1
陳蕃字仲舉，汝南平輿人也。 祖河東太守。 蕃年十五，嘗閒處一室，而庭宇蕪穢。 父友同郡薛勤來候之，謂蕃曰：「孺子何不灑埽以待賓客？」 蕃曰：「大丈夫處世，當埽除天下，安事一室乎！」 勤知其有清世志，甚奇之。
Chen Fan, whose courtesy name was Zhongju, came from Pingyu in Runan. His grandfather had been governor of Hedong. At fifteen, Fan once sat idle in a single room while weeds choked the courtyard. A friend of his father’s, Xue Qin from the same commandery, paid a call and asked, “Why not tidy the place if you mean to entertain visitors?” Fan replied, “A man of stature clears injustice from the realm—what are four walls to him?” Seeing that Fan meant to set the world to rights, Qin was deeply impressed.
2
初仕郡，舉孝廉，除郎中。 遭母憂，棄官行喪。 服闋，刺史周景辟別駕從事，[一]以諫爭不合，投傳而去。 [二]後公府辟舉方正，皆不就。 注[一]續漢志曰：「別駕從事，校尉行部奉引，總錄觿事。」
He began his career in the local administration, earned nomination as Filial and Incorrupt, and received appointment as a Gentlemen of the Palace. When his mother died, he resigned his post and observed mourning. After the mourning term ended, Inspector Zhou Jing brought him on as Attendant Clerk for the Separate Carriage. [1] They argued repeatedly until Fan threw down his credentials and walked away. [2] Later the central government repeatedly recommended him as Upright and Incorrupt; he declined every summons. Note [1] The Continued Treatise on Han says: "The Attendant Clerk for the Separate Carriage, when the regional inspector tours the commandery, leads the escort and has general oversight of the tour's business."
3
注[二]投，棄也。 傳謂符也，音丁戀反。
Note [2] The verb rendered “cast aside” means to discard. “Tallies” denotes the official credentials; it is read with the fan pronunciation associated with “ding-luan.”
4
太尉李固表薦，征拜議郎，再遷為樂安太守。 [一]時李膺為青州刺史，名有威政，屬城聞風，皆自引去，蕃獨以清績留。 郡人周璆，高絜之士。 [二]前後郡守招命莫肯至，唯蕃能致焉。 字而不名，特為置一榻，去則縣之。 璆字孟玉，臨濟人，有美名。 民有趙宣葬親而不閉埏隧，[三]因居其中，行服二十餘年，鄉邑稱孝，州郡數禮請之。 郡內以薦蕃，蕃與相見，問及妻子，而宣五子皆服中所生。 蕃大怒曰：「聖人制禮，賢者俯就，不肖企及。 [四]且祭不欲數，以其易黷故也。 [五]況乃寢宿頤藏，而孕育其中，誑時惑觿，誣污鬼神乎？」 遂致其罪。 注[一]續漢志曰，樂安本名千乘，和帝更名也。
Grand Commandant Li Gu recommended him in a memorial; the court summoned Fan as a Court Gentleman and soon promoted him twice, making him governor of Le’an. [1] Li Ying was then governor of Qing Province, where his reputation for tough governance persuaded many county magistrates to resign—yet Fan remained, widely noted for an honest administration. Zhou Qiu, a man of the commandery, was celebrated for moral purity. [2] Successive governors had invited him without success; Fan alone won him over. Fan called him by his style, not his given name, reserved a couch just for him, and stored it away whenever Zhou departed—an exceptional mark of respect. Zhou Qiu, courtesy Mengyu, hailed from Linji and carried an esteemed name. [3] A commoner named Zhao Xuan left the tomb passage open after burying his parents, moved inside, and kept mourning for over twenty years; neighbors hailed him as a paragon of filial piety, and provincial authorities repeatedly tried to honor him. Local officers touted Zhao to Fan. At their meeting Fan asked after Zhao’s family and learned that all five sons had been conceived while Zhao pretended to mourn inside the tomb. Fan’s temper flared: “The sages framed ritual so that the worthy can humble themselves to it and the unworthy may still stretch toward it. [4] Sacrifices must not be multiplied; repetition breeds irreverence. [5] What of hiding in a grave to beget children—duping the public and defiling the dead?” He pressed charges against Zhao Xuan. Note [1] The Continued Treatise on Han records that Le’an was once called Qiansheng until Emperor He renamed it.
5
注[二]璆音仇。
Note [2] The graph “璆” is pronounced like “仇.”
6
注[三]埏隧，今人墓道也。 杜預注左傳云：「掘地通路曰隧。」
Note [3] Yan sui refers to the underground passage of a tomb. Du Yu’s commentary on the Zuo Tradition says, “Cutting a passage through the earth is called a tunnel.”
7
注[四]禮記曰「三年之喪，可復父母之恩也。 賢者俯而就之，不肖者企而及之。」
Note [4] The Record of Rites says, "The mourning of three years can repay parents' kindness. The worthy bow themselves into it; the unworthy still strive to meet it.”
8
注[五]黷，媟也。 禮記曰：「祭不欲數，數則煩，煩則不敬。」
Note [5] Du means irreverent excess. The Record of Rites says: "Sacrifices should not be frequent; if frequent, they become tiresome, and if tiresome they are not reverent."
9
大將軍梁冀威震天下，時遣書詣蕃，有所請托，不得通，使者詐求謁，蕃怒，笞殺之，坐左轉修武令。 稍遷，拜尚書。
General-in-chief Liang Ji dominated the court and sent Fan a note seeking a favor, but Fan refused the channel. When a courier lied his way into an audience, Fan had him flogged to death and was consequently demoted to magistrate of Xiuwu. He rose again and became a Master of Writing.
10
時零陵、桂陽山賊為害，公卿議遣討之，又詔下州郡，一切皆得舉孝廉、茂才。
While Lingling and Guilin bandits terrorized the hills, ministers debated a punitive expedition, and an edict invited every province to nominate Filial and Incorrupt men and men of abundant talent without restriction.
11
蕃上疏駁之曰：「昔高祖創業，萬邦息肩，撫養百姓，同之赤子。 [一]今二郡之民，亦陛下赤子也。 致令赤子為害，豈非所在貪虐，使其然乎？ 宜嚴□三府，隱核牧守令長，其有在政失和，侵暴百姓者，即便舉奏，更選清賢奉公之人，能班宣法令情在愛惠者，可不勞王師，而腢賊弭息矣。 又三署郎吏二千餘人，三府掾屬過限未除，但當擇善而授之，簡惡而去之。
Fan answered with a memorial: “When Gaozu founded the dynasty, he let the realm catch its breath and cared for the people as his own babes. [1] The folk of those two commanderies are no less your babes. If those babes have turned into rebels, is it not because local officials bled them dry? Fan urged the throne to order the three senior ministries to audit every governor and magistrate, remove the cruel and corrupt, and install humane officials who could publish kind decrees—so revolts would end without mobilizing the army. He reminded the emperor that over two thousand gentlemen still crowded the three palaces and that the ministries swelled with supernumeraries; promote the deserving and expel the useless, he said.
12
豈煩一切之詔，以長請屬之路乎！」 以此忤左右，故出為豫章太守。 性方峻，不接賓客，士民亦畏其高。 [二]征為尚書令，送者不出郭門。 注[一]尚書曰：「若保赤子，唯人其康乂。」
Why issue a blanket waiver that only widens the door to favor-seeking?” The court favorites took offense, and Fan was sent out as governor of Yuzhang. Stern and aloof, he refused casual visitors, and locals learned to respect his distance. [2] When the capital recalled him as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, not one well-wisher escorted him past the city moat. Note [1] The Book of Documents says, "If you protect the infants in arms, the people will be well governed."
13
注[二]蕃喪妻，鄉人畢至，唯許子將不往，曰：「仲舉性峻，峻則少通，故不造也。」
Note [2] When Fan buried his wife, the whole village attended except Xu Zijiang, who said, “Zhongju’s nature is severe; when one is severe, one has little give, so I did not go.”
14
遷大鴻臚。 會白馬令李雲抗疏諫，桓帝怒，當伏*[重]*誅。 蕃上書救雲，坐免歸田裡。
He advanced to Grand Herald. When Magistrate Li Yun of Baima sent a blunt memorial, Emperor Huan’s rage carried a capital sentence. Fan intervened on Li’s behalf and was stripped of office and sent home.
15
復征拜議郎，數日遷光祿勳。 時封賞踰制，內寵猥盛，蕃乃上疏諫曰：「臣聞有事社稷者，社稷是為； 有事人君者，容悅是為。 今臣蒙恩聖朝，備位九列，見非不諫，則容悅也。 夫諸侯上象四七，垂耀在天，下應分土，藩屏上國。 [二]高祖之約，非功臣不侯。 而聞追錄河南尹鄧萬世父遵之微功，更爵尚書令黃鑈先人之絕封，近習以非義授邑，左右以無功傳賞，授位不料其任，裂土莫紀其功，至乃一門之內，侯者數人，故緯象失度，陰陽謬序，稼用不成，民用不康。
The court soon recalled him as a Court Gentleman and within days named him Minister of the Imperial Clan. Enfeoffments had exploded and inner-palace favorites prospered, so Fan warned: “Those who serve the altars must serve the altars— those who serve the ruler’s person busy themselves with pleasing him. Honored with a seat among the Nine Ministers, I cannot stay silent without flattering you. Feudal lords mirror the twenty-eight mansions above and guard their allotted territories below. [2] Gaozu vowed that only merit could earn a marquisate. Yet the throne revived petty deeds of Deng Zun, Henan governor Deng Wanshi’s father, restored Huang Yin’s family title, showered cronies with domains, and handed out salaries without talent—several marquises under one roof—until omens skewed, yin and yang slipped out of phase, harvests withered, and the people suffered.
16
臣知封事已行，言之無及，誠欲陛下從是而止。 又比年收斂，十傷五六，萬人饑寒，不聊生活，而采女數千，食肉衣綺，脂油粉黛，不可貲計。 [二]鄙諺言『盜不過五女門』，以女貧家也。 今後宮之女，豈不貧國乎！ 是以傾宮嫁而天下化，[三]楚女悲而西宮災。 [四]且聚而不御，必生憂悲之感，以致並隔水旱之困。 夫獄以禁止奸違，官以稱才理物。 若法虧於平，官失其人，則王道有缺。 而令天下之論，皆謂獄由怨起，爵以賄成。
Fan admitted the titles were already granted but begged the emperor to halt there. Taxes in recent years had ruined more than half the population while thousands of harem women feasted on meat and silk and burned oil and rouge beyond counting. [2] Folk wisdom says, “Thieves do not pass through the gate of a house with five daughters,” because daughters impoverish a household— yet your inner chambers now beggar the empire! [3] King Zhou’s Tilted Palace was dismantled to reform the realm; [4] a neglected Chu consort’s grief fired the western palace. Hoarding unused concubines breeds resentment and invites drought and flood alike. Law restrains crime; office fits talent to task. When justice slips and the wrong men rule, the royal way cracks. Yet rumor says lawsuits spawn from spite and nobility sells to the highest bribe.
