1
郤詵
Xi Shen.
2
郤詵,字廣基,濟陰單父人也。 父晞,尚書左丞。 詵博學多才,瑰偉倜儻,不拘細行,州郡禮命並不應。 泰始中,詔天下舉賢良直言之士,太守文立舉詵應選。
Xi Shen, courtesy name Guangji, came from Shanfu in Jiyin commandery. His father, Xi, served as Assistant Director of the Left of the Secretariat. Shen was learned and gifted, striking in bearing and heedless of minor proprieties; he turned down every formal appointment offered by local authorities. During the Taishi reign, an edict called on the empire to recommend worthy men who would speak candidly; Prefect Wen Li nominated Shen to take part.
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詔曰:「蓋太上以德撫時,易簡無文。 至於三代,禮樂大備,制度彌繁。 文質之變,其理何由? 虞、夏之際,聖明系踵,而損益不同。 周道既衰,仲尼猶曰從周。 因革之宜,又何殊也? 聖王既沒,遺制猶存,霸者迭興而翼輔之,王道之缺,其無補乎? 何陵遲之不反也? 豈霸德之淺歟? 期運不可致歟? 且夷吾之智,而功止于霸,何哉? 夫昔人之為政,革亂亡之弊,建不刊之統,移風易俗,刑措不用,豈非化之盛歟? 何修而向茲? 朕獲承祖宗之休烈,於茲七載,而人未服訓,政道罔述。 以古況今,何不相逮之遠也? 雖明之弗及,猶思與群賢慮之,將何以辨所聞之疑昧,獲至論於讜言乎? 加自頃戎狄內侵,災害屢作,邊氓流離,征夫苦役,豈政刑之謬,將有司非其任歟? 各悉乃心,究而論之。 上明古制,下切當今。 朕之失德,所宜振補。 其正議無隱,將敬聽之。」
The edict ran: "In remotest antiquity the sage ruler steadied the age through virtue; governance stayed plain and unadorned. By the Three Dynasties, ritual and music had been brought to full elaboration and regulation grew ever denser. What principle governs the swing between outward refinement and inward simplicity? From Yu to Xia, sagely rulers succeeded one another in close succession, yet each borrowed from his predecessor in a different measure. Even after the Zhou order decayed, Confucius insisted he would follow the Zhou model. When to preserve and when to reform—why should the right measure ever be wholly different? After the sage kings were gone, their institutions lingered; hegemons rose one after another and propped them up—did that never repair what the royal way lacked? Why, then, did decline never turn back? Was hegemonic virtue simply too shallow? Or because the times could not be forced? Guan Zhong was formidably capable—why did his accomplishment never rise beyond hegemony? The ancients took power amid ruin, forged an enduring order, reshaped customs until punishments were laid aside—was that not transformation at its fullest? What must a ruler cultivate to reach that? I have received my forebears' glorious legacy; seven years have passed, yet the people still resist moral instruction and I have failed to set forth how government ought to run. Measured against antiquity, why do we fall so terribly short? Though I am less discerning than the ancients, I still wish to think this through with you—how am I to clear what puzzles me and hear sound doctrine from honest counsel? Moreover, barbarians have lately crossed the frontier, disasters keep coming, border people are scattered, and soldiers buckle under the levy—is that bad policy and harsh law, or men unfit for office? Each of you search your conscience and lay out your reasoning fully. Explain the classical models above and speak squarely to conditions today below. Where I have fallen short in virtue is precisely what must be set right. Speak plainly and withhold nothing of your honest judgment—I shall receive it with respect."
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詵對曰:
Xi Shen replied:
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伏惟陛下以聖德君臨,猶垂意於博采,故招賢正之士,而臣等薄陋,不足以降大問也。 是以竊有自疑之心,雖致身于闕庭,亦FC俯矣。 伏讀聖策,乃知下問之旨篤焉。 臣聞上古推賢讓位,教同德一,故易簡而人化; 三代世及,季末相承,故文繁而後整。 虞、夏之相因,而損益不同,非帝王之道異,救弊之路殊也。 周當二代之流,承凋偽之極,盡禮樂之致,窮制度之理,其文詳備,仲尼因時宜而曰從周,非殊論也。 臣聞聖王之化先禮樂,五霸之興勤政刑。 禮樂之化深,政刑之用淺。 勤之則可以小安,墮之則遂陵遲。 所由之路本近,故所補之功不侔也。 而齊桓失之葵丘,夷吾淪於小器,功止於霸,不亦宜乎!
I reflect that Your Majesty, enthroned in sage virtue, still troubles to cast the net wide for counsel and summons worthy men to speak plainly—yet we who stand before you are men of slight talent, unequal to so weighty a theme. So I doubt my own fitness; though I have come to the palace gate, I remain ill at ease and abashed before you. Once I had reverently read Your examination theme, I understood how deeply earnest Your question was. I have heard that in earliest times worthies abdicated in favor of merit and teaching aimed at a single shared virtue—so governance stayed plain and the people were shaped without fuss. Under the Three Dynasties the throne passed by inheritance, each late age handing on to the next—so outward forms multiplied and only afterward could they be disciplined. Yu and Xia built on what came before, yet each adjusted the pattern differently—not because the royal way itself changed, but because each age took its own path out of decay. Zhou followed two earlier houses at a time of extreme decay and fraud; it carried ritual and music to their fullest expression and worked out institutions to their logical limit—its forms were complete in every detail. Confucius, judging what the age needed, said he would follow Zhou; that was no inconsistent doctrine. Sage kings began transformation with ritual and music; the Five Hegemons rose by driving government and punishments hard. Ritual and music work deep in the character; law and punishment operate on the surface. Push the latter course hard and you may win a little calm; let it slip and decline sets in without fail. The two approaches start from nearly the same ground, yet the good they can accomplish is not comparable. Duke Huan failed at the Kuiqiu covenant; Guan Zhong proved a limited instrument—his achievement stopped at hegemony. Small wonder!
