Sui Annals 2
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 178, Chapter 178 [Sui Records, Part 2] From the year Xuanmo Kuntun to the year Tuwei Xieqia, eight years in total.
Emperor Gaozu Wen, the first part of his reign, the twelfth year of Kaihuang (Renzi, 592 CE).
Spring, second month, Jisi day, appointed the Prince of Shu, Yang Xiu, as Neishiling and concurrently General of the Right Leading Army. The National University Erudite He Tuo and the Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, the Duke of Pi, Su Wei, debated government affairs; their mutual resentment deepened, and they became irreconcilable. Su Wei’s son, Su Kui, served as Gentleman for Ceremonies in the Heir Apparent’s household. From youth, he was intelligent and eloquent, with a great reputation, and many scholar-officials attached themselves to him. When discussions on ritual and music arose, Su Kui and He Tuo each held their own views; the emperor issued an edict for all officials to sign in support of one side. Because of Su Wei’s influence, eight or nine out of ten supported Su Kui. He Tuo said angrily, “I have taught at the lectern for over forty years, and now I am humiliated by this beardless youth!” He then submitted a memorial stating, “Su Wei, together with the Minister of Rites Lu Kai, the Vice Minister of Personnel Xue Daoheng, the Right Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs Wang Hong, the Vice Director of the Examinations Bureau Li Tonghe, and others, have formed a faction. In the Department of State Affairs, Wang Hong is called the Heir Apparent, and Li Tonghe is called Uncle, saying these two are like Su Wei’s sons and younger brothers.” He also exposed Su Wei for improperly employing his cousins Su Che and Su Su under false names to obtain office and several other matters. The emperor ordered the Prince of Shu, Yang Xiu, and the Supreme Pillar of State, Yu Qingze, among others, to jointly investigate; the matters were largely substantiated. The emperor was greatly angered. Autumn, seventh month, Yisi day, Su Wei was convicted, stripped of office and rank, and returned to his private residence with the title of Commissioner of the Palace with Ceremonial Honours; Lu Kai was removed from the official register. Over a hundred prominent figures were implicated and convicted due to Su Wei.
Initially, since the Northern Zhou period, the selection of officials did not distinguish between the pure and the impure; when Lu Kai acted as Vice Minister of Personnel, he, together with Xue Daoheng and others, differentiated between the aristocratic clans and the commoner stream, thus attracting slander of forming a faction, leading to their conviction. Soon after, the emperor said, “Su Wei is a virtuous man; he was merely misled by others!” He ordered the restoration of his privilege to enter and leave the palace. Su Wei liked to establish regulations and ordinances. Each year, he ordered the common people to report the disrespectful behavior of fifth-rank officials. Someone replied, “Within the jurisdiction, there is no household of a fifth-rank official.” Such inconsistencies were numerous. He also created a register of surplus grain, intending to have those with surplus and those in deficit mutually aid each other; the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Lang Mao, considered it cumbersome, impractical, and unnecessary, and memorialized to have it all abolished. Lang Mao was the son of Lang Ji and had once served as the Magistrate of Weiguo County. There were commoners, Zhang Yuanyu and his brother, who were not on good terms. The County Assistant and the County Defender requested to impose severe punishment on them. Lang Mao said, “Zhang Yuanyu and his brother were originally hostile to each other; if they are convicted for this, it will deepen their enmity. This is not the original intent of educating the people.” He then gradually guided them with moral principles. Zhang Yuanyu and the others were all moved to remorse, kowtowed and begged for punishment, and thereafter became close and were known as fraternal and friendly men.
Jisi day, the emperor offered sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Renshen day, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
Because the emperor believed that those applying the law in the realm often had biases, with the same crime receiving different judgments, on Guixu day of the eighth month, he issued an edict: “For death penalty cases in the provinces, no judgments may be made arbitrarily; all must be transferred to the Court of Judicial Review for reexamination. After the matter is settled, it must then be reported to the Department of State Affairs for a memorial requesting a final decision.”
Winter, tenth month, Renwu day, the emperor offered sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Eleventh month, Xinhai day, he sacrificed to Heaven at the Southern Suburb.
Jiwei day, the Duke of Xinyi, Han Qinhu, died.
Twelfth month, Yiyou day, appointed the Neishiling Yang Su as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, jointly managing court affairs with Gao Jiong. Yang Su was by nature broad-minded and argumentative, judging others entirely according to his own mind. Among court officials, he greatly respected Gao Jiong, honored Niu Hong, treated Xue Daoheng generously, and regarded Su Wei as nothing. The remaining prominent figures at court were mostly bullied by him. His talent and demeanor surpassed Gao Jiong; but in terms of wholeheartedly serving the state and handling affairs with fairness and appropriateness, possessing the insight and bearing of a chancellor, he was far inferior to Gao Jiong. The General of the Right Leading Army, He Ruobi, considered his own merit and fame to be above that of other court officials and often regarded himself as fit to be chancellor. Soon after, Yang Su became Vice Director, while He Ruobi remained a general. He was extremely dissatisfied, expressed this in his words and expressions, and was consequently stripped of office. His resentment deepened. After a long time, the emperor imprisoned He Ruobi and said to him, “I have employed Gao Jiong and Yang Su as chancellors, yet you often openly say, ‘These two men are only fit to eat their meals!’ What does this mean?” He Ruobi replied, “Gao Jiong is an old acquaintance of mine; Yang Su is the son of my maternal uncle. I know both their characters; I did indeed say this.” The high officials memorialized that He Ruobi harbored resentment and that his crime deserved death. The emperor said, “Your minister strictly adheres to the law and does not change the law. You may seek a reason to save your own life yourself.” He Ruobi said, “I relied on Your Majesty’s majesty, led eight thousand troops across the Yangzi, captured Chen Shubao, and privately hope this may save my life.” The emperor said, “This has already been rewarded with extraordinary favor; why mention it again?” He Ruobi said, “I have already received extraordinary favor; now I wish to request extraordinary mercy to save my life.” Later, the emperor hesitated for several days. Cherishing his merit, he specially ordered his removal from the official register. After more than a year, his title was restored. The emperor was also suspicious of him and no longer employed him, but at every feast and reward, he was still treated very generously.
Relevant officials memorialized: “The treasuries and storehouses are all full; there is no space to accommodate more, and goods are piled up in the corridors.” The emperor said, “I have already reduced the taxes on the people and have also spent generously on rewards. How can this be?” They replied, “Revenue always exceeds expenditure. Roughly calculating, annual reward expenses amount to millions of bolts of silk and cloth, but the storage in the treasuries has not diminished.” Thereupon, a separate Left Depository was opened to accommodate the goods. An edict was issued: “Better to store goods among the people than to hide them in the treasuries. This year, the land tax of Hebei and Hedong is reduced by one-third, military service is halved, and the household tax is entirely exempted.” At that time, the population in the realm increased annually. The areas near the capital and the Three River regions had many people but little land, so food and clothing were insufficient. The emperor then dispatched envoys to various places to evenly distribute the land of the realm. In townships with scarce land, each able-bodied male received only twenty mu, with the elderly and children receiving even less.
Emperor Gaozu Wen, the first part of his reign, the thirteenth year of Kaihuang (Guichou, 593 CE).
Spring, first month, Renzi day, the emperor offered sacrifices to the Impregnating Emperor.
Renzu day, he toured Qizhou. Second month, Bingwu day, an edict was issued to construct Renshou Palace north of Qizhou, with Yang Su supervising the work. Yang Su memorialized to appoint the former Prefect of Laizhou, Yu Wenkai, as Acting Director of the Palace Construction Bureau, and the Recording Secretary Feng Deyi as Supervisor of Earth and Wood Works. Thereupon, they leveled mountain ridges and filled valleys to build palaces, with high terraces and stacked pavilions winding and connecting. The labor was harsh and urgent; most of the conscripted laborers died. Those who collapsed from exhaustion were pushed into pits and covered with earth and stone, thus leveling the ground. The dead numbered in the tens of thousands.
Dinghai day, the emperor returned from Qizhou.
Jimao day, established the imperial grandson Yang Jian as the Prince of Yuzhang. Yang Jian was the son of Yang Guang.
Dingyou day, an edict was issued: “Private households are not permitted to store apocryphal texts and prognostic charts.”
Autumn, seventh month, Wuchen day, the last day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
This year, the emperor ordered the Minister of Rites, Niu Hong, and others to deliberate on the system for the Bright Hall. Yu Wenkai presented a wooden model of the Bright Hall. The emperor ordered relevant officials to plan and measure the land at Anye Ward, preparing to establish the Bright Hall; but the Confucian scholars’ opinions diverged, and after a long time, no decision could be reached, so the matter was dropped.
