Volume 44 Biographies 32: Cui Guang, Cui Liang

崔光崔亮

Cui Guang and Cui Liang.

列傳第三十二

Biography 32

崔光子劼弟子鴻崔亮從弟光韶叔祖道固

Cui Guang's son Jie; his younger brother Zi; his nephew Hong; Cui Liang's cousin Guangshao; their granduncle Daogu.

崔光，清河人，本名孝伯，字長仁，孝文賜名焉。祖曠，從慕容德南度河，居青州之時水。慕容氏滅，仕宋為樂陵太守。于河南立冀州，置郡縣，即為東清河鄃人。縣分易，更為南平原貝丘人也。父靈延，宋長廣太守，與宋冀州刺史崔道固共拒魏軍。慕容白曜之平三齊，光年十七，隨父徙代。家貧好學，晝耕夜誦，傭書以養父母。

Cui Guang was from Qinghe. His birth name was Xiaobo and his style Changren; Emperor Wen gave him the name Guang. His grandfather Kuang followed Murong De south across the Yellow River and settled at Shishui in Qingzhou. After the Murong regime collapsed, he entered Song service as Administrator of Leling. When the Song court established Jizhou south of the river and organized its commanderies and counties, the family became natives of Ju in eastern Qinghe. After a county reorganization, they were reckoned as natives of Beiqiu in southern Pingyuan. His father Lingyan served as Song Administrator of Changguang and, with the Song inspector of Jizhou Cui Daogu, held the Wei forces at bay. When Murong Baiyao pacified the Three Qi, Guang was seventeen and accompanied his father in resettling at Dai. Though his household was poor, he was devoted to learning: he farmed by day, studied by night, and earned his keep by copying books to support his parents.

太和六年，拜中書博士、著作郎，與秘書丞李彪參撰國書，再遷給事黃門侍郎。甚為孝文所知待，常曰：「孝伯才浩浩如黃河東注，固今日之文宗也。」以參贊遷都謀，賜爵朝陽子。拜散騎常侍，著作如故，兼太子少傅。又以本官兼侍中、使持節為陝西大使，巡方省察。所經述敘古事，因賦詩三十八篇。還，仍兼侍中。以謀謨之功，進爵為伯。光少有大度，喜怒不見於色。有毀惡之者，必善言以報，雖見誣謗，終不自申曲直。皇興初，有同郡二人並被掠為奴婢，後詣光求哀，光乃以二口贖免。孝文聞而嘉之。雖處機近，未曾留心文案，唯從容論議，參贊大政而已。孝文每對群臣曰：「以崔光之高才大量，若無意外咎譴，二十年後當作司空。」其見重如是。

In the sixth year of Taihe (482) he was made Doctor of the Secretariat and Gentleman of the Writing Office; with the Secretariat director Li Biao he helped draft the national history, and was soon promoted to Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Emperor Wen held him in high regard and often said, "Xiaobo's talent pours forth like the Yellow River flowing east—he is truly the literary patriarch of our age." For his part in planning the capital transfer, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chaoyang. He was appointed Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry while keeping his post in the Writing Office, and also served as Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. He also kept his existing rank while serving concurrently as Palace Attendant and commissioner with full powers as envoy to the western Shaan region, touring the provinces on inspection. Along the route he recounted historical events and composed thirty-eight poems. After his return he continued to serve concurrently as Palace Attendant. For his counsel in state planning, his noble rank was raised to count. From youth Guang was magnanimous; neither joy nor anger ever showed on his face. If anyone spoke ill of him, he answered only with kind words; even when slandered, he never pressed his own case. Early in Huangxing, two men from his commandery had been taken as slaves; they later came to Guang to beg for mercy, and he ransomed both and set them free. When Emperor Wen heard of this, he praised him for it. Though he stood at the center of power, he never buried himself in paperwork, confining himself to measured discussion and counsel on major policy. Emperor Wen often told the court, "With Cui Guang's towering talent and great breadth of mind, barring unforeseen disgrace, in twenty years he will be Minister of Works." Such was the esteem in which he was held.

宣武即位，正除侍中。初，光與李彪共撰國書，太和之末，彪解著作，專以史事任光。彪尋以罪廢。宣武居諒闇，彪上表求成《魏書》，詔許之，彪遂以白衣于秘書省著述。光雖領史官，以彪意在專功，表解侍中、著作以讓彪。宣武不許。遷太常卿，領齊州大中正。

When Emperor Xuanwu acceded, Guang was formally appointed Palace Attendant. Earlier Guang and Li Biao had jointly compiled the national history; at the end of Taihe, Biao left the Writing Office and historical work was entrusted to Guang alone. Biao was soon dismissed for an offense. While Emperor Xuanwu was in mourning seclusion, Biao petitioned to be allowed to complete the Book of Wei; the throne approved, and Biao wrote at the Secretariat as a private citizen. Although Guang headed the historiographical office, seeing that Biao wished to claim the work for himself, he petitioned to resign as Palace Attendant and from the Writing Office in Biao's favor. The emperor did not allow it. He was promoted to Minister of Ceremonies and concurrently served as grand arbiter of clans for Qi province.

正始元年夏，有典事史元顯獻四足四翼雞，詔散騎侍郎趙邕以問光。光表曰：

In the summer of the first year of Zhengshi (504), the records clerk Yuan Xian presented a four-legged, four-winged chicken; the throne ordered Attendant Gentleman Zhao Yong to seek Guang's interpretation. Guang submitted a memorial:

臣謹案《漢書·五行志》宣帝黃龍元年，未央殿路軨中雌雞化為雄，毛變而不鳴不將無距。元帝初元中，丞相府史家雌雞伏子，漸化為雄，冠距鳴將。永光中，有獻雄雞生角。劉向以為雞者小畜，主司時起居，小臣執事為政之象也，言小臣將乘君之威，以害政事，猶石顯也。竟甯元年，石顯伏辜，此共效也。靈帝光和元年，南宮寺雌雞欲化為雄，一身皆似雄，但頭冠上未變，詔以問議郎蔡邕。邕對曰：「貌之不恭，則有雞禍。臣竊推之，頭為元首，人君之象也。今雞一身已變，未至於頭，而上知之，是將有其事而不遂成之象也。若政無所改，頭冠或成，為患滋大。」是後張角作亂，稱黃巾賊，遂破壞四方，疲於賦役，人多叛者。上不改政，遂至天下大亂。今之雞狀不同，其應頗相類矣。向、邕並博達之士，考物驗事，信而有證，誠可畏也。臣以邕言推之，翅足眾多，亦群下相扇助之象。雛而未大，腳羽差小，亦其勢尚微，易制禦也。

Your servant notes in the Book of Han's Treatise on the Five Phases that in Emperor Xuan's first Huanglong year, a hen in the carriage-rail of Weiyang Palace turned into a rooster: its plumage changed, but it neither crowed, led the flock, nor grew spurs. In Emperor Yuan's Chuyuan era, a hen brooding at a chancellor's clerk's house gradually became a rooster, complete with comb, spurs, crowing, and leading the flock. During Yongguang someone presented a rooster that had sprouted horns. Liu Xiang held that chickens, as small livestock governing the daily round, symbolize petty officials wielding power—meaning subordinates would borrow the ruler's authority to harm government, as Shi Xian had done. In the first year of Jianning, Shi Xian was punished—exactly as foretold. In Emperor Ling's first Guanghe year, at Nangong Temple a hen was turning rooster: its body was already male in appearance, but head and comb had not yet changed; the throne sought Counselor Cai Yong's view. Yong replied, "When deportment lacks reverence, the chicken portent appears. Your servant infers that the head is the chief member and the image of the ruler. Here the bird's body has already changed but not its head, while the ruler is already aware—this signifies a threat forming but not yet fulfilled. If policy does not change, the head and comb may fully form and the calamity will grow worse." Soon Zhang Jiao rose in rebellion as leader of the Yellow Turbans, throwing the realm into chaos; the people were exhausted by taxes and levies, and many turned rebel. The ruler did not reform his rule, and the empire fell into great disorder. Today's bird differs in form, yet the omen is much the same. Liu and Cai were both learned men who examined phenomena and verified events—credible and well evidenced, and truly to be heeded. Applying Yong's reasoning, the many wings and feet likewise signify subordinates stirring one another on. It is still a chick, not fully grown, its leg-feathers still small—the force behind it is still slight and can readily be checked.

臣聞災異之見，皆所以示吉凶。明君睹之而懼，乃能招福，闇主視之彌慢，所用致禍。《詩》、《書》、《春秋》、秦、漢之事多矣，此皆陛下所觀者。今或有自賤而貴，關預政事，殆亦前代君房之匹。比者南境死亡千計，白骨橫野，存有酷恨之痛，歿為怨傷之魂。義陽屯師，盛夏未反；荊蠻狡猾，征人淹次。東州轉輸，多往無還，百姓困窮，絞縊以殞。北方霜降，蠶婦輟事。群生憔悴，莫甚於今。此亦賈誼哭歎，穀永切諫之時。司寇行戮，君為之不舉，陛下為人父母，所宜矜恤。國重戎戰，用兵猶火，內外怨弊，易以亂離。陛下縱欲忽天下，豈不仰念太祖取之艱難，先帝經營劬勞也？誠願陛下留聰明之鑒，警天地之意，禮處左右，節其貴越。往者鄧通、董賢之盛，愛之正所以害之。又躬饗如罕，宴宗或闕，時應親享郊廟，延敬諸父。檢訪四方，務加休息，爰發慈旨，撫振貧瘼。簡費山池，減撤聲飲，晝存政道，夜以安身。博采芻蕘，進賢黜佞，則兆庶幸甚，妖弭慶進，禎祥集矣。

Your servant has heard that omens and anomalies appear precisely to warn of fortune or disaster. A wise ruler, seeing them, is alarmed and thereby draws blessing; a benighted ruler grows only more negligent and thereby brings calamity. The Odes, Documents, Spring and Autumn, and the histories of Qin and Han are full of such examples—texts Your Majesty has surely studied. Today there are men who rose from humble station to high rank and meddle in government—perhaps the match of Junfang in earlier dynasties. Recently on the southern frontier thousands have died; bleached bones lie across the fields; the living nurse bitter hatred, the dead restless grievance. Armies camp at Yiyang and have not returned even in midsummer; the Jing tribes are cunning, and the expeditionary forces linger without end. In the eastern provinces men sent on transport duty often never return; the people are destitute and die by the rope. In the north frost has already fallen and women have laid aside sericulture. All living things are worn to exhaustion—never more than today. This is the very hour when Jia Yi wept in lament and Gu Yong offered urgent remonstrance. When the Minister of Justice executes punishments, the ruler forgoes feasting; as father and mother to the people, Your Majesty ought to show compassion. The state leans heavily on war; to wield arms is like playing with fire; resentment and exhaustion within and without make rebellion easy. Even if Your Majesty wished to neglect the realm, would you not recall how arduously the founding emperor won it and how the late emperor toiled to build it? I earnestly pray Your Majesty keep a clear mirror of judgment, heed Heaven and Earth's warning, treat those at your side with proper ritual, and curb their overweening rank. In the past the favor shown Deng Tong and Dong Xian—loving them was precisely how to destroy them. Again, you feast in person all too rarely and clan gatherings are sometimes neglected; at the proper seasons you should sacrifice at the suburban and ancestral temples in person and show respect to your uncles. Inspect the four quarters, strive to give the people rest, issue compassionate edicts, and relieve the destitute and afflicted. Cut spending on parks and pools, reduce music and banquets, devote the day to government, and the night to rest. Gather counsel even from the humble, advance the worthy and dismiss flatterers—then the people will be blessed, omens will cease, good fortune will advance, and auspicious signs will gather.

帝覽之大悅。後數日而茹皓等並以罪失伏法，於是禮光逾重。

The emperor read the memorial and was greatly pleased. Within days Ru Hao and others were dismissed for crimes and executed; thereafter Guang was honored all the more.

二年八月，光表曰：「去二十八日，有物出於太朽之西序，敕以示臣。臣案其形，即《莊子》所謂'蒸成菌'者也。又云'朝菌不終晦朔'。雍門周所稱「磨蕭斧而伐朝菌」，指言蒸氣鬱長，非有根種，柔脆之質，雕殞速易，不延旬月，無擬蕭斧。又多生墟落穢濕之地，罕起殿堂高華之所。今極宇崇麗，壇築工密，翼朽弗加，沾濡不及，而茲菌欻構，厥狀扶疏，誠足異也。夫野木生朝，野鳥入廟，古人以為敗亡之象。然懼災修德，咸致休慶，所謂家利而怪先，國興而妖豫。是故桑穀拱庭，太戊以昌；雊雉集鼎，武丁用熙。自比鴟鵲巢於廟殿，梟鵩鳴于宮寢，菌生賓階軒坐之正，准諸往記，信可為誡。且東南未靜，兵革不息，郊甸之內，大旱跨時，人勞物悴，莫此之甚。承天子育者所宜矜恤。伏願陛下追殷二宗感變之意，側躬聳誠，惟新聖道，節夜飲之忻，強朝禦之膳，養方富之年，保金玉之性，則魏祚可以永隆，皇壽等於山嶽。」

In the eighth month of the second year, Guang submitted a memorial: "Twenty-eight days ago something appeared in the western gallery of the Great Decay pavilion; an edict directed me to examine it. Your servant examined its form: it is what Zhuangzi called fungus formed by steam. He also said, "Morning fungus does not last out the month." Yongmen Zhou's line about grinding the Xiao axe to fell morning fungus refers to steam gathering into growth without root or seed—a soft, fragile thing that withers quickly, not lasting ten days or a month, scarcely worth the axe. It usually grows in ruined villages and foul, damp ground, and rarely appears in lofty palace halls. Yet now, in this utmost hall, lofty and splendid, with finely built altar-work, where rotten beams were not touched and moisture did not reach, this fungus suddenly sprang up, spreading wide—a thing truly strange. When wild trees grow in the court or wild birds enter the temple, the ancients took it as a sign of defeat and ruin. Yet those who feared disaster and cultivated virtue all attained peace and blessing—as the saying goes, when a house is to prosper, monsters appear first; when a state is to rise, portents come beforehand. When mulberry and grain arched over the court, Tai Wu prospered; when a crowing pheasant perched on the cauldron, Wu Ding flourished. Recently owls nested in the temple hall and cried in the palace chambers, and fungus grew on the guest stair before the seat of state—compared with past records, this is truly a warning. Moreover the southeast is not yet pacified, war has not ceased, and around the capital a great drought has lasted for seasons; never has exhaustion of men and goods been worse than now. One who bears Heaven's mandate and nurtures the people ought to show compassion. I pray Your Majesty follow the two Yin rulers who were moved by omens to reform, bend your person in sincerity, renew the sage's way, moderate nightly revelry, strengthen your morning meals at court, nurture the years of your prime, and preserve a nature firm as gold and jade—then Wei's fortune may long endure and your span equal the mountains."

