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詳觀往誥，逖聽前聞，階緣外戚以致顯榮者，其所由來尚矣。 而多至禍敗，鮮克令終者，何哉？ 豈不由祿以恩升，位非德舉； 識慚明悊。 材謝經通； 假椒房之寵靈，總軍國之樞要。 或威權震主，或勢力傾朝； 居安而不慮危，務進而不知退； 驕奢既至，釁隙隨之者乎！ 是以呂霍之家，誅夷于西漢，梁鄧之族，剿絕於東都，其餘干紀亂常、害時蠹政者，不可勝載。 至若樊靡卿之父子，竇廣國之弟兄，陰興之守約戒奢，史丹之掩惡揚善，斯並后族之所美者也。 由此觀之，干時縱溢者必以凶終，守道謙沖者永保貞吉，古人所謂禍福無門，惟人所召，此非其效歟！ 逮于晉難，始自宮掖。 楊駿藉武帝之寵私，叨竊非據，賈謐乘惠皇之蒙昧，成此厲階，遂使悼后遇雲林之災，湣懷濫湖城之酷。 天人道盡，喪亂弘多，宗廟以之顛覆，黎庶於焉殄瘁。 《詩》云：「赫赫宗周，褒姒滅之。」 其此之謂也。 爰及江左，未改覆車。 庾亮世族羽儀，王恭高門領袖，既而職兼出納，任切股肱。 孝伯竟以亡身，元規幾于敗國，豈不哀哉！ 若褚季野之畏避朝權，王叔仁之固求出鎮，用能全身遠害，有可稱焉。 賈充、楊駿、庾亮、王獻之、王恭等已入列傳，其餘既敘其成敗，以為《外戚篇》云。
A close reading of past injunctions and the lessons of earlier ages shows that riding kinship with the imperial consorts to wealth and rank is an old story. Yet so many of them end in ruin, and precious few die in peace. Why is that? Surely it is because their salaries come from imperial favor rather than merit, and their posts are not won by moral weight. Their judgment cannot bear comparison with true sagacity. Their abilities fall short of real command of the canon. They lean on the consort’s favor to seize the levers of military and civil power. Some overshadow the throne; others bend the entire bureaucracy to their will. They bask in ease and ignore danger; they press always forward and never learn when to step back. Arrogance and excess invite their own undoing—is that not how the cracks appear? Hence the Lü and Huo lines were slaughtered in Western Han, and the Liang and Deng families extirpated at Luoyang; the roll of affines who broke the law, subverted custom, and poisoned the state would fill volumes. Then there are the shining exceptions: Fan Miqing and his father, Dou Guangguo and his brothers, Yin Xing with his frugality and discipline, Shi Dan who muted scandal and lifted virtue—all models among imperial in-laws. From this it is plain: those who ride the moment to excess come to a bad end, while the modest who hold to the Way keep their good name. The old saying that we make our own fortune or ruin—here is the evidence. The Jin dynasty’s catastrophe began in the inner palace. Yang Jun parlayed Emperor Wu’s favor into a post he never deserved; Jia Mi exploited Emperor Hui’s weakness and laid the steps to ruin—so Empress Dao met disaster at Yunlin, and Min Huai suffered cruel abuse at Hucheng. Heaven and earth seemed to abandon the house of Jin; chaos spread without end, the altars fell, and the people were ground down. The Book of Songs says: ‘Grand stood the house of Zhou—and Baosi brought it down.’ That is exactly what happened here. South of the river they repeated the same fatal mistake. Yu Liang stood at the head of the great families; Wang Gong led the high-born elite; both held posts that controlled access to the throne and served as the emperor’s right arm. Wang Gong died for it; Yu Liang nearly destroyed the realm—is that not a tragedy? Chu Pou shrank from wielding power at court, and Wang Shu begged to be sent to the frontier; both kept their skins and their honor, and deserve mention. Jia Chong, Yang Jun, Yu Liang, Wang Xianzhi, and Wang Gong already have their own chapters; what follows records the rest, gathered here under ‘Imperial Affines.’
