1
薛收兄子元敬收子元超從子稷
Xue Shou; Yuanjing, son of his elder cousin; Yuanchao, Shou's son; Ji, son of a younger cousin
2
姚思廉顏師古弟相時
Yao Silian; Yan Shigu; and his younger brother Xiangshi
3
令狐德棻鄧世隆顧胤李延壽李仁實等附
Linghu Defen; Deng Shilong; Gu Yin; Li Yanshou; Li Renshi; with others appended
4
孔穎達司馬才章王恭馬嘉運等附
Kong Yingda; Sima Caizhang; Wang Gong and Ma Jiayun; with others appended
5
薛收,字伯褒,蒲州汾陰人,隋內史侍郎道衡子也。 事繼從父孺以孝聞。 年十二,解屬文。 以父在隋非命,乃潔志不仕。 大業末,郡舉秀才,固辭不應。 義旗起,遁於首陽山,將協義舉。 蒲州通守堯君素潛知收謀,乃遣人迎收所生母王氏置城內,收乃還城。 後君素將應王世充,收遂逾城歸國。 秦府記室房玄齡薦之於太宗,即日召見,問以經略,收辯對縱橫,皆合旨要。 授秦府主簿,判陝東道大行台金部郎中。 時太宗專任征伐,檄書露布,多出於收。 言辭敏速,還同宿構,馬上即成,曾無點竄。 太宗討王世充也,竇建德率兵來拒,諸將皆以為宜且退軍,以觀賊形勢。 收獨建策曰:「世充據有東都,府庫填積,其兵皆是江淮精銳,所患者在於乏食,是以為我所持,求戰不可。 建德親總軍旅,來拒我師,亦當盡彼驍雄,期於奮決。 若縱其至此,兩寇相連,轉河北之糧以相資給,則伊、洛之間戰鬥不已。 今宜分兵守營,深其溝防,即世充欲戰,慎勿出兵。 大王親率猛銳,先據成皋之險,訓兵坐甲,以待其至。 彼以疲弊之師,當我堂堂之勢,一戰必克。 建德即破,世充自下矣。 不過兩旬,二國之君,可面縛麾下。 若退兵自守,計之下也。」 太宗納之,卒擒建德。 東都平,太宗入觀隋氏宮室,嗟後主罄人力以逞奢侈。 收進曰:「竊聞峻宇雕牆,殷辛以滅; 土階茅棟,唐堯以昌。 秦帝增阿房之飾,漢後罷露台之費,故漢祚延而秦禍速,自古如此。 後主曾不能察,以萬乘之尊,困一夫之手,使土崩瓦解,取譏後代,以奢虐所致也。」 太宗悅其對。 及軍還,授天策府記室參軍。 太宗初授天策上將、尚書令,命收與世南並作第一讓表,竟用收者。 太宗曾侍高祖游後園中,獲白魚,命收為獻表,收援筆立就,不復停思,時人推其二表贍而速。 從平劉黑闥,封汾陰縣男。 武德六年,以本官兼文學館學士,與房玄齡、杜如晦特蒙殊禮,受心腹之寄。 又嘗上書諫獵,太宗手詔曰:「覽讀所陳,實悟心膽,今日成我,卿之力也。 明珠兼乘,豈比來言,當以誡心,書何能盡! 今賜卿黃金四十鋌,以酬雅意。」 七年,寢疾,太宗遣使臨問,相望於道。 尋命輿疾詣府,太宗親以衣袂撫收,論敘生平,潸然流涕。 尋卒,年三十三。 太宗親自臨哭。 哀慟左右。 與收從父兄子元敬書曰:「吾與卿叔共事,或軍旅多務,或文詠從容。 何嘗不驅馳經略,款曲襟抱? 比雖疾苦,日冀痊除,何期一朝,忽成萬古! 追尋痛惋,彌用傷懷。 且聞其兒子幼小,家徒壁立,未知何處安置? 宜加安撫,以慰吾懷。」 因使人弔祭,贈物三百段。 及後,遍圖學士等形像。 太宗嘆曰:「薛收遂成故人,恨不早圖其像。」 及登極,顧謂房玄齡曰:「薛收若在,朕當以中書令處之。」 又嘗夢收如平生,又敕有司特賜其家粟帛。 貞觀七年,贈定州刺史。 永徽六年,又贈太常卿,陪葬昭陵。 文集十捲。
Xue Shou, courtesy name Bobao, came from Fenyin in Puzhou and was the son of the Sui Interior Secretary Xue Daoheng. He attended upon his uncle Xue Ru, who had succeeded to the family line, and won renown for filial devotion. By the age of twelve he was already skilled at writing. After his father died an unnatural death under the Sui, he resolved to hold himself apart and refused to enter government service. Near the end of the Daye reign, the commandery nominated him as a xiucai candidate, but he steadfastly refused to accept. When the rebel cause was raised, he withdrew to Mount Shouyang, planning to take part in the uprising. Yao Junsu, the Puzhou Tongshou, learned of Shou's plans in secret and had his birth mother Lady Wang brought into the city, whereupon Shou came back inside the walls. When Junsu was on the verge of siding with Wang Shichong, Shou climbed over the city wall and defected to the Tang cause. Fang Xuanling, secretary of the Prince of Qin's household, recommended him to the future Taizong, who summoned him the same day and questioned him on strategy; Shou answered expansively on every point, each reply hitting the mark. He was made chief clerk of the Prince of Qin's establishment and also acted as director of the revenue section on the Eastern Shaanxi grand secretariat staff. While the Prince of Qin was absorbed in military campaigns, most of the manifestos and victory announcements issued in his name were drafted by Shou. His prose was quick and sharp, as if he had composed it long in advance; he could finish a piece on horseback without changing a single character. During Taizong's campaign against Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande marched to block him; the generals all urged a temporary withdrawal to gauge the enemy's strength. Shou alone urged a different course: "Shichong holds the Eastern Capital with overflowing treasuries, and his soldiers are the finest troops of the Jianghuai. His weakness is hunger, which keeps him in our grip—he cannot afford to offer battle. Jiande is leading his army in person to block us; he too will throw his best fighters into the field, bent on a decisive fight. If we allow him to join Shichong here, the two enemies will link up and shuttle Hebei grain between them, and war around the Yi and Luo will never end. We should detach forces to hold our camps and deepen our trenches and defenses; even if Shichong tries to provoke a battle, we must not sally forth. Your Highness should lead our crack troops in person, seize the defiles at Chenggao first, keep the men drilled and armored, and wait for him to arrive. His exhausted army will meet our full strength in the field, and we are sure to win in a single engagement. Break Jiande, and Shichong will collapse on his own. Within twenty days both enemy kings can be brought before you with their hands tied. To pull back and stand on the defensive would be the worst option." Taizong adopted his plan and in the end took Jiande prisoner. After the Eastern Capital fell, Taizong toured the Sui palaces and lamented how the last Sui emperor had squandered the nation's labor on extravagance. Shou stepped forward and said, "I have heard it said that towering halls and carved walls brought down King Zhou of Shang; while earthen steps and thatched roofs made Emperor Yao prosper. The First Emperor of Qin lavished ornament on Epang Palace, while Empress Dowager Wen of Han cut the cost of the Terrace Pavilion; the Han house endured while Qin ruin came quickly—so it has always been. The last Sui emperor never saw this lesson: a ruler who commanded ten thousand chariots was brought low by a single man, his realm crumbling to ruin and his name a byword for later ages—all because of luxury and cruelty." Taizong was delighted with his answer. After the army returned, he was made recorder-adjutant of the Heavenly Strategies Office. When Taizong was first made General of Heavenly Strategies and Director of the Department of State Affairs, he had both Shou and Yu Shinan draft the first memorial declining the honors; Shou's version was the one adopted. Once, while attending Gaozu on a stroll through the rear garden, Taizong caught a white fish and asked Shou to write the presentation memorial; Shou wrote it straight off without a pause for thought, and contemporaries admired both pieces for their fullness and speed. He took part in suppressing Liu Heita and was ennobled as Baron of Fenyin County. In Wude 6 he was also made a scholar of the Literature Hall while keeping his existing post; he, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui were treated with exceptional honor and entrusted as inner confidants. He once memorialized against hunting, and Taizong replied in his own hand: "Reading what you wrote has truly opened my eyes; what I have become today is largely your doing. Jewels and teams of four horses are nothing beside what you have just said; I shall take your words to heart, though no letter could say enough! I now grant you forty ingots of gold in recognition of your thoughtful counsel." In the seventh year he fell gravely ill; Taizong sent one envoy after another to visit him, so that they seemed to pass each other on the road. Soon he was carried by litter to the prince's mansion; Taizong himself took Shou's sleeve in his hand, spoke of their years together, and wept openly. He died soon afterward, at the age of thirty-three. Taizong came in person to mourn him. His grief moved everyone around him. He wrote to Yuanjing, Shou's cousin, saying, "Your uncle and I worked side by side—sometimes buried in military affairs, sometimes at leisure over poetry. We never ceased to debate strategy or speak frankly from the heart. Lately, though he was ill, I looked each day for his recovery—who could have thought that in a single morning he would be gone forever? The more I look back, the sharper my grief becomes. I hear too that his son is still small and the family has nothing left but bare walls—where are they to find a home? See that they are cared for, to ease my mind." He sent envoys to offer condolences and sacrifices, with a gift of three hundred bolts of silk. Later, portraits were painted of all the scholars of the hall. Taizong sighed and said, "Xue Shou is already among the departed; I regret that we did not paint his portrait sooner." After he took the throne he said to Fang Xuanling, "If Xue Shou were still alive, I would have made him Director of the Secretariat." He once dreamed of Shou as if he were still alive, and again ordered the authorities to grant his family a special allotment of grain and cloth. In Zhenguan 7 he was posthumously appointed Governor of Dingzhou. In Yonghui 6 he was further posthumously made Minister of Imperial Rites and granted burial near Zhaoling. His collected works ran to ten juan.
