1
李恂字叔英，安定臨涇人也。 少習韓詩，[一]教授諸生常數百人。 太守穎川李鴻請署功曹，未及到，而州闢為從事。 會鴻卒，恂不應州命，而送鴻喪還鄉里。 既葬，留起頤墳，持喪三年。 注[一]韓嬰所傳詩也。
Li Xun, courtesy name Shuying, came from Linying in Anding commandery. He mastered the Han school Odes in his youth and regularly taught several hundred pupils. Grand Warden Li Hong of Yingchuan wanted him as acting merit assessor, but the provincial office beat him to it with an adjutant appointment. When Li Hong died, Li Xun ignored the provincial call and accompanied the coffin to Li's home. After the burial he stayed to build a memorial tumulus and kept the full three years of mourning. Note 1: The text means the Han Ying recension of the Classic of Odes.
2
辟司徒桓虞府。 後拜侍御史，持節使幽州，宣佈恩澤，慰撫北狄，所過皆圖寫山川、屯田、聚落百餘卷，悉封奏上，肅宗嘉之。 拜兗州刺史。 以清約率下，常席羊皮，服布被。 遷張掖太守，有威重名。 時大將軍竇憲將兵屯武威，天下州郡遠近莫不修禮遺，恂奉公不阿，為憲所奏免。
He received a staff appointment under Minister over the Masses Huan Yu. Promoted to palace censor, he toured Youzhou with imperial credentials, reassuring the northern tribes while compiling illustrated gazetteers of terrain, military colonies, and settlements in over a hundred fascicles for the throne. Emperor Zhang commended him. He was named governor of Yan province. He led by austere example, sitting on a sheepskin mat and sleeping under a homespun quilt. As grand warden of Zhangye he earned a reputation for stern integrity. When Dou Xian quartered the army at Wuwei, every locality sent him presents; Li Xun refused to curry favor and Dou Xian had him impeached and removed.
3
後復征拜謁者，使持節領西域副校尉。 西域殷富，多珍寶，諸國侍子及督使賈胡[一]數遺恂奴婢、宛馬、金銀、香罽之屬，一無所受。 [二]北匈奴數斷西域車師、伊吾，隴沙以西使命不得通，[三]恂設購賞，遂斬虜帥，縣首軍門。 自是道路夷清，威恩並行。 注[一]督使，主蕃國之使也。 賈胡，胡之商賈也。
He was later recalled as herald with credentials to serve as acting deputy protector-general of the Western Regions. The Western Regions teemed with wealth; princes' hostages, envoys, and Sogdian traders pressed gifts of slaves, horses, bullion, and fine carpets on him, and he turned every one away. Northern Xiongnu raids severed the route through Jushi and Yiwu; west of the Longsand deserts couriers could not get through. Li Xun posted a bounty, slew the raiders' chief, and displayed the head at his headquarters. After that the roads were safe and his authority and kindness were felt alike. Note 1: An overseer supervised tributary embassies from the oasis kingdoms. The phrase means foreign traders from the steppe and oases.
4
注[二]袁山松書曰：「西域出諸香、石蜜。」 罽，織毛為布者。
Comment two: Yuan Shansong's book says: "The Western Regions produce various aromatics and rock honey." Ji denotes woolen pile carpets.
5
注[三]前書曰：「車師前國王居交河城。」 伊吾故城在今瓜州晉昌縣北。 廣志曰：「流沙在玉門關外，東西數百里，有三斷名曰三隴也。」
Note 3: "The Han shu places the king of Front Jushi at Jiaohe." Ancient Yiwu lay north of present Jinchang in Gansu. Guangzhi says: "The flowing sands lie outside Jade Gate, several hundred li east to west; there are three breaks called Three Longs.
6
遷武威太守。 後坐事免，步歸鄉里，潛居山澤，結草為廬，獨與諸生織席自給。
He was promoted to grand warden of Wuwei. Later removed for an offense, he walked home, hid in the hills, thatched a grass hut, and wove reed mats with his disciples to live.
7
會西羌反畔，恂到田舍，為所執獲。 羌素聞其名，放遣之。 恂因詣洛陽謝。 時歲荒，司空張敏、司徒魯恭等各遣子饋糧，悉無所受。 徙居新安關下，拾橡實以自資。 [一]年九十六卒。 注[一]橡，櫟實也。 武帝元鼎三年徙函谷關於新安也。
When the western Qiang rose, they captured him at a farmstead. The tribesmen knew his reputation and let him go. He then traveled to Luoyang to report his release. In a year of dearth, Zhang Min and Lu Gong each sent their sons with food; he refused it all. He moved below the Xin'an pass and lived on gathered acorns. He died at ninety-six. Note 1: The text means acorns from oak trees. Emperor Wu had shifted the Hangu barrier to Xin'an in 114 BCE.
8
陳禪字紀山，巴郡安漢人也。 仕郡功曹，舉善黜惡，為邦內所畏。 察孝廉，州辟治中從事。 [一]時刺史為人所上受納臧賂，禪當傳考，[二]無它所繼，但持喪斂之具而已。 及至，笞掠無筭，五毒畢加，禪神意自若，辭對無變，事遂散釋。 車騎將軍鄧騭聞其名而辟焉，舉茂才。 時漢中蠻夷反畔，以禪為漢中太守。
Chen Chan, courtesy name Jishan, came from Anhan in Ba commandery. As commandery merit assessor he promoted the worthy and ousted the corrupt, and the whole region stood in awe of him. Recommended as filial and incorrupt, he was called up as the province's administrative adjutant. When the governor was impeached for graft, Chen Chan was summoned as a witness; he arrived carrying nothing but a shroud for his own burial. They tortured him without limit, yet he remained composed and his story never wavered, so the case collapsed. Deng Zhi, general of chariots and cavalry, recruited him and nominated him as abundant talent. When the Hanzhong tribes revolted, the court made him grand warden there.
9
夷賊素聞其聲，實時降服。 遷左馮翊，入拜諫議大夫。 注[一]續漢志曰，每州有持中從事也。
The rebels had heard of him and surrendered immediately. He rose to governor of the capital left and then entered court as grandee remonstrant. Note 1: The Hou Han treatise lists a provincial adjutant for each circuit; some editions corrupt the title to read holding-center adjutant instead of administrative adjutant.
10
注[二]傳謂逮捕而考之也。
Note 2: "To transmit" in this context means to take into custody for questioning.
