第十dì shí第dì十shí回huí朱zhū若ruò虛xū遺言yí yán遺yí言yán囑zhǔ子zǐ媳xí尉wèi遲chí恭gōng奉旨fèng zhǐ奉fèng旨zhǐ造zào西寺xī sì西xī寺sì若虛ruò xū

Chapter 10: Zhu Ruoxu’s Dying Words Entrust His Son and Daughter-in-Law; Yuchi Gong Receives Imperial Decree to Build the Western Temple

卻說què shuō卻què說shuō朱zhū若ruò虛xū賢散去，每日焚香注水，靜坐觀心見jiàn眾zhòng賢xián散去sàn qù散sàn去qù每日měi rì每měi日rì焚香fén xiāng焚fén香xiāng注水zhù shuǐ注zhù水shuǐ靜坐jìng zuò靜jìng坐zuò觀guān心xīn性xìng

It is said that after the worthies had dispersed, Zhu Ruoxu burned incense and poured water daily, sitting in quiet meditation to observe his mind and see his true nature.

天tiān中zhōng境界jìng jiè境jìng界jiè窮愈yù窮qióng妙miào

The realm of the celestial center grows more wondrous the deeper one explores it.

到了dào le到dào了le九月jiǔ yuè九jiǔ月yuè初七日chū qī rì初chū七qī日rì偶ǒu染rǎn寒hán疾jí天tiān錫xī祿lù請qǐng醫yī調diào治zhì

On the seventh day of the ninth month, he happened to catch a cold. Tianxi and Tianlu invited a physician to treat him.

若ruò虛xū不肯bù kěn不bù肯kěn服fú葯yào將jiāng書shū箱xiāng中zhōng小小xiǎo xiǎo小xiǎo一個yí gè一yí個gè綿mián包袱bāo fú包bāo袱fú取qǔ歲孫女朱木蘭出來chū lái出chū來lái叫jiào那nà九歲jiǔ suì九jiǔ歲suì孫女sūn nǚ孫sūn女nǚ朱zhū木蘭mù lán木mù蘭lán命mìng之zhī曰yuē若虛ruò xū

Ruoxu refused to take medicine. He took out a small cloth-wrapped bundle from his bookcase, called forward his nine-year-old granddaughter Zhu Mulan, and instructed her:

「此cǐ書shū傳chuán至zhì李lǐ靖jìng，出自chū zì出chū自zì龍宮lóng gōng龍lóng宮gōng肇zhào風后，演於wū軒xuān皇huáng、留侯。內卷曰《陰符》，外卷曰《遁甲》。吾相爾根氣不凡，料可傳授，風fēng后hòu演yǎn尚shàng父fù留liú侯hóu內nèi卷juàn曰yuē陰yīn符fú外wài遁dùn甲jiǎ吾wú相xiāng爾ěr根gēn氣qì不凡bù fán不bù凡fán料liào可kě傳授chuán shòu授shòu諒liàng責zé

“This book came to Li Jing from the Dragon Palace, originated with the Yellow Emperor and Fenghou, and was developed by Shangfu and the Marquis of Liu. The inner volume is called ‘Yin Fu,’ the outer volume is called ‘Dun Jia.’ I observe that your natural endowments are extraordinary, so I deem you fit to receive this teaching. Fenghou and the Marquis of Liu will surely not blame me.”

木蘭mù lán木mù蘭lán頓首dùn shǒu頓dùn首shǒu受命shòu mìng受shòu命mìng

Mulan kowtowed and accepted the charge.

到了dào le到dào了le初八chū bā初chū八bā日rì九位jiǔ wèi九jiǔ位wèi賢人xián rén賢xián人rén相繼xiāng jì相xiāng繼jì而ér至zhì

On the eighth day, the nine worthies arrived one after another.

若ruò虛xū命mìng二子èr zǐ二èr子zǐ出chū迎yíng到dào內nèi室shì相xiāng見jiàn

Ruoxu ordered his two sons to go out and welcome them, and they met in the inner chamber.

喪sāng吾wú曰yuē： 「吾兄wú xiōng兄xiōng抱恙bào yàng抱bào恙yàng我wǒ等děng一yī安，二來lái問wèn安ān二來èr lái二èr不負bú fù不bú負fù前日qián rì前qián日rì觀音guān yīn觀guān音yīn寺sì之zhī約yuē

Sangwu said, "Brother, you are unwell. We have come both to inquire after your health and to honor our previous appointment at Guanyin Temple."

若ruò虛xū曰yuē： 「兄長xiōng cháng高明遠見，今日齊來舍下相聚者，知我明日當與兄xiōng長cháng高明gāo míng高gāo明míng遠見yuǎn jiàn遠yuǎn見jiàn今日jīn rì今jīn日rì齊qí來lái舍下shè xià舍shè下xià相聚xiāng jù相xiāng聚jù者zhě知zhī我wǒ明日míng rì當dāng與yǔ等děng永訣yǒng jué永yǒng訣jué也yě

Ruoxu said, "Elder brothers, so wise and far-sighted, you have all gathered at my humble home today because you know that tomorrow I shall bid you a final farewell."

眾人zhòng rén眾zhòng： 「吾兄善自保重，吉人rén曰yuē吾兄wú xiōng吾wú兄xiōng善自保重shàn zì bǎo zhòng善shàn自zì保bǎo重zhòng吉人天相jí rén tiān xiàng吉jí天tiān相xiàng休xiū為wéi意外yì wài意yì外wài之zhī虞yú

The others said, "Dear brother, take good care of yourself. A virtuous man is blessed by Heaven; do not worry over unexpected misfortune."

