1
《易》曰：“天垂象，聖人則之。 ”宦者四星，在皇位之侧，故《周礼》置官，亦备其数。 阍者守中門之禁，寺人掌女宫之戒。 又云“王之正内者五人”。 《月令》：“仲冬，命阉尹审門闾，谨房室。 ”《詩》之《小雅》，亦有《巷伯》刺谗之篇。 然宦人之在王朝者，其來旧矣。 将以其体非全气，情志专良，通关中人，易以役养乎？ 然而后世因之，才任稍广，其能者，則勃貂、管苏有功于楚、晋，景监、缪贤著庸于秦、趙。 及其敝也，則竖刁乱齐，伊戾祸宋。
The Book of Changes says: "Heaven displays its signs, and the sage patterns himself upon them." The four chamberlain stars lie beside the celestial throne, so the Rites of Zhou created offices and filled their quota accordingly. Gatekeepers watched the inner gates; palace stewards handled security and rules within the women's palace. The text also speaks of "five attendants for the ruler's inner household." The Monthly Ordinances say that in midwinter the chief eunuch must inspect gates and alleys and keep bedchambers secure. The Minor Odes likewise include "The Lane Porter," a poem that lampoons slander. Yet eunuchs at royal courts trace back to antiquity. Perhaps because they lack intact vital essence yet remain steadfast, pass easily among those inside the palace, and are simple to command and keep? Later dynasties expanded the role: able men such as Bo Diao and Guan Su aided Chu and Jin, while Jing Jian and Miao Xian won fame in Qin and Zhao. In decline it produced Shu Diao's chaos in Qi and Yi Li's ruin for Song.
2
汉兴，仍袭秦制，置中常侍官。 然亦引用士人，以参其选，皆银珰左貂，给事殿省。 及高后称制，乃以張卿为大谒者，出入卧内，受宣詔命。 文帝時，有趙谈、北宫伯子，颇见亲幸。 至于孝武，亦爱李延年。 帝数宴后庭，或潜游离馆，故请奏机事，多以宦人主之。 至元帝之世，史游为黄門令，勤心纳忠，有所补益。 其后弘恭、石显以佞险自进，卒有萧、周之祸，损秽帝德焉。
At the founding of Han the court kept Qin practice and instituted regular palace attendants. Educated men were also admitted to the corps, bearing silver seals and left martens while staffing the palace offices. Under Empress Lü, Zhang Qing became Grand Herald, passing in and out of the imperial bedchamber to transmit commands. During Wen's reign Zhao Tan and Beigong Bozi were notably favored. Emperor Wu likewise favored Li Yannian. The emperor banqueted in the inner quarters or stole away to outlying lodges, so sensitive memorials usually ran through eunuchs. Under Yuan, Shi You served as Yellow Gate Commandant, working faithfully and offering useful remonstrance. Hong Gong and Shi Xian rose by sycophancy and intrigue, destroying Xiao Wangzhi and Zhou Kan and staining the throne's moral authority.
3
中兴之初，宦官悉用阉人，不复杂调他士。 至永平中，始置员数，中常侍四人，小黄門十人。 和帝即祚幼弱，而窦宪兄弟专总权威，内外臣僚，莫由亲接，所与居者，唯庵宦而已。 故鄭众得专谋禁中，终除大憝，遂享分土之封，超登宫卿之位。 于是中官始盛焉。
When the dynasty was restored, every eunuch office was restricted to castrated men; outsiders were no longer rotated in. The Yongping period first fixed numbers: four regular palace attendants and ten junior yellow gates. Emperor He mounted the throne as a child; Dou Xian and his brothers held all power, so ministers could not reach him—only eunuchs shared his daily company. Zheng Zhong could scheme inside the palace, destroy the Dou regime, win a noble fief, and ascend to the summit of eunuch office. Inner-court power began its rise in earnest.
4
自明帝以后，迄乎延平，委用渐大，而其员稍增，中常侍至有十人，小黄門二十人，改以金珰右貂，兼领卿署之职。 邓后以女主临政，而万机殷远，朝臣國议，无由参断帷幄，称制下令，不出房闱之间，不得不委用刑人，寄之國命。 手握王爵，口含天宪，非复掖廷永巷之职，闺牖房闼之任也。 其后孙程定立顺之功，曹腾参建桓之策，续以五侯合谋，梁冀受钺，迹因公正，恩固主心，故中外服从，上下屏气。 或称伊、霍之勋，无谢于往载； 或谓良、平之画，复兴于当今。 虽時有忠公，而竟见排斥。 举动回山海，呼吸变霜露。 阿旨曲求，則光宠三族； 直情忤意，則参夷五宗。 汉之纲纪大乱矣。
From Ming to Yanping their role deepened—ten regular attendants, twenty junior yellow gates—now with gold seals and right martens, often doubling as heads of regular ministries. Empress Deng governed from the harem; policy never left the inner chambers, so she had to hand real authority to eunuchs. They awarded titles and spoke with the force of statute—far beyond the old duties of rear-palace overseers. Sun Cheng placed Shun on the throne; Cao Teng backed Huan; the Five Marquises plotted and Liang Ji took power—all cloaked in legitimacy and royal favor, so the realm obeyed. Some likened them to Yi Yin and Huo Guang without apology; others said the counsel of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping had returned. Worthy ministers surfaced now and then but were invariably pushed aside. A gesture could shake the realm; a whisper could decide life and death. Flatter the powerful and your kin for three generations thrive; cross them and five branches of family face the blade. Han governance collapsed into chaos.
5
若夫高冠长剑，纡硃怀金者，布满宫闱； 苴茅分虎，南面臣人者，盖以十数。 府署第馆，棋列于都鄙； 子弟支附，过半于州國。 南金、和宝、冰纨、雾縠之积，盈仞珍藏； 嫱媛、侍兒、歌单、舞女之玩，充备绮室。 狗馬饰雕文，土木被缇绣。 皆剥割萌黎，竞恣奢欲。 构害明贤，专树党类。 其有更相援引，希附权强者，皆腐身熏子，以自衒达。 同敝相济，故其徒有繁，败國蠹败之事，不可单書。 所以海内嗟毒，志士穷栖，寇剧缘间，摇乱区夏。 虽忠良怀愤，時或奋发，而言出祸从，旋见孥戮。 因复大考钩党，转相诬染。 凡称善士，莫不离被灾毒。 窦武、何进，位崇戚近，乘九服之嚣怨，协群英之势力，而以疑留不断，至于殄败。 斯亦运之极乎！ 虽袁绍龚行，芟夷无余，然以暴易乱，亦何云及！ 自曹腾说梁冀，竟立昏弱。 魏武因之，遂迁龟鼎。 所谓“君以此始，必以此终”，信乎其然矣！
Men in court dress and ritual swords, red ribbons and gold seals, crowded every corridor; those enfeoffed with regalia to rule as princes ran to dozens. Residences and yamen checkerboarded the capital and the provinces; kinsmen and clients saturated regional office. Southern gold, He pearls, ice silk, mist gauze—treasure rooms stacked to the rafters; concubines, maids, singers, and dancers filled silk-lined halls. Horses wore chased ornament; halls were draped in brocade. All of it was squeezed from the people to feed unrestrained luxury. They ruined good officials and stacked government with allies. Climbers castrated themselves and registered sons or protégés to win favor. They abetted one another until their numbers swelled—crimes that rotted the state outnumbered any chronicle. The empire groaned; talent went into hiding; rebels exploited the chaos and convulsed the heartland. Patriots burned with anger and occasionally struck—but speech brought ruin and families died together. Then came the great purges for "faction," denunciation spreading like a contagion. Anyone labeled virtuous was dragged into the net. Dou Wu and He Jin stood high as imperial in-laws and commanded elite support, yet wavered until annihilation. Had fate reached its nadir? Even when Yuan Shao wiped them out, trading turmoil for brutality hardly counted as restoration. From Cao Teng's advice to Liang Ji enthroning a helpless boy… Cao Cao exploited the opening and seized the mandate. "By this you rise, by this you fall"—the proverb held all too true.
