Volume 23 Biographies 15: Wei Langen; Cui Quan

魏蘭根崔悛子瞻

Wei Langen; Cui Juan; and his son Zhan

魏蘭根，鉅鹿下曲陽人也。父伯成，魏中山太守。蘭根身長八尺，儀貌奇偉，泛覽群書，誦《左氏傳》、《周易》，機警有識悟。起家北海王國侍郎，歷定州長流參軍。丁母憂，居喪有孝稱。將葬常山郡境，先有董卓祠，祠有柏樹。蘭根以卓兇逆無道，不應遺祠至今，乃伐柏以為槨材。人或勸之不伐，蘭根盡取之，了無疑懼。遭父喪，廬於墓側，負土成墳，憂毀殆於滅性。後為司空、司徒二府記室參軍，轉夏州平北府長史，入為司徒掾，出除本郡太守，並有當官之能。

Wei Langen came from Xiaquyang in Julu Commandery. His father Bocheng had served in Wei as administrator of Zhongshan. Langen stood eight chi tall, with a striking presence. He read widely, knew the Zuo Tradition and Book of Changes by heart, and was quick-witted and perceptive. He began as gentleman-attendant in the household of the Prince of Beihai and later served as senior recorder in Ding Province. When his mother died he entered mourning and won renown for filial piety. The burial was to take place in Changshan Commandery, where a shrine to Dong Zhuo already stood, with a cypress tree on the grounds. Langen held that Dong Zhuo, wicked and lawless, ought not to have a shrine surviving to the present. He felled the cypress for coffin timber. Some urged him not to cut the tree; Langen took all he needed without the least fear. When his father died he built a hut beside the tomb and carried earth to mound the grave, grieving until he nearly destroyed himself. Later he served as recorder in the offices of the minister of works and minister over the masses, became chief clerk of the pingbei headquarters in Xia Province, entered service as staff officer to the minister over the masses, and went out as administrator of his home commandery — proving competent in every post.

正光末，尚書令李崇為本郡都督，率眾討茹茹，以蘭根為長史。因說崇曰：「緣邊諸鎮，控攝長遠。昔時初置，地廣人稀，或徵發中原強宗子弟，或國之肺腑，寄以爪牙。中年以來，有司乖實，號曰府戶，役同廝養，官婚班齒，致失清流。而本宗舊類，各各榮顯，顧瞻彼此，理當憤怨。更張琴瑟，今也其時，靜境寧邊，事之大者。宜改鎮立州，分置郡縣，凡是府戶，悉免為民，入仕次敘，一準其舊，文武兼用，威恩並施。此計若行，國家庶無北顧之慮矣。」崇以秦聞，事寢不報。軍還，除冠軍將軍，轉司徒右長史，假節，行豫州事。

At the end of Zhenguang, Minister of Works Li Chong was made regional commander of the commandery and led forces against the Rouran, with Langen as his chief clerk. He thereupon said to Li Chong: "The frontier garrisons were meant to control distant borders. When first established, the land was broad and people sparse. Some drew strong clan sons from the interior; some were the state's very flesh and blood, posted as its claws and teeth. In later years the supervising offices lost touch with reality. Called 'garrison households,' they were worked like bond-servants; official marriage-by-roster drove them from the gentry. Yet each clan's original kin still rose to glory — and seeing the contrast, resentment was inevitable. To re-tune policy — the time is now. Quieting the borders is the greatest task of state. Replace the garrisons with provinces and establish commanderies and counties. Free every garrison household as a commoner, restore them to their former place in office — use civil and military together, majesty and grace alike. If this plan prevails, the state may be spared constant watch to the north." Chong reported upward; the proposal died in the bureaucracy. When the army returned, he was made general who wins every battle, then senior clerk on the right of the minister over the masses, with ceremonial staff, conducting affairs of Yu Province.

孝昌初，轉岐州刺史。從行臺蕭寶寅討破宛川，俘其民人為奴婢，以美女十人賞蘭根。蘭根辭曰：「此縣界於強虜，皇威未接，無所適從，故成背叛。今當寒者衣之，饑者食之，奈何將充僕隸乎？」盡以歸其父兄。部內麥多五穗，鄰州田鼠為災，犬牙不入岐境。屬秦隴反叛，蕭寶寅敗於涇州，高平虜賊逼岐州，州城民逼囚蘭根降賊。寶寅至雍州，收輯散亡，兵威復振，城民復斬賊刺史侯莫陳仲和，推蘭根復任。朝廷以蘭根得西土人心，加持節、假平西將軍、都督涇岐東秦南岐四州軍事，兼四州行臺尚書。尋入拜光祿大夫。

At the beginning of Xiaochang he transferred to inspector of Qi Province. Following Mobile Headquarters Xiao Baoyin, he helped defeat Wanchuan. Captives were made slaves; ten fair women were awarded to Langen as his prize. Langen declined, saying, "This county borders strong enemies. Imperial authority had not yet reached them; with nowhere to turn, they rebelled. Those who are cold should be clothed and those who hunger fed — how can we turn them into bond-servants?" He returned them all to their fathers and elder brothers. In his district wheat often bore five ears on one stalk; neighboring provinces suffered field-mouse plagues, but the blight did not cross into Qi territory. When Qin and Long rose in rebellion, Xiao Baoyin was defeated at Jing Province. Gaoping barbarian bandits pressed Qi Province, and townsfolk forced Langen into captivity to surrender to the rebels. Baoyin reached Yong Province, gathered scattered troops, and military prestige revived. The townsfolk beheaded the rebel inspector Hou Mo-Chen Zhonghe and urged Langen to resume office. Because Langen had won the hearts of the western territories, the court granted him ceremonial staff, made him provisional general who pacifies the west, supervisor of military affairs in Jing, Qi, Eastern Qin, and Southern Qi, and concurrent mobile headquarters master of writing for the four provinces. Soon he entered court and was appointed grand master for splendid happiness.

