1
資治通鑑第194卷卷第一百九十四
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 194.
2
【唐紀十】起玄黓執徐，盡強圉作噩四月，凡五年有奇。
[Tang Annals 10] From Xuanji Zhixu through the fourth month of Qiangyu Zuoe—slightly more than five years in all.
3
春，正月，乙卯朔，日有食之。
In spring, the first month, on the new moon of yimao, the sun was eclipsed.
4
癸酉，靜州獠反，將軍李子和討平之。
On guiyou, the Liao tribes of Jing Prefecture rose in revolt; General Li Zihe marched against them and put the rebellion down.
5
文武官復請封禪，上曰：「卿輩皆以封禪為帝王盛事，朕意不然。 若天下乂安，家給人足，雖不封禪，庸何傷乎！ 昔秦始皇封禪，而漢文帝不封禪，後世豈以文帝之賢不及始皇邪！ 且事天掃地而祭，何必登泰山之巔，封數尺之土，然後可以展其誠敬乎！」 群臣猶請之不已，上亦欲從之，魏徵獨以為不可。 上曰：「公不欲朕封禪者，以功未高邪？」 曰：「高矣。」 「德未厚邪？」 曰：「厚矣。」 「中國未安邪？」 曰：「安矣。」 「四夷未服邪？」 曰：「服矣。」 「年谷未豐邪？」 曰：「豐矣。」 「符瑞未至邪？」 曰：「至矣。」 然則何為不可封禪？」 對曰：「陛下雖有此六者，然承隋末大亂之後，戶口未復，倉廩尚虛，而車駕東巡，千乘萬騎，其供頓勞費，未易任也。 且陛下封禪，則萬國咸集，遠夷君長，皆當扈從； 今自伊、洛以東至於海、岱，煙火尚希，灌莽極目，此乃引戎狄入腹中，示之以虛弱也。 況賞賚不貲，未厭遠人之望； 給復連年，不償百姓之勞； 崇虛名而受實害，陛下將焉用之！」 會河南、北數州大水，事遂寢。
Civil and military officials again petitioned for a Feng and Shan sacrifice. The emperor said, "You all treat Feng and Shan as the supreme ritual of emperors; I do not see it that way. If the realm is at peace and every household has enough to live on, what harm is there in forgoing Feng and Shan! Qin Shihuang performed Feng and Shan, yet Emperor Wen of Han did not—did later ages judge Wen less worthy than the First Emperor! Besides, one serves Heaven by sweeping the ground and offering sacrifice—why must one climb to the summit of Mount Tai and seal a few feet of earth before sincerity and reverence can be shown!" The officials kept pressing the matter, and the emperor was inclined to agree, but Wei Zheng alone objected. The emperor said, "You oppose my performing Feng and Shan—is it because my achievements are not yet lofty?" He answered, "They are lofty." "Is my virtue not yet ample?" He answered, "It is ample." "Is the Central Realm not yet at peace?" He answered, "It is at peace." "Have the four quarters not yet submitted?" He answered, "They have submitted." "Are the harvests not yet abundant?" He answered, "They are abundant." "Have auspicious omens not yet appeared?" He answered, "They have appeared." Then why should Feng and Shan still be impossible?" He replied, "Though Your Majesty has these six things, you inherit the aftermath of Sui's final chaos: population registers are not yet restored and granaries remain empty. An eastern tour with thousands of chariots and tens of thousands of horsemen would impose provisioning and labor costs that are hard to bear. Moreover, if Your Majesty performs Feng and Shan, all states will gather and distant barbarian rulers will all attend; from the Yi and Luo eastward to the sea and Mount Dai, hearth-fires are still sparse and wilderness stretches to the horizon—this would invite the barbarians into the heart of the realm and display our weakness. Rewards and gifts would be beyond reckoning, yet would not satisfy the expectations of distant peoples; tax exemptions year after year would not repay the people's labor; to pursue empty glory while suffering real harm—of what use would that be to Your Majesty!" At that time several prefectures north and south of the Yellow River were struck by great floods, and the matter was dropped.
6
上將幸九成宮，通直散騎常侍姚思廉諫。 上曰：「朕有氣疾，暑輒頓劇，往避之耳。」 賜思廉絹五十匹。
When the emperor was about to visit Jiucheng Palace, Yao Silian, Regular Attendant of the Direct and Unrestricted Cavalry, remonstrated. The emperor said, "I suffer from a respiratory ailment that worsens sharply in summer; I am going only to escape the heat." He rewarded Silian with fifty bolts of silk.
7
監察御史馬周上疏，以為：「東宮在宮城之中，而大安宮乃在宮城之西，制度比於宸居，尚為卑小，於四方觀聽，有所不足。 宜增修高大，以稱中外之望。 又，太上皇春秋已高，陛下宜朝夕視膳。 今九成宮去京師三百餘里，太上皇或時思念陛下，陛下何以赴之？ 又，車駕此行，欲以避暑； 太上皇尚留暑中，而陛下獨居京處，溫清之禮，竊所未安。 今行計已成，不可復止，願速示返期，以解眾惑。 又，王長通、白明達皆樂工，韋槃提、斛斯正止能調馬，縱使技能出眾，正可賚之金帛，豈得超授官爵，鳴玉曳履，與士君子比肩而立，同坐而食？ 臣竊恥之。」 上深納之。
Investigating Censor Ma Zhou submitted a memorial arguing that the Eastern Palace lies within the palace city while Da'an Palace stands west of it; though its scale compares with the imperial residence, it remains too low and small to satisfy what the realm sees and hears. It should be enlarged and raised to match expectations at home and abroad. Moreover the Retired Emperor is advanced in years; Your Majesty should attend his meals morning and evening. Jiucheng Palace is more than three hundred li from the capital; if the Retired Emperor longs for Your Majesty, how will you reach him? Moreover this journey is meant to escape the summer heat; yet the Retired Emperor remains in the summer heat while Your Majesty enjoys the cool alone—I am uneasy about the breach of filial duty in tending to his comfort. Since the journey cannot now be stopped, I ask that Your Majesty announce a date of return at once to dispel public uncertainty. Moreover Wang Changtong and Bai Mingda are musicians, and Wei Pantuo and Husizheng can only train horses—even if their skills were outstanding, they deserve no more than gold and silk; how can they be given offices and ranks, jade at the belt and trailing shoes, standing shoulder to shoulder with gentlemen and dining with them? I am ashamed of this." "The emperor accepted the advice wholeheartedly.
8
上以新令無三師官，二月，丙戌，詔特置之。
Because the new legal code omitted the Three Preceptors, in the second month on bingxu an edict specially re-established the office.
9
三月，戊辰，上幸九成宮。
In the third month on wuchen the emperor went to Jiucheng Palace.
10
庚午，吐谷渾寇蘭州，州兵擊走之。
On gengwu Tuyuhun raided Lan Prefecture; the prefectural troops repelled them.
11
長樂公主將出降，上以公主皇后所生，特愛之，敕有司資送倍於永嘉長公主。 魏徵諫曰； 「昔漢明帝欲封皇子，曰：『我子豈得與先帝子比！』 皆令半楚、淮陽。 今資送公主，倍於長主，得無異於明帝之意乎！」 上然其言，入告皇后。 後歎曰：「妾亟聞陛下稱重魏徵，不知其故，今觀其引禮義以抑人主之情，乃知真社稷之臣也！ 妾與陛下結髮為夫婦，曲承恩禮，每言必先候顏色，不敢輕犯威嚴； 況以人臣之疏遠，乃能抗言如是，陛下不可不從也。」 因請遣中使繼錢四百緡、絹四百匹以賜征，且語之曰：「聞公正直，乃今見之，故以相賞。 公宜常秉此心，勿轉移也。」 上嘗罷朝，怒曰：「會須殺此田舍翁。」 後問為誰，上曰：「魏徵每廷辱我。」 後退，具朝服立於庭，上驚問其故。 後曰：「妾聞主明臣直； 今魏徵直，由陛下之明故也，妾敢不賀！」 上乃悅。
As the Princess of Changle was about to marry, the emperor, who especially loved her as the empress's daughter, ordered officials to provide a dowry twice that given the elder Princess of Yongjia. Wei Zheng remonstrated: "In former times, when Emperor Ming of Han wished to enfeoff his sons, he said, 'How can my sons be compared with the Former Emperor's sons! He granted them all half the domains of Chu and Huaiyang. Now the princess's dowry is double the elder princess's—is this not at odds with Emperor Ming's intent!" The emperor agreed and went in to tell the empress. The empress sighed and said, "I have often heard Your Majesty praise Wei Zheng but did not understand why; now, seeing him invoke ritual and righteousness to restrain the sovereign's impulses, I know he is truly a pillar of the state! I have been Your Majesty's wife since we bound our hair together and have bent to receive your favor; whenever I speak I must first watch your expression and dare not lightly offend your dignity; yet a distant subject can speak against you so boldly—Your Majesty must heed him." She then asked that a palace envoy be sent with four hundred strings of cash and four hundred bolts of silk for Zheng, with this message: "I have heard you are upright; only now do I see it, and therefore reward you. Hold fast to this heart and do not waver from it." Once after court the emperor said in anger, "I shall have to kill that rustic old fellow." The empress asked whom he meant; the emperor said, "Wei Zheng humiliates me in court every day." The empress withdrew, dressed in full court regalia, and stood in the courtyard; the emperor was startled and asked why. The empress said, "I have heard that when the ruler is enlightened the minister is upright; now Wei Zheng is upright because Your Majesty is enlightened—how could I not congratulate you!" The emperor was pleased.
12
夏，四月，辛卯，襄州都督鄒襄公張公謹卒。 明日，上出次發哀。 有司奏，辰日忌哭。 上曰：「君之於臣，猶父子也，情發於衷，安避辰日！」 遂哭之。
In summer, the fourth month, on xinmao Zhang Gongjin, Duke of Zouxiang and regional commander of Xiang Prefecture, died. The next day the emperor went out to a temporary lodging to mourn. The authorities reported that weeping was taboo on chen days. The emperor said, "Between ruler and minister the bond is like father and son; when grief rises from the heart, how can one heed a chen day!" He wept for him.
13
六月，己亥，金州刺史酆悼王元亨薨。 辛亥，江王囂薨。
In the sixth month on jihai Prince Yuanheng, Prince Dao of Feng and prefect of Jin, died. On xinhai Prince Xiao of Jiang died.
14
秋，七月，丙辰，焉耆王突騎支遣使入貢。 初，焉耆入中國由磧路，隋末閉塞，道由高昌； 突騎支請復開磧路以便往來，上許之。 由是高昌恨之，遣兵襲焉耆，大掠而去。
In autumn, the seventh month, on bingchen King Tuqizhi of Yanqi sent envoys with tribute. Earlier Yanqi had entered China by the desert route; at the end of Sui that road was closed and traffic went through Gaochang; Tuqizhi asked that the desert route be reopened for easier travel; the emperor agreed. Gaochang resented this and sent troops to raid Yanqi, plundering heavily before withdrawing.
15
辛未，宴三品已上於丹霄殿。 上從容言曰：「中外又安，皆公卿之力。 然隋煬帝威加夷、夏，頡利跨有北荒，統葉護雄據西域，今皆覆亡，此乃朕與公等所親見，勿矜強盛以自滿也！」
On xinwei he feasted officials of the third rank and above in Danxiao Hall. The emperor said calmly, "Peace reigns at home and abroad—all through your efforts, dukes and ministers. Yet Emperor Yang of Sui awed Yi and Xia, Jieli held the northern wastes, and Tong Yehu dominated the Western Regions—all are now gone. This we have seen with our own eyes; do not pride yourselves on strength and grow complacent!"
16
西突厥肆葉護可汗發兵擊薛延陀，為薛延陀所敗。 肆葉護性猜狠，信讒； 有乙利可汗，功最多，肆葉護以非其族類，誅滅之，由是諸部皆不自保。 肆葉護又忌莫賀設之子泥孰，陰欲圖之，泥孰奔焉耆。 設卑達官與弩失畢二部攻之，肆葉護輕騎奔康居，尋卒。 國人迎泥孰於焉耆而立之，是為咄陸可汗，遣使內附。 丁酉，遣鴻臚少卿劉善因立咄陸為奚利邲咄陸可汗。
Ashina Helu, qaghan of the Western Turks, attacked the Xueyantuo and was defeated. Ashina Helu was suspicious and cruel and trusted slander; Yili Qaghan had achieved the most, but Ashina Helu, because he was not of his clan, executed him, and thereafter the tribes could no longer trust their safety. Ashina Helu also envied Nishuo, son of Moheshe, and secretly plotted against him; Nishuo fled to Yanqi. Shebeidaguan and the Nushibi tribes attacked him; Ashina Helu fled lightly mounted to Kangju and soon died. The people welcomed Nishuo from Yanqi and enthroned him as Qulü Qaghan, who sent envoys to submit to the court. On dingyou he sent Vice Minister Liu Shanyin of the Court for Diplomatic Reception to install Qulü as Qaghan Qulü of the Xili.
