵲於野外。
The emperor said, "Lately I have seen ministers again and again submit memorials celebrating auspicious omens. A realm can be well fed and at peace without any omens at all and still be no less the equal of Yao or Shun; and a people sunk in grief and resentment may see omens multiply without ceasing to be Jie or Zhou. In Northern Wei times officials burned trees whose branches had grown together and boiled white pheasants for food—was that truly the mark of perfect rule?" On dingwei he issued an edict: "Henceforth only the greatest omens may be announced by memorial; all lesser omens are to be reported to the appropriate office alone." Once a white magpie built a nest in the locust tree by the imperial bedchamber, its branches intertwined like a waist drum, and the attendants congratulated him. The emperor said, "I have often laughed at Emperor Yang of Sui for his obsession with omens. The real omen is winning worthy men to service—what is there to celebrate in this?" He ordered the nest torn down and the magpie released into the open country.
5
天少雨，中書舍人李百藥上言：「往年雖出宮人，竊聞太上皇宮及掖庭宮人，無用者尚多，豈惟虛費衣食，且陰氣鬱積，亦足致旱。」 上曰：「婦人幽閉深宮，誠為可愍。 灑掃之餘，亦何所用，宜皆出之，任求伉儷。」 於是遣尚書左丞戴冑、給事中洹水杜正倫於掖庭西門簡出之，前後所出三千餘人。
Rain was scarce. Li Baiyao, a secretary in the Secretariat, memorialized: "Although palace women were released in earlier years, I hear that many still linger unused in the Retired Emperor's quarters and the inner palaces. Besides the waste of food and clothing, the pent-up yin force alone is enough to cause drought." The emperor said, "Women shut away in the deep palace are indeed to be pitied. Beyond sweeping and dusting, what use are they? Let them all leave and marry as they choose." He then sent Dai Zhou, left assistant director of the Department of State Affairs, and Du Zhenglun of Huanshui, a supervising secretary, to select women at the west gate of the inner palaces. More than three thousand were released in all.
6
己未，突厥寇邊。 朝臣或請修古長城，發民乘堡障，上曰：「突厥災異相仍，頡利不懼而修德，暴虐滋甚，骨肉相攻，亡在朝夕。 朕方為公掃清沙漠，安用勞民遠修障塞乎！」
On jiwei the Turks raided the border. Some ministers urged repairing the old Long Wall and drafting the people to garrison the forts. The emperor said, "The Turks have suffered one disaster after another. Jiali will not take warning and mend his ways; his cruelty grows worse, and his own kin turn on one another. His fall is only a matter of time. I am about to clear the desert for you—why weary the people building distant walls?"
7
壬申，以前司農卿竇靜為夏州都督。 靜在司農，少卿趙元楷善聚斂，靜鄙之，對官屬大言曰：「隋煬帝奢侈重斂，司農非公不可； 今天子節儉愛民，公何所用哉！」 元楷大慚。
On renshen the former minister of revenue Dou Jing was made area commander of Xiazhou. While Dou served as minister of revenue, his vice minister Zhao Yuankai was adept at squeezing the people, which Dou despised. He declared before the staff, "Emperor Yang of Sui was extravagant and taxed heavily—the ministry needed a man like you; but our present sovereign is frugal and loves the people—what use are you here?" Yuankai was deeply shamed.
8
上問王珪曰：「近世為國者益不及前古，何也？」 對曰：「漢世尚儒術，宰相多用經術士，故風俗淳厚； 近世重文輕儒，參以法律，此治化之所以益衰也。」 上然之。
The emperor asked Wang Gui, "Why do recent rulers govern ever less well than the ancients?" He answered, "Han times honored Confucian learning, and chief ministers were mostly classicists, so customs stayed pure; but lately literature is prized while learning is slighted, and law is mixed in—that is why rule grows weaker." The emperor agreed.
9
冬，十月，御史大夫參預朝政安吉襄公杜淹薨。
In the tenth month of winter Du Yan, censor-in-chief and participant in governance, Duke Xiang of Anji, died.
10
交州都督遂安公壽以貪得罪，上以瀛州刺史盧祖尚才兼文武，廉平公直，征入朝，諭以「交趾久不得人，須卿鎮撫。」 祖尚拜謝而出，既而悔之，辭以舊疾。 上遣杜如晦等諭旨曰：「匹夫猶敦然諾，奈何既許朕而復悔之！」 祖尚固辭。 戊子，上復引見，諭之，祖尚固執不可。 上大怒曰：「我使人不行，何以為政！」 命斬於朝堂，尋悔之。 他日，與侍臣論「齊文宣帝何如人？」 魏徵對曰：「文宣狂暴，然人與之爭，事理屈則從之。 有前青州長史魏愷使於梁還，除光州長史，不肯行，楊遵彥奏之。 文宣怒，召而責之。 愷曰：『臣先任大州，使還，有勞無過，更得小州，此臣所以不行也。』 文宣顧謂遵彥曰：『其言有理，卿赦之。』 此其所長也。」 上曰：「然。 向者盧祖尚雖失人臣之義，朕殺之亦為太暴，由此言之，不如文宣矣！」 命復其官廕。
Shou, area commander of Jiaozhou and Duke of Suian, was punished for corruption. The emperor summoned Lu Zushang, prefect of Yingzhou, whose talent spanned civil and military affairs and whose conduct was upright, and told him, "Jiaozhi has long lacked a fit governor. I need you to pacify it." Zushang thanked him and withdrew, then regretted his acceptance and pleaded an old illness. The emperor sent Du Ruhui and others to say, "Even a common man keeps his word—how can you promise me and then go back on it?" Zushang still refused. On wuzi the emperor received him again and pressed him, but Zushang would not yield. The emperor flew into a rage. "If my orders cannot be obeyed, how can I govern?" He ordered him executed in the court hall, and soon regretted it. Another day he asked his attendants, "What sort of man was Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi?" Wei Zheng said, "Wenxuan was violent, yet when men argued with him and reason was on their side, he yielded. Once Wei Kai, former chief secretary of Qingzhou, returned from a mission to Liang and was appointed chief secretary of Guangzhou but refused to go. Yang Zunyan reported him. Wenxuan was angry and summoned him to rebuke him. Kai said, "I formerly held a large prefecture. After my mission I had merit and no fault, yet I am given a smaller one—that is why I refuse." Wenxuan turned to Zunyan and said, "He speaks with reason. Pardon him." That was his strength." The emperor said, "True. Lu Zushang failed his duty as a minister, yet for me to kill him was too harsh. By that measure I am not Wenxuan's equal!" He ordered Zushang's hereditary privileges restored.
11
徵狀貌不逾中人，而有膽略，善回人主意，每犯顏苦諫； 或逢上怒甚，征神色不移，上亦為之霽威。 嘗謁告上塚，還，言於上曰：「人言陛下欲幸南山，外皆嚴裝已畢，而竟不行，何也？」 上笑曰：「初實有此心，畏卿嗔，故中輟耳。」 上嘗得佳鷂，自臂之，望見征來，匿懷中； 征奏事固久不已，鷂竟死懷中。
Zheng was no more than average in looks, yet he was bold and resourceful, skilled at turning the emperor's mind, and remonstrated to his face without flinching; even when the emperor's rage was at its height Zheng's expression never changed, and the emperor would calm himself for him. Once, after leave to tend his father's tomb, he said to the emperor, "People say you meant to visit the Southern Hills. Outside, everything was ready, yet you did not go—why?" The emperor laughed. "I did mean to go, but I feared your displeasure and gave it up halfway." Once the emperor had a fine hawk on his arm. Seeing Zheng approach, he hid it in his robe; Zheng went on reporting business at length until the hawk died in his bosom.
12
十一月，辛酉，上祀圜丘。
In the eleventh month, on xinyou, the emperor sacrificed at the Round Altar.
13
十二月，壬午，以黃門侍郎王珪為守侍中。 上嘗閒居，與珪語，有美人侍側，上指示珪曰：「此廬江王瑗之姬也，瑗殺其夫而納之。」 珪避席曰：「陛下以廬江納之為是邪，非邪？」 上曰：「殺人而取其妻，卿何問是非！」 對曰：「昔齊桓公知郭公之所以亡，由善善而不能用，然棄其所言之人，管仲以為無異於郭公。 今此美人尚在左右，臣以為聖心是之也。」 上悅，即出之，還其親族。
In the twelfth month, on renwu, Wang Gui, vice minister of the Huangmen, was made acting palace attendant. Once at leisure the emperor spoke with Gui while a beautiful woman attended him. He pointed to her and said, "This was a concubine of the Prince of Lujiang. Yuan killed her husband and took her." Gui rose from his mat and asked, "Does Your Majesty think the Prince of Lujiang was right to take her?" The emperor said, "He killed a man and took his wife—why ask if that was right or wrong?" He answered, "Duke Huan of Qi once knew why the lord of Guo fell—he honored the good but could not use them—yet he cast aside the man who told him so. Guan Zhong said he was no better than the lord of Guo. This woman is still at your side, and I take that to mean Your Majesty approves." The emperor was pleased, released her at once, and sent her back to her family.
14
上使太常少卿祖孝孫教宮人音樂，不稱旨，上責之。 溫彥博、王珪諫曰：「孝孫雅士，今乃使之教宮人，又從而譴之，臣竊以為不可。」 上怒曰：「朕置卿等於腹心，當竭忠直以事我，乃附下罔上，為孝孫遊說邪？」 彥博拜謝。 珪不拜，曰：「陛下責臣以忠直，今臣所言豈私曲邪！ 此乃陛下負臣，非臣負陛下。」 上默然而罷。 明日，上謂房玄齡曰：「自古帝王納諫誠難，朕昨責溫彥博、王珪、至今悔之。 公等勿為此不盡言也。」
The emperor had Zu Xiaosun, vice minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, teach palace women music. When the result displeased him, he rebuked Zu. Wen Yanbo and Wang Gui remonstrated: "Xiaosun is a cultivated gentleman. To set him teaching palace women and then rebuke him besides—we think that wrong." The emperor said angrily, "I placed you at my heart. You should serve me with full loyalty and candor—yet you side with inferiors and deceive your lord, pleading for Xiaosun?" Yanbo bowed in apology. Gui did not bow. "Your Majesty demands loyalty and candor from me—are my words private and crooked? It is Your Majesty who has failed me, not I who have failed Your Majesty." The emperor fell silent and dropped the matter. The next day he told Fang Xuanling, "From antiquity it has been hard for emperors to accept remonstrance. Yesterday I rebuked Wen Yanbo and Wang Gui, and I still regret it. Do not, for that reason, hold back what you have to say."
15
上曰：「為朕養民者，唯在都督、刺史，朕常疏其名於屏風，坐臥觀之，得其在官善惡之跡，皆注於名下，以備黜陟。 縣令尤為親民，不可不擇。」 乃命內外五品已上，各舉堪為縣令者，以名聞。
The emperor said, "Those who nourish the people for me are the area commanders and prefects. I write their names on a screen and study them day and night. Whatever I learn of their conduct in office I note beneath each name, to guide promotion and dismissal. Magistrates are closest to the people and must be chosen with care." He then ordered every official of fifth rank and above, inside and outside the capital, to recommend men fit to serve as magistrates and report their names.
16
上曰：「比有奴告其主反者，此弊事。 夫謀反不能獨為，必與人共之，何患不發，何必使奴告邪！ 自今有奴告主者，皆勿受，仍斬之。」
The emperor said, "Lately slaves have denounced their masters for treason. That is a corrupt practice. Treason cannot be plotted alone; others must be involved. Why fear it will not come to light? Why rely on slaves to accuse their masters? From now on, no denunciation by a slave against his master shall be accepted. Execute the slave instead."
17
西突厥統葉護可汗為其伯父所殺； 伯父自立，是為莫賀咄侯屈利俟毘可汗。 國人不服，弩矢畢部推泥孰莫賀設為可汗，泥孰不可。 統葉護之子咥力特勒避莫賀咄之禍，亡在康居，泥孰迎而立之，是為乙毘缽羅肆葉護可汗，與莫賀咄相攻，連兵不息，俱遣使來請婚。 上不許，曰：「汝國方亂，君臣未定，何得言婚！」 且諭以各守部分，勿復相攻。 於是西域諸國及敕勒先役屬西突厥者皆叛之。
Tong Yehu, khagan of the Western Turks, was killed by his uncle; who set himself up as Khagan Moheduo Houqulisi Pijia. The tribes would not submit. The Nushibi pushed Nishou Moheshe for the khanship, but Nishou refused. Tong Yehu's son Dilitele fled Moheduo's persecution and took refuge in Kangju. Nishou welcomed him and set him up as Khagan Yibi Boluo Siyehu. He and Moheduo fought without cease, and both sent envoys to request marriage alliances. The emperor refused. "Your realm is in turmoil and lord and minister are unsettled—how can you speak of marriage?" He also told them to keep to their own territories and cease fighting one another. Thereupon the states of the Western Regions and the Tiele tribes formerly subject to the Western Turks all rebelled.
