1
卷七十八蕭望之傳第四十八
Volume 78: Biography of Xiao Wangzhi, the forty-eighth.
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蕭望之字長倩，東海蘭陵人也，徙杜陵。 家世以田為業，至望之，好學，治《齊詩》，事同縣後倉且十年。 以令詣太常受業，復事同學博士白奇，又從夏侯勝問《論語》、《禮服》。 京師諸儒稱述焉。
Xiao Wangzhi, whose courtesy name was Changqian, came from Lanling in Donghai and later relocated to Duling. His people had long lived by the plough; Wangzhi himself loved letters, mastered the Qi recension of the Classic of Odes, and studied under Hou Cang of his county for the better part of a decade. On imperial summons he entered the Grand Master of Ceremonies' school, continued under the erudite Bai Qi, a classmate, and took the Analects and Mourning Dress from Xia housheng. The capital's Confucians spoke of him with respect.
3
是時，大將軍霍光秉政，長史丙吉薦儒生王仲翁與望之等數人，皆召見。 先是，左將軍上官桀與蓋主謀殺光，光既誅桀等，後出入自備。 吏民當見者，露索去刀兵，兩吏挾持。 望之獨不肯聽，自引出閣曰：「不願見。」 吏牽持匈匈。 光聞之，告吏勿持。 望之既至前，說光曰：「將軍以功德輔幼主，將以流大化，致於洽平，是以天下之士延頸企踵，爭願自效，以輔高明。 今士見者皆先露索挾持，恐非周公相成王躬吐握之禮，致白屋之意。」 於是光獨不除用望之，而仲翁等皆補大將軍史。 三歲間，仲翁至光祿大夫、給事中，望之以射策甲科為郎，署小苑東門候。 仲翁出入從倉頭廬兒，下車趨門，傳呼甚寵，顧謂望之曰：「不肯錄錄，反抱關為？」 望之曰：「各從其志。」
While the great general Huo Guang governed, chief clerk Bing Ji nominated the scholar Wang Zhongweng along with Wangzhi and others; they were all called in. Earlier, Left General Shangguan Jie and the princess regent had conspired against Huo Guang; once Guang had put them to death, he went about heavily guarded. Anyone granted an audience was stripped and searched, disarmed, and marched in flanked by two attendants. Wangzhi alone refused; he turned back toward the gate and said, "I decline the audience." The guards seized him amid a clamor. Huo Guang heard and ordered them to let him go. When Wangzhi at last stood before him, he said, "You support the boy emperor on strength of deed and reputation and mean to carry a great civilizing influence to perfect peace, so men of talent across the realm crane their necks and strain to serve your eminence. Yet every caller is searched and pinioned first. That is hardly the Duke of Zhou's way with the young King Cheng—interrupting meals and baths to see a petitioner—nor does it show the regard due men in rough cottages." Huo Guang therefore passed Wangzhi over while Wang Zhongweng and the others became secretaries on his staff. In three years Zhongweng rose to grand counselor of the palace and attendant at the inner gates; Wangzhi, having topped the graded policy exam, was made a gentleman and assigned to the eastern gatehouse of the Lesser Park. Zhongweng traveled with a train of grooms and runners, sprang from his carriage at the gate, and had heralds clear the way in style; glancing at Wangzhi he sneered, "So you would not bend the knee—and now you hug the gate?" Wangzhi replied, "Each man follows his own bent."
4
後數年，坐弟犯法，不得宿衛，免歸為郡吏。 御史大夫魏相除望之為屬，察廉為大行治禮丞。
Some years later his brother's crime barred him from palace night duty; he was stripped of rank and sent home as a commandery clerk. Imperial Counselor Wei Xiang took him on staff; rated incorrupt, he rose to assistant for ritual in the grand messenger's bureau.
