← Back to 陳書

卷十八 列傳第十二: 沈眾 袁泌 劉仲威 陸山才 王質 韋載

Volume 18: Shen Zhong; Yuan mi; Liu Zhongwei; Lu Shancai; Wang Zhi); Wei Zai

Chapter 18 of 陳書 · Book of Chen
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 18
Next Chapter →
1
Book of Chen, Volume 18
2
Biographies, Part Twelve
3
Shen Zhong; Yuan Bi; Liu Zhongwei; Lu Shancai; Wang Zhi; Wei Zai; younger clansman Hui
4
Shen Zhong, styled Zhongshi, was a native of Wukang in Wuxing. His grandfather Yue had been Liang's special grand master. His father Xuan was an attendant gentleman of the Yellow Gate under Liang.
5
殿[1]
Zhong loved study and wrote well. He entered service as registrar to the Prince of Nanping of the garrison guard and as household retainer to the heir apparent. When Emperor Wu of Liang composed the Thousand-Character Poem, Zhong annotated it. He and Xie Jing of Chen were summoned together to the Wende Hall. The emperor ordered Zhong to write a rhapsody on bamboo; when it was done he presented it, and the emperor praised it and wrote back in his own hand: [1] "Your style flows lightly—you truly do no dishonor to your ancestor." The Duke of Dangyang, Xiao Daxin, became inspector of Yingzhou and made Zhong his recorder within the commandery limits. He was soon transferred to recorder to the Prince of Xiangdong, pacifier of the south. He rose to household retainer in the heir's palace and was concurrently made regular attendant. After an embassy to Wei he was made adviser to the Prince of Luling of the flying cavalry, retaining his post as retainer.
6
[2]
During Hou Jing's rebellion Zhong memorialized Emperor Wu of Liang, saying the loyal household troops his line had long commanded were in Wuxing, and asked leave to return and raise them against the rebel. The emperor agreed. When Jing besieged the Terrace City, [2] Zhong led his kinsmen and volunteer followers—more than five thousand men—to relieve the capital. He encamped at Little Ferry and formed ranks opposite the rebels' Eastern Mansion. His troops were tightly arrayed, and Jing feared him greatly. From within the city Emperor Wu of Liang appointed Zhong right commandant of the heir's guard by remote commission. When the capital fell, Zhong surrendered to Jing.
7
西 西
After Jing was suppressed, Zhong went west to Jingzhou. Emperor Yuan of Liang made him household retainer to the heir apparent and grand arbiter of his native province. He was soon promoted to left chief clerk of the Secretariat. When Jiangling fell he was captured by Western Wei, but soon escaped. Emperor Jing of Liang, under the provisional regime, made him censor-in-chief. In the first year of Shaotai (555) he was made palace attendant and promoted to master of the left for the people. When the Founder took the throne, Zhong was made director of the Secretariat, retaining his post as grand arbiter. The Founder, knowing Zhong's name in his own country, honored him deeply, heaped gifts on him, and favored him above his peers.
8
殿 [3]忿
Zhong was miserly by nature. He amassed estates at home until his wealth in coin and silk reached hundreds of millions, yet gave nothing away. He lived on almost nothing. At court his robes were often in tatters, and sometimes he carried his own cap and shoes. In the second year of Yongding (558) he was concurrently made minister of works for construction and oversaw the Hall of Supreme Ultimate. He always wore a cloth robe and straw sandals, bound himself with a hemp cord, and ate dried fish and vegetables alone. The gentlemen at court mocked him for it. Editorial footnote marker 3. Zhong was narrow and hot-tempered. Stung by the mockery, he turned on the court, slandering dukes and ministers and reviling the government. The Founder was furious. Because Zhong still enjoyed a fine name, he would not kill him openly; later, when Zhong took leave to return to Wukang, he was ordered to die by his own hand in Wu. He was fifty-six.
9
祿
Yuan Bi, styled Wenyang, was the younger brother of left grand master of the golden sigil Jing. He was upright and capable, tall in bearing, and scrupulous in conduct. He left the commoner's dress for supernumerary regular attendant and served as aide in several princely households.
