1
卓茂字子康，南陽宛人也。 父祖皆至郡守。 茂，元帝時學於長安，事博士江生，習《詩》、《禮》及歷算。 究極師法，稱為通儒。 性寬仁恭愛。 鄉黨故舊，雖行能與茂不同，而皆愛慕欣欣焉。
Zhuo Mao, whose courtesy name was Zikang, came from Wan in Nanyang. His father and grandfather had both reached the rank of grand administrator. Under Emperor Yuan, Mao studied in Chang'an under Erudite Jiang, mastering the Odes and Rites as well as astronomy and mathematics. He mastered his teachers' tradition completely and was honored as a scholar of wide learning. He was by nature generous, humane, deferential, and affectionate. Neighbors and old friends whose talents and conduct did not match his still cherished him warmly.
2
初辟丞相府史，事孔光，光稱為長者。 時嘗出行，有人認其馬。 茂問曰：『子亡馬幾何時？ 』對曰：『月餘日矣。 』茂有馬數年，心知其謬，嘿解與之，挽車而去，顧曰：『若非公馬，幸至丞相府歸我。 』他日，馬主別得亡者，乃諸府送馬，叩頭謝之。 茂性不好爭如此。
He began his career as a clerk in the Chancellor's office under Kong Guang, who singled him out as a gentleman of substance. On one occasion when he was traveling, a stranger insisted the horse was his. Mao asked him, "How long ago did you lose your horse? " The man answered, "Over a month ago. " Mao had ridden that horse for years and knew the other man was mistaken; without a word he gave up the animal, hitched his cart himself, and called over his shoulder that if the horse was not truly the man's, he should return it to him at the Chancellor's compound. " Some days later the claimant found his actual lost mount and brought Mao's horse back to the office, kowtowing in apology. This was typical of Mao: he had little stomach for contention.
3
後以儒術舉為侍郎，給事黃門，遷密令。 勞心諄諄，視人如子，舉善而教，口無惡言，吏人親愛而不忍欺之。 人嘗有言部享長受其米肉遺者，茂辟左右問之曰：『亭長為從汝求乎？ 為汝有事囑之而受乎？ 將平居自以恩意遺之乎？ 』人曰：『往遺之耳。 』茂曰：『遺之而受，何故言邪？ 』人曰：『竊聞賢明之君，使人不畏吏，吏不取人。 今我畏吏，是以遺之，吏既卒受，故來言耳。 』茂曰：『汝為敝人矣。 凡人所以貴於禽獸者，以有仁愛，知相敬事也。 今鄰裏長老尚致饋遺，此乃人道所以相親，況吏與民乎？ 吏顧不當乘威力強請求耳。 凡人之生，群居雜處，故有經紀禮義以相交接。 汝濁不欲修之，寧能高飛遠走，不在人間邪？ 亭長素善吏，歲時遺之，禮也。 』人曰：『茍如此，律何故禁之？ 』茂笑曰：『律設大法，禮順人情。 今我以禮教汝，汝必無怨惡； 以律治汝，何所措其手足乎？ 一門之內，小者可論，大者可殺也。 且歸念之！ 』於是人納其訓，吏懷其恩。 初，茂到縣，有所廢置，吏人笑之，鄰城聞者皆蚩其不能。 河南郡為置守令，茂不能嫌，理事自若。 數年，教化大行，道不拾遺。 平帝時，天下大蝗，河南二十餘縣皆被其災，獨不入密縣界。 督郵言之，太守不信，自出案行，見乃服焉。
He was later recommended for his scholarship and rose to Gentleman-in-Attendance of the Household, served at the Yellow Gates, and was transferred to magistrate of Mi county. He poured himself into the office, treating the people like his own children: he praised virtue and taught by example, never spoke cruelly, and his officials and subjects grew so fond of him that none could bring themselves to betray his trust. Once a complainant accused the local pavilion chief of accepting gifts of grain and meat; Mao sent his attendants away and asked whether the chief had demanded those things. Had the chief taken them because you asked a favor of him? Or had you simply offered them on your own out of goodwill? " The man replied, "I brought them of my own accord. " Mao said, "You offered a gift and he accepted—why complain? " The man answered, "I have always heard that a wise ruler keeps subjects from fearing their clerks and clerks from exploiting the people. " I am afraid of that clerk, so I tried to placate him with gifts; now that he has taken them, I felt I had to report it. " Mao replied, "Your judgment is poor indeed. What elevates us above the beasts is benevolence and the sense to treat one another with respect. Even elders in the neighborhood exchange gifts to draw closer; should not an official and the people do the same? What an official must never do is abuse his power to extort favors. We live among others in society, which is why ritual and moral duty govern how we treat one another. You refuse to live up to that standard—do you imagine you can fly away and leave the human world behind? Your chief has always been friendly with that clerk; seasonal gifts between them are simply courtesy. " The man objected, "If that is proper, why does the law ban it? " Mao smiled and answered, "Law lays down broad rules; ritual accommodates human sentiment. If I guide you with ritual, you will harbor no bitterness; if I hammer you with the code, you will not know where to turn. Under my roof petty faults may be argued out; grave ones can cost a life. Go home and think it through. The complainant took his lesson to heart, and the clerk felt gratitude for his consideration. When Mao first took office he reorganized several offices; locals mocked him, and neighboring counties scoffed at his inexperience. Henan commandery even assigned an acting magistrate over him; Mao swallowed his pride and kept administering as calmly as ever. Within a few years his moral sway reached everywhere; people left lost goods untouched in the streets. Under Emperor Ping a devastating locust plague swept the empire; Henan lost over twenty counties to it, yet the swarm never crossed into Mi. The circuit inspector reported this; the grand administrator doubted the story until he toured the region himself and then conceded Mao's achievement.
