1
朱浮字叔元，沛國蕭人也。 初從光武為大司馬主簿，遷偏將軍，從破邯鄲。 光武遣吳漢誅更始幽州牧苗曾，乃拜浮為大將軍幽州牧，守薊城，遂討定北邊。 建武二年，封舞陽侯，食三縣。
Zhu Fu, styled Shuyuan, came from Xiao in the state of Pei. He first served Emperor Guangwu as secretary to the Grand Marshal, rose to general of the flank, and took part in the reduction of Handan. Guangwu dispatched Wu Han to put to death Miao Zeng, whom the Gengshi Emperor had placed over Youzhou; Zhu Fu was then named Grand General and governor of Youzhou, held Ji, and brought the northern border under control. In Jianwu 2 he was invested as Marquis of Wuyang with an income drawn from three counties.
2
浮年少有才能，頗欲厲風跡，收士心，辟召州中名宿涿郡王岑之屬，以為從事，及王莽時故吏二千石，皆引置幕府，乃多發諸郡倉谷，稟贍其妻子。 漁陽太守彭寵以為天下未定，師旅方起，不宜多置官屬，以損軍實，不從其實。 浮性矜急自多，頗有不平，因以峻文詆，寵亦很強，歉負其功，嫌怨轉積。 浮密奏寵遣吏迎妻而不迎其母，又受貨賄，殺害友人，多聚兵谷，意計難量。 寵既積怨，聞之，遂大怒，而舉兵攻浮。 浮以書質責之曰：
Still young and talented, Zhu Fu sought to burnish his name and rally local elite support: he recruited notable figures such as Wang Cen of Zhuojun as staff officers and drew former Wang Mang–era commandery governors into his headquarters, then drew heavily on commandery granaries to provision their families. Peng Chong, governor of Yuyang, argued that with the realm still unsettled and war only beginning, swelling the civil staff would waste military stores; he refused to go along. Zhu Fu was touchy, impatient, and full of himself, and smarted under the slight; he answered with biting prose. Peng Chong was equally unyielding and resentful that his contributions went unrecognized, and ill will deepened between them. Zhu Fu secretly reported that Peng Chong had officials fetch his wife but left his mother behind, accepted bribes, murdered a friend, and stockpiled troops and grain—conduct whose ultimate aim was anyone's guess. Peng Chong, already bitter, flew into a rage at the report and marched against Zhu Fu. Zhu Fu wrote him a letter of stern reproof:
3
蓋聞知者順時而謀，愚者逆理而動，常竊悲京城太叔以不知足而無賢輔，卒自棄於鄭也。
The wise read the times; the fool defies what is right. I have long pitied Prince Taishu of the Zheng capital—insatiable, without good counsel, and at last ruined in his own state.
4
伯通以名字典郡，有佐命之功，臨人親職，愛惜倉庫，而浮秉征伐之任，欲權時救急，二者皆為國耳。 即疑浮相譖，何不詣闕自陳，而為族滅之計乎？ 朝廷之於伯通，恩亦厚矣，委以大郡，任以威武，事有柱石之寄，情同子孫之親。 匹夫媵母尚能致命一餐，豈有身帶三綬，職典大邦，而不顧恩義，生心外畔者乎！ 伯通與吏人語，何以為顏？ 行步拜起，何以為容？ 坐臥念之，何以為心？ 引鏡窺影，何施眉目？ 舉措建功，何以為人？ 惜乎棄休令之嘉名，造梟鴟之逆謀，捐傳世之慶祚，招破敗之重災，高論堯、舜之道，不忍桀、紂之性，生為世笑，死為愚鬼，不亦哀乎！
You, Botong, govern by renown and merit in founding the reign; you watch over the people yourself and husband the stores. I command the armies and bend rules to meet emergencies. Both of us serve the realm. If you think I have maligned you, present yourself at court and clear your name—why choose a course that ends in the extinction of your house? The court has treated you generously—a major commandery, full military trust, the standing of a pillar of state, almost familial regard. Common folk and serving women will die for a kindness once shown. Can a man who wears three ribbons of rank and governs a great region cast gratitude aside and turn rebel? What face will you show your officials when you speak to them? How will you carry yourself when you walk or rise to bow? When you sit or lie awake thinking of it, how will your conscience rest? When you lift the mirror, where will you put your eyes? In whatever you do to win merit, what sort of man will you be? What a waste—to trade a good name for treason fit for birds of prey, to throw away lasting fortune and court ruin, to preach Yao and Shun while indulging a temper worthy of Jie and Zhou: mocked in life, a fool in death—is that not tragedy?
5
伯通與耿俠遊俱起佐命，同被國恩。 俠遊廉讓，屢有降挹之言； 而伯通自伐，以為功高天下。 往時遼東有豕，生子白頭，異而獻之，行至河東，見群豕皆白，懷慚而還。 若以子之功論於朝廷，則為遼東豕也。 今乃愚妄，自比六國。 六國之時，其勢各盛，廓土數千里，勝兵將百萬，故能據國相持，多歷年世。 今天下幾裏，列郡幾城，奈何以區區漁陽而結怨天子？ 此猶河濱之人捧土以塞孟津，多見其不知量也！
You and Geng Yan both rose to help found the dynasty and share its favor. Geng Yan is humble and often speaks of his own unworthiness; you boast that no one under heaven outranks your merit. There is the tale of the Liaodong pig whose white piglet seemed a marvel—until its owners reached Hedong and found every pig white, and slunk home in shame. Measured at court, your exploits are that same Liaodong pig. Now you play the fool and liken yourself to the Warring States. In those days each power commanded thousands of li and nearly a million men—no wonder they could defy one another for generations. Today the empire spans how many miles and commanderies—how can petty Yuyang afford the Son of Heaven's enmity? You might as well scoop mud by the Yellow River to dam Meng Ford—proof you cannot gauge your own scale.