5
是時，選博士、諫大夫通政事者補郡國守、相，以望之為平原太守。 望之雅意在本朝，遠為郡守，內不自得，乃上疏曰：「陛下哀愍百姓，恐德化之不究，悉出諫官以補郡吏，所謂憂其末而忘其本者也。 朝無爭臣則不知過，國無達士則不聞善。 願陛下選明經術，溫故知新，通於幾微謀慮之士以為內臣，與參政事。 諸侯聞之，則知國家納諫憂政，亡有闕遺。 若此不怠，成、康之道其庶幾乎！ 外郡不治，豈足憂哉？」 書聞，征入守少府。 宣帝察望之經明持重，論議有餘，材任宰相，欲詳試其政事，復以為左馮翊。 望之從少府出為左遷，恐有不合意，即移病。 上聞之，使侍中、成都侯金安上諭意曰：「所用皆更治民以考功。 君前為平原太守日淺，故復試之於三輔，非有所聞也。」 望之即視事。
The court was filling governorships and kingdom chancellorships with erudites and remonstrance officials who knew practical administration; Wangzhi received Pingyuan. Wangzhi had hoped to remain in the capital; distant appointment as governor sat ill with him. He memorialized: "You pity the people and fear your transforming influence may not reach the ends of the realm, so you have posted every remonstrance officer to the provinces—that is to fret over the branches and forget the root. Without contentious ministers at court you cannot know your errors; without worthy men in the land you will not hear what is right. I ask you to choose men steeped in the classics, who renew their learning from the past, and who grasp fine points of policy, for inner posts and deliberation of state. The kingdoms will then see that the court welcomes criticism and minds its business, with no duty left undone. Persevere in this, and the age of Kings Cheng and Kang is not beyond reach. Ill-run border provinces are a lesser worry by comparison." The emperor read the paper and recalled him to be privy treasurer. Emperor Xuan saw in him classical learning, gravity, and debating power fit for the chancellorship and meant to test him in government, so he named him left governor of the metropolitan area. He read the move from privy treasurer to "left" as a demotion for having offended the throne and at once filed a sick note. The sovereign sent Attendant Jin An'shang of Chengdu to say, "I shift my men into local office to weigh their performance. Your tenure in Pingyuan was brief; I am only giving you another tour in the capital region, not implying blame." Wangzhi then took his seat.
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是歲，西羌反，漢遣後將軍征之。 京兆尹張敞上書言：「國兵在外，軍以夏發，隴西以北，安定以西，吏民並給轉輸，田事頗廢，素無餘積，雖羌虜以破，來春民食必乏。 窮辟之處，買亡所得，縣官谷度不足以振之。 願令諸有罪，非盜受財殺人及犯法不得赦者，皆得以差入谷此八郡贖罪。 務益致谷以豫備百姓之急。」 事下有司，望之與少府李強議，以為：「民函明陽之氣，有好義欲利之心，在教化之所助。 堯在上，不能去民欲利之心，而能令其欲利不勝其好義也； 雖桀在上，不能去民好義之心，而能令其好義不勝其欲利也。 故堯、桀之分，在於義利而已，道民不可不慎也。 今欲令民量粟以贖罪，如此則富者得生，貧者獨死，是貧富異刑而法不一也。 人情，貧窮，父兄囚執，聞出財得以生活，為人子弟者將不顧死亡之患，敗亂之行，以赴財利，求救親戚。 一人得生，十人以喪，如此，伯夷之行壞，公綽之名滅。 政教一傾，雖有周、召之佐，恐不能復。 古者臧於民，不足則取，有餘則予。 《詩》曰『爰及矜人，哀此鰥寡』，上惠下也。 又曰『雨我公田，遂及我私』，下急上也。 今有西邊之役，民失作業，雖戶賦口斂以贍其困乏，古之通義，百姓莫以為非。 以死救生，恐未可也。 陛下布德施教，教化既成，堯、舜亡以加也。 今議開利路以傷既成之化，臣竊痛之。」
That same year the Western Qiang rose; the court sent the rear general against them. Governor of the Metropolitan Area Zhang Chang wrote: "With the host in the field since summer, from Longxi north through Anding the people haul supplies; farming is badly disrupted and granaries are thin. Even if the Qiang are crushed, hunger will bite next spring. In those poor marches there is little to buy, and official grain cannot cover relief. Let offenders short of robbery, homicide, unpardonable crimes, and bribery be allowed to pay grain into these eight commanderies in set amounts to commute sentence. That will build reserves against the people's distress." The case went to the ministries. Wangzhi and Privy Treasurer Li Qiang argued that "the people carry the bright force of yang; they incline to both duty and gain, according to what instruction gives them. Under Yao you could not erase the thirst for gain, yet gain never overcame the love of right; even under Jie you could not stamp out regard for right, yet there gain drowned duty. The gulf between Yao and Jie is simply righteousness against profit—governing the people demands care. To let men buy off sentences with grain saves the wealthy and dooms the poor—two standards of justice. When kinsmen languish in jail, sons and brothers will court crime and pay any price to ransom them. One life bought may cost ten; Boyi's standard of integrity and Gongzhuo's repute would collapse. Tilt policy and morals once, and not even Zhou and Shao could set them straight again. Antiquity stored wealth in the people—shortfalls were levied, surpluses shared. The Odes says, "Show pity to the suffering, have mercy on widows and widowers"—that is the ruler's kindness downward. It also says, "Let it rain on the public field, then our private plots"—the people's earnest service upward. The western war idles farmers; head taxes and surcharges to relieve them follow ancient precedent and the people accept them. Trading lives for grain is another matter—I do not think it admissible. Your virtue and teaching have already wrought a transformation Yao and Shun could not surpass. To open a profit gate now would scar a finished work—I mourn the suggestion."