18
突厥北邊諸姓多叛頡利可汗歸薛延陀，共推其俟斤夷男為可汗，夷男不敢當。 上方圖頡利，遣游擊將軍喬師望間道繼冊書拜夷男為真珠毘伽可汗，賜以鼓纛。 夷男大喜，遣使入貢，建牙於大漠之郁督軍山下，東至靺鞨，西至西突厥，南接沙磧，北至俱倫水； 回紇、拔野古、阿跌、同羅、僕骨、□諸部落皆屬焉。
Many northern Turkic clans rebelled against Khagan Jiali and joined the Xueyantuo. They wanted to make their irkin Yinan khagan, but Yinan dared not accept. The emperor was already planning against Jiali. He sent Mobile Cavalry General Qiao Shiwang by a secret route with a patent appointing Yinan Khagan Zhenzhu Pijia and granting him drums and banners. Yinan was overjoyed, sent tribute envoys, and set up his royal camp below Yudujun Mountain in the great desert—east to the Mohe, west to the Western Turks, south to the sandy wastes, and north to the Jülun River; the Huigu, Bayegu, Adie, Tongluo, Pugu, and other tribes all submitted to him.
19
春，正月，戊午，上祀太廟； 癸亥，耕藉於東郊。
In spring, the first month, on wuwu the emperor sacrificed at the imperial ancestral temple; on guihai he performed the plowing ceremony at the eastern suburb.
20
沙門法雅坐妖言誅。 司空裴寂嘗聞其言，辛未，寂坐免官，遣還鄉里。 寂請留京師，上數之曰：「計公勳庸，安得至此！ 直以恩澤為群臣第一。 武德之際貨賂公行，紀綱紊亂，皆公之由也，但以故舊不忍盡法。 得歸守墳墓，幸已多矣！」 寂遂歸蒲州。 未幾，又坐狂人信行言寂有天命，寂不以聞，當死； 流靜州。 會山羌作亂，或言劫寂為主。 上曰：「寂當死，我生之，必不然也。」 俄聞寂帥家僮破賊。 上思其佐命之功，征入朝，會卒。
The monk Faya was executed for sorcerous speech. Minister of Works Pei Ji had once heard him speak. On xinwei Ji was dismissed from office and sent home. Ji asked to remain in the capital. The emperor rebuked him: "By your merit alone, how did you ever rise so high? You stand first among the ministers only through my favor. Under Wude, bribery ran rampant and discipline collapsed—all through you. Only because you are an old friend have I not punished you to the full extent of the law. To go home and tend your ancestors' graves is more fortune than you deserve!" Ji then returned to Puzhou. Before long he was implicated again when the madman Xinxing said Ji had Heaven's mandate and Ji failed to report it. He deserved death; he was banished to Jingzhou. When the Shan Qiang rebelled, some said the rebels would seize Ji and make him their leader. The emperor said, "Ji should have died, yet I spared him. That will certainly not happen." Soon afterward came word that Ji had led his household retainers and defeated the rebels. The emperor, mindful of Ji's service in founding the dynasty, summoned him to court, but Ji died en route.
21
二月，戊寅，以房玄齡為左僕射，杜如晦為右僕射，以尚書右丞魏徵守秘書監，參預朝政。
In the second month, on wuyin, Fang Xuanling was appointed Left Vice Director and Du Ruhui Right Vice Director; Wei Zheng, Right Assistant Director of the Secretariat, was named acting Secretariat Director and admitted to deliberations on state affairs.
22
三月，己酉，上錄系囚。 有劉恭者，頸有「勝」文，自云「當勝天下」，坐是繫獄。 上曰：「若天將興之，非朕所能除； 若無天命，『勝』文何為！」 乃釋之。
In the third month, on jiyou, the emperor reviewed prisoners held in custody. One prisoner, Liu Gong, bore the character sheng on his neck and claimed he was destined to conquer the realm; for this he had been jailed. The emperor said, "If Heaven intends to raise him up, I cannot remove him; if there is no mandate of Heaven, what use is the character sheng! "He then released him."
23
丁巳，上謂房玄齡、杜如晦曰：「公為僕射，當廣求賢人，隨才授任，此宰相之職也。 比聞聽受辭訟，日不暇給，安能助朕求賢乎！」 因敕「尚書細務屬左右丞，唯大事應奏者，乃關僕射。」
On dingsi the emperor told Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, "As Vice Directors you should seek talent broadly and appoint men according to their abilities. That is a chief minister's duty. Lately I hear you spend your days hearing lawsuits, with no time to spare—how can you help me find talent! He therefore ordered that detailed Secretariat business should fall to the left and right assistants, and only major matters requiring memorial should be brought to the Vice Directors."
24
玄齡明達吏事，輔以文學，夙夜盡心，惟恐一物失所； 用法寬平，聞人有善，若己有之，不以求備取人，不以己長格物。 與杜如晦引拔士類，常如不及。 至於台閣規模，皆二人所定。 上每與玄齡謀事，必曰：「非如晦不能決。」 及如晦至，卒用玄齡之策。 蓋玄齡善謀，如晦能斷故也。 二人深相得，同心徇國，故唐世稱賢相者，推房、杜焉。 玄齡雖蒙寵待，或以事被譴，輒累日詣朝堂，稽顙請罪，恐懼若無所容。
Xuanling was clear and adept in administrative affairs and well versed in letters; day and night he gave himself wholly to duty, fearing only that something might go wrong; he applied the law with leniency and fairness; when he heard of another's virtue he rejoiced as though it were his own; he did not demand perfection in men, nor judge others by his own strengths. With Du Ruhui he promoted scholars, always as though he could never do enough. The structure of the central administration was entirely their work. Whenever the emperor deliberated with Xuanling, he would say, "This cannot be decided without Ruhui. When Ruhui arrived, Xuanling's plan was always the one adopted. For Xuanling excelled at planning and Ruhui at deciding. Deeply attuned and of one mind in serving the state, they were held up in Tang times as the model of worthy chief ministers—Fang and Du. Though favored, when rebuked over some matter Xuanling would for days come to the court hall, prostrate himself, and beg forgiveness, trembling as though he had nowhere to hide.
25
玄齡監修國史，上語之曰：「比見《漢書》載《子虛》、《上林賦》，浮華無用。 其上書論事，詞理切直者，朕從與不從，皆當載之。」
While Xuanling supervised compilation of the national history, the emperor told him, "I have lately seen the Book of Han include the Rhapsody of Sir Fantasy and the Rhapsody of the Upper Forest—ornate and useless. When ministers submit memorials on affairs of state, those whose words are direct and reasoned—whether I follow their advice or not—should all be recorded."
26
夏，四月，乙亥，上皇徙居弘義宮，更名大安宮。 上始御太極殿，謂侍臣曰：「中書、門下，機要之司，詔敕有不便者，皆應論執。 比來唯睹順從，不聞違異。 若但行文書，則誰不可為，何必擇才也！」 房玄齡等皆頓首謝。 故事：凡軍國大事，則中書舍人各執所見，雜署其名，謂之五花判事。 中書侍郎、中書令省審之，給事中、黃門侍郎駁正之。 上始申明舊制，由是鮮有敗事。
In summer, the fourth month, on yihai, the retired emperor moved to Hongyi Palace, renamed Dayan Palace. The emperor began holding court in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate and told his ministers, "The Secretariat and Chancellery are offices of vital importance. When an edict is unsuitable, you should debate and hold firm. Lately I have seen only compliance and heard no dissent. If you merely transmit documents, anyone could do the job—why choose men of talent at all! Fang Xuanling and the others all prostrated themselves in apology. By precedent, on major military and state affairs each Secretariat drafter recorded his own view and all signed together—the five-flower memorial system. The Vice Director and Director of the Secretariat reviewed them; the Supervising Secretary and Vice Director of the Chancellery corrected and revised them. The emperor now clarified the old system, and from then on few matters went wrong."
27
茌平人馬周，客遊長安，捨於中郎將常何之家。 六月，壬午，以旱，詔文武官極言得失。 何武人不學，不知所言，周代之陳便宜二十餘條。 上怪其能，以問何，對曰：「此非臣所能，家客馬周為臣具草耳。」 上即召之； 未至，遣使督促者數輩。 及謁見，與語，甚悅，令直門下省，尋除監察御史，奉使稱旨。 上以常何為知人，賜絹三百匹。
Ma Zhou of Chiping, a guest in Chang'an, lodged with General of the Palace Gentlemen Chang He. In the sixth month, on renwu, drought prompted an edict calling on civil and military officials to speak freely of what was going wrong. Chang He, a military man without learning, did not know what to say; Zhou drafted more than twenty practical recommendations for him. The emperor marveled at the quality and questioned Chang He, who replied, "This is not my work; my house guest Ma Zhou drafted it for me. The emperor at once summoned Zhou; and before Zhou arrived sent several envoys in succession to hurry him along. When Zhou was received in audience the emperor was greatly pleased; he was assigned to the Chancellery and soon made Investigating Censor, and on missions carried out the emperor's intent admirably. The emperor judged Chang He a man who knew talent and rewarded him with three hundred bolts of silk.
28
秋，八月，己巳朔，日有食之。
In autumn, the eighth month, on the first day jisi, there was a solar eclipse.
29
丙子，薛延陀毘伽可汗遣其弟統特勒入貢，上賜以寶刀及寶鞭，謂曰：「卿所部有大罪者斬之，小罪者鞭之。」 夷男甚喜。 突厥頡利可汗大懼，始遣使稱臣，請尚公主，修婿禮。
On bingzi the Xueyantuo khan Piluo sent his younger brother Tongte'er to pay tribute. The emperor gave him a precious sword and whip and said, "Among your followers, execute those guilty of great crimes and whip those guilty of lesser ones. Yinan was greatly pleased. The Eastern Turk khagan Jiali was greatly afraid and for the first time sent envoys declaring himself a subject, requesting a princess in marriage and the rites due a son-in-law.
30
代州都督張公謹上言突厥可取之狀，以為：「頡利縱欲逞暴，誅忠良，暱奸佞，一也。 薛延陀等諸部皆叛，二也。 突利、拓設、欲谷設皆得罪，無所自容，三也。 塞北霜早，餱糧乏絕，四也。 頡利疏其族類，親委諸胡，胡人反覆，大軍一臨，必生內變，五也，華人入北，其眾甚多，比聞所在嘯聚，保據山險，大軍出塞，自然響應，六也。」 上以頡利可汗既請和親，復援梁師都，丁亥，命兵部尚書李靖為行軍總管討之，以張公謹為副。
Zhang Gongjin, military governor of Daizhou, submitted a memorial on how the Turks could be taken, arguing: "First, Jiali indulges his desires and acts with violence, executes the loyal, and favors the wicked and sycophantic. Second, the Xueyantuo and other tribes have all rebelled. Third, Tuli, Tuoshe, and Yugushe have all fallen afoul of him and have nowhere to turn. Fourth, north of the passes frost came early and provisions are exhausted. Fifth, Jiali has estranged his own clansmen and entrusted power to various Hu peoples, who are fickle—when a great army arrives, internal revolt is sure to follow. Sixth, many Chinese have gone north; lately I hear they are gathering everywhere and holding mountain strongholds—when a great army crosses the frontier, they will naturally rise in response. Although Jiali had requested a marriage alliance, he again supported Liang Shidu; on dinghai the emperor appointed Minister of War Li Jing commander of the campaign army to attack him, with Zhang Gongjin as deputy."
31
九月，丙午，突厥俟斤九人帥三千騎來降。 戊午，拔野古、僕骨、同羅、奚酋長並帥眾來降。
In the ninth month, on bingwu, nine Turkic irkins leading three thousand horsemen surrendered. On wuwu the chiefs of Bayegu, Pugu, Tongluo, and Xi all led their followers to surrender.
32
冬，十一月，辛丑，突厥寇河西，肅州刺史公孫武達、甘州刺史成仁重與戰，破之，捕虜千餘口。
In winter, the eleventh month, on xinchou, Turks raided Hexi; Gongsun Wuda, prefect of Suzhou, and Cheng Renzhong, prefect of Ganzhou, defeated them and took more than a thousand captives.
