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卷二十一 列傳第十五: 謝哲 蕭乾 謝嘏 張種 王固 孔奐 蕭允

Volume 21: Xie Zhe; Xiao Qian; Wang Gu; Kong Huan; Xiao Yun

Chapter 21 of 陳書 · Book of Chen
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Chapter 21
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1
Book of Chen, Volume 21
2
Biographies, Part Fifteen
3
Xie Zhe; Xiao Gan; Xie Geng; Zhang Zhong; Wang Gu; Kong Huan; Xiao Yun, with his younger brother Yin cited
4
祿
Xie Zhe, styled Yingyu, came from Yangxia in Chen commandery. His grandfather Tian had been Liang's minister of works. His father Yue was a right grandee with the gold seal and purple ribbon under Liang.
5
[1] 使
Zhe was handsome and graceful in manner, with a temperament open and clear; men of worth held him in esteem. He entered service as a secretariat gentleman of Liang and rose step by step to administrator of Guangling. During Hou Jing's rebellion his mother was old, so he stayed at Guangling. When the Founder crossed from Jingkou to join Guo Yuanjian, Zhe pledged himself to him and won deep regard. When the Founder was governor of Southern Xuzhou,[1] he memorialized Zhe as chief clerk. After Jingzhou fell, the Founder sent Zhe to the Prince of Jin'an with a memorial urging him to take the throne. Emperor Jing, exercising the regency, summoned him as supervising attendant in the Yellow Gate and made him colonel of foot soldiers as well. When the Marquis of Zhenyang seized the throne, he named Zhe regular attendant of the direct and upright scattered cavalry and attendant to the eastern palace. When Emperor Jing succeeded, Zhe was promoted to chief clerk with concurrent appointment as palace attendant. When the Founder took the Mandate, Zhe became minister of the masters of writing for revenue, metropolitan governor of Yuzhou, and minister of the masters of writing for officials. He went out as clear martial general and administrator of Jinling, then returned to court as director of the secretariat. When Emperor Wen succeeded, he was made mentor to the heir apparent. He was posted as clear martial general and interior administrator of Hengyang, with salary of middle two thousand dan. He was moved to administrator of Changsha, keeping his general's title and augmented salary unchanged. Recalled to court, he was made regular attendant of the scattered cavalry and director of the secretariat. When the Deposed Emperor succeeded, Zhe kept his offices and was also made to lead the vanguard general. When Emperor Xuan oversaw the masters of writing, he brought Zhe in as palace attendant, humane martial general, and left chief clerk to the minister of works. He died in Guangda year 1 (567) before he could assume the post, at the age of fifty-nine. He was posthumously made palace attendant and overseer of the secretariat, with the posthumous title Kangzi.
6
Xiao Gan, styled Siti, came from Lanling. His grandfather Yi was chancellor of Qi and Prince Wenxian of Yuzhang. His father Zifan was director of the secretariat under Liang.
7
Gan was elegant and correct in deportment, quiet and spare by nature. He excelled at clerical script and mastered the hand of his cousin Ziyun. At nine he was called to fill a vacancy as a National University student in the Zhou Changes. Yuan Ang of Liang, then director of the university in his capacity as minister of works, held him in deep regard. At fifteen he passed the classics licentiate examination. He left common status as law-office aide on the Prince of Xiangdong's eastern headquarters staff, then rose to attendant in the heir apparent's household. When the Marquis of Jian'an, Xiao Zhengli, took up his post in South Yuzhou, Gan was again commissioned recording secretary. He rose step by step to central recording secretary and advisory aide on the Prince of Xuancheng's staff in the central army. After Hou Jing fell, the Founder held South Xuzhou and brought Gan in as trustworthy martial general and attendant gentleman on the minister of works staff. He was promoted to secretariat gentleman and director of the heir apparent's household.
8
祿
Xie Geng, styled Hanmao, came from Yangxia in Chen commandery. His grandfather Yao was a grandee with the gold seal and purple ribbon under Qi. His father Ju was central guard general and a general with staff equal in ceremony to the three excellencies under Liang.
9
[3]
He had two sons, Yan and (shen) Zhou. [3] Yan rose to regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, palace attendant, censor-in-chief, and minister of ceremonies, and went out as overseer of East Yangzhou. He died at Kuaiji in Zhenming year 2 (583) and was posthumously made central guardian general.
