1
卷九十酷吏傳第六十
Volume 90: Biographies of Harsh Officials (60).
2
孔子曰：「導之以政，齊之以刑，民免而無恥； 導之以德，齊之以禮，有恥且格。 」老氏稱：「上德不德，是以有德； 下德不失德，是以無德。 法令滋章，盜賊多有。 」信哉是言也！ 法令者，治之具，而非制治清濁之原也。 昔天下之罔嘗密矣，然奸軌愈起，其極也，上下相遁，至於不振。 當是之時，吏治若救火揚沸，非武健嚴酷，惡能勝其任而愉快乎？ 言道德者，溺於職矣。 故曰：「聽訟吾猶人也，必也使無訟乎！ 」「下士聞道大笑之。 」非虛言也。
Confucius said, "Guide them with edicts and police them with penalties, and they stay out of trouble but feel no shame;" guide them with virtue and shape them with ritual, and they acquire a sense of shame and reform themselves." Laozi wrote, "The highest good does not advertise its goodness; that is why it truly is good;" lesser goodness clings to being 'good,' and so achieves no real goodness." The more elaborate the laws, the more thieves and bandits appear. How true those words ring!" Laws are instruments of rule, not the source that decides whether government turns fair or foul. Once the empire's legal nets grew ever tighter, crime only spread until rulers and ruled dodged one another and authority collapsed. Officialdom then was like fighting a blaze by scooping boiling broth—without brute severity, who could master the job or sleep easy? Men who preached virtue drowned in the workload. Hence the saying: "In hearing cases I am no different from anyone else; what I want is to leave nothing to litigate." "When small-minded men hear the Way, they burst out laughing." That was no idle remark."
3
漢興，破觚而為圜，斫雕而為樸，號為罔漏吞舟之魚。 而吏治蒸蒸，不至於奸，黎民艾安。 由是觀之，在彼不在此。 高後時，酷吏獨有侯封，刻轢宗室，侵辱功臣。 呂氏已敗，遂夷侯封之家。 孝景時，晁錯以刻深頗用術輔其資，而七國之亂髮怒於錯，錯卒被戮。 其後有郅都、甯成之倫。
At Han's founding the state filed away Qin's sharp corners into smooth curves and stripped ornament back to plain wood—netting loose enough, it was said, that even a boat-swallowing fish could slip through. Yet governance warmed and improved, crime never ran wild, and common folk lived untroubled. The lesson is that outcomes hinge on the spirit behind rule, not on the letter of the code alone. Under the Grand Empress Dowager Lü the notable harsh official was Hou Feng, who rode roughshod over the imperial house and insulted the founders. When the Lü faction fell, Hou Feng's entire line was wiped out. Under Emperor Jing, Chao Cuo won influence through pitiless legalism; the Rebellion of the Seven States vented its rage on him, and he died under the blade. Men such as Zhi Du and Ning Cheng followed.
4
郅都，河東大陽人也。 以郎事文帝。 景帝時為中郎將，敢直諫，面折大臣於朝。 嘗從入上林，賈姬在廁，野彘入廁。 上目都，都不行。 上欲自持兵救賈姬，都伏上前曰：「亡一姬復一姬進，天下所少寧姬等邪？ 陛下縱自輕，奈宗廟太后何？ 」上還，彘亦不傷賈姬。 太后聞之，賜都金百斤，上亦賜金百斤，由此重都。
Zhi Du came from Dayang in Hedong Commandery. He served Emperor Wen in the corps of gentlemen. Under Emperor Jing he commanded the gentleman cadets, spoke blunt truth, and openly dressed down senior ministers in open court. On a hunt in Shanglin Park, a favorite consort named Jia withdrew to a latrine just as a wild boar burst in. The emperor motioned Zhi Du to intervene; Zhi Du stood fast. When the emperor reached for arms to rescue her, Zhi Du blocked him: "Lose one favorite and another takes her place—is the empire short of such women?" Even if you discount your own safety, what of the altars of state and the empress dowager?" The emperor held back; the boar left without harming Lady Jia. The dowager rewarded Zhi Du with a hundred catties of gold; the emperor matched it, and both sides henceforth prized him.
5
濟南瞷氏宗人三百餘家，豪猾，二千石莫能制，於是景帝拜都為濟南守。 至則誅瞷氏首惡，餘皆股慄。 居歲餘，郡中不拾遺，旁十餘郡守畏都如大府。
More than three hundred households of the powerful Jian lineage dominated Jinan beyond any governor's control, so Emperor Jing named Zhi Du to the post. On arrival he executed the clan's chiefs; everyone else shook with fear. Within a year lost goods lay untouched in the streets, and a dozen neighboring governors feared him like a senior minister.
6
都為人，勇有氣，公廉，不發私書，問遺無所受，請寄無所聽。 常稱曰：「已背親而出身，固當奉職死節官下，終不顧妻子矣。」
Zhi Du was bold and upright: no private mail was opened, no gift or plea got a hearing. He used to say, "I left family to serve the throne; I owe it my life at post and will not fuss over wife and children."
7
都遷為中尉，丞相條侯至貴居也，而都揖丞相。 是時，民樸，畏罪自重，而都獨先嚴酷，致行法不避貴戚，列侯宗室見都側目而視，號曰「蒼鷹」。
Promoted to metropolitan commandant, he greeted even the mighty Chancellor Zhou Yafu with no more than a waist-level bow. The populace was still law-abiding, yet Zhi Du pioneered pitiless justice, sparing neither in-laws nor titled kin; they glared sidelong and nicknamed him the Blue Hawk.
8
臨江王征詣中尉府對簿，臨江王欲得刀筆為書謝上，而都禁吏弗與。 魏其侯使人間予臨江王。 臨江王既得，為書謝上，因自殺。 竇太后聞之，怒，以危法中都，都免歸家。 景帝乃使使即拜都為雁門太守，便道之官，得以便宜從事。 匈奴素聞郅都節，舉邊為引兵去，竟都死不近雁門。 匈奴至為偶人像都，令騎馳射，莫能中，其見憚如此。 匈奴患之。 乃中都以漢法。 景帝曰：「都忠臣。 」欲釋之。 竇太后曰：「臨江王獨非忠臣乎？ 」於是斬都也。
Prince Rong of Linjiang was hauled to headquarters for interrogation and begged for knife and stylus to draft an apology to the throne; Zhi Du barred clerks from supplying them. The Marquis of Weiqi smuggled writing tools to the prince. With them he penned his apology and took his own life. Empress Dowager Dou, enraged, pinned a capital offense on Zhi Du and dismissed him. Emperor Jing immediately commissioned him Yanmen governor by express edict with discretionary powers en route. The Xiongnu, respecting his iron integrity, pulled back from the frontier and never again pressed Yanmen while he lived. They fashioned straw effigies of him for mounted archery drills that no one could strike—such was their dread. They regarded him as a scourge. They maneuvered the Han court into indicting him. Emperor Jing protested, "Zhi Du is a loyal servant." He meant to spare him. The dowager retorted, "Was Prince Rong not loyal?" Zhi Du went to the executioner's block.