四年，除中書舍人。永平元年秋，將誅元愉妾李氏，群官無敢言者。敕光為詔，光逡巡不作，奏曰：「伏聞當刑元愉妾李，加之屠割。妖惑扇亂，誠合此罪。但外人竊雲，李今懷妊，例待分產。且臣尋諸舊典，兼推近事，戮至刳胎，謂之虐刑，桀、紂之主，乃行斯事。君舉必書，義無隱諱，酷而乖法，何以示後？陛下春秋已長，未有儲體，皇子繈褓，至有夭失。臣之愚識，知無不言，乞停李獄，以俟育孕。」帝納之。

In the fourth year he was appointed Attendant of the Secretariat. In the autumn of the first year of Yongping (508), Yuan Yu's concubine Lady Li was to be executed, and none of the officials dared speak up. An edict ordered Guang to draft the decree; Guang hesitated and would not write, submitting instead: "Your servant has heard that Yuan Yu's concubine Li is to be punished with butchery. By sorcery and sedition she stirred disorder—she truly deserves punishment. But outsiders whisper that Li is now with child, and by precedent one waits until she has given birth. Moreover your servant has searched the old statutes and recent precedents: to execute a woman by cutting open her womb is called cruel punishment—only rulers like Jie and Zhou did such things. The ruler's acts must all be recorded; righteousness admits no concealment—if cruelty violates law, how can this be shown to posterity? Your Majesty's years are already advanced, yet there is no established heir; even imperial sons in swaddling clothes have died young. In your servant's humble view, knowing something and not speaking is wrong; I beg that Lady Li's case be halted until she has given birth." The emperor accepted his advice.

延昌元年，遷中書監，侍中如故。二年，宣武幸東宮，召光與黃門甄琛、廣陽王深等並賜坐，詔光曰：「卿是朕西台大臣，當令為太子師傅。」光起拜固辭，詔不許。即令明帝出焉，從者十餘人，敕以光為傅之意，令明帝拜光。光又拜辭，不當受太子拜，復不蒙許。明帝遂南面再拜。詹事王顯啟請從太子拜，於是宮臣畢拜。光北面立，不敢答拜，唯西面拜謝而出。於是賜光繡采一百匹，琛、深各有差。尋授太子少傅，遷右光祿大夫，侍中、監如故。

In the first year of Yan chang (512) he was promoted to Supervisor of the Secretariat while retaining his post as Palace Attendant. In the second year Emperor Xuanwu visited the Eastern Palace, summoned Guang together with Zhen Chen of the Yellow Gate, Prince Shen of Guangyang, and others, granted them seats, and said to Guang, "You are my great minister of the western terrace; I shall make you tutor to the Crown Prince." Guang rose, bowed, and firmly declined; the edict would not permit it. He then had Emperor Ming come forth with more than ten attendants, explained by edict that Guang was to be his tutor, and ordered the emperor to bow to Guang. Guang again bowed and declined, saying he ought not receive the crown prince's bow; again permission was refused. Emperor Ming then faced south and bowed twice. Chamberlain Wang Xian asked to follow the crown prince in bowing, and then all palace officials bowed as well. Guang stood facing north, not daring to return the bow, but only bowed westward in thanks and withdrew. Thereupon Guang was granted a hundred bolts of embroidered silk; Chen and Shen each received gifts in proportion. Soon he was appointed Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince and promoted to Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, retaining his posts as Palace Attendant and Supervisor.

四年正月，宣武夜崩，光與侍中、領軍將軍于忠迎明帝於東宮，安撫內外，光有力焉。帝崩後二日，廣平王懷扶疾入臨，以母弟之親，徑至太極西廡，哀慟禁內。呼侍中、黃門、領軍二衛，雲身欲上殿哭大行，又須入見主上。諸人皆愕然相視，無敢抗對者。光獨攘衰振杖，引漢光武初崩，太尉趙熹橫劍當階，推下親王故事，辭色甚厲。聞者莫不稱善，壯光理義有據。懷聲淚俱止，云：「侍中以古事裁我，我不敢不服。」於是遂還，頻遣左右致謝。

In the first month of the fourth year Emperor Xuanwu died suddenly at night; Guang, together with Palace Attendant and General of the Guards Yu Zhong, welcomed Emperor Ming at the Eastern Palace and pacified the court and realm—Guang played a leading part. Two days after the emperor's death, Prince Huai of Guangping, though ill, came to mourn; as the new emperor's younger brother by the same mother, he went straight to the western gallery of the Supreme Ultimate and wailed within the palace. He summoned the Palace Attendant, Yellow Gate officials, and the two guard commands, saying he wished to ascend the hall to mourn the late emperor and also needed to enter and see the new sovereign. All looked at one another in astonishment; none dared to resist. Guang alone seized his mourning garment and shook his staff, citing how when Emperor Guangwu of Han first died, Grand Commandant Zhao Xi barred the steps with sword drawn to push back a princely relative—his words and bearing were very stern. Those who heard it all praised him; they admired Guang's reasoned argument grounded in precedent. Huai's voice and tears both ceased; he said, "The Palace Attendant has judged me by ancient precedent—I dare not disobey." Thereupon he withdrew, repeatedly sending attendants to express his thanks.

初，永平四年，以黃門郎孫惠蔚代光領著作。惠蔚首尾五歲，無所厝懷。至是，尚書令、任城王澄表光宜還史任。於是詔光還領著作，遷特進。以奉迎明帝功，封博平縣公，領國子祭酒，詔乘步挽于雲龍門出入。尋遷車騎大將軍、儀同三司。靈太后臨朝後，光累表遜位。于忠擅權，光依附之。及忠稍被疏黜，光並送章綬冠服茅土，表至十餘上，靈太后優答不許。有司奏追於忠及光封邑。熙平元年二月，太師、高陽王雍等奏舉光授明帝經。初，光有德于靈太后。四月，更封光平恩縣侯，以朝陽伯轉授第三子勖。其月，敕賜羊車一乘。

Earlier, in the fourth year of Yongping, Yellow Gate Gentleman Sun Huiwei was appointed in Guang's place to head the Writing Office. Huiwei served five years in all and accomplished nothing of note. At this time Minister of the Masters of Writing Prince Cheng of Rencheng memorialized that Guang ought to return to his historiographical duties. Thereupon an edict ordered Guang to resume heading the Writing Office and promoted him to Special Advance. For his merit in welcoming Emperor Ming, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Boxing county, appointed Chancellor of the Imperial University, and granted the privilege of a hand-drawn carriage when passing through Cloud Dragon Gate. Soon he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry with ritual parity to the Three Excellencies. After Empress Dowager Ling assumed the regency, Guang repeatedly petitioned to resign. Yu Zhong monopolized power, and Guang attached himself to him. When Zhong was gradually distanced and demoted, Guang also returned his seals, cords, cap, robes, and fief, submitting more than ten memorials; the empress dowager answered graciously but would not permit it. The relevant offices memorialized to recover the fiefs of Yu Zhong and Guang. In the second month of the first year of Xiping, Grand Preceptor Prince Yong of Gaoyang and others memorialized recommending Guang to instruct Emperor Ming in the classics. Earlier Guang had shown kindness to Empress Dowager Ling. In the fourth month Guang was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Ping'en county, and the title Marquis of Chaoyang was transferred to his third son Xu. That month an edict granted him a sheep-drawn carriage.

時靈太后臨朝，每於後園親執弓矢，光乃表上中古婦人文章，因以致諫。是秋，靈太后頻幸王公第宅，光表諫曰：「《禮記》云：諸侯非問疾弔喪，入諸臣之家，謂之君臣為謔。不言王后夫人，明無適臣家之義。夫人父母在，有時歸寧；親沒，使卿大夫聘。《春秋》紀陳、宋、齊之女並為周王后，無適本國之事。是制深于士大夫。許嫁唁兄，又義不得，衛女思歸，以禮自抑，《載馳》、《竹竿》所為作也。漢上官皇后將廢昌邑，霍光外祖也，親為宰輔，後猶禦武帷以接群臣，示男女之別，國之大節。伯姬待姆，安就炎燎；樊薑候命，忍赴洪流。《傳》皆綴集，以垂來訓。昨軒駕頻出，幸馮翊君、任城王第。雖漸中秋，餘熱尚蒸。衡蓋往還，聖躬煩倦。左右僕侍，眾過千百，扶衛跋涉，袍鉀在身。昔人稱陛下甚樂，臣等至苦，或其事也。但帝族方衍，勳貴增遷，祗請遂多，將成彝式。陛下遵酌前王，貽厥後矩，天下為公，億兆己任。專薦郊廟，止決大政，輔神養和，簡息遊幸，則率土屬賴，令生仰悅矣。」

While Empress Dowager Ling held court, she would personally take bow and arrow in the rear garden; Guang submitted writings on exemplary women of antiquity and thereby offered remonstrance. That autumn the empress dowager frequently visited the mansions of princes and dukes; Guang submitted a remonstrance: "The Record of Rites says that if a feudal lord, apart from inquiring after illness or mourning the dead, enters his ministers' homes, it is called ruler and minister making sport. It does not speak of queen or consort, making clear that there is no propriety in going to ministers' homes. When a consort's parents are alive, she may sometimes return home for a visit; when her parents are dead, she sends a minister or grandee on a visit of inquiry. The Spring and Autumn records that daughters of Chen, Song, and Qi all became queens of Zhou, with no account of going to their native states. This regulation is stricter than that for scholar-officials. Xu of Wei's mourning for her brother was again not permitted by righteousness; the Wei girl longing to return restrained herself by ritual—this is what the poems "Rushing On" and "Bamboo Poles" were written for. When Han's Empress Shangguan was about to depose Changyi, Huo Guang was her maternal grandfather and personally served as chief minister, yet the empress still sat behind a martial screen to receive the assembled ministers, showing the distinction of male and female—a great principle of state. Bo Ji waited for her nurse and calmly entered the blazing fire; Fan Jiang awaited the command and endured going into the rushing flood. The Traditions all assembled these accounts to hand down instruction to later ages. Recently the imperial carriage went out repeatedly, visiting the mansions of Lord Fengyi and Prince of Rencheng. Though mid-autumn was approaching, the heat still lingered. With parasols going back and forth, Your Majesty must have been vexed and weary. Attendants left and right numbered more than a thousand, supporting and guarding you through toil, still wearing robes and armor. Men of old said that when the ruler was greatly pleased, his ministers were in utmost hardship—perhaps this is such a case. But the imperial clan is expanding and meritorious nobles are increasing in rank; respectful invitations will grow numerous and will become established custom. Your Majesty follows and weighs the former kings, bequeathing norms to posterity; the realm is held in trust, and the hundred millions are your charge. Devote yourself to offerings at the suburban altars and ancestral temples, decide only great affairs, assist the spirit and nurture harmony, simplify and cease pleasure excursions—then all within the realm will rely on you and the living will look up in joy!"

神龜元年，光表曰：「尋石經之作，起自炎劉，昔來雖屢經戎亂，猶未大崩侵。如聞往者刺史臨州，多構圖寺，官私顯隱，漸加肅撤。由是經石彌減，文字增缺。今求遣國子博士一人堪任幹事者，專主周視，驅禁田牧，制其踐穢，料閱碑牒所失次第，量厥補綴。」詔曰：「此乃學者之根原，不朽之永格，便可一依公表。」光乃令國子博士李郁與助教韓神固、劉燮等勘校石經，其殘缺，計料石功，並字多少，欲補修之。後靈太后廢，遂寢。

In the first year of Shengui, Guang submitted a memorial: "The stone classics were first carved in the Han dynasty; though they have often suffered from military turmoil, they have not yet been greatly destroyed. As I have heard, when former provincial inspectors took office, many built monasteries and shrines, public and private, and gradually stripped them away for building materials. Hence the classic stones have steadily diminished and missing characters have increased. I now ask that one Imperial University doctor capable of practical work be dispatched to oversee inspection in person, forbid pasturing on the site, prevent trampling and defilement, review the stele registers for what is missing, and plan repairs." An edict said, "This is the root of scholarship and an everlasting norm—you may fully follow your memorial." Guang then ordered Imperial University Doctor Li Yu, together with assistant instructors Han Shengu, Liu Xie, and others, to collate the stone classics; where they were damaged or missing, he calculated the stone work and character count, intending to repair them. Later, when Empress Dowager Ling was deposed, the project was abandoned.

二年八月，靈太后幸永寧寺，躬登九層佛圖。光表諫曰：「伏見親升上級，佇蹕表刹之下，祗心圖構，誠為福善，聖躬玉趾，非所踐陟。臣庶恇惶，竊謂未可。」九月，靈太后幸嵩山佛寺，光上表諫，不從。

In the eighth month of the second year the empress dowager visited Yongning Temple and personally ascended the nine-story pagoda. Guang submitted a remonstrance: "Your servant has seen you personally ascend the upper levels and pause beneath the stupa—reverent toward the Buddhist structure, truly for blessed goodness, yet Your Majesty's sacred person is not for such climbing. Your subjects are fearful and uneasy; I venture to say this should not be done." In the ninth month the empress dowager visited a Buddhist temple on Mount Song; Guang submitted a remonstrance but was not heeded.

正光元年冬，賜光几杖衣服。二年春，明帝親釋奠國學，光執經南面，百寮陪列。司徒、京兆王繼頻上表以位讓光。四月，以光為司徒，侍中、國子祭酒、領著作如故。光表固辭，歷年終不肯受。

In the winter of the first year of Zhengguang, Guang was granted a staff, armrest, and garments of honor. In the spring of the second year Emperor Ming personally offered the libation at the Imperial University; Guang held the classic facing south while the hundred officials attended in ranks. Minister of Education Prince Ji of Jingzhao repeatedly memorialized to yield his post to Guang. In the fourth month Guang was made Minister of Education, retaining his posts as Palace Attendant, Chancellor of the Imperial University, and head of the Writing Office. Guang memorialized firmly to decline and for years refused to accept.