10
Zhang Zhong, styled Shimiao, came from Wu commandery. His grandfather Bian was right chief clerk to Song's minister of works and administrator of Guangzhou. His father Lue was junior mentor in the heir apparent's household under Liang and administrator of Linhai.
11
簿 西西 西
From youth Zhong was quiet and still, correct in his home and bearing, and would not court company idly. No one forced his door. People said, "Song praised Fu and Yan; under Liang it was Juan and Chong. In the love of purity and emptiness, Zhong carries that spirit." He served in a Liang prince's law office, rose to external military aide, and resigned when his father died. After mourning he became chief secretary on the Prince of Xuancheng's staff in the central army. Zhong was then past forty and poor at home, so he sought the magistracy of Shifeng. He entered court as western bureau aide on the Marquis of Xichang's staff in the central guard. The Prince of Wuling was then inspector of Yizhou and chose his staff carefully. He named Zhong eastern bureau aide on the campaign-west staff, but Zhong pleaded an aged mother, protested in a memorial, was impeached, and was removed from office.
12
[4]
In Hou Jing's rebellion Zhong fled east with his mother and only after long hardship reached home. His mother soon died. Zhong was fifty, wasted beyond measure by grief, and famine kept him from a timely burial. When the mourning term ended, he still ate and lived as though the coffin had not left the house. After Jing fell, Minister of Works Wang Sengbian reported the facts (present) and memorialized to the throne.[4] Zhong was raised to trustworthy martial general and directing secretary. Sengbian also furnished the full funeral. Only when the burial was done did Zhong lay mourning aside. Because Zhong was old and childless, Sengbian also gave him a concubine and furnishings for his home.
13
Zhong was deep, still, and inwardly empty, yet his judgment and reach were broad. All who knew him took him for a future chief minister. Vice Director Xu Ling once memorialized to yield his seat to Zhong: "Zhong's gifts are deep and close-held, his command of letters and histories ample. He is a fine scion of the southeast and a man the court should cherish. He can fortify the state's designs and rightly should hold the left hand." Such was the esteem in which his age held him. He died in Taijian year 5 (573), aged seventy, and was posthumously made special advancement with the title Yuanzi.
14
[5]
Zhong was humane, forgiving, and wanting little. Though he long held high office, his house was often bare, yet he remained easy all day and did not call it hardship. Early in Taijian his daughter married the Prince of Shixing. Because her quarters were poor and remote, the court granted her a house and repeatedly gave her a county marquis's stipend from Wuxi and Jiaxing. [5] Once at Wuxi he saw a heavily shackled prisoner in jail. The day was cold, and he had the man brought out to warm in the sun; the prisoner escaped. Emperor Wen laughed and did not punish him harshly. He left collected works in fourteen juan.
15
祿
Zhong's younger brother Ling was likewise still and discerning. He rose to left chief clerk to the minister of works, died in Taijian year 11 (579) at seventy, and was posthumously made grandee with the gold seal and purple ribbon.
16
[6] [7] 使
Zhong's clansman Zhi Cai was grandson of (grandson) Sun Chongzhi, protector-general of Qi. [6] Orphaned early, he stood alone and upright. He served as director of the gold bureau in the masters of writing. He rose to right assistant director, magistrate of Jiankang, commissioner of the grand fleet,[7] directing attendant of Yangzhou, and concurrent regular attendant of the scattered cavalry. Sent on embassy to Zhou, he returned to be minister of agriculture and minister of justice. Every office he held won him a name for clean conduct.
17
祿 [8]
When the Deposed Emperor succeeded, he was made palace attendant and grandee with the gold seal and purple ribbon. Emperor Xuan was then regent. Gu, as the Deposed Emperor's kin by marriage, had wet nurses passing in and out of the inner palace who often carried secret orders. When the plot came out they were nearly executed,[8] but Emperor Xuan judged that Gu had no troops at his back and lived cleanly, so he only stripped his offices and confined him.
18
祿
In Taijian year 2 (574), by the usual rule, he was made inviting-from-afar general and advisory aide to the Prince of Yuzhang, Xuanhui. He was promoted to grand master of the palace, minister of ceremonies, and metropolitan governor of South Xuzhou. In the seventh year he died in office, aged sixty-three. He was posthumously made grandee with the gold seal and purple ribbon. Whatever the funeral required was furnished as need arose. In Zhide year 2 (584) he was reburied and given the posthumous title Gongzi.
