1
郭伋字細侯，扶風茂陵人也。 高祖父解，武帝時以任俠聞。 父梵，為蜀郡太守。 伋少有志行，哀、平間辟大司空府，三遷為漁陽都尉。 王莽時為上谷大尹，遷并州牧。
Guo Ji, whose courtesy name was Xihou, came from Maoling in Fufeng. His great-great-grandfather Gui won a reputation as a knight-errant under Emperor Wu. His father, Fan, served as governor of Shu commandery. Ji showed purpose and integrity from an early age. Under Emperors Ai and Ping he received appointment to the grand minister of works' bureau and rose through three posts to become commandant of Yuyang. Under Wang Mang he served as grand intendant of Shanggu, then moved up to shepherd of Bing province.
2
更始新立，三輔連被兵寇，百姓震駭，強宗右姓各擁眾保營，莫肯先附。 更始素聞伋名，徵拜左馮翊，使鎮撫百姓。 世祖即位，拜雍州牧，再轉為尚書令，數納忠諫爭。
The Gengshi regime had only just been founded. The capital region suffered raid after raid, the populace was panic-stricken, and powerful families walled themselves in with private followings—no one wanted to be the first to declare allegiance. The Gengshi court had long known Ji by reputation. It summoned him as governor of Zuo Fengyi and charged him with calming and reassuring the people. When Emperor Guangwu (Shizu) took the throne, he named Ji shepherd of Yong province, then shifted him to director of the secretariat, where Ji repeatedly offered blunt, loyal counsel.
3
建武四年，出為中山太守。 明年，彭寵滅，轉為漁陽太守。 漁陽既離王莽之亂，重以彭寵之敗，民多猾惡，寇賊充斥。 伋到，示以信賞，糾戮渠帥，盜賊銷散。 時匈奴數抄郡界，邊境苦之。 伋整勒士馬，設攻守之略，匈奴畏憚遠跡，不敢復入塞，民得安業。 在職五歲，戶口增倍。 後潁川盜賊群起，九年，徵拜潁川太守。 召見辭謁，帝勞之曰：「賢能太守，去帝城不遠，河潤九里，冀京師並蒙福也。 君雖精於追捕，而山道險阨，自鬥當一士耳，深宜慎之。 」伋到郡，招懷山賊陽夏趙宏、襄城召吳等數百人，皆束手詣伋降，悉遣歸附農。 因自劾專命，帝美其策，不以咎之。 後宏、吳等黨與聞伋威信，遠自江南，或從幽、冀，不期俱降，駱驛不絕。
In Jianwu 4 he left the capital to become governor of Zhongshan. The following year, once Peng Chong had been eliminated, he was transferred to Yuyang as governor. Yuyang had endured Wang Mang's chaos and then the collapse of Peng Chong's power; the locals had turned crafty and violent, and banditry was everywhere. Ji made his reliability and rewards unmistakable, executed the bandit chiefs, and the outlaw bands dispersed. The Xiongnu were raiding the commandery frontier again and again, and the border population bore the brunt. He trained troops and horses and devised offensive and defensive strategy. The Xiongnu came to fear him and drew back; they no longer dared cross the frontier, and the people could work their fields in safety. After five years in the post, the number of registered households had doubled. When bandits erupted across Yingchuan, in Jianwu 9 he was summoned and appointed governor there. At his farewell audience the emperor told him, "You are a capable governor, and your seat is not far from the capital—like a stream that moistens the ground for nine li. I trust the court will benefit along with your district." You excel at pursuit, but mountain paths are treacherous, and in a fight you are only one man among many. Take exceptional care." At Yingchuan he won over the mountain outlaws, several hundred men led by Zhao Hong of Yangxia and Shao Wu of Xiangcheng. They came with hands bound and surrendered to him in person, and he sent them all home to the plow. He then memorialized to impeach himself for exceeding his authority. The emperor approved his approach and did not punish him. Later, followers of Hong and Wu heard of Ji's authority and integrity and surrendered from as far away as the south or You and Ji, without prior arrangement, in a steady, unbroken flow.
4
十一年，省朔方刺史屬并州。 帝以盧芳據北土，乃調伋為并州牧。 過京師謝恩，帝即引見，並召皇太子諸王宴語終日，賞賜車馬衣服什物。 伋因言選補眾職，當簡天下賢俊，不宜專用南陽人。 帝納之。 伋前在并州，素結恩德，及後入界，所到縣邑，老幼相攜，逢迎道路。 所過問民疾苦，聘求耆德雄俊，設几杖之禮，朝夕與參政事。
In Jianwu 11 the office of regional inspector for Shuofang was abolished and its territory folded into Bing province. Because Lu Fang still held the northern region, the emperor reassigned Ji as shepherd of Bing province. When he passed through the capital to express his gratitude, the emperor received him immediately, called in the heir apparent and the kings, and feasted and talked with them all day, then showered him with carriages, horses, clothes, and household goods. Ji seized the moment to argue that appointments ought to draw the best talent from the entire empire, not rely solely on men from Nanyang. The emperor took his advice. Ji had long cultivated goodwill in Bing province. When he re-entered the region, every county and town turned out—old and young arm in arm—to greet him along the road. He inquired into local hardships, sought out elders and men of talent, honored them with the courtesy due seniors, and met with them morning and evening to discuss government.
5
始至行部，到西河美稷，有童兒數百，各騎竹馬，道次迎拜。 伋問：「兒曹何自遠來？ 」對曰：「聞使君到，喜，故來奉迎。 」伋辭謝之。 及事訖，諸兒復送至郭外，問「使君何日當還？ 」伋謂別駕從事，計日當 〈 （或無「當」字。）〉 告之。 行部既還，先期一日，伋為違信於諸兒，遂止於野亭，須期乃入。
On his first circuit of the province he came to Meiji in Xihe, where several hundred children met him along the way, each astride a bamboo hobbyhorse, bowing in welcome. Ji asked them, "Why have you come all this way?" They answered, "We heard you were coming and were happy, so we came out to welcome you." Ji thanked them and said they should not have troubled themselves. When his business was finished, the children walked him out beyond the wall and asked when he would come back. Ji told his adjutant and clerk to reckon the day when he would (the sentence breaks here for a textual note) The symbol 〈 marks the start of a variant-reading note in the manuscript tradition. The gloss states that some editions omit dang; the bracket closes after this remark. He had them told the date so the children would know when to expect him. On the return leg of his inspection he arrived a day ahead of schedule. Unwilling to break his word to the children, he stopped at an outpost in the open country and waited until the agreed day before going in.
6
是時朝廷多舉伋可為大司空，帝以并部尚有盧芳之儆，且匈奴未安，欲使久於其事，故不召。 伋知盧芳夙賊，難卒以力制，常嚴烽候，明購賞，以結寇心。 芳將隋昱遂謀脅芳降伋，芳乃亡入匈奴。
The court often nominated Ji for grand minister of works, but the emperor wanted him to stay where he was: Bing still had Lu Fang to worry about, and the Xiongnu frontier was unsettled, so he was not recalled. Ji knew Lu Fang was a veteran rebel who could not be crushed overnight. He kept beacon lines tight and reward notices clear, working to turn enemy hearts. Fang's general Sui Yu then tried to force him to surrender to Ji; Fang fled instead into the Xiongnu steppe.
7
伋以老病上書乞骸骨。 二十二年，徵為太中大夫，賜宅一區，及帷帳錢穀，以充其家，伋輒散與宗親九族，無所遺餘。 明年卒，時年八十六。 帝親臨弔，賜冢塋地。
Ji memorialized, citing age and illness, asking permission to retire. In Jianwu 22 he was called to the capital as grand counsellor of the palace. The court granted him a house, furnishings, money, and grain for his household, but he passed everything on to his clan and wider kin and kept nothing. He died the following year at eighty-six. The emperor attended his funeral in person and granted land for his grave.