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策曰:「建不刊之統,移風易俗,使天下洽和,何修而向茲?」 臣以為莫大於擇人而官之也。 今之典刑,匪無一統,宰牧之才,優劣異績,或以之興,或以之替,此蓋人能弘政非政弘人也。 舍人務政,雖勤何益? 臣竊觀乎古今,而考其美惡:古人相與求賢,今人相與求爵。 古之官人,君責之於上,臣舉之於下,得其人有賞,失其人有罰,安得不求賢乎! 今之官者,父兄營之,親戚助之,有人事則通,無人事則塞,安得不求爵乎! 賢苟求達,達在修道,窮在失義,故靜以待之也。 爵苟可求,得在進取,失在後時,故動以要之也。 動則爭競,爭競則朋黨,朋黨則誣誷,誣誷則臧否失實,真偽相冒,主聽用惑,奸之所會也。 靜則貞固,貞固則正直,正直則信讓,信讓則推賢,推賢不伐,相下無厭,主聽用察,德之所趣也。 故能使之靜,雖日高枕而人自正; 不能禁動,雖復夙夜,俗不一也。 且人無愚智,咸慕名宦,莫不飾正于外,藏邪於內,故邪正之人難得而知也。 任得其正,則眾正益至; 若得其邪,則眾邪亦集。 物繁其類,誰能止之! 故亡國失世者,未嘗不為眾邪所積也。 方其初作,必始於微,微而不絕,其終乃著。 天地不能頓為寒暑,人主亦不能頓為隆替。 故寒暑漸於春秋,隆替起於得失。 當今之世,宦者無關梁,邪門啟矣; 朝廷不責賢,正路塞矣。 得失之源,何以甚此! 所謂責賢,使之相舉也; 所謂關梁,使之相保也。 賢不舉則有咎,保不信則有罰。 故古者諸侯必貢士,不貢者削,貢而不適亦削。 夫士者,難知也; 不適者,薄過也。 不得不責,強其所不知也; 罰其所不適,深其薄過,非恕也。 且天子于諸侯,有不純臣之義,斯責之矣。 施行之道,寧縱不濫之矣。 今皆反是,何也? 夫賢者天地之紀,品物之宗,其急之也,故寧濫以得之,無縱以失之也。 今則不然,世之悠悠者,各自取辨耳。 故其材行並不可必,於公則政事紛亂。 於私則污穢狼籍。 自頃長吏特多此累,有亡命而被購懸者矣,有縛束而絞戮者矣。 貪鄙竊位,不知誰升之者? 獸兕出檻,不知誰可咎者? 漏網吞舟,何以過此! 人之於利,如蹈水火焉。 前人雖敗,後人復起,如彼此無已,誰止之者? 風流日競,誰憂之者? 雖今聖思勞於夙夜,所使為政,恆得此屬,欲聖世化美俗平,亦俟河之清耳。 若欲善之,宜創舉賢之典,峻關梁之防。 其制既立,則人慎其舉而不苟,則賢者可知。 知賢而試,則官得其人矣。 官得其人,則事得其序; 事得其序,則物得其宜; 物得其宜,則生生豐植,人用資給,和樂興焉。 是故寡過而遠刑,知恥以近禮,此所以建不刊之統,移風易俗,刑措而不用也。
Your examination asked: "To found an enduring order, to shift customs and change habits until the realm is at peace—what must be cultivated to attain that?" I answer that nothing matters more than choosing the right men and putting them in office. Our laws are not without a single framework, yet among those who rule counties and commanderies, talent varies and results differ—some flourish under the system, some founder—because men give force to policy, not policy to men. Neglect the men and chase empty policy—what good will mere diligence do? Comparing past and present, I find this contrast: antiquity joined hands to find worthy men; today men join hands to chase titles. When the ancients filled offices, the ruler held officials accountable from above while ministers nominated from below—reward for a good pick, punishment for a bad one—how could they fail to seek real talent? Today office-seekers have fathers and brothers pull strings and kin lend leverage—pull opens doors, isolation leaves you shut out—how could men not scramble after titles? The worthy man who seeks recognition finds it by cultivating the Way; he falls obscure only by betraying right principle—so he waits in quiet self-command. Rank, when it can be chased, goes to whoever pushes first and slips from whoever arrives late—so men scramble and grasp. Scrambling breeds rivalry, rivalry breeds factions, factions breed slander—praise and blame lose touch with reality, truth and falsehood blur together, the ruler's judgment clouds in appointments, and treachery finds its opening. Quiet brings steadfastness, steadfastness brings integrity, integrity brings trust and deference, trust yields room for worthier men—recommend without boasting, defer without resentment, and the ruler hears clearly when he appoints; there virtue gathers. Hold men to that stillness and you may prop your pillow all day—the people will set themselves right. Fail to stop the scrambling and you may toil from dawn to dusk—customs will never unify. Wise or foolish, all chase reputation and office—everyone polishes virtue on the surface while hiding deviance within—so you cannot easily tell straight men from crooked. Employ one upright man and more upright men will come. Pick a crooked man and crooked men flock to him. Like calls to like—who can halt it? States that fell and ages that ended always piled error upon error until wrong consumed them. Evil begins small; leave the small unchecked and the end is plain for all to see. Heaven and earth do not flip from winter to summer in an instant; neither does a ruler vault from glory to ruin overnight. Cold and warmth creep in through spring and autumn; rise and fall grow out of getting policy right or wrong. Today aspirants to office meet no checkpoint—the crooked road lies wide open. The court never holds anyone accountable for recommending talent—the straight path is shut. At the root of success and failure, what could exceed this! What I mean by accountability for worthies is mutual recommendation. What I mean by barrier posts is mutual surety. Fail to raise a worthy man and you answer for it; give a false guarantee and you pay the penalty. So in old times every feudal lord owed the throne a quota of scholars—miss the quota and your fief was cut; send an unsuitable man and it was cut again. Talent is hard to judge. Missing the mark is a light offense. Yet you must demand results—so you force men to vouch for those they cannot truly know. Punish that miss harshly and you punish a venial fault severely—that is not magnanimous rule. Moreover, Son of Heaven and feudal lords do not stand in the plain relation of sovereign to subject—yet even so such demands were laid on them. In practice the rule was leniency before severity—better too loose than too harsh. Today everything runs the opposite way—why? Worthy men are Heaven and Earth's measure and the root of every calling; need them desperately—better cast the net wide and catch them than indulge slackness and lose them. Today it is otherwise—everyone who drifts with the fashion grabs whatever argument suits him. So neither talent nor conduct can be trusted—in public life policy dissolves into chaos. In private life they leave filth and scandal strewn behind them. Lately district magistrates especially pile up such stains—some are wanted men with price on their heads, some end bound on the scaffold. Venal men steal office—who handed them their seals? When beasts break from their cages—whom do we hold accountable? The net gapes wide enough to swallow a boat—what crime could be worse! Men rush toward profit as if into fire or deep water. One crop of climbers falls and another rises—if that cycle never stops, who can arrest it? The scramble worsens by the day—who even mourns it? Though Your Majesty racks mind and body night and day, the men you send to govern are always of this stamp—to hope for a sage reign of polished customs is to wait till the Yellow River runs clear. If you mean to mend this, establish clear rules for recommending worthies and tighten the gates at the passes. Once those rules are fixed, men will recommend with care and avoid careless picks—then worthies show themselves. Identify worthies and try them in office—then each post receives the right man. Right men in office bring affairs into proper order. Orderly government lets each thing find its proper place. When everything sits right, life flourishes, people have enough to live on, and harmony spreads. Faults dwindle and punishments fade; shame draws men toward ritual—this is how an enduring order is built, customs reshaped, and the rack left to gather dust.
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策曰:「自頃夷狄內侵,災眚屢降,將所任非其人乎? 何由而至此?」 臣聞蠻夷猾夏,則皋陶作士,此欲善其末,則先其本也。 夫任賢則政惠,使能則刑恕。 政惠則下仰其施,刑恕則人懷其勇。 施以殖其財,勇以結其心。 故人居則資贍而知方,動則親上而志勇。 苟思其利而除其害,以生道利之者,雖死不貳; 以逸道勞之者,雖勤不怨。 故其命可授,其力可竭,以戰則克,以攻則拔。 是以善者慕德而安服,惡者畏懼而削跡。 止戈而武,義實在文,唯任賢然後無患耳。 若夫水旱之災,自然理也。 故古者三十年耕必有十年之儲,堯、湯遭之而人不困,有備故也。 自頃風雨雖頗不時,考之萬國,或境土相接,而豐約不同; 或頃畝相連,而成敗異流,固非天之必害於人,人實不能均其勞苦。 失之於人,而求之於天,則有司惰職而不勸,百姓殆業而咎時,非所以定人志,致豐年也。 宜勤人事而已。
Your examination asked: "Barbarians have lately crossed inward and disasters keep striking—is that because we put the wrong men in charge? What chain of causes brought us here?" I have heard that when outer tribes troubled the heartland, Gaoyao was made Minister of Crime—to mend the branches you must heal the root first. Employ worthies and policy grows humane; use the capable and punishments stay mild. Humane government wins gratitude below; lenient law lets men trust in its firmness. Bounty fills their granaries; steadfast justice binds their loyalty. So at home they have enough to live on and know their duty; when mobilized they cling to their rulers and fight with courage. Lead them by what preserves life—ease their harms and advance their good—and they will not waver even unto death; make them work through measures that feel humane, and they will not resent even heavy duty. Then men will stake their lives and spend their last strength; fight and they win, strike and cities fall. The good embrace virtue and rest content; the wicked shrink back and vanish from sight. True martial virtue lays arms aside; its moral core lies in civil order—only when worthies hold office is the realm free of peril. Floods and droughts belong to nature's own pattern. Antiquity held ten years of grain for every thirty under the plough; Yao and Tang met drought and flood without famine because they were prepared. Lately the seasons have been somewhat awry, yet look across the commanderies: neighbors sharing a border may differ in feast or famine; adjoining fields may thrive or fail side by side—Heaven does not single people out for harm; rulers and folk simply fail to spread hardship and ease evenly. Blame Heaven while neglecting human causes and officials grow idle, commoners abandon their trades and curse the season—nothing there steadies the people's mind or fills the granaries. Work diligently at what lies within human power—that is enough.
