1
Fan Hong, courtesy name Miqing, came from Huyang in Nanyang and was Emperor Guangwu's maternal uncle. The line descended from Zhong Shanfu of Zhou, enfeoffed at Fan, whence the surname—a leading local family. His father Chong, courtesy name Junyun, came from a line of skilled farmers and had a gift for commerce. Chong was gentle and principled. Three generations held property in common; descendants greeted one another morning and evening with the formality of a court household. He ran his lands without waste, matched every servant to the right task, and doubled his income year by year until he held more than three hundred qing. His manor houses had double halls and tall pavilions, with dikes and canals for irrigation. Fishponds and herds supplied every request. Planning to furnish his estate, he planted catalpa and lacquer years ahead; neighbors mocked him until the timber and lacquer matured—then they all came begging to borrow. His fortune ran to millions, yet he fed his kin and spread generosity through the countryside. When his He grandsons quarreled over an inheritance, Chong ended the suit with two qing of land out of shame at the dispute. The county honored him and named him one of the three village elders. He died in his eighties. He had lent millions across the neighborhood; his dying order was to burn the IOUs. Debtors, shamed, rushed to repay; his sons obeyed his will and refused every coin.
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Fan Hong showed purpose and integrity from an early age. Late in Wang Mang's reign, Liu Yan (Bosheng) and his cousin Liu Ci besieged Huyang without taking it. Liu Ci's sister was Fan Hong's wife, so Huyang jailed Hong's family and ordered him to persuade Liu Yan to lift the siege. Hong stayed with the rebels instead. The garrison commander wanted them executed, but local officials said, 'The Fan family has earned the district's respect—punishment can wait.' As Han forces grew, Huyang panicked and never carried out the execution; the family went free. The Gengshi regime wanted Fan Hong as a general; he kowtowed and refused: 'I am a scholar, not a soldier.' He was allowed to go home. He and his clan threw up earthworks for defense; more than a thousand households of refugees joined him. When Red Eyebrows ravaged Tangzi and turned toward Fan Hong's camp, he sent gifts of food and drink. Their elders had heard of Fan Hong's kindness. 'He has always been good to people, and now he treats us like this—how could we attack him?' They marched away, and Fan Hong's people were spared.
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Emperor Guangwu named him minister of the household with specially advanced rank, standing just below the three dukes. In Jianwu 5 he received the marquisate of Changluo. In Jianwu 13 his brother Dan became marquis of Sheyang, his nephew Xun marquis of Xuan township, and his cousin Zhong marquis of Gengfu. In Jianwu 15 his fief was fixed at Shouzhang. In Jianwu 18 the emperor sacrificed at Zhangling, stopped at Huyang to honor Fan Chong's grave, posthumously titled him Reverent Marquis of Shouzhang, built a temple, and on every southern tour visited the tomb with rich gifts.
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Fan Hong was modest, cautious, and never grasped for promotion. He often told his sons, 'Fortune that overflows its banks never lasts.' I do not despise rank—Heaven hates the proud and loves the humble. The fate of every powerful clan is warning enough.' To keep life and integrity whole—what greater joy is there?' At every court session he arrived before the hour, lay prostrate until proceedings began, and only then rose. The emperor told his escort to notify Fan Hong only at the last moment so he would not wait so long. He wrote his own memorials on policy and destroyed every draft. When questioned in open court he never answered in front of the assembly. His kin absorbed his example and never broke the law. The emperor held him in the highest regard. When he fell mortally ill, the emperor visited, stayed the night, and asked his last wishes. Fan Hong kowtowed and said, 'I have no merit yet hold a great fief; I fear my heirs cannot bear so much favor and my spirit would be shamed in the grave. Let me return Shouzhang for a minor fief.' The emperor was moved but refused.
