1
景穆十二王上
Jingmu's Twelve Sons (Part 1)
2
列傳第五景穆十二王上
Biographies 5 — Jingmu's Twelve Sons (Part 1)
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景穆皇帝十四男：恭皇后生文成皇帝； 袁椒房生陽平幽王新成； 尉椒房生京兆康王子推、濟陰王小新成； 陽椒房生汝陰靈王天賜； 樂良厲王萬壽、廣平殤王洛侯母並闕。 孟椒房生任城康王雲； 劉椒房生南安惠王楨、城陽康王長壽。 慕容椒房生章武敬王太洛； 尉椒房生樂陵康王胡兒； 孟椒房生安定靖王休。 趙王深早薨，無傳，母闕。 魏舊太子後庭未有位號，文成即位，景穆宮人有子者，並號為椒房。
Emperor Jingmu had fourteen sons. The Gong Empress bore Emperor Wencheng; Consort Yuan of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Yangping the Somber, Xincheng; Consort Wei of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Jingzhao the Kind, Zitui, and the Prince of Jiyin the Lesser, Xiaoxincheng; Consort Yang of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Ruyin the Spirited, Tianci; the mothers of the Prince of Leliang the Stern, Wanshou, and the Prince of Guangping the Untimely, Luohou are unrecorded. Consort Meng of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Rencheng the Kind, Yun; Consort Liu of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Nan'an the Graceful, Zhen, and the Prince of Chengyang the Kind, Changshou. Consort Murong of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Zhangwu the Revered, Tailuo; Consort Wei of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Leling the Kind, Hu'er; Consort Meng of the Pepper Chambers bore the Prince of Anding the Tranquil, Xiu. The Prince of Zhao, Shen, died in youth and has no biography; his mother is unrecorded. Under Wei custom the former crown prince's inner quarters bore no rank titles. When Wencheng took the throne, every palace woman of Jingmu who had borne a son was styled a Pepper-Chamber consort.
4
陽平王新成，太安三年封，後為內都大官。 薨，諡曰幽。
The Prince of Yangping, Xincheng, received his fief in the third year of Tai'an and later served as Grand Palace Official of the Inner Court. He died and was given the posthumous title Somber.
5
長子安壽襲爵，孝文後賜名頤。 累遷懷朔鎮大將。 都督三道諸軍事北討，詔征赴京，勖以戰伐之事。 對曰：「當仰杖廟算，使呼韓同渭橋之禮。」 帝歎曰：「壯哉王言，朕所望也。」 未發，遭母憂，詔遣侍臣以金革敦喻，既殯而發。 與陸睿集三道諸將議軍途所詣。 於是中道出黑山，東道趣士盧河，西道向侯延河。 軍過大磧，大破蠕蠕。 頤入朝，詔曰：「王之前言，果不虛也。」 後除朔州刺史。 及恆州刺史穆泰謀反，遣使推頤為主，頤密以狀聞。 泰等伏誅，帝甚嘉之。 宣武景明元年，薨于青州刺史，諡曰莊王。 傳國至孫宗胤。 明帝時，坐殺叔父賜死，爵除。
His eldest son Anshou succeeded to the title; Emperor Xiaowen later granted him the name Yi. He rose through the ranks to General of Huaishuo Garrison. Made commander of the three-route armies on the northern campaign, he was summoned to the capital, where the emperor exhorted him on matters of war. He replied: "I shall rely on the plans of the ancestral temple and bring the Hun to submit as they did at Weiqiao. The emperor sighed and said: "What bold words, Prince—just what I hoped to hear." Before he set out he was struck by his mother's death. An edict sent attendants to urge him with the doctrine of metal and leather—that war does not wait for mourning—and he marched after the burial. With Lu Rui he gathered the generals of the three routes to decide which path the army should take. The center route went through Black Mountain, the east toward the Shilu River, the west toward the Houyan River. The army crossed the great desert and routed the Rouran. When Yi came to court, the edict said: "Your words before, Prince, have indeed proved true. Later he was made governor of Shuozhou. When the governor of Hengzhou, Mu Tai, plotted rebellion, he sent envoys urging Yi to lead them; Yi secretly reported the matter. Tai and his accomplices were executed; the emperor greatly praised him. In the first year of Jingming under Emperor Xuanwu he died in office as governor of Qingzhou and was given the posthumous title Prince Zhuang. The fief passed to his grandson Zongyin. Under Emperor Ming he was sentenced to death for killing his uncle; the title was extinguished.
6
頤弟衍，字安樂，賜爵廣陵侯，位梁州刺史。 表請假王，以崇威重。 詔曰：「可謂無厭求也，所請不合。」 轉徐州刺史。 至州病重，帝敕徐成伯乘傳療疾。 差，成伯還。 帝曰：「卿定名醫。」 賚絹三千疋。 成伯辭，請受一千。 帝曰：「《詩》云：'人之雲亡，邦國殄瘁。 '以是而言，豈惟三千疋乎？」 其為帝所重如此。 後所生母雷氏卒，表請解州。 詔曰：「先君餘尊之所厭，《禮》之明文。 季末陵遲，斯典或廢。 侯既親王之子，宜從餘尊之義，便可大功。」 後卒于雍州刺史，諡曰康侯。
Yi's younger brother Yan, styled Anle, was granted the title Marquis of Guangling and made governor of Liangzhou. He memorialized asking for a provisional kingship to enhance his authority. The edict said: "This may be called insatiable ambition; the request is not granted. He was transferred to governor of Xuzhou. On reaching the province he fell gravely ill; the emperor ordered Xu Chengbai to ride post-haste to treat him. When he recovered, Chengbai returned. The emperor said: "You are truly a famous physician. He was rewarded with three thousand bolts of silk. Chengbai declined and asked to accept only one thousand. The emperor said: "The Odes says: 'When men of worth perish, the state is laid waste. By that reckoning, is three thousand bolts the limit?' Such was the esteem in which the emperor held him. Later his birth mother, Lady Lei, died; he memorialized asking to resign the province. The edict said: "The displeasure felt toward a former ruler's lesser consorts is explicit in the Rites. In the decline of the age that canon has sometimes fallen into disuse. As the son of an imperial prince you should follow the rule of lesser consorts and may observe the greater mourning. Later he died in office as governor of Yongzhou and was given the posthumous title Marquis Kang.
7
衍性清慎，所在廉潔，又不營產業，曆牧四州，皆有稱績，亡日無斂屍具。
Yan was by nature cautious and pure. Wherever he served he was incorrupt, kept no estates, and through four provinces left a name for achievement—yet on the day he died there was not even a shroud for his corpse.
8
子暢，字叔暢，從孝武帝入關，拜鴻臚，封博陵王。 大統三年東討，沒於陣。
His son Chang, styled Shuchang, followed Emperor Xiaowu into Guanzhong and was made Director of the Court for Diplomatic Reception and enfeoffed as Prince of Boling. In the third year of Datong he campaigned east and fell in battle.
9
子敏，嗜酒多費，家為之貧。 其婿柱國乙弗貴、大將軍大利稽祐家貲皆千萬，每營給之。 敏隨即散盡，而帝不之責。 貴、祐後遂絕之。 位儀同三司，改封南武縣公。
His son Min was addicted to wine and extravagant spending; the household was ruined by it. His sons-in-law, the pillar of state Yifu Gui and the great general Dali Ji You, each had wealth in the tens of millions and supplied him whenever he asked. Min would scatter it all at once, yet the emperor did not reproach him. Gui and You eventually cut him off. He held the rank of Pillar of State, third grade; his fief was changed to Duke of Nanwu County.
10
暢弟融，字叔融，貌甚短陋，驍武過人。 莊帝謀殺爾硃榮，以融為直閣將軍。 及爾硃兆入洛，融逃人間。 後從孝武入關，封魏興王，位侍郎、殿中尚書。
Chang's younger brother Rong, styled Shurong, was very short and ugly in appearance yet surpassingly fierce in battle. When Emperor Zhuangdi plotted to kill Erzhu Rong, Rong was made a direct-gate general. When Erzhu Zhao entered Luoyang, Rong fled among the people. Later he followed Emperor Xiaowu into Guanzhong, was enfeoffed Prince of Weixing, and held the posts of Attendant and Director of the Palace Secretariat.
