Volume 92 Biographies 80: Noble Favorites

王睿王仲興寇猛趙修茹皓趙邕侯剛徐紇宗愛仇洛齊段霸王琚趙默孫小張宗之劇鵬張祐抱嶷王遇苻承祖王質李堅秦松白整劉騰賈粲楊范成軌王溫孟欒平季封津劉思逸張景嵩毛暢郭秀和士開穆提婆高阿那肱韓鳳齊諸宦者

Wang Rui, Wang Zhongxing, Kou Meng, Zhao Xiu, Ru Hao, Zhao Yong, Hou Gang, Xu He, Zong Ai, Qiu Luoqi, Duan Ba, Wang Ju, Zhao Mo, Sun Xiao, Zhang Zongzhi, Ju Peng, Zhang You, Bao Ni, Wang Yu, Fu Chengzu, Wang Zhi, Li Jian, Qin Song, Bai Zheng, Liu Teng, Jia Can, Yang Fan, Cheng Gui, Wang Wen, Meng Luan, Ping Ji, Feng Jin, Liu Siyi, Zhang Jingsong, Mao Chang, Guo Xiu, He Shikai, Mu Tipo, Gao Anagong, Han Fengqi, and various eunuchs.

夫令色巧言，矯情飾貌，邀眄睞之利，射咳唾之私，乃苟進之常道也。況乃親由褻狎，恩生趨走，便僻俯仰，當寵擅權。斯乃夏桀、殷紂所以喪兩代，石顯、張讓所以翦二京焉。

To put on a pleasing face and honeyed words, to fake feeling and polish one's looks, to court the advantage of a lingering glance and to angle for the intimacy granted in a whispered confidence—these are the ordinary ways by which men claw their way forward. All the more so when favor springs from vulgar intimacy, when grace is won by scurrying at one's master's heels, and when by obsequious posturing a man comes to monopolize the ruler's affection and wield power unchecked. It was by such means that Jie of Xia and Zhou of Yin lost their dynasties, and that Shi Xian and Zhang Rang laid waste to the two imperial capitals.

魏世王睿幸於太和之初，鄭儼寵於孝昌之季，宗愛之弑帝害王，劉騰之廢後戮相，此蓋其甚者爾。其間盜宮賣爵，污辱宮闈者多矣，亦何可枚舉哉？斯乃王者所宜深誡。而齊末又有甚焉。乃自書契以降，未之有也。若乃心利錐刀，居台鼎之任；智昏菽麥，當機衡之重。亦有西域醜胡，龜茲雜伎，封王開府，接武比肩。非直獨守幸臣，且復多幹朝政。賜予之費，帑藏以虛；杼柚之資，剝掠將盡。齊運短促，固其宜哉！神武、文襄，情存庶政，文武任寄，多貞幹之臣，唯郭秀小人，有累明德。天保五年之後，雖罔念作狂，所幸有通州刺史梁伯和、陸芃兒之徒，唯左右驅馳，內外褻狎，其朝廷之事，一不與聞，故不入此傳。大寧之後，奸佞浸繁，盛業鴻基，以之顛覆，生靈厄夫左衽，非不幸也！

During the Wei, Wang Rui won favor early in the Taihe reign; in the late Xiaochang years Zheng Yan was doted upon; Zong Ai assassinated the emperor and harmed princes; Liu Teng deposed an empress and executed a chief minister—these were the most flagrant examples. Between them were countless men who looted the palace treasuries, sold rank, and debased the inner apartments—far too many to list one by one. Such conduct is what kings and emperors should heed as a solemn warning. Yet at the close of Northern Qi the abuse went further still. From the invention of writing down to that time, nothing comparable had ever been seen. Some men whose hearts were as sharp as awls for gain yet held the highest offices of state; others whose wits could scarcely tell beans from millet yet bore the weight of the empire's balances of power. There were even hideous barbarians from the Western Regions and variety players from Kucha who were enfeoffed as kings, given their own administrative offices, and ranked shoulder to shoulder with the mighty. They did not merely hoard the ruler's favor; many also meddled directly in affairs of state. The cost of their largesse emptied the state coffers; and the wealth drawn from every household was stripped nearly to the bone. Small wonder that Northern Qi's reign proved so brief! Gao Huan and Gao Cheng still took some interest in ordinary governance; for civil and military posts they chiefly entrusted upright men—only the petty Guo Xiu marred their reputation. After the fifth year of Tianbao the ruler grew reckless and dissolute, yet he had the likes of Liang Bohe, prefect of Tongzhou, and Lu Peng'er, who merely hurried to and fro at his side in private dalliance and took no part in court business; for that reason they are omitted from this account. After the Daning era flatterers multiplied without cease; the splendid foundation of the state was overturned, and the people suffered the disaster of foreign conquest—no small calamity indeed!

《魏書》有《恩幸傳》及《閹官傳》，《齊書》有《佞幸傳》。今用比次，以為《恩幸》篇云。舊書鄭儼在《恩幸》中，今從例附其家傳，其餘並編於此。其宦者之徒，尤是亡齊之一物，醜聲穢跡，千端萬緒，其事闕而不書，乃略存姓名，附之此傳之末。其帝家諸奴及胡人樂工叨竊貴幸者，亦附出焉。

The History of the Northern Wei contains accounts of favored favorites and of eunuchs; the History of Northern Qi has an account of flatterers. Here they are arranged comparatively to form this chapter on favored favorites. In the earlier histories Zheng Yan appeared among the favored favorites; by precedent his family account is attached elsewhere, and the remainder are gathered in this chapter. The eunuchs were among the chief agents of Qi's fall; their shameful deeds and sordid traces were beyond numbering—because the particulars are passed over in silence, only their names are briefly recorded here at the end of the chapter. Household slaves of the imperial clan and barbarian musicians who presumptuously won high favor are likewise appended.

王睿，字洛誠，自雲太原晉陽人也。六世祖橫，張軌參軍。晉亂，子孫因居於武威姑臧。父橋，字法生，解天文卜筮。涼州平，入京。家貧，以術自給，歷位終於侍御中散。天安初，卒，贈平遠將軍、涼州刺史、顯美侯，諡曰敬。睿少傳父業，而姿貌偉麗，景穆之在東宮，見而奇之。興安初，擢為太卜中散，稍遷為令，領太史。承明元年，文明太后臨朝，睿因緣見幸。超遷給事中。俄為散騎常侍、侍令，領太史。承明元年，文明太后臨朝，睿因緣見幸，超遷給事中。俄為散騎常侍、侍中、吏部尚書，賜爵太原公。於是內參機密，外豫政事，愛寵日隆，朝士懾憚焉。太和二年，孝文及文明太后率百僚與諸方客臨獸圈，有猛獸逸，登門閣道，幾至御坐。左右侍衛皆驚靡，睿獨執戟禦之，猛獸乃退。故親任轉重。三年春，詔睿與東陽王丕同入八議，永受復除。四年，遷尚書令，進爵中山王，加鎮東大將軍，置王官二十二人，中書侍郎鄭羲為傅，郎中令以下，皆當時名士。又拜睿妻丁氏為妃。及沙門法秀謀逆事發，多所牽引。睿曰：「與殺不辜，寧赦有罪，宜梟斬首惡，余從原赦，不亦善乎！」考文從之，得免者千餘人。

Wang Rui, courtesy name Luocheng, claimed descent from Jinyang in Taiyuan. His sixth-generation ancestor Heng had served Zhang Gui as a staff officer. When the Jin realm collapsed into chaos, the family settled at Guzang in Wuwei. His father Qiao, courtesy name Fasheng, was versed in astronomy and divination. After Liangzhou was pacified, he entered the capital. The household was poor and lived by these arts; Qiao rose through office to Palace Attendant and Central Regular Attendant. Early in the Tianan era he died and was posthumously made General Who Pacifies the Distant, Governor of Liangzhou, and Marquis of Xianmei, with the posthumous title Respectful. Rui in youth learned his father's craft, but his person was imposing and handsome; when Emperor Jingmu was crown prince he saw him and was struck by him. At the opening of the Xing'an era he was promoted to Central Regular Attendant of the Grand Diviner, then gradually advanced to director while heading the Astronomical Bureau. In the first year of Chengming, when Empress Dowager Wenming held court, Rui won her favor through circumstance. He was abruptly promoted to Attendant Within the Yellow Gates. Soon he became Regular Attendant of the Scatterers and Palace Attendant, while still heading the Astronomical Bureau. In the first year of Chengming, when Empress Dowager Wenming held court, Rui won her favor and was abruptly promoted to Attendant Within the Yellow Gates. Soon he became Regular Attendant of the Scatterers, Palace Attendant, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and was ennobled Duke of Taiyuan. Thereafter he shared in confidential counsel within and took part in government without; his favor grew daily, and court officials stood in awe of him. In the second year of Taihe, Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming led the hundred officials and foreign guests to the animal park when a fierce beast broke loose, climbed the gate-tower passage, and nearly reached the imperial seat. The attendants and guards on either side were all struck down in terror; Rui alone seized a halberd to drive it back, and the beast withdrew. From that time his intimate trust grew still heavier. In the spring of the third year an edict placed Rui together with Prince Pi of Dongyang among the eight categories of privileged offenders, granting perpetual exemption from punishment. In the fourth year he was made Director of the Department of State Affairs, advanced to Prince of Zhongshan, and given the additional title Great General Who Pacifies the East; twenty-two officials of the princely household were appointed, with Secretariat Attendant Zheng Xi as tutor, while the Director of Palace Affairs and those below were all eminent men of the day. Rui's wife, Lady Ding, was also ennobled as a princess consort. When the Buddhist monk Faxiu's treasonous plot came to light, many were implicated. Rui said, "Better to spare the guilty than to kill the innocent. The ringleaders should be beheaded and displayed, while the rest are pardoned—would that not be best? The emperor accepted this counsel, and more than a thousand persons were spared.

睿出入帷幄，太后密賜珍玩繒彩，人莫能知。率常以夜帷載閹官防致，前後钜萬，不可勝數。加以田園、奴婢、牛馬雜畜，並盡良美。大臣及左右因是以受賚賜，外示不私，所費又以萬計。及疾病、孝文、太后每親視疾，侍官省問，相望於道。及疾篤，上疏陳刑政之宜。尋薨，孝文、文明太后親臨哀慟。賜溫明秘器，宕昌公王遇監護喪事。贈衛大將軍、太宰、并州牧，諡曰宣王。內侍長董醜奴營墳墓。將葬於城東，孝文登城樓以望之。京都文士為作哀詩及誄者百餘人。乃立睿祀于都南二十里大道右，起廟，以時祭薦，並立碑銘，置守祀五家。又詔褒揚睿，圖其捍猛獸狀于諸殿，令高允為之贊。京邑士女，諂稱睿美，造新聲而弦歌之，名曰《中山王》。詔班樂府，合樂奏之。

Rui passed in and out of the inner curtains; the empress dowager secretly bestowed precious objects and silks on him that no one else could know of. He regularly had eunuchs bring them at night in curtained carts; over time the total ran to tens of thousands, beyond counting. To this were added estates, slaves, cattle, horses, and other livestock, all of the finest quality. Great ministers and those around him accordingly received gifts and rewards; outwardly he showed no favoritism, yet the sums spent again ran to tens of thousands. When he fell ill, Emperor Xiaowen and the empress dowager each personally visited him; attendants sent to inquire lined the road. When his illness grew grave, he submitted a memorial on what was fitting in punishments and government. Soon he died; Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming came in person to mourn him in grief. He was granted the warm-bright secret coffin, and Wang Yu, Duke of Dangchang, supervised the funeral. Posthumously he was made Grand General of the Guard, Grand Tutor, and Governor of Bingzhou, with the posthumous title King Xuan. Dong Chounu, chief of the inner attendants, arranged the tomb. When he was to be buried east of the city, Emperor Xiaowen ascended the city tower to look on. Literary men of the capital composed more than a hundred elegies and dirges for him. A shrine to Rui was established twenty li south of the capital on the right of the great road; a temple was raised, seasonal sacrifices offered, an inscription set up, and five households appointed to guard the cult. An edict also praised Rui and had painted in the halls his image repelling the fierce beast; Gao Yun was ordered to compose the encomium. Men and women of the capital flattered his beauty, composed a new tune, and sang it to strings under the title "The Prince of Zhongshan." An edict ordered it sent to the Music Office and performed with full orchestra.

初，睿女妻李沖兄子蕤，次女以適趙國李恢子華。女之將行，先入宮中，其禮略如公主、王女之儀。太后親禦太華殿，寢其女於帳中，睿與張祐侍坐。睿所親及兩李家丈夫、婦人列於東西廊。及女子登車，太后送過中路。時人竊謂天子、太后嫁女。睿之葬也，假親姻義舊衰絰縞冠送喪者千餘人，皆舉聲慟泣，以要榮利，時謂之義孝。

Earlier, Rui's elder daughter had married Rui, son of Li Chong's elder brother; the younger was given in marriage to Li Hua, son of Li Hui of Zhao. When the daughters were to depart, they first entered the palace; the rites were much like those for an imperial princess or a king's daughter. The empress dowager personally presided in the Taihua Hall, laid the daughter to rest in the curtained bed, while Rui and Zhang You sat in attendance. Rui's intimates and the husbands and wives of the two Li families were arrayed in the eastern and western corridors. When the girl mounted the carriage, the empress dowager escorted her beyond the middle of the road. People at the time whispered that the Son of Heaven and the empress dowager were marrying off a daughter. At Rui's burial more than a thousand persons in mourning dress and white caps, feigning kinship or old friendship, came to escort the funeral; all wailed loudly to win glory and profit—contemporaries called this "righteous mourning."

睿既貴，乃言家本太原晉陽，遂移屬焉。故其兄弟封爵，多以并州郡縣。薨後，重贈睿父橋侍中、征西將軍、左光祿大夫、儀同三司、武威王，諡曰定。追策睿母賈氏為妃，立碑于墓左。父子並葬城東，相去里餘。遷洛後，更徙葬太原晉陽故地。

Once Rui had risen high, he declared that his family was originally from Jinyang in Taiyuan and moved his household registration there. Therefore when his brothers received fiefs, it was mostly in the commanderies and counties of Bingzhou. After his death Rui's father Qiao was again posthumously made Palace Attendant, General Who Conquers the West, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness on the Left, Director with the Three Departments, and Prince of Wuwei, with the posthumous title Settled. Rui's mother, Lady Jia, was posthumously ennobled as a princess consort, and a stele was set up to the left of the tomb. Father and son were both buried east of the city, a little more than a li apart. After the capital was moved to Luoyang, they were reburied in the old lands of Jinyang in Taiyuan.

子襲，字元孫。睿薨，孝文詔襲代領都曹，為尚書令，領吏部曹。後襲王爵，例降為公。太后崩後，襲禮遇稍薄，不復關與時事。後出為并州刺史。輿駕詣洛，路幸其州，人庶多為立銘，置於大路，虛相稱美。或云襲所教也，尚書奏免其官，詔唯降號二等。卒，贈豫州刺史，諡曰質。

His son Xi, courtesy name Yuansun. When Rui died, Emperor Xiaowen ordered Xi to succeed him in heading the Departmental Section, made him Director of the Department of State Affairs, and had him head the Ministry of Personnel Section. Later he inherited the princely title, which by precedent was reduced to a dukedom. After the empress dowager died, Xi's favor grew somewhat thinner and he no longer had a part in current affairs. Later he went out as Governor of Bingzhou. When the imperial carriage went to Luoyang, the route passed through his province; the common people for the most part set up inscriptions along the great road with false praise. Some said Xi had instructed this; the Department of State Affairs memorialized to remove him from office, but an edict only reduced his rank by two grades. He died and was posthumously made Governor of Yuzhou, with the posthumous title Simple.

襲弟椿，字元壽。正始中，拜太原太守，坐事免。椿僮僕千餘，園宅華廣，聲伎自適，無乏于時。或有權椿仕者，椿笑而不答。雅有巧思，凡所營制，可為後法。由是正光中元叉將營明堂、辟雍，俗徵為將作大匠，椿聞而固辭。孝昌中，爾硃榮以汾州胡逆，表椿慰勞汾胡。汾胡與椿比州，服其聲望，所至降下。事甯，授太原太守。以預立莊帝功，封遼陽縣子，尋轉封真定縣。永熙中，除瀛州刺史。時有風雹之變，詔書廣訪讜言，椿乃上疏言政事之宜。椿性嚴察，下不容奸，所在吏人畏之重足。天平末，更滿還鄉。初，椿於宅構起査事，極為高壯。時人忽云：「此乃太原王宅，豈是王太原宅？」椿往為本郡，世皆呼為王太原。未幾，爾硃榮居椿之宅，榮封太原王焉。到于齊神武之居晉陽，霸朝所在，人士輻湊。椿禮敬親知，多所拯接。後以老病辭疾，客居趙郡之西鯉魚祠山。卒，贈尚書左僕射、太尉公、冀州刺史，諡曰文恭。及葬，齊神武親自吊送。

Xi's younger brother Chun, courtesy name Yuanshou. In the Zhengshi era he was appointed Governor of Taiyuan and was dismissed for an offense. Chun had more than a thousand servants; his gardens and residence were splendid and broad, and he enjoyed music and performers without want. When some urged Chun to take office, he smiled and did not answer. He was by nature skilled in ingenious design; whatever he planned and built could serve later men as a model. Hence in the Zhengguang era, when Yuan Cha was about to build the Bright Hall and the Imperial Academy, he was popularly summoned to be Director of Palace Construction; Chun heard of it and firmly declined. In the Xiaochang era, Erzhu Rong, on account of rebellion by the Hu of Fenzhou, memorialized that Chun should comfort and reassure the Fen Hu. The Fen Hu were of the same province as Chun and respected his reputation; wherever he went they submitted. When the affair was settled, he was appointed Governor of Taiyuan. For his merit in helping establish Emperor Zhuang, he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Liaoyang and soon transferred to the county of Zhending. In the Yongxi era he was made Governor of Yingzhou. At that time there were storms of wind and hail; an edict broadly sought forthright counsel, and Chun submitted a memorial on what was fitting in government. Chun's nature was stern and exacting; below him wickedness was not tolerated, and wherever he was posted officials and clerks feared him as though treading on thin ice. At the end of Tianping his term expired and he returned home. Earlier, Chun had built a lookout tower in his residence, extremely high and massive. People of the time suddenly remarked, "This is the mansion of the Prince of Taiyuan—how could it be the mansion of Wang of Taiyuan?" Chun had once governed his native commandery, and everyone called him Wang of Taiyuan. Before long Erzhu Rong took up residence in Chun's house, and Rong was enfeoffed as Prince of Taiyuan. When Gao Huan made his seat at Jinyang, the center of the hegemonic court, men of rank gathered there in crowds. Chun treated kinsmen and acquaintances with courtesy and rescued many from hardship. Later, citing old age and illness, he resigned and lived as a guest on Carp Shrine Mountain west of Zhao commandery. He died and was posthumously made Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Duke of Grand Commandant, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Cultured and Respectful. At his burial Gao Huan came in person to mourn and escort the funeral.

椿妻巨鹿魏悅次女，明達有遠操，多識往行前言。隨夫在華州，兄子建在洛遇患，聞而馳赴，膚容虧損，親類歎尚之。爾硃榮妻鄉郡長公主深所禮敬。永安中，詔以為南和縣君。內足於財，不以華飾為意。撫兄子收，情同己子。存拯親類，所在周給。椿名位終始，魏有力焉。卒，贈巨鹿郡君。椿無子，以兄孫叔明為後。

Chun's wife was the second daughter of Wei Yue of Julu; she was clear-sighted and far-seeing, and knew much of past conduct and earlier sayings. While following her husband in Huazhou, she learned that her brother's son Jian had fallen ill in Luoyang; she rushed there at once, her complexion wasted with care, and her kin praised her devotion. The Princess of Xiangjun, Erzhu Rong's wife, deeply honored and respected her. In the Yongan era an edict made her Lady of Nanhe county. Content with her means, she did not care for lavish adornment. She reared her brother's son Shou as though he were her own child. She preserved and aided her kin, providing for them wherever they were. Chun's rise in fame and position owed much to the Wei family. When she died she was posthumously made Lady of Julu commandery. Chun had no sons and took his elder brother's grandson Shuming as heir.