33
上遣使至涼州，都督李大亮有佳鷹，使者諷大亮使獻之，大亮密表曰：「陛下久絕畋游而使者求鷹。 若陛下之意，深乖昔旨； 如其自擅，乃是使非其人。」 癸卯，上謂侍臣曰：「李大亮可謂忠直。」 手詔褒美，賜以胡瓶及荀悅《漢紀》。
The emperor sent an envoy to Liangzhou. Military Governor Li Daliang had an excellent hawk, and the envoy hinted that Daliang should present it. Daliang submitted a secret memorial: "Your Majesty long ago gave up hunting, yet the envoy seeks a hawk. If this is Your Majesty's intent, it deeply departs from your former purpose; if he acted on his own, then the wrong man was sent as envoy. On guimao the emperor told his ministers, "Li Daliang may truly be called loyal and forthright. He issued a personal edict praising him and bestowed a foreign vase and Xun Yue's Annals of Han."
34
庚申，以并州都督李世勣為通漢道行軍總管，兵部尚書李靖為定襄道行軍總管，華州刺史柴紹為金河道行軍總管，靈州大都督薛萬徹為暢武道行軍總管，眾合十餘萬，皆受李靖節度，分道出擊突厥。
On gengshen Li Shiji, military governor of Bingzhou, was made commander of the Tonghan Route army; Minister of War Li Jing commander of the Dingxiang Route army; Chai Shao, prefect of Huazhou, commander of the Jinhe Route army; and Xue Wanche, grand defender of Lingzhou, commander of the Changwu Route army. More than one hundred thousand troops, all under Li Jing's command, advanced by separate routes against the Turks.
35
乙丑，任城王道宗擊突厥於靈州，破之。
On yichou Prince Daozong of Rencheng attacked the Turks at Lingzhou and defeated them.
36
十二月，戊辰，突利可汗入朝，上謂侍臣曰：「往者太上皇以百姓之故，稱臣於突厥，朕常痛心。 今單于稽顙，庶幾可雪前恥。」
In the twelfth month, on wuchen, the khagan Tuli came to court. The emperor told his ministers, "In the past the retired emperor, for the people's sake, declared himself subject to the Turks—I have always grieved at this. Now the chanyu bows with his forehead to the ground—perhaps the old shame can at last be wiped away."
37
壬午，靺鞨遣使入貢，上曰：「靺鞨遠來，蓋突厥已服之故也。 昔人謂御戎無上策，朕今治安中國，而四夷自服，豈非上策乎！」
On renwu the Mohe sent envoys to pay tribute. The emperor said, "The Mohe have come from afar—surely because the Turks have already submitted. Men of old said there was no best policy for controlling the barbarians; I now keep peace within China, and the four quarters submit of themselves—is this not the best policy!"
38
癸未，右僕射杜如晦以疾遜位，上許之。
On guiwei Right Vice Director Du Ruhui resigned because of illness, and the emperor accepted.
39
乙酉，上問給事中孔穎達曰：「《論語》：『以能問於不能，以多問於寡，有若無，實若虛。』 何謂也？」 穎達具釋其義以對，且曰：「非獨匹夫如是，帝王亦然。 帝王內蘊神明，外當玄默，故《易》稱『以蒙養正，以明夷蒞眾。』 若位居尊極，炫耀聰明，以才陵人，飾非拒諫，則下情不通，取亡之道也。」 上深善其言。
On yiyou the emperor asked Supervising Secretary Kong Yingda, "In the Analects: 'The able ask the unable; the many ask the few; having as though not having; full as though empty. What does this mean?' Yingda fully explained its meaning and added, "It is not only common men who should be so—emperors likewise. Emperors harbor divine insight within and outwardly should be darkly silent; hence the Changes says, 'Nourish the upright through obscurity; approach the multitude through Brightness Hidden. If one occupies the highest rank yet displays one's brilliance, overwhelms others with talent, covers faults and rejects remonstrance, then the feelings of those below cannot reach upward—this is the way to ruin. The emperor deeply approved his words."
40
庚寅，突厥郁射設帥所部來降。
On gengyin the Turk Yugushe led his following to surrender.
41
閏月，丁未，東謝酋長謝元深、南謝酋長謝強來朝。 諸謝皆南蠻別種，在黔州之西。 詔以東謝為應州、南謝為莊州，隸黔州都督。
In the intercalary month, on dingwei, the Eastern Xie chief Xie Yuanshen and the Southern Xie chief Xie Qiang came to court. The various Xie were separate branches of the southern Man peoples, west of Qianzhou. An edict made the Eastern Xie into Yingzhou and the Southern Xie into Zhuangzhou, both under the military governor of Qianzhou.
42
是時遠方諸國來朝貢者甚眾，服裝詭異，中書侍郎顏師古請圖寫以示後，作《王會圖》，從之。
At this time many distant states came to court with tribute, their dress strange and varied. Vice Director of the Secretariat Yan Shigu asked that they be painted for posterity and compiled the Wang Hui Tu; the emperor agreed.
43
乙丑，牂柯酋長謝能羽及充州蠻入貢，詔以牂柯為牂州； 黨頃酋長細封步賴來降，以其地為軌州； 各以其酋長為刺史。 党項地亙三千里，姓別為部，不相統壹，細封氏、費聽氏、往利氏、頗超氏、野辭氏、旁當氏、米擒氏、拓跋氏，皆大姓也。 步賴既為唐所禮，餘部相繼來降，以其地為崌、奉、巖、遠四州。
On yichou the Zangke chief Xie Nengyu and the Man of Chongzhou paid tribute; an edict made Zangke into Zangzhou; the Tangut chief Xifeng Bulai surrendered, and his territory was made into Guizhou; in each case the chief was made prefect. Tangut lands stretched three thousand li; divided by surname into tribes without unified rule—the Xifeng, Feiting, Wangli, Pichao, Yeci, Pangdang, Miqin, and Tuoba clans were all great lineages. Once Bulai had been honored by Tang, the remaining tribes surrendered in succession, and their lands were made into the four prefectures of Ji, Feng, Yan, and Yuan.
44
是歲，戶部奏：中國人自塞外歸，及四夷前後降附者，男子一百二十餘萬口。
That year the Ministry of Revenue reported that Chinese returning from beyond the frontier, together with men of the four quarters who had submitted before and after, totaled more than 1.2 million males.
45
房玄齡、珪掌內外官考，治書侍御史萬年權萬紀奏其不平，上命侯君集推之。 魏徵諫曰：「玄齡、珪皆朝廷舊臣，素以忠直為陛下所委，所考既多，其間能無一二人不當！ 察其情，終非阿私。 若推得其事，則皆不可信，豈得復當重任！ 且萬紀比來恆在考堂，曾無駁正； 及身不得考，乃始陳論。 此正欲激陛下之怒，非竭誠徇國也。 使推之得實，未足裨益朝廷； 若其本虛，徒失陛下委任大臣之意。 臣所愛者治體，非敢苟私二臣。」 上乃釋不問。
Fang Xuanling and Wang Gui conducted the evaluation of inner and outer officials; Investigating Censor Quan Wanji of Wannian memorialized that it was unfair, and the emperor ordered Hou Junji to investigate. Wei Zheng remonstrated, "Xuanling and Gui are both old ministers of the court, long entrusted by Your Majesty for their loyalty and forthrightness. They evaluated many men—among so many, can there fail to be one or two wrongly rated! Examining their intent, it was not partiality. If investigation proves the charge, then neither can be trusted—how can they again bear heavy responsibility! Moreover Wanji has constantly been in the evaluation hall and never once raised an objection; only when he himself was rated poorly did he begin to speak out. This is precisely an attempt to stir Your Majesty's anger—not wholehearted service to the state. Even if investigation proves the facts, it will not benefit the court; if the charge is baseless, it will only undermine Your Majesty's trust in his chief ministers. What I care for is the health of governance—I do not dare favor the two ministers privately. The emperor then dropped the matter."
46
濮州刺史龐相壽坐貪污解任，自陳嘗在秦王幕府； 上憐之，欲聽還舊任。 魏徵諫曰：「秦府左右，中外甚多，恐人人皆恃恩私，是使為善者懼。」 上欣然納之，謂相壽曰：「我昔為秦王，乃一府之主； 今居大位，乃四海之主，不得獨私故人。 大臣所執如是，朕何敢違！」 賜帛遣之。 相壽流涕而去。
Pang Xiangshou, prefect of Puzhou, was removed from office for corruption and pleaded that he had once served on the Prince of Qin's staff; The emperor took pity on him and wished to restore him to his former post. Wei Zheng remonstrated, "Those who served on the Prince of Qin's staff, inside and outside the court, are very many—I fear each will rely on private favor, which will make those who do good afraid. The emperor gladly accepted and told Xiangshou, "When I was Prince of Qin, I was master of one household; now I occupy the throne and am master of all under Heaven—I cannot favor old associates alone. When my ministers hold so firm to principle, how dare I go against them! He gave Xiangshou silk as a gift and dismissed him. Xiangshou left in tears."
47
春，正月，李靖帥驍騎三千自馬邑進屯惡陽嶺，夜襲定襄，破之。 突厥頡利可汗不意靖猝至，大驚曰：「唐不傾國而來，靖何敢孤軍至此！」 其從一日數驚，乃徙牙於磧口。 靖復遣諜離其心腹，頡利所親康蘇密以隋蕭后及煬帝之孫政道來降。 乙亥，至京師。 先是，有降胡言「中國人或潛通書啟於蕭後者」。 至是，中書舍人楊文瓘請鞫之，上曰：「天下未定，突厥方強，愚民無知，或有斯事。 今天下已安，既往之罪，何須問也！」
In the first month of spring, Li Jing led three thousand elite cavalry from Mayi, advanced to Eyang Ridge, and launched a night attack on Dingxiang, breaking the enemy. Jiali Qaghan of the Turks had not expected Jing to appear so suddenly. He was greatly alarmed and exclaimed, "Would Tang send its entire strength? How dare Jing come this far with a lone army! His followers grew alarmed again and again within a single day, and he moved his royal camp to Qikou. Jing sent spies once more to turn Jiali's inner circle against him. Kang Sumi, a man Jiali held dear, defected with Empress Xiao of Sui and Yang Zhengdao, the grandson of Emperor Yang of Sui. On yihai, they arrived at the capital. Earlier, a surrendered Turk had reported that some Chinese had secretly exchanged letters with Empress Xiao. Now Zhongshu Sheren Yang Wenguan asked to investigate. The emperor said, "When the realm was still unsettled and the Turks still strong, ignorant folk might well have done such a thing. Now the realm is secure; what need is there to dredge up old offenses!"
48
李世勣出雲中，與突厥戰於白道，大破之。
Li Shiji marched out from Yunzhong, fought the Turks at Baidao, and routed them decisively.
49
二月，己亥，上幸驪山溫湯。
In the second month, on jihai, the emperor visited the hot springs at Mount Li.
50
甲辰，李靖破突厥頡利可汗於陰山。
On jiachen, Li Jing defeated Jiali Qaghan of the Turks at Yinshan.