When the emperor conquered Chen, he bestowed the screen of Chen Shubao upon the Princess Dà Yì of the Turks. The princess, aggrieved at the fall of her ancestral kingdom, felt constant discontent and inscribed a poem on the screen, narrating the demise of Chen to express her sentiments. When the emperor learned of this, he grew to detest her, and his favors and gifts gradually diminished. Duke Péng of Liú Chǎng had previously married a princess of Northern Zhou. A fugitive, Yáng Qīn, fled into Turkic territory and falsely claimed that Liú Chǎng intended to rebel against Sui with his wife, and had sent Yáng Qīn to secretly inform the Princess Dà Yì, requesting troops to raid the border. The Dulan Khagan believed this, ceased tribute, and became a border menace. The emperor sent General of Chariot and Cavalry Zhǎngsūn Shèng as an envoy to the Turks to secretly observe the situation. Upon meeting Zhǎngsūn Shèng, the princess spoke disrespectfully and also sent her paramour, a Hu named Ānsuìjiā, to scheme with Yáng Qīn, inciting the Dulan. Zhǎngsūn Shèng returned to the capital and reported the details in full. The emperor dispatched Zhǎngsūn Shèng to demand Yáng Qīn; the Dulan refused, saying, "Investigating the guest lodges, there is no such person." Zhǎngsūn Shèng then bribed Turkic nobles and learned of Yáng Qīn's whereabouts. At night, he raided and captured Yáng Qīn, showed him to the Dulan, and then exposed the princess's private affairs, causing great shame among the Turkic people. The Dulan arrested Ānsuìjiā and others and handed them over to Zhǎngsūn Shèng. The emperor, greatly pleased, granted Zhǎngsūn Shèng the rank of Kaifu Yitong Sansi and still sent him into Turkic territory to depose the princess. Neishi Shilang Péi Jù requested to persuade the Dulan to have the princess killed. At that time, the son of Chùluó Hóu, Rǎn Gān, titled the Tuli Khagan, resided in the north and sent envoys to seek a marriage alliance. The emperor sent Péi Jù to tell him, "You must kill the Princess Dà Yì, only then will the marriage be granted." Tuli also spoke ill of the princess to the Dulan, who then, in anger, killed the princess and submitted a memorial requesting marriage. The court deliberated on whether to consent. Zhǎngsūn Shèng said, "I observe that Yōngyúlǘ (the Dulan Khagan) is fickle and untrustworthy. Only because of his feud with Diānjué (the Tardu Khagan) does he wish to rely on our state. Though we marry him to a princess, he will ultimately betray us. Now, if we let him marry a princess, relying on the state's authority, Diānjué and Rǎn Gān will inevitably be summoned by him. Once he grows strong, he will rebel instead, and it will be difficult to deal with later. Moreover, Rǎn Gān is the son of Chùluó Hóu and has always been sincerely submissive for two generations. He previously sought a marriage alliance. It would be better to grant it, draw him to move south; his troops are few and his strength weak, making him easy to pacify and tame. He can be used to resist Yōngyúlǘ as a border bulwark." The emperor said, "Good." He again sent Zhǎngsūn Shèng to comfort and instruct Rǎn Gān, promising him a princess.
Niú Hóng sent Xiélǜ Láng, Fàn Yáng Rén Zǔ Xiào Sūn, and others to consult and revise the elegant music. They followed Máo Shuǎng, the Grand Master of the Morning of Chen, to study Jīng Fáng's method of pitches, setting up pitch pipes and flying ashes, which responded to the months with accuracy. Moreover, each pitch generated five notes; the twelve pitches produced sixty notes, multiplied by six to become three hundred and sixty notes, corresponding to the days of a year to match the seven modes, and thus the method of rotating the fundamental pitch became evident. Niú Hóng and others then memorialized, requesting the restoration of the rotating fundamental method. The emperor, still recalling Hé Tuó's words, endorsed Niú Hóng's memorial, but did not permit the use of the rotating fundamental method, only using the Yellow Bell as the single fundamental pitch. Thus Niú Hóng and others again memorialized, complying with the emperor's intent, and destroyed all the bells and chime stones from previous dynasties to quell dissent. Niú Hóng and others also created martial dances to symbolize the Sui dynasty's virtue and merit; for suburban and temple sacrifices, they used one mode, and for greeting the seasonal qi, they used five modes. The old musicians gradually passed away, and the remaining melodies were no longer understood.
Emperor Wen, the Filial and Civil, Upper Part, under Kaihuang Fourteenth Year (Jiayin, 594 CE)
Spring, third month: The new music was completed. Summer, fourth month, Yichou day: An edict was issued to promote the new music, stating, "Folk music has long been inclined toward depravity. Abandoning the original system, they compete in creating complex sounds. This should be prohibited and restrained, and efforts must be made to preserve its foundation." Wàn Bǎocháng heard the music performed by the Grand Music Bureau, wept, and said, "The music is licentious and mournful; the world will soon end!" At that time, the realm was at its peak, and those who heard this thought it wrong. But at the end of the Daye era, his words indeed came true. Wàn Bǎocháng was poor and childless; after a long time, he eventually starved to death. On his deathbed, he took out all his books and burned them, saying, "What use are these!"
Before this, the various departments—Tai, Sheng, Fu, Si, and all prefectures—had set up official moneylending funds, collecting interest for expenses. The Minister of Works, Sū Xiàocí, believed, "Government lending and commerce disturb the people and corrupt customs. Please prohibit this entirely and allocate land for farming." The emperor followed his advice. Sixth month, Dingmao day: An edict was issued stating, "All officials from dukes and ministers downward shall be granted official fields and must not engage in livelihood pursuits, competing with the people for profit."
Autumn, seventh month, Yìwèi day: Sū Wēi, Duke of Péi, was appointed Nayan.
Initially, after Zhāng Bīn's calendar was implemented, Liú Xiàosūn of Guangping and Liú Zhuō, a xiucai of Jizhou, both pointed out its errors. Zhāng Bīn was then favored by the emperor, and Liú Huī also sided with him, together denigrating Liú Xiàosūn and the others, who were dismissed from office. Later, Zhāng Bīn died. Liú Xiàosūn, serving as Assistant Magistrate of Yexian, abandoned his post and entered the capital to submit a memorial. The emperor issued an edict ordering him to remain in the Grand Astrology Bureau, but he was not promoted for years. So he hugged his books, had his disciples carry a coffin to the palace gate, and prostrated himself weeping. The law officers arrested him and reported it. The emperor, surprised, asked Guozijian Jiǔ Hé Tuó about this matter, and Hé Tuó said his books were excellent. Thus, he was ordered to compare them with Zhāng Bīn's calendar for superiority. Zhāng Zhòuxuán of Bohai, Acting Grand Astrologer, jointly with Liú Xiàosūn, pointed out errors in Zhāng Bīn's calendar. Divergent opinions arose, and no conclusion was reached for a long time. The emperor ordered them to verify solar eclipses. Yáng Sù and others memorialized, "The Grand Astrology Bureau reported a total of twenty-five solar eclipses, most of which did not occur. What Zhāng Zhòuxuán calculated cleverly corresponded to all previous and subsequent events. What Liú Xiàosūn calculated also corresponded in more than half the cases." Thus the emperor summoned Liú Xiàosūn and Zhāng Zhòuxuán and personally comforted them. Liú Xiàosūn requested that Liú Huī be beheaded first before the calendar could be determined. The emperor was displeased and halted the matter again. Liú Xiàosūn died soon after.
Guānzhōng suffered a severe drought, and the people faced famine. The emperor sent attendants to inspect the people's food; they obtained bean husks and mixed chaff and presented them. The emperor showed them to the assembled ministers, weeping, and deeply reproached himself. For this, he abstained from wine and meat for nearly a year. Eighth month, Xinwei day: The emperor led the people to seek food in Luoyang, ordering scouts not to drive them away arbitrarily. Men and women mingled among the imperial guard and attendants. When encountering those supporting the elderly and carrying the young, he reined in his horse to avoid them, offering words of comfort and encouragement before departing. At treacherous spots, seeing people carrying loads, he ordered attendants to assist them.