6
方今天下適定，海內願安，土無賢不肖，皆樂立名於世。 而伯通獨中風狂走，自捐盛時，內聽驕婦之失計，外信讒邪之諛言，長為群後惡法，永為功臣鑒戒，豈不誤哉！ 定海內者無私仇，勿以前事自誤，願留意顧老母幼弟。 凡舉事無為親厚者所痛，而為見仇者所快。
The realm is just coming to rest; high and low alike want peace and a name that will last. You alone rage like a man in a fit, throwing away your prime: you heed a domineering wife within and flatterers without, and will stand forever as a warning to governors and generals—is that not folly? Those who unite the realm nurse no private vendettas; do not let old scores undo you—think of your mother and your younger brothers. In whatever you do, do not grieve those who love you and delight those who wish you ill.
7
寵得書愈怒，攻浮轉急。 明年，涿郡太守張豐亦舉兵反。
Peng Chong only grew angrier at the letter and pressed the siege harder. The following year Zhang Feng, governor of Zhuojun, rose in rebellion as well.
8
時，二郡畔戾，北州憂恐，浮以為天子必自將兵討之，而但遣遊擊將軍鄧隆陰助浮。 浮懷懼，以為帝怠於敵，不能救之，乃上疏曰：
With both commanderies in revolt, the north was terrified. Zhu Fu expected the emperor to take the field himself; instead only Mobile General Deng Long was sent to reinforce him covertly. Zhu Fu grew afraid that the emperor was indifferent to the foe and would not save him, and submitted this memorial:
9
昔楚、宋列國，俱為諸侯，莊王以宋執其使，遂有投袂之師。 魏公子顧朋友之要，觸冒強秦之鋒。 夫楚、魏非有分職匡正之大義也，莊王但為爭強而發忿，公子以一言而立信耳。 今彭寵反畔，張豐逆節，以為陛下必棄捐它事，以時滅之，既歷時月，寂寞無音。 從圍城而不救，放逆虜而不討，臣誠惑之。 昔高祖聖武，天下既定，猶身自征伐，未嘗寧居。 陛下雖興大業，海內未集，而獨逸豫，不顧北垂，百姓遑遑，無所系心。 三河、冀州，曷足以傳後哉！ 今秋稼已熟，復為漁陽所掠。 張豐狂悖，奸黨日增，連年拒守，吏士疲勞，甲胄生蟣虱，弓弩不得施，上下焦心，相望救護，仰希陛下生活之恩。
When Chu and Song were coequal states, King Zhuang of Chu marched the moment Song seized his envoy—sleeve flung, army on the move. Lord Xinling honored a friend's plea and threw himself against Qin's blades. Neither Chu nor Wei had the solemn mandate of setting the realm right; King Zhuang acted from wounded pride, Xinling from a single pledge kept. Peng Chong and Zhang Feng stand in open rebellion; we assumed Your Majesty would drop everything else and crush them promptly—yet months have dragged by in silence. Our cities are besieged with no relief; rebels roam unpunished—I am at a loss to explain it. Even Gaozu, sage-warrior that he was, took the field himself once the empire was his—he never knew ease. Your Majesty has restored the great enterprise while the realm is still unsettled, yet you linger at ease and ignore the northern frontier; the people drift anxious, with nothing to steady them. Will the Central Plain and Ji province alone be legacy enough for posterity? The autumn harvest stands ready—and Yuyang strips it again. Zhang Feng grows bolder and his faction swells; year after year we endure siege until officers and men stagger under lice-ridden armor and idle crossbows. Every rank waits on tenterhooks for relief and Your Majesty's lifesaving grace.
10
詔報曰：『往年赤眉跋扈長安，吾策其無谷必東，果來歸降。 今度此反虜，勢無久全，其中必有內相斬者。 今軍資未充，故須後麥耳。 』浮城中糧盡，人相食。 會上谷太守耿況遣騎來救浮，浮乃得遁走。 南至良鄉，其兵長反遮之，浮恐不得脫，乃下馬刺殺其妻，僅以身免，城降於寵，尚書令侯霸奏浮敗亂幽州，構成寵罪，徒勞軍師，不能死節，罪當伏誅。 帝不忍，以浮代賈復為執金吾，徙封父城侯。 後豐、寵並自敗。
The edict answered: 'When the Red Eyebrows terrorized Chang'an, I reckoned they would lack grain and march east—and they came to surrender.' These rebels cannot hold together long; I expect they will turn on one another. Our stores are still thin—we must wait for the late wheat. ' Meanwhile grain in Zhu Fu's city ran out and the people turned to cannibalism. Then Geng Kuang, governor of Shanggu, sent horsemen to Zhu Fu's relief, and Zhu Fu broke out and escaped. South of Liangxiang his own officers turned on him. Fearing capture, Zhu Fu dismounted and killed his wife to flee alone. The city fell to Peng Chong. Minister Secretary Hou Ba accused him of ruining Youzhou, inventing charges against Peng Chong, wasting the army, and failing to die with honor—all capital offenses. The emperor spared him: Zhu Fu succeeded Jia Fu as Bearer of the Golden Mace and was transferred to the marquisate of Fucheng. Zhang Feng and Peng Chong were later destroyed in turn.