6
元敬,隋選部侍郎邁子也。 有文學,少與收及收族兄德音齊名,時人謂之「河東三鳳」。 收為長雛,德音為鸑鷟,元敬以年最小為鹓雛。 武德中,元敬為秘書郎,太宗召為天策府參軍,兼直記室。 收與元敬俱為文學館學士。 時房、杜等處心腹之寄,深相友托,元敬畏於權勢,竟不之狎,如晦常云:「小記室不可得而親,不可得而疏。」 太宗入東宮,除太子舍人。 時軍國之務,總於東宮,元敬專掌文翰,號為稱職。 尋卒。
Yuanjing was the son of the Sui Vice Minister of the Selection Bureau, Xue Mai. A man of letters, in youth he was ranked with Shou and Shou's clansman Deyin; contemporaries called them "the Three Phoenixes of Hedong." Shou was called the eldest phoenix chick, Deyin the yu'luo phoenix, and Yuanjing, as the youngest, the yuan phoenix chick. During the Wude era Yuanjing served as a secretary; Taizong summoned him as an adjutant of the Heavenly Strategies Office and also made him a direct recorder. Both Shou and Yuanjing served as scholars of the Literature Hall. Fang, Du, and the others were inner confidants and close allies; Yuanjing respected their power too much to grow familiar with them. Du Ruhui often said, "That young recorder is neither someone you can cozy up to nor someone you can afford to alienate." When Taizong became crown prince, Yuanjing was made an attendant in the heir's household. Military and state affairs were then centered in the Eastern Palace, and Yuanjing alone handled the paperwork; he was reckoned fully equal to the task. He died soon afterward.
7
收子元超。 元超早孤,九歲襲爵汾陰男。 及長,好學,善屬文。 太宗甚重之,令尚巢剌王女和靜縣主,累授太子舍人,預撰《晉書》。 高宗即位,擢拜給事中,時年二十六。 數上書陳君臣政體及時事得失,高宗皆嘉納之。 俄轉中書舍人,加弘文館學士,兼修國史。 中書省有一盤石,初,道衡為內史侍郎,嘗踞而草制,元超每見此石,未嘗不泫然流涕。 永徽五年,丁母憂解。 明年,起授黃門侍郎,兼檢校太子左庶子。 元超既擅文辭,兼好引寒俊,嘗表薦任希古、高智周、郭正一、王義方、孟利貞等十餘人,由是時論稱美。 後以疾出為饒州刺史。 三年,拜東台侍郎。 右相李義府以罪配流巂州,舊制,流人禁乘馬,元超奏請給之,坐貶為簡州刺史。 歲餘,西台侍郎上官儀伏誅,又坐與文章款密,配流巂州。 上元初,遇赦還,拜正諫大夫。 三年,遷中書侍郎,尋同中書門下三品。 時高宗幸溫泉校獵,諸蕃酋長亦持弓矢而從。 元超以為既非族類,深可為虞,上疏切諫,帝納焉。 時元超特承恩遇,常召入與諸王同預私宴。 又重其文學政理之才,曾謂元超曰:「長得卿在中書,固不藉多人也。」 永隆二年,拜中書令,兼太子左庶子。 高宗幸東都,太子於京師監國,因留元超以侍太子。 帝臨行謂元超曰:「朕之留卿,如去一臂。 但吾子未閒庶務,關西之事,悉以委卿。 所寄既深,不得默爾。」 於是元超表薦鄭祖玄、鄧玄挺、崔融為崇文館學士。 又數上疏諫太子,高宗知而稱善,遣使慰諭,賜物百段。 弘道元年,以疾乞骸,加金紫光祿大夫,聽致仕。 其年冬卒,年六十二。 贈光祿大夫、秦州都督,陪葬乾陵。 文集四十捲。 子曜,亦以文學知名,聖歷中,修《三教珠英》,官至正諫大夫。 元超從子稷。
Shou's son, Yuanchao. Yuanchao lost his father while still young; at nine he inherited the barony of Fenyin. As he grew up he became devoted to study and excelled at writing. Taizong held him in high regard, gave him the Princess of Hejing, daughter of Prince Li of Chao, in marriage, repeatedly appointed him attendant to the heir, and enrolled him in the compilation of the Book of Jin. When Emperor Gaozong came to the throne he was promoted to supervising censor at the age of twenty-six. He repeatedly memorialized on the proper relation between ruler and minister and on current affairs; Gaozong welcomed and adopted his advice. He was soon made drafting attendant of the Secretariat, also appointed a Hongwen Hall scholar, and put in charge of editing the national history. In the Secretariat there stood a flat stone on which his grandfather Daoheng, as Interior Secretary, had once sat to draft edicts; whenever Yuanchao passed it he wept. In Yonghui 5 he left office to observe mourning for his mother. The following year he was recalled to serve as vice director of the Gate Department and also as acting left assistant to the crown prince. Yuanchao was gifted in letters and fond of promoting talented men from modest backgrounds; he once recommended more than a dozen scholars, including Ren Xigu, Gao Zhizhou, Guo Zhengyi, Wang Yifang, and Meng Lizhen, and won praise in public opinion. Later, on account of illness, he was sent out as governor of Raozhou. In the third year of his tenure he was appointed vice director of the Eastern Terrace. When the right chancellor Li Yifu was exiled to Xizhou for his crimes, Yuanchao memorialized that he be allowed horses, contrary to the usual rule for exiles; for this Yuanchao was demoted to governor of Jianzhou. A year later, when Shangguan Yi of the Western Terrace was executed, Yuanchao was punished again for his close literary ties with him and exiled to Xizhou. Early in the Shangyuan era he was recalled under an amnesty and appointed rectifier remonstrator. In the third year he was made vice director of the Secretariat and soon afterward chancellor of the third rank. When Gaozong went to the hot springs for a hunting expedition, the tribal chieftains of the frontier peoples also followed with bows at the ready. Yuanchao argued that these men were not of our own people and that the situation was deeply alarming; he submitted a forceful memorial of remonstrance, and the emperor accepted his advice. Yuanchao enjoyed exceptional favor and was often summoned to private banquets alongside the imperial princes. The emperor also prized his literary and administrative gifts and once told him, "As long as you are at the Secretariat, I hardly need anyone else." In Yonglong 2 he was made director of the Secretariat and also left assistant to the crown prince. When Gaozong went to the Eastern Capital, the crown prince stayed in Chang'an to oversee the realm, and Yuanchao was left behind to assist him. As he was leaving, the emperor told Yuanchao, "Keeping you here feels like losing an arm. But my son is still inexperienced in government; I entrust all affairs of the capital region entirely to you. The responsibility I place on you is too great for you to hold your tongue." Yuanchao then memorialized recommending Zheng Zuxuan, Deng Xuanting, and Cui Rong as scholars of the Chongwen Hall. He also sent repeated memorials remonstrating with the crown prince; when Gaozong heard of this he approved, sent envoys to commend him, and granted him a hundred bolts of silk. In Hongdao 1, citing illness, he asked to retire; he was promoted to grand master of the golden purple light and permitted to leave office. He died that winter, at the age of sixty-two. He was posthumously made grand master for splendid happiness and military governor of Qinzhou, and granted burial near Qianling. His collected works ran to forty juan. His son Yao likewise won renown for letters; during the Shengli reign he helped compile the Pearls of the Three Teachings and rose to rectifier remonstrator. Yuanchao's cousin, Ji.
