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序
Preface
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古人有言：「君子殺身以成仁，不求生以害仁。」 又云：「非死之難，處死之難。」 信哉斯言也！ 是知隕節苟合其宜，義夫豈吝其沒； 捐軀若得其所，烈士不愛其存。 故能守鐵石之深衷，厲松筠之雅操，見貞心於歲暮，標勁節于嚴風，赴鼎鑊其如歸，履危亡而不顧，書名竹帛，畫象丹青，前史以為美談，後來仰其徽烈者也。
The ancients put it this way: the gentleman gives his life to fulfill humaneness; he does not cling to survival if it would violate humaneness. Another line runs: dying is not the hard part—meeting death as one should is the hard part. Those words hold true. Thus we see that when holding fast to integrity suits the right course, a man of principle does not shrink from paying with his life. When sacrifice meets its proper moment, a steadfast man does not treasure existence for its own sake. So they guard an unshakable resolve within, polish a virtue pure as pine and bamboo, prove constancy in the year's bitter end and unbending integrity in biting wind; they march to the cauldron as if going home and face ruin without flinching. Their names endure on bamboo slips and silk, their faces in scarlet and indigo portraiture—past chronicles cite them as exemplary tales, and posterity reveres their radiant deeds.
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晉自元康之後，政亂朝昏，禍難薦興，艱虞孔熾，遂使奸凶放命，戎狄交侵，函夏沸騰，蒼生塗炭，干戈日用，戰爭方興。 雖背恩忘義之徒不可勝載，而蹈節輕生之士無乏于時。 至若嵇紹之衛難乘輿，卞壼之亡軀鋒鏑，桓雄之義高田叔，周崎之節邁解揚，羅丁致命於舊君，辛吉恥臣於戎虜，張禕引鴆以全節，王諒斷臂以厲忠，莫不志烈秋霜，精貫白日，足以激清風于萬古，厲薄俗于當年者歟！ 所謂亂世識忠臣，斯之謂也。 卞壼、劉超、鐘雅、周虓等已入列傳，其餘即敘其行事以為《忠義傳》，用旌晉氏之有人焉。
After the Yuankang years, Jin fell into turmoil: the administration unraveled and the court grew dim; calamities piled up and distress burned hot. Villains defied authority, northern tribes took turns raiding the heartland, the realm convulsed, and common folk were ground to dust under ceaseless arms and spreading war. Traitors who threw away obligation were beyond counting, yet men who chose principle over life were never absent in those same years. Think of Ji Shao guarding the emperor's carriage in peril, Bian Kun falling to blades and shafts, Huan Xiong matching Tian Shu in devotion, Zhou Qi outdoing Jie Yang in steadfastness, Luo Ding dying for a former sovereign, Xin Ji refusing to bow to alien rulers, Zhang Yi drinking poison to keep his honor, Wang Liang cutting off an arm to prove his loyalty—each will like autumn frost, each spirit bright as noon, enough to quicken moral clarity for ages and shame a degenerate age. This is what men mean when they say troubled times reveal who the loyal ministers are. Bian Kun, Liu Chao, Zhong Ya, Zhou Xiao, and the like already have full biographies elsewhere; those who remain are collected here under Loyalty and Righteousness to show that the Jin court could still claim men of honor.
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嵇紹
Ji Shao
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嵇紹，字延祖，魏中散大夫康之子也。 十歲而孤，事母孝謹。 以父得罪，靖居私門。 山濤領選，啟武帝曰：「《康誥》有言：'父子罪不相及。 '嵇紹賢侔郤缺，宜加旌命，請為秘書郎。」 帝謂濤曰：「如卿所言，乃堪為丞，何但郎也。」 乃發詔征之，起家為秘書丞。
Ji Shao, whose courtesy name was Yanzu, was the son of Ji Kang, who had served Wei as Palace Attendant-in-Ordinary. He lost his father at age ten and thereafter honored his mother with scrupulous filial devotion. His father's disgrace kept him living quietly at home, outside office. When Shan Tao supervised appointments, he told Emperor Wu: the "Announcements to Kang" says fathers and sons do not answer for one another's crimes. Ji Shao is as worthy as Xi Que; he deserves an imperial summons—please name him Palace Secretary. The emperor replied to Shan Tao: "If he is everything you say, he is fit to be vice director—why limit him to secretary?" An edict summoned him, and he entered service first as Vice Director of the Palace Library.
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紹始入洛，或謂王戎曰：「昨于稠人中始見嵇紹，昂昂然如野鶴之在雞群。」 戎曰：「君復未見其父耳。」 累遷汝陰太守。 尚書左僕射裴頠亦深器之，每曰：「使延祖為吏部尚書，可使天下無復遺才矣。」 沛國戴晞少有才智，與紹從子含相友善，時人許以遠致，紹以為必不成器。 晞後為司州主簿，以無行被斥，州黨稱紹有知人之明。 轉豫章內史，以母憂，不之官。 服闋，拜徐州刺史。 時石崇為都督，性雖驕暴，而紹將之以道，崇甚親敬之。 後以長子喪去職。
When Shao first arrived in Luoyang, someone remarked to Wang Rong: "Yesterday, in the press of people, I saw Ji Shao for the first time—stately as a crane among barnyard fowl." Wang Rong answered: "Then you have not met his father." He rose through successive posts to Administrator of Ruyin. Pei Yi, Vice Director of the Left of the Secretariat, thought the world of him and used to say: "Put Yanzu in charge of personnel and no able man in the empire would go unused." Dai Xi of Pei was clever as a youth and close to Shao's nephew Ji Han; contemporaries predicted a brilliant career, yet Shao insisted he would never amount to anything. Xi later served as Si Province registrar until dismissed for scandalous behavior; locals then credited Shao with sound judgment of character. He was named Interior Governor of Yuzhang but stayed home to mourn his mother and never took up the post. When mourning ended, he received appointment as Governor of Xuzhou. Shi Chong was regional commander then—arrogant and harsh by nature—but Shao guided him with moral authority, and Chong came to trust and respect him deeply. He later resigned when his eldest son died.
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元康初，為給事黃門侍郎。 時侍中賈謐以外戚之寵，年少居位，潘岳、杜斌等皆附托焉。 謐求交於紹，紹距而不答。 及謐誅，紹時在省，以不阿比凶族，封弋陽子，遷散騎常侍，領國子博士。 太尉、廣陵公陳准薨，太常奏諡，紹駁曰：「諡號所以垂之不朽，大行受大名，細行受細名，文武顯于功德，靈厲表於暗蔽。 自頃禮官協情，諡不依本。 准諡為過，宜諡曰繆。」 事下太常。 時雖不從，朝廷憚焉。
Early in the Yuankang era he was appointed Palace Attendant and Gentleman at the Yellow Gate. Palace Attendant Jia Mi then rode high as an imperial in-law; though barely grown, he wielded real power, and men such as Pan Yue and Du Bin clustered around him. Jia Mi courted Shao's friendship; Shao kept him at arm's length and gave no answer. After Mi's execution, Shao—still at his post—was rewarded for refusing to truck with that villainous clan: he received the Yiyang barony, promotion to Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, and concurrent charge of the Imperial Academy doctorate. When Grand Commandant Chen Zhun, Duke of Guangling, died, the Chamberlain for Ceremonial proposed a posthumous honorific; Shao protested: titles are meant to endure—major deeds earn weighty names, slight deeds modest ones; civil and martial labels reflect true achievement, while epithets such as 'spirit' or 'severe' signal moral darkness. Lately the ritualists have let sentiment bend the rules, and posthumous names no longer match the facts. The proposed title for Zhun is too generous; he ought to be posthumously styled Miu—'Errant.' The case went to the Chamberlain for Ceremonial. The court did not adopt his view, yet officials took his stance seriously.
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趙王倫篡位，署為侍中。 惠帝復阼，遂居其職。 司空張華為倫所誅，議者追理其事，欲復其爵，紹又駁曰：「臣之事君，當除煩去惑。 華歷位內外，雖粗有善事，然闔棺之責，著於遠近，兆禍始亂，華實為之。 故鄭討幽公之亂，斫子家之棺； 魯戮隱罪，終篇貶翬。 未忍重戮，事已弘矣，謂不宜復其爵位，理其無罪。」 時帝初反正，紹又上疏曰：「臣聞改前轍者則車不傾，革往弊者則政不爽。 太一統于元首，百司役於多士，故周文興于上，成康穆於下也。 存不忘亡，《易》之善義； 願陛下無忘金墉，大司馬無忘潁上，大將軍無忘黃橋，則禍亂之萌無由而兆矣。」
When Prince of Zhao Sima Lun seized the throne, Shao was named Palace Attendant. After Emperor Hui was restored, Shao kept the same office. When Minister of Works Zhang Hua was put to death by Lun, some argued for restoring his titles; Shao objected again: a minister's duty is to clear away trouble and delusion for his sovereign. Zhang Hua moved between palace and camp and did some good in small ways, yet his final reckoning was visible everywhere: the seeds of disaster were largely of his planting. So Zheng, punishing Duke You of Lu's rebellion, split minister Zijia's coffin open with an axe. Lu executed Guan Yin for his crime, and the Spring and Autumn closes by censuring Hui. I will not press for harsher punishment than death; the case is already settled. Restoring his titles or declaring him blameless would be wrong. With the emperor newly restored, Shao submitted another memorial: "They say that straightening the wheel tracks keeps the carriage upright, and curing old abuses keeps government true. The supreme pivot sits with the ruler; every ministry depends on capable men—thus King Wen flourished on high while kings Cheng and Kang enjoyed peace below. The Changes teaches us to remember peril even in safety— May Your Majesty remember the fortress at Jinyong; may the Grand Marshal remember Yingshang; may the Grand General remember Huang Bridge—then the seeds of calamity will never sprout."
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齊王冏既輔政，大興第舍，驕奢滋甚，紹以書諫曰：「夏禹以卑室稱美，唐虞以茅茨顯德，豐屋蔀家，無益危亡。 竊承毀敗太樂以廣第舍，興造功力為三王立宅，此豈今日之先急哉！ 今大事始定，萬姓顒，咸待覆潤，宜省起造之煩，深思謙損之理。 復主之勳不可棄矣，矢石之殆不可忘也。」 冏雖謙順以報之，而卒不能用。 紹嘗詣炯諮事，遇炯宴會，召董艾、葛旗等共論時政。 艾言於炯曰：「嵇侍中善於絲竹，公可令操之。」 左右進琴，紹推不受。 冏曰：「今日為歡，卿何吝此邪！」 紹對曰：「公匡復社稷，當軌物作則，垂之於後。 紹雖虛鄙，忝備常伯，腰紱冠冕，鳴玉殿省，豈可操執絲竹，以為伶人之事！ 若釋公服從私宴，所不敢辭也。」 冏大慚。 艾等不自得而退。 頃之，以公事免，冏以為左司馬。 旬日，冏被誅。 初，兵交，紹奔散赴宮，有持弩在東閣下者，將射之，遇有殿中將兵蕭隆，見紹姿容長者，疑非凡人，趣前拔箭，於此得免。 遂還滎陽舊宅。
Once Prince of Qi Sima Jiong held power, he threw up mansions and sank deeper into arrogance and luxury; Shao wrote to warn him: Yu of Xia won praise with modest halls; Yao and Shun displayed virtue through thatched roofs—grandiose dwellings buy no safety when ruin comes. I hear you tore down the Directorate of Music to expand your quarters and conscripted labor to build houses for three princes—is that what matters most right now? The restoration has barely begun; the people look to you for shelter and grace—you should ease off endless building and weigh the virtue of restraint. Do not throw away the glory of bringing back your sovereign, nor forget how arrows and stones nearly destroyed you." Jiong answered politely, yet he never acted on the advice. Shao once went to Sima Jiong on official business and found him hosting a banquet; Jiong called in Dong Ai, Ge Qi, and others to debate affairs of the day. Dong Ai said to Jiong: "Palace Attendant Ji is a master of music—you could have him perform for us." Attendants offered a zither; Shao refused it. Jiong said: "We are celebrating—why so stingy with a tune?" Shao replied: "You have rescued the altars of state; your duty is to set the standard others will follow for generations. Humble as I am, I serve among the permanent attendants—sash, seal, court crown, jade chimes in the palace offices; I cannot behave like a musician-for-hire! Had this been a private affair in ordinary clothes, I would not refuse." Jiong flushed with shame. Dong Ai and the others withdrew, embarrassed. Soon afterward he lost a post over some bureaucratic matter; Jiong named him Left Adjutant. Within days Jiong was executed. When fighting first erupted, Shao raced toward the palace; a crossbowman under the eastern arcade drew a bead on him until Xiao Long, an officer on palace duty, saw Shao's commanding bearing, guessed he was someone important, darted forward and snatched the quarrel—only thus did Shao survive. He withdrew to his old estate at Xingyang.
