1
薛琡敬顯儁平鑒
Xue Chu; Jing Xianjun; Ping Jian
2
薛琡，字曇珍，河南人。 其先代人，本姓叱干氏。 父彪子，魏徐州刺史。 琡形貌魁偉，少以幹用稱。 為典客令，每引客見，儀望甚美。 魏帝召而謂之曰：「卿風度峻整，姿貌秀異，後當升進，何以處官？」 琡曰：「宗廟之禮，不敢不敬，朝廷之事，不敢不忠，自此以外，非庸臣所及。」
Xue Chu, styled Tanzhen, came from Henan. His forebears for generations had been Dai people; the clan had originally borne the surname Chigan. His father Biaozi had been Wei inspector of Xu Province. Chu was tall and imposing; from youth he was known for competence and resolve. As director of guests for audiences, whenever he received visitors his bearing and presence were striking. The Wei emperor summoned him and said, "Your bearing is stern and composed, your appearance outstanding; you will rise in rank — what office do you desire?" Chu said, "In the rites of the ancestral temples I dare not be disrespectful; in the affairs of court I dare not be disloyal — beyond that, a mediocre minister cannot presume."
3
正光中，行洛陽令，部內肅然。 有犯法者，未加拷掠，直以辭理窮覈，多得其情。 於是豪猾畏威，事務簡靜。 時以久旱，京師見囚悉召集華林，理問寃滯，洛陽繫獄，唯有三人。 魏孝明嘉之，賜縑百疋。
In the Zhenguang era he acted as magistrate of Luoyang; within his district all was orderly. When anyone broke the law he did not resort to beating; he pursued the matter through argument and cross-examination alone, and in most cases got at the truth. The powerful and unruly feared his authority; affairs grew simple and quiet. At that time, because of long drought, all prisoners held in the capital were gathered at Hualin to review wrongs and delays; in Luoyang's jails only three remained. Emperor Xiaoming of Wei praised him and bestowed a hundred bolts of silk.
4
遷吏部，尚書崔亮奏立停年之格，不簡人才，專問勞舊。 琡上書，言：「黎元之命，繫於長吏，若得其人，則蘇息有地，任非其器，為患更深。 若使選曹唯取年勞，不簡賢否，便義均行雁，次若貫魚，執簿呼名，一吏足矣，數人而用，何謂銓衡？ 請不依此。」 書奏不報。 後因引見，復進諫曰：「共治天下，本屬百官。 是以漢朝常令三公大臣舉賢良方正、有道直言之士，以為長吏，監撫黎元。 自晉末以來，此風遂替。 今四方初定，務在養民。 臣請依漢氏更立四科，令三公貴臣各薦時賢，以補郡縣，明立條格，防其阿黨之端。」 詔下公卿議之，事亦寢。
He was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. Minister Cui Liang memorialized to establish the rule of halting by years of service, not screening for talent but asking only seniority and prior service. Chu submitted a memorial saying, "The lives of the people depend on their chief officials. If the right man is found, revival and rest have a place; if the wrong man holds office, the harm goes deeper. If the selection office takes only years of service and does not distinguish worthy from unworthy, then in principle it is like geese flying in rank or fish strung on a line — one clerk with the register calling names would suffice; what need is there for several men and the scales of appointment? I ask that this not be followed." The memorial was submitted but received no response. Later, on being summoned for audience, he again remonstrated, saying, "Governing the realm together is fundamentally the charge of all the hundred offices. Therefore the Han often ordered the three excellencies and great ministers to recommend men of worth and integrity, upright and learned, men who speak directly of the Way, to serve as chief officials overseeing and comforting the people. Since the end of Jin that custom has fallen away. Now the four quarters are newly settled; the task is to nurture the people. Your servant asks that following the Han we again establish the four categories, requiring the three excellencies and noble ministers each to recommend men of the time to fill commanderies and counties, with clear regulations to guard against the beginnings of faction." An edict was sent down for the excellencies and ministers to discuss; the matter likewise lapsed.
5
元天穆討邢杲也，以琡為行臺尚書。 時元顥已據酇城。 天穆集文武議其所先。 議者咸以杲衆甚盛，宜先經略。 琡以為邢杲聚衆無名，雖強猶賊； 元顥皇室昵親，來稱義舉，此恐難測。 杲鼠盜狗竊，非有遠志，宜先討顥。 天穆以群情所欲，遂先討杲。 杲降軍還，顥遂入洛。 天穆謂琡曰：「不用君言，乃至於此。」
When Yuan Tianmu campaigned against Xing Gao, Chu was made mobile headquarters minister of the masters of writing. At that time Yuan Hao already held Zan City. Tianmu gathered civil and military officers to discuss which foe to strike first. Those in council all said Xing's forces were very strong and should be dealt with first. Chu held that Xing Gao had gathered a crowd without legitimate cause; however strong, he was still a bandit; Yuan Hao was kin close to the imperial house; coming in the name of a righteous rising, his intentions were hard to read. Xing was a rat thief and dog pilferer, with no far-reaching ambition; Hao should be attacked first. Tianmu, yielding to what the assembly wanted, attacked Xing first. When Xing surrendered the army returned — and Hao then entered Luoyang. Tianmu said to Chu, "I did not heed your counsel, and it has come to this."
