2
甚哉齊末之嬖幸也，蓋書契以降未之有焉。 心利錐刀，居台鼎之任； 智昏菽麥，當機衡之重。 刑殘閹宦、蒼頭盧兒，西域醜胡、龜茲雜伎，封王者接武，開府者比肩。 非直獨守弄臣，且復多干朝政。 賜予之費，帑藏以虛； 杼軸之資，剝掠將盡。 縱龜鼎之祚，卜世靈長，屬此淫昏，無不亡之理，齊運短促，固其宜哉。 高祖、世宗，情存庶政，文武任寄，多貞幹之臣，唯郭秀小人，有累明德。 天保五年之後，雖罔念作狂，所幸之徒，唯左右驅馳，內外褻狎，其朝廷之事一不與聞。 大寧之後，姦佞浸繁，盛業鴻基，以之顛覆。 生民免夫被發左袵，非不幸也。 今緝諸凶族為《佞幸傳》云。 其宦者之徒，尤是亡齊之一物。 醜聲穢跡，千端萬緒，其事闕而不書，仍略存姓名，附之此《傳》之末。 其帝家諸奴及胡人樂工，叨竊貴辛，今亦出焉。
Never in recorded history had a dynasty's closing years seen favorites like those of Qi. With hearts as keen as blades for profit, they occupied the highest offices of state; yet with minds too dim to tell beans from wheat, they shouldered the empire's decisive authority. Castrated eunuchs, menial slaves, grotesque Western barbarians, and Kucha acrobats were enfeoffed as kings in succession and granted grand prefectures one beside another. They were not only imperial playthings but frequently meddled in government. Imperial largesse drained the state coffers bare; and the people's last resources were plundered nearly to nothing. Though heaven's mandate might promise long life for a dynasty, under such depravity collapse was inevitable; that Qi's star burned so briefly was only fitting. Under Gaozu and Shizong, government still had substance and upright men filled military and civil posts—only the petty Guo Xiu tarnished their good name. After Tianbao 5, though the emperor abandoned restraint, his favorites were merely runners and intimates who never heard a word of state business. After Daning, flatterers multiplied until they toppled the dynasty's great foundation. That the people were spared barbarian subjugation was no calamity. I have now compiled their accounts into the Biographies of Favored Minions. The eunuchs were especially among the instruments of Qi's ruin. Their vile deeds were too numerous to record in full; I have listed only their names at the end of this biography. Imperial slaves and barbarian musicians who usurped high rank are included as well.
3
Guo Xiu was from Zhuo in Fanyang. Serving Gaozu as Right Director of the Mobile Secretariat, he won ever greater personal favor and took bribes freely. When Xiu fell ill, Gaozu visited him in person and asked what post he wanted. He asked to be made Director of the Seven Armies, but died before the appointment reached him. The family had no grown sons; Gaozu went to the house himself, had its grain and silk inventoried, and only then departed. He had Xiu's son Xiaoyi study alongside the Prince of Taiyuan and his classmates. Earlier, Xiu had resented Yang Yin and tricked and intimidated him into fleeing. When Yin returned after Xiu's death, Gaozu, still angry at Xiu, that same day expelled Xiaoyi and never admitted him to polite society again.
4
He Shikai, styled Yantong, was from Linzhang in Qingdu. His forebears were Western Region merchant aliens originally surnamed Suhe. His father An was deferential, clever, and adept at winning favor, and rose eventually to Palace Secretariat Draftsman. Emperor Xiaojing of Wei once met with court worthies at night and asked An to read the Dipper's handle. An answered, "I do not know the Northern Dipper." Gaozu heard of it and took it for plain, honest speech. He later became Inspector of Yizhou.
