Volume 43 Biographies 31: Gao Zuo, Zhang Yi, Xing Luan, Li Chong

郭祚張彝邢巒李崇

Guo Zuo, Zhang Yi, Xing Luan, and Li Chong

列傳三十一

Biographies 31

郭祚張彝孫晏之曾孫乾威邢巒弟子昕族孫臧邵李崇從弟平平子獎諧

This chapter treats Guo Zuo and Zhang Yi; Sun Yanzhi's great-grandson Qianwei; Xing Luan's disciple Xin and his clansman Zang Shao; and Li Chong's younger cousin Ping, Ping's son Jiang, and He

郭祚，字季祐，太原晉陽人，魏車騎將軍淮弟亮之後也。祖逸，本州別駕，前後以二女妻司徒崔浩，一女妻浩弟上党太守恬。太武時，浩親寵用事，拜逸徐州刺史，假榆次侯，贈光祿大夫。父洪之，坐浩事誅。祚亡竄得免。

Guo Zuo, whose style name was Jiyou, came from Jinyang in Taiyuan. He was descended from Liang, the younger brother of Guo Huai, who had served as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry under Wei. His grandfather Yi had served as provincial aide-de-camp and, one after another, married two daughters to the Minister of Works Cui Hao and a third to Hao's younger brother Tian, governor of Shangdang. During the reign of Emperor Taiwu, when Cui Hao enjoyed the emperor's favor and held real power, Yi was appointed governor of Xuzhou, granted the nominal title Marquis of Yuci, and later posthumously honored as Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. His father Hongzhi was put to death in connection with the Cui Hao affair. Zuo went into hiding and so escaped with his life.

少孤貧，姿貌不偉，鄉人莫之識。有女巫相祚後當富貴。祚涉歷經史，習崔浩之書，尺牘文章見稱於世。弱冠為州主簿，刺史孫小委之書記。又太原太守王希彥，逸妻之侄也，共相賙恤，乃振。孝文初，舉秀才，對策上第，拜中書博士。轉中書侍郎，遷尚書左丞，長兼給事黃門侍郎。祚清勤在公，夙夜匪懈，帝甚賞之。從南征，及還，正黃門。車駕幸長安，行經渭橋，過淮廟，問祚曰：「是卿祖宗所承邪？」祚曰：「是臣七世伯祖。」帝曰：「先賢後哲，頓在一門。」祚對曰：「昔臣先人以通儒英博，唯事魏文。微臣虛薄，遭奉聖明，自惟幸甚。」因敕乙太牢祭淮廟，令祚自撰祭文。以贊遷洛之規，賜爵東光子。孝文曾幸華林園，因觀故景陽山。祚曰：「山以仁靜，水以智流，願陛下修之。」帝曰：「魏明以奢失於前，朕何為襲之於後？」祚曰：「高山仰止。」帝曰：「得非景行之謂？」遷散騎常侍，仍領黃門。

Orphaned and poor in his youth, he was not striking in appearance, and his neighbors scarcely noticed him. A village witch foretold that Zuo would one day rise to wealth and high rank. He steeped himself in the classics and histories, studied Cui Hao's literary models, and gained a reputation for skill in correspondence and composition. When he reached manhood he was appointed chief clerk of the province, and Governor Sun Xiao put him in charge of his correspondence. Wang Xiyan, governor of Taiyuan and a nephew of Yi's wife, also helped support him, and in this way he slowly recovered his footing. Early in the reign of Emperor Xiaowen he was presented as a provincial graduate, ranked first in the palace examination, and appointed an erudite of the Secretariat. He was then made a gentleman of the Secretariat, promoted to left assistant director of the Ministry, and for a long stretch also held the concurrent post of attendant gentleman of the yellow gate. Zuo served with scrupulous diligence, working from dawn to dusk without slackening, and the emperor held him in high regard. He accompanied the emperor on the southern campaign, and after their return was appointed regular attendant of the yellow gate. When the emperor traveled to Chang'an and crossed the Wei Bridge, he passed the shrine of Huai and asked Zuo, "Is this the ancestor your family claims? Zuo replied, "He is my great-great-great-great-great-great-uncle." The emperor said, "Worthies of old and talent of today, gathered in a single household." Zuo answered, "In former times my ancestor, a scholar of wide learning, served none but Emperor Wen of Wei. As for me, shallow and slight as I am, I have the good fortune to serve Your Sage Majesty; I can only count myself blessed." The emperor then ordered a great offering at Huai's shrine and told Zuo to compose the sacrificial text himself. Because he had supported the plan to transfer the capital, he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Dongguang. Emperor Xiaowen once visited the Hualin Garden and gazed upon the old site of Jingyang Mountain. Zuo said, "Mountains embody tranquil benevolence, waters embody flowing wisdom—may Your Majesty nurture both. The emperor replied, "Emperor Ming of Wei ruined himself through luxury; why should I repeat his example?" Zuo answered, "As the ode says, one gazes up at the lofty mountain and halts in awe." The emperor said, "Do you mean the 'worthy path' of the ode?" He was promoted to regular attendant-in-ordinary while continuing to head the yellow gate office.

是時，孝文銳意典禮，兼銓鏡九流，又遷都草創，征討不息；內外規略，號為多事。祚與黃門宋弁參謀帷幄，隨其才用，各有委寄。祚承稟注疏，特成勤劇。嘗以立馮昭儀，百官夕飲清徽後園。孝文舉觴賜祚及崔光曰：「郭祚憂勤庶事，獨不欺我。崔光溫良博物，朝之儒秀。不勸此兩人，當勸誰也！」其見知若此。初，孝文以李彪為散騎常侍，祚因入見，帝謂祚曰：「朕昨誤授一人官。」祚對曰：「豈容聖詔一行，而有差異！」帝沈吟曰：「此自應有讓，因讓，朕欲別授一官。」須臾，彪有啟云：「伯石辭卿，子產所惡，臣欲之已久，不敢辭讓。」帝歎謂祚曰：「卿之忠諫，李彪正辭，使朕遲回，不能復決。」遂不換李彪官也。

At that time Emperor Xiaowen was intent on reforming ritual and institutions, re-examining the nine-rank system, founding a new capital, and waging campaigns without pause. Domestic and military planning alike were said to keep everyone fully occupied. Zuo and Song Bian of the yellow gate advised within the command tent, and each was entrusted with duties suited to his abilities. Zuo above all took charge of annotated orders and bore an especially heavy share of the work. Once, when Lady Feng was installed as imperial consort, the officials were given an evening banquet in the Qingwei rear garden. Emperor Xiaowen raised his goblet and offered a toast to Zuo and Cui Guang, saying, "Guo Zuo labors tirelessly over every affair and never deceives me. Cui Guang is mild, learned, and broad in knowledge—the court's leading scholar. If I do not reward these two men, whom else should I reward? Such was the measure of esteem in which he was held. Earlier the emperor had appointed Li Biao regular attendant-in-ordinary. When Zuo came in for an audience, the emperor told him, "Yesterday I mistakenly gave a man an appointment. Zuo replied, "Surely a sacred edict, once issued, cannot be altered!" The emperor hesitated and said, "He ought by rights to decline; once he declines, I mean to give him a different post." Shortly afterward Biao submitted a memorial: "When Bo Shi refused the ministry, Zichan condemned him; I have wanted this post for a long time and dare not decline it." The emperor sighed and said to Zuo, "Your loyal counsel and Li Biao's forthright reply leave me unable to settle the matter." In the end he did not change Li Biao's appointment.

乘輿南討，祚以兼侍中從，拜尚書，進爵為伯。孝文崩，咸陽王禧等奏祚兼吏部尚書。尋除長兼吏部尚書、并州大中正。宣武詔以奸吏逃刑，縣配遠戍，若永避不出，兄弟代之。祚奏曰：「若以奸吏逃竄，徙其兄弟，罪人妻子，復應徙之，此則一人之罪，禍傾二室。愚謂罪人既逃，止徙妻子，走者之身，縣名永配，於眚不免，奸途自塞。」詔從之。尋正吏部。祚持身潔清，重惜官位。至於銓授，假令得人，必徘徊久之，然後下筆，下筆即云：「此人便以貴矣。」由是事頗稽滯，當時每招怨讟。然所拔用者，皆量才稱職，時又以此歸之。

When the emperor marched south on campaign, Zuo accompanied him as concurrent palace attendant, was appointed a minister, and advanced to the rank of count. After Emperor Xiaowen's death, the Prince of Xianyang, Xi, and others recommended that Zuo concurrently hold the post of minister of the ministry of officials. Soon afterward he was relieved of other duties and made long-term concurrent minister of the ministry of officials and grand rectifier of Bingzhou. Emperor Xuanwu decreed that when corrupt officials fled to escape punishment, their home districts should be assigned to distant frontier service, and if they never came forward, their brothers should serve in their place. Zuo submitted a memorial: "If fleeing corrupt officials cause their brothers to be banished, then the criminals' wives and children must be banished as well—one man's offense would then ruin two families. I suggest that once the guilty party has fled, only his wife and children be relocated; the fugitive's own name should remain permanently on the district rolls for assignment, so that he can never escape punishment and the road to corruption is closed. The emperor approved his proposal. Shortly afterward he was appointed regular minister of the ministry. Zuo conducted himself with scrupulous integrity and treasured his official position. When making appointments, even after he had found the right candidate he would hesitate a long time before putting pen to paper, and once he wrote he would say, "This man is already raised in rank. For this reason business often dragged on, and at the time he frequently drew complaints. Yet those he selected were all fitted to their posts by ability, and contemporaries for that reason also gave him credit.

出為使持節、鎮北將軍、瀛州刺史。及太極殿成，祚朝于京師，轉鎮東將軍、青州刺史。祚逢歲不稔，闔境饑弊，矜傷愛下，多所振恤，雖斷決淹留，號為煩緩，然士女懷其德澤。入為侍中、金紫光祿大夫、并州大中正。遷尚書右僕射。

He left the capital as commissioner bearing the imperial staff, general who pacifies the north, and governor of Yingzhou. When the Hall of Supreme Ultimate was completed, Zuo came to court in the capital and was transferred to general who pacifies the east and governor of Qingzhou. His tenure coincided with famine; the whole province was hungry and destitute. He showed compassion for the people and gave extensive relief. Though his legal decisions were slow and he was criticized as dilatory, the common people cherished his kindness. He returned to court as palace attendant, grand master for the golden bell and purple canopy, and grand rectifier of Bingzhou. He was promoted to right vice director of the ministry.

時議定新令，詔祚與侍中、黃門參議刊正。故事，令、僕、中丞騶唱而入宮門，至於馬道。及祚為僕射，以為非盡敬之宜，言於帝，納之。下詔禦在太極，騶唱至止車門；禦在朝堂，至司馬門。騶唱不入宮，自此始也。詔祚本官領太子少師。祚曾從幸東宮，明帝幼弱，祚持一黃㼐出奉之。時應詔左右趙桃弓與御史中尉王顯迭相脣齒，深為帝所信，祚私事之，時人謗祚者，號為桃弓僕射、黃㼐少師。

At that time a new code was under discussion, and the emperor ordered Zuo, together with palace attendants and officials of the yellow gate, to join in revising it. By long-standing custom, directors, vice directors, and the imperial censor were heralded by outriders from the palace gate all the way to the horse road. When Zuo became vice director, he held that this was not fully proper to reverence and spoke to the emperor, who agreed. An edict was issued: when the emperor was in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate, the outriders should announce only as far as the carriage-halting gate; when the emperor was in the audience hall, only as far as the Sima Gate. From this time onward outriders no longer entered the palace. The emperor ordered Zuo to keep his existing post and also serve as junior tutor of the heir apparent. Zuo once accompanied the emperor to the Eastern Palace. Emperor Ming was still a child, and Zuo brought out a yellow pear and offered it to him. At that time Zhao Taogong, an attendant at imperial command, and Wang Xian, the imperial censor, backed each other in court and enjoyed the emperor's deep trust. Zuo cultivated them in private, and critics nicknamed him Vice Director Taogong and Junior Tutor Yellow Pear.

祚奏曰：「謹案前後考格，雖班天下，如臣愚短，猶有未悟。今須定職人遷轉由狀，超越階級者即須量折。景明初考格，五年者得一階半。正始中，故尚書、中山王英奏考格，被旨：「但可正滿三周為限，不得計殘年之勤。」又去年中，以前二制不同，奏請裁決。旨云：「黜陟之體，知依舊來恆斷。」今未審舊來之旨，為從景明之斷？為從正始為限？景明考法，東西省文武閑官悉為三等，考同任事。而前尚書盧昶奏，上等之人三年轉半階。今之考格，復分為九等，前後不同，參差無准。」詔曰：「考在上中者，得泛以前，有六年以上遷一階，三年以上遷半階，殘年悉除。考在上下者，得泛以前，六年以上遷半階，不滿者除。其得泛以後，考在上下者，三年遷一階。散官從盧昶所奏。」

Zuo submitted a memorial: "I have reviewed the examination regulations issued in former times and at present. Though they have been promulgated throughout the realm, one as dull as I still finds points that remain unclear. We must now fix how regular officials are transferred on the basis of their dossiers, and those who skip ranks must have their seniority reduced accordingly. Under the Jingming examination rules, after five years one advanced one and a half ranks. In the Zhengshi era the former minister and Prince of Zhongshan, Ying, submitted regulations and received the rescript: 'Only three full cycles may count as the limit; leftover years of service may not be tallied.' Moreover, midway through last year, because the two earlier systems differed, a memorial was submitted asking for a ruling. "The rescript stated: 'The principles of promotion and demotion are to follow the standing practice of former times.'" I am still uncertain whether the intent of former times is to follow the Jingming ruling, or to apply the Zhengshi limit? Under the Jingming method, all civil and military sinecures of the eastern and western secretariats were placed in three grades and examined on the same footing as active posts. Yet the former minister Lu Chang memorialized that those in the upper grade should advance half a rank every three years. The present regulations again divide candidates into nine grades; the earlier and later systems conflict and lack a single standard. The emperor replied: "Those rated upper-middle may, counting broadly from earlier service, advance one full rank after six or more years and half a rank after three or more years; partial years are all disregarded. Those rated upper-lower may, counting broadly from earlier service, advance half a rank after six or more years; those who fall short are disregarded. Once they may count broadly from earlier service, those rated upper-lower advance one rank every three years. Sinecure officials follow Lu Chang's memorial."

祚又奏言：「考察令：公清獨著、德績超倫而無負殿者為上上，一殿為上中，二殿為上下，累計八殿，品降至九。未審今諸曹府寺，凡考，在事公清，然才非獨著；績行稱務，而德非超倫；幹能粗可，而守平堪任；或人用小劣，處官濟事並全無負殿之徒：為依何第？景明三年以來，至今十有一載，准限而判，三應升退。今既通考，未審為十年之中，通其殿最，積以為第？隨前後年斷，各自除其善惡而為升降？且負注之章，數成殿為差，此條以寡愆為最，多戾為殿。未審取何行是寡愆？何坐為多戾？結累品次，復有幾等？諸文案失衷應杖十者為一負，罪依律次，過隨負記。十年之中，三經肆眚，赦前之罪，不問輕重，皆蒙宥免。或為御史所彈，案驗未周，遇赦復任者，未審記殿得除以不？」詔曰：「獨著、超倫及才備、寡咎，皆謂文武兼上上之極言耳。自此以降，猶有八等，隨才為次，令文已具。其積負累殿及守平得濟，皆含在其中，何容別疑也？所雲通考者，據總多年之言。至於黜陟之體，自依舊來年斷，何足復請。其罰贖已決之殿，固非免限。遇赦免罪，准其殿者除之。

Zuo submitted again: "The examination ordinance states that upper-upper is for those of outstanding public integrity whose virtue and achievement surpass the norm without a single demerit mark; one mark is upper-middle, two are upper-lower, and eight accumulated marks reduce the grade to the ninth. I am still unclear whether, in the examinations of all bureaus and directorates, an official who is publicly upright in office yet whose talent is not uniquely outstanding; whose performance meets his duties yet whose virtue does not surpass the norm; whose competence is roughly adequate and who can hold office competently; or men with minor faults who nonetheless accomplish their work in office and have no demerit marks at all—under which grade should they be placed? From the third year of Jingming until now eleven years have passed; by the standard term there should have been three rounds of promotion or demotion. Now that examinations are unified, I do not know whether, within those ten years, demerit marks should be totaled to determine the grade, or whether each year should be judged on its own, with good and bad struck separately to determine promotion or demotion? Moreover, the article on demerit marks counts a set number of faults as one mark; it treats few faults as best and many offenses as demerits. I do not yet know what conduct counts as few faults, or what offenses count as many violations? When grades are totaled, how many grades are there in all? For documents and cases that miss the standard and merit ten blows of the staff, one counts as one demerit; offenses follow the gradations of the law, and excess is recorded with the demerit. Within ten years there have been three general amnesties; offenses before an amnesty, regardless of severity, were all pardoned. Or if an official is impeached by the censor, the case is not yet fully investigated, and he is reappointed after an amnesty—may his demerit marks be struck off or not? The emperor replied: "Uniquely outstanding merit, surpassing the norm, and full talent with few faults are terms reserved for the highest civil and military grade together. Below that there are still eight grades, arranged according to ability; the regulations already set this forth. Those who accumulate demerit marks yet hold office adequately and get their work done are all covered by these rules—there is no room for separate doubt. What is meant by unified examination is a reckoning across many years. As for promotion and demotion, that still follows the annual judgments of former practice—there is no need to ask again. Demerit marks for fines and commutations already settled are certainly not subject to exemption. When an amnesty pardons the offense, eligible demerit marks are struck off.

尋加散騎常侍。時詔營明堂、國學，祚奏曰：「今雲羅西舉，開納岷、蜀；戎旗東指，鎮靖淮、荊；漢、沔之間，復須防捍。徵兵發眾，所在殷廣。邊郊多壘，烽驛未息，不可于師旅之際，興板築之功。且獻歲雲暨，東作將始。臣愚量謂宜待豐靖之年，因數來之力，可不時而就。」從之。

He was soon additionally appointed regular attendant-in-ordinary. At that time the court ordered construction of the Bright Hall and the Imperial Academy. Zuo memorialized: "The banners now advance westward, bringing Min and Shu into the fold; military standards point east to pacify the Huai and Jing regions; between the Han and Mian rivers defense must again be maintained. Recruitment is heavy everywhere. Frontier fortresses are many and beacon fires have not ceased; we cannot launch major construction in the midst of military campaigns. Moreover the new year has arrived and spring planting is about to begin. I humbly suggest waiting for a year of peace and plenty, when the labor of several good harvests can finish the work in good time. The emperor approved.

宣武末年，每引祚入東宮，密受賞賚，多至百餘萬，雜以錦繡。又特賜以劍杖，恩寵甚深。遷左僕射。先是，梁將康絢遏淮，將灌揚、徐。祚表曰：「蕭衍狂狡，擅斷川瀆，役苦人勞，危亡已兆。宜敕揚州選一猛將，遣當州之兵，令赴浮山，表裹夾攻。」朝議從之。除使持節、散騎常侍、都督、雍州刺史、征西將軍。

In Emperor Xuanwu's last years he often summoned Zuo to the Eastern Palace and secretly rewarded him, sometimes with more than a million in cash along with brocades. He was also specially granted the sword and staff of honor, tokens of exceptional favor. He was promoted to left vice director of the ministry. Earlier the Liang general Kang Xuan had blocked the Huai River and was about to flood Yang and Xu. Zuo submitted a memorial: "Xiao Yan is reckless and deceitful, arrogantly diverting rivers; the people labor in misery and the signs of collapse are already plain. The court should order Yangzhou to choose a fierce general and dispatch that province's troops to Fushan for a coordinated attack from both sides. The court adopted his plan. He was appointed commissioner bearing the imperial staff, regular attendant-in-ordinary, commander, governor of Yongzhou, and general who pacifies the west.