4
是時，王莽秉政，置大司農六部丞，勸課農桑。 遷茂為京部丞，密人老少皆涕泣隨送。 及莽居攝，以病免歸郡，常為門下掾祭酒，不肯作職吏。
Wang Mang was then in charge; he added six assistant ministers under the Minister of Agriculture to promote farming and silk production. Mao was transferred to assistant magistrate for the capital circuit; the whole county, young and old, wept as they escorted him away. When Wang Mang ruled as regent, Mao pleaded illness and returned home, acting only as a scholar-adviser among local retainers and refusing substantive office.
5
更始立，以茂為侍中祭酒，從至長安，知更始政亂，以年老乞骸骨歸。
After Emperor Gengshi took the throne Mao became Libationer among Palace Attendants and accompanied the court to Chang'an; seeing how chaotic the regime was, he cited age and retired home.
6
時，光武初即位，先訪求茂，茂詣河陽謁見。 乃下詔曰『前密令卓茂，束身自修，執節淳固，誠能為人所不能為。 夫名冠天下，當受天下重賞，故武王誅紂，封比幹之墓，表商容之閭。 今以茂為太傅，封褒德侯，食邑二千戶，賜幾杖、車馬，衣一襲，絮五百斤。 』復以茂長子戎為太中大夫，次子崇為中郎，給事黃門。 建武四年，薨，賜棺槨冢地，車駕素服親臨送葬。
Guangwu had scarcely taken the throne when he sent for Zhuo Mao; Mao traveled to Heyang for his audience. The emperor then proclaimed: "The former magistrate of Mi, Zhuo Mao, disciplined himself, lived plainly, and held fast to principle—he did what ordinary men cannot. A reputation that towers over the empire deserves the empire's richest honors—King Wu slew Zhou yet honored Bi Gan's grave and marked Shang Rong's gate. We therefore name Mao Grand Tutor and Marquis Who Extols Virtue with a fief of two thousand households, and present him with an honor seat and staff, a carriage team, a full set of robes, and five hundred jin of padded silk. " Mao's eldest son Rong is named Grand Counselor of the Palace and his second son Chong Gentleman of the Household in attendance at the Yellow Gates. He died in Jianwu 4; the court supplied coffin, burial vault, and tomb ground, and the emperor himself, in mourning white, attended the burial.
7
子崇嗣，徙封汎鄉侯，官至大司農。 崇卒，子棽嗣。 棽卒，子訢嗣。 訢卒，子隆嗣。 永元十五年，隆卒，無子，國除。
His son Chong inherited the title, which was relocated to Fan township; Chong rose to Minister of Agriculture. Chong died and was succeeded by his son Chen. Chen died and Xin inherited the marquisate. Xin was succeeded by his son Long. In Yongyuan 15 Long died heirless and the marquisate was extinguished.
8
論曰：建武之初，雄豪方擾，虓呼者連響，嬰城者相望，斯固倥傯不暇給之日。 卓茂斷斷小宰，無它庸能，時已七十餘矣，而首加聘命，優辭重禮，其與周、燕之君表閭立館何異哉？ 於是蘊憤歸道之賓，越關阻，捐宗族，以排金門者眾矣。 夫厚性寬中近於仁，犯而不校鄰於恕，率斯道也，怨悔曷其至乎！
The appraisal: In the early Jianwu years warlords churned the realm—battle cries echoed from column to column and rival garrisons faced off across the landscape; the empire barely kept pace with its crises. Zhuo Mao was only an honest county officer without dazzling talent—past seventy—yet Guangwu singled him out first with lavish honors; how was that any less than ancient kings honoring virtuous commoners with inscribed gates and endowed halls? Scholars nursing grievances yet cleaving to principle crossed frontier barriers and left family estates behind to throng the palace gates. A generous temper and calm heart skirt benevolence; to endure insult without answering approaches true forgiveness—live like that, and what room remains for bitterness?
9
魯恭字仲康，扶風平陵人也。 其先出於魯頃公，為楚所滅，遷於下邑，因氏焉。 世吏二千石，哀、平間，自魯而徙。 祖父匡，王莽時，為羲和，有權數，號曰『智囊』。 父某。 建武初，為武陵太守，卒官。 時恭年十二，弟丕七歲，晝夜號踴不絕聲，郡中賻贈無所受，乃歸服喪，禮過成人，鄉裏奇之。 十五，與母及丕俱居太學，習《魯詩》，閉戶講誦，絕人間事，兄弟俱為諸儒所稱，學士爭歸之。
Lu Gong, styled Zhongkang, was a native of Pingling in Fufeng. The family traced its line to Duke Qing of Lu; after Chu conquered Lu they settled in Xia yi and adopted Lu as their clan name. For generations they held salary ranks of two thousand shi; during the Ai and Ping reigns they relocated from Lu. His grandfather Kuang served Wang Mang as Director of Harmonizing the Seasons—clever with policy and nicknamed 'the wisdom satchel.' His father's name was not recorded beyond the placeholder Mou. Early in Jianwu he became grand administrator of Wuling and died in that post. Gong was twelve and Pi seven when their father died; they keened without pause and refused the commandery's funeral contributions, then went home to mourn with rites beyond what boys their age were expected to observe—the neighbors were astonished. At fifteen he moved into the Imperial Academy with his mother and Pi to study the Lu Odes behind closed doors, ignoring the world; both brothers won praise from the faculty and students flocked to study under them.