17
夫不有臭穢，則蒼蠅不飛。 陛下宜采求失得，擇從忠善。 尺一選舉，委尚書三公，[五]使□責誅賞，各有所歸，豈不幸甚！」 帝頗納其言，為出宮女五百餘人，但賜鑈爵關內侯，而萬世南鄉侯。 注[一]上象四七，謂二十八宿各主諸侯之分野，故曰下應分土，言皆以輔王室也。
Rot draws flies. Fan pleaded for honest evaluations and faithful advice. [5] Let the Masters of Writing and the Three Dukes own those rescripts and the full chain of reward and punishment-would that not be most fortunate?” The emperor partly listened: he freed more than five hundred palace women yet still ennobled Huang Yin as a secondary marquis of Guannei and Deng Wanshi as marquis of Nanxiang. Note [1] The twenty-eight lodges govern each noble’s field; thus lords who mirror heaven also shield the capital on earth.
18
注[二]貲，量也。
Note [2] Zi here means to calculate or measure.
19
注[三]帝王紀曰「紂作傾宮，多采美女以充之。 武王伐殷，乃歸傾宮之女於諸侯」也。
Note [3] The Record of Emperors and Kings says, “Zhou built the Tilted Palace and gathered many beautiful women to fill it. King Wu of Zhou returned those women to the lords when he conquered Shang.”
20
注[四]公羊傳曰：「西宮災。」 何休注云：「時僖公為齊桓所脅，以齊媵為嫡，楚女廢居西宮，而不見恤，悲愁怨曠所生。」
Note [4] The Gongyang commentary says, "The Western Palace caught fire." He Xiu's commentary explains: "At the time Duke Xi was coerced by Duke Huan of Qi; he took a Qi woman as his principal wife and the Chu woman was cast aside in the Western Palace, untended; grief, resentment, and neglect produced it."
21
注[五]尺一謂板長尺一，以寫詔書也。
Note [5] “Foot-long boards” were wooden slips about twelve inches long used for imperial rescripts.
22
延熹六年，車駕幸廣* (城) **[成]*校獵。 [一]蕃上疏諫曰：「臣聞人君有事於苑囿，唯仲秋西郊，順時講武，殺禽助祭，以敦孝敬。 如或違此，則為肆縱。 故□陶戒舜『無教逸游』，[二]周公戒成王『無盤於游田』。 [三]虞舜、成王猶有此戒，況德不及二主者乎！ 夫安平之時，尚宜有節，況當今之世，有三空之□哉！ 田野空，朝廷空，倉庫空，是謂三空。 加兵戎未戢，四方離散，是陛下焦心毀顏，坐以待旦之時也。 豈宜揚旗曜武，騁心輿馬之觀乎！ 又* (前) *秋*[前]*多雨，民始種麥。 今失其勸種之時，而令給驅禽除路之役，非賢聖恤民之意也。
In Yanxi 6 the emperor traveled to Guang— (—the syllable cheng, completing the place-name Guangcheng—) —to Guangcheng—for a formal hunt on the training ground. [1] Fan remonstrated: “Rulers enter the hunting parks at most in mid-autumn at the western suburb, timing martial drills with the season, killing game to assist sacrifice and reinforce filial duty. Anything else is dissipation. [2] Gao Yao cautioned Shun, “Do not teach dissolute wandering,” and the Duke of Zhou cautioned King Cheng, “Do not indulge in roaming hunts.” [3] If even those models needed the warning, what of a lesser ruler? Restraint suits even peacetime—let alone an age gutted by the “three voids” and this added danger. Farmland lies waste, the court stands empty, granaries gape—those are the three voids. Arms are still up, the realm in flight; you should be sleepless with care, not parading for sport. How can it be fitting to raise banners and revel in chariots and horses? Moreover— (earlier) —early autumn brought heavy rains just as farmers sowed wheat. To interrupt planting for beaters and road crews is not how sages show mercy to the people.
23
齊景公欲觀於海，放乎琅邪，晏子為陳百姓惡聞旌旗輿馬之音，舉首嚬眉之感，景公為之不行。 周穆王欲肆車轍馬跡，祭公謀父為誦祈招之詩，以止其心。 誠惡逸游之害人也。」 [四]書奏不納。 注[一]廣* (城) **[成]*，苑名，在今汝州梁縣西也。
Duke Jing of Qi wanted to tour the sea toward Langya; Yanzi described the people’s dread of war equipage until the duke abandoned the trip. King Mu of Zhou meant to race to the ends of the earth until Duke Zhai recited “Qi zhao” to bridle him. Those stories show how hateful the harm of heedless touring is.” [4] The memorial went in but was not accepted. Note [1] Guang— (—the syllable cheng, completing the place-name Guangcheng—) —forms Guangcheng, the name of the hunt park west of Liang County in modern Ruzhou.
24
注[二]尚書咎繇謨曰：「無教逸欲有邦。」
Note [2] The Book of Documents, "Counsels of Gao Yao," says, "Do not teach dissolute desires in the states."
25
注[三]尚書無逸篇之言。
Note [3] The line comes from the Book of Documents, "Wu Yi."
26
注[四]祭公，祭國公，為周卿士。 謀父，名也。 祈招，逸詩也。 左傳曰：「昔周穆王欲肆其心，周行天下，將皆必有車轍馬跡焉。 祭公謀父作祈招之詩以止王心。 其詩曰：『祈招之愔愔，式昭德音，思我王度，式如玉，式如金。 刑人之力，而無醉飽之心。』」 自蕃為光祿勳，與五官中郎將黃琬共典選舉，不偏權富，而為埶家郎所譖訴，坐免歸。 頃之，征為尚僕射，轉太中大夫。 八年，代楊秉為太尉。 蕃讓曰：「『不愆不忘，率由舊章，』[一]臣不如太常胡廣。 齊七政，訓五典，臣不如議郎王暢。 聰明亮達，文武兼姿，臣不如□刑徒李膺。」 帝不許。 注[一]詩大雅也。 言成王令德，不過誤，不遺失，循用舊典文章，謂周公之禮法也。
Note [4] “Duke Zhai” was ruler of the Zhai polity and a ranking minister at the Zhou court. His given name was Moufu. “Qi zhao” survives only as a quotation—a lost ode. The Zuo Tradition says, “Formerly King Mu of Zhou wished to indulge his heart and travel throughout the world, so that everywhere there would be chariot ruts and horse tracks. Duke Zhai composed “Qi zhao” to rein in the king’s appetite for travel. The poem says: ‘How gentle is the prayer-song; it displays virtuous sound. I think on our king’s measure: like jade, like gold. It uses the people’s strength yet never feasts to excess on power.’” Once Fan served as Minister of the Imperial Clan alongside Huang Wan as joint overseer of appointments, their impartiality provoked powerful families to lodge complaints, and Fan lost his post. Soon the court recalled him as Supervisor of the Masters of Writing and moved him up to Grand Palace Grandee. In Yanxi 8 he succeeded Yang Bing as Grand Commandant. Fan tried to decline: “‘Commit no fault, forget nothing—hold to the old statutes’—[1] here I cannot match Minister Hu Guang. To align the seven regulators and expound the five canons, I fall short of Court Gentleman Wang Chang. In clarity of mind and fusion of civil and military talent, I am no match for Li Ying, even under sentence.” The emperor refused to let him step down. Note [1] The quotation comes from the Book of Songs, Greater Odes. The gloss praises King Cheng for governing without misstep, adhering to the inherited ritual code—the regulations left by the Duke of Zhou.
27
中常侍蘇康、管霸等復被任用，遂排陷忠良，共相阿媚。 大司農劉佑、廷尉馮緄、[一]河南尹李膺，皆以忤旨，為之抵罪。 蕃因朝會，固理膺等，請加原宥，升之爵任。 言及反覆，誠辭懇切。 帝不聽，因流涕而起。 時小黃門趙津、南陽大猾張* (汜) **[泛]*等，奉事中官，乘埶犯法，二郡太守劉□、成□考案其罪，雖經赦令，而並竟考殺之。 宦官怨恚，有司承旨，遂奏□、□罪當□市。 又山陽太守翟超，沒入中常侍侯覽財產，東海相黃浮，誅殺下邳令徐宣，超、浮並坐髡鉗，輸作左校。 蕃與司徒劉矩、司空劉茂共諫請□、□、超、浮等，帝不悅。 有司劾奏之，矩、茂不敢復言。 蕃乃獨上疏曰：「臣聞齊桓修霸，務為內政； [二]春秋於魯，小惡必書。 [三]宜先自整□，後以及人。 今寇賊在外，四支之疾； 內政不理，心腹之患。 臣寢不能寐，食不能飽，實憂左右日親，忠言以疏，內患漸積，外難方深。 陛下超從列侯，繼承天位。 [四]小家畜產百萬之資，子孫尚恥愧失其先業，況乃產兼天下，受之先帝，而欲懈怠以自輕忽乎？ 誠不愛己，不當念先帝得之勤苦邪？ 前梁氏五族，毒□海內，[五]天啟聖意，收而戮之，天下之議，冀當小平。 明鑒未遠，覆車如昨，而近習之權，復相扇結。 小黃門趙津、大猾張* (汜) **[泛]*等，肆行貪虐，奸媚左右，前太原太守劉□、南陽太守成□，糾而戮之。 雖言赦後不當誅殺，原其誠心，在乎去惡。 至於陛下，有何悁悁？ [六]而小人道長，營惑聖聽，遂使天威為之發怒。 如加刑□，已為過甚，況乃重罰，令伏歐刀乎！ 又前山陽太守翟超、東海相黃浮，奉公不橈，疾惡如讎，超沒侯覽財物，浮誅徐宣之罪，並蒙刑坐，不逢赦恕，覽之從橫，沒財已幸； 宣犯釁過，死有餘辜。
Eunuchs such as Su Kang and Guan Ba regained power, ousted honest officials, and traded favors among themselves. Minister of Agriculture Liu You, Commandant of Justice Feng Gun, [1] and Henan Governor Li Ying each crossed the throne and paid for it. At audience Fan pressed their cause, seeking pardons and restored honors. He pleaded in earnest, again and again. The emperor turned a deaf ear; Fan rose in tears. Around then the Junior Yellow Gate Zhao Jin and Nanyang’s notorious Zhang— (—si—) —completing Zhang Fan—exploited eunuch patrons until Governors Liu and Cheng of the two commanderies tried and executed them despite an amnesty. The eunuchs seethed; compliant agencies memorialized that both governors merited public execution. Zhai Chao of Shanyang seized Hou Lan’s estates; Huang Fu of Donghai executed Magistrate Xu Xuan of Xiapi; both were shaved, collared, and sent to the Left Workshop. Fan, Liu Ju, and Liu Mao jointly pleaded for all four; the emperor bristled. Impeachment followed; Ju and Mao fell silent. Fan then submitted a solitary memorial: “Duke Huan of Qi built hegemony by putting domestic rule first; [2] For Lu, the Spring and Autumn notes even petty offenses. Put your own house in order before lecturing the world. Rebels at the border are an ailment of the limbs; Neglected domestic rule rots the heart and belly. I lie awake and cannot eat, fearing that favorites crowd you while honest words fade, inner rot spreads, and foreign threats swell. You vaulted from enfeoffed marquis to Son of Heaven. [4] Even a family worth a million mourns a lost legacy—how can you who inherited the realm from the late emperor treat it lightly? If you will not care for yourself, remember the late emperor’s labor. The five Liang houses once poisoned the realm until Heaven inspired their purge—everyone hoped calm would follow. That lesson is still warm, yet court favorites entwine again. Zhao Jin and the flagrant Zhang— (—si—) —Zhang Fan—waxed cruel and obsequious until Governors Liu and Cheng of Taiyuan and Nanyang struck them down. Even if killing them breached the amnesty, their aim was to cut out corruption. What grudge could you hold? [6] Yet petty men thrive, cloud your ears, and stir your wrath for them. Corporal punishment would already be harsh—how much worse the headsman’s axe! Zhai Chao and Huang Fu served the public and hated villainy: Zhai seized Hou Lan’s wealth; Huang punished Xu Xuan. Both were punished without mercy while Hou Lan still lorded it—seizing his goods was luck enough; Xuan’s crimes merited death ten times over.
