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王恭
Wang Gong
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王恭，字孝伯，光祿大夫蘊子，定皇后之兄也。 少有美譽，清操過人，自負才地高華，恆有宰輔之望。 與王忱齊名友善，慕劉惔之為人。 謝安常曰：「王恭人地可以為將來伯舅。」 嘗從其父自會稽至都，忱訪之，見恭所坐六尺簟，忱謂其有餘，因求之。 恭輒以送焉，遂坐薦上。 忱聞而大驚，恭曰：「吾平生無長物。」 其簡率如此。
Wang Gong, courtesy Xiaobo, was the son of Wang Su, grand master of brilliant splendor, and elder brother to Empress Ding. Even young he was praised for icy integrity and eminent pedigree—he meant to reach the chief ministership. He was Wang Chen’s peer and friend and modeled himself on Liu Tan. Xie An often said: “Wang Gong’s person and pedigree may serve someday as royal uncle by marriage.” Traveling with his father from Kuaiji to the capital he hosted Wang Chen, who spotted his six-foot bamboo mat, assumed Gong owned extras, and asked for one. Wang Gong handed it over at once and dropped onto straw. Chen heard this with shock; Gong said: “In my whole life I keep no surplus belongings.” Such was his austerity.
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起家為佐著作郎，歎曰：「仕宦不為宰相，才志何足以騁！」 因以疾辭。 俄為秘書丞，轉中書郎，未拜，遭父憂。 服闋，除吏部郎，曆建威將軍。 太元中，代沈嘉為丹陽尹，遷中書令，領太子詹事。
He first rose as editorial aide and sighed: “If official life does not reach chancellor, how can ambition fully stretch!” So he quit pleading sickness. Soon he was deputy secretary director and gentleman of the palace writers—before taking office his father died. When mourning closed he joined the Ministry of Personnel and served as general who establishes might. Under Taiyuan he succeeded Shen Jia as Danyang prefect, became palace commandant, and ran the heir’s palace.
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孝武帝以恭後兄，深相欽重。 時陳郡袁悅之以傾巧事會稽王道子，恭言之於帝，遂誅之。 道子嘗集朝士，置酒於東府，尚書令謝石因醉為委巷之歌，恭正色曰：「居端右之重，集籓王之第，而肆淫聲，欲令群下何所取則！」 石深銜之。 淮陵內史虞珧子妻裴氏有服食之術，常衣黃衣，狀如天師，道子甚悅之，令與賓客談論，時人皆為降節。 恭抗言曰：「未聞宰相之坐有失行婦人。」 坐賓莫不反側，道子甚愧之。 其後帝將擢時望以為籓屏，乃以恭為都督兗青冀幽并徐州晉陵諸軍事、平北將軍、兗青二州刺史、假節，鎮京口。 初，都督以「北」為號者，累有不祥，故桓沖、王坦之、刁彝之徒不受鎮北之號。 恭表讓軍號，以超受為辭，而實惡其名，於是改號前將軍。 慕容垂入青州，恭遣偏師禦之，失利，降號輔國將軍。
Emperor Xiaowu favored him as brother of the empress. When Yuan Yuezhi curried Prince Daozi’s favor Wang Gong denounced him to the throne and won his execution. Daozi once gathered courtiers for wine at the eastern bureau; Minister Xie Shi, drunk, sang alley songs; Gong sternly said: “You hold the chief minister’s weight and gather at a prince’s mansion yet unleash lewd sounds—what example do you give subordinates!” Xie Shi nursed a grudge. Yu Yaozi’s wife Lady Pei posed as a Daoist adept in yellow—Daozi paraded her before guests who humored her. Gong protested: “I have never heard of a debauched woman seated with a chief minister.” Guests writhed; Daozi flushed with shame. The emperor made Wang Gong regional commander over the northern provinces plus Jinling, pacifier-general of the north, two-Qing inspector, and stationed him at Jingkou. Earlier, commanders who took “north” in their title often met ill fortune, so Huan Chong, Wang Tanzhi, Diao Yi, and others refused the title General Who Guards the North. Wang Gong asked to drop the title—really fearing the word “north”—and became vanguard general instead. Against Murong Chui’s Qing invasion he sent a wing that lost; he was demoted to supporting-state general.
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及帝崩，會稽王道子執政，寵昵王國寶，委以機權。 恭每正色直言，道子深憚而忿之。 及赴山陵，罷朝，歎曰：「榱棟雖新，便有《黍離》之歎矣。」 時國寶從弟緒說國寶，因恭入覲相王，伏兵殺之，國寶不許。 而道子亦欲輯和內外，深布腹心于恭，冀除舊惡。 恭多不順，每言及時政，輒厲聲色。 道子知恭不可和協，王緒之說遂行，於是國難始結。 或勸恭因人朝以兵誅國寶，而庾楷党于國寶，士馬甚盛，恭憚之，不敢發，遂還鎮。 臨別，謂道子曰：「主上諒闇，塚宰之任，伊周所難，願大王親萬機，納直言，遠鄭聲，放佞人。」 辭色甚厲，故國寶等愈懼。 以恭為安北將軍，不拜。 乃謀誅國寶，遣使與殷仲堪、桓玄相結，仲堪偽許之。 恭得書，大喜，乃抗表京師曰：「後將軍國寶得以姻戚頻登顯列，不能感恩效力，以報時施，而專寵肆威，將危社稷。 先帝登遐，夜乃犯闔叩扉，欲矯遺詔。 賴皇太后聰明，相王神武，故逆謀不果。 又割東宮見兵以為己府，讒疾二昆甚於仇敵。 與其從弟緒同黨凶狡，共相扇動。 此不忠不義之明白也。 以臣忠誠，必亡身殉國，是以譖臣非一。 賴先帝明鑒，浸潤不行。 昔趙鞅興甲，誅君側之惡，臣雖駑劣，敢忘斯義！」 表至，內外戒嚴。 國寶及緒惶懼不知所為，用王珣計，請解職。 道子收國寶，賜死，斬緒於市，深謝愆失，恭乃還京口。
After Xiaowu died Daozi favored Wang Guobao with real power. Wang Gong’s blunt truth terrified Daozi. Attending the imperial tomb he dismissed court and sighed: “The beams are newly painted yet already one sighs the 《Millet》 lament.” Guobao’s cousin Xu proposed ambushing Wang Gong at audience—Guobao declined. Daozi still sought reconciliation and poured out sincerity to Wang Gong. Wang Gong rarely obliged—every policy debate turned loud. Seeing no truce Daozi let Xu’s plot advance—dynastic strife knotted. Advisers wanted Wang Gong to kill Guobao in the capital but Yu Kai backed Guobao with troops—Wang Gong flinched and withdrew to Jingkou. Parting he told Daozi: “The sovereign observes mourning silence; the regent’s burden taxes even Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou—may you, great king, personally handle myriad affairs, accept straight counsel, shun licentious music, and banish flatterers.” His thundering tone terrified Guobao’s clique. Courts offered pacifier-north general—he declined. He planned Guobao’s removal and messaged Yin Zhongkan and Huan Xuan—Zhongkan feigned consent. Receiving the letter Gong rejoiced and addressed the capital: “Rear General Guobao through marriage keeps ascending yet cannot repay grace by serving—instead monopolizes favor and intimidation and endangers the altars. After the late emperor ascended to the heights Guobao battered palace gates by night seeking to forge a testament. Thanks to the empress dowager’s clarity and the prince regent’s martial spirit the plot failed. He further carved heir-apparent guards into his own bureau and slandered the two elder brothers worse than mortal foes. Together with cousin Xu he formed a vicious faction fanning turmoil. This is manifest disloyalty and injustice. Because your servant stays loyal he must risk death for the state—hence endless slander against me. Thanks to the late emperor’s perspicacity drip-by-drip malice never stuck. Long ago Zhao Yang raised armor to purge evil beside the throne—though your servant is dull he dares forget that duty!” The capital armored on news of his edict. Guobao and Xu panicked and sought resignation per Wang Xun’s advice. Daozi executed Guobao, killed Xu publicly, apologized, and Wang Gong returned to Jingkou.
