1
張□字叔明，犍為武陽人也。 六世祖良，高帝時為太子少傅，封留侯。 □少遊學京師，* (初) *永元中，歸仕州郡，辟大將軍鄧騭府，五遷尚書僕射，職事八年，出為彭城相。 [一]
Zhang Hao (the patronymic graph is missing in some manuscripts), styled Shuming, came from Wuyang in Qianwei. Six generations back, Zhang Liang had been junior tutor to the crown prince under Gaozu and held the title Marquis of Liu. In his youth Zhang Hao studied in Luoyang; the sentence breaks in the received text. At first, During Yongyuan he took posts in the provinces, entered Grand General Deng Zhi's headquarters, rose through five steps to vice director of the masters of writing, served eight years, and was then sent out as chancellor of Pengcheng. Note [1]: (footnote marker)
2
注[一]明帝子彭城王恭之相也。
Commentary [1]: That is, he served Liu Gong, Mingdi's son who was Prince of Pengcheng.
3
永寧元年，征拜廷尉。 □雖非法家，而留心刑斷，數與尚書辯正疑獄，多以詳當見從。 [一]時安帝廢皇太子為濟陰王，□與太常桓焉、太僕來歷廷爭之，不能得。 事已具來歷傳。 退而上疏曰：「昔賊臣江充，造構讒逆，至令戾園興兵，終及禍難。 [二]後壺關三老一言，上乃覺悟，雖追前失，悔之何逮！ [三]今皇太子春秋方始十歲，未見保傅九德之義，[四]宜簡賢輔，就成聖質。 」書奏不省。
In 120 CE he was recalled to the capital as minister of justice. Zhang Hao was no narrow legalist, yet he weighed penal cases with care and, debating doubtful suits with the masters of writing, usually carried the day with well-reasoned views. Note [1]: When An deposed the crown prince to the rank of Prince of Jiyin, Zhang Hao joined Huan Yan and Lai Li in protesting at court, without success. The episode is narrated in full in the biography of Lai Li. He then memorialized: 'Long ago Jiang Chong forged charges that drove the Li heir to revolt and brought catastrophe in train.' Note [2]: One honest plea from the Huguan elder opened Wu's eyes—too late for vain regret.' Note [3]: The crown prince is a boy of ten who has not yet been taught the Nine Virtues. Note [4]: Select good men to mold his character.'" The throne ignored the memorial.'
4
注[一]詳審而平當也。
Commentary [1]: Xiang dang means his opinions were careful and sound.
5
注[二]趙人江充，字次倩。 武帝時，為直指繡衣，劾太子家吏行馳道中，恐為太子所誅，見上年老，意多所惡，因言左右皆為巫蠱。 上乃使充捕案巫蠱。 既知上意太子，乃言宮中有蠱氣，遂掘蠱太子宮，得桐木人。 時上疾在甘泉宮，太子懼，不能自明，收充斬之，發兵與丞相劉屈犛戰，敗，亡走湖，自殺。 後太子孫宣帝即位，追謚太子曰戾，於湖置園邑奉祠，故曰戾園。
Commentary [2]: Jiang Chong of Zhao, style Ciqian. As an imperial inspector under Wu he denounced the heir's staff for using the imperial carriage road, then, fearing the heir's revenge and playing on the aging emperor's suspicions, spread tales of witchcraft throughout the court. Wudi ordered him to hunt for gu evidence. Reading the emperor's intent, he claimed a witchcraft miasma in the palace, excavated the heir's residence, and 'found' a wooden doll. Trapped at Ganquan, the heir killed Chong, fought Chancellor Liu Quli, lost, fled to Hu, and took his own life. Xuan, his grandson, later honored him posthumously as 'Li' and founded the Li Garden cult at Hu.
6
注[三]逮，及也。 太子死後，壺關三老令狐茂上書訟太子冤，武帝感寤，憐太子無辜，乃族滅江充，作思子宮，為歸來望思之台於湖，天下聞而悲之。 事見前書。
Commentary [3]: Dai here means 'in time to be of use.' When Linghu Mao of Huguan pleaded the dead heir's cause, Wu destroyed Jiang Chong's line, raised monuments of remorse at Hu, and the empire wept. See the Han shu for the full story.
7
注[四]尚書戲繇陳九德，曰「寬而栗，柔而立，願而恭，亂而敬，擾而毅，直而溫，簡而廉，剛而塞，強而誼」也。
Commentary [4]: The 'Nine Virtues' passage comes from the Shang shu's 'Counsels of Gao Yao.'
8
及順帝即位，拜□司空，在事多所薦達，天下稱其推士。 時清河趙騰上言災變，譏刺朝政，章下有司，收騰系考，所引黨輩八十餘人，皆以誹謗當伏重法。 □上疏諫曰：「臣聞堯舜立敢諫之鼓，三王樹誹謗之木，春秋采善書惡，聖主不罪芻蕘。 [一]騰等雖幹上犯法，所言本欲盡忠正諫。 如當誅戮，天下杜口，塞諫爭之源，非所以昭德示後也。 」帝乃悟，減騰死罪一等，余皆司寇。 [二]四年，以陰陽不和策免。
Under Shun he became grand commandant and made a name recommending talent across the realm. Zhao Teng of Qinghe criticized the government; the case snared over eighty men on capital charges of defamation. Zhang answered: 'Yao and Shun welcomed outspoken advice; the sage kings did not punish plain speech; the Chunqiu honors truth.' Note [1]: Teng's band broke the law by lecturing the throne, yet they meant only to speak truth to power.' Executing them would silence every critic and choke off honest counsel—hardly a lesson for later ages.' The emperor relented: Teng's death sentence was commuted one grade, the rest sentenced to two years as border guards.' Note [2]: In the fourth year he was cashiered, nominally for cosmic disharmony.
9
注[一]左氏傳曰：「春秋之稱，微而顯，志而晦，懲惡而勸善，非聖人誰能修之。」
Commentary [1]: A line from the Zuo zhuan preface on the Chunqiu's moral diction.
10
注[二]前書音義曰：「司寇，二歲刑也。 」輸作司寇，因以名焉。
Commentary [2]: The Han shu commentary defines sikou labor as two years. The convicts were called foresters after their corvée duty.'
11
陽嘉元年，復為廷尉。 其年卒官，時年八十三。 遣使者弔祭，賜葬地於河南縣。
In 132 CE he was again named minister of justice. He died in post the same year, aged eighty-three. The court sent envoys to mourn and granted him a grave site in Henan county.
12
子綱。
His son was Zhang Gang.
13
綱字文紀。 少明經學。 雖為公子，而厲布衣之節。 舉孝廉不就，司徒辟高第為*[侍]*御史。 時順帝委縱宦官，有識危心。 綱常感激，慨然歎曰：「穢惡滿朝，不能奮身出命埽國家之難，雖生吾不願也。 」退而上書曰：「詩曰：『不愆不忘，率由舊章。 』[一]尋大漢初隆，及中興之世，文、明二帝，德化尤盛。 觀其理為，易循易見，但恭儉守節，約身尚德而已。 中官常侍不過兩人，近幸賞賜裁滿數金，惜費重人，故家給人足。 夷狄聞中國優富，任信道德，所以奸謀自消而和氣感應。 而頃者以來，不遵舊典，無功小人皆有官爵，富之驕之而復害之，非愛人重器，承天順道者也。 [二]伏願陛下少留聖思，割損左右，以奉天心。 」書奏不省。
Zhang Gang, styled Wenji. He mastered the classics while young. Though born to privilege, he lived like a poor scholar. He declined nomination as filial and incorrupt; the minister of education then called him up with high standing as imperial clerk. Shun lavished favor on the palace attendants, and men of sense were alarmed. Zhang Gang cried out inwardly: 'While the court reeks with filth, I would rather die than stand idle.' He then wrote: 'The Odes say, Hold fast to the old pattern and do not stray.'" Note [1]: At the founding and again at the Guangwu restoration, Wen and Ming ruled chiefly through moral example.' Their government was transparent: modesty, self-restraint, and deference to virtue were enough.' A pair of eunuchs sufficed at court; gifts to favorites were trifling; frugality and respect for labor kept the realm prosperous.' Barbarians saw China's ease and good faith, and intrigue melted away before her moral sway.' Lately the law of sparing honors has collapsed: upstarts win titles, grow arrogant, and ruin themselves—no way to steward the mandate or the symbols of rule.' Note [2]: I beg you to trim the favorites at court and heed Heaven.'" Again the memorial went unanswered.'
14
注[一]詩大雅也。 愆，過也。 率，循也。 言成王令德，不過循用舊典之文。
Commentary [1]: The quotation is from the Greater Odes. Qian: 'fault.' Shuai: 'to follow.' King Cheng's perfection lay in cleaving to ancient precedent.
15
注[二]器謂車服也。 言無功小人不可妄授也。 左傳曰「唯器與名不可以假人」也。
Commentary [2]: 'Regalia' means chariots and robes of rank. Worthless men must not be given such emblems lightly. The Zuo zhuan: regalia and titles are not to be trifled away.
16
漢安元年，選遣八使徇行風俗，皆耆儒知名，多歷顯位，[一]唯綱年少，官次最微。 餘人受命之部，而綱獨埋其車輪於洛陽都亭，曰：「豺狼當路，安問狐狸！」
In 142 CE eight famous inspectors were sent on circuit; Zhang Gang alone was young and junior in rank. While his colleagues set out, Zhang Gang dug in his wheels at the capital gate and swore he would strike the great predators first.
