1
資治通鑑第198卷卷第一百九十八
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 198.
2
【唐紀十四】起旃蒙大荒落六月，盡著雍涒灘三月，凡二年有奇。
[Tang Records 14] — From the sixth month of 646 through the third month of 649, spanning a little more than two years.
3
六月，丁酉，李世勣攻白巖城西南，上臨其西北。 城主孫代音潛遣腹心請降，臨城，投刀鉞為信，且曰：「奴願降，城中有不從者。」 上以唐幟與其使，曰：「必降者，宜建之城上。」 代音建幟，城中人以為唐兵已登城，皆從之。
In the sixth month, on the day dingyou, Li Shiji assaulted the southwest of Baiyan City while the Emperor watched from the northwest. City commandant Sun Daiyin secretly sent a confidant to offer surrender, approaching the wall and throwing down swords and halberds as pledges, saying, "I wish to submit, but some in the city refuse." The Emperor gave the envoy a Tang banner and said, "If you mean to surrender, raise it on the wall." Daiyin raised the banner; the townspeople, believing Tang soldiers had already taken the wall, all submitted as well.
4
上之克遼東也，白巖城請降，既而中悔。 上怒其反覆，令軍中曰：「得城當悉以人、物賞戰士。」 李世勣見上將受其降，帥甲士數十人請曰：「士卒所以爭冒矢石、不顧其死者，貪虜獲耳； 今城垂拔，奈何更受其降，孤戰士之心！」 上下馬謝曰：「將軍言是也。 然縱兵殺人而虜其妻孥，朕所不忍。 將軍麾下有功者，朕以庫物賞之，庶因將軍贖此一城。」 世勣乃退。 得城中男女萬餘口，上臨水設幄受其降，仍賜之食，八十以上賜帛有差。 他城之兵在白巖者悉慰諭，給糧仗，任其所之。
During the earlier conquest of Liaodong, Baiyan City had offered to surrender but later changed its mind. Angered by their wavering, the Emperor proclaimed to the army, "When we take the city, all captives and plunder go to the soldiers as reward." Seeing that the Emperor intended to accept their surrender, Li Shiji led several dozen armored officers forward and pleaded, "The men risk arrows and death only because they hunger for loot and captives; the city is almost ours—how can we accept surrender now and betray the men's hopes!" The Emperor dismounted and said, "You are right, General. But I cannot bear to let the army slaughter the people and seize their families. I will reward your meritorious officers from the imperial stores instead—let that ransom spare this city through you, General." Li Shiji withdrew. More than ten thousand men and women were taken from the city. The Emperor received their surrender in a pavilion by the water, fed them, and gave graded gifts of silk to those aged eighty and above. Soldiers from other cities who had been at Baiyan were reassured, supplied with grain and arms, and free to go wherever they chose.
5
先是，遼東城長史為部下所殺，其省事奉其妻子奔白巖。 上憐其有義，賜帛五匹，為長史造靈輿，歸之平壤。 以白巖城為巖州，以孫代音為刺史。 契苾何力瘡重，上自為傅藥，推求得刺何力者高突勃，付何力使自殺之。 何力奏稱：「彼為其主冒白刃刺臣，乃忠勇之士也，與之初不相識，非有怨仇。」 遂捨之。
Earlier, the chief clerk of Liaodong City had been slain by his subordinates; his aide fled to Baiyan with the clerk's wife and children. Moved by his loyalty, the Emperor gave him five bolts of silk, had a funeral bier made for the chief clerk, and sent the family back to Pyongyang. Baiyan City was established as Yan Prefecture, with Sun Daiyin as prefect. Qibi Heli was gravely wounded, and the Emperor personally dressed his wounds. Investigators found Gao Tubo, who had stabbed him, and turned the man over to Heli to execute. Heli reported, "He faced steel for his master to strike me—that is loyalty and courage. We had never met; there was no personal feud." Heli spared him.
6
初，莫離支遣加屍城七百人戍蓋牟城，李世勣盡虜之，其人請從軍自效。 上曰：「汝家皆在加屍，汝為我戰，莫離支必殺汝妻子。 得一人之力而滅一家，吾不忍也。」 戊戌，皆廩賜遣之。
Earlier, Yeon Gaesomun had posted seven hundred men from Gashi City to garrison Gaimou; Li Shiji took them all prisoner, and they volunteered to serve in the Tang army. The Emperor said, "Your families remain in Gashi—if you fight for us, Yeon Gaesomun will kill your wives and children. I will not destroy a household to gain one man's service." On the day wuxu, they were all provisioned from the stores and sent home.
7
己亥，以蓋牟城為蓋州。
On the day jihai, Gaimou City was established as Gai Prefecture.
8
丁未，車駕發遼東，丙辰，至安市城，進兵攻之。 丁巳，高麗北部耨薩延壽、惠真帥高麗、靺鞨兵十五萬救安市。 上謂侍臣曰：「今為延壽策有三：引兵直前，連安市城為壘，據高山之險，食城中之粟，縱靺鞨掠吾牛馬，攻之不可猝下，欲歸則泥潦為阻，坐困吾軍，上策也； 拔城中之眾，與之宵遁，中策也； 不度智能，來與吾戰，下策也。 卿曹觀之，彼必出下策，成擒在吾目中矣。」
On the day dingwei the Emperor left Liaodong; on bingchen he reached Anshi City and pressed the attack. On the day dingsi, the Goguryeo northern commanders Gao Yanshou and Hui Zhen marched one hundred fifty thousand Goguryeo and Mohe troops to relieve Anshi. The Emperor told his courtiers, "Yanshou has three options. The best is to press forward, entrench with Anshi City, hold the high ground, live off the city's grain, and let the Mohe harry our herds—so we cannot take the city quickly, and if we try to withdraw the rains will trap us. The middling plan is to evacuate the city and slip away by night. The worst is to misjudge his strength and offer battle. Mark my words—he will take the worst course. His capture is already within sight."
9
高麗有對盧，年老習事，謂延壽曰：「秦王內芟群雄，外服戎狄，獨立為帝，此命世之材，今舉海內之眾而來，不可敵也。 為吾計者，莫若頓兵不戰，曠日持久，分遣奇兵斷其運道； 糧食既盡，求戰不得，欲歸無路，乃可勝也。」 延壽不從，引軍直進，去安市城四十里。 上猶恐其低徊不至，命左衛大將軍阿史那社爾將突厥千騎以誘之，兵始交而偽走。 高麗相謂曰：「易與耳！」 競進乘之，至安市城東南八里，依山而陳。
An elderly Goguryeo adviser versed in statecraft told Yanshou, "The Prince of Qin crushed rivals at home and barbarians abroad to rule alone—he is a once-in-an-age talent. He has brought the empire's full might; we cannot stand against him. Our best course is to hold back, refuse battle, wear them down, and send raiders to sever their supply lines; when their food runs out, they cannot force a fight, and retreat is cut off—then we can win." Yanshou refused to listen and marched straight on until he was forty li from Anshi City. Fearing the enemy might hesitate, the Emperor ordered Left Guard General Ashina She'er to lure them with a thousand Turkic horsemen who feigned retreat at first contact. The Goguryeo troops cried, "They will be easy!" They charged in pursuit to a point eight li southeast of Anshi City and formed their line along the hills.
10
上悉召諸將問計，長孫無忌對曰：「臣聞臨敵將戰，必先觀士卒之情。 臣適行經諸營，見士卒聞高麗至，皆拔刀結旆，喜形於色，此必勝之兵也。 陛下未冠，身親行陳，凡出奇制勝，皆上稟聖謀，諸將奉成算而已。 今日之事，乞陛下指蹤。」 上笑曰：「諸公以此見讓，朕當為諸公商度。」 乃與無忌等從數百騎乘高望之，觀山川形勢，可以伏兵及出入之所。 高麗、靺鞨合兵為陳，長四十里。 江夏王道宗曰：「高麗傾國以拒王師，平壤之守必弱，願假臣精卒五千，覆其本根，則數十萬之眾可不戰而降。」 上不應，遣使紿延壽曰：「我以爾國強臣弒其主，故來問罪； 至於交戰，非吾本心。 入爾境，芻粟不給，故取爾數城，俟爾國修臣禮，則所失必復矣。」 延壽信之，不復設備。
The Emperor called his generals for counsel. Zhangsun Wuji answered, "Before battle one must read the troops' spirit. I have just toured the camps. When the men heard the Goguryeo were coming, they drew swords and fixed their banners with joy on their faces—this is an army that will win. Since before you came of age you have led armies yourself; every brilliant victory has been your design, and we generals only execute your plans. For today's battle, I beg Your Majesty to direct us." The Emperor smiled and said, "You defer to me—then I shall plan this battle for you." He then rode to high ground with Wuji and several hundred horsemen to study the terrain for ambush sites and avenues of attack. The combined Goguryeo and Mohe army formed a battle line forty li long. Prince Jiangxia Li Daozong said, "Goguryeo has thrown everything against us—Pyongyang must be thinly defended. Give me five thousand elite troops to strike their capital, and this army of hundreds of thousands will collapse without a fight." The Emperor did not answer but sent an envoy to deceive Yanshou, saying, "I came because your powerful ministers murdered their king; fighting was never my wish. Your land gave us no fodder, so I seized a few cities. Restore your vassal duties and you will have them back." Yanshou believed him and let his guard down.
11
上夜召文武計事，命李世勣將步騎萬五千陳於西嶺； 長孫無忌將精兵萬一千為奇兵，自山北出於狹谷以沖其後。 上自將步騎四千，挾鼓角，偃旗幟，登北山上，敕諸軍聞鼓角齊出奮擊。 因命有司張受降幕於朝堂之側。 戊午，延壽等獨見李世勣布陳，勒兵欲戰。 上望見無忌軍塵起，命作鼓角，舉旗幟，諸軍鼓噪並進，延壽等大懼，欲分兵御之，而其陳已亂。 會有雷電，龍門人薛仁貴著奇服，大呼陷陳，所向無敵； 高麗兵披靡，大軍乘之，高麗兵大潰，斬首二萬餘級。 上望見仁貴，召見，拜游擊將軍。 仁貴，安都之六世孫，名禮，以字行。
That night the Emperor convened his officials and ordered Li Shiji to deploy fifteen thousand infantry and cavalry on the western ridge; Zhangsun Wuji would lead eleven thousand elite troops as a flanking force through a northern gorge to strike the enemy rear. The Emperor personally took four thousand troops with drums and horns concealed, banners furled, onto the northern hill and ordered every unit to charge when the signal sounded. He also ordered a surrender tent erected beside headquarters. On the day wuwu, Yanshou saw only Li Shiji's formation deployed and drew up his men for battle. Seeing Wuji's dust cloud rise, the Emperor sounded drums and horns and raised his banners. The whole army roared forward. Yanshou tried to divide his forces to respond, but his line was already breaking. Thunder cracked as Xue Rengui of Longmen, in dazzling armor, charged the enemy line shouting—and cut down all before him; the Goguryeo ranks crumbled; the main army swept in and routed them, taking more than twenty thousand heads. The Emperor spotted Rengui, summoned him, and made him a general of mobile attack. Rengui was a sixth-generation descendant of Andu; his personal name was Li, but he went by his courtesy name.