王仲興，趙郡南欒人也。父天德，起自細微，至殿中尚書。仲興幼而端謹，以父任，早給事左右，累遷越騎校尉。孝文在馬圈，自不豫、大漸迄于崩，仲興頗預侍護。宣武即位，轉左中郎將。及帝親政，與趙脩並見寵任，遷光祿大夫，領武衛將軍。雖與脩並，而畏慎自退，不若脩倨傲無禮。咸陽王禧之出奔也，當時上下微為震駭，帝遣仲興先馳入金墉安慰。後與領軍於勁參機要，因自回馬圈侍疾及入金墉功，遂封上党郡開國公。自拜武衛及受封日，車駕每臨饗其宅。宣武游幸，仲興常侍，不離左右，外事得徑以聞，百僚亦聳體而承望焉。兄可久，以仲興故，自散爵為征虜府長史，帶彭城太守。仲興世居趙郡，自以寒微，雲舊出京兆霸城，故為雍州大中正。尚書後以仲興賞報過優，北海王詳嘗以面啟，奏請降減，事久不決。可久在徐州，恃仲興寵勢，輕侮司馬梁郡太守李長壽，乃令僮僕邀毆長壽，遂折其脅。州以表聞，北海王詳因百僚朝集，厲色大言曰：「徐州名籓，先帝所重，朝廷云何簡用上佐，遂至此紛紜，以徹荒外，豈不為國醜辱！」仲興是後漸疏。宣武乃下詔奪其封邑。後卒于并州刺史。

Wang Zhongxing was a native of Nanluan in Zhao commandery. His father Tiande rose from humble origins to become Director of the Palace. Zhongxing in youth was proper and careful; through his father's position he entered service at the ruler's side while still young and rose to Colonel of the Rapid-as-Leopards Cavalry. When Emperor Xiaowen was at the horse park, from his first illness through his grave decline until his death, Zhongxing took part in attending and guarding him. When Emperor Xuanwu ascended the throne, Zhongxing was transferred to General of the Left Guard. When the emperor personally took power, he and Zhao Xiu alike were favored and entrusted; he was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and concurrently Great General of the Martial Guard. Although he stood with Xiu, he was fearful and cautious and held himself back, unlike Xiu's arrogance and lack of courtesy. When Prince Xi of Xianyang fled, court and capital were slightly shaken; the emperor sent Zhongxing ahead at full gallop into Jinyong to reassure the people. Later, together with Commander-in-Chief Yu Jin he shared in confidential affairs; because of his merit in attending illness at the horse park and entering Jinyong, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Shangdang with an open fief. From the day he was appointed to the Martial Guard and received his fief, the imperial carriage each time came to feast at his residence. When Emperor Xuanwu went on excursions, Zhongxing constantly attended and never left his side; outside affairs could reach the emperor through him, and the hundred officials stood in awe and looked up to him. His elder brother Kejiu, because of Zhongxing, rose from a scattered noble title to Chief Clerk of the General Who Pacifies the Barbarians' headquarters, concurrently holding the post of Governor of Pengcheng. Zhongxing's family had long lived in Zhao commandery; considering himself of humble origin, he claimed his clan originally came from Bacheng in Jingzhao and therefore became Chief Rectifier of Yongzhou. The Department of State Affairs later held that Zhongxing's rewards were excessively generous; Prince Xiang of Beihai once spoke to him face to face and memorialized to request reduction, but the matter long went undecided. Kejiu in Xuzhou relied on Zhongxing's favor and power and lightly insulted Li Changshou, Administrator of Liang commandery and acting Governor of Xuzhou; he had his servants waylay and beat Changshou and broke his ribs. The province reported it to the throne; at an assembly when the hundred officials paid court, Prince Xiang of Beihai spoke sternly in a loud voice: "Xuzhou is a famous frontier, heavily valued by the late emperor—how could the court so lightly appoint its chief administrator, with the result that such turmoil arose, to alarm the distant borderlands? Is this not a national disgrace!" After this Zhongxing was gradually estranged. Emperor Xuanwu then issued an edict stripping his fief. Later he died while Governor of Bingzhou.

宣武時，又有上穀寇猛，少以姿幹充武賁，稍遷至武衛將軍。出入禁中，無所拘忌。自以上穀寇氏，得補燕州大中正，而不能甄別士庶也。卒，贈燕州刺史。

In Emperor Xuanwu's time there was also Kou Meng of Shanggu; in youth, for his looks and bearing, he filled a post in the Martial Guard and gradually rose to Great General of the Martial Guard. He went in and out of the forbidden precincts without restraint. Because his clan was the Kou of Shanggu, he was appointed Chief Rectifier of Yanzhou, yet he could not distinguish gentry from commoners. He died and was posthumously made Governor of Yanzhou.

趙修，字景業，趙郡房子人也。父謐，陽武令。修本給事東宮，為白衣左右，頗有膂力。宣武踐阼，愛遇日隆。然天性暗塞，不親書疏。宣武親政，旬月間頻有轉授。每受除設宴，帝幸其宅，諸王公百僚悉從，帝親見其母。

Zhao Xiu, courtesy name Jingye, was a native of Fangzi in Zhao commandery. His father Mi was Magistrate of Yangwu. Xiu had originally served in the Eastern Palace as a white-robed attendant at the ruler's side and was rather strong in physique. When Emperor Xuanwu ascended the throne, his favor grew daily. Yet by nature he was dull and obstructed and did not attend to documents. When Emperor Xuanwu personally took power, within a month he received frequent promotions. Each time he received an appointment a feast was set; the emperor visited his residence, and all the princes, dukes, and hundred officials followed; the emperor personally saw his mother.

修能劇飲，至於逼勸觴爵，雖北海王詳、廣陽王嘉等皆亦不免，必致困亂。每適郊廟，修常驂陪，出入華林，恆乘馬至禁內。咸陽王禧誅，其家財貨多賜高肇及脩。修之葬父，百官自王公已下，無不弔祭，酒犢祭奠之具，填塞門街，。于京師為制碑銘、石獸、石柱，皆發人車牛，傳致本縣，財用之費，悉自公家。凶吉車乘將百兩，道路供給，皆出於官。時將馬射，宣武留修過之，帝如射宮，又驂乘，輅車旒竿觸東門折。脩恐不逮葬日，驛赴窆期。左右求從及特遣者數十人，修道路嬉戲，殆無戚容，或與賓客奸掠婦女裸觀，從者噂栎遝喧嘩，詬詈無節，莫不畏而惡之。是年，又為修廣增宅舍，多所並兼，洞門高堂，房廡周博，崇麗擬于諸王。其四面鄰居，賂入其地者侯天盛兄弟，越次出補長史大郡。

Xiu could drink heavily; when it came to pressing others to drink, even Prince Xiang of Beihai, Prince Jia of Guangyang, and the like could not escape, and he always reduced them to disorder. Whenever he went to the suburban altars or ancestral temples, Xiu regularly rode in the side carriage as escort; going in and out of the Flowery Grove, he always rode a horse into the inner forbidden precinct. When Prince Xi of Xianyang was executed, much of his family's wealth and goods were bestowed on Gao Zhao and Xiu. At Xiu's burial of his father, from the princes and dukes downward no one failed to offer mourning sacrifices; wine, oxen, and offerings filled the streets before the gate. In the capital he had made regulated stele inscriptions, stone beasts, and stone pillars, all sent for by conscripting men and ox-carts and transported to his native county at public expense. Funeral and auspicious carriages and teams numbered nearly a hundred; supplies along the road all came from the government. At that time there was to be horse archery; Emperor Xuanwu detained Xiu to pass the time with him; the emperor went to the archery park, and Xiu again rode in the side carriage; the tasselled pole of the imperial carriage struck the eastern gate and broke. Xiu feared he would not reach the burial day and took post-horses to rush to the interment date. Those at his side who sought to follow and special envoys numbered several tens; Xiu amused himself along the road, almost without a grieving countenance, and sometimes with guests seized and raped women for naked viewing; his followers clamored without restraint and abused passersby without limit—none did not fear and detest him. That year he again had Xiu's residence broadly enlarged; he annexed many neighboring properties; lofty gates and high halls, rooms and corridors broad all around, their splendor rivaling the princes. His neighbors on all four sides who bribed their way into his land were the brothers Hou Tiansheng, who leapfrogged others to be appointed Chief Clerk of great commanderies.

修起自賤伍，暴致富貴，奢傲無禮，物情所疾，困其在外，左右或諷糾其罪。自其葬父還也，舊寵小薄。初，王顯附修，後因忿鬩，密伺其過，列修葬父時，路中淫亂不軌。又云與長安人趙僧愔謀匿玉印事。高肇、甄琛等構成其罪，乃密以聞。始琛及李憑等曲事修，無所不至，懼相連及，乃爭共糾扌適。遂有詔按其罪惡，鞭之一百，徒敦煌為兵。其家宅作徒，即仰停罷，所親在內者，悉令出禁。是日，修詣領軍於勁第，與之樗蒱。籌未及畢，羽林數人，相續而至，稱詔呼之。脩驚起，隨出。路中執引脩馬詣領軍府。琛與顯監決其罪，先具問事有力者五人，更迭鞭之，占令必死。旨決百靴，其實三百。修素肥壯，腰腹博碩，堪忍楚毒，了不轉動。鞭訖，即召驛馬，促之令發。出城西門，不自勝舉，縛置鞍中，急驅馳之，其母妻追隨，不得與語，行八十里乃死。

Xiu rose from base ranks and suddenly grew rich and noble; extravagant and arrogant without courtesy, he was detested by public sentiment; while he was away outside, those at his side sometimes admonished and reported his crimes. From the time he returned from burying his father, his old favor grew somewhat thin. Earlier Wang Xian had attached himself to Xiu; later, because of a quarrel of resentment, he secretly watched for his faults and reported that on the road while burying his father Xiu had been licentious and disorderly. He also said that with Zhao Sengyin of Chang'an he plotted to conceal a jade seal. Gao Zhao, Zhen Chen, and others fabricated his crime and secretly reported it. At first Chen and Li Ping and others had curried favor with Xiu without limit, fearing they would be implicated; therefore they all strove to accuse and impeach him. Thereupon an edict was issued to investigate his crimes; he was flogged one hundred strokes and banished to Dunhuang as a soldier. His family residence was made into convict labor and immediately stopped; those close to him within the palace were all ordered out of the forbidden precinct. That day Xiu went to Commander-in-Chief Yu Jin's residence to play liubo with him. Before the game was finished, several men of the Imperial Guard came in succession, calling him by edict. Xiu started up in alarm and followed them out. On the road they seized Xiu's horse and led him to the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters. Chen and Xian supervised the execution of his punishment; they first prepared five strong men for questioning and had them take turns flogging him, calculating that he must die. The edict decided on one hundred strokes, but in fact it was three hundred. Xiu had always been fat and robust; his waist and belly were broad and thick; he could endure the cruel blows and did not stir at all. When the flogging was finished they immediately summoned post-horses and urged him to set out. Leaving the western city gate, he could no longer hold himself up; they bound him on the saddle and drove him hard; his mother and wife followed in pursuit but could not speak with him; after eighty li he died.

初，於後之入，修之力也。修死後，領軍於勁猶追感舊意，經恤其家。自余朝士昔相宗承者，悉棄絕之，以示己之疏遠焉。

Earlier, when Empress Yu entered the palace, it was through Xiu's effort. After Xiu died, Commander-in-Chief Yu Jin still recalled their old ties and looked after his family. The other court gentlemen who had formerly associated with him all cast him off, to show their own distance from him.

茹皓，字禽奇，舊吳人也。父謙之，本名要，隨宋巴陵王休若為將，至彭城，遂寓居淮陽上黨。皓年十五六，為縣金曹吏。南徐州刺史沈陵見而善之，自隨入洛，舉充孝文白衣左右。宣武踐阼，皓侍直禁中，稍被寵接。宣武嘗拜山陵，路中欲引與同車，黃門侍郎元匡切諫乃止。乃帝親政，皓眷賚日隆。時趙脩亦被幸，妒之，求出皓。皓亦慮見危禍，不樂內官，遂超授濮陽太守，其父因皓，訟理舊勳，先除兗州陽平太守，賜以子爵。父子剖符名邦，郡境相接。皓忻於去內，不以疏外為戚。及趙脩等敗，竟獲全。雖起微細，為守乃清簡寡事。後授左中郎將，領直閣，寵待如前。皓既宦達，自雲本出雁門，雁門人諂附者，乃因薦皓于司徒，請為肆州大中正，詔特依許。遷驍騎將軍，領華林諸作。皓性微工巧，多所興立，為山于天泉池西，採掘北芒及南山佳石，徙竹汝、潁，羅蒔其間。經構樓觀，列於上下，樹草栽木，頗有野致。帝心悅之，以時臨幸。

Ru Hao, courtesy name Qinqi, was formerly a man of Wu. His father Qianzhi, original name Yao, followed Prince Xiuling of Song as a general to Pengcheng and there settled in Shangdang in Huaiyang. When Hao was fifteen or sixteen he was a metal-bureau clerk of the county. Shen Ling, Inspector of Southern Xuzhou, saw him and favored him, taking him along into Luoyang; he was recommended to fill a post as white-robed attendant at Emperor Xiaowen's side. When Emperor Xuanwu ascended the throne, Hao attended duty in the forbidden precinct and was gradually received in favor. Emperor Xuanwu once went to pay respects at the mountain tombs; on the road he wished to have Hao ride in the same carriage, but Attendant Within the Yellow Gates Yuan Kuang remonstrated sharply and stopped it. When the emperor personally took power, Hao's favor and gifts grew daily. At that time Zhao Xiu was also favored; jealous of him, he sought to have Hao sent out. Hao also feared he would meet with disaster and did not relish inner office; he was abruptly appointed Governor of Puyang; because of Hao his father pleaded the old merit of their clan and was first made Governor of Yangping in Yanzhou and granted a viscount's title. Father and son held separate credentials in famous commanderies with adjoining territories. Hao rejoiced at leaving the inner quarters and did not regard being sent outside as a sorrow. When Zhao Xiu and the others fell, he in the end escaped unscathed. Although he rose from humble origins, as governor he was pure and simple and had few affairs. Later he was appointed General of the Left Guard and concurrently head of the Direct Attendance Office; favor and treatment were as before. Once Hao had risen in office he claimed for himself that his origin was Yanmen; men of Yanmen who flattered and attached themselves therefore recommended Hao to the Minister of State and requested him as Chief Rectifier of Sizhou; an edict specially approved it as requested. He was transferred to General of Valiant Cavalry and concurrently head of all works of the Flowery Grove. Hao was by nature slightly skilled in ingenious craft and raised up many constructions; he made a mountain west of the Heavenly Spring Pool, quarrying fine stone from Northern Mang and the southern mountains, transplanting bamboo from the Ru and Ying, and planting them round about. He planned towers and pavilions ranged above and below; trees, grass, and plantings had much of the flavor of the wild. The emperor's heart was pleased and from time to time he visited.

皓貴寵日升，關豫政事，太傅、北海王詳以下，咸祗憚之。皓娶僕射高肇從妹，于帝為從母，迎納之日，詳親詣之，禮以馬物，皓又為弟聘安豐王延明妹，延明恥非舊流，不許。詳勸之云：「欲覓官職，如何不與茹皓婚姻也？」延明乃從焉。皓頗敏慧，折節下人，潛自經營，陰有納受，貨產盈積，起宅宮西，朝貴弗及。時帝雖親萬務，皓率常居內，留宿不還，傳可門下奏事。未幾，轉光祿少卿。意殊不已，方欲陳馬圈從先帝勞，更希榮舉。

Hao's exalted favor rose daily; he took part in government affairs; from the Grand Tutor, Prince Xiang of Beihai, downward, all stood in awe of him. Hao married the younger cousin of Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Gao Zhao; to the emperor she was a maternal aunt; on the day of the welcome and reception Prince Xiang personally came to him and presented gifts of horses and goods; Hao also arranged a marriage for his younger brother with the younger sister of Prince Yanming of Anfeng, but Yanming was ashamed that she was not of an old lineage and did not permit it. Prince Xiang earnestly urged him, saying, "If you wish to seek office, why not give your daughter in marriage to Ru Hao? Yanming thereupon consented. Hao was rather clever and quick-witted; he humbled himself before others while secretly managing his own affairs; he secretly accepted bribes until his wealth piled up, and he built a residence west of the palace that court nobles could not match. Although the emperor then personally handled state affairs, Hao regularly stayed within and did not return at night, transmitting and approving memorials at the Gate of the Chancellery. Before long he was transferred to Vice Director of the Chamberlain for Attendants. His ambition was by no means satisfied; he was about to cite his service at the horse park to the late emperor and hoped for further honors.

初，脩、皓之寵，北海王詳皆附之。又直閣劉胄本為詳薦，常感恩。高肇素嫉諸王，常規陷害，既知詳與皓等交關相昵，乃構之，雲皓等將有異謀。宣武乃召中尉崔亮，令奏皓、胄、常季賢、陳掃靜四人擅勢納賄及私亂諸事。即日執皓等，皆詣南台，翌日，奏處殺之。皓妻被髮出堂，哭而迎皓。皓徑入哭別，食椒而死。

Earlier, when Xiu and Hao were favored, Prince Xiang of Beihai had attached himself to them. Also, Direct Attendant Liu Zhou had originally been recommended by Xiang and constantly felt gratitude toward him. Gao Zhao had always resented the princes and regularly plotted to entrap them; learning that Xiang was on intimate terms with Hao and the others, he fabricated charges that they were plotting rebellion. Emperor Xuanwu then summoned Chief Commandant Cui Liang and ordered him to memorialize that Hao, Zhou, Chang Jixian, and Chen Saojing had usurped power, accepted bribes, and privately committed various disorderly acts. That very day Hao and the others were arrested and sent to the Southern Terrace; the next day a memorial was submitted sentencing them to death. Hao's wife came out of the hall with her hair unbound, weeping as she went to meet him. Hao went straight in to take leave in tears and ate pepper to die.

胄字元孫，後位直閣將軍。

Zhou, courtesy name Yuansun, later reached the post of Direct Attendant General.

季賢起于主馬，宣武初好騎乘，因是獲寵。位司藥丞，仍主廄閑。

Jixian rose from managing the imperial horses; when Emperor Xuanwu first loved riding, he thereby won favor. He reached the post of Director of the Pharmacy Bureau and still managed the stables.

掃靜、徐義恭，並彭城舊營人。掃靜能為宣武典櫛梳，義恭善執衣服，並以巧便，旦夕居中，愛幸相侔，官敘不異。二人皆承皓，皓亦接眷。而掃靜偏為親密，與皓常在左右，略不歸休。皓敗，掃靜亦死於家。義恭小心謹慎，皓等死後，彌見幸信。宣武不豫，義恭晝夜扶抱，崩於懷中。義恭諂附元叉，叉有淫宴，多在其宅。位終左光祿大夫。

Saojing and Xu Yigong were both old camp followers from Pengcheng. Saojing could attend Emperor Xuanwu in combing and dressing; Yigong was skilled at holding garments; both were dexterous and from morning to evening were in the inner quarters; their favor was comparable, and their official ranks were alike. Both men relied on Hao, and Hao also received them in favor. Yet Saojing was especially intimate; he and Hao were constantly at the ruler's side and scarcely returned home to rest. When Hao fell, Saojing also died at home. Yigong was careful and cautious; after Hao and the others died, he was still more favored and trusted. When Emperor Xuanwu was ill, Yigong supported and embraced him day and night; the emperor died in his arms. Yigong flattered and attached himself to Yuan Cha; Cha's licentious feasts were often held at his residence. He ended as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness on the Left.