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恭之初抗表也，慮事不捷，乃版前司徒左長史王廞為吳國內史，令起兵於東。 會國寶死，令廞解軍去職。 廞怒，以兵伐恭。 恭遣劉牢之擊滅之，上疏自貶，詔不許。 譙王尚之復說道子以籓伯強盛，宰相權弱，宜多樹置以自衛。 道子然之，乃以其司馬王愉為江州刺史，割庾楷豫州四郡使愉督之。 由是楷怒，遣子鴻說恭曰：「尚之兄弟專弄相權，欲假朝威貶削方鎮，懲警前事，勢轉難測。 及其議未成，宜早圖之。」 恭以為然，復以謀告殷仲堪、桓玄。 玄等從之，推恭為盟主，克期同赴京師。
Fearing failure Wang Gong emergency-appointed Wang Yin Wu interior minister to rise in the east. After Guobao died Wang Gong told Wang Yin to stand down. Wang Yin attacked Wang Gong in fury. Wang Gong sent Liu Laozhi to crush Yin—his self-demotion memorial was rejected. Prince Shang warned Daozi that mighty governors dwarfed the ministry—plant allies. Daozi split four Yu commanderies to new Jiangzhou inspector Wang Yu—stripping Yu Kai. Kai therefore grew angry and sent his son Hong to tell Gong: “The Shang brothers monopolize ministerial power and wish to use court prestige to trim frontier commanders—learning from past cases the situation grows unpredictable. Before their plot ripens you should act early.” Wang Gong agreed and told Zhongkan and Huan Xuan. They made Wang Gong coalition chief and fixed a joint march on Jiankang.
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時內外疑阻，津邏嚴急，仲堪之信因庾楷達之，以斜絹為書，內箭稈中，合鏑漆之，楷送於恭。 恭發書，絹文角戾，不復可識，謂楷為詐。 又料仲堪去年已不赴盟，今無動理，乃先期舉兵。 司馬劉牢之諫曰：「將軍今動以伯舅之重，執忠貞之節，相王以姬旦之尊，時望所系，昔年已戮寶、緒，送王廞書，是深伏將軍也。 頃所授用，雖非皆允，未為大失。 割庾楷四郡以配王愉，于將軍何損！ 晉陽之師，其可再乎！」 恭不從，乃上表以封王愉、司馬尚之兄弟為辭。 朝廷使元顯及王珣、謝琰等距之。
Patrols were tight so Zhongkan’s message came via silk hidden in an arrow delivered by Yu Kai. The silk smeared illegibly—Wang Gong suspected a hoax. Since Zhongkan had skipped the prior pact Wang Gong thought he would stall—so he jumped early. Marshal Liu Laozhi remonstrated: “General, you move with weight as maternal uncle and uphold loyal integrity—the prince regent has Duke of Zhou’s stature and public expectation; last year he executed Guobao and Xu and accepted Wang Yin’s letter—he deeply defers to you. Recent appointments are not all ideal yet no great fault. Carving four Yu commanderies for Wang Yu—what harm to you, general! Can the Jinyang expedition happen twice!” Wang Gong ignored him and impeached Wang Yu and the Shang brothers. Court dispatched Yuanxian, Wang Xun, and Xie Yan against him.
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恭夢牢之坐其處，旦謂牢之曰：「事克，即以卿為北府。」 遣牢之率帳下督顏延先據竹裏。 元顯使說牢之，啖以重利，牢之乃斬顏延以降。 是日，牢之遣其婿高雅之、子敬宣，因恭曜軍。 輕騎擊恭。 恭敗，將還，雅之已閉城門，恭遂與弟履單騎奔曲阿。 恭久不騎乘，髀生瘡，不復能去。 曲阿人殷確，恭故參軍也，以船載之，藏於葦席之下，將奔桓玄。 至長塘湖，遇商人錢強。 強宿憾於確，以告湖浦尉。 尉收之，以送京師。 道子聞其將至，欲出與語，面折之，而未之殺也。 時桓玄等已至石頭，懼其有變，即于建康之倪塘斬之。 恭五男及弟爽、爽兄子秘書郎和及其党孟璞、張恪等皆殺之。
Gong dreamed Liu Laozhi sat in his seat; at dawn he told Laozhi: “When we succeed you shall hold Beifu.” He ordered Liu Laozhi and Yan Xian to hold Zhuli. Yuanxian bribed Liu Laozhi who killed Yan Xian and defected. Laozhi had Gao Yazhi and Jingxuan raid Wang Gong’s camp. Light horse routed Wang Gong. Defeated, he fled toward Qu’a with Wang Lu—gates shut behind him. Soft from sedan travel saddle sores crippled him. His old aide Yin Que hid him under mats on a boat bound for Huan Xuan. At Changtang Lake merchant Qian Qiang crossed paths with them. Qian Qiang settled scores by informing the lake warden. Guards arrested Wang Gong for shipment to Jiankang. Daozi meant to shame him publicly before execution. With Huan Xuan at Stone fortress Daozi feared coup—Wang Gong died at Nitang. His five sons, brother Shuang, nephew He, Meng Pu, Zhang Ke—all killed.
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恭性抗直。 深存節義，讀《左傳》至「奉王命討不庭」，每輟卷而歎。 為性不弘，以暗于機會，自在北府，雖以簡惠為政，然自矜貴，與下殊隔。 不閑用兵，尤信佛道，調役百姓，修營佛寺，務在壯麗，士庶怨嗟。 臨刑，猶誦佛經，自理須鬢，神無懼容，謂監刑者曰：「我暗於信人，所以致此，原其本心，豈不忠於社稷！ 但令百代之下知有王恭耳。」 家無財帛，唯書籍而已，為識者所傷。
Wang Gong was blunt integrity incarnate. He deeply treasured integrity; reading the Zuo Commentary to “Executing by royal command those who refuse court,” he often closed the scroll sighing. Narrow and politically blind, even ruling Beifu kindly he stayed aloof and arrogant. No soldier, he taxed people for lavish temples—popular resentment boiled. Facing execution he still chanted sutras, arranged beard and hair, showed no fear, and told the executioner: “I trusted men blindly and reached this—search my heart and was I not loyal to the altars! Only let later ages know there was a Wang Gong.” He died owning books alone—knowing men grieved.
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恭美姿儀，人多愛悅，或目之云「濯濯如春月柳」。 嘗被鶴氅裘，涉雪而行，孟昶窺見之，歎曰：「此真神仙中人也！」 初見執，遇故吏戴耆之為湖孰令，恭私告之曰：「我有庶兒未舉，在乳母家，卿為我送寄桓南郡。」 耆之遂送之于夏口。 桓玄撫養之，為立喪庭弔祭焉。 及玄執政，上表理恭，詔贈侍中、太保，諡曰忠簡。 爽贈太常，和及子簡並通直散騎郎，殷確散騎侍郎。 腰斬湖浦尉及錢強等。 恭庶子曇亨，義熙中為給事中。
Gong’s looks were beautiful—many adored him; some compared him to “spring willow washed bright.” Once wearing crane-feather cloak he walked through snow; Meng Chang peeked and sighed: “Truly an immortal among men!” When first seized he met former clerk Dai Zhizhi, magistrate of Hushu; Gong whispered: “I have a bastard son unregistered at his nurse’s—please send him to Colonel Huan of the south.” Dai Zhizhi brought the child to Xiakou. Huan Xuan adopted the boy and mourned Wang Gong formally. Huan Xuan’s regime rehabilitated Wang Gong as palace attendant and grand guardian “Loyal-and-Simple.” Posthumous honors rolled down to kin and Yin Que. Informant captain and Qian Qiang died by waist-chopping. Bastard son Tanheng later served as palace aide.