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[二]遂奏曰：「大將軍冀，河南尹不疑，蒙外戚之援，荷國厚恩，以芻蕘之資，居阿衡之任，不能敷揚五教，翼贊日月，而專為封豕長蛇，肆其貪叨，[三]甘心好貨，縱恣無底，多樹諂諛，以害忠良。 誠天威所不赦，不辟所宜加也。 謹條其無君之心十五事，斯皆臣子所切齒者也。 」[四]書御，京師震竦。 [五]時冀妹為皇后，內寵方盛，諸梁姻族滿朝，帝雖知綱言直，終不忍用。 注[一]周舉傳曰：「詔遣八使巡行風俗，同時俱拜，天下號曰『八俊』。 刺史、二千石有臧罪者，驛馬上之，墨綬已下便收； 其有清勤忠惠宜表異者，狀聞。 」八使名見順帝紀。
Note [2]: He impeached Liang Ji and Yin Bu for abusing imperial favor, wallowing like boar and serpent, Note [3]: wallowing in greed without limit, raising flatterers, and destroying honest men. They deserve neither Heaven's mercy nor the law's indulgence. He listed fifteen counts of disloyal conduct that every loyal subject detested.' Note [4]: The capital shook when his words reached the emperor.' Note [5]: Liang Ji's sister was empress; though the emperor knew Zhang Gang spoke truth, he could not act against the Liang clan. Commentary [1]: Zhou Ju's biography lists the famous 'Eight Exemplars' mission. Corrupt governors were to be rushed to the capital by courier; lower officials could be seized on the spot; the honest and diligent were to be reported for reward.' Their names are in Shun's basic annals.'
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注[二]前書京兆督郵侯文之辭。
Commentary [2]: The wolf-and-fox line echoes the Han shu biography of the capital's investigator.
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注[三]左傳申包胥曰「吳為封豕長蛇，薦食上國」也。
Commentary [3]: The 'boar and serpent' image comes from Shen Baoxu in the Zuo zhuan.
20
注[四]左傳曰「有無君之心，而後動於惡」也。 前書鄒陽謂蓋侯王長君曰：「太后怫郁泣血，切齒側目於貴臣矣。」
Commentary [4]: From the Zuo zhuan on disloyal intent. Zou Yang's warning to Wang Xin about the empress dowager's rage (Han shu).
21
注[五]御，進也。
Commentary [5]: Yu means the memorial was presented.
22
時廣陵賊張嬰等觿數萬人，殺刺史、二千石，寇亂揚徐閒，積十餘年，朝廷不能討。 冀乃諷尚書，以綱為廣陵太守，因欲以事中之。 前遣郡守，率多求兵馬，綱獨請單車之職。 既到，乃將吏卒十餘人，逕造嬰壘，以慰安之，求得與長老相見，申示國恩。 嬰初大驚，既見綱誠信，乃出拜謁。 綱延置上坐，問所疾苦。
Zhang Ying's tens of thousands of rebels had plagued Yang and Xu for a decade, killing senior officials. Liang Ji maneuvered to send Zhang Gang as governor of Guangling, hoping the rebellion would destroy him. Earlier governors had demanded troops; Zhang Gang asked only for a cart and himself. He rode straight to the bandit camp with a handful of men, sought the headmen, and explained the emperor's goodwill. Zhang Ying was stunned, then moved by Zhang Gang's sincerity and came out to submit. Zhang Gang gave him the place of honor and asked what wrongs drove them to arms.
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乃譬之曰：「前後二千石多肆貪暴，[一]故致公等懷憤相聚。 二千石信有罪矣，然為之者又非義也。 今主上仁聖，欲以文德服叛，故遣太守，思以爵祿相榮，不願以刑罰相加，今誠轉禍為福之時也。 若聞義不服，天子赫然震怒，荊、楊、兗、豫大兵雲合，豈不危乎？ 若不料強弱，非明也； □善取惡，非智也； 去順效逆，非忠也； 身絕血嗣，非孝也； [二]背正從邪，非直也； 見義不為，非勇也：六者成敗之幾，利害所從，公其深計之。 」嬰聞，泣下，曰：「荒裔愚人，不能自通朝廷，不堪侵枉，遂復相聚偷生，若魚游釜中，喘息須臾閒耳。 今聞明府之言，乃嬰等更生之* (晨) **[辰]*也。 既陷不義，實恐投兵之日，不免孥戮。 」綱約之以天地，誓之以日月，嬰深感悟，乃辭還營。
Note [1]: He said, 'Your anger rose because past governors were cruel and corrupt.' They deserved blame, but rebellion was still wrong.' The throne means to win you by grace and titles, not by the headsman's axe—this is your chance to choose life.' Defy him, and armies from four provinces will crush you—do you weigh the odds? To ignore strength and weakness is folly; To cast aside good and embrace evil is not wisdom; to abandon loyalty for treason is disloyal; to leave no posterity is unfilial; Note [2]: to choose crooked over straight is not integrity; to shrink from duty is not courage—these six points decide your fate; weigh them well.' Zhang Ying wept: "We are outlaws who could not bear local tyrants—we swim in a boiling pot, with only a breath of time left." Hearing your words is our new dawn— (the graph for 'morning') The graphs complete the word meaning daybreak (another dawn).' We fear that even if we surrender, our families will still be slaughtered.' Zhang Gang swore great oaths; Zhang Ying, deeply moved, returned to his camp.
24
明日，將所部萬餘人與妻子面縛歸降。 綱乃單車入嬰壘，大會，置酒為樂，散遣部觿，任從所之； 親為卜居宅，相田疇； [三]子弟欲為吏者，皆引召之。 人情悅服，南州晏然。 朝廷論功當封，梁冀遏絕，乃止。 天子嘉美，征欲擢用綱，而嬰等上書乞留，乃許之。
The next day he brought ten thousand followers and their families, hands tied behind backs, to surrender. Zhang Gang entered the camp alone, feasted the bandits, disbanded their host, and let every man go his way. He chose homesteads for them and surveyed their fields. Note [3]: Young men who wanted office he enrolled as clerks. The people were won over and the south grew calm. The court would have rewarded him, but Liang Ji quashed it. The emperor wanted to recall Zhang Gang to the capital, but Zhang Ying's petition to keep him was granted.
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注[一]二千石謂太守也。
Commentary [1]: The two-thousand-bushel officials are governors.
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注[二]凡祭皆用牲，故曰血嗣。
Commentary [2]: The phrase alludes to ancestral sacrifice with livestock.
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注[三]相，視也。 田並畔曰疇。
Commentary [3]: Xiang means to survey. Chou are contiguous fields.
28
綱在郡一年，年四十六卒。 百姓老幼相攜，詣府赴哀者不可勝數。 綱自被疾，吏人鹹為祠祀祈福，皆言「千秋萬歲，何時復見此君」。 張嬰等五百餘人制服行喪，送到犍為，負土成墳。 詔曰：「故廣陵太守張綱，大臣之苗，剖符統務，正身導下，班宣德信，降集劇賊張嬰萬人，息干戈之役，濟蒸庶之困，未升顯爵，不幸早卒。 嬰等縗杖，若喪考妣，朕甚愍焉！ 」拜綱子續為郎中，賜錢百萬。
Zhang Gang governed Guangling one year and died at forty-six. Countless mourners, young and old, flocked to his yamen. While he was ill, the people prayed at shrines for his life, saying they might never see his like again. Zhang Ying and five hundred followers wore full mourning, escorted the body to Qianwei, and piled the grave mound with their own hands. The edict praised Zhang Gang for pacifying tens of thousands of rebels without a major campaign, then mourned his early death before ennoblement. Zhang Ying mourned him like a parent; the emperor said he was deeply moved. He named Zhang Xu a palace gentleman and gave the family a million cash.
29
永建元年，征龔為太僕，轉太常。 四年，遷司空，以地震策免。
In 126 CE Wang Gong became grand coachman, then grand master of ceremonies. In 129 CE he rose to grand commandant but was cashiered after an earthquake.
30
永和元年，拜太尉。 在位恭慎，自非公事，不通州郡書記。 其所辟命，皆海內長者。 龔深疾宦官專權，志在匡正，乃上書極言其狀，請加放斥。 諸黃門恐懼，各使賓客誣奏龔罪，順帝命亟自實。 [一]前掾李固時為大將軍梁商從事中郎，乃奏記於商曰：「今旦聞下太尉王公□令自實，未審其事深淺何如。 王公束修厲節，敦樂蓺文，不求苟得，不為苟行，[二]但以堅貞之操，違俗失觿，橫為讒佞所構毀，觿人聞知，莫不歎栗。 夫三公尊重，承天像極，未有詣理訴冤之義。
In 136 CE he became grand commandant. He kept a clean line: no private letters from local officials. Everyone he appointed was a respected elder of the realm. Wang Gong despised eunuch power and demanded their expulsion in blunt memorials. The eunuchs struck back with false charges; Shun ordered Wang Gong to answer under oath at once. Note [1]: Li Gu, serving Liang Shang, wrote that the morning order for Wang Gong to clear himself was ominous. Li Gu praised Wang Gong's austerity and learning, said his uprightness had made him enemies, and warned that honest men everywhere were horrified. The three dukes mirror the Three Stars; they should not be dragged into court like common suspects.
