1
陳書卷二十四
Book of Chen, Volume 24
2
列傳第十八
Biographies, Part Eighteen
3
周弘正弟弘直弘直子確袁憲
Zhou Hongzheng; his younger brother Hongzhi; Hongzhi's son Que; Yuan Xian
4
周弘正字思行，汝南安城人 （也） ，〔一〕晉光祿大夫顗之九世孫也。 祖顒，齊中書侍郎，領著作。 父寶始，梁司徒祭酒。
Zhou Hongzheng, styled Sixing, came from Ancheng in Runan. (also) [1] He was a ninth-generation descendant of Yan, grand master of splendid happiness under Jin. His grandfather Yan had been a secretariat gentleman under Qi and head of the Bureau of Writings. His father Baoshi had served Liang as libationer to the minister of education.
5
弘正幼孤，及弟弘讓、弘直，俱為 （叔） 〔伯〕父侍中護軍捨所養。 〔二〕年十歲，通老子、周易，捨每與談論，輒異之，曰：「觀汝神情穎晤，清理警發，後世知名，當出吾右。」 河東裴子野深相賞納，請以女妻之。 十五，召補國子生，仍於國學講周易，諸生傳習其義。 以季春入學，孟冬應舉，學司以其日淺，弗之許焉。 博士到洽議曰：「周郎年未弱冠，便自講一經，雖曰諸生，實堪師表，無俟策試。」 起家梁太學博士。 晉安王為丹陽尹，引為主簿。 出為鄴令，〔三〕丁母憂去職。 服闋，歷曲阿、安吉令。 普通中，初置司文義郎，直壽光省，以弘正為司義侍郎。
Hongzheng was orphaned young. He and his younger brothers Hongrang and Hongzhi were all (uncle) raised by their paternal uncle She, palace attendant and general who protects the army. [2] At ten he had mastered the Laozi and the Book of Changes. Whenever She debated them with him, She would marvel and say, "Your face is quick and bright, your mind clear and alert. If you become famous later, you will surpass me." Pei Ziye of Hedong admired him deeply and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. At fifteen he was made a student of the National University and lectured on the Book of Changes there; the students took up his readings. He entered in late spring and in early winter sought to sit for the examination, but the academic office refused him because he had not been there long enough. Doctor Dao Qia argued, "Young Zhou is not yet twenty yet already teaches a classic himself. Though called a student, he is fit to be a teacher. There is no need for a written examination." He began his career as erudite of the imperial university under Liang. When the Prince of Jin'an governed Danyang, Hongzheng was made his chief clerk. He was posted as magistrate of Ye county. [3] When his mother died he left office. After mourning he served in turn as magistrate of Qu'e and Anji. In the Putong era the post of clerk for literary righteousness was created. Hongzheng was made vice director, attached to the Shouguang Office.
6
竊聞撝謙之象，起於羲、軒爻畫，揖讓之源，生於堯、舜禪受，其來尚矣，可得而詳焉。 夫以廟堂、汾水，殊途而同歸，稷、契、巢、許，異名而一貫，出者稱為元首，處者謂之外臣，莫不內外相資，表裏成治，斯蓋萬代同規，百王不易者也。 暨于三王之世，寖以陵夷，各親其親，各子其子。 乃至七國爭雄，劉項競逐，皇漢扇其俗，有晉揚其波，謙讓之道廢，多歷年所矣。 夫文質遞變，澆淳相革，還樸反古，今也其時。
I have heard that the image of yielding and modesty arose with the trigrams of Xi and Xuan, and that bowing and yielding began with the abdications of Yao and Shun. The tradition is ancient and can be traced in detail. Temple and Fen River were different roads to the same end; Ji, Qi, Chao, and Xu were different names for the same principle. Those who served at court were called chiefs; those who withdrew were outer ministers. Inner and outer always supported each other until government was whole. That was the rule for all ages, unchanged by the hundred kings. By the age of the Three Kings it had already declined: each man honored only his own kin and favored only his own son. Then came the warring of the Seven States and the race of Liu and Xiang. Han fanned the fashion and Jin raised the wave. The way of yielding was cast aside for generations. Ornament and substance take turns; the corrupt and the pure replace one another. To return to simplicity and turn back to antiquity—now is the time.
