1
文成五王獻文六王孝文六王
Wen Cheng's Five Sons, Xianwen's Six Sons, Xiaowen's Six Sons
2
列傳第七
Biographies 7
3
文成五王、獻文六王、孝文六王
Wen Cheng's Five Sons, Xianwen's Six Sons, and Xiaowen's Six Sons
4
安樂王長樂，皇興四年，封建昌王，後改封安樂王。 長樂性凝重，獻文器愛之。 承明元年，拜太尉，出為定州刺史。 頓辱衣冠，多不奉法，百姓詣闕訟之，孝文罰杖三十。 貪暴彌甚，以罪徵詣京師。 後謀不軌，事發，賜死於家，葬以王禮，諡曰厲。 子詮，字搜賢，襲。 宣武初，為涼州刺史。 在州貪穢，政以賄成。 後除定州刺史。 及京兆王愉之反，詐言國變。 在北州鎮，咸疑朝廷有舋，遣使觀詮動靜。 詮具以狀告，州鎮帖然。 愉奔信都，詮以李平、高殖等四面攻燒，愉突門而出。 尋除侍中，兼以首告之功，除尚書左僕射。 薨，諡曰武康。
Chang Le, Prince of Anle, was enfeoffed as Prince of Changchang in the fourth year of Huangxing and later reassigned as Prince of Anle. Steady and grave by nature, Chang Le was a favorite of Xianwen. In the first year of Chengming he became Grand Commandant and went out as Governor of Ding Province. He abused officials and flouted the law until commoners petitioned at court; Xiaowen had him beaten thirty strokes with the staff. His greed and cruelty deepened until he was summoned to the capital on criminal charge. He later plotted treason; when it was exposed he was ordered to die at home, buried with princely rites, and posthumously named Stern. His son Quan, styled Souxian, inherited the title. Early in Xuanwu's reign he was made Governor of Liang Province. In office he was greedy and corrupt; government ran on bribes. He was later transferred to Governor of Ding Province. When the Prince of Jingzhao, Yu, rebelled, Quan spread word that the realm was in turmoil. Northern garrison commanders suspected upheaval at court and sent men to watch Quan. Quan reported the facts in full, and the provinces and garrisons calmed. Yu fled to Xin Du; Quan, Li Ping, Gao Zhi, and others attacked from four sides with fire until Yu broke out through a gate and escaped. He was soon made Palace Attendant and, for leading the first report, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing on the Left. He died and was posthumously named Wukang.
5
子鑒，字長文，襲。 後除相州刺史、北討大都督，討葛榮。 仍兼尚書左僕射、北道行台尚書令，與都督裴衍共攻信都。 鑒既庸才，見天下多事，遂謀反，降附葛榮。 都督源子邕與裴衍合圍鑒，斬首傳洛，詔改姓元氏。 莊帝初，許復本族，又特復鑒王爵，贈司空。
His son Jian, styled Changwen, inherited the title. He was later made Governor of Xiang Province and Grand Commander of the Northern Campaign against Ge Rong. He also held the vice directorship on the left, directed the Northern Route mobile office, and with Commander Pei Yan besieged Xin Du. Mediocre in talent, Jian saw the realm in chaos and plotted rebellion, surrendering to Ge Rong. Commander Yuan Ziyong and Pei Yan besieged him, beheaded him, and sent the head to Luoyang; an edict changed his clan name to Yuan. At the start of Emperor Zhuang's reign his clan was restored and Jian's princely title specially revived with posthumous rank as Minister of Works.
6
鑒弟斌之，字子爽，性險無行。 及與鑒反，敗，遂奔葛榮。 榮滅，得還。 孝武帝時，封潁川郡王，委以腹心之任。 帝入關，斌之奔梁。 大統二年，還長安，位尚書令。 薨，贈太尉，諡武襄。
Jian's younger brother Binzhi, styled Zishuang, was treacherous and without principle. When he joined Jian's rebellion and was defeated, he fled to Ge Rong. After Ge Rong's destruction he returned. Under Emperor Xiaowu he was made Prince of Yingchuan and given duties of intimate trust. When the emperor entered Guanzhong, Binzhi fled to Liang. In the second year of Datong he returned to Chang'an as Director of the Masters of Writing. He died; posthumous gift of Grand Commandant and name Wuxiang.
7
廣川王略，延興二年封，位中都大官。 性明敏，鞫獄稱平。 太和四年，薨。 諡曰莊。
The Prince of Guangchuan, Lue, enfeoffed in the second year of Yanxing, was Grand Director of the Palace at the Center. Clear and sharp by nature, he was known for fair judgments. He died in the fourth year of Taihe. His posthumous name was Zhuang.
8
子諧，字仲和，襲。 十九年，薨。 詔曰：「古者大臣之喪，有三臨之禮，此蓋三公已上。 自漢已降，多無此禮。 庶仰遵古典，哀感從情。 雖以尊降伏，私痛寧爽。 欲令親王有期親者為之三臨，大功親者為之再臨，小功緦麻為之一臨。 廣川王于朕大功，必欲再臨者，欲於大斂日親臨盡哀，成服之後，緦衰而吊。 既殯之緦麻，理在無疑。 大斂之臨，當否如何？ 為須撫柩於始喪？ 為應盡哀於闔柩？」 黃門侍郎崔光、宋弁、通直常侍劉芳、典命下大夫李元凱、中書侍郎高聰等議曰：「三臨之事，乃自古禮。 爰及漢、魏，行之者稀； 陛下方遵前軌。 臣等以為若期親三臨，大功宜再。 始喪之初，哀之至極，既以情降，宜從始喪。 大斂之臨，伏如聖旨。」 詔曰：「魏、晉已來，親臨多闕，至於戚臣，必於東堂哭之。 頃大司馬安定王薨，朕既臨之後，受慰東堂。 今日之事，應更哭不？」 光等議曰：「東堂之哭，蓋以不臨之故。 今陛下躬親撫視，群臣從駕，臣等議，以為不宜復哭。」 詔曰：「若大司馬戚尊位重，必哭於東堂。 而廣川既是諸王之子，又年位尚幼，卿等議之，朕無異焉。」 諧將大斂，帝素委貌深衣哭之，入室哀慟，撫屍而出。
His son Xie, styled Zhonghe, inherited the title. He died in the nineteenth year. An edict said: "In antiquity great ministers received three imperial visits at death—this was for those of Three Excellencies rank and above. From Han onward the rite was often neglected. We wish to follow the ancient model and let grief answer feeling. Though rank demands restraint, private pain should not be denied. Princes with first-degree mourning kin should make three visits, second-degree kin two, third- and fifth-degree kin one. The Prince of Guangchuan is second-degree kin to Us; for two visits We would attend the great encoffining in person, then after assuming garments attend in fifth-degree hemp. After the coffin is sealed, fifth-degree hemp is surely proper. Is the visit at great encoffining fitting? Must one stroke the bier at first mourning? Or exhaust grief only when the coffin is closed? Cui Guang, Song Bian, Liu Fang, Li Yuankai, Gao Cong, and others said: "Three visits are ancient rite. Through Han and Wei few practiced it; Your Majesty now follows the former path. For first-degree kin three visits, for second-degree kin two. At first mourning grief is utmost; since feeling tempers rank, follow the start of mourning. The visit at great encoffining we submit to Your Majesty's intent. An edict said: "Since Wei and Jin, emperors often skipped personal visits; for kin and ministers they wept in the Eastern Hall. When Grand Marshal the Prince of Anding died, We visited him then received condolences in the Eastern Hall. For today—should We weep again? They said: "Eastern Hall weeping was for lack of personal visit. Now Your Majesty attends in person and ministers follow—we deem further weeping unfitting. An edict said: "If the Grand Marshal is kin of weighty rank, Eastern Hall weeping is required. The Prince of Guangchuan is a king's son and young in years and rank—as you see fit, We agree. At Xie's great encoffining the emperor wore plain dress and deep garments, entered wailing, stroked the corpse, and withdrew.
9
琛字曇寶，幼敏慧，孝文愛之。 宣武時，拜定州刺史。 琛妃，宣武舅女，高皇后妹。 琛憑恃內外，在州貪婪。 及還朝，靈太后詔曰：「琛在定州，唯不將中山宮來，自餘無所不致，何可敘用！」 由是廢於家。 琛以明帝始學，獻金字《孝經》。 又無方自達，乃與劉騰為養息，賂騰金寶巨萬計。 騰為言，乃得兼都官尚書。 出為秦州刺史，在州聚斂，百姓籲嗟。 東益、南秦二州氐反，詔琛為行台，仍充都督，還攝州事。 既總軍省，求欲無厭。 進討氐、羌，大被摧破。 內恃劉騰，無所畏憚。 為中尉彈糾，會赦，除名。 尋復王爵。 後討鮮于修禮，敗，免官爵。 後討汾晉胡、蜀，卒於軍，追復王爵。
Chen, styled Tanbao, was clever and perceptive as a boy; Xiaowen loved him. Under Xuanwu he was made Governor of Ding Province. His consort was Xuanwu's maternal niece, younger sister of Empress Gao. Relying on court and family ties, he was greedy in office. On return Empress Ling said: "In Ding he took everything but the Zhongshan palace—how employ him? He was dismissed to his home. When Mingdi began studies Chen presented a gold-letter Classic of Filial Piety. Unable to advance on his own, he made Liu Teng his adoptive father and bribed him with gold and jewels beyond counting. Teng spoke for him and he gained concurrent Director of the Ministry of Justice. As Governor of Qin he amassed wealth until the people groaned. When Di of Eastern Yi and Southern Qin rebelled, he was made mobile-office commander and acting commander, resuming provincial duties. Commanding army and province, his appetites knew no limit. Attacking Di and Qiang he inflicted great defeats. Within he relied on Liu Teng and feared nothing. The Commandant of Justice impeached him; amnesty struck him from the rolls. Soon his princely title was restored. Later, attacking Xianyu Xiuli, he was defeated and stripped of office and title. Later, campaigning against Hu of Fen and Jin and Shu, he died in the army; his princely title was posthumously restored.
10
安豐王猛字季烈，太和五年封，加侍中。 出為鎮都大將、營州刺史。 猛寬仁雄毅，甚有威略，戎夷畏愛之。 薨于州，贈太尉，諡曰匡。
The Prince of Anfeng, Meng, styled Jilie, was enfeoffed in the fifth year of Taihe and made Palace Attendant. He was sent out as Grand General of the Garrison Capital and Governor of Ying Province. Broad, benevolent, bold, and resolute, he had great authority; barbarians feared and loved him. He died in office; posthumous gift of Grand Commandant and name Kuang.
11
子延明襲。 宣武時，授太中大夫。 延昌初，歲大饑，延明乃減家財以拯賓客數十人，並贍其家。 至明帝初，為豫州刺史，甚有政績。 累遷給事黃門侍郎。 延明既博極群書，兼有文藻，鳩集圖籍萬有餘卷。 性清儉，不營產業。 與中山王熙及弟臨淮王彧等並以文學令望，有名於世。 雖風流造次不及熙、彧，而稽古淳篤過之。 遷侍中，詔與侍中崔光撰定服制。 後兼尚書右僕射。 以延明博識多聞，敕監金石事。
His son Yanming inherited the title. Under Xuanwu he was made Grand Palace Grandee. In the first year of Yan Chang, a year of famine, he spent family wealth to save dozens of guests and their households. By Mingdi's accession he was Governor of Yu Province with marked achievements. He rose to Attendant of the Yellow Gate within the Palace. He had mastered the classics and literary talent, gathering more than ten thousand scrolls. Pure and frugal, he did not pursue estates. With the Prince of Zhongshan Xi and his brother the Prince of Linhuai Yu he shared literary fame. In casual elegance he fell short of Xi and Yu; in classical learning and solid virtue he surpassed them. Promoted to Palace Attendant, he was ordered with Cui Guang to fix mourning garments. He later held Vice Director of the Masters of Writing on the Right. For his broad learning he was ordered to supervise metal and stone inscriptions.
12
及元法僧反，詔為東道行台、徐州大都督，節度諸軍事。 與都督臨淮王彧、尚書李憲等討法僧。 梁遣其豫章王綜鎮徐州。 延明先牧徐方，甚得人譽； 招懷舊土，遠近歸之。 綜既降，延明因以軍乘之。 復東南之境，至宿、豫而還。 遷都督，徐州刺史。 頻經師旅，人物雕弊。 延明招攜新故，人悉安業，百姓咸附。
When Yuan Faseng rebelled he was made Eastern Route mobile office and Grand Commander of Xu Province. With the Prince of Linhuai Yu and Li Xian he attacked Faseng. Liang sent the Prince of Yuzhang Zong to garrison Xu Province. Yanming had earlier governed Xu and won the people's praise; he won back the old territory until distant and near submitted. When Zong surrendered, Yanming pressed the army forward. He recovered the southeast to Su and Yu, then returned. He was made Commander and Governor of Xu Province. Repeated campaigns had ravaged land and people. Yanming won over old and new until all were settled and the people attached.
13
莊帝時，兼大司馬。 元顥入洛，延明受顥委寄。 顥敗，奔梁，死於江南。 莊帝末，喪還。 孝武初，贈太保，王如故，諡曰文宣。
Under Emperor Zhuang he also held Grand Marshal. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, Yanming received his trust. When Hao was defeated he fled to Liang and died south of the Yangtze. At the end of Zhuang's reign his coffin returned. At Xiaowu's accession he was posthumously Grand Guardian with princely title unchanged and name Wensuan.
14
所著詩賦讚頌銘誄三百餘篇。 又撰《五經宗略》、《詩禮別義》； 注《帝王世紀》及《列仙傳》。 又以河間人信都芳工算圖。 又集《器准》九篇，芳別為之注，皆行於世矣。
He composed more than three hundred poems, fu, encomia, hymns, inscriptions, and dirges. He also compiled Overview of the Five Classics and Separate Meanings of the Odes and Rites; annotated Records of Emperors and Kings and Lives of Immortals. He also employed Xin Dufang of Hejian, skilled in calculation and diagrams. He gathered nine chapters of Standards of Implements with Fang's commentary—both circulated.
15
孫長儒，孝靜時襲祖爵。
His grandson Changru inherited under Emperor Xiaojing.
16
獻文皇帝七男：思皇后生孝文皇帝； 封昭儀生咸陽王禧； 韓貴人生趙郡靈王幹、高陽文穆王雍； 孟椒房生廣陵慧王羽； 潘貴人生彭城武宣王勰； 高椒房生北海王詳。
Xianwen had seven sons: the Reflective Empress bore Xiaowen; Consort Feng the Worthy bore the Prince of Xianyang, Xi; Consort Han bore the Prince of Zhao Commandery the Spiritual Gan and the Prince of Gaoyang the Cultivated Yong; Consort Meng bore the Prince of Guangling the Sagacious Yu; Consort Pan bore the Prince of Pengcheng the Martial Xie; Consort Gao bore the Prince of Beihai Xiang.
17
咸陽王禧字思永，太和九年封，加侍中、驃騎大將軍、中都大官。 文明太后令皇子皇孫于靜所別置學，選忠信博聞之士為之師傅，以匠成之。 孝文以諸弟典三都職，謂禧曰：「弟等皆幼年任重，三都折獄，特宜用心。 夫未能操刀而使割錦，非傷錦之尤，實授刀之責。」 文明太后亦致誡勖。 出為使持節、開府、冀州刺史，孝文餞於南郊。 又以濟陽王鬱枉法賜死之事遣告禧，因以誡之。 後禧朝京師，詔以廷尉卿李沖為禧師。
The Prince of Xianyang, Xi, styled Siyong, was enfeoffed in the ninth year of Taihe and made Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, and Grand Director of the Palace at the Center. Empress Dowager Wenming placed imperial sons in a separate school, choosing loyal and learned teachers to shape them. Xiaowen told Xi and the others: "You are young yet bear heavy duty; judging in the three capitals especially demands care. Giving a knife to one who cannot wield it and bidding him cut brocade faults not the brocade but the giver. Empress Dowager Wenming also sent admonitions. He went out as Bearer of the Staff, Opener of the Office, and Governor of Ji; Xiaowen feasted him at the southern suburb. He reported the wrongful execution of the Prince of Jiyang Yu as further admonition. When Xi came to court, Li Chong was made his teacher.
18
時王國舍人應取八族及清修之門，禧取任城王隸戶為之，深為帝責。 帝以諸王婚多猥濫，於是為禧娉故潁川太守隴西李輔女； 河南王幹娉故中散代郡穆明樂女； 廣陵王羽娉驃騎諮議參軍榮陽鄭平城女； 潁川王雍娉故中書博士范陽盧神寶女； 始平王勰娉廷尉卿隴西李沖女； 北海王詳娉吏部郎中榮陽鄭懿女。
A prince's aides should come from the eight clans; Xi took the Prince of Rencheng's retainers and was deeply rebuked. Because princely marriages were base, Xi was betrothed to Li Fu's daughter of Yingchuan; the Prince of Henan Gan to Mu Mingle's daughter; the Prince of Guangling Yu to Zheng Pingcheng's daughter; the Prince of Yingchuan Yong to Lu Shenbao's daughter; the Prince of Shiping Xie to Li Chong's daughter; the Prince of Beihai Xiang to Zheng Yi's daughter.
19
有司奏：「冀州人蘇僧瓘等三千人稱禧清明，有惠政，請世胙冀州。」 詔曰：「畫野由君，理非下請。」 入除司州牧。 詔以禧元弟之重，食邑三千戶，自余五王皆食邑二千。
Authorities reported: "Three thousand men of Ji, led by Su Senguan, praise Xi's clarity and benevolence and ask hereditary fief in Ji. An edict said: "Territory is the ruler's to draw; subjects may not petition from below." He became Governor of Si Province. Because Xi was the eldest younger brother he received three thousand households; the other five princes two thousand each.