趙邕，字令和，自雲南陽人也。潔白美髭眉。司空李沖之貴寵也。邕以少年端謹，出入其家，頗給桉磨奔走之役。沖令與諸子遊處，人有束帶謁沖者，時托之以自通。太和中，給事左右，至殿中監。宣武即位及親政，猶居本任。微與趙脩結為宗援，然亦不甚相附也。邕父怡，以邕寵，召拜太常少卿，尋為荊州大中正，出為荊州刺史。怡乃致其母喪，葬于宛城之南，趙氏舊墟。後拜金紫光祿大夫，卒，贈相州刺史。宣武每出入郊廟，脩恆以常侍兼侍中陪乘，而邕兼奉車都尉，執轡同載。時人竊論，號為二趙。以趙出南陽，徙屬荊州。邕轉給事中，南陽中正。以父為荊州大中正，罷。宣武崩，邕兼給事黃門。後為幽州刺史，貪與范陽盧氏為婚，女父早亡，其叔許之，而母不從。母北平陽氏，攜女至家藏避，規免。邕乃考掠陽叔，遂至於死。陽氏訴冤，邕坐處死。會赦，免。孝昌初，卒。

Zhao Yong, courtesy name Linghe, claimed descent from Nanyang. He was fair-complexioned, with handsome beard and eyebrows. He rose when Li Chong was Minister of Works. Yong in youth was proper and careful; he went in and out of Chong's household and often performed tasks of grinding ink and running errands. Chong had him associate with his sons; when visitors came formally to call on Chong, they would entrust Yong to announce them. In the Taihe era he served at the ruler's side and reached Director of the Palace. When Emperor Xuanwu ascended the throne and personally took power, he still held his original post. He slightly joined Zhao Xiu in clan alliance, yet he did not attach himself very closely. Yong's father Yi, because of Yong's favor, was summoned and appointed Vice Director of the Chamberlain for Ceremonials; soon he became Chief Rectifier of Jingzhou and went out as Governor of Jingzhou. Yi then brought his mother's coffin and buried her south of Wancheng on the old ruins of the Zhao clan. Later he was made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Ornament; he died and was posthumously made Governor of Xiangzhou. Whenever Emperor Xuanwu went to the suburban altars and ancestral temples, Xiu regularly rode in the side carriage as Regular Attendant and concurrently Palace Attendant, while Yong as Director of the Imperial Carriage held the reins in the same carriage. People of the time privately called them the Two Zhaos. Because the Zhao clan came from Nanyang, their registration was moved to Jingzhou. Yong was transferred to Attendant Within the Yellow Gates and Chief Rectifier of Nanyang. Because his father was Chief Rectifier of Jingzhou, he was dismissed. When Emperor Xuanwu died, Yong concurrently served as Attendant of the Yellow Gates. Later he became Governor of Youzhou; greedy for a marriage with the Lu clan of Fanyang, the girl's father had died early and her uncle consented, but the mother did not agree. The mother was Lady Yang of Beiping; she took the girl home to hide and avoid the marriage. Yong then tortured and flogged Lady Yang's uncle until he died. Lady Yang appealed her wrong; Yong was sentenced to death. An amnesty came and he was pardoned. In the beginning of Xiaochang he died.

侯剛，字乾之，河南洛陽人也。其先代人，本出寒微。少以善於鼎俎，得進膳出入，積官至嘗食典禦。宣武以其質直，賜名剛焉。稍遷左中郎將，領刀劍左右，後領太子中庶子。宣武崩，剛與侍中崔光迎明帝於東宮，尋除衛尉卿，封武陽縣侯。俄為侍中、撫軍將軍、恆州大中正，進爵為公。熙平中，侍中游肇出為相州，剛言于靈太后曰：「昔高氏擅權，遊肇抗衡不屈，而出牧一籓，未盡其美。宜還引入，以輔聖主。」太后善之。

Hou Gang, courtesy name Qianzhi, was a native of Luoyang in Henan. His ancestors for generations were commoners; the family originally came from humble origins. In youth his skill with dishes and sacrificial vessels won him entry to the imperial kitchens; rising through the ranks, he eventually became Director of Imperial Tasting. Emperor Xuanwu gave him the name Gang in recognition of his plainspoken character. He was promoted step by step to Left Commandant of the Center, commanding the emperor's sword bearers at court, and later served as Grand Tutor Attendant to the Crown Prince. When Emperor Xuanwu died, Gang and Palace Attendant Cui Guang went to the Eastern Palace to install Emperor Ming; he was soon made Commandant of the Guard and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuyang County. Before long he held the posts of Palace Attendant, General Who Pacifies the Army, and Chief Rectifier of Heng Province, and was raised to the rank of duke. During the Xiping era, when Palace Attendant You Zhao was sent out as governor of Xiang Province, Gang told Empress Dowager Ling: "When the Gao clan once held unchecked power, You Zhao stood up to them without bending, yet he was posted to govern a single frontier province—surely he has not been given his full due. He ought to be recalled to court to aid the sovereign. The empress dowager approved.

剛寵任既隆，江陽王繼、尚書長孫承業皆以女妻其子。司空、任城王澄以其起由膳宰，頗竊侮之云：「此近為我舉食。」然公坐對集，敬遇不虧。後剛坐掠殺試射羽林，為御史中尉元匡所彈，處剛大辟。尚書令、任城王澄為之言于靈太后，令削封三百戶，解嘗食典禦。剛於是頗為失意。剛自太和進食，遂為典禦，曆兩都、三帝、二太后，將三十年，至此始解。御史中尉元匡之廢也，剛為太傅、清河王懌所舉，除車騎將軍，領御史中尉。及領軍元叉執政，剛長子，叉之妹夫，乃引剛為侍中、左衛將軍，還領嘗食典禦，以為枝援。復令御史中尉。剛啟軍旅稍興，國用不足，求以己邑俸粟，賑給征人，比至軍下。明帝許之。

As Gang's favor rose ever higher, Prince Jiangyang Ji and Minister of Works Changsun Chengye married their daughters to his sons. Yuan Cheng, Prince of Rencheng and Minister of Works, looked down on him for having come up from the kitchens and was heard to mutter: "Not long ago this fellow was waiting on me at table. Yet in public assemblies he still treated him with full courtesy. Later Gang was impeached by Director of the Censorate Yuan Kuang for plundering and killing during an Imperial Guard archery trial, and was sentenced to death. Minister of Works Yuan Cheng, Prince of Rencheng, pleaded his case before Empress Dowager Ling, who reduced his fief by three hundred households and stripped him of the directorship of Imperial Tasting. Gang was deeply disheartened. Gang had entered the kitchens in the Taihe era and served as Director of Imperial Tasting through two capitals, three emperors, and two empresses dowager—nearly thirty years—before he was relieved of the post. When Yuan Kuang was removed as Director of the Censorate, Grand Tutor Yuan Yi, Prince of Qinghe, recommended Gang, who was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and again put in charge of the censorate. When Yuan Cha, Director of the Army, seized power, he brought in Gang—whose eldest son was Cha's brother-in-law—as Palace Attendant and General of the Left Guard, restoring him to the directorship of Imperial Tasting as a pillar of support. He was again appointed Director of the Censorate. Gang reported that military levies were growing while state funds ran short, and asked that grain from his fief income be used to feed conscripts right down to the front-line armies. Emperor Ming approved.

孝昌元年，除領軍。初，元叉之解領軍，靈太后以叉腹心尚多，恐難卒制，故權以剛代之，示安其意。尋出為冀州刺史。剛在道，詔暴其朋黨元叉，逼脅內外，降為征虜將軍，余悉削黜。終於家。永安中，贈司徒公。剛以上谷先有侯氏，於是始家焉。

In the first year of Xiaochang he was made Director of the Army. When Yuan Cha was first removed as Director of the Army, Empress Dowager Ling feared she could not quickly tame his many loyalists, and so temporarily put Gang in his place to mollify him. He was soon posted out as governor of Ji Province. While Gang was en route, an edict exposed his associate Yuan Cha for intimidating the court inside and out; Gang was demoted to General Who Conquers the Barbarians and all his other honors were stripped away. He died at home. In the Yong'an era he was posthumously made Duke of Minister of Works. Since Shanggu had long been home to the Hou clan, Gang established his family seat there.

徐紇字，武伯，樂安博昌人也。家世寒微。紇少好學，頗以文詞見稱。宣武初，自主書除中書舍人。諂附趙脩，脩誅，坐徙枹罕。雖在徒役，志氣不撓。故事，捉逃役流兵五人者，聽免，紇以此得還。久之，復除中書舍人。太傅、清河王懌以文翰待之。及元叉害懌，出為雁門太守，稱母老解郡。尋飾貌事叉，大得叉意。

Xu He, styled Wubo, came from Bochang in Le'an Commandery. His family had been humble for generations. From youth he loved study and won recognition for his literary talent. Early in Emperor Xuanwu's reign he was appointed Secretariat Drafter on the strength of his calligraphy. He fawned on Zhao Xiu; when Xiu was executed he was implicated and banished to Bohan. Though condemned to penal labor, his spirit never broke. Under existing rules, anyone who captured five fugitive soldiers or deserters could be released from service; He secured his return by this means. After a long interval he was again made Secretariat Drafter. Grand Tutor Yuan Yi, Prince of Qinghe, treated him as a literary companion. After Yuan Cha killed Yuan Yi, he was posted as governor of Yanmen, then resigned citing his mother's advanced age. Before long he trimmed his manner to court Cha and won his deep favor.

靈太后反政，以紇曾為懌所顧待，復自母憂中起為中書舍人。曲事鄭儼，是以特被信任，俄遷給事黃門侍郎，仍領舍人，總攝中書、門下事，軍國詔命，莫不由之。時有急速，令數吏執筆，或行或臥，人別占之，造次俱成，不失事理，雖無雅才，咸得濟用。時黃門侍郎太原王遵業、琅邪王誦，並稱文學，亦不免為紇執筆，承其指授。紇機辯有智數，當公斷決，終日不以為勞。長直禁中，略無休息。時復與沙門講論，或分宵達曙，而心力無怠，道俗嘆服之。然性浮動，慕權利，外似謇正，內實諂諛。時豪勝己，必相陵駕；書生貧士，矯意禮之。其詭態若此，有識鄙焉。紇既處腹心，參斷機密，勢傾一時，遠近填湊。與鄭儼、李神軌寵任相亞，時稱徐、鄭焉。然無經國大體，好行小數，說靈太后以鐵券間爾硃榮左右。榮知，深以為憾，啟求誅之。榮將入洛，既克河梁，紇矯詔夜開殿中，取驊騮御馬十餘疋，東走兗州。羊侃時為太山太守，紇往投之，說侃令舉兵。侃從之，遂聚兵反，共紇圍兗州。孝莊初，遣侍中於暉為行台，與齊神武討之。紇慮不免，說侃請乞師于梁，侃信之，遂奔梁。文筆駁論十卷，多有遺落，時或存於世焉。

When Empress Dowager Ling reclaimed power, He—who had once enjoyed Yuan Yi's patronage—was recalled from mourning for his mother and restored as Secretariat Drafter. He abased himself before Zheng Yan and thereby won exceptional trust; he was soon promoted to Supervising Secretary of the Yellow Gate while retaining his drafter duties, overseeing Secretariat and Chancellery business so that every military and state decree passed through his hands. In urgent cases he had several clerks take dictation on the move or even lying down, each covering a separate thread; drafts were finished in haste yet never lost their point. Unrefined though they were, they always served their purpose. Even Wang Zunye of Taiyuan and Wang Song of Langya—Supervising Secretaries famed for literary skill—had to take dictation for He and follow his instructions. Quick-witted and crafty, he could preside over public deliberations all day without fatigue. He kept long watches within the palace and scarcely rested. At times he debated with Buddhist monks through the night until dawn, yet his energy never flagged—monks and laymen alike marveled at him. Yet he was restless by nature, greedy for power and profit; upright in appearance, he was a flatterer at heart. Toward contemporaries more powerful than himself he always tried to dominate; toward poor scholars and men of humble station he put on exaggerated courtesy. Such were his double-faced ways, and men of judgment held him in contempt. Once established at the emperor's side, he shared in weighty secrets, eclipsed all rivals for a time, and was thronged by petitioners from far and near. His favor and trust rivaled those of Zheng Yan and Li Shengui, and people spoke of him together with Zheng as Xu and Zheng. He had no grasp of statecraft on a grand scale and loved petty schemes, persuading Empress Dowager Ling to use iron tallies to drive wedges among Erzhu Rong's close associates. When Rong learned of this he was deeply aggrieved and submitted a memorial requesting He's execution. When Rong was about to enter Luoyang after capturing Heqiao, He forged an edict, opened the palace offices by night, seized more than ten imperial horses, and fled east to Yanzhou. Yang Kan was then governor of Taishan; He went to him and urged him to raise an army. Kan agreed, raised troops in revolt, and together with He besieged Yanzhou. Early in Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, Attendant-in-Ordinary Yu Hui was dispatched as head of a mobile headquarters to suppress them with Gao Huan. Fearing he could not escape, He persuaded Kan to request troops from Liang; Kan believed him and fled to Liang. His ten-scroll literary work Bolun has suffered many losses, though portions still circulate from time to time.

宗愛不知其所由來，以罪為閹人，曆碎職至中常侍。正平元年元正，太武大會于江上，班賞群臣，以愛為秦郡公。景穆之監國也，每事精察，愛天性險暴，行多非法，景穆每銜之。給事中侯道盛、侍郎任平城等任事東宮，微為權勢，太武頗聞之。二人與愛並不睦，愛懼道盛等案其事，遂構告其罪，詔斬道盛等於都街。時太武震怒，景穆遂以憂薨。

No one knew where Zong Ai came from; punished for a crime, he entered the palace as a eunuch and rose through minor posts to Palace Regular Attendant. On New Year's Day in the first year of Zhengping, Emperor Taiwu held a great assembly on the river, rewarded the ministers, and enfeoffed Ai as Duke of Qin Commandery. While supervising the realm, Jingmu scrutinized every matter closely; Ai was cruel and violent by nature and often acted unlawfully, and Jingmu always resented him. Palace Attendant Hou Daosheng, Gentleman Ren Pingcheng, and others managed Eastern Palace affairs and wielded a measure of power; Emperor Taiwu heard frequent reports of it. The two were on bad terms with Ai; fearing they would investigate him, Ai fabricated charges against them, and an edict ordered Daosheng and the others beheaded in the capital streets. Emperor Taiwu was furious, and Jingmu died of grief.

是後，太武追悼不已，愛懼誅，遂謀逆。二年春，太武暴崩，愛所為也。尚書左僕射蘭延、侍中吳興公和疋、侍中太原公薛提等秘不發喪。延、疋二人議，以文成沖幼、欲立長君，徵秦王翰，置之秘室。提以文成有世嫡之重，不可廢所宜立而更求君。延等猶豫未決。愛知其謀。始愛負罪於東宮，而與吳王餘素協，乃密迎餘，自中宮便門入，矯皇后令徵延等。延等以愛素賤，弗之疑，皆隨之入。愛先使閹豎三十人持仗于宮內，及延等入，以次收縛，斬于殿堂。執秦王翰，殺之於永巷，而立餘。余以愛為大司馬、大將軍、太師、都督中外諸軍事，領中秘書，封馮翊王。

Thereafter, as Emperor Taiwu mourned without end, Ai feared execution and plotted treason. In the spring of the second year Emperor Taiwu died suddenly—Ai was responsible. Left Vice Director Lan Yan, Palace Attendant Duke of Wuxing He Pi, Palace Attendant Duke of Taiyuan Xue Ti, and others concealed the death and did not announce mourning. Yan and Pi argued that since Emperor Wencheng was young they should install an elder ruler; they summoned Prince of Qin Han and confined him in a secret chamber. Ti argued that Emperor Wencheng carried the weight of legitimate succession and that they could not set aside the rightful heir and seek another ruler. Yan and the others hesitated and could not reach a decision. Ai learned of their plot. Ai had earlier offended the Eastern Palace but was long allied with Prince of Wu Yu; he secretly welcomed Yu through the inner palace side gate and forged the empress's order summoning Yan and the others. Because Ai had always been lowly, Yan and the others did not suspect him and all followed him inside. Ai had posted thirty armed eunuchs in the palace; when Yan and the others entered, they were seized one by one and beheaded in the hall. They seized Prince of Qin Han, killed him in Yong Lane, and enthroned Yu. Yu appointed Ai Grand Marshal, Grand General, Grand Preceptor, Commander-in-Chief of All Forces at Home and Abroad, and head of the Central Secretariat, enfeoffing him as Prince of Fengyi.

分既立餘，位居元輔，錄三省，兼總戎禁，坐召公卿，權恣日甚，內外憚之。群情咸以為愛必有趙高、閻樂之禍，餘疑之，遂謀奪其權。愛憤怒，使小黃門賈周等夜殺餘。文成立，誅愛、周等，皆具五刑，夷三族。

With Yu enthroned, Ai became chief minister, oversaw the Three Ministries, and controlled military guards; he summoned ministers while seated, his power grew ever more arbitrary, and court and realm feared him. Everyone believed Ai would meet the fate of Zhao Gao and Yan Le; Yu grew suspicious and plotted to seize his power. In fury Ai had Lesser Yellow Gate Jia Zhou and others kill Yu by night. When Emperor Wencheng took the throne, Ai, Zhou, and the others were executed with the full five punishments and their three clans were exterminated.

仇洛齊，中山人也，本姓侯氏。外祖父仇款，始出馮翊重泉，款仕石季龍末，徙鄴南枋頭。仕慕容痈為烏丸護軍、長水校尉。生二子，長曰嵩，小曰騰。嵩仕慕容垂，遷居中山，位殿中侍御史。嵩有二子，長曰廣，小曰盆。嵩妹子洛齊，生而非男，嵩養為子，因為仇姓。初，嵩長女有姿色，充冉閔婦。閔破，入慕容俊，又轉賜盧豚，生子魯元。魯元有寵于太武，而知外祖嵩已死，唯有三舅，每言於帝。帝為訪其舅。時東方罕有仕者，廣、盆皆不樂入平城。洛齊獨請行曰：「我養子，兼人道不全，當為兄弟試禍福也。」乃乘驢赴京。魯元候知將至，結從者百餘騎，迎于桑乾河，見而下拜，從者亦同致敬。入言于太武。太武問其才用所宜，魯元曰：「臣舅不幸，生為閹人，唯合與陛下守宮闈耳。」而不言其養子。帝矜焉，引見敘用，賜爵文安子，稍遷給事黃門侍郎。

Qiu Luoqi was from Zhongshan; his original surname was Hou. His maternal grandfather Qiu Kuan came originally from Chongquan in Fengyi; Kuan served at the end of Shi Jilong's reign and moved to Fangtou south of Ye. He served Murong Yong as Wuhuan Protector-General and Colonel of the Long River. He had two sons: the elder was Song, the younger Teng. Song served Murong Chui, moved to Zhongshan, and became Palace Attendant Censor. Song had two sons: the elder was Guang, the younger Pen. Song's younger sister gave birth to Luoqi, who was not born male; Song raised him as a son, and he therefore took the surname Qiu. Song's eldest daughter was beautiful and became Ran Min's wife. When Min fell she entered Murong Jun's household and was later given to Lu Tun, bearing a son named Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan enjoyed Emperor Taiwu's favor; knowing his maternal grandfather Song was dead and that he had only three maternal uncles, he often mentioned them to the emperor. The emperor set out to find her uncles. Few easterners then took office; Guang and Pen both disliked going to Pingcheng. Luoqi alone volunteered, saying, "I am an adopted son and, moreover, not a complete man; let me test fortune and misfortune for my brothers. He then rode a donkey to the capital. Lu Yuan, forewarned of his arrival, gathered more than a hundred mounted followers and met him at the Sanggan River; he bowed on sight, and his followers did likewise. He entered and reported to Emperor Taiwu. Emperor Taiwu asked what post suited him; Lu Yuan said, "My uncle, alas, was born a eunuch and is fit only to guard the palace with Your Majesty. He did not mention that Luoqi was an adopted son. The emperor took pity on him, summoned him to office, enfeoffed him as Baron of Wen'an, and gradually promoted him to Supervising Secretary of the Yellow Gate.

魏初，禁網疏闊，人戶隱匿，漏脫者多。東州既平，綾羅戶人樂葵，因是請采漏戶，供為綸綿，自後逃戶占為槹綾羅縠者非一。於是雜營戶帥遍於天下，不屬守宰，發賦輕易，人多私附，戶口錯亂，不可撿括。洛齊奏議罷之，一屬郡縣。從征平涼，以功超遷散騎常侍。又加中書令，進爵零陵公，拜侍中、冀州刺史、內都大官。卒，諡曰康。養子儼，襲爵。

In early Wei the regulatory net was loose, and many households hid themselves and escaped registration. After the eastern provinces were pacified, Yue Kui of the silk-brocade households requested to register escaped households for silk floss; thereafter many fugitives were registered as silk-brocade households, and not in one case alone. Leaders of miscellaneous camp households then spread across the realm, outside the control of local officials; levies were light, many attached themselves privately, registers fell into chaos, and could not be straightened out. Luoqi submitted a memorial proposing abolition and placing all households under commanderies and counties. On the Liangzhou campaign he was promoted by merit to Regular Attendant. He was further made Director of the Secretariat, advanced to Duke of Lingling, and appointed Palace Attendant, governor of Jizhou, and Grand Inner Palace Official. He died and was posthumously named Kang. His adopted son Yan inherited the title.

太武時，又有段霸，以謹敏見知。曆中常侍、殿中尚書、定州刺史。

In Emperor Taiwu's reign there was also Duan Ba, known for careful diligence. He rose through the posts of Palace Regular Attendant and Palace Director of the Masters of Writing to governor of Qinzhou.