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衍弟欽，字思若，位中書監、尚書右僕射、儀同三司。 欽色尤黑，故時人號為黑面僕射。 欽淫從兄麗妻崔氏，為御史中尉封回劾奏，遇赦免。 尋除司州牧。 欽少好學，早有令譽。 時人語曰：「皇宗略略，壽安、思若。」 及晚年貴重，不能有所匡益，論者輕之。 欽曾托青州人高僧壽為子求師，師至，未幾逃去。 欽以讓僧壽。 僧壽性滑稽，反謂欽曰：「凡人絕粒七日乃死，始經五朝，便爾逃遁，去食就信，實有所闕。」 欽乃大慚，於是待客稍厚。 後除司空公，封钜平縣公。 于河陰遇害，贈假黃鉞、太師、太尉公。
Yan's younger brother Qin, styled Siruo, held the posts of Director of the Secretariat, Right Vice Director of the Secretariat, and Pillar of State, third grade. Qin's complexion was especially dark, so people of the time called him the Black-Faced Vice Director. Qin debauched his cousin Li's wife, the Lady Cui; the censor-in-chief Feng Hui impeached him, but he was pardoned. Soon after he was made governor of Sizhou. Qin loved learning from youth and had an early reputation. People of the time said: "Among the imperial clan, briefly—Shou'an and Siruo. When in later years he grew eminent he could no longer offer useful counsel; critics looked down on him. Qin once asked the man of Qingzhou, the monk Gaosengshou, to find a tutor for his son; the tutor arrived but fled after only a few days. Qin reproached Gaosengshou. Gaosengshou, a man of wit, retorted to Qin: "An ordinary man dies after seven days without grain; this one lasted barely five mornings before fleeing—abandoning food for faith, he plainly lacked something. Qin was deeply ashamed and thereafter treated guests somewhat more generously. Later he was made Duke of the State and enfeoffed as Duke of Juping County. He was killed at Heyin and posthumously given the golden axe, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Duke.
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子子孝，字季業，早有令譽。 年八歲，司徒崔光見而異之，曰：「後生領袖，必此人也。」 孝武帝入關，不及從駕。 後赴長安，封義陽王。
His son Zixiao, styled Jiye, had an early reputation. At eight years old, Director of the Secretariat Cui Guang saw him and marveled, saying: "The leader of the coming generation will surely be this boy. When Emperor Xiaowu entered Guanzhong he did not manage to follow the imperial carriage. Later he went to Chang'an and was enfeoffed Prince of Yiyang.
13
子孝美容儀，善笑謔，好酒愛士，縉紳歸之，賓客常滿，終日無倦。 性又寬慈，敦穆親族。 乃置學館於私第，集群從子弟，書夜講讀。 並給衣食，與諸子同。 後曆尚書令、柱國大將軍。 子孝以國運漸移，深自貶晦，日夜縱酒。 後例降為公，復姓拓拔氏。 未幾，卒，子贇襲。
Zixiao was handsome, skilled at jest and banter, loved wine and honored scholars; the gentry flocked to him, his hall always full of guests, and he never tired of it. His nature was also generous and kind; he treated his kinsmen with warmth and respect. He established a school in his private residence and gathered younger kinsmen to lecture day and night. He provided food and clothing and treated them as his own sons. Later he served as Director of the Secretariat and as Pillar of State, great general. Zixiao saw the dynasty's fortune slipping away and humbled himself deeply, drinking day and night. Later by precedent he was reduced to duke and restored the surname Tuoba. Before long he died; his son Yun succeeded.
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子太興襲，拜長安鎮大將。 以黷貨削除官爵。 後除秘書監，還復前爵，改封西河。 轉守衛尉卿。 初，太興遇患，請諸沙門行道。 所有資財，一時佈施，乞求病癒，名曰散生齋。 及齋後，僧皆四散，有一沙門方雲乞齋餘食。 太興戲之曰； 「齋食既盡，唯有酒肉。」 沙門曰：「亦能食之。」 因出酒一斗，羊腳一隻。 食盡，猶言不飽。 及辭出後，酒肉俱在。 出門追之，無所見。 太興遂佛前乞願：「向者之師，當非俗人。 若此病得差，即舍王爵入道。」 未幾便愈，遂請為沙門。 表十餘上，乃見許。 時孝文南討在軍，詔皇太子于四月八日為之下發，施帛二千疋。 既為沙門，名僧懿，居嵩山。 太和二十二年終。
Yun's son Taixing succeeded and was made General of Chang'an Garrison. For corruption he was stripped of office and rank. Later he was made Director of the Secretariat, restored to his former title, and his fief changed to Xihé. He was transferred to Commandant of the Palace Guard. At first, when Taixing fell ill, he asked monks to perform rites for him. All his possessions were given away at once in a distribution called the Liberation Fast, begging recovery from illness. After the fast the monks scattered in all directions; one monk was still asking for leftover food from the fast. Taixing jested with him: "The fast food is gone; only wine and meat remain. The monk said: "I can eat those too." So he brought out a dou of wine and a leg of mutton. When he had finished eating he still said he was not full. After he left, the wine and meat were still there. Going out the gate to pursue him, he was nowhere to be seen. Taixing then prayed before the Buddha: "The master just now must not have been an ordinary man. If this illness is cured, I will renounce my princely rank and enter the Way. Before long he recovered and asked to become a monk. He submitted more than ten memorials before permission was granted. At that time Emperor Xiaowen was on the southern campaign with the army. An edict ordered the crown prince on the eighth day of the fourth month to tonsure him and grant two thousand bolts of silk. Having become a monk he took the name Sengyi and dwelt on Mount Song. In the twenty-second year of Taihe he died.
15
子昴，字伯暉，襲，薨。
His son Mao, styled Bohui, succeeded and died.
16
昴子忄妻，字魏慶，襲。 孝靜時，累遷太尉、錄尚書事、司州牧、青州刺史。 薨於州，贈假黃鉞、太傅、司徒公，諡曰文。 悰寬和有度量，美容貌，風望儼然。 得喪之間，不見於色。 性清儉，不營產業，身死之日，家無餘財。
Mao's son Cong, styled Weiqing, succeeded. Under Emperor Xiaojing he rose to Grand Commandant, recorded affairs of the Secretariat, governor of Sizhou, and governor of Qingzhou. He died in the province and was posthumously given the golden axe, Grand Tutor, and Grand Duke, with the posthumous title Wen. Cong was generous and measured, handsome in appearance, and carried himself with dignified bearing. Between gain and loss he showed nothing on his face. His nature was pure and frugal; he kept no estates, and on the day he died the household had no surplus wealth.
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昴弟仲景，性嚴峭。 孝莊時，兼御史中尉，京師肅然。 每向台，恆駕赤牛，時人號「赤牛中尉」。 太昌初，為河南尹，奉法無私。 時吏部尚書樊子鵠部下縱橫，又為盜竊。 仲景密加收捕，悉獲之，咸即行決。 於是豪貴寒心。 孝武帝將入關，授仲景中軍大都督，留京師。 齊神武欲至洛陽，仲景遂棄妻子，追駕至長安。 仍除尚書右僕射，封順陽王。
Mao's younger brother Zhongjing was by nature stern and harsh. Under Emperor Xiaozhuang he concurrently served as censor-in-chief; the capital grew orderly. Whenever he went to the bureau he always drove a red ox; people of the time called him the Red-Ox Censor-in-Chief. At the start of Taichang he was made governor of Henan and enforced the law without favor. At the time the director of the Ministry of Personnel, Fan Zihe, had subordinates who ran rampant and also committed theft. Zhongjing secretly sent men to arrest them; all were seized and immediately executed. Thereupon the powerful grew fearful. When Emperor Xiaowu was about to enter Guanzhong, Zhongjing was made commander-in-chief of the central army and left in the capital. When the Prince of Qi Shenwu was about to reach Luoyang, Zhongjing abandoned wife and children and pursued the imperial carriage to Chang'an. He was then made Right Vice Director of the Secretariat and enfeoffed Prince of Shunyang.
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仲景既失妻子，乃娶故爾硃天光妻也列氏。 本倡女，有美色，仲景甚重之。 經數年，前妻叔袁紇氏自洛陽間行至。 也列遂徙居異宅。 久之，有奸。 事露，詔仲景殺之。 仲景寵情愈至，謬殺一婢，蒙其屍而厚葬以代焉。 列徙於密處，人莫知其詐。 仲景三子濟、鐘、奉，叔袁紇氏生也，皆以宗室，早曆清官。 仲景以列尚在，恐妻子漏之，乃謀殺袁紇。 紇先覺，復欲陰害列。 列謂從奴曰：「若袁紇殺我，必投我廁中； 我告丞相，冀或不死。 若不理首愆，猶埋我好地，爾為我告之。」 奴遂告周文帝。 周文依奏，詔笞仲景一百，免右僕射，以王歸第。 也列以自告而逐之。 仲景猶私不已。 又有告者，詔重笞一百，付宗正，官爵盡除。 仲景仍通焉。 後周文帝以其歷任有令名，且杖策追駕，乃奏復官爵。 也列、袁紇於是同居。 大統五年，除幽州刺史。 仲景多內亂，後就州賜死。
Zhongjing having lost his wife, he married Yelie, the former wife of Erzhu Tianguang. She had been a singing girl, very beautiful; Zhongjing cherished her greatly. After several years his former wife's uncle, the Lady Yuan He, came secretly from Luoyang. Yelie then moved to a separate residence. After a long while there was an affair. When it came to light, an edict ordered Zhongjing to kill her. Zhongjing's passion only grew; he falsely killed a maid, wrapped her corpse, and gave her a lavish burial in Yelie's place. Yelie was hidden in a secret place; no one knew the deception. Zhongjing's three sons Ji, Zhong, and Feng were born to the Lady Yuan He; as members of the imperial clan they early held pure offices. Zhongjing, since Yelie was still alive, feared his wife and children might leak the secret and plotted to kill Yuan He. Yuan He sensed it first and in turn plotted to harm Yelie secretly. Yelie told her attendant: "If Yuan He kills me, she will surely throw me in the privy; I will tell the prime minister and hope I may not die. If she does not report the first fault, she may still bury me in good ground—you must tell him for me. The servant then reported to Emperor Wen of Zhou. Emperor Wen acted on the report. An edict ordered a hundred strokes with the rod for Zhongjing, removed him as Right Vice Director, and sent the prince home. Yelie was driven out for having reported the matter herself. Zhongjing still kept in contact secretly. When there was another report, an edict ordered another hundred strokes, handed him to the Director of the Imperial Clan, and stripped him of all office and rank. Zhongjing still kept the liaison. Later Emperor Wen of Zhou, because he had held office with a good name and had whipped his horse to pursue the imperial carriage, memorialized to restore his office and rank. Yelie and Yuan He then lived together again. In the fifth year of Datong he was made governor of Youzhou. Zhongjing had many domestic disorders; later he was ordered to die at his post.
