1
資治通鑑第199卷
Volume 199 of the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
2
【唐紀十五】起著雍涒灘四月，盡閼蒙單閼九月，凡七年有奇。
[Tang Records, Fifteen] From the fourth month of the Zhu Yong Cui Tan year-cycle through the ninth month of the Yan Meng Dan Yan cycle—a span of a little more than seven years.
3
夏，四月，丁巳，右武候將軍梁建方擊松外蠻，破之。
In summer, in the fourth month, on the day dingsi, Right Martial Sentinel General Liang Jianfang attacked the Songwai tribes and routed them.
4
初，巂州都督劉伯英上言：「松外諸蠻暫降復叛，請出師討之，以通西洱、天竺之道。」 敕建方發巴蜀十二州兵討之。 蠻酋雙捨帥眾拒戰，建方擊敗之，殺獲千餘人。 群蠻震懾，亡竄山谷。 建方分遣使者諭以利害，皆來歸附，前後至者七十部，戶十萬九千三百，建方署其酋長蒙和等為縣令，各統所部，莫不感悅。 因遣使詣西洱河，其帥楊盛大駭，具船將遁，使者曉諭以威信，盛遂請降。 其地有楊、李、趙、董等數十姓，各據一州，大者六百，小者二、三百戶，無大君長，不相統壹，語雖小訛，其生業、風俗，大略與中國同，自雲本皆華人，其所異者以十二月為歲首。
Earlier, Protector-General Liu Boying of Xi Prefecture had memorialized: "The Songwai tribes keep surrendering only to rebel again. I ask that an expedition be sent against them to secure the road west to Er River and on to India." The emperor ordered Jianfang to raise troops from the twelve Ba-Shu prefectures for the campaign. The tribal leader Shuangshe led his warriors into battle; Jianfang broke them and killed or captured over a thousand men. The other tribes were terrified and scattered into the hills. Jianfang then sent envoys to explain what submission would gain them and what resistance would cost; tribes came in one after another until seventy groups, numbering 109,300 households, had submitted. He appointed chiefs such as Meng He as district magistrates over their own people, and all were deeply gratified. He also sent envoys to the Western Er River region. Its chief Yang Sheng was terrified and began fitting out boats to escape, but the envoys persuaded him with the court's power and promise of favor, and Sheng asked to surrender. The region held dozens of clans—Yang, Li, Zhao, Dong, and others—each occupying its own district, the largest with six hundred households, the smallest with two or three hundred. They had no paramount chief and did not form a single polity. Their dialects diverged only slightly from Chinese, and their livelihoods and customs were largely the same; they claimed to be Chinese by origin, differing chiefly in reckoning the year from the twelfth month.
5
己未，契丹辱紇主曲據帥眾內附。 以其地置玄州，以曲據為刺史，隸營州都督府。
On the day jiwei, Quju, chieftain of the Khitan Rouruo, led his people to submit to the Tang. The court established Xuan Prefecture on his lands, appointed Quju prefect, and placed the prefecture under the Yingzhou protectorate.
6
甲子，烏胡鎮將古神感將兵浮海擊高麗，遇高麗步騎五千，戰於易山，破之。 其夜，高麗萬餘人襲神感船，神感設伏，又破之而還。 初，西突厥乙毘咄陸可汗以阿史那賀魯為葉護，居多邏斯水，在西州北千五百里，統處月、處密、始蘇、歌邏祿、失畢五姓之眾。 乙毘咄陸奔吐火羅，乙毘射匱可汗遣兵迫逐之，部落亡散。 乙亥，賀魯帥其餘眾數千帳內屬，詔處之於庭州莫賀城，拜左驍衛將軍。 賀魯聞唐兵討龜茲，請為鄉導，仍從數十騎入朝。 上以為昆丘道行軍總管，厚宴賜而遣之。
On the day jiazi, Gu Shendian, commander of Wuhu Garrison, sailed against Goguryeo with a naval force. He met five thousand Goguryeo foot and horse at Mount Yi, defeated them, and pressed on. That night more than ten thousand Goguryeo soldiers attacked his fleet by surprise; Shendian laid an ambush, routed them again, and withdrew. Earlier, the Western Türk qaghan Yipiduolu had appointed Ashina Helu as yabghu. Helu held Duoluo River, fifteen hundred li north of Xizhou, and commanded the five tribal confederations of Chuyue, Chumi, Shisu, Geluolu, and Shibi. When Yipiduolu fled to Tuhuoluo, Qaghan Yipishegui sent troops in pursuit, and Helu's tribes broke apart and dispersed. On the day yihai, Helu led the several thousand tents that remained to submit to the Tang. The court settled them at Mohe City in Ting Prefecture and appointed Helu general of the Left Swift-Cavalry Guard. Learning that Tang forces were marching on Kucha, Helu offered to guide them and came to court with a few dozen horsemen. The emperor named him commander of the Kunqiu Route army, entertained him generously, and sent him back.
7
五月，庚子，右衛率長史王玄策擊帝那伏帝王阿羅那順，大破之。
In the fifth month, on the day gengzi, Wang Xuance, chief secretary of the Right Guard Command, attacked Aruonashun, the self-proclaimed king of Central India, and crushed his army.
8
初，中天竺王屍羅逸多兵最強，四天竺皆臣之，玄策奉使至天竺，諸國皆遣使入貢。 會屍羅逸多卒，國中大亂，其臣阿羅那順自立，發胡兵攻玄策； 玄策帥從者三十人與戰，力不敵，悉為所擒，阿羅那順盡掠諸國貢物。 玄策脫身宵遁，抵吐蕃西境，以書征鄰國兵，吐蕃遣精銳千二百人、泥婆國遣七千餘騎赴之。 玄策與其副蔣師仁帥二國之兵，進至中天竺所居茶餺和羅城，連戰三日，大破之，斬首三千餘級，赴水溺死者且萬人。 阿羅那順棄城走，更收餘眾，還與師仁戰； 又破之，擒阿羅那順。 餘眾奉其妃及王子，阻乾陀衛江，師仁進擊之，眾潰，獲其妃及王子，虜男女萬二千人。 於是天竺響震，城邑聚落降者五百八十餘所，俘阿羅那順以歸。 以玄策為朝散大夫。
Earlier, Shiluoyiduo of Central India had been the strongest ruler in the region, and the other three Indias had all acknowledged him. When Xuance arrived on an embassy, each state sent tribute missions to the Tang. Then Shiluoyiduo died, the realm fell into chaos, and his minister Aruonashun seized power and sent foreign troops against Xuance; Xuance fought with his thirty attendants but was overwhelmed; all were taken prisoner, and Aruonashun seized the tribute goods the embassies were carrying. Xuance slipped away by night, reached the Tibetan frontier, and called on neighboring states for aid by letter. Tibet sent twelve hundred picked troops, and Nepal more than seven thousand cavalry. Xuance and his deputy Jiang Shiren led the combined armies to Chabohuoluo, the capital of Central India. After three days of fighting they won a decisive victory, taking more than three thousand heads and drowning nearly ten thousand of the enemy in the rivers. Aruonashun abandoned the city and fled, but rallied his remnants and attacked Shiren again; they defeated him once more and took Aruonashun prisoner. The survivors rallied around his queen and prince and held the Gandhara frontier river. Shiren attacked, broke them, captured the queen and prince, and took twelve thousand men and women captive. All India was shaken; more than five hundred eighty towns and settlements submitted, and the victors brought Aruonashun back to the Tang as a prisoner. Xuance was appointed Palace Attendant Grand Master.
9
六月，乙丑，以白別部為居延州。
In the sixth month, on the day yichou, the Baibie tribe was organized as Juyan Prefecture.
10
癸酉，特進宋公蕭瑀卒，太常議謚曰「德」，尚書議謚曰「肅」。 上曰：「謚者，行之跡，當得其實，可謚曰貞褊公。」 子銳嗣，尚上女襄城公主。 上欲為之營第，公主固辭，曰：「婦事舅姑，當朝夕侍側，若居別第，所闕多矣。」 上乃命即瑀第而營之。
“On the day guiyou, Xiao Yu, Duke of Song with the rank of Special Advancement, died. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices proposed the posthumous epithet Virtuous; the Ministry of State Affairs proposed Solemn.” The emperor said, "A posthumous name records a man's conduct and must fit the truth. Let him be called Duke of Upright Narrowness." His son Rui succeeded him and was married to the emperor's daughter, Princess Xiangcheng. The emperor wanted to build them a separate mansion, but the princess firmly refused, saying, "A wife owes daily service to her husband's parents. A separate house would leave too much undone." The emperor therefore ordered the work done within Xiao Yu's existing compound.
11
上以高麗困弊，議以明年發三十萬眾，一舉滅之。 或以為大軍東征，須備經歲之糧，非畜乘所能載，宜具舟艦為水運。 隋末劍南獨無寇盜，屬者遼東之役，劍南復不預及，其百姓富庶，宜使之造舟艦。 上從之。 秋，七月，遣右領左右府長史強偉於劍南道伐木造舟艦，大者或長百尺，其廣半之。 別遣使行水道，自巫峽抵江、揚，趣萊州。
Judging Goguryeo exhausted, the emperor discussed raising three hundred thousand men the following year to destroy the kingdom in a single campaign. Some argued that an eastern expedition would need a year's provisions—more than pack animals could carry—and that the army should rely on a fleet for supply by water. At the end of the Sui, Jiannan alone had escaped the turmoil of banditry, and it had been spared the recent Liaodong campaigns as well. Its people were prosperous and should be tasked with building the fleet. The emperor agreed. In autumn, in the seventh month, he sent Qiang Wei, chief secretary of the Right Leading Office, to Jiannan to cut timber and build ships, some as long as a hundred feet and half as wide. He also sent envoys to survey the water route from Wuxia Gorge down the Yangzi and Huai toward Laizhou.
12
庚寅，西突厥相屈利啜請帥所部從討龜茲。
On the day gengyin, Qulichuo, chancellor of the Western Türks, asked to lead his tribesmen in the campaign against Kucha.
13
初，左武衛將軍武連縣公武安李君羨直玄武門，時太白屢晝見，太史占云：「女主昌。」 民間又傳《秘記》云：「唐三世之後，女主武王代有天下。」 上惡之。 會與諸武臣宴宮中，行酒令，使各言小名。 君羨自言名五娘，上愕然，因笑曰：「何物女子，乃爾勇健！」 又以君羨官稱封邑皆有「武」字，深惡之，後出為華州刺史。 有布衣員道信，自言能絕粒，曉佛法，君羨深敬信之，數相從，屏人語。 御史奏君羨與妖人交通，謀不軌。 壬辰，君羨坐誅，籍沒其家。
Earlier, Li Junxian, Duke of Wu'an and general of the Left Martial Guard, was stationed at the Xuanwu Gate. Venus had repeatedly been seen in daylight, and the court astronomers interpreted the omen: "A woman will rise to power." A Secret Record was also circulating among the people: "After the third generation of Tang, a woman surnamed Wu will seize the realm." The emperor loathed such talk. Once, at a palace feast with his martial ministers, he had them play a drinking game in which each had to give his childhood name. Junxian said his was Wuniang—"Fifth Daughter." The emperor started, then laughed and said, "What kind of woman is this, yet so fierce!" “Because Junxian's title and fief both contained the character Wu, the emperor came to loathe him and later sent him out as prefect of Hua.” A commoner named Yuan Daoxin claimed he could live without grain and understood Buddhism. Junxian revered him, met with him often, and spoke with him in private. The censors reported that Junxian was consorting with a sorcerer and plotting treason. On the day renchen, Junxian was executed and his property confiscated.
14
上密問太史令李淳風：「《秘記》所云，信有之乎？」 對曰：「臣仰稽天象，俯察歷數，其人已在陛下宮中，為親屬，自今不過三十年，當王天下，殺唐子孫殆盡，其兆既成矣。」 上曰：「疑似者盡殺之，何如？」 對曰：「天之所命，人不能違也。 王者不死，徒多殺無辜。 且自今以往三十年，其人已老，庶幾頗有慈心，為禍或淺。 今借使得而殺之，天或生壯者肆其怨毒，恐陛下子孫，無遺類矣。」 上乃止。
The emperor secretly asked Chief Astrologer Li Chunfeng, "Can what the Secret Record says really come true?" He answered, "I have read the heavens above and the calendrical signs below. The person is already in Your Majesty's palace, a kinswoman. Within thirty years she will rule the realm and slaughter the Tang line almost to extinction. The omen is already fixed." The emperor asked, "What if I killed everyone who might fit the prophecy?" Li replied, "What Heaven has ordained, no man can overturn. A future sovereign cannot be killed off that way—you would only slaughter innocents in vain. Besides, in thirty years she will be old and may show some mercy, so the harm may be less. If you killed her now and Heaven raised a younger successor filled with vengeance, I fear Your Majesty's line might be wiped out entirely." The emperor abandoned the idea.