20
孝文引見朝臣，詔斷北語，一從正音，禧贊成其事。 於是詔：「年三十已上，習性已久，容或不可卒革。 三十已下，見在朝廷之人，語音不聽仍舊。 若有故為，當降爵黜官。 若仍舊俗，恐數世之後，伊洛之下，復成被髮之人。 朕嘗與李沖論此，沖言：'四方之語，竟知誰是； 帝者言之，即為正矣，何必改舊從新。 '沖之此言，應合死罪。」 乃謂沖曰：「卿實負社稷。」 沖免冠陳謝。 又責留京之官曰：「昨望見婦女之服，仍為夾領小袖，何為而違前詔？」 禧對曰：「陛下聖過堯、舜，光化中原。 舛違之罪，實合處刑。」 孝文曰：「若朕言非，卿等當奮臂廷論，如何入則順旨，退有不從？ 昔舜語禹：'汝無面從，退有後言。 '卿等之謂乎！」
Xiaowen ordered court to abandon northern speech for standard pronunciation; Xi praised the policy. An edict followed: "Those thirty and above, long accustomed, perhaps cannot change at once. Those thirty and below in court must not keep old speech. Deliberate persistence means lowered rank and dismissal. If custom remains, after generations below Yi and Luo they may again become loose-haired barbarians. I once discussed this with Li Chong, who said, "Of the speech of the four quarters, who knows which is right? What the emperor speaks is orthodox—why change the old for the new? Chong's words deserved death in principle. He told Chong: "You have failed the altars of soil and grain." Chong removed his cap and apologized. He rebuked capital officials: "Yesterday I saw women still in overlapping collars and narrow sleeves—why violate the edict? Xi replied: "Your Majesty surpasses Yao and Shun, transforming the central plains. Violation deserves punishment. Xiaowen said: "If We err, debate in court—why flatter Us in session and disobey in private? Shun told Yu: Do not agree to my face and speak behind my back—is this not you? Is this not what you mean!"
21
尋以禧長兼太尉公。 後帝幸禧第，謂司空穆亮、僕射李沖曰：「元弟禧戚連皇極，且長兼太尉，以和飪鼎，朕恆恐君有空授之名，臣貽彼己之刺。 今幸其宅，徒屈二賓，良以為愧。」 帝篤于兄弟，以禧次長，禮遇優隆。 然亦知其性貪，每加切誡，而終不改操。 後加侍中，正太尉。
Soon Xi was made concurrent Grand Commandant. Visiting Xi's home, the emperor told Mu Liang and Li Chong: "Xi is imperial kin and long concurrent Grand Commandant; We fear empty titles for the ruler and mutual failure for ministers. Today We wrong only you two guests—truly ashamed. Deep in brotherly feeling, he treated Xi, next eldest, with exceptional courtesy. Yet knowing his greed he often admonished him, without changing his conduct. He was later made Palace Attendant and regular Grand Commandant.
22
及帝崩，禧受遺輔政。 雖為宰輔之首，而潛受賄賂。 姬妾數十，意尚未已，猶欲遠有簡娉，以恣其情。 宣武頗惡之。 景明二年春，召禧等入光極殿，詔曰：「恪比纏尪疾，實憑諸父。 今便親攝百揆。 且還府司，當別處分。」 尋詔進位太保，領太尉。
At the emperor's death Xi received testamentary regency. Though head regent, he secretly took bribes. He had dozens of concubines and still wished to choose more from afar. Xuanwu greatly disliked this. In spring of Jingming's second year he summoned them to Guangji Hall: "Ke is ill and relies on his uncles. Now he will personally govern. Return to your offices; We will dispose separately. Soon he was advanced to Grand Guardian and head Grand Commandant.
23
帝既覽政，禧意不安，遂與其妃兄兼給事黃門侍郎李伯尚謀反。 帝時幸小平，禧在城西小宅。 初欲勒兵直入金墉，眾懷沮異。 禧心因緩，自旦達晡，計不能決。 遂約不泄而散。 直寢符承祖、薛魏孫與禧將害帝。 是日，帝息於芒山，止浮圖陰下，少時睡臥，魏孫便欲赴廷。 承祖私言于魏孫曰：「吾聞殺天子者身當癩。」 魏孫且止。 帝尋覺悟。 俄有武興王楊集始出，便馳告。 而禧意不疑，乃與臣妾向洪池別墅，遣其齋帥劉小苟奉啟，雲檢行田牧。 小苟至芒嶺，已逢軍人，怪小苟赤衣，將欲殺害。 小苟言欲告反，乃緩之。
When the emperor took power Xi was uneasy and with Li Boshang, his consort's brother, plotted rebellion. The emperor was at Xiaoping; Xi at a small residence west of the city. He meant to lead troops into Jincheng; the host wavered and split. His heart slackened; from dawn to dusk he could not decide. They agreed to disperse without revealing the plot. Duty attendants Fu Chengzu and Xue Weisun were to kill the emperor with Xi. That day the emperor rested on Mang Mountain beneath a pagoda; Weisun meant to rush the hall. Chengzu whispered: "Whoever kills the Son of Heaven breaks out in sores. Weisun stopped. The emperor soon awoke. Prince of Wuxing Yang Jishi came out and rode to report. Xi, still unsuspecting, went with concubines to Hongchi Villa and sent Liu Xiaogou with a memorial claiming to inspect fields. Xiaogou met soldiers on Mang Ridge; they wondered at his red dress and nearly killed him. He said he came to report rebellion and was spared.
24
禧是夜宿于洪池，不知事露。 其夜，將士所在追禧，禧自洪池東南走，左右從禧者唯兼防閣尹龍武。 禧憂迫，謂曰：「試作一謎，當思解之，以釋毒悶。」 龍武欻憶舊謎云：「眠則同眠，起則同起，貪如犲狼，贓不入己。」 都不有心於規刺也。 禧亦不以為諷己，因解之曰：「此是眼也。」 而龍武謂之是箸。 渡洛水，至柏塢，顧謂龍武曰：「汝可勉心作與太尉公同死計。」 龍武曰：「若與殿下同命，雖死猶生。」 俄而禧被禽，送華林都亭，著千斤鎖格龍武，羽林掌衛之。 時熱甚，禧渴悶垂死，敕斷水漿。 侍中崔光令左右送酪漿升餘，禧一飲而盡。 初，孝文觀台宿有逆謀氣，言於禧曰：「玄象變，汝終為逆謀，會無所成，但受惡而已。」 至此，果如言。
That night Xi lodged at Hongchi, unaware the plot was exposed. Soldiers pursued him; he fled southeast from Hongchi with only Yin Longwu. In distress Xi said: "Make a riddle—I will solve it to ease this torment. Longwu recalled: "Sleeping we sleep together, rising we rise together, greedy as jackals and wolves, yet booty never enters oneself." He had no thought of assassination. Xi did not take it as satire and said: "The eye. Longwu meant chopsticks. At Baiwu he said: "Steel your heart and die with the Grand Commandant. Longwu said: "To share Your Highness's fate is to live even in death." Soon Xi was seized at Hualin Postal Pavilion; Longwu was chained with a thousand-jin lock under armored guard. In extreme heat Xi thirsted near death; orders cut off water. Cui Guang sent more than a sheng of yogurt; Xi drank it at once. Earlier Xiaowen saw treason in the stars and told Xi: "You will plot treason, accomplish nothing, and only suffer. Now it was as he said.
25
禧臨盡，畏迫喪志，乃與諸妹公主等訣，言及一二愛妾。 公主哭且罵之，言：「坐多取此婢輩，貪逐財物，致今日之事，何復囑問此等！」 禧愧而無言。 遂賜死私第，絕其諸子屬籍。 禧之諸女，微給資產、奴婢。 自余家財悉以賚高肇、趙修二家，其餘賜內外百官，逮於流外，多百匹，下至十匹，其積聚若此。 其宮人為之歌曰：「可憐咸陽王，奈何作事誤？ 金床玉幾不能眠，夜蹋霜與露。 洛水湛湛彌岸長，行人那得度！」 其歌遂流至江表。 北人之在南者，雖富貴，聞弦管奏之，莫不灑泣。
At the end, broken by fear, he took leave of princess sisters and named one or two beloved concubines. A princess wept and cursed: "You took too many maids and chased wealth—that brought today—why entrust them now? Xi was ashamed and silent. He was ordered to die at home; his sons were struck from the registers. His daughters received a little property and maids. Remaining wealth went to Gao Zhao and Zhao Xiu; the rest to officials high and low in bolts from hundreds to tens—such was his hoard. Palace women sang: "Pitiable Prince of Xianyang—how err so? Golden bed, jade couch—yet no sleep; at night you tread frost and dew. The Luo runs deep, the bank long—how can a traveler cross? The song flowed south of the Yangtze. Northerners in the south, though rich, hearing strings and pipes—wept without restraint.
26
禧八子。 長子通，字曇和，竊入河內太守陸琇家。 初與通情，既聞禧敗，乃殺之。
Xi had eight sons. The eldest Tong, styled Tanhe, secretly entered Governor of Henei Lu Xiu's home. At first intimate with Tong; hearing of Xi's defeat he killed him.
27
通弟翼，字仲和，後會赦，詣闕上書，求葬父。 不許，乃與二弟昌、曄奔梁。 正光中，詔咸陽、京兆二王諸子並聽附屬籍。 後復禧王爵，葬以王禮，詔曄弟坦襲。
Yi, styled Zhonghe, later gained amnesty and petitioned to bury his father. Denied, he fled to Liang with Chang and Ye. In Zhengguang sons of Xianyang and Jingzhao were allowed to reattach to registers. Later Xi's title was restored with princely burial; Yi's brother Tan succeeded.
28
翼與昌，申屠氏出； 曄，李妃所出也。 翼容貌魁壯，風制可觀，梁武甚重之，封為咸陽王。 翼讓其嫡弟曄，梁武不許。 後為青、冀二州刺史，鎮郁州。 翼謀舉州入國，為梁武所殺。
Yi and Chang were born of Lady Shentu; Ye was born of Consort Li. Tall and strong with admirable bearing, Liang Wudi made him Prince of Xianyang. Yi yielded to Ye, the son of the main line; Liang Wudi refused. He was later Governor of Qing and Ji, garrisoning Yu Province. He plotted to surrender the province to Wei and Liang Wudi killed him.
29
翼弟樹，字秀和，一家獨立。 美姿貌，善吐納，兼有將略。 位宗正卿。 後亦奔梁。 梁武尤器之，封為魏郡王，後改封鄴王。 數為將領，窺覦邊服。 爾硃榮之害百官也，樹時為郢州刺史，請討榮。 梁武資其士馬，侵擾境上。 孝武初，御史中尉樊子鵠為行台，率徐州刺史杜德、舍人李昭等討之。 樹城守不下，子鵠使金紫光祿大夫張安期說之。 樹請委城還南，子鵠許之，殺白馬為盟。 樹恃誓，不為戰備。 與杜德別，還南。 德不許，送洛陽，置在景明寺。 樹年十五奔南，未及富貴。 每見嵩山雲向南，未嘗不引領歔欷。 初發梁，睹其愛姝玉兒，以金指環與別，樹常著之。 寄以還梁，表必還之意。 朝廷知之，俄而賜死。 未幾，杜德忽得狂病，云：「元樹打我不已。」 至死，此驚不絕。 舍人李昭尋奉使向秦州，至潼關驛，夜夢樹云：「我已訴天帝，待卿至隴，終不相放。」 昭覺，惡之。 及至隴口，為賀拔嶽所殺。 子鵠尋為達野拔所殺。
Yi's younger brother Shu, styled Xiuhe, stood apart in the family. Fine in appearance, skilled in breath regulation, with military talent. He held Director of the Imperial Clan. He too fled to Liang. Liang Wudi prized him, made him Prince of Wei Commandery, later Prince of Ye. Several times commander, he watched the borders for opportunity. When Erzhu Rong slaughtered officials, Shu as Governor of Ying asked to attack him. Liang Wudi supplied troops and he harassed the border. At Xiaowu's accession Fan Zihu as mobile office with Du De and Li Zhao attacked him. Shu held the city; Zihu sent Zhang Anqi to persuade him. Shu asked to yield and return south; Zihu agreed and they swore on a white horse. Trusting the oath, he made no preparations. Parting from Du De he returned south. De refused and sent him to Luoyang, to Jingming Temple. At fifteen he fled south before wealth and rank. Whenever clouds on Mount Song drifted south he stretched his neck and sighed. Leaving Liang he gave his beloved Yu'er a gold ring; he always wore it. He sent it back to Liang as pledge he would return. Court learned and soon ordered his death. Soon Du De went mad crying: "Yuan Shu keeps beating me. Until death the fright did not cease. Li Zhao dreamed Shu said: "I have appealed to Heaven; at Long I will not spare you. Zhao awoke in dread. At Long Pass Heba Yue killed him. Zihu was soon killed by Daye Ba.
30
孝靜時，其子貞自建業求隨聘使崔長謙赴鄴葬樹，梁武許之。 詔贈樹太師、司徒、尚書令。 貞既葬，還江南，位太子舍人。 及侯景南奔，梁武以貞為咸陽王。 送景，使為魏主。 未幾，景反。
Under Xiaojing his son Zhen followed envoy Cui Changqian to Ye to bury Shu; Liang Wudi permitted. An edict posthumously made Shu Grand Preceptor, Minister of Works, and Director of the Masters of Writing. After burial Zhen returned to Jiangnan as Crown Prince's Attendant. When Hou Jing fled south, Liang Wudi made Zhen Prince of Xianyang. Sending Jing off, he made Zhen sovereign of Wei. Before long Jing rebelled.
31
曄字世茂，梁封為桑乾王，卒于南。
Ye, styled Shimao, was made Prince of Sanggan by Liang and died in the south.
32
坦一名穆，字延和。 傲狠凶粗，因飲醉之際，於洛橋左右頓辱行人，為道路所患。 從叔安豐王延明每切責之曰：「汝凶悖性與身而長。 昔宋有東海王禕，志性凡劣，時人號曰驢王。 我熟觀汝所作，亦恐不免驢號。」 當時聞者號為「驢王」。 禧誅後，坦兄翼、樹等五人相繼南奔，故坦得承襲。 改封敷城王。 永安初，復本封咸陽郡王。 累遷侍中。 莊帝從容謂曰：「王才非荀、蔡，中歲屢遷，當由少長朕家，故有超授。」 初，禧死後，諸子貧乏，坦兄弟為彭城王勰所收養，故有此言。
Tan, also named Mu, styled Yanhe. Proud and coarse; drunk at Luo Bridge he abused passersby and plagued the road. His uncle Yanming often rebuked him: "Your fierce perversity grows with your body. In Song the Prince of Donghai Yi was dull—men called him Prince Ass. Watching you closely, you may not escape the ass's name. Hearers called him "Prince Ass." After Xi's execution Yi, Shu, and five others fled south, so Tan inherited. He was reassigned Prince of Fucheng. In Yong'an his Xianyang enfeoffment was restored. He rose to Palace Attendant. Emperor Zhuang said: "Your talent is not Xun or Cai, yet mid-career promotions came because you grew up in Our house. After Xi's death the sons were poor; Tan and brothers were raised by the Prince of Pengcheng—hence this.
33
孝武初，其兄樹見禽。 坦見樹既長且賢，慮其代己，密勸朝廷以法除之。 樹知之，泣謂坦曰：「我往因家難，不能死亡，寄食江湖，受其爵命。 今者之來，非由義至，求活而已，豈望榮華？ 汝何肆其猜忌，忘在原之義！ 腰背雖偉，善無可稱。」 坦作色而去。 樹死，竟不臨哭。
At Xiaowu's accession Shu was captured. Seeing Shu elder and worthy, Tan feared replacement and secretly urged court to kill him. Shu wept to Tan: "I came from family trouble, unable to die, eating in exile, accepting titles. Today I come not from duty but to live—how hope for glory? Why indulge suspicion and forget kin from one belly? Your back is broad, yet in goodness nothing to praise. Tan darkened and left. When Shu died Tan never mourned.
34
後曆司徒、太尉、太傅，加侍中、太師、錄尚書事、宗師、司州牧。 雖祿厚位尊，貪求滋甚，賣獄鬻官，不知紀極。 為御史劾奏，免官，以王歸第。 尋起為特進，出為冀州刺史。 專復聚斂，每百姓納賦，除常別先責絹五匹，然後為受。 性好畋漁，無日不出。 秋冬獵雉兔，春夏捕魚蟹，鷹犬常數百頭。 自言寧三日不食，不能一日不獵。 入為太傅。
He later held Works, Commandant, Tutor, Palace Attendant, Grand Preceptor, Recorder, Imperial Clan Director, and Si Governor. Though richly salaried, greed grew; he sold judgments and offices beyond reckoning. The censor impeached him; he was dismissed to his residence. Soon he was Special Grand Master and Governor of Ji. He amassed again; besides regular tax he first exacted five bolts of silk. He loved hunting and fished every day without fail. Autumn and winter pheasant and hare; spring and summer fish and crab; hundreds of hawks and dogs. He said he could go three days without food but not one without hunting. He entered office as Grand Tutor.
35
齊天保初，准例降爵，封新豐縣公，除特進、開府儀同三司。 坐子世寶與通直散騎侍郎彭貴平因酒醉誹謗，妄說圖讖，有司奏當死。 詔並宥之。 坦配北營州，死配所。
At Qi Tianbao his rank lowered to Duke of Xinfeng, Special Grand Master, Opener with Equal Honor. His son Shibao with Peng Guiping, drunk, slandered and spoke portents; authorities sought death. An edict pardoned both. Tan was assigned North Ying Province and died there.