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臣誠愚鄙不足以奉對聖朝,猶進之於廷者,將使取諸其懷而獻之乎! 臣懼不足也。 若收不知言以致知言,臣則可矣,是以辭鄙不隱也。
I am too dull to answer a sovereign court worthily—yet having been summoned into this hall, am I expected to lay bare whatever lies in my breast? I fear I shall fall short. If rough counsel may nonetheless yield insight, I may serve—so I hide none of my humble words.
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以對策上第,拜議郎。 母憂去職。
He ranked first on the policy examination and was appointed Gentleman Consultant. He resigned to observe mourning for his mother.
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詵母病,苦無車,及亡,不欲車載柩,家貧無以市馬,乃於所住堂北壁外假葬,開戶,朝夕拜哭。 養雞種蒜,竭其方術。 喪過三年,得馬八匹,輿柩至塚,負土成墳。 未畢,召為征東參軍。 徙尚書郎,轉車騎從事中郎。
While his mother lived she had no cart for travel; after her death he refused to haul her coffin by wagon—too poor to buy horses he laid her in temporary burial outside the north wall of his hall, cut a doorway through, and mourned morning and night. He raised chickens and garlic by every scheme he could devise. When three years of mourning had passed he owned eight horses; he bore the coffin to the grave on a litter and heaped earth into a mound. Before the burial was complete he was summoned as army adjutant on the eastern campaign. He rose to Gentleman of the Secretariat, then became adjutant to the household attendant for chariots and cavalry.
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吏部尚書崔洪薦詵為左丞。 及在職,嘗以事劾洪,洪怨詵,詵以公正距之,語在《洪傳》。 洪聞而慚服。
Cui Hong, Minister of Personnel, recommended Shen for the post of Assistant Director of the Left. Once in office he impeached Hong on a matter; Hong resented him, but Shen answered only with impartial rectitude—the story is told in Hong's biography. When Hong learned of it he was mortified and yielded.
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累遷雍州刺史。 武帝於東堂會送,問詵曰:「卿自以為何如?」 詵對曰:「臣舉賢良對策,為天下第一,猶桂林之一枝,昆山之片玉。」 帝笑。 侍中奏免詵官,帝曰:「吾與之戲耳,不足怪也。」 詵在任威嚴明斷,甚得四方聲譽。 卒於官。 子延登為州別駕。
He advanced through several posts to Inspector of Yong Province. Emperor Wu hosted his farewell at the Eastern Hall and asked, "How do you rate yourself among men? Xi Shen answered: "When I was examined as worthy and upright I placed first in the realm—no more than one twig on the cassia tree, one flake of jade from Mount Kun. The emperor laughed. The palace attendant memorialized to dismiss Shen; the emperor said, "We were only jesting—there is no offense. In office he was austere, decisive, and clear-minded, and earned wide renown in every quarter. He died in post. His son Yan Deng became provincial aide-de-camp.
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阮種
Ruan Zhong.
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阮種,字德猷,陳留尉氏人,漢侍中胥卿八世孫也。 弱冠有殊操,為嵇康所重。 康著《養生論》,所稱阮生,即種也。 察孝廉,為公府掾。 是時西虜內侵,災眚屢見,百姓饑饉,詔三公、卿尹、常伯、牧守各舉賢良方正直言之士。 於是太保何曾舉種賢良。
Ruan Zhong, courtesy name Deyou, came from Weishi in Chenliu—the eighth-generation descendant of Xu Qing, who served Han as palace attendant. Even as a young man he behaved unlike others; Xi Kang esteemed him. Xi Kang's "On Nourishing Life" praises "Master Ruan"—that man was Zhong. Recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, he served as a clerk in the metropolitan offices. Western tribes had crossed inward, omens kept appearing, and the people starved; an edict told the Three Dukes, senior ministers, imperial advisers, and governors each to nominate worthy men of integrity willing to speak plainly. Grand Guardian He Zeng thereupon nominated Zhong as worthy candidate.
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策曰:「在昔哲王,承天之序,光宅宇宙,咸用規矩乾坤,惠康品類,休風流衍,彌於千載。 朕應踐洪運統位,七載於今矣。 惟德弗嗣,不明於政,宵興惕厲,未燭厥猷。 子大夫韞韥道術,儼然而進,朕甚嘉焉。 其各悉乃心,以闡喻朕志,深陳王道之本,勿有所隱,朕虛心以覽焉。」 種對曰:「夫天地設位,聖人成能,王道至深,所以行化至遠。 故能開物成務,而功業不匱,近無不聽,遠無不服,德逮群生,澤被區宇,聲施無窮,而典垂百代。 故《經》曰:'聖人久于其道,而天下化成。 '宜師蹤往代,襲跡三五,矯世更俗,以從人望。 令率士遷義,下知所適,播醇美之化,杜邪枉之路,斯誠群黎之所欣想盛德而幸望休風也。」
The examination topic ran: "Ancient sage kings received Heaven's mandate, illumined all within the cosmos, aligned Heaven and Earth by measure, brought peace to every kind of creature, and left transforming virtue echoing down a thousand years. I have mounted the throne in answer to great fortune—seven years have now passed. Yet my virtue does not match my inheritance; I lack clarity in governing; I rise before dawn anxious and afraid—I have not yet discerned the right course. You bear the Way and its arts close within you and advance with dignity—I admire this deeply. Speak from the heart; unfold what I intend to ask; lay bare the foundations of the royal way; hide nothing—I listen with an open mind. Ruan Zhong replied: "Heaven and Earth fixed their stations and sages fulfilled their offices; the royal way runs deepest—therefore its transforming power reaches farthest. Thus they opened channels for human affairs and never exhausted true achievement; neighbors obeyed and distant peoples submitted; virtue touched every life, blessing soaked the realm, renown rolled on without end, and their pattern lasted for ages. The canon says, "Hold fast long enough to the sage's path and the realm completes its transformation." Follow the footprints of earlier dynasties; walk in the wake of the sage rulers of highest antiquity; straighten the age and renew customs until they answer the people's hopes. Lead everyone under Heaven toward duty so common folk know their direction; spread untainted transformation and shut crooked byways—this is what the people long for when they dream of great virtue and pray for wholesome influence."
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又問政刑不宣,禮樂不立。 對曰:「政刑之宣,故由乎禮樂之用。 昔之明王,唯此之務,所以防遏暴慢,感動心術,制節生靈,而陶化萬姓也。 禮以體德,樂以詠功,樂本於和,而禮師於敬矣。」
The examination further asked why government and punishments lacked clear expression and ritual and music stood unestablished. He answered: "Clear government and punishments depend on putting ritual and music to use. Enlightened kings of old made this their chief business—to curb violence and arrogance, stir heart and mind, give measure to the living, and shape the myriad clans. Ritual bodies forth virtue; music celebrates achievement; music springs from harmony; ritual models itself on reverence."