太和以前，朝法尤峻，貴臣蹉跌，便致誅夷。李沖之用事也，欽祚識幹，薦為左丞，又兼黃門，意便滿足。每以孤門，往經崔氏之禍，常慮危亡，苦自陳挹，辭色懇然，發於誠至。沖謂之曰：「人生有運，非可避也。但當明白當官，何所顧畏。」自是積十數年，位秩隆重，而進趣之心，更復不息。又以東宮師傅之資，列辭尚書，志在封侯之賞，儀同之位。尚書令、任城王澄為之奏聞。及為征西、雍州，雖喜外撫，尚以府號不優，心望加大。執政者頗怪之。

Before the Taihe era court law was especially harsh: when eminent ministers stumbled they were immediately put to death. When Li Chong held power he admired Zuo's ability, recommended him as left assistant director and also to the yellow gate, and Zuo was satisfied. As the lone survivor of a family that had suffered the Cui clan disaster, he constantly feared destruction and humbled himself earnestly, his words and manner born of genuine feeling. Chong told him, "Fortune has its turns; they cannot be evaded. Only serve in office with integrity—what is there to dread? For more than ten years after that his rank grew weighty, yet his ambition for advancement never slackened. Relying on his post as tutor of the Eastern Palace, he repeatedly petitioned to leave the ministry, aiming at enfeoffment and the rank of palace equal to the three lords. Minister of Works and Prince of Rencheng, Cheng, submitted the matter to the throne. When he became general who pacifies the west and governor of Yongzhou, though glad of field command, he still found his headquarters title inadequate and inwardly hoped for greater honors. Those in power were displeased.

于時領軍於忠恃寵驕恣，崔光之徒，曲躬承接。祚心惡之，乃遣子太尉從事中郎景尚說高陽王雍，令出忠為州。忠聞而大怒，矯詔殺祚。祚達於政事。凡所經履，咸為稱職，每有斷決，多為故事。名器既重，時望亦深，一朝非罪見害，遠近莫不惋惜。靈太后臨朝，遣使吊慰，追復伯爵。正光中，贈使持節、車騎將軍、儀同三司、雍州刺史，諡文貞公。初，孝文之置中正，從容謂祚曰：「并州中正，卿家故應推王瓊也。」祚退謂寮友曰：「瓊真偽今自未辨，我家何為減之？然主上直信李沖吹噓之說耳。」祚死後三歲而於忠死，見祚為祟。

At that time Commander-in-Chief Yu Zhong, relying on imperial favor, was arrogant and overbearing, while Cui Guang and others bowed and flattered him. Zuo detested this and sent his son Jingshang, an attendant of the grand commandant, to persuade the Prince of Gaoyang, Yong, to have Zhong posted out as provincial governor. When Zhong learned of it he was furious and forged an edict to have Zuo executed. Zuo was skilled in administration. In every post he held he performed competently, and many of his decisions became precedents. His reputation and rank were already great and public expectation ran high; when he was killed without cause in a single morning, men near and far alike grieved. When Empress Dowager Ling assumed regency she sent envoys to mourn him and posthumously restored his countly title. In the Zhengguang era he was posthumously granted commissioner with the imperial staff, grand general of chariots and cavalry, palace equal to the three lords, and governor of Yongzhou, with the posthumous title Duke Wen Zhen. Earlier, when Emperor Xiaowen established the rectifier system, he remarked to Zuo at leisure, "For rectifier of Bingzhou your family ought to recommend Wang Qiong. Zuo withdrew and told his colleagues, "Whether Qiong is truly worthy is still unclear—why should my family be demoted? The emperor simply believes Li Chong's flattery. In truth the emperor simply trusted Li Chong's self-promotion." Three years after Zuo's death Yu Zhong died, claiming he was haunted by Zuo's spirit.

祚子景尚，字思和。涉曆書傳，曉星曆占候，言事頗驗。初為彭城王中軍府參軍，遷員外郎、司徒主簿、太尉從事中郎。公強當世，善事權寵，世號曰郭尖。位中書侍郎，未拜而卒。景尚弟慶禮，位通直郎。慶禮子元貞，武定末，定州驃騎府長史。

Zuo's son Jingshang, whose style name was Sihe. He studied books and histories, understood astronomy and divination, and his predictions often proved correct. He first served as an aide in the Prince of Pengcheng's central army headquarters, then was promoted to outer court gentleman, chief clerk of the ministry, and attendant of the grand commandant. Overbearing in his day and skilled at courting power, his contemporaries called him Guo the Sharp. He rose to gentleman of the Secretariat but died before taking up the post. Jingshang's younger brother Qingli served as direct attendant. Qingli's son Yuanzhen, at the end of the Wuding era, was chief clerk of the rapid cavalry headquarters of Dingzhou.

張彝，字慶賓，清河東武城人也。曾祖幸，慕容超東牟太守。歸魏，賜爵平陸侯，位青州刺史。祖准之襲，又為東青州刺史。父靈真，早卒。

Zhang Yi, whose style name was Qingbin, came from Dongwucheng in Qinghe. His great-grandfather Xing had been governor of Dongmou under Murong Chao. He submitted to Wei and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pinglu and appointed governor of Qingzhou. His grandfather Zhun inherited the title and also served as governor of Eastern Qingzhou. His father Lingzhen died young.

彝性公強有風氣，曆覽經史，襲祖侯爵。與盧陽烏、李安人等結為親友，往來朝會，常相追隨。陽烏為主客令，安人與彝並散令。彝少而豪放，出入殿庭，步眄高上，無所顧忌。文明太后雅尚恭謹，因會次見其如此，遂召集百寮督責之，令其修悔，而猶無悛改。善於督察，每有所巡檢，彝常充其選，清慎嚴猛，所至人皆畏伏，儔燈亦以此高之。遷主客令，例降侯為伯，轉太中大夫，仍行主客曹事，尋為黃門。後從駕南征，母憂解任。彝居喪過禮，送葬自平城達家，千里步從，不乘車馬，顏貌瘦瘠，當世稱之。孝文幸冀州，遣使吊慰，詔以驍騎將軍起之，還復本位。以參定遷都之勳，進爵為侯。轉太常少卿，遷散騎常侍，兼侍中，持節巡察陝東河南十二州，甚有聲稱。使還，以從征之勤，遷尚書。坐舉元昭為兼郎中，黜為守尚書。宣武初，除正尚書，兼侍中，尋正侍中。

Yi was upright and forceful by nature, steeped himself in the classics and histories, and inherited his grandfather's marquisate. He formed close friendships with Lu Yangwu, Li Anren, and others and at court assemblies they were often seen together. Yangwu was director of guests; Anren and Yi were both outer court gentlemen. In youth Yi was bold and unrestrained; entering and leaving the palace halls he walked with head high and gaze proud, heedless of all restraint. Empress Dowager Wenming prized respectful conduct; seeing him behave so at an assembly, she summoned the officials and rebuked him, ordering him to reform, yet he still would not change. He excelled at inspection and was often chosen for tours of investigation; pure, cautious, and stern, he inspired fear wherever he went, and his peers respected him for it. He was promoted to director of guests; by precedent his marquisate was reduced to a count, he was made grand master of the palace, continued to administer the bureau of guests, and soon entered the yellow gate. Later he accompanied the southern campaign; when his mother died he resigned. His mourning observances exceeded the prescribed rites; he walked a thousand li escorting the coffin from Pingcheng home without riding, his face gaunt, and contemporaries praised him. Emperor Xiaowen visited Jizhou, sent envoys to condole with him, and ordered him recalled as general of valiant cavalry and restored to his former post. For his contribution to establishing the capital transfer he was advanced to marquis. He was made vice director of the court of imperial sacrifices, then regular attendant-in-ordinary and concurrent palace attendant, and with imperial staff inspected twelve provinces east of Shan and south of the River, winning great renown. On his return he was promoted to minister for his campaign service. He was penalized for recommending Yuan Zhao as concurrent bureau director and was demoted to acting minister. At the beginning of Emperor Xuanwu's reign he was made regular minister and concurrent palace attendant, and soon regular palace attendant.

宣武親政，罷六輔。彝與兼尚書邢巒聞處分非常，懼，出京奔走。為御史中尉甄琛所彈，云「非武非兕，率彼曠野。」詔書切責之。尋除安西將軍、秦州刺史。彝務尚典式，考訪故事，及臨隴右，彌加討習。於是出入直衛，方伯羽儀，赫然可觀。羌、夏畏伏，憚其威整；一方肅靜，號為良牧。其年冬，太極初就，彝與郭祚等俱以勤舊被征。及還州，進號撫軍將軍。彝表解州任，詔不許。

When Emperor Xuanwu assumed personal rule he dismissed the six assistants. Yi and concurrent minister Xing Luan heard that the measures were extraordinary and fled the capital in fear. Imperial censor Zhen impeached them, quoting the ode: "Not bull, not rhinoceros—yet he drives them through the wild. An imperial edict sternly rebuked them. He was soon appointed general who pacifies the west and governor of Qinzhou. Yi devoted himself to ritual forms, researched precedents, and on reaching Longyou applied himself even more to study. His retinue of guards and the feathered banners of a regional lord made a splendid display. The Qiang and Xia submitted in awe of his stern discipline; the whole region was pacified and he was hailed as an excellent governor. That winter, when the Hall of Supreme Ultimate was first completed, Yi was summoned to court with Guo Zuo and others as veterans of long service. On returning to his province his title was advanced to general who pacifies the army. Yi petitioned to resign his provincial post; the emperor refused.

彝敷政隴右，多所制立，宣佈新風，革其舊俗，人庶愛仰之。為國造佛寺，名曰興皇，諸有罪咎者，隨其輕重，謫為土木之功，無復鞭杖之罰。時陳留公主寡居，彝意願尚主，主亦許之。僕射高肇亦望尚主，主意不可。肇怒，譖彝擅立刑法，勞役百姓，詔遣直後萬貳興馳驛檢察。貳興，肇所親愛，必欲致彝深罪。彝清身奉法，求其愆過，遂無所得。見代還洛，猶停廢數年。

Yi governed Longyou extensively, establishing many regulations, proclaiming new customs and reforming old ways; the people admired him. He built a Buddhist temple for the state called Xinghuang; offenders were sentenced according to severity to labor on the building instead of corporal punishment. At that time the Princess of Chenliu was widowed; Yi wished to marry her and she agreed. Vice Director Gao Zhao also sought to marry her, but the princess would not change her mind. Zhao was furious and accused Yi of arrogantly imposing penal laws and overworking the people; the emperor sent Direct Attendant Wan Erxing post-haste to investigate. Erxing was Zhao's favorite and was determined to convict Yi of serious crimes. Yi conducted himself with integrity and obeyed the law; though they searched for faults, they found none. When he was recalled to Luoyang he remained in suspension for several years.

因得偏風，手腳不便；然志性不移，善自將攝，稍能朝拜。久之，除光祿大夫，加金章紫綬。彝愛好知己，輕忽下流，非其意者，視之蔑爾。雖疹疾家庭，而志氣彌高。上《曆帝圖》五卷，起元庖犧，終於晉末，凡十六代，一百二十八帝，曆三千二百七十年，雜事五百八十九。宣武善之。

He then suffered a paralytic stroke that left his hands and feet impaired; yet his spirit did not change; he cared for himself diligently and gradually resumed court attendance. After a long interval he was appointed grand master for splendid happiness with the golden seal and purple ribbon. He cherished his friends and looked down on social inferiors; those he disliked he treated with open contempt. Though illness troubled his household, his spirit only grew more exalted. He submitted the Record of Imperial Calendars in five scrolls, from the primal sovereign Paoxi down to the end of Jin—sixteen dynasties, one hundred twenty-eight emperors, three thousand two hundred seventy years, and five hundred eighty-nine supplementary entries. Emperor Xuanwu approved the work.

明帝初，侍中崔光表：「彝及李韶，朝列之中，唯此二人，出身官次，本在臣右，器能幹世，又並為多。而近來參差，便成替後。計其階途，雖應遷陟，然恐班秩，猶未賜等。昔衛之公叔，引下同舉；晉之士丐，推長伯游。古人所高，當時見許。敢緣斯義，乞降臣位一階，授彼泛級。」詔加征西將軍、冀州大中正。

Early in Emperor Ming's reign, Palace Attendant Cui Guang submitted a memorial: "Among the court, Zhang Yi and Li Shao alone, in birth, seniority, and original rank, stood above me; both are capable men who can govern their age. Yet lately the order of precedence has been upset and they have been ranked behind others. By their careers they deserve promotion, yet I fear their grades and ranks have not been made equal. In ancient Wei, Gongsun drew his inferiors up to share in advancement; in Jin, Shi Gai yielded precedence to the elder Bo You. The ancients honored such conduct, and their contemporaries praised it. I venture to follow that principle and ask to lower my own rank one step and grant them a matching grade. An edict additionally appointed him general who pacifies the west and grand rectifier of Jizhou.

雖年向六十，加之風疹，而自強人事，孜孜無怠。公私法集，衣冠從事，延請道俗，修營齋講。好善欽賢，愛獎人物，南北親舊，莫不多之。大起第宅，微號華侈。頗侮其疏宗舊戚，不甚存紀，時有怨憾焉。榮宦之間，未能止足，屢表在秦州豫有開援漢中之勳，希加賞報，積年不已，朝廷患之。

Though nearly sixty and afflicted with paralysis, he still drove himself in public affairs, diligent and tireless. He gathered legal texts public and private, invited gentry and clerks, monks and laymen, and held Buddhist lectures. He loved virtue and honored talent, encouraging and rewarding able men; relatives north and south all spoke well of him. He built mansions on a grand scale, earning a reputation for slight extravagance. He slighted distant kinsmen and old connections, keeping little contact with them, which at times bred resentment. He could not rest content with his honors; again and again he claimed merit from Qinzhou and Yu in opening the route to Hanzhong and begged for rewards until the court grew weary of it.

第二子仲瑀上封事，求銓別選格，排抑武人，不使預在清品。由是眾口喧喧，謗讟盈路，立榜大巷，克期會集，屠害其家。彝殊無畏避之意，父子安然。神龜二年二月，羽林武賁將幾千人，相率至尚書省詬罵，求其長子尚書郎始均不獲，以瓦石擊打公門。上下懾懼，莫敢討抑。遂持火虜掠道中薪蒿，以杖石為兵器，直造其第，曳彝堂下，捶撻極意，唱呼焚其屋宇。始均、仲瑀當時逾北垣而走。始均回救其父，拜伏群小，以請父命。羽林等就加毆擊，生投之於煙火中，及得屍骸，不復可識，唯以髻中小釵為驗。仲瑀走免。彝僅有餘命，沙門寺與其比鄰，輿致於寺。遠近聞見，莫不惋駭。乃卒。官為收掩羽林凶強者八人斬之。不能窮誅群豎，即為大赦，以安眾心，有識者知國紀之將墜矣。

His second son Zhongyu submitted a sealed memorial demanding revised selection standards to exclude military men from the pure grades. Popular outrage erupted; slander filled the streets; notices were posted in the main thoroughfares fixing a date to massacre his family. Yi showed no fear; father and sons remained calm. In the second month of Shengui year 2, several thousand guardsmen of the Feathered Forest stormed the ministry to abuse the family, seeking Yi's eldest son Shangjun; failing to find him, they hurled tiles and stones at the gates. Officials high and low were terrified and none dared restrain them. They seized fire, looted fuel along the roads, armed themselves with staves and stones, marched straight to his house, dragged Yi into the courtyard, beat him savagely, and shouted to burn his buildings. Shangjun and Zhongyu leaped the north wall and fled. Shangjun turned back to save his father, prostrating himself among the mob to beg for his life. The guardsmen beat him further and threw him alive into the fire; when the body was recovered it was unrecognizable—only a small hairpin in the hair knot identified it. Zhongyu escaped. Yi clung to life; a neighboring monastery took him in on a litter. All who heard or saw, near and far, were horrified and grieved. He died shortly afterward. The authorities arrested and beheaded eight of the ringleaders among the guardsmen. Unable to punish the whole mob, the court proclaimed a general amnesty to calm the people; perceptive men saw that state discipline was collapsing.

喪還所焚宅，與始均東西分斂於小屋。仲瑀遂以創重，避居滎陽。至五月得漸瘳，始奔父喪，詔賜以布帛。靈太后以其累朝大臣，特垂矜惻，數月猶追言泣下，謂諸侍臣曰：「吾為張彝飲食不禦，乃至首發微有虧落。」悲痛之若此。

The funeral was held at the burned house; Yi and Shangjun were buried separately in small chambers east and west. Wounded, Zhongyu withdrew to Xingyang. By the fifth month he had recovered enough to attend his father's funeral; the court granted him cloth and silk. Empress Dowager Ling, honoring him as a minister of many reigns, mourned him deeply; months later she still wept when she spoke of him, telling attendants, "For Zhang Yi I lost my appetite until my hair even thinned a little. Such was the depth of her grief.

初，彝曾祖幸所招引河東人為州，裁千餘家。後相依合，旋罷入冀州。積三十年，析別有數萬戶。故孝文比校天下人戶，最為大州。彝為黃門，每侍坐，以為言。孝文謂之曰：「終當以卿為刺史，酬先世誠效。」彝追孝文往旨，累乞本州，朝議未許。彝亡後，靈太后云：「彝屢乞冀州，吾欲用之，有人違我此意。若從其請，或不至是，悔之無及。」乃贈使持節、衛將軍、冀州刺史，諡文侯。

Earlier Yi's great-grandfather Xing had settled just over a thousand households of Hedong people in the province. Later they were gradually merged into Jizhou. Over thirty years the population grew to tens of thousands of households. When Emperor Xiaowen compared household registers empire-wide, Jizhou ranked largest. While Yi served at the yellow gate he raised the matter whenever he attended the emperor. Emperor Xiaowen told him, "In time I shall appoint you governor to reward your family's loyal service. Yi recalled that promise and repeatedly petitioned for his home province, but the court refused. After Yi's death Empress Dowager Ling said, "Yi begged repeatedly for Jizhou; I meant to grant it, but someone opposed me. Had I granted his request, perhaps this would not have happened—regret is endless. He was posthumously granted commissioner with the imperial staff, general of the guard, and governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Marquis Wen.

始均字子衡，端潔好學，才幹有美于父。改陳壽《魏書》為編年之體，廣益異聞為三十卷。又著《冠帶錄》及諸詩賦數十篇，並亡失。初，大乘賊起于冀、瀛之間，遣都督元遙討平之，多所殺戮，積屍數萬。始均以郎中為行台，忿軍士以首級為功，令檢集人首數千，一時焚爇，至於灰燼，用息僥倖，見者莫不傷心。及始均之死也，始末在煙炭之間，有焦爛之痛，論者或亦推咎焉。贈樂陵太守，諡曰孝。

Shangjun, styled Ziheng, was upright and studious; in ability he surpassed his father. He recast Chen Shou's Book of Wei into annalistic form, adding new material in thirty scrolls. He also wrote the Record of Caps and Girdles and dozens of poems and rhapsodies, all now lost. Earlier Mahayana rebels rose in Ji and Ying; Commander Yuan Yao suppressed them and killed tens of thousands. Shangjun, serving on the mobile secretariat, detested the soldiers' head-counting; he gathered thousands of heads and burned them to ash to end such opportunism, to the grief of onlookers. When Shangjun died amid fire himself, some said he reaped what he had sown. He was posthumously made governor of Leling with the posthumous title Xiao.

子皓之，襲祖爵。武定中，開府主簿，齊受禪，爵例降。皓之弟晏之。

His son Haozhi inherited the grandfather's title. In the Wuding era he was chief clerk of an opening government; when Qi received the mandate his title was reduced by precedent. Haozhi's younger brother was Yanzhi.

晏之字熙德幼孤，有至性，為母鄭氏教誨，動依禮典。從爾硃榮平元顥，賜爵武城子。累遷尚書二千石郎中。高嶽征潁川，復以為都督中兵參軍，兼記室。晏之文士，兼有武幹。每與嶽帷帳之謀，又嘗以短兵接刃，親獲首級，深為嶽所嗟賞。齊天保初，文宣為高陽王納晏之女為妃，令赴晉陽成禮。晏之後園陪宴，坐客皆賦詩。晏之詩云：「天下有道，主明臣直；雖休勿休，永貽世則。」文宣笑曰：「得卿箴諷，深以慰懷。」後行北徐州事，尋即真，為吏人所愛。御史崔子武督察州郡，至北徐，無所案劾，唯得百姓制《清德頌》數篇，乃歎曰：「本求罪狀，遂聞頌聲。」遷兗州刺史，未拜，卒。贈齊州刺史、太常卿。子乾威。

Yanzhi, styled Xide, lost his father young but showed deep filial devotion; his mother Lady Zheng raised him strictly according to ritual. He followed Erzhu Rong in pacifying Yuan Hao and was enfeoffed as Viscount of Wucheng. He rose to bureau director of the two-thousand-bushel rank in the ministry. When Gao Yue campaigned in Yingchuan he again made him central army staff commander and recorder. Yanzhi was a scholar who also possessed military talent. He often advised Gao Yue in the command tent and once fought hand to hand, taking heads himself, which won Gao Yue's deep admiration. Early in Northern Qi's Tianbao era, Emperor Wenxuan married Yanzhi's daughter to the Prince of Gaoyang and summoned Yanzhi to Jinyang for the wedding. Later, at a rear-garden banquet Yanzhi joined the guests in composing poems. Yanzhi's poem read: "When the realm has the Way, the ruler is enlightened and ministers upright; though there is peace, do not slacken—leave an everlasting model for the age. Emperor Wenxuan laughed and said, "Your verse of counsel comforts me deeply." He later governed Northern Xuzhou, soon as full governor, and was beloved by officials and people. Imperial censor Cui Ziwu inspected the provinces; at Northern Xu he found no offenses to impeach, only the people's "Ode to Pure Virtue," and sighed, "I sought faults yet found praise. He was promoted to governor of Yanzhou but died before taking office. He was posthumously granted governor of Qizhou and director of the court of imperial sacrifices. His son was Qianwei.

