1
梁統字仲寧，安定烏氏人，晉大夫梁益耳，即其先也。 統高祖父子都，自河東遷居北地，子都子橋，以資千萬徙茂陵，至哀、平之末，歸安定。
Liang Tong, styled Zhongning, came from Wushi in Anding; his line descended from the Jin minister Liang Yier. His great-grandfather Liang Zidu had relocated from Hedong to Beidi; Zidu's son Liang Qiao took a fortune of ten million to settle at Maoling, then the family returned to Anding late in the Ai and Ping era.
2
統性剛毅而好法律。 初仕州郡。 更始二年，召補中郎將，使安集涼州，拜酒泉太守。 會更始敗，赤眉入長安，統與竇融及諸郡守起兵保境，謀共立帥。 初以位次，咸共推統，統固辭曰：『昔陳嬰不受王者，以有老母也。 今統內有尊親，又德薄能寡，誠不足以當之。 』遂共推融為河西大將軍，更以統為武威大守。 為政嚴猛，威行鄰郡。
Liang Tong was stern by temperament and devoted to the law. He began his career in provincial and commandery office. In Gengshi 2 he was named general of the gentlemen of the palace, dispatched to settle Liangzhou, and made governor of Jiuquan. When Gengshi fell and the Red Eyebrows took Chang'an, Liang Tong joined Dou Rong and the frontier governors in mobilizing to defend their territory and choose a leader. At first they pressed Liang Tong by seniority, but he refused: 'Chen Ying once declined a throne because his mother was old.' I still have elders at home and mean talent—I am not fit for such a burden.' ' They chose Dou Rong as Grand General of Hexi and named Liang Tong governor of Wuwei. He ruled with severity; neighboring commanderies felt his authority.
3
建武五年，統籌各遣使隨竇融長史劉鈞詣闕奉貢，願得詣行在所，詔加統宣德將軍。 八年夏，光武自征隗囂，統與竇融等將兵會車駕。 及囂敗，封統為成義侯，同產兄巡、從弟騰並為關內侯，拜騰酒泉典農部尉，悉遣還河西。 十二年，統與融等俱詣京師，以列侯奉朝請，更封高山侯，拜太中大夫，除四子為郎。
In Jianwu 5 Liang Tong arranged for each commandery to send envoys with Dou Rong's chief clerk Liu Jun to present tribute at court and seek audience with the emperor, who then named Liang Tong General Who Spreads Virtue. In summer of year 8 Guangwu marched against Wei Xiao; Liang Tong and Dou Rong brought their armies to join him. After Wei Xiao fell, Liang Tong was invested as Marquis of Chengyi; his brother Liang Xun and cousin Liang Teng became interior marquises; Teng was named agricultural colonel of Jiuquan, and all returned to Hexi. In year 12 Liang Tong accompanied Dou Rong to the capital as a marquis at court, was reinvested as Marquis of Gaoshan, named grand counselor of the palace, and had four sons appointed gentlemen.
4
統在朝廷，數陳便宜。 以為法令既輕，下奸不勝。 宜重刑罰，以遵舊典，乃上疏曰：
At court Liang Tong often urged timely reforms. He argued that with laws too lenient, villainy below could not be checked. Punishments should be stiffened to match ancient precedent—he therefore memorialized:
5
臣竊見元、哀二帝輕殊死之刑以一百二十三事，手殺人者減死一等，自是以後，著為常準，故人輕犯法，吏易殺人。
I note that under Yuandi and Aidi capital crimes were relaxed in 123 provisions—manslaughter dropped one degree below death—and that precedent invited petty crime and quick executions by officials.
6
臣聞立君之道，仁義為主，仁者愛人，義者政理，愛人以除殘為務，政理以去亂為心。 刑罰在衷，無取於勸，是以五帝有流、殛、放、殺之誅，三王有大辟、刻肌之法。 故孔子稱『仁者必有勇』，又曰『理財正辭，禁民為非曰義』。 高帝受命誅暴，平蕩天下，約令定律，誠得其宜。 文帝寬惠柔克，遭世康平，惟除省肉刑、相坐之法，它皆率由，無革舊章。 武帝值中國隆盛，財力有餘，征伐遠方，軍役數興，豪桀犯禁，奸吏弄法，故重首匿之科，著知從之律，以破朋黨，以懲隱匿。 宣帝聰明正直，總禦海內，臣下奉憲，無所失墜，因循先典，天下稱理。 至哀、平繼體，而即位日淺，聽斷尚寡，丞相王嘉輕為穿鑿，虧除先帝舊約成律，數年之間，百有餘事，或不便於理，或不厭民心。 謹表其尤害於體者傅奏於左。
The ruler's way rests on humanity and justice: humanity cherishes the people and crusades against cruelty; justice orders the realm and aims at ending chaos. Penalties must strike the balance—no empty preaching—and so the Five Thearchs knew exile and execution, while the Three Dynasties relied on capital punishment and branding. Confucius said the humane are brave, and that ordering livelihoods, correcting speech, and barring wrongdoing is righteousness. Gaozu swept away tyranny and framed statutes that fit the age. Emperor Wen ruled gently in tranquil times, trimming only the mutilating punishments and clan liability—otherwise he followed Han precedent untouched. Emperor Wu flourished with surplus revenue and constant campaigns; bold men broke the law and corrupt clerks twisted it—so he tightened harboring statutes and accessory guilt to smash factions and punish concealment. Emperor Xuan was astute and upright: officials obeyed the code, precedent held, and the realm was deemed well governed. Under Aidi and Pingdi—short reigns and thin court experience—Chancellor Wang Jia rashly chipped away at statutes Gaodi had settled; in a few years over a hundred changes either offended reason or the people. I append the worst of these—those that damage good rule—to the left.