10
退使
During Hou Jing's rebellion Bi sought a military command. At that time his elder brother Junzheng was administrator of Wu commandery. Emperor Jianwen of Liang commissioned Bi as leader of direct service in the eastern palace and sent him to Wu to raise troops. When Jing besieged the Terrace City, Bi led his command to the relief. When the capital fell he fell back to Dongyang. Jing sent troops after him; Bi slipped out by the eastern pass of Kuaiji through Tangcheng and joined the heir of Poyang, Xiao Fan. When Fan died, Bi surrendered to Jing.
11
使 [4] [5][6]
After Jing was suppressed, Wang Sengbian recommended Bi as administrator of Fuchun and intendant of Danyang. When the Marquis of Zhenyang seized the throne, Bi was made palace attendant and sent as envoy to Qi. When the Founder took the throne, Wang Lin held the upper Yangzi. Bi came from Qi with Liang's Prince of Yongjia, Xiao Zhuang, to join Lin. When Zhuang declared himself emperor, [4] Bi was made palace attendant and chief clerk to the chancellor. In the second year of Tiancheng (561), Bi and Lin escorted Zhuang to Zhakou. Lin's army was broken; [6] the troops fled in all directions. Bi alone took a light boat, saw Zhuang to the northern frontier, and placed him in the care of censor-in-chief Liu Zhongwei to enter Qi together. Then he bowed farewell, returned, and presented himself to confess fault. Emperor Wen held his conduct in high esteem.
12
Liu Zhongwei
13
Liu Zhongwei was a native of Niyang in Nanyang. His grandfather Qiu, in Qi times, was summoned as erudite of the national university and declined. His father Zhi-lin was an aide in the secretariat of Jing province.
14
Zhongwei in youth was ambitious and had read widely in letters and histories. Under Liang's Chengsheng era he was regular attendant of the Secretariat. Zhuang's puppet regime made him acting censor-in-chief. He followed Zhuang into Qi and died at Ye.
15
Lu Shancai
16
Lu Shancai, styled Kongzhang, was a native of Wu in Wu commandery. His grandfather Wengbao was Liang's director of the water office in the ministry of works. His father Fan was regular attendant.
17
西 [9]
In the Shaotai era Commander Zhou Wenyu took up his post at South Yuzhou. Unable to manage documents himself, he made Shancai his chief clerk and left all administration to him. When Wenyu marched south he defeated Xiao Bo and captured Ouyang Yi; most of the plans were Shancai's. When Wenyu marched west against Wang Lin he left Shancai to oversee Jiangzhou and continued to hold Yuzhang. Wenyu and Hou Andu were beaten at Dundu. Yu Xiaoxu came from Xinlin to strike Yuzhang. Shancai gathered the remnant army and joined Zhou Di. Zhou Di captured Yu Xiaoxu and Li Xiaoqin; [9] he sent Shancai by the eastern route from Poyang over the Le'an Ridge to deliver them to the capital. He was made regular attendant of the Secretariat. Again by way of the Le'an Ridge he pacified the southern river commanderies.
18
When Wenyu again held the Jin Ford of Yuzhang in force, Shancai was again made general of manifest prestige, chief clerk to the pacifier of the south, and administrator of Yuzhang. Wenyu was killed by Xiong Tanlang. Tanlang imprisoned Shancai and his party and sent them to Wang Lin. Before they arrived, Hou Andu defeated Lin's general Chang Zhong'ai at Gongting Lake, and Shancai was able to return. He was made general of manifest prestige and administrator of Xin'an. While Lin was still unbeaten he was left at Fuyang to guard the eastern line. He returned to court as supernumerary regular attendant and was promoted to chief clerk to the Prince of Shixing, pacifier of the east, acting in East Yangzhou.
19
滿
When Hou Andu campaigned against Liu Yi, Shancai led the prince's household troops with him. After Yi was subdued he was made general of bright prestige and administrator of Dongyang. He returned as chief clerk to the Prince of Shixing, pacifier of the east, with Kuaiji commandery assistant, acting in East Yangzhou. Before he entered office he was reassigned to regular attendant and acting master of revenue; after a year he received the substantive appointment.