11
永寧元年，西南夷撣國王[一]獻樂及幻人，能吐火，自支解，易牛馬頭。 明年元會，作之於庭，安帝與腢臣共觀，大奇之。 禪獨離席舉手大言曰：「昔齊魯為夾谷之會，齊作侏儒之樂，仲尼誅之。 [二]又曰：『放鄭聲，遠佞人。』 [三]帝王之庭，不宜設夷狄之技。」 尚書陳忠劾奏禪曰：「古者合歡之樂舞於堂，四夷之樂陳於門，故詩云『以雅以南，□任朱離』。 [四]今撣國越流沙，踰縣度，[五]萬里貢獻，非鄭□之聲，佞人之比，而禪廷訕朝政，[六]請劾禪下獄。」 有詔勿收，左轉為玄菟候城障尉，[七]詔「敢不之官，上妻子從者名」。 禪既行，朝廷多訟之。 會北匈奴入遼東，追拜禪遼東太守。 胡憚其威強，退還數百里。 禪不加兵，但使吏卒往曉慰之，單于隨使還郡。 禪於學行禮，為說道義以感化之。
In Yongning 1 (120 CE) the king of Shan among the southwestern Yi sent musicians and illusionists who breathed fire, pulled themselves apart, and swapped ox and horse heads before the court. At the next New Year's audience the acts were staged in the palace yard; Emperor An and his ministers watched in amazement—the graph before "ministers" is corrupt in the received text. Zhang Chan alone rose from his mat and shouted: "When Qi and Lu met at Jiagu and Qi brought dwarf tumblers, Confucius had their performers executed. [Two] The Master also said, "Drive off the tunes of Zheng and send sycophants away. [Three] A Son of Heaven's hall is no place for barbarian tricks." Minister Chen Zhong impeached Zhang Chan: "The ancients danced the music of harmony inside the hall and shelved foreign entertainments at the gate—hence the Classic verse 'South with the Ya and … Red Pearls'—the manuscript leaves one graph blank. [Four] Shan braved the desert and the Suspended Crossing to bring tribute from ten thousand li—nothing like the licentious music of Zheng or court parasites—yet Zhang Chan insults policy in open court; [six] I ask that he be impeached and jailed." There was edict do not arrest; demoted left to Xuantu Houcheng barrier captain; [seven] edict 'If dare not go to office, submit wives children followers' names.'" Once Zhang Chan left for his post, officials across the capital petitioned on his behalf. When the Northern Xiongnu raided Liaodong, the court urgently named Zhang Chan governor. The nomads feared his strength and pulled back hundreds of li. Zhang Chan drew no sword—he sent officers to reason with the tribes until the chanyu accompanied his envoys back to the commandery seat. In the local academy he performed rites and lectured on moral duty until they were won over.
12
單于懷服，遺以胡中珍貨而去。 注[一]撣音徒丹反。
The Shanyu submitted, left rare gifts from the steppe, and withdrew. Note 1: The graph for the kingdom name Shan is glossed with the tu-dan fanqie reading.
13
注[二]家語曰，魯定公與齊侯會於夾谷，孔子攝相事。 齊奏中宮之樂，倡優侏儒戲於前。 孔子趨曰：「匹夫而侮諸侯，罪應誅。」 於是斬侏儒，手足異處。
Note 2: The Kongzi jiayu relates the Jiagu conference where Confucius directed the ritual. The Qi side staged palace entertainers and dwarf actors. Confucius protested: "To humiliate the lords of the land is a capital crime. They executed the dwarf and displayed the severed limbs.
14
注[三]論語孔子之言。
Note 3: The line echoes the Analects.
15
注[四]詩小雅鼓鐘之詩曰：「以雅以南，以鑰不僭。」 薛君云：「南夷之樂曰南。
Note 4: "The Book of Odes praises proper use of ya and southern music." Xue Jun says: "The music of the southern Yi is called nan.
16
四夷之樂唯南可以和於雅者，以其人聲音及鑰不僭差也。」 周禮，鞮鞻氏掌四夷之樂。 鄭玄注云：「東方曰韎，南方曰任，西方曰朱離，北方曰禁。」 毛詩無「韎任朱離」之文，蓋見齊、魯之詩也，今亡。 韎音昧。 禮記曰，九夷、八蠻、六戎、五狄來朝，立於明堂四門之外也。
Only the southern style could blend with classical ya because its pitch stayed true. The Rites of Zhou assigns foreign performances to the Di-lou. Zheng Xuan's commentary says: "The east is called Mei, the south Ren, the west Zhuli, the north Jin." The Mao Odes lack the graphs "Mei Ren Zhuli"; probably they appeared in the Qi and Lu recensions, now lost. The graph mei is read with the mei gloss. The Liji states that outer tribes attended audience outside the Bright Hall's four gates.
17
注[五]前書西域傳曰：「縣度者，山名也。 溪谷不通，以繩索相引而度，去陽關五千八百八十里。」
Note 5: "The Han shu describes Suspension Crossing as a mountain range. Travelers crossed on rope bridges; it lay thousands of li west of Yang Pass."
18
注[六]訕，謗也。
Note 6: Shan here means to defame.
19
注[七]候城，縣，在遼東。
Note 7: Houcheng County lay in Liaodong commandery.
20
及鄧騭誅廢，禪以故吏免。 復為車騎將軍閻顯長史。 順帝即位，遷司隸校尉。
When Deng Zhi fell, Chen Chan lost his post as a former client. He later served Yan Xian as chief clerk of the same general's command. Emperor Shun promoted him to colonel director of retainers.
21
明年，卒於官。
He died in office the following year.
22
子澄，有清名，官至漢中太守。
His son Chen Cheng was known for integrity and rose to grand warden of Hanzhong.
23
禪曾孫寶，亦剛壯有禪風，為州別駕從事，顯名州裡。
His great-grandson Chen Bao inherited his toughness, served as provincial aide-de-camp, and made a name locally.
24
龐參字仲達，河南緱氏人也。 初仕郡，未知名，河南尹龐奮見而奇之，舉為孝廉，拜左校令。 坐法輸作若盧。 [一]注[一]若盧，獄名。
Pang Shen, courtesy name Zhongda, came from Goushi in Henan. He began in obscurity until Governor Pang Fen singled him out, nominated him filial and incorrupt, and made him colonel of the left watch. A legal conviction sent him to corvée labor at Ruolu prison workshop. Note 1: Ruolu was the name of an imperial prison workshop.
25
永初元年，涼州先零種羌反畔，遣車騎將軍鄧騭討之。 參於徒中使其子俊上書曰：「方今西州流民擾動，而征發不絕，水潦不休，地力不復。 [一]重之以大軍，疲之以遠戍，農功消於轉運，資財竭於征發。 田疇不得墾闢，禾稼不得收入，搏手困窮，無望來秋。 [二]百姓力屈，不復堪命。 臣愚以為萬里運糧，遠就羌戎，不若總兵養觿，以待其疲。 車騎將軍騭宜且振旅，留征西校尉任尚使督涼州士民，轉居三輔。 休徭役以助其時，止煩賦以益其財，令男得耕種，女得織□，[三]然後畜精銳，乘懈沮，出其不意。 攻其不備，則邊人之仇報，奔北之恥雪矣。」 書奏，會御史中丞樊准上疏薦參曰：「臣聞鷙鳥累百，不如一鶚。 [四]昔孝文皇帝悟馮唐之言，而赦魏尚之罪，使為邊守，匈奴不敢南向。 [五]夫以一臣之身，折方面之難者，選用得也。 臣伏見故左校令河南龐參，勇謀不測，卓爾奇偉，高才武略，有魏尚之風。 前坐微法，輸作經時。 今羌戎為患，大軍西屯，臣以為如參之人，宜在行伍。 惟明詔采前世之舉，觀魏尚之功，免赦參刑，以為軍鋒，必有成效，宣助國威。」 鄧太后納其言，即擢參於徒中，召拜謁者，使西督三輔諸軍屯，而征鄧騭還。 注[一]言其耗損，不復於舊。
In 107 CE the Xianling Qiang of Liangzhou rose; Deng Zhi marched against them. From his labor gang Pang Shen had his son memorialize: "The west is in uproar, yet conscription never stops, floods keep coming, and the soil cannot recover. Mass armies and distant garrisons waste the harvest in cartage and bleed the treasury dry. Fields lie untilled and grain ungathered; the people wring their hands in poverty with no hope for the next harvest. The commoners are at the breaking point and cannot obey another order. Better to husband strength and wait the enemy out than to ship grain thousands of li to fight the Qiang in their hills. Let Deng Zhi pull back and leave Colonel Ren Shang to shepherd Liangzhou people into the three capital districts. Suspend labor service, cut exorbitant levies, let men farm and women weave (lacuna in text), then strike when the tribes relax. A surprise blow will avenge the frontier and wipe away the disgrace of defeat." The memorial arrived as Fan Zhun urged: "A hundred kites are not worth one eagle. Emperor Wen heeded Feng Tang and restored Wei Shang; the Xiongnu dared not raid the south. One good appointment can secure a border. Pang Shen of Henan has Wei Shang's mettle—bold, shrewd, and fit for the field. A small offense once sent him to the labor gangs. With the army pinned in the west, men like him belong in uniform. Pardon him and put him in the van and you will stiffen the empire's arm." Empress Deng agreed: she freed Pang Shen, made him a herald to supervise western camps, and recalled Deng Zhi. Note 1: Meaning the land's strength was spent.