12
延壽等將餘眾依山自固，上命諸軍圍之，長孫無忌悉撤橋樑，斷其歸路。 己未，延壽、惠真帥其眾三萬六千八百人請降，入軍門，膝行而前，拜伏請命。 上語之曰：「東夷少年，跳梁海曲，至於摧堅決勝，故當不及老人，自今復敢與天子戰乎？」 皆伏地不能對。 上簡耨薩已下酋長三千五百人，授以戎秩，遷之內地，餘皆縱之，使還平壤； 皆雙舉手以顙頓地，歡呼聞數十里外。 收靺鞨三千三百人，悉坑之。 獲馬五萬匹，牛五萬頭，鐵甲萬領，他器械稱是。 高麗舉國大駭，後黃城、銀城皆自拔遁去，數百里無復人煙。
Yanshou rallied the survivors on the hills. The Emperor ordered a full encirclement, and Zhangsun Wuji tore down every bridge to cut off retreat. On the day jiwei, Yanshou and Hui Zhen surrendered with thirty-six thousand eight hundred men, crawling on their knees through the camp gate to beg mercy. The Emperor told them, "You eastern youths strutted along the shore—but when it came to breaking a hardened foe and winning the day, you were no match for an old man. Will you dare fight the Son of Heaven again?" They lay facedown and could not reply. The Emperor chose thirty-five hundred chieftains of nuesa rank and below, gave them military titles, and resettled them inland; the rest he released to return to Pyongyang; they raised both hands and kowtowed, their cheers audible for tens of li. Three thousand three hundred Mohe prisoners were taken and all buried alive. The spoils included fifty thousand horses, fifty thousand cattle, ten thousand suits of iron armor, and comparable quantities of other arms. Goguryeo was shaken to its core; Houhuang and Yincheng were abandoned, and for hundreds of li the land lay empty.
13
上驛書報太子，仍與高士廉等書曰：「朕為將如此，何如？」 更名所幸山曰駐驆山。
The Emperor sent a courier dispatch to the Crown Prince and wrote to Gao Shilian and others, "As a commander, how do you rate me?" He renamed the hill where he had camped Mount Halting-the-Carriage.
14
秋，七月，辛未，上徙營安市城東嶺。 己卯，詔標識戰死者屍，俟軍還與之俱歸。 戊子，以高延壽為鴻臚卿，高惠真為司農卿。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the day xinwei, the Emperor shifted camp to the eastern ridge above Anshi City. On the day jimao, he ordered the fallen marked so their bodies could be brought home with the army. On the day wuzi, Gao Yanshou was appointed Minister of Ceremonial Reception and Gao Hui Zhen Minister of the Imperial Granaries.
15
張亮軍過建安城下，壁壘未固，士卒多出樵牧，高麗兵奄至，軍中駭擾。 亮素怯，踞胡床，直視不言，將士見之，更以為勇。 總管張金樹等鳴鼓勒兵擊高麗，破之。
Zhang Liang's column passed Jian'an City before its defenses were finished. Many men were out foraging when Goguryeo troops struck suddenly and panic spread through the camp. Liang was a coward by nature, but he sat on his camp stool staring ahead in silence—and the men took his stillness for bravery. Commandant Zhang Jinshu and others beat the drums, rallied the men, attacked, and routed the Goguryeo.
16
八月，甲辰，候騎獲莫離支諜者高竹離，反接詣軍門。 上召見，解縛問曰：「何瘦之甚？」 對曰：「竅道間行，不食數日矣。」 命賜之食，謂曰：「爾為諜，宜速反命。 為我寄語莫離支：欲知軍中消息，可遣人徑詣吾所，何必間行辛苦也！」 竹離徒跣，上賜屩而遣之。
In the eighth month, on the day jiachen, scouts seized Yeon Gaesomun's spy Gao Zhuli with his arms bound behind him and brought him to headquarters. The Emperor received him, cut his bonds, and asked, "Why are you so thin?" He replied, "I came by secret paths and have not eaten for days." The Emperor fed him and said, "You are a spy—go report back at once. Tell Yeon Gaesomun: if he wants news of my army, he may send envoys directly to me—why torture himself with secret routes?" Zhuli was barefoot; the Emperor gave him shoes and sent him on his way.
17
丙午，徙營於安市城南。 上在遼外，凡置營，但明斥候，不為塹壘，雖逼其城，高麗終不敢出為寇抄，軍士單行野宿如中國焉。
On the day bingwu, the army moved camp south of Anshi City. In Liaodong the Emperor camped with strong scouting but no trenches or walls. Even pressed against enemy cities, Goguryeo never dared raid, and his men walked and slept in the open as safely as at home.
18
上之將伐高麗也，薛延陀遣使入貢，上謂之曰：「語爾可汗：今我父子東征高麗，汝能為寇，宜亟來！」 真珠可汗惶恐，遣使致謝，且請發兵助軍； 上不許。 及高麗敗於駐驆山，莫離支使靺鞨說真珠，啖以厚利，真珠懾服不敢動。 九月，壬申，真珠卒，上為之發哀。
Before the Goguryeo campaign, Xueyantuo sent tribute envoys. The Emperor told them, "Tell your qaghan: my son and I are marching east against Goguryeo—if he means to raid us, let him come at once!" Qaghan Zhenzhu was terrified and sent envoys to apologize and offer troops to assist the campaign; the Emperor refused. After Goguryeo's defeat at Mount Halting-the-Carriage, Yeon Gaesomun sent Mohe to woo Zhenzhu with rich bribes, and the qaghan, intimidated, held still. In the ninth month, on the day renshen, Zhenzhu died, and the Emperor observed mourning for him.
19
初，真珠請以其庶長子曳莽為突利失可汗，居東方，統雜種； 嫡子拔灼為肆葉護可汗，居西方，統薛延陀； 詔許之，皆以禮冊命。 曳莽性躁擾，輕用兵，與拔灼不協。 真珠卒，來會喪。 既葬，曳莽恐拔灼圖己，先還所部，拔灼追襲殺之，自立為頡利俱利薛沙多彌可汗。
Earlier Zhenzhu had asked that his eldest son by a concubine, Yemang, be made Qaghan Tuli Shi in the east to rule the mixed tribes; his legitimate son Bazhuo was to be Qaghan Siye Hu in the west to rule the Xueyantuo core; the court approved and invested both by formal ceremony. Yemang was impulsive and quick to fight and did not get along with Bazhuo. When Zhenzhu died, both came for the funeral. After the burial, fearing Bazhuo would move against him, Yemang hurried back to his domain; Bazhuo overtook and killed him and proclaimed himself Qaghan Jieli Julixue Shaduomi.
20
上之克白巖也，謂李世勣曰：「吾聞安市城險而兵精，其城主材勇，莫離支之亂，城守不服，莫離支擊之不能下，因而與之。 建安兵弱而糧少，若出其不意，攻之必克。 公可先攻建安，建安下，則安市在吾腹中，此兵法所謂『城有所不攻』者也。」 對曰：「建安在南，安市在北，吾軍糧皆在遼東； 今逾安市而攻建安，若賊斷吾運道，將若之何？ 不如先攻安市，安市下，則鼓行而取建安耳。」 上曰：「以公為將，安得不用公策。 勿誤吾事！」 世勣遂攻安市。
After taking Baiyan, the Emperor told Li Shiji, "I hear Anshi is strong and well garrisoned, and its commandant gifted and bold. In Yeon Gaesomun's revolt the city refused to submit; Gaesomun could not take it and therefore granted it to him. Jian'an is weakly garrisoned and short of food—a surprise attack would surely take it. Attack Jian'an first. Once it falls, Anshi is ours for the taking—that is the art of war's 'cities you do not assault' in reverse." He answered, "Jian'an lies south and Anshi north, and all our supplies are in Liaodong; if we bypass Anshi for Jian'an and the enemy severs our supply line, what then? Better to take Anshi first, then march in triumph on Jian'an." The Emperor said, "You are my general—of course I follow your plan. Do not botch this for me!" Li Shiji thereupon besieged Anshi.
21
安市人望見上旗蓋，輒乘城鼓噪，上怒，世勣請克城之日，男子皆坑之。 安市人聞之，益堅守，攻久不下。 高延壽、高惠真請於上曰：「奴既委身大國，不敢不獻其誠，欲天子早成大功，奴得與妻子相見。 安市人顧惜其家，人自為戰，未易猝拔。 今奴以高麗十餘萬眾，望旗沮潰，國人膽破，烏骨城耨薩老耄，不能堅守，移兵臨之，朝至夕克。 其餘當道小城，必望風奔潰。 然後收其資糧，鼓行而前，平壤必不守矣。」 群臣亦言：「張亮兵在沙城，召之信宿可至，乘高麗兇懼，並力拔烏骨城，渡鴨綠水，直取平壤，在此舉矣。」 上將從之，獨長孫無忌以為：「天子親征，異於諸將，不可乘危徼幸。 今建安、新城之虜，眾猶十萬，若向烏骨，皆躡吾後，不如先破安市，取建安，然後長驅而進，此萬全之策也。」 上乃止。
Whenever the people of Anshi saw the imperial banner they jeered from the walls. Enraged, the Emperor agreed when Shiji asked that every man in the city be put to death on the day it fell. Hearing this, the defenders fought all the harder, and the siege dragged on. Gao Yanshou and Gao Hui Zhen pleaded, "We have submitted to the empire and owe you our utmost loyalty. Grant the Son of Heaven swift victory so we may see our families again. The people of Anshi fight for their homes, each man for himself—the city will not fall quickly. A hundred thousand of us collapsed at your banners—the kingdom is terrified. Wugu's garrison commander is old and weak. March on him and the city will fall in a day. Every other town on the road will scatter before you. Seize their stores, march in triumph, and Pyongyang cannot stand." The courtiers agreed: "Zhang Liang is at Shacheng—a messenger could bring him in two days. Strike while Goguryeo reels, take Wugu, cross the Yalu, and seize Pyongyang—now is the moment." The Emperor was inclined to agree, but Zhangsun Wuji alone objected: "The Son of Heaven on campaign is not like a general—he must not gamble on a risky stroke. Jian'an and Xincheng still hold a hundred thousand men—they will harry our rear if we strike Wugu. Take Anshi and Jian'an first, then advance—that is the sure course." The Emperor held back.
22
諸軍急攻安市，上聞城中雞彘聲，謂李世勣曰：「圍城積久，城中煙火日微，今雞彘甚喧，此必饗士，欲夜出襲我，宜嚴兵備之。」 是夜，高麗數百人縋城而下。 上聞之，自至城下，召兵急擊，斬首數十級，高麗退走。
As the siege wore on, the Emperor heard chickens and pigs from the city and told Li Shiji, "Smoke over the city grows thin, yet the livestock are loud—they are feasting the men for a night attack. Stand ready." That night several hundred Goguryeo soldiers rappelled down the wall. Hearing of it, the Emperor rode to the wall, called up troops, killed dozens, and drove the raiders back.