孝昌末，河北流人南渡，以蘭根兼尚書，使齊、濟、二兗四州安撫，並置郡縣。河間邢杲反於青、兗之間，杲，蘭根之甥也，復詔蘭根銜命慰勞。杲不下，仍隨元天穆討之。還，除太府卿，辭不拜。轉安東將軍、中書令。

At the end of Xiaochang, refugees from Hebei crossed south. Langen was made concurrent master of writing and sent to pacify Qi, Ji, and the two Yan provinces, establishing commanderies and counties as he went. Xing Gao of Hejian rebelled between Qing and Yan. Gao was Langen's nephew by marriage, and again an edict ordered Langen to bear credentials and reassure him. Gao would not submit; Langen thereupon followed Yuan Tianmu to campaign against him. On return he was made grand director of the imperial storeroom but declined and did not accept. He transferred to general who pacifies the east and master of writing in the secretariat.

莊帝之將誅尒朱榮也，蘭根聞其計，遂密告尒朱世隆。榮死，蘭根恐莊帝知之，憂懼不知所出。時應詔王道習見信於莊帝，蘭根乃托附之，求得在外立功。道習為啟聞，乃以蘭根為河北行臺，於定州率募鄉曲，欲防井陘。時尒朱榮將侯深自范陽趣中山，蘭根與戰，大敗，走依渤海高乾。屬乾兄弟舉義，因在其中。高祖至，以蘭根宿望，深禮遇之。中興初，加車騎大將軍、尚書右僕射。及高祖將入洛陽，遣蘭根先至京師。時廢立未決，令蘭根觀察魏前廢帝。帝神采高明，蘭根恐於後難測，遂與高幹兄弟及黃門崔悛同心固請於高祖，言廢帝本是胡賊所推，今若仍立，於理不允。高祖不得已，遂立武帝。廢帝素有德業，而為蘭根等構毀，深為時論所非。

As Emperor Zhuang was about to execute Erzhu Rong, Langen heard of the plan and secretly informed Erzhu Shilong. When Rong died, Langen feared Zhuang would learn of his involvement and was anxious, not knowing what to do. At the time Wang Daoxi, attendant respondant to edicts, enjoyed Zhuang's trust. Langen attached himself to him, seeking merit in the field. Daoxi memorialized on his behalf, and Langen was made Hebei mobile headquarters commissioner, recruiting local levies in Ding Province to guard Jingxing Pass. At the time Erzhu Rong's general Hou Shen advanced from Fanyang toward Zhongshan. Langen fought him, was routed, and fled to join Gao Gan of Bohai. When the Gan brothers raised the righteous banner, he was among them. When Gao Huan arrived, he treated Langen with deep courtesy because of his long-standing repute. At the beginning of Zhongxing he was additionally made grand general of chariots and cavalry and right vice director of the masters of writing. When Gao Huan was about to enter Luoyang, he sent Langen ahead to the capital. As deposition and enthronement were still undecided, he ordered Langen to observe the Wei Former Deposed Emperor. The emperor's bearing was lofty and bright; Langen feared he would prove hard to control later. He joined the Gan brothers and Cui Juan of the yellow gate in pressing Gao Huan: the deposed emperor had been set up by barbarian rebels — to restore him would not be just. Gao Huan, with no choice, thereupon enthroned Emperor Wucheng. The deposed emperor had long possessed virtue and achievement, yet Langen and others framed and defamed him — and were deeply censured by contemporary opinion.

太昌初，除儀同三司，尋加開府，封鉅鹿縣侯，邑七百戶。啟授兄子同達。蘭根既預義勳，位居端揆，至是始敘復岐州勳，封永興縣侯，邑千戶。高乾之死，蘭根懼，去宅，避於寺。武帝大加譴責，蘭根憂怖，乃移病解僕射。天平初，以病篤上表求還鄉里。魏帝遣舍人石長宣就家勞問，猶以開府儀同，門施行馬，歸於本鄉。二年卒，時年六十一。贈冀定殷三州軍事、定州刺史、司徒公、侍中，諡曰文宣。蘭根雖以功名自立，然善附會，出處之際，多以計數為先，是以不為清論所許。

At the beginning of Taichang he was made equal in protocol to three imperators, soon additionally opener of a government office, and enfeoffed marquis of Julu County with seven hundred households. He memorialized to grant his elder brother's son Tongda a portion of the fief. Having shared in the founding merit and now at the summit of office, Langen at last had his Qi Province service recognized and was enfeoffed marquis of Yongxing with one thousand households. When Gao Gan died, Langen took fright, left his house, and took refuge in a monastery. Emperor Wucheng severely condemned him. Langen, terrified, cited illness and resigned as vice director. At the beginning of Tianping, gravely ill, he memorialized asking to return home. The Wei emperor sent Gentleman of the Household Shi Changxuan to visit his home with imperial consolation. He still held opener-of-office protocol and the gate display of posting horses, then returned to his native place. In the second year he died, aged sixty-one. Posthumously granted supervisor of military affairs in Ji, Ding, and Yin provinces, inspector of Ding Province, duke over the masses, and palace attendant, with the posthumous title Wenzuan. Though Langen had risen by merit, he was skilled at trimming to circumstance; in advancing and withdrawing he often calculated first — and was not approved by men of pure judgment.

