1
崔逞王憲封懿
Cui Cheng, Wang Xian, Feng Yi
2
列傳第十二崔逞 （子頤孫彧玄孫冏 （休五世孫六世孫贍麃 （逞兄遹王憲 （曾孫昕晞皓封懿 （族曾孫回回子隆之回弟肅回族弟述
Biographies 12: Cui Cheng (Son Yi; grandson Yu; great-grandson Jiong (Xiu; five generations on, six generations on: Zhan, Biao (Cheng's elder brother Sui; Wang Xian (Great-grandsons Xin, Xi, Hao; Feng Yi (Clan great-grandson Hui; Hui's son Longzhi; Hui's younger brother Su; clan younger cousin Shu)
3
崔逞，字叔祖，清河東武城人，魏中尉琰之五世孫也。 曾祖諒，晉中書令。 祖遇，仕石氏，為特進。 父瑜，黃門郎。 逞少好學，有文才。 仕慕容痈，補著作郎，撰《燕記》。 遷黃門侍郎。 痈滅，苻堅以為齊郡太守。 堅敗，仕晉，曆清河、平原二郡太守。 為翟遼所虜，以為中書令。 慕容垂滅翟釗，以為秘書監。 慕容寶東走和龍，為留台吏部尚書。 及慕容驎立，逞攜妻子歸魏。 張袞先稱美之，由是道武禮遇甚厚。 拜尚書，錄三十六曹，別給吏屬，居門下省。 尋除御史中丞。
Cui Cheng, styled Shuzu, came from Dongwucheng in Qinghe — fifth in descent from Yan, Commandant of Justice under Wei. His great-grandfather Liang had been Jin Director of the Secretariat. His grandfather Yu served the Later Zhao as Special Grand Master. His father Yu held office as Gentleman at the Yellow Gate. From boyhood Cheng loved books and showed real literary gift. Under Murong Jun he became Aide in the Bureau of Writings and compiled the Records of Yan. He rose to Vice Director of the Yellow Gate. When Jun's state collapsed, Fu Jian appointed him Administrator of Qi. After Jian's ruin he entered Jin service and in turn governed Qinghe and Pingyuan. Zhai Liao took him captive and made him Director of the Secretariat. When Murong Chui destroyed Zhai Zhao, he became Supervisor of the Secretariat. When Murong Bao fled east to Helong, Cheng stayed behind as Minister of the Civil Service. When Murong Lin took the throne, Cheng brought wife and children home to Wei. Zhang Gun had praised him first, and Daowu therefore favored him richly. He was made Minister of the Secretariat, oversaw all thirty-six bureaus with his own clerks, and lodged in the Gate Office. Soon after he became Imperial Censor.
4
道武攻中山，未克，六軍乏糧，問計於逞。 逞曰：「飛鴞食葚而改音，《詩》稱其事，可取以助糧。」 帝雖銜其侮慢，然兵既須食，乃聽人以葚當租。 逞又言：「可使軍人及時自取，過時則落盡。」 帝怒曰：「內賊未平，兵人安可解甲收葚乎！」 以中山未拔，故不加罪。 及姚興侵晉，襄陽戍將郗恢馳使乞師于常山王遵，書云「賢兄武步中原」。 道武以為悖君臣之體，敕逞與張袞為遵書答使，亦貶其主號以報之。 逞、袞為書，乃云「貴主」。 帝怒其失旨，黜袞，遂賜逞死。
Daowu besieged Zhongshan without success; the armies ran short of grain, and he asked Cheng's counsel. Cheng said, "The flying owl eats mulberries and its cry changes — the Odes mark the thing. Mulberries could help feed the army. The Emperor bridled at the insolence, yet the troops needed food — so mulberries were accepted in place of rent. Cheng added that soldiers should gather them in season, "for afterward they drop and are wasted. The Emperor flared: "Rebels within are not yet crushed — shall soldiers strip armor to pick mulberries?" Zhongshan still held out, so no punishment followed. When Yao Xing struck Jin, Xi Hui at Xiangyang sent a rider begging aid from Prince of Changshan Zun; the letter said, "Your worthy elder brother strides in arms through the Central Plains." Daowu called this a breach of ruler and subject and ordered Cheng and Gun to draft Zun's reply — and to demote the Jin ruler's title in it. Cheng and Gun wrote back with merely "Your exalted lord." The Emperor, furious they had missed his intent, demoted Gun and sentenced Cheng to death.
5
後晉荊州刺史司馬休之等數十人為桓玄所逐，皆將來奔。 至陳留，聞逞被殺，分為二輩：一奔長安，一奔廣固。 帝聞深悔，自是士人有過，多見優容。
Later Sima Xiuzhi, Inspector of Jingzhou, and dozens more expelled by Huan Xuan were all fleeing north to surrender. At Chenliu they heard Cheng was dead and split: one band ran to Chang'an, one to Guanggu. The news filled the Emperor with bitter regret; thereafter scholars who stumbled were usually spared harshly.
6
逞子毅、禕、嚴、頤。 初，逞之內徙，終慮不免，乃使其妻張氏與四子歸慕容德於廣固，獨與小子頤在代京。 及逞死，亦以此為譴。
Cheng's sons were Yi, Wei, Yan, and Yi. When Cheng first moved inward he feared he could not escape ruin; he sent Lady Zhang and four sons to Murong De at Guanggu and kept only young Yi at Dai. When Cheng died, even that was counted against him.
7
頤字太沖，散騎常侍，賜爵清河侯。 太武聞宋以其兄諲為冀州刺史，乃曰：「義隆用其兄，我豈無冀州地邪？」 乃以頤為冀州刺史。 入為大鴻臚，持節策拜楊難當為南秦王。 奉使數返，光揚朝命，太武善之。 後與方士韋文秀詣王屋山造金丹，不就。 真君初，卒。 始崔浩與頤及榮陽太守模等，年皆相次。 浩為長，次模，次頤。 三人別祖，而模、頤為親。 浩恃其家世魏、晉公卿，常侮模、頤。 浩不信佛道，模深所歸向，雖糞壤中，禮拜形像。 浩大笑曰：「持此頭顱，不淨處跪是胡神也！」 模嘗謂人曰：「桃簡可欺我，何容輕我周兒也！」 浩小名桃簡，頤小名周兒。 太武頗聞之，故浩誅時，二家獲免。
Yi, styled Taichong, became Regular Attendant at the Secretariat and Marquis of Qinghe. Taiwu heard Song had made his brother Shen Inspector of Ji and said, "Yilong uses his brother — have I no Ji province? He promptly made Yi Inspector of Ji. He entered court as Grand Herald and, with credentials, invested Yang Nandang as King of Southern Qin. On repeated embassies he bore the court's dignity abroad; Taiwu approved. Later he went with adept Wei Wenxiu to Mount Wangwu to seek the golden elixir and failed. He died at the opening of the Zhenjun era. Cui Hao, Yi, and Mo of Xingyang were nearly of an age. Hao was eldest, Mo next, Yi last. They sprang from different lines, yet Mo and Yi were close kin. Hao leaned on generations of Wei and Jin grandees and often belittled Mo and Yi. Hao scorned the Buddha; Mo was devout and would bow to images even in filth. Hao laughed: "You kneel your head in filth before barbarian gods! Mo once said, "Taojian may fool me — how dare he slight my Zhou'er!" Hao's pet name was Taojian; Yi's was Zhou'er. Taiwu heard of it; when Hao was executed both families were spared.
8
頤五子。 少子睿以交通境外，伏誅。 自逞之死，至睿之誅，三世，積五十餘年，在北一門盡矣。
Yi had five sons. The youngest, Rui, was executed for dealing with outsiders. From Cheng's death to Rui's execution three generations and fifty years passed — the northern line was extinguished.
9
彧字文若，頤兄禕之孫也。 父勳之，字甯國，位大司馬、外兵郎，贈通直郎。 彧與兄相如俱自宋入魏。 相如以才學知名，早卒。
Yu, styled Wenruo, was grandson of Wei, son of Yi's elder brother Wei. His father Xunzhi, styled Ningguo, reached Grand Marshal and Outer Troops Officer and was posthumously made Direct Attendant. Yu and elder brother Xiangru both entered Wei from Song. Xiangru was famed for learning and died young.
10
彧少逢隱沙門，教以《素問》、《甲乙》，遂善醫術。 中山王英子略曾病，王顯等不能療。 彧針之，抽針即愈，後位冀州別駕。 性仁恕，見疹者，喜與療之。 廣教門生，令多救療。 其弟子清河趙約、勃海郝文法之徒，咸亦有名。
In youth Yu met a recluse monk who taught the Plain Questions and the A–B Canon; he mastered medicine. Prince Ying's son Zilue fell ill; Wang Xian and others could not heal him. Yu needled him; the needle scarcely left before he was well — later he became Aide of Ji. Kind by nature, he delighted to treat whoever was sick. He taught many pupils and sent them out to heal. Pupils such as Zhao Yue of Qinghe and Hao Wenfa of Bohai won names in turn.
11
彧子景哲，豪率，亦以醫術知名。 仕魏，太中大夫、司徒長史。
Yu's son Jingzhe was bold and open, likewise famed in medicine. In Wei he was Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and Chief Clerk to the Minister of State.
12
景哲子冏，字法峻，幼好學，泛覽經傅，多伎藝，尤工相術。 仕魏為司空參軍。 齊天保初，為尚藥典禦。 曆高陽太守、太子家令。 武平中，為散騎常侍、假儀同三司。 從幸晉陽，嘗謂中書侍郎李德林曰：「比日看高相王以下文武官人相表，俱盡其事，口不忍言。 唯弟一人更應富貴，當在他國，不在本朝，吾不及見也。」 其精如此。
Jingzhe's son Jiong, styled Fajun, loved learning from youth, ranged the classics, mastered many arts, and excelled at physiognomy. In Wei he served as Aide to the Minister of Works. At Qi Tianbao's opening he became Director of the Imperial Pharmacy. He was in turn Administrator of Gaoyang and Household Master of the Heir Apparent. In Wuping he was Regular Attendant with acting protocol equal to the Three Dukes. At Jinyang he told Li Delin, "I have read the faces of every officer down from the High Chancellor — each to the end of his fate; I cannot speak it aloud. Only my brother will grow richer still — in another realm, not this one; I shall not see it. So keen was his art.
13
冏性廉謹，恭儉自修，所得俸秩，必分親故。 終鴻臚卿。 臨終，誡其二子曰：「夫恭儉福之輿，傲侈禍之機。 乘福輿者浸以康休，蹈禍機者忽而傾覆，汝其誡歟！ 吾沒後，斂以時服，祭無牢餼，棺足周屍，瘞不洩露而已。」 及卒，長子修遵父命。
Jiong was frugal and careful, cultivated humility, and divided every stipend among kin and friends. He died as Grand Herald. Dying, he told his sons, "Modesty and thrift are the carriage of blessing; pride and waste the engine of ruin. Those who ride blessing grow ever sound; those who tread ruin topple in a breath — heed me! Bury me in proper season's dress; no sacrificial beasts; a coffin that only wraps the corpse; a grave that does not gape — no more. When he died, eldest son Xiu obeyed.
14
景哲弟景鳳，字鸞叔，位尚藥典禦。
Jingzhe's brother Jingfeng, styled Luanshu, was Director of the Imperial Pharmacy.
15
休字惠盛。 曾祖諲，仕宋位青、冀二州刺史。 祖靈和，宋員外散騎侍郎。 父宗伯，始還魏，追贈清河太守。 休少孤貧，矯然自立。 舉秀才，入京師，與宋弁、邢巒雅相知友。 尚書王嶷欽其人望，為長子娉休姊，贍以財貨，由是少振。 孝文納休妹為嬪。 頻遷兼給事黃門侍郎。 休勤學，公事軍旅之隙，手不釋卷。 禮遇亞于宋弁、郭祚。 孝文南伐，以北海王詳為尚書僕射，統留台事，以休為尚書左丞。 詔以北海年少，百揆務殷，便以委休。 轉長史，兼給事黃門侍郎，參定禮儀。 帝嘗閱故府，得舊冠，題曰：「南部尚書崔逞制」。 顧謂休曰：「此卿家舊事也。」 後從駕南行。 及還，幸彭城，泛舟泗水，詔在侍筵，觀者榮之。
Xiu, styled Huisheng. Great-grandfather Shen served Song as Inspector of Qing and Ji. Grandfather Linghe was Song Supernumerary Regular Attendant. Father Zongbo first came home to Wei and was posthumously made Administrator of Qinghe. Orphaned and poor in youth, Xiu stood upright by will alone. As a cultivated talent he entered the capital and grew intimate with Song Bian and Xing Luan. Wang Yi of the Secretariat admired him, married his heir to Xiu's sister, and supplied goods so his fortunes briefly rose. Xiaowen took Xiu's sister into the inner palace. He rose repeatedly to Acting Regular Attendant at the Secretariat. He studied relentlessly; between office and campaign his hand never left a scroll. Court favor ranked him just below Bian and Zuo. On Xiaowen's southern expedition, Prince Xiang of Beihai commanded the rear capital; Xiu became Left Assistant Director. An edict said the prince was young and business crushing — power was lodged with Xiu. He became Chief Clerk and Acting Regular Attendant and helped settle ritual. The Emperor once searched the old treasury, found an ancient cap inscribed, "Made by Southern Minister Cui Cheng." He turned to Xiu: "That is your family's antiquity. Later he followed the southern campaign. On the return the court visited Pengcheng and boated the Si; Xiu was ordered to the banquet — the crowd envied him.
16
宣武初，休以祖父未葬，弟夤又亡，固求出為勃海太守。 性嚴明，雅長政體。 下車先戮豪猾數人，奸盜莫不禽翦。 清身率下，部內安之。 時大儒張吾貴名盛山東，弟子恆千餘人，所在多不見容。 休招延禮接，使肄業而還，儒者稱為口實。 入為吏部郎中，遷散騎常侍，權兼選任，多所拔擢。 廣平王懷數引談宴。 以與諸王交遊，免官。 後為司徒右長史，公平清潔，甚得時譽。 曆幽、青二州刺史，皆以清白稱，二州懷其德澤。 入為度支、七兵、殿中三尚書。 休久在台閣，明習典故，每朝廷疑議，咸取正焉。 諸公咸謂崔尚書下意處不可異也。 卒，贈尚書右僕射，諡曰文貞。
Early in Xuanwu's reign, with forebears unburied and brother Yin dead, Xiu begged leave to govern Bohai. Stern and clear by nature, he excelled at the substance of rule. Taking office he first killed several powerful bullies; thieves were hunted to the last. He kept himself pure and led subordinates; the district grew calm. The savant Zhang Wugui was famed across the east with a thousand pupils, yet often unwelcome where he went. Xiu welcomed him, let him finish study and return — scholars told the tale ever after. He entered the Ministry of the Civil Service, rose to Regular Attendant, and while holding selection advanced many men. Prince Huai of Guangping often drew him to talk and feast. Friendship with princes cost him his post. Later he was Right Chief Clerk of the Minister of State — fair, clean, widely praised. He governed You and Qing in turn, both times famed for purity; both provinces cherished him. He entered as Minister of Revenue, of the Seven Armies, and of the Palace. Long in the terraces, he knew precedent; whenever the court wavered, his word settled it. Grandees said that where Minister Cui inclined, none might differ. He died, was posthumously Vice Director with the name Wenzhen.