9
甯成，南陽穰人也。 以郎謁者事景帝。 好氣，為小吏，必陵其長吏； 為人上，操下急如束濕。 猾賊任威。 稍遷至濟南都尉，而郅都為守。 始前數都尉步入府，因吏謁守如縣令，其畏都如此。 及成往，直凌都出其上。 都素聞其聲，善遇，與結歡。 久之，都死，後長安左右宗室多犯法，上召成為中尉。 其治效郅都，其廉弗如，然宗室豪傑人皆惴恐。
Ning Cheng came from Rang in Nanyang Commandery. He served Emperor Jing as a gentleman usher. Combative by nature, he browbeat superiors even as a junior clerk; once in charge, he squeezed subordinates as though wringing soaked rope. Cunning and ruthless, he ruled by terror. He rose to commandant of Jinan while Zhi Du governed there. Earlier commandants had walked to headquarters and petitioned the governor through petty officers like county magistrates—such was Zhi Du's grip. Ning Cheng strode in and topped even Zhi Du. Zhi Du, knowing his name, treated him generously and won his goodwill. After Zhi Du died, imperial relatives around Chang'an ran riot until the emperor recalled Ning Cheng as metropolitan commandant. His methods rivaled Zhi Du's ferocity without the same honesty; still every noble house quaked.
10
武帝即位，徙為內史。 外戚多毀成之短，抵罪髡鉗。 是時，九卿死即死，少被刑，而成刑極，自以為不復收，及解脫，詐刻傳出關歸家。 稱曰：「仕不至二千石，賈不至千萬，安可比人乎！ 」乃貰貣陂田千餘頃，假貧民，役使數千家。 數年，會赦，致產數千萬，為任俠，持吏長短，出從數十騎。 其使民，威重於郡守。
Emperor Wu moved him to privy treasurer of the capital precincts. In-laws trumped up charges until he was shorn and fitted with an iron collar. High ministers usually faced execution, not mutilation; Ning Cheng's sentence was cruel enough that he assumed his career over—until he forged papers, fled the frontier, and bolted home. He announced, "Without a two-thousand-bushel post or a ten-million fortune you cannot measure yourself against other men!" He borrowed capital to bankroll over a thousand qing of diked marsh, leased plots to the destitute, and drafted thousands of households as labor. Amnesty restored him; within years his fortune ran to tens of millions. Playing vigilante, he blackmailed officials and rode abroad with dozens of horsemen. Commoners feared his word more than their governor's.
11
周陽由
Zhouyang You.
12
周陽由，其父趙兼以淮南王舅侯周陽，故因氏焉。 由以宗家任為郎，事文帝。 景帝時，由為郡守。 武帝即位，吏治尚修謹，然由居二千石中最為暴酷驕恣。 所愛者，撓法活之； 所憎者，曲法滅之。 所居郡，必夷其豪。 為守，視都尉如令； 為都尉，陵太守，奪之治。 汲黯為忮，司馬安之文惡，俱在二千石列，同車未嘗敢均茵馮。 後由為河東都尉，與其守勝屠公爭權，相告言，勝屠公當抵罪，義不受刑，自殺，而由棄市。
Zhouyang You inherited the surname because his father Zhao Jian, uncle to the king of Huainan, had been marquis of Zhouyang. Through clan privilege he entered the gentleman corps under Emperor Wen. Under Emperor Jing he served as a governor. Emperor Wu's early bureaucracy prized sobriety, yet Zhouyang You outdid every governor in brutality and swagger. Favorites walked free while statutes twisted around them; foes died with law bent to crush them. Wherever he served he slaughtered local magnates. As governor he treated his commandant like a county chief; as commandant he bullied governors and stole their authority. Ji An's vinegar temper and Sima An's poison pen shared two-thousand-bushel rank, yet neither would share a carriage seat evenly with Zhouyang You. Later, as Hedong commandant, he feuded with Governor Shengtu Gong until both denounced the other; Shengtu Gong chose suicide over sentence and Zhouyang You died by public execution.
13
自甯成、周陽由之後，事益多，民巧法，大抵吏治類多成、由等矣。
After Ning Cheng and Zhouyang You, lawsuits multiplied, subjects learned legal dodges, and officials nationwide mimicked their ruthlessness.
14
趙禹，斄人也。 以佐史補中都官，用廉為令史，事太尉周亞夫。 亞夫為丞相，禹為丞相史，府中皆稱其廉平。 然亞夫弗任，曰：「極知禹無害，然文深，不可以居大府。 」武帝時，禹以刀筆吏積勞，遷為御史。 上以為能，至中大夫。 與張湯論定律令，作見知，吏傳相監司以法，盡自此始。
Zhao Yu hailed from Tai (in Fufeng). He rose from aide to capital posts, won recommendation as honest, became chief clerk under Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu. When Zhou Yafu became chancellor, Zhao Yu served as his bureau clerk and won praise for integrity. Yet Yafu hesitated: "I know Zhao Yu is upright, but his legal prose is merciless—not fit for the main office." Under Emperor Wu he climbed from scribal clerk to imperial clerk. The emperor judged him capable and promoted him to palace grandee. With Zhang Tang he framed statutes, invented mutual-liability prosecutions, and chained clerks into watchdogging one another—precedents starting here.
15
禹為人廉裾，為吏以來，捨無食客。 公卿相造請，禹終不行報謝，務在絕知友賓客之請，孤立行一意而已。 見法輒取，亦不復案求官屬陰罪。 嘗中廢，已為廷尉。 始條侯以禹賊深，及禹為少府九卿，酷急。 至晚節，事益多。 吏務為嚴峻，而禹治加緩，名為平。 王溫舒等後起，治峻禹。 禹以老，徙為燕相，數歲，悖亂有罪，免歸。 後十餘年，以壽卒於家。
Aloof and clean, he kept no hangers-on after entering office. High ministers' courtesy calls went unanswered; he shut out friends and patrons to pursue one relentless course. Where statute pointed, he struck—without fishing for secret faults among staff. Briefly cashiered, he returned as commandant of justice. Marquis Zhou Yafu had called him dangerously subtle; as privy treasurer among the nine ministers he proved fierce and relentless. Late in life, as caseloads swelled, underlings chased ever harsher methods while Zhao Yu deliberately eased his touch and earned a reputation for balance. Men like Wang Wenxu who followed outdid him in severity. Advanced age won him the chancellorship of Yan; within a few years he was implicated in disorder and sent home in disgrace. More than a decade later he died peacefully at home.