八月，獲禿鶖于宮內，詔以示光。光表曰：「此即《詩》所謂'有鶖在梁'。解云「禿鶖也」，貪惡之鳥，野澤所育，不應入於殿廷。昔魏氏黃初中，有鵜鶘集于靈芝池，文帝下詔，以曹恭公遠君子，近小人，博求賢俊，太尉華歆由此遜位而讓管寧者也。臣聞野物入舍，古人以為不善。是以張臶惡任呖，賈誼忌鵩。鵜鶘暫集而去，前王猶為至誠，況今親入宮禁，為人所獲，方被畜養，晏然不以為懼。准諸往義，信有殊矣。饕餮之禽，必資魚肉，菽麥稻粱，時或飡啄，一食之費，容過斤鎰。今春夏陽旱，穀糴稍貴，窮窘之家，時有菜色。陛下為人父母，撫之如傷，豈可棄人養鳥，留意於醜形惡聲哉！衛侯好鶴，曹伯愛雁，身死國滅，可為寒心。願遠師殷宗，近法魏祖，修德進賢，消災集慶，放無用之物，委之川澤，取樂琴書，頤養神性。」明帝覽表大悅，即棄之池澤。

In the eighth month a bald pelican was caught within the palace; an edict directed that it be shown to Guang. Guang submitted a memorial: "This is what the Odes call 'there is a pelican on the dam. The commentary says "bald pelican"—a greedy, wicked bird bred in wild marshes; it ought not enter the palace hall. Formerly in Wei's Huangchu era, pelicans gathered at Lingzhi Pool; Emperor Wen issued an edict that Duke Gong of Cao kept the worthy at a distance and drew the petty near, and broadly sought the talented—Grand Commandant Hua Xin thereby yielded his post to Guan Ning. Your servant has heard that when wild things enter a dwelling, the ancients took it as ill-omened. Thus Zhang Zao hated the calling of the owl, and Jia Yi dreaded the owl. When pelicans briefly gathered and departed, the former ruler still took it with utmost seriousness—how much more now, when one has personally entered the palace precinct, been caught, and is now being kept and fed, treated calmly without alarm. Measured against past precedent, it is truly extraordinary. A gluttonous bird must rely on fish and flesh; beans, wheat, rice, and millet it sometimes pecks at—a single meal's cost may exceed a pound of silver. Now in spring and summer there is drought; grain prices are rising, and destitute households sometimes show hunger on their faces. Your Majesty, as father and mother to the people, cherishes them as if wounded—how can you abandon people to feed birds and attend to ugly forms and vile cries! The Marquis of Wei loved cranes and the Earl of Cao loved wild geese—they died and their states perished; this should make one shudder. I wish you would take the Yin founders as distant teachers and the Wei founder as near model, cultivate virtue and advance the worthy, dispel disaster and gather blessing, release useless creatures to rivers and marshes, and find joy in zither and books to nourish the spirit." Emperor Ming read the memorial and was greatly pleased, and at once released the bird to a pool and marsh.

冬，詔光與安豐王延明議定服章。三年六月，詔光乘步挽至東西上閣。九月，進位太保，光又固辭。光年耆多務，病疾稍增。而自強不已，常在著作，疾篤不歸。四年十月，帝親臨光疾，詔斷賓客，中使相望，為止聲樂，罷諸遊眺，拜長子勵為齊州刺史。十一月，疾甚，敕子侄等曰：「吾荷先帝厚恩，位至於此，史功不成，歿有遺恨。汝等速可送我還宅。」氣力雖微，神明不亂，至第而薨，年七十三。明帝聞而悲泣，中使相尋，詔給東園溫明秘器、朝服一具、衣一襲、錢六十萬、布一千匹、蠟匹百斤，大鴻臚監護喪事。車駕親臨，撫屍慟哭，禦輦還宮，流涕于路，為減常膳，言則追傷，每至光坐講讀之處，未曾不改容淒悼。贈太傅，領尚書令、驃騎大將軍、開府、冀州刺史，侍中如故。又敕加後部鼓吹、班劍，依太保廣陽王故事，諡文宣。明帝祖喪建春門外，望轜哀感，儒者榮之。

In winter an edict ordered Guang and Prince Yanming of Anfeng to discuss and fix ritual garments and insignia. In the sixth month of the third year an edict granted Guang use of a hand-drawn carriage as far as the eastern and western upper gates. In the ninth month his rank was advanced to Grand Tutor; Guang again firmly declined. Guang was aged and burdened with many duties; his illness gradually worsened. Yet he forced himself without cease, constantly remaining at the Writing Office, and when gravely ill did not return home. In the tenth month of the fourth year the emperor personally visited Guang in illness, ordered guests cut off, palace envoys coming one after another, music stopped for his sake, all excursions suspended, and Guang's eldest son Li appointed Inspector of Qizhou. In the eleventh month, when his illness was severe, he charged his sons and nephews: "I have borne the late emperor's great grace and risen to this rank, yet the historiographical work is unfinished—in death I have regret. You must quickly send me back to my house." Though his strength was slight, his spirit was not confused; he reached his residence and died, aged seventy-three. Emperor Ming heard and wept in grief; palace envoys followed one after another; an edict granted the secret funerary objects of the Eastern Garden, one set of court robes, one suit of garments, six hundred thousand cash, a thousand bolts of cloth, a hundred jin of wax, and the Grand Herald supervised the funeral. The imperial carriage came in person; he stroked the corpse and wailed; returning to the palace in the imperial palanquin, he shed tears along the road, reduced his regular meals for Guang's sake, and in speech mourned him; whenever he passed the place where Guang had sat lecturing, he never failed to change expression in grief. He was posthumously made Grand Tutor, retaining Minister of the Masters of Writing, General of Agile Cavalry, Opening an Office, and Inspector of Jizhou, with Palace Attendant as before. An edict also added rear guard music and ceremonial swords, following the precedent of Grand Tutor Prince of Guangyang, with posthumous title Wénxuān. Emperor Ming escorted the funeral bier outside Jianchun Gate, gazing at the carriage in moved grief—Confucian scholars honored this.

初，光太和中依宮商角徵羽本音而為五韻詩，以贈李彪。彪為十二次詩以報光。光又為百三郡國詩以答之。國別為卷，為百三卷焉。

Earlier, in Taihe Guang composed five-rhyme poems according to the basic tones gong, shang, jue, zhi, and yu, and presented them to Li Biao. Biao composed twelve-cycle poems in reply to Guang. Guang in turn composed poems for the hundred and three commanderies and states in answer. Each state had its own scroll, making a hundred and three scrolls in all.

光寬和慈善，不忤於物，進退沈浮，自得而已。常慕胡廣、黃瓊為人，故為氣概者所不重。始領軍於忠，以光舊德，事之。元叉于光亦深宗敬。及郭祚、裴植見殺，清河王懌遇禍，光隨時俯仰，竟不匡救，於是天下譏之。自從貴達，罕所申薦，曾啟其女婿彭城劉敬徽，雲敬徽為荊州五隴戍主，女隨夫行，常慮寇抄，南北分張，乞為徐州長兼別駕，暫集京師。明帝許之。時人比之張禹。光初為黃門則讓宋弁；為中書監讓汝南王悅；為太常讓劉芳；為少傅讓元暉、穆紹、甄琛；為國子祭酒讓清河王懌、任城王澄；為車騎、儀同讓江陽王繼，又讓靈太后父胡國珍，皆顧望時情，議者以為矯飾。

Guang was broad-minded, harmonious, and charitable, offending no one; in advance and retreat he went with the current, content in himself alone. He often admired Hu Guang and Huang Qiong as models, and therefore was not highly regarded by men of bold spirit. At first General of the Guards Yu Zhong, because of Guang's long-standing virtue, deferred to him. Yuan Cha likewise held Guang in deep reverence. After Guo Zuo and Pei Zhi were put to death and Prince Yi of Qinghe fell victim, Guang trimmed his sails to the wind and never intervened—whereupon people throughout the realm scorned him. Once he had risen to wealth and rank, he rarely recommended anyone. He did once petition on behalf of his son-in-law Liu Jinghui of Pengcheng: Jinghui was garrison commander at Wulong in Jingzhou, and his daughter had gone with her husband; he constantly feared raids and their being torn apart north and south, and asked that Jinghui be made Acting Chief Administrator of Xuzhou with concurrent Vice Director so the family could reunite briefly in the capital. Emperor Ming granted the request. Contemporaries compared him to Zhang Yu. When Guang first became Attendant of the Yellow Gate, he declined in favor of Song Bian; when he became Director of the Secretariat, he declined in favor of Prince Yue of Runan; when he became Minister of Ceremonies, he declined in favor of Liu Fang; when he became Junior Tutor, he declined in favor of Yuan Hui, Mu Shao, and Zhen Chen; when he became Chancellor of the National University, he declined in favor of Prince Yi of Qinghe and Prince Cheng of Rencheng; when he became General of Chariots and Cavalry and Palace Minister, he declined in favor of Prince Ji of Jiangyang, and again in favor of Empress Dowager Ling's father Hu Guozhen—all with an eye to prevailing opinion; critics considered it hollow show.

崇信佛法，禮拜讀誦，老而逾甚。終日怡怡，未曾恚忿。曾于門下省晝坐讀經，有鴿飛集膝前，遂入於懷。緣臂上肩，久之乃去。道俗贊詠詩頌者數十人。每為沙門、朝貴請講《維摩》、《十地經》，聽者常數百人。即為二經義疏三十餘卷，識者知其疏略。凡所為詩賦銘贊誄頌表啟數百篇，五十餘卷，別有集。

He was a devout Buddhist, bowing and chanting scripture, and grew only more ardent with age. He was cheerful all day long and never lost his temper. Once, reading scripture by day in the Gate Office, a pigeon flew down and settled on his knees, then crept into his robe. It climbed his arm to his shoulder and stayed there a long while before leaving. Several dozen monks and laymen wrote poems and hymns in praise of the event. Whenever monks and court grandees asked him to expound the Vimalakirti Sutra and the Ten Grounds Sutra, several hundred people would come to listen. He then produced commentaries on the two sutras in more than thirty scrolls, though the discerning could see they were thin work. All told he wrote several hundred poems, rhapsodies, inscriptions, eulogies, dirges, hymns, memorials, and letters in more than fifty scrolls, collected in a separate volume.

光子勵，字彥德。器學才德，最有父風。舉秀才，中軍彭城王參軍、秘書郎中，以父光為著作，固辭不拜。後除中書侍郎。領軍將軍元叉為明堂大將，以勵為長史。與從兄鴻俱有名於世。父光疾甚，拜征虜將軍、齊州刺史。侍父疾，衣不解帶；及薨，孝明每加存慰。光葬本鄉，詔遣主書張文伯宣吊。孝昌元年，除太尉長史，襲父爵。建義初，遇害河陰。贈侍中、衛將軍、青州刺史。勵弟劼。

Guang's son Li, courtesy name Yande. In talent, learning, and character he most closely resembled his father. Recommended as Outstanding Graduate, he was appointed staff officer to Prince Pengcheng of the Central Army and Gentleman of the Secretariat, but because his father Guang was Historiographer he firmly declined the posts. He was later appointed Gentleman of the Secretariat. When General of the Guards Yuan Cha became Great General of the Bright Hall, he appointed Li his chief clerk. He and his elder cousin Hong were both renowned in their day. When his father Guang fell gravely ill, he was appointed General Who Conquers the Barbarians and Inspector of Qizhou. He nursed his father through the illness without undressing at night; and after Guang's death Emperor Ming repeatedly sent words of consolation. Guang was buried in his home district, and an edict dispatched Chief Secretary Zhang Wenbo to convey the court's condolences. In the first year of Xiaochang he was appointed chief clerk to the Grand Marshal and inherited his father's noble title. At the beginning of Jianyi he was killed at Heyin. He was posthumously granted the titles Palace Attendant, Guard General, and Inspector of Qingzhou. Li's younger brother was Jie.

劼字彥玄，少清虛寡欲，好學有家風。魏末，累遷中書侍郎。興和三年，兼通直散騎常侍，使于梁。天保初，以議禪代，除給事黃門侍郎，加國子祭酒，直內省，典機密。清儉勤慎，甚為齊文宣所知。拜南青州刺史，有政績。入為秘書監、齊州大中正，遷並省度支尚書，俄授京省。尋轉五兵尚書，監國史。台閣之中，見稱簡正。武成之將禪後主，先以問劼，劼諫以為不可。由是忤意，出為南兗州刺史。代還，重為度支尚書、儀同三司，食文登縣幹。尋除中書令，加開府，待詔文林館，監修撰新書。卒，贈齊州刺史、尚書左僕射，諡文貞。

Jie, courtesy name Yanxuan, was from youth pure-minded and sparing in desire, loved learning, and bore the family stamp. Near the end of Wei he rose through successive appointments to Gentleman of the Secretariat. In the third year of Xinghe, as Concurrent Regular Attendant of the Direct-and-Ready Cavalry, he was sent on a mission to Liang. At the beginning of Tianbao, for his role in deliberations over the dynastic succession, he was appointed Gentleman of the Yellow Gate with Concurrent Duties, made concurrent Chancellor of the National University, and assigned to the Inner Bureau to handle confidential affairs. Pure, frugal, diligent, and careful, he won the high regard of Emperor Wenxuan of Qi. Appointed Inspector of Southern Qingzhou, he governed with distinction. Recalled to the capital as Director of the Secretariat and Senior Arbiter of Qizhou, he was transferred to Minister of Revenue in the Joint Provincial Bureau and soon given a post in the Capital Provincial Bureau. He was soon transferred to Minister of the Five Armies and put in charge of the National History. Within the central administration he was known for his concise integrity. When Emperor Wucheng was preparing to abdicate in favor of the later sovereign, he consulted Jie first; Jie remonstrated that it should not be done. Having offended the emperor, he was sent out as Inspector of Southern Yanzhou. When his successor arrived and he returned to court, he again became Minister of Revenue and Senior Minister of State with Third Rank, with income from the Wendeng County estate. He was soon appointed Director of the Secretariat, granted an Opening Office, assigned to the Wulin Library to await imperial orders, and put in charge of compiling the new history. He died and was posthumously granted the titles Inspector of Qizhou and Left Vice Minister of the Masters of Writing, with the posthumous name Wen Zhen.