17
休少而謙退，事母孝謹。 及為尚書，子仲文娶丞相高陽王雍女，女適領軍元叉庶長子舒，挾恃二家，志氣微改，陵藉同列。 尚書令李崇、左僕射蕭寶夤、右僕射元欽皆以此憚下之。 始休母房氏欲以休女妻其外孫邢氏，休乃違母情，以妻叉子，議者非之。 子甗。
From youth he was modest and served his mother with filial care. As Minister, son Zhongwen married Chancellor Prince Yong's daughter; that daughter wed Yuan Cha's commander's eldest by a concubine — leaning on both houses, Xiu's temper shifted and he trampled colleagues. Li Chong, Xiao Baoyin, and Yuan Qin all feared him and yielded. Mother Lady Fang wished Xiu's daughter for a Xing grandson; Xiu defied her and gave her to Cha's son — critics faulted him. His son was Lin.
18
甗字長儒，狀貌偉麗，善於容止。 少知名。 為魏宣武挽郎。 釋褐太學博士，累遷散騎侍郎。 坐事免歸鄉里。 冀部豪傑之起，爭召甗兄弟，甗中立無所就。 高敖曹以三百騎劫取之，以為師友。 齊神武至信都，以為開府諮議參軍，曆給事黃門侍郎、衛將軍。 神武入洛，議定廢立。 太僕綦俊盛言節閔帝賢明，可主社稷。 甗作色而前曰：「若其賢明，自可待我高王。 既為逆胡所立，何得猶作天子？ 若從俊言，王師何名義舉？。 由是節閔及中興主皆廢。 更立平陽王，是為孝武。 以建義功，封武城縣公。
Lin, styled Changru, had a grand form and fine bearing. He was known from youth. He served as mourning officer for Wei Emperor Xuanwu. First office was Erudite of the Imperial University; he rose to Regular Attendant. An affair dismissed him home. When Ji heroes rose, all summoned the Lin brothers; Lin stood neutral. Gao Aocao seized him with three hundred horse and made him friend and teacher. When Shenwu reached Xindu he made Lin Opening Office Counselor, then Regular Attendant and Defender-General. When Shenwu entered Luoyang they debated whom to enthrone. Grand Master of the Stud Qi Jun praised Jiemin as worthy to rule the realm. Lin flushed and stepped forward: "If worthy, let him wait on our High King. Once raised by rebel barbarians, how is he still Son of Heaven? Follow Jun and what righteous name has the King's army? Thus Jiemin and the Zhongxing ruler were both deposed. They enthroned Prince of Pingyang — Xiaowu. For raising the righteous banner he was made Duke of Wucheng.
19
甗恃預義旗，頗自矜縱。 尋以貪污為御史糾劾，逃還鄉里。 時清河多盜，齊文襄以石愷為太守，令得專殺。 愷經甗宅，謂少年曰：「諸郎輩莫作賊，太守打殺人！」 甗顧曰：「何不答府君：下官家作賊，止捉一天子牽臂下殿，捉一天子推上殿。 不作偷驢摸犢賊。」 及遇赦出，復為黃門。 天平中，授徐州刺史，給廣宗部曲三百，清河部曲千。
Counting on the righteous banner, Lin grew proud and loose. Soon the censorate impeached him for graft and he fled home. Qinghe swarmed with bandits; Wenxiang made Shi Kai administrator with power to kill at will. Passing Lin's gate Kai told the youths, "Do not be thieves — the Administrator kills! Lin called back, "Tell the Lord: 'We make bandits — we only seize one Son of Heaven by the arm down the steps and push another up. We do not steal donkeys or grope calves." Amnesty freed him; he returned to the Yellow Gate. In Tianping he was Inspector of Xuzhou with three hundred Guangzong households and a thousand of Qinghe.
20
甗性暴慢。 寵妾馮氏，長且姣，家人號曰成母，朝士邢子才等多奸之。 至是假其威勢，恣情取受，風政不立。
Lin was violent and arrogant. Concubine Feng was tall and fair; servants called her Mother Cheng; Xing Zicai and others often slept with her. Now he borrowed her power, took what he wished, and rule grew slack.
21
初，甗為常侍，求人修起居注，或曰：「魏收可。」 甗曰：「收輕薄徒耳。」 更引祖鴻勳為之。 又欲陷收不孝之罪，乃以盧元明代收為中書郎。 由是收銜之。 及收聘梁，過徐州，甗備刺史鹵簿迎之，使人相聞收曰：「勿怪儀衛多，稽古力也。」 收語蹇，急報曰：「崔徐州建義之勳，何稽古之有？」 甗自以門伐素高，特不平此言。 收乘宿憾，故以此挫之。 罷徐州，除秘書監，以母憂去官。 服終，兼太常卿，轉七兵尚書、清河邑中正。
As Regular Attendant he sought a diarist; some said Wei Shou would serve. Lin said, "Shou is a frivolous wretch." He took Zu Hongxun instead. He tried to trap Shou with unfilial conduct and had Lu Yuanming replace him at the Secretariat. Shou nursed a grudge. When Shou went on embassy to Liang and passed Xuzhou, Lin met him with the inspector's full guard and said, "Do not wonder at the escort — a scholar's antiquarian pride. Shou stumbled and shot back, "What antiquarianism in Inspector Cui's righteous-banner merit?" Lin, trusting his pedigree, burned at the reply. Shou, riding old spite, meant to humble him. Leaving Xuzhou he became Supervisor of the Secretariat, then left for mourning. Mourning done, he was Minister of Ceremonies, then Minister of the Seven Armies and Rectifier of Qinghe.
22
甗有文學，偉風貌，寡言辭，端嶷如神，以簡貴自處。 齊神武言：「崔甗應作令僕，恨其精神太遒。 趙郡李渾將聘梁，名輩畢萃，詩酒正謹，甗後到，一坐無復談話。 鄭伯猷歎曰：「身長八尺，面如刻畫，謦欬為洪鐘饗，胸中貯千卷書，使人那得不畏服！」
Lin had letters, a grand presence, few words, upright awe like a god — he held himself rare. Shenwu said, "Lin should be Vice Director — pity his spirit is too fierce. Li Hun of Zhao was to embassy Liang; the famous gathered with wine and verse — Lin came late and the hall went mute. Zheng Boyou sighed, "Eight feet, face chiseled, cough like a bell, a thousand volumes in the breast — who would not submit?"
23
甗以籍地自矜，常與蕭祗、明少遐等高宴終日，獨無言。 少遐晚謂甗曰：「驚風飄白日，忽然落西山。」 甗亦無言，直曰「爾」。 每謂盧元明曰：「天下盛門唯我與爾，博崔、趙李何事者哉！」 崔暹聞而銜之。 神武葬後，甗又竊言：「黃頷小兒堪當重任不？」 暹外兄李慎以告暹。 暹啟文襄，絕甗朝謁。 甗要拜道左，文襄發怒曰：「黃頷兒何足拜也！」 於是鎖甗赴晉陽，訊之，不服。 暹引邢子才為證，子才執無此言。 甗在禁謂邢曰：「卿知我意屬太丘不？」 邢出，告甗子贍曰：「尊公意，正應欲結姻陳元康。」 贍有新生女，乃許妻元康子。 元康為言于文襄曰：「崔甗名望素重，不可以私語殺之。」 文襄曰：「若免其性命，當徙之遐裔。」 元康曰：「甗若在邊，或將外叛。 以英賢資寇敵，非所宜也。」 文襄曰：「既有季珪之罪，還令輸作可乎？」 元康曰：「元康常讀《崔琰傳》，追恨魏武不弘。 甗若在作所而殞，後世豈道公不殺也？」 文襄曰：「然則奈何？」 元康曰：「甗合死。 朝野皆知。 公誠能以寬濟猛，特輕其罰，則仁德彌著，天下歸心。」 段孝先亦言甗勳舊，乃舍之。 甗進謁奉謝，文襄猶怒曰：「我雖無堪，忝當大任，被卿以為黃頷小兒。 金石可銷，此言難滅！」
Proud of his register, Lin feasted all day with Xiao Zhi and Ming Shaoxia — and said nothing. Late, Shaoxia told Lin, "Startled wind blows the white sun; suddenly it falls beyond the western hills. Lin said nothing — only "You." He told Lu Yuanming, "Under Heaven only you and I are great houses — what are Broad Cui and Zhao Li? Cui Xuan heard and resented it. After Shenwu's burial Lin whispered, "Can that yellow-chinned boy bear great weight? Xuan's cousin Li Shen told Xuan. Xuan reported to Wenxiang and barred Lin from court. Lin tried to bow by the road; Wenxiang raged, "What is a yellow-chinned boy worth bowing to! He chained Lin to Jinyang; Lin would not confess. Xuan called Xing Zicai; Zicai swore there was no such speech. Imprisoned, Lin told Xing, "Do you know my heart is set on Taqiu? Xing left and told son Zhan, "Your father's intent is marriage with Chen Yuankang." Zhan had a newborn daughter and betrothed her to Yuankang's son. Yuankang told Wenxiang, "Lin's name is weighty — kill him not for a private whisper. Wenxiang said, "Spare him and move him to the far marches." Yuankang said, "On the frontier Lin may rebel outward. To arm the enemy with a worthy man is not fitting." Wenxiang said, "Since he has Jigui's crime, send him to labor?" Yuankang said, "I have read Cui Yan's biography and regret Wei Wu's want of magnanimity. If Lin dies in the works, will later ages not say you killed him?" Wenxiang said, "Then what is to be done?" Yuankang said, "Lin deserves death — court and countryside know it. All know it. If you temper severity with lenience and lighten his punishment, benevolence will blaze and hearts will turn." Duan Xiaoxian spoke of old merit — and Lin was released. Lin came to give thanks; Wenxiang still raged, "Though unworthy I bear great duty — you called me a yellow-chinned boy. Metal and stone may wear away — this speech will not die!"
24
齊天保初，除侍中，監起居。 以禪代之際，參掌儀禮，別封新豐縣男，回授第九弟子約。
At Qi Tianbao's start he was Attendant and supervised the diary. At the dynastic change he shaped ritual, was made Baron of Xinfeng, and passed the title to ninth brother Yue.
25
甗一門婚嫁，皆衣冠美族； 吉凶儀範，為當時所稱。 婁太后為博陵王納甗妹為妃，敕其使曰：「好作法用，勿使崔家笑人。」 婚夕，文宣帝舉酒祝曰：「新婦宜男，孝順富貴。」 甗跪對：「孝順乃自臣門，富貴恩由陛下。」 五年，為東兗州刺史，復攜馮氏之部。 為馮氏厭蠱，頗失精爽，尋遇偏風。 馮氏受納狼籍，為御史劾，與甗俱召，詔付廷尉。 諸囚多奸焉，獄中致競。 尋別詔斬馮氏於都市，支解為九段。 甗以疾卒獄中。
Every marriage in Lin's house joined noble cap-and-gown clans; rites of joy and mourning were models of the age. Empress Dowager Lou had Prince of Boling wed Lin's sister and told the envoy, "Rite it properly — do not let the Cui house laugh. On the wedding night Wenxuan raised his cup: "May the bride bear sons — filial and rich." Lin knelt: "Filial piety is our house's gift; wealth and honor are Your Majesty's grace." In the fifth year he was Inspector of Eastern Yan and again brought Feng's household troops. Feng's sorcery cost him his wits; soon hemiplegia struck. Feng's bribes heaped up; the censorate impeached — both were handed to the Minister of Justice. Many prisoners lay with her; in prison they fought for her. Soon an edict beheaded Feng in the market and cut her into nine. Lin died of illness in prison.
26
甗曆覽群書，兼有辭藻。 自中興迄于孝武，詔誥表檄多甗所為。 然性侈，耽財色，于諸弟不能盡雍穆之美，世論以此譏之。 素與魏收不協，收後專典國史，甗恐被惡言，乃悅之曰：「昔有班固，今則魏子。」 收鼻笑之，憾不釋。 甗子贍。
Lin read widely and wrote with ornament. From Zhongxing to Xiaowu most edicts and proclamations were Lin's. Yet he was extravagant, greedy for wealth and women, and not fully kind among brothers — the age faulted him. Long at odds with Wei Shou, when Shou took the national history Lin feared slander and flattered him: "Once Ban Gu — today Master Wei. Shou snorted; the grudge did not lift. Lin's son was Zhan.
27
贍字彥通，潔白，善容止，神彩嶷然，言不妄發，才學風流為後來之秀。 初，潁川荀濟自江南入洛，贍學於濟，故得經史有師法。 侍中李神俊雅有風譽，晚年無子，見贍，歎謂邢邵曰：「昨見崔甗兒，便為後生第一。 我遂無此物，見此使人傷懷！」
Zhan, styled Yantong, was pure, fine in bearing, spirit lofty, speech careful — the finest of the younger generation. At first Xun Ji of Yingchuan came from the south; Zhan studied under him and gained proper masters in the classics. Attendant Li Shenjun, childless in old age, saw Zhan and sighed to Xing Shao, "Yesterday I saw Lin's son — first among the rising generation. I have no such son — the sight wounds the heart!"
28
年十五，刺史高昂召署主簿，清河公高嶽避為開府西閣祭酒。 博陵崔暹為中尉，啟除侍御史。 以父與暹隙，俄而去官。 神武召與北海王晞俱為諸子賓友，仍為相府中兵參軍，轉主簿。 文襄崩，秘未發喪，文宣命贍兼相府司馬，使鄴。
At fifteen Inspector Gao Ang made him Chief Clerk; Prince Gao Yue of Qinghe declined him as Western Pavilion Sacrificer. Cui Xuan of Boling as Commandant memorialized him Attending Censor. Father and Xuan were at odds; he soon left office. Shenwu made him and Prince Xi companions to the princes, then Middle Army Officer and Chief Clerk. Wenxiang died with the news sealed; Wenxuan made Zhan Acting Chief Clerk and sent him to Ye.
29
魏孝靜帝以人日登雲龍門。 與其父甗俱侍宴為詩。 詔問邢邵等曰：「令贍此詩何如其父？」 咸曰：「甗博雅弘麗，贍氣調清新，並詩人之冠冕。」 宴罷，咸共嗟賞之，云：「今日之宴，並為崔贍父子。」 楊愔欲引贍為中書侍，時盧思道直中書省，愔問其文藻優劣，思道曰：「崔贍文詞之美，實有可稱，但舉世重其風流，所以才華見沒。」 愔云：「此言有理。」 其日奏用之。 愔又曰：「昔裴瓚晉世為中書郎，神情高邁，每於禁門出入，宿衛者皆肅然動容。 崔生堂堂，亦當無愧裴子乎？」
Wei Emperor Xiaojing on the Human Day climbed the Cloud Dragon Gate. He and father Lin attended the feast and made verse. An edict asked Xing Shao and others how young Zhan's poem compared with his father's. All said, "Lin is broad and grand; Zhan's tone is fresh — both crown poets." When the feast ended all sighed, "Today's banquet is wholly for the Cui father and son." Yang Yin wished Zhan for the Secretariat; Lu Sidao served there; Yin asked their merit; Sidao said, "Zhan's beauty deserves praise, but the age values his grace and buries his talent." Yin said, "That has reason." That day he was memorialized for appointment. Yin also said, "In Jin Pei Zan was Secretariat Attendant — spirit lofty; passing the forbidden gate guards stirred. Cui Sheng is likewise grand — he should not shame Master Pei?"
