1
梁書卷第二十一列傳第十五
Book of Liang, Volume 21, Biographies 15
2
王瞻王志王峻王暕子訓王泰王份孫鍚僉張充柳惲蔡撙江蒨
Wang Zhan, Wang Zhi, Wang Jun, Wang Jian, Wang Xun, Wang Tai, Wang Fen, Wang Yang, Zhang Chong, Liu Yun, Cai Zun, and Jiang Qian
3
王瞻字思範，琅邪臨沂人，宋太保弘從孫也。 祖柳，光祿大夫、東亭侯。 父猷，廷尉卿。 瞻年數歲，嘗從師受業，時有伎經其門，同學皆出觀，瞻獨不視，習誦如初。 從父尚書僕射僧達聞而異之，謂瞻父曰：「吾宗不衰，寄之此子。」 年十二，居父憂，以孝聞。 服闋，襲封東亭侯。
Wang Zhan, whose style was Sifan, came from Linyi in Langya and was a great-nephew of Wang Hong, Grand Tutor under the Song. His grandfather Liu had served as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and held the title Marquis of Dongting. His father You had been Minister of Justice. As a small boy Zhan was studying with a teacher when entertainers happened to pass the gate. Every classmate ran out to watch, but Zhan alone stayed at his desk and kept reciting as if nothing had happened. Wang Sengda, a younger cousin of Zhan's father who served as Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, heard the story and was astonished. He told Zhan's father, "Our house will not fade—we can pin our hopes on this child." At twelve he entered mourning for his father and won a reputation for filial devotion. When the mourning ended, he succeeded to the title Marquis of Dongting.
4
瞻幼時輕薄，好逸遊，爲閭里所患。 及長，頗折節有士操，涉獵書記，於朞射尤善。
In his youth Zhan was flighty and loved idle wandering, which troubled everyone in the neighborhood. As an adult he sharply reined himself in and cultivated the manners of a gentleman, read widely, and excelled above all at chess and archery.
5
起家著作佐郎，累遷太子舍人、太尉主簿、太子洗馬。 頃之，出爲鄱陽內史，秩滿，授太子中舍人。 又爲齊南海王友，尋轉司徒竟陵王從事中郎，王甚相賓禮。 南海王爲護軍將軍，瞻爲長史。 又出補徐州別駕從事史，遷驃騎將軍王晏長史。 晏誅，出爲晉陵太守。 瞻潔己爲政，妻子不免饑寒。 時大司馬王敬則舉兵作亂，路經晉陵，郡民多附敬則。 軍敗，臺軍討賊黨，瞻言於朝曰：「愚人易動，不足窮法。」 明帝許之，所全活者萬數。 徵拜給事黃門侍郎，撫軍建安王長史，御史中丞。
He entered service as an Attendant Gentleman in the Secretariat, then rose through Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent, chief clerk to the Grand Commandant, and Groom of the Heir Apparent. Soon he was posted as Administrator of Poyang; when his term expired he returned to court as Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent. He next became a companion to Qi’s Prince of Nanhai, then moved to Attendant Gentleman on the staff of Prince Jingling of the Sikong, who treated him with marked respect. When the Prince of Nanhai was made General Who Guards the Army, Zhan served as his chief clerk. He was posted again as assistant administrator of Xuzhou, then promoted to chief clerk to Wang Yan, General of Agile Cavalry. After Yan was put to death, Zhan was sent out as Administrator of Jinling. Zhan governed with austere integrity; even his wife and children knew hunger and cold. At that time Grand Marshal Wang Jingze rebelled and marched through Jinling, and many in the commandery rallied to him. After the rebels were crushed, the central armies set about punishing collaborators. Zhan pleaded at court, "Ordinary folk are easily swayed; the law need not be pressed to its utmost against them." Emperor Ming agreed, and tens of thousands of lives were spared. He was recalled to serve as Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates, chief clerk to Prince Jian'an, General Who Pacifies the Army, and Imperial Censor.
6
高祖霸府開，以瞻爲大司馬相國諮議參軍，領錄事。 梁臺建，爲侍中，遷左民尚書，俄轉吏部尚書。 瞻性率亮，居選部，所舉多行其意。 頗嗜酒，每飲或竟日，而精神益朗贍，不廢簿領。 高祖每稱瞻有三術，射、朞、酒也。 尋加左軍將軍，以疾不拜，仍爲侍中，領驍騎將軍，未拜，卒，時年四十九。 諡康侯。 子長玄，著作佐郎，早卒。
When the future Emperor Wu opened his chief minister's headquarters, he appointed Zhan Consulting Adjutant and Recorder. With the founding of Liang he became Attendant Gentleman, then Minister of the Left for the People, and soon Minister of Personnel. Zhan was candid and open by nature. At the Ministry of Personnel he usually advanced candidates who matched his own preferences. He loved wine and might drink all day long, yet his mind only grew sharper and his paperwork never slipped. The High Ancestor used to say Zhan possessed three arts—archery, chess, and drinking. He was soon offered the additional post of General of the Left Army but declined it on grounds of illness. He remained Attendant Gentleman and was slated to command the General of Valiant Cavalry, but died before taking up the appointment, at forty-nine. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Kang. His son Changxuan served as Attendant Gentleman in the Secretariat and died young.
7
王志字次道，琅邪臨沂人。 祖曇首，宋左光祿大夫、豫寧文侯； 父僧虔，齊司空、簡穆公：並有重名。
Wang Zhi, whose style was Cidao, came from Linyi in Langya. His grandfather Tan Shou had been Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Marquis Wen of Yuning. His father Sengqian had been Sikong and Duke Jianmu of Qi; both generations enjoyed great fame.
8
志年九歲，居所生母憂，哀容毀瘠，爲中表所異。 弱冠，選尚孝武女安固公主，拜駙馬都尉、秘書郎。 累遷太尉行參軍，太子舍人，武陵王文學。 褚淵爲司徒，引志爲主簿。 淵謂僧虔曰：「朝廷之恩，本爲殊特，所可光榮，在屈賢子。」 累遷鎮北竟陵王功曹史、安陸南郡二王友。 入爲中書侍郎。 尋除宣城內史，清謹有恩惠。 郡民張倪、吳慶爭田，經年不決。 志到官，父老乃相謂曰：「王府君有德政，吾曹鄉里乃有此爭。」 倪、慶因相攜請罪，所訟地遂爲閑田。 徵拜黃門侍郎，尋遷吏部侍郎。 出爲寧朔將軍、東陽太守。 郡獄有重囚十餘人，冬至日悉遣還家，過節皆返，惟一人失期，獄司以爲言。 志曰：「此自太守事，主者勿憂。」 明旦，果自詣獄，辭以婦孕，吏民益嘆服之。 視事三年，齊永明二年，入爲侍中，未拜，轉吏部尚書，在選以和理稱。 崔慧景平，以例加右軍將軍，封臨汝侯，固讓不受，改領右衛將軍。
At nine he mourned his birth mother; his grief was so haggard that kinsmen and in-laws marveled at him. In his early twenties he was matched to Emperor Xiaowu's daughter, Princess Angu, and appointed Commandant of the Horse Guards and Secretary. He rose through acting gentleman in the Grand Commandant's office, Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent, and literary adjunct to the Prince of Wuling. When Chu Yuan became Sikong he took Zhi on as chief clerk. Yuan told Sengqian, "The court's grace was meant to be exceptional; the glory of your house lies in bending high rank to employ your worthy son." He was promoted through recorder on Prince Jingling's staff, then companion to the princes of Anlu and Nanjun. He entered the capital as Vice Director of the Secretariat. He was soon sent out as Administrator of Xuancheng, governing with scrupulous care and humane kindness. Two villagers, Zhang Ni and Wu Qing, had quarreled over a field for years without resolution. When Zhi took office, the elders said among themselves, "Magistrate Wang rules with virtue—how can we still be fighting like this?" Ni and Qing went together to beg pardon, and the contested land was left fallow between them. He was recalled as Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates and soon made Vice Minister of Personnel. He was posted as General Who Pacifies the North and Administrator of Dongyang. More than ten serious offenders sat in the jail. On the winter solstice he sent them home for the holiday; all returned on time except one, and the jailers reported the breach. Zhi said, "That is the magistrate's concern, not yours." Next morning the man appeared at the jail and explained that his wife was pregnant. Officials and people admired Zhi all the more. After three years he entered the capital as Attendant Gentleman in the second year of Yongming. Before he assumed the post he was moved to Minister of Personnel, where his appointments won praise for fairness. After Cui Huijing's rebellion was crushed he was offered, by precedent, the additional post of General of the Right Army and enfeoffment as Marquis of Linru, but firmly declined both and was made commander of the Right Guard instead.