若ruò虛xū到了dào le到dào了le初chū九日jiǔ rì九jiǔ日rì謂wèi眾zhòng賢人xián rén賢xián人rén曰yuē

On the ninth day, Ruoxu said to the assembled worthies,

「死生sǐ shēng有定，天命難挽。今日之生，乃前日之死sǐ。今日之死，乃後世之生shēng有yǒu定dìng天命tiān mìng天tiān命mìng難nán挽wǎn今日jīn rì今jīn日rì之zhī乃nǎi前日qián rì前qián後世hòu shì後hòu世shì生死shēng sǐ不明bù míng不bù明míng徒tú來lái人世rén shì人rén出chū得dé是shì為wéi仙子xiān zǐ仙xiān子zǐ吾wú夢mèng

"Life and death are fixed; the Mandate of Heaven cannot be undone. Today's life is yesterday's death. Today's death is the life of the next existence. If one does not understand life and death, he only wanders the human realm in vain. To transcend life and death is to be an immortal. I dreamed that

文昌wén chāng文wén昌chāng帝君dì jūn帝dì君jūn召zhào我wǒ為wéi南宮nán gōng南nán宮gōng桂香guì xiāng桂guì香xiāng殿diàn主zhǔ簿bó史shǐ吾wú復fù何hé憂yōu

Wenchang Emperor summoned me to serve as Registrar of the Guixiang Hall in the Southern Palace. What further worry could I have?

願yuàn諸公zhū gōng諸zhū公gōng元真，保正性命，毋以善shàn養yǎng元yuán真zhēn保正bǎo zhèng保bǎo正zhèng性命xìng mìng性xìng命mìng毋wú以yǐ小xiǎo而不ér bù而ér不bù為wéi惡è為之wéi zhī之zhī他tā日rì功gōng成果chéng guǒ成chéng果guǒ熟shú同tóng作zuò南宮nán gōng南nán宮gōng仙子xiān zǐ仙xiān子zǐ

I hope that all of you will cultivate your primal essence well, preserve your righteous nature, and neither neglect a good deed because it is small nor commit an evil act because it is trivial. In the future, when your merit is complete and your fruit ripens, we shall become immortals together in the Southern Palace."

又yòu招zhāo天tiān錫xī、天祿lù而言ér yán而ér： 「人生在世，如花開謝，如月缺圓。君臣遇合，原於天命。父子篤恩，兄弟篤愛，出自性真。夫妻良緣，雖由命定，然淑女可求，良配可擇，姤婦可出，惟有朋友，乃擇善之助。身心性命，可以相輔﹔死生利害，可以相救。交匪其人，終身之垢。故國之興廢，關乎權臣﹔家之成敗，視乎密友。古人云：能媚予者，必能害予，斯人勿友﹔肯規予，必肯助予，此士當交。更有一等矯情飾貌之人，口吐經詞，心若蛇蝎，因人喜好，窺人性情，出言yán曰yuē人生在世rén shēng zài shì人rén生shēng在zài世shì所謂靜言庸違，象恭滔天，是不交於君子之誅者也。宜避之如rú花開huā kāi花huā開kāi謝xiè如月rú yuè月yuè缺quē圓yuán君臣jūn chén君jūn臣chén遇yù合hé原yuán於wū天命tiān mìng命mìng父子fù zǐ父fù子zǐ篤dǔ恩ēn兄弟xiōng dì兄xiōng弟dì愛ài出自chū zì出chū自zì性xìng真zhēn夫妻fū qī夫fū妻qī良緣liáng yuán良liáng緣yuán雖suī由yóu命定mìng dìng定dìng然rán淑女shū nǚ淑shū女nǚ可kě求qiú配pèi擇zé姤gòu婦fù惟有wéi yǒu惟wéi有yǒu朋友péng yǒu朋péng友yǒu乃nǎi善之助shàn zhī zhù善shàn之zhī助zhù身心shēn xīn身shēn心xīn性命xìng mìng可以kě yǐ以yǐ相xiāng輔fǔ死生sǐ shēng死sǐ利害lì hài利lì害hài救jiù交jiāo匪fěi其qí終身zhōng shēn終zhōng垢gòu故國gù guó故gù國guó興廢xīng fèi興xīng廢fèi關guān乎hū權臣quán chén權quán家jiā成敗chéng bài成chéng敗bài視shì密友mì yǒu密mì古人gǔ rén古gǔ云yún能néng媚mèi予yǔ者zhě必bì斯sī勿wù肯kěn規予guī yǔ規guī此cǐ士shì當dāng更有gèng yǒu更gèng一等yī děng一yī等děng矯情jiǎo qíng矯jiǎo情qíng飾shì貌mào口吐kǒu tǔ口kǒu吐tǔ經jīng詞cí若ruò蛇蝎shé xiē蛇shé蝎xiē因yīn喜好xǐ hào喜xǐ好hào窺kuī性情xìng qíng投機tóu jī投tóu機jī作zuò事shì合意hé yì意yì所謂suǒ wèi所suǒ謂wèi靜jìng庸yōng違wéi象xiàng恭gōng滔天tāo tiān滔tāo是不shì bù是shì不bù君子jūn zǐ誅zhū也yě宜yí避bì仇chóu遠yuǎn虎hǔ若與ruò yǔ與yǔ交接jiāo jiē接jiē身家性命shēn jiā xìng mìng為wéi其所qí suǒ累lèi

He then called Tianxi and Tianlu and said, "A person's life in this world is like a flower blooming and withering, like the moon waxing and waning. The meeting between ruler and minister originates in the Mandate of Heaven. Deep grace between father and son, deep love between brothers, springs from true nature. A good marital match, though determined by fate, allows for seeking a virtuous lady, choosing a suitable partner, and parting with a jealous wife. Only with friends must one select those who assist in goodness. Body, mind, nature, and life can complement one another; life and death, benefit and harm, can be mutually rescued. Befriending the wrong person brings lifelong defilement. Therefore a state's rise or fall depends on powerful ministers; a family's success or failure hinges on close friends. The ancients said: 'Those who can flatter me will surely be able to harm me. Such persons should not be befriended. Those willing to correct me will surely be willing to help me. Such scholars should be befriended.' There is also a type of person who feigns virtue and masks his appearance — uttering scriptural words with a heart like scorpions and snakes, pandering to others' preferences, spying on their temperaments, speaking to please, and acting to satisfy. These are ones who speak plausibly but oppose what they endorse, who feign reverence as if to overawe Heaven — deserving condemnation by not associating with gentlemen. You should avoid them as enemies, keep distant from them as from tigers. If you associate with them, your person, family, and life will be ruined by them."

二子èr zǐ二èr子zǐ叩kòu頭領tóu lǐng頭tóu領lǐng命mìng

The two sons kowtowed and accepted his command.

