1
孔紹安子禎季詡孫若思袁朗從父弟承序從祖弟利貞孫誼賀德仁庾抱蔡允恭鄭世翼謝偃崔信明子冬日張蘊古劉胤之從子延祐從父兄子藏器張昌齡兄昌宗崔行功孟利貞兄允忠董思恭元思敬徐齊聃杜易簡從祖弟審言盧照鄰兄光乘楊炯從父德幹德幹子神讓王勃駱賓王鄧玄挺
Kong Shao'an; Zi Zhen; Ji Xu; Sun Ruosi; Yuan Lang; younger paternal cousin Chengxu; younger paternal cousin of the same grandfather Li Zhen; Sun Yi; He Deren; Yu Bao; Cai Yungong; Zheng Shiyi; Xie Yan; Cui Xinming; son Dongri; Zhang Yungu; Liu Yinshi; nephew Yanyou; son of elder paternal cousin Zangqi; Zhang Changling; elder brother Changzong; Cui Xinggong; Meng Lizhen; elder brother Yongzhong; Dong Sigong; Yuan Sijing; Xu Qipan; Du Yijian; younger paternal cousin of the same grandfather Shenyan; Lu Zhaolin; elder brother Guangcheng; Yang Jiong; younger paternal uncle Degan; Degan's son Shenrang; Wang Bo; Luo Binwang; Deng Xuanting.
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臣觀前代秉筆論文者多矣。 莫不憲章《謨》、《誥》，祖述《詩》、《騷》； 遠宗毛、鄭之訓論，近鄙班、揚之述作。 謂「采采苤諲」，獨高比興之源； 「湛湛江楓」，長擅詠歌之體。 殊不知世代有文質，風俗有淳醨； 學識有淺深，才性有工拙。 昔仲尼演三代之《易》，刪諸國之《詩》，非求勝於昔賢，要取名於今代。 實以淳樸之時傷質，民俗之語不經，故飾以文言，考之弦誦。 然後致遠不泥，永代作程，即知是古非今，未為通論。 夫執鑒寫形，持衡品物，非伯樂不能分駑驥之狀，非延陵不能別《雅》、《鄭》之音。 若空混吹竽之人，即異聞《韶》之嘆。 近代唯沈隱俟斟酌《二南》，剖陳三變； 攄雲、淵之抑郁，振潘、陸之風徽。 俾律呂和諧，宮商輯洽，不獨子建總建安之霸，客兒擅江左之雄。 爰及我朝，挺生賢俊，文皇帝解戎衣而開學校，飾賁帛而禮儒生； 門羅吐鳳之才，人擅握蛇之價。 靡不發言為論，下筆成文，足以緯俗經邦，豈止雕章縟句。 韻諧金奏，詞炳丹青，故貞觀之風，同乎三代。 高宗、天後，尤重詳延； 天子賦橫汾之詩，臣下繼柏梁之奏； 巍巍濟濟，輝爍古今。 如燕、許之潤色王言，吳、陸之鋪揚鴻業，元稹、劉蕡之對策，王維、杜甫之雕蟲，並非肄業使然，自是天機秀絕。 若隋珠色澤，無假淬磨，孔璣翠羽，自成華彩，置之文苑，實煥緗圖。 其間爵位崇高，別為之傳。 今采孔紹安已下，為《文苑》三篇，凱懷才憔悴之徒，千古見知於作者。
Your subject observes that in former ages many men took up the brush to discuss literature. All took the Documents of Yu and the Announcements as their model and traced their lineage to the Classic of Poetry and the Songs of Chu; in distant antiquity they revered the commentaries of Mao and Zheng, while in recent times they disdained the compositions of Ban and Yang. They held that "Plucking the water-chestnut" alone towers as the source of allegory and evocation; "Deep, deep the river maples" excels in the form of lyric song. They little knew that generations differ in refinement and plainness, and that customs differ in purity and decadence; that learning and knowledge differ in depth and shallowness, and talent and nature in skill and clumsiness. Formerly Confucius elaborated the Changes of the Three Dynasties and culled the poems of the various states—not to surpass the sages of old, but to win a name in the present age. In truth, in an age of plain simplicity he lamented crudity, and the speech of common folk was unpolished; therefore he adorned it with literary language and set it to recitation on the strings. Only then did it reach far without sticking fast and serve as a standard for all time—thus one knows that to exalt antiquity and reject the present is no comprehensive judgment. To hold a mirror and draw a likeness, to hold a balance and appraise things—without Bo Le one cannot distinguish nags from thoroughbreds; without Yanling one cannot tell apart the tones of the Elegant and the Zheng. If one merely mixes in those who blow on the yu without knowing how, one differs from those who heard the Shao and sighed. In recent times only Shen Yue weighed the Two Souths and analyzed the three transformations; he gave voice to the melancholy of Bao and Yuan and revived the fine style of Pan and Lu. He made pitch and mode harmonious and palace and merchant tones accord—not only did Zijian gather the hegemony of the Jian'an era and Keren monopolize the glory of the Jiangzuo. Down to our dynasty worthy and brilliant men arose; the Literary Emperor laid aside armor and opened schools, adorned silks and honored Confucian scholars; his gates gathered talents that could make the phoenix speak, and every man possessed the worth of one who grasped the snake. None failed to speak and become discourse or take up the brush and complete a composition—enough to bind custom and govern the state, not merely to carve chapters and weave sentences. Rhyme harmonized with golden music and words blazed like cinnabar and azure; therefore the style of the Zhenguan era matched the Three Dynasties. Under Gaozong and the Heavenly Empress, court patronage was especially broad and detailed; the Son of Heaven composed the poem on crossing the Fen, and his ministers followed with the Bo Liang ode; towering and abundant, they shine through past and present. Such as Yan and Xu polishing the royal words, Wu and Lu spreading the great enterprise, Yuan Zhan and Liu Zao answering policy questions, Wang Wei and Du Fu carving fine phrases—all were not merely so because of training, but by nature possessed supreme genius. Like the luster of Sui pearls, needing no tempering by grindstone; like the emerald feathers of Kong feathers, forming their own splendor—placed in the grove of letters, they truly brighten the silk scrolls. Among them those of lofty rank and eminence are given separate biographies. Now I gather from Kong Shao'an downward into three chapters of Men of Letters, cherishing those of talent who withered in obscurity, that through the ages they may be known to authors.
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孔紹安
Kong Shao'an
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孔紹安，越州山陰人，陳吏部尚書奐之子。 少與兄紹新，俱以文詞知名。 十三，陳亡入隋，徙居京兆鄠縣。 閉門讀書，誦古文集數十萬言，外兄虞世南嘆異之。 紹新嘗謂世南曰：「本朝淪陷，分從湮滅，但見此弟，竊謂家族不亡矣！」 時有詞人孫萬壽，與紹安篤忘年之好，時人稱為孫、孔。 紹安大業末為監察御史。 時高祖為隋討賊於河東，詔紹安監高祖之軍，深見接遇。 及高祖受禪，紹安自洛陽間行來奔。 高祖見之甚悅，拜內史舍人，賜宅一區、良馬兩匹、錢米絹布等。 時夏侯端亦嘗為御史，監高祖軍，先紹安歸朝，授秘書監。 紹安因侍宴，應詔詠《石榴詩》曰：「只為時來晚，開花不及春。」 時人稱之。 尋詔撰《梁史》，未成而卒。 有文集五卷。
Kong Shao'an was a man of Shanyin in Yue Prefecture, son of Huan, Minister of the Civil Service of Chen. In youth he and his elder brother Shaoxin were both renowned for literary composition. At thirteen, when Chen fell and he entered Sui, he moved to Hu County in Jingzhao. He shut his doors and read books, reciting several hundred thousand words of ancient collected writings; his maternal cousin Yu Shinan marveled at him. Shaoxin once said to Shinan, "Our dynasty has fallen and been scattered and extinguished, but seeing this younger brother, I secretly say the clan is not dead!" At the time the writer Sun Wanshou and Shao'an were deeply bound in friendship across the years; contemporaries called them Sun and Kong. In the late Daye era Shao'an served as Supervising Censor. At the time Gaozu was suppressing bandits at Hedong for Sui; an edict made Shao'an overseer of Gaozu's army, and he was deeply received and treated. When Gaozu accepted the abdication, Shao'an came from Luoyang by secret route to join him. Gaozu was greatly pleased to see him, appointed him Palace Secretary Drafting Clerk, and granted him one residence, two fine horses, and money, rice, silk, and cloth. At the time Xiahou Duan had also once been a censor overseeing Gaozu's army; before Shao'an he returned to court and was appointed Director of the Secretariat. Shao'an then, while attending a banquet, composed on imperial command the poem On the Pomegranate, saying, "Only because the season came late—its blossoms did not keep pace with spring." Contemporaries praised it. Soon an edict ordered him to compile the History of Liang; he died before completing it. He had a collected works in five scrolls.
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子禎
Son Zhen
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子禎，高宗時為蘇州長史。 曹王明為刺史，不循法度，禎每進諫。 明曰：「寡人天子之弟，豈失於為王哉！」 禎曰：「恩寵不可恃，大王不奉行國命，恐今之榮位，非大王所保，獨不見淮南之事乎？」 明不悅。 明左右有侵暴下人者，禎捕而杖殺之。 明後果坐法，遷於黔中，謂人曰：「吾愧不用孔長史言，以及於此！」 禎累遷絳州刺史，封武昌縣子。 卒，謚曰溫。
Zi Zhen, under Gaozong served as Chief Administrator of Suzhou. Prince of Cao Li Ming was prefectural governor and did not follow the law; Zhen often remonstrated. Ming said, "I am the Son of Heaven's younger brother—surely I am not inferior as a prince!" Zhen said, "Favor and grace cannot be relied upon. If the Great King does not carry out the state's commands, I fear today's honored rank is not what the Great King can keep—have you alone not seen the affair of Huainan?" Ming was displeased. Among Ming's attendants were those who tyrannized the people below; Zhen seized and beat them to death. Ming later indeed fell afoul of the law and was moved to Qianzhong; he said to people, "I am ashamed that I did not heed Director Kong's words, and have come to this!" Zhen was repeatedly promoted to Prefect of Jiang Prefecture and enfeoffed as Baron of Wuchang. He died; his posthumous title was Wen.
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子季詡
Son Ji Xu
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子季詡，早知名，官至左補闕。
Ji Xu was early renowned and reached Left Remonstrator.
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孫若思
Grandson Ruosi
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紹安孫若思。
Shao'an's grandson Ruosi.
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若思孤，母褚氏親自教訓，遂以學行知名。 年少時，有人賫褚遂良書跡數卷以遺若思，唯受其一卷。 其人曰：「此書當今所重，價比黃金，何不總取？」 若思曰：「若價比金寶，此為多矣！」 更截去半以還之。 明經舉，累遷庫部郎中。 若思常謂人曰：「仕至郎中足矣！」 至是持一石止水，置於座右，以示有止足之意。 尋遷給事中。
Ruosi was orphaned; his mother Lady Chu personally taught and instructed him, and he became renowned for learning and conduct. In his youth someone brought several scrolls of Chu Suiliang's calligraphy as a gift to Ruosi; he accepted only one scroll. The man said, "This writing is prized in the present age, its price equal to gold—why not take them all?" Ruosi said, "If the price equals gold and treasure, this is already too much!" He further cut off half and returned it. Recommended through the Mingjing examination, he was repeatedly promoted to Director in the Ministry of Revenue. Ruosi often said to people, "To reach Director is enough!" At this he placed a stone of still water before his seat to show his intent of knowing when to stop. Soon he was promoted to Supervising Censor.