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庾楷
Yu Kai
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庾楷，征西將軍亮之孫，會稽內史羲小子也。 初拜侍中，代兄准為西中郎將、豫州刺史、假節，鎮曆陽。 隆安初，進號左將軍。 時會稽王道子憚王恭、殷仲堪等擅兵，故出王愉為江州，督豫州四郡，以為形援。 楷上疏以江州非險塞之地，而西府北帶寇戎，不應使愉分督，詔不許。 時楷懷恨，使子鴻說王恭，以譙王尚之兄弟復握機權，勢過國寶。 恭亦素忌尚之。 遂連謀舉兵。 事在恭傳。 詔使尚之討楷。 楷遣汝南太守段方逆尚之，戰於慈湖，方大敗，被殺，楷奔于桓玄。 及玄等盟于柴桑，連名上疏自理，詔赦玄等而不赦恭、楷，楷遂依玄，玄用為武昌太守。 楷後懼玄必敗，密遣使結會稽世子元顯：「若朝廷討玄，當為內應。」 及玄得志，楷以謀泄，為玄所誅。
Yu Kai descended from Yu Liang and was Yu Xi’s youngest son. He opened his career as palace attendant, replacing brother Yu Zhun as western household general and Yu inspector at Liyang. Early Longan promoted him to general of the left. Daozi feared Wang Gong and Zhongkan—stationed Wang Yu in Jiangzhou over four Yu counties as backup. Yu Kai protested that Jiangzhou was no fortress and the western wing faced barbarians—Wang Yu should not split authority—the throne refused. Yu Kai, bitter, had Yu Hong tell Wang Gong the Shang brothers now outweighed Guobao in power. Wang Gong already resented Shang. They conspired to rebel together. Details appear under Wang Gong. Court ordered Sima Shang to attack Yu Kai. Yu Kai sent Duan Fang to Cihu—Fang died routed—and Kai fled to Huan Xuan. After Chaisang covenant edicts spared Xuan’s allies but not Wang Gong or Yu Kai—Kai joined Xuan as Wuchang prefect. Later Kai feared Xuan must fail and secretly sent envoys to ally with heir Yuanxian of Kuaiji: “If court attacks Xuan I shall be inner collaborator.” Once Xuan triumphed Yu Kai’s treachery surfaced and Xuan killed him.
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劉牢之
Liu Laozhi
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劉牢之，字道堅，彭城人也。 曾祖羲，以善射事武帝，曆北地、雁門太守。 父建，有武幹，為征虜將軍。 世以壯勇稱。 牢之面紫赤色，須目驚人，而沈毅多計畫。 太元初，謝玄北鎮廣陵，時苻堅方盛，玄多募勁勇，牢之與東海何謙、琅邪諸葛侃、樂安高衡、東平劉軌、西河田洛及晉陵孫無終等以驍猛應選。 玄以牢之為參軍，領精銳為前鋒，百戰百勝，號為「北府兵」，敵人畏之。 及堅將句難南侵，玄率何謙等距之。 牢之破難輜重於盱眙，獲其運船，遷鷹揚將軍、廣陵相。
Liu Laozhi, courtesy Daojian, came from Pengcheng. Great-grandfather Liu Xi impressed Emperor Wu with archery and governed northern frontier commanderies. Father Liu Jian was martial—general who conquers the Caitiffs. The clan was famed for martial grit. Laozhi had a purple-red face, startling whiskers, deep calm, and strategic sense. Early Taiyuan Xie Xuan recruited elite troops—Laozhi joined He Qian, Zhuge Kan, and others as shock picks. Xuan appointed Laozhi army adviser leading crack troops as vanguard—hundred battles hundred victories—styled “Beifu troops”—foes feared them. Against Fu Jian’s general Ju Nan Xie Xuan marched He Qian and Laozhi. Laozhi smashed Ju Nan’s baggage at Xuyi, seized transports, became spreading-wings general and Guangling governor.
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時車騎將軍桓衝擊襄陽，宣城內史胡彬率眾向壽陽，以為沖聲援。 牢之領卒二千，為彬後繼。 淮肥之役，苻堅遣其弟融及驍將張蠔攻陷壽陽，謝玄使彬與牢之距之。 師次硤石，不敢進。 堅將梁成又以二萬人屯洛澗，玄遣牢之以精卒五千距之。 去賊十里，成阻澗列陣。 牢之率參軍劉襲、諸葛求等直進渡水，臨陣斬成及其弟雲，又分兵斷其歸津。 賊步騎崩潰，爭赴淮水，殺獲萬餘人，盡收其器械。 堅尋亦大敗，歸長安，餘黨所在屯結。 牢之進平譙城，使安豐太守戴寶戍之。 遷龍驤將軍、彭城內史，以功賜爵武岡縣男，食邑五百戶。 牢之進屯鄄城，討諸未服，河南城堡承風歸順者甚眾。
While Huan Chong struck Xiangyang Hu Bin advanced on Shouyang in support. Laozhi followed with two thousand rear-echelon troops. At Fei River Fu Rong and Zhang Hao took Shouyang—Xuan ordered Bin and Laozhi forward. They stalled at Xiashi afraid to advance. Liang Cheng blocked Luojian with twenty thousand—Laozhi took five thousand elites. Ten li out Liang Cheng lined the ford. Laozhi forded, killed Liang Cheng and his brother, severed retreat bridges. Fu troops stampeded into the Huai—ten thousand casualties—full baggage taken. Fu Jian fled to Chang’an—stragglers holed up widely. Laozhi cleared Qiao and left Dai Bao garrisoning. Promoted dragon-soaring general, Pengcheng prefect, baron of Wugang at five hundred households. Camped at Juancheng he brought unruly Henan castles to heel.
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時苻堅子丕據鄴，為慕容垂所逼，請降，牢之引兵救之。 垂聞軍至，出新城北走。 牢之與沛郡太守田次之追之，行二百里，至五橋澤中，爭趣輜重，稍亂，為垂所擊，牢之敗績，士卒殲焉。 牢之策馬跳五丈澗，得脫。 會丕救至，因入臨漳，集亡散，兵復少振。 牢之以軍敗征還。 頃之，復為龍驤將軍，守淮陰。 後進戍彭城，復領太守。 祅賊劉黎僭尊號於皇丘，牢之討滅之。 苻堅將張遇遣兵擊破金鄉。 圍太山太守羊邁，牢之遣參軍向欽之擊走之。 會慕容垂叛將翟釗救遇，牢之引還。 釗還，牢之進平太山，追釗於鄄城，釗走河北，因獲張遇以歸之彭城。 襖賊司馬徽聚黨馬頭山，牢之遣參軍竺朗之討滅之。 時慕容氏掠廩丘，高平太守徐含遠告急，牢之不能救，坐畏懦免。
Fu Pi besieged at Ye begged rescue from Murong Chui—Laozhi marched north. Murong Chui fled north from New City when Laozhi approached. Pursuing through Five Bridges marsh greed for baggage broke ranks—Murong Chui routed Laozhi. He leapt a five-zhang gully and escaped. Fu Pi’s reinforcements let him regroup at Linzhang. Defeat summoned him home. Soon restored as dragon-soaring general defending Huaiyin. Later he garrisoned Pengcheng as prefect again. Rebel Liu Li crowned himself at Huangqiu—Laozhi crushed him. Zhang Yu seized Jinxiang for Former Qin. Laozhi relieved Yang Mai’s Taishan siege via Xiang Qinzhi. Zhai Zhao reinforced Zhang Yu—Laozhi pulled back. He retook Taishan, chased Zhai Zhao north, captured Zhang Yu for Pengcheng. Sima Hui’s Matou bandits fell to Zhu Langzhi. He failed to relieve Linqiu—cashiered for cowardice.