8
稷舉進士,累轉中書舍人。 時從祖兄曜為正諫大夫,與稷俱以辭學知名,同在兩省,為時所稱。 景龍末,為諫議大夫、昭文館學士。 好古博雅,尤工隸書。 自貞觀、永徽之際,虞世南、褚遂良時人宗其書跡,自後罕能繼者。 稷外祖魏徵家富圖籍,多有虞、褚舊跡,稷銳精模仿,筆態遒麗,當時無及之者。 又善畫,博探古蹟。 睿宗在籓,留意於小學,稷於是特見招引,俄又令其子伯陽尚仙源公主。 及踐祚,累拜中書侍郎,與蘇頲等對掌制誥。 俄與中書侍郎崔日用參知政事。 睿宗以鐘紹京為中書令,稷勸令禮讓,因入言於帝曰:「紹京素無才望,出自胥吏,雖有功勳,未聞令德。 一朝超居元宰,師長百僚,臣恐清濁同貫,失於聖朝具瞻之美。」 帝然其言,因紹京表讓,遂轉為戶部尚書。 稷又於帝前面折崔日用,遞相短長,由是罷知政事,遷左散騎常侍,歷工部、禮部二尚書。 以翊贊睿宗功封晉國公,賜實封三百戶,除太子少保。 睿宗常召稷入宮中參決庶政,恩遇莫與為比。 及竇懷貞伏誅,稷以知其謀,賜死於萬年縣獄中。 子伯陽,以尚公主拜右千牛衛將軍、駙馬都尉,亦以功封安邑郡公,別食實封四百戶。 及父死,特免坐,左遷晉州員外別駕。 尋而配徙嶺表,在道自殺。 伯陽子談,開元十六年,尚常山公主,拜駙馬都尉、光祿員外卿,旬日暴卒。
Ji passed the jinshi examination and eventually rose to drafting attendant of the Secretariat. His cousin Yao then served as rectifier remonstrator; both men were famed for literary skill and held posts in the two secretariats, winning praise from their contemporaries. Late in the Jinglong era he was made remonstrating censor and a scholar of the Zhaowen Hall. A lover of antiquity and wide learning, he was especially accomplished in clerical script. Since the Zhenguan and Yonghui reigns, Yu Shinan and Chu Suiliang had been the calligraphic models of their age, and few afterward could match them. Ji's maternal grandfather Wei Zheng owned a great library with many works by Yu and Chu; Ji studied their hand intently until his brushwork was forceful and elegant, and none of his contemporaries could rival him. He was also a painter and a wide-ranging collector of antiquities. While Ruizong was still a prince he took an interest in scholarship and the arts, and Ji was singled out for patronage; soon afterward Ruizong had Ji marry his son Boyang to the Princess of Xianyuan. After Ruizong ascended the throne, Ji rose to vice director of the Secretariat and shared responsibility for drafting edicts with Su Ting and others. Soon he and Vice Director Cui Riyong were made participants in governance. Ruizong appointed Zhong Shaojing director of the Secretariat; Ji urged Shaojing to step aside and told the emperor, "Shaojing has never had reputation or ability; he rose from the clerical ranks. Though he has rendered service, I have heard nothing of outstanding virtue in him. To leap in a single day to chief minister and become mentor to the whole bureaucracy—I fear the worthy and unworthy will be treated alike and the court will lose the dignity that all should look up to." The emperor agreed; Shaojing submitted a memorial declining the post and was transferred to minister of revenue. Ji also openly attacked Cui Riyong before the emperor, the two men trading accusations; for this Ji was removed from governance, made left regular attendant, and later served as minister of works and minister of rites. For his service in supporting Ruizong he was enfeoffed as Duke of Jin with three hundred taxable households and made junior tutor to the crown prince. Ruizong often summoned Ji into the palace to help decide state affairs, and no one enjoyed greater favor. When Dou Huaizhen was executed, Ji was condemned for having known of the conspiracy and was ordered to take his own life in the Wannian County jail. His son Boyang, through marriage to a princess, became general of the right thousand-ox guard and commandant escorting the imperial son-in-law; for his own service he was also made Duke of Anyi with a separate income of four hundred households. When his father died he was spared the usual punishment for a relative's crime and demoted to acting vice governor of Jinzhou. He was soon exiled to the far south and killed himself on the way. Boyang's son Tan married the Princess of Changshan in Kaiyuan 16, was made commandant escorting the imperial son-in-law and acting vice director of the imperial household, and died suddenly within ten days.
9
姚思廉,字簡之,雍州萬年人。 父察,陳吏部尚書; 入隋,歷太子內舍人、秘書丞、北絳公,學兼儒史,見重於三代。 陳亡,察自吳興始遷關中。 思廉少受漢史於其父,能盡傳家業,勤學寡慾,未嘗言及家人產業。 在陳為揚州主簿,入隋為漢王府參軍,丁父憂解職。 初,察在陳嘗修梁、陳二史,未就,臨終令思廉續成其志。 丁繼母憂,廬於墓側,毀瘠加人。 服闋,補河間郡司法書佐。 思廉上表陳父遺言,有詔許其續成《梁》、《陳史》。 煬帝又令與起居舍人崔祖浚修《區宇圖志》。 後為代王侑侍讀。 會義師克京城,侑府僚奔駭,唯思廉侍王,不離其側。 兵將升殿,思廉厲聲謂曰:「唐公舉義,本匡王室,卿等不宜無禮於王。」 眾服其言,於是布列階下。 高祖聞而義之,許其扶侑至順陽閣下,泣拜而去。 觀者咸嘆曰:「忠烈之士也。 仁者有勇,此之謂乎!」 高祖受禪,授秦王文學。 後太宗征徐圓朗,思廉時在洛陽,太宗嘗從容言及隋亡之事,慨然嘆曰:「姚思廉不懼兵刃,以明大節,求諸古人,亦何以加也!」 因寄物三百段以遺之,書曰:「想節義之風,故有斯贈。」 尋引為文學館學士。 太宗入春宮,遷太子洗馬。 貞觀初,遷著作郎、弘文館學士。 寫其形像,列於《十八學士圖》,令文學褚亮為之贊,曰:「志苦精勤,紀言實錄。 臨危殉義,餘風勵俗。」 三年,又受詔與秘書監魏徵同撰梁、陳二史。 思廉又采謝炅等諸家梁史續成父書,並推究陳事,刪益博綜顧野王所修舊史,撰成《梁書》五十捲、《陳書》三十捲。 魏徵雖裁其總論,其編次筆削,皆思廉之功也,賜彩絹五百段,加通直散騎常侍。 思廉以籓邸之舊,深被禮遇,政有得失,常遣密奏之,思廉亦直言無隱。 太宗將幸九成宮,思廉諫曰:「離宮游幸,秦皇、漢武之事,固非堯、舜、禹、湯之所為也。」 言甚切至。 太宗諭曰:「朕有氣疾,熱便頓劇,固非情好游賞也。」 因賜帛五十匹。 九年,拜散騎常侍,賜爵豐城縣男。 十一年卒。 太宗深悼惜之,廢朝一日,贈太常卿,謚曰康,賜葬地於昭陵。 子處平,官至通事舍人。 處平子璹、珽,別有傳。
Yao Silian, courtesy name Jianzhi, came from Wannian in Yongzhou. His father Cha had been minister of personnel under the Chen; after entering Sui service he held posts including attendant in the heir's household, secretary aide, and Duke of Beijiang; versed in both classical and historical learning, he was respected across three dynasties. When Chen fell, Cha left Wuxing and moved to the Guanzhong region. As a youth Silian studied the Han histories under his father, inherited the family scholarly tradition in full, pursued learning with few wants, and never spoke of household wealth. Under Chen he served as registrar of Yangzhou; under Sui he became an adjutant in the Prince of Han's household and left office to mourn his father. Earlier, while serving Chen, Cha had begun histories of Liang and Chen but left them unfinished; on his deathbed he charged Silian to complete them. After his stepmother's death he built a mourning hut beside her tomb and wasted away with grief more deeply than most. When mourning ended he was appointed judicial clerk of Hejian commandery. Silian memorialized the court with his father's dying charge, and an edict authorized him to complete the histories of Liang and Chen. Emperor Yang also had him work with diarist Cui Zujun on the Atlas and Gazetteer of the Realm. He later became lecturer to Prince You of Dai. When the rebel army seized the capital, the prince's staff fled in panic, but Silian alone remained at the prince's side. As the soldiers were about to enter the hall, Silian cried out, "The Duke of Tang took up arms to restore the imperial house; you must not treat the prince with disrespect." The soldiers accepted his rebuke and drew up in ranks below the steps. Gaozu heard of this and admired his loyalty, allowing him to escort Prince You to the Shunyang Pavilion, where Silian wept, bowed, and took his leave. Onlookers all exclaimed, "A man of loyal valor! The benevolent are brave—this is what they mean!" After Gaozu took the throne, Silian was appointed literary scholar to the Prince of Qin. Later, during Taizong's campaign against Xu Yuanlang, Silian was in Luoyang; Taizong once spoke of the fall of the Sui and sighed, "Yao Silian faced drawn swords without flinching and showed what true integrity means; among the ancients, who could surpass that?" He sent him three hundred bolts of silk with a note: "Remembering your integrity, I make this gift." He was soon appointed a scholar of the Literature Hall. When Taizong became crown prince, Silian was made groom in the heir's household. Early in Zhenguan he became a compiler and Hongwen Hall scholar. His portrait was painted for the Picture of the Eighteen Scholars, and the literary scholar Chu Liang was asked to write a laudation: "Steadfast in purpose and tireless in study, truthful in recording words. Facing danger he upheld righteousness; his example still stirs the world." In the third year he was again ordered to compile the histories of Liang and Chen together with Wei Zheng, director of the imperial library. Silian drew on various Liang histories, including that of Xie Jiong, to finish his father's work, researched Chen affairs, revised and synthesized Gu Yewang's earlier history, and produced the History of Liang in fifty juan and the History of Chen in thirty juan. Though Wei Zheng edited the general essays, the arrangement and drafting were Silian's work; he was rewarded with five hundred bolts of silk and promoted to regular attendant direct and unhindered. As an old companion from the prince's household, Silian enjoyed exceptional favor; when policy went awry the emperor often sent him secret messages, and Silian spoke frankly without holding back. When Taizong planned to visit the Jiucheng Palace, Silian remonstrated: "Pleasure tours to detached palaces were the ways of the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han—not the ways of Yao, Shun, Yu, or Tang." His words were forceful and pointed. Taizong replied, "I suffer from a breathing ailment that grows acute in heat; this is not mere love of sightseeing." He then granted him fifty bolts of silk. In the ninth year he was made regular attendant and ennobled as baron of Fengcheng County. He died in the eleventh year. Taizong mourned him deeply, suspended court for a day, posthumously made him minister of imperial rites with the posthumous name Kang, and granted him burial land near Zhaoling. His son Chuping rose to master of ceremonial affairs. Chuping's sons Yu and Ting are treated in separate biographies.