5
Shikai was bright from boyhood; chosen for the Imperial Academy, he grasped lessons swiftly and was admired by his peers. Early in Tianbao, Shizu was made Prince of Changguang and took Shikai onto his staff as a traveling adjutant. Shizu loved polo, and Shikai's skill at the game opened the way to favor. His sly flattery and skill on the barbarian pipa drew him ever closer to the prince. He once told the prince, "Your Highness is no mortal—you are the Emperor of Heaven." The prince replied, "You are no ordinary man—you are a spirit of this age." Their mutual affection ran as deep as that. Xianzu saw his frivolity and forbade the prince such company; rebuking their excessive horseplay, he sent Shikai to the Great Wall. He was later made Capital Region Personnel Adjutant at the Prince of Changguang's request.
6
世祖踐祚，累除侍中，加開府。 遭母劉氏憂，帝聞而悲惋，遣武衛將軍呂芬詣宅，晝夜扶侍，成服後方還。 其日，帝又遣以犢車迎士開入內，帝見，親自握手，愴惻下泣，曉喻良久，然後遣還，幷諸弟四人並起復本官。 其見親重如此。 除右僕射。 帝先患氣疾，因飲酒輒大發動，士開每諫不從。 屬帝氣疾發，又欲飲，士開淚下歔欷不能言。 帝曰：「卿此是不言之諫。」 因不復飲。 言辭容止，極諸鄙褻，以夜繼晝，無復君臣之禮。 至說世祖云：「自古帝王，盡為灰燼，堯、舜、桀、紂，竟復何異？ 陛下宜及少壯，恣意作樂，縱橫行之，卽是一日快活敵千年。 國事分付大臣，何慮不辦，無為自勤苦也。」 世祖大悅。 其年十二月，世祖寢疾於乾壽殿，士開入侍醫藥。 世祖謂士開有伊、霍之才，殷勤屬以後事，臨崩，握士開之手曰：「勿負我也。」 仍絕於士開之手。
When Shizu took the throne, Shikai rose step by step to Attendant-in-Ordinary with the rank of Grand Prefect. On mourning for his mother Lady Liu, the emperor grieved and sent General Lü Fen of the Martial Guards to wait on him day and night until the mourning period was complete. That day he sent a calf carriage to bring Shikai inside; taking his hand, the emperor wept and comforted him at length before letting him go, and restored all four of Shikai's brothers to office as well. Such was the depth of favor he enjoyed. He was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. The emperor had a chronic choleric illness that drinking always aggravated; Shikai remonstrated repeatedly, but the emperor refused to heed him. Once, as the illness flared and the emperor reached again for wine, Shikai wept silently and could not speak. The emperor said, "This is admonition without words." He put the cup aside and drank no more. His words and manners sank to the lowest vulgarity; day ran into night with no trace of the rites between ruler and minister. He even told Shizu, "Every emperor since antiquity ends as ashes—what difference between Yao, Shun, Jie, and Zhou? While you are still young, indulge yourself without restraint—a single day of pleasure is worth a thousand years. Leave government to the great ministers; it will be managed. Do not wear yourself out with toil." Shizu was delighted. In the twelfth month of that year Shizu took to his bed in Qianshou Hall, and Shikai attended him with medicine. Shizu declared that Shikai had the gifts of Yi Yin and Huo Guang and earnestly entrusted the aftermath to him; dying, he clasped Shikai's hand and said, "Do not betray me." He breathed his last still holding Shikai's hand.