11
帝以二千石長吏多不勝任，時有纖微之過者，必見斥罷，交易紛擾，百姓不寧。 六年，有日食之異，浮因上疏曰：
The emperor found too many commandery governors wanting: the slightest fault meant dismissal and replacement, endless churn in office, and unrest among the people. In the sixth year a solar eclipse occurred, and Zhu Fu submitted a memorial:
12
臣聞日者眾陽之所宗，君上之位也。 凡居官治民，據郡典縣，皆為陽為上，為尊為長。 若陽上不明，尊長不足，則幹動三光，垂示王者。 五典紀國家之政，《鴻範》別災異之文，皆宣明天道，以征來事者也。 陛下哀湣海內新罹禍毒，保宥生人，使得蘇息。 而今牧人之吏，多未稱職，小違理實，輒見斥罷，豈不粲然黑白分明哉！ 然以堯、舜之盛，猶如三考，大漢之興，亦累功效，吏皆積久，養老於官，至名子孫，因為氏姓。 當時吏職，何能悉理； 論議之徒，豈不喧嘩。 蓋以為天地之功不可倉卒，艱難之業當累日也。 而間者守宰數見換易，迎新相代，疲勞道路。 尋其視事日淺，未足昭見其職，既加嚴切，人不自呆，各自顧望，無自安之心。 有司或因睚眥以騁私怨，茍求長短，求媚上意。 二千石及長吏迫於舉劾，懼於刺譏，故爭飾詐偽，以希虛譽。 斯皆群陽騷動，日月失行之應。 夫物暴長者必矢折，功卒成者必亟壞，如摧長久之業，而造速成之功，非陛下之福也。 天下非一時之用也，海內非一旦之功也。 願陛下遊意於經年之外，望化於一世之後，天下幸甚。
I have read that the sun is sovereign among the yang forces and emblematic of the ruler. Every official who governs people—whether over a commandery or a county—stands for the yang, the superior, the honored head. When those who should illuminate falter and authority slackens, sun, moon, and stars are shaken—a warning to the throne. The Five Canons record statecraft; the Hong Fan sorts portents—all expound Heaven's pattern so we may read what follows. Your Majesty has pitied a people newly scourged by war, sheltered the living, and let them breathe again. Yet the men who shepherd the people are judged harshly: stray slightly from the rule and they are cashiered—does justice need to be that ruthlessly plain? Even under Yao and Shun, officers sat three rounds of review; our own dynasty rose by steady service—officials grew old in post, passed offices to sons, and surnames took root. No age has ever run government flawlessly; grumblers have always made noise. Heaven's work is not done in haste; hard-won order needs years to mature. Lately prefects and magistrates are swapped so often that officers race the roads to take up new posts until they drop. They barely warm the seat before harsh scrutiny falls; men cannot protect themselves, glance sideways, and never feel secure. Petty officials nurse grudges over trifles, fish for fault, and curry favor upstairs. Commandery heads and their staffs, hounded by impeachment and backbiting, compete in hollow posturing for empty praise. All this is yang in turmoil—the sun and moon answer with disorder. What shoots up fast snaps; what is rushed to completion cracks. To wreck lasting rule for a quick fix does Your Majesty no good. The empire is not built in a day, nor the realm won in a morning. May Your Majesty look beyond the next inspection cycle and seek transformation across a generation—the empire would be the richer.
13
帝下其議，群臣多同於浮，自是牧守易代頗簡。
The emperor referred the memorial to court; most ministers sided with Zhu Fu, and thereafter turnover among governors grew less frenetic.
14
七年，轉太仆。 浮又以國學既興，宜廣博士之選，乃上書曰：
In the seventh year he was moved to Grand Coachman. Zhu Fu argued that with the Imperial Academy now founded the pool of erudites should be widened, and wrote:
15
夫太學者，禮義之官，教化所由興也。 陛下尊敬先聖，垂意古典，官室未飾，幹戈未休，而先建太學，進立橫舍，比日車駕親臨觀饗，將以弘時雍之化，顯勉進之功也。 尋博士之官，為天下宗師，使孔聖之言傳而不絕。 舊事，策試博士，必廣求詳選，爰自畿夏，延及四方，是以博舉明經，惟賢是登，學者精勵，遠近同慕，伏聞詔書更試五人，惟取見在洛陽城者。 臣恐自今以往，將有所失。 求之密邇，容或未盡，而四方之學，無所勸樂。 凡策試之本，貴得其真，非有期會，不及遠方也。 又諸所征試，皆私自發遣，非有傷費煩擾於事也。 語曰：『中國失禮，求之於野。 』臣浮幸得與講圖讖，故敢越職。
The Imperial Academy is the seat of ritual and moral instruction—where civilizing teaching begins. You honor the ancient sages and cherish the classics: though palaces remain unfinished and arms still clash, you founded the Academy and raised its halls; of late you have attended the sacrifice in person—to spread harmonious rule and hold up the ideal of learning. The erudites are teachers to the empire; through them the words of Confucius endure. Formerly, doctoral examinations drew widely from capital and provinces alike—only the worthy versed in the classics advanced, and scholars everywhere aspired to compete. I hear the latest edict retests five candidates restricted to those already inside Luoyang. I fear we will lose something vital if this continues. Searching only nearby may miss talent, while students across the realm lose heart. The point of the examination is genuine merit, not a fixed roster that shuts out the distant. Candidates travel at their own expense—no burden on the treasury or needless fuss. The proverb runs: 'When the heartland lacks ritual, look to the hinterland.' ' I have been privileged to discuss the prognostic texts—hence this breach of protocol.