15
司空梁文昭公房玄齡留守京師，疾篤，上微赴玉華宮，肩輿入殿，至御座側乃下，相對流涕，因留宮下，聞其小愈則喜形於色，加劇則憂悴。 玄齡謂諸子曰：「吾受主上厚恩，今天下無事，唯東征未已，群臣莫敢諫，吾知而不言，死有餘責。」 乃上表諫，以為：「《老子》曰：『知足不辱，知止不殆。』 陛下功名威德亦可足矣，拓地開疆亦可止矣。 且陛下每決一重囚，必令三覆五奏，進素膳，止音樂者，重人命也。 今驅無罪之士卒，委之鋒刃之下，使肝腦塗地，獨不足愍乎！ 向使高麗違失臣節，誅之可也； 侵擾百姓，滅之可也； 他日能為中國患，除之可也。 今無此三條而坐煩中國，內為前代雪恥，外為新羅報仇，豈非所存者小，所損者太乎！ 願陛下許高麗自新，焚陵波之船，罷應募之眾，自然華、夷慶賴，遠肅邇安。 臣旦夕入地，儻蒙錄此哀鳴，死且不朽！」 玄齡之遺愛尚上女高陽公主，上謂公主曰：「彼病篤如此，尚能憂我國家。」 上自臨視，握手與訣，悲不自勝。 癸卯，薨。
Fang Xuanling, Duke of Liang Wenzhao and Minister of Works, had remained in the capital as regent and was gravely ill. The emperor went in informal dress to Yuhua Palace, was carried into the hall in a litter, and only stepped down beside the throne. They wept face to face, and the emperor stayed at the palace. News of slight improvement lit his face with joy; news of relapse left him haggard with worry. Xuanling told his sons, "The emperor has shown me extraordinary favor. The realm is at peace, yet the eastern expedition goes on and no minister dares speak against it. If I know this and stay silent, I deserve blame even in death." He therefore submitted a memorial arguing, as Laozi said, "To know when one has enough is not to be shamed; to know when to stop is not to be ruined. Your Majesty's achievements, fame, and virtue are already enough; further conquest can stop. Whenever Your Majesty condemns a serious offender, you require repeated review, take plain food, and halt music—because you value human life. Yet now you send innocent soldiers to die by the sword until the ground runs with their blood—is that not worth pity as well? If Goguryeo had broken its obligations as a vassal, punishment would be justified; if it had ravaged your people, destruction would be justified; if one day it might threaten the empire, eliminating it would be justified. None of these three conditions applies, yet you burden the empire—within, to avenge past dynasties; without, to fight Silla's war. Is this not grasping what is small and sacrificing what is great? Allow Goguryeo to reform, burn the fleet at Lingbo, and disband the levies—then Chinese and barbarian alike will rejoice, and peace will reach from the frontier to the capital. I shall soon be in the grave; if Your Majesty heeds this dying plea, my death will not be in vain." Xuanling's beloved wife was the emperor's daughter, Princess Gaoyang. The emperor told her, "Though he is this ill, he still worries for the realm." The emperor visited him in person, clasped his hand in farewell, and was overcome with grief. On the day guimao, he died.
16
柳芳曰：玄齡佐太宗定天下，及終相位，凡三十二年，天下號為賢相； 然無跡可尋，德亦至矣。 故太宗定禍亂而房、杜不言功，王、魏善諫諍而房、杜讓其賢，英、衛善將兵而房、杜行其道，理致太平，善歸人主。 為唐宗臣，宜哉！
Liu Fang wrote: Fang Xuanling helped Taizong secure the realm and served as chancellor for thirty-two years; the world called him the worthy minister; yet he left almost no trace of himself—such was the height of his virtue. When Taizong ended the chaos, Fang and Du did not claim credit; when Wang and Wei excelled at remonstrance, Fang and Du yielded the praise; when Ying and Wei excelled at command, Fang and Du made their policies work. Through such conduct the age reached peace, and the credit went to the throne. A minister of the Tang in the truest sense—how fitting!
17
八月，己酉朔，日有食之。
In the eighth month, on the first day jiyou, there was a solar eclipse.
18
丁丑，敕越州都督府及婺、洪等州造海船及雙舫千一百艘。
On the day dingchou, the court ordered the Yuezhou protectorate and the prefectures of Wu, Hong, and others to build eleven hundred seagoing ships and paired boats.
19
辛未，遣左領軍大將軍執失思力出金山道擊薛延陀餘寇。
On the day xinwei, General Zhishi Sili of the Left Leading Army was sent along the Jinshan Route against remnant Xueyantuo raiders.
20
九月，庚辰，昆丘道行軍大總管阿史那社爾擊處月、外密，破之，餘眾悉降。
In the ninth month, on the day gengchen, Ashina She'er, grand commander of the Kunqiu Route, defeated the Chuyue and Waimi tribes, and all survivors submitted.
21
癸未，薛萬徹等伐高麗還。 萬徹在軍中，使氣陵物，裴行方奏其怨望，坐除名，流象州。
On the day guimao, Xue Wanche and the others returned from the Goguryeo campaign. In the field Wanche had been arrogant and overbearing. Pei Xingfang reported his disaffection; he was stripped of rank and exiled to Xiang Prefecture.
22
己丑，新羅奏為百濟所攻，破其十三城。
On the day jichou, Silla reported that Baekje had attacked it and captured thirteen cities.
23
己亥，以黃門侍郎褚遂良為中書令。
On the day jihai, Chu Suiliang, vice minister of the Yellow Gate, was appointed Director of the Secretariat.
24
強偉等發民造船，役及山獠，雅、邛、眉三州獠反。 壬寅，遣茂州都督張士貴、右衛將軍梁建方發隴右、峽中兵二萬餘人以擊之。 蜀人苦造船之役，或乞輸直雇潭州人造船； 上許之。 州縣督迫嚴急，民至賣田宅、鬻子女不能供，谷價踴貴，劍外騷然。 上聞之，遣司農少卿長孫知人馳驛往視之。 知人奏稱：「蜀人脆弱，不耐勞劇。 大船一艘，庸絹二千二百三十六匹。 山谷已伐之木，挽曳未畢，復征船庸，二事並集，民不能堪，宜加存養。」 上乃敕潭州船庸皆從官給。
Qiang Wei and his colleagues conscripted labor for shipbuilding as far as the mountain Liao peoples; the Liao of Ya, Qiong, and Mei prefectures rose in revolt. On the day renyin, Zhang Shigui, protector of Mao Prefecture, and Liang Jianfang, general of the Right Guard, were sent with more than twenty thousand troops from Longyou and the gorge region to suppress them. The people of Shu were crushed by shipbuilding labor; some asked to pay a fee instead and have Tan Prefecture build the ships; and the emperor agreed. But local officials drove the work relentlessly. Families sold land and houses, even sold their children, and still could not meet the levies. Grain prices soared, and the region beyond the Sword Pass was in uproar. When word reached the emperor, he sent Zhangsun Zhiren, vice minister of the Court of the Imperial Granary, post-haste to investigate. Zhiren reported, "The people of Shu are frail and cannot bear such harsh labor. A single large ship requires corvée payment of 2,236 bolts of silk. Timber already cut in the hills had not yet been hauled out when ship corvée was levied again. The two burdens fell together and the people could not endure them. They need relief." The emperor then ordered that shipbuilding costs in Tan Prefecture be paid from government funds.
25
冬，十月，癸丑，車駕還京師。
In winter, in the tenth month, on the day guichou, the emperor returned to the capital.
26
回紇吐迷度兄子烏紇蒸其叔母。 烏紇與俱陸莫賀達官俱羅勃，皆突厥車鼻可汗之婿也，相與謀殺吐迷度以歸車鼻。 烏紇夜引十餘騎襲吐迷度，殺之。 燕然副都護元禮臣使人誘烏紇，許奏以為瀚海都督，烏紇輕騎詣禮臣謝，禮臣執而斬之，以聞。 上恐回紇部落離散，遣兵部尚書崔敦禮往安撫之。 久之，俱羅勃入見，上留之不遣。
Wuna, nephew of the Uyghur chief Tumedu, seduced his uncle's wife. Wuna and Jurubo, a Julu Mohe official, were both sons-in-law of the Türk qaghan Chebi; together they plotted to kill Tumedu and rejoin Chebi. That night Wuhe led a dozen horsemen in a surprise attack on Tumidu and killed him. Yuan Lichen, deputy protector-general of Yanran, sent agents to entice Wuhe with a promise to recommend him as protector-general of Hanhai. Wuhe rode in lightly to pay his respects; Lichen seized him, executed him, and reported the matter to court. Fearing the Uyghur tribes might disperse, the emperor sent Minister of War Cui Dunli to reassure them. Some time later Juluobo came to court; the emperor detained him and would not let him leave.
27
阿史那社爾既破處月、處密，引兵自焉耆之西趨龜茲北境，分兵為五道，出其不意，焉耆王薛婆阿那支棄城奔龜茲，保其東境。 社爾遣兵追擊，擒而斬之，立其從父弟先那准為焉耆王，使修職貢。 龜茲大震，守將多棄城走。 社爾進屯磧口，去其都城三百里，遣伊州刺史韓威帥千餘騎為前鋒，驍衛將軍曹繼叔次之。 至多褐城，龜茲王訶利布失畢、其相那利、羯獵顛帥眾五萬拒戰。 鋒刃甫接，威引兵偽遁，龜茲悉眾追之，行三十里，與繼叔軍合。 龜茲懼，將卻，繼叔乘之，龜茲大敗，逐北八十里。
After defeating the Chuyue and Chumi, Ashina She'er marched from west of Yanqi toward northern Kucha, split his force into five columns, and struck by surprise. The Yanqi king Xuepo Anazhi abandoned his city and fled to Kucha, where he held the eastern frontier. She'er sent pursuers, captured Anazhi, and executed him. He installed the king's younger cousin Xiannazhun as ruler of Yanqi and ordered him to resume tribute. Kucha was thrown into panic, and many garrison commanders abandoned their posts and fled. She'er advanced and encamped at Qikou, three hundred li from the Kucha capital. He sent Yizhou protector-general Han Wei ahead with more than a thousand cavalry, followed by valiant cavalry general Cao Jishu. At Duohuo city the Kucha king Helibushibi, his minister Nali, and Jieliedian confronted them with fifty thousand men. As soon as the lines clashed, Han Wei feigned retreat. Kucha threw its whole army into the pursuit; thirty li on, his force joined Cao Jishu's. The Kucha army wavered and began to pull back; Jishu pressed the attack and routed them, chasing the fugitives eighty li north.
28
甲戌，以回紇吐迷度子翊左郎將婆閏為左驍衛大將軍、大俟利發、瀚海都督。
On the day jiaxu, Bolun, son of Tumidu and vice director of the left bodyguard guards, was appointed senior general of the left valiant guard, great yabgu, and protector-general of Hanhai.
29
十一月，庚子，契丹帥窟哥、奚帥可度者並帥所部內屬。 以契丹部為松漠府，以窟哥為都督； 又以其別帥達稽等部為峭落等九州，各以其辱紇主為刺史。 以奚部為饒樂府，以可度者為都督； 又以其別帥阿會等部為弱水等五州，亦各以其辱紇主為刺史。 辛丑，置東夷校尉官於營州。
In the eleventh month, on the day gengzi, the Khitan leader Kuge and the Xi leader Keduzhe each brought their people into Tang allegiance. The Khitan were organized as Songmo Prefecture, with Kuge as protector-general; while subordinate leaders such as Daji were formed into Qiaoluo and eight other prefectures, each headed by its own Ruohe chief as prefect. The Xi were organized as Raole Prefecture, with Keduzhe as protector-general; and subordinates such as Ahui were formed into Ruoshui and four other prefectures, likewise each ruled by a Ruohe chief as prefect. On the day xinchou, the post of colonel of the eastern tribes was created at Yingzhou.
30
十二月，庚午，太子為文德皇后作大慈恩寺成。
In the twelfth month, on the day gengwu, the crown prince finished the Great Ci'en Temple he had built for Empress Wende.
