1
高允高祐盧曹
Gao Yun, Gao You, and Lu Cao
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列傳第十九
Biographies 19
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高允從祖弟祐祐曾孫德正祐從子乾昂季式
Gao Yun; his second cousin once removed Gao You; You's great-grandson Dezheng; and You's grandnephews Qian, Ang, and Jishi
4
高允,字伯恭,勃海蓚人,漢太傅裒之後也。 曾祖慶,慕容垂司空。 祖父泰,吏部尚書。 父韜,少以英朗知名,同郡封懿雅相推敬。 亦仕慕容垂,為太尉從事中郎。 道武平中山,以為丞相參軍,早卒。
Gao Yun, courtesy name Bogong, came from Liaoxian in Bohai and traced his line to Gao Yuan, Grand Tutor of Han. His great-grandfather Qing had been Minister of Works under Murong Chui. His grandfather Tai had held the post of Minister of Personnel. His father Tao won early renown for brilliance and candor, and Feng Yi of the same commandery held him in high esteem. Tao likewise served Murong Chui as Attendant-in-Ordinary to the Grand Marshal. When Emperor Daowu conquered Zhongshan, Tao was appointed a staff officer to the Chancellor but died while still young.
5
允少孤夙成,有奇度,清河崔宏見而異之,歎曰:「高子黃中內潤,文明外照,必為一代偉器,但吾恐不見耳。」 年十餘歲,祖父泰喪,還本郡。 允推財與二弟而為沙門,名法淨,未久而罷。 性好文學,擔笈負書,千里就業。 博通經史、天文、術數,尤好《春秋公羊》。 曾作《塞上公詩》,有混欣戚、遺得喪之致。
Yun lost his parents young yet showed precocious judgment and unusual breadth of mind. Cui Hong of Qinghe met him and marveled, saying, "Master Gao has gold within and light without—he is bound to become a pillar of his generation, though I doubt I shall live to see it. While still in his teens he went home to his commandery for his grandfather Tai's funeral. Yun gave the estate to his two younger brothers, took monastic vows as Fajing, and soon afterward returned to lay life. By nature he loved letters and traveled a thousand li with books on his back to study. He gained a thorough command of the classics and histories, astronomy, and numerology, above all the Gongyang Commentary to the Spring and Autumn Annals. He once composed "The Lord on the Frontier," a poem that mingled joy and grief and left behind both gain and loss.
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神蒨三年,太武舅陽平王杜超行征南大將軍,鎮鄴,以允為從事中郎,年四十餘矣。 超以方春而諸州囚不決,表允與中郎呂熙等分詣諸州,共評獄事。 熙等皆以貪穢得罪,唯允以清平獲賞。 府解,還家教授,受業者千餘人。
In the third year of Shenqi, Emperor Taiwu's uncle by marriage, the Prince of Yangping Du Chao, marched south as generalissimo and encamped at Ye, taking Yun as Attendant-in-Ordinary; Yun was already past forty. It was spring, yet prisoners in the provinces still awaited judgment, so Chao sent Yun with Palace Gentleman Lü Xi and others to tour the provinces and adjudicate cases together. Xi and the rest were all convicted of graft, while Yun alone was commended for clean and even-handed conduct. After his term he went home to instruct disciples, and more than a thousand students followed him.
7
四年,與盧玄等俱被征,拜中書博士,遷侍郎。 與太原張偉並以本官領衛大將軍樂安王範徒事中郎。 范,太武寵弟,西鎮長安,允甚有匡益,秦人稱之。 尋被征還。 樂平王丕西討上邽,復以本官參丕軍事。 以謀平涼州之勳,賜爵汶陽子。 後奉詔領著作郎,與司徒崔浩述成國記。
In the fourth year he was called up with Lu Xuan and others, made Academic Language of the Secretariat, and later promoted to Gentleman. He and Zhang Wei of Taiyuan both served in their original posts as attendants to the Prince of Le'an, who held the rank of Collected Corps Lieutenant General. Fan was a cherished younger brother of Emperor Taiwu and commanded the west from Chang'an; Yun gave him much sound counsel, and the people of Qin praised Yun. Before long he was recalled to court. When the Prince of Le'ping Pi marched west against Shanggui, Yun again joined his headquarters in the same capacity. For his part in the pacification of Liang Province he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wenyang. Later an edict made him head Compiler, and with Minister of Works Cui Hao he finished the National Chronicle.
8
時浩集諸術士,考校漢元以來,日月薄蝕,五星行度,並譏前史之失,別為魏曆以示允。 允曰:「善言遠者,必先驗於近。 且漢元年冬十月,五星聚于東井,此乃曆術之淺事。 今譏漢史而不覺此謬,恐後之譏今,猶今之譏古。」 浩曰:「所謬云何?」 允曰:「案《星傳》,金、水二星,常附日而行,冬十月,日旦在尾、箕,昏沒于申南,而東井方出於寅北,二星何因背日而行? 是史官欲神其事,不復推之於理。」 浩曰:「欲為變者,何所不可? 君獨不疑三星之聚,而怪二星之來。」 允曰:「此不可以空言爭,宜更審之。」 時坐者咸怪,唯東宮少傅遊雅曰:「高君長於曆,當不虛言也。」 後歲餘,浩謂允曰:「先所論者,本不經心,及更考究,果如君語。 以前三月聚于東井,非十月也。」 又謂雅曰:「高允之術,陽源之射也。」 眾乃嘆服。 允雖明于歷數,初不推步有所論說。 惟遊雅數以災異問允。 允曰:「昔人有言,知之甚難。 既知,復恐漏泄,不如不知也。 天下妙理至多,何遽問此。」 雅乃止。 尋以本官為秦王翰傅。 後敕以經授景穆,甚見禮待。 又詔允與侍郎公孫質、李靈、胡方回共定律令。
Hao then assembled experts to check eclipses and the motions of the five planets from the Yuan reign of Han onward, criticized the old histories, and prepared a Wei calendar to present to Yun. Yun said, "Anyone who speaks confidently of remote times must first verify his claims against what is near at hand. Besides, the gathering of the five planets in the Well in the tenth month of the first year of Han is a matter every calendarist knows. You fault the Han historians yet miss this mistake—later ages may fault us just as we fault them today. Hao asked, "What mistake do you mean?" Yun said, "The Canon of Stars tells us that Venus and Mercury normally keep with the sun. In the tenth month, at dawn the sun stands in the Tail and Basket; at dusk it sets south of Shen, while the Well is only rising north of Yin—how could two planets run counter to the sun? The clerks wanted to magnify the omen and stopped reasoning from the pattern of the heavens." Hao said, "If heaven means to show a portent, what is impossible? You do not question three stars gathering, yet you balk at two appearing. Yun replied, "That will not do in bare disputation—we must look into it again." Everyone present was startled; only You Ya, Junior Tutor of the Eastern Palace, said, "Master Gao excels at calendrical science—he will not speak idly." More than a year later Hao told Yun, "Our earlier dispute I had not really weighed; when I looked into it again, it was exactly as you said. The planets met in the Well in the third month, not the tenth. He also said to Ya, "Gao Yun's skill is like Yang Yuan's bowmanship." He also told You Ya, "Gao Yun's mastery is like Yang Yuan's skill with the bow." At that the whole assembly sighed in admiration. Though Gao Yun was masterful in calendrical science, he at first never performed calculations or offered opinions on such matters. Only You Ya kept pressing Yun with questions about omens and calamities. Yun said, "Men of old remarked that knowing is hard indeed. Once you know, you fear letting it slip—better not to know at all. Heaven's subtle truths are endless—why fix on this? You Ya said no more. Before long he was made tutor to Prince Han of Qin while retaining his present post. Later the throne ordered him to teach the classics to Crown Prince Jingmu, who treated him with the highest respect. An edict also charged Yun, together with Gentlemen of the Palace Gongsun Zhi, Li Ling, and Hu Fanghui, to draft laws and regulations.
9
太武引允與論刑政,言甚稱旨。 因問允「萬機何者為先」。 時多禁封良田,又京師遊食眾。 允因曰:「臣少也賤,所知唯田,請言農事。 古人云:方一里則為田三頃七十畝,方百里則田三萬七千頃。 若勸之,則畝益三升; 不勸,則畝損三升。 方百里損益之率,為粟二百二十二萬斛,況以天下之廣乎? 若公私有儲,雖遇饑年,復何憂乎?」 帝善之,遂除田禁,悉以授百姓。
Emperor Taiwu summoned Yun to discuss punishments and governance, and Yun's counsel pleased him deeply. He then asked Yun, "Of all the business of empire, what should come first?" At the time fertile lands were widely sealed from cultivation, and the capital swarmed with idle dependents. Yun answered, "I was born to humble station and know only the fields. May I speak of agriculture? The ancients said that a square li holds three hundred seventy mu of cropland, and a square hundred li holds thirty-seven thousand qing. If the state encourages farming, each mu yields three sheng more; if it does not, each mu loses three sheng. Across a square hundred li, the swing amounts to two million two hundred twenty thousand hu of grain—what then for the whole realm? If both the state and the people keep grain in store, even in famine there is nothing to fear. The emperor approved. He abolished the ban on cultivation and opened all such lands to the people.
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初,崔浩薦冀、定、相、幽、并五州士數十人,各起家為郡守。 景穆謂誥曰:「先召之人,亦州郡選也,在職已久,勤勞未答。 今可先補前召,外任郡縣; 以新召者代為郎吏。 又守令宰人,宜使更事者。」 浩固爭而遣之。 允聞之,謂東宮博士管恬曰:「崔其不免乎! 苟逞其非而校勝於上,何以能濟? 遼東公翟黑子有寵于太武,奉使并州,受布千疋。 事發,黑子問允:「主上問我,首乎? 諱乎?」 允曰:「公幃幄寵臣,答詔宜實。」 中書侍郎崔鑒、公孫質等咸言宜諱之。 黑子以鑒等為親己,怒而絕允,而不以實對,終獲罪戮。
Earlier Cui Hao had recommended several dozen men of learning from Ji, Ding, Xiang, You, and Bing; each had taken his first office as a prefectural chief. Crown Prince Jingmu told Hao, "The men you called up earlier were provincial appointees too. They have served a long while without reward for their diligence. Fill the earlier cohort first with county and commandery posts abroad; and let the new men take their places as secretarial clerks. Magistrates and local chiefs, too, ought to be men with prior experience. Hao stubbornly objected and sent the new appointees out all the same. When Yun heard this, he told the Eastern Palace academician Guan Tian, "Surely Cui cannot escape ruin. When a man insists on his own way and tries to best his betters, how can he endure? Duke of Liaodong Zhai Heizi enjoyed Emperor Taiwu's favor. On a mission to Bing Province he had accepted a thousand bolts of cloth. When the affair came to light, Heizi asked Yun, "When the emperor questions me, should I confess at once? Or should I hide it? Yun said, "You are a trusted confidant at the inner court. When you reply to the throne, speak the truth." The Secretariat Gentleman Cui Jian, Gongsun Zhi, and the rest all urged him to lie. Heizi took Jian and the others for friends, turned on Yun in anger, and lied to the emperor. In the end he was punished and put to death.
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時著作令史閔湛、郤舣性巧佞,為崔浩信待。 見浩所注《詩》、《書》、《論語》及《易》,遂上疏言馬、鄭、王、賈不如浩之精微,請收藏境內諸書,班浩所注。 並求敕浩注《禮》、《傳》。 浩亦表薦湛有著述才。 湛等又勸浩刊所撰國史于石,以彰直筆。 允聞之,謂著作郎宗欽曰:「閔湛所營分寸之間,恐為崔門萬世之禍,吾徒無類矣。」 未幾而難作。
At that time the recording clerks Min Zhan and Xi Yi were clever flatterers in whom Cui Hao placed great trust. Having seen Hao's commentaries on the Poetry, Documents, Analects, and Changes, they memorialized that the work of Ma, Zheng, Wang, and Jia could not match Hao's refinement, and asked that every book in the realm be gathered and Hao's versions made the standard. They also asked that Hao be commanded to annotate the Ritual Canon and the Zuozhuan. Hao in turn recommended Zhan as a man of literary talent. Zhan and the others also pressed Hao to have the dynastic history he had compiled cut into stone, to display the historian's honest pen. When Yun heard of this, he told the Authoring Gentleman Zong Qin, "In the petty schemes Min Zhan is hatching I see disaster for the House of Cui for generations—none of us may escape. Before long the trouble erupted.
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初,浩之被收,允直中書省。 景穆使召允,留宿宮內。 翌日,命驂乘至宮門,謂曰:「入當見至尊,吾自導卿,脫至尊有問,但依吾說。」 既入見,景穆言允小心慎密,且微賤,制由於浩,請赦之。 帝召允謂曰:「國書皆浩作不?」 允曰:「《太祖記》,前著作郎鄧彥海所撰; 《先帝記》及《今記》,臣與浩同作,然而臣多於浩。」 帝大怒曰:「此甚于浩,安有生路?」 景穆曰:「天威嚴重,允迷亂失次耳。 臣向問,皆云浩作。」 帝問:「如東宮言不?」 允曰:「臣罪應滅族,不敢虛妄。 殿下以臣侍講日久,哀臣乞命耳。 實不問臣,不敢迷亂。」 帝謂景穆曰:「直哉! 此亦人情所難,而能臨死不移。 且對君以實,貞臣也,寧失一有罪,宜宥之。」 允竟得免。 於是召浩前,使人詰,惶惑不能對。 允事事申明,皆有條理。 時帝怒甚,敕允為詔,自浩以下,僮吏以上,一百二十八人皆夷五族。 允持疑不為,頻詔催切,允乞更一見,然後為詔。 詔引前,允曰:「浩之所坐,若更有餘釁,非臣敢知。 直以犯觸,罪不至死。」 帝怒,命介士執允。 景穆拜請,帝曰:「無此人忿朕,當有數千口死矣!」 浩竟族滅,餘皆身死。 宗欽臨刑歎曰:「高允其殆聖乎!」
When Hao was first arrested, Yun was on duty in the Secretariat. Crown Prince Jingmu sent for Yun and had him stay overnight in the palace. The next day he had Yun ride beside him to the palace gate and said, "When you enter and face the sovereign I will guide you. If he questions you, say only what I tell you. After they entered, Jingmu told the emperor that Yun was cautious and lowly in station, that Hao had dictated his part in the work, and asked that he be spared. The emperor called Yun forward and asked, "Was the entire national history Hao's doing? Yun said, "The Annals of the Founding Emperor was the work of the former Authoring Gentleman Deng Yanhai; the Annals of the Late Emperor and the Present Annals were written by Hao and myself together—and I wrote more than Hao. The emperor flew into a rage. "This is worse than Hao! What hope of life is there for you? Jingmu said, "Your Majesty's awe is overwhelming. Yun spoke out of confusion. When I questioned him before, he said Hao had written it all. The emperor asked, "Is it as the Crown Prince says? Yun said, "I deserve death for my whole clan and dare not lie. The Crown Prince, who has had me as his teacher for many years, pitied me and pleaded for my life—that is all. If he had not truly questioned me, I would not have spoken at random. The emperor said to Jingmu, "What integrity! Even facing death, he would not bend—such steadfastness is rare among men. A subject who speaks truth to his sovereign is a loyal minister. Better to spare one guilty man than punish such honesty—he should be pardoned. In the end Yun was spared. Hao was then brought forward and questioned, but in panic and confusion he could not answer. Yun answered every question with clarity and in perfect order. The emperor's fury was at its height. He ordered Yun to draft an edict sentencing all one hundred twenty-eight persons—from Hao on down to his household servants and clerks—to execution of their entire clans to the fifth degree. Yun hesitated and refused. The emperor sent repeated urgent summons; Yun asked to see him once more before he would draft the edict. Summoned before the emperor, Yun said, "If Hao is guilty of further offenses beyond what is known, I cannot say. He merely gave offense; the offense does not merit death." The emperor flew into a rage and ordered armored guards to seize Yun. Jingmu prostrated himself and begged for mercy. The emperor said, "Had this man not defied me, several thousand souls would already be dead!" Hao's clan was exterminated to the last, while the others were put to death individually. At the moment of his execution, Zong Qin sighed, "Gao Yun is nearly a sage!"
13
景穆後讓允,以不同己所導之言而令帝怒。 允曰:「夫史籍,帝王之實錄,將來之炯誡,今之所以觀往,後之所以知今。 是以言行舉動,莫不備載,故人君慎焉。 然浩世受殊遇,榮曜當時,私欲沒其公廉,愛憎蔽其直理,此浩之責也。 至於書朝廷起動之跡,言國家得失之事,此為史之本體,未為多違。 然臣與浩實同其事,死生義無獨殊。 誠荷殿下再造之慈,違心苟免,非臣之意。」 景穆動容稱歎。 允後與人言曰:「我不奉東宮導旨者,恐負翟黑子也。」
Later Jingmu took Yun to task for refusing to follow his coached testimony and provoking the emperor's wrath. Yun replied, "History is the true record of emperors, a bright warning to future ages. By it we study the past today, and by it posterity will understand our own time. Every word and deed is recorded in full; that is why a ruler must watch his conduct. Yet Hao had enjoyed exceptional favor generation after generation and basked in glory. Private desire drowned his integrity, and personal likes and dislikes clouded his judgment—that is Hao's fault. But to record the court's doings and speak frankly of the state's successes and failures—that is the very essence of history, and it is no great transgression. Yet Hao and I shared the same work. There is no reason I alone should be spared while he faces death. I am deeply grateful to Your Highness for saving my life, but to lie to save myself goes against everything I stand for." Jingmu was visibly moved and praised him. Later Yun told others, "I refused the Crown Prince's coached testimony because I could not betray Zhai Heizi."