19
太興弟遙，字太原，有器望。 以左衛將軍從孝文南征，賜爵饒陽男。 宣武初，遭所生母憂，表請解任。 詔以餘尊所厭，不許。 明帝初，累遷左光祿大夫，仍領護軍。
Taixing's younger brother Yao, styled Taiyuan, had ability and reputation. As General of the Left Guard he followed Emperor Xiaowen on the southern campaign and was granted the title Baron of Raoyang. At the start of Emperor Xuanwu's reign he was struck by his birth mother's death and memorialized asking to resign his post. An edict said that the displeasure toward a former ruler's lesser consorts did not permit it. At the start of Emperor Ming's reign he was repeatedly promoted to Left Grand Master of the Palace and still commanded the guard.
20
時冀州沙門法慶既為妖幻，遂說勃海人李歸伯。 歸伯闔家從之，招率鄉人，推法慶為主。 法慶以歸伯為十住菩薩、平魔軍司、定漢王，自號大乘。 殺一人者為一住菩薩，殺十人者為十住菩薩。 又合狂藥，令人服之，父子兄弟不相知識，唯以殺害為事。 刺史蕭寶夤遣兼長史崔伯驎討之，敗於煮棗城，伯驎戰沒。 凶眾遂盛，所在屠滅寺舍，斬戮僧尼，焚燒經像，云：「新佛出世，除去眾魔。」 詔以遙為使持節、都督北征諸軍事，討破之。 禽法慶，並其妻尼惠暉等。 斬法慶，傳首京師； 後禽歸伯，戮于都市。
At the time the monk Faqing of Jizhou had wrought demonic illusions and persuaded Li Guibo of Bohai. Guibo's whole household followed him; he rallied the countryside and set up Faqing as leader. Faqing made Guibo the Ten-Abode Bodhisattva, Marshal Who Pacifies Demons, and King Who Settles Han; he styled himself Mahayana. Whoever killed one person was a one-abode bodhisattva; whoever killed ten was a ten-abode bodhisattva. He also mixed mad drugs; whoever took them lost knowledge of father, brother, or son and knew only killing. Governor Xiao Baoyin sent his acting chief clerk Cui Bolin to attack them; he was defeated at Zhuzao City and Bolin died in battle. The rebels grew mighty; wherever they went they slaughtered monasteries, cut down monks and nuns, burned sutras and images, saying: "The new Buddha has appeared to remove the demons. An edict made Yao bearer of the staff of authority and commander of the northern expedition; he defeated them. He captured Faqing together with his wife the nun Huihui and the rest. Faqing was beheaded and his head sent to the capital; later Guibo was captured and executed in the marketplace.
21
初，遙大功昆弟皆是景穆之孫，至明帝而本服絕，故除遙等屬籍。 遙表曰：
At first Yao's elder cousins in the greater mourning line were all grandsons of Jingmu; by Emperor Ming's time the primary mourning bond was exhausted, so Yao and the rest were removed from the imperial register. Yao memorialized:
22
竊聞聖人所以南面而聽天下，其不可得變革者，則親也尊也。 四世而緦服窮，五世而袒免，六世而親屬竭矣。 去茲以往，猶系之以姓而弗別，綴之以食而弗殊。 又《律》雲議親者，非唯當世之屬親，曆謂先帝之五世。 謹尋斯旨，將以廣帝宗，重磐石。 先皇所以變茲事條，為此別制者，太和之季，方有意于吳、蜀； 經始之費，慮深在初； 割減之起，暫出當時也。 且臨淮王提分屬籍之始，高祖賜帛三千疋，所以重分離。 樂良王長命亦賜縑二千疋，所以存慈眷。 此皆先朝殷勤克念，不得已而然者也。
I have heard that the reason the sage faces south and listens to all under Heaven is that among what cannot be altered are kinship and honor. After four generations the finest mourning ends; after five, the bared shoulder; after six, kinship is exhausted. Beyond that, kin are still linked by surname without division, joined by sacrificial food without distinction. The Code also says that those debated as kin are not only kin of the present generation but extend to the former emperor's five generations. Examining this intent, it is meant to broaden the imperial clan and strengthen the bedrock. The reason the late emperor altered this statute and made this separate rule was that in the Taihe years he still had designs on Wu and Shu; the cost of beginning the enterprise lay deep in the outset; the reduction arose temporarily from that moment. Moreover when the Prince of Huaiyang, Ti, was first removed from the register, the High Ancestor granted three thousand bolts of silk to emphasize the separation. The Prince of Leliang, Changming, also received two thousand bolts of silk to preserve affectionate regard. These were all the former court's earnest, thoughtful remembrance—done because there was no other way.
23
古人有言，「百足之蟲，至死不僵」者，以其輔己者眾。 臣誠不欲妄親太階，苟求潤屋，但傷大宗一分，則天子屬籍不過十數人而已。 在漢諸王之子，不限多少，皆列土而封，謂之曰侯； 至於魏、晉，莫不廣胙河山，稱之曰公者，蓋惡其大宗之不固，骨肉之恩疏矣。
The ancients said, "A centipede does not stiffen until death" because those who support it are many. I truly do not wish rashly to approach the Great Steps or seek to enrich my house, but it grieves me that with one portion cut from the great lineage the emperor's register holds barely a dozen names. Under Han, the sons of the kings, without limit on number, all received fiefs and were called marquises; down through Wei and Jin none failed to grant broad fiefs across rivers and mountains and call them dukes—because they hated that the great lineage was not firm and flesh-and-blood affection grew thin.
24
臣去皇上雖是五世之遠，於先帝便是天子之孫。 高祖所以國秩祿賦，復給衣食，後族唯給其賦，不與衣食者，欲以別外內，限異同也。 今諸廟之感，在心未忘； 行道之悲，倏然已及。 其諸封者，身亡之日，三年服終，然後改奪。 今朝廷猶在遏密之中，便議此事，實用未安。
Though I am five generations removed from Your Majesty, to the late emperor I was still the emperor's grandson. The reason the High Ancestor restored state stipends and grain levies and again gave food and clothing, while the empress's kin received only the levy and not food or clothing, was to distinguish inner from outer and set limits on sameness and difference. The feeling owed the ancestral temples is not yet forgotten in the heart; the grief of the road has suddenly arrived. Those enfeoffed, when they die, after three years of mourning the title is then altered or withdrawn. The court is still in the period of suppressed mourning; to debate this matter now is truly not yet fitting.
25
詔付尚書博議以聞。 尚書令任城王澄、尚書左僕射元暉奏同遙表，靈太后不從。 卒，諡曰宣公。
An edict referred it to the Ministry for broad deliberation and report. Director of the Secretariat Prince of Rencheng Cheng and Left Vice Director Yuan Hui memorialized agreement with Yao's memorial; Empress Dowager Ling did not follow it. He died and was given the posthumous title Duke Xuan.
26
遙弟恆，字景安，粗涉書史。 恆以《春秋》之義，為名不以山川，表求改名芝。 歷位太常卿、中書監、侍中。 後於河陰遇害，贈太傅、司徒公，諡曰宣穆公。
Yao's younger brother Heng, styled Jing'an, had a rough acquaintance with books and histories. Heng, following the Spring and Autumn principle that names do not take mountains and rivers, memorialized asking to change his name to Zhi. He held the posts of Director of the Court of Sacrifices, Director of the Secretariat, and Attendant. Later he was killed at Heyin and posthumously given Grand Tutor and Grand Duke, with the posthumous title Duke Xuanmu.
