1
齊武王
Prince Martial of Qi (Liu Yan)
2
齊武王縯字伯升，光武之長兄也。 性剛毅，慷慨有大節。 自王莽篡漢，常憤憤，懷復社稷之慮，不事家人居業，傾身破產，交結天下雄俊。
Liu Yan, posthumously honored as Prince Martial of Qi and known by his courtesy name Bosheng, was Guangwu’s eldest brother. He was by nature stern and resolute, magnanimous in spirit, and capable of great constancy. After Wang Mang seized the Han throne, he nursed a smoldering anger and dreamed of restoring the dynasty; he neglected family business and ran through his fortune to win the friendship of bold men from every quarter.
3
莽末，盜賊群起，南方尤甚。 伯升召諸豪傑計議曰：『王莽暴虐，百姓分崩。 今枯旱連年，兵革並起。 此亦天亡之時，復高祖之業，定萬世之秋也。 』眾皆然之。 於是分遣親客，使鄧晨起新野，光武與李通、李軼起於宛。 伯升自發舂陵子弟，合七八千人，部署賓客，自稱柱天都部。 使宗室劉嘉往誘新市、平林兵王匡、陳牧等，合軍而進，屠長聚及唐子鄉，殺湖陽尉，進拔棘陽，因欲攻宛。 至小長安，與王莽前隊大夫酎阜、屬正梁丘賜戰。 時天密霧，漢軍大敗，姊元弟仲皆遇害，宗從死者數十人。 伯升復收會兵眾，還保棘陽。
In the closing years of Wang Mang’s rule, rebels sprang up everywhere, and the south was worst afflicted. Bosheng called the local notables to council and told them, “Wang Mang is a tyrant, and the people have been driven from their homes. Year after year the land is parched, and everywhere weapons are being taken up. This is Heaven’s appointed hour to cast him down—to revive Gaozu’s work and secure an inheritance that will last for ages.” The assembly agreed. He then sent his confidants on separate missions: Deng Chen was to raise Xinye, while Guangwu joined Li Tong and Li Yi in revolt at Wan. From Chunling he personally mustered seven or eight thousand clansmen, organized his followers, and took the title commander of the Pillar-of-Heaven column. He dispatched Liu Jia of the imperial house to win over Wang Kuang, Chen Mu, and the rest of the Xinshi and Pinglin armies; united, they marched, put Changju and Tangzi to the sword, slew the Huyang district officer, seized Jiyang, and prepared to strike Wan. At Little Chang’an they gave battle to Zhou Fu, Wang Mang’s front-rank grandee, and Liangqiu Ci, his adjunct rectifier. A dense fog blanketed the field; the Han forces were routed. His sister Yuan and brother Zhong fell in the melee, and dozens of kinsmen died with them. Bosheng rallied his men and withdrew to defend Jiyang.
4
阜、賜乘勝，留輜重於藍鄉，引精兵十萬南渡黃淳水，臨沘水，阻兩川間為營，絕後橋，示無還心。 新市、平林見漢兵數敗，阜、賜軍大至，各欲解去，伯升甚患之。 會下江兵五千餘人至宜秋，乃往為說合從之勢，下江從之。 語在《王常傳》。 伯升於是大饗軍士，設盟約。 休卒三日，分為六部，潛師夜起，襲取藍鄉，盡獲其輜重。 明旦，漢軍自西南攻酎阜，下江兵自東南攻梁攻丘賜。 至食時，賜陳潰，阜軍望見散走，漢兵急追之，卻迫黃淳水，斬首溺死者二萬餘人，遂斬阜、賜。
Fu and Ci pressed their advantage: they parked their supply wagons at Lanxiang, marched a hundred thousand elite soldiers south across the Huangchun, drew up on the Zhi between the two watercourses, destroyed the rear bridge, and made plain that they would not retreat. The Xinshi and Pinglin contingents, demoralized by repeated defeats and daunted by Fu and Ci’s host, wanted to scatter; Bosheng was deeply alarmed. Just then over five thousand Lower Yang troops arrived at Yiqiu; he went in person to argue for a united front, and they accepted his plan. The full story is told in the biography of Wang Chang. Bosheng then feasted the army at length and bound them with a blood oath. After three days’ rest the force split into six columns, stole out by night, stormed Lanxiang, and carried off the enemy’s entire baggage. At daybreak the Han troops struck Zhou Fu from the southwest while the Lower Yang men hit Liangqiu Ci from the southeast. By mid-morning Ci’s line had collapsed; Fu’s men broke and ran. The Han army pressed the pursuit, drove them against the Huangchun, and killed more than twenty thousand by blade or drowning, then cut down Fu and Ci themselves.
5
王莽納言將軍嚴尤、秩宗將軍陳茂聞阜、賜軍敗，引欲據宛。 伯升乃陳兵誓眾，焚積聚，破釜甑，鼓行而前，與尤、茂遇育陽下，戰，大破之，斬首三千餘級。 尤、茂棄軍走，伯升遂進圍宛，自號柱天大將軍。 王莽素聞其名，大震懼，購伯升邑五萬戶，黃金十萬斤，位上公。 使長安中官署及天下鄉亭皆畫伯升像於塾，旦起射之。
Wang Mang’s spokesman general Yan You and ritual patriarch Chen Mao, learning of Fu and Ci’s defeat, marched to seize Wan. Bosheng drew up his ranks, harangued the men, burned the grain depots, broke the cooking vessels, and advanced with drums rolling; below Yuyang he met You and Mao, shattered them, and took more than three thousand heads. You and Mao fled the field, and Bosheng pressed on to invest Wan, proclaiming himself great general of the Pillar of Heaven. Wang Mang, who had long known his reputation, was terrified and posted a price on his head—fifty thousand households, a hundred thousand jin of gold, and status on a par with the highest nobles. He commanded every yamen in Chang’an and every rural post in the empire to paint Bosheng’s portrait on the schoolhouse wall and shoot at it at dawn.