17
閏月，乙卯，上宴近臣於丹霄殿，長孫無忌曰； 「王珪、魏徵，昔為仇讎，不謂今日得同此宴。」 上曰：「征、珪盡心所事，故我用之。 然征每諫，我不從，我與之言輒不應，何也？」 魏徵對曰：「臣以事為不可，故諫； 若陛下不從而臣應之，則事遂施行，故不敢應。」 上曰：「且應而復諫，庸何傷！」 對曰：「昔舜戒郡臣：『爾無面從，退有後言。』 臣心知其非而口應陛下，乃面從也，豈稷、契事舜之意邪！」 上大笑曰：「人言魏徵舉止疏慢，我視之更覺嫵媚，正為此耳！」 征起，拜謝曰：「陛下開臣使言，故臣得盡其愚，若陛下拒而不受，臣何敢數犯顏色乎！」
In the intercalary month on yimao the emperor feasted close ministers in Danxiao Hall; Zhangsun Wuji said: "Wang Gui and Wei Zheng were once mortal enemies—I never expected to see them at the same feast today." The emperor said, "Zheng and Gui gave their full loyalty to those they served; that is why I employ them. Yet whenever Zheng remonstrates and I refuse, if I speak to him afterward he will not answer—why?" Wei Zheng replied, "I remonstrate because I hold the matter wrong; if Your Majesty refuses and I answer you, the matter will proceed as decided; therefore I dare not answer." The emperor said, "Answer first and remonstrate again—what harm is there in that!" He replied, "Shun once warned his ministers: 'Do not agree to my face and speak otherwise behind my back. If I know in my heart that something is wrong yet assent with my mouth, that is agreeing to your face—is that how Hou Ji and Qi served Shun!" The emperor laughed and said, "People say Wei Zheng is blunt and rough in manner, but I find him all the more winning—just for this!" Zheng rose, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty encourages me to speak, and so I can offer all I have; if Your Majesty refused to listen, how would I dare repeatedly offend you!"
18
戊辰，秘書少監虞世南上《聖德論》，上賜手詔，稱：「卿論太高。 朕何敢擬上古！ 但比近世差勝耳。 然卿適睹其始，未知其終。 若朕能慎終如始，則此論可傳； 如或不然，恐徒使後世笑卿也。」
On wuchen Yu Shinan, Vice Director of the Secretariat, submitted the Discourse on Sagely Virtue; the emperor replied in his own hand, "Your discourse sets the bar too high. How dare I compare myself with high antiquity! I am only somewhat better than recent times, that is all. Yet you have only seen the beginning and do not know how it will end. If I can be as careful at the end as at the beginning, this discourse may endure; otherwise I fear later ages will only laugh at you."
19
九月，己酉，幸慶善宮，上生時故宅也，因與貴臣宴，賦詩。 起居郎清平呂才被之管弦，命曰：「《功成慶善樂》，使童子八佾為《九功之舞》，大宴會，與《破陳舞》偕奏於庭。 同州刺史尉遲敬德預宴，有班在其上者，敬德怒曰：「汝何功，坐我上！」 任城王道宗次其下，諭解之。 敬德拳毆道宗，目幾眇。 上不懌而罷，謂敬德曰：「朕見漢高祖誅滅功臣，意常尤之，故欲與卿等共保富貴，令子孫不絕。 然卿居官數犯法，乃知韓、彭菹醢，非高祖之罪也。 國家綱紀，唯賞與罰，非分之恩，不可數得，勉自修飭，無貽後悔！」 敬德由是始懼而自戢。 辛卯，秦州刺史崔善爲卒，時年六十二。
In the ninth month on jiyou he visited Qingshan Palace, his birthplace, and feasted with honored ministers, composing poetry. Attendant of the Bedchamber Lü Cai set it to music and named it Music of Achievement and Qingshan Celebration, with boys in eight rows performing the Dance of the Nine Achievements; at the great feast it was played in the courtyard together with the Dance of Breaking Chen. Yuchi Jingde of Tong Prefecture attended the feast; when a man of lower rank sat above him, Jingde said angrily, "What have you done to sit above me!" Prince Daozong of Rencheng, seated below, tried to calm him. Jingde punched Daozong and nearly blinded him in one eye. The emperor was displeased and ended the feast; he told Jingde, "I have always blamed Gaozu of Han for destroying his meritorious ministers, and wished to share wealth and honor with you so your lines would not end. Yet you repeatedly break the law in office—now I see that Han Xin and Peng Yue were executed, and Gaozu was not solely to blame. The state's order rests on reward and punishment alone; undue favor cannot be granted again and again—discipline yourself and leave no cause for regret!" From this Jingde began to fear and restrain himself. "On xinmao Cui Shanwei, prefect of Qin, died at sixty-two.
20
冬，十月，乙卯，車駕還京師。 帝侍上皇宴於大安宮，帝與皇后更獻飲膳及服御之物，夜久乃罷。 帝親為上皇捧輿至殿門，上皇不許，命太子代之。
In winter, the tenth month, on yimao, the emperor returned to the capital. The emperor attended the Retired Emperor's feast in Da'an Palace; he and the empress in turn presented food, drink, and garments; the feast lasted deep into the night. The emperor personally bore the Retired Emperor's carriage to the hall gate; the Retired Emperor refused and had the crown prince take his place.
21
突厥頡利可汗鬱鬱不得意，數與家人相對悲泣，容貌羸憊。 上見而憐之，以虢州地多麋鹿，可以遊獵，乃以頡利為虢州刺史； 頡利辭，不願往。 癸未，復以為右衛大將軍。
Jieli Qaghan of the Turks was depressed and discontented, often weeping with his family; he looked wasted and weary. The emperor pitied him and, because Guo Prefecture had many elk for hunting, appointed Jieli its prefect; Jieli declined and would not go. On guiwei he was again made Grand General of the Right Guard.
22
十一月，辛巳，契苾酋長何力帥部落六千餘家詣沙州降，詔處之於甘、涼之間，以何力為左領軍將軍。
In the eleventh month on xinsi, Qibi chieftain Heli led more than six thousand households to surrender at Sha Prefecture; they were settled between Gan and Liang, and Heli was made General of the Left Vanguard.
23
庚寅，以左光祿大夫陳叔達為禮部尚書。 帝謂叔達曰：「卿武德中有讜言，故以此官相報。」 對曰：「臣見隋室父子相殘，以取亂亡，當日之言，非為陛下，乃社稷之計耳。」
On gengyin Chen Shuda was made Minister of Rites. The emperor told Shuda, "In the Wude reign you spoke forthrightly; I repay you with this office." He replied, "I saw the Sui house destroy itself through father and son turning on each other; my words that day were not for you personally but for the state."
24
十二月，癸丑，帝與侍臣論安危之本。 中書令溫彥博曰：「伏願陛下常如貞觀初，則善矣。」 帝曰：「朕比來怠於為政乎？」 魏徵曰：「貞觀之初，陛下志在節儉，求諫不倦。 比來營繕微多，諫者頗有忤旨，此其所以異耳。」 帝拊掌大笑曰：「誠有是事！」
In the twelfth month on guichou the emperor discussed with his ministers the foundations of security and peril. Chief Minister Wen Yanbo said, "I humbly wish Your Majesty would always be as at the beginning of Zhenguan—that would be best." The emperor said, "Have I lately been slack in governing?" Wei Zheng said, "At the beginning of Zhenguan Your Majesty was intent on frugality and sought remonstrance tirelessly. Lately construction has increased somewhat, and remonstrators have often met with displeasure—that is the difference." The emperor clapped his hands and laughed, "It is truly so!"
25
辛未，帝親錄系囚，見應死者，閔之，縱使歸家，期以來秋來就死。 仍敕天下死囚，皆縱遣，使至期來詣京師。
On xinwei the emperor personally reviewed prisoners; seeing those condemned to death, he pitied them and sent them home, fixing the coming autumn for their return to face execution. He also ordered all death-row prisoners in the realm released to return home and come to the capital when the term arrived.
26
是歲，党項等羌前後內屬者三十萬口。
This year three hundred thousand persons of the Dangxiang Qiang and others submitted to the court.
27
公卿以下請封禪者首尾相屬，上諭以「舊有氣疾，恐登高增劇，公等勿復言。」
Officials requesting Feng and Shan came one after another; the emperor told them, "I have long had a respiratory ailment and fear climbing high would worsen it—speak no more of it."
28
上謂侍臣曰：「朕比來決事或不能皆如律令，公輩以為事小，不復執奏。 夫事無不由小以致大，此乃危亡之端也。 昔關龍逄忠諫而死，朕每痛之。 煬帝驕暴而亡，公輩所親見也。 公輩常宜為朕思煬帝之亡，朕常為公輩念關龍逄之死，何患君臣不相保乎！」
The emperor told his ministers, "Lately when I decide affairs I sometimes deviate from law; you treat such matters as small and no longer memorialize. Nothing grows large except from small beginnings—this is how states fall. Guan Longfeng died for loyal remonstrance—I grieve for it each time I think of it. Emperor Yang perished through arrogance and cruelty—you saw it yourselves. You should often think of Emperor Yang's fall for my sake; I often think of Guan Longfeng's death for yours—why should ruler and minister fail to protect each other!"
29
上謂魏徵曰：「為官擇人，不可造次。 用一君子，則君子皆至； 用一小人，則小人競進矣。」 對曰：「然。 天下未定，則專取其才，不考其行； 喪亂既平，則非才行兼備不可用也。」
The emperor told Wei Zheng, "In appointing officials one must choose men carefully—this cannot be rushed. Employ one gentleman and gentlemen will all come; employ one petty man and petty men will vie to advance." He replied, "That is so. When the realm is unsettled, take talent alone and do not examine conduct; once order is restored, only those with both talent and conduct may be employed."
30
春，正月，更名《破陳樂》曰《七德舞》。 癸巳，宴三品已上及州牧、蠻夷酋長於玄武門，奏《七德》、《九功》之舞。 太常卿蕭瑀上言：「《七德舞》形容聖功，有所未盡，請寫劉武周、薛仁果、竇建德、王世充等擒獲之狀。」 上曰：「彼皆一時英雄，今朝廷之臣往往嘗北面事之，若睹其故主屈辱之狀，能不傷其心乎？」 瑀謝曰：「此非臣愚慮所及。」 魏徵欲上偃武修文，每侍宴，見《七德舞》輒俯首不視，見《九功舞》則諦觀之。
In spring, the first month, the Music of Breaking Chen was renamed the Dance of the Seven Virtues. On guisi he feasted officials of the third rank and above, prefectural governors, and barbarian chieftains at Xuanwu Gate, with performances of the Seven Virtues and Nine Achievements. Director Xiao Yu of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices submitted that the Dance of the Seven Virtues did not fully depict sagely achievement and asked that scenes of capturing Liu Wuzhou, Xue Renguo, Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, and others be added." The emperor said, "They were heroes of their day; many present ministers once served them—if they saw their former lords humiliated, would their hearts not be wounded?" Yu apologized, "I did not think of that." Wei Zheng wished to lead the emperor toward peace and culture; at feasts, when the Seven Virtues was performed he bowed his head and would not look, but when the Nine Achievements was performed he watched attentively.
31
三月，戊子，侍中王珪坐漏洩禁中語，左遷同州刺史。 庚寅，以秘書監魏徵為侍中。
In the third month on wuzi, Palace Attendant Wang Gui was demoted for leaking palace secrets and made prefect of Tong. On gengyin Wei Zheng was made Palace Attendant.
32
直太史雍人李淳風奏靈台候儀制度疏略，但有赤道，請更造渾天黃道儀，許之。 癸巳，成而奏之。
Direct Astronomer Li Chunfeng submitted that the observatory instruments were crude, having only the equator, and asked to build a new armillary sphere with the ecliptic; the request was approved. On guisi it was completed and presented to the throne.