7
伏惟明大王殿下，天挺將聖，聰明神武，百辟冠冕，四海歸仁。 是以皇上發德音，下明詔，以大王為國之儲副，乃天下之本焉。 雖復夏啟、周誦，漢儲、魏兩，此數君者，安足為大王道哉。 意者願聞殿下抗目夷上仁之義，執子臧大賢之節，逃玉輿而弗乘，棄萬乘如脫屣，庶改澆競之俗，以大吳國之風。 古有其人，今聞其語，能行之者，非殿下而誰？ 能使無為之化，復興於 （遂） 〔邃〕古，〔五〕讓王之道，不墜於來葉，豈不盛歟！ 豈不盛歟！
I bow before Your Illustrious Highness: Heaven has drawn you forth as a near-sage, bright and martial. The hundred offices are your crown; the four seas return to your benevolence. Therefore the Emperor has issued virtuous words and sent down a clear edict making you heir to the state—the root of all under Heaven. Even Xia Qi, Zhou Song, the Han heir, and the two Wei heirs—what are such men beside Your Highness? I would have Your Highness lift your eyes to Boyi's yielding and hold to the great worth Zizang's example: flee the jade carriage and refuse to mount it, cast off the realm as one casts off a shoe—perhaps to change shallow rivalry and restore the great wind of Wu. Antiquity had such men; today we hear such words. Who can act on them if not Your Highness? He could make the rule of non-action rise again in (sui) [remote] antiquity. [5] The way of yielding kings would not fall in ages to come—would it not be glorious! Would it not be glorious!
8
弘正陋學書生，義慚稽古，家自汝、潁，世傳忠烈，先人決曹掾燕抗辭九諫，高節萬乘，正色三府，雖盛德之業將絕，而狂直之風未墜。 是以敢布腹心，肆其愚瞽。 如使芻言野說，少陳於聽覽，縱復委身烹鼎之下，絕命肺石之上，雖死之日，猶生之年。
Hongzheng is a shabby scholar, ashamed before the ancients. His house comes from Ru and Ying and for generations has transmitted fierce loyalty. His forebear Yan, clerk of the Decision Office, spoke out in nine remonstrances, held lofty conduct before the throne, and kept stern countenance before the three bureaus. Though great virtue was ending, the wind of blunt uprightness had not fallen. Therefore I dare lay open my heart and show my foolishness. If these rustic words might briefly reach your ear, though I should die beneath the cauldron or on the execution stone, on the day of my death I would still count myself alive.
9
其抗直守正，皆此類也。
His outspoken integrity and upright conduct were all of this kind.
10
累遷國子博士。 時於城西立士林館，弘正居以講授，聽者傾朝野焉。 弘正啟梁武帝周易疑義五十條，又請釋乾坤二繫曰：「臣聞易稱立象以盡意，繫辭以盡言，然後知聖人之情，幾可見矣。 自非含微體極，盡化窮神，豈能通志成務，探賾致遠。 而宣尼比之桎梏，絕韋編於漆字，軒轅之所聽瑩，遺玄珠於赤水。 伏惟陛下一日萬機，匪勞神於瞬息，凝心妙本，常自得於天真，聖智無以隱其幾深，明神無以淪其不測。 至若爻畫之苞於六經，文辭之窮於兩繫，名儒劇談以歷載，鴻生抵掌以終年，莫有試遊其藩，未嘗一見其涘。 自制旨降談，裁成易道，析至微於秋毫，渙曾冰於幽谷。 臣親承音旨，職司宣授，後進詵詵，不無傳業。 但乾坤之蘊未剖，繫表之妙莫詮，使一經深致，尚多所惑。 臣不涯庸淺，輕率短陋，謹與受業諸生清河張譏等三百一十二人，於乾坤二繫象爻未啟，伏願聽覽之閑，曲垂提訓，得使微臣鑽仰，成其篤習，後昆好事，專門有奉。 自惟多幸，懽沐道於堯年，肄業終身，不知老之將至。 天尊不聞，而冒陳請，冰谷寘懷，罔識攸厝。」 詔答曰：「設卦觀象，事遠文高，作繫表言，辭深理奧，東魯絕編之思，西伯幽憂之作，事逾三古，人更七聖，自商瞿稟承，子庸傳授，篇簡湮沒，歲月遼遠。 田生表菑川之譽，梁丘擅琅邪之學，代郡范生，山陽王氏，人藏荊山之寶，各盡玄言之趣，說或去取，意有詳略。 近搢紳之學，咸有稽疑，隨答所問，已具別解。 知與張譏等三百一十二人須釋乾坤文言及二繫，萬機小暇，試當討論。」
He rose repeatedly to erudite of the National University. At that time the Forest of Scholars Hall was built west of the city. Hongzheng lived there to teach, and listeners filled court and countryside. Hongzheng submitted to Emperor Wu of Liang fifty doubtful points on the Book of Changes and asked to explain the two Appended Phrases on Qian and Kun. He said, "I have heard that the Changes says, 'Establish images to exhaust meaning; attach words to exhaust speech'—then the sage's feeling may be known and the subtle seen. Unless one embraces the subtle, embodies the utmost, and exhausts transformation and spirit, how can one penetrate intent, accomplish tasks, and reach the hidden afar? Yet Confucius called it fetters and broke the leather cords at the lacquered text; what the Yellow Emperor polished, he left as the dark pearl in Red Water. I bow before Your Majesty, who handles ten thousand affairs in a day without taxing your spirit in an instant; who concentrates on the subtle root and constantly attains natural truth; whose sage wisdom cannot hide its depths and whose bright spirit cannot be lost in the unfathomable. As for the trigrams wrapped in the Six Classics and the words exhausted in the two Appended Phrases—famous scholars debated for years, great scholars talked for a year end—none had tried their outer fence, none had seen their far shore. Since Your Majesty's own instructions came down and shaped the Way of the Changes, splitting the utmost subtle to an autumn hair and melting layered ice in a dark valley. Your servant personally received your tone and intent and had the duty of proclaiming it; the later students were many and not without a transmitted school. But the profundity of Qian and Kun was not yet opened and the