1
春，正月，甲戌，以吐蕃祿東贊為右衛大將軍。 上嘉祿東贊善應對，以琅邪公主外孫段氏妻之。 辭曰：「臣國中自有婦，父母所聘，不可棄也。 且贊普未得謁公主，陪臣何敢先娶！」 上益賢之，然欲撫以厚恩，竟不從其志。 丁丑，命禮部尚書江夏王道宗持節送文成公主於吐蕃。 贊普大喜，見道宗，盡子婿禮，慕中國衣服、儀衛之美，為公主別築城郭宮室而處之，自服紈綺以見公主。 其國人皆以赭塗面，公主惡之，贊普下令禁之； 亦漸革其猜暴之性，遣子弟入國學，受《詩》、《書》。
In spring, on the first month's jiaxu day, Gar Tongtsen Yulsung of Tibet was named General of the Right Guard. The emperor admired Gar Tongtsen's eloquence in audience and betrothed to him a woman of the Duan clan, granddaughter of the Princess of Langye. He declined, saying, "I already have a wife in my own country, betrothed by my parents, and I cannot forsake her. Besides, the Tibetan king has not yet met the princess—how could a subordinate minister wed before him!" The emperor thought him even more admirable, yet, wanting to bind him with heavy favor, still refused his request. On dingchou, he ordered Prince Daozong of Jiangxia, Minister of Rites, to go with imperial credentials and conduct Princess Wencheng to Tibet. The Tibetan king was overjoyed. When he met Daozong he treated him with full son-in-law courtesy, and, enamored of Chinese robes and the splendor of the escort, he had a separate city and palace built for the princess. He himself dressed in silk brocade to receive her. His subjects all stained their faces with ochre; the princess found this repulsive, and the king forbade it; He also slowly shed his suspicious, brutal temperament and sent younger relatives to the state academy to study the Odes and Documents.
2
乙亥，突厥侯利苾可汗始帥部落濟河，建牙於故定襄城，有戶三萬，勝兵四萬，馬九萬匹，仍奏言：「臣非分蒙恩，為部落之長，願子子孫孫為國家一犬，守吠北門。 若薛延陀侵逼，請從家屬入長城。」 詔許之。
On yihai, the Türk Heli Bo Khan for the first time led his tribes across the Yellow River and pitched camp at the old Dingxiang stronghold. He had thirty thousand households, forty thousand fighting men, and ninety thousand horses. He also submitted a memorial: "I have undeservedly received your favor as chief of my tribes. May my sons and grandsons forever be your hounds, keeping watch and barking at the northern gate. If the Xueyantuo threaten us, I ask leave to bring my household inside the Great Wall." An edict granted his request.
3
上將幸洛陽，命皇太子監國，留右僕射高士廉輔之。 辛巳，行及溫湯，衛士崔卿、刁文懿憚於行役，冀上驚而止，乃夜射行宮，矢及寢庭者五； 皆以大逆論。 三月，戊辰，幸襄城宮，地既煩熱，復多毒蛇； 庚午，罷襄城宮，分賜百姓，免閻立德官。
When the emperor prepared to visit Luoyang, he ordered the crown prince to govern in his stead and left Right Vice Director Gao Shilian to assist him. On xinsi, while the party was at the hot springs, two guardsmen, Cui Qing and Diao Wenyi, dreading the hardships of the journey and hoping a scare would make the emperor turn back, shot into the traveling palace at night; five arrows fell in the imperial sleeping quarters. Both were sentenced for high treason. In the third month, on wuchen, he reached Xiangcheng Palace. The site was stiflingly hot and overrun with venomous snakes. On gengwu he abandoned the palace, divided its materials among the people, and dismissed Yan Lide from his post.
4
夏，四月，辛卯朔，詔以來年二月有事於泰山。
In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, an edict fixed the following year's second month for the Feng and Shan rites at Mount Tai.
5
上以近世陰陽雜書，訛偽尤多，命太常博士呂才與諸術士刊定可行者，凡四十七卷。 己酉，書成，上之； 才皆為之敘，質以經史。 其敘《宅經》，以為：「近世巫覡妄分五姓，如張、王為商，武、庾為羽，似取諧韻； 至於以柳為宮，以趙為角，又復不類。 或同出一姓，分屬宮商； 或複姓數字，莫辨征羽。 此則事不稽古，義理乖僻者也。」 敘《祿命》，以為：「祿命之書，多言或中，人乃信之。 然長平坑卒，未聞共犯三刑； 南陽貴士，何必俱當六合！ 今亦有同年同祿而貴賤懸殊，共命共胎而壽夭更異。 按魯莊公法應貧賤，又尪弱短陋，惟得長壽； 秦始皇法無官爵，縱得祿，少奴婢，為人無始有終； 漢武帝、後魏孝文帝皆法無官爵； 宋武帝祿與命並當空亡，唯宜長子，雖有次子，法當早夭； 此皆祿命不驗之著明者也。」 其敘《葬》，以為：「《孝經》云：『卜其宅兆而安厝之。』 蓋以窀穸既終，永安體魄，而朝市遷變，泉石交侵，不可前知，故謀之龜筮。 近代或選年月，或相墓田，以為一事失所，禍及死生。 按《禮》，天子、諸侯、大夫葬皆有月數。 是古人不擇年月也。 《春秋》：『九月丁巳，葬定公，雨，不克葬，戊午，日下昃，乃克葬。』 是不擇日也。 鄭葬簡公，司墓之室當路，毀之則朝而窆，不毀則日中而窆，子產不毀，是不擇時也。 古之葬者皆於國都之北，兆域有常處，是不擇地也。 今葬書以為子孫富貴、貧賤、壽夭，皆因卜葬所致。 夫子文為令尹而三已，柳下惠為士師而三黜，計其丘隴，未嘗改移。 而野俗無識，妖巫妄言，遂於擗踴之際，擇葬地而希官爵； 荼毒之秋，選葬時而規財利。 或雲辰日不可哭泣，遂莞爾而對弔客； 或雲同屬忌於臨壙，遂吉服不送其親。 傷教敗禮，莫斯為甚！」 術士皆惡其言，而識者皆以為確論。
Finding that recent books on yin-yang lore were riddled with error, the emperor ordered Lü Cai, Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and other experts to edit out what was usable, producing forty-seven volumes in all. On jiyou the work was finished and presented to the throne; Lü Cai wrote a preface for each section, weighing every claim against the classics and histories. In his preface to the Dwelling Classic he wrote: "Modern shamans arbitrarily assign the five tones to surnames—Zhang and Wang as Shang, Wu and Yu as Yu—as if by homophonic pun; yet when Liu is called Gong and Zhao Jue, the system collapses into nonsense. Or one surname is divided between Gong and Shang; or compound surnames of many characters make Zhi and Yu impossible to tell apart. Such practices have no basis in antiquity and their reasoning is absurd." In his preface to Fate and Office he wrote: "Books on destiny often hit upon a chance truth, and people then trust them. Yet of the men buried alive at Changping, none are said to have shared the same triple punishment; and why should every noble of Nanyang have borne the same sixfold conjunction! Even now people born in the same year with the same destiny chart may stand far apart in rank, and twins may differ utterly in lifespan. By the charts Duke Zhuang of Lu should have been poor and lowly, frail, weak, short, and homely—yet he lived long; Qin Shihuang's chart denied him rank and title; even with emolument he should have had few servants, and his life should have lacked a proper beginning and end; Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei likewise had charts denying them rank; Emperor Wu of Song had both emolument and fate in void—only an eldest son was indicated; though he had a second son, the chart said he should die young; these are all plain proofs that destiny charts do not work." In his preface to Burial he wrote: "The Classic of Filial Piety says, 'Divine the dwelling and auspicious site and lay the body to rest in peace. Once the grave is sealed the body may rest secure, but cities move and water and stone encroach—because the future cannot be known, one consults tortoise and milfoil. In recent times people pick years and months or survey grave plots, believing that one misstep brings disaster to the living and the dead. According to the Rites, the Son of Heaven, feudal lords, and grandees each had fixed intervals for burial. The ancients did not pick auspicious years and months. The Spring and Autumn Annals records: 'In the ninth month, on dingsi, they buried Duke Ding; rain fell and burial could not proceed; on wuwu, as the sun sank in the west, burial was finally completed.' They did not choose an auspicious day. When Zheng buried Duke Jian, a tomb-keeper's lodge blocked the road—destroy it and burial could be at dawn; leave it and burial would be at noon. Zichan left it standing: they did not choose the hour. Ancient burials lay north of the capital in fixed grave domains—they did not choose the site. Today's burial manuals claim that descendants' wealth, rank, poverty, and lifespan all depend on how the grave was divined. Ziwen thrice resigned as chief minister; Liuxia Hui thrice was dismissed as chief judge—yet their graves were never relocated. Yet the vulgar are ignorant and shamans talk nonsense, so amid mourning wails they pick grave sites hoping for office and rank; in the season of deepest grief they pick burial times scheming for profit. Some say one must not weep on chen days, and so they offer a thin smile to mourners; some say clansmen must avoid the grave-pit and so wear festive dress and refuse to escort their kin. Nothing does more harm to teaching and ritual than this!' The diviners all resented his words, but thoughtful men took them for solid truth.
6
丁巳，果毅都尉席君買帥精騎百二十，襲擊吐谷渾丞相宣王，破之，斬其兄弟三人。 初，丞相宣王專國政，陰謀襲弘化公主，劫其王諾曷缽奔吐蕃。 諾曷缽聞之，輕騎奔鄯善城，其臣威信王以兵迎之，故君買為之討誅宣王。 國人猶驚擾，遣戶部尚書唐儉等慰撫之。
On dingsi, Valiant Cavalry Commandant Xi Junmai led a hundred and twenty elite horsemen in a surprise raid on Tuyuhun's Chancellor King Xuan, routed him, and beheaded his three brothers. Earlier, Chancellor King Xuan had seized control of the state and secretly plotted to seize Princess Honghua and carry King Murong Nuohebo off to Tibet. Nuohebo heard of it and fled with a light escort to Shanshan; his minister King Weixin marched out to meet him, which is why Junmai was sent to punish King Xuan. The realm was still unsettled, so Tang Jian, Minister of Revenue, and others were sent to reassure the people.
7
五月，壬申，并州父老詣闕請上封泰山畢，還幸晉陽，上許之。
In the fifth month, on renshen, elders from Bingzhou petitioned the court that after the emperor performed the Feng rite at Mount Tai he should visit Jinyang again; the emperor agreed.
8
丙子，百濟來告其王扶餘璋之喪，遣使冊命其嗣子義慈。
On bingzi, Baekje announced the death of King Fuyu Zhang, and envoys were dispatched to invest his heir Yici.
