1
王導
Wang Dao
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王導，字茂弘，光祿大夫覽之孫也。 父裁，鎮軍司馬。 導少有風鑒，識量清遠。 年十四，陳留高士張公見而奇之，謂其從兄敦曰：「此兒容貌志氣，將相之器也。」 初襲祖爵即丘子。 司空劉實尋引爲東閣祭酒，遷秘書郎、太子舍人、尚書郎，並不行。 -{後}-參東海王越軍事。
Wang Dao, whose courtesy name was Maohong, was the grandson of Wang Lan, who had held the office of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. His father, Wang Cai, had served as Army Adjutant on the staff of the general titled "He Who Guards the Army." Even as a young man, Wang Dao showed a gift for reading men; his judgment ran clear and deep. When he was fourteen, a respected gentleman surnamed Zhang in Chenliu took note of him and pronounced him remarkable; Zhang said to Wang Dao's elder cousin Wang Dun, "In face and in spirit, this lad has the makings of a commander or a chief minister." He first inherited his grandfather's noble title as Baron of Jiqiu. Minister of Works Liu Shi soon had him appointed Libationer of the Eastern Pavilion, then nominated him for Palace Secretary, Attendant in the Heir Apparent's Household, and Gentleman of the Masters of Writing—but Wang Dao declined every one of those appointments. He later joined the military secretariat of Sima Yue, the Prince of Donghai.
3
時元帝爲琅邪王，與導素相親善。 導知天下已亂，遂傾心推奉，潛有興復之志。 帝亦雅相器重，契同友執。 帝之在洛陽也，導每勸令之國。 會帝出鎮下邳，請導爲安東司馬，軍謀密策，知無不爲。 及徙鎮建康，呉人不附，居月餘，士庶莫有至者，導患之。 會敦來朝，導謂之曰：「琅邪王仁德雖厚，而名論猶輕。 兄威風已振，宜有以匡濟者。」 會三月上巳，帝親觀禊，乘肩輿，具威儀，敦、導及諸名勝皆騎從。 呉人紀瞻、顧榮，皆江南之望，竊覘之，見其如此，咸驚懼，乃相率拜于道左。 導因進計曰：「古之王者，莫不賓禮故老，存問風俗，虛己傾心，以招俊乂。 況天下喪亂，九州分裂，大業草創，急於得人者乎！ 顧榮、賀循，此土之望，未若引之以結人心。 二子既至，則無不來矣。」 帝乃使導躬造循、榮，二人皆應命而至，由是呉會風靡，百姓歸心焉。 自此之-{後}-，漸相崇奉，君臣之禮始定。
At the time, the future Emperor Yuan was Prince of Langye; he and Wang Dao had been close for years. Wang Dao saw that the realm was coming apart; he committed himself to the prince and quietly nursed a plan to put the house of Jin back on its feet. The prince, for his part, held him in the highest regard; the two were as much confidants as liege and vassal. When the prince was still in Luoyang, Wang Dao repeatedly urged him to take up residence in his assigned princedom. When the prince was sent to hold Xiapi, he asked to have Wang Dao as his Army Marshal of Peaceful East. For every design and every private counsel, Wang Dao gave all he had—nothing was beneath his effort. When the command shifted to Jiankang, the local elite of Wu held aloof. A month passed and still no notables or commoners had come forward, and Wang Dao grew anxious. When Wang Dun arrived for an audience, Wang Dao said to him, "The Prince of Langye is generous in humanity, but his name still carries little weight in the south. You, elder brother, already command fear and respect; we need a gesture that will set things right." It was the third month, the day of the spring purification. The prince went in person to the river rite, carried in a covered litter and escorted with full state, while Wang Dun, Wang Dao, and other leading men followed on horseback. Ji Zhan and Gu Rong of Wu were among the most influential men south of the Yangzi; watching discreetly, they were struck—and shaken—by the spectacle, and they stepped forward as one to bow along the roadside. Wang Dao then offered a plan. "Rulers of old," he said, "always received local elders with ceremony, asked after local ways, and humbled themselves in order to win able men. And all the more now—the empire is in ruins, the heartland broken apart, your enterprise barely launched, and nothing matters more than winning men of talent! Gu Rong and He Xun are the great names here; bring them in, and you will tie the region's loyalty to you. Once those two appear at court, the rest will follow of their own accord." The prince accordingly sent Wang Dao in person to visit He Xun and Gu Rong; both accepted his invitation at once. From that moment the southeast rallied behind him, and popular allegiance swung his way. After that, respect for the prince deepened step by step, and something like a settled relationship between sovereign and subject began to take shape.
4
俄而洛京傾覆，中州士女避亂江左者十六七，導勸帝收其賢人君子，與之圖事。 時荊揚晏安，戸口殷實，導爲政務在清靜，每勸帝克己勵節，匡主寧邦。 於是尤見委杖，情好日隆，朝野傾心，號爲「仲父」。 帝嘗從容謂導曰：「卿，吾之蕭何也。」 對曰：「昔秦爲無道，百姓厭亂，巨猾陵暴，人懷漢德，革命反正，易以爲功。 自魏氏以來，迄于太康之際，公卿世族，豪侈相高，政教陵遲，不遵法度，群公卿士，皆饜於安息，遂使人乘釁，有虧至道。 然否終斯泰，天道之常。 大王方立命世之勳，一匡九合，管仲、樂毅，於是乎在，豈區區國臣所可擬議！ 願深弘神慮，廣擇良能。 顧榮、賀循、紀贍、周圮皆南土之秀，願盡優禮，則天下安矣。」 帝納焉。
When Luoyang collapsed, well over half the gentry and families of the north streamed across the Yangzi for refuge; Wang Dao urged the prince to recruit their best men and govern with them at his side. Jingzhou and Yangzhou were calm then, the registers full and the land rich. Wang Dao ran government on light touch—he constantly urged the emperor to discipline himself, steel his resolve, support his sovereign, and bring peace to the realm. He was leaned on as never before; trust between him and the throne deepened by the day, and everyone from the court outward looked to him—the people called him "the Zhongfu," their second father. Once the emperor said to Wang Dao, almost casually, "You are my Xiao He." Wang Dao answered, "When Qin ruled without principle, the people had had enough of chaos; powerful brutes ran riot; everyone looked to the virtue of Han. Replacing the dynasty and putting things right could be done almost overnight. From Wei through the Taikang years, great families outdid one another in ostentation; government grew slack and law meant little; officials grew fat on ease until rebels found their opening—that is how the supreme Way was betrayed. Still, bad seasons turn; that is how Heaven works. Your Highness is building the achievement that will steady an age—uniting the realm as Guan Zhong and Yue Yi once did. No ordinary courtier belongs in the same sentence. Broaden your counsel and cast the net wide for capable men. Gu Rong, He Xun, Ji Zhan, and Zhou Qi are the pick of the south; honor them generously, and the world will settle." The emperor took his advice.
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永嘉末，遷丹陽太守，加輔國將軍。 導上箋曰：「昔魏武，達政之主也； 荀文若，功臣之最也，封不過亭侯。 倉舒，愛子之寵，贈不過別部司馬。 以此格萬物，得不局跡乎！ 今者臨郡，不問賢愚豪賤，皆加重號，輒有鼓蓋，動見相准。 時有不得者，或爲恥辱。 天官混雜，朝望頹毀。 導忝荷重任，不能崇浚山海，而開導亂源，饕竊名位，取紊彝典，謹送鼓蓋加崇之物，請從導始。 庶令雅俗區別，群望無惑。」 帝下令曰：「導德重勳高，孤所深倚，誠宜表彰殊禮。 而更約己沖心，進思盡誠，以身率眾，宜順其雅志，式允開塞之機。」 拜甯遠將軍，尋加振威將軍。 湣帝即位，征吏部郎，不拜。
Late in the Yongjia reign he was made governor of Danyang and appointed General Who Supports the State. Wang Dao sent up a memorial: "Emperor Wu of Wei understood how to govern; yet even Xun Yu, his greatest servant, was ennobled no higher than Village Marquis. His beloved son Cangshu—posthumous rank stopped at Major of a Separate Command. If that was his standard for everyone, small wonder offices stayed within bounds! Today anyone who takes a county post—wise or dull, highborn or low—walks away with a grand title, drums and canopy and all, each trying to keep up with the next. Anyone left out feels publicly shamed. Ranks are handed out indiscriminately, and the court's dignity has collapsed. I carry a heavy burden unworthily: instead of elevating the office I have cheapened it—grasping at rank and upsetting precedent. I therefore send back the drums, canopy, and other marks of favor; let the retrenchment begin with me. Perhaps that will separate true distinction from mere display and spare the court further embarrassment." The emperor replied with an edict: "Wang Dao's virtue and record are immense; I lean on him heavily—he deserves special recognition. Yet he insists on modesty, gives his counsel in good faith, and leads by example—grant him what he asks; it is the right way to open or close a policy." He received the title General Who Pacifies the Distance, then shortly afterward General Who Rouses Might. When Emperor Min came to the throne, Wang Dao was called to serve as Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel; he declined.