9
義師至，城內害東昏，百僚署名送其首。 志聞而歎曰：「冠雖弊，可加足乎？」 因取庭中樹葉挪服之，偽悶，不署名。 高祖覽箋無志署，心嘉之，弗以讓也。 霸府開，以志爲右軍將軍、驃騎大將軍長史。 梁臺建，遷散騎常侍、中書令。
When the righteous army reached the capital, the men inside the city killed Dong Hun, and every official signed a memorial forwarding his head. Hearing this, Zhi sighed and said, "Even a worn-out cap—can you wear it on your feet?" He took leaves from the courtyard tree, clenched them in his mouth as if ill, and refused to sign. When the High Ancestor read the memorial and saw Zhi's name missing, he admired him inwardly and did not revisit his earlier refusal of honors. When the chief minister's headquarters opened, Zhi became General of the Right Army and chief clerk to the General of Agile Cavalry. With the founding of Liang he was promoted to Palace Attendant and Director of the Secretariat.
10
志善草隸，當時以爲楷法。 齊遊擊將軍徐希秀亦號能書，常謂志爲「書聖」。
Zhi excelled at cursive and clerical script and was regarded in his day as the standard of calligraphy. Xu Xixiu of Qi, General Who Roams in Attack, was also celebrated for calligraphy and often called Zhi the "sage of writing."
11
志家世居建康禁中里馬蕃巷，父僧虔以來，門風多寬恕，志尤惇厚。 所歷職，不以罪咎劾人。 門下客嘗盜脫志車憲賣之，志知而不問，待之如初。 賓客遊其門者，專覆其過而稱其善。 兄弟子侄皆篤實謙和，時人號馬蕃諸王爲長者。 普通四年，志改葬，高祖厚賻賜之。 追諡曰安。 有五子緝、休、諲、操、素，並知名。
For generations the Wangs had lived in Mafan Lane within Jiankang's palace quarter. Since his father Sengqian's day the family had been indulgent by habit, and Zhi was especially warm and magnanimous. In every office he held he never impeached subordinates for faults or crimes. A retainer once stole the canopy from Zhi's carriage and sold it. Zhi knew but said nothing and treated him exactly as before. Guests at his door always glossed over his faults and spoke only of his virtues. Brothers, sons, and nephews were all steady, modest, and mild, and contemporaries called the Wangs of Mafan Lane "the elders." In the fourth year of Putong, when Zhi moved his ancestral graves, the High Ancestor lavished gifts upon him. He was given the posthumous name An. He left five sons—Ji, Xiu, Yin, Cao, and Su—each of whom won renown.
12
王峻字茂遠，琅邪臨沂人。 曾祖敬弘，有重名於宋世，位至左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司。 祖瓚之，金紫光祿大夫。 父秀之，吳興太守。
Wang Jun, whose style was Maoyuan, came from Linyi in Langya. His great-grandfather Jing Hong had been greatly esteemed under the Song and rose to Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with credentials equal to the Three Excellencies. His grandfather Zan Zhi had held the rank of Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. His father Xiu Zhi had been Administrator of Wuxing.
13
峻少美風姿，善舉止。 起家著作佐郎，不拜，累遷中軍廬陵王法曹行參軍，太子舍人，邵陵王文學，太傅主簿。 府主齊竟陵王子良甚相賞遇。 遷司徒主簿，以父憂去職。 服闋，除太子洗馬，建安王友。 出爲寧遠將軍、桂陽內史。 會義師起，上流諸郡多相驚擾，峻閉門靜坐，一郡帖然，百姓賴之。
In youth Jun was handsome and carried himself with grace. He was offered Attendant Gentleman in the Secretariat but declined. He then rose through acting gentleman in Prince Luling's law bureau, Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent, literary adjunct to the Prince of Shaoling, and chief clerk to the Grand Tutor. Prince Jingling of Qi, his patron, valued and favored him highly. He was promoted to chief clerk in the Sikong's office, then left office to mourn his father. When mourning ended he became Groom of the Heir Apparent and companion to the Prince of Jian'an. He was posted as General of Far Pacification and Administrator of Guiyang. When the righteous army rose, commanderies upriver panicked, but Jun closed his gates and sat in stillness until the whole region stayed calm and the people trusted him.
14
天監初，還，除中書侍郎。 高祖甚悅其風采，與陳郡謝覽同見賞擢。 俄遷吏部，當官不稱職，轉征虜安成王長史，又爲太子中庶子、遊擊將軍。 出爲宣城太守，爲政清和，吏民安之。 視事三年，徵拜侍中，遷度支尚書。 又以本官兼起部尚書，監起太極殿。 事畢，出爲征遠將軍、平西長史、南郡太守。 尋爲智武將軍、鎮西長史、蜀郡太守。 還爲左民尚書，領步兵校尉。 遷吏部尚書，處選甚得名譽。
At the opening of Tianjian he returned to court as Vice Director of the Secretariat. The High Ancestor delighted in his bearing and advanced him together with Xie Lan of Chen commandery. Soon he moved to the Ministry of Personnel, where he proved undistinguished, then became chief clerk to Prince Ancheng, General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, and later Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent and General Who Roams in Attack. He was sent out as Administrator of Xuancheng, where he governed with clarity and kindness until officials and people alike were content. After three years he was recalled as Attendant Gentleman and promoted to Minister of Revenue. He retained his former rank while concurrently serving as Minister for Palace Construction and overseeing the Hall of Supreme Ultimate. When the project was finished he was posted as General Who Pacifies the Distance, chief clerk to the General Who Pacifies the West, and Administrator of Nan Commandery. Soon he became General of Manifest Martial Power, chief clerk to the General Who Pacifies the West, and Administrator of Shu Commandery. On returning to court he was made Minister of the Left for the People and concurrently Colonel of the Footsoldiers. He was moved to Minister of Personnel, where his appointments earned high praise.
15
峻性詳雅，無趨競心。 嘗與謝覽約，官至侍中，不復謀進仕。 覽自吏部尚書出爲吳興郡，平心不畏強禦，亦由處世之情旣薄故也。 峻爲侍中以後，雖不退身，亦淡然自守，無所營務。 久之，以疾表解職，遷金紫光祿大夫，未拜。 普通二年，卒。 時年五十六，諡惠子。
Jun was refined and unhurried by nature and never scrambled for promotion. He once agreed with Xie Lan that once they reached Attendant Gentleman they would pursue no higher office. Lan left the Ministry of Personnel to govern Wuxing, judging cases fairly without fearing the powerful—yet that too sprang from his indifference to worldly ambition. After Jun became Attendant Gentleman he did not retire, yet lived with quiet self-restraint and undertook no intrigues. Long afterward he memorialized on grounds of illness to resign and was offered Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, but never took up the post. In the second year of Putong he died. He was fifty-six; his posthumous title was Marquis Hui.
16
子琮，玩。 琮爲國子生，尚始興王女繁昌縣主，不慧，爲學生所嗤，遂離婚。 峻謝王，王曰：「此自上意，僕極不願如此。」 峻曰：「臣太祖是謝仁祖外孫，亦不藉殿下姻媾爲門戶。」
His sons were Cong and Wan. Cong studied at the Imperial University and married the daughter of the Prince of Shixing, Princess of Fanchang, but proved dull-witted, was ridiculed by his classmates, and the marriage was annulled. Jun apologized to the prince, who replied, "That order came from above; I myself was utterly unwilling." Jun said, "My great-grandfather was the maternal grandson of Xie Renzu; our family does not need Your Highness's marriage tie to uphold its gate."