9
己酉，有星孛於太微，太史令薛頤上言『未可東封』。 辛亥，起居郎褚遂良亦言之。 丙辰，詔罷封禪。 太子詹事于志寧遭母喪，尋起復就職。 太子治宮室，妨農功； 又好鄭、衛之樂； 志寧諫，不聽。 又寵暱宦官，常在左右，志寧上書，以為：「自易牙以來，宦官覆亡國家者非一。 今殿下親寵此屬，使陵易衣冠，不可長也。」 太子役使司馭等，半歲不許分番，又私引突厥達哥友入宮，志寧上書切諫，太子大怒，遣刺客張師政、紇干承基殺之。 二人入其第，見志寧寢處苫塊，竟不忍殺而止。
On jiyou a comet appeared in the Taiwei constellation, and Grand Astrologer Xue Yi submitted that the eastern Feng rite should not yet be performed. On xinhai, Attendant Gentleman Chu Suiliang said the same. On bingchen an edict canceled the Feng and Shan ceremonies. Yu Zhining, Administrator of the Crown Prince's Household, was in mourning for his mother but was soon recalled to duty. The crown prince built palaces and halls, disrupting the farming season; and favored the licentious music of Zheng and Wei; Zhining remonstrated, but the prince would not listen. He also doted on eunuchs and kept them always at his side. Zhining wrote: "Since Yiya, eunuchs have more than once brought states to ruin. Your Highness now favors such men personally and lets them trample on proper dress and rank—this cannot go on." The crown prince kept the Masters of Transport and others on duty for half a year without rotation, and secretly brought the Türk Dage You into the palace. Zhining wrote a sharp remonstrance. The prince was furious and sent assassins Zhang Shizheng and Qigan Chengji to kill him. The two entered his house, saw Zhining lying on the rough mourning mat, and in the end could not bring themselves to kill him and withdrew.
10
西突厥沙缽羅葉護可汗數遣使入貢。 秋，七月，甲戌，命左領軍將軍張大師持節即其所號立為可汗，賜以鼓纛。 上又命使者多繼金帛，歷諸國市良馬，魏徵諫曰：「可汗位未定而先市馬，彼必以為陛下志在市馬，以立可汗為名耳。 使可汗得立，荷德必淺； 若不得立，為怨實深。 諸國聞之，亦輕中國。 市或不得，得亦非美。 苟能使彼安寧，則諸國之馬，不求自至矣。」 上欣然止之。
The Western Türk khan Shaboluo Yehu sent tribute envoys repeatedly. In autumn, on the seventh month's jiaxu day, he ordered Left Army General Zhang Dashi to go with imperial credentials and invest him as khan under his existing title, granting drums and banners. The emperor also told the envoy to carry much gold and silk and buy fine horses as he passed through the western states. Wei Zheng remonstrated: "Before the khan's position is secure you are already buying horses—they will think Your Majesty cares only for horses and that investing a khan is merely a pretext. If the khan is established, his gratitude will be slight; if he is not, his resentment will run deep. The western states will also look down on China. You may fail to get the horses, and even if you succeed there is no glory in it. If you secure their peace, horses from every state will come without your asking." The emperor gladly canceled the plan.
11
乙毘咄陸可汗與沙缽羅葉護互相攻，乙毘咄陸浸強大，西域諸國多附之。 未幾，乙毘咄陸使石國吐屯擊沙缽羅葉護，擒之以歸，殺之。
Khan Yibi Duolu and Shaboluo Yehu fought each other; Yibi Duolu grew steadily stronger, and many Western Region states sided with him. Before long Yibi Duolu sent the Tuhun of Shiguo against Shaboluo Yehu, captured him, brought him back, and put him to death.
12
丙子，上指殿屋謂侍臣曰：「治天下如建此屋，營構既成，勿數改移； 苟易一榱，正一瓦，踐履動搖，必有所損。 若慕奇功，變法度，不恆其德，勞擾實多。」
On bingzi the emperor pointed at the palace hall and told his attendants: "Governing the realm is like building this hall. Once the frame stands, do not keep moving it; change one rafter or reset one tile and the trampling and shaking will surely do harm. If you chase marvels, change laws and institutions, and fail to keep your virtue steady, you will only multiply labor and turmoil."1
13
上遣職方郎中陳大德使高麗； 八月，己亥，自高麗還。 大德初入其境，欲知山川風俗，所至城邑，以綾綺遺其守者，曰：「吾雅好山水，此有勝處，吾欲觀之。」 守者喜，導之遊歷，無所不至，往往見中國人，自云「家在某郡，隋末從軍，沒於高麗，高麗妻以游女，與高麗錯居，殆將半矣。」 因問親戚存沒，大德紿之曰：「皆無恙。」 鹹涕泣相告。 數日後，隋人望之而哭者，遍於郊野。 大德言於上曰：「其國聞高昌亡，大懼，館候之勤，加於常數。」 上曰：「高麗本四郡地耳，吾發卒數萬攻遼東，彼必傾國救之。 別遣舟師出東萊，自海道趨平壤，水陸合勢，取之不難。 但山東州縣凋瘵未復，吾不欲勞之耳。」
The emperor sent Chen Dade, Attendant of the Bureau of Appointments, as envoy to Goryeo; in the eighth month, on jihai, he returned from Goryeo. When Dade first entered the country, wishing to learn its terrain and customs, he gave brocades to the keeper of every city he reached, saying, "I have always loved scenery; there are fine sights here I wish to see." The keepers were delighted and guided him everywhere. He often met Chinese who said, "My home is in such-and-such a commandery. I followed the army at the end of Sui and was stranded in Goryeo. They gave me a local woman as wife, and I now live half among Chinese and half among Koreans." He asked after their kin, and Dade told them, "All are well." They wept and told one another the news. Within days, Sui exiles who saw him and wept were everywhere in town and field. Dade told the emperor, "They heard that Gaochang had fallen and were terrified; their hospitality was more lavish than ever." The emperor said, "Goryeo is only the old territory of four commanderies. If I send tens of thousands of men against Liaodong, they will throw the whole kingdom into the defense. Send a fleet from Donglai by sea against Pyongyang, and with land and sea forces combined, victory would not be difficult. But the eastern provinces are still exhausted from war, and I do not wish to burden them further."2
14
乙巳，上謂侍臣曰：「朕有二喜一懼。 比年豐稔，長安斗粟直三、四錢，一喜也； 北虜久服，邊鄙無虞，二喜也。 治安則驕侈易生，驕侈則危亡立至，此一懼也。」
On yisi the emperor told his attendants, "I have two reasons for joy and one for fear. Harvests have been abundant in recent years, and in Chang'an a dou of grain costs only three or four cash—that is the first joy; the northern barbarians have long submitted, and the frontier is secure—that is the second. In peace arrogance and extravagance easily arise, and arrogance and extravagance bring ruin swiftly—that is my fear."3
15
冬，十月，辛卯，上校獵伊闕； 壬辰，幸嵩陽； 辛丑，還宮。
In winter, on the tenth month's xinmao day, the emperor hunted at Yique Gorge; on renchen he visited Songyang; on xinchou he returned to the palace.
16
并州大都督長史李世勣在州十六年，令行禁止，民夷懷服。 上曰：「隋煬帝勞百姓，築長城以備突厥，卒無所益。 朕唯置李世勣於晉陽而邊塵不驚，其為長城，豈不壯哉！」 十一月，庚申，以世勣為兵部尚書。
Li Shiji had served sixteen years as chief secretary at Bingzhou. His orders were obeyed without exception, and both Chinese and non-Chinese peoples were loyal to him. The emperor said, "Emperor Yang of Sui exhausted the people building the Great Wall against the Turks, and in the end it did no good. I have only stationed Li Shiji at Jinyang, and the frontier is quiet. As a living Great Wall, is that not far more imposing!" In the eleventh month, on gengshen, Shiji was appointed Minister of War.
17
壬申，車駕西歸長安。
On renshen the emperor returned west to Chang'an.
18
薛延陀真珠可汗聞上將東封，謂其下曰：「天子封泰山，士馬皆從，邊境必虛，我以此時取思摩，如拉朽耳。」 乃命其子大度設發同羅、僕骨、回紇、靺鞨、□等兵合二十萬，度漠南，屯白道川，據善陽嶺以擊突厥。 俟利苾可汗不能御，帥部落入長城，保朔州，遣使告急。
When the Xueyantuo khan Zhenzhu heard that the emperor would perform the eastern Feng rite, he told his followers, "When the Son of Heaven goes to Mount Tai, troops and horses will all go with him and the border will be bare. If we seize Simo then, it will be like pulling apart rotten timber." He then ordered his son Dadu She to raise Tongluo, Pugu, Uyghur, Mohe, and allied troops—two hundred thousand in all—to cross south of the desert, camp on the White Road River, and seize Shanyang Ridge to attack the Turks. Khan Heli Bo could not hold them off. He led his tribes inside the Great Wall to defend Shuozhou and sent envoys begging for help.
19
癸酉，上命營州都督張儉帥所部騎兵及奚、□、契丹壓其東境； 以兵部尚書李世勣為朔州道行軍總管，將兵六萬，騎千二百，屯羽方； 右衛大將軍李大亮為靈州道行軍總管，將兵四萬，騎五千，屯靈武； 右屯衛大將軍張士貴將兵一萬七千，為慶州道行軍總管，出雲中； 涼州都督李襲譽為涼州道行軍總管，出其西。
On guiyou the emperor ordered Zhang Jian, Protector-General of Yingzhou, to lead his cavalry and the Xi, allied tribes, and Khitan against their eastern flank; he named Minister of War Li Shiji Grand Marshal of the Shuozhou Route with sixty thousand men and twelve hundred cavalry, camped at Yufang; General of the Right Guard Li Daliang Grand Marshal of the Lingzhou Route with forty thousand men and five thousand cavalry, camped at Lingwu; General of the Right Garrison Zhang Shigui with seventeen thousand men as Grand Marshal of the Qingzhou Route, advancing from Yunzhong; Protector-General of Liangzhou Li Xiyu as Grand Marshal of the Liangzhou Route, striking from the west.
20
諸將辭行，上戒之曰：「薛延陀負其強盛，逾漠而南，行數千里，馬已疲瘦。 凡用兵之道，見利速進，不利速退。 薛延陀不能掩思摩不備，急擊之，思摩入長城，又不速退。 吾已敕思摩燒剃秋草，彼糧糗日盡，野無所獲。 頃偵者來，雲其馬嚙林木枝皮略盡。 卿等當與思摩共為掎角，不須速戰，俟其將退，一時奮擊，破之必矣。」
As the generals departed, the emperor warned them: "The Xueyantuo trust in their strength. They have crossed the desert southward and marched thousands of li—their horses are already worn and thin. In war, when advantage appears, advance quickly; when it does not, withdraw quickly. The Xueyantuo failed to catch Simo unprepared and strike quickly. Simo entered the Great Wall, yet they did not withdraw promptly. I have already ordered Simo to burn and graze off the autumn grass. Their stores dwindle daily, and the steppe offers them nothing. Scouts have just reported that their horses have stripped the bark from trees. You should coordinate with Simo in a pincer. Do not fight too soon. Wait until they are about to retreat, then strike together with full force, and you will surely destroy them."4
21
十二月，戊子，車駕至京師。
In the twelfth month, on wuzi, the emperor reached the capital.