6
鄭众字季产，南陽犨人也。 为人谨敏有心几。 永平中，初给事太子家。 肃宗即位，拜小黄門，迁中常侍。 和帝初，加位钩盾令。
Zheng Zhong (courtesy Jichan) came from Chan in Nanyang. He was careful, alert, and astute. During Yongping he entered service in the crown prince's establishment. When Emperor Zhang took the throne, Zheng became junior yellow gate, then regular attendant. Under Emperor He he added the post of Vault Shield commandant.
7
時窦太后秉政，后兄大将军宪等并窃威权，朝臣上下莫不附之，而众独一心王室，不事豪党，帝亲信焉。 及宪兄弟图作不轨，众遂首谋诛之，以功迁大长秋。 策勋班赏，每辞多受少。 由是常与议事。 中官用权，自众始焉。
While the Dou clan dominated and everyone curried favor, Zheng Zhong alone backed the throne and won the emperor's trust. When the Dou brothers turned traitor, Zheng masterminded their destruction and rose to grand prolonger of autumn. At every promotion he refused the larger share of honors. He thereafter routinely joined state councils. Eunuch ascendancy began with him.
8
十四年，帝念众功美，封为鄛乡侯，食邑千五百户。 永初元年，和熹皇后益封三百户。
In Yongyuan 14 (92 CE) he was enfeoffed as marquis of Zhaoxiang with 1,500 households. In Yongchu 107 Empress Dowager Deng added 300 households to his estate.
9
元初元年卒，养子闳嗣。 闳卒，子安嗣。 后國绝。 桓帝延熹二年，绍封众曾孙石雠为关内侯。
He died in Yuanchu 114; adopted son Hong inherited. Hong died; son An succeeded. The marquisate later died out. In Yanxi 2 of Emperor Huan his great-grandson Shi Chou was again enfeoffed as a secondary marquis.
10
伦有才學，尽心敦慎，数犯严颜，匡弼得失。 每至休沐，辄闭門绝宾，暴体田野。 后加位尚方令。 永元九年，监作秘剑及诸器械，莫不精工坚密，为后世法。
Cai Lun was learned and diligent, often spoke against the sovereign's mood, and remedied mistakes. On mandated rest days he barred his gates and labored stripped in the open fields. He later became director of the Imperial Workshop. In Yongyuan 97 he oversaw secret blades and ordnance—every piece was superb and became a standard for posterity.
11
元初元年，邓太后以伦久宿卫，封为龍亭侯，邑三百户。 后为长乐太仆。 四年，帝以經傳之文多不正定，乃选通儒谒者劉珍及博士良史诣东观，各雠校汉家法，令伦监典其事。
In Yuanchu 114 Empress Dowager Deng made him marquis of Longting (300 households) for long palace service. He later served as grand coachman of Changle Palace. In Yuanchu 4 (117 CE) the emperor sent Liu Zhen and scholars to the Eastern Pavilion to collate the canon; Lun directed the project.
12
伦初受窦后讽旨，诬陷安帝祖母宋贵人。 及太后崩，安帝始亲万机，敕使自致廷尉。 伦耻受辱，乃沐浴整衣冠，饮药而死。 國除。
Lun had once framed Emperor An's grandmother Lady Song at Dou's orders. When she died, An took power and ordered Lun to deliver himself to the judiciary. He bathed, dressed formally, and took poison rather than face trial. The marquisate was revoked.
13
孙程字稚卿，涿郡新城人也。 安帝時，为中黄門，给事长乐宫。
Sun Cheng (courtesy Zhiqing) was from Xincheng in Zhuojun. Under Emperor An he served as central yellow gate at Changle Palace.
14
時邓太后临朝，帝不亲政事。 小黄門李閏与帝乳母王聖常共谮太后兄执金吾悝等，言欲废帝，立平原王翼，帝每忿惧。 及太后崩，遂诛邓氏而废平原王，封閏雍乡侯； 又小黄門江京以谗谄进，初迎帝于邸，以功封都乡侯，食邑各三百户。 閏、京并迁中常侍，江京兼大长秋，与中常侍樊丰、黄門令劉安、钩盾令陳达及王聖、聖女伯荣扇动内外，竞为侈虐。 又帝舅大将军耿宝、皇后兄大鸿胪阎显更相阿党，遂枉殺太尉杨震，废皇太子为济陰王。
Empress Dowager Deng held court; the emperor did not rule in person. Li Run and wet nurse Wang Sheng slandered Deng Kui, claiming the Dengs meant to depose the emperor for Prince Yi—the emperor lived in rage and dread. When she died the Dengs were slaughtered and Prince Yi cast aside; Li Run became marquis of Yongxiang; Jiang Jing, who had welcomed An from his princely residence, was made marquis of Duxiang with 300 households. Li Run and Jiang rose to chief eunuchs; with Fan Feng, Liu An, Chen Da, and Wang Sheng's circle they terrorized inside and out. Geng Bao and Yan Xian colluded, executed Yang Zhen, and reduced the heir to Prince of Jiyin.
15
明年帝崩，立北乡侯为天子。 显等遂专朝争权，乃讽有司奏诛樊丰，废耿宝、王聖，及党与皆见死徙。
The next year An died and the Beixiang marquis was enthroned. Yan Xian's faction then purged Fan Feng, Geng Bao, and Wang Sheng, executing or exiling their allies.
16
阎显時在禁中，忧迫不知所为，小黄門樊登劝显发兵，以太后詔召越骑校尉冯詩、虎贲中郎将阎崇，屯朔平門，以御程等。 诱詩入省，太后使授之印，曰：“能得济陰王者封万户侯，得李閏者五千户侯。 ”显以詩所将众少，使与登迎吏士于左掖門外。 詩因格殺登，归营屯守。 显弟卫尉景遽从省中还外府，收兵至盛德門。 程傳召诸尚書使收景。 尚書郭镇時卧病，聞之，即率直宿羽林出南止車門，逢景从吏士，拔白刃，呼白：“无干兵。 ”镇即下車，持节詔之。 景曰：“何等詔？ ”因聽镇，不中。 镇引剑击景墯車，左右以戟叉其匈，遂禽之，送廷尉狱，即夜死。 旦日，令侍御史收显等送狱，于是遂定。 下詔曰：
Trapped in the palace, Yan Xian panicked; Fan Deng urged him to summon Feng Shi and Yan Chong to Shuoping Gate against Sun Cheng. They tricked Feng Shi inside; the offer was 10,000 households for the Prince of Jiyin and 5,000 for Li Run. Yan sent Feng with Fan Deng to gather troops outside the left palace gate—too few men. Feng Shi killed Fan Deng on the spot and withdrew to his camp. Yan Jing rushed from the palace, raised troops, and reached Shengde Gate. Sun Cheng ordered the Masters of Writing to arrest Yan Jing. Guo Zhen, though sick, led palace guards out South Stop-Chariot Gate, drew sword, and shouted for the troops to stand down. He dismounted and read the imperial order. Yan Jing asked, "What edict is this?" He obeyed Zhen’s words but failed to connect. Guo Zhen struck Yan Jing from his carriage; guards pinned him with halberds, took him to jail, and he died overnight. At dawn imperial clerks seized Yan Xian’s faction; with that the coup was secure. The emperor issued an edict stating
17
夫表功录善，古今之通义也。 故中常侍长乐太仆江京、黄門令劉安、钩盾令陳达与故車骑将军阎显兄弟谋议恶逆，倾乱天下。 中黄門孙程、王康、长乐太官丞王國、、中黄門黄龍、彭恺、孟叔、李建、王成、張贤、史汎、馬國、王道、李元、杨佗、陳予、趙封、李刚、魏猛、苗光等，怀忠愤发，戮力协谋，遂埽灭元恶，以定王室。 《詩》不云乎：“无言不雠，元德不报。 ”程为谋首，康、國协同。 其封程为浮陽侯，食邑五户； 康为华容侯，國为郦侯，各九千户； 黄龍为湘南侯，五千户； 彭恺为西平昌侯，孟叔为中庐侯，李建为复陽侯，各四千二百户； 王成为广宗侯，張贤为祝阿侯，史汎为临沮侯，馬國为文平侯，王道为范县侯，李元为褒信侯，杨佗为山都侯，陳予为下隽侯，趙封为析县侯，李刚为枝江侯，各四千户； 魏猛为夷陵侯，二千户； 苗光为东阿侯，千户。
Recording virtue and rewarding merit is the constant duty of every age. The late Jiang Jing, Liu An, Chen Da, and General Yan Xian conspired in treason and threw the empire into chaos. Sun Cheng and eighteen fellow eunuchs mustered loyal resolve, acted together, destroyed the ringleaders, and restored the throne. The Book of Songs asks: "What speech goes unanswered? What highest virtue lacks its reward?" Sun Cheng led the plot; Wang Kang and Wang Guo assisted. Sun Cheng was enfeoffed as marquis of Fuyang with ten thousand households; Wang Kang became marquis of Huarong and Wang Guo marquis of Li, each with nine thousand households; Huang Long was marquis of Xiangnan with five thousand households; Peng Kai, Meng Shu, and Li Jian held marquisates of four thousand two hundred households each; Wang Cheng, Zhang Xian, Shi Fan, Ma Guo, Wang Dao, Li Yuan, Yang Tuo, Chen Yu, Zhao Feng, and Li Gang each held four thousand households; Wei Meng was marquis of Yiling with two thousand households; Miao Guang was marquis of Dong’e with one thousand households.