長子相如，秘書郎中。以建義勳，尋加將軍。襲父爵，遷安東將軍、殷州別駕，入為侍御史。武定三年卒。次子敬仲。肅宗時，佐命功臣配享，而不及蘭根。敬仲表訴，帝以詔命既行，難於追改，擢敬仲為祠部郎中。卒於章武太守。

His eldest son Xiangru served as gentleman in the secretariat. For Jianyi merit he was soon additionally made a general. He inherited his father's enfeoffment, became general who pacifies the east and chief clerk in Yin Province, and entered court as attending censor. He died in the third year of Wuding. His second son was Jingzhong. Under Emperor Suzong, founding merit-holders were granted temple companionship — but Langen was not included. Jingzhong petitioned; the emperor, because the edict had already gone forth, found revision difficult but promoted Jingzhong to gentleman in the Ministry of Rites. He died while serving as administrator of Zhangwu.

蘭根族弟明朗，頗涉經史，粗有文性。累遷大司馬府法曹參軍，兼尚書金部郎中。元顥入洛陽，明朗為南道行臺郎中，為顥所擒。後棄顥逃還，除龍驤將軍、中散大夫，賜爵鉅鹿侯。永安末，蘭根為河北行臺，引明朗為左丞。及蘭根中山之敗，俱歸高祖。中興初，拜撫軍將軍，出為安德太守。後轉衛將軍、右光祿大夫、定州大中正。武定初，為顯祖諮議參軍。出為平陽太守，為御史所劾，因被禁止。遇病卒。

Langen's clansman Minglang had some learning in the classics and histories and a rough literary bent. He rose repeatedly to legal bureau clerk in the grand marshal's office and concurrently gentleman in the gold section of the masters of writing. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, Minglang was attendant on the southern route mobile headquarters and was captured. Later he abandoned Hao and fled back, was made general of nimble cavalry and regular grand master, and granted the noble rank marquis of Julu. At the end of Yong'an, when Langen was Hebei mobile headquarters commissioner, he brought in Minglang as left aide. When Langen was defeated at Zhongshan, both returned to Gao Huan. At the beginning of Zhongxing he was made general who pacifies the army and went out as administrator of Ande. Later he became guard general, right grand master for splendid happiness, and great arbiter of Ding Province. At the beginning of Wuding he was advisory staff officer to Gao Yang. He went out as administrator of Pingyang, was impeached by the censor, and was detained. He fell ill and died.

明朗從弟愷，少抗直有才辯。魏末，辟開府行參軍，稍遷尚書郎、齊州長史。天保中，聘陳使副。遷青州長史，固辭不就。楊愔以聞，顯祖大怒，謂愔云：「何物漢子，我與官不肯就！明日將過，我自共語。」是時顯祖已失德，朝廷皆為之懼，而愷情貌坦然。顯祖切責之，仍云：「死與長史孰優，任卿選一處。」愷答云：「能殺臣者是陛下，不受長史者是愚臣，伏聽明詔。」顯祖謂愔云：「何慮無人作官職，苦用此漢何為，放其還家，永不收采。」由是積年沈廢。後遇楊愔於路，微自披陳。楊答曰：「發詔授官，咸由聖旨，非選曹所悉，公不勞見訴。」愷應聲曰：「雖復零雨自天，終待雲興四嶽。公豈得言不知？」楊欣然曰：「此言極為簡要，更不須多語。」數日，除霍州刺史。在職有治方，為邊民悅服。大寧中，卒於膠州刺史。

Minglang's younger clansman Kai was from youth upright and outspoken, with a gift for debate. At the end of Wei he was recruited as mobile headquarters attendant and gradually rose to master of writing and chief clerk of Qi Province. In Tianbao he served as deputy envoy on a mission to Chen. He was transferred to chief clerk of Qing Province and firmly declined. Yang Yin reported it. Gao Yang flew into a rage and told Yin, "What sort of fellow is this — I offer him office and he refuses! Tomorrow when he passes by, I will speak with him myself." By then Gao Yang had already lost restraint; the whole court feared for Kai, yet his bearing stayed calm. Gao Yang sharply rebuked him, then said, "Death or the chief clerk's post — which is better? Choose as you will." Kai replied, "He who can kill me is Your Majesty; he who refuses the chief clerk's post is your foolish servant. I await your clear command." Gao Yang said to Yin, "Why fear that no one will fill offices — why bother with this fellow? Let him go home and never recall him." Thereby he sank into obscurity for many years. Later he met Yang Yin on the road and briefly unburdened himself. Yang replied, "Edicts granting office issue from the throne — the selection bureau knows nothing of it. You need not appeal to me." Kai answered at once, "Though the scattered rain comes from heaven, in the end one must wait for clouds to rise from the four peaks. How can you say you do not know?" Yang said with delight, "Those words are perfectly apt — no more need be said." Within days he was made inspector of Huo Province. In office he governed effectively and won the border people's trust. In the Daning era he died while serving as inspector of Jiao Province.