17
又問戎蠻猾夏。 對曰:「戎蠻猾夏,侵敗王略,雖古盛世,猶有此虞。 故《詩》稱'獫狁孔熾',《書》歎'蠻夷帥服'。 自魏氏以來,夷虜內附,鮮有桀悍侵漁之患。 由是邊守遂怠,鄣塞不設。 而今醜虜內居,與百姓雜處,邊吏擾習,人又忘戰。 受方任者,又非其材,或以狙詐,侵侮邊夷; 或幹賞啗利,妄加討戮。 夫以微羈而禦悍馬,又乃操以煩策,其不制者,固其理也。 是以群醜蕩駭,緣間而動。 雖三州覆敗,牧守不反,此非胡虜之甚勁,蓋用之者過也。 臣聞王者之伐,有征無戰,懷遠以德,不聞以兵。 夫兵凶器,而戰危事也。 兵興則傷農,眾集則費積; 農傷則人匱,積費則國虛。 昔漢武之世,承文帝之業,資海內之富,役其材臣,以甘心匈奴,競戰勝之功,貪攻取之利,良將勁卒,屈於沙漠,勝敗相若,克不過當,夭百姓之命,填餓狼之口。 及其以眾制寡,令匈奴遠跡,收功祁連,飲馬瀚海,天下之耗,已過太半矣。 夫虛中國以事夷狄,誠非計之得者也。 是以盜賊蜂起,山東不振。 暨宣元之時,趙充國征西零,馮奉世征南羌,皆兵不血刃,摧抑強暴,擒其首惡,此則折沖厭難,勝敗相辨,中世之明效也。」
The examination further asked about frontier tribes troubling the heartland. He answered: "When northern and southern tribes harass the Central Plains and wreck the royal strategy—even golden ages knew this fear. The Odes tells how the Xianyun blazed with violence; the Documents marvels when barbarian chiefs submit. Since the Wei settled surrendered tribes inside the frontier, we have rarely seen bold raiding or plunder. That bred slackness along the border—forts and barriers went unmanned. Now those tribes live mixed among the people; frontier officials grow used to turmoil and everyone forgets how to fight. The men charged with frontier posts often lack the right gifts—some bully border peoples with treachery; others chase bounties and profit and strike or kill without cause. Driving a restive mount on thin reins while flailing it with a cruel crop—you cannot expect control; the outcome follows of itself. So every malcontent thrashes in panic and rises whenever a crack opens. Three provinces collapsed and governors never returned—not because the Hu were invincible but because our own policies went wrong. I have heard that a true king's punishment means correction without endless war—he wins the far tribes by virtue, not by arms alone. Weapons are ill-starred tools; war is a deadly hazard. Mobilize troops and the farms suffer; mass armies burn through the granaries; hurt farming and the people go hungry; burn stores and the treasury empties. Under Han Wudi, building on Wendi's peace and the empire's wealth, he drove his able ministers to humble the Xiongnu—chasing glory in battle and profit in conquest—yet crack troops died in the sands; gains and losses balanced until triumph scarcely paid for itself while common lives fed desert wolves. When mass finally mastered scattered bands and drove the Xiongnu beyond reach—winning fame at Qilian and watering horses at the Han Sea—the realm had already spent more than half its strength. Draining the heartland to chase steppe tribes is no sound strategy. Robbers swarmed and the eastern hills never recovered. Under Xuandi and Yuandi, Zhao Chongguo subdued the western Qiang and Feng Fengshi the southern Qiang—both without drawing blood, crushing bullies and seizing ringleaders: real containment of disaster with costs and gains plain—the middle Han at its clearest."
18
又問咎征作見。 對曰:「陰陽否泰,六沴之災,則人主修政以禦之,思患而防之,建皇極之首,詳庶征之用。 《詩》曰'敬之敬之,天惟顯思',天聰明自我人聰明,是以人主祖承天命,日慎一日也。 故能應受多福而永世克祚,此先王之所以退災消眚也。」
The examination further asked about ominous portents and their signs. He answered: "When yin and yang fall out of balance and the six calamities strike, the sovereign must mend policy to meet them, foresee danger and guard against it, set up the royal norm as guide, and weigh each portent as the Hongfan teaches. The Odes warns, "Revere, revere—Heaven's light is watching"; Heaven hears through the people's hearing—so the Son of Heaven receives the mandate and grows more careful day by day. Thus he earns blessing and keeps the throne for generations—that is how earlier kings turned back calamity and cleared ill omens."
19
又問經化之務。 對曰:「夫王道之本,經國之務,必先之以禮義,而致人於廉恥。 禮義立,則君子軌道而讓於善; 廉恥立,則小人謹行而不淫於制度。 賞以勸其能,威以懲其廢。 此先王所以保乂定功,化洽黎元,而勳業長世也。 故上有克讓之風,則下有不爭之俗; 朝有矜節之士,則野無貪冒之人。 夫廉恥之於政,猶樹藝之有豐壤,良歲之有膏澤,其生物必油然茂矣。 若廉恥不存,而惟刑是禦,則風俗凋弊,人失其性,錐刀之末,皆有爭心,雖峻刑嚴辟,猶不勝矣。 其于政也,如農者之殖磽野,旱年之望豐穡,必不幾矣。 此三代所以享德長久,風醇俗美,皆數百年保天之祿。 而秦二世而弊者,蓋其所由之塗殊也。」
The examination further asked about ordering society through moral teaching. He answered: "The royal way and the business of governing begin with ritual and right principle and lead people toward integrity and a sense of shame. Establish ritual and principle and gentlemen keep to the Way and defer to the good; instill integrity and shame and even common folk tread carefully and respect the law. Rewards spur talent; authority punishes neglect. So the ancient kings preserved order, settled achievement, brought the people into harmony, and left a legacy for ages. When the court breathes deference, the countryside loses its quarrels; when the capital keeps scrupulous ministers, the fields hold no grasping men. Integrity and shame in government are rich soil for planting or spring rain in a good year—whatever sprouts there grows lush. Without integrity and shame, rely on law alone and customs rot, nature warps, men quarrel over the slimmest gain—no severity of statute can contain them. That is governance like sowing barren ground or expecting a bumper crop in drought—it cannot succeed. This is why Xia, Shang, and Zhou kept virtue fresh and customs gentle for centuries—holding Heaven's mandate. Qin fell in two reigns because it walked another road altogether."
20
又問:「將使武成七德,文濟九功,何路而臻於茲? 凡厥庶事,曷後曷先?」 對曰:「夫文武經德,所以成功丕業,咸熙庶績者,莫先於選建明哲,授方任能。 令才當其官而功稱其職,則萬機咸理,庶僚不曠。 《書》曰:'天工人其代之。 '然則繼天理物,甯國安家,非賢無以成也。 夫賢才之畜于國,由良工之須利器,巧匠之待繩墨也。 器用利,則斫削易而材不病; 繩墨設,則曲直正而眾形得矣。 是以人主必勤求賢,而佚以任之也。 賢臣之於主,進則忠國愛人,退則砥節潔志,營職不幹私義,出心必由公途,明度量以呈其能,審經制以效其功。 此昔之聖王所以恭己南面而化于陶鈞之上者,以其所任之賢與所賢之信也。 方今海內之士皆傾望休光,希心紫極,唯明主之所趣舍。 若開四聰之聽,廣疇咨之求,抽群英,延俊乂,考工授職,呈能制官,朝無素餐之士,如此化流罔極,樹功不朽矣。」
The examination asked further: "To fulfill the seven martial virtues and the nine civil accomplishments—what path reaches that goal? Among every duty of state, what comes first and what after? He answered: "To weave civil and military virtue into lasting achievement and bright government, nothing precedes choosing wise men, defining their posts, and empowering the capable. Match talent to office and deeds to responsibility—then every branch of government runs and no seat stays empty. The Documents says, "Heaven's work—men stand in for it." Continue Heaven's pattern, order the realm, steady the house—without worthies nothing is finished. Stocking the state with talent is like a master carpenter needing sharp iron or a joiner waiting on his square. Sharp tools make shaping easy and spare the timber; true lines snap square and every joint fits. So the ruler must labor to find worthies, then may rule at ease once they serve. A worthy minister serves his sovereign by advancing with loyalty to the realm and love for the people, withdrawing by burnishing integrity and clarifying purpose—duty never bows to private claims, counsel always follows the public road, measures display competence, and statutes prove results. Ancient sage kings could sit facing south and shape the realm like clay on a wheel because they chose worthy men and trusted those they honored. Scholars across the realm turn toward enlightened rule and fix their hopes on the throne—they watch only whom you advance or set aside. Open all four avenues of counsel, cast wide for advice, lift heroes from the ranks and welcome excellence—match craft to office and talent to title until no idler feeds at court—then transforming influence knows no bound and achievement never fades."