又yòu招zhāo秦qín氏shì、楊氏yáng shì楊yáng謂wèi之zhī曰yuē 「女子nǚ zǐ女nǚ子zǐ不知bù zhī不bù、《書》，雖於言孝弟，但知zhī詩shī書shū雖suī於wū慎言yán孝弟xiào dì孝xiào弟dì但dàn敬jìng公婆gōng pó公gōng婆pó慎shèn言語yán yǔ語yǔ便biàn為wéi順丈夫，能和妯娌，再勤紡績，守家教，非賢婦xián fù賢xián婦fù能néng者zhě自然zì rán自zì然rán順shùn丈夫zhàng fu丈zhàng夫fu和hé妯娌zhóu lǐ妯zhóu娌lǐ再zài勤qín紡績fǎng jì紡fǎng績jì守shǒu家教jiā jiào家jiā教jiào非fēi而ér何hé

He then called Qin and Yang and said to them, "A woman who does not understand the Book of Songs, "Book of Documents — though they speak of filial piety and fraternal duty, yet if a woman knows to respect her parents-in-law and be cautious in speech, she is already a virtuous wife. One who is cautious in speech naturally can be obedient to her husband and live in harmony with her sisters-in-law. If she is also diligent in spinning and weaving and upholds family teachings, what else could she be but a virtuous wife?"

二èr媳xí叩頭kòu tóu叩kòu頭tóu而起ér qǐ而ér起qǐ

The two daughters-in-law kowtowed and then rose.

忽然hū rán忽hū然rán白鶴bái hè白bái鶴hè集jí異香發於wū階jiē前qián異yì香xiāng發於fā wū發fā庭tíng所suǒ

Suddenly, white cranes gathered before the steps, and a wondrous fragrance arose from the courtyard.

若ruò虛xū急jí索suǒ紙筆zhǐ bǐ紙zhǐ筆bǐ題tí云yún 以yǐ心xīn達dá心，以性xìng化huà若虛ruò xū

Ruoxu urgently called for paper and brush and wrote: "Reach heart through heart, transform nature through nature."

知zhī身shēn是shì客kè，得dé吾wú之zhī真zhēn。

Know that the body is but a guest; attain my truth.

若ruò虛xū寫xiě畢bì，以yǐ目視mù shì喪吾，喪吾即附耳念了數聲「南無阿彌陀佛」，若虛遂瞑目mù視shì喪sāng吾wú即jí附耳fù ěr附fù耳ěr念niàn了liǎo數shù聲shēng南無nán wú南nán無wú阿彌陀佛ā mí tuó fó阿ā彌mí陀tuó佛fó遂suì瞑目míng mù瞑míng而ér逝shì

When Ruoxu finished writing, he looked at Sangwu. Sangwu then leaned close to his ear and recited several times: "Namo Amitabha Buddha," Ruoxu then closed his eyes and passed away.

朱zhū氏shì全家quán jiā全quán家jiā舉jǔ哀āi

The entire Zhu family began mourning.

諸賢zhū xián諸zhū賢xián一個yí gè一yí個gè傷感shāng gǎn傷shāng感gǎn不已bù yǐ不bù已yǐ

All the worthies were deeply grieved, each one overcome with sorrow.

相xiāng與yǔ理lǐ喪sāng助zhù葬zàng。

Together they managed the funeral rites and assisted with the burial.

事shì畢bì，各回gè huí各gè回huí

After the funeral, each returned to his own home.

天tiān錫xī、天祿lù守shǒu墓mù三年sān nián三sān年nián

Tianxi and Tianlu guarded the tomb for three years.

家人jiā rén失於提防，家jiā人rén失於shī wū失shī於wū提防dī fáng提dī防fáng物wù財帛cái bó財cái帛bó一yī火huǒ而ér空kōng

The family members were negligent in their precautions, and all household belongings and valuables were lost to a single fire.

又yòu過guò二年èr nián二èr年nián就jiù一貧如洗yì pín rú xǐ一yì貧pín如rú洗xǐ

Two more years passed, and they became as poor as if washed clean.

幸xìng弟兄dì xiong弟dì兄xiong二人èr rén二èr人rén貧pín而ér立志lì zhì立lì志zhì毫不háo bù毫háo楊氏與木蘭織機度日，按下不bù妄為wàng wéi妄wàng為wéi秦qín氏shì楊氏yáng shì楊yáng與yǔ木蘭mù lán木mù蘭lán織機zhī jī織zhī機jī度dù日rì按下不表àn xià bù biǎo按àn下xià表biǎo

Fortunately, though poor, the two brothers held firm to their resolve and committed no reckless acts. Qin, Yang, and Mulan lived by weaving at their looms. We shall leave this matter for now.

再說zài shuō再zài說shuō先xiān年nián煬帝yáng dì煬yáng帝dì自zì下xià揚州yáng zhōu揚yáng州zhōu觀guān玩wán瓊qióng花huā之後zhī hòu之zhī後hòu流連忘返liú lián wàng fǎn流liú連lián忘wàng返fǎn饑饉jī jǐn饑jī饉jǐn薦jiàn臻zhēn盜賊dào zéi盜dào賊zéi四起sì qǐ四sì起qǐ

Turning to earlier years: after Emperor Yang of Sui went to Yangzhou to view the exquisite jade-like flowers, he became so entranced that he forgot to return. Famine repeatedly struck, and bandits rose up on all sides.

天下tiān xià天tiān下xià諸侯zhū hóu諸zhū侯hóu各gè據jù州縣zhōu xiàn州zhōu縣xiàn宇文化及yǔ wén huà jí宇yǔ文wén化huà及jí竟jìng弒shì帝dì自立zì lì自zì立lì稱為chēng wéi稱chēng為wéi夏xià王wáng

The feudal lords across the land each seized control of prefectures and counties. Yuwen Huaji actually murdered the emperor and declared himself the King of Xia.