6
自阜、賜死後，百姓日有降者，眾至十餘萬。 諸將會議立劉氏以從人望，豪傑咸歸於伯升，而新市、平林將帥樂放縱，憚怕升威明而貪聖公懦弱，先共定策立之，然後使騎召伯升，示其議。 伯升曰：『諸將軍幸欲尊立宗室，其德甚厚，然愚鄙之見，竊有未同。 今赤眉起青、徐，眾數十萬，聞南陽立宗室，恐赤眉復有所立，如此，必將內爭。 今王莽未滅，而宗室相攻，是疑天下而自損權，非所以破莽也。 且首兵唱號，鮮有能遂，陳勝、項籍，即其事也。 舂陵去宛三百里耳，未足為功。 遽自尊立，為天下準的，使後人得承吾敝，非計之善者也。 今且稱王以號令。 若赤眉所立者賢，相率而往從之； 若無所立，破莽降赤眉，然後舉尊號，亦未晚也。 願各詳思之。 』諸將多曰『善』。 將軍張卬拔劍擊地曰：『疑事無功。 今日之議，不得有二。 』眾皆從之。
After Fu and Ci fell, townsfolk flocked in daily to submit, until the host numbered well over a hundred thousand. The chiefs resolved to put a Liu on the throne to satisfy public sentiment; the heroes looked to Bosheng, but the Xinshi and Pinglin leaders loved their unruly ways—they shrank from Bosheng’s iron discipline and preferred the pliable Shengong—so they settled the succession among themselves, then rode to fetch Bosheng and inform him of what they had done. Bosheng replied, “Your wish to raise a scion of the house shows great public spirit; still, with all respect, I cannot quite concur. The Red Eyebrows have already risen in Qing and Xu with hundreds of thousands of followers. If they learn that Nanyang has enthroned a Liu, they may set up another claimant, and we shall tear one another apart. Wang Mang still lives; for imperial kinsmen to turn on each other would unsettle the empire and sap our own strength—it is no way to finish Wang Mang. Besides, the first man to seize the drumstick and cry kingship seldom lasts—Chen Sheng and Xiang Yu are proof enough.” Chunling lies a mere three hundred li from Wan; that is hardly a feat to boast of. To leap at once to the imperial title is to paint a target on our backs and invite later rivals to profit from our weariness—poor strategy. For the present let us take the title of king and issue orders in that name. If their choice proves worthy, we can join him in due course; if they raise no one, we crush Wang Mang and subdue the Red Eyebrows, then take the supreme title—there will still be time. Think it through, every one of you.” Most of the generals cried, “Well said!” General Zhang Ang smashed his sword on the earth and shouted, “Hesitation wins nothing. Today’s debate allows no second course.” The assembly bowed to his verdict.
7
聖公既即位，拜伯升為大司徒，封漢信侯。 由是豪傑失望，多不服。 平林後部攻新野，不能下。 新野宰登城言曰：『得司徒劉公一信，願先下。 』及伯升軍至，即開城門降。 五月，伯升拔宛。 六月，光武破王尋、王邑。 自是兄弟威名益甚。
Once Shengong was enthroned, he named Bosheng grand minister over the masses and marquis of Hanxin. The bold spirits were bitterly disappointed, and many refused to obey. Pinglin’s rear corps besieged Xinye without success. The magistrate of Xinye stood on the wall and called out, “Give me a single word from Minister Liu, and I will open the gates at once.” When Bosheng’s host appeared, he threw open the city and yielded. In the fifth month Bosheng captured Wan. In the sixth month Guangwu destroyed Wang Xun and Wang Yi at Kunyang. Thereafter the two brothers’ fame as commanders spread far and wide.
8
更始君臣不自安，遂共謀誅伯升，乃大會諸將，以成其計。 更始取伯升寶劍視之，繡衣御史申屠建隨獻玉玦，更始竟不能發。 及罷會，伯升舅樊宏謂伯升曰：『昔鴻門之會，范增舉玦以示項羽。 今建此意，得無不善乎？ 』伯升笑而不應。 初，李軼諂事更始貴將，光武深疑之，常以戒伯升曰：『此人不可復信。 』又不受。
Gengshi and his court, uneasy at Bosheng’s power, conspired to kill him and summoned a great council of generals as cover. Gengshi borrowed Bosheng’s sword to inspect it; Shentu Jian, censor in the embroidered robe, offered the signal jade ring, but the emperor still could not strike. After the council Fan Hong, Bosheng’s uncle, warned him, “At Hongmen Fan Zeng lifted his jade ring to prompt Xiang Yu. Jian’s gesture today—does it not mean the same?” Bosheng only smiled and said nothing. Earlier, Li Yi had curried favor with Gengshi’s inner circle; Guangwu distrusted him deeply and had often urged Bosheng, “Never trust that man again.” Bosheng still would not heed him.