23
江夏王道宗督眾築土山於城東南隅，浸逼其城，城中亦增高其城以拒之。 士卒分番交戰，日六、七合，沖車砲石，壞其樓堞，城中隨立木柵以塞其缺。 道宗傷足，上親為之針。 築山晝夜不息，凡六旬，用功五十萬，山頂去城數丈，下臨城中，道宗使果毅傅伏愛將兵屯山頂以備敵。 山頹，壓城，城崩，會伏愛私離所部，高麗數百人從城缺出戰，遂奪據土山，塹而守之。 上怒，斬伏愛以徇，命諸將攻之，三日不能克。 道宗徒跣詣旗下請罪，上曰：「汝罪當死，但朕以漢武殺王恢，不如秦穆用孟明，且有破蓋牟、遼東之功，故特赦汝耳。」
Prince Jiangxia Li Daozong had the men build an earthen mound at the southeast corner, inching toward the walls while the defenders raised their ramparts higher. Troops fought in relays, six or seven assaults a day. Rams and stones smashed the towers; the defenders threw up wooden palisades to plug every breach. Daozong hurt his foot, and the Emperor personally treated it with acupuncture. For sixty days the mound rose without pause—five hundred thousand man-days of labor—until its crest stood only yards above the wall. Daozong posted the officer Fu Fu'ai on the summit with a garrison. The mound collapsed onto the wall and breached it. Fu'ai had slipped away from his post, and hundreds of Goguryeo poured through the gap, recaptured the hill, and entrenched there. The Emperor had Fu'ai beheaded as an example and ordered an assault, but three days failed to retake the hill. Daozong came barefoot to accept blame. The Emperor said, "You deserve death, but killing you would be like Han Wudi executing Wang Hui when Duke Mu of Qin forgave Meng Ming—and you took Gaimou and Liaodong. I pardon you."
24
上以遼左早寒，草枯水凍，士馬難久留，且糧食將盡，癸未，敕班師。 先拔遼、蓋二州戶口渡遼，乃耀兵於安市城下而旋，城中皆屏跡不出。 城主登城拜辭，上嘉其固守，賜縑百匹，以勵事君。 命李世勣、江夏王道宗將步騎四萬為殿。
Eastern Liaodong was already turning bitter cold; grass died, water froze, supplies ran low, and on the day guiwei the Emperor ordered the army home. They resettled the people of Liao and Gai prefectures west of the river, paraded before Anshi, and withdrew while the city stayed silent behind its walls. The commandant bowed from the wall in farewell. The Emperor admired his defense, gave him a hundred bolts of silk, and held him up as a model of loyalty. Li Shiji and Prince Jiangxia Li Daozong commanded forty thousand infantry and cavalry as rearguard.
25
乙酉，至遼東。 丙戌，渡遼水。 遼澤泥潦，車馬不通，命長孫無忌將萬人，剪草填道，水深處以車為梁，上自系薪於馬鞘以助役。 冬，十月，丙申朔，上至蒲溝駐馬，督填道諸軍渡渤錯水，暴風雪，士卒沾濕多死者，敕然火於道以待之。
On the day yiyou they reached Liaodong. On the day bingxu they crossed the Liao River. The Liao marshes were impassable mire. Zhangsun Wuji led ten thousand men to cut reeds and fill the road, bridging deep water with carts while the Emperor lashed firewood to his saddle and labored alongside them. In the tenth month of winter, on the new moon, he reached Pugou and oversaw the crossing of the Bohuo River. A blizzard killed many soaked soldiers; he ordered bonfires lit along the road to guide survivors in.
26
凡征高麗，拔玄菟、橫山、蓋牟、磨米、遼東、白巖、卑沙、麥谷、銀山、後黃十城，徙遼、蓋、巖三州戶口入中國者七萬人。 新城、建安、駐蹕三大戰，斬首四萬餘級，戰士死者幾二千人，戰馬死者什七、八。 上以不能成功，深悔之，歎曰：「魏徵若在，不使我有是行也！」 命馳驛祀征以少牢，復立所制碑，召其妻子詣行在，勞賜之。
The Goguryeo campaign captured ten cities and resettled seventy thousand households from Liao, Gai, and Yan prefectures into the empire. Three major battles at Xincheng, Jian'an, and Halting-the-Carriage yielded forty thousand enemy heads; nearly two thousand Tang soldiers fell, and seven or eight tenths of the horses died. Unable to finish the conquest, the Emperor deeply regretted the campaign and sighed, "Had Wei Zheng lived, he would never have let me march!" He sent couriers to offer sacrifice to Wei Zheng, restored his memorial stele, and summoned the family to camp to honor them with gifts.
27
丙午，至營州。 詔遼東戰亡士卒骸骨並集柳城東南，命有司設太牢，上自作文以祭之，臨哭盡哀。 其父母聞之，曰：「吾兒死而天子哭之，死何所恨！」 上謂薛仁貴曰：「朕諸將皆老，思得新進驍勇者將之，無如卿者； 朕不喜得遼東，喜得卿也。」
On the day bingwu they reached Ying Prefecture. He ordered the fallen of Liaodong gathered southeast of Liucheng, composed the funeral rite himself, and wept over them in full mourning. Their parents said, "Our sons died, yet the Son of Heaven mourned them—what more could we ask?" The Emperor told Xue Rengui, "My generals are growing old. I need a young champion to lead them—and there is no one like you; I am not glad for Liaodong—I am glad for you."
28
丙辰，上聞太子奉迎將至，從飛騎三千人馳入臨渝關，道逢太子。 上之發定州也，指所御褐袍謂太子曰：「俟見汝，乃易此袍耳。」 在遼左，雖盛暑流汗，弗之易。 及秋，穿敗，左右請易之，上曰：「軍士衣多弊，吾獨御新衣，可乎？」 至是，太子進新衣，乃易之。
On the day bingchen, hearing the Crown Prince was coming to meet him, he galloped through Linyu Pass with three thousand cavalry and met the prince on the road. Leaving Ding Prefecture he had pointed to his brown robe and told the prince, "I will not change this until I see you again." Through the heat of the Liaodong summer he never changed it. By autumn it was in tatters. His attendants urged a change, but he said, "My soldiers wear rags—should I alone dress in new clothes?" Only when the Crown Prince brought new robes did he finally change.
29
諸軍所虜高麗民萬四千口，先集幽州，將以賞軍士，上愍其父子夫婦離散，命有司平其直，悉以錢布贖為民，歡呼之聲，三日不息。 十一月，辛未，車駕至幽州，高麗民迎於城東，拜舞號呼，宛轉於地，塵埃彌望。
Fourteen thousand Goguryeo captives had been gathered at You Prefecture to reward the troops. Pitying their broken families, the Emperor paid fair prices and freed them all. Cheers rang out for three days. In the eleventh month, on the day xinwei, the court reached You Prefecture. Freed Goguryeo people welcomed them east of the city, kowtowing and weeping until dust obscured the sky.
30
庚辰，過易州境，司馬陳元□使民於地室蓄火種蔬而進之； 上惡其諂，免元□官。
On the day gengchen, passing Yi Prefecture, the marshal Chen Yuan had locals grow hot-house vegetables in underground pits to present to the court; the Emperor, disgusted by the flattery, stripped Chen Yuan of his post.
31
丙戌，車駕至定州。
On the day bingxu the court reached Ding Prefecture.
32
丁亥，吏部尚書楊師道坐所署用多非其才，左遷工部尚書。
On the day dinghai, Personnel Minister Yang Shidao was demoted to Minister of Works for appointing unqualified men.
33
壬辰，車駕發定州。 十二月，辛丑，上病癰，御步輦而行。 戊申，至并州，太子為上吮癰，扶輦步從者數日。 辛亥，上疾瘳，百官皆賀。
On the day renchen the court left Ding Prefecture. In the twelfth month, on the day xinchou, the Emperor fell ill with an abscess and traveled in a litter. On the day wushen they reached Bing Prefecture. The Crown Prince sucked the pus from the abscess and walked beside the litter for days. On the day xinhai the Emperor recovered, and the court rejoiced.
34
上之征高麗也，使右領軍大將軍執失思力將突厥屯夏州之北，以備薛延陀。 薛延陀多彌可汗既立，以上出征未還，引兵寇河南，上遣左武候中郎將長安田仁會與思力合兵擊之。 思力羸形偽退，誘之深入，及夏州之境，整陳以待之。 薛延陀大敗，追奔六百餘里，耀威磧北而還。 多彌復發兵寇夏州，己未，敕禮部尚書江夏王道宗，發朔、並、汾、箕、嵐、代、忻、蔚、雲九州兵鎮朔州； 右衛大將軍代州都督薛萬徹，左驍衛大將軍阿史那社爾，發勝、夏、銀、綏、丹、延、鄜、坊、石、隰十州兵鎮勝州； 勝州都督宋君明，左武候將軍薛孤吳，發靈、原、寧、鹽、慶五州兵鎮靈州； 又令執失思力發靈、勝二州突厥兵，與道宗等相應。 薛延陀至塞下，知有備，不敢進。
For the Goguryeo campaign he had Right Vanguard General Zhishi Sili post Turks north of Xia Prefecture to guard against Xueyantuo. The new Xueyantuo qaghan Duomi raided south of the Yellow River while the Emperor was away. The Emperor sent Left Martial Guard Commandant Tian Renhui to join Sili against him. Sili feigned weakness and retreat, drew them deep, then formed battle lines at Xia Prefecture. The Xueyantuo were routed and pursued six hundred li; Tang power was displayed across the northern desert before the army returned. Duomi raided Xia Prefecture again. On the day jiwei the Emperor ordered Prince Jiangxia Li Daozong to mobilize troops from nine prefectures to garrison Shuo; Right Guard General Xue Wanche and Left Martial Guard General Ashina She'er were to garrison Sheng with troops from ten prefectures; Governor Song Junming and General Xue Guwu were to garrison Ling with troops from five prefectures; Zhishi Sili was also to mobilize Turkic troops from Ling and Sheng to coordinate with them. The Xueyantuo reached the frontier, saw the defenses, and dared not advance.
35
初，上留侍中劉洎輔皇太子於定州，仍兼左庶子、檢校民部尚書，總吏、禮、戶部三尚書事。 上將行，謂洎曰：「我今遠征，爾輔太子，安危所寄，宜深識我意。」 對曰：「願陛下無憂，大臣有罪者，臣謹即行誅。」 上以其言妄發，頗怪之，戒曰：「卿性疏而太健，必以此敗，深宜慎之！」 及上不豫，洎從內出，色甚悲懼，謂同列曰：「疾勢如此，聖躬可憂！」 或譖於上曰：「洎言國家事不足憂，但當輔幼主行伊、霍故事，大臣有異志者誅之，自定矣。」 上以為然，庚申，下詔稱：「洎與人竊議，窺窬萬一，謀執朝衡，自處伊、霍，猜忌大臣，皆欲夷戮。 宜賜自盡，免其妻孥。」
The Emperor had left Palace Attendant Liu Ji at Ding Prefecture to assist the Crown Prince, also serving as vice heir-apparent and acting household minister over Personnel, Rites, and Revenue. Before departing he told Ji, "I march far away. You guard the Crown Prince—the realm's safety rests on you. Understand my intent fully." Ji answered, "Have no fear, Your Majesty—if any minister offends, I will execute him at once." The Emperor was troubled by his rashness and warned, "You are loose and overbold—you will destroy yourself this way. Be careful!" When the Emperor fell ill, Ji emerged from the inner quarters pale with fear and told his colleagues, "The illness is grave—the Son of Heaven is in danger!" Someone slandered him, claiming Ji had said state affairs did not matter—only to aid the young emperor like Yi Yin and Huo Guang and kill disloyal ministers. The Emperor believed it. On the day gengshen he decreed that Ji had plotted treason, sought to rule as regent like Yi Yin and Huo Guang, and intended to slaughter the ministers. He was ordered to take his own life; his family was spared."