31
[三]纖微感□，輒引分決，是以舊典不有大罪，不至重問。 [四]王公沈靜內明，不可加以非理。 卒有它變，則朝廷獲害賢之名，腢臣無救護之節矣。 昔絳侯得罪，袁盎解其過，[五]魏尚獲戾，馮唐訴其冤，[六]時君善之，列在書傳。 今將軍內倚至尊，外典國柄，言重信著，指撝無違，宜加表救，濟王公之艱難。
Note [3]: Minor slights once forced grandees to verify themselves; ancient law reserved heavy inquiry for grave crimes only. Note [4]: Wang Gong is too principled to face such indignity. If harm came to him, the throne would be shamed as killer of worthies and courtiers would have failed their duty to shield him. Note [5]: Yuan Ang saved Zhou Bo; Note [6]: Feng Tang pleaded for Wei Shang—both praised in the histories. Li Gu urged Liang Shang to use his immense influence to save Wang Gong.
32
語曰：『善人在患，饑不及餐。 』斯其時也。 」商即言之於帝，事乃得釋。
The proverb says a good man in crisis cannot pause for food. That hour is now. Liang Shang spoke to the emperor and the case was dropped.
33
注[一]亟，急也，音紀力反。
Commentary [1]: Ji means urgently; read ji-li.
34
注[二]前書曰，楊子雲曰：「蜀嚴湛冥不作苟見，不為苟得。」
Commentary [2]: Yang Xiong's praise of Yan Zun from the Han shu.
35
注[三]三公承助天子，位像三台，故曰承天像極。 哀帝時，丞相王嘉有罪，召詣廷尉詔獄。 主簿曰「將相不對理陳冤，相踵以為故事，君侯宜引決」也。
Commentary [3]: The three high ministers correspond to the three stars of Taisui. Under Ai, Chancellor Wang Jia was called to the minister of justice's prison. His chief clerk cited precedent that high ministers do not plead in criminal court and urged suicide.
36
注[四]大臣獄重，故曰重問。 成帝時，丞相薛宣﹑御史大夫翟方進有罪，上使五二千石雜問。 音義云：「大獄重，故以二千石五人同問之。」
Commentary [4]: Heavy interrogation means grave criminal inquiry of senior officials. Chengdi used five senior officials to try Xue Yan and Zhai Fangjin. The commentary explains joint trial for major cases.
37
注[五]文帝時，丞相絳侯周勃免就國，人告以為反，諸公莫敢為言，唯郎中袁盎明絳侯無罪。 絳侯得釋，盎有力也。
Commentary [5]: Yuan Ang cleared Zhou Bo when he was accused of treason under Wen. Yuan Ang secured Zhou Bo's release.
38
注[六]馮唐，安陵人，文帝時為郎署長。 上與論將帥，唐曰：「臣聞魏尚為雲中守，坐上功首虜差六級，陛下下之吏，削其爵，罰作之。 臣愚以為陛下法太明，罰太重。 」文帝悅，捨尚復官也。
Commentary [6]: Feng Tang of Anling served Wendi. Feng Tang cited Wei Shang's unjust demotion for a minor error in battle returns. He told Wendi the law was too harsh. Wendi restored Wei Shang.
39
龔在位五年，以老病乞骸骨，卒於家。 子暢。
After five years Wang Gong retired ill and died at home. His son was Wang Chang.
40
論曰：張□﹑王龔，稱為* (雅) **[推]*士，若其好通汲善，明發升薦，仁人之情也。 夫士進則世收其器，賢用即人獻其能。 能獻既已厚其功，器收亦理兼天下。 [一]其利甚博，而人莫之先，豈同折枝於長者，以不為為難乎？ [二]昔柳下惠見抑於臧文，[三]淳于長受稱於方進。 [四]然則立德者以幽陋好遺，顯登者以貴塗易引。 故晨門有抱關之夫，[五]柱下無朱文之軫也。 [六]
The historian praises Zhang Hao and Wang Gong as the compound begins with the graph ya (refinement); tui completes the epithet for men who drew up talent from obscurity—if such open-handed recommendation is the mark of the humane man. When scholars rise, the state gains their tools; when worthies serve, men offer their skills. Recognized talent repays with deeds; employed worthies bring order to the realm. Note [1]: The gain is vast, yet who takes the lead—as easy as breaking a twig for an elder, yet men pretend it is hard. Note [2]: Liuxiahui was blocked by Zang Wenzhong; Note [3]: Chunyu Chang was praised by Zhai Fangjin. Note [4]: The obscure virtuous are forgotten; the powerful attract clients. Note [5]: So a gatekeeper may hide a sage, while the court sees no carriages of humble worthies. Note [6]: Footnote marker in the received text.
41
注[一]言賢人見用，則人競獻其所能。 但有能即獻，動必有功，功多賞厚，故言已厚其功。 有才器必被收用，用則海內蒙福，故曰理兼天下。
Commentary [1]: Employed worthies draw forth every talent. Each deed wins its reward—that is enriching merit. Using talent brings order to the world.
42
注[二]以不為為難，言不之難也。 謂進賢達士，同折枝之易，而不為之。 孟子謂齊宣王曰：「今恩足以及禽獸，而不能加於百姓者何？ 非力不能，是不為也。」
Commentary [2]: The phrase ironically says men pretend inaction is hard. Promoting talent is as easy as snapping a twig—yet rulers neglect it. Mencius asked Xuan why his kindness reached animals but not the people. The answer: not inability but unwillingness.
43
王曰：「不能不為，二者謂何也？ 」孟子曰：「夫挾太山以超北海，王能乎？」
Xuan asked the difference between cannot and will not. Mencius: Can you leap the sea hugging Mount Tai?
44
王曰：「不能。 」「為長者折枝，王能乎？ 」曰：「不能也。 」孟子曰：「夫挾太山以超*[北]*海，是實不能，不可強也。 為長者折枝甚易，而王不為，非不能也。 老吾老，以及人之老，幼吾幼，以及人之幼，天下可運諸掌，何為不能加於百姓乎？ 」劉熙注孟子曰：「析枝，若今之案摩也。」
The king said no. To snap a twig for an elder—can you? The king still said he could not—though the act is trivial, he would not admit willingness. Mencius: Hugging Tai to jump the sea is truly impossible. Breaking a twig is trivial; refusing is choice, not incapacity. Care for others' kin as your own and the empire fits your hand—so why not extend kindness to the people? Liu Xi glosses zhezhi as massage—a trivial service.
45
注[三]柳下惠姓展，名禽，字獲，食邑於柳下，謚曰惠。 臧文仲，魯大夫，姓臧孫，名辰。 左傳仲尼曰：「臧文仲不仁者三，下展禽，廢六關，妾織蒲。 」言文仲知柳下惠之賢而使在下位，故曰抑之。
Commentary [3]: Liuxiahui was Zhan Qin, enfeoffed at Liuxia, posthumously Hui. Zang Wenzhong was Zangsun Chen of Lu. Confucius listed Zang Wenzhong's three cruelties, including demoting Liuxiahui. He knew Liuxiahui's worth yet left him low—that is suppression.
46
注[四]成帝時，定陵侯淳于長以太后姊子為九卿。 翟方進為丞相，獨與長交，稱薦之。
Commentary [4]: Chunyu Chang, imperial in-law under Cheng, rose to nine ministers. Chancellor Zhai Fangjin alone befriended and praised Chunyu Chang.
47
注[五]論語：「子路宿於石門。 晨門曰：『奚自？ 』」注云：「石門，魯城外門也。
Commentary [5]: From the Analects: Zilu at Stone Gate. The gatekeeper asked where he came from. Commentary: Stone Gate was Lu's outer gate.
48
晨，主守門，晨夜開閉也。 」史記，侯嬴，夷門抱關者。 守門必抱關，故兼言之。
Chen gatekeepers opened and closed at dawn and dusk. Sima Qian: Hou Ying held the bolt at Yimen. Gate duty meant holding the bar—hence the paired phrase.
49
注[六]神仙傳曰：「老子，周宣王時為柱下史。 」朱文，畫車為文也。 軫，車後橫木也。 言貧賤之人，多被淪□，所以晨門之下必有抱關之賢，柱下之微永無朱文之轍也。
Commentary [6]: The Shenxian zhuan puts Laozi as archivist under the Zhou pillar. Zhu wen: vermilion patterns on a carriage. Zhen is the rear crossbar of a chariot. The humble hide talent at the gate; the court never sends its painted carriages for them.
50
暢字叔茂。 少以清實為稱，無所交黨。 初舉孝廉，辭病不就。 大將軍梁商特辟舉茂才，四遷尚書令，出為齊相。 [一]征拜司隸校尉，轉漁陽太守。 所在以嚴明為稱。 坐事免官。 是時政事多歸尚書，桓帝特詔三公，令高選庸能。 [二]太尉陳蕃薦暢清方公正，有不可犯之色，[三]由是復為尚書。
Wang Chang, styled Shumao. He was known in youth for integrity and kept aloof from cliques. He declined his first nomination as filial and incorrupt, pleading illness. Liang Shang singled him out as maocai; he rose to director of the masters of writing, then chancellor of Qi. Note [1]: He became colonel director of retainers, then governor of Yuyang. Every post won him a reputation for firm, clear rule. He was later removed for an offense. Power had shifted to the masters of writing; Huan ordered the three dukes to pick only the ablest men. Note [2]: Chen Fan praised Wang Chang's integrity; Note [3]: he was reappointed to the masters of writing.