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中宗即位，敬暉、桓彥範等知國政，以若思多識故事，所有改革大事及疑議，多訪於若思。 再轉禮部侍郎，出衛州刺史。 先是，諸州別駕，皆以宗室為之，不為刺史致敬，由是多行不法。 若思至州，舉奏別駕李道欽犯狀，請加鞫訊。 乃詔別駕於刺史致禮，自若思始也。 俄以清白稱，加銀青光祿大夫，賜絹百匹。 歷汝州刺史、太子右諭德，封梁郡公。 開元十七年卒，謚曰惠。
When Zhongzong took the throne, Jing Hui, Huan Yanfan, and others managed state affairs; because Ruosi knew many precedents, in all major reforms and doubtful matters they often consulted Ruosi. He was twice transferred to Vice Minister of Rites and sent out as Prefect of Weizhou. Previously, Vice Prefects of the various prefectures were all members of the imperial clan; the prefect did not show them ceremonial respect, and therefore many acted unlawfully. When Ruosi reached the prefecture, he memorialized and reported Vice Prefect Li Daoqin's offenses and requested intensified interrogation. An edict then required Vice Prefects to show ceremonial respect to prefects—beginning with Ruosi. Soon he was famed for integrity and promoted to Grand Master of Silver and Blue Light, and granted one hundred bolts of silk. He served as Prefect of Ru Prefecture and Right Tutor of the Heir Apparent, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Liang. In the seventeenth year of Kaiyuan he died; his posthumous title was Hui.
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袁朗
Yuan Lang
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袁朗，雍州長安人，陳尚書左僕射樞之子。 其先自陳郡仕江左，世為冠族，陳亡徙關中。
Yuan Lang was a man of Chang'an in Yong Prefecture, son of Shu, Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs of Chen. His ancestors, from Chen commandery, served in the Jiangzuo and for generations were a leading clan; when Chen fell they moved to Guanzhong.
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朗勤學，好屬文。 在陳，釋褐秘書郎，甚為尚書令江總所重。 嘗制千字詩，當時以為盛作。 陳後主聞而召入禁中，使為《月賦》，朗染翰立成。 後主曰：「觀此賦，謝希逸不能獨美於前矣！」 又使為《芝草》、《嘉蓮》二頌，深見優賞。 歷太子洗馬、德教殿學士，遷秘書丞。 陳亡，仕隋為尚書儀曹郎。 武德初，授齊王文學、祠部郎中，封汝南縣男，再轉給事中。 貞觀初卒官。 太宗為之廢朝一日，謂高士廉曰：「袁朗在任雖近，然其性謹厚，特使人傷惜。」 因敕給其喪事，並存問妻子。 有文集十四卷。
Lang studied diligently and loved literary composition. In Chen he entered service as Secretary Gentleman and was greatly valued by Department Director Jiang Zong. He once composed a thousand-character poem, which contemporaries regarded as a great work. Emperor Houzhu of Chen heard of this and summoned him into the inner palace, ordering him to compose a Rhapsody on the Moon; Lang took up the brush and completed it at once. Houzhu said, "Reading this rhapsody, Xie Xiyi cannot alone claim beauty before it!" He further had him compose two eulogies, On the Spirit Grass and On the Fine Lotus, and deeply favored and rewarded him. He served as Attendant of the Heir Apparent, Academic Scholar of the Hall of Virtuous Teaching, and was promoted to Assistant Director of the Secretariat. When Chen fell, he served Sui as Director in the Ministry of Rites. In the early Wude era he was appointed Literary Companion to Prince of Qi, Director in the Ministry of Sacrifices, enfeoffed as Baron of Runan, and twice transferred to Supervising Censor. In the early Zhenguan era he died in office. Taizong suspended court for one day on his account and said to Gao Shilian, "Yuan Lang's tenure, though brief, yet his nature was careful and generous—this especially makes one grieve." He then ordered his funeral provided and sent inquiries to wife and children. He had a collected works in fourteen scrolls.
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從父弟承序
Younger paternal cousin Chengxu
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從父弟承序，陳尚書僕射憲之子。 武德中，齊王元吉聞其名，召為學士。 府廢，累轉建昌令。 在任清靜，士吏懷之。 高宗在籓，太宗選學行之士為其僚屬，謂中書侍郎岑文本曰：「梁、陳名臣，有誰可稱？ 復有子弟堪招引否？」 文本因言：「隋師入陳，百司奔散，莫有留者，唯袁憲獨在其主之傍。 王世充將受隋禪，群僚表請勸進，憲子給事中承家托疾，獨不署名。 此父子足稱忠烈。 承家弟承序，清貞雅操，實繼先風。」 由是召守晉王友，仍令侍讀，加授弘文館學士。 未幾，卒。
Younger paternal cousin Chengxu, son of Xian, Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs of Chen. In the Wude era Prince of Qi Li Yuanji heard his name and summoned him as Academic Scholar. When the princely establishment was abolished, he was repeatedly transferred to Magistrate of Jianchang. In office he was quiet and clean; officials and clerks cherished him. When Gaozong was still a prince, Taizong selected men of learning and conduct for his staff and said to Vice Director of the Secretariat Cen Wenben, "Among the famous ministers of Liang and Chen, who can be praised? Are there also sons and younger brothers worth recruiting?" Wenben then said, "When Sui's army entered Chen, the hundred offices fled and scattered—none remained; only Yuan Xian alone stayed at his lord's side. When Wang Shichong was about to accept Sui's abdication, the assembled officials memorialized urging him to advance; Xian's son Supervising Censor Chengjia feigned illness and alone did not sign. This father and son are enough to be called loyal and resolute. Chengjia's younger brother Chengxu, of pure and upright elegant conduct, truly continued the ways of his forebears." On this account he was summoned to serve as Friend to the Prince of Jin, and was further ordered to attend and read, with additional appointment as Academic Scholar of the Hongwen Hall. Before long he died.
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從祖弟利貞
Younger paternal cousin of the same grandfather Li Zhen
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朗從祖弟利貞，陳中書令敬之孫也。 高宗時為太常博士、周王侍讀。 永隆二年，王立為皇太子，百官上禮。 高宗將會百官及命婦於宣政殿，並設九部伎及散樂。 利貞上疏諫曰：「臣以前殿正寢，非命婦宴會之地； 象闕路門，非倡優進禦之所。 望詔命婦會於別殿，九部伎從東西門入，散樂一色，伏望停省。 若於三殿別所，自可備極恩私。 微臣庸蔽，不閑典則，忝預禮司，輕陳狂瞽。」 帝納其言，即令移於麟德殿。 至會日，酒酣，帝使中書侍郎薛元超謂利貞曰：「卿門承忠鯁，能抗疏直言，不加厚賜，何以獎勸！」 賜物百段。 俄遷祠部員外郎，卒。 中宗即位，以侍讀恩，追贈秘書少監。
Lang's younger paternal cousin of the same grandfather Li Zhen was grandson of Jing, Director of the Secretariat of Chen. Under Gaozong he was Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Attendant Reader to the Prince of Zhou. In the second year of Yonglong the Zhou Prince was established as Heir Apparent; the hundred officials presented ritual observances. Gaozong was about to assemble the hundred officials and titled ladies at the Hall of Propagating Governance, and also set up the nine sections of music and miscellaneous entertainments. Li Zhen submitted a memorial remonstrating, saying, "Your subject considers that the main hall in the front is not a place for titled ladies' banquets; the Elephant Gate and Road Gate are not places where singers and actors should enter to perform for the throne. I hope an edict may order titled ladies to assemble in a separate hall, the nine sections of music to enter through the east and west gates, and the miscellaneous entertainments to be of one kind—I humbly hope they may be stopped and reduced. If in a separate hall of the three palaces, one may naturally prepare to the utmost private favor. Your humble subject, benighted and obstructed, unversed in canonical norms, presumptuously holding office in the Ministry of Rites, lightly states this rash blindness." The Emperor accepted his words and immediately ordered the assembly moved to Linde Hall. On the day of the assembly, when wine had gone deep, the Emperor had Vice Director of the Secretariat Xue Yuanchao say to Li Zhen, "Your clan has inherited loyal remonstrance; you were able to submit a forthright memorial—if we do not grant rich reward, how shall we encourage such conduct!" He granted one hundred lengths of goods. Soon he was promoted to Vice Director in the Ministry of Sacrifices and died. When Zhongzong took the throne, because of his service as Attendant Reader, he was posthumously promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat.
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朗十三代祖漢司徒滂，滂生魏國郎中、御史大夫渙，渙生晉尚書準，準生東晉右將軍、豫章太守沖，沖生司徒從事中郎耽，耽生瑯邪內史質，質生丹陽尹、宋公長史豹，豹生宋吳郡太守洵，累代有高名重位，前史有傳。 五代叔祖宋太尉淑，高祖父左僕射、雍州刺史顗，高祖司空察，皆死國難。 曾祖梁中書監、司空、穆公昂，仕齊為吳興太守，及梁高祖禪齊，久辭朝命。 父樞，叔父憲，仕陳，皆為陳僕射。 叔祖敬，中書令。 及陳亡，憲冒難扶護後主。 朗自以中外人物，為海內冠族，雖瑯邪王氏繼有臺鼎，而歷朝自為佐命，鄙之不以為伍。
Lang's thirteenth-generation ancestor Pang, Minister of Works of Han; Pang begot Huan, Director of the Bureau of Attendants and Censor-in-Chief of Wei; Huan begot Zhun, Director of the Secretariat of Jin; Zhun begot Chong, General of the Right and Prefect of Yuzhang of Eastern Jin; Chong begot Dan, Attendant of the Secretariat of the Ministry of Works; Dan begot Zhi, Interior Minister of Langye; Zhi begot Bao, Chief Administrator and Senior Clerk of Duke of Song; Bao begot Xun, Prefect of Wu of Song—for generations they had high fame and heavy rank, recorded in earlier histories. Shu, fifth-generation granduncle, Grand Commandant Shu of Song; great-grandfather Yan, Left Vice Director and Prefect of Yong of the Yuan clan; great-great-grandfather Cha, Minister of Works—all died for the state's peril. Great-grandfather Ang, Director of the Secretariat and Minister of Works, Duke Mu, served Qi as Prefect of Wuxing; when Liang's Founder abdicated Qi he long refused court appointment. Father Shu and paternal uncle Xian both served Chen and were both Vice Directors of the Department of State Affairs. Granduncle Jing was Director of the Secretariat. When Chen fell, Xian braved peril to support and protect Houzhu. Lang, considering himself among eminent figures within and without, the leading clan within the seas, though the Wang clan of Langye for generations had held the highest offices yet in every dynasty served as supporters of the throne—he despised them and would not rank himself with them.
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孫誼
Grandson Yi
22
朗孫誼，又虞世南外孫。 神功中，為蘇州刺史。 嘗因視事，司馬、清河張沛通謁，沛即侍中文瓘之子。 誼揖之曰：「司馬何事？」 沛曰：「此州得一長史，是隴西李亶，天下甲門。」 誼曰：「司馬何言之失！ 門戶須歷代人賢，名節風教，為衣冠顧矚，始可稱舉，老夫是也！ 夫山東人尚於婚媾，求於祿利； 作時柱石，見危授命，則曠代無人。 何可說之，以為門戶！」 沛懷慚而退。 時人以為口實。
Lang's grandson Yi was also maternal grandson of Yu Shinan. In the Shentong era he was Prefect of Suzhou. Once while conducting affairs he received a visit from Assistant Administrator Zhang Pei of Qinghe; Pei was son of Attendant Zhang Wenchan. Yi bowed to him and said, "Assistant Administrator, what is your business?" Pei said, "This prefecture has gained a Chief Administrator—Li Dan of Longxi, the foremost clan under heaven." Yi said, "Assistant Administrator, how your words err! A clan must be illustrious through generations of worthy men, name and integrity and moral teaching, looked to by the gentry and officials—only then may it be praised; I am such a one! Men of Shandong value marriage alliances and seek salary and profit; to serve as the age's pillar and, facing peril, give one's life—in generation after generation there is no such man. How can one speak of that and call it a leading clan!" Pei withdrew in shame. Contemporaries took it as a byword.
