Cui Ze (崔賾) | 24 Histories

Overview

Cui Ze was an official and Scholar.

IdentityHistorical · Male

Roles

Found in

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Cui Zujun	崔祖浚	Cuī Zǔjùn
Courtesy name	Zujun	祖浚	Zujun

Life and dates

Death

AD 618 宇文化及之弑帝也…卒于彭城
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 183
AD 618 宇文化及之弑帝後
At Pengcheng 彭城
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 165

Age

69
Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 165
Years 69 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 183

Attested activity

AD 613 九年
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 179
AD 613 九年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 77, passage 161
AD 609 五年
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 173
AD 616 十二年
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 181
AD 616 十二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 77, passage 163
AD 581 to AD 618 史臣曰
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 77, passage 254

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AD 609 大業五年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 77, passage 156
AD 608 大業四年
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 158; Book of Sui 77, passage 144
AD 386 to AD 618 論曰
Uncertain · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 268
AD 581 to AD 590 開皇初
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 105
AD 581 開皇初
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 111
AD 581 to AD 617 隋起居舍人
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 95, passage 4

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Child of Cui Kuo (崔廓)
father 父
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passages 109, 267-269; Book of Sui 77, passages 91, 103, 254
Child of Mother of Cui Ze
mother 母
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 107
Child of Mother of Cui Ze
mother 母
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 114

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Chief Secretary to the Prince of Yue 越王長史
AD 613 九年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 161
Attendant of the Imperial Diary 起居舍人
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 143
Attendant 舍人
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 141
Chief Secretary of the Eagle-Flying Guard 鷹揚長史
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 159
Collator 校書郎
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 105
Director of Harmonization 協律郎
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 106

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Reader to the Princes of Henan and Yuzhang 侍讀
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 108
Staff Secretary 記室參軍
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 109
Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Fast 太子齋帥
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 141
Attendant Gentleman 舍人
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 272
Chief Administrator to the Prince of Yue 越王長史
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 179
Chief Clerk of the Soaring Hawk Command 鷹揚長史
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 176
Collator 校書郎
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 112
Director of Harmonization 協律郎
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 112
Imperial Diarist 起居舍人
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 274
Master of the Crown Prince's Fast 太子齋帥
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 272
Recorder of the Headquarters 記室參軍
Held
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 116
Imperial Diarist 起居舍人
Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 4
Compiler 著作郎
Refused
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 182; Book of Sui 77, passage 164

Places and affiliations

Polity Sui 隋 · Relation Served
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 4
At Boling (by lineage) 博陵
Strongly inferred · Book of Sui 77, passages 92, 103

Learning and skills

Earned
Credential top of policy examination 射策高第
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 105
Skill letters / literary composition 文籍 · Level excellent
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 268
Skill literary composition 文籍 · Level renowned
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 254

Works and attributed material

Comprehensive Records of Notable Knowledge 洽聞志
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 167
Record of Broad Learning 洽聞志
Relation Author
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 185
Record of Four Categories through Eight Dynasties 八代四科志
Relation Author
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 185
Record of the Eastern Expedition 東征記
Relation Author
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 178; Book of Sui 77, passage 160
Records of the Four Categories across Eight Dynasties 八代四科志
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 167
Gazetteer of the Realm 區宇圖志
Relation Compiler
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 173

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Geographic Records 區宇圖志
Relation Compiler
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 156
Letter · Author · With Prince of Yuzhang (豫章王)
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passages 123-138
Letter · Author · With Prince of Yuzhang (豫章王)
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passages 135-157
Speech · Author · With Emperor Yang of Sui (隋煬帝)
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passages 162-164, 168, 170

Events and relationships

literary brilliance sufficient to continue and enlarge the ancestral achievement 文籍之美，足以克隆先構
Scholarly · Author · Continued ancestral achievement
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 254
Pacified Gaoyang and Xiangguo; 800+ surrendered
Military diplomatic · Pacifier
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 162
Placed at top
Examination · Candidate
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 111
Liaodong campaign · Officer
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passages 176-177
Pacification · Envoy
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 180
active versus still 動靜殊方
Relation Different path from · Person Cui Kuo (崔廓)
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 254