16
帝然之。
The emperor agreed.
17
二十年，代竇融為大司空，二十二年，坐賣弄國恩免。 二十五年，徙封新息侯。
In year 20 he succeeded Dou Rong as Grand Minister of Works; in year 22 he was removed for abusing imperial favor. In year 25 his title was moved to Marquis of Xinxi.
18
帝以浮陵轢同列，每銜之，惜其功能，不忍加罪。 永平中，有人單辭告浮事者，顯宗大怒，賜浮死。 長水校尉樊鯈言於帝曰：『唐堯大聖，兆人獲所，尚優遊四兇之獄，厭服海內之心，使天下鹹知，然後殛罰。 浮事雖昭明，而未達人聽，宜下廷尉，章著其事。 』帝亦悔之。
Zhu Fu rode roughshod over colleagues; the emperor resented it yet valued his abilities too much to punish him. During Yongping a lone accuser denounced Zhu Fu; Emperor Ming flew into a rage and ordered him to die. Colonel of Changshui Fan Xiu urged the throne: 'Even sage Yao, once the people had their places, moved deliberately against the Four Villains, won the empire's trust, and let all understand before he punished. Zhu Fu's case may be clear, but it has not reached public hearing—refer it to the commandant of justice and publish the facts.' ' The emperor repented of his haste.
19
論曰：吳起與田文論功，文不及者三，朱買臣難公孫弘十策，弘不得其一，終之田文相魏，公孫宰漢，誠知宰相自有體也。 故曾子曰：『君子所貴乎道者三，籩豆之事則有司存。 』而光武、明帝躬好吏事，亦以課核三公，其人或失而其禮稍薄，至有誅斥詰辱之累。 任職責過，一至於此，追感賈生之論，不亦篤乎！ 朱浮譏諷苛察欲速之弊，然矣，焉得長者之言哉！
The historian remarks: Wu Qi disputed merit with Tian Wen and surpassed him in three ways; Zhu Maichen posed ten challenges to Gongsun Hong that Hong could not meet—yet Tian Wen became chief minister of Wei and Gongsun governed Han. Chancellorship is a different art altogether. As Zengzi said, 'The gentleman honors three things in the Way; the plates and dishes are for petty officers to mind.' ' Yet Guangwu and Ming loved paperwork and audited the Three Councillors themselves; ministers lost dignity, ritual thinned, and some ended in execution, dismissal, or public humiliation. To hold office yet fault-find to this degree calls Jia Yi's essay to mind—and shows how grave the matter is! Zhu Fu mocked the zeal for harsh scrutiny and quick fixes—and he was right; where was the steady counsel of a seasoned elder?
20
馮魴字孝孫，南陽湖陽人也。 其先魏之支別，食菜馮城，因以氏焉。 秦滅魏，遷於湖陽，為郡族姓。
Feng Fang, styled Xiaosun, came from Huyang in Nanyang commandery. His line branched from Wei and held the fief of Feng—hence the surname. When Qin conquered Wei, the family moved to Huyang and grew into a leading local clan.
21
王莽末，四方潰畔，魴乃聚賓客，招豪桀，作營塹，以待所歸。 是時湖陽大姓虞都尉反城稱兵，先與同縣申屠季有仇，而殺其兄，謀滅季族。 季亡歸魴，魴將季欲還其宮，道逢都尉從弟長卿來，欲執季。 魴叱長卿曰：『我與季雖無素故，士窮想歸，要當以死任之，卿為何言？ 』遂與俱歸。 季謝曰：『蒙恩得全，死無以為報，有牛馬財物，願悉獻之。 』魴作色曰：『吾老親弱弟皆在賊城中，今日相與，尚無所顧，何雲財物乎？ 』季慚不敢復言。 魴自是為縣邑所敬信，故能據營自固。
When Wang Mang fell and chaos spread, Feng Fang gathered clients and bold spirits, threw up fortified camps, and waited to see which banner would prevail. A local magnate styled Captain Yu seized Huyang and raised troops; he had long feuded with Shentu Ji—having murdered Ji's elder brother, he now meant to wipe out the whole clan. Shentu Ji fled to Feng Fang, who escorted him toward home until they met Captain Yu's cousin Changqing, who moved to arrest Ji. Feng Fang shouted down Changqing: 'Ji and I were strangers until today, but a man hard pressed seeks shelter—I will answer for him with my life. What business is it of yours?' ' They went home together. Shentu Ji said, 'You spared my life; death could not repay you—take my herds and goods.' ' Feng Fang flushed and replied, 'My parents and young brothers are still trapped in that rebel town—together we risk everything; why speak of property?' ' Shentu Ji fell silent for shame. From then on the county looked to Feng Fang with respect; his camp held firm.