23
賀德仁
He Deren
24
賀德仁，越州山陰人也。 父朗，陳散騎常侍。 德仁少與從兄基俱事國子祭酒周弘正，鹹以詞學見稱。 時人語曰：「學行可師賀德基，文質彬彬賀德仁。」 德仁兄弟八人，時人方之荀氏。 陳鄱陽王伯山為會稽太守，改其所居甘滂裏為高陽裏。 德仁事陳，至吳興王友。
He Deren was a man of Shanyin in Yue Prefecture. Father Lang, Regular Attendant of the Cavalry of Chen. Deren in youth with his elder cousin of the same clan Ji both studied under Guozi Jijiu Zhou Hongzheng, and both were praised for literary learning. People of the time said, "In learning and conduct one may take He Deji as teacher; in literary quality balanced and refined, He Deren." Deren had eight brothers; contemporaries compared them to the Xun clan. Prince of Poyang Li Boshan was Prefect of Kuaiji and changed the lane where they lived, Ganpang Lane, to Gaoyang Lane. Deren served Chen up to Friend of the Prince of Wuxing.
25
入隋，僕射楊素薦之，授豫章王府記室參軍。 王以師資禮之，恩遇甚厚。 及煬帝即位，豫章王改封齊王，又授齊王府屬。 及齊王獲譴，府僚皆被誅責，唯德仁以忠謹免罪，出補河東郡司法。 素與隱太子善，及高祖平京師，隱太子封隴西公，用德仁為隴西公友。 尋遷太子中舍人，以衰老不習吏事，轉太子洗馬。 時蕭德言亦為洗馬，陳子良為右衛率府長史，皆為東宮學士。 貞觀初，德仁轉趙王友。 無幾，卒，年七十余。 有文集二十卷。
Entering Sui, Vice Director Yang Su recommended him and appointed him Recorder of the Prince of Yuzhang's establishment. The prince treated him with the courtesy due a teacher and favored him deeply. When Emperor Yang took the throne, the Prince of Yuzhang was changed to Prince of Qi, and Deren was again appointed to the Qi princely establishment. When the Prince of Qi was punished, the staff were all executed or punished; only Deren was spared for loyalty and prudence and was sent out as Judicial Official of Hedong Commandery. Su was on good terms with the Hidden Heir; when Gaozu pacified the capital, the Hidden Heir was enfeoffed Duke of Longxi and Deren was made Friend to the Duke of Longxi. Soon he was promoted to Attendant of the Heir Apparent; because of age he was unskilled in clerical affairs, he was transferred to Attendant of the Heir Apparent. At the time Xiao Deyan was also Attendant of the Heir Apparent, Chen Ziliang was Senior Clerk of the Right Guard Commandant's office—all were Academic Scholars of the Eastern Palace. In the early Zhenguan era Deren was transferred to Friend of the Prince of Zhao. Before long he died, aged over seventy. He had a collected works in twenty scrolls.
26
德仁弟子紀、敳，亦以博學知名。 高宗時，紀官至太子洗馬，修《五禮》。 敳至率更令，兼太子侍讀。 兄弟並為崇賢館學士，學者榮之。
Deren's disciples Ji and Ao were also renowned for broad learning. Under Gaozong, Ji reached Attendant of the Heir Apparent and compiled the Five Rites. Ao reached Director of the Office of the Heir Apparent and concurrently Attendant Reader to the Heir Apparent. The brothers were both Academic Scholars of the Hall of Honoring the Worthy; scholars counted it an honor.
27
庾抱
Yu Bao
28
庾抱，潤州江寧人也，其先自潁川徙家焉。 祖眾，陳御史中丞。 父超，南平王記室。 抱開皇中為延州參軍事。 後累歲，調吏部。 尚書牛弘知其有學術，給筆劄令自序。 援翰便就，弘甚奇之。 後補元德太子學士，禮賜甚優。 會皇孫載誕，太子宴賓客，抱於坐中獻《嫡皇孫頌》，深被嗟賞。 後為越巂主簿，稱病不行。 義寧中，隱太子弘引為隴西公府記室。 時軍國多務，公府文檄皆出於抱。 尋轉太子舍人，未幾，卒。 有集十卷。
Yu Bao was a man of Jiangning in Run Prefecture; his ancestors moved their household there from Yingchuan. Grandfather Zhong, Vice Censor-in-Chief of Chen. Father Chao, Recorder of the Prince of Nanping. Bao in the Kaihuang era was Military Adjutant of Yan Prefecture. After several years he was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. Director Niu Hong knew he had scholarship and gave him brush and paper ordering him to compose his own autobiography. He took up the brush and finished at once; Hong marveled at him. Later he was appointed Academic Scholar to the Heir Apparent Yuande and was generously rewarded by ritual. When the imperial grandson was born, the Heir Apparent feasted guests; Bao at the seat presented the Eulogy on the Heir Apparent's Grandson and was deeply praised. Later he was Chief Clerk of Yuexi and claimed illness and did not go. In the Yining era the Hidden Heir Hong summoned him as Recorder of the Duke of Longxi's establishment. At the time military and state affairs were many; all the establishment's documents and proclamations came from Bao. Soon he was transferred to Attendant of the Heir Apparent; before long he died. He had a collection in ten scrolls.
29
蔡允恭
Cai Yungong
30
蔡允恭，荊州江陵人也。 祖點，梁尚書儀曹郎。 父大業，後梁左民尚書。 允恭有風彩，善綴文。 仕隋歷著作佐郎、起居舍人。 雅善吟詠。 煬帝屬詞賦，多令諷誦之。 嘗遣教宮女，允恭深以為恥，因稱氣疾，不時應召。 煬帝又許授以內史舍人，更令入內教宮人，允恭固辭不就，以是稍被疏絕。 江都之難，允恭從宇文化及西上，沒於竇建德。 及平東夏，太宗引為秦府參軍，兼文學館學士。 貞觀初，除太子洗馬。 尋致仕，卒於家。 有集十卷，又撰《後梁春秋》十卷。
Cai Yungong was a man of Jiangling in Jing Prefecture. Grandfather Dian, Director in the Ministry of Rites of Liang. Father Daye, Left Minister of the People of Later Liang. Yungong had elegant bearing and was skilled at literary composition. Serving Sui he held the posts of Assistant Director of the Palace Library and Diarist. He was especially skilled at chanting poetry. When Emperor Yang composed lyric rhapsodies he often had Yungong recite them. Once he was ordered to teach palace women; Yungong was deeply shamed by this and claimed a breathing disorder, not answering summons in season. Emperor Yang also promised to appoint him Palace Secretary Drafting Clerk, then again ordered him to enter the inner palace to teach palace women; Yungong firmly declined and would not accept, and on this account was gradually estranged. In the disaster at Jiangdu, Yungong followed Yuwen Huaji westward and was lost to Dou Jiande. When the eastern Xia was pacified, Taizong summoned him as Staff Member of the Prince of Qin's establishment and concurrently Academic Scholar of the Hall of Literature. In the early Zhenguan era he was appointed Attendant of the Heir Apparent. Soon he retired and died at home. He had a collection in ten scrolls, and also compiled the Spring and Autumn of Later Liang in ten scrolls.
31
鄭世翼
Zheng Shiyi
32
鄭世翼，鄭州滎陽人也，世為著姓。 祖敬德，周儀同大將軍。 父機，司武中士。 世翼弱冠有盛名。 武德中，歷萬年丞、揚州錄事參軍。 數以言辭忤物，稱為輕薄。 時崔信明自謂文章獨步，多所淩轢； 世翼遇諸江中，謂之曰：「嘗聞『楓落吳江冷。』」 信明欣然示百余篇。 世翼覽之未終，曰：「所見不如所聞。」 投之於江，信明不能對，擁楫而去。 世翼貞觀中坐怨謗，配流巂州，卒。 文集多遺失，撰《交遊傳》，頗行於時。
Zheng Shiyi was a man of Xingyang in Zheng Prefecture; for generations his clan was a distinguished surname. Grandfather Jingde, Regiment Commander of the Same Rank of Zhou. Father Ji, Central Warrior Gentleman. Shiyi at twenty sui already had great fame. In the Wude era he served successively as Assistant Magistrate of Wannian and Recording Officer of Yang Prefecture. Several times with words he offended others and was called frivolous. At the time Cui Xinming considered his own writing without peer and often looked down on others; Shiyi met him on the river and said to him, "I once heard 'Maples fall on the cold Wu River.'" Xinming gladly showed him more than a hundred pieces. Shiyi had not finished reading them when he said, "What one sees is not as good as what one hears." He threw them into the river; Xinming could not reply and rowed away holding the oars. In the Zhenguan era Shiyi was punished for slander and exiled to Zui Prefecture, where he died. Much of his collected works was lost; he compiled Records of Friendships, which circulated widely in its time.
33
謝偃
Xie Yan
34
謝偃，衛縣人也，本姓直勒氏。 祖孝政，北齊散騎常侍，改姓謝氏。 偃仕隋為散從正員郎。 貞觀初，應詔對策及第，歷高陵主簿。 十一年，駕幸東都，谷、洛泛溢洛陽宮，詔求直諫之士。 偃上封事，極言得失。 太宗稱善，引為弘文館直學士，拜魏王府功曹。 偃嘗為《塵》、《影》二賦，甚工。 太宗聞而詔見，自制賦序，言「區宇乂安，功德茂盛」。 令其為賦，偃奉詔撰成，名曰《述聖賦》，賜采數十匹。 偃又獻《惟皇誡德賦》以申諷，曰：
Xie Yan was a man of Wei County; his original surname was Zhile. Grandfather Xiaozheng, Regular Attendant of the Cavalry of Northern Qi, changed the surname to Xie. Yan served Sui as Regular Gentleman of the Cavalry Retinue. In the early Zhenguan era he passed the imperial policy examination and served successively as Chief Clerk of Gaoling. In the eleventh year the Emperor's carriage visited the Eastern Capital; the Gu and Luo rivers overflowed into Luoyang Palace; an edict sought men of straight remonstrance. Yan submitted a sealed memorial, speaking exhaustively of gains and losses. Taizong praised it and summoned him as Direct Academic Scholar of the Hongwen Hall and appointed him Merit Officer of the Prince of Wei's establishment. Yan once composed the two rhapsodies Dust and Shadow, very skillfully done. Taizong heard of this and summoned him by edict, himself composing a preface to the rhapsody saying "the realm is at peace and merit abundant." He ordered Yan to compose the rhapsody; Yan received the edict and completed it, titled Rhapsody Recounting Sagely Virtue, and was granted several dozen bolts of colored silk. Yan also presented the Rhapsody Admonishing Sagely Virtue to offer indirect remonstrance, saying:
35
臣聞理忘亂，安忘危，逸忘勞，得忘失。 此四者，人君莫不皆然。 是以夏桀以瑤臺璇室為麗，而不悟鳴條南巢之禍； 殷辛以象箸玉杯為華，而不知牧野白旗之敗。 故當其盛也，謂四海為己力； 及其衰焉，乃匹夫之不制。 當其信也，謂天下為無危； 及其疑也，則顧盼皆仇敵。 是知必有其德，則誠結戎夷，化行荒裔。 茍失其度，則變生骨肉，釁起腹心矣！ 是以為人主者，不可忘初。 處殿堂，則思前主之所以亡； 朝萬國，則思今己之所以貴； 巡府庫，則思今己之所以得； 視功臣，則思其為己之始； 見名將，則思其用力之初。 茍弗忘舊，則人無易心，何患乎天下之不化！ 故旦行之則為堯、舜，暮失之則為桀、紂，豈異人哉！ 其詞曰：
Your subject has heard that in order one forgets disorder, in peace one forgets peril, in ease one forgets toil, in gain one forgets loss. These four—no ruler fails to be so. Therefore Jie of Xia took the jade tower and chamber of luster as splendor yet did not perceive the disaster of Mingtiao and southern nest; Xin of Yin took ivory chopsticks and jade cups as glory yet did not know the defeat of the white banners at Muye. When they were flourishing they considered the four seas their own strength; when they declined, not even a common man could control them. When they trusted, they considered the realm without peril; when they grew suspicious, every glance became an enemy. Thus one knows that if there is virtue, sincerity binds the Rong and Yi and teaching spreads to remote regions. If one loses measure, change arises among flesh and blood and strife begins in the heart! Therefore one who is lord of men must not forget the beginning. Dwelling in halls and chambers, then think how former lords came to perish; holding court for the myriad states, then think how you yourself came to honor today; touring the storehouses, then think how you yourself came to obtain them today; viewing meritorious ministers, then think how they began for you; seeing famous generals, then think how they exerted strength at the start. If one does not forget the old, then people will not change heart—what worry that the realm will not be transformed! Morning practice makes Yao and Shun; evening loss makes Jie and Zhou—is the man different! The words say:
36
周墳籍以遷觀，總宇宙而一窺； 結繩往而莫紀，書契崇而可知。 惟皇王之叠代，信步驟之恆規，莫不慮失者常得，懷安者必危。 是以戰戰怵怵，日慎一日，守約守儉，去奢去逸。 外無荒禽，內無荒色，唯賢是授，唯人斯恤。 則三皇不足六，五帝不足十。 若夫恃聖驕力，狠戾倔強，忠良是棄，諂佞斯獎。 構崇臺以造天，穿深池以絕壤。 厚賦重斂，積寶藏鏹； 無罪加刑，有功不賞。 則夏桀可二，殷辛易兩。 在危所恃，居安勿忘。 功臣無逐，故人無放。 放故者亡，逐功者喪。 四海岌岌，九土漫漫，覆之甚易，存之實難。 是以一人有悅，萬國同歡； 一人失所，兆庶俱殘。 喜則隆冬可熱，怒則盛夏成寒； 一動而八表亂，一言而天下安。 舉君過者曰忠，述主美者為佞，茍承顏以順旨，必蔽視而稱聖。 故使曲者亂直，邪者疑正； 改華服以就胡，變雅音而入鄭； 雖往古之軌躅，亦當今之龜鏡。 崔嵬龍殿，赫奕鳳門，苞四海以稱主，冠天下而獨尊。 既兄日而姊月，亦父乾而母坤。 視則金翠溢目，聽則絲竹盈耳。 信賞罰之在躬，實榮辱之由己； 語義皇而易匹，言堯、舜之可擬。 驕誌自此而生，侈心因茲而起。 常懼覆而懼亡，必思足而思止； 勿忘潛龍之初，當懷布衣之始。 在位稱寶，居器曰神，鐘鼓庭設，玉帛階陳。 得必有兆，失必有因； 一替一立，或周或秦。 既承前代，當思後人。 唯德可以久，天道無常親。