17
王暕字思晦，琅邪臨沂人。 父儉，齊太尉，南昌文憲公。 暕年數歲，而風神警拔，有成人之度。 時文憲作宰，賓客盈門，見暕相謂曰：「公才公望，復在此矣。」 弱冠，選尚淮南長公主，拜駙馬都尉，除員外散騎侍郎，不拜，改授晉安王文學，遷廬陵王友、秘書丞。 明帝詔求異士，始安王遙光表薦暕及東海王僧孺曰：「臣聞求賢暫勞，垂拱永逸，方之疏壤，取類導川。 伏惟陛下道隱旒纊，信充符璽，白駒空谷，振鷺在庭； 猶懼隱鱗卜祝，藏器屠保，物色關下，委裘河上。 非取制於一狐，諒求味於兼采。 而五聲倦響，九工是詢； 寢議廟堂，借聽輿皁。 臣位任隆重，義兼邦家，實欲使名實不違，僥倖路絕。 勢門上品，猶當格以清談； 英俊下僚，不可限以位貌。 竊見秘書丞琅邪王暕，年二十一，七葉重光，海內冠冕，神清氣茂，允迪中和。 叔寶理遣之談，彥輔名教之樂，故以暉映先達，領袖後進。 居無塵雜，家有賜書； 辭賦清新，屬言玄遠； 室邇人曠，物疏道親。 養素丘園，台階虛位； 庠序公朝，萬夫傾首。 豈徒荀令可想，李公不亡而已哉！ 乃東序之秘寶，瑚璉之茂器。」 除驃騎從事中郎。
Wang Jian, whose style was Sihui, came from Linyi in Langya. His father Jian had been Grand Tutor of Qi and Duke Wenxian of Nanchang. From childhood his manner was keen and commanding, with the composure of a grown man. While Duke Wenxian still held the chief ministry, guests filled his hall. When they saw Jian they said among themselves, "Your talent and stature live again in this child." In his early twenties he was matched to the Princess of Huainan, appointed Commandant of the Horse Guards, and offered Extraordinary Attendant Gentleman of the Scattered Cavalry, which he declined. He became literary adjunct to the Prince of Jin'an, then companion to the Prince of Luling and Secretary. Emperor Ming ordered a search for extraordinary talent. Prince Shi'an, Yaoguang, memorialized recommending Jian and Wang Sengru of Donghai: "I have heard that seeking worthies costs brief labor but yields lasting ease under folded hands in government—as with raising a dike, it is of a piece with channeling a river. Your Majesty's Way is veiled behind the crown's tassels, yet trust fills the seals; white colts wait in empty valleys, and herons in flight throng the courtyard— yet you still fear hidden dragons among diviners, talents buried with butchers and grooms, worthies sought at the gate, and a fur cloak left on the riverbank. You do not take your measure from one fox alone; you must gather flavor from many sources. When the five tones grow weary, the nine craftsmen are asked; counsel in the temple hall borrows hearing from carriage and commoner alike. My post is weighty and my duty embraces the realm; I truly wish name and reality to match and the road of favoritism to be closed. Men of power in great houses should still be tested by pure discourse; outstanding men among humble subordinates should not be barred by rank and looks. I have observed Wang Jian of Langya, Secretary, twenty-one years old, seven generations of glory, the foremost house under heaven, spirit clear and bearing ample, truly walking the middle Way. He has the discourses on principle of Shubao and the joy in name and teaching of Yanfu; he outshines the elders and leads the rising generation. His dwelling is free of vulgar dust; his house holds books granted by the throne; his rhapsodies fresh and clear, his language subtle and far-reaching; rooms close yet men far, things few yet the Way close. He cultivates simplicity in hill and garden while the steps to high office stand empty; in the court's public school, ten thousand heads turn to him. Is he merely one to compare with Minister Xun, or proof that Lord Li has not died? He is a hidden treasure of the eastern hall, a splendid vessel of jade and bronze." He was appointed Attendant Gentleman on the staff of the General of Agile Cavalry.
18
訓字懷範，幼聰警有識量，徵士何胤見而奇之。 年十三，暕亡憂毀，家人莫之識。 十六，召見文德殿，應對爽徹。 上目送久之，顧謂朱异曰：「可謂相門有相矣。」 補國子生，射策高第，除秘書郎，遷太子舍人、秘書丞。 轉宣城王文學、友、太子中庶子，掌管記。 俄遷侍中，旣拜入見，高祖從容問何敬容曰：「褚彥回年幾爲宰相？」 敬容對曰：「少過三十。」 上曰：「今之王訓，無謝彥回。」
Xun, whose style was Huaifan, was clever and perceptive as a boy; the recluse He Yin saw him and marveled. At thirteen, when Jian died, he mourned so fiercely that even his family hardly knew him. At sixteen he was received in the Hall of Cultivated Virtue and answered with lucid grace. The Emperor watched him go for a long while, then said to Zhu Yi, "Truly, a minister's house breeds ministers." He entered the Imperial University, ranked high in the archery examination, became Secretary, then Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent and Secretary. He became literary adjunct and companion to the Prince of Xuancheng, Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent, and keeper of the records. Soon he was made Attendant Gentleman. On his first audience after appointment the High Ancestor casually asked He Jingrong, "At what age did Chu Yanhui become chief minister?" Jingrong answered, "A little past thirty." The Emperor said, "Today's Wang Xun is no less than Yanhui."
19
訓美容儀，善進止，文章之美，爲後進領袖。 在春宮特被恩禮。 以疾終於位，時年二十六。 贈本官。 諡溫子。
Xun was handsome and moved with grace; the elegance of his writing made him the leader of the younger generation. In the crown prince's palace he enjoyed special favor and ceremony. He died in office of illness at twenty-six. His former rank was conferred on him posthumously. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Wen.
20
王泰字仲通，志長兄慈之子也。 慈，齊時歷侍中、吳郡，知名在志右。
Wang Tai, whose style was Zhongtong, was the son of Ci, Zhi's elder brother. Ci under Qi had served as Attendant Gentleman and Administrator of Wu Commandery and was even better known than Zhi.