subtlety of the Appended Tables not yet explained, so that one classic's deep reach still left much doubt. Your servant, not measuring his shallowness, respectfully joins Zhang Ji of Qinghe and three hundred twelve fellow students. On the image-lines of Qian and Kun and the two Appended Phrases, which are not yet opened, we bow and hope that in the leisure of your hearing you will instruct us—so that we may study in earnest and later generations who love learning may have a school to uphold. Reflecting on my great fortune, I rejoice to bathe in the Way in an age like Yao's; I study all my life and do not know that old age is coming. Heaven's honor does not hear, yet I rashly submit this request. Ice and valley fill my breast and I know not where to turn." An edict replied: "Setting hexagrams and observing images—the matter is remote and the text lofty; composing the Appended Phrases—the words are deep and the principle abstruse. The thought of cut silken cords in eastern Lu, the writing in western Bo's deep sorrow—the matter exceeds the Three Antiquities; men have changed through seven sages. From Shang Qu's receiving and Ziyong's transmitting, the slips were lost and the years far away. Master Tian won fame in Zichuan; Liangqiu excelled in Langye; Master Fan of Dai and the Wang of Shanyang—each hid the treasure of Jing Mountain and exhausted the flavor of dark learning. Explanations differed in what they kept or dropped; intent had its detail and brevity. Recently the learning of the gentry has had doubts to examine; answers to each question have already been prepared in separate explanations. I know that you and Zhang Ji and three hundred twelve others need the Wenyan on Qian and Kun and the two Appended Phrases explained. When the ten thousand affairs allow a little leisure, I will try to discuss them."
11
弘正博物知玄象，善占候。 大同末，嘗謂弟弘讓曰：「國家厄運，數年當有兵起，吾與汝不知何所逃之。」 及梁武帝納侯景，弘正謂弘讓曰：「亂階此矣。」 京城陷，弘直為衡陽內史，元帝在江陵，遺弘直書曰：「適有都信，賢兄博士平安。 但京師搢紳，無不附逆，王克已為家臣，陸緬身充卒伍，唯有周生，確乎不拔。 言及西軍，潺湲掩淚，恆思吾至，如望歲焉，松柏後凋，一人而已。」 王僧辯之討侯景也，弘正與弘讓自拔迎軍，僧辯得之甚喜，即日啟元帝，元帝手書與弘正曰：「獯醜逆亂，寒暑亟離，海內相識，零落略盡。 韓非之智，不免秦獄，劉歆之學，猶弊亡新，音塵不嗣，每以耿灼。 常欲訪山東而尋子雲，問關西而求伯起，遇有今信，力附相聞，遲比來郵，慰其延佇。」 仍遣使迎之，謂朝士曰：「晉氏平吳，喜獲二陸，今我破賊，亦得兩周，今古一時，足為連類。」 及弘正至，禮數甚優，朝臣無與比者。 授黃門侍郎，直侍中省。 俄遷左民尚書，尋加散騎常侍。
Hongzheng was broadly learned and knew the dark images; he was skilled at divination and observation. Near the end of Datong he once told his younger brother Hongrang, "The state's fortune is ill. In a few years war will rise—we do not know where we shall flee." When Emperor Wu of Liang received Hou Jing, Hongzheng told Hongrang, "The stair of disorder starts here." When the capital fell, Hongzhi was administrator of Hengyang. Emperor Yuan was at Jiangling and sent Hongzhi a letter: "There is capital news: your worthy elder brother the erudite is safe. But of the capital gentry none failed to join the rebels. Wang Ke had become a household servant; Lu Mian's body filled the ranks of soldiers. Only Master Zhou stood firm and unbending. Speaking of the western army, his tears flowed like a stream. He constantly longed for my coming as one longs for harvest. Of pines and cypresses that wither last—he alone. When Wang Sengbian campaigned against Hou Jing, Hongzheng and Hongrang broke out on their own to welcome his army. Sengbian was greatly pleased and that day reported to Emperor Yuan. Emperor Yuan wrote Hongzheng in his own hand: "The savage rebel has torn cold from heat again and again; acquaintances within the seas are nearly all gone. Han Fei's wisdom did not escape Qin's prison; Liu Xin's learning still perished in Xin. Voice and dust do not continue—I burn with grief. I have often wished to visit Shandong to seek Ziyun and ask west of the Pass for Boqi. Meeting this present letter, I send word with all my strength and await the coming post to comfort my long waiting." He then sent an envoy to welcome him and told the court gentlemen, "When the Jin house pacified Wu, they rejoiced to gain the two Lus. Now in breaking the bandit I too have gained the two Zhous—ancient and modern in one moment, enough to be paired." When Hongzheng arrived, the honors were very generous; no court minister could compare. He was made gentleman of the yellow gate, attached to the secretariat. Soon he was promoted to minister of the left for the people and shortly after made supernumerary scattered-cavalry regular attendant.