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He died in Jianwu 27. He ordered the plainest burial: no grave goods. A coffin should not be reopened; decay would wound his sons' hearts. Bury him beside his wife in one mound but separate vaults. The emperor praised the testament, read it to the court, and said, 'We must honor the marquis of Shouzhang or fail his virtue.' When my own end comes, I want the same simplicity.' The court granted ten million cash and ten thousand bolts of silk, titled him Reverent Marquis, bestowed seals, and the emperor attended the funeral. His son Fan Tiao inherited the title. Grieving for Fan Hong, the emperor also enfeoffed his youngest son Fan Mao as marquis of Pingwang. Five branches of the Fan family held marquisates. The following year the court gave Fan Wei and seven cousins fifty million cash.
6
The historian remarks: King Qingxiang of Chu once asked the lord of Yangling what a gentleman's wealth should be. The answer: 'He lends without hounding debtors, feeds people without turning them into servants, wins love from kin and praise from all.' Fan Chong's burning of IOUs to end quarrels comes close to that ideal. Heaven works through sharing; full granaries uphold ritual. Apply that wisdom, and it becomes sound government. How far that stands from wealth that buys fear as well as love!
7
Fan Tiao, courtesy name Changyu, was as careful and restrained as his father. He mourned his stepmother past the bounds of ritual until he fell ill; Emperor Guangwu sent eunuchs morning and evening with gruel. After mourning he studied the Yan school Gongyang commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals under Attendant-in-Chief Ding Gong. In Jianwu the laws were loose; grown princes vied for clients and courted Fan Tiao as imperial in-law, but he kept to himself and joined no faction. When Prince Liu Fu of Pei fell, many imperial in-laws were arrested; Fan Tiao escaped because he had never joined their circle. When the emperor died, Fan Tiao served as colonel in charge of the imperial burial.
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永平元年，拜長水校尉，與公卿雜定郊祠禮儀，以讖記正《五經》異說。 北海周澤、瑯邪承宮並海內大儒，鯈皆以為師友而致之於朝。 上言郡國舉孝廉，率取年少能報恩者，耆宿大賢多見廢棄，宜敕郡國簡用良俊。 又議刑辟宜須秋月，以順時氣。 顯宗並從之。 二年，以壽張國益東平王，徙封鯈燕侯。 其後廣陵王荊有罪，帝以至親悼傷之，詔鯈與羽林監南陽任隗雜理其獄。 事竟，奏請誅荊。 引見宣明殿，帝怒曰：『諸卿以我弟故，欲誅之，即我子，卿等敢爾邪！』 鯈仰而對曰：『天下高帝天下，非陛下之天下也。 《春秋》之義。 「君親無將，將而誅焉」。 是以周公誅弟，季友鴆兄，經傳大之。 臣等以荊屬託母弟，陛下留聖心，加惻隱，故敢請耳。 如令陛下子，臣等專誅而已。』 帝嘆息良久。 鯈益以此知名。 其後弟鮪為子賞求楚王英女敬鄉公主，鯈聞而止之，曰：『建武時，吾家並受榮寵，一宗五侯。 時特進一言，女可以配王，男可以尚主，但以貴寵過盛，即為禍患，故不為也。 且爾一子，奈何棄之於楚乎？』 鮪不從。
In Yongping 1 he was appointed Colonel of the Chang River and, with the high ministers, jointly settled suburban sacrifice ritual, using prognostic texts to correct variant readings in the Five Classics. Zhou Ze of Beihai and Cheng Gong of Langya were both leading scholars of the realm; Fan Tiao took both as teacher-friends and brought them to court. He memorialized that commanderies and kingdoms recommending Filial and Incorrupt candidates favored the young who could repay favors, while elderly worthies were often passed over, and urged that they select truly outstanding men. He also argued that capital punishments should await the autumn month, in accord with seasonal qi. Emperor Ming accepted both proposals. In the second year the state of Shouzhang was added to the Prince of Dongping, and Fan Tiao was transferred to marquis of Yan. Later Prince Liu Jing of Guangling committed crimes; grieving as close kin, the emperor ordered Fan Tiao and the Supervisor of the Feathered Forest Ren Wei of Nanyang to jointly try the case. When the case was concluded, they memorialized requesting Jing's execution. Summoned