31
龜茲王布失畢既敗，走保都城，阿史那社爾進軍逼之，布失畢輕騎西走。 社爾拔其城，使安西都護郭孝恪守之。 沙州刺史蘇海政、尚輦奉御薛萬備帥精騎追布失畢，行六百里，布失畢窘急，保撥換城，社爾進軍攻之四旬，閏月，丁丑，拔之，擒布失畢及羯獵顛。 那利脫身走，潛引西突厥之眾並其國兵萬餘人，襲擊孝恪。 孝恪營於城外，龜茲人或告之，孝恪不以為意。 那利奄至，孝恪帥所部千餘人將入城，那利之眾已登城矣。 城中降胡與之相應，共擊孝恪，矢刃如雨。 孝恪不能敵，將復出，死於西門。 城中大擾，倉部郎中崔義超召募得二百人，衛軍資財物，與龜茲戰於城中，曹繼叔、韓威亦營於城外，自城西北隅擊之。 那利經宿乃退，斬首三千餘級，城中始定。 後旬餘日，那利復引山北龜茲萬餘人趣都城，繼叔逆擊，大破之，斬首八千級。 那利單騎走，龜茲人執之，以詣軍門。
Defeated, the Kucha king Bushibi withdrew into his capital. Ashina She'er pressed the siege, and Bushibi fled westward with a light escort. She'er captured the city and left Anxi protector-general Guo Xiaojie to garrison it. Shazhou prefect Su Haizheng and palace attendant Xue Wanbei pursued Bushibi with elite cavalry for six hundred li. Hard pressed, he held Boluohuan. She'er besieged the place for forty days; in the intercalary month, on the day dingchou, the city fell and Bushibi and Jieliedian were captured. Nali slipped away alone, secretly rallied more than ten thousand Western Türk allies and Kucha troops, and struck at Guo Xiaojie. Xiaojie was encamped outside the walls. Kucha locals warned him, but he paid no heed. Nali struck without warning. Xiaojie mustered his thousand-odd men to re-enter the city, only to find Nali's troops already on the walls. Surrendered non-Chinese inside the city rose with them and assailed Xiaojie; arrows and blades fell like rain. Xiaojie could not hold them off. As he tried to break out again, he was killed at the west gate. The city fell into chaos. Warehouse section director Cui Yichao raised two hundred men to guard the stores and fought the Kucha forces in the streets. Cao Jishu and Han Wei, camped outside, struck from the northwest corner. After a night of fighting Nali withdrew, leaving more than three thousand dead. Order was restored in the city. Some ten days later Nali rallied more than ten thousand Kucha from north of the mountains and marched on the capital. Jishu intercepted them, crushed the force, and took eight thousand heads. Nali fled alone on horseback. Kucha men seized him and delivered him to the camp gate.
32
阿史那社爾前後破其大城五，遣左衛郎將權祗甫詣諸城，開示禍福，皆相帥請降，凡得七百餘城，虜男女數萬口。 社爾乃召其父老，宣國威靈，諭以伐罪之意，立其王之弟葉護為主，龜茲人大喜。 西域震駭，西突厥、于闐、安國爭饋駝馬軍糧，社爾勒石紀功而還。
Ashina She'er had by then reduced five major cities. He sent left guard captain Quan Zhifu to the outlying towns to proclaim reward and punishment; one after another they submitted, yielding more than seven hundred settlements and tens of thousands of captives. She'er then assembled the local elders, displayed imperial might, and explained that the campaign was to punish wrongdoing. He installed the former king's younger brother Yehu as ruler, to the great joy of the Kucha people. The Western Regions were stunned. Western Türks, Khotan, and An sent camels, horses, and grain in rivalry; She'er set up a victory stele and marched home.
33
戊寅，以昆丘道行軍總管、左驍衛將軍阿史那賀魯為泥伏沙缽羅葉護，賜以鼓纛，使招討西突厥之未服者。
On the day wuyin, Kunqi campaign commander and left valiant guard general Ashina Helu was named nivo shaboluo yabghu, given drums and banners, and charged to win over the unsubdued Western Türk tribes.
34
癸未，新羅相金春秋及其子文王入見。 春秋，真德之弟也。 上以春秋為特進，文王為左武衛將軍。 春秋請改章服從中國，內出冬服賜之。
On the day guiwei, Silla's chancellor Kim Chunchu and his son, the Literary King, arrived at court. Chunchu was the younger brother of Queen Jinde. The emperor made Chunchu a specially advanced dignitary and appointed the Literary King general of the left martial guard. Chunchu asked to adopt Chinese dress and regalia; the palace issued winter robes from the imperial wardrobe.
35
春，正月，辛亥，龜茲王布失畢及其相那利等至京師，上責讓而釋之，以布失畢為左武衛中郎將。
In spring, in the first month, on the day xinhai, the Kucha king Bushibi, his minister Nali, and others reached the capital. The emperor reproved them but let them go, appointing Bushibi vice captain of the left martial guard.
36
西南徒莫祗等蠻內附，以其地為傍、望、覽、丘四州，隸朗州都督府。
The Tumozhi and other southwestern tribes submitted. Their territory was divided into the four prefectures of Bang, Wang, Lan, and Qiu under the Langzhou protectorate.
37
上以突厥車鼻可汗不入朝，遣右驍衛郎將高侃發回紇、僕骨等兵襲擊之。 兵入其境，諸部落相繼來降。 拔悉密吐屯肥羅察降，以其地置新黎州。
Because the Türk chieftain Chebi Khan failed to attend court, the emperor sent right valiant guard captain Gao Kan to strike him with Uyghur, Pugu, and allied forces. As the army entered his lands, tribe after tribe came over. The Basmyl chieftain Feiluoqian surrendered, and his territory was organized as Xinli Prefecture.
38
二月，丙戌，置瑤池都督府，隸安西都護； 戊子，以左衛將軍阿史那賀魯為瑤池都督。
In the second month, on the day bingxu, the Yaozhi protectorate was created under the Anxi protector-general; and on the day wuzi Ashina Helu was named protector-general of Yaozhi.
39
三月，丙辰，置豐州都督府，使燕然都護李素立兼都督。
In the third month, on the day bingchen, the Fengzhou protectorate was established, with Yanran protector-general Li Suli serving concurrently as its protector-general.
40
去冬旱，至是始雨。 辛酉，上力疾至顯道門外，赦天下。 丁卯，敕太子於金液門聽政。
Drought had persisted since the previous winter; rain finally fell at this time. On the day xinyou, though gravely ill, the emperor forced himself to go outside Xiandao Gate and proclaimed a general amnesty. On the day dingmao, he ordered the crown prince to conduct affairs of state at Jinye Gate.
41
夏，四月，乙亥，上行幸翠微宮。
In summer, in the fourth month, on the day yihai, the emperor traveled to Cuiwei Palace.
42
上謂太子曰：「李世勣才智有餘，然汝與之無恩，恐不能懷服。 我今黜之，若其即行，俟我死，汝於後用為僕射，親任之； 若徘徊顧望，當殺之耳。」 五月，戊午，以同中書門下三品李世勣為疊州都督； 世勣受詔，不至家而去。
The emperor told the crown prince, "Li Shiji is abundantly talented, but you have shown him no favor. I doubt he will serve you willingly. I am demoting him now. If he leaves at once, after I am gone appoint him vice director of the chancellery and rely on him fully. If he hesitates or looks back, have him killed." In the fifth month, on the day wuwu, fellow chancellor Li Shiji was made protector-general of Diezhou; and Shiji, on receiving the order, left at once without even stopping at home.
43
辛酉，開府儀同三司衛景武公李靖薨。
On the day xinyou, Li Jing, Duke of Weijing the Martial and grand master of glorious magnanimity with concurrent honor for the three duties, died.
44
上苦利增劇，太子晝夜不離側，或累日不食，發有變白者。 上泣曰：「汝能孝愛如此，吾死何恨！」 丁卯，疾篤，召長孫無忌入含風殿。 上臥，引手捫無忌頤，無忌哭，悲不自勝； 上竟不得有所言，因令無忌出。 己巳，復召無忌及褚遂良入臥內，謂之曰：「朕今悉以後事付公輩。 太子仁孝，公輩所知，善輔導之！」 謂太子曰：「無忌、遂良在，汝勿憂天下！」 又謂遂良曰：「無忌盡忠於我，我有天下，多其力也。 我死，勿令讒人間之。」 仍令遂良草遺詔。 有頃，上崩。
The emperor's dysentery worsened sharply. The crown prince never left his bedside, sometimes going days without food; strands of his hair turned white. Weeping, the emperor said, "Such devotion—what regret can I have in dying! On the day dingmao, as his illness turned critical, he summoned Zhangsun Wuji to Hanfeng Hall. The emperor lay back and touched Wuji's cheek; Wuji wept until he could no longer contain himself; but the emperor could not speak after all and sent him out. On the day jisi he again called Wuji and Chu Suiliang to his bedside and said, "I now entrust everything that follows to you. The crown prince is benevolent and filial, as you know. Guide him well!" He told the crown prince, "With Wuji and Suiliang at your side, you need not fear for the realm! He also told Suiliang, "Wuji has been utterly loyal to me. I owe much of my throne to him. When I am gone, do not let anyone drive a wedge between you." He then ordered Suiliang to draft the final edict. Shortly afterward the emperor died.
45
太子擁無忌頸，號慟將絕。 無忌攬涕，請處分眾事以安內外。 太子哀號不已，無忌曰：「主上以宗廟社稷付殿下，豈得效匹夫唯哭泣乎！」 乃秘不發喪。 庚午，無忌等請太子先還，飛騎、勁兵及舊將皆從。 辛未，太子入京城； 大行御馬輿，侍衛如平日，繼太子而至，頓於兩儀殿。 以太子左庶子於志寧為侍中，少詹事張行成兼侍中，以檢校刑部尚書、右庶子、兼吏部侍郎高季輔兼中書令。 壬申，發喪太極殿，宣遺詔，太子即位。 軍國大事，不可停闕； 平常細務，委之有司。 諸王為都督、刺史者，並聽奔喪，濮王泰不在來限。 罷遼東之役及諸土木之功。 四夷之人入仕於朝及來朝貢者數百人，聞喪皆慟哭，剪髮、剺面、割耳，流血灑地。
The crown prince clung to Wuji's neck and wailed until he nearly collapsed. Wuji dried his tears and urged that state affairs be settled to calm court and country. The crown prince would not stop grieving. Wuji said, "The late emperor entrusted the altars of state to you—will you behave like a common mourner and do nothing but weep! They therefore concealed the death and made no public announcement. On the day gengwu, Wuji and the others urged the crown prince to go back first; flying cavalry, picked troops, and veteran commanders all accompanied him. On the day xinwei the crown prince entered the capital; the late emperor's imperial carriage, with attendants as on an ordinary day, followed behind and halted at Liangyi Hall. Yu Zhining, left palace director to the crown prince, was made attendant-in-chief; junior chamberlain Zhang Xingcheng was made concurrent attendant-in-chief; and Gao Jifu, inspection commissioner of the ministry of justice, right palace director, and concurrent vice director of personnel, was made concurrent director of the secretariat. On the day renshen mourning was proclaimed in Taiji Hall, the final edict was read, and the crown prince ascended the throne. Urgent matters of war and state must not be neglected; routine business is left to the proper ministries. Princes serving as protector-generals or prefects may all return for the funeral; Prince of Pu Li Tai is excluded. The Liaodong expedition and various earth-and-timber projects were canceled. Several hundred foreign envoys and officials at court, hearing the news, wailed in grief, cut their hair, slashed their faces, even cut off their ears, until blood soaked the ground.
46
六月，甲戌朔，高宗即位，赦天下。
In the sixth month, on the first day jiaxu, Gaozong took the throne and proclaimed a general amnesty.
47
丁丑，以疊州都督李勣為特進、檢校洛州刺史、洛陽宮留守。
On the day dingchou, Diezhou protector-general Li Jing was made specially advanced, inspection commissioner of Luozhou, and garrison commander of Luoyang Palace.
48
先是，太宗二名，令天下不連言者勿避； 至是，始改官名犯先帝諱者。
Earlier, Taizong had borne two personal names and ruled that the realm need not avoid them unless they were spoken together as his full name; now, for the first time, official titles that clashed with the late emperor's taboo were renamed.
49
癸未，以長孫無忌為太尉，兼檢校中書令，知尚書、門下二省事。 無忌固辭知尚書省事，帝許之，仍令以大尉同中書門下三品。
On the day guiwei, Zhangsun Wuji was appointed grand preceptor, concurrent inspection commissioner of the secretariat, with charge of the ministries of state and of the imperial secretariat. Wuji firmly declined day-to-day secretariat duties; the new emperor agreed but kept him as grand preceptor and fellow chancellor of the third rank.
50
癸巳，以李勣為開府儀同三司、同中書門下三品。
On the day guisi, Li Jing was made grand master of glorious magnanimity with credential and fellow chancellor of the third rank.
51
阿史那社爾之破龜茲也，行軍長史薛萬備請因兵威說于闐王伏闍信入朝，社爾從之。 秋，七月，己酉，伏闍信隨萬備入朝，詔入謁梓宮。
After Ashina She'er conquered Kucha, campaign chief of staff Xue Wanbei urged using the army's prestige to bring the Khotan king Fuxinxin to court, and She'er agreed. In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day jiyou, Fuxinxin accompanied Wanbei to the capital; an edict directed him to pay homage before the late emperor's coffin.