18
是为十九侯。 加赐車、馬、金、银、钱、帛，各有差。 李閏以先不豫谋，故不封。 遂擢拜程骑都尉。
Thus arose the celebrated nineteen marquises. The court added graded gifts of vehicles, horses, bullion, coin, and silk. Li Run was excluded from the rewards because he had not shared in the conspiracy. Sun Cheng was elevated to chief commandant of cavalry.
19
永建元年，程与張贤、孟叔、馬國等为司隶校尉虞诩讼罪，怀表上殿，呵叱左右。 帝怒，遂免程官，因悉遣十九侯就國，后徙封程为宜城侯。 程既到國，怨恨恚怼，封还印绶、符策，亡归京师，往來山中。 詔書追求，复故爵士，赐車馬衣物，遣还國。
In Yongjian 126 Sun Cheng and allies petitioned for Yu Xu, marched into the hall with memorials, and shouted down the courtiers. The emperor stripped Sun Cheng’s post, banished all nineteen nobles to their estates, and later moved Sun Cheng’s enfeoffment to Yicheng. At his domain Sun Cheng brooded, surrendered his insignia, fled to Luoyang, and hid in the mountains. Imperial messengers fetched him back, restored his title and gifts, and escorted him home.
20
三年，帝念程等功勋，悉征还京师。 程与王道、李元皆拜骑都尉，余悉奉朝请。 陽嘉元年，程病甚，即拜奉車都尉，位特进。 及卒，使五官中郎将追赠車骑将军印绶，赐谥刚侯。 侍御史持节监护丧事，乘舆幸北部尉傳，瞻望車骑。
In the third year of Yongjian the court recalled the entire group to Luoyang. Sun Cheng, Wang Dao, and Li Yuan became chief commandants of cavalry; the others held sinecure appointments. In Yangjia 132 a dying Sun Cheng received the supernumerary post of chief commandant of chariots. At his death the court sent an envoy with seals of general of chariots and cavalry and canonized him as Marquis Gang. An attendant clerk oversaw the obsequies while the emperor drove to the northern captain’s station to view the cortège.
21
程临终，遗言上書，以國傳弟美。 帝许之，而分程半，封程养子寿为浮陽侯。 后詔書录微功，封兴渠为高望亭侯。 四年，詔宦官养子悉聽得为后，袭封爵，定著乎令。
Sun Cheng’s dying memorial asked to transmit his fief to his brother Mei. The throne approved but split the estate, naming adopted son Sun Shou marquis of Fuyang for half the income. A later edict rewarded lesser service and made Xing Qu marquis of Gaowangting. In the fourth year edicts allowed every eunuch’s adopted heir to succeed and inherit titles—written into law.
22
王康、王國、彭恺、王成、趙封、魏猛六人皆早卒。 黄龍、杨佗、孟叔、李建、張贤、史汎、王道、李元，李刚九人与阿母山陽君宋娥更相货赂，求高官增邑，又诬罔中常侍曹腾、孟贲等。 永和二年，发觉，并遣就國，减祖四分之一。 宋娥夺爵归田舍。 唯馬國、陳予、苗光保全封邑。
Six of the nineteen—Wang Kang, Wang Guo, Peng Kai, Wang Cheng, Zhao Feng, and Wei Meng—died early. Nine marquises colluded with Lady Song E to buy promotions and slander Cao Teng and Meng Ben. When exposed in Yonghe 137 they were sent home and forfeited a quarter of their revenues. Lady Song lost her title and went back to farm life. Ma Guo, Chen Yu, and Miao Guang alone retained intact estates.
23
初，帝见废，监太子家小黄門籍建、傅高梵、长秋长趙熹、丞良贺、药长夏珍皆以无过获罪，建等坐徙朔方。 及帝即位，并擢为中常侍。 梵坐臧罪，减死一等。 建后封东乡侯，三百户。
When the emperor was earlier removed, Ji Jian, Fu Gaofan, Zhao Xi, Liang He, and Xia Zhen suffered though innocent and were exiled to Shuofang. At his restoration they became chief eunuchs. Fu Gaofan took a corruption conviction commuted one grade. Ji Jian later became marquis of Dongxiang with three hundred households.
24
贺清俭退厚，位至大长秋。 陽嘉中，詔九卿举武猛，贺独无所荐。 帝引问其故，对曰：“臣生自草茅，长于宫掖，既无知人之明，又未尝交知士类。 昔卫鞅因景监以见，有识知其不终。 今得臣举者，匪荣伊辱。 ”固辞之。 及卒，帝思贺忠，封其养子为都乡侯，三百户。
Liang He lived plainly and rose to grand prolonger of autumn. When ministers had to nominate fierce fighters, Liang He nominated nobody. Asked for his reasons he said, "I grew up an outsider and inside the harem—I neither know talent nor move among scholars." Wei Yang once entered court through Jing Jian; observers knew his rise would not endure. Anyone I nominated would earn shame, not honor. He refused firmly. When Liang He died the emperor remembered his loyalty and made his adopted son marquis of Duxiang.
25
腾用事省闼三十余年，奉事四帝，未尝有过。 其所进达，皆海内名人，陳留虞放、边韶、南陽延固、張温、弘农張奂、颍川堂谿典等。 時蜀郡太守因计吏赂遗于腾，益州刺史种暠于斜谷关搜得其書，上奏太守，并以劾腾，请下廷尉案罪。 帝曰：“書自外來，非腾之过。 ”遂寝暠奏。 腾不为纤介，常称暠为能吏，時人嗟美之。
Cao Teng influenced inner-palace affairs for thirty years and served four sovereigns without blemish. His protégés included Yu Fang, Bian Shao, Yan Gu, Zhang Wen, Zhang Huan, Tangxi Dian—celebrities empire-wide. When a Shu governor tried to bribe Cao Teng via the accounting clerk, Inspector Chong Gao intercepted the letter at Xiegu Pass and impeached both men. The emperor replied, "The missive came from beyond the palace—Cao Teng is blameless." Chong Gao’s accusation was dropped. Cao Teng nursed no petty spite and publicly praised Chong Gao as an able officer—winning widespread admiration.