Through Zhou's written records I look down and up, surveying the cosmos at a glance; the age of knotted cords passed unrecorded; when script was honored it could be known. Through generations of emperors and kings, truly the constant rule of step and pace—none failed to consider that the one who loses always gains, the one who rests in peace always faces peril. Therefore trembling and fearful, daily cautious day by day, keeping covenant and thrift, casting off extravagance and ease. Without wild birds without, without wild colors within; only the worthy are appointed, only people are cherished. Then the Three Sovereigns are not enough for six, the Five Emperors not enough for ten. If one relies on sagely power and is arrogant, cruel and obstinate, abandoning the loyal and good and rewarding flattery and sycophancy. Building lofty towers to reach heaven, digging deep pools to cut through earth. Heavy taxes and repeated levies, amassing treasure and hoarding coin; punishing the guiltless, not rewarding the meritorious. Then Jie of Xia could be doubled, and Xin of Yin easily paired. In peril rely on what you rely on; in peace do not forget. Do not drive away meritorious ministers; do not banish old friends. Banish old friends and perish; drive away the meritorious and lose. The four seas precarious, the nine regions vast—overturning is very easy, preserving is truly hard. Therefore when one man has joy, the myriad states share gladness; when one man loses his place, the multitude all suffer. Joy can warm deep winter; anger can freeze midsummer; one movement and the eight directions are disturbed, one word and the realm is at peace. One who cites the ruler's faults is called loyal; one who recounts the lord's beauties is called sycophantic—if one merely accepts countenance and follows intent, one must blind the eyes and call him sage. Thus the crooked confound the straight, the perverse make the upright doubt; changing elegant dress to follow the Hu, changing refined tones to enter the Zheng; though the tracks of antiquity, they are also mirrors for the present age. Towering dragon halls, blazing phoenix gates—embracing the four seas to call oneself lord, topping the realm to stand alone in honor. Already elder brother to sun and elder sister to moon, also father to Qian and mother to Kun. Looking, gold and kingfisher fill the eyes; listening, silk and bamboo fill the ears. Truly reward and punishment rest on the person, truly glory and shame come from oneself; speaking of the sage-emperors and easily matching them, saying Yao and Shun can be compared. Arrogance and ambition arise from this; extravagant heart springs from here. Constantly fearing overturn and fearing loss, one must think sufficiency and think stopping; Do not forget the beginning when the hidden dragon rose; always cherish the beginning in plain cloth. In office called treasure, in vessel called spirit; bells and drums set in the court, jade and silk arrayed on the steps. Gain always has omens, loss always has cause; one falls one rises, now Zhou now Qin. Having succeeded the former age, one must think of later men. Only virtue can long endure; the Way of Heaven has no constant favorites.
37
時李百藥工為五言詩，而偃善作賦，時人稱為李詩謝賦焉。 十七年，府廢，出為湘潭令，卒。 文集十卷。
At the time Li Baiyao was skilled at five-character poetry while Yan was skilled at composing rhapsodies; contemporaries called them Li's poems and Xie's rhapsodies. In the seventeenth year the establishment was abolished and he was sent out as Magistrate of Xiangtan, where he died. Collected works in ten scrolls.
38
崔信明
Cui Xinming
39
崔信明，青州益都人也，後魏七兵尚書光伯曾孫也。 祖縚，北海郡守。 信明以五月五日日正中時生，有異雀數頭，身形甚小，五色畢備，集於庭樹； 鼓翼齊鳴，聲清宛亮。 隋太史令史良使至青州，遇而占之曰：「五月為火，火為《離》，《離》為文彩。 日正中，文之盛也。 又有雀五色，奮翼而鳴。 此兒必文藻煥爛，聲名播於天下。 雀形既小，祿位殆不高。」 及長，博聞強記，下筆成章。 鄉人高孝基有知人之鑒，每謂人曰：「崔信明才學富贍，雖名冠一時，但恨其位不達耳！」
Cui Xinming was a man of Yidu in Qing Prefecture, great-grandson of Guangbo, Director of the Seven Armies of Later Wei. Grandfather Shao, Prefect of Beihai Commandery. Xinming was born at the exact noon of the fifth day of the fifth month; several strange birds, very small in body, complete in five colors, gathered on the courtyard tree; beating wings they sang together, the sound clear, mellow, and bright. Sui Grand Astrologer Ling Shi Liang sent an envoy to Qing Prefecture; encountering him he divined and said, "The fifth month is fire; fire is Li; Li is literary splendor. Noon is the fullness of writing. Also there are birds of five colors, beating wings and singing. This child will surely have brilliant literary ornament; fame will spread through the realm. The birds' forms being small, rank and salary will probably not be high." When grown he was broadly learned with strong memory; taking up the brush he completed compositions. Fellow townsman Gao Xiaoji had the discernment to know men and often said to people, "Cui Xinming's talent and learning are rich and ample; though his name tops the age, one regrets only that his rank did not reach high!"
40
大業中，為堯城令。 竇建德僭號，欲引用之。 信明族弟敬素為建德鴻臚卿，說信明曰：「隋主無道，天下鼎沸，衣冠禮樂，掃地無余。 兄遁跡下僚，不被收用，豫讓所以不報範中行，只以眾人遇我者也。 夏王英武，有並吞天下之心，士女繈負而至者，不可稱數。 此時不立功立事，豈是見幾而作者乎？」 信明曰：「昔申胥海畔漁者，尚能固其節； 吾終不能屈身偽主，求斗筲之職。」 遂逾城而遁，隱於太行山。 貞觀六年，應詔舉，授興世丞。 遷秦川令，卒。
In the Daye era he was Magistrate of Yaocheng. Dou Jiande usurped title and wished to employ him. Xinming's clansman younger brother Jingsu was Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments of Jiande and said to Xinming, "The Sui ruler was without the Way; the realm boils over; ritual, music, robes, and caps are swept away without remainder. Elder brother, hiding in low office, not being employed—this is why Yu Rang did not repay Fan Zhonghang: he was merely treated as one of the crowd. King Xia is heroic and martial, with the mind to swallow the realm; men and women come carrying infants on their backs beyond counting. At this time not to establish merit and affairs—can this be one who sees the moment and acts?" Xinming said, "Formerly Shen Xu at the seashore was a fisherman yet could hold fast to his integrity; I ultimately cannot bow to a false lord to seek an office of a peck and dipper." He then crossed the wall and fled, hiding on Mount Taihang. In the sixth year of Zhenguan he was recommended by imperial edict and appointed Assistant Magistrate of Xingshi. He was promoted to Magistrate of Qinchuan and died.
41
信明頗蹇傲自伐，常賦詩吟嘯，自謂過於李百藥，時人多不許之。 又矜其門族，輕侮四海士望，由是為世所譏。
Xinming was quite proud and self-congratulatory, often composing poetry and chanting, considering himself superior to Li Baiyao; many contemporaries did not agree. He also prided himself on his clan and lightly insulted eminent scholars throughout the realm; on this account he was mocked by the age.
42
子冬日
Son Dongri
43
子冬日，則天時為黃門侍郎，被酷吏所殺。
Son Dongri, under Zetian was Vice Director of the Yellow Gate and was killed by cruel officials.
44
張蘊古
Zhang Yungu
45
張蘊古，相州洹水人也。 性聰敏，博涉書傳，善綴文，能背碑覆局。 尤曉時務，為州閭所稱。 自幽州總管府記室直中書省。 太宗初即位，上《大寶箴》以諷，其詞曰：
Zhang Yungu was a man of Huanshui in Xiang Prefecture. By nature intelligent and keen, he broadly studied written records, was skilled at literary composition, and could recite stele texts from memory and replay chess positions from memory. He was especially versed in current affairs and was praised by his district. From Recorder of the Youzhou General Headquarters he went directly to the Secretariat. When Taizong first took the throne, he submitted the Great Treasure Admonition to offer indirect remonstrance; its words say:
46
今來古往，俯察仰觀，惟辟作福，為君實難。 主普天之下，處王公之上； 任土貢其所求，具僚和其所唱。 是故競懼之心日弛，邪僻之情轉放，豈知事起乎所忽，禍生乎無妄。 固以聖人受命，拯溺亨屯，歸過於己，推恩於民。 大明無偏照，至公無私親。 故以一人治天下，不以天下奉一人。 禮以禁其奢，樂以防其佚。 左言而右事，出警而入蹕。 四時同其慘舒，三光同其得失。 故身為之度，而聲為之律。 勿謂無知，居高聽卑； 勿謂何害，積小成大。 樂不可極，極樂生哀； 欲不可縱，縱欲成災。 壯九重於內，所居不過容膝； 彼昏不知，瑤其臺而瓊其室。 羅八品於前，所食不過適口； 唯狂罔念，丘其糟而池其酒。 勿內荒於色，勿外荒於禽，勿貴難得之貨，勿聽亡國之音。 內荒伐人性，外荒蕩人心，難得之貨侈，亡國之聲淫。 勿謂我尊而傲賢侮士，勿謂我智而拒諫矜己。 聞之夏王，據饋頻起； 亦有魏帝，牽裾不止。 安彼反側，如春陽秋露，巍巍蕩蕩，恢漢高大度； 撫茲庶事，如履薄臨深，戰戰栗栗，用周文小心。
Now past and present, looking down and looking up—only the lord makes blessing; to be lord is truly hard. Presiding over all under heaven, dwelling above kings and dukes; each region submits what it seeks, all officials harmonize what they sing. Therefore the mind of competing fear daily slackens, feelings of perversity daily expand—who knows trouble rises from what is neglected, disaster born from the unlooked-for. Truly the sage receives mandate, rescues the drowning and prospers the stranded, attributing fault to himself and extending grace to the people. Great brightness has no partial shining; supreme fairness has no private kin. Therefore one man governs the realm; the realm does not serve one man. Rites forbid extravagance; music guards against dissipation. Words left, affairs right; going out with guard, entering with imperial progress. The four seasons share their harshness and ease; the three luminaries share their gain and loss. Therefore the body is their measure and the voice their pitch. Do not say none know—high dwelling, low listening; do not say what harm—small accumulates to great. Joy cannot be extreme; extreme joy begets sorrow; desire cannot be indulged; indulged desire becomes disaster. Magnifying the nine layers within—what one dwells in does not exceed room for the knees; those benighted do not know, jade their towers and kingfisher their chambers. Spreading the eight ranks before one—what one eats does not exceed what suits the mouth; only the mad forget, hill their dregs and pool their wine. Do not be wild within with colors; do not be wild without with birds; do not prize hard-to-obtain goods; do not listen to music that destroys states. Wild within cuts down human nature; wild without unsettles human hearts; hard-to-obtain goods are extravagant; music that destroys states is licentious. Do not say I am honored and insult the worthy and humiliate scholars; do not say I am wise and reject remonstrance and pride oneself. One heard of the Xia king, rising repeatedly from the gift of food; there was also the Wei emperor, tugging the robe without stopping. Settling the contrary and perverse like spring sun and autumn dew; lofty and vast, restoring Han Gaozu's magnanimity; handling these many affairs as treading thin ice facing deep water, trembling and fearful, using King Wen of Zhou's carefulness.