10
太尉趙憙慕其誌，每歲時遣子問以酒糧，皆辭不受。 恭憐丕小，欲先就其名，托疾不仕。 郡數以禮請，謝不肯應，母強遣之，恭不得已而西，因留新豐教授。 建初初，丕舉方正，恭始為郡吏。 太傅趙憙聞而辟之。 肅宗集諸儒於白虎觀，恭特以經明得召，與其議。
Grand Commandant Zhao Xi admired his integrity and sent seasonal gifts of wine and grain through his son; Gong courteously refused every time. Because Pi was still young, Gong held back his own career so his brother might shine first, claiming illness to avoid appointment. The commandery invited him repeatedly with due ceremony; he declined until his mother insisted; he finally traveled west and settled in Xinfeng as a teacher. Early in the Jianchu era Pi earned recommendation as 'upright and honest,' after which Gong accepted a post as commandery clerk. Grand Tutor Zhao Xi heard of him and brought him onto his staff. When Emperor Zhang convened scholars at White Tiger Hall, Gong was invited on strength of his classical expertise and joined the debates.
11
憙復舉恭直言，特詔公車，拜中牟令。 恭專以德化為理，不任刑罰，訟人許伯等爭田，累守令不能決，恭為平理曲直，皆退而自責，輟耕相讓。 亭長從人借牛而不肯還之，牛主訟於恭。 恭召亭長，敕令歸牛者再三，猶不從。 恭嘆曰：『是教化不行也。 』欲解印綬去。 掾史涕泣共留之，亭長乃慚悔，還牛，詣獄受罪，薛貰不問。 於是吏人信服。 建初七年，郡國螟傷稼，犬牙緣界，不入中牟。 河南尹袁安聞之，疑其不實，使仁恕掾肥親往廉之。 恭隨行阡陌，俱坐桑下，有雉過，止其傍。 傍有童兒，親曰：『兒何不捕之？ 』兒言：『雉方將雛。 』親瞿然而起，與恭訣曰：『所以來者，欲察君之政跡耳。 今蟲不犯境，此一異也； 化及鳥獸，此二異也； 豎子有仁心，此三異也。 久留，徒擾賢者耳。 』還府，具以狀白安。 是歲，嘉禾生恭便坐廷中，安因上書言狀，帝異之。 會詔百官舉賢良方正，恭薦中牟名士王方，帝即征方詣公車，禮之與公卿所舉同，方致位侍中。 恭在事三年，州舉尤異，會遭母喪去官，吏人思之。
Zhao Xi next recommended him for forthright counsel; an edict routed him through the Waiting Coaches office and named him magistrate of Zhongmou. Gong ruled by moral suasion rather than the lash. When Xu Bo and others sued over farmland—cases prior magistrates could not untangle—Gong weighed the rights of each party so fairly that both sides blamed themselves, left off farming, and ceded ground to each other. A village pavilion chief borrowed an ox and would not give it back; the owner appealed to Gong. Gong called the chief in and repeatedly ordered him to return the ox, yet the man defied him. Gong sighed, "So much for moral sway in this county. " He prepared to resign his seal and walk away. His staff wept and urged him to stay; the pavilion chief, ashamed, returned the ox and surrendered to jail, but Gong forgave him outright. Officials and commoners alike came to trust him completely. In Jianchu 7 crop-eating caterpillars ravaged neighboring jurisdictions along zigzag borders yet spared Zhongmou entirely. Henan's governor Yuan An doubted the reports and dispatched his investigator Fei Qin to verify them. Gong walked the fields with him and they rested beneath a mulberry; a pheasant fluttered down beside them. A child stood nearby; Fei asked why he did not snatch the bird. " The boy said it was brooding chicks. " Fei rose in astonishment and told Gong he had seen enough of his governance. First marvel: pests halt at your border; second: your virtue touches even birds and beasts; third: even a child here shows compassion. To stay longer would only burden a worthy official. He rode back to the governor's yamen and reported everything to Yuan An. That same year stalks of auspicious grain sprouted outside Gong's casual office; Yuan memorialized the throne and the emperor took note. When the court called for worthy candidates, Gong nominated the local scholar Wang Fang; the emperor summoned Fang with the same honors accorded nominees of high ministers, and Fang rose to Palace Attendant. After three exemplary years the province flagged him for special distinction, but mourning for his mother forced him to resign; the county longed for his return.