21
時種與郤詵及東平王康俱居上第,即除尚書郎。 然毀譽之徒,或言對者因緣假託,帝乃更延群士,庭以問之。 詔曰:「前者對策各指答所問,未盡子大夫所欲言,故復延見,其具陳所懷。 又比年連有水旱災眚,雖戰戰兢兢,未能究天人之理,當何修以應其變? 人遇水旱饑饉者,何以救之? 中間多事,未得寧靜,思以省息煩務,令百姓不失其所。 若人有所患苦者,有宜損益,使公私兩濟者,委曲陳之。 又政在得人,而知之至難,唯有因人視聽耳。 若有文武隱逸之士,各舉所知,雖幽賤負俗,勿有所限。 故虛心思聞事實,勿務華辭,莫有所諱也。」
Zhong, Xi Shen, and Wang Kang of Dongping all placed at the top of the list and were immediately appointed Gentlemen of the Secretariat. Detractors claimed some answers rested on pull rather than merit, so the emperor convened another round of scholars for questioning in court. The edict ran: "Your first papers answered each question without saying all you hold back—so We summon you again; lay out everything on your mind. Year after year flood and drought pile up; though I tremble with care, I still cannot read Heaven's intentions—what must I cultivate to answer these omens? When flood or drought brings famine—how should we rescue the people? Midway through endless crises we still lack calm—I wish to ease burdensome duties so the people keep their livelihoods. Where hardship could be eased by reform that helps both state and household—explain every turn of it. Government turns on having the right men, yet knowing minds is hardest—I must lean on what others see and hear. Whether civil or martial, in office or in hiding—each of you name whom you know; even the obscure, humble, or locally despised face no barrier. I empty my mind to hear truth—spurn ornament and withhold nothing."
22
種對曰:「伏惟陛下以聖哲玄覽,降䘏黎蒸,將濟元元,同之三代,旁求俊乂,以輔至化,此誠堯、舜之用心也。 臣猥以頑魯之質,應清明之舉,前者對策,不足以疇塞聖詔,所陳不究,臣誠蒙昧,所以為罪。 臣聞天生蒸庶,樹君以司牧之,人君道洽,則彝倫攸序,五福來備。 若政有愆失,刑理頗僻,則庶征不應,而淫亢為災。 此則天人之理,而興廢之由也。 昔之聖王,政道備而制先具,軌人以務,致之於本,是以雖有水旱之眚,而無饑饉之患也。 自頃陰陽隔並,水旱為災,亦猶期運之致。 不然,則亦有司之不帥,不能宣承聖德,以讚揚大化,故和氣未降而人事未敘也。 方今百姓凋弊,公私無儲,誠在於休役靜人,勸嗇務分,此其救也。 人之所患,由於役煩網密而通道未孚也。 役煩則百姓失業,網密則下背其誠,通道未孚則人無固志。 此則損益之至務,安危之大端也。 傳曰:'始與善,善進,則不善蔑由至。 '孔子曰:'視其所以,觀其所由,人焉廋哉! '若夫文武隱逸之士,幽賤負俗之才,故非愚臣之所能識。 謹竭愚以對。」
Zhong answered: "Your Majesty in sage insight shelters the people, would lift the common folk to the level of the Three Ages, and casts wide for talent to perfect transformation—this is the heart of Yao and Shun. I am coarse stuff answering a luminous summons; my first paper could not exhaust Your command—I spoke incompletely through sheer dullness; that is my fault. Heaven bred the multitude and set a ruler to shepherd them—when his course runs true, moral order settles and the five blessings gather. When policy falters and justice skews, the portents refuse to align—drought or flood follows as scourge. Such is the bond between Heaven and humanity—the hinge of rise and ruin. Ancient kings finished policy before crisis came—tasks guided men back to fundamentals—so drought or flood never slid into famine. Lately yin and yang clash—flood and drought follow—the times themselves bring such rounds. Or else officials fail to lead—unable to voice Your virtue and lift great transformation—so benign qi withholds itself and human affairs stay tangled. People are exhausted and neither granaries nor households hold surplus—the cure is lighter levies, calmer lives, thrift, and fair shares. Their grief springs from endless labor, tangled law, and rulers who never earn trust. Heavy corvée steals livelihoods; harsh surveillance breeds deceit; absent trust leaves no loyal heart. Here is the chief lever of reform—the hinge of survival itself. Tradition says, "Start with good—when goodness advances, evil finds no door." Confucius said, "Watch what he does and how he does it—how then can a man hide?" As for hidden civil and martial talents, obscure men scorned by local gossip—they lie beyond my dull wit. I answer to the limit of my ignorance."
23
策奏,帝親覽焉,又擢為第一。 轉中書郎。 進止有方,正已率下,朝廷咸憚其威容。 每為駁議,事皆施用,遂為楷則。
When his paper reached the throne, the emperor read it himself and again ranked him first. He was transferred to Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat. Measured in advance and retreat, he set the standard below him—the court stood in awe of his bearing. His dissenting memorials were always adopted and became precedents.
24
遷平原相。 時襄邑衛京自南陽太守遷于河內,與種俱拜,帝望而歎曰:「二千石皆若此,朕何憂乎!」 種為政簡惠,百姓稱之,卒於郡。
He was promoted to chancellor of Pingyuan. Wei Jing of Xiangyi moved from Nanyang to Hanoi on the same day Zhong received office; the emperor watched them and sighed, "If every governor looked like this, what should I fear? Zhong ruled with restraint and kindness; the people praised him and he died in office.
25
華譚
Hua Tan.
26
華譚,字令思,廣陵人也。 祖融,吳左將軍、錄尚書事。 父諝,吳黃門郎。 譚期歲而孤,母年十八,便守節鞠養,動勞備至。 及長,好學不倦,爽慧有口辯,為鄰里所重。 揚州刺史周浚引為從事史,愛其才器,待以賓友之禮。
Hua Tan, courtesy name Ling Si, came from Guangling. His grandfather Rong had been General of the Left in Wu and Recorder of Secretariat affairs. His father Xu served Wu as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Tan lost his father at one year; his eighteen-year-old mother kept her widowhood and raised him through every hardship. Grown to manhood he studied tirelessly—bright, articulate, respected by neighbors. Zhou Jun, Inspector of Yang Province, took him on as clerk—valuing his talent, he treated him as guest and friend.
27
太康中,刺史嵇紹舉譚秀才,將行,別駕陳總餞之,因問曰:「思賢之主以求才為務,進取之士以功名為先,何仲舒不仕武帝之朝,賈誼失分漢文之時? 此吳、晉之滯論,可辨此理而後別。」 譚曰:「夫聖人在上,物無不理,百揆之職,非賢不居。 故山林無匿景,衡門不棲遲。 至承統之王,或是中才,或復凡人,居聖人之器,處兆庶之上,是以其教日穨,風俗漸弊。 又中才之君,所資者偏,物以類感,必於其黨,黨言雖非,彼以為是。 以所授有顏、冉之賢,所用有廊廟之器,居官者日冀元凱之功,在上者日庶堯、舜之義,彼豈知其政漸毀哉! 朝雖有求賢之名,而無知才之實。 言雖當,彼以為誣; 策雖奇,彼以為妄。 誣則毀己之言入,妄則不忠之責生,豈故為哉? 淺明不見深理,近才不睹遠體也。 是以言不用,計不施,恐死亡之不暇,何論功名之立哉! 故上官昵而屈原放,宰嚭寵而伍員戮,豈不哀哉! 若仲舒抑于孝武,賈誼失于漢文,蓋復是其輕者耳。 故白起有云:『非得賢之難,用之難。 非用之難,信之難。』 得賢而不能用,用而不能信,功業豈可得而成哉!」
During Taikang, Ji Shao nominated Tan as cultivated talent; as Tan prepared to leave, Chen Zong, his aide, hosted a farewell and asked: "Sage rulers hunger for talent; ambitious men chase fame—why did Dong Zhongshu refuse Emperor Wu, and Jia Yi miss his moment under Emperor Wen? Wu and Jin brood over this stale puzzle—answer it clearly and we may part. Tan replied: "When sages sit on high, nothing stays unordered—no post falls to anyone but the worthy. So hills hide no recluse worth hiring and cottage gates shelter no loiterer. Heirs who inherit power may be middling or merely ordinary yet wield the sage's authority over millions—teaching frays and customs rot. Mediocre rulers lean on partial counselors—like calls to like inside their clique—wrong counsel sounds right to them. Give them ministers like Yan Hui and Ran Geng and tools fit for the ancestral hall—officials dream of Eight Yuan merit and rulers dream of Yao and Shun—yet they never see policy rotting beneath them! Court keeps the slogan of seeking talent without the substance of judging it. Truth they call slander; sound policy they dismiss as fantasy. Label counsel slander and self-serving flattery floods in; call it mad and charges of disloyalty follow—not by accident. Shallow judgment cannot grasp depth; petty talent cannot see the whole. Plans shelved and counsel ignored—men barely survive—what hope of fame? Shangguan Jin won favor and Qu Yuan went into exile; Bo Pi rose and Wu Zixu died—what sorrow! Dong Zhongshu slighted under Emperor Wu and Jia Yi stalled under Emperor Wen—among failures those rank as mild. Bai Qi said, "Finding talent is easy—using it is hard. Using talent is easy—trusting it is hard." Talent unused or trusted too late never builds an empire."