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尋徵為御史中丞，未拜，復為侍中。 河間王顒、成都王穎舉兵向京都，以討長沙王乂，大駕次於城東。 乂言於眾曰：「今日西討，欲誰為都督乎？」 六軍之士皆曰：「願嵇侍中戮力前驅，死猶生也。」 遂拜紹使持節、平西將軍。 屬乂被執，紹復為侍中。 公王以下皆詣鄴謝罪於穎，紹等咸見廢黜，免為庶人。 尋而朝廷復有北征之役，征紹，復其爵位。 紹以天子蒙塵，承詔馳詣行在所。 值王師敗績于蕩陰，百官及侍衛莫不散潰，唯紹儼然端冕，以身捍衛，兵交御輦，飛箭雨集，紹遂被害於帝側，血濺御服，天子深哀歎之。 及事定，左右欲浣衣，帝曰：「此嵇侍中血，勿去。」
He was soon summoned as assistant chief of the Censorate but, before taking up the post, was again named Palace Attendant. Prince of Hejian Sima Yong and Prince of Chengdu Sima Ying marched on the capital against Prince of Changsha Sima Yi; the imperial train halted east of the walls. Yi asked the gathered officers: "For this western campaign, whom do you want as overall commander?" The men of the six armies shouted: "We want Palace Attendant Ji in the van—we would rather die beside him than live elsewhere!" So Shao received the credential-bearing commission and the title General Who Pacifies the West. After Yi was captured, Shao returned to the post of Palace Attendant. Every prince and noble went to Ye to submit to Sima Ying; Shao and his peers were stripped of office and reduced to common status. Soon the court launched another northern campaign, recalled Shao, and restored his titles. With the emperor on the run, Shao took the edict and rode hard for the imperial headquarters. At Dangyin the imperial army collapsed; ministers and guards fled—only Shao, erect in full court dress, threw himself between the emperor and the blades. Weapons clashed around the carriage, arrows fell like rain, and Shao died at the sovereign's side, his blood staining the imperial robe while the emperor wept over him. Afterward, servants wanted to launder the robe; the emperor said: "That is Palace Attendant Ji's blood—leave it."
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初，紹之行也，侍中秦准謂曰：「今日向難，卿有佳馬否？」 紹正色曰：「大駕親征，以正伐逆，理必有征無戰。 若使皇輿失守，臣節有在，駿馬何為！」 聞者莫不歎息。 及張方逼帝遷長安，河間王顒表贈紹司空，進爵為公。 會帝還洛陽，事遂未行。 東海王越屯許，路經滎陽，過紹墓，哭之悲慟，刊石立碑，又表贈官爵。 帝乃遣使冊贈侍中、光祿大夫，加金章紫綬，進爵為侯，賜墓田一頃，客十戶，祠以少牢。 元帝為左丞相，承制，以紹死節事重，而贈禮未副勳德，更表贈太尉，祠乙太牢。 及帝即位，賜諡曰忠穆，復加太牢之祠。
Before Shao departed, Palace Attendant Qin Zhun asked: "You face danger today—do you keep a good horse?" Shao answered gravely: "The emperor leads the host himself to bring justice against rebels—by rights there should be submission without a fight. If the imperial carriage falls, a minister still owes his duty—what good would a fast horse do?" Everyone who heard him drew a long breath. When Zhang Fang drove the court toward Chang'an, Prince of Hejian Sima Yong memorialized to posthumously name Shao Minister of Works and raise his noble rank to duke. When the emperor returned to Luoyang, the honors were never conferred. Prince of East Sea Sima Yue was camped at Xu; marching through Xingyang he stopped at Shao's grave, wept openly, had an inscribed stele raised, and petitioned again for posthumous titles. The throne dispatched envoys to honor him posthumously as Palace Attendant and Household Grandee with gold seal and purple ribbon, raise his noble rank to marquis, grant one qing of burial land and ten dependent households, and authorize sacrifice at the shao lao level. While Yuan Di served as Left Chancellor under edict, he judged Shao's martyrdom too weighty for the honors already given and memorialized again for the post of Grand Commandant and tai lao sacrifices at his shrine. When Yuan Di assumed the throne, he granted the posthumous epithet Zhongmu—"Loyal and Solemn"—and again authorized grand tai lao offerings.
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紹誕於行己，不飾小節，然曠而有檢，通而不雜。 與從子含等五人共居，撫恤如所同生。 門人故吏思慕遺愛，行服墓次，畢三年者三十餘人。 長子軫，有父風，早夭。 以從孫翰襲封。 成帝時追述紹忠，以翰為奉朝請。 翰以無兄弟，自表還本宗。 太元中，孝武帝詔曰：「褒德顯仁，哲王令典。 故太尉、忠穆公執德高邈，在否彌宣，貞潔之風，義著千載。 每念其事，愴然傷懷。 忠貞之胤，蒸嘗宜遠，所以大明至節，崇獎名教。 可訪其宗族，襲爵主祀。」 於是復以翰孫曠為弋陽侯。
Shao was generous in personal conduct and careless of petty polish, yet broad-minded within bounds and eclectic without losing clarity. He shared a household with five nephews including Ji Han and cared for them as his own brothers. Over thirty disciples and former retainers, remembering his kindness, kept mourning at his tomb until the third year ended. His eldest son Zhen took after him but died young. The title passed to his great-nephew Han. Under Emperor Cheng, recalling Shao's devotion, Han was named a court gentleman. Han, who had no brothers of his own, asked to revert to his birth line. During the Taiyuan era, Emperor Xiaowu proclaimed: "A wise ruler's duty is to celebrate virtue and make benevolence visible. The late Grand Commandant, Duke Zhongmu, bore his virtue high; in hardship it blazed all the brighter—his unstained integrity still speaks across the centuries. Whenever I remember what he did, sorrow wells up anew. The line of the loyal deserves offerings long remembered; thus we proclaim the highest integrity and elevate the moral order. His kin might be found so that the title passes down and someone tends the family shrine." Accordingly Han's grandson Kuang was again invested as Marquis of Yiyang.
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紹從子含
Ji Han, nephew of Ji Shao
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含字君道。 祖喜，徐州刺史。 父蕃，太子舍人。 含好學能屬文。 家在鞏縣亳丘，自號亳丘子，門曰歸厚之門，室曰慎終之室。 楚王瑋辟為掾。 瑋誅，坐免。 舉秀才，除郎中。 時弘農王粹以貴公子尚主，館宇甚盛，圖莊周於室，廣集朝士，使含為之贊。 含援筆為吊文，文不加點。 其序曰：「帝婿王弘遠華池豐屋，廣延賢彥，圖莊生垂綸之象，記先達辭聘之事，畫真人于刻桷之室，載退士於進趣之堂，可謂托非其所，可吊不可贊也。」 其辭曰：「邁矣莊周，天縱特放，大塊授其生，自然資其量，器虛神清，窮玄極曠。 人偽俗季，真風既散，野無訟屈之聲，朝有爭寵之歎，上下相陵，長幼失貫，於是借玄虛以助溺，引道德以自獎，戶詠恬曠之辭，家畫老莊之象。 今王生沈淪名利，身尚帝女，連耀三光，有出無處，池非岩石之溜，宅非茅茨之宇，馳屈產於皇衢，畫茲象其焉取！ 嗟乎先生，高跡何局！ 生處岩岫之居，死寄雕楹之屋，托非其所，沒有餘辱，悼大道之湮晦，遂含悲而吐曲。」 粹有愧色。
Ji Han's courtesy name was Jundao. His grandfather Xi had served as Governor of Xuzhou. His father Fan had been Household Assistant to the crown prince. He loved books and could turn a polished essay. His house stood at Boqiu in Gong County; he took the sobriquet Master of Boqiu, inscribed his gate "Gate of Returning to Thickness," and his chamber "Chamber of Honoring the Final Rites." Prince of Chu Sima Wei appointed him as an aide. When Wei was put to death, Han lost his post by association. Recommended as an Excellent Candidate, he received appointment as a Gentleman of the Palace. Wang Cui of Hongnong, a wealthy young imperial son-in-law, kept lavish halls; he painted Zhuangzi on his chamber wall, hosted many courtiers, and asked Han to compose a celebratory text. Han seized a brush and wrote a lampoon instead—clean copy in one sitting, without a single blot. The preface read: "Imperial son-in-law Wang Hongyuan boasts lavish pools and mansions and gathers eminent guests; he depicts Zhuangzi angling, memorializes elders who declined office, paints the Perfected Man under carved eaves, and installs retired scholars in a hall meant for ambition—the subjects are badly chosen: fit for lament, not praise." The piece begins: "How distant Zhuangzi stands—Heaven let him roam free; earth gave him life and nature his breadth; hollow vessel, luminous spirit, probing the dark vast beyond. Artifice deepened and manners decayed—the genuine Way blew away. Countryfolk stopped airing grievances while courtiers clawed for favor; superiors and inferiors clawed one another; elders and juniors forgot their stations—then sophists grabbed Empty Mystery to excuse folly, waved Daoist slogans for self-praise, until every lane echoed hollow quietism and every wall bore Laozi and Zhuangzi. Yet Master Wang wallows in fame and profit, rides marriage to an emperor's daughter, and basks in celestial glory—though he cannot retreat from public life; his pool is no mountain stream, his hall no thatched hut; he races Qu steeds on the capital avenues—what honest lesson does such a painting serve? Alas, Master Zhuang—your lofty path reduced to this cramped stage! Alive you belonged among cliffs; dead you are staged beneath carved pillars—you lie where you never ought to be, and shame survives your bones. Mourning how the Great Way has dimmed, I sound this mournful lay." Wang Cui colored with embarrassment.
17
齊王冏辟為征西參軍，襲爵武昌鄉侯。 長沙王乂召為驃騎記室督、尚書郎。 乂與成都王穎交戰，穎軍轉盛，尚書郎旦出督戰，夜還理事。 含言於乂曰：「昔魏武每有軍事，增置掾屬。 青龍二年，尚書令陳矯以有軍務，亦奏增郎。 今奸逆四逼，王路擁塞，倒懸之急，不復過此。 但居曹理事，尚須增郎，況今都官中騎三曹晝出督戰，夜還理事，一人兩役，內外廢乏。 含謂今有十萬人，都督各有主帥，推轂授綏，委付大將，不宜復令台僚雜與其間。」 乂從之，乃增郎及令史。
Prince of Qi Sima Jiong appointed him adjutant on the western campaign, and he inherited the village marquisate at Wuchang. Prince of Changsha Sima Yi appointed him recorder-in-chief to the chief commander and Gentleman of the Secretariat. When Yi clashed with Prince of Chengdu Sima Ying, Ying's forces gained ground; the Secretariat gentlemen rode out at dawn to supervise the fighting and returned after dark to manage paperwork. Han urged Yi: "Whenever Emperor Wu of Wei faced war, he expanded aide posts. In Qinglong 2, Director of the Secretariat Chen Jiao, citing military business, likewise petitioned for added Secretariat gentlemen. Today rebels ring us on every side; the imperial highways clog; we hang by our heels—nothing could be more urgent. Stationery offices still need extra hands in quiet times—how much more when the Capital, Palace, and Cavalry sections march out by day to direct combat and draft orders by night; one officer pulling double duty exhausts both camp and capital. Han argues that with a hundred thousand troops under distinct commanders—each lieutenant invested with drum and reins—a chief general should hold the line; secretariat aides ought not clutter the chain of command." Yi agreed and expanded the Secretariat rolls with added gentlemen and clerks.