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於是天子復下其議兩府，丞相、御史以難問張敞。 敞曰：「少府左馮翊所言，常人之所守耳。 昔先帝征四夷，兵行三十餘年，百姓猶不加賦，而軍用給。 今羌虜一隅小夷，跳梁於山谷間，漢但令罪人出財減罪以誅之，其名賢於煩擾良民橫興賦斂也。 又諸盜及殺人犯不道者，百姓所疾苦也，皆不得贖； 首匿、見知縱、所不當得為之屬，議者或頗言其法可蠲除，今因此令贖，其便明甚，何化之所亂？ 《甫刑》之罰，小過赦，薄罪贖，有金選之品，所從來久矣，何賊之所生？ 敞備皁衣二十餘年，嘗聞罪人贖矣，未聞盜賊起也。 竊憐涼州被寇，方秋饒時，民尚有饑乏，病死於道路，況至來春將大困乎！ 不早慮所以振救之策，而引常經以難，恐後為重責。 常人可與守經，未可與權也。 敞幸得備列卿，以輔兩府為職，不敢不盡愚。」
The emperor bounced the plan to chancellor and counselor; they cross-examined Zhang Chang. Zhang Chang answered, "The privy treasurer and the left governor speak like men who cling to the letter. The late emperor fought the four quarters for over thirty years without new taxes on the people, and the armies were fed. The Qiang are a trifling hill foe; letting convicts buy commutation to fund their suppression is a cleaner name than harrying taxpayers. Robbery, murder, and intolerable wickedness—the crimes the people hate—would stay ineligible, while harboring, "see-know" liability, and similar statutes some would repeal would gain a clear outlet. How would civilization suffer? The "Fu punishments" pardon small slips and redeem light guilt with scaled fines—ancient practice—and breed no more thieves. I have worn court black for twenty years and heard of ransom, not of robbery spawned by it. Liangzhou is ravaged; even in the fat of autumn people starve and die along the road—what of next spring? Fail to plan relief now and hide behind precedent, and you may answer for it harshly later. Mediocre men keep the rulebook; they cannot weigh circumstance. I stand among the high ministers charged with aiding both offices—I must speak plainly."
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望之、強復對曰：「先帝聖德，賢良在位，作憲垂法，為無窮之規，永惟邊竟之不贍，故《金布令甲》曰『邊郡數被兵，離饑寒，夭絕天年，父子相失，令天下共給其費』，固為軍旅卒暴之事也。 聞天漢四年，常使死罪人入五十萬錢減死罪一等，豪強吏民請奪假□，至為盜賊以贖罪。 其後奸邪橫暴，群盜並起，至攻城邑，殺郡守，充滿山谷，吏不能禁，明詔遣繡衣使者以興兵擊之，誅者過半，然後衰止。 愚以為此使死罪贖之敗也，故曰不便。」 時，丞相魏相、御史大夫丙吉亦以為羌虜且破，轉輸略足相給，遂不施敞議。 望之為左馮翊三年，京師稱之，遷大鴻臚。
Wangzhi and Li Qiang answered again: "The late emperor's sage example and good men in office wrote laws for the ages, mindful that the frontier could not sustain itself—hence the Metal-Cloth Ordinance, Class A: 'Border counties often see war, hunger, and early death, families torn—let the whole realm share the cost'—meant for sudden military need. We are told that in Tianhan 4 men under death sentence could pay five hundred thousand cash to commute one degree; magnates borrowed, seized, and forged credentials until some turned bandit to raise the fee. Then crime swelled, robbers massed, stormed towns, slew governors, and clogged the hills until imperial envoys in embroidered robes led troops and killed more than half before order returned. That, we think, was the fruit of buying off death sentences—hence we call the scheme unwise." Chancellor Wei Xiang and Counselor Bing Ji judged the Qiang nearly beaten and supply adequate, so Zhang Chang's plan was dropped. After three years as left governor he won the capital's praise and rose to grand herald.