12
後拜侍禦史。 和帝初立，議遣車騎將軍竇憲與征西將軍耿秉擊匈奴，恭上疏諫曰：
He was later promoted to Palace Assistant Clerk. Early in Emperor He's reign the court debated dispatching Dou Xian and Geng Bing against the Xiongnu; Gong filed a memorial of opposition:
13
陛下親勞聖思，日昊不食，憂在軍役，誠欲以安定北垂，為人除患，定萬世之計也。 臣伏獨思之，未見其便。 社稷之計，萬人之命，在於一舉。 數年以來，秋稼不熟，人食不足，倉庫空虛，國無畜積。 會新遭大憂，人懷恐懼。 陛下躬大聖之德，履至孝之行，盡諒陰三年，聽於冢宰。 百姓闕然，三時不聞警蹕之音，莫不懷思皇皇，若有求而不得。 今乃以盛春之月，興發軍役，擾動天下，以事戎夷，誠非所以垂恩中國，改元正時，由內及外也。
You exhaust yourself—fasting past sundown—because military burdens weigh on your mind; you genuinely mean to secure the northern frontier, spare the people calamity, and fix policy for generations to come. Yet weighing the matter alone, I see no clear advantage in this campaign. The fate of the state and tens of thousands of lives hang on this one decision. Year after year the autumn harvest has failed, bellies go unfed, granaries are bare, and the treasury holds no reserve. The court has just endured deep mourning, and the people are still afraid. You embody supreme sagely virtue and perfect filial piety—you observed three years of mourning in seclusion and left governance to the chief minister. The common folk feel bereft: three seasons without hearing your traveling court; everyone aches for a glimpse of you as if hungering for something just out of reach. Yet now, at the height of spring, you would mobilize armies and convulse the empire against frontier tribes—hardly the way to show kindness to the heartland, mark a new reign, and order affairs from the center outward.
14
萬民者，天之所生。 天愛其所生，猶父母愛其子。 一物有不得其所者，則天氣為之桀錯，況於人乎？ 故愛人者必有天報。 昔太王重人命而去邠，故獲上天之祐。 夫戎狄者，四方之異氣也。 蹲夷踞肆，與鳥獸無別。 若雜居中國，則錯亂天氣，汙辱善人，是以聖王之制，羈縻不絕而已。
The myriad commoners are Heaven's own creation. Heaven cherishes its creatures as parents cherish their children. When a single creature is out of place, cosmic harmony falters—what then of mankind? Those who love their fellows are answered by Heaven. The ancient Grand King valued human life above territory when he left Bin behind, and Heaven favored him for it. The northern tribes are alien to the civilized climate of the central plains. They squat and sprawl like animals—barely distinguishable from the beasts. Letting them settle among us would corrupt our moral climate and stain the virtuous; sage kings therefore held them at arm's length with loose reins and nothing more.
15
今邊境無事，宜當修仁行義，尚於無為，令家給人足，安業樂產。 夫人道乂於下，則陰陽和於上，祥風時雨，覆被遠方，夷狄重譯而至矣。 《易》曰：『有孕盈缶，終來有它吉。 』言甘雨滿我之缶，誠來有我而吉已。 夫以德勝人者昌，以力勝人者亡。 今匈奴為鮮卑所殺，遠臧於史侯河西，去塞數千裏，而欲乘其虛耗，利其微弱，是非義之所出也。 前太仆祭肜遠出塞外，卒不見一胡而兵已困矣。 自山之難，不絕如綖，都護陷沒，士卒死者如積，迄今被其辜毒。 孤寡哀思之心未弭，仁者念之，以為累息，奈何復欲襲其跡，不顧患難乎？ 今始征發，而大司農調度不足，使者在道，分部督趣，上下相迫，民間之急亦已甚矣。 三輔、並、涼少雨，麥根枯焦，牛死日甚，此其不合天心之效也。 群僚百姓，鹹曰不可，陛下獨奈何以一人之計，棄萬人之命，不恤其言乎？ 上觀天心，下察人誌，足以知事之得失。 臣恐中國不為中國，豈徒匈奴而已哉！ 惟陛下留聖恩，休罷士卒，以順天心。
The frontier is calm; this is the time to promote benevolence and righteousness, favor quiet governance, and let every family prosper in peace. Order the human realm below and Heaven responds above—with timely winds and rains reaching the farthest marches until foreign peoples arrive through chains of interpreters. The Book of Changes reads: "There is something conceived that fills the jar to the brim—ultimately another blessing will come." " It speaks of sweet rain brimming in our vessels—Heaven's favor truly reaches us with good fortune. Empires built on virtue endure; those built on brute force collapse. The Xiongnu have already been shattered by the Xianbei and driven deep west of the Shi Marches—thousands of li beyond the frontier—and to strike them now for easy gain is wholly unjust. Grand Coachman Ji Rong once marched deep beyond the frontier without encountering a single barbarian yet still wore his army to exhaustion. Since the disaster in the mountains the western frontier has hung by a thread—the Protector-General fell, corpses stacked like cordwood, and the realm still bleeds from that wound. Widows and orphans still mourn; any humane ruler pauses at the memory—how can we repeat that march and ignore the suffering it brought? The levies have barely begun yet the exchequer cannot meet them—imperial messengers harry every circuit, officials squeeze one another, and the countryside is at breaking point. The capital region, Bing, and Liang face drought—wheat withers at the root and cattle die by the day—sure signs that Heaven disapproves. Every minister and commoner says no—how can you sacrifice countless lives to one man's strategy and ignore their pleas? Read Heaven's intent above and the people's will below—the right course is plain. I fear we may lose the heartland itself—not merely fail against the Xiongnu. I beg you to show mercy: stand down the armies and align with Heaven.
16
書奏，不從。 每政事有益於人，恭輒言其便，無所隱諱。
The emperor received the memorial and rejected it. Whenever a policy could help the people, Gong spoke up plainly and hid nothing.