52
八月，癸酉，夜，地震，晉州尤甚，壓殺五千餘人。
In the eighth month, on the day guiyou, an earthquake struck at night. Jin Prefecture suffered worst, with more than five thousand people crushed to death.
53
庚寅，葬文皇帝於昭陵，廟號太宗。 阿史那社爾、契苾何力請殺身殉葬，上遣人諭以先旨不許。 蠻夷君長為先帝所擒服者頡利等十四人，皆琢石為其像，刻名列於北司馬門內。
On the day gengyin, the Literary Emperor was buried at Zhaoling; his temple name was Taizong. Ashina She'er and Qibi Heli asked to die and follow him into the tomb; the emperor sent word that the late sovereign's earlier command forbade it. Fourteen barbarian rulers whom the late emperor had subdued, including Jieli, were carved in stone and their names inscribed inside the north gate of the imperial tomb.
54
丁酉，禮部尚書許敬宗奏弘農府君廟應毀，請藏主於西夾室； 從之。
On the day dingyou, Minister of Rites Xu Jingzong memorialized that the Hongnong Prince Grandfather shrine should be demolished and the spirit tablets moved to the western side chamber; the court approved.
55
九月，乙卯，以李勣為左僕射。
In the ninth month, on the day yimao, Li Jing was appointed left vice director of the chancellery.
56
冬，十月，以突厥諸部置捨利等五州隸雲中都督府，蘇農等六州隸定襄都督府。
In winter, in the tenth month, Türk tribes were organized into Sheli and four other prefectures under Yunzhong protectorate, and Su'nong and five others under Dingxiang protectorate.
57
乙亥，上問大理卿唐臨系囚之數，對曰：「見囚五十餘人，唯二人應死。」 上悅。 上嘗錄系囚，前卿所處者多號呼稱冤，臨所處者獨無言。 上怪，問其故。 囚曰：「唐卿所處，本自無冤。」 上歎息良久，曰：「治獄者不當如是邪！」
“On the day yihai, the emperor asked Tang Lin, minister of justice, how many prisoners were held; he answered that of more than fifty detainees, only two merited execution.” The emperor was pleased. When the emperor once reviewed prisoners, those handled by the previous minister cried out that they had been wronged, but those Tang Lin had judged remained silent. The emperor was puzzled and asked why. A prisoner said, "Minister Tang's rulings were never unjust in the first place." The emperor sighed for a long while and said, "Ought not every judge of prisoners be like this!"1
58
上以吐蕃贊普弄贊為駙馬都尉，封西海郡王。 贊普致書於長孫無忌等云：「天子初即位，臣下有不忠者，當勒兵赴國討除之。」
The emperor appointed the Tibetan tsanpo Songtsän Gampo imperial son-in-law commandant and enfeoffed him as king of Xihai commandery. The tsanpo wrote to Zhangsun Wuji and others: "Now that the Son of Heaven has newly taken the throne, if any subject proves disloyal, I shall muster troops and come to the realm to punish and remove him."2
59
十二月，詔濮王泰開府置僚屬，車服珍膳，特加優異。
In the twelfth month, an edict directed Prince of Pu Li Tai to establish a princely establishment with staff; his carriage regalia and fine provisions were singled out for exceptional treatment.
60
高宗天皇大聖大弘孝皇帝上之上
Emperor Gaozong the Heavenly Sovereign, Great Sage, and Great Extender of Filial Piety — Upper, Part One
61
春，正月，辛丑朔，改元。
In spring, on the first day of the first month, the cyclical day xinchou, a new reign title was proclaimed.
62
丙午，立妃王氏為皇后。 后，思政之孫也。 以后父仁祐為特進、魏國公。
On the day bingwu, Lady Wang was installed as empress. The empress was a granddaughter of Wang Si'en. Her father Wang Renyou was appointed special advancement-holder and duke of Wei.
63
己未，以張行成為侍中。
On the day jiwei, Zhang Xingcheng was made attendant-in-ordinary.
64
辛酉，上召朝集使，謂曰：「朕初即位，事有不便於百姓者悉宜陳，不盡者更封奏。」 自是日引刺史十人入閣，問以百姓疾苦，及其政治。
On the day xinyou, the emperor summoned the provincial assembly envoys and said, "I have only lately taken the throne. Whatever harms the people should be reported fully; anything left unsaid may be submitted later in a sealed memorial." Thereafter he daily summoned ten prefects into the inner hall to inquire about popular hardship and the quality of their administration.
65
有洛陽人李弘泰誣告長孫無忌謀反，上立命斬之。 無忌與褚遂良同心輔政，上亦尊禮二人，恭己以聽之，故永徽之政，百姓阜安，有貞觀之遺風。
Li Hongtai of Luoyang falsely charged Zhangsun Wuji with treason, and the emperor at once ordered his execution. Wuji and Chu Suiliang governed in concert; the emperor honored both and yielded to their counsel. Under the Yonghui reign the people flourished in peace, and the governance still bore the spirit of Zhenguan.
66
太宗女衡山公主應適長孫氏，有司以為服既公除，欲以今秋成昏。 於志寧上言：「漢文立制，本為天下百姓。 公主服本斬衰，縱使服隨例除，豈可情隨例改，請俟三年喪畢成昏。」 上從之。
Princess Hengshan, a daughter of Emperor Taizong, was to marry a member of the Zhangsun house; the responsible offices held that public mourning had ended and proposed holding the wedding that autumn. Yu Zhining memorialized: "When Emperor Wen of Han framed his institutions, he did so for the sake of the people under Heaven. The princess wears the severest mourning; even if mourning may be cut short by precedent, affection cannot be altered by precedent. I ask that the marriage wait until the three-year mourning is complete." The emperor agreed.
67
二月，辛卯，立皇子孝為許王，上金為杞王，素節為雍王。
In the second month, on the day xinmao, Prince Xiao was made king of Xu, Prince Shangjin king of Qi, and Prince Su Jie king of Yong.
68
夏，五月，壬戌，吐蕃贊普弄贊卒，其嫡子早死，立其孫為贊普。 贊普幼弱，政事皆決於國相祿東贊。 祿東贊性明達嚴重，行兵有法，吐蕃所以強大，威服氐、羌，皆其謀也。
In summer, the fifth month, on the day renxu, the Tibetan tsanpo Songtsän Gampo died; his heir had died young, so his grandson was enthroned as tsanpo. The tsanpo was still a child, and all state affairs were decided by the chief minister Gar Tongtsen. Gar Tongtsen was clear-sighted, stern, and grave, and disciplined in warfare; Tibet's rise to power and its subjugation of the Di and Qiang were largely his doing.
69
六月，高侃擊突厥，至阿息山。 車鼻可汗召諸部兵皆不赴，與數百騎遁去。 侃帥精騎追至金山，擒之以歸，其眾皆降。
In the sixth month, Gao Kan attacked the Turks and advanced to Mount Axi. Chebi Khan called up the tribal armies, but none answered; he fled with only a few hundred riders. Kan pursued with picked cavalry to Jinshan, seized him, and brought him back; his entire following surrendered.
70
初，阿史那社爾虜龜茲王布失畢，立其弟為王。 唐兵既還，其酋長爭立，更相攻擊。 秋，八月，壬午，詔復以布失畢為龜茲王，遣歸國，撫其眾。
Earlier, Ashina She'er had captured the Kucha king Bu Shibi and set up the king's younger brother in his place. After the Tang army withdrew, the tribal leaders fought one another in succession for the throne. In autumn, the eighth month, on the day renwu, an edict restored Bu Shibi as king of Kucha, sent him home, and charged him to reassure his people.
71
九月，庚子，高侃執車鼻可汗至京師，釋之，拜左武衛將軍，處其餘眾於郁督軍山，置狼山都督府以統之。 以高侃為衛將軍。 於是突厥盡為封內之臣，分置單于、瀚海二都護府。 單于領狼山、雲中、桑干三都督，蘇農等一十四州； 瀚海領瀚海、金徽、新黎等七都督，仙萼等八州； 各以其酋長為都督、刺史。
In the ninth month, on the day gengzi, Gao Kan delivered Chebi Khan to the capital; the emperor released him, made him general of the left martial guards, settled his remaining followers at Yudujun Mountain, and created the Langshan area command to govern them. Gao Kan was appointed general of the guards. Thereafter the Turks were wholly subjects within the frontier, and the Chanyu and Hanhai protectorates were set up separately. The Chanyu protectorate governed three area commands—Langshan, Yunzhong, and Sanggan—and fourteen prefectures including Sunong. The Hanhai protectorate governed seven area commands, among them Hanhai, Jinwei, and Xinli, and eight prefectures including Xian'e; In each case the tribal chiefs were appointed area commanders and prefects.
72
癸亥，上出畋，遇雨，問諫議大夫昌樂谷那律曰：「油衣若為則不漏？」 對曰：「以瓦為之，必不漏。」 上悅，為之罷獵。
On the day guihai, the emperor went hunting, was caught in rain, and asked Remonstrating Censor Gu Nile of Changle Valley, "How might an oilskin cloak be made so that it does not leak?" He answered, "If it were made of tile, it would surely not leak." The emperor laughed and called off the hunt on that account.
73
李勣固求解職； 冬，十月，戊辰，解勣左僕射，以開府儀同三司、同中書門下三品。
Li Ji repeatedly asked to resign his office; In winter, the tenth month, on the day wuchen, he was relieved of the left vice directorship of the Department of State Affairs and made honorary grand master with golden seal and ribbon, co-equal with the secretariat-chancellery at third rank.
74
己未，監察御史陽武韋思謙劾奏中書令褚遂良抑買中書譯語人地。 大理少卿張睿冊以為準估無罪。 思謙奏曰：「估價之設，備國家所須，臣下交易，豈得准估為定！ 睿冊舞文，附下罔上，罪當誅。」 是日，左遷遂良為同刺史，睿冊循州刺史。 思謙名仁約，以字行。
On the day jiwei, Supervising Censor Wei Siqian of Yangwu impeached Secretariat Director Chu Suiliang for coercively purchasing land held by a secretariat interpreter. Assistant director of justice Zhang Ruice ruled that, measured against the standard valuation, there was no offense. Siqian memorialized: "Valuation prices exist for the state's needs; when officials trade among themselves, how can the standard price be treated as binding! Ruice twists the statutes, siding with inferiors to mislead superiors—the offense deserves death." That same day Chu Suiliang was demoted to prefect of Tong and Zhang Ruice to prefect of Xun. Siqian's personal name was Renyue; he was commonly known by his courtesy name.
75
十二月，庚午，梓州都督謝萬歲、兗州都督謝法興與黔州都督李孟嘗討琰州叛獠； 萬歲、法興入洞招慰，為獠所殺。
In the twelfth month, on the day gengwu, Zizhou area commander Xie Wansui, Yanzhou area commander Xie Faxing, and Qianzhou area commander Li Mengchang campaigned against rebellious liao in Yan prefecture; Wansui and Faxing entered the caves to offer reassurance and were slain by the liao.
76
春，正月，乙巳，以黃門侍郎宇文節、中書侍郎柳奭並同中書門下三品。 奭，亨之兄子，王皇后之舅也。
In spring, the first month, on the day yisi, Yellow Gate Attendant Yu Wenjie and Secretariat Attendant Liu Shi were both made co-equal with the secretariat-chancellery at third rank. Liu Shi was a nephew of Liu Xing's lineage and the empress's maternal uncle.
77
左驍衛將軍、瑤池都督阿史那賀魯招集離散，廬帳漸盛，聞太宗崩，謀襲取西、庭二州。 庭州刺史駱弘義知其謀，表言之，上遣通事舍人橋寶明馳往慰撫。 寶明說賀魯，令長子咥運入宿衛，授右驍衛中郎將，尋復遣歸。 咥運乃說其父擁眾西走，擊破乙毘射匱可汗，並其眾，建牙於雙河及千泉，自號沙缽羅可汗，咄陸五啜、努失畢五俟斤皆歸之，勝兵數十萬，與乙毘咄陸可汗連兵，處月、處密及西域諸國多附之。 以咥運為莫賀咄葉護。
Left Swift Tiger General and Protector of Yaochi Ashina Helu rallied the dispersed tribes until his encampments grew strong; when he heard that Taizong had died, he plotted to seize the Xi and Ting protectorates. Tingzhou prefect Luo Hongyi learned of the plot and reported it; the emperor sent imperial diarist Qiao Baoming post-haste to console and reassure him. Baoming persuaded Helu to send his eldest son Nishu to serve in the palace guard; Nishu was made middle general of the right swift tiger guards, then soon sent home again. Nishu then urged his father to march west with a great following, defeated the Yibilishi kaghan, and absorbed his people; Helu set up his headquarters at Shuanghe and Qianquan and styled himself Shaboluo kaghan. The five chuo of the Zhuolu and the five irkin of the Nushibi all joined him, and his field army reached several hundred thousand. Allied with the Yibizhuolu kaghan, he drew the Chuyue, Chumi, and many Western Region states to his side. Nishu was appointed Mohe Duduye Protector.