王琚，高平人也。自雲本太原人，高祖始，晉豫州刺史。琚以秦常中被刑，入宮禁。小心守節，久乃見敘用，稍遷禮部尚書，賜爵廣平公。孝文以琚曆奉前朝，志存公正，授散騎常侍。後歷位冀州刺史，假廣平王，進爵高平王。孝文、文明太后東巡冀州，親幸其家。還京，以其年老，拜散騎常侍，養老於家，前後賜以車馬、衣物，不可稱計。又降爵為公。扶老自平城從遷洛邑。常飲牛乳，色如處子。卒年九十，贈冀州刺史，諡靖公。

Wang Ju was from Gaoping. He claimed descent from Taiyuan; from the time of the high ancestor his family had held the post of governor of Yuzhou under Jin. Ju was punished during the Qinchang era and entered palace service. Careful and upright, he was eventually given office, rose to Minister of Rites, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Guangping. Emperor Xiaowen, noting that Ju had long served the previous dynasty with a mind for fairness, appointed him Regular Attendant. He later served as governor of Jizhou, was granted the nominal title Prince of Guangping, and advanced to Prince of Gaoping. When Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming toured eastern Jizhou, they personally visited his home. On returning to the capital he was made Regular Attendant and allowed to retire at home; over the years he received carriages, horses, and clothing beyond count. His title was reduced again to duke. Leaning on a staff, he followed the transfer from Pingcheng to Luoyang. He drank cow's milk constantly and his complexion was like a maiden's. He died at ninety and was posthumously made governor of Jizhou with the posthumous name Duke Jing.

趙默，字文靜，初名海，本涼州隸戶。自雲，其先河內溫人也，五世祖術，晉末為西夷校尉，因居酒泉安彌縣。海生而涼州平，沒入而為閹人，因改名默。有容貌，恭謹小心，賜爵睢陽侯，累遷選部尚書。能自謹勵，當官任舉，頗得其人，加侍中，進爵河內公。獻文將傳位京兆王子推，訪諸群臣，百官唯唯，莫敢先言，唯源賀等辭義正直，不肯奉詔。獻文怒，變色，復以問默。默對曰：「臣以死奉戴皇太子。」獻文默然良久，遂傳位孝文。孝文立，得幸兩宮，祿賜優厚。時尚書李䐶亦有寵于獻文，與默對綰選部。䐶奏中書侍郎崔鑒為東徐州，北部主書郎公孫處顯為荊州，選部監公孫蘧為幽州，皆曰有能，實有私焉。默疾其虧亂選體，遂爭於殿庭曰：「以功授官，因爵與祿，國之常典。中書侍郎、尚書主書郎、諸曹監，勳能俱立，不過列郡。今䐶皆以為州，臣實為惑。」於是默與䐶遂為深隙。䐶竟列默為監藏。因黜為門士。默廢寢忘食，規報前怨。逾年，還入為侍御、散騎常侍、侍中、尚書左僕射，復兼選部如昔。及䐶將獲罪，默因抅成以誅之，然後食甘寢安，志於職事。出為儀同三司、定州刺史，進爵為王。克己清儉，事濟公私。後薨于冀州刺史，追贈司空，諡曰康。

Zhao Mo, styled Wenjing, originally named Hai, came from a dependent household of Liangzhou. He claimed his ancestors were from Wen in Henei; his fifth-generation ancestor Shu served as Colonel of the Western Barbarians in late Jin and settled in Anmi County, Jiuquan. Hai was born just as Liangzhou was pacified; confiscated, he became a eunuch and changed his name to Mo. Handsome and respectful, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Suiyang and rose to Minister of the Selection Bureau. Disciplined in office, his recommendations were mostly apt; he was made Palace Attendant and advanced to Duke of Henei. When Emperor Xianwen planned to abdicate in favor of Zitu, son of the Prince of Jingzhao, he consulted the ministers; all murmured assent and none dared speak first—only Yuan He and others spoke uprightly and refused the edict. Emperor Xianwen grew angry, his face changed, and he asked Mo again. Mo replied, "Your servant will uphold the crown prince even unto death. Emperor Xianwen was silent a long while and then abdicated to Emperor Xiaowen. When Emperor Xiaowen took the throne, Mo enjoyed favor in both palaces and received generous stipends and gifts. Minister Li Chong was also favored by Emperor Xianwen; he and Mo jointly oversaw the Selection Bureau. Chong recommended Secretariat Gentleman Cui Jian for eastern Xuzhou, Northern Department Chief Clerk Gongsun Chuxian for Jingzhou, and Selection Bureau Supervisor Gongsun Qu for Youzhou—all called capable, but in fact motivated by private favor. Mo resented the corruption of the selection system and argued in court: "Granting office by merit and salary by rank is the state's constant rule. Directors of the Secretariat, chief clerks of the Masters of Writing, and bureau supervisors, however meritorious, were not promoted beyond commandery rank. Now Chong has made them all governors; I am truly perplexed. Mo and Chong thereafter became bitter enemies. Chong finally had Mo posted as supervisor of the storehouse. He was then demoted to gate attendant. Mo neglected sleep and food, plotting revenge. After more than a year he returned as Attendant of the Imperial Guard, Regular Attendant, Palace Attendant, and Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, again jointly overseeing the Selection Bureau. When Chong was about to be punished, Mo fabricated charges to have him executed; only then did he eat and sleep in peace and devote himself to duty. He was posted as Commissioner with the Same Powers as the Three Excellencies and governor of Dingzhou, and advanced to prince. Restrained and plain in living, his affairs served both public and private ends. He later died as governor of Jizhou and was posthumously made Director of Works with the posthumous name Kang.

孫小，字茂翹，咸陽石安人也。父瓚，姚泓安定護軍，為赫連屈丐所殺，小沒入宮刑。會魏平統萬，遂徙平城。內侍東宮，以聰識有智略稱。未幾，轉四台中散。太武幸瓜步，慮有北寇之虞，賜爵泥陽子，除留台將軍。車駕還都，乃請父瓚贈諡，求更改葬。詔贈秦州刺史、石安縣子，諡曰戴。小後拜并州刺史，進爵中都侯。州內四郡百餘人，詣闕頌其政化。後遷冀州刺史，聲稱微少於前。然所在清約，當時牧伯，無能及也。性頗忍酷，所養子息，驅逐鞭撻，視如仇讎。小之為并州，以郭祚為主簿。重祚文才，兼任以書記，時人多之。

Sun Xiao, styled Maoqiao, was from Shi'an in Xianyang. His father Zan was Protector-General of Anding under Yao Hong and was killed by Helian Qugai; Xiao underwent palace punishment. When Wei pacified Tongwan he was moved to Pingcheng. Serving the Eastern Palace from within the palace, he was known for intelligence and strategic insight. Before long he was transferred to Central Scribe of the Four Offices. When Emperor Taiwu visited Guabu, fearing northern raids, he enfeoffed Xiao as Baron of Niyang and made him General of the Rear Guard. When the court returned to the capital, he requested posthumous honors for his father Zan and asked to rebury him. An edict posthumously made Zan governor of Qinzhou and Baron of Shi'an County with the posthumous name Dai. Xiao was later appointed governor of Bingzhou and advanced to Marquis of Zhongdu. More than a hundred men from four commanderies in the province went to court to praise his governance. He was later transferred to governor of Jizhou, where his reputation was slightly diminished. Yet wherever he served he was plain and frugal, and no contemporary governor could match him. He was rather cruel by nature; he drove out and flogged the sons he had adopted, treating them like enemies. When Xiao governed Bingzhou he took Guo Zuo as chief clerk. He valued Zuo's literary talent and also gave him secretarial duties, which many praised at the time.

張宗之，字益宗，河南鞏人也。家世寒微。父孟舒，晉將劉裕西征，板假洛陽令。初、緱氏宗文邕謀反，脅孟舒等事晉。孟舒敗，走免。宗之被執入京，腐刑。以忠厚謹慎，擢為侍御中散，賜爵鞏縣侯。曆儀曹、庫部二曹尚書，領中秘書，進爵彭城公，後例降為侯。卒于冀州刺史，贈懷州刺史，諡曰敬。

Zhang Zongzhi, styled Yizong, was from Gong in Henan. His family had been poor and humble for generations. His father Mengshu was provisionally appointed magistrate of Luoyang when Jin general Liu Yu marched west. When Zong Wen'ao of Goushi plotted rebellion he coerced Mengshu and others to serve Jin. Mengshu was defeated and escaped. Zongzhi was seized, taken to the capital, and castrated. For loyalty and carefulness he was promoted to Attendant Central Scribe and enfeoffed as Marquis of Gong County. He served as Minister of the Rites and Storehouse Bureaus, headed the Central Secretariat, advanced to Duke of Pengcheng, and was later reduced to marquis by precedent. He died as governor of Jizhou and was posthumously made governor of Huaizhou with the posthumous name Jing.

始宗之納南來殷孝祖妻蕭氏，宋儀同三司思話弟思度女也，多悉婦人儀飾故事。太和中，初制六宮服章，蕭被命在內，豫見訪采，數蒙賜賚云。

Zongzhi first married Xiao, widow of the southern refugee Yin Xiaozu and daughter of Sihu, brother of Song Commissioner Sihua; she knew much of women's ceremonial dress and precedent. During Taihe, when insignia for the six palaces were first regulated, Xiao was ordered to serve within, consulted on the designs, and repeatedly received imperial gifts.

劇鵬，高陽人也。粗覽經史，閑曉吏事。與王質等俱充宦官，性通率，不以閽閹為恥。孝文遷洛，常為宮官任事。幽後之惑薛菩薩也，鵬密諫止之，不從，遂發憤卒。

Ju Peng was from Gaoyang. He had a rough knowledge of the classics and histories and was versed in administrative affairs. He served as a palace eunuch together with Wang Zhi and others; frank by nature, he was not ashamed of being a gatekeeper-eunuch. After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang he regularly served as a palace official. When Empress You was infatuated with Xue Pusa, Peng secretly remonstrated against it; she refused to listen, and he died of indignant rage.

張祐，字安福，安定石唐人也。父成，扶風太守，太武末，坐事誅。祐充腐刑，積勞至曹監、中給事。文明太后臨朝，中官用事，祐寵倖冠諸閹，官特遷、尚書，進爵隴東公，仍綰內藏曹。未幾監都曹，加侍中，與王睿等俱入八議。太后嘉其忠誠，為造甲第。宅成，孝文、太后親率文武往宴會焉。拜尚書左僕射，進爵新平王，受職于太華庭，備威儀于宮城南，觀者以為榮。孝文、太后親幸其宅，饗會百官。祐性恭密，出入機禁二十餘年，未嘗有過。由是特被恩寵，歲月賞賜，家累巨萬。與王質等十七人，俱賜金券，許以不死。薨，孝文親臨之，詔鴻臚典護喪事。贈司空，諡曰恭。葬日，車駕親送近郊。

Zhang You, styled Anfu, was from Shitang in Anding. His father Cheng was governor of Fufeng; at the end of Emperor Taiwu's reign he was executed for an offense. You was castrated and through accumulated service rose to Bureau Supervisor and Palace Attendant-in-Ordinary. When Empress Dowager Wenming held court, palace eunuchs ruled; You's favor surpassed all others; he was specially promoted to Minister of the Masters of Writing, advanced to Duke of Longdong, and continued to oversee the Inner Storehouse Bureau. Before long he supervised the Capital Bureau, was made Palace Attendant, and with Wang Rui and others entered the Eight Deliberations. The empress dowager praised his loyalty and had a grand mansion built for him. When the mansion was finished, Emperor Xiaowen and the empress dowager personally led officials to feast there. He was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Prince of Xinping, took office in Taihua Court with full ceremony south of the palace gate, and onlookers deemed it glorious. Emperor Xiaowen and the empress dowager personally visited his mansion and feasted with the officials. Respectful and discreet, for more than twenty years in the inner precincts he never committed a fault. For this he was especially favored; rewards month by month made his household wealth enormous. Together with Wang Zhi and sixteen others he received gold warrants promising immunity from death. When he died Emperor Xiaowen attended in person; an edict ordered the Grand Master of Ceremonial to oversee the funeral. He was posthumously made Director of Works with the posthumous name Gong. On the day of burial the imperial carriage personally escorted him to the near suburbs.

祐養子顯明，後名慶，少曆內職，有姿貌，江陽王繼以女妻之。襲爵，降為隴東公，又降為侯。

You's adopted son Xianming, later named Qing, served in inner posts from youth; handsome, he married the daughter of Prince of Jiangyang Ji. He inherited the title, which was reduced to Duke of Longdong and then to marquis.

抱嶷，字道德，安定石唐人也，居於直谷。自言其先姓郐巳，漢靈帝時，郐巳匡為安定太守。董卓時，懼誅易氏，即家焉。無得而知也。幼時，隴東人張乾王反，家染其逆。及乾王敗，父睹生逃免。嶷獨與母沒入內宮，受刑，遂為宦人。小心慎密，累遷中常侍、中曹侍御尚書，賜爵安定公。自總納言，職當機近，諸所奏議，必致抗直。孝文、文明太后嘉之，以為殿中侍御尚書。太后既寵之，乃征其父睹生，拜太中大夫。將還，見於皇信堂，孝文執手曰：「老人歸途，幾日可達？好慎行路！」其見幸如此。睹生卒，贈秦州刺史，諡曰靖。賜黃金八十斤，繒彩及絹八百疋，以供喪用。並別使勞尉。加嶷大長秋卿。嶷老疾，乞外祿，乃出為涇州刺史，特加右光祿大夫。將之州，孝文餞于西郊樂陽殿，以禦白羽扇賜之。十九年，以刺史從駕南征，以老舊，每見勞問，數道稱嶷之正直。命乘馬出入行禁之間，與司徒馮誕同例。軍回，還州。自以故老前官，為政多守往法，不能遵用新制。侮慢土族，簡於禮接。天性酷薄，雖弟侄甥婿，略無存潤。卒於州。

Bao Ni, styled Daode, was from Shitang in Anding and lived in Zhigu Valley. He claimed his ancestors bore the surname Guiji; in Emperor Ling of Han's time Guiji Kuang was governor of Anding. In Dong Zhuo's time, fearing execution, they changed the surname and settled there. Nothing more can be known. In his youth Zhang Qianwang of Longdong rebelled, and the family was implicated in treason. When Qianwang was defeated, his father Dusheng escaped. Ni alone, with his mother, was confiscated into the inner palace, punished, and became a eunuch. Careful and discreet, he rose to Palace Regular Attendant and Attendant Director of the Masters of Writing in the Central Bureau and was enfeoffed as Duke of Anding. Once overseeing the Secretariat, close to power, he spoke forthrightly in every memorial and proposal. Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming praised him and made him Attendant Director of the Masters of Writing in the Palace. When the empress dowager favored him, she summoned his father Dusheng and appointed him Grand Master of Palace Counsel. About to return home, he was received in Huangxin Hall; Emperor Xiaowen took his hand and said, "Old sir, how many days until you reach home? Travel safely! Such was the favor shown him. When Dusheng died he was posthumously made governor of Qinzhou with the posthumous name Jing. They gave eighty jin of gold and eight hundred bolts of silk and colored silk for the funeral. A separate envoy was also sent to offer condolences. Ni was further made Grand Director of the Palace Domestic Service. Old and ill, Ni begged an outside post; he was sent out as governor of Jingzhou and specially made Right Grand Master of Splendor. As he departed for his province, Emperor Xiaowen feasted him at Leyang Hall in the western suburb and bestowed the imperial white-feather fan. In the nineteenth year he followed the southern campaign as governor; because he was old and long in service, the emperor often inquired after him and praised Ni's uprightness. He was permitted to ride in and out within the traveling guard, the same privilege as Director of Works Feng Yan. When the army returned he went back to his province. Considering himself an old former official, he mostly governed by former laws and could not follow the new system. He insulted the gentry clans and was perfunctory in ceremonial reception. Harsh and stingy by nature, he showed hardly any kindness even to nephews and sons-in-law. He died in office.

先以從弟老壽為後，又養太師馮熙子次興。嶷死後，二人爭立。嶷妻張氏，致訟經年，得以熙子為後。老壽亦仍陳訴，終獲紹爵，次興還於本族。老壽凡薄，酒色肆情。御史中尉王顯奏言：「前洛州刺史陰平子石榮、積射將軍抱老壽，恣蕩非軌，易室而奸，臊聲布於朝野，醜音被于行路，男女三人，莫知誰子。人理所未聞，鳥獸之不若。請以見事免官，付廷尉正罪。」詔可之。老壽死後，其舊奴婢尚六七百人。老壽及石榮祖父皆造碑銘，就鄉建立，言西方直谷出二貴人。

He had first taken his younger cousin Laoshou as heir and also adopted Cixing, son of Grand Preceptor Feng Xi. After Ni died the two contended over succession. Ni's wife Lady Zhang litigated for years and finally secured Xi's son as heir. Laoshou also continued to petition; in the end he recovered the title, and Cixing returned to his original clan. Laoshou was vulgar and indulged freely in wine and women. Censor-in-Chief Wang Xian memorialized: "Former governor of Luoyang Baron of Yinping Shi Rong and General of Rapid-Shooting Bao Laoshou have indulged beyond all bounds, changed households and committed adultery; foul reports fill court and countryside, shameful talk spreads on the roads; three children, and none knows whose they are. What human reason has never heard of—worse than birds and beasts. I request that by the facts at hand they be removed from office and handed to the Court of Justice for punishment. An edict approved it. After Laoshou died his old servants still numbered six or seven hundred. Laoshou and Shi Rong's grandfathers both had stele inscriptions erected in their home districts, saying two great men came forth from Zhigu Valley in the west.

石榮自被劾後，遂廢頓。子長宣，位南兗州刺史，與侯景反，伏法。

After Shi Rong was impeached he fell into decline. His son Changxuan was governor of southern Yanzhou; he joined Hou Jing in rebellion and was executed.

王遇，字慶時，本名他惡，馮翊李潤鎮羌也。與雷、党、不蒙俱為羌中強族。自雲其先姓王，後改為鉗耳氏，宣武時，改為王焉。自晉已來，恆為渠長。遇坐事腐刑，累遷吏部尚書，爵宕昌公。出為華州刺史，加散騎常侍。幽後之前廢也，遇頗言其過。及後進幸，孝文對李沖等申後無咎，而稱遇謗議之罪，遂免遇官，奪其爵。宣武初，為光祿大夫，復舊爵。馮氏為尼也，公私罕相供恤，遇自以嘗更奉接，往來祗謁，不替舊敬。

Wang Yu, styled Qingshi, originally named Ta'e, was from Zhenqiang in Fufeng's Lirun. Together with Lei, Dang, and Bumeng he was among the powerful Qiang clans. He claimed his ancestors originally bore the surname Wang, later changed to Qian'er, and in Emperor Xuanwu's time changed again to Wang. From Jin onward they had constantly served as canal chiefs. Yu was castrated for an offense, rose to Minister of the Personnel Bureau, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Dangchang. He was sent out as governor of Huazhou and made Regular Attendant. When Empress You was first deposed, Yu spoke much of her faults. When she was later restored to favor, Emperor Xiaowen told Li Chong and others that the empress was blameless and cited Yu's slander; Yu was removed from office and stripped of his title. At the beginning of Emperor Xuanwu's reign he was made Grand Master of Splendor and restored to his former title. When the Feng clan became nuns, few offered support; Yu, having once served them, continued to visit and pay respects without diminishing his old reverence.

遇性工巧，強於部分。北都方山、靈泉道俗居宇，及文明太后陵廟，洛京東郊馬射壇殿，修廣文昭太后墓園，及東西兩堂，內外諸門制度，皆遇監作。雖年在耆老，朝夕不倦。又長於人事，留意酒食之間。每逢僚舊，觴膳精豐。然競于榮利，趨求勢門。趙脩之寵也，遇深附會，受敕為之造宅，增於本旨，笞擊作人，莫不嗟怨。卒於官。初遇之疾，太傅北海王與太妃俱往臨問，視其危惙，為之泣下。其善奉諸貴，致相悲悼如此。贈雍州刺史。

Yu was skilled in craftsmanship and strong in planning and division of labor. The dwellings at Fangshan and Lingquan in the northern capital, Empress Dowager Wenming's tomb and temple, the horse-archery hall in Luoyang's eastern suburb, the expanded tomb park of Empress Dowager Wenzhao, the eastern and western halls, and all inner and outer gate systems were all supervised by Yu. Though advanced in years, he never wearied from morning to evening. He was also skilled in human relations and attentive to hospitality. Whenever he met old colleagues, the wine and dishes were lavish. Yet he competed for glory and profit and rushed to seek powerful patrons. When Zhao Xiu was in favor, Yu attached himself deeply; by imperial order he built Xiu a mansion beyond the original plan, flogging laborers until all resented it. He died in office. When Yu first fell ill, Grand Tutor Prince of Beihai and the grand consort both visited him; seeing him near death, they wept. So well did he serve the great that they grieved for him like this. He was posthumously made governor of Yongzhou.