Winter, intercalary tenth month, Jiayin day: An edict was issued because the ancestral sacrifices of the states of Qi, Liang, and Chen had been abandoned. Gāo Rényīng, Xiāo Cóng, and Chén Shūbǎo were ordered to conduct sacrifices at the appropriate times, with necessary utensils supplied by the relevant departments. Chén Shūbǎo accompanied the emperor in ascending Mount Mang. During a feast, he composed a poem: "Sun and moon brighten Heaven's virtue, mountains and rivers strengthen the emperor's abode; In times of peace, nothing to repay, I wish to present a book on the Fengshan sacrifice." He also submitted a memorial requesting the Fengshan ceremony. The emperor issued a gracious edict in response. Another day, Chén Shūbǎo again attended a banquet. After he left, the emperor watched him go and said, "Was this downfall not due to wine! With the effort spent on composing poetry, why not think of stabilizing governance? When Hè Ruòbì crossed the Yangzi to Jingkou, that man secretly sent an urgent memorial, but Shubao, drunk, did not even look at it. On the day Gāo Jiǒng arrived, he still found that memorial under the bed, unopened. This is truly laughable. It was likely Heaven's will to destroy him. In the past, when Fú Jiān conquered states, he would honor and enrich their rulers, merely seeking fame, unaware that he violated Heaven's mandate. Granting them office would be to defy Heaven's intent."
The Governor of Qi Province, Lu Ben, closed the granaries and refused to sell grain during a famine among the people, for which he was stripped of his rank. Later, the Emperor wished to grant him another provincial post, but Lu Ben's response to the imperial edict did not meet the Emperor's approval, and he also uttered words of resentment. The Emperor, greatly angered, ceased to employ him. The Crown Prince interceded on his behalf, saying: "These men all rendered meritorious service in assisting the founding of the dynasty. Although their natures are frivolous and dangerous, they truly should not be abandoned." The Emperor said: "My suppressing and humiliating them is to preserve their lives. Without Liu Fang, Zheng Yi, Lu Ben, Liu Qiu, Huangfu Ji, and others, I would not have reached my present position. But these men are all fickle and untrustworthy. During the time of Emperor Xuan of the Northern Zhou, they gained favor through unscrupulous behavior. When Emperor Xuan was critically ill, Yan Zhiyi and others requested that the Prince of Zhao be appointed regent. These men resorted to fraud, handing over the late emperor's testamentary edict to me. When I was about to take charge of government affairs, they again tried to cause chaos. Thus, Liu Fang plotted rebellion, and Zheng Yi practiced sorcery. As for men like Lu Ben, they all harbored discontent. If employed, they are disrespectful; if left idle, they breed resentment. They are themselves difficult to trust—it is not I who have abandoned them. When people see this, they think I am harsh toward meritorious officials, but this is not the case." Lu Ben was then dismissed and died at home.
The Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, led the hundred officials in submitting a memorial, earnestly requesting that the Emperor perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices. The Emperor ordered Niu Hong and others to draft the ceremonial regulations. When they were completed, the Emperor reviewed them and said: "This matter is of great importance. What virtue do I possess to undertake it! I shall only make an eastern tour and, taking advantage of this, offer sacrifice to Mount Tai." On the Yiyi day of the twelfth month, the imperial carriage set out on the eastern tour.
The Emperor delighted in minor arts such as auspicious omens. Shangyi Sanqi Xiao Ji submitted a memorial saying: "The years Jia Yin and Yi Mao are days when Heaven and Earth unite. This year is Jia Yin, with the winter solstice falling on a morning of the Xinyou day. Next year is Yi Mao, with the summer solstice falling on a Jiaozi day. The winter solstice marks the beginning of the yang force. The day of the suburban sacrifice to Heaven coincides with the Honored One's natal year. The summer solstice marks the beginning of the yin force. The time of the sacrifice to Earth coincides with the Empress's natal year. The Honored One's virtue is the same as Heaven's in nurturing all things; the Empress's benevolence is the same as Earth's in bearing and nourishing all things. Thus, the two primal forces unite at the same time as the natal hours." The Emperor was greatly pleased and bestowed gifts of five hundred bolts of cloth. Xiao Ji was the grandson of Xiao Yi. Yuanshi Sanqi Shilang Wang Shao said that the Emperor had the physiognomy of a dragon's countenance supporting a pole, and he pointed this out to the assembled officials. The Emperor was pleased and appointed him Zhuzuo Lang. Wang Shao repeatedly submitted memorials regarding the numerous auspicious signs of the Emperor's mandate. He also gathered folk songs, cited the prophetic charts and apocryphal texts, collected Buddhist scriptures, altered characters, and twisted and embellished them to compose the thirty-volume Imperial Sui Inspirational Record, which he presented. The Emperor ordered it to be proclaimed to the empire. Wang Shao assembled the tribute-bearers from the various provinces, made them wash their hands and burn incense, and then read it aloud, modulating the sounds as if chanting. After ten or fifteen days, he finished reading it through. The Emperor was even more pleased and bestowed generous gifts on him, both before and after.
The First Year of Kaihuang, Fifteenth Year (Yi Mao, 595 CE), Under the Supreme Sovereign Wen, First Ruler
Spring, first month, Renxu day. The imperial carriage halted at Qi Province. On Gengwu day, an altar was built on Mount Tai, and wood was burned to sacrifice to Heaven. Because of the drought, the Emperor confessed his faults. The ritual was the same as the southern suburban sacrifice. He also personally sacrificed at the altar of the Green Emperor. A general amnesty was granted to the empire.
Second month, Bingchen day. The weapons of the empire were confiscated. Anyone who dared to manufacture them privately was to be punished. This did not apply to the Guanzhong region and the border areas.
Third month, Jiwei day. The imperial carriage returned from the eastern tour.
The Renshou Palace was completed. On Dinghai day, the Emperor arrived at Renshou Palace. At the time, the weather was hot and humid, and the laborers who died lay in succession along the road. Yang Su had them all burned and cleared away. When the Emperor heard of this, he was displeased. Upon arrival, he saw the grandeur of the palace buildings and was enraged, saying: "Yang Su has exhausted the people's strength to build this detached palace, creating resentment for me throughout the empire." When Yang Su heard this, he was terrified and worried about being reprimanded. He told this to Feng Deyi. Feng Deyi said: "You need not worry, Duke. When the Empress arrives, there will surely be a gracious edict." The next day, the Emperor indeed summoned Yang Su to audience. The Dugu Empress consoled him, saying: "You know that my husband and I are old and have no means to amuse ourselves. You have lavishly decorated this palace. Is this not an act of loyalty and filial piety!" She bestowed one million cash and three thousand bolts of brocade and silk. Yang Su, relying on his wealth and talent, often insulted others. He alone valued Feng Deyi, frequently inviting him to discuss the duties of a Chancellor, forgetting fatigue for the whole day. He then patted his couch and said: "Feng Lang will surely sit in this seat of mine." He repeatedly recommended him to the Emperor, who promoted him to Neishi Sheren.
Summer, fourth month, Jishuo day. A general amnesty was granted to the empire.
Sixth month, Wuzi day. An edict was issued to dredge the Bottom Pillar (Dizhu) rapids.
On Gengyin day, the Governor of Xiang Province, Dou Lu Tong, presented patterned cloth. The Emperor ordered it to be burned in the court.
Autumn, seventh month. Nasu Su Wei was dismissed from office for failing to show proper reverence when accompanying the Emperor in the sacrifices to Mount Tai. He was soon reinstated. The Emperor said to the assembled officials: "People say that Su Wei feigns incorruptibility, and that his home is piled with gold and jade. This is a false rumor. But his nature is harsh and violent, and he does not fit the essential tasks of current government. He seeks fame excessively. He is pleased when people obey him and must be angered when they oppose him. This is his great fault."
On Wuyin day, the Emperor returned from Renshou Palace. Winter, tenth month, Wuzi day. The Minister of Personnel, Wei Shikang, was appointed Governor-General of Jing Province. Wei Shikang was the younger brother of Wei Guang. He was peaceful, quiet, humble, and forgiving. He served in the Ministry of Personnel for over ten years, and his contemporaries praised him for his incorruptibility and fairness. He often had a contented heart and said to his sons and younger brothers: "What need is there for great emoluments? One should withdraw when one has enough to avoid excess. One does not wait for old age to retire; when one is ill, one resigns from office." He then earnestly requested to retire to his home village. The Emperor did not permit it but sent him to guard Jing Province. At that time, there were only four Governor-Generals in the empire: for Bing Province, Yang Province, Yi Province, and Jing Province. These were held by the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Qin, the Prince of Shu, and Wei Shikang. The world regarded this as a great honor.
Eleventh month, Xinyou day. The Emperor arrived at the Hot Springs.
