1
王祥
Wang Xiang.
2
王祥，字休-{徵}-，琅邪臨沂人，漢諫議大夫吉之-{後}-也。 祖仁，青州刺史。 父融，公府-{辟}-不就。
Wang Xiang, courtesy name Xiuzheng, came from Linyi in Langya—descended from Wang Ji, who had held the post of grand adviser under Han. His grandfather Wang Ren served as governor of Qingzhou. His father Wang Rong declined appointments issued by the capital ministries.
3
祥性至孝。 早喪親，繼母朱氏不慈，數譖之，由是失愛-{於}-父。 每使掃除牛下，祥愈恭謹。 父母有疾，衣不解帶，湯藥必親嘗。 母常欲生魚，時天寒冰凍，祥解衣將剖冰求之，冰忽自解，雙鯉躍出，持之而歸。 母又思黃雀灸，復有黃雀數十飛入其幕，復以供母。 鄕里驚歎，以爲孝感所致焉。 有丹柰結實，母命守之，每風雨，祥輒抱樹而泣。 其篤孝純至如此。
He was exemplary in filial devotion. Orphaned young, he suffered under a stepmother, Lady Zhu, who maligned him until his father turned cold toward him. She sent him to muck out the cattle pens; he only grew more diligent and deferential. When his parents fell ill he slept in his clothes and tasted every dose before they drank it. She often demanded fresh fish in dead of winter; he stripped and broke the ice to find some—whereupon the ice split open of its own accord and two carp leapt into his hands. When she craved roasted sparrow, dozens flew into his weave-room—and again he brought them to her table. Neighbors declared such wonders could only be Heaven's answer to his devotion. A red pear tree bore fruit under her orders to guard it; whenever storms threatened the crop he wrapped his arms around the trunk and wept. Such was the depth of his filial heart.
4
漢未遭亂，扶母攜弟覽避地廬江，隱居三十餘年，不應州郡之命。 母終，居喪毀瘁，杖而-{後}-起。 徐州刺史呂虔檄爲別駕，祥年垂耳順，固辭不受。 覽勸之，爲具車牛，祥乃應召，虔委以州事。 -{於}-時寇盜充斥，祥率勵兵士，頻討破之。 州界清靜，政化大行。 時人歌之曰：「海沂之康，實賴王祥。 邦國不空，別駕之功。」
As Han collapsed into chaos he led his mother and younger brother Wang Lan to refuge in Lujiang, where they lived in seclusion for more than thirty years and ignored every summons from local authorities. When she died he mourned until his health broke and could rise only with a staff. Lu Qian, inspector of Xuzhou, appointed him aide-de-camp, but though nearly sixty Wang Xiang firmly refused. Wang Lan persuaded him and furnished cart and oxen; Wang Xiang then took office, and Lu Qian handed him the administration. Bandits swarmed the region; he rallied the troops and repeatedly routed them. The circuit grew peaceful and his policies took full effect. Folk sang: "Peace along the coast owes everything to Wang Xiang. The treasury stays full—credit the aide-de-camp.
5
舉秀才，除溫令，累遷大司農。 高貴鄕公即位，與定策功，封關內侯，拜光祿勳，轉司隸校尉。 從討毌丘儉，增邑四百戸，遷太常，封萬歲亭侯。 天子幸太學，命祥爲三老。 祥南面几杖，以師道自居。 天子北面乞言，祥陳明王聖帝君臣政化之要以訓之，聞者莫不砥礪。
Recommended as a cultivated talent, he became magistrate of Wen and rose eventually to Minister of Agriculture. When Cao Mao took the throne Wang Xiang shared credit for the coup and received a marquisate within the passes, then posts as Supervisor of the Household and metropolitan commandant. He marched against Guanqiu Jian, gained four hundred extra households, became Minister of Ceremonies, and was titled marquis of Wansui village. When the emperor visited the academy he named Wang Xiang one of the three elders. He faced south with armrest and staff, acting as imperial mentor. The emperor turned north to seek counsel; Wang Xiang laid out how sage rulers and ministers ordered the realm, and every listener resolved to better himself.
6
及高貴鄕公之弑也，朝臣舉哀，祥號哭曰「老臣無狀」，涕淚交流，眾有愧色。 頃之，拜司空，轉太尉，加侍中。 五等建，封睢陵侯，邑一千六百戸。
After Cao Mao's murder the court went into mourning; Wang Xiang sobbed that he had failed his sovereign, tears streaming until others flushed with shame. Soon he was Minister of Works, then Grand Commandant with concurrent palace attendant. When the five noble ranks were instituted he became Marquis of Suiling with sixteen hundred households.
7
及武帝爲晉王，祥與荀顗往謁，顗謂祥曰：「相王尊重，何侯既已盡敬，今便當拜也。」 祥曰：「相國誠爲尊貴，然是魏之宰相。 吾等魏之三公，公王相去，一階而已，班例大同，安有天子三司而輒拜人者！ 損魏朝之望，虧晉王之德，君子愛人以禮，吾不爲也。」 及入，顗遂拜，而祥獨長揖。 帝曰：「今日方知君見顧之重矣！」
When Sima Yan was Prince of Jin, Wang Xiang visited with Xun Yi, who urged him: "The prince ranks supreme—He Zeng has already bowed; we must follow suit." Wang Xiang replied: "He may be exalted, but he remains Wei’s chief minister. We three dukes of Wei stand one rank below a king—protocol barely differs—how could ministers of the Wei court bow casually to anyone? It would shame Wei and tarnish the prince's virtue; the gentleman treats others with ritual propriety—I will not bow. Inside the hall Xun Yi kowtowed while Wang Xiang merely bowed at the waist. The prince exclaimed, "Now I see how highly you esteem yourself!"
8
武帝踐阼，拜太保，進爵爲公，加置七官之職。 帝新愛命，虛己以求讜言。 祥與何曾、鄭-{沖}-等耆艾篤老，希復朝見，帝遣侍中任愷諮問得失，及政化所先。 祥以年老疲耄，累乞遜位，帝不許。 御史中丞侯史光以祥久疾，闕朝會禮，請免祥官。 詔曰：「太保元老高行，朕所毗倚以隆政道者也。 前-{後}-遜讓，不從所執，此非有司所得議也。」 遂寢光奏。 祥固乞骸骨，詔聽以睢陵公就第，位同保傅，在三司之右，祿賜如前。 詔曰：「古之致仕，不事王侯。 今雖以國公留居京邑，不宜復苦以朝請。 其賜几杖，不朝，大事皆諮訪之。 賜安車駟馬，第一區，錢百萬，絹五百匹，床帳簟褥，以舍人六人爲睢陵公舍人，置官騎二十人。 以公子騎都尉肇爲給事中，使常優遊定省。 又乙太保高潔清素，家無宅宇，其權留本府，須所賜第成乃出。」
When Sima Yan became emperor he made Wang Xiang grand guardian, raised him to duke, and enlarged his staff. Fresh to the mandate, the emperor humbled himself for blunt counsel. Wang Xiang, He Zeng, Zheng Chong, and other aged ministers seldom attended court, so the emperor sent Ren Kai to ask their judgment on policy priorities. Wang Xiang pleaded age and exhaustion and repeatedly asked to retire; the emperor refused. Imperial Counsellor Hou Shiguang impeached him for chronic illness and absence from court, seeking his removal. An edict answered: "The grand guardian is a pillar of virtue on whom I rely to elevate government. His repeated resignations were declined—this is no matter for petty officials to debate. Hou Shiguang's memorial was tabled. When he insisted on retiring, the emperor let him withdraw as Duke of Suiling with honors rivalling the tutors', precedence above the three ministers, and stipends unchanged. The edict noted: "Ancient retirees owed no duty to local lords. Though you remain in the capital as a duke of state, you need not weary yourself with dawn audiences. Grant him armrest and staff, exempt him from court, yet consult him on every weighty affair. Award him a carriage and team, a top-ranked mansion, a million cash, five hundred bolts of silk, bedding and mats, six household stewards, and twenty mounted guards. Appoint his son Wang Zhao, cavalry commandant, as palace secretary so he may tend his father at ease. It was further stated: "The grand guardian lives plainly and owns no house—let him lodge meanwhile in his old ministry until the granted mansion is finished."
9
及疾篤，著遺令訓子孫曰：「夫生之有死，自然之理。 吾年八十有五，啟手何恨。 不有遺言，使爾無述。 吾生值季末，登庸曆試，無毗佐之勳，沒無以報。 氣絶但洗手足，不須沐浴，勿纏屍，皆浣故衣，隨時所服。 所賜山玄玉佩、衞氏玉玦、綬笥皆勿以斂。 西芒上土自堅貞，勿用甓石，勿起墳隴。 穿深二丈，槨取容棺。 勿作前堂、布几筵、置書箱鏡奩之具，棺前但可施床榻而已。 Я脯各一盤，玄酒一杯，爲朝夕奠。 家人大小不須送喪，大小祥乃設特牲。 無違餘命！ 高柴泣血三年，夫子謂之愚。 閔子除喪出見。 援琴切切而哀，仲尼謂之孝。 故哭泣之哀，日月降殺，飲食之宜，自有-{制}-度。 夫言行可覆，信之至也； 推美引過，德之至也； 揚名顯親，孝之至也； 兄弟怡怡，宗族欣欣，悌之至也； 臨財莫過乎讓：此五者，立身之本。 顏子所以爲命，未之思也，夫何遠之有！」 其子皆奉而行之。
Near death he wrote instructions for his heirs: "Life ends in death—that is nature's law. I am eighty-five and may lay down my tasks without regret. Without a few last words you would have nothing to recall of me. I lived in a declining age, served when summoned, and never earned merit worth mentioning—I leave nothing to repay the state. When I die wash only hands and feet—no full bath, no winding-sheet—dress me in laundered clothes I actually wore. Do not bury the dark jade pendant, Wei-clan ring, or ribbon case the court gave me. The loess on Mount Mang is firm enough—no brick facing, no raised tumulus. Dig two zhang deep and let the outer shell barely fit the inner coffin. No memorial hall, no arranged vessels, no books or mirrors—only a couch before the coffin. Place dried jujubes and cured meats on separate plates with a cup of unstrained wine for the dawn and dusk oblations. Kin need not join the funeral train; reserve a single beast offering for the first- and second-year memorials. Do not disobey these orders! Gao Chai wept blood for three years—Confucius called that folly. When Min Sun ended mourning and appeared in public again he took up his lute in poignant grief—Confucius named that true filial piety. Thus mourning weakens by prescribed months, and food follows measured ritual rules. Speech and deeds that withstand scrutiny show utmost good faith; Giving credit to others while owning one's faults shows utmost virtue; Raising one's parents' renown fulfills the highest filial duty; harmony among brothers and cheer in the clan fulfill fraternal duty; facing gain, yield—those five are the foundation of character. They were Yan Hui's lifework—reflect on them and they are never beyond reach! His sons obeyed every clause.