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先是，烏孫昆彌翁歸靡因長羅侯常惠上書，願以漢外孫元貴靡為嗣，得復尚少主，結婚內附，畔去匈奴。 詔下公卿議，望之以為：烏孫絕域，信其美言，萬里結婚，非長策也。 天子不聽。 神爵二年，遣長羅侯惠使送公主配元貴靡。 未出塞，翁歸靡死，其兄子狂王背約自立。 惠從塞下上書，願留少主敦煌郡。 惠至烏孫，責以負約，因立元貴靡，還迎少主。 詔下公卿議，望之復以為：「不可。 烏孫持兩端，亡堅約，其效可見。 前少主在烏孫四十餘年，恩愛不親密，邊境未以安，此已事之驗也。 今少主以元貴靡不得立而還，信無負於四夷，此中國之大福也。 少主不止，繇役將興，其原起此。」 天子從其議，征少主還。 後烏孫雖分國兩立，以元貴靡為大昆彌，漢遂不復與結婚。
Earlier the Wusun ruler Wengguimi had petitioned through Marquis Chang Hui to install his part-Han grandson Yuanguimi and remarry the imperial princess, cleaving to Han and away from the Xiongnu. The edict went to council. Wangzhi said Wusun lay at impossible distance; a marriage alliance on mere fine words was no lasting policy. The emperor would not hear him. In Shenjue 2 he sent Chang Hui to escort the princess to Yuanguimi. Before the party crossed the frontier Wengguimi died; a nephew, the "Mad King," broke the pact and seized the throne. Chang Hui wrote from the border asking to hold the princess at Dunhuang. At Wusun he rebuked them for bad faith, enthroned Yuanguimi, and came back for the princess. Council was ordered again. Wangzhi still said no. Wusun plays both sides and keeps no firm pledge—the record shows it. The last princess dwelt there forty years without real intimacy or a quiet border—that is the precedent. To bring her home because Yuanguimi failed keeps faith with the outer tribes without loss—a great boon to China. If she stays, levies and wars will follow—the trouble starts here." The emperor agreed and recalled the princess. Wusun later split into two courts with Yuanguimi as great chanyu, and Han never again married into the line.
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三年，代丙吉為御史大夫。 五鳳中匈奴大亂，議者多曰匈奴為害日久，可因其壞亂舉兵滅之。 詔遣中朝大司馬車騎將軍韓增、諸吏富平侯張延壽、光祿勳楊惲、太僕戴長樂問望之計策，望之對曰：「《春秋》惡士□帥師侵齊，聞齊侯卒，引師而還，君子大其不伐喪，以為恩足以服孝子，誼足以動諸侯。 前單于慕化鄉善稱弟，遣使請求和親，海內欣然，夷狄莫不聞。 未終奉約，不幸為賊臣所殺，今而伐之，是乘亂而幸災也，彼必奔走遠遁。 不以義動兵，恐勞而無功。 宜遣使者弔問，輔其微弱，救其災患，四夷聞之，咸貴中國之仁義。 如遂蒙恩得復其位，必稱臣服從，此德之盛也。」 上從其議，後竟遣兵護輔呼韓邪單于定其國。
In the third year he succeeded Bing Ji as imperial counselor. During Wufeng the Xiongnu collapsed into civil strife; many at court urged exploiting the chaos to extirpate them. The court sent Grand Marshal Han Zeng, Marquis Zhang Yanshou of Fuping, Yang Yun, and Dai Changle to ask his counsel. Wangzhi answered: "The Annals fault Shi Hui for invading Qi with an army; when he learned the marquis had died, he withdrew. The noble man exalts refusing to strike a mourner—grace that wins filial sons and duty that sways the lords. The last chanyu admired our civilization, called himself younger brother, and sued for peace—all under heaven rejoiced and the steppe heard. He was murdered by a traitor before the pact ran its course; to strike now would be to profit from calamity—they would scatter beyond reach. War without right cause buys toil, not victory. Send envoys to mourn, shore up the weak, and relieve distress—the four quarters will honor Han benevolence. If grace restores their throne, they will submit in gratitude—the crown of virtue." The throne took his advice; in time troops did go to shield Huhanye and settle his realm.
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是時，大司農、中丞耿壽昌奏設常平倉，上善之，望之非壽昌。 丞相丙吉年老，上重焉，望之又奏言：「百姓或乏困，盜賊未止，二千石多材下不任職。 三公非其人，則三光為之不明，今首歲日月少光，咎在臣等。」 上以望之意輕丞相，乃下侍中建章衛尉金安上、光祿勳楊惲、御史中丞王忠，並詰問望之。 望之免冠置對，天子由是不說。
When Grand Minister of Agriculture Geng Shouchang proposed ever-normal granaries, the emperor liked the idea; Wangzhi attacked it. The aged Chancellor Bing Ji still enjoyed imperial favor, yet Wangzhi reported: "The people still suffer; banditry continues; too many two-thousand-bushel officials lack capacity. When the Three Dukes are wrong men, sun, moon, and stars lose their brightness; this new year they have dimmed—the blame is ours." Reading this as a snub to the chancellor, the emperor set Jin An'shang, Yang Yun, and Palace Secretary Wang Zhong to question him jointly. Wangzhi doffed his cap and replied; the sovereign took displeasure.