26
注[二]兩手相搏，言無計也。
Note 2: Clasped empty hands mean helplessness.
27
注[三]□音如深反。 杜預注左傳云：「織□，織繒布也。」
Note 3: The damaged character is glossed ru-shen. Du Yu's commentary on the Zuo says: "Weaving (lacuna) means weaving tabby silk.
28
注[四]前書鄒陽諫吳王之辭也。 鶚，大鵰也。
Note 4: The osprey image comes from Zou Yang's memorial in the Han shu. An osprey is a great sea eagle.
29
注[五]前書馮唐謂文帝曰：「臣聞魏尚為雲中守，匈奴遠避，不近雲中之塞。 上功莫府，一言不相應，文吏以法繩之。 愚以為陛下法太明而賞太輕。」 文帝悅，是日令唐持節赦魏尚，復以為雲中守也。
Note 5: "Feng Tang's plea recalled Wei Shang's success on the northern frontier. Petty clerks faulted him over a single discrepancy in his battle report. Feng Tang warned that harsh law and stingy reward would drive good generals away." Wen approved and sent Feng Tang with credentials to restore Wei Shang that same day.
30
四年，羌寇轉盛，兵費日廣，且連年不登，谷石萬餘。 參奏記於鄧騭曰：「比年羌寇特困隴右，供徭賦役為損日滋，官負人責數十億萬。 [一]今復募發百姓，調取谷帛，衒賣什物，以應吏求。 外傷羌虜，內困徵賦。 [二]遂乃千里轉糧，遠給武都西郡。 塗路傾阻，難勞百端，疾行則鈔暴為害，遲進則谷食稍損，運糧散於曠野，牛馬死於山澤。 縣官不足，輒貸於民。 民已窮矣，將從誰求？ 名救金城，而實困三輔。 三輔既困，還復為金城之禍矣。 參前數言宜□西域，乃為西州士大夫所笑。 今苟貪不毛之地，營恤不使之民，[三]暴軍伊吾之野，以慮三族之外，[四]果破涼州，禍亂至今。 夫拓境不寧，無益於強； 多田不耕，何救饑敝！ 故善為國者，務懷其內，不求外利； 務富其民，不貪廣土。 三輔山原曠遠，民庶稀疏，故縣丘城，可居者多。 [五]今宜徙邊郡不能自存者，入居諸陵，田戍故縣。 孤城絕郡，以權徙之； 轉運遠費，聚而近之； 徭役煩數，休而息之。 此善之善者也。」 騭及公卿以國用不足，欲從參議，觿多不同，乃止。 注[一]責音側懈反。
By the fourth year the Qiang war was bleeding the treasury dry; harvests had failed year after year and grain cost more than ten thousand cash a bushel. Pang Shen wrote Deng Zhi: "Longyou is being bled white; every levy swells the deficit until the state owes tens of billions. The court keeps drafting peasants, seizing grain and cloth, and forcing families to sell their goods to satisfy petty officials. The people suffer the raiders without and the taxman within. Grain trains crawl a thousand li to feed distant Wudu and the western frontier. The routes are murder: march fast and convoys are looted; march slow and the grain rots; supplies rot in the wilderness and draft animals drop dead. When county granaries run dry, officials borrow from the peasants they already ruined. The people are broke—who is left to squeeze? The policy pretends to save Jincheng while it beggars the capital region. Bankrupt the three adjuncts and you recreate Jincheng's disaster at home. I have urged abandoning the Western Regions before and was mocked by western scholars at court. Clinging to useless desert, coddling tribes we cannot use, and camping armies at Yiwu has already shattered Liangzhou and the trouble persists. Conquest without stability buys no real power. More land left fallow cannot feed anyone. Wise rulers secure the interior before chasing outer gains. They enrich the people instead of hoarding empty acres. The capital districts hold vast uplands, thinly peopled, with abandoned towns ready for resettlement. Relocate vulnerable border counties into the tomb districts and put them to farming the old cantonments. Abandon hopeless garrisons and pull the people back. Stop shipping supplies across half the empire. Cut the endless labor drafts. That is the best policy of all." Deng Zhi and the ministers liked the plan but lacked funds and factional support, so nothing came of it. Note 1: The word for debt is glossed ce-xie.
31
注[二]為羌寇所傷也。
Note 2: Meaning losses from Qiang attacks.
32
注[三]恤，憂也。 不使之人謂戎虜凶獷，不堪為用。
Note 3: Xu means to fret over. The phrase means barbarians too wild to employ loyally.
33
注[四]言勞師救遠，以為親戚之憂慮。
Note 4: Far campaigns exhaust the army and frighten families at home.
34
注[五]丘，空也。
Note 5: Qiu here means ruined or empty.
35
拜參為漢陽太守。 郡人任棠者，有奇節，隱居教授。 參到，先候之。 棠不與言，但以薤一大本，水一盂，置戶屏前，自抱孫兒伏於戶下。 主簿白以為倨。 參思其微意，良久曰：「棠是欲曉太守也。 水者，欲吾清也。 拔大本薤者，欲吾擊強宗也。 抱兒當戶，欲吾開門恤孤也。」 於是歎息而還。 參在職，果能抑強助弱，以惠政得民。
The court named him grand warden of Hanyang. A recluse named Ren Tang taught students in seclusion. Pang Shen called on him first. Ren Tang said nothing: he set a bowl of water and a huge scallion on his doorstep and crouched beneath the lintel hugging a child. His chief clerk thought it insulting. Pang Shen reflected, then said, "He is teaching the new governor. The water means he wants purity. The scallion with thick roots means strike down powerful clans. The child at the door means open your heart to widows and orphans." He bowed and withdrew in admiration. As magistrate he humbled magnates, helped the weak, and ruled with mercy.
36
元初元年，遷護羌校尉，畔羌懷其恩信。 明年，燒當羌種號多等皆降，始復得還都令居，通河西路。 [一]時先零羌豪僭號北地，詔參將降羌及湟中義從胡七千人，[二]與行征西將軍司馬鈞期會北地擊之。 參於道為羌所敗。 既已失期，乃稱病引兵還，坐以詐疾征下獄，校書郎中馬融上書請之曰：「伏見西戎反畔，寇鈔五州，陛下愍百姓之傷痍，哀黎元之失業，單竭府庫以奉軍師。 昔周宣獫狁侵鎬及方，[三]孝文匈奴亦略上郡，而宣王立中興之功，文帝建太宗之號。
In 114 CE he became protector of the Qiang; the tribes trusted him. The next year Haoduo of the Shaodang surrendered, allowing Han garrisons to return to Lingju and reopen the Hexi corridor. When a Xianling chief declared himself in Beidi, Shen was ordered to lead seven thousand allied Qiang and Hu to rendezvous with Sima Jun. Pang Shen was ambushed en route and beaten. Missing his link-up, he feigned illness and retreated; the court jailed him for malingering. Ma Rong argued: "The west is ablaze across five provinces; you have emptied the treasury to fight it. King Xuan and Emperor Wen both faced barbarian raids yet became models of recovery.