7
後主以世祖顧托，深委仗之。 又先得幸於胡太后，是以彌見親密。 趙郡王叡與婁定遠等謀出士開，引諸貴人共為計策。 屬太后觴朝貴於前殿，叡面陳士開罪失，云：「士開先帝弄臣，城狐社鼠，受納貨賄，穢亂宮掖，臣等義無杜口，冒死以陳。」 太后曰：「先帝在時，王等何不道？ 今日欲欺孤寡耶！ 但飲酒，勿多言。」 叡詞色愈厲。 或曰：「不出士開，朝野不定。」 叡等或投冠於地，或拂衣而起，言詞咆勃，無所不至。 明日，叡等共詣雲龍門，令文遙入奏之，太后不聽。 段韶呼胡長粲傳言，太后曰：「梓宮在殯，事大拚速，欲王等更思量。」 趙郡王等遂並拜謝，更無餘言。 太后及後主召見問士開，士開曰：「先帝群官之中，待臣最重，陛下諒暗始爾，大臣皆有覬覦心，若出臣，正是剪陛下羽翼。 宜謂叡等云：『令士開為州，待過山陵，然後發遣。』 叡等謂臣真出，必心喜之。」 後主及太后然之，告叡等如士開旨，以士開為兗州刺史。 山陵畢，叡等促士開就路。 士開載美女珠簾及條諸寶玩以詣定遠，謝曰：「諸貴欲殺士開，蒙王特賜性命，用作方伯。 今欲奉別，謹具上二女子、一珠簾。」 定遠喜，謂士開曰：「欲得還入不？」 士開曰：「在內久，常不自安，令得出，實稱本意，不願更入，但乞王保護，長作大州刺史。 今日遠出，願得一辭觀二宮。」 定遠許之。 士開由是得見太后及後主，進說曰：「先帝一旦登遐，臣愧不能自死。 觀朝貴勢欲陛下為幹明。 臣出之後，必有大變，復何面見先帝於地下。」 因慟哭。 帝及太后皆泣，問計將安出。 士開曰：「臣已得入，復何所慮，正須數行詔書耳。」 於是詔出定遠青州刺史，責趙郡王叡以不臣之罪，召入而殺之。 復除士開侍中、右僕射。 定遠歸士開所遺，加以餘珍賂之。 武平元年，封淮陽王，除尚書令、錄尚書事，復本官悉得如故。
The Later Lord, honoring Shizu's deathbed charge, placed deep trust in him. He had already won Empress Dowager Hu's favor, and their intimacy only deepened. Prince Rui of Zhao Commandery, with Lou Dingyuan and others, plotted to oust Shikai and summoned the great nobles to counsel together. As the empress dowager feasted the nobles in the front hall, Rui openly accused Shikai: "Shikai was the late emperor's favorite, a rat in the city wall—taking bribes and polluting the inner palace. We cannot in conscience stay silent and risk death to speak." The empress dowager said, "When the late emperor lived, why did you not say this? Do you mean to bully a widow and a child today! Drink your wine and say no more." Rui's tone and bearing turned fiercer still. Someone said, "Unless Shikai goes, court and realm will never be secure." Some threw down their caps, others stormed away; their words grew violent beyond measure. The next day they went to the Cloud Dragon Gate and had Wen Yao submit a memorial; the empress dowager refused to hear it. Duan Shao sent Hu Changcan with a message: the empress dowager said, "The late emperor's coffin is still in mourning—this is no time for rash action. I ask you to think again." The Prince of Zhao and the rest bowed in apology and said nothing further. The empress dowager and Later Lord questioned Shikai. He said, "Of all the late emperor's officials, none was favored as I was. Your Majesty has only just entered mourning, and the great ministers already eye power hungrily. Remove me, and you clip Your Majesty's own wings. Tell Rui and the others: 'Make Shikai a provincial inspector and send him off after the tomb rites.' They will think I am truly being sent away and rejoice." The Later Lord and empress dowager agreed, told Rui and the rest as Shikai advised, and made Shikai Inspector of Yan Province. After the burial, Rui and the others pressed Shikai to set out for his post. Shikai loaded up women, pearl curtains, and other treasures and went to Dingyuan, saying, "The nobles meant to kill me; thanks to Your Highness sparing my life, I am made a regional governor. As I take my leave, I respectfully offer two women and a pearl curtain." Dingyuan was pleased and asked, "Do you want to go back inside?" Shikai said, "Inside the palace I have long felt unsafe. Going out suits me—I do not wish to return, but only beg Your Highness's protection as inspector of a great province. Before I depart, I ask only to bid farewell at the two palaces." Dingyuan consented. Thus Shikai saw the empress dowager and Later Lord and pleaded, "When the late emperor died, I was ashamed that I did not die with him. I see the court nobles mean to rule through Your Majesty as a figurehead, and once I am gone there will be grave turmoil—how could I face the late emperor in the grave?" He burst into tears. Emperor and empress dowager wept and asked what he would do. Shikai said, "Now that I am inside again, what is there to fear? A few lines of edict will suffice." Edicts then sent Dingyuan to Qing Province, charged Prince Rui of Zhao with treason, summoned him in, and executed him. Shikai was restored as Attendant-in-Ordinary and Right Vice Director. Dingyuan returned Shikai's gifts and added more treasures to buy him off. In Wuping 1 he was made Prince of Huaiyang, Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Chief Recorder, with all former offices restored.