12
元帝嘗著金樓子，曰：「余於諸僧重招提琰法師，隱士重華陽陶貞白，士大夫重汝南周弘正，其於義理，清轉無窮，亦一時之名士也。」 及侯景平，僧辯啟送祕書圖籍，敕弘正讎校。
Emperor Yuan once wrote in the Golden Tower Master: "Among monks I value Master Yan of Zhaoti; among recluses Tao Zhenbai of Huayang; among gentry Zhou Hongzheng of Runan—in reasoning, clear and inexhaustible. He too is a famous scholar of the age." When Hou Jing was pacified, Sengbian reported and sent the secretariat's books and registers. An edict ordered Hongzheng to collate them.
13
時朝議遷都，朝士家在荊州者，皆不欲遷，唯弘正與僕射王裒言於元帝曰：「若束脩以上諸士大夫微見古今者，知帝王所都本無定處，無所與疑。 至如黔首萬姓，若未見輿駕入建鄴，謂是列國諸王，未名天子。 今宜赴百姓之心，從四海之望。」 時荊、陝人士咸云王、周皆是東人，志願東下，恐非良計。 弘正面折之曰：「若東人勸東，謂為非計，君等西人欲西，豈成良策？」 元帝乃大笑之，竟不還都。
At that time the court debated moving the capital. Court gentlemen whose families were in Jingzhou all wished to stay—only Hongzheng and Minister of Works Wang Pou said to Emperor Yuan, "Gentry of full learning who know past and present understand that an emperor's seat has no fixed place. There is nothing to doubt. As for the common people, if they have not seen the imperial carriage enter Jianye, they will think you a feudal prince among the states and not yet call you Son of Heaven. Now you should follow the people's hearts and accord with the hope of the four seas." At that time men of Jing and Shanxi all said Wang and Zhou were easterners who wished to go east and feared it was not a good plan. Hongzheng confronted them and said, "If easterners urge east and you call it a bad plan, you westerners wish west—how is that a good plan?" Emperor Yuan laughed greatly at this and in the end did not return the capital.
14
及江陵陷，弘正遁圍而出，歸於京師，敬帝以為大司馬王僧辯長史，行揚州事。 太平元年，授侍中，領國子祭酒，遷太常卿、都官尚書。 高祖受禪，授太子詹事。 天嘉元年，遷侍中、國子祭酒，往長安迎高宗。 三年，自周還，詔授金紫光祿大夫，加金章紫綬，領慈訓太僕。 廢帝嗣位，領都官尚書，總知五禮事。 仍授太傅長史，加明威將軍。 高宗即位，遷特進，重領國子祭酒，豫州大中正，加扶。 太建五年，授尚書右僕射，祭酒、中正如故。 尋敕侍東宮講論語、孝經。 太子以弘正朝廷舊臣，德望素重，於是降情屈禮，橫經請益，有師資之敬焉。
When Jiangling fell, Hongzheng broke through the siege and returned to the capital. Emperor Jing made him chief clerk to Grand Marshal Wang Sengbian, acting for Yang province. In the first year of Taiping (556) he was made palace attendant and concurrently national university libationer, then promoted to minister of ceremonies and minister of justice. When the Founder received the abdication, Hongzheng was made grand mentor to the heir apparent. In the first year of Tiancheng (560) he was promoted to palace attendant and national university libationer and went to Chang'an to welcome Emperor Xuan. In year 3 he returned from Zhou. An edict made him grand master of splendid happiness with golden seal and purple ribbon and concurrently grand steward of Cixun. When the Deposed Emperor succeeded, he concurrently served as minister of justice and oversaw the five rites. He was then made chief clerk to the grand tutor and bright-prestige general. When Emperor Xuan took the throne, he was promoted to special grand master, again made national university libationer, and chief rectifier for Yu province; he was given attendants. In Taijian year 5 (573) he was made right vice director of the secretariat, with libationer and chief rectifier unchanged. Soon an edict ordered him to attend the Eastern Palace to lecture on the Analects and Classic of Filial Piety. The heir apparent, because Hongzheng was an old minister whose virtue and standing were weighty, lowered his manner and bent ritual, spread the classics and asked for instruction—with the respect due a teacher.