36
趙郡王幹字思直，太和九年，封河南王，位大將軍。 孝文篤愛諸弟，以幹總戎別道，誡之曰：「司空穆亮年器可師，散騎常侍盧陽烏才堪詢訪，汝其師之。」 遷洛，改封趙郡王。 除都督、冀州刺史。 帝親餞於郊，誡曰：「刑獄之理，先哲所難。 然既有邦國，得不自勵也！」 詔以李憑為長史，唐茂為司馬，盧尚之為諮議參軍，以匡弼之。 而憑等諫，幹殊不納。 州表斬盜馬人，於律過重，而尚書以幹初臨，縱而不劾。 詔曰：「尚書曲阿朕意，實傷皇度。 幹闇於政理，律外重刑，並可推聞。」 後轉特進、司州牧。 車駕南討，詔幹都督中外諸軍事，給鼓吹一部，甲士三百人，出入殿門。
The Prince of Zhao Commandery, Gan, styled Sizhi, in Taihe's ninth year was Prince of Henan and Grand General. Xiaowen admonished Gan on a separate command: "Mu Liang may teach you; Lu Yangwu may advise—take them as teachers. After the capital move he became Prince of Zhao Commandery. He was made Commander and Governor of Ji. The emperor feasted him at the suburbs: "Punishments and prisons are what sages found hard. Yet with a state, can one not urge oneself? Li Ping, Tang Mao, and Lu Shangzhi were appointed to correct and assist. When they remonstrated, Gan utterly refused. The province executed a horse thief beyond the law; the Masters of Writing indulged him as newly arrived. An edict said: "The Masters of Writing bent to Our intent—truly wounding imperial measure. Gan is dark in governing and imposed lawless heavy punishment—both should be reported upward." Later he was made Special Guardian and Governor of Sizhou. On the southern campaign the emperor made Gan supreme commander of all forces at home and abroad, granted him a full martial band, three hundred armored guards, and the right to pass in and out of the palace gates.
37
幹貪淫不遵政典，御史中尉李彪將糾劾之，會遇幹于尚書下舍，屏左右誡之，而幹悠然不以為意。 彪表彈之。 詔幹與北海王詳俱隨太子詣行在所。 及至，密使左右察其意色，無有憂悔，乃親數其過，杖之一百，免所居官，以王還第。 薨，諡曰靈王。 陪葬長陵。
Gan was greedy and licentious and ignored the law. Censor-in-Chief Li Biao was about to impeach him when he met Gan in the Masters of Writing quarters, sent away his attendants, and warned him face to face. Gan remained perfectly unconcerned. Biao submitted an impeachment memorial. An edict ordered Gan and Prince of Beihai Xiang to accompany the crown prince to the emperor's camp. On their arrival the emperor secretly had attendants watch their faces. Seeing no sign of worry or remorse, he personally listed Gan's offenses, gave him a hundred strokes of the rod, stripped his offices, and sent him home in princely rank only. He died and was given the posthumous title Prince Ling. He was buried at Changling.
38
子謐襲封。 幹妃穆氏表謐及謐母趙等悖禮愆常。 詔曰：「妾於女君，猶婦人事姑舅； 妾子於君母，禮加如子之恭。 何得黷我風猷，可付宗正依禮正罪。」 謐在母喪，聽聲飲戲，為御史中尉李平所彈。 遇赦，復封。 後為岐州刺史。
His son Mi inherited the fief. Gan's consort Lady Mu reported that Mi, Mi's mother Zhao, and others had violated ritual and behaved with constant impropriety. The edict said, "A concubine toward her lady is like a daughter-in-law toward her husband's parents; a concubine's son toward his lord's mother should show a son's full respect. How dare you defile my house? Hand them to the Director of the Imperial Clan for punishment according to ritual. During his mother's mourning Mi listened to music and drank at games; Censor-in-Chief Li Ping impeached him. An amnesty followed and his fief was restored. He was later made Governor of Qi Province.
39
謐兄諶，字興伯，性平和，位都官尚書。 爾硃榮之入洛陽，啟莊帝欲遷都晉陽。 帝以問諶，爭之以為不可。 榮怒曰：「何關君而固執也！ 且河陰之役，君應之。」 諶曰：「天下事天下論之，何以河陰之酷而恐元諶！ 宗室戚屬，位居常伯，生既無益，死復何損！ 正使今日碎首流腸，亦無所懼。」 榮大怒，欲罪諶。 其從弟世隆固諫，乃止。 見者莫不震悚。 諶顏色自若。 後數日，帝與榮見宮闕壯麗，列樹成行，乃歎曰：「臣一昨愚志，有遷京之意，今見皇居壯觀，亦何用去河洛而就晉陽。 臣熟思元尚書言，深不可奪。」 是以遷都議因罷。 永安元年，拜尚書左僕射，封魏郡王。 諶本年長，應襲王封，為其父靈王愛其弟謐，以為世子。 莊帝詔復諶封趙郡王。 歷位司空、太保、太尉、錄尚書事。 孝靜初，拜大司馬。 薨，諡孝懿。 諶無他才識，歷位雖重，時人忽之。
Mi's elder brother Chen, styled Xingbo, was even-tempered by nature and served as Director of the Ministry of Justice. When Erzhu Rong entered Luoyang he asked Emperor Zhuangdi to move the capital to Jinyang. The emperor consulted Chen, who argued that it must not be done. Rong said in anger, "What is it to you that you should be so stubborn! And at the massacre at Heyin you had your share. Chen said, "The realm's affairs are the realm's to judge—why should Yuan Chen fear the cruelty of Heyin! I am kin of the imperial house and hold a supervisor's rank—alive I am of little use, dead I am no great loss! Even if today my head is smashed and my guts spill out, I have nothing to fear. Rong was furious and meant to punish Chen. His younger cousin Shilong remonstrated firmly and he desisted. All who witnessed it were shaken with fear. Chen's face did not change. Days later the emperor and Rong saw the palace halls magnificent and trees standing in rows. Rong sighed, "Only yesterday in foolish intent I wished to move the capital; now that I see the imperial residence so grand, what need to leave Heluo for Jinyang? I have weighed Director Yuan's words—they truly cannot be overturned. The proposal to move the capital was therefore dropped. In the first year of Yong'an he was made Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and enfeoffed as Prince of Wei commandery. Chen was the elder and should have inherited the fief, but his father Prince Ling favored his younger brother Mi and named him heir. Emperor Zhuangdi restored Chen's fief as Prince of Zhao commandery. He served in turn as Minister of Works, Grand Guardian, Grand Commandant, and Recorder of the Masters of Writing. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaojing's reign he was made Grand Marshal. He died and was given the posthumous title Xiaoyi. Chen had no other talent or insight; though his posts were weighty, his contemporaries thought little of him.
40
謐弟譚，頗強立，少為宗室推敬，卒于秦州刺史。
Mi's younger brother Tan was forceful by nature; in youth the imperial kin respected him, and he died as Governor of Qin Province.
41
譚弟讞，貪暴無禮。 位太中大夫，封平鄉男。 河陰遇害。
Tan's younger brother Yan was greedy, violent, and without propriety. He held the office of Grand Master of Palace Counsel and was enfeoffed Baron of Pingxiang. He was killed at Heyin.
42
廣陵王羽字叔翻，太和九年封，加侍中，為外都大官。 羽少聰慧，有斷獄之稱。 後罷三都，以羽為大理，典決京師獄訟。 遷特進、尚書右僕射，又為太子太保、錄尚書事。 孝文將南討，遣羽持節安撫六鎮。 發其突騎，夷夏寧悅。 還領廷尉卿。 及車駕發，羽與太尉元丕留守。 帝友愛諸弟，及將別，不忍早分，詔羽從至雁門。 及令羽歸，望其稱效，故賜如意以表心。
Prince of Guangling Yu, styled Shufan, was enfeoffed in the ninth year of Taihe, made Attendant-in-Ordinary, and appointed Grand Officer of the Outer Capital. Yu was clever from youth and had a reputation for judging cases. When the three capital offices were abolished Yu was made Director of the Court of Justice and decided lawsuits in the capital. He was transferred to Special Guardian and Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, then made Grand Tutor to the crown prince and Recorder of the Masters of Writing. When Emperor Xiaowen prepared the southern campaign he sent Yu with credentials to pacify the six frontier garrisons. He mobilized their shock cavalry; Chinese and barbarians alike were content. On his return he took charge of the Minister of Justice. When the emperor marched south, Yu and Grand Commandant Yuan Pi remained behind as guardians. The emperor loved his younger brothers dearly; unwilling to part too soon, he ordered Yu to accompany him as far as Yanmen. When he sent Yu back, expecting worthy service, he gave him a ruyi scepter as a token of his affection.
43
十八年，羽表辭廷尉，不許。 羽奏：「外考令文，每歲終，州鎮列牧守績狀。 及至再考，隨其品第，以彰黜陟。 雖外有成令，而內令未班。 內外考察，理應同等。 臣輒推准外考，以定京官績行。」 詔曰：「論考之事，理在不輕，問績之方，應關朕聽。 輒爾輕發，殊為躁也。 今始維夏，且待至秋。」 後孝文臨朝堂考群臣，顧謂羽曰：「上下二等，可為三品，中等但為一品。 所以然者，上下是黜陟之科，故旌絲發之美； 中等守本，事可大通。」
In the eighteenth year Yu asked to resign the Court of Justice; the request was denied. Yu memorialized, "The statutes on external evaluation require that at year's end provinces and garrisons list governors' and magistrates' performance. At the second evaluation they are ranked and promoted or demoted to show reward and punishment. Though the outer rule exists, the inner rule has not yet been issued. Internal and external examination ought to be equal in principle. Your servant ventures to apply the outer evaluation as standard to fix the conduct and performance of capital officials. The edict said, "Evaluation is no light matter; the method of reviewing performance should reach my ears. To issue it so lightly is rash indeed. It is barely midsummer—wait until autumn. Later Emperor Xiaowen evaluated the ministers at court and said to Yu, "The upper and lower grades may be made three grades; the middle grade need only be one. Upper and lower are the grades of promotion and demotion, and should display even the finest distinction; the middle keeps to the norm and can be applied broadly."
44
帝又謂羽曰：「汝功勤之績不聞于朝，阿黨之音頻幹朕聽。 今黜汝錄尚書、廷尉，但居特進、太保。」 又謂尚書令陸睿曰：「叔翻在省之初，甚著善稱； 自近以來，偏頗懈怠。 豈不由卿等隨其邪偽之心？ 今奪卿尚書令祿一周。」 謂左僕射元贊曰：「計叔翻之黜，卿應大辟。 但以咎歸一人，不復相罪。 今解卿少師之任，削祿一周。」 詔吏部尚書澄曰：「觀叔父神志驕傲，可解少保。」 又謂長兼尚書于果曰：「卿不能勤謹夙夜，數辭以疾。 今解卿長兼，可光祿大夫、守尚書，削祿一周。」 又謂守尚書尉羽曰：「卿恭勤。 在集書，殊無憂存左史之事。 今降為長兼常侍，亦削祿一周。」 又謂守尚書盧陽烏曰：「卿在集書，雖非高功，為一省文學之士，常不以左史在意。 今降卿長兼王師，守常侍、尚書如故，奪常侍祿一周。」 謂左丞公孫良、右丞乞伏義受曰：「卿等不能正心直言，罪應大辟。 但以事鐘叔翻，故不能別致貶。 二丞可以白衣守本官。 冠服、祿恤盡皆削奪。 若三年有成，還復本任； 如其無成，則永歸南畝。」 謂散騎常侍元景曰：「卿等自任集書，合省逋墮，致使王言遺滯，起居不修。 今降為中大夫、守常侍，奪祿一周。」 又謂諫議大夫李彥：「卿實不稱職，可去諫議，退為元士。」 又謂中庶子游肇及中書舍人李平：「識學可觀，可為中第。」
The emperor said again to Yu, "Your merit and diligence are not heard of at court, yet reports of faction reach my ears again and again. I demote you from Recorder of the Masters of Writing and Court of Justice and leave you only Special Guardian and Grand Guardian. He also said to Director of the Masters of Writing Lu Rui, "Shufan at first in the Secretariat was well spoken of; of late he has grown partial and slack. Is that not because you follow his crooked inclinations? I strip your salary as director for one payment cycle. He said to Left Vice Director Yuan Zan, "By Shufan's demotion you ought to receive death. But the blame falls on one man and I will not punish you further. I release you from Junior Preceptor and cut your salary one cycle. He issued an edict Minister of Personnel Shang, "I see my uncle's spirit is proud; release him from Junior Guardian." He also said to long-concurrent Director Yu Guo, "You are not diligent morning and night and often plead illness. I release you from long-concurrent status; you may be Grand Master for the Palace and acting director, and I cut your salary one cycle. He also said to acting Director Yu Yu, "You are respectful and diligent. In the Secretariat you have no concern for the left historiographer's duties. I demote you to long-concurrent Regular Attendant and cut your salary one cycle. He also said to acting Director Lu Yangwu, "In the Secretariat, though not of high merit, you are a literary man of the office and constantly ignore the left historiographer. I demote you to long-concurrent Preceptor to the Heir Apparent; acting Regular Attendant and Director as before; I strip one cycle of Regular Attendant salary. He said to Left Assistant Gongsun Liang and Right Assistant Qifu Yishou, "You do not correct your hearts and speak plainly—your crime deserves death. But because the affair centers on Shufan I cannot separately demote you. Both assistants may in plain dress keep their original offices. Cap, robes, and salary allowances are all stripped. If in three years there is achievement, restore your original posts; if none, then forever return to the southern fields. He said to Regular Attendant Yuan Jing, "You took charge of the Secretariat yourselves; the whole department fell into neglect, imperial words lagged, and the attendance record went unrepaired. I demote you to Grand Master of the Palace, acting Regular Attendant, and strip your salary one cycle. He also said to Remonstrating Master Li Yan, "You truly do not fit the office; leave remonstrance and withdraw to gentleman of the Yuan." He also said to Palace Aide You Zhao and Secretariat Drafter Li Ping, "Your learning and insight are admirable—you may be middle grade."
45
初，孝文引陸睿、元贊等前，曰：「朕為天子，何假中原？ 欲令卿等子孫博見多知。 若永居恆北，遇不好文主，卿等子弟不免面牆也。」 陸睿對曰：「實如明詔。 金氏若不入仕漢朝，七葉知名，亦不可得也。」 帝大悅。
Earlier Emperor Xiaowen had summoned Lu Rui, Yuan Zan, and the others and said, "I am Son of Heaven—why need the Central Plains? I wish your sons and grandsons to see much and know much. If you forever dwell in the far north and meet an unlettered lord, your sons and grandsons will not escape ignorance. Lu Rui replied, "It is truly as the clear edict says. If the Jin clan had not entered office under the Han, seven generations of fame would never have been possible. The emperor was greatly pleased.
46
帝幸羽第，與諸弟言曰：「朕親受人訟，知廣陵之明瞭。」 咸陽王禧曰：「臣年為廣陵兄，明為廣陵弟。」 帝曰：我為汝兄，汝為羽昆，汝復何恨！」 車駕南伐，除開府、青州刺史。 詔羽曰：「海服之寄，故唯宗良。 唯酒唯田，可不誡歟！」 宣武即位，遷司州牧。 及帝覽政，引入內，面授司徒。 請為司空，乃許之。 羽先淫員外郎馮俊興妻，夜私遊。 為俊興所擊，積日秘匿，薨於府。 宣武親臨哀，贈司徒，諡曰慧。
The emperor visited Yu's residence and told his younger brothers, "I personally hear lawsuits and know how clear Guangling is. Prince of Xianyang Xi said, "By years I am Guangling's elder brother; by clarity I am Guangling's younger brother." The emperor said, "I am your elder brother; you are Yu's peers—what more do you resent!" On the southern campaign he was made Commander-in-Chief and Governor of Qing Province. The edict to Yu said, "The coastal charge belongs only to a worthy of the clan. Only wine, only fields—will you not take warning! When Emperor Xuanwu took the throne Yu was transferred to Governor of Sizhou. When the emperor took charge of government Yu was brought inside and personally invested as Minister of Education. He asked to be Minister of Works and it was granted. Earlier Yu had debauched the wife of Extraordinary Attendant Feng Junxing and went out at night in secret. Junxing struck him; for many days he kept it hidden, and he died in his residence. Emperor Xuanwu came in person to mourn; he was posthumously made Minister of Education with the posthumous title Hui.
47
子恭襲，是為節閔帝。
His son Gong inherited—this was Emperor Jiemin.