李lǐ靖jìng見jiàn天下大亂tiān xià dà luàn天tiān下xià大dà亂luàn遂suì與yǔ魏徵wèi zhǐ魏wèi徵zhǐ房fáng玄xuán齡líng徐xú敬業jìng yè敬jìng業yè尉wèi遲chí恭gōng三sān公子gōng zǐ公gōng子zǐ商議shāng yì商shāng議yì欲yù起伏qǐ fú起qǐ伏fú義之yì zhī義yì之zhī兵bīng聲shēng宇文化及yǔ wén huà jí宇yǔ文wén化huà及jí之罪zhī zuì罪zuì以yǐ清qīng宇宙yǔ zhòu宙zhòu

Seeing the realm in great turmoil, Li Jing discussed with Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, Xu Jingye, Yuchi Gong, and the Third Young Master the plan to raise a righteous army, proclaim Yuwen Huaji's crimes, and restore order to the world.

三sān公子gōng zǐ公gōng子zǐ遣qiǎn玄xuán齡líng卑辭bēi cí卑bēi辭cí重zhòng幣bì去qù見jiàn突厥tū jué突tū厥jué借jiè兵bīng五千wǔ qiān五wǔ千qiān以yǐ援yuán聲勢shēng shì聲shēng勢shì

The Third Young Master sent Fang Xuanling with humble words and generous gifts to meet with the Turks and borrow five thousand troops to bolster their influence.

他tā日rì功gōng成chéng，割gē冀jì州zhōu八十一bā shí yī八bā十shí一yī州縣zhōu xiàn縣xiàn為wéi勞láo

Should they succeed in the future, they would cede eighty-one prefectures and counties of Jizhou as compensation for their efforts.

突厥tū jué突tū厥jué與其yǔ qí與yǔ其qí弟dì，頡jié和hé商議shāng yì商shāng議yì曰yuē和曰hé yuē

Turks discussed with his younger brother Xiehe. Xiehe said:

「目mù今jīn中原zhōng yuán中zhōng原yuán變亂biàn luàn變biàn亂luàn三sān災zāi並bìng興xīng安ān天下tiān xià天tiān下xià者zhě非fēi世shì民mín而ér誰shuí吾wú主zhǔ其qí許xū之zhī

"At present, the Central Plains are in turmoil, and the three calamities are rising together. If there is one who can pacify the realm, who else could it be but Shimin? My lord, you should grant his request."

右yòu長cháng康kāng和hé阿ā奏zòu曰yuē： 「唐táng公gōng借jiè兵bīng，主公zhǔ gōng主zhǔ斷然duàn rán斷duàn然rán不可bù kě不bù可kě許xū他tā

The Right Chief Kang He'a remonstrated, "Lord Tang requests troops. My lord, you must absolutely not grant him this."

突厥tū jué突tū厥jué曰yuē「卿qīng家jiā老成lǎo chéng老lǎo成chéng練達liàn dá練liàn達dá惟wéi正zhèng詞cí是shì吐tǔ危wēi語yǔ為wéi陳chén寡人guǎ rén寡guǎ人rén靜jìng以yǐ待命dài mìng待dài命mìng

Turks said, "You, Minister, are mature and experienced. You speak only upright words and set forth grave admonitions. I shall listen quietly and await your instruction."

康kāng和hé阿ā曰yuē： 「公子gōng zǐ公gōng子zǐ世shì民mín素有sù yǒu素sù今欲舉兵南向。來我國借兵者，其計有yǒu大志dà zhì：一者欲興兵中原，太原空虛，恐我國襲其巢穴，非來我國借兵，心欲我國策大dà志zhì今jīn欲yù舉兵jǔ bīng舉jǔ兵bīng南向nán xiàng南nán向xiàng來lái借我國wǒ guó聲勢，使各鎮反王望風而回﹔三者許割冀州一帶地方與我wǒ國guó借jiè者zhě其qí計jì有三yǒu sān三sān便biàn一yī興兵xīng bīng興xīng彼為力。他日之功成，卻道中原zhōng yuán中zhōng原yuán太原tài yuán太tài空虛kōng xū空kōng虛xū恐kǒng襲xí巢穴cháo xué巢cháo穴xué非fēi心xīn國策guó cè策cè大臣dà chén臣chén上shàng將jiāng於wū彼bǐ為wéi質zhì也yě二者èr zhě二èr聲勢shēng shì聲shēng勢shì使shǐ各gè鎮反zhèn fǎn鎮zhèn反fǎn王wáng望wàng風fēng而ér回huí三者sān zhě許xū割gē冀jì州zhōu一帶yí dài帶dài地方dì fāng地dì方fāng與yǔ勞láo是非shì fēi是shì重zhòng利誘lì yòu利lì誘yòu君臣jūn chén君jūn力lì他tā日rì之zhī功gōng成chéng卻què道dào土地tǔ dì土tǔ北國běi guó北běi山川shān chuān山shān川chuān若ruò馬mǎ牛niú不相bù xiāng不bù相xiāng及jí風而fēng ér日之rì zhī

Kang He'a said, "The young lord Shimin has long cherished great ambitions. Now he wishes to raise troops and march south. His coming to our country to borrow troops involves three advantages for him: First, he wants to start a war in the Central Plains, leaving Taiyuan undefended, and fears that our country might attack his lair. His coming to borrow troops is not truly about borrowing; rather, he wishes our country to dispatch a high minister or a senior general to his side as a hostage. Second, he wants to borrow our country's prestige to make the rebel kings in various regions retreat at the mere rumor of our support. Third, he promises to cede the area around Jizhou to our country as compensation. This is nothing but using heavy profit to entice our lord and ministers into working for him. If he succeeds in the future, he will then say that the lands of the Central Plains and the mountains and rivers of the Northern Kingdom are as unrelated as horses and cattle."

突厥tū jué突tū厥jué曰yuē「相國xiāng guó相xiāng見極是。但彼國guó所見suǒ jiàn所suǒ見jiàn極jí是shì但dàn彼bǐ君臣jūn chén君jūn臣chén在此zài cǐ在zài此cǐ何以hé yǐ何hé以yǐ謝xiè之zhī

Turks said, "The Prime Minister's view is extremely correct. But since their lord and ministers are here, how shall we decline them?"