Twelfth month, Wuzi day. An edict was issued: "Whoever steals one sheng or more of border military grain shall be beheaded, and his family property shall be confiscated."
On Jichou day, an edict was issued ordering that civil and military officials be reassigned to new posts after four years of performance evaluation.
The Governor of Bian Province, Linghu Xi, came to the capital for an audience. He was ranked first in the empire for his performance. He was awarded three hundred bolts of silk, and this was proclaimed to the empire. Linghu Xi was the son of Linghu Zheng.
The First Year of Kaihuang, Sixteenth Year (Bing Chen, 596 CE), Under the Supreme Sovereign Wen, First Ruler
Spring, first month, Dinghai day. The imperial grandsons were enfeoffed: Yang Yu as Prince of Pingyuan, Yang Jun as Prince of Ancheng, Yang Ni as Prince of Anping, Yang Ke as Prince of Xiangcheng, Yang Gai as Prince of Gaoyang, Yang Shao as Prince of Jian'an, and Yang Jiong as Prince of Yingshuan. All were sons of Yang Yong.
Summer, sixth month, Jiawu day. It was first decreed that artisans and merchants were not permitted to enter officialdom.
Autumn, eighth month, Bingxu day. An edict was issued: "For those sentenced to death, the execution shall be carried out only after three memorials have been submitted."
Winter, tenth month, Jichou day. The Emperor arrived at the Changchun Palace. On Renzi day of the eleventh month, he returned to Chang'an.
The Dangxiang invaded Hui Province. An edict was issued to mobilize troops from Longxi, who attacked and subdued them.
The Emperor married the Guanghua Princess to the Tuyuhun Khagan, Shifu. Shifu submitted a memorial requesting that the princess be called "Heavenly Empress," but the Emperor did not permit it.
The First Year of Kaihuang, Seventeenth Year (Ding Si, 597 CE), Under the Supreme Sovereign Wen, First Ruler
In the spring, the second month, on the guisi day, the Duke of Taiping, Shi Wansui, attacked the Lao people of Nanning and pacified the area. At first, when Liang Rui defeated Wang Qian, none of the southwestern Yi and Lao tribes failed to submit; only the chieftain of the Nanning prefecture, Cuan Zhen, relying on the distance of the route, refused to yield. Liang Rui submitted a memorial, stating: "Nanning Prefecture is the territory of the Zangke Commandery of the Han Dynasty, with a large population and abundant gold, silver, and treasures. Xu Wensheng, the of Nanning under the Liang Dynasty, was summoned by the Prince of Xiangdong to Jingzhou. Just then, there were still obstacles in the eastern region, leaving no time to manage the distant lands. The local scholar Cuan Zan then usurped that region, and the court granted him the post of prefectural governor from afar. His son, Cuan Zhen, inherited it and continues to this day. Yet Cuan Zhen’s observance of courtly ritual as a subject is often lacking, and his tribute and taxes are not delivered. I request permission to take advantage of the army that pacified Shu to attack and conquer Nanning." Later, the Nanning Yi man Cuan Wan came to surrender and was appointed the prefectural governor of Kunzhou, but he soon rebelled again. Consequently, the court appointed the General of the Left Guard, Shi Wansui, as the Commander of the Marching Army, leading troops to attack him. They entered from the Qingling River and reached the Nanzhong region. The Yi held strategic points in succession, but Shi Wansui broke through each one. Passing by Zhuge Liang’s stele of merit, they crossed the Xi’er River, entered the Qulan River, marched over a thousand li, broke through more than thirty of their tribes, and captured over twenty thousand men and women. The various Yi tribes were greatly terrified, sent envoys to request surrender, and offered a pearl an inch in diameter. They then carved a stone stele to praise the Sui Dynasty’s virtue. Shi Wansui requested to bring Cuan Wan to court, and the emperor approved. But Cuan Wan harbored treacherous intentions and did not wish to go to court. He bribed Shi Wansui with gold, silver, and treasures, and Shi Wansui therefore released Cuan Wan and returned.
On the gengyin day, the emperor visited Renshou Palace.
The Li chieftain of Guizhou, Li Guangshi, rebelled. The emperor sent the Pillar of State, Wang Shiji, together with the former Guizhou Commander-in-Chief, Zhou Fashang, to attack him. Zhou Fashang raised troops from Lingnan, and Wang Shiji raised troops from Lingbei, to rendezvous at Yinzhou. Wang Shiji’s forces encountered miasma and could not advance; they halted at Hengzhou, while Zhou Fashang attacked alone. Li Guangshi was defeated and led his elite troops to flee and defend Baishidong. Zhou Fashang captured a large number of their families. When any of his followers came to surrender, he returned their wives and children to them. After ten days, several thousand people surrendered. Li Guangshi’s troops scattered and fled, and Zhou Fashang pursued and beheaded him.
The emperor also sent the Cavalier Attendant-in-ordinary, He Chou, to recruit troops to attack Li Guangshi. He Chou persuaded his follower Mo Chong and others to surrender, and, in accordance with regulations, appointed their leaders as prefectural and county officials. He Chou was the son of He Tuo’s elder brother.
Because the Yi and Yue people in Lingnan had repeatedly rebelled, the emperor appointed the prefect of Bianzhou, Linghu Xi, as the Commander-in-Chief of Guizhou and the military affairs of seventeen prefectures, allowing him to handle affairs flexibly according to circumstances, and to appoint and fill officials below the level of cishi in accordance with regulations. After Linghu Xi arrived, he greatly promoted kindness and trust. The chieftains of the mountain valleys said to each other: "Previous commanders-in-chief all used military force to intimidate us. Now this one uses personal letters and teachings to guide us. How can we defy him?" So they led their followers to submit one after another. Before this, the relations between the prefectures and counties and the court were distant, and most local officials could not assume their posts, entrusting government affairs to the commander-in-chief’s office. Linghu Xi sent them all to take up their duties, built cities for them, established schools, and both Han and Yi peoples were transformed. The Li chieftain Ning Mengli had occupied Nanhai since the Chen Dynasty. The Sui Dynasty pacified him accordingly and appointed him the prefect of Anzhou. Ning Mengli, relying on the treacherous terrain, was arrogant and never came to pay homage. Linghu Xi enlightened him with kindness and trust. Ning Mengli was moved, came to the commander-in-chief’s office to request an audience, and dared not do any evil. Linghu Xi memorialized to change Anzhou to Qinzhou.
Because subordinate officials in various regions did not respect their superiors, causing difficulties in completing tasks, in the third month, on the bingshen day, the emperor issued an edict: "When various offices judge the crimes of their subordinates, if there are cases where the law provides a light penalty but the circumstances are severe, they are permitted to consider administering flogging beyond the legal provisions." Consequently, superiors and subordinates drove each other, using flogging alternately, regarding cruelty as competence and law-abiding behavior as cowardice.
Because there were many thieves, the emperor ordered that anyone who stole a single coin or more be executed and exposed in the marketplace. Sometimes three people stole a melon together, and when the matter was discovered, they were immediately executed. Thus, travelers rose late and slept early, and the people throughout the empire were in a state of panic. A few men seized an enforcement officer and said to him: "Are we men seeking wealth? We have come only on behalf of the wronged. You must report to the emperor for us: Since ancient times, in governing the state and establishing laws, there has never been execution for stealing a single coin. If you do not report for us, when we come again, you and your kind will have no way to live!" When the emperor heard of this, he abolished this law.
Once, in a fit of anger, the emperor wanted to execute a man by flogging in the sixth month. The Grand Master of the Court of Judicial Review, Zhao Chuo of Hedong, argued firmly: "The last month of summer is the time when heaven and earth nurture all living things; it is not permissible to execute people at this season." The emperor replied: "Although the sixth month is the season of growth, there are always thunderclaps at this time. I act in imitation of heaven’s ways—what is wrong with that?" So he killed the man.
The Chief Clerk of the Court of Judicial Review, Lai Kuang, memorialized that the officials of the court were too lenient in enforcing the law. The emperor considered Lai Kuang loyal and upright and ordered him to appear in the ranks of fifth-rank officials every morning. Lai Kuang also accused the Grand Master Zhao Chuo of improperly pardoning prisoners in custody. The emperor sent close ministers to investigate, found no favoritism whatsoever, and became angry, ordering Lai Kuang’s execution. Zhao Chuo argued firmly, saying that Lai Kuang did not deserve the death penalty. The emperor shook his sleeves and went into the inner chamber. Zhao Chuo pretended: "Your servant will no longer speak of Lai Kuang’s matter, but there are other things I have not yet had time to report." The emperor ordered him brought into the inner chamber. Zhao Chuo bowed twice and said: "Your servant has three capital offenses: As Grand Master of the Court of Judicial Review, I could not control the chief clerk, allowing Lai Kuang to offend against the emperor’s punishment—this is the first. The prisoner did not deserve the death penalty, and I could not argue to the death—this is the second. I had no other matter but spoke falsely to gain entry to the inner chamber—this is the third." The emperor’s expression softened. Just then, Empress Dugu was present and ordered a reward of two cups of wine, giving the cups themselves to Zhao Chuo. Lai Kuang was thereby spared death and exiled to Guangzhou.