10
薨，詔賜東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲，錢三十萬，布帛百匹。 時文明皇太后崩始逾月，其-{後}-詔曰：「爲睢陵公發哀，事乃至今。 雖每爲之感傷，要未得特敘哀情。 今便哭之。」 明年，策諡曰元。
When he died the court supplied burial gear from the imperial workshop, a court robe, a suit, three hundred thousand cash, and a hundred bolts of cloth. Only a month had passed since Empress Dowager Wenming died when another edict noted: "We have yet to mourn the Duke of Suiling properly. Though each death pains me, his loss still lacks its own observance. Let me weep for him now. The following year he received the posthumous title Yuan.
11
祥之薨，奔赴者非朝廷之賢，則親親故吏而已，門無雜吊之賓。 族孫戎歎曰：「太保可謂清達矣！」 又稱：「祥在正始，不在能言之流。 及與之言，理致清遠，將非以德掩其言乎！」 祥有五子：肇、夏、馥、烈、芬。
Those who hurried to his funeral were court worthies or old friends and former staff alone—no casual mourners clogged his gate. His clansman Wang Rong sighed, "The grand guardian died as plainly as he lived!" He added: "In the Zhengshi years Wang Xiang never counted among the clever talkers. Yet whenever he spoke, his reasoning ran lucid and deep—perhaps virtue simply silenced idle words! Wang Xiang had five sons: Zhao, Xia, Fu, Lie, and Fen.
12
肇孽庶，夏早卒，馥嗣爵。 咸甯初，以祥家甚貧儉，賜絹三百匹，拜馥上洛太守，卒諡曰孝。 子根嗣，散騎郎。 肇仕至始平太守。 肇子俊，守太子舍人，封永世侯。 俊子遐，郁林太守。 烈、芬並幼知名，爲祥所愛。 二子亦同時而亡。 將死，烈欲還葬舊土，芬欲留葬京邑。 祥流涕曰：「不忘故鄕，仁也； 不戀本土，達也。 惟仁與達，吾二子有焉。」
Zhao was born to a concubine; Xia died young; Fu inherited the title. Early in Xianning the court granted three hundred bolts of silk because the family remained poor, appointed Fu governor of Shangluo, and posthumously titled him Xiao. His son Wang Gen succeeded him as a supernumerary gentleman-in-attendance. Zhao rose to governor of Shiping. Zhao's son Jun served as acting household aide to the heir and was titled marquis of Yongshi. Jun's son Xia became governor of Yulin. Lie and Fen were prodigies whom Wang Xiang adored. Both died on the same day. Facing death, Lie wished to lie in their homeland while Fen preferred the capital. Wang Xiang wept: "Longing for home is humanity; refusing to cling to native soil is enlightenment. Each of my sons possessed one of those virtues.
14
祥弟覽
Wang Lan, younger brother of Wang Xiang.
16
覽字玄通。 母朱，遇祥無道。 覽年數歲，見祥被楚撻，輒涕泣抱持。 至-{於}-成童，每諫其母，其母少止凶虐。 朱屢以非理使祥，覽輒與祥俱。 又虐使祥妻，覽妻亦趨而共之。 朱患之，乃止。 祥喪父之-{後}-，漸有時譽。 朱深疾之，密使鴆祥。 覽知之，徑起取酒。 祥疑其有毒，爭而不與，朱遽奪反之。 自-{後}-朱賜祥饌，覽輒先嘗。 朱懼覽致斃，遂止。
Wang Lan's courtesy name was Xuantong. His stepmother, Lady Zhu, was vicious toward Wang Xiang and denied him ordinary decency. While Lan was still a small child, each time he witnessed Xiang flogged he burst into tears and held him fast. By the time he came of age he repeatedly pleaded with his mother, who then moderated her harsh abuse. Whenever Zhu forced Xiang into unjust errands, Lan insisted on sharing the labor. She maltreated Xiang's wife as well, and Lan's wife rushed to take part so the burden would not fall on her alone. Zhu, troubled by their solidarity, gave up the practice. Once Xiang's father had died, his reputation slowly began to rise. Zhu nursed a bitter grudge and secretly tried to kill him with poisoned wine. Lan found out, stood up at once, and seized the cup. Xiang feared it was tainted and refused to let go; Zhu tore the cup away in haste. From then on, whenever Zhu sent Xiang a meal, Lan sampled it before Xiang ate. Afraid Lan would die from tasting it, she abandoned the scheme.
17
覽孝友恭恪，名亞-{於}-祥。 及祥仕進，覽亦應本郡之召，稍遷司徒西曹掾、清河太守。 五等建，封即丘子，邑六百戸。 泰始末，除弘訓少府。 職省，轉太中大夫，祿賜與卿同。 咸甯初，詔曰：「覽少篤至行，服仁履義，貞素之操，長而彌固。 其以覽爲宗正卿。」 頃之，以疾上疏乞骸骨。 詔聽之，乙太中大夫歸老，賜錢二十萬，床帳薦褥，遣殿中醫療疾給藥。 -{後}-轉光祿大夫，門施行馬。
Lan showed filial piety, brotherly devotion, and punctilious respect; only Xiang's name stood above his. As Xiang advanced in office, Lan took up a local appointment too, rising step by step to Western Bureau Clerk of the Minister of Education and then prefect of Qinghe. Under the new five-rank system he received the barony of Jiqiu with six hundred taxable households. Late in Taishi he became Junior Mentor of the Hongxun establishment. When that post was cut, he moved to Grand Counselor on stipends and largesse matching a senior minister. At the start of Xianning the throne proclaimed that Lan had shown singular virtue from boyhood, grounding himself in humanity and right, and that his simplicity only deepened over the years. The edict named him Director of the Imperial Clan. Soon after, pleading sickness, he asked permission to resign and return home. The emperor approved; he went home with the rank of Grand Counselor, received two hundred thousand coins, bedding and furnishings, and court physicians with medicines were sent to attend him. He was subsequently raised to Household Counselor and granted the privilege of mounting-blocks at his doorway.
18
卒，時年七十三，諡曰貞。 有六子：裁、基、會、正、彥、琛。
He died at seventy-three and was canonized as Zhen. His six sons were Cai, Ji, Hui, Zheng, Yan, and Chen.
19
裁字士初，撫軍長史。 基字士先，治書御史。 會字士和，侍御史。 正字士則，尚書郎。 彥字士治，中護軍。 琛字士瑋，國子祭酒。
Wang Cai, styled Shichu, served as chief clerk on the staff of the Army that Pacifies. Wang Ji, styled Shixian, held the post of secretary censor. Wang Hui, styled Shihe, was an attending censor. Wang Zheng, styled Shize, served as a gentleman at the Masters of Writing. Wang Yan, styled Shizhi, became central army protector. Wang Chen, styled Shiwei, rose to libationer of the imperial academy.
20
初，呂虔有佩刀，工相之，以爲必登三公，可服此刀。 虔謂祥曰：「苟非其人，刀或爲害。 卿有公輔之量，故以相與。」 祥固辭，強之乃受。 祥臨薨，以刀授覽，曰：「汝-{後}-必興，足稱此刀。」 覽-{後}-奕世多賢才，興-{於}-江左矣。 裁子導，別有傳。
In an earlier day Lü Qian owned a ceremonial sword whose craftsmen prophesied that only a future holder of one of the Three Dukes' seats was fit to bear it. Qian warned Xiang that in the wrong hands the blade might bring disaster. You have the stature of a chief minister, so I entrust the sword to you. Xiang refused repeatedly but yielded when Qian insisted. As death approached Xiang passed the sword to Lan, telling him that his line would rise and prove worthy of the heirloom. Lan's posterity for generations yielded distinguished men who made their mark in the southeast. Cai's son Dao is treated in another chapter.
21
鄭沖
Minister Zheng Chong.
22
鄭-{沖}-，字文和，滎陽開封人也。 起自寒微，卓爾立操，清恬寡欲，耽玩經史，遂博究儒術及百家之言。 有姿望，動必循禮，任真自守，不要鄕曲之譽，由是州郡久不加禮。 及魏文帝爲太子，搜揚側陋，命-{沖}-爲文學，累遷尚書郎，出補陳留太守。 -{沖}-以儒雅爲德，蒞職無幹局之譽，簞食縕袍，不營資產，世以此重之。 大將軍曹爽引爲從事中郎，轉散騎常侍、光祿勳。 ，拜司空。 及高貴鄕公講《尚書》，-{沖}-執經親授，與侍中鄭小同俱被賞賜。 俄轉司徒。 常道鄕公即位，拜太保，位在三司之上，封壽光侯。 -{沖}-雖位階台輔，而不預世事。 時文帝輔政，平蜀之-{後}-，命賈充、羊祜等分定禮儀、律令，皆先諮-{於}--{沖}-，然-{後}-施行。
Zheng Chong, whose courtesy name was Wenhe, came from Kaifeng in the Xingyang region. Of low birth yet strikingly principled, he lived plainly with little appetite for gain, devoured classical texts, and gained wide learning in Confucian doctrine and other schools. He carried himself with dignity and obeyed ritual in every act, shunning local fame; county authorities therefore neglected him for years. When Wei Wendi was crown prince he recruited hidden talent and named Chong literary attendant; Chong climbed to gentleman at the Masters of Writing and later became administrator of Chenliu. He modeled himself on classical virtue rather than bureaucratic flair, lived frugally, and built no fortune, which won deep respect. Cao Shuang enlisted him as attendant clerk; he moved on to cavalier attendant-in-ordinary and household counselor. He received appointment as minister of works. Under Duke Gaoguixiang's seminar on the Documents, Chong lectured from the text beside Zheng Xiaotong, and both were rewarded. He was shortly shifted to minister of education. At Changdaoxiang's accession Chong became grand tutor, senior to the three highest ministers, with the marquisate of Shouguang. Despite sitting among the highest counselors he stayed clear of factional business. During Wendi's regency, once Shu fell, Jia Chong and Yang Hu were tasked with codifying ritual and law only after Chong had been consulted on each step.