苻承祖，略陽氐人也。因事為閹人，為文明太后所寵，賜爵略陽公。曆吏部尚書，加侍中，知都曹事。初，太后以承祖居腹之心任，許以不死之詔。後承祖坐贓應死，孝文原之，命削職禁錮在家，授悖義將軍、佞濁子。月餘遂死。

Fu Chengzu was a man of the Di of Lueyang. For an offense he became a eunuch and was favored by Empress Dowager Wenming, who enfeoffed him as Duke of Lueyang. He served as Minister of the Personnel Bureau, was made Palace Attendant, and managed Capital Bureau affairs. At first the empress dowager, trusting Chengzu with her innermost heart, granted him an edict promising immunity from death. Later Chengzu was guilty of embezzlement and deserved death; Emperor Xiaowen pardoned him, stripped his office, confined him at home, and gave him the titles General of Perverse Righteousness and Viscount of Flattery and Filth. A little more than a month later he died.

王質，字紹奴，高陽易人也。其家坐事，幼下蠶室。頗解書學，為中曹吏、內典監。稍遷秘書中散，賜爵永昌子，領監禦。遷為侍御給事。又領選部、監禦二曹事，進爵魏昌侯。轉選部尚書。出為瀛州刺史，風化粗行，人庶畏服之；而刑政峻刻，號為威酷。孝文頗念其忠勤宿舊，每行留大故、馮司徒亡、廢馮後、陸睿、穆泰等事，皆賜質以璽書手筆，莫不委至，同之戚貴。質皆寶掌。入為大長秋卿，卒。

Wang Zhi, styled Shaonu, was from Yi in Gaoyang. His family was implicated in an offense and he entered the silkworm chamber in youth. He understood writing and learning fairly well and served as Central Bureau Clerk and Inner Canon Supervisor. He gradually rose to Secretariat Central Scribe, was enfeoffed as Baron of Yongchang, and headed the Imperial Guard. He was transferred to Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Imperial Guard. He also jointly oversaw the Selection Bureau and Imperial Guard and advanced to Marquis of Weichang. He was transferred to Minister of the Selection Bureau. Sent out as governor of Yingzhou, he roughly carried out moral transformation and the people feared and submitted to him; but his punishments were harsh and he was called formidable and cruel. Emperor Xiaowen often remembered his long loyalty; on every major leave-taking, Feng's death, Empress Feng's deposition, and the cases of Lu Rui and Mu Tai, he gave Zhi handwritten sealed edicts with every detail entrusted, as to kin and nobles. Zhi treasured them all. He entered office as Grand Director of the Palace Domestic Service and died.

李堅，字次壽，高陽易人也。文成初，坐事為閹人，稍遷中給事中，賜爵魏昌伯。小心謹慎，常在左右，雖不及王遇、王質等，而亦見任用。宣武初，自太僕卿出為瀛州刺史。本州之榮，同于王質。所在受納，家產巨萬。卒于光祿大夫，贈相州刺史。

Li Jian, styled Cishou, was from Yi in Gaoyang. At the beginning of Emperor Wencheng's reign he became a eunuch for an offense, gradually rose to Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Palace, and was enfeoffed as Count of Weichang. Careful and cautious, always at the emperor's side—though not equal to Wang Yu and Wang Zhi, he was also employed. At the beginning of Emperor Xuanwu's reign he left the post of Grand Master of the Household to become governor of Yingzhou. The honor in his native province equaled Wang Zhi's. Wherever he served he accepted bribes until his household wealth was enormous. He died as Grand Master of Splendor and was posthumously made governor of Xiangzhou.

太和末，又有秦松、白整，位並長秋卿。

At the end of Taihe there were also Qin Song and Bai Zheng, both Grand Director of the Palace Domestic Service.

劉騰，字青龍，本平原城人也，徙屬南兗州之譙郡。幼時坐事受刑，補小黃門，轉中黃門。孝文之在縣瓠，問其中事，騰具言幽後私隱，與陳留公主所告符協，由是進冗從僕射，仍中黃門。後與茹皓使徐、兗，采召人女。還，遷中給事。

Liu Teng, styled Qinglong, was originally from Pingyuan City and was moved to Qiao Commandery of southern Yanzhou. Punished in youth, he entered service as Lesser Yellow Gate and was transferred to Central Yellow Gate. When Emperor Xiaowen was at Xuanhu he questioned him on inner-palace affairs; Teng fully reported Empress You's private misconduct, matching Princess of Chenliu's report, and was promoted to Supernumerary Vice Director of the Retinue while remaining Central Yellow Gate. Later with Ru Hao he was sent to Xu and Yan to gather women. On returning he was transferred to Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Palace.

靈太后臨朝，以與於忠保護勳，除崇訓太僕，加侍中，封長樂縣公。拜其妻魏氏為巨鹿郡君，每引入內，受賞賚亞于諸主外戚。所養二子，為郡守、尚書郎。騰曾疾篤，靈太后慮或不救，遷衛將軍、儀同三司。後疾瘳。騰之拜命，孝明當為臨軒，會日，大風寒甚，乃遣使持節授之。騰幼充宮役，手不解書，裁知署名而已，而奸謀有餘，善射人意。靈太后臨朝，特蒙進寵，多所幹托，內外碎密，棲棲不倦。洛北永橋、太上公、太上君及城東三寺，皆主修營。

When Empress Dowager Ling held court, for protecting Yu Zhong he was made Grand Master of the Household for Honored Instruction, Palace Attendant, and Duke of Changle County. His wife Lady Wei was made Lady of Julu Commandery; brought within, she received rewards second only to princesses and maternal kin. The two sons he had adopted became a commandery governor and a Masters of Writing Gentleman. When Teng once fell gravely ill, Empress Dowager Ling feared he might not recover and promoted him to General of the Guard and Commissioner with the Same Powers as the Three Excellencies. Later he recovered. When Teng received appointment Emperor Xiaoming was to preside at the hall audience; bitter cold wind blew that day, so an envoy bearing credentials was sent to invest him. Teng had served in the palace from youth and barely knew writing beyond signing his name, yet he was full of wicked schemes and skilled at reading minds. When Empress Dowager Ling held court he was especially favored; he handled endless entreaties, trivial and secret, inside and outside, tirelessly. Yong Bridge north of Luoyang, the Grand Duke and Grand Lady, and the three temples east of the city were all chiefly built under his supervision.

吏部嘗望騰意，奏其弟為郡，帶戍。人資乖越，清河王懌抑而不奏。騰以為恨，遂與領軍元叉害懌，廢靈太后于宣光殿。宮門晝夜長閉，內外斷絕。騰自執管籥，明帝亦不得見，裁聽傳食而已。太后服膳俱廢，不免饑寒。又使中常侍賈粲假言侍明帝書，密令防察。叉以騰為司空，表裏擅權，共相樹置。叉為外禦，騰為內防，迭直禁闥，共裁刑賞。騰遂與崔光同受詔，乘步挽出入殿門。四年之中，生殺之威，決於叉、騰之手。八坐九卿，旦造騰宅，參其顏色，然後方赴省府；亦有曆日不能見者。公私屬請，唯在財貨，舟車之利，水陸無遺，山澤之饒，所在固護，剝削六鎮，交通底市，歲入利息以巨萬計。又頗役嬪御，時有徵求，婦女器物，公然受納，逼奪鄰居，廣開室宇，天下鹹苦之。薨於位，中官為義息衰絰者四十餘人。騰之立宅也，奉車都尉周恃為之筮，不吉，深諫止之。騰怒而不用。恃告人曰：「必困於三月、四月之交。」至是果死。査事甫成，陳屍其下。追贈太尉、冀州刺史。葬，閹官為義服，杖絰衰縞者以百數。朝貴皆從，軒蓋填塞，相屬郊野。魏初以來，權閹存亡之盛，莫及焉。

The Personnel Bureau once sought Teng's favor and memorialized his younger brother for a commandery with garrison duty. The man's qualifications far exceeded the post; Prince of Qinghe Yuan Yi suppressed the memorial. Teng resented this and together with Army Director Yuan Cha killed Yi and deposed Empress Dowager Ling in Xuanguang Hall. The palace gates were closed day and night and inside and outside were cut off. Teng himself held the keys; even Emperor Xiaoming could not see the empress dowager and was allowed only food passed in. The empress dowager's clothing and food were cut off; she could not escape hunger and cold. He also had Palace Regular Attendant Jia Can falsely claim to attend Emperor Xiaoming's writing and secretly order surveillance. Cha made Teng Director of Works; inside and outside they monopolized power and installed each other's followers. Cha was outer defense, Teng inner guard; they alternated at the forbidden gate and jointly decided punishments and rewards. Teng then with Cui Guang received edicts and rode in a sedan chair through the palace gate. Within four years the power of life and death rested in the hands of Cha and Teng. The eight excellencies and nine ministers each morning visited Teng's mansion to read his mood before going to their ministries; some went days without being received. Public and private petitions sought only wealth; profits from transport on water and land left nothing untouched; riches of mountains and marshes were guarded everywhere; they stripped the Six Garrisons, traded with market agents, and yearly interest reached enormous sums. They also frequently conscript palace women, openly accepted women's goods, seized neighbors' property, and expanded their mansions until the realm suffered bitterly. He died in office; more than forty eunuchs wore mourning hemp for him as adopted sons. When Teng built his mansion, Commandant of the Imperial Carriage Zhou Shi divined for him, found it inauspicious, and remonstrated deeply. Teng was angry and refused to listen. Shi told others, "He is sure to be trapped at the junction of the third and fourth months. At this he indeed died. The investigation had just been completed and his corpse was displayed beneath it. He was posthumously made Grand Commandant and governor of Jizhou. At the burial eunuchs wore mourning; hundreds wore hemp with staff, mourning sash, and white hemp. Court nobles all followed; carriages and canopies filled the road across the suburbs. Since the beginning of Wei, no powerful eunuch in life or death had reached such splendor.

靈太后反政，追奪爵位，發其塚，散露骸骨，沒入財產。後騰所養一子叛入梁，太后大怒，悉徙騰余養於北裔，尋遣密使追殺之於汲郡。

When Empress Dowager Ling regained power she stripped his title, opened his tomb, scattered his bones, and confiscated his property. Later one adopted son defected to Liang; the empress dowager was furious, moved all Teng's remaining adopted sons to the northern frontier, and soon sent secret agents to kill them in Ji Commandery.

賈粲，字季宣，酒泉人也。太和中，坐事腐刑。頗涉書記。與元叉、劉騰等同其謀謨，進光祿勳卿。專侍明帝，與叉、騰等伺帝動靜。右衛奚康生之謀殺叉也，靈太后、明帝同升于宣光殿，左右侍臣，俱立西階下。康生既被囚執，粲紿太后曰：「侍官懷恐不安，陛下宜親安慰。」太后信之，適下殿，粲便扶明帝出東序，前禦顯陽，還閉太后于宣光殿。粲既叉黨，威福亦震於京邑。自雲本出武威，魏太尉文和之後，遂移家屬焉。時武威太守韋景承粲意，以其兄緒為功曹。緒時年向七十。未幾，又以緒為西平太守。靈太后反政，欲誅粲，以叉、騰黨與不一，恐驚動內外，乃止。出粲為濟州刺史。未幾，遣武衛將軍刁宣馳驛殺之。

Jia Can, styled Jixuan, was from Jiuquan. In the Taihe era he was castrated for an offense. He was fairly versed in writing and record-keeping. Together with Yuan Cha and Liu Teng he shared their plotting and was promoted to Director of the Household for Splendor. He exclusively attended Emperor Xiaoming and with Cha, Teng, and others watched the emperor's movements. When Right Guard Xi Kangsheng plotted to kill Cha, Empress Dowager Ling and Emperor Xiaoming ascended Xuanguang Hall together while attendant ministers stood below the western steps. Once Kangsheng was seized, Can deceived the empress dowager: "The attendants are fearful; Your Majesty should personally comfort them. The empress dowager believed him; as she descended, Can supported Emperor Xiaoming out the eastern corridor, proceeded to Xianyang, and again shut the empress dowager in Xuanguang Hall. Can being Cha's partisan, his power and favor also shook the capital. He claimed descent from Wuwei and Wei Grand Commandant Wenhe and moved his family there. At the time Wuwei governor Wei Jing indulged Can's wishes and made his elder brother Xu chief clerk. Xu was then nearly seventy. Before long Xu was also made governor of Xiping. When Empress Dowager Ling regained power she wished to execute Can, but fearing alarm because Cha and Teng's partisans were not united, she stopped. Can was sent out as governor of Jizhou. Before long General of the Military Guard Diao Xuan was sent by post to kill him.

楊範，字法僧，長樂廣宗人也。文成時，坐事宮刑，為王琚所養，恩若父子。累遷為中尹。靈太后臨朝，為中常侍、崇訓太僕，領中嘗藥典禦，賜爵華陰子，出為華州刺史。中官內侍貴者，靈太后皆許其方岳，以範年長，拜跪為難，故遂其請。父子納貨，為御史所糾，遂廢於家。後為崇訓太僕、華州大中正，卒。

Yang Fan, styled Faseng, was from Guangzong in Changle. In Emperor Wencheng's time he was castrated for an offense, was adopted by Wang Ju, and their affection was like father and son. He successively rose to Central Director. When Empress Dowager Ling held court he was Palace Regular Attendant, Grand Master of the Household for Honored Instruction, head of the Central Bureau for Tasting Medicine and Imperial Guard, Baron of Huayin, and governor of Huazhou. For honored inner eunuchs Empress Dowager Ling granted provincial posts; because Fan was old and bowing and kneeling were difficult, she granted his request. Father and son accepted bribes, were impeached by the censor, and were dismissed at home. Later he was again Grand Master of the Household for Honored Instruction and Chief Rectifier of Huazhou and died.

成軌，字洪義，上谷居庸人也。少以罪刑，入事宮掖。以謹厚稱，為中謁者僕射。孝文意有所欲，軌候容色，時有奏發，輒合帝心。從駕南征，專進禦食。時孝文不豫，常居禁中，晝夜無懈。延昌末，遷中常侍、嘗食典禦、光祿大夫，統京染都將。孝昌二年，以勤舊封始平縣伯。明帝所幸潘嬪以軌為假父，頗為中官之所敬憚。後進爵為侯，卒于衛將軍，贈雍州刺史，諡曰孝惠。

Cheng Gui, styled Hongyi, was from Juyong in Shanggu. Punished by castration in youth, he entered palace service. Known for carefulness and steadiness, he became Vice Director of Central Attendants. When Emperor Xiaowen desired something, Gui watched his expression and proposed what always matched the emperor's mind. On the southern campaign he exclusively presented imperial food. At the time Emperor Xiaowen was unwell and constantly stayed within the forbidden precincts, day and night without slackening. At the end of Yanchang he was transferred to Palace Regular Attendant, Director of the Bureau for Tasting Food and Imperial Guard, Grand Master of Splendor, and commander of the Capital Dyeing Command. In the second year of Xiaochang, for long service he was enfeoffed as Count of Shiping County. Consort Pan, favored by Emperor Xiaoming, took Gui as her nominal father; palace eunuchs rather feared him. He later advanced to marquis, died as General of the Guard, and was posthumously made governor of Yongzhou with the posthumous name Xiaohui.

王溫，字桃湯，趙郡欒城人也。父冀，高邑令，坐事誅，溫與兄繼叔俱充宦者，稍遷中嘗食典禦、中給事，加左中郎將。宣武之崩，群官迎明帝于東宮，溫於臥中起明帝，與保母扶抱明帝，入踐帝位。高陽王雍既居塚宰，慮中人朋黨，出為巨鹿太守。靈太后臨朝，徵為中常侍，賜爵欒城伯。累遷左光祿大夫、光祿勳卿、侍中，進封欒城縣侯。溫自陳本陽平武陽人，改封武陽縣侯。建義初，于河陰遇害。

Wang Wen, styled Taotang, was from Luancheng in Zhao Commandery. His father Ji was magistrate of Gaoyi; executed for an offense, Wen and his elder brother Jishu both became eunuchs and rose to Director of the Bureau for Tasting Food and Imperial Guard, Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Palace, and Left Commandant of the Central Guard. When Emperor Xuanwu died officials welcomed Emperor Xiaoming at the Eastern Palace; Wen roused Xiaoming from bed and with the wet nurse supported him to the throne. Prince of Gaoyang Yong, now chief minister, fearing inner factions, sent Wen out as governor of Julu. When Empress Dowager Ling held court he was recalled as Palace Regular Attendant and enfeoffed as Count of Luancheng. He rose to Left Grand Master of Splendor, Director of the Household for Splendor, Palace Attendant, and Marquis of Luancheng County. Wen stated he was originally from Wuyang in Yangping and changed his enfeoffment to Marquis of Wuyang County. At the beginning of Jianyi he was killed at Heyin.

孟欒，字龍兒，不知何許人也。坐事為閹人。靈太后臨朝，為左中郎將、給事中。素被病，面常黯黑。于九龍殿下暴疾，歸家，甚夜亡。欒初出，靈太后聞之曰：「欒必不濟，我為之憂。」乃奏其死，為之下淚曰：「其事我如此，不見我一日忻樂時也。」賜帛三百疋、黃絹一十疋，以供喪用。七日，靈太后為設二百僧齋。

Meng Luan, styled Long'er, was from an unknown place. For an offense he became a eunuch. When Empress Dowager Ling held court he was Left Commandant of the Central Guard and Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Palace. He had long been ill and his face was constantly dark. Below Jiulong Hall he suddenly fell ill, returned home, and died that very night. When Luan first went out Empress Dowager Ling said, "Luan surely will not recover; I am worried for him. She then reported his death and wept: "He served me like this, yet I never saw him happy for a single day." She gave three hundred bolts of silk and ten bolts of yellow silk for the funeral. On the seventh day Empress Dowager Ling held a vegetarian feast for two hundred monks.

平季，字幼穆，燕國薊人也。坐事腐刑。累遷新興太守。明帝崩，與爾硃榮等議立莊帝。莊帝即位，超拜肆州刺史。尋除中侍中。以參謀勳，封元城縣侯。永熙中，加驃騎大將軍，卒。

Ping Ji, styled Youmu, was from Ji in Yan Kingdom. He was castrated for an offense. He successively rose to governor of Xinxing. When Emperor Xiaoming died he discussed with Erzhu Rong and others installing Emperor Zhuang. When Emperor Zhuang was enthroned he was specially promoted to governor of Sizhou. Before long he was made Attendant of the Central Palace. For merit in planning he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yuancheng County. In the Yongxi era he was made General of Agile Cavalry and died.

封津，字醜漢，勃海蓚人也。父令德，娶常寶女。寶伏誅，令德以連坐伏法。津受刑，給事宮掖。累遷奉車都尉、中給事中。靈太后令津侍明帝書，遷常山太守。津少長宮闈，給事左右，善候時情，號為機悟。天平初，除開府儀同三司、懷州刺史。元象初，復為中侍中、大長秋卿，仍開府儀同。薨，贈司徒、冀州刺史，諡曰孝惠。

Feng Jin, styled Chouhan, was from Tiao in Bohai. His father Lingde married Chang Bao's daughter. When Bao was executed Lingde was executed by association. Jin was punished and entered palace service. He rose to Commandant of the Imperial Carriage and Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Palace. Empress Dowager Ling had Jin attend Emperor Xiaoming's writing and transferred him to governor of Changshan. Jin grew up in the palace serving at the emperor's side; skilled at reading the times, he was called clever and quick-witted. At the beginning of Tianping he was made Commissioner with the Same Powers as the Three Excellencies and governor of Huaizhou. At the beginning of Yuanxiang he was again Attendant of the Central Palace and Grand Director of the Palace Domestic Service, still Commissioner with the Same Powers. He died and was posthumously made Director of Works and governor of Jizhou with the posthumous name Xiaohui.

劉思逸，平原人也。以罪，少充腐刑。初為小史，累遷中侍中。武定中，與元瑾等謀反，伏誅。

Liu Siyi was from Pingyuan. For a crime he underwent castration in youth. At first a petty clerk, he rose to Attendant of the Central Palace. In the Wuding era he plotted rebellion with Yuan Jin and others and was executed.