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景穆季年,頗親近左右,營立田園,以收其利。 允諫曰:「殿下,國之儲貳,四海屬心,言行舉動,萬方所則。 而營立私田,畜養雞犬,乃至販酤市厘,與人爭利,議聲流布,不可追掩。 夫天下者,殿下之天下,富有四海,何求而不獲何欲而弗從? 而與販夫販婦競此尺寸? 願殿下少察過言,斥出佞邪,所在田園,分給貧下。 如此,則休聲日至,謗議可除。」 景穆不納。 景穆之崩也,允久不進見,後見,升階歔欷,悲不能止。 帝流淚,命允使出。 左右莫知其故,相謂曰:「允無何悲泣,令至尊哀傷,何也?」 帝聞之,召而謂曰:「汝不知高允悲乎? 崔浩誅時,允亦應死。 東宮苦請,是以得免。 今無東宮,允見朕悲耳。」 先是,敕允集天文災異,使事類相從,約而可觀。 允依《洪範傳》、《天文志》,撮其事要,略其文辭,凡為八篇。 帝覽而善之,曰:「高允之明災異,亦豈減崔浩乎?」 及文成即位,允頗有謀焉,司徒陸麗等皆受重賞,允既不蒙褒異,又終身不言。 其忠而不伐,皆此類也。
In his later years Jingmu kept close company with his personal attendants, establishing private estates and gardens for profit. Yun admonished him: "Your Highness is the heir to the throne; the whole realm watches you. Your every word and deed sets the example for ten thousand realms. Yet you have established private fields, keep chickens and dogs, and even sell wine and haggle over market fees, competing with common folk for profit. The talk has spread far and wide and cannot be undone. The empire is yours, Your Highness—you possess all within the four seas. What could you want that you cannot have? Why compete over pennies with street peddlers? I beg Your Highness to consider my blunt words, dismiss the flatterers and the corrupt, and divide your estates among the poor. Do so, and your good name will grow daily while the scandal fades away." Jingmu paid no heed. After Jingmu's death, Yun stayed away from court for a long time. When he finally came before the emperor and climbed the steps, he wept uncontrollably. The emperor wept and ordered Yun to leave. The attendants, not knowing why, whispered among themselves: "Why is Yun weeping for no apparent reason and grieving the emperor?" The emperor overheard and summoned them. "Do you not understand Gao Yun's grief?" he said. When Cui Hao was put to death, Yun should have died with him. The Crown Prince pleaded desperately on his behalf, and so he was spared. Now the Crown Prince is gone—when Yun sees me, he remembers that grief." Earlier, the emperor had ordered Yun to compile records of celestial portents and omens, grouping them by category in a concise and readable form. Drawing on the Commentary on the Hong Fan and the Astronomical Treatise, Yun distilled the essentials and trimmed the prose, producing eight chapters in all. The emperor read the work and praised it. "Gao Yun's mastery of portents—is it any less than Cui Hao's?" he said. When Emperor Wencheng took the throne, Yun had played a significant role in the succession. Lu Li, Minister over the Masses, and others received rich rewards, but Yun received no honors and never spoke of his own contribution. Such was his loyalty without self-promotion.
15
給事中郭善明,性多機巧,欲逞其能,勸文成大起宮室。 允諫曰:「臣聞太祖道武皇帝既定天下,始建都邑。 其所營立,必因農隙。 今建國已久,宮室已備,永安前殿,足以朝會萬國; 西堂溫室,足以安禦聖躬; 紫樓臨望,可以周視遠近。 若廣修壯麗為異觀者,宜漸致之,不可倉卒。 計斫材軍士及諸雜役須二萬,丁夫充作,老小供餉,合四萬人,半年可訖。 古人有言:'一夫不耕,或受其饑,一婦不織,或受其寒。 '況數萬之眾,其所損費,亦已多矣!」 帝納之。
Guo Shanming, Attendant-in-Ordinary, was clever and ambitious. Wishing to show off his abilities, he urged Emperor Wencheng to launch massive palace construction. Yun remonstrated: "I have heard that when Emperor Daowu, the Founding Ancestor, had pacified the realm, he began building the capital. Whatever he built was done only in the slack seasons of farming. The state has stood for many years now, and the palaces are already sufficient. The Yong'an Front Hall is ample for audiences with envoys from every land; the Western Hall and its heated chambers are sufficient to shelter the sacred person; and the Purple Tower, rising above the capital, affords a view in every direction. If Your Majesty wishes to raise grand and splendid edifices as marvels, it should be done gradually—not in haste. I estimate that felling timber, soldiers, and assorted laborers would require twenty thousand men; with corvée workers and those supplying provisions for the young and old, the total would reach forty thousand—and even then the work would take half a year. The ancients said, 'If one man does not plow, someone may go hungry; if one woman does not weave, someone may go cold. How much greater still would be the loss when tens of thousands are taken from the fields!" The emperor accepted his advice.
16
允以文成纂承平之業,而風俗仍舊,婚娶喪葬,不依古式,乃諫曰:
Seeing that Emperor Wencheng had inherited a realm at peace yet customs remained unchanged—weddings and funerals observing none of the ancient rites—Yun submitted a remonstrance:
17
前朝之世,屢發明詔,禁諸婚娶,不得作樂。 及葬送之日,歌謠鼓舞,殺牲燒葬,一切禁絕。 雖條旨久班,而不革變,將由居上者未能悛改,為下者習以成俗,教化陵遲,一至於此。 《詩》云'爾之教矣,人胥效矣。 '人君舉動,不可不慎。 《禮》云:嫁女之家,三日不息火; 娶妻之家,三日不舉樂。 今諸王納室,皆樂部給伎以為嬉戲,而獨禁細人不得作樂,此一異也。
In the previous reign, edicts were repeatedly issued forbidding music at weddings. At funerals, singing, dancing, drum-beating, slaughter of livestock, and cremation were all strictly banned. Yet though these laws were long on the books, nothing had changed—because those above would not amend their ways and those below had made custom of disobedience. Moral instruction had fallen so low as to come to this. The Book of Songs says, 'You have taught—and the people have followed your example. ' A sovereign's conduct must never be careless. The Rites prescribe: in the household giving a daughter in marriage, the hearth-fire must burn for three days; in the household receiving a bride, no music is played for three days. Yet today when princes take wives, the Music Bureau supplies performers for their entertainment, while commoners alone are forbidden music. This is the first inconsistency.
18
古之婚者,皆采德義之門,妙簡貞閑之女,先之以媒娉,繼之以禮物,集僚友以重其別,親禦輪以崇其敬。 今諸王十五便賜妻別居。 然所配者,或長少差舛,或罪入掖庭,而以作合宗王,妃嬪籓懿,失禮之甚,無復此過。 今皇子娶妻,多出宮掖,令天下小人,必依禮限,此二異也。
In ancient times marriages were arranged with families of virtue, selecting daughters of chastity and modesty; first the matchmaker's visit, then ritual gifts; kinsmen were gathered to honor the parting, and the groom himself held the carriage wheel in respect. Today princes are given wives at fifteen and set up in separate households. Yet those paired with them are sometimes grossly mismatched in age, sometimes women condemned to the inner palace—and to wed them to royal princes as imperial consorts is a grievous breach of ritual without parallel. Today imperial princes take wives chiefly from the inner palace, while ordinary folk are commanded to follow ritual propriety. This is the second inconsistency.
19
凡萬物之生,靡不有死,然葬者藏也,死者不可再見,故深藏之。 昔堯葬谷林,農不易畝; 舜葬蒼梧,市不改肆。 秦始皇作為地市,下錮三泉,死不旋踵,屍焚墓掘。 由此推之,堯舜之儉,始皇之奢,是非可見。 今國家營葬,費損巨億,一旦焚之,以為灰燼。 上為之而不輟,而禁下人之必止,此三異也。
All living things must die; burial means concealment—the dead cannot be seen again, and so they should be laid deep in the earth. When Yao was buried in the Forest Valley, no farmer had to shift his furrows; when Shun was buried in Cangwu, no shopkeeper had to move his stall. Qin Shihuang built an underground palace and sealed it beneath three rivers—and before he was cold in his grave, his body was burned and his tomb looted. From this the contrast is plain: Yao and Shun's frugality against the First Emperor's extravagance. Today state burials cost hundreds of millions—and then the corpses are cremated to ash in an instant. The court practices cremation without restraint, yet forbids the common people from doing the same. This is the third inconsistency.
20
古者,祭必立屍,序其昭穆; 使亡者有馮,致食饗之禮。 今已葬之魂,人直求貌類者,事之如父母,宴好如夫妻,損敗風化,黷亂情禮,莫此之甚。 上未禁之,下不改絕,此四異也。
In antiquity sacrifices required a corpse-figure representing the dead, arranged in proper ancestral order; so the departed might have one to rely on and the rites of offering food could be performed. Today, for the already buried, people seek look-alikes and treat them as parents, even sharing marital intimacy with them—debasing morality and corrupting ritual propriety. Nothing exceeds this in depravity. The court has not forbidden it, and the people have not abandoned the practice. This is the fourth inconsistency.
21
夫大饗者,所以定禮儀,訓萬國,故聖王重之。 至乃爵盈而不飲,肴乾而不食,樂非雅聲則不奏,物非正色則不列。 今之大會,內外相混,酒醉喧嘵,罔有儀式,又俳優鄙褻,污辱視聽。 朝廷積習以為美,而責風俗之清純,此五異也。
Grand royal feasts establish ritual and instruct the realm; sage kings therefore held them in the highest regard. At such feasts, goblets might stand full yet remain untouched, dishes dried yet untouched; no music was played unless it was proper ceremonial music, and no offerings displayed unless they were ritually correct. Today's great assemblies mix courtiers and commoners alike—men drunk and shouting without a trace of ceremony, while vulgar comedians pollute what eyes and ears must endure. The court treats such coarseness as refinement, yet demands moral purity from the people. This is the fifth inconsistency.
22
今陛下當百王之末,踵晉亂之弊,而不矯然厘改,以厲頹俗,臣恐天下蒼生,永不聞見禮教矣。
Your Majesty stands at the end of a long line of kings, inheriting the disorder left by Jin, yet does not sternly reform customs to revive a failing morality. I fear the people of this realm may never again know the teaching of ritual.
23
允如此非一,帝從容聽之。 或有觸迕,帝所不忍聞者,命左右扶出。 事有不便,允輒求見,帝知允意,逆屏左右以待之。 禮敬甚重,晨入暮出,或積日居中,朝臣莫知所論。 或有上事陳得失者,帝省而謂群臣曰:「君父一也,父有是非,子何為不作書于人中諫之,使人知惡,而於家內隱處也? 豈不以父親,恐惡彰於外也。 今國家善惡,不能面陳,而上表顯諫,以此,豈不彰君之短,明己之美。 至如高允者,真忠臣矣。 朕有是非,恆正言而論,至朕所不忍聞者,皆侃侃論說,無所避就。 朕聞其過,而天下不知其諫,豈不忠乎。 汝等在左右,不曾聞一正言,但伺朕喜以求官。 汝等以弓刀侍朕,待立勞耳,皆至公、王,此人執筆匡我,不過著作郎。 汝等不亦愧乎!」 於是拜允中書令,著作如故。 司徒陸麗曰:「高允雖蒙寵待,而家貧布衣,妻子不立。」 帝怒曰:「何不先言? 今見朕用之,方言其貧!」 是日,幸允第,唯草屋數間,布被溫袍,廚中鹽菜而已。 帝歎息曰:「古人之清貧,豈有此乎!」 即賜帛五百疋,粟千斛,拜長子忱為長樂太守。 允頻表固讓,帝不許。
Yun offered such remonstrances more than once, and the emperor always listened patiently. When Yun touched on something the emperor could not bear to hear, he would have attendants escort him out. Whenever something troubled the state, Yun would request an audience. Knowing his purpose, the emperor would dismiss his attendants in advance and wait for him. He was honored with the utmost respect—entering at dawn and leaving at dusk, sometimes remaining within for days on end, while the courtiers knew nothing of what was said. When someone submitted a memorial listing the state's strengths and failings, the emperor reviewed it and said to his ministers, "The sovereign and the father are one. When a father errs, why does a son not write openly to correct him before others, so that the wrong may be known—instead of hiding his remonstrance within the family? Does he not do so out of filial concern—fearing to expose his father's faults to the world? Today ministers cannot speak face to face of the state's right and wrong, yet submit memorials for all to see—does this not expose the sovereign's faults while proclaiming one's own virtue? As for Gao Yun—there is a true loyal minister. When I err, he speaks plainly. Even on matters I least wish to hear, he argues forthrightly, never flinching. I alone hear his corrections, while the realm never knows he challenged me—is that not the mark of a loyal minister? You attend me daily yet never speak an honest word—you only watch my mood to win promotion. You guard me with bow and blade, mere attendants in waiting—yet you have all risen to dukes and princes. This man corrects me with his brush and holds no rank higher than Compiler. Are you not ashamed?" At this he appointed Yun Director of the Central Secretariat, while retaining his post as Compiler. Lu Li, Minister over the Masses, said, "Though Gao Yun enjoys Your Majesty's favor, his home is humble—he and his family wear plain cloth and have scarcely a livelihood. The emperor said angrily, "Why did you not tell me this before? You wait until I appoint him, and only then mention his poverty! That very day the emperor visited Yun's home and found only a few thatched cottages, cotton bedding and a padded robe, and in the kitchen nothing but salt and pickled vegetables. The emperor sighed. "Even the austere poverty of the ancients—was it ever like this?" He immediately granted five hundred bolts of silk and a thousand bushels of grain, and appointed Yun's eldest son Chen Administrator of Changle. Yun repeatedly memorialized to decline, but the emperor would not allow it.
24
初與允同征遊雅等,多至通官,封侯,及允部下吏百數十人,亦至刺史、二千石; 而允為郎二十七年不徙官。 時百官無祿,允恆使諸子樵采自給。 初,尚書竇瑾坐事誅,瑾子遵亡在山澤,遵母焦沒入縣官。 後焦以老得免,瑾之親故,莫有恤者。 允湣焦年老,保護在家,積六年,遵始蒙赦。 其篤行如此。 轉太常卿,本官如故。 允上《代都賦》,因以夫諷,亦《二京》之流也。 時中書博士索敞與侍郎傅默、梁祚論名字貴賤,著議紛紜。 允遂著《名字論》以釋其惑,甚有典證。 復以本官領秘書監,解太常卿,進爵梁城侯。
Those who had served alongside Yun in the early years—You Ya and others—mostly rose to high office and were enfeoffed as marquises; of the hundred-odd clerks who had served under him, many became Regional Inspectors or administrators at the two-thousand-bushel rank; Yet Yun remained a Gentleman for twenty-seven years without ever changing posts. In those days officials received no stipends, and Yun regularly sent his sons out to cut wood and forage for the household. Earlier, Attendant-in-Chief Dou Jin had been executed for a crime. His son Zun fled into the wilds, and Zun's mother Jiao was confiscated by the government. Later Jiao was freed because of her age, yet none of Jin's relatives or old associates offered her any help. Yun took pity on the aged Jiao and sheltered her in his household. Six years passed before Zun at last received a pardon. Such was the depth of his moral constancy. He was made Grand Minister of Ceremonies while keeping his former post as well. Yun presented his "Rhapsody on the Capital of Dai," turning it to admonition in the manner of the "Two Capitals" rhapsodies. At the time Suo Chang, Erudite of the Secretariat, and Attendants-in-Ordinary Fu Mo and Liang Zuo argued over whether names were high or low in rank, and their written opinions were wildly at odds. Yun thereupon composed "Discourse on Personal Names" to clear up their doubts, drawing on abundant canonical proof. He again held his original post while also serving as Director of the Secretariat, resigned as Grand Minister of Ceremonies, and was ennobled as Marquis of Liangcheng.
25
初,允與遊雅及太原張偉同業相友。 雅嘗論允曰:「夫喜怒者,有生所不能無也。 而前史載卓公寬中,文饒洪量,褊心者或之弗信。 余與高子游處四十餘年,未見是非慍喜之色,不亦信哉。 高子內文明而外柔弱,其言呐呐不能出口,余常呼為'文子'。 崔公謂餘云:'高生豐才博學,一代佳士,所乏者矯矯風節耳。 '餘亦然之。 司徒之譴,起於纖微,及於詔責,崔公聲嘶股戰,不能一言。 宗欽以下,伏地流汗,都無人色。 高子敷陳事理,申釋是非,辭義清辯,音韻高亮。 明主為之動容,聽者無不稱善。 仁及寮友,保茲元吉,向之所謂矯矯者,更在斯乎! 宗愛之任勢也,威振四海,嘗召百司於都坐,王公以下,望庭畢拜,高子獨升階長揖。 由此觀之,汲長孺可臥見衛青,何抗禮之有! 向之所謂風節者,得不謂此乎! 知人故不易,人亦不易知。 吾既失之於心內,崔亦漏之於形外。 鐘期止聽于伯牙,夷吾見明于鮑叔,良有以也。」 其為人物所推如此。
In his early years Yun studied with You Ya and Zhang Wei of Taiyuan and formed a close friendship with them. You Ya once said of Yun: "Joy and anger are feelings no living man can wholly escape. Yet the old histories tell us of Zhuo Gong's magnanimity and Wenrao's great breadth of spirit, and the small-souled may refuse to credit it. I have kept company with Master Gao for more than forty years without once seeing approval, disapproval, anger, or pleasure cross his face—is that not proof enough? Master Gao is luminous within yet gentle without; his words come slowly and with difficulty, and I often call him 'Master Wen.' Minister Cui once told me, 'Master Gao is richly gifted and widely learned—a true gentleman of the age. All he lacks is that hard, unyielding moral spine.' I agreed with him then, as I do now. When the Grand Tutor's rebuke arose from a trifle and swelled into an imperial denunciation, Minister Cui's voice broke, his legs shook, and he could not utter a single word. From Zong Qin on down, men fell prostrate and drenched themselves in sweat until their faces lost all color. Master Gao set out the facts of the case, explained what was right and wrong, and spoke with such clarity and force that every phrase rang clear. The enlightened ruler was visibly moved, and everyone who heard him praised what he had said. His kindness extended to his colleagues and preserved their safety—and the stiff uprightness we had spoken of was found here, was it not! When Zong Ai held power his authority filled the realm. Once he summoned every office to the imperial hall; kings and dukes and all below bowed the moment they saw the courtyard, but Master Gao alone climbed the steps and gave a formal bow with clasped hands. Seen in that light, Ji Changru could receive Wei Qing while lying at ease—what offense was there in withholding a full prostration! The moral bearing we had meant earlier—could it have been anything but this! To know others is hard; and others are not easily known in return. I had failed to see it in my own heart, and Cui had missed it in what showed on the surface. Zhong Ziqi would listen to no one but Bo Ya; Guan Zhong's worth was recognized by Bao Shuya—and there is good reason for such things. Such was the esteem in which others held him.
26
文成重允,常不名之,恆呼為「令公」。 令公之號,播於四遠矣。
Emperor Wencheng valued Yun so highly that he seldom used his personal name, always calling him "Lord Ling" instead. The name "Lord Ling" was known in every quarter of the realm.
27
文成崩,獻文居諒闇,乙弗渾專擅朝命,謀危社稷。 文明太后誅之,引允禁中,參決大政。 又詔允曰:「朕稽之舊典,欲置學官于郡國。 卿儒宗元老,宜與中秘二省,參議以聞。」 允表:請制大郡立博士二人、助教四人、學生一百人; 次郡立博士二人、助教二人、學生八十人; 中郡立博士一人、助教二人、學生六十人; 下郡立博士一人、助教一人、學生四十人。 其博士取博關經典,履行忠清,堪為人師者,年限四十以上。 助教亦與博士同,年限三十以上。 若道業夙成,才任教授,不拘年齒。 學生取郡中清望,人行修謹,堪循名教者,先盡高門,次及中等。 帝從之,郡國立學,自此始也。
After Emperor Wencheng's death, Emperor Xiaowen withdrew into mourning seclusion while Yifu Hun seized control of court orders and plotted against the state. Empress Dowager Wenming had him executed, brought Yun into the inner palace, and had him take part in deciding major affairs of government. She also issued an edict to Yun: "I have looked into the ancient statutes and wish to place school officers in the commanderies and principalities. You are the senior patriarch of the Confucian tradition. You should consult with the two secretariat bureaus and submit your recommendations. Yun memorialized as follows: large commanderies should appoint two Erudites, four Assistant Instructors, and one hundred students; secondary commanderies two Erudites, two Assistant Instructors, and eighty students; medium commanderies one Erudite, two Assistant Instructors, and sixty students; small commanderies one Erudite, one Assistant Instructor, and forty students. Erudites were to be men broadly learned in the classics, loyal and pure in conduct, fit to serve as teachers, and at least forty years of age. Assistant Instructors were to meet the same standards as Erudites and be at least thirty years old. If a man had already mastered the Way and his talent qualified him to teach, the age limits did not apply. Students were to be drawn from families of good standing in the commandery—men of careful conduct who could live by the rites—first from the highest houses, then from those of middling rank. The emperor approved the plan, and schools in the commanderies and principalities date from that time.
28
後允以老疾,頻上表乞骸骨。 詔不許。 於是乃著《告老詩》。 又以昔歲同征,零落將盡,感逝懷人,作《征士頌》。 蓋止于應命,其有命而不至,則闕焉。
Later, afflicted by age and illness, Yun repeatedly memorialized asking to retire from office. The throne refused each request. He then composed his "Poem on Requesting Retirement." And because the companions of his early campaigns were nearly all gone, grieving for the dead and remembering the living, he wrote the "Eulogy for the Campaign Scholars." It included only those who answered the imperial summons; anyone summoned who failed to appear is left out.
29
其著《頌》者:中書侍郎、固安侯范陽盧玄子真,郡功曹史博陵崔綽茂祖,河內太守、下樂侯廣甯燕崇玄略,上党太守、高邑侯廣甯常陟公山,征南大將軍從事中郎勃海高毗子翼,征南大將軍從事中郎勃海李金道賜,河西太守、饒陽子博陵許堪祖根,中書郎、新豐侯京兆杜銓士衡,征西大將軍從事中郎京兆韋閬友規,京兆太守趙郡李詵令孫,太常博士、钜鹿公趙郡李靈武符,中書郎中、即丘子趙郡李遐仲熙,營州刺史、建安公太原張偉仲業,輔國大將軍從事中郎范陽祖邁,征東大將軍從事中郎范陽祖侃士倫,東郡太守、蒲陰子中山劉策,濮陽太守、真定子常山許琛,行司隸校尉、中都侯西河宋宣道茂,中書郎燕郡劉遐彥鑒,中書郎、武恆子河間邢穎宗敬,滄水太守、浮陽侯勃海高濟叔仁,太平太守、原平子雁門李熙士元,秘書監、梁郡公廣平游雅伯度,廷尉正、安平子博陵崔建興祖,廣平太守、列人侯西河宋愔,州主簿長樂潘符,郡功曹長樂杜熙,征東大將軍從事中郎中山張綱,中書郎上谷張誕叔術,秘書郎雁門王道雅,秘書郎雁門閔弼,衛大將軍從事中郎中山郎苗,大司馬從事中郎上谷侯辯,陳郡太守、高邑子趙郡呂季才,合三十四人。
Those honored in the Eulogy were thirty-four men: Lu Xuan, styled Zizhen, of Fanyang, Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Secretariat and Marquis of Gu'an; Cui Chuo, styled Maozu, of Boling, Commandery Merit Officer; Yan Chong, styled Xuanlue, of Guangning, Administrator of Henei and Marquis of Xiale; Chang Zhi, styled Gongshan, of Guangning, Administrator of Shangdang and Marquis of Gaoyi; Gao Pi, styled Ziyi, of Bohai, Staff Officer to the General Who Conquers the South; Li Jin, styled Daoci, of Bohai, Staff Officer to the General Who Conquers the South; Xu Kan, styled Zugen, of Boling, Administrator of Hexi and Viscount of Raoyang; Du Quan, styled Shiheng, of Jingzhao, Attendant of the Secretariat and Marquis of Xinfeng; Wei Lang, styled Yougui, of Jingzhao, Staff Officer to the General Who Conquers the West; Li Shen, styled Lingsun, of Zhao commandery, Administrator of Jingzhao; Li Ling, styled Wufu, of Zhao commandery, Erudite of the Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Duke of Julu; Li Xia, styled Zhongxi, of Zhao commandery, Director of the Secretariat Bureau and Viscount of Jiqiu; Zhang Wei, styled Zhongye, of Taiyuan, Regional Inspector of Yingzhou and Duke of Jian'an; Zu Mai of Fanyang, Staff Officer to the General Who Assists the State; Zu Kan, styled Shilun, of Fanyang, Staff Officer to the General Who Conquers the East; Liu Ce of Zhongshan, Administrator of Dong commandery and Viscount of Puyin; Xu Chen of Changshan, Administrator of Puyang and Viscount of Zhengding; Song Xuan, styled Daomao, of Xihe, Acting Regional Inspector of Sili and Marquis of Zhongdu; Liu Xia, styled Yanjian, of Yan commandery, Attendant of the Secretariat; Xing Ying, styled Zongjing, of Hejian, Attendant of the Secretariat and Viscount of Wuheng; Gao Ji, styled Shuren, of Bohai, Administrator of Cangshui and Marquis of Fuyang; Li Xi, styled Shiyuan, of Yanmen, Administrator of Taiping and Viscount of Yuanping; You Ya, styled Baidu, of Guangping, Director of the Secretariat and Duke of Liang commandery; Cui Jian, styled Xingzu, of Boling, Director of Corrections in the Court of Judicial Review and Viscount of Anping; Song Yin of Xihe, Administrator of Guangping and Marquis of Lieren; Pan Fu of Changle, Prefecture Clerk; Du Xi of Changle, Commandery Merit Officer; Zhang Gang of Zhongshan, Staff Officer to the General Who Conquers the East; Zhang Yan, styled Shushu, of Shanggu, Attendant of the Secretariat; Wang Daoya of Yanmen, Secretary; Min Bi of Yanmen, Secretary; Lang Miao of Zhongshan, Staff Officer to the General Guard; Hou Bian of Shanggu, Staff Officer to the Grand Marshal; and Lu Jicai of Zhao commandery, Administrator of Chen commandery and Viscount of Gaoyi.
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其詞曰:
The eulogy runs thus:
31
紫氣幹天,群雄亂夏,王龔徂征,戎車屢駕。 掃蕩遊氛,克剪妖霸,四海從風,八垠漸化。 政教無外,即寧且壹,偃武櫜兵,唯文是恤。 帝乃虛求,搜賢采逸,岩隱投竿,異人並出。
Purple omens filled the heavens; rival warlords threw the realm into chaos; the king set out on campaign, and chariots rolled forth again and again. Wandering turmoil was swept away, usurping tyrants were cut down, the four seas turned with the wind, and the eight directions were slowly transformed. Rule and teaching extended without limit; the realm settled into peace; weapons were sheathed and armies disbanded; only learning was tended. The emperor then searched in earnest for talent, gathering the worthy and drawing out recluses; hermits left their cliffs and put down their fishing poles, and remarkable men came forth together.
32
亹亹盧生,量遠思純,鑽道據德,遊藝依仁; 旌弓既招,釋褐投巾,攝齋升堂,嘉謀日陳; 自東徂南,躍馬馳輸,僭馮影附,劉以和親。 茂祖煢單,夙離不造,克己勉躬,聿隆家道; 敦心《六經》,游思文藻,終辭寵命,以之自保。 燕、常篤信,百行靡遺,仕不苟進,任理棲遲; 居沖守約,好讓善推,思賢樂古,如渴如饑。 子翼致遠,道賜悟深,相期以義,和若瑟琴; 並參幕府,俱發德音,優遊卒歲,聊以寄心。 祖根運會,克光厥猷,仰緣朝恩,俯因德友; 功雖後建,爵實先受,班同舊臣,位並群後。 士衡孤立,內省靡疚,言不崇華,交不遺舊; 以產則貧,論道則富,所謂伊人,實邦之秀。 卓矣友規,稟茲淑量,存彼大方,擯此細讓; 神與理冥,形隨流浪,雖屈王侯,莫廢其尚。 趙實名區,世多奇士,山嶽所鍾,挺生三李; 矯矯清風,抑抑容止,初九而潛,望雲而起。 詵尹西都,靈惟作傅,載訓皇宮,載理雲霧; 熙雖中夭,跡階郎署,餘塵可挹,終亦顯著。 仲業深長,雅性清到,憲章古式,綢繆典誥; 時逢嶮艱,常一其操,納眾以仁,訓下以孝; 化洽龍川,人歸其教。 邁則英賢,侃亦稱選,聞達邦家,名行素顯; 志在兼濟,豈伊獨善,繩匠弗顧,功不獲展。 劉、許履忠,竭力致躬,出則騁說,入獻其功; 輶軒一舉,橈燕下崇,名彰魏世,享業亦隆。 道茂夙成,弱冠播名,與朋以信,行物以誠; 怡怡昆弟,穆穆家庭,發響九皋,翰飛紫冥。 頻煩省闥,亦司于京,刑以之中,政以之平。 猗歟彥鑒,思參文雅,率性任真,器成非假; 靡矜于高,莫恥於下,乃謝硃門,歸跡林野。 宗敬延譽,號為四俊,華藻雲飛,金聲夙振; 中遇沈痾,賦詩以訊,忠顯於辭,理出於韻。 高滄朗達,默識該通,領新悟異,發自心胸; 質侔和璧,文照雕龍,燿姿天邑,衣錦舊邦。 士元先覺,介焉不惑,振袂來庭,始賓王國; 蹈方履正,好是繩墨,淑人君子,其儀不忒。 孔稱游、夏,漢美卿、雲,越哉伯度,出類逾群; 司言秘閣,作牧河、汾,移風易俗,理亂解紛。 融彼滯義,渙此潛文,儒道以析,九流以分。 崔、宋二賢,誕性英偉,擢穎閭閻,聞名象魏; 謇謇儀形,邈邈風氣,達而不矜,素而能貴。 潘符標尚,杜熙好和,清不潔流,渾不同波; 絕悕龍津,止分常科,幽而逾顯,損而逾多。 張綱柔謙,叔術正直,道雅洽聞,弼為兼識; 拔萃衡門,俱漸鴻翼,發憤忘攵食,豈要鬥食。 率禮從仁,罔愆於式,失不系心,得不形色。 郎苗始舉,用均已試,智是周身,言足為志; 性協于時,情敏於事,與今而同,與古而異。 物以利移,人以酒昏,侯生潔己,唯義是敦; 日縱醇醪,逾敬逾溫,其在私室,如涉公門。 季才之性,柔而執競,屆彼南秦,申威致命; 誘之以權,矯之以正,帝道用光,邊王內慶。 群賢遭世,顯名有代。 志竭其忠,才盡其概。 體襲硃裳,腰紉雙佩,榮曜當時,風高千載; 君臣相遇,理實難階。 昔因朝命,與之克諧,披衿散想,解帶舒懷。 此昕猶昨,存亡奄乖,靜言思之,衷心九摧。 揮毫頌德,潛爾增哀。
Diligent Master Lu, broad in vision and pure in mind, drilled into the Way, rooted himself in virtue, and moved through the arts with humaneness as his guide; When the imperial summons came, he put aside plain dress and entered service; straightening his robes he took his place in court, and sound counsel was offered day after day; From the east to the south he rode hard and drove fast; the rebel Feng clung like a shadow, and Liu was brought over through marriage ties. Maozu was solitary, bereft since youth of family guidance; by disciplining himself and laboring in earnest he lifted up his household; He gave his heart to the Six Classics and wandered among the refinements of letters, yet in the end refused preferment and so preserved his integrity. Yan and Chang were steadfast in faith; in conduct of every kind they left nothing wanting; they did not rush into office, but accepted duty and waited their time; They lived in modesty and held to simplicity; they loved to yield and knew how to step back; they longed for the worthy and rejoiced in antiquity, hungry as for food, thirsty as for drink. Ziyi looked to what lay far ahead; Daoci saw deeply into things; they bound themselves to one another in righteousness and lived in harmony like lute and zither; Both served in military staffs, both gave voice to virtue; they passed the years at ease, finding in that enough for their hearts. Zugen met the tide of fortune and made his designs shine; he rose on imperial grace and stood on the friendship of good men; Though his achievements came later, his ennoblement came sooner; his honors matched those of veteran ministers, his rank stood with the highest. Shiheng stood apart; looking within, he found no cause for shame; his speech did not chase finery, and in friendship he did not cast off old ties; By worldly goods he was poor; by the Way he was rich—the man of whom this is said was truly the glory of the realm. Yougui stood above the rest, bearing this noble breadth; he held to the larger way and set aside small concessions; His spirit moved in accord with principle; his body went where the current carried it; though he served among lords, he never abandoned what he upheld. Zhao was a land of renown, producing strange and brilliant men generation after generation; what the hills and rivers nurtured brought forth three Lis; Clear and upright was their moral wind; measured and restrained their bearing; hidden at first like the ninth line, they rose when the clouds appeared. Shen governed the western capital; Ling alone became tutor to the heir; one trained the palace, one put the drifting affairs of state in order; Xi died before his time, yet his path had already reached the secretariat; the traces he left can still be taken up—in the end he too won distinction. Zhongye was deep and enduring, clear and refined by nature; he made antiquity his standard and gave careful form to the court's edicts; In hard and dangerous times he held to one unchanging course; he gathered men through humaneness and taught those below him through filial example; His teaching permeated Longchuan, and the people came back to his rule. Mai was a man of heroic worth; Kan too was a chosen talent; famed in the realm, their names and conduct had long stood clear; Their aim was to help the world together—how could they be satisfied with private good alone? The master craftsman did not look their way, and their achievements went unrealized. Liu and Xu lived by loyalty, giving their strength and their very selves; abroad they argued their case, at court they offered up their accomplishments; When the envoy's carriage went forth once, Yan was bent and brought low before Chong; their fame blazed in the Wei age, and the estates they enjoyed were great as well. Daomao matured early; while still young his name rang out; with friends he was faithful, in every action he was sincere; Brothers lived in harmony; the household was grave and orderly; his reputation sounded from the distant marshes, his writing soared to the highest court. He served repeatedly in the inner offices and also governed in the capital; in law he struck the proper balance, in administration he brought order. How fine was Yanjian, aspiring to the elegance of letters; true to his nature and free of artifice, his talent was his own and not borrowed; He did not boast of high station, nor was he ashamed of humble place; he left the crimson gates and went back to the forests and fields. Zongjing won wide praise and was numbered among the Four Outstanding Men; his literary grace rose like clouds, his golden voice sounded early; In midlife he was struck by grave illness; he wrote a poem to question his fate; loyalty showed in what he wrote, and right principle rose from the cadence. Langda was bright and far-reaching; he understood without being told; grasping what was new and discerning what was strange, he brought it forth from his own heart; In quality he matched the jade of harmony; in letters he shone like the carved dragon; his brilliance filled the capital, and he went home to his native commandery clothed in glory. Shiyuan saw early and stood firm, never in doubt; brushing his sleeves he came to court and was among the first to serve the kingdom as a guest; He walked the square path and kept to the straight line; a virtuous man and a true gentleman, his conduct never missed the mark. Confucius praised Ziyou and Zixia; Han glorified Gongqing and Ziyun; how far above the rest was Baidu, exceeding his peers and standing beyond the crowd; He held speech for the secretariat and governed along the He and Fen; he changed custom and shifted the winds, putting disorder in order and undoing conflict. He dissolved meanings that had stagnated and spread texts that had lain hidden; the Confucian Way was clarified through him, the Nine Schools were sorted through him. The two worthies Cui and Song were born heroic and grand; they drew forth their talent from common lanes and made their names heard at the court gate; Stern was their deportment, lofty their moral bearing; eminent yet never arrogant, simple yet truly worthy of honor. Pan Fu held to his ideals; Du Xi loved concord; one was clear yet not stained by the current, the other turbid yet not swept along by the same tide; They cut off desire for the ford of dragons and rested in ordinary rank; in obscurity they shone the more, in self-denial they gained the more. Zhang Gang was soft-spoken and humble; Shushu stood straight; Daoya was learned in all he heard; Biwei united many fields of knowledge; Chosen from humble doorways, together they slowly gained the wings of great birds; burning with resolve they forgot their meals—how could they be content with a petty livelihood? They led by ritual and walked in benevolence, never missing the standard; defeat did not cling to their hearts, success did not alter their bearing. Langmiao was first raised up; his use was weighed and tried; intelligence filled his person; his speech was enough to declare his aim; His character accorded with the times; his mind was quick in action; he matched the present yet stood apart from the past. Goods move men through gain; wine muddles men through drink; Hou Sheng kept himself undefiled and honored only righteousness; Day after day he poured out rich wine, yet grew more respectful and more mild; even in his private rooms he was as one entering the public gate. Jicai by nature was soft yet held to rivalry; when he reached Southern Qin he asserted power and laid down his life on imperial command; Led by authority yet straightened by right principle, the imperial Way shone forth and frontier lords rejoiced within; The assembled worthies met their times and made their names shine in their own age. Their intent spent itself in loyalty; their gifts spent themselves in full measure. They wore crimson robes on their persons and double pendants at their belts; honor blazed in their day, their fame high for a thousand years; When lord and minister truly meet, reason and fact alike are hard to bring together. Long ago, by the court's order, we found accord together; we opened our collars and let our thoughts go free, loosened our belts and eased our hearts. That morning is still as yesterday, yet life and death were suddenly torn apart; in quiet I think on it and my inmost heart is broken nine times over. To lift the brush and hymn their virtue only adds to my hidden sorrow.
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皇興中,詔允兼太常至兗州祭孔子廟。 謂允曰:「此簡德而行,勿有辭也。」 後允從獻文北伐,大捷而還,至武川鎮,上《北伐頌》,帝覽而善之。 帝時有不豫,以孝文沖幼,欲立京兆王子推,集諸大臣,以次召問。 允進跪上前,涕泣曰:「臣不敢多言以勞神聽。 願陛下上思宗廟托附之重,追念周公抱成王之事。」 帝於是傳位於孝文,賜允帛百疋,以標忠亮。 又遷中書監,加散騎常侍。 雖久典史事,然不能專勤屬述。 時與校書郎劉模有所緝綴,大較依續崔浩故事,准《春秋》之體而時有刊正。 自文成迄于獻文,軍國書檄,多允作也。 末乃薦高閭以自代。 以定議之勳,進爵咸陽公。 尋授懷州刺史。
During Huangxing, an edict appointed Yun, concurrently Grand Minister of Ceremonies, to go to Yan Province and offer sacrifice at the temple of Confucius. The emperor said to Yun, "This mission chooses you for your moral worth—go, and do not refuse. Later Yun accompanied Emperor Xianwen on the northern expedition and returned in great triumph; at Wuchuan garrison he submitted the "Ode to the Northern Expedition," and the emperor read it with approval. The emperor was then unwell; because Emperor Xiaowen was still young, he wished to set up Prince Tui of Jingzhao as heir and summoned the chief ministers one by one to ask their views. Yun came forward, knelt before the throne, and weeping said, "Your servant dares not say much and burden Your Majesty's hearing. May Your Majesty look upward to the heavy trust of the ancestral temple and remember how the Duke of Zhou held the infant King Cheng in his arms. The emperor then passed the throne to Emperor Xiaowen and granted Yun a hundred bolts of silk to honor his loyal forthrightness. He was further made Director of the Secretariat with the additional rank of Regular Attendant. Though he had long overseen the work of the historians, he could not give himself wholly to drafting and editing. At the time he joined Collator Liu Mo in some editorial work, broadly continuing Cui Hao's model, following the form of the Spring and Autumn Annals while revising where needed. From Emperor Wencheng down to Emperor Xianwen, most military and state dispatches were composed by Yun. In the end he recommended Gao Lu to take his place. For his service in settling the succession, he was ennobled as Duke of Xianyang. Not long after he was made Governor of Huaizhou.
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允秋月巡境,問人疾苦。 至邵縣,見邵公廟廢毀不立,乃歎曰:「邵公之德,闕而不祀,為善者何望!」 乃表修葺之。 允于時年將九十矣,勸人學業,風化頗行。 然儒者優遊,不以斷決為事。 後正光中,中書舍人河內常景追思允,率郡中故老,為允立祠于野王之南,樹碑紀德焉。
In the autumn month Yun made a circuit of inspection, asking after the people's suffering. When he reached Shao County and saw Duke Shao's shrine ruined and left unrepaired, he sighed and said, "Duke Shao's virtue is neglected and unhonored—what can those who do good still hope for? He submitted a memorial requesting that it be restored. Yun was then close to ninety; he encouraged men in their studies, and moral influence spread widely. Yet as a Confucian he moved at an easy pace and did not take judgment and decision as his chief task. Later, in the Zhengguang era, Palace Attendant Chang Jing of Henei, remembering Yun, led the old men of the commandery to build a shrine to Yun south of Yewang and raise a stele to record his virtue.
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太和二年,又以老乞還鄉,章十餘上,卒不聽許,遂以疾告歸。 其年,詔以安車征允,敕州郡發遣。 至都,復拜鎮軍大將軍,領中秘書事。 固辭,不許。 扶引就內,改定皇誥; 又被敕,論集往世酒之敗德,以為《酒訓》。 孝文覽而悅之,常置左右,詔允乘車上殿,朝賀不拜。 明年,詔允議定律令。 雖年漸期頤,而志識無損,猶心存舊職,披考史書。 又詔曰:「允年涉危境,而家貧養薄,可令樂部絲竹十人,五日一詣允,以娛其志。」 特賜允蜀牛一頭、四望蜀車一乘、素几杖各一、蜀刀一口。 又賜珍味,每春秋致之。 尋詔朝晡給禦膳,朔望致牛酒,衣服綿絹,每月送給。 允皆分之親故。 是時貴臣之門,並羅列顯官,而允子弟,皆無官爵,其廉退若此。 遷尚書、散騎常侍。 時延入,備几杖,詢以政事。
In Taihe year 2 he again asked to retire home because of old age; he sent up more than ten memorials, but at last was not allowed, so he reported illness and returned. That year an edict summoned Yun in a comfort carriage and instructed the provinces and commanderies to escort him forth. On reaching the capital he was again made General Who Pacifies the Army and placed in charge of the Palace Secretariat. He declined firmly, but permission was refused. Helped in and led within, he revised and settled the Imperial Edict; He was also commanded to gather and discuss how wine had destroyed virtue in former ages, and from this he made the "Admonition on Wine." Emperor Xiaowen read it with delight, kept it constantly at his side, and ordered that Yun might ride in a carriage to the hall and need not bow at court felicitations. The next year an edict had Yun join in deliberating on laws and ordinances. Though his years drew near a full century, his will and understanding were undiminished; he still held his former office in mind and examined historical writings. Another edict said, "Yun's years have entered dangerous ground, yet his home is poor and his support meager; let ten musicians of the Music Bureau visit Yun every five days to delight his heart. He was specially granted one Shu ox, one four-canopied Shu carriage, one plain armrest and one plain staff, and one Shu knife. Fine foods were also granted and delivered each spring and autumn. Soon an edict provided imperial fare morning and evening, beef and wine on the new and full moon, and cotton and silk garments sent every month. Yun divided all of it among kin and old friends. At that time the households of great ministers were lined with eminent posts, yet none of Yun's sons or younger relatives held rank or title—such was his modest withdrawal. He was made Minister of the Secretariat and Regular Attendant. From time to time he was invited in; armrest and staff were prepared and he was questioned on affairs of government.
36
十年,加光祿大夫,金章紫綬。 朝之大議,皆諮訪焉。 其年四月,有事西郊,詔御馬車迎允就郊所板殿觀矚。 馬忽驚奔,車覆,傷眉三處。 孝文、文明太后遣醫藥護療,存問相望。 司駕將處重坐,允啟陳無恙,乞免其罪。 先是,命中黃門蘇興壽扶侍允,曾雪中遇犬驚倒,扶者大懼,允慰勉之,不令聞徹。 興壽稱共允接事三年,不嚐見其忿色。 恂恂善誘,誨人不倦,晝夜手常執書,吟詠尋覽。 篤親念故,虛己存納,雖處貴重,志同貧素。 性好音樂,每至伶人弦歌鼓舞,常擊節稱善。 又雅信佛道,時設齋講,好生惡殺。
In the tenth year he was given the additional rank of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with golden seal and purple cord. On great matters debated at court, all sought his counsel. That year, in the fourth month, when rites were held at the Western Suburb, an edict sent the imperial carriage to bring Yun to the plank hall at the suburban altar to watch. The horse suddenly panicked and ran; the carriage overturned and he was wounded in three places on his brow. Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming sent doctors and medicine to treat him, and inquiries of concern came in unbroken succession. The Master of Carriages was about to impose severe punishment; Yun memorialized that he was unhurt and asked that the driver's crime be forgiven. Earlier the court had ordered Inner Gate Attendant Su Xingshou to support Yun; once in the snow he was startled by a dog and fell, and the attendant was greatly afraid—Yun comforted him and would not allow the matter to be reported. Xingshou said that in three years of attending Yun together, he had never once seen anger on his face. Gentle and skilled at guiding others, never weary in teaching, day and night his hand always held a book as he chanted and read. Deep in affection for kin and mindful of old friends, empty of self and open to others—though he stood in high honor, his heart was like that of the poor and plain. He loved music by nature; whenever musicians played strings and sang and dancers performed, he would beat time and praise them. He also deeply honored the Buddhist Way, often set out vegetarian feasts and lectures, loved life and abhorred killing.
37
魏初法嚴,朝士多見杖罰。 允曆事五帝,出入三省五十餘年,初無譴咎。 始真君中,以獄訟留滯,始令中書以經義斷諸疑事。 允據律評刑,三十餘載,內外稱平。 允以獄者人命所系,常歎曰:「皋陶至德也,其後英、蓼先亡; 劉、項之際,英布黥而王。 經世雖久,猶有刑之餘釁。 況凡人能無咎乎?」 性簡至,不妄交遊。 獻文之平青、齊,徙其族望於代。 時諸士人,流移遠至,率皆饑寒。 徙人之中,多允姻媾,皆徒步造門。 允散財竭產,以相贍振,慰問周至,無不感其仁厚。 又隨其才能,表奏申用。 時議者皆以新附致異,允謂取材任能,無宜抑屈。
In the early Wei the law was strict and many court officials were beaten. Yun served five emperors, entering and leaving the Three Departments for more than fifty years, and from the beginning never met censure or punishment. Starting in the Zhenjun era, because court cases were backlogged, it was first ordered that the Secretariat decide doubtful matters by classical principle. Yun assessed punishments according to the statutes for more than thirty years, and inside and outside the court he was called even-handed. Because prisons bind up men's lives, Yun often sighed and said, "Gao Yao was of the utmost virtue, yet afterward Ying and Liao perished first; In the age of Liu and Xiang, Ying Bu was branded yet became king. Though generations have passed, the lingering taint of punishment still remains. How much less can common men be free of blame? His character was simple and upright; he did not make friends lightly. When Emperor Xianwen conquered Qing and Qi, he moved their leading clans to Dai. At the time many scholars, displaced from afar, were almost all starving and freezing. Among the relocated were many linked to Yun by marriage, and all came to his door on foot. Yun scattered his wealth and emptied his property to feed and succor them; his inquiries were thorough, and none failed to feel his kindness and depth. He also, according to each man's talent, memorialized to have them put to use. At the time critics said the newly submitted should be treated as outsiders; Yun said one should choose material and assign ability—there was no call to hold them down.
38
先是,允被召在方山作頌,志氣猶不多損,談說舊事,了無所遺。 十一年正月卒,年九十八。 初,允每謂人曰:「吾在中書時有陰德,濟救人命,若陽報不差,吾壽應享百年矣。」 先卒旬外,微有不適,猶不寢臥,呼醫請藥,出入行止,吟詠如常。 孝文、文明太后聞而遣醫李修往脈視之,告以無恙。 修入,密陳允榮衛有異,懼其不久。 於是遣使備賜禦膳珍羞,自酒米至於鹽醢,百有餘品,皆盡時味。 及床帳衣服,茵被几杖,羅列於庭。 王官往還,慰問相屬。 允喜形於色,語人曰:「天恩以我篤老,大有所齎,得以贍客矣。」 表謝而已,不有他慮。 如是數日,夜中卒,家人莫覺。 詔給絹一千疋、布二千疋、綿五百斤、錦五十疋、雜彩百疋、穀千斛,以周喪用。 魏初以來,存亡蒙齎者莫及,朝廷榮之。 將葬,贈侍中、司空公、冀州刺史,將軍、公如故。 諡曰文,賜命服一襲。
Earlier, when Yun was summoned to Fangshan to compose an ode, his vigor was still little diminished; he spoke of old affairs and forgot nothing. In the first month of the eleventh year he died at the age of ninety-eight. From the first Yun often told people, "When I served in the Secretariat I built up hidden virtue and saved men's lives; if open reward does not err, my years should reach a full century. More than ten days before his death he felt slight illness, yet still did not lie down; he summoned doctors and asked for medicine, coming and going and moving about, chanting as always. When Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming heard of it, they sent Physician Li Xiu to examine his pulse and were told he was unharmed. When Xiu went in he secretly reported that Yun's pulse and protective qi were abnormal and feared he would not long survive. Thereupon messengers were sent bearing a full grant of imperial delicacies—from wine and grain to salt and pickles, more than a hundred kinds, all at the height of season. Beds and curtains, clothing, mats and covers, armrests and staffs were lined up in the courtyard. Palace officers went back and forth, and inquiries of concern came in unbroken succession. Yun showed joy in his face and told people, "Heaven's favor, seeing my great age, has sent rich gifts—I can now entertain my guests. He submitted a memorial of thanks and nothing else; he had no other concern. After several days in this way, he died in the middle of the night, and his family did not know. An edict granted a thousand bolts of silk, two thousand bolts of cloth, five hundred jin of cotton, fifty bolts of brocade, a hundred bolts of mixed colored silk, and a thousand hu of grain to cover the funeral costs. Since the founding of Wei, none honored in life or death had received such gifts; the court gloried in it. When he was about to be buried, he was posthumously made Palace Attendant, Duke of Works, and Governor of Ji Province; his generalship and ducal title remained unchanged. He was given the posthumous name Wen, and one set of court robes was granted.
39
允所制詩賦詠頌箴論表贊誄、《左氏釋》、《公羊釋》、《毛詩拾遺》、《雜解》、《議何鄭膏肓事》凡百餘篇,別有集,行於世。 允尤明演算法,為《算術》三卷。
Yun's works—poems, rhapsodies, songs, eulogies, admonitions, treatises, memorials, praises, and dirges; "Explication of the Zuo Tradition," "Explication of the Gongyang Tradition," "Recovered Fragments of the Mao Odes," "Miscellaneous Explications," and "Discussion of the Terminal Illness of He and Zheng"—more than a hundred pieces in all, were gathered in a separate collection and circulated in the world. Yun was especially versed in computational methods and composed Arithmetic in three fascicles.
40
子忱,字士和,位長安太守,為政寬惠,百姓安之。 後例降爵為侯,卒,子貴賓襲。 忱弟懷,字士仁,恬淡退靜,位太尉、東陽王丕諮議參軍。
His son Chen, styled Shihe, served as Governor of Chang'an; his rule was generous and kind, and the people lived in peace under him. Later, by precedent his title was reduced to marquis; when he died, his son Guibin inherited the title. Chen's younger brother Huai, styled Shiren, was quiet and withdrawn by nature and served as Staff Adviser to the Grand Commander, Prince Pi of Dongyang.
41
子綽,字僧裕。 少孤,恭敏自立。 身長八尺,腰帶十圍。 沈雅有度量,博涉經史。 稍遷洛陽令,為政強直,不避豪右,京邑憚之。 延昌初,尚書右丞。 後為御史中尉元匡奏高聰及綽朋附高肇,詔並原罪。 曆豫、並二州刺史,卒,諡文簡。
His son was Chuo, styled Sengyu. Orphaned in youth, he was respectful and attentive and made his own way in the world. He stood eight chi tall, with a waist ten wei around. Deeply cultured and magnanimous, he read widely in the classics and histories. He rose by degrees to Magistrate of Luoyang, where his rule was firm and straight; he never flinched before the great clans, and the capital stood in awe of him. At the opening of the Yanchang era, he was appointed Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. Later the Censor-in-Chief Yuan Kuang accused Gao Cong and Chuo of attaching themselves to Gao Zhao; an edict pardoned them both. He served in turn as Inspector of Yu and Bing provinces; when he died, he was given the posthumous name Wenjian.
42
允弟推,字仲讓,早有名譽。 太延中,以前後南使不稱,妙簡行人,游雅薦推應選。 詔兼散騎常侍使宋,南人稱其才辯。 卒於建業,贈臨邑子,諡曰恭。
Yun's younger brother Tui, styled Zhongrang, won renown early in life. During Taiyan, successive southern envoys had proved inadequate, so the court carefully chose new emissaries; You Ya recommended Tui for the mission. An edict appointed him concurrently Attendant Cavalier-in-Ordinary and envoy to Song; the southerners praised his wit and eloquence. He died at Jianye and was posthumously ennobled as Marquis of Linyi, with the posthumous name Gong.
43
推弟燮,字季和,亦有文才。 太武每詔征,辭疾不應,恆笑允屈折久官,棲泊京邑,常從容於家。 州辟主簿,卒。 孫市賓,永熙中,開府從事中郎。
Tui's younger brother Xie, styled Jihe, had literary gifts as well. Whenever Emperor Taiwu summoned him by edict, he pleaded illness and refused to come; he often mocked Yun for bending to long years in office and lingering in the capital, while he himself lived at leisure at home. The province recruited him as Chief Clerk; he died in that post. His grandson Shibin, during Yongxi, served as Attendant-in-Ordinary on the staff of a general who had opened an office.
44
始神蒨中,允與從叔濟、族兄毗及同郡李金俱被征。 濟位滄水太守、浮陽子。 卒,贈冀州刺史,諡曰宣。 子矯襲。
In the early Shenqi period, Yun was summoned along with his uncle Ji, his clansman cousin Pi, and Jin Li of the same commandery. Ji held office as Governor of Cangshui and was ennobled as Marquis of Fuyang. When he died, he was posthumously made Inspector of Jizhou and given the posthumous name Xuan. His son Jiao inherited the title.
45
矯弟遵,字世禮。 賤出,其兄矯等常欺侮之,及父亡,不令在喪位。 遵遂馳赴平城,歸允。 允為作計,乃為遵父舉哀,以遵為喪主,京邑無不吊集,朝貴咸識之。 徐歸奔止。 免喪後,為營宦路。 遵感成益之恩,事允如諸父。 涉曆文史,頗有筆劄。 隨都將長廣公侯窮奇等平定三齊。 以功賜爵高昌男,補安定王相。 撰太和、安昌二殿畫圖。 後與中書令高閭增改律令,進中書侍郎。 假中書令,詣長安,刊燕宣王廟碑,進爵安昌子。 使濟、兗、徐三州,觀風理訟。 進中都令。 及新制衣冠,孝文恭薦宗廟,遵形貌莊潔,音氣雄暢,常兼太祝令; 跪贊禮事,為俯仰之節,粗合儀矩,由是帝頗識待之。 後與游明根、高閭、李沖等入議律令,親對御坐,時有陳奏。 出為齊州刺史。 建節曆本州,宗鄉改觀,而矯等彌妒毀之。
Jiao's younger brother was Zun, styled Shili. Born to a concubine, he was often bullied by his elder brothers Jiao and the rest; when their father died, they refused to let him take his proper place in mourning. Zun rode at once to Pingcheng and sought refuge with Yun. Yun laid a plan: he arranged mourning for Zun's father, installed Zun as chief mourner, and the whole capital turned out to condole; the great officials of the court all came to know him. Only then did he slowly make his way home. When the mourning period ended, Yun opened the way to office for him. Grateful for the favor that had established him, Zun treated Yun as he would his own uncles. He had read widely in literature and history and wrote with considerable skill. He followed the capital garrison general, Prince Changguang Hou Qiongqi, and others in the pacification of the Three Qis. For his service he was ennobled Baron of Gaochang and appointed Chancellor to the Prince of Anding. He compiled illustrated records of the Taihe and Anchang palace halls. Later he joined Director of the Secretariat Gao Lu in revising the statutes and ordinances and was promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat. Serving temporarily as Director of the Secretariat, he went to Chang'an to cut the memorial stele for Prince Xuan of Yan and was raised to Marquis of Anchang. He was dispatched to Ji, Yan, and Xu provinces to inspect local customs and settle lawsuits. He was promoted to Director of the Central Capital. When new ceremonial robes and caps were introduced and Emperor Xiaowen reverently presented offerings at the ancestral temple, Zun's bearing was solemn and clean and his voice strong and clear; he regularly served concurrently as Director of Sacrifices; kneeling to recite the ritual praises, he governed the motions of bowing and rising and roughly matched proper ceremony; the emperor took notice and treated him with favor. Later he joined You Minggen, Gao Lu, Li Chong, and others in deliberating on statutes and ordinances, speaking face to face before the throne and submitting proposals as occasion arose. He was sent out to serve as Inspector of Qi Province. He returned to his home province bearing the insignia of office, and kin and neighbors looked on him with new respect; yet Jiao and his faction grew only more envious and spread slander against him.
46
遵性不廉清。 在中書時,每假歸山東,必借備騾馬,將從百餘,屯逼人家,不得絲縑滿意,則詬詈不去。 旬月之間,縑布千數,郡邑苦之。 既蒞方岳,本意未弭,選召僚吏,多所取紅納。 又其妻明氏,家在齊州,母弟舅甥,共相憑屬,爭取貨利。 嚴暴,非理殺害甚多。 貪酷之響,帝頗聞之。 及車駕幸鄴,遵自州來朝。 會有赦宥,遵臨還州,請辭。 帝於行宮引見誚讓之。 遵自陳無負。 帝厲聲曰:「若無遷都赦,必無高遵矣! 又卿非唯貪婪,又虐於刑法」。 謂:「何如濟陰王,猶不免於法。 卿何人,而為此行! 自今宜自謹約。」 還州,仍不悛革。 齊州人孟僧振至洛訟遵,詔廷尉少卿鄧述窮鞫,皆如所訴。 先,沙門道登過遵。 遵以道登荷眷于孝文,多奉以貨,深托仗之。 道登屢因言次,申啟救遵,帝不省納,遂詔述賜遵死。 時遵子元榮詣洛訟冤,猶恃道登,不時還赴。 道登知事決,方乃遣之。 遵恨其妻,不與訣,別處沐浴,引椒而死。
Zun was neither clean nor upright in character. While serving at the Secretariat, each leave back to Shandong saw him requisition mules and horses and more than a hundred followers; he billeted them on private households, and unless he got silk to his liking he cursed and reviled the hosts and refused to move on. Within a month or two he extorted thousands of bolts of silk and cloth, to the misery of every commandery and district. Once installed as a provincial governor, his old habits did not abate; in choosing subordinates he accepted bribes from many of them. His wife belonged to the Ming clan of Qi Province; her brothers, maternal kin, and nephews leaned on one another to grab profits. He was brutal and violent, and a great many were killed without cause. Word of his greed and cruelty gradually reached the emperor. When the emperor visited Ye, Zun came from his province to attend court. An amnesty happened to be proclaimed; on the eve of returning to his province, Zun asked leave to depart. The emperor received him at the traveling palace and rebuked him to his face. Zun protested that he had done nothing wrong. The emperor said sharply: "But for the amnesty tied to the relocation of the capital, Gao Zun would be finished! And you are not merely greedy—you are brutal in your use of the law." He added: "Consider the Prince of Jiyin—even he could not escape the law. Who are you, to act as you have! Hereafter you must discipline yourself. When he returned to his province, he still did not mend his ways. Meng Zhen of Qi Province traveled to Luoyang to bring suit against Zun; an edict ordered Vice Director of the Court of Judicature Deng Shu to investigate to the end, and every charge was confirmed. Earlier the monk Daodeng had passed through Zun's jurisdiction. Knowing that Daodeng enjoyed Emperor Xiaowen's favor, Zun showered him with gifts and leaned on him heavily. Daodeng repeatedly interceded for Zun in conversation, but the emperor would not listen; an edict then ordered Deng to sentence Zun to death. At the time Zun's son Yuanrong had come to Luoyang to plead his father's case; still counting on Daodeng, he did not return in time. Only when Daodeng knew the outcome was sealed did he send him on his way. Zun hated his wife, refused a parting word, bathed apart, and killed himself by drinking pepper poison.
47
元榮學尚有文才,長於几案。 位兼尚書右丞,為西道行台,至高平鎮,遇城翻,被害。
Yuanrong was learned and had literary talent, and excelled at administrative work. He served concurrently as Right Vice Director of the Secretariat and on the Western Route Army Staff; at Gaoping garrison he was caught in a city revolt and killed.
48
遵弟次文,雖無位宦,而貲產巨萬。 遵每責其財,又結憾於遵,吉凶不相往反。 時論責之。 毗字子翼,鄉邑稱為長者,位征南從事中郎。
Zun's younger brother Ciwen held no office, yet his wealth ran to tens of thousands. Zun constantly squeezed him for money, and Ciwen came to bear a grudge; they ceased exchanging visits in times of joy or mourning. Public opinion condemned him for it. Pi, styled Ziyi, was known in his home district as a man of virtue and served as Attendant-in-Ordinary on the Southern Campaign Staff.
49
初,允所引劉模者,長樂信都人,頗涉經籍。 允撰修國記,選為校書郎,與其緝著。 常令模帶持管籥,每日同入史閣,接膝對筵,屬述時事。 允年已九十,手目稍衰,多遣模執筆而占授裁斷之,如此者五六歲。 允所成篇卷,模預有功。 太和中,除南潁川太守。
At the beginning, Liu Mo—whom Yun had recruited—was from Xindu in Changle and had read widely in the classics. When Yun undertook the National History, Mo was chosen as Proofreader and worked with him on the compilation. Yun regularly had Mo carry the archive keys; each day they entered the Historical Archives together, sitting knee to knee at their desks to set down current affairs. Yun was already ninety; his hand and eyes were failing, and he often had Mo write while he dictated and decided—this went on for five or six years. Mo contributed substantially to the fascicles Yun completed. During Taihe he was appointed Governor of Southern Yingchuan.
50
王肅之歸闕,路經縣瓠,羈旅窮悴,時人莫識。 模獨經給所須,吊待以禮,肅深感其意。 及肅臨豫州,模猶在郡,征報復之,由是為新蔡太守。 在二郡積十年,寬猛相濟,頗有聲稱。 遷陳留太守。 時年七十餘矣,而飾老隱年,昧禁自效。 遂家于南潁川,不復歸其舊鄉矣。
When Wang Su returned to court, he passed through Xiangfu as a destitute traveler in wretched straits, and no one recognized him. Mo alone supplied his needs and received him with full courtesy; Wang Su was deeply moved. When Wang Su became Inspector of Yuzhou, Mo was still in the district; Wang summoned him to repay the kindness, and Mo was appointed Governor of Xincai. For more than ten years across two commanderies he mixed leniency with severity and won a strong reputation. He was transferred to Governor of Chenliu. By then he was over seventy, yet he disguised his age and concealed his years, defying the age limit to keep serving. He settled in Southern Yingchuan and never returned to his old home.
51
祐字子集,允之從祖弟也。 本名禧,以與咸陽王同名,孝文賜名焉。 祖展,慕容寶黃門郎。 道武平中山,徙京師。 卒於三都大官。 父讜,從太武滅赫連昌,以功賜爵南皮子。 與崔浩共參著作,位中書侍郎、給事中、冀青二州中正。 假散騎常侍、蓚縣侯,使高麗。 卒,贈冀州刺史,假滄水公,諡曰康。 祐兄祚襲爵,位東青州刺史。
You, styled Ziji, was Yun's second cousin once removed. His original name was Xi; because it matched the name of the Prince of Xianyang, Emperor Xiaowen gave him this new name. His grandfather Zhan served Murong Bao as Palace Attendant. When Emperor Daowu pacified Zhongshan, the family was relocated to the capital. He died in office as Director of the Three Kitchens. His father Dan followed Emperor Taiwu in the destruction of Helian Chang and, for his service, was ennobled Marquis of Nanpi. With Cui Hao he helped compile historical works and held office as Vice Director of the Secretariat, Palace Provisioner, and Rectifier for Ji and Qing provinces. Serving as Acting Attendant Cavalier-in-Ordinary and Marquis of Liu County, he was dispatched as envoy to Goguryeo. When he died, he was posthumously made Inspector of Jizhou and provisionally ennobled Duke of Cangshui, with the posthumous name Kang. You's elder brother Zuo inherited the title and served as Inspector of Eastern Qing Province.
52
祐博涉書史,好文字雜說,性通放,不拘小節。 自中書學生再遷中書侍郎,賜爵建康子。 文成末,兗州東郡吏獲一異獸,送之京師,時無識者,詔以問祐。 祐曰:「此是三吳所出,厥名鯪鯉。 餘域率無,今我獲之,吳、楚之地,其有歸國乎?」 又有人於靈丘得玉印一以獻,詔以示祐。 祐曰:「印上有籀書二字,文曰'宋壽',壽者命也,我獲其命,亦是歸我之征。」 獻文初,宋義陽王昶來奔,薛安都等以五州降附,時謂祐言有驗。
You read widely in books and histories, loved philology and miscellaneous learning, and was by nature expansive and unconstrained by petty rules. Rising from Secretariat student, he was promoted twice to Vice Director of the Secretariat and ennobled Marquis of Jiankang. Near the end of Emperor Wencheng's reign, an official of Dongjun in Yan Province caught a strange beast and sent it to the capital; no one could identify it, and the court asked You. You said, "This creature comes from the Three Wu region; it is called the lingli. Nowhere else has it in any numbers; now that we have caught one, perhaps the lands of Wu and Chu are destined to return to the realm? Later someone at Lingqiu found a jade seal and presented it; an edict ordered it shown to You. You said, "The seal bears two characters in seal script reading 'Song Shou.' Shou means mandate; we have gained their mandate—this too is a sign that they will come back to us. At the opening of Emperor Xianwen's reign, Liu Chang, Prince of Yiyang of Song, fled north to surrender, and Xue Andu and others brought five provinces over; people of the time said You's prophecy had been fulfilled.
53
孝文初,拜秘書令。 後與丞李彪等奏曰:「《尚書》者,記言之體; 《春秋》者,錄事之辭。 尋覽前志,斯皆司勳之實錄也。 惟聖朝創制上古,開基《長髮》,自始祖以後,至於文成,其間世數久遠,是以史弗能傳。 臣等疏漏,忝當史職,披覽國記,竊有志焉。 愚謂自王業始基,庶事草創,皇始以降,光宅中土。 宜依遷、固大體,令事類相從,紀傳區別,表志殊貫,如此修綴,事可備書。 著作郎已下,請取有才用者,參造國書。 如得其人,三年有成矣。」 帝從之。
At the opening of Emperor Xiaowen's reign, he was appointed Director of the Secretariat. Later he joined Vice Director Li Biao and others in a memorial: "The Documents is a form for recording words; the Spring and Autumn Annals is language for recording events. When one looks back at earlier chronicles, these are all true records kept by the Director of Merit. Our dynasty established its institutions in high antiquity and founded its rule with the Chang Fa; from the Founding Ancestor down to Emperor Wencheng, the generations in between are far removed in time, and history could not transmit them fully. We are unworthy in our post as historians, yet in reading the National Records we have privately felt the ambition to act. We venture to say that from the first laying of the royal enterprise, when all affairs were newly created, and from Huangshi onward, when the realm was established in the Central Land— it would be fitting to follow the great model of Sima Qian and Ban Gu, group related events together, distinguish annals from biographies, and keep tables and treatises in separate sections; organized in this way, the record could be made complete. From Compiler down, we ask that men of talent and ability be chosen to help compile the National History. If the right men are found, the work can be finished in three years. The emperor approved.
54
孝文嘗問祐:「比水旱不調,何以止災而致豐稔?」 祐曰:「堯湯之運,不能去陽九之會。 陛下道同前聖,其如小旱何? 但當旌賢佐政,則災消穰至矣。」 又問止盜之方。 祐曰:「苟訓之有方,寧不易息? 當須宰守貞良,則盜賊止矣。」 祐又上疏云:「今選舉不采職政之優劣,專簡年勞之多少,斯非盡才之謂。 宜棄彼朽勞,唯才是舉。 又勳舊之臣,年勤可錄而才非撫人者,則可加以爵賞,不宜委以方任。 所謂王者可私人以財,不私人以官者也。」 帝皆善之。 加給事中、冀州大中正。 時李彪專統著作,祐為令,時關豫而己。 出為西兗州刺史,假東光侯,鎮滑台。
Emperor Xiaowen once asked You, "Recently floods and droughts have fallen out of balance—how can disasters be halted and abundance restored? You said, "Even in the age of Yao and Tang, the cycle could not escape the yang-nine calamity. Your Majesty's Way matches the earlier sages—what is a minor drought beside that? You need only honor the worthy and assist in governance, and disasters will vanish and abundance will follow. He also asked how theft might be stopped. You said, "If instruction is properly applied, would it not easily cease? What is needed is upright and capable prefects and governors—then bandits and thieves will cease. You also submitted a memorial saying, "Today in selection and promotion the quality of performance in office is not taken into account; only years of service are weighed—this is not what is meant by employing talent to the full. That worn-out seniority should be set aside, and only talent should be promoted. Again, for meritorious old ministers whose years of service are worth recording but whose talent is not suited to governing men, titles and rewards may be granted, but they should not be entrusted with regional command. This is what is meant by saying that a king may give a man wealth in private, but may not give him office in private. The emperor approved all of this. He was additionally appointed Palace Provisioner and Chief Rectifier of Ji Province. At the time Li Biao alone controlled compilation; You was Director in name only and was occasionally consulted. He was sent out as Inspector of Western Yan Province, provisionally ennobled Marquis of Dongguang, and stationed at Huatai.
55
子和璧,字僧壽,有學尚,位中書博士,早卒。 和璧子顥,字門賢,學涉有時譽。 襲爵建康子,仕輔國將軍、朝散大夫,贈滄州刺史,諡曰惠。 子德正襲。
His son Hebi, styled Sengshou, was learned and principled, served as Doctor of the Secretariat, and died young. Hebi's son Hao, styled Menxian, was broadly learned and enjoyed repute in his time. He inherited the title Marquis of Jiankang, served as General Who Assists the State and Grand Master of Palace Leisure, and when he died was posthumously made Governor of Cang Province and given the posthumous name Hui. His son Dezheng inherited the title.
56
德正幼而敏慧,有風神儀錶。 初為齊文宣儀同開府參軍,尋知管記事,甚相親狎。 累遷相府掾,神武委以腹心。 徙給事黃門侍郎,方雅周慎,動見稱述。 文襄嗣業,如晉陽。 文宣在鄴居守,令德正參機密,彌見親重。 文襄之崩,勳將等以纘戎事重,勸文宣早赴晉陽。 文宣不決,夜中召楊愔、杜弼、崔季舒及德正等,策始定。 以愔從,令德正居守。 以為相府司馬,專知門下事。
Dezheng was clever and bright from childhood and had a spirited bearing and dignified presence. At first he served as Army Aide on the staff of Equal in Rank to the Three Dukes for Northern Qi's Emperor Wenxuan; soon he was put in charge of record-keeping and grew very close to him. He rose step by step to staff officer of the chancellor's office, and Gao Huan entrusted him as a confidant. He was transferred to Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Yellow Gate; upright, refined, thorough, and careful, his conduct was always praised. When Gao Cheng succeeded to the enterprise, he went to Jinyang. Wenxuan remained at Ye to hold the capital; Dezheng was admitted to confidential affairs and was treated with even greater intimacy and favor. When Gao Cheng died, the meritorious generals, considering the weight of continuing the military enterprise, urged Wenxuan to go quickly to Jinyang. Wenxuan could not decide; in the middle of the night he summoned Yang Yin, Du Bi, Cui Jishu, Dezheng, and others, and only then was the plan settled. Yin accompanied him; Dezheng was ordered to remain and hold the capital. He was made Chief Administrator of the chancellor's office and given sole charge of gate affairs.
57
德正與文宣舊昵愛,言無不盡。 散騎常侍徐之才館客宋景業,先為天文圖讖學,又陳山提家客楊子術有所援引,並因德正勸文宣行禪代事。 德正又固請。 文宣恐愔不決。 自請赴鄴與愔言,乃定。 還,未至而文宣便發晉陽。 至平城都,召諸勳將入,告以禪讓事,諸將莫敢答者。 時杜弼為長史,密啟文宣:恐關西因此自稱義兵,挾天子而東向,將何以待? 之才云:今若先受魏禪,關西自應息心。 縱欲屈強,止當逐我稱帝。 弼無以答。 文宣以眾意未協,又先得太后旨云:「汝父如龍,汝兄如猛獸,皆以帝王之重,不敢妄據,尚以人臣終。 何欲行舜禹事? 此正是高德正教汝。」 又說者以為昔周武王再駕盟津,然始革命。 於是乃旋晉陽。
Dezheng and Wenxuan had long been on affectionate terms, and in speech nothing was held back. Attendant Cavalier-in-Ordinary Xu Zhicai's house guest Song Jingye had earlier studied astronomy, charts, and prognostic texts; Chen Shanti's house guest Yang Zishu also had material he cited; all, through Dezheng, urged Wenxuan to carry out the abdication and succession. Dezheng again pressed the request firmly. Wenxuan feared Yin would not decide. He asked to go himself to Ye to speak with Yin, and then it was settled. On the return, before he arrived Wenxuan had already set out from Jinyang. When he reached the capital at Pingcheng, he summoned the meritorious generals in and told them of the abdication; none of the generals dared reply. At the time Du Bi was Chief Administrator; he secretly reported to Wenxuan, "I fear that because of this Guanxi will proclaim itself a righteous army, seize the Son of Heaven, and march east—how will we meet that?" Zhicai said, "If we now accept Wei's abdication first, Guanxi by itself ought to quiet its heart. Even if it wishes to resist by force, at most it will only drive us to declare ourselves emperor." Bi had nothing with which to reply. Wenxuan, because the multitude's will was not united, had also earlier received the empress dowager's instruction: "Your father was like a dragon, your elder brother like a fierce beast; both, despite the weight of imperial rank, did not dare seize it rashly and still ended as subjects. Why do you wish to do what Shun and Yu did? This is precisely what Gao Dezheng is teaching you. Others also said that in former times King Wu of Zhou twice drove to Mengjin before he finally changed the mandate. Thereupon he turned back to Jinyang.
58
自是居常不悅。 徐之才、宋景業等每言卜筮雜占陰陽緯候,必宜以五月應天命。 德正亦敦勸不已,仍白文宣追魏收。 收至,令撰禪讓詔冊、九錫、建台及勸進文表。 至五月初,文宣發晉陽。 德正又錄在鄴諸事條進于文宣。 文宣令陳山提馳驛齎事條並密書與楊愔。 山提以五月至鄴,楊愔即召太常卿邢邵、七兵尚書崔甗、度支尚書陸操、太子詹事王昕、給事黃門侍郎陽休之、中書侍郎裴讓之等議撰儀注。 六日,要魏太傅咸陽王坦、錄尚書事濟陰王暉業等總集,引入北宮,留於東齋,受禪後乃放還宅。 文宣發至前亭,所乘馬忽倒,意甚惡之。 至平城都,便不復肯進。 德正與徐之才苦請曰:「山提先去,恐其漏泄,不果。」 即命司馬子如、杜弼馳驛續入,觀察物情。 七日,子如等至鄴,眾人以事勢已決,無敢異言。 九日,文宣至城南頓所。 時既未行詔敕,諸公文書唯雲奉約束,德正及楊愔宣署而已。 受禪日,堯難宗染赤雀以獻。 帝尋知之,亦弗責也。 是日,即除德正為侍中,又領宗正卿。 尋遷吏部尚書,侍中如故,封藍田縣公。 天保七年,遷尚書右僕射,兼侍中,食勃海郡幹。 德正與尚書令楊愔,綱紀朝政,多有弘益。
From then on he was often displeased in daily life. Xu Zhicai, Song Jingye, and others repeatedly said that in divination, miscellaneous prognostication, yin-yang theory, and celestial portents, the fifth month was surely the time to answer Heaven's mandate. Dezheng also urged without ceasing and reported to Wenxuan to summon Wei Shou back. When Shou arrived, he was ordered to draft the abdication edicts and proclamations, the Nine Bestowals, the establishment of the imperial platform, and the memorials urging accession. At the beginning of the fifth month Wenxuan set out from Jinyang. Dezheng also compiled a list of all affairs at Ye and forwarded it to Wenxuan. Wenxuan ordered Chen Shanti to ride post-haste and deliver the list of affairs together with a secret letter to Yang Yin. Shanti reached Ye in the fifth month; Yang Yin at once summoned Director of Ceremonial Xing Shao, Minister of the Seven Armies Cui Yan, Minister of Revenue Lu Cao, Steward of the Heir Apparent Wang Xin, Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Yellow Gate Yang Xiuzhi, Vice Director of the Secretariat Pei Rangzhi, and others to discuss and draft the ritual regulations. On the sixth day he required Wei Grand Tutor Prince Tan of Xianyang, Recorder of Affairs Prince Huiye of Jiyin, and others to assemble; they were brought into the Northern Palace, kept in the Eastern Study, and only after the abdication were released to their homes. When Wenxuan set out and reached Qianting, the horse he was riding suddenly fell, and he took this as a very bad omen. When he reached the capital at Pingcheng, he would no longer go forward. Dezheng and Xu Zhicai pleaded bitterly, "Shanti went ahead first; we fear the matter has leaked and will fail. He thereupon ordered Sima Ziru and Du Bi to ride post-haste after them and observe the mood of the people. On the seventh day Ziru and the others reached Ye; the people, seeing that the matter was already decided, dared raise no dissent. On the ninth day Wenxuan reached the encampment south of the city. At the time edicts and orders had not yet been issued; all official documents from the various offices spoke only of obeying restrictions, and Dezheng and Yang Yin handled announcements and signatures. On the day of receiving the mandate, Yao Nanzong dyed a red sparrow and presented it as an omen. The emperor soon learned of it but did not reproach him. That same day Dezheng was appointed Palace Attendant and also made Director of the Imperial Clan. Soon he was transferred to Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, retaining his post as Palace Attendant, and was enfeoffed Duke of Lantian County. In the seventh year of Tianbao he was transferred to Right Vice Director of the Secretariat, concurrently Palace Attendant, with salary drawn from Bohai commandery. Dezheng, together with Director of the Secretariat Yang Yin, regulated court governance and brought many broad benefits.
59
文宣末年,縱酒酣醉。 德正屢進忠言,帝不悅。 又謂左右云:「高德正恆以精神陵逼人。」 德正甚憂懼,乃移疾,屏居佛寺,兼學坐禪,為退身之計。 帝謂楊愔曰:「我大憂高德正,其疾何以?」 愔知帝內忌之,由是答云:「陛下若用作冀州刺史,病即自差。」 帝從之,德正見除書而起。 帝大怒,謂曰:「聞爾病,我為爾針!」 親以刀子刺之,血流沾地。 又使曳下,斬去其趾。 劉桃枝捉刀不敢下,帝起臨陛,切責桃枝,桃枝乃斬足之三指。 帝怒不解,禁德正于門下省。 其夜,開城門,以氈輿送還家。 旦日,德正妻出寶物滿四床,欲以寄人。 帝奄至其宅,見而怒曰:「我府藏猶無此物。」 詰其所從得,皆諸元賂之也。 遂曳出斬之,妻出拜謝,又斬之。 並其子司徒東閣祭酒伯堅亦見害。
In Wenxuan's later years he gave himself to wine and drunkenness. Dezheng repeatedly offered loyal remonstrance; the emperor was displeased. He also told those around him, "Gao Dezheng always uses his spirit to overbear and press upon people. Dezheng was deeply fearful; he thereupon pleaded illness, withdrew to live in a Buddhist temple, and also studied seated meditation as a plan to retreat. The emperor said to Yang Yin, "I am greatly worried about Gao Dezheng—what of his illness? Yin knew the emperor inwardly resented him and therefore answered, "If Your Majesty appoints him Governor of Ji Province, the illness will cure itself. The emperor agreed; when Dezheng saw the appointment order he rose. The emperor was greatly angered and said, "I heard you were ill—I came to give you acupuncture! He personally stabbed him with a knife, and blood flowed to the ground. He also had him dragged down and his toes cut off. Liu Taozhi took up the knife but did not dare strike; the emperor rose and went to the steps, sharply rebuked Taozhi, and Taozhi then cut off three toes. The emperor's anger did not subside, and Dezheng was confined in the Gate Department. That night the city gate was opened and he was sent home in a felt carriage. At dawn Dezheng's wife brought out treasures filling four beds, intending to deposit them with others. The emperor suddenly arrived at the house, saw them, and angrily said, "Even my treasury does not have such things. He interrogated where they had been obtained; all had been bribes from the Yuan clan." He had Dezheng dragged out and executed; the wife came out to bow and plead, and she too was executed. Together with them his son Bojian, Libationer of the Eastern Pavilion under the Minister of Works, was also killed.
60
後文宣謂群臣曰:「高德正常言,宜用漢除鮮卑,此即合死。 又教我誅諸元,我今殺之,為諸元報仇也。」 帝後悔,贈太保、冀州刺史,諡曰康。 嫡孫王臣,襲爵藍田縣公,給事中、通直散騎侍郎。 德正次子仲武,京畿司馬、平原郡守。
Later Wenxuan said to the assembled ministers, "Gao Dezheng often spoke of adopting Han customs and abolishing Xianbei ways—that alone deserved death. He also urged me to execute the Yuan clan; now that I have killed him, I have avenged the Yuan clan." The emperor later regretted it and posthumously granted him Grand Tutor and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Kang. His eldest grandson's son Wang Chen inherited the title Duke of Lantian County and served as Palace Attendant and Regular Attendant of the Secretariat. Dezheng's second son Zhongwu served as Metropolitan Area Military Administrator and Administrator of Pingyuan Commandery.
61
顥弟雅,字興賢,有風度,位定州撫軍府長史。 天平中,追贈冀州刺史。 子德範,早有令問,位任城太守,卒。
Hao's younger brother Ya, styled Xingxian, had presence and bearing and served as Chief Administrator of the Pacification Army Headquarters in Ding Province. During the Tianping era he was posthumously granted Governor of Jizhou. His son Defan was famed from youth for fine reputation and served as Administrator of Rencheng; he died.
62
雅弟諒,字修賢,少好學,多識強記,居喪以孝聞。 太和末,京兆王愉開府辟召,孝文妙簡僚佐,諒與隴西李仲尚、趙郡李鳳起等同時應選。 正光中,加驍騎將軍,為徐州行台。 至彭城,屬元法僧反,逼諒同之,不從見害。 贈滄州刺史。 又詔以諒臨危授命,復贈使持節、平北將軍、幽州刺史,優授一子出身,諡曰忠侯。
Ya's younger brother Liang, styled Xiuxian, loved learning from youth, was widely learned with a strong memory, and was famed for filial piety while in mourning. At the end of the Taihe era, when the Prince of Jingzhao Yu opened his office and recruited staff, Emperor Xiaowen carefully selected aides; Liang was chosen alongside Longxi's Li Zhongshang and Zhao commandery's Li Fengqi. During the Zhengguang era he was appointed General of Valiant Cavalry and served at the Xuzhou Mobile Headquarters. When he reached Pengcheng, Yuan Faseng rebelled and tried to force Liang to join; Liang refused and was killed. He was posthumously granted Governor of Cangzhou. An edict also said that because Liang had entrusted his life at the hour of crisis, he was further posthumously granted Bearer of the Staff of Authority, General Who Pacifies the North, and Governor of Youzhou; one son was granted privileged entry into official service, and his posthumous title was Marquis of Zhong.
63
諒造《親表譜錄》四十餘卷,自五世以下,內外曲盡,覽者服其博記。
Liang compiled the Genealogical Records of Close and Distant Kin in more than forty juan; from the fifth generation onward, both inner and outer relations were exhaustively set forth, and readers admired his erudition.
64
祐從父弟翼,字次同,豪俠有風神。 孝昌末,葛榮作亂,朝廷以翼山東豪右,即家拜勃海太守。 翼率合境,徙居河、濟間。 魏朝因置東冀州,以翼為刺史,封樂城縣侯。 俄除定州刺史,以賊亂不行。 及爾硃兆弑莊帝,翼保境自守,卒。 中興初,贈使持節、侍中、太保、錄尚書、六州諸軍事、冀州刺史,諡曰文宣。 子乾。
You's younger cousin Yi, styled Citong, was bold and chivalrous with spirited bearing. At the end of the Xiaochang era, when Ge Rong raised rebellion, the court, because Yi was a leading magnate east of the mountains, appointed him Administrator of Bohai at his home. Yi led the entire district to migrate and settle between the Yellow and Ji rivers. The Wei court therefore established Eastern Jizhou, appointing Yi governor and enfeoffing him Marquis of Lecheng County. Soon he was removed and appointed Governor of Ding Province, but because of bandit chaos he could not take up the post. When Erzhu Zhao murdered Emperor Zhuang, Yi held his territory and maintained self-defense; he died. At the beginning of the Zhongxing era he was posthumously granted Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Palace Attendant, Grand Tutor, Minister Overseeing the Masters of Writing, Commander-in-Chief of the Six Provinces, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Wenxuan. His son was Qian.
65
乾字乾邕。 性明悟俊偉,有智略,美音容,進止都雅。 少時輕俠,長而修改,輕財重義,多所交結。 起家拜員外散騎侍郎,稍遷員外散騎常侍。 魏孝莊之居籓也,乾潛相托附。 及爾硃榮入洛,乾東奔於翼。 乾兄弟本有從橫志,見榮殺害人士,謂天下遂亂,乃率河北流人於河、濟間,受葛榮官爵。 莊帝遣右僕射元羅巡撫三齊,乾兄弟相率出降。 朝廷以乾為給事黃門侍郎,兼武衛將軍。 爾硃榮以乾前罪,不應復居近要,莊帝聽乾解官歸鄉里。 於是招納驍勇,以射獵自娛。 及榮死,乃馳赴洛陽。 莊帝見之大喜,以乾兼侍中,加撫軍將軍、金紫光祿大夫,鎮河北。 又以弟昂為通直散騎常侍、平北將軍。 令俱歸,招集鄉閭,為表裏形援。 帝親送於河橋上,舉酒指水曰:「卿兄弟冀部豪傑,能令士卒致死。 京城儻有變,可為朕河上一揚塵。」 乾垂涕受詔,昂援劍起舞,誓以死繼之。
Qian was styled Qianyong. By nature he was bright, perceptive, handsome, and imposing, with strategic talent; his voice and appearance were fine, and in movement and deportment he was altogether elegant. In youth he was reckless and chivalrous; growing older he corrected himself, held wealth lightly and valued righteousness, and formed many friendships. He first entered service as Supernumerary Attendant Cavalier Gentleman and was gradually promoted to Supernumerary Attendant Cavalier-in-Ordinary. When Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei held a princely fief, Qian secretly attached himself to him. When Erzhu Rong entered Luoyang, Qian fled east to Yi. Qian and his brothers had originally harbored ambitions of independent action; seeing Rong kill cultivated men, they judged that the realm would soon fall into chaos, so they gathered refugees from north of the Yellow River between the Yellow and Ji rivers and accepted office and titles from Ge Rong. Emperor Zhuang dispatched Right Vice Director of the Secretariat Yuan Luo to inspect and pacify the three Qi regions; Qian and his brothers led their followers out to surrender. The court appointed Qian Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, concurrently General of the Martial Guard. Erzhu Rong, because of Qian's earlier offense, held that he should not again hold a post near the center of power; Emperor Zhuang permitted Qian to resign office and return to his home district. Thereupon he recruited fierce warriors and amused himself with archery and hunting. When Rong died, he galloped to Luoyang. Emperor Zhuang was greatly pleased to see him and appointed Qian concurrent Palace Attendant, with additional titles General Who Pacifies the Army and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal and Purple Cord, to guard Hebei. He also made Qian's younger brother Ang Regular Attendant Cavalier-in-Ordinary and General Who Pacifies the North. He ordered them both to return home, gather their native districts, and provide inner and outer support. The emperor personally saw them off at the He Bridge, raised his cup, pointed to the water, and said, "You brothers are magnates of Ji province; you can make your soldiers die for the cause. If the capital should meet with upheaval, you may raise a cloud of dust for me on the north bank of the River. Qian received the command with tears; Ang drew his sword and danced, vowing to follow him to the death.
66
及爾硃氏既弑害,遣其監軍孫白雞率百餘騎至冀州。 托言括馬,其實欲因乾兄弟送馬收之。 乾既宿有報復之心,而白雞忽至,知欲見圖。 將先發,以告前河內太守封隆之。 隆之父先為爾硃榮所殺,聞之喜曰:「國恥家怨,痛入骨髓,乘機而發,今正其時。 謹聞命矣。」
When the Erzhu clan had murdered the emperor, they sent their military overseer Sun Baiji with more than a hundred horsemen to Jizhou. On the pretext of registering horses, they in fact intended to seize Qian and his brothers when they came to deliver the horses. Qian had long harbored a desire for revenge, and when Baiji arrived suddenly he knew they meant to destroy him. Intending to strike first, he told the former Administrator of Henei Feng Longzhi. Longzhi's father had earlier been killed by Erzhu Rong; hearing this he said with joy, "The shame of the state and the grievance of the family cut to the marrow; to seize this moment and rise—now is exactly the time. I respectfully await your command."
67
二月,乾與昂潛勒壯士,夜襲州城,執刺史元嶷,射白雞殺之。 于葛榮殿為莊帝舉哀,素服,乾升壇誓眾,詞氣激揚,涕泗交集,將士莫不感憤。 欲奉次同為王。 次同曰:「和鄉里,我不及封皮。」 乃推隆之為大都督,行州事。 隆之欲逃,昂勃然作色,拔刀將斫隆之,隆之懼,乃受命。 北受幽州刺史劉靈助節度,俄而靈助被爾硃氏禽。
In the second month, Qian and Ang secretly mustered stalwart men, attacked the provincial city by night, seized Governor Yuan Yi, shot and killed Baiji. At Ge Rong's hall they performed mourning rites for Emperor Zhuang in plain dress; Qian ascended the platform and swore before the host, his words impassioned and tears mingling, and none of the officers and soldiers was not moved to indignation. They wished to install Citong as king. Citong said, "In winning over the countryside, I am not the equal of Feng Pi. They therefore pushed Longzhi to be Grand Commandant, acting in provincial affairs. When Longzhi wished to flee, Ang flushed with anger, drew his sword and was about to hack Longzhi down; Longzhi in fear accepted the command. To the north they submitted to the command of Governor of Youzhou Liu Lingzhu; before long Lingzhu was captured by the Erzhu clan.
68
屬齊神武出山東,揚聲以討乾為辭,眾情惶懼。 乾謂之曰:「高晉州雄材蓋世,不居人下。 且爾硃弑主肆虐,正是英雄效節之時,今者之來,必有深計。 勿憂,吾將諸君見之。」 乃間行,與封隆之子子繪,俱迎于滏陽。 因說神武曰:「爾硃氏酷逆,痛結人神,凡厥生靈,莫不思奮。 明公威德素著,天下傾心,若兵以忠立,則屈強之徒不足為明公敵矣。 鄙州雖小,戶口不減十萬,穀秸之稅,足濟軍資。 願公熟詳其計。」 神武大笑曰:「吾事諧矣!」 遂與乾同帳而寢,呼乾為叔父。 乾旦日受命而去。
At that time Qi Shenwu came out from east of the mountains, proclaiming as his purpose the suppression of Qian, and popular sentiment was panic-stricken. Qian said to them, "Gao of Jin Province is a hero whose talent covers the age and who will not remain beneath others. Moreover the Erzhu murdered their lord and rampaged—this is exactly the time for heroes to devote themselves; that he comes now must mean he has a deep design. Do not worry; I shall lead you to meet him. Thereupon he went by secret routes with Feng Longzhi's son Zihui to welcome him at Fuyang. He therefore urged Shenwu, saying, "The Erzhu clan are cruelly rebellious; their evil binds gods and men alike, and every living creature longs to rise against them. Your Grace's prestige and virtue have long been manifest and the whole realm inclines to you; if you raise arms in the name of loyalty, then the stubbornly powerful will not be worthy opponents for Your Grace. My humble province is small, but its registered households are no fewer than one hundred thousand, and grain-and-straw taxes are enough to supply the army. I pray Your Grace will consider this plan carefully. Shenwu laughed greatly and said, "My affair is settled! He then shared a tent with Qian to sleep and called Qian "Uncle." At dawn the next day Qian received his orders and departed.
69
時神武雖內有遠圖,而外跡未見。 爾硃羽生為殷州刺史,神武密遣李元忠於封龍山舉兵逼其城,令乾率眾偽往救之。 乾遂輕騎入見羽生,偽為之計。 羽生出勞軍,彭樂側從馬上禽斬之,遂平殷州。 又共定策,推立中興主。 拜侍中、司空公。 是時,軍國草創,乾父喪,不得終制。 及孝武立,天下初定,乾乃表請解職,行三年之禮。 詔聽解侍中,司空如故,封長樂郡公。
At the time Shenwu had far-reaching designs within but his outward tracks had not yet appeared. Erzhu Yusheng was Governor of Yin Province; Shenwu secretly sent Li Yuanzhong to raise troops at Mount Fenglong and press the city, ordering Qian to lead troops in a feigned rescue. Qian therefore entered with a light escort to see Yusheng and feigned counsel for him. When Yusheng came out to review the troops, Peng Le, at his side, seized and beheaded him from horseback; they then pacified Yin Province. They also jointly settled the plan to install the Restoration Emperor. Qian was appointed Palace Attendant and Duke of Works. At that time the state and army were newly founded; Qian's father had died and he could not complete the full mourning period. When Emperor Xiaowu was established and the realm was first settled, Qian memorialized requesting resignation to observe the three-year rites. An edict permitted him to resign the post of Palace Attendant while retaining the Ministry of Works; he was enfeoffed Duke of Changle commandery.
70
乾雖求退,不謂便見從許,既去內侍,朝政空關,居常怏怏。 孝武將貳于神武,欲乘此撫之,于華林園宴罷,獨留乾,謂曰:「司空弈世忠良,今日復建殊效。 相與雖則君臣,實義同兄弟,宜共立盟約。」 勒逼之。 乾曰:「臣以身許國,何敢有二?」 乾雖有此對,然非其本心,事出倉卒,又不謂孝武便有異志,遂不固辭,亦不啟神武。 帝以乾為誠己。
Although Qian had sought withdrawal, he had not expected such ready consent; once removed from inner attendance, court affairs were left vacant and he was often discontent. Emperor Xiaowu was about to turn against Shenwu and wished to use this occasion to win Qian over; after a banquet at Hualin Garden he kept Qian alone and said, "The Minister of Works' house has generation after generation served in loyalty; today he has again achieved extraordinary merit. Though in name we are sovereign and subject, in righteousness we are truly like brothers and ought to establish a sworn alliance together. He pressed him to it. Qian said, "I have devoted my person to the state—how would I dare be of two minds? Although Qian answered thus, it was not from his true heart; the matter arose in haste, and he did not think Emperor Xiaowu already harbored a different intent, so he did not firmly decline, nor did he inform Shenwu. The emperor believed Qian was sincere toward him.