28
昔丞相申屠嘉召責鄧通，洛陽令董宣折辱公主，而文帝從而請之，光武加以重賞，[七]未聞二臣有專命之誅。 而今左右腢豎，惡傷黨類，妄相交構，致此刑譴。 聞臣是言，當復□訴。 陛下深宜割塞近習豫政之源，引納尚書朝省之事，公卿大官，五日壹朝，[八]簡練清高，斥黜佞邪。 如是天和於上，地洽於下，休禎符瑞，豈遠乎哉！ 陛下雖厭毒臣言，凡人主有自勉強，敢以死陳。」 帝得奏愈怒，竟無所納。 朝廷觿庶莫不怨之。 宦官由此疾蕃彌甚，選舉奏議，輒以中詔譴卻，長* (吏) **[史]*已下多至抵罪。 猶以蕃名臣，不敢加害。
Shentu Jia humiliated Deng Tong; Dong Xuan shamed a princess-yet Han Wen and Guangwu rewarded such spine; neither minister was executed for acting alone. Today palace toadies, nursing factional spite, invent crimes and invite harsh verdicts. They will answer with fresh slander. Cut favorites out of policy; restore audiences so high ministers meet every five days [8] while you elevate the upright and expel sycophants. Do that and harmony returns-auspices cannot lag. Though my counsel disgusts you, a ruler may yet steel himself—I risk death to say it.” The memorial only deepened the emperor’s rage; he adopted nothing. Officialdom seethed at him. Eunuchs loathed Fan more each day, quashing nominations with palace edicts, while long— (—li—) —completing shi for junior clerks—often paid the price. They still feared to touch so eminent a minister.
29
瓆字文理，高唐人。 [九]瑨字幼平，陝人。 並有經術稱，處位敢直言，多所搏擊，知名當時，皆死於獄中。 注[一]音古本反。
The first governor’s [ ] style was Wenli; he came from Gaotang. [9] The second governor’s [ ] style was Youping; he hailed from Shan. Both were classical scholars, outspoken in office, and combative; celebrated in life, they died in jail. Note [1] Gloss gives the fanqie reading gu-ben.
30
注[二]國語曰：「桓帝問管仲曰：『安國可乎？』 對曰：『未可。 君若正卒伍，修甲兵，大國亦如之。 若欲速得志於天下諸侯，則可以隱令，可以寄政。』 公曰：
Note [2] The Discourses of the States says: "Emperor Huan asked Guan Zhong, 'Can we stabilize the state?' Guan answered, “Not yet.” If you drill troops and stock arms, rival powers will match you. To win the feudal lords quickly, you may issue secret orders and delegate government.” The duke asked,
31
『隱令寄政若何？』 對曰：『作內政而寄軍令焉。』」 注[三]公羊傳莊公四年，公及齊人狩於郜，譏其與讎狩也。 僖公二十年，新作南門，譏其奢也。 故曰「小惡必書」也。
“What does it mean to delegate through secret orders?” Guan said, “Build domestic institutions and fold military command into them.” Note [3] Gongyang on Zhuang 4 criticizes a joint hunt with Qi as hunting with a foe. Xi 20’s new south gate is faulted for extravagance. Hence the line “small wrongs are always written down.”
32
注[四]言桓帝以蠡吾侯即位。
Note [4] The gloss notes Huan’s rise from the Liwu marquisate.
33
注[五]五侯謂胤、讓、淑、忠、戟五人，與冀同時誅。 事見冀傳也。
Note [5] The “five marquises” are Yin, Rang, Shu, Zhong, and Ji—executed with Liang Ji. See Liang Ji’s biography for detail.
34
注[六]說文曰：「悁悁，恚忿。」
Note [6] The Shuowen says: "Yuan yuan means resentful anger."
35
注[七]文帝時，太中大夫鄧通愛幸，居上旁有怠嫚禮。 氶相申屠嘉入朝，因見之，為檄召通。 通至，嘉曰：「通小臣，戲殿上，大不敬，當斬。」 通頓首，首盡出血。 文帝使使召通，而謝丞相曰「吾弄臣，君釋之」也。 湖陽公主蒼頭白日殺人，匿主家，吏追不得。 公主出，宣駐車叩馬，以刀畫地數主。 主言於帝，帝賜宣錢三十萬。 語見董宣傳。
Note [7] Under Wendi the favorite Deng Tong lounged beside the throne and grew negligent. Shentu Jia entered court, saw him, and summoned Deng by writ. When Deng arrived, Shen said, “A petty favorite who capers in the hall commits grave irreverence—he should die.” Deng kowtowed until his head bled. Wendi recalled Deng and told the chancellor, “He is my plaything—let him go.” A Huyang princess’s slave murdered in daylight and hid on her estate beyond reach. When she rode out, Magistrate Dong Xuan stopped the train, drew a line in the dust, and rebuked her. She complained; Guangwu paid Dong three hundred thousand cash. Details appear in Dong Xuan’s biography.
36
注[八]宣帝五日一聽事，自丞相已下，各敷奏其言。
Note [8] Xuandi heard business every five days as ministers reported in turn.
37
注[九]高唐，縣名，今博州縣也。
Note [9] Gaotang county lies in modern Bozhou.
38
九年，李膺等以黨事下獄考實。 蕃因上疏極諫曰：「臣聞賢明之君，委心輔佐；
In year 9 Li Ying and company entered prison as the “faction” affair was investigated. Fan sent an urgent memorial: “Wise rulers lean on good ministers;
39
亡國之主，諱聞直辭。 故湯武雖聖，而興於伊呂； 桀紂迷惑，亡在失人。 [一]由此言之，君為元首，臣為股肱，同體相須，共成美惡者也。 [二]伏見前司隸校尉李膺、太僕杜密、太尉掾范滂等，正身無玷，死心社稷。 以忠忤旨，橫加考案，或禁錮閉隔，或死徙非所。 杜塞天下之口，聾盲一世之人，與秦焚書坑儒，何以為異？ [三]昔武王克殷，表閭封墓，[四]今陛下臨政，先誅忠賢。 遇善何薄？ 待惡何優？ 夫讒人似實，巧言如簧，[五]使聽之者惑，視之者昏。 夫吉凶之効，存乎識善； 成敗之機，在於察言。 人君者，攝天地之政，秉四海之維，舉動不可以違聖法，進退不可以離道規。 謬言出口，則亂及八方，何況髡無罪於獄，殺無辜於市乎！ 昔禹巡狩蒼梧，見市殺人，下車而哭之曰：『萬方有罪，在予一人！』 故其興也勃焉。 [六]又青、徐炎旱，五穀損傷，民物流遷，茹菽不足。 [七]而宮女積於房掖，國用盡於羅紈，外戚私門，貪財受賂，所謂『祿去公室，政在大夫』。 [八]昔春秋之末，周德衰微，數十年閒無復災眚者，天所□也。 [九]天之於漢，悢悢無已，[一０]故殷勤示變，以悟陛下。 除妖去孽，實在修德。 臣位列台司，憂責深重，不敢尸祿惜生，坐觀成敗。 如蒙采錄，使身首分裂，異門而出，所不恨也。」 [一一]帝諱其言切，托以蕃辟召非其人，遂策免之。 注[一]關龍逢，桀臣。 王子比干，紂諸父。 二人並諫，悉皆誅死。
ruined thrones dread blunt counsel. Tang and Wu owed Yi Yin and Lü Wang; Jie and Zhou fell because they lost good men. [1] Ruler and minister are head and limbs-one body sharing glory or shame. [2] Li Ying, Du Mi, and Fan Pang were stainless and gave their lives for the state. Loyalty earned them torture—some immured, some slain or banished. Gagging the realm blinds an age no less than Qin’s burning of books and burying of scholars. [3] King Wu honored virtue after conquering Shang; [4] you open court by killing the loyal. Why slight good men? Why indulge evil men? Slander sounds plausible and tongues wag like panpipes [5]—enough to bewilder any ear or eye. Weal and woe turn on whether you can tell good from ill. Victory or defeat hangs on how you read men’s words. A ruler wields authority over heaven and earth and the four seas—every step must follow the sages, every move stay within the Way. A single lie can shake the realm—let alone torturing the innocent in jail and executing them in the square! When Yu traveled to Cangwu and saw an execution in the market, he left his chariot and wept, saying, “If the myriad regions have guilt, it lies with me alone!” That self-blame is why his house rose so fast. [6] Qing and Xu are scorched; crops fail; refugees wander; they cannot fill their bellies with beans. [7] Meanwhile the harem swells, the treasury bleeds into silks, in-laws take bribes—the classic case of “revenue left the court and policy moved to great clans.” [8] Late Zhou decay saw Heaven withhold calamities for decades— [9] Heaven still cares for Han [10] and presses omens on you to wake you up. Dispelling ill omens means restoring virtue. I stand among the Three Dukes—I cannot take pay and watch passively as the realm rises or falls. If you accept this counsel, I will gladly die dismembered.” [11] The emperor hated the tone, invented a fault in Fan’s appointments, and dismissed him by edict. Note [1] Guan Longfeng served the tyrant Jie. Bigan was King Zhou of Shang’s uncle. Both spoke out; both were killed.