8
Under Shizu, Shikai often played polo with the empress dowager and entered the inner quarters without restraint, eventually taking her as a lover. After Shizu's death he abandoned all restraint. Prince Yan of Langye hated him and, with Army Director Kudie Fulian, Attendant Feng Zicong, Censor Wang Ziyi, Martial Guard Gao Shelou, and others, plotted his death. Fulian deployed capital troops outside the Shenwu and Qianqiu gates with secret orders to keep Shikai from the hall. On the morning of the twenty-fifth day of the seventh month, Shikai came for the regular audience; Fulian seized his hand and said, "Today brings great good fortune." Wang Ziyi handed him a sealed message: "There is an edict summoning the prince to the tribunal." Soldiers escorted and detained him in the Supervising Censor's hall. Yan sent Commander Feng Yongluo to behead him at the tribunal; he was forty-eight, and his household was registered and seized. Later Yan and his accomplices were put to death. The emperor grieved for days without holding court, unable to put Shikai from his mind. Edicts recalled Shikai's son Daosheng as Attendant-in-Ordinary, brought his brother Shi Xiu into the inner palace for state secrets, and posthumously invested Shikai with the yellow axe, ten-province military command, Left Chancellor, and Grand Preceptor.
9
Shikai was coarse and ignorant of the classics; his only talent was flattery. From Heqing and Tiantong onward his power swelled; merchants thronged his gate, shameless officials fawned on him, some becoming adoptive sons and calling market lowlifes their brothers. Once when Shikai fell ill, a physician told a visitor, "The prince's cold is grave and the medicine is failing—he needs yellow dragon decoction." Shikai looked uneasy. The man said, "It is easily made, my lord—do not hesitate; let me taste it first for you." He drank it down at once. Moved by the gesture, Shikai took the dose, broke into sweat, and recovered. Such was his dominance over the court. Those who courted him by any crooked means, wise or foolish, were always advanced; yet he could also often overlook those who crossed him with honest argument. When a man faced execution, Shikai often saved him—then sent word demanding jewels as "ransom for life." Many lives were spared, but never by honest means.
10
Mu Tipo, originally surnamed Luo, was from Hanyang. His father Chao was put to death for treason. Tipo's mother Lu Lingxuan, sent to the inner palace as punishment, nursed the infant Later Lord and was called his dry nurse; Empress Hu doted on her. Lingxuan was cunning and endlessly inventive in flattery; within the palace she alone held power and favor. Early in Tiantong she had Tipo brought in to serve the Later Lord; he stayed at the emperor's side and won deep intimacy. Their games sank to every sort of obscene vulgarity. His favor and rank swelled without limit until he became Chief Recorder and Prince of Chengyang. Lingxuan flattered Consort Mu Zhao, who took her as a foster mother; Tipo therefore took the surname Mu. When Empress Mu was enthroned, Lingxuan received the title Grand Matron—the Qi rank for an empress's mother, first grade and above long princesses. After Wuping, mother and son dominated court and palace. Lesser men trembled and held their tongues before them. Their arbitrary power over life, death, and property defies full account. After the defeat at Jinzhou, as the Later Lord fled to Ye, Tipo defected to the Zhou. Lingxuan took her own life; her family, young and old, was executed in the marketplace and their property seized.