19
西
Gu was pure, spare, and wanting little, and won fame for filial mourning. He also devoutly followed the Buddhist teaching. After mourning for his birth mother he ate only vegetables for life, meditated by night, recited sutras by day, and studied the Chengshi commentarial tradition, but excelled little in Dark Learning talk. On embassy to Western Wei, at a banquet he asked that a sheep slated for slaughter be spared; the sheep knelt and bowed before him. At another feast on Kunming Pool the Wei hosts, knowing southerners relish fish, spread great nets. Gu chanted Buddhist spells, and not one fish was caught.
20
His son Kuan rose to left chief clerk to the minister of works and palace attendant.
21
簿
Kong Huan, styled Xiuwen, came from Shanyin in Kuaiji. His great-grandfather Xiuzhi was left minister of the people under Qi and administrator of Wuxing. His grandfather Tai was attendant in the heir apparent's household and gentleman in the three excellencies bureau of the masters of writing. His father Zhisun was registrar to the Princess of Zhijiang, branch of Ningyuan, under Liang, and magistrate of Wuxi.
22
Huan lost his father when he was only a few years old and was raised by his uncle Qiansun. He loved learning and wrote well. Classics, histories, and the hundred schools alike lay open to him. Liu Xian of Pei, then hailed as a treasury of learning, debated with Huan and came away deeply impressed. He took Huan's hand and said, "Once Cai Yong's tomb classics all passed to Wang Can. I would match that Lord Cai; you need not blush before the Wang house." The books he had held in trust he soon entrusted to Huan.
23
簿 西
The province nominated him as outstanding talent, and he placed high in the archery-and-writing examination. He was first named chief secretary of Yangzhou and mobile aide on the Prince of Xuanhui of Xiangdong's staff, but refused both posts. He was again named external military aide on the campaign-west staff of the Prince of Xiangdong, entered court as director of the granary bureau, and rose to gentleman in the ceremonies bureau. When the left minister of the people, Gentleman Shen Jiong, was attacked by an anonymous memorial and faced a capital charge, the affair implicated the terrace offices and everyone was afraid. Huan argued the case in open court and at last cleared him. He Jingrong, metropolitan governor of Danyang, finding Huan upright and firm, asked to have him made merit officer. He was posted as chancellor to the Marquis of Nanchang, but when Hou Jing rebelled he never took up the office.
24
When the capital fell, court gentlemen were seized; someone recommended Huan to the rebel commander Hou Zijian. Zijian had his bonds removed, treated him well, and made him keep the secretarial records. Jing's soldiers ran riot; Zijian, his trusted confidant, held heavy authority. Every court gentleman who met him bowed and cringed; Huan alone stood proudly at ease and would not yield. Someone warned Huan: "In this chaotic age everyone only wants to survive; the barbarians know no right—how can you resist them with principle?" Huan said, "My life is already in fate's hands; though I may not die yet, how could I flatter vicious men to save myself?" The rebels looted families and pressed the gentry; Huan shielded them again and again, and a great many were saved.
25
He soon lost his mother and mourned beyond what the rites allowed. The realm was in chaos and almost no one could keep three-year mourning; only Huan and Zhang Zhong of Wu, amid the raids, held to the rites and won a name for filial piety.
26
宿
When the Founder was chancellor, Huan became right chief clerk of the minister of education, then attendant gentleman of the Yellow Gate for presenting matters. Qi sent Dongfang Lao, Xiao Gui, and others to invade. Their army reached Rear Lake, the capital was in turmoil, and supplies from every quarter were cut off. The armies fed only from the capital region, so Huan was made zhenwei general and magistrate of Jiankang. After years of war and famine the population had scattered and a powerful enemy was at the gates, yet nothing could be levied. The Founder fixed a day for battle and had Huan prepare tens of thousands of barley-ration bundles wrapped in lotus leaves overnight. The troops ate at dawn, threw away the rest, fought, and routed the enemy.