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及王恭將討王國寶，引牢之為府司馬，領南彭城內史，加輔國將軍。 恭使牢之討破王廞，以牢之領晉陵太守。 恭本以才地陵物，及檄至京師，朝廷戮國寶、王緒，自謂威德已著，雖杖牢之為爪牙，但以行陣武將相遇，禮之甚薄。 牢之負其才能，深懷恥恨。 及恭之後舉，元顯遣廬江太守高素說牢之使叛恭，事成，當即其位號，牢之許焉。 恭參軍何澹之以其謀告恭。 牢之與澹之有隙，故恭疑而不納。 乃置酒請牢之於眾中，拜牢之為兄，精兵利器悉以配之，使為前鋒。 行至竹裏，牢之背恭歸朝廷。 恭既死，遂代恭為都督兗、青、冀、幽、并、徐、揚州、晉陵軍事。 牢之本自小將，一朝據恭位，眾情不悅，乃樹用腹心徐謙之等以自強。 時楊佺期、桓玄將兵上表理王恭，求誅牢之。 牢之率北府之眾馳赴京師，次於新亭。 玄等受詔退兵，牢之還鎮京口。
Wang Gong named Liu Laozhi army marshal and southern Pengcheng prefect when moving against Guobao. Laozhi smashed Wang Yin then became Jinling prefect. After Guobao fell Wang Gong sneered at Liu Laozhi as mere grunt despite relying on him. Laozhi nursed bitter shame. Yuanxian’s Gao Su bought Laozhi’s defection with Wang Gong’s command promise. He Danzhi warned Wang Gong. Feuds let Wang Gong dismiss He Danzhi’s tip. Wang Gong publicly adopted Laozhi as “elder brother” and armed him fully. At Zhuli Laozhi defected to court. Laozhi inherited Wang Gong’s mega-command after his death. A jumped-up captain commanding peers—Laozhi stuffed posts with cronies. Yang Quanqi and Huan Xuan demanded Liu Laozhi’s head for Wang Gong. Laozhi rushed Beifu troops to Xin Pavilion. Edict recalled coalition—Laozhi went back to Jingkou.
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及孫恩攻陷會稽，牢之遣將桓寶率師救三吳，復遣子敬宣為寶後繼。 比至曲阿，吳郡內史桓謙已棄郡走，牢之乃率眾東討，拜表輒行。 至吳，與衛將軍謝琰擊賊，屢勝，殺傷甚眾，徑臨浙江。 進拜前將軍、都督吳郡諸軍事。 時謝琰屯烏程，遣司馬高素助牢之。 牢之率眾軍濟浙江，恩懼，逃於海。 牢之還鎮，恩復入會稽，害謝琰。 牢之進號鎮北將軍、都督會稽五郡，率眾東征，屯上虞，分軍戍諸縣。 恩復攻破吳國，殺內史袁山松。 牢之使參軍劉裕討之，恩復入海。 頃之。 恩浮海奄至京口，戰士十萬，樓船千餘。 牢之在山陰，使劉裕自海鹽赴難，牢之率大眾而還。 裕兵不滿千人，與賊戰，破之。 恩聞牢之已還京口，乃走鬱洲，又為敬宣、劉裕等所破。 及恩死，牢之威名轉振。
Against Sun En Laozhi sent Huan Bao with Jingxuan trailing. Reaching Qu’a he found Huan Qian gone—marched east on his own authority. With Xie Yan he smashed Sun En toward Zhe River. Promoted vanguard general commanding Wu theater. Xie Yan at Wucheng lent Gao Su. Mass crossing scared Sun En back to sea. Laozhi withdrew—Sun En killed Xie Yan retaking Kuaiji. Made northern guard general over five Kuaiji counties—headquartered Shangyu. Sun En seized Wu circuit killing Yuan Shansong. Liu Yu drove Sun En seaward again. Soon. Sun En landed at Jingkou with a hundred thousand men and thousand war junks. From Shanyin he rushed Liu Yu from Haiyan while retracing main army. Under one thousand men Liu Yu still won. Sun En fled Yuzhou—again crushed by Jingxuan and Liu Yu. Sun En’s death magnified Laozhi’s fame.
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元興初，朝廷將討桓玄，以牢之為前鋒都督、征西將軍，領江州事。 元顯遣使以討玄事諮牢之。 牢之以玄少有雄名，杖全楚之眾，懼不能制，又慮平玄之後功蓋天下，必不為元顯所容，深懷疑貳，不得已率北府文武屯洌洲。 桓玄遣何穆說牢之曰：「自古亂世君臣相信者有燕昭樂毅、玄德孔明，然皆勳業未卒而二主早世，設使功成事遂，未保二臣之禍也。 鄙語有之：'高鳥盡，良弓藏； 狡兔殫，獵犬烹。 '故文種誅於句踐，韓白戮于秦漢。 彼皆英雄霸王之主，猶不敢信其功臣，況凶愚凡庸之流乎！ 自開闢以來，戴震主之威，挾不賞之功，以見容於暗世者而誰？ 至如管仲相齊，雍齒侯漢，則往往有之，況君見與無射鉤屢逼之仇邪！ 今君戰敗則傾宗，戰勝亦覆族，欲以安歸乎？ 孰若翻然改圖，保其富貴，則身與金石等固，名與天壤無窮，孰與頭足異處，身名俱滅，為天下笑哉！ 惟君圖之。」 牢之自謂握強兵，才能算略足以經綸江表，時譙王尚之已敗，人情轉沮，乃頗納穆說，遣使與玄交通。 其甥何無忌與劉裕固諫之，並不從。 俄令敬宣降玄。 玄大喜，與敬宣置酒宴集，陰謀誅之，陳法書畫圖與敬宣共觀，以安悅其志。 敬宣不之覺，玄佐吏莫不相視而笑。
Yuanxing opened with Laozhi slated western conqueror and Jiangzhou chief striking Xuan. Yuanxian consulted Liu Laozhi’s strategy. Fearing Xuan’s Chu army and post-victory purge Laozhi stalled at Lie Isle torn. Huan Xuan sent He Mu telling Laozhi: “Since antiquity chaotic ages rarely sustain ruler-minister trust—Yan Zhao had Le Yi and Liu Bei had Kongming yet both sovereigns died mid-task—even completed merit seldom spared ministers. Proverb says: When high birds vanish good bows hide; when crafty rabbits die hunting dogs boil. Hence Wen Zhong died under Goujian Han Xin Bai Qi fell in Qin and Han. Those heroic overlords still doubted meritorious servants—how more vulgar dolts! Since creation who wielded awe shaking sovereign while boasting unbeatable merit survived dark ages? Only cases like Guan Zhong serving Qi or Yong Chi ennobled under Han occur—how more you bear arrow-shaft grudge with lord! Now defeat wipes your clan victory likewise uproots you—where seek peace? Better suddenly shift plan preserving fortune—body firm as metal fame endless—versus severed corpse erased name mocked world! Consider it carefully." Thinking Lie Isle leverage plus Shang’s defeat Laozhi flirted with Xuan. He Wuji and Liu Yu pleaded vainly. He ordered Jingxuan defect to Xuan. Xuan wined Jingxuan plotting murder—shared scrolls to lull him. Jingxuan blind—staff smirked.
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元顯既敗，玄以牢之為征東將軍、會稽太守，牢之乃歎曰：「始爾，便奪我兵，禍將至矣！」 時玄屯相府，敬宣勸牢之襲玄，猶豫不決，移屯班瀆，將北奔廣陵相高雅之，欲據江北以距玄，集眾大議。 參軍劉襲曰：「事不可者莫大於反，而將軍往年反王兗州，近日反司馬郎君，今復欲反桓公。 一人而三反，豈得立也。」 語畢，趨出，佐吏多散走。 而敬宣先還京口拔其家，失期不到。 牢之謂其為劉襲所殺，乃自縊而死。 俄而敬宣至，不遑哭，奔于高雅之。 將吏共殯斂牢之，喪歸丹徒。 桓玄令斫棺斬首，暴屍於市，及劉裕建義，追理牢之，乃復本官。
After Yuanxian fell Xuan named Laozhi eastern conqueror Kuaiji prefect—Laozhi sighed: “Barely begun already stripped of troops—disaster nears!” While Xuan occupied minister mansion Jingxuan urged strike—Laozhi wavered shifted Bandu planning flight to Gao Yazhi—called war council. Army adviser Liu Xi said: “Nothing exceeds rebellion in unacceptability—yet general you rebelled against Wang Inspector of Yanzhou in former years, lately rebelled against Minister Sima’s son, now again wish to rebel against Duke Huan. One man rebelling thrice—how can he stand!” He stormed off—staff fled. Jingxuan preemptively evacuated Jingkou—never arrived. Thinking murder Laozhi hanged himself. Jingxuan came too late—ran to Gao Yazhi. Officers buried him—sent body to Dantu. Xuan desecrated corpse—Liu Yi later rehabilitated Laozhi.