12
後丞相司直繁延壽奏：「侍中謁者良使承製詔望之，望之再拜已。 良與望之言，望之不起，因故下手，而謂御史曰『良禮不備』。 故事丞相病，明日御史大夫輒問病； 朝奏事會庭中，差居丞相後，丞相謝，大夫少進，揖。 今丞相數病，望之不問病； 會庭中，與丞相鈞禮。 時議事不合意，望之曰：『侯年寧能父我邪！』 知御史有令不得擅使，望之多使守史自給車馬，之杜陵護視家事。 少史冠法冠，為妻先引，又使賣買，私所附益凡十萬三千。 案望之大臣，通經術，居九卿之右，本朝所仰，至不奉法自修，踞慢不遜攘，受所監臧二百五十以上，請逮捕系治。」 上於是策望之曰：「有司奏君責使者禮，遇丞相亡禮，廉聲不聞，敖慢不遜，亡以扶政，帥先百僚。 君不深思，陷於茲穢，朕不忍致君於理，使光祿勳惲策詔，左遷君為太子太傅，授印。 其上故印使者，便道之官。 君其秉道明孝，正直是與，帥意亡愆，靡有後言。」
Later the chancellor's integrity officer Fan Yanshou charged that when the attendant Liang brought the sealed edict to Wangzhi, Wangzhi finished his double bow, but when Liang addressed him he remained seated and only then lowered his hands, telling the counselor that Liang's etiquette had been incomplete." By established usage, if the chancellor took ill the imperial counselor called on him the very next day; At courtyard sessions he stood behind the chancellor, then stepped forward with a bow when the chancellor stepped back. The present chancellor had been sick repeatedly, and Wangzhi never asked after him; In those same sessions he insisted on matching the chancellor gesture for gesture. When debate went against him he snapped, "Does the old marquis think his years make him my father?" He knew the counselor was barred from private use of staff, yet he had supervising clerks pay for their own mounts and run errands to Duling for his household. A junior clerk wore the law cap, led his wife about, and brokered deals for him, padding private accounts by 103,000 cash. He was a pillar of state, steeped in the classics and ranked above the nine ministers, yet he flouted the law, sneered at propriety, and pocketed over 250 cash from subordinates—arrest and trial are in order." The throne answered him: "Officials report that you slighted imperial envoys, insulted the chancellor, showed no reputation for integrity, and swaggered in a way no leader of the bureaucracy should. You fell into this stain through carelessness; We will not drag you before a tribunal but send Yang Yun with edict and seal, demoting you to tutor of the crown prince. Return your old seal to the courier and take the direct road to your new duty. Hold fast to the Way, teach true filial duty, stand with the righteous, govern your temper, and do not make Us regret this mercy."
13
望之既左遷，而黃霸代為御史大夫。 數月間，丙吉薨，霸為丞相。 霸薨，於定國復代焉。 望之遂見廢，不得相。 為太傅，以《論語》、《禮服》授皇太子。
Wangzhi's demotion opened the path for Huang Ba as imperial counselor. Bing Ji died within months, and Ba stepped up to the chancellorship. When Ba in turn died, Yu Dingguo inherited the post. Wangzhi had been passed over; the chancellorship never came to him. As grand tutor he lectured the crown prince on the Analects and the Mourning Dress classic.
14
初，匈奴呼韓邪單于來朝，詔公卿議其儀，丞相霸、御史大夫定國議曰：「聖王之制，施德行禮，先京師而後諸夏，先諸夏而後夷狄。 《詩》云：『率禮不越，遂視既發； 相士烈烈，海外有截。』 陛下聖德充塞天地，光被四表，匈奴單于鄉風慕化，奉珍朝賀，自古未之有也。 其禮儀宜如諸侯王，位次在下。」 望之以為：「單于非正朔所加，故稱敵國，宜待以不臣之禮，位在諸侯王上。 外夷稽首稱籓，中國讓而不臣，此則羈縻之誼，謙亨之福也。 《書》曰『戎狄荒服』，言其來服，荒忽亡常。 如使匈奴後嗣卒有鳥竄鼠伏，闕如朝享，不為畔臣。 信讓行乎蠻貉，福祚流於亡窮，萬世之長策也。」 天子采之，下詔曰：「蓋聞五帝、三王教化所不施，不及以政。 今匈奴單于稱北籓，朝正朔，朕之不逮，德不能弘覆。 其以客禮待之，令單于位在諸侯王上，贊謁稱臣而不名。」
When Huhanye first visited court, the council debated protocol. Chancellor Huang Ba and Counselor Yu Dingguo argued that sage kings ordered civilization from the capital outward—heartland first, then the barbarians. The Odes read, "He kept every rite within its bounds, then turned his gaze abroad; his hosts blazed with discipline, and even beyond the seas rivals were cut down." Your virtue fills heaven and earth; the chanyu has bent to the breeze of civilization with gifts and homage—unprecedented in the records. He should therefore be received like a feudal king, but seated below the Han princes." Wangzhi countered that the chanyu stood outside the calendar of the throne and counted as a peer state; he deserved guest rites, not subject rites, and a seat above the imperial clansmen. They may kowtow and call themselves vassals while China graciously withholds the language of mastery—that is the old policy of loose reins and the fortune of modest success. The Documents speaks of the Rong and Di in "wild service"—they attend fitfully and without fixed duty. Should their descendants someday skulk away and skip court, they still would not be treated as traitor-subjects. Patience and courtesy toward the northern tribes would spread blessing without end—the true long-term design." The emperor took his advice and proclaimed: "Where the Five Thearchs and Three Kings did not teach, law could not reach. The chanyu now calls himself a northern bulwark and accepts Our calendar, yet Our virtue is too slight to embrace every people. Receive him as an honored guest, seat him above the kings, and in the levee let heralds call him 'subject' without intoning his personal name."