17
其後拜為《魯詩》博士，由是家法學者日盛。 遷侍中，數召宴見，問以得失，賞賜恩禮寵異焉。 遷樂安相。 是時，東州多盜賊，群輩攻劫，諸郡患之。 恭到，重購賞，開恩信，其渠帥張漢等率支黨降，恭上以漢補博昌尉，其餘遂自相捕擊，盡破平之，州郡以安。
He was later named Erudite of the Lu Odes, and disciples of his scholarly line multiplied. Promoted to Palace Attendant, he was often summoned to informal audiences over meals, consulted on policy, and singled out for honors. He went on to serve as chancellor of the kingdom of Lean. The eastern circuits swarmed with bandit gangs that raided commanderies at will. Gong offered heavy bounties and won the bandits' trust; chiefs such as Zhang Han surrendered with their followers, and Gong recommended Zhang for a county captaincy. The remainder turned on one another until every band was crushed and peace returned.
18
初，和帝末，下令麥秋得案驗薄刑，而州郡好以苛察為政，因此遂盛夏斷獄。 恭上疏諫曰：
Late in Emperor He's reign the court allowed review of light sentences after the wheat harvest, yet local officials preferred harsh scrutiny and began holding criminal trials in the heat of summer. Gong filed a memorial of objection:
19
臣伏見詔書，敬若天時，憂念萬民，為崇和氣，罪非殊死，且勿案驗。 進柔良，退貪殘，奉時令。 所以助仁德，順昊天，致和氣，利黎民者也。
Your recent edicts honor Heaven's seasons and care for the people by nurturing harmonious qi—you ordered that noncapital cases not be pursued for the moment. Promote the gentle and worthy, dismiss the cruel and corrupt, and heed the seasonal calendar. That is how we bolster humane rule, align with Heaven, summon auspicious qi, and bless the common folk.
20
舊制至立秋乃行薄刑，自永元十五年以來，改用孟夏，而刺史、太守不深惟憂民息事之原，進良退殘之化，因以盛夏征召農人，拘對考驗，連滯無已。 司隸典司京師，四方是則，而近於春月分行諸部，托言勞來貧人，而無隱惻之實，煩擾郡縣，廉考非急，逮捕一人，罪延十數，上逆時氣，下傷農業。 案《易》氣月《後》用事。 經曰：『後以施令誥四方。 』言君以夏至之日，施命令止四方行者，所以助微陰也。 行者尚止之，況於逮召考掠，奪其時哉！
Under old rules minor punishments waited until Autumn Begins; since Yongyuan 15 courts have shifted hearings into early summer. Inspectors and magistrates seldom weigh the need to spare farmers during growing season—they drag peasants from the fields for endless interrogations. The Metropolitan Superintendent should set the standard for the empire, yet each spring his agents fan out claiming to aid the poor while harassing counties—snaring one suspect implicates dozens, defying seasonal harmony and ruining the harvest. The Book of Changes assigns the Hou line to govern the qi month when Yin begins to stir. The classic states: "The queen issues commands to the four quarters." " At the summer solstice the ruler halts travelers everywhere to nurture the first faint Yin force. If even travelers must pause then, how much worse to drag farmers off for torture during planting season?
21
比年水旱傷稼，人饑流冗。 今始夏，百谷權輿，陽氣胎養之時。 自三月以來，陰寒不暖，物當化變而不被和氣。 《月令》：『孟夏斷薄刑，出輕系。 行秋令則苦雨數來，五谷不熟。 』又曰：『仲夏挺重囚，益其食。 行秋令則草木零落，人傷於疫。 』夫斷薄刑者，謂其輕罪已正，不欲令久系，故時斷之也。 臣愚以為今孟夏之制，可從此令，其決獄案考，皆以立秋為斷，以順時節，育成萬物，則天地以和，刑罰以清矣。
Years of flood and drought have ruined harvests and driven people into famine and wandering. Early summer is when every crop shoots forth and Yang qi nurtures new growth. Since the third month chill has lingered—growth should be transforming yet harmonious qi never reaches it. The Monthly Ordinances prescribe light punishments and freeing minor detainees in the first month of summer. If you impose autumn policies in summer, bitter rains will fall and the five grains will fail. " It adds: "In mid-summer review serious prisoners and improve their rations." Autumn policies in summer make vegetation wither and spread plague among the people. " Light sentences mean minor guilt already settled—we loosen bonds promptly rather than leave petty offenders languishing. I urge that while early-summer rules follow the Monthly Ordinances, actual trials and investigations should halt until Autumn Begins—honoring the seasons will let things grow and keep justice clear.
22
初，肅宗時，斷獄皆以冬至之前，自後論者互多駁異。 鄧太後詔公卿以下會議，恭議奏曰：
Under Emperor Zhang capital cases had to conclude before the winter solstice; later scholars quarreled endlessly over the rule. Empress Dowager Deng summoned the high ministers to debate the matter; Gong submitted his opinion:
23
夫陰陽之氣，相扶而行，發動用事，各有時節。 若不當其時，則物隨而傷。 王者雖質文不同，而茲道無變，四時之政，行之若一。 《月令》，周世所造，而所據皆夏之時也，其變者為正朔、服色、犧牲、徽號、器械而已。 故曰：『殷因於夏禮，周因於殷禮，所損益可知也。 』《易》曰：『潛龍勿用。 』言十一月、十二月陽氣潛臧，未得用事。 雖煦噓萬物，養其根荄，而猶盛陰在上，地凍水冰，陽氣否隔，閉而成冬。 故曰：『履霜堅冰，陰始凝也。 馴致其道，至堅冰也。 』言五月微陰始起，至十一月堅冰至也。
Yin and Yang sustain each other—every activity has its proper season. Act out of season and creation itself suffers. Kings may vary in ritual style, but seasonal governance remains one seamless principle. The Zhou Monthly Ordinances follow the Xia calendar for seasons—only the calendar start, robes, sacrifices, titles, and ritual gear changed with each dynasty. As Confucius said: "The Yin revised Xia ritual and the Zhou revised Yin—each tweak can be traced." " The Book of Changes warns: "The dragon lying hidden—do not act yet." " In the eleventh and twelfth months Yang remains submerged—too weak for decisive action. Though Yang gingerly warms the roots beneath, Yin still dominates above—earth freezes, rivers ice over, and Yang stays pent up through winter. Hence the Changes: "Step on frost—know that ice follows—Yin is gathering." Let it continue along that path and solid ice forms. " Faint Yin stirs in the fifth month and culminates in November's ice.