27
濟陰王小新成，和平二年封，頗有武略。 庫莫奚侵擾，詔新成討之。 新成乃多為毒酒。 賊逼，便棄營而去。 賊至，兢飲。 遂簡輕騎縱擊，俘馘甚多。 後位外都大官。 薨，贈大將軍，諡曰惠公。
The Prince of Jiyin the Lesser, Xiaoxincheng, was enfeoffed in the second year of Heping and had considerable military talent. When the Kumo Xi raided, an edict ordered Xiaoxincheng to attack them. Xiaoxincheng prepared much poisoned wine. When the bandits pressed close he abandoned the camp and left. When the bandits arrived they drank eagerly. He then led light cavalry in a swift strike and took many captives and heads. He later served as Grand Official of the Outer Capital. When he died he was posthumously made Grand General, with the posthumous title Duke Hui.
28
子鬱，字伏生，襲。 位開府，為徐州刺史。 以黷貨賜死，國除。
His son Yu, courtesy name Fusheng, inherited the title. He held the rank of Defender-in-Chief and served as Governor of Xu Province. For corruption he was sentenced to death and the fief was abolished.
29
長子弼，字邕明，剛正有文學，位中散大夫。 以世嫡，應襲先爵。 為季父尚書僕射麗因於氏親寵，遂奪弼王爵，橫授同母兄子誕。 於是弼絕棄人事，托疾還私第。 宣武徵為侍中，弼上表固讓。 入嵩山，以穴為室，布衣蔬食。 卒。 建義元年，子暉業訴復王爵。 永安三年，追贈尚書令、司徒公，諡曰「文獻」。 初，弼嘗夢人謂之曰：「君身不得傳世封，其紹先爵者，君長子紹遠也。」 弼覺，即語暉業，終如其言。
The eldest son Bi, courtesy name Yongming, was upright and literary; he served as Palace Scribe. As heir of the main line he should have inherited his father's title. His younger uncle Lü, Minister of the Masters of Writing, used the Yu clan's favor to strip Bi of his princely rank and give it to his full brother's son Dan. Bi then withdrew from public life entirely, citing illness to return home. Emperor Xuanwu summoned him as Palace Attendant, but Bi firmly declined in a memorial. He went into Mount Song, made a cave his home, and lived on coarse cloth and plain food. He died. In the first year of Jianyi his son Huiye petitioned to have the princely rank restored. In the third year of Yong'an he was posthumously made Director of the Masters of Writing and Duke of Situ, with the posthumous title Wenxian. Earlier Bi had dreamed that someone told him, "You yourself will not pass on the hereditary fief; the one who will inherit the former title is your eldest son Shaoyuan. When Bi awoke he told Huiye at once, and in the end it proved exactly as the dream had said.
30
暉業少險薄，多與寇盜交通。 長乃變節，涉子史，亦頗屬文，而慷慨有志節。 歷位司空、太尉，加特進，領中書監，錄尚書事。 齊文襄嘗問之曰：「比何所披覽？」 對曰：「數尋伊、霍之傳，不讀曹、馬之書。」 暉業以時運漸謝，不復圖全。 唯事飲啖，一日三羊，三日一犢。 又嘗賦詩云：「昔居王道泰，濟濟富群英。 今逢世路阻，狐兔鬱縱橫。」 齊初，降封美陽縣公，開府儀同三司、特進。
In youth Huiye was treacherous and dissolute and often consorted with bandits. As he matured he reformed, studied history, wrote passably well, and became generous and resolute. He rose through Minister of Works and Grand Commandant to special advancement, and concurrently served as Director of the Secretariat and Recorder of the Masters of Writing. Prince Wenxiang of Qi once asked him, "What have you been reading lately? He replied, "I keep to the stories of Yi Yin and Huo Guang; I do not read the books of Cao Cao and the Simas." Seeing the times fade, Huiye no longer strove to preserve himself intact. He devoted himself only to feasting—three sheep a day and a calf every three days. He also once wrote a poem: "Once I lived when the royal way was tranquil, / and hosts of worthies flourished in plenty. Now the age's road is blocked, / and foxes and hares swarm on every side. At the founding of Qi he was demoted to Duke of Meiyang County while retaining Defender-in-Chief with Three-Duke ceremony and special advancement.
31
暉業之在晉陽也，無所交通，居常閒暇，乃撰魏籓王家世，號為《辨宗錄》四十卷，行於世。 位望隆重，又以性氣不倫，每被猜忌。
At Jinyang he kept no company; in his leisure he compiled the genealogies of Wei princely houses into forty scrolls called Records for Distinguishing Clans, which circulated widely. His rank and standing were great, and because his temperament was eccentric he was often suspected.
32
天保二年，從駕至晉陽，于宮門外罵元韶曰：「爾不及一老嫗，背負璽與人，何不打碎之！ 我出此言，知即死，然爾亦詎得幾時！」 文宣聞而殺之，並斬臨淮公孝友。 孝友臨刑，驚惶失措，暉業神色自若。 仍鑿冰沈其屍。
In the second year of Tianbao, on the imperial progress to Jinyang, he cursed Yuan Shao outside the palace gate: "You are worse than an old crone, carrying the seal on your back to give it away—why not smash it to bits! I say this knowing I shall die at once—but how much longer will you last! Emperor Wenxuan heard of it and had him executed, and also beheaded the Prince of Linhuai, Xiaoyou. At the block Xiaoyou was panic-stricken; Huiye's face remained serene. Their bodies were then sunk in a hole cut through the ice.
33
暉業弟昭業，頗有學尚，位諫議大夫。 莊帝將幸洛南，昭業立於閶闔門外，叩馬諫，帝避之而過。 後勞勉之。 位給事黃門侍郎、衛將軍、右光祿大夫。 卒，諡曰文侯。
Huiye's younger brother Zhaoye was learned and served as Remonstrating Grandee. When Emperor Zhuangzong was about to travel south of the Luo, Zhaoye stood outside Changhe Gate, seized the bridle, and remonstrated; the emperor avoided him and passed on. Later the emperor praised and encouraged him. He served as Attendant of the Yellow Gate in charge of matters, Guards General, and Grand Master of Splendid Virtue on the right. He died with the posthumous title Marquis Wen.
34
郁弟偃，位太中大夫。
Yu's younger brother Yan served as Grand Master of the Palace.
35
子撫，字伯懿，襲。 莊帝初，為從兄暉業訴奪王爵。
His son Fu, courtesy name Boyi, inherited. Early in Emperor Zhuangzong's reign he petitioned on his cousin Huiye's behalf to recover the princely rank.
36
拜雍州刺史，為政嚴酷，吏人患之。 其妻崔氏誕一男，麗遂出州獄囚，死及徒、流案未申台者，一時放免。 遷冀州刺史，入為尚書左僕射。 帝問曰：「聞公在州殺戮無理，枉濫非一，又大殺道人。」 對曰：「臣在冀州可殺道人二百許人，亦復何多？」 帝曰：「一物不得其所，若納諸隍，況殺道人二百，而言不多！」 麗脫冠謝，賜坐。 卒，諡曰威。
Appointed Governor of Yong Province, he governed with harsh cruelty that officials and commoners alike resented. When his wife Lady Cui bore a son, Li released all prisoners in the provincial jail, including those awaiting execution or exile whose cases had not yet been sent to the capital. He was transferred to Governor of Ji Province, then entered the capital as Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. The emperor said, "I hear that in your province you killed without cause, wronged many unjustly, and slaughtered a great many monks besides. He replied, "In Ji Province I might have killed some two hundred monks—is that really so many?" The emperor said, "When even one creature is wronged it is as though cast into a ditch—yet you killed two hundred monks and call that not many!" Li removed his cap and apologized; the emperor granted him a seat. He died with the posthumous title Wei.
37
子顯和，少有節操，曆司徒記室參軍。 司徒崔光每見之，曰：「元參軍風流清秀，容止閒雅，乃宰相之器。」 除徐州安東府長史。 刺史元法僧叛，顯和與戰被禽。 執手命與連坐。 顯和曰：「顯和與阿翁同源別派，皆是磐石之宗，一朝以地外叛，若遇董狐，能無慚德？」 遂不肯坐。 法僧猶欲慰喻。 顯和曰：「乃可死作惡鬼，不能生為叛臣！」 及將殺之，神色自若。 建義初，贈秦州刺史。
His son Xianhe in youth had moral discipline and served as Recorder in the Ministry of State. Whenever Minister of State Cui Guang saw him he said, "Recorder Yuan is refined and graceful in bearing—the makings of a chief minister. He was appointed Long History of the Eastern Pacification Office in Xu Province. When Governor Yuan Faseng rebelled, Xianhe fought and was taken captive. Faseng took his hand and ordered him to sit with him. Xianhe said, "Your lordship and I spring from one root, though different branches—we are bedrock of the imperial house. Yet in a morning you rebel holding this land; faced with Dong Hu's brush, could you bear no shame? He refused to sit. Faseng still tried to comfort and persuade him. Xianhe said, "I would rather die and be an evil ghost than live as a rebel minister! When they were about to execute him, his face remained serene. At the beginning of Jianyi he was posthumously made Governor of Qin Province.