8
七年，遷南陽太守。 性節儉而政治清平，以誅暴立威，善於計略，省愛民役。 造作水排，鑄為農器，用力少，見功多，百姓便之。 又修治陂池，廣拓土田，郡內比室殷足。 時人方於召信臣，故南陽為之語曰：『前有召父，後有杜母。』
In the seventh year of the reign he was promoted to governor of Nanyang. Frugal by temperament, he ran an even-handed administration, crushed the violent to establish authority, planned shrewdly, and lightened the corvée burden on the people. He introduced water-driven bellows for casting farm tools, achieving more with less labor, and the people benefited. He repaired reservoirs and dikes and opened up more arable land until household after household in the commandery flourished. Contemporaries likened him to Zhao Xinchen, and a saying ran in Nanyang: 'First came Father Zhao; now we have Mother Du.'
9
詩自以無勞，不安久居大郡，求欲降避功臣，乃上疏曰：
Du Shi felt he had done little to deserve his post and was uncomfortable holding a major commandery while so many meritorious generals looked on. He asked to step aside for them and submitted this memorial:
10
陛下亮成天工，克濟大業，偃兵修文，群帥反旅，海內合和，萬世蒙福，天下幸甚。 唯匈奴未譬聖德，威侮三垂，陵虐中國，邊民虛耗，不能自守，臣恐武猛之將雖勤，亦未得解甲櫜弓也。 夫勤而不息亦怨，勞而不休亦怨，怨恨之師，難復責功。 臣伏睹將帥之情，功臣之望，冀一休足於內郡，然後即戎出命，不敢有恨。 世愚以為『師克在和不在眾』，陛下雖垂念北邊，亦當頗泄用之。 昔湯、武善禦眾，故無忿鷙之師。 陛下起兵十有三年，將帥和睦，士卒鳧藻。 今若使公卿郡守出於軍壘，則將帥自厲； 士卒之復，比於宿衛，則戎士自百。 何者？ 天下已安，各重性命，大臣以下，咸懷樂土，不讎其功而厲其用，無以勸也。 陛下誠宜虛缺數郡，以俊振旅之臣，重復厚賞，加於久役之士。 如此，緣邊屯戍之師，競而忘死，乘城拒塞之吏，不辭其勞，則烽火精明，守戰堅固。 聖王之政，必因人心。 今猥用愚薄，塞功臣之望，誠非其宜。 臣詩伏自惟忖，本以史吏一介之才，遭陛下創制大業，賢俊在外，空乏之間，超受大恩，牧養不稱，奉職無效，久竊祿位，令功臣懷慍，誠惶誠恐。 八年，上書乞避功德，陛下殊恩，未許放退。 臣詩蒙恩尤深，義不敢茍冒虛請，誠不勝至願，願退大郡，受小職。 及臣齒壯，力能經營劇事，如使臣詩必有補益，復受大位，雖析珪授爵，所不辭也。 惟陛下哀矜！
Your Majesty has fulfilled Heaven's mandate and completed the great enterprise: weapons are laid aside and civil order restored, generals have sent their troops home, the realm is at peace, and blessing will reach countless generations—this is fortune for all under Heaven. Only the Xiongnu still refuse to acknowledge your virtue. They bully the three frontiers and trample the heartland; the border people are worn out and cannot hold the line. I fear that even the bravest generals cannot soon strip off armor and bundle their bows. Men driven without rest grow resentful; troops simmering with resentment cannot be asked for new victories. From what I have seen, commanders and meritorious officers long for a spell of rest in an interior commandery before they march out again at your order—they would have no complaint. I am told that 'an army wins through unity, not sheer numbers.' Even as you watch the northern frontier, you should ease somewhat the strain on those who serve there. The founders Tang and Wu knew how to lead the people, so their armies never turned sullen and fierce. Thirteen years have passed since you raised the army. Commanders work in harmony, and the men rejoice like ducks sporting on a pond. If high ministers and governors were drawn from men who had served in camp, the field commanders would brace themselves; if rotated troops were treated like the capital guard, the frontier soldiery would give a hundredfold more of themselves. Why is that? The realm is at peace; everyone clings to life and home. From great ministers on down, people want a place to settle. If you ignore their service and drive them harder still, you cannot win their willing effort. You should deliberately leave a few commanderies open for generals who bring their armies home to rest, and pile rich rewards on men who have borne the long campaigns. Then the border garrisons will vie to face death without flinching, and the officers who hold the walls and passes will not shirk their duty. Beacon signals will stay clear, and defense will hold. A sage ruler's government works with human nature, not against it. To rely on the mediocre and block the hopes of men who earned their honors is plainly wrong. Your servant Du Shi is only a minor clerk by talent. When you forged the new order, worthy men were still in the field and offices stood empty; I was swept into high favor far beyond my deserts. I have not governed well or discharged my duties, yet I have clung to salary and rank while men of real merit nurse grievances. I am terrified. Last year I asked to step aside for worthier men; your exceptional grace would not let me go. I have been favored more deeply than I deserve, and I would not press a hollow plea—yet my earnest wish is to leave this great commandery for a lesser post. When I am still strong enough for heavy duty, if you find that I can still serve, I will accept high office again—even a fief and noble title I would not refuse. I beg your compassion.
11
帝惜其能，遂不許之。 詩雅好推賢，數進知名士清河劉統及魯陽長董崇等。
The emperor valued his talent and refused to let him go. Du Shi habitually recommended able men, advancing figures such as Liu Tong of Qinghe and Dong Chong, magistrate of Luyang.
12
初，禁網尚簡，但以璽書發兵，未有虎符之信，詩上疏曰：『臣聞兵者國之兇器，聖人所慎。 舊制發兵，皆以虎符，其餘徵調，竹使而已。 符第合會，取為大信，所以明著國命，斂持威重也。 間者發兵，但用璽書，或以詔令，如有奸人詐偽，無由知覺。 愚以為軍旅尚興，賊虜未殄，徵兵郡國，宜有重慎，可立虎符，以絕奸端。 昔魏之公子，威傾鄰國，猶假兵符，以解趙圍，若無如姬之仇，則其功不顯。 事有煩而不可省，費而不得已，蓋謂此也。 』書奏，從之。
Early on the legal net was still loose: troops were called up with sealed edicts on blue paper, without tiger tallies as proof. Du Shi memorialized: 'I have heard that arms are dangerous tools of state, which the sage handles with care. Under the old rules, mobilization required the tiger tally; other levies used only the bamboo tallies of the envoys. When the two halves of the tally matched, that was the supreme proof of authority—it made the imperial command unmistakable and concentrated awe. Recently men have raised troops with nothing but sealed writs or oral orders. If a schemer forges such a document, there is no way to tell. While war continues and bandits remain, levies from the commanderies and kingdoms need the strictest safeguards. Restore the tiger tally to cut off fraud at the source. Even the lord of Xinling, whose prestige shook the neighboring states, had to borrow the military tally to raise the siege of Zhao—without Lady Ruji's old grievance, that exploit would never have been heard of. Some burdens cannot be shunned and some costs must be paid—this is one of them. The emperor approved the memorial.
13
詩身雖在外，盡心朝廷，讜言善策，隨事獻納。 視事七年，政化大行。 十四年，坐遣客為弟報仇，被徵，會病卒。 司隸校尉鮑永上書言詩貧困無田宅，喪無所歸。 詔使治喪郡邸，賻絹千匹。
Though Du Shi served away from the capital, his mind stayed with the court; he submitted candid advice and sound plans whenever occasion allowed. After seven years in office his governance had transformed the region. In the fourteenth year he was implicated for sending a retainer to avenge his brother. He was summoned to the capital but took ill and died on the way. The colonel of the metropolitan bureau, Bao Yong, reported that Du Shi had died penniless, without land or a house, and had no place for burial. An edict ordered his funeral held at the commandery hostel in the capital and granted a thousand bolts of silk toward the expenses.
14
孔奮字君魚，扶風茂陵人也。 曾祖霸，元帝時為侍中。 奮少從劉歆受《春秋左氏傳》，歆稱之，謂門人曰：『吾已從君魚受道矣。』
Kong Fen, courtesy name Junyu, was a native of Maoling in Fufeng. His great-grandfather Ba had been a palace attendant under Emperor Yuan. As a young man Kong Fen studied the Zuo commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals under Liu Xin. Xin praised him and told his students, 'I have learned the Way from Junyu.'