78
焉耆王婆伽利卒，國人表請復立故王突騎支； 夏，四月，詔加突騎支右武衛將軍，遣還國。
The king of Yanqi, Bogali, died, and the people petitioned to restore the former king Tuqizhi; In summer, the fourth month, an edict made Tuqizhi general of the right martial guards and sent him back to his kingdom.
79
金州刺史滕王元嬰驕奢縱逸，居亮陰中，畋游無節，數夜開城門，勞擾百姓，或引彈彈人，或埋人雪中以戲笑。 上賜書切讓之，且曰：「取適之方，亦應多緒，晉靈荒君，何足為則！ 朕以王至親，不能致王於法，今書王下上考以愧王心。」
At Jinzhou, Prince Teng Li Yuanying was arrogant and dissolute; even while observing mourning for the late emperor he hunted without restraint, often opened the city gates at night to disturb the people, and amused himself by launching men with catapults or burying them in snow. The emperor sent a stern letter of rebuke, adding, "There are many proper ways to find diversion; Duke Ling of Jin in his debauchery is hardly a model to follow! Because you are my close kinsman I cannot subject you to the law; I therefore mark you with the next-to-lowest performance grade to stir your conscience."3
80
元嬰與蔣王惲皆好聚斂，上嘗賜諸王帛各五百段，獨不及二王，敕曰：「滕叔、蔣兄自能經紀，不須賜物； 給麻兩車以為錢貫。」 二王大慚。
Yuanying and Prince Jiang were both avid for gain; when the emperor once granted every prince five hundred bolts of silk, he alone excluded the two, decreeing, "Uncle Teng and Brother Jiang can look after themselves and need no gifts; give them two cartloads of hemp to serve as money strings." The two princes were deeply shamed.
81
秋，七月，西突厥沙缽羅可汗寇庭州，攻陷金嶺城及蒲類縣，殺略數千人。 詔左武候大將軍梁建方、右驍衛大將軍契苾何力為弓月道行軍總管，右驍衛將軍高德逸、右武候將軍薛孤吳仁為副，發秦、成、岐、雍府兵三萬人及回紇五萬騎以討之。
In autumn, the seventh month, the Western Türk Shaboluo kaghan attacked Tingzhou, took Jincheng and Pulei counties, and killed or carried off several thousand people. An edict appointed Left Martial Guards General Liang Jianfang and Right Swift Tiger Guards General Qibi Heli as campaign generals of the Gongyue circuit, with Right Swift Tiger Guards General Gao Deyi and Right Martial Guards General Xue Gu Wuren as deputies, and sent thirty thousand men from the Qin, Cheng, Qi, and Yong prefectural armies plus fifty thousand Uyghur cavalry against him.
82
癸巳，詔諸禮官學士議明堂制度，以高祖配五天帝，太宗配五人帝。
On the day guisi, an edict directed ritual officials and scholars to debate the Hall of Enlightened Rule, assigning Gaozu to the Five Heavenly Emperors and Taizong to the Five Human Emperors.
83
八月，己巳，以於志寧為左僕射，張行成為右僕射，高季輔為侍中； 志寧、行成仍同中書門下三品。
In the eighth month, on the day jisi, Yu Zhining was made left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, Zhang Xingcheng right vice director, and Gao Jifu attendant-in-ordinary; Zhining and Xingcheng continued as co-equal with the secretariat-chancellery at third rank.
84
己卯，郎州白水蠻反，寇麻州，遣左領軍將軍趙孝祖等發兵討之。
On the day jimao, the Baishui barbarians of Langzhou rose in revolt and raided Ma prefecture; the court dispatched Left Leading General Zhao Xiaozu and others to campaign against them.
85
九月，癸巳，廢玉華宮為佛寺。 戊戌，更命九成宮為萬年宮。
In the ninth month, on the day guisi, Yuhua Palace was converted into a Buddhist monastery. On the day wuxu, Jiucheng Palace was renamed Wannian Palace.
86
庚戌，左武候引駕盧文操逾牆盜左藏物，上以引駕職在糾繩，乃自為盜，命誅之。 諫議大夫蕭鈞諫曰：「文操情實難原，然法不至死。」 上乃免文操死，顧侍臣曰：「此真諫議也！」 閏月，長孫無忌等上所刪定律令式，甲戌，詔頒之四方。
On the day gengxu, Left Martial Guards lead escort Lu Wencao scaled the wall and stole from the left treasury; since his post was to enforce discipline yet he had turned thief himself, the emperor ordered his execution. Remonstrating Censor Xiao Jun argued: "Wencao's offense is grave, yet the statutes do not prescribe death." The emperor then spared Wencao's life and said to those present, "This is a remonstrating censor in the true sense!" In the intercalary month, Zhangsun Wuji and others submitted the revised statutes, ordinances, and regulations; on the day jiaxu, an edict issued them throughout the empire.
87
上謂宰相曰：「聞所在官司，行事猶互觀顏面，多不盡公。」 長孫無忌對曰：「此豈敢言無； 然肆情曲法，實亦不敢。 至於小小收取人情，恐陛下尚不能免。」 無忌以元舅輔政，凡有所言，上無不嘉納。
The emperor told the chief ministers, "I hear that in every office men still watch one another's expressions when they act, and seldom pursue justice to the full." Zhangsun Wuji answered, "That surely exists—who would deny it? But to twist the law at will—we truly do not dare either. As for petty courtesies and small favors, I fear even Your Majesty cannot wholly escape them." As the emperor's maternal uncle and chief minister, Wuji spoke with such trust that the emperor welcomed every word he offered.
88
冬，十一月，辛酉，上祀南郊。
In winter, the eleventh month, on the day xinyou, the emperor offered sacrifice at the southern suburb.
89
癸酉，詔：「自今京官及外州有獻鷹隼及犬馬者，罪之。」
On the day guiyou, an edict declared: "Henceforth any capital official or provincial officer who offers hawks, falcons, or horses will be liable to punishment."4
90
戊寅，特浪羌酋董悉奉求、辟惠羌酋卜簷莫各帥種落萬餘戶詣茂州內附。
On the day wuyin, Telang Qiang chieftain Dong Xifengqiu and Pihui Qiang chieftain Bu Zhanmo each led tribal households numbering more than ten thousand to Maozhou to submit.
91
竇州、義州蠻酋李寶誠等反，桂州都督劉伯英討平之。
Barbarian chieftains including Li Baocheng of Dou and Yi prefectures rebelled; Gui prefecture area commander Liu Boying defeated and pacified them.
92
郎州道總管趙孝祖討白水蠻，蠻酋禿磨蒲及儉彌於帥眾據險拒戰，孝祖皆擊斬之。 會大雪，蠻饑凍，死亡略盡。 孝祖奏言：「貞觀中討昆州烏蠻，始開青蛉、弄棟為州縣。 弄棟之西有小勃弄、大勃弄二川，恆扇誘弄棟，欲使之反。 其勃弄以西與黃瓜、葉榆、西洱河相接，人眾殷實，多於蜀川，無大酋長，好結仇怨，今因破白水之兵，請隨便四討，撫而安之。」 敕許之。
Langzhou circuit overall commander Zhao Xiaozu campaigned against the Baishui barbarians; chieftains Tumo Pu and Jian Miyu held the passes and fought; Xiaozu attacked and beheaded them both. Heavy snow then fell; the barbarians starved and froze until nearly all perished. Xiaozu reported: "During the Zhenguan era, in the campaign against the Wuman of Kunzhou, Qingling and Nongdong were first established as prefectures and counties. West of Nongdong lie the Lesser and Greater Bonong valleys, which constantly stir up Nongdong and seek to turn it against us. Beyond Bonong the land joins Huanggua, Yeyu, and the Western Er River; the people are numerous and wealthier than in Shu, without great chiefs but prone to vendettas. Now, with the force that defeated the Baishui tribes, I ask leave to advance on every side as occasion permits and win them by reassurance." The throne approved.
93
十二月，壬子，處月朱邪孤注殺招慰使單道惠，與突厥賀魯相結。
In the twelfth month, on the day renzi, the Chuyue leader Zhuye Guzhu killed the comforting envoy Shan Daohui and joined the Türk Helu.
94
是歲，百濟遣使入貢，上戒之，使「勿與新羅、高麗相攻，不然，吾將發兵討汝矣。」
That year Baekje sent tribute envoys; the emperor warned them, "Do not make war on Silla and Goguryeo together, or I shall raise an army to chastise you."5
95
春，正月，己未朔，吐谷渾、新羅、高麗、百濟並遣使入貢。
In spring, the first month, on the new moon of the day jiwei, Tuyuhun, Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje each sent tribute envoys to court.
96
癸亥，梁建方、契苾何力等大破處月朱邪孤注於牢山。 孤注夜遁，建方使副總管高德逸輕騎追之，行五百餘里，生擒孤注，斬首九千級。 軍還，御史劾奏梁建方兵力足以追討，而逗留不進； 高德逸敕令市馬，自取駿者。 上以建方等有功，釋不問。 大理卿李道裕奏言：「德逸所取之馬，筋力異常，請實中廄。」 上謂侍臣曰：「道裕法官，進馬非其本職，妄希我意； 豈朕行事不為臣下所信邪！ 朕方自咎，故不復黜道裕耳。」
On the day guihai, Liang Jianfang, Qibi Heli, and their forces routed the Chuyue leader Zhuye Guzhu at Laoshan. Guzhu fled under cover of night; Jianfang sent his deputy Gao Deyi after him with light cavalry. They rode more than five hundred li, took Guzhu alive, and counted nine thousand enemy heads. On the army's return, the censors impeached Liang Jianfang for having strength enough to pursue the enemy yet dallying on the march; Gao Deyi had been ordered to buy horses on campaign and kept the best mounts for himself. The emperor, weighing their victories, declined to press the matter. Grand Court Judge Li Daoyu reported: "The horse Gao Deyi took is of extraordinary mettle; let it be registered in the imperial stud." The emperor told those at his side: "Daoyu is a magistrate of the law; offering up a horse is outside his charge, yet he presumptuously flatters my whim— as if my own conduct were not trusted by the men who serve me! I am reproaching myself just now, and so I will not dismiss Daoyu after all."6
97
己巳，以同州刺史褚遂良為吏部尚書、同中書門下三品。
On the day jisi, Chu Suiliang, governor of Tong Prefecture, was appointed Minister of Personnel and associate grand councilor.
98
丙子，以饗太廟； 丁亥，饗先農，躬耕籍田。
On the day bingzi he sacrificed at the Imperial Ancestral Temple; On the day dinghai he sacrificed to the God of Agriculture and himself turned the first furrow in the sacred field.
99
二月，甲寅，上御安福門樓，觀百戲。 乙卯，上謂侍臣曰：「昨登樓，欲以觀人情及風谷奢儉，非為聲樂。 朕聞胡人善為擊鞠之戲，嘗一觀之。 昨初升樓，即有群胡擊鞠，意謂朕篤好之也。 帝王所為，豈宜容易。 朕已焚此鞠，冀杜胡人窺望之情，亦因以自誡。」
In the second month, on the day jiayin, the emperor took the Anfu Gate tower to watch the variety shows. On the day yimao the emperor told those beside him: "When I went up the tower yesterday, it was to read the people's mood and whether custom ran to extravagance or thrift—not for mere music and sport. I had heard that the northerners excel at polo and had watched it once. The moment I stepped onto the tower yesterday, a band of Hu were already at polo; they must have thought I was devoted to the game. A sovereign's least gesture should not be made lightly. I have burned the balls, hoping to shut off the northerners' habit of reading my whims, and to chasten myself as well."7
100
三月，辛巳，以宇文節為侍中，柳奭為中書令，以兵部侍郎三原韓瑗守黃門侍郎、同中書門下三品。
In the third month, on the day xinsi, Yuwen Jie became Palace Attendant, Liu Shi Director of the Secretariat, and Han Yuan of Sanyuan, vice minister of war, acting vice minister of the Yellow Gate and associate grand councilor.