38
汝陰王天賜，和平三年封，後為內都大官。 孝文初，殿中尚書胡莫寒簡西部敕勒豪富兼丁者，為殿中武士，而大納財貨。 眾怒，殺莫寒及高平假鎮將奚陵。 於是諸部敕勒悉叛。 詔天賜與給事中羅雲討之。 前鋒敕勒詐降，雲信之。 副將元伏曰：「敕勒色動，恐有變，今不設備，將為所圖。」 雲不從。 敕勒襲殺雲，天賜僅得自全。 累遷懷朔鎮大將。 坐貪殘，恕死，削除官爵。 卒，孝文哭於思政觀，贈本爵，葬從王禮，諡曰靈王。
The Prince of Ruyin, Tian Ci, was enfeoffed in the third year of Heping and later became Grand Official of the Inner Capital. Early in Emperor Xiaowen's reign, Palace Attendant Hu Mo Han drafted wealthy men from the western Tiele who also bore military household status as palace guards, while taking heavy bribes. The people rose in fury and killed Mo Han and the acting commander of Gaoping, Xi Ling. Thereupon all the Tiele tribes rebelled. An edict ordered Tian Ci and Attendant of the Masters of Writing Luo Yun to suppress them. The Tiele vanguard feigned surrender, and Yun believed them. Vice Commander Yuan Fu said, "The Tiele look restless—there may be treachery; if we do not prepare now we shall be ambushed. Yun would not listen. The Tiele attacked and killed Yun; Tian Ci barely escaped alive. He was repeatedly promoted to Grand General of Huaishuo Garrison. For greed and cruelty he was spared death but stripped of office and rank. At his death Emperor Xiaowen wept at Sizheng Hall; he was posthumously restored to his former title, buried with princely rites, and given the posthumous name Prince Ling.
39
子逞，字萬安，卒于齊州刺史，諡曰威。
His son Cheng, courtesy name Wan'an, died as Governor of Qi Province with the posthumous title Wei.
40
逞子慶和，東豫州刺史，為梁將所攻，舉城降之。 梁武以為北道總督、魏王。 至項城，朝廷出師討之，望風退走。 梁武責之曰：「言同百舌，膽若鼷鼠。」 遂徙合浦。
Cheng's son Qinghe, Governor of Eastern Yu Province, surrendered his city when Liang generals attacked. Emperor Wu of Liang made him Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Route and Prince of Wei. When he reached Xiangcheng the court sent troops against him; he fled at the first rumor of their approach. Emperor Wu of Liang rebuked him: "Your tongue runs with a hundred voices, your courage is that of a mouse. He was then banished to Hepu.
41
逞弟泛，字普安，自元士稍遷營州刺史。 性貪殘，人不堪命，相率逐之，泛走平州。 後除光祿大夫、宗正卿，封東燕縣男。 于河陰遇害。
Cheng's younger brother Fan, courtesy name Pu'an, rose from junior clansman rank to Governor of Ying Province. Greedy and cruel, he drove the people past endurance until they expelled him together; Fan fled to Ping Province. Later he was made Grand Master of Splendid Virtue and Director of the Imperial Clan, enfeoffed as Baron of Dongyan. He was killed at Heyin.
42
泛弟修義，字壽安，頗有文才。 自元士稍遷齊州刺史。 修義以齊州頻喪刺史，累表固辭。 詔不許，聽隨便立解宇。 修義乃移東城。 為政寬和。 遷秦州刺史。 明帝初，表陳庶人禧、庶人愉等，請宥前愆，賜葬陵域。 靈太后詔曰：「收葬之恩，事由上旨，籓岳何得越職幹陳！」
Fan's younger brother Xiuyi, courtesy name Shou'an, had considerable literary talent. From junior clansman rank he was gradually promoted to Governor of Qi Province. Because Qi Province had repeatedly lost its governors, Xiuyi memorialized again and again to decline the post. The edict refused but allowed him to set up headquarters wherever he chose. Xiuyi then moved his seat to Dongcheng. His rule was lenient and mild. He was transferred to Governor of Qin Province. At the beginning of Emperor Ming's reign he memorialized on behalf of the demoted princes Xi and Yu, asking pardon for their past faults and burial in the imperial necropolis. Empress Dowager Ling issued an edict, "The grace of burial lies with the throne alone—how may a frontier prince overstep his station and meddle in such a petition!"
43
在州多受納。 累遷吏部尚書。 及在銓衡，唯事貨賄，授官大小，皆有定價。 時中散大夫高居者，有旨先敘。 上党郡缺，居遂求之。 修義私已許人，仰居不與。 居大言不遜，修義命左右牽曳之。 居對大眾呼天唱賊。 人問居曰：「白日公庭，安得有賊？」 居指修義曰：「此坐上者，違天子明詔，物多者得官，京師白劫，此非大賊乎？」 修義失色。 居行罵而出，後欲邀車駕論修義罪狀，左僕射蕭寶夤喻之乃止。
In the province he accepted many bribes. He was repeatedly promoted to Minister of Personnel. At the helm of appointments he dealt only in bribes; every office had its price. At that time Palace Scribe Gao Ju held an imperial instruction for prior promotion. When the post of Shangdang commandery fell vacant, Ju sought it. Xiuyi had already promised it privately to another and, relying on Ju's rank, refused to grant it. Ju spoke with great insolence; Xiuyi ordered his attendants to drag him off. Before the assembled crowd Ju cried to Heaven, shouting "Thief!" Someone asked Ju, "In broad daylight in the public hall, how can there be a thief? Ju pointed at Xiuyi and said, "The man seated there violates the Son of Heaven's clear edict—whoever brings more goods gets office. Robbery in broad daylight at the capital—is that not the greatest thief of all?" Xiuyi turned pale. Ju stormed out still cursing; later he meant to waylay the imperial carriage to denounce Xiuyi's crimes, but Left Vice Director Xiao Baoyin talked him out of it.
44
二秦反，假修義兼尚書右僕射、西道行台、行秦州事，為諸軍節度。 修義性好酒，每飲連日，遂遇風病，神明昏喪，雖至長安，竟無部分之益。 元志敗沒，賊東至黑水，更遣蕭寶夤討之，以修義為雍州刺史。 卒于州，贈司空，諡曰文。
When the two Qin provinces rebelled, Xiuyi was made acting Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, Western Route Commissioner, and acting Governor of Qin, with command over all forces. Xiuyi loved wine; each bout lasted days on end until wind illness struck and his mind grew clouded, so that though he reached Chang'an he could offer no effective command. When Yuan Zhi was defeated and killed the rebels advanced east to Heishui; Xiao Baoyin was again sent against them, with Xiuyi as Governor of Yong. He died in office and was posthumously made Minister of Works with the posthumous title Wen.
45
子均，位給事黃門侍郎。 後入西魏，封安昌王，位開府儀同三司。 薨，贈司空，諡曰平。
His son Jun served as Attendant of the Yellow Gate in charge of matters. Later he entered Western Wei, was enfeoffed Prince of Anchang, and held Defender-in-Chief with Three-Duke ceremony. At his death he was posthumously made Minister of Works with the posthumous title Ping.
46
子則，字孝規，襲爵，位義州刺史。 仕周為小塚宰、江陵總管。
His son Ze, courtesy name Xiaogui, inherited the title and served as Governor of Yi Province. Under Zhou he was Junior Director of the Mausoleum and Commander-in-Chief of Jiangling.
47
既而宇文化及立秦王浩為帝，擁兵至彭城，所在響震。 文都諷侗遣使通于李密。 密乃請降，因授官爵，禮其使甚厚。 王世充不悅，文都知之，陰有誅世充計。 侗以文都領御史大夫，世充固執而止。 盧楚說文都誅之，文都遂懷奏入殿。 有人以告世充，世充馳還含嘉城。 至夜難作，攻東太陽門而入，拜於紫微觀下，曰：「請斬文都，歸罪司寇。」 侗見兵勢盛，遣其所署將軍黃桃樹執文都以出。 文都顧謂侗曰：「臣今朝亡，陛下亦當夕及。」 侗慟哭遣之，左右莫不憫默。 出至興教門，世充令左右亂斬之，諸子並見害。
Soon afterward Yuwen Huaji set up Prince Hao of Qin as emperor and marched to Pengcheng; the land shook wherever his army passed. Wendu persuaded Yang Tong to send envoys to Li Mi. Li Mi then offered to submit and was granted office and rank; Tong treated his envoys with great honor. Wang Shichong was displeased; Wendu knew it and secretly plotted to kill him. Tong wished to put Wendu in charge of the Censorate, but Shichong firmly blocked it. Lu Chu urged Wendu to kill Shichong; Wendu then entered the hall with a memorial. Someone informed Shichong; he galloped back to Jiahe Fortress. That night rebellion broke out; he forced the East Sun Gate and entered, bowing below the Ziwei Observatory: "I beg leave to behead Wendu and lay the blame on the Minister of Justice. Seeing the troops' strength, Tong sent his appointed general Huang Taoshu to seize Wendu and hand him over. Wendu turned to Tong and said, "I die this morning; Your Majesty will follow this evening. Tong wept as he sent him out; none beside him could speak for grief. At Xingjiao Gate Shichong ordered his men to cut Wendu down; his sons were killed as well.
