1
樊宏字靡卿，南陽湖陽人也，世祖之舅。 其先周仲山甫，封於樊，因而氏焉，為鄉里著姓。 父重，字君雲，世善農稼，好貨殖。 重性溫厚，有法度，三世共財，子孫朝夕禮敬，常若公家。 其營理產業，物無所棄，課役童隸，各得其宜，故能上下戮力，財利歲倍，至乃開廣田土三百餘頃。 其所起廬舍，皆有重堂高閣，陂渠灌註。 又池魚牧畜，有求必給。 嘗欲作器物，先種梓漆，時人嗤之，然積以歲月，皆得其用，向之笑者咸求假焉。 資至巨萬，而賑贍宗族，恩加鄉閭。 外孫何氏兄弟爭財，重恥之，以田二頃解其忿訟。 縣中稱美，推為三老。 年八十餘終。 其素所假貸人間數百萬，遺令焚削文契。 責家聞者皆慚，爭往償之，諸子從敕，竟不肯受。
Fan Hong, courtesy name Miqqing, came from Huyang in Nanyang and was Emperor Guangwu's uncle by marriage. 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.
2
宏少有誌行。 王莽末，義兵起，劉伯升與族兄賜俱將兵攻湖陽，城守不下。 賜女弟為宏妻，湖陽由是收系宏妻子，令出譬伯升，宏因留不反。 湖陽軍帥欲殺其妻子，長吏以下共相謂曰：『樊重子父，禮義恩德行於鄉里，雖有罪，且當在後。 』會漢兵日盛，湖陽惶急，未敢殺之，遂得免脫。 更始立，欲以宏為將，宏叩頭辭曰：『書生不習兵事。 』竟得免歸。 與宗家親屬作營塹自守，老弱歸之者千餘家。 時赤眉賊掠唐子鄉，多所殘殺，欲前攻宏營，宏遣人持牛酒米穀，勞遺赤眉。 赤眉長老先聞宏仁厚，皆稱曰：『樊君素善，且今見待如此，何心攻之。 』引兵而去，遂免寇難。
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.
3
世祖即位，拜光祿大夫，位特進，次三公。 建武五年，封長羅侯。 十三年，封弟丹為射陽侯，兄子尋玄鄉侯，族兄忠更父侯。 十五年，定封宏壽張侯。 十八年，帝南祠章陵，過湖陽，祠重墓，追爵謚為壽張敬侯，立廟於湖陽，車駕每南巡，常幸其墓，賞賜大會。
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.
4
宏為人謙柔畏慎，不求茍進。 常戒其子曰：『富貴盈溢，未有能終者。 吾非不喜榮勢也，天道惡滿而好謙，前世貴戚皆明戒也。 保身全己，豈不樂哉！ 』每當朝會，輒迎期先到，俯伏待事，時至乃起。 帝聞之，常敕騶騎臨朝乃告，勿令豫到。 宏所上便宜及言得失，輒手自書寫，毀削草本。 公朝訪逮，不敢眾對。 宗族染其化，未嘗犯法。 帝甚重之。 及病困，車駕臨視，留宿，問其所欲言。 宏頓首自陳：『無功享食大國，誠恐子孫不能保全厚恩，令臣魂神慚負黃泉，願還壽張，食小鄉亭。 』帝悲傷其言，而竟不許。
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.
5
二十七年，卒。 遺敕薄葬，一無所用，以為棺柩一臧，不宜復見，如有腐敗，傷孝子之心，使與夫人同墳異臧。 帝善其令，以書示百官，因曰：『今不順壽張侯意，無以彰其德。 且吾萬歲之後，欲以為式。 』賻錢千萬，布萬匹，謚為恭侯，贈以印綬，車駕親送葬。 子鯈嗣。 帝悼宏不已，復封少子茂為平望侯。 樊氏侯者凡五國。 明年，賜鯈弟鮪及從昆弟七人合錢五千萬。
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
論曰：昔楚頃襄王問陽陵君曰：『君子之富何如？ 』對曰：『假人不德不責，食人不使不役，親戚愛之，眾人善之。 』若乃樊重之折契止訟，其庶幾君子之富乎！ 分地以用天道，實廩以崇禮節，取諸理化，則亦可以施於政也。 與夫愛而畏者，何殊間哉！
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
鯈字長魚，謹約有父風。 事後母至孝，及母卒，哀思過禮，毀病不自支，世祖常遣中黃門朝暮送饘粥。 服闋，就侍中丁恭受《公羊嚴氏春秋》。 建武中，禁網尚闊，諸王既長，各招引賓客，以鯈外戚，爭遣致之，而鯈清靜自保，無所交結。 及沛王輔事發，貴戚子弟多見收捕，鯈以不豫得免。 帝崩，鯈為復土校尉。
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.