乾威字元敬，性聰敏。涉獵群書，其世父皓謂人曰：「吾家千里駒也。」仕齊，位太常丞。仕周，為宣納中士。隋開皇中，累遷晉王屬。王甚美其才，與河內張衡俱見禮重，晉邸稱為二張焉。及王為太子，遷員外散騎侍郎、太子內舍人。煬帝即位，授內史舍人、儀同三司，又以籓邸之舊，加開府。尋拜謁者大夫，從幸江都，以本官攝江都贊務，稱為幹理。乾威嘗在塗，見一遺囊，恐其主求失，因令左右負之而行。後數日，物主來認，悉以付之。淮南太守楊綝嘗與十餘人同來謁見，帝問乾威曰：「其首立者為誰？」乾威下殿就視而答曰：「淮南太守楊綝。」帝謂乾威曰：「卿為謁者大夫，而乃不識參見人，何也？」乾威對曰：「臣非不識楊綝，但慮不審，所以不敢輕對。石建數馬足，蓋慎之至。」其廉慎皆此類也。帝甚嘉之。于時帝數巡幸，百姓疲弊，乾威因上封事以諫，帝不悅，自此見疏。未幾卒官。有子爽。仕至蘭陵令。

Qianwei, styled Yuanjing, was clever by nature. He read widely; his cousin Haozhi called him "our family's thousand-li colt. He served Qi as assistant director of the court of imperial sacrifices. Under Zhou he was attendant for proclamation reception of the middle rank. In Sui's Kaihuang era he rose to attendant of the Prince of Jin. The prince greatly admired his talent; with Zhang Heng of Henei he was honored, and the prince's household called them the Two Zhangs. When the prince became heir apparent he was made outer attendant-in-ordinary and attendant within the heir's household. When Emperor Yang acceded he was appointed attendant of the palace secretariat and palace equal to the three lords, and because of old ties from the prince's household was granted an opening government. Soon he was made grand master for protocol, followed the emperor to Jiangdu as assistant for Jiangdu affairs, and was praised as an able administrator. Once on the road Qianwei found a lost purse; fearing the owner would suffer from the loss, he had his attendants carry it along. Days later the owner came to claim it and he returned everything. Governor of Huainan Yang Shen came with more than ten men for an audience; the emperor asked Qianwei, "Who stands at the head? Qianwei went down to look and answered, "Governor of Huainan Yang Shen." The emperor said, "You are grand master for protocol yet do not know those who attend audience—why?" Qianwei replied, "I am not ignorant of Yang Shen, but feared I might be mistaken and dared not answer rashly. Shi Jian counted horses' hooves—that is the height of caution. His integrity and caution were all of this kind. The emperor greatly praised him. The emperor toured frequently and the people were exhausted; Qianwei submitted a sealed remonstrance, displeasing the emperor, and from then on fell from favor. He soon died in office. He had a son Shuang. Shuang rose to magistrate of Lanling.

乾威弟乾雄，亦有才器。秦孝王俊為秦州總管，選為法曹參軍。王嘗親案囚徒，乾雄誤不持狀，口對百餘人，皆盡事情，同輩莫不歎能。後曆壽春、陽城二縣令，俱有政績。

Qianwei's younger brother Qianxiong also had talent. When Prince Jun of Qin was commander of Qinzhou he chose Qianxiong as legal bureau aide. The prince once tried prisoners in person; Qianxiong forgot the dossier yet answered for more than a hundred men from memory, all correctly, to his colleagues' amazement. He later served as magistrate of Shouchun and Yangcheng, both with distinction.

邢巒，字洪賓，河間鄚人，魏太常貞之後也。族五世祖嘏，石勒頻徵不至。嘏無子，巒高祖蓋自旁宗入後。蓋孫穎，字宗敬，以才學知名。太武時，與范陽盧玄等同征。後拜中書侍郎，改通直常侍、平城子使宋。還，以病歸鄉。久之，帝曰：「往憶邢穎長者，有學義，宜侍講東宮，今安在？」司徒崔浩曰：「穎臥病在家。」帝遣太醫馳驛就療。卒，贈定州刺史，諡曰康，子修年，即巒父也，位州主簿。

Xing Luan, styled Hongbin, came from Mo in Hejian and was descended from Zhenzhi, grand director of imperial sacrifices under Wei. Five generations back his ancestor Gu was repeatedly summoned by Shi Le but refused to serve. Gu had no sons; Luan's great-grandfather Gai was adopted from a collateral branch. Gai's grandson Ying, whose style name was Zongjing, won renown for talent and scholarship. During the reign of Emperor Taiwu, he joined campaigns alongside Lu Xuan of Fanyang and others. He was later made vice director of the Secretariat, then transferred to regular attendant-in-ordinary and enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingcheng to serve as envoy to Liu Song. After returning, he retired to his home district on account of illness. Some time later the emperor said, "I remember the elder Xing Ying of old—a man of learning and principle who ought to have lectured in the Eastern Palace. Where is he now? Minister over the Masses Cui Hao replied, "Ying is bedridden at home." The emperor dispatched the court physician by urgent relay to treat him. At his death he was posthumously honored as governor of Dingzhou with the posthumous title Kang. His son Xiunian—Luan's father—served as chief clerk of the province.

巒少好學，負帙尋師，守貧厲節，遂博覽書傳，有文才幹略。美須髯，姿貌甚偉。累遷兼員外散騎常侍，使齊。還，再遷中書侍郎，甚見顧遇，常參坐席。孝文因行藥至司空府南，見巒宅，謂巒曰：「朝行藥至此，見卿宅乃住。東望德館，情有依然。」巒對曰：「陛下移構中京，方建無窮之業。臣意在與魏升降，甯容不務永年之宅。」帝謂司空穆亮、僕射李沖曰：「巒之此言，其意不小。」有司奏策秀、孝，詔曰：「秀、孝殊問，經、權異策，邢巒才清，可令策秀。」後兼黃門郎，從征流北。

From boyhood Luan loved study. He carried his books from teacher to teacher, embraced poverty and held fast to integrity, and in time ranged widely through books and records, showing both literary gifts and strategic judgment. He wore a handsome beard and moustache, and his bearing was strikingly grand. He rose through repeated promotions to concurrent supernumerary regular cavalry attendant-in-ordinary and was dispatched as envoy to Southern Qi. On his return he was promoted again to vice director of the Secretariat, enjoyed marked favor, and was regularly included in the emperor's seated councils. Emperor Xiaowen, passing south of the Ministry of Works while out for his medicinal regimen, caught sight of Luan's house and said to him, "I was on my way for medicine and halted when I saw your dwelling. Gazing east toward your hall of virtue, I feel the old affection anew. Luan answered, "Your Majesty is moving the capital to the central metropolis and raising an enterprise without end. This servant's wish is to rise and fall with Wei. How could he be content to build a house meant to last forever? The emperor told Minister of Works Mu Liang and Director of the Department Li Chong, "In these words of Luan's, his ambition is no small matter." When the offices reported on the policy and filial-piety examinations, an edict declared, "Policy and filial piety are different fields, and canonical versus expedient questioning requires different tests. Xing Luan's talent is clear—let him sit for the policy examination." He later served concurrently as gentleman of the yellow gate and joined the campaign north of the Liu River.

巒在新野，後至。帝曰：「伯玉天迷其心，鬼惑其慮，守危邦，固逆主。至此以來，雖未禽滅，城隍已崩，想在不遠。所以緩攻者，正待中書為露布耳。」尋除正黃門，兼御史中尉、瀛州大中正，遷散騎常侍，兼尚書。

Luan was at Xinye and arrived after the main force. The emperor said, "Boyu's heart has been bewitched by heaven and his plans led astray by ghosts. He holds a doomed state and serves a rebellious master. Since we arrived, he has not yet been taken and destroyed, but his walls and moats have already crumbled. I think the end cannot be far off. The reason I have eased the assault is simply to wait for the Secretariat to draft the victory proclamation. He was soon made regular gentleman of the yellow gate, concurrently censor-in-chief and senior rectifier of Yingzhou, then promoted to regular cavalry attendant-in-ordinary with concurrent appointment as director of the department.

宣武時，巒奏曰：「先皇深觀古今，去諸奢侈，服御尚質，不貴雕鏤，所珍在素，不務奇彩，至乃紙絹為帳扆，銅鐵為轡勒，訓朝廷以節儉，示百姓以憂矜。逮景明之初，承升平之業，四疆清晏，遠近來同。於是蕃貢繼路，商估交入，諸所獻貿，倍多於常。雖加以節約，猶歲損萬計，珍貨常有餘，國用恆不足。若不裁其分限，便恐無以支歲。自今非為要須者，請皆不受。」帝從之。尋正尚書。

Under Emperor Xuanwu, Luan submitted a memorial: "The late emperor surveyed past and present, stripped away luxury, kept dress and equipage plain, and disdained carving and inlay. He valued simplicity, not gaudy color—even making screens of paper and silk and bridle fittings of copper and iron, teaching thrift to the court and showing the people his care. At the opening of the Jingming era he inherited an age of peace. The four frontiers lay calm, and near and far alike fell into harmony. Then tribute from the border peoples streamed in along the roads, merchants and traders crossed the borders in succession, and the goods offered in tribute far exceeded the ordinary measure. Even with added frugality, the state still lost tens of thousands each year. Precious goods piled up while revenue perpetually fell short. If we do not cut these allotments, I fear we will have no way to meet the year's expenses. Henceforth, for everything that is not truly necessary, I ask that nothing be accepted. The emperor approved. He was soon appointed regular director of the department.

梁、溱二州行事夏侯道遷以漢中內附，詔加巒使持節、都督征梁、漢諸軍事，進退征攝，得以便宜從事。巒至漢中，遣兵討之，賊畢款附，乘勝追奔至關城之下。詔拜巒使持節、梁、秦二州刺史。於是開地定境，東西七百，南北千里，獲郡十四。二部護軍及諸縣戍，遂逼涪城。

Xiahou Daqian, administrator of Liang and Qin provinces, surrendered Hanzhong to the dynasty from within. An edict added to Luan's commission the staff of authority as commissioner with command over all forces campaigning against Liang and Han, empowering him to advance, retreat, levy troops, and act as circumstances required. When Luan reached Hanzhong, he sent troops against them. The rebels all submitted in good faith, and pressing the pursuit he drove them to the foot of Guan City. An edict appointed Luan commissioner with staff of authority and governor of Liang and Qin provinces. He then opened territory and fixed the borders—seven hundred li from east to west and a thousand li from north to south—and took fourteen commanderies. The two frontier protectors and the garrison posts of the various counties then pressed toward Fucheng.

巒表曰：「揚州、成都，相去萬里。陸途既絕，唯資水路。水軍西上，非周年不達。外無軍援，一可圖也。益州頃經劉季連反叛，鄧元起攻圍，倉庫空竭，無復固守之意，二可圖也。蕭深藻是裙屐少年，未洽政務；今之所任並非宿將重名，皆是左右少年而已，三可圖也。蜀之所恃，惟阻劍閣。今既克南安，已奪其險，據彼界內，三分已一。從南安向涪，方軌任意，前軍累破，後眾喪魂，四可圖也。深藻是蕭衍兄子，骨肉至親，若其逃亡，當無死理。脫軍走涪城，深藻何肯城中坐而受困？五可圖也。臣聞乘機而動，武之善經，未有舍幹戚而康時，不征伐而統一。臣以不才，屬當戎寄，上憑國威，頻有薄捷，瞻望涪、益，旦夕可屠，正以兵少糧匱，未宜前出。今若不取，後圖便難。輒率愚管，必將殄克。如其無功，分受憲坐。若朝廷未欲經略，臣便為無事，乞歸侍養，微展烏鳥。」

Luan memorialized: "Yangzhou and Chengdu lie ten thousand li apart. The land route is already severed; only the water route remains. A fleet sailing upstream would need nearly a full year to arrive. With no army to relieve them from outside, that is the first reason the region can be taken. Yizhou had lately suffered Liu Jilian's rebellion and Deng Yuanqi's siege. The storehouses were empty and the will to hold out was gone—the second reason it can be taken. Xiao Shenzao is a youth of slippers and clogs who has not yet mastered governance; those now in command are none of the seasoned generals of great name—they are all young favorites at court—the third reason it can be taken. What Shu relies on is only the barrier of Jianmen Pass. Nan'an is already taken and its strongpoint lost. Within that territory a third is already ours. From Nan'an toward Fu the road lies open at our choosing. The vanguard has broken the enemy again and again while the rear ranks have lost heart—the fourth reason it can be taken. Shenzao is Xiao Yan's nephew and closest kin. If he flees, he can hardly hope to live. If our army presses on to Fucheng, how could Shenzao sit in the city and accept siege? That is the fifth reason it can be taken. I have heard that seizing the moment is the supreme constant of war. Never yet has an age been secured without arms, or unity achieved without campaigning. Lacking talent, I have been entrusted with military command. Relying on the dynasty's prestige I have won repeated minor victories. Fu and Yizhou seem ready to fall within days—yet with too few troops and too little grain, advance is still unwise. If we do not take them now, later plans will be far harder. I offer this humble counsel in all confidence that we can destroy and conquer them. If I fail, let me bear my share of punishment. If the court is not yet ready for grand strategy, then dismiss me as useless and let me go home to care for my parents and briefly discharge the filial debt owed the crow and the nestling."

巒又表曰：「昔鄧艾、鐘會率十八萬眾，傾中國資給，裁得平蜀。所以然者，鬥實力也。況臣才絕古人，何宜請二萬之眾而希平蜀？所以敢者，正以據得要險，士庶慕義。此往則易，彼來則難，任力而行，理有可克。今王足前進，已逼涪城。脫得涪城，則益州便是成禽之物。臣誠知征戎危事，未易可為，自軍度劍閣以來，鬚髮中白。所以勉強者，既到此地而自退不守，恐孤先皇之恩遇，負陛下之爵祿。是以孜孜，頻有陳請。」宣武不從。又王足於涪城輒還，遂不定蜀。

Luan memorialized again: "In the past Deng Ai and Zhong Hui led one hundred eighty thousand men and drained the central state's resources before they barely pacified Shu. They succeeded only because they matched strength against strength. How much less should I, whose talent falls far short of those men of old, ask for a mere twenty thousand troops and expect to pacify Shu? I dare only because we hold the vital passes and the gentry and common people incline toward us. To go there is easy; to come here is hard. Acting with the force at hand, conquest is reasonable. Wang Zu is already advancing and has pressed on Fucheng. Once Fucheng falls, Yizhou will be game already in the bag. I know well that war is perilous and not easily done. Since the army crossed Jianmen Pass, the hair at my temples has turned white. I press on because, having come this far, to withdraw and abandon the field would betray the late emperor's grace and fail the rank and stipend Your Majesty gave me. That is why I have toiled on and memorialized again and again. Emperor Xuanwu did not consent. Wang Zu then withdrew from Fucheng on his own initiative, and Shu was never pacified.

巒既克巴西，遣軍主李仲遷守之。仲遷得梁將張法養女，有美色，甚惑之。散費兵儲，專心酒色，公事諮承，無能見者。巒忿之切齒。仲遷懼，謀叛。城人斬其首以降梁將譙希遠，巴西遂沒。武興氐楊集起等反，巒遣統軍傅豎眼討平之。巒之初至漢中，從容風雅，接豪右以禮，撫從庶以惠。歲餘之後，頗因其去就，誅滅百姓，籍為奴婢者二百餘口，兼商販聚斂，清論鄙之。征授度支尚書。

After Luan took Ba West, he sent the army commander Li Zhongqian to hold it. Zhongqian took the daughter of the Liang general Zhang Fayang—a woman of striking beauty—and became deeply infatuated with her. He squandered military stores, gave himself over to wine and women, and when official business was brought to him, no one could gain an audience. Luan gnashed his teeth in fury. Fearing punishment, Zhongqian plotted rebellion. The townspeople cut off his head and surrendered to the Liang general Qiao Xiyuan, and Ba West was lost. Yang Jiqing of the Wuxing Di and others rose in rebellion. Luan sent the commanding general Fu Shuyan to attack and pacify them. When Luan first reached Hanzhong, he was easy and refined in manner, received the great families with courtesy, and comforted the common people with kindness. After more than a year he began executing common people according to whether they stayed or left, registering more than two hundred persons as slaves, and also traded and amassed wealth—men of upright judgment despised him for it. He was recalled and appointed director of the department of revenue.

時梁人侵軼徐、兗，朝廷乃以巒為使持節、都督東討諸軍事、安東將軍，尚書如故。宣武勞遺巒於東堂曰：「知將軍旋京未久，膝下難違；然東南之寄，非將軍莫可。自古忠臣亦非無孝也。」巒曰：「願陛下勿以東南為慮。」帝曰：「漢祖有云：'金吾擊郾，吾無憂矣。 '今將軍董戎，朕何慮哉！」巒至，乃分遣將帥致討，兗州悉平；進圍宿豫，平之。帝賜巒璽書慰勉之。

When Liang forces raided Xu and Yan provinces, the court appointed Luan commissioner with staff of authority, commander of all forces for the eastern campaign, and general who pacifies the east, while retaining his directorship. Emperor Xuanwu saw Luan off with encouragement in the Eastern Hall: "I know you have not long been back in the capital and that it is hard to leave your parents; yet the southeast cannot be entrusted to anyone but you. Loyal ministers, after all, have never been wholly without filial piety. Luan said, "I ask that Your Majesty not worry about the southeast." The emperor said, "Han Zu once said, 'When Jin Wu strikes Yan, I have no worries. Now that you oversee the army, what have I to worry about!' When Luan arrived, he dispatched generals in separate columns to attack, and Yan province was entirely pacified; then advanced to besiege Suyu and took it. The emperor bestowed on Luan an imperial letter in seal script to comfort and encourage him.

及梁城賊走，中山王英乘勝攻鐘離，又詔巒率眾會之。巒以為鐘離天險，朝貴所具，若有內應，則所不知，如其無也，必無克狀。且俗語云「耕則問田奴，絹則問織婢」，臣既謂難，何容強遣。巒既累表求還，帝許之。英果敗退，時人伏其識略。

When the rebels fled from Liang city, the Prince of Zhongshan Ying pursued the victory to attack Zhongli, and another edict ordered Luan to lead his forces to join him. Luan judged Zhongli a heaven-sent stronghold that the court nobles had prepared for; if there were collaborators within, he could not know, but if there were none, capture seemed impossible. Besides, as the proverb says, 'Ask the field slave about plowing and the weaving maid about silk.' Since I hold the task difficult, how can I be forced to go?" Luan repeatedly memorialized asking to return, and the emperor granted his request. Ying indeed suffered defeat and withdrew; men of the time admired Luan's foresight.

初，侍中盧昶與巒不平，昶與元暉俱為宣武所寵，御史中尉崔亮，昶之黨也，昶、暉令亮糾巒，事成，許言于宣武，以亮為侍中。亮奏巒在漢中掠良人為婢。巒懼，乃以漢中所得巴西太守龐景仁女化生等二十餘口與暉。化生等數人，奇色也。暉大悅，乃背昶為巒言，雲巒新有大功，已經赦宥，不宜方為此獄，帝納之。高肇以巒有克敵效而為昶等所排，助巒申釋，故得不坐。

Earlier the attendant-in-ordinary Lu Chang had been on bad terms with Luan. Chang and Yuan Hui both enjoyed Emperor Xuanwu's favor. Cui Liang, censor-in-chief and Chang's partisan, together with Hui had Liang impeach Luan, promising that if the case succeeded they would speak to the emperor and make Liang an attendant-in-ordinary. Liang memorialized that in Hanzhong Luan had seized common people and made them maidservants. Luan grew afraid and gave Hui more than twenty persons taken in Hanzhong, including Huasheng, daughter of Pang Jingren, governor of Ba West. Huasheng and several others were of extraordinary beauty. Hui was greatly pleased and turned against Chang to speak for Luan, saying he had lately won great merit and had already been pardoned and ought not now face this prosecution. The emperor accepted the argument. Gao Zhao, seeing that Luan had conquered the enemy yet was pushed aside by Chang and his faction, helped plead for his release, and so he escaped punishment.