16
義縱，河東人也。 少年時嘗與張次公俱攻剽，為群盜。 縱有姊，以醫幸王太后。 太后問：「有子、兄弟為官者乎？ 」姊曰：「有弟無行，不可。 」太后乃告上，上拜義姁弟縱為中郎，補上黨郡中令。 治敢往，少溫籍，縣無逋事，舉第一。 遷為長陵及長安令，直法行治，不避貴戚。 以捕按太后外孫脩成子中，上以為能，遷為河內都尉。 至則族滅其豪穰氏之屬，河內道不拾遺。 而張次公亦為郎，以勇悍從軍，敢深入，有功，封為岸頭侯。
Yi Zong came from Hedong. As a youth he and Zhang Cigong had robbed together as outlaws. Yi Zong's sister was a physician who caught the eye of Empress Dowager Wang. She asked whether any sons or brothers held office. The woman answered, "I have a younger brother, but his conduct is poor—he would not do." The dowager spoke to the emperor, who named her brother Yi Zong a gentleman cadet and posted him as interior chief of Shangdang. He governed boldly if bluntly, cleared every backlog, and topped the merit list. Promoted to magistrate of Changling and then Chang'an, he enforced the code without fear of powerful connections. His roundup of the empress dowager's grandson Xiucheng Zhong impressed the throne, and he became military governor of Henan. He wiped out the predatory Rang lineage; afterward lost goods lay untouched in Hedong. Zhang Cigong too entered the gentleman corps, fought with conspicuous daring, and was made marquis of Antou.
17
甯成家居，上欲以為郡守，御史大夫弘曰：「臣居山東為小吏時，甯成為濟南都尉，其治如狼牧羊，成不可令治民。 」上乃拜成為關都尉。 歲餘，關吏稅肄郡國出入關者，號曰：「寧見乳虎，無直甯成之怒。 」其暴如此。 義縱自河內遷為南陽太守，聞甯成家居南陽，及至關，甯成側行送迎，然縱氣盛，弗為禮。 至郡，遂按甯氏，破碎其家。 成坐有罪，及孔、暴之屬皆奔亡，南陽吏民重足一跡。 而平氏硃強、杜衍杜周為縱爪牙之吏，任用，遷為廷尉史。
The emperor considered Ning Cheng for a governorship, but Gongsun Hong objected: "As Jinan commandant he shepherded men like a wolf among sheep; do not put him over civilians." Ning Cheng was named commandant of the imperial passes instead. Within a year frontier officers taxing travelers coined the saying: "Face a nursing tigress before you brave Ning Cheng's rage." Such was his savagery. Yi Zong learned Ning Cheng had retired to Nanyang and met him at the frontier; Cheng cringed aside in welcome, but Yi Zong brushed past without nodding. In office he dismantled the Ning family fortune. Ning Cheng fell under indictment while other magnates fled; officials and townsfolk were too frightened to shift their feet. Zhu Qiang and Du Zhou became his enforcers and rose to clerks of the commandant of justice.
18
軍數出定襄，定襄吏民亂敗，於是徙縱為定襄太守。 縱至，掩定襄獄中重罪二百餘人，及賓客昆弟私入相視者亦二百餘人。 縱一切捕鞠，曰「為死罪解脫」。 是日皆報殺四百餘人。 郡中不寒而慄，猾民佐吏為治。
Repeated campaigns from Dingxiang had wrecked local order, so Yi Zong was sent there as governor. He swept up over two hundred capital defendants plus another two hundred visitors—kin and clients who had stolen into the jail. He charged the lot with abetting condemned prisoners. That day the execution rolls carried over four hundred names. The district shook with dread; even sharp operators hurried to collaborate with the yamen.
19
是時，趙禹、張湯為九卿矣，然其治尚寬，輔法而行，縱以鷹擊毛摯為治。 後會更五銖錢白金起，民為奸，京師尤甚，乃以縱為右內史，王溫舒為中尉。 溫舒至惡，所為弗先言縱，縱必以氣陵之，敗壞其功。 其治，所誅殺甚多，然取為小治，奸益不勝，直指始出矣。 吏之治以斬殺縛吏為務，閻奉以惡用矣。 縱廉，其治效郅都。 上幸鼎湖，病久，已而卒起幸甘泉，道不治。 上怒曰：「縱以我為不行此道乎？ 」銜之。 至冬，楊可方受告緡，縱以為此亂民，部吏捕其為可使者。 天子聞，使杜式治，以為廢格沮事，棄縱市。 後一歲，張湯亦死。
Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang were harsh ministers already, but next to Yi Zong's eagle tactics they looked almost moderate. When debased coinage drove capital fraud, the court named Yi Zong right metropolitan superintendent and Wang Wenxu commandant of the guard. Wang Wenxu was vicious and freelanced his raids until Yi Zong sabotaged him out of sheer rivalry. The slaughter looked like small-scale policing even as crime exploded and palace inspectors fanned into the provinces. Officialdom raced to kill and bind; Yan Feng won promotion through sheer cruelty. Yi Zong stayed honest and governed with Zhi Du's pitiless edge. After a long illness at Dinghu Lake the emperor abruptly traveled to Sweet Springs while the highway stayed broken. He snapped, "Does Yi Zong think I intend to abandon this route?" Yi Zong nursed a grudge. When Yang Ke launched the wealth-reporting inquisitions, Yi Zong called them destabilizing and seized Yang Ke's deputies. The emperor charged Du Shi with the case, convicted Yi Zong of blocking state policy, and left him on the execution ground. Zhang Tang died the following year.
20
王溫舒
Wang Wenxu.
21
王溫舒，陽陵人也。 少時椎埋為奸。 已而試縣亭長，數廢。 數為吏，以治獄至廷尉史。 事張湯，遷為御史，督盜賊，殺傷甚多。 稍遷至廣平都尉，擇郡中豪敢往吏十餘人為爪牙，皆把其陰重罪，而縱使督盜賊，快其意所欲得。 此人雖有百罪，弗法； 即有避回，夷之，亦滅宗。 以故齊趙之郊盜不敢近廣平，廣平聲為道不拾遺。 上聞，遷為河內太守。
Wang Wenxu came from Yangling. As a youth he ran burial rackets and worse. Trial postings as a pavilion chief ended in repeated dismissal. He climbed through jail work to clerkships under the commandant of justice. Under Zhang Tang he became an imperial clerk hunting bandits with bloody zeal. As Guangping commandant he blackmailed a dozen fearless clerks with capital charges, then turned them loose as bandit-hunters. Those henchmen could rack up countless crimes untouched; hesitate once and he extirpated them root and branch. Bandits avoided his borders until Guangping passed for the kingdom where no one pocketed lost property. Word reached the throne and he became governor of Hedong.