51
先是，頡利既敗，竄於鐵山，餘眾尚數萬； 遣執失思力入見，謝罪，請舉國內附，身自入朝。 上遣鴻臚卿唐儉等慰撫之，又詔李靖將兵迎頡利。 頡利外為卑辭，內實猶豫，欲俟草青馬肥，亡入漠北。 靖引兵與李世勣會白道，相與謀曰：「頡利雖敗，其眾猶盛，若走度磧北，保依九姓，道阻且遠，追之難及。 今詔使至彼，虜必自寬，若選精騎一萬，繼二十日糧往襲之，不戰可擒矣。」 以其謀告張公謹，公謹曰：「詔書已許其降，使者在彼，奈何擊之！」 靖曰：「此韓信所以破齊也。 唐儉輩何足惜！」 遂勒兵夜發，世勣繼之，軍至陰山，遇突厥千餘帳，俘以隨軍。 頡利見使者，大喜，意自安。 靖使武邑蘇定方帥二百騎為前鋒，乘霧而行，去牙帳七里，虜乃覺之。 頡利乘千里馬先走，靖軍至，虜眾遂潰。 唐儉脫身得歸。 靖斬首萬餘級，俘男女十餘萬，獲雜畜數十萬，殺隋義成公主，擒其子疊羅施。 頡利帥萬餘人欲度磧，李世勣軍於磧口，頡利至，不得度，其大酋長皆帥眾降，世勣虜五萬餘口而還。 斥地自陰山北至大漠，露布以聞。
Earlier, after his defeat, Jiali had fled to Tieshan, and his remaining forces still numbered in the tens of thousands; he sent Zhisi-li to court to confess his offenses, offer the submission of the whole nation, and pledge to come in person to pay homage. The emperor sent Grand Master of Ceremonies Tang Jian and others to comfort and reassure him, and also ordered Li Jing to lead troops to escort Jiali in. Outwardly Jiali spoke humbly, but inwardly he hesitated, planning to wait until the grass turned green and the horses grew fat, then flee north into the desert. Jing led his troops to join Li Shiji at Baidao, and together they plotted: "Though Jiali is defeated, his forces are still numerous. If he flees across the northern desert and takes refuge with the Nine Surnamed tribes, the route will be difficult and distant, and pursuit will be hard to overtake. Now that the imperial envoy has reached him, the barbarians will surely relax their guard. If we select ten thousand elite cavalry, carry twenty days' provisions, and strike them, we can capture them without a battle." He told his plan to Zhang Gongjin. Gongjin said, "The imperial edict has already granted their surrender, and the envoy is there—how can we attack them! Jing said, "This is how Han Xin broke Qi. What are men like Tang Jian worth regretting! Thereupon he ordered the army to march out by night; Shiji followed. When the army reached Yinshan, they encountered more than a thousand Turk yurts and took the inhabitants captive to accompany the column. When Jiali saw the envoy, he was greatly pleased and his mind grew easy. Jing had Su Dingfang of Wuyi lead two hundred cavalry as vanguard. Riding through the fog, they were still seven li from the royal camp when the barbarians at last noticed them. Jiali mounted a thousand-li horse and fled first; when Jing's army arrived, the barbarian masses broke and fled. Tang Jian escaped and made it back alive. Jing took more than ten thousand heads, captured more than one hundred thousand men and women, seized several hundred thousand assorted livestock, killed Princess Yicheng of Sui, and captured her son Die Luoshi. Jiali led more than ten thousand men hoping to cross the desert. Li Shiji stationed his army at the desert pass; when Jiali arrived he could not cross, and all his great chieftains led their followers in surrender. Shiji captured more than fifty thousand people and returned. They cleared the land from Yinshan north to the great desert and reported the victory by proclamation."
52
丙午，上還宮。
On bingwu, the emperor returned to the palace.
53
甲寅，以克突厥赦天下。 以御史大夫溫彥博為中書令，守侍中王珪為侍中； 守戶部尚書戴冑為戶部尚書，參預朝政； 太常少卿蕭瑀為御史大夫，與宰臣參議朝政。
On jiayin, he declared a general amnesty throughout the realm for the conquest of the Turks. He appointed Censor-in-Chief Wen Yanbo as Zhongshu Ling, and Acting Shizhong Wang Gui as Shizhong; Acting Minister of Revenue Dai Zhou as Minister of Revenue, to participate in court governance; Vice Minister of Ceremonies Xiao Yu as Censor-in-Chief, to consult with chief ministers on court governance.
54
三月，戊辰，以突厥夾畢特勒阿史那思摩為右武修大將軍。
In the third month, on wuchen, he appointed the Turk Jabi teghin Ashina Simo as General of the Right Military Cultivation.
55
四夷君長詣闕請上為天可汗，上曰：「我為大唐天子，又下行可汗事乎？」 群臣及四夷皆稱萬歲。 是後以璽書賜西北君長，皆稱天可汗。
Chiefs of the four barbarians came to court and asked that the emperor be titled Heavenly Qaghan. The emperor said, "I am Son of Heaven of Great Tang—shall I also perform the duties of a subordinate qaghan? The assembled ministers and the four barbarians all cried "Long live the emperor!" Thereafter, in imperial seals sent to northwestern chiefs, they all addressed him as Heavenly Qaghan.
56
庚午，突厥思結俟斤帥眾四萬來降。
On gengwu, Sijie irkin of the Turks led forty thousand followers in surrender.
57
丙子，以突利可汗為右衛大將軍、北平郡王。
On bingzi, he appointed Tuli Qaghan as General of the Right Guard and Prince of Beiping commandery.
58
初，始畢可汗以啟民母弟蘇尼失為沙缽羅設，督部落五萬家，牙直靈州西北。 及頡利政亂，蘇尼失所部獨不攜貳。 突利之來奔也，頡利立之為小可汗。 及頡利敗走，往依之，將奔吐谷渾。 大同道行軍總管任城王道宗引兵逼之，使蘇尼失執送頡利。 頡利以數騎夜走，匿於荒谷。 蘇尼失懼，馳追獲之。 庚辰，行軍副總管張寶相帥眾奄至沙缽羅營，俘頡利送京師，蘇尼失舉眾來降，漠南之地遂空。
Initially, Shibi Qaghan had appointed Qimin's younger brother Sunishi as Shabolu she, supervising fifty thousand tribal households; his court stood directly northwest of Ling Prefecture. When Jiali's rule fell into disorder, Sunishi alone among those who had lost their divisions did not waver in loyalty. When Tuli had fled to Tang, Jiali had established him as Lesser Qaghan. When Jiali was defeated and fled, he went to rely on him, intending to flee to Tuyuhun. Area Commander of the Datong Circuit, Prince of Rencheng Li Daozong, led troops to press him and had Sunishi seize Jiali and deliver him. Jiali fled by night with a few horsemen and hid in a desolate valley. Sunishi, fearful, galloped in pursuit and captured him. On gengchen, Deputy Area Commander Zhang Baoxiang led troops suddenly upon Shabolu's camp, captured Jiali and sent him to the capital; Sunishi led all his people in surrender, and the lands south of the desert were emptied.
59
蔡成公杜如晦疾篤，上遣太子問疾，又自臨視之。 甲申，薨。 上每得佳物，輒思如晦，遣使賜其家。 久之，語及如晦，必流涕，謂房玄齡曰：「公與如晦同佐朕，今獨見公，不見如晦矣！」
Duke Cheng of Cai, Du Ruhui, was gravely ill; the emperor sent the crown prince to inquire after his health, and also came in person to visit him. On jiashen, he died. Whenever the emperor obtained something fine, he would think of Ruhui and send an envoy to bestow it on his family. After a long time, whenever he spoke of Ruhui he would weep and say to Fang Xuanling, "You and Ruhui both aided me—now I see you alone and no longer see Ruhui!"
60
突厥頡利可汗至長安，夏，四月，戊戌，上御順天樓，盛陳文物，引見頡利，數之曰：「汝藉父兄之業，縱淫虐以取亡，罪一也； 數與我盟而背之，二也； 恃強好戰，暴骨如莽，三也； 蹂我稼穡，掠我子女，四也； 我宥汝罪，存汝社稷，而遷延不來，五也。 然自便橋以來，不復大入為寇，以是得不死耳。」 頡利哭謝而退。 詔館於太僕，厚廩食之。
Jiali Qaghan of the Turks reached Chang'an. In summer, the fourth month, on wuxu, the emperor ascended Shuntian Tower, displayed the realm's treasures in full array, and received Jiali, enumerating his offenses: "You relied on the work of your father and elder brother, indulged in lewdness and cruelty and brought ruin upon yourself—that is offense one; you repeatedly made alliance with me and broke it—that is two; relying on strength you loved warfare, and bones lay exposed like weeds—that is three; you trampled our crops and plundered our people—that is four; I pardoned your offenses and preserved your state, yet you delayed and did not come—that is five. Yet since Bianqiao you have not again made great raids as an invader—thereby you have barely escaped death." Jiali wept in repentance and withdrew. An edict lodged him with the Grand Stable and generously supplied his food.
61
上皇聞擒頡利，歎曰：「漢高祖困白登，不能報； 今我子能滅突厥，吾托付得人，復何憂哉！」 上皇召上與貴臣十餘人及諸王、妃、主置酒凌煙閣，酒酣，上皇自彈琵琶，上起舞，公卿迭起為壽，逮夜而罷。
The Retired Emperor heard that Jiali had been captured and sighed, "Emperor Gaozu of Han was trapped at Baideng and could not retaliate; now my son has destroyed the Turks—I entrusted the realm to the right man; what further worry is there!" The Retired Emperor summoned the emperor, more than ten high ministers, all the princes, consorts, and princesses, and set out wine at Lingyan Pavilion. When the wine was warm, the Retired Emperor himself played the pipa, the emperor danced, the ministers rose in turn to offer toasts, and the feast continued until night before ending.
62
突厥既亡，其部落或北附薛延陀，或西奔西域，其降唐者尚十萬口，詔群臣議區處之宜。 朝士多言：「北狄自古為中國患，今幸而破亡，宜悉徙之河南兗、豫之間，分其種落，散居州縣，教之耕織，可以化胡虜為農民，永空塞北之地。」 中書侍郎顏師古以為：「突厥、鐵勒皆上古所不能臣，陛下既得而臣之，請皆置之河北。 分立酋長，領其部落，則永永無患矣。」 禮部侍郎李百藥以為：「突厥雖雲一國，然其種類區分，各有酋帥。 今宜因其離散，各即本部署為君長，不相臣屬； 縱欲存立阿史那氏，唯可使臣其本族而已。 國分則弱而易制，勢敵則難相吞滅，各自保全，必不能抗衡中國。 仍請於定襄置都護府，為其節度，此安邊之長策也。」 夏州都督竇靜以為：「戎狄之性，有如禽獸，不可以刑法威，不可以仁義教，況彼首丘之情，未易忘也。 置之中國，有損無益，恐一旦變生，犯我王略。 莫若因其破亡之餘，施以望外之恩，假之王侯之號，妻以宗室之女，分其土地，析其部落，使其權弱勢分，易為羈制，可使常為籓臣，永保邊塞。」 溫彥博以為：「徙於兗、豫之間，則乖違物性，非所以存養之也。 請准漢建武故事，置降匈奴於塞下，全其部落，順其土俗，以實空虛之地，使為中國扞蔽，策之善者也。」 魏徵以為：「突厥世為寇盜，百姓之仇也； 今幸而破亡，陛下以其降附，不忍盡殺，宜縱之使還故土，不可留之中國。 夫戎狄人面獸心，弱則請服，強則叛亂，固其常性。 今降者眾近十萬，數年之後，蕃息倍多，必為腹心之疾，不可悔也。 晉初諸胡與民雜居中國，郭欽、江統，皆勸武帝驅出塞外以絕亂階，武帝不從。 後二十餘年，伊、洛之間，遂為氈裘之域，此前事之明鑒也！」 彥博曰：「王者之於萬物。 天覆地載，靡有所遺。 今突厥窮來歸我，奈何棄之而不受乎！ 孔子曰：『有教無類。』 若救其死亡，授以生業，教之禮義，數年之後，悉為吾民。 選其酋長，使入宿衛，畏威懷德，何後患之有！」 上卒用彥博策，處突厥降眾，東自幽州，西至靈州； 分突利故所統之地，置順、祐、化、長四州都督府； 又分頡利之地為六州，左置定襄都督府，右置雲中都督府，以統其眾。
Once the Turks had perished, some tribes submitted north to Xueyantuo, others fled west to the Western Regions; those who surrendered to Tang still numbered one hundred thousand people. An edict ordered the assembled ministers to debate how best to settle them. Many court officials said, "The northern barbarians have been China's scourge since antiquity. Now that they are fortunately destroyed, all should be moved between the Yellow River south and Yan and Yu, their tribes divided and dispersed among prefectures and counties, taught to farm and weave—thus barbarian invaders can be turned into farmers and the northern frontier forever emptied." Zhongshu Shilang Yan Shigu held, "Both Turks and Tiele were peoples that antiquity could not subjugate. Your Majesty has already made them subjects—please settle them all north of the Yellow River. Appoint separate chiefs to lead their tribes, and there will never again be trouble." Libu Shilang Li Baiyao held, "Though the Turks are called one nation, their peoples are divided and each has its own chieftain. Now we should take advantage of their dispersal and set up each original division as a separate chief, not subject to one another; even if we wish to preserve the Ashina clan, we can only make them rulers over their own tribe alone. Split the state and it grows weak and easy to control; with rival powers equal, mutual destruction is hard—each will preserve itself and surely cannot stand against China. He further requested establishing a Protectorate at Dingxiang to command them—this is the long-term policy for securing the frontier." Area Commander of Xia Prefecture Dou Jing held, "The nature of barbarians is like that of birds and beasts—they cannot be awed by penal law or instructed by benevolence and righteousness; moreover, their longing for their native hills is not easily forgotten. Settled within China, there is harm and no benefit—I fear that if rebellion arises suddenly, they will violate our royal domain. Better to take advantage of their ruin, bestow unexpected grace, grant them nominal titles of king and marquis, marry them to daughters of the imperial clan, divide their land and split their tribes, weaken their authority and scatter their strength so they are easy to tether and control—thus they can forever serve as frontier vassals and guard the border forever." Wen Yanbo held, "Moving them to Yan and Yu would violate their nature—it is not the way to preserve and nurture them. I request following the precedent of Emperor Guangwu of Han, settling surrendered Xiongnu below the frontier, keeping their tribes intact and honoring their local customs, to fill empty lands and make them a shield for China—this is the wise policy." Wei Zheng held, "The Turks for generations have been raiders and plunderers—the enemies of the people; now that they are fortunately destroyed, Your Majesty, because they have surrendered, cannot bear to kill them all—you should release them to return to their homeland and not keep them within China. Barbarians have human faces but beastly hearts—when weak they beg submission, when strong they rebel; such is their constant nature. Now the surrendered number nearly one hundred thousand; in several years they will multiply severalfold—they will surely become a malady in the heartland, and there will be no undoing it. At the beginning of Jin, various barbarians were mixed among the people within China; Guo Qin and Jiang Tong both urged Emperor Wu to drive them beyond the frontier to cut off the seeds of disorder, but Emperor Wu did not listen. More than twenty years later, the lands between Yi and Luo became a domain of felt and fur—that is the clear mirror of events past!" Yanbo said, "A true king toward all things— heaven covers and earth bears up; nothing is left out. Now the Turks, in their extremity, come to submit—how can we cast them away and not receive them! Confucius said, 'In teaching, there is no distinction of classes.' If we save them from death, grant them livelihoods, and teach them ritual and righteousness, in several years they will all become our people. Select their chiefs to enter palace guard service—awed by our might and cherishing our virtue, what afterward trouble could there be!" The emperor finally adopted Yanbo's plan and settled the surrendered Turks from You Prefecture in the east to Ling Prefecture in the west; he divided the territory formerly under Tuli's command and established four area command offices: Shun, You, Hua, and Chang; he also divided Jiali's territory into six prefectures, establishing the Dingxiang Area Command on the left and the Yunzhong Area Command on the right to govern the masses.