豫州城人白早生殺刺史司馬悅，以城南入梁，遣其將齊苟仁率眾入據縣瓠。詔巒持節率羽林精騎討之。封平舒縣伯，賞宿豫之功也。宣武臨東堂勞遣巒曰：「早生走也？守也？何時平？」巒曰：「今王師若臨，士人必翻然歸順，圍之窮城，奔走路絕，不度此年，必傳首京師。願陛下不足為慮。」帝笑曰：「卿言何其壯哉！知卿親老，頻勞於外，然忠孝不俱，不得辭也。」於是巒率騎八百，倍道兼行。五日于鮑口，擊賊大將胡孝智，乘勝至縣瓠，因即度汝。既而大兵繼至，遂長圍圍之。詔巒使持節、假鎮南將軍，都督南討諸軍事。中山王英南討三關，亦次縣瓠，以後軍未至，前寇稍多，憚不敢進。乃與巒分兵，將掎角攻之。梁將齊苟仁等二十一人開門出降，即斬早生等同惡數十人，豫州平。巒振旅還京師，宣武臨東堂勞之。巒曰：「此陛下聖略威靈，英等將士之力，臣何功之有？」帝笑曰：「卿匪直一月三捷，所足稱奇。乃存士伯，讓功而弗處。」

Bai Zaosheng, a townsman of Yuzhou, killed Governor Sima Yue, opened the south gate to Liang, and sent his general Qi Gouren to lead troops in and occupy Xianhu. An edict ordered Luan, bearing the staff of authority, to lead picked cavalry of the imperial guard against him. He was enfeoffed as Baron of Pingshu, a reward for the victory at Suyu. Emperor Xuanwu saw Luan off at the Eastern Hall and asked, "Will Zaoshang flee? Or hold the city? When will it be pacified? Luan said, "When the royal army arrives, the gentry and people will surely turn and submit. Besieged in a trapped city with no road of escape, before the year is out their heads will reach the capital. Your Majesty need not worry. The emperor laughed and said, "Your words are bold indeed! I know your parents are old and that you have toiled repeatedly abroad, yet loyalty and filial piety cannot both be fully kept—you cannot refuse. Thereupon Luan led eight hundred cavalry, traveling day and night at forced march. On the fifth day at Baokou he struck the rebels' great general Hu Xiaozhi, pursued the victory to Xianhu, and crossed the Ru River. Soon the main army arrived, and they laid a long siege around the city. An edict appointed Luan commissioner with staff of authority and acting general who pacifies the south, commander of all forces for the southern campaign. The Prince of Zhongshan Ying also campaigned south against the Three Passes and halted at Xianhu. Because the rear army had not arrived and the enemy ahead were numerous, he feared to advance. He then divided forces with Luan and planned a pincer attack. The Liang generals Qi Gouren and twenty others opened the gate and surrendered. Zaoshang and several dozen fellow evildoers were immediately beheaded, and Yuzhou was pacified. Luan returned his army in good order to the capital, and Emperor Xuanwu received him with encouragement in the Eastern Hall. Luan said, "This is Your Majesty's sage strategy and august prestige, and the strength of Ying and the officers and soldiers—what merit have I? The emperor laughed and said, "It is not merely that you won three victories in one month, remarkable as that would be. You also preserved the dignity of a gentleman, yielding merit and refusing to claim it."

巒自宿豫大捷及平縣瓠，志行修正，不復以財賄為懷，戎資軍實，絲毫無犯。遷殿中尚書，加撫軍將軍，卒于官。巒才兼文武，朝野瞻望，上下悼惜之。贈車騎大將軍、瀛州刺史。初，帝欲贈冀州，黃門甄琛以巒前曾劾己，乃云：「瀛州巒之本郡，人情所俗。」乃從之。及琛為詔，乃雲優贈車騎將軍、瀛州刺史，議者笑琛淺薄。諡曰文定。子遜。

From the great victory at Suyu and the pacification of Xianhu onward, Luan corrected his conduct and no longer coveted bribes; he did not touch military funds or stores in the slightest. He was transferred to director of the palace department and given the additional title general who pacifies the army, and died in office. Luan united civil and military gifts. Court and countryside looked up to him, and all ranks mourned his loss. He was posthumously honored as grand general of chariots and cavalry and governor of Yingzhou. At first the emperor wished to honor him with Jizhou, but Zhen Chen of the yellow gate—because Luan had once impeached him—said, "Yingzhou is Luan's native commandery, the place to which popular feeling turns. The emperor thereupon agreed. When Chen drafted the edict, he wrote only that Luan was graciously posthumously honored as general of chariots and cavalry and governor of Yingzhou—commentators laughed at Chen's pettiness. His posthumous title was Wendi. His son was Xun.

遜字子言，貌雖陋短，頗有風氣。襲爵後，遷國子博士、本州中正。因謁靈太后，自陳功名之子，久抱沈屈：「臣父屢為大將，而臣身無軍國階級。臣父唯為忠臣，不為慈父」。靈太后慨然，以遜為長兼吏部郎中。後位大司農卿，與少卿元慶哲至相糾訟。遜銳於財利，議者鄙之。卒，贈光祿勳、幽州刺史。子祖征，開府祭酒。父喪未終，謀反，伏法。祖征弟祖效，貌寢，有風尚。仕齊，卒于尚書郎。祖效弟祖俊，開府行參軍。開皇中，位尚書都官郎中。巒弟偉，尚書郎中。偉子昕。

Xun, styled Ziyan, was ugly and short in appearance yet possessed a force of character. After inheriting the title he was made erudite of the imperial academy and senior rectifier of his native province. On visiting Empress Dowager Ling he declared himself the son of a man of achievement and long nursed hidden grievance: "My father repeatedly served as a great general, yet I myself hold no military or civil rank. My father was a loyal minister only—not a loving father." Empress Dowager Ling was moved and appointed Xun senior concurrent director of the ministry of personnel. He later served as director of the grand granary and came to mutual impeachment and litigation with Vice Director Yuan Qingzhe. Xun was sharp in pursuit of profit, and commentators despised him for it. At his death he was posthumously honored as grand master for splendid happiness and governor of Youzhou. His son Zuzheng was libationer of the grand marshal's staff. Before his father's mourning period was finished, he plotted rebellion and was executed. Zuzheng's younger brother Zuxiao was plain in appearance but possessed refinement and integrity. He served Qi and died while holding the post of director of the secretariat. Zuxiao's younger brother Zujun was a staff adjutant of the grand marshal's office. In the Kaihuang era he held the post of director of the ministry of justice in the department. Luan's younger brother Wei was a director of the secretariat. Wei's son was Xin.

昕字子明，幼孤，見愛于祖母李氏。好學，早有才情，解褐蕩寇將軍，累遷太尉記室參軍。吏部尚收李神俊奏昕修起居注。太昌初，除中書侍郎，加平東將軍、光祿大夫。時言冒竊官級，為中尉所劾，免官，乃為《述躬賦》。未幾，受詔與秘書監常景典儀注事。武帝行釋奠禮，昕與校書郎裴伯茂等俱為錄義。永熙末，昕入為侍讀，與溫子升、魏收參掌文詔。遷鄴，乃歸河間。

Xin, styled Ziming, was orphaned in youth and was beloved by his grandmother, Lady Li. He loved learning, showed literary talent early, entered office as general who represses bandits, and rose repeatedly to secretary of the grand marshal's staff. Li Shenjun, director of the ministry of personnel, memorialized that Xin should compile the imperial diary. At the beginning of the Taichang era he was appointed vice director of the secretariat, with the additional titles general who pacifies the east and grand master for splendid happiness. At the time it was said he had falsely seized official rank and was impeached by the censor-in-chief. Dismissed from office, he wrote the "Fu on Restraining the Body." Before long he received an edict to codify ritual and protocol together with Chang Jing, director of the secretariat. When Emperor Wu performed the libation sacrifice, Xin together with the collating secretary Pei Bamao and others served as recorders of meaning. At the end of the Yongxi era Xin entered service as lecturer-in-attendance and, together with Wen Zisheng and Wei Shou, jointly managed literary edicts. He moved to Ye and then returned to Hejian.

天平初，與侍中從叔子才、魏季景、魏收同征赴都，尋還鄉里，既而復征。時梁使兼散騎常侍劉孝儀等來聘，詔昕兼正員郎，迎於境上。司徒孫騰引為中郎。尋除通直常侍，加中軍將軍。既有才藻，兼長几案。自孝昌之後，天下多務，世人競以吏工取達，文學大衰。司州中從事宋遊道以公斷見知，時與昕嘲謔，昕謂之曰：「世事同知文學外。」遊道有慚色。興和中，以本官副李象使于梁。昕好忤物，人謂之牛。是行也，談者謂之牛象鬥於江南。齊文襄王攝選，擬昕為司徒右長史，未奏，遇疾卒，士友悲之。贈車騎將軍、都官尚書、冀州刺史，諡曰文。所著文章自有集錄。

At the beginning of the Tianping era he joined his cousin-by-marriage Zicai, Wei Jijing, and Wei Shou on campaign to the capital, soon returned home, and was summoned again not long after. When the Liang envoy, concurrent regular cavalry attendant-in-ordinary Liu Xiaoyi and others, came on a friendly visit, an edict made Xin concurrent regular director and sent him to welcome them at the border. Minister over the Masses Sun Teng brought him in as a gentleman of the palace. He was soon appointed regular attendant-in-ordinary, with the additional title general of the central army. He possessed literary talent and was also skilled at desk work. From the Xiaochang era onward the realm was beset with affairs, and men competed to rise through clerical craft while literature greatly declined. Song Youdao, aide of the central province, was known for fair judgment. When he and Xin exchanged banter, Xin told him, "In worldly affairs we are alike—outside literature. Youdao flushed with shame. In the Xinghe era he served in his original post as deputy to Li Xiang on a mission to Liang. Xin liked to give offense to others, and men called him the Ox. On this mission commentators called it the ox and the elephant fighting south of the Yangtze. Prince Wenxiang of Qi, acting in selection, intended Xin for right chief clerk of the ministry of works. Before the appointment was submitted he fell ill and died, and scholars and friends mourned him. He was posthumously honored as grand general of chariots and cavalry, director of the ministry of justice, and governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Wen. The essays he wrote were collected in his own compiled works.

偉弟晏，字幼平。美風儀，博涉經史，善談釋老，雅好文詠。位滄州刺史，為政清靜，吏人安之。卒，贈尚書左僕射、瀛州刺史，諡曰文貞。晏篤于義讓，初為南兗州，例得一子解褐，乃啟其孤弟子子慎為朝請。子慎年甫十二，而其子已弱冠矣。後為滄州，復啟孤兄子昕為府主簿，而其子並未從宦，世人以此多之。

Wei's younger brother Yan, styled Youping. He had fine bearing and deportment, ranged widely through the classics and histories, was skilled in discussing Buddhism and Daoism, and loved literary composition. He served as governor of Cangzhou. His governance was pure and quiet, and officials and people were at ease under him. At his death he was posthumously honored as left director of the department and governor of Yingzhou, with the posthumous title Wenzhen. Yan was deeply devoted to righteousness and yielding. When he first served in Southern Yanzhou, by precedent he could obtain office for one son, yet he petitioned that his orphaned nephew Zishen be made court gentleman. Zishen was only twelve, while his own son was already past twenty. Later, as governor of Cangzhou, he again petitioned that his orphaned elder brother's son Xin be made chief clerk of the prefecture while his own sons had not yet entered office. Men of the age greatly praised him for this.

子亢，字子高，頗有文學。位兼通直散騎常侍。使于梁，時年二十八。後為中外府屬，坐事死于晉陽。

His son Kang, styled Zigao, had considerable literary accomplishment. He held the post of concurrent regular attendant-in-ordinary of the yellow gate. He was sent as envoy to Liang at the age of twenty-eight. Later he served on the staff of the central and outer offices and, on account of an offense, died at Jinyang.

巒叔祖祐，字宗祐。少有學尚，知名于時。假員外散騎常侍，使于宋。以將命之勤，除建威將軍、平原太守、賜爵城平男。政清刑肅，百姓安之。卒於官。

Luan's granduncle You, styled Zongyou. In youth he possessed learning and integrity and was known in his time. He served as acting supernumerary regular cavalry attendant-in-ordinary and was sent as envoy to Liu Song. For diligence in carrying out his commission he was appointed general who establishes might, governor of Pingyuan, and enfeoffed as baron of Chengpu. His governance was pure and his punishments stern, and the common people were at ease under him. He died in office.

子產，字神寶。好學善屬文，少時作《孤蓬賦》，為進所稱。舉秀才，除著作佐郎。假常侍、鄚縣子，使于齊。產仍世將命，時人美之。曆中書侍郎、太子中庶子，卒，朝廷嗟惜焉。贈平州刺史、樂城子，諡曰定。

His son Chan, styled Shenbao. He loved learning and was skilled at prose. In youth he wrote the "Fu on the Solitary Thistle," which contemporaries praised. Presented as a provincial graduate, he was appointed assistant editor in the secretariat. Acting as regular attendant, he was made viscount of Mo and sent as envoy to Qi. The Chan family for generations carried out commissions abroad, and men of the time admired them for it. He successively served as vice director of the secretariat and vice director of the eastern palace, and at his death the court sighed in regret. He was posthumously honored as governor of Pingzhou and viscount of Lecheng, with the posthumous title Ding.

祐從子虯，字神彪。著作郎敏之子也。少為《三禮》鄭氏學，明經有文思。舉秀才上第，為中書議郎、尚書殿中郎。孝文因公事與語，問朝觀宴饗禮，虯以經對，大合上旨。帝崩，尚書令王肅多用新儀，虯往往折以《五經》正禮。為尚書左丞，多所糾正，台閣肅然。時雁門人有害母者，八坐奏轅之而瀦其室，宥其二子。虯駁奏云：「君親無將，將而必誅。謀逆者戳及期親，害親者令不及子，既逆甚梟鏡，禽獸之不若，而使禋祀不絕，遺育承傳，非所以勸忠孝之道，存三綱之義。若聖教含容，不加孥戮，使父子罪不相及，惡止於其身者，則宜投之四裔，敕所在不聽配匹。《盤庚》言無令易種新邑，漢法五月食梟羹，皆欲絕其類也。」奏入，宣武從之。

You's clansman Qiu, styled Shenbiao. He was the son of Min, editor in the secretariat. In youth he studied the Zheng school of the Three Rites, mastered the classics, and possessed literary gifts. Presented as a provincial graduate and placed in the upper rank, he became policy adviser of the secretariat and director in the palace department of the ministry. Emperor Xiaowen, on official business, conversed with him and asked about the rites of court audience and banquets. Qiu answered from the classics, greatly matching the emperor's intent. When the emperor died, Wang Su, director of the department, frequently used new rites, and Qiu often refuted them with the orthodox rites of the Five Classics. He became left assistant director of the department, corrected many matters, and the offices became orderly. At that time a man of Yanmen had killed his mother. The Eight Ministers memorialized that he be executed by cart and his house confiscated, pardoning his two sons. Qiu rebutted the memorial: "Between ruler and parent there is no allowance for rebellion; if one rebels, he must be put to death. For plotting rebellion punishment reaches relatives within one year of mourning; for harming a parent the command does not extend to sons. Yet this crime exceeds the owl and the mirror—he is worse than a beast—and to let ancestral sacrifices continue and leave descendants to carry on is not the way to encourage loyalty and filial piety or preserve the Three Bonds. If the sage teaching is to be tolerant and not extend punishment to wives and children, so that the crimes of father and son do not reach each other and evil stops with the person himself, then they should be cast to the four borderlands with orders that where they are, marriage shall not be permitted. The Pan Geng says, 'Do not let them change the seed in the new city'; Han law in the fifth month served owl broth—all wished to cut off their kind." When the memorial entered, Emperor Xuanwu accepted it.

後為光祿少卿。母在鄉遇患，請假歸。遇秋水暴長，河梁破絕，虯得一小船而度。船漏滿不沒，時人異之。母喪，哀毀過禮，為時所稱。卒，贈幽州刺史，諡曰威。虯善與人交，清河崔亮、頓丘李平並與親善。所作碑頌雜筆三十餘篇。長子臧。

He later served as vice director of the court of imperial sacrifices. His mother fell ill in his home district, and he requested leave to return. When autumn floods rose violently and the river bridge was broken, Qiu obtained a small boat and crossed. The boat leaked and filled yet did not sink; men of the time regarded it as strange. During his mother's mourning he grieved beyond the rites and was praised by his contemporaries. At his death he was posthumously honored as governor of Youzhou, with the posthumous title Wei. Qiu was good at friendship; Cui Liang of Qinghe and Li Ping of Dunqiu were both close to him. The stele inscriptions, eulogies, and miscellaneous writings he composed numbered more than thirty pieces. His eldest son was Zang.

臧字子良，幼孤，早立操尚，博學有藻思。年二十一，神龜中舉秀才，考上第，為太學博士。正光中，議立明堂，臧為裴頠一室之議。事雖不行，當時稱其理博。出為本州中從事，雅為鄉情所附。永安初，徵為金部郎中，以疾不赴。轉除東牟太守。時天下多事，在職少能廉白，臧獨清慎奉法，吏人愛之。隴西李延寔，莊帝之舅，乙太傅出除青州，啟臧為屬。領樂安內史，有惠政。後除濮陽太守，尋加安東將軍。

Zang, styled Ziliang, was orphaned in youth, established integrity early, and was broadly learned with literary gifts. At twenty-one, in the Shengui era he was presented as a provincial graduate, placed in the upper rank, and became erudite of the imperial academy. In the Zhengguang era, when establishment of the Bright Hall was debated, Zang upheld Pei Yi's single-chamber proposal. Though the matter was not carried out, men of the time praised the breadth of his reasoning. He went out to serve as aide of his native province and was deeply attached to by local sentiment. At the beginning of the Yong'an era he was summoned as director in the ministry of revenue but, on account of illness, did not go. He was transferred and appointed governor of Dongmou. At the time the realm had many affairs, and incumbents rarely remained pure and upright. Zang alone was pure, cautious, and upheld the law, and officials and people loved him. Li Yanshi of Longxi, maternal uncle of Emperor Zhuang, when Grand Tutor Yi went out to Qingzhou, petitioned that Zang serve on his staff. He concurrently administered Le'an as inner governor and governed with benevolence. Later he was appointed governor of Puyang and soon given the additional title general who pacifies the east.

臧和雅信厚，有長者之風，為時人所愛敬。為特進甄琛行狀，世稱其工。與裴敬憲、盧觀兄弟並結友，曾共讀《回文集》，臧獨先通之。撰古來文章並敘作者氏族，號曰《文譜》，未就，病卒，時賢悼惜之。其文筆凡百餘篇。贈鎮北將軍、定州刺史，諡曰文。

Zang was harmonious, elegant, faithful, and generous, with the air of an elder; men of the time loved and respected him. He wrote the conduct report for Special Advance Zhen Chen, and the age praised its craftsmanship. He formed friendships with Pei Jingxian and the brothers Lu Guan, once reading together the Collected Palindrome Texts; Zang alone mastered it first. He compiled ancient writings and recorded the clans of the authors, calling it the Literary Genealogies. Before it was finished he died of illness, and worthy men of the time mourned him. His literary writings numbered more than one hundred pieces in all. He was posthumously honored as general who pacifies the north and governor of Dingzhou, with the posthumous title Wen.

子恕，涉學有識悟。齊武平末，尚書屯田郎。隋開皇中，尚書侍郎。卒于沂州長史。

His son Shu had broad learning and discernment. At the end of the Wuping era of Qi he was director of tuntian in the ministry. In the Kaihuang era of Sui he was vice director of the ministry. He died while serving as chief clerk of Yizhou.