21
泰幼敏悟，年數歲時，祖母集諸孫侄，散棗栗於床上，羣兒皆競之，泰獨不取。 問其故，對曰：「不取，自當得賜。」 由是中表異之。 旣長，通和溫雅，人不見其喜慍之色。 起家爲著作郎，不拜，改除秘書郎，遷前將軍、法曹行參軍、司徒東閤祭酒、車騎主簿。
Tai was quick-witted from childhood. Once his grandmother gathered the grandchildren, scattered dates and chestnuts on the bed, and every child snatched at them—Tai alone took none. Asked why, he said, "If I leave them, I will be given my share in due course." Kinsmen and in-laws marveled at him. As an adult he was gentle and mild; no one ever saw joy or anger on his face. He was offered Attendant Gentleman in the Secretariat but declined, became Secretary, then rose through acting gentleman in the Vanguard's law bureau, libationer of the Sikong's Eastern Pavilion, and chief clerk to the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
22
高祖霸府建，以泰爲驃騎功曹史。 天監元年，遷秘書丞。 齊永元末，後宮火，延燒秘書，圖書散亂殆盡。 泰爲丞，表校定繕寫，高祖從之。 頃之，遷中書侍郎。 出爲南徐州別駕從事史，居職有能名。 復徵中書侍郎，敕掌吏部郎事。 累遷給事黃門侍郎、員外散騎常侍，並掌吏部如故，俄卽真。 自過江，吏部郎不復典大選，令史以下，小人求競者輻湊，前後少能稱職。 泰爲之不通關求，吏先至者卽補，不爲貴賤請囑易意，天下稱平。 累遷爲廷尉，司徒左長史。 出爲明威將軍、新安太守，在郡和理得民心。 徵爲寧遠將軍，安右長史，俄遷侍中。 尋爲太子庶子、領步兵校尉，復爲侍中。 仍遷仁威長史、南蘭陵太守，行南康王府、州、國事。 王遷職，復爲北中郎長史、行豫章王府、州、國事，太守如故。 入爲都官尚書。 泰能接人士，士多懷泰，每願其居選官。 頃之，爲吏部尚書，衣冠屬望，未及選舉，仍疾，改除散騎常侍、左驍騎將軍，未拜，卒，時年四十五。 諡夷子。
When the future Emperor Wu opened his chief minister's headquarters, he made Tai recorder on the staff of the General of Agile Cavalry. In the first year of Tianjian he was promoted to Secretary. At the end of Yongyuan in Qi a fire in the rear palace spread to the Secretariat and books were scattered until nearly all were lost. As Secretary Tai memorialized for collation and copying, and the High Ancestor agreed. Soon he was promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat. He was posted as assistant administrator of Southern Xuzhou and won a reputation for competence. He was recalled as Vice Director of the Secretariat and ordered to handle the vice minister of personnel's duties. He rose to Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates and Extraordinary Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, still managing personnel affairs, and soon held the substantive post. Since the crossing south of the Yangtze, vice ministers of personnel had ceased to control major appointments; petty men crowded the clerks' offices, and few incumbents had been equal to the task. Tai refused such back-door traffic; the first petitioner through the gate received the post, and he did not bend for noble or humble pleaders. The empire called it fair. He was promoted to Minister of Justice and left chief clerk of the Sikong. He was posted as General of Bright Martial Power and Administrator of Xin'an, governing harmoniously and winning the people's hearts. He was recalled as General of Far Pacification and chief clerk to the General Who Pacifies the Right, then soon made Attendant Gentleman. Soon he became Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent and Colonel of the Footsoldiers, then Attendant Gentleman again. He was made chief clerk of Manifest Benevolence and Administrator of Nan Lanling, acting for the Prince of Nankang's fief, commandery, and state. When the prince moved on, he became chief clerk to the General of the North in the Center, acting for the Prince of Yuzhang's fief, commandery, and state, while keeping the prefecture. He entered the capital as Minister of Punishments. Tai knew how to draw men to him; many cherished him and longed to see him in charge of appointments. Soon he became Minister of Personnel, the office the gentry awaited, but fell ill before he could conduct a round of appointments. He was reassigned as Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and General of the Left Valiant Cavalry, accepted neither, and died at forty-five. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Yi.
23
初，泰無子，養兄子祁，晚有子廓。
At first Tai had no son and adopted his brother's son Qi; late in life he fathered Kuo.
24
王份字季文，琅邪人也。 祖僧朗，宋開府儀同三司、元公。 父粹，黃門侍郎。
Wang Fen, whose style was Jiwen, came from Langya. His grandfather Senglang had held credentials equal to the Three Excellencies as Duke Yuan of Song. His father Cui had been Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates.
25
份十四而孤，解褐車騎主簿。 出爲寧遠將軍、始安內史。 袁粲之誅，親故無敢視者，份獨往致慟，由是顯名。 遷太子中舍人，太尉屬。 出爲晉安內史。 累遷中書侍郎，轉大司農。
Orphaned at fourteen, he entered service as chief clerk to the General of Chariots and Cavalry. He was posted as General of Far Pacification and Administrator of Shian. When Yuan Can was executed, no friend or kinsman dared approach the body, but Fen alone went to mourn him and won renown. He was promoted to Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent and aide in the Grand Commandant's office. He was sent out as Administrator of Jin'an. He rose to Vice Director of the Secretariat, then Minister of Grand Agriculture.
26
份兄奐於雍州被誅，奐子肅奔于魏，份自拘請罪，齊世祖知其誠款，喻而遣之。 屬肅屢引魏人來侵疆埸，世祖嘗因侍坐，從容謂份曰：「比有北信不？」 份斂容對曰：「肅旣近忘墳柏，寧遠憶有臣。」 帝亦以此亮焉。 尋除寧朔將軍、零陵內史。 徵爲黃門侍郎，以父終於此職，固辭不拜，遷秘書監。
Fen's elder brother Huan was executed in Yong Province; Huan's son Su fled to Wei. Fen turned himself in to accept punishment. Emperor Shizu of Qi knew his sincerity, reassured him, and sent him home. When Su repeatedly led Wei raiders against the frontier, the Emperor once asked Fen at leisure during attendance, "Any news from the north lately?" Fen composed himself and answered, "Su has already forgotten his ancestral graves; how could I, far away, still claim him as kin?" The Emperor admired him all the more for it. Soon he was made General Who Pacifies the North and Administrator of Lingling. He was summoned as Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates, but because his father had died in that office he firmly declined and was made Director of the Secretariat instead.
27
天監初，除散騎常侍、領步兵校尉、兼起部尚書。 高祖嘗於宴席問羣臣曰：「朕爲有爲無？」 份對曰：「陛下應萬物爲有，體至理爲無。」 高祖稱善。 出爲宣城太守，轉吳郡太守，遷寧朔將軍、北中郎豫章王長史、蘭陵太守，行南徐府州事。 遷太常卿、太子右率、散騎常侍，侍東宮，除金紫光祿大夫。 復爲智武將軍、南康王長史，秩中二千石。 復入爲散騎常侍、金紫光祿、南徐州大中正，給親信二十人。 遷尚書左僕射，尋加侍中。
At the opening of Tianjian he became Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Colonel of the Footsoldiers, and concurrent Minister for Palace Construction. At a banquet the High Ancestor once asked the assembled ministers, "Am I a man of action or not?" Fen answered, "Your Majesty meets the myriad things as one who acts, yet embodies supreme principle as one who does not." The High Ancestor praised the reply. He governed Xuancheng, then Wu Commandery, then became General Who Pacifies the North, chief clerk to Prince Yuzhang of the North in the Center, and Administrator of Lanling, acting for Southern Xuzhou and its prefectural seat. He rose to Minister of Ceremonies, right commander of the crown prince's guard, Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry attending the Eastern Palace, and Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. He again became General of Manifest Martial Power and chief clerk to the Prince of Nankang, with salary of two thousand shi in the middle grade. He returned as Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and chief rectifier of Southern Xuzhou, with twenty personal attendants granted. He was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and soon given the additional post of Attendant Gentleman.
28
時修建二郊，份以本官領大匠卿，遷散騎常侍、右光祿大夫，加親信爲四十人。 遷侍中、特進、左光祿，復以本官監丹陽尹。 普通五年三月，卒，時年七十九。 詔贈本官，賻錢四十萬，布四百匹，蠟四百斤，給東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲。 諡胡子。
While the suburban altars were under construction, Fen in his former rank headed the Grand Master Builder's office, was promoted to Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and his personal attendants were doubled to forty. He became Attendant Gentleman, Special Advance, and Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and again supervised the Administrator of Danyang in his former capacity. In the third month of the fifth year of Putong he died, aged seventy-nine. An edict granted his former rank; funeral gifts were forty thousand cash, four hundred bolts of cloth, and four hundred jin of wax, with Eastern Garden ritual vessels, one set of court robes, and one suit of garments. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Hu.
29
長子琳，字孝璋，舉南徐州秀才，釋褐征虜建安王法曹、司徒東閤祭酒，南平王文學。 尚義興公主，拜駙馬都尉。 累遷中書侍郎，衛軍謝朏長史，員外散騎常侍。 出爲明威將軍、東陽太守，徵司徒左長史。
His eldest son Lin, styled Xiaozhang, was recommended as Southern Xuzhou's provincial graduate and entered service as acting gentleman in Prince Jian'an's law bureau, libationer of the Sikong's Eastern Pavilion, and literary adjunct to the Prince of Pingping. He married the Princess of Yixing and was appointed Commandant of the Horse Guards. He rose to Vice Director of the Secretariat, chief clerk to Xie Tiao, General of the Guard, and Extraordinary Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. He was posted as General of Bright Martial Power and Administrator of Dongyang, then recalled as left chief clerk of the Sikong.