7
伏惟陛下包元履德，權時撥亂，功逾文、武，德侔高皇，誠不宜因循季末衰微之軌。 回神明察，考量得失，宣詔有司，詳擇其善，定不易之典，施無窮之法，天下幸甚。
Your Majesty restored order with virtue surpassing Kings Wen and Wu—you must not cling to the dying expedients of the late Han. May Your Majesty weigh right and wrong, instruct the offices to choose the best, fix enduring statutes, and lay down lasting law—the empire would rejoice.
8
事下三公、廷尉，議者以為隆刑竣法，非明王急務，施行日久，豈一朝所厘。 統今所定，不宜開可。
The matter went to the Three Dukes and the commandant of justice; critics held harsh laws were no enlightened ruler's first priority and that long usage could not be revised overnight. Liang Tong's proposal should not be adopted.
9
統復上言曰：『有司以臣今所言，不可施行。 尋臣之所奏，非曰嚴刑。 竊謂高帝以後，至乎孝宣，其所施行，多合經傳，宜比方今事，驗之往古，聿遵前典，事無難改，不勝至願。 願得召見，若對尚書近臣，口陳其要。 』帝令尚書問狀，統對曰：
Liang Tong wrote again: 'The ministries say my proposals cannot be carried out.' Consider my point: I am not merely crying for cruelty. From Gaozu through Xuandi the code matched the classics; compare present cases to antiquity, restore sound precedent—such reform is no great hurdle and would fulfill my deepest hope. Let me face the throne—or at least the Masters of Writing—and state the essentials in person.' ' The emperor had the Masters of Writing question him, and Liang Tong answered:
10
聞聖帝明王，制立刑罰，故雖堯、舜之盛，猶誅四凶。 經曰：『天討有罪，五刑五庸哉。 』又曰：『爰制百姓於刑之衷。 』孔子曰：『刑罰不衷，則人無所厝手足。 』衷之為言，不輕不重之謂也。 《春秋》之誅，不避親戚，所以防患救亂，全安眾庶，豈無仁愛之恩？ 貴絕殘賊之路也。
Sage kings always frame punishments—even Yao and Shun put down the Four Villains. The classic says, 'Heaven chastises the guilty and ordains the five punishments to fit five kinds of service.' ' It adds, 'Hold the people to the even measure of the law.' ' Confucius said, 'When penalties miss the mean, people do not know where to stand.' ' "The mean" means neither too harsh nor too lenient.' The Spring and Autumn executed kin when needed to forestall disaster—was that not mercy to the many? It shut the door on brutality and theft.
11
自高祖之興，至於孝宣，君明臣忠，謨謀深博，猶因循舊章，不輕改革，海內稱理，斷獄益少。 至初元、建平，所減刑罰百有餘條，而盜賊浸多，歲以萬數。 間者三輔從橫，群輩並起，至燔燒茂陵，火見未央。 其後隴西、北地、西河之賊，越州度郡，萬里交結，攻取庫兵，劫略吏人，詔書討捕，連年不獲。 是時以天下無難，百姓安平，而狂狡之勢，猶至於此，皆刑罰不衷，愚人易犯之所致也。
From Gaozu to Xuandi, wise rulers and loyal ministers kept established law and seldom altered it—the realm was deemed orderly and lawsuits dwindled. Under Chuyuan and Jianping over a hundred mitigations piled up—yet bandits multiplied by tens of thousands each year. Lately the capital region erupted—bands ran riot until Maoling burned and flames lit Weiyang Palace. Then Longxi, Beidi, and Xihe rebels ranged across provinces, seized arsenals, looted officials and commoners, and defied years of imperial hunts. Though the age seemed calm, villainy still exploded—that stems from penalties missing the mean and inviting petty crime.
12
由此觀之，則刑輕之作，反生大患； 惠加奸軌，而害及良善也。 故臣統願陛下采擇賢臣孔光、師丹等議。
Lenient statutes breed greater harm. Lenient laws indulged villains and hurt the good. I urge Your Majesty to heed the earlier debates of worthy ministers such as Kong Guang and Shi Dan.'
13
議上，遂寢不報。
The memorial was filed away unanswered.
14
後出為九江太守，定封陵鄉侯。 統在郡亦有治跡，吏人畏愛之。 卒於官。 子松嗣。
He later served as governor of Jiujiang with a settled fief as Marquis of Lingxiang. He governed the commandery well; officials both feared and loved him. He died in office. His son Liang Song inherited.