to the Hall of Illuminating Clarity, the emperor said angrily: 'You wish to execute him because he is my brother—if he were my son, would you dare do the same!' Fan Tiao looked up and replied: 'The realm is Emperor Gao's realm, not Your Majesty's realm alone. The meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals: "For lord and parent there must be no rebellious intent—one who rebels shall be executed." Therefore the Duke of Zhou executed his younger brother and Ji You poisoned his elder brother—the classics and commentaries greatly praise this. We thought that because Jing is the empress-dowager's younger brother, Your Majesty would retain sage consideration and show compassion—therefore we dared only to petition. Had he been Your Majesty's son, we would have executed him outright.' The emperor sighed deeply for a long while. Fan Tiao became even more renowned for this. Later his younger brother Wei sought for his son Shang the Princess Jingxiang, daughter of Prince Ying of Chu; Fan Tiao heard of it and stopped him, saying: 'In the Jianwu era our family all received glory and favor—one clan, five marquises. At that time an eminence grandee needed but one word and daughters could marry princes and sons could marry princesses—but because excessive honor becomes calamity, I did not do so. Moreover you have but one son—how can you cast him off to Chu?' Wei did not listen.
9
In the tenth year of Yongping he died with rich funeral honors and the posthumous title Pitiful Marquis. The emperor sent the eunuch Zhang Yin to record his last requests. Henan county had lost treasury funds; many clerks faced death or exile, and blame was passed down the line to cover the shortfall. Rural officials turned the mess to their profit; Fan Tiao despised it. Yewang's annual tribute of ale and malt candy harassed the people while clerks skimmed the profit. Fan Tiao meant to abolish both practices but fell ill before he could memorialize. Zhang Yin reported everything; the emperor read Fan Tiao's words with grief and ordered both commanderies to comply.
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Fan Tiao had edited the Yan school Gongyang commentary; the age called it Marquis Fan's school, and he taught more than three thousand students. His pupils Li Xiu of Yingchuan and Xia Qin of Jiujiang rose to the three dukes. Xia Qin, courtesy name Bozong, governed Jing and Wan counties and Lingling commandery, earning a name for competence wherever he served. Under Emperor An he became minister of education.
15
Fan Zhun, courtesy name Youling, was a great-grandnephew of Fan Hong's line. His father Rui followed Huang-Lao teaching and lived simply with few wants. In youth Fan Zhun studied Confucian learning and gave his late father's estate, worth millions, to a fatherless nephew. In Yongyuan 15 Emperor He toured Nanyang. Fan Zhun, merit clerk of the commandery, so impressed the emperor that he was named gentleman of the palace and, after escorting the court home, was specially appointed secretary. When Empress Dowager Deng ruled from behind the screen, classical learning declined; Fan Zhun memorialized:
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臣聞賈誼有言，『人君不可以不學』。 故雖大舜聖德，孳孳為善； 成王賢主，崇明師傅。 及光武皇帝受命中興，群雄崩擾，旌旗亂野，東西誅戰，不遑啟處，然猶投戈講藝，息馬論道。 至孝明皇帝，兼天地之姿，用日月之明，庶政萬機，無不簡心，而垂情古典，遊意經藝，每饗射禮畢，正坐自講，諸儒並聽，四方欣欣。 雖闕里之化，矍相之事，誠不足言。 又多徵名儒，以充禮官，如沛國趙孝、瑯邪承宮等，或安車結駟，告歸鄉里； 或豐衣博帶，從見宗廟。 其餘以經術見優者，布在廊廟。 故朝多皤皤之良，華首之老。 每宴會，則論難衎衎，共求政化。 詳覽群言，響如振玉。 朝者進而思政，罷者退而備問。 小大隨化，雍雍可嘉。 期門羽林介胄之士，悉通《孝經》。 博士議郎，一人開門，徒眾百數。 化自聖躬，流及蠻荒，匈奴遣伊秩訾王大車且渠來入就學。 八方肅清，上下無事。 是以議者每稱盛時，咸言永平。