18
懷帝為撫軍將軍，以含為從事中郎。 惠帝北征，轉中書侍郎。 及蕩陰之敗，含走歸滎陽。 永興初，除太弟中庶子。 西道阻閡，未得應召。 范陽王虓為征南將軍，屯許昌，復以含為從事中郎。 尋授振威將軍、襄城太守。 虓為劉喬所破，含奔鎮南將軍劉弘于襄陽，弘待以上賓之禮。 含性通敏，好薦達才賢，常欲崇趙武之諡，加臧文之罪。 屬陳敏作亂，江揚震盪，南越險遠，而廣州刺史王毅病卒，弘表含為平越中郎將、廣州刺史、假節。 未發，會弘卒，時或欲留含領刑州。 含性剛躁，素與弘司馬郭勱有隙，勱疑含將為己害，夜掩殺之，時年四十四。 懷帝即位，諡曰憲。
While still General Who Pacifies the Army, Emperor Huai named Han his administrative aide. During Emperor Hui's northern expedition Han moved to Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat. After the rout at Dangyin he bolted home to Xingyang. Early in Yongxing he received appointment as Palace Cadet to the imperial heir. Western roads were closed; he could not reach court. Prince of Fanyang Sima Xiao, General Who Campaigns South and stationed at Xuchang, again took Han on as administrative aide. Soon he received the rank General Who Rouses Might and the magistracy of Xiangcheng. After Liu Qiao routed Xiao, Han fled to Regional Commander Liu Hong at Xiangyang, who received him as an honored guest. Han was quick-witted and loved lifting worthy men; he often argued for honoring Zhao Wu's posthumous name and indicting Zang Wenzhong—historical precedents for reward and blame. Chen Min's revolt convulsed the south; Guangzhou lay distant and perilous; when Inspector Wang Yi died in office, Liu Hong petitioned to make Han General Who Pacifies the Yue, Inspector of Guangzhou, with credential staff. Before Han could depart, Liu Hong died; some officials wanted him to stay on and govern Jing Province instead—the manuscript miswrites the province name. Han was brittle and quick-tempered and had long feuded with Liu Hong's adjutant Guo Mai; Mai feared Han would murder him and struck first by night—Han died at forty-four. When Emperor Huai ascended the throne, Han received the posthumous epithet Xian—"Lawful."
19
王豹
Wang Bao
20
王豹，順陽人也。 少而抗直。 初為豫州別駕，齊王冏為大司馬，以豹為主簿。 冏驕縱，失天下心，豹致箋於冏曰：
Wang Bao came from Shunyang. Even young he was blunt and uncompromising. He began as Ye Province's chief clerk; when Prince of Qi Sima Jiong served as Grand Marshal, Bao became his chief clerk. Jiong grew arrogant and forfeited popular loyalty; Bao submitted a long memorandum opening thus:
21
:豹聞王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故，將以安主定時，保存社稷者也。 是以為人臣而欺其君者，刑罰不足以為誅； 為人主而逆其諫者，靈厲不足以為諡。 伏惟明公虛心下士，開懷納善，款誠以著，而逆耳之言未入於聽。 豹伏思晉政漸缺，始自元康以來，宰相在位，未有一人獲終，乃事勢使然，未為輒有不善也。 今公克平禍亂，安國定家，故復因前傾敗之法，尋中間覆車之軌，欲冀長存，非所敢聞。 今河間樹根于關右，成都盤桓于舊魏，新野大封于江漢，三面貴王，各以方剛強盛，並典戎馬，處險害之地。 且明公興義討逆，功蓋天下，聖德光茂，名震當世。 今以難賞之功，挾震主之威，獨據京都，專執大權，進則亢龍有悔，退則蒺藜生庭，冀此求安，未知其福。 敢以淺見，陳寫愚情。
"Bao has heard that ministers who toil without rest do so not for private ends—they mean to steady the sovereign, quiet the times, and preserve the altars of soil and grain." Thus a subject who deceives his prince cannot be punished enough by mere law— and a ruler who spurns honest counsel deserves worse than posthumous epithets like Ling or Li. You incline your mind toward humble advisers and open your heart to good counsel—your loyalty shines clear—yet words that grate still fail to reach your ears. Bao reflects that Jin governance has frayed since Yuankang: no chief minister has died in office of natural causes—not always because they were wicked, but because the times made it so. You have crushed rebellion and restored the realm—yet if you cling to the habits that ruined prior regimes and ride the same rut that flipped the cart while expecting to endure forever, that is an outcome I cannot bring myself to contemplate. Prince of Hejian has sunk roots west of the passes; Prince of Chengdu holds sway in the old Wei heartland; Prince of Xinye commands vast fiefs along the Han—these three royal uncles are powerful in their quarters, each leading armies on dangerous ground. Moreover you raised righteous armies against traitors; your merit overshadows the realm, your virtue dazzles, your name shakes the age. Your achievements outstrip any reward; your prestige overshadows the throne; you alone hold the capital and grasp supreme authority—press forward and you tread the dragon's sixth line—regret; step back and brambles choke your courtyard. To seek safety there—I see little fortune in it. Forgive my humble sight—I lay out my earnest though blunt counsel.
22
:昔武王伐紂，封建諸侯為二伯，自陝以東，周公主之，自陝以西，召公主之。 及至其末，霸國之世，不過數州之地，四海強兵不敢入窺九鼎，所以然者，天下習於所奉故也。 今誠能尊用周法，以成都為北州伯，統河北之王侯，明公為南州伯，以攝南土之官長，各因本職，出居其方，樹德於外，盡忠於內，歲終率所領而貢于朝，簡良才，命賢俊，以為天子百官，則四海長寧，萬國幸甚，明公之德當與周召同其至美，危敗路塞，社稷可保。 顧明公思高祖納婁敬之策，悟張良履足之謀，遠臨深之危，保泰山之安。 若合聖思，宛許可都也。
"When King Wu overthrew Shang, he arrayed the feudal lords as two paramount lords: east of Mount Shan the Duke of Zhou held sway, west of Mount Shan the Duke of Shao." Later hegemonic kingdoms controlled only a few provinces, yet no army in the realm dared covet the Nine Tripods—because people everywhere had grown used to whom they obeyed. If we truly revived Zhou practice—making Chengdu lord of the northern quarter over the Hebei princes while you, sir, ruled the southern quarter over southern officials—each settling in his domain, winning virtue abroad and loyalty at home, rendering yearly tribute and staffing the Son of Heaven's ministries with chosen talent—the realm would rest secure and every state rejoice; your virtue would rival the Duke of Zhou and Duke of Shao; ruin would find no road and the altars would endure. Think how Emperor Gaozu took Lou Jing's counsel and grasped Zhang Liang's warning when he trod on his lord's foot—shun the brink of the abyss and stand firm as Mount Tai. If it suits your intent, Wan might serve as capital.
23
書入，無報，豹重箋曰：
The memorial drew no answer; Bao wrote again:
24
:豹書御已來，十有二日，而聖旨高遠，未垂采察，不賜一字之令，不敕可否之宜。 蓋霸王之神寶，安危之秘術，不可須臾而忽者也。 伏思明公挾大功，抱大名，懷大德，執大權，此四大者，域中所不能容，賢聖所以戰戰兢兢，日昃不暇食，雖休勿休者也。 昔周公以武王為兄，成王為君，伐紂有功，以親輔政，執德弘深，聖思博遠，至忠至仁，至孝至敬。 而攝事之日，四國流言，離主出奔，居東三年，賴風雨之變，成王感悟。 若不遭皇天之應，神人之察，恐公旦之禍未知所限也。 至於執政，猶與召公分陝為伯。 今明公自視功德孰如周公。 且元康以來，宰相之患，危機竊發，不及容思，密禍潛起，輒在呼噏，豈復晏然得全生計！ 前鑒不遠，公所親見也。 君子不有遠慮，必有近憂，憂至乃悟，悔無所及也。
"Twelve days have passed since my memorial reached you, yet heaven-high silence—no scrap of guidance, no verdict on whether to adopt or reject it. These are the instruments by which hegemons rise and the secrets of survival—none may neglect them for an instant. You bear towering merit, fame, virtue, and power together—the world scarce holds such weight; that is why even sages tremble, skip meals past noon, and refuse ease while crisis lingers. The Duke of Zhou served King Wu as brother and King Cheng as sovereign; he destroyed Shang and then guided the boy king—virtue profound, vision vast, loyalty, humaneness, filial piety, and reverence without peer. Yet while regent he faced rumors across four domains, fled east from court for three years, and only omens of wind and thunder woke King Cheng to the truth. Without Heaven's answering portent and the gods' scrutiny, the Duke of Zhou might never have escaped calamity. Even in power he split Mount Shan with the Duke of Shao and ruled only half the realm. Consider how your merit stacks against the Duke of Zhou's. Since Yuankang, chief ministers have faced crises that strike before thought—the disaster arrives between breaths; how can anyone stay comfortably alive? Recent precedent lies before your eyes. The gentleman without long sight invites immediate grief; when grief arrives, regret is useless.
25
:今若從豹此策，皆遣王侯之國，北與成都分河為伯，成都在鄴，明公都宛，寬方千里，以與圻內侯伯子男小大相率，結好要盟，同獎皇家； 貢御之法，一如周典。 若合聖規，可先旨與成都共論。 雖以小才，願備行人。 昔廝養，燕趙之微者耳，百里奚，秦楚之商人也，一開其說，兩國以寧。 況豹雖陋，大州之綱紀，加明公起事險難之主簿也。 故身雖輕，其言未必否也。
"If you adopt my plan—dispatch every prince to his fief; north of the river partner Chengdu as co-elder while Chengdu stays at Ye and you hold Wan—a thousand-li belt—binding inner-domain nobles in treaties that jointly shield the throne—" tribute and audience would follow Zhou precedent. If this suits your design, sound out Chengdu first. Humble as my talents are, I volunteer as envoy. Stableboys were the lowest rungs in Yan and Zhao; Baili Xi peddled cattle between Qin and Chu—yet their words once heard brought peace to whole realms. I am chief clerk of a great province and served as your chief clerk when you launched this perilous undertaking. My person carries little weight; my counsel may still merit hearing.