51
注[一]齊王喜之相。
Commentary [1]: Wang Chang had been chancellor to the Prince of Qi.
52
注[二]庸，功也。
Commentary [2]: Yong here means 'merit' or 'capability.'
53
注[三]禮記曰：「介冑之士，則有不可犯之色。」
Commentary [3]: From the Liji on the demeanor of armored soldiers.
54
尋拜南陽太守。 前後二千石逼懼帝鄉貴戚，多不稱職。 暢深疾之，下車奮厲威猛，其豪黨有釁穢者，莫不糾發。 會赦，事得散。 暢追恨之，更為設法，諸受臧二千萬以上不自首實者，盡入財物； 若其隱伏，使吏發屋伐樹，堙井夷醋，豪右大震。 功曹張敞奏記諫曰：「五教在寬，著之經典。 湯去三面，八方歸仁。
He was soon named governor of Nanyang. Past governors had kowtowed to Luoyang grandees and failed in their duty. Wang Chang arrived fierce: every powerful clan with dirty secrets he dragged into the light. A general amnesty then scattered the cases. He then ruled that embezzlers over twenty million who did not confess must forfeit everything; if they hid assets, his men tore up houses, felled trees, filled wells, and smashed hidden stores—terrifying the magnates. His aide Zhang Shang urged: leniency is the root of the Five Teachings. King Tang opened three sides of the hunting net and won the realm's hearts.
55
[一]武王入殷，先去炮格之刑。 [二]高祖鑒秦，唯定三章之法。 孝文皇帝感一緹縈，蠲除肉刑。 [三]卓茂﹑文翁﹑召父之徒，皆疾惡嚴刻，務崇溫厚。 [四]仁賢之政，流聞後世。 夫明哲之君，網漏吞舟之魚，[五]然後三光明於上，人物悅於下。 言之若迂，其效甚近。 [六]發屋伐樹，將為嚴烈，雖欲懲惡，難以聞遠。 以明府上智之才，日月之曜，[七]敷仁惠之政，則海內改觀，實有折枝之易，而無挾山之難。 郡為舊都侯甸之國，園廟出於章陵，[八]三後生自新野，[九]士女沾教化，黔首仰風流，自中興以來，功臣將相，繼世而隆。 愚以為懇懇用刑，不如行恩； 孳孳求奸，未若禮賢。 舜舉戲陶，不仁者遠。 [一０]隨會為政，晉盜奔秦。 [一一]虞﹑芮入境，讓心自生。 [一二]化人在德，不在用刑。 」暢深納敞諫，更崇寬政，慎刑簡罰，教化遂行。
Note [1]: King Wu ended Zhou's paoge torture. Note [2]: Gaozu simplified Qin's laws to three chapters. Wendi abolished mutilation for Tiying's plea. Note [3]: Zhuo Mao, Wen Weng, and Shaofu ruled gently, not harshly. Note [4]: Their mild rule was remembered for ages. Note [5]: A wise ruler's net is loose enough for great fish—then sun, moon, and stars shine clear above and the people thrive below. The policy sounds lofty but works at once. Note [6]: House-breaking terror wins no lasting reputation. Note [7]: With your gifts, kindness would change the empire as easily as snapping a twig. Note [8–9]: Nanyang was the imperial heartland—tombs at Zhangling, empresses from Xinye—so harsh rule ill fits this soil. Earnest severity cannot match grace; zealous witch-hunts cannot match honoring worthies. When Shun raised Gao Yao, the cruel fled the court. Note [10]: Under Sui Hui, Jin's thieves ran to Qin. Note [11]: Yu and Rui were shamed into peace by Zhou's manners. Note [12]: Moral example, not the rod, changes men. Wang Chang took the advice, softened his rule, and Nanyang flourished.
56
注[一]史記曰，湯為夏方伯，得專征伐。 出見野張四面網，祝曰：「自天下四方，皆入吾網。 」湯曰：「嘻，盡之矣！ 去其三面！ 」祝曰：「欲左左，欲右右，不用命，乃入吾網。 」諸侯聞曰：「湯德至禽獸！ 」於是諸侯畢服。 嘻音僖。
Commentary [1]: Shiji: Tang as regional lord could wage war. He found a four-sided hunt with a prayer to catch everything. Tang cried, 'You would take all!' He ordered three sides torn away.' Birds might flee left or right; only the willful were caught.' The lords marveled that Tang's virtue touched beasts.' They all submitted to Tang.' Xi is read like xi.
57
注[二]列女傳：「紂為銅柱，以膏塗之，加於炭之上，使有罪緣焉，足滑跌墯，紂與妲己笑以為樂，名曰炮格之刑。 」臣賢案：史記及帝王代紀皆言文王為西伯，獻洛西之地，請除炮格之刑。 今雲武王，與此不同。
Commentary [2]: The paoge torture from the Lienu zhuan. Li Xian: Shiji and imperial records credit King Wen, not Wu, with ending paoge. The text here says Wu, which disagrees.
58
注[三]文帝時，太倉令淳于公有罪當刑。 淳于公無男，有五女，罵其女曰：「生女不生男，緩急非有益也。 」其少女緹縈自傷悲泣，隨父至長安，上書請沒官為婢以贖父。 文帝悲憐其意，為除肉刑。
Commentary [3]: Chunyu Yi faced mutilation under Wendi. He cursed his daughters for being useless in a crisis. Tiying followed him to the capital and offered herself as a slave to ransom him. Wendi moved by her plea ended mutilation.
59
注[四]景帝時，文翁為蜀郡守，仁愛教化。 宣帝時，召信臣為南陽太守，視人如子，其化大行。
Commentary [4]: Wen Weng's humane rule in Shu under Jing. Under Xuandi, Shaofu fathered the people of Nanyang like children.
60
注[五]韓詩外傳曰：「夫吞舟之魚，不居潛澤。 」前書曰「高祖約法三章，號為網漏吞舟之魚」也。
Commentary [5]: Han shi waizhuan on great fish. Han shu: Gaozu's loose net metaphor.
61
注[六]迂，遠也。
Commentary [6]: Yu means 'distant' or 'circuitous.'
62
注[七]莊子曰「飾智以驚愚，修身以明□，昭昭乎若揭日月而行」也。
Commentary [7]: Zhuangzi on ostentatious virtue—lacuna in text.
63
注[八]五百里甸服，千里侯服。 南陽去洛千里，故曰侯甸。 南頓君以上四廟在焉。
Commentary [8]: The Yugong system of hou and dian zones. Nanyang lay a thousand li from Luoyang, hence 'hou-dian' heartland. The ancestral shrines from Nandun upward stood there.
64
注[九]光烈皇后，和帝陰後﹑鄧後，並新野人。
Commentary [9]: Guangwu's empress and later empresses came from Xinye.
65
注[一０]論語子夏之辭也。
Commentary [10]: A line from the Analects, Zi Xia.
66
注[一一]左傳，晉命隨會將中軍，且為太傅，晉國之盜奔秦也。
Commentary [11]: Zuo zhuan on Sui Hui and fleeing thieves.
67
注[一二]史記曰，文王為西伯，陰行善化，諸侯皆來決平。 於是虞﹑芮之人有獄不決，乃如周。 入界，見耕者讓畔，少者讓長。 虞﹑芮二人不見西伯，籩而相謂曰：「吾所爭，周人所恥，曷為取辱？ 」遂俱讓而還也。
Commentary [12]: Shiji on King Wen's hidden virtue. Yu and Rai brought a lawsuit to Zhou. They saw farmers yield boundary strips and youths defer to elders. Ashamed to air petty quarrels before such manners, they said: They went home and dropped the suit.
68
郡中豪族多以奢靡相尚，暢常布衣皮褥，車馬羸敗，以矯其敝。 同郡劉表時年十七，從暢受學。 進諫曰：「夫奢不僭上，儉不逼下，[一]循道行禮，貴處可否之閒。 蘧伯玉恥獨為君子。 府君不希孔聖之明訓，而慕夷齊之末操，[二]無乃皎然自貴於世乎？ 」暢曰：「昔公儀休在魯，拔園葵，去織婦； [三]孫叔敖相楚，其子被裘刈薪。 [四]夫以約失之鮮矣。 [五]聞伯夷之風者，貪夫廉，懦夫有立志。 [六]雖以不德，敢慕遺烈。」
Wang Chang wore plain cloth and drove a ragged cart to shame the rich. Liu Biao, seventeen, studied under him. Note [1]: Liu Biao urged balance: neither flaunting wealth nor flaunting poverty. Qu Boyu was ashamed to be the only gentleman. Note [2]: You imitate Bo Yi rather than Confucius' middle way—are you not posing as holier than the world?' Wang Chang answered with Gongyi Xiu, who tore out his profit-making garden. Note [3]: Sunshu Ao's son dressed poor. Note [4]: Few err by being too spare. Note [5]: Mencius on Bo Yi's transforming power.' Note [6]: I am unworthy, yet I follow their trace.'
69
注[一]禮記曰「君子上不僭上，下不逼下」也。
Commentary [1]: Liji on proper gradation.
70
注[二]論語孔子曰：「奢則不遜，儉則固。 」言仲尼得奢儉之中，而夷齊饑死，是末操也。
Commentary [2]: Confucius on luxury and austerity. Confucius held the mean; Bo Yi died for a 'minor' scruple.