47
《詩》云：「不識不知」，《書》曰：「無偏無黨」。 一彼此於胸臆，捐好惡於心想。 眾棄而後加刑，眾悅而後命賞。 弱其強而治其亂，申其屈而直其枉。 故曰：「如衡如石，不定物以數，物之懸者，輕重自具； 如水如鏡，不示物以情，物之鑒者，妍媸自生。」 勿渾渾而濁，勿皎皎而清，勿沒沒而暗，勿察察而明。 雖冕旒蔽目而視於未形，雖黈纊塞耳而聽於無聲。 縱心乎湛然之域，遊神於至道之精。 扣之者應洪纖而效響，酌之者隨深淺而皆盈。 故曰：天之清，地之寧，王之貞。 四時不言而代序，萬物無為而受成。 豈知帝有其力，而天下和平。
The Odes say, "Without knowing, without knowing"; the Documents say, "Without partiality, without partisanship." Casting this and that from the breast, casting likes and dislikes from thought. After the multitude abandons, then add punishment; after the multitude delights, then command reward. Weakening the strong and ordering the chaotic, extending the bent and straightening the crooked. Therefore it is said, "Like balance like stone—not fixing things by number; what things hang from, light and heavy supply themselves; like water like mirror—not showing things feeling; what things reflect in, beauty and ugliness arise of themselves." Do not be turbidly muddy; do not be brightly clear; do not be dimly dark; do not be keenly bright. Though the tassels cover the eyes one sees what has no form; though the cotton plug stops the ears one hears what has no sound. Release the heart in the realm of deep clarity; roam the spirit in the essence of utmost Way. Strike it and it responds to thick and fine with echo; ladle it and it follows deep and shallow all full. Therefore it is said: Heaven's clarity, earth's tranquility, the king's rectitude. The four seasons speak not yet seasons replace one another; the myriad things act not yet receive completion. Who knows the emperor has his power yet the realm is at peace.
48
吾王撥亂，戡以智力，民懼其威，未懷其德。 我皇撫運，扇以淳風，民懷其始，未保其終。 爰述金鏡，窮神盡聖； 使人以心，應言以行。 包括治體，抑揚詞令，天下為公，一人有慶。 開羅起祝，援琴命詩，一日二日，念茲在茲。 唯人所召，自天祐之。 爭臣司直，敢告前疑！
Our king pacified disorder, conquering by intelligence and strength; the people feared his awesomeness, not yet cherishing his virtue. Our emperor nurtures fortune, fanning pure wind; the people cherish the beginning, not yet securing the end. Therefore I recount the golden mirror, exhausting spirit and utmost sagehood; using people with the heart, responding to words with deeds. Embracing governing principles, elevating and lowering words and orders; the realm is public, one man has blessing. Opening the net to raise a toast, taking up the zither to command poetry—day one day two, keep this in mind. Only what men summon, from Heaven it is aided. Remonstrating ministers and upright officers dare report prior doubts!
49
太宗嘉之，賜以束帛，除大理丞。
Taizong commended it and granted silk; he was appointed Assistant Director of the Court of Judicial Review.
50
初，河內人李孝德，素有風疾，而語涉妄妖。 蘊古究其獄，稱好德癲病有征，法不當坐。 治書侍御史權萬紀劾蘊古家住相州，好德之兄厚德為其刺史，情在阿縱，奏事不實。 太宗大怒，曰：「小子乃敢亂吾法耶？」 令斬於東市。 太宗尋悔，因發制，凡決死者，命所司五覆奏，自蘊古始也。
Initially Li Xiaode of Henei had long had wind illness and his speech touched on wild sorcery. Yungu investigated his case and said Xiaode's mad illness had symptoms; by law he should not be punished. Drafting Secretary Quan Wanji impeached Yungu: his home was in Xiang Prefecture, Xiaode's elder brother Houde was its prefect—favor inclined to partiality, the memorial was not true. Taizong was greatly angered and said, "This stripling dares to disturb my law!" He ordered execution at the eastern market. Taizong soon repented and therefore issued an edict: for all condemned to death, the responsible office must five times re-memorialize—beginning with Yungu.
51
劉胤之
Liu Yinshi
52
劉胤之，徐州彭城人也。 祖祎之，後魏臨淮鎮將。 胤之少有學業，與隋信都丞孫萬壽、宗正卿李百藥為忘年之友。 武德中，御史大夫杜淹表薦之，再遷信都令，甚存惠政。 永徽初，累轉著作郎、弘文館學士，與國子祭酒令狐德棻、著作郎楊仁卿等，撰成國史及實錄，奏上之，封陽城縣男。 尋以老，不堪著述，出為楚州刺史，卒。
Liu Yinshi was a man of Pengcheng in Xu Prefecture. Grandfather Yizhi, Garrison Commander of Linhuai of Later Wei. Yinshi in youth had scholarship and with Sui's Assistant Administrator of Xindu Sun Wanshou and Director of the Court of the Imperial Clan Li Baiyao was a friend across the years. In the Wude era Censor-in-Chief Du Yan memorialized recommending him; he was twice promoted to Magistrate of Xindu and greatly preserved benevolent government. In the early Yonghui era he was repeatedly transferred to Drafting Clerk of the Palace Library and Academic Scholar of the Hongwen Hall; with Guozi Jijiu Linghu Defen and Drafting Clerk Yang Renqing and others he completed the national history and veritable records, submitted them, and was enfeoffed Baron of Yangcheng. Soon because of age he could not bear compilation work, he was sent out as Prefect of Chu and died.
53
從子延祐
Nephew Yanyou
54
弟子延祐，弱冠本州舉進士，累補渭南尉。 刀筆吏能，為畿邑當時之冠。 司空李勣嘗謂曰：「足下春秋甫爾，便擅大名，宜稍自貶抑，無為獨出人右也。」 後歷右司郎中，檢校司賓少卿，封薛縣男。
Nephew Yanyou at weak crown was recommended as Jinshi in his home prefecture and repeatedly served as Assistant Magistrate of Weinan. As a clerk with brush he had ability and was the crown of the capital districts of the time. Minister of Works Li Ji once said to him, "Your grace is barely grown yet you monopolize great fame—you should slightly restrain yourself and not stand alone above others." Later he served as Director in the Ministry of Justice, Acting Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and was enfeoffed Baron of Xue.
55
徐敬業之亂，揚州初平，所有刑名，莫能決定，延祐奉使至軍所決之。 時議者斷受賊五品官者斬，六品者流。 延祐以為諸非元謀，迫脅從盜，則置極刑，事涉枉濫，乃斷受賊五品者流，六品已下俱除名而已。 其得全濟者甚眾。
In the disorder of Xu Jingye, when Yang Prefecture was first pacified, of all criminal cases none could be decided; Yanyou was sent as envoy to the army camp to decide them. At the time debaters judged those who accepted fifth-rank offices from the rebels should be beheaded, sixth-rank exiled. Yanyou considered that all who were not original plotters but were coerced to follow the bandits—if extreme punishment were applied the matter would involve wrongful excess; therefore he judged fifth-rank acceptors exiled, sixth-rank and below merely stripped of name. Those fully spared were very many.
56
出為箕州刺史，轉安南都護。 嶺南俚戶，舊輸半課，及延祐到，遂勒全輸。 由是其下皆怨，謀欲將叛，延祐乃誅其首惡李嗣仙。 垂拱三年，嗣仙黨與丁建、李思慎等，遂率眾圍安南府。 時城中勝兵不過數百，乃禁門堅守，以候鄰境之援。 廣州大族馮子猷幸災樂禍，欲因危立功，遂按兵縱敵，使其為害滋甚。 延祐遂為思慎所害。 其後桂州司馬曹玄靜率兵討思慎等，擒之。 盡斬於安南城下。
He was sent out as Prefect of Ji and transferred to Protector-General of Annan. The Liao households of Lingnan originally paid half tax; when Yanyou arrived he compelled full payment. On this account his subordinates all resented him and plotted rebellion; Yanyou then executed the ringleader Li Sixian. In the third year of Chuigong, Sixian's partisans Ding Jian, Li Sizhen, and others then led crowds to surround the Annan headquarters. At the time able soldiers in the city were no more than several hundred; they closed the gates and held firm, waiting for aid from neighboring territories. Great clan leader of Guang Prefecture Feng Ziyou rejoiced in others' disaster and wished to exploit crisis to establish merit; he then held troops and released the enemy, letting harm grow greater. Yanyou was then killed by Sizhen. Afterward Assistant Administrator of Gui Prefecture Cao Xuanjing led troops to attack Sizhen and others and captured them. All were beheaded below the walls of Annan city.
57
從父兄子藏器
Son of elder paternal cousin Zangqi
58
胤之從父兄子藏器，亦有詞學，官至宋州司馬。 藏器子知柔，開元初，為工部尚書。 知柔弟知幾，避玄宗名改子玄。 自有傳。
Yinshi's son of elder paternal cousin Zangqi also had literary learning and reached Assistant Administrator of Song Prefecture. Zangqi's son Zhirou, in the early Kaiyuan era, was Minister of Works. Zhirou's younger brother Zhiji, avoiding Xuanzong's name, changed to Zixuan. He has his own biography.
59
張昌齡
Zhang Changling
60
張昌齡，冀州南宮人。 弱冠以文詞知名。 本州欲以秀才舉之，昌齡以時廢此科已久，固辭。 乃充進士貢舉及第。 貞觀二十一年，翠微宮成，詣闕獻頌。 太宗召見，試作《息兵詔》草，俄頃而就。 太宗甚悅，因謂之曰：「昔禰衡、潘嶽，皆恃才傲物，以至非命。 汝才不減二賢，宜追鑒前軌，以副吾所取也。」 乃敕於通事舍人裏供奉。 尋為昆山道行軍記室，破盧明月，平龜茲，軍書露布，皆昌齡之文也。 再轉長安尉，出為襄州司戶，丁憂去官。 後賀蘭敏之奏引於北門修撰，尋又罷去。 乾封元年卒。 文集二十卷。
Zhang Changling was a man of Nangong in Ji Prefecture. At weak crown he was renowned for literary composition. His home prefecture wished to recommend him as Xiucai; Changling considered this category long abolished and firmly declined. He then entered as Jinshi tribute candidate and passed. In the twenty-first year of Zhenguan, when Cuiwei Palace was completed, he went to the gate and presented a eulogy. Taizong summoned him and tested him composing a draft Cease Arms Edict; in a moment it was done. Taizong was greatly pleased and said to him, "Formerly Mi Heng and Pan Yue both relied on talent and were arrogant toward others, until they met untimely death. Your talent is not inferior to those two worthies—you should follow the earlier track to match what I have chosen of you." An edict then ordered him to attend within the office of the Herald. Soon he was Army Recorder on the Kunshan Circuit, defeating Lu Mingyue and pacifying Kucha—all military documents and victory bulletins were Changling's writing. He was twice transferred to Assistant Magistrate of Chang'an and sent out as Revenue Clerk of Xiang Prefecture; he left office on mourning. Later Helan Minzhi memorialized recommending him for compilation at the North Gate; soon he was again dismissed. In the first year of Qianfeng he died. Collected works in twenty scrolls.