10
顏籀,字師古,雍州萬年人,齊黃門侍郎之推孫也。 其先本居琅邪,世仕江左。 及之推,歷事周、齊,齊滅,始居關中。 父思魯,以學藝稱,武德初為秦王府記室參軍。 師古少傳家業,博覽群書,尤精詁訓,善屬文。 隋仁壽中,為尚書左丞李綱所薦,授安養尉。 尚書左僕射楊素見師古年弱貌羸,因謂曰:「安養劇縣,何以克當?」 師古曰:「割雞焉用牛刀。」 素奇其對。 到官果以干理聞。 時薛道衡為襄州總管,與高祖有舊,又悅其才,有所綴文,嘗使其掎摭疵病,甚親暱之。 尋坐事免,歸長安,十年不得調,家貧,以教授為業。
Yan Shigu, whose formal name was Zhou, came from Wannian in Yongzhou and was the grandson of the Qi vice director of the yellow gate, Yan Zhitui. His family originally came from Langya and for generations served south of the Yangzi. By Zhitui's time the family had served Zhou and Qi; after Qi's fall they settled in Guanzhong. His father Silu was known for scholarship and the arts and early in Wude served as recorder-adjutant in the Prince of Qin's household. Shigu inherited the family scholarly tradition in youth, read widely, excelled in philological commentary, and wrote with skill. During the Sui Renshou era he was recommended by Li Gang, left assistant of the department of state affairs, and appointed magistrate of Anyang. Yang Su, left vice director of the department of state affairs, saw how young and slight Shigu looked and asked, "Anyang is a difficult county—how can you manage it?" Shigu replied, "To slaughter a chicken, why use an ox-knife?" Yang Su was struck by his answer. Once in office he proved himself an able administrator. Xue Daoheng, then regional commander of Xiangzhou, was an old acquaintance of Gaozu and admired Shigu's talent; he often had Shigu critique his drafts and grew very close to him. He was soon dismissed for an offense, returned to Chang'an, and went ten years without a post; poor at home, he supported himself by teaching.
11
及起義,師古至長春宮謁見,授朝散大夫。 從平京城,拜敦煌公府文學,轉起居舍人,再遷中書舍人,專掌機密。 於時軍國多務,凡有制誥,皆成其手。 師古達於政理,冊奏之工,時無及者。 太宗踐祚,擢拜中書侍郎,封琅邪縣男。 以母憂去職。 服闋,復為中書侍郎。 歲餘,坐事免。 太宗以經籍去聖久遠,文字訛謬,令師古於秘書省考定《五經》,師古多所釐正,既成,奏之。 太宗復遣諸儒重加詳議,於時諸儒傳習已久,皆共非之。 師古輒引晉、宋已來古今本,隨言曉答,援據詳明,皆出其意表,諸儒莫不歎服。 於是兼通直郎、散騎常侍,頒其所定之書於天下,令學者習焉。 貞觀七年,拜秘書少監,專典刊正。 所有奇書難字,眾所共惑者,隨疑剖析,曲盡其源。 是時多引後進之士為讎校,師古抑素流,先貴勢,雖富商大賈亦引進之,物論稱其納賄,由是出為郴州刺史。 未行,太宗惜其才,謂之曰「卿之學識,良有可稱,但事親居官,未為清論所許。 今之此授,卿自取之。 朕以卿曩日任使,不忍遐棄,宜深自誡勵也。」 於是復以為秘書少監。 師古既負其才,又早見驅策,累被任用,及頻有罪譴,意甚喪沮。 自是闔門守靜,杜絕賓客,放志園亭,葛巾野服。 然搜求古蹟及古器,耽好不已。 俄又奉詔與博士等撰定《五禮》,十一年,《禮》成,進爵為子。 時承乾在東宮,命師古注班固《漢書》,解釋詳明,深為學者所重。 承乾表上之,太宗令編之秘閣,賜師古物二百段、良馬一匹。 十五年,太宗下詔,將有事於泰山,所司與公卿並諸儒博士詳定儀注。 太常卿韋挺、禮部侍郎令狐德棻為封禪使,參考其儀,時論者競起異端。 師古奏曰:「臣撰定《封禪儀注書》在十一年春,於時諸儒參詳,以為適中。」 於是詔公卿定其可否,多從師古之說,然而事竟不行。 師古俄遷秘書監、弘文館學士。 十九年,從駕東巡,道病卒,年六十五,謚曰戴。 有集六十捲。 其所注《漢書》及《急就章》,大行於世。 永徽三年,師古子揚庭為符璽郎,又表上師古所撰《匡謬正俗》八卷。 高宗下詔付秘書閣,仍賜揚庭帛五十匹。
When the rebellion began, Shigu presented himself at the Everlasting Spring Palace and was made grand master for palace counsel. He took part in capturing the capital, became literary scholar in the Duke of Dunhuang's household, then diarist, and was twice promoted until he became drafting attendant of the Secretariat in charge of confidential documents. With military and civil affairs pressing on every side, nearly every edict and decree passed through his hand. Shigu understood governance and excelled at formal memorials; none of his contemporaries could match him. When Taizong ascended the throne he was promoted to vice director of the Secretariat and enfeoffed as baron of Langya County. He left office to mourn his mother. When mourning ended he returned as vice director of the Secretariat. A year later he was dismissed for an offense. Because the classics had long been corrupted in transmission, Taizong had Shigu collate the Five Classics at the imperial library; Shigu corrected many errors and presented the finished text. Taizong then had other scholars review the work, but they had studied the old texts for generations and united in criticizing him. Shigu cited ancient and modern texts from Jin and Song onward, answered every objection on the spot with precise evidence, and left the scholars speechless with admiration. He was then made direct gentleman and regular attendant, and his collated classics were issued empire-wide for students to follow. In Zhenguan 7 he became vice director of the imperial library with sole charge of textual collation. Whenever rare texts or difficult characters baffled others, he analyzed the problem and traced it to its source. Though many junior scholars were brought in to help collate texts, Shigu favored the well-connected over humble talent—even wealthy merchants—and was widely accused of taking bribes; for this he was sent out as governor of Chenzhou. Before he left, Taizong, reluctant to lose him, said, "Your learning is truly admirable, but your conduct toward kin and in office has not won the approval of respectable opinion. This appointment you have brought on yourself. Because of your past service I cannot bear to cast you aside; you must discipline yourself more strictly." He was then restored as vice director of the imperial library. Proud of his talent and long accustomed to high office, Shigu grew deeply dejected after repeated censures. From then on he kept to his household in seclusion, refused visitors, and wandered his gardens in rustic dress. Yet he never ceased searching out antiquities and ancient artifacts. He was soon ordered to help the erudites compile the Five Rites; when the work was finished in the eleventh year he was raised to viscount. While Chengan was crown prince he had Shigu annotate Ban Gu's Book of Han; the commentary was detailed and clear and won great esteem among scholars. Chengan presented it to the throne; Taizong had it stored in the imperial archive and rewarded Shigu with two hundred bolts of goods and a fine horse. In the fifteenth year, Emperor Taizong issued an edict announcing his intention to perform the fengshan sacrifice at Mount Tai, and ordered the responsible offices, together with the chief ministers and all Confucian scholars and academicians, to work out the ritual protocols in detail. Wei Ting, Chief Minister of Ceremonials, and Linghu Defen, Vice Minister of Rites, were appointed commissioners for the fengshan rite to study its ceremonies, but at the time commentators all raised conflicting opinions. Shigu submitted a memorial, saying, "Your subject completed the Book of Fengshan Ritual Protocols in the spring of the eleventh year; at that time the Confucian scholars reviewed it together and judged it to strike the right balance." The emperor then ordered the chief ministers to decide whether it was feasible; most sided with Shigu's proposal, but in the end the project was never carried out. Shigu was soon promoted to Director of the Palace Library and appointed an Academician of the Hongwen Institute. In the nineteenth year, while accompanying the emperor on an eastern tour, he fell ill on the road and died at the age of sixty-five; his posthumous title was Dai. He left a collected works in sixty juan. His commentaries on the Book of Han and the Rapid Writing Primer became widely circulated. In the third year of Yonghui, Shigu's son Yangting, who was serving as Director of Seals and Credentials, again submitted a memorial presenting his father's eight-juan work Correcting Errors and Rectifying Custom. Emperor Gaozong issued an edict ordering the work deposited in the Secretariat archives and also granted Yangting fifty bolts of silk.
12
師古弟相時,亦有學業。 武德中,與房玄齡等為秦府學士。 貞觀中,累遷諫議大夫,拾遺補闕,有諍臣之風。 尋轉禮部侍郎。 相時羸瘠多疾病,太宗常使賜以醫藥。 性仁友,及師古卒,不勝哀慕而卒。 師古叔父游秦,武德初累遷廉州刺史,封臨沂縣男。 時劉黑闥初平,人多以強暴寡禮,風俗未安,游秦撫卹境內,敬讓大行。 邑裡歌曰:「廉州顏有道,性行同莊、老。 愛人如赤子,不殺非時草。」 高祖璽書勞勉之。 俄拜鄆州刺史,卒於官。 撰《漢書決疑》十二卷,為學者所稱,後師古注《漢書》,亦多取其義耳。
Shigu's younger brother Xiangshi was also a man of learning. During the Wude era, he served alongside Fang Xuanling and others as an academician in the Prince of Qin's household. During the Zhenguan era, he rose through repeated promotions to Remonstrance and Censor, correcting oversights and filling gaps in policy, with the bearing of a loyal critic. He was soon appointed Vice Minister of Rites. Xiangshi was frail and frequently ill, and Emperor Taizong often sent him medicines as gifts. By nature he was kind and affectionate; when Shigu died, he was overcome with grief and mourning and died as well. Shigu's uncle Youqin, at the beginning of the Wude era, rose through repeated promotions to Prefect of Lianzhou and was ennobled as Marquis of Linyi County. At the time Liu Heita had just been pacified; many people were violent and disrespectful, and local customs had not yet settled. Youqin comforted and cared for the people within his jurisdiction, and courtesy and forbearance became widely practiced. A local song ran: "Prefect Yan of Lianzhou possesses the Way; in nature and conduct he is like Zhuangzi and Laozi. He loves the people as his own children and will not cut grass out of season." Emperor Gaozu sent an imperial letter commending and encouraging him. He was soon appointed Prefect of Yanzhou and died in office. He wrote Clarifying Doubts on the Book of Han in twelve juan, which scholars praised; later, when Shigu annotated the Book of Han, he drew heavily on its interpretations as well.