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Relation Friend of · Person Yuan Shan (元善)
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 184
Relation Friend of · Person Liu Bi (柳䛒)
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 184
Relation Client of · Person Prince of Yuzhang (豫章王)
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passages 115, 270
Relation Client of · Person Crown Prince Yuande (元德太子)
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passages 115-116, 271-272

Assessments and attributes

father and son, though active and still in different directions, in achieving fame were one 父子雖動靜殊方，其于成名一也
Assessment literary brilliance continued ancestral achievement; with father, achieved fame by different paths · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 254
Assessment literary excellence sufficient to continue the family hall and framework · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 268
Assessment veteran minister of great standing · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 4
Assessment 問一知二 — ask one and know two · Mode quoted-speech Source Person Id Emperor Yang of Sui (隋煬帝)
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 172
short in stature; gifted with eloquence
Physical description
Directly stated · Book of Sui 77, passage 104

Source notes

Value historical
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 4

References in the histories

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History

35 passages

History of the Northern Dynasties, Chapter 88Volume 88 Biographies 76: Recluses · 16 passages

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眭誇馮亮鄭修崔廓子賾徐則張文詡 Suikua, Feng Liang, Zheng Xiu, Cui Kuo, Cui Ze, Xu Ze, and Zhang Wenxu

《隋書》列李士謙、崔廓、廓子賾、徐則、張文詡為《隱逸傳》。 The History of Sui lists Li Shiqian, Cui Kuo, Cui Ze, Xu Ze, and Zhang Wenxu in its 'Biographies of Recluses.'

子賾，字祖浚，七歲能屬文。 His son Ze, styled Zujun, could compose literary pieces at the age of seven.

及河南為晉王，轉記室參軍，自此去豫章。 When the Prince of Henan became Prince of Jin, Ze was transferred to Recorder of the Headquarters and thereafter left Yuzhang.

王重之不已，遺賾書曰： The prince valued him without cease and sent Ze a letter that read:

賾答曰： Ze replied:

祖浚燕南贅客，河朔惰游，本無意于希顏，豈有心于慕藺。 Zujun is a superfluous guest south of Yan, an idle wanderer of the northern Yellow River region; I never intended to emulate Yan Hui, nor had any mind to admire Lin Xiangru.

王入東宮，除太子齋帥，俄兼舍人。 When the prince entered the Eastern Palace, Ze was appointed Master of the Crown Prince's Fast, and soon also served as Attendant Gentleman.

賾答曰：「謹案：漢文帝已前，未有冠幘，即是文帝以來所制也。 Ze replied: 'I respectfully consider: before Emperor Wen of Han there were no caps with headwraps; this must have been made from Emperor Wen's time onward.

從駕往太山，詔問賾曰：「何處有羊腸阪？」 Accompanying the procession to Mount Tai, the emperor asked Ze: 'Where is Yangchang Slope?'

賾答曰：「臣案《漢書·地理志》，上党壺關縣有羊腸阪。」 Ze replied: 'Your subject finds in the Geography Monograph of the Book of Han that Yangchang Slope is in Huguan County, Shangdang.'

因謂牛弘曰：「崔祖浚所謂問一知二。」 Thereupon he said to Niu Hong: 'This is what Cui Zujun means by asking one and knowing two.'

置遼東郡縣名，皆賾之議也。 The names of the commanderies and counties established in Liaodong were all Ze's proposals.

宇文化及之弑帝也，引為著作郎，稱疾不起。 When Yuwen Huaji assassinated the emperor, Ze was appointed Compiler, but he pleaded illness and did not take up the post.

賾與河南元善、河東柳䛒、太原王劭、吳興姚察、琅琊諸葛潁、信都劉焯、河間劉炫相善，每因休假，清談竟日。 Ze was on good terms with Yuan Shan of Henan, Liu Bi of Hedong, Wang Shao of Taiyuan, Yao Cha of Wuxing, Zhuge Ying of Langya, Liu Zhuo of Xindu, and Liu Xuan of Hejian; on holidays they would converse in pure talk all day.

祖浚文籍之美，足以克隆堂構。 Zujun's excellence in letters was sufficient to continue the hall and framework of his house.