37
非惟兩主有明叡之姿，抑亦扞城有虓虎之助，[四]是以南仲赫赫，列在周詩，亞夫赳赳，載於漢策。 [五]竊見前護羌校尉龐參，文武昭備，智略弘遠，既有義勇果毅之節，兼以博雅深謀之姿。 又度遼將軍梁慬，前統西域，勤苦數年，還留三輔，功□克立，閒在北邊，單于降服。 今皆幽囚，陷於法網。
They succeeded because they kept fierce generals at their side—Nanzhong in the Odes, Zhou Yafu in the histories. Pang Shen combines courage and learning fit for command. Liang Jin pacified the west, then guarded the north until the Shanyu yielded. Now both generals rot in jail.
38
昔荀林父敗績於邲，晉侯使復其位； [六]孟明視喪師於崤，秦伯不替其官。 [七]故晉景並赤狄之土，秦穆遂霸西戎。 [八]宜遠覽二君，使參、慬得在寬宥之科，誠有益於折衝，毗佐於聖化。」 書奏，赦參等。 注[一]令居，縣，屬金城郡。 令音零。
Jin forgave Xun Linfu after his defeat at Bi. Qin kept Meng Mingshi after his disaster at Yao. Forgiveness let Jin Jing conquer the Red Di and Qin Mu master the western tribes. Do as those rulers did: pardon Shen and Jin and you strengthen the realm. The throne pardoned Pang Shen and his fellows. Note 1: Lingju County lay in Jincheng commandery. The county name Lingju uses the ling reading.
39
注[二]湟，水名，今在鄯州。
Note 2: The Huang River is in modern Haidong (Shanzhou).
40
注[三]詩小雅六月之詩曰：「侵鎬及方，至於涇陽。」 鄭玄注云：「鎬、方皆北方地名。」
Note 3: "The Odes describe Xianyun reaching Jingyang." Zheng Xuan's commentary says: "Hao and Fang are both northern place names.
41
注[四]詩曰：「公侯干城。」 又曰：「闞如虓虎。」 干，扞也。 虓虎，怒貌也。
Note 4: "The Odes praise lords as bulwarks." Again it says: "Fierce as a roaring tiger." Gan means to shield. The image is of raging tigers.
42
注[五]詩曰：「赫赫南仲，薄伐西戎。」 周亞夫為漢將。 赳赳，武貌。
Note 5: "Nanzhong's western campaign appears in the Odes." The line recalls Zhou Yafu, the stern Han commander who saved Chang'an. The reduplicative describes martial bearing.
43
注[六]左傳曰，晉荀林父及楚師戰於邲，晉師敗績。 林父請死，晉侯欲許之。
Note 6: The Zuo Tradition narrates the rout at Bi. Xun asked to die; the duke first agreed.
44
士貞子諫曰：「不可。 夫其敗也，如日月之食，何損於明？」 晉侯使復其位。
Shi Zhenzi remonstrated saying: "It cannot be. Defeat is like an eclipse: it does not dim the heavens for long." The duke reinstated Xun Linfu.
45
注[七]左傳曰，晉敗秦師於崤，獲百里孟明視，後赦而歸之。 秦伯曰：「孤之罪也。」 不替孟明。
Note 7: Jin captured Meng Mingshi at Yao but later released him. The earl of Qin said: "It is orphan's crime." He kept Meng Mingshi in command.
46
注[八]左傳曰，晉荀林父敗赤狄，遂滅之。 晉侯賞林父狄臣千室，亦賞士貞子瓜衍之縣，曰：「吾獲狄土，子之功也。」 又曰：「秦伯伐晉，遂霸西戎，用孟明也。」
Note 8: Xun Linfu destroyed the Red Di. The marquis of Jin rewarded Linfu with a thousand Di households; also rewarded Shi Zhenzi with Guayan county, saying: "We gained Di lands; it is your merit." Again it says: "The earl of Qin attacked Jin, thereupon hegemonized the western Rong, employing Meng Ming.
47
後以參為遼東太守。 永建元年，遷度遼將軍。 四年，入為大鴻臚。 尚書僕射虞詡薦參有宰相器能，* (順帝時) *以為太尉，錄尚書事。 是時三公之中，參名忠直，數為左右所陷毀，以所舉用忤帝旨，司隸承風案之。 時當會茂才孝廉，參以被奏，稱疾不得會。 上計掾廣漢段恭因會上疏曰：「伏見道路行人，農夫織婦，皆曰『太尉龐參，竭忠盡節，徒以直道不能曲心，孤立腢邪之閒，自處中傷之地』。 臣猶冀在陛下之世，當蒙安全，而復以讒佞傷毀忠正，此天地之大禁，人主之至誡。
He was later posted grand warden of Liaodong. In 126 CE he became General Who Crosses the Liao. In 129 CE he entered court as grand herald. Yu Xu of the secretariat urged that Pang Shen had the makings of a chief minister (lacuna follows). The lacuna marks Emperor Shun's reign. The court then made him grand commandant with authority over the secretariat. Though famed for honesty among the three dukes, he was slandered at court; his nominations irked the emperor and the colonel director of retainers hounded him. When the court summoned candidates for office, he stayed away pleading illness after impeachment. Chief clerk of accounts Duan Gong of Guanghan therefore at the meeting submitted a memorial saying: "Your subject has seen travelers on the road, farmers and weaving wives, all saying Grand Commandant Pang Shen exhausts loyalty and utmost integrity; only because the straight way cannot bend the heart, he stands alone between crafty evil, placing himself where he is wounded. To let calumny destroy such a man breaks heaven's rule and a sovereign's first duty.
48
昔白起賜死，諸侯酌酒相賀； 季子來歸，魯人喜其紓難。 [一]夫國以賢化，君以忠安。 今天下鹹欣陛下有此忠賢，願卒寵任，以安社稷。」 書奏，詔即遣小黃門視參疾，太醫致羊酒。 注[一]紓，緩也。 季子，魯公子季友也。 閔公之時，國家多難，以季子忠賢，故請齊侯復之。 公羊傳曰：「季子來歸。 其言季子何？ 賢也。 言其來歸何？ 喜之也。」
When Qin forced Bai Qi to suicide, rival states toasted the news. When Prince Jiyou returned to Lu, the people rejoiced at deliverance. States thrive on worthy ministers and loyal service. All under heaven delights that you have such a man; keep him at the helm to steady the state. The emperor sent a eunuch physician with food and wine to inquire after him. Note 1: Shu means relief from distress. Jizi is Prince Jiyou of Lu. During Duke Min's troubles Lu begged Qi to restore the loyal prince. The Gongyang says: "Jizi came home. Why is he called Jizi? The commentary answers: to honor his virtue. Why stress his return? The Gongyang gloss ends: the people rejoiced at his return."
49
後參夫人疾前妻子，投於井而殺之。 參素與洛陽令祝良不平，[一]良聞之，率吏卒入太尉府案實其事，乃上參罪，遂因災異策免。 有司以良不先聞奏，輒折辱宰相，坐系詔獄。 良能得百姓心，洛陽吏人守闕請代其罪者，日有數千萬人，詔乃原刑。 注[一]謝承書曰「良字邵平，長沙人。 聰明博學有才幹，以廉平見稱」也。
Pang Shen's wife murdered her stepson by casting him down a well. His enemy Zhu Liang raided the grand commandant's yamen, proved the murder, impeached Pang Shen, and had him cashiered over ill omens. The ministry jailed Zhu Liang for confronting a chief minister without prior imperial leave. Thousands thronged the palace gate offering to serve Zhu Liang's sentence until the emperor pardoned him. Note 1: "Xie Cheng describes Zhu Liang as a talented native of Changsha. He was praised as clever, learned, and fair."
50
陽嘉四年，復以參為太尉。 永和元年，以久病罷，卒於家。
In 135 CE Pang Shen was restored as grand commandant. In 136 CE he retired ill and died at home.