30
錫字公嘏，琳之第二子也。 幼而警悟，與兄弟受業，至應休散，常獨留不起。 年七八歲，猶隨公主入宮，高祖嘉其聰敏，常爲朝士說之。 精力不倦，致損右目。 公主每節其業，爲飾居宇。 雖童稚之中，一無所好。 十二，爲國子生。 十四，舉清茂，除秘書郎，與范陽張伯緒齊名，俱爲太子舍人。 丁父憂，居喪盡禮。 服闋，除太子洗馬。 時昭明尚幼，未與臣僚相接。 高祖敕：「太子洗馬王錫、秘書郎張纘，親表英華，朝中髦俊，可以師友事之。」 以戚屬封永安侯，除晉安王友，稱疾不行，敕許受詔停都。 王冠日，以府僚攝事。
Xi, whose style was Gongjia, was Lin's second son. Clever from childhood, he studied with his brothers; when the class broke for rest he alone stayed seated. When he was seven or eight he still accompanied the princess into the palace. The High Ancestor admired his quick mind and often spoke of him to the court. He never tired in his studies, until the strain cost him the sight of his right eye. The princess often kept his studies within bounds and saw to the furnishing of his rooms. Even among children his age, he cared for nothing but his books. At twelve he entered the Imperial Academy. At fourteen he was nominated as Pure and Eminent, appointed Secretary Gentleman, and won a reputation equal to Zhang Boqi of Fanyang; both served as Attendants to the Heir Apparent. When his father died he entered mourning and fulfilled every rite. After the mourning period he was made Groom of the Heir Apparent. Zhaoming was still a child then and had not yet been introduced to the officials. The High Ancestor commanded: "Groom of the Heir Apparent Wang Xi and Secretary Gentleman Zhang Zuan, kinsmen of shining talent and the court's foremost young worthies, should be treated as teachers and friends." As an imperial relative he was enfeoffed Marquis of Yong'an and appointed Companion to the Prince of Jin'an, but pleaded illness and declined; an edict allowed him to receive orders while staying in the capital. When the prince came of age, he handled the prince's staff duties in their stead.
31
普通初，魏始連和，使劉善明來聘，敕使中書舍人朱异接之，預宴者皆歸化北人。 善明負其才氣，酒酣謂异曰：「南國辯學如中書者幾人？」 异對曰：「异所以得接賓宴者，乃分職是司。 二國通和，所敦親好； 若以才辯相尚，則不容見使。」 善明乃曰：「王錫、張纘，北間所聞，云何可見？」 异具啓，敕卽使於南苑設宴，錫與張纘、朱异四人而已。 善明造席，遍論經史，兼以嘲謔，錫、纘隨方酬對，無所稽疑，未嘗訪彼一事，善明甚相歎挹。 佗日謂异曰：「一日見二賢，實副所期，不有君子，安能爲國！」
Early in Putong, Wei newly made peace and sent Liu Shanming as envoy. The High Ancestor ordered Palace Attendant Zhu Yi to receive him; everyone at the banquet was a northerner who had surrendered to the south. Shanming, confident in his wit, said once the wine had warmed him to Yi: "How many men in the south with your gift for debate and learning?" Yi answered: "I am here because receiving envoys is my assigned duty. When two realms are at peace, what we cultivate is cordial friendship; if we were to vie in wit and rhetoric, I would hardly be fit to serve as envoy." Shanming then asked: "Wang Xi and Zhang Zuan are names we have heard in the north—how might we meet them?" Yi reported at once; an edict had a banquet prepared in the Southern Park with only Xi, Zhang Zuan, Zhu Yi, and the envoy—four men in all. Shanming took his place and ranged through the classics and histories, seasoning his talk with wit and banter. Xi and Zuan met every topic as it came, never at a loss; they never once had to ask him a question. Shanming was deeply impressed. On another day he told Yi: "In a single day I have met two true talents—it fulfills everything I hoped. Without men like these, how could any state stand?"
32
轉中書郎，遷給事黃門侍郎、尚書吏部郎中，時年二十四。 謂親友曰：「吾以外戚，謬被時知，多叨人爵，本非其志； 兼比羸病，庶務難擁，安能舍其所好而徇所不能。」 乃稱疾不拜。 便謝遣胥徒，拒絕賓客，掩扉覃思，室宇蕭然。 中大通六年正月，卒，時年三十六。 贈侍中，給東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲。 諡貞子。 子泛、湜。
He rose to Attendant Gentleman of the Secretariat, then Supervising Secretary of the Yellow Gate and Director of the Personnel Bureau in the Masters of Writing, at twenty-four. He told kin and friends: "As an imperial in-law I have been wrongly singled out by the times and given many honors I do not deserve—never my wish; and lately I am frail and ill, unable to bear the press of affairs—how could I abandon what I love to chase what I cannot do?" He pleaded illness and refused the appointment. He dismissed his clerks, refused visitors, shut his door and gave himself to study; his house was stripped bare. In the first month of the sixth year of Zhongdatong he died, aged thirty-six. He was posthumously made Palace Attendant, with Eastern Garden ritual vessels, one set of court robes, and one suit of garments. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Zhen. His sons were Fan and Shi.
33
僉字公會，錫第五弟也。 八歲丁父憂，哀毀過禮。 服闋，召補國子生，祭酒袁昂稱爲通理。 策高第，除長史兼秘書郎中，歷尚書殿中郎，太子中舍人，與吳郡陸襄對掌東宮管記。 出爲建安太守。 山酋方善、謝稀聚徒依險，屢爲民患，僉潛設方略，率衆平之，有詔褒美，頒示州郡。 除武威將軍、始興內史，丁所生母憂，固辭不拜。 又除寧遠將軍、南康內史，屬盧循作亂，復轉僉爲安成內史，以鎮撫之。 還除黃門侍郎，尋爲安西武陵王長史、蜀郡太守。 僉憚岨嶮，固以疾辭，因以黜免。 久之，除戎昭將軍、尚書左丞，復補黃門侍郎，遷太子中庶子，掌東宮管記。 太清二年十二月，卒，時年四十五。 贈侍中，給東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲。 承聖三年，世祖追詔曰：「賢而不伐曰恭，諡恭子。」
Qian, whose style was Gonghui, was Xi's fifth younger brother. At eight he mourned his father; his grief and wasting exceeded what the rites required. When mourning ended he was appointed a student of the Imperial Academy; Libationer Yuan Ang praised him as thoroughly versed in principle. He topped the examination, became Chief Clerk and concurrent Secretary Director, served as Director in the Palace Secretariat and Attendant to the Heir Apparent, and with Lu Xiang of Wu jointly kept the Eastern Palace records. He was posted as Administrator of Jian'an. Mountain chiefs Fang Shan and Xie Xi had gathered bands in the hills and repeatedly preyed on the people. Qian laid secret plans, led troops, and crushed them. An edict commended him and sent the report through every province and commandery. He was made General of Martial Prestige and Interior Minister of Shixing, but when his birth mother died he firmly refused the appointment. He was again made General of Pacifying the Distance and Interior Minister of Nankang; when Lu Xun rebelled, Qian was transferred to Interior Minister of Ancheng to restore order. Recalled to court he became Supervising Secretary of the Yellow Gate, then Chief Clerk to Prince Wu of the West and Administrator of Shu Commandery. Qian dreaded the perilous mountain roads and pleaded illness; he was removed from office. After a time he was made General of Martial Brilliance and Left Assistant in the Masters of Writing, restored as Supervising Secretary of the Yellow Gate, promoted Attendant to the Heir Apparent, and put in charge of the Eastern Palace records. In the twelfth month of the second year of Taiqing he died, aged forty-five. He was posthumously made Palace Attendant, with Eastern Garden ritual vessels, one set of court robes, and one suit of garments. In the third year of Chengsheng, Emperor Yuan issued a retrospective edict: "The worthy who does not boast is called Gong"—and gave him the posthumous title Marquis Gong.