48
恭兄欣，字慶樂，性粗率，好鷹犬。 孝莊初，封沛郡王，後封淮陽王。 孝武時，加太師、開府，復封廣陵王，太傅、司州牧，尋除大司馬。 孝武入關中，欣投托人使達長安，為太傅、錄尚書事。 欣于中興宗室，禮遇最隆，自廣平諸王，悉居其下。 又為大宗師，進大塚宰、中軍大都督。 大統中，為柱國大將軍、太傅。 文帝謂欣曰：「王三為太傅，再為太師，自古人臣，示聞此例。」 欣遜謝而已。 後拜司徒。 恭帝初，遷大丞相。 薨，諡曰容。 欣好營產業，多所樹藝，京師名果皆出其園。 所汲引及寮佐咸非長者，為世所鄙。
Gong's elder brother Xin, styled Qingle, was coarse by nature and fond of hawks and dogs. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign he was enfeoffed Prince of Pei commandery, later Prince of Huaiyang. Under Emperor Xiaowu he was made Grand Preceptor and Commander-in-Chief, again enfeoffed Prince of Guangling, Grand Tutor, and Governor of Sizhou, then soon made Grand Marshal. When Emperor Xiaowu entered Guanzhong Xin sent an envoy to reach Chang'an and was made Grand Tutor and Recorder of the Masters of Writing. Among the imperial kin of the Zhongxing restoration Xin received the highest honors; from Prince of Guangping downward all ranked below him. He was again made Grand Clan Master, promoted Grand Steward of the Tomb, and Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army. In the Datong era he was Pillar of State, Grand General, and Grand Tutor. Emperor Wen said to Xin, "You have thrice been Grand Tutor and twice Grand Preceptor—from antiquity among subjects I have never heard such an example. Xin declined with apologies only. He was later made Minister of Education. At the beginning of Emperor Gongdi's reign he was transferred to Grand Chancellor. He died and was given the posthumous title Rong. Xin loved to build estates and planted widely; the capital's famous fruits all came from his gardens. Those he brought in and his staff were none of them men of stature, and the age despised him.
49
高陽王雍字思穆，少俶儻不恆。 孝文曰：'吾亦未能測此兒之深淺，然觀其任真率素，或年器晚成。」 太和九年，封潁川王。 或說雍待士以營聲譽，雍曰：「吾天子之子，位為諸王，用聲名何為？」 改封高陽。 後為相州刺史。 帝誡曰：「為牧之道，亦易亦難。 其身正，不令而行，故便是易； 其身不正，雖令不從，故曰是難。」 宣武初，遷冀州刺史。 雍在二州，微有聲稱，入拜司州牧。 帝時幸雍第，皆盡家人禮。 遷司空，轉太尉，加侍中。 尋除太保，領太尉、侍中如故。 明帝初，詔雍入居太極西柏堂，諮決大政，給親信二十人。 又詔雍為宗師，進太傅、侍中，領太尉公，別敕將作營國子學寺，給雍居之。 領軍于忠擅權專恣，僕射郭祚勸雍出之，忠矯詔殺祚及尚書裴植，廢雍以王歸第。 朝有大事，使黃門就諮訪之。 忠尋復矯詔將殺雍，以問侍中崔光，拒之乃止。 未幾，靈太后臨朝，出忠為冀州刺史。 雍表暴忠罪，陳己不能匡正，請返私門。 靈太后感忠保護之勳，不問其罪。 除雍侍中、太師，領司州牧。
Prince of Gaoyang Yong, styled Simu, in youth was unconventional and unsteady. Emperor Xiaowen said, "I too cannot measure this boy's depth; yet seeing him sincere and plain by nature, perhaps in years and capacity he will mature late." In the ninth year of Taihe he was enfeoffed Prince of Yingchuan. Some said Yong cultivated scholars to build reputation; Yong said, "I am the Son of Heaven's son and rank among princes—what use is reputation?" He was changed to Prince of Gaoyang. He was later made Governor of Xiang Province. The emperor admonished him, "Governing is both easy and hard. If the person is upright, without giving orders things are done—therefore it is easy; if the person is not upright, though orders are given they are not followed—therefore it is hard. At the beginning of Emperor Xuanwu's reign he was transferred to Governor of Ji Province. In the two provinces Yong had some reputation; he entered court as Governor of Sizhou. When the emperor visited Yong's residence they used full family ritual. He was transferred to Minister of Works, then Grand Commandant, and made Attendant-in-Ordinary. Soon he was made Grand Guardian, retaining Grand Commandant and Attendant-in-Ordinary as before. At the beginning of Emperor Ming's reign an edict ordered Yong to dwell in the Western Cypress Hall of Taiji, consult on great affairs, and gave him twenty trusted men. Another edict made Yong Grand Clan Master and promoted him to Grand Tutor and Attendant-in-Ordinary while retaining Grand Commandant; a separate edict had the Directorate of Works build the National University temple for his residence. Commander of the Palace Guards Yu Zhong seized power and acted as he pleased; Vice Director Guo Zuo urged Yong to remove him; Zhong forged an edict and killed Zuo and Director Pei Zhi, deposed Yong, and sent him home as a prince. When the court had great affairs they sent the Yellow Gate to consult him. Zhong soon forged another edict intending to kill Yong; he asked Attendant-in-Ordinary Cui Guang, who refused, and he stopped. Before long Empress Dowager Ling held court and sent Zhong out as Governor of Ji Province. Yong memorialized exposing Zhong's crimes, confessing that he could not correct them, and asking to return to private life. Empress Dowager Ling was moved by Zhong's merit in protecting her and did not inquire into his crimes. Yong was made Attendant-in-Ordinary and Grand Preceptor and took charge of Sizhou.
50
雍表請王公已下賤妾悉不聽用織成錦繡、金玉珠璣，違者以違旨論； 奴婢悉不得衣綾錦纈，止於縵繒而已； 奴則布服，並不得以金銀為釵帶，犯者鞭一百。 太后從之，而不能久也。 詔雍乘步挽出入掖門，又以本官錄尚書事，朝晡侍講。 明帝覽政，詔雍乘車出入大司馬門，進位丞相。 又詔依齊郡順王簡太和故事，朝訖引坐，特優拜伏之禮。 總攝內外，與元叉同決庶政。 歲祿粟至四萬石，伎侍盈房，榮貴之盛，昆弟莫及。
Yong memorialized that from princes and dukes downward all low-rank concubines be forbidden woven brocade, gold, jade, and pearls—violators judged by violating the edict; slave girls must not wear patterned damask or brocade, only plain silk; male slaves only cloth garments, and none may use gold or silver for hairpins and belts—violators receive a hundred strokes. The empress dowager agreed, but could not keep it long. An edict allowed Yong to ride a drawn carriage through the side gates and, with his original office, to record the Masters of Writing; morning and evening he attended lectures. When Emperor Ming took charge of government an edict allowed Yong to ride through the Grand Marshal Gate and promoted him to Chancellor. Another edict followed the Taihe precedent of Prince Jian of Qi commandery Shun: after court he was invited to sit and received special bowing and prostration. He oversaw internal and external affairs and with Yuan Cha jointly decided ordinary government. Annual salary grain reached forty thousand piculs; performing girls filled his rooms; splendor and honor his brothers could not match.
51
元妃盧氏薨後，更納博陵崔顯妹，欲以為妃。 宣武初以崔顯世號東崔，地寒望劣，難之，久乃聽許。 延昌已後，疏棄崔氏，別房幽禁，僅給衣食而已。 未幾，崔暴薨，多雲雍毆殺也。 靈太后許賜其女伎，未及送之。 雍遣其閹豎丁鵝，自至宮內，料簡四人，冒以還第。 太后責其專擅，追停之。 孝莊初，于河陰遇害。 贈假黃鉞、相國，諡文穆。
After his primary consort Lady Lu died he took as consort the younger sister of Boling Cui Xian and wished to make her his princess consort. At the beginning of Emperor Xuanwu's reign, because Cui Xian's house was called Eastern Cui in the age and was of low land and weak standing, the match was resisted; only after long delay was permission granted. After Yan-chang he neglected the Cui clan, kept her in a separate chamber under close guard, giving only food and clothing. Before long Lady Cui died violently; many said Yong beat her to death. Empress Dowager Ling had granted him her female performers but had not yet sent them. Yong sent his eunuch Ding E in person to the inner palace, selected four on his own authority, and took them back to his residence. The empress dowager reproached his usurpation and halted it. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign he was killed at Heyin. He was posthumously given the Acting Yellow Battle-axe and Chancellor with the posthumous title Wenmu.
52
雍識懷短淺，又無學業，雖位居朝首，不為時情所推。 自熙平以後，朝政褫落。 及清河王懌之死，元叉專政，天下大責歸焉。
Yong's insight was shallow and he had no learning; though he stood at the head of court, the mood of the time did not favor him. From the Xiping era onward court government fell into disorder. When Prince of Qinghe Yi died, Yuan Cha monopolized government and the realm's great blame fell on Yong.
53
嫡之泰，字昌，頗有時譽，位太常卿，與雍同時遇害。 贈太尉公、高陽王，諡曰文。 子斌襲。
His eldest son Tai, styled Chang, had some reputation in the time and served as Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; he was killed with Yong at the same time. He was posthumously made Grand Commandant and Prince of Gaoyang with the posthumous title Wen. His son Bin inherited.
54
斌字善集，歷位侍中、尚書左僕射。 斌美儀貌，性寬和，居官重慎，頗為齊文襄愛賞。 齊天保初，准例降爵為高陽縣公，拜右光祿大夫。 二年，從文宣討契丹還，至白狼河，以罪賜死。
Bin, styled Shanji, served in turn as Attendant-in-Ordinary and Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. Bin was handsome and mild; in office he was very cautious and was quite favored by Qi Emperor Wenxiang. At the beginning of Qi Tianbao, by precedent his rank was reduced to Duke of Gaoyang county and he was made Grand Master for the Palace with Glory Equal to the Three Excellencies. In the second year, returning from campaigning against the Khitan with Emperor Wenxuan, at the White Wolf River he was sentenced to death for a crime.
55
彭城王勰字彥和，少而歧嶷，姿性不群。 太和九年，封始平王，加侍中。 勰生而母潘氏卒，其年獻文崩。 及有所知，啟求追服，文明太后不許。 乃毀容憔悴，心喪三年，不參吉慶。 孝文大奇之。 敏而耽學，雅好屬文。 長直禁內，參決軍國大政，萬機之事無不預焉。 及車駕南伐，領宗子軍，宿衛左右。 轉中書令，侍中如故，改封彭城王。
Prince of Pengcheng Xie, styled Yanhe, was precocious from youth and unlike others in disposition. In the ninth year of Taihe he was enfeoffed Prince of Shiping and made Attendant-in-Ordinary. Xie was born and his mother Lady Pan died; that year Emperor Xianwen died. When he came to understanding he petitioned to observe mourning for her; Empress Dowager Wenming did not permit it. He therefore wasted his appearance in grief, observed heart-mourning for three years, and took no part in auspicious celebrations. Emperor Xiaowen marveled greatly. Quick and devoted to learning, he elegantly loved composing literature. On long duty inside the forbidden quarters he took part in deciding great military and civil affairs; none of the myriad tasks passed without him. On the southern campaign he took charge of the imperial clan army and guarded close at hand. He was transferred to Director of the Secretariat, Attendant-in-Ordinary as before, and changed to Prince of Pengcheng.
56
帝升金墉城，顧見堂後桐竹，曰：「凰皇非梧桐不棲，非竹實不食。 今梧竹並茂，詎能降凰乎？」 勰曰：「凰皇應德而來，豈桐竹能降？」 帝笑曰：「朕亦未望降之。」 後宴侍臣於清徽堂。 日晏，移于流化池芳林下。 帝仰觀桐葉之茂，曰：「'其桐其椅，其實離離。 愷悌君子，莫不令儀。 '今林下諸賢，足敷歌詠。」 遂令黃門侍郎崔光讀暮春群臣應制詩。 至勰詩，帝乃為改一字，曰：「昔祁奚舉子，天下謂之至公。 今見勰詩，始知中令之舉非私也。」 勰曰：「臣露此拙，方見聖朝之私，賴蒙神筆賜刊，得有令譽。」 帝曰：「雖琱琢一字，猶是玉之本體。」 勰曰：'《詩》三百，一言可蔽。 今陛下賜刊一字，足以價等連城。」 勰表解侍中，詔曰：「蟬貂之美，待汝而光。 人乏之秋，何容方退。」 後從幸代都，次於上黨之銅鞮山，路傍有大松樹十數根。 時帝進傘，遂住而賦詩，令示勰曰：「吾作詩雖不七步，亦不言遠。 汝可作之，比至吾間，令就也。」 時勰去帝十步，遂且行且作，未至帝所而就。 詩曰：「問松林，松林經幾冬？ 山川何如昔？ 風雲與古同？」 帝大笑曰：「汝此亦調責吾耳！」 詔贈勰所生母潘氏為彭城國太妃。 又除中書監，侍中如故。 帝南討漢陽，假勰中軍大將軍，加鼓吹一部。 勰以寵授頻煩，乃面陳曰：「臣聞兼親疏而兩，並異同而建。 此既成文於昔，臣願誦之於後。 陳思求而不允，愚臣不請而得。 豈但今古雲殊，遇否大異。」 帝大笑，執勰手曰：「二曹才名相忌，吾與汝以道德相親，緣此而言，無慚前烈。」
The emperor ascended the Jincheng ramparts, looked back, and saw paulownia and bamboo behind the hall. He said, "The phoenix will not perch except on paulownia and will not eat except bamboo fruit. Now paulownia and bamboo are both lush—can the phoenix descend?" Xie said, "The phoenix comes in response to virtue—how can paulownia and bamboo make it descend?" The emperor laughed and said, "I also did not expect it to descend." Later he feasted the attending ministers at the Clear Splendor Hall. The day grew late; they moved to beneath the fragrant trees at the Transforming Flow Pool. The emperor looked up at the lush paulownia leaves and said, "'Its paulownia, its chair-tree, its fruit hangs thick. The gracious gentleman—none is not admirable. Now the worthies beneath the trees are enough to fill song and praise. He then ordered Secretariat Attendant Cui Guang to read the ministers' responsive poems for late spring. When they came to Xie's poem the emperor altered one character and said, "In the past Qi Xi recommended his son and the realm called it utmost fairness. Now seeing Xie's poem I know the director's recommendation was not private. Xie said, "Your servant shows this clumsy piece and thereby sees the holy court's favor; relying on the divine brush's correction I have worthy reputation." The emperor said, "Though one character is carved and polished, it is still the jade's original substance." Xie said, "The three hundred pieces of the Odes—a single phrase can cover them. Now Your Majesty bestows the correction of one character—it is enough to equal a city in value." Xie memorialized to resign Attendant-in-Ordinary; the edict said, "The beauty of the cicada-fur cap awaits you to shine. In a season when men are scarce, how can you withdraw now?" Later he followed the emperor to the northern capital; they halted at the Tongdi Mountains in Shangdang. Beside the road stood more than ten great pines; the emperor advanced his parasol, stopped, and composed a poem, ordering it shown to Xie: "My composing, though not in seven paces, is not said to be far. You may compose one; by the time you reach my side, finish it." Xie was ten paces from the emperor; he walked and composed, and before reaching the emperor's place he finished. The poem said, "I ask the pine grove—how many winters has the pine grove known? How are mountains and rivers compared to the past? Wind and clouds the same as of old?" The emperor laughed greatly and said, "Your piece also teases me!" An edict enfeoffed Xie's birth mother Lady Pan as Grand Consort of Pengcheng commandery. He was again made Director of the Secretariat, Attendant-in-Ordinary as before. When the emperor campaigned south against Hanyang he made Xie acting Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army and gave him one set of martial music. Because favor and appointments came again and again Xie faced the throne and said, "Your servant hears that both kin near and far together, and both different and same together established. This is already written in the past; your servant wishes to recite it for the future. Chen Si sought and was not granted; the foolish subject did not ask and obtained. Not only do past and present differ like clouds—meeting fortune or misfortune differs greatly. The emperor laughed greatly, took Xie's hand, and said, "The two Caos' talent and names were jealous of each other; you and I are kin by virtue—from this I have no shame before the former worthies."
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帝親講《喪服》於清徽堂，從容謂群臣曰：「彥和、季豫等年在沖蒙，早登纓紱，失過庭之訓，並未習《禮》。 每欲令我一解《喪服》。 自審義解浮疏，仰而不許。 頃因酒醉坐，脫爾言從，故屈朝彥，遂親傅說。」 御史中尉李彪對曰：「自古及今，未有天子講《禮》。 臣得親承音旨，千載一時。」
Each wished to have me explain Mourning Garments once. I myself found my understanding shallow and looked up and did not permit it. Recently, sitting drunk with wine, I spoke and followed—therefore I bent the court's worthies and lectured in person. " Censor-in-Chief Li Biao replied, "From antiquity to the present there has never been a Son of Heaven lecturing on Ritual. Your servant received the tone and intent in person—a moment once in a thousand years. Following the campaign north of the Mian he was made Bearer of Credentials, Supervisor of Southern Campaign Military Affairs, Regular Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army, and Commander-in-Chief."