30
皇建元年，除給事黃門侍郎。 與趙郡李概為莫逆之友。 概將東還，贍遺之書曰：「仗氣使酒，我之常弊，詆訶指切，在卿尤甚。 足下告歸，吾于何聞過也？」 贍患氣，兼性遲重，雖居二省，竟不堪敷奏。
In Huangjian's first year he was Regular Attendant. With Li Gai of Zhao he was sworn friend. When Gai returned east Zhan wrote, "Wine and swagger are my fault; railing and cutting are especially yours. You go home — where shall I hear my faults? Zhan suffered blocked qi and was slow by nature; though in both secretariats he could not bear to memorialize.
31
孝昭踐阼，皇太子就傅受業，除太子中庶子，征赴晉陽。 敕曰：「東宮弱年，未陶訓義。 卿儀形風德，人之師表，故勞卿朝夕游處，開發幼蒙。 一物三善，皆以相寄。」 贍專在東宮，調護講讀及進退禮度，皆歸委焉。 太子納妃斛律氏，敕贍與鴻臚崔勵撰訂婚禮儀注，主司以為後式。 時詔議三恪之禮，太子少傅魏收為一議，朝士莫不雷同。 贍別立異議，收讀訖笑而不言。 贍正色曰：「聖上詔群臣議國家大典，少傅名位不輕，贍議若是，須贊其所長； 若非，須詰其不允。 何容讀國士議文，直此冷笑？ 崔贍居聖朝顯職，尚不免見疵，草萊諸生，欲云何自進！」 贍容貌方嚴，詞旨雄辯； 收慚遽，竟無一言。
When Xiaozhao reigned the heir took tutors; Zhan was Junior Mentor and summoned to Jinyang. The edict said, "The Eastern Palace is young and not steeped in teaching. Your bearing is a man's model; dwell day and night and open the young mind. One thing, three goods — all entrusted to you. Zhan devoted himself to the Eastern Palace — nurture, lecture, and ritual of coming and going. When the heir wed Lady Hulu, Zhan and Grand Herald Cui Li drafted marriage rites — offices took them as models. An edict debated the Three Revered; Junior Tutor Wei Shou made one opinion — courtiers echoed. Zhan set a separate opinion; Shou read, laughed, and was silent. Zhan said sternly, "The Sage charged us to debate the state canon; the Junior Tutor is not light — if my opinion stands, praise what is strong; if not, probe what fails. How may one read a countryman's text and only laugh coldly? Cui Zhan in a lofty post still is faulted — how may plain scholars advance! Zhan's countenance was square and stern, his words heroic; Shou flushed and fled — not a word.
32
贍性簡傲，以才地自矜，所與周旋，皆一時名望。 在御史臺，恆宅中送食，備盡珍羞； 別室獨餐，處之自若。 有一河東人士姓裴，亦為御史，伺贍食，便往造焉。 贍不與交言，又不命匕箸。 裴坐觀贍食罷而退。 明日，自攜匕箸，恣情飲啖。 贍謂曰：「我初不喚君食，亦不共君語，遂能不拘小節。 昔劉毅在京口冒請鵝炙，豈亦異是？ 君定名士。」 於是每與之同食。 性方重，好讀書，酒後清言，聞者莫不傾耳。 自天保以後，重吏事，謂容止醖籍者為潦倒，而贍終不改焉。 常見選曹以劉逖為縣令，謂之曰：「官長正應子琮輩，乃復屈名人！」 馮子琮聞之大怒。 及其用事，幾敗焉。 有集二十卷。
Zhan was simple and proud of talent; his circle were all names of the age. At the Censorate food came from home with every delicacy; in a separate room he ate alone — easy as nature. A Hedong man surnamed Pei was also censor; watching Zhan eat, he visited. Zhan did not speak and offered no spoon or chopsticks. Pei sat watching until Zhan finished and left. Next day he brought his own utensils and ate freely. Zhan said, "I did not call you to eat nor speak — yet you were not bound by small niceties. Liu Yi at Jingkou boldly asked for roast goose — is this not the same? You are surely a famed gentleman. Thereafter they always ate together. Square and weighty, he loved books; after wine his pure talk bent every ear. From Tianbao clerical work was prized; cultivated bearing was called fallen — Zhan never changed. He saw Selection make Liu Di magistrate and said, "A magistrate should be Zicong's sort — yet you bend a famed man! Feng Zicong heard and raged. When Zicong took power Zhan nearly perished. He had a collection in twenty juan.
33
甗弟仲文，有文學。 太和中，為丞相掾。 沙苑之敗，仲文持馬尾度河，波中乍沒乍出。 神武望見，曰：「崔掾也。」 遽遣船赴接。 及至，謂曰：「卿為君為親，不顧萬死，可謂家之孝子，國之忠臣也。」 後文襄欲使行青州，聞其多醉，乃止。 天保初，甗為侍中，仲文為銀青光祿大夫，同日受拜，時雲兩鳳連飛。 嘗被敕召，宿酲未解。 文宣怒，將罰之。 試使為觀射詩十韻，操筆立成，乃原之。 拜散騎常侍、光祿大夫。 卒。 子偃，太子洗馬、尚書郎。 偃弟儦。
Lin's brother Zhongwen had letters. In Taihe he was Chancellor's aide. At Shaye's defeat Zhongwen gripped a horse's tail to cross — now under the wave, now above. Shenwu saw afar and said, "Aide Cui. He sent a boat at once. Arrived, he said, "For lord and kin you did not spare ten thousand deaths — filial son of the house, loyal minister of the state. Later Wenxiang wished to send him to Qing — hearing he drank much, he stopped. At Tianbao's start Lin was Attendant and Zhongwen Silver-Glory Grand Master — same day appointed; clouds showed two linked phoenixes. Once summoned by edict with overnight wine uncleared. Wenxuan raged and was about to punish him. He was tested with ten rhymes on the archery contest — brush in hand, done at once — and forgiven. He was made Regular Attendant and Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He died. Son Yan was Groom of the Heir Apparent and Secretariat Officer. Yan's brother was Biao.
34
儦字岐叔。 少與范陽盧思道、隴西辛德源同志友善。 每以讀書為務，負恃才地，大署其戶曰：「不讀五千卷者，無得入此室」初舉秀才，為員外散騎侍郎。 遷殿中侍御史。 與熊安生、馬敬德等議五禮，兼修律令。 尋兼散騎侍郎，使陳。 還，待詔文林館。 曆尚書郎。 與頓丘李若俱見稱重，時人語曰：「京師灼灼，崔儦、李若。」 若每謂其子曰：「盧思道、崔儦，杳然崖岸，吾所重也，汝其師之。」 思道與儦嘗酒後相調，儦曰：「偃邈無聞。」 思道譏儦云：「高曾官薄。」 齊亡，歸鄉。 仕郡為功曹，補主簿。 隋開皇四年，征授給事郎，兼內史舍人。 後兼通直散騎侍郎，聘陳。 還，授員外散騎侍郎。 以聾，常得無事，一醉輒八日。 越國公楊素時方貴幸，重儦門地，為子玄縱娶其女為妻，娉禮甚厚。 親迎之始，公卿滿坐，素令騎迎之。 儦弊衣冠騎驢而至。 素推令上坐，儦禮甚倨，言又不遜，素忿然拂衣而起，竟罷坐。 後數日，儦方來謝，素待之如初。 詔授易州刺史，或言其未合，乃追停。 鹿語人曰：「易州刺史何必勝道義。」 仁壽中，卒于京師。 子世濟。
Biao, styled Qishu. In youth with Lu Sidao of Fanyang and Xin Deyuan of Longxi he was sworn friend. He made reading his task, trusted talent and rank, and wrote large on his door, "Who has not read five thousand juan may not enter." First recommended as cultivated talent he was Supernumerary Regular Attendant. He rose to Attending Censor. With Xiong Ansheng and Ma Jingde he debated the Five Rites and revised statutes. Soon also Regular Attendant and envoy to Chen. On return he waited for edicts at the Forest of Literature. He was in turn Secretariat Officer. With Li Ruo of Dunqiu he was alike praised; the age said, "In the capital blazing bright — Cui Biao and Li Ruo. Ruo told his sons, "Lu Sidao and Cui Biao are sheer cliffs — honor them; be their pupils." Sidao and Biao bantered after wine; Biao said, "Yan is distant and unheard." Sidao mocked Biao, "High ancestors' offices were thin." When Qi fell he went home. He served the commandery as Merit Officer and Chief Clerk. In Sui Kaihuang's fourth year he was summoned Gentleman of the Secretariat and Palace Drafter. Later also Direct Attendant and Regular Attendant on embassy to Chen. On return he was Supernumerary Regular Attendant. Deaf as he was, he was left largely alone; a single bout of drinking could last eight days. Yang Su, Duke of Yue, then stood at the summit of imperial favor; he prized Biao's pedigree and married his daughter to Biao's son Xuanzong with lavish betrothal gifts. When the groom was to be escorted home, the seats were packed with nobles; Su sent them out on horseback to receive him. Biao arrived in shabby dress, on a donkey. Su pressed him to the place of honor, but Biao was haughty in ritual and rude in speech; Su flung his sleeve and left, and the banquet ended in ruin. Days later Biao came to make amends; Su received him as though nothing had happened. He was ordered to be Governor of Yizhou, but when some said he was not suited to the post the appointment was halted. Biao said to others, "Why should a Governor of Yizhou have to outshine Dao Yi? He died in the capital during Renshou. His son was Shiji.
35
仲文弟叔仁，輕俠重衿期。 仕魏為潁州刺史。 以貪污，為御史中丞高仲密劾，賜死於宅。 臨刑，賦詩五絕，與諸弟訣別。 不及其兄甗，以其不甚營救也。 子彥武，有識用。 隋開皇初，位魏州刺史。
Zhongwen's younger brother Shuren was a swaggering knight who honored sworn bonds. In Wei he became Governor of Ying. Gao Zhongmi, Censor-in-chief, impeached him for graft and he was granted death in his own house. At the block he wrote five quatrains bidding his brothers farewell. He never saw his brother Yan again—Yan, he felt, had not tried hard enough to rescue him. His son Yanwu was a man of insight and capacity. In the first years of Sui's Kaihuang he was Governor of Wei.
36
叔仁弟叔義，魏孝莊時為尚書庫部郎。 初，叔義父休為青州刺史，放盜魁，令出其黨，遂以為門客。 在洛陽，與兄叔仁鑄錢。 事發，闔家逃逸，叔義見執。 時城陽王徽為司州牧，臨淮王彧以非其身罪，驟為致言。 徽以求婚不得，遂停赦書而殺之。
Shuren's younger brother Shuyi, under Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei, was Director of the Storehouse in the Ministry. Earlier, when Shuyi's father Xiu was Governor of Qing, he freed a bandit leader and had him deliver his band—men Xiu then kept as retainers. In Luoyang he and his elder brother Shuren counterfeited coin. When the crime was exposed the household fled together, but Shuyi was caught. Prince of Chengyang Hui held Si Province; Prince of Huaihuai Yu, holding that the fault was not Shuyi's alone, pleaded for him at once. Hui, whose offer of marriage had been spurned, held back the amnesty and put him to death.
37
叔義弟子侃，以寄名從軍竊級為中書郎。 為尚書左丞和子嶽彈糾，失官。 性兼使氣。 從自修改，閉門讀書，當時稱為博洽。 後兼通直散騎常侍，使梁，為陽斐副。 恥居斐下，自負才地，呼斐為陽子，語輒折之。 還，卒于路。 子拯，位太子僕、武德郡守。
Shuyi's nephew's son Kan enlisted under a borrowed name and by fraud won a post in the Palace Secretariat. He Ziyue, Left Vice Minister of the Masters of Writing, impeached him and he was dismissed. He was swaggering by temperament as well. He afterward mended his ways, closed his doors to study, and men of the day called him encyclopedic. He later served as Token Attendant Cavalier on a mission to Liang, as deputy to Yang Fei. Loath to stand beneath Fei and proud of his own gifts and pedigree, he called Fei "Master Yang" and needled him at every turn. He died on the homeward journey. His son Zheng was Palace Steward and Governor of Wude.
38
子侃弟子植，位冀州別駕。 走馬從禽，發掛木而死。 子珪。
Kan's brother's son Zhi was Aide of Jizhou. Riding hard after game, his hair caught in a branch and he was killed. His son was Gui.
39
子植弟子聿，位東莞太守。
Zhi's brother's son Yu was Governor of Dongguan.
40
子聿弟子約。 五歲喪父，不肯食肉。 後喪母，居喪哀毀骨立。 人云：「崔九作孝，風吹即倒。」 禫月，兄子度死，又百日不入房。 長八尺餘，姿神俊異，潛觀梁使劉孝儀，賓從見者駭目。 武定中，為平原公開府祭酒。 與兄子贍俱詣晉陽，寄居佛寺。 贍長於子約二歲，每退朝久立，子約馮幾對之，儀望俱華，儼然相映。 諸沙門竊窺之，以為二天人也。 乾明中，為考功郎。 病且卒，謂贍曰：「自諸兄歿，而門業頹替，居家大唯吾與爾。 命之修短，曾何足悲。 汝能免之，吾不餒矣。」
Yu's brother's son was Yue. He lost his father at five and refused meat thereafter. When his mother died later, grief left him skin on bone. People said, "Cui Nine performs filial piety: a gust of wind and he falls over. When the mourning month ended his elder brother's son Du died, and for another hundred days he would not go indoors. He stood more than eight feet, his presence striking and otherworldly; he once stole a look at the Liang envoy Liu Xiaoyi, and even the retinue who noticed were shaken. Under Wuding he was Sacrifice Wine on the Prince of Pingyuan's staff. He and his elder brother's son Zhan went together to Jinyang and stayed in a temple. Zhan was two years Yue's senior; after audience they would stand facing each other, one leaning on a couch—both radiant, like mirrors of one another. Monks who spied on them whispered that two immortals had descended. In Qianming he was Director of Merit. Ill and dying, he said to Zhan, "Since our kinsmen died the line has crumbled; in this house only you and I remain. Life's span—what is there to mourn? If you can survive what comes, I will not starve in the grave."
41
休弟夤，字敬禮，位太子舍人。 卒，贈樂安太守。 妻，樂安王長女晉甯公主也，貞烈有德行。
Xiu's younger brother Yin, style Jingli, was Attendant of the Heir Apparent. When he died he was posthumously made Governor of Le'an. His wife was Princess Jinning, eldest daughter of the Prince of Le'an, famed for steadfast virtue.