22
時天下未定，而四方之士擁兵矯稱者甚眾，唯魴自守，兼有方略。 光武聞而嘉之，建武三年，征詣行在所，見於雲臺，拜虞令。 為政敢殺伐，以威信稱。 遷郟令。 後車駕西征隗囂，潁川資賊群起，郟賊延褒等眾三千餘人，攻圍縣舍，魴率吏士七十許人，力戰連日，弩矢盡，城陷，魴乃遁去。 帝聞郡國反，即馳赴潁川，魴詣行在所。 帝案行鬥處，知魴力戰，乃嘉之曰：『此健令也。 所當討擊，勿拘州郡。 』褒等聞帝至，皆自髡剔，負鈇锧，將其眾請罪。 帝且赦之，使魴轉降諸聚落，縣中平定，詔乃悉以褒等還魴誅之。 魴責讓以行軍法，皆叩頭曰：『今日受誅，死無所恨。 』魴曰：『汝知悔過伏罪，今一切相赦，聽各反農桑，為令作耳目。 』皆稱萬歲。 是時每有盜賊，並為褒等所發，無敢動者，縣界清靜。
While the realm still churned, adventurers everywhere seized titles and troops; Feng Fang alone held his ground with steady judgment. Guangwu approved and in Jianwu 3 summoned him to court, received him at the Cloud Terrace, and named him magistrate of Yu. He governed boldly and struck fear; men respected his authority. He was promoted to magistrate of Jia. During the western campaign against Wei Xiao, Yingchuan erupted in raids; over three thousand rebels led by Yan Bao of Jia besieged the county seat. Feng Fang led seventy-odd men, fought until his bolts ran out, lost the town, and withdrew. Learning of revolts across the commanderies, the emperor raced to Yingchuan; Feng Fang presented himself at court. The emperor toured the battlefield, saw how hard Feng Fang had fought, and said, 'There is a magistrate worth his salt.' Strike wherever rebels appear—do not let administrative lines stop you. ' When Yan Bao's men learned the emperor had come, they shaved their heads, loaded executioner's blocks onto their backs, and brought their followers to surrender. The emperor stayed execution long enough for Feng Fang to round up the rebel camps; once the county was quiet, he handed Yan Bao and the rest back to Feng Fang for punishment. Feng Fang rebuked them under military law; they kowtowed and said, 'If we die today, we have no complaint.' ' Feng Fang answered, 'You admit fault—then I pardon you all: go back to your fields and orchards and serve the county as my eyes and ears.' ' They shouted long live the throne. Thereafter every theft was reported through Yan Bao's network; no one dared stir, and the county stayed calm.
23
魴性矜嚴公正，在位數進忠言，多見納用。 十四年，詔復爵士。 明年，東巡郡國，留魴宿衛南宮。 建初三年，以老病乞身，肅宗許之。 其冬為五更，詔魴朝賀，就列侯位。 元和二年，卒，時年八十六。
Feng Fang was austere and fair; his blunt counsel from office was often taken. In year 14 an edict restored his noble title. The next year the emperor toured the east and left Feng Fang to stand night guard at the Southern Palace. In Jianchu 3 he retired on grounds of age and illness; Emperor Zhang approved. That winter he was named to the Five Elders and summoned to New Year's audience with the rank of a full marquis. He died in Yuanhe 2 at the age of eighty-six.
24
子柱嗣。 尚顯宗女獲嘉長公主，少為侍中，以恭肅謙約稱，位至將作大匠。 柱卒，子定嗣，官至羽林中郎將。 定卒，無子，國除。
His son Feng Zhu inherited the title. He married Emperor Ming's daughter, the Princess of Huojia, served young as palace attendant, won praise for modest dignity, and rose to superintendent of public works. When Feng Zhu died, his son Feng Ding inherited and rose to colonel of the Feathered Forest guard. Feng Ding left no son and the marquisate lapsed.
25
定弟石，襲母公主封獲嘉侯，亦為侍中，稍遷衛尉。 能取悅當世，為安帝所寵。 帝嘗幸其府，留飲十許日，賜駁犀具劍、佩刀、紫艾綬、玉玦各一，拜子世為黃門侍郎，世弟二人皆郎中。 自永初兵荒，王侯租秩多不充，於是特詔以它縣租稅足石，今如舊限，歲入谷三萬斛，錢四萬。 遷光祿勛，遂代楊震為太尉。 及北鄉侯立，遷太傅，與太尉東萊劉喜參錄尚書事。 順帝既立，石與喜皆以阿黨閻顯、江京等策免，復為衛尉。 卒，子代嗣。 代卒，弟承嗣，為步兵校尉。
His younger brother Feng Shi inherited the Princess of Huojia's marquisate of Huojia, served as palace attendant, and advanced to minister of the guards. He knew how to please the court and became a favorite of Emperor An. The emperor once lodged at his mansion for some ten days of feasting and gave him a rhinoceros-horn hilt sword, belt knife, purple grandee's ribbon, and jade ring. He appointed Feng Shi's son Shi as gentleman of the Yellow Gates and named both of Shi's younger brothers court gentlemen. After the Yongchu wars many marquises could not collect their stipends; an edict topped up Feng Shi's income from other counties' taxes—restoring the old quota of thirty thousand hu of grain and forty thousand cash a year. He rose to superintendent of the palace guards and succeeded Yang Zhen as grand commandant. When the Marquis of Beixiang acceded, Feng Shi became grand tutor and, with Grand Commandant Liu Xi of Donglai, shared supervision of the Masters of Writing. When Emperor Shun took the throne, Feng Shi and Liu Xi were cashiered for colluding with Yan Xian and Jiang Jing; Feng Shi later returned as minister of the guards. He died and his son Feng Dai inherited. When Feng Dai died, his brother Feng Cheng inherited and served as colonel of infantry.