63
五月，辛未，以突利為順州都督，使帥其部落之官。 上戒之曰：「爾祖啟民挺身奔隋，隋立以為大可汗，奄有北荒，爾父始畢反為隋患。 天道不容，故使爾今日亂亡如此。 我所以不立爾為可汗者，懲啟民前事故也。 今命爾為都督，爾宜善守國法，勿相侵掠，非徒欲中國久安，亦使爾宗族永全也！」
In the fifth month, on xinwei, he appointed Tuli as Area Commander of Shun Prefecture, to lead the officials of his tribe. The emperor admonished him, "Your ancestor Qimin threw himself into Sui's arms; Sui installed him as Great Qaghan and he briefly held the northern wilderness. Your father Shibi in turn became Sui's scourge. Heaven's way brooks no such conduct—therefore it has brought you to ruin and disorder as you are today. The reason I do not install you as qaghan is to punish the precedent set by Qimin. Now I appoint you area commander. You must strictly observe the laws of the state and refrain from raiding one another. I want not only lasting peace for the Central Kingdom, but also that your clan and kindred may endure in safety forever!"
64
壬申，以阿史那蘇尼失為懷德郡王，阿史那思摩為懷化郡王。 頡利之亡也，諸部落酋長皆棄頡利來降，獨思摩隨之，竟與頡利俱擒，上嘉其忠，拜右武候大將軍，尋以為北開州都督，使統頡利舊眾。
On renshen, Ashina Sunishi was made Prince of Huai'de commandery and Ashina Simo Prince of Huai'hua commandery. When Jieli fell, the chiefs of all the tribes abandoned him and came over to Tang; Simo alone stayed with him and was captured along with Jieli. The emperor praised his loyalty, made him Grand General of the Right Wu-hou Guard, and soon appointed him area commander of Beikai Prefecture to lead Jieli's former followers.
65
丁丑，以右武衛大將軍史大奈為豐州都督，其餘酋長至者，皆拜將軍、中郎將，布列朝廷，五品已上百餘人，殆與朝士相半，因而入居長安者近萬家。
On dingchou, Grand General of the Right Wuwei Guard Shi Danai was made area commander of Feng Prefecture. The other chiefs who arrived were all appointed generals or central court gentlemen and posted at court—more than a hundred of fifth rank and above, nearly half the officials in attendance. Nearly ten thousand households consequently settled in Chang'an.
66
辛巳，詔：「自今訟者，有經尚書省判不服，聽於東宮上啟，委太子裁決。 若仍不服，然後聞奏。」
On xinsi, an edict declared, "From now on, if litigants remain dissatisfied after a ruling from the Ministry of State Affairs, they may appeal to the Eastern Palace and leave the decision to the Crown Prince. If they were still dissatisfied, the matter would then be reported to the throne."
67
丁亥，御史大夫蕭瑀劾奏李靖破頡利牙帳，御軍無法，突厥珍物，虜掠俱盡，請付法司推科。 上特敕勿劾。 及靖入見，上大加責讓，靖頓首謝。 久之，上乃曰：「隋史萬歲破達頭可汗，有功不賞，以罪致戮。 朕則不然，錄公之功，赦公之罪。」 加靖左光祿大夫，賜絹千匹，加真食邑通前五百戶。 未幾，上謂靖曰：「前有人讒公，今朕意已寤，公勿以為懷。」 復賜絹二千匹。
On dinghai, Censor-in-Chief Xiao Yu impeached Li Jing for storming Jieli's encampment: army discipline had broken down, and the Turks' precious goods had been looted to the last item. He asked that the case be handed to the judicial authorities for investigation and punishment. The emperor issued a special order that the impeachment not proceed. When Jing came to audience, the emperor rebuked him sharply, and Jing kowtowed in apology. After a while, the emperor said, "Under the Sui, Shi Wansui defeated Qaghan Toutou—his merit went unrewarded, and he was executed for a crime. I am not like that. I record your merit and pardon your offense." He promoted Jing to Left Palace Officer of the Glory Emolument, granted him a thousand bolts of silk, and added to his actual fief so that, together with his previous holdings, it totaled five hundred households. Before long, the emperor told Jing, "Someone slandered you before, but my mind is clear now—do not brood over it." He again granted him two thousand bolts of silk.
68
林邑獻火珠，有司以其表辭不順，請討之，上曰：「好戰者亡，如隋煬帝、頡利可汗，皆耳目所親見也。 小國勝之不武，況未可必乎！ 語言之間，何足介意！」
Lin Yi presented fire pearls. The relevant offices, finding the wording of their memorial disrespectful, requested a punitive expedition. The emperor said, "Those who love war perish—Emperor Yang of Sui and Qaghan Jieli are both before our very eyes. To conquer a small state is unworthy, and success is hardly assured! What is there to mind in a turn of phrase!"
69
六月，丁酉，以阿史那蘇尼失為北寧州都督，以中郎將史善應為北撫州都督。 壬寅，以右驍衛將軍康蘇密為北安州都督。
In the sixth month, on dingyou, Ashina Sunishi was made area commander of Beining Prefecture, and Central Court Gentleman Shi Shanying area commander of Beifu Prefecture. On renyin, General of the Right Xiao-wei Guard Kang Sumi was made area commander of Beian Prefecture.
70
乙卯，發卒修洛陽宮以備巡幸，給事中張玄素上書諫，以為：「洛陽未有巡幸之期而預修宮室，非今日之急務。 昔漢高祖納婁敬之說，自洛陽遷長安，豈非洛陽之地不及關中之形勝邪！ 景帝用晁錯之言而七國構禍，陛下今處突厥於中國，突厥之親，何如七國； 豈得不先為憂，而宮室可遽興，乘輿可輕動哉！ 臣見隋氏初營宮室，近山無大木，皆致之遠方，二千人曳一柱，以木為輪，則戛摩火出，乃鑄鐵為轂，行一二里，鐵彀輒破，別使數百人繼鐵彀隨而易之，盡日不過行二三十里，計一柱之費，已用數十萬功，則其餘可知矣。 陛下初平洛陽，凡隋氏宮室之宏侈者皆令毀之，曾未十年，復加營繕，何前日惡之而今日效之也！ 且以今日財力，何如隋世！ 陛下役瘡痍之人，襲亡隋之弊，恐又甚於煬帝矣！」 上謂玄素曰：「卿謂我不如煬帝，何如桀、紂？」 對曰：「若此役不息，亦同歸於亂耳。」 上歎曰：「吾思之不熟，乃至於是！」 顧謂房玄齡曰：「朕以洛陽土中，朝貢道均，意欲便民，故使營之。 今玄素所言誠有理，宜即為之罷役。 後日或以事至洛陽，雖露居亦無傷也。」 仍賜玄素彩二百匹。
On yimao, corvée laborers were sent to repair the Luoyang palace in preparation for an imperial tour. Supervising Secretary Zhang Xuansu submitted a memorial in remonstrance, arguing, "No date has been set for touring Luoyang, yet palace buildings are already being repaired—this is not an urgent task for today. Formerly Emperor Gaozu of Han accepted Lou Jing's counsel and moved the capital from Luoyang to Chang'an—was it not because Luoyang's terrain could not match the strategic advantages of Guanzhong! Emperor Jing followed Chao Cuo's advice and the Seven Kingdoms rose in rebellion. Your Majesty now houses the Turks within the Central Kingdom—how does their proximity compare with that of the Seven Kingdoms? How can one fail to worry first, while palace buildings are hastily raised and the imperial carriage is lightly set in motion! Your subject has seen that when the Sui first built palaces, there were no large trees near the mountains, so timber had to be brought from afar. Two thousand men dragged a single pillar. Wooden wheels were tried, but friction set them ablaze, so iron hubs were cast instead. After one or two li, the iron hubs would break, and several hundred men had to follow with replacements. In a whole day they advanced no more than twenty or thirty li. A single pillar already cost hundreds of thousands of man-days of labor—the rest may be imagined. When Your Majesty first pacified Luoyang, all the Sui palaces that were grand and extravagant were ordered destroyed. Not ten years have passed, and construction and repair are underway again—why did you hate it yesterday and imitate it today! Moreover, how does the empire's financial strength today compare with that of the Sui! Your Majesty is employing a people still covered in wounds, repeating the failings of the fallen Sui—I fear this will exceed even Emperor Yang!" The emperor said to Xuansu, "You say I am no better than Emperor Yang—what of Jie and Zhou?" He replied, "If this labor does not cease, the outcome will be disorder all the same." The emperor sighed and said, "I did not think this through carefully enough, and it has come to this!" He turned to Fang Xuanling and said, "I considered that Luoyang lies in the central plain and that tribute routes are evenly distributed; I meant to benefit the people, and therefore ordered construction. What Xuansu has said is truly reasonable. The labor should be halted at once. If on some future day business brings me to Luoyang, even lodging in the open air will do no harm." He also granted Xuansu two hundred bolts of colored silk.
71
秋，七月，甲子朔，日有食之。
In autumn, the seventh month, on the first day jiazi, there was a solar eclipse.
72
乙丑，上問房玄齡、蕭瑀曰：「隋文帝何如主也？」 對曰：「文帝勤於為治，每臨朝，或至日昃，五品已上，引坐論事，衛士傳餐而食； 雖性非仁厚，亦勵精之主也。」 上曰：「公得其一，未知其二。 文帝不明而喜察，不明則照有不通，喜察則多疑於物。 事皆自決，不任群臣。 天下至廣，一日萬機，雖復勞神苦形，豈能一一中理！ 群臣既知主意，唯取決受成，雖有愆違，莫敢諫爭，此所以二世而亡也。 朕則不然。 擇天下賢才，置之百官，使思天下之事，關由宰相，審熟便安，然後奏聞。 有功則賞，有罪則刑，誰敢不竭心力以修職業，何憂天下之不治乎！」 因敕百司：「自今詔敕行下有未便者，皆應執奏，毋得阿從，不盡己意。」
On yichou, the emperor asked Fang Xuanling and Xiao Yu, "What sort of ruler was Emperor Wen of Sui?" They replied, "Emperor Wen was diligent in governance. Whenever he held court, he sometimes continued until the sun slanted westward. Officials of fifth rank and above were invited to sit and discuss affairs, while guards passed out meals as they ate. Although by nature he was not generous and mild, he was nevertheless a ruler who strove with all his spirit." The emperor said, "You have grasped one part and do not yet know the second. Emperor Wen was unenlightened yet fond of close scrutiny. Unenlightened, his illumination did not reach everywhere; fond of scrutiny, he was excessively suspicious of things. He decided all affairs himself and did not entrust his ministers. The realm is vast indeed, and in a single day ten thousand matters arise. Even if one exhausts spirit and wears down the body, how can every one be judged correctly! Once the ministers knew the ruler's intent, they only accepted decisions already made. Even when there were faults and violations, none dared remonstrate or dispute. This is why the dynasty perished in the second generation. I am not like that. I select the talented of the realm and place them among the hundred offices, so that they may think through the affairs of the realm. Matters pass through the chief ministers; once reviewed and found settled, they are then reported to me. Merit is rewarded and guilt punished—who would not exhaust heart and strength in performing his duties? Why worry that the realm will not be well governed!" He thereupon instructed the hundred offices, "From now on, whenever an edict or decree issued below proves inconvenient, all should firmly memorialize the throne and must not simply agree and follow, failing to speak their full mind."