Book of Sui, Chapter 77Volume 77 Biographies 42: Recluses · 18 passages

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崔廓子賾 Cui Kuo's son Ze

有子曰賾。 He had a son named Ze.

賾字祖浚，七歲能屬文，容貌短小，有口才。 Ze, styled Zujun, could compose essays at seven; he was short in stature but gifted with a ready tongue.

及河南為晉王，轉記室參軍，自此去豫章。 When the Prince of Henan was made Prince of Jin, Ze became Staff Secretary and thereafter ceased attending Yuzhang.

王重之不已，遺賾書曰： The Prince continued to esteem him and sent Ze a letter that read:

賾答曰： Ze replied:

祖浚燕南贅客，河朔惰游，本無意于希顏，豈有心于慕藺！ Zujun is but an extra guest in the south and a lazy wanderer in the north; I never aspired to emulate Yan Hui—how could I dream of admiring Lin Xiangru!

時晉邸文翰，多成其手。 At that time most of the official writings of the Prince of Jin's household came from Ze's pen.

王入東宮，除太子齋帥，俄遷舍人。 When the Prince entered the Eastern Palace, Ze was made Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Fast and was soon promoted to Attendant.

及元德太子薨，以疾歸於家。 After the Yuande Heir Apparent died, Ze went home, pleading illness.

詔問群臣，莫有識者，賾答曰：「謹按漢文已前，未有冠幘，即是文帝以來所製作也。 The emperor asked his ministers, but none could identify it. Ze answered: "I respectfully observe that before Emperor Wen of Han there was no such headcloth; it must have been made since Emperor Wen's reign.

從駕登太行山，詔問賾曰：「何處有羊腸阪？」 While accompanying the emperor up Mount Taihang, he was asked by imperial edict: "Where is Yangchang Slope?"

賾對曰：「臣按《漢書·地理志》，上党壺關縣有羊腸阪。」 Ze answered: "According to the Geography Monograph in the Book of Han, Yangchang Slope is in Huchang County, Shangdang."

因謂牛弘曰：「崔祖浚所謂問一知二。」 He then said to Niu Hong: "This is what Cui Zujun meant by 'ask one and know two.'"

遼東之役，授鷹揚長史，置遼東郡縣名，皆賾之議也。 During the Liaodong campaign he was made Chief Secretary of the Eagle-Flying Guard; the names chosen for the new Liaodong commanderies and counties were all proposed by Ze.

宇文化及之弑帝也，引為著作郎，稱疾不起。 When Yuwen Huaji murdered the emperor, Ze was offered the post of Compiler but pleaded illness and refused to serve.

賾與洛陽元善、河東柳抃、太原王劭、吳興姚察、琅邪諸葛潁、信都劉焯、河間劉炫相善，每因休假，清談竟日。 Ze was close friends with Yuan Shan of Luoyang, Liu Bian of Hedong, Wang Shao of Taiyuan, Yao Cha of Wuxing, Zhuge Ying of Langya, Liu Chuo of Xindu, and Liu Xuan of Hejian; on holidays they would talk together from morning till night.

崔廓感於屈辱，遂以肥遁見稱，祖浚文籍之美，足以克隆先構，父子雖動靜殊方，其于成名一也，美哉！ Cui Kuo, stirred by humiliation, came to be praised for his ample withdrawal; Zujun's literary brilliance was sufficient to continue and enlarge the ancestral achievement—father and son, though active and still in different directions, in achieving fame were one; how fine!

New Book of Tang, Chapter 95Volume 95 Biographies 20: Gao Jian and Fifth Generation Descendents: Gao Zhong, Dou Weizhi, Douzhi, Dou Gui, Dou Cong, Dou Kang, Dou Jing, Dou Dan, Dou Zhi, Dou Congsun: Dou Dexuan · 1 passage

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隋司隸大夫薛道衡、起居舍人崔祖浚皆宿臣顯重，與為忘年友，繇是有名。 He became friends across the generations with two eminent Sui veterans — Xue Daoheng, Grand Master of the Capital Inspectors, and Cui Zujun, Imperial Diarist — and through them won a name for himself.