26
石弟光，和帝時詔封楊邑侯，亦以石寵，官至城門校尉。 卒，子肅嗣，為黃門侍郎。
Feng Guang, Feng Shi's younger brother, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangyi under Emperor He through his brother's influence and rose to colonel of the city gates. He died and was succeeded by his son Feng Su as gentleman of the Yellow Gates.
27
虞延字子大，陳留東昏人也。 延初生，其上有物若一匹練，遂上升上，占者以為吉。 及長，長八尺六寸，要帶十圍，力能扛鼎。 少為戶牖亭長。 時王莽貴人魏氏賓客放從，延率吏卒突入其家捕之，以此見怨，故位不升。 性敦樸，不拘小節，又無鄉曲之譽。 王莽末，天下大亂，延常嬰甲胄，擁衛親族，扞禦抄盜，賴其全者甚眾。 延從女弟年在孩乳，其母不能活之，棄於溝中，延聞其號聲，哀而收之，養至成人。 建武初，仕執金吾府，除細陽令。 每至歲時伏臘，輒休遣徒系，各使歸家，並感其恩德，應期而還。 有囚於家被病，自載詣獄，既至而死，延率掾史，殯於門外，百姓感悅之。
Yu Yan, styled Zida, came from Donghun in Chenliu commandery. At Yu Yan's birth something like a bolt of white silk hovered overhead and drifted upward—diviners took it for a good omen. Grown, he stood eight chi six cun tall, his girth measured ten spans round the waist, and he could hoist a bronze tripod. In his youth he was chief of Huyou pavilion. When favorites of Wang Mang's Wei consort ran riot, Yu Yan stormed their house with his men and made arrests—earning enemies that stalled his career. He was plain and blunt, careless of niceties, and won no local acclaim. When Wang Mang fell and chaos spread, Yu Yan kept his armor on, shielded his kin from pillagers, and saved many lives. His infant cousin was abandoned in a ditch because her mother could not feed her; Yu Yan heard her cries, took her in, and raised her to adulthood. Early in Jianwu he joined the Bearer of the Mace's staff and was named magistrate of Xiyang. At each summer and winter sacrifice he sent prisoners home on leave; grateful for his kindness, they always returned on time. One prisoner fell ill at home yet had himself carried back to jail and died on arrival; Yu Yan led his staff in mourning him outside the gates—the people loved him for it.
28
後去官還鄉裏，太守富宗聞延名，召署功曹。 宗性奢靡，車服器物，多不中節。 延諫曰：『昔晏嬰輔齊，鹿裘不完，季文子相魯，妾不衣帛，以約失之者鮮矣。 』宗不悅，延即辭退。 居有頃，宗果以侈從被誅，臨當伏刑，攬涕而嘆曰：『恨不用功曹虞延之諫！ 』光武聞而奇之。 二十年東巡，路過小黃，高帝母昭靈後園陵在焉，時延為部督郵，詔呼引見，問園陵之事。 延進止從容，占拜可觀，其陵樹株蘗，皆諳其數，俎豆犧牲，頗曉其禮。 帝善之，敕延從駕到魯。 還經封丘城門，門下小，不容羽蓋，帝怒，使撻侍禦史，延因下見引咎，以為罪在督郵。 言辭激揚，有感帝意，乃制誥曰：『以陳留督郵虞延故，貰禦史罪。 』延從送車駕西盡郡界，賜錢及劍帶佩刀還郡，於是聲名遂振。
After he resigned and went home, Governor Fu Zong, having heard his reputation, named him merit assessor. Fu Zong lived lavishly: his carriages, dress, and furnishings were far beyond what was proper. Yu Yan urged him: 'Yan Ying served Qi in a patched deer cloak; Ji Wenzi ruled Lu while his concubines wore no silk—few who live plainly ever lose their footing.' ' Fu Zong took offense and Yu Yan resigned at once. Soon afterward Fu Zong was executed for extravagance. On the block he wept and cried, 'If only I had listened to Yu Yan!' ' Guangwu heard the story and marked Yu Yan as remarkable. On his eastern tour in year 20 the emperor passed Xiaohuang, where Gaozu's mother the Empress Dowager Zhaoling lay buried. Yu Yan was serving as inspector; the emperor summoned him to ask about the tomb precinct. Yu Yan moved and answered with poise; he knew every tree and shoot on the burial mound and the ritual of vessels and offerings. Pleased, the emperor had Yu Yan ride with him to Lu. On the return through Fengqiu the gate was too low for the imperial umbrella-carriage. The emperor flogged his carriage attendant; Yu Yan stepped forward and took the blame on himself as local postal inspector. His honest plea moved the throne, which proclaimed: 'For Chenliu postal inspector Yu Yan's sake, spare the attendant.' ' Yu Yan escorted the train to the commandery border, received cash, sword belt, and dagger, and returned—his name rang out thereafter.