26
冏令曰：「得前後白事，具意，輒別思量也。」 會長沙王乂至，於冏案上見豹箋，謂冏曰：「小子離間骨肉，何不銅駝下打殺！」 冏既不能嘉豹之策，遂納乂言，乃奏豹曰：「臣忿奸凶肆逆，皇祚顛墜，與成都、長沙、新野共興義兵，安復社稷，唯欲戮力皇家，與親親宗室腹心從事，此臣夙夜自誓，無負神明。 而主簿王豹比有白事，敢造異端，謂臣忝備宰相，必遘危害，慮在一旦，不祥之聲可蹻足而待，欲臣與成都分陝為伯，盡出籓王。 上誣聖朝鑒御之威，下長妖惑，疑阻眾心，噂背憎，巧賣兩端，訕上謗下，讒內間外，遘惡導奸，坐生猜嫌。 昔孔丘匡魯，乃誅少正； 子產相鄭，先戮鄧析，誠以交亂名實，若趙高詭怪之類也。 豹為臣不忠不順不義，輒敕都街考竟，以明邪正。」 豹將死，曰：「懸吾頭大司馬門，見兵之攻齊也。」 眾庶冤之。 俄而冏敗。
Jiong replied: "I have your successive memorials in full; I will weigh them separately." When Prince of Changsha Sima Yi arrived, he spotted Bao's paper on Jiong's desk and snarled: "This whelp sows strife in the royal family—beat him to death under the bronze camels!" Jiong spurned Bao's advice and took Yi's bait, memorializing: "Your servant burns as traitors overturn heaven; with Chengdu, Changsha, and Xinyue I raised righteous armies to heal the altars—my vow night and day is to exhaust myself for the throne alongside true kinsmen—may the spirits witness me. Yet chief clerk Wang Bao keeps forwarding heterodox schemes—claiming this minister, unworthy though I am of the chancellorship, faces doom within days and ill omens before we lift a foot—demanding that I split the realm with Chengdu like the ancient elders and banish every prince to his fief. He traduces imperial majesty above while sowing panic below; he sets minds doubting and breeds whispered hatred; he plays both ends, mocks superiors and baits inferiors, slanders court and alienates the regions—drawing villains together until suspicion festers. Confucius restored Lu by executing Shaozheng Mao— Zichan governed Zheng and executed Deng Xi first—both struck down men who twisted name and fact like Zhao Gao's breed. Wang Bao is disloyal, unfilial, unjust—I order him beaten to death in the capital street to mark the line between treason and right." Facing death Bao said: "Hang my head on the Grand Marshal's gate—you will see armies march against Qi." The crowd counted him wronged. Soon Sima Jiong fell.
27
劉沈
Liu Shen
28
劉沈，字道真，燕國薊人也。 世為北州名族。 少仕州郡，博學好古。 太保衛瓘辟為掾，領本邑大中正。 敦儒道，愛賢能，進霍原為二品，及申理張華，皆辭旨明峻，為當時所稱。 齊王冏輔政，引為左長史，遷侍中。 于時李流亂蜀，詔沈以侍中、假節，統益州刺史羅尚、梁州刺史許雄等以討流。 行次長安，河間王顒請留沉為軍司，遣席薳代之。 後領雍州刺史。 及張昌作亂，詔顒遣沉將州兵萬人並征西府五千人，自藍田關以討之，顒不奉詔。 沉自領州兵至藍田，顒又逼奪其眾。 長沙王乂命沉將武吏四百人還州。
Liu Shen, courtesy name Daozhen, came from Ji in Yan. His clan ranked among the north's great families for generations. Youth brought minor provincial posts; he read widely and revered antiquity. Grand Mentor Wei Guan took him on as an aide and put him in charge of local personnel appraisal as senior rectifier. He championed scholarship, prized talent, promoted Huo Yuan to the second grade, and defended Zhang Hua—each memorial lucid and uncompromising, earning wide acclaim. Prince of Qi Sima Jiong, while directing government, brought Liu Shen in as Left Senior Clerk and soon promoted him to Palace Attendant. While Li Liu ravaged Shu, the throne named Liu Shen Palace Attendant with credential staff to coordinate Luo Shang of Yi Province, Xu Xiong of Liang Province, and others against him. His march paused at Chang'an; Prince of Hejian Sima Yong asked to keep Liu Shen as army marshal and dispatched Xi Yuan to replace him on campaign. He later added concurrent duty as Inspector of Yong Province. When Zhang Chang rose, an edict told Yong to send Liu Shen with ten thousand Yong troops and five thousand western expedition troops through Lantian Pass—Yong ignored it. Liu Shen drove the provincial army to Lantian anyway; Yong seized those troops from him. Prince of Changsha Sima Yi ordered Liu Shen to march four hundred armed clerks back to Yong Province.
29
張方既逼京都，王師屢敗，王瑚、祖逖言於乂曰：「劉沈忠義果毅，雍州兵力足制河間，宜啟上詔與沈，使發兵襲顒，顒窘急，必召張方以自救，此計之良也。」 乂從之。 沈奉詔馳檄四境，合七郡之眾及守防諸軍、塢壁甲士萬餘人，以安定太守衛博、新平太守張光、安定功曹皇甫澹為先登，襲長安。 顒時頓于鄭縣之高平亭，為東軍聲援，聞沈兵起，還鎮渭城，遣督護虞夔率步騎萬餘人逆沈於好畤。 接戰，夔眾敗，顒大懼，退入長安，果急呼張方。 沈渡渭而壘，顒每遣兵出鬥，輒不利，沈乘勝攻之，使澹、博以精甲五千，從長安門而入，力戰至顒帳下。 沈軍來遲，顒軍見澹等無繼，氣益倍。 馮翊太守張輔率眾救顒，橫擊之，大戰於府門，博父子皆死之，澹又被擒。 顒奇澹壯勇，將活之。 澹不為之屈，於是見殺。 沈軍遂敗，率余卒屯于故營。 張方遣其將敦偉夜至，沈軍大驚而潰，與麾下百餘人南遁，為陳倉令所執。 沈謂顒曰：「夫知己之顧輕，在三之節重，不可違君父之詔，量強弱以苟全。 投袂之日，期之必死，菹醢之戮，甘之如薺。」 辭義慷慨，見者哀之。 顒怒，鞭之而後腰斬。 有識者以顒干上犯順，虐害忠義，知其滅亡不久也。
With Zhang Fang threatening Luoyang and imperial armies failing, Wang Hu and Zu Ti urged Sima Yi: "Liu Shen is loyal and bold; Yong Province can pin Prince of Hejian—petition the emperor to order Shen to strike Yong; Yong, desperate, will recall Zhang Fang—that breaks the siege." Yi agreed. Liu Shen rode the edict to rally seven counties, garrisons, and fortress troops—more than ten thousand—then struck Chang'an with Wei Bo of Anding, Zhang Guang of Xinping, and Huangfu Dan leading the van. Sima Yong had camped at Gaoping Pavilion to screen eastern reinforcements; hearing Liu Shen move, he pulled back to Weicheng and sent Yu Kui with ten thousand horse and foot to intercept Shen at Haozhi. Kui lost the engagement; Yong fled into Chang'an in panic and screamed for Zhang Fang. Liu Shen crossed the Wei and walled up; Yong's sallies failed again and again—Shen pressed the advantage, sending Huangfu Dan and Wei Bo with five thousand elite armored men through Chang'an Gate to fight through to Yong's headquarters. Shen's main body arrived late; Yong's men saw Dan had no backup and doubled their fighting spirit. Zhang Fu of Fengyi slammed into Shen's flank before Yong's yamen—Wei Bo and his son died there; Huangfu Dan was taken. Yong admired Dan's courage and meant to spare him. Dan refused to bend, so Yong executed him. Shen's line collapsed; he gathered survivors at the old camp. Zhang Fang's officer Dun Wei struck by night; Shen's men broke and fled—he escaped south with a hundred riders until the Chencang magistrate seized him. Liu Shen told Yong: "Private kindness weighs little beside the three great bonds—I cannot defy sovereign and father to save myself by calculating odds. The day I raised arms I accepted death—mincing and saucing would taste to me like spring greens." He spoke with blazing conviction; onlookers wept for him. Yong had him flogged, then cut in half at the waist. Thoughtful observers saw Yong defying heaven and torturing loyal men—they knew he would not last.
30
麴允
Qu Yun
31
麴允，金城人也。 與游氏世為豪族，西州為之語曰：「麴與游，牛羊不數頭。 南開朱門，北望青樓。」 洛陽傾覆，閻鼎等立秦王為皇太子于長安，鼎總攝百揆。 允時為安夷護軍、始平太守，心害鼎功，且規權勢，因鼎殺京兆太守梁綜，乃與綜弟馮翊太守緯等攻鼎，走之。 會雍州刺史賈疋為屠各所殺，允代其任。 湣帝即尊位，以允為尚書左僕射、領軍、持節、西戎校尉、錄尚書事，雍州如故。 時劉曜、殷凱、趙染數萬眾逼長安，允擊破之，擒凱於陣。 曜復攻北地，允為太都督、驃騎將軍，次於青白城以救之。 曜聞而轉寇上郡，允軍于靈武，以兵弱不敢進。 曜後復圍北地，太守麴昌遣使求救，允率步騎赴之。 去城數十里，群賊繞城放火，煙塵蔽天，縱反間詐允曰：「郡城已陷，焚燒向盡，無及矣。」 允信之，眾懼而潰。 後數日，麴昌突圍赴長安，北地遂陷。
Qu Yun came from Jincheng. The Qu and You clans dominated the west for generations—folk rhymed: "Qu and You—too rich to count their oxen and sheep. Southward vermilion gates swing wide; northward green towers rise against the sky." When Luoyang fell, Yan Ding and allies named the Prince of Qin heir apparent at Chang'an while Ding seized every portfolio. Qu Yun then guarded Anyi and governed Shiping; jealous of Ding's clout, he used Ding's murder of Liang Zong of Jingzhao as pretext to join Liang's brother Wei of Fengyi in driving Ding out. When Tuge tribesmen killed Inspector Jia Ya of Yong, Yun succeeded him. Emperor Min named Yun Vice Director of the Left, chief of palace armies, credential bearer, Colonel of Western Rong, and overseer of the Secretariat while he kept Yong Province. Liu Yao, Yin Kai, and Zhao Ran pressed Chang'an with tens of thousands—Yun routed them and seized Kai on the field. When Yao struck Beidi again, Yun took supreme command as chief commander and camped at Qingbai City to relieve the siege. Yao veered to raid Shangjun; Yun halted at Lingwu but dared not advance—his force was too weak. When Yao besieged Beidi again, Administrator Qu Chang begged for aid—Yun marched infantry and cavalry to relieve him. Tens of li short of the city, raiders ringed the walls with fire until smoke blotted the sky; agents lied to Yun that Beidi had fallen and every building burned—no point rushing on. Yun believed them; his army panicked and melted away. Days later Qu Chang broke out and raced to Chang'an—Beidi was lost.
32
允性仁厚，無威斷，吳皮、王隱之徒，無賴凶人，皆加重爵，新平太守竺恢，始平太守楊像、扶風太守竺爽、安定太守焦嵩，皆征鎮杖節，加侍中、常侍，村塢主帥小者，猶假銀青、將軍之號，欲以撫結眾心。 然諸將驕恣，恩不及下，人情頗離，由是羌胡因此跋扈，關中淆亂，劉曜復攻長安，百姓饑甚，死者太半。 久之，城中窘逼，帝將出降，歎曰：「誤我事者，麴、索二公也。」 帝至平陽，為劉聰所幽辱，允伏地號哭不能起。 聰大怒，幽之於獄，允發憤自殺。 聰嘉其忠烈，贈車騎將軍，諡節湣侯。
Yun was gentle and hesitant—worthless brutes like Wu Pi and Wang Yin won lofty titles; Zhu Hui, Yang Xiang, Zhu Shuang, and Jiao Song held frontier commands with staffs and court sinecures; even petty fortress chiefs wore silver-green ribbons and general's ribbons—all Yun's attempt to buy loyalty. Yet commanders grew arrogant and withheld favors from the ranks—popular sympathy frayed—so Qiang and Hu tribes rampaged and Guanzhong slid into chaos; Liu Yao struck Chang'an again while famine killed more than half the population. Months of siege reduced the court—about to surrender in person, the emperor groaned: "Qu Yun and Suo Jing misled me." At Pingyang Liu Cong humiliated the captive sovereign—Qu Yun threw himself down and sobbed until he could not stand. Cong threw him in prison in fury—Qu Yun killed himself in despair. Cong honored his loyalty with posthumous rank General of Chariots and Cavalry and the epithet Marquis Jiemin.