13
令狐德棻,宜州華原人,隋鴻臚少卿熙之子也。 先居燉煌,代為河西右族。 德棻博涉文史,早知名。 大業末,為藥城長,以世亂不就職。 及義旗建,淮安王神通據太平宮,自稱總管,以德棻為記室參軍。 高祖入關,引直大丞相府記室。 武德元年,轉起居舍人,甚見親待。 五年,遷秘書丞,與侍中陳叔達等受詔撰《藝文類聚》。 高祖問德棻曰:「比者,丈夫冠、婦人髻,競為高大,何也?」 對曰:「在人之身,冠為上飾,所以古人方諸君上。 昔東晉之末,君弱臣強,江左士女,皆衣小而裳大。 及宋武正位之後,君德尊嚴,衣服之制,俄亦變改。 此即近事之征。」 高祖然之。 時承喪亂之餘,經籍亡逸,德棻奏請購募遺書。 重加錢帛,增置楷書,令繕寫。 數年間,群書略備。 德棻嘗從容言於高祖曰:「竊見近代已來,多無正史,梁、陳及齊,猶有文籍。 至周、隋遭大業離亂,多有遺闕。 當今耳目猶接,尚有可憑,如更十數年後,恐事蹟湮沒。 陛上既受禪於隋,復承周氏曆數,國家二祖功業,並在周時。 如文史不存,何以貽鑑今古? 如臣愚見,並請修之。」 高祖然其奏,下詔曰:
Linghu Defen was a native of Huayuan in Yizhou and the son of Xi, who had served as Vice Director of the Directorate for Guests under the Sui. His family had originally lived in Dunhuang and for generations had been a leading clan of the Hexi region. Defen was widely versed in literature and history and won early renown. At the end of the Daye era, he was appointed magistrate of Yaocheng, but because of the turmoil of the times he never took up the post. When the righteous banner was raised, Prince Huai'an Li Shentong seized the Taiping Palace, styled himself Commander-in-Chief, and appointed Defen as his secretariat attendant. When Emperor Gaozu entered the passes, he summoned Defen to serve as a recorder in the Grand Chancellor's direct office. In the first year of Wude, he was appointed Diarist of the Emperor's Actions and enjoyed great intimacy and favor. In the fifth year, he was promoted to Secretary Director and, together with Vice Director Chen Shuda and others, received an edict to compile the Literary Categories Collection. Emperor Gaozu asked Defen, "Recently, men's caps and women's hairstyles have all been competing to grow taller and larger—why is that? He replied, "On the human body, the cap is the highest adornment; that is why the ancients compared it to the ruler above. In the final years of the Eastern Jin, the ruler was weak and his ministers strong; scholars and women south of the Yangzi all wore short jackets and long skirts. After Emperor Wu of Song ascended the throne, the ruler's authority became solemn and imposing, and the style of dress soon changed as well. This is proof drawn from recent events." Emperor Gaozu agreed with him. At the time, in the aftermath of war and chaos, many classics had been lost; Defen submitted a memorial requesting that missing books be purchased and collected. Additional money and silk were offered, more copyists were assigned, and orders were given to transcribe the texts. Within a few years, the collection of books was largely complete. Defen once said calmly to Emperor Gaozu, "I have noticed that in recent times many dynasties lack proper official histories; the Liang, Chen, and Qi still have written records. As for the Zhou and Sui, they suffered the chaos of the Daye era, and many records have been lost. At present we can still hear and see what happened, and there are still sources to rely on; but after another ten years or so, I fear those events will be lost forever. Your Majesty received the abdication from the Sui and also inherited the Zhou dynastic line; the achievements of our state's two founding ancestors both belong to the Zhou period. If these writings and historical records are not preserved, how can they be handed down as mirrors for past and present? In this humble subject's view, I ask that they all be compiled." Emperor Gaozu approved the memorial and issued an edict, saying:
14
司典序言,史官記事,考論得失,究盡變通。 所以裁成義類,懲惡勸善,多識前古,貽鑑將來。 伏羲以降,周、秦斯及,兩漢傳緒,三國受命,迄於晉、宋,載籍備焉。 自有魏南徙,乘機撫運,周、隋禪代,歷世相仍。 梁氏稱邦,跨據淮海; 齊遷龜鼎,陳建皇宗,莫不自命正朔,綿歷歲祀,各殊徽號,刪定禮儀。 至於發跡開基,受終告代,嘉謀善政,名臣奇士,立言著績,無乏於時。 然而簡牘未編,紀傳咸闕,炎涼已積,謠俗遷訛。 餘烈遺風,倏焉將墜。 朕握圖馭宇,長世字人,方立典謨,永垂憲則。 顧彼湮落,用深軫悼,有懷撰次,實資良直。 中書令蕭瑀、給事中王敬業、著作郎殷聞禮可修魏史,侍中陳叔達、秘書丞令狐德棻、太史令庾儉可修周史,兼中書令封德彝、中書舍人顏師古可修隋史,大理卿崔善為、中書舍人孔紹安、太子洗馬蕭德言可修梁史,太子詹事裴矩、兼吏部郎中祖孝孫、前秘書丞魏徵可修齊史,秘書監竇璡、給事中歐陽詢、秦王文學姚思廉可修陳史。 務加詳核,博采舊聞,義在不刊,書法無隱。
Those who oversee canonical texts and set forth prefaces, and the historiographers who record events, examine gains and losses and exhaustively investigate change and adaptation— by this they shape moral categories, punish evil and encourage good, broaden knowledge of antiquity, and leave mirrors for generations to come. From Fuxi down through Zhou and Qin, through the succession of the two Han dynasties, the Three Kingdoms' receipt of the mandate, and down to Jin and Song—the historical records are complete. From the time Wei moved south and seized the opportunity to rule the age, through Zhou and Sui, which succeeded by abdication across successive generations— Liang established a realm spanning the Huai River and the sea; Qi moved the imperial tripod, and Chen founded an imperial house—each in turn claimed the correct calendar, endured through years and generations, adopted its own reign titles and standards, and revised and fixed ritual and etiquette. As for the founding of dynasties, the transfer of rule and announcement of succession, wise counsels and good policies, famous ministers and extraordinary men of talent, and those who left words and achievements on record—all were abundant in their times. Yet the bamboo slips were never compiled, annals and biographies remain incomplete, years have piled up like alternating cold and heat, and popular lore has drifted into error. Their remaining glory and surviving customs would in an instant nearly vanish. I hold the imperial chart and govern the realm, long to sustain and nurture my people, and am now establishing institutions and canons to be handed down forever as fundamental law. When I look upon those records lost and fallen into ruin, my grief is deep; in my desire to compile and order them, I truly rely on men of integrity and talent. Central Secretariat Director Xiao Yu, Palace Attendant Wang Jingye, and Compilation Officer Yin Wenli shall compile the history of Wei; Vice Director Chen Shuda, Secretary Director Linghu Defen, and Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Yu Jian shall compile the history of Zhou; concurrently serving Central Secretariat Director Feng Deyi and Drafting Secretariat Attendant Yan Shigu shall compile the history of Sui; Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review Cui Shanwei, Drafting Secretariat Attendant Kong Shao'an, and Palace Groom of the Heir Apparent Xiao Deyan shall compile the history of Liang; Grand Steward of the Heir Apparent Pei Ju, concurrently serving Director in the Ministry of Personnel Zu Xiaosun, and former Secretary Director Wei Zheng shall compile the history of Qi; Director of the Palace Library Dou Jin, Palace Attendant Ouyang Xun, and Literary Instructor to the Prince of Qin Yao Silian shall compile the history of Chen. They shall examine and verify everything with the greatest care, broadly gather earlier accounts, write with integrity so that what is recorded cannot be altered, and follow historiographic principles that admit no concealment.
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瑀等受詔,曆數年,竟不能就而罷。 貞觀三年,太宗復敕修撰,乃令德棻與秘書郎岑文本修周史,中書舍人李百藥修齊史,著作郎姚思廉修梁、陳史,秘書監魏徵修隋史,與尚書左僕射房玄齡總監諸代史。 眾議以魏史既有魏收、魏彥二家,已為詳備,遂不復修。 德棻又奏引殿中侍御史崔仁師佐修周史,德棻仍總知類會梁、陳、齊、隋諸史。 武德已來創修撰之源,自德棻始也。 六年,累遷禮部侍郎,兼修國史,賜爵彭陽男。 十年,以修周史賜絹四百匹。 十一年,修《新禮》成,進爵為子。 又以撰《氏族志》成,賜帛二百匹。 十五年,轉太子右庶子。 承乾敗,隨例除名。 十八年,起為雅州刺史,以公事免。 尋有詔改撰《晉書》,房玄齡奏德棻令預修撰,當時同修一十八人,並推德棻為首,其體制多取決焉。 書成,除秘書少監。
Yu and the others received the edict, but after several years they still could not finish the work, and the project was abandoned. In the third year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong again ordered the histories compiled. He appointed Defen and Secretary Gentleman Cen Wenben to compile the Zhou history, Drafting Secretariat Attendant Li Baiyao to compile the Qi history, Compilation Officer Yao Silian to compile the Liang and Chen histories, and Director of the Palace Library Wei Zheng to compile the Sui history, with Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Fang Xuanling overseeing all the dynastic histories. In discussion the court held that the history of Wei already existed in the detailed works of Wei Shou and Wei Yan, so no new compilation of the Wei history was undertaken. Defen submitted another memorial recommending Palace Attendant Cui Renshi to assist in compiling the Zhou history, while Defen himself continued to oversee the classification and collation of the Liang, Chen, Qi, and Sui histories. The origin of the historiographical projects begun since the Wude era lay with Defen. In the sixth year, he rose through repeated promotions to Vice Minister of Rites, was concurrently charged with compiling the national history, and was ennobled as Baron of Pengyang. In the tenth year, he was granted four hundred bolts of silk for his work on the Zhou history. In the eleventh year, when the New Rites was completed, his noble rank was raised to viscount. He was also granted two hundred bolts of silk for completing the Genealogical Records of Clans. In the fifteenth year, he was appointed Right Vice Director of the Heir Apparent's Household. When Chengqian's plot failed, Defen was dismissed from office according to precedent. In the eighteenth year, he was recalled and appointed Prefect of Yazhou, but was later dismissed over an official matter. Soon afterward an edict ordered a revised compilation of the Book of Jin; Fang Xuanling memorialized that Defen should take part in the project. At the time there were eighteen co-compilers in all, and all regarded Defen as their leader; the work's format and structure were largely decided by him. When the book was completed, he was appointed Vice Director of the Palace Library.