臧弟邵，字子才，小字吉。少時有避，遂不行名。年五歲，魏吏部郎清河崔亮見而奇之曰：「此子後當大成，位望通顯。」十歲便能屬文，雅有才思，聰明強記，日誦萬餘言。族兄巒有人倫鑒，謂子弟曰：「宗室中有此兒，非常人也。」少在洛陽，會天下無事，與時名勝，專以山水遊宴為娛，不暇勤業。嘗霖雨，乃讀《漢書》，五日略能遍之，後因飲謔倦，方廣尋經史，五行俱下，一覽便無所遺。文章典麗，既贍且速。年未二十，名動衣冠。嘗與右北平陽固、河東裴伯茂、從兄罘、河南陸道暉等至北海王昕舍宿飲，相與賦詩，凡數十首，皆在主人奴處。旦日奴行，諸人求詩不得，邵皆為誦之。諸人有不認詩者，奴還得本，不誤一字。諸人方之王粲。吏部尚書隴西李神俊大相欽重，引為忘年之交。

Zang's younger brother Shao, styled Zicai, with the childhood name Ji. In youth he had a taboo and therefore did not use his formal name. At five, Cui Liang, director of the ministry of personnel of Qinghe, saw him and marveled: "This child will later achieve great things and reach eminent rank and renown. At ten he could already compose prose, possessed elegant literary gifts, was clever with a strong memory, and recited more than ten thousand words each day. His clansman Luan had judgment of human character and told his sons and nephews, "In our clan there is this boy—he is no ordinary person. In youth in Luoyang, when the realm was at peace, he joined famous men of the age in devoting himself solely to roaming mountains and waters and feasting for pleasure, with no leisure for diligent study. Once during prolonged rain he read the Book of Han and in five days could roughly go through it all. Later, weary of drinking and banter, he broadly sought out the classics and histories; with five lines at once beneath his eyes, one reading left nothing forgotten. His essays were classical and beautiful, both ample and swift. Before he was twenty, his name shook the gentry and officials. Once together with Yang Gu of Youbeiping, Pei Bamao of Hedong, his clansman Fei, Lu Daohui of Henan, and others he lodged and drank at the house of Prince Xin of Beihai. Together they composed several dozen poems, all left with the host's slave. The next day the slave went out. The others sought the poems and could not obtain them, but Shao recited them all. Some among them did not recognize their own poems. When the slave returned with the originals, not a single character was wrong. The others then compared him to Wang Can. Li Shenjun, director of the ministry of personnel of Longxi, greatly admired and honored him and brought him into friendship despite the difference in age.

釋巾為魏宣武挽郎。除奉朝請，遷著作佐郎，深為領軍元叉所禮。叉新除遷尚書令，神俊與陳郡袁翻在席，叉令邵作謝表，須臾便就，以示諸賓。神俊曰：「邢邵此表，足使袁公變色。」孝昌初，與黃門侍郎李琰之對典朝議。

He left the towel and served as mourning officer for Emperor Xuanwu of Wei. He was appointed court gentleman for attendance and transferred to assistant editor in the secretariat, deeply treated with courtesy by Yuan Cha, director of the army. When Cha was newly appointed director of the department, Shenjun and Yuan Fan of Chen commandery were at the banquet. Cha ordered Shao to compose a letter of thanks; in a moment it was done and shown to the guests. Shenjun said, "This letter of Xing Shao's is enough to make Master Yuan change color. At the beginning of the Xiaochang era he, together with Vice Director of the Yellow Gate Li Yanzhi, jointly managed court deliberations.

自孝明之後，文雅大盛。邵雕蟲之美，獨步當時，每一文初出，京師為之紙貴，讀誦俄遍遠近。于時袁翻與范陽祖瑩位望通顯，文筆之美，見稱先達；以邵藻思華贍，深共嫉之。每洛中貴人拜職，多憑邵為謝章表。嘗有一貴勝初授官，大事賓食，翻與邵俱在坐，翻意主人托其為讓表。遂命邵作之，翻甚不悅。每告人云：「邢家小兒常客作章表，自買黃紙，寫而送之。」邵恐為翻所害，乃辭以疾。屬尚書令元羅出鎮青州，啟為府司馬，遂在青土，終日酣賞，盡山泉之致。

From the time of Emperor Ming onward, elegant writing greatly flourished. Shao's ornamental beauty in composition stood alone in his age. Whenever a new piece first appeared, the capital made paper costly for it, and within a short time it was read and recited near and far. At that time Yuan Fan and Zu Ying of Fanyang both held eminent rank and renown, and the beauty of their writing was praised by earlier generations; because Shao's literary thought was rich and splendid, they deeply envied him together. Whenever eminent men of Luoyang received appointment, most relied on Shao to write their letters of thanks and memorials. Once a noble newly received appointment and gave a great banquet for guests. Fan and Shao were both seated, and Fan expected the host to commission him to write the letter of declination. The host thereupon ordered Shao to compose it; Fan was very displeased. He often told people, "The boy of the Xing family constantly writes memorials for guests, buying yellow paper himself, copying and sending them. Shao feared being harmed by Fan and therefore pleaded illness. When Director of the Department Yuan Luo went out to govern Qingzhou, he petitioned that Shao serve as staff marshal. Shao remained in Qing province, drinking and admiring all day, exhausting the pleasures of mountains and streams.

永安初，累遷中書侍郎。所作詔文體宏麗。及爾硃兆入洛，京師擾亂。邵與弘農楊愔避地嵩高山。普泰中，兼給事黃門侍郎，尋為散騎常侍。太昌初，敕令恆直內省，給御史，令覆案尚書門下事，凡除大官，先問其可不，然後施行。除衛將軍、國子祭酒。以親老還鄉，詔所在特給兵力五人，並令歲一入朝，以備顧問。丁母憂，哀毀過禮。後楊愔與魏元叉及邵請置學，奏曰：

At the beginning of the Yong'an era he was repeatedly promoted to vice director of the secretariat. The edicts he composed were grand and beautiful in style. When Er Zhujiu entered Luoyang, the capital was thrown into disorder. Shao together with Yang Yin of Hongnong took refuge on Songgao Mountain. In the Putai era he concurrently served as supervising secretary of the yellow gate and soon became regular cavalry attendant-in-ordinary. At the beginning of the Taichang era an edict ordered him constantly on duty within the inner palace, given the censorate, and charged to review cases of the secretariat and chancellery. For all major appointments, the court first asked whether he approved, and only then carried them out. He was appointed general of the guard and director of the imperial academy. Because his parents were old he returned home. An edict ordered that where he was should specially grant him five soldiers, and also ordered him to enter court once a year to be available for consultation. During his mother's mourning he grieved beyond the rites. Later Yang Yin, together with Wei Yuancha and Shao, petitioned to establish schools, memorializing as follows:

二黌兩學，盛自虞、殷。所以宗配上帝，以著莫大之嚴；宣佈下土，以彰則天之軌。養黃髮以詢哲言，育青衿而敷典教。用能享國長久，風徽萬祀者也。爰暨亡秦，改革其道，坑儒滅學，以蔽黔黎。故九服分崩，祚終二代。炎漢勃興，更修儒術。故西京有六學之義，東都有三本之盛。逮自魏、晉，撥亂相因，兵革之中，學校不絕，仰惟高祖孝文皇帝，稟聖自天，道鏡今古，列教序於鄉黨，敦詩書于郡國。但經始事殷，戎軒屢駕，未遑多就，弓劍弗追。世宗統曆，聿遵先緒，永平之中，大興板築。續以水旱，戎馬生郊，雖逮為山，還停一簣。而明堂禮樂之本，乃郁荊棘之林；膠序德義之基，空盈牧豎之跡。城隍嚴固之重，闕磚石之工；墉構顯望之要，少樓榭之飾。加以風雨稍侵，漸致虧墜，非所謂追隆堂構，儀刑萬國者也。伏聞朝議以高祖大造區夏，道侔姬文，擬祀明堂，式配上帝。今若基宇不修，仍同丘畎，即使高皇神享，闕于國陽，宗事之典，有聲無實。此臣子所以匪甯，億兆所以佇望也。

The two halls and two academies flourished from the time of Yu and Yin. Through them the ancestral temple joined the Lord on High in sacrifice, displaying the greatest solemnity; and edicts were proclaimed to the lower realm, to manifest the track of Heaven's standard. The white-haired were nourished to consult wise words; the green-collared were reared to spread canonical teaching. Thus states could enjoy long endurance and leave a fine legacy for ten thousand generations. When it reached fallen Qin, it reformed their Way, buried the ru and destroyed learning, to blind the common people. Therefore the nine domains split apart and the throne ended after two generations. The blazing Han rose vigorously and again restored Confucian learning. Therefore the Western Capital had the meaning of the Six Schools, and the Eastern Capital had the splendor of the Three Foundations. From Wei and Jin onward, disorder followed in succession; amid arms and armor, schools did not cease. Looking up to the High Ancestor Emperor Xiaowen, he received sagehood from Heaven, and his Way mirrors present and past; he arrayed teaching and order in the districts and villages and nurtured the Odes and Documents in the commanderies and states. But the beginning of the enterprise was vast, and the military carriage repeatedly set out; there was no leisure for much completion, and bow and sword could not be pursued. Emperor Shizong inherited the calendar and followed the former thread; in the Yongping period he greatly raised board and earthworks. Then came flood and drought, and war-horses were born in the suburbs; though it reached the building of a mountain, it still stopped one basket short. Yet the root of the Bright Hall and ritual music became a thicket of brambles and thorns; the foundation of the school of virtue and righteousness stood empty, filled only with the tracks of herd boys. The weight of the city walls and strong fortifications lacked the work of brick and stone; the essential points of wall and structure and conspicuous expectation had little adornment of towers and pavilions. Added to this, wind and rain gradually encroached, and it progressively came to ruin and collapse—it is not what is called pursuing the loftiness of the hall's structure and taking the rites as model for the ten thousand states. Your servant has heard that the court deliberates that, because the High Ancestor greatly created the realm within the Four Seas and his Way equals King Wen of Zhou, it proposes to sacrifice at the Bright Hall and join the Lord on High in sacrifice in the prescribed manner. If the foundations and structures are not repaired and it remains like a field mound, then even if the high emperor's spirit enjoys sacrifice, it will be lacking at the national altar; the canonical rites of ancestral service will have sound without substance. For this reason ministers and sons cannot be at ease, and the hundred millions stand waiting in hope.

臣又聞官方授能，所以任事，既任事矣，酬之以祿。如此則上無曠官之議，下絕屍素之謗。今國子雖有學官之名，而無教授之實，何異免絲燕麥，南箕北哉。

Your servant has also heard that the official realm assigns ability in order to entrust affairs; once affairs are entrusted, salary rewards the service. In this way, above there will be no criticism of vacant offices, and below the slander of corpse-like idleness will be cut off. Now the Imperial Academy bears the name of a school yet has no reality of instruction—how is it different from dodder passed off as silk, southern oats, or the Winnowing Basket and the Dipper: names without substance?

昔劉向有言寔：者宜興辟雍、陳禮樂以風天下。夫禮樂所以養人，刑法所以殺人。而有司勤勤，請定刑法，至於禮樂，則曰未敢。是敢於殺人，不敢於養人也。臣以為當今四海清平，九服甯晏，經國要重，理應先營，脫復稽延，則劉向之言征矣。但事不兩興，須有進退。以臣愚量，宜罷尚方雕靡之作，頗省永寧土木之功，並減瑤光材瓦之力，兼分石窟鐫琢之勞，及諸事役非世急者，三時農隙，修比數條。使辟雍之禮，蔚爾而復興；諷誦之音，煥然而更作。美榭高墉，嚴壯於外；槐宮棘寺，顯麗於中。更明古今，重遵鄉飲，敦進郡學，精課經業。如此則元、凱可得之於上序，游、夏可致之于下國，豈不休歟。

In the past Liu Xiang had words, saying: one should establish the Pi Yong and display ritual music to transform the realm. For ritual and music are what nourish men; penal law is what kills men. Yet the responsible officials press diligently for the codification of criminal law, while on rites and music they say they still dare not act. They are bold enough to punish with death, yet lack the courage to cultivate the people. I believe that now, with the realm at peace and the nine domains secure, the foundations of statecraft ought to be laid first; further delay will make Liu Xiang's warning come true. Yet two great projects cannot be pursued at once—priorities must be chosen. In my humble view, the court should halt the Palace Workshops' ornamental projects, pare back Yongning's earthworks, reduce Yaoguang's timber and tile consumption, lighten the stone-grotto carving, and suspend every non-urgent levy—then, in the slack seasons between harvests, devote labor to the measures I propose. The rites of the Biyong would flourish once more; The voices of recitation and chant would ring out again. Elegant halls and towering ramparts would stand imposing without; Within, the academies and law courts would shine with dignity and beauty. Clarify learning across past and present, restore the district drinking rite, promote district schools, and rigorously test students in the classics. Then men like Yuan and Kai would rise through the highest halls of learning, and disciples like You and Xia would emerge from the provinces—is that not a splendid prospect?

靈太后令曰：「配饗大禮，為國之本，比以戎馬在郊，未遑修繕，今四表晏寧，當束有司，別議經始。」累遷尚書令，加侍中。

Empress Dowager Ling decreed: 'The great rite of joint sacrifice is the foundation of the state. While armies were in the field we could not attend to construction; now that the realm is at peace, the responsible officials should be convened to plan the undertaking. He rose through successive promotions to Director of the Masters of Writing with the additional title of Palace Attendant.

于時與梁和，妙簡聘使，邵與魏收及從子子明被征入朝。當時文人，皆邵之下，但以不持威儀，名高難副，朝廷不令出境。南人曾問賓司：「邢子才故應是北間第一才士，何為不作聘使？」答云：「子才文辭實無所愧，但官位已高，恐非復行限。」南人曰：「鄭伯猷，護軍猶得將命，國子祭酒何為不可？」邵既不行，復請還故郡。

When peace was concluded with Liang and envoys were carefully selected, Shao was summoned to court along with Wei Shou and his nephew Ziming. Contemporary men of letters all ranked below him, but because he cared nothing for decorum and his reputation was too lofty to suit the role, the court would not let him serve as envoy. Southerners once asked the reception official: 'Xing Zicai should be the North's foremost man of letters—why is he not sent as envoy? The answer came: 'Zicai's literary gifts are beyond reproach, but his rank is already too high—he likely no longer meets the age limit for such missions.' The southerners replied: 'Zheng Boyou served as envoy though he was only Defender-in-Chief—why not a Director of the National University?' When Shao was not sent, he again asked to return to his former prefecture.

武帝在京輔政，征之，在第為賓客。除給事黃門侍郎，與溫子升對為侍讀。宣武富於春秋，初總朝政，崔暹每勸禮接名賢，詢訪得失，以邵宿有名望，故請征焉。宣武甚親重之。多別引見。邵舊鄙崔暹無學術，言論之際，遂雲暹無所知解。宣武還以邵言告暹，並道「此漢不可親近。」暹頗銜之。邵奏魏帝，發敕用妻兄李伯倫為司徒祭酒。詔書已出，暹即啟宣武，執其專擅，伯倫官事便寢。邵由是被疏。

Emperor Wu, then governing from the capital region, summoned him and kept him at home to receive guests. He was appointed Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and paired with Wen Zisheng as imperial lecturing attendants. Emperor Xuanwu, still young when he first took power, was repeatedly urged by Cui Xuan to receive eminent men courteously and seek their counsel; because Shao's name was long established, Xuan was the one who recommended summoning him. Emperor Xuanwu treated him with great intimacy and esteem. The emperor frequently received him in private audience. Shao had always despised Cui Xuan as a man without scholarship, and in conversation declared that Xuan knew nothing at all. Emperor Xuanwu repeated Shao's remarks to Xuan, adding, 'This northerner is not someone to get close to. Xuan took deep offense. Shao petitioned the Wei emperor and had an edict issued appointing his wife's elder brother Li Bolun Director of Sacrificial Affairs at the Ministry of Education. Once the edict was issued, Xuan immediately reported to Emperor Xuanwu and charged Shao with overstepping his authority; Bolun's appointment was at once cancelled. From this Shao fell from favor.

其後除驃騎、西兗州刺史。在州有善政，桴鼓不鳴，吏人奸伏，守令長短，無不知之。定陶縣去州五十里，縣令妻日暮取人鬥酒束脯，邵逼夜攝令，未明而去，責其取受，舉州不識其所以。在任都不營生產，唯南兗糴粟，就濟陽食之。邵繕修觀宇，頗為壯麗；皆為之名題，有清風觀、明月樓，而不擾公私，唯使兵力。吏民為立生祠，並勒碑頌德。及代，吏人父老及媼嫗皆遠相攀追，號泣不絕。至都，除中書令。

He was later appointed General of Agile Cavalry and Governor of Western Yan Province. As governor he ruled well: no complaint drum was ever struck, wrongdoing among officials and commoners was quickly exposed, and he knew the merits and faults of every prefect and magistrate. Dingtao County lay fifty li from the provincial capital. One evening the magistrate's wife accepted wine and dried meat from a local man. Shao summoned the magistrate that same night and, before dawn, rebuked him for taking bribes—yet no one in the province knew how he had found out. During his entire term he undertook no private business; he bought grain in Southern Yan and lived on it at Jiyang. Shao restored halls and towers until they were notably grand; He named them himself—the Clear Wind Pavilion and the Bright Moon Tower—yet he burdened neither public nor private resources, relying only on allotted labor. Officials and commoners built living shrines to him and carved steles in praise of his virtue. When he was relieved of office, elders among the officials and people—even old women—followed him from afar, weeping without end. On reaching the capital he was appointed Director of the Secretariat.

舊格制：生兩男者，賞羊五口，不然則絹十匹。僕射崔暹奏絕之。邵云：「此格不宜輒斷。句踐以區區之越，賞法：生三男者給乳母。況以天下之大而絕此條！舜藏金於山，不以為乏，今藏之於民，復何所損。」又准舊皆訊囚取占，然後送付廷尉。邵以為不可，乃立議曰：「設官分職，各有司存，丞相不問鬥人，虞官弓招不進。豈使屍祝兼刀匕之役，家長侵雞犬之功。」詔並從之。

An old regulation rewarded households that produced two sons with five sheep, or otherwise with ten bolts of silk. Vice Director Cui Xuan petitioned to abolish the practice. Shao said: 'This regulation ought not be abolished outright. Goujian, ruling tiny Yue, rewarded those who bore three sons with wet-nurses. How much more should a realm as vast as ours keep such a provision! Shun kept gold in the mountains and did not count himself poor; storing wealth among the people now—what would we lose? By older practice, too, prisoners were interrogated and divination performed before cases were sent to the Court of Justice. Shao objected and submitted an opinion: 'Offices exist and duties are divided—each has its proper keeper. The chancellor does not meddle in brawls, and the bow-master does not chase down every missed delivery. Surely the temple priest should not also wield knife and ladle, nor the head of a household take over every petty chore. The throne accepted both proposals.

自除太常卿兼中書監，攝國子祭酒。是時朝臣多守一職，帶領二官甚少。邵頓居三職，並是文學之首，當世榮之。幸晉陽，路中頻有甘露之瑞，朝臣皆作《甘露頌》，尚書符令邵為之序。及文宣崩，凶禮多見訊訪，敕撰哀策。後授特進，卒。

He was next appointed Director of Ceremonies, concurrently Supervisor of the Secretariat and acting Director of the National University. At the time most court officials held a single post; few held two at once. Shao suddenly held three posts, each the summit of literary office—and his contemporaries regarded it as a great honor. On the journey to Jinyang, sweet dew appeared again and again along the route; court officials all wrote 'Sweet Dew Eulogies,' and the Secretariat commissioned Shao to compose the preface. When Emperor Wenxuan died, he was frequently consulted on funeral rites and ordered to draft the lamentation text. He was later granted the rank of Special Advance and died.