71
注[三]史記曰，魯相公儀休之其家，見織帛，怒而出其婦，食於捨而茹葵，慍而拔其葵，曰：「吾已食祿，又奪園夫女子利乎？」
Commentary [3]: Shiji on Gongyi Xiu's integrity.
72
注[四]史記曰，孫叔敖為楚相，且死，屬其子曰：「我死，汝貧困，往見優孟，言孫叔敖子也。 」居數年，其子貧，負薪逢優孟。 優孟言之於王，封之寢丘四百戶也。
Commentary [4]: Sunshu Ao's deathbed advice. Years later the son, poor, met Actor Meng while hauling fuel. Meng won him a fief at Qinqiu.
73
注[五]論語孔子之辭也。 言儉則無失。
Commentary [5]: From the Analects. Austerity rarely errs.
74
注[六]孟子之辭。
Commentary [6]: From Mencius.
75
後征為長樂□尉。 建寧元年，遷司空，數月，以水災策免。 明年，卒於家。
He was later recalled as a captain at Changle—lacuna in the office name. In 168 CE he became grand commandant but lost the post months later after floods. He died at home the next year.
76
子謙，為大將軍何進長史。 謙子粲，以文才知名。 [一]
His son Wang Qian served He Jin as chief clerk. Wang Can, Qian's son, was famed for letters. Note [1]: (marker)
77
注[一]粲字仲宣。 蔡邕見而奇之。 時邕才學顯著，貴重朝廷，車騎填門，賓客盈坐。 聞粲在門，倒屣迎之。 既至，年幼，容狀短小，一座盡驚。 邕曰：「王公之孫，有異才，吾不如也。 」太祖辟粲為丞相掾，後為侍中。 博物多識，問無不對。 嘗與人行，讀道邊碑，人問「卿能闇記乎」？ 因使背而誦之，一文不失。
Commentary [1]: Wang Can, style Zhongxuan. Cai Yong was astonished at the boy. Cai Yong was then the capital's literary lion, his house mobbed. Hearing Wang Can had come, Cai Yong ran out with his slippers on backward. The company was shocked—he was a mere child. Cai Yong said the boy outshone him. Cao Cao made him chancellor's clerk, then palace attendant. He answered every question put to him. Once, after reading a roadside stele, he was asked to recite it from memory. He turned away and recited it without a single error.
78
觀人圍碁，粲為覆之，潟者不信，以帊蓋之，更以它局為之，不誤一道。 年四十卒。 魏志有傳。
After watching a game of weiqi, he reproduced it under a cloth on a fresh board without a mistake. He died at forty. His life is recorded in the Sanguo zhi, Wei section.
79
種暠字景伯，河南洛陽人，仲山甫之後也。 父為定陶令，有財三千萬。 父卒，暠悉以賑恤宗族及邑裡之貧者。 其有進趣名利，皆不與交通。 始為縣門下史。
Zhong Hao of Luoyang traced his line to Zhong Shanfu. His father died rich as magistrate of Dingtao with thirty million in cash. Zhong Hao gave the entire fortune to his clan and the local poor. He shunned careerists chasing office and money. He started as a gate clerk in the county yamen.
80
時河南尹田歆外甥王諶，名知人。 [一]歆謂之曰：「今當舉六孝廉，多得貴戚書命，不宜相違，欲自用一名士以報國家，爾助我求之。 」明日，諶送客於大陽郭，遙見暠，異之。 還白歆曰：「為尹得孝廉矣，近洛陽門下史也。 」歆笑曰：
Henan governor Tian Xin's nephew Wang Chen had a reputation for spotting talent. Note [1]: Tian Xin needed six nominees but noble pressure filled five slots; he begged Wang Chen to find one true scholar. Next day Wang Chen spotted Zhong Hao outside Dayang and was struck by him. He reported: your sixth man is the Luoyang gate clerk. Tian Xin laughed and said,
81
「當得山澤隱滯，* (近) **[乃]*洛陽吏邪？ 」諶曰：「山澤不必有異士，異士不必在山澤。 」歆即召暠於庭，辯詰職事。 暠辭對有序，歆甚知之，召署主簿，遂舉孝廉，辟太尉府，舉高第。
I expected a recluse from hill and marsh, (near) not some clerk from the capital?' Wang Chen replied that genius need not hide in the hills. Tian Xin called Zhong Hao in and questioned him on administration. Zhong Hao passed every test; Tian Xin made him chief clerk, nominated him filial and incorrupt, and sent him to high office.
82
注[一]有知人之名也。
Commentary [1]: Wang Chen was known as a judge of character.
83
順帝末，為侍御史。 時所遣八使光祿大夫杜喬﹑周舉等，多所糾奏，而大將軍梁冀及諸宦官互為請救，事皆被寑遏。 暠自以職主刺舉，志案奸違，乃復劾諸為八使所舉蜀郡太守劉宣等罪惡章露，宜伏歐刀。 又奏請□四府條舉近臣父兄及知親為刺史﹑二千石尤殘穢不勝任者，免遣案罪。 帝乃從之。 擢暠監太子於承光宮。 中常侍高梵從中單駕出迎太子，時太傅杜喬等疑不欲從，惶惑不知所為。 暠乃手□當車，曰：「太子國之儲副，人命所繫。 今常侍來無詔信，何以知非奸邪？ 今日有死而已。 」梵辭屈，不敢對，馳命奏之。 詔報，太子乃得去。
Late in Shun's reign he became attending secretary. The Eight Exemplars' impeachments were buried when Liang Ji and the eunuchs traded favors. Zhong Hao re-opened cases against men like Liu Xuan of Shu whom the envoys had exposed, demanding capital punishment. He asked the four highest offices to purge corrupt governors related to the inner court. The emperor agreed. Zhong Hao was made tutor to the crown prince in Chengguang Palace. When Gao Fan came with a lone carriage to fetch the prince, Du Qiao and the tutors hesitated. Zhong Hao physically blocked the chariot: the crown prince carried the dynasty's fate. No sealed edict accompanied the eunuch—how could they know it was not a trap?' He would die before letting the prince go.' Gao Fan, speechless, raced back to report. An edict arrived; then the prince could depart.
84
喬退而歎息，愧暠臨事不惑。 帝亦嘉其持重，稱善者良久。
Du Qiao withdrew, ashamed that Zhong Hao alone had kept his head. The emperor too praised his composure.
85
出為益州刺史。 暠素慷慨，好立功立事。 在職三年，宣恩遠夷，開曉殊俗，岷山雜落皆懷服漢德。 其白狼﹑盤木﹑唐菆﹑滘﹑僰諸國，[一]自前刺史朱輔卒後遂絕； 暠至，乃復舉種向化。 時永昌太守冶鑄黃金為文蛇，以獻梁冀，暠糾發逮捕，馳傳上言，而二府畏懦，不敢案之，冀由是銜怒於暠。 會巴郡人服直聚黨數百人，自稱「天王」，[二]暠與太守應承討捕，不克，吏人多被傷害。 冀因此陷之，傳逮暠﹑承。 太尉李固上疏救曰：「臣伏聞討捕所傷，本非暠﹑承之意，實由縣吏懼法畏罪，迫逐深苦，致此不詳。 比盜賊腢起，處處未絕。 暠﹑承以首舉大奸，而相隨受罪，臣恐沮傷州縣糾發之意，更共飾匿，莫復盡心。 」[三]梁太后省奏，乃赦暠﹑承罪，免官而已。
He became governor of Yi province. Zhong Hao was bold and ambitious. In three years he won the tribes of Minshan to Han rule. Note [1]: Tribes such as Bailang had cut tribute since Zhu Fu died; when Zhong Hao came, they renewed submission. He arrested Yongchang's governor for bribing Liang Ji with a golden snake; the high ministers quailed, and Liang Ji hated him for it. Note [2]: A cult leader Fu Zhi in Ba rose as 'Heaven's King'; Zhong Hao and Ying Cheng failed to suppress him and took casualties. Liang Ji used the failure to impeach Zhong Hao and Ying Cheng. Li Gu argued the defeat came from harsh local clerks, not the governors' orders. Rebels were rising everywhere. Punishing men who first exposed major crime would make officials cover up wrongdoing. Note [3]: Empress Dowager Liang read Li Gu's plea and pardoned them, stripping only their posts.'
86
注[一]菆音側留反。
Commentary [1]: The graph zou is read ce-liu.
87
注[二]「直」或作「宜」。
Commentary [2]: Manuscript variant Yi for Zhi in the rebel's name.
88
注[三]言各飾偽辭，隱匿真狀也。
Commentary [3]: They would invent excuses and conceal facts.
89
後涼州羌動，以暠為涼州刺史，甚得百姓歡心。 被征當遷，吏人詣闕請留之，太后歎曰：「未聞刺史得人心若是。 」乃許之。 暠復留一年，遷漢陽太守，戎夷男女送至漢陽界，暠與相揖謝，千里不得乘車。 及到郡，化行羌胡，禁止侵掠。
When Liangzhou's Qiang rebelled, Zhong Hao as governor won the people's love. Officials petitioned to keep him; the empress dowager marveled. She granted an extension. After another year he moved to Hanyang; tribes escorted him on foot a thousand li as he walked beside them. In Hanyang he stopped raiding between Qiang and Hu.