15
松字伯孫，少為郎，尚光武女舞陰長公主，再遷虎賁中郎將。 松博通經書，明習故事，與諸儒修明堂、辟雍、郊祀、封禪禮儀，常與論議，寵幸莫比。 光武崩，受遺詔輔政。 永平元年，遷太僕。
Liang Song, styled Bosun, served young as a gentleman, married Emperor Guangwu's daughter the Princess of Wuyin, and rose to general of the gentlemen tiger runner. Liang Song mastered the classics and court precedent; he helped the scholars codify Bright Hall, the suburban academy, suburban sacrifice, and the feng and shan rites—none stood closer to the emperor. When Guangwu died, he received orders to assist the regency. In Yongping 1 he became Grand Coachman.
16
松數為私書請托郡縣，二年，發覺免官，遂懷怨望。 四年冬，乃縣飛書誹謗，下獄死，國除。
He often peddled private requests to local offices; in year 2 he was caught and stripped of rank, and nursed a grudge. In winter of year 4 he circulated slanderous broadsheets, was jailed, died, and lost his marquisate.
17
子扈，後以恭懷皇后從兄，永元中，擢為黃門侍郎，歷位卿、校尉。 溫恭謙讓，亦敦《詩》、《書》。 永初中，為長樂少府，松弟竦。
His son Liang Hu, a cousin of Empress Gonghuai, was raised to gentleman of the Yellow Gates in the Yongyuan era and served as minister and colonel. He was gentle and modest and steeped in the Songs and Documents. During Yongchu Liang Hu served as prefect of Changle. Liang Song the elder's younger brother—also named Liang Song but styled Shujing—is introduced next.
18
竦字叔敬，少習《孟氏易》，弱冠能教授。 後坐兄松事，與弟恭俱徙九真。 既徂南土，歷江、湖，濟沅、湘，感悼子胥、屈原以非辜沈身，乃作《悼騷賦》，系玄石而沈之。
That younger Liang Song, styled Shujing, studied the Meng family's Book of Changes as a youth and could teach at twenty. When his brother Liang Song fell, he and his brother Liang Gong were banished to Jiuzhen. Southward he crossed the great rivers and grieved for Wu Zixu and Qu Yuan, who drowned though guiltless; he wrote the 'Mourning Sao' and sank it sealed to a stone.
19
顯宗後詔聽還本郡。 竦閉門自養，以經籍為娛，著書數篇，名曰《七序》。 班固見而稱曰：『孔子著《春秋》而亂臣賊子懼，梁竦作《七序》而竊位素餐者慚。 』性好施，不事產業。 長嫂舞陰公主贍給諸梁，親疏有序，特重敬竦，雖衣食器物，必有加異。 竦悉分與親族，自無所服。
Emperor Ming later allowed him to return home. Liang Song lived in retirement with the canon for company and composed several essays gathered as the Seven Prefaces. Ban Gu said, 'Confucius's Spring and Autumn struck fear into traitors; Liang Song's Seven Prefaces shames office-holders who steal pay.' ' Liang Song loved giving alms and cared nothing for property.' His elder sister-in-law the Princess of Wuyin kept the Liang clan fed by kinship rank but favored Liang Song with finer clothes and goods. Liang Song gave it all to kin and dressed plainly himself.
20
竦生長京師，不樂本土，身負其才，郁郁不得意。 嘗登高遠望，嘆息言曰：『大丈夫居世，生當封侯，死當廟食。 如其不然，閑居可以養誌，《詩》、《書》足以自娛，州郡之職，徒勞人耳。 』後辟命交至，並無所就。 有三男三女，肅宗納其二女，皆為貴人。 小貴人生和帝，竇皇后養以為子，而竦家私相慶。 後諸竇聞之，恐梁氏得志，終為己害，建初八年，遂譖殺二貴人，而陷竦等以惡逆。 詔使漢陽太守鄭據傳考竦罪，死獄中，家屬復徙九真。 辭語連及舞陰公主，坐徙新城，使者護守。 宮省事密，莫有知和帝梁氏生者。
Raised at court yet restless in Anding, talented Liang Song simmered with frustration. He climbed a height and sighed, 'A man should win a marquisate in life and offerings in death.' If not, retire with the classics for comfort—commandery posts are mere drudgery.' ' Summons came thick and fast—he refused them all. He had three sons and three daughters; Emperor Zhang took two daughters as honored ladies. The younger honored lady bore Emperor He, whom Empress Dou raised as her own, while the Liang family quietly celebrated. The Dou kin, fearing the Liangs' rise, in Jianchu 8 slandered the two honored ladies to death and charged Liang Song and kin with capital treason. The emperor ordered Hanyang governor Zheng Ju to interrogate Liang Song; Song died in jail and his kin were again banished to Jiuzhen. The indictment touched the Princess of Wuyin; she was banished to Xincheng under guard. Court secrecy hid who had borne Emperor He among the Liangs.