9
伯升部將宗人劉稷，數陷陳潰圍，勇冠三軍。 時將兵擊魯陽，聞更始立，怒曰：『本起兵圖大事者，伯升兄弟也，今更始何為者邪？ 』更始君臣聞而心忌之，以稷為抗威將軍，稷不肯拜。 更始乃與諸將陳兵數千人，先收稷，將誅之，伯升固爭。 李軼、朱鮪因勸更始並執伯升，即日害之。
Among Bosheng’s officers his kinsman Liu Ji again and again shattered enemy lines and relieved encirclements; his valor outshone the whole army. He was campaigning against Luyang when news came that Gengshi had been enthroned; he fumed, “We took up arms for a great cause—the Bosheng brothers led us—so what is this Gengshi?” The courtiers of Gengshi, hearing this, hated him; they named him resisting-power general, yet he would not take the seal. Gengshi then marched out several thousand guards, seized Ji first, and prepared to behead him; Bosheng argued fiercely on his behalf. Li Yi and Zhu Wei pressed Gengshi to arrest Bosheng as well, and on that very day both men were murdered.
10
有二子。 建武二年，立長子章為太原王，興為魯王。 十一年，徙章為齊王。 十五年，追謚伯升為齊武王。
He left two sons. In Jianwu 2 the eldest son Liu Zhang was made king of Taiyuan and Liu Xing king of Lu. In the eleventh year Zhang was transferred to the kingdom of Qi. In the fifteenth year Bosheng was posthumously titled Prince Martial of Qi.
11
章少孤，光武感伯升功業不就，撫育恩愛甚篤，以其少貴，欲令親吏事，故使試守平陰令，遷梁郡太守。 立二十一年薨，謚曰哀王。 子煬王石嗣。 建武二十七年，石始就國。 三十年，封石弟張為下博侯。 永平十四年，封石二子為鄉侯。 石立二十四年薨，子晃嗣。
Zhang lost his father in childhood; Guangwu, grieving that Bosheng’s cause had been cut short, lavished care on him and, because the boy was highborn and still young, wished to school him in government—first as acting magistrate of Pingyin, then as governor of Liang. He ruled twenty-one years and died, receiving the posthumous name King Ai (“the Lamented”). His son Liu Shi, later known as King Yang, succeeded him. In Jianwu 27 Liu Shi went to his fief in person. In Jianwu 30 his brother Liu Zhang was made marquis of Xiabo. In Yongping 14 two of Liu Shi’s sons were enfeoffed as village marquises. Liu Shi died after twenty-four years on the throne; his son Huang inherited.
12
下博侯張以善論議，十六年，與奉車都尉竇固等並出擊匈奴，後進者多害其能，數被譖訴。 建初中卒，肅宗下詔褒揚之，復封張子它人奉其祀。
Marquis Zhang of Xiabo was a noted debater; in the sixteenth year he campaigned with Dou Gu and others against the Xiongnu, after which jealous rivals repeatedly impeached him. He died during the Jianchu reign; Emperor Zhang issued a decree in his praise and had a son of Zhang re-enfeoffed to continue the family line.
13
論曰：大丈夫之鼓動拔起，其志致蓋遠矣。 若夫齊武王之破家厚士，豈遊俠下客之為哉！ 其慮將存乎配天之絕業，而痛明堂之不祀也。 及其發舉大謀，在倉卒擾攘之中，使信先成於敵人，赦岑彭以顯義，若此足以見其度矣。 誌高慮遠，禍發所忽。 嗚呼！ 古人以蜂蠆為戒，蓋畏此也。 《詩》云：『敬之敬之，命不易哉！』
The historian’s verdict: when a great man stirs and rises, his designs reach far indeed. Prince Martial of Qi beggared his house to win fighting men—this was no mere knight-errantry. He meant to secure a legacy worthy of Heaven itself, and he mourned that the Bright Hall stood without offerings. Even amid panic and confusion he could bind an enemy’s trust and spare Cen Peng to teach loyalty—acts that reveal the breadth of his mind. He looked far ahead, yet ruin crept in where he never thought to watch. Alas! The ancients trembled at wasp and scorpion—this is what they meant. As the Odes say: “Be reverent, be reverent—the Mandate of Heaven is not lightly kept.”
14
北海靖王
King Jing of Beihai
15
北海靖王興，建武二年封為魯王，嗣光武兄仲。
Liu Xing, King Jing of Beihai, was made king of Lu in Jianwu 2, succeeding Guangwu’s brother Zhong.
16
初，南頓君娶同郡樊重女，字嫻都。 嫻都性婉順，自為童女，不正容服不出於房，宗族敬焉。 生三男三女：長男伯升，次仲，次光武； 長女黃，次元，次伯姬。 皇妣以初起兵時病卒，宗人樊巨公收斂焉。 建武二年，封黃為湖陽長公主，伯姬為寧平長公主。 元與仲俱歿於小長安，追爵元為新野長公主，十五年，追謚仲為魯哀王。
Long ago the lord of Nandun had taken as wife the daughter of Fan Chong of the same district, known as Xiandu. Lady Xiandu was gentle and modest; even as a girl she would not leave her room unless properly dressed, and the clan honored her for it. She bore three sons and three daughters: Bosheng, Zhong, and Guangwu; the daughters Huang, Yuan, and Boji. Their mother fell ill and died when the rebellion began; clansman Fan Jugong saw to her burial. In Jianwu 2 Huang became senior princess of Huyang and Boji senior princess of Ningping. Yuan and Zhong both died at Little Chang’an; Yuan was later titled senior princess of Xinye, and in the fifteenth year Zhong received the posthumous title King Ai of Lu.