6
天平初，高祖引為丞相長史。 琡宿有能名，深被禮遇，軍國之事，多所聞知。 琡亦推誠盡節，屢進忠讜。 高祖大舉西伐，將度蒲津。 琡諫曰：「西賊連年饑饉，無可食啖，故冒死來入陜州，欲取倉粟。 今高司徒已圍陜城，粟不得出。 但置兵諸道，勿與野戰，比及來年麥秋，人民盡應餓死，寶炬、黑獺，自然歸降。 願王無渡河也。」 侯景亦曰：「今者之舉，兵衆極大，萬一不捷，卒難收斂。 不如分為二軍，相繼而進，前軍若勝，後軍合力，前軍若敗，後軍承之。」 高祖皆不納，遂有沙苑之敗。 累遷尚書僕射，卒。 臨終勑其子斂以時服，逾月便葬，不聽干求贈官。 自制喪車，不加雕飾，但用麻為流蘇，繩用網絡而已。 明器等物並不令置。
Early in Tianping, Gao Huan brought him in as chief administrator of the chancellor's office. Chu had long been known for ability and was treated with great courtesy; he was consulted on many matters of army and state. Chu likewise gave loyal service with full devotion and repeatedly offered forthright remonstrance. Gao Huan launched a great western campaign and was about to cross the Pu ford. Chu remonstrated, saying, "The western rebels have suffered famine year after year; they have nothing to eat. That is why they risk death to enter Shaan Province — to seize grain from the granaries. Now Minister Gao has already invested Tong Pass; the grain cannot get out. Simply place troops on the roads and do not fight in the open field. By next year's wheat harvest the people will all have starved; Bao Ju and Hei Hu will surrender of themselves. I beg Your Highness not to cross the river." Hou Jing also said, "This expedition's forces are immense; if by any chance we do not prevail, they will be hard to gather in again. Better to divide into two armies and advance in succession: if the vanguard wins, the rear joins its strength; if the vanguard falls, the rear takes up the fight." Gao Huan accepted neither counsel, and thus came the defeat at Shawei. He rose in repeated promotions to vice director of the masters of writing and died. On his deathbed he charged his sons to lay him out in seasonable dress, bury him after a single month, and not solicit posthumous office by importuning. He himself made his funeral carriage without carving or ornament, using only hemp for tassels and net cord for ropes. He forbade altogether the setting out of spirit objects and the like.
7
琡久在省闥，閑明簿領，當官剖斷，敏速如流。 然天性險忌，情義不篤，外似方格，內實浮動。 受納貨賄，曲法舞文，深情刻薄，多所傷害，士民畏惡之。 魏東平王元匡妾張氏淫逸放恣，琡初與姦通，後納以為婦。 惑其讒言，逐前妻于氏，不認其子，家內怨忿，競相告列，深為世所譏鄙。 贈青州刺史。
Chu had long served within the imperial secretariat; he was versed and clear in ledgers and registers, and in judgments at his post he was swift as flowing water. Yet by nature he was dangerous and jealous, and shallow in feeling and duty. Outwardly he seemed square and rule-bound; inwardly he was unstable. He took bribes and twisted the law; secretly he was harsh and cruel and harmed many. Gentlemen and commoners alike feared and hated him. Zhang, a concubine of Wei Prince of Dongping Yuan Kuang, was dissolute and unrestrained. Chu at first had an affair with her, then took her as his wife. Beguiled by her slander, he drove off his former wife of the Yu clan and would not acknowledge his son. The household seethed with resentment and members denounced one another to the authorities. The world held him in deep contempt. Posthumously he was made inspector of Qing Province.
8
敬顯儁，字孝英，平陽人。 少英俠有節操，交結豪傑。 為羽林監。 高祖臨晉州，儁因使謁見，與語說之，乃啟為別駕。 及義舉，以儁為行臺倉部郎中。 從攻鄴，令儁督造土山。 城拔，又從平西胡。 轉都官尚書，與諸將征討，累有功。 又從高祖平寇難，破周文帝。 敗侯景，平壽春，定淮南。 又略地三江口，多築城戍。 累除兗州刺史，卒。
Jing Xianjun, styled Xiaoying, was a native of Pingyang. In youth he was heroic and chivalrous and kept his integrity; he formed ties with bold fellows. He was made commandant of the forest guard. When Gao Huan took up Jin Province, Xianjun used the occasion to pay his respects. Gao Huan spoke with him and was pleased, then had him appointed vice governor. When the righteous rising was launched, he was made mobile headquarters clerk in the supplies bureau. On the attack on Ye he had Xianjun supervise construction of the earthen ramp. When the city fell he again followed in pacifying the western barbarians. He was transferred to director of the imperial punishments bureau and, campaigning with the generals, won repeated merit. He again followed Gao Huan in pacifying rebellion and defeated Yuwen Tai. He defeated Hou Jing, pacified Shouchun, and settled Huainan. He also seized territory at Sanjiang Ford and built many garrison towns. In succession he was made inspector of Yan Province and died.