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晉國既建，以導爲丞相軍諮祭酒。 桓彝初過江，見朝廷微弱，謂周顗曰：「我以中州多故，來此欲求全活，而寡弱如此，將何以濟！」 憂懼不樂。 往見導，極談世事，還，謂顗曰：「向見管夷吾，無復憂矣。」 過江人士，每至暇日，相要出新亭飲宴。 周顗中坐而歎曰：「風景不殊，舉目有江河之異。」 皆相視流涕。 惟導愀然變色曰：「當共戮力王室，克復神州，何至作楚囚相對泣邪！」 眾收淚而謝之。 俄拜右將軍、揚州刺史、監江南諸軍事，遷驃騎將軍，加散騎常侍、都督中外諸軍、領中書監、録尚書事、假節，刺史如故。 導以敦統六州，固辭中外都督。 -{後}-坐事除節。
Once the Jin domain was founded, Wang Dao was appointed Libationer for Army Consultation under the chancellor. When Huan Yi first crossed the river, he found the court alarmingly weak. He said to Zhou Yi, "I left the north for turmoil's sake, hoping only to survive—but if power here is this slight, what hope is there?" He grew anxious and miserable. He went to Wang Dao and talked at length about the state of the realm. When he came back he told Zhou Yi, "I have seen our Guan Zhong—I have nothing left to fear." Northerners who had crossed the river would meet on free days and arrange outings to Xinting for drinking parties. Once Zhou Yi, seated among them, sighed and said, "The hills and streams look the same—but we have crossed the great river into exile." They exchanged glances and wept. Only Wang Dao's face darkened. "We should join forces for the house of Jin and win back the heartland," he said. "Are we to cry together like prisoners of Chu?" Ashamed, they dried their eyes and apologized. Shortly afterward he was named General of the Right, inspector of Yangzhou, and supervisor of Jiangnan military affairs; he rose to supreme commander, picked up cavalier attendant and commander-in-chief titles, headed the palace secretariat and recorded edicts for the Masters of Writing, received the ceremonial credentials—and kept his provincial post. Because Wang Dun already controlled six provinces, Wang Dao firmly declined the joint inner-and-outer command. Later an incident cost him his ceremonial staff.
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于時軍旅不息，學校未修，導上書曰：
War dragged on while schools lay neglected; Wang Dao submitted a memorial:
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:夫風化之本在於正人倫，人倫之正存乎設庠序。 庠序設，五教明，德禮洽通，彝倫攸敘，而有恥且格，父子兄弟夫婦長幼之序順，而君臣之義固矣。 《易》所謂「正家而天下定」者也。 故聖王蒙以養正，少而教之，使化沾肌骨，習以成性，遷善遠罪而不自知，行成德立，然-{後}-裁之以位。 雖王之世子，猶與國子齒，使知道而-{後}-貴。 其取才用士，咸先本之於學。 故《周禮》，卿大夫獻賢能之書于王，王拜而受之，所以尊道而貴士也。 人知士之貴由道存，則退而修其身以及家，正其家以及鄕，學於鄕以登朝，反本復始，各求諸己，敦樸之業著，浮偽之競息，教使然也。 故以之事君則忠，用之蒞下則仁。 孟軻所謂「未有仁而遺其親，義而-{後}-其君者也」。
To shift customs you must first set human relations right; to set relations right you must found schools. Schools clarify the five moral teachings, knit virtue and ritual together, and give society its proper shape—shame keeps people honest; fathers and sons, husbands and wives, elders and juniors fall into place, and the bond between ruler and minister holds firm. This is the Changes teaching: "Order the household and the realm finds peace." The sage kings nurtured young minds early so moral teaching sank into the bone; habit became character, people turned from wrong almost without thinking, and only when conduct proved sound did they award office. Even a crown prince studied beside other cadets so that he learned the Way before he learned rank. Talent always came out of the schools first. Hence the Zhou ritual: ministers forwarded rosters of worthy men to the throne, and the king bowed as he took them—that was respect for learning and for scholars. When people saw that true standing rested on moral cultivation, they minded their own conduct, ordered their households, studied in their districts, and carried those lessons to court—everyone looked inward, simplicity flourished, and hollow ambition faded. That is what teaching achieves. Such men serve their sovereign with loyalty and rule others with humanity. Mencius put it this way: "No humane man abandons his parents; no dutiful man leaves his lord behind."
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:自頃皇綱失統，頌聲不興，於今將二紀矣。 《傳》曰：「三年不爲禮，禮必壞； 三年不爲樂，樂必崩。」 而況如此之久乎！ 先進忘揖讓之容，-{後}-生惟金鼓是聞，干戈日尋，俎豆不設，先王之道彌遠，華偽之俗遂滋，非所以端本靖末之謂也。 殿下以命世之資，屬陽九之運，禮樂征伐，翼成中興。 誠宜經綸稽古，建明學業，以訓-{後}-生，漸之教義，使文武之道墜而復興，俎豆之儀幽而更彰。 方今戎虜扇熾，國恥未雪，忠臣義夫所以扼腕拊心。 苟禮儀膠固，淳風漸著，則化之所感者深而德之所被者大。 使帝典闕而復補，皇綱弛而更張，獸心革面，饕餮檢情，揖讓而服四夷，緩帶而天下從。 得乎其道，豈難也哉！ 故有虞舞干戚而化三苗，魯僖作泮宮而服淮夷。 桓文之霸，皆先教而-{後}-戰。 今若聿遵前典，興復道教，擇朝之子弟併入於學，選明博修禮之士而爲之師，化成俗定，莫尚於斯。
For years the imperial order has frayed and the classic hymns have fallen silent—almost twenty-four years now. The classics warn: neglect ritual for three years and ritual collapses; neglect music for three years and music falls apart." What then after decades? Elders no longer remember courtesy; youths hear only war drums; armies march while sacrifices go unattended; the ancient kings feel farther away than ever and vain display spreads. That is no way to heal root and branch. Your Highness was born for this age and faces the ninth yang cycle—ritual, music, and arms alike serve the revival. You should look to antiquity, reopen the schools, train the young in stages, and restore both civil learning and military discipline—bring back the rites that once seemed lost. Barbarians still ravage the north and national shame hangs open—every loyal heart clenches in grief. Fix ritual firmly and let honest custom grow—the deeper the transformation spreads, the broader your virtue will reach. Patch what the canons have lost, tighten what the dynastic net has let slip; turn savage temperaments, curb greedy wills; win the border peoples with courtesy and the realm with calm authority. Master that path and the rest is not hard. Shun turned the Sanmiao with ritual dance; Duke Xi of Lu bent the Huai tribes by founding the southern school. Even Duke Huan and Duke Wen taught before they struck. Follow the old statutes, revive moral education, enroll your kinsmen in the schools, and appoint learned ritualists as teachers—nothing does more to settle custom and complete the transformation.
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帝甚納之。
The emperor embraced the proposal wholeheartedly.