邵率情簡素，內行修謹，兄弟親姻之間，稱為雍睦。博覽墳籍，無不通曉。晚年尤以《五經》章句為意，窮其指要。吉凶禮儀，公私諮稟，質疑去惑，為世指南。每公卿會議，事關典故，邵援筆立成，證引該洽。帝命朝章，取定俄頃，詞致宏遠，獨步當時。與濟陰溫子升為文士之冠，世論謂之溫、刑。钜鹿魏收雖天才豔發，而年事在二人之後，故子升死後，方稱邢魏焉。雖望實兼重，不以才位傲物。脫略簡易，不修威儀，車服器用，充事而已。有齋不居，坐臥恆在一小屋。果餌之屬，或置之梁上，賓至，下而共啖。天姿質素，特安異同，士無賢愚，皆能傾接，對客或解衣覓虱，且與劇談。有書甚多，而不甚讎校。見人校書，笑曰：「何愚之甚！天下書至死讀不可遍，焉能始復校此。日思誤書，更是一適。」妻弟李季節，才學之士，謂子才曰：「世間人多不聰明，思誤書何由能得？」子才曰：「若思不能得，便不勞讀書。」與婦甚疏，未嘗內宿。自雲嘗晝入內閣，為狗所吠，言畢便撫掌大笑。性好談賞，又不能閑獨，公事歸休，恆須賓客自伴。

Shao was candid and unpretentious by nature, scrupulous in private life, and among brothers and in-laws was praised for harmony. He read widely in the classics and historical works and mastered them all. In later years he devoted himself above all to the chapter-and-commentary meaning of the Five Classics, probing their essentials to the end. On ritual matters, public and private, men came to him for guidance; he cleared doubts and became a standard for his generation. Whenever ministers met on questions of precedent, Shao would take brush in hand and finish a draft on the spot, citing sources with full mastery. When the throne required court pronouncements, he settled the wording in moments—his style lofty and unmatched in his day. With Wen Zisheng of Jiyin he stood at the head of men of letters; contemporaries spoke of 'Wen and Xing.' Wei Shou of Julu, for all his brilliant talent, was younger than both men; only after Zisheng's death did people speak of 'Xing and Wei.' For all his fame and substance, he never lorded talent or rank over others. He was informal and unceremonious, caring nothing for dignified bearing; his carriage, dress, and furnishings were merely adequate. When observing fasts he did not use the main hall; whether sitting or lying down he kept to one small room. He sometimes stored fruit and sweets on a beam; when guests came he brought them down and shared them. Plain by nature, he was entirely at ease with disagreement; worthy or dull, every scholar found a warm welcome. With guests he might unbutton his robe to hunt lice and talk on with abandon. He owned a great many books but rarely collated them. Seeing someone proofreading a text, he laughed: 'How absurdly foolish! There are more books under heaven than one could read in a lifetime—why bother collating this one? Reflecting on a misprinted book is its own kind of delight. His brother-in-law Li Jijie, a scholar in his own right, asked Zicai: 'Most people are not clever—how can misprints teach you anything?' Zicai replied: 'If reflection cannot yield understanding, then there is no point in reading at all.' He lived at a remove from his wife and never slept in the inner quarters. He once said that he entered the inner chambers by day and was barked at by a dog—and finished the story with a great clap and peal of laughter. He loved talk and fine company and could not abide being alone; when the day's business ended he always required guests at his side.

事寡嫂甚謹，養孤子恕慈愛特深。在兗州，有都信雲恕疾，便憂之廢寢食，顏色貶損。及卒，人士為之傷心，痛悼雖甚，竟不再哭，賓客吊慰，抆淚而已。其高情達識，開遣滯累，東門吳以還，所未有也。有集三十卷，見行於世。邵世息大寶，有文情。孽子大德、大道，略不識字焉。

He treated his elder brother's widow with great reverence and raised his orphaned nephew Shu with deep affection. In Yan Province a courier named Yun Shu fell ill; Shao worried so deeply that he neglected sleep and food and his face grew haggard. When Shu died, scholars mourned him deeply; though Shao grieved intensely, he never wept again—when guests came to console him he only wiped his eyes. In lofty spirit and clear insight, in freeing himself from the weight of grief, none since Dongmen Wu had been his equal. His collected works in thirty juan circulated in his time. Shao's legitimate son Dabao possessed literary gifts. His sons by concubines, Dade and Dadao, could barely read.

李崇，字繼長，小名繼伯，頓丘人也。文成元皇后第二兄誕之子。年十四，召拜主文中散，襲爵陳留公，鎮西大將軍。孝文初，為荊州刺史，鎮上洛，敕發秦、陝二州兵送崇至理。崇辭曰：「邊人失和，本怨刺史，奉詔代之，但須一宣詔旨而已。不勞發兵自防，使人懷懼。」孝文從之。乃輕將數十騎馳到上洛，宣詔綏慰，人即帖然。邊戍掠得齊人者，悉令還之。南人感德，仍送荊州口二百許人。兩境交和，無復烽燧之警。在州四年，甚有稱績。召還京師，賞賜隆厚。

Li Chong, styled Jichang and known in youth as Jibo, came from Dunqiu. He was the son of Dan, younger brother of Empress Yuan, consort of Emperor Wencheng. At fourteen he was summoned to court, appointed Master of Documents in Attendance, inherited the marquisate of Chenliu, and was made General Who Guards the West. Early in Emperor Xiaowen's reign he was appointed Governor of Jing Province and posted to Shangluo; an edict ordered troops from Qin and Shan Provinces to escort him to office. Chong declined, saying: 'The border people are unsettled because they resent the governor. To replace him, the throne need only proclaim its intent. There is no need to march troops in my defense and frighten the people. Emperor Xiaowen agreed. He rode swiftly to Shangluo with only a few dozen horsemen, proclaimed the edict, and reassured the people—and they at once submitted. Border garrisons holding captives from Qi were ordered to release them all. Moved by his virtue, the southerners in turn returned some two hundred people from Jing Province. Peace held along both borders, and beacon alarms ceased. After four years in office his record won wide praise. Recalled to the capital, he was richly rewarded.

除兗州刺史。兗土舊多劫盜，崇乃村置一樓，樓懸一鼓，盜發之處，雙槌亂擊，四面諸村，聞鼓皆守要路。俄頃之間，聲布百里，其中險要，悉有伏人，盜竊始發，便爾禽送。諸州置樓縣鼓，自崇始也。後例降為侯，改授安東將軍。車駕南征，詔崇副驃騎大將軍、咸陽王禧都督左翼諸軍事。徐州降人郭陸聚黨作逆，人多應之。崇遣高平卜冀州詐稱犯罪，逃亡歸陸，陸納之，以為謀主。數月，冀州斬陸送之，賊徒潰散。入為河南尹。

He was appointed Governor of Yan Province. Yan Province had long been plagued by bandits. Chong placed a watchtower in every village, hung a drum in each tower, and whenever thieves struck, the drums were beaten frantically; villages for miles around, hearing them, blocked the key roads. Within moments alarm spread a hundred li; every choke point had men in ambush, and thieves were seized the moment they struck. The provincial system of tower drums began with Chong. Later his title was reduced by precedent to marquis, and he was reassigned as General of Pacification of the East. When the emperor marched south, Chong was ordered to serve as deputy to General of Agile Cavalry Prince Xianyang, commanding the left wing. Guo Lu of Xuzhou, a defector, raised a rebel band, and many rallied to him. Chong sent Bu Jizhou of Gaoping, who pretended to be a fugitive criminal and joined Lu, who took him in as chief strategist. After several months Jizhou killed Lu and sent his head; the rebels collapsed. He entered court as Intendant of Henan.

後車駕南討漢陽，崇行梁州刺史。氐楊靈珍遣弟婆羅與子雙領步騎萬餘，襲破武興，與齊相結。詔崇為使持節、都督隴右諸軍事，率眾討之。崇槎山分進，出其不意，表裹以襲，群氐皆棄靈珍散歸，靈珍眾減太半。崇進據赤土。靈珍又遣從弟率五千人屯龍門，躬率精勇一萬據鷲硤。龍門之北數十里中，伐樹塞路。鷲硤之口，積大木，聚礌石，臨崖下之，以拒官軍。崇乃命統軍慕容拒率眾五千，從他路夜襲龍門，破之。崇自攻靈珍。靈珍連戰敗走，俘其妻子。崇多設疑兵，襲克武興。齊梁州刺史陰廣宗遣參軍鄭猷、王思考率眾援靈珍。崇大破之，並斬婆羅首，殺千餘人，俘獲猷等。靈珍走奔漢中。孝文在南陽，覽表大悅曰：「使朕無西顧之憂者，李崇功也。」拜梁州刺史，手詔曰：「便可善思經略，去其可除，安其可育，公私所患，悉令芟夷。」及錄珍偷據白水，崇擊破之，靈珍遠遁。

Later, when the emperor marched south against Hanyang, Chong served as acting Governor of Liang Province. The Di chieftain Yang Lingzhen sent his brother Poluo and his son Shuang with more than ten thousand infantry and cavalry to overrun Wuxing and ally with Qi. An edict appointed Chong Bearer of the Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Longyou region to lead troops against him. Chong advanced in divided columns by mountain paths and raft crossings, catching the enemy unawares; attacked from within and without, the Di bands abandoned Lingzhen and fled home, and his force was cut by more than half. Chong advanced and seized Chitu. Lingzhen sent a younger cousin with five thousand men to hold Longmen while he personally led ten thousand elite troops to hold Jiuxia. For several tens of li north of Longmen, trees were felled to block the roads. At the mouth of Jiuxia they piled logs and stones and rolled them from the cliffs to block the imperial army. Chong ordered Commander Murong Ju to take five thousand men by another route and storm Longmen by night. Chong himself attacked Lingzhen. Lingzhen was defeated in repeated battles and fled; his wife and children were captured. Chong deployed many decoys and took Wuxing by surprise. Yin Guangzong, Liang Governor under Qi, sent staff officers Zheng You and Wang Sikao with troops to relieve Lingzhen. Chong routed them, took Poluo's head, killed more than a thousand men, and captured You and his companions. Lingzhen fled to Hanzhong. At Nanyang, Emperor Xiaowen read the report with delight and said: 'Li Chong is the man who frees me from all worry in the west. He was appointed Governor of Liang Province with a handwritten edict: 'Plan carefully—eliminate what must go, secure what can be secured, and root out every ill that afflicts public and private life.' When Lu Zhen seized Baishui, Chong defeated him and Lingzhen fled deep into the hills.

宣武初，徵為右衛將軍，兼七兵尚書，轉左衛將軍、相州大中正。魯陽蠻柳北喜、魯北燕等聚眾反叛，諸蠻悉應之，圍逼湖陽。遊擊將軍李暉光鎮北城，盡力捍禦。賊勢甚盛，詔以崇為使持節、都督征蠻諸軍事以討之。蠻眾數萬，屯據形要，以拒官軍。崇累戰破之，斬北燕等，徙萬餘戶於幽、并諸州。宣武追賞平氐之功，封魏昌縣伯。

Early in Emperor Xuanwu's reign he was recalled as General of the Right Guard and concurrent Minister of the Seven Arms, then transferred to General of the Left Guard and Grand Assessor of Xiang Province. The Luyang barbarians Liu Beixi, Lu Beiyan, and others rose in rebellion; barbarian bands everywhere joined them and besieged Huyang. Mobile Commander Li Huiguang held the north city and fought with all his strength. The rebels' strength was overwhelming; Chong was appointed Bearer of the Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the barbarian campaign. Tens of thousands of barbarians held strategic ground against the imperial army. Chong defeated them in repeated battles, beheaded Beiyan and others, and relocated more than ten thousand households to You and Bing Provinces. Emperor Xuanwu rewarded his pacification of the Di and enfeoffed him as Baron of Weichang.

東荊州蠻樊安聚眾于龍山，僭稱大號。梁武遣兵應之。諸將擊不利，乃以崇為鎮南將軍、都督征蠻諸軍事，率步騎討之。崇分遣諸將，攻擊賊壘，連戰克捷，生禽樊安，進討西荊，諸蠻悉降。尋兼侍中、東道大使，黜陟能否，著賞罰之稱。出除散騎常侍、征南將軍、揚州刺史。詔曰：「應敵制變，算非一途，救左擊右，疾雷均勢。今朐山蟻寇，久結未殄，賊愆狡詐，或生詭劫，宜遣銳兵，備其不意。崇可都督淮南諸軍事，坐敦威重，遙運聲算。」

Fan An, a barbarian leader of Eastern Jing Province, gathered followers on Longshan and proclaimed himself ruler. Emperor Wu of Liang sent troops to support him. When other generals failed, Chong was made General Who Guards the South and Commander-in-Chief of the barbarian campaign, leading infantry and cavalry against Fan An. Chong sent his generals against the rebel camps in separate columns, won successive victories, captured Fan An alive, advanced into Western Jing, and brought all the barbarians to submission. He was soon additionally appointed Palace Attendant and Grand Envoy of the Eastern Circuit, judging officials by merit and earning a reputation for fair reward and punishment. He left court as Regular Palace Attendant, General Who Conquers the South, and Governor of Yang Province. The edict read: 'To meet the enemy and adapt, no single stratagem suffices; to relieve one point by striking another is like thunder that balances force. The bandits at Qushan have long held out; cunning and treacherous, they may strike by surprise—send elite troops to guard against the unexpected. Chong is hereby appointed Commander of the Huai region, to hold the line with grave authority and direct strategy from afar.'

延昌初，加侍中、車騎將軍、都督江西諸軍事。先是，壽春縣人苟泰有子三歲，遇賊亡失，數年不知所在，後見在同縣趙奉伯家。泰以狀告，各言己子，並有鄰證，郡縣不能斷。崇令二父與兒各在別處，禁經數旬，然後告之曰：「君兒遇患，向已暴死，可出奔哀也。」苟泰聞即號啕，悲不自勝；奉伯咨嗟而已，殊無痛意。崇察知之，乃以兒還泰，詰奉伯詐狀。奉伯款引，雲先亡一子，故妄認之。

Early in the Yan chang era he was additionally made Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Commander-in-Chief west of the river. Earlier, Gou Tai of Shouyang County had lost his three-year-old son to bandits; for years no one knew where the boy was until he was found in the household of Zhao Fengbo in the same county. Tai filed a report; each man claimed the boy as his son, neighbors testified for both sides, and the local authorities could not decide. Chong separated the two fathers and the child for several weeks, then told them: 'Your son has fallen ill and died suddenly—you may go and mourn. Gou Tai burst into uncontrollable wailing; Fengbo sighed but showed no real anguish. Chong saw through the deception, returned the boy to Tai, and interrogated Fengbo about the fraud. Fengbo confessed that he had lost a son earlier and had falsely claimed this boy.

又定州流人解慶賓兄弟，坐事俱徙揚州。弟思安背役亡歸。慶賓懼後役追責，規絕名貫，乃認城外死屍，詐稱其弟為人所殺，迎歸殯葬。頗類思安，見者莫辨。又有女巫陽氏自雲見鬼，說思安被害之苦，饑渴之意。慶賓又誣疑同軍兵蘇顯甫、李蓋等所殺，經州訟之。二人不勝楚毒，各自款引。獄將決竟，崇疑而停之。密遣二人非州內所識者，偽從外來，詣慶賓告曰：「僕住在北州，比有一人見過寄宿。夜中共語，疑其有異，便即詰問，乃雲是流兵背役，姓解字思安。時欲送官，苦見求及，稱'有兄慶賓，今往揚州相國城內，嫂姓徐。君脫矜慜，為往告報，見申委曲，家兄聞此，必重相報。今但見質，若往不獲，送官何晚？ '是故相造，指申此意。君欲見雇幾何？當放賢弟。若其不信，可見隨看之。」慶賓悵然失色，求其少停。此人具以報崇，攝慶賓問之，伏引。更問蓋等，乃雲自誣。數日之間，思安亦為人縛送。崇召女巫視之，鞭笞一百。崇斷獄精審，皆此類也。

Also, the exiles Xie Qingbin and his brother of Ding Province, convicted of a crime, were both sent to Yang Province. The younger brother Sian abandoned his corvée and fled home. Qingbin feared pursuit for the desertion and plotted to erase his brother from the rolls; he identified a corpse outside the city, claimed it was his murdered brother, and arranged a funeral. The body resembled Sian closely enough that witnesses could not tell otherwise. A witch named Yang claimed to have seen Sian's ghost and described his torment, hunger, and thirst. Qingbin also accused fellow soldiers Su Xianfu and Li Gai of the murder and sued at the provincial level. Unable to endure torture, both men confessed. The case was nearly closed when Chong, suspicious, halted proceedings. Secretly he sent two strangers from outside the province to Qingbin, saying: 'We come from the north. A man recently lodged with us. We spoke at night, found him suspicious, and questioned him. He said he was a fugitive corvée deserter named Xie Sian. We meant to turn him in, but he begged us hard, saying he had a brother Qingbin in Xiangguo City in Yang Province and a sister-in-law surnamed Xu. If you would take pity and carry word to him, my brother will surely reward you handsomely. We have brought him as a hostage. If the errand fails, you can still hand him over later. That is why we have come to you. What fee do you want? Pay it, and we will release your brother. If you doubt us, come and see for yourself. Qingbin turned pale with dismay and asked for time. The agents reported to Chong; Qingbin was summoned, questioned, and confessed. Questioned again, Gai and the others admitted they had falsely confessed. Within days Sian was captured and sent in as well. Chong summoned the witch, exposed the fraud, and had her flogged a hundred strokes. Chong's adjudication was precise and thorough—cases like these were typical.

時有泉水湧於八公山頂，壽春城中有魚數從地湧出，野鴨群飛入城，與鵲爭巢。五月，大霖雨十有三日，大水入城，屋宇皆沒。崇與兵泊於城上，水增未已，乘船附於女牆，城不沒者二版而已。州府勸崇棄州保北山。崇曰：「吾受國重恩，忝守籓嶽，淮南萬里，系於吾身，一旦動腳，百姓瓦解，揚州之地，恐非國物。昔王尊慷慨，義感黃河，吾豈愛一軀，取愧千載。但憐茲士庶，無辜同死，可桴筏隨高，人規自脫。吾必守死此城。」時州人裴絢等受梁假豫州刺史，因乘大水，謀欲為亂，崇皆擊滅之。又以洪水為災，請罪解任。詔曰：「夏雨氾濫，斯非人力，何得以此辭解。今水涸路通，公私復業，便可繕甲積糧，修復城雉，勞恤士庶，務盡綏懷之略也。」崇又表解州，不聽。是時，非崇則淮南不守矣。

A spring burst forth on Bagong Mountain; fish repeatedly welled up from the ground in Shouyang; flocks of wild ducks flew into the city and fought magpies for nests. In the fifth month rain fell torrentially for thirteen days; floodwaters poured into the city and submerged every house. Chong and his soldiers took refuge on the walls; as the water kept rising they tied boats to the parapets—the city stood only two wall-courses above the flood. Provincial officials urged Chong to abandon the city and retreat to the northern hills. Chong said: 'I owe the state a great debt and guard this frontier in its name. The whole Huai region hangs on me—if I stir, the people will break, and Yang Province may cease to be ours. Wang Zun once held the Yellow River with passionate resolve—how could I cling to my own life and disgrace myself for ages? I pity only the innocent people doomed to die with me—let them raft to high ground and save themselves as they can. I will hold this city unto death. Pei Xuan and others, holding false Liang appointments as Governor of Yu Province, plotted rebellion amid the flood; Chong crushed them all. He also requested punishment and resignation because of the flood disaster. The throne replied: 'Summer floods are beyond human power—you cannot resign on that account. The waters have fallen, roads are open, and life resumes—repair armor, stock grain, rebuild the walls, and comfort the people with every measure of relief. Chong again petitioned to resign the governorship; the throne refused. At that time, without Chong, Huainan would not have held.

崇沈深有將略，寬厚善禦眾。在州凡十年，常養壯士數千人，寇賊侵邊，所向摧破，號曰：「臥彪」，賊甚憚之。梁武惡其久在淮南，屢設反間，無所不至。宣武雅相委重，梁無以措謀。乃授崇車騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、萬戶郡公，諸子皆為縣侯，欲以構崇。崇表言其狀。宣武屢賜璽書慰勉之。賞賜珍異，歲至五三，親待無與為比。梁武每歎息，服宣武之能任崇也。

Chong was deep, steady, and skilled in command—generous and adept at leading men. For ten years as governor he kept several thousand picked warriors; wherever bandits struck he shattered them. They called him the Crouching Tiger, and enemies feared him greatly. Emperor Wu of Liang resented his long hold on Huainan and tried every stratagem against him. Emperor Xuanwu trusted him completely, and Liang could gain no foothold. They therefore heaped honors on him—General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Master of State with equal ceremony to the Three Dukes, Duke of a ten-thousand-household commandery, all his sons made county marquises—hoping to turn him against the throne. Chong memorialized explaining the situation. Emperor Xuanwu repeatedly sent sealed letters of comfort and encouragement. Rare gifts arrived several times each year; no one enjoyed such personal favor. Emperor Wu of Liang sighed each time, acknowledging Emperor Xuanwu's skill in keeping Chong loyal.