22
素居廣平時，皆知河內豪奸之家。 及往，以九月至，令郡具私馬五十匹，為驛自河內至長安，部吏如居廣平時方略，捕郡中豪猾，相連坐千餘家。 上書請，大者至族，小者乃死，家盡沒入償臧。 奏行不過二日，得可，事論報，至流血十餘里。 河內皆怪其奏，以為神速。 盡十二月，郡中無犬吠之盜。 其頗不得，失之旁郡，追求，會春，溫舒頓足漢曰：「嗟乎，令冬月益展一月，足吾事矣！ 」其好殺行威不愛人如此。
Even in Guangping he had catalogued Hedong's criminal magnates. He arrived in autumn with fifty mounts couriering pleas to the capital, then rolled up over a thousand households on conspiracy charges. His memorial demanded clan executions for leaders, death for lesser offenders, and confiscations to cover stolen wealth. Two days brought imperial assent; killings reddened the roads for miles. The commandery stood amazed at how fast he moved. By year's end not even dogs stirred at burglars. Some fugitives escaped into other jurisdictions; when spring halted executions he stamped the earth and cried that another month of winter would have sealed his roundup. Such was his thirst for slaughter masked as awe.
23
上聞之，以為能，遷為中尉。 其治復放河內，徒請召猜禍吏與從事，河內則楊皆、麻戊，關中揚贛、成信等。 義縱為內史，憚之，未敢恣治。 及縱死，張湯敗後，徙為廷尉。 而尹齊為中尉坐法抵罪，溫舒復為中尉。 為人少文，居於它官不辯，至於中尉則心開。 素習關中俗，知豪惡吏，豪惡吏盡復為用。 吏苛察淫惡少年，投缿購告言奸，置伯落長以收司奸。 溫舒多諂，善事有勢者； 即無勢，視之如奴。 有勢家，雖有奸如山，弗犯； 無勢，雖貴戚，必侵辱。 舞文巧，請下戶之猾，以動大豪。 其治中尉如此。 奸猾窮治，大氐盡靡爛獄中，行論無出者。 其爪牙吏虎而冠。 於是中尉部中中猾以下皆伏，有勢者為游聲譽，稱治。 數歲，其吏多以權貴富。
Impressed, the emperor made him commandant of the guard. He imported Hedong's poisoners—Yang Jie and Ma Wu—and paired them with Guanzhong bullies such as Yang Gan and Cheng Xin. Privy treasurer Yi Zong kept clear of him. Once Yi Zong and Zhang Tang were gone he rose to commandant of justice. Yin Qi's conviction cleared the way for Wang Wenxu's second stint as commandant. Slow-tongued in lesser offices, he turned ingenious once handed the capital guard. He knew Guanzhong's corrupt clerks intimately and reemployed every one. They shook down rowdies, offered bounties through sealed accusation boxes, and stationed street captains to spy. Wang Wenxu curried favor with anyone influential; the powerless he handled like bondservants. Connected houses—even guilt mountain-high—went untouched; the friendless—even royal in-laws—he trampled. He warped indictments to hook small fry and panic grandees. Such was his tenure as commandant. Suspects rarely left prison except as corpses. His enforcers were tigers wearing official hats. Petty crooks vanished while the connected purchased praise for "good order." Within years his staff grew wealthy peddling influence.
24
溫舒擊東越還，議有不中意，坐以法免。 是時，上方欲作通天台而未有人，溫舒請復中尉脫卒，得數萬人作。 上說，拜為少府。 徙右內史，治如其故，奸邪少禁。 坐法失官，復為右輔，行中尉，如故操。
His Eastern Yue briefing annoyed the throne and cost him his post. He volunteered convict gangs from the guard command to raise tens of thousands of laborers for the Tongtai project. The delighted emperor named him privy treasurer. As right metropolitan superintendent he replayed old tactics with modest success. Disgraced yet reassigned as acting commandant, he resumed his methods.
25
歲餘，會宛軍發，詔征豪吏。 溫舒匿其吏華成，及人有變告溫舒受員騎錢，它奸利事，罪至族，自殺。 其時，兩弟及兩婚家亦各自坐它罪而族。 光祿勳徐自為曰：「悲夫！ 夫古有三族，而王溫舒罪至同時而五族乎！ 」溫舒死，家累千金。
When the Wan campaign began the court called for ruthless officers. He concealed clerk Hua Cheng until informers tied him to bribery and capital graft; fearing execution he committed suicide. His brothers and both marital clans were extinguished on separate indictments. Palace superintendent Xu Ziwei lamented, "The ancients wiped out three affines; Wang Wenxu destroyed five branches in one blow!" Even dead he left a thousand pounds of gold.
26
尹齊，東郡茌平人也。 以刀筆吏稍遷至御史。 事張湯，湯數稱以為廉。 武帝使督盜賊，斬伐不避貴勢。 遷關都尉，聲甚於甯成。 上以為能，拜為中尉。 吏民益凋敝，輕齊木強少文，豪惡吏伏匿而善吏不能為治，以故事多廢，抵罪。 後復為淮陽都尉。 王溫舒敗後數年，病死，家直不滿五十金。 所誅滅淮陽甚多，及死，仇家欲燒其屍，妻亡去，歸葬。
Yin Qi hailed from Chiping in Dong commandery. He climbed from scribal clerk to imperial clerk. Zhang Tang repeatedly praised his honesty. The emperor tasked him with bandit suppression regardless of rank. As pass commandant he terrified travelers worse than Ning Cheng. Capable in the emperor's eyes, he became metropolitan commandant. His stiff manner exhausted the capital; villains hid while honest clerks stalled until scandal broke. He resurfaced as Huaiyang commandant. Years after Wang Wenxu's crash he died sick, leaving less than fifty catties of gold. Huaiyang nursed many grudges; mourners meant to burn his body until his wife stole it away for burial.