Jia Yi said, 'A ruler must never stop learning.' Even Shun, for all his sagely virtue, strove endlessly for goodness; King Cheng was a wise king who honored his teachers. Emperor Guangwu raised the Han amid chaos and war, yet still laid down arms to teach the classics and dismounted to discuss the Way. Emperor Ming combined natural brilliance with care for every duty, yet loved the classics: after each archery rite he lectured the erudites himself, and the realm rejoiced. Confucius's school at Que and the archery grounds at Juexiang hardly compare. Famous scholars such as Zhao Xiao of Pei and Cheng Gong of Langye filled ritual posts—some rode home in honor carriages; others in full dress attended the imperial shrines. Every scholar who excelled in the classics held a place at court. The court thronged with white-haired worthies. At every feast they debated the classics in good humor, all seeking sound government. He weighed every opinion; their resonance was like the chime of jade. Men at court thought on policy; men who left office studied to ask better questions. High and low moved with the civilizing tide—harmony worth praising. Even the armored guards of the palace gates and feathered forest knew the Classic of Filial Piety. Each erudite or consultant who opened a school drew hundreds of disciples. Culture radiated from the throne to the barbarian marches—the Xiongnu even sent the Worthy King of the Left and senior chief Juqu to study at court. The realm was at peace from every quarter; court and country were untroubled. Critics who praise a golden age always name the Yongping years.
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Today scholars are scarce, and the frontier regions worst of all. Erudites no longer teach; scholars chase flashy rhetoric, abandon blunt loyalty, and trade in slick phrases. Clerical officials ignore the code and learn petty tricks; they sharpen quibbles over the death penalty—mean virtue, thin custom, and cruel judgments follow. Empress Dou under Emperor Wen loved Huang-Lao, yet her quiet influence lasted into the reigns of Emperors Jing and Wu. Issue an edict summoning hidden scholars and men of learning like Zhao Xiao and Cheng Gong to the capital to await your lectures. Let every minister nominate classicists and heirs of old scholarly lines, raise their rank, and set them to carry on the tradition. Recall clerks from the commanderies to study the legal code. Then those who strain to see and hear will daily and monthly find something worth learning. I beg you to follow the path by which former emperors advanced learning.
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太后深納其言，是後屢舉方正、敦樸、仁賢之士。
The empress dowager took his advice to heart and thereafter often summoned men of integrity and benevolence.
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臣聞傳曰：『饑而不損茲曰太，厥災水。』 《春秋穀梁傳》曰：『五穀不登，謂之大侵。 大侵之禮，百官備而不制，群神禱而不祠。』 由是言之，調和陰陽，實在儉節。 朝廷雖勞心元元，事從省約，而在職之吏，尚未奉承。 夫建化致理，由近及遠，故《詩》曰『京師翼翼，四方是則』。 今可先令太官、尚方、考功、上林池籞諸官，實減無事之物，五府調省中都官吏京師作者。 如此，則化及四方，人勞省息。
The tradition says: 'When famine comes and the court does not retrench, that excess brings flood.' The Guliang commentary calls crop failure a great invasion.' In such a crisis officials stand ready but suspend normal business; you pray to the spirits but hold no regular sacrifices.' Harmony of yin and yang depends on austerity. The court cares for the people and orders frugality, but local officials still disobey. Good government spreads from the center outward, as the Odes says: 'The capital sets the pattern for the realm.' Begin by cutting waste at the imperial kitchen, workshops, merit office, and Shanglin parks, and trim staff and artisans in the capital. Then reform will reach the provinces and ease the people's burden.