15
遭王莽亂，奮與老母、幼弟避兵河西。 建武五年，河西大將軍竇融請奮署議曹掾，守姑臧長。 八年，賜爵關內侯。 時天下擾亂，惟河西獨安，而姑臧稱為富邑，通貨羌胡，市日四合，每居縣者，不盈數月輒致豐積。 奮在職四年，財產無所增。 事母孝謹，雖為儉約，奉養極求珍膳。 躬率妻、子，同甘菜茹。 時天下未定，士多不修節操，而奮力行清潔，為眾人所笑，或以為身處脂膏，不能以自潤，徒益苦辛耳。 奮既立節，治貴仁平，太守梁統深相敬待，不以官屬禮之，常迎於大門，引入見母。
When Wang Mang's rebellion convulsed the realm, Kong Fen took his mother and younger brother west to Hexi to escape the war. In Jianwu 5 Dou Rong, general-in-chief of Hexi, appointed him secretary of the deliberation bureau and acting magistrate of Guzang. In the eighth year he received the rank of full marquis within the passes. While the empire was in chaos, only Hexi stayed calm. Guzang was a wealthy entrepôt; Qiang and Hu traders exchanged goods in four market sessions a day, and a magistrate who stayed a few months usually left rich. Kong Fen held the post four years without adding a coin to his estate. He was a devoted son: though he lived plainly himself, he sought the best food for his mother. He and his wife and children ate the same coarse greens. In unsettled times few gentlemen cared about integrity. Kong Fen insisted on spotless conduct; people mocked him or said he sat in the fat of the land yet never greased his own palms—only making life harder for nothing. Once his integrity was known, he governed with humanity and evenhandedness. Governor Liang Tong held him in the highest regard, refused to treat him as a mere subordinate, met him at the main gate, and often brought him inside to meet his own mother.
16
隴蜀既平，河西守令咸被徵召，財貨連轂，彌竟川澤。 惟奮無資，單車就路。 姑臧吏民及羌胡更相謂曰：『孔君清廉仁賢，舉縣蒙恩，如何今去，不共報德！ 』遂相賦斂牛、馬、器物千萬以上，追送數百里。 奮謝之而已，一無所受。 既至京師，除武都郡丞。
After Long and Shu were pacified, every Hexi official was recalled to court. Carts loaded with treasure lined up wheel to wheel and clogged the roads and fords. Kong Fen alone had no baggage: he climbed into a single cart and set off. Officials and commoners in Guzang, Qiang, and Hu traders said to one another, 'Magistrate Kong is incorrupt, humane, and wise; the whole county owes him—how can we let him go without returning his kindness?' So they pooled cattle, horses, and goods worth millions of cash and followed him for hundreds of li to see him off. Kong Fen thanked them but refused every gift. On reaching the capital he was named assistant governor of Wudu.
17
時，隴西餘賊隗茂等夜攻府舍，殘殺郡守，賊畏奮追急，乃執其妻子，欲以為質。 奮年已五十，唯有一子，終不顧望，遂窮力討之。 吏民感義，莫不倍用命焉。 郡多氐人，便習山谷，其大豪齊鐘留者，為群氐所信向。 奮乃率厲鐘留等令要遮抄擊，共為表裏。 賊窘懼逼急，乃推奮妻子以置軍前，冀當退卻，而擊之愈厲，遂禽滅茂等，奮妻、子亦為所殺。 世祖下詔褒美，拜為武都太守。
Bandit remnants in Longxi led by Wei Mao stormed the yamen at night and murdered the governor. Fearing Kong Fen's pursuit, they seized his wife and son as hostages. Fen was fifty and had only one son, but he never wavered and threw every resource into destroying the bandits. Touched by his integrity, officials and commoners obeyed his orders with redoubled zeal. The commandery was full of Di who knew the hills. Their leading headman, Qi Zhongliu, commanded the trust of the Di communities. Kong Fen rallied Zhongliu and his men to set ambushes and hit-and-run attacks, coordinating strikes from within and without. Cornered, the bandits shoved his family in front of their lines, hoping he would relent. He struck harder instead, wiped out Wei Mao's band, and lost his wife and son in the fighting. Emperor Guangwu issued an edict of praise and appointed him governor of Wudu.
18
奮自為府丞，已見敬重，及拜太守，舉郡莫不改操。 為政明斷，甄善疾非，見有美德，愛之如親，其無行者，忿之若仇，郡中稱為清平。
He had earned respect as assistant governor; once he became governor, the whole commandery mended its ways. He governed with clear judgment, rewarding the worthy and punishing wrong. He cherished men of virtue like family and treated the corrupt like foes. The commandery called his rule fair and clean.
19
弟奇，遊學洛陽。 奮以奇經明當仕，上病去官，守約鄉閭，卒於家。 奇博通經典，作《春秋左氏刪》。 奮晚有子嘉，官至城門校尉，作《左氏說》雲。
His brother Qi went to Luoyang to study. Wanting the classically trained Qi to take office, Kong Fen resigned on grounds of illness, lived quietly in his village, and died at home. Qi mastered the classics and wrote the Excision of the Zuo commentary. Kong Fen's son Jia, born late in his life, rose to colonel of the city gates and wrote Explications of the Zuo Tradition.
20
張堪字君游，南陽宛人也，為郡族姓。 堪早孤。 讓先父餘財數百萬與兄子。 年十六，受業長安，誌美行厲，諸儒號曰『聖童』。
Zhang Kan, courtesy name Junyou, came from Wan in Nanyang and belonged to one of the commandery's leading families. He lost his father while still young. He gave his late father's estate, worth millions, to his brother's son. At sixteen he studied in Chang'an, with lofty aims and strict conduct; the scholars dubbed him the 'sage child.'
21
世祖微時，見堪誌操，常嘉焉。 及即位，中郎將來歙薦堪，召拜郎中，三遷為謁者。 使送委輸縑帛，並領騎七千匹，詣大司馬吳漢伐公孫述，在道追拜蜀郡太守。 時漢軍餘七日糧，陰具船欲遁去。 堪聞之，馳往見漢，說述必敗，不宜退師之策。 漢從之，乃示弱挑敵，述果自出，戰死城下。 成都既拔，堪先入據其城，撿閱庫藏，收其珍寶，悉條列上言，秋毫無私。 慰撫吏民，蜀人大悅。
When Emperor Guangwu was still a commoner, he noticed Zhang Kan's character and often praised him. After his accession, General Lai Xi recommended Kan. He was appointed gentleman of the palace and after three promotions became an imperial usher. He was ordered to deliver silk tribute and seven thousand mounts to Grand Marshal Wu Han for the campaign against Gongsun Shu. En route he was appointed governor of Shu commandery. Wu Han's army had only seven days' rations; he quietly fitted out boats for a retreat. Zhang Kan rode to Wu Han and argued that Gongsun Shu was doomed and retreating would be a mistake. Wu Han agreed. They feigned weakness to lure Gongsun Shu out; Shu sallied forth and fell beneath the city walls. When Chengdu fell, Zhang Kan was first into the city. He inventoried the storehouses and valuables, reported every item to the throne, and kept nothing for himself. He reassured officials and commoners, and Shu rejoiced.
22
在郡二年，徵拜騎都尉，後領票騎將軍杜茂營，擊破匈奴於高柳，拜漁陽太守。 捕擊奸猾，賞罰必信，吏民皆樂為用。 匈奴嘗以萬騎入漁陽，堪率數千騎奔擊，大破之，郡界以靜。 乃於狐奴開稻田八千餘頃，勸民耕種，以致殷富。 百姓歌曰：『桑無附枝，麥穗兩岐。 張君為政，樂不可支。 』視事八年，匈奴不敢犯塞。
After two years he was recalled as commandant of cavalry, then led General Du Mao's column, routed the Xiongnu at Gaoliu, and was named governor of Yuyang. He cracked down on wrongdoers; rewards and punishments were reliable, and everyone was glad to serve him. When the Xiongnu once poured into Yuyang with ten thousand horsemen, Zhang Kan counterattacked with a few thousand and routed them; the frontier grew calm. At Hunü he opened more than eight thousand qing of rice land, encouraged farming, and brought the commandery prosperity. The people sang: 'Mulberries grow straight without side shoots; wheat bears double ears.' Under Magistrate Zhang we are so happy we can hardly bear it.' For eight years in office the Xiongnu dared not raid the passes.