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羊琇，字稚舒，景獻皇后之從父弟也。 父耽，官至太常。 兄瑾，尚書右僕射。 琇少舉郡計，參鎮西鐘會軍事，從平蜀。 及會謀反，琇正言苦諫，還，賜爵關內侯。 琇涉學有智算，少與武帝通門，甚相親狎，每接筵同席，嘗謂帝曰：「若富貴見用，任領護各十年。」 帝戲而許之。 初，帝未立為太子，而聲論不及弟攸，文帝素意重攸，恆有代宗之議。 琇密為武帝畫策，甚有匡救。 又觀察文帝為政損益，揆度應所顧問之事，皆令武帝默而識之。 其後文帝與武帝論當世之務及人間可否，武帝答無不允，由是儲位遂定。 及帝為撫軍，命琇參軍事。 帝即王位後，擢琇為左衛將軍，封甘露亭侯。 帝踐阼，累遷中護軍，加散騎常侍。 琇在職十三年，典禁兵，豫機密，寵遇甚厚。
Yang Xiu, courtesy name Zhishu, was a cousin of Empress Jingxian on her father’s side. His father, Yang Dan, reached the post of Grand Master of Ceremonies. His older brother Yang Jin served as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. As a young man he was sent up on the commandery quota, served on the staff of Zhong Hui, General Who Garrisons the West, and took part in the conquest of Shu. When Zhong Hui rebelled, Yang Xiu spoke bluntly against it; afterward he was rewarded with the rank of Marquis Within the Passes. Yang Xiu was learned and shrewd; he had known Emperor Wu since youth and they were close. At shared meals he once said, ‘If I rise with you, give me ten years as chief of each guard command.’ The emperor laughed and agreed. Before Sima Yan was named heir, opinion favored his younger brother Sima You; Emperor Wen had always preferred You, and courtiers often spoke of making You the successor. Yang Xiu worked behind the scenes for Sima Yan and did much to steady his position. He also studied how Emperor Wen ran the government and guessed what questions might come up, then had Sima Yan commit the answers to memory. When Emperor Wen later quizzed Sima Yan on policy and practical judgment, every reply was apt, and the succession was settled. When Sima Yan became General Who Pacifies the Army, he put Yang Xiu on his military staff. After the emperor assumed the kingship, he raised Yang Xiu to General of the Left Guard and made him Marquis of Sweet-Dew Hamlet. After Sima Yan became emperor, Yang Xiu rose step by step to Central Protector of the Army with the additional title of Regular Cavalier Attendant. For thirteen years he commanded the palace guard, shared state secrets, and enjoyed extraordinary favor.
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琇性豪侈，費用無復齊限，而屑炭和作獸形以溫酒，洛下豪貴咸競效之。 又喜游燕，以夜續晝，中外五親無男女之別，時人譏之。 然黨慕勝己，其所推舉，便盡心無二。 窮窘之徒，特能振恤。 選用多以得意者居先，不盡銓次之理。 將士有冒官位者，為其致節，不惜軀命。 然放恣犯法，每為有司所貸。 其後司隸校尉劉毅劾之，應至重刑，武帝以舊恩，直免官而已。 尋以侯白衣領護軍。 頃之，復職。 及齊王攸出鎮也，琇以切諫忤旨，左遷太僕。 既失寵憤怨，遂發病，以疾篤求退。 拜特進，加散騎常侍，還第，卒。 帝手詔曰：「琇與朕有先後之親，少小之恩，歷位外內，忠允茂著。 不幸早薨，朕甚悼之。 其追贈輔國大將軍、開府儀同三司，賜東園秘器，朝服一襲，錢三十萬，布百匹。」 諡曰威。
Yang Xiu lived lavishly beyond measure; he shaped charcoal dust into animals to heat his wine, and the Luoyang elite rushed to copy him. He loved all-night parties that ran from dusk to dawn, with kinsmen of every degree mingling without regard to sex; contemporaries mocked him for it. Yet he championed men he deemed his betters and, once he backed someone, backed him wholeheartedly. He was unusually generous to friends fallen on hard times. In appointments he favored his own picks over proper seniority. If soldiers had finagled rank on his recommendation, he would stake his life to protect them. He broke the law with impunity; officials usually looked the other way. When Metropolitan Commandant Liu Yi impeached him, the case called for severe penalties, but Emperor Wu settled for stripping him of his post out of old friendship. Before long he was allowed to retain his marquisate while serving as Protector of the Army in civilian dress. He was soon reinstated. When Sima You was sent to a provincial command, Yang Xiu’s blunt opposition angered the throne and he was demoted to Grand Coachman. Spurned and bitter, he fell sick and asked to retire on grounds of ill health. He was given the honorific Exalted Marcher and Regular Cavalier Attendant, went home, and died. The emperor wrote by his own hand: ‘Yang Xiu is kin by marriage and has known Us since boyhood; he has served inside and outside the court with conspicuous loyalty.’ His early death grieves Us deeply.’ Posthumously award him General Who Aids the State with full ministerial establishment, a state funeral coffin set, one court robe, three hundred thousand cash, and a hundred bolts of cloth.' He was given the posthumous name Wei, ‘the Formidable.’