15
弘正特善玄言，兼明釋典，雖碩學名僧，莫不請質疑滯。 六年，卒于官，時年七十九。 詔曰：「追遠褒德，抑有恆規。 故尚書右僕射、領國子祭酒、豫州大中正弘正，識宇凝深，藝業通備，辭林義府，國老民宗，道映庠門，望高禮閣，卒然殂殞，朕用惻然。 可贈侍中、中書監，喪事所須，量加資給。」 便出臨哭。 諡曰簡子。 所著周易講疏十六卷，論語疏十一卷，莊子疏八卷，老子疏五卷，孝經疏兩卷，集二十卷，行于世。 子墳，官至吏部郎。
Hongzheng was especially skilled in dark discourse and also understood Buddhist scriptures. Great scholars and famous monks all came to him to resolve doubts. In year 6 he died in office, aged seventy-nine. An edict said, "To pursue the distant and praise virtue—indeed there is a constant rule. The late right vice director of the secretariat, concurrent national university libationer and chief rectifier for Yu province, Hongzheng—his knowledge was deep and settled, his arts complete; a forest of letters and storehouse of righteousness, elder of the state and teacher of the people; the Way shone at the school gate, his repute high in the ritual hall. Suddenly he has fallen—we are deeply moved. He may be posthumously made palace attendant and director of the secretariat. What the funeral requires shall be supplied in full measure." The Emperor then went out to mourn him in person. Posthumous title: Master Jian. His writings include sixteen scrolls of commentary on the Book of Changes, eleven on the Analects, eight on Zhuangzi, five on the Laozi, two on the Classic of Filial Piety, and twenty scrolls of collected works—in circulation in the world. His son Fen rose to gentleman of the ministry of personnel.
16
弘正二弟：弘讓，弘直。 弘讓性簡素，博學多通，天嘉初，以白衣領太常卿、光祿大夫，加金章紫綬。
Hongzheng had two younger brothers: Hongrang and Hongzhi. Hongrang was plain and simple by nature, broadly learned and master of many subjects. In the first year of Tiancheng (560), though a commoner, he held the posts of minister of ceremonies and grand master of splendid happiness, with golden seal and purple ribbon.
17
弘直字思方，幼而聰敏。 解褐梁太學博士，稍遷西中郎湘東王外兵記室參軍，與東海鮑泉、南陽宗懍、平原劉緩、沛郡劉瑴同掌書記。 入為尚書儀曹郎。 湘東王出鎮江、荊二州，累除錄事諮議參軍，帶柴桑、當陽二縣令。 及梁元帝承制，授假節、英果將軍、世子長史。 尋除智武將軍、衡陽內史。 遷貞毅將軍、平南長史、長沙內史，行湘州府州事，湘濱縣侯，邑六百戶。 歷邵陵、零陵太守、雲麾將軍、昌州刺史。 王琳之舉兵也，弘直在湘州，琳敗，乃還朝。 天嘉中，歷國子博士、廬陵王長史、尚書左丞、領羽林監、中散大夫、祕書監，掌國史。 遷太常卿、光祿大夫，加金章紫綬。
Hongzhi, styled Sifang, was clever and keen from childhood. He entered office as a Liang grand-academy doctor, then rose to secretary on Prince Xiangdong's outer military staff, sharing record-keeping with Bao Quan of Donghai, Zong Lin of Nanyang, Liu Huan of Pingyuan, and Liu Yue of Pei. He was made gentleman of the ceremonies bureau in the masters of writing. When Prince Xiangdong took up Jiang and Jing, he was repeatedly made recording secretary and advising aide, and concurrently magistrate of Chaisang and Dangyang. When Emperor Yuan of Liang assumed the provisional regime, he was made acting-with-staff bearer, stalwart-fruits general, and the heir's chief steward. He was soon made wise-martial general and inner administrator of Hengyang. He became steadfast-resolve general, chief steward of the pacify-the-south army, inner administrator of Changsha, acting prefect of Xiangzhou, and marquis of Xiangbin with six hundred households. He served in turn as administrator of Shaoling and Lingling, cloud-banner general, and inspector of Chang. When Wang Lin rebelled, Hongzhi was in Xiangzhou; after Lin's defeat he returned to court. Under Tianchen he was in turn grand-academy doctor, chief steward to the prince of Luling, left assistant in the masters of writing, superintendent of the feathered forest guard, palace scatterer grandee, and director of the secretariat in charge of the national history. He was promoted to minister of rites and grand master for the glorious, with golden seal and purple ribbon.