40
注[二]前書曰「君為元首，臣為股肱，明其一體相須而成」也。
Note [2] The earlier Book of Han says: "The ruler is the head; the ministers are the arms and thighs," showing that they are one body and need each other to succeed.
41
注[三]秦始皇時，丞相李斯上言曰：「天下已定，百姓力農。 今諸生好古，惑亂黔首，臣請史官非秦記及天下敢有藏詩、書、百家語者，悉燒之。」 事見史記。
Note [3] Qin’s Li Si once wrote: “The empire is pacified; farmers toil in the fields. Scholar-officials peddle old texts and confuse the people—burn every non-Qin history and every copy of the classics and masters.” The story is in the Shiji.
42
□宏詔定古文官書序曰：「秦既焚書，患苦天下不從所改更，而諸生到者拜為郎，前後七百人。 乃密令種瓜於驪山坑谷中溫處，瓜實，詔博士說之，人人不同。
Wei Hong’s preface says, “After Qin burned the books, it feared that all under heaven would not obey its reforms, and appointed the scholars who came as Gentlemen, seven hundred in all. It grew melons in a warm Mount Li ravine, then asked the erudites to interpret the omen—each answer differed.
43
乃令就視，為伏機，諸生賢儒皆至焉，方相難不決，因發機從上填之以土，皆壓之，終乃無聲。」 今新豐縣溫湯處號愍儒鄉。 湯西有馬谷，西岸有坑，古老相傳以為秦坑儒處也。
It lured the scholars in, sprang a trap, and buried them alive when they could not agree.” That spot is now Xinfeng’s “Commiserating the Ru” township. West lie Horse Valley and the pit said to hold Qin’s buried scholars.
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注[四]史記武王克殷，命畢公表商容之閭，閎夭封比干之墓也。
Note [4] The Shiji says King Wu honored Shang Rong’s lane and sealed Bi Gan’s tomb.
45
注[五]詩小雅曰：「巧言如簧，顏之厚矣。」 簧，笙簧也。 言讒人之口以喻笙簧也。
Note [5] The Book of Songs, "Minor Odes," says: "Glib words are like reed pipes; how thick is that cheek!" “Reed” here is the mouth-organ reed. The image compares slander to piping.
46
注[六]說菀曰：「禹見罪人，下車泣而問之。 左右曰：『夫罪人不順，故使殺焉，君王何為痛之至此也！』 禹曰：『堯舜之人，皆以堯舜之心為心。 今寡人為君也，百姓各自以其心，是以痛之。』」 書曰：「百姓有罪，在予一人。」 左傳曰：「禹湯罪己，其興也勃焉。 桀紂罪人，其亡也忽焉。」 杜預注曰：「勃，盛也。」
Note [6] Shuoyuan says: "When Yu saw a criminal, he left his carriage, wept, and asked about him. Attendants said, “Criminals deserve death—why weep so hard?” Yu answered, “Under Yao and Shun every heart matched the sage-kings.” As their ruler I see every man go his own way—that is why I weep.” The Book of Documents adds, “The people’s sins are mine.” The Zuo Tradition says: "Yu and Tang blamed themselves, and their rise was vigorous. Jie and Zhou blamed others and fell overnight.” Du Yu glosses “vigorous” as swift growth.
47
注[七]廣雅曰：「茹，食也。」
Note [7] Guangya defines ru as “eat.”
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注[八]論語孔子之言也。
Note [8] The line echoes Confucius in the Analects.
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注[九]春秋感精符曰：「魯哀公政亂，絕無日食，天不譴告也。」
Note [9] Chunqiu gan jing fu says: "Duke Ai of Lu’s government was chaotic; there were no eclipses for days on end—Heaven issued no reproof."
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注[一０]悢悢猶眷眷也。
Note [10] Liang liang means anxious, unceasing care.
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注[一一]谷梁傳曰「公會齊侯於頰谷，齊人使擾施舞於魯之幕下。 孔子曰：『笑君者罪當死。』 使司馬行法焉，首足異門而出」也。
Note [11] The Guliang says: "The duke met the marquis of Qi at Jia Valley; the men of Qi had the Rong of Rao perform a dance beneath Lu’s tent. Confucius said, ‘Whoever laughs at his ruler deserves death.’ The marshal executed the dancers—head and body out different gates.”
52
永康元年，帝崩。 竇後臨朝，詔曰：「夫民生樹君，使司牧之，必須良佐，以固王業。[一] 前太尉陳蕃，忠清直亮。 其以蕃為太傅，錄尚書事。」 時新遭大喪，國嗣未立，諸尚書畏懼權官，托病不朝。 蕃以書責之曰：「古人立節，事亡如存。
In 167, the emperor died. Empress Dou presided over the court and proclaimed: "The people establish a ruler to oversee and shepherd them, and he must have worthy assistants to secure the royal enterprise. [1] Former Grand Commandant Chen Fan is loyal, pure, upright, and clear-minded. Let Fan be appointed Grand Tutor and supervise the affairs of the Masters of Writing." The court had just entered great mourning, the imperial heir was not yet installed, and the Masters of Writing, afraid of the powerful officials, claimed illness and stayed away from court. Fan rebuked them by letter: "The ancients showed their integrity by serving the dead as though they still lived.
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[二]今帝祚未立，政事日蹙，諸君柰何委荼蓼之苦，息偃在默？ [三]於義不足，焉得仁乎！」 諸尚書惶怖，皆起視事。 注[一]前書谷永曰「臣聞天生蒸人，不能相持，為立王者以統理之* (故) *」也。
[2] No heir sits the throne, and affairs of government grow daily more strained. How can you gentlemen cast off bitter hardship and rest silently at ease? [3] If this is not enough for duty, how can it be benevolence!” The Ministers of Writing started in alarm and returned to work. Note [1] The earlier Book of Han records Gu Yong saying: "Your servant has heard that Heaven begat the teeming people, who cannot sustain one another, so it established kings to govern them— (hence) —and so forth.”
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注[二]言人主雖亡，法度尚存，當行之與不亡時同，故曰「如存」。 前書爰盎曰「主在與在，主亡與亡」也。
Note [2] It means that although the ruler has perished, the laws and standards still exist; one should practice them as when he lived—hence "as if he were still here." The earlier Book of Han records Yuan Ang saying, "While the lord lives I live with him; when the lord dies I die with him."
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注[三]詩國風曰：「誰謂荼苦，其甘如薺。」 周頌曰：「未堪家多難，予又集於蓼。」
Note [3] The Airs of the States says: "Who says tu is bitter? It is sweet as shepherd’s purse." The Zhou Hymns say: "I cannot bear the many troubles of the house; I have again gathered liao."
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靈帝即位，竇太后復優詔蕃曰：「蓋襃功以勸善，表義以厲俗，無德不報，大雅所歎。[一] 太傅陳蕃，輔弼先帝，出內累年。[二] 忠孝之美，德冠本朝；謇愕之操，華首彌固。[三] 今封蕃高陽鄉侯，食邑三百戶。」 蕃上疏讓曰：「使者即臣廬，授高陽鄉侯印綬，[四]臣誠悼心，不知所裁。 臣聞讓，身之文，德之昭也，然不敢盜以為名。 竊惟割地之封，功德是為。 臣孰自思省，前後歷職，無它異能，合亦食祿，不合亦食祿。 臣雖無素絜之行，竊慕『君子不以其道得之，不居也』。[五] 若受爵不讓，掩面就之，[六]使皇天震怒，災流下民，於臣之身，亦何所寄？ 顧惟陛下哀臣朽老，戒之在得。」[七] 竇太后不許，蕃復固讓，章前後十上，竟不受封。 注[一]詩大雅曰：「無言不讎，無德不報。」
When Emperor Ling took the throne, Empress Dowager Dou again favored Fan with an edict: "Honoring merit encourages goodness, and displaying righteousness strengthens public morals; that no virtue should go unrepaid is what the Great Odes laments. [1] Grand Tutor Chen Fan assisted the former emperor and served inside and outside the palace for many years. [2] In loyal and filial virtue he stands first at this court; in blunt integrity he has only grown firmer with white hair. [3] We now enfeoff Fan as Marquis of Gaoyang Township, with an estate of three hundred households." Fan submitted a memorial declining: "The envoy came to my hut and handed over the seal and cord of Marquis of Gaoyang Township; [4] I was distressed and did not know what to do. I have heard that yielding adorns the person and displays virtue, but I would not dare steal that reputation for myself. I understand that grants of territory are meant for merit and virtue. On careful self-examination, I have held office again and again with no unusual ability; fit or unfit, I still drew salary. Though I lack a record of plain purity, I admire the line, "If a gentleman obtains something by the wrong way, he does not remain in it." [5] If I accepted the rank without declining, covering my face as I took it, [6] and thereby made august Heaven angry and brought disaster down on the people, where could I place myself? I only ask Your Majesty to pity my decayed old age and heed the warning against grasping after gain." [7] Empress Dowager Dou refused, but Fan continued to decline firmly; he submitted ten memorials in all and never accepted the enfeoffment. Note [1] The Great Odes says: "No words go unanswered; no virtue goes unrepaid."
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注[二]內音納。 尚書曰「出納朕命」也。
Note [2] Nei is read na. The Book of Documents says "to bring in and out my commands."
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注[三]齊宣王對閭丘滘曰：「夫士亦華發墮顛而後可用。」 見新序。
Note [3] King Xuan of Qi said to Lüqiu Kui: "A true gentleman’s hair may turn hoary and his crown fall back before he is fit for use." The anecdote appears in Xin xu.
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注[四]既，就也。
Note [4] Ji means to take up a post.
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注[五]論語孔子曰：「富與貴是人之所欲，不以其道得之，不處也。」
Note [5] Confucius in the Analects says: "Wealth and honor are what people desire; if not gotten by the right Way, I will not dwell in them."
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注[六]詩小雅曰「受爵不讓，至於已斯亡。」 注云：「爵祿不以相讓，故怨禍及之」也。
Note [6] A Minor Ode says "Receiving rank without yielding leads to ruin." The commentary says: "Because ranks and stipends were not yielded to one another, resentment and disaster reached them."