36
中書令馬周攝吏部尚書，以四時選為勞，請復以十一月選，至三月畢； 從之。
Palace Secretariat Director Ma Zhou, acting as personnel minister, found year-round appointments burdensome and asked to hold selections from the eleventh month through the third; The court agreed.
37
是歲，右親衛中郎將裴行方討茂州叛羌黃郎弄，大破之，窮其餘黨，西至乞習山，臨弱水而歸。
That year Right Personal Guard Commandant Pei Xingfang crushed the rebel Qiang leader Huang Langnong of Maozhou, pursued his remnants west to Mount Qixi and the Ruoshui River, and returned.
38
春，正月，辛未，夏州都督喬師望、右領軍大將軍執失思力等擊薛延陀，大破之，虜獲二千餘人。 多彌可汗輕騎遁走，部內騷然矣。
In the first month of spring, on the day xinwei, Qiao Shiwang, Zhishi Sili, and others routed the Xueyantuo and took more than two thousand prisoners. Qaghan Duomi fled with a small escort, and his tribes fell into turmoil.
39
丁丑，遣大理卿孫伏伽等二十二人以六條巡察四方，刺史、縣令以下多所貶黜，其人詣闕稱冤者，前後相屬。 上令褚遂良類狀以聞，上親臨決，以能進擢者二十人，以罪死者七人，流以下除免者數百千人。
On the day dingchou he sent Sun Fuga and twenty-two inspectors on a six-point tour of the empire. Many local officials were demoted, and a stream of the wrongly punished came to appeal at court. Chu Suiliang summarized the cases for him. The Emperor judged personally: twenty capable men were promoted, seven executed, and hundreds demoted or exiled.
40
二月，乙未，上發并州。 三月，己巳，車駕還京師。 上謂李靖曰：「吾以天下之眾困於小夷，何也？」 靖曰：「此道宗所解。」 上顧問江夏王道宗，具陳在駐驊時乘虛取平壤之言。 上悵然曰：「當時匆匆，吾不憶也。」
In the second month, on the day yiyi, the Emperor left Bing Prefecture. In the third month, on the day jisi, the court returned to the capital. The Emperor asked Li Jing, "How could the empire's full might be stalemated by a petty barbarian state?" Li Jing answered, "Prince Daozong explained it." The Emperor turned to Prince Jiangxia Li Daozong, who recounted his proposal at Halting-the-Carriage to strike Pyongyang while the enemy was exposed. The Emperor said wistfully, "I was too hurried then—I had forgotten."
41
上疾未全平，欲專保養，庚午，詔軍國機務並委皇太子處決。 於是太子間日聽政於東宮，既罷，則入侍藥膳，不離左右。 上命太子暫出遊觀，太子辭不願出； 上乃置別院於寢殿側，使太子居之。 褚遂良請遣太子旬日一還東宮，與師傅講道義； 從之。
Still recovering, on the day gengwu he entrusted all military and civil affairs to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince heard cases every other day at the Eastern Palace, then returned to nurse the Emperor without leaving his side. The Emperor urged the prince to take a brief outing, but the prince refused; so the Emperor built a side chamber next to his sickroom for the prince. Chu Suiliang asked that the prince return to the Eastern Palace every ten days to study with his tutors; The Emperor agreed.
42
上嘗幸未央宮，辟仗已過，忽於草中見一人帶橫刀，詰之，曰：「聞辟仗至，懼不敢出，辟仗者不見，遂伏不敢動。」 上遽引還，顧謂太子：「茲事行之，則數人當死，汝於後速縱遣之。」 又嘗乘腰輿，有三衛誤拂御衣，其人懼，色變。 上曰：「此間無御史，吾不汝罪也。」
Visiting Weiyang Palace after the honor guard had passed, the Emperor found a man with a sword hiding in the grass. The man said he had lain there in terror throughout the procession, afraid to move. The Emperor hurried him away and told the Crown Prince, "If we pursued this, several men would die—release him quickly afterward." Once in a litter, a guard accidentally brushed the imperial robe; the man went pale with fear. The Emperor said, "There is no censor here—I will not punish you."
43
陝人常德玄告刑部尚書張亮養假子五百人，與術士公孫常語，云「名應圖讖」，又問術士程公穎云：「吾臂有龍鱗起，欲舉大事，可乎？」 上命馬周等按其事，亮辭不服。 上曰：「亮有假子五百人，養此輩何為？ 正欲反耳！」 命百官議其獄，皆言亮反，當誅。 獨將作少匠李道裕言：「亮反形未具，罪不當死。」 上遣長孫無忌、房玄齡就獄與亮訣曰：「法者天下之平，與公共之。 公自不謹，與凶人往還，陷入於法，今將奈何！ 公好去。」 己丑，亮與公穎俱斬西市，籍沒其家。
Chang De'xuan of Shan accused Justice Minister Zhang Liang of keeping five hundred foster sons and consulting adepts who said his name fulfilled prophecy. Liang had asked another adept whether dragon scales on his arm meant he should rebel. The Emperor had Ma Zhou and his colleagues investigate; Zhang Liang denied the charges and refused to yield. The Emperor said, "Why keep five hundred foster sons? He means to rebel!" He ordered the court to deliberate; all agreed Liang had rebelled and must die. Only Master of Works aide Li Daoyu dissented: "The evidence of rebellion is incomplete—death is not warranted." The Emperor sent Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling to bid Liang farewell: "Law is the empire's balance, and we share it with you. You were careless, consorted with villains, and fell under the law—what can be done now? Farewell." "On that day Zhang Liang and Cheng Gongying were both executed at the Western Market, and their estates were seized."
44
歲餘，刑部侍郎缺，上命執政妙擇其人，擬數人，皆不稱旨，既而曰：「朕得其人矣。 往者李道裕議張亮獄云『反形未具』，此言當矣，朕雖不從，至今悔之。」 遂以道裕為刑部侍郎。
More than a year later, with the vice ministership of Justice vacant, the Emperor asked his chief ministers to find the right man. Several candidates displeased him until he declared that he had found his man. When Li Daoyu said Zhang Liang's rebellion was not yet fully proven, he was right. I rejected him then and have regretted it ever since." "Li Daoyu was then appointed Vice Minister of Justice.
45
閏月，癸巳朔，日有食之。
In the intercalary month, at the new moon on guisi day, the sun was eclipsed.
46
戊戌，罷遼州都督府及巖州。
On wuxu day the Liaozhou protectorate and Yan Prefecture were abolished.
47
夏，四月，甲子，太子太保蕭瑀解太保，乃同中書門下三品。
In the fourth month of summer, on jiazi day, Xiao Yu stepped down as Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent and resumed his post as chief councilor of the third rank.
48
五月，甲寅，高麗王藏及莫離支蓋金遣使謝罪，並獻二美女，上還之。 金，即蘇文也。
In the fifth month, on jiayin day, Goguryeo's King Jang and Minister Gai Jin of Molich sent envoys to apologize and offered two women; the Emperor sent them back. Gai Jin was Yeon Gaesomun.
49
六月，丁卯，西突闕乙毘射匱可汗遣使入貢，且請婚； 上許之，且使割龜茲、于闐、疏勒、朱俱波、蔥嶺五國以為聘禮。
In the sixth month, on dingmao day, the Western Türk qaghan Shotpo Kulug sent tribute and asked for an imperial marriage alliance; the Emperor agreed and required him to yield Kucha, Khotan, Kashgar, Zhuqubo, and the Congling region as the bride-price.
50
薛延陀多彌可汗，性褊急，猜忌無恩，廢棄父時貴臣，專用己所親暱，國人不附。 多彌多所誅殺，人不自安。 回紇酋長吐迷度與僕骨、同羅共擊之，多彌大敗。 乙亥，詔以江夏王道宗、左衛大將軍阿史那社爾為瀚海安撫大使； 又遣右領衛大將軍執失思力將突厥兵，右驍衛大將軍契苾何力將涼州及胡兵，代州都督薛萬徹、營州都督張儉各將所部兵，分道並進，以擊薛延陀。
Duomi, qaghan of the Xueyantuo, was impulsive, suspicious, and ungrateful; he dismissed his father's ministers and favored only cronies, and his people lost heart. His executions spread fear through the realm. Uyghur chief Tumidu allied with the Pugu and Tongluo to strike him, inflicting a crushing defeat. On yihai day the Emperor named Prince Daizong of Jiangxia and Left Guard general Ashina She'er commissioners to pacify the Hanhai region; and dispatched Zhisi Sili with Türk cavalry, Qibi Heli with Liangzhou and tribal forces, and Xue Wanche and Zhang Jian with their own commands in a coordinated advance against Xueyantuo.
51
上遣校尉宇文法詣烏羅護、靺鞨，遇薛延陀阿波設之兵於東境，法帥靺鞨擊破之。 薛延陀國中驚擾，曰：「唐兵至矣！」 諸部大亂。 多彌引數千騎奔阿史德時健部落，回紇攻而殺之，並其宗族殆盡，遂據其地。 諸俟斤互相攻擊，爭遣使來歸命。
The Emperor sent Commandant Yuwen Fa to the Wuluo Guard and Mohe peoples. On the eastern frontier Fa met Apo She's Xueyantuo force and routed it with Mohe allies. Panic spread through Xueyantuo: "The Tang army is upon us!" Every tribe broke into chaos. Duomi fled with a few thousand riders to the Ashide Shijian tribe; the Uyghurs pursued, killed him, nearly wiped out his clan, and seized his lands. The tribal leaders fought each other while rushing envoys to pledge allegiance to the Tang.
52
薛延陀餘眾西走，猶七萬餘口，共立真珠可汗兄子咄摩支為伊特勿失可汗，歸其故地。 尋去可汗之號，遣使奉表，請居郁督軍山之北； 使兵部尚書崔敦禮就安集之。
Some seventy thousand Xueyantuo survivors fled west, enthroned Duomozhi—a nephew of the late qaghan Zhenzhu—as Yite Wushi Qaghan, and resettled their old pastures. He soon renounced the qaghan title, petitioned the court, and asked to settle north of Mount Yudujun; and sent War Minister Cui Dunli to receive and settle them.