11
Gao Anagujin was a native of Shanwu. His father Shigui had followed Gaozu in the founding uprising. Anagujin began as a storehouse clerk, campaigned with the army, and rose to General of Martial Guards for his service. Expert at mounted archery and winning favor, he was a favorite at Shizu's hunts and banquets. He fawned on He Shikai and grew especially close; Shikai's patronage brought him ever greater favor. Under the Later Lord he rose to Left Vice Director and then Director of the Combined Provinces Department of State Affairs and Prince of Huaiyin.
12
Mediocre in talent and ignorant of letters, he was duller and less cunning even than Shikai. Shizu had favored him and kept him in the Eastern Palace with the young heir, which won him lasting preferment. After Shikai's death the Later Lord thought him Shikai's equal and made him chief minister. In Wuping 4 he became Chief Recorder, commanding external armies and inner-palace secrets. Yuan Shi of the Department of State Affairs told Anagujin, "A dragon has appeared—we must perform a rain sacrifice." Anagujin asked, "Where was it seen? What color was it?" Shi said, "It is the dragon star, not a real dragon—we need a rain rite, not a dragon hunt." Anagujin snapped, "Han dogs playing astronomer!" Such was his brazen ignorance. He was also made Right Chancellor; his other posts remained unchanged.
13
周師逼平陽，後主於天池校獵，晉州頻遣馳奏，從旦至午，驛馬三至，肱云：「大家正作樂，何急奏聞。」 至暮，使更至，云：「平陽城已陷，賊方至。」 乃奏知。 明早旦，卽欲引軍，淑妃又請更合一圍。 及軍赴晉州，令肱率前軍先進，仍總節度諸軍。 後主謂肱曰：「戰是耶，不戰是耶？」 肱曰：「勿戰，卻守高梁橋。」 安吐根曰：「一把子賊，馬上刺取擲著汾河中。」 帝意未決。 諸內參曰：「彼亦天子，我亦天子，彼尚能遠來，我何為守塹示弱？」 帝曰：「此言是也。」 於是漸進。 提婆觀戰，東偏頗有退者，提婆去曰：「大家去！ 大家去！」 帝以淑妃奔高梁關。 開府奚長樂諫曰：「半進半退，戰之常體，今兵衆全整，未有傷敗，陛下舍此安之？ 御馬一動，人情驚亂，且速還安慰之。」 武衛張常山自後至，亦曰：「軍尋收回，甚整頓，圍城兵亦不動，至尊宜回，不信臣言，乞將內參往視。」 帝將從之。 提婆引帝肘曰：「此言難信。」 帝遂北馳。 有軍士告稱那肱遣臣招引西軍，今故聞奏。 後主令侍中斛律孝卿檢校，孝卿云：「此人妄語。」 還至晉，那肱腹心告肱謀反，又以為妄，斬之。 乃顛沛還鄴，侍衛逃散，唯那肱及內官數十騎從行。
While Zhou armies closed on Pingyang, the Later Lord hunted at Tianchi; Jinzhou sent three urgent dispatches by noon, and Anagujin said, "His Majesty is at play—why the alarm?" At dusk another rider reported, "Pingyang has fallen and the enemy is near." Only then did he inform the emperor. At dawn he prepared to march, but the Shufei begged for one more hunt. Marching on Jinzhou, Anagujin led the vanguard and overall command. The Later Lord asked, "Do we fight or not?" Anagujin said, "Do not fight—fall back to Gaoliang Bridge." Antugen said, "A handful of bandits—spear them from horseback and toss them in the Fen." The emperor could not decide. Inner attendants said, "They are emperors and so are we—they came from afar; why cower behind ditches?" The emperor said, "They are right." The army moved forward. Tipo watched the battle; as the eastern wing buckled he shouted, "Your Majesty, go! Go, Your Majesty!" The emperor fled with the Shufei toward Gaoliang Pass. Grand Prefect Xi Changle urged, "Armies ebb and flow—ours is still intact. Where will Your Majesty go if you leave now? If Your Majesty's horse moves, panic will spread—turn back at once and steady the men." Martial Guard Zhang Changshan added, "The army is withdrawing in good order and the siege lines hold—Your Majesty should return; if you doubt me, send attendants to see." The emperor was about to heed them. Tipo tugged the emperor's arm and said, "Do not trust them." The emperor galloped north. A soldier reported that Anagujin had sent him to summon Zhou forces. The Later Lord had Attendant Hulu Xiaoqing investigate; Xiaoqing said, "This man speaks falsely." Back at Jin, a confidant accused Anagujin of treason; again the charge was dismissed and the accuser executed. They fled in disorder to Ye; the guard scattered, and only Anagujin and a few dozen inner attendants rode with the emperor.