愷從子彥卿，魏大司農季景之子。武平中，兼通直散騎常侍，聘陳使副。

Kai's younger clansman Yanqing was son of Wei grand director of the imperial granary Ji Jing. In Wuping he was concurrently regular attendant for the palace in direct service on imperial dispatch, deputy envoy to Chen.

彥卿弟澹，學識有詞藻。武平初，殿中御史，遷中書舍人，待詔文林館。隋開皇中，太子舍人、著作郎。撰《後魏書》九十二卷，甚得史體，時稱其善云。

Yanqing's younger brother Tan was learned and had a gift for letters. At the beginning of Wuping he served as palace investigating censor, then was transferred to secretariat attendant and awaited edicts at the Wulin Hall. Under Sui, in the Kaihuang era, he was attendant to the crown prince and director of composition. He compiled the Book of Later Wei in ninety-two juan, which caught the historiographic manner well; contemporaries praised it.

崔悛，字長孺，清河東武城人也。父休，魏七兵尚書，贈僕射。悛狀貌偉麗，善於容止，少有名望，為當時所知。初為魏世宗挽郎，釋褐太學博士。永安中，坐事免歸鄉里。高祖於信都起義，悛歸焉。高祖見之，甚悅，以為諮議參軍。尋除給事黃門侍郎，遷將軍、右光祿大夫。高祖入洛，議定廢立。太僕綦儁盛稱普泰王賢明，可以為社稷主。悛曰：「若其明聖，自可待我高王，徐登九五。既為逆胡所立，何得猶作天子。若從儁言，王師何名義舉？」由是中興、普泰皆廢，更立平陽王為帝。以建義功，封武城縣公，邑一千四百戶，進位車騎大將軍、左光祿大夫，仍領黃門郎。

Cui Quan, styled Changru, came from Dongwucheng in Qinghe. His father Xiu had been Wei minister of the seven armories and was posthumously granted vice director of the secretariat. Quan was tall and striking, skilled in bearing; even in youth he had a name, and his contemporaries knew him. He began as a dirge-bearer for Emperor Shizong of Wei and, on leaving that post, was made erudite of the Imperial Academy. In the Yongan era he was dismissed for an offense and returned to his home district. When Gao Huan raised the righteous cause at Xindu, Quan came to join him. Gao Huan saw him and was greatly pleased, appointing him advisory aide. Soon he was made attendant of the yellow gate, then transferred to general and right grand master for splendid happiness. When Gao Huan entered Luoyang, they deliberated on deposing and enthroning. Grand master of the stud Qi Jun lavishly praised the Prince of Putai as worthy and bright, fit to be lord of the realm. Quan said, "If he were bright and sage, he could naturally await our Prince Gao and slowly take the throne. Since rebellious barbarians enthroned him, how can he still be Son of Heaven? If we follow Jun's counsel, what righteous name does the royal army march under?" Thereupon both the Zhongxing and Putai rulers were deposed, and the Prince of Pingyang was enthroned instead. For merit in raising the righteous cause he was enfeoffed duke of Wucheng County with a fief of fourteen hundred households, advanced to general of chariots and cavalry and left grand master for splendid happiness, and still headed the yellow gate office.

悛居門下，恃預義旗，頗自矜縱。尋以貪汙為御史糾劾，因逃還鄉里，遇赦始出。高祖以㥄本預義旗，復其黃門。天平初，為侍讀，監典書。尋除徐州刺史，給廣宗部曲三百、清河部曲千人。悛性豪慢，寵妾馮氏，假其威刑，恣情取受，風政不立。初悛為常侍，求人修起居注。或曰：「魏收可。」悛曰：「收輕薄徒耳。」更引祖鴻勛為之。既居樞要，又以盧元明代收為中書郎，由是收銜之。及收聘梁，過徐州，悛備刺史鹵簿而送之，使人相聞魏曰：「勿怪儀衛多，稽古之力也。」收報曰：「白崔徐州，建義之勳，何稽古之有！」悛自以門閥素高，特不平此言。收乘宿憾，故以挫之。罷州，除七兵尚書、清河邑中正。

Quan served in the gate office, trusting in his share in the righteous banner, and grew rather proud and unrestrained. Soon the censorate impeached him for corruption; he fled home and emerged only after an amnesty. Because Quan had originally joined the righteous banner, Gao Huan restored him to the yellow gate. At the beginning of Tianping he was lecturer-in-attendance and supervised the palace library. Soon he was made governor of Xu Province, with three hundred Guangzong retainers and a thousand Qinghe retainers granted him. Quan was arrogant by nature; he favored his concubine Lady Feng and lent her his punitive authority, so she extorted at will and local government collapsed. When Quan was first regular attendant, he sought someone to compile the imperial diary. Someone said, "Wei Shou would do." Quan said, "Shou is nothing but a frivolous fellow." He brought in Zu Hongxun instead. Once he held a pivotal post, he also had Lu Yuanming replace Shou as secretariat gentleman — from this Shou bore a grudge. When Shou went on a mission to Liang and passed through Xu Province, Quan sent him off with a governor's full train of insignia and had a man tell Wei, "Do not wonder at the many guards — it is the power of classical learning." Shou replied, "Tell Governor Cui of Xu: merit in raising the righteous cause — what has that to do with classical learning!" Quan, trusting in his clan's long eminence, was especially displeased at this remark. Shou seized on an old resentment and used the occasion to humiliate him. When he left the province he was made minister of the seven armories and chief clan elder of Qinghe.