48
則弟矩，字孝矩，西魏時，襲祖爵始平縣公，拜南豐州刺史。 時見元氏將危，陰謂昆季曰：「宇文之心，路人所見。 顛而不扶，焉用宗子！」 為兄則所遏，乃止。 後周文為兄子晉公護娶其妹為妻，情好甚密。 及護誅，坐徙蜀。 後拜司憲大夫。 隋文帝重其門地，娶其女為房陵王妃。 及為丞相，拜少塚宰，位柱國，賜爵洵陽郡公。 及房陵立為皇太子，立其女為皇太子妃，親禮彌厚，拜夀州總管。 時陳將任蠻奴等屢寇江北，復以孝矩領行軍總官，屯兵江上。 後以年老，上表乞骸骨。 輕涇州刺史。 卒官，諡曰簡。 子無竭嗣。
Ze's younger brother Ju, courtesy name Xiaoju, in Western Wei inherited their grandfather's title as Duke of Shiping and was appointed Governor of Nanfeng. Seeing the Yuan house about to fall, he secretly told his brothers, "The Yuwen clan's intent is plain to every passerby. When the house topples and you will not prop it up—what use are the sons of the clan! His elder brother Ze restrained him, and he desisted. Later Emperor Wen of Zhou took Ju's younger sister as wife for his nephew, the Duke of Jin, Hu; their bond was very close. When Hu was executed Ju was banished to Shu on account of the connection. Later he was made Grand Master of the Ministry of Justice. Emperor Wen of Sui valued his family's standing and married his daughter to the Prince of Fangling. When he became Chancellor he was made Junior Director of the Mausoleum and Pillar of State, and enfeoffed Duke of Xunyang. When the Prince of Fangling was made crown prince, Ju's daughter became crown princess; favor deepened and he was made Commander-in-Chief of Shou. When Chen generals such as Ren Mannu repeatedly raided north of the Yangtze, Xiaoju was again made campaign commander-in-chief and stationed troops on the river. Later, owing to age, he memorialized to retire. He was made Governor of Jing Province. He died in office with the posthumous title Jian. His son Wujie inherited.
49
矩次弟雅，字孝方，有文武幹用。 開皇中，曆左領左右將軍、集沁二州刺史，封順陽郡公。
Ju's next younger brother Ya, courtesy name Xiaofang, had both civil and military talent. Under Kaihuang he served as General of the Left Guard and Governor of Ji and Qin, and was enfeoffed Duke of Shunyang.
50
雅弟褒，字孝整，少有成人量。 年十歲而孤，為諸兄所愛養。 善事諸兄。 諸兄議欲別居，褒泣諫，不從。 家素富，多金寶，褒一無所受，脫身而出。 仕周，位開府、北平縣公、趙州刺史。 從韋孝寬平尉遲迥，以功拜柱國，進封河間郡公。
Ya's younger brother Bao, courtesy name Xiaozheng, even in youth had the stature of a man grown. Orphaned at ten, he was cherished and raised by all his elder brothers. He treated all his elder brothers with devotion. When his brothers discussed dividing the household, Bao wept and remonstrated, but they would not listen. The family was long wealthy in gold and jewels; Bao took none of it and walked away with nothing. Under Zhou he was Defender-in-Chief, Duke of Beiping, and Governor of Zhao. Following Wei Xiaokuan in pacifying Yuchi Jiong, he was made Pillar of State and advanced to Duke of Hejian.
51
隋開皇中，拜原州總管。 有商人為賊劫，其人疑同宿者而執之。 褒察其色冤而辭正，遂舍之。 商人詣闕訟褒受金縱賊。 隋文帝遣窮之，使者簿責褒何故利金而舍盜。 褒引咎無異辭。 使者與褒俱詣京師，遂坐免官。 其盜尋發他所。 上曰：「何至自誣？」 褒曰：「臣受委一州，不能息盜，臣罪一也； 百姓為人所謗，不付法司，懸即放免，臣罪二也； 無顧形跡，至今為物所疑，臣罪三也。 臣有三罪，何所逃責！ 臣又不言受賂，使者復將有所窮究，然則縲絏橫及良善，重臣之罪，是以自誣。」 上歎異之，稱為長者。
Under Sui Kaihuang he was made Commander-in-Chief of Yuan Province. A merchant was robbed by bandits; he suspected a fellow lodger and seized him. Bao saw innocence in his face and uprightness in his words, and released him. The merchant went to the capital to accuse Bao of taking gold to let the thief go. Emperor Wen sent investigators; the envoy pressed Bao on why he had taken gold and freed the robber. Bao accepted blame without shifting his story. The envoy brought Bao to the capital, and he was dismissed from office. The real thief was soon caught elsewhere. The emperor said, "Why would you go so far as to accuse yourself falsely? Bao said, "I was charged with a whole province and could not suppress robbery—that is my first fault. A commoner was slandered, yet I did not hand him to the courts and released him at once—that is my second fault. Without regard for how it looked, I am suspected to this day—that is my third fault. I have three faults—how could I escape blame! Nor did I deny taking a bribe; the envoy would have pressed the inquiry further, and then the innocent would have been dragged into bonds—doubling my fault. That is why I accused myself falsely. The emperor marveled and called him a man of true stature.
52
樂良王萬壽，和平三年封，拜征東大將軍，鎮和龍。 性貪暴，征還，道憂薨，諡曰厲王。 子康王樂平襲。 薨。 子長命襲。 坐殺人賜死，國除。
The Prince of Yueiang, Wanshou, was enfeoffed in the third year of Heping and appointed Grand General Campaigning East, stationed at Helong. Greedy and violent, he died of distress on the road while returning from campaign; his posthumous name was Prince Li. His son the Prince of Le, Yueping, inherited. He died. His son Changming inherited. For murder he was sentenced to death and the fief was abolished.
53
子忠，明帝時，復前爵，位太常少卿。 孝武帝泛舟天泉池，命宗室諸王陪宴。 忠愚而無智，性好衣服，遂著紅羅襦，繡作領，碧綢褲，錦為緣。 帝謂曰：「朝廷衣冠，應有常式，何為著百戲衣？」 忠曰：「臣少來所愛，情存綺羅，歌衣舞服，是臣所願。」 帝曰：「人之無良乃至此乎？」
His son Zhong, in Emperor Ming's time, had the former title restored and served as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Emperor Xiaowu boated on the Tianquan Pool and ordered the imperial princes to join the feast. Zhong was dull and witless and loved fine dress; he wore a red silk jacket with embroidered collar, green silk trousers, and brocade trim. The emperor said, "Court dress has its proper form—why are you dressed like a street performer? Zhong said, "What I have loved since youth lives in silk and gauze—singing robes and dancing dress are what I want." The emperor said, "That a man can be so utterly without shame—it truly comes to this!"
54
廣平王洛侯，和平二年封。 薨，諡曰殤。 無子，後以陽平幽王第五子匡後之。
The Prince of Guangping, Luohou, was enfeoffed in the second year of Heping. He died with the posthumous title Shang. He had no son; later the fifth son of the Prince of Yangping You, Kuang, was made his heir.
55
匡字建扶，性耿介，有氣節。 孝文器之。 謂曰：「叔父必能儀形社稷，匡輔朕躬，今可改名為匡，以成克終之美。」 宣武即位，累遷給事黃門侍郎。 茹皓始有寵，百寮微憚之。 帝曾于山陵還，詔匡陪乘，又使皓登車。 皓褰裳將上，匡諫，帝推之令下，皓恨匡失色。 當時壯其忠謇。 宣武親政，除肆州刺史。 匡既忤皓，懼為所害，廉慎自修，甚有聲績。 遷恆州刺史。 徵為大宗正卿、河南邑中正。
Kuang, courtesy name Jianfu, was upright and possessed moral fiber. Emperor Xiaowen valued him. He told him, "Uncle, you will surely uphold the altars and assist my person; you may now change your name to Kuang—to fulfill the beauty of seeing the work through to the end. When Emperor Xuanwu took the throne he rose to Attendant of the Yellow Gate in charge of matters. When Ru Hao first gained favor, the hundred officials feared him somewhat. Once, returning from the imperial tombs, the emperor ordered Kuang to ride beside him and also had Hao mount the carriage. Hao lifted his robe to climb in; Kuang remonstrated; the emperor pushed Hao down; Hao hated Kuang and turned pale. At the time all admired his blunt loyalty. When Emperor Xuanwu took personal rule he was made Governor of Si. Having offended Hao, Kuang feared harm and governed with scrupulous integrity, earning a fine reputation. He was transferred to Governor of Heng. He was summoned as Director of the Imperial Clan and Rectifier of the Right for Henan.