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敬宣，牢之長子也。 智略不及父，而技藝過之。 孫恩之亂，隨父征討，所向有功。 為元顯從事中郎，又為桓玄諮議參軍。 牢之敗，與廣陵相高雅之俱奔慕容超，夢丸土而服之，既覺，喜曰：「丸者桓也，丸既吞矣，我當復土也。」 旬日而玄敗，遂與司馬休之還京師。 拜輔國將軍、晉陵太守。 與諸葛長民破桓歆於芍陂，遷建威將軍、江州刺史，鎮尋陽。 又擊桓亮、苻宏於湘中，所在有功。 安帝反政，徵拜冠軍將軍、宣城內史，領襄城太守。 譙縱反，以敬宣督征蜀軍事、假節，與甯朔將軍臧喜西伐。 敬宣人自白帝，所攻皆克。 軍次黃獸，與偽將譙道福相持六十餘日，遇癘疫，又以食盡，班師，為有司所劾，免官。 頃之，為中軍諮議，加冠軍將軍，尋遷鎮蠻護軍、安豐太守、梁國內史。 會盧循反，以冠軍將軍從大軍南討。 循平，遷左衛將軍、散騎常侍，又遷征虜將軍、青州刺史。 尋改鎮冀州，為其參軍司馬道賜所害。
Liu Jingxuan was eldest son. Less cunning than Laozhi—better with arms. He campaigned against Sun En with distinction. He served Yuanxian then Huan Xuan. After Laozhi’s defeat he fled with Administrator of Guangling Gao Yazhi to Murong Chao—dreaming he swallowed clay pills—awakening joyful said: “Pills mean Huan—pill swallowed—I shall recover soil.” Ten days later Xuan fell—returned with Xiuzhi. Named supporting-state general and Jinling prefect. Beat Huan Xin at Shaopi—became Jiangzhou inspector at Xunyang. Crushed Huan Liang and Fu Hong in Hunan. Emperor An recalled him as champion general Xuancheng prefect. Against Qiao Zong he led Shu expedition with Zang Xi. From Baidi every siege prevailed. Stalled at Huangshou sixty days—plague and famine—retreat cost office. Later adviser champion general barbarian protector. Joined southern campaign against Lu Xun as champion. Post-Lu Xun became left guard then Qingzhou inspector. Ji Province posting ended—staff aide Sima Daosi murdered him.
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殷仲堪
Yin Zhongkan
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殷仲堪，陳郡人也。 祖融，太常、吏部尚書。 父師，驃騎諮議參軍、晉陵太守、沙陽男。 仲堪能清言，善屬文，每雲三日不讀《道德論》，便覺舌本間強。 其談理與韓康伯齊名，士咸愛慕之。 調補佐著作郎。 冠軍謝玄鎮京口，請為參軍。 除尚書郎，不拜。 玄以為長史，厚任遇之。 仲堪致書于玄曰：
Yin Zhongkan hailed from Chen commandery. Grandfather Yin Rong headed ritual office and personnel. Father Yin Shi was cavalry adviser Jinling prefect Shaying baron. Famed qingtan stylist—claimed skipping three days of 《Dao-de Discourse》 numbed his tongue. Ranked with Han Kangbo in philosophical debate. Became editorial aide. Xie Xuan wanted him on staff at Jingkou. Offered secretariat post—refused. Xuan kept him as chief clerk with trust. He wrote Xie Xuan:
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胡亡之後，中原子女鬻于江東者不可勝數，骨肉星離，荼毒終年，怨苦之氣，感傷和理，誠喪亂之常，足以懲戒，復非王澤廣潤，愛育蒼生之意也。 當世大人既慨然經略，將以救其塗炭，而使理至於此，良可歎息！ 願節下弘之以道德，運之以神明，隱心以及物，垂理以禁暴，使足踐晉境者必無懷戚之心，枯槁之類莫不同漸天潤，仁義與干戈並運，德心與功業俱隆，實所期於明德也。
After northern collapse captives flooded Jiangdong—he pleaded humane resettlement policy. Leaders claim rescue yet policies still brutal—lamentable! He hoped that the commander would broaden the campaign through moral power, move it with numinous insight, extend hidden sympathy to all beings, and set forth order to restrain violence, so that everyone who set foot in Jin territory would be free of grief, the withered would be touched by Heaven's moisture, benevolence and righteousness would advance together with arms, and virtue would rise together with achievement.
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頃聞抄掠所得，多皆采梠饑人，壯者欲以救子，少者志在存親，行者傾筐以顧念，居者籲嗟以待延。 而一旦幽縶，生離死絕，求之於情，可傷之甚。 昔孟孫獵而得麑，使秦西以之歸，其母隨而悲鳴，不忍而放之，孟孫赦其罪以傅其子。 禽獸猶不可離，況於人乎！ 夫飛鴞，惡鳥也，食桑葚，猶懷好音。 雖曰戎狄，其無情乎！ 苟感之有物，非難化也。 必使邊界無貪小利，強弱不得相陵，德音一發，必聲振沙漠，二寇之黨，將靡然向風，何憂黃河之不濟，函谷之不開哉！
Raiders seize starving families torn apart—heartrending. Captivity splits families cruelly. Mengsun’s deer parable urged mercy. Beasts cling to young—humans worse! Even owls sing sweet on mulberries. Barbarians too feel! Empathy moves anyone. Moral prestige alone subdues north—open roads without fear.
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玄深然之。
Xie Xuan agreed.
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領晉陵太守，居郡禁產子不舉，久喪不葬，錄父母以質亡叛者，所下條教甚有義理。 父病積年，仲堪衣不解帶，躬學醫術，究其精妙，執藥揮淚，遂眇一目。 居喪哀毀，以孝聞。 服闋，孝武帝召為太子中庶子，甚相親愛。 仲堪父嘗患耳聰，聞床下蟻動，謂之牛鬥。 帝素聞之而不知其人。 至是，從容問仲堪曰：「患此者為誰？」 仲堪流涕而起曰：「臣進退惟穀。」 帝有愧焉。 復領黃門郎，寵任轉隆。 帝嘗示仲堪侍，乃曰：「勿以己才而笑不才。」 帝以會稽王非社稷之臣，擢所親幸以為籓捍，乃授仲堪都督荊益甯三州軍事、振威將軍、荊州刺史、假節，鎮江陵。 將之任，又詔曰：「卿去有日，使人酸然。 常謂永為廊廟之寶，而忽為荊楚之珍，良以慨恨！」 其恩狎如此。
As Jinling prefect he banned infanticide unfilial delay hostage laws—humane edicts. Years nursing father he studied medicine—weeping while dosing—lost an eye. Mourning wrecked him—celebrated filial piety. Xiaowu loved him as heir’s aide after mourning. His father heard bed ants as cattle battle—hyperacute hearing. Emperor knew anecdote not identity. Now calmly asked Zhongkan: “Who suffers this?” Zhongkan tearfully rose: “Your servant is that very man.” Emperor flushed ashamed. Yellow Gate post deepened favor. Emperor once showed Zhongkan attendants saying: “Do not mock lesser talents with your own.” Judging Prince Daozi of Kuaiji no true pillar of the state, Emperor Xiaowu raised intimates he favored to hold the borders and gave Yin Zhongkan command over the armies of Jing, Yi, and Ning as General Who Awes the Enemy and inspector of Jing Province with credential staff, posted at Jiangling. As he was about to take up the post, another edict said: “The day of your departure draws near—it wrings the heart. Always thought you eternal court treasure—suddenly Chu treasure—deep regret!” Such imperial intimacy.