101
夏，四月，趙孝祖大破西南蠻，斬小勃弄酋長歿盛，擒大勃弄酋長楊承顛。 自餘皆屯聚保險，大者有眾數萬，小者數千人，孝祖皆破降之，西南蠻遂定。
In summer, the fourth month, Zhao Xiaozu routed the southwestern tribes, beheading the Xiaobonong chieftain Mosheng and taking the Dabonong chieftain Yang Chengdian prisoner. The rest had holed up in mountain fastnesses—some tens of thousands strong, others only a few thousand—and Xiaozu broke and accepted each in turn until the southwest was pacified.
102
甲午，澧州刺史彭思王元則薨。
On the day jiawu, Yuanze, Prince Sisi of Peng and governor of Li Prefecture, died.
103
六月，戊申，遣兵部尚書崔敦禮等將並、汾步騎萬人往茂州。 發薛延陀餘眾渡河，置祁連州以處之。
In the sixth month, on the day wushen, the court sent Minister of War Cui Dunli and others at the head of ten thousand foot and horse from Bing and Fen toward Maozhou. The surviving Xueyantuo were moved across the river and settled in the newly created Qilian Prefecture.
104
秋，七月，丁巳，立陳王忠為皇太子，赦天下。 王皇后無子，柳奭為后謀，以忠母劉氏微賤，勸皇后立忠為太子，冀其親己； 外則諷長孫無忌等使請於上。 上從之。 乙丑，以於志寧兼太子少師，張行成兼少傅，高季輔兼少保。
In autumn, the seventh month, on the day dingsi, Prince Chen Zhong was named heir apparent and an amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. Empress Wang had borne no son; Liu Shi plotted on her behalf. Zhong's mother came of humble stock, and Liu urged the empress to name Zhong heir, hoping the boy would cling to her patronage; while outwardly he nudged Zhangsun Wuji and the rest to petition the throne. The emperor assented. On the day yichou, Yu Zhining was named concurrent junior tutor to the heir, Zhang Xingcheng junior mentor, and Gao Jifu junior guardian.
105
丁丑，上問戶部尚書高履行：「去年進戶多少？」 履行奏：「去年進戶總一十五萬。」 因問隋代及今日見戶，履行奏：「隋開皇中，戶八百七十萬，即今戶三百八十萬。」 履行，士廉之子也。
On the day dingchou the emperor asked Minister of Revenue Gao Lüxing, "How many households were added to the rolls last year?" Lüxing answered, "One hundred fifty thousand households in all." The emperor then asked about Sui and present registered households; Lüxing said, "Under Sui's Kaihuang reign there were 8.7 million households; today there are 3.8 million." Lüxing was a son of the late minister Gao Shilian.
106
九月，守中書侍郎來濟同中書門下三品。
In the ninth month, Lai Ji, acting vice minister of the Secretariat, became associate grand councilor.
107
冬，十一月，庚寅，弘化長公主自吐谷渾來朝。
In winter, the eleventh month, on the day gengyin, the Princess of Honghua came from Tuyuhun to pay homage at court.
108
癸巳，濮恭王泰薨於均州。
On the day guisi, Li Tai, Prince Gong of Pu, died in exile at Jun Prefecture.
109
散騎常侍房遺愛尚太宗女高陽公主，公主驕恣甚，房玄齡薨，公主教遺愛與兄遺直異財，既而反譖遺直。 遺直自言，太宗深責讓主，由是寵衰，主怏怏不悅。 會御史劾盜，得浮屠辯機寶枕，雲主所賜。 主與辯機私通，餉遺億計，更以二女子侍遺愛。 太宗怒，腰斬辯機，殺奴婢十餘人； 主益怨望，太宗崩，無戚容。 上即位，主又令遺愛與遺直更相訟，遺愛坐出為房州刺史，遺直為隰州刺史。 又，浮屠智勖等數人私侍主，主使掖庭令陳玄運伺宮省禨祥。
Palace Attendant Fang Yi'an had married Emperor Taizong's daughter, Princess Gaoyang, a woman of fierce pride. After Fang Xuanling's death the princess set Yi'an against his elder brother Yizhi over the estate, then turned and accused Yizhi falsely. When Yizhi spoke in his own defense, Taizong rebuked the princess sharply; her favor faded, and she nursed a sullen grievance. A theft investigation by the censors turned up a jeweled pillow belonging to the monk Bianji, said to be the princess's gift. She had been carrying on with Bianji, lavishing gifts beyond counting, and even sent two women to wait on Yi'an. Taizong's rage fell on Bianji, who was cut in two at the waist, and on more than a dozen of her servants besides; yet the princess only grew more bitter. When Taizong died she wore no mourning face. After the new emperor's accession she set Yi'an and Yizhi at law again; Yi'an was sent out as governor of Fang Prefecture and Yizhi of Xi Prefecture. Monks including Zhi Xu attended her in secret, and she set Palace Women's Director Chen Xuanyun to watch the inner quarters for omens.
110
先是，駙馬都尉薛萬徹坐事除名，徙寧州刺史，入朝，與遺愛款暱，對遺愛有怨望語，且曰：「今雖病足，坐置京師，鼠輩猶不敢動。」 因與遺愛謀：「若國家有變，當奉司徒荊王元景為主。」 元景女適遺愛弟遺則，由是與遺愛往來。 元景嘗自言，夢手把日月。 駙馬都尉柴令武，紹之子也，尚巴陵公主，除衛州刺史，托以主疾留京師求醫，因與遺愛謀議相結。 高陽公主謀黜遺直，奪其封爵，使人誣告遺直無禮於己。 遺直亦言遺愛及主罪，云：「罪盈惡稔，恐累臣私門。」 上令長孫無忌鞫之，更獲遺愛及主反狀。
Earlier, Chief Commandant of Escort Xue Wanche had been struck from the rolls for an offense and made governor of Ning Prefecture. Back at court he grew close to Yi'an and let slip bitter words: "Though my feet ail me, set me in the capital and not one of those rats would dare move." He then plotted with Yi'an: "Should the realm fall into turmoil, we must set up Situ Prince Jing, Yuanjing, as sovereign." Yuanjing's daughter had married Yi'an's younger brother Yize, which drew him into Yi'an's circle. Yuanjing once boasted that he had dreamed of holding the sun and moon in his hands. Chief Commandant of Escort Chai Lingwu, a son of Chai Shao, had married Princess Baling and been made governor of Wei Prefecture; he pleaded his wife's illness to stay in the capital for treatment and there bound himself to Yi'an's conspiracy. Princess Gaoyang schemed to strip Yizhi of title and fief, sending agents to accuse him of insulting her. Yizhi in turn denounced Yi'an and the princess, saying, "Their guilt is full to overflowing; I fear it will drag down our whole clan." The emperor put Zhangsun Wuji in charge of the inquiry, and still more proof of Yi'an and the princess's treason came to light.
111
司空、安州都督吳王恪母，隋煬帝女也。 恪有文武才，太宗常以為類己，欲立為太子，無忌固爭而止，由是與無忌相惡。 恪名望素高，為物情所向，無忌深忌之，欲因事誅恪以絕眾望。 遺愛知之，因言與恪同謀，冀如紇干承基得免死。
Prince Ke of Wu, minister of works and protector-general of An Prefecture, was born of a daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui. Ke possessed both civil and martial gifts; Taizong often found him like himself and once meant to name him heir, until Wuji's stubborn opposition blocked it—and from that day Ke and Wuji were enemies. Ke's renown had always stood high and men's hearts turned to him; Wuji hated him bitterly and meant to use the case to kill him and break the public's hopes. Yi'an saw his chance and claimed Ke as co-conspirator, hoping that as Gan Chengji had once done he might trade accusation for his life.
112
春，二月，甲申，詔遺愛、萬徹、令武皆斬，元景，恪、高陽、巴陵公主並賜自盡。 上潤謂侍臣曰：「荊王，朕之叔父，吳王，朕兄，欲丐其死，可乎？」 兵部尚書崔敦禮以為不可，乃殺之。 萬徹臨刑大言曰：「薛萬徹大健兒，留為國家效死力，豈不佳，乃坐房遺愛殺之乎！」 吳王恪且死，罵曰：「長孫無忌竊弄威權，構害良善，宗社有靈，當族滅不久！」
In spring, the second month, on the day jiashen, an edict beheaded Yi'an, Wanche, and Lingwu; Yuanjing, Ke, Princess Gaoyang, and Princess Baling were all ordered to take their own lives. With tears in his voice the emperor asked his attendants, "Prince Jing is my uncle, Prince Wu my elder brother—may I beg their lives?" Minister of War Cui Dunli said it could not be done, and they were put to death. At the block Wanche shouted, "Xue Wanche is a fighting man—leave him to die for the state, would that not serve better than killing him for sitting with Fang Yi'an!" Prince Ke of Wu, facing death, cursed: "Zhangsun Wuji steals power and ruins the innocent—if the spirits of the realm live, his house will be wiped out ere long!"8
113
乙酉，侍中兼太子詹事宇文節，特進、太常卿江夏王道宗、左驍衛大將軍駙馬都尉執失思力並坐與房遺愛交通，流嶺表。 節與遺愛親善，及遺愛下獄，節頗左右之。 江夏王道宗素與長孫無忌、褚遂良不協，故皆得罪。 戊子，廢恪母弟蜀王愔為庶人，置巴州； 房遺直貶春州銅陵尉，萬徹弟萬備流交州； 罷房玄齡配饗。
On the day yiyou, Yuwen Jie, palace attendant and steward to the heir; Prince Daizong of Jiangxia; and Zhisi Heli, left swift tiger guards general and chief commandant of escort—all were banished beyond the mountains for ties to Fang Yi'an. Jie had been close to Yi'an and, once Yi'an was imprisoned, had tried to shield him. Prince Daizong of Jiangxia had long been at odds with Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang, and so he too was swept into the net. On the day wuzi, Ke's uterine brother, Prince Yin of Shu, was reduced to commoner rank and confined in Ba Prefecture; Fang Yizhi was demoted to magistrate of Tongling in Chun Prefecture; Wanche's brother Wanbei was sent to Jiao Prefecture in exile; and Fang Xuanling was stripped of his place at the paired sacrifices in the ancestral temple.
114
開府儀同三司李勣為司空。
Li Ji, honored attendant of the first order, was appointed minister of works.
115
初，林邑王范頭利卒，子真龍立，大臣伽獨弒之，盡滅范氏。 伽獨自立，國人弗從，乃立頭利之婿婆羅門為王。 國人鹹思范氏，復罷婆羅門，立頭利之女為王。 女不能治國，有諸葛地者，頭利之姑子也，父為頭利所殺，南奔真臘，大臣可倫翁定遣使迎而立之，妻以女王，眾然後定。 夏，四月，戊子，遣使入貢。
Earlier, King Fantouli of Linyi had died and his son Zhenlong succeeded; the great minister Jiadue murdered him and wiped out the Fan line. Jiadue seized the throne, but the people refused him and set up Fantouli's son-in-law Brahmana instead. The realm still longed for the Fan house, deposed Brahmana again, and enthroned Fantouli's daughter. She could not rule; a man named Zhugedi, Fantouli's nephew by marriage whose father Fantouli had killed, had fled south to Zhenla. The minister Kelun Wengding fetched him back, married him to the queen, and only then did the kingdom find peace. In summer, the fourth month, on the day wuzi, Linyi sent tribute envoys to court.
116
秋，九月，壬戌，右僕射北平定公張行成薨。 甲戌，以褚遂良為右僕射，同中書門下三品如故，仍知選事。
In autumn, the ninth month, on the day renxu, Zhang Xingcheng, right vice director and Duke Ding of Beiping, died. On the day jiaxu, Chu Suiliang became right vice director, kept his seat as associate grand councilor, and continued to oversee appointments.
117
冬，十月，庚子，上幸驪山溫湯； 乙巳，還宮。
In winter, the tenth month, on the day gengzi, the emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li; On the day yisi he returned to the palace.