27
祿
When the Founder took the throne, Huan was made attendant of the crown prince. In Yongding year 2 (558) he was made administrator of Jinling. Jinling had been a great commandery since Song and Qi days; though raided, it was still comparatively intact. Earlier administrators had mostly been brutal; Huan lived cleanly, left wife and children at home, and entered the commandery in one small boat. He gave his salary at once to orphans and widows, and the commandery hailed him as the Spirit Lord. Yin Qi, a wealthy man of Qu'e, saw how plainly Huan lived and sent him a suit of clothes and a felt quilt. Huan said, "The administrator enjoys a fine salary and could easily afford these himself, but the people are not yet cared for; he cannot keep comfort to himself alone. I thank you for your kindness; please give yourself no further trouble."
28
Earlier, while Emperor Wen was in Wu, he heard of Huan's good rule; on taking the throne he summoned him as imperial censor-in-chief and grand arbiter of Yangzhou. Huan was stern and upright, skilled at principle, and impeached many; the court respected and feared him. He understood governance deeply; the emperor always praised his memorials, and stalled business of every office was sent to Huan for decision. He was made regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, colonel of the footsoldiers, secretariat drafter in charge of edicts, and grand arbiter of Yang and East Yang. In Tianjia year 4 (563) he was again imperial censor-in-chief, then minister of the five armies while keeping his attendant and arbiter posts. When Emperor Wen fell ill, all secretariat business was entrusted to Vice Director Dao Zhongju and Huan together. When Emperor Wen grew critically ill, Huan entered with Emperor Xuan, Zhongju, Yuan Shu, minister of personnel, Liu Shizhi, secretariat drafter, and others to tend his medicine. Emperor Wen once told Huan and the others, "The three realms stand divided; the people are not yet at peace; the empire needs a mature ruler. I mean, in the near case to follow Jin Emperor Cheng, and in the distant case to exalt Yin succession law—you must heed this intent." Huan wept as he answered, "Your Majesty's illness is not lasting; recovery is near. The crown prince is young and full of promise. The Prince of Ancheng has a younger brother's standing and could be a Duke of Zhou, an Yi Yin at court. If anyone thinks of deposing and establishing, we in our foolish loyalty dare not hear such an order." Emperor Wen said, "The straight remnant of antiquity—I see it again in you." In the first year of Tiankang (566) he was made grand tutor of the crown prince, retaining his grand arbiter posts in the two provinces.
29
When Emperor Wen died and the Deposed Emperor succeeded, Huan was made scattered-cavalry regular attendant and director of the national university. In Guangda year 2 (567) he was sent out as xinwu general, chief clerk to the southern central commander and Marquis of Kangle, administrator of Xunyang, and acting governor of Jiangzhou. When Emperor Xuan succeeded, Huan was promoted to renwei general and chief clerk to the cloud-banner Prince of Shixing; the rest of his posts stayed the same. Huan served cleanly and frugally and corrected many abuses; Emperor Xuan praised him, gave five hundred hu of grain, and repeatedly sent edicts of warm inquiry. In Taijian year 3 (571) he was recalled as minister of revenue and right army general. In year 5 he was made attendant of the crown prince and with Left Vice Director Xu Ling jointly handled the five articles of the masters of writing. In year 6 he was made minister of personnel. In year 7 he was given the added title scattered-cavalry regular attendant. In year 8 he was made attendant-in-ordinary. During the northern campaign, when Huai and Si were recovered and Xu and Yu chiefs surrendered one after another, rewards and appointments piled up; Huan received and advanced them, and his gate never stood empty. He also judged men well and knew the great families thoroughly; every gentry man he chose submitted gladly.