51
陳龜字叔珍，上黨泫氏人也。 [一]家世邊將，便習弓馬，雄於北州。 注[一]泫氏故城，今澤州高平縣也。 泫音公玄反。
Chen Gui, courtesy name Shuzhen, came from Xuanshi in Shangdang. His clan had long guarded the frontier; he excelled at arms and was famed in the north. Note 1: Xuanshi lay at present-day Gaoping in Shanxi. The place name is glossed gong-xuan.
52
龜少有志氣。 永建中，舉孝廉，五遷五原太守。 永和五年，拜使匈奴中郎將。
Chen Gui was ambitious from boyhood. Recommended as filial and incorrupt, he rose through five posts to grand warden of Wuyuan. In 140 CE he became chief commandant over the Xiongnu.
53
時南匈奴左部反亂，龜以單于不能制下，外順內畔，促令自殺，坐征下獄免。
When the southern left wing revolted, Chen Gui blamed the Shanyu for losing control and forced him to suicide; the court jailed Chen Gui and stripped his office.
54
後再遷，拜京兆尹。 時三輔強豪之族，多侵枉小民。 龜到，厲威嚴，悉平理其怨屈者，郡內大悅。
He later became metropolitan governor of the capital region. Great families in the three capital districts oppressed the poor. Chen Gui restored justice to every petitioner and the capital district rejoiced.
55
會羌胡寇邊，殺長吏，驅略百姓。 桓帝以龜世諳邊俗，拜為度遼將軍。 龜臨行，上疏曰：「臣龜蒙恩累世，馳騁邊垂，雖展鷹犬之用，頓斃胡虜之庭，魂骸不返，薦享狐狸，猶無以塞厚責，荅萬分也。* (至) *臣*[至]*頑駑，器無鈆刀一割之用，過受國恩，榮秩兼優，生年死日，永懼不報。 臣聞三辰不軌，擢士為相；
Then Qiang and Hu raided the frontier, killing magistrates and driving off settlers. Emperor Huan named him General Who Crosses the Liao for his family's frontier expertise. Gui on the eve of departure submitted a memorial saying: "Your subject Gui has received favor for generations, galloping on the border marches; though he might display hound and hawk use, fall dead in the Hu bandits' court, soul and bones not return, offered to foxes, still it would not fill heavy blame or answer one myriadth. The next fragment reads the preposition to. I am no sharp blade yet I have been overpaid; I may never repay what I owe the throne. When heaven misaligns, the sage promotes wise ministers.
56
蠻夷不恭，拔卒為將。 臣無文武之才，而忝鷹揚之任，[一]上籩聖* (朝) **[明]*，下懼素餐，[二]雖歿軀體，無所云補。 今西州邊鄙，土地塉埆，[三]鞍馬為居，射獵為業，男寡耕稼之利，女乏機杼之饒，守塞候望，懸命鋒鏑，聞急長驅，去不圖反。 自頃年以來，匈奴數攻營郡，[四]殘殺長吏，侮略良細。 戰夫身膏沙漠，居人首繫馬鞍。 或舉國掩戶，盡種灰滅，孤兒寡婦，號哭空城，野無青草，室如懸磬。 [五]雖含生氣，實同枯朽。 往歲并州水雨，災螟互生，稼穡荒耗，租更空闕。 [六]老者慮不終年，少壯懼於困□。 陛下以百姓為子，品庶以陛下為父，焉可不日□勞神，[七]垂撫循之恩哉！ 唐堯親捨其子以禪虞舜者，是欲民遭聖君，不令遇惡主也。 [八]故古公杖策，其民五倍； [九]文王西伯，天下歸之。 [一０]豈復輿金輦寶，以為民惠乎！ 近孝文皇帝感一女子之言，除肉刑之法，[一一]體德行仁，為漢賢主。 陛下繼中興之統，承光武之業，臨朝聽政，而未留聖意。 且牧守不良，或出中官，懼逆上旨，取過目前。
When tribes rebel, promote soldiers to generals. He admits he lacks skill yet holds a general's commission, shaming the court above. Lacuna supplies the word court. Below he fears eating salary without merit and dying useless to the state. The northwest is barren: people live in the saddle, men cannot farm, women cannot weave, and every scout stakes life on the frontier. For years the Xiongnu have stormed garrison towns and butchered officials and civilians. Warriors rot in the sand while civilians' heads decorate saddlebows. Whole districts are wiped out; orphans wail in ruined towns. The living there are as good as dead wood. Bingzhou has suffered flood, locusts, and crop failure until taxes cannot be collected. The elderly expect to die before winter; the young dread the lean months ahead. The people are your children; how can you refuse to weary yourself daily comforting them? Yao passed the throne to Shun rather than to a worthless son so the people would have a sage ruler. The ancient Duke of Bin led his people west and his following multiplied. King Wen as lord of the west drew all hearts to Zhou. He did not need bribes to win the people. Emperor Wen abolished mutilating punishments after one girl's plea—such benevolence made him a model ruler. You inherit the restored Han yet have not matched those examples. Many magistrates are eunuchs' creatures who dare not cross the palace.
57
呼嗟之聲，招致災害，胡虜凶悍，因衰緣隙。 而令倉庫單于豺狼之口，功業無銖兩之□，皆由將帥不忠，聚奸所致。 前涼州刺史祝良，初除到州，多所糾罰，太守令長，貶黜將半，政未踰時，功□卓然。 實應賞異，以勸功能，改任牧守，去斥奸殘。 又宜更選匈奴烏桓護羌中郎將校尉，簡練文武，授之法令，除並涼二州今年租更，寬赦罪隸，埽除更始。 則善吏知奉公之佑，惡者覺營私之禍，胡馬可不窺長城，塞下無候望之患矣。」 帝覺悟，乃更選幽、井刺史，自營郡太守都尉以下，多所革易，下詔「為陳將軍除並、涼一年租賦，以賜吏民」。 龜既到職，州郡重足震慄，鮮卑不敢近塞，省息經用，歲以億計。 [一二]注[一]詩曰「維師尚父，時惟鷹揚」也。
Popular groans summon omens; barbarians strike when the court weakens. Treasury grain feeds wolves while generals register no gain—because commanders are corrupt. Zhu Liang, formerly inspector of Liangzhou, once purged nearly half the corrupt commandery and county officials in a single season. Reward such men and replace bad governors. Reform the frontier commands, remit Bing and Liang taxes for a year, and free convict laborers for a fresh start. Good officials will serve honestly, evil ones will fear exposure, and the steppe will not dare raid the Wall. The emperor awoke, then again selected You and Bing governors; from garrison commandery grand warden and chief commandant downward many were changed; he issued an edict "for General Chen remitting one year's rent and tax for Bing and Liang to grant clerks and commoners. Under his command the Xianbei shunned the passes and he saved hundreds of millions yearly. Note 1: "The hawk-soaring line comes from the Book of Odes."
58
注[二]素，空也。 無功受祿為素餐。
Note 2: Su means empty-handed. Eating salary without merit is the "empty meal" fault.
59
注[三]埆音覺，又音確，謂薄土也。
Note 3: Que describes stony thin soil on the frontier.
60
注[四]謂郡有屯兵者，即護羌校尉屯金城，烏桓校尉屯上谷之類。
Note 4: Garrison commanderies include the Qiang protector at Jincheng and the Wuhuan colonel at Shanggu.
61
注[五]左傳曰：「室如懸磬，野無青草。」 言其屋居如磬之懸，下無所有。
Note 5: "The Zuo uses the empty larder image for famine." It describes homes stripped bare.
62
注[六]更謂卒更錢也。
Note 6: Geng here means the cash levy for corvée rotation.
63
注[七]書曰「文王至於日中□，不遑暇食」也。
Note 7: "The Shang shu praises King Wen's tireless care for the people."