14
Crossing the Taihang, the Later Lord sent Anagujin with several thousand men to Jizhou Pass and ordered scouts ahead. Each report said, "Zhou troops are not yet here—raise men at Qingzhou; no need to flee south yet." When Zhou General Yuchi Jiong reached the pass, Anagujin surrendered. Contemporaries said Anagujin had pledged to Zhou and delayed reporting the enemy so the Qi ruler could be taken alive. In Chang'an he was made Grand General and a commandery duke, then Governor of Longzhou—and executed. In Tianbao, as Xianzu returned from Jinyang to Ye, the monk Atuo of Yangyu shouted his name on the road: "Anagujin will destroy your state." The Rouran ruler Anagujin then dominated the northern frontier and Xianzu feared him; years later Qi's destroyer proved to be Gao Anagujin. Though written with the character for "gujin," all pronounced it like "gui"—as if fate had already whispered, "He who destroys Qin is the Hu."
15
Han Feng, styled Changluan, was from Changli. His father Yongxing had been Inspector of Qingzhou. From youth Feng was sharp-eyed and strong, skilled at mounted archery. He rose gradually to Area Commander. While the young Later Lord lived in the Eastern Palace, Shizu chose twenty area commanders to guard him; Feng was one. The prince went among them, took Feng's hand, and said, "Commander, look after my boy." Feng was remembered and often called to play with him.
16
When the Later Lord took the throne, Feng rose to Attendant-in-Ordinary and Army Director with charge of inner secrets. Zu Ting once debated policy with Feng before the Later Lord. Zu said, "Strong bow and long spear admit no yielding—how can we compete in statecraft?" Feng replied, "Each speaks his mind—what has civil or military rank to do with it?" He was made Prince of Changli Commandery. His son Baoren married a princess and received a premier residence in Jinyang. When the princess's son reached his first month, the emperor visited Feng's house and feasted all day. Every state secret passed through his hands; with Gao Anagujin and Mu Tipo he formed the "Three Nobles" at the helm, ruining government daily. When Shouyang fell, Feng and Mu Tipo kept playing polo and said, "Another man's loss—let it go." Later the emperor sent him to build a fortress at Liyang on the river and said, "In a pinch we can hold this and play at being princes of Kucha; human life is but a sojourn—one should only seek pleasure; why grieve?" Emperor and ministers spoke in such terms. His brother Wansui and sons Baoxing and Baoxin all received the rank of Grand Prefect. Baoxin married a princess; the emperor visited again and kinsmen were showered with offices and gifts.
17
Feng's mother Xianyu was Duan Xiaoyan's maternal cousin; Feng favored Xiaoyan and had him sent to supervise the Jinyang palace. Chen Dexin inspected by post relay and found Xiaoyan using state laborers on a private house; he said, "The Vice Director has not finished the emperor's halls—how can he build his own first?" Feng and Mu Tipo had Xiaoyan assign craftsmen to build their houses; Dexin reported it all to the throne. On the Jinyang trip he again let others ride official horses. The emperor struck Feng and Tipo from the rolls in anger but did not publish their crimes. Their mansions were demolished. The princess divorced him. He was sent to report at the Ye personnel office. When the Later Lord fled back from Jinyang, Feng was summoned in and soon restored to rank. He fled with the Later Lord to Qing Province and was taken by Zhou troops.