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及帝登尊號，百官陪列，命導升御床共坐。 導固辭，至於三四，曰：「若太陽下同萬物，蒼生何由仰照！」 帝乃止。 進驃騎大將軍、儀同三司。 以討華軼功，封武岡侯。 進位侍中、司空、假節、録尚書，領中書監。 會太山太守徐龕反，帝訪可以鎮撫河南者，導舉太子左衞率羊鑒。 既而鑒敗，抵罪。 導上疏曰：「徐龕叛戾，久稽天誅，臣創議征討，調舉羊鑒。 鑒暗懦覆師，有司極法。 聖恩降天地之施，全其首領。 然臣受重任，總録機衡，使三軍挫衄，臣之責也。 乞自貶黜，以穆朝倫。」 詔不許。 尋代賀循領太子太傅。 時中興草創，未置史官，導始啟立，於是典籍頗具。 時孝懷太子爲胡所害，始奉諱，有司奏天子三朝舉哀，群臣一哭而已。 導以爲皇太子副貳宸極，普天有情，宜同三朝之哀。 從之。 及劉隗用事，導漸見疏遠，任真推分，澹如也。 有識咸稱導善處興廢焉。
When the emperor assumed the throne, the whole court stood in attendance as he told Wang Dao to join him on the imperial couch. Wang Dao refused again and again—three or four rounds—and said, "If the sun stooped to share a seat with everything beneath it, how could living things feel its light?" The emperor dropped the idea. He was promoted to supreme commander with honors equal to the Three Senior Offices. His victory over Hua Yi earned him the marquisate of Wugang. He rose to palace attendant, minister of works, recorder of Masters of Writing, and chief of the palace secretariat, with full credentials. When Taishan prefect Xu Kan rose in revolt, the emperor asked who could stabilize the Henan region; Wang Dao recommended Yang Jian, colonel of the heir apparent's left guard. Yang Jian was beaten in the field and paid for it with his office—or worse. Wang Dao memorialized: "Xu Kan has defied the throne far too long. I urged the campaign and put forward Yang Jian. He proved timid and lost the army; justice demanded the severest penalty. Your mercy spared his life. Yet I bore chief responsibility at court; when the armies suffered defeat, the fault is mine. I ask to be stripped of rank myself so that justice may satisfy the court." The emperor would not hear of it. He soon succeeded He Xun as grand tutor to the crown prince. The revival regime was still taking shape and had no official historians until Wang Dao petitioned to create the office; after that, court archives began to look like a real library. When news arrived that Crown Prince Xiaohuai had been murdered by the Hu, the court began observing death taboos; the ministry proposed three audiences for the emperor's lament while officials might offer only a single collective weeping. Wang Dao argued that a crown prince stands second only to the throne: the whole realm mourns him; mourning should match the three audiences proposed for the monarch. The court agreed. Once Liu Wei dominated policy, Wang Dao found himself sidelined; he simply remained himself, accepted his reduced role, and showed no resentment. Thoughtful observers agreed that Wang Dao knew how to endure fortune and misfortune alike.
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王敦之反也，劉隗勸帝悉誅王氏，論者爲之危心。 導率群從昆弟子侄二十餘人，每旦詣台待罪。 帝以導忠節有素，特還朝服，召見之。 導稽首謝曰：「逆臣賊子，何世無之，豈意今者近出臣族！」 帝跣而執之曰：「茂弘，方托百里之命於卿，是何言邪！」 乃詔曰：「導以大義滅親，可以吾爲安東時節假之。」 及敦得志，加導守尚書令。 初，西都覆沒，海內思主，群臣及四方並勸進於帝。 時王氏強盛，有專天下之心，敦憚帝賢明，欲更議所立，導固爭乃止。 及此役也，敦謂導曰：「不從吾言，幾致覆族。」 導猶執正議，敦無以能奪。
When Wang Dun rose in revolt, Liu Wei pressed the emperor to wipe out the whole Wang family; observers feared the worst for them. Every morning Wang Dao presented himself at the palace with more than twenty kinsmen—cousins, nephews, and grandsons—to answer for the rebellion. The emperor, knowing Wang Dao's loyalty of old, restored his court dress and received him in audience. Wang Dao kowtowed and said, "Traitors appear in every age—yet who could have thought they would spring from my own family?" The emperor slipped off his shoes, took Wang Dao by the hand, and said, "Maohong, I am staking the dynasty on you—how can you speak like that?" An edict followed: "Wang Dao has put duty above clan; grant him the same ceremonial credentials I bore as General of Peaceful East." Once Wang Dun had his way, Wang Dao was appointed acting director of the Masters of Writing. After Chang'an fell, the realm hungered for a sovereign; officials and regional powers alike pressed the prince to take the throne. The Wang family was strong enough to dominate the state; Wang Dun feared an able emperor and wanted another candidate, but Wang Dao argued him down. Afterward Wang Dun told Wang Dao, "If you had defied me, our whole clan would nearly have been destroyed." Wang Dao still held to principle, and Wang Dun could not shake him.
13
自漢魏已來，賜諡多由封爵，雖位通德重，先無爵者，例不加諡。 導乃上疏，稱「武官有爵必諡，卿校常伯無爵不諡，甚失制度之本意也」。 從之。 自-{後}-公卿無爵而諡，導所議也。
Since Han and Wei times, posthumous names usually tracked noble titles—high office alone was not enough without a prior peerage. Wang Dao memorialized that soldiers with titles won posthumous honors while civil ministers without fiefs did not—a distortion of what the system intended. The emperor accepted his argument. Henceforth ministers could earn posthumous names without holding a noble rank—an innovation Wang Dao had urged.
14
初，帝愛琅邪王裒，將有奪嫡之議，以問導。 導曰：「夫立子以長，且紹又賢，不宜改革。」 帝猶疑之。 導日夕陳諫，故太子卒定。 及明帝即位，導受遺詔輔政，解揚州，遷司徒，一依陳群輔魏故事。 王敦又舉兵內向。 時敦始寢疾，導便率子弟發哀，眾聞，謂敦死，咸有奮志。 及帝伐敦，假導節，都督諸軍，領揚州刺史。 敦平，進封始興郡公，邑三千戸，賜絹九千匹，進位太保，司徒如故，劍履上殿，入朝不趨，贊拜不名。 固讓。 帝崩，導復與庾亮等同受遺詔，共輔幼主，是爲成帝。 加羽葆鼓吹，班劍二十人。 及石勒侵阜陵，詔加導大司馬、假黃鉞，出討之。 軍次江寧，帝親餞於郊。 俄而賊退，解大司馬。
The emperor favored Prince Sima You of Langye and toyed with replacing the heir; he asked Wang Dao what he thought. Wang Dao replied, "Succession belongs to the eldest son, and Sima Shao is worthy; you should not change course." The emperor remained unconvinced. Wang Dao argued day and night until the succession stayed with the original heir. When Emperor Ming succeeded, Wang Dao took the late emperor's charge as regent, surrendered the Yangzhou post for the nominal rank of minister of education—deliberately echoing Chen Qun under Wei. Wang Dun rebelled again and marched on the capital. Wang Dun lay dying; Wang Dao ostentatiously went into mourning with his sons—news spread that Wang Dun was dead, and loyal troops stirred. When the emperor marched against Wang Dun, Wang Dao received full military credentials, overall command, and the Yangzhou inspectorate. After the rebellion collapsed, Wang Dao became Duke of Shixing with three thousand households and nine thousand bolts of silk; he rose to grand mentor while keeping the ministry of education, with every privilege—blade at court, unhurried stride, and no need for his name at roll call. He refused repeatedly. When Emperor Ming died, Wang Dao and Yu Liang shared the regency for the boy who became Emperor Cheng. He received imperial pennons, drum corps, and twenty sword attendants. When Shi Le struck Fuling, Wang Dao was named grand marshal with the golden axe and sent against him. The army camped at Jiangning while the young emperor saw Wang Dao off with an imperial picnic beyond the walls. The enemy soon withdrew, and the emergency marshal's baton was lifted.