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Wang Xun, courtesy name Liangfu, was a younger brother of Empress Wenming. His father Wang Su held the Wei title of Marquis of Lanling. Wang Xun was learned and upright at court, rose to Intendant of Henan, founded two academies, and promoted study of the Five Classics. Yuan Yi, magistrate of Ge, once offered him fine horses; Wang Xun refused them. When Yuan Yi fell, everyone who had taken his gifts was cashiered. Wei had allotted tenant farmers and draft oxen to officials down the ladder; commoners dodged labor service by attaching themselves to great houses, and a single magnate might shelter hundreds of such clients. In Taiyuan, magnates also took Xiongnu herders as tenant farmers—some in the thousands. Emperor Wu forbade the practice; Wang Xun enforced the rule so strictly in his jurisdiction that no one dared break it. He died in 278 and was posthumously named General of Chariots and Cavalry. His brothers were Wang Qian and Wang Kai.
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Wang Qian’s courtesy name was Gongzu. Known for ability and achievement, he rose to Commandant of the Guards, was made Marquis of Anshou Hamlet, and became East-Pacifying General with credentials and command over Qingzhou forces. He was recalled as Supervisor of the Household, then Director in the Department of State Affairs, and died in office. His heir Wang Shiwen served as General of the Right Guard and General of the Southern Gentlemen of the Household, held Xuchang, and was killed by Liu Cong.
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Wang Kai’s courtesy name was Junfu. Capable from youth, he rose to high office; though his private morals were loose, he was thought diligent in public duty. For his part in bringing down Yang Jun he was made Duke of Shandu with eighteen hundred households. He advanced to Dragon-Prancing General and Valiant Cavalry commander with the additional title of Regular Cavalier Attendant, then lost his posts after an incident. He was brought back as Colonel of the Sound-of-the-Bowstring Archers and later became Rear General. As both a great-clan magnate and imperial in-law, Wang Kai lived in ostentatious luxury, plastering his walls with costly red bole. When he and Shi Chong were implicated in a plot to poison each other, Metropolitan Commandant Fu Zhi impeached them; the courts recommended harsh sentences, but an imperial edict let them off. Thereafter everyone feared him, and he indulged every whim without scruple. At his death he received the harsh posthumous name Chou, ‘the Repulsive.’
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Yang Wenzong was the father of Empress Wuyuan. His family had served Han, with four generations holding one of the Three Dukes’ posts. He served Wei as Master of Communications and inherited the marquisate of Mao Hamlet. He died young; as the empress’s father he was posthumously named General of Chariots and Cavalry with the posthumous title Mu, ‘the Solemn.’
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Yang Xuanzhi, father of Empress Hui, was the son of Yang Jin, Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. He began as a junior secretary in the Department of State Affairs; as the empress’s father he rose to Grand Master of Splendid Carriage, Exalted Marcher, and Regular Cavalier Attendant, and was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Rising Jin. He became Right Vice Director, was given the additional post of Palace Attendant, and was raised to ducal rank. When Sima Ying marched against Sima Yi under the pretext of punishing Yang Xuanzhi, Xuanzhi died of fear and anxiety. He was posthumously honored as General of Chariots and Cavalry with full Three Dukes’ establishment.
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Yu Yu was the father of Empress Yuanjing. Praised from youth, he turned down every official summons from local authorities. He accepted appointment as tutor in letters to the Prince of Nanyang. He died young. When Emperor Ming took the throne, Yu Yu was posthumously named Regular Cavalier Attendant, Grand General Who Gallops as if Flying, with ministerial establishment, and Marquis of Pingshan. His son Yu Yin inherited the title.
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Yu Yin was a younger brother of Empress Yuanjing. He was first named Regular Cavalier Attendant, then Commandant of Footsoldiers. Late in Taining the court posthumously conferred his father Yu Yu’s honors so Yin could inherit the marquisate, then named him General of the Right Guard. He and Prince Sima Zong of Nandun were both favorites of Emperor Ming and together commanded the palace guard. When the emperor fell ill, Zong’s conspiracy was uncovered and Yin was implicated; the emperor held his peace, moved Yin to Director of the Imperial Clan, and added Regular Cavalier Attendant. In 327 Zong was executed and Yin was demoted to Administrator of Guiyang at the salary grade of two thousand shi. He was later shifted to the administrations of Langye and Luling. He died in 335 and was posthumously named General of the Guard with the added title of Regular Cavalier Attendant. His son Yu Hong inherited the marquisate.