61
兄昌宗
Elder brother Changzong
62
兄昌宗，亦有學業，官至太子舍人、修文館學士。 撰《古文紀年新傳》三十卷。
Elder brother Changzong also had scholarship and reached Attendant of the Heir Apparent and Academic Scholar of the Hall of Cultivated Letters. He compiled the New Chronicle of Ancient Writing in thirty scrolls.
63
崔行功
Cui Xinggong
64
崔行功，恆州井陘人，北齊鉅鹿太守伯讓曾孫也，自博陵徙家焉。 行功少好學，中書侍郎唐儉愛其才，以女妻之。 儉前後征討，所有文表，皆行功之文。 高宗時，累轉吏部郎中。 以善敷奏，嘗兼通事舍人、內供奉。 坐事貶為遊安令，尋征為司文郎中。 當時朝廷大手筆，多是行功及蘭臺侍郎李懷儼之詞。
Cui Xinggong was a man of Jingxing in Heng Prefecture, great-grandson of Boyang, Prefect of Julu of Northern Qi; his family moved there from Boling. Xinggong in youth loved learning; Vice Director of the Secretariat Tang Jian loved his talent and gave him his daughter in marriage. In Jian's successive campaigns all documents and memorials were Xinggong's writing. Under Gaozong he was repeatedly promoted to Director in the Ministry of Personnel. Because he was skilled at memorializing, he once concurrently served as Herald and inner attendant. Punished for an offense he was demoted Magistrate of You'an; soon he was summoned as Director in the Ministry of Rites. At the time the court's great brushwork was mostly the words of Xinggong and Vice Director of the Orchid Terrace Li Huaiyan.
65
先是，太宗命秘書監魏征寫四部群書，將進內貯庫，別置讎校二十人、書手一百人。 征改職之後，令虞世南、顏師古等續其事。 至高宗初，其功未畢。 顯慶中，罷讎校及御書手，令工書人繕寫，計直酬傭，擇散官隨番讎校。 其後又詔東臺侍郎趙仁本、東臺舍人張文瓘及行功、懷儼等相次充使檢校。 又置詳正學士以校理之，行功仍專知御集。 遷蘭臺侍郎。
Previously Taizong ordered Secretariat Director Wei Zheng to copy the four categories of books to be stored in the inner treasury, separately setting twenty collators and one hundred copyists. After Zheng changed posts, he ordered Yu Shinan, Yan Shigu, and others to continue the work. By the early Gaozong era the work was not yet finished. In the Xianqing era collators and imperial copyists were abolished; skilled copyists were ordered to transcribe, calculating payment by piecework, selecting unattached officials to collate in rotation. Afterward an edict also ordered Vice Director of the Eastern Terrace Zhao Renben, Attendant of the Eastern Terrace Zhang Wenwan, and Xinggong and Huaiyan and others to serve successively as inspection commissioners. Detailed collation scholars were also set up to collate and order; Xinggong still specially managed the imperial collection. He was promoted Vice Director of the Orchid Terrace.
66
咸亨中，官名復舊，改為秘書少監。 上元元年，卒官。 有集六十卷。 兄子玄暐，別有傳。
In the Xianheng era official titles were restored to the old; he was changed to Vice Director of the Secretariat. In the first year of Shangyuan he died in office. He had a collection in sixty scrolls. Nephew son Xuanhui has a separate biography.
67
行功前後預撰《晉書》及《文思博要》等。 同時又有孟利貞、董思恭、元思敬等，並以文藻知名。
Xinggong before and after participated in compiling the History of Jin and the Comprehensive Digest of Literary Thought and others. At the same time there were also Meng Lizhen, Dong Sigong, Yuan Sijing, and others—all renowned for literary ornament.
68
附孟利貞
Appended: Meng Lizhen
69
孟利貞者，華州華陰人也。 父神慶，高宗初為沁州刺史，以清介著名。 利貞初為太子司議郎，中宗在東宮，深懼之。 受詔與少師許敬宗、崇賢館學士郭瑜、顧胤、董思恭等撰《瑤山玉彩》五百卷。 龍朔二年奏上之，高宗稱善，加級賜物有差。 利貞累轉著作郎，加弘文館學士。 垂拱初卒。 又撰《續文選》十三卷。
Meng Lizhen was a man of Huayin in Hua Prefecture. Father Shenqing, in the early Gaozong era was Prefect of Qin Prefecture, famed for integrity. Lizhen initially was Remonstrator of the Heir Apparent; when Zhongzong was in the Eastern Palace he deeply feared him. Receiving an edict with Junior Tutor Xu Jingzong and Academic Scholars of the Hall of Honoring the Worthy Guo Yu, Gu Yin, and Dong Sigong and others he compiled the Jade Splendor of Mount Yao in five hundred scrolls. In the second year of Longshuo it was submitted; Gaozong praised it and added rank and granted goods in differing amounts. Lizhen was repeatedly transferred to Drafting Clerk and added Academic Scholar of the Hongwen Hall. In the early Chuigong era he died. He also compiled the Continuation of the Literary Selection in thirteen scrolls.
70
兄允忠
Elder brother Yongzhong
71
兄允忠，垂拱中為天官侍郎。
Elder brother Yongzhong, in the Chuigong era was Vice Director of the Celestial Office.
72
附董思恭
Appended: Dong Sigong
73
董思恭者，蘇州吳人。 所著篇詠，甚為時人所重。 初為右史，知考功舉事，坐預泄問目，配流嶺表而死。
Dong Sigong was a man of Wu in Su Prefecture. The compositions he authored were greatly valued by contemporaries. Initially he was Right Historian, knowing examination affairs; punished for leaking questions he was exiled to Lingnan and died.
74
附元思敬
Appended: Yuan Sijing
75
元思敬者，總章中為協律郎。 預修《芳林要覽》，又撰《詩人秀句》兩卷，傳於世。
Yuan Sijing, in the Zongzhang era was Director of Harmonizing Music. He participated in compiling the Forest Compendium of Excellence and also compiled Poets' Fine Lines in two scrolls, transmitted in the world.
76
徐齊聃
Xu Qipan
77
徐齊聃，湖州長城人也。 父孝德，以女為才人，官至果州刺史。 齊聃少善屬文，高宗時累遷蘭臺舍人。 時敕令有突厥酋長子弟事東宮，齊聃上疏曰：
Xu Qipan was a man of Changcheng in Hu Prefecture. Father Xiaode, because his daughter was a Talented Lady, reached Prefect of Guo Prefecture. Qipan in youth was skilled at literary composition; under Gaozong he was repeatedly promoted to Attendant of the Orchid Terrace. At the time an edict concerned sons of Turkic chieftains serving the Eastern Palace; Qipan submitted a memorial saying:
78
昔姬誦與伯禽同業，晉儲以師曠為友，匪唯專賴師資，固亦詳觀近習。 皇太子自可招集園、綺，寤寐應、劉。 階闥小臣，必采於端士； 驅馳所任，並歸於正人。 方流好善之風，永播崇賢之美。 今乃使氈裘之子，解辮而侍春闈； 冒頓之苗，削袵而陪望苑。 在於道義，臣竊有疑。 詩云：「敬慎威儀，以近有德。」 《書》曰：「任官惟賢才，左右惟其人。」 蓋殷勤於此，防微之至也。
Formerly Prince Song of Zhou studied with Bo Qin; the Heir Apparent of Jin took Music Master Kuang as friend—not only relying specially on teachers, but also closely observing near companions. The Heir Apparent may naturally summon Yuan and Qi, waking and sleeping with Ying and Liu. Petty ministers at the gate must be chosen from upright gentlemen; those charged to attend must all be returned to proper men. Then will flow the wind of loving goodness and forever spread the beauty of honoring the worthy. Now sons in felt robes are made to unbraid hair and attend the spring gate; seed of Modu, cutting robes, accompany the lookout garden. In point of moral principle, your subject privately has doubts. The Odes say, "Reverent and cautious in dignity, to draw near to the virtuous." The Documents say, "Appoint officials only for talent and ability; attendants left and right only for their persons." Truly earnestness here—to the utmost in guarding against the subtle.
79
齊聃又嘗上奏曰：「齊獻公即陛下外氏，雖子孫有犯，不合上延於祖。 今周忠孝公廟甚修崇，而齊獻公廟遽毀壞，不審陛下將何以重示海內，以彰孝理之風？」 帝皆納其言。
Qipan also once submitted a memorial saying, "Duke Zhongxiao of Qi is Your Majesty's maternal clan; though descendants may offend, it is not fitting to extend upward to ancestors. Now the temple of Duke Zhongxiao of Zhou is greatly repaired while the temple of Duke Zhongxiao of Qi was suddenly destroyed—I do not know how Your Majesty will heavily show the realm and manifest the wind of filial principle?" The Emperor accepted both statements.
80
齊聃善於文誥，甚為當時所稱。 高宗愛其文，令侍周王等屬文，以職在樞劇，仍敕間日來往焉。 以漏泄機密，左授蘄州司馬。 俄又坐事配流欽州。 咸亨中卒，年四十余。 睿宗即位，追錄舊恩，累贈禮部尚書。
Qipan was skilled at documents and edicts and was greatly praised by the age. Gaozong loved his writing and ordered him to assist the Prince of Zhou and others in composition; because his duties were in urgent secret matters, he was still ordered to come and go on alternate days. For leaking secrets he was demoted left to Assistant Administrator of Qi Prefecture. Soon he was again punished and exiled to Qin Prefecture. In the Xianheng era he died, aged over forty. When Ruizong took the throne he traced old favor and repeatedly posthumously promoted him to Minister of Rites.
81
子堅，別有傳。
Son Jian has a separate biography.
82
杜易簡
Du Yijian
83
杜易簡，襄州襄陽人，周硤州刺史叔毗曾孫也。 九歲能屬文，及長，博學有高名。 姨兄中書令岑文本甚推重之。 登進士第，累轉殿中侍御史。 咸亨中，為考功員外郎。 時吏部侍郎裴行儉、李敬玄相與不葉，易簡與吏部員外郎賈言忠希行儉之旨，上封陳敬玄罪狀。 高宗惡其朋黨，左轉易簡為開州司馬，尋卒。
Du Yijian was a man of Xiangyang in Xiang Prefecture, great-grandson of Shubi, Prefect of Xia of Zhou. At nine sui he could compose text; when grown he was broadly learned and had high fame. Maternal cousin by marriage Director of the Secretariat Cen Wenben greatly esteemed him. He passed the Jinshi examination and was repeatedly transferred to Attending Censor. In the Xianheng era he was Vice Director in the Ministry of Personnel. At the time Vice Director of Personnel Pei Xingjian and Li Jingxuan were mutually at odds; Yijian with Vice Director Jia Yanzhong hoped for Xingjian's intent and submitted a sealed memorial stating Jingxuan's offenses. Gaozong hated their faction; Yijian was demoted left to Assistant Administrator of Kai Prefecture and soon died.
84
易簡頗善著述，撰《御史臺雜註》五卷，文集二十卷，行於代。
Yijian was quite skilled at writing and compiled Miscellaneous Notes of the Censorate in five scrolls and collected works in twenty scrolls, circulating in the age.
85
易簡從祖弟審言。
Yijian's younger paternal cousin of the same grandfather Shenyan.