18
太建七年，遇疾且卒，乃遺疏敕其家曰：「吾今年已來，筋力減耗，可謂衰矣，而好生之情，曾不自覺，唯務行樂，不知老之將至。 今時制云及，將同朝露，七十餘年，頗經稱足，啟手告全，差無遺恨。 氣絕已後，便買市中見材，材必須小形者，使易提挈。 斂以時服，古人通制，但下見先人，必須備禮，可著單衣裙衫故履。 既應侍養，宜備紛帨，或逢善友，又須香煙，棺內唯安白布手巾、麤香爐而已，其外一無所用。」 卒于家，時年七十六。 有集二十卷。 子確。
In Taijian year seven he fell gravely ill and left instructions for his household: "This year my strength has failed—I am plainly in decline—yet I never noticed how I clung to life; I only chased pleasure and did not see old age coming. My time has come; I shall vanish like morning dew. Seventy-odd years are enough; I take my leave with scarcely a regret. After I die, buy whatever coffin wood is for sale in the market—it must be small enough to carry easily. Bury me in plain seasonal dress, as custom allows; but to meet my ancestors I need full propriety—only a single skirt-robe, jacket, shirt, and worn shoes. Provide veil-cloths for their service, and incense if good friends come; put in the coffin only white cloth towels and a coarse censer—nothing else." He died at home, aged seventy-six. He left collected works in twenty juan. His son was Que.
19
袁憲字德章，尚書左僕射樞之弟也。 幼聰敏，好學，有雅量。 梁武帝脩建庠序，別開五館，其一館在憲宅西，憲常招引諸生，與之談論，每有新議，出人意表，同輩咸嗟服焉。
Yuan Xian, styled Dezhi, was the younger brother of Yuan Shu, left vice director of the masters of writing. As a boy he was bright and eager to learn, with a calm, generous bearing. When Emperor Wu of Liang rebuilt the schools and opened five halls, one stood west of Xian's house. He often gathered students to debate; his fresh readings surprised everyone, and his peers admired him.
20
大同八年，武帝撰孔子正言章句，詔下國學，宣制旨義。 憲時年十四，被召為國子正言生，謁祭酒到溉，溉目而送之，愛其神彩。 在學一歲，國子博士周弘正謂憲父君正曰：「賢子今茲欲策試不？」 君正曰：「經義猶淺，未敢令試。」 居數日，君正遣門下客岑文豪與憲候弘正，會弘正將登講坐，弟子畢集，乃延憲入室，授之麈尾，令憲樹義。 時謝岐、何妥在坐，弘正謂曰：「二賢雖窮奧賾，得無憚此後生耶！」 何、謝於是遞起義端，深極理致，憲與往復數番，酬對閑敏。 弘正謂妥曰：「恣卿所問，勿以童稚相期。」 時學眾滿堂，觀者重沓，而憲神色自若，辯論有餘。 弘正請起數難，終不能屈，因告文豪曰：「卿還咨袁吳郡，此郎已堪見代為博士矣。」 時生徒對策，多行賄賂，文豪請具束脩，君正曰：「我豈能用錢為兒買第耶？」 學司銜之。 及憲試，爭起劇難，憲隨問抗答，剖析如流。 到溉顧憲曰：「袁君正其有後矣。」 及君正將之吳郡，溉祖道於征虜亭，謂君正曰：「昨策生蕭敏孫、徐孝克，非不解義，至於風神器局，去賢子遠矣。」 尋舉高第。 以貴公子選尚南沙公主，即梁簡文之女也。
In Datong year eight the emperor finished his commentary on the Correct Sayings of Confucius and ordered the National University to expound the imperial interpretation. Xian was fourteen when he was made a Correct Sayings student at the National University. He visited libationer Dao Gai, who watched him leave and admired his bearing. After a year of study, National University doctor Zhou Hongzheng asked Xian's father Junzheng, "Will your worthy son sit for the examination this year?" Junzheng replied, "His classical learning is still shallow; I dare not let him try yet." A few days later Junzheng sent his retainer Cen Wenhao with Xian to see Hongzheng. Hongzheng was about to lecture with all disciples present; he brought Xian in, gave him a fly-whisk, and told him to open the discussion. Xie Qi and He Tuo were in the audience. Hongzheng said, "You two have plumbed the depths—will you not fear this youth?" He and Xie took turns pressing hard questions to the limits of doctrine; Xian answered several exchanges with easy, sharp replies. Hongzheng told He Tuo, "Question him as you will—do not treat him as a child." The hall was packed and spectators crowded in, yet Xian remained composed and still had answers to spare. Hongzheng raised difficulty after difficulty but could not defeat him. He told Wenhao, "Tell Administrator Yuan of Wu that this boy is already fit to succeed me as doctor." Students then often bribed their way through policy examinations. Wenhao asked to prepare the ritual gift; Junzheng said, "Would I buy my son a degree with money?" The academic office resented this. At Xian's examination they all pressed fierce questions; he answered on the spot, reasoning as fluently as flowing water. Dao Gai looked at Xian and said, "Yuan Junzheng will have worthy descendants." When Junzheng was leaving for Wu commandery, Gai saw him off at the Campaign-Slayer Pavilion and said, "Yesterday's candidates Xiao Minsun and Xu Xiaoke know their texts, but in spirit and bearing they are far below your son." He soon placed in the top grade. As a nobleman's son he was chosen to marry Princess Nan'a, daughter of Liang's Emperor Jianwen.