20
祿 殿
Wang Zhi, styled Zizhen, was the younger brother of right grand master of the golden sigil Tong. In youth he was bold and generous and read widely in books and histories. Under Liang, as the emperor's sister's son, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jiakou and studied the Book of Changes at the national university, ranking high in the archery examination. He began as secretary, household retainer to the heir apparent, and gentleman of the palace hall. When his mother died he mourned her and was known for filial piety. When mourning ended he was made mentor to the heir apparent and leader of direct service in the eastern palace. He rose through household retainer and household mentor.
21
便退
In the first year of Taiqing (547) he was given the staff as General Who Pacifies the Distance, led the eastern palace troops on the Marquis of Zhenyang's northern campaign. When Zhenyang was beaten, Zhi slipped away and returned. When Hou Jing rebelled at Shouyang, Zhi again led the river fleet with the allied armies to block him. When Jing's army crossed the Yangzi, Zhi at once fell back. He soon led foot and horse and encamped outside the Xuanyang Gate. When Jing's army reached the capital, Zhi did not fight; his troops broke and he shaved his head as a monk and hid among the people. When Liu Zhongli and others united to relieve the capital, their army held the south bank. Zhi again gathered the remnant troops and joined them.
22
西
After the capital fell he fled west to Jingzhou. Emperor Yuan of Liang, under the provisional regime, made him right chief clerk and administrator of Hedong. He was soon promoted to palace attendant. He was soon sent out with the staff as commander of military affairs over Wu, General Who Pacifies the Distance, inspector of Wu, and interior magistrate of Poyang.
23
When Jing province fell, Hou Tian held Tangcheng and clashed with Zhi. He sent the subordinate general Yang Liang to replace him and advanced with troops. Zhi led his command over the Xin'an Ridge and joined Liu Yi. When Emperor Wen held Kuaiji he sent troops to aid Zhi and had him guard Xin'an county.
24
In the second year of Yongding (558) the Founder ordered Zhi to lead his command over the mountains into Yuzhang and follow Commander Zhou Wenyu against Wang Lin. Zhi and Lin had long been friends. Some accused him of secret correspondence with Lin in the field. The Founder ordered Zhou Wenyu to execute him; Wenyu pleaded for his life and he was spared. He was soon made regular attendant and administrator of Jinling.
25
When Emperor Wen succeeded he was recalled to head the ministry of war. When Emperor Xuan was inspector of Yangzhou he made Zhi general of benevolent prestige and chief clerk to the flying cavalry. In the second year of Tiancheng (561) he was made administrator of Jin'an. When Emperor Xuan was regent he made Zhi left chief clerk of the Secretariat, retaining his general's title. He was dismissed for an offense in public business. He was soon made regular attendant of direct communication and promoted to grand steward and minister of justice. In the second year of Taijian (570) he died, aged sixty. He was posthumously given his former rank, with the posthumous name Anzi.
26
[10]
Wei Zai, styled Deji, was a native of Duling in Jingzhao. His grandfather Rui had been a Liang opener of the mansion equal in honor to the three dukes and Duke Yan of Yongchang. His father Zheng [10] had been a Liang attendant of the yellow gate.
27
As a boy Zai was bright and eager, devoted to study. At twelve he went with his uncle Ling to see Liu Xian of Pei. Xian quizzed him on ten points from the Book of Han; Zai answered on the spot without a pause. Grown up, he was widely read in letters and history, thoughtful and quick, with real judgment. He began as legal aide to the prince of Shaoling under Liang, then became crown prince attendant and gentleman of the three dukes in the masters of writing.
28
使
During Hou Jing's rebellion Emperor Yuan of Liang, ruling provisionally, made him attendant of the secretariat. He was soon made general who establishes might and administrator of Xunyang, marching east under Wang Sengbian against Hou Jing. Sengbian then lay at Pencheng; Lu Sidada, Fan Jun, and others each held their districts with troops and waited to see who would win. Yuan made Zai acting commander with staff over Taiyuan, Gaotang, and Xincai and administrator of Gaotang. He was also charged to win Sidada and the rest over and bring them out against Hou Jing. When the main force moved east, Zai led the three commanderies' men from Jiao Lake through Shankou to meet Sengbian at Mount Liang. After Hou Jing fell he was made champion general and administrator of Langye. He was soon sent to Dongyang and Jin'an to bring Liu Yi, Chen Baoying, and others over. He was then made trustworthy-martial general and administrator of Yixing.