42
子湣，字長謙，幼聰敏。 濟州刺史盧尚之欲以長女妻之，休子甗為長謙求尚之次女，曰：「家道多由婦人，欲令姊妹為妯娌。」 尚之感其義，於是同日成婚。 休誡諸子曰：「汝等宜皆一體，勿作同堂意。 若不用吾言，鬼神不享汝祭祀。」 休亡，枕中有書，如平生所誡，諸子奉焉。 長謙與休第二子仲文同年而月長，其家謂之大二、小二。 長謙少與太原王延業俱為著作佐郎，監典校書。 後為青州司馬。 賊圍城二百日，長謙書不廢，凡咨手抄八千餘紙，天文、律曆、醫方、卜相、風角、鳥言，靡不開解。 晚頗以酒為損。 遷司徒諮議，修起居注，加金紫光祿大夫。 後兼散騎常侍，使梁。 將行，謂人曰：「我厄在吳國，忌在酉年，今恐不免。」 及還，未入境，卒。 年二十八。 贈南青州刺史。 逞兄遹。
His son Min, style Changqian, was precocious as a child. Lu Shangzhi, Governor of Jizhou, meant to marry his eldest daughter to him; Yan asked instead for Shangzhi's second daughter for Changqian, saying, "A house turns on its women—I want the girls to be sisters-in-law. Moved by the sentiment, Shangzhi married both daughters on the same day. Xiu admonished his sons, "Be one kin, not merely cousins sharing a hall. Ignore me, and the ancestors will refuse your offerings. After Xiu's death a text was found in his pillow, word for word his living counsel, and the sons followed it. Changqian and Zhongwen were born in the same year, Changqian a month ahead; the clan nicknamed them Big Two and Little Two. As a young man he and Wang Yanji of Taiyuan served together as Editorial Assistants overseeing the collation of texts. He later became Sima of Qingzhou. Rebels held the city two hundred days; Changqian never stopped writing, copying eight thousand sheets by hand in counsel—astronomy, calendrics, medicine, omens, wind lore, bird calls, all of it open to him. In later years wine took its toll. He rose to Counsellor of the Masters of Writing, kept the Imperial Diary, and was given the Splendorous Light grade. He later served as Token Attendant Cavalier on an embassy to Liang. Before he set out he said, "My doom is in Wu country; my unlucky year is you—I may not return. He died on the homeward road before he re-entered the realm. He was twenty-eight. Posthumously he was made Governor of Southern Qing. Cheng's elder brother was Yuan.
43
遹字甯祖，亦有名于時。 為慕容垂尚書左丞、范陽昌黎二郡太守。
Yuan, style Ningzu, was likewise celebrated in his day. Under Murong Chui he was Left Vice Minister of the Masters of Writing and Governor of Fan Yang and Changli.
44
遹曾孫延壽，冀州主簿。 輕財好施，甚收鄉曲譽。
Yuan's great-grandson Yanshou was chief clerk of Jizhou. He spent freely and gave freely, and his neighborhood spoke well of him.
45
延壽子隆宗，簡率友悌，居喪以孝聞。 位蘭陵、燕二郡太守。 仁信待物，檢慎至誠，故見重于時。 卒，贈齊州刺史，諡曰孝。
Yanshou's son Longzong was open and devoted to his brothers; his filial mourning was widely praised. He governed Lanling and Yan. Humane and trustworthy, scrupulous to sincerity itself, he was held in esteem. At his death he was posthumously Governor of Qi, posthumous name Filial.
46
子敬保，冀州儀同府從事中郎。 卒，贈冀州刺史。
His son Jingbao was Attendant in the Jizhou Yitong office. He died and was posthumously made Governor of Ji.
47
敬保子子恆，位魯郡太守，早卒。
Jingbao's son Ziheng was Governor of Lu and died early.
48
子恆弟子安、子升，武定中，連元瑾事伏法。
Ziheng's brother's sons Zi'an and Zisheng were put to death in the Wuding era in the Lian Yuanjin affair.
49
逞宗人模，字思范，琰兄霸之後也。 父遵，慕容垂少府卿。 模仕宋為榮陽太守。 神抅中，平滑台，歸降，後賜爵武城男。 模長者篤厚，不營榮利，雖為崔浩輕侮，而不為浩屈。 與崔頤相親，往來如一家。
Cheng's kinsman Mo, style Sifan, came down from Yan's elder brother Ba. His father Zun had been Chamberlain for the Household under Murong Chui. Mo served the Song as Governor of Rongyang. In Shenjuan he pacified Pingtai and submitted; later he was enfeoffed as Baron of Wucheng. Mo was a man of weight and integrity who shunned advancement; Cui Hao despised him, yet he would not yield. He and Cui Yi were intimate, their households like one.
50
始模在南，妻張氏有二子，仲智、季柔。 模至京師，賜妻金氏，生子幼度。 仲智等以父隔遠，乃聚貨規贖歸之。 其母張曰：「汝父志懷無決，必不能來。」 行人以賄至都，模果顧念幼度等，指謂行人曰：「何忍舍此輩，致為刑辱。 當為爾取一人，使名位不減我。」 乃授以申謨，宋東郡太守也。 神。 抅中被執，賜妻，生子靈度。 申謨聞此，乃棄妻子走還江外。 靈度刑為閽人。
When Mo was still in the south, Lady Zhang bore him Zhongzhi and Jirou. At the capital he was given Lady Jin, who bore Youdu. Zhongzhi and his brothers, their father lost in the north, pooled wealth to buy his return. Lady Zhang said, "Your father's resolve is weak—he will never come back. The envoys reached the capital with their price; Mo's heart turned to Youdu and the rest, and he told them, "How could I leave these boys to face torment? I will give you a man whose standing will not dim mine." And he surrendered Shen Mo, Governor of Dongjun under Song. In the Shen juan period he was taken, given a wife, and fathered Lingdu. Shen Mo, hearing of it, cast off wife and children and fled south of the river. Lingdu was sentenced and castrated as a palace gatekeeper.
51
初，直君末，模兄協子邪利為宋魯郡太守，以郡降。 賜爵臨淄子，拜廣甯太守，卒。 邪利二子，懷順、次恩，仍居宋青州。 懷順以父入魏，故不仕。 及魏克青州，懷順迎邪利喪還青州云。
Earlier, at the end of Zhijun, Mo's elder brother Xie's son Xieli, Governor of Lu under Song, surrendered his commandery. He was enfeoffed as Viscount of Linzi, appointed Governor of Guangning, and died. Xieli left two sons, Huaishun and Cien, who remained in Song's Qingzhou. Huaishun, his father now in Wei, declined office. When Wei took Qingzhou, Huaishun bore Xieli's remains home, or so the tale runs.
52
崇弟嶷，字道長。 孝文初，為南部尚書，在任十四年。 時南州多事，訟者填門。 嶷性儒緩不斷，終日昏睡。 李䐶、鄧宗慶等，號為明察，而二人終見誅戮。 餘十數人或出或免，唯嶷卒得自保。 時人語曰：「實癡實昏，終得保存。」 後封華山公，入為內都大官，卒。 子祖念襲爵。
Chong's younger brother Ni, style Daochang. In Xiaowen's early reign he headed the Southern Ministry for fourteen years. The south seethed with lawsuits; suitors packed his doorway. Ni was learned, hesitant, and incurably drowsy—he dozed the day away. Li Kan, Deng Zongqing, and the like were famed for keen judgment—and both were killed. A dozen others were driven out or spared; Ni alone kept his skin. A saying ran, "Thick-headed, half asleep—and yet he survived. He was later made Duke of Huashan, rose to Grand Inner Steward, and died. His son Zunian succeeded to the title.
53
祖念弟雲，字羅漢，頗有風尚，位南兗州刺史。 坐受所部荊山戍主杜虔財，又取官絹，因染遂有割易，御史糾劾。 會赦免。 卒官，贈豫州刺史，諡文昭。 長子昕。
Zunian's brother Yun, style Luohan, was a man of taste and became Governor of Southern Yanzhou. He took gifts from Du Qian, his Jingshan garrison chief, and official silk he recolored and swapped—censors brought charges. An amnesty spared him. He died in post and was posthumously Governor of Yu, styled Literary and Illustrious. His eldest son was Xin.
54
昕字元景，少篤學，能誦書，日以中疊舉手極上為率。 與太原王延業俱詣魏安豐王延明。 延明歎美之。 太尉、汝南王悅辟為騎兵參軍。 舊事，王出則騎兵武服持刀陪從。 昕恥之，未嘗肯依行列。 悅好逸遊，或馳騁信宿，昕輒棄還。 悅乃令騎兵在前，手為驅策。 昕舍轡高拱，任馬所之，左右言其誕慢。 悅曰：「府望唯在此賢，不可責也。」 悅數散錢於地，令諸佐爭拾之，昕獨不拾。 悅又散銀錢以目昕，乃取其一。 悅與府寮飲酒，起自移床，人爭進手，昕獨執板卻立。 悅作色曰：「我帝孫，帝子，帝弟，帝叔，今親起輿床，卿何偃蹇？。 對曰：「元景位望微劣，不足使殿下式瞻儀形，安敢以親王僚采，從廝養之役。」 悅謝焉。 坐上皆引滿酣暢； 昕先起，臥於閑室，頻召不至。 悅乃自詣呼之，曰：「懷其才而忽府主，可謂仁乎？」 昕曰：「商辛沈湎，其亡也忽諸。 府主自忽傲，寮佐敢任其咎？」 悅大笑而去。 後除著作佐郎。 以兵亂漸起，將避地海隅。 侍中李琰之、黃門侍郎王遵業惜其名士，不容外任，奏除尚書右外兵郎中。 出為光州長史，故免河陰之難。 遷東萊太守。 于時年凶，人多相食，昕勤恤人隱，多所全濟。 昕少時與河間邢邵俱為元羅賓友，及守東萊，邵舉室就之。 郡人以邵是邢杲從弟，會兵將執之。 昕以身蔽伏其上，呼曰：「欲執子才，當先執我。」 邵乃免。
Xin, style Yuanjing, studied relentlessly and knew books by heart; daily he gauged progress by how high his hand reached over a stack of texts. He and Wang Yanji of Taiyuan called on Prince of Anfeng Yanming. Yanming marveled at them. Grand Guardian Prince of Runan Yue took him on as Riding Attendant. Custom required that when a prince rode forth his attendants follow in martial dress with blades. Xin found it shameful and refused to fall into line. Yue loved reckless travel and might ride all night; Xin would leave him and go home. Yue set the horsemen before him and lashed them forward himself. Xin let the reins hang and sat with folded hands, wherever the horse pleased; attendants called him insolent and unhinged. Yue said, "The honor of my house is this man—leave him be. Yue would fling coins for his men to snatch; Xin never stooped. Yue tossed silver pieces and watched Xin—at last Xin took one. At wine Yue would shift his own seat; all rushed to assist, but Xin clasped his board and stood apart. Yue's color changed: "I am imperial grandson, son, brother, uncle—and I lift my own couch; why do you lounge? He answered, "Yuanjing is too small a man for Your Highness to bend ritual toward; shall a prince's officer play stable boy?" Yue begged his pardon. The company drank themselves merry; Xin left early and stretched out in a side chamber; calls could not fetch him. Yue sought him out: "You prize your gifts and scorn your host—is that humanity?" Xin said, "King Zhou drowned in pleasure; his end arrived in a blink. When the host forgets himself, why should the staff answer for it?" Yue laughed and walked away. He was later made Editorial Assistant. War spread; he planned to escape to the coast. Li Yanzhi and Wang Zunye, unwilling to lose a luminary to the provinces, secured him a post as Right Outer Troops Attendant in the Masters of Writing. As chief administrator of Guang he missed the slaughter at Heyin. He was transferred to Governor of Donglai. Famine turned men to cannibalism; Xin labored in secret charity and kept multitudes alive. Young Xin and Xing Shao of Hejian had shared Yuan Luo's table; when Xin held Donglai, Shao came with all his kin. Locals, knowing Shao was cousin to the rebel Xing Gao, meant to take him by force. Xin threw himself over Shao and shouted, "Want Zicai? Take me first!" Shao was saved.
55
昕雅好清言，詞無淺俗。 在東萊時，獲殺其同行侶者，詰之未服。 昕謂曰：「彼物故不歸，卿無恙而反，何以自明？」 邢邵後見文襄，說此言以為笑樂。 昕聞之，詣邵曰：「卿不識造化。」 還謂人曰：「子才應死，我罵之極深。」 頃之，以被謗，左遷陽平太守。 在郡有稱績。 文襄謂人曰：「王元景殊獲我力，由吾數戲之，其在吏事，遂為良二千石。」
Xin loved refined discourse and never spoke cheaply. In Donglai he caught a murderer of his fellow traveler who would not confess under interrogation. Xin told him, "Your companion never came home—you walked back whole; how do you prove innocence? Later Shao told Wen Xiang the quip for a laugh. Xin heard and confronted Shao: "You do not know fate. He told others, "Zicai deserves death; I damned him to the marrow." Soon slander banished him to Governor of Yangping. There he earned repute for his work. Wen Xiang said, "Yuanjing thrives on my jests—hounded into office, he became a true governor."
56
齊文宣踐阼，拜七兵尚書。 以參議禮，封宜君縣男。 嘗有鮮卑聚語，崔昂戲問昕曰：「頗解此不？」 昕曰：「樓羅，樓羅，實自難解。 時唱染於，似道我輩。」
At Qi Wenxuan's accession Xin became Minister of the Seven Armies. He helped shape ritual and was made Baron of Yijun. A knot of men spoke Xianbei; Cui Ang teased, "Do you follow any of it? Xin said, "Louluo, louluo—beyond me entirely. Their current chant, ran-dyed, sounds like 'us fellows.'"
57
文宣以昕疏誕，非濟世才，罵：「好門戶，惡人身！」 又有讒之者，云：「王元景每嗟水運不應遂絕。」 帝愈怒，乃下詔曰：「元景本自庸才，素無勳行，早沾纓紱，遂履清途。 發自畿邦，超居詹事。 俄佩龍文之劍，仍啟帶礪之書。 語其器分，何因到此？ 誠宜清心勵己，少酬萬一。 尚書百揆之本，庶務攸歸。 元景與奪任情，威福在己。 能使直而為枉，曲反成弦。 害政損公，名義安在？ 偽賞賓郎之味，好詠輕薄之篇。 自謂模擬傖楚，曲盡風制。 推此為長，余何足取。 此而不繩，後將焉肅？ 在身官爵，宜從削奪。」 於是徙幽州為百姓。 昕任運窮通，不改其操。 未幾，征還，奉敕送蕭莊于梁為主。 除銀青光祿大夫，判祠部尚書。
Wenxuan judged Xin frivolous, no statesman, and snarled, "Noble gate, wretched body! Slander added that Yuanjing lamented the end of the canal. The emperor's rage peaked; the edict read, "Yuanjing was always mediocrity, never meritorious, yet early robed and on the high road. From the inner provinces he vaulted to Junior Tutor. Soon he bore the dragon sword and the covenant stone. By what measure did he climb so high? He should have purified himself and repaid the throne in the smallest measure. The Masters of Writing anchor the bureaucracy; all business flows there. Yuanjing judged capriciously; power and grace were his alone. He bent straight lines and strung curves. He wounded the state—where was righteousness? He played at salon wit and dabbled in light verse. He styled himself a mimic of northern song and boasted mastery of its tones. That was his gift—what else had he? If this goes unpunished, what discipline remains? Strip his living ranks. He was exiled to Youzhou as a commoner. Through fortune and ruin Xin did not bend. Soon he was summoned back to conduct Xiao Zhuang to Liang as king. He was given Splendorous Light rank and acting charge of the Imperial Ancestors.