21
憲詳練朝章，尤明聽斷，至有獄情未盡而有司具法者，即伺閑暇，常為上言之，其所申理者甚眾。 嘗陪醼承香閣，賓退之後，高宗留憲與衛尉樊俊徙席山亭，談宴終日。 高宗目憲而謂俊曰「袁家故為有人」，其見重如此。
Xian knew court law thoroughly and was especially skilled at judgment. When investigators had not finished a case but officials had already drafted the sentence, he would use spare moments to speak to the throne; the cases he corrected were very many. Once, after a banquet in the Fragrant-Accepting Pavilion, Emperor Gaozong kept Xian and commandant of the guards Fan Jun, moved to the mountain pavilion, and talked with them all day. The emperor looked at Xian and told Fan Jun, "The Yuan family has always had real men in it"—such was the esteem in which he was held.
22
五年，入為侍中。 六年，除吳郡太守，以父任固辭不拜，改授明威將軍、南康內史。 九年，秩滿，除散騎常侍，兼吏部尚書，尋而為真。 憲以久居清顯，累表自求解任。 高宗曰：「諸人在職，屢有謗書。 卿處事已多，可謂清白，別相甄錄，且勿致辭。」 十三年，遷右僕射，參掌選事。 先是憲長兄簡懿子為左僕射，至是憲為右僕射，臺省內目簡懿為大僕射，憲為小僕射，朝廷榮之。
In year five he became palace attendant. In year six he was named administrator of Wu but declined because his father was in office; he was made bright-martial general and inner administrator of Nankang instead. When his term ended in year nine he became scattered-cavalry regular attendant and acting minister of personnel, then received the full appointment. Having long held a high, unsullied post, Xian repeatedly asked to resign. Emperor Gaozong said, "Others in office are often attacked in memorials. You have served many years with a clean record; I will mark that separately—do not resign." In year thirteen he was promoted to right vice director and took part in appointments. His elder brother's son Jianyi had been left vice director; now Xian was right vice director. The secretariat called them the great and lesser vice directors, and the court took pride in the pair.
23
及高宗不豫，憲與吏部尚書毛喜俱受顧命。 始興王叔陵之肆逆也，憲指麾部分，預有力焉。 後主被瘡病篤，執憲手曰：「我兒尚幼，後事委卿。」 憲曰：「群情喁喁，冀聖躬康復，後事之旨，未敢奉詔。」 以功封建安縣伯，邑四百戶，領太子中庶子，餘並如故。 尋除侍中、信威將軍、太子詹事。
When Emperor Gaozong fell ill, Xian and minister of personnel Mao Xi both received his deathbed charge. When Prince Shixing Shulang rebelled, Xian directed the response and played a leading part in suppressing him. The Later Lord, badly wounded, took Xian's hand and said, "My son is still young; I leave what follows to you." Xian said, "All hearts pray for Your Majesty's recovery; I dare not yet accept a deathbed charge." For his service he was made baron of Jian'an with four hundred households and chief aide to the crown prince; his other posts were unchanged. He was soon made palace attendant, trustworthy-martial general, and steward of the crown prince's household.
24
禎明 （元） 〔三〕年，隋軍來伐，〔八〕隋將賀若弼進燒宮城北掖門，宮衛皆散走，朝士稍各引去，惟憲衛侍左右。 後主謂憲曰：「我從來待卿不先餘人，今日見卿，可謂歲寒知松柏後凋也。」 後主遑遽將避匿，憲正色曰：「北兵之入，必無所犯，大事如此，陛下安之。 臣願陛下正衣冠，御前殿，依梁武見侯景故事。」 後主不從，因下榻馳去，憲從後堂景陽殿入，後主投下井中，憲拜哭而出。
Zhenming (yuan) In Zhenming year three the Sui invaded; [8] Sui general He Ruobi burned the palace city's north wing gate. Guards fled and courtiers drifted away—only Xian stayed at the emperor's side. The Later Lord told Xian, "I have always favored you above others; today you prove that pines and cypresses are the last to fade in winter." As the emperor panicked and prepared to flee, Xian said sternly, "The northerners will not harm you. The matter is settled—Your Majesty, stay calm. I beg Your Majesty to dress properly, sit in the front hall, and follow Emperor Wu of Liang's example when he received Hou Jing." The emperor refused, leapt from his couch, and fled. Xian went in through the rear Jingyang Palace hall; finding the emperor had thrown himself into a well, he bowed, wept, and withdrew.