16
永徽元年,又受詔撰定律令,復為禮部侍郎,兼弘文館學士,監修國史及《五代史志》。 尋遷太常卿,兼弘文館學士。 時高宗初嗣位,留心政道,嘗召宰臣及弘文館學士於中華殿而問曰:「何者為王道; 霸道? 又孰為先後?」 德棻對曰:「王道任德,霸道任刑。 自三王已上,皆行王道; 唯秦任霸術,漢則雜而行之; 魏、晉已下,王、霸俱失。 如欲用之,王道為最,而行之為難。」 高宗曰:「今之所行,何政為要?」 德棻對曰:「古者為政,清其心,簡其事,以此為本。 當今天下無虞,年谷豐稔,薄賦斂,少征役,此乃合於古道。 為政之要道,莫過於此。」 高宗曰:「政道莫尚於無為也。」 又問曰:「禹、湯何以興? 桀、紂何以亡?」 德棻對曰:「《傳》稱:『禹、湯罪己,其興也勃焉; 桀、紂罪人,其亡也忽焉。』 二主惑於妹喜、妲己,誅戮諫者,造砲烙之刑,是其所以亡也。」 高宗甚悅,既罷,各賜以繒彩。 四年,遷國子祭酒,以修貞觀十三年以後實錄功,賜物四百段,兼授崇賢館學士。 尋又撰《高宗實錄》三十捲,進爵為公。 龍朔二年,表請致仕,許之,仍加金紫光祿大夫。 乾封元年,卒於家,年八十四,謚曰憲。 德棻暮年尤勤於著述,國家凡有修撰,無不參預。
In the first year of Yonghui, he again received an edict to help compile laws and ordinances, was reappointed Vice Minister of Rites and Academician of the Hongwen Institute, and was charged with supervising the national history and the Treatises of the Five Dynasties. He was soon appointed Chief Minister of Ceremonials while continuing to serve as an Academician of the Hongwen Institute. At the time Emperor Gaozong had just ascended the throne and was attentive to the way of governance; he once summoned the chief ministers and the Hongwen Institute academicians to the Zhonghua Hall and asked, "What is the kingly way, and what is the hegemonic way? And which should come first, and which after? Defen replied, "The kingly way relies on virtue; the hegemonic way relies on punishment. From the Three Sage-Kings onward, all practiced the kingly way; only Qin employed hegemonic methods, while Han mixed the two in practice; from Wei and Jin downward, both the kingly and hegemonic ways were lost. If one wishes to put them into practice, the kingly way is best, but it is also the hardest to carry out." Emperor Gaozong said, "Of the policies being pursued now, which is most important?" Defen replied, "In antiquity, governing meant purifying the heart and simplifying affairs—that was the foundation. At present the realm is at peace, the harvest is abundant, taxes are light, and corvée labor is reduced—this accords with the ancient way. Of the essential points of governance, nothing surpasses this." Emperor Gaozong said, "In the way of governance, nothing is greater than non-action." He asked again, "By what did Yu and Tang rise? And by what did Jie and Zhou perish? Defen replied, "The Commentary says, 'Yu and Tang blamed themselves, and their rise was swift; Jie and Zhou blamed others, and their fall was sudden. Those two rulers were led astray by Meixi and Daji, executed those who remonstrated with them, and invented the burning-pillar punishment—that is why they perished." Emperor Gaozong was greatly pleased; when the audience ended, each participant was granted silk and brocade. In the fourth year, he was appointed Chancellor of the Directorate of Education; for compiling the Veritable Records from the thirteenth year of Zhenguan onward, he was granted four hundred items and concurrently appointed an Academician of the Chongxian Institute. He soon compiled the Veritable Records of Gaozong in thirty juan and was raised in noble rank to duke. In the second year of Longshuo, he submitted a memorial requesting retirement; permission was granted, and he was additionally appointed Grand Master of the Gold Seal and Purple Ribbon. In the first year of Qianfeng, he died at home at the age of eighty-four; his posthumous title was Xian. In his later years Defen was especially diligent in writing, and there was scarcely a state compilation in which he did not take part.
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自武德已後,有鄧世隆、顧胤、李延壽、李仁實前後修撰國史,頗為當時所稱。
After the Wude era, Deng Shilong, Gu Yin, Li Yanshou, and Li Renshi compiled the national history in turn, and their work won considerable praise in their day.
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鄧世隆者,相州人也。 大業末,王世充兄子太,守河陽,引世隆為賓客,大見親遇。 及太宗攻洛陽,遣書諭太,世隆為覆書,言辭不遜。 洛陽平後,世隆懼罪,變姓名,自號隱玄先生,竄於白鹿山。 貞觀初,征授國子主簿,與崔仁師、慕容善行、劉顗、庾安禮、敬播等俱為修史學士。 世隆負宿罪,猶不自安。 太宗聞之,遣房玄齡諭之曰:「爾為王太作書,誠合重罪,但各為其主,於朕豈有惡哉? 朕今為天子,何能追責匹夫之過? 爾宜坦然,勿懷危懼也。」 擢授著作佐郎,歷衛尉丞。 初,太宗以武功定海內,櫛風沐雨,不暇於詩書。 暨於嗣業,進引忠良,銳精思政。 數年之後,道致隆平,遂於聽覽之暇,留情文史。 敘事言懷,時有構屬,天才宏麗,興托玄遠。 貞觀十三年,世隆上疏請編錄御集,太宗竟不許之。 世隆又采隋代舊事,撰為《東都記》三十捲。 遷著作郎。 尋卒。
Deng Shilong came from Xiangzhou. Near the end of the Daye reign, Wang Tai—nephew of Wang Shichong—held Heyang and took Shilong on as a retainer, treating him with exceptional favor. When Emperor Taizong besieged Luoyang, he sent Wang Tai a letter of persuasion; Shilong drafted the reply, and its language was defiant. After Luoyang fell, Shilong feared retribution. He changed his name, called himself Master Yinuan, and went into hiding on Mount Bailu. In the early Zhenguan years he was summoned to office as Director of the National University and, together with Cui Renshi, Murong Shanxing, Liu Yi, Yu Anli, Jing Bo, and others, appointed an academician charged with compiling history. Shilong still carried the burden of his past offense and could not feel at ease. When Taizong learned of this, he sent Fang Xuanling to reassure him, saying, "You drafted a letter for Wang Tai — that truly merited heavy punishment, yet each man serves his own master; why should I hold that against you? I am Son of Heaven now — how could I still hound an ordinary man's old fault? Put your mind at rest and do not live in dread. Shilong was then promoted to Assistant Director of the Bureau of Writings and later served as Vice Director of the Court of the Imperial Stud. At first Taizong had conquered the realm by force of arms, toiling through wind and rain with no time for poetry or the classics. Once he had inherited the throne, he promoted worthy and loyal men and applied himself keenly to the work of government. Within a few years good order prevailed and the land prospered, and in the intervals between affairs of state he turned his attention to letters and history. When he narrated events or gave voice to his thoughts, he sometimes composed literary pieces; his native gift was broad and splendid, and his inspiration ranged into depths far beyond the ordinary. In Zhenguan 13 Shilong memorialized asking that the emperor's collected writings be edited and preserved, but Taizong refused. Shilong also collected materials on the Sui and compiled the Record of the Eastern Capital in thirty juan. He was promoted to Director of the Bureau of Writings. He died soon afterward.
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顧胤者,蘇州吳人也。 祖越,陳給事黃門侍郎。 父覽,隋秘書學士。 胤,永徽中歷遷起居郎,兼修國史。 撰《太宗實錄》二十捲成,以功加朝散大夫,授弘文館學士。 以撰武德、貞觀兩朝國史八十捲成,加朝請大夫,封餘杭縣男,賜帛五百段。 龍朔三年,遷司文郎中。 尋卒。 胤又撰《漢書古今集》二十捲,行於代。 子琮,長安中為天官侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。
Gu Yin came from Wu in Suzhou. His grandfather Gu Yue had served Chen as Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. His father Gu Lan had been an Academician of the Sui Secretariat. During Yonghui, Gu Yin rose through the ranks to Diarist and also took part in compiling the national history. When he completed the twenty-juan Veritable Record of Taizong, he was rewarded with the rank of Grand Master of the Palace and appointed an Academician of the Hongwen Pavilion. After finishing the eighty-juan national history of the Wude and Zhenguan reigns, he was promoted to Gentleman for Court Attendance, enfeoffed as Baron of Yuhang County, and granted five hundred bolts of silk. In Longshuo 3 he was transferred to Director of the Bureau of Literature. He died soon afterward. Gu Yin also compiled the Collection of Ancient and Modern Matters from the Book of Han in twenty juan, which circulated widely in his time. His son Gu Cong, during the Chang'an period, served as Vice Director of the Bureau of Celestial Officials and as a Chief Minister of the Tong Fengge Luantai.