33
夏，五月，癸未，上幸九成宮。
In summer, the fifth month, on guiwei, the emperor went to Jiucheng Palace.
34
雅州道行軍總管張士貴擊反獠，破之。 秋，八月，乙丑，左屯衛大將軍譙敬公周范卒。 上行幸，常令范與房玄齡居守。 范為人忠篤嚴正，疾甚，不肯出外，竟終於內省，與玄齡相抱而訣曰：「所恨不獲再奉聖顏！」
Zhang Shigui, campaign commander of the Yazhou circuit, attacked rebellious Liao and defeated them. In autumn, the eighth month, on yichou, Zhou Fan, Duke of Qiaojing and Grand General of the Left Garrison Guard, died. When the emperor traveled he often left Fan and Fang Xuanling to guard the capital. Fan was loyal, sincere, and upright; when gravely ill he would not leave the palace and died in the inner secretariat; embracing Xuanling he said, "I regret that I cannot again behold the sage countenance!"
35
辛未，以張士貴為龔州道行軍總管，使擊反獠。
On xinwei Zhang Shigui was made campaign commander of the Gongzhou circuit to attack rebellious Liao.
36
九月，山東、河南四十餘州水，遣使賑之。
In the ninth month floods struck more than forty prefectures in Shandong and Henan; envoys were sent with relief.
37
去歲所縱天下死囚凡三百九十人，無人督帥，皆如期自詣朝堂，無一人亡匿者； 上皆赦之。
Of the three hundred ninety death-row prisoners released last year, with no escort, all came to court on schedule, and not one fled; the emperor pardoned them all.
38
冬，十月，庚申，上還京師。
In winter, the tenth month, on gengshen, the emperor returned to the capital.
39
十一月，壬辰，以開府儀同三司長孫無忌為司空，無忌固辭曰：「臣忝預外戚，恐天下謂陛下為私。」 上不許，曰：「吾為官擇人，惟才是與。 苟或不才，雖親不用，襄邑王神符是也； 如其有才，雖仇不充，魏徵等是也。 今日之舉，非私親也。」
In the eleventh month on renchen Zhangsun Wuji was made Minister of Works; Wuji firmly declined, saying, "I am undeservedly of the empress's kin and fear the realm will say Your Majesty acts from favoritism." The emperor refused and said, "I choose men for office by talent alone. If without talent, though kin I will not employ—Prince Shenfu of Xiangyi is such a case; if with talent, though an enemy I will not pass over—Wei Zheng and others are such cases. Today's appointment is not from private kinship."
40
十二月，甲寅，上幸芙蓉園； 丙辰，校獵少陵原。 戊午，還宮，從上皇置酒故漢未央宮。 上皇命突厥頡利可汗起舞，又命南蠻酋長馮智戴詠詩，既而笑曰：「胡、越一家，自古未有也！」 帝奉觴上壽曰：「今四夷入臣，皆陛下教誨，非臣智力所及。 昔漢高祖亦從太上皇置酒此宮，妄自矜大，臣所不取也。」 上皇大悅。 殿上皆呼萬歲。
In the twelfth month on jiayin the emperor visited Furong Garden; on bingchen he hunted on Shaoling Plain. On wuwu he returned to the palace and, with the Retired Emperor, set wine at the former Han Weiyang Palace. The Retired Emperor had Jieli Qaghan of the Turks dance and the southern chieftain Feng Zhidai recite poetry; then he laughed and said, "Hu and Yue as one family—never since antiquity!" The emperor raised his cup and offered longevity, saying, "Now the four quarters submit—all through Your Majesty's teaching, not my own ability. Gaozu of Han also feasted the Supreme Emperor here and vaunted himself arrogantly—that I will not do." The Retired Emperor was greatly pleased. All in the hall shouted "Long live the emperor!"
41
帝謂左庶子於志寧、右庶子杜正倫曰：「朕年十八，猶在民間，民之疾苦情偽，無不知之。 及居大位，區處世務，猶有差失。 況太子生長深宮，百姓艱難，耳目所未涉，能無驕逸乎？ 卿等不可不極諫。」 太子好嬉戲，頗虧禮法，志寧與右庶子孔穎達數直諫，上聞而嘉之，各賜金一斤，帛五百匹。
The emperor told Left Guardian Yu Zhining and Right Guardian Du Zhenglun, "At eighteen I was still among the people and knew all their hardships and deceptions. Even after taking the throne and handling affairs of state, I still make mistakes. How much more the crown prince, reared deep in the palace, who has never seen the people's hardship—how can he avoid arrogance and dissipation? You must remonstrate with him to the utmost." The crown prince loved play and often neglected ritual propriety; Zhining and Right Guardian Kong Yingda remonstrated repeatedly; the emperor commended them and gave each a catty of gold and five hundred bolts of silk.
42
工部尚書段綸奏征巧工楊思齊，上令試之。 綸使先造傀儡。 上曰：「得巧工庶供國事，卿令先造戲具，豈百工相戒無作淫巧之意邪！」 乃削綸階。
Minister of Works Duan Lun memorialized to summon the skilled artisan Yang Siqi; the emperor ordered a test. Lun had him first make puppets. The emperor said, "A skilled artisan should serve state affairs—yet you had him make toys first; is that not contrary to the crafts' rule against frivolous ingenuity!" He then reduced Lun's rank.
43
嘉、陵州獠反，命邗江府統軍牛進達擊破之。
The Liao of Jia and Ling prefectures rebelled; Niu Jinda, commander of Hanjiang Prefecture, was ordered to attack and defeat them.
44
上問魏徵曰：「群臣上書可采，及召對多失次，何也？」 對曰：「臣觀百司奏事，常數日思之，及至上前，三分不能道一。 況諫者拂意觸忌，非陛下借之辭色，豈敢盡其情哉！」 上由是接群臣辭色愈溫，嘗曰：「煬帝多猜忌，臨朝對群臣多不語。 朕則不然，與群臣相親如一體耳。」
The emperor asked Wei Zheng, "Ministers' memorials are often sound, yet when summoned to court many lose their composure—why?" He replied, "I observe that officials often ponder their reports for days, yet before Your Majesty they can scarcely say a third of what they prepared. How much more remonstrators, who go against your intent and touch taboos—unless Your Majesty lends them a favorable countenance, how would they dare speak their full mind!" From this the emperor received ministers with ever warmer expression and once said, "Emperor Yang was suspicious; at court he often would not speak to his ministers. I am not so—I am intimate with my ministers as one body."
45
春，正月，癸未，突厥頡利可汗卒。 命國人從其俗，焚屍葬之。
In spring, the first month, on guiwei, the Türk qaghan Jiali died. The court ordered his people to observe their custom and bury him by cremating the body.
46
辛丑，行軍總管張士貴討東、西王洞反獠，平之。
On xinchou, Mobile Campaign Commander Zhang Shigui marched against the rebell Liao of the Eastern and Western King Caves and put them down.
47
上欲分遣大臣為諸道黜陟大使，未得其人； 李靖薦魏徵。 上曰：「征箴規朕失，不可一日離左右。」 乃命靖與太常卿蕭瑀等凡十三人分行天下，「察長吏賢不肖，問民間疾苦，禮高年，賑窮乏，起滯淹，俾使者所至，如朕親睹。」
The emperor wished to send senior ministers out as circuit envoys to investigate and promote or demote local officials, but had not yet found the right men; Li Jing recommended Wei Zheng. The emperor said, "Zheng counsels me on my faults; I cannot have him away from my side even for a day." He then appointed Li Jing, Minister of Ceremonies Xiao Yu, and eleven others—thirteen in all—to fan out across the empire with orders to "assess local magistrates for merit or failure, inquire into popular suffering, honor the elderly, aid the destitute, and lift up the overlooked and stagnant, so that wherever the envoys traveled it would be as if the emperor saw with his own eyes."
48
三月，庚辰，上幸九成宮。
In the third month, on gengchen, the emperor visited Jiucheng Palace.
49
夏，五月，辛未朔，日有食之。
In summer, the fifth month, on the new moon of xinwei, the sun was eclipsed.
50
初，吐谷渾可汗伏允遣使入貢，未返，大掠鄯州而去。 上遣使讓之，征伏允入朝，稱疾不至，仍為其子尊王求婚； 上許之，令其親迎，尊王又不至，乃絕婚，伏允復遣兵寇蘭、廓二州。 伏允年老，信其臣天柱王之謀，數犯邊； 又執唐使者趙德楷，上遣使諭之，十返； 又引其使者，臨軒親諭以禍福，伏允終無悛心。 六月，遣左驍衛大將軍段志玄為西海道行軍總管，左驍衛將軍樊興為赤水道行軍總管，將邊兵及契苾、党項之眾以擊之。
Earlier, the Tuyuhun qaghan Fuyun had sent tribute envoys to court; before they returned, he launched a major raid on Shazhou and withdrew. The emperor sent an envoy to rebuke him and summoned Fuyun to court; Fuyun pleaded illness and stayed away, yet still asked that his son, the Prince of Respect, be allowed to marry into the imperial line; The emperor agreed and required the prince to come in person to fetch the bride; when the Prince of Respect again failed to appear, the marriage was called off, and Fuyun sent troops to raid Lan and Kuo Prefectures once more. Fuyun was aging and trusted the counsel of his minister the King of the Pillar of Heaven; again and again he struck the borders; He also seized the Tang envoy Zhao Dekai; the emperor sent envoys to reason with him, ten round trips in all; He even had Fuyun's envoys brought to the throne and personally lectured them on the rewards of submission and the cost of defiance, yet Fuyun never showed the least sign of repentance. In the sixth month he appointed Left Mobile Guard General Duan Zhixuan commander of the West Sea route army and Left Mobile Guard General Fan Xing commander of the Red Water route army, leading frontier troops plus Qibi and Tangut auxiliaries against the Tuyuhun.
51
秋，七月，山東、河南、淮、海之間大水。
In autumn, the seventh month, great floods ravaged the region between Shandong, Henan, the Huai River, and the sea.
52
上屢請上皇避暑九成宮，上皇以隋文帝終於彼，惡之。 冬，十月，營大明宮，以為上皇清暑之所。 未成而上皇寢疾，不果居。
The emperor repeatedly urged the Retired Emperor to spend the summer at Jiucheng Palace, but the Retired Emperor loathed the place because Emperor Wen of Sui had died there. In winter, the tenth month, he ordered Daming Palace built as a cool retreat for the Retired Emperor. Before construction was finished the Retired Emperor fell ill and never took up residence there.
53
辛丑，段志玄擊吐谷渾，破之，追奔八百餘里，去青海三十餘里，吐谷渾驅牧馬而遁。
On xinchou, Duan Zhixuan defeated the Tuyuhun in battle and chased them more than eight hundred li, coming to within thirty-odd li of Qinghai Lake before the Tuyuhun drove off their herds and fled.
54
甲子，上還京師。
On jiazi, the emperor returned to the capital.
55
右僕射李靖以疾遜位，許之。 十一月，辛未，以靖為特進，封爵如故，祿賜、吏卒並依舊給，俟疾小瘳，每三兩日至門下、中書平章政事。
Vice Director Li Jing asked to step down on account of illness, and the emperor granted his request. In the eleventh month, on xinwei, Li Jing was made Special Advancement, keeping his rank and fief; salaries, gifts, clerks, and attendants continued as before, and whenever his illness eased he was to come every few days to the Secretariat and Chancellery to deliberate on state affairs.
56
甲申，吐蕃贊普棄宗弄贊遣使入貢，仍請婚。 吐蕃在吐谷渾西南，近世浸強，蠶食它國，土宇廣大，勝兵數十萬，然未嘗通中國。 其王稱讚普，俗不言姓，王族皆曰論，宦族皆曰尚。 棄宗弄贊有勇略，四鄰畏之。 上遣使者馮德遐往慰撫之。
On jiashen, the Tibetan ruler Songtsen Gampo sent tribute envoys and also sought a marriage alliance. Tibet lay southwest of Tuyuhun; in recent times it had grown steadily stronger, nibbling at neighboring states until its domain was vast and it could field hundreds of thousands of warriors—yet it had never had formal contact with the Central Realm. Its king was styled tsenpo; by custom no surname was used—the royal clan took the name Lun, the ministerial clan Shang. Songtsen Gampo was bold and resourceful, and neighboring peoples feared him. The emperor sent the envoy Feng Dexia to reassure them.