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伏見被災之郡，百姓雕殘，恐非賑給所能勝贍，雖有其名，終無其實。 可依徵和元年故事，遣使持節慰安。 尤困乏者，徙置荊、揚孰郡，既省轉運之費，且令百姓各安其所。 今雖有西屯之役，宜先東州之急。 如遣使者與二千石隨事消息，悉留富人守其舊士，轉尤貧者過所衣食，誠父母之計也。 願以臣言下公卿平議。
The stricken districts are devastated; nominal relief cannot feed them in fact. Follow Emperor Wu's Zhenghe precedent: send credentialed envoys to comfort the people. Resettle the worst cases in the fertile Jing and Yang commanderies to cut transport costs and let people find stable homes. Even with the western campaign, the east's famine must come first. Send envoys with governors to manage resettlement: keep the wealthy on their land, move only the destitute, and supply them on the road—that would be true parental care for the people. Submit these proposals to the ministers for debate.
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The empress dowager agreed and assigned public farmland to the poor. She immediately named Fan Zhun and Lü Cang acting ministers of the household and sent them to Ji and Yan provinces. Fan Zhun opened the granaries, fed the refugees, and helped them settle; wanderers found relief. On his return he became governor of Julu. After the famine, migration had emptied the district. Fan Zhun promoted farming; within a year grain was abundant and prices fell manyfold. While Qiang raiders plagued the Zhao-Wei border, he defended the frontier and soothed the people; Julu stayed calm.
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In Yongchu 5 he was transferred to governor of Henei. When the Qiang raided again, he led troops to drive them off and rebuilt the stockades; his reputation spread. After three years he was recalled on grounds of illness, then rose to director of the secretariat; his mastery of precedent won trust. In Yuanchu 3 he succeeded Zhou Chang as superintendent of the palace. He died in office in the fifth year of Yuanchu.
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Yin Shi, courtesy name Cibo, came from Xinye in Nanyang and was the elder brother of Empress Yin Lihua by the same mother. The line descended from Guan Zhong; seven generations later Xiu left Qi for Chu, became lord Yin, and took Yin as the clan name. At the fall of Qin they settled in Xinye.
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When Liu Yan raised troops, Yin Shi was studying in Chang'an; he rushed home with more than a thousand kinsmen and retainers to join Liu Yan. Liu Yan named him a colonel. In Gengshi 1 he became lieutenant general, joined the attack on Wan, and separately brought Xinye, Yuyang, Duyan, Guanjun, and Huyang to surrender. In the second year the Gengshi court enfeoffed him as marquis of Yinde with the powers of grand general.
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In Jianwu 1 Guangwu sent for Lady Yin from Xinye and summoned Yin Shi as well. He accompanied his sister to court as commandant of cavalry and received a new fief as marquis of Yin township. In Jianwu 2 his fief was enlarged for military merit; Yin Shi kowtowed and refused: 'The empire is new and many generals deserve reward; I am kin to the harem—more land for me would send the wrong message.' The emperor admired his modesty and named him colonel of the passes to guard Hangu. He rose to palace attendant, then resigned to mourn his mother. In Jianwu 15 his fief was fixed at Yuanlu. When the future Emperor Ming became heir apparent, Yin Shi served as bearer of the mace and tutored the eastern palace. Whenever the emperor toured the provinces, Yin Shi stayed to guard the capital and command the guards. He spoke frankly in audience but never discussed state business with visitors. The emperor esteemed him and held him up as a model to imperial in-laws and the court. He chose worthy subordinates such as Yu Ting, Fu Kuan, and Xue Yin; many rose to ministerial rank.
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When Emperor Ming took the throne, Yin Shi became bearer of the mace with specially advanced rank. He died in Yongping 2 with posthumous honors at his former rank and the title Steadfast Marquis.