34
附焦嵩
Appendix: Jiao Song
36
焦嵩，安定人。 初率眾據雍。 曜之逼京都，允告難於嵩，嵩素侮允，曰：「須允困，當救之。」 及京都敗，嵩亦尋為寇所滅。
Jiao Song came from Anding. He first led troops holding Yong Province. When Liu Yao threatened Chang'an, Qu Yun begged Jiao Song for help; Song, who had always scorned Yun, sneered: "I'll rescue him once he's desperate enough." When the capital fell, Song himself perished to raiders soon after.
37
賈渾
Jia Hun
38
賈渾，不知何郡人也。 太安中，為介休令。 及劉元海作亂，遣其將喬晞攻陷之。 渾抗節不降，曰：「吾為晉守，不能全之，豈苟求生以事賊虜，何面目以視息世間哉！」 晞怒，執將殺之，晞將尹崧曰：「將軍舍之，以勸事君。」 晞不聽，遂害之。
Jia Hun's birthplace went unrecorded. During Tai'an he served as magistrate of Jiexiu. When Liu Yuan rebelled, he sent Qiao Xi to storm the county. Jia Hun refused surrender: "I hold office for Jin—since I could not save the county, I will not cling to life under bandits—what face would I have among men!" Qiao Xi meant to execute him; officer Yin Song pleaded: "Spare him as an example of loyalty to one's lord." Xi refused and killed him.
39
王育
Wang Yu
40
王育，字伯春，京兆人也。 少孤貧，為人傭牧羊，每過小學，必歔欷流涕。 時有暇，即折蒲學書，忘而失羊，為羊主所責，育將鬻己以償之。 同郡許子章，敏達之士也，聞而嘉之，代育償羊，給其衣食，使與子同學，遂博通經史。 身長八尺餘，須長三尺，容貌絕異，音聲動人。 子章以兄之子妻之，為立別宅，分之資業，育受之無愧色。 然行己任性，頗不偶俗。 妻喪，吊之者不過四五人，然皆鄉閭名士。 太守杜宣命為主簿。 俄而宣左遷萬年令，杜令王攸詣宣，宣不迎之，攸怒曰：「卿往為二千石，吾所敬也。 今吾儕耳，何故不見迎？ 欲以小雀遇我，使我畏死鷂乎？」 育執刀叱攸曰：「君辱臣死，自昔而然。 我府君以非罪黜降，如日月之蝕耳，小縣令敢輕辱吾君！ 汝謂吾刀鈍邪，敢如是乎！」 前將殺之。 宣懼，跣下抱育，乃止。 自此知名。 司徒王渾辟為掾，除南武陽令。 為政清約，宿盜逃奔他郡。 遷并州督護。 成都王穎在鄴，又以育為振武將軍。 劉元海之為北單于，育說穎曰：「元海今去，育請為殿下促之，不然，懼不至也。」 穎然之，以育為破虜將軍。 元海遂拘之，其後以為太傅。
Wang Yu, courtesy name Bochun, hailed from Jingzhao. Poor and orphaned early, he hired out as a shepherd—passing village schools he always wept. He stole moments to scratch letters on rushes—lost sheep and faced his master's wrath—ready to sell himself to pay. Xu Zizhang of the same commandery, a generous scholar, paid his debt, clothed and fed him, and enrolled him beside his sons until Yu mastered the canon. He stood over eight chi tall with a three-chi beard—features unforgettable, voice compelling. Zizhang married a niece to him, built him a house, and split property—Yu accepted without false modesty. Yet he followed his own bent and ignored fashionable manners. Only four or five mourners attended his wife's funeral—all were local worthies. Prefect Du Xuan named him chief clerk. Soon Du Xuan became magistrate of Wannian; Wang You of Duling visited—Xuan refused a reception—You snapped: "You once ranked two thousand shi—I honored you. We are equals now—why no welcome? Do you treat me like a sparrow and expect terror before your goshawk?" Wang Yu drew a blade and roared at Magistrate You: "When the master is shamed, his man must die—the rule is ancient. Our prefect fell without guilt—like a passing eclipse—how dare a county clerk insult him! You think this blade dull—how dare you!" He pressed forward to strike. Xuan sprang barefoot to hug him still. His name spread from that day. Minister of Works Wang Hun took him as aide, then named him magistrate of Nanwuyang. His rule was spare and clean—veteran bandits fled to other counties. He rose to Bing Province supervisor. Prince of Chengdu Sima Ying, camped at Ye, added the title General Who Rouses Might. When Liu Yuan became Northern Chanyu, Yu urged Ying: "Let me ride after him now or he may never come." Ying agreed and named him General Who Breaks the Caitiffs. Liu Yuan seized him—later raised him to Grand Tutor.
41
韋忠
Wei Zhong
42
韋忠字子節，平陽人也。 少慷慨，有不可奪之志。 好學博通，性不虛諾。 閉門修己，不交當世，每至吉凶，親表贈遺，一無所受。 年十二，喪父，哀慕毀悴，杖而後起。 司空裴秀吊之，匍匐號訴，哀慟感人。 秀出而告人曰：「此子長大必為佳器。」 歸而命子頠造焉。 服闋，遂廬於墓所。 頠慕而造之，皆托行不見。 家貧，藜藿不充，人不堪其憂，而忠不改其樂。 頠為僕射，數言之于司空張華，華辟之，辭疾不起。 人問其故，忠曰：「吾茨簷賤士，本無宦情。 且茂先華而不實，裴頠欲而無厭，棄典禮而附賊後，若此，豈大丈夫之所宜行邪！ 裴常有心托我，常恐洪濤蕩岳，餘波見漂，況可臨尾閭而窺沃焦哉！」 太守陳楚迫為功曹。 會山羌破郡，楚攜子出走，賊射之，中三創。 忠冒刃伏楚。 以身捍之，泣曰：「韋忠願以身代君，乞諸君哀之。」 亦遭五矢。 賊相謂曰：「義士也！」 舍之。 忠於是負楚以歸。 後仕劉聰，為鎮西大將軍，平羌校尉，討叛羌，矢盡，不屈節而死。
Wei Zhong, courtesy name Zijie, came from Pingyang. From youth he burned with principle nothing could break. He read widely and kept every pledge. He shut his gate, shunned fashion, and refused every gift from kin at weddings or funerals. At twelve he buried his father—grief wasted him until he needed a cane to rise. Minister Pei Xiu condoled—Zhong crawled forward wailing until listeners wept. Pei Xiu left saying: "This boy will be worthy timber grown." He sent his son Pei Yi to call. When mourning ended he built a hut at his father's tomb. Pei Yi admired him and visited twice—Zhong pleaded errands and refused audience. His house knew hunger—wild greens barely filled the bowl—others would despair; Zhong stayed content. When Pei Yi rose to Vice Director he praised Zhong to Zhang Hua—Zhang summoned him but Zhong pleaded illness. Asked why, he said: "I am a nobody under a thatched eaves—no taste for office. Moreover Zhang Hua blooms without fruit; Pei Yi covets without limit—they betray ritual and cling to usurpers—what worthy man would walk that road! Pei Yi keeps pressing his patronage—I dread tidal waves that bury mountains and folk tossed on the backwash; why would I cling to the cosmic drain or stare into the burning shoal?" Prefect Chen Chu forced him into the merit-evaluator post. Mountain Qiang raiders shattered the district; Chu fled with his son until bandits shot them three times. Zhong threw himself onto Chu beneath the blades. Covering Chu with his body he wept: "Take me instead—spare him." Five shafts struck him as well. The bandits murmured: "A true righteous man!" They let them go. Zhong bore Chu home across his shoulders. Under Liu Cong he became Grand General Who Guards the West and Colonel Who Pacifies the Qiang—fighting rebel Qiang until his arrows failed, he died unbroken.
43
辛勉
Xin Mian
44
辛勉，字伯力，隴西狄道人也。 父洪，左衛將軍。 勉博學，有貞固之操。 懷帝世，累遷為侍中。 及洛陽陷，隨帝至平陽。 劉聰將署為光祿大夫，勉固辭不受。 聰遣其黃門侍郎喬度齎藥酒逼之，勉曰：「大丈夫豈以數年之命而虧高節，事二姓，下見武皇帝哉！」 引藥將飲，度遽止之曰：「主上相試耳，君真高士也！」 歎息而去。 聰嘉其貞節，深敬異之，為築室於平陽西山，月致酒米，勉亦辭而不受。 年八十，卒。
Xin Mian, courtesy name Boli, came from Didao in Longxi. His father Xin Hong had served as General of the Left Guard. He read widely and held unyielding principle. Under Emperor Huai he climbed to Palace Attendant. When Luoyang fell he followed the captive court to Pingyang. Liu Cong offered him Household Grandee—Mian refused flatly. Cong sent Qiao Du with poisoned wine; Mian replied: "No great man trades a handful of years for two masters—how could I face Emperor Wu below ground?" He lifted the cup—Du stopped him: "Only a test—you are every inch the noble recluse!" Du sighed and withdrew. Cong honored his integrity, built him a lodge west of Pingyang, sent monthly rations—Mian refused every grain. He died at eighty.
46
勉族弟賓
Xin Bin, cousin of Xin Mian
48
勉族弟賓，湣帝時為尚書郎。 及帝蒙塵于平陽，劉聰使帝行酒洗爵，欲觀晉臣在朝者意。 賓起而抱帝大哭，聰曰：「前殺庾瑉輩，故不足為戒邪！」 引出，遂加害焉。
Cousin Xin Bin served as Secretariat gentleman under Emperor Min. At Pingyang Liu Cong forced the Jin emperor to pour wine and rinse cups—probing which ministers still harbored loyalty. Bin sprang up to clutch the emperor and wail; Cong snarled: "Did executing Yu Min teach you nothing?" Guards dragged Bin out and killed him.
49
劉敏元
Liu Minyuan
50
劉敏元，字道光，北海人也。 厲己修學，不以險難改心。 好星曆陰陽術數，潛心《易》、《太玄》，不好讀史，常謂同志曰：「誦書當味義根，何為費功於浮辭之文！ 《易》者，義之源，《太玄》，理之門，能明此者，即吾師也。」 永嘉之亂，自齊西奔。 同縣管平年七十餘，隨敏元而西，行及滎陽，為盜所劫。 敏元已免，乃還謂賊曰：「此公孤老，餘年無幾，敏元請以身代，願諸君舍之。」 賊曰：「此公于君何親？」 敏元曰：「同邑人也。 窮窶無子，依敏元為命。 諸君若欲役之，老不堪使，若欲食之，復不如敏元，乞諸君哀也。」 有一賊瞋目叱敏元曰：「吾不放此公，憂不得汝乎！」 敏元奮劍曰：「吾豈望生邪！ 當殺汝而後死。 此公窮老，神祇尚當哀矜之。 吾親非骨肉，義非師友，但以見投之故，乞以身代。 諸大夫慈惠，皆有聽吾之色，汝何有靦面目而發斯言！」 顧謂諸盜長曰：「夫仁義何常，寧可失諸君子！ 上當為高皇、光武之事，下豈失為陳項乎！ 當取之由道，使所過稱詠威德，柰何容畜此人以損盛美！ 當為諸君除此人，以成諸君霸王之業。」 前將斬之。 盜長遽止之，而相謂曰：「義士也！ 害之犯義。」 乃俱免之。 後仕劉曜，為中書侍郎、太尉長史。
Liu Minyuan, courtesy name Daoguang, came from Beihai. He honed himself through scholarship—hardship never bent his resolve. He studied astrology and the Changes, diving deep into the Great Mystery while spurning histories—telling friends: "Read for principle, not ornament. The Changes yield meaning; the Great Mystery opens principle—whoever masters them is my teacher." When Yongjia convulsed the realm he fled west from Qi. Seventy-year-old Guan Ping of his county followed him west until bandits ambushed them at Xingyang. Minyuan had broken free but walked back: "This old man is alone and nearly spent—take me instead and let him go." The robbers asked: "What ties you to him?" Minyuan said: "We share only a hometown. He is destitute and childless—his life hangs on mine. Draft him and he cannot serve; eat him and I offer more meat—spare him out of pity." A bandit glared: "Keep the old man—we still have you!" Minyuan whipped out steel: "I never counted on living! I'll kill you first—then die. He is frail—even the gods should pity him. We are no kin by blood nor bond by teaching—he fled to me, so I offer my body instead. Your chiefs lean toward mercy—how dare you alone shame them with threats!" He turned to the bandit captains: "Honor demands consistency—would you lose it before gentlemen! Reach upward like Gaozu or Guangwu—sink no lower than Chen She or Xiang Yu! Win the realm by righteousness so travelers sing your virtue—why shelter such filth and spoil your name! Let me kill him for you—for the sake of your hegemony." He lunged to strike the loudmouth down. The chief seized his arm: "A righteous man! To kill him violates honor." They freed both men. Under Liu Yao he rose to Palace Secretariat gentleman and senior clerk to the Grand Commandant.