15
初，宣帝不甚從儒術，任用法律，而中書宦官用事。 中書令弘恭、石顯久典樞機，明習文法，亦與車騎將軍高為表裡，論議常獨持故事，不從望之等。 恭、顯又時傾仄見詘。 望之以為中書政本，宜以賢明之選，自武帝游宴後庭，故用宦者，非國舊制，又違古不近刑人之義，白欲更置士人，由是大與高、恭、顯忤。 上初即位，謙讓重改作，議久不定，出劉更生為宗正。
Under Emperor Xuan the court favored law over Confucian rhetoric, and eunuch directors of the secretariat held real leverage. Hong Gong and Shi Xian had long run the machinery of state, knew every clause of the code, and moved in lockstep with General Wang Gao, stonewalling Wangzhi with citations of old precedent. The pair were themselves sometimes cornered and refuted in debate. Wangzhi argued that the secretariat was the administrative heart and should be manned by scholars; since Emperor Wu's harem diversions, castrates had filled those desks—neither ancient practice nor wise policy—and he pressed to put gentlemen in their place, making bitter enemies of Gao, Gong, and Xian. The young emperor shrank from sweeping reform; while debate stalled, Liu Gengsheng was parked in the Directorate of Imperial Clan Affairs.
16
望之、堪數薦名儒茂才以備諫官。 會稽鄭朋陰欲附望之，上疏言車騎將軍高遣客為奸利郡國，及言許、史子弟罪過。 章視周堪，堪白令朋待詔金馬門。 朋奏記望之曰：「將軍體周、召之德，秉公綽之質，有卞莊之威。 至乎耳順之年，履折衝之位，號至將軍，誠士之高致也。 窟穴黎庶莫不歡喜，咸曰將軍其人也。 今將軍規□雲若管、晏而休，遂行日仄至周、召乃留乎？ 若管、晏而休，則下走將歸延陵之皋，修農圃之疇，畜雞種黍，俟見二子，沒齒而已矣。 如將軍昭然度行，積思塞邪枉之險蹊，宣中庸之常政，興周、召之遺業，親日仄之兼聽，則下走其庶幾願竭區區，底厲鋒鍔，奉萬分之一。」 望之見納朋，接待以意。 朋數稱述望之，短車騎將軍，言許、史過失。
Wangzhi and Zhou Kan kept nominating distinguished scholars for remonstrance duties. Zheng Peng of Kuaiji curried favor by memorializing against General Wang Gao's clients for corruption in the provinces and against the Xu and Shi clans. Zhou Kan read the paper, forwarded it, and had Peng posted as an expectant scholar at the Golden Horse Gate. Peng wrote flatteringly that the general combined the virtue of the Zhou dukes, the steadiness of Meng Gongchuo, and the fierceness of Bian Zhuang. At sixty he held the rank that repels enemies—a pinnacle few scholars reach. Commoners in every lane hailed him as the man of the hour. Would he, like Guan and Yan, retire at the height of his name, or drive himself past sunset until the Zhou dukes themselves called him back? (One character in the text is missing.) If he chose the first path, Peng swore, he would withdraw to Yanling, plough his fields, and live out his days in obscurity. If instead the general opened straight paths, sealed off crooked schemes, enacted the steady policy of the Mean, revived the Zhou dukes' work, and listened wide and late, Peng would sharpen every talent and give the thousandth part of what he could." Wangzhi took the bait and treated Peng with cordial favor. Peng returned the favor by praising Wangzhi, attacking General Wang Gao, and airing Xu and Shi scandals.