25
京城陷，入于隋，隋授使持節、昌州諸軍事、開府儀同三司、昌州刺史。 開皇十四年，詔授晉王府長史。 十八年卒，時年七十。 贈大將軍，安城郡公，諡曰簡。 長子承家，仕隋至祕書丞、國子司業。
After the capital fell he entered Sui service as bearer of the staff, commander of military affairs in Chang, opener of the mansion equal to the three dukes, and inspector of Chang. In Kaihuang year fourteen he was made chief steward of the prince of Jin's household. He died in Kaihuang year eighteen, aged seventy. Posthumously he was made grand general and duke of Ancheng, with the posthumous name Jian. His eldest son Chengjia served the Sui as secretary aide and vice director of the National University.
26
史臣曰：梁元帝稱士大夫中重汝南周弘正，信哉斯言也！ 觀其雅量標舉，尤善玄言，亦一代之國師矣。 袁憲風格整峻，徇義履道。 韓子稱為人臣委質，心無有二。 憲弗渝終始，良可嘉焉。
The historian writes: Emperor Yuan of Liang said that among scholar-officials he especially valued Zhou Hongzheng of Runan—how true that was! In breadth of mind and mastery of arcane learning he was a national teacher of his age. Yuan Xian's manner was austere and upright; he lived by duty and the Way. Han Fei said that when a minister pledges himself to his lord, his heart must not be divided. Xian never wavered from first to last—worthy of praise indeed.
27
校勘記
Collation notes
28
〔一〕汝南安城人 （也） 據北監本、汲本、殿本刪。
Collation note 1: Ancheng in Runan (ye) Deleted per the Northern Supervisory, Ji, and Hall editions.
29
〔二〕俱為 （叔） 〔伯〕父侍中護軍捨所養據南史改。 按南史周捨傳有「弟子弘正」之語，是周捨乃周弘正之伯父也。
Collation note 2: All were (uncle) On "[uncle] Attendant-in-Ordinary and Protector-General She raised them"—emended per the History of the Southern Dynasties. The Southern Dynasties biography of Zhou She calls Hongzheng his nephew; She was therefore Hongzheng's uncle.
30
〔三〕出為鄴令錢大昕廿二史考異云：「梁之鄴縣未審所在。」 又引袁廷檮曰：「『鄴』疑是『鄞』字。」
On "sent out as magistrate of Ye": Qian Daxin's Examination of the Twenty-Two Histories says the site of Liang's Ye county is unknown. He cites Yuan Tingchu: "Ye is probably Yin."
31
〔四〕〔中〕大通 （二） 〔三〕年梁昭明太子薨按梁昭明太子卒於中大通三年，今補「中」字，「二」改「三」。 南史亦脫「中」字，「三」字不訛。
Collation note 4: [Zhong] Datong (two) On "[3] year the Heir Apparent Zhao Ming died": Zhao Ming died in Zhong Datong year three; zhong is supplied and two is changed to three. The Southern Dynasties history also omits zhong; three is correct.
32
〔五〕復興於 （遂） 〔邃〕古據北監本、汲本、殿本改。
Collation note 5: Revive in (sui) On "[sui] antiquity"—emended per the Northern Supervisory, Ji, and Hall editions.
33
〔六〕信州南平王府長史南平王時為揚州刺史，確以長史行揚州事，何來一「信州」？ 按南平王嶷傳，嶷於至德元年除信武將軍，「信州」疑為「信武」之訛。
On "chief steward of Prince Nanping's mansion in Xin prefecture": Nanping was then inspector of Yangzhou and Que acted for Yangzhou—why Xin prefecture? Prince Nanping Yi's biography shows him made trustworthy-martial general in Zhide year one; Xin prefecture is probably a corruption of trustworthy-martial.
34
〔七〕至德元年至行釋奠之禮按後主紀，太子加元服在至德二年七月，行釋奠禮在三年十二月。
On "from Zhide year one to performing the libation ceremony": the Later Lord's annals place the crown prince's capping in Zhide year two, month seven, and the libation in year three, month twelve.
35
〔八〕禎明 （元） 〔三〕年隋軍來伐按賀若弼渡江至建業，為禎明三年，「元」為「三」字之訛，今改。
Collation note 8: Zhenming (yuan) On "[3] year Sui armies came to attack": He Ruobi crossed to Jiankang in Zhenming year three; yuan is a corruption of three; emended.