51
周該
Zhou Gai
52
周該，天門人也。 性果烈，以義勇稱。 雖不好學，而率由名教。 叔父級為宜都內史，亦忠節士也。 聞譙王承立義湘州，甘卓又不同王敦之舉，而書檄不至，級謂該曰：「吾嘗疾王敦挾陵上之心，今稱兵構逆，有危社稷之勢。 譙王宗室之望，據方州之重，建旗誓眾，圖襲武昌。 甘安南少著勇名，士馬器械當今為盛，聞與譙王剋期舉義，此乃烈士急病之秋，吾致死之時也，汝其成吾之志，申款于譙王乎？」 該欣然奉命，潛至湘州，與承相見，口陳至誠。 承大悅。 會王敦遣其將魏乂圍承甚急，該乃與湘州從事周崎間出反命，俱為乂所見，考之至死，竟不言其故，級由是獲免王敦之難。
Zhou Gai came from Tianmen. He was bold and renowned for righteous daring. He cared little for books yet lived by moral orthodoxy. His uncle Zhou Ji governed Yidu interior—another steadfast servant. When Prince of Qiao Sima Cheng rallied Xiang Province and Gan Zhuo rejected Wang Dun—though word had not reached them—Zhou Ji told Gai: "Wang Dun always meant to bully the throne; now he rebels—the altars teeter. Prince Cheng leads the royal house from Xiang Province—his banners rise for a blow at Wuchang. Gan Zhuo of the south commands crack troops and agreed timing with Prince Cheng—this is the hour loyal men die—will you carry my pledge to the prince?" Gai slipped into Xiang Province and poured his heart out to Sima Cheng. Cheng rejoiced. When Wei Yi besieged Cheng, Gai and Zhou Qi slipped out with the reply—Yi caught them, tortured them to death, yet they revealed nothing—so Zhou Ji survived Wang Dun's purge.
53
桓雄
Huan Xiong
54
桓雄，長沙人也。 少仕州郡。 譙王承為湘州刺史，命為主簿。 王敦之逆，承為敦將魏乂所執，佐吏奔散，雄與西曹韓階，從事武延並毀服為僮豎，隨承向武昌。 乂見雄姿貌長者，進退有禮，知非凡人，有畏憚之色，因害之。
Huan Xiong came from Changsha. He began in minor provincial posts. Prince Cheng, as Inspector of Xiang Province, named him chief clerk. When Wei Yi seized Cheng, staff fled—Huan Xiong, Han Jie, and Wu Yan disguised themselves as servants and followed Cheng toward Wuchang. Yi saw Xiong's bearing and manners—knew he was no servant—and slew him from fear.
55
韓階
Han Jie
56
韓階，長沙人也。 性廉謹篤慎，為閭里所敬愛。 刺史、譙王承辟為議曹祭酒，轉西曹書佐。 及承為魏乂所執，送武昌，階與武延等同心隨從，在承左右。 桓雄被害之後，二人執志愈固。 及承遇禍，階、延親營殯斂，送柩還都，朝夕哭奠，俱葬畢乃還。
Han Jie came from Changsha. Honest and careful, he won local affection. Prince Cheng appointed him debate-master then western bureau clerk. When Yi marched Cheng to Wuchang, Han Jie and Wu Yan stayed at his side. After Huan Xiong died, they clung tighter to Cheng. When Cheng fell, they laid him out, escorted the coffin home, mourned at dawn and dusk, and returned only after burial ended.
57
周崎
Zhou Qi
58
周崎，邵陵人也。 為湘州從事。 王敦之難，譙王承使崎求救於外，與周該俱為魏乂偵人所執，乂責崎辭情，臨以白刃。 崎曰：「州將使求援於外，本無定指，隨時制宜耳。」 又謂崎曰：「汝為我語城中，稱大將軍已破劉隗、戴若思，甘卓住襄陽，無復異議，三江州郡，萬里肅清，外援理絕。 如是者，我當活汝。」 崎偽許之。 既到城下，大呼曰：「王敦軍敗于于湖，甘安南已克武昌，即日分遣大眾來赴此急，努力堅守，賊今散矣！」 乂於是數而殺之。
Zhou Qi came from Shaoling. He served as Xiang Province attendant. During Wang Dun's revolt Prince Cheng sent Zhou Qi for aid—scouts seized Qi and Zhou Gai—Yi interrogated Qi at swordpoint. Qi said: "The governor sent me for help—no fixed plan—we adapt as needed." Yi added: "Tell the city Wang Dun crushed Liu Wei and Dai Ruosi; Gan Zhuo sits idle at Xiangyang—the south is pacified—no hope of relief. Say that and you live." Qi feigned agreement. At the walls he shouted: "Wang Dun lost at Yuhu Lake—Gan Zhuo took Wuchang—reinforcements march this way—hold fast—the rebels break!" Yi had him executed for deceit.
59
易雄
Yi Xiong
60
易雄，字興長，長沙瀏陽人也。 少為縣吏，自念卑賤，無由自達，乃脫幘掛縣門而去。 因習律令及施行故事，交結豪右，州里稍稱之。 仕郡，為主簿。 張昌之亂也，執太守萬嗣，將斬之，雄與賊爭論曲直。 賊怒，叱使牽雄斬之，雄趨出自若。 賊又呼問之，雄對如初。 如此者三，賊乃舍之。 嗣由是獲免，雄遂知名。 舉孝廉，為州主簿，遷別駕。 自以門寒，不宜久處上綱，謝職還家。 後為舂陵令。
Yi Xiong, courtesy name Xingchang, came from Liuyang in Changsha. He clerked in the county—resenting low birth—he hung his turban on the yamen gate and walked away. He mastered statutes and precedent, befriended local magnates, and earned a name. The commandery took him as chief clerk. When Zhang Chang seized Prefect Wan Si for execution, Yi Xiong argued justice with the rebels. Enraged, they ordered him led to the block—he walked calmly to die. They questioned him again—he gave the same answer. Three times he faced death unchanged—they released him. Wan Si lived—and Yi Xiong's name spread. Recommended Filial and Incorrupt, he rose from registrar to chief clerk. Thinking his family too lowly for high office, he resigned and went home. He later governed Chungling county.
61
刺史、譙王承既距王敦，將謀起兵以赴朝廷。 雄承符馳檄遠近，列敦罪惡，宣募縣境，數日之中，有眾千人，負糧荷戈而從之。 承既固守，而湘中殘荒之後，城池不完，兵資又闕。 敦遣魏乂、李恆攻之，雄勉厲所統，捍禦累旬，士卒死傷者相枕。 力屈城陷，為乂所虜，意氣慷慨，神無懼色。 送到武昌，敦遣人以檄示雄而數之。 雄曰：「此實有之，惜雄位微力弱不能救國之難。 王室如毀。 雄安用生為！ 今日即戮，得作忠鬼，乃所願也。」 敦憚其辭正，釋之。 眾人皆賀，雄笑曰：「昨夜夢乘車，掛肉其傍。 夫肉必有筋，筋者斤也，車傍有斤，吾其戮乎！」 尋而敦遣殺之。 當時見者，莫不傷惋。
Prince Cheng, who already defied Wang Dun, meant to march to help the throne. He rode out edicts denouncing Dun's crimes and raised a thousand men with grain and spears within days. Cheng held out, but Xiang was wasted—walls broken, arms and grain short. Dun sent Wei Yi and Li Heng; Xiong rallied the defense for weeks while casualties piled up. When strength failed and the city fell to Yi, Xiong stood bold and unafraid. At Wuchang Dun had him shown the indictment and rebuked. Xiong admitted it all: "I was too small to save the dynasty. The house of Jin is collapsing. Why prolong my life? Kill me now—I go gladly as a loyal ghost." Dun respected his stance and let him go. Well-wishers crowded round; Xiong smiled: "I dreamed I rode in a cart with meat hung beside it. Meat brings sinews ('jin'); beside 'cart' it hints at the axe—I'll face the blade!" Dun soon sent killers. All who heard mourned him.
62
樂道融
Le Daorong
63
樂道融，丹陽人也。 少有大志，好學不倦，與朋友信，每約己而務周給，有國士之風。 為王敦參軍。 敦將圖逆，謀害朝賢，以告甘卓。 卓以為不可，遲留不赴。 敦遣道融召之。 道融雖為敦佐，忿其逆節，因說卓曰：「主上躬統萬機，非專任劉隗。 今慮七國之禍，故割湘州以削諸侯，而王氏擅權日久，卒見分政，便謂被奪耳。 王敦背恩肆逆，舉兵伐主，國家待君至厚，今若同之，豈不負義！ 生為逆臣，死為愚鬼，永成宗黨之恥邪！ 君當偽許應命，而馳襲武昌，敦眾聞之，必不戰自散，大勳可就矣。」 卓大然之，乃與巴東監軍柳純等露檄陳敦過逆，率所統致討，又遣齎表詣台。 卓怍不果決，且年老多疑，遂待諸方同進，出軍稽遲。 至豬口，敦聞卓已下兵，卓兄子仰時為敦參軍，使仰求和于卓，令其旋軍。 卓信之，將旋，主簿鄧騫與道融勸卓曰：「將軍起義兵而中廢，為敗軍之將，竊為將軍不取。 今將軍之下，士卒各求其利，一旦而還，恐不可得也。」 卓不從。 道融晝夜涕泣諫卓，憂憤而死。
Le Daorong came from Danyang. Ambitious, tireless in study, faithful to friends, generous and disciplined—he had the bearing of a champion. He served Wang Dun as adjutant. When Dun plotted treason and meant to kill ministers, he told Gan Zhuo. Zhuo refused and stalled. Dun dispatched Daorong to fetch him. Daorong hated Dun's treason and told Zhuo: "The emperor rules in person—the court does not belong to Liu Wei alone. The court split Xiang Province like Han paring feudal power; the Wangs had held sway so long they mistook reform for theft. Dun leads revolt against the generous throne—will you join him and betray every bond? Live a rebel, die a fool—would you shame your kin forever? Feign agreement, then strike Wuchang—Dun's army will collapse without a fight." Zhuo agreed, joined Liu Chun of Ba East in denouncing Dun, marched his troops, and memorialized the court. Zhuo wavered, old and suspicious, waited for allies, and moved too slowly. At Zhukou Dun learned Zhuo moved; Zhuo's nephew Yang served Dun and brokered a false truce to turn Zhuo back. Zhuo believed him and turned back; Deng Qian and Daorong warned: "Stopping halfway makes you a beaten general. Your men fight for gain—retreat now and you may lose everything." Zhuo ignored them. Daorong wept and pleaded until grief killed him.