58
帝怒臨漳令嵇曄及舍人李文師，以曄賜薛豐洛，文師賜崔士順為奴。 鄭子默私誘昕曰：「自古無朝士作奴。」 昕曰：「箕子為之奴，何言無也？」 子默遂以昕言啟文宣，仍曰：「王元景比陛下于紂。」 楊愔微為解之。 帝謂愔曰：「王元景是爾博士，爾語皆元景所教。」 帝后與朝臣酣飲，昕稱疾不至。 帝遣騎執之，見其方搖膝吟詠，遂斬於御前，投屍漳水。 天統末，追贈吏部尚書。 有文集二十卷。 子顗嗣。 卒于燕郡太守。
Wenxuan, furious at Ji Ye of Linzhang and Li Wenshi, gave Ye to Xue Fengluo and Wenshi to Cui Shishun as bondsmen. Zheng Zimo whispered to Xin, "Never in history was a courtier enslaved. Xin answered, "Jizi was enslaved—how say never?" Zimo told Wenxuan, adding, "Yuanjing likens Your Majesty to King Zhou." Yang Yin softened the matter. The emperor told Yin, "Yuanjing is your teacher; all you say is his lesson. Later, at a court revel, Xin claimed sickness and stayed away. Riders seized him—he was rocking on his knees, reciting verse—and he was cut down before the throne and thrown into the Zhang. In late Tiantong he was posthumously Minister of the Masters of Writing. His collected writings ran twenty juan. His son Yan succeeded. He died as Governor of Yan.
59
昕母清河崔氏，學識有風訓。 生九子，皆風流醖籍，世號王氏九龍。 昕弟暉、昭、晞、皓最知名。
His mother was Lady Cui of Qinghe, scholarly and strict in nurture. Nine sons, each polished; the world called them the Nine Dragons of Wang. His brothers Hui, Zhao, Xi, and Hao were best known.
60
暉字元旭，少與昕齊名，兼多術藝。 卒于中書舍人，贈兗州刺史。
Hui, style Yuanxu, rivaled Xin in youth and mastered many arts besides. He died as Attendant of the Palace Secretariat and was posthumously Governor of Yanzhou.
61
昭字仲亮，少好儒術，又頗以武藝自許。 性敦篤，以友悌知名。 卒于考功郎中。
Zhao, style Zhongliang, cherished the classics and fancied himself no mean hand with arms. He was warm and steadfast, renowned for devotion to his brothers. He died as Director of Merit.
62
晞字叔朗，小名沙彌。 幼而孝謹，淹雅有器度。 好學不倦。 美容儀，有風則。 魏末，隨母兄東適海隅，與邢子良遊處。 子良愛其清悟，與其在洛兩兄書曰：「賢弟彌郎，意識深遠，曠達不羈。 簡於造次，言必詣理。 吟詠情性，麗絕當時。 恐足下方難為兄，不暇慮其不進也。」
Xi, style Shulang, childhood name Shamini. Even as a boy he was filial, careful, elegant, and far-seeing. He studied without tiring. He was handsome and carried himself with grace. When Wei foundered he went east with his mother and brother and kept company with Xing Ziliang. Ziliang prized his clarity and wrote to the brothers in Luoyang, "Milang's mind runs deep and wide; he is untrammeled. Even rushed, his speech struck truth. In poetry of the heart he has no peer. You may struggle to play elder brother—you will not need to fret that he fails to rise."
63
魏永安初，第二兄暉聘梁，啟晞釋褐，除員外散騎侍郎，征署廣平王開府功曹史。 晞願養母，竟不受署。 母終後，仍屬遷鄴，遨遊鞏、洛，悅其山水。 與范陽盧元明、钜鹿魏季景結侶同契，往天陵山，浩然有終焉之志。 及西魏將獨孤信入洛，署為開府記室。 晞稱先被犬傷，困篤，不赴。 有故人疑其所傷非猘，書勸令赴。 晞復書曰：「辱告存念，見令起疾。 循復眷旨，似疑吾所傷未必是猘。 吾豈願其必猘？ 但理契無疑耳。 就足下疑之，亦有過說。 足下既疑其非猘，亦可疑其是猘，其疑半矣。 若疑其是猘而營護，雖非猘亦無損。 疑非猘而不療，儻是猘則難救。 然則過療則致萬全，過不療或至於死。 若王晞無可惜也，則不足取； 既取之，便是可惜。 奈何奪其萬全，任其或死！ 且將軍威德所被飆飛霧襲，方掩八紘，豈在一介？ 若必從隗始，先須濟其生靈。 足下何不從容為將軍言也？」 於是方得見寬。 俄而信返，晞遂歸鄴。
In Wei Yong'an's first year, when Hui was betrothed in Liang, Xi was given Token Attendant Cavalier and summoned to the Prince of Guangping's staff as Recorder. Xi wanted to care for his mother and declined. After her death, when the court shifted to Ye, he roamed between Gong and Luoyang, in love with landscape. With Lu Yuanming of Fanyang and Wei Jijing of Julu he swore fellowship and climbed Tianling, resolved to finish life there. When Dugu Xin of Western Wei took Luoyang, Xi was named Recorder on his staff. Xi said an old dog bite had laid him low, and he did not go. A friend doubted it was mad-dog fever and wrote urging him to report. Xi answered, "Your concern shames me—you bid me rise though ill. Reading your kindness, you seem unsure this is rabies at all. Do I want it to be rabies? Reason leaves none. Your doubt overshoots. Doubt it is not, and you may doubt it is—your doubt is already half the whole. If you fear rabies and treat it, no harm comes when it is not. If you deem it harmless and withhold care, and it is rabies, nothing will save you. Over-care buys perfect safety; under-care buys death. If Wang Xi is worthless, do not take him; having taken him, he is worth keeping. Why steal his safety and risk his death! Your general's might rolls like wind and fog over the realm—what is one man! If service starts with the lowly, save lives first. Will you not plead for him, gently, to the general? Leniency followed. Soon Xin withdrew, and Xi returned to Ye.
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齊神武訪朝廷子弟忠孝謹密者，令與諸子遊。 晞與清河崔贍、頓丘李度、范陽盧正通首應此選。 文襄時為大將軍，握晞等手曰：「我弟並向成長，志識未定，近善狎惡，不能不移。 吾弟不負義方，卿祿位常亞召弟； 若苟使回邪，致相詿誤，罪及門族，非止一身。」 晞隨神武到晉陽，補中外府功曹參軍，帶常山公演友。
Gao Huan sought young men of loyalty and filial care to companion his sons. Xi, with Cui Zhan, Li Du, and Lu Zhengtong, were first picked. Wen Xiang as Grand General clasped their hands: "My brothers are still forming; good and ill companions will move them. Hold to righteousness; your honors shall stay beneath my brothers'— yet if you bend them to evil, the house pays, not you alone. Xi followed Shenwu to Jinyang as staff officer, companion to Prince of Changshan Yan.
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齊天保初，行太原郡事。 及文宣昏逸，常山王數諫。 帝疑王假辭於晞，欲加大辟。 王私謂晞曰：「博士，明日當作一條事，為欲相活，亦圖自全，宜深體勿怪。」 乃於眾中杖晞二十。 帝尋發怒，聞晞得杖，以故不殺，髡鞭鉗配甲坊。 居三年，王又固諫爭，大被毆撻，閉口不食。 太后極憂之。 帝謂左右曰：「儻小兒死，奈我老母何！」 於是每問王疾，謂曰：「努力強食，當以王晞還汝。」 乃釋晞令往。 王抱晞曰； 「吾氣息惙然，恐不復相見！」 晞流涕曰：「天道神明，豈令殿下遂斃此舍。 至尊親為人兄，尊為人主，安可與計？ 殿下不食，太后亦不食，殿下縱不自惜，不惜太后乎？」 言未卒，王強坐而飯。 晞由是得免徒，還為王友。
At Qi Tianbao's start he governed Taiyuan in commission. When Wenxuan turned reckless, Prince Yan remonstrated again and again. The emperor thought Yan spoke through Xi and prepared capital punishment. Yan whispered to Xi, "Doctor, tomorrow do a thing—to save you and me; do not blame me. Before the court he had Xi thrashed twenty blows. Wenxuan raged anew; learning Xi had been beaten, he spared his life but shaved, lashed, chained, and sent him to the armory. Three years on, Yan remonstrated once more, was thrashed himself, and fasted. The empress dowager grieved. The emperor muttered, "If the boy dies, what becomes of my mother? He asked after Yan's health and said, "Eat—I will return Wang Xi." Xi was freed and sent to Yan. Yan embraced Xi and said: "I can barely breathe—we may not meet again! Xi wept, "Heaven would not let Your Highness perish here! The Son of Heaven is brother and sovereign—do not measure him as an equal. If you refuse food, your mother refuses it too; spare yourself for her sake." Yan sat up and ate before Xi finished. Xi was freed from labor and again Yan's companion.
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王復錄尚書事。 新除官者必詣王謝職，去必辭。 晞言于王曰：「受爵天朝，拜恩私第，自古以為幹紀。 朝廷文武，出入辭謝，宜一約絕。 主上顒顒，賴殿下扶翼。」 王深納焉。 常從容謂晞曰：「主上起居不恆，卿耳目所具，吾豈可以前逢一怒，遂爾結舌。 卿宜為撰諫草，吾當伺便極諫。」 晞遂條十餘事以呈，因切諫王曰：「今朝廷乃爾，欲學介子匹夫，輕一朝之命，狂藥令人不自覺，刀箭豈復識親疏？ 一旦禍出理外，將奈殿下家業何！ 奈皇太后何！ 乞且將順，日慎一日。」 王歔欷不自勝，曰：「乃至是乎！」 明日見晞，曰：「吾長夜九思，今便息意。」 便命火對晞焚之。 後王承間苦諫，遂致忤旨。 帝使力士反接伏，白刃注頸，罵曰：「小子何知，欲以吏才非我！ 是誰教汝？」 王曰：「天下噤口，除臣誰敢有言？」 帝催遣捶楚，亂杖數十。 會醉臥得解。 爾後褻黷之好，遍于宗戚，所往留連，俾畫作夜； 唯常山邸多無適而去。
Yan again directed the Masters of Writing. Every new appointee thanked Yan in person on taking and leaving office. Xi told him, "Rank from the throne, thanks in a private house—that has always been corruption. Let every officer's comings and goings end with one rule. The throne stands uneasy; it leans on you. Yan took the counsel to heart. He often told Xi, "The emperor's ways shift—what you've seen—shall I bite my tongue after one rage? Draft protests; I'll speak when the moment comes. Xi listed ten points and warned, "The court is mad—will you mimic Jie Zi and toss one dawn's life away? Drunken rage forgets kin; steel knows no family. When disaster strikes beyond sense, what of your line? What of your mother? Yield now; guard each day. Yan wept, "So far gone!" Next day he said, "Nine nights I thought—now I am at peace." He burned the drafts before Xi. Later Yan remonstrated hard and provoked wrath. Brawlers bent his arms back, a blade at his throat: "Pup, what do you know—measuring me with clerk's skill? Who taught you? Yan said, "All China is silent—who but me?" Wenxuan ordered blows; dozens of strokes fell at random. Drunken sleep ended it. Then debauchery ran through the clan; wherever he stayed, night became day; only Changshan's hall rarely pleased him long.
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及帝崩，濟南嗣立。 王謂晞曰：「一人垂拱，吾曹亦保優閑。」 因言：「朝廷寬仁慈恕，真守文良主。」 晞曰：「天保享詐，東宮委一胡人。 今卒覽萬機，駕馭雄傑。 如聖德幼沖，未堪雙難，而使他姓出納詔命，必權有所歸。 殿下雖欲守籓職，其可得也？ 假令得遂沖退，自審家祚得保靈長不？」 王默然，思念久之，曰：「何以處我？」 晞曰：「周公抱成王朝諸侯，攝政七年，然後復子明辟。 幸有故事，惟殿下慮之。」 王曰：「我安敢自擬周公？」 晞曰：「殿下今日地望，欲避周公得邪？」 王不答。 帝臨發，敕王從駕，除晞并州長史。
At Wenxuan's death Jinan reigned. Yan told Xi, "One man reigns at ease—we too may rest. He added, "The throne is mild and forgiving—a keeper of the old ways." Xi said, "Tianbao held heaven's trust, yet the heir was a barbarian. Now he grips every rein and rides fierce men. If the sage is young and cannot bear double weight, yet aliens issue orders, power will find a seat. Though you mean to keep your fief alone, can you? Even yielding, do you think your line would endure? Yan was silent, then said, "What am I to do?" Xi said, "The Duke of Zhou held the boy-king, ruled seven years, then returned the realm. The precedent exists—ponder it. Yan said, "How dare I match the Duke of Zhou?" Xi said, "At your height today, can you avoid him?" Yan said nothing. On the emperor's departure he commanded Yan to accompany him and made Xi chief administrator of Bing.
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及王至鄴，誅楊、燕等。 詔以王為大丞相、都督中外諸軍事，督攝文武還并州。 及至，延晞謂曰：「不早用卿言，使群小弄權，幾至傾覆。 今君側雖獲暫清，終當何以處我？」 晞曰：「殿下將往時地位，猶可以名教出處。 今日事勢，遂關天時，非復人理所及。」 有頃，奏趙郡王睿為左長史，晞為司馬。 每夜載入，晝則不與語，以晞儒緩，恐不允武將之意。 後進晞密室，曰：「比王侯諸貴每見煎迫，言我違天不祥，恐當或有變起，吾正欲以正法繩之。」 晞曰：「朝廷比者疏遠親戚，甯思骨血之重。 殿下倉卒所行，非復人臣之事。 芒刺在背，交戟入頸，上下相疑，何由可久？ 且天道不恆，虧盈迭至，神機變化，肸蠻斯集。 雖執謙挹，粃糠神器。 便是違上玄之意，墜先人之基。」 王曰：「卿何敢鬚髮非所宜言！ 須致卿於法。」 晞曰：「竊謂天時人事，同無異揆。 是以冒犯雷霆，不憚斧鉞。 今日得披肝膽，抑亦神明攸贊。」 王曰：「拯難匡時，方俟聖哲，吾何敢私議，幸勿多言。」 尋有詔，以丞相任重，普進府寮一班，晞以司馬領吏部郎中。 丞相從事中郎陸杳將出使，臨別，握晞手曰：「相王功格區宇，天下樂推，歌謠滿道，物無異望。 杳等伏隸，願披赤心。 而忽奉外使，無由面盡短誠，寸心謹以仰白。」 晞尋述杳言。 王曰：「若內外咸有異望，趙彥深朝夕左右，何因都無所論？ 自以卿意試密與言之。」 晞以事隙問彥深。 曰：「我比亦驚此音謠，每欲陳聞，則口噤心戰。 弟既發論，吾亦欲昧死一披肝膽。」 因亦同勸。 是時諸王公將相日敦請，四方岳牧表陳符命。 乾明元年八月，昭帝踐阼。 九月，除晞散騎常侍，仍領兼吏部郎中。
When the King reached Ye, he put Yang, Yan, and their faction to death. An edict made him Grand Chancellor and supreme commander of all forces, civil and military, and he went back to Bingzhou. On his arrival Yan Xi said, "Had you heeded me sooner, petty men would never have held the reins and we would almost have been ruined. The court is clean for now—but what will you do with me in the end? Xi answered, "Your Highness's old rank still let you enter or leave office by the norms of moral teaching. Today's turn of affairs hangs on Heaven's hour; it is past what men can argue. Soon a memorial named Prince Rui of Zhao commandery Left Chief Steward and made Xi his Administrator. He was carted in every night yet not spoken to by day—Xi was too bookish and mild to please the generals. Later the King came to Xi's chamber and said, "The great families hound me, calling my course unlucky and heaven-defying. I fear trouble and mean to punish them by law. Xi said, "The court has lately estranged its kin and forgotten the weight of blood. What you have done in haste is no longer how a subject should act. Dagger at your back, blades at your neck—ruler and ruled doubting one another—how can that last? Heaven's way is not fixed; waxing and waning alternate; omens shift and spirits stir. Though you feign humility, you treat the throne as chaff. That defies Heaven above and casts down your fathers' house." The King cried, "How dare you say what no beard should utter! I will have you punished by law. Xi said, "Heaven's hour and men's affairs, I believe, share one rule. So I brave the thunderbolt and do not fear the axe. Today I lay my heart bare—and perhaps the spirits approve. The King said, "To save the age still wants a sage—how dare I plot in private? Say no more." Soon an edict, citing the Chancellor's heavy load, raised every man in his bureau one grade; Xi as Administrator also headed a personnel desk. Lu Yao of the Chancellor's staff was leaving on a mission; at farewell he seized Xi's hand. "The Chancellor's merit fills the realm; all men push him forward; songs crowd the roads and every heart looks one way. We lie prostrate and would bare our hearts. Yet I am sent away and cannot speak face to face; this inch of heart I raise to you. Xi soon repeated Yao's words to the King. The King said, "If court and camp share this wish, Zhao Yanshen is with me day and night—why has he never spoken? Sound him out in secret as you think best. Xi found a moment to ask Yanshen. Yanshen said, "These songs startled me too; each time I meant to speak my mouth froze and my heart shook. Now that you have opened the matter, I too will risk death and lay my heart bare. He urged the same course as the others. Kings, dukes, ministers, and generals pressed daily; governors from the four quarters tabled portents of the mandate. In the eighth month of Qianming 1, Emperor Zhao took the throne. In the ninth month Xi was made Regular Attendant and still held his personnel post.