30
By nature he was unyielding and refused all private requests; neither the heir's rank nor the weight of dukes and marquises could make him bend. While Prince Shixing, Shuling, was in Xiangzhou, he repeatedly pressed the offices and demanded capital ministerial posts. Huan said, "Capital memorial-review posts are raised by virtue and need not go to imperial kin." He then spoke boldly to Emperor Xuan. Emperor Xuan said, "How could Shixing suddenly want such a post? Even if my son held it, he would rank after the Prince of Poyang." Huan said, "What I see agrees with Your Majesty's intent." Houzhu was then in the eastern palace and wanted Jiang Zong as grand tutor; he had recorder Lu Yu raise it with Huan. Huan told Yu, "Jiang has Pan Yue and Lu Ji's brilliance, but not Qiuyuan and Chaofu's solid worth; as tutor to the heir I find it hard to approve." Yu reported this fully to Houzhu, who deeply resented it and then spoke to Emperor Xuan himself. Emperor Xuan was about to agree when Huan memorialized: "Jiang Zong is a literary man, but the crown prince already has brilliance enough—why need Zong? In my humble view, choose a man of solid weight for the tutor's post." The emperor said, "If that is so, who should hold it?" Huan said, "Wang Kuo, minister of justice, comes from a family of fine virtue and is solid and quick in judgment—he can hold it." Houzhu, who was also present, said, "Kuo is Wang Tai's son—he cannot be grand tutor." Huan memorialized again: "Under Liu Song, Fan Chu, Fan Tai's son, was grand tutor, and earlier ages raised no objection." Houzhu argued stubbornly; the emperor finally made Zong grand tutor, and Huan fell foul of the throne. His unyielding character was like this.
31
His sons were Shaoxin and Shaozhong. Shaozhong, styled Xiaoyang, was also talented and learned; he rose to crown prince attendant and eastern staff officer to the Prince of Poyang, equal in rank to the three dukes.
32
[9] 西[10] [11]
Xiao Yun styled (Sheng) [Uncle] Zuo [9] was from Lanling. His great-grandfather Sihua was Song's western campaigning general, bearer of the staff with equal court ceremony to the three dukes, and right vice director of the masters of writing [10], enfeoffed as Duke Yangmu. [11] His grandfather Huilian was scattered-cavalry regular attendant, director of the imperial household treasury, and minister of the left for the people. His father was Jie. Under Liang he was palace attendant and minister of justice.
33
簿
Yun was known from youth for a spirit concentrated and far-reaching, penetration and discernment, refined bearing, and conduct that always fit the rules. He began as legal clerk to the Prince of Shaoling, became chief clerk to the Prince of Xiangdong, then crown prince attendant. When Hou Jing took the Terrace City, officials fled in disorder; Yun alone straightened his dress and sat in the palace quarter, and Jing's soldiers respected him and did not molest him. He soon moved to Jingkou. Bandits ran wild and the people panicked; gentry families fled in every direction, but Yun would not go. Asked why, Yun answered, "Life and death have their allotted share—how can fleeing bring escape? Hardship always comes from chasing profit; if you do not seek profit, whence comes disaster? Now everyone wants to fight for great merit and win minister or chancellor with a single word—what is that to a bookish man? What Zhuang Zhou called fearing one's shadow and fleeing one's footprints—I will not do that." He shut his door and lived quietly, eating every other day, and in the end escaped harm.
34
[12]
After Hou Jing was pacified, the Founder held South Xuzhou and summoned him by letter; Yun again pleaded illness. In the Yongding era Hou Andu, inspector of South Xuzhou, came in person to his hut to pay the respect due between elder and younger. In Tianjia year 3 (562) he was summoned as crown prince attendant. [12] In the third year he was made lingwei general and assistant to the administrator of Danyang. In year 5 he was concurrently attendant-in-ordinary, sent as envoy to Zhou, and on return made secretariat gentleman and director of the great works.
35
祿
In Zhide year 3 (585) he was chief clerk to the central guard Prince of Yuzhang, then direct-communication regular attendant, guangsheng general, left chief clerk of the minister of education, and interior steward of the Andre Palace. When the garrisoning Prince of Poyang went out to hold Kuaiji, Yun again served as his chief clerk and assistant administrator of Kuaiji. Passing Lord Ji of Yanling's shrine at Yanling, he set duckweed and water-chestnut offerings, called himself a friend across ages, and wrote a poem to express it in clear, classical wording. Houzhu once asked Cai Zheng, "Your family has known Xiao Yun for generations—what is his resolve and conduct like?" Zheng said, "In purity and remoteness he is almost beyond measure; as for his writing, one can speak of that." He then recited Yun's poem in answer; Houzhu admired it at length. That year he was made grand master of splendid virtue.
36
When the Sui army crossed the Yangzi, Yun moved to the Guan region. Court gentlemen who reached Chang'an were usually given office; only Yun and Xie Gang, minister of the masters of writing, declined on grounds of age and illness. Emperor Wen of Sui approved and richly rewarded them both. He soon died of illness in Chang'an, aged eighty-four. His younger brother was Yin.