8
十年，鯈卒，赗贈甚厚，謚曰哀侯。 帝遣小黃門張音問所遺言。 先是河南縣亡失官錢，典負者坐死及罪徙者甚眾，遂委責於人，以償其耗。 鄉部吏司因此為奸，鯈常疾之。 又野王歲獻甘醪、膏餳，每輒擾人，吏以為利。 鯈並欲奏罷之，疾病未及得上。 音歸，具以聞，帝覽之而悲嘆，敕二郡並令從之。
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.
9
長子汜嗣，以次子郴、梵為郎。 其後楚事發覺，帝追念鯈謹恪，又聞其止鮪婚事，故其諸子得不坐焉。
The eldest son Fan Si inherited; younger sons Chen and Fan became gentlemen of the palace. When the Chu conspiracy broke, the emperor remembered Fan Tiao's caution and his refusal of Fan Wei's marriage scheme, and spared his sons.
10
梵字文高，為郎二十餘年，三署服其重懼。 悉推財物二千餘萬與孤兄子，官至大鴻臚。
Fan Fan, courtesy name Wengao, served more than twenty years as a gentleman; all three palace bureaus respected his scrupulous gravity. He gave over twenty million in property to a nephew who had lost his father and rose to grand herald.
11
汜卒，子時嗣。 時卒，子建嗣。 建卒，無子，國絕。 永寧元年，鄧太后復封建弟盼。 盼卒，子尚嗣。
When Fan Si died, his son Fan Shi inherited. When Fan Shi died, his son Fan Jian inherited. Fan Jian died without an heir and the marquisate lapsed. In Yongning 1 Empress Dowager Deng restored the fief to Fan Jian's brother Fan Pan. When Fan Pan died, his son Fan Shang inherited.
12
初，鯈刪定《公羊嚴氏春秋》章句，世號『樊侯學』，教授門徒前後三千餘人。 弟子潁川李脩、九江夏勤，皆為三公。 勤字伯宗，為京、宛二縣令，零陵太守，所在有理能稱。 安帝時，位至司徒。
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.
13
族曾孫準
Fan Zhun, a descendant of the clan (section title).
14
準字幼陵，宏之族曾孫也。 父瑞，好黃老言，清靜少欲。 準少勵志行，修儒術，以先父產業數百萬讓孤兄子。 永元十五年，和帝幸南陽，準為郡功曹，召見，帝器之，拜郎中，從車駕還宮，特補尚書郎。 鄧太后臨朝，儒學陵替，準乃上疏曰：
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:
15
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.
16
今學者蓋少，遠方尤甚。 博士倚席不講，儒者竟論浮麗，忘謇謇之忠，習諓々之辭。 文吏則去法律而學詆欺，銳錐刀之鋒，斷刑辟之重，德陋俗薄，以致苛刻。 昔孝文竇後性好黃老，而清靜之化流景、武之間。 臣愚以為宜下明詔，博求幽隱，發揚巖穴，寵進儒雅，有如孝、宮者，徵詣公車，以侯聖上講習之期。 公卿各舉明經及舊儒子孫，進其爵位，使纘其業。 復召郡國書佐，使讀律令。 如此，則廷頸者日有所見，傾耳者月有所聞。 伏願陛下推述先帝進業之道。
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.'
17
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.
18
準再遷御史中丞。 永初之初，連年水旱災異，郡國多被饑困，準上疏曰：
Fan Zhun was promoted to palace assistant to the imperial counselor. Early in Yongchu, floods, droughts, and strange portents brought famine to the commanderies. Fan Zhun memorialized:
19
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.'
20
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.'
21
太后從之，悉以公田賦與貧人。 即擢準與議郎呂倉並守光祿大夫，準使冀州，倉使兗州。 準到部，開倉廩食，尉安生業，流人咸得蘇息。 還，拜巨鹿太守。 時饑荒之餘，人庶流迸，家戶且盡，準課督農桑，廣施方略，期年間，穀粟豐賤數十倍。 而趙、魏之郊數為羌所抄暴，準外禦寇虜，內撫百姓，郡境以安。
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.