64
虞悝
Yu Kui
65
虞悝，長沙人也。 弟望，字子都。 並有士操，孝悌廉信，為鄉黨所稱，而俱好臧否，以人倫為己任。 少仕州郡，兄弟更為治中、別駕。 元帝為丞相，招延四方之士，多辟府掾，時人謂之「百六掾」。 望亦被召，恥而不應。
Yu Kui came from Changsha. His brother Yu Wang, courtesy name Zidu. Both men lived upright—filial and trustworthy—and judged character bluntly. They alternated as provincial personnel clerk and chief clerk. When Yuan Di ruled as chancellor he recruited aides—the cohort called the hundred-six. Yu Wang was summoned but refused out of pride.
66
譙王承臨州，知其名，檄悝為長史。 未到，遭母喪。 會王敦作逆，承往吊悝，因留與語曰：「吾前被詔，遣鎮此州，正以王敦專擅，防其為禍。 今敦果為逆謀，吾受任一方，欲率所領馳赴朝廷，而眾少糧乏，且始到貴州，恩信未著。 卿兄弟南夏之翹俊，而智勇遠聞，古人墨絰即戎，況今鯨鯢塞路，王室危急，安得遂罔極之情，忘忠義之節乎！ 如今起事，將士器械可以濟不？」 悝、望對曰：「王敦居分陝之任，一旦構逆，圖危社稷，此天地所不容，人神所忿疾。 大王不以猥劣，枉駕訪及，悝兄弟並受國恩，敢不自奮！ 今天朝中興，人思晉德，大王以宗子之親，奉信順而誅有罪，孰不荷戈致命！ 但鄙州荒弊，糧器空竭，舟艦寡少，難以進討。 宜且收眾固守，傳檄四方，其勢必分，然後圖之，事可捷也。」 承以為然，乃命悝為長史，望為司馬，督護諸軍。
Prince Cheng knew their fame and summoned Yu Kui as senior clerk. Before he took office his mother died. During Dun's revolt Cheng visited Kui's mourning hall and said he came to Xiang to hedge against Dun. Dun has rebelled—Cheng wished to march east but lacked troops, grain, and local trust. You two are Xiang's finest—will you cling to mourning while the throne burns? If we act now—can we equip an army? They answered: "Dun betrayed his charge—Heaven rejects him. You honor us—we owe Jin everything—we will fight. The realm aches for Jin—you lead kin with right—every soldier will follow. But Xiang lies ruined—ships and grain are scarce. Gather forces, defend, broadcast denunciations—split Dun—then strike. Cheng agreed—named Yu Kui senior clerk and Yu Wang marshal.
67
湘東太守鄭澹，敦之姊夫也，不順承旨，遣望討之。 望率眾一旅，直入郡斬澹，以徇四境。 及魏乂來攻，望每先登，力戰而死。 城破，悝復為乂所執，將害之，子弟對之號泣，悝謂曰：「人生有死，闔門為忠義鬼，亦何恨哉！」 及王敦平，贈悝襄陽太守，望滎陽太守，遣謁者至墓，祭以少牢。
Prefect Zheng Dan of Xiangdong—Dun's brother-in-law—defied Cheng; Cheng sent Yu Wang against him. Wang took one column, stormed the prefecture, executed Dan, and posted the deed. When Wei Yi attacked, Wang scaled walls first and fell fighting. When the city fell Yi seized Yu Kui; as kin wept he said death together as loyal ghosts brings no shame. After Dun fell they honored Yu Kui and Yu Wang posthumously and sacrificed at their graves.
68
沈勁
Shen Jin
69
沈勁，字世堅，吳興武康人也。 父充，與王敦構逆，眾敗而逃，為部曲將吳儒所殺。 勁當坐誅，鄉人錢舉匿之得免。 其後竟殺仇人。 勁少有節操，哀父死于非義，志欲立勳以雪先恥。 年三十餘，以刑家不得仕進。 郡將王胡之深異之，及遷平北將軍、司馬刺史，將鎮洛陽，上疏曰：「臣當籓衛山陵，式遏戎狄，雖義督群心，人思自百，然方翦荊棘，奉宣國恩，艱難急病，非才不濟。 吳興男子沈勁，清操著於鄉邦，貞固足以幹事。 且臣今西，文武義故，吳興人最多，若令勁參臣府事者，見人既悅，義附亦眾。 勁父充昔雖得罪先朝，然其門戶累蒙曠蕩，不審可得特垂沛然，許臣所上否？」 詔聽之。 勁既應命，胡之以疾病解職。
Shen Jin, courtesy name Shijian, came from Wukang. His father Shen Chong joined Wang Dun's rebellion, fled defeat, and died at Wu Ru's hands. He should have died for kin guilt—neighbor Qian Ju hid him. He later avenged his father. He burned to redeem his father's shame with deeds. His criminal lineage barred office past thirty. Wang Huzhi admired him; marching to Luoyang he memorialized for aid guarding the tombs. He praised Shen Jin's purity and competence. Many Wuxing men followed him—appoint Jin and they rally. He asked clemency for Shen Chong's son. The throne agreed. Shen Jin joined him—then Huzhi quit from illness.
70
升平中，慕容恪侵逼山陵。 時冠軍將軍陳祐守洛陽，眾不過二千，勁自表求配祐效力，因以勁補冠軍長史，令自募壯士，得千餘人，以助祐擊賊，頻以寡制眾。 而糧盡援絕，祐懼不能保全。 會賊寇許昌，祐因以救許昌為名，興寧三年，留勁以五百人守城，祐率眾而東。 會許昌已沒，祐因奔崖塢。 勁志欲致命，欣獲死所。 尋為恪所攻，城陷，被執，神氣自若。 恪奇而將宥之，其中軍將軍慕容虔曰：「勁雖奇士，觀其志度，終不為人用。 今若赦之，必為後患。」 遂遇害。 恪還，從容言于慕容晞曰：「前平廣固，不能濟辟閭，今定洛陽而殺沈勁，實有愧于四海。」 朝廷聞而嘉之，贈東陽太守。 子赤黔為大長秋。 赤黔子叔任，義熙中為益州刺史。
In Shengping Murong Ke threatened the Luoyang tombs. Luoyang held two thousand men under Chen You; Shen Jin volunteered, recruited a thousand, and repeatedly beat larger forces. Food ran out and relief died—You despaired of holding the city. When raiders threatened Xuchang, You used rescue as excuse—left Jin five hundred men in Xingning 3—and marched east. Xuchang fell—You fled to the Ya redoubt. Shen Jin welcomed a place to die. Murong Ke took the city and captured him—calm to the end. Ke meant to spare him; Murong Qian warned he would never serve Yan. Forgive him and he becomes your foe. They executed him. Ke later admitted shame at killing Shen Jin after taking Luoyang. The Jin court honored him posthumously as Dongyang prefect. His son Shen Chi Qian rose to Grand Chamberlain. Chi Qian's grandson Shuren governed Yi Province under Yixi.
71
吉挹
Ji Yi
72
吉挹，字祖沖，馮翊蓮芍人也。 祖朗，湣帝時為御史中丞。 西朝不守，朗歎曰：「吾智不能謀，勇不能死，何忍君臣相隨北面事賊虜乎！」 乃自殺。 挹少有志節。 孝武帝初，苻堅陷梁益，桓豁表挹為魏興太守，尋加輕車將軍，領晉昌太守。 以距堅之功，拜員外散騎侍郎。 苻堅將韋鐘攻魏興，挹遣眾距之，斬七百餘級，加督五郡軍事。 鐘率眾欲趣襄陽，挹又邀擊，斬五千餘級。 鐘怒，回軍圍之，挹又屢挫其銳。 其後賊眾繼至，挹力不能抗，城將陷，引刃欲自殺，其友止之曰：「且苟存以展他計，為計不立，死未晚也。」 挹不從，友人逼奪其刀。 會賊執之，挹閉口不言，不食而死。
Ji Yi, courtesy name Zuchong, came from Lianshao. His grandfather Ji Lang served as censorate assistant under Emperor Min. When Chang'an fell Ji Lang said he could neither save nor die with honor—refused to bow north. He killed himself. Ji Yi showed principle young. After Fu Jian took Liangzhou and Yizhou, Huan Huo named him Weixing prefect and later Jinchang. He earned Cavalier Attendant for resisting Fu Jian. Wei Zhong struck Weixing—Ji Yi killed seven hundred and oversaw five commanderies. Zhong turned toward Xiangyang—Yi ambushed and slew five thousand. Zhong besieged the city—Yi broke his assaults again and again. When foes massed and the wall cracked, he drew steel to die—friends begged him to wait for another stratagem. Ji Yi refused—his friend wrestled the knife from him. The rebels took him; he sealed his lips and starved himself to death.
73
車騎將軍桓沖上言曰：「故輕車將軍、魏興太守吉挹祖朗，西台傾覆，隕身守節。 挹世篤忠孝，乃心本朝。 臣亡兄溫昔伐咸陽，軍次灞水，挹攜將二弟，單馬來奔，錄其此誠，仍加擢授，自新野太守轉在魏興。 久處兵任，委以邊戍，疆場歸懷，著稱所蒞。 前年狡氏縱逸，浮河而下，挹孤城獨立，眾無一旅，外摧凶銳，內固津要，虜賊舟船，俘馘千計，而賊並力功圍，經歷時月，會襄陽失守，邊情沮喪，加眾寡勢殊，以至陷設。 挹辭氣慷慨，志在不辱，杖刃推戈，期之以隕，將吏持守，用不即斃，遂乃杜口無言，絕粒而死。 挹參軍史穎，近於賊中得還，齎挹臨終手疏，並具說意狀。 挹之忠志，猶在可錄。 若蒙天地垂曲宥之恩，則榮加枯朽，惠隆泉壤矣。」 帝嘉之，追贈益州刺史。
Huan Chong memorialized: "Ji Yi of Weixing died loyal when the western throne fell. Generations of his house lived loyalty and filial piety; his heart stayed with Jin. When Huan Wen marched on Xianyang, Ji Yi rode in with two brothers to serve Jin—so Wen moved him from Xinye to Weixing. He held border commands so long the frontier rallied and spoke well of his tenure. Tribes swept downriver while Yi held one town without reserves—harried boats and counted hundreds of kills—yet sieges dragged on until Xiangyang fell and he was lost. He defied capture with weapon in hand; men wrestled him back from suicide—so he shut his mouth and starved. Adjutant Shi Ying escaped with Ji Yi's deathbed note and the whole story. His loyalty still deserves the record. Grant tolerance and honor reaches even his bones below." The throne approved and named him Inspector of Yi posthumously.
74
王諒
Wang Liang
75
王諒，字幼成，丹陽人也。 少有幹略，為王敦所擢，參其府事，稍遷武昌太守。 初，新昌太守梁碩專威交土，迎立陶咸為刺史。 咸卒，王敦以王機為刺史，碩發兵距機，自領交趾太守，乃迎前刺史修則子湛行州事。 永興三年，敦以諒為交州刺史。 諒將之任，敦謂曰：「修湛、梁碩皆國賊也，卿至，便收斬之。」 諒既到境，湛退還九真。 廣州刺史陶侃遣人誘湛來詣諒所，諒敕從人不得入閣，既前，執之。 碩時在坐，曰：「湛故州將之子，有罪可遣，不足殺也。」 諒曰：「是君義故，無豫我事。」 即斬之。 碩怒而出。 諒陰謀誅碩，使客刺之，弗克，遂率眾圍諒于龍編。 陶侃遣軍救之，未至而諒敗。 碩逼諒奪其節，諒固執不與，遂斷諒右臂。 諒正色曰：「死且不畏，臂斷何有！」 十餘日，憤恚而卒。 碩據交州，凶暴酷虐，一境患之，竟為侃軍所滅，傳首京都。
Wang Liang, style Youcheng, came from Danyang. Dun spotted his talent—used him in staff work—and raised him to Wuchang prefect. Liang Shuo of Xinchang ruled Jiao like a tyrant and installed Tao Xian. After Tao Xian died, Dun sent Wang Ji; Shuo fought Ji, seized Jiaozhi, and put Xiu Zhan in charge. Yongxing 3: Dun made Wang Liang inspector of Jiao. Dun ordered him to arrest and kill Zhan and Shuo on arrival. Liang crossed the frontier; Zhan fell back to Jiuzhen. Kan baited Zhan to Liang—who barred escorts and seized Zhan inside. Shuo pleaded: "He is an old colleague's son—exile him if you must." Liang replied: "Your friendship—not my brief." He beheaded Zhan on the spot. Shuo stormed out. Liang's assassins missed Shuo, who then besieged him at Longbian. Kan's relief column arrived too late. Shuo demanded the credentials; Liang would not give—Shuo hacked off his right arm. "Death does not frighten me—why fear losing an arm!" He died of wrath within a fortnight. Shuo tyrannized Jiao until Kan wiped him out and sent his head north.