15
庾亮將征蘇峻，訪之於導。 導曰：「峻猜阻，必不奉詔。 且山藪藏疾，宜包容之。」 固爭不從，亮遂召峻。 既而難作，六軍敗績，導入宮侍帝。 峻以導德望，不敢加害，猶以本官居己之右。 峻又逼乘輿幸石頭，導爭之不得。 峻日來帝前肆醜言，導深懼有不測之禍。 時路永、匡術、賈寧並説峻，令殺導，盡誅大臣，更樹腹心。 峻敬導，不納，故永等貳於峻。 導使參軍袁耽潛諷誘永等，謀奉帝出奔義軍。 而峻衙禦甚嚴，事遂不果。 導乃攜二子隨永奔于白石。
Yu Liang planned to attack Su Jun and asked Wang Dao's opinion. Wang Dao warned, "Su Jun is suspicious and obstinate—he will not obey a summons. Rough country hides poisons you may have to live with—better conciliate than provoke." Yu Liang dismissed his advice and summoned Su Jun anyway. Rebellion followed; imperial armies broke; Wang Dao slipped into the palace to shield the boy emperor. Su Jun respected Wang Dao too much to harm him and left him senior in rank despite the coup. When Su Jun dragged the court to his bastion at Stone City, Wang Dao protested in vain. Su Jun daily insulted the sovereign in Wang Dao's hearing; Wang Dao feared murder might follow. Lu Yong, Kuang Shu, and Jia Ning urged Su Jun to kill Wang Dao, purge the ministers, and install his own creatures. Su Jun still respected Wang Dao and refused; Lu Yong's faction began plotting against him. Wang Dao sent his aide Yuan Dan to sound out Lu Yong about spiriting the emperor to loyalist troops. Su Jun's cordon was too tight and the plot collapsed. Wang Dao fled with two sons alongside Lu Yong to Baishi.
16
及賊平，宗廟宮室並爲灰燼，溫嶠議遷都豫章，三呉之豪請都會稽，二論紛紜，未有所適。 導曰：「建康，古之金陵，舊爲帝裏，又孫仲謀、劉玄德俱言王者之宅。 古之帝王不必以豐儉移都，苟弘衞文大帛之冠，則無往不可。 若不績其麻，則樂土爲虛矣。 且北寇遊魂，伺我之隙，一旦示弱，竄於蠻越，求之望實，懼非良計。 今特宜鎮之以靜，群情自安。」 由是嶠等謀並不行。
After the rebels fell, the palace lay in ashes; Wen Qiao urged relocating to Yuzhang while eastern elite championed Kuaiji—the debate deadlocked. Wang Dao replied, "Jiankang—ancient Jinling—was already an imperial seat; Sun Quan and Liu Bei alike called it ground fit for kings. Ancient rulers moved capitals for reasons deeper than wealth—practice Duke Wen of Wei's frugal ritual in earnest and any site will serve. Without disciplined simplicity even the "happy land" proves hollow." Northern raiders still stalk any weakness; flee south among the tribes and you gain neither prestige nor substance—that is no strategy. Hold steady here—stillness itself steadies the realm." The relocation faction folded.
17
導善於因事，雖無日用之益，而歳計有餘。 時帑藏空竭，庫中惟有練數千端，鬻之不售，而國用不給。 導患之，乃與朝賢俱制練布單衣，於是士人翕然競服之，練遂踴貴。 乃令主者出賣，端至一金。 其爲時所慕如此
Wang Dao turned crises into advantage—little seemed gained day to day, yet the yearly accounts balanced. State vaults were bare save thousands of bolts of fine silk nobody would buy while expenses mounted. Wang Dao led courtiers in adopting plain silk robes until fashion followed—the surplus bolts suddenly fetched premium prices. Treasury officials sold stock at up to one gold piece per bolt. Such was his knack for steering fashion—and solvency.
18
六年冬，烝，詔歸胙於導，曰：「無下拜。」 導辭疾不敢當。 初，帝幼沖，見導，每拜。 又嘗與導書手詔，則云「惶恐言」，中書作詔，則曰「敬問」，於是以爲定制。 自-{後}-元正，導入，帝猶爲之興焉。
In winter of the sixth year, after the great sacrifice, the emperor sent Wang Dao the ritual meat with orders: "You need not bow." Wang Dao pleaded ill and refused the privilege. While still a child, Emperor Cheng had bowed each time he met Wang Dao. His autograph letters began "I speak with trepidation"; palace drafts addressed Wang Dao with "respectful inquiry"—those formulae became precedent. Even at New Year's audiences the young emperor rose when Wang Dao appeared.
19
時大旱，導上疏遜位。 詔曰：「夫聖王禦世，動合至道，運無不周，故能人倫攸敘，萬物獲宜。 朕荷祖宗之重，托于王公之上，不能仰陶玄風，俯洽宇宙，亢陽逾時，兆庶胥怨，邦之不臧，惟予一人。 公體道明哲，弘猶深遠，勳格四海，翼亮三世，國典之不墜，實仲山甫補之。 而猥崇謙光，引咎克讓，元道之愆，寄責宰輔，只增其闕。 博綜萬機，不可一日有曠。 公宜遺履謙之近節，遵經國之遠略。 門下速遣侍中以下敦喻。」 導固讓。 詔累逼之，然-{後}-視事。
During a severe drought Wang Dao offered to resign. The throne replied: "A sage king moves with the Way, leaves nothing uncovered, sets human relations right, and lets creation thrive. We inherit a heavy charge yet cannot spread moral influence or harmonize heaven and earth—prolonged drought and popular anger are our fault alone. You embody clarity of principle, your merit spans the seas, you have steadied three reigns—without you our institutions would long ago have collapsed, as surely as Zhong Shanfu upheld the Zhou. Yet you insist on humble gestures and shoulder blame that belongs on our throne—such misplaced virtue only widens the fault. The myriad affairs cannot sit idle even for a day. Abandon excessive modesty and keep your eye on the long governance of the realm. Have the Gate Bureau send attendants at once to urge you back to duty." Wang Dao still refused. Repeated edicts pressed him until he returned to office.
20
導簡素寡欲，倉無儲穀，衣不重帛。 帝知之，給布萬匹，以供私費。 導有羸疾，不堪朝會，帝幸其府，縱酒作樂，-{後}-令輿車入殿，其見敬如此。
Wang Dao lived plainly—empty bins at home and never layered silk. Learning this, the emperor granted ten thousand bolts for household needs. Ill health kept Wang Dao from court, so the emperor held revels in his mansion and later allowed his carriage into the palace arcade—such was the esteem he commanded.
21
石季龍掠騎至曆陽，導請出討之。 加大司馬、假黃鉞、中外諸軍事，置左右長史、司馬，給布萬匹。 俄而賊退，解大司馬，復轉中外大都督，進位太傅，又拜丞相，依漢制罷司徒官以並之。 冊曰：「朕夙罹不造，肆陟帝位，未堪多難，禍亂旁興。 公文貫九功，武經七德，外緝四海，內齊八政，天地以平，人神以和，業同伊尹，道隆姬旦。 仰思唐虞，登庸雋乂，申命群官，允釐庶績。 朕思憑高謨，弘濟遠獻，維稽古建爾於上公，永爲晉輔。 往踐厥職，敬敷道訓，以亮天工。 不亦休哉！ 公其戒之！」
When Shi Hu's horsemen pushed as far as Liyang, Wang Dao volunteered to lead the response. He received the grand marshal's title, the yellow axe, full military command, a full staff, and ten thousand bolts of cloth. The raiders soon withdrew; Wang Dao shed the emergency marshal's role, took overall command, became grand tutor, and was named chancellor—civil and military authority merged, the minister of education post retired per Han precedent. The investiture read: "We came early to the throne in hard times, ill prepared for one crisis after another. In civil policy you thread the nine tasks; in arms the seven virtues; you bind the four seas without and order the eight ministries within—Heaven and earth settle, gods and men accord—your service rivals Yi Yin, your stature matches the Duke of Zhou. As Tang and Yu elevated worthy ministers and charged each office to clarify its duties— —we therefore appoint you supreme duke by ancient precedent, Jin's pillar hereafter. Take up your charge, spread moral instruction, and give bright aid to Heaven's work. What greater blessing could there be? Bear these words in mind!"
22
是歳，妻曹氏卒，贈金章紫綬。 初，曹氏性妒，導甚憚之，乃密營別館，以處眾妾。 曹氏知，將往焉。 導恐妾被辱，遽令命駕，猶恐遲之，以所執麈尾柄驅牛而進。 司徒蔡謨聞之，戲導曰：「朝廷欲加公九錫。」 導弗之覺，但謙退而已。 謨曰：「不聞餘物，惟有短轅犢車，長柄麈尾。」 導大怒，謂人曰：「吾往與群賢共遊洛中，何曾聞有蔡克兒也。」
That year Lady Cao died; she was posthumously honored with a gold seal and purple ribbon. Lady Cao was fiercely jealous, so Wang Dao quietly kept a second house for his concubines. When she learned of it, she stormed toward the house. Fearing for his concubines, Wang Dao ordered his carriage at once and even beat the ox with his yak-tail fan's handle to gain speed. Minister Cai Mo quipped, "The court means to award you the Nine Insignia." Wang Dao missed the joke and demurred politely. Cai Mo added, "Nothing costly—only a calf cart with a stub axle and that long-handled yak-tail fan." Wang Dao flushed with rage. "When we walked Luoyang among the worthy," he snapped, "who had heard of Cai Ke's boy?"