23
帝嘗召見諸郡計吏，問其風土及前後守令能否。 蜀郡計掾樊顯進曰：『漁陽太守張堪昔在蜀，其仁以惠下，威能討奸。 前公孫述破時，珍寶山積，捲握之物，足富十世，而堪去職之日，乘折轅車，布被囊而已。 』帝聞，良久嘆息，拜顯為魚復長。 方徵堪，會病卒，帝深悼惜之，下詔褒揚，賜帛百匹。
The emperor once received the commandery accounting clerks and asked about local customs and how past governors had performed. Fan Xian, clerk of Shu commandery, said, 'When Zhang Kan governed Shu, kindness reached the people and authority checked wrongdoing.' When Gongsun Shu fell, treasure enough for ten generations lay heaped in Chengdu, yet the day Zhang Kan departed he rode out in a broken-down cart with only a cloth bundle for luggage.' The emperor listened in silence, then sighed deeply and appointed Fan Xian magistrate of Yufu. He was about to summon Zhang Kan when Kan died. The emperor grieved, issued a laudatory edict, and granted a hundred bolts of silk.
24
廉範字叔度，京兆杜陵人也，趙將廉頗之後也。 漢興，以廉氏豪宗，自苦陘徙焉。 世為邊郡守，或葬隴西襄武，故因仕焉。 曾祖父褒，成、哀間為右將軍，祖父丹，王莽時為大司馬庸部牧，皆有名前世。 範父遭喪亂，客死於蜀漢，範遂流寓西州。 西州平，歸鄉裏。 年十五，辭母西迎父喪。 蜀郡太守張穆，丹之故吏，乃重資送範，範無所受，與客步負喪歸葭萌。 載船觸石破沒，範抱持棺柩，遂俱沈溺，眾傷其義，鉤求得之，療救僅免於死。 穆聞，復馳遣使持前資物追範，範又固辭。 歸葬服竟，詣京師受業，事博士薛漢。 京兆、隴西二郡更請召，皆不應，永平初，隴西太守鄧融備禮謁範為功曹，會融為州所舉案，範知事譴難解，欲以權相濟，乃托病求去，融不達其意，大恨之。 範於是東至洛陽，變名姓，求代廷尉獄卒。 居無幾，融果徵下獄，範遂得衛侍左右，盡心勤勞。 融怪其貌類範而殊不意，乃謂曰：『卿何似我故功曹邪？ 』範訶之曰：『君困厄瞀亂邪！ 』語遂絕。 融系出因病，範隨而養視，及死，竟不言，身自將車送喪致南陽，葬畢乃去。
Lian Fan, courtesy name Shudu, came from Duling in the capital region and traced his line to the Zhao general Lian Po. At the rise of the Han, the powerful Lian clan moved from Kuxing to that region. For generations they had served as frontier governors; some were buried at Xiangwu in Longxi, so the family settled there. His great-grandfather Bao was general of the right under Emperors Cheng and Ai; his grandfather Dan was grand marshal and Yong department shepherd under Wang Mang. Both were famous in their day. Fan's father died a wanderer in Shu during the wars, and Lian Fan took refuge in the west. When the west was pacified, he went home. At fifteen he left his mother to travel west and bring back his father's remains. Zhang Mu, governor of Shu and an old subordinate of Fan's grandfather, offered generous travel funds; Lian Fan refused and walked toward home with a companion, carrying the coffin toward Jiameng. The boat struck a rock and sank. Lian Fan clung to the coffin and went under with it. Onlookers, moved by his devotion, fished them out and revived him at the last moment. When Zhang Mu heard, he sent the same gifts after him; Fan again refused. After burying his father and finishing mourning, he studied in the capital under Erudite Xue Han. Both the capital region and Longxi wanted him; he declined. Early in Yongping, Governor Deng Rong of Longxi ceremoniously named him merit clerk. When Rong was impeached by the provincial authorities, Fan saw no easy way out and hoped to help by guile. He resigned on grounds of illness; Rong did not understand and bitterly resented him. Fan went east to Luoyang under an assumed name and took work as a jailer in the commandant of justice's prison. Soon Rong was arrested and jailed. Fan stayed at his side as guard and attendant, serving him tirelessly. Rong thought he looked like Fan but could not believe it. 'Why do you look so much like my old merit clerk?' Fan snapped, 'Have troubles turned your wits?' He said no more. Rong was released when he fell ill. Fan nursed him and, when he died, still never revealed himself. He drove the hearse to Nanyang himself and left only after the burial.
25
後辟公府，會薛漢坐楚王事誅，故人門生莫敢視，範獨往收斂之。 吏以聞，顯宗大怒，召範入，詰責曰：『薛漢與楚王同謀，交亂天下，範公府掾，不與朝廷同心，而反收斂罪人，何也？ 』範叩頭曰：『臣無狀愚戇，以為漢等皆已伏誅，不勝師資之情，罪當萬坐。 』帝怒稍解，問範曰：『卿廉頗後邪？ 與右將軍褒、大司馬丹有親屬乎？ 』範對曰：『褒，臣之曾祖； 丹，臣之祖也。 帝曰：『怪卿誌膽敢爾！ 』因貰之。 由是顯名。
Later he took a post in the ministerial bureau. When Xue Han was executed for the Prince of Chu case, former friends and students stayed away; only Fan claimed the body. Officials reported it. Emperor Ming summoned Fan and demanded, 'Xue Han conspired with the Prince of Chu to throw the realm into chaos. You were a bureau clerk—you should stand with the court—yet you buried a condemned traitor. Why?' Fan kowtowed. 'I was foolish. I thought that once Xue Han was executed, my debt to my teacher overcame me. I deserve death ten thousand times over.' The emperor's anger cooled. 'Are you descended from Lian Po?' Are you kin to General of the Right Bao and Grand Marshal Dan?' Fan said, 'Bao was my great-grandfather;' Dan was my grandfather.' The emperor said, 'No wonder you have the nerve to act like this!' He pardoned him. He became famous overnight.
26
舉茂才，數月，再遷為雲中太守。 會匈奴大入塞，烽火日通。 故事，虜入過五千人，移書傍郡。 吏欲傳檄求救，範不聽，自率士卒拒之。 虜眾盛而範兵不敵。 會日暮，令軍士各交縛兩炬，三頭□火，營中星列。 虜遙望火多，謂漢兵救至，大驚。 待旦將退，範乃令軍中蓐食，晨往赴之，斬首數百級，虜自相轔藉，死者千餘人，由此不敢復向雲中。
Recommended as flourishing talent, within months he was promoted to governor of Yunzhong. The Xiongnu poured through the frontier; beacons blazed day after day. By regulation, if the enemy crossed in strength above five thousand, the governor was to notify neighboring commanderies. His staff wanted to send out calls for reinforcements. Fan refused and led his own men to meet the attack. The enemy far outnumbered him. At dusk he had each soldier cross-bind two torches so that three flames burned from each bundle (the third character is missing in the received text) and arrayed them through camp like stars. From a distance the Xiongnu saw countless fires and assumed Han reinforcements had arrived; they panicked. They waited for dawn to pull back. Fan had his men eat before daylight, then struck at first light. Hundreds fell; the Xiongnu trampled one another and over a thousand died. They never again dared threaten Yunzhong.