57
丁亥，吐谷渾寇涼州。 己丑，下詔大舉討吐谷渾。 上欲得李靖為將，為其老，重勞之。 靖聞之，請行； 上大悅。 十二月，辛丑，以靖為西海道行軍大總管，節度諸軍。 兵部尚書侯君集為積石道、刑部尚書任城王道宗為鄯善道、涼州都督李大亮為且末道、岷州都督李道彥為赤水道、利州刺史高甑生為鹽澤道行軍總管，並突厥、契苾之眾擊吐谷渾。
On dinghai, the Tuyuhun raided Liang Prefecture. On jichou, an edict was issued ordering a major campaign against the Tuyuhun. The emperor wanted Li Jing to command the campaign but hesitated to burden him, given his age. When Li Jing heard this, he volunteered to take the field; The emperor was greatly pleased. In the twelfth month, on xinchou, Li Jing was appointed Grand Commander of the West Sea route army with authority over all forces. Minister of War Hou Junji was placed in command on the Jishi route, Minister of Justice the Prince of Rencheng on the Shanshan route, Liang Prefecture Military Governor Li Daliang on the Qiemo route, Min Prefecture Military Governor Li Daoyan on the Red Water route, and Li Prefecture Inspector Gao Zengsheng on the Salt Marsh route—each leading Türk and Qibi auxiliaries against the Tuyuhun.
58
帝聘隋通事舍人鄭仁基女為充華，詔已行，冊使將發，魏徵聞其嘗許嫁士人陸爽，遽上表諫。 帝聞之，大驚，手詔深自克責，命停冊使。 房玄齡等奏稱：「許嫁陸氏，無顯狀，大禮既行，不可中止。」 爽亦表言初無婚姻之議。 帝謂征曰：「群臣或容希合； 爽亦自陳，何也？」 對曰：「彼以陛下為外雖捨之，或陰加罪譴，故不得不然。」 帝笑曰：「外人意或當如是。 朕之言未能使人必信如此邪？」
The emperor had chosen the daughter of former Sui official Zheng Renji to enter the inner palace as a consort; the edict was already out and the investiture envoy was about to depart when Wei Zheng learned she had once been pledged to the scholar Lu Shuang and rushed in a memorial of remonstrance. When the emperor heard this he was deeply shaken, wrote a personal edict blaming himself in the strongest terms, and ordered the investiture mission stopped. Fang Xuanling and others memorialized that there was no clear proof of a promise to the Lu family, that the great rite was already in motion, and that it could not be stopped midway." Lu Shuang also submitted a memorial denying any prior agreement of marriage. The emperor said to Wei Zheng, "Some of my ministers are perhaps only telling me what I want to hear; and Lu Shuang has spoken for himself as well—why?" He replied, "They fear that although Your Majesty publicly releases the matter, you may secretly punish them—so they have no choice." The emperor smiled and said, "Perhaps ordinary people can be expected to think that way. Have my words really failed to inspire that kind of trust?"
59
中牟丞皇甫德參上言：「修洛陽宮，勞人； 收地租，厚斂； 俗好高髻，蓋宮中所化。」 上怒，謂房玄齡等曰：「德參欲國家不役一人，不收斗租，宮人皆無發，乃可其意邪！」 欲治其謗訕之罪。 魏徵諫曰：「賈誼當漢文帝時上書，云『可為痛哭者一，可為流涕者二。』 自古上書不激切，不能動人主之心，所謂狂夫之言，聖人擇焉，唯陛下裁察。」 上曰：「朕罪斯人，則誰復敢言？」 乃賜絹二十匹。 他日，征奏言：「陛下近日不好直言，雖勉強含容，非曩時之豁如。」 上乃更加優賜，拜監察御史。
Zhongmou Assistant Magistrate Huangfu Decan submitted a memorial saying that repairing Luoyang Palace overworked the people; that collecting land rent amounted to heavy exaction; and that the fashion for high coiffures was probably spread by the palace." The emperor grew angry and said to Fang Xuanling and the others, "So Decan would have the state employ no one, collect no grain rent, and have every palace woman go bald before he would be satisfied!" He wanted to punish Decan for defamation. Wei Zheng remonstrated: "When Jia Yi memorialized under Emperor Wen of Han he wrote, 'There is one thing worth weeping blood over, two things worth shedding tears over. From antiquity, memorials that were not sharp could not move a ruler's heart—as the saying goes, 'Even a madman's words may hold something the sage can use.' I beg Your Majesty to weigh this carefully." The emperor said, "If I punish this man, who will dare speak plainly again?" He then awarded Decan twenty bolts of silk. On another day Wei Zheng submitted that the emperor had lately been less receptive to blunt counsel—though he forced himself to be tolerant, he was no longer as open as before." The emperor then added further rewards and appointed Decan a censor.
60
中書舍人高季輔上言：「外官卑品，猶未得祿，饑寒切身，難保清白，今倉廩浸實，宜量加優給，然後可責以不貪，嚴設科禁。 又，密王元曉等皆陛下之弟，比見帝子拜諸叔，叔皆答拜，紊亂昭穆，宜訓之以禮。」 書奏，上善之。
Secretariat Drafting Officer Gao Jifu submitted that low-ranking local officials still received no salary, that hunger and cold made honesty hard to sustain, and that now the granaries were filling—it was time to improve their pay so that only then could the court demand integrity and enforce strict anti-corruption laws. He also noted that the Prince of Mi, Yuan Xiao, and the emperor's other brothers were being bowed to by the crown prince's sons, and bowing in return—confusing proper order in the clan rites—and urged that they be taught correct ceremony." The emperor approved the memorial.
61
西突厥咄陸可汗卒，其弟同娥設立，是為沙缽羅咥利失可汗。
The Western Türk qaghan Tutun died; his younger brother Tong'e She succeeded him as qaghan, taking the title Shiboluo Dilishi.
62
春，正月，党項先內屬者皆叛歸吐谷渾。 三月，庚辰，洮州羌叛入吐谷渾，殺刺史孔長秀。
In spring, the first month, Tangut groups that had previously submitted to Tang all rebelled and rejoined the Tuyuhun. In the third month, on gengchen, the Qiang of Tao Prefecture rebelled, crossed into Tuyuhun territory, and killed Prefecture Inspector Kong Changxiu.
63
壬辰，赦天下。
On renchen, the emperor declared a general amnesty.
64
乙酉，鹽澤道行軍總管高甑生擊叛羌，破之。
On yiyou, Salt Marsh route commander Gao Zengsheng defeated the rebellious Qiang.
65
庚寅，詔：民貲分三等未盡其詳，宜分九等。
On gengyin, an edict ordered that the three-tier system of classifying households by wealth was too coarse and should be expanded to nine grades.
66
上謂魏徵曰：「齊後主、周天元皆重斂百姓，厚自奉養，力竭而亡。 譬如饞人自□敢其肉，肉盡而斃，何其愚也！ 然二主孰為優劣？」 對曰：「齊後主懦弱，政出多門； 周天元驕暴，威福在己； 雖同為亡國，齊主尤劣也。」
The emperor said to Wei Zheng, "The Later Lord of Qi and Emperor Xuán of Northern Zhou both taxed the people heavily and lived in lavish self-indulgence until their strength was exhausted and their dynasties fell. They were like gluttons devouring their own flesh—when the flesh was gone they died. How foolish! Yet which of the two was the worse ruler?" He replied, "The Later Lord of Qi was weak; power leaked through many hands; Emperor Xuán was arrogant and brutal; he kept all power in his own hands; though both destroyed their states, the Lord of Qi was the worse of the two."
67
夏，閏四月，癸酉，任城王道宗敗吐谷渾於庫山。 吐谷渾可汗伏允悉燒野草，輕兵走入磧。 諸將以為「馬無草，疲瘦，未可深入。」 侯君集曰：「不然。 向者段志玄軍還，才及鄯州，虜已至其城下。 蓋虜猶完實，眾為之用故也。 今一敗之後，鼠逃鳥散，斥候亦絕，君臣攜離，父子相失，取之易於拾芥。 此而不乘，後必悔之。」 李靖從之。 中分其軍為兩道：靖與薛萬均、李大亮由北道，君集與任城王道宗由南道。 戊子，靖部將薛孤兒敗吐谷渾於曼頭山，斬其名王，大獲雜畜，以充軍食。 癸巳，靖等敗吐谷渾於牛心堆，又敗諸赤水原。 侯君集、任城王道宗引兵行無人之境二千餘里，盛夏降霜，經破邏真谷，其地無水，人齕冰，馬啖雪。 五月，追及伏允於烏海，與戰，大破之，獲其名王。 薛萬均、薛萬徹又敗天柱王於寺海。
In summer, in the intercalary fourth month, on guiyou, the Prince of Rencheng Li Daozong defeated the Tuyuhun at Mount Ku. Tuyuhun qaghan Fuyun burned every patch of grass and fled deep into the desert with a lightly equipped force. The generals argued that with no fodder the horses were gaunt and thin and that a deep pursuit was impossible." Hou Junji said, "Not so. When Duan Zhixuan's army returned earlier, the enemy had reached Shazhou before his men even got back. That was because the enemy was still intact and their people still followed them willingly. Now, after a single defeat, they scatter like rats and birds; their scouts have vanished; ruler and ministers are estranged and fathers and sons separated—capturing them will be easier than picking up a mustard seed. If we fail to seize this moment, we will surely regret it later." Li Jing agreed. The army was split in two: Li Jing, Xue Wanjun, and Li Daliang took the northern route; Hou Junji and the Prince of Rencheng took the southern route. On wuzi, Li Jing's subordinate Xue Gu'er defeated the Tuyuhun at Mount Mantou, killed one of their senior chieftains, and seized large herds of livestock to feed the army. On guisi, Li Jing defeated the Tuyuhun at Mount Niuxin and again at Chishui Plain. Hou Junji and the Prince of Rencheng marched more than two thousand li through uninhabited land; frost fell in midsummer; in Poluo Valley there was no water, and men chewed ice while horses ate snow. In the fifth month they caught Fuyun at Wuhai, routed his army in battle, and captured one of his senior chieftains. Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche also defeated the King of the Pillar of Heaven at Sihai.
68
上皇自去秋得風疾，庚子，崩於垂拱殿。 甲辰，群臣請上准遺誥視軍國大事，上不許。 乙巳，詔太子承乾於東宮平決庶政。
The Retired Emperor had suffered a stroke the previous autumn; on gengzi he died in Chuigong Hall. On jiachen, the ministers asked that the emperor be allowed to govern according to the Retired Emperor's deathbed instructions, but he refused. On yisi, an edict ordered Crown Prince Chengan to handle routine affairs of government from the Eastern Palace.
69
赤水之戰，薛萬均、薛萬徹輕騎先進，為吐谷渾所圍，兄弟皆中槍，失馬步鬥，從騎死者什六七，左領軍將軍契苾何力將數百騎救之，竭力奮擊，所向披靡，萬均、萬徹由是得免。 李大亮敗吐谷渾於蜀渾山，獲其名王二十人。 將軍執失思力敗吐谷渾於居茹川。 李靖督諸軍經積石山河源，至且末，窮其西境。 聞伏允在突倫川，將奔于闐，契苾何力欲追襲之。 薛萬均懲其前敗，固言不可。 何力曰：「虜非有城郭，隨水草遷徙，若不因其聚居襲取之，一朝雲散，豈得復傾其巢穴邪！」 自選驍騎千餘，直趣突倫川，萬均乃引兵從之。 磧中乏水，將士刺馬血飲之。 襲破伏允牙帳，斬首數千級，獲雜畜二十餘萬，伏允脫身走，俘其妻子。 侯君集等進逾星宿川，至柏海，還與李靖軍合。
At the Battle of Red Water, Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche led the light cavalry in the van and were surrounded by the Tuyuhun; both brothers were speared and lost their horses, fighting on foot while six or seven tenths of their escort were killed. Left Mobile Guard General Qibi Heli led several hundred horsemen to their rescue, fighting with all his strength until nothing could stand in his way, and the Xue brothers escaped. Li Daliang defeated the Tuyuhun at Mount Shuhun and took twenty senior Tuyuhun chieftains prisoner. General Zhisi Sili defeated the Tuyuhun on the Juru River. Li Jing led the combined armies through Jishi Mountain and the source of the Yellow River to Qiemo, pushing to the farthest western reaches of Tuyuhun territory. When he learned that Fuyun was at the Tulun River preparing to flee to Khotan, Qibi Heli wanted to pursue and strike him. Xue Wanjun, mindful of his earlier defeat, insisted they should not go on. Qibi Heli said, "The enemy have no walled cities; they roam with the grass and water. If we do not strike while they are still gathered, once they scatter like morning clouds, how will we ever uproot their encampments again!" He picked out more than a thousand of his best horsemen and raced straight for the Tulun River, and Wanjun led his troops after him. Water ran out in the desert, and the officers and men pierced their horses and drank the blood. They stormed and destroyed Fuyun's royal encampment, taking several thousand heads and more than two hundred thousand head of livestock. Fuyun slipped away and fled, but his wife and children were captured. Hou Junji and the others pushed on beyond the Xingsu River to Baihai, then turned back and united with Li Jing's army.