17
睦少好學，博通書傳，光武愛之，數被廷納。 顯宗之在東宮，尤見幸待，入侍諷誦，出則執轡。 中興初，禁網尚闊，而睦性謙恭好士，千里交結，自名儒宿德，莫不造門，由是聲價益廣。 永平中，法憲頗峻，睦乃謝絕賓客，放心音樂。 然性好讀書，常為愛玩。 歲終，遣中大夫奉璧朝賀，召而謂之曰：『朝廷設廷問寡人，大夫將何辭以對？ 』使者曰：『大王忠孝慈仁，敬賢樂士。 臣雖螻蟻，敢不以實？ 』睦曰：『籲，子危我哉！ 此乃孤幼時進趣之行也。 大夫其對以孤襲爵以來，誌意衰惰，聲色是娛，犬馬是好。 』使者受命而行。 其能屈申若此。
Prince Mu loved books from boyhood and mastered the classics; Guangwu doted on him and often summoned him to the palace. When the future Emperor Ming was crown prince, Mu was his particular favorite—reading with him indoors and holding the carriage reins outdoors. In the early years of the revival the laws were still lax; Mu was modest and a friend to scholars, welcoming famous men from afar until his reputation filled the realm. When Yongping brought stricter rule, he shut his doors to visitors and turned to music for solace. Still, he never lost his love of books; they remained his chief delight. At year’s end he sent a palace messenger with a jade token to pay court tribute, then called the man in and asked, “When the court examines me in session, what answer will you give?” The envoy replied, “Your Highness is famed for loyalty, filial piety, and love of worthy men.” I am a mere nobody, sire, yet I would not dare answer with anything but the truth.” Mu exclaimed, “You would ruin me with such talk!” Those were the rash ambitions of my boyhood.” Tell the court that since I came into the title I have lost my edge—that I care for nothing but music, women, dogs, and horses.” The messenger took his instructions and left. Such was his skill at bending with the times.
18
初，靖王薨，悉推財產與諸弟，雖王車服珍寶非列侯制，皆以為分，然後隨以金、帛贖之。 睦能屬文，作《春秋旨義終始論》及賦頌數十篇。 又善《史書》，當世以為楷則。 及寢病，帝驛馬令作草書尺牘十首。 立十年薨，子哀王基嗣。
When King Jing died, he gave his entire estate to his brothers—even regalia that exceeded a marquis’s rank—then bought back his share in coin and silk. He was a fine writer, author of *Discourse on the Spring and Autumn* and dozens of fu and hymns. He also excelled at clerical calligraphy that contemporaries copied as a standard. On his deathbed the emperor sent relay riders demanding ten samples of his cursive hand. He ruled ten years and died; his son Liu Ji, posthumously King Ai, inherited.
19
永平十八年，封基二弟為縣侯，二弟為鄉侯。 建初二年，又封基弟毅為平望侯。 基立十四年薨，無子，肅宗憐之，不除其國。
In Yongping 18 two of Liu Ji’s brothers were made county marquises and two others village marquises. In Jianchu 2 another brother, Yi, received the title marquis of Pingwang. Liu Ji died childless after fourteen years; out of compassion Emperor Zhang left the fief in abeyance rather than abolish it.
20
永元二年，和帝封睦庶子斟鄉侯威為北海王，奉睦後。 立七年，威以非睦子，又坐誹謗，檻車征詣廷尉，道自殺。
In Yongyuan 2 Emperor He made Wei, marquis of Zhenxiang and Mu’s natural son, king of Beihai to maintain the sacrifice. Seven years later Wei—who was not truly Mu’s heir—was charged with libel, hauled to the capital in a prison cart, and took his own life en route.
21
永初元年，鄧太后復封睦孫壽光侯普為北海王，是為頃王。 延光二年，復封睦少子為亭侯。 普立十七年薨，子恭王翼嗣； 立十四年薨，子康王嗣，無後，建安十一年，國除。
In Yongchu 1 the Deng regent restored Mu’s grandson Pu, marquis of Shouguang, as king of Beihai—later known as King Qing. In Yanguang 2 she also enfeoffed another of Mu’s younger sons as a precinct marquis. Pu reigned seventeen years; his son Liu Yi, King Gong, followed him. His successor ruled fourteen years and died without issue, and in Jian’an 11 the kingdom was extinguished.
22
初，臨邑侯復好學，能文章。 永平中，每有講學事，輒令復典掌焉。 與班固、賈逵共述漢史，傅毅等皆宗事之。 復子騊駼及從兄平望侯毅，並有才學。 永寧中，鄧太后召毅及騊駼入東觀，與謁者僕射劉珍著中興以下名臣列士傳。 騊駼又自造賦、頌、書、論凡四篇。
Liu Fu, marquis of Linyi, was a devoted scholar and a polished writer. During Yongping he was routinely put in charge of court lectures and academies. With Ban Gu and Jia Kui he compiled Han history, while Fu Yi and others looked to him as their patron. His son Taotu and his cousin Yi, marquis of Pingwang, were likewise gifted scholars. Under Yongning the Deng regent brought Yi and Taotu into the Eastern Library to join Liu Zhen in drafting biographies of notable men since the restoration. Taotu also wrote four original pieces—fu, hymns, letters, and essays.
23
趙孝王
King Xiao of Zhao
24
趙孝王良字次伯，光武之叔父也。 平帝時舉孝廉，為蕭令。 光武兄弟少孤，良撫循甚篤。 及光武起兵，以事告，良大怒，曰：『汝與伯升志操不同，今家欲危亡，而反共謀如是！ 』既而不得已，從軍至小長安，漢兵大敗，良妻及二子皆被害。 更始立，以良為國三老，從入關。 更始敗。 良聞光武即位，乃亡奔洛陽。 建武二年，封良為廣陽王。 五年，徙為趙王，始就國。 十三年，降為趙公。 頻歲來朝。 十七年，薨於京師。 凡六十六年。 子節王栩嗣。 建武三十年，封栩二子為鄉侯。 建初二年，復封栩十子為亭侯。
Liu Liang, King Xiao of Zhao, styled Cibo, was Guangwu’s uncle. Under Emperor Ping he entered office as a filial-and-incorrupt nominee and served as magistrate of Xiao. The Liu brothers lost their father early; Liang raised them with steadfast care. When Guangwu announced the revolt, his uncle thundered, “You and Bosheng never agreed in purpose—now the house is in mortal danger, and you would league with him?” Forced to follow the host to Little Chang’an, he saw the Han army shattered and his wife and two sons slain. Gengshi named him a state elder and took him west through the passes. When Gengshi fell, Liang fled to Luoyang upon learning that Guangwu had taken the throne. In Jianwu 2 he was made king of Guangyang. In the fifth year he was transferred to Zhao and went to his fief. In the thirteenth year his rank was cut to duke of Zhao. He attended court almost every year. He died in the capital in the seventeenth year. He had lived sixty-six years. His son Liu Xu, King Jie, succeeded him. In Jianwu 30 two of Xu’s sons were enfeoffed as village marquises. In Jianchu 2 ten more of Xu’s sons received precinct marquisates.
25
栩立四十年薨，子頃王商嗣。 永元三年，封商三弟為亭侯。 元年，封商四子為亭侯。 商立二十三年薨，子靖王宏嗣。 立十二年薨，子惠王乾嗣。
Xu ruled forty years; Liu Shang, King Qing, inherited. In Yongyuan 3 three of Shang’s brothers became precinct marquises. In Yuanchu 1 four of Shang’s sons were enfeoffed as precinct marquises. Shang died after twenty-three years; Liu Hong, King Jing, followed. Hong ruled twelve years; Liu Qian, King Hui, succeeded.
26
元初五年，封乾二弟為亭侯。 是歲，趙相奏乾居父喪私娉小妻，又白衣出司馬門，坐削中丘縣。 時郎中南陽程堅素有誌行，拜為乾傅。 堅輔以禮義，乾改悔前過，堅列上，復所削縣。 本初元年，封乾一子為亭侯。 乾立四十八年薨，子懷王豫嗣。 豫薨，子獻王赦嗣。 赦薨，子珪嗣，建安十八年徙封博陵王。 立九年，魏初以為崇德侯。
In Yuanchu 5 two of Qian’s brothers received precinct titles. The same year Zhao’s chancellor impeached Qian for marrying a concubine during his father’s mourning and passing the palace gate in undress; he was fined the income of Zhongqiu county. The court then named Cheng Jian of Nanyang, a man of proven integrity, as his tutor. Jian guided him with ritual until he mended his ways; a memorial to the throne won back the lost district. In Benchu 1 one of Qian’s sons received a precinct marquisate. Qian ruled forty-eight years; Liu Yu, King Huai, inherited. Yu was followed by Liu She, King Xian. Liu She’s son Liu Gui succeeded him, and in Jian’an 18 was transferred to the kingdom of Boling. Nine years later, at the Wei founding, he was given the title marquis of Chongde.
27
城陽恭王
King Gong of Chengyang
28
城陽恭王祉字巨伯，光武族兄、舂陵康侯敞之子也。
Liu Zhi, King Gong of Chengyang, styled Jubo, was Guangwu’s elder clansman and son of Liu Chang, Marquis Kang of Chunling.
29
敞曾祖父節侯買，以長沙定王子封於零道之舂陵鄉，為舂陵侯。 買卒，子戴侯熊渠嗣。 熊渠卒，子考侯仁嗣。 仁以舂陵地勢下濕，山林毒氣，上書求減邑內徙。 元帝初元四年，徙封南陽之白水鄉，猶以舂陵為國名，遂與從弟巨鹿都尉回及宗族往家焉。 仁卒，子敞嗣。 敞謙儉好義，盡推父時金寶財產與昆弟，刑州刺史上其義行，拜廬江都尉。 歲餘，會族兄安眾侯劉崇起兵，王莽畏惡劉氏，征敞至長安，免歸國。
His great-grandfather Mai, Marquis Jie, was a son of the prince who stabilized Changsha and received Chunling township in Lingdao. Mai’s son Xiongqu, Marquis Dai, succeeded him. Xiongqu was followed by Ren, Marquis Kao. Ren petitioned to move the seat inland, citing Chunling’s malarial lowlands and poisonous woods. In Yuan’s Chuyuan 4 the fief was relocated to Baishui in Nanyang while keeping the name Chunling; Ren led his cousin Hui, commandant of Julu, and the whole clan thither. Ren’s heir was Chang. Chang was modest and generous, handing his father’s wealth to his brothers; the governor of Jingzhou praised his virtue and named him commandant of Lujiang. A year later kinsman Liu Chong of Anzhong rose in revolt; Wang Mang, fearing the imperial surname, recalled Chang to Chang’an, dismissed him, and sent him home.
30
先是平帝時，敞與崇俱朝京師，助祭明堂。 崇見莽將危漢室，私謂敞曰：『安漢公擅國權，群臣莫不回從，社稷傾覆至矣。 太后春秋高，天子幼弱，高皇帝所以分封子弟，蓋為此也。 』敞心然之。 及崇事敗，敞懼，欲結援樹黨，乃為祉娶高陵侯翟宣女為妻。 會宣弟義起兵欲攻莽，南陽捕殺宣女，祉坐繫獄。 敞因上書謝罪，願率子弟宗族為士卒先。 莽新居攝，欲慰安宗室，故不被刑誅。 及莽篡立，劉氏為侯者皆降稱子，食孤卿祿，後皆奪爵。 及敞卒，祉遂特見廢，又不得官為吏。
Earlier, under Emperor Ping, Chang and Chong had both attended court and helped sacrifice at the Bright Hall. Chong warned him in private, “The Lord Who Pacifies the Han holds every rein; the court bows in lockstep—the dynasty is tottering. The Grand Empress is old, the boy emperor helpless—this is why Gaozu scattered fiefs among his kin.” Chang knew he spoke the truth. After Chong’s plot collapsed, Chang sought allies by marrying Zhi to a daughter of Zhai Xuan, marquis of Gaoling. When Zhai Yi rose against Wang Mang, Nanyang executed Xuan’s daughter, and Zhi was jailed as an accomplice. Chang memorialized in abject terms, offering to lead his kin as shock troops. Mang, fresh in the regency and eager to placate the Liu house, spared him execution. At Mang’s usurpation Liu marquises were demoted to the empty title “son” on a minister’s stipend, then stripped entirely. After Chang’s death Zhi alone was left in disgrace and barred from office.
31
祉以故侯嫡子，行淳厚，宗室皆敬之。 及光武起兵，祉兄弟相率從軍，前隊大夫甄阜盡收其家屬繫宛獄。 及漢兵敗小長安，祉挺身還保棘陽，甄阜盡殺其母弟妻子。 更始立，以祉為太常將軍，紹封舂陵侯。 從西入關，封為定陶王。 別將擊破劉嬰於臨涇。
Yet as the old marquis’s heir he lived plainly and honorably, and the clan revered him. When Guangwu rose, Zhi and his brothers joined the host; Zhen Fu arrested their families and locked them in Wan’s prison. After the rout at Little Chang’an Zhi fought his way back to Jiyang while Fu slaughtered his mother, brothers, wife, and children. Gengshi named him grand invocator general and restored the Chunling marquisate. He marched west and received the kingdom of Dingtao. A detached force crushed Liu Ying at Linjing.
32
及更始降於赤眉，祉乃間行亡奔洛陽。 是時宗室唯祉先至，光武見之歡甚。 建武二年，封為城陽王，賜乘輿、禦物、車馬、衣服。 追謚敞為康侯。 十一年，祉疾病，上城陽王璽綬，願以列侯奉先人祭祀。 帝自臨其疾。 祉薨，年四十三，謚曰恭王，竟不之國，葬於洛陽北芒。
When Gengshi yielded to the Red Eyebrows, Zhi stole away to Luoyang. He was the first Liu kinsman to reach the new emperor, who welcomed him joyfully. In Jianwu 2 he became king of Chengyang with gifts of the imperial equipage. Chang was posthumously titled Marquis Kang. In year 11, mortally ill, he returned the royal seals, asking to end his days as a full marquis so he could tend the family shrines. The emperor visited his sickbed in person. He died at forty-three with the posthumous name Gong, never having gone to his fief; he lies buried on the Mang plateau north of Luoyang.
33
十三年，封祉嫡子平為蔡陽侯，以奉祉祀； 平弟堅為高鄉侯。
In the thirteenth year his heir Ping was made marquis of Caiyang to maintain his father’s cult; while a younger brother, Jian, received Gaoxiang.
34
初，建武二年，以皇祖、皇考墓為昌陵，置陵令守視； 後改為章陵，因以舂陵為章陵縣。 十八年，立考侯、康侯廟，比園陵，置嗇夫。 詔零陵郡奉祠節侯、戴侯廟，以四時及臘歲五祠焉。 置嗇夫、佐吏各一人。
Early in Jianwu 2 the tombs of Guangwu’s grandfather and father were named Changling and placed under a tomb warden; they were later renamed Zhangling, and Chunling county was renamed to match. In year 18 temples to Marquis Kao and Marquis Kang were built beside the mausoleum parks with a bailiff appointed. Lingling was charged with seasonal and La-day rites at the shrines of Marquis Jie and Marquis Dai. Each site received a bailiff and an assistant clerk.
35
平後坐與諸王交通，國除。 永平五年，顯宗更封平為竟陵侯。 平卒，子真嗣。 真卒，子禹嗣。 禹卒，子嘉嗣。
Ping later lost his title for illicit dealings with other princes. In Yongping 5 Emperor Ming transferred Ping to the marquisate of Jingling. Ping was succeeded by his son Zhen. Zhen was followed by Yu. Yu was followed by Jia.