20
李延壽者,本隴西著姓,世居相州。 貞觀中,累補太子典膳丞、崇賢館學士,嘗受詔與著作佐郎敬播同修《五代史志》,又預撰《晉書》,尋轉御史台主簿,兼直國史。 延壽嘗撰《太宗政典》三十捲表上之。 歷遷符璽郎,兼修國史,尋卒。 調露中,高宗嘗觀其所撰《政典》,嘆美久之,令藏於秘閣,賜其家帛五十段。 延壽又嘗刪補宋、齊、梁、陳及魏、齊、周、隋等八代史,謂之《南北史》,凡一百八十捲,頗行於代。
Li Yanshou belonged to a distinguished Longxi clan whose family had lived in Xiangzhou for generations. During Zhenguan he served in succession as Director of the Crown Prince's Victuals Office and as an Academician of the Chongxian Pavilion. He was once ordered, together with Assistant Director of the Bureau of Writings Jing Bo, to help compile the Annals of the Five Dynasties, and also took part in drafting the Book of Jin. He was soon transferred to Chief Clerk of the Censorate while continuing to serve on the national history. Yanshou once compiled the Administrative Canons of Taizong in thirty juan and presented them to the throne. He was promoted to Keeper of the Seals while continuing to compile the national history, and died soon afterward. During the Tiaolu era Emperor Gaozong once read the Administrative Canons Yanshou had written, admired them at length, ordered them stored in the Secret Pavilion, and granted his family fifty bolts of silk. Yanshou also abridged and reworked the histories of the eight dynasties from Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen in the south to Wei, Qi, Zhou, and Sui in the north, producing the History of North and South in one hundred eighty juan, which circulated widely in his time.
21
李仁實,魏州頓丘人。 官至左史。 嘗著《格論》三卷、《通歷》八卷、《戎州記》,並行於時。
Li Renshi came from Dunqiu in Weizhou. He rose to the post of Left Historiographer. He wrote the Treatise on Standards in three juan, the Comprehensive Chronology in eight juan, and the Record of Rongzhou, all of which circulated in his day.
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孔穎達,字仲達,冀州衡水人也。 祖碩,後魏南台丞。 父安,齊青州法曹參軍。 穎達八歲就學,日誦千餘言。 及長,尤明《左氏傳》、《鄭氏尚書》、《王氏易》、《毛詩》、《禮記》,兼善算歷,解屬文。 同郡劉焯名重海內,穎達造其門。 焯初不之禮,穎達請質疑滯,多出其意表,焯改容敬之。 穎達固辭歸,焯固留不可。 還家,以教授為務。 隋大業初,舉明經高第,授河內郡博士。 時煬帝征諸郡儒官集於東都,令國子秘書學士與之論難,穎達為最。 時穎達少年,而先輩宿儒恥為之屈,潛遣刺客圖之。 禮部尚書楊玄感舍之於家,由是獲免。 補太學助教。 屬隋亂,避地於武牢。 太宗平王世充,引為秦府文學館學士。 武德九年,擢授國子博士。 貞觀初,封曲阜縣男,轉給事中。 時太宗初即位,留心庶政,穎達數進忠言,益見親待。 太宗嘗問曰:「《論語》云:『以能問於不能,以多問於寡,有若無,實若虛。』 何謂也?」 穎達對曰:「聖人設教,欲人謙光。 己雖有能,不自矜大,仍就不能之人求訪能事。 己之才藝雖多,猶以為少,仍就寡少之人更求所益。 己之雖有,其狀若無。 己之雖實,其容若虛。 非唯匹庶,帝王之德,亦當如此。 夫帝王內蘊神明,外須玄默,使深不可測,度不可知。 《易》稱『以蒙養正,以明夷蒞眾』,若其位居尊極,炫耀聰明,以才凌人,飾非拒諫,則上下情隔,君臣道乖。 自古滅亡,莫不由此也。」 太宗深善其對。 六年,累除國子司業。 歲餘,遷太子右庶子,仍兼國子司業。 與諸儒議歷及明堂,皆從穎達之說。 又與魏徵撰成《隋史》,加位散騎常侍。 十一年,又與朝賢修定《五禮》,所有疑滯,咸諮決之。 書成,進爵為子,賜物三百段。 庶人承乾令撰《孝經義疏》,穎達因文見意,更廣規諷之道,學者稱之。 太宗以穎達在東宮數有匡諫,與左庶子於志寧各賜黃金一斤、絹百匹。 十二年,拜國子祭酒,仍侍講東宮。 十四年,太宗幸國學觀釋奠,命穎達講《孝經》,既畢,穎達上《釋奠頌》,手詔褒美。 後承乾不循法度,穎達每犯顏進諫。 承乾乳母遂安夫人謂曰:「太子成長,何宜屢致面折?」 穎達對曰:「蒙國厚恩,死無所恨。」 諫諍逾切,承乾不能納。 先是,與顏師古、司馬才章、王恭、王琰等諸儒受詔撰定《五經》義訓,凡一百八十捲,名曰《五經正義》。 太宗下詔曰:「卿等博綜古今,義理該洽,考前儒之異說,符聖人之幽旨,實為不朽。」 付國子監施行,賜穎達物三百段。 時又有太學博士馬嘉運駁穎達所撰《正義》,詔更令詳定,功竟未就。 十七年,以年老致仕。 十八年,圖形於凌煙閣,贊曰:「道光列第,風傳闕裡。 精義霞開,掞辭飈起。」 二十二年卒,陪葬昭陵,贈太常卿,謚曰憲。
Kong Yingda, courtesy name Zhongda, came from Hengshui in Jizhou. His grandfather Kong Shuo had served the Northern Wei as Director of the Southern Bureau. His father Kong An had been a Legal Affairs Officer in Qingzhou under the Northern Qi. Yingda began his studies at eight and could recite more than a thousand characters a day. As an adult he was especially accomplished in the Zuo Commentary, Zheng Xuan's Book of Documents, Wang Bi's Book of Changes, the Mao Odes, and the Book of Rites, and was also skilled in mathematics and calendrical science and adept at literary composition. Liu Zhuo of the same commandery enjoyed a reputation that reached across the empire, and Yingda went to study at his door. At first Liu Zhuo paid him little regard, but when Yingda asked to discuss difficult points, many of his questions went beyond what Zhuo had anticipated, and Zhuo changed his manner and treated him with respect. Yingda insisted on going home, and though Zhuo pressed him to stay, he could not be kept. Back home, he devoted himself to teaching. At the start of the Daye reign he passed the Mingjing examination with high honors and was appointed Doctor of Henei Commandery. When Emperor Yang summoned Confucian officials from the commanderies to the Eastern Capital and had academicians of the National University and Secretariat debate with them, Yingda ranked first. Yingda was still young, and older master scholars, ashamed to be outdone by him, secretly sent assassins against him. Yang Xuangan, Minister of Rites, took him into his household, and in that way he escaped harm. He was appointed Assistant Instructor of the Imperial Academy. When the Sui empire collapsed into chaos, he took refuge at Wulao. After Taizong defeated Wang Shichong, Yingda was brought into the Prince of Qin's Literary Institute as an academician. In Wude 9 he was promoted to Doctor of the National University. At the start of Zhenguan he was enfeoffed as Baron of Qufu County and transferred to the post of Attendant of Affairs. Taizong had just ascended the throne and was attentive to the business of government; Yingda offered loyal counsel on several occasions and came to be treated with growing favor. Taizong once asked, "The Analects says, 'Let the able ask of the unable; let the many ask of the few; possess as though one possessed nothing; be full as though one were empty. What does this mean? Yingda replied, "The sage established his teaching to make men humble and self-effacing. Though one already has ability, one does not boast of it, but still seeks instruction from those who seem less capable. Though one's talents are many, one still treats them as insufficient and goes to those who seem to have little in order to gain more. Though one possesses much, one appears as though one possessed nothing. Though one is full, one's bearing is as though one were empty. This applies not only to common people; the virtue of an emperor should be the same. A ruler should harbor divine insight within while outwardly remaining reserved and still, so that his depths cannot be fathomed and his intentions cannot be read. The Book of Changes says, 'By obscurity one nurtures what is right; by Brightness Hidden one governs the multitude.' If a ruler in the highest place flaunts his brilliance, uses talent to dominate others, covers his faults, and rejects remonstrance, feeling is cut off between high and low and the bond between sovereign and minister is broken. Since antiquity, no dynasty has fallen except by this path. Taizong was deeply pleased with his answer. In the sixth year he was appointed Vice Director of the National University. After little more than a year he was transferred to Right Vice Director of the Crown Prince while retaining his post as Vice Director of the National University. When the court scholars debated the calendar and the Bright Hall, all followed Yingda's views. He also helped Wei Zheng complete the History of Sui and was promoted to Regular Attendant. In the eleventh year he joined court worthies in revising the Five Rites, and every doubtful point was referred to Yingda for final decision. When the work was finished, he was raised to the rank of Viscount and granted three hundred bolts of goods. When the deposed heir Chengan ordered him to compile an exegesis of the Classic of Filial Piety, Yingda read meaning through the text and broadened the path of indirect remonstrance; scholars praised the work. Because Yingda had repeatedly offered corrective remonstrance in the Eastern Palace, Taizong granted him and Left Vice Director Yu Zhining each one jin of gold and a hundred bolts of silk. In the twelfth year he was appointed Chancellor of the National University while continuing to lecture in the Eastern Palace. In the fourteenth year Taizong visited the National University for the harvest sacrifice, ordered Yingda to lecture on the Classic of Filial Piety, and when the lecture was done Yingda submitted an Ode for the Sacrifice; the emperor answered with a personal edict of praise. Later, when Chengan ignored proper conduct, Yingda repeatedly risked giving offense to remonstrate with him directly. Chengan's wet nurse, Lady Suian, said to him, "The Crown Prince is grown — why must you rebuke him to his face again and again? Yingda replied, "I have received the state's great favor; if I die in the course of duty, I shall have no regret." His remonstrance grew ever sharper, and Chengan would not heed it. Earlier, together with Yan Shigu, Sima Caizhang, Wang Gong, Wang Yan, and other scholars, he had received an edict to compile authoritative glosses on the Five Classics — one hundred eighty juan in all, entitled the Correct Meanings of the Five Classics. Taizong issued an edict saying, "You have mastered ancient and modern learning, your principles are comprehensive and sound, you have weighed the differing views of earlier scholars and accord with the sage's deepest intent — this is work that will endure. The text was ordered put into use at the Directorate of Education, and Yingda was granted three hundred bolts of goods. At that time Ma Jiayun, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, challenged the Correct Meanings Yingda had compiled; an edict ordered further revision, but the work was never finished. In the seventeenth year he retired from office on account of age. In the eighteenth year his portrait was placed in the Lingyan Pavilion; the encomium read, "His Way illumined the halls of learning; the wind of his teaching spread from the academy gates. Profound meanings opened like dawn clouds; polished words rose like a rushing wind. He died in the twenty-second year, was buried with honor at Zhaoling, was posthumously appointed Minister of Rites, and given the posthumous name Xian.