29
二十三年，司徒玉況辟焉。 時元正朝賀，帝望而識延，遣小黃門馳問之，即日召拜公車令。 明年，遷洛陽令。 是時，陰氏有客馬成者，常為奸盜，延收考之。 陰氏屢請，獲一書輒加篣二百。 信陽侯陰就乃訴帝，譖延多所冤枉。 帝乃臨禦道之館，親錄囚徒。 延陳其獄狀可論者在東，無理者居西。 成乃回欲趨東，延前執之，謂曰：『爾人之巨蠹，久依城社，不畏熏燒。 今考實未竟，宜當盡法！ 』成大呼稱枉，陛戟郎以戟刺延，叱使置之。 帝知延不私，謂成曰：『汝犯王法，身自取之！ 』呵使速去。 後數日伏誅，於是外戚斂手，莫敢幹法。 在縣三年，遷南陽太守。
In year 23 Minister of Education Yu Kuang recruited him. At New Year's audience the emperor spotted Yu Yan among the crowd, sent a eunuch to fetch him, and the same day named him superintendent of the Carriage Gate. The following year he became magistrate of Luoyang. A hanger-on of the Yin clan named Ma Cheng was a habitual thief; Yu Yan arrested and interrogated him. Each time the Yins interceded with a letter, Yu Yan added two hundred strokes of the paddle. Marquis of Xinyang Yin Jiu appealed to the emperor that Yu Yan was framing the innocent. The emperor moved to a lodge on the imperial avenue and reviewed the prisoners himself. Yu Yan lined them up with plausible defenses on the east and doubtful cases on the west. Ma Cheng tried to slip east; Yu Yan seized him and said, 'You are a public pest hiding behind patronage like a rat in a wall—wait until we smoke you out.' The inquiry is not finished—you deserve the full penalty! Ma Cheng howled injustice until a halberd guard struck at Yu Yan—the emperor ordered him to stand down. Seeing Yu Yan's impartiality, the emperor told Ma Cheng, 'You broke the law—your fate is your own doing!' He shouted at Ma Cheng to withdraw. Days later Ma Cheng was executed; the imperial in-laws pulled back their hands and no one dared flout the law. After three years as magistrate he became governor of Nanyang.
30
永平初，有新野功曹鄧衍，以外戚小侯每豫朝會，而容姿趨步，有出於眾，顯宗目之，顧左右曰：『朕之儀貌，豈若此人！ 』特賜輿馬衣服。 延以衍雖有容儀而無實行，未嘗加禮。 帝既異之，乃詔衍令自稱南陽功曹詣闕。 既到，拜郎中，遷玄武司馬。 衍在職不服父喪，帝聞之，乃嘆曰：『「知人則哲，惟帝難之。 」信哉斯言！ 』衍慚而退，由是以延為明。
Early in Yongping, Deng Yan of Xinye—married into the imperial clan as a minor marquis—attended court often enough that Emperor Ming noticed his striking looks and carriage and asked his attendants, 'Do I present myself half so well as this man?' ' He showered Deng Yan with carriages, horses, and robes. Yu Yan thought him handsome but hollow and never showed him special courtesy. Puzzled by Yu Yan's coldness, the emperor ordered Deng Yan to present himself at court as if still Nanyang's merit assessor. On arrival Deng Yan was named gentleman consultant and then marshal of the Xuanwu quarter. When Deng Yan ignored mourning for his father, the emperor sighed, "To know men is wisdom—and it is hardest for the one who sits on the throne." True words, those! Deng Yan withdrew in shame, and men judged Yu Yan the clear-sighted one.
31
三年，征代趙憙為太尉； 八年，代範遷為司徒，歷位二府，十餘年無異政績。 會楚王英謀反，陰氏欲中傷之，使人私之楚謀告延，延以英藩戚至親，不然其言，又欲辟幽州從事公孫弘，以弘交通楚王而止，並不奏聞。 及英事發覺，詔書切讓，延遂自殺。 家至清貧，子孫不免寒餧。
In year 3 he was summoned to succeed Zhao Xi as grand commandant; In year 8 he succeeded Fan Qian as minister of education; for a decade at the summit of government he left no striking mark. When Liu Ying, king of Chu, plotted revolt, the Yins tried to entrap Yu Yan by secretly passing him word of the plot. Yan would not believe it—Ying was too close in blood to the throne—and he dropped a summons for Youzhou staffer Gongsun Hong when he learned Hong was in contact with the prince. He reported nothing to the court. When Ying's plot surfaced, a blistering edict blamed Yu Yan, who took his own life. His household was bitterly poor; even his descendants went cold and hungry.
32
延從曾孫放，字子仲。 少為太尉楊震門徒，及震被讒自殺，順帝初，放詣闕追訟震罪，由是知名。 桓帝時為尚書，以議誅大將軍梁冀功封都亭侯，後為司空，坐水災免。 性疾惡宦官，遂為所陷，靈帝初，與長樂少府李膺等俱以黨事誅。
Yu Fang, a collateral descendant of Yu Yan, styled Zizhong. He had studied under Grand Commandant Yang Zhen; after Yang died under slander, Fang petitioned at the capital to clear his teacher's name at the start of Emperor Shun's reign and won fame. Under Emperor Huan he rose to Master of Writing and was made Marquis of Duting for his part in bringing down Liang Ji; he later served as Minister of Works until floods cost him his post. He despised the eunuchs and they ruined him; early in Emperor Ling's reign he was executed with Li Ying and others in the faction cases.