23
及魏帝告禪，使-{沖}-奉策。 武帝踐阼，拜太傅，進爵爲公。 頃之，司隸李憙、中丞侯史光奏-{沖}-及何曾，荀顗等各以疾病，俱應免官。 帝不許。 -{沖}-遂不視事，表乞骸骨。 優詔不許，遣使申喻。 -{沖}-固辭，上貂蟬印綬，詔又不許。 ，詔曰：「昔漢祖以知人善任，克平宇宙，推述勳勞，歸美三俊。 遂與功臣剖符作誓，藏之宗廟，副在有司，所以明德庸勳，籓翼王室者也。 昔我祖考，遭世多難，攬授英俊，與之斷金，遂濟時務，克定大業。 太傅壽光公鄭-{沖}-、太保郎陵公何曾、太尉臨淮公荀顗各尚德依仁，明允篤誠，翼亮先皇，光濟帝業。 故司空博陵元公王沈、衞將軍钜平侯羊祜才兼文武，忠肅居正，朕甚嘉之。 《書》不云乎：'天秩有禮，五服五章哉！ '其爲壽光、郎陵、臨淮、博陵、钜平國置郎中令，假夫人、世子印綬，食本秩三分之一，皆如郡公侯比。」
At the Wei abdication Chong carried the formal patent transferring the mandate. Wudi named him grand instructor and elevated his fief to duke. Soon Li Xi and Hou Shiguang urged that Chong, He Zeng, Xun Yi, and others retire on grounds of sickness. The throne refused. Chong stopped reporting for duty and asked to yield his post. An indulgent rescript denied him and an envoy reasoned with him. He pressed his resignation and returned his insignia; again the court declined. A decree recalled how Han Gaozu matched talent to office, unified the empire, and praised his chief ministers. They split tallies, lodged oaths in the ancestral shrine, and filed duplicates with the ministries to honor service and shield the dynasty. Our forebears in turbulent times rallied able allies in bonds strong as metal and so laid the foundation of the realm. Chong, He Zeng, and Xun Yi—the dukes of Shouguang, Langling, and Linhuai—were paragons of virtue who steadied the late emperor and enlarged his achievement. The departed Wang Shen of Boling and Yang Hu of Juping united civil and military gifts with steadfast loyalty, which We heartily applaud. As the Documents asks, has not Heaven ordained hierarchy through ritual and the five grades of dress? Palace stewards were ordered for those five princedoms, consorts and heirs received borrowed seals, stipends ran at one-third of former rank, all on the model of commandery-level peers.
24
九年，-{沖}-又抗表致仕。 詔曰：「太傅韞德深粹，履行高潔，恬遠清虛，確然絶世。 艾服王事，六十餘載，忠肅在公，慮不及私。 遂應眾舉，曆登三事。 仍荷保傅之重，綢繆論道之任，光輔奕世，亮茲天工，迪宣謀猷，弘濟大烈，可謂朝之俊老，眾所具瞻者也。 朕昧-{於}-政道，庶事未康，挹仰耆訓，導揚厥蒙，庶賴顯德，緝熙有成。 而公屢以年高疾篤，致仕告退。 惟從公志，則朕孰與諮謀？ 譬彼涉川，罔知攸濟。 是用未許，迄-{於}-累載。 而高讓彌篤，至意難違，覽其盛指，俾朕憮然。 夫功成弗有，上德所隆，成人之美，君子與焉。 豈必遂朕憑賴之心，以枉大雅進止之度哉！ 今聽其所執，以壽光公就第，位同保傅，在三司之右。 公宜頤精養神，保衞太和，以究遐福。 其賜几杖，不朝。 古之哲王，欽祗國老，憲行乞言，以彌縫其闕。 若朝有大政，皆就諮之。 又賜安車駟馬，第一區，錢百萬，絹五百匹，床帷簟褥，置舍人六人，官騎二十人，以世子徽爲散騎常侍，使常優遊定省。 祿賜所供，策命儀-{制}-，一如舊典而有加焉。」
In year nine Chong renewed his plea to retire. The rescript praised the grand instructor's purity, remoteness from ambition, and lifelong integrity. For more than sixty years he labored for the state with single-minded loyalty. Called upward by consensus, he rose through the three chief posts. He shouldered tutor duties, shaped policy beside the throne, and guided generations—truly the sage elder the whole court admired. We confess dullness in governing; many tasks remain troubled; We lean on venerable counsel to mend Our shortcomings. Yet he cites age and illness and begs to withdraw. If We grant his wish, whom shall We consult? We would be fording a river with no ford in sight. For that reason We denied him year after year. His modest resolve only deepened; facing his appeal leaves Us torn. Refusing to cling to power crowns supreme virtue; honoring another's wish is the gentleman's way. We cannot cling to Our need and violate his noble sense of when to stay or go. We therefore let the Duke of Shouguang withdraw home with honors matching the grand tutors and precedence beside the three ministers. May he conserve his strength, preserve inner harmony, and enjoy long felicity. He receives stool and staff and is freed from court audiences. The sage kings of old honored national elders and solicited advice to repair their rule. Major state decisions shall still be brought to him for guidance. He also receives an honorific carriage, a mansion, a million coins, five hundred rolls of silk, bedding, six household attendants, twenty mounted escorts, and his heir Hui is made cavalier attendant-in-ordinary so he may visit his father with ease. Stipends, patents, and ceremonial detail follow precedent with added largesse.
25
明年薨。 帝-{於}-朝堂發哀，追贈太傅，賜秘器，朝服，衣一襲，錢三十萬，布百匹。 諡曰成。 咸甯初，有司奏，-{沖}-與安平王孚等十二人皆存銘太常，配食-{於}-廟。
He died the following year. The sovereign mourned him at court, posthumously restored him to grand instructor, and sent coffin gear, court dress, three hundred thousand cash, and a hundred bolts of cloth. He received the posthumous name Cheng. At the start of Xianning officials asked that Chong and Sima Fu of Anping among twelve men be inscribed at the Ministry of Rites and honored with temple offerings.
26
初，-{沖}-與孫邕、曹羲、荀顗、何晏共集《論語》諸家訓注之善者，記其姓名，因從其義，有不安者輒改易之，名曰《論語集解》。 成，奏之魏朝，-{於}-今傳焉。
Early on Chong joined Sun Yong, Cao Xi, Xun Yi, and He Yan to sift Analects commentaries, credit authors, adopt sound readings, and revise weak points; the work became the Analects Collected Glosses. Submitted to Wei, it remains standard reading.
27
-{沖}-無子，以從子徽爲嗣，位至平原內史。 徽卒，子簡嗣。
Childless, Chong made his nephew Hui heir; Hui reached interior secretary of Pingyuan. Hui's son Jian inherited the line.
28
何曾
Minister He Zeng.
29
何曾，字穎考，陳國陽夏人也。 父夔，魏太僕、陽武亭侯。 曾少襲爵，好學博聞，與同郡袁侃齊名。 魏明帝初爲平原侯，曾爲文學。 及即位，累遷散騎侍郎、汲郡典農中郎將、給事黃門侍郎。 上疏曰：「臣聞爲國者以清靜爲基，而百姓以良吏爲本。 今海內虛耗，事役眾多，誠宜恤養黎元，悅以使人。 郡守之權雖輕，猶專任千里，比之-{於}-古，則列國之君也。 上當奉宣朝恩，以致惠和，下當興利而除其害。 得其人則可安，非其人則爲患。 故漢宣稱曰：「百姓所以安其田里，而無歎息愁恨之心者，政平訟理也。 與我共此者，其惟良二千石乎！」 此誠可謂知政之本也。 方今國家大舉，新有發調，軍師遠征，上下劬勞。 夫百姓可與樂成，難與慮始。 愚惑之人，能厭目前之小勤，而忘爲亂之大禍者，是以郡守益不可不得其人。 才雖難備，猶宜粗有威恩，爲百姓所信憚者。 臣聞諸郡守，有年老或疾病，皆委政丞掾，不恤庶事。 或體性疏怠，不以政理爲意。 在官積年，惠澤不加-{於}-人。 然-{於}-考課之限，罪亦不至詘免。 故得經延歲月，而無斥罷之期。 臣愚以爲可密詔主者，使隱核參訪郡守，其有老病不隱親人物，及宰牧少恩，好修人事，煩撓百姓者，皆可征還，爲更選代。」 頃之，遷散騎常侍。
He Zeng, styled Yingkao, hailed from Yangxia in Chen. His father Kui served Wei as grand coachman with the village marquisate of Yangwu. Young Zeng inherited the title, pursued wide reading, and matched Yuan Kan in local fame. While Mingdi still held the Pingyuan marquisate, Zeng was his literary attendant. Upon Mingdi's accession Zeng rose through cavalry gentleman, agriculture intendant of Ji, and attendant at the Yellow Gates. He memorialized that rulers rest policy on tranquillity while the people depend on worthy magistrates. With the realm drained and labor endless, he urged pity for the common folk and leadership that wins willing service. A prefect wields limited formal power yet governs a vast territory—in ancient terms, the equivalent of a regional ruler. He must voice the court's benevolence so peace spreads below, and actively clear burdens while fostering prosperity. The right appointee brings stability; the wrong one breeds disaster. Han Xuandi once said people live content in their villages when rule is fair and justice is sound. Only capable governors, he added, share that burden with the throne. That, Zeng concluded, is understanding what truly holds the state together. The empire was mobilizing for major campaigns—fresh taxes, long expeditions, and grinding toil at every level. Ordinary folk delight in finished projects yet resist every disruptive start. The foolish resent minor inconvenience and ignore the catastrophe rebellion brings—so choosing prefects matters immensely. Perfect officers are rare, yet appointees should command respect and sympathy alike. Zeng charged that many aging or sick prefects dumped work on subordinates and ignored public duty. Others were simply lazy and treated administration as optional. Years in post brought the populace no tangible benefit. Annual evaluations still fell short of forcing them out. They lingered indefinitely without fear of recall. He urged confidential audits to recall negligent, cruel, or politically meddling prefects and install better men. Soon after he became cavalier attendant-in-ordinary.