21
永元九年，竇太后崩，松子扈遣從兄禪奏記三府，以為漢家舊典，崇貴母氏，而梁貴人親育聖躬，不蒙尊號，求得申議。 太尉張酺引禪訊問事理，會後召見，因白禪奏記之狀。 帝感慟良久，曰：『於君意若何？ 』酺對曰：『《春秋》之義，母以子貴。 漢興以來，母氏莫不降顯，臣愚以為宜上尊號，追慰聖靈，存錄諸舅，以明親親。 』帝悲泣曰：『非君孰為朕思之！ 』會貴人姊南陽樊調妻嫕上書自訟曰：
In Yongyuan 9 Dowager Dou died; Liang Hu sent his cousin Liang Shan to memorialize the Three Offices that Han tradition honors birth mothers, yet the Liang honored ladies who bore the emperor had received no posthumous dignity—he asked redress. Grand Commandant Zhang Pu questioned Liang Shan on the facts; when the empress received Shan, Zhang explained the memorial. The emperor was moved and asked Zhang Pu, 'What do you think?' ' Zhang Pu answered, "The Spring and Autumn teaches that the mother rises with the son."' Since Han began every birth mother's clan has been honored—grant posthumous titles, comfort their spirits, and ennoble the uncles to show loving kinship.' ' The emperor wept, 'Who but you would speak for me!' ' Meanwhile the honored ladies' elder sister—wife of Fan Diao of Nanyang, née Yi—petitioned in her own defense:'
22
帝覽章感悟，乃下中常侍、掖庭令驗問之，嫕辭證明審，遂得引見，具陳其狀。 乃留嫕止宮中，連月乃出，賞賜衣被錢帛第宅奴婢，旬月之間，累資千萬。 嫕素有行操，帝益愛之，加號梁夫人； 擢樊調為羽林左監。 調，光祿大夫宏兄曾孫也。
Reading the petition, the emperor ordered eunuchs and the harem commissioner to investigate; Lady Yi's testimony held up, and she gained audience to lay out the facts. She stayed in the palace for months and emerged laden with silk, cash, mansions, and servants—her gifts totaled millions within weeks. Lady Yi was virtuous; the emperor favored her and titled her Lady Liang; Fan Diao was promoted to left superintendent of the Feathered Forest guard. Fan Diao came from a collateral line of Fan Hong, who had served as superintendent of the imperial household.
23
於是追尊恭懷皇后。 其冬，制詔三公、大鴻臚曰：『夫孝莫大於尊尊親親，其義一也。 《詩》云：「父兮生我，母兮鞠我，撫我畜我，長我育我，顧我復我，出入腹我。 欲報之德，昊天罔極。 」朕不敢興事，覽於前世，太宗、中宗，實有舊典，追命外祖，以篤親親。 其追封謚皇太后父竦為褒親湣侯，比靈文、順成、恩成侯。 魂而有靈，嘉斯寵榮，好爵顯服，以慰母心。 』遣中謁者與嫕及扈，備禮西迎竦喪，詣京師改殯，賜東園畫館、玉匣、衣衾，建塋於恭懷皇后陵傍。 帝親臨送葬，百官畢會。
Empress Gonghuai was posthumously honored. That winter an edict to the Three Dukes and grand herald read: 'Filial duty chiefly means honoring elders and cherishing kin—the principle is one.' The Songs say: "Father begot me, mother nursed me, reared and fed me, watched me come and go, sheltered my going out and in." How can I repay such kindness? Heaven is boundless." The edict continues: I will not launch novel ceremonies lightly; past emperors left clear models for ennobling a sovereign's maternal kin. Liang Song the younger was posthumously invested as Marquis Aiqin Min, in line with earlier honors to empresses' fathers. May his spirit welcome this honor and splendid robes to ease her sorrow. Ushers accompanied Yi and Hu west to fetch Liang Song's remains for reburial at court with imperial mortuary gifts beside Empress Gonghuai's mausoleum. The emperor escorted the funeral; officials thronged the rites.
24
徵還竦妻、子，封子棠為樂平侯，棠弟雍乘氏侯，雍弟翟單父侯，邑各五千戶，位皆特進，賞賜第宅、奴婢、車馬、兵弩、什物以巨萬計，寵遇光於當世。 諸梁內外以親疏並補郎、謁者。
The family returned: Tang, Yong, and Zhai each gained five-thousand-household marquisates and fortunes beyond reckoning. Liang kinsmen near and far filled posts as gentlemen and ushers.
25
棠官至大鴻臚，雍少府。 棠卒，子安國嗣，延光中為侍中，有罪免官，諸梁為郎吏者皆坐免。
Tang became grand herald; Yong superintendent of the masters of lesser treasury. Anguo succeeded but fell from grace in Yanguang, dragging down every Liang gentleman.
26
商字伯夏，雍之子也。 少以外戚拜郎中，遷黃門侍郎。 永建元年，襲父封乘氏侯。 三年，順帝選商女及妹入掖庭，遷侍中、屯騎校尉。 陽嘉元年，女立為皇后，妹為貴人，加商位特進，更增國土，賜安車駟馬，其歲拜執金吾。 二年，封子冀為襄邑侯，商讓不受。 三年，以商為大將軍，固稱疾不起。 四年，使太常桓焉奉策就第即拜，商乃詣闕受命。 明年，夫人陰氏薨，追號開封君，贈印綬。
Liang Shang, styled Boxia, was Liang Yong's son. As imperial in-law he rose from gentleman consultant to gentleman of the Yellow Gates. Yongjian 1 he inherited the Marquisate of Chengshi. Year 3 Emperor Shun enrolled Shang's daughters and sisters; Shang became palace attendant and colonel of garrison cavalry. Yangjia 1 made his daughter empress; Shang gained rank, land, a ceremonial carriage, and Bearer of the Golden Mace. Year 2 he refused a marquisate for his son Ji. Year 3 he was named Grand General but feigned illness. Year 4 Minister Huan Yan invested him at home—then Shang appeared at court. The next year Lady Yin died and received posthumous title lord of Kaifeng.