22
己亥，薛延陀遣使入見，請與突厥和親。 甲辰，李世勣敗薛延陀於諾真水。 初，薛延陀擊西突厥沙缽羅及阿史那社爾，皆以步戰取勝； 及將入寇，乃大教步戰，使五人為伍，一人執馬，四人前戰，戰勝則授以馬追奔。 於是大度設將三萬騎逼長城，欲擊突厥，而思摩已走，知不可得，遣人登城罵之。 會李世勣引唐兵至，塵埃漲天，大度設懼，將其眾自赤柯濼北走。 世勣選麾下及突厥精騎六千自直道邀之，逾白道川，追及於青山。 大度設走累日，至諾真水，勒兵還戰，陳亙十里。 突厥先與之戰，不勝，還走。 大度設乘勝追之，遇唐兵。 薛延陀萬矢俱發，唐馬多死。 世勣命士卒皆下馬，執長槊直前衝之。 薛延陀眾潰，副總管薛萬徹以數千騎收其執馬者。 薛延陀失馬，不知所為，唐兵縱擊，斬首三千餘級，捕虜五萬餘人。 大度設脫身走，萬徹追之不及。 其眾至漠北，值大雪，人畜凍死者什八九。
On jihai the Xueyantuo sent envoys to court seeking a marriage alliance with the Turks. On jiachen Li Shiji defeated the Xueyantuo at the Nuozhen River. Earlier, when the Xueyantuo fought the Western Türks Shaboluo and Ashina She'er, they had won by infantry tactics; and before this invasion they trained heavily in infantry tactics: five men to a squad, one holding the horses while four fought on foot, and when victorious they mounted to pursue. Dadu She then led thirty thousand horsemen to the Great Wall intending to strike the Turks, but Simo had already fled. Knowing he could not catch him, he sent men onto the wall to hurl abuse. Just then Li Shiji arrived with Tang troops, dust filling the sky. Dadu She was terrified and fled north from Chike Marsh with his army. Shiji selected six thousand elite horsemen from his own troops and the Turks, intercepted them by the direct route, crossed the White Road River, and caught them at Qingshan. Dadu She fled for days until he reached the Nuozhen River, halted, turned to fight, and formed a battle line ten li long. The Turks attacked first, were defeated, and fled. Dadu She pursued in triumph and ran into Tang forces. The Xueyantuo loosed ten thousand arrows at once, and many Tang horses fell. Shiji ordered his men to dismount, take long spears, and charge straight in. The Xueyantuo ranks broke. Vice Grand Marshal Xue Wanche with several thousand horsemen seized those holding their mounts. Stripped of their horses, the Xueyantuo did not know what to do. Tang troops pressed the attack, taking more than three thousand heads and over fifty thousand captives. Dadu She escaped, and Wanche could not catch him. His army reached the northern desert, where heavy snow killed eight or nine tenths of men and livestock.
23
李世勣還軍定襄，突厥思結部居五台者叛走，州兵追之； 會世勣軍還，夾擊，悉誅之。
Li Shiji returned to Dingxiang. The Türk Sijie tribe at Wutai rebelled and fled, and prefectural troops pursued them; when Shiji's army returned, they attacked from both sides and killed them all.
24
丙子，薛延陀使者辭還，上謂之曰：「吾約汝與突厥以大漠為界，有相侵者，我則討之。 汝自恃其強，逾漠攻突厥。 李世勣所將才數千騎耳，汝已狼狽如此！ 歸語可汗：凡舉措利害，可善擇其宜。」
On bingzi, as the Xueyantuo envoy prepared to leave, the emperor told him, "I agreed with you and the Turks to take the great desert as your boundary. Whoever encroaches, I will punish. You trusted in your strength, crossed the desert, and attacked the Turks. Li Shiji led only a few thousand horsemen, yet you were already routed like this! Go back and tell your khan: in everything he does, let him weigh benefit and harm and choose wisely."5
25
上問魏徵：「比來朝臣何殊不論事！」 對曰：「陛下虛心採納，必有言者。 凡臣徇國者寡，愛身者多，彼畏罪，故不言耳。」 上曰：「然。 人臣關說忤旨，動及刑誅，與夫蹈湯火冒白刃者亦何異哉！ 是以禹拜昌言，良為此也。」 房玄齡、高士廉遇少府少監竇德素於路，問：「北門近何營繕？」 德素奏之。 上怒，讓玄齡等曰：「君但知南牙政事，北門小營繕，何預君事！」 玄齡等拜謝。 魏徵進曰：「臣不知陛下何以責玄齡等，而玄齡等亦何所謝！ 玄齡等為陛下股肱耳目，於中外事豈有不應知者！ 使所營為是，當助陛下成之； 為非，當請陛下罷之。 問於有司，理則宜然。 不知何罪而責，亦何罪而謝也！」 上甚愧之。
The emperor asked Wei Zheng, "Why have court ministers lately been so reluctant to speak on state affairs!" He replied, "If Your Majesty truly welcomes counsel, men will speak. Most ministers cherish their own safety more than the state. They fear punishment, and so they keep silent." The emperor said, "That is so. When a minister remonstrates and offends the throne, he often faces execution. How is that different from walking through fire or facing naked blades! That is why Yu bowed to good counsel." Fang Xuanling and Gao Shilian met Vice Director of the Palace Storehouse Dou Desu on the road and asked, "What construction has there been lately at the North Gate?" Desu reported this to the throne. The emperor was angry and rebuked Xuanling and the others: "You need only know the affairs of the Southern Yamen. What has a small repair at the North Gate to do with you!" Xuanling and the others bowed in apology. Wei Zheng stepped forward and said, "I do not know why Your Majesty reproaches Xuanling and the others, nor what they should apologize for! Xuanling and the others are Your Majesty's arms, legs, eyes, and ears. Is there anything within or without the court they ought not to know! If the work is right, they should help Your Majesty complete it; if it is wrong, they should ask Your Majesty to stop it. To ask the responsible offices is exactly what they should do. I do not know what crime warrants reproach, nor what crime warrants apology!" The emperor was deeply ashamed.
26
上嘗臨朝謂侍臣曰：「朕為人主，常兼將相之事。」 給事中張行成退而上書，以為：「禹不矜伐而天下莫與之爭。 陛下撥亂反正，群臣誠不足望清光； 然不必臨朝言之。 以萬乘之尊，乃與群臣校功爭能，臣竊為陛下不取。」 上甚善之。
The emperor once told his attendants at court, "As ruler I often take on the work of generals and ministers myself." Attendant Gentleman Zhang Xingcheng withdrew and wrote: "Yu did not boast of his achievements, and none under Heaven contended with him. Your Majesty has settled chaos and restored order, and your ministers truly cannot compare with you; yet there is no need to say so in open court. For the lord of ten thousand chariots to measure merit and compete in ability with his ministers—I venture to think this unworthy of Your Majesty." The emperor greatly approved.
27
春，正月，乙丑，魏王泰上《括地誌》。 泰好學，司馬蘇勖說泰，以古之賢王皆招士著書，故泰奏請修之。 於是大開館舍，廣延時俊，人物輻湊，門庭如市。 泰月給逾於太子，諫議大夫褚遂良上疏，以為：「聖人制禮，尊嫡卑庶，世子用物不會，與王者共之。 庶子雖愛，不得逾嫡，所以塞嫌疑之漸，除禍亂之源也。 若當親者疏，當尊者卑，則佞巧之奸，乘機而動矣。 昔漢竇太后寵梁孝王，卒以憂死； 宣帝寵淮陽憲王，亦幾至於敗。 今魏王新出閣，宜示以禮則，訓以謙儉，乃為良器，此所謂『聖人之教不肅而成』者也。」 上從之。
In spring, on the first month's chou day, Prince of Wei Li Tai presented the Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Realm. Tai loved learning. His chief secretary Su Xu urged him that ancient worthy kings all gathered scholars and wrote books, so Tai petitioned to compile one. He opened great halls, invited talented men from far and wide, and scholars flocked to him until his gates were like a marketplace. Tai's monthly allowance exceeded the crown prince's. Remonstrance Grandee Chu Suiliang wrote: "The sages established ritual to honor the primary heir and keep secondary sons below him. The heir apparent's allowance does not equal the king's, yet he shares the king's station. A secondary son may be loved, but he must not surpass the primary heir. That blocks suspicion before it grows and removes the source of turmoil. If those who should be close are kept distant and those who should be honored are lowered, crafty flatterers will seize their chance. Under Han, Empress Dowager Dou favored Prince Xiao of Liang, and he died of grief; Emperor Xuan favored Prince Xian of Huaiyang, and the state nearly fell. The Prince of Wei has only lately left the palace. He should be shown ritual propriety and taught humility and frugality. Then he will become fine material. This is what is meant by 'the sage's teaching completes without severity.'" The emperor agreed.
28
上又令泰徙居武德殿。 魏徵上疏，以為：「陛下愛魏王，常欲使之安全，宜每抑其驕奢，不處嫌疑之地。 今移居此殿，乃在東宮之西，海陵昔嘗居之，時人不以為可； 雖時異事異，然亦恐魏王之心不敢安息也。」 上曰：「幾致此誤。」 遽遣泰歸第。
The emperor also ordered Tai to move to Wude Hall. Wei Zheng wrote: "Your Majesty loves the Prince of Wei and wishes to keep him safe. You should constantly restrain his pride and extravagance and not place him in a suspicious position. Moving him to this hall places it west of the Eastern Palace. Prince of Hailing once lived there, and men of the time thought it unfitting; though times differ, I still fear the Prince of Wei's heart will not rest easy." The emperor said, "I nearly made this mistake. He promptly sent Tai back to his own residence.
29
辛未，徙死罪者實西州，其犯流徒則充戍，各以罪輕重為年限。
On xinwei those sentenced to death were sent to populate Xizhou. Those sentenced to exile or penal servitude were sent to garrison duty, with terms set according to the severity of the crime.
30
敕天下括浮游無籍者，限來年末附華。
An edict ordered the realm to register vagrants without household registers and required them to attach to a household by the end of the coming year.
31
以兼中書侍郎岑文本為中書侍郎，專知機密。
Concurrent Vice Director of the Secretariat Cen Wuben was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat with sole charge of confidential matters.