趙郡李渾嘗宴聚名輩，詩酒正驩嘩，悛後到，一坐無復談話者。鄭伯猷嘆曰：「身長八尺，面如刻畫，謦咳為洪鐘響，胸中貯千卷書，使人那得不畏服！」

Li Hun of Zhao commandery once feasted a gathering of eminent men; poetry and wine were in full clamor when Quan arrived late — and the whole table fell silent. Zheng Boyou sighed and said, "Eight feet tall, a face carved in relief, a cough like a great bell, a thousand scrolls in the breast — how could one not fear and submit!"

悛每以籍地自矜，謂盧元明曰：「天下盛門，唯我與爾，博崔趙李，何事者哉！」崔暹聞而銜之。高祖葬後，悛又竊言：「黃頷小兒堪當重任不？」暹外兄李慎以。悛言告暹。暹啟世宗，絕悛朝謁。悛要拜道左，世宗發怒曰：「黃頷小兒，何足拜也！」於是鎖悛赴晉陽而訊之。悛不伏，暹引刑子才為證，子才執無此言。㥄在禁，謂子才曰：「卿知我意屬太丘不？」子才出告悛子瞻云：「尊公意正應欲結姻於陳元康。」瞻有女，乃許妻元康子，求其父。元康為言之於世宗曰：「崔悛名望素重，不可以私處言語便以殺之。」世宗曰：「若免其性命，猶當徙之遐裔。」元康曰：「悛若在邊，或將外叛。以英賢資寇敵，非所宜也。」世宗曰：「既有季圭之罪，還令輸作可乎？」元康曰：「嘗讀《崔琰傳》，追恨魏武不弘。悛若在作所而殞，後世豈道公不殺也？」世宗曰：「然則奈何？」元康曰：「崔悛合死，朝野莫不知之，公誠能以寬濟猛，特輕其罰，則仁德彌著，天下歸心。」乃舍之。悛進謁奉謝，世宗猶怒曰：「我雖無堪，忝當大任，被卿名作黃頷小兒，金石可銷，此言難滅！」

Quan often prided himself on his registered pedigree and said to Lu Yuanming, "Among the great houses under Heaven, only you and I; the Bo, Cui, Zhao, and Li clans — what are they worth!" Cui Xian heard of it and bore a grudge. After Gao Huan's burial, Quan again spoke in private, "Can this yellow-bearded boy bear heavy responsibility?" Cui Xian's cousin by marriage Li Shen heard of it. Quan's remark was reported to Xian. Xian memorialized Emperor Wen, and Quan's court attendance was cut off. Quan wanted to bow by the roadside; Emperor Wen flared in anger and said, "Yellow-bearded boy — what is there to bow to!" Thereupon Quan was shackled and taken to Jinyang for interrogation. Quan would not confess; Xian cited Xing Zicai of the ministry of justice as witness, and Zicai maintained that no such words had been spoken. Quan, in detention, said to Zicai, "Do you know my mind is set on Taqiu?" Zicai went out and told Quan's son Zhan, "Your father's intent surely is to ally by marriage with Chen Yuankang." Zhan had a daughter; he thereupon betrothed her to Yuankang's son and sought his father's release. Yuankang spoke for him to Emperor Wen, saying, "Cui Quan's renown has long been weighty; he must not be put to death over private words." Emperor Wen said, "If his life is spared, he should still be banished to the far marches." Yuankang said, "If Quan is on the frontier, he may yet defect abroad. To supply the enemy with a man of talent is not fitting." Emperor Wen said, "Since he has the crime of Jigui, might he still be sent to corvée labor?" Yuankang said, "I once read the biography of Cui Yan and regretted that Wei Wu was not magnanimous. If Quan dies in the labor camp, will later ages not say that you killed him after all?" Emperor Wen said, "Then what is to be done?" Yuankang said, "Cui Quan deserves death — court and countryside alike know it; if you can temper severity with leniency and especially lighten his punishment, benevolent virtue will shine the brighter and all under Heaven will turn their hearts to you." Thereupon he was released. Quan came forward to offer thanks; Emperor Wen was still angry and said, "Though I am unworthy, I shamefully bear great responsibility — yet you named me 'yellow-bearded boy.' Metal and stone may wear away; this saying is hard to extinguish!"