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Yu Chen, courtesy name Zimei, was the father of Empress Mingmu. His brother Yu Gun has a biography in the chapter on filial sons and devoted brothers. Early in the Yongjia era he served as General Who Establishes Might, crossed south of the Yangzi, became Administrator of Kuaiji, and was then recalled as Army Adviser and Libationer on the chancellor’s staff. He died in office. The court would have honored him posthumously as General of the Left and his wife Lady Guanqiu as a village matron, but Yu Liang cited his father’s wishes and declined the honors. During Xianhe, Emperor Cheng again ordered posthumous honors for Yu Chen as Grand General Who Gallops as if Flying with Three Dukes’ ceremony; Yu Liang refused once more. Yu Liang has his own biography elsewhere.
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Du Yi, courtesy name Hongli, father of Empress Chenggong, was a grandson of Du Yu, South-Pacifying General, and son of Du Xi, Left Assistant Director in the Department of State Affairs. Gentle in temper and strikingly handsome, he was famous throughout the south. Wang Xizhi said of him, ‘His skin is like curdled cream, his eyes like drops of ink—he might be an immortal walking among us.’ Huan Yi added, ‘Wei Jie shines in spirit; Du Yi shines in the flesh.’ He inherited the marquisate of Dangyang, was summoned as a clerk in a ducal office, and became Assistant to the Administrator of Danyang. He died young and sonless soon after his daughter was born. Lady Pei raised the girl alone, kept strict propriety as a widow, and was widely praised. Early in Xiankang he was posthumously named Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon with the posthumous title Mu. Lady Pei was made Village Mistress of Gao’an with a fief of five hundred households. Under Emperor Xiaowu her title was raised to County Mistress of Guangde. Lady Pei lived to a ripe old age, and folk called her ‘Granny Du.’ Minister Cai Mo thought the world of Du Yi and once told the court, ‘It is your loss never to have laid eyes on Du Yi.’ Such was the regard the leading men of the age had for him.
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Chu Pou, courtesy name Jiye, was the father of Empress Kangxian. His grandfather Chu Lü was broad-minded and valued for practical ability. As a county clerk he once crossed his magistrate, who meant to whip him. Chu Lü said, ‘Every material has its proper use—one does not make a fence from roof beams. I ask you to reconsider.’ The magistrate let him go. Poor at home, he gave up the post. Near fifty, he was finally recommended to Emperor Wu by his old acquaintance Yang Hu, South-Pacifying General, and rose to East-securing General. His father Chu Qia had been Administrator of Wuchang.
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裒少有簡貴之風，與京兆杜乂俱有盛名，冠于中興。 譙國桓彝見而目之曰：「季野有皮裏春秋。」 言其外無臧否，而內有所褒貶也。 謝安亦雅重之，恆云：「裒雖不言，而四時之氣亦備矣。」 初辟西陽王掾、吳王文學。 蘇峻之構逆也，車騎將軍郗鑒以裒為參軍。 峻平，以功封都鄉亭侯，稍遷司徒從事中郎，除給事黃門侍郎。 康帝為琅邪王時，將納妃，妙選素望，詔娉裒女為妃，於是出為豫章太守。 及康帝即位，徵拜侍中，遷尚書。 以后父，苦求外出，除建威將軍、江州刺史，鎮半洲。 在官清約，雖居方伯，恆使私童樵採。 頃之，徵為衛將軍，領中書令。 裒以中書銓管詔命，不宜以姻戚居之，固讓，詔以為左將卦、兗州刺史、都督兗州徐州之琅邪諸軍事、假節，鎮金城，又領琅邪內史。
In youth Chu Pou shared with Du Yi of Jingzhao the highest reputation of the restored court. Huan Yi said of him, ‘Chu Pou keeps a private verdict under a calm face.’ That is, he seemed neutral in public while judging people inwardly. Xie An likewise admired him, remarking, ‘Chu Pou need not speak; he already holds all four seasons in his bearing.’ He began as a staff officer to the Prince of Xiyang and tutor in letters to the Prince of Wu. During Su Jun’s revolt, Xi Jian, General of Chariots and Cavalry, appointed him to his staff. After the victory he was made Marquis of Duxiang Hamlet, then rose to consultant on the minister’s staff and Palace Attendant at the Yellow Gate. While still Prince of Langye, Emperor Kang chose Chu Pou’s daughter for his bride; to avoid impropriety Chu Pou took a post away from the capital as Administrator of Yuzhang. After Emperor Kang’s accession he was recalled as Palace Attendant and then Director in the Department of State Affairs. Unwilling to loom over the court as the empress’s father, he begged for a provincial post and became General Who Establishes Might and Inspector of Jiangzhou, stationed at Banzhou. He lived simply even as a regional inspector, sending his own servants to cut firewood rather than burden the people. Soon he was recalled as General of the Guards and overseer of the Palace Secretariat. Chu Pou argued that the secretariat must not be run by an imperial in-law and refused the post. The court instead named him General of the Left, Inspector of Yanzhou, and commander of the Langye forces in Yan and Xu with credentials, stationed at Jincheng, while he also served as interior secretary of Langye.