32
夏，四月，壬子，上謂諫議大夫褚遂良曰； 「卿猶知起居注，所書可得觀乎？」 對曰：「史官書人君言動，備記善惡，庶幾人君不敢為非，未聞自取而觀之也！」 上曰：「朕有不善，卿亦記之邪？」 對曰：「臣職當載筆，不敢不記。」 黃門侍郎劉洎曰：「借使遂良不記，天下亦皆記之。」 上曰：「誠然。」
In summer, on the fourth month's renzi day, the emperor said to Remonstrance Grandee Chu Suiliang: "You still keep the Daily Records. May I see what is written?" He replied, "Historians record the ruler's words and deeds, noting good and evil so that the ruler will not dare do wrong. I have never heard of the ruler taking the records to read them himself!" The emperor said, "If I do wrong, will you record that too?" He replied, "It is my duty to bear the brush. I dare not fail to record." Yellow Gate Vice Director Liu Ji said, "Even if Suiliang did not record it, all under Heaven would." The emperor said, "That is true."6
33
六月，庚寅，詔息隱王可追復皇太子，海陵剌王元吉追封巢王，謚並依舊。
In the sixth month, on gengyin, an edict posthumously restored the deceased Prince of Yin as crown prince and enfeoffed the deceased Prince of Hailing Yuanji as Prince of Chao, with their former posthumous titles.
34
甲辰，詔自今皇太子出用庫物，所司勿為限制。 於是太子發取無度，左庶子張玄素上書，以為：「周武帝平定山東，隋文帝混一江南，勤儉愛民，皆為令主； 有子不肖，卒亡宗祀。 聖上以殿下親則父子，事兼家國，所應用物不為節限，恩旨未逾六旬，用物已過七萬，驕奢之極，孰雲過此！ 況宮臣正士，未嘗在側； 群邪淫巧，暱近深宮。 在外瞻仰，已有此失； 居中隱密，寧可勝計！ 苦藥利病，苦言利行，伏惟居安思危，日慎一日。」 太子惡其書，令戶奴伺玄素早朝，密以大馬棰擊之，幾斃。
On jiachen an edict declared that from now on the crown prince's use of storehouse goods should not be restricted by the responsible offices. “The crown prince was spending without restraint. Zhang Xuansu, Left Assistant to the Heir Apparent, submitted a memorial arguing that Emperor Wu of Zhou, who pacified Shandong, and Emperor Wen of Sui, who united the south, were both frugal rulers who loved the people—true model sovereigns; yet each had worthless heirs and in the end lost their dynasties. Your father the emperor treats you as both son and heir, with duties that span household and realm, yet there is no limit on what you spend. His grace has not yet reached sixty days, and you have already consumed more than seventy thousand—who could call this anything but the height of arrogance and waste! Moreover, upright palace officials and worthy counselors are never at your side; while a crowd of wicked sycophants and schemers nestle deep inside the palace. Those who observe you from outside already see these failings; and what is concealed within the palace walls—who can even number it! Bitter medicine cures sickness, and blunt counsel improves conduct. I beg you to live at ease yet think of danger, and grow more careful with each passing day." The crown prince hated the memorial. He had household slaves watch for Xuansu at dawn court and secretly beat him with a heavy horsewhip, nearly killing him.
35
秋，七月，戊午，以長孫無忌為司徒，房玄齡為司空。
In autumn, in the seventh month, on wuwu, Zhangsun Wuji was appointed Grand Tutor and Fang Xuanling Minister of Works.
36
庚申，制：「自今有自傷殘者，據法加罪，仍從賦役。」 隋末賦役重數，人往往自折支體，謂之「福手」、「福足」； 至是遺風猶存，故禁之。
On gengshen an edict declared: "From now on, anyone who mutilates himself shall be punished under the law and still be liable for taxes and corvée. At the end of the Sui dynasty taxes and labor levies were crushing, and people often broke their own limbs, calling the injury a "lucky hand" or "lucky foot"; the custom still lingered, and so it was now banned.
37
特進魏徵有疾，上手詔問之，且言：「不見數日，朕過多矣。 今欲自往，恐益為勞。 若有聞見，可封狀進來。」 征上言：「比者弟子陵師，奴婢忽主，下多輕上，皆有為而然，漸不可長。」 又言：「陛下臨朝，常以至公為言，退而行之，未免私僻。 或畏人知，橫加威怒，欲蓋彌彰，竟有何益！」 征宅無堂，上命輟小殿之材以構之，五日而成，仍賜以素屏風、素褥、幾、杖等以遂其所尚。 征上表謝，上手詔稱：「處卿至此，蓋為黎元與國家，豈為一人，何事過謝！」
Senior Grand Master Wei Zheng fell ill. The emperor personally wrote to ask after him, saying, "I have not seen you for days, and my faults have piled up. I want to visit you myself, but I fear that would only tire you more. If you have anything to report, seal a memorial and send it to me." Zheng replied: "Lately pupils have insulted their teachers, servants have defied their masters, and subordinates everywhere slight their superiors. These things are done on purpose, and the trend must not be allowed to spread. He also wrote: "Your Majesty speaks of perfect fairness at court, but in private your actions still show favoritism. Sometimes, fearing exposure, you lash out in rage—trying to hide the truth only makes it plainer. What good does that do?" Zheng's house had no main hall. The emperor ordered timber meant for a small palace diverted to build one; it was finished in five days. He also gave plain screens, plain bedding, a table, and a staff to match Zheng's austere tastes. Zheng sent a letter of thanks. The emperor replied in his own hand: "I treated you this way for the people and the realm, not for one man alone. Why thank me so profusely!"7
38
八月，丁酉，上曰：「當今國家何事最急？」 諫議大夫褚遂良曰：「今四方無虞，唯太子、諸王宜有定分最急。」 上曰：「此言是也。」 時太子承乾失德，魏王泰有寵，群臣日有疑議，上聞而惡之，謂侍臣曰：「方今群臣，忠直無逾魏徵，我遣傅太子，用絕天下之疑。」 九月，丁巳，以魏徵為太子太師。 征疾小愈，詣朝堂表辭，上手詔諭以「周幽、晉獻，廢嫡立庶，危國亡家。 漢高祖幾廢太子，賴四皓然後安。 我今賴公，即其義也。 知公疾病，可臥護之。」 征乃受詔。
In the eighth month, on dingyou, the emperor asked, "What is the most urgent matter facing the state today?" Remonstrance Counselor Chu Suiliang answered: "The realm is at peace on every side. The most urgent need is to fix the proper standing of the crown prince and the imperial princes." The emperor said, "You are right." Crown Prince Chengqian had fallen into misconduct, while Prince Tai of Wei enjoyed the emperor's favor, and the court buzzed daily with speculation. The emperor heard of it with distaste and told his attendants, "Among all my ministers today, none is more loyal and upright than Wei Zheng. I will appoint him tutor to the crown prince and put an end to the realm's suspicions." In the ninth month, on dingsi, Wei Zheng was appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. When Zheng had partly recovered, he went to court to resign. The emperor wrote back: "King You of Zhou and Duke Xian of Jin deposed the rightful heir and installed a younger son—and brought their states to ruin. Emperor Gaozu of Han nearly deposed his heir as well, and only the Four Hoaryheads of Mount Shang kept the succession secure. I now rely on you in the same way. Since you are ill, you may tutor him from your bed." Zheng then accepted the appointment.
39
癸亥，薛延陀真珠可汗遣其叔父沙缽羅泥孰俟斤來請昏，獻馬三千，貂皮三萬八千，馬腦鏡一。
On guihai, Khan Zhenzhu of the Xueyantuo sent his uncle Shaboluo Niqihoujin to seek a marriage alliance, offering three thousand horses, thirty-eight thousand sable pelts, and one agate mirror.
40
癸酉，以涼州都督郭孝恪行安西都護、西州刺史，高昌舊民與鎮兵及謫徙者雜居西州，孝恪推誠撫御，鹹得其歡心。
On guiyou, Guo Xiaoke, Protector-General of Liangzhou, was named Acting Protector of Anxi and Prefect of Xizhou. Former Gaochang subjects, garrison troops, and penal exiles were settled together at Xizhou. Xiaoke governed them with sincerity and won them all over.
41
西突厥乙毘咄陸可汗既殺沙缽羅葉護，並其眾，又擊吐火羅，滅之。 自恃強大，遂驕倨，拘留唐使者，侵暴西域，遣兵寇伊州； 郭孝恪將輕騎二千自烏骨邀擊，敗之。 乙毘咄陸又遣處月、處密二部圍天山； 孝恪擊走之，乘勝進拔處月俟斤所居城，追奔至遏索山，降處密之眾而歸。
The Western Türk khan Yiboduolu had killed the yabghu Shaboluo, absorbed his followers, and then marched against Tuhuoluo and destroyed it. Confident in his power, he grew arrogant. He detained Tang envoys, terrorized the Western Regions, and sent troops to raid Yizhou; Guo Xiaoke led two thousand light cavalry from Wugu to intercept them and won a victory. Yiboduolu then sent the Chuyue and Chumi tribes to besiege Tianshan; Xiaoke drove them off, pressed the attack, and captured the Chuyue chieftain's city. He pursued the fleeing enemy to Esuo Mountain, accepted the surrender of the Chumi tribes, and returned.