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注[七]論語孔子曰：「及其老也，血氣既衰，戒之在得。」 注云：「得，貪也。」
Note [7] Confucius in the Analects says: "In old age, when blood and qi have waned, beware greed." The gloss defines “gain” as greed.
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初，桓帝欲立所幸田貴人為皇后。 蕃以田氏卑微，竇族良家，爭之甚固。 帝不得已，乃立竇後。 及後臨朝，故委用於蕃。 蕃與後父大將軍竇武，同心盡力，徵用名賢，共參政事，天下之士，莫不延頸想望太平。 而帝乳母趙嬈，旦夕在太后側，[一]中常侍曹節、王甫等與共交構，諂事太后。 太后信之，數出詔命，有所封拜，及其支類，多行貪虐。 蕃常疾之，志誅中官，會竇武亦有謀。 蕃自以既從人望而德於太后，必謂其志可申，乃先上疏曰：「臣聞言不直而行不正，則為欺乎天而負乎人。 危言極意，則腢凶側目，禍不旋踵。 鈞此二者，臣寧得禍，不敢欺天也。 今京師囂囂，道路諠嘩，言侯覽、曹節、公乘昕、王甫、鄭□等與趙夫人諸女尚書並亂天下。 [二]附從者升進，忤逆者中傷。 [三]方今一朝腢臣，如河中木耳，泛泛東西，耽祿畏害。 陛下前始攝位，順天行誅，蘇康、管霸並伏其辜。 是時天地清明，人鬼歡喜，柰何數月復縱左右？ 元惡大奸，莫此之甚。 今不急誅，必生變亂，傾危社稷，其禍難量。 願出臣章宣示左右，並令天下諸奸知臣疾之。」 太后不納，朝廷聞者莫不震恐。 蕃因與竇武謀之，語在武傳。 注[一]嬈音乃了反。
Emperor Huan first meant to make his favorite Lady Tian empress. Fan insisted the Tians were too humble and the Dous a respectable house. The emperor yielded and raised Lady Dou. When she governed as regent, she leaned on Fan. Fan and General Dou Wu filled office with talent; the realm hoped for peace. [1] Yet the wet nurse Zhao Rao haunted the empress dowager while eunuchs Cao Jie and Wang Fu flattered her. She trusted them, showered offices on their kin, and let them run amok. Fan burned to purge the eunuchs; Dou Wu shared the plot. Fan thought his bond with the empress dowager guaranteed success and wrote: “Crooked words and crooked deeds cheat heaven and man. Blunt truth makes villains squint—disaster follows at once. I choose disaster over lying to heaven. The capital buzzes that Hou Lan, Cao Jie, Gongsheng Xin, Wang Fu, Zheng [ ], and Dame Zhao’s female Masters of Writing ruin the state. [2] Flatterers rise; honest men are smeared. [3] Officials drift like kelp, chasing salary and safety. At your accession you executed Su Kang and Guan Ba— heaven and earth brightened—why after months coddle favorites again? No villains worse walk the earth. Delay will invite rebellion and imperil the altars. Publish this plea and show every schemer I oppose them.” The empress dowager ignored it; the court trembled. Fan then plotted with Dou Wu—the account is in Dou’s biography. Note [1] Rao is read nai-liao.
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注[二]趙夫人即趙嬈也。 女尚書，宮內官也。
Note [2] “Lady Zhao” is the wet nurse Zhao Rao. “Women Masters of Writing” are inner-palace posts.
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注[三]前書劉向上書論王鳳曰「稱譽者登進，忤恨者誅傷」也。
Note [3] Liu Xiang’s memorial to Emperor Cheng on Wang Feng says: "Those who praise them rise; those who offend them are killed and wounded."
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及事洩，曹節等矯詔誅武等。 蕃時年七十餘，聞難作，將官屬諸生八十餘人，並拔刃突入承明門，攘臂呼曰：「大將軍忠以衛國，黃門反逆，何雲竇氏不道邪？」
When the plot leaked, Cao Jie forged an edict and killed Dou Wu and company. Fan was then more than seventy; hearing that disaster had broken out, he led more than eighty subordinates and students, all drawing blades and bursting in through the Chenming Gate, baring their arms and shouting: "The general-in-chief was loyal in defending the state; the Yellow Gates rebel—how can you say the Dou clan was without the Way?"
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王甫時出，與蕃相迕，[一]適聞其言，而讓蕃曰：「先帝新□天下，山陵未成，竇武何功，兄弟父子，一門三侯？ 又多取掖庭宮人，作樂飲燕，旬月之閒，貲財億計。 大臣若此，是為道邪？ 公為棟樑，枉橈阿黨，復焉求賊！」 遂令收蕃。
Wang Fu met him [1] and sneered: “The late emperor had barely settled the realm—what merited three Dou marquises? He filled his halls with palace women and burned fortunes on revelry. Is that how ministers behave? You prop the state yet abet them—where are the real rebels?” He had Fan arrested.
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蕃拔□叱甫，甫兵不敢近，乃益人圍之數十重，遂執蕃送黃門北寺獄。 黃門從官騶[二]蹋踧蕃曰：「死老魅！ 復能損我曹員數，奪我曹稟假不？」 即日害之。
Fan brandished a sword and cursed Wang Fu until the guards hung back; reinforcements ringed him in ranks, then dragged him to the eunuchs’ northern jail. Eunuch runners [2] kicked Fan and jeered, “You decrepit fiend— can you still slash our ranks and cancel our pay?” They killed him that day.
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徙其家屬於比景，宗族、門生、故吏皆斥免禁錮。 注[一]迕猶遇也。
His kin went to Bijng; his lineage, students, and old staff lost their posts under proscription. Note [1] Wu here means “meet.”
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注[二]騶，騎士也。
Note [2] Zou denotes outriders.
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蕃友人陳留朱震，時為銍令，[一]聞而□官哭之，收葬蕃屍，匿其子逸於甘陵界中。 事覺系獄，合門桎梏。 震受考掠，誓死不言，故逸得免。 後黃巾賊起，大赦黨人，乃追還逸，官至魯相。 注[一]銍，縣，屬沛郡。
Zhu Zhen of Chenliu, magistrate of Zhi, [1] quit his post to mourn Fan, buried him, and hid his son Chen Yi in Ganling. Discovery landed him in chains with his entire household. He endured the rack in silence and saved Yi. When the turbans forced a broad pardon for the “faction,” Yi returned and eventually became chancellor of Lu. Note [1] Zhi county lies in Pei commandery.
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震字伯厚，初為州從事，奏濟陰太守單匡臧罪，並連匡兄中常侍車騎將軍超。
Zhu Zhen, style Bohou, had indicted Jiyin’s governor Shan Kuang and snared Kuang’s brother, the eunuch general Chao.
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桓帝收匡下廷尉，以譴超，超詣獄謝。 三府諺曰：「車如雞棲馬如狗，疾惡如風朱伯厚。」
Huan caged Kuang to pressure Chao, who humbly presented himself at the jail. Ministers joked that carriages looked like chicken coops yet Zhu “hated evil like a gale.”
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論曰：桓、靈之世，若陳蕃之徒，鹹能樹立風聲，抗論惛俗。 而驅馳嶮□之中，與刑人腐夫同朝爭衡，[一]終取滅亡之禍者，彼非不能絜情志，違埃霧也。 [二]愍夫世士以離俗為高，而人倫莫相恤也。 以遯世為非義，故屢退而不去； 以仁心為己任，雖道遠而彌厲。 [三]及遭際會，協策竇武，自謂萬世一遇也。 懍懍乎伊、望之業矣！ [四]功雖不終，然其信義足以攜持民心。 漢世亂而不亡，百餘年閒，數公之力也。 注[一]前書班固曰：「相與提衡。」 音義云：「衡，平也。 言二人齊也。」
The historian reflects: under Huan and Ling, men like Chen Fan built reputations and defied a darkened world. They still jousted in treacherous straits beside castrates—not for want of moral clarity. [2] Yet their age prized reclusion and ignored human duty. Retreat felt immoral, so they kept returning to office; they shouldered benevolence though the path grew steeper. [3] When fate paired them with Dou Wu, they thought heaven had offered a once-in-an-age chance. They aimed as high as Yi Yin and Lü Wang. [4] They failed to finish, yet their integrity still won the people. Han survived a century of chaos partly through men like them. Note [1] Ban Gu says rivals “raised the balance together.” The gloss on sounds and meanings says: "Balance means level. meaning evenly matched opponents.”
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注[二]違，避也。
Note [2] Wei means to shun.
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注[三]論語曰：「仁以為己任，不亦重乎！ 死而後已，不亦遠乎！」
Note [3] The Analects says: "To take benevolence as one’s charge—is that not weighty! and whether stopping only at death is not the longest road.”
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注[四]懍懍，有風采之貌也。
Note [4] Lin lin describes a commanding demeanor.
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王允字子師，太原祁人也。 [一]世仕州郡為冠蓋。 同郡郭林宗嘗見允而奇之，曰：「王生一日千里，王佐才也。」 [二]遂與定交。 注[一]祁，今并州縣也。
Wang Yun, style Zishi, came from Qi in Taiyuan. [1] His forebears had long held prominent local office. Guo Tai exclaimed that Wang advanced “a thousand li a day” and had the makings of a chief minister. He and Guo became sworn friends. Note [1] Qi is today a county in Shanxi.
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注[二]史記曰，田光謂燕太子丹曰：「臣聞驥壯盛之時，一日千里； 至其老也，駑馬先之。」
Note [2] Tian Guang told Crown Prince Dan of Yan, “I have heard that when a fine steed is in its prime, it travels a thousand li in a day; in age even a hack beats it.”
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年十九，為郡吏。 時小黃門晉陽趙津貪橫放恣，為一縣巨患，允討捕殺之。 而津兄弟諂事宦官，因緣譖訴，桓帝震怒，征太守劉□，遂下獄死。 允送喪還平原，終畢三年，然後歸家。 復還仕，郡人有路佛者，少無名行，而太守王球召以補吏，允犯顏固爭，球怒，收允欲殺之。 刺史鄧盛聞而馳傳闢為別駕從事。
At nineteen he served as a commandery clerk. He hunted down the predatory eunuch’s client Zhao Jin of Jinyang and executed him. Jin’s kin bribed eunuchs; Huan summoned Governor Liu [ ] and had him die in jail. Wang escorted Liu’s bier to Pingyuan, observed three years’ mourning, then went home. Back in service he defied Administrator Wang Qiu’s appointment of the worthless Lu Fo; Qiu jailed him for execution. Inspector Deng Sheng whisked him out as Attendant Clerk for the Separate Carriage.