70
大寧王順，隋氏之甥、伏允之嫡子也，為侍子於隋，久不得歸，伏允立它子為太子，及歸，意常怏怏。 會李靖破其國，國人窮蹙，怨天柱王； 順因眾心，斬天柱王，舉國請降。 伏允帥千餘騎逃磧中，十餘日，眾散稍盡，為左右所殺。 國人立順為可汗。 壬子，李靖奏平吐谷渾。 乙卯，詔復其國，以慕容順為西平郡王、趉故呂烏甘豆可汗。 上慮順未能服其眾，仍命李大亮將精兵數千為其聲援。
Prince of Daning Shun was a nephew of the Sui imperial house and Fuyun's eldest son by his principal wife. He had long served as a hostage at the Sui court and could not return home; Fuyun had meanwhile made another son his heir. When Shun finally came back, he was constantly aggrieved. Just then Li Jing shattered their state; the people were brought to ruin and blamed the King of the Pillar of Heaven; Shun seized on the popular mood, executed the King of the Pillar of Heaven, and the whole realm offered to surrender. Fuyun fled into the desert with a little more than a thousand horsemen; after ten-odd days his followers had scattered almost to nothing, and his own companions killed him. The Tuyuhun installed Shun as qaghan. On renzi, Li Jing reported that Tuyuhun had been pacified. On yimao, an edict restored the Tuyuhun state and made Murong Shun Prince of Xiping and Wu Gandou Qaghan of Tuyuhun. The emperor worried that Shun might not be able to command his people and therefore ordered Li Dalian to lead several thousand elite troops as a backing force.
71
六月，己丑，群臣復請聽政，上許之，其細務仍委太子，太子頗能聽斷。 是後上每出行幸，常令居守監國。
In the sixth month, on jichou, the officials again asked the emperor to resume governing, and he agreed. Routine business was still left to the crown prince, who proved quite capable of hearing and deciding cases. Thereafter, whenever the emperor traveled, he regularly left the crown prince behind as regent.
72
秋，七月，庚子，鹽澤道行軍副總管劉德敏擊叛羌，破之。
In autumn, the seventh month, on gengzi, Liu Demin, deputy commander on the Salt Marsh route, attacked rebellious Qiang forces and routed them.
73
丁巳，詔：「山陵依漢長陵故事，務存隆厚。」 期限既促，功不能及。 秘書監虞世南上疏，以為：「聖人薄葬其親，非不孝也，深思遠慮，以厚葬適足為親之累，故不為耳。 昔張釋之言：『使其中有可欲，雖錮南山猶有隙。』 劉向言：『死者無終極而國家有廢興，釋之之言，為無窮計也。』 其言深切，誠合至理。 伏惟陛下聖德度越唐、虞，而厚葬其親乃以秦、漢為法，臣竊為陛下不取。 雖復不藏金玉，後世但見丘壟如此其大，安知其中無金玉邪！ 且今釋服已依霸陵，而丘壟之制獨依長陵，恐非所宜。 伏願依《白虎通》為三仞之墳，器物制度，率皆節損，仍刻石立之陵旁，別書一通，藏之宗廟，用為子孫永久之法。」 疏奏，不報。 世南復上疏，以為：「漢天子即位即營山陵，遠者五十餘年； 今以數月之間為數十年之功，恐於人力有所不逮。」 上乃以世南疏授有司，令詳處其宜。 房玄齡等議，以為：「漢長陵高九丈，原陵高六丈，今九丈則太崇，三仞則太卑，請依原陵之制。」 從之。
On dingsi, an edict declared, "The imperial tomb shall follow the precedent of the Han Changling, and every effort shall be made to give it solemn grandeur." But the deadline was tight, and the work could not be finished in time. Secretariat Director Yu Shinan submitted a memorial arguing that "sages give their parents simple burials not from lack of filial piety, but from foresight: lavish tombs only become a burden to the dead, and for that reason they refuse them. Zhang Shizhi once said, 'If a tomb holds anything worth taking, even a coffin sealed in bronze within Mount Zhongnan would still be broken open.' Liu Xiang said, 'The dead know no end, but dynasties rise and fall; Zhang Shizhi's words were counsel for all time.' Their words cut to the heart of the matter and truly accord with right principle. Your Majesty's virtue surpasses even the sage rulers Tang and Yu, yet to bury your father in lavish style after the example of Qin and Han is, I venture, unworthy of you. Even if no gold or jade is placed inside, later generations seeing so vast a mound—how will they know the tomb holds nothing worth stealing! Moreover, the mourning rites already follow the modest precedent of Baling, while the tomb alone follows the grand scale of Changling—this, I fear, is inconsistent. I beg that the mound be built three ren high according to the Baihutong, that grave goods and ritual provisions all be scaled back, that an inscription be carved and set beside the tomb, and that a second copy be kept in the ancestral temple as a permanent rule for your descendants." The memorial was submitted, but received no answer. Shinan submitted another memorial, noting that "Han emperors began planning their tombs as soon as they took the throne—sometimes fifty years or more before death; to compress decades of work into a few months, I fear, will exceed what human labor can accomplish." The emperor then referred Shinan's memorial to the relevant offices and ordered them to work out a suitable plan. Fang Xuanling and others recommended that "Changling stood nine zhang high and Yuanling six zhang; nine zhang would be too tall and three ren too low—we propose following the Yuanling standard." The emperor agreed.
74
辛亥，詔：「國初草創，宗廟之制未備，今將遷祔，宜令禮官詳議。」 諫議大夫朱子奢請立三昭三穆而虛太祖之位。 於是增修太廟，祔弘農府君及高祖並舊神主四為六室。 房玄齡等議以涼武昭王為始祖。 左庶子於志寧議以為武昭王非王業所因，不可為始祖； 上從之。
On xinhai, an edict declared, "In the founding years the ancestral temple system was still incomplete; now that the late emperor's tablet is to be installed, the ritual officials should consider the matter carefully." Remonstrance and Discussion Grandee Zhu Zishe proposed three zhao and three mu shrines, with the place of the Grand Ancestor left vacant. The Grand Ancestral Temple was then enlarged and refurbished; the Lord of Hongnong and Gaozu were enshrined together with the four existing spirit tablets, making six chambers in all. Fang Xuanling and others proposed making Liang Wuzhaowang the founding ancestor. Left Guardian of the Heir Apparent Yu Zhining argued that Wuzhaowang was not the source of the dynasty's rise to power and could not serve as founding ancestor; The emperor accepted his view.
75
党項寇疊州。
The Tangut raided Die Prefecture.
76
李靖之擊吐谷渾也，厚賂党項，使為鄉導。 党項酋長拓跋赤辭來，謂諸將曰：「隋人無信，喜暴掠我。 今諸軍苟無異心，我請供其資糧； 如或不然，我將據險以塞諸軍之道。」 諸將與之盟而遣之。 赤水道行軍總管李道彥行至闊水，見赤辭無備，襲之，獲牛羊數千頭。 於是群羌怨怒，屯野狐峽，道彥不得進； 赤辭擊之，道彥大敗，死者數萬，退保松州。 左驍衛將軍樊興逗遛失軍期，士卒失亡多。 乙卯，道彥、興皆坐減死徙邊。
When Li Jing marched against Tuyuhun, he paid the Tangut handsomely to serve as guides. Tangut chieftain Tuoba Chici came before the generals and said, "The Sui were faithless and loved to raid us by force. If your armies mean us no harm, I will supply your provisions; but if not, I will hold the defiles and block your line of march." The generals swore an alliance with him and let him go. Red Water route commander Li Daoyan reached the Kuoshui River, found Chici off his guard, and raided him, seizing several thousand head of cattle and sheep. The Qiang tribes were enraged, massed at Yehu Gorge, and Daoyan could not get through; Chici attacked him and routed his army; tens of thousands were killed, and Daoyan fell back to defend Song Prefecture. Left Mobile Guard General Fan Xing had dawdled and missed the rendezvous, and many of his men were lost. On yimao, Daoyan and Xing were both sentenced to commuted death and exile to the frontier.
77
上遣使勞諸將於大斗拔谷，薛萬均排毀契苾何力，自稱己功。 何力不勝忿，拔刀起，欲殺萬均，諸將救止之。 上聞之，以讓何力，何力具言其狀，上怒，欲解萬均官以授何力，何力固辭，曰：「陛下以臣之故解萬均官，群胡無知，以陛下為重胡輕漢，轉相誣告，馳競必多。 且使胡人謂諸將皆如萬均，將有輕漢之心。」 上善之而止。 尋令宿衛北門，檢校屯營事，尚宗女臨洮縣主。
The emperor sent envoys to reward the generals at Databo Valley. There Xue Wanjun belittled Qibi Heli and claimed the credit for himself. Heli was overcome with fury; he drew his sword and rose to kill Wanjun, but the other generals restrained him. When the emperor heard of it, he reproached Heli; Heli gave a full account of what had happened. The emperor grew angry and wanted to strip Wanjun of his office and give it to Heli, but Heli firmly refused, saying, "If Your Majesty dismisses Wanjun on my account, the frontier tribes will take it as proof that you favor the Hu over the Han. Accusations will fly back and forth, and jealous rivalry will only multiply. It would also teach the tribes to think every Tang general is like Wanjun, and they will begin to look down on the Han." The emperor approved his reasoning and dropped the matter. Soon afterward Heli was assigned to garrison the north gate and oversee camp affairs, and was given in marriage Princess Lintao, daughter of Shangzong.
78
岷州都督、鹽澤道行軍總管高甑生後軍期，李靖按之。 甑生恨靖，誣告靖謀反，按驗無狀。 八月，庚辰，甑生坐減死徙邊。 或言：「甑生，秦府功臣，寬其罪。」 上曰：「甑生違李靖節度，又誣其反，此而可寬，法將安施！ 且國家自起晉陽，功臣多矣，若甑生獲免，則人人犯法，安可復禁乎！ 我於舊勳，未嘗忘也，為此不敢赦耳。」 李靖自是闔門杜絕賓客，雖親戚不得妄見也。
Gao Zengsheng, Protector-General of Min Prefecture and commander on the Salt Marsh route, arrived late for the rendezvous, and Li Jing investigated the offense. Zengsheng bore a grudge against Li Jing and falsely accused him of treason, but the investigation found no evidence. In the eighth month, on gengchen, Zengsheng was sentenced to commuted death and exile to the frontier. Some urged leniency: "Zengsheng is an old companion from the Prince of Qin's household." The emperor replied, "Zengsheng defied Li Jing's command and then falsely accused him of treason. If that can be forgiven, what use is the law! Since we rose from Jinyang, we have had many meritorious men. If Zengsheng goes unpunished, every man will break the law—how then can we enforce discipline! I have not forgotten old service; it is precisely because I remember it that I dare not pardon him." From that time on Li Jing shut his gates to visitors; even kinsmen could not see him without cause.
79
上欲自詣園陵，群臣以上哀毀羸瘠，固諫而止。
The emperor wished to visit the tomb park in person, but the officials, seeing how grief had worn him to skin and bone, firmly dissuaded him and he desisted.
80
冬，十月，乙亥，處月初遣使入貢。 處月、處密，皆西突厥之別部也。
In winter, the tenth month, on yihai, Chuyue sent tribute envoys to court for the first time. Chuyue and Chumi were both branches of the Western Türks.
81
庚寅，葬太武皇帝於獻陵，廟號高祖； 以穆皇后祔葬，加號太穆皇后。
On gengyin, Emperor Taiwu was buried at Xianling and given the temple name Gaozu; Empress Mu was buried with him, and her title was raised to Grand Empress Mu.
82
十一月，庚戌，詔議於太原立高祖廟。 秘書監顏師古議，以為：「寢廟慶在京師，漢世郡國立廟，非禮。」 乃止。
In the eleventh month, on gengxu, an edict ordered discussion of establishing a temple to Gaozu at Taiyuan. Secretariat Director Yan Shigu argued that "the imperial resting temple and its rites belong in the capital; for commanderies and kingdoms to maintain separate temples, as in Han times, is not proper ritual." The plan was dropped.