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從征沔北，除使持節、都督南征諸軍事，正中軍大將軍、開府。 勰於是親勒大眾。 須臾有二大鳥從南來，一向行宮，一向幕府，各為人所獲。 勰言於帝曰：「始有一鳥，望旗顛仆，臣謂大吉。」 帝戲之曰：「鳥之畏威，豈獨中軍之略也？ 吾亦分其一耳！ 此乃大善，兵法咸說。」 至明，便大破崔慧景、蕭衍。 其夜大雨。 帝曰：「昔聞國軍獲勝，每逢雲雨。 今破新野、南陽，及摧此賊，果降時潤，誠哉斯言。」 勰對曰：「水德之應，遠稱天心。」 帝令勰為露布，辭曰：「臣聞露布者，布于四海，露之耳目。 以臣小才，豈足大用。」 帝曰：「汝亦為才達，但可為之。」 及就，尤類帝文，有人見者，咸謂御筆。 帝曰：「汝所為者，人謂吾制。 非兄則弟，誰能辨之？」 勰對曰：「子夏被嗤於先聖，臣又荷責於來今。」 及至豫州，帝為家人書于勰曰：「每欲立一宗師，肅我元族。 汝親則宸極，官乃中監； 風標才器，實足軌范，宗制之重，舍汝誰寄？ 有不遵教典，隨事以聞。」
Xie thereupon personally led the great host. In a moment two great birds came from the south—one toward the traveling palace, one toward headquarters—each was caught. Xie said to the emperor, "At first one bird, seeing the banners, fell prostrate—I call it great good fortune." The emperor jested, "The bird's fear of authority—is it only the central army's stratagem? I also share a part! This is great good—military texts all say so. By dawn they had greatly defeated Cui Huijing and Xiao Yan. That night came great rain. The emperor said, "I have heard that when the state's army wins, it always meets cloud and rain. Now having taken Xinye and Nanyang and crushed this enemy, timely rain indeed fell—truly this saying. Xie replied, "The response of Water's virtue—far off it is called Heaven's heart." The emperor ordered Xie to compose a victory bulletin; he declined, "Your servant hears that a victory bulletin is spread to the four seas and exposed to all ears. With your servant's small talent, how is it enough for great use? " The emperor said, "You are also talented and accomplished—only compose it. When it was done it especially resembled the emperor's writing; those who saw it all said it was the imperial brush. The emperor said, "What you composed—men say I wrote it. If not elder brother then younger brother—who can tell? Xie replied, "Zixia was mocked by the former sage; your servant again bears blame from those to come. When they reached Yu Province the emperor wrote a family letter to Xie: "I have long wished to establish one Grand Clan Master to dignify our Yuan clan. You are kin to the imperial pole and your office is Director of the Secretariat; in bearing and talent you are truly enough to be a model—the weight of clan regulation, to whom else can I entrust it? If any do not follow the teaching statutes, report the matter as it arises. When the emperor fell ill Xie attended inside on medicine and outside oversaw military and civil affairs; far and near were orderly and no one dissented.
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帝不豫，勰內侍醫藥，外總軍國之務，遐邇肅然，人無異議。 徐謇，當世上醫。 先是，假歸洛陽； 及召至，勰引之別所，泣涕執手，祈請懇至。 左右見者莫不鳴咽。 及引入，謇便欲進藥。 勰以帝神力虛弱，唯令以食味消息。 勰乃密為壇于汝水濱，依周公故事，告天地及獻文，為帝請命，乞以身代。 帝瘳損，自懸瓠幸鄴，勰常侍坐輿輦，晝夜不離其側，飲食必先嘗之而後手自進禦。 車駕還京，會百僚于宣極堂，行飲至策勳之禮，以勰功為群將之最。 尋以勰為司徒、太子太傅，侍中如故。
Xu Jian was the foremost physician of the age. Earlier he had taken leave to return to Luoyang; when summoned and arrived, Xie received him in a separate place, weeping and holding his hand, praying with utmost earnestness. Those at the side who saw it all sobbed. When he was brought in Jian at once wished to administer medicine. Xie because the emperor's divine strength was weak only ordered food flavors for nourishment. Xie thereupon secretly made an altar on the Ru River bank, following the Duke of Zhou's precedent, reporting to Heaven and Earth and Emperor Xianwen, requesting life for the emperor and begging to substitute his own body. The emperor's illness lessened; from Xuanchi he favored Ye; Xie constantly attended beside the carriage day and night and never left his side; he always tasted food and drink first, then with his own hand presented it to the emperor. When the imperial carriage returned to the capital they assembled the hundred officials at the Xuanji Hall and performed the drinking-to-victory and recording-merit ritual, with Xie's merit foremost among the generals. Soon Xie was made Minister of Education and Grand Tutor to the crown prince, Attendant-in-Ordinary as before. Before long Qi general Chen Xianda invaded; the emperor again personally campaigned.
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俄而齊將陳顯達內寇，帝復親討之。 詔勰持節、都督中外諸軍事，總攝六師。 時帝不豫，勰辭侍疾無暇，更請一王總當軍要。 帝曰：「吾慮不濟，安六軍保社稷者，舍汝而誰？」 帝至馬圈，疾甚，謂勰曰：「今吾當成不濟。 霍子孟以異姓受付，況親賢，不可不勉也！」 勰泣曰：「士於布衣，猶為知己盡命，況臣托靈先皇，誠應竭股肱之力。 但臣出入喉膂，每跨時要，此乃周旦遁逃，成王疑惑。 臣非所以辭勤請逸，正欲仰成陛下日鏡之明，下令愚臣獲避退之福。」 帝久之曰：「吾尋思汝言，理實難奪。」 乃手詔宣武曰：「汝第六父勰，清規懋賞，與白雲俱潔； 厭榮舍紱，以松竹為心。 吾少與綢繆，提攜道趣，每請朝纓，恬真丘壑。 吾以長兄之重，未忍離遠，何容仍屈素業，長嬰世網。 吾百年之後，其聽勰辭蟬舍冕，遂其沖挹之性也。」
An edict made Xie Bearer of Credentials, Supervisor of all military affairs within and without, overseeing the six armies. At the time the emperor was ill; Xie declined because attending the illness left no leisure and again asked for another prince to oversee the military command. The emperor said, "I fear it will not succeed—who besides you can secure the six armies and protect the altars of soil and grain? When the emperor reached the Horse Enclosure his illness was severe; he said to Xie, "Now I shall surely not succeed. Huo Zimeng received the charge though of a different surname—how much more you, kin and worthy; you cannot but strive! Xie wept and said, "For a gentleman in plain cloth there is still giving life for a confidant—how much more your servant, entrusted with the spirit of the former emperor, who truly ought to exhaust arm and thigh. But your servant goes in and out of the throat and gullet and each time crosses a timely post—this is the Duke of Zhou's flight and King Cheng's doubt. Your servant is not therefore declining diligence to seek ease, but only wishes to look up and complete Your Majesty's mirror-brightness, and order the foolish subject to obtain the blessing of withdrawal. The emperor after long said, "I have pondered your words—the principle truly cannot be overturned. He thereupon wrote by hand to Xuanwu: "Your sixth father Xie, pure rule and splendid reward, clean as white clouds together; weary of glory and casting off the cap-tassel, with pine and bamboo as heart. I in youth was close with him, raised him in the way's intent; each time he asked for court rank he was true to hills and ravines. Because of the eldest brother's weight I could not bear to leave him far—how can he still bend his plain vocation and long be caught in the age's net? After my hundred years listen to Xie resign the cicada and cast off the crown, follow his lofty-withdrawing nature. The emperor died at the traveling palace; they suppressed and concealed the mourning, Xie alone with Right Vice Director Prince of Rencheng Cheng and a few close attendants making plans, placing the coffin in a covered carriage.
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帝崩於行宮，遏秘喪事，獨與右僕射、任城王澄及左右數人為計，奉遷于安車中。 勰等出入如平常，視疾進膳，可決外奏。 累日，達宛城，乃夜進安車於郡査事； 得加斂櫬，還載臥輿。 六軍內外，莫有知者。 遣中書舍人張儒奉詔徵宣武會駕。 梓宮至魯陽，乃發喪行服。 宣武即位，勰跪授遺敕數紙。 咸陽王禧疑勰為變，停于魯陽郡外，久之乃入。 謂勰曰：「汝非但辛勤，亦危險至極。」 勰恨之。 對曰：「兄識高年長，故知有夷險。 彥和掘蛇騎武，不覺艱難。」 禧曰：「汝恨吾後至耳。」 自孝文不豫，勰常居中，親侍醫藥，夙夜不離左右，至於衣不解帶，亂首垢面。 帝患久多忿，因之遷怒。 勰每被誚詈，言至厲切； 威責近侍，動將誅斬。 勰承顏悉心，多所匡濟。 及帝升遐，齊將陳顯達奔遁始爾，慮凶問洩漏，致有逼迫。 勰內雖悲慟，外示吉容，出入俯仰，神貌無異。 及至魯陽，東宮官屬多疑勰有異志，竊懷防懼； 而勰推誠盡禮，卒無纖介之過。 勰上諡議：「協時肇享曰孝，五宗安之曰孝，道德博聞曰文，經緯天地曰文，上尊號為孝文皇帝，廟號高祖，陵曰長陵。」 帝從之。
Xie and the others went in and out as usual, viewing illness and presenting food; outer memorials could be decided. After many days they reached Wan city; then at night they advanced the covered carriage to the county office for investigation; they were able to add the inner coffin, then returned and loaded the lying carriage. Within and without the six armies none knew. They sent Secretariat Drafter Zhang Ru with an edict to summon Xuanwu to join the entourage. When the coffin reached Luyang they then proclaimed mourning and put on mourning garments. When Xuanwu took the throne Xie knelt and handed over several sheets of testamentary edict. Prince of Xianyang Xi suspected Xie of treachery and halted outside Luyang commandery; only after long delay did he enter. He said to Xie, "You are not only toilsome—you are also dangerous to the utmost." Xie resented it. He replied, "Elder brother's insight is high and years many—therefore you know there is peril and safety. Yanhe dug snakes and rode martial arts—he did not feel hardship. Xi said, "You resent that I arrived late." From when Emperor Xiaowen fell ill Xie constantly attended at the center, personally tending medicine, day and night never leaving his side, to the point of not undoing his belt, with disordered hair and dirty face. The emperor's illness was long and he had much anger; because of this he vented his anger. Each time Xie was rebuked and scolded, the words reached severity; in his authority he reproached close attendants and often moved to execute them. Xie each time bore the countenance and with all his heart aided and corrected. When the emperor passed away, Qi general Chen Xianda had just fled in defeat; fearing news of the death would leak and bring pressure, within Xie was deeply grieved but outwardly showed a calm face; in going out and in, bowing and raising his head, his spirit and bearing did not change. When they reached Luyang, the eastern palace officials mostly suspected Xie of ulterior intent and secretly harbored fear; yet Xie with full sincerity and utmost ritual in the end had not the slightest fault. Xie submitted the posthumous title deliberation: "Harmonizing the times and inaugurating sacrifice is called Xiao; securing the five lineages is called Xiao; virtue broadly heard is called Wen; weaving warp and woof of Heaven and Earth is called Wen—the honored title is Emperor Xiaowen, temple name Gaozu, tomb Changling. " The emperor followed it. The emperor followed it.
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既葬，帝固以勰為宰輔。 勰頻口陳遺旨，請遂素懷。 帝對勰悲慟，每不許之。 頻表懇切，帝難違遺敕，遂其雅情。 猶逼以外任，乃以勰為都督、定州刺史。 勰仍陳讓，帝不許，乃述職。 帝與勰書，極家人敬，請勰入京。 景明初，齊豫州刺史裴叔業以壽春內屬，詔勰都督南征諸軍事，與尚書令王肅迎接壽春。 復授司徒。 又詔以本官領揚州刺史，進位大司馬，領司徒。 齊將陳伯之屯于肥口，胡松又據梁城。 勰部分將士，頻戰破之。 淮南平，征勰還朝。 初，勰之定壽春，獲齊汝陰太守王果、豫州中從事庾稷等數人。 勰傾衿禮之，常參坐席。 果承間求還江外，勰衿而許之。 果又謝曰：「果等今還，仰負慈澤，請聽仁駕振旅，反跡江外。」 至此乃還。 其為遠人所懷如此。
After the burial the emperor firmly made Xie chief minister. Xie spoke again and again at court of the late emperor's intent, begging leave to fulfill the wish he had nursed for years. Each time the emperor answered him in tears and would not consent. Xie tabled memorial after memorial, so earnest that the emperor could not defy his father's charge and at last granted the life Xie had asked for. Even so they pressed an outside post on him: Xie was made commander-in-chief and governor of Dingzhou. Xie refused again; the emperor would not hear of it, and he went to his duties. The emperor wrote to him with the deference of kin and begged him to return to the capital. Early in Jingming, Pei Shuye, Qi governor of Yuzhou, surrendered Shouyang to Wei. Xie was ordered to command the southern armies and join Wang Su, director of the secretariat, in taking the city. He was again made minister of works. An edict named him governor of Yangzhou in his existing rank, promoted him to grand marshal, and left him minister of works. The Qi general Chen Bozhi held Feikou; Hu Song held Liangcheng. Xie arrayed his commanders and broke them battle after battle. When Huainan was pacified, the court recalled him. When he first took Shouyang he had captured Qi officials among them Wang Guo, governor of Ruyin, and Yu Ji, attendant of Yuzhou. Xie received them with open courtesy and kept them at his table. Guo found a moment to ask leave to return south of the Yangtze; Xie granted it from sympathy. Guo thanked him again: "We who go home now carry your grace on our backs. Grant your noble host leave to march and turn our footsteps back across the river. Only then did they depart. So deep was the regard he won from men far away.
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勰至京師，頻表辭大司馬、領司徒及所增邑，乞還中山，有詔不許。 乃除錄尚書，侍中、司徒如故，固辭不免。 時咸陽王禧以驕矜，頗有不法，北海王詳陰言於帝； 又言勰大得人情，不宜久在宰輔，勸帝遵遺敕。 禧等又出領軍於烈為恆州，烈深以為忿。 烈子忠常在左右，密令忠言於帝，宜早自覽政。 時將礿祭，王公並齋于廟東坊。 帝遣于烈將壯士六十人召禧、勰、詳等引見。 帝謂勰曰：「頃來南北務殷，不容仰遂沖操。 恪是何人，而敢久違先敕？ 今遂叔父高蹈之意。」 詔乃為勰造宅，務從簡素，以遂其心。 勰因是作《蠅賦》以喻懷。 又以勰為太師，勰遂固辭。 詔侍中敦喻，帝又為書於勰，崇家人之敬，勰不得已而應命。 帝前後頻幸勰第。 及京兆、廣平王暴虐不法，制宿衛隊主率羽林、武賁幽守諸王於其第，勰上表切諫，帝不納。 時議定律令，勰與高陽王雍、八坐、朝士有才學者，五日一集，參論軌制應否之宜。 凡所裁決，時彥歸仰。 又加侍中。 勰敦尚文史，撰自古帝王賢達至於魏世子孫，族從為三十卷，名曰《要略》。
Back in the capital, he repeatedly asked to lay down grand marshal, minister of works, and the added fiefs and retire to Zhongshan; the edict refused. They made him director of the secretariat while keeping his other posts; he refused until he could refuse no more. Prince of Xianyang Xi had grown proud and lawless; Prince of Beihai Xiang whispered as much to the emperor. He also said Xie had won the people's hearts and should not long head the government, urging the emperor to honor his father's last wish. Xi and his party also posted Commander of the Palace Guard Yu Lie to Hengzhou, and Lie burned with resentment. Lie's son Zhong was always at the emperor's ear; Lie secretly had him urge the young ruler to take the reins himself. When the season came for the suburban sacrifice, princes and nobles fasted together in the temple's east wing. The emperor sent Yu Lie with sixty picked guards to summon Xi, Xie, Xiang, and the rest to audience. He told Xie, "North and south have both been on fire; I could not grant the lofty retreat you sought. What is Ke, that he dared so long to defy my father's command? Now I grant my uncle the high road he has long desired. An edict built him a house deliberately plain, to satisfy his heart. Xie answered with a "Rhapsody on the Fly" to voice what he felt. They named him grand preceptor; he refused again. The attendant-in-ordinary was sent to press him; the emperor wrote again with familial deference; at last Xie yielded. Again and again the emperor came to his gate. When the princes of Jingzhao and Guangping turned brutal and lawless, the throne ordered squad leaders of the guard to pen them in their houses with armored men. Xie remonstrated in the sharpest terms; the emperor would not listen. While the realm debated new law codes, Xie met every five days with Prince of Gaoyang Yong, the eight ministers, and the ablest scholars to weigh what should stand or fall. Whatever they decided, the age looked up to them. He was again made attendant-in-ordinary. Xie loved letters and history and compiled thirty scrolls, from ancient emperors and sages down to Wei princes and kin, titled Essentials in Brief.
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性仁孝。 言于朝廷，以其舅潘僧固為長樂太守。 京兆王愉構逆，僧固見逼。 尚書令高肇性既凶愎，又肇兄女入為夫人。 順皇后崩，帝欲以為後，勰固執以為不可。 肇於是屢譖勰，因僧固之同愉逆，肇誣勰與愉通，南招蠻賊。 勰國郎中令魏偃、前防閣高祖珍希肇提攜，構成事。 肇初令侍中元暉以奏，暉不從。 又令左衛元珍言之。 帝訪暉，明勰無此。 帝更以問肇，肇以魏偃、祖珍為證，乃信之。
By nature he was benevolent and filial. At court he secured his maternal uncle Pan Senggu the governorship of Changle. When Prince of Jingzhao Yu rose in rebellion, Senggu was dragged into it. Director of the Secretariat Gao Zhao was fierce and obstinate by nature, and his elder brother's daughter had lately entered the inner quarters. When Empress Shun died the emperor wished to raise her to empress; Xie held the move impossible and would not yield. Zhao slandered him without cease, and through Senggu's link to Yu's plot accused Xie of conspiring with Yu and calling southern rebels. Xie's bureau director Wei Yan and former gate officer Gao Zuzhen, hungry for Zhao's favor, fabricated the case. Zhao first ordered Attendant-in-ordinary Yuan Hui to present the accusation; Hui refused. He then had Left Guard Yuan Zhen speak of it. The emperor questioned Hui, who made clear that Xie had done none of this. The emperor questioned Zhao again; Zhao produced Wei Yan and Zuzhen as witnesses, and the emperor believed him.