27
商自以戚屬居大位，每存謙柔，虛己進賢，辟漢陽巨覽、上黨陳龜為椽屬。 李固、周舉為從事中郎，於是京師翕然，稱為良輔，帝委重焉。 每有饑饉，輒載租穀於城門，賑與貧餧，不宣己惠。 檢禦門族，未曾以權盛幹法。 而性慎弱無威斷，頗溺於內豎。 以小黃門曹節等用事於中，遂遣子冀、不疑與為交友，然宦者忌商寵任，反俗陷之。 永和四年，中常侍張逵、蘧政，內者令石光，尚方令傅福，冗從僕射杜永連謀，共譖商及中常侍曹騰、孟賁，雲欲征諸王子，圖議廢立，請收商等案罪。 帝曰：『大將軍父子我所親，騰、賁我所愛，必無是，但汝曹共妒之耳。 』逵等知言不用，懼迫，遂出矯詔收縛騰、賁於省中。
Despite kinship power he stayed modest and recruited Ju Lan and Chen Gui. With Li Gu and Zhou Ju he won fame as a wise minister. In famine he quietly dumped grain rental at the gates for the poor. He checked his kin and never abused law. Yet he was weak-willed and yielded to eunuchs. Eunuchs ruled within; Shang's sons befriended them yet jealousy framed him. Yonghe 4: eunuchs accused Shang and Cao Teng of plotting succession. The emperor dismissed it as envy. They forged orders and seized Cao Teng and Meng Ben.
28
帝聞震怒，敕宦者李歙急呼騰、賁釋之，收逵等，悉伏誅。 辭所連染及在位大臣，商懼多侵枉，乃上疏曰：『《春秋》之義，功在元帥，罪止首惡，故賞不僭溢，刑不淫濫，五帝、三王所以同致康乂也。 竊聞考中常侍張逵等，辭語多所牽及。 大獄一起，無辜者眾，死囚久系，纖微成大，非所以順迎和氣，平政成化也。 宜早訖竟，以止逮捕之煩。 』帝乃納之，罪止坐者。
The emperor freed Teng and Ben and executed the plotters. Shang urged limiting guilt—the Spring and Autumn rule punishes only ringleaders. Trials of Zhang Da's confession snared too many. Mass arrests harm harmony and honest rule. End the dragnet swiftly. The emperor limited punishment to the guilty.
29
六年秋，商病篤，敕子冀等曰：『吾以不德，享受多福。 生無以輔益朝廷，死必耗廢帑臧，衣衾飯唅玉匣珠貝之屬，何益朽骨。 百僚勞擾，紛華道路，秖增塵垢，雖云禮制，亦有權時。 方今邊境不寧，盜賊未息，豈宜重為國損！ 氣絕之後，載至冢舍，即時殯斂。 斂以時服，皆以故衣，無更裁制。 殯已開冢，冢開即葬。 祭食如存，無用三牲。 孝子善述父誌，不宜違我言也。 』及薨，帝親臨喪，諸子欲從其誨，朝廷不聽，賜以東園朱壽器、銀鏤、黃腸、玉匣、什物二十八種，錢二百萬，布三千匹。 皇后錢五百萬，布萬匹。 及葬，贈輕車介士，賜謚忠侯。 中宮親送，帝幸宣陽亭，瞻望車騎。 子冀嗣。
Dying in autumn year 6 he told Ji he had enjoyed undeserved favor. Extravagant burial wastes the treasury for worthless bones. Processions pollute the roads; rites allow expedients. War and banditry forbid lavish funeral! Take me straight to the tomb hall and encoffin immediately. Shroud in worn garments only. Open the tomb and bury at once after viewing. Simple offerings—no three-animal sacrifice. Obey this testament. The court overruled plain burial with imperial mortuary gifts. The empress added cash and silk. He received escort and the posthumous title Loyal Marquis. The court escorted; the emperor watched from Xuanyang. Liang Ji succeeded.
30
冀字伯卓。 為人鳶肩豺目，洞精目黨眄，口吟舌言，裁能書計。 少為貴戚，逸遊自恣。 性嗜酒，能挽滿、彈棋、格五、六博、蹴鞠、意錢之戲，又好臂鷹走狗，騁馬鬥雞。 初為黃門侍郎，轉侍中、虎賁中郎將，越騎、步兵校尉，執金吾。
Liang Ji, styled Bozhuo. Grotesque features, sidelong glare, stammer—barely able to read. A privileged youth ran wild. He gambled, drank, hunted, and rode. He climbed through palace guards to Bearer of the Golden Mace.