17
後數月，制詔御史：「國之將興，尊師而重傅。 故前將軍望之傅朕八年，道以經術，厥功茂焉。 其賜望之爵關內侯，食邑六百戶，給事中，朝朔望，坐次將軍」天子方倚欲以為丞相，會望之子散騎中郎人及上書訟望之前事，事下有司，復奏：「望之前所坐明白，無譖訴者，而教子上書，稱引亡辜之《詩》，失大臣體，不敬，請逮捕。」 弘恭、石顯等知望之素高節，不詘辱，建白：「望之前為將軍輔政，欲排退許、史，專權擅朝。 幸得不坐，復賜爵邑，與聞政事，不悔過服罪，深懷怨望，教子上書，歸非於上，自以托師傅，懷終不坐。 非頗詘望之於牢獄，塞其怏怏心，則聖朝亡以施恩厚。」 上曰：「蕭太傅素剛，安肯就吏？」 顯等曰：「人命至重，望之所坐，語言薄罪，必亡所憂。」 上乃可其奏。
Months later the emperor told the counselor: "A rising state exalts its teachers. The former general Wangzhi instructed Us in the classics for eight years with conspicuous merit. He awarded Wangzhi marquis-within-the-passes rank, six hundred households, palace attendant status, audiences on the new and full moons, and a seat just below the generals." The emperor had meant to raise him to chancellor, but his son Ren, a gentleman rider, petitioned to reopen an old case; the ministries replied that the earlier verdict was sound, that no one had slandered him, yet teaching a son to quote the Odes on innocence was unworthy of a great minister—disrespect—and asked for his arrest. Hong Gong and Shi Xian, knowing Wangzhi would die before disgrace, wrote that as chief minister he had tried to oust the Xu and Shi factions and dominate the government. Spared once, enriched again, and still in council, he showed no remorse, nursed a grudge, coached his son to blame the throne, and assumed the tutor's mantle would shield him forever. Only by humbling him behind bars could the court stifle his sulk and still show mercy." The emperor protested, "The grand tutor is proud—he will never submit to petty clerks." Shi Xian answered that lives were precious, the new charge a verbal slight, and Wangzhi would have nothing to fear. The emperor relented and approved the arrest.
18
顯等封以付謁者，敕令召望之手付，因令太常急發執金吾車騎馳圍其第。 使者至，召望之。 望之欲自殺，其夫人止之，以為非天子意。 望之以問門下生硃雲。 雲者好節士，勸望之自裁。 於是望之仰天歎曰：「吾嘗備位將相，年逾六十矣，老入牢獄，苟求生活，不亦鄙乎！」 字謂雲曰：「游，趣和藥來，無久留我死！」 竟飲鴆自殺。 天子聞之驚，拊手曰：「曩固疑其不就牢獄，果然殺吾賢傅！」 是時，太官方上晝食，上乃卻食，為之涕泣，哀慟左右。 於是召顯等責問以議不詳。 皆免冠謝，良久然後已。
They sealed the order, told the usher to hand it to Wangzhi in person, and had the Grand Master of Ceremonies rouse the metropolitan commandant to surround his house with horse and chariot. The messenger came and summoned him. Wangzhi reached for poison; his wife restrained him, sure the emperor could not mean it. He turned to his disciple Zhu Yun for counsel. Yun, a man who honored uncompromising heroes, urged suicide. Wangzhi looked skyward and cried, "I have worn general's and minister's ribbons; I am past sixty—would I crawl through a jail for a few more breaths?" Calling him by his style, "You," he said, "fetch the draught at once—do not make me wait in shame!" He drank the poison and died. The emperor struck his palm and groaned, "We feared he would never endure a cell—he has murdered Our finest teacher!" The noon meal had just arrived; he pushed it away and wept until his attendants wept with him. He called in Shi Xian and his party and scolded them for the careless memorial. They doffed their caps and begged forgiveness until the storm slowly passed.
19
望之有罪死，有司請絕其爵邑。 有詔加恩，長子人及嗣為關內侯。 天子追念望之，不忘每歲時遣使者祠祭望之塚，終元帝世。 望之八子，至大官者育、咸、由。
Because he had died a condemned man, the ministries asked to revoke his title and fief. An edict tempered justice: his eldest son Ren and the heir line kept marquis-within-the-passes status. For the rest of Emperor Yuan's reign the court sent offerings to his tomb every season. Of his eight sons, Yu, Xian, and You rose highest.