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後因奏事罷，帝從容曰：「比日何為自同外客，略不可見？ 自今假非局司，但有所懷，隨宜作一牒，候少隙即徑進也。」 因敕尚書陽休之、鴻臚卿崔勵等三人，每日本職務罷，併入東廊。 共舉錄歷代廢禮墜樂，職司廢置，朝饗異同，輿服增損，或道德高俊久在沈淪，或巧言眩俗，妖邪害政，爰及田市舟車、徵稅通塞、婚葬儀軌、貴賤等衰，有不便於時而古今行用不已者，或自古利用而當今毀棄者，悉令詳思，以漸條奏。 未待頓備，遇憶續聞。 朝晡給典禦食，畢景聽還。 時百官請建東宮，敕未許，每令晞就東堂監視太子冠服，導引趨拜。 尋拜為太子太傅。 晞以局司奉璽授皇太子。 太子釋奠，又兼中庶子。 帝謂曰：「今既當劇職，不得尋常舒慢也。」
After an audience the Emperor said gently, "Why lately do you act like a stranger I can hardly see? Henceforth, unless it is bureau business, write whatever is on your mind and bring it in the first spare moment. He ordered Yang Xiuzhi, Cui Li, and one other—three men—to join the east corridor after daily duties. Together they were to catalogue lost rites and music, abolished offices, changes in sacrifice and dress, worthy men long buried in obscurity, flashy words and harmful cults, markets, taxes, marriage and burial, rank and mean—whatever ill fit the age yet lingered, or what antiquity used and today threw away—and report step by step. They need not finish all at once; whenever memory stirred they could report again. Morning and evening they ate from the imperial pantry; at dusk they went home. When officials asked for an Heir Apparent's establishment, the throne refused; Xi was sent to the east hall to watch the crown prince's dress and guide his bows. Soon he was made Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent. In bureau duty Xi presented the seal to the crown prince. At the crown prince's school sacrifice he also served as Junior Mentor. The Emperor told him, "Now that your post is weighty, you must not lounge as before."
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帝將北征，敕問：「比何所聞？」 晞曰：「道路傳言，車駕將行。」 帝曰：「庫莫奚南侵，我未經親戎，因此聊欲習武。」 晞曰：「鑾駕巡狩，為復何爾？ 若輕有征戰，恐天下失望。」 帝曰：「此懦夫常慮，吾自當臨時斟酌。」 帝使齋帥裴澤、主書蔡暉伺察群下，好相誣枉，朝士呼為裴、蔡。 時二人奏：「車駕北征後，陽休之、王晞數與諸人遊宴，不以公事在懷。」 帝杖休之、晞脛各四十。 帝斬人於前，問晞曰：「此人合死不？」 晞曰：「罪實合死，但恨其不得死地。 臣聞刑人於市，與眾棄之； 殿廷非殺戮之所。」 帝改容曰：「自今當為王公改之。」
Before a northern campaign the Emperor asked, "What have you heard lately? Xi said, "The roads say the carriage will march." The Emperor said, "The Kumo Xi raid south; I have never led an army and wish to learn war on the march." Xi said, "The sacred carriage on tour—to what end? If you lightly go to war, the realm will lose heart. The Emperor said, "That is a coward's fret; I will judge when the hour comes." He sent Pei Ze and Cai Hui to spy on officials, given to slander; men called them Pei and Cai. They reported, "After the northern march Yang Xiuzhi and Wang Xi feasted and wandered and neglected office. The Emperor had both men flogged forty strokes on the shins. He beheaded a man before Xi and asked, "Did this man deserve death? Xi said, "His crime deserved death, but not here. I have heard punishment belongs in the market, where the people cast the body away; the palace is no place to kill. The Emperor's face changed. "From now on I shall change this—for kings and dukes alike."
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帝欲以晞為侍中，苦辭不受。 或勸晞勿自疏，晞曰：「我少年以來，閱要人多矣。 充詘少時，鮮不敗績。 且性實疏緩，不堪時務。 人主恩私，何由可保？ 萬一披猖，求追無地。 非不愛作熱官，但思之爛熟耳。」 百官嘗賜射，晞中的，當得絹，為不書箭，有司不與。 晞陶陶然曰：「我今段可謂武有餘文不足矣。」 晞無子，帝將賜之妾。 使小黃門就宅宣旨，皇后相聞晞妻。 晞令妻答，妻終不言，晞以手撩胸而退。 帝聞之笑。
The Emperor wished to make him Attendant-in-Ordinary; Xi firmly refused. Some urged him not to stand apart; Xi said, "Since youth I have watched many favorites. Sated for a moment, few escaped ruin. My nature is loose and slow; I cannot bear the times. A ruler's private grace—how can it be kept? If fortune turns, there is nowhere to flee. I do not dislike a glittering post; I have only chewed the thought to the bone. At an archery grant Xi hit the mark and should have won silk, but he did not mark his arrow and the office refused payment. Xi laughed, "This time I may be called war-strong and letter-weak. Xi had no son; the Emperor meant to give him a concubine. A junior eunuch proclaimed the intent at his house; the empress sent word to his wife. Xi had his wife answer; she said nothing; Xi touched his chest and withdrew. The Emperor laughed when he heard.
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孝昭崩，晞哀慕殆不自勝，因以羸敗。 武成本忿其儒緩，由是彌嫌之。 因奏事，大被訶叱，而雅步晏然。 曆東徐州刺史、秘書監。 武平初，遷大鴻臚，加儀同三司，監修起居注，待詔文林館。 性閑淡寡欲，雖王事鞅掌，而雅操不移。 在并州，雖戎馬填閭，未嘗以世務為累。 良辰美景，嘯詠遨遊，登臨山水，以談宴為事，人士謂之「方外司馬。」 詣晉祠，賦詩曰：「日落應歸去，魚鳥見留連。」 忽有相王使召，晞不時至。 明日，丞相西閣祭酒盧思道謂晞曰：「昨被召已硃顏，得無以魚鳥致怪？」 晞緩笑曰：「昨晚陶然，頗以酒漿被責。 卿輩亦是留連之一物，豈直在魚鳥而已？」 及晉陽陷敗，與同志避周兵東北走。 山路險迥，懼有土賊，而晞溫酒服膏，曾不一廢。 每不肯疾去，行侶尤之。 晞曰：「莫尤我，我行事若不悔，久作三公矣。」
When Emperor Xiaozhao died, Xi grieved until he nearly perished and wasted away. Emperor Wucheng had long resented his bookish slowness and disliked him the more. Reporting to court he was savagely scolded, yet walked at ease with his elegant step. He served as Inspector of East Xuzhou and Director of the Secretariat. At the start of Wuping he became Grand Herald with honors equal to the Three Dukes, supervised the imperial diary, and attended at the Forest of Literature. He was leisurely and desired little; though royal business pressed thick, his refined conduct never shifted. In Bingzhou, though war-horses filled the lanes, he never let the world weigh on him. On fair days he chanted and roamed, climbed hills and streams, and made feasting his trade; men called him the Grand Administrator beyond the world. At the Jin Shrine he wrote, "The sun sets and I should go home; fish and birds seem to hold me back." Suddenly the King's messenger called; Xi did not come at once. Next day Lu Sidao said, "Yesterday's summons flushed you red—did fish and birds bring the blame? Xi smiled, "Last night I was merry and was fined in wine. You too are things that detain—not only fish and birds. When Jinyang fell he fled northeast with friends to escape Zhou troops. The mountain road was steep and bandits feared, yet Xi warmed wine and took salve and never once stopped. He would not hurry and his companions blamed him. Xi said, "Blame me not—had I never regretted my way I would long since have been a Three Duke."
73
皓字季高，少立名行，為士友所稱。 遭母憂，居喪有至性。 儒緩亦同諸兄。 嘗從文宣北征，乘赤馬，旦蒙霜氣，遂不復識。 自言失馬，虞候為求覓不得。 須臾日出，馬體霜盡，系在幕前，方云：「我馬尚在。」 為司徒掾，在府聽午鼓，蹀躞待去。 群寮嘲之曰：「王七思歸何太疾？」 季高曰：「大鵬始欲舉，燕雀何啾唧？」 嘲者曰：「誰家屋當頭，鋪首浪遊逸。」 於是喧笑，季高不復得言。 大寧初，兼散騎常侍、聘陳使主。 天統末，修國史。 尋除通直散騎常侍。 卒，贈郢州刺史。 子伯，奉朝請，待詔文林館。 皓弟曄，字季炎，卒于滄州司馬。
Hao, styled Jigao, won name and conduct early and was praised by friends. When his mother died he mourned with utmost filial feeling. His scholarly slowness matched his brothers'. Once on Emperor Wenxuan's northern campaign he rode a red horse; at dawn frost covered it and he did not know it. He said his horse was lost; guards searched in vain. The sun rose, the frost melted, and the horse stood before the tent; he said, "My horse is still here. As Secretariat clerk he listened for the noon drum, pacing small steps to leave. Clerks mocked him, "Wang the Seventh, why such haste home? Jigao said, "The great peng is about to rise—why do sparrows chirp?" The mockers said, "Whose house stands ahead—the door-knob roams in idle sport." At that they laughed aloud and Jigao could say no more. At the start of Daning he also served as Regular Attendant and chief envoy to Chen. At the end of Tiantong he revised the national history. Soon he was made Unimpeded Regular Attendant. At his death he was posthumously Inspector of Yingzhou. His son Bo held court appointment and attended at the Forest of Literature. Hao's younger brother Ye, styled Jiyan, died as Administrator of Cangzhou.
74
封懿，字處德，勃海蓚人也。 曾祖釋，晉東夷校尉。 父放，慕容痈吏部尚書。 兄孚，慕容超太尉。 懿有才器，能屬文，與孚雖器行有長短，而名位略齊。 仕慕容寶，位中書令、戶部尚書。 寶敗，歸魏，除給事黃門侍郎、都坐大官、章安子。 道武引見，問以慕容舊事，懿應對疏慢，廢黜還家。 明元初，復徵拜都坐大官，進爵為侯。 卒官。 懿撰《燕書》，頗行於世。
Feng Yi, styled Chude, was from Mao in Bohai. His great-grandfather Shi was Jin Colonel for the Eastern Yi. His father Fang was Minister of Personnel under Murong Chui. His elder brother Fu was Grand Marshal under Murong Chao. Yi had talent and could write; Fu differed in conduct and tenure, yet their fame and rank were much the same. He served Murong Bao as Secretariat Director and Minister of the Household. When Bao fell he entered Wei as Gentlemen Attendant at the Yellow Gate, Grand Master of the Imperial Commissariat, and Viscount of Zhang'an. Emperor Daowu asked about old Yan affairs; Yi answered with negligence, was dismissed, and sent home. At the start of Mingyuan he was summoned again as Grand Master of the Commissariat and raised to Marquis. He died in office. Yi compiled the Book of Yan, which circulated widely.
75
子玄之，坐與司馬國璠、溫楷等謀亂，伏誅。 臨刑，明元謂曰：「終不令絕汝種也，將宥汝一子。」 玄之以弟虔之子磨奴字君明早孤，乞全其命。 乃殺玄之四子，赦磨奴，刑為宦人。 崔浩之誅也，太武謂磨奴曰：「汝本應全，所以致刑者，由浩也。」 後為中曹監，使張掖，賜爵富城子。 卒于懷州刺史，贈勃海公，諡曰定。 以族子叔念為後。
His son Xuanzhi was executed for plotting with Sima Guofan, Wen Kai, and others. At execution Emperor Mingyuan said, "I will not end your line; I spare one son. Xuanzhi begged life for his nephew Monu, styled Junming, Qian's orphaned son. They killed Xuanzhi's four sons, pardoned Monu, and castrated him as a eunuch. At Cui Hao's fall Emperor Taiwu told Monu, "You should have been spared; Hao brought your punishment. Later he was Director of Palace Attendants, sent to Zhangye, and made Viscount of Fucheng. He died Inspector of Huaizhou and was posthumously Duke of Bohai, posthumous title Ding. A clansman's son Shunian was made his heir.
76
回字叔念，孝文賜名焉，慕容痈太尉奕之後也。 父鑒。 初，磨奴既以回為後，請于獻文。 贈鑒甯遠將軍、滄水太守。 回襲靡奴爵富城子。 宣武時，累遷安州刺史。 山人願朴，父子賓旅同寢一室。 回下車，勒令別處，其俗遂改。 明帝時，為瀛州刺史。 時大乘寇亂之後，加以水潦，表求振恤，免其兵調，州內賴之。 曆度支、都官二尚書、冀州大中正。
Hui, styled Shunian—a name granted by Emperor Xiaowen—descended from Murong Chui's Grand Marshal Yi. His father was Jian. When Monu took Hui as heir he petitioned Emperor Xianwen. Jian was posthumously General Who Pacifies the Distance and Administrator of Cangshui. Hui inherited Monu's rank as Viscount of Fucheng. Under Emperor Xuanwu he rose to Inspector of Anzhou. The mountain man Yuan Pu, father and son, lodged and slept in one room. Hui on taking office ordered separate lodging and the custom changed. Under Emperor Ming he was Inspector of Yingzhou. After Mahayana rebellion and floods he sought relief and exemption from levies; the province relied on him. He served as Minister of Revenue, Minister of Justice, and Grand Rectifier of Jizhou.
77
滎陽鄭雲諂事長秋卿劉騰，貨紫纈四百匹，得為安州刺史。 除書旦出，晚往詣回，坐未定，問回：「安州興生，何事為便？」 回曰：「卿荷國寵靈，位至方伯，雖不能拔園葵，去織婦，宜思方略以濟百姓，如何見造問興生乎？ 封回不為商賈，何以相示？」 雲慚失色。
Zheng Yun of Xingyang fawned on Liu Teng of the Long Autumn Office and bought Inspector of Anzhou with four hundred bolts of purple gauze. The appointment came at dawn; that evening he called on Hui and, before sitting, asked what business paid best in Anzhou. Hui said, "You bear the state's grace and hold a frontier post; though you cannot uproot your mallows or send away your weaver, you should aid the people—why on your first visit ask about profit? Feng Hui is no merchant—why show me this?" Yun flushed pale.