118
初，睦州女子陳碩貞以妖言惑眾，與妹夫章叔胤舉兵反，自稱文佳皇帝，以叔胤為僕射。 甲子夜，叔胤帥眾攻桐廬，陷之。 碩真撞鐘焚香，引兵二千攻陷睦州及於潛，進攻歙州，不克。 敕揚州刺史房仁裕發兵討之。 碩真遣其黨童文寶將四千人寇婺州，刺史崔義玄發兵拒之。 民間訛言碩真有神，犯其兵者必滅族，士眾兇懼。 司功參軍崔玄籍曰：「起兵仗順，猶且無成，況憑妖妄，其能久乎！」 義玄以玄籍為前鋒，自將州兵繼之，至下淮戍，遇賊，與戰。 左右以楯蔽義玄，義玄曰：「刺史避箭，人誰致死！」 命撤之。 於是士卒齊奮，賊眾大潰，斬首數千級。 聽其餘眾歸首； 進至睦州境，降者萬計。 十一月，庚戌，房仁裕軍合，獲碩真、叔胤，斬之，餘黨悉平。 義玄以功拜御史大夫。
Earlier, Chen Shuozhen of Muzhou had swayed the people with sorcerous talk; with her brother-in-law Zhang Shuyin she rose in arms, crowned herself Emperor Wenjia, and named Shuyin her chief minister. On the night of the day jiazi, Shuyin led his followers against Tonglu and took the city. Shuozhen rang bells and burned incense, marched two thousand men to seize Muzhou and Yuqian, then pushed against She Prefecture without success. An edict ordered Fang Renyu, governor of Yang Prefecture, to take the field against them. Shuozhen sent her lieutenant Tong Wenbao with four thousand men against Wu Prefecture; Governor Cui Yixuan marched out to meet them. Rumors ran that Shuozhen wielded divine power and that any who faced her army would see their clans wiped out; the troops were seized with terror. Records aide Cui Xuanji said, "Men who take up arms in a just cause still often fail—how long can sorcery and delusion hold!" Yixuan put Xuanji in the van and followed with the prefectural force; at Xiahuai garrison they met the rebels and gave battle. His attendants raised shields before him; Yixuan cried, "If the governor ducks arrows, who will die for him! He ordered the shields taken away. At that the men fought as one; the rebels broke and fled, leaving several thousand heads on the field. The survivors were allowed to surrender; and by the time he reached Muzhou's border, tens of thousands had come over. In the eleventh month, on the day gengxu, Fang Renyu's columns joined, took Shuozhen and Shuyin, and beheaded them; the remnant rebels were swept clean. For his service Cui Yixuan was made censor-in-chief.
119
癸丑，以兵部尚書崔敦禮為侍中。
On the day guichou, Cui Dunli, minister of war, was appointed palace attendant.
120
十二月，庚子，侍中蓨憲公高季輔薨。
In the twelfth month, on the day gengzi, Gao Jifu, palace attendant and Duke Xian of Tiao, died.
121
是歲，西突厥乙毘咄陸可汗卒，其子頡苾達度設號真珠葉護，始與沙缽羅可汗有隙，與五弩失畢共擊沙缽羅，破之，斬首千餘級。
That year the Western Türk qaghan Yipiduolu died; his son Yipishdabodu took the title True Pearl yabghu. He had fallen out with the qaghan Shaboluo and, joining the Five Nushibi, routed Shaboluo and counted more than a thousand heads.
122
春，正月，壬戌，羌酋凍就內附，以其地置劍州。
In spring, on the first day of the first month, the day renxu, the Qiang chieftain Dong Jiu came in to allegiance, and his lands were organized as Jian Prefecture.
123
三月，戊午，上行幸萬年宮。
In the third month, on the day wuwu, the emperor went in person to Wannian Palace.
124
庚申，加贈武德功臣屈突通等十三人官。
On the day gengshen, the court posthumously promoted the ranks of thirteen Wude-era merit ministers, among them Qu Tu Tong.
125
初，王皇后無子，蕭淑妃有寵，王后疾子。 上之為太子也，入侍太宗，見才人武氏而悅之。 太宗崩，武氏隨眾感業寺為尼。 忌日，上詣寺行香，見之，武氏泣，上亦泣。 王后聞之，陰令武氏長髮，勸上內之後宮，欲以間淑妃之寵。 武氏巧慧，多權數，初入宮，卑辭屈體以事后。 后愛之，數稱其美於上。 未幾大幸，拜為昭儀，后及淑妃寵皆衰，更相與共譖之，上皆不納。 昭儀欲追贈其父而無名，故托以褒賞功臣，遍贈屈突通等，而武士擭預焉。
At first Empress Wang had borne no sons, while Consort Xiao the Pure and Fair held the emperor's favor, and the empress came to resent her. While still crown prince, attending at Emperor Taizong's side, he saw the Lady of Talents of the Wu clan and took a liking to her. After Taizong's death, Lady Wu went with the other consorts to Gan'ye Temple and took the tonsure. On the anniversary of Taizong's death the emperor went to the temple to offer incense, saw her again, and they wept together. Empress Wang heard of this, secretly had Wu let her hair grow again, and urged the emperor to take her back into the inner palace, hoping to use her to break Consort Xiao's hold on him. Clever and resourceful, full of schemes, she entered the palace and humbled herself in word and bearing to wait on the empress. The empress grew fond of her and often praised her to the emperor. Before long she won his deepest favor and was made Lady of Bright Deportment; favor for the empress and Consort Xiao waned, and the two began slandering her together, but the emperor would hear none of it. She wished to have her father honored posthumously but lacked a plausible claim, so she arranged a general reward of merit ministers—Qu Tu Tong and the rest—and slipped her father Wu Shiyao into the list.
126
乙丑，上幸鳳泉湯； 己巳，還萬年宮。
On the day yichou the emperor visited the Fengquan hot springs; on jisi he returned to Wannian Palace.
127
夏，四月，大食發兵擊波斯，殺波斯王伊嗣侯，伊嗣侯之子卑路斯奔吐火羅。 大食兵去，吐火羅發兵立卑路斯為波斯王而還。
In summer, the fourth month, Arab forces marched on Persia, killed King Yazdegerd, and his son Peroz fled to Tokhara. After the Arab army withdrew, Tokhara raised an army, installed Peroz as king of Persia, and marched home.
128
閏月，丙子，以處月部置金滿州。
In the intercalary month, on the day bingzi, the Chuyue people were organized as Jinman Prefecture.
129
丁丑，夜，大雨，山水漲溢，沖玄武門，宿衛士皆散走。 右領軍郎將薛仁貴曰：「安有宿衛之士，天子有急而敢畏死乎！」 乃登門桄大呼以警宮內。 上遽出乘高，俄而水入寢殿，水漂溺衛士及麟游居人，死者三千餘人。
On the night of dingchou a great rain fell; mountain torrents burst forth, smashed through the Xuanwu Gate, and the night guards fled in every direction. Xue Rengui, adjutant of the Right Wing Army, cried, "What night guard flees when the Son of Heaven is in danger and dares cling to his own life!" He climbed the gate lintel and shouted until the whole inner palace was roused. The emperor fled to high ground; moments later floodwater poured into the sleeping hall, drowning guards and townsfolk of Linyou—more than three thousand dead.
130
壬辰，新羅女王金真德卒，詔立其弟春秋為新羅王。
On the day renchen Queen Kim Jeongdeok of Silla died; the court decreed that her brother Chungch'ul should succeed as king.
131
六月，丙午，恆州大水，呼沱溢，漂溺五千三百家。
In the sixth month, on bingwu, Heng Prefecture was struck by flood; the Hutuo burst its banks and swept away fifty-three hundred households.
132
中書令柳奭以王皇后寵衰，內不自安，請解政事； 癸亥，罷為吏部尚書。
Liu Shi, chancellor of the Secretariat, uneasy as Empress Wang's influence waned, asked to be relieved of office; On guihai he was removed and made minister of civil appointments.
133
秋，九月，丁酉，車駕至京師。
In autumn, the ninth month, on dingyou, the imperial procession reached the capital.
134
戊戌，上謂五品以上曰：「頃在先帝左右，見五品以上論事，或仗下面陳，或退上封事，終日不絕； 豈今日獨無事邪，何公等皆不言也？」
On wuxu he addressed officials of the fifth rank and above: "When I stood at the late emperor's side, men of your rank debated policy all day—some speaking below the hall, some submitting sealed memorials after court—without pause; has the realm today no business at all, that none of you will speak?"
135
冬，十月，雇雍州四萬一千人築長安外郭，三旬而畢。 癸丑，雍州參軍薛景宣上封事，言：「漢惠帝城長安，尋晏駕； 今復城之，必有大咎。」 於志寧等以景宣言涉不順，請誅之。 上曰：「景宣雖狂妄，若因上封事得罪，恐絕言路。」 遂赦之。
In winter, the tenth month, forty-one thousand laborers from Yong Prefecture were hired to raise Chang'an's outer wall; the work was finished in thirty days. On guichou Xue Jingxuan, an aide of Yong Prefecture, submitted a sealed memorial: "When Emperor Huidi of Han walled Chang'an, he soon died in his prime; if we wall it again now, great calamity is sure to follow." Yu Zhining and others said Jingxuan's words smacked of sedition and asked that he be put to death. The emperor said, "Jingxuan may be rash, but to punish a man for a sealed memorial would choke off honest counsel. He pardoned him.
136
高麗遣其將安固將高麗、靺鞨兵擊契丹； 松漠都督李窟哥御之，大敗高麗於新城。
Goryeo sent the general An Gu at the head of Goryeo and Mohe forces against the Khitan; Li Kugo, protector-general of Songmo, met them and routed the Goryeo army at Xincheng.
137
是歲大稔，洛州粟米斗兩錢半，粳米斗十一錢。
That year brought a bumper harvest; in Luoyang millet sold for two and a half cash a dou and polished rice for eleven.
138
王皇后、蕭淑妃與武昭儀更相譖訴，上不信后、淑妃之語，獨信昭儀。 后不能曲事上左右，母魏國夫人柳氏及舅中書令柳奭入見六宮，又不為禮。 武昭儀伺后所不敬者，必傾心與相結，所得賞賜分與之。 由是后及淑妃動靜，昭儀必知之，皆以聞於上。
Empress Wang, Consort Xiao, and Lady Wu of Bright Deportment traded accusations; the emperor dismissed the empress and Consort Xiao and believed only Lady Wu. The empress would not court those about the emperor; her mother, Lady Liu of Wei State, and her uncle Liu Shi, chancellor of the Secretariat, visited the six palaces without proper courtesy. Lady Wu noted everyone the empress slighted, won them with her full attention, and shared her rewards with them. Hence every move of the empress and Consort Xiao reached Lady Wu, and she reported it all to the emperor.
139
后寵雖衰，然上未有意廢也。 會昭儀生女，后憐而弄之，后出，昭儀潛扼殺之，覆之以被。 上至，昭儀陽歡笑，發被觀之，女已死矣，即驚啼。 問左右，左右皆曰：「皇后適來此。」 上大怒曰：「后殺吾女！」 昭儀因泣訴其罪。 后無以自明，上由是有廢立之志。 又畏大臣不從，乃與昭儀幸太尉長孫無忌第，酣飲極歡，席上拜無忌寵姬子三人皆為朝散大夫，仍載金寶繒錦十車以賜無忌。 上因從容言皇后無子以諷無忌，無忌對以他語，竟不順旨，上及昭儀皆不悅而罷。 昭儀又令母楊氏詣無忌第，屢有祈請，無忌終不許。 禮部尚書許敬宗亦數勸無忌，無忌厲色折之。
Though the empress had lost favor, the emperor still had no thought of deposing her. When Lady Wu bore a daughter, the empress took pity on the infant and played with her; after the empress left, Lady Wu secretly smothered the child and drew a quilt over the body. When the emperor came in, Lady Wu feigned cheer, lifted the quilt—and at the sight of the dead child burst into shocked wailing. He questioned those about her; all said, "The empress had just been here." The emperor flew into a rage: "The empress killed my child!" Lady Wu wept and pressed the charge. The empress could not clear herself, and from that day the emperor resolved to depose her and raise another. Fearing the chief ministers would refuse, he visited Grand Mentor Chang Sun Wuji with Lady Wu, drank deep in feigned intimacy, enfeoffed Wuji's three sons by a favorite concubine as court gentlemen for scattered service at table, and sent ten cartloads of gold, gems, silk, and brocade as gifts. The emperor casually remarked that the empress had no sons, hoping Wuji would take the hint; Wuji answered on other matters and never yielded; emperor and Lady Wu left displeased. Lady Wu sent her mother Lady Yang to Wuji's house again and again to plead; Wuji still refused. Xu Jingzong, minister of rites, also pressed Wuji several times; Wuji rebuffed him with a harsh face.
140
春，正月，壬申朔，上謁昭陵； 甲戌，還宮。
In spring, on the first day of the first month, the day renshen, the emperor visited Zhaoling; on jiaxu he returned to the palace.
141
己丑，巂州道行軍總管曹繼叔破胡叢、顯養、車魯等蠻於斜山，拔十餘城。
On jichou Cao Jishu, commander of the Qiongzhou campaign army, defeated the Hu Cong, Xianyang, Chelu, and other southern tribes at Xieshan and seized more than ten cities.
142
庚寅，立皇子弘為代王，賢為潞王。
On gengyin the princes Hong and Xian were invested as Prince of Dai and Prince of Lu.