83
戊午，以光祿大夫蕭瑀為特進，復令參預政事。 上曰：「武德六年以後，高祖有廢立之心而未定，我不為兄弟所容，實有功高不賞之懼。 斯人也，不可以利誘，不可以死脅，真社稷臣也！」 因賜瑀詩曰：「疾風知勁草，板蕩識誠臣。」 又謂瑀曰：「卿之忠直，古人不過； 然善惡太明，亦有時而失。」 瑀再拜謝。 魏徵曰：「瑀違眾孤立，唯陛下知其忠勁，向不遇聖明，求免難矣！」
On wuwu, Palace Attendant Grandee Xiao Yu was made Special Advance and again invited to take part in government. The emperor said, "After the sixth year of Wude, Gaozu was still weighing whether to replace the heir, and my brothers would not tolerate me. I truly feared the old proverb that no reward is great enough for a man whose service has grown too dangerous. This is a man who cannot be bought with profit or broken with threats of death—a true pillar of the state!" He then gave Yu a poem: "Only in a fierce wind do you know the tough grass; only in upheaval do you know the loyal minister." He also told Yu, "Your loyalty and blunt honesty surpass the ancients; but to judge good and evil too sharply also has its costs." Yu bowed twice in acknowledgment. Wei Zheng said, "Yu stood alone against the court; only Your Majesty recognized his loyal steadfastness. Without a sage ruler, he would never have escaped ruin!"
84
特進李靖上書，請依遺誥，御常服，臨正殿； 弗許。
Special Advance Li Jing submitted a memorial asking that, in accordance with the late emperor's final testament, the emperor resume ordinary dress and hold court in the main hall; The request was denied.
85
吐谷渾甘豆可汗久質中國，國人不附，竟為其下所殺。 子燕王諾曷缽立。 諾曷缽幼，大臣爭權，國中大亂。 十二月，詔兵部尚書侯君集等將兵援之； 先遣使者諭解，有不奉詔者，隨宜討之。
Murong Shun, the Tuyuhun Gandou Qaghan, had long been a hostage at the Tang court; his people never accepted him, and in the end his own followers killed him. His son, Prince of Yan Nuohobo, was installed in his place. Nuohobo was still a child; the great ministers fought for power, and the realm descended into chaos. In the twelfth month, an edict ordered Minister of War Hou Junji and others to march to their aid; envoys were sent ahead to explain the imperial will and urge reconciliation; any who refused the edict were to be punished as the situation demanded.
86
春，正月，甲午，上始親聽政。
In spring, the first month, on jiawu, the emperor resumed personal rule.
87
辛丑，以突厥拓設阿史那社爾為左驍衛大將軍。 社爾，處羅可汗之子也，年十一，以智略聞。 可汗以為拓設，建牙於磧北，與欲谷設分統敕勒諸部，居官十年，未嘗有所賦斂。 諸設或鄙其不能為富貴，社爾曰：「部落苟豐，於我足矣。」 諸設慚服。 及薛延陀叛，攻破欲谷設，社爾兵亦敗，將其餘眾走保西陲。 頡利可汗既亡，西突厥亦亂，咄陸可汗兄弟爭國。 社爾詐往降之，引兵襲破西突厥，取其地幾半，有眾十餘萬，自稱答布可汗。 社爾乃謂諸部曰：「首為亂破我國者，薛延陀也，我當為先可汗報仇擊滅之。」 諸部皆諫曰：「新得西方，宜且留鎮撫。 今遽捨之遠去，西突厥必來取其故地。」 社爾不從，擊薛延陀於磧北，連兵百餘日。 會咥利失可汗立，社爾之眾苦於久役，多棄社爾逃歸。 薛延陀縱兵擊之，社爾大敗，走保高昌，其舊兵在者才萬餘家，又畏西突厥之逼，遂帥眾來降。 敕處其部落於靈州之北，留社爾於長安，尚皇妹南陽長公主，典屯兵於苑內。
On xinchou, the Türk tuo-she Ashina She'er was appointed Grand General of the Left Mobile Guard. She'er was a son of Qaghan Chuluo; even at eleven he was already known for his strategic mind. The qaghan appointed him tuo-she; he raised his banner north of the desert and, together with Yugu she, divided rule over the Tiele tribes. He held the post for ten years without ever imposing a levy. Some of the other tuo-she looked down on him for failing to enrich himself, but She'er said, "If my tribes are prosperous, that is enough for me." The other tuo-she were shamed into respect. When Xueyantuo rebelled, they overran Yugu she and defeated She'er's army as well; he fled west with what remained of his followers. After Qaghan Jieli's fall, the Western Türks fell into turmoil as Qaghan Dulü and his brothers fought over the khanship. She'er pretended to submit, then led a surprise attack that shattered the Western Türks, seized nearly half their territory, gathered more than one hundred thousand followers, and proclaimed himself Qaghan Dabou. She'er then told the tribes, "Xueyantuo were the first to rise in rebellion and destroy our state. I mean to avenge the former qaghan and wipe them out." The tribes all remonstrated: "We have only just taken the west; you should stay and consolidate it. If you abandon it now and march far away, the Western Türks will surely return and reclaim their old lands." She'er refused to listen and attacked Xueyantuo north of the desert; the fighting lasted more than a hundred days. Just then Qaghan Yili Shi came to power; She'er's men, exhausted by the long campaign, largely abandoned him and fled home. Xueyantuo counterattacked in force; She'er was routed and fled to Gaochang. Fewer than ten thousand households of his original followers remained, and fearing further pressure from the Western Türks, he led his people to submit to Tang. An edict settled his tribes north of Lingzhou, kept She'er at Chang'an, married him to the emperor's younger sister, Princess Chang of Nanyang, and put him in charge of the garrison within the imperial park.
88
癸丑，徙趙王元景為荊王，魯王元昌為漢王，鄭王元禮為徐王，徐王元嘉為韓王，荊王元則為彭王，滕王元懿為鄭王，吳王元軌為霍王，豳王元鳳為虢王，陳王元慶為道王，魏王靈夔為燕王，蜀王恪為吳王，越王泰為魏王，燕王祐為齊王，梁王愔為蜀王，郯王惲為蔣王，漢王貞為越王，申王慎為紀王。
On guichou, the emperor reassigned his sons' princely titles: Yuanjing went from Prince of Zhao to Prince of Jing; Yuanchang from Prince of Lu to Prince of Han; Yuanli from Prince of Zheng to Prince of Xu; Yuanjia from Prince of Xu to Prince of Han; Yuanze from Prince of Jing to Prince of Peng; Yuanyi from Prince of Teng to Prince of Zheng; Yuangui from Prince of Wu to Prince of Huo; Yuanfeng from Prince of Bin to Prince of Guo; Yuanqing from Prince of Chen to Prince of Dao; Lingqi from Prince of Wei to Prince of Yan; Ke from Prince of Shu to Prince of Wu; Tai from Prince of Yue to Prince of Wei; You from Prince of Yan to Prince of Qi; Yin from Prince of Liang to Prince of Shu; Yun from Prince of Tan to Prince of Jiang; Zhen from Prince of Han to Prince of Yue; and Shen Zhen from Prince of Shen to Prince of Ji.
89
二月，乙丑，以元景為荊州都督，元昌為梁州都督，元禮為徐州都督，元嘉為潞州都督，元則為遂州都督，靈夔為幽州都督，恪為潭州都督，泰為相州都督，祐為齊州都督，愔為益州都督，惲為安州都督，貞為揚州都督。 泰不之官，以金紫光祿大夫張亮，行都督事。 上以泰好文學，禮接士大夫，特命於其府別置文學館，聽自引召學士。
In the second month, on yichou, the emperor appointed his sons regional superintendents: Yuanjing to Jingzhou, Yuanchang to Liangzhou, Yuanli to Xuzhou, Yuanjia to Luzhou, Yuanze to Suizhou, Lingqi to Youzhou, Ke to Tanzhou, Tai to Xiangzhou, You to Qizhou, Yin to Yizhou, Yun to Anzhou, and Zhen to Yangzhou. Tai did not take up his post; Palace Attendant Grandee Zhang Liang was ordered to serve as acting regional superintendent. Because Tai loved literature and treated scholar-officials with courtesy, the emperor specially ordered a separate Literary Academy established at his princely residence and allowed him to recruit scholars on his own.
90
三月，丁酉，吐谷渾王諾曷缽遣使請頒歷，行年號，遣子弟入侍； 並從之。 丁未，以諾曷缽為河源郡王、烏地也拔勤豆可汗。
In the third month, on dingyou, Nuohobo, king of Tuyuhun, sent envoys asking to receive the imperial calendar, adopt the Tang reign era, and send sons and younger brothers to serve at court; The emperor granted every request. On dingwei, Nuohobo was enfeoffed as Prince of Heyuan Commandery and given the title Qaghan Wudiyebalidou.
91
癸丑，諸王之籓，上與之別曰：「兄弟之情，豈不欲常共處邪！ 但以天下之重，不得不爾。 諸子尚可復有，兄弟不可復得。」 因流涕嗚咽不能止。
On guichou, as the princes departed for their fiefs, the emperor bade them farewell, saying, "Brotherly love—who would not wish to remain together always! But the burden of the realm leaves no other choice. One may yet have more sons, but brothers cannot be had again." He wept and sobbed, unable to stop himself.
92
夏，六月，壬申，以溫彥博為右僕射，太常卿楊師道為侍中。
In summer, the sixth month, on renshen, Wen Yanbo was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Yang Shidao, Minister of Ceremonies, was made Palace Attendant.
93
侍中魏徵屢以目疾求為散官，上不得已，以征為特進，仍知門下事，朝章國典，參議得失，徒流以上罪，詳事聞奏； 其祿賜、吏卒並同職事。 長孫皇后性仁孝儉素，好讀書，常與上從容商略古事，因而獻替，裨益弘多。 上或以非罪譴怒宮人，後亦陽怒，請自推鞫，因命囚系，俟上怒息，徐為申理，由是宮壺之中，刑無枉濫。 豫章公主早喪其母，後收養之，慈愛逾於所生。 妃嬪以下有疾，後親撫視，輟己之藥膳以資之，宮中無不愛戴。 訓諸子，常以謙儉為先，太子乳母遂安夫人嘗白後，以東宮器用少，請奏益之。 後不許，曰：「為太子，患在德不立，名不揚，何患無器用邪！」
Palace Attendant Wei Zheng repeatedly asked to be relieved to a nominal post because of eye trouble; the emperor reluctantly made him Special Advance while keeping him in charge of Chancellery affairs—deliberating on court regulations and state law, weighing policy, and reviewing and reporting on cases involving exile or heavier punishments; His salary, perquisites, clerks, and attendants remained the same as before. Empress Changsun was benevolent, filial, frugal, and plain by nature. She loved books and often discussed historical precedents with the emperor in unhurried conversation, offering counsel that proved of great benefit. When the emperor unjustly raged at palace women, the empress would feign anger as well, ask to investigate the matter herself, and have them imprisoned; once his anger cooled, she would gradually clear them. In this way no innocent woman in the inner palace suffered wrongful punishment. Princess Yuzhang had lost her mother at an early age; the empress adopted her and loved her even more tenderly than her own children. When consorts and lower-ranking women fell ill, she nursed them herself and gave them her own medicines and food. Everyone in the palace loved and revered her. In raising her sons she always put humility and thrift first. The crown prince's wet nurse, Lady Sui'an, once told the empress that the Eastern Palace had too few furnishings and asked her to petition for more. The empress refused, saying, "For a crown prince, the danger lies in virtue unestablished and reputation unearned—what need is there to worry over furnishings!"