78
轉七兵尚書，領御史中尉，劾奏尚書右僕射元欽與從兄麗妻崔氏奸通，時人稱之。 後為殿中尚書、右光祿大夫。 莊帝初，遇害河陰。 贈司空公，諡曰孝宣。 長子隆之。
Made Minister of the Seven Armies and Imperial Censor; he impeached Vice Minister Yuan Qin for adultery with his cousin's wife Cui, and men praised him. Later he was Palace Minister and Grand Master of Splendid Virtue. At the start of Emperor Zhuang's reign he was killed at Heyin. Posthumously he was Duke of Works, posthumous title Xiaoxuan. His eldest son was Longzhi.
79
隆之字祖裔，小名皮，寬和有度量。 延昌中，道人法慶作亂冀州，自號大乘，眾五萬人。 隆之以開府中兵參軍與大都督元遙討之。 獲法慶，賜爵武城子。 累遷河內太守。 未到郡，屬爾硃兆入洛，莊帝幽崩，隆之以父遇害，常懷報雪，因持節東歸，圖為義舉。 遂與高乾等夜襲冀州，克之，乃推為刺史。 及齊神武自晉陽東出，隆之遣子子繪隨高乾奉迎於滏口。
Longzhi, styled Zuyi, childhood name Pi, was generous and measured. In Yanchang the monk Faqing rebelled in Jizhou, styled himself Mahayana, and gathered fifty thousand men. Longzhi as Opening Office colonel joined Grand Commander Yuan Yao to suppress him. Faqing was taken and Longzhi made Viscount of Wucheng. He rose to Administrator of Henei. Before he took the post Erzhu Zhao entered Luoyang; Emperor Zhuang died in prison; Longzhi, his father slain, held the staff and went east to plot revenge. He joined Gao Gan in a night attack on Jizhou, took it, and was pushed as Inspector. When Prince Shenwu marched east from Jinyang, Longzhi sent Zihui with Gao Gan to welcome him at Fukou.
80
中興初，拜吏部尚書。 韓陵之役，留隆之鎮鄴城。 未幾，徵為侍中，封安德郡公。 于時朝議以爾硃榮宜配食明帝廟庭。 隆之議曰：「榮為人臣，親行殺逆，豈有害人之母而與子對食之理？」 以參議麟趾閣新制，又贈其妻祖氏范陽郡君。 隆之表以先爵富城子及武城子轉授弟子孝琬等，朝廷嘉而從之。 後為斛斯椿等所構，逃歸鄉里，齊神武召赴晉陽。
At the start of Zhongxing he was Minister of Personnel. At Hanling he stayed to guard Ye. Soon he was summoned as Attendant-in-Ordinary and enfeoffed Duke of Ande. Court opinion then held Erzhu Rong should share sacrifice in Emperor Ming's temple. Longzhi argued, "Rong was a subject who murdered his lord—how can a man who killed a mother dine with her son? Deliberating new regulations at the Unicorn Toe Office, he also enfeoffed his wife's clan Zu as Lady of Fanyang. Longzhi memorialized to transfer his ranks Fucheng and Wucheng to nephews Xiaowan and others; the court approved. Later Huasi Chun framed him; he fled home and Prince Shenwu summoned him to Jinyang.
81
魏孝靜立，除吏部尚書，尋加侍中。 元象初，除冀州刺史，加開府，累遷尚書右僕射。 及北豫州刺史高仲密將叛，陰招冀州豪望為內應。 詔隆之馳驛慰撫，遂得安靜。 隆之首參神武經略，奇謀皆密以啟聞，手書削槁，罕知於外。 卒于齊州刺史，贈司徒。 神武以追榮未盡，復啟贈太保，諡宣懿。 神武后至冀州北境，次交津，追憶隆之，顧冀州行事司馬子如，言其德美，為之流涕。 令乙太牢就祭。 隆之曆事五帝，以謹素見知。 凡四為侍中，再為吏部尚書，一為僕射，四為冀州刺史。 每臨冀部，州中舊齒咸曰：「我封公復來。」 其得物情如此。 子子繪嗣。
When Emperor Xiaojing was established he was Minister of Personnel and soon Attendant-in-Ordinary. In Yuanxiang 1 he was Inspector of Jizhou with Opening Office rank and rose to Right Vice Minister. When Northern Yuzhou Prefect Gao Zhongmi was about to rebel he secretly won Jizhou magnates as allies within. An edict sent Longzhi on post-horses to soothe them and the region quieted. Longzhi had shared Prince Shenwu's strategy from the start; subtle plans he reported in secret, cutting drafts by hand that few outside knew. He died Inspector of Qizhou and was posthumously Minister of Works. Prince Shenwu, finding honor incomplete, petitioned again for Grand Tutor, posthumous title Xuanyi. Later at Jizhou's northern border, Jiaojin Ford, the Prince recalled Longzhi, told Sima Ziru of his virtue, and wept. He ordered a grand second sacrifice sent. Longzhi served five emperors and was known for plain caution. Four times Attendant-in-Ordinary, twice Minister of Personnel, once Vice Minister, four times Inspector of Jizhou. Each arrival in Jizhou the old men said, "Our Lord Feng has come again. Such was the hold he had on hearts. His son Zihui inherited.
82
子繪字仲藻，小名搔。 性和理，有器局。 釋褐秘書郎，累遷平陽太守，加散騎常侍。 晉州北界霍山舊號千里徑者，山阪高峻，每大軍往來，士馬勞苦。 子繪請於舊徑東穀別開一路。 神武從之，仍令子繪修開，旬日而就。 征補大行台吏部郎中。
Zihui, styled Zhongzao, childhood name Sao. He was harmonious, principled, and had capacity. He began as Secretariat Clerk, rose to Administrator of Pingyang with Regular Attendant rank. On Jinzhou's north Mount Huo was called the Thousand-Li Path; slopes were steep and every great army wore men and horses down. Zihui asked to open a new road east of the old valley path. The Prince agreed and ordered Zihui to open it; in ten days it was done. He was summoned as Director in the Great Office Ministry of Personnel.
83
神武崩，秘未發喪，文襄以子繪為勃海太守。 執其手曰：「誠知未允勳臣官望，但須鎮撫。 且衣錦晝游，古人所貴，宜善加經略，不勞習常太守向州參也。」 仍聽收集部曲一千人。
When the Prince died the death was not yet announced; Wenxiang made Zihui Administrator of Bohai. He took his hand and said, "I know this does not match your merit, but you must pacify the land. To clothe brocade and roam by day ancients prized; govern well and need not act like a common prefect at provincial audience. He was still allowed to gather a thousand household troops.
84
大寧三年，為都官尚書。 高歸彥作逆，命子繪參贊軍事。 賊平，敕子繪權行州事。 徵拜儀同三司、尚書右僕射。 卒，諡曰簡。 子寶蓋襲。
In Daning 3 he was Minister of Justice. When Gao Guiyan rebelled he was ordered to plan the campaign. When rebels were pacified he was ordered to act in provincial affairs. He was summoned Equal to the Three Dukes and Right Vice Minister. At death his posthumous title was Jian. His son Baogai inherited.
85
子繪弟子繡，位霍州刺史。 陳將吳明徹侵淮南，子繡城陷，送揚州。 齊亡後，逃歸。 終於通州刺史。 子繡外貌儒雅，而使氣難犯。 兄女婿司空婁定遠為瀛州刺史，子繡為勃海太守。 定遠過之，對妻及諸女宴集言戲，微有褻慢。 子繡鳴鼓集眾將攻之，定遠免冠拜謝，久之乃釋。
Zihui's nephew Xiu was Inspector of Huozhou. When Chen general Wu Mingche invaded Huainan, Xiu's city fell and he was sent to Yangzhou. After Qi's fall he escaped home. He ended as Inspector of Tongzhou. Xiu looked refined and Confucian, yet his spirit was hard to offend. His sister's husband, Minister Lou Dingyuan, was Inspector of Yingzhou; Xiu was Administrator of Bohai. Dingyuan called and, feasting with his wife and daughters, jested with slight impropriety. Xiu beat the drum, gathered men to attack; Dingyuan doffed his cap and bowed long before he was released.
86
隆之弟興之，字祖胄。 經明行修，恬素清靜。 位瀛冀二州刺史、平北府長史。 所曆有當官譽。 卒，以隆之佐命功，贈殿中尚書、雍州刺史，諡曰文。
Longzhi's younger brother Xingzhi, styled Zuyu. He was versed in classics and conduct, plain and quiet. He was Inspector of Ying and Ji and Chief Steward of the Pacify-the-North Office. Every post won him repute as a proper official. At death, for Longzhi's founding merit, he was posthumously Palace Minister and Inspector of Yongzhou, posthumous title Wen.
87
子孝琬，字士茜。 七歲而孤，為隆之鞠養； 慈愛甚篤，隆之啟以父爵富城子授焉。 位東宮洗馬。 卒，贈太府少卿。
His son Xiaowan, styled Shiqian. Orphaned at seven, Longzhi reared him; his love was deep, and Longzhi petitioned to grant his father's rank Viscount of Fucheng. He was Groom of the Heir Apparent's Household. At death he was posthumously Vice Minister of the Grand Storehouse.
88
孝琬性恬靜，頗好文詠。 太子少師邢邵、七兵尚書王昕並先達高才，與孝琬年位懸隔，晚相逢遇，分好遂深。 孝琬靈櫬言歸，二人送於郊外，悲哭淒慟，有感路人。
Xiaowan was tranquil and loved literary composition. Xing Shao and Wang Xin, both eminent talents, met Xiaowan late in life despite wide gaps in age and rank, and friendship grew deep. When Xiaowan's coffin went home both escorted him to the suburbs, weeping so bitterly passers-by were moved.
89
孝琬弟孝琰，字士光，少修飭，學尚有風儀。 位秘書丞、散騎常侍、聘陳使主，在道遙授中書侍郎。 還，坐受魏收囑，牒其門客從行事發，付南都獄，決鞭二百，除名。 後除並省吏部郎中、南陽王友，赴晉陽典機密。
Younger brother Xiaoyan, styled Shiguang, cultivated himself from youth; in learning he had elegant bearing. He was Secretariat Assistant, Regular Attendant, and chief envoy to Chen; on the road he was remotely made Vice Director of the Central Secretariat. On return he was punished for taking Wei Shou's commission and issuing warrants against his retainers; the Southern Capital prison gave him two hundred lashes and struck his name away. Later he was Joint Secretariat personnel director and Friend to the Prince of Nanyang and went to Jinyang for secret affairs.
90
和士開母喪，托附者咸往奔哭。 鄴中富商丁鄒、嚴興等並為義孝，有一士人亦在哭限。 孝琰入吊，出謂人曰：「嚴興之南，丁鄒之北，有一朝士，號叫甚哀。」 聞者傳之。 士開知而大怒。 其後會黃門郎李瑰奏南陽王綽驕恣，士開因譖之曰：「孝琰從綽出外，乘其副馬，舍離部伍，別行戲語。」 時孝琰女為范陽王妃，為禮事，因假入辭。 帝遂決馬鞭一百放出，又遣高阿那肱重決五十，幾死。 還鄴，在集書省上下。 自此沈廢。 士開死後，為通直散騎常侍。 後與周和好，以為聘周使副。 祖珽輔政，奏入文林館撰御覽。
At He Shikai's mother's mourning all hangers-on went to wail. Ye merchants Ding Zou and Yan Xing all played filial mourners; one scholar too wailed among them. Xiaoyan condoled and, coming out, said, "South of Yan Xing, north of Ding Zou, one court gentleman wails exceedingly bitter. Hearing men passed it on. Shikai learned and was greatly enraged. Later Yellow Gate Gentleman Li Gui reported Prince Chuo of Nanyang arrogant; Shikai slandered Xiaoyan for riding Chuo's spare horse, leaving ranks, and jesting apart. Then Xiaoyan's daughter was consort to the Prince of Fanyang; for ritual she took leave to enter audience. The Emperor had him horse-whipped one hundred strokes and expelled, and sent Gao Anagong for fifty more—he nearly died. Back in Ye he kept to the Collecting Writings Bureau. From this he sank into disuse. After Shikai died he was Unimpeded Regular Attendant. Later, at peace with Zhou, he was deputy chief envoy to Zhou. When Zu Ting aided government he entered the Forest of Literature to compile the imperial overview.
91
孝琰文筆不高，但以風流自立，善談戲，威儀閒雅，容止進退，人皆慕之。 以祖珽好自矜大，佞之云：「是衣冠宰相，異于餘人。」 近習聞之，大以為恨。 尋以本官兼尚書右丞。 其所彈射，多承意旨。 時有道人曇獻者，為皇太后所幸，賞賜隆厚，車服過度。 又乞為沙門統，後主意不許，但太后欲之，遂得居任。 然後主常憾焉。 因僧尼他事，訴者辭引曇獻，上令有司推劾。 孝琰案其受賄，致於極法，其家珍異悉以沒官。 由是正授左丞，仍奏門下事。
Xiaoyan's brush was not high, yet he stood on elegant bearing, witty talk, leisurely majesty, and men admired his advance and retreat. Zu Ting boasted; Xiaoyan flattered him, "This is a minister in cap and gown, unlike the rest. Court intimates heard and greatly resented it. Soon he also held Right Assistant Minister with his original office. His impeachments mostly followed the ruler's intent. The monk Tanxian was favored by the Empress Dowager; rewards were thick and dress exceeded measure. He begged to be Patriarch over clergy; the later ruler refused but the Empress Dowager wished it and he obtained the post. Yet the later ruler often resented it. In another monks-and-nuns case a plaintiff implicated Tanxian; the ruler ordered investigation. Xiaoyan tried his bribes and brought extreme punishment; rare treasures were confiscated. Thereupon he was formally Left Assistant Minister and still reported Gate affairs.
92
性頗簡傲，不諧時俗，意遇漸高，彌自矜誕，舉動舒遲，無所降屈，識者鄙之。 與崔季舒等以正諫同死。 子君確、君靜二人徙北邊，少子君嚴、君贊下蠶室。 南安敗，君確等二人皆坐死。
He was haughty, ill-fit to custom, and as favor rose grew conceited; movements slow, bowing to none—men of insight despised him. He died with Cui Jishu and others for upright remonstrance. Sons Junque and Junjing were moved north; younger sons Junyan and Junzan to the silkworm chamber. When Nan'an fell Junque and the two others were executed.
93
興之弟延之，字祖業，少明辯，有世用。 封郯城子，位青州刺史，多所受納。 後行晉州事。 沙苑之敗，延之棄州北走，以隆之故，免其死。 卒，贈尚書左僕射、司徒公，諡文恭。 子纂嗣。
Xingzhi's younger brother Yanzhi, styled Zuye, was clear in debate and useful in the world. Enfeoffed Viscount of Tan, he was Inspector of Qingzhou and took many bribes. Later he acted in Jinzhou affairs. At Shawei's defeat Yanzhi abandoned the province and fled north; Longzhi's name spared his life. At death he was posthumously Left Vice Minister and Duke of Works, posthumous title Wengong. His son Zuan inherited.