29
使 [11] 使
After the Founder killed Wang Sengbian he sent Zhou Wenyü with light troops against Zai. Zai saw it coming first and shut the city to resist. Wenyü attacked hard. Zai's county levies were many of the Founder's old soldiers and crack crossbowmen. He took several dozen, chained them in a row, set trusted men over them, and made them shoot at Wenyü's host on pain of death if they missed twice in ten tries. Every bolt found its mark and every man hit went down. Wenyü's men gave ground. He threw up a river palisade outside the walls, and the two sides stood off for weeks. Hearing Wenyü was losing, the Founder came in person, stormed the river camp, and broke it. He then sent Zai's cousin Hui with a letter explaining why Wang Sengbian had been killed and with an edict from Emperor Jing of Liang ordering Zai to lay down arms. [11] Zai opened the letter and surrendered with his force to the Founder. The Founder treated him generously, set his cousin Hui over Yixing, placed his officers each where he could best use them, and kept Zai at his side for counsel.
30
使退
Xu Sihui and Ren Yue brought Qi troops across the Yangzi and held Stone City. The Founder asked Zai's advice. Zai said, "If Qi splits its army and first takes the routes through the Three Wu and raids the east, the cause is lost. We should hurry to build a fort on the Huai at Hou Jing's old site to keep the eastern line open, and send light troops to cut their supplies so they cannot feed an advance or a retreat. Then the Qi commanders' heads will be ours within ten days." The Founder took his advice.
31
In Tianjia year one he resigned on grounds of illness. He owned more than ten qing of land at White Mountain in Jiangcheng and now built a house there, shut out the world, and for nearly ten years never crossed his gate for feast or funeral. He died at home in the Taijian era, aged fifty-eight.
32
Clansman Hui
33
His son Hong, styled Deli, was a man of letters and rose to aide in the household of the prince of Yongjia. When Chen fell he entered Sui service.
34
The historian writes: Deng Yu began in the classics and Du Yu in pure scholarship, yet both won fame in war and live in the histories of old. When Jin collapsed and fled to the south, Gu Rong and Xi Jian, Wen Jiao and Xie Xuan, were scholar-gentry in plain dress who took up arms for the realm and by merit reached the highest posts. Since then every age has produced men of that kind. When Liang boiled with war even timid men found their nerve; they met their hour and were armed by their lords—worthy of praise indeed.
35
Collation notes
36
殿
On "when the fu was finished he presented it; the emperor was pleased and replied by hand": Northern Supervisory, Ji, Palace, and Hall editions and Shen Zhong's biography in the Southern Dynasties history read "presented it; the emperor replied by hand, saying."
37
On "when Jing besieged the Terrace City": wei tai was faded in the base text and is restored from other editions.
38
On "the court gentlemen together mocked his conduct": shi was faded in the base text and is restored from other editions.
39
On "when Zhuang usurped the throne": jian was faded in the base text and is restored from other editions.
40
On "made Mi attendant-in-ordinary and chief clerk of the chancellor": cheng was faded in the base text and is restored from other editions.
41
On "Lin's army was defeated": jun bai was faded in the base text and is restored from other editions.
42
On "on his deathbed he admonished his son Manhua": the Southern Dynasties history reads Fanghua.
43
Fanyang Zhang (continued) [Juan]—emended per the Southern Dynasties history; the same below. Zhang Juan has biographies in the Book of Liang and the Southern Dynasties history. This book 〈Biography of Wang Li〉 also has the phrase "Zhang Juan of Fanyang."
44
On "captured Yu Xiaopin and Li Xiaoqin": the name Zhou Di is missing before "captured" and should be supplied.
45
On "father Zheng": the Book of Liang and the History of the Southern Dynasties read the graph zheng (govern). 〈Biography of Wei Rui〉 The text reads zheng (upright/correct).
46
殿
On "[edict] ordering Zai to disarm": supplied from Northern Supervisory, Ji, and Palace editions and the Southern Dynasties history.
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →