1
朱祐字仲先，南陽宛人也。 少孤，歸外家復陽劉氏，往來舂陵，世祖與伯升皆親愛之。 伯升拜大司徒，以祐為護軍。 及世祖為大司馬，討河北，復以祐為護軍，常見親幸，舍止於中。 祐侍宴，從容曰：『長安政亂，公有日角之相，此天命也。 』世祖曰：『召刺奸收護軍！ 』祐乃不敢復言。 從征河北，常力戰陷陣，以為偏將軍，封安陽侯。 世祖即位，拜為建義大將軍。 建武二年，更封堵陽侯。 冬，與諸將擊鄧奉於淯陽，祐軍敗，為奉所獲。 明年，奉破，乃肉袒因祐降。 帝復祐位而厚加慰賜。 遣擊新野、隨，皆平之。
Zhu You, styled Zhongxian, came from Wan in Nanyang commandery. Orphaned young, he was raised among his mother's people, the Lius of Fuyang, and often visited Chunling, where Liu Xiu and his elder brother Liu Yan treated him as family. When Liu Yan became grand minister of education, he named Zhu You protector of the army. When Liu Xiu became grand marshal for the Hebei campaign, he again made Zhu You his protector of the army; Zhu You enjoyed unusual access and even slept inside headquarters. Over wine Zhu You said quietly, "Chang'an is falling apart, and you bear the sun-horn mark of sovereignty—that is Heaven's choice." Liu Xiu shot back, "Tell the investigator of crimes to clap the protector of the army in irons!" Zhu You never raised the subject again. In the Hebei wars he fought at the sharp end and was named lieutenant general and marquis of Anyang. At Guangwu's accession Zhu You became grand general who establishes righteousness. In Jianwu 2 his fief was moved to Duoyang. That winter he joined the attack on Deng Feng at Yuyang; Zhu You's command was routed and Deng Feng took him prisoner. The following year, after Deng Feng's defeat, Deng Feng stripped to the waist and surrendered through Zhu You's mediation. The emperor restored his post and heaped gifts and reassurance on him. He was then dispatched against Xinye and Sui; both places were brought to heel.
2
延岑自敗於穰，遂與秦豐將張成合，祐率征虜將軍祭遵與戰於東陽，大破之，臨陣斬成，延岑敗走歸豐。 祐收得印綬九十七。 進擊黃郵，降之，賜祐黃金三十斤。 四年，率破奸將軍侯進、輔威將軍耿植代征南大將軍岑彭圍秦豐於黎丘，破其將張康於蔡陽，斬之。 帝自至黎丘，使御史中丞李由持璽書招豐，豐出惡言，不肯降。 車駕引還，敕祐方略，祐盡力攻之。 明年夏，城中窮困，豐乃將其母、妻、子九人肉袒降。 祐監車傳豐送洛陽，斬之。 大司馬吳漢劾奏祐廢詔受降，違將帥之任，帝不加罪。 祐還，與騎都尉臧宮會擊延岑餘黨陰、酂、築陽三縣賊，悉平之。
After Yan Cen's rout at Rang he merged with Qin Feng's officer Zhang Cheng. Zhu You and General Who Subdues Captives Ji Zun met them at Dongyang, shattered their army, killed Zhang Cheng in the fighting, and drove Yan Cen back to Qin Feng. Zhu You gathered ninety-seven official seals from the field. He next reduced Huangyou, who capitulated, and the throne rewarded him with thirty jin of gold. In Jianwu 4 he took over Cen Peng's siege of Qin Feng at Liqiu with Hou Jin and Geng Zhi, crushed Zhang Kang at Caiyang, and struck off his head. Emperor Guangwu came in person to Liqiu and sent Imperial Secretary Li You with a sealed summons; Qin Feng answered with abuse and would not yield. When the emperor withdrew his train, he left Zhu You detailed orders; Zhu You threw everything into the assault. By the following summer the city was starving. Qin Feng led his mother, wife, and nine children out bare-chested to surrender. Zhu You escorted him to Luoyang in a prison wagon and had him executed. Grand Marshal Wu Han memorialized that Zhu You had disobeyed orders by accepting the surrender; the emperor took no action against him. Zhu You then teamed with Zang Gong to mop up Yan Cen's diehards in Yin, Zan, and Zhuyang until every pocket was cleared.
3
祐為人質直，尚儒學。 將兵率眾，多受降，以克定城邑為本，不存首級之功。 又禁制士卒不得虜掠百姓，軍人樂放縱，多以此怨之。 九年，屯南行唐拒匈奴。 十三年，增邑，定封鬲侯，食邑七千三百戶。
Zhu You was plain-spoken, upright, and a devoted student of the classics. As a commander he preferred enemies who yielded and measured success by pacified towns rather than by piles of severed heads. He strictly forbade looting, which earned him the resentment of troops who lived for plunder. In Jianwu 9 he garrisoned Nanxingtang against the Xiongnu. In Jianwu 13 his income was raised and his title fixed as marquis of Ge, with 7,300 households.
4
十五年，朝京師，上大將軍印綬，因留奉朝請。 祐奏古者人臣受封，不加王爵，可改諸王為公。 帝即施行。 又奏宜令三公並去『大』名，以法經典。 後遂從其議。
In Jianwu 15 he came to court, surrendered the great general's seal, and stayed on as a supernumerary gentleman. He memorialized that in ancient times enfeoffed ministers had not borne the title of king, and urged that the imperial princes be redesignated dukes. The emperor adopted the reform immediately. He further asked that the three highest ministers drop the prefix "grand" from their titles to match classical usage. The court later accepted that recommendation as well.
5
祐初學長安，帝往候之，祐不時相勞苦，而先升講舍。 後車駕幸其第，帝因笑曰：『主人得無舍我講乎？ 』以有舊恩，數蒙賞賚。 二十四年，卒。
When Guangwu called on him during his student days in Chang'an, Zhu You went straight to the lecture hall instead of coming out to greet his guest. When the imperial carriage later stopped at his house, the emperor teased, "I hope I am not interrupting your lesson?" Their long friendship brought Zhu You frequent imperial largesse. He died in Jianwu 24.
6
子商嗣。 商卒，子演嗣，永元十四年，坐以兄伯為外孫陰皇后巫蠱事，免為庶人。 永初七年，鄧太后紹封演子沖為鬲侯。
His son Zhu Shang inherited the marquisate. Zhu Shang was succeeded by Zhu Yan, who lost his title in Yongyuan 14 when his brother Zhu Bo was implicated in Empress Yin's witchcraft affair as her grandson by a daughter. In Yongchu 7 Empress Dowager Deng restored the line, naming Zhu Yan's son Zhu Chong marquis of Ge.
7
景丹字孫卿，馮翊櫟陽人也。 少學長安。 王莽時舉四科，丹以言語為固德侯相，有幹事稱，遷朔調連率副貳。
Jing Dan, styled Sunqing, came from Liyang in Pingyi commandery. He had studied in Chang'an as a young man. Under Wang Mang's "four categories" recruitment he won appointment as chancellor to the marquis of Gude on eloquence, earned a name for competence, and rose to deputy intendant of the Shuodiao circuit.
8
更始立，遣使者徇上谷，丹與連率耿況降，復為上谷長史。 王郎起，丹與況共謀拒之。 況使丹與子弇及寇恂等將兵南歸世祖，世祖引見丹等，笑曰：『邯鄲將帥數言我發漁陽、上谷兵，吾卿應言然，何意二郡良為吾來！ 方與士大夫共此功名耳。 』拜丹為偏將軍，號奉義侯。 從擊王郎將宏等於南□，郎兵迎戰，漢軍退卻，丹等縱突騎擊，大破之，追奔十餘里，死傷者從橫。 丹還，世祖謂曰：『吾聞突騎天下精兵，今乃見其戰，樂可言邪？ 』遂從征河北。
When the Gengshi Emperor took power, his envoys reached Shanggu; Jing Dan went over with Intendant Geng Kuang and resumed his old post as chief clerk of the commandery. When Wang Lang rebelled, Jing Dan and Geng Kuang plotted joint resistance. Geng Kuang sent Jing Dan with his son Geng Yan and Kou Xun south to Guangwu, who received them with a laugh: "Wang Lang's people kept insisting I had mobilized Yuyang and Shanggu for myself; you only humored them—yet here you are, both commanderies in person!" Now we may win this renown together." He named Jing Dan lieutenant general and marquis who honors righteousness. At Nanluan—where the place name is damaged in the received text—he helped crush Wang Lang's officer Hong. The enemy pressed hard until Jing Dan's shock cavalry countercharged, routed them for more than ten li, and left the field strewn with corpses. When Jing Dan rode back, Guangwu told him, "They say shock cavalry are the finest in the empire—today I saw why; no words can describe the exhilaration." From then on he campaigned through the pacification of Hebei.
9
世祖即位，以讖文用平狄將軍孫咸行大司馬，眾威不悅。 詔舉可為大司馬者，群臣所推惟吳漢及丹。 帝曰：『景將軍北州大將，是其人也。 然吳將軍有建大策之勛，又誅苗幽州、謝尚書，其功大。 舊制驃騎將軍官與大司馬相兼也。 』乃以吳漢為大司馬，而拜丹為驃騎大將軍。
At the accession a cryptic text had pointed to Sun Xian, general who pacifies the Di, as acting grand marshal—a choice that dismayed the court. An edict called for nominations; the ministers could agree only on Wu Han and Jing Dan. The emperor said, "General Jing commands the northern heartland—he fits the bill." Yet General Wu Han devised the grand strategy and killed Miao of Youzhou and Minister Xie—his is the greater service." By precedent the posts of general of agile cavalry and grand marshal had been paired." So Wu Han became grand marshal and Jing Dan grand general of agile cavalry.
10
子尚嗣，徙封余吾侯。 尚卒，子苞嗣。 苞卒，子臨嗣，無子，國絕。 永初七年，鄧太后紹封苞弟遽為監亭侯。
His son Jing Shang inherited and was transferred to the marquisate of Yuwu. When Jing Shang died, his son Jing Bao succeeded. Jing Bao was followed by Jing Lin, who left no heir, and the line ended. In Yongchu 7 Empress Dowager Deng renewed the fief for Jing Bao's brother Jing Qu as marquis of Jianting.
11
建武二年，與大司馬吳漢等俱擊檀鄉，有詔軍事一屬大司馬，而梁輒發野王兵，帝以其不奉詔敕，令止在所縣，而梁復以便宜進軍。 帝以梁前後違命，大怒，遣尚書宗廣持節軍中斬梁。 廣不忍，乃檻車送京師。 既至，赦之。 月餘，以為中郎將，行執金吾事。 北守箕關，擊赤眉別校，降之。 三年春，轉擊五校，追至信都、趙國，破之，悉平諸屯聚。 冬，遣使者持節拜梁前將軍。 四年春，擊肥城、文陽，拔之。 進與驃騎大將軍杜茂擊佼韁、蘇茂於楚、沛間，拔大梁、嚙桑，而捕虜將軍馬武、偏將軍王霸亦分道並進，歲餘悉平之。 五年，從救桃城，破龐萌等，梁戰尤力，拜山陽太守，鎮撫新附，將兵如故。
In Jianwu 2 Wang Liang joined Wu Han against the Tanxiang rebels under orders that all operations answer to the grand marshal; Wang Liang nonetheless called out the Yewang garrison. Guangwu told him to hold his position, but Wang Liang again advanced on his own authority. Furious at repeated disobedience, Guangwu sent Minister Zong Guang with the vermilion staff to behead Wang Liang in camp. Zong Guang could not bring himself to strike and sent Wang Liang to the capital in a prison cart instead. Once there, he received a pardon. A month later he was named middle general and acting bearer of the gilded mace. He held Ji Pass against the north, smashed a Red Eyebrows detachment, and took their surrender. In the spring of Jianwu 3 he turned on the Five Camps, chased them through Xindu and Zhao, and wiped out their strongholds. That winter an imperial messenger with the staff commissioned him forward general. In the spring of Jianwu 4 he took Feicheng and Wenyang. He joined Grand General of Agile Cavalry Du Mao against Jiao Qiang and Su Mao between Chu and Pei, seized Daliang and Niesang, while Ma Wu and Wang Ba converged by other routes; within a year the region was quiet. In Jianwu 5 he helped relieve Taocheng and crush Pang Meng, fighting with conspicuous ferocity; he was named governor of Shanyang to settle the new adherents while keeping his command.
12
數月征人，代歐陽歙為河南尹。 梁穿渠引穀水註洛陽城下，東寫鞏川，及渠成而水不流。 七年，有司劾奏之，梁慚懼，上書乞骸骨。 乃下詔曰：『梁前將兵征伐，眾人稱賢，故擢典京師。 建議開渠，為人興利，旅力既愆，迄無成功，百姓怨讟，談者讙嘩。 雖蒙寬宥，猶執謙退，「君子成人之美」，其以梁為濟南太守。 』十三年，增邑，定封阜成侯。 十四年，卒官。
Within months he was recalled to replace Ouyang She as governor of Henan. Wang Liang cut a channel to divert the Gu into Luoyang and discharge it east toward the Gong River, but when the ditch was done the water refused to run. In Jianwu 7 censors impeached him; mortified, Wang Liang asked to retire. The throne replied: "You earned Henan by merit in the field." "Your canal was meant to help the people, yet the effort misfired and the people only mutter." "Still you beg to step down like a true gentleman who would not spoil another's good name. Very well—be governor of Jinan instead." In Jianwu 13 his stipend was raised and his title fixed as marquis of Fucheng. He died in office in Jianwu 14.
13
子禹嗣。 禹卒，子堅石嗣。 堅石追坐父禹及弟平與楚王英謀反，棄市，國除。
His son Wang Yu inherited. When Wang Yu died, his son Wang Jianshi succeeded. Wang Jianshi was dragged down when his father Wang Yu and brother Wang Ping were found plotting with Prince Ying of Chu; he died on the public scaffold and the marquisate was abolished.
14
杜茂字諸公，南陽冠軍人也。 初歸光武於河北，為中堅將軍，常從征伐。 世祖即位，拜大將軍，封樂鄉侯。 北擊五校於真定，進降廣平。 建武二年，更封苦陘侯。 與中郎將王梁擊五校賊於魏郡、清河、東郡，悉平諸營保，降其持節大將三十餘人，三郡清靜，道路流通。 明年，遣使持節拜茂為驃騎大將軍，擊沛郡，拔芒。 時，西防復反，迎佼彊。 五年春，茂率捕虜將軍馬武進攻西防，數月拔之，彊奔董憲。
Du Mao, styled Zhugong, came from Guanjun in Nanyang. He had joined Liu Xiu in Hebei as middle-core general and fought in every major action. At the accession he became grand general and marquis of Lexiang. He drove the Five Camps from Zhending northward and brought Guangping to submission. In Jianwu 2 his fief became Kuxing. With Middle General Wang Liang he cleared the Five Camps from Wei, Qinghe, and Dong, forced thirty-odd credential-bearing enemy generals to yield, and opened the roads across three commanderies. The next year he received the staff as grand general of agile cavalry, struck Pei, and took Mang. Then Xifang rose again for Jiao Qiang. In the spring of Jianwu 5 he and Ma Wu stormed Xifang, took it after a long siege, and drove Jiao Qiang to Dong Xian.
15
東方既平，七年，詔茂引兵北屯田晉陽、廣武，以備胡寇。 九年，與雁門太守郭涼擊盧芳將尹由於繁畤，芳將賈覽率胡騎萬餘救之，茂戰，軍敗，引入樓煩城。 時，盧芳據高柳，與匈奴連兵，數寇邊民，帝患之。 十二年，遣謁者段忠將眾郡弛刑配茂，鎮守北邊，因發邊卒築亭候，修烽火，又發委輸金帛繒絮供給軍士，並賜邊民，冠蓋相望。 茂亦建屯田，驢東轉運。 先是，雁門人賈丹、霍匡、解勝等為尹由所略，由以為將帥，與共守平城。 丹等聞芳敗，遂共殺由詣郭涼； 涼上狀，皆封為列侯，詔送委輸金帛賜茂、涼軍吏及平城降民。 自是盧芳城邑稍稍來降，涼誅其豪右郇氏之屬，鎮撫贏弱，旬月間雁門且平，芳遂亡入匈奴。 帝擢涼子為中郎，宿衛左右。
After the east was settled, Jianwu 7 ordered him north to open military colonies at Jinyang and Guangwu against the steppe raiders. In Jianwu 9 he and Yanmen governor Guo Liang attacked Lu Fang's general Yin You at Fanzhi until Lu Fang's Jia Lan arrived with ten thousand Hu horse; Du Mao's line broke and he fell back into Loufan. Lu Fang held Gaoliu in league with the Xiongnu and harried the frontier until the court grew alarmed. In Jianwu 12 Yezhe Duan Zhong led amnestied convicts from several commanderies to reinforce Du Mao's northern line, rebuild signal towers and beacons, and forward gold, silk, and cloth to troops and civilians until relief convoys clogged the roads. Du Mao expanded the military farms and ran supply trains of pack donkeys eastward. Earlier Yanmen natives Jia Dan, Huo Kuang, and Xie Sheng had been pressed into service by Yin You, who made them officers in the defense of Pingcheng. When Jia Dan and his comrades heard Lu Fang was beaten, they killed Yin You and defected to Guo Liang; Guo Liang memorialized the facts, and each conspirator received a full marquisate; the court forwarded gold and silk to reward Du Mao, Guo Liang's officers, and the people of Pingcheng who had come over. Lu Fang's towns then began to yield. Guo Liang executed leading families like the Xuns, protected the helpless, and within a month had nearly pacified Yanmen; Lu Fang fled to the Xiongnu. Guangwu promoted Guo Liang's son to middle general of the palace guard.
16
涼字公文，右北平人也。 身長八尺，氣力壯猛，雖武將，然通經書，多智略，尤曉邊事，有名北方。 初，幽州牧朱浮辟為兵曹掾，擊彭寵有功，封廣武侯。
Guo Liang, styled Gongwen, came from Youbeiping commandery. He stood eight chi tall, with the frame of a champion. Though a fighting man, he knew the classics, thought tactically, and was famed along the northern frontier for knowing border affairs. Governor Zhu Fu of Youzhou first hired him as military registrar; he earned his spurs against Peng Chong and became marquis of Guangwu.
17
十三年，增茂邑，更封脩侯。 十五年，坐斷兵馬稟縑，使軍吏殺人，免官，削戶邑，定封參蘧鄉侯。 十九年，卒。
In Jianwu 13 Du Mao's stipend was raised and his title shifted to the marquisate of Xiu. In Jianwu 15 he was cashiered for diverting army horses and silk rations and for a clerk's killing in the affair; his fief was trimmed to the marquisate of Shenquxiang. He died in Jianwu 19.
18
子元嗣，永平十四年，坐與東平王等謀反，減死一等，國除。 永初七年，鄧太后紹封茂孫奉為安樂亭侯。
His son Du Yuan inherited but lost the title in Yongping 14 for plotting with the Prince of Dongping; his sentence was commuted one degree from death. In Yongchu 7 Empress Dowager Deng restored the line, naming Du Mao's grandson Du Feng marquis of Anleting.
19
馬成字君遷，南陽棘陽人也。 少為縣吏。 世祖徇潁川，以成為安集掾，調守郟令。 及世祖討河北，成即棄官步負，追及於蒲陽，以成為期門，從征伐。 世祖即位，再遷護軍都尉。
Ma Cheng, styled Junqian, came from Jiyang in Nanyang. He began as a county clerk. When Guangwu moved through Yingchuan he made Ma Cheng an adjutant for pacification, then acting magistrate of Jia. At the opening of the Hebei campaign Ma Cheng resigned, shouldered his kit, overtook the army at Puyang, entered the gentlemen-at-the-gates corps, and fought through the wars. After the accession he rose twice to commandant of the protector guard.
20
建武四年，拜揚武將軍，督誅虜將軍劉隆、振威將軍宋登、射聲校尉王賞，發會稽、丹陽、九江、六安四郡兵擊李憲，時帝幸壽春，設壇場，祖禮遣之。 進圍憲於舒，令諸軍各深溝高壘。 憲數挑戰，成堅壁不出，守之歲餘。 至六年春，城中食盡，乃攻之，遂屠舒，斬李憲，追及其黨與，盡平江淮地。
In Jianwu 4 he became General Who Spreads Martial Might over Liu Long, Song Deng, and Wang Shang, mobilizing Kuaiji, Danyang, Jiujiang, and Lu'an against Li Xian. Emperor Guangwu came to Shouchun, built an altar, offered the parting sacrifice, and sent them off. He ringed Li Xian at Shu and ordered every column to dig in behind deep ditches and high ramparts. Li Xian taunted them daily; Ma Cheng refused to give battle and held the lines for more than a year. In the spring of Jianwu 6 starvation forced the issue; they stormed Shu, executed Li Xian, ran his followers to earth, and cleared the Huai and Yangzi basins.
21
七年夏，封平舒侯。 八年，從征破隗囂，以成為天水太守，將軍如故。 冬，征還京師。 九年，代來歙守中郎將，率武威將軍劉尚等破河池，遂平武都。 明年，大司空李通罷，以成行大司空事，居府如真，數月復拜揚武將軍。
That summer he was enfeoffed as marquis of Pingshu. In Jianwu 8 he took part in the defeat of Wei Ao and was named governor of Tianshui while keeping his general's commission. He was recalled to the capital that winter. In Jianwu 9 he succeeded Lai Xi as middle general, joined Liu Shang in taking Hecheng, and completed the pacification of Wudu. The next year, when Li Tong stepped down as grand minister of works, Ma Cheng ran that ministry in an acting capacity for months before returning to his old title of General Who Spreads Martial Might.
22
十四年，屯常山、中山以備北邊，並領建義大將軍朱祐營。 又代驃騎大將軍杜茂繕治障塞，自西河至渭橋，河上至安邑，太原至井陘，中山至鄴，皆築保壁，起烽燧，十里一候。 在事五六年，帝以成勤勞，征還京師。 邊人多上書求請者，復遣成還屯。 及南單于保塞，北方無事，拜為中山太守，上將軍印綬，領屯兵如故。
In Jianwu 14 he garrisoned Changshan and Zhongshan against the north and also took charge of Zhu You's encampment. He succeeded Du Mao in refurbishing the frontier works from Xihe to the Wei bridge, from the He'nan shore to Anyi, from Taiyuan to Jingxing, and from Zhongshan to Ye—watchtowers and signal fires every ten li. After five or six years of this labor Guangwu recalled him to reward his exertions. So many frontier petitions begged for his return that Guangwu sent him back to the line. Once the Southern Shanyu guarded the passes and the north grew quiet, he became governor of Zhongshan, gave up his general's seal, but kept command of the garrison.
23
二十四年，南擊武谿蠻賊，無功，上太守印綬。 二十七年，定封全椒侯。 就國。 三十二年卒。
In Jianwu 24 he campaigned without success against the Wuxi tribes in the south and resigned his governorship. In Jianwu 27 his title was fixed as marquis of Quanjiao. He retired to his fief. He died in Jianwu 32.
24
子衛嗣。 衛卒，子香嗣，徙封棘陵侯。 香卒，子豐嗣。 豐卒，子玄嗣。 玄卒，子邑嗣。 邑卒，子醜嗣，桓帝時以罪失國。 延熹二年，帝復封成玄孫昌為益陽亭侯。
His son Ma Wei inherited. Ma Wei was succeeded by Ma Xiang, who was transferred to the marquisate of Jiling. When Ma Xiang died, his son Ma Feng inherited. When Ma Feng died, his son Ma Xuan inherited. When Ma Xuan died, his son Ma Yi inherited. Ma Yi was followed by Ma Chou, who lost the fief under Emperor Huan for a criminal offense. In Yanxi 2 Emperor Huan revived the line with Ma Cheng's descendant Ma Chang as marquis of Yiyangting.
25
劉隆字元伯，南陽安眾侯宗室也。 王莽居攝中，隆父禮與安眾侯崇起兵誅莽，事泄，隆以年未七歲，故得免。 及壯，學於長安，更始拜為騎都尉。 謁歸，迎妻、子置洛陽。 聞世祖在河內，即追及於射犬，以為騎都尉，與馮異共拒朱鮪、李軼等，軼遂殺隆妻、子。 建武二年，封亢父侯。 四年，拜誅虜將軍，討李憲。 憲平，遣隆屯田武當。
Liu Long, styled Yuanbo, belonged to the imperial cadet branch of the marquises of Anzhong in Nanyang. Under Wang Mang's regency his father Liu Li had joined Marquis Chong of Anzhong in a plot to kill the usurper; when it failed the boy Liu Long was spared because he was not yet seven. As an adult he studied at Chang'an and received a colonel's commission from the Gengshi court. On home leave he brought his wife and children to Luoyang. Learning that Liu Xiu was in Henei, he overtook him at Shequan, became a cavalry colonel, and with Feng Yi held the line against Zhu You and Li Yi—who murdered Liu Long's wife and children. In Jianwu 2 he was enfeoffed as marquis of Kangfu. In Jianwu 4 he became General Who Slays Captives against Li Xian. After Li Xian fell he was sent to open military colonies at Wudang.
26
十一年，守南郡太守，歲餘，上將軍印綬。 十三年，增邑，更封竟陵侯。 是時，天下墾田多不以實，又戶口年紀互有增減。 十五年，詔下州郡檢核其事，而刺史、太守多不平均，或優饒豪右，侵刻羸弱，百姓嗟怨，遮道號呼。 時，諸郡各遣使奏事，帝見陳留吏牘上有書，視之，云：『潁川、弘農可問，河南、南陽不可問。 』帝詰吏由趣，吏不肯服，抵言於長壽街上得之。 帝怒。 時，顯宗為東海公，年十二，在幄後言曰：『吏受郡敕，當欲以墾田相方耳。 』帝曰：『即如此，何故言河南、南陽不可問？ 』對曰：『河南帝城，多近臣，南陽帝鄉，多近親，田宅逾制，不可為準。 』帝令虎賁將詰問吏，吏乃實首服，如顯宗對。 於是遣謁者考實，具知奸狀。 明年，隆坐征下獄，其疇輩十餘人皆死。 帝以隆功臣，物免為庶人。
In Jianwu 11 he served as acting governor of Nan for a year, then surrendered his general's seal. In Jianwu 13 his stipend rose and his title became marquis of Jingling. Across the empire land registers lied about acreage and household rolls inflated or hid ages. In Jianwu 15 an edict ordered a full audit, but many governors played favorites, coddled magnates, and squeezed the poor until people mobbed the highways in protest. When each circuit sent clerks to report, Guangwu noticed a scrap on a Chenliu file: "Audit Yingchuan and Hongnong—but not Henan or Nanyang." He demanded an explanation; the clerk stonewalled and claimed he had picked it up on Changshou Street. The emperor flared with anger. Twelve-year-old Liu Zhuang, the crown prince as Duke of Donghai, spoke from behind the curtain: "The clerk was only repeating what his superiors told him—about comparing land returns." Guangwu pressed, "If that is what he meant, why did the note say Henan and Nanyang must not be questioned?" The boy answered, "Henan is the capital swarm of palace favorites; Nanyang is the imperial clan's home—both places where estates overshoot the law. No honest tally is possible there." Guangwu had a rapid-as-tiger general grill the clerk until he confessed exactly as the crown prince had said. Yezhe were sent to verify the fraud in every circuit. The next year Liu Long went to prison over the audit; more than ten of his associates were executed. As a founding merit holder Liu Long was spared death and reduced to commoner rank.
27
明年，復封為扶樂鄉侯，以中郎將副伏波將軍馬援擊交阯蠻夷徵側等，隆別於禁谿口破之，獲其帥徵貳，斬首千餘級，降者二萬餘人。 還，更封大國，為長平侯。 及大司馬吳漢薨，隆為驃騎將軍，行大司馬事。
The following year he was restored as marquis of Fulexiang and sent as middle general under Ma Yuan against the Trung sisters in Jiaozhi; he routed a wing at Jinxikou, captured Zheng Er, took more than a thousand heads, and accepted the surrender of over twenty thousand. On his return his fief was enlarged to the great marquisate of Changping. When Wu Han died Liu Long became general of agile cavalry and acting grand marshal.
28
隆奉法自守，視事八歲，上將軍印綬，罷，賜養牛，上樽酒十斛，以列侯奉朝請。 三十年，定封慎侯。 中元二年，卒，謚曰靖侯。 子安嗣。
For eight years he ran the ministry by the book, then resigned the generalship, received an ox and ten hu of vintage wine, and stayed on as a supernumerary marquis. In Jianwu 30 his title was fixed as marquis of Shen. He died in Zhongyuan 2 with the posthumous epithet Jing, "The Steady." His son Liu An inherited.
29
傅俊字子衛，潁川襄城人也。 世祖徇襄城，俊以縣亭長迎軍，拜為校尉，襄城收其母弟宗族，皆滅之。 從破王尋等，以為偏將軍。 別擊京、密，破之，遣歸潁川，收葬家屬。
Fu Jun, styled Ziwei, came from Xiangcheng in Yingchuan. When Guangwu passed through Xiangcheng, Fu Jun, then a pavilion chief, brought the army in and was made a colonel—whereupon Wang Mang's men seized his mother, brothers, and entire clan and put them to death. He fought in the victory over Wang Xun and became lieutenant general. He campaigned separately against Jing and Mi, then returned to Yingchuan to bury his slaughtered kin.
30
子昌嗣，徙封蕪湖侯。 建初中，遭母憂，因上書，以國貧不願之封，乞錢五十萬，為關內侯。 肅宗怒，貶為關內侯，竟不賜錢。 永初七年，鄧太后復封昌子鐵為高置亭侯。
His son Fu Chang inherited and was transferred to the marquisate of Wuhu. During mourning for his mother in the Jianchu era Fu Chang asked to give up his poor fief for five hundred thousand cash and a marquisate within the Pass instead. Emperor Zhang was furious, cut him to a mere marquis within the Pass, and refused the money. In Yongchu 7 Empress Dowager Deng restored Fu Chang's son Fu Tie as marquis of Gaozhiting.
31
堅鐔字子伋，潁川襄城人也。 為郡縣吏。 世祖討河北，或薦鐔者，因得召見。 以其吏能，署主簿。 又拜偏將軍，從平河北，別擊破大槍於盧奴。 世祖即位，拜鐔揚化將軍，封㶏強侯。
Jian Tan, styled Ziji, came from Xiangcheng in Yingchuan. He had served as a local clerk. During the Hebei campaign someone recommended him to Liu Xiu, who summoned him for an audience. His administrative skill won him appointment as chief clerk. He was commissioned lieutenant general, helped pacify Hebei, and on his own defeated the Great Lance band at Lunu. At the accession he became General Who Spreads Transformation and marquis of Yingqiang.
32
與諸將攻洛陽，而朱鮪別將守東城者為反間，私約鐔晨開上東門。 鐔與建義大將軍朱祐乘朝而入，與鮪大戰武庫下，殺傷甚眾，至旦食乃罷，朱鮪由是遂降。 又別擊內黃，平之。 建武二年，與右將軍萬脩徇南陽諸縣，而堵鄉人董訢反宛城，獲南陽太守劉驎。 鐔乃引軍赴宛，選敢死士夜自登城，斬關而入，訢遂棄城走還堵鄉。 鄧奉復反新野，攻破吳漢。 時，萬脩病卒，鐔獨孤絕，南拒鄧奉，北當董訢，一年間道路隔塞，糧饋不至，鐔食蔬菜，與士卒共勞苦。 每急，輒先當矢石，身被三創，以此能全其眾。 及帝征南陽，擊破訢、奉，以鐔為左曹，常從征伐。 六年，定封合肥候。 二十六年，卒。
During the siege of Luoyang Zhu You's officer on the east wall secretly agreed to open the upper east gate for Jian Tan at dawn. At dawn Jian Tan rode in with Grand General Zhu You, who held for Emperor Guangwu, and together they fought the Luoyang commander Zhu You, who still served Wang Mang's regime, below the armory until mid-morning, when the Luoyang commander capitulated. He next took Neihuang on an independent sortie. In Jianwu 2 he and Wan Xiu cleared the Nanyang counties while Dong Xin of Duxiang seized Wancheng and captured Governor Liu Lin. Jian Tan rushed to Wancheng, sent volunteers scaling the walls by night to cut the inner gate, and drove Dong Xin back to Duxiang. Deng Feng then rose again at Xinye and shattered Wu Han. When Wan Xiu died of illness, Jian Tan stood alone between Deng Feng to the south and Dong Xin to the north; for a year the roads were closed and no convoys came—he lived on greens and shared every hardship with his men. In every crisis he took the arrow fire first, was wounded three times, and kept his command intact. When Guangwu marched south and broke Dong Xin and Deng Feng, Jian Tan became left aide-de-camp and fought at his side thereafter. In Jianwu 6 his title was fixed as marquis of Hefei. He died in Jianwu 26.
33
子鴻嗣。 鴻卒，子浮嗣。 浮卒，子雅嗣。
His son Jian Hong inherited. When Jian Hong died, his son Jian Fu inherited. When Jian Fu died, his son Jian Ya inherited.
34
馬武字子張，南陽湖陽人也。 少時避仇，客居江夏。 王莽末，竟陵、西陽三老起兵於郡界，武往從之，後入綠林中，遂與漢軍合。 更始立，以武為侍郎，與世祖破王尋等。 拜為振威將軍，與尚書令謝躬共攻王郎。
Ma Wu, styled Zizhang, came from Huyang in Nanyang. As a young man he fled a vendetta and took refuge in Jiangxia. Near the end of Wang Mang's reign the elders of Jingling and Xiyang rose in the commandery; Ma Wu joined them, entered the Green Woods band, and later merged with the Han armies. The Gengshi Emperor made him a gentleman attendant; he fought beside Liu Xiu to defeat Wang Xun. He was named General Who Shakes Might and joined Xie Gong, director of the Secretariat, against Wang Lang.
35
及世祖拔邯鄲，請躬及武等置酒高會，因欲以圖躬，不克。 既罷，獨與武登叢臺，從容謂武曰：『吾得漁陽、上谷突騎，欲令將軍將之，何如？ 』武曰：『駑怯無方略。 』世祖曰：『將軍久將，習兵，豈與我掾史同哉！ 』武由是歸心。
After Liu Xiu took Handan he feasted Xie Gong, Ma Wu, and the rest, hoping to trap Xie Gong in the same stroke; the plot failed. Afterward Liu Xiu led Ma Wu alone up the Cong Terrace and said, "I have Yuyang and Shanggu shock cavalry in hand and want you to lead them—will you?" Ma Wu answered, "I am too dull and timid for that kind of command." Liu Xiu replied, "You have led troops for years—you are no mere clerk!" From that day Ma Wu gave him his full loyalty.
36
及謝躬誅死，武馳至射犬降，世祖見之甚悅，引置左右，每勞饗諸將，武輒起斟酌於前，世祖以為歡。 復使將其部曲至鄴，武叩頭辭以不願，世祖愈美其意，因從擊群賊。 世祖擊尤來、五幡等，敗於慎水，武獨殿，還陷陣，故賊不得迫及。 進至安次、小廣陽，武常為軍鋒，力戰無前，諸將皆引而隨之，故遂破賊，窮追至平谷，浚靡而還。
When Xie Gong was killed, Ma Wu raced to Shequan to surrender. Guangwu received him with delight, kept him at his side, and at every banquet for the generals Ma Wu would rise to pour the wine—a sight the emperor plainly enjoyed. When Guangwu told him to take his old unit to Ye, Ma Wu kowtowed and begged off. The emperor admired his scruple all the more and took him along against the remaining bandits instead. In the rout at Shenshui against Youlai and the Five Banners, Ma Wu alone covered the retreat, wheeled back into the enemy, and kept the pursuers from closing. At Anzi and Xiaoguangyang he spearheaded every charge until the other generals fell in behind him; they broke the enemy, ran them to Pinggu, and only then turned back from Junmi.
37
十三年，增邑，更封脩侯。 將兵北屯下曲陽，備匈奴。 坐殺軍吏，受詔將妻子就國。 武徑詣洛陽，上將軍印綬，削戶五百，定封為楊虛侯，因留奉朝請。
In Jianwu 13 his stipend was raised and his title became marquis of Xiu. He garrisoned Xiaquyang on the northern frontier against the Xiongnu. He was convicted of killing an army clerk and ordered to retire to his fief with his family. Instead he went straight to Luoyang, handed in his general's seal, took a cut of five hundred households, was fixed as marquis of Yangxu, and stayed on at court as a supernumerary.
38
帝後與功臣諸侯宴語，從容言曰：『諸卿不遭際會，自度爵祿何所至乎？ 』高密侯鄧禹先對曰：『臣少嘗學問，可郡文學博士。 』帝曰：『何言之謙乎』卿鄧氏子，誌行修整，何為不掾功曹？ 』餘各以次對，至武，曰：『臣以武勇，可守尉督盜賊。 』帝笑曰：『且勿為盜賊，自致亭長，斯可矣。 』武為人嗜酒，闊達敢言，時醉在御前面折同列，言其短長，無所避忌，帝故縱之，以為笑樂。 帝雖制禦功臣，而每能回容，宥其小失。 遠方貢珍甘，必先遍賜列侯，而太官無餘。 有功，輒增邑賞，不任以吏職，故皆保其福祿，終無誅譴者。
Later, at a banquet with the founding marquises, Guangwu asked idly, "If fate had never brought us together, what rank do you suppose each of you would have reached?" Deng Yu of Gaomi answered first, "I had some schooling—I might have ended a commandery erudite." Guangwu said, "Too modest by half! A Deng with your conduct would surely have risen to clerk or merit officer?" The others answered in turn. Ma Wu said, "With my brawn I might have been a county captain chasing robbers." The emperor laughed, "Just don't be the robber—maybe you'd have made pavilion chief—that would be plenty." Ma Wu loved his wine and spoke his mind; drunk at court he would dress down his peers before the throne, sparing no one's faults. Guangwu indulged him for the entertainment. Though he kept his generals on a short leash, he usually glossed over their small slips. Tribute dainties from the provinces went first to every full marquis until the imperial kitchen had nothing left over. Merit brought fiefs and cash, not grinding civil posts, so most of them kept their fortunes and died unpunished.
39
二十五年，武以中郎將將兵擊武陵蠻夷，還，上印綬，顯宗初，西羌寇隴右，覆軍殺將，朝廷患之，復拜武捕虜將軍，以中郎將王豐副，與監軍使者竇固、右輔都尉陳訁斤，將烏桓、黎陽營、三輔募士、涼州諸郡羌胡兵及弛刑，合四萬人擊之。 到金城浩，與羌戰，斬首六百級。 又戰於洛都谷，為羌所敗，死者千餘人。 羌乃率眾引出塞，武復追擊到東、西邯，大破之，斬首四千六百級，獲生口千六百人，餘皆降散。 武振旅還京師，增邑七百戶，並前千八百戶。 永平四年，卒。
In Jianwu 25 Ma Wu led an expedition as middle general against the tribes of Wuling and then resigned his commission. Early in Emperor Ming's reign the western Qiang overran Longyou, destroying armies and killing commanders. The court recalled Ma Wu as General Who Captures Captives with Wang Feng as his deputy, joined Dou Gu as army overseer and Chen Xin as right adjunct commandant, and sent forty thousand men—Wuhuan, Liyang garrison troops, recruits from the three adjuncts, Liangzhou tribal auxiliaries, and amnestied convicts—against them. At Haomen in Jincheng they killed six hundred Qiang. A second battle in Luodu Valley went badly; more than a thousand Han soldiers fell. The Qiang then withdrew beyond the frontier; Ma Wu pursued them to the Eastern and Western Han stockades, shattered them, took 4,600 heads, 1,600 prisoners, and scattered the rest into surrender. He marched home in good order and gained seven hundred new households, for a total of 1,800. He died in Yongping 4.
40
子檀嗣，坐兄伯濟與楚王英黨顏忠謀反，國除。 永初七年，鄧太后紹封武孫震為漻亭侯。 震卒，子側嗣。
His son Ma Tan inherited but lost the fief when his brother Ma Boji was implicated with Yan Zhong in Prince Ying of Chu's plot. In Yongchu 7 Empress Dowager Deng restored Ma Wu's grandson Ma Zhen as marquis of Liaoting. When Ma Zhen died, his son Ma Ce inherited.
41
論曰：中興二十八將，前世以為上應二十八宿，未之詳也。 然咸能感會風雲，奮其智勇，稱為佐命，亦各誌能之士也。 議者多非光武不以功臣任職，至使英姿茂績，委而勿用。 然原夫深圖遠算，固將有以焉爾。 若乃王道既衰，降及霸德，猶能授受惟庸，勛賢皆序，如管、隰之叠升桓世，先、趙之同列文朝，可謂兼通矣。 降自秦、漢，世資戰力，至於翼扶王運，皆武人屈起。 亦有鬻繒屠狗輕猾之徒，或崇以連城之賞，或任以阿衡之地，故執疑則隙生，力侔則亂起。 蕭、樊且猶縲紲，信、越終見菹戮，不其然乎！ 自茲以降，迄於孝武，宰輔五世，莫非公侯。 遂使縉紳道塞，賢能蔽壅，朝有世及之私，下多抱關之怨。 其懷道無聞，委身草莽者，亦何可勝言。 故光武鑒前事之違，存矯枉之志，雖寇、鄧之高勛，耿、賈之鴻烈，分土不過大縣數四，所加特進、朝請而已。 觀其治平臨政，課職責咎，將所謂『導之以政，齊之以刑』者乎！ 若格之功臣，其傷已甚。 何者？ 直繩則虧喪恩舊，橈情則違廢禁典，選德則功不必厚，舉勞則人或未賢，參任則群心難塞，並列則其敝未遠。 不得不校其勝否，即以事相權。 故高秩厚禮，允答元功，峻文深憲，責成吏職。 建武之世，侯者百餘，若夫數公者，則與參國議，分均休咎，其餘並優以寬科，完其封祿，莫不終以功名延慶於後。 昔留侯以為高祖悉用蕭、曹故人，而郭伋亦譏南陽多顯，鄭興又戒功臣專任。 夫崇恩偏授，易啟私溺之失，至公均被，必廣招賢之路，意者不其然乎！
The historian remarks: tradition pairs the twenty-eight founding generals with the twenty-eight asterisms—a pretty notion that does not bear close scrutiny. Yet each seized the storm of the age, brought wit and courage to bear, and earned the name of co-founder; they were men of real talent. Critics often blame Guangwu for refusing to put his generals in civil high office, wasting their brilliance on idle titles. Yet his deep policy had its reasons. When true kingship faded into mere hegemony, houses like Qi still promoted Guan Zhong and Xi Peng in orderly succession, and Jin still ranked Xianchen and Zhao Shuai at Duke Wen's court—that was sharing power with merit wisely. From Qin and Han onward, thrones were won by the sword; every dynasty that steadied the throne began with soldiers who sprang from nowhere. Peddlers and dog-butcher adventurers won whole provinces or the powers of a Yi Yin—then suspicion bred splits and matched strength bred civil war. Xiao He and Fan Kuai still faced prison; Han Xin and Peng Yue ended on the mincing block—and was that not inevitable! Afterward, down to Emperor Wu of Former Han, chief ministers for five generations running were all nobles. The path of scholar-officials choked; talent could not rise while great offices stayed in noble houses and ordinary clerks nursed endless grievance. How many men of principle rotted unseen in the wilds. Guangwu studied those mistakes and set out to correct them: even Kou Xun and Deng Yu, Geng Yan and Jia Fu received fiefs of only a few large counties, with honorary titles such as specially advanced and court audience on top—nothing like an empire within the empire. Watch him rule a pacified realm, assign offices, and demand results—is that not the Confucian ideal of governing by policy and aligning conduct with law! Yet to judge old comrades by the strict letter of the law would have broken every bond of gratitude. Why was that? Strict justice wounds old friends; leniency breaks the code; picking only virtue ignores battlefield debt; rewarding only sweat elevates the unworthy; mixing civil and military breeds jealousy; duplicating offices courts disaster. A ruler had to weigh those trade-offs case by case. So Guangwu paid his generals in rank and treasure, but left real administration to trained bureaucrats under strict law. More than a hundred held marquisates in the Jianwu years; a handful sat in council on great affairs of state, while the rest enjoyed light duties, kept their revenues, and almost all died honored and left prosperous heirs. Liu Liang once warned that Gaozu packed his government with old friends from Pei; Guo Ji mocked the Nanyang clique; Zheng Xing cautioned against letting generals run the ministries. Favoritism rots a government, but even-handed openness to talent steadies it—Guangwu's policy was the wiser course!
42
永平中，顯宗追感前世功臣，乃圖畫二十八將於南宮雲臺，其外又有王常、李通、竇融、卓茂，合三十二人。 故依其本弟系之篇末，以誌功臣之次云爾。
In the Yongping era Emperor Ming commemorated the founders by painting the twenty-eight generals on the Yuntai gallery of the Southern Palace, adding Wang Chang, Li Tong, Dou Rong, and Zhuo Mao for a total of thirty-two portraits. Their names are therefore listed here in the order of that roll of honor.
43
太傅高密侯鄧禹、中山太守全椒侯馬成、大司馬廣平侯吳漢、河南尹阜成侯王梁、左將軍膠東侯賈復、瑯邪太守祝阿侯陳俊、建威大將軍好畤侯耿弇、驃騎大將軍參蘧侯杜茂、
Grand tutor Deng Yu, marquis of Gaomi; Ma Cheng, governor of Zhongshan and marquis of Quanjiao; grand marshal Wu Han, marquis of Guangping; Wang Liang, governor of Henan and marquis of Fucheng; left general Jia Fu, marquis of Jiaodong; Chen Jun, governor of Langye and marquis of Zhua; Geng Yan, general who establishes might and marquis of Hao; Du Mao, grand general of agile cavalry and marquis of Shenqu;
44
執金吾雍奴侯寇恂、積弩將軍昆陽侯傅俊、征南大將軍舞陽侯岑彭、左曹合肥侯堅鐔、征西大將軍陽夏侯馮異、上谷太守淮陵侯王霸、建義大將軍鬲侯朱祐、信都太守阿陵侯任光、
Kou Xun, bearer of the gilded mace and marquis of Yongnu; Fu Jun, general of accumulated crossbows and marquis of Kunyang; Cen Peng, grand general who conquers the south and marquis of Wuyang; Jian Tan, left aide-de-camp and marquis of Hefei; Feng Yi, grand general who conquers the west and marquis of Yangxia; Wang Ba, governor of Shanggu and marquis of Huailing; Zhu You, grand general who establishes righteousness and marquis of Ge; Ren Guang, governor of Xindu and marquis of Aling;
45
征虜將軍潁陽侯祭遵、豫章太守中水侯李忠、驃騎大將軍櫟陽侯景丹、右將軍槐里侯萬脩、虎牙大將軍安平侯蓋延、太常靈壽侯邳彤、衛尉安成侯銚期、驍騎將軍昌成侯劉植、
Ji Zun, general who subdues captives and marquis of Yingyang; Li Zhong, governor of Yuzhang and marquis of Zhongshui; Jing Dan, grand general of agile cavalry and marquis of Liyang; Wan Xiu, right general and marquis of Huaili; Gai Yan, grand general of tiger fangs and marquis of Anping; Pi Tong, minister of ceremonies and marquis of Lingshou; Yao Qi, captain of the guard and marquis of Ancheng; Liu Zhi, general of nimble cavalry and marquis of Changcheng;
46
東郡太守東光侯耿純、橫野大將軍山桑侯王常、城門校尉朗陵侯臧宮、大司空固始侯李通、捕虜將軍楊虛侯馬武、大司空安豐侯竇融、驃騎將軍慎侯劉隆、太傅宣德侯卓茂。
Geng Chun, governor of Dongjun and marquis of Dongguang; Wang Chang, grand general who sweeps the wilderness and marquis of Shansang; Zang Gong, colonel of the gates and marquis of Langling; Li Tong, grand minister of works and marquis of Gushi; Ma Wu, general who captures captives and marquis of Yangxu; Dou Rong, grand minister of works and marquis of Anfeng; Liu Long, general of agile cavalry and marquis of Shen; Zhuo Mao, grand tutor and marquis of Xuande.
47
贊曰：帝績思乂，庸功是存。 有來羣后，捷我戎軒。 婉孌龍姿，儷景同翻。
The summation sings: the emperor sought peace and kept faith with those who won it for him. The lords rallied to him and gave speed to his chariots of war. Lovely as dragons in the royal likeness, they wheel with him in the same radiance.