56
匡奏親王及始籓、二籓王妻，悉有妃號。 而三籓以下，皆謂之妻。 上不得同為妃名，而下不及五品以上有命婦之號，竊以為疑。 詔曰：「夫貴于朝，妻榮于室，婦女無定，升從其夫。 三籓既啟王封，妃名亦宜同等。 妻者齊也，理與己齊，可從妃例。」 自是三籓王妻，名號始定。 從除度支尚書。 匡表引樂陵、章武之例，求紹洛侯封。 詔付尚書議。 尚書奏聽襲封，以明興絕之義。
Kuang memorialized that imperial princes' wives and those of the founding and second-rank princes should all bear the title consort. Yet for princes below the third rank they were all called simply "wife." They could not share the consort title above, yet fell short of the ennobled ladies granted from fifth rank upward—he found this inconsistent. The edict said, "When the husband is honored at court the wife is glorified at home; women have no fixed rank but rise with their husbands. Third-rank princes now hold princely fiefs; their consorts' titles should be equal as well. Wife means equal—in principle she stands equal to her husband—and may follow the consort precedent. From then on the titles of third-rank princes' wives were fixed. He was next made Minister of Revenue. Kuang memorialized citing the precedents of Leiling and Zhangwu, asking to inherit Luohou's fief. An edict referred the matter to the Masters of Writing for deliberation. This Masters of Writing memorialized approval of the succession to the fief, to clarify the principle of reviving extinct lines.
57
時宣武委政于高肇，宗室傾憚，唯匡與肇抗衡。 先自造棺，置於聽事，意欲輿棺詣闕，論肇罪惡，自殺切諫。 肇聞而惡之。 後因與太常卿劉芳議爭權量，遂與肇聲色。 御史中尉王顯奏匡曰：
At the time Emperor Xuanwu entrusted government to Gao Zhao; the imperial clan trembled before him—only Kuang stood against Zhao, in the record. He had earlier had a coffin made and placed in the reception hall, intending to carry it to the palace gate, denounce Zhao's crimes; kill himself in desperate remonstrance. Zhao heard of it and hated him, in the record. Later, because he disputed weights and measures with Minister of Ceremonies Liu Fang, he clashed with Zhao in voice and manner, in the record. Inspector of the Masters of Writing Wang Xian memorialized against Kuang, saying:
58
自金行失禦，群偽競興，禮壞樂崩，彝倫攸斁。 高祖孝文皇帝以睿聖統天，克復舊典。 乃命故中書監高閭，廣旌儒林，推尋樂府，以黍裁寸，將均周、漢舊章。 屬雲構中遷，尚未雲就。 高祖睿思玄深，參考經、記，以一黍之大，用成分體，准之為尺，宣佈施行。
Since the Metal dynasty lost the throne, many usurpers rose together; ritual collapsed and music fell into ruin; the great norms were overturned, in the record. Emperor Gaozu Xiaowen, with sage wisdom ruling heaven, restored the old canons, in the record. He then ordered the late Director of the Palace Writers Gao Lu to honor the Confucian schools broadly, search out the Music Office, cut the inch by millet grain; align with Zhou and Han old statutes. It happened that the cloud-loom capital moved midway; the work was not yet complete. Gaozu's wise thought ran deep and dark; consulting classics and records, he took one millet as the measure for fractional parts, made it the standard inch; promulgated it for use.
59
暨正始中，故太樂令公孫崇輒自立意，以黍十二為寸，別造尺度，定律刊鐘。 皆向成訖，表求觀試。 時敕太常卿臣芳，以崇造既成，請集朝英，議其得否。 芳疑崇尺度與先朝不同，察其作者，于經史復異，推造鮮據，非所宜行。 時尚書令臣肇、清河王懌等，以崇造乖謬，與《周禮》不同，遂奏臣芳依《周禮》更造，成訖量校，從其善者。 而芳以先朝尺度，事合古典，乃依前詔書，以黍刊寸，並呈朝廷，用裁金石。 于時議者多雲芳是。 唯黃門侍郎臣孫惠蔚與崇扶同。 二途參差，頻經考議。 而尚書令臣肇以芳造。 崇物故之後，而惠蔚亦造一尺，仍雲扶。 以比崇尺，自相乖背。 量省二三，謂芳一尺為得。 而尚書臣匡表雲，劉、孫二尺，長短相傾，稽考兩律，所容殊異，言取中黍，校彼二家，雲並參差，折中無所，自立一途，請求議判。 當時議者，或是于匡，兩途舛駁，未即時定。 肇又云：「權斛斗尺，班行已久，今者所論，豈逾先旨，宜仰依先朝故尺為定。」
By the Zhengshi era the late Director of Music Gongsun Chong on his own authority set twelve grains to the inch, made a separate scale, fixed the laws; cast the bells. All were nearly finished; he memorialized requesting a trial viewing, in the record. At the time an edict ordered Minister of Ceremonies your subject Fang: since Chong's work was done, gather the court's worthies and debate whether it was acceptable, in the record. Fang doubted Chong's scale differed from the prior dynasty; examining its makers, it again diverged from classics and histories—forced invention with thin support, not fit to implement, in the record. At the time Director of the Masters of Writing your subject Zhao, Prince of Qinghe Yi; others, holding Chong's work perverse and unlike the Rites of Zhou, memorialized your subject Fang to remake it per the Zhou Rites; when finished, measure and compare; follow whichever was better. But Fang held the prior dynasty's scale consonant with classical antiquity; he followed the earlier edict, cut the inch by millet; presented it to court for use in bells and stones. At the time most debaters said Fang was right, in the record. Only Yellow Gate Attendant your subject Sun Huiwei sided with Chong, in the record. This two paths diverged; they were examined again and again. Director of the Masters of Writing your subject Zhao favored Fang's manufacture, in the record. After Chong died, Huiwei also made a foot-rule, still claiming to support Chong, in the record. Compared with Chong's foot-rule, they contradicted each other, in the record. Measuring and checking two or three times, they deemed Fang's foot-rule correct, in the record. But Director of the Masters of Writing your subject Kuang memorialized that the Liu and Sun foot-rules, long and short leaning against each other, when examined against the two pitch-pipes held different capacities; he said to take the middle millet, compare those two houses; found both irregular—with no mean to strike, he set up his own path and asked for judgment. Debaters at the time were split for or against Kuang; the two paths clashed and were not settled at once, in the record. Zhao also said, "Weights, bushels, pecks; foot-rules have long been promulgated; what is debated now cannot exceed the prior intent—we should rely on the prior dynasty's old foot-rule as fixed."
60
自爾以後，而匡與肇厲言都坐，聲色相加，高下失其常倫，尊競無復彝序。 匡更表列，據己十是，雲芳十非。 又云：「肇前被敕旨，共芳營督，規立鐘石之名，希播製作之譽。 乃憑樞衡之尊，藉舅氏之勢，與奪任心，臧否自己，阿党劉芳，遏絕臣事。 望勢雷同者，接以恩言； 依經案古者，即被怒責。 雖未指鹿化馬，移天徙日，實使蘊藉之士，聳氣坐端； 懷道之夫，結舌筵次。」 又言「芳昔與崇競，恆言自作，今共臣論，忽稱先朝。 豈不前謂可行，輒欲自取； 後知錯謬，便推先朝。 殊非大臣之體，深失為下之義。 復考校勢臣之前，量度偏頗之手，臣必刖足內朝，抱璞人外。」 囂言肆意，彰於朝野。
From then on Kuang and Zhao spoke harshly in the imperial audience hall, voices and faces raised against each other; high and low lost their proper order; honor and rivalry knew no ritual sequence, in the record. Kuang again memorialized in columns, holding his own ten parts right and Fang's ten parts wrong, in the record. He also said, "Zhao was earlier charged by edict to supervise jointly with Fang, plotting names for bells and stones, hoping to spread the fame of manufacture, in the record. Relying on the weight of the pivot, borrowing his uncle's power, he judged gain and loss by whim, praise and blame by himself, cliqueing with Liu Fang and blocking your subject's business, in the record. Those who echoed power he greeted with gracious words; those who checked classics against antiquity were at once rebuked in anger, in the record. Though he has not yet turned deer into horses or moved heaven and shifted the sun, he truly makes refined gentlemen stiffen with fear at their seats; men who cherish the Way bite their tongues at the feast, in the record. He also said, "Fang once competed with Chong and always said he made it himself; now debating with your subject he suddenly cites the prior dynasty, in the record. Did he not first say it would work and at once seek to take credit himself; then, knowing it wrong, push it onto the prior dynasty? This is far from a great minister's bearing and deeply fails the duty of a subordinate, in the record. To re-examine before powerful ministers and measure in the hands of the partial—your subject would surely lose his feet in the inner court and hold his jade outside the gate. His clamor ran wild, plain to court and countryside, in the record.