又有張景嵩、毛暢者，咸以閽寺在明帝左右。靈太后亦密仗之通傳意計於明帝。元叉之出，景嵩、暢頗有力焉。靈太后反政，以妹故，未即戮叉。時內外喧喧，元叉還欲入知政事。暢等恐禍及己，乃啟明帝，欲詔右衛將軍楊津密往殺叉。詔書已成，未及出外，叉妻知之，告太后：「景嵩、暢與清河王息<召己>欲廢太后。」太后信之，責暢。暢出詔草以呈太后。太后讀之，知無廢己狀，意小解。然叉妻構之不已，出暢為頓丘太守，景嵩為魯郡太守。尋令捕殺暢。景嵩，孝靜時位至中侍中，坐事死。

There were also Zhang Jingsong and Mao Chang, both gatekeeper-eunuchs at Emperor Xiaoming's side. Empress Dowager Ling also secretly relied on them to convey plans to Emperor Xiaoming. In Cha's removal Jingsong and Chang were rather influential. When Empress Dowager Ling regained power, because of her sister she did not immediately execute Cha. Inside and outside were in uproar; Yuan Cha still wished to re-enter and manage state affairs. Chang and the others feared for themselves and reported to Emperor Xiaoming, wishing to edict Right Guard General Yang Jin to go secretly and kill Cha. The edict was written but not yet sent when Cha's wife told the empress dowager, "Jingsong and Chang together with a son of the Prince of Qinghe, Zhaoji, wish to depose the empress dowager. The empress dowager believed it and rebuked Chang. Chang produced the draft edict and presented it to the empress dowager. She read it, saw there was no intent to depose her, and her anger slightly eased. Yet Cha's wife kept framing them; Chang was sent out as governor of Dunqiu and Jingsong as governor of Lu Commandery. Before long an order was issued to capture and kill Chang. Jingsong in Emperor Xiaojing's time rose to Attendant of the Central Palace and was executed for an offense.

郭秀，范陽涿人也。事齊神武，稍遷行台右丞，封壽陽伯。親寵日隆，多受賂遺，進退人物。張伯德、祁仲彥、張華原之徒，皆深相附會。秀疾，神武親視之，問所欲官，乃啟為七兵尚書，除書未至而卒。家無成人子弟，神武自至其宅，親使錄知其家資粟帛多少，然後去。贈儀同三司、恆州刺史。命其子孝義與太原公以下同學讀書。初，秀忌嫉楊愔，誑脅令其逃亡。秀死後，愔還，神武追忿秀，即日斥遣孝義，終身不齒。

Guo Xiu was from Zhuo in Fanyang. He served Gao Huan and gradually rose to Right Vice Director of the Mobile Headquarters and was enfeoffed as Count of Shouyang. Favor grew daily; he accepted many bribes and controlled advancement and dismissal. Zhang Bode, Qi Zhongyan, Zhang Huayuan, and the like all attached themselves deeply to him. When Xiu fell ill Gao Huan personally visited, asked what office he desired, and he requested Minister of the Seven Arms; the appointment letter had not arrived when he died. The household had no adult sons; Gao Huan personally came to the mansion, had grain and silk counted, and then left. He was posthumously made Commissioner with the Same Powers as the Three Excellencies and governor of Hengzhou. He ordered his son Xiaoyi to study together with the sons of the Prince of Taiyuan and those below. At first Xiu envied Yang Yin and coerced him into flight. After Xiu died Yin returned; Gao Huan, recalling anger at Xiu, that very day expelled Xiaoyi and never admitted him for life.

和士開，字彥通，清都臨漳人也。其先西域商胡，本姓素和氏。父安，恭敏善事人，稍遷中書舍人。魏靜帝嘗夜與朝賢講集，命安看斗柄所指。安曰：「臣不識北斗。」齊神武聞之，以為淳直，由是啟除給事黃門侍郎，位儀州刺史。士開貴，贈司空公、尚書左僕射、冀州刺史，諡文貞公。

He Shikai, styled Yantong, was from Linzhang in Qingdu. His ancestors were Western Region merchant Hu; the original surname was Suhe. His father An was respectful, diligent, skilled at serving people, and gradually rose to Secretariat Drafter. Emperor Jing of Wei once gathered court worthies at night for discussion and ordered An to observe where the Dipper's handle pointed. An said, "Your servant does not know the Northern Dipper. Gao Huan heard of this and considered it plain and straight; for this An was recommended as Supervising Secretary of the Yellow Gate and governor of Yizhou. When Shikai became honored, An was posthumously made Duke of Works, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous name Duke Wenzhen.

士開幼而聰慧，選為國子學生，解悟捷疾，為同業所尚。天保初，武成封長廣王，辟士開開府行參軍。武成好握槊，士開善此戲，由是遂有斯舉。加以傾巧便僻，又能彈胡琵琶，因致親寵。嘗謂王曰：「殿下非天人也，是天帝也。」王曰：「卿非世人也，是世神也。」其深相愛重如此。文宣知其輕薄，不欲令王與小人相親善，責其戲狎過度，徙之馬城。乾明元年，孝昭誅楊愔等，敕追還，長廣王請之也。

Shikai from youth was intelligent; selected as an Imperial University student, quick in understanding, he was admired by his fellows. At the beginning of Tianbao, when Wucheng was enfeoffed as Prince of Changgang he recruited Shikai as acting staff officer of his headquarters. Wucheng loved polo; Shikai was skilled at the game and gained the appointment. Artful, clever, and obsequious, and able to play the foreign pipa, he won intimate favor. He once told the prince, "Your Highness is not a man of heaven but a heavenly emperor. The prince said, "You are not a man of the world but a worldly god." Such was the depth of their mutual affection and esteem. Emperor Wenxuan knew he was frivolous and did not wish the prince close to petty men; rebuking excessive playful intimacy, he exiled Shikai to Macheng. In the first year of Ganming, when Emperor Xiaozhao executed Yang Yin and others, an edict recalled him at Prince of Changgang's request.

武成即位，累遷給事黃門侍郎。侍中高元海、黃門郎高乾和及御史中丞畢義雲等疾之，將言其事。士開乃奏元海等交結朋黨，欲擅威福。乾和因被疏斥，義雲反納貨於士開，除兗州刺史。士開初封定州真定縣子，尋進為伯。天統元年，加儀同三司，尋除侍中，加開府。及遭母劉氏憂，帝聞而悲惋，遣武衛將軍侯呂芬詣宅，晝夜扶侍，並節哀止哭。又遣侍中韓寶業齎手敕慰諭云：「朕之與卿，本同心腹，今懷抱痛割，與卿無異。當深思至理，以自開慰。」成服後，呂芬等始還。其日，遣韓寶業以犢車迎士開入內，帝親握手，下泣曉諭，然後遣還。駕幸晉陽，給假，聽過七日續發，其見重如此。並諸弟四人，並起復本官。四年，再遷尚書右僕射。帝先患氣疾，因飲酒輒大發動，士開每諫不從。後屬帝氣疾發，又欲飲酒，士開淚下噓欷而不能言。帝曰：「卿此是不言之諫。」因不飲酒。及冬，公主出降段氏，帝幸平原王第，始飲酒焉。又除尚書左僕射，仍兼侍中。武成外朝視事，或在內宴賞，須臾之間，不得不與士開相見。或累月不歸，一日數入；或放還之後，俄頃即追，未至之間，連騎催喚。奸諂日至，寵愛彌隆，前後賞賜，不可勝紀。言辭容止，極諸鄙褻，以夜繼晝，無復君臣之禮。至說武成云：「自古帝王，盡為灰土，堯舜、桀紂，竟復何異？陛下宜及少壯，恣意作樂，從橫行之，即是一日快活敵千年。國事分付大臣，何慮不辦？無為自勤約也。」帝大悅，於是委趙彥深掌官爵，元文遙掌財用，唐邕掌外兵，白建掌騎兵，馮子琮、胡長粲掌東宮。帝三四日乃一坐朝，書數字而已，略無言，須臾罷入。及帝寢疾于乾壽殿，士開入侍醫藥。帝謂士開有伊、霍之才，殷勤屬以後事，臨崩握其手曰：「勿負我也。」仍絕於士開之手。

When Wucheng was enthroned he successively rose to Supervising Secretary of the Yellow Gate. Palace Attendant Gao Yuanhai, Supervising Secretary Gao Ganhe, and Censor-in-Chief Bi Yiyun resented him and were about to report the matter. Shikai memorialized that Yuanhai and the others formed cliques and sought to monopolize authority and favor. Ganhe was distanced and dismissed; Yiyun instead bribed Shikai and was made governor of Yanzhou. Shikai was first enfeoffed as Baron of Zhending County in Dingzhou and soon advanced to count. In the first year of Tiantong he was made Commissioner with the Same Powers as the Three Excellencies, soon Palace Attendant with an open headquarters. When he mourned his mother Lady Liu the emperor grieved; he sent General of the Military Guard Hou Lüfen to attend day and night and restrain grief. He also sent Palace Attendant Han Baoye with a handwritten edict: "I and you were originally of one heart; now the pain cuts my breast no differently from yours. You should deeply ponder ultimate principle to comfort yourself. After mourning garments were completed Lüfen and the others only then returned. That day Han Baoye was sent with a calf cart to welcome Shikai in; the emperor took his hand, wept and admonished him, then sent him back. When the imperial carriage visited Jinyang he was granted leave to set out after the seventh day; such was the esteem in which he was held. All four younger brothers likewise resumed their former offices without waiting out mourning. In the fourth year he was again transferred to Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. The emperor had earlier suffered qi illness; drinking made it flare greatly; Shikai often remonstrated but the emperor would not listen. Later when the emperor's qi illness flared and he again wished to drink, Shikai wept and sighed but could not speak. The emperor said, "Your silence is remonstrance without words. And so he refrained from drinking. By winter, when the princess was married into the Duan family, the emperor visited the Prince of Pingyuan's mansion and resumed drinking. He was again made Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat while retaining his post as Palace Attendant. Whether Wucheng was holding court in the outer hall or feasting within the palace, within moments he would summon Shikai to his side. Sometimes he stayed away from home for months, yet entered the palace several times in a day; or after being sent home, he would be recalled almost immediately, with messenger riders urging him on before he could even get there. Flattery poured in daily, his favor grew ever greater, and the rewards lavished on him were beyond count. His speech and conduct were utterly vulgar and indecent; day blurred into night, and all propriety between sovereign and subject vanished. He even told Wucheng, "From ancient times every emperor and king has ended as dust and ashes—what difference is there, in the end, between Yao and Shun and Jie and Zhou? Your Majesty should enjoy yourself to the full while you are still young and vigorous—one day of such pleasure is worth a thousand years. Leave state affairs to your senior ministers—why worry that anything will go undone? There is no need to burden yourself with thrift and self-restraint. The emperor was delighted. He put Zhao Yanshen in charge of appointments, Yuan Wenyao in charge of finances, Tang Yong in charge of external military affairs, Bai Jian in charge of cavalry, and Feng Zicong and Hu Changcan in charge of the crown prince's palace. The emperor held court only once every three or four days, writing a few characters and saying almost nothing before retiring within moments. When the emperor fell ill in Qianshou Hall, Shikai entered to nurse him and administer medicine. The emperor declared that Shikai possessed the talent of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, earnestly entrusted the future to him, and on his deathbed clasped his hand and said, "Do not betray me. He died with Shikai's hand still in his.

後主以武成顧托，深委任之。又先得幸于胡太后，是以彌見親密。趙郡王睿與婁定遠、元文遙等謀出士開，仍引任城、馮翊二王及段韶、安吐根共為計策。屬太后觴朝貴於前殿，睿面陳士開罪失云：「士開，先帝弄臣，城狐社鼠，受納貨賄，穢亂宮掖。臣等義無杜口，冒以死陳。」太后曰：「先帝在時，王等何意不道？今日欲欺孤寡邪！但飲酒，勿多言。」睿詞色愈厲。安吐根繼進曰：「臣本商胡，得在諸貴行末，既受厚恩，豈敢惜死？不出士開，朝野不定。」太后曰：「別日論之，王等且散。」睿等或投冠於地，或拂衣而起，言詞咆哱，無所不至。明日，睿等復于雲龍門令文遙入奏，三反，太后不聽。段韶呼胡長粲傳言于太后。曰：「梓宮在殯，事太匆速，猶欲王等更思量。」趙郡王等遂並拜謝。長粲復命，太后謂曰：「成妹母子家計者，兄之力也。」厚賜睿等而罷之。

Because Wucheng had entrusted him on his deathbed, the Later Ruler placed deep trust in him. He had also won Empress Dowager Hu's favor earlier, which made their intimacy all the more pronounced. Prince Rui of Zhao Commandery, together with Lou Dingyuan, Yuan Wenyao, and others, plotted to oust Shikai. They also brought in the Princes of Rencheng and Fenyang, along with Duan Shao and An Tugen, to join in the plan. When the empress dowager was hosting the court nobility for wine in the front hall, Rui openly denounced Shikai's crimes. "Shikai was the late emperor's favorite plaything—a creature of the palace walls who took bribes and defiled the inner quarters. We cannot in conscience remain silent—we speak even at the risk of our lives. The empress dowager said, "When the late emperor was alive, why did none of you say a word? Do you mean to take advantage of a widow and her young son? Drink your wine and say no more." Rui's tone and expression grew sharper still. An Tugen stepped forward next. "I am but a Sogdian merchant who happened to stand among the nobility. Having received such great favor, how could I hold back my life? Unless Shikai is removed, neither court nor countryside will be stable. The empress dowager said, "We will discuss this another day. For now, disperse." Some of Rui's party flung their caps to the floor; others stormed out. Their shouts and rage knew no bounds. The next day Rui and his allies again had Wenyao submit a memorial at the Yunlong Gate. Three times they tried; the empress dowager refused to hear them. Duan Shao sent Hu Changcan to relay a message to the empress dowager. He said, "The late emperor's coffin has not yet been laid to rest—the matter is too rushed. We ask you princes to reconsider. Prince Rui and the others thereupon bowed and withdrew. When Changcan reported back, the empress dowager told him, "The household affairs of my brother's daughter and her son are owed to your brother's efforts. She lavished rewards on Rui and his allies and sent them away.

太后及後主召問士開，士開曰：「先帝群臣中，待臣最重。陛下諒陰始爾，大臣皆有覬覦，今若出臣，正是翦陛下羽翼。宜謂睿等，雲文遙與臣同是任用，豈得一去一留，並可以為州。且依舊出納，待過山陵，然後發遣。睿等謂臣真出，心必喜之。」後主及太后告睿等，如其言，以士開為兗州刺史，文遙為西兗州刺史。山陵畢，睿等促士開就路。士開載美女珠簾及諸寶玩以詣婁定遠，謝曰：「諸貴欲殺士開，蒙王特賜性命，用作方伯。今欲奉別，且送二女子、一珠簾。」定遠大喜，謂士開曰：「欲還入不？」士開曰：「在內久，常不自安，不願更人。」定遠信之，送至門。士開曰：「今日遠出，願一辭觀二宮。」定遠許之。由是得見後主及太后，進說曰：「先帝一旦登遐，臣愧不能自死。觀朝貴意勢，欲以陛下為乾明。臣出之後，必有大變，復何面目見先帝於地下！」因慟哭。後主及太后皆泣，問計將安出。士開曰：「臣已得入，復何所慮？正須數行詔書耳。」於是詔定遠為青州刺史；責趙郡王睿以不臣，召入殺之；復除士開侍中、尚書左僕射。定遠歸士開所遺，加以餘珍賂之。武平元年，封淮陽王，尋除尚書令，還錄尚書事，食定州常山郡幹。

The empress dowager and the Later Ruler summoned Shikai for questioning. He said, "Of all the late emperor's ministers, I was the one he favored most. Your Majesty's mourning has only just begun, and the senior ministers all harbor designs of their own. If you remove me now, you will be cutting away your own wings. Tell Rui and the others that Wenyao and I are both in active service—how can one be dismissed and the other kept? Send us both to govern provinces. Let me continue my duties at court for now, and send us away only after the tomb rites are complete. Rui and his allies, believing Shikai was truly being removed, would surely rejoice. The Later Ruler and the empress dowager told Rui and the others exactly what Shikai had advised, appointing Shikai Governor of Yan Province and Wenyao Governor of Western Yan Province. Once the tomb rites were complete, Rui and his allies pressed Shikai to depart. Shikai loaded up beautiful women, pearl curtains, and all manner of treasures and went to Lou Dingyuan. "The nobles wanted me dead," he said gratefully. "You alone spared my life and made me a regional governor. As I take my leave, I bring you two women and a pearl curtain. Dingyuan was delighted and asked Shikai, "Do you want to go back inside?" Shikai said, "I have been inside so long that I never feel at ease there. I have no wish to go back." Dingyuan believed him and saw him to the gate. Shikai said, "Since I am leaving today, I wish to bid farewell to the two palaces. Dingyuan agreed. In this way he gained audience with the Later Ruler and the empress dowager and pleaded, "When the late emperor suddenly passed away, I was ashamed that I could not die with him. Judging by the intent and power of the court nobles, they mean to reduce Your Majesty to another Qianming. Once I am gone, there will surely be a great upheaval. How could I face the late emperor in the grave! He broke into bitter weeping. The Later Ruler and the empress dowager wept as well and asked what could be done. Shikai said, "I am already back inside—what is there left to fear? A few edicts will suffice. Edicts were issued appointing Dingyuan Governor of Qing Province; condemning Prince Rui of Zhao Commandery for disloyalty, summoning him in and executing him; and restoring Shikai as Palace Attendant and Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Dingyuan returned Shikai's gifts and added further treasures as a bribe. In the first year of Wuping he was enfeoffed as Prince of Huaiyang, soon made Director of the Imperial Secretariat and again put in charge of its affairs, with income from Changshan Commandery in Ding Province.

武成時，恆令士開與太后握槊，又出入臥內，遂與太后為亂。及武成崩後，彌自放恣。琅邪王儼惡之，與領軍大將軍厙狄伏連、侍中馮子琮、書侍御史王子宜、武衛大將軍高舍洛等謀誅之。伏連發京畿軍士帖神武千秋門外，並私約束，不聽士開入殿。士開雖為領軍，恆性好內，多早下，縱當直，必須還宅，晚始來。門禁宿衛，略不在意。及旦，士開依式早參，厙狄伏連把士開手曰：「今有一大好事。」王子宜便授一函云：「有敕，令王向台。」遣軍士防送，禁治書侍御査事。儼遣都督馮永洛就台斬之。先是鄴下童謠云：「和士開，當入台。」士開謂入上臺，至是果驗。儼令御史李幼業、羊立正將令史就宅簿錄家口，自領兵士縱殿西北角出。斛律明月說後主親自曉告軍士，軍士果散。即斬伏連及王子宜，並支解，棄屍殿西街。自餘皆辮頭反縛，付趙彥深於涼風堂推問，死者十餘人。帝哀悼，不視事數日。後追憶不已，詔起復其子道盛通直散騎常侍，又敕其弟士休入內省，參典機密。詔贈士開假黃鉞、右丞相、太宰、司徒公，錄尚書事，諡曰文定。

During Wucheng's reign he often had Shikai and the empress dowager play pitch-pot together. Shikai also entered and left the inner sleeping quarters, and he and the empress dowager became lovers. After Wucheng's death he gave himself over to unrestrained indulgence. Prince Yan of Langye hated him and, together with General-in-Chief of the Guards Kudil Foulian, Palace Attendant Feng Zicong, Supervising Secretary Wang Ziyi, Great General of the Military Guard Gao Sheluo, and others, plotted his death. Foulian mobilized capital troops and posted them outside Shenwu's Qianqiu Gate, privately ordering them not to let Shikai enter the hall. Although Shikai held the post of General-in-Chief of the Guards, he always preferred the inner palace. He often left early, and even when on duty he had to return home, arriving only late. He paid little heed to gate guards or night watchmen. At dawn Shikai came for the customary early audience. Kudil Foulian seized his hand and said, "Today something wonderful is about to happen. Wang Ziyi immediately handed him a box. "There is an edict," he said, "ordering the prince to go to the tribunal." Soldiers were sent to guard and escort him, and the Supervising Secretary was forbidden to investigate. Yan sent Commander Feng Yongluo to the tribunal to behead him. Earlier a children's song in Ye had run, "He Shikai is about to enter the tribunal. Shikai had taken it to mean entering the upper tribunal—and now the prophecy was fulfilled. Yan ordered Supervising Secretaries Li Youye and Yang Lizheng to lead clerks to Shikai's residence to register his household, while he himself led troops out through the northwest corner of the palace. Hulü Mingyue persuaded the Later Ruler to address the troops himself at dawn, and the soldiers dispersed. He immediately executed Foulian and Wang Ziyi, dismembered them, and cast their bodies on the palace's West Street. The rest were bound with braided hair and hands tied behind their backs and handed to Zhao Yanshen at Liangfeng Hall for interrogation. More than ten were put to death. The emperor mourned and neglected state affairs for several days. Later, unable to stop grieving, he issued an edict restoring Shikai's son Daosheng as Regular Attendant of the Palace Cadre and ordering his younger brother Shixiu into the Inner Secretariat to handle confidential affairs. An edict posthumously conferred on Shikai the Golden Battle-Axe, the title of Right Chancellor, Grand Preceptor, and Duke of the Secretariat with charge over imperial secretariat affairs, and the posthumous name Wending.