42
初，高昌既平，歲發兵千餘人戍守其地。 褚遂良上疏，以為：「聖王為治，先華夏而後夷狄。 陛下興兵取高昌，數郡蕭然，累年不復； 歲調千餘人屯戍，遠去鄉里，破產辦裝。 又謫徙罪人，皆無賴子弟，適足騷擾邊鄙，豈能有益行陳！ 所遣多復逃亡，徒煩追捕。 加以道塗所經，沙磧千里，冬風如割，夏風如焚，行人往來，遇之多死。 設使張掖、酒泉有烽燧之警，陛下豈得高昌一夫斗粟之用？ 終當發隴右諸州兵食以赴之耳。 然則河西者，中國之心腹； 高昌者，他人之手足； 奈何糜弊本根以事無用之土乎！ 且陛下得突厥、吐谷渾，皆不有其地，為之立君長以撫之，高昌獨不得與為比乎！ 叛而執之，服而封之，刑莫威焉，德莫厚焉。 願更擇高昌子弟可立者，使君其國，子子孫孫，負荷大恩，永為唐室籓輔，內安外寧，不亦善乎！」 上弗聽。 及西突厥入寇，上悔之，曰：「魏徵、褚遂良勸我復立高昌，吾不用其言，今方自咎耳。」
After Gaochang was conquered, the court sent more than a thousand troops each year to garrison the region. “Chu Suiliang submitted a memorial arguing that a sage ruler should put the civilized heartland first and the frontier peoples second. Your Majesty raised armies to seize Gaochang, and several commanderies were left desolate for years without recovery; each year more than a thousand men are levied for garrison duty, sent far from home, and ruined by the cost of outfitting themselves. The exiled convicts sent there are worthless ruffians who only harass the frontier. How can they strengthen the ranks of battle! Most of those sent desert anyway, wasting effort on pursuit and capture. The route crosses a thousand li of desert. Winter winds cut like knives; summer winds scorch like fire. Travelers on the road mostly die along the way. If Zhangye or Jiuquan were threatened by beacon alarm, could Your Majesty obtain even one soldier or one dou of grain from Gaochang? You would still have to mobilize troops and grain from the Longyou commanderies to meet the crisis. The Hexi corridor is the heartland of the empire; while Gaochang is no more than another's limb. Why exhaust the root to hold useless ground! When Your Majesty subdued the Turks and Tuyuhun, you did not keep their lands but installed chieftains to govern them. Cannot Gaochang be treated the same way? Seize rebels and enfeoff those who submit—no punishment is more awe-inspiring, and no grace is more generous. I beg Your Majesty to choose a worthy Gaochang prince, restore him to rule his own land, and let his descendants, grateful for your grace, serve forever as a Tang vassal. Inner peace and outer security—would that not be best?" The emperor would not listen. When the Western Turks invaded, the emperor regretted his decision and said, "Wei Zheng and Chu Suiliang urged me to restore Gaochang. I ignored them, and now I blame myself."8
43
乙毘咄陸西擊康居，道過米國，破之。 虜獲甚多，不分與其下，其將泥孰啜輒奪取之，乙毘咄陸怒，斬泥孰啜以徇，眾皆憤怨。 泥孰啜部將胡祿屋襲擊之，乙毘咄陸眾散，走保白水胡城。 於是弩失畢諸部及乙毘咄陸所部屋利啜等遣使詣闕，請廢乙毘咄陸，更立可汗。 上遣使繼璽書，立莫賀咄之子為乙毘射匱可汗。 乙毘射匱既立，悉禮遣乙毘咄陸所留唐使者，帥諸部擊乙毘咄陸於白水胡城。 乙毘咄陸出兵擊之，乙毘射匱大敗。 乙毘咄陸遣使招其故部落，故部落皆曰：「使我千人戰死，一人獨存，亦不汝從！」 乙毘咄陸自知不為眾所附，乃西奔吐火羅。
Yiboduolu marched west against Kangju, and on the way destroyed the state of Mi. The spoils were great, but he shared none with his men. His general Nishouzhuo seized loot for himself. Yiboduolu was furious and executed him as an example, and the whole army seethed with resentment. Nishouzhuo's tribal officer Holuwu attacked him. Yiboduolu's forces scattered, and he fled to hold Baishui Hucheng. The Nushibi tribes and Yiboduolu's own officer Wulichuo then sent envoys to court asking that Yiboduolu be deposed and a new khan installed. The emperor sent envoys bearing successive imperial seals and installed Mohuduo's son as Khan Yibishegui. Once Yibishegui was enthroned, he courteously released all Tang envoys held by Yiboduolu and led the tribes to attack him at Baishui Hucheng. Yiboduolu marched out to fight him and routed Yibishegui completely. Yiboduolu sent envoys to win back his old tribes. They all replied, "Even if a thousand of us die in battle and only one survives, we still will not follow you!" Knowing he had lost the people's support, Yiboduolu fled west to Tuhuoluo.
44
冬，十月，丙申，殿中監郢縱公宇文士及卒。 上嘗止樹下，愛之，士及從而譽之不已，上正色曰：「魏徵常勸我遠佞人，我不知佞人為誰，意疑是汝，今果不謬！」 士及叩頭謝。
In winter, in the tenth month, on bingshen, Yuwen Shiji, Palace Director and Duke of Yingzong, passed away. The emperor once stopped beneath a tree he admired. Shiji followed and praised it endlessly. The emperor's face hardened. "Wei Zheng often urged me to keep flatterers at a distance. I did not know who the flatterer was—I suspected you—and now I see I was right!" Shiji kowtowed in apology.
45
上謂侍臣曰：「薛延陀屈強漠北，今御之止有二策，苟非發兵殄滅之，則與之婚姻以撫之耳。 二者何從？」 房玄齡對曰：「中國新定，兵凶戰危，臣以為和親便。」 上曰：「然。 朕為民父母，苟可利之，何愛一女！」
The emperor told his attendants, "The Xueyantuo are powerful north of the desert. We have only two ways to deal with them: destroy them by force, or pacify them with a marriage alliance. Which shall we choose?" Fang Xuanling answered, "The realm has only just been pacified, and war is perilous. I believe a marriage alliance is the better course." The emperor said, "Agreed. I am father and mother to the people. If one daughter can serve the common good, why should I grudge her!"9
46
先是，左領軍將軍契苾何力母姑臧夫人及弟賀蘭州都督沙門皆在涼州，上遣何力歸覲，且撫其部落。 時薛延陀方強，契苾部落皆欲歸之，何力大驚曰：「主上厚恩如是，奈何遽為叛逆！」 其徒曰：「夫人、都督先已詣彼，若之何不往！」 何力曰：「沙門孝於親，我忠於君，必不汝從。」 其徒執之詣薛延陀，置真珠牙帳前。 何力箕踞，拔佩刀東向大呼曰：「豈有唐烈士而受屈虜庭，天地日月，願知我心！」 因割左耳以誓。 真珠欲殺之，其妻諫而止。
Earlier, Left Guard General Qibi Heli's mother, Lady Guzang, and his younger brother Shamen, Protector-General of Helan, had both been at Liangzhou. The emperor sent Heli home to visit them and reassure his tribe. The Xueyantuo were then at their height, and the Qibi tribes all wanted to join them. Heli cried out in alarm, "The emperor has shown us such great favor—how can we turn rebel so quickly!" His followers said, "Your mother and brother have already gone over to them. Why should we not follow!" Heli said, "Shamen honors his kin; I honor my sovereign. I will never follow you." They seized him and carried him to the Xueyantuo, setting him before Khan Zhenzhu's royal tent. Heli sat sprawled, drew his dagger, faced east, and shouted, "How can a loyal soldier of Tang bow in a barbarian court! Heaven and earth, sun and moon—bear witness to my heart!" Then he cut off his left ear as a vow. Zhenzhu wanted to kill him, but his wife dissuaded him.
47
上聞契苾叛，曰：「必非何力之意。」 左右曰：「戎狄氣類相親，何力入薛延陀，如魚趨水耳。」 上曰：「不然。 何力心如鐵石，必不叛我！」 會有使者自薛延陀來，具言其狀，上為之下泣，謂左右曰：「何力果如何！」 即命兵部侍郎崔敦禮持節諭薛延陀，以新興公主妻之，以求何力。 何力由是得還，拜右驍衛大將軍。
When the emperor heard that the Qibi had rebelled, he said, "This cannot be Heli's doing. Those around him said, "Barbarians naturally flock together. Heli has gone to the Xueyantuo like a fish to water." The emperor said, "No. Heli's heart is iron and stone. He will never betray me!" Just then an envoy arrived from the Xueyantuo with a full account. The emperor wept and told his attendants, "See how steadfast Heli truly is!" He immediately ordered Vice Minister of War Cui Dunli to go with imperial credentials and tell the Xueyantuo that Princess Xinxing would be given in marriage if Heli were returned. Heli was thus restored to the court and appointed General of the Right Valiant Cavalry.
48
十一月，丙辰，上校獵於武功。 丁巳，營州都督張儉奏高麗東部大人泉蓋蘇文弒其王武。 蓋蘇文凶暴，多不法，其王及大臣議誅之。 蓋蘇文密知之，悉集部兵若校閱者，並盛陳酒饌於城南，召諸大臣共臨視，勒兵盡殺之，死者百餘人。 因馳入宮，手弒其王，斷為數段，棄溝中，立王弟子藏為王； 自為莫離支，其官如中國吏部兼兵部尚書也。 於是號令遠近，專制國事。 蓋蘇文狀貌雄偉，意氣豪逸，身佩五刀，左右莫敢仰視。 每上下馬，常令貴人、武將伏地而履之。 出行必整隊伍，前導者長呼，則人皆奔迸，不避坑谷，路絕行者，國人甚苦之。
In the eleventh month, on bingchen, the emperor hunted at Wugong. On dingsi, Zhang Jian, Protector-General of Yingzhou, reported that Gaesomun, a Goryeo eastern grandee of the Cheon clan, had murdered King Yeong. Gaesomun was brutal and lawless. The king and his ministers discussed putting him to death. Gaesomun learned of the plot. He gathered his tribal troops as if for a review, laid out a lavish feast south of the city, and summoned the ministers to watch. Then he ordered his soldiers to slaughter them all—more than a hundred dead. He then galloped into the palace, killed the king with his own hand, cut the body into pieces, and threw them into a ditch. He set the king's nephew Jang on the throne; and made himself Molichu, an office combining the roles of Minister of Personnel and Minister of War in the Tang bureaucracy. From then on he ruled by decree throughout the land and held sole control of state affairs. Gaesomun was tall and imposing, bold in manner, and wore five swords at his belt. No one beside him dared meet his gaze. Whenever he mounted or dismounted, he made nobles and generals lie flat so he could step on their backs. Whenever he went abroad he marched in strict formation. When the vanguard shouted, everyone fled headlong, heedless of pits and cliffs. Roads were cleared of travelers, and the people suffered terribly under him.
49
壬戌，上校獵於岐陽，因幸慶善宮，召武功故老宴賜，極歡而罷。 庚午，還京師。
On renxu the emperor held a formal hunt at Qiyang, then visited Qingshan Palace and feasted the elders of Wugong with lavish gifts before dispersing in high spirits. On gengwu he returned to Chang'an.