30
及宣帝將伐遼東，曾上疏魏帝曰：「臣聞先王-{制}-法，必全-{於}-慎。 故建官受任，則置副佐； 陳師命將，則立監貳； 宣命遣使，則設介副； 臨敵交刃，又參禦右，蓋以盡思謀之功，防安危之變也。 是以在險當難，則權足相濟； 隕缺不豫，則才足相代。 其爲國防，至深至遠。 及至漢氏，亦循舊章，韓信伐趙，張耳爲貳； 馬援討越，劉隆副軍。 前世之跡，著在篇志。 今太尉奉辭誅罪，精甲銳鋒，歩騎數萬，道路迥阻，且四千里。 雖假天威，有征無戰，寇或潛遁，消引日月。 命無常期，人非金石，遠慮詳備，誠宜有副。 今北軍諸將及太尉所督，皆爲僚屬，名位不殊，素無定分統御之尊，卒有變急，不相鎮攝。 存不忘亡，聖達所裁。 臣愚以爲宜選大臣名將威重宿著者，成其禮秩，遣詣北軍，進同謀略，退爲副佐。 雖有萬一不虞之變，軍主有儲，則無患矣。」 帝不從。 出補河內太守，在任有威嚴之稱。 徵拜侍中，母憂去官。
Before the Liaodong expedition Zeng reminded the Wei court that sage kings built institutions on meticulous safeguards. They paired every chief appointment with a deputy. Field armies received watchdog officers and alternate commanders. Envoys too traveled with ranked backups. Even on the battlefield aides rode beside the commander so counsel flowed and contingencies were covered. In crisis such redundancy lets officers rescue one another. If a commander falls, another can step in. Those layers of redundancy shield the realm at depth. Han precedents matched: Zhang Er backed Han Xin against Zhao. Liu Long supported Ma Yuan's southern campaign. History documents each precedent. Today's expedition sends crack troops tens of thousands strong over four thousand li of harsh roads. Even if intimidation avoids combat, a fleeing enemy could prolong the march indefinitely. Mortality is uncertain; prudent planning demands a second-in-command. Yet every colonel now shares equal standing under the grand commandant, so sudden emergencies would lack a clear chain of control. The wise plan for disaster even in safety. Zeng proposed attaching a senior minister-general to coordinate strategy and serve as understudy. Even rare contingencies would find the column prepared. The throne rejected the advice. As Henei prefect he earned a name for stern authority. Palace attendant followed, then maternal mourning forced resignation.
31
嘉平中，爲司隸校尉。 撫軍校事尹模憑寵作威，奸利盈積，朝野畏憚，莫敢言者。 曾奏劾之，朝廷稱焉。 時曹爽專權，宣帝稱疾，曾亦謝病。 爽誅，乃起視事，魏帝之廢也，曾預其謀焉。
Under Jiaping he became metropolitan commandant. Inspector Yin Mo abused favor to enrich himself and silence critics. Zeng impeached him and won court applause. While Cao Shuang dominated, Sima Yi played sick—and so did Zeng. After Shuang fell Zeng returned to duty and helped depose Cao Fang.
32
時歩兵校尉阮籍負才放誕，居喪無禮。 曾面質籍-{於}-文帝座曰：「卿縱情背禮，敗俗之人，今忠賢執政，綜核名實，若卿之曹，不可長也。」 因言-{於}-帝曰：「公方以孝治天下，而聽阮籍以重哀飲酒食肉-{於}-公座。 宜擯四裔，無令污染華夏。」 帝曰：「此子羸病若此，君不能爲吾忍邪！」 曾重引據，辭理甚切。 帝雖不從，時人敬憚之。
Infantry commandant Ruan Ji flaunted genius and scandalized mourners. Before Sima Zhao he accused Ruan Ji of flouting mourning rites and corrupting morals. He protested that allowing banqueting during deep mourning mocked the claim to rule by filial piety. Zeng demanded banishment lest Ji stain the heartland. Sima Zhao replied that Ji was too frail to punish harshly. Zeng pressed legal precedent with biting logic. The prince refused, yet contemporaries stood in awe of Zeng.
33
毌丘儉誅，子甸、妻荀應坐死。 其族兄顗、族父虞並景帝姻通，共表魏帝以丐其命。 詔聽離婚，荀所生女芝爲潁川太守劉子元妻，亦坐死，以懷妊繫獄。 荀辭詣曾乞恩曰：「芝系在廷尉，顧影知命，計日備法。 乞沒爲官婢，以贖芝命。」 曾哀之，騰辭上議。 朝廷僉以爲當，遂改法。 語在《刑法志》。
Guanqiu Jian's fall condemned his son Dian and Lady Xun to kin punishment. Clansmen tied to Sima Shi begged clemency. A decree allowed divorce to spare some kin, yet pregnant daughter Zhi—wife of Liu Ziyuan—remained jailed for execution. Lady Xun appealed to Zeng, describing her daughter counting down to execution. She offered herself as a state slave to redeem Zhi. Moved, Zeng forwarded a compassionate memorial. Officials agreed and amended the statute. Details appear in the Jin Treatise on Law.
34
曾在司隸積年，遷尚書，正元年中爲鎮北將軍、都督河北諸軍事、假節。 將之鎮，文帝使武帝、齊王攸辭送數十里。 曾盛爲賓主，備太牢之饌。 侍從吏騶，莫不醉飽。 帝既出，又過其子劭。 曾先敕劭曰：「客必過汝，汝當豫嚴。」 劭不冠帶，停帝良久，曾深以譴劭。 曾見崇重如此。 遷征北將軍，進封潁昌鄕侯。 咸熙初，拜司徒，改封郎陵侯。 文帝爲晉王，曾與高柔、鄭-{沖}-俱爲三公，將入見，曾獨致拜盡敬，二人猶揖而已。
After long service as metropolitan commandant he rose to minister of writing, then northern commander over Hebei with imperial credentials. Sima Zhao sent his sons Sima Yan and Sima You to escort him dozens of li. Zeng staged an elaborate banquet with a grand sacrifice spread. Every attendant rode away stuffed and drunk. The imperial party then stopped at Zeng's son Shao. Zeng had warned Shao to ready himself because guests would call. Shao received them without full dress and prolonged the visit; Zeng scolded him harshly. Such was the favor Zeng commanded. He moved up to general who campaigns the north and village marquis of Yingchang. At the start of Xianxi he became minister of education with the Langling marquisate. As Jin prince, Sima Zhao stood with three dukes: only Zeng dropped to full prostration while Gao Rou and Zheng Chong bowed.
35
武帝襲王位，以曾爲晉丞相，加侍中。 與裴秀、王沈等勸進。 踐阼，拜太尉，進爵爲公，食邑千八百戸。 泰始初，詔曰：「蓋謨明弼諧，王躬是保，所以宣崇大訓，克咸四海也。 侍中、太尉何曾，立德高峻，執心忠亮，博物洽聞，明識弘達，翼佐先皇，勳庸顯著。 朕纂洪業，首相王室。 迪惟前人，施-{於}-朕躬。 實佐命興化，光贊政道。 夫三司之任，雖左右王事，若乃予違汝弼，匡獎不逮，則存平保傅。 故將明袞職，未如用乂厥-{辟}-之重。 其以曾爲太保，侍中如故。」 久之，以本官領司徒。 曾固讓，不許。 遣散騎常侍諭旨，乃視事。 進位太傅。 曾以老年，屢乞遜位。 詔曰：「太傅明朗高亮，執心弘毅，可謂舊德老成，國之宗臣者也。 而高尚其事，屢辭祿位。 朕以寡德，憑賴保佑，省覽章表，實用憮然。 雖欲成人之美，豈得遂其雅志，而忘翼佐之益哉！ 又司徒所掌務煩，不可久勞耆艾。 其進太宰，侍中如故。 朝會劍履乘輿上殿，如漢相國蕭何、田千秋、魏太傅鍾繇故事。 賜錢百萬，絹五百匹及八尺床帳簟褥自副。 置長史掾屬祭酒及員吏，一依舊-{制}-。 所給親兵官騎如前。 主者依次按禮典，務使優備。」 -{後}-每召見，敕以常所飲食服物自隨，令二子侍從。
Sima Yan made him Jin chancellor with palace attendant rank. With Pei Xiu and Wang Shen he pressed the succession. At Jin accession he became grand commandant and duke over eighteen hundred households. A Taishi edict praised ministers who harmonize policy and shelter the sovereign. It hailed Zeng as upright, learned, and foundational to the prior reign. The emperor claimed the mandate and led the house of Jin. Zeng extended those models to the new sovereign. He had stabilized the succession and enlightened governance. High ministers aid daily rule, yet correcting the throne belongs to tutors. No dignity outweighs guiding the ruler himself. Zeng was named grand tutor while keeping palace attendant. Later he added concurrent stewardship of the ministry of education. He resisted; the court refused. An envoy explained the command until he accepted the posts. Promotion followed to grand instructor. Age drove repeated resignation bids. A rescript called him the dynasty's senior pillar. Yet he kept seeking retirement. The emperor confessed reliance and sorrow at each refusal. Honoring his wish could not outweigh losing his counsel. Education portfolios exhaust men too old for such labor. Zeng became grand duke while retaining palace attendant. Court privileges matched Xiao He, Tian Qianqiu, and Zhong Yao—sword in hall and carriage to the steps. Gifts included a million coins, five hundred bolts of silk, and paired bedding sets. Staffing followed ancient tables for clerks and libationers. Bodyguard complements stayed unchanged. Bureaus were told to supply him lavishly per statute. Later audiences let him bring familiar fare and clothing with two sons in attendance.
36
薨，時年八十。 帝-{於}-朝堂素服舉哀，賜東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲，錢三十萬，布百匹。 將葬，下禮官議諡。 博士秦秀諡爲「繆醜」，帝不從，策諡曰孝。 太康末，子劭自表改諡爲元。
He died at eighty. The sovereign mourned in white at court, gifting burial gear, court dress, cash, and cloth. Burial preparations opened debate on his posthumous name. Doctor Qin Xiu urged the harsh epithet Warped and Vile; the throne overruled him and canonized Zeng as Filial. Near the end of Taikang his son Shao won approval to restyle him as Primogen.