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時禁園養部曲稍至千人,驟令元士弼、王思政詣賀拔岳計,又以岳兄勝為荊州刺史。 乾謂所親曰:「難將作矣,禍必及吾。」 乃密以啟神武。 神武召乾問之,乾因勸神武受禪。 神武以袖掩其口曰:「勿復言。 今啟叔復為侍中,門下之事,一以仰委。」 及頻請而帝不答,乾懼變,啟神武,求為徐州。 乃以乾為開府儀同三司、徐州刺史。 將行,帝聞其與神武言,怒,使謂神武曰:「高乾與朕私盟,今復反覆。」 神武聞其與帝盟,亦惡之,乃封其前後密啟以聞。 帝對神武使詰乾。 乾曰:「臣以身奉國,義盡忠貞。 陛下既有異圖,更言臣反覆。 以匹夫加諸,尚或難免,況人主推惡,何以逃命? 所謂欲加之罪,其無辭乎! 功大身危,自昔然也。 若死而有知,差無負莊帝。」 詔遂賜死于門下省,年三十七。 臨死時,武衛將軍元整監刑,謂曰:「頗有書及家人乎?」 乾曰:「吾諸弟分張,各在異處,今日之事,想無全者。 兒子既小,未有所識,亦恐巢傾卵破,夫欲何言!」 後神武討斛斯椿等,謂高昂曰:「若早用司空策,豈有今日之舉?」 天平初,贈太師、錄尚書事、冀州刺史,諡曰文昭。 以長子繼叔襲祖次同樂城縣侯,令第二子呂兒襲乾爵。
At the time he secretly kept retainers in the forbidden garden until they reached a thousand men; he suddenly ordered Yuan Shibi and Wang Sizheng to go consult with Helu Yue, and again made Yue's elder brother Sheng Governor of Jingzhou. Qian said to those close to him, "Disaster is about to break out; calamity is sure to reach me. He then secretly reported this to Shenwu. Shenwu summoned Qian to question him; Qian thereupon urged Shenwu to accept the abdication. Shenwu covered Qian's mouth with his sleeve and said, "Speak no more of that. From this day I report to Uncle that he is again Palace Attendant; all affairs of the Secretariat I entrust entirely to you. When he repeatedly requested it but the emperor did not answer, Qian feared a turn in events, reported to Shenwu, and requested appointment to Xuzhou. Qian was therefore appointed Honorary Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal and Purple Cord with privileges equal to a Three Excellencies office and Governor of Xuzhou. As he was about to depart, the emperor heard of his words with Shenwu and in anger sent word to Shenwu, saying, "Gao Qian made a private alliance with me, yet now he turns again. When Shenwu heard of his alliance with the emperor he also came to detest him, and sealed Qian's former and later secret reports and sent them to the throne. The emperor had Shenwu's envoy interrogate Qian. Qian said, "I have devoted my person to serving the state and exhausted righteousness in loyalty. Your Majesty already harbors a different design, yet you say I have turned again. When ordinary men impose charges, one can scarcely escape; how much less when the sovereign harbors ill will—how could one preserve one's life? Is this not the saying, 'When one wishes to impose a crime, is there ever a lack of pretext?' Great merit brings peril to the person—thus it has always been. If in death there is awareness, I shall be somewhat less unfaithful to Emperor Zhuang. An edict thereupon ordered him to die by poison in the Secretariat Department; he was thirty-seven. At the hour of death, General of the Martial Guard Yuan Zheng oversaw the execution and asked, "Do you have any writings or messages for your family? Qian said, "My younger brothers are scattered, each in a different place; given today's affair, I think none will survive whole. My sons are still young and understand nothing; I fear too that when the nest falls the eggs will be crushed—what more can I say! Later, when Shenwu campaigned against Husi Chun and others, he said to Gao Ang, "If we had taken the Minister of Works' counsel sooner, would we be facing this campaign now? At the beginning of the Tianping era he was posthumously granted Grand Tutor, Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Wen Zhao. His eldest son Jishu inherited his grandfather Cikou's title as Marquis of Lecheng County, and his second son Lü'er inherited Qian's rank.
72
乾弟慎,字仲密,頗涉文史,與兄弟志尚不同,偏為父所愛。 歷位滄州刺史、東南道行台尚書、光州刺史,加驃騎大將軍、儀同三司。 時天下初定,聽慎以本鄉部曲數千自隨。 為政嚴酷,又縱左右,吏人苦之。 乾死,仲密棄州,將歸神武。 武帝敕青州斷其歸路,慎間行至晉陽。 神武以為大行台左丞,轉尚書,當官無所回避。 累遷御史中尉,選用御史,多其親戚鄉閭,不稱朝望,文襄奏令改選焉。
Qian's younger brother Shen, styled Zhongmi, had a fair grounding in literature and history. His ambitions differed from his brothers', and his father doted on him. He served in succession as Governor of Cangzhou, Secretary of the Southeast Route Mobile Headquarters, and Governor of Guangzhou, and was further promoted to Grand General of Agile Cavalry with Honorary Three Excellencies privileges. As the realm was newly pacified, Shen was allowed to take several thousand men from his home district as his personal following. He ruled with harsh severity and indulged his attendants, and officials and commoners alike groaned under him. When Qian died, Zhongmi abandoned his province and set out to rejoin Shenwu. Emperor Xiaowu ordered Qing Province to block his way home, but Shen stole through by back routes and reached Jinyang. Shenwu made him Left Assistant Director of the Great Mobile Headquarters, then transferred him to the Secretariat, where he handled every matter without evasion. He rose in succession to Censor-in-Chief, but in choosing censors he favored relatives and men of his home district, falling short of what the court expected; Wenxiang memorialized for a new selection.
73
慎前妻,吏部郎中崔暹妹,為慎棄。 暹時為文襄委任,乃為暹高嫁其妹,禮夕,親臨之。 慎後妻趙郡李徽伯女也,豔且慧,兼善書記,工騎乘。 慎之為滄州,甚重沙門顯公,夜常語,久不寢。 李氏患之,構之於慎,遂被拉殺。 文襄聞其美,挑之,不從,衣盡破裂。 李以告慎,慎由是積憾,且謂暹構己,遂罕所糾劾,多行縱舍。 神武嫌責之,彌不自安。 出為北豫州刺史,遂據武牢降西魏。
Shen's first wife was the younger sister of Cui Xian, a Langzhong in the Bureau of Personnel; Shen had abandoned her. Xian was then in Wenxiang's confidence, so Shen arranged a grand remarriage for Xian's sister and attended the wedding night in person. Shen's second wife was a daughter of Li Huibo of Zhao commandery—beautiful and clever, skilled at correspondence, and expert in riding. While governing Cangzhou, Shen held the monk Xiangong in high regard and often talked with him far into the night without sleeping. Lady Li resented this, slandered Xiangong to Shen, and the monk was seized and killed. Wenxiang heard of her beauty and tried to force himself on her; she refused, and her clothes were torn to rags. Li told Shen, who nursed a deep grievance; believing Xian had set him up, he rarely prosecuted wrongdoing and often let offenders go. Shenwu rebuked him in displeasure, and Shen grew ever more uneasy. He was posted as Governor of North Yuzhou, then seized Wulao and defected to Western Wei.
74
慎先入關,周文率眾東出,敗於芒山,慎妻子盡見禽。 神武以其家勳,啟慎一房配沒而已。 仲密妻逆口行中,文襄盛服見之,乃從焉。 西魏以慎為侍中、司徒,遷太尉。 慎弟昂。
Shen had entered the Pass ahead of the army; Zhou Wen led troops east and was defeated at Mount Mang, and Shen's wife and children were all taken captive. Shenwu, honoring the family's past service, reported that only Shen's own household should be confiscated and enslaved. Zhongmi's wife walked with a cloth over her mouth; Wenxiang received her in full ceremonial dress, and she submitted to him. Western Wei appointed Shen Palace Attendant and Minister of Education, then promoted him to Grand Commandant. Shen's younger brother Ang.
75
昂字敖曹。 其母張氏,始生一男二歲,令婢為湯,將浴之。 婢置而去,養猿系解,以兒投鼎中,爓而死。 張使積薪於村外,縛婢及猿焚殺之,揚其灰于漳水,然後哭之。
Ang, styled Ao Cao. His mother, Lady Zhang, had borne a son; when he was two she ordered a maid to heat water and bathe him. The maid set the water down and left; a pet monkey's tether came loose, and it threw the child into the cauldron, where he was scalded to death. Zhang had firewood piled outside the village, bound the maid and the monkey, and burned them alive; she scattered their ashes on the Zhang River, and only then did she weep.
76
昂性似其母,幼時便有壯氣。 及長,俶儻,膽力過人,龍犀豹頸,姿體雄異。 其父為求嚴師,令加捶撻。 昂不遵師訓,專事馳騁,每言:「男兒當橫行天下,自取富貴,誰能端坐讀書,作老博士也?」 其父曰:「此兒不滅吾族,當大吾門。」 以其昂藏敖曹,故以名字之。
Ang took after his mother in temperament; even as a boy he had a bold, fierce spirit. Grown to manhood he was bold and free-spirited, with courage and strength beyond ordinary men—dragon brow, rhinoceros forehead, leopard neck; his frame was heroically striking. His father found him a strict tutor and ordered that the rod be used freely. Ang ignored his tutor and gave himself over to riding hard; he often said, "A man should ride roughshod across the world and seize fortune for himself—who wants to sit bolt upright over books and end a doddering doctor of letters? His father said, "This boy will not destroy our clan—he will enlarge our house. Because he was lofty-spirited and fierce as an Ao Cao, they gave him that style name.
77
少與兄乾數為劫掠,鄉閭畏之,無敢違忤。 兄乾求博陵崔聖念女為婚,崔氏不許。 昂與兄往劫之,置女村外,謂兄曰:「何不行禮?」 於是野合而歸。 乾及昂等並劫掠,父次同常系獄中,唯遇赦乃出。 次同語人曰:「吾四子皆五眼,我死後豈有人與我一鍬土邪?」 及次同死,昂大起塚。 對之曰:「老公! 子生平畏不得一鍬土,今被壓,竟知為人不?」
In youth he often joined his elder brother Qian in raiding and plunder; the countryside feared them, and none dared stand against them. His elder brother Qian sought the daughter of Cui Shengnian of Boling in marriage, but the Cui family refused. Ang went with his brother to seize her, left the girl outside the village, and said to his brother, "Why not go through with the rites? So they consummated the marriage in the open country and returned home. Qian, Ang, and the rest all plundered; their father Cikou was often in prison and only got out when an amnesty was declared. Cikou told people, "My four sons are all five-eyed men—when I die, will anyone throw me so much as a shovelful of earth? When Cikou died, Ang built him a great tomb mound. Facing the mound he said, "Old man! All your life you feared you would not get a single shovelful of earth—now you're buried under a mountain of it. Do you finally know what it means to be a man?"
78
昂以建義初,兄弟共舉兵,既而奉魏莊帝旨散眾。 仍除通直散騎侍郎,封武城縣伯。 與兄乾俱為爾硃榮所黜,免歸鄉里。 陰養壯士,又行抄掠。 榮聞惡之,密令刺史元仲宗誘執昂,即送晉陽。 及入洛,將昂自隨,禁于駝牛署。 既而榮死,莊帝即引見勞勉之。 時爾硃世隆還逼宮闕,帝親臨大夏門指麾處分。 昂既免縲絏,被甲橫戈,與其從子長命,推鋒徑進,所向披靡。 帝及觀者,莫不壯之,即除直閣將軍,賜帛千疋。 昂以寇難尚繁,乃請還本鄉招集部曲,仍除通直散騎常侍,加北平將軍。
At the beginning of the Jianyi era the brothers raised troops together, then obeyed Emperor Zhuang of Wei's order and disbanded their forces. Ang was then appointed Regular Attendant Cavalier-in-Ordinary and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wucheng County. He and his elder brother Qian were both dismissed by Erzhu Rong and sent home without office. In secret he gathered bold men and took to raiding again. Rong heard of it and took offense; he secretly ordered Governor Yuan Zhongzong to lure Ang in and seize him, then had him sent at once to Jinyang. When Rong entered Luoyang he brought Ang with him and held him in the Camel-Ox Office. Before long Rong was dead; Emperor Zhuang summoned Ang at once, consoled him, and praised his courage. At that time Erzhu Shilong had turned back and was pressing the palace; the emperor went in person to the Great Summer Gate to direct the defense. Ang, freed from his bonds, armored himself and levelled his spear; with his nephew Changming he charged straight ahead and swept all before him. The emperor and every onlooker admired his prowess; Ang was immediately made General of the Direct Gate and given a thousand bolts of silk. With rebellion still rife, Ang asked to return to his home district to raise a following; he was further appointed Regular Attendant Cavalier-in-Regular Attendance and General Who Pacifies the North.
79
及聞莊帝見害,京師不守,遂與父兄據信都起兵。 爾硃世隆從叔殷州刺史羽生,率五千人掩至龍尾阪。 昂將十餘騎,不擐甲而馳之。 乾城守,繩下五百人追救,未及而昂已交兵,羽生敗走。 昂馬槊絕世,左右無不一當百,時人比之項籍。 神武至信都,開門奉迎。 昂時在外略地,聞之,以乾為婦人,遺以布裙。 神武使世子澄以子孫禮見之,昂乃與俱來。 後廢帝立,除冀州刺史以終其身。 仍為大都督,率眾從神武破爾硃兆于廣阿。 又討四胡于韓陵。 昂自領鄉人部曲王桃湯、東方老等三千人,神武將割鮮卑兵千餘人共相參合。 對曰:「敖曹所將部曲,練習已久,不煩更配。」 神武從之。 及戰,神武軍小卻,兆等方乘之。 昂與蔡俊以千騎自栗園出,橫擊,兆軍大敗。 是日,微昂等,神武幾殆。 太昌初,始之冀州。 尋加侍中、開府,進爵為侯。 及兄乾被殺,乃將十餘騎奔晉陽。 神武向洛陽,令昂為前驅。 武帝入關中,昂率五百騎倍道兼行,至崤、陝,不及而還。 尋行豫州刺史。 天平初,除侍中、司空公。 昂以兄乾薨此位,固辭不拜,轉司徒公。 好著小帽,世因稱司徒帽。
When he learned that Emperor Zhuang had been killed and the capital could not be held, he joined his father and brothers in raising troops at Xindu. Erzhu Shilong's cousin Yusheng, Governor of Yin Province, led five thousand men in a surprise strike against Longwei Slope. Ang took a dozen horsemen and charged without bothering to arm himself. Qian held the city and lowered five hundred men by rope to reinforce him, but before they arrived Ang was already fighting and Yusheng fled in defeat. Ang's skill with the mounted spear was unmatched; each man at his side fought as if worth a hundred, and his contemporaries compared him to Xiang Yu. When Shenwu reached Xindu, they opened the gates and welcomed him in. Ang was away securing territory; when he heard of it he mocked Qian as a woman and sent him a cloth skirt. Shenwu had his heir Cheng receive Ang with the courtesy due a grandson, and Ang then came in with him. When the Deposed Emperor was enthroned, Ang was appointed Governor of Jizhou for life. He also served as Grand Commander and led troops with Shenwu to defeat Erzhu Zhao at Guang'a. He also fought the Four Hu at Hanling. Ang personally led three thousand home-district retainers—Wang Taotang, Dongfang Lao, and the rest; Shenwu meant to detach more than a thousand Xianbei soldiers and fold them into the unit. Ang replied, "The men Ao Cao commands have been drilled together for years—there is no need to mix in others. Shenwu agreed. When battle was joined, Shenwu's line gave a little ground and Zhao's men pressed hard. Ang and Cai Jun with a thousand horsemen burst from Liyuan and struck across the enemy line; Zhao's army was smashed. That day, but for Ang and his men, Shenwu would almost certainly have been killed. At the beginning of the Taichang era, Ang took up his post in Jizhou. Soon he was further made Palace Attendant and Grand Master of the Domain, and his title was raised to marquis. When his elder brother Qian was executed, he fled with a dozen horsemen to Jinyang. Shenwu marched on Luoyang and put Ang in the vanguard. Emperor Xiaowu entered Guanzhong; Ang led five hundred horsemen by forced marches to Xiao and Shan, but could not overtake him and turned back. Soon afterward he served as acting Governor of Yuzhou. At the beginning of Tianping he was appointed Palace Attendant and Duke of Works. Ang, because his elder brother Qian had died holding that office, firmly refused it and was transferred to Duke over Masses instead. He liked to wear a small cap, and people thereafter called it the Duke of Masses' cap.
80
神武以昂為西南道大都督,徑趣商、洛。 昂度河祭河伯曰:「河伯,水中之神; 高敖曹,地上之虎。 行經君所,故相決醉。」 時山道峻阻,巴寇守險,昂轉鬥而進,莫有當鋒。 遂克上洛,獲西魏洛州刺史泉GC並將數十人,欲入藍田關。 會竇泰失利,神武召昂。 昂不忍棄眾,力戰全軍而還。 時昂為流矢所中,創甚,顧左右曰:「吾死無恨,恨不見季式作刺史耳!」 神武聞之,馳驛啟季式為濟州刺史。
Shenwu made Ang Grand Commander of the Southwest Route and sent him straight toward Shangzhou and Luozhou. Ang crossed the river and made offering to the River Lord, saying, "River Lord, god of the waters— Gao Ao Cao, tiger upon the earth. I pass through your domain, and so we share a farewell cup. The mountain roads were steep and narrow, and Ba bandits held the passes; Ang fought his way forward in battle after battle, and none could stand against his charge. He then took Shangluo, captured Western Wei's Governor of Luozhou Quan Qi along with several dozen commanders, and meant to push through Lantian Pass. When Dou Tai's force was defeated, Shenwu recalled Ang. Ang could not bear to leave his men behind; he fought his way out and brought the whole army back intact. Ang had been hit by a stray arrow and was badly wounded; he turned to those beside him and said, "If I die I have no regret—only that I will not live to see Jishi made governor! When Shenwu heard this, he sent urgent word appointing Jishi Governor of Ji Prefecture.
81
昂還,復為軍司、大都督,統七十六都督,與行台侯景練兵于武牢。 御史中尉劉貴時亦率眾在焉。 昂與北豫州刺史鄭嚴祖握槊,貴召嚴祖,昂不時遣,枷其使。 使者曰:「枷時易,脫時難。」 昂使以刀就枷刎之,曰:「何難之有?」 貴不敢校。 明日,貴與昂坐,外白河役夫多溺死。 貴曰:「頭錢價漢,隨之死。」 昂怒,拔刀斫貴。 貴走出還營,昂便鳴鼓會兵攻之。 侯景與冀州刺史万俟受洛解之乃止。 時鮮卑共輕中華朝士,唯懌昂。 神武每申令三軍,常為鮮卑言; 昂若在列時,則為華言。 昂嘗詣相府,欲直入,門者不聽,昂怒,引弓射之。 神武知而不責。 性好為詩,言甚陋鄙,神武每容之。 元年,進封京兆郡公,與侯景等同攻獨孤信于金墉。 與周文帝戰,敗于芒陰,死之。
When Ang returned he again served as Army Director and Grand Commander over seventy-six area commanders, and with Hou Jing of the Mobile Headquarters he drilled troops at Wulao. Censor-in-Chief Liu Gui was also encamped there with his troops. Ang and Zheng Yanzu, Governor of North Yuzhou, were playing spear-shuo; Gui summoned Yanzu, but Ang did not send him at once and put Gui's messenger in the cangue. The messenger said, "It is easy to put on the cangue, but hard to take it off. Ang had a blade brought to the cangue and cut the man's throat, saying, "Where is the difficulty in that?" Gui did not dare answer back. The next day, as Gui and Ang sat together, word came from outside that many conscripted river laborers had drowned. Gui said, "You buy Han men for the price of a head-tax coin—they die right along with it. Ang flew into a rage, drew his blade, and hacked at Gui. Gui fled back to his camp; Ang immediately beat the drums, mustered his troops, and attacked him. Hou Jing and Moqi Shouluo, Governor of Jizhou, intervened and brought the clash to an end. At that time the Xianbei as a whole looked down on Han court officials; only Ang did they hold in esteem. Whenever Shenwu issued orders to the three armies, he usually spoke in Xianbei; but when Ang was present in the ranks, he spoke in Chinese. Ang once went to the chancellor's residence and tried to walk straight in; the gatekeepers barred him, and Ang in a fury drew his bow and shot at them. Shenwu knew of it but did not rebuke him. By nature he loved to write poetry, though his verses were coarse and vulgar; Shenwu always indulged him all the same. In the first year of the reign he was promoted to Duke of Jingzhao Commandery and, together with Hou Jing and others, attacked Dugu Xin at Jinyong. He fought Emperor Wen of Zhou, was defeated at Mangyin, and died in the battle.