27
楊僕，宜陽人也。 以千夫為吏。 河南守舉為御史，使督盜賊關東，治放尹齊，以敢擊行。 稍遷至主爵都尉，上以為能。 南越反，拜為樓船將軍，有功，封將梁侯。 東越反，上欲復使將，為其伐前勞，以書敕責之曰：「將軍之功，獨有先破石門、尋狹，非有斬將騫旗之實也，烏足以驕人哉！ 前破番禺，捕降者以為虜，掘死人以為獲，是一過也。 建德、呂嘉逆罪不容於天下，將軍擁精兵不窮追，超然以東越為援，是二過也。 士卒暴露連歲，為朝會不置酒，將軍不念其勤勞，而造佞巧，請乘傳行塞，因用歸家，懷銀黃，垂三組，誇鄉里，是三過也。 失期內顧，以道惡為解，失尊尊之序，是四過也。 欲請蜀刀，問君賈幾何，對曰率數百，武庫日出兵而陽不知，挾偽干君，是五過也。 受詔不至蘭池宮，明日又不對。 假令將軍之吏問之不對，令之不從，其罪何如？ 推此心以在外，江海之間可得信乎！ 今東越深入，將軍能率眾以掩過不？ 」僕惶恐，對曰：「願盡死贖罪！ 」與王溫舒俱破東越。 後復與左將軍荀彘俱擊朝鮮，為彘所縛，語在《朝鮮傳》。 還，免為庶人，病死。
Yang Pu came from Yiyang. The thousand-headman noble rank bought him a clerkship. Henan's governor recommended him to hunt bandits beyond the passes in Yin Qi's brutal style. He rose to chief of merit nobilities with imperial praise. He commanded the tower-ship fleet against Southern Yue and won the marquisate of Jiangliang. Planning a second campaign, the emperor sent a blistering edict: breaking Shimen Gorge hardly equals capturing enemy banners—why swagger?" At Panyu you branded surrendering soldiers as prisoners and claimed exhumed bones as kills—that was error one. Jiande and Lü Jia deserved pursuit to extinction; instead you hoarded elite troops and leaned on Eastern Yue—that was error two. Soldiers froze and starved for years while court dinners went dry; instead of honoring their sweat you connived a pleasure trip along the barrier, detoured home flashing triple cords of office, and bragged in your village—that was fault three. You blamed muddy roads for missing your rendezvous and broke due precedence between sovereign and servant—that was fault four. You asked the price of Shu steel while pretending the armory was a mystery though it issues weapons daily—that fifth lie insulted the throne. You ignored a summons to Orchid Pool and skipped audience the next morning. If your own officers ignored summons as you did, what punishment would they deserve? Take that attitude to the field and no ally between river and sea would trust you. Eastern Yue waits—will you lead your men to wipe this slate clean? Yang Pu stammered, "I will spend my life paying for these crimes!" He joined Wang Wenxu to crush Eastern Yue. Later he campaigned in Korea beside General Xun Zhi and ended shackled—see the biography of Korea. Stripped of rank, he died a commoner.
28
咸宣，楊人也。 以佐史給事河東守。 衛將軍青使買馬河東，見宣無害，言上，徵為廄丞。 官事辦，稍遷至御史及中丞，使治主父偃及淮南反獄，所以微文深詆殺者甚眾，稱為敢決疑。 數廢數起，為御史及中丞者幾二十歲。 王溫舒為中尉，而宣為左內史。 其治米鹽，事小大皆關其手，自部署縣名曹寶物，官吏令丞弗得擅搖，痛以重法繩之。 居官數年，一切為小治辯，然獨宣以小至大，能自行之，難以為經。 中廢為右扶風，坐怒其吏成信，信亡藏上林中，宣使縣令將吏卒，闌入上林中蠶室門攻亭格殺信，射中苑門，宣下吏，為大逆當族，自殺。 而杜周任用。
Xian Xuan came from Yangyi. He began as an aide to Hedong's governor. Wei Qing met him buying horses in Hedong, judged him capable, and had him named assistant stablemaster. He rose through the censorate, prosecuted Zhufu Yan and the Huainan plot with cruel ingenuity, and won fame for ruthless verdicts. Over twenty years he bounced between cashiering and recall as censor and vice-censor. When Wang Wenxu commanded the guard, Xian Xuan governed as left metropolitan superintendent. He micromanaged every trifle, seized county offices and stores, blocked magistrates from acting, and crushed them under harsh statutes. Years of petty tyranny worked only because Xian Xuan personally drove every detail—a model no one else could sustain. Demoted to governor of Youfufeng, he hunted fugitive clerk Cheng Xin into the imperial park, stormed a gate, killed him and punctured the lodge wall—capital treason—and killed himself. Du Zhou stepped into his place.
29
是時，郡守尉、諸侯相、二千石欲為治者，大抵盡效王溫舒等，而吏民益輕犯法，盜賊滋起。 南陽有梅免、百政，楚有段中、杜少，齊有徐勃，燕、趙之間有堅盧、范主之屬。 大群至數千人，擅自號，攻城邑，取庫兵，釋死罪，縛辱郡守、都尉，殺二千石，為檄告縣趨具食； 小群以百數，掠鹵鄉里者不可稱數。 於是上始使御史中丞、丞相長史使督之，猶弗能禁，乃使光祿大夫范昆、諸部都尉及故九卿張德等衣繡衣，持節、虎符，發兵以興擊，斬首大部或至萬餘級。 及以法誅通行飲食，坐相連郡，甚者數千人。 數歲，乃頗得其渠率。 散卒失亡，復聚黨阻山川，往往而群，無可奈何。 於是作沈命法，曰：「群盜起不發覺，發覺而弗捕滿品者，二千石以下至小吏主者皆死。 」其後小吏畏誅，雖有盜弗敢發，恐不能得，坐課累府，府亦使不言。 故盜賊浸多，上下相為匿，以避文法焉。
Governors who wanted results copied Wang Wenxu until subjects shrugged at crime and bandit armies multiplied. Nanyang bred Mei Mian and Bai Zheng; Chu had Duan Zhong and Du Shao; Qi had Xu Bo; Yan-Zhao spawned Jian Lu and Fan Zhu. Thousand-strong hosts seized towns, looted arsenals, freed felons, trussed governors, slew ranking officials, and demanded grain by manifesto; smaller gangs in the hundreds pillaged villages without number. Embroidered inspectors with imperial seals led armies that piled ten thousand heads from the largest bands. Hosts who fed or sheltered rebels died by statute in linked prosecutions costing thousands of lives. Years passed before ringleaders began to fall. Survivors slipped into mountain holds and regrouped faster than armies could pin them. The "drowning fate" edict threatened death for every official who missed quota captures. Petty officers hid reports rather than fail quotas, and prefects colluded in silence. Banditry exploded while bureaucracy masked the truth to survive paperwork.
30
田廣明
Tian Guangming.
31
田廣明字子公，鄭人也。 以郎為天水司馬。 攻次遷河南都尉，以殺伐為治。 郡國盜賊並起，遷廣明為淮陽太守。 歲餘，故城父令公孫勇與客胡倩等謀反，倩詐稱光祿大夫，從車騎數十，言使督盜賊，止陳留傳捨，太守謁見，欲收取之。 廣明覺知，發兵皆捕斬焉。 而公孫勇衣繡衣，乘駟馬車至圉，圉使小史侍之，亦知其非是，守尉魏不害與廄嗇夫江德、尉史蘇昌共收捕之。 上封不害為當塗侯，德為陽侯，昌蒲侯。 初，四人俱拜於前，小史竊言。 武帝問：「言何？ 」對曰：「為侯者得東歸不？ 」上曰：「女欲不？ 貴矣。 女鄉名為何？ 」對曰：「名遺鄉。 」上曰：「用遺汝矣。 」於是賜小史爵關內侯，食遺鄉六百戶。
Tian Guangming, courtesy name Zigong, came from Zheng. He served as marshal of Tianshui from the gentleman corps. Merit promotion brought him to Hedong commandant with a slash-and-burn style. When revolt spread, he became governor of Huaiyang. Former magistrate Gongsun Yong and Hu Qian forged credentials as an imperial inspector at Chenliu until the local governor moved to arrest them. Tian Guangming uncovered the plot and executed every conspirator. Gongsun Yong rode into Yu in counterfeit splendor until petty clerks and Commander Wei Buhai arrested him with Jiang De and Su Chang. The emperor made Wei Buhai marquis of Dangtu, Jiang De marquis of Yang, and Su Chang marquis of Pu. At the mass investiture a junior clerk muttered aside. The emperor asked what the whisper meant. He whispered whether new marquises were allowed to travel home east of the mountains. The emperor asked, "Would you rather not take the honor?" You are a noble now." What is your native village called?" He said it was called Yixiang, 'the Hamlet of the Left-Behind.'" The emperor answered, "Then the 'left-behind' fief is yours." He ennobled the clerk as marquis within the passes with six hundred households at Yixiang.