53
敕勒九姓酋長，以其部落素服薛延陀種，聞咄摩支來，皆恐懼，朝議恐其為磧北之患，乃更遣李世勣與九姓敕勒共圖之。 上戒世勣曰：「降則撫之，叛則討之。」 己丑，上手詔，以「薛延陀破滅，其敕勒諸部，或來降附，或未歸服，今不乘機，恐貽後悔，朕當自詣靈州招撫。 其去歲征遼東兵，皆不調發。」
The Tiele chieftains of nine clans, long subject to Xueyantuo rule, feared Duomozhi's return. Court officials worried about renewed trouble beyond the desert and sent Li Shiji with the nine Tiele tribes to deal with him. The Emperor instructed Li Shiji: "Accept surrender with kindness; crush rebellion with force." On jichou the Emperor issued a personal edict: "With Xueyantuo destroyed, many Tiele tribes have submitted while others remain aloof. This moment must not be lost to regret—I will go to Lingzhou myself to win them over. None of last year's Liaodong expedition forces would be mobilized for the journey."
54
時太子當從行，少詹事張行成上疏，以為：「皇太子從幸靈州，不若使之監國，接對百寮，明習庶政，既為京師重鎮，且示四方盛德。 宜割私愛，俯從公道。」 上以為忠，進位銀青光祿大夫。
The Crown Prince was slated to accompany the tour when Junior Tutor Zhang Xingcheng submitted a memorial arguing that he should remain as regent, meet the officials, learn governance, guard the capital, and display imperial steadiness to the empire. Put private feeling aside and follow the public good." "The Emperor praised his loyalty and promoted him to Silver Glory Grand Master of Splendid Hall.
55
李世勣至郁督軍山，其酋長梯真達官帥眾來降。 薛延陀咄摩支南奔荒谷，世勣遣通事舍人蕭嗣業往招慰，咄摩支詣嗣業降。 其部落猶持兩端，世勣縱兵追擊，前後斬五千餘級，虜男女三萬餘人。 秋，七月，咄摩支至京師，拜右武衛大將軍。
At Yudujun Mountain, Li Shiji received the surrender of chieftain Tizhen Daguan and his people. Duomozhi fled south into the wilds; Li Shiji sent Xiao Siye to treat with him, and Duomozhi surrendered to Siye. His tribe still wavered, so Li Shiji attacked, killing more than five thousand and capturing over thirty thousand men and women. In the seventh month of autumn Duomozhi reached the capital and was made Grand General of the Right Martial Guard.
56
八月，甲子，立皇孫忠為陳王。
In the eighth month, on jiazi day, the Emperor's grandson Zhong was created Prince of Chen.
57
己巳，上行幸靈州。 江夏王道宗兵既渡磧，遇薛延陀阿波達官眾數萬拒戰，道宗擊破之，斬首千餘級，追奔二百里。 道宗與薛萬徹各遣使招諭敕勒諸部，其酋長皆喜，頓首請入朝。 庚午，車駕至浮陽。 回紇、拔野古、同羅、僕骨、多濫葛、思結、阿跌、契苾、跌結、渾、斛薛等十一姓各遣使入貢，稱：「薛延陀不事大國，暴虐無道，不能與奴等為主，自取敗死，部落鳥散，不知所之。 奴等各有分地，不從薛延陀去，歸命天子。 願賜哀憐，乞置官司，養育奴等。」 上大喜。 辛未，詔回紇等使者宴樂，頒賚拜官，賜其酋長璽書； 遣右領軍中郎將安永壽報使。
On jisi day the Emperor set out for Lingzhou. Prince Daizong crossed the desert, smashed a Xueyantuo force tens of thousands strong under Apo Daguan, took more than a thousand heads, and pursued them two hundred li. Daizong and Xue Wanche sent envoys to the Tiele tribes, whose chieftains gladly kowtowed and asked to come to court. On gengwu day the imperial procession reached Fuyang. Eleven tribal confederations including the Uyghurs and Bayegu sent tribute, declaring that Xueyantuo had refused to serve the great power, ruled with cruelty, and deserved ruin; their clans had fled like startled birds. We keep our own lands and have not followed Xueyantuo; we submit to the Son of Heaven. Grant us mercy and appoint officials to care for us." The Emperor was overjoyed. On xinwei day he feasted the tribal envoys, gave rewards and titles, and granted sealed patents to their chieftains; "and dispatched An Yongshou of the Right Leading Guard as envoy in reply.
58
壬申，上幸漢故甘泉宮，詔以「戎、狄與天地俱生，上皇並列，流殃構禍，乃自運初。 朕聊命偏師，遂擒頡利； 始弘廟略，已滅延陀。 鐵勒百餘萬戶，散處北溟，遠遣使人，委身內屬，請同編列，並為州郡； 混元以降，殊未前聞，宜備禮告廟，仍頒示普天。」
On renshen he visited the old Han Ganquan Palace and proclaimed: "Since creation the northern peoples have stood beside the sage kings, yet from the dawn of history they have brought war and ruin. With a single detachment I captured Jieli; and by imperial design have now destroyed the Xueyantuo. Over a million Tiele households beyond the northern sea have sent envoys to submit and ask to be registered as Tang prefectures; such a thing has never been known since the world's beginning. Let full rites be reported to the ancestral temples and the tidings proclaimed to all the realm."
59
庚辰，至涇州； 丙戌，逾隴山，至西瓦亭，觀馬牧。 九月，上至靈州，敕勒諸部俟斤遣使相繼詣靈州者數千人，鹹云：「願得天至尊為奴等天可汗，子子孫孫常為天至尊奴，死無所恨。」 甲辰，上為詩序其事曰：「雪恥酬百王，除凶報千古。」 公卿請勒石於靈州； 從之。
On gengchen he arrived at Jingzhou; On bingxu he crossed Long Mountain to West Wa Pavilion to inspect the horse herds. In the ninth month he reached Lingzhou, where thousands of Tiele envoys pledged: "Make us your Heavenly Qaghan; we and our descendants will serve you forever without regret." On jiachen day he composed a poem on the event: "White shame pays the hundred kings; ending evil answers the ages." His ministers asked that the occasion be carved in stone at Lingzhou; The Emperor agreed.
60
特進同中書門下三品宋公蕭瑀，性狷介，與同寮多不合，嘗言於上曰：「房玄齡與中書門下眾臣，朋黨不忠，執權膠固。 陛下不詳知，但未反耳。」 上曰：「卿言得無太甚！ 人君選賢才以為股肱心膂，當推誠任之。 人不可以求備，必捨其所短，取其所長。 朕雖不能聰明，何至頓迷臧否，乃至於是！」 瑀內不自得，既數忤旨，上亦銜之，但以其忠直居多，未忍廢也。
Xiao Yu, Duke of Song and chief councilor, was touchy and quarrelsome with colleagues. He once told the Emperor that Fang Xuanling and the chancellery formed a disloyal faction monopolizing power. Your Majesty does not see it clearly—they have simply not rebelled yet." The Emperor replied, "Is that not going too far? A ruler chooses able men as his arms and his heart and must trust them fully. No man is flawless; overlook faults and employ strengths. I may not be brilliant, but I am not so blind to right and wrong as that!" "Xiao Yu grew uneasy. Though the Emperor resented his repeated defiance, he still tolerated him for his habitual blunt honesty.
61
上嘗謂張亮曰：「卿既事佛，何不出家？」 瑀因自請出家。 上曰：「亦知公雅好桑門，今不違公意。」 瑀須臾復進曰：「臣適思之，不能出家。」 上以瑀對群臣發言反覆，尤不能平； 會稱足疾不朝，或至朝堂而不入見。 上知瑀意終怏怏，冬，十月，手詔數其罪曰：「朕於佛教，非意所遵。 求其道者未驗福於將來，修其教者翻受辜於既往。 至若梁武窮心於釋氏，簡文銳意於法門，傾帑藏以給僧示氐，殫人力以供塔廟。 及乎三淮沸浪，五嶺騰煙，假餘息於熊蹯，引殘魂於雀鷇，子孫覆亡而不暇，社稷俄頃而為墟，報施之征，何其謬也！ 瑀踐覆車之餘軌，襲亡國之遺風； 棄公就私，未明隱顯之際； 身俗口道，莫辨邪正之心。 修累葉之殃源，祈一躬之福本，上以違忤君主，下則扇習浮華。 自請出家，尋復違異。 一回一惑，在乎瞬息之間； 自可自否，變於帷扆之所。 乖棟樑之體，豈具瞻之量乎！ 朕隱忍至今，瑀全無悛改。 可商州刺史，仍除其封。」 上自高麗還，蓋蘇文益驕恣，雖遣使奉表，其言率皆詭誕； 又待唐使者倨慢，常窺伺邊隙。 屢敕令勿攻新羅，而侵陵不止。 壬申，詔勿受其朝貢，更議討之。
The Emperor once said to him, "You are devoted to Buddhism—why not become a monk?" Xiao Yu promptly asked permission to take orders. The Emperor said, "I know your love for the monastic life and will not oppose you." Moments later Xiao Yu returned and said, "On reflection, I cannot become a monk." The Emperor was especially displeased that Xiao Yu had contradicted himself before the court; and Xiao Yu then pleaded foot trouble, either absenting himself or lingering in the hall without audience. Knowing Xiao Yu remained resentful, in the tenth month of winter the Emperor's personal edict listed his offenses: "Buddhism is not what I intend to follow. Its promise of future blessing goes unproved; its devotees suffer guilt for the past. Emperor Wu of Liang poured his soul into Buddhism and Emperor Jian of Liang into the Dharma, emptying the treasury for monks and conscripting labor for temples. When the Huai seethed and the Lingnan burned, their scions perished and their states fell in moments—what blind reward was that! You follow the wheel tracks of ruined realms and their dying customs; you abandoned public duty for private ends, blind to what should be shown or concealed; you lived as a layman while preaching the Way, unable to tell evil from right. You courted multigenerational misfortune for private blessing, defying your sovereign above while spreading vain fashion below. You asked to take orders, then at once refused. Conviction and doubt traded places in a breath; you affirmed and denied yourself before the imperial throne. You have failed as a pillar of state—what leader can the court look up to? I have borne with you until now, yet you show no repentance. He was demoted to prefect of Shangzhou and stripped of his fief." When Emperor Taizong returned from his Goryeo campaign, Yeon Gaesomun grew bolder; though he sent envoys with memorials, their words were mostly lies;" He treated Tang envoys with contempt and constantly watched for weaknesses along the frontier. Though repeatedly forbidden to attack Silla, he kept raiding without stop. "On renshen day the court refused their tribute and debated renewed punitive action.
62
丙戌，車駕還京師。
On bingxu the emperor returned to the capital.
63
冬，十月，己丑，上以幸靈州往還，冒寒疲頓，欲於歲前專事保攝。 十一月，己丑，詔祭祀、表疏、胡客、兵馬、宿衛，行魚契給驛、授五品以上官及除解、決死罪皆以聞，餘並取皇太子處分。
In the tenth month of winter, on jichou, Emperor Taizong—exhausted by the cold journey to and from Lingzhou—resolved to rest and recuperate before year's end. In the eleventh month, on jichou, Emperor Taizong reserved sacrifices, memorials, foreign visitors, troops, guards, travel tallies, senior appointments, dismissals, and capital sentences for himself; everything else went to the crown prince.