初，和士開擅朝，曲求物譽，諸公因此頗為子弟幹祿。世門之胄。多處京官，而劼二子拱、捴並為外任。弟廓之從容謂劼曰：「拱幸得不凡，何不在省府中清華之所，而並出外籓？」劼曰：「立身來，恥以言自達。今若進兒，與身何異！」卒無所求。聞者莫不嘆服。劼常恨魏收書，欲更作編年紀，而才思竟不能就。

Earlier, when He Shikai dominated the court and contrived for praise and profit, the great ministers accordingly used their influence to secure salaries for their sons and younger kinsmen. The sons of eminent families mostly held posts in the capital, yet both of Jie's sons, Gong and Zong, served in the provinces. His younger brother Kuozhi said to him at leisure, "Gong is no ordinary talent—why not place him in one of the refined posts of the central administration, while both sons are sent out to provincial service?" Jie replied, "All my life I have been ashamed to advance myself through words. If I now push my sons forward, how is that any different from pushing myself forward!" In the end he asked for nothing. All who heard of it admired him deeply. Jie often disliked Wei Shou's History and wanted to write a chronological history of his own, but in the end his talent and energy never carried the project through.

光弟敬友，本州從事。頗有受納，御史案之。乃與守者俱逃。後除梁郡太守，會遭所生憂，不拜。敬友精心佛道，晝夜誦經，免喪之後，遂菜食終身。恭寬接下，修身厲節。自景明已降，頻歲不登，饑寒請丐者，皆取足而去。又置逆旅于肅然山南大路之北，設食以供行者。卒於家。弟子鴻。

Guang's younger brother Jingyou served as a provincial staff officer. He had taken bribes, and the censorate opened a case against him. He then fled together with his guards. Later appointed Administrator of Liang Commandery, he happened to enter mourning for his birth mother and declined the post. Jingyou devoted himself to Buddhism and chanted scripture day and night; after his mourning ended he ate only vegetables for the rest of his life. Respectful and generous to those below him, he cultivated himself and kept his conduct strict. From the Jingming era onward, when harvests failed year after year, every hungry or cold beggar who came was sent away with enough to satisfy his need. He also established an inn on the north side of the main road south of Mount Suran, where food was set out for travelers. He died at home. His nephew was Hong.

鴻字彥鸞，少好讀書，博綜經史，稍遷尚書都兵郎中。詔太師、彭城王勰以下公卿朝士儒學才明者三十人，議定律令于尚書上省，鴻與光俱在其中，時論榮之。後為三公郎中，加員外散騎常侍。

Hong, courtesy name Yanluan, loved books from youth, mastered the classics and histories broadly, and gradually rose to Gentleman of the Masters of Writing in charge of military affairs. An edict summoned thirty ministers, court nobles, and men of Confucian learning and proven talent, from Grand Tutor Prince Pengcheng of Xie on down, to deliberate on laws and regulations in the Upper Bureau of the Masters of Writing; Hong and Guang were both among them, and contemporaries regarded it as a great honor. He later became Gentleman of the Three Dukes and was additionally appointed Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry.

延昌二年，將大考百寮，鴻以考令於體例不通，乃建議曰：「竊惟昔者為官求才，使人以器，黜陟幽明，揚清激濁。故績效能官，才必稱位者，朝升夕進，豈拘一階半級者哉。二漢以降，太和以前，苟必官須此人，人稱此職，或超騰升陟，數歲而至公卿，或長兼、試守稱允當遷進者，披卷則人人而是，舉目則朝貴皆然。故能時收多士之譽，國號豐賢之美。竊見景明以來考格，三年成一考，一考轉一階。貴賤內外，萬有餘人，自非犯罪，不問賢愚，莫不上中，才與不肖，比肩同轉。雖有善政如黃、龔，儒學如王、鄭，才史如班、馬，文章如張、蔡，得一分一寸，必為常流所攀，選曹亦抑為一概，不曾甄別。琴瑟不調，改而更張，雖明旨已行，猶宜消息。」武帝不從。

In the second year of Yanzhang, as a major review of the hundred officials was about to begin, Hong found the examination regulations structurally unsound and submitted a proposal: "I reflect that in former times offices sought talent, men were matched to their capacities, the obscure and the bright were distinguished in promotion and demotion, and the pure were exalted while the turbid were cast down. Thus those whose performance matched their office and whose talent truly fit their post might rise in the morning and advance by evening—how could they be confined to a single rank or half a rank? From the two Han dynasties down to before Taihe, whenever an office truly required a particular man and a man truly suited a particular post, some vaulted upward and reached the Three Dukes within a few years; others held concurrent or probationary appointments deemed worthy of promotion—open the records and nearly every man was such; look around the court and nearly every grandee was the same. Thus they could win the praise of many scholars in their own day, and the state was famed for its abundance of worthy men. I observe that since the Jingming era the examination rules require one review every three years, and each review advances every man one rank. Noble and humble, inside and outside the court, more than ten thousand men—unless guilty of crime, without distinction of talent or mediocrity, all receive upper-middle ratings; the capable and the worthless advance side by side. Even men with the good governance of Huang and Gong, the Confucian learning of Wang and Zheng, the historiographical talent of Ban and Ma, or the literary gifts of Zhang and Cai gain not a point or an inch beyond the common run; the Selection Office treats all alike and makes no distinction. When the lute and zither are out of tune, one restrings them; though the imperial decree is already in force, it would still be right to revise and soften it." Emperor Wu did not accept the proposal.

三年，鴻以父憂解任，甘露降其廬前樹。十一月，宣武以本官征鴻。四年，復有甘露降其京兆宅之庭樹。後遷中散大夫、高陽王友，仍領郎中。正光元年，加前將軍，修孝文、宣武《起居注》。

In the third year Hong resigned to observe mourning for his father, and sweet dew fell on the tree before his hut. In the eleventh month Emperor Xuanwu recalled Hong to his former office. In the fourth year sweet dew again fell on the courtyard tree of his residence in Jingzhao. He was later transferred to Regular Grand Master and Companion to the Prince of Gaoyang, while still retaining his post as gentleman. In the first year of Zhengguang he was given the additional rank of Former General and compiled the Diaries of Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xuanwu.

光撰魏史，徒有卷目，初未考正，闕略尤多，每云：「此史會非我世所成，但須記錄時事，以待後人。」臨薨，言鴻於孝明。五年，詔鴻以本官修緝國史。孝昌初，拜給事黃門侍郎，尋加散騎常侍、齊州大中正。鴻在史甫爾，未有所就。尋卒，贈鎮東將軍、度支尚書、青州刺史。

Guang worked on the Wei history, but it had little more than a table of scroll titles; it had not yet been collated, and omissions were especially numerous. He often said, "This history will surely not be finished in my lifetime; one need only record the events of the day and leave the rest to later men." On his deathbed he commended Hong to Emperor Ming. In the fifth year an edict ordered Hong, retaining his existing office, to compile and edit the national history. At the beginning of Xiaochang he was appointed Gentleman of the Yellow Gate with Concurrent Duties, and soon was additionally made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Senior Arbiter of Qizhou. Hong had only just taken up the history and had not yet accomplished anything. He soon died and was posthumously granted the titles General Who Guards the East, Minister of Revenue, and Inspector of Qingzhou.

鴻弱冠便有著述志。見晉、魏前史，皆成一家，無所措意。以劉元海、石勒、慕容俊、苻健、慕容垂、姚萇、慕容德、赫連屈孑、張軌、李雄、呂光、乞伏國仁、禿發烏孤、李皓、沮渠蒙遜、馮跋等並因世故，跨僭一方，各有國書，未有統一，鴻乃撰為《十六國春秋》，勒成百卷，因其舊記，時有增損褒貶焉。鴻二世仕江左，故不錄僭晉、劉、蕭之書，又恐識者責之，未敢出行於外。宣武聞其撰錄，遣散騎常侍趙邕詔鴻曰：「聞卿撰定諸史，甚有條貫，便可隨成者送至，朕當於機事之暇覽之。」鴻以其書有與國初相涉，言多失體，且既訖，不奏聞。鴻後典起居，乃妄載其表曰：

Hong had the ambition to write even before he came of age. Seeing that the histories before Jin and Wei were already complete works in their own right, he found no field in which to apply himself. Because Liu Yuanhai, Shi Le, Murong Jun, Fu Jian, Murong Chui, Yao Chang, Murong De, Helian Qujie, Zhang Gui, Li Xiong, Lü Guang, Qifu Guoren, Tufa Wugu, Li Gao, Juqu Mengxun, Feng Ba, and others had all, amid the turmoil of the age, seized power in separate regions, each with his own dynastic history and no unified record, Hong compiled the Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen States in a hundred scrolls, drawing on the old accounts and at times adding, cutting, praising, and blaming as he saw fit. Hong's family had served the southern court for two generations, so he did not include the histories of the Jin, Liu, and Xiao usurpers; yet he feared that the discerning would reproach him, and did not dare publish the work abroad. When Emperor Xuanwu heard of his compilation, he sent Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry Zhao Yong with an edict to Hong: "I hear you have compiled the various histories with excellent organization; send each portion as it is completed, and I shall read it in the intervals of state business." Hong felt that his book touched on matters connected with the founding of the dynasty and that much of its language was improper; when it was finished, he did not submit it. Later, when Hong was in charge of the diaries, he falsely inserted a memorial that read:

臣聞帝王之興也，雖誕應圖籙，然必有驅除，蓋所以翦彼厭政，成此樂推。故戰國紛紜，年過十紀，而漢祖夷殄群豪，開四百之業。曆文、景之懷柔蠻夏，世宗之奮揚威武，始得涼、朔同文，、越一軌。於是談、遷感漢德之盛，痛諸史放絕，乃鈐括舊書，著成《太史》，所謂緝茲人事，光彼天時之義也。

Your subject has heard that when emperors and kings arise, though their birth may answer to portents and registers, there must first be elimination and conquest—by which the hated old order is cut down and the people's willing acclaim is won. Thus, though the Warring States era raged for more than ten generations, Emperor Gaozu of Han destroyed the rival lords and opened a four-hundred-year enterprise. Only after the gentle rule of Wen and Jing brought barbarians and Chinese into harmony, and Shizong's martial vigor spread abroad, did Liang and Shu share one script and Ou and Yue follow one path. Thereupon Sima Tan and Sima Qian, moved by the greatness of Han, grieved that the various histories had been scattered and lost, gathered up the old books, and composed the Grand Historian's Records—the work of weaving human affairs together and giving light to the seasons of Heaven.

昔晉惠不競，華戎亂起，三帝受制于奸臣，二皇晏駕於非所，五都蕭條，鞠為煨燼。趙、燕既為長蛇，遼海緬成殊域，中原無主，八十餘年。遺晉僻遠，勢略孤微，人殘兵革，靡所歸控。皇魏龍潛幽、代，內修德政，外抗諸偽，並、冀之人，懷寶之士，繈負而至者日月相尋。太祖道武皇帝以神武之姿，接金行之運，應天順人，龍飛受命。太宗必世重光，業隆玄默。世祖雄才力睿略，闡曜威靈，農戰兼修，掃清氛穢。歲垂四紀，而寰宇一同，百姓始得陶然蘇息，欣於堯、舜之代。

In former times Emperor Hui of Jin proved unequal to his task; turmoil broke out between Chinese and barbarians; three emperors fell under the control of treacherous ministers; two emperors met their deaths far from the throne; the five capitals lay desolate, reduced to ashes and embers. Zhao and Yan stretched like serpents across the land; the Liaohai region became a distant foreign realm; the Central Plains had no sovereign for more than eighty years. The remnant Jin court languished in a remote corner; its power was isolated and feeble; the people were devastated by war and had nowhere to turn. Great Wei lay hidden like a dragon in You and Dai, cultivating virtuous rule at home while resisting the pretender states abroad; people of Bing and Ji, men of talent bearing their gifts, and families carrying children on their backs arrived in an unbroken stream day after day. Founding Ancestor Emperor Daowu, with divine martial bearing, seized the fortune of the Metal Phase, answered Heaven and won the people's assent, and rose like a dragon to receive the Mandate. Taizong restored the dynasty's glory across generations, and his enterprise flourished in quiet strength. Shizu possessed heroic talent, strength, and wise strategy; he spread his authority abroad and cultivated both agriculture and warfare, sweeping away the foul disorder of the age. Nearly four decades passed, and the whole realm was united; the common people at last breathed freely again and rejoiced as though living in the age of Yao and Shun.

自晉永寧以後，雖所在稱兵，競自尊樹，而能建邦命氏，成為戰國者，十有六家。善惡興滅之形，用兵乖會之道，亦足以垂之將來，昭明勸戒。但諸史殘缺，體例全虧，編錄紛謬，繁略失所，宜審正同異，定為一書。誠知敏謝允南，才非承祚，然《國志》、《史考》之美，竊亦輒所庶幾。始自景明之初，搜集諸國舊史，屬遷京甫爾，率多分散，求諸公私，驅馳數歲。及臣家貧祿微，唯任孤力，至於書寫所資，每不周接。暨正始元年，寫乃向備。謹於吏案之暇，草構此書，區分時事，各系本錄。稽以長曆，考諸舊志，刪正差謬，定為實錄，商較大略，著《春秋》百篇。至三年之末，草成九十五卷。唯常琚所撰李雄父子據蜀時書，尋訪不獲，所以未及善成。輟筆私求，七載於今。此書本江南撰錄，恐中國所無，非臣私力所能終得。其起兵僭號，事之始末，乃亦頗有，但不得此書，懼簡略不成。久思陳奏，乞敕緣邊求采，但愚賤無因，不敢輕輒。散騎常侍、太常少卿、荊州大中正趙邕忽宣明旨，敕臣送呈，不悟九皋微志，乃得上聞。奉敕欣惶，慶懼兼至。今謹以所訖者附臣邕呈奏。

From the Yongning era of Jin onward, though armies were raised everywhere and men competed to set themselves up as rulers, only sixteen houses succeeded in founding states, taking surnames, and becoming true warring powers. The patterns of good and evil, rise and fall, and the ways of war and its turning points are also worth handing down to posterity as clear warnings and lessons. But the various histories are damaged and incomplete, their structure ruined, their records confused and mistaken, their detail and brevity out of balance; similarities and differences should be examined and corrected and the whole fixed as one book. I know full well that I am neither as quick as Xie Yong nor as gifted as Chen Shou, yet I still dare hope, in some small measure, to approach the excellence of the Record of the Three Kingdoms and the Examination of History. Beginning in the opening years of Jingming, I set about gathering the old histories of the various states; the capital had just been moved, and most copies had been scattered; I searched public and private collections and traveled about for several years. My family was poor and my salary slight; I had only my own solitary strength to rely on, and the means needed for copying were never fully at hand. By the first year of Zhengshi the copying was nearly complete. In the spare hours left by my official duties, I respectfully drafted this book, sorting events by time and attaching each to its proper record. I checked events against the long calendar, consulted the old records, deleted and corrected errors, fixed the text as a true record, compared the general outline, and composed one hundred chapters of Spring and Autumn Annals. By the end of the third year the draft had reached ninety-five scrolls. Only the history of Li Xiong and his son's rule of Shu, written by Chang Ju, could not be found despite my search; for that reason I have not yet been able to bring the work to proper completion. I laid down my brush and searched on my own; seven years have passed since then. That book was originally compiled in Jiangnan, and I fear no copy exists in our realm; it is not something my private efforts can ultimately obtain. Materials on their raising of armies, usurpation of titles, and the beginning and end of their affairs do exist in some measure, but without that book I fear the account will remain too brief to be complete. For long I have wished to memorialize the throne and beg an order to seek and collect copies along the frontier, but being ignorant and lowly I had no means to do so and did not dare act rashly. Zhao Yong, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Vice Director of the Grand Imperial Master of Ceremonies, and Chief Rectifier of Jing Province, suddenly announced the clear imperial intent and ordered me to submit my work; I never expected that this humble wish of mine, like a crane's cry from the deep marsh, could reach the throne. Receiving the imperial command, I was at once overjoyed and fearful. I now respectfully submit what has been completed through Lord Yong.