32
上以廣明連禽大奸，征入為大鴻臚，擢廣明兄雲中代為淮陽太守。 昭帝時，廣明將兵擊益州，還，賜爵關內侯，徙衛尉。 後出為左馮翊，治有能名。 宣帝初立，代蔡義為御史大夫，以前為馮翊與議定策，封昌水侯。 歲餘，以祁連將軍將兵擊匈奴，出塞至受降城。 受降都尉前死，喪柩在堂，廣明召其寡妻與奸。 既出不至質，引軍空還。 下太僕杜延年簿責，廣明自殺闕下，國除。 兄雲中為淮陽守，亦敢誅殺，吏民守闕告之，竟坐棄市。
For crushing major plots he entered the capital as grand herald while his brother governed Huaiyang. Under Emperor Zhao he campaigned in Yizhou, earned a marquisette, and became guard commandant. Later he governed Zuo Fengyi with a reputation for competence. Emperor Xuan named him imperial clerk for aiding the succession and created him marquis of Changshui. As Qilian general he marched to Accept Surrender City beyond the wall. He seduced the widow of the late surrender commandant while her husband's coffin still lay in state. He halted short of the hostage exchange and marched home empty-handed. Grand Coachman Du Yanian's audit drove him to suicide at the palace stairs and forfeiture of his fief. His brother Yunnan, another bloody governor of Huaiyang, fell to petitions at the palace gate and died in the marketplace.
33
田延年
Tian Yannian.
34
先是，茂陵富人焦氏、賈氏以數千萬陰積貯炭葦諸下里物。 昭帝大行時，方上事暴起，用度未辦，延年奏言：「商賈或豫收方上不祥器物，冀其疾用，欲以求利，非民臣所當為。 請沒入縣官。 」奏可。 富人亡財者皆怨，出錢求延年罪。 初，大司農取民牛車三萬兩為僦，載沙便橋下，送致方上，車直千錢，延年上簿詐增僦直車二千，凡六千萬，盜取其半。 焦、賈兩家告其事，下丞相府。 丞相議奏延年「主守盜三千萬，不道」。 霍將軍召問延年，欲為道地，延年抵曰：「本出將軍之門，蒙此爵位，無有是事。 」光曰：「即無事，當窮竟。 」御史大夫田廣明謂太僕杜延年：「《春秋》之義，以功覆過。 當廢昌邑王時，非田子賓之言大事不成。 今縣官出三千萬自乞之何哉？ 願以愚言白大將軍。 」延年言之大將軍，大將軍曰：「誠然，實勇士也！ 當發大議時，震動朝廷。 」光因舉手自撫心曰：「使我至今病悸！ 謝田大夫曉大司農，通往就獄，得公議之。 」田大夫使人語延年，延年曰：「幸縣官寬我耳，何面目入牢獄，使眾人指笑我，卒徒唾吾背乎！ 」即閉閣獨居齊捨，偏袒持刀東西步。 數日，使者召延年詣廷尉。 聞鼓聲，自刎死，國除。
Maoling merchants Jiao and Jia had secretly stockpiled charcoal, reed matting, and other tomb supplies worth tens of millions. During Emperor Zhao's lying-in-state the imperial tomb project exploded overnight without funds ready; Tian Yannian accused merchants of hoarding funeral supplies for profit. He asked to seize their hoards for the treasury. The throne approved his request. Ruined plutocrats pooled silver hunting his scalp. As Excellency of Agriculture he inflated ox-cart hire from one thousand to three thousand cash per cart on thirty thousand vehicles—embezzelling thirty million. The Jiao and Jia families exposed him to the chancellor. The chancellor charged him with thirty million in peculation. Huo Guang questioned him; Tian Yannian insisted he was innocent despite owing everything to the general. Huo Guang answered, "If you are blameless, submit to a full inquiry." Imperial Clerk Tian Guangming urged Du Yanian that merit might excuse guilt under Spring and Autumn precedent. Without Tian Yannin's advice we could never have deposed Prince He of Changyi." Why should the court spend thirty million buying his life?" Let me speak to the general for you." Du Yannian carried the plea to Huo Guang, who replied: "So he was—the bravest voice in the hall when we debated deposition." His speech shook the whole court." Huo Guang pressed his palm to his chest: "Even now recalling it sets my heart racing!" Tell Tian Guangming to urge Tian Yannian to surrender so the matter may be tried openly." When Tian Guangming's messenger pressed him to surrender, Tian Yannian refused to die a prisoner mocked by the mob. He locked himself in, bared one shoulder, clutched a knife, and paced. Days later the summons to the commandant of justice arrived. At the signal drum he cut his throat and lost his fief.
35
嚴延年
Yan Yannian.
36
嚴延年字次卿，東海下邳人也。 其父為丞相掾，延年少學法律丞相府，歸為郡吏。 以選除補御史掾，舉侍御史。 是時，大將軍霍光廢昌邑王，尊立宣帝。 宣帝初即位，延年劾奏光「擅廢立主，無人臣禮，不道」。 奏雖寢，然朝廷肅焉敬憚。 延年後復劾大司農田延年持兵干屬車，大司農自訟不干屬車。 事下御史中丞，譴責延年何以不移書宮殿門禁止大司農，而令得出入宮。 於是復劾延年闌內罪人，法至死。 延年亡命。 會赦出，丞相、御史府征書同日到，延年以御史書先至，詣御史府，復為掾。 宣帝識之，拜為平陵令，坐殺不辜，去官。 後為丞相掾，復擢好畤令。 神爵中，西羌反，強弩將軍許延壽請延年為長史，從軍敗西羌，還為涿郡太守。
Yan Yannian, courtesy name Ciqing, came from Xiapi in Donghai. His father served the chancellor; he studied law there and became a county clerk. Selection moved him to the censorate and promotion made him attendant censor. When Huo Guang deposed Liu He and raised Emperor Xuan, Yan Yannian indicted Huo Guang for treasonous arrogation. The memorial died in committee, yet the court stood in awe. He later charged Tian Yannian with brandishing arms near the imperial escort—countered by Tian's denial. The vice-censor rebuked Yan for failing to seal the palace gate against the minister. He then accused Tian of smuggling felons inside—a capital crime. Tian Yannian fled. Amnesty brought him back; competing summonses sent him first to the censorate as clerk. Emperor Xuan knew him and named him magistrate of Pingling until wrongful executions cost him the post. He returned as chancellor clerk and rose to magistrate of Haozhi. During the Qiang wars he served Xu Yanshou as chief clerk, helped smash the tribes, and became governor of Zhuo.