86
從祖弟審言
Younger paternal cousin of the same grandfather Shenyan
87
審言，進士舉，初為隰城尉。 雅善五言詩，工書翰，有能名。 然恃才謇傲，甚為時輩所嫉。 乾封中，蘇味道為天官侍郎，審言預選。 試判訖，謂人曰：「蘇味道必死。」 人問其故，審言曰：「見吾判，即自當羞死矣！」 又嘗謂人曰：「吾之文章，合得屈、宋作衙官； 吾之書跡，合得王羲之北面。」 其矜誕如此。
Shenyan, recommended as Jinshi, initially was Assistant Magistrate of Yincheng. He was especially skilled at five-character poetry and skilled at calligraphy, with a reputation for ability. Yet relying on talent he was blunt and arrogant and was greatly envied by contemporaries. In the Qianfeng era Su Weidao was Vice Director of the Celestial Office; Shenyan participated in selection. When the examination judgment was finished he said to people, "Su Weidao must die." People asked the reason; Shenyan said, "Seeing my judgment, he should die of shame!" He also once said to people, "My literary compositions ought to have Qu and Song as yamen officers; my calligraphy ought to have Wang Xizhi face north." His arrogance and extravagance were thus.
88
累轉洛陽丞。 坐事貶授吉州司戶參軍。 又與州僚不葉，司馬周季重與員外司戶郭若訥共構審言罪狀，繫獄，將因事殺之。 既而季重等府中酣宴，審言子並年十三，懷刃以擊之。 季重中傷死，而並亦為左右所殺。 季重臨死曰：「吾不知審言有孝子，郭若訥誤我至此！」 審言因此免官，還東都，自為文祭並。 士友鹹哀並孝烈，蘇颋為墓誌，劉允濟為祭文。 後則天召見審言，將加擢用。 問曰：「卿歡喜否？」 審言蹈舞謝恩。 因令作《歡喜詩》，甚見嘉賞，拜著作佐郎。 俄遷膳部員外郎。 神龍初，坐與張易之兄弟交往，配流嶺外。 尋召授國子監主簿，加修文館直學士。 年六十余卒。 有文集十卷。
He was repeatedly transferred to Assistant Magistrate of Luoyang. Punished for an offense he was demoted and appointed Revenue Clerk of Ji Prefecture. Again at odds with prefectural colleagues, Assistant Administrator Zhou Jizhong with Outer Revenue Clerk Guo Ruone jointly framed charges against Shenyan and imprisoned him, intending to kill him on a pretext. Then Jizhong and others feasted deeply in the headquarters; Shenyan's son Bing, aged thirteen, concealed a blade and struck them. Jizhong was wounded and died; Bing was also killed by attendants. Jizhong at death said, "I did not know Shenyan had a filial son—Guo Ruone misled me to this!" Shenyan on this account was dismissed and returned to the eastern capital, himself composing a funeral text for Bing. Scholars and friends all mourned Bing's filial heroism; Su Ting wrote his tomb inscription and Liu Yunji his funeral text. Later Zetian summoned Shenyan intending to promote him. She asked, "Are you pleased?" Shenyan danced in joy and thanked for grace. She then ordered him to compose the Joyful Poem; he was greatly praised and appointed Assistant Director of the Palace Library. Soon he was promoted Vice Director in the Ministry of Provisions. In the early Shenlong era, punished for associating with the Zhang Yizhi brothers, he was exiled beyond the ranges. Soon he was summoned and appointed Director of the Directorate of Education and added Direct Academic Scholar of the Hall of Cultivated Letters. Aged over sixty he died. He had a collected works in ten scrolls.
89
次子閑。 閑子甫，別有傳。
Second son Xian. Xian's son Fu has a separate biography.
90
盧照鄰
Lu Zhaolin
91
盧照鄰，字升之，幽州范陽人也。 年十余歲，就曹憲、王義方授《蒼》、《雅》及經史，博學善屬文。 初授鄧王府典簽，王甚愛重之，曾謂群官曰：「此即寡人相如也。」 後拜新都尉。 因染風疾去官，處太白山中，以服餌為事。 後疾轉篤，徙居陽翟之具茨山，著《釋疾文》、《五悲》等誦。 頗有騷人之風，甚為文士所重。
Lu Zhaolin, styled Shengzhi, was a man of Fanyang in You Prefecture. At over ten sui he studied the Cangjie and Erya lexicons and classics and histories under Cao Xian and Wang Yifang, broadly learned and skilled at literary composition. Initially appointed Record Keeper of the Prince of Deng's establishment; the prince greatly loved and valued him and once said to assembled officials, "This is my Sima Xiangru." Later he was appointed Assistant Magistrate of Xindu. Because he contracted wind illness he left office and dwelt in Mount Taibai, making diet and medicine his occupation. Later the illness grew severe and he moved to Mount Juci of Yangdi, composing the Explanatory Essay on Illness and the Five Laments and other pieces. He quite had the flavor of a sao poet and was greatly valued by literary men.
92
照鄰既沈痼攣廢，不堪其苦，嘗與親屬執別，遂自投潁水而死，時年四十。 文集二十卷。
Zhaolin, sunk in chronic paralysis and crippled, could not bear the suffering; once taking leave of kin he threw himself into the Ying River and died, aged forty. Collected works in twenty scrolls.
93
兄光乘
Elder brother Guangcheng
94
兄光乘，亦知名，長壽中為隴州刺史。
Elder brother Guangcheng was also renowned and in the Changshou era was Prefect of Long Prefecture.
95
楊炯
Yang Jiong
96
楊炯，華陰人。 伯祖虔威，武德中官至右衛將軍。 炯幼聰敏博學，善屬文。 神童舉，拜校書郎，為崇文館學士。 儀鳳中，太常博士蘇知幾上表，以公卿已下冕服，請別立節文。 敕下有司詳議，炯獻議曰：
Yang Jiong was a man of Huayin. Granduncle Qianwei, in the Wude era reached General of the Right Guard. Jiong in youth was clever, keen, and broadly learned, skilled at literary composition. Recommended as child prodigy he was appointed Collator and Academic Scholar of the Hall of Cultivated Letters. In the Yifeng era Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Su Zhiji submitted a memorial that from dukes and ministers downward court dress should have separate ritual texts. An edict was issued ordering the relevant offices to deliberate in detail, and Jiong submitted a memorial arguing:
97
由是竟寢知幾所請。
On this account Zhi Ji's request was ultimately shelved.
98
俄遷詹事司直。 則天初，坐從祖弟神讓犯逆，左轉梓州司法參軍。 秩滿，選授盈川令。 如意元年七月望日，宮中出盂蘭盆，分送佛寺，則天禦洛南門，與百僚觀之。 炯獻《盂蘭盆賦》，詞甚雅麗。 炯至官，為政殘酷，人吏動不如意，輒搒殺之。 又所居府舍，多進士亭臺，皆書榜額，為之美名，大為遠近所笑。 無何卒官。 中宗即位，以舊僚追贈著作郎。 文集三十卷。
Soon he was promoted Direct Clerk of the Household of the Heir Apparent. In the early Zetian era, punished because younger paternal cousin Shenrang committed treason, he was demoted left to Judicial Military Administrator of Zizhou. When his term expired he was selected and appointed Magistrate of Yingchuan. In the first year of Ruyi, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the palace sent out Ullambana bowls to Buddhist temples; Zetian attended the south gate of Luoyang with the hundred officials to view them. Jiong presented the Rhapsody on the Ullambana Bowl; the language was very elegant and beautiful. When Jiong reached office his governance was cruel; when officials and clerks did not suit his wish he beat them to death. Also the official residence mostly had pavilions built by Jinshi candidates, all with inscribed placards making fine names—greatly laughed at by near and far. Before long he died in office. When Zhongzong took the throne, as an old associate he was posthumously promoted Drafting Clerk of the Palace Library. Collected works in thirty scrolls.
99
炯與王勃、盧照鄰、駱賓王以文詞齊名，海內稱為王楊盧駱，亦號為「四傑」。 炯聞之，謂人曰：「吾愧在盧前，恥居王後。」 當時議者，亦以為然。
Jiong with Wang Bo, Lu Zhaolin, and Luo Binwang were equally famed for literary composition; within the seas they were called Wang, Yang, Lu, and Luo, also styled the "Four Outstanding". Jiong heard this and said to people, "I am ashamed to stand before Lu and shamed to stand after Wang." Debaters of the time also considered it so.
100
其後崔融、李嶠、張說俱重四傑之文。 崔融曰：「王勃文章宏逸，有絕塵之跡，固非常流所及。 炯與照鄰可以企之，盈川之言信矣！」 說曰：「楊盈川文思如懸河註水，酌之不竭，既優於盧，亦不減王。 『恥居王後』，信然； 『愧在盧前』，謙也。」
Afterward Cui Rong, Li Jiao, and Zhang Yue all valued the Four Outstanding's writing. Cui Rong said, "Wang Bo's writing is grand and swift, with traces of leaving the dust—truly not what ordinary streams reach. Jiong and Zhaolin can aspire to them; Yingchuan's words are true!" Yue said, "Yang Yingchuan's literary thought is like a suspended river pouring water—ladle without exhaustion; he is superior to Lu and not inferior to Wang. 'Shamed to stand after Wang'—truly so; Ashamed to stand before Lu'—modesty."
101
開元中，說為集賢大學士十余年。 常與學士徐堅論近代文士，悲其雕喪。 堅曰：「李趙公、崔文公之筆術，擅價一時，其間孰優？」 說曰：「李嶠、崔融、薛稷、宋之問之文，如良金美玉，無施不可。 富嘉謨之文，如孤峰絕岸，壁立萬仞，濃雲郁興，震雷俱發，誠可畏也，若施於廊廟，則駭矣！ 閻朝隱之文，如麗服靚妝，燕歌趙舞，觀者忘疲，若類之風、雅，則罪人矣！」 問後進詞人之優劣，說曰：「韓休之文，如大羹旨酒，雅有典則，而薄於滋味。 許景先之文，如豐肌膩理，雖穠華可愛，而微少風骨。 張九齡之文，如輕縑素練，實濟時用，而微窘邊幅。 王翰之文，如瓊懷玉斝，雖爛然可珍，而多有玷缺。」 堅以為然。
In the Kaiyuan era Yue was Grand Academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies for over ten years. He often with Academic Scholar Xu Jian discussed recent literary men, lamenting their ornate decline. Jian said, "Among the brushwork of Duke Li and Duke Cui, each monopolized price for a time—which was superior?" Yue said, "The writing of Li Jiao, Cui Rong, Xue Ji, and Song Zhiwen is like fine gold and beautiful jade—there is no occasion where it cannot be applied. Fu Jiamo's writing is like a lone peak and sheer cliff, standing ten thousand ren, dense clouds rising thick, thunderclaps all bursting forth—truly awesome; yet if applied in the court hall, it would alarm! Yan Chaoyin's writing is like fine clothes and splendid adornment, Yan songs and Zhao dances—the viewer forgets fatigue; yet if classed with the Airs and Elegances, it would be criminal!" Asked about the merits and defects of later poets, Yue said, "Han Xiu's writing is like great broth and fine wine—elegant with canonical norms, yet thin in flavor. Xu Jingxian's writing is like rich flesh and smooth texture—though lush and lovely, slightly lacking bone and spirit. Zhang Jiuling's writing is like light silk and plain silk—truly useful for the age, yet slightly cramped in breadth. Wang Han's writing is like jade in the breast and jade cups—though brilliantly precious, often with many flaws." Jian considered it so.
102
從父德幹
Younger paternal uncle Degan
103
虔威子德幹，高宗末，歷澤、齊、汴、相四州刺史，治有威名，郡人為之語曰：「寧食三斗蒜，不逢楊德幹。」
Qianwei's son Degan, in the late Gaozong era served as Prefect of Ze, Qi, Bian, and Xiang—the four prefectures; his governance had awesomeness and fame; people of the commanderies said, "Better eat three pecks of garlic than meet Yang Degan."
104
德幹子神讓
Degan's son Shenrang
105
子神讓，天授初與徐敬業於揚州謀叛，父子伏誅。
Son Shenrang, in the early Tianshou era with Xu Jingye at Yang Prefecture plotted rebellion; father and son were executed.