31
永和元年，拜河南尹。 冀居職暴恣，多非法，父商所親客洛陽令呂放，頗與商言及冀之短，商以讓冀，冀即遣人於道刺殺放。 而恐商知之，乃推疑於放之怨仇，請以放弟禹為洛陽令，使捕之，盡滅其宗親、賓客百餘人。
Yonghe 1 he governed Henan. Ji murdered magistrate Lü Fang who exposed him. He framed rivals and exterminated over a hundred innocents.
32
商薨未及葬，順帝乃拜冀為大將軍，弟侍中不疑為河南尹。
Before the funeral ended Ji became Grand General and Buyi governor of Henan.
33
及帝崩，沖帝始在繈褓，太后臨朝，詔冀與太傅趙峻、太尉李固參錄尚書事。 冀雖辭不肯當，而侈暴滋甚。
Regency placed Ji with Zhao Jun and Li Gu over the Masters of Writing. Ji feigned refusal while growing worse.
34
沖帝又崩，冀立質帝。 帝少而聰慧，知冀驕橫，嘗朝群臣，目冀曰：『此跋扈將軍也。 』冀聞，深惡之，遂令左右進鴆加煮餅，帝即日崩。
Chong died; Ji enthroned Emperor Zhi. Zhi called him the domineering general. Ji poisoned him with cakes that day.
35
復立桓帝，而枉害李固及前太尉杜喬，海內嗟懼，語在《李固傳》。 建和元年，益封冀萬三千戶，增大將軍府舉高第茂才，官屬倍於三公。 又封不疑為潁陽侯，不疑弟蒙西平侯，冀子胤襄邑侯，各萬戶。 和平元年，重增封冀萬戶，並前所襲合三萬戶。
He raised Huan and killed Li Gu and Du Qiao—see Li Gu's memoir. Jianhe 1 swelled his fief and bureau beyond the Three Dukes. Kin gained ten-thousand-household marquisates. Heping 1 brought his holdings to thirty thousand households.
36
弘農人宰宣素性佞邪，欲取媚於冀，乃上言大將軍有周公之功，今既封諸子，則其妻宜為邑君。 詔遂封冀妻孫壽為襄城君，兼食陽翟租，歲入五千萬，加賜赤紱，比長公主。 壽色美而善為妖態，作愁眉，啼妝，墮馬髻，折腰步，齲齒笑，以為媚惑。 冀亦改易輿服之制，作平上軿車，埤幘，狹冠，折上巾，擁身扇，狐尾單衣。 壽性鉗忌，能制禦冀，冀甚寵憚之。
Zai Xuan flattered Ji as Duke of Zhou and urged honoring his wife. Sun Shou gained Lady of Xiangcheng with vast rent and princess rank. Sun Shou invented fashions of seduction. Ji sported outlandish clothing and carriages. Sun Shou dominated Ji through jealousy.
37
冀用壽言，多斥奪諸梁在位者，外以謙讓，而實崇孫氏宗親。 冒名而為侍中、卿、校尉、郡守、長吏者十餘人，皆貪叨凶淫，各遣私客籍屬縣富人，被以它罪，閉獄掠拷，使出錢自贖，資物少者至於死徙。 扶風人士孫奮居富而性吝，冀因以馬乘遺之，從貸錢五千萬，奮以三千萬與之，冀大怒，乃告郡縣，認奮母為其守臧婢，雲盜白珠十斛、紫金千斤以叛，遂收考奮兄弟，死於獄中，悉沒資財億七千餘萬。
He ousted Liangs and elevated Suns. Sun placemen extorted counties by false charges. Ji ruined rich Shifu Fen on a trumped theft.
38
其四方調發，歲時貢獻，皆先輸上第於冀，乘輿乃其次焉。 吏人賫貨求官請罪者，道路相望。 冀又遣客出塞，交通外國，廣求異物。 因行道路，發取伎女禦者，而使人復乘勢橫暴，妻略婦女，歐擊吏卒，所在怨毒。
Provincial tribute fed Ji before the throne. Buyers of office crowded the roads. He trafficked abroad for curiosities. His men seized women and abused folk along routes.
39
冀乃大起第舍，而壽亦對街為宅，殫極土木，互相誇競。 堂寢皆有陰陽奧室，連房洞戶。 柱壁雕鏤，加以銅漆，窗牖皆有綺疏青瑣，圖以雲氣仙靈。 臺閣周通，更相臨望； 飛梁石蹬，陵跨水道。 金玉珠璣，異方珍怪，充積臧室。 遠致汗血名馬。 又廣開園囿，采土築山，十里九陂，以像二崤，深林絕澗，有若自然，奇禽馴獸，飛走其間。 冀、壽共乘輦車，張羽蓋，飾以金銀，遊觀第內，多從倡伎，鳴鐘吹管，酣謳竟路。 或連繼日夜，以騁娛恣。 客到門不得通，皆請謝門者，門者累千金。 又多拓林苑，禁同王家，西至弘農，東界滎陽，南極魯陽，北達河、淇，包含山藪，遠帶丘荒，周旋封域，殆將千里。 又起菟苑於河南城西，經亙數十里，發屬縣卒徒，繕修樓觀，數年乃成。 移檄所在，調發生菟，刻其毛以為識，人有犯者，罪至刑死。 嘗有西域賈胡，不知禁忌，誤殺一兔，轉相告言，坐死者十餘人。 冀二弟嘗私遣人出獵上黨，冀聞而捕其賓客，一時殺三十餘人，無生還者。 冀又起別第於城西，以納奸亡。 或取良人，悉為奴婢，至數千人，名曰『自賣人』。
Husband and wife rivaled in palace-building. Rooms twisted with hidden passages. Bronzed carved halls with immortal frescoes. Linked terraces overlooked each other. Stone bridges vaulted streams. Treasure chambers overflowed. He imported famed horses. He sculpted miniature mountains and stocked exotic game. They rode in splendor with musicians. Debauchery ran day and night. Gatekeepers grew rich on bribes. His hunting grounds spanned almost a thousand li. He built a vast Rabbit Park west of Luoyang. Marked rabbits—death for killing one. A foreign merchant accidentally killed a rabbit—over ten died. Ji slaughtered thirty guests of hunting brothers. He hid fugitives in a western compound. He seized thousands as slaves labeled self-sellers.