27
後頻歷武威、武都二郡太守，隨俗化導，各得治宜。 建中初，遷蜀郡太守，其俗尚文辯，好相持短長，範每厲以淳厚，不受偷薄之說。 成都民物豐盛，邑宇逼側，舊制禁民夜作，以防火災，而更相隱蔽，燒者日屬。 範乃毀削先令，但嚴使儲水而已。 百姓為便，乃歌之曰：『廉叔度，來何墓？ 不禁火，民安作。 平生無襦今五絝。 』在蜀數年，坐法免歸鄉裏。 範世在邊，廣田地，積財粟，悉以賑宗族朋友。
He later governed Wuwei and Wudu in turn, adapting policy to local custom in each place. At the opening of the Jianchu period (the received text reads Jianzhong at the start of the line) he became governor of Shu, where people loved rhetoric and petty faultfinding. Fan urged simplicity and refused to indulge shallow talk. Chengdu was crowded and prosperous. An old curfew banned night work to prevent fires, but people worked in secret and fires grew more frequent. Fan repealed the old ban and simply required households to keep water ready for firefighting. The people were delighted and sang: 'Uncle Lian Shudu, why did you come so late?' (The word written as tomb is a pun on evening in the song.) No curfew on fires—we can work in peace.' Once we had no coat to our names—now we own five pairs of trousers.' After several years in Shu he was convicted, stripped of office, and sent home. His family had long served on the frontier. He expanded his lands and stores and used the surplus to aid kin and friends.
28
肅宗崩，範奔赴敬陵。 時廬江郡掾嚴麟奉章吊國，俱會於路。 麟乘小車，塗深馬死，不能自進，範見而湣然，命從騎下馬與之。 不告而去。 麟事畢，不知馬所歸，乃緣蹤訪之。 或謂麟曰：『故蜀郡太守廉叔度，好周人窮急，今奔國喪，獨單是耳。 』麟亦素聞範名，以為然，即牽馬造門，謝而歸之。 世伏其好義，然依倚大將軍竇憲，以此為譏。 卒於家。
When Emperor Zhang died, Lian Fan hurried to Jingling for the funeral. Yan Lin, a clerk from Lujiang, was traveling to the capital on the same mourning mission; they met on the road. Lin's cart mired, his horse died, and he could not go on. Fan pitied him and gave him his escort's mounts. He rode off without saying who he was. When Lin finished his errand, he traced the horses to find their owner. Someone told him, 'That was the former governor of Shu, Lian Fan—he always helps people in need. He is on his way to the imperial funeral alone, just like that.' Lin had heard of Fan. He brought the horses to Fan's door, thanked him, and returned them. People admired his chivalry but criticized his closeness to General-in-chief Dou Xian. He died at home.
29
初，範與洛陽慶鴻為刎頸交，時人稱曰：『前有管、鮑，後有慶、廉。 』鴻慷慨有義節，位至瑯邪、會稽二郡太守，所在有異跡。
Fan and Qing Hong of Luoyang were sworn friends. People said, 'After Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya come Qing Hong and Lian Fan.' Hong was high-minded and principled. He rose to governor of Langye and Kuaiji and left a remarkable record in each post.
30
論曰：『張堪、廉範皆以氣俠立名，觀其振危急，赴險厄，有足壯者。 堪之臨財，範之忘施，亦足以信意而感物矣。 若夫高祖之召欒布，明帝之引廉範，加怒以發其誌，就戮更延其寵，聞義能徙，誠君道所尚，然情理之樞，亦有開塞之感焉。
The historian's judgment: Zhang Kan and Lian Fan won renown through chivalrous spirit. They lifted others from danger and braved hardship themselves—enough to stir the reader. Kan's integrity before riches and Fan's anonymous kindness speak to the heart. Gaozu summoned Luan Bu; Mingdi drew in Lian Fan—anger drew out their true mettle, and mercy followed the blade. A ruler who hears right and changes course follows the highest ideal, yet the hinge of human feeling opens and closes in ways that still move us.'
31
王堂字敬伯，廣漢郪人也。 初舉光祿茂才，遷穀城令，治有名跡。 永初中，西羌寇巴郡，為民患，詔書遣中郎將尹就攻討，連年不克。 三府舉堂治劇，拜巴郡太守。 堂馳兵赴賊，斬虜千餘級，巴、庸清靜，吏民生為立祠。 刺史張喬表其治能，遷右扶風。
Wang Tang, courtesy name Jingbo, came from Qi in Guanghan commandery. He was first recommended as flourishing talent by the minister of the household, then became magistrate of Gucheng, where his administration won notice. Early in Yongchu the western Qiang plagued Ba commandery. The court sent General Yin Jiu against them year after year without success. The three highest bureaus nominated him as a man who could handle a crisis, and he was named governor of Ba. Tang struck the enemy at speed and took more than a thousand heads. Ba and Yong grew calm, and the people erected a living shrine to him. Inspector Zhang Qiao cited his competence, and he was promoted to governor of You Fufeng.
32
安帝西巡，阿母王聖、中常侍江京等並請屬於堂，堂不為用。 掾史固諫之，堂曰：『吾蒙國恩，豈可為權寵阿意，以死守之！ 』即日遣家屬歸，閉閤上病。 果有誣奏堂者，會帝崩，京等悉誅，堂以守正見稱。 永建二年，徵入為將作大臣。 四年，坐公事左轉議郎。 復拜魯相，政存簡一，至數年無辭訟。 遷汝南太守，搜才禮士，不茍自專，乃教掾史曰：『古人勞於求賢，逸於任使，故能化清於上，事緝於下。 其憲章朝右，簡核才職，委功曹陳蕃。 匡政理務，拾遺補闕，任主簿應嗣。 庶循名責實，察言觀效焉。 』自是委誠求當，不復妄有辭教，郡內稱治。 時大將軍梁商及尚書令袁湯，以求屬不行，並恨之。 後廬江賊迸入弋陽界，堂勒兵追討，即便奔散，而商、湯猶因此風州奏堂在任無警，免歸家。
On Emperor An's western tour, the emperor's nurse Wang Sheng and eunuch Jiang Jing all pressed Wang Tang for favors; he refused. His staff urged him to yield. Tang replied, 'The state has honored me—I will not toady to the powerful and their favorites, even on pain of death!' That day he sent his household away, shut his gates, and memorialized that he was ill. False charges followed, but the emperor died before they could bite; Jiang Jing and his clique were executed, and Tang won praise for standing firm. In Yongjian 2 he was recalled as minister of works. In the fourth year a bureaucratic fault demoted him to gentleman consultant. He was again named chancellor of Lu. His rule was plain and unified, and for years no one brought suit. As governor of Runan he recruited talent and honored scholars, refusing to decide everything himself. He told his staff, 'The ancients wore themselves out finding good men, then ruled easily through them—purity at the top, order below.' For drafting rules for high officials and vetting appointments, rely on merit clerk Chen Fan. For policy, administration, and plugging gaps in governance, assign chief clerk Ying Si. Then we can match titles to deeds and judge men by what they achieve.' After that he delegated in good faith and stopped issuing idle orders. The commandery was judged well run. Grand General Liang Shang and Director Yuan Tang both bore him a grudge when he turned down their patronage. When Lujiang bandits spilled into Yiyang, Tang dispersed them at once. Even so, Liang Shang and Yuan Tang persuaded the provincial authorities to charge him with negligence in office, and he was sent home.
33
年八十六卒。 遺令薄斂，瓦棺以葬。 子稚，清行不仕。 曾孫商，益州牧劉焉以為蜀郡太守，有治聲。
He died at eighty-six. He ordered a plain funeral and burial in a tile coffin. His son Zhi lived a clean life and never took office. His great-grandson Shang became governor of Shu under Liu Yan of Yizhou and was known as an able administrator.
34
蘇章字孺文，扶風平陵人也。 八世祖建，武帝時為右將軍。 祖父純，字桓公，有高名，性強切而持毀譽，士友鹹憚之，至乃相謂曰：『見蘇桓公，患其教責人，不見，又思之。 』三輔號為『大人』。 永平中，為奉車都尉竇固軍，出擊北匈奴、車師有功，封中陵鄉侯，官至南陽太守。
Su Zhang, courtesy name Ruwen, came from Pingling in Fufeng. His eighth-generation ancestor Jian had been general of the right under Emperor Wu. His grandfather Chun, known as Lord Huan of the Su clan, was famous, blunt, and severe; friends feared him yet said, 'Seeing Su Huan means a lecture, but not seeing him leaves us wanting.' The capital region called him a 'great man.' Under Yongping he campaigned with Dou Gu against the northern Xiongnu and Jushi, won a marquisate at Zhongling village, and rose to governor of Nanyang.