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初，裒總角詣庾亮，亮使郭璞筮之。 卦成，璞駭然，亮曰：「有不祥乎？」 璞曰：「此非人臣卦，不知此年少何以乃表斯祥？ 二十年外，吾言方驗。」 及此二十九年而康獻皇太后臨朝，有司以裒皇太后父，議加不臣之禮，拜侍中、衛將軍、錄尚書事，持節、都督、刺史如故。 裒以近戚，懼獲譏嫌，上疏固請居籓，曰：「臣以虛鄙，才不周用，過蒙國恩，累忝非據。 無勞受寵，負愧實深，豈可復加殊特之命，顯號重疊！ 臣有何勳可以克堪？ 何顏可以冒進？ 委身聖世，豈復遺力，實懼顛墜，所誤者大。 今王略未振，萬機至殷，陛下宜委誠宰輔，一遵先帝任賢之道，虛己受成，坦平心於天下，無宜內示私親之舉，朝野失望，所損豈少！」 於是改授都督徐兗青揚州之晉陵吳國諸軍事、衛將軍、徐兗二州刺史、假節、鎮京口。
Once, while still a boy visiting Yu Liang, Chu Pou had his fate divined by Guo Pu at Liang’s request. When the hexagram came out, Guo Pu blanched. Yu Liang asked, ‘Is the omen bad?’ Guo Pu replied, ‘This is no pattern for a mere minister. I cannot say how this boy draws such a sign.’ Wait twenty years, and you will see that I was right.' Twenty-nine years later, when Empress Dowager Kangxian ruled as regent, the authorities, because Pou was the empress dowager’s father, debated adding the rite of not being a subject, and appointed him Palace Attendant, General of the Guards, and recorder of the Department of State Affairs, while he kept his credentials, command, and inspectorship. Fearing gossip as the empress dowager’s kin, Chu Pou begged to stay in the provinces: ‘I am untalented and unworthy, yet the state has heaped honors on me beyond my deserts.’ I am ashamed enough without fresh favor—how can I accept still more exalted titles heaped one on another?’ What deed of mine could justify such reward?’ What face have I to accept promotion?’ I owe the throne my utmost, yet I fear a misstep would do grave harm.’ The realm is still unsettled and business presses; Your Majesty should lean on your chief ministers and follow the late emperor’s habit of trusting able men. Open your heart to the empire instead of elevating kin—the court and the countryside would lose heart, and the cost would be immense.’ The court relented and named him commander of forces in Xu, Yan, Qing, and Yang (including Jinling and Wu), General of the Guards, dual inspector of Xu and Yan, with credentials, stationed at Jingkou.
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Early in Yonghe he was recalled to take Yangzhou and the recordership of the Department of State Affairs. Liu Xia told him, ‘The Prince of Kuaiji is the Duke of Zhou of our day—you should leave supreme power in his hands.’ His chief clerk Wang Huzhi said the same, so Chu Pou stood aside and returned to his command; court and country admired his restraint. He was promoted to North-Conquering Grand General with Three Dukes’ establishment but refused the separate headquarters. Believing good government depends on the right men, he urged the throne to elevate veterans and named Gu He and Yin Hao for high office. The court accepted at once: Gu He became director of the Department of State Affairs, Yin Hao inspector of Yangzhou.