40
時，郎中汝南袁著，年十九，見冀凶縱，不勝其憤，乃詣闕上書曰：
Yuan Zhu at nineteen attacked Ji's crimes.
41
臣聞仲尼嘆鳳鳥不至，河不出圖，自傷卑賤，不能致也。 今陛下居得致之位，又有能致之資，而和氣未應，賢愚失序者，勢分權臣，上下壅隔之故也。 夫四時之運，功成則退，高爵厚寵，鮮不致災。 今大將軍位極功成，可為至戒，宜遵懸車之禮，高枕頤神。 傳曰：「木實繁者，披枝害心。 」若不抑損權盛，將無以全其身矣。 左右聞臣言，將側目切齒，臣特以童蒙見拔，故敢忘忌諱。 昔舜、禹相戒無若丹朱，周公戒成王無如殷王紂，願除誹謗之罪，以開天下之口。
He cites Confucius longing for omens. Powerful ministers isolate the throne. Seasons turn; peak power invites ruin. Ji should yield power like hanging up carriage. The adage runs: heavy fruit breaks the branches. Unless might is checked, no man stays whole. His Majesty's attendants will hate this—I was plucked young from obscurity, which is why I risk taboo. He cites ancient warnings against wicked kings and begs repeal of the anti-slander statutes so truth can be spoken.
42
書得奏御，冀聞而密遣掩捕著。 著乃變易姓名，後託病偽死，結蒲為人，市棺殯送。 冀廉問知其詐，陰求得，笞殺之，隱蔽其事。 學生桂陽劉常，當世名儒，素善於著，冀召補令史以辱之。 時，太原郝絜、胡武，皆危言高論，與著友善。 先是，絜等連名奏記三府，薦海內高士，而不詣冀，冀追怒之，又疑為著黨，敕中部官移檄捕前奏記者並殺之，遂誅武家，死者六十餘人。 絜初逃亡，知不得免，因輿櫬奏書冀門。 書入，仰藥而死，家乃得全。 及冀誅，有詔以禮祀著等。 冀諸忍忌，皆此類也。
Liang Ji learned of the memorial and had Yuan Zhu arrested in secret. Yuan Zhu went underground—fake corpse in a coffin—and vanished. Ji uncovered the ruse, had Yuan Zhu flogged to death, and buried the story. Ji named the eminent Liu Chang recorder under him to shame both men. Taiyuan scholars Hao Jie and Hu Wu were Yuan Zhu's allies in outspoken protest. After Hao Jie's coalition bypassed Liang Ji, Ji accused them of faction, executed dozens of signatories, and wiped out Hu Wu's clan. Hao Jie, seeing no escape, delivered his own death warrant to Liang Ji's door. He took poison once the letter arrived—his kin survived. After Ji fell, the court honored Yuan Zhu posthumously. Such was Liang Ji's habitual malice.
43
不疑好經書，善待士，冀陰疾之，因中常侍白帝，轉為光祿勛，又諷眾人共薦其子胤為河南尹。 胤一名胡狗，時年十六，容貌甚陋，不勝冠帶，道路見者，莫不蚩笑焉。 不疑自恥兄弟有隙，遂讓位歸第，與弟蒙閉門自守。 冀不欲令與賓客交通，陰使人變服至門，記往來者。 南郡太守馬融、江夏太守田明，初除，過謁不疑，冀諷州郡以它事陷之，皆髡笞徙朔方。 融自刺不誅，明遂死於路。
Ji envied Liang Buyi's virtue—demoted him to a nominal guard post while forcing Yin into Henan. The boy nicknamed Dog was grotesque at sixteen—people mocked him in the street. Liang Buyi quit office and shut himself in with Liang Meng. Ji spied on Buyi's visitors with disguised watchers. Ma Rong and Tian Ming called on Buyi; Ji framed them for exile and mutilation. Ma Rong survived self-stabbing; Tian Ming perished en route.