50
壬申，上曰：「朕為兆民之主，皆欲使之富貴。 若教以禮義，使之少敬長、婦敬夫，則皆貴矣。 輕徭薄斂，使之各治生業。 則皆富矣。 若家給人足，朕雖不聽管弦，樂在其中矣。」
On renshen the emperor said, "As sovereign over all the people, I want every household to be rich and esteemed. Teach them ritual and duty—youth to revere elders, wives to respect their husbands—and honor falls to everyone. Ease corvée and lighten taxes so each can pursue his trade in peace. Then all would be rich. If the realm were abundantly provisioned, I would find my joy in that alone—even without music."10
51
亳州刺史裴莊奏請伐高麗，上曰：「高麗王武職貢不絕，為賊臣所弒，朕哀之甚深，固不忘也。 但因喪乘亂而取之，雖得之不貴。 且山東凋弊，吾未忍言用兵也。」
Pei Zhuang, inspector of Bozhou, urged a campaign against Goryeo. The emperor replied, "King Yeong of Goryeo kept his tribute steady until a rebel minister killed him. My grief is profound, and I have not forgotten. Yet to seize his kingdom amid mourning and chaos would be a hollow victory, however successful the armies. And the eastern provinces are still destitute—I am not ready to speak of war."11
52
高祖之入關也，隋武勇郎將馮翊黨仁弘將兵二千餘人，歸高祖於蒲板，從平京城，尋除陝州總管，大軍東討，仁弘轉餉不絕，歷南寧、戎、廣州都督。 仁弘有才略，所至著聲跡，上甚器之。 然性貪，罷廣州，為人所訟，贓百餘萬，罪當死。 上謂侍臣曰：「吾昨見大理五奏誅仁弘，哀其白首就戮，方晡食，遂命撤案； 然為之求生理，終不可得。 今欲曲法就公等乞之。」 十二月，壬午朔，上復召五品已上集太極殿前，謂曰：「法者，人君所受於天，不可以私而失信。 今朕私黨仁弘而欲赦之，是亂其法，上負於天。 欲席蒿於南郊，日一進蔬食，以謝罪於天三日。」 房玄齡等皆曰：「生殺之柄，人主所得專也，何至自貶責如此！」 上不許，群臣頓首固請於庭，自旦至日昃，上乃降手詔，自稱：「朕有三罪：知人不明，一也； 以私亂法，二也； 善善未賞，惡惡未誅，三也。 以公等固諫，且依來請。」 於是黜仁弘為庶人，徙欽州。
When Gaozu marched into the Pass, Dang Renhong of Fengyi—a Sui Brave Cavalry Commandant—brought over two thousand men to Puban and joined the conquest of Chang'an. He became area commander of Shanzhou and, during the eastern campaigns, kept the supply lines open through postings as Protector-General of Nanning, Rong, and Guang. Renhong was capable and decisive, and everywhere he served he made a name for himself. The emperor held him in high regard. But he was corrupt. After leaving Guangzhou he was denounced for graft exceeding a million cash—a capital offense. The emperor told his ministers, "Yesterday the Court of Judicial Review five times asked me to execute Renhong. I was moved that a man of his years should die at the block, and at the afternoon meal I had the dossier set aside; yet I could find no legal way to spare him. Now I wish to bend the law and beg his life from you." In the twelfth month, on renwu—the month's first day—he again assembled officials of the fifth rank and above before the Hall of Supreme Ultimate and said, "Law is heaven's gift to the throne; a ruler must not betray it for private affection. If I favor Renhong and pardon him out of private feeling, I corrupt the law and fail Heaven. I mean to sit on straw in the southern suburbs, eat only plain food once a day, and repent before Heaven for three days." Fang Xuanling and the others protested: "Life and death are the sovereign's alone to decide—why humble yourself so!" The emperor refused. From dawn until late afternoon the ministers knelt and pleaded in the courtyard. At last he issued a personal edict: "I have three faults: failing to judge men clearly, the first; letting private feeling corrupt the law, the second; rewarding merit too slowly and punishing wickedness too late, the third. Because you press me so firmly, I yield—for now—to your request." Renhong was reduced to commoner rank and exiled to Qinzhou.
53
癸卯，上幸驪山溫湯； 甲辰，獵於驪山。 上登山，見圍有斷處，顧謂左右曰：「吾見其不整而不刑，則墮軍法； 刑之，則是吾登高臨下以求人之過也。」 乃托以道險，引轡入谷以避之。 乙巳，還宮。
On guimao the emperor visited the hot springs at Mount Li; on jiachen he hunted there. Climbing the mountain he saw a gap in the beaters' ring. He said to his attendants, "If I see disorder and do not punish it, I break military law; yet if I punish I am only a man on a height hunting for errors below." He claimed the path was dangerous, turned his horse into a ravine, and rode away. On yisi he returned to the palace.
54
刑部以反逆緣坐律兄弟沒官為輕，請改從死。 敕八座議之，議者皆以為「秦、漢、魏、晉之法，反者皆夷三族，今宜如刑部請為是。」 給事中崔仁師駁曰：「古者父子兄弟罪不相及，奈何以亡秦酷法變隆周中典！ 且誅其父子，足累其心，此而不顧，何愛兄弟！」 上從之。
The Ministry of Punishments found the statute on kin punishment for treason too lenient—brothers were only stripped of office—and asked that they be put to death instead. The emperor ordered the chief ministers to debate the change. All agreed: "Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin all wiped out three kindreds of traitors; the Ministry's proposal is right." Remonstrance Officer Cui Renshi objected: "In antiquity kin did not answer for one another's crimes. Why revive Qin's harsh statutes and abandon Zhou's measured justice? Execute father and son and you have broken the heart of the clan—if you will do that, why pretend to spare brothers!" The emperor accepted his view.
55
上問侍臣曰：「自古或君亂而臣治，或君治而臣亂，二者孰愈？」 魏徵對曰：「君治則善惡賞罰當，臣安得而亂之！ 苟為不治，縱暴愎諫，雖有良臣，將安所施！」 上曰：「齊文宣得楊遵彥，非君亂而臣治乎？」 對曰：「彼才能救亡耳，烏足為治哉！」
The emperor asked his ministers, "History gives us disorderly rulers with orderly ministers, and orderly rulers with disorderly ministers. Which is the lesser evil?" Wei Zheng answered, "When the ruler governs well, rewards and punishments fall where they should—ministers cannot create chaos. If he is willful and violent and will not heed counsel, even good ministers have nowhere to act." The emperor said, "Northern Qi's Wenxuan had Yang Zunyan—was that not a bad emperor with good ministers?" Wei Zheng said, "Yang could barely stave off collapse—that is not true governance."12
56
春，正月，丙寅，上謂群臣曰：「聞外間士民以太子有足疾，魏王穎悟，多從游幸，遽生異議，徼幸之徒，已有附會者。 太子雖病足，不廢步履。 且《禮》：嫡子死，立嫡孫。 太子男已五歲，朕終不以孽代宗，啟窺窬之源也。」
In spring, on the first month's bingyin day, the emperor told the court, "I hear men outside whisper that because the crown prince limps and Prince Wei is clever and often at my side on tours, factions are plotting to seize an opening. The crown prince's foot troubles him, but he still walks without difficulty. The Rites are clear: if the heir dies, his eldest son succeeds. The crown prince's son is five. I will never let a younger son supplant the line and invite every schemer in the realm."13
57
鄭文貞公魏徵寢疾，上遣使者問訊，賜以藥餌，相望於道。 又遣中郎將李安儼宿其第，動靜以聞。 上復與太子同至其第，指衡山公主，欲以妻其子叔玉。 戊辰，征薨，命百官九品以上皆赴喪，給羽葆鼓吹，陪葬昭陵。 其妻裴氏曰：「征平生儉素，今葬以一品羽儀，非亡者之志。」 悉辭不受，以布車載柩而葬。 上登苑西樓，望哭盡哀。 上自製碑文，並為書石。 上思征不已，謂侍臣曰：「人以銅為鏡，可以正衣冠，以古為鏡，可以見興替，以人為鏡，可以知得失； 魏徵沒，朕亡一鏡矣！」
Wei Zheng, Duke of Zheng and Minister of Wen Zhen, fell ill. The emperor sent messengers one after another with medicines and inquiries. He lodged Palace Gentleman Li Anyan in Wei Zheng's house to report on his condition day and night. The emperor visited again with the crown prince, pointed to Princess Hengshan, and proposed her for Wei Zheng's son Shuyu. On wuchen Wei Zheng died. The emperor ordered every official of the ninth rank and above to attend the funeral, granted imperial funeral honors, and had him buried at Zhaoling. Lady Pei, his wife, said, "Wei Zheng lived simply all his life. A first-rank funeral with imperial feathers is not what he would have wanted." She refused every honor and had the coffin borne in a plain cloth cart. The emperor climbed the western tower of the palace park and wept with full grief as he watched the funeral pass. The emperor composed the epitaph and traced the characters on the stone with his own hand. The emperor mourned Wei Zheng endlessly. He told his ministers, "Bronze shows a man his dress; history shows a dynasty its rise and fall; a loyal counselor shows a ruler his errors; Wei Zheng is dead—I have lost my mirror!"14
58
鄠尉游文芝告代州都督劉蘭成謀反，戊申，蘭成坐腰斬。 右武侯將軍丘行恭探蘭成心肝食之； 上聞而讓之曰：「蘭成謀反，國有常刑，何至如是！ 若以為忠孝，則太子諸王先食之矣，豈至卿邪！」 行恭慚而拜謝。
You Wenzhi, commandant of You County, accused Liu Lancheng, area commander of Daizhou, of treason. On wushen Lancheng was executed by waist-slicing. Qiu Xinggong, general of the Right Martial Gate Guards, cut out Lancheng's heart and liver and ate them; the emperor rebuked him: "Treason has a fixed penalty under law. How could you go to such lengths! If that were loyalty, the crown prince and the other princes would have tasted him before you ever could!" Qiu Xinggong bowed in shame and begged forgiveness.
59
二月，壬午，上問諫議大夫褚遂良曰：「舜造漆器，諫者十餘人。 此何足諫？」 對曰：「奢侈者，危亡之本； 漆器不已，將以金玉為之。 忠臣愛君，必防其漸，若禍亂已成，無所復諫矣。」 上曰：「然。 朕有過，卿亦當諫其漸。 朕見前世帝王拒諫者，多云『業已為之』，或云『業已許之』，終不為改。 如此，欲無危亡，得乎？」
In the second month, on renwu, the emperor asked Remonstrance Grandee Chu Suiliang, "When Shun had lacquer vessels made, more than ten men remonstrated with him. Why was that worth objecting to?" Chu Suiliang answered, "Extravagance is the root of a state's fall; if lacquer is indulged, gold and jade follow. A loyal minister checks excess at the first sign; once ruin is underway, remonstrance is useless." The emperor said, "True. When I err, remonstrate with me early. I have seen emperors who refused counsel hide behind 'it is already done' or 'I have already promised' and never amend course. How then can they hope to escape ruin?"15
60
時皇子為都督、刺史者多幼稚，遂良上疏，以為：「漢宣帝云：『與我共治天下者，其惟良二千石乎？』 今皇子幼稚，未知從政，不若且留京師，教以經術，俟其長而遣之。」 上以為然。
Many princes then serving as prefects and protectors were still boys. Chu Suiliang memorialized: "Emperor Xuan of Han said, 'Who shares with me in governing the realm? Good commandery administrators. The princes are too young to govern. Keep them in the capital, instruct them in the classics, and send them out only when they are mature." The emperor agreed.
61
壬辰，以太子詹事張亮為洛州都督。 侯君集自以有功而下吏，怨望，有異志。 亮出為洛州，君集激之曰：「何人相排？」 亮曰：「非公而誰！」 君集曰：「我平一國來，逢嗔如屋大，安能仰排！」 因攘袂曰：「鬱鬱殊不聊生！ 公能反乎？ 與公反！」 亮密以聞。 上曰：「卿與君集皆功臣，語時旁無它人，若下吏，君集必不服。 如此，事未可知，卿且勿言。」 待君集如故。
On renchen Zhang Liang, the crown prince's grand mentor, was named area commander of Luozhou. Hou Junji, convinced his merits had earned contempt, was hauled before the courts. Bitter and desperate, he turned traitor in his heart. As Zhang Liang left for Luozhou, Junji provoked him: "Who is pushing you out?" Zhang Liang replied, "Who but you!" Junji cried, "I conquered a kingdom, and every reproach looms like a roofbeam. How can I submit to being crowded out!" He rolled up his sleeves: "I am suffocating—I cannot go on like this! Will you rebel with me? I am with you!" Zhang Liang reported the exchange in secret. The emperor said, "You and Junji are both founding ministers. No one else heard this. If you accuse him, he will deny everything. The truth is uncertain. Say nothing for now." He showed Junji the same favor as ever.