90
遷使匈奴中郎將。 時遼東烏桓反叛，復轉遼東太守，烏桓望風率服，迎拜於界上。 坐事免歸。
He became envoy to the Xiongnu. When Liaodong's Wuhuan rose, he was sent as governor; they surrendered at his approach and met him at the border. He was later cashiered and sent home.
91
後司隸校尉舉暠賢良方正，不應。 征拜議郎，遷南郡太守，入為尚書。 會匈奴寇並涼二州，桓帝擢暠為度遼將軍。 暠到營所，先宣恩信，誘降諸胡，其有不服，然後加討。 羌虜先時有生見獲質於郡縣者，悉遣還之。 誠心懷撫，信賞分明，由是羌胡﹑龜茲﹑莎車﹑烏孫等皆來順服。 暠乃去烽燧，除候望，[一]邊方晏然無警。
He declined nomination as worthy and upright. He was recalled as gentleman consultant, governor of Nan commandery, then master of writing. When the Xiongnu struck Bing and Liang, Huandi named him general of the Trans-Liao army. He offered amnesty first, then struck only the holdouts. He freed all Qiang held hostage in border counties. Clear rewards and honest dealing brought Qiuci, Shache, Wusun, and others to allegiance. Note [1]: He dismantled beacons—the frontier lay quiet.
92
注[一]晝舉烽，夜燔燧。 解見光武紀。
Commentary [1]: Day beacons, night bonfires on the wall. See Guangwu's annals for detail.
93
入為大司農。 延熹四年，遷司徒。 推達名臣橋玄﹑皇甫規等，為稱職相。 在位三年，年六十一薨。 並﹑涼邊人鹹為發哀。 匈奴聞暠卒，舉國傷惜。 單于每入朝賀，望見墳墓，輒哭泣祭祀。 二子：岱，拂。
He became grand minister of agriculture. In 161 CE he became minister of education. He lifted men like Qiao Xuan and Huangfu Gui to office worthy of them. He died in office at sixty-one. Bing and Liang frontier folk mourned him. The Xiongnu mourned him nationally. Each chanyu who visited wept at his grave. His sons were Zhong Dai and Zhong Fu.
94
岱字公祖。 好學養志。 舉孝廉﹑茂才，辟公府，皆不就。 公車特徵，病卒。
Zhong Dai, styled Gongzu. He loved books and cultivated his mind. He declined every high summons. He died while awaiting a special summons to the capital.
95
初，岱與李固子燮同征議郎，燮聞岱卒，痛惜甚，乃上書求加禮於岱。 曰：「臣聞仁義興則道德昌，道德昌則政化明，政化明而萬姓寧。 伏見故處士種岱，淳和達理，耽悅詩書，富貴不能回其慮，萬物不能擾其心。 稟命不永，奄然殂殞。
Li Xie, son of Li Gu, petitioned for posthumous honors for Zhong Dai. He wrote that virtue orders the realm and calms the people. He praised Dai's purity and love of the classics, unmoved by wealth or distraction. Dai died young.
96
若不盤桓難進，等輩皆已公卿矣。 [一]昔先賢既沒，有加贈之典，[二]周禮盛德，有銘誄之文，[三]而岱生無印綬之榮，卒無官謚之號。 雖未建忠效用，而為聖恩所拔，遐邇具瞻，宜有異賞。 」朝廷竟不能從。
Had he sought office, his equals would be chief ministers. Note [1–3]: Ancient worthies received posthumous honors and inscriptions; Dai had neither rank nor posthumous title in life or death. Li Xie asked for special recognition though Dai had held no office. The court refused.
97
注[一]易屯卦曰：「盤桓，利居貞。」
Commentary [1]: From the Yijing, Tun hexagram on hesitation.
98
注[二]春秋隱公五年，臧僖伯卒，隱公葬之加一等。 杜預曰：「加命服之一等。」
Commentary [2]: Duke Yin buried Zang Xibo with extra ritual rank. Du Yu: one step up in funeral regalia.
99
注[三]周禮司勳曰：「凡有功者，銘書於王之太常。 」又曰「卿大夫之喪，賜謚誄」也。
Commentary [3]: Zhou li on inscribing merit on the king's banner. Zhou li also mandates posthumous names and dirges for ministers.
100
岱弟拂
Zhong Dai's younger brother Zhong Fu.
101
拂字穎伯。 初為司隸從事，拜宛令。 時南陽郡吏好因休沐，遊戲市裡，為百姓所患。 拂出逢之，必下車公謁，以愧其心，自是莫敢出者。 政有能名，累遷光祿大夫。 初平元年，代荀爽為司空。 明年，以地震策免，復為太常。
Zhong Fu, styled Yingbo. He began as a clerk under the colonel director of retainers, then magistrate of Wan. Nanyang yamen clerks abused their days off to terrorize the market. Zhong Fu publicly bowed to them to shame them into staying home. His rule was famed; he rose to grandee of brilliant achievement. In 190 CE he succeeded Xun Shuang as grand commandant. Earthquakes cost him the grand commandantship; he became grand master of ceremonies again.
102
李傕、郭汜之亂，長安城潰，百官多避兵沖。 拂揮□而出曰：「為國大臣，不能止戈除暴，致使凶賊兵刃向宮，去欲何之！ 」遂戰而死。 子劭。
When Li Jue and Guo Si stormed Chang'an, many officials fled. Zhong Fu shouted that ministers who could not stop civil war had no right to flee the palace. He stayed and died fighting. His son was Zhong Shao.
103
拂子劭
Zhong Fu's son Zhong Shao
104
劭字申甫。 少知名。 中平末，為諫議大夫。
Zhong Shao, styled Shenfu. He was famous while young. Late in Zhongping (189 CE) he became remonstrance counselor.
105
大將軍何進將誅宦官，召并州牧董卓，至澠池，而進意更狐疑，遣劭宣詔止之。
He Jin wavered and sent Zhong Shao with an edict to halt Dong Zhuo at Mianchi.
106
卓不受，遂前至河南。 劭迎勞之，因譬令還軍。 卓疑有變，使其軍士以兵脅劭。
Dong Zhuo ignored the order and marched to Henan. Zhong Shao met him and urged him to withdraw. Dong Zhuo had troops menace him.
107
劭怒，稱詔大呼叱之，軍士皆披，[一]遂前質責卓。 卓辭屈，乃還軍夕陽亭。 [二]
Note [1]: Zhong Shao roared out the imperial order; the soldiers broke; he rebuked Zhuo to his face. Dong Zhuo yielded and camped at Xiyang Pavilion. Note [2]: (marker)
108
注[一]披音芳靡反。
Commentary [1]: Pi is read fang-mi (scatter).
109
注[二]夕陽亭在河南城西。
Commentary [2]: Xiyang ting lay west of Luoyang.
110
及進敗，獻帝即位，拜劭為侍中。 卓既□權，而惡劭強力，遂左轉議郎，出為益涼二州刺史。 會父拂戰死，竟不之職。 服終，征為少府、大鴻臚，皆辭不受。
After He Jin fell and Emperor Xian took the throne, Zhong Shao became palace attendant. Dong Zhuo resented his nerve and demoted him to consultant, nominally governor of two provinces. His father Zhong Fu died fighting Li Jue; he never took up the post. After mourning he refused summons as privy treasurer and grand herald.
111
曰：「昔我先父以身徇國，吾為臣子，不能除殘復怨，何面目朝覲明主哉！ 」遂與馬騰、韓遂及左中郎劉范、諫議大夫馬宇共攻李傕、郭汜，以報其仇。 與汜戰於長平觀下，[一]軍敗，劭等皆死。 勝遂還涼州。
He said he could not face the throne until he avenged his father. He joined Ma Teng, Han Sui, Liu Fan, and Ma Yu against Li Jue and Guo Si. Note [1]: They lost the battle below Changping; Zhong Shao died. Han Sui withdrew to Liangzhou.
112
注[一]長平，阪名也。 有觀，在長安西十五里也。
Commentary [1]: Changping was a hill slope. A watchtower stood fifteen li west of Chang'an.
113
陳球字伯真，下邳淮浦人也。 歷世著名。 [一]父亹，廣漢太守。 [二]球少涉儒學，善律令。 陽嘉中，舉孝廉，稍遷繁陽令。 [三]時魏郡太守諷縣求納貨賄，球不與之，太守怒而撾督郵，欲令逐球。 [四]督郵不肯，曰：「魏郡十五城，獨繁陽有異政，今受命逐之，將致議於天下矣。 」太守乃止。
Chen Qiu of Huai'pu, Xiapi, styled Bozhen. His family had been eminent for generations. Note [1]: His father Chen Wei governed Guanghan. Note [2]: Chen Qiu studied the classics and law. During Yangjia he rose to magistrate of Fanyang in Wei commandery. Note [3]: The Wei governor demanded bribes; Chen Qiu refused; the governor beat the director of retainers to force Chen Qiu out. Note [4]: The director of retainers refused: only Fanyang was well ruled; expelling Chen Qiu would shame the governor empire-wide. The governor relented.
114
注[一]謝承書曰：「祖父屯，有令名。」
Commentary [1]: Xie Cheng notes Chen Tun's good name.
115
注[二]亹音尾。
Commentary [2]: Wei is read wei.
116
注[三]繁陽，魏郡縣。
Commentary [3]: Fanyang lay in Wei commandery.
117
注[四]撾，擊也。
Commentary [4]: Zhua means 'to beat.'