22
五年，轉河內太守。 時羌復屢入郡界，準輒將兵討逐，修理塢壁，威名大行。 視事三年，以疾徵，三轉為尚書令，明習故事，遂見任用。 元初三年，代周暢為光祿勛。 五年，卒於官。
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.
23
陰識字次伯，南陽新野人也，光烈皇后之前母兄也。 其先出自管仲，管仲七世孫修，自齊適楚，為陰大夫，因而氏焉。 秦、漢之際，始家新野。
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.
24
及劉伯升起義兵，識時遊學長安，聞之，委業而歸，率子弟、宗族、賓客千餘人往詣伯升。 伯升乃以識為校尉。 更始元年，遷偏將軍，從攻宛，別降新野、淯陽、杜衍、冠軍、湖陽。 二年，更始封識陰德侯，行大將軍事。
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.
25
建武元年，光武遣使迎陰貴人於新野，並徵識。 識隨貴人至，以為騎都尉，更封陰鄉侯。 二年，以征伐軍功增封，識叩頭讓曰：『天下初定，將帥有功者眾，臣托屬掖廷，仍加爵邑，不可以示天下。 』帝甚美之，以為關都尉，鎮函谷。 遷侍中，以母憂辭歸。 十五年，定封原鹿侯。 及顯宗立為皇太子，以識守執金吾，輔導東宮。 帝每巡郡國，識常留鎮守京師，委以禁兵。 入雖極言正議，及與賓客語，未嘗及國事。 帝敬重之，常指識以敕戒貴戚，激厲左右焉。 識所用掾史皆簡賢者，如虞廷、傅寬、薛愔等，多至公卿校尉。
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.
26
顯宗即位，拜為執金吾，位特進。 永平二年，卒，贈以本官印綬，謚曰貞侯。
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.
27
子躬嗣。 躬卒，子璜嗣。 永初七年，為奴所殺，無子，國絕。 永寧元年，鄧太后以璜弟淑紹封。 淑卒，子鮪嗣。
His son Yin Gong inherited the title. Yin Gong was succeeded by his son Yin Huang. In Yongchu 7 a slave murdered Yin Huang; he left no heir and the marquisate lapsed. In Yongning 1 Empress Dowager Deng continued the line through Yin Huang's brother Yin Shu. Yin Shu was succeeded by his son Yin Wei.
28
躬弟子綱女為和帝皇后，封綱吳房侯，位特進，三子秩、輔、敞，皆黃門侍郎。 後坐巫蠱事廢，綱自殺，輔下獄死，軼、敞徙日南。
Yin Gang's daughter became Emperor He's empress; Gang was named marquis of Wufang at specially advanced rank; his sons Zhi, Fu, and Chang became palace attendants. Later the witchcraft scandal broke: Yin Gang committed suicide, Yin Fu died in prison, and his sons Zhi and Chang were exiled to Rinan.
29
識弟興。
Yin Shi's younger brother Yin Xing.
30
興字君陵，光烈皇后母弟也，為人有膂力。 建武二年，為黃門侍郎，守期門僕射，典將武騎，從征伐，平定郡國。 興每從出入，常操持小蓋，障翳風雨，躬履塗泥，率先期門。 光武所幸之處，輒先入清宮，甚見親信。 雖好施接賓，然門無俠客。 與同郡張宗、上谷鮮于裒不相好，知其有用，猶稱所長而達之； 友人張汜、杜禽與興厚善，以為華而少實，但私之以財，終不為言：是以世稱其忠平。 第宅茍完，裁蔽風雨。
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.
31
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.'
32
興弟就，嗣父封宣恩侯，後改封為新陽侯。 就善談論，朝臣莫及，然性剛傲，不得眾譽。 顯宗即位，以就為少府，位特進。 就子豐尚酈邑公主。 公主嬌妒，豐亦狷急。 永平二年，遂殺主，被誅，父母當坐，皆自殺，國除。 帝以舅氏故，不極其刑。
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.
33
陰氏侯者凡四人。 初，陰氏世奉管仲之祀，謂為『相君』。 宣帝時，陰子方者，至孝有仁恩，臘日晨炊而竈神形見，子方再拜受慶。 家有黃羊，因以祀之。 自是已後，暴至巨富，田有七百餘頃，輿馬僕隸，比於邦君。 子方常言『我子孫必將強大』，至識三世而遂繁昌，故後常以臘日祀竈，而薦黃羊焉。
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.
34
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.