37
曾性至孝，閨門整肅，自少及長，無聲樂嬖幸之好。 年老之-{後}-，與妻相見，皆正衣冠，相待如賓。 己南向，妻北面，再拜上酒，酬酢既畢便出。 一歲如此者不過再三焉。 初，司隸校尉傅玄著論稱曾及荀顗曰：「以文王之道事其親者，其潁昌何侯乎，其荀侯乎！ 古稱曾、閔，今日荀、何。 內盡其心以事其親，外崇禮讓以接天下。 孝子，百世之宗； 仁人，天下之命。 有能行孝之道，君子之儀錶也。 《詩》云：「高山仰止，景行行止。」 令德不遵二夫子之景行者，非樂中正之道也。」 又曰：「荀、何，君子之宗也。」 又曰：「潁昌侯之事親，其盡孝子之道乎！ 存盡其和，事盡其敬，亡盡其哀，予-{於}-潁昌侯見之矣。」 又曰：「見其親之黨，如見其親，六十而孺慕，予-{於}-潁昌侯見之矣。」 然性奢豪，務在華侈。 帷帳車服，窮極綺麗，廚膳滋味，過-{於}-王者。 每燕見，不食太官所設，帝輒命取其食。 蒸餅上不坼作十字不食。 食日萬錢，猶曰無下箸處。 人以小紙爲書者，敕記室勿報。 劉毅等數劾奏曾侈忲無度，帝以其重臣，一無所問。
He was famously dutiful toward kin and kept an orderly household, eschewing musicians and concubinal distraction. In old age he and his wife greeted each other fully dressed, with grave courtesy. They bowed in opposing directions, exchanged ritual cups, then parted. They repeated this formal audience only a handful of times yearly. Fu Xuan once ranked Zeng alongside Xun Yi as paragons of filial devotion patterned on King Wen. Classical ages hailed Zeng Shen and Min Sun; Fu paired them with Xun and He. They cherished parents inwardly while outwardly modeling humility toward the world. True sons anchor a clan across centuries. Humane ministers sustain the realm. Anyone mastering filial duty becomes a moral exemplar. As the Odes sing, great peaks invite reverence and broad paths invite emulation. Whoever spurns such exemplars turns from the balanced path. Fu added that Xun and He stood as moral pillars. He insisted Zeng embodied complete filial practice. Fu saw perfect harmony in life, reverence in duty, and grief in mourning. Even toward collateral kin Zeng showed parental tenderness well past sixty. Yet Zeng loved ostentation. His hangings, coaches, and cuisine outdid royal standards. At informal palace meals he refused imperial kitchens and ate only dishes fetched from his mansion. He rejected buns unless their crust bore the ritual cross split. He spent fortunes on dinner yet complained nothing suited his chopsticks. Notes on stingy scraps went unanswered by order. Repeated memorials from Liu Yi about Zeng's excess drew no sanction.
38
都官從事劉享嘗奏曾華侈，以銅鉤𦓗紖車，瑩牛蹄角。 -{後}-曾-{辟}-享爲掾，或勸勿應，享謂至公之體，不以私憾，遂應-{辟}-。 曾常因小事加享杖罰。 其外寬內忌，亦此類也。 時司空賈充權擬人主，曾卑充而附之。 及充與庾純因酒相競，曾議黨充而抑純，以此爲正直所非。 二子：遵、劭。 劭嗣。
Liu Xiang cited bronze carriage fittings and lacquered ox hooves as proof of Zeng's waste. When Zeng later hired him, Xiang accepted despite warnings, citing public duty over grudges. Zeng then caned him repeatedly for trifles. Outward leniency masked vindictiveness. Zeng courted all-powerful Jia Chong. He backed Chong against Yu Chun and lost moral standing. His sons were Zun and Shao. The heir was Shao.
40
曾子劭
Shao, son of He Zeng.
42
劭字敬祖，少與武帝同年，有總角之好。 帝爲王太子，以劭爲中庶子。 及即位，轉散騎常侍，甚見親待。 劭雅有姿望，遠客朝見，必以劭侍直。 每諸方貢獻，帝輒賜之，而觀其占謝焉。 咸甯初，有司奏劭及兄遵等受故鬲令袁毅貨，雖經赦宥，宜皆禁止。 事下廷尉。 詔曰：「太保與毅有累世之交，遵等所取差薄，一皆置之。」 遷侍中尚書。
He Shao, styled Jingzu, grew up as Sima Yan's age-mate and boyhood friend. As crown prince Sima Yan named him junior tutor. At accession Shao became cavalier attendant-in-ordinary with intimate trust. Foreign envoys always met Shao standing attendance. Regional gifts were rerouted to Shao while the throne watched his courteous replies. A bribery scandal tied Shao and Zun to Yuan Yi despite prior amnesty. The case landed at the Court of Justice. The emperor waived penalties citing old friendship and modest bribes. He rose to palace attendant atop the Masters of Writing.
43
惠帝即位，初建東宮，太子年幼，欲令親萬-{機}-，故盛選六傅，以劭爲太子太師，通省尚書事。 -{後}-轉特進，累遷尚書左僕射。
Hui's reign opened with a packed tutor college for the young crown prince; Shao directed him as grand tutor while coordinating ministry workflow. He moved to eminent senior status and left vice presidency of the ministry.
44
劭博學，善屬文，陳説近代事，若指諸掌。 永康初，遷司徒。 趙王倫篡位，以劭爲太宰。 及三王交爭，劭以軒冕而遊其間，無怨之者。 而驕奢簡貴，亦有父風。 衣裘服玩，新故巨積。 食必盡四方珍異，一日之供以錢二萬爲限。 時論以爲太官禦膳，無以加之。 然優遊自足，不貪權勢。 嘗語鄕人王詮曰：「僕雖名位過幸，少無可書之事，惟與夏侯長容諫授博士，可傳史冊耳。」 所撰《荀粲》、《王弼傳》及諸奏議文章並行-{於}-世。 薨，贈司徒，諡曰康。 子岐嗣。
His essays and command of recent history were famously lucid. Yongkang brought appointment as minister of education. Prince Sima Lun named him grand duke during the coup. Amid civil war he glided between factions unharmed. He shared his father's haughty extravagance. Wardrobes overflowed with luxuries. Daily banquets budgeted twenty thousand coins for exotic ingredients. Gossip said palace chefs could not compete. Still he avoided political ambition. He told Wang Quan his sole worthy deed was blocking Xiahou Zhan's doctorate appointment. His Xun Can and Wang Bi biographies and state papers stayed in circulation. He died canonized Kang with posthumous ministry honors. His heir was Qi.
45
劭初亡，袁粲吊岐，岐辭以疾。 粲獨哭而出曰：「今年決下婢子品。」 王詮謂之曰：「知死吊死，何必見生！ 岐前多罪，爾時不下，何公新亡，便下岐品。 人謂中正畏強易弱。」 粲乃止。
Yuan Can visited mourning Qi who pleaded sickness. Can predicted inspectors would humble Qi's clan rating. Wang Quan said condolence did not require an audience. He noted hypocrisy: Qi escaped demotion until Zeng's death triggered punishment. Onlookers accused favoritism toward the powerful. Can fell silent.
47
劭庶兄遵
Zun, elder half-brother of Shao on the distaff side.
49
遵字思祖，劭庶兄也。 少有幹能。 起家散騎黃門郎、散騎常侍、侍中，累轉大鴻臚。 性亦奢忲，役使禦府工匠作禁物，又鬻行器，爲司隸劉毅所奏，免官。 太康初，起爲魏郡太守，遷太僕卿，又免官，卒-{於}-家，四子，嵩、綏、-{機}-、羨。
He Zun, styled Sizu, was Shao's senior half-brother. He showed early bureaucratic talent. His career ran through yellow-gate posts to grand herald. He forced palace artisans to craft illicit luxuries and peddled travel gear until Liu Yi impeached him out of office. Taikang restored him to Wei prefect and grand coachman until another dismissal; he died at home leaving four sons.
51
遵子嵩
Song, son of Zun.
52
嵩字泰基，寬弘愛士，博觀墳籍，尤善《史》、《漢》。 少曆清官，領著作郎。
He Song loved books and mastered the Shiji and Hanshu. He climbed through clean posts to supervising editor.
53
遵子綏
Sui, son of Zun.
54
綏字伯蔚，位至侍中尚書。 自以繼世名貴，奢侈過度，性既輕物，翰劄簡傲。 城陽王尼見綏書疏，謂人曰：「伯蔚居亂而矜豪乃爾，豈其免乎！」 劉輿、潘滔譖之-{於}-東海王越，越遂誅綏。 初，曾侍武帝宴，退而告遵等曰：「國家應天受禪，創業垂統。 吾每宴見，未嘗聞經國遠圖，惟説平生常事，非貽厥孫謀之兆也。 及身而已，-{後}-嗣其殆乎！ 此子孫之憂也。 汝等猶可獲沒。」 指諸孫曰：「此等必遇亂亡也。」 及綏死，嵩哭之曰； 「我祖其大聖乎！」
He Sui reached palace attendant and minister of writing. Noble birth bred extravagance, contempt, and supercilious correspondence. Wang Ni warned that swagger amid turmoil courted disaster. Liu Yu and Pan Tao poisoned Sima Yue against him and secured his execution. Long before, Zeng told sons the dynasty had won heaven's mandate. Yet palace feasts discussed trivia, not statecraft—a bad sign for heirs. He feared the line would end with their generation. He foresaw peril for descendants. Sons might at least die peacefully. He predicted chaos for the grandchildren. At Sui's death Song sobbed: Our grandfather must have been clairvoyant!
55
遵子-{機}-
Ji, son of Zun.
56
-{機}-爲鄒平令。 性亦矜傲，責鄕里謝鯤等拜。 或戒之曰：「禮敬年爵，以德爲主。 令鯤拜勢，懼傷風俗。」 -{機}-不以爲慚。
He Ji governed Zouping county. He forced locals like Xie Kun into obeisance. Critics said deference should follow virtue, not coercion. Coercing Kun wounded public morals. Ji remained unrepentant.
57
遵子羨
Xian, son of Zun.
58
羨爲離狐令。 既驕且吝，陵駕人物，鄕閭疾之如仇。 永嘉之末，何氏滅亡無遺焉。
He Xian governed Lihu county. Arrogant and stingy, he trampled neighbors who hated him bitterly. The Yongjia catastrophe wiped out the He family line.
59
石苞
General Shi Bao.