64
注[八]史記曰「堯知子丹朱不肖，不足授天下，乃推授舜。 *[授舜]*則天下得其利而丹朱病，授丹朱則天下病而丹朱得其利。 堯曰：『終不以天下之病而利一人。』 卒授舜以天下」也。
Note 8: "The Shi ji tells how Yao passed the throne to Shun. Giving the realm to Shun helped all; giving it to Dan Zhu would have harmed all. Yao refused to enrich one son at the empire's cost. He gave the throne to Shun."
65
注[九]帝王世紀曰「古公但甫，是為太王，為百姓所附。 狄人攻之，事之以皮幣玉帛，不能免焉。 王遂杖策而去，踰梁山，止於岐山之陽，邑於周地。 豳人從者如歸巿，一年成邑，二年成都，三年五倍其初」也。
Note 9: "The ancient Duke of Bin fled the Rong and won a nation. He tried to buy off the Di with tribute in vain. He led his people over Liangshan to the foot of Qi. His followers doubled yearly until his settlement flourished fivefold."
66
注[一０]帝王世紀曰西伯至仁，百姓襁負而至。
Note 10: King Wen drew the people like a magnet.
67
注[一一]女子即太倉令淳于公之女緹縈也。 事見前書。
Note 11: The girl who moved Emperor Wen was Ti Ying, daughter of the granary director. Her story appears in the Han shu.
68
注[一二]經，常也。
Note 12: Jing means routine expenditure.
69
大將軍梁冀與龜素有隙，譖其沮毀國威，挑取功譽，[一]不為胡虜所畏。 坐征還，遂乞骸骨歸田裡。 復征為尚書。 冀暴虐日甚，龜上疏言其罪狀，請誅之。
Liang Ji hated Chen Gui and accused him of cowardice and self-promotion. Recalled in disgrace, Chen Gui retired to his estate. The court recalled him as minister of the secretariat. He then memorialized Liang Ji's crimes and demanded his execution.
70
帝不省。 自知必為冀所害，不食七日而死。 西域胡夷，並、涼民庶，鹹為舉哀，吊祭其墓。 注[一]挑取猶獨取也。 獨取其名，如挑戰之義。
The emperor ignored him. Certain Liang Ji would murder him, he fasted seven days and died. Frontier Hu and Han alike mourned him at his grave. Note 1: Tiao qu means to seize credit alone. It implies picking a fight for glory.
71
橋玄字公祖，梁國睢陽人也。 七世祖仁，從同郡戴德學，著禮記章句四十九篇，號曰「橋君學」。 成帝時為大鴻臚。 祖父基，廣陵太守。 父肅，東萊太守。
Qiao Xuan, courtesy name Gongzu, came from Suiyang in Liang. His seventh-generation ancestor Ren studied with Dai De of the same commandery, composed forty-nine sections of ritual glosses, called "Lord Qiao learning. Under Emperor Cheng he served as grand herald. His grandfather was grand warden of Guangling. His father was grand warden of Donglai.
72
玄少為縣功曹。 時豫州刺史周景行部到梁國，玄謁景，因伏地言陳相羊昌罪惡，乞為部陳從事，[一]窮案其奸。 景壯玄意，署而遣之。 玄到，悉收昌賓客，具考臧罪。 昌素為大將軍梁冀所厚，冀為馳檄救之。 景承旨召玄，玄還檄不發，案之益急。 昌坐檻車征，玄由是著名。 注[一]部猶領也。
Qiao Xuan began as commandery merit assessor. When Inspector Zhou Jing toured Liang, Qiao Xuan threw himself before the carriage denouncing Chancellor Yang Chang and volunteered as investigator. Zhou Jing admired his nerve and gave him the commission. Qiao Xuan arrested Yang Chang's clients and proved his corruption. Yang Chang was Liang Ji's protégé; Liang Ji sent a rescue dispatch. Zhou Jing recalled him, but he refused to drop the case. Yang Chang went to the capital in a prison cart while Qiao Xuan's fame spread. Note 1: Bu here means to lead or head.
73
舉孝廉，補洛陽左尉。 [一]時梁不疑為河南尹，玄以公事當詣府受對，恥為所辱，□官還鄉里。 後四遷為齊相，坐事為城旦。 刑竟，征，再遷上谷太守，又為漢陽太守。 時上邽令皇甫禎有臧罪，玄收考髡笞，死於冀巿，[二]一境皆震。
Nominated filial and incorrupt, he became Luoyang left captain. Rather than answer to Liang Buyi as governor of Henan on a petty charge, he resigned and went home. Four promotions later he was chancellor of Qi until an offense reduced him to wall-builder convict labor. After serving his sentence he was recalled, rose to grand warden of Shanggu, then again governed Hanyang. He flogged a corrupt magistrate to death in the marketplace and stunned the commandery.
74
郡人上邽姜岐，守道隱居，名聞西州。 玄召以為吏，稱疾不就。 玄怒，□督郵尹益逼致之，曰：「岐若不至，趣嫁其母。」 [三]益固爭不能得，遽曉譬岐。 岐堅臥不起。 郡內士大夫亦競往諫，玄乃止。 時頗以為譏。 後謝病免，復公車征為司徒長史，拜將作大匠。 注[一]左部尉也。
Jiang Qi of Shanggui was a famous recluse. Qiao Xuan offered him a clerkship; Jiang pleaded illness. Xuan was angry, (lacuna) ordered chief village inspector Yin Yi to force him, saying: "If Qi does not come, hasten to marry off his mother." Yin Yi protested in vain, then begged Jiang to yield. Jiang Qi stayed in bed. Local scholars intervened and Qiao Xuan dropped the demand. People mocked Qiao Xuan for it. He retired ill, then returned as senior clerk of the minister of education and superintendent of works. Note 1: Referring to the Luoyang left captaincy.
75
注[二]冀，縣名，屬漢陽郡。
Note 2: Ji County was in Hanyang.
76
注[三]趣音促。
Note 3: Qu here means to hasten, read like cu.
77
桓帝末，鮮卑、南匈奴及高句驪嗣子伯固並畔，為寇鈔，四府舉玄為度遼將軍，假黃鉞。 玄至鎮，休兵養士，然後督諸將守討擊胡虜及伯固等，皆破散退走。
Late in Huan's reign the Xianbei, Xiongnu, and Koguryŏ raided; the four highest bureaus named Qiao Xuan general with ceremonial axe. He rested the army, then struck and routed the invaders.
78
在職三年，邊境安靜。
The frontier stayed calm for three years.
79
靈帝初，征入為河南尹，轉少府、大鴻臚。 建寧三年，遷司空，轉司徒。 素與南陽太守陳球有隙，及在公位，而薦球為廷尉。 玄以國家方弱，自度力無所用，乃稱疾上疏，引觿災以自劾。 遂策罷。 歲餘，拜尚書令。 時太中大夫蓋升與帝有舊恩，前為南陽太守，臧數億以上。 玄奏免升禁錮，沒入財賄。 帝不從，而遷升侍中。 玄托病免，拜光祿大夫。 光和元年，遷太尉。 數月，復以疾罷，拜太中大夫，就醫裡捨。
Early in Emperor Ling's reign Qiao Xuan was summoned to Luoyang as intendant of Henan, then minister of the lesser treasury and grand herald. In Jianning 3 (170 CE) he became minister of works, then minister of education. He had long been at odds with Chen Qiu, governor of Nanyang, yet once in high office he recommended Chen as commandant of justice. Seeing the dynasty enfeebled and his own strength useless, Qiao Xuan pleaded illness and memorialized, citing portents to impeach himself. An edict released him from office. After a year he was named director of the masters. Grand counselor Gai Sheng enjoyed an old bond with the emperor and had governed Nanyang with embezzlement reckoned in the hundreds of millions. Qiao Xuan memorialized to dismiss Gai, bar him from office, and confiscate his illicit fortune. The emperor refused—and promoted Gai to palace attendant. Qiao Xuan resigned on grounds of illness and received the nominal title of grand counselor of the palace. In Guanghe 1 (178 CE) he became grand commandant. Within months illness forced him out again; he kept rank as grand counselor and convalesced at home.