35
章少博學，能屬文。 安帝時，舉賢良方正，對策高第，為議郎。 數陳得失，其言甚直。 出為武原令，時歲饑，輒開倉廩，活三千餘戶。 順帝時，遷冀州刺史。 故人為清河太守，章行部案其奸臧。 乃請太守，為設酒肴，陳平生之好甚次。 太守喜曰：『人皆有一天，我獨有二天。 』章曰：『今夕蘇孺文與故人飲者，私恩也； 明日冀州刺史案事者，公法也。 』遂舉正其罪。 州境知章無私，望風畏肅。 換為并州刺史，以推折權豪，忤旨，坐免。 隱身鄉裏，不交當世。 後徵為河南尹，不就。 時天下日敝，民多悲苦，論者舉章有幹國才，朝廷不能復用，卒於家。 兄曾孫不韋。
Su Zhang was widely read as a youth and wrote well. Under Emperor An he entered the worthy-and-upright examination with a top policy essay and became a gentleman consultant. He often spoke bluntly on what was wrong with government. As magistrate of Wuyuan during a famine he opened the granaries and kept more than three thousand households alive. Under Emperor Shun he became regional inspector of Ji province. An old friend was governor of Qinghe. On circuit Su Zhang investigated him for embezzlement. He invited the governor to a banquet and spoke warmly of their long friendship. The governor exclaimed, 'Most men answer to one Heaven—I have two!' Zhang replied, 'Tonight Su Ruwen drinks with a friend—that is private kindness;' tomorrow the inspector of Ji who reviews your case—that is the law of the state.' He then filed charges and convicted him. The whole province saw that Su Zhang showed no favoritism; word of it spread and men walked in fear. Transferred to Bing province, he crushed powerful families, crossed the throne, and was removed from office. He withdrew to his village and shunned public life. Later summoned as governor of Henan, he declined. The empire slid into decay and the people suffered. Critics said Su Zhang could still serve the state, but the court never recalled him, and he died at home. The great-grandson of his elder brother was Su Buwei.
36
曾孫不韋
Su Buwei, great-grandson (section title).
37
不韋字公先。 父謙，初為郡督郵。 時魏郡李暠為美陽令，與中常侍具瑗交通，貪暴為民患，前後監司畏其勢援，莫敢糾問。 及謙至，部案得其臧，論輸左校。 謙累遷至金城太守，去郡歸鄉裏。 漢法，免罷守令，自非詔徵，不得妄到京師。 而謙後私至洛陽，時暠為司隸校尉，收謙詰掠，死獄中，暠又因刑其屍，以報昔怨。
Su Buwei, courtesy name Gongxian. His father Qian began as commandery mail inspector. Li Gao of Wei was magistrate of Meiyang, in league with the eunuch Ju Yuan. He extorted and terrorized the people, and inspectors feared his patrons too much to touch him. When Qian took the case, he proved the embezzlement and had Li Gao sentenced to the left convict workshop. Qian rose to governor of Jincheng, then left office and went home. Han law barred dismissed local officials from the capital unless the court summoned them. Qian went to Luoyang without leave. Gao, now colonel of the metropolitan bureau, arrested him, tortured him to death in jail, then mutilated the body to settle an old score.
38
不韋時年十八，徵詣公車，會謙見殺，不韋載喪歸鄉裏，瘞而不葬，仰天嘆曰：『伍子胥獨何人也！ 』乃藏母於武都山中，遂變名姓，盡以家財募劍客，邀暠於諸陵間，不克。 會暠遷大司農，時右校芻廥在寺北垣下，不韋與親從兄弟潛入廥中，夜則鑿地，晝則逃伏。 如此經月，遂得傍達暠之寢室，出其床下。 值暠在廁，因殺其妾並及小兒，留書而去。 暠大驚懼，乃布棘於室，以板籍地，一夕九徙，雖家人莫知其處。 每出，輒劍戟隨身，壯士自衛，不韋知暠有備，乃日夜飛馳，徑到魏郡，掘其父阜冢，斷取阜頭，以祭父墳，又標之於市曰『李君遷父頭』。 暠匿不敢言，而自上退位，歸鄉裏，私掩塞冢槨。 捕求不韋，歷歲不能得，憤恚感傷，發病歐血死。
Buwei was eighteen, bound for the capital on recommendation, when his father was murdered. He brought the body home, buried it provisionally, and cried to Heaven, 'Was Wu Zixu the only man who ever avenged a father!' He hid his mother in the Wudu hills, took a new name, spent his fortune on assassins, and ambushed Gao near the imperial tombs—without success. When Gao became minister of agriculture, Buwei and kinsmen slipped into the fodder granary under the ministry's north wall, tunneling by night and hiding by day. After a month the tunnel opened beneath Gao's bedchamber; they broke through under his couch. Gao was in the privy. They killed his concubine and child, left a note, and fled. Terrified, Gao lined his rooms with thorns, laid planks on the floor, and changed beds nine times a night—even his family never knew where he slept. Gao went nowhere without armed guards. Seeing that, Buwei raced to Wei commandery, opened old man Gao's grave, took the head, burned it on his father's tomb, and posted it in the market with a sign reading 'Li Gao moved his father's skull.' Gao kept silent, resigned, went home, and secretly sealed his father's violated tomb. Years of failed manhunts left Gao consumed by rage; he spat blood and died.
39
不韋後遇赦還家，乃始改葬，行喪。 士大夫多譏其發掘冢墓，歸罪枯骨，不合古義，惟任城何休方之伍員。 太原郭林宗聞而論之曰：『子胥雖雲逃命，而見用強吳，憑闔廬之威，因輕悍之眾，雪怨舊郢，曾不終朝，而但鞭墓戮屍，以舒其憤，竟無手刃後主之報。 豈如蘇子單特孑立，靡因靡資，強仇豪援，據位九卿，城闕天阻，宮府幽絕，埃塵所不能過，霧露所不能沾。 不韋毀身焦慮，出於百死，冒觸嚴禁，陷族禍門，雖不獲逞，為報已深。 況復分骸斷首，以毒生者，使暠懷忿結，不得其命，猶假手神靈以斃之也。 力惟匹夫，功隆千乘，比之於員，不以優乎？ ？ 議者於是貴之。
After an amnesty Buwei came home, reburied his father properly, and observed full mourning. Scholars mocked him for desecrating graves and attacking the dead, which classical ethics forbade. Only He Xiu of Rencheng likened him to Wu Zixu. Guo Tai of Taiyuan disagreed: 'Wu Zixu fled to a strong Wu, rode King Helü's power, and sacked Ying in hours—yet he only flogged the dead king's corpse. He never struck the living ruler who had wronged him.' Su Buwei stood utterly alone. His enemy sat among the nine ministers with court and capital walled against common dust—nothing like Wu Zixu's war host.' He risked execution and extermination, broke every law, and still could not kill Gao in person—yet his vengeance ran deeper.' He carved up the living household and left Gao a broken, haunted man—spirits might as well have struck the final blow.' One man against a minister of state—his deed outweighs a princely host. Does he not surpass Wu Yuan?' Duplicate closing punctuation in the manuscript; no separate sense. After that, critics ranked Su Buwei the higher.