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及石季龍死，裒上表請伐之，即日戒嚴，直指泗口。 朝議以裒事任貴重，不宜深入，可先遣偏師。 裒重陳前所遣前鋒督護王頤之等徑造彭城，示以威信，後遣督護麋嶷進軍下邳，賊即奔潰，嶷率所領據其城池，今宜速發，以成聲勢，於是除征討大都督青、揚、徐、兗、豫五州諸軍事。 裒率眾三萬徑進彭城，河朔士庶歸降者日以千計，裒撫納之，甚得其歡心。 先遣督護徐龕伐沛，獲偽相支重，郡中二千餘人歸降。 魯郡山有五百餘家，亦建義請援，裒遣龕領銳卒三千迎之。 龕違裒節度，軍次代陂，為石遵將李菟所敗，死傷太半，龕執節不撓，為賊所害。 裒以《春秋》責帥，授任失所，威略虧損，上疏自貶，以征北將軍行事，求留鎮廣陵。 詔以偏帥之責，不應引咎，逋寇未殄，方鎮任重，不宜貶降，使還鎮京口，解征討都督。
After Shi Hu’s death Chu Pou memorialized for an expedition; the army mobilized the same day toward Sikou. The court thought his rank too exalted for a risky advance and favored sending a smaller force first. Chu Pou replied that Wang Yizhi’s vanguard had already reached Pengcheng and Mi Yi had taken Xiapi, routing the enemy; a swift follow-up would consolidate the gain. He was therefore named grand commander of the five provinces’ expeditionary forces. He marched thirty thousand men to Pengcheng; north of the Yellow River more than a thousand people a day came over to him, and he welcomed them so warmly that they were devoted to him. He sent Xu Kan against Pei, captured the rival regime’s minister Zhi Zhong, and won over two thousand local people. Five hundred hill households in Lu rose in support and begged help; Chu Pou sent Xu Kan with three thousand picked troops to link up with them. Xu Kan ignored orders, camped at Daipi, and was crushed by Li Tu, Shi Zun’s general; over half his men fell, and Kan died holding his baton of command. Invoking the principle that the commander bears blame, he memorialized to strip himself of rank, serve provisionally as North-Conquering General, and stay at Guangling. The emperor replied that a subordinate’s failure should not stain him, that the enemy remained, and that his post was too important to downgrade; he was sent back to Jingkou and relieved only of the expedition command.
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Shi Hu had just died and his state was in chaos; two hundred thousand people crossed the Yellow River seeking Jin protection and begging for an army. But Chu Pou had already withdrawn; Jin could not reach them, and Murong Huang and Fu Jian’s troops slaughtered or enslaved them all. The collapse of his long-range plans left him heartsick and ill. At Jingkou he heard much weeping and asked, "Why is there so much crying?" His attendants said, ‘They mourn the dead of Daipi.’ The answer deepened his shame. He died in 349 at forty-seven; people everywhere grieved, and his troops mourned him bitterly. He was posthumously named Palace Attendant and Grand Tutor, kept his military titles, and received the posthumous name Yuanmu. His son Chu Xin, courtesy name You’an, was known for scholarship and character and served as Regular Cavalier Attendant and director of the Palace Library.
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He Zhun, courtesy name Youdao, was the father of Empress Muzhang. High-minded and detached, he was celebrated from youth; repeated summons from local authorities went unanswered. His elder brother He Chong, General Who Gallops as if Flying, urged him to serve; He Zhun replied, "How is the fifth son’s name any less than General Who Gallops as if Flying?" Zhun was the fifth of the brothers, which explains the remark. While He Chong wielded chief-ministerial power, He Zhun wore a loosened sash behind a humble gate, ignored public affairs, and devoted himself to Buddhist scripture and temple building. He was summoned as Cavalier Attendant but would not serve. He died at forty-seven. In 357 he was posthumously named Household Grandee with Golden Girdle and Purple Trappings and enfeoffed as Marquis of Jinxing County. His son He Tan, citing his father’s austere virtue, memorialized to decline the honors and did not accept them. He had three sons: He Fang, He Tan, and He Cheng. He Fang succeeded He Chong as head of the lineage.
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He Cheng, courtesy name Jixuan, entered service as a secretary in the Palace Library, became assistant director, and rose on a reputation for integrity to director of the library, Minister of the Grand Temple, and Central Protector of the Army. Emperor Xiaowu favored him greatly and named him Champion General and interior secretary of the Wu princedom. Late in Taiyuan, when the Prince of Langye moved to an outside residence, He Cheng was chosen as his tutor, recalled as a director in the Department of State Affairs, and named preceptor to the prince. Under Emperor An he became Left Vice Director, kept charge of appointments, and remained the prince’s tutor. Crippled by foot trouble, he begged off court audiences and was allowed to manage business from home. He also served as senior rectifier for his home province. When Huan Xuan took power, He Cheng was removed on grounds of illness and died at home. After Emperor An’s restoration he was posthumously named Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. His eldest son He Ji died young. His second son He Rong became Grand Minister of Agriculture under Yuanxi.
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Wang Meng, courtesy name Zhongzu, was the father of Empress Aijing. His great-grandfather Wang An had served as a director in the Department of State Affairs. His grandfather Wang You was commandant of the Northern Army. His father Wang Ne was magistrate of Xingan. In youth Wang Meng was a wild rake whom neighbors scorned; in maturity he disciplined himself, won a name for grace and charm, met the world with humility, and acted only after forgiving others—everyone then esteemed him. He treated his stepmothers with great care, kept the better share of income for them while living modestly himself, hid his feelings, cared little for petty scruples, and was admired for frugal simplicity. He excelled at clerical calligraphy. Handsome enough to admire himself in the mirror, he would joke using his father’s style name, ‘Could Wang Wenkai really have fathered a son like this?’ Poor and needing a new hat, he went to market; an old woman smitten with his looks gave him one, and contemporaries praised his easy unconcern. He and Liu Tan of Pei were close and equally celebrated. Liu Tan said Wang Meng combined perfect ease with natural restraint; Wang Meng said, ‘Liu understands me better than I do myself.’ Critics likened Liu Tan to Xun Can and Wang Meng to Yuan Yao; anyone discussing ‘refined spirit’ took the pair as the standard.