臣又別作《序例》一卷、《年志》一卷，仰表皇朝統括大義，俯明愚臣著錄微體。徒竊慕古人立言美意，文致疏鄙，無一可觀，簡禦之日，伏深慚悸。

Your subject has also separately composed one scroll of Prefatory Principles and one scroll of Chronological Records, looking up to set forth the great principle by which the imperial dynasty embraces all under Heaven, and looking down to explain the humble form in which this foolish subject has recorded events. I have merely borrowed the ancients' noble intent in setting words down, yet my style is crude and vulgar and offers nothing worth viewing; on the day of imperial review I prostrate myself in deep shame and fear.

鴻意如此。自正光以前，不敢顯行其書。自後以其伯光貴重當朝，知時人未能發明其事，乃頗傳讀。然鴻經綜既廣，多有違謬。至道武天興二年，姚興改號鴻始，而鴻以為改在元年；明元永興二年，慕容超禽於廣固，鴻又以為在元年；太常二年，姚泓敗于長安，而鴻亦以為滅在元年。如此之失，多不考正。

Such was Hong's intent. Before the Zhengguang era he did not dare circulate the book openly. Later, because his elder brother Guang held honored standing at court and he knew men of the day could not expose the affair, the book came to be copied and read rather widely. Yet Hong's comprehensive work was vast, and contained many errors. In the second year of Emperor Daowu's Tianxing era, Yao Xing changed his era name to Hongshi, yet Hong placed the change in the first year; In the second year of Emperor Mingyuan's Yongxing era, Murong Chao was captured at Guanggu, yet Hong again placed it in the first year; In the second year of the Taichang era, Yao Hong was defeated at Chang'an, yet Hong also placed the fall in the first year. Errors such as these were many, and most were never examined and corrected.

子子元，秘書郎。後永安中，乃奏其父書，稱：「臣亡考散騎常侍、黃門侍郎、前將軍、齊州大中正鴻，正始之末，任屬記言，撰緝餘暇，乃刊著趙、燕、秦、夏、西涼、乞伏、西蜀等遺載，為之贊序，褒貶評論。先朝之日，草構悉了，唯有李雄蜀書，搜索未獲，闕茲一國，遲留未成。去正光三年，購訪始得，討論適訖，而先臣棄世。凡十六國，名為《春秋》，一百二卷，近代之事，最為備悉。未曾奏上，弗敢宣流。今繕寫一本，敢以仰呈，乞藏秘閣，以廣異家。」子元後謀反，事發逃竄，會赦免，尋為其叔鶤所殺。

His son Ziyuan served as a Secretary Gentleman. Later, during Yong'an, he memorialized his father's book, saying, "My late father Hong, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Attendant of the Yellow Gate, General of the Vanguard, and Chief Rectifier of Qi Province—in the last years of Zhengshi was entrusted with keeping the record; in the spare hours left by compilation and editing he published the surviving accounts of Zhao, Yan, Qin, Xia, Western Liang, Qifu, Western Shu, and the like, writing prefaces for them with praise, blame, and commentary. In the former dynasty's day the draft was fully complete; only the Shu history of Li Xiong could not be found despite searching; lacking that one state, the work remained unfinished. Three years before Zhengguang it was obtained through purchase and inquiry; discussion had just been completed when my late father passed away. In all it covers the Sixteen States, titled Spring and Autumn Annals, in one hundred and two scrolls; the affairs of recent times are recorded more fully and thoroughly than anywhere else. It was never submitted to the throne, nor was it circulated openly. I have now copied one complete set and respectfully present it, begging that it be stored in the Secret Archive to enrich the store of historical works." Later Ziyuan plotted rebellion; when the affair was exposed he fled, was pardoned by a general amnesty, and was soon killed by his uncle Kun.

光從祖弟長文，字景翰。少亦徙於代都，聰敏有學識。永安中，累遷平州刺史，以老還家，專讀佛經，不關世事。卒，贈齊州刺史，諡曰貞。子懋，字德林，徐州征東府長史。

Guang's younger clansman Changwen, styled Jinghan. In youth he was also moved to the capital at Dai; he was intelligent and well learned. During Yong'an he rose to become Governor of Ping Province; in old age he returned home, devoted himself to reading Buddhist scriptures, and paid no heed to worldly affairs. When he died he was posthumously made Governor of Qi Province and given the posthumous title Zhen. His son Mao, styled Delin, served as Chief Clerk of the Eastern Campaign Headquarters of Xu Province.

長文從弟庠，字文序，有幹用。為東郡太守，元顥寇逼郡界，庠拒不從命，棄郡走還鄉里。孝莊還宮，賜爵平原伯，拜潁川太守，頗有政績。永熙初，除東徐州刺史。二年，為城人王早、蘭寶等所害。後贈驃騎將軍、吏部尚書、齊州刺史。子罕襲爵，齊受禪，例降。

Changwen's younger clansman Xiang, styled Wenxu, was a capable man. He served as Administrator of Dong Commandery; when Yuan Hao's rebels pressed the commandery border, Xiang refused to obey orders, abandoned his post, and fled home. When Emperor Xiaozhuang returned to the palace, he was granted the title Marquis of Pingyuan and appointed Administrator of Yingchuan, where he achieved considerable success in office. At the beginning of Yongxi he was appointed Governor of Eastern Xu Province. In the second year he was killed by the townspeople Wang Zao, Lan Bao, and others. Later he was posthumously made General of Agile Cavalry, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Governor of Qi Province. His son Han inherited the title; when Qi received the abdication, the rank was reduced by precedent.

光族弟榮先，字隆祖。涉歷經史，州辟主簿。子鐸，有文才，位中散大夫。鐸弟覲，羽林監。

Guang's clansman Rongxian, styled Longzu. He studied the classics and histories and was recruited by the province as Chief Clerk. His son Duo had literary talent and served as a Palace Attendant. Duo's younger brother Jin served as Supervisor of the Feathered Forest Guard.

崔亮，字敬儒，清河東武城人，魏中尉琰之後也。高祖瓊，為慕容垂車騎屬。曾祖輯，南徙青州，因仕宋為太山太守。祖修之，清河太守。父元孫，尚書郎。青州刺史沈文秀之叛，宋明帝使元孫討之，為文秀所害。亮母房攜亮依其叔祖冀州刺史道固于曆城，及慕容白曜平三齊，內徙桑乾為平齊人。時年十歲，常依季父幼孫。居貧，傭書自業。

Cui Liang, styled Jingru, was a native of Dongwucheng in Qinghe and a descendant of Wei Commandant Yan. His great-grandfather Qiong served as an aide in Murong Chui's chariots and cavalry office. His great-great-grandfather Ji moved south to Qing Province and entered the service of Song as Administrator of Mount Tai. His grandfather Xiuzhi served as Administrator of Qinghe. His father Yuansun served as a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing. When Governor of Qing Province Shen Wenxiu rebelled, Emperor Ming of Song sent Yuansun to suppress him, and Yuansun was killed by Wenxiu. Liang's mother Fang took him to live with his grand-uncle Dao Gu, Governor of Ji Province, at Licheng; when Murong Baiyao pacified the Three Qi, they were moved inward to Sanggan and registered as Pingqi people. At the time he was ten years old and lived under the care of his father's younger brother Yousun. Living in poverty, he supported himself by copying books.

時隴西李沖當朝任事，亮族兄光往依之，謂亮曰：「安能久事筆硯而不往托李氏也？彼家饒書，因可得學。」亮曰：「弟妹饑寒，豈容獨飽？自可觀書于市，安能看人眉睫乎！」光言之於沖，沖召亮與語，因謂曰：「比見卿先人《相命論》，使人胸中無復怵迫之念。今遂亡本，卿能記之不？」亮即為誦之，涕淚交零，聲韻不異。沖甚奇之，迎為館客。沖謂其兄子彥曰：「大崔生寬和篤雅，汝宜友之；小崔生峭整清澈，汝宜敬之，二人終將大至。」沖薦之為中書博士，轉議郎，尋遷尚書二千石。孝文在洛，欲創革舊制，選置百官，謂群臣曰：「與朕舉一吏部郎，必使才望兼允者，給卿三日假。」又一日，孝文曰：「朕已得之，不煩卿輩也。」驛征亮兼吏部郎。俄為太子中舍人，遷中書侍郎，兼尚書左丞。亮雖曆顯任，其妻不免親事舂簸，孝文聞之，嘉其清貧，詔帶野王令。

At the time Li Chong of Longxi held power at court; Liang's clansman Guang went to rely on him and said to Liang, "How can you go on serving brush and inkstone forever and not go attach yourself to the Li family? Their household is rich in books, and you could learn from them." Liang said, "My younger brother and sisters are hungry and cold—how could I eat my fill alone? I can read books in the market—how could I hang on another man's every glance!" Guang told Chong of this; Chong summoned Liang to speak with him and said, "When I recently read your forebear's Discourse on Fate and Destiny, it left no cramped anxiety in my breast. Now the original is lost—can you recite it from memory?" Liang immediately recited it for him, tears streaming down his face, with tone and rhythm unchanged from the original. Chong was greatly impressed and took him in as a house guest. Chong said to his elder brother's son Yan, "The elder Cui lad is generous, harmonious, sincere, and refined—you should befriend him; The younger Cui lad is sharp, orderly, and clear—you should respect him; both will rise to great eminence in the end." Chong recommended him as Doctor of the Palace Library, then transferred him to Consultant, and soon promoted him to a two-thousand-dan post in the Masters of Writing. When Emperor Xiaowen was at Luoyang and wished to create and reform the old system and select and appoint the hundred officials, he said to the assembled ministers, "Recommend to me one Director of the Ministry of Personnel who must combine talent and reputation—I give you three days' leave." Another day Emperor Xiaowen said, "I have already found him—no need to trouble you all." He summoned Liang by post to serve concurrently as Director of the Ministry of Personnel. Soon he became Attendant of the Heir Apparent, was promoted to Attendant of the Palace Library, and served concurrently as Left Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing. Although Liang had passed through prominent posts, his wife still personally did the pounding and winnowing; when Emperor Xiaowen heard of this, he praised his integrity and poverty and ordered him to hold concurrently the magistracy of Yewang.

孝明親政，遷給事黃門侍郎，仍兼吏部郎，領青州大中正。亮自參選事，垂將十年，廉慎明決，為尚書郭祚所委，每云：「非崔郎中選事不辦。」尋除散騎常侍，仍為黃門。遷度支尚書，領御史中尉。白遷都之後，經略四方，又營洛邑，費用甚廣。亮在度支，別立條格，歲省億計。又議修汴、蔡三渠以通邊運，公私賴焉。

When Emperor Xiaoming personally took up government, Liang was promoted to Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Yellow Gate, still serving concurrently as Director of the Ministry of Personnel and as Senior Arbiter of Qing Province. From the time Liang took part in selection affairs, nearly ten years passed; he was incorrupt, cautious, clear, and decisive, and was entrusted by Minister Guo Zuo, who always said, "Without Director Cui, selection affairs cannot be handled." Soon he was appointed Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and still served in the Yellow Gate. He was promoted to Minister of Revenue and concurrently served as Imperial Censor. From the time of moving the capital, the court extended its rule in all directions and also built Luoyang; expenses were very great. While Liang was at the Ministry of Revenue, he established separate regulations and standards, saving hundreds of millions each year. He also proposed repairing the three canals of Bian and Cai to open frontier transport, to the benefit of both public and private interests.

侍中、廣平王懷以母弟之親，左右不遵憲法，敕亮推究。宣武禁懷不通賓客者久之。後因宴集，懷侍親使忿，欲陵突亮。亮乃正色責之，即起于宣武前脫冠請罪，遂拜辭欲出。宣武曰：「廣平粗疏，向來又醉，卿之所悉，何乃如此也！遂詔亮復坐，令懷謝焉。亮外雖方正，內亦承候時情。宣傳左右郭神安頗被宣武識遇，以弟托亮，亮引為御史。及神安敗後，因集禁中，宣武令兼侍中盧昶宣旨責亮曰：「在法官，何故受左右囑請！」亮拜謝而已，無以上對。轉都官尚書，又轉七兵，領廷尉卿，加散騎常侍。徐州刺史元昞撫禦失和，詔亮馳驛安撫。亮至，劾昞處以大辟，勞賚綏慰，百姓帖然。

Attendant-in-Ordinary Prince Huai of Guangping, as the emperor's younger maternal brother, had attendants who did not obey the law; the emperor ordered Liang to investigate. Emperor Xuanwu forbade Huai to receive guests for a long time. Later, during a banquet, Huai's attendants grew angry and tried to bully and assault Liang. Liang sternly rebuked them, then rose before Emperor Xuanwu, removed his cap to ask forgiveness, bowed, and made to leave. Emperor Xuanwu said, "Guangping is coarse and careless, and he was drunk just now—you know this well; why act so! He then ordered Liang to sit again and made Huai apologize to him. Outwardly Liang was upright, but inwardly he also accommodated himself to the temper of the times. Guo Shen'an, Attendant-in-Ordinary on the left, was greatly favored by Emperor Xuanwu; he entrusted his younger brother to Liang, and Liang brought him in as a censor. After Shen'an's downfall, the court assembled in the inner palace. Emperor Xuanwu ordered Concurrent Attendant-in-Ordinary Lu Chang to deliver an imperial rebuke to Liang: "You hold judicial office—why did you accept requests from palace attendants!" Liang bowed in apology and had nothing to say in reply. He was transferred to Minister of Justice, then to Minister of the Seven Armies, and concurrently served as Director of the Court of Judicature with the additional title Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. Xuzhou Inspector Yuan Bing had failed in pacification and defense, and the emperor ordered Liang to ride post-haste to pacify the region. When Liang arrived, he impeached Bing and sentenced him to death, then rewarded and comforted the people until they were fully pacified.