Xiao Mohe’s son, Xiao Shilüe, rebelled in Jiangnan. Xiao Mohe was liable for implication. The emperor said: "Xiao Shilüe is not yet twenty years old. What can he do? As the son of a famous general, he was coerced by others." So he pardoned Xiao Mohe. Zhao Chuo argued firmly that this was impermissible. The emperor could not change his mind and wanted to wait until Zhao Chuo left to issue the pardon, so he ordered Zhao Chuo to withdraw and eat. Zhao Chuo said: "Your servant’s case has not yet been decided; I dare not withdraw." The emperor said: "The Grand Master of the Court of Judicial Review may, on my behalf, specially pardon Xiao Mohe." He then ordered his attendants to release him.
The Vice Director of the Ministry of Justice, Xin Dan, once wore a pair of red trousers. Folk belief held this to be favorable for official advancement. The emperor considered this sorcery and was about to execute him. Zhao Chuo said: "According to the law, he does not deserve the death penalty. Your servant dare not accept the imperial command." The emperor was extremely angry and said: "You cherish Xin Dan but do not cherish yourself!" He ordered Zhao Chuo to be dragged out and beheaded. Zhao Chuo said: "Your Majesty would rather kill me than kill Xin Dan." When he reached the court hall, Zhao Chuo removed his clothes, preparing to receive the punishment. The emperor sent someone to ask Zhao Chuo: "What is your final resolve?" He replied: "I am single-minded in upholding the law and dare not begrudge my own life!" The emperor shook his sleeves and went into the inner chamber. After a long time, he finally released him. The next day, he apologized to Zhao Chuo, comforted and encouraged him, and rewarded him with three hundred bolts of silk.
At that time, the emperor prohibited the use of inferior coinage. Two men in the market exchanged inferior coins for good ones. The martial guards seized them and reported the matter. The emperor ordered both to be beheaded. Zhao Chuo remonstrated, saying, "The crime these two men committed deserves only flogging; executing them is not in accordance with the law." The emperor said, "This is none of your concern." Zhao Chuo replied, "Your Majesty, not considering me foolish and ignorant, has placed me in the judicial office. If you wish to arbitrarily kill someone, how can it be none of my concern?" The emperor said, "If a man cannot shake a large tree, he should withdraw." Zhao Chuo answered, "I wish to move the heart of Heaven; how could that be compared to shaking a large tree?" The emperor further said, "If a man drinking soup finds it hot, he sets it down. Do you wish to frustrate the majesty of the Son of Heaven?" Zhao Chuo prostrated himself and then advanced further. The emperor rebuked him, but he refused to retreat, so the emperor went into the inner chamber. The Censor-in-Chief Liu Yu also submitted a memorial earnestly remonstrating, and only then did the emperor desist.
Because Zhao Chuo was loyal and upright, the emperor often brought him into the inner chamber. Sometimes, when the emperor was with the empress in bed, he would summon Zhao Chuo to sit and discuss the merits and demerits of governance. The emperor bestowed upon him tens of thousands of rewards, before and after. At the same time as the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Xue Zhou, both were renowned for fairness and leniency. However, Xue Zhou judged cases according to circumstances, while Zhao Chuo adhered strictly to the law. Both were competent. Xue Zhou was the son of Xue Duan.
In his later years, the emperor’s enforcement of the law became increasingly harsh. When a censor on New Year’s Day failed to impeach a military officer whose sword and clothing were not in proper order, the emperor said, "You are a censor, yet you indulge yourself," and ordered him executed. The Remonstrance Official Mao Sizu remonstrated and was also killed. The Director of the Palace Construction Bureau was executed for being too late in supervising the planting of wheat, and the Director of the Armory for the overgrown courtyard of his office. When imperial envoys on missions accepted horsewhips or parrots as gifts from local officials and the emperor learned of it, he personally went to the scene and had them beheaded.
Since the emperor was capricious in his, he no longer adhered to legal statutes. He trusted Yang Su, who acted arbitrarily and unjustly. Yang Su had a grudge against the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, Chen Yan. Once, passing by the hostel for foreign guests, Yang Su saw horse manure in the courtyard and some servants playing a gambling game on a felt rug. He reported this to the emperor. The emperor, in a rage, had the chief steward of the hostel and the gamblers beaten to death, and Chen Yan was beaten nearly to death.
The emperor dispatched the new Commander of the Left and Right Guard, Chang’an native Qutu Tong, to Longxi to inspect and verify the various pastures. Qutu Tong discovered over twenty thousand concealed horses. The emperor, enraged, was about to execute the Chief Steward of the Imperial Stud, Murong Xida, and fifteen hundred officials of the various pasture offices. Qutu Tong remonstrated, saying, "Human life is of utmost importance. How can Your Majesty kill over a thousand people because of livestock? I risk death to plead!" The emperor glared at him and shouted him down. Qutu Tong kowtowed again and said, "I am willing to die alone to beg Your Majesty for the lives of over a thousand people." The emperor was moved and said, "My foolishness has reached such an extent! Fortunately, I have your loyal words." Consequently, Murong Xida and the others were spared the death penalty and sentenced instead, and Qutu Tong was promoted to General of the Right Martial Guard.
The Pillar of State, Duke of Peng, Liu Chang, had an old friendship with the emperor, who was very close to him. Liu Chang’s son, Liu Jushi, was a chivalrous man who did not abide by the law and offended repeatedly. Because of Liu Chang, the emperor often pardoned him. Liu Jushi became even more arrogant and dissolute. He selected the strong and brave sons of nobles and officials, always bringing them home, putting a wheel rim around their necks and beating them with a staff. Those who did not yield even when nearly beaten to death, he called "brave men," released them, and befriended them. He had a gang of three hundred men. They beat passersby and plundered many valuables, to the point that even nobles, imperial consorts, and princesses dared not contend with them. Someone accused Liu Jushi of plotting rebellion. The emperor, enraged, had him killed. Many sons of nobles and officials were stripped of their ranks due to their involvement with Liu Jushi.
Yang Su, Niu Hong, and others again recommended Zhang Zhouxuan for his calendrical skills. The emperor ordered Yang Su and other technical experts to set forth sixty-one questions, all of which were long-standing difficulties in the old calendar, and had Liu Hui and others debate with Zhang Zhouxuan. Liu Hui remained silent, unable to answer a single question, while Zhang Zhouxuan solved fifty-four problems. The emperor then appointed Zhang Zhouxuan as a Gentleman Cavalier Attendant and concurrently Chief Astronomer, bestowed upon him a thousand bolts of silk, and ordered him to participate in formulating a new calendar. By this time, Zhang Zhouxuan’s calendar was completed. In summer, in the fourth month, on the day of wuyin, an imperial edict was issued to promulgate the new calendar. The four men, including Liu Hui, who had previously created the old calendar, were all stripped of their ranks.
In autumn, in the seventh month, Li Shixian of Gui Prefecture rebelled. The emperor discussed sending an expedition to suppress him. Several generals requested to go, but the emperor did not consent. He turned to the General of the Right Martial Guard, Yu Qingze, and said, "You hold the position of Chancellor and the rank of Duke. When the state has bandits, you show no intention of setting out. Why is this?" Yu Qingze prostrated himself and apologized, greatly terrified. The emperor then appointed Yu Qingze as the Chief Commander of the Gui Prefecture Circuit to lead the campaign, and the rebellion was suppressed.