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Wang Dao, minister of education, recruited him for his staff. When Wang Dao also employed Xiao, brother of Kuang Shu, Wang Meng wrote, ‘The Book of Changes warns: when founding a dynasty and family, do not employ petty men.’ You propose to govern by moral authority, restore ethical order, and elevate the institutions of state. Military and civil service are not the same; how can you muddy the clear distinction and spoil the court’s grave dignity before a watching empire?' Wang Dao did not answer. He later became magistrate of Changshan, then returned to the capital as a senior clerk on Wang Dao’s staff. Wang Meng refused the post because its holders could be flogged for mistakes. The throne waived corporal punishment for him, but he still would not serve. He was moved to a post as gentleman of the Palace Secretariat.
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While still Prince of Kuaiji, Emperor Jianwen once asked Sun Chuo to rank the leading gentlemen. Sun Chuo said, ‘Liu Tan is spare and luminous; Wang Meng is gentle and serene; Huan Wen is bold and towering.’ Xie Shang is lucid and open; Wang Meng’s temper is even, he reasons well, and his words are brief but hit the mark.’ When the prince became regent, Wang Meng grew ever closer to him; he and Liu Tan were called intimates who might enter the inner rooms. He was transferred to senior clerk on the left of the Minister of Education. Late in life he asked to be sent to Dongyang; the court refused. Only when Wang Meng fell ill did the prince regret not granting his request. Wang Meng heard and said, ‘They call the Prince of Kuaiji slow-witted—they are right!’ As his illness worsened, he turned his fly-whisk in the lamplight and sighed, ‘A man like me will not see forty.’ He died at thirty-nine. At the funeral Liu Tan laid a rhinoceros-handled fly-whisk in the coffin and sobbed until he collapsed. Xie An used to say of him, ‘Chief Clerk Wang spoke little, but every word rang true.’ He had two sons, Wang Xiu and Wang Yun.
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Wang Xiu, courtesy name Jingren, was called Gouzi in childhood. Brilliant and admired, he excelled at clerical script in a style praised as fluid, lucid, and lifted. At twelve he wrote the Treatise on Worthy Wholeness. Wang Meng showed it to Liu Tan and said, ‘Jingren’s essay already touches the subtlest teachings.’ He began as editorial director and tutor to the Prince of Langye, then was named major on the central army staff but died before assuming duty, at twenty-four. On his deathbed he said, ‘I need not blush before the ancients—I have lived as long as many of them.’
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Wang Xia, courtesy name Huanzi, father of Empress Jianshun, was a collateral paternal uncle of Wang Shu, Grand General Who Gallops as if Flying. Born to a great house, he rose to Supervisor of the Household. Early in Ningkang he was posthumously honored as Exalted Marcher and Grand Master of Splendid Carriage with Regular Cavalier Attendant, posthumous name Jing.
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His eldest son Wang Ke became General Who Commands the Army. Wang Ke’s son Wang Xinzhi served as Administrator of Yuzhang at the two-thousand-shi rank. His brother Wang Huanzhi became Inspector of Guangzhou. Wang Xia’s youngest son Wang Zhen was Commandant of the Guards at Chongde.
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Wang Yun, courtesy name Shuren, father of Empress Xiaowu Ding, was the son of Wang Meng, senior clerk on the minister’s left. He began as assistant editorial director and rose to head of the personnel bureau in the Department of State Affairs. Even-tempered, he did not slight men of humble origin; when a post opened and dozens applied, he refused to pick favorites in advance. While Emperor Jianwen, then Prince of Kuaiji, was assisting in government, Wang Yun sent him lists: ‘This man has standing; that man has ability.’ He pushed every candidate on his merits, so those passed over had no cause for bitterness. As Administrator of Wuxing he governed with conspicuous virtue. When famine struck his jurisdiction, he opened the granaries without waiting for higher approval. His chief clerk urged him to seek permission first. Wang Yun replied, ‘The people are starving in the streets; if we wait on paperwork, we let them die!’ If acting on my own is a crime, blame the administrator; I would rather fail doing right than watch them perish.’ He distributed grain on a large scale; perhaps eight in ten survivors owed their lives to him. The court cashiered him for breaking regulations, but a popular petition at the palace gates won him a reduced sentence: demotion to Administrator of Jinling. There too his benevolent rule won the people’s songs.