26
腾卒，养子嵩嗣。 种暠后为司徒，告宾客曰：“今身为公，乃曹常侍力焉。”
Cao Teng died; adopted son Cao Song inherited. Years later Chong Gao became steward and told guests, "My elevation owes everything to Attendant Cao."
27
嵩靈帝時货赂中官及输西园钱一亿万，故位至太尉。 及子操起兵，不肯相随，乃与少子疾避乱琅邪，为徐州刺史陶谦所殺。
Under Lingdi Cao Song bought eunuchs and poured a hundred million cash into the Western Garden fund to reach grand commandant. When warlords rose Cao Song refused to join Cao Cao, fled toward Langye with a younger son, and Tao Qian’s men cut him down.
28
单超、徐璜、具瑗、左悺、唐衡
Shan Chao, Xu Huang, Ju Yuan, Zuo Guan, and Tang Heng—the five men later known as the Five Marquises.
29
单超，河南人； 徐璜，下邳良城人； 具瑗，魏郡元城人； 左悺，河南平陰人； 唐衡，颍川郾人也。 桓帝初，超、璜、瑗为中常侍，悺、衡为小黄門史。
Shan Chao came from Henan; Xu Huang hailed from Liangcheng in Xiapi; Ju Yuan came from Yuancheng in Wei Commandery; Zuo Guan was from Pingyin in Henan; Tang Heng came from Yan in Yingchuan. Early under Huan, Shan Chao, Xu Huang, and Ju Yuan were chief attendants; Zuo Guan and Tang Heng were junior yellow gates.
30
初，梁冀两妹为顺、桓二帝皇后，冀代父商为大将军，再世权威，威振天下。 冀自诛太尉李固、杜乔等，骄横益甚，皇后乘势忌恣，多所鸩毒，上下钳口，莫有言者。 帝逼畏久，恒怀不平，恐言泄，不敢谋之。 延熹二年，皇后崩，帝因如厕，独呼衡问：“左右与外舍不相得者皆谁乎？ ”衡对曰：“单超、左悺前诣河南尹不疑，礼敬小简，不疑收其兄弟送洛陽狱，二人诣門谢，乃得解。 徐璜、具瑗常私忿疾外舍放横，口不敢道。 ”于是帝呼超、悺入室，谓曰：“梁将军兄弟专固國朝，迫胁外内，公卿以下从其风旨。 今欲诛之，于常侍意何如？ ”超等对曰：“诚國奸贼，当诛日久。 臣等弱劣，未知聖意何如耳。 ”帝曰：“审然者，常侍密图之。 ”对曰：“图之不难，但恐陛下复中狐疑。 ”帝曰：“奸臣胁國，当伏其罪，何疑乎！ ”于是更召璜、瑗等五人，遂定其议，帝啮超臂出血为盟，于是超收冀及宗亲党与悉诛之。 悺、衡迁中常侍。 封超新丰侯，二万户，璜武原侯，瑗东武陽侯，各万五千户，赐钱各千五百万； 悺上蔡侯，衡汝陽侯，各万三千户，赐钱各千三百万。 五人同日封，故世谓之“五侯”。 又封小黄門劉普、趙忠等八人为乡侯。 自是权归宦官，朝廷日乱矣。
Liang Ji’s two sisters wed Shun and Huan; he inherited his father’s generalship and dominated two reigns. After murdering Li Gu and Du Qiao Liang Ji grew wilder; his queen sister poisoned rivals while everyone stayed mute. Emperor Huan trembled for years, nursing hatred yet afraid to breathe a word. When the empress died in Yanxi 159 Huan cornered Tang Heng in the lavatory and asked who opposed the Liang clan. Tang Heng said Shan Chao and Zuo Guan once insulted Prefect Liang Buyi, who jailed their brothers until they groveled at his gate. Xu Huang and Ju Yuan secretly loathed the Liangs but stayed silent. Huan then brought Shan Chao and Zuo Guan inside: "The Liangs own the court—everyone obeys them." I mean to kill them—will you help? They answered, "They are traitors long overdue for execution." We are powerless until we know your resolve. The emperor said, "Then plot it in secret." They feared he might waver midway. Huan snapped, "A traitor squeezing the throne deserves death—no doubts!" They summoned the full quintet, swore an oath in blood, and Shan Chao seized Liang Ji and extirpated his clan. Zuo Guan and Tang Heng became chief attendants. Shan Chao took Xinfeng with twenty thousand households; Xu Huang and Ju Yuan took fifteen thousand each plus fifteen million cash; Zuo Guan and Tang Heng held thirteen thousand households and thirteen million cash apiece. Their simultaneous investiture coined the nickname "Five Marquises." Eight lesser eunuchs including Liu Pu and Zhao Zhong won village marquisates. Henceforth eunuchs held the reins and Han slid deeper into disorder.
31
超病，帝遣使者就拜車骑将军。 明年薨，赐东园秘器，棺中玉具，赠侯将军印绶，使者理丧。 及葬，发五营骑士，侍御史护丧，将作大匠起冢茔。
When Shan Chao sickened the emperor invested him as general of chariots and cavalry in person. He died the next year with imperial grave goods, jade shroud fittings, and general’s insignia. Burial drew palace cavalry, supervising clerks, and the minister of works to build the tomb.
32
其后四侯转横，天下为之評曰：“左回天，具独坐，徐卧虎，唐两墯。 ”皆竞起第宅，楼观壮丽，穷极伎巧。 金银罽<耳毛>，施于犬馬。 多取良人美女以为姬妾，皆珍饰华侈，拟則宫人，其仆从皆乘牛車而从列骑。 又养其疏属，或乞嗣异姓，或买苍头为子，并以傳國袭封。 兄弟姻戚皆宰州临郡，辜较百姓，与盗贼无异。
People sang of the survivors: "Zuo spins the sky, Ju sits alone, Xu crouches like a tiger, Tang strikes twice." They raced to build mansions and towers of breathtaking luxury. They decked dogs and horses with gold, silver, woven rugs, and feathered tack. They pressed gentlewomen into harems, dressed them like concubines of the throne, and sent lackeys forth in ox carts with mounted escorts. They adopted stray kin, purchased heirs, and transmitted noble titles through purchased sons. Brothers and in-laws governed provinces like brigands.
33
超弟安为河东太守，弟子匡为济陰太守，璜弟盛为河内太守，悺弟敏为陳留太守，瑗兄恭为沛相，皆为所在蠹害。
Shan An ruled Hedong, Kuang Jiyin, Huang Sheng Henei, Zuo Min Chenliu, Ju Gong ran Pei—each ravaged his commandery.
34
璜兄子宣为下邳令，暴虐尤甚。 先是，求故汝南太守下邳李暠女不能得，及到县，遂将吏卒至暠家，载其女归，戏射殺之，埋著寺内。 時，下邳县属东海，汝南黄浮为东海相，有告言宣者，浮乃收宣家属，无少长悉考之。 掾史以下固谏争。 浮曰：“徐宣國贼，今日殺之，明日坐死，足以瞑目矣。 ”即案宣罪弃市，暴其尸以示百姓，郡中震栗。 璜于是诉怨于帝，帝大怒，浮坐髡钳，输作右校。 五侯宗族宾客虐遍天下，民不堪命，起为寇贼。 七年，衡卒，亦赠車骑将军，如超故事。 璜卒，赙赠钱布，赐冢茔地。
Xu Huang’s nephew Xu Xuan governed Xiapi with singular brutality. After failing to win Li Gao’s daughter he seized her as magistrate, shot her for sport, and buried her in the county shrine. Xiapi lay in Donghai commandery; Chancellor Huang Fu, alerted to Xu Xuan’s crimes, seized his whole clan for questioning. His staff pleaded with him to relent. Huang Fu replied, "Xuan is a public enemy—if I execute him today and die tomorrow, I will rest content." He condemned Xuan to public execution and left the corpse exposed—the region shook. Xu Huang ran to the throne; Emperor Huan raged and condemned Huang Fu to shaved head, cangue, and hard labor at the Right Engineers. Their kin and clients terrorized every circuit until peasants turned rebel. In the seventh year Tang Heng died and received the same posthumous generalship as Shan Chao. Xu Huang’s funeral brought cash, silk, and a cemetery plot from the court.