40
後太傅陳蕃辟，不應，為郡五官掾。 初，弘農張奐睦於蘇氏，而武威段颎與暠素善，後奐、颎有隙。 及颎為司隸，以禮辟不韋，不韋懼之，稱病不詣。 颎既積憤於奐，因發怒，乃追咎不韋前報暠事，以為暠表治謙事，被報見誅，君命天也，而不韋仇之。 又令長安男子告不韋多將賓客奪舅財物，遂使從事張賢等就家殺之。 乃先以鴆與賢父曰：『若賢不得不韋，便可飲此。 』賢到扶風，郡守使不韋奉謁迎賢，即時收執，並其一門六十餘人盡誅滅之，諸蘇以是衰破。 乃段颎為陽球所誅，天下以為蘇氏之報焉。
Grand Tutor Chen Fan later summoned him; he declined and served as a commandery clerk. Zhang Huan of Hongnong favored the Su family; Duan Jiong of Wuwei was Li Gao's old friend. Later Huan and Jiong fell out. When Jiong became colonel of the metropolitan bureau, he courteously summoned Buwei, who pleaded illness and stayed away. Jiong already hated Huan; he now vented his rage on Buwei, arguing that Gao had lawfully prosecuted Qian and Heaven had approved the execution—yet Buwei had taken private revenge.' He had a Chang'an man accuse Buwei of robbing his uncle with a mob of retainers, then sent Adjutant Zhang Xian to kill him at home. He first handed Zhang Xian's father a cup of poison. 'If your son fails to kill Buwei, drink this.' At Fufeng the governor sent Buwei to meet Xian—then seized him and slaughtered more than sixty of his kin. The Su clan was destroyed. When Duan Jiong later died at Yang Qiu's hand, the empire called it heaven's answer for the Sus.
41
羊續字興祖，太山平陽人也。 其先七世二千石卿校，祖父侵，安帝時司隸校尉。 父儒，桓帝時為太常。
Yang Xu, courtesy name Xingzu, came from Pingyang in Taishan. For seven generations his forebears had held two-thousand-shi rank. His grandfather Qin was colonel of the metropolitan bureau under Emperor An. His father Ru was minister of ceremonies under Emperor Huan.
42
續以忠臣子孫拜郎中，去官後，辟大將軍竇武府。 及武敗，坐黨事，禁錮十餘年，幽居守靜。 及黨禁解，復辟太尉府，四遷為廬江太守。 後揚州黃巾賊攻舒，焚燒城郭，續發縣中男子二十以上，皆持兵勒陳，其小弱者，悉使負水灌火，會集數萬人，並執力戰，大破之，郡界平。 後安風賊戴風等作亂，續復擊破之，斬首三千餘級，生獲渠帥，其餘黨輩原為平民，賦與佃器，使就農業。
As a descendant of a loyal official he became a gentleman of the palace, then joined Grand General Dou Wu's staff. When Dou Wu fell, he was caught in the faction proscription and spent more than a decade in seclusion. When the blacklist ended he joined the grand commandant's staff and after four promotions became governor of Lujiang. When Yangzhou Yellow Turbans burned Shu, Yang Xu called up every man over twenty to fight, sent boys and the weak to haul water against the flames, and with tens of thousands routed the rebels and restored peace. He crushed Dai Feng's revolt at Anfeng, took three thousand heads, captured the leaders, paroled the followers as farmers, and gave them tools.
43
中平三年，江夏兵趙慈反叛，殺南陽太守秦頡，攻沒六縣，拜續為南陽太守。 當入郡界，乃羸服間行，侍童子一人，觀歷縣邑，采問風謠，然後乃進。 其令長貪挈，吏民良猾，悉逆知其狀，郡內驚竦，莫不震懾。 乃發兵與荊州刺史王敏共擊慈，斬之，獲首五千餘級，屬縣餘賊並詣續降，續為上言，宥其枝附。 賊既清平，乃班宣政令，候民病利，百姓歡服。
In Zhongping 3 Zhao Ci of Jiangxia killed Governor Qin Jie and overran six counties. Yang Xu was named governor of Nanyang. Before entering the commandery he traveled in disguise with a single boy, toured the towns, listened to rumor and song, then took office. He learned which magistrates were corrupt and which clerks were honest or crooked before he arrived. The commandery trembled. He joined Inspector Wang Min of Jing province, killed Zhao Ci, took five thousand heads, and accepted the surrender of the remaining bandits, then petitioned to spare their followers. With the rebels gone he published fair regulations, asked after the people's welfare, and won their trust.
44
時，權豪之家多尚奢麗，續深疾之，常敝衣薄食，車馬羸敗。 府丞嘗獻其生魚，續受而懸於庭； 丞後又進之，續乃出前所懸者以杜其意。 續妻後與子秘俱往郡舍，續閉門不內妻，自將秘行，其資藏惟有布衾、敝祗裯，鹽、麥數斛而已，顧敕秘曰：『吾自奉若此，何以資爾母乎？ 』使與母俱歸。
While great families flaunted wealth, Yang Xu wore threadbare clothes, ate plain food, and drove broken-down carts in deliberate contrast. His assistant once sent live fish; Yang Xu hung them in the courtyard; when the gift came again, he pointed to the dried fish still hanging and refused the hint. When his wife and son Mi visited headquarters, he barred the door to his wife, showed Mi his quarters—only a cotton quilt, a patched coat, a few measures of salt and grain—and said, 'I live like this; how could I support your mother?' He sent them home together.
45
六年，靈帝欲以續為太尉。 時拜三公者，皆輸東園禮錢千萬，令中使督之，名為『左騶』。 其所之往，輒迎致禮敬，厚加贈賂。 續乃坐使人於單席，舉缊袍以示之，曰：『臣之所資，惟斯而已。 』左騶白之，帝不悅，以此故不登公位。 而徵為太常，未及行，會病卒，時年四十八。 遺言薄斂，不受赗遺。 舊典，二千石卒官賻百萬，府丞焦儉遵續先意，一無所受。 詔書褒美，敕太山太守以府賻錢賜續家雲。
In the sixth year Emperor Ling wished to appoint Yang Xu grand commandant. Appointees to the three dukes had to pay ten million cash to the Eastern Park treasury under eunuch collectors—the so-called 'left outrider' fee. Wherever the collectors followed him, local officials greeted them with honors and rich bribes. Yang Xu seated the eunuch on a straw mat and held up his worn padded robe. 'This is all I own,' he said. The collector reported back; the emperor took offense, and Yang Xu never received a seat among the three dukes. He was recalled as minister of ceremonies but died at forty-eight before taking up the post. He ordered a plain funeral and refused burial gifts. Statute allowed a million cash for a fallen two-thousand-shi official. Assistant Governor Jiao Jian honored Xu's wishes and refused every coin. An edict praised him and directed the governor of Taishan to pay the funeral subsidy to his family.
46
賈琮字孟堅，東郡聊城人也。 舉孝廉，再遷為京令，有政理跡。
Jia Cong, courtesy name Mengjian, came from Liaocheng in Dong commandery. Recommended as filial and incorrupt, he rose to magistrate of Jing with a record of sound administration.
47
舊交阯土多珍產，明璣、翠羽、犀、象、玳瑁、異香、美木之屬，莫不自出。 前後刺史率多無情行，上承權貴，下積私賂，財計盈給，輒復求見遷代，故吏民怨叛。 中平元年，交阯屯兵反，執刺史及合浦太守，自稱『柱天將軍』。 靈帝特敕三府精選能吏，有司舉琮為交阯刺史。 琮到部，訊其反狀，鹹言賦斂過重，百姓莫不空單，京師遙遠，告冤無所，民不聊生，故聚為盜賊。 琮即移書告示，各使安其資業，招撫荒散，蠲復徭役，誅斬渠帥為大害者，簡選良吏試守諸縣，歲間蕩定，百姓以安。 巷路為之歌曰：『賈父來晚，使我先反； 今見清平，吏不敢飯。 』在事三年，為十三州最，徵拜議郎。
Jiaozhi once teemed with pearls, feathers, ivory, rhino horn, tortoiseshell, rare incense, and fine timber, all produced locally. Inspector after inspector lined his pockets, curried favor at court, extorted bribes below, and left for a new post once rich—so the people rose in fury. In Zhongping 1 the Jiaozhi garrison mutinied, seized the inspector and the governor of Hepu, and proclaimed a 'pillar-of-heaven general.' Emperor Ling ordered the three bureaus to nominate able men, and Jia Cong was named inspector of Jiaozhi. On arrival he asked why they had revolted. All blamed crushing taxes, destitution, and no redress so far from the capital—so men had turned bandit. He issued orders letting people keep their livelihoods, brought refugees in, cut corvée, executed the worst chiefs, and appointed honest men to acting magistracies. Within a year the region was quiet. A song ran in the streets: 'If Father Jia had come sooner, we would not have risen first;' now that the rule is clean, clerks dare not even take a meal bribe.' After three years he ranked first among the thirteen provinces and was recalled as gentleman consultant.