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Yin Xing, courtesy name Junling, was Empress Yin's younger brother and a man of great physical strength. In Jianwu 2 he became a palace attendant and acting superintendent of the palace gate, led the imperial cavalry on campaign, and helped pacify the realm. On every outing he carried an umbrella over the emperor, waded mud, and led the palace guards. He always entered first to secure whatever lodging Guangwu chose and won deep trust. Though generous to guests, he kept no adventurers at his door. He disliked Zhang Zong and Xianyu Pou but still recommended their strengths when it served the state; Friends Zhang Fan and Du Qin were close, but he thought them flashy and shallow—he gave them money privately but never recommended them. The world called him loyal and fair. His house was barely finished—only enough to keep out the weather.
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九年，遷侍中，賜爵關內侯。 帝後召興，欲封之，置印綬於前，興固讓曰：『臣未有先登陷陣之功，而一家數人並蒙爵士，令天下觖望，誠為盈溢。 臣蒙陛下、貴人恩澤至厚，富貴已極，不可復加，至誠不願。』 帝嘉興之讓，不奪其志。 貴人問其故，興曰：『貴人不讀書心邪？ 「亢龍有悔。」 夫外戚家苦不知廉退，嫁女欲配侯王，取婦眄睨公主，愚心實不安也。 富貴有極，人當知足，誇奢益為觀聽所譏。』 貴人感其言，深自降挹，卒不為宗親求位。 十九年，拜衛尉，亦輔導皇太子。 明年夏，帝風眩疾甚，後以興領侍中，受顧命於雲臺廣室。 會疾廖，召見興，欲以代吳漢為大司馬。 興叩頭流涕，固讓曰：『臣不敢惜身，誠虧損聖德，不可茍冒。』 至誠發中，感動左右，帝遂聽之。
In Jianwu 9 he became palace attendant and received the rank of full marquis within the passes. The emperor offered a fief; Yin Xing refused: 'I have never stormed the enemy first, yet our family already holds many titles—the empire would resent further reward.' Your majesty and my sister have honored me enough; I cannot accept more.' The emperor respected his refusal and did not force the title on him. His sister asked why. He said, 'Have you not read the Book of Changes?' The line on the dragon at the top of the hexagram: pride brings regret.' In-law families never know when to stop—marrying daughters to princes, sons to princesses. That path terrifies me.' Fortune has its limit; greed for display only draws ridicule.' The empress took his words to heart, checked her family's ambition, and never sought posts for kin. In Jianwu 19 he became superintendent of the guards and tutored the heir apparent. The next summer Guangwu's vertigo grew severe; Yin Xing was named chief palace attendant and received the deathbed charge in the Cloud Terrace hall. When the emperor recovered, he wished to replace Wu Han with Yin Xing as grand marshal. Yin Xing kowtowed in tears: 'I do not cling to life, but accepting would harm your reputation—I cannot.' His sincerity moved everyone present, and the emperor yielded.