35
明年，司隶校尉韩演因奏悺罪恶，及其兄太仆南乡侯称请托州郡，聚敛为奸，宾客放纵，侵犯吏民。 悺、称皆自殺。 演又奏瑗兄沛相恭臧罪，征诣廷尉。 瑗诣狱谢，上还东武侯印绶，詔贬为都乡侯，卒于家。 超及璜、衡袭封者，并降为乡侯，租入岁皆三百万，子弟分封者，悉夺爵土。 劉普等贬为关内侯。
Han Yan impeached Zuo Guan and his brother Cheng for pressuring local offices and looting the people. Both brothers killed themselves. Han Yan also charged Ju Gong and summoned him to the capital. Ju Yuan surrendered his titles, took demotion to village marquis, and died at home. Shan Chao’s, Xu Huang’s, and Tang Heng’s successors were cut to village marquises on three million cash a year; cadet branches lost everything. Liu Pu’s clique fell to rank-five nobility.
36
侯览者，山陽防东人。 桓帝初为中常侍，以佞猾进，倚势贪放，受纳货遗以巨万计。 延熹中，连岁征伐，府帑空虚，乃假百官奉禄，王侯租锐。 览亦上缣五千匹，赐爵关内侯。 又托以与议诛梁冀功，进封高乡侯。
Hou Lan came from Fangdong in Shanyang. He rose as chief attendant by sycophancy, extorted vast bribes, and abused his influence. Endless warfare emptied the treasury; the court borrowed against stipends and noble revenues. Hou Lan donated five thousand bolts of silk and bought a secondary marquisate. He claimed credit for the Liang Ji coup and advanced to marquis of Gaoxiang.
37
小黄門段珪家在济陰，与览并立田业，近济北界，仆从宾客侵犯百姓，劫掠行旅。 济北相滕延一切收捕，殺数十人，陳尸路衢。 览、珪大怨，以事诉帝，延坐多殺无辜，征诣廷尉，免。 延字伯行，北海人，后为京兆尹，有理名，世称为长者。
Duan Gui’s clan in Jiyin shared estates with Hou Lan; their men robbed locals and travelers along the border. Jibei Chancellor Teng Yan rounded them up, executed dozens, and left bodies in the streets. Hou Lan and Duan Gui complained; Teng Yan was accused of excess killing, tried, and ousted. Teng Yan (courtesy Boxing) from Beihai later governed the capital well and was honored as a worthy elder.
38
览等得此愈放纵。 览兄参为益州刺史，民有丰富者，辄诬以大逆，皆诛灭之，没入财物，前后累亿计。 太尉杨秉奏参，槛車征，于道自殺。 京兆尹袁逢于旅舍，阅参車三百余两，皆金银锦帛珍玩，不可胜数。 览坐免，旋复复官。
Freed of Teng Yan, Hou Lan’s faction ran wilder than ever. Brother Hou Can as Yi inspector framed rich families for treason, exterminated them, and seized billions in goods. Yang Bing impeached Hou Can, who committed suicide on the road to Luoyang in a prisoner wagon. Yuan Feng searched Hou Can’s baggage train—over three hundred carts of treasure. Hou Lan lost his post briefly, then regained it.
39
建宁二年，丧母还家，大起茔冢。 督邮張俭因举奏览贪侈奢纵，前后请夺人宅三百八十一所，田百一十八顷。 起立第宅十有六区，皆有高楼池苑，堂阁相望，饰以绮画丹漆之属，制度重深，僭类宫省。 又豫作寿冢，石椁双阙，高庑百尺，破人居室，发掘坟墓。 虏夺良人，妻略妇子，及诸罪衅，请诛之。 而览伺候遮截，章竟不上。 俭遂破览冢宅，藉没资财，具言罪状。 又奏览母生時交通宾客，干乱郡國。 复不得御。 览遂诬俭为钩党，及故长乐少府李膺、太仆杜密等，皆夷灭之。 遂代曹节领长乐太仆。
In Jianning 169 he buried his mother with a monumental mound. Inspector Zhang Jian listed Hou Lan’s seizures: 381 houses and 118 qing of land. He built sixteen villa complexes with towers, pools, and painted halls that mimicked the imperial style. He prebuilt a mausoleum with stone sarcophagus and twin watch-towers, tearing down houses and robbing tombs. He abducted women and children; Zhang Jian demanded the death penalty. Hou Lan intercepted the memorial so it never arrived. Zhang Jian raided the properties and filed the inventory of guilt. He added that Lady Hou had trafficked with clients and disturbed regional government. Again the throne refused to act. Hou Lan denounced Zhang Jian and the "faction" purge swallowed Li Ying, Du Mi, and hundreds more. He then replaced Cao Jie as grand coachman of Changle.
40
熹平元年，有司举奏览专权骄奢，策收印绶，自殺。 阿党者皆免。
In Xiping 172 indictments of Hou Lan’s arrogance forced him to surrender his seals and kill himself. His allies were stripped of office.
41
時，窦太后临朝，后父大将军武与太傅陳蕃谋诛中官，节与长乐五官史硃瑀、从官史共普、張亮、中黄門王尊、长乐谒者腾是等十七人，共矫詔以长乐食监王甫为黄門令，将兵诛武、蕃等，事已具《蕃》、《武傳》。 节迁长乐卫尉，封育陽侯，增邑三千户； 甫迁中常侍，黄門令如故； 瑀封都乡侯，千五百户； 普、亮等五人各三百户； 余十一人皆为关内侯，岁食租二千斛。
When Dou Wu and Chen Fan moved against the eunuchs, Cao Jie and seventeen accomplices forged an edict (see the Fan and Wu chapters). Cao Jie became captain of Changle guards and marquis of Yuyang plus three thousand households; Wang Fu rose to chief attendant while keeping the yellow gate post; Zhu Yu became marquis of Duxiang with fifteen hundred households; Gong Pu, Zhang Liang, and five others took three hundred households each; eleven lesser men became secondary marquises drawing two thousand hu annually.
42
先是，瑀等陰于明堂中祷皇天曰：“窦氏无道，请皇天辅皇帝诛之，令事必成，天下得宁。 ”既诛武等，詔令太官给塞具，赐瑀钱五千万，余各有差，后更封华容侯。 二年，节病困，詔拜为車骑将军。 有顷疾瘳，上印绶，罢，复为中常侍，位特进，秩中二千石，寻转大长秋。
Earlier Zhu Yu had prayed at the Bright Hall for Heaven to bless the coup against the Dous. After the slaughter the court showered Zhu Yu with cash and raised him to marquis of Huarong. Year two saw Cao Jie dying; the emperor named him general of chariots and cavalry. He recovered, resigned the generalship, resumed chief attendant at full two thousand shi, then became grand prolonger of autumn.
43
节遂与王甫等诬奏桓帝弟勃海王悝谋反，诛之。 以功封者十二人。 甫封冠军侯。 节亦增邑四千六百户，并前七千六百户。 父兄子弟皆为公卿列校、牧守令长，布满天下。
Cao Jie and Wang Fu framed Prince Kai of Bohai for treason and killed him. Twelve eunuchs won titles for that “merit.” Wang Fu became marquis of Champion. Cao Jie’s fief grew by forty-six hundred households to seventy-six hundred total. His kin packed every level of government.
44
节弟破石为越骑校尉，越骑营五百妻有美色，破石从求之，五百不敢违，妻执意不肯行，遂自殺。 其淫暴无道，多此类也。
Brother Poshi coveted a trooper’s wife; she chose suicide over submission. His debauchery matched this pattern countless times.