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允由是知名，而路佛以之廢棄。 允少好大節，有志於立功，常習誦經傳，朝夕試馳射。 三公並辟，以司徒高第為侍御史。 中平元年，黃巾賊起，特選拜豫州刺史。 辟荀爽、孔融等為從事，上除禁黨。 討擊黃巾別帥，大破之，與左中郎將皇甫嵩、右中郎將朱儁等受降數十萬。 於賊中得中常侍張讓賓客書疏，與黃巾交通，允具發其奸，以狀聞。 靈帝責怒讓，讓叩頭陳謝，竟不能罪之。 而讓懷協忿怨，以事中允。[一] 明年，遂傳下獄。[二]
This made Wang Yun’s name, while Lu Fo was dismissed over the affair. From youth Yun cared for matters of high principle and wanted to win distinction; he studied the classics and their commentaries and practiced riding and archery morning and evening. The Three Excellencies all called him into service, and after receiving a high evaluation from the Minister over the Masses he became attendant censor. In Zhongping 1 (184), when the Yellow Turban rebels rose, he was specially chosen as Inspector of Yu Province. He brought Xun Shuang, Kong Rong, and others onto his staff and memorialized for the partisan prohibitions to be lifted. He crushed subordinate Yellow Turban commanders and, with Huangfu Song, Left General of the Household Gentlemen, Zhu Jun, Right General of the Household Gentlemen, and others, accepted the surrender of several hundred thousand people. Among the rebels he found correspondence from clients of the regular palace attendant Zhang Rang proving contact with the Yellow Turbans, and he exposed the whole affair in a report to the throne. Emperor Ling angrily reproached Zhang Rang; Rang kowtowed and apologized, but in the end the emperor could not bring himself to punish him. Rang nursed the grievance and found a pretext to injure Wang Yun. [1] The next year, Wang Yun was arrested under warrant and sent to prison. [2]
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注[一]中，傷也。
Note [1]: zhong means “to injure.”
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注[二]傳，逮也。
Note [2] Chuan means to summon for arrest.
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會赦，還復刺史。 旬日閒，復以它罪被捕。 司徒楊賜以允素高，不欲使更楚辱，[一]乃遣客謝之曰：「君以張讓之事，故一月再征。 凶慝難量，幸為深計。」 [二]又諸從事好氣決者，共流涕奉藥而進之。 允厲聲曰：「吾為人臣，獲罪於君，當伏大辟以謝天下，豈有乳藥求死乎！」 投杯而起，出就檻車。 既至廷尉，左右皆促其事，朝臣莫不歎息。 大將軍何進、太尉袁隗、司徒楊賜共上疏請之曰：「夫內視反聽，則忠臣竭誠； 寬賢矜能，則義士厲節。 [三]是以孝文納馮唐之說，[四]晉悼宥魏絳之罪。 [五]允以特選受命，誅逆撫順，曾未期月，州境澄清。 方欲列其庸勳，請加爵賞，而以奉事不當，當肆大戮。 責輕罰重，有虧觿望。 臣等備位宰相，不敢寢默。 誠以允宜蒙三槐之聽，以昭忠貞之心。」 [六]書奏，得以減死論。 是冬大赦，而允獨不在宥，三公鹹復為言。 至明年，乃得解釋。 是時宦者橫暴，睚□觸死。 [七]允懼不免，乃變易名姓，轉側河內、陳留閒。 [九]注[一]更，經也。 楚，苦痛。
An amnesty restored him as inspector. Within days another charge jailed him. Minister Yang Ci, honoring Wang’s character, sent a messenger: “Zhang Rang’s grudge has you summoned twice in a month— think hard how deep the malice runs.” [2] Hot-blooded colleagues wept and brought poison. Wang thundered, “A minister answers for his faults with the axe—he does not take poison to cheat the law.” He threw down the cup and entered the prison wagon. At the Commandant’s yamen officials pressed for a verdict; the whole court groaned. He Jin, Yuan Wei, and Yang Ci memorialized: “Introspection moves loyal ministers— clemency toward talent steels honest men. [3] Emperor Wen heard Feng Tang; [4] Jin Dao forgave Wei Jiang. [5] Wang, specially appointed to pacify the province, cleared it inside a month— yet you would execute him for a procedural slip. The crime is slight and the sentence cruel—it breaks faith with the realm. We ministers cannot stay mute. He deserves the three-acacia audience that signals fair judgment of loyalty.” [6] The memorial commuted his sentence. Winter’s general amnesty skipped Wang until the three dukes intervened. He walked free the following year. Eunuchs then killed for a dirty look. [7] Fearing arrest, Wang Yun went underground between Henei and Chenliu. Note [1] Geng means to undergo. Chu means torment.
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注[二]深計謂令自死。
Note [2] “Deep counsel” here means suicide.
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注[三]內視，自視也。 反聽，自聽也。 言皆恕己，不責於人也。
Note [3] Nei shi is introspection. Fan ting is listening inward. The gloss urges forgiving oneself before judging others.
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注[四]文帝時，魏尚為雲中守，下吏免。 馮唐為郎中署長，奏言曰：「臣聞魏尚為雲中守，上功首虜差六級，陛下下之吏，削其爵。 愚以為陛下法太明，賞太輕，罰太重。」 帝即日赦尚復為雲中太守。
Note [4] Wendi cashiered Wei Shang of Yunzhong. Feng Tang memorialized, “I have heard that when Wei Shang governed Yunzhong, his report of enemy heads was short by six ranks, and Your Majesty handed him to the officials and stripped his rank. and pleaded that the law was harsh and rewards stingy.” Wendi reinstated Wei Shang the same day.
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注[五]左傳曰，晉悼公之弟楊干亂行於曲梁，魏絳戮其僕。 公怒之。 絳曰：「臣聞師觿以順為武，軍事有死無犯為敬。 臣懼其死，以及楊干，無所逃罪。」 公曰：「寡人有弟不能教訓，使干大命，寡人之過也。 子無重寡人之過。」 與之禮食，使佐新軍。
Note [5] Wei Jiang executed Yang Gan’s driver at Quliang. The duke raged. Jiang said: "Your servant has heard that for an army to follow orders is martial prowess; in military affairs respect lies in dying without violating discipline. and he could not escape guilt for striking the duke’s kin.” The duke answered, “My brother’s crime is my fault— do not double my shame.” He feasted Wei Jiang and promoted him.
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注[六]周禮朝士職，三槐、九□，公卿於下聽訟，故曰「三槐之聽」。
Note [6] Zhou ritual placed judges beneath the court’s three acacia trees—hence “three-acacia hearing.”
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注[七]睚音五懈反。 □音士懈反。 前書曰：「原涉好殺，睚□於塵中，觸死者甚多。」
Note [7] Ya is read wu-jie. The next graph is read shi-jie. The earlier Book of Han says: "Yuan She loved killing; a sidelong ya in the dust—those who died from contact were very many."
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注[八]轉側猶去來也。
Note [8] Zhuan ce means drifting about.
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及帝崩，乃奔喪京師。 時大將軍何進欲誅宦官，召允與謀事，請為從事中郎，轉河南尹。 獻帝即位，拜太僕，再遷守尚書令。
When the emperor died Wang rushed to Luoyang to mourn. He Jin, plotting against the eunuchs, made Wang a staff adviser and then Henan governor. Emperor Xian named him Minister of the Household and then acting Prefect of the Masters of Writing.
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初平元年，代楊彪為司徒，守尚書令如故。 及董卓遷都關中，允悉收斂蘭台、石室圖書秘緯要者以從。 既至長安，皆分別條上。 又集漢朝舊事所當施用者，一皆奏之。 經籍具存，允有力焉。 時董卓尚留洛陽，朝政大小，悉委之於允。
Chuping 1 made him Minister of Education while he kept the prefecture. When Dong Zhuo shifted the capital west, Wang packed the palace archives and esoteric texts. In Chang’an he filed inventories for each collection. He also codified usable Han precedents and submitted them piecemeal. That the canon survived owes much to Wang Yun. With Dong Zhuo left in Luoyang, Wang ran the court.
94
允矯情屈意，每相承附，卓亦推心，不生乖疑，故得扶持王室於危亂之中，臣主內外，莫不倚恃焉。
Wang played the loyal confidant until Dong trusted him and let him steady the throne amid turmoil—court and palace leaned on his façade.
95
允見卓禍毒方深，篡逆已兆，密與司隸校尉黃琬、尚書鄭公業等謀共誅之。 乃上護羌校尉楊瓚行左將軍事，執金吾士孫瑞為南陽太守，並將兵出武關道，以討袁術為名，實欲分路征卓，而後拔天子還洛陽。 卓疑而留之，允乃引內瑞為僕射，瓚為尚書。
Seeing usurpation ahead, Wang Yun secretly allied with Huang Wan and Zheng Ye to kill Dong Zhuo. He staged Yang Zan as Left-General designate and Sun Rui as Nanyang governor with troops through Wu Pass—ostensibly against Yuan Shu but really to pinch Dong Zhuo and bring the emperor home. Dong Zhuo grew suspicious and kept them there, so Wang Yun then brought Nei Rui in as Director of the Secretariat and appointed Zan as Master of Writing.
96
二年，卓還長安，錄入關之功，封允為溫侯，食邑五千戶。 固讓不受。 士孫瑞說允曰：「夫執謙守約，存乎其時。 公與董太師並位俱封，而獨崇高節，豈和光之道邪？」 [一]允納其言，乃受二千戶。 注[一]老子曰：「和其光，同其塵。」
In the second year, Dong Zhuo returned to Chang'an. Recording the merit of entering the passes, he enfeoffed Wang Yun as Marquis of Wen, with a food estate of five thousand households. Wang refused the fief. Sun Rui urged Yun, saying: “To hold modesty and keep to restraint depends on the times. sharing honors with Dong while playing the hermit is not Laozi’s ‘blend your radiance with the dust.’” [1] Wang yielded and accepted two thousand households. Note [1] Laozi says, “Blend your radiance and be one with the dust.”