80
玄少子十歲，獨遊門次，卒有三人持杖劫執之，入捨登樓，就玄求貨，玄不與。
Bandits kidnapped his ten-year-old son and demanded ransom; he refused.
81
有頃，司隸校尉陽球率河南尹、洛陽令圍守玄家。 球等恐並殺其子，未欲迫之。
Yang Qiu surrounded the house with capital police. Police hesitated lest a storming get the boy killed.
82
玄瞋目呼曰：「奸人無狀，玄豈以一子之命而縱國賊乎！」 促令兵進。 於是攻之，玄子亦死。 玄乃詣闕謝罪，乞下天下：「凡有劫質，皆並殺之，不得贖以財寶，開張奸路。」 詔書下其章。 初自安帝以後，法禁稍□，京師劫質，不避豪貴，自是遂絕。
Xuan glared and shouted: "Wicked men without shame—would Xuan loose a state bandit for one son's life!" He ordered the assault. The bandits killed the boy in the fight. Xuan then went to the palace gate to confess guilt, begging to publish under heaven: "Whenever there is seizure of hostages, all shall be killed together; they may not be ransomed with treasure goods, opening wide the wicked path." The emperor issued his proposal as law. After his policy, Luoyang kidnappings for ransom—once aimed even at magnates—largely ended.
83
玄以光和六年卒，時年七十五。 玄性剛急無大體，然謙儉下士，子弟親宗無在大官者。 及卒，家無居業，喪無所殯，當時稱之。
He died in 183 CE at seventy-five. He was brusque in temper yet humble to talent; no kinsman held high rank. He died poor and was praised for it.
84
初，曹操微時，人莫知者，嘗往候玄，玄見而異焉，謂曰：「今天下將亂，安生民，者其在君乎！」 操常感其知己。 及後經過玄墓，輒淒愴致祭。 自為其文曰：
Formerly, when Cao Cao was lowly, no one knew him; he once went to wait on Xuan; Xuan saw him and thought him strange, saying to him: "Now the realm is about to be thrown into chaos; who will secure the black-haired people—perhaps it is you!" Cao Cao never forgot that recognition. Whenever he passed the grave he wept and sacrificed. He drafted this elegy himself:
85
「故太尉橋公，懿德高軌，泛愛博容。 國念明訓，士思令謨。 幽靈潛翳，□哉緬矣！ 操以幼年，逮升堂室，特以頑質，見納君子。 增榮益觀，皆由□助，猶仲尼稱不如顏淵，[一]李生厚歎賈復。 [二]士死知己，懷此無忘。 又承從容約誓之言：『徂沒之後，路有經由，不以鬥酒隻雞過相沃酹，車過三步，腹痛勿怨。』 雖臨時戲笑之言，非至親之篤好，胡肯為此辭哉？ 懷舊惟顧，念之淒愴。 [三]奉命東征，屯次鄉里，北望貴土，乃心陵墓。 裁致薄奠，公其享之！」 [四]注[一]論語孔子謂子貢曰：「汝與回也孰愈？」 子貢曰：「賜也何敢望回。」 子曰：「吾與汝俱不如也。」
The late Grand Commandant Qiao: "deep virtue, generous spirit. The state remembers his teaching; scholars recall his counsel. His shade is hidden—how distant now! I was a coarse youth yet you welcomed me in. You raised me as Confucius praised Yan Hui and Li Sheng praised Jia Fu. A man may die for his patron; I have not forgotten. You joked that after death I should toast your grave with cheap wine or you would give me a bellyache from beyond. Only the closest friends would swear such a jest. Remembering you still brings grief. On campaign I halt near home and turn my heart to your tomb. Accept this meager offering." Note 4: "Confucius compared Zigong with Yan Hui." Zigong said: "How dare Si compare to Hui." The Master said: "I with you both am not equal.
86
注[二]復少好學，師事舞陰李生。 李生奇之，曰：「賈君國器也。」
Note 2: Jia Fu studied under Li Sheng. Master Li marveled at him, saying: "Lord Jia is the state's vessel.
87
注[三]惟，思也。
Note 3: Wei means to ponder.
88
注[四]魏志曰「建安七年，曹公軍譙，遂至浚儀，遣使以太牢祀橋玄，進軍官度」也。
Note 4: "The Wei zhi records Cao Cao's sacrifice at Qiao Xuan's tomb in 202 CE."
89
玄子羽，官至任城相。
His son Qiao Yu became chancellor of Rencheng.
90
論曰：任棠、姜岐，世著其清。 結甕牖而辭三命，[一]殆漢陽之幽人乎？ [二]龐參躬求賢之禮，故民悅其政； 橋玄厲邦君之威，而觿失其情。 夫豈力不足歟？ 將有道在焉。 [三]如令其道可忘，則強梁勝矣。 語曰：「三軍可奪帥，匹夫不可奪志。」 [四]子貢曰：「寧喪千金，不失士心。」 昔段干木踰牆而避文侯之命，[五]洩柳閉門不納穆公之請。 [六]貴必有所屈，賤亦有所申矣。 注[一]結猶構也。 莊子曰：「原憲處魯，居環堵之室，桑樞而甕牖。」 周禮：「一命受職，再命受服，三命受位。」 謂任、姜辭太守之辟也。
The historian praises Ren Tang and Jiang Qi for purity. They lived in poverty and refused office thrice—true Hanyang recluses? Pang Shen humbled himself to worthies and won the people. Qiao Xuan threw his weight around and alienated opinion. Was it mere weakness? The Way of governance was at stake. Forget the Way and bullies prevail. The saying goes: "An army may seize its general; a common man may not seize his will." Zigong said: "Better lose a thousand in gold than lose gentlemen's hearts." Duan Ganmu fled Marquis Wen; Xie Liu barred Duke Mu. High rank must yield to principle; humble men may assert it. Note 1: Jie means to frame or build. Zhuangzi says: "Yuan Xian dwelt in Lu, lived in a ring of dunned walls, mulberry pivot and jar window." The Zhou li: "One summons receives office, two summons receive dress, three summons receive rank. Ren Tang and Jiang Qi refused the grand warden.
91
注[二]易曰：「履道坦坦，幽人貞吉。」
Note 2: "The Zhou yi praises the recluse's constancy."
92
注[三]橋玄之捨姜岐，以道不可違，故不得以威力逼也。
Note 3: Qiao Xuan yielded to Jiang Qi because the Way forbade coercion.
93
注[四]鄭玄注論語云：「匹夫之守志，重於三軍之死將者也。」
Note 4: "Zheng Xuan glosses the will as paramount."
94
注[五]高士傳曰，段干木者，晉人也。 守道不仕。 魏文侯造其門，段干木踰牆而避之。
Note 5: Duan Ganmu of Jin fled power. He refused office. Marquis Wen found him gone over the wall.
95
注[六]洩柳，魯之賢人也。 魯穆公時，請見之，洩柳閉門而不納。 事見孟子。
Note 6: Xie Liu was Lu's recluse. Duke Mu could not force an interview. The Mencius records it.
96
贊曰：李叟勤身，甘饑辭饋。 禪為君隱，之死靡貳。 龜習邊功，參起徒中。 橋公識運，先覺時雄。
Li Xun lived lean, refusing charity. Chen Chan shielded his prince unto death. Chen Gui knew the frontier; Pang Shen rose from chains. Qiao Xuan spotted the hero before the world did.