94
上得疾，累年不愈，後侍奉，晝夜不離側。 常系毒藥於衣帶，曰：「若有不諱，義不獨生！」 後素有氣疾，前年從上幸九成宮，柴紹等中夕告變，上擐甲出閣問狀，後扶疾以從，左右止之，後曰：「上既震驚，吾何心自安！」 由是疾遂甚。 太子言於後曰：「醫藥備盡而疾不瘳，請奏赦罪人及度人入道，庶獲冥福。」 後曰：「死生有命，非智力所移。 若為善有福，則吾不為惡； 如其不然，妄求何益！ 赦者國之大事，不可數下。 道、釋異端之教，蠹國病民，皆上素所不為，奈何以吾一婦人使上為所不為乎？ 必行汝言，吾不如速死！」 太子不敢奏，私以語房玄齡，玄齡白上，上哀之，欲為之赦，後固止之。
The emperor fell ill and for years did not recover; the empress nursed him day and night, never leaving his side. She kept poison tied to her belt, saying, "If the worst should come, I cannot in conscience outlive him!" The empress had long suffered from a breathing ailment. Two years earlier, when she accompanied the emperor to Jiucheng Palace, Chai Shao and others reported a disturbance at midnight. The emperor donned armor and rushed out to investigate; though ill, the empress insisted on following. Attendants tried to stop her, but she said, "The emperor is already shaken—how can I rest easy alone!" Her illness worsened sharply as a result. The crown prince told the empress, "Every remedy has been tried, yet she does not recover. I wish to petition for a general pardon and for people to be ordained as Daoist or Buddhist clergy, hoping this may win divine favor." The empress replied, "Life and death are fated; no wit or effort can alter them. If virtue truly brings blessing, then I have not lived wickedly; if not, what good can empty prayers do! Amnesty is a grave matter of state and must not be proclaimed again and again. Daoism and Buddhism are heterodox faiths that drain the state and harm the people—things the emperor has always refused. How can I, one woman, make him do what he has always rejected? If you insist on this, I would rather die at once!" The crown prince did not dare submit the petition; he told Fang Xuanling in private, and Xuanling reported it to the emperor. Moved to pity, the emperor wished to grant the amnesty for her sake, but the empress firmly forbade it.
95
及疾篤，與上訣。 時房玄齡以譴歸第，後言於上曰：「玄齡事陛下久，小心慎密，奇謀秘計，未嘗宣洩，苟無大故，願勿棄之。 妾之本宗，因緣葭莩，以致祿位，既非德舉，易致顛危，欲使其子孫保全，慎勿處之權要，但以外戚奉朝請足矣。 妾生無益於人，不可以死害人，願勿以丘壟勞費天下，但因山為墳，器用瓦木而已。 仍願陛下親君子，遠小人，納忠諫，屏讒慝，省作役，止游畋，妾雖沒於九泉，誠無所恨！ 兒女輩不必令來，見其悲哀，徒亂人意。」 因取衣中毒藥以示上曰：「妾於陛下不豫之日，誓以死從乘輿，不能當呂後之地耳。」 己卯，崩於立政殿。
When her illness turned critical, she bade the emperor farewell. Fang Xuanling had then been sent home under censure. The empress told the emperor, "Xuanling has served you long with careful discretion; his secret counsel has never been leaked. Unless he has committed some grave fault, do not cast him aside. My own clan rose through distant marriage ties, not merit, and such fortune invites ruin. To keep my family's descendants safe, never place them in posts of power; let them remain mere affinal kin attending court, and that will be enough. I benefited no one in life and must not burden others in death. Do not exhaust the realm over my tomb; let a hillside suffice for my grave, with only earthenware and wood for furnishings. I still ask that you draw close to the worthy, keep the base at a distance, heed loyal counsel, shut out slander and malice, lighten corvée burdens, and stop pleasure hunts. Then though I lie beneath the earth, I shall have no regret! Do not summon the children; their grief would only unsettle everyone to no purpose." She then took the poison from her robe and showed it to him, saying, "When Your Majesty was ill, I swore to follow you in death. I cannot play the part of Empress Lü." On jimao she died in Lizheng Hall.
96
後嘗采自古婦人得失事，為《女則》三十卷，又嘗著論駁漢明德馬後以不能抑退外親，使當朝貴盛，徒戒其車如流水馬如龍，是開其禍敗之源而防其末流也。 及崩，宮司並《女則》奏之，上覽之悲慟，以示近臣曰：「皇后此書，足以垂范百世！ 朕非不知天命而為無益之悲，但入宮不復聞規諫之言，失一良佐，故不能忘懷耳！」 乃召房玄齡，使復其位。
The empress had once collected stories of women's successes and failures from antiquity and compiled them into thirty juan of Lessons for Women. She also wrote a treatise criticizing Later Han's Empress Mingde Ma for failing to restrain her affinal kin, allowing them to dominate the court: to warn only against lavish carriages and horses was to leave the source of ruin untouched while policing its last effects. After her death the palace offices presented Lessons for Women together with her memorial rites. The emperor read it, stricken with grief, and showed it to his closest ministers, saying, "This book of the empress's is a model for a hundred generations! It is not that I do not know fate when I grieve uselessly, but that within the palace I no longer hear her counsel—I have lost a fine adviser, and cannot put her from my mind!" He then recalled Fang Xuanling and restored him to office.
97
秋，八月，丙子，上謂群臣曰：「朕開直言之路，以利國也，而比來上封事者多訐人細事，自今復有為是者，朕當以讒人罪之。」
In autumn, the eighth month, on bingzi, the emperor told the assembled ministers, "I opened the way for blunt speech to serve the state, yet lately sealed memorials have mostly been petty attacks on individuals. From now on, anyone who does this again I shall treat as a slanderer."
98
冬，十一月，庚午，葬文德皇后於昭陵。 將軍段志玄、宇文士及分統士眾出肅章門。 帝夜使宮官至二人所，士及開營內之； 志玄閉門不納，曰：「軍門不可夜開。」 使者曰：「此有手敕。」 志玄曰：「夜中不辨真偽。」 竟留使者至明。 帝聞而歎曰：「真將軍也！」
In winter, the eleventh month, on gengwu, Empress Wende was interred at Zhaoling. Generals Duan Zhixuan and Yuwen Shiji commanded separate detachments of troops out through Suchang Gate. That night the emperor sent palace officials to both camps; Shiji opened his camp and admitted them; Zhixuan shut the gate and refused them entry, saying, "An army gate must not be opened at night." The envoy said, "I bear a handwritten edict from the emperor." Zhixuan replied, "In the dark of night one cannot tell true from false." He kept the envoy waiting until dawn. When the emperor heard of it, he sighed and said, "There is a true general!"
99
帝復為文刻之石，稱「皇后節儉，遺言薄葬，以為『盜賊之心，止求珍貨，既無珍貨，復何所求。』 朕之本志，亦復如此。 王者以天下為家，何必物在陵中，乃為己有。 今因九嵕山為陵，鑿石之工才百餘人，數十日而畢。 不藏金玉，人馬、器皿，皆用土木，形具而已，庶幾奸盜息心，存沒無累。 當使百世子孫奉以為法。」
The emperor also had an inscription carved in stone, noting the empress's frugality and her wish for a plain burial. He wrote, "Thieves seek only treasure; without treasure, what is left to steal? That has always been my own intent as well. A ruler makes the realm his home; why must possessions lie in a tomb before they are truly his? We have taken Jiufeng Mountain for the tomb; barely more than a hundred stonecutters were employed, and the work was finished in a few dozen days. No gold or jade is buried there; figures of men, horses, and vessels are made only of earth and wood, mere forms. Thus thieves should lose interest, and neither the living nor the dead be burdened. Let a hundred generations of descendants take this as their model."
100
上念後不已，於苑中作層觀以望昭陵，嘗引魏徵同登，使視之。 征熟視之曰：「臣昏眊，不能見。」 上指示之，征曰：「臣以為陛下望獻陵若昭陵，則臣固見之矣。」 上泣，為之毀觀。
The emperor could not stop grieving for the empress. In the park he built a multi-storied pavilion from which to view Zhaoling, and once brought Wei Zheng up with him to look. Zheng studied the view carefully and said, "I am too dim of sight to make it out." The emperor pointed it out; Zheng said, "If Your Majesty looked upon Xian Mausoleum as you look upon Zhaoling, then I would certainly see it." The emperor wept and had the pavilion torn down.
101
十二月，戊寅，朱俱波、甘棠遣使入貢。 朱俱波在蔥嶺之北，去瓜州三千八百里。 甘棠在大海南。 上曰：「中國既安，四夷自服。 然朕不能無懼，昔秦始皇威振胡、越，二世而亡，唯諸公匡其不逮耳。」
In the twelfth month, on wuyin, Zhujubo and Gantang sent envoys bearing tribute. Zhujubo lay north of the Pamirs, thirty-eight hundred li from Guazhou. Gantang lay south of the Great Sea. The emperor said, "Now that the realm is at peace, the four quarters submit of themselves. Yet I cannot help but fear. Qin Shihuang once made the northern and southern peoples tremble, yet his dynasty fell in the second generation. It is for you gentlemen to remedy what I lack."
102
魏王泰有寵於上，或言三品以上多輕魏王。 上怒，引三品以上，作色讓之曰：「隋文帝時，一品以下皆為諸王所頓躓，彼豈非天子兒邪！ 朕但不聽諸子縱橫耳，聞三品以上皆輕之，我若縱之，豈不能折辱公輩乎！」 房玄齡等皆惶懼流汗拜謝。 魏徵獨正色曰：「臣竊計當今群臣，心無敢輕魏王者。 在禮，臣、子一也。 《春秋》：王人雖微，序於諸侯之上。 三品以上皆公卿，陛下所尊禮，若紀綱大壞，固所不論； 聖明在上，魏王必無頓辱群臣之理。 隋文帝驕其諸子，使多行無禮，卒皆夷滅，又足法乎？」 上悅，曰：「理到之語，不得不服。 朕以私愛忘公義，向者之忿，自謂不疑，及聞征言，方知理屈。 人主發言何得容易乎！」
Prince of Wei Tai enjoyed the emperor's favor; someone reported that many officials of the third rank and above looked down on him. The emperor flew into a rage, summoned all officials of the third rank and above, and rebuked them sternly: "Under Emperor Wen of Sui, princes trampled everyone below the first rank—were they not also sons of the emperor! I simply refuse to let my sons run wild—that is all. If I hear that you all look down on him, and if I were to indulge them, could they not humiliate every one of you!" Fang Xuanling and the others broke into a fearful sweat and bowed in apology. Wei Zheng alone, unflinching, said, "I do not believe any minister today would dare look down on Prince of Wei in his heart. In ritual propriety, a minister and a son occupy the same position. The Spring and Autumn Annals ranks even the humblest royal envoy above the feudal lords. Officials of the third rank and above are the high ministers Your Majesty himself honors; if the court's order were utterly broken, that would be another matter; but with a sage ruler above, Prince of Wei has no grounds to humiliate the ministers. Emperor Wen of Sui spoiled his sons until they behaved without restraint, and in the end they were all destroyed—is that a precedent worth following?" The emperor was pleased and said, "When reason is put so plainly, one must yield. Private affection made me forget public duty. In my anger I had thought myself in the right, but hearing Zheng I knew I was in the wrong. A ruler's words cannot be spoken lightly!"
103
上曰：「法令不可數變，數變則煩，官長不能盡記； 又前後差違，吏得以為奸。 自今變法，皆宜詳慎而行之。」
The emperor said, "Laws must not be changed too often; frequent changes make them burdensome, and officials cannot keep them all in mind; and when successive versions contradict one another, clerks find room for abuse. From now on, every change in law must be enacted with thorough care."
104
治書侍御史權萬紀上言：「宣、饒二州銀大發采之，歲可得數百萬緡。」 上曰：「朕貴為天子，所乏者非財也，但恨無嘉言可以利民耳。 與其多得數百萬緡，何如得一賢才！ 卿未嘗進一賢，退一不肖，而專言稅銀之利。 昔堯、舜抵璧於山，投珠於谷，漢之桓、靈乃聚錢為私藏，卿欲以桓、靈俟我邪！」 是日。 黜萬紀，使還家。
Imperial Secretary Attendant Censor Quan Wanji memorialized: "Rich silver deposits have been found in Xuan and Rao prefectures; mining them could yield several million strings of cash each year." The emperor said, "I am emperor; what I lack is not wealth, but good counsel that truly benefits the people. What is several million strings of cash compared with finding one worthy man! You have never recommended one worthy man or urged the removal of one unfit, yet you speak only of the profit to be had from silver taxes. Yao and Shun cast jade disks against mountains and threw pearls into valleys; the Han emperors Huan and Ling hoarded money for themselves. Do you mean to rank me with Huan and Ling!" That same day, Wanji was dismissed and sent home.