44
永興二年，封不疑子馬為潁陰侯，胤子桃為城父侯。 冀一門前後七封侯，三皇后，六貴人，二大將軍，夫人、女食邑稱君者七人，尚公主者三人，其餘卿、將、尹、校五十七人。 在位二十餘年，究極滿盛，威行內外，百僚側目，莫敢違命，天子恭己而不得有所親豫。
Yongxing 2 brought marquisates to Ma and Tao. One Liang line counted seven marquises, three empresses, six consorts, two grand generals, and dozens of high posts. For twenty years the Liangs terrified the bureaucracy while the emperor signed whatever they wished.
45
初，掖庭人鄧香妻宣生女猛，香卒，宣更適梁紀。 梁紀者，冀妻壽之舅也。 壽引進猛入掖庭，見幸，為貴人，冀因欲認猛為其女以自固，乃易猛姓為梁。 時猛姊婿邴尊為議郎，冀恐尊沮敗宣意，乃結刺客於偃城，刺殺尊，而又欲殺宣。 宣家在延熹裏，與中常侍袁赦相比，冀使刺客登赦屋，欲入宣家。 赦覺之，鳴鼓會眾以告宣。 宣馳入以白帝，帝大怒，遂與中常侍單超、具瑗、唐衡、左悺、徐璜等五人成謀誅冀。 語在《宦者傳》。
Deng Meng was Deng Xiang's daughter by Lady Xuan; after Xiang died Xuan married Liang Ji, who stood in an uncle's relation to Sun Shou. That same Liang Ji was uncle to Sun Shou on her mother's side. Sun Shou installed Deng Meng at court; Liang Ji adopted her as a daughter and renamed her Liang. Ji murdered Bing Zun to silence Deng Meng's kin and meant to kill Lady Xuan. Assault teams climbed Yuan She's roof to strike Lady Xuan next door. Yuan She raised the alarm and warned Lady Xuan. Lady Xuan reached Emperor Huan; he allied with the five eunuchs to destroy Liang Ji. Details appear in the biography of the eunuchs.
46
冀心疑超等，乃使中黃門張惲入省宿，以防其變。 具瑗敕吏收惲，以輒從外入，欲圖不軌。 帝因是御前殿，召諸尚書入，發其事，使尚書令尹勛持節勒丞郎以下皆操兵守省閣，斂諸符節送省中。 使黃門令具瑗將左右廄騶、虎賁、羽林、都候斂戟士，合千餘人，與司隸校尉張彪共圍冀第。 使光祿勛袁盱持節收冀大將軍印綬，徙封比景都鄉侯。 冀及妻壽即日皆自殺。 悉收子河南尹胤、叔父屯騎校尉讓，及親從衛尉淑、越騎校尉忠、長水校尉戟等，諸梁及孫氏中外宗親送詔獄，無長少皆棄市。 不疑、蒙先卒。 其它所連及公卿、列校、尉刺史、二千石死者數十人，故吏賓客免黜者三百餘人，朝廷為空，惟尹勛、袁盱及廷尉邯鄲義在焉。 是時事卒從中發，使者交馳，公卿失其度，官府市里鼎沸，數日乃定，百姓莫不稱慶。
Ji posted Zhang Yun inside the palace as a precaution. Ju Yuan arrested Zhang Yun on a forged charge of intrusion. Emperor Huan seized the palace offices, armed the clerks, and collected imperial tallies. Over a thousand guards encircled Liang Ji's mansion under Zhang Biao. Yuan Xu stripped Liang Ji of command and demoted him to a village marquis at Bijing. Liang Ji and Sun Shou killed themselves the same day. The purge swept Liang and Sun kin—none spared the scaffold. Liang Buyi and Liang Meng were already dead. Scores of officials fell; only Yin Xun, Yuan Xu, and Handan Yi remained at their posts. Luoyang churned for days until calm returned—the people celebrated.
47
收冀財貨，縣官斥賣，合三十餘萬萬，以充王府，用減天下稅租之半。 散其苑囿，以業窮民。 錄誅冀功者，封尚書令尹勛以下數十人。
Liquidating his hoard yielded billions for the treasury and cut rents by half. Royal hunting grounds became farms for the poor. Dozens who aided the coup received titles.
48
論曰：順帝之世，梁商稱為賢輔，豈以其地居亢滿，而能以願謹自終者乎？ 夫宰相運動樞極，感會天人，中於道則易以興政，乖於務則難乎禦物。 商協回天之勢，屬雕弱之期，而匡朝恤患，未聞上述，憔悴之音，載謠人口。 雖輿粟盈門，何救阻饑之厄； 永言終制，未解屍官之尤。 況乃傾側孽臣，傳寵凶嗣，以致破家傷國，而豈徒然哉！
Why was Liang Shang praised—because he stayed humble atop perilous height? High ministers harmonize heaven and earth—or lose control when they stray. Shang could have steered the age yet famine songs spread unchecked. Grain handouts at the gate never ended famine; His humble funeral vow never cleared colleagues cashiered with him. Far worse to breed Liang Ji—ruin follows wicked favor.
49
贊曰：在河西佐漢，統亦定算。 褒親幽憤，升高累嘆。 商恨善柔。 冀遂貪亂。
Verse: Hexi backed Han restoration; Liang Tong planned it. Maternal honors brought sorrow; ambition climbed to ruin. Liang Shang paid for gentleness. Liang Ji rushed greed to catastrophe.