33
鄭弘字巨君，會稽山陰人也。 從祖吉，宣帝時為西域都護。 弘少為鄉嗇夫，太守第五倫行春，見而深奇之，召署督郵，舉孝廉。
Zheng Hong, styled Junju, came from Shanyin in Kuaiji commandery. His grandfather's cousin Zheng Ji had been protector of the Western Regions under Emperor Xuan. As a young village bailiff he impressed Governor Diwu Lun on a spring inspection tour; Lun named him postal inspector and nominated him filial and incorrupt.
34
弘師同郡河東太守焦貺。 楚王英謀反發覺，以疏引貺，貺被收捕，疾病於道亡沒，妻子閉系詔獄，掠考連年。 諸生故人懼相連及，皆改變名姓，以逃其禍，弘獨髡頭負鈇锧，詣闕上章，為貺訟罪。 顯宗覺悟，即赦其家屬，弘躬送貺喪及妻子還鄉裏，由是顯名。
Zheng Hong studied under his fellow townsman Jiao Kuang, governor of Hedong. When Liu Ying of Chu's plot surfaced, a memorial named Jiao Kuang; Kuang was arrested but died on the road while fleeing illness, leaving wife and children shackled in the imperial jail for years of torture. Students and friends hid under aliases to escape guilt; Zheng Hong alone shaved his head, carried an executioner's block to the palace, and filed a memorial defending Jiao Kuang. Emperor Ming took his meaning, freed the family, and Hong personally escorted Kuang's body and kin home—a deed that made his name known.
35
拜為騶令，政有仁惠，民稱蘇息。 遷淮陰太守。 四遷，建初初，為尚書令。 舊制，尚書郎限滿補縣長令史丞尉。 弘奏以為臺職雖尊，而酬賞甚薄，至於開選，多無樂者，請使郎補千石令，令史為長。 帝從其議。 弘前後所陳有補益王政者，皆著之南宮，以為故事。
As magistrate of Zou he ruled with mercy; the people said they could breathe again. He was promoted to governor of Huaiyin. After four promotions he became chief Master of Writing early in the Jianchu era. Formerly, gentlemen of the Masters of Writing who finished their tour were posted as county magistrates, chief clerks, or assistants. Zheng Hong argued that palace posts carried thin rewards, so few welcomed promotion under the old rule; he asked that gentlemen be posted as commandery-level magistrates and chief clerks as county elders. The emperor accepted his proposal. His memorials that aided governance were filed in the Southern Palace as precedent.
36
出為平原相，征拜侍中。 建初八年，代鄭眾為大司農。 舊交阯七郡貢獻轉運，皆從東冶泛海而至，風波艱阻，沈溺相系。 弘奏開零陵、桂陽嶠道，於是夷通，至今遂為常路。 在職二年，所息省三億萬計。 時歲天下遭旱，邊方有警，人食不足，而帑藏殷積。 弘又奏宜省貢獻，減徭費，以利饑人。 帝順其議。
He served as chancellor of Pingyuan and was recalled as palace attendant. In Jianchu 8 he succeeded Zheng Zhong as Minister of Agriculture. Tribute from the seven Jiaozhi commanderies once sailed from Dongye across open sea—storms sank ship after ship. Zheng Hong opened the ridge roads through Lingling and Guiyang; the interior could trade with the south by land—still the usual route today. In two years he saved the treasury on the order of three hundred million cash. Drought gripped the empire and the borders stirred while people went hungry—yet the imperial vaults overflowed. He urged cuts to tribute and labor levies to aid the starving. The emperor agreed.
37
論曰：孔子稱『可與立，未可與權』。 權也者，反常者也。 將從反常之事，必資非常之會，使夫舉無違妄，誌行名全。 周章身非負圖之托，德乏萬夫之望，主無絕天之釁， 地有既安之埶，而創慮於難圖，希功於理絕，不已悖乎！ 如令君器易以下議，即鬥筲必能叨天業，狂夫豎臣亦自奮矣。 孟軻有言曰：『有伊尹之心則可，無伊尹之心則篡矣。 』於戲，方來之人戒之哉！
The historian remarks: Confucius said, 'You can stand firm with some men—not weigh shifting circumstances with every one.' Expediency means departing from the usual rule. Acting outside the norm calls for extraordinary timing—only then can the deed avoid folly and leave ambition, deed, and reputation intact. Zhou Zhang bore no Duke-of-Zhou mandate; he lacked popular esteem; the emperor gave Heaven no cause for revolt, the realm already rested secure—yet he plotted the impossible and hoped for success where cause was dead—was that not folly? If high office bends to petty counsel, every small talent will grasp at the Mandate and cranks will rush forward. Mencius said, 'With Yi Yin's intent it is permissible; without it, it is usurpation.' ' Alas—let those who come after take warning!'
38
贊曰：朱定北州，激成寵尤。 魴用降帑，延感歸囚。 鄭、竇怨偶，代相為仇，周章反道，小智大謀。
Verse says: Zhu Fu steadied Youzhou but baited Peng Chong into rebellion. Feng Fang drew grain from the treasury to win surrender; Yu Yan's grace sent prisoners home on time. Zheng Hong and the Dou clan were paired in strife; generation after generation turned hostile; Zhou Zhang defied the Way—petty wit, vaulting plot.