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永平元年九月，召勰及高陽王雍、廣陽王嘉、清河王懌、廣平王懷及高肇等人。 時勰妃方產，固辭不得已，意甚憂懼，與妃訣而登車。 入東掖門，度一小橋，牛傷，人挽而入。 宴於禁中，夜皆醉，各就別所消息。 俄而元珍將武士齎毒酒至。 勰曰：「一見至尊，死無恨也。」 珍曰：「至尊何可復見！」 武士以刀環築勰二下，勰大言稱冤。 武士又以刀築勰，乃飲毒酒，武士就殺之。 向晨，以褥裹屍，輿從屏門出，載屍歸第，雲因飲而薨。 勰妃李氏，司空沖之女也，號哭曰：「高肇枉理殺人，天道有靈，汝還當惡死。」 及肇以罪見殺，還於此屋，論者知有報應焉。 帝為舉哀於東堂。 勰既有大功于國，無罪見害，行路士女皆流涕曰：「高肇小人，枉殺如此賢王！」 在朝貴戚莫不喪氣。 景明、報德寺僧鳴鐘欲飯，忽聞勰薨，二寺一千餘人皆嗟痛，為之不食，但飲水而齋。 追贈假黃鉞、使持節、都督中外諸軍事、司徒公、太師。 給鑒輅九旒，武賁班劍百人，前後部羽葆鼓吹，轀輬車。 有司奏太常卿劉芳議勰諡，保大定功曰武，善問周達曰宣，宜諡武宣王。 詔可。 及莊帝即位，追號文穆皇帝，妃李氏為文穆皇后，遷神主於太廟，稱肅祖。 節閔帝時，去其神主。 嫡子劭，字子訥，襲封。
In the ninth month of Yongping 1, Xie was summoned with Prince of Gaoyang Yong, Prince of Guangyang Jia, Prince of Qinghe Yi, Prince of Guangping Huai, Gao Zhao, and others. His consort was in labor; he tried to refuse and could not, sick with dread. He took leave of her and climbed into the carriage. At the east side gate, crossing a little bridge, the ox was injured; men hauled the carriage through. They feasted inside the palace until all were drunk, then each went to a separate room to sleep. Soon Yuan Zhen came with guards bearing poisoned wine. Xie said, "Let me see the Son of Heaven once more and I die without regret. Zhen said, "The Son of Heaven will not be seen again." Guards struck him twice with the flat of the blade; Xie cried that he was wronged. They struck him again, then he drank; the guards finished him. Toward dawn they wrapped the corpse in quilts, carried it out through the screen gate, and sent it home, saying he had died from drink. His consort Lady Li, daughter of Minister of Works Chong, wailed, "Gao Zhao murdered him by twisting the law. Heaven has eyes—you will yet die foully. When Zhao was executed for his crimes he was brought back to this very house; men said Heaven had answered her. The emperor mourned him in the eastern hall. Xie had served the state with great merit and died innocent; men and women in the streets wept and said, "That petty man Gao Zhao murdered a prince so worthy as this! The great at court lost heart. At the Jingming and Baode monasteries the monks were ringing for the midday meal when word came of Xie's death; more than a thousand monks in both houses groaned, would not eat, and drank only water in mourning. Posthumously they gave him the golden axe, credentials as commissioner, command of all armies at home and abroad, minister of works, and grand preceptor. They granted the imperial canopy with nine tassels, a hundred guards with halberds and swords, feathered banners and drums before and behind, and the imperial carriage. The ministry reported Director Liu Fang's judgment on his posthumous name: "Preserving greatness and fixing merit" yields Wu; "good inquiry and thorough penetration" yields Xuan. He should be Prince Wu Xuan. The edict approved. When Emperor Zhuang took the throne he was posthumously titled Emperor Wen Mu and Lady Li Empress Wen Mu; his tablet entered the ancestral temple as Ancestor Su. Under Emperor Jiemin his spirit tablet was removed. His eldest son Shao, styled Zinuo, succeeded to the fief.
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劭善武藝，少有氣節。 明帝初，梁將寇邊，劭表上粟九千斛、資絹六百匹、國吏二百人以充軍用。 靈太后嘉其至意，不許。 累遷青州刺史。 孝昌末，靈太后失德，四方紛擾，劭遂有異志。 為安豐王延明所啟，征入為御史中尉。 莊帝即位，尊為無上王。 尋遇害河陰。 追諡曰孝宣皇帝，妻李氏為文恭皇后。
Shao was skilled in arms and in youth had mettle. Early in Mingdi, when Liang generals raided the border, Shao offered nine thousand dan of grain, six hundred bolts of silk and goods, and two hundred household officials of the fief for the army. Empress Dowager Ling praised his devotion and would not accept it. He rose step by step to governor of Qingzhou. Late in Xiaochang, when the empress dowager lost her virtue and the realm boiled, Shao nursed designs of his own. Prince of Anfeng Yanming denounced him; he was summoned in as imperial censor. When Emperor Zhuang took the throne, Shao was honored as Prince Without Superior. Soon he met disaster at Heyin. Posthumously he was titled Emperor Xiao Xuan; his wife Lady Li was Empress Wen Gong.
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子韶，字世胄，好學，美容儀。 初，爾硃榮將入洛，父劭恐，以韶寄所親榮陽太守鄭仲明。 仲明尋為城人所殺。 韶因亂，與乳母相失，遂與仲明兄子僧副避難。 路中為賊逼，僧副恐不免，因令韶下馬。 僧副謂客曰：「窮鳥投人，尚或矜湣，況諸王如何棄乎？」 僧副舉刃逼之，客乃退。 韶逢一老母姓程，哀之，隱於私家。 居十餘日，莊帝訪而獲焉，襲封彭城王。 齊神武后以孝武帝后配之，魏室奇寶多隨後入韶家。 有二玉缽相盛，轉而不可出。 馬腦榼容三升，玉縫之。 皆稱西域鬼作也。 歷位太尉、侍中、錄尚書事、司州牧、特進、太傅。
His son Shao, styled Shizhou, loved learning and was handsome of bearing. When Erzhu Rong was about to enter Luoyang, his father Shao in fear placed the boy with his trusted friend Zheng Zhongming, governor of Rongyang. Soon Zhongming was killed by men of the city. In the turmoil Shao lost his wet nurse and fled with Zhongming's nephew Sengfu. On the road bandits closed in; Sengfu feared they could not escape and made Shao dismount. Sengfu told the travelers, "A bird at the end of its flight still wins pity when it casts itself on a man—how can you abandon a prince of the blood? Sengfu raised his blade and pressed them; they withdrew. Shao met an old woman surnamed Cheng who pitied him and hid him in her house. After more than ten days Emperor Zhuang found him by inquiry; he succeeded as Prince of Pengcheng. After Qi Shenwu gave him Emperor Xiaowu's consort as wife, many of Wei's rare treasures followed her into Shao's house. There were two nested jade bowls that could turn but never be pulled apart. An agate case held three sheng, its seams traced in jade. Men said they were the work of demons from the Western Regions. He served as grand commandant, attendant-in-ordinary, director of the secretariat, governor of Sizhou, special grandee, and grand tutor.
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十年，太史奏云：「今年當除舊佈新。」 文宣謂韶曰：「漢光武何故中興？」 韶曰：「為誅諸劉不盡。」 於是乃誅諸元以厭之。 遂以五月誅元世哲、景武等二十五家，餘十九家並禁止之。 韶幽於京畿地牢，絕食，啖衣袖而死。 及七月，大誅元氏，自昭成已下並無遺焉。 或父祖為王，或身常貴顯，或兄弟強壯，皆斬東市。 其嬰兒投於空中，承之以槊。 前後死者凡七百二十一人，悉投屍漳水。 剖魚者多得爪甲，都下為之久不食魚。 世哲從弟黃頭，使與諸囚自金凰台各乘紙鴟以飛，黃頭獨能至紫陌乃墜，仍付御史獄，畢義雲餓殺之。
In the tenth year the astronomers reported, "This year the old must be swept away and the new spread. Emperor Wen Xuan asked Shao, "Why did Han's Guangwu restore the dynasty?" Shao said, "Because he did not kill every Liu to the last man." Thereupon he killed the Yuan to appease the omen. In the fifth month he executed Yuan Shizhe, Jingwu, and twenty-five other households; nineteen more households were placed under prohibition. Shao was shut in the capital dungeon, starved, and died gnawing his sleeve. By the seventh month the Yuan were slaughtered wholesale; from Zhaocheng's line down, none were spared. Some had fathers or grandfathers who had been kings, some had long held high rank, some had strong brothers in their prime—all were beheaded at the eastern market. Infants were tossed into the air and caught on spears. Seven hundred twenty-one died in all; every corpse was cast into the Zhang River. Men who gutted fish often found fingernails; for a long season the capital would not touch fish. Shizhe's cousin Huangtou was set with other prisoners to ride paper kites from the Golden Phoenix Terrace; Huangtou alone reached Zimo Lane before he fell, was sent to the censor's prison, and Bi Yiyun starved him to death.
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北海王詳字季豫，美姿容，善舉止。 太和九年封，加侍中。 孝文自洛北巡，詳常與侍中彭城王勰並在輿輦，陪侍左右。 至文成射銘所，帝停駕，詔諸弟及侍臣皆試射遠近。 諸人皆去一二十步，唯詳箭及之。 帝拊掌欣笑，遂詔勒銘，親自為制。 車駕南伐，詳行中領軍，留守。 孝文臨崩，顧命詳為司空輔政。
Prince of Beihai Xiang, styled Jiyu, was handsome of face and graceful in bearing. In Taihe 9 he was enfeoffed and made attendant-in-ordinary. When Emperor Xiaowen toured north from Luoyang, Xiang often rode beside Prince of Pengcheng Xie in the imperial carriage, attending left and right. At the spot where Emperor Wencheng had shot his inscription, the emperor halted and ordered younger princes and attending ministers to try their skill at near and far targets. Others stood twenty or thirty paces back; only Xiang's arrow reached the mark. The emperor clapped and laughed with delight, then ordered the inscription carved and wrote the text himself. On the southern campaign Xiang served as acting commander of the palace guard and remained behind to defend. At his deathbed Xiaowen entrusted government to Xiang as minister of works.
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宣武覽政，為中大將軍、錄尚書事。 咸陽王禧之謀反，詳表求解任，制不許。 除太尉、領司徒、侍中，錄尚書事如故。 詳之拜命，其夜暴風震電，拔其廷中桐，樹大十圍，倒立本處。 初，宣武之覽政，詳聞彭城王勰有震主之慮，而欲奪其司徒，大懼物議，故為大將軍，至是乃居之。 天威如此，識者知其不終。
When Emperor Xuandi took the reins, Xiang was made grand general and director of the secretariat. When Prince of Xianyang Xi plotted rebellion, Xiang asked to resign; the throne would not allow it. He was made grand commandant while retaining minister of works, attendant-in-ordinary, and director of the secretariat. The night he received the appointment a storm wind with thunder uprooted the paulownia in his court, ten arm-spans around, and left it standing upside down in its hole. When Xuandi first took power, Xiang had heard that Prince of Pengcheng Xie might overshadow the throne and had wanted his post as minister of works; fearing public talk, he took grand general instead—only now did he hold it. Heaven had spoken; those who understood knew he would not end well.
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既以季父崇寵，位望兼極，貪冒無厭，公私營販。 又於東掖門外規占第宅，至有喪柩在室，請延至葬而不見許，輿櫬巷次，行路哀嗟。 詳母高太妃頗助威虐，怨<鄉向>嗷然。 妃宋王劉昶女，不見答禮。 寵妾范氏，愛等伉儷。 及死葬訖，猶毀隧視之。 又烝于安定王燮妃高氏，即茹皓妻姊。 詳既素附於皓，又緣淫好，往來綢密。 詳雖貪侈，宣武禮敬尚隆。 常別住華林圓西隅，與都亭宮館相接。 帝每潛幸其所，肆飲終日，與高太妃相見，呼為阿母，伏而上酒，禮若家人。 臨出，高每拜送，舉觴祝言：「願官家千萬年壽，歲一入妾母子舍也。」 初，宣武之親政，詳與咸陽王禧、彭城王勰並被召入，共乘犢車，防衛嚴固。 高時惶迫，以為必死，亦乘車傍路哭送至金墉。 及詳得免，高云：「自今以後，不願富貴。 但令母子相保，共汝掃市作活也。」 至此，貴寵崇盛，不復言有禍敗之理。
Favored as the emperor's younger uncle, rank and repute at their height, he was greedy without end and trafficked in public and private gain. He staked out a mansion outside the east side gate; mourning coffins still stood in the rooms. He begged delay until the burial and was refused; biers blocked the lane and passersby sighed. His mother, Grand Consort Gao, fed his violence; the neighborhood seethed with complaint. His consort was a daughter of Song Prince Liu Chang; he never treated her with the courtesy owed a wife. His favored concubine Lady Fan he loved as an equal partner. After her death and burial he still broke open the tomb passage to look upon her. He also lay with the consort of Prince of Anding Xie, Lady Gao, elder sister to Ru Hao's wife. Xiang had long clung to Ru Hao and, through shared appetite for vice, came and went in close intimacy. Though Xiang was greedy and extravagant, the emperor's ritual respect still ran high. He often lived apart in the western corner of Hualin Park, adjoining the capital pavilion palaces. The emperor often stole to his house and drank the day through, meeting Grand Consort Gao, calling her Foster Mother, crawling to offer wine with the ease of kin. On leaving, Gao always bowed him out, raising her cup: "May Your Majesty live ten thousand years and once a year enter the house of me and my son. When Xuandi first took government in person, Xiang rode with Prince of Xianyang Xi and Prince of Pengcheng Xie in a calf cart under strict guard. Gao was then in panic, sure they would die; she rode by the roadside weeping and followed them to Jincheng. When Xiang was spared, Gao said, "From now on I want no more wealth. Only let mother and son keep each other; with you we will sweep the market and live by labor. By then favor and glory had mounted too high for talk of ruin.
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後為高肇所譖，雲詳與皓等謀逆。 時詳在南第。 帝召中尉崔亮入禁，糾詳貪淫，及茹皓、劉胄、常季賢、陳掃靜等專恣之狀。 夜即收禁南台。 又武賁百人，圍守詳第。 夜中慮其驚懼奔越，遣左右郭翼開金墉門馳出喻之，示以中尉彈狀。 詳母高見翼，頓首號泣，不能自勝。 詳言：「審如中尉所糾，何憂也？ 人奉我珍異貨物，我實受之，果為取受，吾何憂乎？」 至明，皓等皆賜死。 引高陽王雍等五王入議詳罪。 單車防守還華林館。 母妻相與哭，入所居，小奴弱婢數人隨從。 防援甚嚴。 徙就太府寺，免為庶人。 別營坊館于洛陽縣東北隅，如法禁衛，限以終身，名曰思善堂，將徙詳居之。 會其家奴陰結党輩，欲劫出，密抄名字，潛托侍婢通於詳。 詳始得執省，而門防主司遙見，突入，就詳手中覽得，呈奏。 帝密令害之。 詳自至太府，令其母妻還居南宅，五日一來。 此夜，母妻不來，死于奴婢手中。 詔喪還南宅，諸王皇宗，悉令奔赴。 賵物一依廣陵故事。 詳之初禁，乃以淫高事告母。 母大怒，詈之曰：「汝自有妻妾侍婢，少盛如花，何共高麗婢奸，令致此罪！ 我得高麗婢，當啖其肉。」 乃杖詳背及兩腳百餘下。 自行杖，力疲，乃使奴代。 高氏素嚴，詳每有微罪，常加責罰，以絮裹杖。 至是，去絮，皆至創膿。 又杖其妃劉數十，云：「新婦大家女，門戶匹敵，何所畏而不檢校夫婿！」 劉笑而受罰，卒無所言。 詳貪淫之失，雖聞遠近，而死之日，罪無定名，遠近歎怪之。 永平元年十月，詔追復王爵，諡曰平王。 子顥襲。
Later Gao Zhao slandered him, saying Xiang with Hao and others plotted rebellion. At the time Xiang was at the southern residence. The emperor summoned Imperial Censor Cui Liang into the palace to investigate Xiang's greed and lust, and the arrogance of Ru Hao, Liu Zhou, Chang Jixian, Chen Saojing, and the rest. That night he was seized and confined at the southern terrace. A hundred armored guards also surrounded his residence. Fearing panic and flight in the night, the emperor sent his attendant Guo Yi to open the Jincheng gate and gallop out with the censor's impeachment. Grand Consort Gao saw Yi and beat her head, wailing beyond control. Xiang said, "If it is truly as the censor charges, what is there to fear? Men gave me rare treasures and I took them. If that is bribery, why should I worry? By daylight Hao and the rest were all put to death. Prince of Gaoyang Yong and five other princes were brought in to judge Xiang's crime. He was taken back to the Hualin residence in a single carriage under guard. Mother and wife wept together and entered his rooms with a few young slaves and weak maids. The guard was very strict. He was moved to the Ministry of the Imperial Treasury and reduced to commoner status. A separate lodge was built in Luoyang's northeast corner, guarded for life, named Hall of Recalling Goodness, and Xiang was to be moved there. Then his household slaves secretly banded to seize him out, copied names in secret, and had a serving maid pass word to Xiang. Xiang had just taken the note to read when the gate guard's chief clerk saw from afar, burst in, snatched it from his hand, and memorialized the emperor. The emperor secretly ordered him killed. From the time he reached the treasury he sent mother and wife back to the southern residence, to visit once every five days. That night mother and wife did not come; he died at the hands of slaves and maids. An edict sent his body back to the southern residence; every prince of the blood was ordered to attend. Funeral goods followed the Guangling precedent in all things. When Xiang was first confined he told his mother of the affair with Lady Gao. His mother raged and cursed him: "You have wives and maids young as flowers—why lie with a Goryeo slave and bring this ruin upon us! If I lay hands on that Goryeo girl I will eat her flesh. She beat his back and both legs more than a hundred times. She wielded the staff herself until her strength failed, then had a slave take her place. Lady Gao was severe by nature; for Xiang's small faults she often punished him, wrapping the staff in cotton. Now the cotton was stripped away; every blow brought festering sores. She also beat his consort Liu dozens of times, crying, "New wife of a great house, families matched in standing—what did you fear that you never checked your husband! Liu smiled and took the blows; in the end she said nothing. Though his greed and lust were known far and wide, on the day he died his crimes had no fixed name; men near and far marveled. In the tenth month of Yongping 1 an edict restored his princely rank; posthumously he was Prince Ping. His son Hao succeeded.