天保初，除侍中，監起居。以禪代之際，參掌儀禮，別封新豐縣男，邑二百戶，迴授第九弟約。悛一門婚嫁，皆是衣冠之美，吉凶儀範，為當時所稱。婁太后為博陵王納悛妹為妃，勑中使曰：「好作法用，勿使崔家笑人。」婚夕，顯祖舉酒祝曰：「新婦宜男，孝順富貴。」悛奏曰：「孝順出自臣門，富貴恩由陛下。」

At the beginning of Tianbao he was made palace attendant and supervised the imperial diary. At the abdication and succession he took part in managing ritual; he was separately enfeoffed baron of Xinfeng County with a fief of two hundred households, which he turned over to his ninth younger brother Yue. Throughout Quan's clan, marriages were all into the finest official families; rites for auspicious and inauspicious occasions were praised in his day. Empress Dowager Lou took Quan's younger sister as consort for the Prince of Boling and charged the palace envoy, "Use proper ceremonial forms — do not let the Cui family laugh at others." On the wedding night Emperor Wenxuan raised his cup and prayed, "May the new bride bear sons, be filial and obedient, rich and noble." Quan submitted, "Filial obedience comes from my clan; wealth and honor are grace from Your Majesty."

五年，出為東兗州刺史，復攜馮氏之部。悛尋遇偏風，而馮氏驕縱，受納狼藉，為御史所劾，與㥄俱召詣廷尉。尋有別勑，斬馮於都市。悛以疾卒獄中，年六十一。

In the fifth year he went out as governor of Eastern Yan Province, again taking Lady Feng's retainers with him. Quan soon suffered hemiplegia, while Lady Feng grew arrogant and unrestrained; her bribes lay in disorder, and the censorate impeached them — Quan and she were both summoned before the minister of justice. Soon a separate edict came down; Feng was beheaded in the market. Quan died of illness in prison at age sixty-one.

悛歷覽群書，兼有詞藻，自中興立後，迄於武帝，詔誥表檄，多悛所為。然率性豪侈，溺於財色，諸弟之間，不能盡雍穆之美，世論以此譏之。悛素與魏收不協，收既專典國史，悛恐被惡言，乃悅之曰：「昔有班固，今則魏子。」收笑而憾不釋。子瞻嗣。

Quan read widely and had literary talent; from the Zhongxing enthronement down to Emperor Wu, most edicts, mandates, memorials, and proclamations were his work. Yet by nature he was extravagant and proud, sunk in wealth and women; among his brothers he could not fully achieve harmonious kinship — and public opinion reproached him for it. Quan had long been at odds with Wei Shou; once Shou came to monopolize the national history, Quan feared slander and flattered him, saying, "In old times there was Ban Gu; today there is Master Wei." Shou smiled, yet his resentment did not lift. His son Zhan succeeded.

瞻字彥通，聰明強學，有文情，善容止，神采嶷然，言不妄發。年十五，刺史高昂召署主簿，清河公岳辟開府西閣祭酒。崔暹為中尉，啟除御史，以才望見收，非其好也。高祖入朝，還晉陽，被召與北海王晞陪從，俱為諸子賓友。仍為相府中兵參軍，轉主簿。世宗崩，秘未發喪，顯祖命瞻兼相府司馬使鄴。魏孝靜帝以人日登雲龍門，其父悛侍宴，又敕瞻令近御坐，亦有應詔詩，問邢卲等曰：「此詩何如其父？」咸云：「悛博雅弘麗，瞻氣調清新，並詩人之冠。」宴罷，共嗟賞之，咸云：「今日之讌，併為崔瞻父子。」

Zhan, styled Yantong, was bright and studied hard; he had literary sensibility, skilled bearing, a lofty and striking mien, and did not speak idly. At fifteen Governor Gao Ang summoned him as chief clerk; the Duke of Qinghe, Yue, recruited him as libationer of the western pavilion of the open government. Cui Xian was commandant of justice; he memorialized to appoint Zhan censor — he was taken in for talent and reputation, which Xian did not favor. When Gao Huan entered court and returned to Jinyang, Zhan was summoned together with the Prince of Beihai Xi to attend in company; both became companion-friends to the sons. He then served as middle army aide in the chancellor's government and was transferred to chief clerk. When Emperor Wen died the death was kept secret; Emperor Wenxuan ordered Zhan concurrently to serve as marshal of the chancellor's government and go to Ye. Emperor Xiaojing of Wei, on the Human Day, ascended the Cloud Dragon Gate; his father Quan attended the feast, and the emperor also ordered Zhan to draw near the imperial seat; he too had a poem in response to the imperial command, and the emperor asked Xing Shao and the others, "How does this poem compare with his father's?" All said, "Quan is broad, elegant, and grand; Zhan's tone is fresh and clear — both crown the poets of the age." When the feast ended they sighed in admiration together, all saying, "Today's banquet belonged alike to father and son, the Cui Zhan pair."