孝明踐阼，褒賜衣馬。及梁遣其遊擊將軍趙祖悅襲據西硤石，更築外城，逼徙緣淮之人於城內。又遣二將昌義之、王神念率水軍溯淮而上，規取壽春，田道龍寇邊城，路長平寇五門，胡興茂寇開、霍。揚州諸戍，皆被寇逼。崇分遣諸將，與之相持；密裝船艦二百餘艘，教之水戰，以待台軍。梁霍州司馬田休等寇建安，崇遣統軍李神擊走之。又命邊城戍主邵申賢要其走路，破之于濡水，俘斬三千餘人。靈太后璽書勞勉。許昌縣令兼糸甯麻戍主陳平王南引梁軍，以戍歸之。崇自秋請援，表至下餘，詔遣鎮南將軍崔亮救俠石，鎮東將軍蕭寶夤于梁堰上流決淮東注。朝廷以諸將不相赴，乃以尚書李平兼右僕射持節節度之。崇遣李神乘鬥艦百餘艘，沿淮與李平、崔亮合攻硤石。李神水軍克其東北外城。祖悅力屈，乃降。朝廷嘉之，進號驃騎將軍、儀同三司，刺史、都督如故。

When Emperor Xiaoming took the throne, he rewarded Chong with robes and horses. When Liang sent Mobile Commander Zhao Zuyue to seize Western Xiashi, rebuild its outer wall, and drive the people along the Huai inside the fortifications— Liang also sent Generals Chang Yizhi and Wang Shennian upstream with a fleet to take Shouyang, while Tian Daolong raided border towns, Lu Changping struck Wumen, and Hu Xingmao attacked Kai and Huo. Every garrison in Yang Province came under attack. Chong sent his generals to hold the line in separate columns; He secretly fitted out more than two hundred warships, drilled them in naval combat, and waited for the imperial army. Tian Xiu and other Liang officers from Huo Province raided Jian'an; Chong sent Commander Li Shen to drive them off. He ordered border commander Shao Shenxian to cut their retreat and routed them at the Ru River, killing or capturing more than three thousand. Empress Dowager Ling sent a sealed letter praising and encouraging him. Chen Pingwang, magistrate of Xuchang and garrison commander of Ningma, led Liang troops south and surrendered his post. From autumn Chong pleaded for reinforcements; memorial after memorial reached court. An edict sent Cui Liang to relieve Xiashi and Xiao Baoyin to breach the Liang dam upstream and divert the Huai eastward. Because the generals failed to coordinate, the court appointed Minister Li Ping concurrently Vice Director and Bearer of the Staff to direct operations. Chong sent Li Shen with more than a hundred warships up the Huai to join Li Ping and Cui Liang in the assault on Xiashi. Li Shen's fleet took the northeastern outer wall. Zuyue's resistance collapsed and he surrendered. The court commended the victory and promoted him to General of Agile Cavalry and Grand Master of State with equal ceremony to the Three Dukes; his governorship and command remained unchanged.

梁淮堰未破，水勢日增。崇乃于硤石戍間編舟為橋。北更立船樓十，各高三丈；十步置一籬，至兩岸，蕃版裝治，四箱解合，賊至舉用，不戰解下。又于樓船之北，連覆大船，東西竟水，防賊火筏。又于八公山之東南，更起一城，以備大水，州人號曰魏昌城。崇累表解州，前後十餘上，孝明乃以元志代之。尋除中書監、驃騎大將軍，儀同如故。出為使持節、侍中、都督四州諸軍事、定州刺史。徵拜尚書左僕射，遷尚書令，加侍中。

Liang's Huai dam still held, and the flood grew daily. Chong lashed boats into a bridge between the Xiashi garrisons. North of the bridge he erected ten ship-towers, each three zhang high; Every ten paces he set palisades to both banks, with hinged plank sections that could be raised against attack and lowered in peace. North of the tower-ships he moored covered barges across the river to block enemy fire-rafts. Southeast of Bagong Mountain he built another city against flood—the people called it Weichang City. Chong petitioned to resign more than ten times; at last Emperor Xiaoming replaced him with Yuan Zhi. He was soon appointed Supervisor of the Secretariat and General of Agile Cavalry, retaining his rank as Grand Master of State. He left court as Bearer of the Staff, Palace Attendant, Commander-in-Chief of four provinces, and Governor of Ding Province. He was recalled as Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, promoted to Director, and additionally made Palace Attendant.

崇在官和厚，明於決斷，然性好財賄，敗肆聚斂。孝明、靈太后嘗幸左藏，王公嬪主從者百餘人，皆令任力負布絹，即以賜之。多者過二百匹，少者百餘。唯長樂公兩手持絹二十匹而出，示不異眾而已，世稱其廉儉。崇與章武王融以所負多，顛仆於地，崇乃傷腰，融至損腳。時人為之語曰：「陳留、章武，傷腰折股，貪人敗類，穢我明主。」

In office Chong was fair and decisive, yet he loved wealth, took bribes, and openly amassed riches. Emperor Xiaoming and Empress Dowager Ling once visited the Left Treasury; more than a hundred nobles and consorts followed, each ordered to carry as much silk as he or she could—and it was given them on the spot. The strongest carried more than two hundred bolts; the weakest still took a hundred or more. Only the Prince of Changle carried out twenty bolts in both hands, making a show of modesty—the age praised his thrift. Chong and Prince Zhangwu Rong, greedy for more, fell under their loads—Chong hurt his back, Rong broke his leg. People mocked them in verse: 'Chenliu and Zhangwu—broken back, broken leg; greedy wretches shaming our bright sovereign.'

蠕蠕主阿那瑰犯塞，詔崇以本官都督北討諸軍事以討之。崇辭于顯陽殿，戎服武飾，志氣奮揚，時年六十九，幹力如少。孝明目而壯之，朝臣莫不稱善。遂出塞三千餘里，不及賊而還。崇請改六鎮為州，兵編戶，太后不許。

When the Rouran ruler Anagui raided the frontier, Chong was ordered, in his existing office, to command the northern campaign against him. Chong bid farewell at Xianyang Hall in full armor, spirit blazing; he was sixty-nine yet strong as a young man. Emperor Xiaoming looked on him with admiration; every courtier praised the sight. He marched more than three thousand li beyond the frontier, failed to catch the enemy, and returned. Chong petitioned to convert the Six Garrisons into provinces and register soldiers as taxpayers; the empress dowager refused.

後北鎮人破落汗拔陵反，所在回應。征北將軍、臨淮王彧大敗于五原，安北將軍李叔仁尋敗于白道，賊眾日甚。詔引丞相、令、僕、尚書、侍中、黃門于顯陽殿，曰：「賊勢侵淫，寇連恆，朔，金陵在彼，夙夜憂惶。諸人宜陳良策。」吏部尚書元修義以為須得重貴，鎮壓壓恆、朔，總彼師旅，備衛金湯。詔曰：「去歲阿那瑰叛逆，遣李崇北征，崇遂長驅塞北，返旆榆關，此一時之盛。朕以李崇國戚望重，器識英斷，意欲還遣崇行，總督三軍，揚旌恆、朔，諸人謂可爾不？」僕射蕭寶夤等曰：「陛下此遣，實合群望。」於是詔崇以本官加使持節、開府、北討大都督，撫軍將軍崔暹、鎮軍廣陽王深皆受崇節度。又詔崇子光祿大夫神軌假平北將軍，隨崇北討。崇至五原，崔暹大敗于白道之北，賊遂並力攻崇。崇與廣陽王深力戰，累破賊眾。相持至冬，乃引還平城。深表崇長史祖瑩詐增功級，盜沒軍資。崇坐免官爵，征還，以後事付深。

Later Po Luohan and Ba Ling of the northern garrisons rebelled, and uprisings spread everywhere. Prince Linhuai Yu, General Who Conquers the North, was routed at Wuyuan; Li Shuren, General Who Pacifies the North, was soon beaten at Baidao—the rebels swelled daily. The throne summoned the chancellor, directors, ministers, and attendants to Xianyang Hall: 'The rebels spread unchecked from Heng and Shuo; Jinling lies beyond them—we fret day and night. Present your best plans. Minister of Personnel Yuan Xiuyi argued that a man of the highest rank must hold Heng and Shuo, command the armies, and guard the frontier fortresses. The edict said: 'Last year Anagui rebelled and Li Chong was sent north. He marched deep into the frontier and returned in triumph through Yuguan—that was a moment of glory. Li Chong is a royal kinsman of weight and reputation, skilled and resolute. I mean to send him again to command the three armies on the Heng-Shuo front—is that your wish? Vice Director Xiao Baoyin and others replied: 'Your Majesty's choice truly matches the hopes of all.' Chong was then appointed additionally Bearer of the Staff, Opener of a Government Office, and Grand Commander of the Northern Campaign; Cui Xuan and Prince Guangyang Shen served under his command. Chong's son Shengui, Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, was made acting General Who Pacifies the North and sent north with him. At Wuyuan, Cui Xuan was routed north of Baidao; the rebels then massed against Chong. Chong and Prince Guangyang Shen fought hard and repeatedly broke the rebels. They held the line until winter, then withdrew to Pingcheng. Prince Shen accused Chong's chief clerk Zu Ying of inflating merit rolls and embezzling supplies. Chong was stripped of office and rank, recalled, and Shen was left to manage affairs.

後徐州刺史元法僧以彭城南叛，時除安樂王鑒為徐州刺史以討之。為法僧所敗，單馬之。乃詔復崇官爵，為徐州大都督、節度諸軍事。會崇疾篤，乃以衛將軍、安豐王延明代之。改除開府、相州刺史，侍中、將軍、儀同並如故。

Later Yuan Faseng, Governor of Xuzhou, rebelled and held Pengcheng; Prince Anle Jian was appointed Governor of Xuzhou to subdue him. Jian was defeated by Faseng and fled alone on horseback. An edict restored Chong's titles and made him Grand Commander of Xuzhou. Chong fell gravely ill, so Prince Yan of Anfeng was sent to replace him. He was reassigned as Opener of a Government Office and Governor of Xiang Province, retaining his other titles.

孝昌元年，薨於位。贈侍中、驃騎大將軍、司徒公、雍州刺史，諡曰武康，後重贈太尉公，余如故。

In the first year of Xiaochang he died in office. He was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, Duke of the Ministry of Education, and Governor of Yong Province, with posthumous name Wukang; later he was further honored as Grand Duke of the Ministry of Education.

長子世哲，性輕率，供奉豪侈。少經征伐，頗有將用，為三關別將，討群蠻大破之。還，拜鴻臚少卿。性傾巧，善事人，亦以貨賂自達。高肇、劉騰之勢也，皆與親善，故世號為李錐。為相州刺史，斥逐百姓，遷徙佛寺，逼買其地，部內患之。崇北征之後，征兼太常卿。御史高道穆毀發其宅，表其罪過。後除涇州刺史，賜爵衛國子。卒，贈吏部尚書、冀州刺史。

His eldest son Shizhe was frivolous by nature and lived lavishly among the powerful. Young he saw campaign service and showed real military talent; as Separate Commander of the Three Passes he routed barbarian bands. On his return he was appointed Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. Clever and ingratiating, he also bought his way forward with bribes. When Gao Zhao and Liu Teng held power he cultivated both; the age called him Li Zhui—'Li the awl.' As Governor of Xiang Province he expelled commoners, seized temple lands, and forced purchases—the region groaned under him. After Chong's northern campaign he was recalled and additionally made Director of Ceremonies. Censor Gao Daomu raided his mansion and memorialized his crimes. He was later appointed Governor of Jing Province and enfeoffed as Viscount of Weiguo. He died and was posthumously honored as Minister of Personnel and Governor of Ji Province.

世哲弟神軌，小名青肫，受父爵陳留侯。累出征伐，頗有將領之氣。孝昌中，靈太后淫縱，分遣腹心媼姬出外，陰求悅人。神軌為使者所薦，寵遇勢傾朝野，時雲見幸帷幄，與鄭儼為雙。頻遷征東將軍、武衛將軍、給事黃門侍郎，常領中書舍人。時相州刺史、安樂王鑒據州反，詔神軌與都督源子邕等討平之。後於河陰遇害。建義初，贈侍中、司空公、相州刺史，諡曰烈。崇從弟平。

Shizhe's younger brother Shengui, known in youth as Qingzhun, inherited the marquisate of Chenliu. Repeated campaigns gave him the bearing of a commander. In the Xiaochang era Empress Dowager Ling lived licentiously and sent trusted nurses and concubines abroad to seek lovers in secret. An envoy recommended Shengui; his favor tilted the court and it was whispered he shared the empress dowager's bed with Zheng Yan. He rose repeatedly to General Who Conquers the East, General of the Martial Guard, and Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, constantly serving as Attendant of the Secretariat. When Prince Anle Jian rebelled and held Xiang Province, Shengui was ordered with Commander Yuan Ziyin and others to suppress him. Later he was killed at Heyin. Early in the Jianyi era he was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant, Duke of the Ministry of Works, and Governor of Xiang Province, with posthumous name Lie. Chong's younger cousin Ping.

平字雲定，少有大度；及長，涉獵群書，好《禮》、《易》，頗在文才。太和初，拜通直散騎侍郎，孝文禮之甚重。頻經大憂，居喪以孝稱。後以例降，襲爵彭城公。累遷太子庶子。平請自效一郡，帝曰：「卿復欲以吏事自試也？」拜長樂太守，政務清靜，吏人懷之。征行河南尹，豪右權戚憚之。宣武即位，除黃門郎，遷司徒左長史，行尹如故。尋正尹，長史如故。

Ping, styled Yunding, showed great breadth of mind even in youth; As a man he read widely, loved the Rites and the Changes, and possessed real literary talent. Early in the Taihe era he was appointed Regular Attendant of the Palace Gate; Emperor Xiaowen held him in high esteem. He endured repeated bereavements and was praised for filial mourning. Later, by precedent his rank was reduced and he inherited the dukedom of Pengcheng. He rose to Senior Tutor of the Heir Apparent. Ping asked to prove himself in a single commandery; the emperor said: 'Do you wish to test yourself in office again? He was appointed Administrator of Changle; his rule was calm and clear, and officials and people loved him. Summoned to act as Intendant of Henan, he was feared by powerful families and imperial kin. When Emperor Xuanwu took the throne he was made Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, promoted to Senior Clerk of the Ministry of Education, and continued as acting Intendant. He was soon confirmed as Intendant while retaining the senior clerkship.

車騎將幸鄴，平上表諫，以為：「嵩都創構，洛邑俶營，雖年跨十稔，根基未就。代人至洛，始欲向盡，資產罄于遷移，牛畜斃於輦運；陵太行之險，越長津之難，辛勤備經，劣達京闕；富者猶損太半，貧者可以意知。兼曆歲從戎，不遑啟處。自景明以來，差得休息。事農者未積一年之儲，築室者裁有數間之屋，莫不肆力伊、瀍，人急其務。實宜安靜新人，勸其稼穡，令國有九載之糧，家有水旱之備。若乘之以羈絏，則所廢多矣。」不從。

When the emperor planned to visit Ye, Ping remonstrated: 'Song's capital was newly raised and Luoyang just begun—though more than ten years have passed, the foundations are still unfinished. Northerners reaching Luoyang spent themselves to the last; fortunes vanished in the move, livestock perished on the road; They crossed the dangers of Mount Taihang and the long fords, endured every hardship, and barely reached the capital; Even the wealthy lost more than half their substance; the poor suffered far worse. For years they had followed campaigns and had no rest. Only since the Jingming era have they had any respite. Farmers had not yet laid up a year's grain; builders had only a few rooms—everyone labored on the Yi and Chan, each urgent in his work. This is the time to settle the newcomers in peace, encourage farming and sericulture, store nine years' grain for the state, and keep every household prepared for drought and flood. Drive them with bridles and shackles now, and far more will be lost. The throne did not heed him.

詔以本官行相州事。帝至鄴，親幸平第，見其諸子。尋正刺史。平勸課農桑，修飾太學，簡試通儒以充博士，選五郡聰敏者以教之。圖孔子及七十二弟子于講堂，親為立贊。前來台使，頗好侵漁。平乃畫「履武尾，踐薄冰」於客館，注頌其下，以示誡焉。徵拜度支尚書，領御史中尉。

An edict appointed him, in his existing office, acting Governor of Xiang Province. When the emperor reached Ye he visited Ping's home and met his sons. He was soon confirmed as governor. Ping promoted farming and sericulture, restored the Imperial Academy, appointed tested Confucians as erudites, and chose bright students from five commanderies to instruct. He painted Confucius and the seventy-two disciples in the lecture hall and wrote encomia for each. Envoys from the capital had long been fond of extortion and plunder. Ping then painted the words "treading the tiger's tail, treading thin ice" in the guest lodge and inscribed a verse beneath as a warning to the envoys. He was summoned to court and appointed minister of revenue, concurrently serving as chief imperial censor.

冀州刺史、京兆王愉反於信都，以平為持節、都督北討諸軍事、行冀州以討之。宣武臨式乾殿勞遣平，因曰：何圖今日，言及斯事！」歔欷流涕。平對曰：「愉天迷其心，構此梟悖。陛下不以臣不武，委以總督之任。如其稽顙軍門，則送之大理。若不悛待戮，則鳴鼓釁鉦，非陛下之事。」平進次經縣，諸軍大集。夜有蠻兵數千斫平前壘，矢及平帳，平堅臥不動，俄而乃定。遂至冀州城南十六里，大破逆眾，逐北至城門，遂圍城。愉與百餘騎突門走，平遣統軍叔孫頭追之。去信都八十里，禽愉。冀州平，以本官領相州大中正。

When the Prince of Jingzhao, Yu, governor of Jizhou, rebelled at Xindu, Ping was appointed commissioner with the imperial staff, commander of all northern expeditionary forces, and acting governor of Jizhou to suppress the revolt. Emperor Xuanwu came to Shiqian Hall to see Ping off and said, "Who could have imagined we would be speaking of such a thing today!" He sighed and wept. Ping replied, "Heaven has maddened Yu's mind and driven him to this treasonous wickedness. Your Majesty has not judged me unfit for war and has entrusted me with supreme command. If he comes to the camp gate and submits, send him to the court of judicial review. If he refuses to repent and awaits punishment, then the drums will be beaten and the axes consecrated—that will not be Your Majesty's concern. Ping marched forward and encamped at Jing County, where the armies massed in strength. That night several thousand tribal soldiers stormed the forward ramparts; arrows struck Ping's tent, but he lay still without moving, and before long all was quiet. He advanced to a point sixteen li south of Jizhou, routed the rebels, drove them north to the city gate, and laid siege to the city. Yu broke through the gate with a little over a hundred horsemen and fled; Ping sent Commander Shusun Tou in pursuit. Eighty li from Xindu, they captured Yu. After Jizhou was pacified, he kept his original rank and was also made senior rectifier of Xiangzhou.

平先為尚書令高肇、侍御史王顯所恨，後顯代平為中尉，平加散騎常侍。顯劾平在冀州隱截官口，肇又扶成其狀，奏除平名。延昌初，詔復官爵，除定、冀二州刺史。前來良賤之訟，多有積年不決；平奏不問真偽，一以景明年前為限，於是諍訟止息。武川鎮人饑，鎮將任款請貸未許，擅開倉振恤，有司繩以費散之條，免其官爵。平奏款意在濟人，心無不善，帝原之。遷中書令，尚書如故。孝明初，轉吏部尚書。

Ping had long been resented by Chief Minister Gao Zhao and Attending Censor Wang Xian; later Xian replaced Ping as chief censor, while Ping was promoted to regular attendant-in-ordinary. Xian impeached Ping for secretly seizing corvée laborers in Jizhou; Zhao helped build the case, and a memorial was submitted to strike Ping from office. At the beginning of the Yanchang era an edict restored his rank and titles, and he was appointed governor of both Ding and Jizhou. Many lawsuits over the status of free persons and bond servants had piled up for years without resolution; Ping petitioned that all such cases, without regard to their merits, be dismissed if they arose before the Jingming era, and contentious litigation came to an end. When the people of Wuchuan Garrison were starving, Garrison Commander Ren Kuan asked for a grain loan but was refused; he opened the granaries on his own to give relief, and the authorities charged him with unlawful disbursement and stripped him of office and rank. Ping submitted that Kuan had meant only to save lives and harbored no evil intent, and the emperor pardoned him. He was transferred to director of the secretariat while retaining his ministry post. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaoming's reign he was made minister of personnel.