64
十二月，己丑，群臣累請封禪； 從之。 詔造羽衛送洛陽宮。
In the twelfth month, on jichou, the ministers repeatedly petitioned for the Mount Tai rites; The emperor agreed. He ordered the imperial guard prepared and sent to the Luoyang palace.
65
戊寅，回紇俟利發吐迷度、僕骨俟利發歌濫拔延、多濫葛俟斤末、拔野古俟利發屈利失、同羅俟利發時健啜、思結酋長烏碎及渾、斛薛、奚結、阿跌、契苾、白□酋長皆來朝。 庚辰，上賜宴於芳蘭殿，命有司厚加給待，每五日一會。
On wuyin day the Uyghur, Bokut, Dolange, Bayegu, Tongluo, and Sijie leaders, with chiefs of the Hun, Huoxue, Xijie, Adie, Qibi, and Bai□ tribes, all presented themselves at court. On gengchen Emperor Taizong feasted them in the Hall of Fragrant Orchids, ordering lavish provisions and a gathering every five days.
66
癸未，上謂長孫無忌等曰：「今日吾生日，世俗皆為樂，在朕翻成傷感。 今君臨天下，富有四海，而承歡膝下，永不可得，此子路所以有負米之恨也。 《詩》云：『哀哀父母，生我劬勞。』 奈何以劬勞之日更為宴樂乎！」 因泣數行下，左右皆悲。
On guimwei Emperor Taizong told Zhangsun Wuji and the others, "Today is my birthday. The world celebrates, but for me it only deepens sorrow. I rule the realm and own the four seas, yet I can never again delight my parents at their knee—that is why Zilu mourned that he could no longer carry rice for them. The Book of Odes says, 'Alas for my parents, who bore me with such labor.' How can I turn a day that should honor their labor into feasting and pleasure!" He wept until tears ran down his face, and all those beside him were moved to grief.
67
房玄齡嘗以微譴歸第，褚遂良上疏，以為：「玄齡自義旗之始翼贊聖功，武德之季冒死決策，貞觀之初選賢立政，人臣之勤，玄齡為最。 自非有罪在不赦，搢紳同尤，不可遐棄。 陛下若以其衰老，亦當諷諭使之致仕，退之以禮； 不可以淺鮮之過，棄數十年之勳舊。」 上遽召出之。 頃之，玄齡復避位還家。 久之，上幸芙蓉園，玄齡敕子弟汛掃門庭，曰：「乘輿且至！」 有頃，上果幸其第，因載玄齡還宮。
Fang Xuanling had once been sent home over a minor rebuke. Chu Suiliang memorialized that from the founding of the dynasty through Wude and into Zhenguan, Fang Xuanling's service had been unmatched among ministers. Unless his crime is unpardonable and the court shares the blame, he must not be cast aside. If Your Majesty thinks him too old, you should counsel him to retire and send him off with honor; not discard decades of merit over a trifling fault. Emperor Taizong at once recalled him to court. Soon afterward Fang Xuanling again resigned and went home. Some time later, when Emperor Taizong visited Furong Garden, Fang Xuanling had his household sweep the courtyard, saying, "The emperor is coming!" "Shortly after, the emperor did visit his home and took him back to the palace in the imperial carriage.
68
春，正月，開府儀同三司申文獻公高士廉疾篤； 辛卯，上幸其第，流涕與訣； 壬辰，薨。 上將往哭之，房玄齡以上疾新愈，固諫，上曰：「高公非徒君臣，兼以故舊姻戚，豈得聞其喪不往哭乎？ 公勿復言！」 帥左右自興安門出。 長孫無忌在士廉喪所，聞上將至，輟哭，迎諫於馬首曰：「陛下餌金石，於方不得臨喪，奈何不為宗廟蒼生自重！ 且臣舅臨終遺言，深不欲以北首、夷衾，輒屈鑾駕。」 上不聽。 無忌中道伏臥，流涕固諫，上乃還入東苑，南望而哭，涕下如雨。 及柩出橫橋，上登長安故城西北樓，望之慟哭。
In the first month of spring, Grand Mentor Gao Shilian, Duke of Shen, fell gravely ill; On xinmao Emperor Taizong visited him, weeping as he said farewell; On renchen he died. When Emperor Taizong prepared to attend the funeral, Fang Xuanling, citing his recent recovery, urged him not to go. The emperor said, "Lord Gao was not only my minister but an old friend and kinsman—how can I hear of his death and not mourn him? Say no more!" He led his attendants out through Xing'an Gate. Zhangsun Wuji was at the mourning hall. Hearing the emperor was coming, he stopped weeping and blocked his horse, saying, "Your Majesty takes elixirs and by medical rule must not attend funerals—will you not spare the state and the people this risk? Moreover my uncle's dying wish was that the imperial carriage should not come to find him laid out head north under foreign covers." The emperor would not heed him. Wuji threw himself down in the road, weeping and pleading until the emperor turned back into the Eastern Park, gazed south, and wept until tears fell like rain. When the coffin crossed Heng Bridge, he climbed the northwest tower of old Chang'an and wailed as he watched it pass.
69
丙申，詔以回紇部為瀚海府，僕骨為金微府，多濫葛為燕然府，拔野古為幽陵府，同羅為龜林府，思結為盧山府，渾為皋蘭州，斛薛為高闕州，奚結為雞鹿州，阿跌為雞田州，契苾為榆溪州，思結別部為蹛林州，白□為置顏州； 各以其酋長為都督、刺史，各賜金銀繒帛及錦袍。 敕勒大喜，捧戴歡呼拜舞，宛轉塵中。 及還，上御天成殿宴，設十部樂而遣之。 諸酋長奏稱：「臣等既為唐民，往來天至尊所，如詣父母，請於回紇以南、突厥以北開一道，謂之參天可汗道，置六十八驛，各有馬及酒肉以供過使，歲貢貂皮以充租賦，仍請能屬文人，使為表疏。」 上皆許之。 於是北荒悉平，然回紇吐迷度已私自稱可汗，官號皆如突厥故事。
On bingshen the court established prefectures for the Uyghur, Bokut, Dolange, Bayegu, Tongluo, Sijie, Hun, Huoxue, Xijie, Adie, Qibi, a separate Sijie branch, and Bai□ tribes; appointed each chieftain governor or prefect, and bestowed gold, silver, silks, and brocade robes. The Tiele were overjoyed, shouting, bowing, and dancing as they rolled in the dust. On their departure Emperor Taizong feasted them in Tiancheng Hall with the ten-section orchestra and sent them home. The chiefs petitioned: "We are now subjects of Tang; visiting the Son of Heaven is like visiting our parents. We ask for a road south of the Uyghur and north of the Turks—the Road of the Heaven-Reaching Khan—with sixty-eight relay stations stocked with horses, wine, and meat for envoys, yearly sable tribute in lieu of tax, and literati to write our memorials." Emperor Taizong granted every request. The northern frontier was thus pacified, though Uyghur leader Tulumidu had already styled himself khan with Turkic titles.
70
丁酉，詔以明年仲春有事泰山，禪社首； 餘並依十五年議。
On dingyou the court scheduled the Mount Tai feng and Sheshou shan rites for the following mid-spring; all other arrangements followed the plan of the fifteenth year.
71
二月，丁丑，太子釋奠於國學。
In the second month, on dingchou, the crown prince offered the ceremonial libation at the Imperial Academy.
72
上將復伐高麗，朝議以為：「高麗依山為城，攻之不可猝拔。 前大駕親征，國人不得耕種，所克之城，悉收其谷，繼以旱災，民太半乏食。 今若數遣偏師，更迭擾其疆場，使彼疲於奔命，釋耒入堡，數年之間，千里蕭條，則人心自離，鴨綠之北，可不戰而取矣。」 上從之。 三月，以左武衛大將軍牛進達為青丘道行軍大總管，右武候將軍李海岸副之，發兵萬餘人，乘樓船自萊州泛海而入。 又以太子詹事李世勣為遼東道行軍大總管，右武衛將軍孫貳朗等副之，將兵三千人，因營州都督府兵自新城道入。 兩軍皆選習水善戰者配之。
As Emperor Taizong prepared another Goryeo campaign, the court argued that Goryeo's mountain fortresses could not be taken quickly. The last imperial campaign had kept farmers from their fields, stripped grain from captured towns, and drought had left most of the people hungry. Send detachments in rotation to harry their borders until they exhaust themselves, abandon the fields, and crowd into forts. In a few years a thousand li will lie waste, the people will turn against their rulers, and everything north of the Yalu may be won without a major battle. The emperor agreed. In the third month Niu Jinda, general of the Left Martial Guards, was made grand commander of the Qingqiu route with Li Hai'an as deputy; they raised more than ten thousand men and entered by sea from Laizhou in tower ships. Li Shiji, steward of the crown prince's household, was made grand commander of the Liaodong route with Sun Erlang and others as deputies; with three thousand men he entered by the Xincheng route supported by Bingzhou garrison troops. "Both forces were staffed with men skilled in naval combat.
73
辛卯，上曰：「朕於戎、狄所以能取古人所不能取，臣古人所不能臣者，皆順眾人之所欲故也。 昔禹帥九州之民，鑿山槎木，疏百川注之海，其勞甚矣，而民不怨者，因人之心，順地之勢，與民同利故也。」
On xinmao Emperor Taizong said, "I have won and ruled peoples the ancients could not because I follow what they themselves want. Yu led the Nine Provinces to cut mountains, raft timber, and channel rivers to the sea. The labor was immense, yet the people did not complain because he followed their hearts, suited the terrain, and shared the benefit."
74
是月，上得風疾，苦京師盛暑，夏，四月，乙丑，命修終南山太和廢宮為翠微宮。
That month Emperor Taizong fell ill with a wind disorder and, distressed by the capital's summer heat, ordered in the fourth month on yichou that the abandoned Taihe Palace on Mount Zhongnan be restored as Cuiwei Palace.
75
丙寅，置燕然都護府，統瀚海等六都督、皋蘭等七州，以揚州都督府司馬李素立為之。 素立撫以恩信，夷落懷之，共率馬牛為獻； 素立唯受其酒一杯，餘悉還之。
On bingyin the Yanran Protectorate was established over six protectorates including Hanhai and seven prefectures including Gaolan, with Li Suli of Yangzhou as its commissioner. Suli won them with kindness and trust, and the tribes brought horses and cattle as gifts; he accepted only one cup of wine from each and returned the rest.
76
五月，戊子，上幸翠微宮。 冀州進士張昌齡獻《翠微宮頌》，上愛其文，命於通事舍人裡供奉。
In the fifth month, on wuzi, Emperor Taizong went to Cuiwei Palace. Zhang Changling of Jizhou presented an ode to Cuiwei Palace; pleased with it, the emperor attached him to the secretariat for protocol service.