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仲堪雖有英譽，議者未以分陝許之。 既受腹心之任，居上流之重，朝野屬想，謂有異政。 及在州，綱目不舉，而好行小惠，夷夏頗安附之。 先是，仲堪游于江濱，見流棺，接而葬焉。 旬日間，門前之溝忽起為岸。 其夕，有人通仲堪，自稱徐伯玄，云：「感君之惠，無以報也。」 仲堪因問：「門前之岸是何祥乎？」 對曰：「水中有岸，其名為洲，君將為州。」 言終而沒。 至是，果臨荊州。 桂陽人黃欽生父沒已久，詐服衰麻，言迎父喪。 府曹先依律詐取父母卒棄市，仲堪乃曰：「律詐取父母甯依驅詈法棄市。 原此之旨，當以二親生存而橫言死沒，情事悖逆，忍所不當，故同之驅詈之科，正以大辟之刑。 今欽生父實終沒，墓在舊邦，積年久遠，方詐服迎喪，以此為大妄耳。 比之于父存言亡，相殊遠矣。」 遂活之。 又以異姓相養，禮律所不許，子孫繼親族無後者，唯令主其蒸嘗，不聽別籍以避役也。 佐史咸服之。
Critics doubted he matched Zhou dukes. Upper Yangzi power raised expectations. Governance slack—small kindness won tribes. He once buried anonymous drift coffin. Ten days later ditch became bank. That night someone visited Zhongkan calling himself Xu Boxuan saying: “Grateful for your grace unable repay.” Zhongkan asked: “What omen gate bank?” Answered: “Water holding bank named isle—you shall govern province.” Spirit vanished. He gained Jingzhou as told. Huang faked father’s funeral. Office clerks per statute fraud claiming parents death deserved market execution—Zhongkan said: “Statute fraud parents death follows insult-law market execution. Original intent should be both parents alive yet falsely declare death—sentiment perverse—intolerable—thus matches insult clause appointing death penalty. Now Qinsheng father truly dead tomb in old land years apart—feigning mourning escort—great falsehood only. Compared father alive claimed dead differs vastly.” Spared Huang. Clarified adoption and corvée registry rules. Staff admired reasoning.
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時朝廷征益州刺史郭銓，犍為太守卞苞于坐勸銓以蜀反，仲堪斬之以聞。 朝廷以仲堪事不預察，降號鷹揚將軍。 尚書下以益州所統梁州三郡人丁一千番戍漢中，益州未肯承遣。 仲堪乃奏之曰：
Executed Bian Bao for inciting Guo Quan’s revolt. Court demoted him for missing plot. Yi resisted rotating three Liang counties’ men to Hanzhong. He memorialized:
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夫制險分國，各有攸宜，劍閣之隘，實蜀之關鍵。 巴西、梓潼、宕渠三郡去漢中遼遠，在劍閣之內，成敗與蜀為一，而統屬梁州，蓋定鼎中華，慮在後伏，所以分鬥絕之勢，開荷戟之路。 自皇居南遷，守在岷邛，衿帶之形，事異曩昔。 是以李勢初平，割此三郡配隸益州，將欲重復上流為習坎之防。 事經英略，歷年數紀。 梁州以統接曠遠，求還得三郡，忘王侯設險之義，背地勢內外之實，盛陳事力之寡弱，飾哀矜之苦言。 今華陽乂清，汧隴順軌，關中餘燼，自相魚肉，梁州以論求三郡，益州以本統有定，更相牽制，莫知所從。 致令巴、宕二郡為群獠所覆，城邑空虛，士庶流亡，要害膏腴皆為獠有。 今遠慮長規，宜保全險塞。 又蠻獠熾盛，兵力寡弱，如遂經理乖謬，號令不一，則劍閣非我保，丑類轉難制。 此乃籓捍之大機，上流之至要。
Jian Pass is Shu’s lock. The three commanderies of Baxi, Zitong, and Dangqu lay far from Hanzhong and inside the Jian Pass; their success or failure was bound up with Shu, yet they were administratively attached to Liang Province. This arrangement, made when the dynasty fixed its rule in the central lands, guarded against danger in the rear by dividing off the terrain of conflict and opening routes for armed defense. After southern move geography changed. Li Shi annexed three counties to Yi for upper defense. Long-standing arrangement. Liangzhou selfishly asked counties back. North quiet yet provinces feud over counties. Frontier collapsed to tribes. Must secure passes. Weak garrison risks losing Jian Pass. Upper Yangzi defense hinges here.
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昔三郡全實，正差文武三百，以助梁州。 今俘沒蠻獠，十不遺二，加逐食鳥散，資生未立，苟順符指以副梁州，恐公私困弊，無以堪命，則劍閣之守無擊柝之儲，號令選用不專於益州，虛有監統之名，而無制禦之用，懼非分位之本旨，經國之遠術。 謂今正可更加梁州文武五百，合前為一千五百，自此之外，一仍舊貫。 設梁州有急，蜀當傾力救之。
Once lent three hundred aides to Liang. With two-thirds of the people lost to captivity and tribes, the rest scattered for food and no livelihood, forcing obedience to Liangzhou’s requisition would bankrupt both state and household—Jian Pass garrisons would lack even night-watch rations, while orders and appointments would no longer rest solely with Yi, leaving hollow supervision without real control—this betrays the purpose of the division and long-term policy. Proposes adding five hundred for fifteen hundred total Liangzhou troops—else unchanged. Yi must reinforce Liangzhou emergencies.
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書奏，朝廷許焉。
Court approved his memorial.
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桓玄在南郡，論四皓來儀漢庭，孝惠以立，而惠帝柔弱，呂後凶忌，此數公者，觸彼埃塵，欲以救弊。 二家之中，各有其黨，奪彼與此，其仇必興。 不知匹夫之志，四公何以逃其患？ 素履終吉，隱以保生者，其若是乎！ 以其文贈仲堪。 仲堪乃答之曰：
Huan Xuan mused on Four Elders saving fragile Han heir. Court factions bred feud. How could elders dodge fallout? Perhaps hiding yields survival! He sent draft to Yin Zhongkan. Zhongkan answered:
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隱顯默語，非賢達之心，蓋所遇之時不同，故所乘之途必異。 道無所屈而天下以之獲寧，仁者之心未能無感。 若夫四公者，養志岩阿，道高天下，秦網雖虐，游之而莫懼，漢祖雖雄，請之而弗顧，徒以一理有感，泛然而應，事同賓客之禮，言無是非之對，孝惠以之獲安，莫由報其德，如意以之定籓，無所容其怨。 且爭奪滋生，主非一姓，則百姓生心，祚無常人，則人皆自賢，況夫漢以劍起，人未知義，式遏奸邪，特宜以正順為寶。 天下，大器也，苟亂亡見懼，則滄海橫流。 原夫若人之振策，豈為一人之廢興哉！ 苟可以暢其仁義，與夫伏節委質可榮可辱者，道跡懸殊，理勢不同，君何疑之哉！
Sages adapt to circumstance—not fixed stance. Way stays supple though benevolent souls respond. They wandered fearless under cruel Qin yet aided fragile heir without faction—securing toddler emperor and royal sons despite peril. Han arose by arms—only legitimacy checked intrigue. Empire totters—torrent follows fear. Their aim transcended one emperor’s fate. Contrast martyrdom with supple dao—paths diverge yet share humane aim.
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又謂諸呂強盛，幾危劉氏，如意若立，必無此患。 夫禍福同門，倚伏萬端，又未可斷也。 于時天下新定，權由上制，高祖分王子弟，有磐石之固，社稷深謀之臣，森然比肩，豈瑣瑣之祿產所能傾奪之哉！ 此或四公所預，於今亦無以辯之，但求古賢之心，宜存之遠大耳。 端本正源者，雖不能無危，其危易持。 苟啟競津，雖未必不安，而其安難保。 此最有國之要道。 古今賢哲所同惜也。
You claim crowning Ruyi would bar Lü clan—maybe. Fortune turns—who guarantees? Han founders knit tight kin net—Lü could hardly overturn alone. Their foresight eludes proof—think generously. Right principle controls peril. Stir rivalry—peace stays brittle. Core statecraft truth. Sages past present agree.
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玄屈之。
Huan Xuan yielded argument.