20
哀帝時，南郡江中多盜賊，拜育為南郡太守。 上以育耆舊名臣，乃以三公使車載育入殿中受策，曰：「南郡盜賊群輩為害，朕甚憂之。 以太守威信素著，故委南郡太守，之官，其於為民除害，安元元而已，亡拘於小文。」 加賜黃金二十斤。 育至南郡，盜賊靜。 病去官，起家復為光祿大夫執金吾，以壽終於官。
Under Emperor Ai the middle Yangtze swarmed with pirates, and Yu was named governor of Nan commandery. Treating him as a senior statesman, the emperor sent a ducal carriage to fetch him into the hall and said, "The river bandits plague Nan commandery, and the matter weighs on Us. Your name alone commands fear; take the post and rid the people of evil without fussing over minor statutes." The court added a gift of twenty jin of gold. When Yu entered Nan commandery, the river grew still. Illness forced him out, but he was recalled from private life as grand counselor of the palace and metropolitan commandant and died in harness at a ripe age.
21
育為人嚴猛尚威，居官數免，稀遷。 少與陳咸、硃博為友，著聞當世。 往者有王陽、貢公，故長安語曰「蕭、硃結綬，王、貢彈冠」，言其相薦達也。 始育與陳咸俱以公卿子顯名，咸最先進，年十八，為左曹，二十餘，御史中丞。 時，硃博尚為杜陵亭長，為咸、育所攀援，入王氏。 後遂並歷刺史、郡守相，及為九卿，而博先至將軍上卿，歷位多於咸、育，遂至丞相。 育與博後有隙，不能終，故世以交為難。
Yu was harsh, fond of intimidation, often cashiered, seldom promoted. In youth he befriended Chen Xian and Zhu Bo and was celebrated in his day. Hence the old capital rhyme: "When Xiao and Zhu don seals, Wang and Gong dust off their caps"—meaning mutual promotion. Yu and Chen Xian, both sons of the elite, rose early—Xian at eighteen was a left aide and in his twenties palace secretary. Zhu Bo was still a Duling precinct chief when Xian and Yu pulled him into the Wang faction. All three later governed provinces and sat among the nine ministers; Bo climbed first to general and senior minister, outstripped the other two in offices, and ended as chancellor. Yu and Bo later split, which is why men say friendship at the top is perilous.
22
咸字仲君，為丞相史，舉茂材，好畤令，遷淮陽、泗水內史，張掖、弘農、河東太守。 所居有跡，數增秩賜金。 後免官，復為越騎校尉、護軍都尉、中郎將，使匈奴，至大司農，終官。
Xian, style Zhongjun, rose from chancellor's clerk through "flourishing talent" nomination to magistrate of Haozhi, then inner steward of Huaiyang and Sishui, then governor of Zhangye, Hongnong, and Hedong. Every post showed results; the court repeatedly raised his rank and showered him with gold. After a dismissal he returned as swift-riders colonel, guards commandant, general of the gentlemen, envoy to the Xiongnu, and finally grand minister of agriculture, dying in service.
23
由字子驕，為丞相西曹衛將軍掾，遷謁者，使匈奴副校尉。 後舉賢良，為定陶令，遷太原都尉，安定太守。 治郡有聲，多稱薦者。 初，哀帝為定陶王時，由為定陶令，失王指，頃之，制書免由為庶人。 哀帝崩，為復土校尉、京輔左輔都尉，遷江夏太守。 平江賊成重等有功，增秩為陳留太守，元始中，作明堂辟雍，大朝諸侯，征由為大鴻臚，會病，不及賓贊，還歸故官，病免。 復為中散大夫，終官。 家至吏二千石者六七人。
You, style Ziqiao, served the chancellor's western bureau and the guard general as aide, then yeoman and deputy colonel to the Xiongnu mission. Recommended as worthy and good, he governed Dingtao, then Taiyuan as chief commandant, then Anding as governor. His administration drew praise and steady nominations. While Emperor Ai was still prince of Dingtao, You was its magistrate and lost the prince's favor; an edict soon reduced him to commoner. When Ai died, You rose as colonel of the burial mounds, then chief commandant of the capital left, then governor of Jiangxia. He earned promotion to Chenliu by crushing the Jiangxia bandit Cheng Zhong; in Yuanshi, when the Bright Hall rose and lords gathered in court, he was called to be grand herald but took ill, missed the rites, went back to his old post, and retired sick. He finished as a grandee consultant, still on the rolls when he died. Six or seven kinsmen reached two-thousand-bushel rank.
24
贊曰：蕭望之歷位將相，籍師傅之恩，可謂親暱亡間。 及至謀洩隙開，讒邪構之，卒為便嬖宦豎所圖，哀哉！ 不然，望之堂堂，折而不橈，身為儒宗，有輔佐之能，近古社稷臣也。
The historian remarks: Wangzhi climbed to general and minister on the strength of the tutor's bond—close as family, it seemed. When secrets spread and the break widened, slanderers closed in, and palace favorites destroyed him—how pitiful. Otherwise this towering Confucian, broken yet unbowed, might have been the sort who steadies the dynasty itself.