37
[13] 西簿
Yin styled (Sheng) [Uncle] Xiu. [13] Upright in conduct and breadth of bearing, he looked stern; even in haste he kept to rule. Clever, broadly learned, and skilled at writing. He entered service as editorial assistant of writings, then chief clerk to the Prince of Xichang, equal in rank to the three dukes. During Hou Jing's rebellion, when Emperor Yuan of Liang was inspector of Jingzhou, many court gentlemen went to him. Yin said, "The princes are fighting for power; disaster has only begun. To flee today is not yet the time to choose a lord. Our family has held Shixing commandery for two generations, and the people still cherish us. We should go south and keep the line alive." He then fled to Lingnan with his brother Tong and more than a hundred kinsmen. Ouyang Hao of Shixing was then inspector of Hengzhou, and Yin went to join him. Hao was later moved to Guangzhou, died there, and his son He took over his forces. Yin often suspected He of hidden designs and tried to correct him when occasions arose, so their courtesy grew strained. When He rebelled, the capital scholars Qin Zhijing, Gongsun Ting, and others were all in terror; only Yin was calm. He told Zhijing and the rest, "Guan Ning and Yuan Xi too only sat still. A gentleman sets his person right to show the Way and keeps himself straight to act with righteousness—what is there to fear?" After Zhang Zhaoda pacified Panyu, Yin at last came back north. Emperor Xuan summoned Yin to ask about the south. Yin laid out the whole story; the emperor was delighted and that day made him vice minister of the gold office.
38
忿
Yin excelled at clerical script and was highly regarded in his day. Emperor Xuan once went through memorials and, pointing to Yin's signature, said, "The brushwork is light and swift, like a bird about to take flight." Yin replied, "That is because Your Majesty lent it feathers." He also asked Yin, "Whenever I am angry, seeing you calms me. Why is that?" Yin said, "Your Majesty does not vent anger on others. How could a subject claim credit for that?" In Taijian year 7 he was given the added rank of martial-awe general. In year 9 he was made staff adviser to the prince of Shixing in the central guard and kept the gold-office vice ministry.
39
Yin was upright and would not court the powerful; he never paid calls on the emperor's intimates. Whenever Emperor Xuan meant to advance him, the men in power blocked it. After the disaster at Lülü Mountain left the arsenals bare, he was moved to vice minister of the storehouse office to oversee the making of bows, crossbows, spears, and arrows. Within a year the armory was full again. He was repeatedly promoted to secretariat vice minister, steadfast-prestige general, and yellow-gate gentleman. In year 12 the personnel vice ministry fell vacant. The offices kept recommending Wang Kuan and Xie Xie, but the emperor would not use them and by personal edict named Yin.
40
Ma Jing, inspector of Guangzhou, then held great sway in the south. His troops were well trained, he raided deep into Liao territory every year, and he won battle after battle, so court and countryside alike grew uneasy. Emperor Xuan knew Yin understood the south and sent him to watch Ma Jing, judge his conduct, and urge him to send hostages to court. Yin took the secret order south, publicly claiming to collect and oversee tribute goods. At Panyu Jing saw through the mission at once and sent all his younger brothers to the capital as hostages. On his way back at the Gan River, Emperor Xuan died and Houzhu took the throne. Yin was made junior mentor of the heir apparent but resigned on grounds of illness. The next year, with theft rife in the capital, he was recalled as steadfast-prestige general and magistrate of Jiankang.
41
殿 [14]
At the time, within the palace halls (peng) [team] captain Wu Jin [14] and the eunuchs Li Shandu and Cai Tuo'er pressed many private requests; Yin refused them all. Yin's kinsman Mi, then a yellow-gate gentleman, urged him: "Everyone in office fears Li and Cai. You ought to look out for yourself a little." Yin said, "I have my own principles. How could I change my ways for Li and Cai? If things go badly, I lose my post—that is all. Wu Jin then sent an anonymous accusation, which Li and Cai backed. Yin was removed from office, died at home, and was fifty-eight. His son Deyan was the best known.