24
夫王者之作，因時為法。 孝章皇帝深惟古人之道，助三正之微，定律著令，冀承天心，順物性命，以致時雍。 然從變改以來，年歲不熟，谷價常貴，人不寧安。 小吏不與國同心者，率入十一月得死罪賊，不問曲直，便即格殺，雖有疑罪，不復讞正。 一夫籲嗟，王道為虧，況於眾乎？ 《易》十一月『君子以議獄緩死』。 可令疑罪使詳其法，大辟之科，盡冬月乃斷。 其立春在十二月中者，勿以報囚如故事。
The sage king legislates with the seasons. Emperor Zhang pondered antiquity, harmonized the three beginnings in law, and hoped to align Heaven with the nature of things for universal peace. Yet since those reforms harvests have failed, grain stays costly, and the people know no peace. Petty officials who ignore the spirit of the law routinely execute supposed bandits each November without trial—even doubtful cases skip appellate review. A single unjust execution wounds the royal Way—what then when thousands die? The Changes for the eleventh month says the gentleman deliberates cases and stays executions. Let doubtful charges receive full review and reserve executions for the depth of winter alone. When Spring Begins falls in the twelfth month, suspend the usual winter execution reports.
25
後卒施行。
The court eventually adopted his proposal.
26
恭再在公位，選辟高第，至列卿郡守者數十人。 而其耆舊大姓，或不蒙薦舉，至有怨望者。 恭聞之，曰：『學之不講，是否憂也。 諸生不有鄉舉者乎？ 』終無所言。 恭性謙退，奏議依經，潛有補益，然終不自顯，故不以剛直為稱。 三年，以老病策罷。 六年，年八十一，卒於家。
Twice at court Gong nominated talent—dozens rose to ministerial or grand-administrator rank. Yet eminent local families sometimes went unnominated and nursed grievances. When Gong heard the complaints he said, "When doctrine goes untaught, I am the one who ought to worry." Do students not still earn recommendation through local exams? " And he said nothing further. Humble by nature, he grounded memorials in the classics and quietly shaped policy without seeking fame—so few called him blunt or harsh. In the third year age and illness forced his retirement by imperial order. He died at home in the sixth year at eighty-one.
27
以兩子為郎。 長子謙，為隴西太守，有名績。 謙子旭，官至太仆，從獻帝西入關，與司徒王允同謀共誅董卓。 及李傕入長安，旭與允俱遇害。
The court appointed two of his sons as Gentlemen. His eldest son Qian served as grand administrator of Longxi with a distinguished record. His son Xu rose to Grand Coachman; he followed Emperor Xian west through the passes and helped Minister Wang Yun kill Dong Zhuo. When Li Jue seized Chang'an, Xu died alongside Wang Yun.
28
丕字叔陵，性沈深好學，孳孳不倦，遂杜絕交遊，不答候問之禮。 士友常以此短之，而丕欣然自得。 遂兼通《五經》，以《魯詩》、《尚書》教授，為當世名儒。 後歸郡，為督郵功曹，所事之將，無不師友待之。
Lu Pi, styled Shuling, was studious and grave—so immersed that he shut out society and ignored callers. Scholar friends criticized his rudeness; Pi remained cheerfully indifferent. He mastered the Five Classics and taught the Lu Odes and Documents—becoming a celebrated scholar of his day. Back home he served as merit clerk to the inspector; every commander he advised treated him as mentor and friend.
29
建初元年，肅宗詔舉賢良方正，大司農劉寬舉丕。 時對策者百有餘人，唯丕在高第，除為議郎，遷新野令。 視事期年，州課第一，擢拜青州刺史。 務在表賢明，慎刑罰。 七年，坐事下獄司寇論。
In Jianchu 1 Emperor Zhang sought worthy candidates; Minister of Agriculture Liu Kuan nominated Lu Pi. Among more than a hundred examination answers Pi alone ranked top; he became a Consultant and then magistrate of Xinye. After one year his province ranked his performance first and elevated him to Inspector of Qing. He stressed honoring worthy men and tempering punishments. In the seventh year he landed in prison on a charge judged by the Minister of Justice.
30
永元二年，遷東郡太守。 丕在二郡，為人修通溉灌，百姓殷富。 數薦達幽隱名士。 明年，拜陳留太守。 視事三期，後坐稟貧人不實，征司寇論。
In Yongyuan 2 he became grand administrator of Dong commandery. Across two commanderies Lu Pi dredged ditches and repaired irrigation; his people grew prosperous. He repeatedly brought hidden talent to the court's attention. The following year he became grand administrator of Chenliu. After three terms he was charged with misreporting relief to the indigent and sent to the capital for trial by the Minister of Justice.