34
張充字延符，吳郡人。 父緒，齊特進、金紫光祿大夫，有名前代。 充少時，不持操行，好逸遊。 緒嘗請假還吳，始入西郭，值充出獵，左手臂鷹，右手牽狗，遇緒船至，便放絏脫镡，拜於水次。 緒曰：「一身兩役，無乃勞乎？」 充跪對曰：「充聞三十而立，今二十九矣，請至來歲而敬易之。」 緒曰：「過而能改，顏氏子有焉。」 及明年，便修身改節。 學不盈載，多所該覽，尤明《老》、《易》，能清言，與從叔稷俱有令譽。
Zhang Chong, whose style was Yanfu, came from Wu Commandery. His father Xu had been Special Advance under Qi and Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, renowned in the previous dynasty. As a youth Chong cared little for propriety and loved idle sport. Xu once took leave to return to Wu. At the western gate he met Chong setting out to hunt, hawk on his left arm and hound in his right hand. When Xu's boat drew near, Chong released hawk and hound and bowed from the shore. Xu said, "One body serving two masters—is that not exhausting?" Chong knelt and answered: "I have heard that at thirty a man stands firm; I am twenty-nine—let me wait until next year and then mend my ways." Xu said, "To err and then reform—there was such a man in the house of Yan." The next year he truly reformed himself. Though he had studied formally for less than a year, he had read widely, was especially versed in the Laozi and the Changes, could hold pure discourse, and with his cousin Ji shared a fine reputation.
35
起家撫軍行參軍，遷太子舍人、尚書殿中郎、武陵王友。 時尚書令王儉當朝用事，武帝皆取決焉。 武帝嘗欲以充父緒爲尚書僕射，訪於儉，儉對曰：「張緒少有清望，誠美選也； 然東士比無所執，緒諸子又多薄行，臣謂此宜詳擇。」 帝遂止。 先是充兄弟皆輕俠，充少時又不護細行，故儉言之。 充聞而慍，因與儉書曰：
He entered service as acting aide on the Pacifying Army staff, then Attendant to the Heir Apparent, Director in the Palace Secretariat, and Companion to the Prince of Wuling. At that time Wang Jian as Chief Minister held the reins of government, and Emperor Wu deferred to him in every decision. Emperor Wu once wished to make Chong's father Xu Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and asked Jian's view. Jian answered: "Zhang Xu has enjoyed a spotless name since youth—a fine choice indeed; yet no one in his eastern clan has held high office, and his sons are mostly of loose conduct—I think this calls for careful scrutiny." The emperor dropped the matter. Chong's brothers had all been frivolous, and in youth Chong too had neglected propriety—hence Jian's remark. Chong heard of it and took offense; he wrote to Jian:
36
吳國男子張充致書于琅邪王君侯侍者：頃日路長，愁霖韜晦，涼暑未平，想無虧攝。 充幸以魚釣之閑，鐮采之暇，時復以卷軸自娛，逍遙前史。 從橫萬古，動默之路多端； 紛綸百年，昇降之途不一。 故以圓行方止，器之異也； 金剛水柔，性之別也。 善御性者，不違金水之質； 善爲器者，不易方圓之用。 所以北海掛簪帶之高，河南降璽書之貴。 充生平少偶，不以利欲干懷，三十六年，差得以棲貧自澹。 介然之志，峭聳霜崖； 確乎之情，峰橫海岸。 彯纓天閣，旣謝廊廟之華； 綴組雲臺，終慚衣冠之秀。 所以擯跡江皋，陽狂隴畔者，實由氣岸疏凝，情塗狷隔。 獨師懷抱，不見許於俗人； 孤秀神崖，每邅回於在世。 故君山直上，蹙壓於當年； 叔陽夐舉，晳甚晳稟乎千載。 充所以長羣魚鳥，畢影松阿。 半頃之田，足以輸稅； 五畝之宅，樹以桑麻。 嘯歌於川澤之間，諷味於澠池之上，氾濫於漁父之游，偃息於卜居之下。 如此而已，充何謝焉。
Zhang Chong of Wu to the attendants of the Marquis of Langya: The journey has been long of late, melancholy rains have veiled the sky, and the season's heat and chill are not yet settled—I trust you remain in good health. In the intervals of fishing and the leisure of gathering firewood, I have sometimes turned to my scrolls for pleasure and wandered freely through the histories of old. Across ten thousand ages the paths of action and stillness branch in many directions; through a hundred tangled years the roads of rise and fall are not one. Thus the wheel rolls while the square rests—vessels differ; metal is hard and water is soft—natures are not the same. He who skillfully governs his nature does not violate the substance of metal and water; he who skillfully shapes vessels does not alter the uses of square and round. Hence Guo Tai of Bei Hai hung up cap and sash in lofty disdain, and Huangfu Mi of He Nan received the honor of an imperial letter sent down. All my life I have rarely found my equal; profit and desire have never touched my heart. For thirty-six years I have dwelt in poverty and kept myself at peace. My solitary resolve rises sheer as a frost-white cliff; my firm intent stands like peaks ranged along the shore. Court tassels at the Gate of Heaven—I have already declined the glory of hall and temple; silken cords on the Cloud Terrace—I would always fall short before the elegance of official dress. The reason I have hidden my tracks on the river isles and played the madman on the upland paths is that my spirit stands aloof and my heart keeps its distance from the world. Alone I hold to my inner truth, and the vulgar world does not approve; solitary and splendid on spirit's cliff, I am ever turned back though still among the living. Hence Yuan Yi of Junshan went straight upward and was crushed underfoot in his own day; Liang Hong of Shuyang raised himself far off—clear and radiant, shining across a thousand ages. Therefore I have long kept company with fish and birds and cast my shadow wholly on pine-covered slopes. Half a qing of fields suffices to pay the tax; a five-mu homestead is planted with mulberry and hemp. I sing freely between river and marsh, savor verse on the banks above the Sheng Pool, drift as the fisherman's wanderings, and rest beneath the diviner's dwelling. That is all—what have I to regret?
37
若夫驚岩罩日，壯海逢天； 竦石崩尋，分危落仞。 桂蘭綺靡，叢雜於山幽； 松柏森陰，相繚于澗曲。 元卿於是乎不歸，伯休亦以茲長往。 若乃飛竿釣渚，濯足滄洲； 獨浪煙霞，高臥風月。 悠悠琴酒，岫遠誰來？ 灼灼文談，空罷方寸。 不覺鬰然千里，路阻江川。 每至西風，何嘗不眷？ 聊因疾隙，略舉諸襟； 持此片言，輕枉高聽。
As for cliffs that startle and hood the sun, seas vast enough to meet the sky; towering stones collapsing by the span, peaks split and perilous, falling sheer for a thousand ren— cassia and orchid exquisite and dense, mingling in mountain depths; pine and cypress casting deep shade, winding together in the crook of the stream. For such scenes Yuanqing never returned, and Boxiu likewise departed forever. As for casting rods to fish on the islet, washing feet on the Cang Isle; alone upon mist and glow, sleeping high in wind and moon. Leisurely zither and wine—who comes from the distant peaks? Bright discourse alone—empty within the square inch of the heart. Before I knew it, a thousand li of longing lay between us, the road blocked by river and pass. Whenever the west wind rises, how could I not yearn? In this interval of illness I briefly lay open what is in my breast; with these few words I lightly presume upon your lofty attention.