42
Many of Yin's clansmen were known for upright conduct. His brother Tong, quiet and studious, rose to junior mentor of the heir apparent and chief steward to the prince of Nankang. Mi, styled Shiji, was clever as a boy, widely read, and gifted in letters. His grandfather Chen had been Liang special advance. His father You was director of the palace workshops. In Taijian year 8 Mi served as acting attendant-in-ordinary on embassy to Qi. He later held the posts of yellow-gate vice minister, junior mentor of the heir apparent, and attendant-in-ordinary.
43
[15] [16]
The historiographer says: Xie, Wang, Zhang, and Xiao all made purity their manner and won fame for culture. Though hardship followed them, they still made their names. Kong Huan's blunt honesty in office and heroic bearing that stirred the age show, on review, the lingering goodwill of the ancients [15]. Wang Gu lived on plain food and Chan devotion [16], men above the common run, yet even they were snared in dismissal and feared collapse. So one sees how fearsome were the powers of Shangguan and Bolu and the tremors of Yan, Deng, Liang, and Dou.
44
Collation notes
45
On "the Founder as [south] inspector of Xuzhou": Zhang Senkai's collation note says the Founder's annals require "inspector of South Xuzhou." South is now supplied on that authority.
46
On "Lu Jia's southern campaign and Zhao Ta's submission": all editions read Zhao Tuo. Tuo and ta are homophones used interchangeably; Zhao Tuo's tuo appears as ta in the Lunheng chapters On Nature and On Rebuke.
47
On "the two sons Yan" (shen) [zhou]—emended per the History of the Southern Dynasties. The Houzhu annals for Zhide year 3 name Xie Zhou of the left-household ministry as minister of personnel; zhou is also miswritten shen and is already corrected in the Southern Supervisory edition. Here the Southern Supervisory edition is also wrong, so the History of the Southern Dynasties is followed.
48
On "Minister of Education Wang Sengbian with a report" (feng) [memorial] submitted—emended per Comprehensive Mirror 413 and 754. The History of the Southern Dynasties reads "with a report submitted," without heard.
49
On "also repeatedly granted the rank of marquis of Wuxi and Jiaxing counties": Imperial Overview 642 and Comprehensive Mirror 209 and 303 omit marquis, as does the History of the Southern Dynasties; marquis is probably a spurious addition.
50
On "Qi protector of the army" (grandson) On "Chong's [grandson]": Zhang Chong has a biography in the Book of Southern Qi; Zhicai was his grandson. Grandson should follow the particle zhi; all editions err; the word is now placed correctly.
51
殿
On "grand master of the great fleet": the Southern Supervisory, Ji, and Hall editions read grand master of the great storehouse, probably a later corruption. See collation note 5 in the biography of Cai Jingli, scroll 16.
52
On "about to be executed on the charge": the History of the Southern Dynasties reads "the whole faction was executed."
53
殿
On "Xiao Yun, styled" (sheng) [uncle] Zuo—emended per the Northern Supervisory, Ji, and Hall editions and the History of the Southern Dynasties.
54
On "right vice director of the masters of writing": the Book of Song biography of Xiao Sihua says he was summoned as left vice director and firmly declined, so he never held the right post.
55
On "enfeoffed as Duke Mu of Yang": the Book of Song biography of Xiao Sihua shows he inherited and was enfeoffed marquis of Yang county; his posthumous title was Mu. Duke should read marquis.
56
On "in Tianjia year 3 summoned as junior mentor of the heir apparent": below it again says "year 3, made steadfast-prestige general and assistant magistrate of Danyang," so one of the two year-3 notices must be wrong.
57
殿
On "Yin, styled" (sheng) [uncle] Xiu—emended per the Northern Supervisory, Ji, and Hall editions and the History of the Southern Dynasties.
58
殿 殿
At the time, within the palace halls (peng) On "[team] captain Wu Jin": emended per the Northern Supervisory, Ji, and Hall editions and the History of the Southern Dynasties.
59
On "he was indeed an ancient's lingering care left behind": Zhang Senkai's collation note says lingering care should read upright legacy left behind. On examination Zhang is right. Kong Huan's biography records Emperor Wen saying, "The ancients' upright legacy appears again in you," which the historiographer echoed here.
60
On "Gu's plain vegetables and Chan delight": all editions read cicada slough. Chan delight is Buddhist language. The biography says he devoutly followed Buddhism; after mourning for his birth mother he ate only vegetables for life, sat in meditation at night, and chanted sutras by day. So Chan delight is correct.
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