37
時，郡比得不能太守，涿人畢野白等由是廢亂。 大姓西高氏、東高氏，自郡吏以下皆畏避之，莫敢與校，咸曰：「寧負二千石，無負豪大家。 」賓客放為盜賊，發，輒入高氏，吏不敢追。 浸浸日多，道路張弓拔刃，然後敢行，其亂如此。 延年至，遣掾蠡吾趙繡按高氏得其死罪。 繡見延年新將，心內懼，即為兩劾，欲先白其輕者觀延年意，怒，乃出其重劾。 延年已知其如此矣。 趙掾至，果白其輕者，延年索懷中，得重劾，即收送獄。 夜入，晨將至市論殺之，先所按者死，吏皆股弁。 更遣吏分考兩高，窮竟其奸，誅殺各數十人。 郡中震恐，道不拾遺。
Zhuo had suffered inept governors until locals like Bi Yebo ran wild. The rival Gao houses terrified every official with the proverb: "Snub the governor before you snub a magnate." Their clients robbed with impunity and vanished into Gao compounds beyond police reach. Robbery mounted until travelers armed themselves before stepping abroad. On arrival he dispatched Zhao Xiu of Liwu to nail the Gao houses on capital charges. Zhao Xiu, nervous under the new governor, drafted light and heavy counts and tested which Yannian wanted. Yan Yannian saw through the dodge. When Zhao offered the mild charges, Yan searched his robe for the harsh draft and jailed him. He dragged the Gaos out before dawn for execution; every clerk shook. He split squads to rake both Gao factions and executed dozens from each. Zhuo trembled into silence; lost goods lay untouched.
38
三歲，遷河南太守，賜黃金二十斤。 豪強脅息，野無行盜，威震旁郡。 其治務在摧折豪強，扶助貧弱。 貧弱雖陷法，曲文以出之； 其豪傑侵小民者，以文內之。 眾人所謂當死者，一朝出之； 所謂當生者，詭殺之。 吏民莫能測其意深淺，戰慄不敢犯禁。 按其獄，皆文致不可得反。
Three years later he governed Henan with twenty catties of gold. Magnates went quiet, bandits vanished from the countryside, and neighboring governors felt his shadow. His program smashed magnates while lifting the downtrodden. Petty offenders saw statutes bent to free them; powerful bullies met indictments twisted to trap them. Men the mob called doomed walked free overnight; those slated for mercy died by legal sleight. No one could read his whims; fear kept every law. His case files closed so tight no appeal could pry them.
39
延年為人短小精悍，敏捷於事，雖子貢、冉有通藝於政事，不能絕也。 吏忠盡節者，厚遇之如骨肉，皆親鄉之，出身不顧，以是治下無隱情。 然疾惡泰甚，中傷者多，尤巧為獄文，善史書，所欲誅殺，奏成於手，中主簿親近史不得聞知。 奏可論死，奄忽如神。 冬月，傳屬縣囚，會論府上，流血數里，河南號曰「屠伯」。 令行禁止，郡中正清。
Small and fierce, he outpaced even Zigong and Ran You in bureaucratic speed. He cherished loyal subordinates like kin until none hid intelligence from him. Yet his zeal bred slander; he drafted lethal memorials alone in flawless clerical hand. Imperial approval and execution arrived like lightning. Winter sessions piled corpses for miles until Henan dubbed him the Butcher Prefect. Orders bit and crime stalled; the commandery ran clean.
40
是時，張敞為京兆尹，素與延年善。 敞治雖嚴，然尚頗有縱捨，聞延年用刑刻急，乃以書諭之曰：「昔朝盧之取菟也，上觀下獲，不甚多殺。 願次卿少緩誅罰，思行此術。 」延年報曰：「河南天下喉咽，二周余斃，莠盛苗穢，何可不鋤也？ 」自矜伐其能，終不衰止。 時，黃霸在穎川以寬恕為治，郡中亦平，屢蒙豐年，鳳皇下，上賢焉，下詔稱揚其行，加金爵之賞。 延年素輕霸為人，及比郡為守，褒賞反在己前，心內不服。 河南界中又有蝗蟲，府丞義出行蝗，還見延年，延年曰：「此蝗豈鳳皇食邪？ 」義又道司農中丞耿壽昌為常平倉，利百姓，延年曰：「丞相御史不知為也，當避位去。 壽昌安得權此？ 」後左馮翊缺，上欲征延年，符已發，為其名酷復止。 延年疑少府梁丘賀毀之，心恨。 會琅邪太守以視事久病，滿三月免，延年自知見廢，謂丞曰：「此人尚能去官，我反不能去邪？ 」又延年察獄史廉，有臧不入身，延年坐選舉不實貶秩，笑曰：「後敢復有舉人者矣！ 」丞義年老頗悖，素畏延年，恐見中傷。 延年本嘗與義俱為丞相史，實親厚之，無意毀傷也，饋遺之甚厚。 義愈益恐，自筮得死卦，忽忽不樂，取告至長安，上書言延年罪名十事。 已拜奏，因飲藥自殺，以明不欺。 事下御史丞按驗，有此數事，以結延年，坐怨望非謗政治不道棄市。
Metropolitan Governor Zhang Chang had long been his friend. Zhang Chang ran a tight but not blood-soaked capital; learning of Yan's rush to execute, he urged the finesse of a royal hunt—fewer corpses, more control. He begged Yan Yannian to ease the blade. Yan shot back that Henan was the empire's throat and weeds had to burn. He never trimmed his pride or his killings. Meanwhile Huang Ba's gentle Yingchuan drew phoenix omens and imperial gold. Yan despised Huang Ba yet watched him praised ahead of himself. When locusts swarmed Henan he sneered whether phoenixes ate insects. He raged that grain reforms belonged to chancellor and censor, not agrarian clerks. How dare Geng Shouchang seize such power?" A Zuo Fengyi vacancy nearly summoned him until his cruelty canceled the edict. He blamed Liangqiu He for blackening his name. Seeing another governor cashiered for sick leave, he fumed that even fools could quit. When an honest nomination cost him rank he mocked ever recommending men. Old Assistant Yi trembled at imaginary plots. Yan had once served beside Yi and showered him with gifts without malice. Yi cast a death oracle, fled to the capital, and denounced ten crimes. He swallowed poison after filing to prove sincerity. The vice-censor verified the counts and executed Yan Yannian for disloyal railery.