60
石苞，字仲容，渤海南皮人也。 雅曠有智局，容儀偉麗，不修小節。 故時人爲之語曰：「石仲容，姣無雙。」 縣召爲吏，給農司馬。 會謁者陽翟郭玄信奉使，求人爲禦，司馬以苞及鄧艾給之。 行十餘里，玄信謂二人曰：「子-{後}-並當至卿相。」 苞曰：「禦隸也，何卿相乎？」 既而又被使到鄴，事久不決，乃販鐵-{於}-鄴市。 市長沛國趙元儒名知人，見苞，異之，因與結交。 歎苞遠量，當至公輔，由是知名，見吏部郎許允，求爲小縣。 允謂苞曰：「卿是我輩人，當相引在朝廷，何欲小縣乎？」 苞還歎息，不意允之知己乃如此也。
Shi Bao from Nanpi in Bohai bore the courtesy name Zhongrong. Open-minded and sharp, striking in appearance, he spurned petty scruples. A ditty ran: Zhongrong's looks were unmatched. The county drafted him as clerk serving the farming command. When envoy Guo Xuanxin needed drivers, the office lent Bao and Deng Ai. Mid-journey the envoy predicted both men would rise to chief ministers. Bao scoffed that grooms could never become ministers. A second Ye assignment stalled until he sold iron in the market. Market inspector Zhao Yuanru spotted his promise and befriended him. Zhao's praise spread his name; Bao then asked Xu Yun for a small magistracy. Xu Yun insisted court posts suited him better than a remote county. Bao marveled at such steadfast patronage.
61
稍遷景帝中護軍司馬。 宣帝聞苞好色薄行，以讓景帝。 帝答曰：「苞雖細行不足，而有經國才略。 夫貞廉之士，未必能經濟世務。 是以齊桓忘管仲之奢僭，而錄其匡合之大謀； 漢高舍陳平之汙行，而取其六奇之妙算。 苞雖未可以上儔二子，亦今日之選也。」 意乃釋。 徙鄴典農中郎將。 時魏世王侯多居鄴下，尚書丁謐貴傾一時，並較時利。 苞奏列其事，由是益見稱。 曆東萊、琅邪太守，所在皆有威惠。 遷徐州刺史。
He rose to marshal on Emperor Jing's guard staff. Sima Yi faulted his son for employing a libertine. Sima Zhao replied that moral perfection rarely equals strategic genius. Purists seldom master practical administration. Qi Huan overlooked Guan Zhong's excess for his statecraft. Han Gaozu ignored Chen Ping's morals for his stratagems. Bao fell short of those paragons yet remained the best available. Sima Yi relented. He became Ye agriculture intendant. Ye swarmed with nobles profiteering under Ding Mi's shadow. His expose of corruption won acclaim. As prefect on the coast he balanced sternness and mercy. Next came Xuzhou inspector.
62
文帝之敗-{於}-東關也，苞獨全軍而退。 帝指所持節謂苞曰：「恨不以此授卿，以究大事。」 乃遷苞爲奮武將軍、假節、監青州諸軍事。 及諸葛誕舉兵淮南，苞統青州諸軍，督兗州刺史州泰、徐州刺史胡質，簡銳卒爲遊軍，以備外寇。 呉遣大將朱異、丁奉等來迎，誕等留輜重-{於}-都陸，輕兵渡黎水。 苞等逆擊，大破之。 泰山太守胡烈以奇兵詭道襲都陸，盡焚其委輸。 異等收餘眾而退，壽春平。 拜苞鎮東將軍，封東光侯、假節。 頃之，代王基都督揚州諸軍事。 苞因入朝。 當還，辭高貴鄕公，留語盡日。 既出，白文帝曰：「非常主也。」 數日而有成濟之事。 -{後}-進位征東大將軍，俄遷驃騎將軍。
After Sima Zhao's Dongguan setback only Bao withdrew unscathed. Sima Zhao regretted not giving him supreme command. He named him general who rouses might over Qingzhou. Against Zhuge Dan he coordinated Qing, Yan, and Xu columns with mobile elite guards. Wu relief columns approached as Dan rushed light forces across the Li. Bao struck first and shattered the relief army. Hu Lie raided Dulü supply lines by surprise. Zhu Yi fled; Shouchun fell. He earned general who guards the east and the Dongguang marquisate. He succeeded Wang Ji commanding Yangzhou. Court summons followed. Leaving Luoyang he spent the day with Cao Mao. He warned Sima Zhao that Cao Mao was extraordinary. Days later came Cheng Ji's regicide. Promotions stacked to east-conquering commander-in-chief then cavalry-in-chief.
63
文帝崩，賈充、荀勖議葬禮未定。 苞時奔喪，慟哭曰：「基業如此，而以人臣終乎！」 葬禮乃定。 -{後}-每與陳騫諷魏帝以歷數已終，天命有在。 及禪位，苞有力焉。 武帝踐阼，遷大司馬，進封樂陵郡公，加侍中，羽葆鼓吹。
Sima Zhao's death left funeral plans stalled between Jia Chong and Xun Xu. Bao's keening insisted the regency deserved imperial burial. His protest settled the ceremony. He joined Chen Qian urging abdication. He helped force the transfer. Wudi made him grand marshal, duke of Leling, with full honors.
64
自諸葛破滅，苞便鎮撫淮南，士馬強盛，邊境多務，苞既勤庶事，又以威德服物。 淮北監軍王琛輕苞素微，又聞童謠曰：「宮中大馬-{幾}-作驢，大石壓之不得舒。」 因是密表苞與呉人交通。 先時望氣者云「東南有大兵起」。 及琛表至，武帝甚疑之。 會荊州刺史胡烈表呉人欲大出爲寇，苞亦聞呉師將入，乃築壘遏水以自固。 帝聞之，謂羊祜曰：「呉人每來，常東西相應，無緣偏爾，豈石苞果有不順乎？」 祜深明之，而帝猶疑焉。 會苞子喬爲尚書郎，上召之，經日不至。 帝謂爲必叛，欲討苞而隱其事。 遂下詔以苞不料賊勢，築壘遏水，勞擾百姓，策免其官。 遣太尉義陽王望率大軍征之，以備非常。 又敕鎮東將軍、琅邪王伷自下邳會壽春。 苞用掾孫鑠計，放兵歩出，住都亭待罪。 帝聞之，意解。 及苞詣闕，以公還第。 苞自恥受任無效而無怨色。
He held Huainan with strong hosts, juggling logistics and moral sway. Wang Chen mocked his birth and cited a rhyme hinting treason. Chen accused him of colluding with Wu. Court astrologers had warned of southeastern war. The emperor grew alarmed. Hu Lie's alarm and Wu rumors drove Bao to fortify river lines. Wudi asked Yang Hu whether isolated alarms proved rebellion. Yang Hu eased concern only partly. Son Qiao ignored repeated summons. The throne planned secret punitive force. A rescript cashiered him for panic defenses disturbing civilians. Sima Wang marched to hedge rebellion. Sima Zhou was to join from Xiapi. Following Sun Shuo he disarmed and waited at the capital lodge. The gesture calmed the throne. He entered brief audience then retired under ducal rank. He blamed himself without bitterness.
65
時鄴奚官督郭暠上書理苞。 帝詔曰：「前大司馬苞忠允清亮，才經世務，幹用之績，所曆可紀。 宜掌教典，以贊時政。 其以苞爲司徒。」 有司奏：「苞前有折撓，不堪其任。 以公還第，已爲弘厚，不宜擢用。」 詔曰：「呉人輕脆，終無能爲。 故疆埸之事，但欲完固守備，使不得越逸而已。 以苞計畫不同，慮敵過甚，故征還更授。 昔鄧禹撓-{於}-關中，而終輔漢室，豈以一眚而掩大德哉！」 -{於}-是就位。
A Ye palace steward petitioned in his defense. Wudi praised his past loyalty and competence. He should teach and advise policy. The court restored him as minister of education. Officials argued his earlier failure disqualified him. They said retiring him unpunished was mercy enough. The emperor dismissed their objection. Frontier policy required containment only. His caution prompted recall, not treason. Deng Yu's setback did not erase Han service. Bao resumed the ministry.
66
苞奏：「州郡農桑未有賞罰之-{制}-，宜遣掾屬循行，皆當均其土宜，舉其殿最，然-{後}-黜陟焉。」 詔曰：「農殖者，爲政之本，有國之大務也。 雖欲安時興化，不先富而教之，其道無由。 而至今四海多事，軍國用廣，加承征伐之-{後}-，屢有水旱之事，倉庫不充，百姓無積。 古道稼穡樹藝，司徒掌之。 今雖登論道，然經國立政，惟時所急，故陶唐之世，稷官爲重。 今司徒位當其任，乃心王事，有毀家紓國，乾乾匪躬之志。 其使司徒督察州郡播殖，將委事任成，垂拱仰辦。 若宜有所循行者，其增置掾屬十人，聽取王官更練事業者。」 苞在位稱爲忠勤，帝每委任焉。
He proposed agricultural inspectors ranking regional yields. The throne answered that farming anchored rule. Peace and moral instruction require prosperity first. War and famine had emptied stores. Classically the minister of education oversaw crops. Even sage kings prioritized agriculture. The edict demanded sacrificial zeal from Bao. Wudi tasked him with nationwide crop drives. Up to ten deputy inspectors could come from veteran courtiers. After the long rescript closed, contemporaries still hailed his diligence and imperial trust.
67
薨。 帝發哀-{於}-朝堂，賜秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲，錢三十萬，布百匹。 及葬，給節、幢、麾、曲蓋、追鋒車、鼓吹、介士、大車，皆如魏司空陳泰故事。 車駕臨送-{於}-東掖門外。 策諡曰武。 咸甯初，詔苞等並爲王功，列-{於}-銘饗。
His death followed. Court mourning brought burial gifts matching prior magnates. Funeral pomp matched Chen Tai's Wei-era honors. The emperor saw the cortège past the east portal. He was canonized Wu. Xianning enrolled him among Jin founding peers honored at shrines.