62
鄜州都督尉遲敬德表乞骸骨； 乙巳，以敬德為開府儀同三司，五日一參。
Yuchi Jingde, area commander of Binzhou, asked to retire; on yisi he was granted the honorific title Palatial Insignia with Equipage with the Third Rank, attending court every five days.
63
丁未，上曰：「人主惟有一心，而攻之者甚眾。 或以勇力，或以辯口，或以諂諛，或以奸詐，或以嗜欲，輻湊攻之，各求自售，以取寵祿。 人主少懈，而受其一，則危亡隨之，此其所以難也。」
On dingwei the emperor said, "A ruler has only one mind, yet countless forces assail it. By force, by eloquence, by flattery, by fraud, by appetite—they press in from every side, each peddling himself for rank and reward. Let the ruler relax for a moment and accept one such man, and ruin follows. That is why the throne is hard to hold."16
64
戊申，上命圖畫功臣趙公長孫無忌、趙郡元王孝恭、萊成公杜如晦、鄭文貞公魏徵、梁公房玄齡、申公高士廉、鄂公尉遲敬德、衛公李靖、宋公蕭瑀、褒忠壯公段志玄、夔公劉弘基、蔣忠公屈突通、鄖節公殷開山、譙襄公柴紹、邳襄公長孫順德、鄖公張亮、陳公侯君集、郯襄公張公謹、盧公程知節、永興文懿公虞世南、渝襄公劉政會、莒公唐儉、英公李世勣、胡壯公秦叔寶等於凌煙閣。
On wushen the emperor ordered portraits of his chief ministers painted in Lingyan Pavilion—among them Zhangsun Wuji, Li Xiaogong, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Yuchi Jingde, Li Jing, Xiao Yu, Duan Zhixuan, Liu Hongji, Qu Tu Tong, Yin Kaishan, Chai Shao, Zhangsun Shunde, Zhang Liang, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin, Cheng Zhiming, Yu Shinan, Liu Zhenghui, Tang Jian, Li Shiji, Qin Shubao, and the rest.
65
齊州都督齊王祐，性輕躁，其舅尚乘直長陰弘智說之曰：「王兄弟既多，陛下千秋萬歲後，宜得壯士以自衛。」 祐以為然。 弘智因薦妻兄燕弘信，祐悅之，厚賜金玉，使陰募死士。
Prince You of Qi, area commander of Qizhou, was flighty and impulsive. His uncle Yin Hongzhi, chief of the Imperial Stables office, urged him, "You have many brothers. When the emperor dies, you will need bold men at your side." The prince agreed. Hongzhi then recommended his brother-in-law Yan Hongxin. The prince took to him, lavished gold and jade upon him, and sent him to recruit desperate men in secret.
66
上選剛直之士以輔諸王，為長史、司馬，諸王有過以聞。 祐暱近群小，好畋獵，長史權萬紀驟諫，不聽。 壯士昝君謨、梁猛彪得幸於祐，萬紀皆劾逐之，祐潛召還，寵之逾厚。 上數以書切責祐，萬紀恐並獲罪，謂祐曰：「王審能自新，萬紀請入朝言之。」 乃條祐過失，迫令表首，祐懼而從之。 萬紀至京師，言祐必能悛改。 上甚喜，勉萬紀，而數祐前過，以敕書戒之。 祐聞之，大怒曰：「長史賣我！ 勸我而自以為功，必殺之。」 上以校尉京兆韋文振謹直，用為祐府典軍，文振數諫，祐亦惡之。
The emperor appointed men of stern integrity to counsel the imperial princes as chief administrators and adjutants, with orders to report any misdeeds. The prince surrounded himself with low companions and took to the hunt. His chief administrator Quan Wanji admonished him again and again, all in vain. The bravos Zan Junmo and Liang Mengbiao won the prince's trust. Wanji had them driven out, yet You secretly brought them back and showered them with even greater favor. The emperor wrote again and again to rebuke the prince. Wanji, fearing he would be implicated, told You, "If you can truly mend your ways, I will go to court and plead your case." He then drew up a list of the prince's offenses and forced him to file a written confession; terrified, You obeyed. When Wanji reached the capital he assured the court that the prince would mend his ways. The emperor was delighted, praised Wanji, and rehearsed You's past misdeeds in an edict of warning. When the prince learned of this he flew into a rage. "The chief administrator betrayed me! He egged me on and then claimed the merit. I will kill him for this." The emperor, finding the capital commandant Wei Wenzhen trustworthy and upright, named him adjutant on the prince's staff. Wenzhen admonished him repeatedly, and the prince came to loathe him as well.
67
萬紀性褊，專以刻急拘持祐，城門外不聽出，悉解縱鷹犬，斥君謨、猛彪不得見祐。 會萬紀宅中有塊夜落，萬紀以為君謨、猛彪謀殺己，悉收系，發驛以聞，並劾與祐同為非者數十人。 上遣刑部尚書劉德威往按之，事頗有驗，詔祐與萬紀俱入朝。 祐既積忿，遂與燕弘信兄弘亮等謀殺萬紀。 萬紀奉詔先行，祐遣弘亮等二十餘騎追射殺之。 祐黨共逼韋文振欲與同謀，文振不從，馳走數里，追及，殺之。 寮屬股慄，稽首伏地，莫敢仰視。 祐因私署上柱國、開府等官，開庫物行賞，驅民入城，繕甲兵、樓堞，置拓東王、拓西王等官。 吏民棄妻子夜縋出亡者相繼，祐不能禁。 三月，丙辰，詔兵部尚書李世勣等發懷、洛、汴、宋、潞、滑、濟、鄆、海九州兵討之。 上賜祐手敕曰：「吾常戒汝勿近小人，正為此耳。」
Wanji was petty and harsh, ruling the prince with unrelenting severity. He forbade him to leave the city, turned loose every hawk and hound, and barred Junmo and Mengbiao from his presence. One night a lump of earth fell on Wanji's roof. He decided Junmo and Mengbiao were plotting his murder, had them all arrested, dispatched a fast courier to the capital, and impeached dozens who had abetted the prince. The emperor sent Liu Dewei, minister of justice, to investigate. The charges largely held, and both the prince and Wanji were ordered to the capital. You, nursing a deep grudge, conspired with Yan Hongxin's brother Hongliang and others to murder Wanji. Wanji set out first under imperial order. You sent Hongliang and some twenty riders after him to run him down and kill him. The prince's men tried to force Wei Wenzhen into the conspiracy. He refused, fled several li, was overtaken, and slain. The officials shook with fear, prostrated themselves, and dared not raise their eyes. He then created offices on his own authority—Senior Pillar of State, Opener of the Government, and the like—opened the treasuries to pay his followers, herded the populace into the city, fortified walls and battlements, and named kings of the eastern and western marches. Night after night officials and townspeople slipped over the walls with their families to escape, and the prince could not stop them. In the third month, on bingchen day, Li Shiji, minister of war, was ordered to raise armies from nine prefectures—Huai, Luo, Bian, Song, Lu, Hua, Ji, Yun, and Hai—to crush the rebellion. The emperor sent a personal letter: "I have warned you again and again to keep away from low company. This is exactly why.17
68
祐召燕弘亮等五人宿於臥內，餘黨分統士眾，巡城自守。 祐每夜與弘亮等對妃宴飲，以為得志； 戲笑之際，語及官軍，弘亮等曰：「王不須憂！ 弘亮等右手持酒卮，左手為王揮刀拂之！」 祐喜，以為信然。 傳檄諸縣，皆莫肯從。 時李世勣兵未至，而青、淄等數州兵已集其境。 齊府兵曹杜行敏等陰謀執祐，祐左右及吏民非同謀者無不響應。 庚申，夜，四面鼓噪，聲聞數十里。 祐黨有居外者，眾皆攢刃殺之。 祐問何聲，左右紿云：「英公統飛騎已登城矣。」 行敏分兵鑿垣而入，祐與弘亮等被甲執兵之室，閉扉拒戰，行敏等千餘人圍之，自旦至日中，不克。 行敏謂祐曰：「王昔為帝子，今乃國賊，不速降，立為煨燼矣。」 因命積薪，欲焚之。 祐自牖間謂行敏曰：「即啟扉，獨慮燕弘亮兄弟死耳。」 行敏曰：「必相全。」 祐等乃出。 或抉弘亮目，投睛於地，餘皆撾折其股而殺之。 執祐出牙前示吏民，還，鎖之於東廂，齊州悉平。 乙丑，敕李世勣等罷兵。 祐至京師，賜死於內侍省，同黨誅者四十四人，餘皆不問。
You kept Yan Hongliang and four others in his bedchamber while the rest of his faction took command of the troops and manned the walls. Each night he feasted with Hongliang and the others before his consort, convinced that fortune was his; and when the talk turned to the imperial army, Hongliang said, "Your Highness need not worry! We will hold our wine cups in our right hands and sweep the enemy aside with our left!" The prince believed them and took heart. He issued summons to the surrounding counties, yet none would obey. Li Shiji's army had not yet arrived, but forces from Qing, Zi, and other prefectures were already massing on his borders. Du Xingmin, an officer on the Qi princedom staff, and others plotted secretly to seize the prince. Every servant and townsman outside the conspiracy rallied to them. On the night of gengshen, drums and shouts rose on every side, audible for miles. Every one of the prince's men caught outside the palace was cut down where he stood. Hearing the uproar, You asked what it meant. His attendants lied: "Lord Ying has led the Flying Cavalry onto the walls already." Xingmin split his force, broke through the wall, and entered. You and Hongliang, armed and armored in an inner room, barred the door and fought back. More than a thousand men besieged them from dawn until noon without breaking in. Xingmin called to him: "You were once an emperor's son. Now you are a rebel. Surrender at once, or you will be ashes." He had fuel heaped up and prepared to burn them alive. From the window You called back: "I will open the door—only spare the brothers Yan Hongliang." Xingmin promised: "They shall come to no harm." At that the prince and his men surrendered. Some gouged out Hongliang's eyes and flung them to the ground; the rest had their legs broken and were beaten to death. They dragged You before the gate to display him to the people, then locked him in the east wing. Qizhou was pacified. On yichou day the emperor ordered Li Shiji and the others to stand down. You was brought to the capital and allowed to take his own life in the palace domestic service. Forty-four accomplices were put to death; the rest went unpunished.
69
祐之初反也，齊州人羅石頭面數其罪，援槍前，欲刺之，為燕弘亮所殺。 祐引騎擊高村，村人高君狀遙責祐曰：「主上提三尺劍取天下，億兆蒙德，仰之如天。 王忽驅城中數百人欲為逆亂以犯君父，無異一手搖泰山，何不自量之甚也！」 祐縱擊，虜之，慚不能殺。 敕贈石頭亳州刺史。 以君狀為榆社令，以杜行敏為巴州刺史，封南陽郡公； 其同謀執祐者官賞有差。
When the rebellion began, a Qizhou man named Luo Shitou denounced the prince to his face, seized a spear, and tried to kill him. Yan Hongliang cut him down. You led cavalry against Gaocun village. Gao Junzhuang shouted from a distance: "Our lord won the realm with the sword. The people owe him their lives and look to him as to Heaven. Yet you would drive a few hundred men in the city to rebel against father and emperor—as if one hand could shake Mount Tai. Have you no sense of your own insignificance?" You struck, took him prisoner, and in shame could not bring himself to kill him. The emperor posthumously made Shitou prefect of Bozhou. Junzhuang was appointed magistrate of Yushe; Du Xingmin was made prefect of Ba and enfeoffed as Duke of Nanyang; and those who had helped seize the prince were rewarded according to their merit.