康kāng和hé阿ā曰yuē： 「主zhǔ公設gōng shè公gōng設shè筵yán餞行jiàn xíng餞jiàn行xíng與yǔ天盟誓，不但不來lái使shǐ對duì天tiān盟誓méng shì盟méng誓shì不但bú dàn不bú但dàn不來bù lái入寇rù kòu入rù寇kòu倘tǎng別國bié guó別bié國guó侵qīn太原tài yuán太tài原yuán我國wǒ guó我wǒ必然bì rán必bì然rán發兵fā bīng發fā兵bīng護hù救jiù他tā日rì成功chéng gōng成chéng功gōng以yǐ冀jì州zhōu一帶yí dài一yí帶dài地方dì fāng地dì方fāng為wéi勞láo又要yòu yào又yòu要yào使對shǐ duì

Kang He'a said, "My lord, you should host a farewell banquet, swear an oath to Heaven together with the envoy, promising not only that we will not invade them, but also that if any other state attacks Taiyuan, our country will surely send troops to protect and rescue them. If they succeed in the future, they shall compensate us with the Jizhou area. Moreover, you should

這zhè來lái使shǐ歃血為盟shà xuè wéi méng歃shà血xuè為wéi盟méng後日hòu rì後hòu日rì如此則我國不勞，而彼國感恩。」突厥聽之zhī據jù如此rú cǐ如rú此cǐ則zé我國wǒ guó我wǒ國guó不bù勞láo而ér彼bǐ感恩gǎn ēn感gǎn恩ēn突厥tū jué突tū厥jué聽tīng喜形於色xǐ xíng wū sè喜xǐ形xíng於wū色sè謂wèi百官bǎi guān百bǎi官guān而言ér yán言yán曰yuē

have this envoy smear blood on his lips to seal the oath, providing evidence for the future. In this way, our country will not be burdened, and their country will feel grateful." Turks listened and his face lit with joy. He said to all the officials:

「孤gū有yǒu康kāng和hé阿ā，猶yóu秦穆公qín mù gōng秦qín穆mù公gōng之zhī百里bǎi lǐ百bǎi里lǐ奚xī也yě

"I have Kang He'a, just as Duke Mu of Qin had Baili Xi."

次cì日rì，突厥tū jué突tū厥jué如rú康kāng和hé阿ā之zhī言yán與yǔ房fáng齡盟。乃謂玄xuán齡líng盟méng乃nǎi謂wèi曰yuē

The next day, Turks followed Kang He'a's words and swore an oath with Fang Xuanling. Then he said to Fang Xuanling:

「孤gū今jīn與yǔ爾ěr既jì立lì盟誓méng shì盟méng誓shì永yǒng結jié脣齒chún chǐ脣chún齒chǐ公子gōng zǐ公gōng子zǐ南征nán zhēng南nán征zhēng不但bú dàn不bú但dàn無wú內顧之憂nèi gù zhī yōu內nèi顧gù之zhī憂yōu並有bìng yǒu並bìng有yǒu泰山tài shān泰tài山shān靠kào勝shèng發兵fā bīng發fā兵bīng十萬shí wàn十shí萬wàn也yě他tā日rì功gōng成chéng主zhǔ負fù皇天huáng tiān皇huáng天tiān厭yàn絕jué

"Now that I have sworn this oath with you, we shall forever be as lips and teeth. When the young lord marches south, not only will he have no worries at home, but he will also have a support as firm as Mount Tai — better than dispatching a hundred thousand troops. If in the future he succeeds, and your lord betrays me, or I betray your lord, may Heaven itself reject and destroy us!"

玄xuán齡líng索suǒ了liǎo回huí書shū，望wàng太原tài yuán太tài原yuán而ér見jiàn了公子gōng zǐ公gōng子zǐ備bèi道dào此如此rú cǐ如rú此cǐ呈上chéng shàng呈chéng上shàng世shì民mín大喜dà xǐ大dà喜xǐ玄齡xuán líng世民shì mín

Fang Xuanling received the reply letter and headed back to Taiyuan. Upon meeting the young lord, he recounted everything that had happened and presented the reply letter. Shimin was overjoyed.

李lǐ靖jìng曰yuē： 「公子gōng zǐ公gōng子zǐ言為主報仇，先討宇文化及之罪。再傳檄各鎮反王：歸命者，賜爵封侯﹔逆命者，弔民伐罪。如此，則不怒而威，天下可kě聲言shēng yán聲shēng言yán為主wéi zhǔ為wéi主zhǔ報仇bào chóu報bào仇chóu先xiān討tǎo宇文化及yǔ wén huà jí宇yǔ文wén化huà及jí之罪zhī zuì之zhī罪zuì再zài傳chuán檄xí各gè鎮反zhèn fǎn鎮zhèn反fǎn王wáng歸guī命mìng者zhě賜爵cì jué賜cì爵jué封侯fēng hóu封fēng侯hóu逆nì弔民伐罪diào mín fá zuì弔diào民mín伐fá如此rú cǐ如rú此cǐ則zé不bù怒nù而ér威wēi天下tiān xià天tiān下xià定dìng也yě

Li Jing said, "Young lord, you should declare that you are avenging your sovereign and first punish Yuwen Huaji for his crimes. Then issue proclamations to the rebel kings of each region: those who submit shall be granted titles and enfeoffed as marquises; those who resist shall be punished by comforting the people and chastising the guilty. In this way, you will command authority without needing to display anger, and the realm can be pacified."

世shì民mín謝xiè曰yuē： 「先生xiān shēng先xiān生shēng金玉jīn yù金jīn玉yù下之zhī論lùn天下tiān xià天tiān下xià福fú也yě世民shì mín

Shimin thanked him, saying, "Your words, Master, are as precious as gold and jade. They are the fortune of all under Heaven."

如是rú shì如rú是shì奏zòu知zhī唐táng公gōng起兵qǐ bīng起qǐ兵bīng十萬shí wàn十shí萬wàn拜bài李lǐ靖jìng敬業為wéi帥shuài徐xú敬業jìng yè敬jìng業yè參謀cān móu參cān謀móu尉wèi遲chí恭gōng先鋒xiān fēng先xiān鋒fēng其餘qí yú其qí餘yú隨suí征zhēng將士jiāng shì將jiāng士shì不必bú bì不bú必bì細說xì shuō細xì說shuō留liú魏徵wèi zhǐ魏wèi徵zhǐ房fáng玄xuán齡líng監國jiān guó監jiān國guó

Thus he reported to Lord Tang, raised an army of one hundred thousand, appointed Li Jing as commander, Xu Jingye as strategist, Yuchi Gong as vanguard, and other accompanying generals and soldiers — not necessary to elaborate. Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling were left to oversee the state.