28
譚至洛陽,武帝親策之曰:「今四海一統,萬里同風,天下有道,莫斯之盛。 然北有未羈之虜,西有醜施之氐,故謀夫未得高枕,邊人未獲晏然,將何以長弭斯患,混清六合?」 對曰:「臣聞聖人之臨天下也,祖乾綱以流化,順穀風以興仁,兼三才以禦物,開四聰以招賢。 故勞謙日昃,務在擇才,宣明岩穴,垂光隱滯。 俊乂龍躍,帝道以光; 清德風翔,王化克舉。 是以皋陶見舉,不仁者遠; 陸賈重漢,遠夷折節。 今聖朝德音發於帷幄,清風翔乎無外,戎旗南指,江、漢席捲; 干戈西征,羌蠻慕化,誠闡四門之秋,興禮教之日也。 故髦俊聞聲而響赴,殊才望險而雲集。 虛高館以俟賢,設重爵以待士,急善過於饑渴,用人疾于影響,杜佞諂之門,廢鄭聲之樂,混清六合,實由乎此。 雖西北有未羈之寇,殊漠有不朝之虜,征之則勞師,得之則無益,故班固云:'有其地不可耕而食,得其人不可臣而畜,來則懲而禦之,去則備而守之。 '蓋安邊之術也。」
When Tan reached Luoyang, Emperor Wu examined him in person: "The realm is one; customs align for ten thousand li—never has the Way shone brighter. Yet northern tribes remain outside the halter and western Di bands still stir—counselors cannot sleep easy nor border folk rest—how may we end these troubles and clear the whole realm? He answered: "Sages who rule the realm anchor transformation in Heaven's pattern, ride the east wind of spring to nurture kindness, wield heaven-earth-man together, and open every avenue of counsel to draw worthies. They toil humbly past noon—talent is everything—shine light into caves and lift men stalled in shadow. Heroes rise like dragons—the royal path gleams; pure virtue rides the wind—kingly transformation takes hold. Gaoyao once lifted—the cruel fled; Lu Jia lent Han weight—distant tribes bowed. Today virtuous edicts leave Your tent and wholesome wind blows boundless—banners wheel south and the Yangzi and Han roll up like mats; arms march west while Qiang and Man yearn for civilization—the hour to open every gate and lift ritual teaching. Fine men race toward Your summons; odd talents flock despite hardship. Leave great halls open for talent, stack noble titles for scholars, thirst for goodness more than food or drink, appoint men swift as echo—shut flattery's door and silence licentious music—purifying the realm begins here. Northwest raiders and desert tribes who skip court cost dear to chase and yield little gain—Ban Gu warned: their soil will not feed us, their men will not obey—strike when they come, guard when they flee. That is how borders stay quiet."
29
又策曰:「吳、蜀恃險,今既蕩平。 蜀人服化,無攜貳之心; 而吳人趑雎,屢作妖寇。 豈蜀人敦朴,易可化誘; 吳人輕銳,難安易動乎? 今將欲綏靜新附,何以為先?」 對曰:「臣聞漢末分崩,英雄鼎峙,蜀棲岷隴,吳據江表。 至大晉龍興,應期受命,文皇運籌,安樂順軌; 聖上潛謀,歸命向化。 蜀染化日久,風教遂成; 吳始初附,未改其化,非為蜀人敦愨而吳人易動也。 然殊俗遠境,風土不同,吳阻長江,舊俗輕悍。 所安之計,當先籌其人士,使雲翔閶闔,進其賢才,待以異禮; 明選牧伯,致以威風; 輕其賦斂,將順咸悅,可以永保無窮,長為人臣者也。」
The examination continued: "Wu and Shu trusted their barriers—both are crushed. Shu accepts civilization—no hint of split loyalty; Wu vacillates and stirs trouble again and again. Are Shu folk simpler—easier to win; Wu quicker and keener—harder to settle? How shall we calm the newly conquered—what comes first? He answered: "Late Han shattered—warlords tripod-balanced—Shu clung to Min and Long, Wu gripped the eastern rivers. Great Jin rose on time—Emperor Wen mapped strategy—peace fell into line; Your Majesty shaped destiny in secret until foes bent to civilization. Shu soaked in influence until custom hardened; Wu submitted late—habits lag—not because Shu is steadier by nature. Frontier peoples differ—Wu hugs the great river—its temper stays quick and bold. Peace them by lifting local gentlemen—bring talent to court with honors; pick firm governors to lend dignity; ease taxes and follow local feeling—they stay pleased subjects forever."
30
又策曰:「聖人稱如有王者,必世而後仁。 今天成地平,大化無外,雖匈奴未羈,羌、氐驕黠,將修文德以綏之,舞干戚以來之,故兵戈載戢,武夫寢息。 如此,已可消鋒刃為佃器,罷尚方武庫之用未邪?」 對曰:「夫唐堯曆載,頌聲乃作; 文、武相承,禮樂大同。 清一八紘,綏蕩無外,萬國順軌,海內斐然。 雖復被髮之鄉,徒跣之國,皆習章甫而入朝,要衣裳以磬折。 夫大舜之德,猶有三苗之征; 以周之盛,獫狁為寇。 雖有文德,又須武備。 備預不虞,古之善教; 安不忘危,聖人常誡。 無為罷武庫之常職,鑠鋒刃為佃器。 自可倒戢干戈,苞以獸皮,將帥之士,使為諸侯,于散樂休風,未為不泰也。」
The examination asked: "The sage said benevolent rule needs a generation to ripen. Heaven and earth align—culture spreads beyond borders—though Xiongnu remain free and Qiang or Di grow bold, civil virtue will soothe them and the shield-dance summon them—arms rest and soldiers sleep. May we yet beat swords into ploughshares and idle the armories? He answered: "Even under Yao ages passed before songs of praise rose; Kings Wen and Wu handed power until ritual and music harmonized. They unified the zones, soothed every frontier, aligned ten thousand states—the realm glowed. Even bare-headed barefoot realms donned court caps and bent in silk—everyone aped the Middle Kingdom. Great Shun still campaigned against San Miao; at Zhou's height the Xianyun still raided. Civil virtue still needs martial readiness. Readiness for surprise is ancient wisdom; in peace remember peril—the sages say so still. Do not idle the armories or beat every sword into a ploughshare yet. Lay arms aside wrapped in hide, enfeoff your captains if you will—under loosened music and gentle airs that still counts as peace."