73
癸酉，以前太子少保李綱為太子少師，以兼御史大夫蕭瑀為太子少傅。
On guiyou, the former Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince Li Gang was made Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince, and the concurrent Censor-in-Chief Xiao Yu Junior Mentor of the Crown Prince.
74
李綱有足疾，上賜以步輿，使之乘至閣下，數引入禁中，問以政事。 每至東宮，太子親拜之。 太子每視事，上令綱與房玄齡侍坐。
Li Gang had an ailment of the foot. The emperor granted him a sedan chair and had him ride to the steps of the hall. He was repeatedly summoned into the inner palace and questioned on affairs of government. Whenever he came to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince personally bowed to him. Whenever the Crown Prince held audience, the emperor ordered Gang and Fang Xuanling to sit in attendance.
75
先是，蕭瑀與宰相參議朝政，瑀氣剛而辭辯，房玄齡等皆不能抗，上多不用其言，玄齡、魏徵、溫彥博嘗有微過，瑀劾奏之，上竟不問。 □瑀由此怏怏自失，遂罷御史大夫，為太子少傅，不復預聞朝政。
Earlier, Xiao Yu joined the chief ministers in deliberating on court affairs. Yu was forceful in temperament and sharp in debate; Fang Xuanling and the others could not stand against him. The emperor often did not adopt his views. Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and Wen Yanbo had once committed minor faults, and Yu impeached them, but the emperor in the end did not inquire into the matter. Because of this, Yu became resentful and dispirited. He was then removed as Censor-in-Chief and made Junior Mentor of the Crown Prince, no longer taking part in deliberations on court affairs.
76
西突厥種落散在伊吾，詔以涼州都督李大亮為西北道安撫大使，於磧口貯糧，來者賑給，使者招慰，相望於道。 大亮上言：「欲懷遠者必先安近，中國如本根，四夷如枝葉，疲中國以奉四夷，猶拔本根以益枝葉也。 臣遠考秦、漢，近觀隋室，外事戎狄，皆致疲弊。 今招致西突厥，但見勞費，未見其益。 況河西州縣蕭條，突厥微弱以來，始得耕獲； 今又供億此役，民將不堪，不若且罷招慰為便。 伊吾之地，率皆沙磧，其人或自立君長，求稱臣內屬者，羈縻受之，使居塞外，為中國籓蔽，此乃施虛惠而收實利也。」 上從之。
Western Turkic tribes were scattered in Yiwu. An edict appointed Li Daliang, area commander of Liang Prefecture, Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit. Grain was stored at the desert passes; those who came were given relief. Envoys were sent to summon and reassure them, one after another along the road. Daliang submitted a memorial: "One who would win over the distant must first secure what is near. The Central Kingdom is like the root and trunk; the four barbarians are like branches and leaves. To exhaust the Central Kingdom in serving the four barbarians is like uprooting the root and trunk to nourish the branches and leaves. Your subject, examining Qin and Han from afar and observing the Sui house at close hand, finds that external affairs with the Rong and Di all led to exhaustion and decline. Now in summoning the Western Turks, one sees only labor and expense, and has not yet seen the benefit. Moreover, the prefectures and counties west of the Yellow River are desolate. Only since the Turks weakened have people begun to plow and harvest again. Now to supply and transport for this undertaking again—the people will be unable to bear it. It would be better for the time being to halt the summoning and reassurance. The lands of Yiwu are for the most part sandy desert. If some among the people set up their own chiefs and seek to declare themselves subjects and come within our fold, accept them under loose control, let them dwell beyond the passes, and make them a frontier screen for the Central Kingdom—this is to confer an empty favor and reap a real gain." The emperor followed his advice.
77
八月，丙午，詔以「常服未有差等，自今三品以上服紫，四品、五品服緋，六品、七品服綠，八品服青； 婦人從其夫色。」
In the eighth month, on bingwu, an edict declared, "Everyday dress has had no gradations in rank. From now on, those of third rank and above shall wear purple; fourth and fifth ranks, scarlet; sixth and seventh ranks, green; eighth rank, blue. Women shall follow the color of their husbands."
78
甲寅，詔以兵部尚書李靖為右僕射。 靖性沈厚，每與時宰參議，恂恂似不能言。
On jiayin, an edict appointed Li Jing, Minister of War, Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Jing was by nature deep and steady. Whenever he joined the chief ministers of the time in deliberation, he was deferential, as though unable to speak.
79
突厥既亡，營州都督薛萬淑遣契丹酋長貪沒折說諭東北諸夷，奚、■、室韋等十餘部皆內附。 萬淑，萬均之兄也。
The Turks having fallen, Xue Wanshu, area commander of Ying Prefecture, sent the Khitan chief Tanmozhe to persuade and instruct the various Yi of the northeast. More than ten tribes, including the Xi, Mohe, and Shiwei, all came within and submitted. Wanshu was the elder brother of Wanjun.
80
戊午，突厥欲谷設來降。 欲谷設，突利之弟也。 頡利敗，欲谷設奔高昌，聞突利為唐所禮，遂來降。
On wuwu, the Turk Yugushe came to surrender. Yugushe was Tuli's younger brother. When Jieli was defeated, Yugushe fled to Gaochang. Hearing that Tuli was treated with honor by Tang, he then came to surrender.
81
九月，戊辰，伊吾城主入朝。 隋末，伊吾內屬，置伊吾郡； 隋亂，臣於突厥。 頡利既滅，舉其屬七城來降，因以其地置伊西州。
In the ninth month, on wuchen, the lord of Yiwu city came to court. At the end of Sui, Yiwu came within the fold and Yiwu commandery was established. When Sui fell into disorder, it submitted to the Turks. When Jieli was destroyed, he brought all his dependents and seven cities to surrender, and on that account the land was made Yixi Prefecture.
82
思結部落饑貧，朔州刺史新豐張儉招集之，其不來者，仍居磧北，親屬私相往還，儉亦不禁。 及儉徙勝州都督，州司奏思結將叛，詔儉往察之。 儉單騎入其部落說諭，徙之代州，即以儉檢校代州都督，思結卒無叛者。 儉因勸之營田，歲大稔。 儉恐虜蓄積多，有異志，奏請和糴以充邊儲。 部落喜，營田轉力，而邊備實焉。
The Sijie tribe was hungry and impoverished. Zhang Jian of Xinfeng, prefect of Shuo Prefecture, summoned and gathered them. Those who did not come still dwelt north of the desert; kinsmen privately traveled back and forth, and Jian did not forbid it. When Jian was transferred to be area commander of Sheng Prefecture, the prefectural offices reported that the Sijie were about to rebel. An edict ordered Jian to go and investigate. Jian entered their tribe alone on horseback to persuade and instruct them, then moved them to Dai Prefecture. Jian was at once made acting area commander of Dai Prefecture, and in the end none of the Sijie rebelled. Jian thereupon encouraged them to open military colonies, and that year the harvest was abundant. Jian feared that with the barbarians storing up much grain they might harbor other designs, and memorialized requesting government purchase at fair price to fill the frontier stores. The tribe rejoiced, the military colonies redoubled their effort, and the frontier defenses were thereby strengthened.
83
丙子，開南蠻地置費州、夷州。
On bingzi, southern Man lands were opened and Fei Prefecture and Yi Prefecture were established.
84
己卯，上幸隴州。
On jimao, the emperor visited Long Prefecture.
85
冬，十一月，壬辰，以右衛大將軍侯君集為兵部尚書，參議朝政。
In winter, the eleventh month, on renchen, Grand General of the Right Guard Hou Junji was made Minister of War and joined in deliberating on court affairs.
86
甲子，車駕還京師，上讀《明堂針灸書》，云：「人五藏之系，鹹附於背。」 戊寅，詔自今毋得笞囚背。
On jiazi, the imperial carriage returned to the capital. The emperor read the Mingtang Acupuncture Classic, which says, "The systems of the human five viscera all have their attachments on the back." On wuyin, an edict declared that from now on prisoners must not be flogged on the back.
87
十二月，甲辰，上獵於鹿苑； 乙巳，還宮。
In the twelfth month, on jiachen, the emperor hunted in the Deer Park. On yisi, he returned to the palace.
88
甲寅，高昌王麴文泰入朝。 西域諸國鹹欲因文泰使入貢，上遣文泰之臣厭怛紇干往迎之。 魏徵諫曰：「昔光武不聽西域送侍子，置都護，以為不以蠻夷勞中國。 今天下初定，前者文泰之來，所過勞費已甚，今借使十國入貢，其徒旅不減千人。 邊民荒耗，將不勝其弊。 若聽其商賈往來，與邊民交市，則可矣，倘以賓客遇之，非中國之利也。」 時厭怛紇干已行，上遽令止之。
On jiayin, the King of Gaochang Qu Wentai came to court. The various states of the Western Regions all wished to send tribute through Wentai's embassy. The emperor dispatched Wentai's minister Yandahigan to go and welcome them. Wei Zheng remonstrated, saying, "Formerly Emperor Guangwu of Han did not accept the Western Regions' sending of hostage princes or the establishment of a Protectorate, holding that one should not let the barbarians exhaust the Central Kingdom. Today the realm has only just been settled. When Wentai came before, the labor and expense along the route were already extreme. If ten states were now to enter tribute through this embassy, their retinue would be no fewer than a thousand men. The frontier people are wasted and depleted—they will be unable to bear the burden. If merchants are allowed to come and go and trade with the frontier people, that will suffice. But if they are treated as honored guests, it is not to the Central Kingdom's advantage." At that time Yandahigan had already set out; the emperor hurriedly ordered him halted.
89
諸宰相侍宴，上謂王珪曰：「卿識鑒精通，復善談論，玄齡以下，卿宜悉加品藻，且自謂與數子何如？」 對曰：「孜孜奉國，知無不為，臣不如玄齡。 才兼文武，出將入相，臣不如李靖。 敷奏詳明，出納惟允，臣不如溫彥博。 處繁治劇，眾務畢舉，臣不如戴冑。 恥君不及堯、舜，以諫爭為己任，臣不如魏徵。 至於激濁揚清，嫉惡好善，臣於數子，亦有微長。」 上深以為然，眾亦服其確論。
The chief ministers attended a banquet. The emperor said to Wang Gui, "Your discernment is penetrating and you are also skilled in discussion. Below Xuanling and the rest—you should appraise them all, and say yourself how you compare with these several men? He replied, "In tirelessly serving the state and leaving nothing undone that ought to be done, I am no match for Xuanling. In uniting civil and military talent, commanding armies abroad and holding office at court, I cannot compare with Li Jing. In drafting memorials with lucid detail and handling affairs with scrupulous fairness, I fall short of Wen Yanbo. In managing complex and urgent business and seeing every task through, I am inferior to Dai Zhou. In feeling shame when the sovereign falls short of Yao and Shun and taking bold remonstrance as his charge, I cannot match Wei Zheng. But when it comes to clarifying what is foul and elevating what is pure, hating wickedness and championing good, I do have modest strengths of my own among these men. The emperor was deeply persuaded, and everyone present respected the soundness of his analysis."