31
十一年復征，再遷中散大夫。 時，侍中賈逵薦丕道藝深明，宜見任用。 和帝因朝會，召見諸儒，丕與侍中賈逵、尚書令黃香等相難數事，帝善丕說，罷朝，特賜冠幘履襪衣一襲。 歪因上疏曰：『臣以愚頑，顯備大位，犬馬氣衰，猥得進見，論難於前，無所甄明，衣服之賜，誠為優過。 臣聞說經者，傳先師之言，非從己出，不得相讓； 相讓則道不明，若規矩權衡之不可枉也。 難者必明其據，說者務立其義，浮華無用之言不陳於前，故精思不勞而道術愈章。 法異者，各令自說師法，博觀其義。 覽詩人之旨意，察《雅》、《頌》之終始，明舜、禹、臯陶之相戒，顯周公、箕子之所陳，觀乎人文，化成天下。 陛下既廣納謇謇以開四聰，無令芻蕘以言得罪； 既顯巖穴以求仁賢，無使幽遠獨有遺失。』
In year eleven he was recalled to office and promoted twice to Counselor of the Palace. Palace Attendant Jia Kui urged Pi's appointment, citing his profound mastery of doctrine and ritual. At a formal audience Emperor He convened the scholars; Pi debated several points with Jia Kui and Huang Xiang—the emperor favored Pi's answers and at dismissal gifted him a full set of cap, headcloth, footwear, and robes. Pi memorialized: "I am unworthy of high office—my strength fails—yet I was allowed to debate before you without shedding real light on anything; the robes you gave exceed what I deserve." Those who lecture on the classics transmit their masters' teaching—not personal opinion—so they cannot politely concede; yield on doctrine and truth blurs—like bending a level or scales. Let challengers cite evidence and speakers nail down meaning—ban empty rhetoric—so truth emerges without exhaustive debate. Where schools disagree, let each state its master's reading and compare meanings broadly. Survey the Odes for intent, trace Hymns and Eulogia through to their lessons from Shun, Yu, Gao Yao, the Duke of Zhou, and Jizi—therein lies the pattern that civilizes the world. You welcome blunt counsel from every quarter—do not let plain folk be punished for speaking truth; you summon recluses from their caves—do not leave the obscure without a hearing."
32
十三年，遷為侍中，免。
In year thirteen he rose to Palace Attendant, then was dismissed.
33
永初二年，詔公卿舉儒術篤學者，大將軍鄧騭舉丕，再遷，復為侍中、左中郎將，再為三老。 五年，年七十五，卒於官。
In Yongchu 2 the court sought distinguished scholars; Deng Zhi nominated Pi, who rose again to Palace Attendant and Left Leader of Gentlemen and received renewed recognition as an Elder of the court. He died in office in year five at seventy-five.
34
魏霸字喬卿，濟陰句陽人也。 世有禮義。 霸少喪親，兄弟同居，州裏慕其雍和。
Wei Ba, styled Qiaoqing, came from Gouyang in Jiyin commandery. His family had long upheld ritual and moral duty. Orphaned young, he lived with his brothers in harmony that the whole district admired.
35
建初中，舉孝廉，八遷，和帝時為巨鹿太守。 以簡樸寬恕為政。 掾史有過，霸先誨其失，不改者乃罷之。 吏或相毀訴，霸輒稱它吏之長，終不及人短，言者懷慚，譖訟遂息。
Recommended as Filial and Incorrupt during Jianchu, he rose through eight posts to grand administrator of Julu under Emperor He. He governed with plain honesty and lenience. When subordinates slipped, he corrected them first and dismissed only those who refused to mend their ways. When officials denounced one another, Ba praised each man's strengths and ignored faults until the accusers grew ashamed and dropped their suits.
36
永元十六年，征拜將作大匠。 明年，和帝崩，典作順陵。 時盛冬地凍，中使督促，數罰縣吏以厲霸。 霸撫循而已，初不切責，而反勞之曰：『令諸卿被辱，大匠過也。 』吏皆懷恩，力作倍功。
In Yongyuan 16 he was summoned to serve as Superintendent of Imperial Works. The following year Emperor He died; Wei supervised work on Empress Dowager Dou's Shun tomb. Deep winter froze the ground; eunuch overseers drove the work and punished county clerks repeatedly to pressure Wei. Wei soothed his men instead of rebuking them: "If you were humiliated, the fault is mine as superintendent." " Grateful, the crews doubled their efforts.
37
劉寬字文饒，弘農華陰人也。 父崎，順帝時為司徒。 寬嘗行，有人失牛者，乃就寬車中認之。 寬無所言，下駕步歸。 有頃，認者得牛而送還，叩頭謝曰：『慚負長者，隨所刑罪。 』寬曰：『物有相類，事容脫誤，幸勞見歸，何為謝之？ 』州裏服其不校。
Liu Kuan, styled Wenrao, was a native of Huayin in Hongnong. His father Liu Qi served as Minister of Education under Emperor Shun. Once when Liu Kuan was out riding, a man who had lost an ox insisted the animal was tied to Kuan's cart. Kuan said nothing—he got down from his carriage and walked home on foot. Soon the man found his own ox and brought Kuan's mount back, kowtowing: "I have wronged a gentleman—punish me as you see fit." " Kuan replied, "Animals often resemble one another—mistakes happen. Thank you for bringing him back—there is nothing to apologize for." " The district marveled at his refusal to take offense.