31
又策曰:「夫法令之設,所以隨時制也。 時險則峻法以取平,時泰則寬網以將化。 今天下太平,四方無事,百姓承德,將就無為而乂。 至於律令,應有所損益不?」 對曰:「臣聞五帝殊禮,三王異教,故或禪讓以光政,或干戈以攻取。 至於興禮樂以和人,流清風以寧俗,其歸一也。 今誠風教大同,四海無虞,人皆感化,去邪從正。 夫以堯、舜之盛,而猶設象刑; 殷、周之隆,而甫侯制律。 律令之存,何妨於政。 若乃大道四達,禮樂交通,凡人修行,黎庶勵節,刑罰懸而不用,律令存而無施,適足以隆太平之雅化,飛仁風乎無外矣。」
The examination continued: "Laws fit their age. Danger demands stern statutes; calm seasons favor lenient nets. Today the realm is still—folk receive virtue—and government nears wuwei ease. Should statutes shrink or grow? He answered: "Five Emperors differed in rite, Three Kings in teaching—some yielded thrones, others conquered. Yet ritual and music calm the people—pure custom ends the same. Culture now unifies; beyond the frontiers all is still—men turn from vice. Even Yao and Shun kept model punishments; glorious Yin and Zhou still ordered the codes through the Marquis of Fu. Keeping the code on the books harms nothing. When the Way runs free and ritual joins music, common conduct rises—laws may hang unused yet stand ready—enough to crown an age of peace and spread kindness beyond the borders."
32
又策曰:「昔帝舜以二八成功,文王以多士興周。 夫制化在於得人,而賢才難得。 今大統始同,宜搜才實。 州郡有貢薦之舉,猶未獲出群卓越之倫。 將時無其人? 有而致之未得其理也?」 對曰:「臣聞興化立法,非賢無以光其道; 平世理亂,非才無以宣其業。 上自皇羲,下及帝王,莫不張惶綱以羅遠,飛仁風以被物。 故得賢則教興,失人則政廢。 今四海一統,萬里同風,州郡貢秀孝,台府簡良才,以八紘之廣,兆庶之眾,豈當無卓越俊逸之才乎! 譬猶南海不少明月之寶,大宛不乏千里之駒也。 異哲難見,遠數難睹,故堯、舜太平之化,二八由舜而甫顯,殷湯革王之命,伊尹負鼎而方用。 當今聖朝禮亡國之士,接遐裔之人,或貂蟬於帷幄,或剖符於千里,巡狩必有呂公之遇,宵夢必有岩穴之感。 賢俊之出,可企踵而待也。」
The examination asked: "Shun used eight ministers; Wen built Zhou with many talents. Order rests on men—yet worthies are rare. The empire has just united—seek real ability. Regions recommend candidates—yet none leap ahead of the pack. Are the times empty of genius? Or do we fail to fetch them rightly?" He answered: "Law and transformation need worthies to shine. Peace and peril alike need talent enacted. From high antiquity every throne cast its net wide and sent kindness abroad. Find talent and instruction thrives—miss it and policy rots. The realm is one—regions send nominees—the court selects—with so vast a population how could excellence be absent? The south still hides luminous pearls; Ferghana still breeds swift horses. Rare genius hides far off—the Eight Ministers shone only after Shun; Yi Yin carried his cauldron before Tang used him. Today You honor fallen dynasties' men—some advise within the tent, some govern regions—like kings who meet worthies on tour or in dream. Worthy men will appear—wait on tiptoe."
33
時九州秀孝策無逮譚者。 譚素以才學為東土所推。 同郡劉頌時為廷尉,見之歎息曰:「不悟鄉里乃有如此才也!」 博士王濟于眾中嘲之曰:「五府初開,群公辟命,采英奇於仄陋,拔賢俊於岩穴。 君吳、楚之人,亡國之余,有何秀異而應斯舉?」 譚答曰:「秀異固產于方外,不出於中域也。 是以明珠文貝,生於江、鬱之濱; 夜光之璞,出乎荊、藍之下。 故以人求之,文王生於東夷,大禹生於西羌。 子弗聞乎? 昔武王克商,遷殷頑民於洛邑,諸君得非其苗裔乎?」 濟又曰:「夫危而不持,顛而不扶,至於君臣失位,國亡無主,凡在冠帶,將何所取哉!」 答曰:「籲! 存亡有運,興衰有期,天之所廢,人不能支。 徐偃修仁義而失國,仲尼逐魯而逼齊,段幹偃息而成名,諒否泰有時,曷人力之所能哉!」 濟甚禮之。
None in the nine provinces out-argued Tan. The east already prized Tan's scholarship. Liu Song, chief justice of his county, sighed, "Who knew our town held such a mind? Wang Ji sneered before guests: "High office hunts talent in hovels and caves. You—Wu-Chu remnant—what pearl earns this pick? Tan replied: "Brilliance grows on the margins—not only in the heartland. Pearls and cowries shine by Yangzi bays; night-glow jade rises from Jing and indigo mines. Seek men widely—King Wen rose among eastern tribes; Yu among western Qiang. Have you heard? When Wu conquered Shang he moved Yin loyalists to Luoyi—might you stem from them? Ji pressed: "When the peril goes unmet—throne falls—what good were belted ministers? Tan answered: "Ah! Rise and ruin ride fate—what Heaven ends no hand upholds. Kind Xu lost his realm; Confucius fled Lu; Duan Ganmu won fame from seclusion—fortune turns—what can effort do? Ji treated him with deep respect.
34
尋除郎中,遷太子舍人、本國中正。 以母憂去職。 服闋,為鄄城令,過濮水,作《莊子贊》以示功曹。 而廷掾張延為作答教,其文甚美。 譚異而薦之,遂見升擢。 及譚為廬江,延已為淮陵太守。 又舉寒族周訪為孝廉,訪果立功名,時以譚為知人。 以父墓毀去官。 尋除尚書郎。
Soon made Gentleman of the Palace, then attendant to the heir and provincial evaluator. He resigned for mother's mourning. After mourning he governed Juancheng—crossing the Pu he wrote "In Praise of Zhuangzi" for his clerk. Clerk Zhang Yan answered his essay in splendid prose. Tan admired it and recommended Zhang—who rose in rank. When Tan ruled Lujiang, Zhang Yan already governed Huailing. He nominated Zhou Fang from a humble clan—Fang earned glory—men praised Tan's eye. His father's tomb collapsed—he quit office. Soon named Gentleman of the Secretariat.
35
永甯初,出為郟令。 于時兵亂之後,境內饑饉,譚傾心撫䘏。 司徒王戎聞而善之,出穀三百斛以助之。 譚甚有政績,再遷廬江內史,加綏遠將軍。 時石冰之党陸圭等屯據諸縣,譚遣司馬褚敦討平之。 又遣別軍擊冰都督孟徐,獲其驍率。 以功封都亭侯,食邑千戶,賜絹千匹。
In Yongning he became magistrate of Jia. After war famine stalked his district—Tan poured himself into relief. Wang Rong heard and sent three hundred hu of grain. His rule excelled—he rose to interior governor of Lujiang with the Pacify-the-Distant generalship. When Lu Gui's band held counties for Shi Bing, Tan sent Chu Dun to crush them. Another column struck Meng Xu—taking his fiercest captain. For merit he became Village Marquis—thousand-house fief and thousand bolts of silk.
36
陳敏之亂,吳士多為其所逼。 顧榮先受敏官,而潛謀圖之。 譚不悟榮旨,露檄遠近,極言其非,由此為榮所怨。 又在郡政嚴,而與上司多忤。 揚州刺史劉陶素與譚不善,因法收譚,下壽陽獄。 鎮東將軍周馥與譚素相親善,理而出之。 及甘卓討馥,百姓奔散,馥謂譚已去,遣人視之,而更移近馥。 馥歎曰:「吾嘗謂華令思是臧子源之疇,今果效矣。」 甘卓嘗為東海王越所捕,下令敢有匿者誅之,卓投譚而免。 及此役也,卓遣人求之曰:「華侯安在? 吾甘揚威使也。」 譚答不知,遺絹二匹以遣之。 使反,告卓。 卓曰:「此華侯也。」 復求之,譚已亡矣。 後為紀瞻所薦,而為顧榮所止遏,遂數年不得調。
When Chen Min rebelled many Wu scholars served under duress. Gu Rong took Chen Min's post but secretly schemed against him. Tan missed Rong's plan—sent a harsh proclamation—earning Rong's hate. He governed strictly and clashed with superiors. Liu Tao, who disliked Tan, jailed him at Shouyang. Zhou Fu, eastern commander and Tan's friend, freed him. When Gan Zhuo struck Zhou Fu and folk fled, Fu thought Tan gone—but Tan moved closer. Fu sighed: "I likened Tan to Zang Hong—he proves it now. Gan Zhuo, once hunted by Sima Yue, hid with Tan and lived. In that war Zhuo's men asked, "Where is Marquis Hua? We come from Gan Zhuo's staff. Tan feigned ignorance and gave two bolts of silk. The messenger reported back. Zhuo said, "That was Marquis Hua. They searched again—Tan had fled. Ji Zhan recommended him but Gu Rong blocked—years passed without a post.