90
上之初即位也，嘗與群臣語及教化，上曰：「今承大亂之後，恐斯民未易化也。」 魏徵對曰：「不然。 久安之民驕佚，驕佚則難教； 經亂之民愁苦，愁苦則易化。 譬猶饑者易為食，渴者易為飲也。」 上深然之。 封德彝非之曰：「三代以還，人漸澆訛，故秦任法律，漢雜霸道，蓋欲化而不能，豈能之而不欲邪！ 魏徵書生，未識時務，若信其虛論，必敗國家。」 征曰：「五帝、三王不易民而化，昔黃帝征蚩尤，顓頊誅九黎，湯放桀，武王伐紂，皆能身致太平，豈非承大亂之後邪！ 若謂古人淳樸，漸至澆訛，則至於今日，當悉化為鬼魅矣，人主安得而治之！」 上卒從征言。
When the emperor had newly ascended the throne, he once discussed moral transformation with his ministers and said, "We have inherited the realm after great upheaval; I fear the people will not be easy to civilize. Wei Zheng replied, "That is not so. People long settled in peace grow arrogant and lax, and the arrogant and lax are hard to teach; while people who have endured disorder are worn down by hardship, and the worn and grieving are easy to transform. It is like the hungry who readily take food, or the thirsty who readily take drink. The emperor was deeply persuaded. Feng Deyi objected, "Since the Three Dynasties, men have grown ever more dissolute and corrupt. That is why Qin turned to harsh laws and Han blended in hegemonic rule—they wanted to transform the people but could not. How could they have been able yet chosen not to! Wei Zheng is a bookish scholar who does not understand practical affairs. If Your Majesty trusts his idle theorizing, the state will surely come to ruin. Wei Zheng said, "The Five Emperors and Three Kings civilized their people without displacing them. The Yellow Emperor campaigned against Chiyou; Zhuanxu put down the Nine Li; Tang exiled Jie; King Wu overthrew Zhou—all brought peace in their own day. Were these not successors to ages of chaos? If we say antiquity was pure and only later turned corrupt, then by now humanity ought to have become nothing but demons—how could any ruler govern such a people! In the end the emperor adopted Wei Zheng's view."
91
元年，關中饑，米斗直絹一匹； 二年，天下蝗； 三年，大水。 上勤而撫之，民雖東西就食，未嘗嗟怨。 是歲，天下大稔，流散者鹹歸鄉里，米鬥不過三、四錢，終歲斷死刑才二十九人。 東至於海，南及五嶺，皆外戶不閉，行旅不繼糧，取給於道路焉。 上謂長孫無忌曰：「貞觀之初，上書者皆云：『人主當獨運威權，不可委之臣下。』 又云：『宜震耀威武，征討四夷。』 唯魏徵勸朕『偃武修文，中國既安，四夷自服。』 朕用其言。 今頡利成擒，其酋長並帶刀宿衛，部落皆襲衣冠，征之力也，但恨不使封德彝見之耳！」 征再拜謝曰：「突厥破滅，海內康寧，皆陛下威德，臣何力焉！」 上曰：「朕能任公，公能稱所任，則其功豈獨在朕乎！」
In the first year Guanzhong suffered famine, and a peck of rice cost a full bolt of silk; in the second year locusts devastated the realm; and in the third year came catastrophic floods. The emperor worked tirelessly to succor them; though people wandered east and west in search of food, none were heard to murmur in complaint. That year the empire enjoyed a bountiful harvest; the displaced all returned home; a peck of rice cost no more than three or four cash; and only twenty-nine executions were carried out all year. From the eastern sea to the southern Five Ridges, outer gates stood unbarred; travelers needed no provisions of their own and could take what they needed along the roads. The emperor said to Zhangsun Wuji, "Early in the Zhenguan reign, memorial writers all argued that the sovereign should wield authority alone and never delegate it to subordinates. They also urged that we should display martial might and launch campaigns against the four frontier peoples. Only Wei Zheng counseled me to 'sheath the sword and cultivate civil order—once the heartland is secure, the four quarters will submit of their own accord. I followed his advice. Now that Jieli has been taken, his chieftains serve at court with swords at their belts, and his tribes have adopted Chinese dress. That is Wei Zheng's doing—and I only regret that Feng Deyi did not live to see it! Wei Zheng bowed twice and demurred, "The fall of the Turks and peace across the realm are Your Majesty's sovereign power and virtue—what part did I play in that! The emperor said, "I was able to place my trust in you, and you were able to honor that trust—so how can the credit belong to me alone?"
92
房玄齡奏：「閱府庫甲兵，遠勝隋世。」 上曰：「甲兵武備，誠不可闕； 然煬帝甲兵豈不足邪！ 卒亡天下。 若公等盡力，使百姓乂安，此乃朕之甲兵也。」
Fang Xuanling reported, "I have reviewed the armory, and our stock of armor and weapons far exceeds what the Sui possessed. The emperor replied, "Armor, arms, and military preparedness must not be neglected; yet was Emperor Yang's arsenal not amply stocked! In the end he lost the empire. If all of you give your utmost so that the people live in peace and safety, that will be my true armor and arms."
93
上謂秘書監蕭璟曰：「卿在隋世數見皇后乎？」 對曰：「彼兒女且不得見，臣何人，得見之？」 魏徵曰：「臣聞煬帝不信齊王，恆有中使察之，聞其宴飲，則曰『彼營何事得遂而喜！』 聞其憂悴，則曰『彼有他念故爾。』 父子之間且猶如是，況他人乎！」 上笑曰：「朕今視楊政道，勝煬帝之於齊王遠矣。」 璟，瑀之兄也。
The emperor asked Secretary Director Xiao Jing, "In Sui times, did you ever see the empress on more than one occasion? He replied, "Even the emperor's own children were not permitted to see her—who am I, that I should have been allowed to? Wei Zheng said, "I have heard that Emperor Yang did not trust the Prince of Qi and kept palace agents spying on him. If they learned he was feasting, they would say, 'What plot has succeeded to make him so merry! If they learned he was haggard with worry, they would say, 'He must be harboring other designs—that is why he looks so wretched. Even between father and son distrust ran so deep—what hope was there for anyone else! The emperor laughed and said, "In how I treat Yang Zhengdao today I am far ahead of Emperor Yang's treatment of the Prince of Qi. Xiao Jing was the elder brother of Xiao Yu."
94
西突厥肆葉護可汗既先可汗之子，為眾所附，莫賀咄可汗所部酋長多歸之，肆葉護引兵擊莫賀咄，莫賀咄兵敗，逃於金山，為泥熟設所殺，諸部共推肆葉護為大可汗。
Shaboluo, khan of the Western Turks, was the late khan's son and won broad allegiance. Many of Moheduo Khan's chieftains went over to him. Shaboluo marched against Moheduo, routed his forces, and pursued him to Mount Jin, where the Nishoushe commander killed him; the tribes then jointly raised Shaboluo to great khan.
95
春，正月，詔僧、尼、道士致拜父母。
In spring, in the first month, an edict required Buddhist monks and nuns and Daoist priests to bow to their parents.
96
癸酉，上大獵於昆明池，四夷君長鹹從。 甲戌，宴高昌王文泰及群臣。 丙子，還宮，親獻禽於大安宮。
On guiyou the emperor held a grand hunt at Kunming Pond, with chieftains from the four quarters in attendance. On jiaxu he banqueted King Wen Tai of Gaochang along with his ministers. On bingzi he returned to the palace and personally presented his quarry to the retired emperor at Dayan Palace.
97
癸未，朝集使趙郡王孝恭等上表，以四夷鹹服，請封禪； 上手詔不許。
On guiwei the provincial assembly envoys, led by Prince Li Xiaogong of Zhao Commandery, submitted a memorial noting that the four quarters had all submitted and requesting a Feng and Shan ritual; the emperor personally wrote back to decline."
98
有司上言皇太子當冠，用二月吉，請追兵備儀仗。 上曰：「東作方興，宜改用十月。」 少傅蕭瑀奏：「據陰陽書不若二月。」 上曰：「吉凶在人。 若動依陰陽，不顧禮義，吉可得乎！ 循正而行，自與吉會。 農時最急，不可失也。」
The responsible offices reported that the crown prince was due for capping on an auspicious day in the second month and asked that troops and ceremonial regalia be mobilized. The emperor said, "Spring planting is just getting under way; we should move the ceremony to the tenth month instead. Junior Tutor Xiao Yu argued that according to the almanacs of yin and yang, the second month was the better choice. The emperor replied, "Good fortune and ill depend on men, not omens. If we act by yin-yang charts and ignore ritual duty, how can we expect good fortune! Do what is right, and good fortune will follow of itself. The farming season is what matters most—we cannot afford to miss it."
99
二月，甲辰，詔：「諸州有京觀處，無問新舊，宜悉剷削，加土為墳，掩蔽枯朽，勿令暴露。」
In the second month, on jiachen, an edict ordered: "Wherever in the provinces battlefield mounds stand, old or new, they are to be leveled; earth is to be heaped into proper graves, the bones decently covered, and nothing left exposed to the elements."
100
己酉，封皇弟元裕為鄶王，元名為譙王，靈夔為魏王，元祥為許王，元曉為密王。 庚戌，封皇子愔為梁王，惲為郯王，貞為漢王，治為晉王，慎為申王，囂為江王，簡為代王。
On jiyou the emperor's younger brothers were enfeoffed: Yuan Yu as Prince of Kuai, Yuan Ming as Prince of Qiao, Lingkui as Prince of Wei, Yuan Xiang as Prince of Xu, and Yuan Xiao as Prince of Mi. On gengxu the emperor's sons were enfeoffed: Yin as Prince of Liang, Yun as Prince of Tan, Zhen as Prince of Han, Zhi as Prince of Jin, Shen as Prince of Shen, Xiao as Prince of Jiang, and Jian as Prince of Dai.
101
夏，四月，壬辰，代王簡薨。
In summer, in the fourth month, on renchen, Prince Jian of Dai died.
102
壬寅，靈州斛薛叛，任城王道宗等追擊，破之。
On renyin the Huxue tribe at Lingzhou rebelled; Li Daozong, Prince of Rencheng, pursued them and routed their forces.
103
隋末，中國人多沒於突厥，及突厥降，上遣使以金帛贖之。 五月，乙丑，有司奏，凡得男女八萬口。
At the end of the Sui many Chinese had been taken captive by the Turks. When the Turks submitted, the emperor sent envoys to ransom them with gold and silk. In the fifth month, on yichou, the relevant offices reported that eighty thousand men and women had been recovered in all.
104
六月，甲寅，太子少師新昌貞公李綱薨。 初，周齊王憲女，孀居無子，綱贍恤甚厚。 綱薨，其女以父禮喪之。
In the sixth month, on jiayin, Li Gang, Junior Tutor to the Heir Apparent and Duke Zhen of Xinchang, died. Earlier, the widow of Yuwen Xian, Prince of Qi of Northern Zhou, who had no children, had been supported with great generosity by Li Gang. When Li Gang died, she observed mourning for him as for a father.
105
秋，八月，甲辰，遣使詣高麗，收隋氏戰亡骸骨，葬而祭之。
In autumn, in the eighth month, on jiachen, envoys were sent to Goguryeo to recover the remains of Sui soldiers who had fallen in battle, bury them, and perform rites of mourning.
106
河內人李好德得心疾，妄為妖言，詔按其事。 大理丞張蘊古奏：「好德被疾有征，法不當坐。」 治書侍御史權萬紀劾奏：「蘊古貫在相州，好德之兄厚德為其刺史，情在阿縱，按事不實。」 上怒，命斬之於市，既而悔之，因詔：「自今有死罪，雖令即決，仍三覆奏乃行刑。」
Li Haode of Henei, afflicted by mental illness, spoke wild and seditious words; the emperor ordered an inquiry. Assistant Director of the Court of Judicial Review Zhang Yungu reported that Haode's illness was clearly documented and that the law did not warrant punishment. Imperial Censor Quan Wanji impeached Zhang Yungu, arguing that while serving in Xiang Prefecture Yungu had favored Haode because Haode's elder brother Houde was prefect there and had therefore whitewashed the case. The emperor, enraged, ordered Zhang Yungu executed in public. He soon regretted it and issued an edict: "Henceforth, even when a capital sentence is ordered for immediate execution, three memorial reviews must still be completed before the sentence is carried out."