出師chū shī出chū師shī六liù七年qī nián七qī年nián天下tiān xià天tiān下xià一家，建都長安，國號大dà定dìng胡hú越yuè一家yì jiā一yì家jiā建都jiàn dū建jiàn都dū長安cháng ān長cháng安ān國號guó hào國guó號hào大唐dà táng唐táng六七liù qī

After six or seven years of campaigns, the realm was greatly pacified, with all peoples united as one family. The capital was established at Chang'an, and the dynasty was named Great Tang.

事shì載zài唐táng紀jì，此處cǐ chǔ此cǐ處chǔ不bù贅zhuì

These events are recorded in the Tang annals and need not be repeated here.

再說zài shuō再zài說shuō大dà唐高祖táng gāo zǔ唐táng高gāo祖zǔ在zài位wèi天下tiān xià天tiān下xià太平tài píng太tài平píng四海sì hǎi四sì海hǎi無事wú shì無wú事shì

Turning again to the time when Gaozu of the Great Tang sat on the throne — the realm was peaceful, and the four seas were tranquil.

惟有wéi yǒu惟wéi有yǒu北běi番fān厥不朝不貢，每年遣使臣責唐主zhǔ突厥tū jué突tū厥jué不bù朝cháo貢gòng每年měi nián每měi年nián遣使qiǎn shǐ遣qiǎn使shǐ臣chén責zé唐táng違wéi盟méng背bèi約yuē索取suǒ qǔ索suǒ取qǔ冀jì州zhōu地方dì fāng地dì方fāng

Only the Northern Barbarian ruler Turks neither paid court nor offered tribute. Every year he sent envoys to accuse the Tang emperor of violating the sworn oath and breaking the agreement, demanding the territory of Jizhou.

高祖gāo zǔ高gāo祖zǔ念niàn他有tā yǒu他tā有yǒu脣齒chún chǐ脣chún齒chǐ之zhī誼yì置zhì而ér不問bú wèn不bú問wèn

Gaozu, mindful of their 'lips and teeth' bond, set the matter aside and did not pursue it.

過了guò le過guò了le數shù年nián建成jiàn chéng建jiàn成chéng與yǔ世shì民mín不bù睦mù此事cǐ shì此cǐ事shì愈yù閣gé一邊yì biān一yì邊biān

After several years, Jiancheng and Shimin fell out with each other, and this matter was set aside even further.

到了dào le到dào了le太宗tài zōng太tài宗zōng登dēng位wèi貞觀zhēn guān貞zhēn觀guān三年sān nián三sān年nián湖廣hú guǎng湖hú廣guǎng寶林上本告急，言武昌wǔ chāng武wǔ昌chāng府fǔ節度使jié dù shǐ節jié度dù使shǐ尉wèi遲chí寶bǎo林lín上shàng本běn告急gào jí告gào急jí言yán城池chéng chí城chéng池chí被bèi江水jiāng shuǐ江jiāng水shuǐ衝chōng壞huài淹死yān sǐ淹yān死sǐ居民jū mín居jū民mín無數wú shù無wú數shù

By the time Taizong ascended the throne, in the third year of the Zhenguan era, Yuchi Baolin, the military governor of Wuchang Prefecture in Huguang, submitted an urgent memorial stating that the city walls of Wuchang had been destroyed by the river waters, drowning countless residents.

太宗tài zōng太tài宗zōng見jiàn奏zòu龍顏不悅lóng yán bú yuè龍lóng顏yán不bú悅yuè退tuì入rù後宮hòu gōng後hòu宮gōng去了qù le去qù了le

Upon reading the memorial, Taizong's imperial countenance darkened, and he withdrew to the rear palace.

次cì日rì登dēng殿diàn，命mìng鄂è國公guó gōng國guó公gōng恭領餉銀十萬，往武昌監造城池﹔又命皇叔李道宗明日設筵於凌煙閣，與尉wèi遲chí恭gōng領lǐng餉銀xiǎng yín餉xiǎng銀yín十萬shí wàn十shí萬wàn往wǎng武昌wǔ chāng武wǔ昌chāng監造jiān zào監jiān造zào城池chéng chí城chéng池chí又yòu皇叔huáng shū皇huáng叔shū李lǐ道dào宗zōng明日míng rì明míng設shè筵yán於wū凌líng煙yān閣gé與yǔ餞行jiàn xíng餞jiàn行xíng遲恭chí gōng

The next day, he held court and ordered Yuchi Gong, Duke of E, to take one hundred thousand taels of military pay and supervise the construction of the city walls in Wuchang. He also ordered Imperial Uncle Li Daozong to host a banquet at Lingyan Pavilion the following day to see Yuchi Gong off.

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng領lǐng命mìng，次cì日rì來lái凌líng煙yān閣gé款kuǎn燕yàn。

Yuchi Gong accepted the order and arrived at Lingyan Pavilion the next day for the farewell feast.

那nà李lǐ道dào宗zōng尊貴zūn guì尊zūn貴guì自居zì jū自zì居jū卻què不十分bù shí fēn不bù十shí分fēn為wéi禮lǐ

Li Daozong, comporting himself as a man of noble status, did not treat Yuchi Gong with much courtesy.

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng心中xīn zhōng心xīn中zhōng不樂bú lè不bú樂lè飲yǐn了liǎo幾jī舉杯bēi因yīn舉杯jǔ bēi舉jǔ問wèn道dào

Yuchi Gong grew displeased. After drinking a few cups, he raised his cup and asked,

「主zhǔ上shàng不bù恤民xù mín恤xù民mín力lì修xiū此cǐ凌líng煙yān閣gé何故hé gù何hé故gù

"Since His Majesty does not spare the people's labor, why did he build this Lingyan Pavilion?"