23
于時庾亮以望重地逼，出鎮於外。 南蠻校尉陶稱間説亮當舉兵內向，或勸導密爲之防。 導曰：「吾與元規休戚是同，悠悠之談，宜絶智者之口。 則如君言，元規若來，吾便角巾還第，復何懼哉！」 又與稱書，以爲庾公帝之元舅，宜善事之。 於是讒間遂息。 時亮雖居外鎮，而執朝廷之權，既據上流，擁強兵，趣向者多歸之。 導內不能平，常遇西風塵起，舉扇自蔽，徐曰：「元規塵汙人。」
Yu Liang's prestige had begun to grate—he was posted to a frontier command. Colonel Tao Cheng whispered that Yu Liang planned to march on the capital; some urged Wang Dao to prepare in secret. Wang Dao replied, "Yu Liang and I rise or fall together—wise men should silence idle rumor. If he truly came, I would tie my kerchief like a private gentleman and go home—why should I fear?" He wrote Tao Cheng again: Yu Liang was the emperor's senior uncle—treat him with respect. The whispering campaign died away. Yu Liang stayed upriver yet pulled court strings—powerful gentry flocked to him. Privately Wang Dao seethed—whenever dust blew from the west he raised his fan and murmured, "That man's grit dirties everyone."
24
自漢魏以來，群臣不拜山陵。 導以元帝睠同布衣，匪惟君臣而已，每一崇進，皆就拜，不勝哀戚。 由是詔百官拜陵，自導始也。
Since Han and Wei times ministers had not bowed at imperial tombs. Wang Dao had shared Emperor Yuan's friendship as a commoner—not merely as lord and subject—so each time he approached the tomb he bowed, overcome with grief. Henceforth officials bowed at imperial tombs—a precedent Wang Dao began.
25
薨，時年六十四。 帝舉哀於朝堂三日，遣大鴻臚持節監護喪事，賵襚之禮，一依漢博陸侯及安平獻王故事。 及葬，給九游轀輬車、黃屋左纛、前-{後}-羽葆鼓吹、武賁班劍百人，中興名臣莫與爲比。 冊曰：「蓋高位以酬明德，厚爵以答懋勳； 至乎闔棺標跡，莫尚號諡，風流百代，於是乎在。 惟公邁達沖虛，玄鑒劭邈； 夷淡以約其心，體仁以流其惠； 棲遲務外，則名雋中夏，應期濯纓，則潛算獨運。 昔我中宗、肅祖之基中興也，下帷委誠而策定江左，拱己宅心而庶績咸熙。 故能威之所振，寇虐改心，化之所鼓，檮杌易質； 調陰陽之和，通彝倫之紀，遼隴承風，丹穴景附。 隆高世之功，復宣武之績，舊物不失，公協其猷。 若乃荷負顧命，保朕沖人，遭遇艱圮，夷險委順； 拯其淪墜而濟之以道，扶其頹傾而弘之以仁，經緯三朝而蘊道彌曠。 方賴高謨，以穆四海，昊天不吊，奄忽薨殂，朕用震慟於心。 雖有殷之殞保衡，有周之喪二南，曷諭茲懷！ 今遣使持節、謁者僕射任瞻錫諡曰文獻，祠乙太牢。 魂而有靈，嘉茲榮寵！」
He died at sixty-four. The court mourned three days in session; the Grand Herald oversaw the funeral with Han-era honors matching Huo Guang and the Prince of Anping. His procession included the nine-banner hearse, imperial yellow canopy, guards of honor front and rear—no minister of the restored dynasty matched such pageantry. The posthumous patent read: "High office honors luminous virtue; noble titles repay towering merit; when the lid closes, nothing surpasses a fitting posthumous name—his influence will ride down the ages. You moved through the world with transparent humility and vision few could match; simplicity stilled your heart while humanity spread your kindness; in retirement your fame filled the central lands; when summoned you cleared office like one rinsing his cap—yet strategy ran quietly through your hands. When Zhongzong and Suzu rebuilt the dynasty, you plotted behind curtains to anchor the southeast and folded your hands in trust until every office flourished. Where your majesty reached, enemies relented; where your influence spread, savages changed their nature; yin and yang aligned, human ties held—even distant Long submitted and southern tribes clustered close. You magnified age-spanning deeds and restored imperial fortunes—nothing was lost while you shaped policy. You bore dying charge to shield Us as a child—through collapse you smoothed every peril. You rescued the drowning with principle, steadied the falling with humanity, and threaded three reigns while your stores of wisdom seemed inexhaustible. We still leaned on your counsel to pacify the realm—yet Heaven showed no mercy and claimed you suddenly; Our heart jars with grief. Shang mourned its Yi Yin; Zhou mourned the southern odes—what compares to Our sorrow? We send Herald Vice Director Ren Zhan to confer the posthumous title Literature and Presentation and offer the grand sacrifice. If any consciousness remains, delight in this honor!"
26
二弟：穎、敞，少與導俱知名，時人以穎方溫太真，以敞比鄧伯道，並早卒。 導六子：悅、恬、洽、協、邵、薈。
His brothers Wang Ying and Wang Chang were celebrated with him—likened to Wen Jiao and Deng You—but both died young. Wang Dao fathered six sons: Yue, Tian, Qia, Xie, Shao, and Hui.
28
導子悅
Wang Yue, son of Wang Dao
30
悅字長豫，弱冠有高名，事親色養，導甚愛之。 導嘗共悅奕棋，爭道，導笑曰：「相與有瓜葛，那得爲爾邪！」 導性儉節，帳下甘果爛敗，令棄之，云：「勿使大郎知。」 悅少侍講東宮，歷呉王友、中書侍郎，先導卒，諡貞世子。 先是，導夢人以百萬錢買悅，潛爲祈禱者備矣。 尋掘地，得錢百萬，意甚惡之，一皆藏閉。 及悅疾篤，導憂念特至，不食積日。 忽見一人形狀甚偉，被甲持刀，導問：「君是何人？」 曰：「僕是蔣侯也。 公兒不佳，欲爲請命，故來耳。 公勿復憂。」 因求食，遂啖數升。 食畢，勃然謂導曰：「中書患，非可救者。」 言訖不見，悅亦殞絶。 悅與導語，恆以慎密爲端。 導還台，及行，悅未嘗不送至車-{後}-，又恆爲母曹氏襞斂箱篋中物。 悅亡-{後}-，導還台，自悅常所送處哭至台門，其母長封作篋，不忍復開。
Wang Yue, courtesy Changyu, won fame young and cared for his parents with devotion—Wang Dao adored him. Once they quarreled over a chess move; Wang Dao laughed and said, "We are family—why scrape over stones?" Though Wang Dao lived frugally, when fruit spoiled under his tent he told servants to discard it quietly—"Don't let the eldest boy hear." He lectured in the heir's palace, served as companion to the Prince of Wu and gentleman of the palace writers, and predeceased his father with the posthumous epithet Steadfast Heir. Earlier Wang Dao dreamed someone bought his son for a million cash and quietly funded prayers on his behalf. Soon afterward laborers unearthed exactly that sum—Wang Dao took it as an evil omen and locked every coin away. When Wang Yue sank toward death, Wang Dao grew frantic and refused food for days. Suddenly an armored giant with a saber appeared; Wang Dao demanded, "Who are you?" I am the River Earl Jiang," came the reply. Your son fails—I've come to plead for him with Heaven. Do not despair." He asked for food and devoured several pints. When he finished he turned grim: "The sickness has entered his vitals—nothing can save him." He vanished; Wang Yue died at once. In conversation Wang Yue always urged discretion. Whenever Wang Dao left for court, Wang Yue walked him to his carriage and quietly packed Lady Cao's traveling chests. After Wang Yue died Wang Dao wept from the spot where they had parted all the way to the palace gate; Lady Cao sealed her son's chests forever.