平高明強濟，所在有聲，但以性急為累。尚書令、任城王澄奏理平定冀之勳，靈太后乃封武邑郡公，賜縑二千五百匹。

Ping was brilliant and forceful; wherever he served he earned a reputation, though his quick temper was held against him. Chief Minister Cheng, Prince of Rencheng, submitted a memorial settling Ping's merit in pacifying Jizhou; Empress Dowager Ling then enfeoffed him as Duke of Wuyi Commandery and granted him two thousand five hundred bolts of silk.

先是，梁遣其趙祖悅逼壽春，鎮南崔亮攻之。未克，又與李崇乖貳。詔平以本官使持節、鎮軍大將軍，兼尚書左僕射為行台，節度諸軍，東西州將，一以稟之，如有乖異，以軍法從事。詔平長子獎以通直郎從。於是率步騎二千赴壽春，嚴勒崇、亮，令水陸兼備，克期齊舉。崇、亮憚之，無敢乖互。頻日交戰，破賊軍。安南將軍崔延伯立橋于下蔡，以拒賊之援，賊將王神念、昌義之等不得進救。祖悅守死窮城，平乃部分攻之，斬祖悅，送首於洛。以功遷尚書右僕射，加散騎常侍。平還京師，靈太后見於宣光殿，賜以金裝刀仗一口。

Earlier, Liang had sent Zhao Zuyue to threaten Shouyang, and Cui Liang, defender of the south, besieged him. The siege failed, and Cui Liang moreover fell out with Li Chong. Ping was ordered, retaining his existing rank, to serve as commissioner with the imperial staff and great general who pacifies the army, concurrently left vice minister and head of the mobile headquarters, with command over all armies; eastern and western provincial generals were to obey him, and insubordination would be punished by military law. Ping's eldest son Jiang was ordered to accompany him as attendant direct-from-the-source. He then led two thousand infantry and cavalry to Shouyang, tightened discipline over Chong and Liang, and ordered land and naval forces to be fully ready for a coordinated assault on the appointed day. Chong and Liang feared him and did not dare to defy one another. After days of fighting they routed the enemy. Cui Yanbo, general who pacifies the south, built a bridge at Xia Cai to block enemy reinforcements, so the enemy generals Wang Shennian, Chang Yizhi, and others could not advance to relieve the city. Zuyue held the doomed city to the end; Ping organized the assault, killed Zuyue, and sent his head to Luoyang. For this feat he was promoted to right vice minister and additionally made regular attendant-in-ordinary. When Ping returned to the capital, Empress Dowager Ling received him in Xuanguang Hall and granted him a gold-mounted sword and staff.

時南徐州表云：梁堰淮水，日為患。詔公卿議之。平以為不假兵力，終自毀壞。及淮堰破，太后大悅，引群臣入宴，敕平前，孝明手賜縑布百段。卒，遺令薄葬。詔給東園秘器、朝服一具、衣一襲、帛七百匹。靈太后為舉哀於東堂。贈侍中、驃騎大將軍、儀同三司、冀州刺史，諡文烈公。平自在度支，至於端副，夙夜在公，孜孜匪懈，凡處機密十有餘年，有獻替之稱。所制文筆別有集錄。長子獎襲。

At that time South Xuzhou reported that Liang had dammed the Huai River, which was becoming a daily menace. The court ordered the chief ministers to debate the matter. Ping argued that the dam needed no military action and would eventually collapse on its own. When the Huai dam broke, the empress dowager was delighted; she brought the ministers in to feast, summoned Ping forward, and Emperor Xiaoming personally granted him a hundred bolts of silk and cloth. He died and left instructions for a simple burial. The court granted him the secret burial vessels of the Eastern Garden, one set of court robes, one suit of clothing, and seven hundred bolts of silk. Empress Dowager Ling held mourning rites for him in the Eastern Hall. He was posthumously made palace attendant, grand general of rapid cavalry, palace equal to the three lords, and governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Duke Wenlie. From his years in the revenue ministry through his service as a vice minister at the head of government, Ping worked day and night without slackening; for more than ten years he handled sensitive affairs and was praised for offering good counsel. His compositions were collected in a separate anthology. His eldest son Jiang inherited his rank.

獎字遵穆，容貌魁偉，有當世才度。位中書侍郎、吏部郎中。以本官兼尚書，出為相州刺史。初，元叉擅朝，獎為其親待，頻居顯職。靈太后反政，削除官爵。孝莊初，為散騎常侍、河南尹。獎前後所曆，皆以明濟著稱。元顥入洛，顥以獎兼尚書右僕射，慰勞徐州。羽林及城人不承顥旨，害獎，傳首洛陽。孝武帝初，獎故吏宋遊道上書理獎，詔贈冀州刺史。子構襲。

Jiang, style name Zunmu, was imposing in appearance and possessed the talent and bearing befitting his generation. He served as vice director of the secretariat and director of the personnel bureau. While retaining his original rank he additionally served in the ministry and was posted out as governor of Xiangzhou. Early on, when Yuan Cha dominated the court, Jiang was a favorite and repeatedly held high office. When Empress Dowager Ling resumed power, his offices and titles were taken away. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign he was made regular attendant-in-ordinary and intendant of Henan. In every post Jiang held, he was known for clear and capable administration. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, he appointed Jiang concurrent right vice minister to go and reassure Xuzhou. The imperial guards and the townspeople refused to obey Yuan Hao and killed Jiang, sending his head to Luoyang. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaowu's reign, Jiang's former subordinate Song Youdao petitioned to clear his name, and he was posthumously granted the title governor of Jizhou. His son Gou inherited the title.

構字祖基，少以方正見稱，襲爵武邑郡公。齊天保初，降爵為縣侯，位終太府卿，贈吏部尚書。構早有名譽，曆官清顯，常以雅道自居，甚為名流所重。子丕，有父風，位尚書祠部郎中。丕弟克，通直散騎常侍。獎弟諧。

Gou, style name Zuji, was known from youth for integrity and inherited the dukedom of Wuyi Commandery. At the beginning of Northern Qi's Tianbao era his title was reduced to county marquis; he ended his career as director of the grand storehouse and was posthumously made minister of personnel. Gou earned a reputation early; in one clear and eminent post after another he cultivated a refined bearing and was greatly respected by men of note. His son Pi inherited his father's manner and served as director of the sacrifices bureau in the ministry. Pi's younger brother Ke was direct attendant-in-ordinary of the rapid cavalry. Jiang's younger brother was He.

100

諧字虔和，幼有風采。趙郡李搔嘗過元叉門下，見之，歸謂其父元忠曰：「領軍門下見一神人。」元忠曰：「必李諧也。」問之果然。襲父先爵彭城侯。文辯為時所稱，歷位位中書侍郎。

He, style name Qianhe, showed exceptional poise even as a child. Li Sao of Zhao Commandery once visited Yuan Cha's residence, saw He, and told his father Yuan Zhong, "At the commandant-in-chief's gate I saw a man like a god. Yuan Zhong said, "That must have been Li He." When they inquired, it proved to be true. He inherited his father's former title of Marquis of Pengcheng. His eloquence was widely admired, and he rose to vice director of the secretariat.

101

天平末，魏欲與梁和好，朝議將以崔甗為使主。甗曰：「文采與識，甗不推李諧；口頰<扁頁>々，諧乃大勝。」於是以諧兼常侍、盧元明兼吏部郎、李業興兼通直常侍聘焉。梁武使硃異覘客，異言諧、元明之美。諧等見，及出，梁武目送之，謂左右曰：「朕今日遇勍敵，卿輩常言北間都無人物，此等何處來？」謂異曰：「過卿所談。」是時鄴下言風流者，以諧及隴西李神俊、范陽盧元明、北海王元景、弘農楊遵彥、清河崔贍為首。初通梁國，妙簡行人，神俊位已高，故諧等五人繼踵，而遵彥遇疾道還，竟不行。既南北通好，務以俊乂相矜，銜命接客，必盡一時之選，無才地者不得與焉。梁使每入，鄴下為之傾動，貴勝子弟盛飾聚觀，禮贈優渥，館門成市。宴日，齊文襄使左右覘之，賓司一言制勝，文襄為之拊掌。魏使至梁，亦如梁使至魏，梁武親與談說，甚相愛重。諧使還後遷秘書監，卒于大司農。

At the end of the Tianping era Wei sought peace with Liang, and the court planned to appoint Cui Yan as chief envoy. Yan said, "In literary grace and insight Yan does not defer to Li He; but in eloquence of tongue and cheek, He far surpasses me. He was therefore sent as concurrent regular attendant, Lu Yuanming as concurrent director of the personnel bureau, and Li Yexing as concurrent direct attendant-in-ordinary on the embassy. Emperor Wu of Liang sent Zhu Yi to observe the envoys; Yi spoke of the excellence of He and Yuanming. After He and the others were received and departed, Emperor Wu watched them go and said to his attendants, "Today I have met formidable opponents. You always say the north has no talent—where did these men come from? He told Yi, "They surpass what you described." At that time the leading men of refinement in Ye were He, Li Shenjun of Longxi, Lu Yuanming of Fanyang, Wang Yuanjing of Beihai, Yang Zunyan of Hongnong, and Cui Zhan of Qinghe. When contact with Liang was first established, envoys were carefully selected; Shenjun's rank was already too high, so He and five others went in succession, though Zunyan fell ill on the road and returned without ever completing the mission. Once north and south were at peace, each side sought to parade its finest men; only the most distinguished talents of the day were chosen to receive envoys—men without proven ability had no place in such work. Whenever Liang envoys arrived, Ye was thrown into commotion; sons of the nobility dressed splendidly to watch; gifts and courtesies were extravagant, and the embassy gate became a marketplace. On one feast day Wen Xiang of Qi sent attendants to observe; the host officer won the exchange with a single remark, and Wen Xiang clapped in delight. When Wei envoys reached Liang, the reception matched Liang's in Ye: Emperor Wu of Liang spoke with them personally and held them in great esteem. After returning from his mission He was promoted to director of the secretariat library and died while serving as grand minister of agriculture.

102

諧為人短小，六指，因癭而舉頤，因跛而緩步，因謇而徐言，人言李諧善用三短。文集十餘卷。

He was short, had six fingers, raised his chin because of a goiter, walked slowly because of lameness, and spoke with deliberate slowness because of a stammer; people said Li He turned his three defects to advantage. His collected writings run to more than ten scrolls.

103

諧長子岳，字祖仁，官中散大夫。性純至，居期慘，未曾聽婢過前；追思二親，言則流涕。

He's eldest son Yue, style name Zuren, served as grand master of leisurely dissemination. He was utterly pure by nature; in mourning he was so grief-stricken that he never let a servant girl pass in front of him; and when he spoke of his parents, tears would flow.

104

岳弟庶，方雅好學，甚有家風。歷位尚書郎、司徒掾，以清辯知名。常攝賓司，接對梁客，梁客徐陵深歎美焉。庶生而天閹，崔諶調之曰：「教弟種須，以錐遍刺作孔，插以馬尾。」庶曰：「先以此方回施貴族，藝眉有效，然後樹須。，」世傳諶門有惡疾，以呼沱為墓田，故庶言及之。邢子才在傍大笑。除臨漳令。

Yue's younger brother Shu was upright, refined, and studious, very much in the family tradition. He served as a ministry gentleman and an aide in the ministry of education, and was known for lucid argument. He often served as host officer for Liang envoys; the Liang envoy Xu Ling admired him greatly. Shu had been born a eunuch; Cui Chen teased him, saying, "Teach your brother to grow a beard: pierce holes all over with an awl and insert horsehair. Shu replied, "First try that recipe on the nobility—when eyebrow-painting works, then plant a beard. Tradition held that Cui Chen's family suffered from a disfiguring ailment and used the Hutuo River valley as their burial ground—hence Shu's retort." Xing Zicai burst out laughing beside them. He was appointed magistrate of Linzhang.

105

《魏書》之出，庶與盧斐、王松年等訟共不平。魏收書王慧龍自雲太原人，又書王瓊不善事；以盧同附《盧玄傳》；李平為陳留人，雲其家貧賤。故斐等喧訟，語楊愔云：「魏收合誅。愔党助魏，故遂白齊文宣，庶等並髡頭鞭杖二百，庶死於臨漳獄中。庶兄岳痛之，終身不曆臨漳縣門。

When the Book of Wei was published, Shu together with Lu Fei, Wang Songnian, and others filed suit together in outrage. Wei Shou had written that Wang Huilong falsely claimed Taiyuan as his native place, and that Wang Qiong was incompetent; placed Lu Tong in the biography of Lu Xuan rather than giving him his own; and described Li Ping as a man of Chenliu from a poor and humble family. Fei and the others raised a loud protest, telling Yang Yin, "Wei Shou deserves death. Yin sided with Wei and reported the matter to Wen Xuan of Qi; Shu and the others were shaved and flogged two hundred strokes, and Shu died in Linzhang prison. Shu's elder brother Yue grieved so deeply that he never passed through Linzhang's gates for the rest of his life.

106

庶妻，元羅女也。庶亡後，岳使妻伴之寢宿。積五年，元氏更適趙起。嘗夢庶謂己曰：「我薄福，托劉氏為女，明旦當出，彼家甚貧，恐不能見養。夫妻舊恩，故來相見告，君宜乞取我。劉家在七帝坊十字銜南，東入窮巷是也。」元氏不應，庶曰：「君似懼趙公意，我自說之。」於是起亦夢焉。起寤問妻，言之符合。遂持錢帛躬往求劉氏，如所夢得之，養女長而嫁焉。

Shu's wife was a daughter of Yuan Luo. After Shu died, Yue had his wife sleep beside hers for companionship. This continued for five years until she remarried Zhao Qi. Once she dreamed that Shu said, "I have little merit; I have been born again as a daughter in the Liu family. She will come into the world tomorrow. They are very poor and may not be able to raise her. Because of the old bond between husband and wife I come to tell you—you should ask to take me back. The Liu family lives south of the crossroads at Qidi Lane—down the poor alley to the east. She did not respond. Shu said, "You seem to fear Zhao's feelings. I will speak to him myself." Zhao Qi then had the same dream. When he woke and asked his wife, their accounts matched. He took money and cloth and went in person to the Liu family; exactly as in the dream he found the child, raised her, and later gave her in marriage.

107

庶弟蔚，少清秀，有襟期倫理，涉觀史傳，兼屬文詞。昆季並尚風流，長裾廣袖，從容甚美，然頗涉疏放。唯蔚能自持公幹理，甚有時譽。坐兄庶事徙平州。後還，位尚書左中兵郎中，仍聘陳使副。江南以其父曾經將命，甚重焉。還，坐將人度江私市，除名。後卒于秘書丞，士友悼惜之。

Shu's younger brother Wei was refined and handsome from youth, with breadth of character and principle, well read in history, and skilled in literary composition. The brothers all cultivated a refined style—long robes, wide sleeves, graceful bearing—though they could be somewhat unrestrained. Only Wei maintained public integrity and discipline and enjoyed considerable repute. He was exiled to Pingzhou because of his brother Shu's affair. Later he returned, served as director of the left central military bureau in the ministry, and again served as deputy envoy to Chen. The south held him in high regard because his father had once served as an imperial envoy. On his return he was struck from the rolls for secretly sending men across the river to trade. He later died while serving as secretary aide, and friends mourned his loss.

108

蔚弟若，聰敏，頗傳家業，風采詞令，有聲鄴下。坐兄庶事徙臨海。乾明初，追還，後兼散騎常侍。大被親狎，加儀同三司。若性滑稽，善諷誦，數奉旨詠詩，並使說外間世事可笑樂者。凡所話談，每多會旨。嘗在省中，趨而前卻，對答學奏事之象，和士開聞而奏之。帝每狎弄之。武成以斛律金舊老，每朝，賜羊車上殿。金曾使人奉啟，若為舍人，誤奏雲在闕下，詔命出羊車。若重思，知金不至，竊言：「羊車、鹿車何所迎？」帝聞，亦笑而不責。又帝于後園講武，令若為吳將，皇后皆出，引若當前，觀其進止俯仰。事罷，遣使謝之，厚加賞賜。韓長鸞等忌惡之，密構其短，坐免官。未幾，詔復本官。隋開皇中，卒于秦王府諮議。

Wei's younger brother Ruo was clever and keen, largely inherited the family's literary tradition, and was known in Ye for grace and eloquence. He was exiled to Linhai because of his brother Shu's affair. At the beginning of the Qianming era he was recalled and later served additionally as regular attendant-in-ordinary of the rapid cavalry. He became a great favorite at court and was additionally granted palace equal to the three lords. Ruo had a witty temperament, excelled at satirical verse, was often commanded to compose poetry on set themes, and was also made to recount amusing stories from beyond the court. In conversation he almost always hit the mark. Once in the secretariat he ran forward and back in mockery of officials presenting memorials; He Shikai heard of it and reported him to the emperor. The emperor constantly played with and teased him. Emperor Wucheng granted the aged veteran Hulu Jin a sheep-cart to enter the audience hall each morning. Jin once sent a messenger to submit a memorial; Ruo, serving as attendant, mistakenly reported that Jin was at the gate, and the court ordered the sheep-cart sent out. Ruo reconsidered, realized Jin would not come, and muttered, "Sheep-cart, deer-cart—what are they going to fetch? The emperor heard and laughed without rebuking him. On another occasion the emperor held military drills in the rear garden and made Ruo play a Wu general; the empresses all came out and summoned Ruo forward to watch his movements. When it was over he sent a messenger to thank Ruo and gave him a generous reward. Han Changluan and others envied him; they secretly built a case against him and he was dismissed. Before long an edict restored him to his former office. He died in the Kaihuang era of Sui while serving as adviser to the Prince of Qin's household.

109

諧弟邕，字修穆，幼而俊爽，有逸才。位高陽王雍友。幾所交遊，皆倍年俊秀。卒，贈洛州刺史，諡曰文。

He's younger brother Yong, style name Xiumu, was brilliant from youth and possessed exceptional talent. He served as companion to the Prince of Gaoyang, Yong. Most of his companions were gifted men older than himself. He died and was posthumously made governor of Luozhou with the posthumous title Wen.

110

論曰：郭祚才幹敏實，有世務之長。孝文經綸之始，獨在勤勞之地。居官任事，可稱述焉。張彝風力謇謇，有王臣之氣，銜命擁旄，風聲克舉。俱魏氏器能之臣乎！遭隨有命，二子俱逢世亂，悲哉！晏之、乾威，可謂亡焉不絕。邢巒以文武才策，當軍國之任，內參機揆，外寄折沖，其緯世之器歟！子才少有盛名，鼓動京洛，文宗學府，獨秀當年，舉必任真，情無飾智，疏通簡易，罕見其人，足為一代之模楷也。及明崔甗之謗言，執侯景之奸使，昔人稱孟軻為勇，于文簡公見之。唯嘗短崔暹，頗為累德。阮籍未嘗品藻人物，斯亦良有以焉。李崇風質英重，毅然秀立，任當將相，望高朝野。平以高明幹略，效智于時，出入當官，功名克著，贊務之材也。諧風流文辯，蓋人望乎！

In appraisal: Guo Zuo was quick and solid in talent, with a gift for practical affairs. At the outset of Emperor Xiaowen's reign he alone bore the burden of arduous labor. In holding office and performing his duties, he is worth commending. Zhang Yi was forceful and sternly upright, with the bearing of a royal minister; entrusted with command and leading armies, his reputation was fully achieved. Both were capable ministers of Wei! Fate turned against them; both sons met a turbulent age—how lamentable! Yan Zhi and Qianwei may be said to have perished yet not ended—their lines survived. Xing Luan, with civil and military talent, bore the nation's military burdens; within he advised on state strategy, without he was trusted to repel enemies—is this not the stuff of one who orders an age! Zicai won great fame early and stirred the capital; in scholarship he stood alone in his generation; in action he was always sincere, never feigning wisdom; open, clear, and plain-spoken—such men are rare, and he is fit to be a model of his age. In exposing Cui Yan's slander and arresting Hou Jing's treacherous envoy, he showed the courage the ancients ascribed to Mencius—as Wen Jian Gong he proved it. Only his past criticism of Cui Xian somewhat tarnished his moral standing. Ruan Ji never appraised and ranked other people—there was good reason for that. Li Chong was heroic and grave in character, upright and distinguished in bearing; fit for general or minister, his renown stood high in court and countryside alike. Ping offered his brilliance and strategic ability to his age; in every office his achievements and fame were fully realized—he was a man fit to assist in governance. He, with his refinement and literary eloquence—is he not a man the world looks up to!

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