76
宋矩
Song Ju
77
宋矩，字處規，敦煌人也。 慷慨有志節。 張重華據涼州地，以矩為宛戍都尉。 石季龍遣將麻秋攻大夏，護軍梁式執太守宋晏，以城應秋。 秋遣晏以書致矩。 矩既至，謂秋曰：「辭父事君，當立功與義； 苟功義不立，當守名節。 矩終不背主覆宗，偷生於世。」 先殺妻子，自刎而死。 秋曰：「義士也！」 命葬之。 重華嘉其誠節，贈振威將軍。
Song Ju, style Chugui, came from Dunhuang. Spirited and principled. Chonghua made him captain of the Yuan outpost. Ma Qiu struck Daxia; Liang Shi handed prefect Song Yan and the walls to him. Qiu used Yan's letter to lure Song Ju. Ju told Ma Qiu: "Serving the throne means earning merit through duty. If you cannot—then guard your honor. I will not betray my lord and disgrace my kin to cling to life." He slew his family then opened his own throat. "A true man!" cried Qiu. Qiu had him buried honorably. Chonghua honored him as General Who Shakes Might.
78
車濟
Che Ji
79
車濟，字萬度，敦煌人也。 果毅有大量。 張重華以為金城令，為石季龍將麻秋所陷，濟不為秋屈。 秋必欲降之，乃臨之以兵。 濟辭色不撓，曰：「吾雖才非龐德，而受任同之。 身可殺，志不可移。」 乃伏劍而死。 秋歎其忠節，以禮葬之。 後重華迎致其喪，親臨慟哭，贈宜禾都尉。
Che Ji, style Wandu, came from Dunhuang. Bold and magnanimous. Ma Qiu seized Jincheng; Che Ji refused to submit. Qiu ringed him with blades to force surrender. Ji said: "I am no Pang De—but I accepted the same duty. Kill this body—you cannot move my will." He fell on his sword. Qiu admired him and gave him a proper grave. Chonghua fetched his body home, wept over it, and named him Yihe commandant.
80
丁穆
Ding Mu
81
丁穆，字彥遠，譙國人也。 積功勞，封真定侯，累遷為順陽太守。 ，除振武將軍、梁州刺史。 受詔未發，會苻堅遣眾寇順陽，穆戰敗，被執至長安，稱疾不仕偽朝。 堅又傾國南寇，穆與關中人士唱義，謀襲長安，事泄，遇害，臨死作表以付其妻周。 其後周得至京師，詣闕上之。 孝武帝下詔曰：「故順陽太守、真定侯丁穆力屈身陷，而誠節彌固，直亮壯勁，義貫古烈。 其喪柩始反，言尋傷悼。 可贈龍驤將軍、雍州刺史，賻賜一依周虓故事。 為立屋宅，並給其妻衣食，以終厥身。」
Ding Mu, style Yanyuan, came from Qiao. Merit made him Marquis of Zhending and eventually Shunyang prefect. Next he received General Who Shakes Might and Liangzhou. Before he took up his post, Fu Jian smashed Shunyang; Mu fell captive to Chang'an and feigned sickness to shun Former Qin. When Fu Jian invaded south, Mu plotted a Chang'an coup with Guanzhong men—it failed; he drafted a last memorial for Lady Zhou. Lady Zhou brought it to the palace gates. The edict praised Ding Mu's iron loyalty though captured. His bier has only now come home—our grief is fresh. Post him Dragon Cavalry general and Yong inspector—gifts like Zhou Xiao's. Build his widow a house and support her for life."
82
辛恭靖
Xin Gongjing
83
辛恭靖，隴西狄道人也。 少有器幹，才量過人。 隆安中，為河南太守。 會姚興來寇，恭靖固守百餘日，以無救而陷，被執至長安。 興謂之曰：「朕將任卿以東南之事，可乎？」 恭靖厲色曰：「我寧為國家鬼，不為羌賊臣。」 興怒，幽之別室。 經三年，至元興中，誑守者，乃逾垣而遁，歸於江東，安帝嘉之。 桓玄請為諮議參軍，置之朝首。 尋而病卒。
Xin Gongjing came from Didao in Longxi. Gifted and capable beyond peers. Long'an era: Henan prefect. Yao Xing besieged him over one hundred days; without aid the city fell and Xin went to Chang'an. "Will you run the southeast for me?" asked Yao Xing." I would rather haunt Jin than serve your Qiang throne." Yao Xing jailed him apart. Three years later he tricked his guards, scaled the wall, and fled east; Emperor An honored him. Huan Xuan made him senior adviser at court. He died ill soon after.
84
羅企生
Luo Qisheng
85
羅企生，字宗伯，豫章人也。 多才藝。 初拜佐著作郎，以家貧親老，求補臨汝令，刺史王凝之請為別駕。 殷仲堪之鎮江陵，引為功曹。 累遷武陵太守。 未之郡而桓玄攻仲堪，仲堪更以企生為諮議參軍。 仲堪多疑少決，企生深憂之，謂弟遵生曰：「殷侯仁而無斷，事必無成。 成敗，天也，吾當死生以之。」 仲堪果走，文武無送者，唯企生從焉。 路經家門，遵生曰：「作如此分離，何可不執手！」 企生回馬授手，遵生有勇力，便牽下之，謂曰：「家有老母，將欲何之？」 企生揮淚曰：「今日之事，我必死之。 汝等奉養不失子道，一門之中有忠與孝，亦復何恨！」 遵生抱之愈急。 仲堪于路待之，企生遙呼曰：「生死是同，願少見待。」 仲堪見企生無脫理，策馬而去。
Luo Qisheng, style Zongbo, came from Yuzhang. Versatile and accomplished. He began as editorial assistant—then took Linru magistrate to support aged parents—Wang Ningzhi wanted him as chief clerk. Yin Zhongkan made him merit secretary at Jiangling. He rose to Wuling prefect. Before he reached his post Xuan struck Zhongkan, who kept him as adviser. He warned his brother: "Yin is kind but indecisive—this will collapse. Win or lose—Heaven decides—I stay with him to the end." When Yin fled, officials deserted—only Luo Qisheng rode with him. At their gate Zunsheng cried: "We must clasp hands before we part!" Qisheng turned back; his strong brother dragged him down—"Mother needs us—where are you going?" Through tears: "Today I die—that is settled. You stay filial at home—I die loyal abroad—both duties shine—why sorrow?" Zunsheng gripped him harder. Yin waited down the road; Qisheng shouted: "We share one fate—give me a breath. Seeing no escape for Qisheng, Yin galloped away.
86
玄至荊州，人士無不詣者，企生獨不往，而營理仲堪家。 或謂之曰：「玄猜忍之性，未能取卿誠節，若遂不詣，禍必至矣。」 企生正色曰：「我是殷侯吏，見遇以國士，為弟以力見制，遂不我從，不能共殄醜逆，致此奔敗，亦何面目復就桓求生乎！」 玄聞之大怒，然素待企生厚，先遣人謂曰：「若謝我，當釋汝。」 企生曰：「為殷荊州吏，荊州奔亡，存亡未判，何顏復謝！」 玄即收企生，遣人問欲何言，答曰：「文帝殺嵇康，嵇紹為晉忠臣，從公乞一弟，以養老母。」 玄許之。 又引企生於前，謂曰：「吾相遇甚厚，何以見負？ 今者死矣！」 企生對曰：「使君既興晉陽之甲，軍次尋陽，並奉王命，各還所鎮，升壇盟誓，口血未乾，而生奸計。 自傷力劣，不能翦滅凶逆，恨死晚也。」 玄遂害之，時年三十七，眾咸悼焉。 先是，玄以羔裘遺企生母胡氏，及企生遇害，即日焚裘。
At Jingzhou everyone visited Xuan except Qisheng, who stayed to settle Yin's family. Friends warned: "Xuan is cruel—skip his summons and you die. He answered: "Yin honored me as a peer—my brother pinned me down—so we lost—what honor is left if I crawl to Huan Xuan?" Xuan raged yet owed him favor—messengers offered: "Bow to me and live." Yin's fate is unknown—how dare I apologize to you!" Xuan arrested him; his last plea echoed Xi Shao—spare my brother for Mother's sake. Xuan agreed. Xuan hauled him up and asked why he had broken faith after such kindness. Now you die! He answered: "You marched under imperial banners at Xunyang, swore oaths at the altar—blood barely dry—and now plot treason. I lack strength to destroy you—I only regret dying too late." Xuan executed him at thirty-seven; everyone grieved. Xuan had once given Lady Hu a lambskin—she burned it the day her son died.
87
張禕
Zhang Yi
88
張禕，吳郡人也。 少有操行。 恭帝為琅邪王，以禕為郎中令。 及帝踐阼，劉裕以禕帝之故吏，素所親信，封藥酒一罌付禕密令鴆帝。 禕既受命而歎曰：「鴆君而求生，何面目視息世間哉，不如死也！」 因自飲之而死。
Zhang Yi came from Wu commandery. Even young he lived upright. As Prince of Langye, Emperor Gong named him palace captain. After Gong took the throne, Liu Yu—trusting Yi as an old aide—handed him sealed wine to poison the retired emperor. Yi cried: "Murder my lord and live—what face would I show—better die! He swallowed the draught and died.
89
【史論】
Historical Commentary
90
史臣曰：中散以膚受見誅，王儀以抗言獲戾，時皆可謂死非其罪也。 偉元恥臣晉室，延祖甘赴危亡，所由之理雖同，所趣之途即異，而並見稱當世，垂芳竹帛，豈不以君父居在三之極，忠孝為百行之先者乎！ 且裒獨善其身，故得全其孝，而紹兼濟於物，理宜竭其忠，可謂蘭桂異質而齊芳，《韶》《武》殊音而並美。 或有論紹者以死難獲譏，揚榷言之，未為篤論。 夫君，天也，天可仇乎！ 安既享其榮，危乃違其禍，進退無據，何以立人！ 嵇生之隕身全節，用此道也。
Xi Kang fell to rumor; Wang Yi died for candor—both deaths seemed unjust. Wang Pou refused shameful office under Jin while Xi Shao marched to his death—different roads, equal fame—because ruler and parent crown the three bonds and loyalty and filial duty come first. Wang Pou withdrew to perfect filial piety; Xi Shao gave himself for the realm—orchid and laurel, different wood but shared perfume—like Shao music and Wu dance, distinct yet equally fine. Critics sneer at Xi Shao's battlefield death—that shallow verdict misses the point. The sovereign is Heaven—do you rail against Heaven? Feasting in calm yet fleeing danger—what footing is that for a man? Xi Kang died to keep his integrity whole—that was his path.
91
贊曰：重義輕生，亡軀殉節。 勁松方操，嚴霜比烈。 白刃可陵，貞心難折。 道光振古，芳流來哲。
The hymn praises those who prized duty over breath and died for principle. Like pine in frost—unyielding in bitter cold. Steel may threaten—it cannot snap a faithful heart. Their light shakes the ages; their fame reaches later worthies.