士開稟性庸鄙，不窺書傳，發言吐論，唯以諂媚自資。自河清、天統以後，威權轉盛，富商大賈，朝夕填門，聚斂貨財，不知紀極。雖公府屬掾，郡縣守長，不拘階次，啟牒即成。朝士不知廉恥者，多相附會，甚者為其假子，與市道小人丁鄒、嚴興等同在昆季行列。又有一人士，曾參士開疾患，遇醫人云，王傷寒極重，應服黃龍湯，士開有難色。是人云：「此物甚易，王不須疑惑，請為王先嘗之。」一舉便盡。士開深感此心，為之強服，遂得汗病癒。其勢傾朝廷如此。雖以左道事之者，不隔賢愚，無不進擢；而正理違忤者，亦頗能含容之。士開見人將加刑戮，多所營救，既得免罪，即令諷論，責其珍寶，謂之贖命物。雖有全濟，皆非直道。

Shikai was vulgar and ignorant by nature. He never read books or records, and in speech and debate relied entirely on flattery. From the Heqing and Tiantong periods onward his power grew ever greater. Rich merchants thronged his gate morning and evening, and he amassed wealth beyond measure. Even staff of government offices and prefectural and county chiefs, regardless of rank, had their petitions approved on submission. Shameless courtiers flocked to him. Some became his nominal sons, standing as brothers alongside market lowlifes such as Ding Zou and Yan Xing. Once, when a gentleman visited Shikai during an illness, a physician said the prince's cold injury was extremely severe and he should take Yellow Dragon Decoction. Shikai looked troubled. The man said, "It is a simple remedy—Your Highness need not hesitate. Let me taste it for you first. He drained it in one draft. Deeply moved by this devotion, Shikai forced himself to take the medicine and sweated out the illness. Such was the degree to which he dominated the court. Even those who served him through heterodox means, whether worthy or foolish, were promoted without distinction; yet he could also to some extent tolerate those who opposed him on principle. When Shikai saw someone about to be executed, he often intervened to save them. Once they were spared, he would have them lectured and charged for precious treasures—the price of redeeming one's life. Although many lives were saved, none of it was done by upright means.

安吐根，安息胡人，曾祖入魏，家於酒泉。吐根魏末充使蠕蠕，因留塞北。天平初，蠕蠕主使至晉陽，吐根密啟本蕃情狀，神武得為之備。蠕蠕果遣兵入掠，無獲而反。神武以其忠款，厚加賞賚。其後與蠕蠕和親，結成婚媾，皆吐根為行人也。吐根性和善，頗有計策，頻使入朝，為神武親待。在其本蕃，為人所譖，奔投神武。文襄嗣事，以為假節、涼州刺史、率義侯，稍遷儀同三司，食永昌郡幹。皇建中，加開府。齊亡年，卒。

An Tugen was a Parthian. His great-grandfather had entered Wei and settled the family in Jiuquan. At the end of Wei, Tugen served as envoy to the Rouran and remained on the northern frontier. At the beginning of Tianping the Rouran ruler sent envoys to Jinyang. Tugen secretly reported conditions in his homeland, enabling Shenwu to prepare defenses. The Rouran did send troops to raid, but gained nothing and withdrew. Shenwu richly rewarded him for his loyalty. Thereafter, whenever peace and marriage alliances were negotiated with the Rouran, Tugen served as envoy. Tugen was gentle by nature and shrewd in counsel. He frequently came to court as envoy and was personally favored by Shenwu. In his homeland he was slandered by others and fled to Shenwu for refuge. When Wenxiang succeeded to power, Tugen was made Acting Commissioner with Full Powers, Governor of Liang Province, and Marquis of Shuaiyi, and was gradually promoted to Third Rank with Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies, with income from Yongchang Commandery. During Huangjian he was further made General of the Opening Gate. In the year Qi fell, he died.

穆提婆，本性駱，漢陽人也。父超，以謀叛伏法，提婆母陸令萱配入掖庭，提婆為奴。後主在繈褓中，令其鞠養，謂之乾阿妳，呼姊姊，遂為胡太后昵愛。令萱奸巧多機辯，取媚百端，宮掖之中，獨擅威福，封為郡君。和士開，高阿那肱皆為郡君義子。天統初，奏引提婆入侍後主，朝夕左右，大被親狎，無所不為。武平元年，稍遷儀同三司，又加開府，尋授武衛大將軍、秦州大中正。二年，除侍中，轉食樂陵郡幹，寵遇彌隆。遂至尚書左右僕射、領軍大將軍、錄尚書，封城陽郡王。贈其父司徒公、尚書左僕射、城陽王。令萱又佞媚穆昭儀，養之為女，是以提婆改姓穆。及穆氏定位，號視第一品，班在長公主之上。

Mu Tipo's original surname was Luo, and he came from Hanyang. His father Chao was executed for plotting rebellion. Tipo's mother Lu Lingxuan was assigned to the inner palace, and Tipo became a slave. When the Later Ruler was still in swaddling clothes, she was ordered to nurse him. He called her "Gan A'ni" and "elder sister," and thus won the affection of Empress Dowager Hu. Lingxuan was cunning and eloquent, finding a hundred ways to win favor. Within the inner palace she alone wielded power and was enfeoffed as Lady of a Commandery. He Shikai and Gao Anagong both became her nominal sons. At the beginning of Tiantong she petitioned to bring Tipo in to attend the Later Ruler day and night. He was greatly favored and intimate, and nothing was forbidden between them. In the first year of Wuping he was gradually promoted to Third Rank with Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies and made General of the Opening Gate, and soon appointed Great General of the Military Guard and Chief Rectifier of Qin Province. In the second year he was made Palace Attendant and given income from Leling Commandery; his favor grew ever greater. He eventually rose to Left and Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, General-in-Chief of the Guards, and Recorder of Imperial Secretariat Affairs, and was enfeoffed as Prince of Chengyang Commandery. His father was posthumously conferred Duke of the Secretariat, Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Prince of Chengyang. Lingxuan also fawned on Honorary Consort Mu and adopted her as a daughter, which is why Tipo changed his surname to Mu. When Lady Mu was established in rank, her title was treated as first rank and she took precedence even over senior princesses.

自武平三年之後，令萱母子勢傾內外，賣官鬻獄，取斂無厭，每一賜與，動傾府藏。令萱則自太后以下，皆受其指麾；提婆則唐邕之徒，皆重跡屏氣。提婆嘗有罪，太姬於帝前駕之曰：「奴斷我兒！」兒謂帝，奴謂提婆也。

From after the third year of Wuping, Lingxuan and her son dominated court and countryside. They sold offices and traded in judgments, extracting wealth without limit—each act of favor could drain the treasury. From the empress dowager downward, all obeyed Lingxuan's commands; as for Tipo, men such as Tang Yong walked in double file and held their breath before him. Tipo once committed an offense, and the Grand Consort rebuked him before the emperor: "The slave has ruined my son!" Son" meant the emperor; "slave" meant Tipo.

斛律皇后之廢也，太后欲以胡昭儀正位後宮，力不能遂，乃卑辭厚禮，以求令萱。令萱亦以胡氏寵倖方睦，不得已而白後主立之。然意在穆昭儀，每私謂後主曰：「豈有男為皇太子，而身為婢妾？」又恐胡後不可以正義離間，乃外求左道行厭蠱之術，旬朔之間，胡氏遂即精神恍惚，言笑無恆，後主遂漸相畏惡。令萱一旦忽以皇后服御衣被穆昭儀，又先別造寶帳，爰及枕席器玩，莫匪珍奇，坐昭儀於帳中，謂後主云：「有一聖女出，將大家看之。」及見，昭儀更相媚悅。令萱云：「如此人不作皇后，遣何物人作皇后？」於是立穆氏為右皇后，以胡氏為左皇后，尋復黜胡，以穆為正嫡。引祖珽為宰相，殺胡長仁，皆令萱所為也。自外殺生與奪，不可盡言。

When Empress Hulü was deposed, the empress dowager wished to make Honorary Consort Hu empress but could not manage it alone. She therefore used humble words and rich gifts to win over Lingxuan. Lingxuan, because Lady Hu was then in favor, reluctantly persuaded the Later Ruler to establish her. Yet her heart was set on Honorary Consort Mu, and she often said privately to the Later Ruler, "How can a man be crown prince while his mother remains a maidservant and concubine? She also feared that Empress Hu could not be turned aside by honest argument, and so sought out practitioners of sorcery and poison rites. Within weeks Lady Hu became confused in spirit, her speech and laughter erratic, and the Later Ruler gradually came to fear and loathe her. One day Lingxuan suddenly draped the empress's robes and covers on Honorary Consort Mu, and had a precious canopy made with pillows, mats, and curios of every rarity. She seated the honorary consort in the canopy and told the Later Ruler, "A holy woman has appeared—come and see. When he saw her, he and the honorary consort were mutually delighted. Lingxuan said, "If someone like this is not made empress, what sort of person should be? Lady Mu was then made Right Empress and Lady Hu Left Empress; soon Hu was deposed and Mu made principal consort. Bringing in Zu Ting as chancellor and killing Hu Changren were both Lingxuan's work. Beyond these, the killings, pardons, and seizures of property are beyond full recounting.

提婆雖庸品廝濫，而性乃和善，不甚害物。耽聲色，極奢侈，晚朝早退，全不以公事關懷。未嘗毒害，士人亦由此稱之。晉州軍敗，後主還鄴，提婆奔投周軍，令萱自殺，子孫小大皆棄市，籍沒其家。周武帝以提婆為柱國、宜州刺史。未幾，雲將據宜州起兵，與後主相應，誅死。後主及齊氏諸王，並因此非命。

Although Tipo was a vulgar mediocrity, his nature was gentle and he did not greatly harm people. He indulged in music and women with extreme luxury, leaving court early and arriving late, wholly unconcerned with public affairs. He never poisoned anyone, and for this reason courtiers also spoke well of him. When the Jinzhou army was defeated and the Later Ruler returned to Ye, Tipo fled to the Zhou army. Lingxuan killed herself, and the entire family, young and old, was executed in the marketplace and their property confiscated. Emperor Wu of Zhou made Tipo a Pillar of the State and Governor of Yi Province. Before long, Yun Jiang seized Yi Province and raised troops in coordination with the Later Ruler, and was executed. The Later Ruler and all the princes of the Qi clan likewise met untimely deaths because of this.

高阿那肱，善無人也。父市貴，從神武以軍功封常山郡公，位晉州刺史，贈太尉公。及阿那肱貴寵，贈成皋王。

Gao Anagong came from Shanwu. His father Shigui followed Shenwu and, for military merit, was enfeoffed Duke of Changshan Commandery, served as Governor of Jin Province, and was posthumously made Grand Duke. When Anagong rose to honor and favor, Shigui was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Chenggao.

阿那肱初為庫直，每從征討，以功封直城縣男。天保初，除庫直都督。四年，從破契丹及蠕蠕，以蹻捷見知。大寧初，除假儀同三司、武衛將軍。那肱工於騎射，便僻善事人，每宴射之次，大為武成愛重。又諂悅和士開，尤相褻狎。士開每見為之言，由是彌見親待。河清中，除儀同三司，食汾州定陽、仵城二郡幹。以破突厥，封宜君縣伯。天統初，加開府，除侍中、驃騎大將軍、領軍，別封昌國縣侯。後主即位，除並省右僕射。武平元年，封淮陰郡王，仍遷並省尚書左僕射，又除並省尚書令、領軍大將軍、并州刺史。

Anagong first served as a palace storehouse attendant. He followed on every campaign and, for merit, was enfeoffed Baron of Zhicheng County. At the beginning of Tianbao he was made Commander of Palace Storehouse Attendants. In the fourth year he took part in defeating the Khitan and the Rouran and was noted for swiftness and agility. At the beginning of Daning he was made Acting Third Rank with Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies and General of the Military Guard. Anagong was skilled at mounted archery and adept at fawning. At every feast and archery contest Wucheng greatly favored him. He also fawned on He Shikai and was especially intimate with him. Shikai often spoke on his behalf, and through this he won still greater favor. During Heqing he was made Third Rank with Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies, with income from Dingyang and Wucheng in Fen Province. For defeating the Turks he was enfeoffed Earl of Yijun County. At the beginning of Tiantong he was further made General of the Opening Gate, Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and General-in-Chief of the Guards, and separately enfeoffed Marquis of Changguo County. When the Later Ruler ascended the throne, he was made Right Vice Director of the Combined Secretariat. In the first year of Wuping he was enfeoffed Prince of Huaiyin Commandery, made Left Vice Director of the Combined Imperial Secretariat, and further appointed Director of the Combined Imperial Secretariat, General-in-Chief of the Guards, and Governor of Bing Province.

那肱才技庸劣，不涉文史，識用尤在士開下。而奸巧計數，亦不逮士開。既為武成所幸，多令在東宮侍衛，後主所以大寵遇之。士開死後，後主謂其識度足繼士開，遂致位宰輔。武平四年，令其錄尚書事，又總知外兵及內省機密。頓不如和士開、駱提婆母子賣獄鬻官，韓長鸞憎疾良善；而那肱少言辭，不妄喜怒，亦不察人陰私，虛相讒構。遂至司徒公、右丞相，其錄尚書、刺史並如故。及周師逼平陽，後主于天池校獵，晉州頻遣馳奏，從旦至午，驛馬三至。那肱云：「大家正作樂，邊境小小兵馬，自是常事，何急奏聞？」向暮，更有使至，雲平陽城已陷賊，方乃奏知。明即欲引軍，淑妃又請更合圍，所以彌致遲緩。及軍赴晉州，命那肱率前軍先進，仍總節度諸軍。

Anagong's talents were mediocre. He knew nothing of literature or history, and in judgment he was well below Shikai. In cunning and calculation he also fell short of Shikai. Because Wucheng favored him, he was often assigned to guard the Eastern Palace, which is why the Later Ruler greatly favored him. After Shikai's death the Later Ruler said his judgment was sufficient to succeed Shikai, and thus he rose to chief minister. In the fourth year of Wuping he was ordered to record imperial secretariat affairs and to oversee external military affairs and Inner Secretariat secrets. Only he did not, like He Shikai and Mu Tipo and his mother, sell judgments and trade in offices, and Han Changluan hated the good and worthy; whereas Anagong spoke little, did not rashly show anger or joy, and did not investigate private affairs to slander and frame people. He eventually rose to Grand Duke and Right Chancellor, while retaining his secretariat and governorship posts. When Zhou troops pressed Pingyang, the Later Ruler was hunting at Tianchi. Jin Province sent urgent dispatches repeatedly—from dawn to noon the post horses came three times. Anagong said, "His Majesty is just enjoying himself—a small band of frontier troops is a common affair. Why report so urgently? Toward evening another messenger arrived saying Pingyang had already fallen to the enemy—only then was it reported. The next day he wished to lead the army out, but the Honored Consort again asked to complete the encirclement hunt, causing further delay. When the army marched to Jin Province, he ordered Anagong to lead the vanguard and overall command of the armies.

後主至平陽城下，謂那肱曰：「戰是邪？不戰是邪？」那肱曰：「兵雖多，堪戰者不過十萬，病傷及繞城火頭，三分除一。昔攻玉壁，援軍來，即退。今日將士豈勝神武皇帝時？不如勿戰，守高梁橋。」安吐根曰：「一把子賊，馬上刺取擲汾河中。」帝未決，諸內參曰：「彼亦天子，我亦天子，彼尚能縣軍遠來，我何為守塹示弱？」帝曰：「此言是也。」於是橋塹進軍，使內參讓阿那肱曰：「爾富貴足，惜性命邪！」

When the Later Ruler reached Pingyang he asked Anagong, "Shall we fight? Or shall we not? Anagong said, "Although our troops are many, no more than a hundred thousand are fit for battle. Counting the sick, wounded, and those fighting fires around the city, subtract a third. At the siege of Yubi, when relief troops arrived we withdrew. Can today's officers and soldiers compare with those of Emperor Shenwu's day? Better not to fight, but hold Gaoliang Bridge." An Tugen said, "A handful of bandits—we can spear them from horseback and throw them into the Fen River." The emperor had not decided. The inner attendants said, "They are Son of Heaven and we are Son of Heaven—they marched an army from afar. Why should we hold the trenches and show weakness?" The emperor said, "That is right." They advanced across the bridge and trenches, and an inner attendant rebuked Anagong: "You are rich and honored enough—are you afraid for your life?"

後主從穆提婆觀戰，東偏頗有退者，提婆怖曰：「大家去！大家去！」帝與淑妃奔高梁。開府奚長樂諫曰：「半進半退，戰家常體。今眾全整，未有傷敗，陛下舍此安之？御馬一動，人情驚亂，願速還安慰之。」武衛張常山自後至，亦曰：「軍尋收訖，甚整頓，圍城兵亦不動，至尊宜回。不信臣言，乞將內參往視。」帝將從之，提婆引帝肘曰：「此言何可信！」帝遂北馳。有軍士雷相，告稱：「阿那肱遣臣招引西軍，行到文侯城，恐事不果，故還聞奏。」後主召侍中斛律孝卿，令其檢校。孝卿固執云：「此人自欲投賊，行至文侯城，迷不得去，畏死妄語耳。」事遂寢。還至晉陽，那肱腹心人馬子平告那肱謀反，又以為虛妄，斬子平。乃顛沛還鄴，侍衛逃散，唯那肱及閹寺等數十騎從行。復除大丞相。

The Later Ruler watched the battle with Mu Tipo. On the eastern flank troops began to fall back, and Tipo cried in fear, "Your Majesty, go! Your Majesty, go! The emperor and the Honored Consort fled to Gaoliang. General of the Opening Gate Xi Changle remonstrated: "Half advancing and half retreating is the normal way of battle. Our forces are still intact, with no rout—where will Your Majesty go if you leave now? Once the imperial horse moves, hearts will panic. I beg you to return quickly and reassure the troops. Military Guard Zhang Changshan arrived from the rear and also said, "The army is regrouping in good order and the besiegers are not moving. Your Majesty should turn back. If you do not believe me, I beg to take inner attendants and go see for myself." The emperor was about to agree, but Tipo pulled his elbow and said, "How can such words be trusted!" The emperor galloped north. A soldier named Lei Xiang reported, "Anagong sent me to recruit the western army. I reached Wenhou city, but fearing the plot would fail, I returned to report. The Later Ruler summoned Palace Attendant Hulü Xiaoqing and ordered an investigation. Xiaoqing firmly maintained, "This man wished to defect to the enemy himself. He reached Wenhou city, lost his way, and in fear of death lied—that is all. The matter was dropped. When they returned to Jinyang, Anagong's trusted follower Ma Ziping reported that Anagong was plotting rebellion. This too was dismissed as false, and Ziping was beheaded. They fled in distress back to Ye. The guards scattered, and only Anagong and a few dozen eunuchs followed on horseback. He was again appointed Grand Chancellor.

後主走度河，令那肱以數千人投濟州關，仍遣覘候周軍進止，日夕馳報。那肱每奏云：「周軍未至，且在青州集兵馬，未須南行。」及周軍且至關首，所部兵馬皆散，那肱遂降。時人皆云，那肱表款周武，必仰生致齊主，故不速報兵至，使後主被禽。那肱至長安，授大將軍，封郡公，尋出為隆州刺史。大象末，在蜀從王謙起兵，誅死。

When the Later Ruler fled across the river, he ordered Anagong to lead several thousand men to Jizhou Pass and sent him to observe the Zhou army's movements, reporting day and night. Each time Anagong reported he said, "The Zhou army has not yet arrived. Gather troops at Qing Province for now—there is no need to march south yet. When the Zhou army reached the pass, his troops scattered and Anagong surrendered. People at the time said Anagong had pledged loyalty to Emperor Wu of Zhou and hoped to deliver the Qi ruler alive, and therefore delayed reporting the army's arrival, causing the Later Ruler's capture. When Anagong reached Chang'an he was made Great General and enfeoffed Duke of a Commandery, and soon sent out as Governor of Long Province. At the end of Daxiang, in Shu he followed Wang Qian in raising troops and was executed.