45
光和二年，司隶校尉陽球奏诛王甫及子长乐少府萌、沛相吉，皆死狱中。 時连有灾异，郎中梁人审忠以为硃瑀等罪恶所感，乃上書曰：
Yang Qiu destroyed Wang Fu, his son Wang Meng, and Ji of Pei in prison. Ill omens multiplied; Shen Zhong of Liang blamed Zhu Yu’s crimes and submitted a memorial.
46
章寝不报。 节遂领尚書令。 四年，卒，赠車骑将军。 后瑀亦病卒，皆养子傳國。 审忠字公诚，宦官诛后，辟公府。
It vanished into silence. Cao Jie became Director of the Masters of Writing. He died in year four with posthumous generalship. Zhu Yu died later; titles passed to adopted sons. After the massacre Shen Zhong entered grand secretary service.
47
吕强字汉盛，河南成皋人也。 少以宦者为小黄門，再迁中常侍。 为人清忠奉公。 靈帝時，例封宦者，以强为都乡侯。 强辞让恳恻，固不敢当，帝乃聽之。 因上疏陳事曰：
Lü Qiang (courtesy Hansheng) came from Chenggao in Henan. He rose from junior yellow gate to chief attendant. He was honest and devoted to the public good. Emperor Ling’s blanket enfeoffments made Lü Qiang a village marquis. He tearfully refused until Lingdi relented. His memorial opened with these arguments:
48
臣聞诸侯上象四七，下裂王土，高祖重约非功臣不侯，所以重天爵明劝戒也。 伏聞中常侍曹节、王甫、張让等，及侍中许相，并为列侯。 节等宦官祐薄，品卑人贱，谗谄媚主，佞邪徼宠，放毒人物，疾妒忠良，有趙高之祸，未被轘裂之诛，掩朝廷之明，成私树之党。 而陛下不悟，妄授茅土，开國承家，小人是用。 又并及家人，重金兼紫，相继为蕃辅。 受國重恩，不念尔祖，述修厥德，而交结邪党，下比群佞。 陛下或其琐才，特蒙恩泽。 又授位乖越，贤才不升，素餐私幸，必加荣擢。 陰陽乖刺，稼穑荒蔬，人用不康，罔不由兹。 臣诚知封事已行，言之无逮，所以冒死干触陳愚忠者，实愿陛下损改既谬，从此一止。
He cited Gaozu’s rule: nobility only for merit. He named Cao Jie, Wang Fu, Zhang Rang, and Xu Xiang as unworthy marquises. These men were Zhao Gaos without the traitor’s fate—poisoning all beneath heaven’s clarity. Yet Lingdi showered them with fiefs and emboldened petty men. Their kin wore purple and gold as ministers and tutors. They dishonored imperial grace by building evil coalitions. The emperor mistakes minor cleverness for worth. Meritless favorites leap ahead while worthies stall. Heaven and earth, harvests, and people suffer from these appointments alone. Knowing titles were already granted, he still begged Lingdi to stop the rot.
49
臣又聞后宫彩女数千余人，衣食之费，日数百余，比谷虽贱，而户有饥色。 案法当贵而今更贱者，由赋发繁数，以解县官，寒不敢衣，饥不敢食。 民有斯厄，而莫之恤。 宫女无用，填积后庭，天下虽复尽力耕桑，犹不能供。 昔楚女悲愁，則西官致灾，况终年积聚，岂无忧怨乎！ 夫天生蒸民，立君以牧之。 君道得，則民戴之如父母，仰之犹日月，虽時有征税，犹望其仁恩之惠。 《易》曰：“悦以使民，民忘其劳； 悦以犯难，民忘其死。 ”储君副主，宜讽诵斯言； 南面当國，宜履行其事。
Thousands of harem women drained hundreds of cash daily while peasants starved. Cheap grain masked ruinous taxes that left families unable to eat or dress. No one pitied their plight. Useless concubines clogged the harem while farmers could not keep pace. Ancient Chu ladies’ sorrow fired omens; how much worse endless hoarding of girls? Heaven made the people and set a ruler to tend them. A true ruler wins love despite taxes. The Changes say delight makes people forget toil; delight in shared peril makes them forget death. The heir should memorize these lines; the sovereign facing south must enact them.
50
又承詔書，当于河间故國起解渎之馆。 陛下龍飞即位，虽从籓國，然处九天之高，岂宜有顾恋之意。 且河间疏远，解渎邈绝，而当劳民单力，未见其便。 又今外戚四姓贵幸之家，及中官公族无功德者，造起馆舍，凡有万数，楼阁连接，丹青素垩，雕刻之饰，不可单言。 丧葬逾制，奢丽过礼，竞相放效，莫肯矫拂。 《穀梁傳》曰：“财尽則怨，力尽則怼。 ”《尸子》曰：“君如杅，民如水，杅方則水方，杅圆則水圆。 ”上之化下，犹风之靡草。 今上无去奢之俭，下有纵欲之敝，至使禽兽食民之甘，木土衣民之帛。 昔师旷谏晋平公曰：“梁柱衣绣，民无褐衣； 池有弃酒，士有渴死； 厩馬秣粟，民有饥色。 近臣不敢谏，远臣不得暢。 ”此之谓也。
He opposed building the Jiedu lodge at the old Hejian seat— Lingdi had left his princedom for the throne—why cling to a provincial lodge? The project would waste the people for little gain. Consort clans and sterile eunuch kin had thrown up countless mansions—balustrades, pigments, carvings beyond counting. Burials exceeded sumptuary law in competitive luxury. The Guliang warns: exhausting wealth breeds resentment; exhausting strength breeds rage. Shizi compares ruler to pestle and people to water—shape follows shape. The throne bends folkways as wind bends grass. Above there is no restraint of luxury; below desire runs riot until birds and beasts feast on food meant for peasants and halls wear silk meant for men. Music master Shi Kuang warned Duke Ping of Jin: when palace beams are brocaded, commoners lack hemp— wine pools overflow while scholars thirst— stable horses eat grain while peasants starve. Inner courtiers dare not speak; outer officials cannot be heard. That is the warning he meant.
51
又聞前召议郎蔡邕对问于金商門，而令中常侍曹节、王甫等以詔書喻旨。 邕不敢怀道迷國，而切言极对，毁刺贵臣，讥呵竖宦。 陛下不密其言，至令宣露，群邪项领，膏脣拭舌，竞欲咀嚼，造作飞条。 陛下回受诽谤，致邕刑罪，室家徙放，老幼流离，岂不负忠臣哉！ 今群臣皆以邕为戒，上畏不测之难，下惧剑客之害，臣知朝廷不复得聞忠言矣。 故太尉段熲，武勇冠世，习于边事，垂发服戎，功成皓首，历事二主，勋烈独昭。 陛下既已式序，位登台司，而为司隶校尉陽球所见诬胁，一身既毙，而妻子远播。 天下惆怅，功臣失望。 宜征邕更授任，反颎家属，則忠卢路开，众怨以弭矣。
Cai Yong was questioned at Golden Merchant Gate while Cao Jie and Wang Fu relayed the emperor’s scripted prompts. Cai Yong answered bluntly, attacking grandees and mocking the inner attendants. The emperor leaked his answers; sycophants smeared him with rumors. Lingdi believed libel, punished Cai Yong, and scattered his family—hardly the reward of loyalty. Officials now stay silent, fearing jail or knives—no one will speak truth again. Duan Jiong had spent a lifetime on the frontier for two emperors with shining merit. Promoted to the summit, he fell to Yang Qiu’s frame-up and died; his family was exiled. The empire grieved; veterans lost heart. Recall Cai Yong and restore Duan Jiong’s kin to clear the path for loyal service.
52
帝知其忠而不能用。
Emperor Ling knew Lü Qiang was honest but ignored him.