The Prince of Qin, Yang Jun, was kind and generous in his youth and fond of Buddhism. He once requested to become a monk but was not permitted. When he became the General-in-Chief of Bing Province, he gradually became fond of luxury, transgressing regulations and extravagantly building palaces. Yang Jun was fond of women. His consort, Cui, was the sister of Cui Hongdu. She was jealous by nature and poisoned a melon, causing Yang Jun to fall ill. He was recalled to the capital. The emperor considered him extravagant and unrestrained. On the day of dinghai, he dismissed Yang Jun from his posts and ordered him to return to his residence as a prince. Consort Cui was deposed for poisoning the prince and was ordered to die at home. The General of the Left Martial Guard, Liu Sheng, remonstrated, saying, "The Prince of Qin has no other faults; he merely wasted government funds to build his offices. I believe he can be pardoned." The emperor said, "The law cannot be violated." Yang Su remonstrated, saying, "The Prince of Qin’s offense should not warrant such a severe punishment. I beg Your Majesty to consider it carefully!" The emperor replied, "Am I the father of five sons, or the father of the myriad people? If I followed your wishes, why not make a separate law for the sons of the Son of Heaven! Even the Duke of Zhou killed Guan Shu and Cai Shu. I am truly far inferior to the Duke of Zhou; how could I damage the law?" In the end, he did not consent.
On the day of wuxu, the Tujue Tuli Kehan came to marry a princess. The emperor settled him in the Court of State Ceremonial, taught him the six rites of marriage, and married a daughter of the imperial clan, Princess Anyi, to him. The emperor wanted to alienate the Dulan Kehan, so he treated the Tuli Kehan with particular favor and sent the Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, Niu Hong, the Receiver of the Palace Secretariat, Su Wei, and the Minister of Revenue, Hulü Xiaqing, one after another, as envoys.
Tuli originally lived in the north. After marrying the princess, Zhangsun Sheng advised him to lead his tribe southward and settle in the old town of Dujin. The emperor bestowed upon him very generous gifts. Dulan was angered and said, "I am the Great Kehan; am I inferior to Ran Gan?" He then cut off tribute and frequently raided the border. Tuli, spying on his movements, immediately sent messengers to report, and thus the border was often prepared in advance.
On the day of jiashen, in the ninth month, the emperor returned to the capital from Renshou Palace.
When He Chou returned from Lingnan, Ning Mengli had requested to follow He Chou to the court. He Chou saw that he was seriously ill and sent him back to Qin Prefecture, making an agreement with him, saying, "Between the eighth and ninth months, you may come to the capital to see me." The envoy returned to the capital and reported the situation. The emperor was displeased. In winter, in the tenth month, Ning Mengli died of illness. The emperor said to He Chou, "Previously, you did not bring Ning Mengli with you; now he is dead!" He Chou said, "Ning Mengli made an agreement with me. He said that if he himself died, he would send his son to serve at court. The Yue people are straightforward by nature; his son will surely come." When Ning Mengli was on his deathbed, he indeed admonished his son, Ning Changzhen, saying, "I have made an agreement with the Grand Envoy. I cannot break my word. After you bury me, you should set out immediately." Ning Changzhen succeeded his father as Prefect and, according to the agreement, came to court. The emperor was greatly pleased and said, "He Chou’s ability to establish trust among the barbarians has reached such an extent!"
When the Duke of Lu, Yu Qingze, was on campaign against Li Shixian, he appointed his wife’s brother Zhao Shizhu as Chief Clerk of the Sui Commandery. Zhao Shizhu committed adultery with Yu Qingze’s favorite concubine and, fearing the affair would be exposed, spread rumors that Yu Qingze did not wish to go on this campaign. When the emperor heard this, his gifts and ceremonial honors toward Yu Qingze were meager. After Yu Qingze’s army returned and reached Tanzhou’s Lingui Ridge, he observed the terrain and said, “This place is indeed dangerous and strategically secure. With sufficient provisions, if the defender is well chosen, it cannot be taken.” He sent Zhao Shizhu by swift horse to the capital to report on affairs and gauge the emperor’s mood. Zhao Shizhu then accused Yu Qingze of plotting rebellion. The emperor handed the matter over to the relevant authorities for investigation. On the renzi day of the twelfth month, Yu Qingze was executed, and Zhao Shizhu was appointed Pillar of State.
King Gao Tang of Goguryeo, upon hearing that the Chen dynasty had been destroyed, was greatly alarmed. He reorganized his army, stockpiled grain, and made plans for resistance and defense. That year, the emperor sent Gao Tang an edict bearing the imperial seal, rebuking him, saying, “Though you claim to be a vassal and have submitted, you have not fulfilled your loyal obligations.” He further said, “That one region of yours, though small in territory and sparse in population, if I were to depose you now, it could not be left vacant. Ultimately, I would need to select another official and send him there to pacify the people. If you reform your heart and change your conduct, following the statutes and regulations, then you will be a good minister of mine. Why must I trouble myself to send other talented men? Do you consider the Liao River broad? How does it compare to the Yangzi? Are Goguryeo’s population greater or lesser than Chen’s? If I did not wish to show tolerance and nurture you, and pursued your past transgressions by ordering a single general, what effort would it require? I have earnestly instructed and enlightened you, merely permitting you to repent and reform.” When Gao Tang received the edict, he was filled with fear and prepared to submit a memorial of apology. Just then, he died of illness. His son Gao Yuan succeeded him. The emperor sent an envoy to appoint Gao Yuan as Supreme Pillar of State, Third Rank, inheriting the title Duke of Liaodong. Gao Yuan submitted a memorial thanking the emperor and requesting to be enfeoffed as king. The emperor granted this.
In Tuyuhun, a great rebellion broke out. The people killed Shifu and established his younger brother Fuyun as ruler. They sent an envoy to report the deposition and succession, apologized for the offense of acting without authorization, and requested permission to marry the princess according to their customs. The emperor agreed. From then on, they came to court annually to pay tribute.
In the eighteenth year of Kaihuang (wuwu year, 598 AD), during the reign of Emperor Wen, the second year of his lower reign.
Spring, second month, on the jiachen day, the emperor arrived at Renshou Palace. King Gao Yuan of Goguryeo led over ten thousand Mohe tribesmen to invade Liaoxi. The Yingzhou Governor-General Wei Chong repelled them. The emperor was greatly angered upon hearing this. On the yisi day, he appointed Prince of Han Yang Liang and Wang Shiji as joint Marching Commanders-in-Chief, leading a force of 300,000 troops by land and water to campaign against Goguryeo. He appointed the Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Gao Jiong, as the Prince of Han’s Chief Clerk, and Zhou Luohou as Commander of the Naval Forces. The Yan Province Inspector Dugu Tuo had a maidservant named Xu Ani who served a cat spirit, capable of commanding it to kill people. It was said that whenever someone was killed, the victim’s family property would secretly be transferred to the household that kept the cat spirit. Around this time, Empress Dugu and Yang Su’s wife, née Zheng, both fell ill. The physicians all said, “This is an illness caused by the cat spirit.” Because Dugu Tuo was the empress’s half-brother by the same mother, and Dugu Tuo’s wife was Yang Su’s half-sister by the same mother, the emperor suspected Dugu Tuo was responsible. He ordered Gao Jiong and others to jointly investigate the case, and they uncovered the full truth. The emperor was furious and ordered Dugu Tuo and his wife to be placed in an ox-cart and taken away, intending to have them executed by forced suicide. Empress Dugu went three days without eating or drinking, pleading for them, saying, “If Dugu Tuo had disrupted government or harmed the people, I would not dare to speak. But now he has committed a crime because of me. I dare to beg that his life be spared.” Dugu Tuo’s younger brother, Dugu Zheng, the Vice Director of the Bureau of Merit Titles, went to the palace gate to beg. Dugu Tuo was thus spared the death penalty, stripped of his rank and reduced to commoner status, while his wife, née Yang, was made a nun. Earlier, someone had accused his own mother of being killed by a cat spirit. The emperor considered this demonic talk and, in anger, drove the accuser away. At this point, he issued an edict to execute all those accused of practicing the cat spirit.
Summer, fourth month, on the xinhai day, an edict was issued: “All households that keep cat spirits, practice gu poisoning, or engage in yanmei sorcery are to be exiled to the remote border regions.”
Sixth month, on the bingyin day, an edict was issued stripping King Gao Yuan of Goguryeo of his office and titles. The army of Prince of Han Yang Liang set out from Linyu Pass, but encountered heavy flooding. Supply transport could not keep up, the army lacked provisions, and an epidemic broke out. Zhou Luohou sailed from Donglai directly toward Pyongyang, but encountered a great wind, and many ships were scattered and sunk. Autumn, ninth month, on the jichou day, the army withdrew. Eight or nine out of every ten soldiers had died. King Gao Yuan of Goguryeo, also filled with fear, sent an envoy to apologize. In his memorial, he called himself “the dung-beetle vassal Yuan of Liaodong.” The emperor then halted military operations and treated him as before.