此時cǐ shí道宗亦醉，因答曰： 「此cǐ時shí道dào我李氏先世有大功於社稷，故能受天之命，為天下主。凡吾李氏子孫，皆祖宗zōng亦yì醉zuì因yīn答dá上修此閣，乃燕毛序齒親親之意。詩曰yuē閣gé為wéi我wǒ李lǐ氏shì先xiān世shì有yǒu大功dà gōng大dà功gōng於wū社稷shè jì社shè稷jì故gù能néng受shòu天tiān之zhī命mìng天下tiān xià下xià主zhǔ凡fán吾wú子孫zǐ sūn子zǐ孫sūn皆jiē祖宗zǔ zōng祖zǔ裔yì上shàng修xiū乃nǎi燕yàn毛máo序xù齒chǐ親親qīn qīn親qīn之意zhī yì意yì詩shī諸zhū父fù昆弟kūn dì昆kūn弟dì備bèi言yán私sī與yǔ異姓yì xìng異yì姓xìng無wú也yě道宗dào zōng世有shì yǒu

By this time, Daozong was also drunk, so he replied, "This pavilion was built because our Li ancestors rendered great service to the state, thereby receiving the Mandate of Heaven to rule the realm. All of us Li descendants are the heirs of our forebears. His Majesty built this pavilion as an expression of feasting in order of seniority and affection for kin. The Book of Songs says: 'Uncles and brothers, all are gathered for the private feast.' It has nothing to do with those of different surnames."

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng對duì曰yuē： 「非也fēi yě非fēi主上念隋運終將，天下大亂，生民塗炭，奮然有安世之心。及四海清平，海內一家，則念文臣有牧民之勞，武將有開國之苦，修此凌煙閣，以效漢武雲臺故事。此所謂禮賢才，敬大臣也yě主zhǔ上shàng念niàn隋suí運yùn終將zhōng jiāng終zhōng將jiāng天下大亂tiān xià dà luàn天tiān下xià大dà亂luàn生shēng民mín塗炭tú tàn塗tú炭tàn奮然fèn rán奮fèn然rán有yǒu安世ān shì安ān世shì之zhī心xīn及jí四海sì hǎi四sì海hǎi清平qīng píng清qīng平píng海內hǎi nèi內nèi一家yì jiā一yì家jiā則zé文臣wén chén文wén臣chén牧民mù mín牧mù勞láo武將wǔ jiāng武wǔ開國kāi guó開kāi國guó苦kǔ修xiū此cǐ凌líng煙yān閣gé以yǐ效xiào漢hàn雲yún臺tái故事gù shì故gù事shì所謂suǒ wèi所suǒ謂wèi禮lǐ賢才xián cái賢xián才cái敬jìng大臣dà chén雖有suī yǒu雖suī周zhōu親qīn不如bù rú不bù如rú仁rén人rén同姓tóng xìng同tóng姓xìng何hé居jū焉yān尉遲wèi chí凌煙líng yān

Yuchi Gong responded, "That is not so. His Majesty, reflecting that the Sui dynasty's fortunes were ending, the realm was in chaos, and the people were suffering, roused himself with the resolve to bring peace to the world. After the four seas were pacified and all within the seas became one family, he then remembered the labors of civil officials in governing the people and the hardships of military generals in founding the dynasty. He built this Lingyan Pavilion to emulate the story of the Yuntai Pavilion under Emperor Wu of Han. This is what is meant by honoring worthy talents and respecting high ministers. Even close kin are not as good as benevolent men. What place do those of the same surname hold here?"

道dào宗zōng怒nù道： 「大臣dà chén大dà臣chén與yǔ皇親huáng qīn皇huáng親qīn孰shú上shàng下xià道宗dào zōng

Daozong said angrily, "Between a high minister and an imperial kinsman, which one ranks above and which below?"

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng道dào： 「當日dāng rì當dāng日rì主zhǔ上shàng被bèi難nán臣chén單dān鞭biān救駕jiù jià救jiù駕jià此時cǐ shí此cǐ時shí不bù見jiàn皇親huáng qīn皇huáng親qīn尉遲wèi chí

Yuchi Gong said, "On the day His Majesty was in peril, I saved him with my single mace. Where was the imperial kinsman at that moment?"

道dào宗zōng大怒dà nù大dà怒nù曰yuē「爾ěr每每měi měi每měi自恃zì shì高，藐視皇親，不念今日之富貴，是誰家之爵祿？吾又何得與武夫對飲，自zì恃shì功gōng高gāo藐視miǎo shì藐miǎo視shì皇親huáng qīn皇huáng親qīn不念bú niàn不bú念niàn今日jīn rì今jīn日rì之zhī富貴fù guì富fù貴guì是誰shì shuí是shì誰shuí家jiā爵祿jué lù爵jué祿lù吾wú又yòu何hé得dé與yǔ武夫wǔ fū武wǔ夫fū對duì飲yǐn忘wàng尊貴zūn guì尊zūn哉zāi道宗dào zōng家之jiā zhī

Daozong flew into a rage and said, "You constantly presume upon your great merits and look down upon imperial kinsmen. Have you forgotten that today's wealth and honor — whose nobility and stipends are they? Why should I demean myself by drinking in the company of a mere soldier and forget my own exalted status?"

遂suì推tuī棹zhào而起ér qǐ而ér起qǐ

He then pushed the table aside and stood up.

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng大怒dà nù大dà怒nù一掌yì zhǎng去，道宗「哎喲」一yì掌zhǎng打去dǎ qù倒在地，打dǎ去qù道dào宗zōng哎喲āi yō哎āi喲yō一聲yì shēng聲shēng暈倒yùn dǎo暈yùn倒dǎo在zài地dì打落dǎ luò落luò門牙mén yá門mén牙yá四sì齒chǐ

Yuchi Gong, infuriated, struck out with his palm. Daozong cried out "Aiya!" and fainted on the ground, with four of his front teeth knocked out.

多duō官guān上前shàng qián上shàng前qián勸解quàn jiě勸quàn解jiě光guāng祿lù寺sì大臣dà chén大dà臣chén已將yǐ jiāng已yǐ將jiāng此cǐ信xìn報bào與yǔ太宗tài zōng太tài宗zōng知道zhī dào知zhī道dào祿寺lù sì

Several officials stepped forward to mediate. Meanwhile, the minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments had already reported the incident to Taizong.