68
苞豫爲《終-{制}-》曰：「延陵薄葬，孔子以爲達禮； 華元厚葬，《春秋》以爲不臣，古之明義也。 自今死亡者，皆斂以時服，不得兼重。 又不得飯含，爲愚俗所爲。 又不得設床帳明器也。 定窆之-{後}-，復土滿坎，一不得起墳種樹。 昔王孫裸葬矯時，其子奉命，君子不譏，況-{於}-合禮典者耶？」 諸子皆奉遵遺令，又斷親戚故吏設祭。 有六子：越、喬、統、浚、俊、崇。 以統爲嗣。
His testament cited Yanling's frugal tomb as sage-approved. It condemned Hua Yuan's excess as unministerial. He mandated simple shrouds. He forbade mouth pearls. He banned tomb furnishings and figurines. He demanded flat graves without mounds or trees. He invoked Yang Wangsun's austere burial as respectable. Heirs honored the will and refused condolence sacrifices. Six sons survived him: Yue, Qiao, Tong, two different men both romanized Jun distinguished by the courtesy names Jinglun and Yanlun, and Chong. The primary heir was Tong.
69
=苞子統=
Heading marker for Tong, son of Shi Bao.
70
統字弘緒，歷位射聲校尉、大鴻臚。 子順，爲尚書郎。
Shi Tong rose through commandant of sound-archers to grand herald. His son Shun served at the Masters of Writing.
71
=苞子越=
Heading marker for Yue, son of Shi Bao.
72
越字弘倫，早卒。
Shi Yue died in youth.
73
=苞子喬=
Heading marker for Qiao, son of Shi Bao.
74
喬字弘祖，曆尚書郎、散騎侍郎。 帝既召喬不得，深疑苞反。 及苞至，有慚色，謂之曰「卿子-{幾}-破卿門」。 苞遂廢之，終身不聽仕。 又以有穢行，徙頓丘，與弟崇同被害。 二子超、熙亡走得免。 成都王穎之起義也，以超爲折-{衝}-將軍，討孫秀，以功封侯。 又爲振武將軍，征荊州賊李辰。 穎與長沙王乂相攻，超常爲前鋒，遷中護軍。 陳昣等挾惠帝北伐，超走還鄴。 穎使超距帝-{於}-蕩陰，王師敗績，超逼帝幸鄴宮。 會王浚攻穎-{於}-鄴，穎以超爲右將軍以距浚，大敗而歸。 從駕之洛陽，西遷長安。 河間王顒以超領北中郎將，使與穎共距東海王越。 超-{於}-滎陽募兵，右將軍王闡與典兵中郎趙則並受超節度，爲豫州刺史劉喬繼援。 范陽王虓逆擊斬超，而熙得走免。 永嘉中，爲太傅越參軍。
Shi Qiao held ministry and cavalier posts. Qiao's failure to answer summons fed rumors of Bao's treason. Sima Yan apologized yet blamed Qiao for nearly ruining the clan. Bao disowned him from official careers forever. Later disgrace sent him to Dunqiu where he and Chong were killed. Sons Chao and Xi ran away and survived. Sima Ying named Chao van leader against Sun Xiu, earning a marquisate. He next suppressed bandit Li Chen in Jing. In civil war between Ying and Yi he led van guards. During the forced northern expedition Chao bolted to Ye. At Tangyin Chao drove imperial guards aside and escorted the emperor to Ye. A relief bid against Sima Jun collapsed. He then trailed the court westward. Sima Yong teamed him with Ying against Sima Yue. He levied men at Xingyang under Liu Qiao's relief column. Sima Xiao killed Chao; Xi escaped. Under Yongjia he joined Sima Yue's staff.
75
=苞子浚=
Heading marker for Shi Jun the elder, courtesy Jinglun.
76
浚字景倫，清儉有鑒識，敬愛人物。 位至黃門侍郎，爲當世名士，早卒。
Shi Jun was austere, perceptive, and principled. He died young yet famed as a yellow-gate moral exemplar.
77
=苞子俊=
Heading marker for Shi Jun the younger, courtesy Yanlun.
78
俊字彥倫，少有名譽，議者稱爲令器。 官至陽平太守，早卒。
Shi Jun the younger, styled Yanlun, was hailed as promising talent. He governed Yangping briefly before early death.
79
=苞子崇=
Heading marker for Chong, son of Shi Bao.
80
崇字季倫，生-{於}-青州，故小名齊奴。 少敏惠，勇而有謀。 苞臨終，分財物與諸子，獨不及崇。 其母以爲言，苞曰：「此兒雖小，-{後}-自能得。」 年二十餘，爲修武令，有能名。 入爲散騎郎，遷城陽太守。 伐呉有功，封安陽鄕侯。 在郡雖有職務，好學不倦，以疾自解。 頃之，拜黃門郎。
Shi Chong, nicknamed Qinu, was Qingzhou-born. Clever and bold, he showed strategic nerve early. On his deathbed Bao skipped Chong in the division. Bao told her the boy would enrich himself later. He proved an able Xiuwu magistrate. Court duty led to Chengyang prefect. Conquest of Wu won him the Anyang village marquisate. He quit office claiming illness to keep reading. Soon he returned as yellow-gate gentleman.
81
兄統忤扶風王駿，有司承旨奏統，將加重罰，既而見原。 以崇不詣闕謝恩，有司欲復加統罪。 崇自表曰：「臣兄統以先父之恩，早被優遇，出入清顯，歷位盡勤。 伏度聖心，有以垂察。 近爲扶風王駿橫所誣謗，司隸中丞等飛筆重奏，劾案深文，累塵天聽。 臣兄弟跼蹐，憂心如悸。 駿戚屬尊重，權要赫奕。 內外有司，望風承旨。 苟有所惡，易-{於}-投卵。 自統枉劾以來，臣兄弟不敢一言稍自申理。 戢舌鉗口，惟須刑書。 古人稱「榮華-{於}-順旨，枯槁-{於}-逆違」，誠哉斯言，-{於}-今信矣。 是以雖董司直繩，不能不深其文，抱枉含謗，不得不輸其理。 幸賴陛下天聽四達，靈鑒昭遠，存先父勳德之重，察臣等勉勵之志。 中詔申料，罪譴澄雪。 臣等刻肌碎首，未足上報。 臣即以今月十四日，與兄統、浚等詣公車門拜表謝恩。 伏度奏禦之日，暫經天聽。 此月二十日，忽被蘭台禁止符，以統蒙宥，恩出非常，臣晏然私門，曾不陳謝，復見彈奏，訕辱理盡。 臣始聞此，惶懼狼狽，靜而思之，固無怪也。 苟尊勢所驅，何所不至，望奉法之直繩，不可得也。 臣以凡才，累荷顯重，不能負載析薪，以答萬分。 一月之中，奏劾頻加，曲之與直，非臣所計。 所愧不能承奉戚屬，自陷-{於}-此。 不媚-{於}-灶，實愧王孫，《隨巢子》稱「明君之德，察情爲上，察事次之」。 所懷具經聖聽，伏待罪黜，無所多言。」 由是事解。 累遷散騎常侍、侍中。
Tong clashed with Sima Jun and barely escaped harsh sentence. Chong's failure to present thanks threatened renewed charges against Tong. Chong petitioned for Tong, citing dutiful service. He appealed to imperial discernment. He accused Jun of orchestrated slander. He described family terror. He stressed Jun's intimidating clan. Bureaucrats rushed to obey Jun. Malice could crush them effortlessly. Since Tong's frame-up they had stayed silent. They waited mute for punishment. He cited proverb on favor currying versus ruin. Even honest judges bow to pressure. He praised the emperor's fairness. Imperial review absolved them. He vowed gratitude beyond repayment. They thanked at the proper gate. He assumed brief imperial notice. Bureaucrats attacked them for tardy thanks. He feigned understanding of court politics. Power brokers warp justice. He confessed humble inability. Serial charges overwhelmed them. He blamed refusal to court Jun. He cited Suichaozi on discerning rulers. He awaited punishment silently. The petition cleared the crisis. He rose to senior attendant posts.
82
武帝以崇功臣子，有幹局，深器重之。 元康初，楊駿輔政，大開封賞，多樹黨援。 崇與散騎郎蜀郡何攀共立議，奏-{於}-惠帝曰：「陛下聖德光被，皇靈啟祚，正位東宮，二十餘年，道化宣流，萬國歸心。 今承洪基，此乃天授。 至-{於}-班賞行爵，優-{於}-泰始革命之初。 不安一也。 呉會僭逆，-{幾}--{於}-百年，邊境被其荼毒，朝廷爲之旰食。 先帝決獨斷之聰，奮神武之略，蕩滅逋寇，易-{於}-摧枯。 然謀臣猛將，猶有致思竭力之效。 而今恩澤之封，優-{於}-滅呉之功。 不安二也。 上天眷祐，實在大晉，卜世之數，未知其紀。 今之開-{制}-，當垂-{於}--{後}-。 若尊卑無差，有爵必進，數世之-{後}-，莫非公侯。 不安三也。 臣等敢冒陳聞。 竊謂泰始之初，及平呉論功，-{制}-度名牒，皆悉具存。 縱不能遠遵古典，尚當依准舊事。」 書奏，弗納。 出爲南中郎將、荊州刺史，領南蠻校尉，加鷹揚將軍。 崇在南中，得鴆鳥雛，以與-{後}-軍將軍王愷。 時-{制}-，鴆鳥不得過江，爲司隸校尉傅祗所糾，詔原之，燒鴆-{於}-都街。
Wudi favored him as capable noble heir. Yang Jun's regency showered patronage. They opened a paired memorial with ritual praise. They hailed peaceful succession. They attacked excessive grants—first objection. First warning against Yang Jun's gifts. Second point: Wu had long vexed the realm. Wudi crushed Wu decisively. Merit ministers earned their rewards. Yang Jun's gifts outstripped Wu conquerors—second unease. Second objection stated. Jin's mandate should be husbanded. Precedent binds future ages. Rank inflation would nobble everyone—third unease. Third objection stated. They submitted boldly. Archives held fair precedents. They urged matching earlier tables. Hui ignored the protest. He took Jingzhou with frontier generalships. He shipped a forbidden zhen fledgling to Wang Kai. Fu Di seized the bird; court burned it publicly.
83
崇穎悟有才氣，而任俠無行檢。 在荊州，劫遠使商客，致富不貲。 徵爲大司農，以征書未至擅去官免。 頃之，拜太僕，出爲征虜將軍，假節、監徐州諸軍事，鎮下邳。 崇有別館在河陽之金-{谷}-，一名梓澤，送者傾都，帳飲-{於}-此焉。 至鎮，與徐州刺史高誕爭酒相侮，爲軍司所奏，免官。 復拜衞尉，與潘岳諂事賈謐。 謐與之親善，號曰「二十四友」。 廣城君每出，崇降車路左，望塵而拜，其卑佞如此。
Brilliant but unscrupulous. He plundered traders for fortune. He lost grand agrarian post for premature resignation. He returned as coachman then Xuzhou commander. His Golden Valley estate hosted famous farewell parties. A drunken insult duel with Gao Dan cost his job. He curried Jia Mi beside Pan Yue. They joined Mi's literary cabal. He kowtowed to Jia Nanfeng's mother in the dirt.