31
悅無子，以弟恬子琨爲嗣，襲導爵丹陽尹，卒，贈太常。 子嘏嗣，尚鄱陽公主，歷中領軍、尚書。 卒，子恢嗣，義熙末，爲遊擊將軍。
Childless, Wang Yue adopted his nephew Wang Kun, who inherited titles and served as governor of Danyang; he died honored as minister of ceremonies. His son Wang Jia succeeded him, married the Princess of Poyang, and rose to central army commander and minister. He was succeeded by Wang Hui, who ended the dynasty as a mobile corps general.
33
悅弟恬
Wang Tian, younger brother of Wang Yue
35
恬字敬豫。 少好武，不爲公門所重。 導見悅輒喜，見恬便有怒色。 州辟別駕，不行，襲爵即丘子。 性傲誕，不拘禮法。 謝萬嘗造恬，既坐，少頃，恬便入內。 萬以爲必厚待己，殊有喜色。 恬久之乃沐頭散發而出，據胡床於庭中曬發，神氣傲邁，竟無賓主之禮。 萬悵然而歸。 晩節更好士，多技藝，善奕棋，爲中興第一。 遷中書郎。 帝欲以爲中書令，導固讓，從之。 除-{後}-將軍、魏郡太守，加給事中，領兵鎮石頭。 導薨，去官。 俄起爲-{後}-將軍，復鎮石頭。 轉呉國、會稽內史，加散騎常侍。 卒，贈中軍將軍，諡曰憲。
His courtesy name was Jingyu. He loved soldierly pursuits and earned little credit among grandees. Wang Dao lit up at sight of Wang Yue but scowled whenever Wang Tian appeared. He declined a provincial aide post and inherited the barony of Jiqiu. He was arrogant and flouted etiquette. Once Xie Wan called on him; shortly after they sat, Wang Tian vanished indoors. Xie Wan assumed a lavish reception awaited and looked delighted. Wang Tian eventually reappeared with wet hair loose, lounged on a camp stool in the courtyard drying it—utterly ignoring guest ritual. Xie Wan left in dismay. Late in life he cultivated talent, mastered many arts, and ranked first among weiqi players of the restored court. He rose to gentleman of the palace writers. The emperor wanted him as director of the palace writers; Wang Dao refused on his behalf and the appointment lapsed. He took general of the rear, prefect of Wei, attendant within, and commanded the garrison at Stone City. He resigned when Wang Dao died. Soon he returned as general of the rear at Stone City. He governed Wu and Kuaiji as interior clerk and picked up cavalier attendant. He died honored as general of the central army with the posthumous epithet Disciplined.
37
恬弟洽
Wang Qia, younger brother of Wang Tian
39
洽字敬和，導諸子中最知名，與荀羨俱有美稱。 弱冠，歷散騎、中書郎、中軍長史、司徒左長史、建武將軍、呉郡內史。 徵拜領軍，尋加中書令，固讓，表疏十上。 穆帝詔曰：「敬和清裁貴令，昔爲中書郎，吾時尚小，數呼見，意甚親之。 今所以用爲令，既機任須才，且欲時時相見，共講文章，待以友臣之義。 而累表固讓，甚違本懷。 其催洽令拜。」 苦讓，遂不受。 卒於官，年三十六。 二子：珣、瑉。
Wang Qia, courtesy Jinghe, was the best known of Wang Dao's sons and shared Xun Xian's glowing reputation. While still young he rose through cavalier attendant, palace writer, central army and ministry clerkships, general who establishes might, and Wu interior clerk. Summoned as commander of the guards and soon offered the palace directorate, he declined ten memorials running. Emperor Mu wrote: "Wang Qia's judgment is lucid and noble. When he served as palace writer I was still a boy yet loved to summon him—we were close. We name him director because the post demands genius—and because We long to study literature with him as friend as well as minister. Persistent refusal cuts against Our wishes. See that he accepts at once." He still refused every summons. He died in office at thirty-six. His sons were Wang Xun and Wang Min.
41
洽子珣
Wang Xun, son of Wang Qia
42
珣字元琳。 弱冠與陳郡謝玄爲桓溫掾，俱爲溫所敬重，嘗謂之曰：「謝掾年四十，必擁旄杖節。 王掾當作黑頭公。 皆未易才也。」 珣轉主簿。 時溫經略中夏，竟無寧歳，軍中機務並委珣焉。 文武數萬人，悉識其面。 從討袁真，封東亭侯，轉大司馬參軍、琅邪王友、中軍長史、給事黃門侍郎。
His courtesy name was Yuanlin. While still young he and Xie Xuan served Huan Wen as clerks—both were favorites. Huan Wen once said, "When Clerk Xie reaches forty he will command a province. Clerk Wang will wear black hair into the minister's seat. Neither talent will easily be matched." Wang Xun became chief clerk. Huan Wen campaigned endlessly in the north and entrusted every military secret to Wang Xun. He knew every face among tens of thousands of officers and men. He joined the campaign against Yuan Zhen, became Marquis of East Pavilion, then adjutant to the grand marshal, tutor to the Prince of Langye, central army clerk, and yellow-gates attendant.
43
珣兄弟皆謝氏婿，以猜嫌致隙。 太傅安既與珣絶婚，又離瑉妻，由是二族遂成仇釁。 時希安旨，乃出珣爲豫章太守，不之官。 除散騎常侍，不拜。 遷秘書監。 安卒-{後}-，遷侍中，孝武深杖之。 轉輔國將軍、呉國內史，在郡爲士庶所悅。 徵爲尚書右僕射，領吏部，轉左僕射，加征虜將軍，復領太子詹事。
Both Wang brothers married Xie women; jealousy split the families. Grand Tutor Xie An annulled Wang Xun's marriage and drove Wang Min's wife away—the two houses became bitter foes. Trying to placate Xie An, the court named Wang Xun prefect of Yuzhang—he never took up the post. He declined appointment as cavalier attendant. He rose to supervisor of the palace library. After Xie An died he became palace attendant—Emperor Xiaowu leaned on him heavily. As general who supports the state and Wu interior clerk he won gentry and commoners alike. He was called to vice director of the Masters of Writing, personnel chief, then left vice director with general who subdues brigands and superintendent of the heir's household.
44
時帝雅好典籍，珣與殷仲堪、徐邈、王恭、郗恢等並以才學文章見昵於帝。 及王國寶自媚于會稽王道子，而與珣等不協，帝慮晏駕-{後}-怨隙必生，故出恭、恢爲方伯，而委珣端右。 珣夢人以大筆如椽與之，既覺，語人云：「此當有大手筆事。」 俄而帝崩，哀冊諡議，皆珣所草。
Emperor Xiaowu loved books; Wang Xun joined Yin Zhongkan, Xu Miao, Wang Gong, and Xi Hui as scholarly favorites at court. Wang Guobao curried favor with Prince Daozi while feuding with Wang Xun's circle; fearing feuds after his death, the emperor posted Wang Gong and Xi Hui as governors and left Wang Xun at the capital helm. Wang Xun dreamed someone handed him a rafter-sized brush and told friends, "Something momentous will need my pen." Soon the emperor died; Wang Xun drafted every lament, patent, and posthumous memorial.
45
隆安初，國寶用事，謀黜舊臣，遷珣尚書令。 王恭赴山陵，欲殺國寶，珣止之曰：「國寶雖終爲禍亂，要罪逆未彰，今便先事而發，必大失朝野之望。 況擁強兵，竊發於京輦，誰謂非逆！ 國寶若遂不改，惡布天下，然-{後}-順時望除之，亦無尤不濟也。」 恭乃止。 既而謂珣曰：「比來視君，一似胡廣。」 旬曰：「王陵廷爭，陳平慎默，但問歳終何如耳。」 恭尋起兵，國寶將殺珣等，僅而得免，語在國寶傳。 二年，恭復舉兵，假珣節，進衞將軍、都督琅邪水陸軍事。 事平，上所假節，加散騎常侍。
Early in Longan, Wang Guobao purged elders and moved Wang Xun up to director of the Masters of Writing. Wang Gong meant to kill Wang Guobao at the imperial tombs; Wang Xun argued that Guobao's guilt was not yet plain and a premature strike would alienate everyone. Marching on the capital unbidden—who would call that anything but treason? Wait until Guobao's guilt is universal, then strike with popular backing—you will succeed without blame." Wang Gong held his hand. Later Wang Gong told Wang Xun, "Lately you remind me of Hu Guang." Wang Xun answered, "Wang Ling quarreled in open court; Chen Ping stayed silent—wait and see how the year ends." Wang Gong rose anyway; Wang Guobao nearly executed Wang Xun—see Guobao's biography. The next year Wang Gong rebelled again; Wang Xun received credentials as general who guards and commander of Langye forces. After peace returned he surrendered his staff and added cavalier attendant.