73
顥字子明，少慷慨，有壯氣。 為徐州刺史，尋為御史彈劾，除名。 後賊帥宿勤明遠、叱幹騏驎等寇亂豳、華等州，乃復顥王爵，兼左僕射、西道行台以討明遠。 頻破賊，解豳、華之圍。 後蕭寶夤等大敗於平涼，顥亦奔還京師。
Hao, styled Ziming, was generous in youth and full of bold spirit. He served as governor of Xuzhou, then was impeached by the censor and struck from the rolls. Later, when bandit chiefs Su Qinmingyuan and Chigan Qilin raided Bin and Hua, his princely rank was restored and he was made left vice minister and western route commissioner to attack Mingyuan. He broke the bandits again and again and lifted the sieges of Bin and Hua. Later Xiao Baoyin and others were routed at Pingliang; Hao also fled back to the capital.
74
武泰初，為相州刺史，以禦葛榮。 屬爾硃榮入洛，推莊帝，授顥太傅。 顥以葛榮南侵，爾硃縱害，遂盤桓顧望，圖自安之策。 事不諧，遂與子冠受奔梁。 梁武以為魏主，假之兵將，令其北入。 永安二年四月，于梁國城南登壇燔燎，年號孝基元年。 莊帝詔濟陰王暉業於考城拒之，為顥所禽。 莊帝北幸，顥遂入洛，改稱建武元年。
Early in Wutai he was governor of Xiangzhou to resist Ge Rong. When Erzhu Rong entered Luoyang and set up Emperor Zhuang, Hao was made grand tutor. With Ge Rong pressing south and Erzhu committing outrage, Hao lingered and looked about, plotting how to save himself. When the plan failed he fled to Liang with his son Guanshou. Emperor Wu of Liang made him ruler of Wei, lent him troops and generals, and ordered him north. In the fourth month of Yong'an 2, south of the Liang capital, he ascended the altar and lit the sacred fire; his era was Xiaoji 1. Emperor Zhuang ordered Prince of Jiyin Huiye to resist him at Kaocheng; Huiye was captured. Emperor Zhuang went north in retreat; Hao entered Luoyang and proclaimed the era Jianwu 1.
75
顥以數千之眾，轉戰屢克，據有都邑，號令自己。 天下人情，想望風政。 自謂天之所授，頗懷驕怠。 宿昔賓客近習之徒，咸見寵待，干擾政事。 又日夜縱酒，不恤軍國。 所統南兵，陵竊市里，朝野失望。 時又酷儉，公私不安。 莊帝與爾硃榮還師討顥，顥自于河梁拒戰。 冠受戰敗被禽。 顥自轘轅出至臨潁，為臨潁縣卒所斬。
With a few thousand men Hao fought his way in, again and again victorious, seized the capital, and gave orders in his own name. All under Heaven looked to his wind and government. He thought Heaven had granted the throne and grew proud and slack. Old guests and close attendants were all favored and meddled in government. He drank day and night and cared nothing for army or state. The southern troops under his command plundered the markets; court and countryside lost hope. He was harsh in frugality as well; public and private life both frayed. Emperor Zhuang returned with Erzhu Rong to attack him; Hao met them at Heqiao. Guanshou was defeated and captured. Hao fled by Zhuanxu toward Linying and was beheaded by a soldier of Linying county.
76
初，顥入洛，其日暴風，欲入閶闔門，馬大驚不進，令人執轡乃入。 有恆農楊曇華告人曰：「顥必無成，假服袞冕，不過六十日。」 又諫議大夫元昭業曰：「昔更始自洛陽而西，初發，馬驚奔，觸北宮鐵柱，三馬皆死，而更始卒不成帝位。 以古譬今，其兆一也。」 至七月果敗。 孝武初，贈太師、大司馬。
When he first entered Luoyang that day a violent wind rose; at the Changle gate his horse panicked and would not advance until men seized the reins. Yang Yanhua of Hengnong told others, "Hao will never succeed; though he borrows imperial robes, he will not pass sixty days. Remonstrating Censor Yuan Zhaoye also said, "When Gengshi left Luoyang for the west, his horses bolted at the start and struck the northern palace's iron pillar; three horses died, and Gengshi never finished as emperor. The omen is the same. By the seventh month he was indeed defeated. Early in Emperor Xiaowu's reign he was posthumously made grand preceptor and grand marshal.
77
顥弟頊，莊帝初，封東海王，位中書監。 及顥入洛，成敗未分，便以意氣自得，為時人笑。 顥敗，潛竄，為人執送，斬於都市。 孝武初，贈太尉。
Hao's younger brother Xuan, at the start of Emperor Zhuang's reign, was enfeoffed Prince of Donghai and made director of the secretariat. When Hao entered Luoyang and the outcome was still in doubt, Xuan swaggered with self-satisfaction; men of the time laughed. When Hao fell he fled in hiding; a man seized him and delivered him; he was beheaded in the market. Early in Emperor Xiaowu's reign he was posthumously made grand commandant.
78
孝文七男：林廢後生廢太子恂； 文昭皇后生宣武皇帝、廣平武穆王懷； 袁貴人生京兆王愉； 羅夫人生清河文獻王懌、汝南王悅； 鄭充華生皇子恌，未封，早夭。
Xiaowen had seven sons: by Deposed Empress Lin, Deposed Crown Prince Xun; by Empress Wen Zhao, Emperor Xuandi and Prince of Guangping Wu Mu Huai; by Lady Yuan, Prince of Jingzhao Yu; by Lady Luo, Prince of Qinghe Wen Xian Yi and Prince of Runan Yue; by Lady Zheng Chonghua, the prince Tiao, who was never enfeoffed and died young.
79
廢太子庶人恂，字元道。 生而母死，文明太后撫視之，常置左右。 年四歲，太后親為立名恂，字元道。 於是大赦。 太和十七年七月癸丑，立恂為皇太子。 及冠恂於廟，孝文臨光極東堂，引恂入見，誡以冠義曰：「字汝元道，所寄不輕，汝當尋名求義，以順吾旨。」 二十年，改字宣道。 遷洛，詔恂詣代都，其進止儀體，帝皆為定。 及恂入辭，帝曰：「今汝不應向代。 但太師薨於恆壞，朕既居皇極之重，不容輕赴舅氏之喪，欲使汝展哀舅氏，拜汝母墓，一寫為子之情。 山陵北海，汝至彼，太師事畢後日，宜一拜山陵。 拜訖，汝族祖南安可一就問訊。 在途當溫讀經籍，今日親見吾也。」 後帝每歲征幸，恂常留守，主執廟祀。
Deposed Crown Prince, the commoner Xun, styled Yuandao. His mother died at his birth; Empress Dowager Wenming nursed him and kept him always at her side. At four the empress dowager herself gave him the name Xun and the style Yuandao. Thereupon the court proclaimed a great amnesty. On guichou of the seventh month, Taihe 17, Xun was established as crown prince. At his capping in the temple Xiaowen received him at the eastern hall of Guangji and taught him the rite: "I style you Yuandao; what is entrusted is not light. Seek the meaning in the name and follow my intent. In the twentieth year his style was changed to Xuandao. When the capital moved to Luoyang, an edict sent Xun to the old capital at Dai; the emperor fixed every detail of his journey, ritual, and bearing. When Xun came to take leave the emperor said, "You ought not go to Dai now. The Grand Preceptor died at Heng. I bear the weight of the throne and cannot lightly attend my uncle's mourning. Go show mourning for your uncle, bow at your mother's tomb, and once write out a son's feeling. At the northern hills and tombs, when the Grand Preceptor's rites are finished, on another day bow once at the tombs. When that is done, you may once visit your clan ancestor Prince of Nan'an. On the road read the classics with care; today you see me face to face. Afterward, whenever the emperor campaigned, Xun often remained behind to guard the capital and preside over temple sacrifice.
80
恂不好書學，體貌肥大，深忌河、洛暑熱，意每追樂北方。 中庶子高道悅數苦言致諫，恂甚銜之。 孝文幸崧嶽，恂留守金墉，謀欲召牧馬，輕騎奔代，手刃道悅於禁中。 領軍元徽勒門防遏，夜得寧靜。 帝聞之駭惋，外寢其事，仍至汴口而還。 引恂數罪，與咸陽王禧等親杖恂。 又令禧等更代百餘下，扶曳出外，不起者月餘。 拘於城西別館。 引見群臣於清徽堂，議廢之。 司空、太子太傅穆亮，尚書僕射、少保李沖，並免冠稽首而謝。 帝曰：「古人有言，大義滅親。 此小兒今日不滅，乃是國家之大禍。 脫待我無後，恐有永嘉之亂。」 乃廢為庶人，置之河陽； 服食所供，粗免饑寒而已。
Xun did not love books; he was large and heavy of body; he hated the heat of the Luo valley and longed in his heart for the north. Junior mentor Gao Daoyue remonstrated again and again; Xun deeply resented him. When Xiaowen visited Song Mountain, Xun remained at Jincheng, plotted to summon the horse herds and flee to Dai with light cavalry, and with his own hand killed Daoyue in the palace. Commander of the Palace Guard Yuan Hui held the gate guards back; by night all was quiet. The emperor was shocked and grieved when he heard, but outwardly concealed the affair and still went to Bian Ford and returned. He summoned Xun, counted his crimes, and with Prince of Xianyang Xi and others personally beat him with staves. He had Xi and the others take turns for more than a hundred blows, then drag him out; for more than a month he could not rise. He was confined in a separate lodge west of the city. He summoned the ministers to Qingwei Hall to deliberate deposing him. Minister of Works and the crown prince's grand tutor Mu Liang, and Vice Minister of Works and junior guardian Li Chong, all removed their caps and bowed to the ground in apology. The emperor said, "The ancients said that great righteousness destroys kin. If this boy is not destroyed today, it will be the state's great calamity. If you wait until I have no heir, I fear chaos like the Yongjia era. He was deposed to commoner status and placed at Heyang. Food and clothing were only enough roughly to escape hunger and cold.
81
帝幸代，遂如長安，中尉李彪承閑密表，告恂復與左右謀逆。 帝在長安，使中書侍郎邢巒與咸陽王禧奉詔齎椒酒詣河陽，賜恂死。 時年十五餘。 斂以粗棺常服，瘞于河陽城。 二十二年冬，御史臺令史龍文觀坐法當死，告廷尉，稱恂前後被攝左右之日，有手書自理，不知狀。 而中尉李彪、侍御史賈尚寢不為聞。 賈坐系廷尉。 時彪免歸，帝在鄴，尚書表收彪赴洛，會赦，遂不窮其本末。 賈尚出系，暴病數日死。
When the emperor went to Dai and then toward Chang'an, Imperial Censor Li Biao seized an opening for a secret memorial, reporting that Xun again plotted rebellion with his attendants. The emperor was at Chang'an; he sent Attendant of the Secretariat Xing Luan with Prince of Xianyang Xi, bearing an edict with peppered wine, to Heyang to grant Xun death. He was a little more than fifteen. He was buried in a coarse coffin in ordinary dress at Heyang. In the winter of the twenty-second year, censorate clerk Long Wenguan faced death for a crime and reported to the Court of Justice that on the days when Xun was repeatedly taken by attendants, there had been a handwritten plea whose circumstances he did not know. But Imperial Censor Li Biao and attending censor Jia Shang suppressed it and did not report. Jia was imprisoned in the Court of Justice for it. At the time Biao had been dismissed and was home; the emperor was at Ye; the Ministry of Works memorialized to seize Biao and send him to Luoyang; an amnesty came and the matter was not pursued to the end. Jia Shang left prison, fell suddenly ill, and died within days.
82
初，帝將為恂娶司徒馮誕長女，以女幼，待年長，先為娉彭城劉長文、榮陽鄭懿女為左右孺子。 時恂年十三四，帝嘗謂郭祚、崔光、宋弁曰：「人生須自放，不可終朝讀書。 我欲使恂旦出省經傳，食後還內，晡時復出，日夕而罷。 卿等以為何如？」 光曰：「孔子稱血氣未定，戒之在色。 太子尚以幼年涉學之日，不宜於正晝之時，舍書禦內，又非所以安柔弱之體，固永年之命。」 帝以光言為然，乃不令恂晝入內。 無子。
At first the emperor meant to marry Xun to Minister of Works Feng Dan's eldest daughter; because the girl was young he waited; first he betrothed as left and right ruzi the daughters of Liu Changwen of Pengcheng and Zheng Yi of Rongyang. When Xun was thirteen or fourteen the emperor once told Guo Zuo, Cui Guang, and Song Bian, "A man must sometimes release himself; he cannot read all morning. I want Xun to go out in the morning to study the classics, return after the meal, go out again at the monkey hour, and cease at dusk. What do you think? Guang said, "Confucius warned that when blood and qi are unsettled, one must guard against lust. The crown prince is still in his first years of study; he ought not in broad daylight leave his books for the inner quarters; that is no way to secure a tender body and fix the years of life. The emperor took Guang's words as right and would not let Xun enter the inner quarters by day. He had no sons.
83
京兆王愉字宣德，太和二十一年封，拜都督、徐州刺史。 以彭城王中宣府長史盧陽烏兼長史，州事巨細，委之陽烏。 宣武初，為護軍將軍。 帝留愛諸弟，愉等常出入宮掖，晨昏寢處，若家人焉。 遷中書監。 為納順皇后妹為妃，而不見禮答。 愉在徐州納妾李氏，本姓楊，東郡人，夜聞其歌，悅之，遂被寵嬖。 罷州還京，欲進貴之。 托右中郎將趙郡李恃顯為之養父，就之禮迎，產子寶月。 順皇后召李入宮，毀擊之。 強令為尼於內，以子付妃養之。 歲餘，後父于勁以後久無所誕，乃表勸廣嬪御。 因令後歸李於愉，舊愛更甚。
Prince of Jingzhao Yu, styled Xuande, was enfeoffed in Taihe 21 and made commander-in-chief and governor of Xuzhou. He made Prince of Pengcheng's senior administrator of the Central Propaganda Office Lu Yangwu concurrent senior administrator; every detail of the province was entrusted to Yangwu. Early in Xuandi's reign he was general who protects the army. The emperor kept his beloved younger brothers near; Yu and the others often entered the palace women's quarters and lodged morning and evening like family. He was moved to director of the secretariat. He took Empress Shun's younger sister as consort but never answered her with the courtesy owed a wife. At Xuzhou Yu took a concubine, Lady Li, born Yang of Dongjun; hearing her sing at night he was pleased, and she won his favor. When he left the province for the capital he wished to raise her to honored status. He entrusted Right Gentleman of the Palace Li Shixian of Zhao to be her adoptive father, welcomed her by rite, and she bore the son Baoyue. Empress Shun summoned Li into the palace and beat her until she was injured. She was forced to become a nun inside the palace; the son was given to the consort to rear. After more than a year the empress's father Yu Jin, because the empress long bore no child, memorialized urging a broader harem. Thereupon he had the empress return Li to Yu; the old love burned hotter.
84
愉好文章，頗著詩賦。 時引才人宋世景、李神俊、祖瑩、邢晏、王遵業、張始均等，共申宴喜。 招四方儒學賓客嚴懷真等數十人，館而禮之。 所得穀帛，率多散施。 又崇信佛道，用度常至不接。 與弟廣平王懷，頗相誇尚，競慕奢麗，貪縱不法。 於是宣武攝愉禁中推案，杖愉五十，出為冀州刺史。
Yu loved letters and was accomplished in poetry and rhapsody. He often drew men of talent—Song Shijing, Li Shenjun, Zu Ying, Xing Yan, Wang Zunye, Zhang Shiqi, and others—to share feasts and joy. He recruited several tens of Confucian guests from the four quarters, such as Yan Huaiyan, lodged them, and honored them. The grain and cloth he received he mostly gave away. He also honored the Buddhist way; his expenses often outran his means. With his younger brother Prince of Guangping Huai he boasted and admired each other, competing in splendor, greedy and lawless. Thereupon Xuandi confined Yu in the palace to investigate, beat him fifty blows, and sent him out as governor of Ji.