38
丈人歲路未強，學優而仕； 道佐蒼生，功橫海望。 入朝則協長倩之誠，出議則抗仲子之節。 可謂盛德維時，孤松獨秀者也。 素履未詳，斯旅尚眇。 茂陵之彥，望冠蓋而長懷； 霸山之氓，佇衣車而聳歎。 得無惜乎？ 若鴻裝撰御，鶴駕軒空，則岸不辭枯，山被其潤。 奇禽異羽，或巖際而逢迎； 弱霧輕煙，乍林端而奄藹。 東都不足奇，南山豈爲貴。
You, sir, are not yet far from your prime; your learning is excellent and you have entered office; your Way assists the common people, your merit spans the sea and your fame the horizon. In court you match Changqian's sincerity; in debate you uphold Zhongzi's integrity. He may be called a man of towering virtue for his time—a lone pine standing in peerless splendor. His unadorned way in life is not yet fully known, and the road before him still stretches far. The worthies of Maoling watch for your carriage and cherish you from afar; the people of Bashan stand waiting for your passing train and sigh in wonder. Is that not a thing to regret? If you donned swan robes and rode the crane carriage, leaving your chariot empty behind—then even withered banks would not refuse you, and the hills would drink your blessing. Strange birds in rare plumage would greet you at the cliff's edge; light mist and thin smoke would suddenly gather over the treetops. The Eastern Capital would lose its wonder, and the Southern Mountains would no longer seem so grand.
39
充昆西之百姓，岱表之一民。 蠶而衣，耕且食，不能事王侯，覓知己，造時人，騁遊說，蓬轉于屠博之間，其歡甚矣。 丈人早遇承華，中逢崇禮。 肆上之眷，望溢於早辰； 鄉下之言，謬延於造次。 然舉世皆謂充爲狂，充亦何能與諸君道之哉？ 是以披聞見，掃心胸，述平生，論語默，所以通夢交魂，推衿送抱者，其惟丈人而已。
I, Chong, am only a common man west of Kun, one subject among the foothills of Mount Tai. I raise silkworms for my clothes and plow for my food. I cannot wait on lords, hunt for patrons, court the great men of the day, or wander among butchers and gamblers plying persuasion—yet in this I find great contentment. You, sir, were early received at Chenghua and midway honored at Chongli. Favor at court overflowed from the first light of morning; rustic gossip spread in haste and error. Yet the whole world calls me mad—how could I make any of you understand? So I lay open what I have seen and heard, sweep clear my heart, recount my life, and speak of silence and speech—to meet soul with soul in dream, to offer my collar and my embrace: this I do for you alone, sir.
40
關山夐隔，書罷莫因，儻遇樵者，妄塵執事。
Mountains and passes lie far between us; when this letter ends I have no other way to reach you. If you should meet a woodcutter by chance, pray let him bear it to your desk.
41
儉言之武帝，免充官，廢處久之。 後爲司徒諮議參軍，與琅邪王思遠、同郡陸慧曉等，並爲司徒竟陵王賓客。 入爲中書侍郎，尋轉給事黃門侍郎。
Jian reported the matter to Emperor Wu; Chong was stripped of office and lived in disgrace for a long while. Later he was made Consulting Adjutant to the Minister of Works and, with Wang Siyuan of Langya, Lu Huixiao of the same commandery, and others, served as retainers to the Minister of Works, Prince of Jingling. He entered court as Vice Director of the Secretariat and soon became Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates.
42
明帝作相，以充爲鎮軍長史。 出爲義興太守，爲政清靜，民吏便之。 尋以母憂去職，服闋，除太子中庶子，遷侍中。
When the future Emperor Ming held the chief ministry, he appointed Chong chief clerk to the General Who Guards the Army. He was posted as Administrator of Yixing and governed with pure, quiet restraint; officials and common people alike were well served. He soon resigned to mourn his mother; when mourning ended he was made Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household and then Attendant-in-Ordinary.
43
義師近次，東昏召百官入宮省，朝士慮禍，或往來酣宴，充獨居侍中省，不出閣。 城內旣害東昏，百官集西鐘下，召充不至。
As the army of righteousness approached, Emperor Donghun summoned every official into the palace. Courtiers feared calamity; some shuttled between drunken banquets, but Chong alone stayed in the Attendant-in-Ordinary's office and never left his chamber. After Donghun was killed inside the city, the hundred officials gathered beneath the Western Bell Tower; Chong was summoned but did not appear.
44
高祖霸府開，以充爲大司馬諮議參軍，遷梁王國郎中令、祠部尚書、領屯騎校尉，轉冠軍將軍、司徒左長史。 天監初，除大常卿。 尋遷吏部尚書，居選稱爲平允。 俄爲散騎常侍、雲騎將軍。 尋除晉陵太守，秩中二千石。 徵拜散騎常侍、國子祭酒。 充長於義理，登堂講說，皇太子以下皆至。 時王侯多在學，執經以拜，充朝服而立，不敢當也。 轉左衛將軍，祭酒如故。 入爲尚書僕射，頃之，除雲麾將軍、吳郡太守。 下車恤貧老，故舊莫不欣悅。 以疾自陳，徵爲散騎常侍，金紫光祿大夫，未及還朝，十三年，卒于吳，時年六十六。 詔贈侍中、護軍將軍。 諡穆子。 子最嗣。
When the High Ancestor opened his chief minister's headquarters, he appointed Chong Consulting Adjutant, then Director of the Liang King's Household, Minister of Rites, and Colonel of the Household Cavalry, and later General Who Vanquishes the Enemy and left chief clerk to the Minister of Works. Early in Tianjian he was made Minister of Ceremonies. He was soon transferred to Minister of Personnel, where his handling of appointments won praise for fairness. Before long he became Attendant-in-Ordinary and General of the Cloud Cavalry. He was soon appointed Administrator of Jinling at the rank of two thousand shi within the palace. He was recalled and appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary and Director of the Imperial Academy. Chong excelled in moral principle; when he lectured from the hall, the Crown Prince and all ranks below attended. Many princes were then studying at the academy; holding the classics, they bowed to him, but Chong stood in court dress and would not accept such deference. He was transferred to General of the Left Guard while retaining the directorship of the Academy. He entered court as Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and soon became General of the Cloud Banner and Administrator of Wu Commandery. On taking office he cared for the poor and the aged, and every old friend rejoiced. He pleaded illness and was recalled as Attendant-in-Ordinary and Grand Master of the Palace with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon; before he could return to court he died in Wu in the thirteenth year, aged sixty-six. An edict posthumously made him Attendant-in-Ordinary and General Who Protects the Army. He was given the posthumous title Mu. His son Zui succeeded to his line.
45
柳惲字文暢，河東解人也。 少有志行，好學，善尺牘。 與陳郡謝瀹鄰居，瀹深所友愛。
Liu Yun, whose style was Wenchang, came from Jie in Hedong. As a youth he was ambitious and upright, loved learning, and wrote an elegant hand. He lived next to Xie Yue of Chen Commandery, who deeply befriended and cherished him.
46
初，宋世有嵇元榮、羊蓋，並善彈琴，云傳戴安道之法，惲幼從之學，特窮其妙。 齊竟陵王聞而引之，以爲法曹行參軍，雅被賞狎。 王嘗置酒後園，有晉相謝安鳴琴在側，以授惲，惲彈爲雅弄。 子良曰：「卿巧越嵇心，妙臻羊體，良質美手，信在今辰。 豈止當世稱奇，足可追蹤古烈。」 累遷太子洗馬，父憂去官。 服闋，試守鄱陽相，聽吏屬，得盡三年喪禮，署之文教，百姓稱焉。 還除驃騎從事中郎。
In the Song era Ji Yuanrong and Yang Gai had both been masters of the zither, claiming to transmit Dai Andao's method. Yun studied with them from childhood and mastered their art to its depths. Qi’s Prince of Jingling heard of him and summoned him, making him Acting Adjutant in the Law Bureau; he was greatly favored and treated with warm intimacy. The prince once held wine in the rear garden; a zither that the Jin minister Xie An had once played stood nearby, and he handed it to Yun. Yun played an elegant air. Ziliang said, "Your art surpasses Ji's spirit and attains Yang's touch; fine timber and beautiful hands—truly they meet in you today. This is not merely wonder enough for our age; it can fully match the great masters of antiquity." He rose in succession to Groom of the Heir Apparent's Household, then left office to mourn his father. When mourning ended he served provisionally as Administrator of Poyang; he let his clerks and subordinates complete the full three years of mourning, and in his orders on culture and education the people praised him. On returning to court he was made Attendant-in-Ordinary on the staff of the General of Agile Cavalry.