77
初，昌齡與進士王公治皆善屬文，名振京師，考功員外郎王師旦知貢舉，黜之，舉朝莫曉其故。 及奏第，上怪無二人名，詰之。 師旦對曰：「二人雖有辭華，然其體輕薄，終不成令器。 若置之高第，恐後進效之，傷陛下雅道。」 上善其言。
Earlier Changling and Wang Gongzhi were famed in the capital for their writing, yet Wang Shidan, chief examiner, failed them and no one knew why. When the results were announced, the emperor noticed their absence and demanded an explanation. Shidan replied, "They are fluent writers, but their tone is frivolous and they will never become solid statesmen. If promoted, later candidates would imitate them and harm Your Majesty's standards of taste." The emperor approved.
78
壬辰，詔百司依舊啟事皇太子。
On renchen the court ordered all offices to resume reporting to the crown prince.
79
庚辰，上御翠微殿，問侍臣曰：「自古帝王雖平定中夏，不能服戎、狄。 朕才不逮古人而成功過之，自不諭其故，諸公各率意以實言之。」 群臣皆稱：「陛下功德如天地，萬物不得而名言。」 上曰：「不然。 朕所以能及此者，止由五事耳。 自古帝王多疾勝己者，朕見人之善，若己有之。 人之行能，不能兼備，朕常棄其所短，取其所長。 人主往往進賢則欲置諸懷，退不肖則欲推諸壑，朕見賢者則敬之，不肖者則憐之，賢不肖各得其所。 人主多惡正直，陰誅顯戮，無代無之，朕踐祚以來，正直之士，比肩於朝，未嘗黜責一人。 自古皆貴中華，賤夷、狄，朕獨愛之如一，故其種落皆依朕如父母。 此五者，朕所以成今日之功也。」 顧謂褚遂良曰：「公嘗為史官，如朕言，得其實乎？」 對曰：「陛下盛德不可勝載，獨以此五者自與，蓋謙謙之志耳。」
On gengchen, in Cuiwei Hall, Emperor Taizong asked his ministers, "Emperors of old might pacify China yet could not win over the frontier peoples. My talent falls short of the ancients, yet I have surpassed them, and I do not know why. Speak frankly and tell me the truth." The ministers all said, "Your Majesty's merit is like Heaven and earth—beyond words." The emperor said, "Not so. I have reached this point for only five reasons. Ancient rulers often resented those who outshone them; when I see excellence in others, I take it as my own. No one combines every talent, so I set aside weaknesses and use strengths. Rulers often embrace the worthy and cast the unworthy into the abyss; I honor the worthy and pity the unworthy, so each finds his place. Rulers often hate the upright and destroy them in secret or in public; since my accession upright men have filled the court, and I have never punished one. All ages have prized China and despised the barbarians; I have loved them alike, and so their peoples cling to me as to parents. These five things account for what I have achieved today." He turned to Chu Suiliang and said, "You were once a historiographer—is what I say true?" Chu Suiliang replied, "Your Majesty's virtue is beyond record; to reduce it to these five points shows modesty."
80
李世勣軍既渡遼，歷南蘇等數城，高麗多背城拒戰，世勣擊破其兵，焚其羅郭而還。
After Li Shiji's army crossed the Liao, it marched through Nansu and other towns; though Goryeo often fought from behind city walls, Shiji defeated their forces, burned the outer ramparts, and withdrew.
81
六月，癸亥，以司徒長孫無忌領揚州都督，實不之任。
In the sixth month, on guihai, Minister of Works Zhangsun Wuji was named Yangzhou protector but did not take up the post.
82
丁丑，詔以「隋末喪亂，邊民多為戎、狄所掠，今鐵勒歸化，宜遣使詣燕然等州，與都督相知，訪求沒落之人，贖以貨財，給糧遞還本貫； 其室韋、烏羅護、靺鞨三部人為薛延陀所掠者，亦令贖還。」
On dingchou an edict declared that since the chaos at the end of Sui many border people had been taken by the tribes, and now that the Tiele had submitted, envoys should go to Yanran and other prefectures to find captives, ransom them, supply grain and escort, and return them home; those taken from the Shiwei, Wuluohu, and Mohe by the Xueyantuo were likewise to be ransomed and restored."
83
癸未，以司農卿李緯為戶部尚書。 時房玄齡留守京師，有自京師來者，上問：「玄齡何言？」 對曰：「玄齡聞李緯拜尚書，但雲李緯美髭鬢。」 帝遽改除緯洛州刺史。
On guimwei Li Wei, minister of agriculture, was appointed minister of revenue. Fang Xuanling was then left in charge of the capital. When a messenger arrived, Emperor Taizong asked what Xuanling had said. The messenger replied that Xuanling, hearing of Li Wei's appointment, had only remarked on his fine beard. "The emperor at once reassigned Li Wei to prefect of Luozhou."
84
秋，七月，牛進達、李海岸入高麗境，凡百餘戰，無不捷。 攻石城，拔之。 進至積利城下，高麗兵萬餘人出戰，海岸擊破之，斬首二千級。
In the seventh month of autumn Niu Jinda and Li Hai'an entered Goryeo and fought more than a hundred engagements without a defeat. They stormed and captured Shicheng. At Jili City more than ten thousand Goryeo troops came out; Li Hai'an routed them and took two thousand heads.
85
上以翠微宮險隘，不能容百官，庚子，詔更營玉華宮於宜春之鳳皇谷。 庚戌，車駕還宮。
Finding Cuiwei Palace too cramped for the full court, on gengzi Emperor Taizong ordered Yuhua Palace built in Phoenix Valley at Yichun. On gengxu the emperor returned to the palace.
86
八月，壬戌，詔以薛延陀新降，土功屢興，加以河北水災，停明年封禪。
In the eighth month, on renxu, the court halted next year's Mount Tai rites because the Xueyantuo had just submitted, construction was constant, and Hebei had suffered floods.
87
辛未，骨利幹遣使入貢； 丙戌，以骨利幹為玄闕州，拜其俟斤為刺史。 骨利幹於鐵勒諸部為最遠，晝長夜短，日沒後，天色正曛，煮羊脾適熟，日已復出矣。
On xinwei Guligan sent tribute envoys; On bingxu Guligan was made Xuanque Prefecture and its leader appointed prefect. Of all the Tiele confederations, Guligan lay farthest north, where summer days stretched on and nights scarcely came. After sunset the heavens still glowed like dusk; a sheep's spleen could finish boiling and the sun would already be climbing back.
88
己丑，齊州人段志衝上封事，請上致政於皇太子； 太子聞之，憂形於色，發言流涕。 長孫無忌等請誅志沖。 上手詔曰：「五嶽陵霄，四海亙地，納污藏疾，無損高深。 志沖欲以匹夫解位天子，朕若有罪，是其直也； 若其無罪，是其狂也。 譬如尺霧障天，不虧於大； 寸雲點日，何損於明！」
On the day jichou, Duan Zhichong of Qizhou presented a sealed memorial urging Emperor Taizong to abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince; When the Crown Prince heard this, grief showed plainly on his face and he burst into tears as he spoke. Zhangsun Wuji and others requested that Zhichong be put to death. Emperor Taizong issued a personal edict: "The Five Sacred Peaks tower into the heavens; the Four Seas stretch across the earth—they absorb pollution and conceal sickness, yet their loftiness and depth are not diminished. If Zhichong, a commoner, would have the Son of Heaven yield his throne, then if We are guilty, that is his honest bluntness; if We are innocent, that is his madness. It is like a span of mist veiling the sky—it does not lessen the heavens' breadth; a finger's breadth of cloud flecking the sun—what does it subtract from its radiance!"
89
丁酉，立皇子明為曹王。 明母楊氏，巢剌王之妃也，有寵於上； 文德皇后之崩也，欲立為皇后。 魏徵諫曰：「陛下方比德唐、虞，奈何以辰嬴自累！」 乃止。 尋以明繼元吉後。
On the day dingyou, the Emperor's son Li Ming was created Prince of Cao. Li Ming's mother, Lady Yang, had been consort to Prince Chao of Cili and enjoyed Emperor Taizong's favor; After Empress Wende's death, he had wished to make her empress. Wei Zheng admonished, "Your Majesty sets his virtue against Yao and Shun—how can you let a Chen Ying drag you down!" The Emperor abandoned the plan. Soon after, Li Ming was made heir to Li Yuanji.
90
戊戌，敕宋州刺史王波利等發江南十二州工人造大船數百艘，欲以征高麗。
On wuxu, the court ordered Wang Boli, prefect of Songzhou, and others to levy craftsmen from twelve southern prefectures to build hundreds of great ships for a campaign against Goguryeo.
91
冬，十月，庚辰，奴剌啜匐俟友帥其所部萬餘人內附。
In the tenth month of winter, on gengchen, Futouyou of the Nulu tribe led his following of over ten thousand in submission.
92
十一月，突厥車鼻可汗遣使入貢。 車鼻名斛勃，本突厥同族，世為小可汗。 頡利之敗，突厥餘眾欲奉以為大可汗，時薛延陀方強，車鼻不敢當，帥其眾歸之。 或說薛延陀：「車鼻貴種，有勇略，為眾所附，恐為後患，不如殺之。」 車鼻知之，逃去。 薛延陀遣數千騎追之，車鼻勒兵與戰，大破之，乃建牙於金山之北，自稱乙注車鼻可汗，突厥餘眾稍稍歸之，數年間勝兵三萬人，時出抄掠薛延陀。 及薛延陀敗，車鼻勢益張，遣其子沙缽羅特勒入見，又請身自入朝。 詔遣將軍郭廣敬征之。 車鼻特為好言，初無來意，竟不至。
In the eleventh month, Chebi, qaghan of the Turks, sent envoys bearing tribute. Chebi, personal name Hubo, was of the same Türk stock and for generations had held the rank of minor qaghan. After Jieli's defeat, the scattered Turks wanted to make him great qaghan, but Xueyantuo was then ascendant and Chebi dared not claim the title; he led his tribes to acknowledge them. Some advised the Xueyantuo leaders, "Chebi is of the royal line, bold and skilled, and the people rally to him—he may become a threat later. Better kill him now." When Chebi learned of this, he fled. Xueyantuo sent thousands of horsemen in pursuit; Chebi rallied his warriors, smashed them utterly, then pitched his camp north of the Altai Mountains as Yizhu Chebi Qaghan. Turk remnants drifted back to him until, within a few years, he commanded thirty thousand warriors and raided Xueyantuo whenever he could. After Xueyantuo fell, Chebi's strength swelled further. He sent his son Shaboluo Telle for an audience at court and asked to come himself. The court ordered General Guo Guangjing to march against him. Chebi spoke fair words but never meant to come, and in the end he stayed away.
93
癸卯，徙順陽王泰為濮王。
On guimao, Li Tai was shifted from Prince of Shunyang to Prince of Pu.
94
壬子，上疾愈，三日一視朝。
On renzi, Emperor Taizong recovered and began holding audience once every three days.
95
十二月，壬申，西趙酋長趙磨帥萬餘戶內附，以其地為明州。
In the twelfth month, on renshen, Zhao Mo, chieftain of Western Zhao, led over ten thousand households in submission, and his lands were organized as Ming Prefecture.