天保初，兼幷省吏部郎中。尋丁憂，起為司徒屬。楊愔欲引瞻為中書侍郎。時盧思道直中書省，因問思道曰：「我此日多務，都不見崔瞻文藻，卿與其親通，理當相悉。」思道答曰：「崔瞻文詞之美，實有可稱，但舉世重其風流，所以才華見沒。」愔云：「此言有理。」便奏用之。事既施行。愔又曰：「昔裴瓚晉世為中書郎，神情高邁，每於禁門出入，宿衛者肅然動容。崔生堂堂之貌，亦當無愧裴子。」

At the beginning of Tianbao he concurrently served as bureau director in the ministry of personnel of the parallel province. Soon he entered mourning; when mourning ended he was summoned as aide to the minister of state. Yang Yin wished to bring Zhan in as secretariat vice director. At the time Lu Sidao was on duty in the secretariat; he therefore asked Sidao, "These days I am overwhelmed with affairs and have not seen Cui Zhan's literary talent at all; you are on intimate terms with him and ought by rights to know him well." Sidao answered, "Cui Zhan's literary phrasing is truly praiseworthy, but the world values his romantic air, and therefore his talent is overshadowed." Yin said, "This remark has reason." He thereupon memorialized to employ him. Once the matter had been carried out. Yin again said, "In Jin times Pei Zan was secretariat gentleman; his spirit was lofty and far-reaching — each time he passed in and out of the forbidden gate the night guards would soberly stir. Master Cui's imposing appearance should likewise be no disgrace to Master Pei."

瞻性簡傲，以才地自矜，所與周旋，皆一時名望。在御史臺，恒於宅中送食，備盡珍羞，別室獨飡，處之自若。有一河東人士姓裴，亦為御史，伺瞻食，便往造焉。瞻不與交言，又不命匕筯。裴坐觀瞻食罷而退。明日，裴自攜匕筯，恣情飲噉。瞻方謂裴云：「我初不喚君食，亦不共君語，君遂能不拘小節。昔劉毅在京口，冒請鵝炙，豈亦異於是乎？君定名士。」於是每與之同食。

Zhan was terse and proud by nature; he prided himself on talent and pedigree; those with whom he associated were all men of name and standing in the age. While at the censorate he constantly had food sent to his residence, furnished with every delicacy; in a separate room he dined alone, comporting himself at ease. There was a man of Hedong surnamed Pei who was also a censor; he watched for Zhan's mealtime and went to visit him. Zhan did not converse with him, nor did he offer chopsticks and spoon. Pei sat watching until Zhan finished eating and withdrew. The next day Pei brought his own chopsticks and spoon and ate and drank to his heart's content. Zhan then said to Pei, "At first I did not summon you to eat, nor did I speak with you — yet you could disregard petty restraint. Your disposition Long ago Liu Yi at Jingkou shamelessly demanded roast goose — is this not much the same? You are a true man of note." From then on he shared every meal with him.

悛昆季仲文，有學尚，魏高陽太守、清河內史。興和中，為丞相掾。沙苑之敗，仲文持馬尾以渡河，波中乍沒乍出。高祖望見曰：「崔掾也。」遽遣船赴接。既濟，勞之曰：「卿為親為君，不顧萬死，可謂家之孝子，國之忠臣。」加中軍將軍。天保初，拜散騎常侍、光祿大夫。七年卒，年六十。子偃，武平中，歷太子洗馬、尚書郎。偃弟儦，學識有才思，風調甚高。武平中，瑯琊王大司馬中兵參軍。參定五禮，待詔文林館。隋仁壽中，卒於通直散騎常侍。叔仁，魏潁州刺史。子彥武，有識用，朝歌令。隋開皇初，魏州刺史。子侃，魏末兼通直常侍，聘梁使。子極，武平初太子僕，卒於武德郡守。子聿，魏東莞太守。子約，司空祭酒。

Juan's brother Zhongwen pursued learning and held to what is right; under Wei he served as prefect of Gaoyang and interior minister of Qinghe. In the Xinghe reign he was a staff officer to the chancellor. When Shayuan was lost, Zhongwen seized a horse's tail to ford the river, now swallowed by the water, now breaking the surface again. Gao Huan saw him and said, "That is Staff Officer Cui." At once he sent a boat to bring him in. When he had crossed, Gao Huan comforted him: "You risked everything for family and for your lord — at home a filial son, to the state a loyal minister." He was promoted to general of the central army. At the opening of Tianbao he was made regular attendant-in-ordinary and grand master for splendid happiness. In the seventh year he died, aged sixty. His son Yan, in the Wuping era, served in turn as palace secretary and gentleman of the masters of writing. Yan's younger brother Biao was learned and quick of mind, with real literary gift; his manner and tone were very high. In Wuping he was military staff officer in the great army headquarters of the Prince of Langya. He took part in fixing the Five Rites and awaited orders at the Forest of Letters Hall. Under the Sui, in Renshou, he died in office as regular attendant-in-ordinary with unrestricted access. Shuren served under Wei as administrator of Ying Province. His son Yanwu had judgment and practical ability; he was magistrate of Chaoge. At the opening of Sui Kaihuang he was governor of Wei Province. His son Kan, in the final years of Wei, also served as unrestricted regular attendant and went as envoy to the Liang court. His son Ji, at the start of Wuping, was master of the palace household; he died in office as prefect of Wude Commandery. His son Yu was Wei administrator of Dongguan. His son Yue was libationer to the minister of works.