118
復辟公府，舉高第，拜侍御史。 是時，桂陽黠賊李研等腢聚寇鈔，陸梁荊部，州郡懦弱，不能禁，太尉楊秉表球為零陵太守。 球到，設方略，開月閒，賊虜消散。 而州兵朱蓋等反，與桂陽賊胡蘭數萬人轉攻零陵。 零陵下濕，編木為城，不可守備，郡中惶恐。 掾史白遣家避難，球怒曰：「太守分國虎符，受任一邦，[一]豈顧妻孥而沮國威重乎？ 復言者斬！ 」乃悉內吏人老弱，與共城守，弦大木為弓，羽矛為矢，引機發之，遠射千余步，多所殺傷。 賊復激流灌城，球輒於內因地埶反決水淹賊。 相拒十餘日，不能下。 會中郎將度尚將救兵至，球募士卒，與尚共破斬朱蓋等。 賜錢五十萬，拜子一人為郎。 遷魏郡太守。
He was recalled to high rank as attending secretary. When Guiyang bandits overran Jing, Yang Bing named Chen Qiu governor of Lingling. Chen Qiu broke the gangs within a month. Then Zhu Gai's mutinous troops joined Hu Lan's tens of thousands against Lingling. Lingling's soggy soil and wicker palisade could not hold. Note [1]: When aides urged evacuating families, Chen Qiu swore he held the tiger tally and would not flee with kin. He threatened death for anyone who repeated the counsel.' He rallied everyone, built giant crossbows from timbers and spear-shafts as bolts, and slaughtered the enemy at long range. When rebels tried to flood the city, he counter-flooded them. The siege failed for ten days. Du Shang arrived with relief; Chen Qiu joined him to kill Zhu Gai. The court gave half a million cash and a son a gentleman post. He became governor of Wei commandery.
119
注[一]文帝初與郡守分銅虎符。
Commentary [1]: Wendi split tiger tallies with governors.
120
征拜將作大匠，作桓帝陵園，所省巨萬以上。 遷南陽太守，以糾舉豪右，為執家所謗，征詣廷尉抵罪。 會赦，歸家。
As master of works he built Huandi's tomb and saved immense sums. In Nanyang he attacked magnates; they framed him and he faced the minister of justice. An amnesty sent him home.
121
[三]詔公卿大會朝堂，令中常侍趙忠監議。 太尉李鹹時病，乃扶輿而起，搗椒自隨，謂妻子曰：「若皇太后不得配食桓帝，吾不生還矣。 」既議，坐者數百人，各瞻望中官，良久莫肯先言。 趙忠曰：「議當時定。 」怪公卿以下各相顧望。 球曰：「皇太后以盛德良家，母臨天下，宜配先帝，是無所疑。 」忠笑而言曰：「陳廷尉宜便操筆。 」球即下議曰：「皇太后自在椒房，有聰明母儀之德。 遭時不造，援立聖明，承繼宗廟，功烈至重。 先帝晏駕，因遇大獄，遷居空宮，不幸早世，家雖獲罪，事非太后。 今若別葬，誠失天下之望。 且馮貴人頤墓被發，骸骨暴露，與賊並屍，魂靈污染，[四]且無功於國，何宜上配至尊？ 」忠省球議，作色俛仰，蚩球曰：「陳廷尉建此議甚健！ 」球曰：「陳、竇既冤，皇太后無故幽閉，臣常痛心，天下憤歎。 今日言之，退而受罪，宿昔之願。 」公卿以下，皆從球議。 李鹹始不敢先發，見球辭正，然*[後]*大言曰：「臣本謂宜爾，誠與臣意合。 」會者皆為之愧。 曹節、王甫復爭，以為梁後家犯惡逆，別葬懿陵，武帝黜廢□後，而以李夫人配食。 [五]今竇氏罪深，豈得合葬先帝乎？ 李鹹乃詣闕上疏曰：「臣伏惟章德竇後虐害恭懷，安思閻後家犯惡逆，而和帝無異葬之議，順朝無貶降之文。 至於□後，孝武皇帝身所廢□，不可以為比。 今長樂太后尊號在身，親嘗稱制，坤育天下，[六]且援立聖明，光隆皇祚。 太后以陛下為子，陛下豈得不以太后為母？ 子無黜母，臣無貶君，宜合葬宣陵，一如舊制。 」帝省奏，謂曹節等曰：「竇氏雖為不道，而太后有德於朕，不宜降黜。 」節等無復言，於是議者乃定。 鹹字符貞，汝南人。 累經州郡，以廉干知名； 在朝清忠，權幸憚之。
Note [3]: The emperor convened the high ministers under eunuch Zhao Zhong's eye to debate burial rites. Li Xian, ill, had pepper carried to the debate, vowing to die if Empress Dowager Dou were denied joint burial with Huandi. Hundreds of officials sat silent, watching the eunuchs. Zhao Zhong demanded a verdict. He sneered at their mutual glances. Chen Qiu said Empress Dowager Dou must share Huandi's tomb. Zhao Zhong told Chen Qiu to draft the memorial. Chen Qiu's text praised her virtue in the harem. She had enthroned the emperor and preserved the line. He recounted her wrongful imprisonment and early death apart from her family's guilt. Separate burial would disappoint the realm. Note [4]: Lady Feng's tomb had been robbed; she could not rank above Dou.' Zhao Zhong mocked Chen Qiu's bold memorial. Chen Qiu retorted that Chen Fan and Dou Wu had been murdered and Dou imprisoned unjustly. He welcomed punishment for speaking truth. The assembly backed Chen Qiu. Li Xian, who had hung back, then claimed he had always agreed. The court sneered at Li Xian's cowardice. The eunuchs cited Liang empress's separate burial and Wudi's demotion of Wei zi [sic] in favor of Lady Li. Note [5]: They asked how Dou could share Huandi's tomb given the clan's guilt.' Li Xian countered with Zhangde and Yan empresses who were not denied proper burial despite family crimes. Wudi's deposed empress was not parallel to Dou. Note [6]: Dou had ruled as regent and enthroned the emperor. She was his mother by rite.' He urged joint burial at Xuanling per precedent. Emperor Xian sided with Chen Qiu: Dou had been kind to him. The eunuchs fell silent; the decision was fixed. Li Xian of Runan, styled Zhenzhen. He had served in many posts as an honest, capable official; at court his integrity intimidated favorites.
122
注[一]太后父竇武與陳蕃謀誅宦官，反為中常侍曹節矯詔殺武、蕃，遷太后焉。
Commentary [1]: On Dou Wu, Chen Fan, and Cao Jie's coup.
123
注[二]大雅抑詩也。
Commentary [2]: From the Greater Odes, 'Yi.'
124
注[三]祔謂新死之主祔於先死者之廟，婦祔於其夫，所祔之□妾祔於妾祖姑也。
Commentary [3]: Zhou li ritual of fu—ancestral pairing—lacuna in text.
125
注[四]段熲為河南尹，坐盜發馮貴人頤，左遷諫議大夫。
Commentary [4]: Duan Jiong was demoted over the Feng tomb robbery.
126
注[五]戾太子□皇后共太子斬江充，自殺。 武帝崩，霍光緣上雅意，以李夫人配食也。
Commentary [5]: Crown Prince Li and Wei zi [context: Wudi's heir]—lacuna in manuscript. Huo Guang paired Lady Li with Wudi per the emperor's wish.
127
注[六]周易曰：「坤為母。」
Commentary [6]: Yijing: Kun represents the mother.
128
六年，遷球司空，以地震免。 拜光祿大夫，復為廷尉、太常。 光和元年，遷太尉，數月，以日食免。 復拜光祿大夫。 明年，為永樂少府，[一]乃潛與司徒河閒劉合謀誅宦官。
In 179 CE Chen Qiu became grand commandant but lost the post to an earthquake omen. He returned as grandee of brilliant achievement, minister of justice, and grand master of ceremonies. In 178 CE he was grand commandant briefly, then cashiered after an eclipse. He was again named grandee of brilliant achievement. Note [1]: He became privy treasurer to Empress Dowager Yongle and conspired with Liu He against the eunuchs.
129
注[一]桓帝母孝崇皇后宮曰永樂，置太僕、太府。
Commentary [1]: Yongle was Huandi's mother's palace establishment.
130
初，合兄侍中儵，與大將軍竇武同謀俱死，故合與球相結。 事未及發，球復以書勸合曰：「公出自宗室，位登台鼎，天下瞻望，社稷鎮□，豈得雷同容容無違而已？ 今曹節等放縱為害，而久在左右，又公兄侍中受害節等，永樂太后所親知也。 今可表徙□尉陽球為司隸校尉，以次收節等誅之。 政出聖主，天下太平，可翹足而待也。 」又尚書劉納以正直忤宦官，出為步兵校尉，亦深勸於合。 合曰：「凶豎多耳目，恐事未會，先受其禍。 」納曰：「公為國棟樑，傾危不持，焉用彼相邪？ 」[一]合許諾，亦結謀陽球。
Liu He's brother had died with Dou Wu, so Liu He and Chen Qiu allied. Chen Qiu urged Liu He not to sit idle while the realm watched. He reminded Liu He that Cao Jie had killed his brother and was known to the empress dowager. He proposed promoting Yang Qiu to colonel director of retainers to arrest Cao Jie—lacuna in one graph. Chen Qiu's letter promised that once the plot succeeded, good government would return and peace would follow quickly. Liu Na, demoted for crossing the eunuchs, also pressed Liu He to act. Liu He feared leaks and preemptive strikes. Liu Na quoted the Analects: a minister must shore up a tottering state. Note [1]: Liu He agreed and brought in Yang Qiu.