107
權萬紀與侍御史李仁發，俱以告訐有寵於上，由是諸大臣數被譴怒。 魏徵諫曰：「萬紀等小人，不識大體，以訐為直，以讒為忠。 陛下非不知其無堪，蓋取其無所避忌，欲以警策群臣耳。 而萬紀等挾恩依勢，逞其奸謀，凡所彈射，皆非有罪。 陛下縱未能舉善以厲俗，奈何暱奸以自損乎！」 上默然，賜絹五百匹。 久之，萬紀等奸狀自露，皆得罪。 九月，上修仁壽宮，更命曰九成宮。 又將修洛陽宮，民部尚書戴冑表諫，以「亂離甫爾，百姓凋弊，帑藏空虛，若營造不已，公私勞費，殆不能堪！」 上嘉之曰：「戴冑於我非親，但以忠直體國，知無不言，故以官爵酬之耳。」 久之，竟命將作大匠竇璡修洛陽宮，璡鑿池築山，雕飾華靡。 上遽命毀之，免璡官。
Quan Wanji and Censor Li Renfa both won the emperor's favor through accusation and denunciation, and on that account senior ministers were repeatedly rebuked. Wei Zheng remonstrated, "Wanji and men like him are petty creatures who grasp neither the larger interest nor the proper bounds of counsel—they treat informing as integrity and slander as loyalty. Your Majesty is not unaware of their unfitness; you chose them because they hold nothing back, hoping thereby to keep the court alert. But Wanji and his like, trading on imperial favor, have abused their position; every target they have attacked was innocent. Even if Your Majesty cannot yet elevate the virtuous to reform the realm, why embrace schemers and harm your own rule! The emperor said nothing and rewarded him with five hundred bolts of silk. In time Wanji and his associates' misconduct came to light, and all were punished. In the ninth month the emperor restored Renshou Palace and renamed it Jiucheng Palace. He was also planning to restore Luoyang Palace. Minister of Revenue Dai Zhou remonstrated in a memorial: "We have only just emerged from chaos; the people are destitute and the treasury empty. If construction continues without end, the burden on public and private resources will become unbearable! The emperor praised him, saying, "Dai Zhou is no kinsman of mine; I reward him with office only because he serves the realm with blunt loyalty and speaks without holding back. Before long, however, he ordered Master of Works Dou Jin to proceed with Luoyang Palace. Jin dug ornamental lakes, piled up artificial mountains, and lavished the work with extravagant decoration. The emperor immediately ordered the work demolished and dismissed Jin from office."
108
冬，十月，丙午，上逐兔於後苑，左領軍將軍執失思力諫曰：「天命陛下為華、夷父母，奈何自輕！」 上又將逐鹿，思力脫巾解帶，跪而固諫，上為之止。
In winter, in the tenth month, on bingwu the emperor was hunting hares in the rear park. Left Palace Guard General Ashina Simi remonstrated, "Heaven has made Your Majesty the father and mother of Chinese and barbarian alike—why treat your life so lightly! When the emperor was about to hunt deer again, Simi stripped off his headcloth, loosened his belt, knelt in blocking remonstrance, and the emperor desisted.
109
初，上令群臣議封建，魏徵議以為：「若封建諸侯，則卿大夫鹹資俸祿，必致厚斂。 又，京畿賦稅不多，所資畿外，若盡以封國邑，經費頓闕。 又，燕、秦、趙、代俱帶外夷，若有警急，追兵內地，難以奔赴。」 禮部侍郎李百藥以為：「運祚修短，定命自天，堯、舜大聖，守之而不能固； 漢、魏微賤，拒之而不能卻。 今使勳戚子孫皆有民有社，易世之後，將驕淫自恣，攻戰相殘，害民尤深，不若守令之迭居也。」 中書侍郎顏師古以為：「不若分王諸子，勿令過大，間以州縣，雜錯而居，互相維持，使各守其境，協力同心，足扶京室； 為置官寮，皆省司選用，法令之外，不得擅作威刑，朝貢禮儀，具為條式。 一定此制，萬代無虞。」 十一月，丙辰，詔：「皇家宗室及勳賢之臣，宜令作鎮籓部，貽厥子孫，非有大故，無或黜免，所司明為條列，定等級以聞。」
Earlier the emperor had ordered a court debate on restoring feudal enfeoffment. Wei Zheng argued that if territorial lords were enfeoffed, their officials would all depend on salaries drawn from the domain and would inevitably resort to heavy taxation. Moreover, tax revenues from the capital district are limited; the court relies on levies from the provinces. If those territories were all carved into feudal domains, state finances would collapse overnight. Further, Yan, Qin, Zhao, and Dai all border foreign peoples. In an emergency, troops would have to be summoned from the interior, and they could not arrive in time. Vice Minister of Rites Li Baiyao argued that the rise and fall of dynasties is Heaven's decree: Yao and Shun, sublime sages though they were, could not preserve their line forever; while Han and Wei, born in humble station, resisted feudalism yet could not drive it away. If we now grant meritorious kinsmen peoples and domain altars, their descendants will grow arrogant and predatory, war on one another, and inflict far worse harm on the common people than the rotation of appointed prefects and magistrates ever could. Vice Director of the Secretariat Yan Shigu favored dividing the princes into smaller domains intermixed with prefectures and counties, mutually supporting one another so that each guarded his territory, acted in concert, and buttressed the throne; each domain would be staffed with officials appointed by the central ministries, forbidden to impose punishments beyond the code, and bound by detailed regulations governing tribute and court ritual. Establish this system once, and future ages need never worry. In the eleventh month, on bingchen, an edict proclaimed: "Imperial clansmen and meritorious ministers shall be posted to guard frontier provinces, with positions inherited by their descendants. None may be removed except for grave cause. The relevant ministries shall draft detailed regulations, establish rank grades, and report them."
110
丁巳，林邑獻五色鸚鵡，丁卯，新羅獻美女二人； 魏徵以為不宜受。 上喜曰：「林邑鸚鵡猶能自言苦寒，思歸其國，況二女遠別親戚乎！」 並鸚鵡，各付使者而歸之。
On dingsi, Linyi presented a multicolored parrot; on dingmao, Silla sent two beautiful women as tribute; Wei Zheng argued that these gifts should be declined. The emperor said with delight, "Even the Linyi parrot speaks of the bitter cold and longs to return home—how much more must these two women, torn from their families!" He returned both the parrot and the women to their respective envoys for the journey home.
111
倭國遣使入貢，上遣新州刺史高表仁持節往撫之； 表仁與其王爭禮，不宣命而還。
Japan sent tribute envoys; the emperor dispatched Xinzhou Governor Gao Biaoren with imperial credentials to receive them; Gao Biaoren quarreled with the Japanese king over ceremonial precedence, failed to deliver the imperial decree, and returned home.
112
丙子，上禮圜丘。
On bingzi the emperor performed the rites at the Round Mound Altar.
113
十二月，太僕寺丞李世南開党項之地十六州、四十七縣。
In the twelfth month, Vice Director Li Shinan of the Palace Stud established sixteen prefectures and forty-seven counties in Tangut territory.
114
上謂侍臣曰：「朕以死刑至重，故令三覆奏，蓋欲思之詳熟故也。 而有司須臾之間，三覆已訖。 又，古刑人，君為之徹樂減膳。 朕庭無常設之樂，然常為之不啖酒肉，但未有著令。 又，百司斷獄，唯據律文，雖情在可矜，而不敢違法，其間豈能盡無冤乎！」 丁亥，制：「決死囚者，二日中五覆奏，下諸州者三覆奏； 行刑之日，尚食勿進酒肉，內教坊及太常不舉樂。 皆令門下覆視。 有據法當死而情可矜者，錄狀以聞。」 由是全活甚眾。 其五覆奏者，以決前一二日，至決日又三覆奏； 唯犯惡逆者一覆奏而已。
The emperor told his ministers, "Because the death penalty is so serious, I instituted triple review—so that every case might be considered with due care. Yet the officials complete all three reviews in a matter of moments. In antiquity, when a criminal was executed, the ruler would stop the music and abstain from full meals. My court no longer keeps music on permanent display, but I often abstain from wine and meat on execution days—though this has not yet been formally decreed. Further, officials trying cases follow the letter of the law alone. Even when mercy is warranted, they dare not bend the statute—surely innocent people are condemned along the way! On dinghai he issued regulations: "Death sentences in the capital shall undergo five reviews within two days; those in the provinces, three reviews; On execution day, the imperial kitchens shall serve no wine or meat, and neither the Inner Music Office nor the Court of Imperial Sacrifices shall perform. All cases shall be subject to review by the Chancellery. Where the law requires death but the circumstances suggest mercy, record the details and report them to the throne. As a result, a great many lives were spared. The five capital reviews were conducted one or two days before sentencing, with three additional reviews on execution day itself; Only offenders guilty of treason and filial impiety required a single review."
115
己亥，朝集使利州都督武士擭等復上表請封禪，不許。
On jihai, Assembly Commissioner Wu Shiwo of Lizhou and others again petitioned for the Feng and Shan sacrifices; the request was denied.
116
壬寅，上幸驪山溫湯； 戊申，還宮。
On renyin the emperor visited the hot springs at Mount Li; On wushen he returned to the palace.
117
上謂執政曰：「朕常恐因喜怒妄行賞罰，故欲公等極諫。 公等亦宜受人諫，不可以己之所欲，惡人違之。 苟自不能受諫，安能諫人？」 康國求內附。 上曰：「前代帝王，好招來絕域，以求服遠之名，無益於用而糜弊百姓。 今康國內附，儻有急難，於義不得不救。 師行萬里，豈不疲勞！ 勞百姓以取虛名，朕不為也。」 遂不受。
The emperor told his chief ministers, "I fear letting anger or delight sway my rewards and punishments, and so I ask you to speak out without reserve. You must also accept criticism yourselves. Do not resent people for opposing what you want. If you cannot accept advice, how can you offer it to others? Kangju asked to submit to Tang rule. The emperor said, "Past emperors loved to draw in distant lands for the glory of ruling far-flung peoples. It served no practical purpose and only exhausted the people. If Kangju submits now and later falls into danger, we would be obliged by honor to send help. To march armies ten thousand li—what exhaustion that would mean! I will not burden the people for the sake of empty prestige. He therefore declined the offer."
118
謂侍臣曰：「治國如治病，病雖愈，尤宜將護，倘遽自放縱，病復作，則不可救矣。 今中國幸安，四夷俱服，誠自古所希，然朕日慎一日，唯懼不終，故欲數聞卿輩諫爭也。」 魏徵曰：「內外治安，臣不以為喜，唯喜陛下居安思危耳。」
He told his ministers, "Governing a realm is like treating a sickness. Even after recovery, one must still guard one's health. If you relapse into excess, the illness returns—and then nothing will save you. China is at peace and the barbarians submit—truly a rarity in history. Yet I grow more cautious daily, fearing only that this will not endure. That is why I want to hear your frank counsel again and again. Wei Zheng replied, "I take no joy in peace at home and abroad. I rejoice only that Your Majesty, secure in prosperity, still thinks of peril."
119
上嘗與侍臣論獄，魏徵曰：「煬帝時嘗有盜發，帝令於士澄捕之，少涉疑似，皆拷訊取服，凡二千餘人，帝悉令斬之。 大理丞張元濟怪其多，試尋其狀，內五人嘗為盜，餘皆平民； 竟不敢執奏，盡殺之。」 上曰：「此豈唯煬帝無道，其臣亦不盡忠。 君臣如此，何得不亡？ 公等宜戒之！」
Once, discussing criminal justice with his ministers, Wei Zheng said, "Under Emperor Yang a tomb was robbed. Yang ordered Yu Shicheng to investigate. Anyone remotely suspected was tortured until he confessed. More than two thousand were implicated, and the emperor had them all executed. Vice Director Zhang Yuanji of the Court of Judicial Review, astonished at the number, examined the cases and found only five former thieves among them; the rest were innocent commoners; Yet he dared not submit a memorial to stop it, and all were killed. The emperor said, "This was not only Yang's depravity—his ministers failed him as well. With ruler and ministers like these, how could the dynasty survive? Let this be a warning to you all!"
120
是歲，高州總管馮盎入朝。 未幾，羅竇諸洞獠反，敕盎帥部落二萬，為諸軍前鋒。 獠數萬人，屯據險要，諸軍不得進。 盎持弩謂左右曰：「盡吾此矢，足知勝負矣。」 連發七矢，中七人。 獠皆走，因縱兵乘之，斬首千餘級。 上美其功，前後賞賜，不可勝數。 盎所居地方二千里，奴婢萬餘人，珍貨充積； 然為治勤明，所部愛之。
That year, Regional Commander Feng Ang of Gaozhou came to court. Soon afterward the Liao tribes of Luodou rebelled; the emperor ordered Feng Ang to lead twenty thousand tribal warriors as the army's vanguard. Tens of thousands of Liao warriors held the mountain passes, and the imperial forces could not advance. Feng Ang took up his crossbow and told his men, "Let me empty this quiver, and we will know who wins. He fired seven bolts in quick succession and hit seven men. The Liao fled; he pursued and took more than a thousand heads. The emperor commended his achievement with rewards too numerous to count. Feng Ang ruled a domain two thousand li across, with more than ten thousand retainers and storehouses overflowing with treasure; Yet he governed diligently and wisely, and his people adored him.
121
新羅王真平卒，無嗣，國人立其女善德為王。
King Jinpyeong of Silla died without an heir; the Silla people enthroned his daughter, Queen Seondeok.