悛族叔景鳳，字鸞叔，悛五世祖逞玄孫也。景鳳涉學，以醫術知名。魏尚藥典御，天保中譙州刺史。景鳳兄景哲，魏太中大夫、司徒長史。子國，字法峻，幼好學，泛覽經傳，多伎藝，尤工相術。天保初尚藥典御，乾明拜高陽郡太守、太子家令，武平假儀同三司，卒於鴻臚卿。法峻以武平六年從駕在晉陽，嘗語中書侍郎李德林云：「此日看高相王以下文武官人相表，俱盡其事，口不忍言。唯弟一人，更應富貴，當在他國，不在本朝，吾亦不及見也。」其精妙如此。

Juan's clansman Jingfeng, styled Luanshu, was a great-great-grandson on the distant line of Juan's fifth-generation forebear Cheng. Jingfeng ranged through learning and won renown for medicine. Under Wei he was imperial physician-in-chief of the pharmacy; under Tianbao he was governor of Qiao Province. Jingfeng's elder brother Jingzhe was, under Wei, grand master of palace counsel and chief clerk to the minister of works. His son Guo, styled Fajun, loved learning from boyhood, read widely in the classics and histories, mastered many arts, and above all excelled at physiognomy. At the opening of Tianbao he was imperial physician-in-chief of the pharmacy; in Qianming he was made administrator of Gaoyang Commandery and master of the heir apparent's household; in Wuping he was given honorary commissioner equal in rank to the three dukes; he died in office as minister herald. In the sixth year of Wuping Fajun followed the imperial train at Jinyang and once told secretariat vice director Li Delin: "Today, reading the faces of civil and military men from the Prince of Xiang down, I saw each fate run to its end — my mouth cannot bear to say what I saw. Only my younger brother will know still greater wealth and rank — in another realm, not in this court; I shall not live to see it either." Such was the fineness of his art.

悛族子肇師，魏尚書僕射亮之孫也。父士太，諫議大夫。肇師少時疏放，長遂變節，更成謹厚。涉獵經史，頗有文思。襲父爵樂陵男。釋褐開府東閤祭酒，轉司空外兵參軍，遷大司馬府記室參軍。天平初，轉通直侍郎，為尉勞青州使。至齊州界，為土賊崔迦葉等所虜，欲逼與同事。肇師執節不動，諭以禍福，賊遂捨之。乃巡慰青部而還。元象中，數以中舍人接梁使。武定中，復兼中正員郎，送梁使徐州。還，勑修起居注。尋兼通直散騎常侍，聘梁副使。轉中書舍人。天保初，參定禪代禮儀，封襄城縣男，仍兼中書侍郎。二年卒，時年四十九。

Juan's clansman Zhaoshi was grandson of Wei, vice director of the masters of writing Liang. His father Shitai was remonstrating and editing grand master. In youth Zhaoshi was loose and unrestrained; as he matured he changed his ways and grew careful and solid. He ranged through the classics and histories and had real literary turn of mind. He inherited his father's title, baron of Leling. Upon leaving the robe he was sacrificial wine of the eastern pavilion of the opened government, then transferred to military staff officer in the ministry of works, and promoted to recording master in the great army headquarters. At the opening of Tianping he was transferred to vice director for direct access and sent as envoy to comfort Qing Province. When he reached the border of Qi Province, local bandits led by Cui Kumarajiva seized him. Zhaoshi held to his integrity and did not stir; he set out fortune and ruin before them, and the bandits let him go. He then made a circuit through the Qing region to offer comfort and returned. In the Yuanxiang era he several times, as palace draftsman, received Liang envoys. In the Wuding era he again concurrently served as correcting member and escorted Liang envoys to Xuzhou. On his return he was ordered to compile the imperial diary. Soon he also served as regular attendant-in-ordinary with unrestricted access and went as deputy envoy to Liang. He was transferred to secretariat draftsman. At the opening of Tianbao he took part in fixing the rites of abdication and enthronement; he was enfeoffed as baron of Xiangcheng and still held the post of secretariat vice director. In the second year he died, aged forty-nine.

史臣曰：蘭根早有名行，為時論所稱；長孺才望之美，見重當世。並功參霸迹，位遇通顯，與李元忠、盧文偉蓋義旗之人物歟？魏之要幸附會，崔以門地驕很，雖有周公之美，猶以為累德，況未足喻其高下也。瞻詞韻溫雅，風神秀發，亦一時之領袖焉。

The historian writes: Lan Gen early won a name for conduct that men of the age praised; Changru's talent and bearing were splendid, and his own time held him in honor. Both took part in the work of founding the realm and rose to open, shining rank — with Li Yuanzhong and Lu Wenwei, are they not men of the righteous banner? Wei courted the great and the favored; the Cuis leaned on birth and pride — though each bore something of the Duke of Zhou's grace, that still weighed on their moral credit, to say nothing of judging who stood higher or lower. Zhan's phrasing ran warm and fine, his spirit bright and quick to show — a leader among men of that day as well.

贊曰：崔、魏才望，見重霸初。名教之跡，其猶病諸。彥通尚志，家風有餘。

The encomium says: Cui and Wei — talent and standing honored at the dawn of hegemony. The marks left on moral teaching — were they not its very sickness? Yantong held to high purpose; the family manner still had something to spare.

全文以中華書局、一九七二年十一月、第一版《北齊書》為本校。

The entire text has been collated against the November 1972 first edition of the Book of Northern Qi published by Zhonghua Shuju.

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