97
三年春，連雨六十餘日，允與士孫瑞、楊瓚登台請霽，復結前謀。 [一]瑞曰：「自歲末以來，太陽不照，霖雨積時，月犯執法，[二]彗孛仍見，晝陰夜陽，霧氣交侵，此期應促盡，內發者勝。 幾不可後，公其圖之。」 允然其言，乃潛結卓將呂布，使為內應。 會卓入賀，呂布因刺殺之。 語在卓傳。 [三]注[一]說文曰：「霽，雨止也。」 郭璞曰：「南陽人呼雨止曰霽。」
Spring of year 3 brought sixty days of rain; Wang, Sun Rui, and Yang Zan climbed a terrace to pray for clear weather and revived the assassination plan. [1] Rui said: "From year’s end the sun has not shone; soaking rains piled up for seasons; the moon trespassed on zhifa; [2] comets appeared again and again; daylight was overcast while nights were bright; fog and vapor crossed and invaded—the time portends haste to the limit; an inner blow will win. Act now—do not wait.” Wang agreed and recruited Lü Bu for an inside job. When Dong Zhuo came to wish the court a new year, Lü Bu ran him through. Details fill Dong Zhuo’s biography. [3] Note [1] Shuowen says, “Ji means the rain has stopped.” Guo Pu says: "In Nanyang they call a break in the rain ji."
98
注[二]執法，星名。 史記曰「太微南四星曰執法」也。
Note [2] Zhifa is an asterism. The Records says: "The four stars south of the Supreme Tenuity are Zhifa."
99
注[三]帝時疾愈，故入賀也。
Note [3] Dong entered court because the emperor had recovered.
100
允初議赦卓部曲，呂布亦數勸之。 既而疑曰：「此輩無罪，從其主耳。 今若名為惡逆而特赦之，適足使其自疑，非所以安之之道也。」 呂布又欲以卓財物班賜公卿、將校，允又不從。 而素輕布，以劍客遇之。 布亦負其功勞，多自誇伐，既失意望，漸不相平。
Wang first wanted to spare Dong’s soldiers; Lü Bu agreed. Then Wang wavered: “Those troops only obeyed their lord— pardoning them while branding their master may only spook them.” Lü wanted to share Dong’s hoard with ministers; Wang refused. He still treated Lü as a mere horseman. Lü, proud of the kill, bragged and sulked when denied spoils.
101
允性剛稜疾惡，[一]初懼董卓豺狼，故折節圖之。 卓既殲滅，自謂無復患難，及在際會，每乏溫潤之色，杖正持重，不循權宜之計，是以腢下不甚附之。 注[一]稜，威稜也，力登反。
[1] Wang was rigid and intolerant—he had only flattered Dong out of fear. After Dong died he dropped the mask—stern, legalistic, no room for compromise—so he lost the camp. Note [1] Leng means sharp severity (li-deng fan).
102
董卓將校及在位者多涼州人，允議罷其軍。 或說允曰：「涼州人素憚袁氏而畏關東。 今若一旦解兵* (關東) *，則必人人自危。 可以皇甫義真為將軍，就領其觿，因使留陝以安撫之，而徐與關東通謀，以觀其變。」 允曰：「不然。 關東舉義兵者，皆吾徒耳。 今若距險屯陝，雖安涼州，而疑關東之心，甚不可也。」 時百姓訛言，當悉誅涼州人，遂轉相恐動。 其在關中者，皆擁兵自守。 更相謂曰：「丁彥思、蔡伯喈但以董公親厚，並尚從坐。 今既不赦我曹，而欲解兵，今日解兵，明日當復為魚肉矣。」 卓部曲將李傕、郭汜等先將兵在關東，因不自安，遂合謀為亂，攻圍長安。 城陷，呂布奔走。 布駐馬青瑣門外，[一]招允曰：「公可以去乎？」 允曰：「若蒙社稷之靈，上安國家，吾之願也。 如其不獲，則奉身以死之。 朝廷幼少，恃我而已，[二]臨難苟免，吾不忍也。 努力謝關東諸公，勤以國家為念。」 注[一]前書音義曰：「以青畫戶邊鏤中，天子制也。」 注[一]朝廷謂天子也。
Many officers were Liang men; Wang aimed to strip their troops. Someone urged Yun: "The Liang Province men have always feared the Yuan house and stood in awe of the region east of the pass. if you disarm them in one stroke— (re: Guandong) —they will panic. Better put Huangfu Song in charge, garrison Shan, calm the west, and watch Guandong.” Yun said: "Not so. The Guandong allies are on our side. Fortifying Shan would spook the allies he trusted." Rumors swore Wang would massacre Liang men. Guanzhong garrisons armed themselves. They said to one another, “Ding Yansi and Cai Yong were only close to Lord Dong, yet both were punished by association. Now they have not pardoned us, yet they want us to disarm. If we disarm today, tomorrow we will again be fish and meat.” Li Jue and Guo Si, camped in Guandong, revolted and besieged Chang’an. The city fell, and Lü Bu fled. Bu halted his horse outside the Cyan-Green Lattice Gate, [1] calling to Yun: "Sir, can you not leave?" Yun said: "If by the numinous favor of the altars of soil and grain we secure the state above, that is my wish; if that cannot be achieved, then I will offer myself and die for it. The court is young and relies on me alone; [2] I cannot bear to seek safety in the face of danger. Make every effort to thank the lords east of the pass for me, and urge them earnestly to keep the state in mind.” Note [1] The earlier Book of Han glossary says: "Painting the lattice in cyan within the door-screen—this is the Son of Heaven’s regulation." Note [1] “Court” here means the emperor.
103
初，允以同郡宋翼為左馮翊，王宏為右扶風。 是時三輔民庶熾盛，兵谷富實，李傕等欲即殺允，懼二郡為患，乃先征翼、宏。 宏遣使謂翼曰：「郭汜、李傕以我二人在外，故未危王公。 今日就征，明日俱族。 計將安出？」 翼曰：「雖禍福難量，然王命所不得避也。」 宏曰：「義兵鼎沸，在於董卓，況其黨與乎！ 若舉兵共討君側惡人，山東必應之，此轉福為福之計也。」 翼不從。 宏不能獨立，遂俱就征，下廷尉。 傕乃收允及翼、宏，並殺之。
Wang had given Song Yi Zuo Fengyi and Wang Hong You Fufeng. The Sanfu was populous and rich; the rebels feared Song and Wang’s bases, so they summoned the two governors first. Wang Hong warned Song Yi: “Li and Guo spare Wang only while we hold the east— obey the summons and we die tomorrow. What is your plan?” Yi said: "Though fortune and misfortune are hard to measure, the royal command cannot be evaded." Wang Hong said, “The righteous armies boil over because of Dong Zhuo-how much more because of his partisans! rebel, rally Shanxi, and turn disaster into hope.” Song refused. Wang Hong could not move alone; both went to prison. Li Jue then executed Wang, Song, and Wang Hong.
104
允時年五十六。 長子侍中蓋、次子景、定及宗族十餘人皆見誅害，唯兄子晨、陵得脫歸鄉里。 天子感慟，百姓喪氣，莫敢收允屍者，唯故吏平陵令趙戩□官營喪。 [一]注[一]戩音翦。
Wang Yun was fifty-six. His sons Gai, Jing, Ding, and a dozen kin died; nephews Chen and Ling fled home. None dared bury Wang except Zhao Jian, who quit his post as Pingling magistrate to bury him. [1] Note [1] Jian is read jian with the jian initial.
105
王宏字長文，少有氣力，不拘細行。 初為弘農太守，考案郡中有事宦官買爵位者，雖位至二千石，皆掠考收捕，遂殺數十人，威動鄰界。 素與司隸校尉胡種有隙，及宏下獄，種遂迫促殺之。 宏臨命詬[一]曰：「宋翼豎儒，不足議大計。 [二]胡種樂人之禍，禍將及之。」 種後眠輒見宏以杖擊之，因發病，數日死。
Wang Hong, style Changwen, was strong and rough in his youth. As Hongnong governor he flogged and executed dozens of men who had bought office from eunuchs. He feuded with Hu Zhong, who rushed his execution in jail. Dying, he cursed: “Song Yi is a weak pedant— [2] Hu Zhong who gloats at doom will meet his own.” Hu Zhong thereafter dreamed of Wang Hong beating him and died within days.
106
注[一]詬，罵也，音火豆反。 注[二]豎者，言賤劣如僮豎。
Note [1] Gou means revile (huo-dou fan). Note [2] Shu insults Song as servile.
107
後遷都於許，帝思允忠節，使改殯葬之，遣虎賁中郎將奉策弔祭，賜東園秘器，贈以本官印綬，送還本郡。 封其孫黑為安樂亭侯，食邑三百戶。
After the move to Xu the court reburied Wang with imperial honors and restored his regalia. His grandson Wang Hei received three hundred households at Anle.
108
士孫瑞
Sun Rui (section heading)
109
士孫瑞字君策，扶風人，頗有才謀。 瑞以允自專討董卓之勞，故歸功不侯，所以獲免於難。 後為國三老、光祿大夫。 每三公缺，楊彪、皇甫嵩皆讓位於瑞。 興平二年，從駕東歸，為亂兵所殺。
Sun Rui of Fufeng, style Junce, was a clever strategist. He credited Wang Yun alone for killing Dong and refused a fief, which saved his skin. He later served as state elder and Minister of the Imperial Clan. Yang Biao and Huangfu Song repeatedly tried to yield grand offices to him. In Xingping 2 he escorted the emperor east and died to mutineers.
110
趙戩字叔茂，長陵人，性質正多謀。 初平中，為尚書，典選舉。 董卓數欲有所私授，戩輒堅拒不聽，言色強厲。 卓怒，召將殺之，觿人悚慄，而戩辭貌自若。 卓悔，謝釋之。 長安之亂，容於荊州，劉表厚禮焉。 及曹操平荊州，乃辟之，執戩手曰：「恨相見晚。」 卒相國鐘繇長史。 [一]
Zhao Jian of Changling, style Shumao, was principled and resourceful. During Chuping he oversaw appointments as a Master of Writing. Dong Zhuo repeatedly demanded favors; Zhao refused flatly. Dong called for his head; the hall shook while Zhao stayed calm. Dong thought better of it and let him go. When Chang’an fell he fled to Liu Biao. Cao Cao seized Jingzhou and greeted Zhao with “late to meet you.” He finished as senior clerk to Zhong Yao the chancellor. Note marker [1].
111
注[一]鐘繇字符常，魏太祖時為相國。
Note [1] Zhong Yao (Yuanchang) served Cao Cao as chancellor.
112
論曰：士雖以正立，亦以謀濟。 若王允之推董卓而引其權，伺其閒而敝其罪，當此之時，天子懸解矣。 [一]而終不以猜忤為釁者，知者本於忠義之誠也。 故推卓不為失正，分權不為苟冒，伺閒不為狙詐。 及其謀濟意從，則歸成於正也。 注[一]莊子曰：「斯所謂帝之懸解。」 懸解喻安泰也。
The historian concludes: virtue needs strategy. Wang Yun flattered Dong until he could strike—freeing the throne for a moment. [1] Yet he never broke faith because his heart stayed loyal. Flattery, patience, and stratagem served integrity in the end. Success crowned his moral aim. Note [1] Zhuangzi calls such relief the emperor’s “hanging release.” The gloss explains xuan jie as ease.