King Buyeo Chang of Baekje sent an envoy with a memorial, requesting to serve as a guide for the army. The emperor issued an edict informing him: “Goguryeo has already confessed its guilt, and I have pardoned it. You must not raise an army to attack again.” The envoy was generously rewarded and sent back. Goguryeo, learning of this, sent troops to raid and plunder Baekje’s borders.
On the xinmao day, the emperor returned from Renshou Palace to the capital.
Winter, eleventh month, on the guiwei day, the emperor performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven in the southern suburbs.
Twelfth month, along the route from the capital to Renshou Palace, twelve temporary palaces were established.
The Cuan clan of the Nanning Yi barbarians rebelled again. The Prince of Shu, Yang Xiu, submitted a memorial stating: “Shi Wansui accepted bribes and let the bandits go, thereby causing border troubles.” The emperor rebuked Shi Wansui, who denied the accusation. The emperor was furious and ordered his execution. Gao Jiong and the Left General-in-Chief of the Palace Guard, Yuan Min, and others strongly pleaded, saying, “Shi Wansui’s surpassing talent and bold strategy exceed those of ordinary men. The officers and soldiers are willing to exert their utmost for him. Even the famous generals of antiquity could not surpass him.” The emperor’s anger somewhat subsided, and he merely stripped Shi Wansui of his rank and reduced him to commoner status.
In the nineteenth year of Kaihuang (jiwei year, 599 AD), during the reign of Emperor Wen, the second year of his lower reign.
Spring, first month, on the guiyou day, a general amnesty was granted. Second month, on the jiayin day, the emperor visited Renshou Palace. The Tujue Tuli Qaghan, through Zhangsun Sheng, reported that the Dulan Qaghan was manufacturing siege equipment and intended to attack the Datong Fortress. The emperor issued an edict appointing Prince of Han Yang Liang as Commander-in-Chief, with Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Gao Jiong leading an army out via Shuozhou Circuit, Right Vice Director Yang Su out via Lingzhou Circuit, and Supreme Pillar of State Yan Rong out via Youzhou Circuit, to jointly attack Dulan. All were subject to the Prince of Han’s command and control, though the Prince of Han ultimately did not personally go to the front. When Dulan heard of this, he formed an alliance with the Dato Qaghan, and they joined forces to ambush Tuli. A great battle was fought below the Great Wall, and Tuli was utterly defeated. Dulan killed all of his brothers, sons, and nephews, then crossed the Yellow River and entered Wei Province. Tuli’s tribe scattered and fled. That night, he and Zhangsun Sheng, with five cavalrymen, fled south. By dawn, they had traveled over a hundred li and gathered a few hundred cavalry. Tuli discussed with his subordinates: “Now that we have been defeated and are entering the court, we are nothing more than surrendered men. How would the Great Sui Son of Heaven treat us with honor? Dianjue has come, but originally there was no enmity between us. If we go to join him, he will surely help us survive.” Zhangsun Sheng, learning of this, secretly sent an envoy into Fuyuan Town, ordering the beacon fires to be lit quickly. Tuli saw four beacons all ablaze and asked Zhangsun Sheng about it. Zhangsun Sheng deceived him, saying, “The city walls are high, and the terrain is distant. They must have seen bandits approaching from afar. Our state’s law is: if there are few bandits, light two beacons; if more, light three; if a great army is near, light four. They are just indicating that the bandits are numerous and close.” Tuli was terrified and said to his men, “The pursuers are already near. For now, we can take refuge in the town.” After entering the town, Zhangsun Sheng left Tuli’s high official Zhishi to command his men, while he himself took Tuli by post-horse and galloped to the capital. Summer, fourth month, on the dingyou day, Tuli arrived in Chang’an. The emperor was overjoyed and appointed Zhangsun Sheng as Left General of the Resolute Guard Cavalry, holding a staff of authority to protect the Tujue. The emperor ordered Tuli to debate and confront Dulan’s envoy, the Yintou Tele, and Tuli’s arguments were righteous and compelling. The emperor then treated him generously. Dulan’s younger brother, Dusuliu, abandoned his wife and children and came to submit to the court together with Tuli. The emperor commended him and had Tuli give him many precious gifts to soothe his heart.
Gao Jiong dispatched the Supreme Pillar of State Zhao Zhongqing to lead three thousand troops as the vanguard. They reached the Zuli Mountains, encountered the Turkic army, fought for seven days, and heavily defeated the enemy. Pursuing them to Qifu Lake, they defeated them again, capturing over a thousand people and tens of thousands of various livestock. The Turks then launched a massive attack. Zhao Zhongqing formed a square formation, resisting on all sides for a total of five days. Just then, Gao Jiong’s main army arrived, and they joined forces to attack. The Turks fled in defeat. They pursued them beyond the White Path, crossed Mount Qin for over seven hundred li, and then returned. Yang Su’s army encountered Dhatu. Before this, when various generals fought the Turks, fearing their cavalry charges, they used chariots, infantry, and cavalry in coordination, setting up deer antlers to form square formations, with cavalry inside the formation. Yang Su said, “This is a method of self-defense, insufficient for victory.” He then completely abolished the old methods and ordered the armies to form cavalry formations. When Dhatu heard this, he was overjoyed and said, “This is Heaven granting me an opportunity!” He dismounted, bowed to Heaven, and led over one hundred thousand cavalry straight forward. Supreme Pillar with Equal Rank Zhou Luohou said, “The enemy formation is not yet organized; allow me to attack them.” He first led elite cavalry to engage, and Yang Su followed with the main army. The Turkic army was decisively defeated. Dhatu was severely wounded and fled; the dead and wounded were beyond count, and his troops fled wailing.
On the dingyou day of the sixth month, Yuzhang King Yang Zhan was appointed as the Inner History Order. The Yiyang Duke Wang Shiji served as the Liangzhou General-in-Chief. His close associate, An Ding man Huangfu Xiaoxie, committed a crime. Officials pursued him, and he fled to seek refuge with Wang Shiji, who did not accept him. Huangfu Xiaoxie was sent into exile to guard Guizhou. He then submitted a memorial accusing Wang Shiji of plotting rebellion, claiming, “Wang Shiji once had a Daoist read his fortune, asking whether he would be honored. The Daoist replied, ‘You should become a ruler of a state and will also go to Liangzhou.’ His close associate said to Wang Shiji, ‘Hedong is where the empire’s finest troops are gathered; one can plot great deeds there.’ Wang Shiji said, ‘Liangzhou’s land is vast and sparsely populated; it is not a place for military action.’” Wang Shiji was thus convicted and executed, and the court appointed Huangfu Xiaoxie as a Superior Pillar of State.
Empress Dugu was naturally jealous, and no one in the harem dared to attend to the emperor. Yuchi Jiong’s granddaughter was beautiful and had previously been confiscated into the palace. The emperor saw her at Renshou Palace and was delighted, so he favored her. The empress, while the emperor was at court, secretly killed her. The emperor, greatly angered, rode out alone from the palace grounds, not following the roads, and entered the mountain valleys for over twenty li. Gao Jiong, Yang Su, and others caught up with the emperor, reined in their horses, and earnestly admonished him. The emperor sighed and said, “I am honored as the Son of Heaven, yet I cannot be free!” Gao Jiong said, “How can Your Majesty slight the empire for the sake of a single woman?” The emperor’s anger slightly abated. He stopped his horse for a long time, not returning to the palace until midnight. The empress awaited the emperor in the inner hall. When he returned, she wept and bowed in apology. Gao Jiong, Yang Su, and others mediated, and they held a feast and parted happily. Previously, the empress had treated Gao Jiong with great closeness and courtesy because he was a retainer of her father’s household. But now, hearing that Gao Jiong had called her a woman, she harbored resentment.
At that time, Crown Prince Yang Yong had lost the emperor’s favor. The emperor secretly intended to depose him and replace him with another. He said calmly to Gao Jiong, “A spirit has informed the wife of the Prince of Jin that the prince will surely possess the empire. What is to be done?” Gao Jiong knelt upright and said, “There is an order of seniority between elder and younger; how can there be a deposition?” The emperor fell silent and desisted. Empress Dugu knew Gao Jiong could not be swayed and secretly wanted to eliminate him. Just then, the emperor ordered the selection of guards from the Eastern Palace to serve in the imperial palace. Gao Jiong memorialized, “If all the strong ones are taken, I fear the Eastern Palace’s night watch will be too weak.” The emperor’s expression changed, and he said, “Sometimes I go in and out; the guards must be brave and resolute. The crown prince cultivates virtue in the Eastern Palace; why does he need strong men by his side? This is an extremely bad practice. According to my intention, when the shifts change, part of the troops should be sent to the Eastern Palace, making the upper and lower units indistinguishable. Wouldn’t that be good? I am familiar with precedents from previous dynasties; you need not adhere to old customs.” Gao Jiong’s son, Gao Biaoren, had married Crown Prince Yang Yong’s daughter, so the emperor used these words to guard against him.