46
四年，以疾解職。 歳餘，卒，時年五十二。 追贈車騎將軍、開府，諡曰獻穆。 桓玄與會稽王道子書曰：「珣神情朗悟，經史明徹，風流之美，公私所寄。 雖逼嫌謗，才用不盡； 然君子在朝，弘益自多。 時事艱難，忽爾喪失，歎懼之深，豈但風流相悼而已！ 其崎嶇九折，風霜備經，雖賴明公神鑒，亦識會居之故也。 卒以壽終，殆無所哀。 但情發去來，置之未易耳。」 玄輔政，改贈司徒。
In the fourth year illness forced him to retire. A little over a year later he died at fifty-two. He was posthumously named general of chariots and cavalry with independent command and the epithet Presentation and Solemn. Huan Xuan wrote Prince Daozi that Wang Xun combined brilliance, erudition, and charm—the court and private life alike leaned on him. Slander cramped him, yet his gifts were never fully spent; still, virtuous ministers enlarge any reign. These hard times have robbed us of him—Our grief runs deeper than fashionable regret! He threaded every hardship—you saw him clearly, sire, and knew what kept him at court. If he had died old and full of years, grief would be slight. Yet hearts cling—letting go is hard." When Huan Xuan held power he raised Wang Xun's posthumous rank to minister of education.
47
初，珣既與謝安有隙，在東聞安薨，便出京師，詣族弟獻之，曰：「吾欲哭謝公。」 獻之驚曰：「所望於法護。」 於是直前哭之甚慟。 法護，珣小字也。 珣五子：弘、虞、柳、孺、曇首，宋世並有高名。
Though Wang Xun had feuded with Xie An, when word reached him he hurried to the capital and told his cousin Wang Xianzhi, "I must mourn Duke Xie." Wang Xianzhi exclaimed, "This is the largeness we expect of Fahu." Wang Xun stepped forward and wept bitterly. Fahu was Wang Xun's childhood name. Wang Xun's five sons—Hong, Yu, Liu, Ru, and Tanshou—all rose to fame under Liu Song.
48
珣弟瑉
Wang Min, younger brother of Wang Xun
49
瑉字季琰。 少有才藝，善行書，名出珣右。 時人爲之語曰：「法護非不佳，僧彌難爲兄。」 僧彌，瑉小字也。 時有外國沙門，名提婆，妙解法理，爲珣兄弟講《毗曇經》。 瑉時尚幼，講未半，便雲已解，即於別室與沙門法綱等數人自講。 法綱歎曰：「大義皆是，但小未精耳。」 辟州主簿，舉秀才，不行。 -{後}-曆著作、散騎郎、國子博士、黃門侍郎、侍中，代王獻之爲長兼中書令。 二人素齊名，世謂獻之爲「大令」，瑉爲「小令」。 卒，時年三十八，追贈太常。 二子：朗、練。 義熙中，並歷侍中。
His courtesy name was Jiyan. He showed talent early and surpassed even Wang Xun in running script. The rhyme ran: "Fahu is fine—but how can anyone be elder brother to Sengmi?" Sengmi was Wang Min's pet name. The monk Deva from abroad lectured the brothers on the Abhidharma. While still a boy Wang Min interrupted halfway, claimed understanding, and lectured Fa Gang's circle in another room. Fa Gang sighed, "The outlines are right—the boy needs polish." He declined provincial chief clerk and flourishing talent nominations. He later served as editorial director, cavalier gentleman, academy erudite, yellow gates, palace attendant, then succeeded Wang Xianzhi as acting palace director. Both were famed calligraphers—people called Xianzhi the Great Director and Min the Little Director. He died at thirty-eight and was honored posthumously as minister of ceremonies. His sons were Wang Lang and Wang Lian. Both rose to palace attendant under Yixi.
50
=洽弟協=
Wang Xie, younger brother of Wang Qia
51
協字敬祖，元帝撫軍參軍，襲爵武岡侯，早卒，無子，以弟劭子謐爲嗣。
Wang Xie, courtesy Jingzu, served as adjutant on the pacification army, inherited the Wugang marquisate, died young without issue—his nephew Wang Mi succeeded.
52
協繼子謐
Wang Mi, adopted heir of Wang Xie
53
謐字稚遠。 少有美譽，與譙國桓胤、太原王綏齊名。 拜秘書郎，襲父爵，遷秘書丞，歷中軍長史、黃門郎、侍中。 及桓玄舉兵，詔謐銜命詣玄，玄深敬昵焉。 拜建威將軍、呉國內史，未至郡，玄以爲中書令、領軍將軍、吏部尚書，遷中書監，加散騎常侍，領司徒。 及玄將篡，以謐兼太保，奉璽冊詣玄。 玄篡，封武昌縣開國公，加班劍二十人。
His courtesy name was Zhiyuan. He won praise young alongside Huan Yin and Wang Sui. He served as palace librarian, inherited his father's title, rose to assistant librarian, then central army clerk, yellow gates, and palace attendant. When Huan Xuan rebelled, Wang Mi carried imperial orders to him and won deep favor. Named general who establishes might and Wu interior clerk, he never reached the post—Huan Xuan kept him as palace director, commander, minister of personnel, then palace supervisor, cavalier attendant, and minister of education. At Huan Xuan's coup Wang Mi served as grand mentor and carried the imperial seal to him. After the usurpation he became founding duke of Wuchang county with twenty sword guards.
54
初，劉裕爲布衣，眾未之識也，惟謐獨奇貴之，嘗謂裕曰：「卿當爲一代英雄。」 及裕破恆玄，謐以本官加侍中，領揚州刺史、録尚書事。 謐既受寵桓氏，常不自安。 護軍將軍劉毅嘗問謐曰：「璽綬何在？」 謐益懼。 會王綏以桓氏甥自疑，謀反，父子兄弟皆伏誅。 謐從弟諶，少驍果輕俠，欲誘謐還呉，起兵爲亂，乃説謐曰：「王綏無罪，而義旗誅之，是除時望也。 兄少立名譽，加位地如此，欲不危，得乎！」 謐懼而出奔。 劉裕箋詣大將軍、武陵王遵，遣人追躡，謐既還，委任如先，加謐班劍二十人。 卒，時年四十八。 追贈侍中、司徒，諡曰文恭。 三子：瓘、球、琇。 入宋，皆至大官。
Once when Liu Yu was unknown, only Wang Mi marked him as extraordinary—"You will be the hero of your age," he said. After Liu Yu smashed Huan Xuan, Wang Mi kept rank while adding palace attendant, Yangzhou inspector, and recorder of Masters of Writing. His past closeness to the Huans left him uneasy. Liu Yi once demanded, "Where is the imperial seal?" Wang Mi grew terrified. Then Wang Sui, Huan's nephew by marriage, rebelled and his whole clan died. His cousin Wang Chen, rash and martial, urged Wang Mi to flee east: "Liu Yu struck Wang Sui without cause—the court purges every eminent house. You stand too high to stay safe—flight is the only choice!" Terrified, Wang Mi bolted. Liu Yu appealed to Prince Sima Zun to recall him; Wang Mi returned to favor with twenty sword attendants. He died at forty-eight. Posthumously he was palace attendant and minister of education with the epithet Cultured and Respectful. His sons were Wang Guan, Wang Qiu, and Wang Xiu. Under Liu Song all rose to high office.