105
是歲，更命統軍為折衝都尉，別將為果毅都尉。 凡十道，置府六百三十四，而關內二百六十一，皆隸諸衛及東宮六率。 凡上府兵千二百人，中府千人，下府八百人。 三百人為團，團有校尉； 五十人為隊，隊有正； 十人為火，火有長。 每人兵甲糧裝各有數，皆自備，輸之庫，有征行則給之。 年二十為兵，六十而免。 其能騎射者為越騎，其餘為步兵。 每歲季冬，折衝都尉帥其屬教戰，當給馬者官予其直市之。 凡當宿衛者番上，兵部以遠近給番，遠疏、近數，皆一月而更。
That year the title of army commander was changed to Charge-and-Smash Commandant, and that of deputy commander to Determined-Fruit Commandant. Ten circuits in all had 634 garrisons established, 261 of them in the interior passes—all subordinate to the guard commands and the Eastern Palace's six commanderies. Upper garrisons fielded 1,200 men, middle garrisons 1,000, and lower garrisons 800. Three hundred men made a regiment, each with its own company commander; fifty men made a platoon, each with a squad leader; ten men made a squad, each with a squad chief. Each man was allotted a fixed set of armor, weapons, provisions, and gear—all supplied by himself, deposited in the storehouse, and issued out when troops were sent on campaign. Men entered service at twenty and were discharged at sixty. Those who could ride and shoot were assigned to the mounted cross-country corps; the rest served as infantry. Each year in late winter the Charge-and-Smash Commandants drilled their men; those due to receive horses were given cash by the government to buy them on the market. All palace-guard duty rotated by turn; the Ministry of War set the roster by distance—the farther away, the less frequent the shift; the nearer, the more frequent—with every man relieved after one month.
106
春，正月，徙鄶王元裕為鄧王，譙王元名為舒王。
In spring, the first month, Prince Yuan Yu of Zan was reassigned as Prince of Deng, and Prince Yuan Ming of Qiao as Prince of Shu.
107
辛卯，以吳王恪為安州都督，晉王治為并州都督，紀王慎為秦州都督。 將之官，上賜書戒敕曰：「吾欲遺汝珍玩，恐益驕奢，不如得此一言耳。」
On xinmao, Prince Ke of Wu was appointed area commander of An Prefecture, Prince Zhi of Jin of Bing Prefecture, and Prince Shen of Ji of Qin Prefecture. As they set out for their posts the emperor gave them letters of warning: "I could send you precious treasures, but I fear that would only feed your pride and extravagance. One word from me is worth more."
108
上作飛山宮。 庚子，特進魏徵上疏，以為：「煬帝恃其富強，不虞後患，窮奢極欲，使百姓困窮，以至身死人手，社稷為墟。 陛下撥亂返正，宜思隋之所以失，我之所以得，撤其峻宇，安於卑宮； 若因基而增廣，襲舊而加飾，此則以亂易亂，殃咎必至，難得易失，可不念哉！
The emperor built Feishan Palace. On gengzi, Privy Counselor Wei Zheng memorialized: "Emperor Yang trusted in wealth and strength, never foresaw the reckoning to come, pushed extravagance to the extreme, and drove the people into want—until he died by another's hand and the dynasty was left in ruins. Your Majesty has turned chaos back to order; you should ponder why Sui fell and why we rose, tear down towering halls, and be content with modest dwellings; If you build on existing foundations and expand them, follow old patterns and add ornament, you will only replace one kind of ruin with another. Calamity is sure to follow—what was hard won is easily lost. Can Your Majesty afford to forget this!
109
房玄齡等先受詔定律令，以為：「舊法，兄弟異居，廕不相及，而謀反連坐皆死； 祖孫有廕，而止應配流。 據禮論情，深為未愜。 今定律，祖孫與兄弟緣坐者俱配役。」 從之。 自是比古死刑，除其太半，天下稱賴焉。 玄齡等定律五百條，立刑名二十等，比隋律減大辟九十二條，減流入徙者七十一條，凡削煩去蠹，變重為輕者，不可勝紀。 又定令一千五百九十餘條。 武德舊制，釋奠於太學，以周公為先聖，孔子配饗； 玄齡等建議停祭周公，以孔子為先聖，顏回配饗。 又刪武德以來敕格，定留七百條，至是頒行之。 又定枷、杻、鉗、鎖、杖、笞，皆有長短廣狹之制。
Fang Xuanling and others, earlier charged to compile the laws and statutes, argued: "Under the old code, brothers who lived separately were not implicated by privilege of office, yet everyone implicated in treason was put to death; while grandparents and grandchildren who held hereditary privilege merited only exile. By the standards of ritual and human sympathy, this was deeply unsatisfactory. The new code provides that grandparents, grandchildren, and brothers linked by guilt shall all be sentenced to penal servitude." The emperor approved. From this time on, compared with ancient practice, executions were cut by more than half—and the realm rejoiced in it. Xuanling and his colleagues codified five hundred articles and twenty grades of punishment. Compared with Sui law, they struck ninety-two capital offenses and seventy-one crimes punishable by exile or hard labor. Simplifications and lightenings beyond count. They also set more than 1,590 administrative ordinances. Under the old Wude regulations, the Imperial Academy's sacrifice placed the Duke of Zhou as primary sage with Confucius in secondary place; Xuanling and his colleagues recommended ending sacrifice to the Duke of Zhou, making Confucius primary sage with Yan Hui as secondary. They also pruned imperial edicts and administrative rules dating back to Wude, retaining seven hundred articles, which were now promulgated. They also standardized cangues, shackles, fetters, locks, beating staves, and flogging rods, each with prescribed dimensions.
110
自張蘊古之死，法官以出罪為戒； 時有失入者，又不加罪。 上嘗問大理卿劉德威曰：「近日刑網稍密，何也？」 對曰：「此在主上，不在群臣，人主好寬則寬，好急則急。 律文：失入減三等，失出減五等。 今失入無辜，失出更獲大罪，是以吏各自免，競就深文，非有教使之然，畏罪故耳。 陛下倘一斷以律，則此風立變矣。」 上悅，從之。 由是斷獄平允。
Since Zhang Yungu's execution, judges treated acquittal as a thing to beware of; yet wrongful convictions went unpunished as well. The emperor once asked Chief Judge Liu Dewei of the Court of Judicial Review: "Lately the net of criminal justice has tightened—why is that?" He replied: "That rests with Your Majesty, not with your ministers. If the ruler favors clemency, the courts are clement; if he favors severity, they are severe. The law provides that a wrongful conviction reduces the judge's penalty by three degrees; a wrongful acquittal by five. Today wrongful convictions go unpunished, while wrongful acquittals bring down the heavier penalty. Officials protect themselves and compete to apply the harshest reading of the law—not because anyone orders it, but because they fear punishment. If Your Majesty would enforce the law even-handedly, this practice would change overnight." The emperor was pleased and agreed. From that time forward, trials were fair and balanced.
111
上以漢世豫作山陵，免子孫蒼猝勞費，又志在儉葬，恐子孫從欲奢靡； 二月，丁巳，自為終制，因山為陵，容棺而已。
The emperor noted that in Han times imperial tombs were prepared in advance, sparing heirs sudden expense and toil; he himself wished to be buried simply, yet feared that later generations might indulge their desires in lavish funerals; In the second month, on dingsi, he drew up his own funeral code: a tomb hewn from the mountain, large enough for the coffin and nothing more.
112
甲子，上行幸洛陽宮。
On jiazi the emperor traveled to Luoyang Palace.
113
上至顯仁宮，官吏以缺儲偫，有被譴者。 魏徵諫曰：「陛下以儲偫譴官吏，臣恐承風相扇，異日民不聊生，殆非行幸之本意也。 昔煬帝諷郡縣獻食，視其豐儉以為賞罰，故海內叛之。 此陛下所親見，奈何欲效之乎！」 上驚曰：「非公不聞此言。」 因謂長孫無忌等曰：「朕昔過此，買飯而食，僦舍而宿； 今供頓如此，豈得猶嫌不足乎！」
When he reached Xianren Palace, several officials were punished for insufficient stored provisions. Wei Zheng remonstrated: "Your Majesty is punishing officials over stored provisions. I fear others will take the cue, and one day the people will have nothing to live on. That can hardly have been Your Majesty's purpose in traveling! Emperor Yang once signaled that counties should present food, rewarding or punishing officials according to abundance or scarcity—and the realm turned against him. Your Majesty saw this yourself—how can you mean to imitate it!" The emperor started: "Without you I would never have heard this said." He then told Zhangsun Wuji and the others: "When I passed through here before, I bought a meal and rented a room for the night; and now provisioning is like this—how can anyone still say it is not enough!"
114
三月，丙戌朔，日有食之。 庚子，上宴洛陽宮西宛，泛積翠池，顧謂侍臣曰：「煬帝作此宮苑，結怨於民，今悉為我有，正由宇文述、虞世基、裴蘊之徒內為諂諛、外蔽聰明故也，可不戒哉！」
In the third month, on the new moon of bingxu, the sun was eclipsed. On gengzi the emperor gave a banquet in the western park of Luoyang Palace and drifted on Jicui Pond. He turned to his attendants and said: "Emperor Yang built this palace and park and earned the people's hatred. Now it is all mine—because men like Yuwen Shu, Yu Shiji, and Pei Yun flattered him within and blinded his judgment without. Let that be a warning!"
115
房玄齡、魏徵上所定《新禮》一百三十八篇； 丙午，詔行之。 以禮部尚書王珪為魏王泰師，上謂泰曰：「汝事珪當如事我。」 泰見珪，輒先拜，珪亦以師道自居。 子敬直尚南平公主。 先是，公主下嫁，皆不以婦禮事舅姑，珪曰：「今主上欽明，動循禮法，吾受公主謁見，豈為身榮，所以成國家之美耳。」 乃與其妻就席坐，令公主執{□弁}，行盥饋之禮。 是後公主始行婦禮，自珪始。 群臣復請封禪，上使秘書監顏師古等議其禮，房玄齡裁定之。
Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng presented the 138 chapters of the New Rites they had compiled; and on bingwu an edict ordered them put into effect. Wang Gui, minister of rites, was appointed tutor to Prince Tai of Wei. The emperor told Tai: "Serve Gui as you would serve me." Whenever Tai met Gui he bowed first, and Gui for his part held himself to the full dignity of a teacher. Gui's son Jingzhi was betrothed to Princess Nanping. Previously, when an emperor's daughter married a subject's household, she did not observe the daughter-in-law's rites toward her parents-in-law. Gui said: "Our sovereign is wise and thorough in ritual. That I accept the princess's visit is not for my personal glory—it is to bring honor to the state." He and his wife took their seats and had the princess take up the ceremonial basket and perform the hand-washing and food-serving rites for them. From that time, imperial daughters began to observe the daughter-in-law's rites—and the precedent began with Gui. The ministers again petitioned for the Feng and Shan sacrifices. The emperor had Secretariat Director Yan Shigu and others discuss the ritual, with Fang Xuanling making the final decisions.
116
夏，四月，己卯，魏徵上疏，以為：「人主善始者多，克終者寡，豈取之易而守之難乎？ 蓋以殷憂則竭誠以盡下，安逸則驕恣而輕物； 盡下則胡、越同心，輕物則六親離德，雖震之以威怒，亦皆貌從而心不服故也。 人主誠能見可欲則思知足，將興繕則思知止，處高危則思謙降，臨滿盈則思挹損，遇逸樂則思撙節，在宴安則思後患，防壅蔽則思延納，疾讒邪則思正己，行爵賞則思因喜而僭，施刑罰則思因怒而濫，兼是十思，而選賢任能，固可以無為而治，又何必勞神苦體以代百司之任哉！」」」
In summer, the fourth month, on jimao, Wei Zheng memorialized: "Many rulers begin well, but few end well. Is it that gaining power is easy and keeping it is hard? It is because in times of peril a ruler gives his whole heart to those below, while in ease and comfort he grows arrogant and careless; Give your whole heart to those below and even distant peoples stand with you; grow careless and even kin turn away. Though you may terrify men with wrath, they will obey only outwardly while their hearts rebel. If a ruler, seeing temptation, remembers contentment; on the verge of new building, remembers when to stop; standing in peril, remembers humility; facing abundance, remembers restraint; enjoying pleasure, remembers moderation; living in ease, remembers disaster to come; guarding against being walled off, remembers to hear all counsel; hating slander, remembers to examine himself; granting rewards, remembers not to overreach in joy; inflicting punishments, remembers not to exceed in anger—if he keeps these ten reflections in mind, selects the worthy and employs the able, he may govern effortlessly. Why toil body and spirit to do the work of every office himself?"””