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仲堪自在荊州，連年水旱，百姓饑饉，仲堪食常五碗，盤無餘肴，飯粒落席間，輒拾以啖之，雖欲率物，亦緣其性真素也。 每語子弟云：「人物見我受任方州，謂我豁平昔時意，今吾處之不易。 貧者士之常，焉得登枝而捐其本？ 爾其存之！」 其後蜀水大出，漂浮江陵數千家。 以堤防不嚴，復降為甯遠將軍。 安帝即位，進號冠軍將軍，固讓不受。
Years of famine—he ate five plain bowls picking fallen grains modeling austerity. Often telling sons nephews: “People seeing me appointed frontier governor think I discard former intent—now holding office not easy. Poverty scholar’s constant—how climb branch discard root? You must remember!” Sichuan flood wrecked Jiangling. Failed levees cost him rank. Emperor An’s champion title—he refused.
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初，桓玄將應王恭，乃說仲堪，推恭為盟主，共興晉陽之舉，立桓文之功，仲堪然之。 仲堪以王恭在京口，去都不盈二百，自荊州道遠連兵，勢不相及，乃偽許恭，而實不欲下。 聞恭已誅王國寶等，始抗表興師，遣龍驤將軍楊佺期次巴陵。 會稽王道子遣書止之，仲堪乃還。
Xuan sold alliance against court—Zhongkan nodded. Distance made him feign alliance—never marched. Only after Guobao died did he move troops to Baling. Daozi’s letter halted him.
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初，桓玄棄官歸國，仲堪憚其才地，深相交結。 玄亦欲假其兵勢，誘而悅之。 國寶之役，仲堪既納玄之誘，乃外結雍州刺史郗恢，內要從兄南蠻校尉顗、南郡相江績等。 恢、顗、績並不同之，乃以楊佺期代績，顗自遜位。
He courted exiled Huan Xuan. Xuan sought his armies. During Guobao crisis he allied Xuan Xi Hui Yin Yi Jiang Ji. Xi Yin Jiang veto—Quanqi replaced Jiang Yi stepped down.
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會王恭復與豫州刺史庾楷舉兵討江州刺史王愉及譙王尚之等，仲堪因集議，以為朝廷去年自戮國寶，王恭威名已震，今其重舉，勢無不克。 而我去年緩師，已失信於彼，今可整棹晨征，參其霸功。 於是使佺期舟師五千為前鋒，桓玄次之。 仲堪率兵二萬，相繼而下。 佺期、玄至湓口，王愉奔於臨川，玄遣偏軍追獲之。 佺期等進至橫江，庾楷敗奔于玄，譙王尚之等退走，尚之弟恢之所領水軍皆沒。 玄等至石頭，仲堪至蕪湖，忽聞王恭已死，劉牢之反恭，領北府兵在新亭，玄等三軍失色，無復固志，乃回師屯于蔡洲。
As Wang Gong and Yu Kai moved against Wang Yu and Prince Shang, Zhongkan’s council reckoned that killing Guobao had already proven Gong irresistible—a second rising looked unbeatable. Must march now to rebuild trust. Quanqi led van Xuan followed. Zhongkan brought twenty thousand. Yu fled—Xuan seized him. Crossing Hengjiang coalition routed court wings. News of Gong’s death and Beifu defections stunned allies camping Cai Isle.
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時朝廷新平恭、楷，且不測西方人心，仲堪等擁眾數萬，充斥郊畿，內外憂逼。 玄從兄修告會稽王道子曰：「西軍可說而解也。 修知其情矣。 若許佺期以重利，無不倒戈于仲堪者。」 道子納之，乃以玄為江州，佺期為雍州，黜仲堪為廣州，以桓修為荊州，遣仲堪叔父太常茂宣詔回軍。 仲堪恚被貶退，以王恭雖敗，己眾亦足以立事，令玄等急進軍。 玄等喜於寵授，並欲順朝命，猶豫未決。 會仲堪弟遹為佺期司馬，夜奔仲堪，說佺期受朝命，納桓修。 仲堪遑遽，即於蕪湖南歸，使徇于玄等軍曰：「若不各散而歸，大軍至江陵，當悉戮餘口。」 仲堪將劉系先領二千人隸於佺期，輒率眾而歸。 玄等大懼，狼狽追仲堪，至尋陽，及之。 於是仲堪失職，倚玄為援，玄等又資仲堪之兵，雖互相疑阻，亦不得異。 仲堪與佺期以子弟交質，遂于尋陽結盟，玄為盟主，臨壇歃血，並不受詔，申理王恭，求誅劉牢之、譙王尚之等。 朝廷深憚之。 於是詔仲堪曰：「頃以將軍憑寄失所，朝野懷憂。 然既往之事，宜其兩忘，用乃班師回旆，祗順朝旨，所以改授方任，蓋隨時之宜。 將軍大義，誠感朕心，今還復本位，即撫所鎮，釋甲休兵，則內外寧一，故遣太常茂具宣乃懷。」 仲堪等並奉詔，各旋所鎮。
Court feared western host outside capital. Xuan's cousin Xiu told Prince Daozi of Kuaiji: "The western army can be persuaded and dissolved. Xiu knows its situation. If you promise Quanqi major rewards, none will fail to turn their spears against Zhongkan." Daozi split commands demoting Zhongkan to Guangzhou. Angry demotion he ordered attack. Xuan tempted by titles wavered. You warned Quanxi accepted court deal. Zhongkan panicked south Wuhu sending rider Xuan armies: “If not disperse returning great army reaches Jiangling slaughter remaining kin.” Liu Xi bolted with men. Xuan raced Zhongkan to Xunyang. Forced alliance despite mistrust. Blood oath at Xunyang demanding executions. Court terrified. Therefore edict Zhongkan: “Recently because general misplaced trust court wilds worried. Yet past affairs should both forget therefore ordering withdrawal banners obey court aims reassignment suits season. General great righteousness moves Us now restore original post soothe garrison shed armor rest troops inner outer peaceful dispatch uncle Mao convey heart.” Armies stood down.
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頃之。 桓玄將討佺期，先告仲堪云：「今當人沔討除佺期，已頓兵江口。 若見與無貳，可殺楊廣； 若其不然，便當率軍入江。」 仲堪乃執玄兄偉，遣從弟遹等水軍七千至江西口。 玄使郭銓、苻宏擊之，遹等敗走。 玄頓巴陵，而館其穀。 玄又破楊廣于夏口。 仲堪既失巴陵之積，又諸將皆敗，江陵震駭。 城內大饑，以胡麻為廩。 仲堪急召佺期。 佺期率眾赴之，直濟江擊玄，為玄所敗，走還襄陽。 仲堪出奔酂城，為玄追兵所獲，逼令自殺，死於柞溪，弟子道獲、參軍羅企生等並被殺。 仲堪少奉天師道，又精心事神，不吝財賄，而怠行仁義，嗇于周急，及玄來攻，猶勤請禱。 然善取人情，病者自為診脈分藥，而用計倚伏煩密，少於鑒略，以至於敗。
Soon. Huan Xuan preparing attack Quanqi first told Zhongkan: “Now entering Han exterminating Quanqi camped river mouth. If show no double kill Yang Guang; if not lead army into river.” Hostage Wei—sent navy west. Guo Fu routed You. Xuan took Baling grain. Beat Yang Guang at Xia. Jiangling panicked starving. Ate sesame state reserves. Begged Quanqi rescue. Quanqi lost fled north. Caught near Zuoxi forced suicide—kin aides died. Spent on religion not people—prayed as city fell. Kind doctor clever intriguer poor strategist.
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子簡之，載喪下都，葬於丹徒，遂居墓側。 義旗建，率私僮客隨義軍躡桓玄。 玄死，簡之食其肉。 桓振之役，義軍失利，簡之沒陣。 弟曠之，有父風，仕至剡令。
Son buried him Dantu. Jianzhi joined Liu Yi against Xuan. Ate Huan Xuan’s corpse. Died fighting Zhen. Brother Kuangzhi became Yan magistrate.