61
然匡職當出納，獻替所在，鬥尺權度，正是所司。 若己有所見，能練臧否，宜應首唱義端，早辨諸惑，何故默心隨從，不關一言，見芳成事，方出此語？ 計芳才學，與匡殊懸，所見淺深，不應相匹。 今乃始發，恐此由心，借智於人，規成虛譽。 況匡表云：「所據銅權，形如古志，明是漢作，非莽別造。」 及案權銘，「黃帝始祖，德布于虞； 虞帝始祖，德布於新」。 若莽佐漢時事，寧有銘偽新之號哉？ 又尋莽傳，雲莽居攝，即變漢制度。 考校二證，非漢權明矣。 復云「芳之所造，又短先朝之尺。 臣既比之，權然相合。 更云「芳尺與千金堰不同。」 臣復量比，因見其異，二三浮濫，難可據准。 又云「共構虛端，妄為疑似，托以先朝，雲非己制」。 臣案此欺詐，乃在於匡，不在於芳。 何以言之？
Yet Kuang's duty was intake and output; remonstrance and replacement were his place; pecks, foot-rules, weights; measures were precisely his office. If he had a view of his own and could judge right and wrong, he ought to have led with the righteous point and early cleared all doubts—why keep silent in heart and follow, not speaking one word; only after Fang's work was done utter this? Considering Fang's talent and learning, he and Kuang are worlds apart in depth of insight—they should not be matched, in the record. That he speaks only now—fear this comes from the heart, borrowing others' wisdom to build empty fame, in the record. Moreover Kuang's memorial said, "The bronze weight I rely on matches ancient records in form; clearly it is Han work, not a separate creation of Mang, in the record." Examining the weight's inscription: "Yellow Emperor the founding ancestor—his virtue spread in Yu; Yu Emperor the founding ancestor—his virtue spread in Xin." If this were Mang aiding Han times, how could the inscription bear the false title Xin? Searching Mang's biography, it says when Mang held the regency he at once changed Han institutions, in the record. Checking the two proofs, clearly it is not a Han weight, in the record. He also said, "What Fang made is again shorter than the prior dynasty's foot-rule, in the record. Your subject has compared them; the weight agrees exactly, in the record. He further said, "Fang's foot-rule differs from the Qianjin weir." Your subject again measured and compared and saw the difference—two or three parts floating loose, hard to use as standard, in the record. He also said, "They jointly built empty ends, falsely made suspicion, claiming the prior dynasty and saying it was not their own manufacture." Your subject finds this fraud lies in Kuang, not in Fang, in the record. How so?
62
芳先被敕，專造鐘律，管籥優劣，是其所裁，權斛尺度，本非其事。 比前門下索芳尺度，而芳牒報云「依先朝所班新尺，復應下黍，更不增損，為造鐘律，調正分寸而已」。 檢匡造時，在牒後一歲，芳於爾日，匡未共爭，已有此牒，豈為詐也？ 計崇造寸，積黍十二，群情共知。 而芳造寸，唯止十黍，亦俱見。 先朝詔書，以黍成寸，首尾曆然，寧有輒欲自取之理？ 肇任居端右，百寮是望，言行動靜，必副具瞻。 若恃權阿黨，詐托先詔，將指鹿化馬，徙日移天，即是魏之趙高，何以宰物？ 肇若無此，匡既誣毀宰相，訕謗時政，阻惑朝聽，不敬至甚。 請以肇、匡並禁尚書，推窮其原，付廷尉定罪。
Fang was first charged by edict to specialize in bells and pitch-pipes; the excellence of tubes and reeds was his to judge—weights, bushels; foot-rules were never his affair. Earlier the Palace Secretariat sought Fang's scale; Fang's reply said, "Following the new foot-rule promulgated by the prior dynasty, again applying the lower millet without further increase or decrease—only adjusting fractional parts to make bells and pitch-pipes." Checking when Kuang made his rule, it was one year after that reply; on that day Fang and Kuang had not yet disputed—this reply already existed. How call it fraud? Chong's inch used twelve stacked grains—everyone knows it, in the record. Fang's inch used only ten grains—also plain to all, in the record. This prior dynasty's edict, making the inch from millet, is clear from start to finish—how could there be a reason to seize it for oneself? Zhao holds the foremost right seat; the hundred offices look to him—word, act, movement; stillness must match what all watch. If he relies on power, cliques; fraudulently claims the prior edict, turning deer into horses and shifting sun and day—he is Zhao Gao of Wei; how can he govern things? If Zhao has none of this, Kuang has slandered the chancellor, mocked current policy, blocked the court's hearing—impiety in the extreme, in the record. We ask that Zhao and Kuang both be barred from the Masters of Writing, the root traced to the end; the case sent to the Minister of Justice for sentencing.
63
詔曰「可」。 有司奏匡誣肇，處匡死刑。 宣武恕死，降為光祿大夫。 又兼宗正卿。 出為兗州刺史。 匡臨發，帝引見於東堂，勞勉之。 匡猶以尺度金石之事，國之大經，前雖為南台所彈，然猶許更議。 若議之日，願聽臣暫赴。 帝曰：「劉芳學高一時，深明典故。 其所據者，與先朝尺乃寸過一黍，何得復雲先朝之意也？ 兗州既所執不經，後議之日，何待赴都也。」
An edict said, "Approved." This relevant offices memorialized that Kuang had slandered Zhao and sentenced Kuang to death. Emperor Xuanwu spared his life and reduced him to Honored Grandee of Light, in the record. He was also made Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, in the record. He went out as governor of Yanzhou, in the record. As Kuang was about to depart, the emperor received him in the Eastern Hall and comforted him, in the record. Kuang still held that scales, foot-rules, bells; stones were great statutes of state; though the Southern Terrace had impeached him before, he was still allowed further debate. If there is a day of debate, I beg leave to attend briefly, in the record. This emperor said, "Liu Fang's learning tops his age; he is deep in ancient precedent. What he relies on differs from the prior dynasty's foot-rule by only one millet per inch—how can he again say it is the prior dynasty's intent? Yanzhou is already what you hold without warrant; on the day of later debate, why wait to come to the capital?"
64
明帝初，入為御史中尉。 匡嚴於彈糾，始奏於忠，次彈高聰等免官，靈太后並不許。 違其糾惡之心，又慮匡辭解，欲獎安之，進號安南將軍，後加鎮東將軍。
At the beginning of Emperor Ming's reign he entered as Inspector of the Masters of Writing, in the record. Kuang was severe in impeachment; he first memorialized against Yu Zhong, then against Gao Cong and others for removal—all were denied by Empress Dowager Ling, in the record. Thwarted in his wish to impeach the wicked; fearing Kuang would resign, she wished to reward and reassure him—advanced to General Who Pacifies the South, later added General Who Guards the East.
65
匡每有奏請，尚書令、任城王澄時致執奪。 匡剛隘，內遂不平。 先所造棺，猶在僧寺，乃復修事，將與澄相攻。 澄頗知之，後將赴省，與匡逢遇，騶卒相撾，朝野駭愕。 澄因是奏匡罪狀三十餘條，廷尉處以死刑。 詔付八議，特加原宥，削爵除官。 三公郎中辛雄奏理之。 後特除平州刺史，徙青州刺史。 尋為關右都督、兼尚書行台。 遇疾，還京。 孝昌初，卒，諡曰文貞。 後追復本爵，改封濟南王。
Whenever Kuang had a memorial request, Director of the Masters of Writing Prince of Rencheng Cheng would often seize and block it, in the record. Kuang was harsh and narrow; inwardly he grew resentful, in the record. This coffin he had made earlier was still at a monastery; he again prepared matters, intending to clash with Cheng. Cheng learned of it somewhat; later, going to the Secretariat, he met Kuang by chance—their outriders beat each other; court and countryside were appalled, in the record. Cheng therefore memorialized more than thirty counts against Kuang; the Minister of Justice sentenced him to death, in the record. An edict referred it to the eightfold deliberation; he was specially pardoned, stripped of rank and office, in the record. Senior Gentleman of the Three Excellencies Xin Xiong memorialized to judge the case, in the record. Later he was specially appointed governor of Pingzhou, then transferred to Qingzhou, in the record. Soon he was made Commander of the Guanxi region and acting Director of the Masters of Writing on the Mobile Office, in the record. He fell ill and returned to the capital, in the record. In the beginning of Xiaochang he died; posthumous name Wen Zhen, in the record. Later his original rank was posthumously restored and he was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Jinan, in the record.