太宗tài zōng太tài召道宗zōng先xiān召zhào道dào責zé： 「李氏之zhī曰yuē李lǐ氏shì，敬德之勞也。朕之有yǒu天下tiān xià天tiān下xià敬jìng德dé勞láo也yě朕zhèn今日jīn rì今jīn日rì救jiù皇叔huáng shū皇huáng叔shū宜yí卑bēi以yǐ自zì牧mù不宜bù yí不bù與yǔ大臣dà chén大dà臣chén競jìng道宗dào zōng

Taizong first summoned Daozong and rebuked him, saying, "That the Li family possesses the realm is due to Jingde's efforts. That I am here today is because Jingde saved me. Imperial Uncle should cultivate humility and refrain from contending with high ministers."

再zài召zhào敬jìng德dé讓ràng之zhī曰yuē： 「朕zhèn道dào卿qīng年nián老氣lǎo qì老lǎo，心平氣qì衰shuāi心平氣和xīn píng qì hé然少年情性，傷吾父之愛弟，辱寡人之至親，朕每思漢高祖殺戮功臣，心xīn平píng和hé奈何nài hé奈nài何hé仍然réng rán仍réng行為，毋乃功臣自取，不獨責漢高祖一人已也。然rán少年shào nián少shào情qíng性xìng傷shāng吾wú父fù得，卿宜自愛ài弟dì辱rǔ寡人guǎ rén寡guǎ人rén之至zhī zhì至zhì親qīn每měi思sī漢高祖hàn gāo zǔ漢hàn高gāo祖zǔ殺戮shā lù殺shā戮lù功臣gōng chén功gōng臣chén甚shèn恨hèn今jīn觀guān如此rú cǐ如rú此cǐ行為xíng wéi行xíng為wéi毋wú乃nǎi自zì取qǔ不獨bù dú不bù獨dú責zé一人yì rén一yì已yǐ也yě分外fèn wài分fèn外wài之恩zhī ēn恩ēn不可多得bù kě duō dé可kě多duō得dé宜yí自愛zì ài勿wù使shǐ憂yōu尉wèi遲chí恭gōng叩首kòu shǒu叩kòu首shǒu謝罪xiè zuì謝xiè罪zuì太宗tài zōng太tài宗zōng又yòu敬德jìng dé尉遲wèi chí

Then he summoned Jingde and reproved him, saying, "I thought that with old age you would have tempered your spirit and calmed your heart. Yet you still behave with the hot temper of a youth, injuring my father's beloved younger brother and humiliating my closest kin. Whenever I think of how Emperor Gaozu of Han slaughtered his meritorious subjects, I deeply resent him. But now, seeing your conduct, it seems that the meritorious subjects bring it upon themselves — I cannot blame Gaozu alone. Yet extraordinary grace cannot be granted many times. You should take care of yourself and not cause me worry." Yuchi Gong then kowtowed and apologized. Taizong continued:

「卿qīng位極人臣wèi jí rén chén位wèi極jí人rén臣chén所suǒ不足bù zú不bù足zú者zhě國戚guó qī國guó戚qī耳ěr朕zhèn有一yǒu yī有yǒu一yī女nǚ名míng開kāi唐táng公主gōng zhǔ公gōng主zhǔ使shǐ奉fèng箕帚jī zhǒu箕jī帚zhǒu可也kě yě可kě也yě

"You, Minister, have reached the pinnacle of official rank. What you lack is only kinship with the imperial house. I have a daughter named Princess Kaitang. Let her attend to your household duties."

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng叩首kòu shǒu叩kòu首shǒu曰yuē「臣chén糟糠之妻zāo kāng zhī qī糟zāo糠kāng之zhī妻qī願yuàn富貴fù guì富fù貴guì不相bù xiāng不bù相xiāng易yì此事cǐ shì此cǐ事shì斷duàn不敢bù gǎn敢gǎn從命cóng mìng從cóng命mìng

Yuchi Gong kowtowed and said, "My wife has shared my humble hardships with me. I vow not to forsake her even in wealth and honor. I dare not obey this command!"

太宗tài zōng太tài宗zōng道dào「卿qīng如此rú cǐ如rú此cǐ尚義shàng yì尚shàng義yì忠心zhōng xīn忠zhōng心xīn可知kě zhī可kě知zhī

Taizong said, "Your devotion to righteousness is clear, and thus your loyalty is evident."

乃nǎi止zhǐ。

So he dropped the matter.

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng即jí辭cí聖shèng駕jià，望wàng湖廣hú guǎng湖hú廣guǎng而來ér lái而ér來lái尉遲wèi chí

Yuchi Gong then took leave of the emperor and set off for Huguang.

到了dào le到dào了le武昌wǔ chāng武wǔ昌chāng寶bǎo林lín接jiē入rù父子fù zǐ父fù子zǐ相xiāng見jiàn擇zé日rì興xīng工gōng寶林bǎo lín

Upon arriving at Wuchang, Baolin welcomed him. The father and son met, selected an auspicious day, and began construction.

三年sān nián三sān年nián有餘yǒu yú有yǒu餘yú工程gōng chéng工gōng程chéng告gào竣jùn欲yù回huí朝cháo繳jiǎo后竇國太傳懿旨zhǐ太tài皇后huáng hòu皇huáng后hòu竇dòu國guó傳chuán懿旨yì zhǐ懿yì到dào國太guó tài

After more than three years, the project was completed. Just as he was about to return to court to report on his mission, an edict from the Grand Empress Dowager Dou Guotai arrived.

尉wèi遲chí恭gōng忙máng排pái香案xiāng àn香xiāng案àn開kāi讀dú

Yuchi Gong hurriedly arranged an incense altar and opened the edict to read it.

內nèi云yún： 朕zhèn幼生yòu shēng幼yòu生shēng西陵xī líng，常隨母吳夫人西xī陵líng城chéng右yòu常cháng隨suí母mǔ吳wú夫人fū rén夫fū人rén西寺xī sì寺sì進jìn香xiāng

It read: "When I was young, I was born to the west of Xiling City. I often accompanied my mother, Lady Wu, to offer incense at the Western Temple.

彼bǐ時shí見jiàn佛像fó xiàng佛fó像xiàng零落líng luò零líng落luò廟宇miào yǔ廟miào宇yǔ敝bì漏lòu今jīn五十wǔ shí五wǔ十shí餘年yú nián餘yú年nián廢fèi敗bài可知kě zhī可kě知zhī