113
【贊】
Section heading: Appraisal.
114
贊曰：陳蕃蕪室，志清天綱。 人謀雖緝，幽運未當。 [一]言觀殄瘁，曷非雲亡？ [二]子師圖難，晦心傾節。 [三]功全元丑，身殘餘孽。 時有隆夷，事亦工拙。 [四]
The verse praises Chen Fan’s weed-choked yard and his wish to mend heaven’s net— Men’s plans aligned, but dark fate was not on their side. [1] The state withered when good men vanished like clouds. [2] Wang Yun hid his mind and bent his principles to unseat the tyrant. [3] He slew the monster yet died to the dregs of that evil. Fortune shifts; outcomes turn on deft or bungled policy. [4] (endnote)
115
注[一]緝，合也。 易下系曰：「人謀鬼謀。」 言蕃設謀雖合，而冥運未符也。
Note [1] Ji means “unite.” The Book of Changes, lower Xici, says: "Human counsel, ghostly counsel." The gloss: Chen Fan’s plans fit, but fate did not.
116
注[二]殄，盡也。 瘁，病也。 言國將殄瘁，豈不由賢人云亡乎？ 詩大雅曰「人之雲亡，邦國殄瘁」也。
Note [2] Tian means “exhaust.” Cui means “wither.” The state sickens to death when the worthy vanish. The Great Ode says, “When men are gone, the states are exhausted.”
117
注[三]謂矯性屈意於董卓。 注[四]誅卓為工，被殺為拙也。
Note [3] That glosses Wang Yun’s feigned servility to Dong Zhuo. Note [4] Killing Dong was the deft move; dying to the sequel was the blunder.
118
校勘記
Section heading: textual collation notes.
119
二一六０頁七行埏隧今人墓道也按：汲本「人」作「入」。
Critical note: the Ji text reads “入” for “人” in the yan sui gloss.
120
二一六０頁一一行稍遷拜尚書按：校補謂案文「拜」上當有「召」字。
The textual supplement adds “召” before “拜,” giving “summoned and appointed.”
121
二一六一頁六行當伏*[重]*誅據汲本、殿本補。
Lacuna filled from Ji and Palace eds.
122
二一六二頁一行而令天下之論按：刊誤謂案文「令」當作「今」。
Page 2162 line 1 "And ling the realm’s discourse"—Error publication argues ling should be jin (now).
123
二一六二頁九行車駕幸廣* (城) **[成]*校獵按：集解引錢大昕說，謂「城」當作「成」，馬融上廣成頌，即此。 今據改。 注同。
Line break for Guang— (—the syllable cheng, completing the place-name Guangcheng—) Qian Daxin says “城” should be “成”; Ma Rong’s Guangcheng rhapsody refers to this. Adopted in this edition. Commentary aligned.
124
二一六二頁一０行無教逸游按：「教」原斗「放」，逕據汲本、殿本改正。
Page 2162 line 10: “教” was wrongly printed as “放” and corrected from the Ji and palace editions.
125
二一六二頁一二行有三空之□哉按：校補引柳從辰說，謂御覽四五二引本書，「□」作「危」。
Liu Congchen cites Yulan 452, where the lacuna is written “危,” “danger.”
126
二一六二頁一三行又* (前) *秋*[前]*多雨據殿本改。
Moreover— (earlier) “Early autumn” reading from Palace ed.
127
二一六三頁一０行文武兼姿按：刊誤謂姿是姿貌，此當作「資」。
Kanwu says “姿” here should be “資,” meaning endowment rather than appearance.
128
二一六三頁一五行時小黃門趙津按：錢大昕謂據王允傳稱「小黃門晉陽趙津」，此傳「小黃門」下無「晉陽」字，則「二郡」文不可通矣。
Qian Daxin says to add “Jinyang” after “Junior Yellow Gate,” following Wang Yun’s biography.
129
二一六三頁一五行南陽大猾張* (汜) **[泛]*據汲本、殿本改。 下同。 按：岑晊傳作「張泛」，泛與泛同。
Nanyang’s Zhang— (—si—) —Fan—per Ji/Palace. Same below. Annotation: Cen Zhi’s biography writes "Zhang Fan"; fan is the same as fan.
130
二一六四頁一行而並竟考殺之按：刊誤謂案漢、魏鞠獄皆云「考竟」，此誤倒。
Page 2164 line 1 "yet in the end interrogated and killed them"—Annotation: Kanwu says Han and Wei trial records say kao jing; here the graphs are reversed.
131
二一六四頁三行蕃與司徒劉矩集解引惠棟說，謂考異雲時胡廣為司徒，非矩也，棟案劉愷傳，考異非也。 今按：劉矩未嘗為司徒，考異說是。 劉愷傳亦誤，參閱劉愷傳校記。
Hui Dong vs. Hu Guang as minister—see Liu Kai bio note. Liu Ju was never Minister; Kaoyi right. See Liu Kai collation.
132
二一六四頁一一行營惑聖聽按：何焯校本改「營」為「熒」。
He Zhuo’s collated edition reads “熒,” “dazzle,” instead of “營.”
133
二一六五頁四行長* (吏) **[史]*已下多至抵罪刊誤謂案文「吏」當作「史」，太尉府有長史，故因蕃見譴也。 今據改。
long— (—li—) Kanwu says “吏” should be “史,” because the Grand Commandant’s office had a chief clerk, explaining Fan’s reproof. Adopted in this edition.
134
二一六五頁五行□字幼平陝人按：「陝」原斗「陜」，逕據汲本改正。
“陝” was wrongly printed as “陜” and corrected from the Ji edition.
135
二一六七頁一一行說菀曰汲本、殿本「菀」作「苑」。 按：苑菀通。
The Ji and palace editions read “苑” where this text has “菀.” The two graphs interchange.
136
二一六八頁七行不能相持殿本「持」作「治」。 按：「治」作「持」，避唐諱改。
The palace edition reads “治” where this text has “持.” Annotation: "govern" was altered to "sustain" to avoid the Tang taboo.
137
二一六八頁七行為立王者以統理之* (故) *也據殿本刪，與前書谷永傳合。
kings to rule them— (hence) The particle gu was deleted per the Palace edition to match Gu Yong’s biography in the Book of Han.
138
二一六八頁八行法度尚存按：汲本、殿本「存」作「在」。
Editions disagree on whether to write cun or zai for “remain.”
139
二一六八頁一五行使皇天震怒按：「震」原斗「振」，逕據汲本、殿本改正。
“震” was wrongly printed as “振” and corrected from the Ji and palace editions.
140
二一七一頁七行並連匡兄中常侍車騎將軍超按：校補謂宦者傳又謂匡為超弟之子。
The eunuch treatise makes Shan Kuang a nephew of Chao instead of an elder brother.
141
二一七一頁一一行而人倫莫相恤也按：李慈銘謂治要「莫」下有「能」字，當據增。
Li Ciming says to add “能” after “莫,” following the Zhiyao.
142
二一七一頁一一行及遭際會按：李慈銘謂治要「遭」下有「值」字，當據增。
Li Ciming argues that the Zhiyao recension adds the graph for "encounter" after "suffer" and that the main text should be emended to match that witness.
143
二一七二頁一０行復還仕郡人有路佛者按：張森楷謂「郡」下當更有一「郡」字。
Zhang Senkai says another “郡” should follow “郡” in this line.
144
二一七二頁一三行上除禁黨按：李慈銘謂「禁黨」當作「黨禁」。
Li Ciming says “禁黨” should be “黨禁,” the faction ban.
145
二一七三頁二行而讓懷協忿怨汲本、殿本「協」作「挾」。 按：協挾古字通，黨錮傳「懷經協術」，黃瓊傳「黃門協邪」，皆借「協」為「挾」也。
The Ji and Palace manuscripts substitute the graph commonly read as "embrace" or "coerce" for the graph usually read as "harmony," a frequent interchange in these editions. Annotation: xie and xie are ancient variants; Danggu "cherished classics xie craft"; Huang Qiong "Yellow Gates xie evil" all borrow xie for xie.
146
二一七三頁三行明年遂傳下獄按：校補引柳從辰說，謂「明年」二字衍，蓋黃巾起事及允之討擊黃巾別帥，發張讓之奸，皆中平元年二三月事，下獄會赦，還復剌史，旬日閒復以它罪被補，仍不出元年三月也。
Liu Congchen concludes that the words meaning "the following year" are an interpolation because every episode referenced belongs to the second or third month of the first Zhongping year.
147
二一七三頁九行太尉袁隗司徒楊賜通鑒考異謂隗、賜時皆不為此官，恐誤。 按：
Page 2173 line 9 "Grand Commandant Yuan Wei, Minister of Education Yang Ci"—Zizhi tongjian kaoyi doubts Wei and Ci held those offices—likely error. Comment:
148
通鑒系此事於中平元年冬十二月，故考異云然。 柳從辰謂隗、賜之與何進共上疏請，乃在元年二三月閒，其時袁隗為司徒，楊賜為太尉，不過官名互誤耳。
Because Sima Guang placed the episode in the twelfth month of Zhongping 1, his "Scrutiny of divergences" commentary raises questions about the offices named. Liu Congchen replies that the memorial belongs to the early months of Zhongping 1 and that Yuan Wei then held the ministry while Yang Ci commanded the army—the narrative simply transposes the two titles.
149
二一七六頁八行今若一旦解兵* (關東) *刊誤謂案文多「關東」二字。 今據刪。 按：集解引王補說，謂通鑒作「解兵開關」。
if you disarm— (re: Guandong) Kanwu says “east of the pass” is a redundant phrase in the text. Deleted. Wang Bu notes that the Zizhi Tongjian reads “disarm the troops and open the passes.”
150
二一七六頁一一行丁彥思蔡伯喈但以董公親厚並尚從坐按：集解引洪亮吉說，謂丁彥思不知何人，陳、范二史於卓傳俱不載，裴松之注極詳，亦不及此。 又引王補說，謂通鑒無「丁彥思」三字。
Hong Liangji observes that Ding Yansi cannot be identified because neither standard history of the period nor Pei Songzhi’s exhaustive notes mention such a person alongside Cai Yong. Wang Bu adds that the Zizhi Tongjian lacks the three characters “Ding Yansi.”
151
二一七八頁三行封其孫黑為安樂亭侯按：校補引柳從辰說，謂袁紀「黑」作「異」。
Page 2178 line 3 "enfeoffed his grandson Hei as marquis of Anle hamlet"—Annotation: Liu Congchen cites Yuan ji writing "Hei" as "Yi."