55
=協弟劭=
Wang Shao, younger brother of Wang Xie
56
劭字敬倫，歷東陽太守、吏部郎、司徒左長史、丹陽尹。 劭美姿容，有風操，雖家人近習，未嘗見其墜替之容。 桓溫甚器之。 遷吏部尚書、尚書僕射，領中領軍，出爲建威將軍、呉國內史。 卒，贈車騎將軍，諡曰簡。 三子：穆、默、恢。 穆，臨海太守。 默，呉國內史，加二千石。 恢，右衞將軍。 穆三子：簡、智、超。 默二子：鑒、惠。 義熙中，並曆顯職。
Wang Shao, courtesy Jinglun, served as prefect of Dongyang, personnel gentleman, ministry senior clerk, and governor of Danyang. Handsome and composed, he never showed slack conduct even before servants. Huan Wen held him in high regard. He rose to minister of personnel, vice director of Masters of Writing, central army commander, then general who establishes might and Wu interior clerk. He died honored as general of chariots and cavalry with the epithet Austere. His sons were Wang Mu, Wang Mo, and Wang Hui. Wang Mu governed Linhai. Wang Mo served as Wu interior clerk at two thousand shi salary. Wang Hui became general of the right guards. Wang Mu's sons were Jian, Zhi, and Chao. Wang Mo's sons were Jian and Hui. During Yixi they all reached prominent posts.
57
=劭弟薈=
Wang Hui, younger brother of Wang Shao
58
薈字敬文。 恬虛守靖，不競榮利，少曆清官，除吏部郎、侍中、建威將軍、呉國內史。 時年饑粟貴，人多餓死，薈以私米作饘粥，以飴餓者，所濟活甚眾。 征補中領軍，不拜。 徙尚書，領中護軍，復爲征虜將軍、呉國內史。 頃之，桓沖表請薈爲江州刺史，固辭不拜。 轉督浙江東五郡、左將軍、會稽內史，進號鎮軍將軍，加散騎常侍。 卒于官，贈衞將軍。
His courtesy name was Jingwen. He lived quietly without ambition, served in unsullied posts, and rose to personnel gentleman, palace attendant, general who establishes might, and Wu interior clerk. When famine struck he brewed gruel from his own grain and saved countless lives. He declined appointment as central army commander. He moved to the Masters of Writing with protecting army command, then general who subdues brigands and Wu interior clerk. Huan Chong nominated him for Jiangzhou; Wang Hui refused. He supervised five eastern commanderies as general of the left and Kuaiji interior clerk, took the banner general who guards the army, and added cavalier attendant. He died in harness and was honored as general who guards.
59
薈子廞
Wang Xu, son of Wang Hui
60
子廞，歷太子中庶子、司徒左長史。 以母喪，居於呉。 王恭舉兵，假廞建武將軍、呉國內史，令起軍，助爲聲援。 廞即墨絰合眾，誅殺異己，仍遣前呉國內史虞嘯父等入呉興、義興聚兵，輕俠赴者萬計。 廞自謂義兵一動，勢必未寧，可乘間而取富貴。 而曾不旬日，國寶賜死，恭罷兵符，廞去職。 廞大怒，回眾討恭。 恭遣司馬劉牢之距戰于曲阿，廞眾潰奔走，遂不知所在。 長子泰爲恭所殺，少子華以不知廞存亡，憂毀布衣蔬食。 -{後}-從兄謐言其死所，華始發喪，入仕。
Wang Xu served as deputy to the heir and senior clerk under the minister of education. Mourning his mother, he stayed in Wu. When Wang Gong rebelled he named Wang Xu general who establishes martial might and Wu interior clerk, ordering him to mobilize in support. Wang Xu, still in mourning garb, rallied troops, purged dissenters, and sent Yu Xiaofu into Wuxing and Yixing—thousands of adventurers answered. Wang Xu gambled that rebellion would unsettle the realm and open a path to power. Within days Wang Guobao was forced to suicide, Wang Gong lost his command, and Wang Xu was dismissed. Enraged, Wang Xu wheeled his army against Wang Gong. Wang Gong sent Liu Laozhi to meet him at Qu'e; Wang Xu's force broke and scattered and he vanished. Wang Gong killed Wang Xu's eldest son Tai; the younger son Hua mourned in hemp and gruel, not knowing whether his father lived. Only when cousin Wang Mi revealed where he had died could Hua bury him properly and take office.
61
初，導渡淮，使郭璞筮之，卦成，璞曰：「吉，無不利。 淮水絶，王氏滅。」 其-{後}-子孫繁衍，竟如璞言。
When Wang Dao first crossed the Huai, Guo Pu cast the stalks and pronounced the omen wholly favorable. Yet when the Huai runs dry, the house of Wang will end." His descendants multiplied beyond counting—Guo Pu's words proved true.
62
史臣曰==
(Historian's commentary)
63
史臣曰：飛龍-{御}-天，故資雲雨之勢； 帝王興運，必俟股肱之力。 軒轅，聖人也，杖師臣而授圖； 商湯，哲-{后}-也，托負鼎而成業。 自斯已降，罔不由之。 原夫典午發蹤，本於陵寡，金行撫運，無德在時。 九土未宅其心，四夷已承其弊。 既而中原蕩覆，江左嗣興，兆著玄石之圖，乖少康之祀夏； 時無思晉之士，異文叔之興劉； 輔佐中宗，艱哉甚矣！ 茂弘策名枝屏，葉情交好，負其才智，恃彼江湖，思建克復之功，用成翌宣之道。 於是王敦內侮，憑天邑而狼顧； 蘇峻連兵，指宸居而隼擊。 實賴元宰，固懷匪石之心； 潛運忠謨，竟翦吞沙之寇。 乃誠貫日，主垂餌以終全； 貞志陵霜，國綴旒而不滅。 觀其開設學校，存乎沸鼎之中，爰立章程，在乎櫛風之際； 雖則世道多故，而規模弘遠矣。 比夫蕭曹弼漢，六合爲家； 奭望匡周，萬方同軌，功未半古，不足爲儔。 至若夷吾體仁，能相小國； 孔明踐義，善翊新邦，撫事論情，抑斯之類也。 提挈三世，終始一心，稱爲「仲父」，蓋其宜矣。 恬珣踵德，副呂虔之贈刀； 謐乃聵聲，慚劉毅之征璽。 語曰：「深山大澤，有龍有蛇。」 實斯之謂也。
The historians write: The dragon rides the storm—no ascent without clouds and rain. Every throne waits on ministers strong as thighs and arms. The Yellow Emperor leaned on his ministers to read Heaven's chart; King Tang of Shang built his realm on ministers who bore the sacred bronzes. Every dynasty since has done the same. The house of Sima seized power by bullying an orphan; Jin's "metal" mandate arrived without moral warrant. The realm never warmed to the throne while borders already felt its decay. When the north collapsed, the southeast revival bore dark-stone portents—nothing so clean as Shaokang's restoration of Xia; no Han loyalists rallied as they had for Liu Xiu's Han revival; supporting Emperor Yuan was perilous work. Wang Dao Maohong pledged himself to the frontier princes, poured heart into friendship, trusted his genius and the Yangzi barrier, and meant to reconquer the north while shaping Jin's mandate. Then Wang Dun turned wolfishly on the capital; Su Jun struck the throne like a stooping hawk. Only the chief minister's faith—unyielding as the ode's pledge— and silent stratagem rooted out those rebels. His devotion shone through—the emperor cast trust like bait and kept him whole; his steadfast heart outlasted frost—though the crown slipped, the house endured. He founded schools while the cauldron boiled and drafted laws while wind combed his hair; through chaos his vision stayed immense. Xiao He and Cao Shen folded the realm into one family; Shao and Zhou Gong lined every wagon-track—Wang Dao matches neither half their deed. Guan Zhong embodied humanity in a small state; Zhuge Liang upheld duty in a new realm—Wang Dao belongs in their company. Three reigns hung on one loyal heart—no wonder men called him Second Father. Wang Tian and Wang Xun inherited honor worthy of Lü Qian's sword; Wang Mi played deaf when Liu Yi demanded the seal—a shame beside them. The proverb holds: "Deep hills breed dragons—and snakes." So it proved for this clan.
64
贊曰：虎嘯猋馳，龍升雲映。 武岡矯矯，匡時輯政。 懿績克宣，忠規靡競。 契葉三主，榮逾九命。 貽刀表祥，巫水流慶。 赫矣門族，重光斯盛。
The ode runs: Tigers roar on the wind; dragons climb through clouds; the Wugang line stands tall, steadying the age and gathering the state. Their deeds shine forth; loyalty leaves no rival. They matched hearts with three sovereigns and won honors beyond nine bestowals. Swords passed hand to hand foretold fortune; the Wu streams ran thick with blessing. How bright this house—its glory redoubled again and again.