53
時，帝多稸私臧，收天下之珍，每郡國贡献，先输中署，名为“导行费”。 强上疏谏曰：
Lingdi hoarded tribute in private vaults, skimming “guide fees” before state receipt. Lü Qiang memorialized again:
54
天下之财，莫不生之陰陽，归之陛下。 归之陛下，岂有公私？ 而今中尚方敛诸郡之宝，中御府积天下之缯，西园引司农之臧，中厩聚太仆之馬，而所输之府，辄有导行之财。 调广民困，费多献少，奸吏因其利，百姓受其敝。 又阿媚之臣，好献其私，容谄姑息，自此而进。
All wealth ultimately belongs to the throne. In your hands it cannot be split into private hoards and public funds. Yet Inner Workshops, Inner Treasury, Western Garden, and imperial stables stockpiled gifts while every delivery paid squeeze money. Wide levies impoverished the people; clerks skimmed while peasants broke. Sycophants greased the system with private kickbacks.
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旧典选举委任三府，三府有选，参议掾属，咨其行状，度其器能，受试任用，责以成功。 若无可察，然后付之尚書。 尚書举劾，请下廷尉，覆案虚实，行其诛罚。 今但任尚書，或复敕用。 如是，三公得免选举之负，尚書亦复不坐，责赏无归，岂肯空自苦劳乎！
Once the Three Excellencies vetted candidates through their staffs— only then did cases reach the Masters of Writing. The Masters of Writing impeached offenders, sent cases to the commandant of justice for review, verified guilt, and carried out sentences. Now Lingdi bypassed the Excellencies and appointed by edict alone. Excellencies and Masters of Writing both escaped blame—so neither bothered to vet appointees.
56
夫立言无显过之咎，明镜无见玼之尤。 如恶立言以记过，則不当學也； 不欲明镜之见玼，則不当照也。 愿陛下详思臣言，不以记过见玼为责。
Honest counsel risks no crime; mirrors do not sin by revealing flaws. If you forbid criticism you forbid learning— if you ban mirrors you ban self-knowledge. He begged Lingdi not to punish candor as treason.
57
書奏不省。
The throne ignored it.
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中平元年，黄巾贼起，帝问强所宜施行。 强欲先诛左右贪浊者，大赦党人，料简刺史、二千石能否。 帝纳之，乃先赦党人。 于是诸常侍人人求退，又各自征还宗亲子弟在州郡者。 中常侍趙忠、夏恽等遂共构强，云“与党人共议朝廷，数读《霍光傳》。 强兄弟所在并皆贪秽”。 帝不悦，使中黄門持兵召强。 强聞帝召，怒曰：“吾死，乱起矣。 丈夫欲尽忠國家，岂能对狱吏乎！ ”遂自殺。 忠、恽复谮曰：“强见召未知所问，而就处草自屏，有奸明审。 ”遂收捕宗亲，没入财产焉。
When the Yellow Turbans rose, Lingdi asked Lü Qiang’s advice. Lü Qiang urged executing corrupt eunuchs, amnestying the faction purge victims, and auditing regional governors. Lingdi first freed the purged scholars. Chief eunuchs feigned retreat and recalled kin from local posts. Zhao Zhong and Xia Yun accused Lü Qiang of faction plots and reading Huo Guang’s biography— claiming his brothers were corrupt everywhere. An angry emperor summoned Lü Qiang under arms. Lü Qiang cried, "My death marks the coming chaos." A patriot does not submit to jailers! He killed himself. They claimed suicide proved guilt. His clan was seized and assets forfeited.
59
時，宦者济陰丁肃、下邳徐衍、南陽郭耽、汝陽李巡、北海趙祐等五人称为清忠，皆在里巷，不争威权。 巡以为诸博士试甲乙科，争弟高下，更相告言，至有行赂定兰台漆書經字，以合其私文者，乃白帝，与诸儒共刻《五經》文于石，于是詔蔡邕等正其文字。 自后《五經》一定，争者用息。 趙祐博學多览，著作校書，诸儒称之。
Five eunuchs—Ding Su, Xu Yan, Guo Dan, Li Xun, Zhao You—were praised as honest and stayed clear of power struggles. Li Xun ended canon disputes by proposing the stone classics with Cai Yong correcting the text. The stone steles settled the text and ended wrangling. Zhao You edited palace texts to scholarly acclaim.
60
又小黄門甘陵吴伉，善为风角，博达有奉公称。 知不得用，常托病还寺舍，从容养志云。
Wu Kang of Ganling practiced wind-angle astrology and public service. Seeing no use for his counsel he lived in reclusive illness.
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張让、趙忠
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong—
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張让者，颎川人； 趙忠者，安平人也。 少皆给事者中，桓帝時为小黄門。 忠以与诛梁冀功封都乡侯。 延熹八年，黜为关内侯，食本县租千斛。 斋
Zhang Rang came from Yingchuan; Zhao Zhong from Anping. They entered palace service young and became junior yellow gates under Huan. Zhao Zhong earned a village marquisate in the Liang Ji coup. In Yanxi 165 he fell to secondary marquis on one thousand hu local rent. Scribal slip.
63
靈帝時，让、忠并迁中常侍，封列侯，与曹节、王甫等相为表里。 节死后，忠领大长秋。 让有监奴典任家事，交通货赂，威形喧赫。 扶风人孟佗，资产饶赡，与奴朋结，倾谒馈问，无所遗爱。 奴咸德之，问佗曰：“君何所欲？ 力能办也。 ”曰：“吾望汝曹为我一拜耳。 ”時宾客求谒让者，車恒数百千两，佗時指让，后至，不得进，监奴乃率诸仓头迎拜于路，遂共轝車入門。 宾客咸惊，谓佗善于让，皆争以珍玩赂之。 佗分以遗让，让大喜，遂以佗为凉州刺史。
Under Ling they rose to chief attendants and full marquises in league with Cao Jie and Wang Fu. After Cao Jie died Zhao Zhong became grand prolonger of autumn. Zhang Rang’s majordomo traded favors and terrified Luoyang. Wealthy Meng Tuo bribed that slave lavishly. The slaves asked what reward he wanted— "We can deliver anything." He asked only for one ceremonial bow. When Meng arrived late to Zhang Rang’s jammed gate, the majordomo had grooms prostrate and carry his cart inside— guests assumed Meng was Zhang’s intimate and showered him with gifts. Meng split the loot with Zhang Rang and bought the Liang Province inspectorship.
64
是時，让、忠及夏恽、郭胜、孙璋、毕岚、栗嵩、段珪、高望、張恭、韩悝、宋典十二人，皆为中常侍，封侯贵宠，父兄子弟布列州郡，所在贪贱，为人蠹害。 黄巾既作，盗贼糜沸，郎中中山張钧上書曰：“窃惟張角所以能兴兵作乱，万人所以乐附之者，其源皆由十常侍多放父兄、子弟、婚亲、宾客典据州郡，辜榷财利，侵掠百姓，百姓之冤无所告诉，故谋议不轨，聚为盗贼。 宜斩十常侍，县头南郊，以谢百姓，又遣使者布告天下，可不须师旅，而大寇自消。 ”天子以钧章示让等，皆免冠徒跣顿首，乞自致洛陽詔狱，并出家财以助军费。 有詔皆冠履视事如故。 帝怒钧曰：“此真狂子也。 十常侍固当有一人善者不？ ”钧复重上，犹如前章，辄寝不报。 詔使廷尉、侍御史考为張角道者，御史承让等旨，遂诬奏钧學黄巾道，收掠死狱中。 而让等实多与張角交通。 后中常侍封谞、徐奉事独发觉坐诛，帝因怒诘让等曰：“汝曹常言党人欲为不轨，皆令禁锢，或有伏诛。 今党人更为國用，汝曹反与張角通，为可斩未？ ”皆叩头云：“故中常侍王甫、侯览所为。 ”帝乃止。
Twelve chief eunuchs—including Zhang, Zhao, Xia Yun, and Duan Gui—lorded over the provinces through corrupt kin. Zhang Jun traced the rebellion to eunuch kin looting the provinces. Behead the Ten Attendants and hang them south of the city—no army needed. Lingdi showed the memorial; the eunuchs knelt barefoot offering prison and cash. Edict refused—they kept their posts. Lingdi roared that Zhang Jun was insane. "Surely one of the Ten is decent?" Zhang Jun repeated his plea; it sank without trace. Courts framed Zhang Jun as a Yellow Turban and killed him in jail. Meanwhile Zhang Rang secretly dealt with Zhang Jue. When Feng Xu fell, Lingdi demanded why eunuchs consorted with rebels after scholars were purged. "Scholars serve you again while you traffic with Zhang Jue—should you die?" They blamed the dead Wang Fu and Hou Lan. Lingdi let it drop.