38
桓帝時，大將軍辟，五遷司徒長史。 時、京師地震，特見詢問。 再遷，出為東海相。 延熹八年，征拜尚書令，遷南陽太守。 典歷三郡，溫仁多恕，雖在倉卒，未嘗疾言遽色。 常以為『齊之以刑，民免而無恥。 』吏人有過，但用蒲鞭罰之，示辱而已，終不加苦。 事有功善，推之自下。 災異或見，引躬克責。 每行縣止息亭傳，輒引學官祭酒及處士諸生執經對講。 見父老慰以農裏之言，少年勉以孝悌之訓。 人感德興行，日有所化。
Under Emperor Huan the Grand General recruited him; after five promotions he became chief clerk to the Minister of Education. When an earthquake struck the capital he was summoned for special consultation. Further promoted, he left the capital as chancellor of the Donghai kingdom. In Yanxi 8 he was recalled as Prefect of Masters of Writing, then transferred to grand administrator of Nanyang. Across three commanderies he was gentle and forgiving—even in crisis he never snapped or scowled. He often quoted Confucius: "Lead only with punishments and people stay out of trouble but feel no shame." " For minor faults he swatted offenders with a soft rattan whip—enough to shame them, never to injure. When something went well he credited his subordinates. When omens appeared he blamed himself first. Touring his counties he halted at post stations and convened local scholars and students for classical discussion. He urged elders with talk of farming and instructed youths in filial piety and brotherly duty. Moved by his virtue, people improved day by day.
39
靈帝初，征拜太中大夫，傳講華光殿。 遷侍中，賜衣一襲。 轉屯騎校尉，遷宗正，轉光祿勛。 熹平五年，代許訓為太尉。 靈帝頗好學藝，每引見寬，常令講經。 寬嘗於坐被酒睡伏。 帝問：『太尉醉邪？ 』寬仰對曰：『臣不敢醉，但任重責大，憂心如醉。 』帝重其言。
Early in Emperor Ling's reign he became Grand Counselor of the Palace and lectured on the classics at Huaguang Hall. Promoted to Palace Attendant and gifted a full set of robes. He rotated through Colonel of Garrison Cavalry, Chamberlain for the Imperial Clan, and Chamberlain for Palace Attendants. In Xiping 5 he succeeded Xu Xun as Grand Commandant. Emperor Ling loved scholarship and often summoned Liu Kuan to expound the canon. Once during an audience he nodded off drunk. The emperor asked whether the Grand Commandant was drunk. " Liu answered, "I am not drunk—but my burden weighs so heavily that worry feels like wine." " The emperor respected his candor.
40
寬簡略嗜酒，不好盥浴，京師以為諺。 嘗坐客，遣蒼頭市酒，迂久，大醉而還。 客不堪之，罵曰：『畜產。 』寬須臾遣人視奴，疑必自殺。 顧左右曰：『此人也，罵言畜產，辱熟甚焉！ 故吾懼其死也。 』夫人欲試寬令恚，伺當朝會，裝嚴已訖，使侍婢奉肉羹，翻汙朝衣。 婢遽收之，寬神色不異，乃徐言曰：『羹爛汝手？ 』其性度如此。 海內稱為長者。
Liu lived plainly, loved wine, and seldom bathed—the capital turned those habits into jokes. Once when hosting guests he sent a servant for wine; the man returned late and roaring drunk. The guests lost patience and shouted "beast!" " Liu immediately sent someone to check on the servant, fearing he might harm himself. Turning to his attendants he said, "They insulted a fellow human by calling him cattle—that wound cuts deep. That is why I feared he might take his own life." His wife once tried to provoke him: on a court day, after he had dressed, she had a maid spill stew on his ceremonial robes. The maid panicked; Liu's expression never changed as he asked softly whether she had burned her hand. " Such was his temperament. All the empire honored him as a gentleman of true stature.
41
後以日食策免。 拜衛尉。 光和二年，復代段颎為太尉。 在職三年，以日變免。 又拜永樂少府，遷光祿勛。 以先策黃巾逆謀，以事上聞，封逯鄉侯六百戶。 中平二年卒，時年六十六。 贈車騎將軍印綬，位特進，謚曰昭烈侯。 子松嗣，官至宗正。
Later a solar eclipse prompted his dismissal. He was appointed Commandant of the Guards. In Guanghe 2 he again succeeded Duan Jiong as Grand Commandant. After three years another celestial anomaly cost him the post. He then served as Privy Treasurer of Yongle Palace and again as Chamberlain for Palace Attendants. For having anticipated the Yellow Turban plot and reported it, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Lu township with six hundred households. He died in Zhongping 2 at sixty-six. The court posthumously honored him as General of Chariots and Cavalry with advanced rank and the title Marquis Brilliant and Stern. His son Liu Song inherited the title and rose to Chamberlain for the Imperial Clan.
42
贊曰：卓、魯款款，情愨德滿。 仁感昆蟲，愛及胎卵。 寬、霸臨政，亦稱優緩。
The historian praises Zhuo Mao and Lu Gong for their steadfast sincerity and overflowing virtue. Their benevolence touched even insects and spared creatures in the egg. Liu Kuan and Wei Ba governed with the same gentle forbearance.