除安西將軍、雍州刺史。城北渭水淺不通船，行人艱阻。亮謂寮佐曰：「昔杜預乃造河梁，況此有異長河，且魏、晉之日，亦自有橋。吾今決欲營之。」咸曰：「水淺，不可為浮橋；泛長無恆，又不可施柱。恐難成立。」亮曰：「昔秦居咸陽，橫橋度渭，以像閣道，此即以柱為橋。今唯慮長柱不可得耳。」會天大雨，山水暴至，浮出長木數百根，籍此為用，橋遂成立。百姓利之，至今猶名崔公橋。亮性公清，敏於斷決，所在並號稱職，三輔服其德政。宣武嘉之，詔賜衣馬被褥。後納其女為九嬪，徵為太常卿，攝吏部事。

He was appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yong Province. North of the city the Wei River was too shallow for boats, and travelers found the crossing arduous. Liang said to his staff, "Du Yu once built a bridge across a river; this is not the Yangtze, and even in Wei and Jin times there were bridges here. I have firmly decided to build one now." They all said, "The water is too shallow for a pontoon bridge; the flood line shifts constantly, and pillars cannot be set. I fear it will be hard to build." Liang said, "When Qin ruled from Xianyang, they built a bridge across the Wei like an elevated corridor—that was a pillar bridge. My only worry now is finding long enough pillars." Then heaven sent torrential rain, mountain floods surged down, and several hundred long timbers floated up. Using them, the bridge was completed. The people benefited greatly, and to this day it is still called Lord Cui's Bridge. Liang was fair and incorrupt, swift in judgment, and everywhere he served was praised as competent; the Three Metropolises respected his virtuous governance. Emperor Xuanwu commended him and ordered gifts of robes, horses, and bedding. Later the emperor took his daughter as a Ninth Consort, summoned him as Minister of Ceremonial, and put him in charge of the Ministry of Personnel.

孝明初，出為定州刺史。梁左遊擊將軍趙祖悅率眾據硤石，詔亮假鎮南將軍，齊王蕭寶夤鎮東將軍，章下王融安南將軍，並使持節，督諸軍以討之。靈太后勞遣亮等，賜戎服雜物。亮至硤石，祖悅出城逆戰，大破之。祖悅復於城外置二柵，欲拒軍，亮焚擊破之。亮與李崇為水陸之期，日日進攻，而崇不至。及李平至，崇乃進軍，共平硤石。

At the beginning of Emperor Xiaoming's reign, he was sent out as Inspector of Ding Province. Liang Left Strike General Zhao Zuyue led troops and seized Xiaoshi. The emperor ordered Liang as Acting General Who Guards the South, Qi Prince Xiao Baoyin as General Who Guards the East, and Zhangxia Prince Wang Rong as General Who Guards the South—all with Credential Bearer staffs—to command the armies against him. Empress Dowager Ling saw Liang and the others off with encouragement and bestowed military garments and various goods. When Liang reached Xiaoshi, Zuyue came out to give battle and was thoroughly defeated. Zuyue then built two palisades outside the city to hold off the army, but Liang burned and stormed them until they were broken. Liang and Li Chong had agreed on a joint land-and-water assault and attacked day after day, but Chong never arrived. When Li Ping arrived, Chong finally advanced, and together they pacified Xiaoshi.

靈太后賜亮璽書曰：「硤石既平，大勢全舉，淮堰孤危，自將奔遁。若仍敢遊魂，此當易以立計。禽翦蟻徒，應在旦夕。將軍推轂所馮，親對其事，處分經略，宜共協齊，必令得掃蕩之理，盡彼遺燼也。隨便守禦，及分度掠截，扼其咽喉，防塞走路，期之全獲，無令漏逸。若畏威降首者，自加蠲宥，以仁為本，任之雅算。」以功進號鎮北將軍。

Empress Dowager Ling sent Liang an imperial letter bearing the seal, saying, "Xiaoshi is pacified and the main force is fully committed. The Huai dam stands isolated and endangered, and the enemy will flee on his own. If they still dare linger, plans can easily be made to deal with them. Capturing and destroying these ant-like bandits should come within days. General, in whom the court places its full trust—you face this campaign in person. In planning and strategy you should act in concert, and make sure these bandits are swept away and their last embers extinguished. Defend as circumstances require, divide forces to raid and intercept, choke their vital passes, block their escape routes, and take them all—allow none to slip away. Those who fear our might and surrender—extend clemency on your own authority. Take benevolence as your foundation, and trust to your own judgment." For his merit his title was advanced to General Who Guards the North.

李平部分諸軍，將水陸兼進，以討堰賊。亮違平節度，以疾請還，隨表而發。平表亮輒還京，失乘勝之機，闕水陸之會，今處亮死，上議。靈太后令曰：「亮去留自擅，違我經略，雖有小捷，豈免大咎。但吾攝禦萬機，庶茲惡殺，可特聽以功補過。」及平至，亮與爭功禁中，形於聲色。

Li Ping deployed the armies and was about to advance by land and water together against the dam rebels. Liang defied Ping's command, requested to return on grounds of illness, and set out as soon as he submitted his memorial. Ping memorialized that Liang had abruptly returned to the capital, missing the chance to press the victory and failing the land-and-water rendezvous, and recommended sentencing him to death for imperial deliberation. Empress Dowager Ling ordered, "Liang acted on his own in going and staying, violating my strategic plan. Though he won a small victory, how can he escape great blame? But as I hold the reins of state, I wish to avoid excessive punishment. He may specially be allowed to offset his fault with merit." When Ping arrived, Liang disputed with him over credit in the inner palace, showing it plainly in voice and expression.

尋除殿中尚書，遷吏部尚書。時羽林新害張彝之後，靈太后令武官得依資入選。官員既少，應選者多，前尚書李韶循常擢人，百姓大為怨。亮乃奏為格制，不問士之賢愚，專以停解日月為斷，雖復官須此人，停日後者終不得。庸才下品，年月久者灼然先用。沈滯者皆稱其能。亮外甥司空諮義劉景安書規亮曰：「殷、周以鄉塾貢士，兩漢由州郡薦才，魏、晉因循，又置中正。諦觀在昔，莫不審舉，雖未盡美，足應十收六七。而朝廷貢才，止求其文，不取其理。察孝廉唯論章句，不及治道；立中正不考人才行業，空辨氏姓高下。至於取士之途不溥，沙汰之理未精。而舅屬當銓衡，宜須改張易調。如何反為停年格以限之，天下士子誰復修厲名行哉？」亮答書曰：

Soon he was appointed Master of Writing in the Palace, then promoted to Minister of Personnel. At the time, shortly after the Imperial Guard had killed Zhang Yi, Empress Dowager Ling ordered that military officers could enter official selection according to seniority. Official posts were few while candidates were many. The former Minister Li Shao promoted people by routine, and the people were greatly resentful. Liang then memorialized establishing a regulation that ignored whether candidates were worthy or foolish and judged solely by the date they left office. Even if a post required a particular man, whoever had the later termination date could never obtain it. Mediocre men of lower rank—those who had been out of office longest were plainly promoted first. Those long stalled in office all praised his competence. Liang's nephew, Consultant of the Minister of Works Liu Jing'an, wrote to admonish Liang, saying, "Yin and Zhou selected gentlemen through village schools; the two Han dynasties recommended talent through provinces and commanderies; Wei and Jin followed this and additionally established the Senior Arbiters. Looking carefully at the past, none failed to select with care. Though not perfect, those methods yielded six or seven good appointments out of ten. Yet when the court sought talent, it looked only at literary compositions and not at principles of governance. In investigating Filial and Incorrupt candidates they debated only textual commentary, without reaching the way of governance; in establishing Senior Arbiters they did not examine men's talent and conduct, but vainly distinguished only the high and low of clan names. The paths by which gentlemen were recruited were not broad, and the principle of sifting and discarding was not refined. Yet when an uncle holds the scales of selection, he ought to reform the system. How is it that you instead make a seniority grid to limit them—what gentleman under heaven will still cultivate virtue and conduct?" Liang replied in a letter:

汝所言乃有深致。吾乘時徼幸，得為吏部尚書。當其壯也，尚不如人，況今朽老，而居帝難之任。常思同升舉直，以報明主之恩；盡忠竭力，不為貽厥之累。昨為此格，有由而然。今已為汝所怪，千載之後，誰知我哉！可靜念吾言，當為汝論之。

What you say has real depth. I seized fortune at the right moment and became Minister of Personnel. When I was in my prime I was still not the equal of others—how much less now, decayed and old, while holding an office the emperor finds difficult. I always hoped to promote the upright together to repay the enlightened lord's grace; to serve with full loyalty and effort and not be a burden to posterity. I made this grid yesterday for good reason. Now you already blame me—who will understand me a thousand years hence! Reflect quietly on what I say—I will explain it to you.

吾兼正六為吏部郎，三為尚書，銓衡所宜，頗知之矣。但古今不同，時宜須異。何者？昔有中正品其才第，上之尚書，尚書據狀，量人授職，此乃與天下群賢共爵人也。吾謂當爾之時，無遺才、無濫舉矣，而當猶雲十收六七。況今日之選，專歸尚書，以一人之鑒，照察天下，劉毅所雲一吏部、兩郎中而欲究鏡人物，何異以管窺天而求其博哉！今勳人甚多，又羽林入選。武夫崛起，不解書計，唯可彍弩前驅，指蹤捕噬而已。忽令垂組乘軒，求其烹鮮之效，未曾操刀，而使專割。又武人至多，官員至少，不可周溥。設令十人共一官，猶無官可授，況一人望一官，何由可不怨哉？吾近面執，不宜使武人入選，請賜其爵，厚其祿。既不見從，是以權立此格，限以停年耳。

I served six times as Director of the Ministry of Personnel and three times as Minister—I know rather well what the scales of selection require. But past and present differ, and what suits the times must be different. How so? In the past Senior Arbiters graded men's talent and rank and submitted their reports to the Masters of Writing, who measured men and assigned posts accordingly. That was sharing the granting of rank with all the worthies under heaven. I would say that at such a time there should have been no overlooked talent and no indiscriminate selection—yet even then people still said only six or seven out of ten were good appointments. How much more so today, when selection falls solely to the Minister of Personnel and one man's judgment must illuminate all under heaven! As Liu Yi said, one Ministry of Personnel and two Directors trying to mirror all men—is that not like peering at heaven through a tube and expecting to see its breadth! Now meritorious men are very numerous, and the Imperial Guard also enter selection. Military men rise suddenly. They do not understand writing and reckoning—they can only draw crossbows, lead the van, and hunt down the enemy, that is all. Suddenly ordering them to wear official insignia and ride in carriages, then expecting them to govern well—it is like asking one who has never handled a knife to do all the butchering. Moreover military men are exceedingly many while official posts are exceedingly few—it cannot be done comprehensively and fairly. Suppose ten men shared one post—still there would be no post to grant. How much less when each man expects one post—how could there be no resentment! I recently argued in person that military men should not enter selection and asked that they be granted noble rank and generous salaries instead. Since that was not accepted, I provisionally established this grid, limiting appointments by years out of office, that is all.

昔子產鑄刑書以救敝，叔向譏之以正法，何異汝以古禮難權宜哉？仲尼云：「德我者《春秋》，罪我者亦《春秋》。」吾之此指，其由是也。但令當來君子，知吾意焉。

In the past Zichan cast penal writings to remedy decay, and Shuxiang mocked him with orthodox law—how is that different from you using ancient rites to challenge expedient measures! Confucius said, "Those who praise me—it is the Spring and Autumn Annals; those who blame me—it is also the Spring and Autumn Annals." That is the spirit of what I mean. I only wish that future gentlemen will understand my intent.

後甄琛、元修義、城陽王徽相繼為吏部尚書，利其便己，踵而行之。自是賢愚同貫，涇、渭無別。魏之失才，從亮始也。

Later Zhen Chen, Yuan Xiuyi, and Prince Hui of Chengyang succeeded one another as Minister of Personnel; finding it convenient for themselves, they followed his example. From then on the worthy and the foolish were treated alike, and the Jing and Wei could no longer be told apart. Wei's loss of talent began with Liang.

曆侍中、太常卿、左光祿大夫、尚書右僕射。時劉騰擅權，亮托妻劉氏，傾身事之。故頻年之中，名位隆赫。有識者譏之。轉尚書僕射，加散騎常侍。疽發於背，明帝遣舍人問疾，亮上表乞解僕射，詔不許。尋卒。詔給東園秘器，贈車騎大將軍、儀同三司，諡曰貞烈。

He successively served as Attendant-in-Ordinary, Minister of Ceremonial, Grand Master of Left Glory, and Right Vice Minister of the Masters of Writing. At the time Liu Teng monopolized power. Liang relied on his wife's Liu clan connection and devoted himself to serving him. Within a few years his fame and rank rose to great eminence. Men of discernment mocked him. He was transferred to Vice Minister of the Masters of Writing and given the additional title Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. A carbuncle broke out on his back. Emperor Xiaoming sent a Palace Attendant to inquire after his illness, and Liang submitted a memorial requesting release from the vice ministership, but the edict did not permit it. Soon after he died. An edict granted the Eastern Garden secret funerary vessels and posthumously bestowed on him the title General of Chariots and Cavalry with the Three Excellencies' ceremonial parity; his posthumous name was Upright and Fierce.

亮在雍州，讀《杜預傳》，見其為八磨，嘉其有濟時用，遂教人為碾。及為僕射，奏于張方橋東堰谷水，造磑磨數十區，其利十倍，國用便之。亮有三子，士安、士和、士泰，並強士，善於當世。

While Liang was in Yong Province, he read the Biography of Du Yu and saw that Du had built eight water mills. He admired their usefulness and had people build grinding mills. When he became Vice Minister, he memorialized damming valley water east of Zhangfang Bridge and building several dozen mill complexes. The profit was tenfold, and state revenue benefited greatly. Liang had three sons—Shi'an, Shihe, and Shitai—all capable men, skilled in their generation.