36
泗水王
King of Sishui
37
泗水王歙字經孫，光武族父也。 歙子終，與光武少相親愛。 漢兵起，始及唐子，終誘殺湖陽尉。 更始立，歙從入關，封為元氏王，終為侍中。 更始敗，歙、終東奔洛陽。 建武二年，立歙為泗水王，終為淄川王。 十年，歙薨，封小子燀為堂谿侯，奉歙後。 終居喪思慕，哭泣二十八日，亦薨。 封長子柱為己阝侯，以奉終祀，又封終子鳳曲陽侯。
Liu Xi, king of Sishui, styled Jingsun, was Guangwu’s kinsman of the elder generation. His son Zhong had been Guangwu’s close companion since boyhood. At the first rising, when the army reached Tangzi, Zhong lured out and slew the Huyang district officer. Under Gengshi, Xi entered the passes as king of Yuanshi while Zhong served as palace attendant. After Gengshi’s fall they raced east to Luoyang. In Jianwu 2 Xi became king of Sishui and Zhong king of Zichuan. Xi died in year 10; his youngest son Shan received Tangxi to maintain his father’s sacrifice. Zhong mourned so bitterly that he wept twenty-eight days straight and followed his father to the grave. The eldest son Zhu was made marquis of Jiyi to keep Zhong’s rites, while Zhong’s son Feng received Quyang.
38
歙從父弟茂，年十八，漢兵之起，茂自號劉失職，亦聚眾亦、密間，稱厭新將軍。 攻下潁川、汝南，眾十餘萬人。 光武既至河內，茂率眾降，封為中山王。 十三年，宗室為王者皆降為侯，更封茂為穰侯。
Xi’s cousin Mao, only eighteen, styled himself a dispossessed Liu, raised ten thousand followers between Yi and Mi, and took the title “General Who Crushes the New.” He overran Yingchuan and Runan until his host topped a hundred thousand. When Guangwu entered Henei, Mao surrendered with his army and was named king of Zhongshan. In year 13 princely titles were cut to marquisates; Mao became marquis of Rang.
39
茂弟匡，亦與漢兵俱起。 建武二年，封宜春侯。 為人謙遜，永平中為宗正。 子浮嗣，封朝陽侯。
Kuang, Mao’s brother, had also joined the Han uprising. In Jianwu 2 he received Yichun. A humble man, he later served as director of the imperial clan under Yongping. His son Fu inherited and was transferred to Zhaoyang.
40
浮弟尚，永元中為征西將軍。 浮傳國至孫護，無子，封絕。 延光中，護從兄瑰與安帝乳母王聖女伯榮私通，遂取伯榮為妻，得紹護封為朝陽侯，位侍中。 及王聖敗，貶爵為亭侯。
Fu’s brother Shang rose to western-expedition general in the Yongyuan era. The line ran to Fu’s grandson Hu, who died without heirs, and the title lapsed. During Yanguang, Hu’s cousin Gui wed Boren—wet nurse Wang’s daughter—and so revived the Zhaoyang marquisate, rising to palace attendant. When Wang Sheng fell, Gui was demoted to a precinct marquis.
41
安城孝侯
Marquis Xiao of Ancheng
42
安城孝侯賜字子琴，光武族兄也。 祖父利，蒼梧太守。 賜少孤。 兄顯報怨殺人，吏捕顯殺之。 賜與顯子信賣田宅，同拋財產，結客報吏，皆亡命逃伏遭赦日。 會伯升起兵，乃隨從攻擊諸縣。
Liu Ci, Marquis Xiao of Ancheng, styled Ziqin, was Guangwu’s elder clansman. His grandfather Li had governed Cangwu. Ci lost his father early. His brother Xian slew a foe in a blood feud and was caught and put to death. Ci and Xian’s son Xin sold the estate, spent every coin hiring swordsmen against the magistrates, and lived as outlaws until amnesty. When Bosheng rose, he joined the campaign across the commanderies.
43
更始既立，以賜為光祿勛，封廣漢侯。 及伯升被害，代為大司徒，將兵討汝南。 未及平，更始又以信為奮威大將軍，代賜擊汝南，賜與更始俱到洛陽。 更始欲令親近大將徇河北，未知所使，賜言諸家子獨有文叔可用，大司馬朱鮪等以為不可，更始狐疑，賜深勸之，乃拜光武行大司馬，持節過河。 是日以賜為丞相，令先入關，修宗廟宮室。 還迎更始都長安，封賜為宛王，拜前大司馬，使持節鎮撫關東。 二年春，賜就國於宛，典將六部兵。 後赤眉破更始，賜所領六部亦稍散畔，乃去宛保育陽。
Gengshi named him superintendent of the imperial household and marquis of Guanghan. After Bosheng’s murder he became grand minister over the masses and marched on Runan. Before the commandery fell, Gengshi sent Xin as “rousing might” general in his place while Ci accompanied the court to Luoyang. Gengshi needed a favorite general for Hebei; Ci insisted only Liu Xiu was fit—Zhu Wei objected—but Ci argued until Gengshi named Guangwu acting grand marshal with staff to cross the Yellow River. The same day Ci became chancellor, ordered west ahead of the army to restore the shrines and palaces. He then escorted Gengshi to Chang’an, made Ci king of Wan and ex–grand marshal, and charged him with the lands east of the pass. In the second spring he took up his fief at Wan commanding six divisions. When the Red Eyebrows destroyed Gengshi, his six corps melted away; he abandoned Wan and shielded Wuyang.