When Gao Jiong’s wife died, Empress Dugu said to the emperor, “The Chief of Chancellery Gao is already old and has lost his wife. How could Your Majesty not arrange a marriage for him?” The emperor conveyed the empress’s words to Gao Jiong. Gao Jiong wept and declined, saying, “Your servant is now old. After retiring from court, I merely fast, dwell in seclusion, and read Buddhist sutras. Although Your Majesty deeply pities me, as for taking a wife, it is not what your servant wishes.” The emperor then desisted. Soon after, Gao Jiong’s beloved concubine gave birth to a son. When the emperor heard this, he was very pleased, but the empress was unhappy. The emperor asked her why. The empress said, “Can Your Majesty still trust Gao Jiong? Initially, Your Majesty wanted to arrange a marriage for Gao Jiong, but he cherished his concubine and deceived Your Majesty to your face. Now his deceit has been revealed; how can he still be trusted?” The emperor therefore distanced himself from Gao Jiong.
Regarding the campaign against Liaodong, Gao Jiong strongly remonstrated, but the emperor did not heed him. When the army returned without success, the empress said to the emperor, “Gao Jiong initially did not want to go on the expedition. Your Majesty forced him to go; I knew from the start he would not succeed.” Additionally, because the Prince of Han was young, the emperor entrusted all military matters to Gao Jiong. Gao Jiong, bearing great responsibility, always acted with utmost impartiality, without any self-doubt. Most of Yang Liang’s words were not adopted. Yang Liang deeply resented him. When they returned to court, he wept and said to the empress, “I was fortunate to escape being killed by Gao Jiong.” When the emperor heard this, he became even more indignant. Later, when attacking the Turks, the army set out from the White Path and then planned to enter the desert. Gao Jiong sent an envoy to request reinforcements, and his close associates thus said he wanted to rebel. The emperor had not yet responded when Gao Jiong had already defeated the Turks and returned. When Wang Shiji was executed, during the interrogation, matters from the palace were mentioned, said to have been obtained from Gao Jiong. The emperor was greatly shocked. The relevant officials further memorialized, “Gao Jiong, together with the Left and Right Guard Generals-in-Chief Yuan Min and Yuan Zhou, all had dealings with Wang Shiji and accepted gifts of famous horses from him.” Yuan Min and Yuan Zhou were found guilty and dismissed. The Supreme Pillar of State He Ruobi, Wuzhou Governor-General Yuwen Bi, Minister of Punishments Xue Zhou, Minister of Revenue Hulü Xiaogong, and Minister of War Liu Shu all testified that Gao Jiong was innocent. The emperor became even more furious, handing them all over to the officials for punishment. From then on, no court official dared to speak further. In autumn, on the guimao day of the eighth month, Gao Jiong was found guilty and dismissed from his posts as Supreme Pillar of State and Chief of the Left Chancellery, returning to his residence as the Duke of Qi.
Soon after, the emperor visited the residence of the Prince of Qin, Yang Jun, and summoned Gao Jiong to attend a feast. Gao Jiong sobbed uncontrollably, unable to stop. Empress Dugu also wept before him. The emperor said to Gao Jiong, “I have not wronged you; you have wronged yourself.” He then said to his attendants, “My regard for Gao Jiong surpasses that for my own sons. Though sometimes I do not see him, I often feel he is before my eyes. Since he left office, I have been dazed and forgotten him, as though there were originally no such person as Gao Jiong. A subject should not use his own person to coerce the sovereign, claiming to be first.”
Soon after, Gao Jiong’s state supervisor submitted a report exposing Gao Jiong’s secret matters, claiming that his son Gao Biaoren had said to Gao Jiong: “Sima Zhongda initially pretended to be ill and did not attend court, and thereby came to possess the empire. Now, encountering such circumstances, how do you know it is not a blessing?” The emperor, greatly enraged, imprisoned Gao Jiong in the Inner History Department and interrogated him. The judicial officials further reported that the monk Zhenjue had once said to Gao Jiong: “Next year, the state will face a great mourning.” The nun Linghui also said: “In the seventeenth and eighteenth years, the emperor will encounter a great calamity; in the nineteenth year, he will not survive it.” Hearing this, the emperor became even more furious, turned to his ministers, and said: “Can the position of emperor be sought through force? Confucius, with his great sage abilities, still could not obtain the empire. Gao Jiong, in speaking with his son, compared himself to the Jin emperor—what is in his heart?” The relevant authorities requested that Gao Jiong be executed. The emperor said: “Last year I executed Yu Qingze, this year I beheaded Wang Shiji; if I now also put Gao Jiong to death, how will the people of the empire perceive me?” Thus he stripped Gao Jiong of his rank and reduced him to commoner status. When Gao Jiong first became an imperial counselor, his mother had warned him, saying: “Your wealth and honor have reached their peak; only a beheading is left—you must be cautious!” Therefore, Gao Jiong had always feared calamity and misfortune. At this time, Gao Jiong appeared cheerful without any trace of resentment. Previously, the State Academy Chancellor Yuanshan said to the emperor: “Yang Su is crude and careless, Su Wei is timid and weak, Yuan Zhou and Yuan Jiong are just like ducks. Only Gao Jiong can be entrusted with the state and the altars of the land.” The emperor initially thought his words correct. But when Gao Jiong incurred punishment, the emperor deeply rebuked Yuanshan, who died of worry and fear.
In the ninth month, the emperor appointed the Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Niu Hong, as Minister of Personnel. Niu Hong selected talents by first examining their virtue and then their literary ability, striving for thoroughness; although this led to delays and slowness, those he promoted were mostly well-suited to their posts. The Vice Minister of Personnel, Gao Xiaogan, was keen and perceptive in evaluating talent, unsurpassed in integrity and caution, but his openness and brilliance were excessive, and his demeanor appeared frivolous. The contemporary chancellors often doubted him for this reason; only Niu Hong deeply understood his true abilities and employed him with full trust. The selection of capable officials in the Sui dynasty was most flourishing at this time, and contemporary opinion increasingly admired Niu Hong’s far-reaching insight and magnanimity.
Winter, tenth month, on the day of jiawu, the emperor enfeoffed the Tujue Tuli Khan as Yilizhendou Qimin Khan, meaning in Chinese “Wise and Strong.” The Tujue people who submitted to Qimin numbered over ten thousand men and women. The emperor ordered Zhangsun Sheng to lead fifty thousand men to build Dali City in Shuofang to settle them. At that time, the Princess Anyi had already died. The emperor again sent Zhangsun Sheng, bearing the imperial seal, to escort the imperial clan daughter, Princess Yicheng, to marry him. Zhangsun Sheng memorialized: “The tribe of Rangan—those who have submitted are increasing daily. Although they dwell within the Great Wall, they are still plundered by Yongyulü and cannot live in peace. I request that they be moved to Wuyuan, using the Yellow River as a barrier, between Xiazhou and Shengzhou, from east to west along the river, and four hundred li from north to south, digging a transverse ditch to let them reside within, enabling them to graze their livestock freely.” The emperor followed his advice. He also ordered the Pillar of State Zhao Zhongqing to station twenty thousand troops to guard against Dato for Qimin, and the Acting Prefect of Daizhou, Han Hong and others, to lead ten thousand infantry and cavalry to garrison Heng’an. Dato led one hundred thousand cavalry to invade, and Han Hong’s army suffered a major defeat. Zhao Zhongqing intercepted them from Lening Town, killing and capturing over a thousand men. The emperor sent the Duke of Yue, Yang Su, to march from Lingzhou, the Acting Chief of the March, Han Sengshou, to march from Qingzhou, the Duke of Taiping, Shi Wansui, to march from Yanzhou, and the Grand General, Wuwei native Yao Bian, to march from Hezhou, all to attack Dulan together. Before the armies had left the frontier, on the day of yiyi in the twelfth month, Dulan was killed by his own subordinates. Dato declared himself the Bujia Khan, and his state fell into great chaos. Zhangsun Sheng said to the emperor: “Now the government troops approach the border, have achieved many successes in battle, and the enemy is internally divided, with their ruler killed. If we take this opportunity to pacify them, they can all be subdued. I request that Rangan’s subordinates be sent to pacify and console them in separate directions.” The emperor followed his advice. Those who surrendered were extremely numerous.