131
注[一]論語孔子之辭也。
Commentary [1]: The 'pillar' line comes from the Analects.
132
球小妻，程璜之女，璜用事宮中，所謂程大人也。 節等頗得聞知，乃重賂於璜，且脅之。 璜懼迫，以球謀告節，節因共白帝曰：「合等常與藩國交通，有惡意。
Yang Qiu's junior wife was eunuch Cheng Huang's daughter; Cheng Huang was influential at court. Cao Jie's faction bribed and threatened Cheng Huang. Cheng Huang betrayed the plot; Cao Jie memorialized that Liu He was conspiring with the princes.
133
數稱永樂聲埶，受取狼籍。 步兵校尉劉納及永樂少府陳球、□尉陽球交通書疏，謀議不軌。 」帝大怒，策免合，合與球及劉納、陽球皆下獄死。 球時年六十二。
They accused the Yongle circle of corruption and swagger. They framed Liu Na, Chen Qiu, and Yang Qiu for treasonous correspondence—lacuna in one office title. The emperor arrested Liu He, Chen Qiu, Liu Na, and Yang Qiu; all died in prison. Chen Qiu was sixty-two.
134
子瑀，吳郡太守； 瑀弟琮，汝陰太守； 弟子珪，沛相； 珪子登，廣陵太守：並知名。 [一]
His son Chen Yu governed Wu; Chen Cong governed Ruyin; his nephew Chen Gui was chancellor of Pei; Chen Gui's son Chen Deng governed Guangling—all were famous. Note [1]: (marker introducing Xu Si anecdote)
135
汜曰：「昔遭亂過下邳，見元龍無客主之意，不相與語，自上大默臥，使客臥下默。 」備曰：「君有國士之名。 今天下大亂，帝王失所，君須憂國忘家，有救世之意。 乃求田問捨，言無可采，是元龍所諱也，何緣當與君語？ 如我自臥百尺樓上，臥君於地下，何但上下默之閒哉！ 」表大笑也。
Xu Si told Liu Bei that Chen Deng (Yuanlong) had snubbed him, taking the upper bed while leaving Xu on the lower. Liu Bei began: 'You enjoy a national reputation.' He said in such times Xu Si should think of saving the realm, not comfort. Seeking land deals was why Chen Deng scorned Xu Si. Liu Bei said he would have put Xu Si far below, not merely on a lower bed. Liu Biao roared with laughter.
136
贊曰：安儲遭譖，張卿有請。 [一]龔糾便佞，以直為眚。 [二]二子過正，埋車堙井。 [三]種公自微，臨官以威。 陳球專議，桓思同歸。
The encomium praises Zhang Gang for guarding the crown prince. Note [1]: Wang Gong attacked sycophants and paid for his honesty. Note [2]: Zhang Gang and Wang Chang went to extremes—buried wheels, filled wells (figurative harshness). Note [3]: Zhong Hao rose from humble clerk to commanding awe. Chen Qiu's lone memorial won Empress Dou joint burial with Huandi.
137
注[一]張□為廷尉，故曰卿。
Commentary [1]: Zhang Hao as minister of justice is called qing.
138
注[二]眚，過也。
Commentary [2]: Sheng means 'fault.'
139
注[三]張綱埋輪，王* (龔) **[暢]*堙井。 孟子曰：「矯枉過正。」
Commentary [3]: Zhang Gang buried his wheels; Wang (Gong) Chang) is said to have filled wells—hyperbolic severity. Mencius: correcting excess can overshoot the mean.
140
校勘記
Textual collation notes
141
一八一五頁三行張晧按：集解引惠棟說，謂蜀志「晧」作「浩」。
Editorial: Shu zhi variant 浩 for 晧.
142
一八一五頁四行* (初) *永元中歸仕州郡據刊誤刪。
Collation note for page 1815, line 4: marginal asterisk in the manuscript. (chu) Kanwu deletes the Yongyuan clause as spurious.
143
一八一六頁一五行司徒辟高第為*[侍]*御史腢書治要「御」上有「侍」字，又御覽七七八引及初學記一二引續漢書，並作「侍御史」，今據補。
Editorial adds shi (attending) before imperial clerk.
144
一八一七頁一二行多樹諂諛按：「諂」原斗「滔」，逕改正。
Chan corrected from tao.
145
一八一七頁一五行天下號曰八俊按：集解引惠棟說，謂「八俊」續漢書作「八彥」。
Variant Eight Yan for Eight Jun.
146
一八一八頁一三行身絕血嗣按：集解引惠棟說，謂據注則正文注文之「嗣」字皆當作「祀」。
Si should be 'sacrifice' not 'heir' per commentary.
147
一八一八頁一五行乃嬰等更生之* (晨) **[辰]*也按：校補謂「晨」當作「辰」，各本均未正。 今據改。
Collation on Zhang Gang's speech to Zhang Ying. (chen) Chen emended from morning graph per supplement. Emended.
148
一八一九頁九行張嬰等五百餘人按：校補引柳從辰說，謂袁紀作「三百餘人」。
Yuan ji says three hundred, not five hundred.
149
一八二一頁一二行稱為* (雅) **[推]*士據汲本、殿本改。
Collation on the compound titled refined promoters. (ya) Tui restored per Ji and Palace editions.
150
一八二二頁六行夫挾太山以超*[北]*海據汲本、殿本補。
Bei inserted in Tai/bei idiom per editions.
151
一八二五頁三行陰行善化按：「化」字疑衍。 史記作「陰行善」，無「化」字。 殿本「化」作「行」，疑涉上「行」字而衍。
Suspect redundant hua. Shiji lacks hua. Palace variant suggests scribal error.
152
一八二六頁一二行* (近) **[乃]*洛陽吏邪據汲本改。
Collation for page 1826, line 12 marks a break in the compound. (jin) Nai emended per Ji edition.
153
一八二七頁八行馳命奏之刊誤謂案文多一「命」字。 按：通鑒作「馳還奏之」。
Kanwu deletes duplicate ming. Tongjian reads 'galloped back.'
154
一八二七頁一一行自前刺史朱輔按：集解引惠棟說，謂西南夷傳作「酺」，東觀記有傳，仍作「輔」。
Zhu Fu vs Zhu Pu variant.
155
一八二七頁一二行而二府畏懦按：御覽六四一引謝承書「二」作「三」。
Two vs three offices in Yulan.
156
一八二七頁一三行聚黨數百人按：汲本、殿本作「百餘人」。
Hundred-plus vs several hundred.
157
一八三０頁一二行左中郎劉范諫議大夫馬宇按：集解引錢大昕說，謂董卓傳云「侍中馬宇、右中郎將劉范」。
Titles differ in Dong Zhuo zhuan.
158
一八三０頁一四行在長安西十五里也按：集解引惠棟說，謂紀注及董卓傳注皆雲去長安五十里。
Fifteen vs fifty li distance.
159
一八三一頁二行太守怒而撾督郵按：「撾」原作「檛」，逕據汲本、殿本改。 注同。
The collation note records that the graph for 'beat' was originally written with the wood radical and was corrected to zhua in the Ji and Palace editions; the commentary uses the same form. Commentary emended the same way.
160
一八三一頁一０行而州兵朱蓋等反集解引汪文台說，謂御覽二百六十、三百四十七、類聚六十引張璠漢記作「朱益」。 今按：影印宋本御覽三四七作「朱蓋」。
Zhu Gai vs Zhu Yi in sources. Song Yulan keeps Zhu Gai.
161
一八三一頁一二行受任一邦按：集解引惠棟說，謂球，漢人，不應斥高祖諱。 張璠漢記「邦」作「郡」。
Bang taboo: Zhang Fan uses jun. Zhang Fan's Han ji substitutes jun for bang to avoid the taboo on Gaozu's name.
162
一八三二頁六行* (復) **[征]*拜廷尉刊誤謂案球初未嘗為廷尉，何得言「復」，當作「征」字。 集解引汪文台說，謂書鈔五十五引謝承書，云「橋玄表球明法律，征拜廷尉正」。 今據改。
Collation for page 1832, line 6 marks the emendation from fu to summoned. (fu) Fu emended to summoned; Kanwu notes Chen Qiu was not previously minister of justice. Xie Cheng variant: summoned as zheng (director under minister of justice). Emended per collation.
163
一八三三頁三行然*[後]*大言曰據汲本、殿本補。
Hou inserted per editions.
164
一八三三頁九行鹹字符貞按：集解引惠棟說，謂蔡邕太尉李公碑雲鹹字符卓，案靈紀及胡廣傳注，皆雲字符卓也。
Li Xian's style: Zhenzhen vs Zhuo per stele.
165
一八三四頁五行合兄侍中儵按：殿本「儵」作「鯈」。
Graph variant for Liu You's name.
166
一八三五頁二行球* (兄) **[弟]*子珪據殿本改，與正文合。
Collation on Chen Qiu's kin. (elder brother) Xiong/di emended: nephew Gui aligns with text.
167
一八三五頁五行陳元龍淮海之士校補引柳從辰說，謂魏志「淮海」作「湖海」，御覽七百六引同。 按：影宋本御覽作「河海」。
Huaihai vs huhai variant. Song Yulan reads hehai.