94
鑒長子琳，字彥寶，位中書侍郎。 與侍中、南平王馮誕等議定律令，有識者稱之。 歷位太尉長史、司宗下大夫、南夏青二州刺史、光祿大夫。 琳弟子肅。
Jian's eldest son Lin, styled Yanbao, was Vice Director of the Central Secretariat. With Attendant Feng Yan of Nanping and others he fixed laws and orders; discerning men praised it. He was Chief Steward to the Grand Marshal, Junior Minister under the Minister of the Masses, Inspector of Nanxia and Qing, and Grand Master of Splendid Virtue. Lin's younger brother's son was Su.
95
肅字元邕，博涉經史。 太傅崔光見而賞焉。 位尚書左中兵郎中。 性恭儉，不妄交遊，唯與崔勵、勵從兄鴻尤相親善。 所制文章多亡失，存者十餘卷。
Su, styled Yuanyong, was broadly versed in classics and histories. Grand Tutor Cui Guang saw and prized him. He was Director in the Left Section for Army Affairs. He was respectful and frugal, friendless save Cui Li and Li's cousin Hong. Most writings are lost; a little over ten scrolls remain.
96
懿從兄子愷，字思悌，奕之孫也。 父勸，慕容垂侍中、太常卿。 愷位給事黃門侍郎、散騎常侍。 後入代都，名出懿子玄之右。 俱坐司馬氏事死。 愷妻，盧玄女也。 愷子伯達，棄母及妻李氏南奔河表，改婚房氏。 獻文末，伯達子休傑內入。 祖母盧猶存，垂百歲矣。 而李已死。 休傑位冀州咸陽王府諮議參軍。
Yi's cousin's son Kai, styled Siti, was Yi's grandson. His father Quan was Attendant-in-Ordinary and Grand Minister of Ceremonies under Murong Chui. Kai was Gentlemen Attendant at the Yellow Gate and Regular Attendant. Later he entered the Dai capital; his fame stood above Xuanzhi. Both were executed for the Sima affair. Kai's wife was Lu Xuan's daughter. Kai's son Boda abandoned mother and wife Lady Li, fled south of the river, and remarried into the Fang clan. At the end of Emperor Xianwen Xiujie entered within the passes. Grandmother Lu still lived, nearly a hundred. Lady Li was already dead. Xiujie was Adviser to the Prince of Xianyang of Jizhou.
97
回族叔軌，字廣度。 好學，通覽經傳。 與光祿大夫武邑孫惠蔚同志友善。 惠蔚每推軌曰：「封生之於經義，吾所弗如者多矣。」 頗自修潔，儀容甚偉。 或曰：「學士不事修飾，此賢何獨如此？」 軌聞，笑曰：「君子整其衣冠，尊其瞻視，何必蓬頭垢面而後為賢。」 言者慚退。 以兼員外散騎常侍銜命高麗。 高麗王雲恃其偏遠，稱疾不親受詔。 軌正色詰之，喻以大義，雲乃北面受旨。 使還，轉考功郎中，除本郡中正。 勃海太守崔休入為吏部郎中，以兄考事幹軌。 軌曰：「法者天下之事，不可以舊君故，虧之也。」 休歎其守正。 軌在台中，稱為儒雅。 除國子博士，假通直散騎常侍，慰勞汾州山胡。
Of the clan, uncle Gui, styled Guangdu. He loved learning and mastered classics and traditions. With Grand Master Sun Huiwei of Wuyi he shared purpose and friendship. Huiwei often said, "In classical meaning Feng Sheng surpasses me in more than I can count. He cultivated purity; his bearing was grand. Some said, "Scholars do not dress up—why is this worthy alone so? Gui laughed, "The gentleman orders cap and robes and honors what men see—must one be filthy to be worthy?" The speaker flushed and withdrew. As Concurrent Regular Attendant he bore credentials to Goguryeo. King Yun relied on distance, claimed illness, and would not receive the edict in person. Gui sternly questioned him and taught the great meaning; Yun turned north and received the decree. On return he was Director for Evaluating Merit and Rectifier of his commandery. Cui Xiu of Bohai became personnel director and, for his elder brother, handled Gui's evaluation. Gui said, "Law is the realm's business—it cannot bend for an old patron. Xiu sighed at his rectitude. In central offices Gui was called refined and Confucian. He was National University Erudite, acting Unimpeded Regular Attendant, comforting Fenzhou mountain Hu.
98
司空、清河王懌表修明堂、辟雍，詔百寮集議。 軌議曰：
Prince Yi of Qinghe, Minister of Works, memorialized to repair Bright Hall and Imperial Academy; the hundred offices were ordered to deliberate. Gui argued:
99
《周官匠人》職云：夏後氏世室，殷人重屋，周人明堂，五室，九階，四戶，八窗。 鄭玄曰：「或舉宗廟，或舉王寢，或舉明堂，互文以見同制。」 然則三代明堂，其制一也。 案周與夏、殷，損益不同。 至於明堂，因而弗革，明五室之義，得天數矣。 是以鄭玄又曰：「五室者，象五行也。」 然則九階者法九土，四戶者達四時，八窗者通八風，誠不易之大范，有國之恆式。 若其上圓下方以則天地，通水環宮以節觀者，茅蓋白盛為之質飾，赤綴白綴為之戶牖，皆典籍所載，制度之明義也。 秦焚滅五典，非毀三代，變更先聖，不依舊憲。 故《呂氏月令》見九室之義，大戴之《禮》著十二堂之文。 漢承秦法，亦未能改，東西二京，俱為九室。 是以《黃圖》、《白武通》、蔡邕、應劭等咸稱九室以象九州，十二堂以象十二辰。 夫室以祭天，堂以布政。 依行而祭，故室不過五； 依時布政，故堂不逾四。 州之與辰，非所可法。 九與十二，厥用安在？ 今聖朝欲尊道訓人，備禮化物，宜則五室，以為永制。 至如廟學之嫌，台沼之雜，袁准之徒已論正矣。
The Zhou Offices Artificer says: Xia's World Room, Yin's Double Roof, Zhou's Bright Hall—five chambers, nine steps, four doors, eight windows. Zheng Xuan says, "Sometimes temple, sometimes royal chambers, sometimes Bright Hall—interlocking words for one system. Thus the Three Dynasties' Bright Halls shared one system. Zhou against Xia and Yin differs in additions and subtractions. Yet the Bright Hall they followed unchanged—five chambers obtain Heaven's number. Zheng Xuan also says, "Five chambers image the Five Phases. Nine steps image the Nine Regions; four doors the four seasons; eight windows the eight winds—an unchanging great model and a state's constant pattern. Round above, square below to model Heaven and Earth; water channel encircling the palace; thatched cover and white hangings; red and white tassels for doors and windows—all are what classics record and institution's clear meaning. Qin burned the Five Canons, overthrew the Three Dynasties, changed the former sages, and abandoned old statutes. Therefore Master Lü's Monthly Ordinances show nine chambers; Dai the Great's Rites set forth twelve halls. Han inherited Qin law and could not change; both eastern and western capitals had nine chambers. Thus Yellow Chart, Comprehensive Meaning, Cai Yong, Ying Shao, and others said nine chambers image the Nine Provinces and twelve halls the twelve chronograms. Chambers sacrifice to Heaven; halls spread government. Sacrifice follows conduct; chambers do not exceed five; government follows seasons; halls do not exceed four. Provinces and chronograms are not models to follow. What use are nine and twelve? Now the sacred court wishes to honor the Way, instruct men, complete rites, and transform—all should take five chambers as everlasting institution. As for temple-school tangles and terrace-pool miscellany—Yuan Zhun and others have already argued the right.
100
後卒于廷尉少卿。 贈濟州刺史。
Later he died Vice Minister of the Court of Justice. Posthumously he was Inspector of Jizhou.
101
初，軌深為郭祚所知，祚堂謂子景尚曰：「封軌、高綽二人，並幹國之才，必應遠至。 吾平生不妄進舉，而每薦此二人，非直為國進賢，亦為汝等之津梁。」 其見重如此。 軌既以方直自業，高綽亦以風概立名。 高肇拜司徒，綽送迎往來，軌竟不詣。 綽顧不見軌，乃遽歸曰：「吾一生自謂無愆規矩，今日舉措不如封生遠矣。」 軌以務德慎言，修身之本，奸回讒佞，世之巨害。 乃為《務德》、《慎言》、《遠佞》、《防奸》四戒。 文多不載。
At first Gui was deeply known by Guo Zuo; Zuo told his son Jingshang, "Feng Gui and Gao Chuo are talents to steady the state and will reach far. All my life I have not advanced men rashly, yet each time I recommend these two—not only for the state but as a bridge for you. Such was the weight in which he was held. Gui took square uprightness as his business; Gao Chuo likewise stood on spirit and bearing. When Gao Zhao became Minister of Works, Chuo went back and forth on courtesy calls; Gui never visited. Chuo, not seeing Gui, hurried home and said, "All my life I thought myself without breach—today I fall far short of Lord Feng. Gui held that cultivating virtue and cautious speech root self-cultivation, while flattery and slander are the age's great harm, and made the Four Admonitions: Cultivate Virtue, Cautious Speech, Keep Distance from Flatterers, Guard against Villainy. The text is mostly not recorded.
102
長子偉伯，字君良，博學有才思。 弱冠，除太學博士。 每朝廷大議，偉伯參焉。 雅為太保崔光、僕射遊肇所知賞。 太尉、清河王懌辟參軍事。 懌親為《孝經解詁》，命偉伯為難例九條，皆發起隱漏。 偉伯又討論《禮》、《傳》、《詩》、《易》疑事數十條，儒者咸稱之。 時朝廷將經始明堂，廣集儒學，議其制度，九五之論，久而不定。 偉伯乃搜檢經、緯，上《明堂圖說》六卷。 又撰《封氏本錄》六卷。
Eldest son Weibo, styled Junliang, was broadly learned with literary talent. At twenty he was Grand Academy Erudite. Whenever the court held great deliberation Weibo took part. Grand Tutor Cui Guang and Vice Minister You Zhao knew and prized him. Prince Yi of Qinghe, Grand Marshal, recruited him. Yi personally made an Exegesis of the Filial Classic and set Weibo nine hard cases, all raising hidden flaws. Weibo also debated doubtful points in Rites, traditions, Odes, and Changes in dozens of items; Confucians praised him. The court was about to begin the Bright Hall and gathered Confucians; the nine-and-five debate long went unsettled. Weibo searched classics and weft texts and submitted Explanation of the Bright Hall in Diagrams in six scrolls. He also compiled the Feng Clan Original Record in six scrolls.
103
正光末，尚書僕射蕭寶夤為關西行台，引為行台郎。 及寶夤為逆，偉伯與南平王固潛結關中豪右韋子粲等，謀舉義兵。 事發，見殺。 永安中，贈瀛州刺史，聽一子出身，無子，轉授弟翼。 翼弟述。
At the end of Zhengguang Vice Minister Xiao Baoyin was Western Expedition Commissioner and recruited him. When Baoyin rebelled Weibo secretly joined Prince Gu of Nanping and Guanzhong magnates Wei Zican and others to plot righteous troops. The affair was exposed and he was killed. In Yong'an he was posthumously Inspector of Yingzhou; one son might enter service—with no son, the grant went to younger brother Yi. Yi's younger brother was Shu.
104
述字君義，有幹用。 天平中，為三公郎中。 時增損舊事，為《麟趾新格》，其名法科條皆述所刪定。 齊受禪，累遷大理卿。 河清三年，敕與錄尚書趙彥深、僕射魏收、尚書陽休之、國子祭酒馬敬德等議定律令。 歷位度支、五兵、殿中三尚書。
Shu, styled Junyi, had practical ability. In Tianping he was Director for the Three Offices. Additions and subtractions to old affairs became the Unicorn Toe New Regulations; law titles and articles were all cut and fixed by Shu. When Qi received the mandate he rose to Director of the Court of Justice. In Heqing 3 an edict ordered him with Zhao Yanshen, Wei Shou, Yang Xiuzhi, Ma Jingde, and others to fix laws and orders. He was Minister of Revenue, Minister of the Five Armies, and Palace Minister.
105
述久為法官，明解律令，議斷平允，深為時人所稱。 而厚積財產，一無分饋。 雖至親密友，貧病困篤，亦絕於拯濟。 朝野物論甚鄙之。 外貌方整，而不免請謁，回避進趣，頗致嗤駭。 前妻河內司馬氏。 一息為娶隴西李士元女，大輸財聘。 及將成禮，猶競懸違。 述忽取所供養像，對士元打像為誓。 士元笑曰：「封公何處常得應急像，須誓便用？」 一息娶范陽盧莊之女，述又經府訴云：「送騍乃嫌腳跛，評田則雲咸薄，銅器又嫌古廢。」 皆為吝嗇所及，每致紛紜。 子元茜，位太子舍人。
Shu long served as law officer, clearly knew statutes, deliberated evenly, and was deeply praised. Yet he amassed wealth thickly and never gave away a portion. Even to close kin and intimate friends poor, ill, and dying he cut off relief. Public and private opinion greatly despised him. Outwardly square and orderly, yet he could not avoid solicitation; dodging advance drew sneers. His former wife was of the Sima clan of Henei. For his son he married Li Shiyuan's daughter of Longxi with a great bride-price. When rites were about to be completed they still competed in delay. Shu suddenly took the worship image, faced Shiyuan, and struck the image to swear. Shiyuan laughed, "Where does Lord Feng always get emergency images to swear at once? For another son he took Lu Zhuang's daughter of Fanyang; Shu appealed, "The presented horse was faulted lame; fields too thin; bronze vessels old and cast off." All were touched by stinginess; each led to quarrels. Son Yuanqian was Groom of the Heir Apparent's Household.
106
述弟詢，字景文，窺涉經史，以清素自持。 位尚書左丞、濟南太守。 曆官皆有幹局才具，臨郡甚著聲績。 隋開皇中卒。
Younger brother Xun, styled Jingwen, ranged classics and histories and held himself by pure plainness. He was Left Assistant Minister and Administrator of Jinan. Every office showed practical talent; governing commanderies his achievement was marked. He died in Sui's Kaihuang era.
107
論曰：崔逞文學器識，當年之俊，忽微慮遠，俱以為災。 休立身有本，當官著稱。 長儒才望之美，禍因驕物，雖有周公之才，猶且為累。 況未足諭其高下，能無及乎？ 贍詞韻溫雅，風神秀髮，固人望也。 王憲名公之孫，老見優異。 元景昆季履道，標映人倫，美哉！ 封回克光家世，隆之勤勞霸業，子繪實隆堂構，可謂載德者矣。 君義聚斂嗇吝，無乃鄙哉！
Commentary: Cui Cheng's learning and discernment crowned his age; suddenly made small, though they looked far ahead—both met calamity. Xiu rooted himself in principle; in office he won repute. Changru's talent and repute invited disaster through pride; though he had the Duke of Zhou's gifts, they still weighed him down. How much less for those who cannot be weighed against such men—who can reach them? Zhan's diction was warm and elegant, his spirit bright in emergence—he was truly what men hoped for. Wang Xian, grandson of a famous minister, in old age was treated with exceptional favor. The Yuan Jing brothers walked the Way and shone among men—beautiful! Feng Hui brightened his clan across generations; Longzhi toiled in the hegemonic work; Zihui truly raised the hall's frame—men who carried virtue. Junyi heaped wealth and clung to it—was that not contemptible?