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楊佺期
Yang Quanqi
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楊佺期，弘農華陰人，漢太尉震之後也。 曾祖准，太常。 自震至准，七世有名德。 祖林，少有才望，值亂沒胡。 父亮，少仕偽朝，後歸國，終於梁州刺史，以貞幹知名。 佺期沈勇果勁，而兄廣及弟思平等皆強獷粗暴。 自雲門戶承籍，江表莫比，有以其門地比王珣者，猶恚恨，而時人以其晚過江，婚宦失類，每排抑之，恆慷慨切齒，欲因事際以逞其志。
Yang Quanqi of Huayin—descended from Han grandee Yang Zhen. Great-grandfather Yang Zhun led ritual office. Seven generations of repute. Grandfather lost to tribes. Father served usurper then Jin—died Liang inspector. Brutal warrior brothers. Proud pedigree—scorned as parvenu—burned for chance.
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佺期少仕軍府。 咸康中，領眾屯成固。 苻堅將潘猛距守康回壘，佺期擊走之，其眾悉降，拜廣威將軍、河南太守，戍洛陽。 苻堅將竇沖率眾攻平陽太守張元熙於皇天塢，佺期擊走之。 佺期自湖城入潼關，累戰皆捷，斬獲千計，降九百餘家，歸於洛陽，進號龍驤將軍。 以病，改為新野太守，領建威司馬。 遷唐邑太守，督石頭軍事，以疾去職。 荊州刺史殷仲堪引為司馬，代江績為南郡相。
Military staff youth. Xiankang garrisoned Chenggu. Beat Pan Meng—Luoyang defender. Routed Dou Chong at Huangtian. Tong Pass victories to dragon general. Illness—Xinye post. Stone garrison then quit ill. Zhongkan’s marshal replacing Jiang Ji.
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仲堪與桓玄舉眾應王恭、庾楷，仲堪素無戎略，軍旅之事一委佺期兄弟，以兵五千人為前鋒，與桓玄相次而下。 至石頭，恭死，楷敗，朝廷未測玄軍，乃以佺期代郗恢為都督梁雍秦三州諸軍事、雍州刺史。 仲堪、玄皆有遷換，於是俱還尋陽，結盟不奉詔。 俄而朝廷復仲堪本職，乃各還鎮。
Their coalition answered Wang Gong—Zhongkan left fighting to the Quanqi brothers’ five thousand van while Huan Xuan followed. At Stone Gong fell—court unsure of Xuan—made Quanqi Yongzhou inspector replacing Xi Hui. Demotions drove rivals back to Xunyang oath defying throne. Court restored Zhongkan—armies dispersed home.
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初，玄未奉詔，欲自為雍州，以郗恢為廣州。 恢懼玄之來，問於眾，咸曰：「佺期來者，誰不戮力！ 若桓玄來，恐難與為敵。」 既知佺期代己，乃謀于南陽太守閭丘羨，稱兵距守。 佺期慮事不濟，乃聲言玄來入沔，而佺期為前驅。 恢眾信之，無復固志。 恢軍散請降，佺期入府斬閭丘羨，放恢還都，撫將士，恤百姓，繕修城池，簡練甲卒，甚得人情。
Xuan coveted Yongzhou—would exile Xi Hui south. Hui feared Xuan arrival asking assembly all said: “Quanqi arrives who fails exert! If Huan Xuan comes fear hard match.” Learning replacement Xi Hui rebelled with Lüqiu Xian. Quanqi lied Xuan coming—himself vanguard. Xi troops believed collapse morale. Quanqi seized Yongzhou executed rebel freed Xi—won loyalty.
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佺期、仲堪與桓玄素不穆，佺期屢欲相攻，仲堪每抑止之。 玄以是告執政，求廣其所統。 朝廷亦欲成其釁隙，故以桓偉為南蠻校尉。 佺期內懷忿懼，勒兵建牙，聲雲援洛，欲與仲堪襲玄。 仲堪雖外結佺期，內疑其心，苦止之，又遣從弟遹屯北塞以駐之。 佺期勢不獨舉，乃解兵。
Quanqi feuded Xuan—Zhongkan held leash. Xuan asked court enlarge domain. Court stoked feud naming Huan Wei colonel. Quanqi mobilized feigning Luoyang relief plotting with Zhongkan. Zhongkan suspected Quanqi—blocked with You. Isolated Quanqi stood down.
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隆安三年，桓玄遂舉兵討佺期，先攻仲堪。 初，仲堪得玄書，急召佺期。 佺期曰：「江陵無食，當何以待敵？ 可來見就，共守襄陽。」 仲堪自以保境全軍，無緣棄城逆走，憂佺期不赴，乃紿之曰：「比來收集，已有儲矣。」 佺期信之，乃率眾赴焉。 步騎八千，精甲耀日。 既至，仲堪唯以飯餉其軍。 佺期大怒曰：「今茲敗矣！」 乃不見仲堪。 時玄在零口，佺期與兄廣擊玄。 玄畏佺期之銳，乃渡軍馬頭。 明日，佺期率殷道護等精銳萬人乘艦出戰，玄距之，不得進。 佺期乃率其麾下數十艦，直濟江，徑向玄船。 俄而回擊郭銓，殆獲銓，會玄諸軍至，佺期退走，餘眾盡沒，單馬奔襄陽。 玄追軍至，佺期與兄廣俱死之，傳首京都，梟於朱雀門。 弟思平，從弟尚保、孜敬，俱逃於蠻。 劉裕起義，始歸國，歷位州郡。
Year three Xuan hit Zhongkan first. Zhongkan panic-called Quanqi. Quanqi said: “Jiangling lacks food how withstand foe? Better come join jointly defend Xiangyang.” Zhongkan deeming protect territory preserve army lacking cause abandon city flee worried Quanqi not coming lied: “Recently gathered already stores.” Quanqi marched fooled. Eight thousand glittering troops arrived. Zhongkan served only rice. Quanqi greatly angry said: “Now this defeat!” Snubbed Zhongkan. Quanqi brothers struck Xuan at Lingkou. Xuan fled to Matou fearing Quanqi. Ten thousand elite stalled against Xuan. Quanqi rammed Xuan ships. Raid turned—Guo Quan saved—Quanqi routed solo flight. Brothers killed heads hung Zhuque. Kin fled tribes. Liu Yu’s victory brought them back into Jin service in successive local posts.
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孜敬為人剽銳，果於行事。 昔與佺期勸殷仲堪殺殷顗，仲堪不從，孜敬拔刃而起，欲自己出取之，仲堪苦禁乃止。 及為梁州刺史，常怏怏不滿其志。 經襄陽，見魯宗之侍衛皆佺期之舊也，孜敬愈憤，見於辭色。 宗之參軍劉千期於座面折之，因大發怒，抽劍刺千期立死。 宗之表而斬之。 思平、尚保後亦以罪誅，楊氏遂滅。
Zijing rash warrior. Zijing nearly murdered Yin Yi—stopped. Bitter Liang post. Seeing Lu guards sparked rage. Killed Liu Qianqi in temper. Lu executed Zijing. Remaining kin executed—clan ended.
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史評
Historians’ commentary
53
史臣曰：生靈道斷，忠貞路絕，棄彼弊冠，崇茲新履。 牢之事非其主，抑亦不臣，功多見疑，勢陵難信，而投兵散地，二三之甚。 若夫司牧居愆，方隅作戾，口順勤王，心乖抗節。 王恭鯁言時政，有昔賢之風。 國寶就誅，而晉陽猶起。 是以仲堪僥倖，佺期無狀，雅志多隙，佳兵不和，足以亡身，不足以靜亂也。
Age abandoned loyalty for novelty. Laozhi betrayed repeatedly—trust shattered. Warlords mouth loyalty rebel secretly. Wang Gong spoke truth like ancients. Executing Guobao failed to stop revolt. Zhongkan and Quanqi schemed lawlessly—arms divided—destroyed selves not chaos.
54
贊曰：孝伯懷功，牢之總戎。 王因起釁，劉亦慚忠。 殷楊乃武，抽旆爭雄。 庾君含怨，交鬥其中。 猗歟群采，道睽心異。 是曰亂階，非關臣事。
Wang Gong sought glory Laozhi led hosts. Wang stirred trouble Liu betrayed honor. Yin Yang warriors clashed banners. Yu Kai nursed grudge amid fray. Talents split paths. Order collapsed—fault not ministers alone.