48
時，黃巾新破，兵兇之後，郡縣重斂，因緣生奸。 詔書沙汰刺史、二千石，更選清能吏，乃以琮為冀州刺史。 舊典，傳車驂駕，垂赤帷裳，迎於州界。 及琮之部，升車言曰：『刺史當遠視廣聽，糾察美惡，何有反垂帷裳以自掩塞乎？ 』乃命禦者褰之。 百城聞風，自然竦震。 其諸臧過者，望風解印綬去，惟癭陶長濟陰董昭、觀津長梁國黃就當官待琮，於是州界翕然。
The Yellow Turbans had just been crushed; counties were taxing heavily in the wake of war, and corruption flourished. An edict purged inspectors and governors and named honest men in their place; Jia Cong became inspector of Ji province. By custom a three-horse relay coach with red curtains met the inspector at the border. At the border Cong mounted his carriage and said, 'An inspector must see and hear everything. Why hide behind curtains?' He ordered the driver to strip them away. Word spread through the commanderies and every magistrate trembled. Corrupt magistrates fled before he arrived. Only Dong Zhao of Yingtao and Huang Jiu of Guanjin stayed at their posts to meet him. The province settled into order.
49
靈帝崩，大將軍何進表琮為度遼將軍，卒於官。
After Emperor Ling died, Grand General He Jin named him general who crosses the Liao; he died in that post.
50
陸康字季寧，吳郡吳人也。 祖父續，在《獨行傳》。 父褒，有誌操，連徵不至。 康少仕郡，以義烈稱，刺史臧旻舉為茂才，除高成令。 縣在邊垂，令戶一人具弓弩以備不虞，不得行來。 長吏新到，輒發民繕修城郭。 康至，皆罷遣，百姓大悅。 以恩信為治，寇盜亦息，州郡表上其狀。 光和元年，遷武陵太守，轉守桂陽、樂安二郡，所在稱之。
Lu Kang, courtesy name Jining, came from Wu in Wu commandery. His grandfather Lu Xu has a biography in the chapter on solitary integrity. His father Bao was a man of principle who repeatedly refused summons. Lu Kang served his commandery young and was known for integrity. Inspector Zang Min recommended him as flourishing talent, and he became magistrate of Gaocheng. The frontier county required one man per household armed with bow and crossbow; travel was restricted. New magistrates habitually drafted the people to repair the walls. Lu Kang ended both practices, and the people rejoiced. He ruled with kindness and good faith; banditry subsided, and provincial authorities reported his success. In Guanghe 1 he became governor of Wuling, then Guiyang and Le'an, earning praise in each post.
51
時，靈帝欲鑄銅人，而國用不足，乃詔調民田，畝斂十錢。 而比水旱傷稼，百姓貧苦。 康上疏諫曰：『臣聞先王治世，貴在愛民。 省徭輕賦，以寧天下，除煩就約，以崇簡易，故萬姓從化，靈物應德。 末世衰主，窮奢極侈，造作無端，興制非一，勞割自下，以從茍欲，故黎民吁嗟，陰陽感動。 陛下聖德承天，當隆盛化，而卒被詔書，畝斂田錢，鑄作銅人，伏讀惆悵，悼心失圖。 夫十一而稅，周謂之徹。 徹者通也，言其法度可通萬世而行也。 故魯宣稅畝，而蝝災自生； 哀公增賦，而孔子非之。 豈有聚奪民物，以營無用之銅人； 捐舍聖戒，自蹈亡王之法哉！ 傳曰：「君舉必書，書而不法，後世何述焉？ 」陛下宜留神省察，改敝從善，以塞兆民怨恨之望。 』書奏，內幸因此譖康援引亡國，以譬聖明，大不敬，檻車徵詣廷尉。 待御史劉岱典考其事，岱為表陳解釋，免歸田里。 復徵拜議郎。
Emperor Ling planned bronze statues but lacked funds, so he ordered a tax of ten cash per mu of farmland. Floods and drought had ruined the harvests; the people were destitute. Lu Kang memorialized: 'The ancient kings put love for the people first.' They cut labor service and taxes, simplified government, and won the people—spirits and omens answered their virtue.' Late rulers ruined themselves with endless projects and taxes to satisfy whim, and the people groaned—Heaven and earth responded with disaster.' Your virtue matches Heaven's; you should bring a golden age—yet now a tax on every mu and bronze giants. I read the edict with grief and lose heart.' The Zhou called a one-tenth land tax the che levy.' Che means universal—that law was fit for all ages.' When Duke Xuan of Lu taxed by the mu, locust plagues followed;' when Duke Ai raised taxes, Confucius condemned him.' How can you strip the people to cast useless statues;' discard the sages' warnings and repeat the errors of fallen dynasties!' The classic says: "A ruler's deeds are chronicled; if they are lawless, what can later ages praise?'" Reflect on this, turn from error to good, and answer the people's plea.' The eunuchs charged him with likening the emperor to doomed tyrants—a capital offense—and had him hauled to the commandant of justice in a prison cart. Attendant Censor Liu Dai reviewed the case, filed a defense, and Lu Kang was cleared and sent home. He was later recalled as gentleman consultant.
52
會廬江賊黃穰等與江夏蠻連結十餘萬人，攻沒四縣，拜康廬江太守。 康申明賞罰，擊破穰等，餘黨悉降。 帝嘉其功，拜康孫尚為郎中。 獻帝即位，天下大亂，康蒙險遣孝廉計吏奉貢朝廷，詔書策勞，加忠義將軍，秩中二千石。 時袁術屯兵壽春，部曲饑餓，遣使求委輸兵甲。 康以其叛逆，閉門不通，內修戰備，將以禦之。 術大怒，遣其將孫策政康，圍城數重。 康固守，吏士有先受休假者，皆遁伏還赴，暮夜緣城而入。 受敵二年，城陷。 月餘，發病卒，年七十。 宗族百餘人，遭離饑厄，死者將半。 朝廷湣其守節，拜子俊為郎中。
When Huang Rang of Lujiang and over a hundred thousand Jiangxia tribesmen overran four counties, Lu Kang was named governor of Lujiang. He made rewards and punishments clear, crushed Huang Rang, and accepted the surrender of the rest. The emperor honored his service by appointing his grandson Lu Shang as gentleman of the palace. After Emperor Xian's accession, while the realm collapsed, Lu Kang sent tribute through perilous roads. The court thanked him with edict, named him general of loyalty and righteousness at median two-thousand-shi rank. Yuan Shu was camped at Shouchun with starving troops; he sent to Lu Kang for supplies and arms. Lu Kang treated him as a rebel, barred his envoys, and prepared the city's defenses. Yuan Shu was furious and sent Sun Ce to besiege Lu Kang; camp after camp ringed the city. Lu Kang held the city. Men on leave stole back by night and scaled the walls to rejoin the defense. After two years the city fell. He fell ill and died a month later at seventy. Of more than a hundred kinsmen caught in the siege and famine, nearly half perished. The court honored his loyalty by appointing his son Lu Jun as gentleman of the palace.
53
少子績，仕吳為郁林太守，博學善政，見稱當時。 幼年曾謁袁術，懷橘墮地者也，有名稱。
His youngest son Lu Ji became governor of Yulin under Wu, famed for learning and good rule. As a boy he once visited Yuan Shu—the child who hid oranges in his sleeve and became famous for it.
54
贊曰：伋牧朔藩，信立童昏。 詩守南楚，民作謠言。 奮馳單乘，堪駕毀轅。 範得其朋，堂任良肱。 二蘇勁烈，羊、賈廉能。 季寧拒策，城隕沖朋。
Encomium: Guo Ji governed the northern frontier and kept faith even with the children along his route. Du Shi governed southern Chu, and the people sang his praise. Kong Fen departed Guzang without baggage; Zhang Kan left Chengdu in a cart with a broken axle. Lian Fan chose true friends; Wang Tang relied on able deputies. The two Sus were stern integrity; Yang Xu and Jia Cong were clean hands. Lu Kang defied Sun Ce; the city fell and his clan was shattered.