97
校勘記
Textual collation
98
一六八四頁一０行州辟治中從事按：集解引錢大昕說，謂章懷避唐諱，凡「治」字或改為「理」，或改為「化」，或改為「持」，此「治中」字亦必改易，宋人校書者又回改耳。
Collation: "Tang taboos corrupted zhi to chi in adjutant titles; Song editors restored."
99
一六八四頁一三行夷賊素聞其聲按：汲本、殿本「聲」上有「名」字。
Collation: "Some editions add the word name before reputation."
100
一六八五頁七行韎任朱離按：集解引錢大昕說，謂此句上下當有脫文，未必詩有此語。
Collation: Qian Daxin doubts the musical gloss is complete.
101
一六八五頁一五行手足異處刊誤謂「手」當作「首」。 今按：史記孔子世家亦作「手足異處」，惟谷梁傳作「首足異門而出」，劉氏殆據谷梁傳言也。
Collation: "Some argue for decapitation rather than dismemberment." Now checked: "Records of the Grand Historian Confucius's house also writes hands and feet in different places; only Guliang writes head and foot out different gates; Liu probably followed Guliang."
102
一六八六頁三行毛詩無韎任朱離之文按：集解引黃山說，謂賢注引薛君韓詩說，不及「韎任朱離」，是韓詩亦無此句，不獨毛詩也。 今曰毛詩無，「毛」字當為後人妄改。 注不及毛傳，必不捨韓而計毛也。
Collation: "Huang Shan argues Han Odes lacks the line too." Now saying Mao Odes lacks it—the graph "Mao" must be a later person's reckless change. The note follows Han learning, not Mao alone.
103
一六八六頁六行縣度者山名也按：前書西域傳「山名也」作「石山也」，此鬥。
Collation: "Han shu reads stone mountain."
104
章帝紀注引作「石山也」，不鬥。
Emperor Zhang's annals commentary citation writes "stone mountain"; not corrupted.
105
一六八六頁六行去陽關五千八百八十里按：前書「八十里」作「八十八里」。
Collation: "Mileage variant eighty versus eighty-eight."
106
一六八九頁一０行始復得還都令居按：集解引黃山說，謂通鑒「都」作「治」，此避唐諱改。
Collation: "Zizhi tongjian reads zhi for du to avoid a Tang taboo."
107
一六九一頁一行* (順帝時) *以為太尉沈欽韓謂上有永建元年事，此「順帝時」三字衍文。 今據刪。
Lacuna in manuscript. Parenthetical Shun era. "and appointed him grand commandant—Shen Qinhan says because above there is Yongjian first year matter, these three graphs Shun era are redundant text." The redundant phrase is removed.
108
一六九一頁五行夫國以賢化集解引惠棟說，謂「化」當作「治」。 按：此亦章懷避諱改。
Collation: "Hui Dong restores zhi for Tang-taboo hua." Another Tang taboo substitution.
109
一六九一頁九行言其來歸何刊誤謂「言其」當作「其言」。 按：今本公羊傳作「其言」。
Collation: "Gongyang word order his speak." Note: "now Gongyang transmission writes his speak."
110
一六九一頁一三行良字邵平按：集解引惠棟說，謂長沙耆舊傳作「字邵卿」，水經注亦作「邵卿」，章懷注誤。
Collation: "Zhu Liang's courtesy name may be Shaoqing not Shaoping."
111
一六九二頁八行* (至) *臣*[至]*頑駑據刊誤改。
Lacuna. Fragment to. Emended per Corrections.
112
一六九二頁一０行上籩聖* (朝) **[明]*據汲本﹑殿本改。
Lacuna before court. Court supplied. Bright emended from Ji and Palace.
113
一六九四頁四行乃推授舜*[授舜]*則天下得其利而丹朱病刊誤謂案史記本文，更有「授舜」二字。 今據補。
Page 1694 line 4: "then pushed grant to Shun (lacuna grant Shun) then realm gained its benefit and Dan Zhu ill; Corrections says checking Records basic text, there are further two graphs grant Shun." Text supplemented.
114
一六九五頁一行七世祖仁從同郡戴德學按：「戴德」當作「戴聖」。 集解引朱彝尊說，謂案前書儒林傳，仁傳小戴之學，此云「戴德」，恐誤。
Collation: "teacher should be Dai Sheng not Dai De." Collected glosses cite Zhu Yizun: "checking Former Documents Confucian forest biography, Ren transmitted lesser Dai learning; this saying Dai De, probably error."
115
一六九五頁二行成帝時為大鴻臚按：集解引洪亮吉說，謂案前書百官表，平帝元始元年始雲大鴻臚橋仁，今言「成帝時」，誤。
Page 1695 line 2: in Emperor Cheng's time he was grand herald. Note: Collected glosses cite Hong Liangji: "checking Former Documents hundred offices table, only Ping Emperor Yuan shi first year has grand herald Qiao Ren; now saying Emperor Cheng time, error."
116
一六九五頁三行陳相羊昌按：集解引何焯說，謂「羊」舊抄廣川書跋作「芊」。
Collation: "surname may be miswritten sheep for another graph."
117
一六九六頁一四行玄以光和六年卒時年七十五集解引惠棟說，謂橋公廟碑「七年五月甲寅，以太中大夫薨於京師」。 案橋公二碑皆雲光和七年，疑傳誤也。 又引侯康說，謂玄卒時年七十五，而蔡伯喈西鼎銘載玄於光和元年有「犬馬齒七十」之語，則實卒於六年，傳不誤。 今按：光和七年十二月己巳改元中平，如依橋公廟碑，則當書「中平元年」。
Collation note: "the text says Qiao Xuan died in Guanghe 6 at seventy-five, yet Hui Dong cites the Qiao Gong stele—May jiayin in the seventh year—recording death as grand counselor at the capital." Both Qiao steles say Guanghe 7—perhaps the biography misdates the year. Hou Kang counters: "Cai Yong's inscription has Qiao calling himself seventy in Guanghe 1, which fits death in Guanghe 6—supporting the received biography." Now examine: Guanghe seventh year twelfth month jisi changed era name Zhongping; if following Qiao Gong temple stele, then should write 'Zhongping first year.'
118
一六九六頁一五行家無居業按：集解引惠棟說，謂張璠漢記「居業」作「余業」。
Page 1696 line 15: family had no settled estate. Note: Collected glosses cite Hui Dong: "Zhang Fan Han ji writes surplus estate."
119
一六九七頁二行懿德高軌按：三國魏志注作「誕敷明德」。
Page 1697 line 2: virtuous conduct high track. Note: "Three Kingdoms Wei Records commentary writes spread bright virtue."
120
一六九七頁三行幽靈潛翳□哉緬矣按：魏志注作「靈幽體翳，邈哉晞矣」。
Page 1697 line 3: hidden spirit submerged shade alas how remote. Note: "Wei Records commentary writes spirit dark body hidden, remote alas dawn."
121
一六九七頁三行特以頑質見納君子按：魏志注作「特以頑鄙之姿，為大君子所納」。
Page 1697 line 3: by special favor stubborn substance received by gentleman. Note: "Wei Records commentary writes by special favor coarse mean substance, by great gentleman received."
122
一六九七頁四行皆由□助按：魏志注同，汲本﹑殿本「助」作「勖」。
Page 1697 line 4: all came from your aid lacuna. Note: "Wei Records commentary same; Ji and Palace editions write encourage for aid."
123
一六九七頁五行徂沒之後按：魏志注「沒」作「逝」。
Page 1697 line 5: after we are gone. Note: "Wei Records commentary writes pass for gone."
124
一六九七頁五行腹痛勿怨按：魏志注「怨」作「怪」。
Page 1697 line 5: bellyache do not blame. Note: "Wei Records commentary writes blame for strange."