96
龜茲王伐疊卒，弟訶黎布失畢立，浸失臣禮，侵漁鄰國。 上怒，戍寅，詔使持節、昆丘道行軍大總管、左驍衛大將軍阿史那社爾、副大總管、右驍衛大將軍契苾何力、安西都護郭孝恪等將兵擊之，仍命鐵勒十三州、突厥、吐蕃、吐谷渾連兵進討。
The king of Kucha, Fadie, died. His brother Helibushibi succeeded the throne, slowly abandoned tributary propriety, and preyed on neighboring realms. Enraged, Emperor Taizong on wuyin ordered Ashina She'er, Left Guard General and commander of the Kunqiu expedition, with his deputy Qibi Heli, Right Guard General, and Guo Xiaoke, Protector-General of Anxi, among others, to strike Kucha, and commanded the thirteen Tiele prefectures plus Turk, Tibetan, and Tuyuhun forces to advance in concert.
97
高麗王使其子莫離支任武入謝罪，上許之。
The king of Goguryeo sent his son Molizhi Renwu to court with apologies, and Emperor Taizong accepted.
98
春，正月，己丑，上作《帝范》十二篇以賜太子，曰《君體》、《建親》、《求賢》、《審官》、《納諫》、《去讒》、《戒盈》、《崇儉》、《賞罰》、《務農》、《閱武》、《崇文》； 且曰：「修身治國，備在其中。 一旦不諱，更無所言矣。」 又曰：「汝當更求古之哲王以為師，如吾，不足法也。 夫取法於上，僅得其中； 取法於中，不免為下。 吾居位已來，不善多矣，錦繡珠玉不絕於前，宮室台榭屢有興作，犬馬鷹隼無遠不致，行遊四方，供頓煩勞，此皆吾之深過，勿以為是而法之。 顧我弘濟蒼生，其益多； 肇造區夏，其功大。 益多損少，故人不怨； 功大過微，故業不墮； 然比之盡美盡善，固多愧矣。 汝無我之功或而承我之富貴，竭力為善，則國家僅安； 驕惰奢縱，則一身不保。 且成遲敗速者，國也； 失易得難者，位也； 可不惜哉！ 可不惜哉！」
In the first month of spring, on jichou, Emperor Taizong completed twelve chapters of Imperial Norms for the Crown Prince—The Ruler's Substance, Establishing Kin, Seeking Worthies, Examining Officials, Receiving Remonstrance, Removing Slander, Guarding against Excess, Honoring Frugality, Rewards and Punishments, Devotion to Agriculture, Military Review, and Honoring Literature; He added, "Everything needed to cultivate yourself and govern the realm is contained in these pages. When death comes, I will have nothing left to tell you." He went on, "You must find the sage rulers of old and make them your teachers. A man like me is no model worth following. Aim at the highest standard and you may reach only the middle; aim at the middle and you will sink to the lowest. Since I took the throne my faults have been many—silks and jewels without end, palaces and pavilions raised again and again, hounds and horses and hunting birds fetched from the ends of the earth, journeys in every direction that burdened the people with supplies and camps. These are my gravest errors; do not treat them as examples to follow. Yet in bringing relief to the common people, my benefits were great; in founding this realm, my achievements were weighty. Benefits outweighed harms, so the people did not resent me; achievements outweighed faults, so the dynasty did not decline; yet compared with perfect virtue, I have much to regret. You may lack even a fraction of my achievements yet inherit my wealth and rank; if you strive with all your might to do good, the realm may barely endure; if you grow arrogant, indolent, extravagant, and unrestrained, not even your own life will be safe. Remember: a state is built slowly but destroyed quickly; a throne is lost easily and won only with difficulty. Will you not cherish it! How could one fail to cherish it!"
99
中書令兼右庶子馬周病，上親為調藥，使太子臨問； 庚寅，薨。
Ma Zhou, Grand Councilor and concurrent Right Censor-in-Chief, fell ill; Emperor Taizong personally prepared his medicine and sent the Crown Prince to visit him; On gengyin he died.
100
戊戌，上幸驪山溫湯。
On wuxu, Emperor Taizong visited the hot springs at Mount Li.
101
己亥，以中書舍人崔仁師為中書侍郎，參知機務。
On jihai, Cui Renshi was promoted from Secretariat drafter to Vice Director of the Secretariat with a role in central policy.
102
新羅王金善德卒，以善德妹真德為柱國，封樂浪郡王，遣使冊命。
King Seondeok of Silla died. His sister Queen Jindeok was named Pillar of State, created Prince of Lelang commandery, and envoys were sent to invest her.
103
丙午，詔以右武衛大將軍薛萬徹為青丘道行軍大總管，右衛將軍裴行方副之，將兵三萬餘人及樓船戰艦自萊州泛海以擊高麗。
On bingwu the court named Xue Wanche, general of the Right Martial Guard, commander of the Qingqiu expedition with Pei Xingfang of the Right Guard as his deputy, to lead more than thirty thousand men and tower ships from Laizhou by sea against Goguryeo.
104
長孫無忌檢校中書令、知尚書門下省事。
Zhangsun Wuji was appointed acting Grand Councilor and put in charge of Secretariat and Chancellery affairs.
105
戊申，上還宮。 結骨自古未通中國，聞鐵勒諸部皆服，二月，其俟利發失缽屈阿棧入朝。 其國人皆長大，赤髮綠睛，有黑髮者以為不祥。 上宴之於天成殿，謂侍臣曰：「昔渭橋斬三突厥首，自謂功多，今斯人在席，更不以為怪邪！」 失缽屈阿棧請除一官，「執笏而歸，誠百世之幸。」 戊午，以結骨為堅昆都督府，以失缽屈阿棧為右屯衛大將軍、堅昆都督，隸燕然都護。 又以阿史德時健俟斤部落置祁連州，隸靈州都督。
On wushen, Emperor Taizong returned to the palace. The Jiegu people had never had contact with China. Learning that the Tiele tribes had all submitted, in the second month their chieftain Shibiequ Aqian came to court. Its people were tall, with red hair and green eyes; anyone with black hair was considered ill-omened. Emperor Taizong entertained them in Tiancheng Hall and told his courtiers, "Long ago at Wei Bridge I beheaded three Turk leaders and thought it a great feat—yet these men sit at my table and you are not astonished!" Shibiequ Aqian asked to be given an office: "To return bearing a court tablet would be the blessing of a hundred lifetimes." On wuwu, Jiegu was organized as the Jiankun Protectorate, Shibiequ Aqian was named general of the Right Tunwei Guard and protector of Jiankun under the Yanran Protector-General. The Ashide Shijian tribe was also organized as Qilian Prefecture under the protector of Lingzhou.
106
是時四夷大小君長爭遣使入獻見，道路不絕，每元正朝賀，常數百千人。 辛酉，上引見諸胡使者，謂侍臣曰：「漢武帝窮兵三十餘年，疲弊中國，所獲無幾； 豈如今日綏之以德，使窮發之地盡為編戶乎！」
At this time chieftains great and small from the four quarters competed to send envoys with tribute; the roads never emptied, and hundreds or thousands would attend each New Year's audience. On xinyou, Emperor Taizong received the foreign envoys and told his courtiers, "Emperor Wu of Han waged war for more than thirty years, exhausted China, and gained little; how does that compare with soothing them with virtue today until even the farthest lands become registered households of the empire!"
107
上營玉華宮，務令儉約，惟所居殿覆以瓦，餘皆茅茨； 然備設太子宮、百司，苞山絡野，所費已巨億計。 乙亥，上行幸玉華宮； 己卯，畋於華原。
Emperor Taizong built Yuhua Palace and insisted on austerity: only the hall he lived in was roofed with tiles, the rest thatched with straw; yet it included a full crown prince's residence and every government office, sprawling across hills and valleys at a cost already reckoned in the hundreds of millions. On yihai, Emperor Taizong visited Yuhua Palace; on jimao he hunted at Huayuan.
108
中書侍郎崔仁師坐有伏閣自訴者，仁師不奏，除名，流連州。
Vice Director Cui Renshi was dismissed and exiled to Lianzhou because a petitioner had lain prostrate at the palace gate and Renshi failed to report it.
109
三月，己丑，分瀚海都督俱羅勃部置燭龍州。
In the third month, on jichou, Zhulong Prefecture was carved out of the Jurubo tribe under the Hanhai Protector.
110
甲午，上謂侍臣曰：「朕少長兵間，頗能料敵； 今昆丘行師，處月、處密二部及龜茲用事者羯獵顛、那利每懷首鼠，必先授首，弩失畢其次也。」
On jiawu, Emperor Taizong told his courtiers, "I grew up in camp and know how to read an enemy; on this Kunqiu campaign, the Chuyue and Chumi tribes and Kucha's power brokers Jieliedian and Nali are wavering—they will be the first to lose their heads, and Nushibi will follow."
111
庚子，隋蕭後卒。 詔復其位號，謚曰愍； 使三品護葬，備鹵簿儀衛，送至江都，與煬帝合葬。
On gengzi, Empress Xiao of Sui died. An edict restored her titles and gave her the posthumous name Min; third-rank officials escorted the funeral with full imperial regalia to Jiangdu, where she was buried beside Emperor Yang.
112
充容長城徐惠以上東征高麗，西討龜茲，翠微、玉華，營繕相繼，又服玩頗華靡，上疏諫，其略曰：「以有盡之農功，填無窮之巨浪； 圖未獲之他眾，喪已成之我軍。 昔秦皇併吞六國，反速危亡之基，晉武奄有三方，翻成覆敗之業； 豈非矜功恃大，棄德輕邦，圖利忘危，肆情縱欲之所致乎！ 是知地廣非常安之術，人勞乃易亂之源也。」 又曰：「雖復茅茨示約，猶興木石之疲，和雇取人，不無煩擾之弊。」 又曰：「珍玩伎巧，乃喪國之斧斤； 珠玉錦繡，實迷心之鴆毒。」 又曰：「作法於儉，猶恐其奢； 作法於奢，何以制後！」 上善其言，甚禮重之。
Palace Lady Xu Hui of Changcheng, seeing Emperor Taizong's eastern campaign against Goguryeo and western strike at Kucha, the successive building of Cuwei and Yuhua palaces, and his taste for lavish finery, submitted a memorial of remonstrance that began, "To pour finite farm labor into endless seas; to chase peoples not yet won while destroying armies already raised. The First Emperor of Qin swallowed six kingdoms yet hastened his own ruin; Emperor Wu of Jin held three realms yet brought on collapse— was it not because they boasted of conquest, trusted in sheer might, cast aside virtue, scorned their realm, grasped profit and forgot danger, and indulged every appetite! This shows that vast territory is no guarantee of lasting peace, and that an overworked people is the seedbed of rebellion." She added, "Even building thatched halls to show restraint still exhausts men with timber and stone; hiring laborers still brings harassment in its train." She also wrote, "Curios and clever crafts are the axe that fells a state; pearls, jade, silks, and brocades are the poison that clouds the mind." She also said, "Set a standard of frugality and you may still fear excess; set a standard of luxury—how will you restrain those who follow!" Emperor Taizong approved her counsel and treated her with great respect.