37
建興初,元帝命為鎮東軍諮祭酒。 譚博學多通,在府無事,乃著書三十卷,名曰《辨道》,上箋進之,帝親自覽焉。 轉丞相軍諮祭酒,領郡大中正。 譚薦干寶、范珧於朝,乃上箋求退曰:「譚聞霸主遠聽,以求才為務; 僚屬量身,以審己為分。 故疏廣告老,漢宣不違其志; 幹木偃息,文侯就式其廬。 譚無古人之賢,竊有懷遠之慕。 自登清顯,出入二載,執筆無贊事之功,拾遺無補闕之績; 過在納言,暗於舉善; 狂寇未賓,復乏謀策。 年向七十,志力日衰,素餐無勞,實宜辭退。 謹奉還所假左丞相軍諮祭酒版。」 不聽。
In Jianxing Yuan appointed him army libationer-consultant. Idle at headquarters he wrote thirty chapters, Discerning the Way, which the prince read. He became the chancellor's libationer-consultant and acting chief evaluator. He recommended Gan Bao and Fan Yao, then asked to retire: "Rulers listen for talent. Staff must know their limits. Shu Guang retired—Xuandi let him; Duan Ganmu stayed home—Marquis Wen bowed from his cart. I lack ancient virtue yet long to withdraw. Two years in high office—no deeds worth praise; I accepted speech yet failed to lift good men; rebels remain unsubdued—I offered no plans. Near seventy, fading—I eat unearned rice—should retire. I return the Libationer Consultant seal. The court refused.
38
建武初,授秘書監,固讓不拜。 太興初,拜前軍,以疾復轉秘書監。 自負宿名,恆怏怏不得志。 時晉陵硃鳳、吳郡吳震並學行清修,老而未調,譚皆薦為著作佐郎。
Jianwu named him palace librarian—he declined. Taixing made him Forward General—illness moved him back to librarian. Proud of old fame he stayed restless. He recommended aged scholars Zhu Feng and Wu Zhen as assistant editors.
39
或問譚曰:「諺言人之相去,如九牛毛,寧有此理乎?」 譚對曰:「昔許由、巢父讓天子之貴,市道小人爭半錢之利,此之相去,何啻九牛毛也!」 聞者稱善。
Someone asked whether men truly differ like nine ox hairs. Tan said Xu You and Chao Fu scorned the throne while peddlers fight over cash—that gap exceeds nine ox hairs. Listeners approved.
40
戴若思弟邈,則譚女婿也。 譚平生時常抑若思而進邈,若思每銜之。 殆用事,恆毀譚於帝,由是官塗不至。 譚每懷觖望,嘗從容言於帝曰:「臣已老矣,將待死秘閣。 汲黯之言,復存於今。」 帝不懌。 久之,加散騎常侍,屢以疾辭。 及王敦作逆,譚疾甚,不能入省,坐免。 卒於家。 贈光祿大夫,金章紫綬,加散騎常侍,諡曰胡。 二子:化、茂。
Dai Yuan's brother Dai Miao married Tan's daughter. Tan favored Miao over Dai Yuan—Yuan nursed a grudge. Once Yuan held sway he maligned Tan to the throne—Tan rose no higher. Tan told the emperor calmly, "I am old—I shall die a minor clerk in the archives. Ji An's complaint lives again in me. The emperor took offense. Later he gained cadet attendant rank but often pleaded illness. When Wang Dun rebelled Tan was too sick for court—stripped of office. He died at home. They honored him as Brilliant Household Minister with gold seal and purple ribbon, cadet attendant post, and the posthumous name Hu. He left two sons, Hua and Mao.
41
化字長風,為征虜司馬,討汲桑,戰沒。 茂嗣爵。=
Hua Changfeng served as conquer-barbarians marshal against Ji Sang and died fighting. Mao inherited the title.
42
袁甫
Yuan Fu.
43
=淮南袁甫,字公胄,亦好學,與譚齊名,以詞辯稱。 嘗詣中領軍何勖,自言能為劇縣。 勖曰:「唯欲宰縣,不為台閣職,何也?」 甫曰:「人各有能有不能。 譬繒中之好莫過錦,錦不可以為㡊; 谷中之美莫過稻,稻不可以為贇。 是以聖王使人,必先以器,苟非周材,何能悉長! 黃霸馳名於州郡,而息譽於京邑。 廷尉之材,不為三公,自昔然也。」 勖善之,除松滋令。 轉淮南國大農、郎中令。 石珩問甫曰:「卿名能辯,豈知壽陽已西何以恆旱? 壽陽已東何以恆水?」 甫曰:「壽陽已東皆是吳人,夫亡國之音哀以思,鼎足強邦,一朝失職,憤歎甚積,積憂成陰,陰積成雨,雨久成水,故其域恆澇也。 壽陽已西皆是中國,新平強吳,美寶皆入,志盈心滿,用長歡娛。 《公羊》有言,魯僖甚悅,故致旱京師。 若能抑強扶弱,先疏後親,則天下和平,災害不生矣。」 觀者歎其敏捷。 年八十餘,卒於家。
Yuan Fu of Huainan, courtesy Gongzhou, rivaled Tan in scholarship and debate. He called on He Xu claiming he could run a difficult county. He Xu asked why he wanted only a county post, not central office. Fu replied that each man has strengths and limits. Brocade tops silk yet cannot sew a hunter's hood; rice crowns grain yet cannot brew vinegar. Sage kings match tools to tasks—no one excels at everything. Huang Ba shone in the provinces yet faded at court. Commandants seldom leap straight to the Three Dukes—always so. He Xu agreed and named him magistrate of Songzi. He moved to granary minister and household superintendent of Huainan. Shi Heng asked why lands west of Shouyang stay dry. Why east of Shouyang stays soaked? East of Shouyang was Wu—fallen state's lament bred dark vapors that condensed into endless rain. West lies the heartland—fresh from Wu's treasures—bellies full and hearts glad. The Gongyang notes Duke Xi's excess joy brought drought on the capital. Balance strong and weak, kin last—then peace holds and omens cease. Listeners marveled at his wit. He died past eighty at home.
44
史評
Historians' appraisal.
45
史臣曰:夫緝政厘俗,拔群才以成務; 振景觀光,俟明主而宣績。 武皇之世,天下乂安,朝廷屬意於求賢,軸有懷於幹祿。 郤詵等並韞價州裏,裒然應召,對揚天問,高步雲衢,求之前哲,亦足稱矣。 令思行己徇義,志篤周、甘,仁者必通,抑斯之謂! 雖才行夙章,而待終秘閣,積薪之恨,豈獨古人乎!
Historians say rule and custom turn on gathering talent. Merit shines when an enlightened ruler appears. Under Emperor Wu the realm rested—court chased talent while ministers chased posts. Xi Shen and peers hid talent locally then answered the throne—among past worthies they deserve mention. Hua Tan lived by duty like Zhou Fu and Gan Zhuo—kind men reach far—so goes the verdict. Though gifted he ended a librarian—the piled-faggots regret is not theirs alone.
46
贊曰:郤、阮洽聞,含章體政。 華生毓德,褫巾應命。 鳥路曾飛,龍津派泳。 素業可久,高芬斯盛。
Encomium: Xi and Ruan mastered learning and embodied policy. Hua Tan bred virtue and answered the call from reclusion. They flew the bird path and swam the dragon ford. Their plain virtue lasts—their fragrance still rises.