85
始愉自以職求侍要，勢劣二弟，潛懷愧恨，頗見言色。 又以幸妾屢被頓辱，內外離抑。 及在州，謀逆。 愉遂殺長史羊靈引及司馬李遵，稱得清河王密疏，雲高肇謀為殺害主上。 遂為壇於信都之南，柴燎告天，即皇帝位。 赦天下，號建平元年，立李氏為皇后。 宣武詔尚書李平討愉。 愉出拒王師，頻敗，遂嬰城自守。 愉知事窮，攜李及四子數十騎出門，諸軍追之，見執以送。 詔征赴京師，申以家人之訓。 愉每止宿亭傳，必攜李手，盡其私情。 雖鎖縶之中，飲賞自若，略無愧懼之色。 至野王，愉語人曰：「雖主上慈深，不忍殺我，吾亦何以面見至尊！」 於是歔欷流涕，絕氣而死，年二十一。 或云高肇令人殺之。 斂以小棺，瘞。 諸子至洛，皆赦之。 後靈太后令愉之四子皆附屬籍，追封愉臨洮王。 寶月乃改葬父母，追服三年。
At first Yu had sought attendance on weighty affairs by office, found his power weaker than his two younger brothers, and secretly nursed shame and resentment, often showing it in word and face. Also because his favored concubine was repeatedly humiliated, he was estranged within and suppressed without. In the province he plotted rebellion. Yu then killed Senior Administrator Yang Lingyin and Marshal Li Zun, claiming a secret document from Prince of Qinghe that Gao Zhao plotted to kill the ruler. He made an altar south of Xindu, burned firewood and reported to Heaven, and at once took the imperial position. He amnestied the realm, proclaimed the era Jianping 1, and made Lady Li empress. Xuandi ordered Minister of Works Li Ping to attack Yu. Yu went out to resist the imperial army, was repeatedly defeated, and then held the city under siege. When he knew all was lost he took Li and several sons on several tens of horses out the gate; the armies pursued, seized him, and sent him on. An edict summoned him to the capital and admonished him with familial teaching. Whenever he stopped at a post station he took Li by the hand and gave himself to private feeling. Though in chains he drank and feasted as before, with hardly a look of shame or fear. At Yewang Yu told others, "Though the ruler is deeply merciful and cannot bear to kill me, how can I face the Son of Heaven! Thereupon he sobbed, wept, and stopped breathing; he died at twenty-one. Some say Gao Zhao had a man kill him. He was buried in a small coffin. His sons reached Luoyang and were all pardoned. Later Empress Dowager Ling had Yu's four sons attached to the register and posthumously enfeoffed Yu as Prince of Lintao. Baoyue then reburied his parents and observed three years of mourning.
86
清河王懌字宣仁，幼而敏慧，美姿貌，孝文愛之。 彭城王勰甚器異之，並曰：「此兒風神外偉，黃中內潤，若天假之年，繼二南矣。」 博涉經史，兼綜群言，有文才，善談理。 寬仁容裕，喜怒不形於色。 太和二十一年封。 宣武初，拜侍中，轉尚書僕射。 懌才長從政，明於斷決，剖判眾務，甚有聲名。 司空高肇以帝舅寵任，既擅威權，謀去良宗，屢譖懌及愉等。 愉不勝其忿怒，遂舉逆冀州。 因愉之逆，又構殺勰。 懌恐不免。 肇又錄囚徒以立私惠。 懌因侍宴，酒酣，乃謂肇曰：「天子兄弟，詎有幾人，而炎炎不息？ 昔王莽頭禿，亦藉渭陽之資，遂篡漢室。 今君曲形見矣，恐復終成亂階。」 又言于宣武曰：「臣聞唯器與名，不可以假人。 是故季氏旅泰山，宣尼以為深譏； 仲叔軒懸，丘明以為至誡。 諒以天尊地卑，君臣道別。 宜杜漸防萌，無相僭越。 至於減膳錄囚，人君之事，今乃司徒行之，詎是人臣之義？ 且陛下修政教，解獄訟，則時雨可降，玉燭知和。 何使明君失之于上，奸臣竊之于下？ 長亂之基，於此在矣。」 宣武笑而不應。
Prince of Qinghe Yi, styled Xuanren, was clever and wise in youth, handsome of bearing; Xiaowen loved him. Prince of Pengcheng Xie prized him greatly and said with others, "This boy's spirit is grand without and rich within; if Heaven grants him years, he will continue the Two Souths. He ranged broadly through the classics and histories, took in many schools, had literary talent, and was skilled in discourse on principle. He was broad-minded and forbearing; joy and anger never showed on his face. He was enfeoffed in Taihe 21. At the start of Emperor Xuanwu's reign he was made Attendant-in-Ordinary, then Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Yi had a gift for government and a clear judgment; he cut through the mass of affairs and won great renown. Gao Zhao, the emperor's uncle by marriage, held the post of Minister of Works and won favor until he monopolized power; he plotted against worthy princes and repeatedly slandered Yi, Yu, and the rest. Yu could not contain his fury and rose in rebellion in Jizhou. Using Yu's rebellion as pretext, he also framed and killed Xie. Yi feared he would not escape. Zhao also reviewed prisoners to curry private favor. At a feast, deep in wine, Yi said to Zhao, "How many brothers does the Son of Heaven have, that you burn on without cease? Wang Mang was bald, yet by his kinship through the Weiyang side he seized the Han throne. Your bent shape is plain to see now; I fear you will again make the ladder of chaos. He also told Emperor Xuanwu, "I have heard that only rank and title must never be lent away. When the Ji clan offered the Feng sacrifice on Mount Tai, Confucius took it as deep reproach; when Zhongsun hung the royal bells, Qiu Ming called it the utmost warning. Heaven is high and Earth low; ruler and subject walk separate roads. One should choke the sprout and bar encroachment. Reducing the royal table and reviewing prisoners belong to the ruler; now the Minister of Works does them—what part of that is a subject's duty? If Your Majesty cultivates government and teaching and clears the courts, timely rain will fall and the jade candle of peace will glow. Why should a bright ruler lose them above while a treacherous minister steals them below? The root of lasting chaos is here. Emperor Xuanwu smiled and said nothing.
87
孝明熙平初，遷太尉，侍中如故。 詔懌裁門下之事，又典經義注。 時有沙門惠憐者，自雲咒水飲人，能差諸病。 病人就之者，日有千數。 靈太后詔給衣食。 事力優重，使於城西之南，治療百姓病。 懌表諫曰：「臣聞律深惑眾之科，禮絕妖淫之禁，皆所以大明居正，防遏奸邪。 昔在漢末，有張角者，亦以此術，熒惑當時。 論其所行，與今不異。 遂能詃誘生人，致黃巾之禍。 天下塗炭數十年間，角之由也。 昔新垣奸，不登於明堂； 五利僥，終嬰於顯戮。
At the start of Emperor Xiaoming's Xiping era he was made Grand Commandant while remaining Attendant-in-Ordinary. An edict put Yi in charge of Gate-and-Canon affairs and classical commentary. A monk named Huilian claimed that enchanted water, drunk by the sick, could cure every illness. A thousand sufferers came to him each day. Empress Dowager Ling ordered food and clothing supplied. His support was lavish; he was sent south of the western city to treat the people's illnesses. Yi remonstrated: "The law sets heavy penalties for deluding the masses; ritual cuts off perverse sorcery—both to mark the upright seat and bar treachery. At the end of Han, Zhang Jiao used this same art and bewitched his age. Judged by his acts, it does not differ from today. He could lure the living and bring on the Yellow Turban disaster. For decades the realm burned—and Jiao was the cause. The charlatan Xinyuan never reached the Bright Hall; Wuli the opportunist in the end met public execution.
88
靈太后以懌孝明懿叔，德先具瞻，委以朝政，事擬周、霍。 懌竭力匡輔，以天下為己任。 領軍元叉，太后之妹夫也，恃寵驕盈。 懌裁之以法，每抑黜之，為叉所疾。 叉党人通直郎宋准愛希又旨，告懌謀反。 禁懌門下，訊問左右及朝貴，貴人分明，得雪，乃釋焉。 懌以忠而獲謗，乃鳩集昔忠烈之士，為《顯忠錄》二十卷以見意焉。
Empress Dowager Ling, seeing Yi as Xiaoming's worthy uncle and a man all eyes followed, entrusted him with government on the model of the Duke of Zhou and Huo Guang. Yi strove to support and correct the realm and took the empire as his charge. Commander of the Guards Yuan Cha, the empress dowager's brother-in-law, leaned on favor and swelled with pride. Yi restrained him by law and repeatedly suppressed and demoted him; Cha came to hate him. Cha's partisan, Direct Attendant Song Zhun, eager to please him, reported that Yi plotted rebellion. Yi was confined at the Gate; when attendants and court nobles were questioned, they spoke clearly, he was cleared, and released. Loyal yet slandered, Yi gathered former loyal and stalwart men and compiled Records of Manifest Loyalty in twenty scrolls to declare his intent.
89
正光元年七月，叉與劉騰逼孝明于顯陽殿，閉靈太后于後宮，囚懌于門下省。 懌罪伏，遂害之，時年三十四。 朝野貴賤，知與不知，含悲喪氣，驚振遠近。 夷人在京及歸，聞懌之喪，為之劈面者數百人。
In the seventh month of Zhengguang 1, Cha and Liu Teng seized Xiaoming in the Xianyang Hall, shut Empress Dowager Ling in the rear palace, and imprisoned Yi in the Gate Office. Once his guilt was recorded, Yi was killed; he was thirty-four. Court and countryside, noble and base, all who knew him and all who did not, grieved and caught their breath; shock ran far and near. Barbarians in the capital and those returning, hearing of Yi's death, numbered several hundred who gashed their faces in mourning.
90
廣平王懷，闕自有魏諸王，召入華林別館，禁其出入。 令四門博士董征授以經傳。 孝武崩，乃得歸。
Prince of Guangping Huai, among all Wei princes from the founding, was summoned to the Hualin separate lodge and forbidden to leave. The court ordered Four Gates academician Dong Zheng to teach him the classics. When Emperor Xiaowu died, he was allowed to return.
91
汝南王悅，好讀佛經，覽書史； 為性不倫，俶儻難測。 悅妃閭氏，即東海公之女也。 生一子，不見禮答。 有崔延夏者，以左道與悅遊。 合服仙藥松術之屬，時輕與出采之，宿於城外小人之所。 遂斷酒肉粟稻，唯食麥飯。 又絕房中，而更好男色。 輕忿妃妾，至加捶撻，同之婢使。 悅之出也，妃住於別第，靈太后敕檢問之。 引入，窮悅事故。 妃病杖床蓐，瘡尚未愈。 太后因悅杖妃，乃下令禁斷。 令諸親王及三蕃，其有正妃病患百日已上，皆遣奏聞。 若有猶行捶撻，就削封位。
Prince of Runan Yue loved Buddhist sutras and histories; his nature was unorthodox, untamed and hard to read. Yue's consort Lady Yan was daughter of the Duke of Donghai. She bore a son but won no courteous regard. One Cui Yanxia kept company with Yue by heterodox ways. Together they took immortality drugs of pine and artemisia; at times he went out lightly to gather them and lodged in hovels outside the walls. He then gave up wine, meat, millet, and rice and ate only wheat porridge. He also ceased the bedchamber and favored male beauty instead. He lightly resented consorts and concubines, even beating them like maids. When Yue went out, the consort stayed at a separate residence; Empress Dowager Ling ordered an inquiry. She was brought in and Yue's conduct was pursued to the end. The consort lay ill on her bed with the cane; her wounds were not yet healed. Because Yue had caned the consort, the empress dowager ordered a ban. She ordered all imperial princes and the three frontier princes: if a principal consort was ill more than a hundred days, they must report it. If any still beat them, their fief was to be cut on the spot.
92
及清河王懌為元叉所害，悅了無仇恨之意，乃以桑落酒候伺之，盡其私佞。 叉大喜，以悅為侍中、太尉。 臨拜日，就懌子亶求懌服玩之物。 不時稱旨，乃召亶杖之百下。 亶居廬未葬，形氣羸弱，暴加威撻，殆至不濟。 仍呼阿兒，親自循撫。 悅乃為大剉碓，置於州門，盜者便欲斬其手。 時人懼其無常，能行異事，奸偷畏之而暫息。
When Prince of Qinghe Yi was killed by Yuan Cha, Yue felt no hatred but waited on him with mulberry-leaf wine and fawned with all his private arts. Cha was greatly pleased and made Yue Attendant-in-Ordinary and Grand Commandant. On the day of appointment he went to Yi's son Dan and demanded Yi's robes and curios. When they did not promptly please him, he summoned Dan and caned him a hundred strokes. Dan was still in the mourning hut, frail in body and breath; sudden harsh beating nearly killed him. He then called "Little son" and personally stroked and comforted him. Yue then set a great mortar-pestle at the province gate; thieves were to have their hands cut off at once. People feared his unpredictability and strange deeds; thieves and rogues feared him and for a time ceased.
93
及爾硃榮舉兵向洛，悅遂奔梁。 梁武厚相資待。 莊帝崩，遂立為魏主，號年更興。 節閔初，遣兵送悅，置於境上，以覬侵逼。 及齊神武既誅爾硃，以悅孝文子，宜承大業，乃令人示意。 悅既至，清狂如故，動為罪失，乃止。 孝武初，除大司馬、開府。 孝武以廣陵頗有德望，以悅屬尊地近，內懷畏忌，故前後害之。 贈假黃鉞、太師、司州牧，大司馬、王如故。 諡曰文宣。
When Erzhu Rong marched on Luoyang, Yue fled to Liang. Emperor Wu of Liang treated him generously. When Emperor Zhuang died, he was set up as ruler of Wei under the era name Gengxing. At the start of Jiemin's reign, troops escorted Yue to the border to watch for invasion. When Gao Huan had killed the Erzhu clan, holding that Yue, as Xiaowen's son, ought to inherit the throne, he sent a man to convey his intent. When Yue arrived, he was as wild as before and constantly erred; they dropped the plan. At the start of Xiaowu's reign he was made Grand Marshal and Defender-in-Chief. Xiaowu, because Guangling had virtue and renown and Yue was close in kin and territory, feared and resented him inwardly and killed him in time. He was posthumously given the Acting Yellow Battle-Ax, Grand Preceptor, Governor of Sizhou, Grand Marshal, and his princedom as before. Posthumous title: Literary and Illustrious.
94
子穎，與父俱奔梁，遂卒于江左。
His son Ying fled to Liang with his father and died on the Yangtze's southern bank.
95
皇子恌，年七歲，景明元年薨，就斂于華林棗間堂，葬于文昭皇后陵東。 後以增廣文昭後墳塋，徙窆北崗。
The imperial son Tao, seven years old, died in Jingming 1; he was coffined in the Jujian Hall amid the Hualin jujubes and buried east of Empress Wen Zhao's tomb. Later, to enlarge Wen Zhao's rear mound, he was moved and reburied on the northern ridge.
96
論曰：文成五王，安豐特標令望。 延明學業該贍，加以雅談之美； 及于永安，運跡冠戎。 卒致奔亡，亦其命也。
Commentary: Among Wen Cheng's five sons, only Anfeng bore outstanding repute. Yanming's learning was comprehensive, joined to elegant discourse; by Yong'an his fortune topped the armies. In the end he met flight and ruin—also his fate.
97
獻文諸子，俱漸太和之訓，而咸陽終於逆節，廣陵斃于桑中。 人而無儀，各宜遄死。 高陽器術缺然，終荷棟幹，至於橈敗，實屍其闕。 武宣孝以為質，忠而樹行，及夫在安處危之操，送往事居之節，周旦匪佗之旨，霍光異姓之誠，事實兼之。 竟而功高震主，德隆動俗。 閑言一入，卒不全生。 鳴呼！ 周成、漢昭未易遇也。 北海義昧鶺鴒，奢淫自喪，雖禍發青蠅，亦自貽伊戚。 顥取若拾遺，亡不旋踵，豈守之無術，其天將覆之。
Xianwen's sons all received Taihe instruction, yet Xianyang ended in rebellion and Guangling died in the mulberry grove. Men without propriety—each should hurry to his death. Gaoyang lacked capacity and art, yet in the end bore pillar and beam; when the timbers broke, the corpse lay in his lack. Wuxuan's filiality was his substance and loyalty built his conduct; bearing danger in safety, constancy in seeing off the past and dwelling on what follows—the Duke of Zhou's intent not given to another, Huo Guang's faith though of another surname—he joined both in fact. Yet in the end merit so high shook the ruler; virtue so lofty moved custom. One idle word entered, and in the end he did not keep his life. Alas! King Cheng of Zhou and Emperor Zhao of Han were not easy to meet. Beihai's righteousness dimmed on the magpie and wagtail; luxury and excess destroyed him—though disaster rose from the green fly, he brought the sorrow on himself. Hao took power as if picking up lost things; ruin came without turning the heel—was guarding without method, or was Heaven about to overturn?
98
庶人險暴之性，自幼而長，終以廢黜，不得其終。 斯乃硃、均之性，堯、舜不能訓也。 京兆早有令問，晚致顛覆，習於所染，可不慎乎！ 清河器識才譽，以懿親作輔，時鐘屯詖，始遘牆茨之逼。 運屬道消，晚扼凶權之手。 悲哉！ 廣平早歲驕盈，汝南性致狂逸，揆其終始，俱不足論。 而悅以天人所棄，卒嬰猜懼之毒，蓋地逼之尤也。
The commoner's violent nature, growing from childhood to manhood, in the end was deposed and did not obtain his end. Such was the nature of Zhu and Jun; Yao and Shun could not instruct it. Jingzhao early won fair renown; late he met ruin—habit from what stained him. Can one not be cautious? Qinghe's capacity, insight, talent, and fame—as a close kinsman made counselor, when hardship tolled, he first met the wall-thorn's press. Fortune met the Way's decline; late he was throttled by fierce power. Alas! Guangping in early years was arrogant and full; Runan by nature tended to wild excess; judged from beginning to end, both scarcely merit discussion. Yet Yue, abandoned by Heaven and men, in the end met the poison of suspicion and fear—surely the extreme of a prince pressed too near the throne.
99
魏自西遷之後，權移周室。 而周文天縱寬仁，性罕猜忌； 元氏戚屬，並見保全，內外任使，布於列職。 孝閔踐祚，無替前緒，明武纘業，亦遵先志。 雖天厭魏德，鼎命已遷，枝葉榮茂，足以愈於前代矣。
From the time Wei moved west, power shifted to the Zhou house. Yet King Wen of Zhou was heaven-endowed, broad and kind, rarely suspicious; the Yuan kin were all preserved and employed within and without across the ranks of office. When Xiaomin ascended, he did not break the former thread; Mingwu continued the enterprise and followed the former intent. Though Heaven tired of Wei's virtue and the mandate had shifted, branches and leaves flourished enough to surpass the former age.