9
平鑒，字明達，燕郡薊人。 父勝，安州刺史。 鑒少聰敏，頗有志力。 受學於徐遵明，不為章句，雖崇儒業，而有豪俠氣。 孝昌末，盜賊蜂起，見天下將亂，乃之洛陽，與慕容儼騎馬為友。 鑒性巧，夜則胡畫，以供衣食。 謂其宗親曰：「運有污隆，亂極則治。 幷州戎馬之地，尒朱王命世之雄，杖義建旗，奉辭問罪，勞忠竭力，今也其時。」 遂相率奔尒朱榮於晉陽，因陳靜亂安民之策。 榮大奇之，即署參軍前鋒，從平鞏、密，每陣先登。 除撫軍、襄州刺史。
Ping Jian, styled Mingda, was a native of Ji in Yan Commandery. His father Sheng was inspector of An Province. From youth Jian was clever and keen, with considerable resolve and strength. He studied under Xu Zunming and did not pursue glosses on the text. Though he honored Confucian learning, he had a bold, chivalrous air. Late in Xiaochang bandits rose everywhere. Seeing that the realm would soon fall into disorder, he went to Luoyang and befriended Murong Yan in the trade of hiring out horses. Jian was skillful by nature; at night he painted for foreign patrons to pay for food and clothing. He told his kinsmen, "Fortune has its stain and its rise; when disorder reaches the extreme, order comes. Bing Province is land of warhorses. Erzhu is the hero born for the age; he raises the banner of righteousness and marches under the charge to punish wrongdoing, toiling in loyalty and straining every force — now is the time." Thereupon they went together to Erzhu Rong at Jinyang and set forth a plan to still disorder and settle the people. Rong was greatly struck by him and at once appointed him staff officer of the vanguard. Following the pacification of Gong and Mi, in every battle he was first to charge. He was made general who pacifies the army and inspector of Xiang Province.
10
高祖起義信都，鑒自歸。 高祖謂鑒曰：「日者皇綱中弛，公已早竭忠誠。 今尒朱披猖，又能去逆從善。 搖落之時，方識松筠。」 即啟授征西。 懷州刺史。
When Gao Huan raised the righteous standard at Xindu, Jian came over to him of his own accord. Gao Huan said to Jian, "In days past the imperial net slackened at the center, yet you had already early spent your loyalty. Now that Erzhu runs riot, you can again leave rebellion and follow what is right. When the branches fall, one knows the pine and bamboo." He at once recommended him and appointed him western campaign general. Inspector of Huai Province.
11
鑒奏請於州西故軹道築城以防遏西寇，朝廷從之。 尋而西魏來攻。 是時新築之城，糧仗未集，舊來乏水，衆情大懼。 南門內有一井，隨汲即竭。 鑒乃具衣冠俯井而祝，至旦有井泉湧溢，合城取之。 魏師敗還，以功進位開府儀同三司。
Jian memorialized asking to build a city on the old Zhi Road west of the province to block western raiders; the court approved. Before long Western Wei came to attack. At that time the newly built city had not yet gathered grain and arms; it had long lacked water, and the troops were greatly afraid. Inside the south gate was a well; as soon as one drew from it, it ran dry. Jian then put on full dress and cap, bowed over the well and prayed; by dawn a spring welled up in the well, and the whole city drew from it. The Wei army was defeated and withdrew; for his merit he was promoted to opening office, equal in insignia to three masters of ceremonies.
12
時和士開以佞幸勢傾朝列，令人求鑒愛妾劉氏，鑒即送之。 仍謂人曰：「老公失阿劉，與死何異。 要自為身作計，不得不然。」 由是除齊州刺史。 鑒歷牧八州，再臨懷州，所在為吏所思，立碑頌德。 入為都官尚書令。
At that time He Shikai, through fawning favor, had power that tilted the court ranks. He sent someone to ask for Jian's beloved concubine, Lady Liu; Jian at once sent her. He then told others, "When this old man loses A-Liu, what difference from death? One must after all make plans for oneself — it could not be otherwise." Because of this he was made inspector of Qi Province. Jian governed eight provinces in all and twice held Huai Province; wherever he served, officials missed him, and steles were raised to praise his virtue. He entered court as director of the masters of writing in the imperial punishments bureau.
13
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 full text has been collated against the Zhonghua Shuju first edition of the Book of Northern Qi, November 1972.