65
明年，南宫灾。 让、忠等说帝令敛天下田亩税十钱，以修宫室。 发太原、河东、狄道诸郡材木及文石，每州郡部送至京师，黄門常侍辄令谴呵不中者，因强折贱买，十分雇一，因复货之于宦官，复不为即受，材木遂至腐积，宫室连年不成。 刺史、太守复增私调，百姓呼嗟。 凡詔所征求，皆令西园驺密约敕，号曰“中使”，恐动州郡，多受赇赂。 刺史、二千石及茂才孝廉迁除，皆责助军修宫钱，大郡至二三千万，余各有差。 当之官者，皆先至西园谐价，然后得去。 有钱不毕者，或至自殺。 其守清者，乞不之官，皆迫遣之。
Next year the Southern Palace burned. Zhang Rang taxed every mou ten coins to rebuild. Regional lumber rotted on docks while eunuchs haggled and resold bribes. Governors added surcharges; people howled. Western Garden brokers shook down provinces as “palace envoys.” every promotion required “army and palace” payments—millions for large commanderies. New officials bid for posts at Western Garden before leaving. Some killed themselves over unpaid fees. Honest men who refused were driven to post anyway.
66
時，钜鹿太守河内司馬直新除，以有清名，减责三百万。 直被詔，帐然曰：“为民父母，而反割剥百姓，以称時求，吾不忍也。 ”辞疾，不聽，行至孟津，上書极陳当世之失，古今祸败之戒，即吞药自殺。 書奏，帝为暂绝修宫钱。
Julu’s new governor Sima Zhi, famed as honest, owed only three million cash. Sima Zhi said parents of the people should not skin the people for politics. Denied sick leave, he memorialized at Mengjin and took poison. His death briefly halted the palace levy.
67
又造万金堂于西园，引司农金钱缯帛，仞积其中。 又还河间买田宅，起第观。 帝本侯家，宿贫，每叹桓帝不能作家居，故聚为私臧，复寄小黄門常侍钱各数千万。 常云：“張常侍是我公，趙常侍是我母。 ”宦者得志，无所惮畏，并起第宅，拟則宫室。 帝常登永安候台，宦官恐其望见居外，乃使中大人尚但谏曰：“天子不当登高，登高則百姓虚散。。 ”自是不敢复升台榭。
Lingdi piled treasury silver in the Hall of Myriad Gold. He bought estates in Hejian and built towers. A former poor marquis, Ling envied Huan’s wealth and stashed millions with eunuchs. He called Zhang Rang “father” and Zhao Zhong “mother.” Emboldened, they built palaces for themselves. Emperor Ling liked to mount the Yong’an belvedere; eunuchs feared he might see mansions beyond the palace and sent Shang Dan to warn him that an emperor should not climb high—looking outward would “scatter” the people. After that he never climbed another tower.
68
明年，遂使钩盾令宋典缮修南宫玉堂。 又使掖庭令毕岚铸铜人四列于仓龍、玄武阙，又铸四钟，皆受二千斛，县于玉堂及云台殿前。 又铸天禄虾蟆，吐水于平門外桥东，转水入宫。 又作翻車渴乌，旋于桥西，用洒南北郊路，以省百姓洒道之费。 又铸四出文钱，钱皆四道。 识者窃言侈虐已甚，形象兆见，此钱成，必四道而去。 及京师大乱，钱果流布四海。 复以忠为車骑将军，百余日罢。
He put Song Dian in charge of rebuilding the Southern Palace Jade Hall. Bi Lan cast four giant bronze figures at the Canglong and Xuanwu towers and four bells of two thousand hu each for the Jade Hall and Cloud Terrace. He added bronze waterworks east of Ping Gate to pump river water inward. West of the bridge he installed pumps and siphons to sprinkle suburban roads at state expense. He minted “four-spoke” coins with raised edges in four directions. Critics said the coin’s four ridges foretold the realm splitting four ways. When Luoyang fell the debased coin spread everywhere. Zhao Zhong briefly held general of chariots and cavalry, then lost it within months.
69
六年，帝崩。 中军校尉袁绍说大将军何进，令诛中官以悦天下。 谋泄，让、忠等因进入省，遂共殺进。 而绍勒兵斩忠，捕宦官无少长悉斩之。 让等数十人劫质天子走河上。 追急，让等悲哭辞曰：“臣等殄灭，天下乱矣。 惟陛下自爱！ ”皆投河而死。
In year six Emperor Ling died. Yuan Shao urged He Jin to slaughter the eunuchs to win the empire. The plan leaked; Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong ambushed He Jin inside the palace. Yuan Shao then slaughtered every eunuch in Luoyang, young or old. Zhang Rang fled north holding the boy emperor hostage. Cornered, Zhang Rang cried, "When we die the realm collapses." Only preserve yourself, Majesty! They leaped into the Yellow River and drowned.
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論曰：自古丧大业绝宗禋者，其所渐有由矣。 三代以嬖色取祸，嬴氏以奢虐致灾，西京自外戚失祚，东都缘阉尹倾國。 成败之來，先史商之久矣。 至于衅起宦夫，其略犹或可言。 何者？ 刑余之丑，理谢全生，声荣无辉于門阀，肌肤莫傳于來体，推情未鉴其敝，即事易以取信，加渐染朝事，颇识典物，故少主凭谨旧之庸，女君资出内之命，顾访无猜惮之心，恩狎有可悦之色。 亦有忠厚平端，怀术纠邪； 或敏才给对，饰巧乱实； 或借誉贞良，先時荐誉。 非直苟恣凶德，止于暴横而已。 然莫邪并行，情貌相越，故能回惑昏幼，迷瞀视聽，盖亦有其理焉。 诈利既滋，朋徒日广，直臣抗议，必漏先言之间，至戚发愤，方启专夺之隙，斯忠贤所以智屈，社稷故其为墟。 《易》曰：“履霜坚冰至。 ”云所从來久矣。 今迹其所以，亦岂一朝一夕哉！
The historian reflects: dynastic ruin always grows from slow causes. Xia-Shang-Zhou fell to palace women; Qin to cruelty; Chang’an to consort clans; Luoyang to eunuchs. Historians have quarreled over these patterns for ages. The eunuch catastrophe can still be traced in outline. Why? Castrates lack heirs yet live inside the palace—juvenile empresses and boy emperors trust their daily companions who know palace routine better than ministers. Some served faithfully or corrected abuses— others masked poison with wit— others bought virtue by sponsoring scholars early. Their evil was not only crude bullying. Duplicity let them deceive child emperors while seeming indispensable. Honest officials were betrayed before they acted; kin of the throne moved too late—so wise men failed and the state fell. The Changes warn: tread frost and solid ice follows. The saying marks how long rot had been building. Tracing these causes shows no sudden overnight collapse.
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贊曰：“任失无小，过用則违。 况乃巷职，远参天机。 舞文巧态，作惠作威。 凶家害國，夫岂异归！
The closing hymn begins: no mis-appointment is too small to matter—push favor too far and it turns traitor. Still worse when lane-born stewards reach into the throne’s innermost secrets. They twist writs and strike clever poses, playing benefactor today and executioner tomorrow. They destroy clans and kingdoms alike—the ruin always rhymes.