41
初，延年母從東海來，欲從延年臘，到雒陽，適見報囚。 母大驚，便止都亭，不肯入府。 延年出至都亭謁母，母閉閣不見。 延年免冠頓首閣下，良久，母乃見之，因數責延年：「幸得備郡守，專治千里，不聞仁愛教化，有以全安愚民，顧乘刑罰多刑殺人，欲以立威，豈為民父母意哉！ 」延年服罪，重頓首謝，因自為母御，歸府捨。 母畢正臘，謂延年：「天道神明，人不可獨殺。 我不意當老見壯子被刑戮也！ 行矣！ 去女東歸，掃除墓地耳。 」遂去，歸郡，見昆弟宗人，復為言之。 後歲餘，果敗。 東海莫不賢知其母。 延年兄弟五人皆有吏材，至大官，東海號曰「萬石嚴嫗」。 次弟彭祖，至太子太傅，在《儒林傳》。
His mother arrived for the winter offering and witnessed executions at Luoyang. Horrified, she halted at the relay inn and refused his compound. He knelt outside until she opened. She berated him for slaughtering instead of nurturing like a parent. He confessed and drove her carriage home in shame. After the rites she warned that Heaven punishes lone killers. She never thought to watch her prime son led to the block. Begone!" Return east and sweep my grave." She left, told the clan in Donghai, and vanished. Within a year her prophecy held. Eastern Sea praised his mother's wisdom. Five brothers rose high; Donghai called their mother the Ten-Thousand-Bushel Matron. Younger brother Pengzu became heir's tutor—see the Ru scholars chapter.
42
尹賞字子心，巨鹿楊氏人也。 以郡吏察廉為樓煩長。 舉茂材、粟邑令。 左馮翊薛宣奏賞能治劇，徙為頻陽令，坐殘賊免。 後以御史舉為鄭令。
Yin Shang, courtesy Zixin, came from Yangshi in Julu. Recommended honest from county service, he ruled Loufan. Elevated as outstanding talent, he governed Suyi. Xue Xuan sent him to rough Pinyang until cruelty ended his post. The censor later restored him to Zheng.
43
永始、元延間，上怠於政，貴戚驕恣，紅陽長仲兄弟交通輕俠，臧匿亡命。 而北地大豪浩商等報怨，殺義渠長妻子六人，往來長安中。 丞相、御史遣掾求逐黨與，詔書召捕，久之乃得。 長安中奸猾浸多，閭里少年群輩殺吏，受賕報仇，相與探丸為彈，得赤丸者斫武吏，得黑丸者斫文吏，白者主治喪； 城中薄暮塵起，剽劫行者，死傷橫道，枹鼓不絕。 賞以三輔高第選守長安令，得一切便宜從事。 賞至，修治長安獄，穿地方深各數丈，致令辟為郭，以大石覆其口，名為「虎穴」。 乃部戶曹掾史，與鄉吏、亭長、里正、父老、伍人，雜舉長安中輕薄少年惡子，無市籍商販作務，而鮮衣凶服被鎧扞持刀兵者，悉籍記之，得數百人。 賞一朝會長安吏，車數百輛，分行收捕，皆劾以為通行飲食群盜。 賞親閱，見十置一，其餘盡以次內虎穴中，百人為輩，覆以大石。 數日一發視，皆相枕藉死，便輿出，瘞寺門桓東。 榜著其姓名，百日後，乃令死者家各自發取其屍。 親屬號哭，道路皆歔欷。 長安中歌之曰：「安所求子死？ 桓東少年場。 生時諒不謹，枯骨後何葬？ 」賞所置皆其魁宿，或故吏善家子失計隨輕黠願自改者，財數十百人，皆貰其罪，詭令立功以自贖。 盡力有效者，因親用之為爪牙，追捕甚精，甘耆奸惡，甚於凡吏。 賞視事數月，盜賊止，郡國亡命散走，各歸其處，不敢窺長安。
Under Cheng Di nobles armed gangsters and hid bandits. Northerners like Hao Shang murdered officials' families in the capital streets. High ministers hunted the gangs until edicts bagged them. Youth drew colored pellets to assign murders of bailiffs or scribes—white meant funeral duty; Dusk brought drumbeats, dust, and corpses across avenues. Top scores earned him Chang'an magistrate with carte blanche. He carved pits dubbed tiger dens beneath stone lids. He catalogued hundreds of armored rowdies without licenses. Hundreds of carts swept them up as rebel accomplices. He spared one in ten and buried the rest alive under slabs. Days later he opened the pits, carted corpses to bury east of the gate. Placards named the dead; families dug them up after a hundred days. Kin wailed until streets echoed with sobs. Ballads asked where sons went to die: East of the lodge pillar—the youths' killing ground. Live reckless, leave bones unclaimed." Survivors were chiefs or penitents drafted as his hounds. His chosen survivors pursued felons with relish, outdoing normal bailiffs. Within months outlaws fled the capital.
44
江湖中多盜賊，以常為江夏太守，捕格江賊及所誅吏民甚多，坐殘賊免。 南山群盜起，以賞為右輔都尉，遷執金吾，督大奸猾。 三輔吏民甚畏之。
River duty brought mass killings until cruelty cost him office. Southern Mountain revolt won him right capital command then imperial guard chief. The tri-capital feared him deeply.
45
數年卒官。 疾病且死，戒其諸子曰：「丈夫為吏，正坐殘賊免，追思其功效，則復進用矣。 一坐軟弱不勝任免，終身廢棄無有赦時，其羞辱甚於貪污坐臧。 慎毋然！ 」賞四子皆至郡守，長子立為京兆尹，皆尚威嚴，有治辦名。
He died in harness within years. He told sons dismissal for cruelty beats softness forever. Weak dismissal stains a lineage worse than graft. Never choose weakness!" Four sons became governors; eldest Li ruled the metropolis sternly.
46
贊曰：「自郅都以下皆以酷烈為聲，然都抗直，引是非，爭大體。 張湯以知阿邑人主，與俱上下，時辯當否，國家賴其便。 趙禹據法守正。 杜周從諛，以少言為重。 張湯死後，罔密事叢，浸以耗廢，九卿奉職，救過不給，何暇論繩墨之外乎！ 自是以至哀、平，酷吏眾多，然莫足數，此其知名見紀者也。 其廉者足以為儀表，其污者方略教道，一切禁奸，亦質有文武焉。 雖酷，稱其位矣。 湯、周子孫貴盛，故別傳。
The historian praises Zhi Du's blunt integrity amid cruelty. Zhang Tang curried the emperor yet kept the machinery turning. Zhao Yu held fast to statute. Du Zhou whispered assent and weighed silence. After Zhang Tang the legal net tangled ministers who could barely plug leaks. From Ai to Ping cruel clerks multiplied beyond counting—only these merit record. The honest set examples; the corrupt still suppressed crime—both strains had their place. Even cruelty fit its office. Zhang Tang's and Du Zhou's prosperous heirs earn separate chapters.