70
上檢祐家文疏，得記室郟城孫處約諫書，嗟賞之，累遷中書舍人。 庚午，贈權萬紀齊州都督，賜爵武都郡公，謚曰敬； 韋文振左武衛將軍，賜爵襄陽縣公。
Searching the prince's papers, the emperor found a memorial of remonstrance by his recorder Sun Chuyue of Yancheng. He admired it and promoted Sun repeatedly until he reached drafting attendant in the Secretariat. On gengwu day Quan Wanji was posthumously made area commander of Qizhou, enfeoffed as Duke of Wudu with the posthumous name Jing; and Wei Wenzhen was made general of the Left Martial Guard and enfeoffed as Duke of Xiangyang.
71
初，太子承乾喜聲色及畋獵，所為奢靡，畏上知之，對宮臣常論忠孝，或至於涕泣，退歸宮中，則與群小相褻狎。 宮臣有欲諫者，太子先揣知其意，輒迎拜，斂容危坐，引咎自責，言辭辯給，宮臣拜答不暇。 宮省秘密，外人莫知，故時論初皆稱賢。
Early on, Crown Prince Chenggan loved music, women, and the hunt, and lived lavishly. Before his palace tutors he preached loyalty and filial piety, sometimes weeping; once back in the inner quarters he frolicked indecently with his low companions. If a tutor meant to admonish him, the prince read his mind, met him with a bow, composed his face, confessed fault in eloquent speech, and left the man no room to reply. The inner palace kept his secrets, and for a time public opinion called him virtuous.
72
太子作八尺銅爐、六隔大鼎，募亡奴盜民間馬牛，親臨烹者，與所幸廝役共食之。 又好效突厥語及其服飾，選左右貌類突厥者五人為一落，辮發羊裘而牧羊，作五狼頭纛及幡旗，設穹廬，太子自處其中，斂羊而烹之，抽佩刀割肉相啖。 又嘗謂左右曰：「我試作可汗死，汝曹效其喪儀。」 因僵臥於地，眾悉號哭，跨馬環走，臨其身，剺面。 良久，太欻起，曰：「一朝有天下，當帥數萬騎獵於金城西，然後解發為突厥，委身思摩，若當一設，不居人後矣。」
He built an eight-foot bronze stove and a great cauldron with six compartments, set runaway slaves to steal horses and cattle from the people, tended the cooking himself, and feasted with his favorite servants. He also delighted in Turkic speech and dress, chose attendants who looked Turkic, grouped them in fives with braided hair and sheepskin coats to herd sheep, raised wolf-head banners, pitched a yurt, sat inside it, slaughtered sheep, drew his knife, cut meat, and ate with them like nomads. He once told his attendants, "I shall pretend to die as khan. You must perform the Turkic funeral rites." He stretched out rigid on the floor. They wailed, rode horses around him, and gashed their faces over his body. At last he sprang up and said, "When I rule the realm I shall lead tens of thousands of horsemen to hunt west of Jincheng, then let down my hair and become a Turk, submit to Yimishi, and if I may be one shaman, I shall not rank behind any man.18
73
左庶子于志寧、右庶子孔穎達數諫太子，上嘉之，賜二人金帛以風勵太子，仍遷志寧為詹事。 志寧與左庶子張玄素數上書切諫，太子陰使人殺之，不果。
Yu Zhining and Kong Yingda, left and right assistants to the heir apparent, admonished the crown prince repeatedly. The emperor rewarded them with gold and silk to encourage the prince, and made Zhining grand mentor. Zhining and Zhang Xuansu wrote sharp memorials again and again. The prince secretly sent assassins after them, but the attempts failed.
74
漢王元昌所為多不法，上數譴責之，由是怨望。 太子與之親善，朝夕同遊戲，分左右為二隊，太子與元昌各統其一，被氈甲，操手槊，布陳大呼交戰，擊刺流血，以為娛樂。 有不用命者，披樹撾之，至有死者。 且曰：「使我今日作天子，明日於苑中置萬人營，與漢王分將，觀其戰鬥，豈不樂哉！」 又曰：「我為天子，極情縱欲，有諫者輒殺之，不過殺數百人，眾自定矣。」
Prince Yuanchang of Han behaved lawlessly, and the emperor rebuked him again and again until he nursed a grudge. The crown prince befriended him and spent every hour in his company. They split their followers into two armies and fought mock battles in felt armor with spears until men bled, all for sport. Anyone who disobeyed was stripped and beaten with branches; some died. He said, "If I were emperor today, tomorrow I would pitch a camp of ten thousand men in the park, command one wing with the Prince of Han, and watch them fight—what pleasure!" And again: "As emperor I would indulge every desire. Anyone who objected I would kill—only a few hundred deaths, and the rest would fall quiet.19
75
魏王泰多藝能，有寵於上，見太子有足疾，潛有奪嫡之志，折節下士以求聲譽。 上命黃門侍郎韋挺攝泰府事，後命工部尚書杜楚客代之，二人俱為泰要結朝士。 楚客或懷金以賂權貴，因說以魏王聰明，宜為上嗣； 文武之臣，各有附托，潛為朋黨。 太子畏其逼，遣人詐為泰府典簽上封事，其中皆言泰罪惡，敕捕之，不獲。
Prince Tai of Wei was talented and in the emperor's favor. Seeing the crown prince lame, he quietly coveted the succession and courted scholars to win renown. The emperor put Wei Ting in charge of the Wei household, then replaced him with Du Chuke, minister of works. Both men worked to win courtiers for the prince. Chuke bribed powerful officials with gold, urging that the clever Prince of Wei ought to be heir; and civil and military ministers each attached themselves to factions in secret. Fearing Tai's rise, the crown prince had a man forge a memorial in the name of Tai's chief clerk listing Tai's crimes. The emperor ordered an arrest, but the forger escaped.
76
太子私幸太常樂童稱心，與同臥起。 道士秦英、韋靈符挾左道，得幸太子。 上聞之，大怒，悉收稱心等殺之，連坐死者數人，誚讓太子甚至。 太子意泰告之，怨怒逾甚，思念稱心不已，於宮中構室，立其像，朝夕奠祭，徘徊流涕。 又於苑中作塚，私贈官樹碑。 上意浸不懌，太子亦知之，稱疾不朝謁者動涉數月； 陰養刺客紇干承基等及壯士百餘人，謀殺魏王泰。
The crown prince took the music-office boy Chengxin as his lover and shared his bed. The Daoists Qin Ying and Wei Lingfu, trafficking in heterodox arts, won the prince's trust. When the emperor learned of it he was furious, seized Chengxin and the rest and executed them, put several others to death by implication, and rebuked the crown prince without mercy. The prince blamed Tai for the exposure. His grief for Chengxin knew no end; he built a shrine in the palace, set up an image, and wept before it morning and night. He raised a tomb in the imperial park, gave Chengxin posthumous rank, and set up a stele. The emperor's displeasure deepened, and the prince knew it. He pleaded illness and stayed away from court for months at a time; while secretly keeping assassins such as Heghan Chenggi and more than a hundred bravos to murder Prince Tai of Wei.
77
吏部尚書侯君集之婿賀蘭楚石為東宮千牛，太子知君集怨望，數令楚石引君集入東宮，問以自安之術。 君集以太子暗劣，欲乘釁圖之，因勸之反，舉手謂太子曰：「此好手，當為殿下用之。」 又曰：「魏王為上所愛，恐殿下有庶人勇之禍，若有敕召，宜密為之備。」 太子大然之。 太子厚賂君集及左屯衛中郎將頓丘李安儼，使詗上意，動靜相語。 安儼先事隱太子，隱太子敗，安儼為之力戰，上以為忠，故親任之，使典宿衛。 安儼深自托於太子。
Helan Chushi, son-in-law of Hou Junji, minister of personnel, served as a thousand-double in the eastern palace. Knowing Junji's grievance, the crown prince repeatedly had Chushi bring him in and ask how he might secure himself. Junji thought the prince weak-minded and meant to use him. He urged rebellion, raised his hands, and said, "These are capable hands. They should serve Your Highness." He added, "The emperor favors Prince Tai. You may suffer the fate of Prince Yong. If a summons comes, prepare in secret." The crown prince agreed wholeheartedly. He lavished gifts on Junji and Li Anyi, a central commandant of the Left Garrison Guard, and set them to report the emperor's every mood. Anyi had once served the former crown prince Yin. When Yin fell, Anyi fought fiercely in his defense. The emperor deemed him loyal and put him in charge of the night guard. Anyi gave the crown prince his full loyalty.
78
漢王元昌亦勸太子反，且曰：「比見上側有美人，善彈琵琶，事成，願以垂賜。」 太子許之。 洋州刺史開化公趙節，慈景之子也，母曰長廣公主； 駙馬都尉杜荷，如晦之子也，尚城陽公主； 皆為太子所親暱，預其反謀。 凡同謀者皆割臂，以帛拭血，燒灰和酒飲之，誓同生死，潛謀引兵入西宮。 杜荷謂太子曰：「天文有變，當速發以應之，殿下但稱暴疾危篤，主上必親臨視，因茲可以得志。」 太子聞齊王祐反於齊州，謂紇干承基等曰：「我宮西牆，去大內正可二十步耳，與卿為大事，豈比齊王乎！」 會治祐反事，連承基，承基坐系大理獄，當死。
Prince Yuanchang of Han also urged rebellion and said, "I lately saw a beauty at the emperor's side who plays the pipa well. When we succeed, grant her to me." The crown prince agreed. Zhao Jie, Duke of Kaihua, prefect of Yangzhou, was the son of Cijian; his mother was Princess Changgang; Chief commandant of the horse Du He, son of Ruhui, had married Princess Chengyang; and both were close to the crown prince and joined his conspiracy. The conspirators cut their arms, mixed the blood with ashes in wine, and swore to live and die together, plotting to lead troops into the western palace. Du He told the prince, "The heavens show a sign. Strike at once. Feign a grave sudden illness—the emperor will come in person to see you, and then you can carry out the plan." Hearing that Prince You of Qi had rebelled at Qizhou, the crown prince told Chenggi and the rest, "My western wall stands only twenty paces from the inner palace. A coup with you would dwarf the Qi prince's effort!" Just then, while the Qi rebellion was being prosecuted, Chenggi was implicated, thrown into the Court of Judicial Review, and condemned to die.
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- So he concluded
- So he concluded
- So he concluded
- So he concluded
- So he concluded
- So he concluded