23
司馬才章者,魏州貴鄉人也。 父烜,博涉《五經》,善緯候。 才章少傳其業。 隋末為郡博士,貞觀六年,左僕射房玄齡薦之,屢蒙召問,擢授國子助教,論議該洽,學者稱之。
Sima Caizhang came from Guixiang in Weizhou. His father Sima Xuan was broadly versed in the Five Classics and skilled in apocryphal and omen lore. Caizhang inherited his father's learning from youth. At the end of the Sui he served as a commandery doctor. In Zhenguan 6 the Left Vice Director Fang Xuanling recommended him; he was repeatedly summoned for questioning, promoted to Assistant Instructor of the Imperial Academy, and praised by scholars for the breadth and soundness of his discourse.
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王恭者,滑州白馬人也。 少篤學,博涉《六經》。 每於鄉閭教授,弟子自遠方至數百人。 貞觀初,征拜太學博士,其所講《三禮》,皆別立義證,甚為精博。 蓋文懿、文達等皆當時大儒,罕所推借,每講《三禮》,皆遍舉先達義,而亦暢恭所說。
Wang Gong came from Baima in Huazhou. From youth he was devoted to learning and broadly versed in the Six Classics. When he taught in the countryside, disciples came from afar until their number reached several hundred. In the early Zhenguan years he was summoned as Doctor of the Imperial Academy; in his lectures on the Three Rituals he developed separate textual proofs of his own, and his learning was exceptionally deep and broad. Gai Wenyi, Wenda, and others were leading scholars of the day who rarely conceded merit to anyone else; yet whenever they lectured on the Three Rituals they cited the interpretations of earlier masters in full and also gave free rein to what Gong had taught.
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馬嘉運者,魏州繁水人也。 少出家為沙門,明於《三論》。 後更還俗,專精儒業,尤善論難。 貞觀初,累除越王東閣祭酒。 頃之,罷歸,隱居白鹿山。 十一年,召拜太學博士,兼弘文館學士,預修《文思博要》。 嘉運以穎達所撰《正義》頗多繁雜,每掎摭之,諸儒亦稱為允當。 高宗居春宮,引為崇賢館學士。 數與洗馬秦暐侍講殿中,甚蒙禮異。 十九年,遷國子博士卒。
Ma Jiayun came from Fenshui in Weizhou. He entered the monkhood in youth and mastered the Three Treatises school of Buddhist thought. He later returned to lay life, devoted himself to Confucian learning, and was especially adept at scholastic debate. In the early Zhenguan years he rose through successive appointments as libationer at the Eastern Pavilion of the Prince of Yue. Before long he was dismissed and retired, living in seclusion on Mount Bailu. In the eleventh year he was summoned as Doctor of the Imperial Academy and also made a scholar of the Hongwen Pavilion, joining the compilation of the Literary Mind and Broad Essentials. Jiayun found Kong Yingda's Correct Meanings often cumbersome and redundant, and regularly challenged its passages; other scholars agreed that his criticisms were sound. When Gaozong served as crown prince, Jiayun was appointed a scholar of the Chongxian Pavilion. He often lectured in the palace alongside the Reader Qin Wei and received exceptional favor. In the nineteenth year he was promoted to Doctor of the National University and died in office.
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史臣曰:唐德勃興,英儒間出,佐命協力,實有其人。 薛收左右厥猷,經謀雅道,不幸短命,殲我良士。 上言「恨不圖形,若在,當以中書令處之」,才可知矣。 元敬藻翰明敏,而畏權勢,竟不狎房、杜,深沉至慎,不亦優哉! 元超藉父風望,弼亮宏略,諒非其罪,而再遷流。 及登大任,益有嘉謀,汲引多才,以隆弘納,其感恩之重,時其聞諸? 有始有卒,其殆庶幾乎! 稷出自名家,涉於大用,及自貽謀釁,如貞亮何? 姚思廉篤學寡慾,受漢史於家尊,果執明義,臨大節而不可奪。 及筆削成書,箴規翊聖,言其命世,亦當仁乎! 師古家籍儒風,該博經義,至於詳註史策,探測典禮,清明在躬,天有才格。 然而三黜之負,竟在時譏,孔子曰「才難」,不其然乎? 令狐德棻貞度應時,待問平直。 征舊史,修新禮,以暢國風; 辨治亂,談王霸,以資帝業。 「元首明哉,股肱良哉」,其斯之謂歟! 鄧世隆國史時譽,固有諒直。 其覆書不遜,何不知之甚也! 上疏請編御集,其弼直乎! 顧胤清芬,可觀彝范,積善餘慶,其有子哉! 李延壽研考史學,修撰刪補,克成大典,方之班、馬,何代無人? 仁實據摭,抑又次焉。 孔穎達風格高爽,幼而有聞,探賾明敏,辨析應對,天有通才。 人道惡盈,必有毀訐,及《正義》炳煥,乃異人也,雖其掎摭,亦何損於明? 司馬才章藉時崇儒,明核致業; 王恭弘闡聲教,禮學研詳; 馬嘉運達識自通,克成典雅。 並符才用,潤色丹青,其掎摭繁雜,蓋求備者也。
The historian writes: As the Tang dynasty rose in virtue, eminent scholars appeared in succession—men who truly aided the founding effort and worked in concert. Xue Shou helped shape great plans and advised on the finer points of statecraft; cut short in life, he was a worthy man the dynasty could ill afford to lose. The emperor once said, "I regret we never painted his portrait; if he were still alive, I would have made him director of the Secretariat"—from that remark alone his talent is evident. Yuanjing's prose was brilliant and quick, yet he feared power and never grew close to Fang and Du; deeply reserved and cautious to the end—was that not the wiser course? Yuanchao inherited his father's prestige and served the throne with broad vision; his punishments were scarcely deserved, yet he was exiled twice. Once restored to high office, he offered still finer counsel and brought forward many talents to broaden imperial recruitment; such depth of gratitude—has any age heard its like? To begin well and finish well—he very nearly achieved that ideal! Ji came from a distinguished family and rose to great responsibility, yet when his own plotting brought ruin, what became of his integrity? Yao Silian was a devoted scholar of few desires who inherited his father's work on the Book of Han; steadfast in principle, he could not be moved when the stakes were highest. When his editorial labor produced a finished work, he used it to admonish and guide the throne; if ever a man was born for his age, surely he was such a one! Shigu came from a scholarly family and mastered the classics; in annotating history and probing ritual, clarity lived in his person—Heaven had marked him as a man of talent. Yet the stain of three demotions drew the ridicule of his age; as Confucius said, "Talent is hard to find"—was he not right? Linghu Defen was upright and attuned to his age, candid and fair in answering every question put to him. He gathered old chronicles and restored new ritual, letting the spirit of the age flow freely; he weighed order against chaos and counseled on rule by virtue and by force, thereby furnishing the foundations of empire. "The sovereign is wise, and his ministers are worthy"—such praise was surely meant for men like these! Deng Shilong won timely praise for his work on the national history and was genuinely candid and upright. Yet that his reply was defiant—how profoundly he misjudged the moment! His memorial asking that the emperor's writings be compiled and preserved—that was true ministerial candor! Gu Yin left a pure reputation and a model worth emulating; the blessing of accumulated virtue lived on—did he not have a worthy son? Li Yanshou studied historiography deeply, revised, edited, and supplemented his work until he produced a great historical compilation; compared with Ban Gu and Sima Qian, has any age truly lacked men of such caliber? Li Renshi merely compiled by excerpting, and ranks still farther below. Kong Yingda was lofty in bearing and famed even as a youth; penetrating in analysis and quick in debate, Heaven had endowed him with universal talent. Human nature resents excellence, and calumny inevitably follows; yet when the Correct Meanings shone in brilliance, Yingda stood apart as an extraordinary man; though critics picked at his work, what did that diminish his clarity? Sima Caizhang seized the age's reverence for learning and achieved his work through clear-eyed scholarship; Wang Gong spread the civilizing teaching and studied ritual learning in painstaking detail; Ma Jiayun possessed penetrating insight and native mastery, and brought elegance to completion. All were men whose talents matched their task, adding polish like pigment to a painting; when they picked out redundant passages, it was surely in pursuit of thoroughness.
27
贊曰:河東三鳳,俱瑞黃圖。 棻為良史,穎實名儒。 解經不窮,希顏之徒。 登瀛入館,不其盛乎!
Encomium: The Three Phoenixes of Hedong—all propitious signs within the imperial capital. Defen was the fine historian; Yingda was the renowned classicist. In interpreting the classics they never reached the end—they were men in the lineage of those who aspire to Yan Hui. To ascend to Penglai and enter the Academy—is not that a glory unmatched!