82
是役也,昂使奴京兆候西軍。 京兆于傅婢強取昂佩刀以行,昂執殺之。 京兆曰:「三度救公大急,何忍以小事賜殺?」 其夜,夢京兆以血塗己。 寤而怒,使折其二脛。 時劉桃棒在勃海,亦夢京兆言訴得理,將公付賊。 桃棒知昂必死,遽奔焉。 昂心輕敵,建旗蓋以陵陣,西人盡銳攻之,一軍皆沒。 昂輕騎東走河陽城,太守高永洛先與昂隙,閉門不受。 昂仰呼求繩,又不得,拔刀穿闔,未徹,而追兵至。 伏於橋下。 追者見其從奴持金帶,問昂所在,奴示之。 昂奮頭曰:「來,與爾開國公!」 追者斬之以去。 先是,昂夢為此奴所殺,以告盧武,將殺之。 武諫乃止,果及難。 時年四十八。 桃棒會喪于路。 神武聞之,如喪肝膽,杖永洛二百。 西魏賞斬昂首者布絹萬段,歲歲稍與之,周亡猶未充。 贈太師、大司馬、太尉公、錄尚書事、冀州刺史,諡曰忠武。 西魏尋歸敖曹首,猶可識。
In this campaign Ang sent his slave Jingzhao to scout the Western army. Jingzhao snatched Ang's belt sword from a maid and set off with it; Ang seized him and killed him. Jingzhao said, "Three times I saved you in mortal peril—how can you bear to have me killed over a trifle? That night he dreamed that Jingzhao smeared him with blood. When he awoke he flew into a rage and had both of Jingzhao's shins broken. At that time Liu Taobang was in Bohai and also dreamed that Jingzhao said his grievance had been upheld and that he would deliver his master to the enemy. Taobang knew Ang was doomed and hurried to join him. Ang underestimated the enemy; he raised banners and canopies and charged the enemy line, but the Westerners brought their full strength against him and his whole army was wiped out. Ang fled east on a light horse to Heyang City, but Prefect Gao Yongluo, who had long been at odds with him, shut the gates and refused him entry. Ang looked up and cried for a rope but could get none; he drew his blade to hack through the gate, but before he broke through the pursuers were upon him. He hid beneath a bridge. The pursuers saw his attendant holding a gold belt, asked where Ang was, and the slave pointed him out. Ang thrust out his head and cried, "Come here—I'll make you a Duke Who Founds a State! The pursuers cut off his head and rode away. Earlier Ang had dreamed that this slave would kill him; he told Lu Wu and was about to kill the man. Wu dissuaded him and he desisted; in the end disaster came to pass as foretold. He was forty-eight years old. Taobang met the funeral procession on the road. When Shenwu heard of it he was stricken as though he had lost his very heart; he had Yongluo beaten two hundred strokes with the rod. Western Wei promised the man who beheaded Ang ten thousand bolts of cloth and silk, paying it out in installments year after year; even when the Zhou dynasty fell the reward had still not been fully paid. He was posthumously granted Grand Tutor, Grand Marshal, Duke of Grand Commandant, Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Loyal and Martial. Western Wei soon returned Ao Cao's head, and it was still recognizable.
83
先是,有鵲巢於庭中地上,家人怪之,及其首函至,置正當巢處。 葬後,其妻張氏常見敖曹夜來旦去,有若生平。 傍人莫見,唯犬隨而吠之,歲餘乃絕。 其故吏東方老為南兗州刺史,追慕其恩,為立祠廟。 靈像既成,頭上坼裂,改而更作,裂如初,見者咸稱神異。
Earlier a magpie had built its nest on the ground in the courtyard; the household found it strange, and when the casket bearing his head arrived it was placed exactly where the nest had been. After the burial his wife, Lady Zhang, often saw Ao Cao arrive at night and leave at dawn, just as in life. No one else saw him; only the dog followed and barked at him. After more than a year the visitations ceased. His former subordinate Dongfang Lao, then Governor of South Yanzhou, cherishing his kindness, built a shrine in his honor. Once the spirit image was completed, the head split open; it was remade, yet split again as before, and all who saw it declared it miraculous.
84
子突騎嗣,早卒。 文襄復親簡昂諸子,以第三子道額嗣。 皇建初,追封昂永昌王,以道額襲。 武平末,開府儀同三司。 入周,為儀同大將軍。 隋開皇中,卒于黃州刺史。
His son Tuqi succeeded him but died young. Wenxiang again personally chose among Ang's sons and had his third son, Daoe, succeed. At the beginning of the Huangjian era Ang was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Yongchang, and Daoe inherited the title. At the end of the Wuping era he held the rank of Honorary Three Excellencies with the privilege of maintaining a full staff. After Zhou conquered Qi he became General of Honorary Equivalence. During the Kaihuang era of Sui he died while serving as Governor of Huangzhou.
85
昂弟季式,字子通,亦有膽氣。 太昌初,累遷尚食典禦,尋加驃騎大將軍。 天平中,為濟州刺史。 季式兄弟貴盛,並有勳于時,自領部曲千餘人,馬八百疋,衣甲器仗皆備,故能追督境內賊盜,多致克捷。 時濮陽人杜靈椿等,又陽平路叔文徒党各為亂,季式並討平之。 有客嘗謂季式曰:「濮陽、陽平乃是畿內,何忽遣私軍遠戰?」 季式曰:「我與國家同安危,豈有見賊不討之理? 若以此獲罪,吾亦無恨。」
Ang's younger brother Jishi, styled Zitong, likewise had courage and fighting spirit. At the beginning of the Taichang era he rose in succession to Palace Provisioner and was soon further promoted to Grand General of Agile Cavalry. During the Tianping era he served as Governor of Ji Prefecture. The Jishi brothers were powerful and honored, and both had won distinction in their day; each commanded more than a thousand personal retainers and eight hundred horses, with armor and weapons fully supplied, and so could hunt down bandits within their territories and often win decisive victories. At that time Du Lingchun of Puyang and the factions of Lu Shuwen of Yangping and others each raised disturbances, and Jishi put them all down. A guest once said to Jishi, "Puyang and Yangping lie within the capital region—why do you suddenly dispatch private troops to fight so far afield? Jishi said, "I share the state's safety and peril—how could I see bandits and not attack them? If I am punished for this, I shall have no regret."
86
芒山之敗,所親部曲請季式奔梁。 季式曰:「吾兄弟受國厚恩,與高王共定天下,一旦傾危而亡之,不義。」 是役也,兄昂歿焉。 興和中,行晉州事。 解州,仍鎮永安。 季式兄慎以武牢叛,遣信報季式。 季式奔告神武,神武待之如初。 武定中,除侍中,尋加冀州大中正、都督。 以前後功,加儀同三司。 天保初,封乘氏縣子。 尋遷太常卿。 仍為都督,隨司徒潘樂征江、淮間。 為私使樂人於邊境交易,還京,坐被禁止。 尋赦之。 四年夏,發疽卒。 贈侍中、開府儀同三司、冀州刺史,諡曰恭穆。
After the defeat at Mang Mountain, his close retainers urged Jishi to flee to Liang. Jishi said, "We brothers have received great favor from the state and, together with Prince Gao, helped settle the realm—to flee once it is imperiled would be unrighteous. In that battle his elder brother Ang was killed. During the Xinghe era he served as acting governor of Jin Prefecture. When he left the post he continued to garrison Yong'an. Jishi's elder brother Shen rebelled at Wulao and sent word to Jishi. Jishi rushed to inform Shenwu, and Shenwu treated him exactly as before. During the Wuding era he was appointed Palace Attendant and soon given the additional posts of Chief Rectifier of Jizhou and Area Commander. For his successive achievements he was granted Honorary Three Excellencies. At the beginning of the Tianbao era he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Chengsi County. Soon he was transferred to Minister of Ceremonies. He again served as Area Commander and followed Minister of Education Pan Yue on campaign between the Yangzi and the Huai. He had sent musicians privately to trade at the border; on returning to the capital he was placed under detention for it. He was soon pardoned. In the summer of the fourth year he died of a carbuncle. He was posthumously granted Palace Attendant, Honorary Three Excellencies with the privilege of maintaining a full staff, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Reverent and Solemn.
87
季式豪率好酒,又恃舉家勳功,不拘檢節。 與光州刺史李元忠生平遊款。 在濟州夜飲,憶元忠,開城門,令左右乘驛馬持一壺酒往光州勸之。 朝廷知而容之。 兄慎叛後,少時解職。 黃門郎司馬消難,左僕射子如之子,又是神武婿,勢盛當時。 因退食暇,尋季式,酣歌留宿。 旦日,重門並關,消難固請去。 季式曰:「君以地勢脅我邪?」 消難拜謝請出,終不見許。 酒至,不肯飲。 季式索車輪括消難頸,又更索一車輪自括頸,引滿相勸。 消難不得已,笑而從之。 方俱脫車輪,更留一宿。 及消難出,方具言之。 文襄輔政,白魏帝,賜消難美酒數石,珍羞十輿,並令朝士與季式親狎者,就季式宅宴集。 其被優遇如此。
Jishi was bold, free-spirited, and fond of wine; he also relied on his family's collective merit and paid little heed to propriety. He had been close friends all his life with Li Yuanzhong, Governor of Guangzhou. One night while drinking in Ji Prefecture he thought of Yuanzhong, opened the city gates, and sent attendants on post horses with a jar of wine to Guang Prefecture to share a cup with him. The court knew of it and indulged him. After his elder brother Shen's rebellion he was briefly removed from office. Sima Xiaonan, Gentleman at the Yellow Gate, was the son of Left Vice Director of the Masters of Execution Ziru and also Shenwu's son-in-law; his influence was immense at the time. One evening after the meal he sought out Jishi, drank and sang with abandon, and stayed the night. At dawn every gate was barred shut; Xiaonan repeatedly begged to be let out. Jishi said, "Are you trying to threaten me with your territorial power? Xiaonan bowed in apology and begged to leave, but Jishi would not allow it. When wine was brought he refused to drink. Jishi fetched wagon wheel rims and looped one around Xiaonan's neck, then fetched another and looped it around his own, and with brimming cups urged each other to drink. Xiaonan had no choice and, laughing, went along with it. Just as they both removed the wheel rims, Jishi kept him another night. Only after Xiaonan was released did he tell the whole story in detail. While Wenxiang was regent he reported to the Wei emperor, bestowed on Xiaonan several shi of fine wine and ten cartloads of delicacies, and also ordered court officials who were close to Jishi to gather for a banquet at his residence. Such was the favor shown him.
88
自昂起兵,為羽翼者,有呼延族、劉貴珍、劉長秋、東方老、劉士榮、成五彪、韓願生、劉桃棒。 隨其建義者,有李希光、劉叔宗、劉孟和等。 名顯可知者,列之後云。
From the time Ang raised troops, those who served as his wings included Huyan Zu, Liu Guizhen, Liu Changqiu, Dongfang Lao, Liu Shirong, Cheng Wubiao, Han Yuansheng, and Liu Taobang. Those who rallied to his righteous cause included Li Xiguang, Liu Shuzong, Liu Menghe, and others. Those whose names are clearly known are listed below.
89
東方老,安德鬲人,與昂為部曲。 文宣受禪,封陽平縣伯,位南兗州刺史。 後與蕭軌等度江,沒。
Dongfang Lao, a man of Ande in Ge County, had been a retainer in Ang's service. When Wenxuan accepted the abdication he was enfeoffed as Baron of Yangping County and appointed Governor of South Yanzhou. Later he crossed the Yangzi with Xiao Gui and others and was killed.
90
李希光,勃海蓚人,初隨高乾起兵,後位儀同三司、揚州刺史。 文宣責陳武帝廢蕭明,命儀同蕭軌率希光、東方老、裴英起、王敬寶步騎數萬,以天保七年三月度江,襲克石頭城。 五將名位相侔,英起以侍中為軍司,蕭軌與希光並為都督。 軍中抗禮,動必乖張。 頓軍丹楊城下,遇霖雨五十餘日,故致敗。 將卒俱死,軍士得還者十二三。
Li Xiguang, a native of Tiao in Bohai, had first followed Gao Gan in raising troops; later he rose to Honorary Three Excellencies and Governor of Yangzhou. Wenxuan reproached Emperor Wu of Chen for deposing Xiao Ming and ordered Xiao Gui, Equal in Rank to the Three Dukes, to lead Xiguang, Dongfang Lao, Pei Yingqi, and Wang Jingbao with tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry; in the third month of the seventh year of Tianbao they crossed the Yangzi and stormed Shitou City. The five generals were equal in rank and standing; Yingqi served as Army Director in his capacity as Palace Attendant, while Xiao Gui and Xiguang were both area commanders. In the army they refused to defer to one another, and every move bred discord. They encamped below Danyang City, were battered by more than fifty days of steady rain, and so met defeat. Officers and men alike perished; only one or two soldiers in ten made it back.
91
劉叔宗名纂,樂陵平昌人,歸昂,位車騎將軍、左光祿大夫。
Liu Shuzong, personal name Zuan, a native of Pingchang in Leling, submitted to Ang and rose to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
92
劉孟和名協,浮陽饒安人,聚眾附昂兄弟,位終大丞相司馬,坐事死。 其餘並不知所終云。
Liu Menghe, personal name Xie, a native of Rao'an in Fuyang, gathered followers and attached himself to the Ang brothers; he eventually became Marshal to the Grand Chancellor and was executed for an offense. As for the rest, their final fates are unknown.
93
神武初起兵,范陽盧曹亦以勇力稱,為爾硃氏守,據薊。 神武厚禮召之,以昂相擬,曰:「宜來,與從叔為二曹。」 曹慍曰:「將田舍兒比國士。」 遂率其徒自薊入海島。 得長人骨,以髑髏為馬皁; 脛長丈六尺,以為二槊。 送其一于神武,諸將莫能用,唯彭樂強舉之。 未幾,曹遇疾,恫聲聞於外。 巫言海神為崇,遂卒。 其徒五百人皆服斬衰,葬畢潛散。 曹身長九尺,鬢面甚雄,臂毛逆如豬鬣,力能拔樹。 性弘毅方重,常從客雅服,北州敬仰之。 嘗臥疾,猶申足以舉二人。 蠕蠕寇范陽,曹登城射之,矢出三百步,投弓於外,群虜莫能彎,乃去之。 時有沙門曇贊,號為神力,唯曹與之角焉。 曇贊聞叫聲則勝。
When Shenwu first raised troops, Lu Cao of Fanyang was also famed for courage and strength; he had served the Erzhu clan as a defender and held Ji. Shenwu summoned him with generous courtesy, comparing him to Ang, and said, "You should come and stand as the two Caos with your junior uncle. Cao said angrily, "You compare a farm boy to a champion of the realm. Thereupon he led his followers from Ji out to a sea island. He found the bones of a giant and used the skull as a horse manger; the shins, a full zhang and six chi long, he fashioned into two spears. He sent one spear to Shenwu; none of the generals could wield it—only Peng Yue could lift it by main force. Before long Cao fell ill, and his groans could be heard outside. A shaman said the Sea God was tormenting him, and he died. His five hundred followers all wore the deepest mourning hemp; after the burial they quietly dispersed. Cao stood nine chi tall; his beard and face were formidable; the hair on his arms grew against the grain like boar bristles, and his strength was enough to uproot trees. By nature he was magnanimous, resolute, and dignified; he often dressed with elegant restraint, and the northern provinces revered him. Once when he lay ill he could still stretch out a leg and lift two men. When the Rouran raided Fanyang, Cao mounted the wall and shot at them; his arrows carried three hundred paces; he cast his bow outside the wall, and none of the raiders could draw it, whereupon they withdrew. At that time there was a monk named Tanzan, famed for divine strength; only Cao could match him. When Tanzan heard shouting he would win.
94
論曰:高允踐危禍之機,抗雷電之氣,處死夷然,忘身濟難,卒悟明主,保己全名。 自非體鄰知命,鑒昭窮達,亦何能若此。 宜光寵四世,終享百齡。 有魏以來,斯人而已。 僧裕藝用有聞,聿修之義。 世禮貪而無道,能無及乎? 子集學業優道,知名前世,儒俊之風,門舊不殞。 德正受終之際,契協亂臣,雖鐘淫虐,而名亦茂矣! 乾邕兄弟,不階尺土之資,奮臂河朔,自致勤王之舉,神武因之,以成霸業。 但以非潁川元從,異豐沛故人,腹心之寄,有所未允。 露其啟疏,假手天誅,枉濫之極,莫或過此。 昂之膽力,氣冠萬夫,韓陵之下,風飛電擊。 然則齊氏元功,一門而已。 其餘托而義唱,亦足稱云。
The commentary says: Gao Yun stood at the brink of peril and disaster, withstood the force of thunder and lightning, faced death with calm composure, forgot himself to rescue others from difficulty, and in the end won a wise ruler's understanding and preserved both his life and his good name. Had his inner nature not partaken of knowing fate, and had his discernment not illuminated rise and fall, how could he have done thus? It was fitting that honor should shine upon four generations and that he should live to a hundred years. Since Wei, there has been no one like him. Sengyu was known for his arts and abilities and upheld the principle of continual self-cultivation. Shili was greedy and without the Way—how could he not come to ruin? Ziji's learning excelled in the Way; he was famed among forebears; the manner of Confucian worthies endured, and the family's old standing did not perish. At the time of the abdication Dezheng joined with rebellious ministers; though he met with wanton cruelty, his fame was still great! The Qian-Ou brothers, without inheriting so much as a foot of land, raised their arms in Heshuo, brought about the righteous campaign to rescue the ruler, and Shenwu relied on them to achieve his hegemony. But because they were not original followers from Yingchuan, unlike the old companions from Fengpei, entrusting them with one's innermost counsels was never wholly approved. Exposing their memorials and borrowing Heaven's punishment to destroy them—nothing surpasses this in injustice. Ang's courage and strength topped ten thousand men; below Hanling he swept like wind and lightning. Thus the paramount merit of the Qi house rested in one clan alone. The rest who rallied to his righteous standard also merit mention.