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二十三年，卒，時年三十九。 興素與從兄嵩不相能，然敬其威重。 興疾病，帝親臨，問以政事以群臣能不。 興頓首曰：『臣愚不足以知之。 然伏見議郎席廣、謁者陰嵩，並經行明深，逾於公卿。』 興沒後，帝思其言，遂擢廣為光祿勛； 嵩為中郎將，監羽林十餘年，以謹敕見幸。 顯宗即位，拜長樂衛尉，遷執金吾。 永平元年詔曰：『故侍中衛尉關內侯興，典領禁兵，從平天下，當以軍功顯受封爵，又諸舅比例，應蒙恩澤，興皆固讓，安乎裏巷。 輔導朕躬，有周昌之直，在家仁孝，有曾、閔之行，不幸早卒，朕甚傷之。 賢者子孫，宜加優異。 其以汝南之鲖陽封興子慶為鯛陽侯，慶弟博為㶏強侯。』 博弟員、丹竝為郎，慶推田宅財物悉與員、丹。 帝以慶義讓，擢為黃門侍郎。 慶卒，子琴嗣。 建初五年，興夫人卒，肅宗使五官中郎將持節即墓賜策，追謚興曰翼侯。 琴卒，子萬全嗣。 萬全卒，子桂嗣。
In the twenty-third year of Jianwu he died, aged thirty-nine. Yin Xing had long been at odds with his cousin Yin Song, yet he respected Song's authority. When Yin Xing fell ill, the emperor visited him in person and asked about state affairs and the competence of his ministers. Yin Xing kowtowed and said: 'I am too foolish to judge this. Yet I have observed Consultant Gentleman Xi Guang and Usher Yin Song—both of exemplary conduct who surpass the senior ministers.' After Yin Xing's death the emperor heeded his advice and promoted Xi Guang to Director of the Imperial Household; Yin Song became General of the Gentlemen and oversaw the Feathered Forest guard for over ten years, winning favor through diligence and restraint. When Emperor Ming ascended the throne, Song was appointed Commandant of Changle and later transferred to Bearer of the Mace. In Yongping 1 an edict proclaimed: 'The late Secretariat Director and Commandant of the Guard, Marquis Within the Passes Yin Xing, commanded the palace guards and helped pacify the realm—by military merit he deserved an open fief, and as imperial in-laws his kin were due proportional honors, yet he steadfastly refused and lived quietly in his lane. He guided me with Zhou Chang's integrity, and at home showed the filial devotion of Zeng and Min. His untimely death grieves Us deeply. The descendants of the worthy deserve special favor. Let his son Qing be enfeoffed as marquis of Diaoyang in Runan, and Qing's younger brother Bo as marquis of Ruqiang.' Bo's younger brothers Yuan and Dan both became palace gentlemen; Qing gave all his land, houses, and property to Yuan and Dan. Impressed by Qing's selfless generosity, the emperor promoted him to Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate. When Qing died, his son Qin succeeded him. In Jianchu 5, when Yin Xing's wife died, Emperor Zhang sent the General of the Five Offices with imperial credentials to the tomb to grant an edict posthumously enfeoffing Yin Xing as marquis of Yi. When Qin died, his son Wanquan succeeded. When Wanquan died, his son Gui succeeded.
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Yin Jiu inherited their father's fief as marquis of Xuan'en, later transferred to Xinyang. Yin Jiu was the finest debater at court but was arrogant and unpopular. Emperor Ming named him privy treasurer with specially advanced rank. Yin Jiu's son Yin Feng married Princess Liyi. The princess was jealous and spoiled; Yin Feng was hot-tempered as well. In Yongping 2 Yin Feng murdered the princess and was put to death. His parents faced collective guilt and took their own lives; the fief was abolished. Out of regard for the maternal kin, the emperor did not extend punishment to the full extent of the law.
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Four branches of the Yin clan held marquisates. For generations the Yin family had sacrificed to Guan Zhong as 'Lord Chancellor.' Under Emperor Xuan, Yin Zifang was famously filial. On the la festival he lit the kitchen fire at dawn, the stove god appeared, and Zifang bowed twice to receive its blessing. He sacrificed a yellow sheep from his flock to the god. After that the family rose overnight to enormous wealth—more than seven hundred qing of land, carriages, horses, and retainers like a prince's household. Zifang used to say, 'My descendants will grow powerful'—and by Yin Shi's generation, three lines later, the clan had indeed flourished. Hence the custom of sacrificing a yellow sheep to the stove on the la day.
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贊曰：權族好傾，後門多毀。 樊氏世篤，陰亦戒侈。 恂恂苗胤，傳龜襲紫。
Encomium: Powerful families invite ruin; back doors to power often end in disaster. The Fans held firm for generations; the Yins shunned excess. Their modest heirs still inherited gold seals and purple ribbons generation after generation.