士安曆尚書北部郎，卒于諫議大夫，贈左將軍、光州刺史。無子，弟士和以子乾亨繼。乾亨，武定中，尚書都兵郎中。

Shi'an successively served as Director of the Northern Section of the Masters of Writing, died while serving as Consultant, and was posthumously granted General of the Left and Inspector of Guang Province. He had no son; his younger brother Shihe had his son Qianheng succeed him. Qianheng, during the Wuding era, served as Director of the Seven Armies in the Masters of Writing.

士和初為司空主簿。蕭寶夤之在關中，高選寮佐，以為都督府長史。時莫折念生遣使詐降，寶夤表士和兼度支尚書為隴右行台，令入秦撫慰，為念生所害。

Shihe first served as Chief Clerk to the Minister of Works. When Xiao Baoyin was in Guanzhong, he carefully selected staff members and made Shihe Chief Secretary of the Area Command headquarters. At the time Moqi Niansheng sent an envoy feigning surrender. Baoyin memorialized making Shihe Concurrent Minister of Revenue as the Longyou Mobile Headquarters and ordered him into Qin to pacify the region; Niansheng killed him.

士泰曆給事中、司空從事中郎、諫議大夫、司空司馬。明帝末，荊蠻侵斥，以士泰為龍驤將軍、征蠻別將。事平，以功賜爵五等男。建義初，遇害于河陰，贈都督、青州刺史，諡曰文肅。了肇師襲爵。

Shitai successively served as Attendant within the Palace, Attendant Gentleman of the Ministry of Works, Consultant, and Secretary of the Minister of Works. At the end of Emperor Xiaoming's reign, the barbarians of Jing encroached upon the frontier, and Shitai was appointed General of the Dragon Parasol and Separate General for the Barbarian Campaign. When the campaign ended, he was granted the fifth-rank title of Baron for his service. At the beginning of the Jianyi era he was killed at Heyin. He was posthumously granted the titles Area Commander and Inspector of Qing Province, with the posthumous name Wensu. His son Zhaoshi inherited the title.

肇師少時疏放，長遂變節，更成謹厚。涉獵經史，頗有文思。天平初，以通直散騎侍郎為尉勞青州使，至齊州界，為土賊崔迦葉等拘，欲逼與同事。肇師執志不動，喻以禍福，賊遂舍之。仍巡慰青部而還。肇師以從弟乾亨同居，事伯母甚謹。齊文襄嘗言肇師合誅，左右問其故，曰：「崔鴻《十六國春秋》述諸僭偽而不及江東。」左右曰：「肇師與鴻別族。」乃止。天保初，以參定渾代禮儀，封襄城縣男，仍兼中書侍郎，卒。始鄴下有薛生者，能相人，言趙彥琛當大貴。肇師因問己，答曰：「公門望雖高，爵位不及趙。」終如其言。

Zhaoshi was lax and unrestrained in youth, but as he matured he changed his ways and became careful and steady. He read widely in the classics and histories and possessed considerable literary talent. At the beginning of the Tianping era, serving as Regular Attendant of Direct Communication and the Scattered Cavalry, he was sent as envoy to console Qing Province. When he reached the border of Qi Province, he was seized by local bandits led by Cui Jiaye, who wished to force him to join their cause. Zhaoshi held firm to his resolve. He explained to them the blessings and calamities that would follow, and the bandits released him. He then made a tour to reassure the Qing region and returned. Zhaoshi lived with his younger cousin Qianheng and served their aunt with great devotion. Gao Wenxiang of Qi once remarked that Zhaoshi deserved execution. When his attendants asked why, he said, "Cui Hong's Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms describes every usurper but says nothing of the Jiangdong region." His attendants said, "Zhaoshi and Hong belong to different branches of the clan." He then dropped the matter. At the beginning of the Tianbao era, for helping to fix the rites and ceremonies of the Hun and Dai periods, he was enfeoffed as Baron of Xiangcheng County, continued to serve concurrently as Vice Director of the Secretariat, and died. There was once in Ye a man named Xue who could read faces. He said that Zhao Yanchen would rise to great eminence. Zhaoshi then asked about himself. The answer came: "Your family standing is high, but your rank will not equal Zhao's." In the end it happened exactly as he had said.

亮弟敬默，奉朝請，卒於征虜長史，贈南陽太守。子思韶。從亮征硤石，以軍功賜爵武城子，為冀州別駕。

Liang's younger brother Jingmo served as Attendant at Court. He died while serving as Chief Secretary to the General Who Suppresses Barbarians and was posthumously granted Governor of Nanyang. His son was Sishao. He followed Liang on the campaign at Xiashi and was granted the title Marquis of Wucheng for military merit. He served as Vice Governor of Ji Province.

敬默弟敬遠，以其賤出，殊不經紀，論者譏焉。

Jingmo's younger brother Jingyuan, born of a concubine, conducted himself quite improperly, and critics mocked him for it.

光韶，亮從父弟也。父幼孫，太原太守。光韶事親以孝悌。初除奉朝請，光韶與弟光伯孿生，操業相侔，特相友愛，遂經吏部尚書李沖，讓官于光伯，辭色懇至。沖為奏聞，孝文嘉而許之。太和二十年，以光韶為司空行參軍，復請讓從叔和，曰：「臣誠微賤，未登讓品，屬逢皇朝，恥無讓德。」和亦謙退，辭而不當。孝文善之，遂以和為廣陵王國常侍。尋敕光韶秘書郎，掌校華林御書。累遷青州中從事。後為司空騎兵參軍，又兼司徒戶曹。出為濟州輔國府司馬，刺史高植甚知之，政事多委訪焉。遷青州平東府長史。府解，敕知州事。光韶清直明斷，吏人畏愛之。入為司空從事中郎，以母老解官歸養，賦詩展意，朝士屬和者數十人。久之，徵為司徒諮議，固辭不拜。

Guangshao was Liang's younger cousin. His father Yousun served as Governor of Taiyuan. Guangshao served his parents with filial piety and brotherly devotion. When he was first appointed Attendant at Court, Guangshao and his younger brother Guangbo were twins, equal in learning and conduct and especially devoted to each other. He went to Minister of Personnel Li Chong and yielded the office to Guangbo, pleading with utmost earnestness. Chong memorialized the matter, and Emperor Xiaowen praised it and granted his request. In the twentieth year of Taihe, Guangshao was appointed Acting Secretary to the Minister of Works. He again asked to yield the post to his cousin He, saying, "Your servant is truly humble and has not reached the rank that qualifies for yielding, yet having met this enlightened dynasty, I am ashamed to lack the virtue of yielding." He also declined with humility and refused to accept. Emperor Xiaowen approved, and He was appointed Attendant of the State of Guangling. Soon Guangshao was appointed Secretary and put in charge of collating the imperial books in the Huafu Garden. He was promoted successively to Middle Attendant of Qing Province. Later he served as Cavalry Secretary to the Minister of Works and also held a concurrent post in the Household Bureau of the Minister of Education. He was sent out as Secretary to the Supporting State Headquarters of Ji Province. The Inspector Gao Zhi thought highly of him and often consulted him on government affairs. He was transferred to Chief Secretary of the Pacifying East Headquarters of Qing Province. When the headquarters was dissolved, he was ordered to administer provincial affairs. Guangshao was upright, clear-minded, and decisive; officials and common people alike both feared and loved him. He entered the capital as Attendant Gentleman of the Minister of Works. Because his mother was old, he resigned and returned home to care for her, composing a poem to express his feelings; several dozen court officials wrote poems in response. After a long interval he was summoned to serve as Counselor to the Minister of Education, but he firmly declined and would not accept.

光韶性嚴，聲韻抗烈，與人平談，常若震厲。至於兄弟議論，外聞謂為忿怒，然孔懷雍睦，人少逮之。孝莊初，河間邢杲率河北流人十餘萬眾攻逼州郡，刺史元俊憂不自安。州人乞光韶為長史以鎮之。時陽平路回寓居齊土，與杲潛相影響，引賊入郭，光韶臨機處分，在難確然。賊退之後，刺史表光韶忠毅，朝廷嘉之，發使慰勞。尋為東道軍司。及元顥入洛，自河以南，莫不風靡。刺史廣陵王欣集文武以議所從，在坐之人，莫不失色。光韶獨抗言曰：「元顥受制梁國，稱兵本朝，亂臣賊子，曠代少疇。何但大王家事，所宜切齒。等荷朝眷，未敢仰從。」長史崔景茂、前瀛州刺史張烈、前郢州刺史房叔祖、征士張僧皓咸云：「軍司議是。」欣乃斬顥使。

Guangshao's nature was stern, his voice forceful and resonant; in ordinary conversation he often sounded like thunder breaking. When the brothers debated among themselves, outsiders took it for anger; yet in their innermost hearts they were deeply harmonious — few could equal them. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, Xing Gao of Hejian led more than a hundred thousand displaced people from north of the Yellow River in attacks upon provinces and commanderies. The Inspector Yuan Jun was deeply anxious. The people of the province petitioned to have Guangshao appointed Chief Secretary to stabilize the situation. At the time Lu Hui of Yangping was living in Qi territory and secretly colluded with Gao, bringing the bandits into the city. Guangshao handled the crisis on the spot with unwavering composure. After the bandits withdrew, the Inspector memorialized Guangshao's loyalty and steadfastness. The court praised him and sent an envoy to console and commend him. Soon he was appointed Army Supervisor of the Eastern Route. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, every region south of the Yellow River yielded without resistance. The Inspector, Prince Xin of Guangling, gathered civil and military officials to decide which side to follow. Everyone present turned pale. Guangshao alone spoke out forcefully: "Yuan Hao is controlled by the Liang state and raises arms against our dynasty — a traitorous rebel rarely matched in any age. This is not merely a matter of the Prince's household — we ought to gnash our teeth in hatred. We bear the court's favor and dare not submit to him." Chief Secretary Cui Jingmao, former Inspector of Ying Province Zhang Lie, former Inspector of Ying Province Fang Zuzu, and recluse Zhang Senghao all said, "The Army Supervisor is right." Xin then executed Yuan Hao's envoy.

尋征輔國將軍，再遷廷尉卿。秘書監祖瑩以贓罪被劾。光韶必欲致之重法，太尉城陽王徽、尚書令臨淮王彧、吏部尚書李神俊、侍中李彧並勢望當時，皆為瑩求寬。光韶正色曰：「朝賢執事，于舜之功，未聞其一，如何反為罪人言乎。」其執意不回如此。永安據亂，遂還鄉里。

Soon he was summoned as Supporting State General and was again promoted to Minister of Justice. Zu Ying, Director of the Secretariat, was impeached on charges of embezzlement. Guangshao was determined to have him punished under the full weight of the law. Grand Tutor Prince Hui of Chengyang, Minister of State Prince Yu of Linhuai, Minister of Personnel Li Shenjun, and Attendant-in-Ordinary Li Yu were all powerful and eminent at the time, and all pleaded for leniency on Ying's behalf. Guangshao said sternly, "Worthy ministers holding office — I have not heard that a single one of you has achieved what Yu and Shun achieved. How can you speak instead on behalf of a guilty man?" Such was the firmness of his resolve. Amid the turmoil of the Yong'an era, he returned to his home village.

光韶博學強辯，尤好理論，至於人倫名教，得失之間，榷而論之，不以一毫假物。家足於財，而性儉吝，衣馬敝瘦，食味粗薄。始光韶在都，同里人王蔓於夜遇盜，害其二子。孝莊詔黃門高道穆，令加檢捕，一坊之內，家別搜索。至光韶宅，綾絹錢布匱篋充積。議者譏其矯嗇。其家資產，皆光伯所營。光伯亡，悉焚其契。河間邢子才曾貸錢數萬，後送還之。光韶曰：「此亡弟相貸，僕不知也。」竟不納。

Guangshao was learned and skilled in debate, and especially loved theoretical discourse. On questions of human relations and moral teaching, weighing gain and loss, he argued without allowing himself the slightest pretense. His household was well provided with wealth, yet his nature was frugal to the point of stinginess: his clothes and horses were worn and thin, his food coarse and plain. When Guangshao was in the capital, his neighbor Wang Man was robbed at night and his two sons were killed. Emperor Xiaozhuang ordered Huangmen Attendant Gao Daomu to intensify the search. Within one ward, every household was searched in turn. When they reached Guangshao's residence, chests and boxes were piled high with silk, coins, and cloth. Critics mocked his affected stinginess. The family's wealth had all been managed by Guangbo. When Guangbo died, he burned all the loan contracts. Xing Zicai of Hejian had once borrowed tens of thousands in cash and later sent the money back. Guangshao said, "This was lent by my late brother. I myself knew nothing of it." In the end he refused to accept it.

刺史元弼前妻，是光韶之繼室兄女。弼貪婪不法，光韶以親情亟相非責，弼銜之。時恥翔反於州界，弼誣光韶子通與賊連結，囚其闔家，考掠非理。而光韶與之辨爭，詞色不屈。會樊子鵠為東道大使，知其見枉，理出之。時人勸令詣樊陳謝，光韶曰：「羊舌大夫已有成事，何勞往也！」子鵠亦歎尚之。後刺史侯深代下，疑懼，謀為不軌。夜劫光韶，以兵脅之，責以謀略。光韶曰：「凡起兵須有名義，使君今日舉動，直是作賊耳，知復何計！」深雖恨之，敬而不敢害。尋除征東將軍、金紫光祿大夫，不起。

The Inspector Yuan Bi's first wife was the daughter of Guangshao's elder brother by the same stepmother. Bi was greedy and lawless. Guangshao repeatedly censured him on account of their kinship, and Bi nursed a grudge. At the time Chi Xiang rebelled within the provincial borders. Bi falsely accused Guangshao's son Tong of colluding with the rebels, imprisoned the entire family, and tortured them without cause. Yet Guangshao argued with him, his words and bearing unyielding. When Fan Zihu arrived as envoy of the Eastern Route and saw that they had been wronged, he ordered their release on his authority. People urged him to go and thank Fan in person. Guangshao said, "The Great Officer Yangshe already set the precedent — why should I trouble myself to go?" Zihu also sighed in admiration at him. Later, when Inspector Hou Shen replaced Bi, he grew suspicious and fearful and plotted rebellion. At night he seized Guangshao, threatened him at swordpoint, and demanded counsel for his plot. Guangshao said, "Every rising of arms must have a just cause. Your actions today are nothing but banditry — what counsel can I possibly give?" Though Shen hated him, he respected him and did not dare harm him. Soon he was appointed General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of the Gold Seal and Purple Girdle, but he did not accept the post.