143
高麗與百濟、靺鞨連兵，侵新羅北境，取三十三城； 新羅王春秋遣使求援。 二月，乙丑，遣營州都督程名振、左衛中郎將蘇定方發兵擊高麗。
Goryeo allied with Baekje and the Mohe, invaded Silla's northern marches, and seized thirty-three cities; King Chungch'ul of Silla sent envoys begging for aid. In the second month, on yichou, Cheng Mingzhen, protector-general of Ying Prefecture, and Su Dingfang, colonel of the Left Guard Center, were sent to strike Goryeo.
144
夏，五月，壬午，名振等渡遼水，高麗見其兵少，開門渡貴端水逆戰。 名振等奮擊，大破之，殺獲千餘人，焚其外郭及村落而還。
In summer, the fifth month, on renwu, Mingzhen crossed the Liao; seeing how few his men were, Goryeo sallied across the Guiduan to give battle. Mingzhen attacked fiercely, routed them, killed or captured more than a thousand, burned the outer walls and villages, and withdrew.
145
癸未，以右屯衛大將軍程知節為蔥山道行軍大總管，以討西突厥沙缽羅可汗。
On guimao Cheng Zhijie, general of the Right Rear Guard, was made grand commander of the Onion Mountain campaign to attack the Western Türk qaghan Shaboluo.
146
壬辰，以韓瑗為侍中，來濟為中書令。
On renchen Han Yuan was made palace attendant and Lai Ji chancellor of the Secretariat.
147
六月，武昭儀誣王后與其母魏國夫人柳氏為厭勝，敕禁后母柳氏不得入宮。 秋，七月，戊寅，貶吏部尚書柳奭為遂州刺史。 奭行至扶風，岐州長史於承素希旨奏奭漏洩禁中語，復貶榮州刺史。
In the sixth month Lady Wu accused Empress Wang and her mother Lady Liu of Wei State of sorcery; an edict barred the empress's mother from the palace. In autumn, the seventh month, on wuyin, Liu Shi, minister of civil appointments, was demoted to prefect of Suizhou. At Fufeng, Yu Chengsu, chief secretary of Qizhou, eager to please, memorialized that Liu Shi had leaked palace secrets; he was demoted again to prefect of Rong.
148
唐因隋制，後宮有貴妃、淑妃、德妃、賢妃皆視一品。 上欲特置宸妃，以武昭儀為之，韓瑗、來濟諫，以為故事無之，乃止。
Tang followed Sui practice: the inner palace ranked Noble Consort, Pure and Fair Consort, Virtuous Consort, and Worthy Consort all as first grade. The emperor wished to create a new rank, Chen Consort, for Lady Wu; Han Yuan and Lai Ji objected that precedent offered none, and the plan was dropped.
149
中書舍人饒陽李義府為長孫無忌所惡，左遷壁州司馬。 敕未至門下，義府密知之，問計於中書舍人幽州王德儉，德儉曰：「上欲立武昭儀為后，猶豫未決者，直恐宰臣異議耳。 君能建策立之，則轉禍為福矣。」 義府然之，是日，代德儉直宿，叩閣上表，請廢皇后王氏，立武昭儀，以厭兆庶之心。 上悅，召見，與語，賜珠一鬥，留居舊職。 昭儀又密遣使勞勉之，尋超拜中書侍郎。 於是衛尉卿許敬宗、御義大夫崔義玄、中丞袁公瑜皆潛布腹心於武昭儀矣。 乙酉，以侍中崔敦禮為中書令。
Li Yifu of Raoyang, a secretariat drafter, had earned Chang Sun Wuji's dislike and was demoted to prefectural marshal of Bizhou. Before the edict reached the Secretariat, Yifu learned of it in secret and sought counsel from Wang Dejian of Youzhou, another drafter. Dejian said, "The emperor means to make Lady Wu empress but hesitates only because he fears the chief ministers will object. If you propose it yourself, you will turn this disgrace into advancement." Yifu agreed. That day he took Dejian's night watch, knocked at the gate tower, and memorialized to depose Empress Wang, install Lady Wu, and quiet the people's unease. The emperor was pleased, received him, talked with him, gave a peck of pearls, and kept him in his post. Lady Wu secretly sent envoys to encourage him; soon he was promoted to vice director of the Secretariat. Thereafter Xu Jingzong, chamberlain for the imperial clan, Cui Yixuan, grand master of imperial righteousness, and the censor Yuan Gongyu all secretly pledged themselves to Lady Wu. On yiyou Cui Dunli, palace attendant, was made chancellor of the Secretariat.
150
八月，尚藥奉御蔣孝璋員外特置，仍同正員。 員外同正自孝璋始。
In the eighth month Jiang Xiaozhang, palace physician, was specially appointed as supernumerary with rank equal to a regular post. The title of supernumerary equal to regular appointee began with Xiaozhang.
151
長安令裴行儉聞將立武昭儀為后，以國家之禍必由此始，與長孫無忌、褚遂良私議其事。 袁公瑜聞之，以告昭儀母楊氏，行儉坐左遷西州都督府長史。 行儉，仁基之子也。
Pei Xingjian, prefect of Chang'an, heard Lady Wu was to be made empress and believed national disaster would begin there; he discussed it in private with Chang Sun Wuji and Chu Suiliang. Yuan Gongyu learned of it and told Lady Yang; Xingjian was demoted to chief secretary of the Western Prefecture protectorate. Xingjian was a son of Pei Rensi.
152
九月，戊辰，以許敬宗為禮部尚書。
In the ninth month, on wuchen, Xu Jingzong was made minister of rites.
153
上一日退朝，召長孫無忌、李勣、於志寧、褚遂良入內殿。 遂良曰：「今日之召，多為中宮，上意既決，逆之必死。 太尉元舅，司空功臣，不可使上有殺元舅及功臣之名。 遂良起於草茅，無汗馬之勞，致位至此，且受顧托，不以死爭之，何以下見先帝！」 勣稱疾不入。 無忌等至內殿，上顧謂無忌曰：「皇后無子，武昭儀有子，今欲立昭儀為后，何如？」 遂良對曰：「皇后名家，先帝為陛下所娶。 先帝臨崩，執陛下手謂臣曰：『朕佳兒佳婦，今以付卿。』 此陛下所聞，言猶在耳。 皇后未聞有過，豈可輕廢！ 臣不敢曲從陛下，上違先帝之命！」 上不悅而罷。 明日又言之，遂良曰：「陛下必欲易皇后，伏請妙擇天下令族，何必武氏！ 武氏經事先帝，眾所共知，天下耳目，安可蔽也。 萬代之後，謂陛下為如何！ 願留三思！ 臣今忤陛下，罪當死！」 因置笏於殿階，解巾叩頭流血曰：「還陛下笏，乞放歸田裡。」 上大怒，命引出。 昭儀在簾中大言曰：「何不撲殺此獠！」 無忌曰：「遂良受先朝顧命，有罪不可加刑！」 於志寧不敢言。
One day after court the emperor summoned Chang Sun Wuji, Li Ji, Yu Zhining, and Chu Suiliang to the inner hall. Suiliang said, "Today's summons concerns the inner palace; the emperor's mind is set, and to oppose him is death. You are the emperor's uncle by marriage and a founding minister—you must not let him earn the name of killing kin and merit. I rose from the common soil without battlefield merit, yet reached this rank and received the late emperor's dying charge—if I will not stake my life on this, how shall I face him in the grave!" Li Ji pleaded illness and stayed away. Wuji and the rest entered the inner hall; the emperor turned to Wuji and said, "The empress has no sons, but Lady Wu has borne a son. I mean to make Lady Wu empress. What say you?" Suiliang answered, "The empress comes of an eminent house; the late emperor chose her for Your Majesty. At his deathbed the late emperor took Your Majesty's hand and told us, 'I leave you my fine son and daughter-in-law.' Your Majesty heard those words yourself; they are still fresh in the ear. No fault has been heard against the empress—how can she be cast aside so lightly! I dare not bend to Your Majesty's will and violate the late emperor's charge from above!" The emperor was displeased and broke off the audience. The next day the emperor raised it again; Suiliang said, "If Your Majesty must replace the empress, I beg you choose some eminent house under heaven—why must it be the Wu clan! Lady Wu once served the late emperor—a fact everyone knows. The eyes and ears of the realm cannot be hoodwinked. Ten thousand generations hence, what will history call Your Majesty! I beg Your Majesty to think again! I now defy Your Majesty, and the crime deserves death!" He laid his court tablet on the palace steps, removed his official headcloth, and kowtowed until blood ran from his forehead, crying, "I return Your Majesty's tablet and beg leave to go home to my fields." The emperor flew into a rage and ordered him removed from the hall. From behind the curtain Lady Wu cried out, "Why not beat this wretch to death!" Wuji said, "Suiliang bore the late emperor's final charge. Even if he is guilty, he must not be subjected to physical punishment!" Yu Zhining dared not speak.
154
韓瑗因間奏事，涕泣極諫，上不納。 明日又諫，悲不自勝，上命引出。 瑗又上疏諫曰：「匹夫匹婦，猶相選擇，況天子乎！ 皇后母儀萬國，善惡由之，故嫫母輔佐黃帝，妲己傾覆殷王，《詩》云：『赫赫宗周，褒姒滅之。』 每覽前古，常興歎息，不謂今日塵黷聖代。 作而不法，後嗣何觀！ 願陛下詳之，無為後人所笑！ 使臣有以益國，菹醢之戮，臣之分也！ 昔吳王不用子胥之言而麋鹿游於姑蘇。 臣恐海內失望，棘荊生於闕庭，宗廟不血食，期有日矣！」 來濟上表諫曰：「王者立后，上法乾坤，必擇禮教名家，幽閒令淑，副四海之望，稱神示氏之意。 是故周文造舟以迎太姒，而興《關雎》之化，百姓蒙祚； 孝成縱欲，以婢為后，使皇統亡絕，社稷傾淪。 有周之隆既如彼，大漢之禍又如此，惟陛下詳察！」 上皆不納。
Han Yuan found an opening to address the throne, wept, and pleaded with all his strength, but the emperor would not listen. The next day he remonstrated again until he was overcome with grief, and the emperor had him escorted out. Yuan submitted another memorial: "Even common husbands and wives choose their mates—how much more must the Son of Heaven! The empress is the motherly exemplar of the realm, and good and evil flow from her. Mo Mu aided the Yellow Emperor; Daji brought down the Yin dynasty. The Odes say, 'Splendid was the house of Zhou—until Bao Si destroyed it.' Whenever I read of the past I sigh—and never imagined that today would bring such stain upon this sacred age. If Your Majesty acts without regard to law, what will posterity have to look upon! I beg Your Majesty to weigh this carefully and not become a laughingstock to later ages! If I can in any way serve the state, death by dismemberment is my proper due! Once the king of Wu ignored Zixu's counsel, and deer grazed among the terraces of Gusu. I fear the realm will lose heart, brambles will grow in the palace courts, and the ancestral temple will go without sacrifice—and that day cannot be far off!" Lai Ji submitted a memorial: "When a king establishes an empress, he takes Heaven and Earth as his model and must choose a family steeped in ritual and virtue—a woman secluded, refined, and worthy of the realm's hopes and of the spirits' intent. King Wen of Zhou built a boat to welcome Taisi, and the virtue celebrated in "Guan Ju" flourished, bringing blessing to the people; Emperor Cheng indulged his desires, made a maidservant empress, and brought the imperial line to ruin and the state to collapse. Zhou's glory stood thus, and Han's disaster likewise—may Your Majesty weigh this carefully!" The emperor rejected all of it.
155
它日，李勣入見，上問之曰：「朕欲立武昭儀為后，遂良固執以為不可。 遂良既顧命大臣，事當且已乎？」 對曰：「此陛下家事，何必更問外人！」 上意遂決。 許敬宗宣言於朝曰：「田舍翁多收十斛麥，尚欲易婦； 況天子欲立一后，何豫諸人事而妄生異議乎！」 昭儀令左右以聞。 庚午，貶遂良為潭州都督。
On another day Li Ji came to audience. The emperor asked, "I wish to make Lady Wu empress, but Suiliang stubbornly insists it cannot be done. Suiliang was entrusted at the late emperor's deathbed—should I simply let the matter drop?" He replied, "This is Your Majesty's own household matter—why ask outsiders at all!" The emperor's mind was made up. Xu Jingzong declared openly at court, "A farmer who harvests ten extra bushels of wheat still wants a new wife; how much more when the Son of Heaven wishes to make an empress—what business is it of others to raise objections!" Lady Wu had her attendants report this to the emperor. On the day gengwu, Suiliang was demoted to protector-general of Tan Prefecture.
Footnotes
- The quotation ends here
- The letter's quoted passage ends here
- The imperial reprimand ends here
- The edict's quoted passage ends here
- The emperor's warning to Baekje ends here
- The emperor's remark to his attendants ends here
- The emperor's explanation to his attendants ends here
- Prince Ke's dying curse ends here