106
王勃
Wang Bo
107
王勃。 字子安，絳州龍門人。 祖通，隋蜀郡司戶書佐。 大業末，棄官歸，以著書講學為業。 依《春秋》體例，自獲麟後，歷秦、漢至於後魏，著紀年之書，謂之《元經》。 又依《孔子家語》、揚雄《法言》例，為客主對答之說，號曰《中說》。 皆為儒士所稱。 義寧元年卒，門人薛收等相與議謚曰文中子。 二子：福畤、福郊。
Wang Bo. Styled Zi'an, he was a man of Longmen in Jiang Prefecture. Grandfather Tong, Records Clerk of the Household of Shu Commandery of Sui. In the late Daye era he abandoned office and returned home, making authorship and lecturing his occupation. Following the Spring and Autumn format, from after the Capture of the Lin stag through Qin and Han down to Later Wei he authored a chronicle book called the Original Classic. Also following the examples of Confucius's Family Talk and Yang Xiong's Exemplary Sayings, he made guest-and-host dialogues called the Central Sayings. Both were praised by Confucian scholars. In the first year of Yining he died; his disciples Xue Shou and others together discussed and gave the posthumous title Master of Letters in the Wen tradition. Two sons: Fuchao and Fujiao.
108
勃六歲解屬文，構思無滯，詞情英邁，與兄勔、勮，才藻相類。 父友杜易簡常稱之曰：「此王氏三珠樹也。」 勃年未及冠，應幽素舉及第。 乾封初，詣闕上《宸遊東嶽頌》。 時東都造乾元殿，又上《乾元殿頌》。 沛王賢聞其名，召為沛府修撰，甚愛重之。 諸王鬥雞，互有勝負，勃戲為《檄英王雞文》。 高宗覽之，怒曰：「據此是交構之漸。」 即日斥勃，不令入府。 久之，補虢州參軍。
Bo at six sui could compose linked text, forming ideas without delay; his language was spirited and bold—like his elder brothers Mian and Xun in literary talent. Father's friend Du Yijian often praised them saying, "These are the three pearl trees of the Wang clan." Bo before capped years passed the Yousu recommendation and succeeded. In the early Qianfeng era he went to the gate and submitted the Eulogy on the Imperial Tour of the Eastern Peak. At the time the Eastern Capital was building Qianyuan Hall; he again submitted the Eulogy on Qianyuan Hall. Prince of Pei Xian heard his name and summoned him as Compiler of the Pei establishment; he greatly loved and valued him. The princes cock-fought, each having victory and defeat; Bo in jest composed the Proclamation Against the Prince of Ying's Cock. Gaozong read it and angrily said, "From this it is the beginning of mutual incitement." That same day Bo was expelled and not allowed to enter the establishment. After a long time he was appointed Military Adjutant of Guo Prefecture.
109
勃恃才傲物，為同僚所嫉。 有官奴曹達犯罪，勃匿之，又懼事泄，乃殺達以塞口。 事發，當誅，會赦除名。 時勃父福畤為雍州司戶參軍，坐勃左遷交趾令。 上元二年，勃往交趾省父，道出江中，為《采蓮賦》以見意，其辭甚美。 渡南海，墮水而卒，時年二十八。
Bo relied on talent and was arrogant; colleagues envied him. A government slave Cao Da committed a crime; Bo hid him, then fearing the matter would leak killed Da to stop mouths. When the matter was exposed he should have been executed; an amnesty arrived and his name was struck. At the time Bo's father Fuchao was Revenue Clerk of Yong Prefecture; punished because of Bo he was demoted Magistrate of Jiaozhi. In the second year of Shangyuan Bo went to Jiaozhi to visit his father; on the road through the river he composed the Rhapsody on Gathering Lotus to express his intent—the language very beautiful. Crossing the Southern Sea he fell into the water and died, aged twenty-eight.
110
苾，弱冠進士登第，累除太子典膳丞。 長壽中，擢為鳳閣舍人。 時壽春王成器、衡陽王成義等五王初出閣，同日授冊。 有司撰儀註，忘載冊文。 及百僚在列，方知闕禮，宰相相顧失色。 苾立召書吏五人，各令執筆，口占分寫，一時俱畢。 詞理典贍，人皆嘆服。 尋加弘文館學士，兼知天官侍郎。 苾頗任權勢，交結非類。 萬歲通天二年，綦連耀謀逆事泄，閟坐與耀善，並弟閟並伏誅。
Ji, at weak crown passed Jinshi and was repeatedly appointed Director of the Heir Apparent's Commissary for Food. In the Changshou era he was promoted Attendant of the Phoenix Pavilion. At the time Princes of Shouchun Chengqing, Hengyang Chengyi, and four others first left the palace and on the same day received investiture. The responsible office drafted ritual notes and forgot to include the investiture texts. When the hundred officials were in ranks they then knew the rite was lacking; the chief ministers looked at one another and changed color. Ji immediately summoned five clerks, each ordered to hold brush; he dictated and divided the writing—all finished at once. Language and principle were canonical and ample; all sighed in admiration. Soon he was added Academic Scholar of the Hongwen Hall and concurrently Acting Vice Director of the Celestial Office. Ji quite wielded power and associated with improper sorts. In the second year of Wansui Tongtian, Qi Lianyao's plot at treason was exposed; Ji was punished for friendship with Yao, and together with younger brother Bi both were executed.
111
閟累官至涇州刺史。 神龍初，有詔追復苾、閟官位。
Bi was repeatedly promoted to Prefect of Jing Prefecture. In the early Shenlong era an edict restored the official ranks of Ji and Bi.
112
福畤，天後朝以子貴，累轉澤州長史，卒。
Fuchao, in the Heavenly Empress era because of his son's eminence was repeatedly transferred to Chief Administrator of Ze Prefecture and died.
113
初，吏部侍郎裴行儉典選，有知人之鑒，見苾與蘇味道，謂人曰：「二子亦當掌銓衡之任。」 李敬玄尤重楊炯、盧照鄰、駱賓王與勃等四人，必當顯貴。 行儉曰：「士之致遠，先器識而後文藝。 勃等雖有文才，而浮躁淺露，豈享爵祿之器耶！ 楊子沈靜，應至令長，余得令終為幸。」 果如其言。
Initially Vice Director of Personnel Pei Xingjian managed selection and had the discernment to know men; seeing Ji and Su Weidao he said to people, "These two sons also ought to hold the balance of selection." Li Jingxuan especially valued Yang Jiong, Lu Zhaolin, Luo Binwang, and Bo and the four men—they would surely reach eminence. Xingjian said, "For a scholar to reach far, first capacity and discernment, afterward literary art. Bo and the others though having literary talent were yet floating, shallow, and exposed—are they vessels to enjoy rank and salary? Yang Zi is calm and still—he ought to reach magistrate; for the rest to end as magistrate would be my fortune." It turned out as he said.
114
勃文章邁捷，下筆則成，尤好著書。 撰《周易發揮》五卷，及《次論》等書數部。 勃亡後，並多遺失。 有文集三十卷。 勃聰警絕眾，於推步歷算尤精，嘗作《大唐千歲歷》，言唐德靈長千年，不合承周、隋短祚。 其論大旨云：「以土王者，五十代而一千年； 金王者，四十九代而九百年； 水王者，二十代而六百年； 木王者，三十代而八百年； 火王者，二十代而七百年。 此天地之常期，符歷之數也。 自黃帝至漢，並是五運真主。 五行已遍，土運復歸，唐德承之，宜矣！ 魏、晉至於周、隋，鹹非正統，五行之沴氣也，故不可承之。」 大率如此。
Bo's writing was surpassingly quick; taking up the brush it was done; he especially loved authorship. He compiled Elaboration on the Changes of Zhou in five scrolls, and the Sequential Discourses and other books in several parts. After Bo's death many were lost. He had a collected works in thirty scrolls. Bo was clever and alert beyond the multitude; in calendrical calculation and reckoning he was especially precise; he once composed the Thousand-Year Calendar of the Great Tang, saying Tang's virtue would endure a thousand years and ought not inherit the short reigns of Zhou and Sui. The main argument said, "Those who rule by earth—fifty generations and one thousand years; those who rule by metal—forty-nine generations and nine hundred years; those who rule by water—twenty generations and six hundred years; those who rule by wood—thirty generations and eight hundred years; those who rule by fire—twenty generations and seven hundred years. These are heaven and earth's constant periods, the numbers of talisman and calendar. From the Yellow Emperor through Han—all were true lords of the Five Phases. The Five Phases having run their course, the earth phase returns; Tang virtue inherits it—fitting! Wei and Jin down to Zhou and Sui—all were not legitimate succession, the baleful qi of the Five Phases; therefore they cannot be inherited." The general drift was thus.
115
駱賓王
Luo Binwang
116
駱賓王，婺州義烏人。 少善屬文，尤妙於五言詩，嘗作《帝京篇》，當時以為絕唱。 然落魄無行，好與博徒遊。 高宗末，為長安主簿。 坐贓，左遷臨海丞，怏怏失誌，棄官而去。 文明中，與徐敬業於揚州作亂。 敬業軍中書檄，皆賓王之詞也。 敬業敗，伏誅，文多散失。 則天素重其文，遣使求之。 有兗州人郤雲卿集成十卷，盛傳於世。
Luo Binwang was a man of Yiwu in Wu Prefecture. In youth he was skilled at literary composition, especially marvelous at five-character poetry; he once composed On the Imperial Capital, which contemporaries regarded as a supreme song. Yet he was down-and-out without conduct and loved to roam with gamblers. In the late Gaozong era he was Chief Clerk of Chang'an. Punished for corruption he was demoted left Chief Clerk of Linhai; resentful and losing ambition he abandoned office and left. In the Wenming era he with Xu Jingye at Yang Prefecture raised rebellion. All proclamations in Jingye's army were Binwang's words. Jingye was defeated and executed; much of the writing was scattered and lost. Zetian had long valued his writing and sent envoys to seek it. A man of Yan Prefecture, Xi Yunqing, assembled ten scrolls, greatly transmitted in the world.
117
鄧玄挺
Deng Xuanting
118
鄧玄挺，雍州藍田人。 少善屬文，累遷左史。 坐與上官儀善，出為頓丘令。 有善政，璽書勞問。 累授中書舍人。 性俊辨，機捷過人，每有嘲謔，朝廷稱為口實。 則天臨朝，遷吏部侍郎，既不稱職，甚為時談所鄙。 又患消渴之疾，選人目為「鄧渴」，為榜於衢路。 自有唐已來，掌選之失，未有如玄挺者。 坐此左遷澧州刺史。 在州復以善政聞，遷晉州刺史，召拜麟臺少監，重為天官侍郎，其失又甚於前。 玄挺女為道王子諲妻，又與蔣王子煒相善。 諲謀迎中宗於房陵，以問玄挺。 煒又嘗謂玄挺曰：「欲作急計如何？」 玄挺雖皆不答，而不以告。 永昌元年得罪，下獄死。
Deng Xuanting was a man of Lantian in Yong Prefecture. In youth he was skilled at literary composition and was repeatedly promoted to Left Historian. Punished for friendship with Shangguan Yi he was sent out Magistrate of Dunqiu. He had good governance; an imperial letter commended and inquired. He was repeatedly appointed Palace Secretary Drafting Clerk. By nature handsome in debate, nimble and surpassing others—whenever there was mockery the court took it as a byword. When Zetian held court she promoted him Vice Director of Personnel; not competent in office, he was greatly despised in contemporary talk. Also suffering from wasting-thirst illness, selectors called him "Deng Thirsty" and posted placards on the public road. Since Tang began, failures in managing selection had none like Xuanting. On this account he was demoted left Prefect of Li Prefecture. In the prefecture again he was heard for good governance; he was promoted Prefect of Jin and summoned appointed Vice Director of the Lin Terrace, again Vice Director of the Celestial Office—the failures worse than before. Xuanting's daughter was wife to Prince of Dao Li Jin; she was also on good terms with Prince of Jiang Li Wei. Jin plotted to welcome Zhongzong from Fangling and asked Xuanting. Wei also once said to Xuanting, "Want to make an urgent plan—how?" Though Xuanting answered neither, he did not report them. In the first year of Yongchang he was punished, imprisoned and died.