84
財產豐積，室宇宏麗。 -{後}-房百數，皆曳紈繡，珥金翠。 絲竹盡當時之選，庖膳窮水陸之珍。 與貴戚王愷、羊琇之徒以奢靡相尚。 愷以𥹋澳釜，崇以蠟代薪。 愷作紫絲布歩障四十里，崇作錦歩障五十里以敵之。 崇塗屋以椒，愷用赤石脂。 崇、愷爭豪如此。 武帝每助愷，嘗以珊瑚樹賜之，高二尺許，枝柯扶疏，世所罕比。 愷以示崇，崇便以鐵如意擊之，應手而碎。 愷既惋惜，又以爲嫉己之寶，聲色方厲。 崇曰：「不足多恨，今還卿。」 乃命左右悉取珊瑚樹，有高三四尺者六七株，條幹絶俗，光彩曜日，如愷比者甚眾。 愷忄兄然自失矣。
Fortunes and mansions swelled beyond measure. Concubines beyond count wore brocade and jade. Orchestras and banquets pushed every culinary extreme. He raced Wang Kai and Yang Xiu in conspicuous waste. Wang Kai scoured pots with grain rinse while Chong lit fires with beeswax. Forty li of violet barriers faced fifty li of embroidered drapes. Pepper-infused plaster met cinnabar-coated walls. Their rivalry defined Jin decadence. The emperor favored Kai with a tall coral centerpiece. Chong smashed the coral with a metal wand. Kai raged at the insult. Chong shrugged off the loss. He unveiled a warehouse of loftier corals. Wang Kai slumped, utterly outspent.
85
崇爲客作豆粥，咄嗟便辦。 每冬，得韭萍齏。 嘗與愷出遊，爭入洛城，崇牛迅若飛禽，愷絶不能及。 愷每以此三事爲根，乃密貨崇帳下問其所以。 答云：「豆至難煮，豫作熟末，客來，但作白粥以投之耳。 韭萍齏是搗韭根雜以麥苗耳。 牛奔不遲，良由馭者逐不及反-{制}-之，可聽蹁轅則駃矣。」 -{於}-是悉從之，遂爭長焉。 崇-{後}-知之，因殺所告者。
Bean porridge appeared on command. Winter brought faux spring leek relish. His cattle outran Kai's carriage into the capital. Kai bought Chong's servants for trade secrets. They revealed pre-cooked bean flour trick. Relish was leek roots with cereal shoots. Loose traces made oxen sprint. Kai mimicked every gimmick. Chong murdered the stool-pigeons.
86
嘗與王敦入太學，見顏回、原憲之象，顧而歎曰：「若與之同升孔堂，去人何必有間。」 敦曰：「不知餘人云何，子貢去卿差近。」 崇正色曰：「士當身名俱泰，何至甕牖哉！」 其立意類此。
At Confucius Temple he envied Yan Hui's poverty sages. Wang Dun teased him as closer to Zigong. He disdained humble poverty. Such vanity colored his whole ethic.
87
劉輿兄弟少時爲王愷所嫉，愷召之宿，因欲坑之。 崇素與輿等善，聞當有變，夜馳詣愷，問二劉所在，愷迫卒不得隱。 崇徑進-{於}--{後}-齋索出，同車而去。 語曰：「年少何以輕就人宿！」 輿深德之。
Wang Kai tried to murder the Liu brothers. Chong rushed to rescue them. He dragged them from back rooms and fled. He scolded their naivete. Liu Yu owed him his life.
88
及賈謐誅，崇以黨與免官。 時趙王倫專權，崇甥歐陽建與倫有隙。 崇有妓曰綠珠，美而豔，善吹笛。 孫秀使人求之。 崇時在金-{谷}-別館，方登涼臺，臨清流，婦人侍側。 使者以告。 崇盡出其婢妾數十人以示之，皆蘊蘭麝，被羅縠，曰：「在所擇。」 使者曰：「君侯服御麗則麗矣，然本受命指索綠珠，不識孰是？」 崇勃然曰：「綠珠吾所愛，不可得也。」 使者曰：「君侯博古通今，察遠照邇，願加三思。」 崇曰：「不然。」 使者出而又反，崇竟不許。 秀怒，乃勸倫誅崇、建。 崇、建亦潛知其計，乃與黃門郎潘岳陰勸淮南王允、齊王冏以圖倫、秀。 秀覺之，遂矯詔收崇及潘岳、歐陽建等。 崇正宴-{於}-樓上，介士到門。 崇謂綠珠曰：「我今爲爾得罪。」 綠珠泣曰：「當效死-{於}-官前。」 因自投-{於}-樓下而死。 崇曰：「吾不過流徙交、廣耳。」 及車載詣東市，崇乃歎曰：「奴輩利吾家財。」 收者答曰：「知財致害，何不早散之？」 崇不能答。 崇母兄妻子無少長皆被害，死者十五人，崇時年五十二。
Jia Mi's fall ended Chong's office. Sima Lun feuded with nephew Ouyang Jian. His famed concubine Green Pearl played flute. Sun Xiu coveted Green Pearl. He lounged at Golden Valley estate. Messengers tracked him down. He offered substitute beauties. They insisted on Green Pearl. He refused. They threatened consequences. He held firm. Second embassy failed. Sun Xiu pushed execution. They plotted counter-coup with Pan Yue. Forged warrants seized the circle. Soldiers interrupted his banquet. He blamed her charm. She vowed martyrdom. She leaped to her death. He expected mere banishment. At execution he cursed greedy servants. Guards mocked his hoarding. He had no reply. Fifteen kin perished; Chong died at fifty-two.
89
初，崇家稻米飯在地，經宿皆化爲螺，時人以爲族滅之應。 有司簿閱崇水碓三餘區，蒼頭八百餘人，他珍寶貨賄田宅稱是。 及惠帝復阼，詔以卿禮葬之。 封崇從孫演爲樂陵公。
Rice turning to snails foretold clan wipeout. Auditors tallied mills, slaves, and estates. Hui reburied him with honors. A collateral heir kept the Leling title.
90
=苞曾孫-{樸}-=
Heading for Pu, great-grandson of Shi Bao.
91
苞曾孫-{樸}-字玄真，爲人謹厚，無他材藝，沒-{於}-胡。 石勒以與-{樸}-同姓，俱出河北，引-{樸}-爲宗室，特加優寵，位至司徒。
Shi Pu vanished into Later Zhao chaos. Shi Le favored him as fake kinsman.
92
=附：歐陽建=
Appendix heading for Ouyang Jian.
93
歐陽建字堅石，世爲冀方右族。 雅有理思，才藻美贍，擅名北州。 時人爲之語曰：「渤海赫赫，歐陽堅石。」 -{辟}-公府，曆山陽令、尚書郎、馮翊太守，甚得時譽。 及遇禍，莫不悼惜之，年三十餘。 臨命作詩，文甚哀楚。
Ouyang Jian from Ji great house. His prose dominated Hebei. A ditty hailed him. He rose through county and ministry. His death at thirty drew lament. Final poems were heartbreaking.
94
=附：孫鑠=
Appendix heading for Sun Shuo.
95
孫鑠字巨鄴，河內懷人也。 少樂爲縣吏，太守呉奮轉以爲主簿。 鑠自微賤登綱紀，時僚大姓猶不與鑠同坐。 奮大怒，遂薦鑠爲司隸都官從事。 司隸校尉劉訥甚知賞之。 時奮又薦鑠-{於}-大司馬石苞，苞-{辟}-爲掾。 鑠將應命，行達許昌，會台已密遣輕軍襲苞。 -{於}-時汝陰王鎮許，鑠過謁之。 王先識鑠，以鄕里之情私告鑠曰：「無與禍。」 鑠即出，即馳詣壽春，爲苞畫計，苞賴而獲免。 遷尚書郎，在職駁議十有餘事，爲當時所稱。
Sun Shuo from Huai district. Wu Fen promoted clerk to chief clerk. Nobles shunned his bench. Wu Fen forced him into metropolitan inspectorate. Liu Ne championed him. Wu Fen sent him to Shi Bao's staff. En route he learned court struck Bao. Prince Shen held Xu. Shen urged retreat. His warning saved Bao at Shouchun. As ministry gentleman his critiques won fame.
96
史臣曰
Historian's verdict.
97
史臣曰：若夫經爲帝師，鄭-{沖}--{於}-焉無愧； 孝爲德本，王祥所以當仁； 何曾善其親而及其親之黨者也。 夏禹恭儉，殷因損益。 牲牢服用，各有品章，諸侯不恆牛，命士不恆豕。 禦而驕奢，其關乎治政。 乘時立-{制}-，莫不由之。 石崇學乃多聞，情乖寡悔，超四豪而取富，喻五侯而競爽。 春畦靃靡，列-{於}-凝沍之晨； 錦障逶迤，亙以山川之外。 撞鐘舞女，流宕忘歸，至-{於}-金-{谷}-含悲，吹樓將墜，所謂高蟬處乎輕陰，不知螳蜋襲其-{後}-也。
Chong ranked flawless as imperial teacher. Wang Xiang embodied filial virtue. He Zeng cherished extended family. Historian cited Xia-Yin sumptuary roots. Ancient ritual graded sacrifices. Extravagance shapes policy. Every age codifies restraint. Chong outspent legendary wastrels. His gardens flourished even in frost. Silk barriers stretched past horizons. His revels invoked the mantis-and-cicada parable.
98
贊==
Double equals mark preceding encomium.
99
贊曰：鄭-{沖}-含素，王祥遲暮。 百行斯融，雙飛天路。 何石殊操，芳飪標奇。 帝風流靡，崇心載馳。 矜奢不極，寇害成貲。 邦分身墜，樂往哀隨。
Elegy opens on Chong and Xiang. Their virtues paired ascent. He Zeng and Shi clan contrasted yet linked by luxury. Court fashion ran decadent as Chong raced excess. Boundless pride fed catastrophe. Their realm shattered and houses fell—every banquet ended in ruin.