初，天保中，文宣自晉陽還鄴，愚僧禿師于路中大叫，呼文宣姓名云：「阿那瑰終破你國。」時蠕蠕主阿那瑰在塞北強盛，帝尤忌之，所以每歲討擊。後亡齊者遂屬高阿那肱云。雖作「肱」字，世人皆稱為「瑰」音。斯固亡秦者胡，蓋縣定於窈冥也。

Earlier, during Tianbao, when Wenzuan returned from Jinyang to Ye, a foolish monk named Tushi shouted on the road, calling Wenzuan by name: "Anagui will ultimately destroy your state. At that time the Rouran ruler Anagui was powerful on the northern frontier, and the emperor especially feared him, launching punitive campaigns every year. Later, when Qi fell, the blame was laid on Gao Anagong. Although the character was written as "gong," everyone pronounced it as "gui." This is indeed like "the one who destroyed Qin was a Hu"—the thread of fate was fixed in the hidden realm.

韓鳳，字長鸞，昌黎人也，父永興，開府、青州刺史、高密郡公。鳳少聰察，有膂力，善騎射，稍遷烏賀真、大賢真正都督。後主居東宮，年尚幼，武成簡都督三十人，送令侍衛，鳳在其數。後主親就眾中牽鳳手曰：「都督，看兒來。」因此被識，數喚共戲。襲爵高密郡公，位開府儀同三司。武平二年，和士開為厙狄伏連等矯害，敕咸陽王斛律明月、宜陽王趙彥深在涼風堂推問支黨。其事秘密，皆令鳳口傳，然後宣詔敕號令文武。禁掖防守，悉以委之。除侍中、領軍，總知內省機密。

Han Feng, styled Changluan, came from Changli. His father Yongxing was General of the Opening Gate, Governor of Qing Province, and Duke of Gaomi Commandery. Feng was perceptive and strong in youth, skilled at mounted archery, and was gradually promoted to Commander of the Wuhazhen and Great Sage Zhen ranks. When the Later Ruler lived in the Eastern Palace and was still young, Wucheng selected thirty commanders to serve as his guards; Feng was among them. The Later Ruler personally went among the crowd, took Feng's hand, and said, "Commander, look—your boy has come. Because of this he was remembered, and was repeatedly summoned to play with the prince. He inherited the title Duke of Gaomi Commandery and held the rank of General of the Opening Gate with Third Rank Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies. In the second year of Wuping, when He Shikai was killed by Kudil Foulian and others under a false charge, an edict ordered Prince Hulü Mingyue of Xianyang and Prince Zhao Yanshen of Yiyang to interrogate the partisans at Liangfeng Hall. The affair was secret. Everything passed through Feng's mouth before edicts and commands were proclaimed to civil and military officials. Defense of the inner palace was wholly entrusted to him. He was made Palace Attendant and General-in-Chief of the Guards, with overall charge of Inner Secretariat secrets.

祖珽曾與鳳於後主前論事，珽語鳳云：「強弓長槊，容相推謝；軍國謀算，何由得爭？」鳳答云：「各出意見，豈在文武優劣！」後主將誅斛律明月，鳳固執不從。祖珽因有讒言，既誅明月，數日後主不興語，後尋復舊。仍封舊國昌黎郡王，又加特進。及祖珽除北徐州刺史，即令赴任。既辭之後，遲留不行。其省事徐孝遠密告祖珽誅斛律明月後，矯稱敕賜其珍寶財物，亦有不雲敕而徑回取者。敕令領軍將軍侯呂芬追珽還，引入侍中省鎖禁，其事首尾，並鳳約敕責之。

Zu Ting once discussed affairs with Feng before the Later Ruler and said to him, "Strong bows and long spears—we can defer to each other; but in military and state strategy, how can we contend? Feng replied, "Each gives his own opinion—what does civil or military rank matter!" When the Later Ruler was about to execute Hulü Mingyue, Feng firmly refused to agree. Zu Ting then slandered him. After Mingyue was executed, the Later Ruler would not speak with Feng for several days; later relations resumed as before. He was still enfeoffed Prince of his old domain, Changli Commandery, and given Special Advancement. When Zu Ting was appointed Governor of Northern Xuzhou, he was immediately ordered to proceed to his post. After taking leave he delayed and did not depart. His clerk Xu Xiaoyuan secretly reported that after Zu Ting had Hulü Mingyue executed, he falsely claimed an edict granting him precious treasures, and in some cases took them without any edict at all. An edict ordered General-in-Chief of the Guards Hou Lüfen to pursue Ting and bring him back. Ting was confined in the Palace Attendant's office, and Feng was charged by edict with the whole affair from beginning to end.

進位領軍大將軍，余悉如故。息寶行尚公主，在晉陽賜甲第一區。其公主生男滿月，駕幸鳳宅，宴會盡日。每旦早參，先被敕喚顧訪，出後方引奏事官。若不視事，內省急速者，皆附奏聞。軍國要密，無不經手。東西巡幸，及山水遊戲射獵，獨在禦傍。與高阿那肱、穆提婆共處衡軸，號曰三貴。損國害政，日月滋甚。

He was promoted to General-in-Chief of the Guards, with everything else unchanged. His son Baoxing married a princess and was granted a first-rank mansion in Jinyang. When the princess's son reached his full month, the emperor visited Feng's residence and feasted all day. Each morning at early audience he was first summoned for a private audience by edict; only after he left were memorial officials admitted. If the emperor did not hold court, urgent Inner Secretariat matters were all attached to memorials and reported. No military or state secret failed to pass through his hands. On tours east and west, and at outings, hunting, and archery, he alone stayed at the emperor's side. Together with Gao Anagong and Mu Tipo he stood at the pivot of power and was called one of the Three Honored. Harm to the state and injury to government grew worse by the day.

壽陽陷沒，鳳與穆提婆聞告敗，握槊不輟曰：「他家物，從他去。」後帝使于黎陽臨河築城戍，曰：「急時且守此作龜茲國子。更可憐人生如寄，唯當行樂，何用愁為？」君臣應和若此。鳳恆帶刀走馬，未曾安行，瞋目張拳，有啖人之勢。每吒曰：「恨不得剉漢狗飼馬！」又曰：「刀止可刈賊漢頭，不可刈草。」其弟萬歲，及其二子寶行、寶信，並開府儀同，萬歲又拜侍中，亦處機要。寶信尚公主，駕復幸其宅，親戚咸蒙官賞。

When Shouyang fell, Feng and Mu Tipo heard the report of defeat and, without stopping their pitch-pot game, said, "Another family's property—let it go. Later the emperor sent him to Liyang to build a fortified post by the river, saying, "In an emergency we can hold this and play at being sons of Kucha. How pitiable—human life is but a lodging. One should only seek pleasure. Why worry?" Ruler and ministers spoke to each other like this. Feng always carried a sword and rode at a gallop, never walking at ease. Glaring and clenching his fists, he looked ready to devour men. He often shouted, "I wish I could mince Han dogs to feed horses! He also said, "A blade should only cut off Han bandit heads—it should not cut grass." His younger brother Wansui and his two sons Baoxing and Baoxin all held the rank of General of the Opening Gate with Third Rank Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies. Wansui was further made Palace Attendant and also held confidential posts. Baoxin married a princess. The emperor again visited his residence, and relatives all received official rewards.

鳳母鮮于，段孝言之從母子姊也，為此偏相參附，奏遣監造晉陽宮。陳德信馳驛檢行，見孝言役官夫匠自營宅，即語云：「僕射為至尊起台殿未訖，何用先自營造？」鳳及穆提婆亦遣孝言分工匠為己造宅。德信還，具奏聞。及幸晉陽，鳳又以官馬與他人乘騎，上因此發忿，與提婆並除名。亦不露其罪。仍毀其宅，公主離婚，復被遣尚鄴吏部門參。及後主晉陽走還，被敕喚入內，尋詔復王爵及開府、領軍大將軍，常在左右。仍從後主走度河，到青州，並為周軍所獲。

Feng's mother Xianyu was the maternal elder sister of Duan Xiaoyan's mother's younger brother, and for this reason he was especially attached to Xiaoyan. He memorialized to send Xiaoyan to supervise construction of the Jinyang palace. Chen Dexin rode post horses to inspect. Seeing Xiaoyan using official laborers and craftsmen for his own residence, he said at once, "The Vice Director is building halls for His Majesty that are not yet finished—why use them first for your own house? Feng and Mu Tipo also sent Xiaoyan to divide the craftsmen and build residences for themselves. Dexin returned and reported everything. When the emperor visited Jinyang, Feng again lent official horses for others to ride. The emperor grew angry and struck Feng and Tipo from the rolls. He did not expose their crimes. He destroyed their residences, the princesses divorced them, and they were again sent to attend at the Ministry of Personnel gate in Ye. When the Later Ruler fled back from Jinyang, Feng was summoned by edict into the palace. Soon an edict restored his princely title, General of the Opening Gate, and General-in-Chief of the Guards, and he was constantly at the emperor's side. He still followed the Later Ruler in fleeing across the river to Qing Province, and both were captured by Zhou troops.

鳳被寵要之中，尤嫉人士，朝夕宴私，唯相譖訴。崔季舒等冤酷，皆鳳所為也，每一賜與，動至千萬。恩遇日甚，彌自驕恣，意色嚴厲，未嘗與人相承接。朝士諮事，莫敢仰視，動致呵叱，輒詈云：「狗漢大不可耐！唯須殺卻！」若見武職，雖廝養末品，亦容下之。仕隋，位終於隴州刺史。

Among the favored, Feng especially envied gentlemen. At morning and evening private feasts he only slandered and accused others. The cruel injustice done to Cui Jishu and others was all Feng's work. Each grant of favor often reached tens of millions. Favor grew daily, and he became ever more arrogant. His expression was stern and harsh, and he never received people with courtesy. When courtiers consulted him, none dared look up. He often shouted rebukes and cursed at once: "Han dogs are utterly unbearable! They need only be killed! If he saw military officers, even the lowest grooms and servants, he treated them with tolerance. Serving Sui, he ended his career as Governor of Long Province.

宦者韓寶業、盧勒叉、齊紹、秦子徵並神武舊左右，唯閣內驅使，不被恩遇。曆天保、皇建之朝，亦不至寵倖，但漸有職任。寶業至長秋卿，勒叉等或為中常侍。武成時有曹文摽、夏侯通、伊長游、魯恃伯、郭沙彌、鄧長顒及寶業輩，亦有至儀同食幹者。唯長顒武平中任參宰相，干預朝權。如寶業及勒叉、齊紹、子徵後並封王，俱自收斂，不過侵暴。又有陳德信亦參時宰，與長顒並開府封王，俱為侍中、左右光祿大夫，領侍中。又有潘師子、崔孝禮、劉萬通、研胥光弁、劉通遠、王弘遠、王子立、王玄昌、高伯華、左君才、能純陀、宮鍾馗、趙野叉、徐世凝、苟子溢、斛子慎、宋元寶、康得汪，並於後主之朝，肆其奸佞。敗政虐人，古今未有。多授開府，罕止儀同，亦有加光祿大夫，金章紫綬者。多帶中侍中、中常侍，此二職乃至數十人。恆出入門禁，往來園苑，趨侍左右，通宵累日。承候顏色，競進諂諛，發言動意，多會深旨。一戲之賞，動逾巨萬，丘山之積，貪吝無厭。猶以波斯狗為儀同、郡休，分其幹祿，神獸門外，有朝貴憩息之所，時人號為解卸査。諸閹或在內多日，暫放歸休，所乘之馬，牽至神獸門階，然後升騎。飛鞭競走，十數為群，馬塵必坌諸貴，爰至唐、趙、韓、駱，皆隱査趨避，不敢為言。齊、盧、陳、鄧之徒，亦意屬尚書、卿尹，宰相既不為致言，時主亦無此命。唯以工巧矜功，用長顒為太府卿焉。

The eunuchs Han Baoye, Lu Lecha, Qi Shao, and Qin Zizheng were all old attendants of Shenwu, used only for inner-palace service, and received no special favor. Through the Tianbao and Huangjian reigns they also won no special favor, but gradually held official posts. Baoye rose to Director of the Long Autumn Office; Lecha and the others sometimes became Regular Palace Attendants. In Wucheng's time there were Cao Wenbiao, Xiahou Tong, Yi Changyou, Lu Shibo, Guo Shami, Deng Changyi, and Baoye's group; some also reached Third Rank with income from fiefs. Only Changyi in the Wuping period served as assistant to the chancellor and interfered in court power. Baoye, Lecha, Qi Shao, and Zizheng were later all enfeoffed as princes. Each gathered wealth for himself, but no more than through oppression and violence. There was also Chen Dexin, who participated in governing at the time. He and Changyi were both made General of the Opening Gate and enfeoffed as princes, all becoming Palace Attendants, Left and Right Masters of Luminous Virtue, and Attending Palace Attendants. There were also Pan Shizi, Cui Xiaoli, Liu Wantong, Yan Xu Guangbian, Liu Tongyuan, Wang Hongyuan, Wang Zili, Wang Xuanchang, Gao Bohua, Zuo Junzai, Neng Chuntuo, Palace Zhong Kui, Zhao Yecha, Xu Shining, Gou Ziyi, Huzi Shen, Song Yuanbao, and Kang Dewang—all of whom in the Later Ruler's reign unleashed their wicked flattery. Ruining government and tormenting people—nothing like it in antiquity or the present. Many were made General of the Opening Gate; few stopped at Third Rank Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies; some were also made Masters of Luminous Virtue with golden seals and purple cords. Many held the posts of Attending Palace Attendant and Regular Palace Attendant—these two posts alone numbered several tens of men. They constantly passed gate guards and moved through gardens and parks, hurrying to attend at the emperor's side through whole nights and days on end. Watching his expression, they vied to flatter him. In speech and intent they mostly matched his deepest purposes. A single reward for one jest often exceeded tens of millions. Piled like hills, their greed knew no satiety. They even made a Persian dog General with Equal Privileges and enfeoffed Jun Xiu, dividing fief income with it. Outside the Divine Beast Gate was a resting place for court nobles that people called the Disrobing Office. When eunuchs who had been within the palace many days were temporarily released to rest, the horses they rode were led to the steps of the Divine Beast Gate before they mounted. Whipping their horses they raced in groups of ten or more; the dust was sure to cover the nobles—even Tang, Zhao, Han, and Luo all hid and hurried aside, not daring to speak. The group of Qi, Lu, Chen, and Deng also aspired to posts of Director of the Imperial Secretariat and ministers. Since the chancellor would not speak for them and the ruler gave no such command, they relied solely on craftsmanship to boast of merit, and for this reason Changyi was made Director of the Grand Storehouse.

神武時有倉頭陳山提、蓋豐樂，俱以驅馳便僻，頗蒙恩遇。魏末，山提通州刺史，豐樂嘗食典禦。又有劉郁斤、趙道德、劉桃枝、梅勝郎、辛洛周、高舍洛、郭黑面、李銅鍉、王恩洛，並為神武驅使。天保、大寧之朝，漸以貴盛。至武平時，山提等皆以開府封王。其不及武平者則追贈王爵。雖賜與無貲，顧眄深重，乃至陵忽宰輔，然皆不得干預朝政。

In Shenwu's time there were household stewards Chen Shanti and Gai Fengle, both of whom through swift service and fawning received considerable favor. At the end of Wei, Shanti reached Governor of Tong Province, and Fengle once served as Director of Palace Provisions. There were also Liu Yujin, Zhao Daode, Liu Taozhi, Mei Shengliang, Xin Luozhou, Gao Sheluo, Guo Heimian, Li Tongti, and Wang Enluo—all driven in service by Shenwu. In the Tianbao and Daning reigns they gradually became honored and powerful. By Wuping, Shanti and the others were all made General of the Opening Gate and enfeoffed as princes. Those who did not live to Wuping were posthumously enfeoffed as princes. Although their grants of favor were not lavish, the weight of their glances ran deep, even to contempt for chief ministers—yet none could interfere in court government.

武平時有胡小兒，俱是康阿馱、穆叔兒等富家子弟，簡選黠慧者數十人以為左右，恩眄出處，殆與閹官相埒。亦有至開府儀同者。其曹僧奴、僧奴子妙達，以能彈胡琵琶，甚被寵遇，俱開府封王。又有何海及子洪珍，開府封王，尤為親要。洪珍侮弄權勢，鬻獄賣官。其何硃弱、史醜多之徒十數人，咸以能舞工歌及善音樂者，亦至儀同開府。

In the Wuping period there were Hu youths, all wealthy household sons such as Kang A'tuo and Mu Shu'er. Several tens of clever ones were selected as attendants at the emperor's side, and the favor they received nearly equaled the eunuchs. Some also reached General of the Opening Gate with Third Rank Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies. Among them, Cao Sengnu and Sengnu's son Miaoda, because they could play the foreign pipa, were greatly favored, and both were made General of the Opening Gate and enfeoffed as princes. There were also He Hai and his son Hongzhen, made General of the Opening Gate and enfeoffed as princes, especially intimate and trusted. Hongzhen mocked and wielded power, selling judgments and trading in offices. The group of more than ten such as He Zhuoruo and Shi Chouduo—all skilled at dancing, singing, and music—also reached Third Rank Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies and General of the Opening Gate.

閹官猶以宮掖驅馳，便蕃左右，漸因昵狎，以至大官。倉頭始自家人，情寄深密，及於後主，則是先朝舊人，以勤舊之勞，致此叨竊。至於胡小兒等，眼鼻深險，一無可用，非理愛好，排突朝貴，尤為人士之所疾惡。

Eunuchs still served in the inner palace and attended frequently at the emperor's side; gradually through intimacy they reached high office. Household stewards began as family servants with deep intimate attachment. By the Later Ruler's time they were old men of the former reign, and through long service reached this usurpation of rank. As for the Hu youths and the like, with deep-set eyes and prominent noses, wholly useless in every way, yet irrationally favored, pushing aside court nobles—they were especially hated by gentlemen.

其以音樂至大官者：沈過兒，官至開府儀同；王長通，年十四五便假節、通州刺史。

Those who through music reached high office: Shen Guo'er reached General of the Opening Gate with Third Rank Equal Privileges to the Three Excellencies; Wang Changtong, at fourteen or fifteen, was made Acting Commissioner with Full Powers and Governor of Tong Province.

時又有開府薛榮宗，常自雲能使鬼。及周兵之逼，言於後主曰：「臣已發遣斛律明月將大兵在前去。」帝信之。經古塚，榮宗謂舍人元行恭：「是誰塚？」行恭戲之曰：「林宗塚。」復問：「林宗是誰？」行恭曰：「郭元貞父。」榮宗前奏曰：「臣向見郭林宗從塚出，著大帽、吉莫靴，棰馬鞭，問臣：'我阿貞來不？'」是時群妄，多皆類此。

At the time there was also General of the Opening Gate Xue Rongzong, who often claimed he could command ghosts. When Zhou troops pressed close, he told the Later Ruler, "I have already dispatched Hulü Mingyue with a great army to go ahead. The emperor believed him. Passing an ancient tomb, Rongzong asked Attendant Yuan Xinggong, "Whose tomb is this? Xinggong joked, "It is Linzong's tomb." He asked again, "Who is Linzong?" Xinggong said, "Guo Yuanzhen's father." Rongzong stepped forward and reported, "Your subject just saw Guo Linzong come out of the tomb, wearing a great hat and jimo boots, wielding a horse whip, and ask me, 'Has my A'zhen come or not?'" At that time such collective delusions were mostly of this sort.

論曰：古諺有之，「人之多幸，國之不幸。」然則寵私為害，自古忌之。大則傾國亡身，小則傷賢害政，率由斯也，所宜誡焉。《詩》曰：「殷鑒不遠，近在夏後之世。」觀夫魏氏以降，亦後來之殷鑒矣。為國家者，可無鑒之哉？

The commentary says: An old saying has it, "When men are too fortunate, the state is unfortunate. Thus private favor is harmful—it has been dreaded since antiquity. On a great scale it overturns states and destroys lives; on a small scale it injures the worthy and harms government—all proceed from this, and one ought to take warning. The Odes say, "The mirror of Yin is not far off—it is in the age of the Xia successor. Observing from the Wei dynasty onward, it is likewise a mirror of Yin for later ages. For those who govern a state, can they fail to take it as a mirror?

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