光韶以世道屯邅，朝廷屢變，閉門卻掃，吉凶斷絕。誡子孫曰：「吾自謂立身無慚古烈，但以祿命有限，無容希世取進。在官以來，不冒一級，官雖不達，經為九卿。且吾平生素業，足以遺汝，官閥亦何足言也。吾既運薄，便經三娶，而汝之兄弟各不同生。合葬非古，吾百年之後，不須合也。然贈諡之及，出自君恩，豈容子孫自求之也？勿須求贈。若違吾志，如有神靈，不享汝祀。吾兄弟自幼及老，衣服飲食未嘗一片不同，至於兒女官婚，榮利之事，未嘗不先以推弟。弟頃橫禍，權作松櫬，亦可為吾作松棺，使吾見之。」卒，年七十一。孝靜初，侍中賈思申啟，稱述光韶，詔贈散騎常侍、驃騎將軍、青州刺史。

Seeing the age in turmoil and the court repeatedly overturned, Guangshao closed his doors to visitors and cut off all contact, whether for weddings or funerals. He admonished his descendants, "I believe myself upright and without shame before the ancients of old, but my allotted span of fortune is limited, and I cannot seek worldly advancement. Since entering office I have never accepted a single unearned promotion. Though my rank never reached the highest offices, I have served among the Nine Ministers. Moreover, my lifelong work is enough to leave you. What need is there to speak of official pedigree? I have had ill fortune and have been married three times, while your brothers were each born of different mothers. Joint burial is not the ancient way. After my hundred years, do not bury me together with them. Yet posthumous titles and epithets come from the sovereign's grace. How can descendants seek them on their own? Do not seek posthumous honors. If you violate my will, as surely as spirits exist, I will not accept your offerings. My brothers and I, from childhood to old age, never differed in clothing or food by so much as a single piece. In matters of marriage, office, and profit for our children, we always put our younger brothers first. My younger brother recently met sudden disaster and has a pine coffin provisionally made. You may also make a pine coffin for me, that I may see it before I die." He died at the age of seventy-one. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaojing's reign, Attendant-in-Ordinary Jia Sishen memorialized praising Guangshao. An edict posthumously granted him the titles Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, General of Fast Cavalry, and Inspector of Qing Province.

光韶弟光伯。為青州別駕，後以族弟休臨州，申牒求解。尚書奏：「案《禮》：始封之君，不臣諸父、昆弟；封君之子，臣昆弟，不臣諸父；封君之孫，得盡臣。計始封之君，即是世繼之祖，尚不得臣，況今刺史既非世繼，而得行臣吏之節，執笏稱名者乎？檢光伯請解，率禮不愆，謂宜許遂。」靈太后令從之。尋除北海太守，有司以其更滿，依例奏代。明帝詔曰：「光伯自蒞海沂，清風遠著，兼其兄光韶復能辭榮侍養，兄弟忠孝，宜有甄錄，可更申三年，以廣風化。」後曆太傅諮議參軍。

Guangshao's younger brother was Guangbo. He served as Vice Governor of Qing Province. Later, when his clansman and younger brother Xiu came to govern the province, he submitted a petition requesting to be relieved of his post. The Masters of Writing memorialized, "According to the Rites: the lord who first receives a fief does not treat uncles and elder brothers as subjects; the son of a feudal lord treats younger brothers as subjects but not uncles; the grandson of a feudal lord may treat all as subjects. Considering that the lord who first receives a fief is the dynastic ancestor of the succession and still may not be treated as a subject, how much less can a present Inspector, who is not a hereditary successor, perform the ceremonies of a subject-minister — holding the tablet and calling himself by name? Upon review, Guangbo's request for relief conforms to ritual without fault; it is fitting to grant it." Empress Dowager Ling ordered that it be granted. Soon he was appointed Administrator of Beihai. When his term expired, the relevant office memorialized for his replacement according to precedent. Emperor Ming's edict said, "Since Guangbo took office on the Hai coast, his upright reputation has spread far and wide. Moreover, his elder brother Guangshao has again declined honors to serve and care for their parents — in their loyalty and filial piety the brothers deserve special recognition. Let his term be extended three more years, to broaden moral influence." Later he served as Consultant in the Grand Tutor's household.

節閔帝時，崔祖螭、張僧皓起逆，攻東陽，旬日間，眾十餘萬。刺史、東萊王貴平欲令光伯出城慰勞。兄光韶爭之曰：「以下官觀之，非可慰喻止也。」貴平逼之，不得已，光伯遂出城。未及曉喻，為飛天矢所中，卒，贈青州刺史。子滔，武定末殷州別駕。修之弟道固。

During the reign of Emperor Jiemin, Cui Zuchong and Zhang Senghao rose in rebellion and attacked Dongyang. Within ten days their forces swelled to more than one hundred thousand. The Inspector, Prince Gui of Donglai, wished to send Guangbo outside the city to console and reassure the rebels. His elder brother Guangshao objected, saying, "In my humble judgment, this is not something that can be settled by words of comfort and exhortation alone." Gui pressed him relentlessly. Left with no choice, Guangbo went out of the city. Before he could finish his appeal, he was struck by a crossbow bolt and died. He was posthumously granted the title Inspector of Qing Province. His son Tao served as Vice Governor of Yin Province at the end of the Wuding era. Xiuzhi's younger brother was Daogu.

道固字季堅，其母卑賤，嫡母兄攸之、目連等輕侮之。父輯謂攸之曰：「此兒姿識，或能興人門戶，汝等何以輕之？」攸之等遇之彌薄。輯乃資給道固，令其南仕。時宋孝武為徐、兗二州刺史，以道固為從事。道固美形貌，善舉止，習武事，孝武嘉之。會青州刺史新除，過彭城，孝武謂曰：「崔道固人身如此，豈可為寒士？而世人以其偏庶侮之，可為歎息。」刺史至州，辟為主簿。後為宋諸王參軍，被遣青州募人，長史以下並詣道固。道固諸兄等逼其所生自致酒炙於客前。道固驚起接取，謂客曰：「家無人力，老親自執劬勞。」諸客皆知其兄所作，咸拜其母。母謂道固曰：「我賤，不足以報貴賓，汝宜答拜。」諸客皆歎美道固母子，賤其諸兄。後為冀州刺史，鎮曆城。

Daogu, styled Jijian, was born of a mother of low station. His elder half-brothers by the principal wife — Youzhi, Mulian, and others — treated him with contempt. His father Ji said to Youzhi, "This boy's bearing and insight may yet raise our house to eminence. Why do you treat him with such contempt?" Youzhi and the others treated him all the more harshly. Ji then supplied Daogu with funds and sent him south to seek office. At the time Emperor Xiaowu of Song governed Xu and Yan provinces as Inspector and appointed Daogu as a staff officer. Daogu was handsome in appearance, graceful in bearing, and skilled in military affairs. Xiaowu took a liking to him. When a newly appointed Inspector of Qing Province passed through Pengcheng, Xiaowu said to him, "Cui Daogu is a man of such bearing — how can he be treated as a cold-clan scholar of no account? Yet the world despises him for being born of a concubine's line. It is enough to make one sigh." When the Inspector reached his province, he recruited Daogu as Chief Clerk. Later he served as staff officer under the princes of Song. When he was sent to Qing Province to raise troops, everyone from Chief Steward down came to call on Daogu. Daogu's elder brothers forced his birth mother to bring wine and roasted meat before the guests with her own hands. Daogu started up in alarm and took the dishes from her, saying to the guests, "Our household has no servants. My aged mother performs the labor herself." All the guests knew what his brothers had done, and each bowed to his mother. His mother said to Daogu, "I am of low station and unworthy to receive such honored guests. You should return their bows on my behalf." All the guests praised Daogu and his mother and held his elder brothers in contempt. Later he became Inspector of Ji Province and garrisoned Licheng.

宋明帝立，徐州刺史薛安都與道固等立廢帝子業弟子勳，敗乃歸魏。獻文帝以為南冀州刺史、清河公。宋明帝遣說道固，以為徐州刺史，復歸宋。

When Emperor Ming of Song was enthroned, Xu Province Inspector Xue Andu, together with Daogu and others, set up Deposed Emperor Ziye's nephew Zixun as rival sovereign. After their defeat they surrendered to Wei. Emperor Xianwen appointed him Southern Inspector of Ji Province and Duke of Qinghe. Emperor Ming of Song sent envoys to win Daogu over. He was made Inspector of Xu Province and returned to Song.

皇興初，獻文詔征南大將軍慕容白曜討道固，道固面縛請罪。白曜送赴都，詔恕其死。乃徙齊土望共道固守城者數百家于桑乾，立平齊郡于平城西北北新城，以道固為太守，賜爵臨淄子。尋徙居京城西南二百餘里舊除館之西。延興中卒，子景徽襲爵。

At the beginning of Huangxing, Emperor Xianwen ordered General Who Pacifies the South Murong Baiyao to attack Daogu. Daogu bound himself and begged forgiveness. Baiyao sent him to the capital, where an edict pardoned his life. Then several hundred families of eminent Qi men who had held the city with Daogu were relocated to Sanggan. Pingqi Commandery was established at Beixin City, northwest of Pingcheng. Daogu was made Administrator and granted the title Viscount of Linzi. Soon they were moved to a site west of the old Chuguan, more than two hundred li southwest of the capital. He died during the Yansxing era. His son Jinghui inherited the title.

初，道固之在客邸，與薛安都、畢眾敬鄰館，時以公集相見。本既同由武達，頗結寮舊。時安都志已衰朽，於道固疏略，而眾敬每盡殷勤。道固謂劉休賓、房法壽曰：「古人云：「非我族類，其心必異」，安都視人，殊自蕭索，畢固依依也。」景徽字文睿，卒于平州刺史，諡曰定。子休纂襲爵。

Earlier, while Daogu was lodged as a guest, he was quartered next to Xue Andu and Bi Zhongjing. They met one another at official gatherings. They had originally risen together through military advancement and formed bonds as old colleagues. By then Andu's spirit was already failing. Toward Daogu he was distant and perfunctory, while Zhongjing always showed the fullest courtesy. Daogu said to Liu Xiubin and Fang Fashou, "The ancients said, 'Those who are not of our kind — their hearts surely differ.' Andu looks on people with a coldness all his own, while Bi by nature is warmly affectionate." Jinghui, styled Wenrui, died while serving as Inspector of Ping Province. His posthumous title was Ding. His son Xiuzuan inherited the title.

道固兄曰連子僧祐。僧深坐兄僧祐與沙門法秀謀反，徙薄骨律鎮。後位南青州刺史。元妻房氏生子伯驎、伯驥。後薄房氏，納平原杜氏，與俱徙。生四子，伯鳳、祖龍、祖螭、祖虯。僧深得還之後，絕房氏，遂與杜氏及四子寓青州。伯驎、伯驥與母房居冀州，雖往來父間，而心存母氏，孝慈之道，頓阻一門。僧深卒，伯驎奔赴，不敢入家，寄哭寺門。祖龍剛躁，與兄伯驎訟嫡庶，並以刀劍自衛，苦怨讎焉。祖螭小字社客，普泰初反，爾硃仲遠討斬之。祖虯，少好學，不馳競。

Daogu's elder brother was Mulian's son Sengyou. Sengshen was punished because his elder brother Sengyou plotted rebellion with the monk Faxiu. He was exiled to Boguli garrison. Later he attained the post of Southern Inspector of Qing Province. His first wife, Lady Fang, bore sons Bolin and Boji. Later he set Lady Fang aside, took Lady Du of Pingyuan as wife, and both women were relocated with him. She bore four sons: Bofeng, Zulong, Zuchong, and Zujiao. After Sengshen was allowed to return, he severed ties with Lady Fang and lived in Qing Province with Lady Du and the four sons. Bolin and Boji lived with their mother Fang in Ji Province. Though they visited their father back and forth, their hearts remained with their mother — filial duty and tenderness were thus sundered within a single household. When Sengshen died, Bolin rushed to him but dared not enter the house. He mourned at the temple gate instead. Zulong was harsh and impetuous. He quarreled with his elder brother Bolin over legitimacy of birth, each arming himself with blade and sword — bitter hatred lay between them. Zuchong, whose pet name was Sheke, rebelled at the beginning of Putai. Erzhu Zhongyuan hunted him down and beheaded him. Zujiao loved learning from youth and did not scramble for advancement.

僧深從弟和，位平昌太守。家巨富而性吝，埋錢數百斛，其母李春思堇，惜錢不買。子軌，字啟則，盜錢百萬，背和亡走。後至儀同、開府鎧曹參軍，坐貪偽，賜死晉陽。

Sengshen's younger cousin He served as Administrator of Pingchang. The family was immensely wealthy, yet he was miserly. He buried several hundred hu of coins. When his mother Li Chun longed for celery, he begrudged the money and would not buy any. His son Gui, styled Qize, stole a million coins and fled against his father's wishes. Later he rose to Palace Attendant of the Third Rank and Registrar of the Armor Bureau in a Regent's household. Convicted of corruption and forgery, he was granted death at Jinyang.

論曰：崔光風素虛遠，學業深長，孝文歸其才博，許其大至，明主固知臣也。曆事三朝，師訓少主，不出宮省，坐致台傅，斯亦近世之所稀有。但顧懷大雅，托跡中庸，其於容身之譏，斯乃胡廣所不免也。鴻博綜古今，立言為事，亦才志之士乎。崔亮既明達從事，動有名跡，於斷年之選，失之逾遠，救弊未聞，終為國蠹，無苟而已，其若是乎。光韶居雅仗正，有國士之風矣。

Commentary: Cui Guang's bearing was pure and aloof, his learning deep and enduring. Emperor Xiaowen credited him with vast talent and placed in him the fullest trust — a clear-sighted ruler truly knows his minister. He served three reigns, tutored the young sovereign, and never left the palace precincts, yet attained the rank of Counselor-in-Chief and Tutor without stirring abroad — a thing rare indeed in recent times. Yet in cherishing the great tradition and anchoring himself in the middle way, the charge of merely preserving himself — even Hu Guang could not escape it. Hong was erudite, synthesizing past and present and making words his life's work — was he not also a man of talent and aspiration? Cui Liang was clear-sighted in office, and his every move left its mark. Yet in the matter of the fixed-year selection he erred all the further, and no remedy for the abuse was heard. In the end he became a pest to the state, content with mere complacency — was it not so? Guangshao lived with elegant integrity and upheld rectitude — he had the bearing of a true man of the realm.

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