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19
韓寶業、盧勒叉、齊紹，並高祖舊左右，唯門閹驅使，不被恩遇。 歷天保、皇建之朝，亦不至寵幸，但漸有職任。 寶業至長秋卿，勒叉等或為中常侍。 世祖時有曹文摽、鄧長顒輩，亦有至儀同食幹者，唯長顒武平中任參宰相，干預朝權。 後寶業、勒叉、齊紹、子徵並封王，不過侵暴。 於後主之朝，有陳德信等數十人，並肆其姦佞，敗政虐人，古今未有。 多授開府，罕止儀同，亦有加光祿大夫，金章紫綬者。 多帶侍中、中常侍，此二職乃數十人，又皆封王、開府。 恒出入門禁，往來園苑，趨侍左右，通宵累日。 承候顏色，競進諂諛，莫不發言動意，多會深旨。 一戲之賞，動逾巨萬，丘山之積，貪吝無厭。 猶以波斯狗為儀同、郡君，分其幹祿。 神獸門外有朝貴憩息之所，時人號為解卸廳。 諸閹或在內多日，暫放歸休，所乘之馬牽至神獸門階，然後升騎，飛鞭競走，數十為羣，馬塵必坌。 諸朝貴爰至唐、趙、韓、駱皆隱聽趨避，不敢為言。
Han Baoye, Lu Lecha, and Qi Shao had been Gaozu’s gate eunuchs, never favored. Through Tianbao and Huangjian they gained office but not favor. Baoye became director of the Long Autumn Palace; Lecha and others became palace attendants. Under Shizu, Cao Wenbiao and Deng Changyang rose high; only Changyang in Wuping shared in governing. Later Baoye, Lecha, Shao, and Zizheng were made princes and lived by plunder. Under the Later Lord, dozens like Chen Dexin ruined the state as never before. Most became directors of ceremonial parallels; some even grandees with golden seals. Dozens held attendant posts—and every one was a prince or director of ceremonial parallels. They haunted palace gates and gardens, attending the emperor day and night. They read his mood and flattered him, almost always hitting his intent. One jest could bring tens of thousands; they hoarded without end. They even ennobled a Persian dog as ceremonial peer and gave it a stipend. Outside the Divine Beast Gate was the courtiers’ rest hall, called the Hall of Unburdening. Eunuchs released from duty raced their horses from the Divine Beast Gate in dusty packs of dozens. Even great clans hid and gave way, daring not protest.
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Gaozu favored dozens of runners like Chen Shanti, Gai Fengle, and Liu Taozhi. By Wuping they were all princes and directors of ceremonial parallels; the dead were posthumously ennobled.
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He Hai and his son Hongzhen were made princes and especially favored. Hongzhen sold offices and judgments. Dozens of Hu performers like Shi Chouduo rose to ceremonial peers and princedoms. Eunuchs who served in the inner palace rose through intimacy to high rank. Slaves who began as family servants rose under the Later Lord through old service. Useless Hu favorites with deep-set features shoved aside nobles and were loathed by the gentry. Musicians rose highest: Shen Guo’er became director of ceremonial parallels; Wang Changtong at fifteen was acting inspector of Tong.
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Xue Rongzong, a director of ceremonial parallels, claimed he could command ghosts. As Zhou troops closed in, he told the Later Lord, “I have sent Hulu Guang ahead with a great army.” The emperor believed him. Passing a tomb, Rongzong asked whose it was; Xinggong jested, “Lin Zong’s.” Asked who Lin Zong was, Xinggong said, “Guo Yuanzhen’s father.” Rongzong reported, “I saw Guo Lin Zong leave the tomb in a great hat and boots, whip in hand, asking if his A Zhen had come.” Mad tales of this sort were common.
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贊曰：危亡之祚，昏亂之朝，小人道長，君子道消。
Appraisal: In a dying mandate and a chaotic court, petty men flourish and gentlemen fade.