44
聞光武即位，乃西之武關，迎更始妻子將詣洛陽。 帝嘉賜忠，建武二年，封為慎侯。 十三年，更增戶邑，定封為安成侯，奉朝請。 以賜有恩信，故親厚之，數蒙宴私，時幸其第，恩賜特異。 賜輒賑與故舊，有無遺積。 帝為營冢堂，起祠廟，置吏卒，如舂陵孝侯。 二十八年卒，子閔嗣。
Learning of Guangwu’s accession, he slipped to Wuguan, gathered Gengshi’s family, and set out for Luoyang. The emperor hailed his loyalty and in Jianwu 2 made him marquis of Shen. In year 13 his fief was enlarged to Ancheng with standing summons to court. Guangwu loved him for old debts of trust—private feasts, imperial visits, and gifts beyond the common run. He poured his income into helping old friends and died without a hoard. The court built him a mortuary chapel and shrine guard like that of Marquis Xiao of Chunling. He died in year 28; his son Min inherited.
45
三十年，帝復封閔弟嵩為白牛侯。 坐楚事，辭語相連，國除。 閔卒，子商嗣，徙封為白牛侯。 商卒，子昌嗣。
In Jianwu 30 Min’s brother Song received Bainiu. Implicated in the Chu conspiracy, he lost his title. Min’s heir Shang was shifted to the Bainiu marquisate. Shang was followed by Chang.
46
成武孝侯
Marquis Xiao of Chengwu
47
成武孝侯順字平仲，光武族兄也。 父慶，舂陵侯敞同產弟。 順與光武同里闬，少相厚。
Liu Shun, Marquis Xiao of Chengwu, styled Pingzhong, was another elder clansman of Guangwu. His father Qing was a full brother of Marquis Chang of Chunling. He and Guangwu had grown up in the same ward and were close from boyhood.
48
初，順叔父弘娶於樊氏，皇妣之從妹也。 生二子：敏，國。 與母隨更始在長安。 建武二年，詣洛陽，光武封敏為甘裏侯，國為弋陽侯。 敏通經有行，永平初，官至越騎校尉。
His uncle Hong had married a cousin of Guangwu’s mother. The union produced Min and Guo. Mother and sons followed Gengshi in Chang’an. In Jianwu 2 they reached Luoyang; Min became marquis of Ganli and Guo marquis of Yiyang. Min was a classicist of good repute and rose to colonel of agile cavalry early in Yongping.
49
弘弟梁，以俠氣聞，更始元年，起兵豫章，欲徇江東，自號『就漢大將軍』，暴病卒。
Liang, Hong’s brother famed for bravado, raised Yuzhang in Gengshi 1, styled himself “Great General Who Draws Nigh to the Han,” and aimed at the southeast—then died of a sudden illness.
50
順陽懷侯
Marquis Huai of Shunyang
51
順陽懷侯嘉字孝孫，光武族兄也。 父憲，舂陵侯敞同產弟。 嘉少孤，性仁厚，南頓君養視如子，後與伯升俱學長安，習《尚書》、《春秋》。
Liu Jia, Marquis Huai of Shunyang, styled Xiaosun, was Guangwu’s elder clansman. His father Xian was another full brother of Marquis Chang of Chunling. Orphaned young, Jia was raised like a son by the lord of Nandun; he later read the *Documents* and *Spring and Autumn* with Bosheng in Chang’an.
52
李寶等聞鄧禹西征，擁兵自守，馬嘉且觀成敗。 光武聞之，告禹曰：『孝孫素謹善，少且親愛，當是長安輕薄兒誤之耳。 』禹即宣帝旨，嘉乃因來歙詣禹於雲陽。 三年，到洛陽，從征伐，拜為千乘太守。 六年，病，上書乞骸骨，徵詣京師。 十三年，封為順陽侯。 秋，復封嘉子廧為黃李侯。 十五年，嘉卒。 子參嗣，有罪，削為南鄉侯。 永平中，參為城門校尉。 參卒，子循嗣。 循卒，子章嗣。
When Li Bao and his allies learned that Deng Yu was marching west, they stood on the defensive while Liu Jia waited to see which way the wind would blow. Guangwu said to Deng Yu, “Jia has always been steady—some Chang’an wastrels must have led him astray.” Deng Yu relayed the imperial word, and Jia came in through Lai Xi to surrender at Yunyang. In year 3 he reached Luoyang, campaigned with the army, and was named governor of Qiansheng. In year 6 illness drove him to ask retirement; he was recalled to the capital. In year 13 he received Shunyang. That autumn his son Qiang was enfeoffed as marquis of Huangli. Jia died in year 15. His heir Can lost rank for a crime and became marquis of Nanxiang. Under Yongping he served as colonel of the gates. Can was followed by Xun. Xun was followed by Zhang.
53
贊曰：齊武沈雄，義戈乘風。 倉卒匪圖，亡我天工。 城陽早協，趙孝晚同。 泗水三侯，或恩或功。
The summation sings of Prince Martial of Qi: deep valor, righteous arms riding the gale. Rash, without a long design, Heaven’s favor slipped through his fingers. Chengyang pledged early; Zhao Xiao came late to the same cause. The three lords of Sishui earned their titles by kindness or by deeds.