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When the Ding empress was enthroned, he became Grand Master of Splendid Carriage, minister of the Five Armies, senior rectifier for his province, and Marquis of Jianchang. He argued that a title won only through imperial favor was not like the old canonical grants and refused it. Despite repeated pressure he would not accept the marquisate, so they named him commander at Jingkou, General of the Left, and Inspector of Xuzhou with credentials—which he also tried to refuse. Xie An told him, ‘As the empress’s father you must not sell yourself short. Do as Chu Pou did: take the high title but leave day-to-day duties to others.’ Take the post for now to satisfy the court’s need to honor the imperial marriage.’ Wang Yun then took command and stationed his headquarters at Jingkou. Soon he was recalled as Left Vice Director while keeping his general’s rank, then made Intendant of Danyang with the added title of Regular Cavalier Attendant. Unwilling to remain at court as an in-law, he begged for a provincial assignment and was named commander of the five eastern Zhe commanderies, Army-securing General, and interior secretary of Kuaiji, still holding his cavalier attendant title.
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Wang Yun had always loved wine, and drank more heavily in his last years. In Kuaiji he was seldom sober, yet his easy, unpretentious manner kept the people fond of him. When Wang Yue came to sweep the family tombs, Wang Yun’s son Wang Gong, an old friend, visited him and stayed more than ten days. Asked why he had stayed so long, Wang Gong said, ‘Conversation with A’tai just went on and on.’ Wang Yun said, ‘I doubt A’tai will prove a true friend to you.’ A’tai was Wang Yue’s childhood name. The two later fell out, and contemporaries said Wang Yun had read character shrewdly. He died in 384 at fifty-five and was posthumously honored as Left Grand Master of Splendid Carriage with Three Dukes’ establishment.
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His eldest son Wang Hua died young. His second son Wang Gong has a biography elsewhere. Wang Gong’s younger brother Wang Shuang, courtesy name Jiming, was forceful and upright; he served as Palace Attendant Gentleman at the Yellow Gate and then as Palace Attendant. After Emperor Xiaowu’s death, Wang Guobao tried to force the palace gates at night to forge a will. Wang Shuang blocked him: ‘The emperor has just died and the crown prince is not here—enter and you die!’ Wang Guobao withdrew. Once, drinking with Prince Daozi of Kuaiji, the prince drunk called him ‘boy.’ Wang Shuang replied, ‘My late grandfather was sworn friend to Emperor Jianwen when both were commoners.’ My aunt and sister both married into the imperial house—who are you calling “boy”?’ When Wang Guobao took power, he cashiered Wang Shuang. When Wang Gong, the empress’s brother, rose again, he named Wang Shuang Pacifying-the-North General on his staff. Wang Gong’s defeat cost Wang Shuang his life.
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Chu Shuang, courtesy name Hongmao, called Sisheng in childhood, was the father of Empress Gongsi. His grandfather was Chu Pou; his father Chu Xin. Praised from youth, he won Xie An’s high regard: ‘If Qisheng were not exceptional, I would give up judging men altogether.’ He served as Administrator of Yixing but died young; as the empress’s father he was posthumously named Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. His sons Chu Xiuzhi, Chu Yanzhi, and Chu Yuzhi all rose to high office under Yixi.
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The historians write: Yang Xiu was the emperor’s intimate kinsman, well placed to learn state secrets; he helped plan the rise of the Jin house and so won deep personal favor and repeated high appointments. He abused imperial favor, threw his weight about, broke the law again and again, yet escaped severe punishment only because the throne was indulgent. Wang Kai, kin by marriage to the throne and heir to hereditary stipends, scorned frugality; he tried to outshine Shi Chong in display and to outdo Wang Ji in extravagance, fouling public opinion and the royal model. A harsher posthumous name could hardly punish vice or teach virtue. Du Yi’s looks were open and bright; Chu Pou read men with inward clarity; Wang Meng moved with gentle grace; He Zhun lived spare and detached—all were luminaries south of the Yangzi and pillars of their age, ornaments not only to the imperial in-laws but to the whole gentry.
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贊曰：托屬丹掖，承輝紫宸。 地既權寵，任惟執鈞。 約乃寡失，驕則陵人。 覆車遺戒，諒足書紳。
Eulogy: Tied to the crimson harem, they borrow luster from the purple throne hall. Favor makes them mighty; their posts are meant to steady the state. Restraint brings few errors; pride tramples others. The lesson of the wrecked cart is worth wearing on one’s sash.