47
惲立行貞素，以貴公子早有令名，少工篇什。 始爲詩曰：「亭皋本葉下，隴首秋雲飛。」 琅邪王元長見而嗟賞，因書齋壁。 至是預曲宴，必被詔賦詩。 嘗奉和高祖《登景陽樓》中篇云：「太液滄波起，長楊高樹秋。 翠華承漢遠，雕輦逐風遊。」 深爲高祖所美。 當時咸共稱傳。
Yun's bearing was upright and plain; though born a nobleman's son, he had early won a fine name and from youth wrote accomplished verse. His first poem ran: "On the marshy bank the leaves fall from their stems; on Longshou the autumn clouds fly." Wang Yuanchang of Langya read it and sighed in admiration, then copied it onto his study wall. Thereafter, whenever he attended an intimate banquet, he was always commanded to compose a poem. He once answered the High Ancestor's middle section of "Ascending the Jingyang Tower": "Great Liquid's green waves rise; the tall poplars' high boughs turn autumn. Imperial splendor reaches far beyond Han; the carved carriage hunts the wind in flight." The High Ancestor greatly admired it. At the time everyone praised and circulated it.
48
惲善奕朞，帝每敕侍坐，仍令定朞譜，第其優劣。 二年，出爲吳興太守。 六年。 徵爲散騎常侍，遷左民尚書。 八年，除持節、都督廣交桂越四州諸軍事、仁武將軍、平越中郎將、廣州刺史。 徵爲秘書監，領左軍將軍。 復爲吳興太守六年，爲政清靜，民吏懷之。 於郡感疾，自陳解任，父老千餘人拜表陳請，事未施行。 天監十六年，卒，時年五十三。 贈侍中、中護軍。
Yun was skilled at chess; the Emperor often had him sit in attendance and ordered him to compile a ranking of players and grade their relative strength. In the second year he was posted as Administrator of Wuxing. In the sixth year, he was recalled as Attendant-in-Ordinary and transferred to Minister of the Left for the People. In the eighth year he was appointed Bearer of the Staff, Commander-in-Chief of military affairs in Guang, Jiao, Gui, and Yue, General of Benevolent Martiality, General Who Pacifies the Yue as Central Commander, and Inspector of Guangzhou. He was recalled as Director of the Secretariat and also held the post of General of the Left Army. He served again as Administrator of Wuxing for six years; his government was pure and quiet, and officials and people cherished him. While in the commandery he fell ill and asked to resign; more than a thousand elders submitted a memorial begging him to stay, but the matter had not yet been decided. In the sixteenth year of Tianjian he died, aged fifty-three. He was posthumously made Attendant-in-Ordinary and Central Protector of the Army.
49
惲旣善琴，嘗以今聲轉棄古法，乃著《清調論》，具有條流。
Yun was skilled at the zither; having once adapted present-day sounds and set aside the ancient method, he wrote "On Pure Tones," laying out the rules in full detail.
50
少子偃，字彥遊。 年十二引見。 詔問讀何書，對曰《尚書》。 又曰：「有何美句？」 對曰：「德惟善政，政在養民。」 衆咸異之。 詔尚長城公主，拜駙馬都尉，都亭侯，太子舍人，洗馬，廬陵、鄱陽內史。 大寶元年，卒。
His youngest son Yan, whose style was Yanyou. At twelve he was summoned for an audience. The Emperor asked what book he was reading; he answered, the Documents. The Emperor asked again, "What fine lines does it hold?" He answered, "Virtue lies in good government, and good government lies in nourishing the people." The whole assembly marveled at him. An edict had him marry the Princess of Changcheng; he was appointed Commandant of the Horse Guards, Marquis of Duting, Gentleman of the Heir Apparent's Household, Groom of the Heir Apparent's Household, and Internal Administrator of Luling and Poyang. In the first year of Dabao he died.
51
蔡撙字景節，濟陽考城人。 父興宗，宋左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，有重名前代。 撙少方雅退默，與兄寅俱知名。 選補國子生，舉高第，爲司徒法曹行參軍。 齊左衛將軍王儉高選府僚，以撙爲主簿。 累遷建安王文學，司徒主簿、左西屬。 明帝爲鎮軍將軍，引爲從事中郎，遷中書侍郎，中軍長史，給事黃門侍郎。 丁母憂，廬於墓側。 齊末多難，服闋，因居墓所。 除太子中庶子，太尉長史，並不就。 梁臺建，爲侍中，遷臨海太守，坐公事左遷太子中庶子。 復爲侍中，吳興太守。
Cai Zun, whose style was Jingjie, came from Kaocheng in Jiyang. His father Xingzong had been Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Grand Master of the Palace with the Staff of Three Divisions under Song, a man of great standing in the previous dynasty. Zun in youth was upright, refined, retiring, and quiet; he and his elder brother Yin were both well known. He was selected as a student of the Imperial Academy, graduated with highest honors, and became Acting Adjutant in the Law Bureau of the Minister of Works. Wang Jian, General of the Left Guard of Qi, chose his staff with great care and appointed Zun chief clerk. He rose in succession to Literary Adjunct to the Prince of Jian'an, chief clerk to the Minister of Works, and Left Western Assistant. When Emperor Ming served as General Who Guards the Army, he summoned Zun as Attendant-in-Ordinary on his staff, then promoted him to Vice Director of the Secretariat, chief clerk to the Central Army, and Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates. When his mother died he built a hut beside her tomb. Qi’s final years were full of turmoil; when mourning ended he continued to live at the tomb. He was offered Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household and chief clerk to the Grand Commandant, but accepted neither. When the Liang regime was established he became Attendant-in-Ordinary, then Administrator of Linhai; for an official matter he was demoted to Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household. He again became Attendant-in-Ordinary and Administrator of Wuxing.
52
天監九年，宣城郡吏吳承伯挾祅道聚衆攻宣城，殺太守朱僧勇。 因轉屠旁縣，逾山寇吳興，所過皆殘破，衆有二萬，奄襲郡城。 東道不習兵革，吏民恇擾奔散，並請撙避之。 撙堅守不動，募勇敢固郡。 承伯盡銳攻撙，撙命衆出拒，戰於門，應手摧破，臨陣斬承伯，餘黨悉平。 加信武將軍。 徵度支尚書，遷中書令。 復爲信武將軍、晉陵太守。 還，除通直散騎常侍、國子祭酒。 遷吏部尚書，居選，弘簡有名稱。 又爲侍中，領秘書監，轉中書令，侍中如故。 普通二年，出爲宣毅將軍、吳郡太守。 四年，卒，時年五十七。 追贈侍中、金紫光祿大夫、宣惠將軍。 諡康子。
In the ninth year of Tianjian, Wu Chengbo, a clerk of Xuancheng Commandery, used heterodox teachings to gather a mob and attack Xuancheng, killing Administrator Zhu Sengyong. He then turned to slaughter neighboring counties, crossed the mountains to raid Wuxing, and ravaged every place he passed; his force reached twenty thousand men, and he suddenly struck the commandery seat. The eastern circuit was unused to war; officials and people panicked and fled, all begging Zun to withdraw. Zun held firm without moving and recruited the brave to defend the commandery. Chengbo attacked with his full strength; Zun ordered his men out to resist, fought at the gate, broke the enemy at the first clash, beheaded Chengbo on the field, and the remaining band was entirely pacified. He was promoted to General of Trustworthy Martiality. He was recalled as Minister of Revenue and transferred to Director of the Secretariat. He again became General of Trustworthy Martiality and Administrator of Jinling. On returning to court he was appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary Directly Attached and Director of the Imperial Academy. He was transferred to Minister of Personnel; in handling appointments he was broad and simple, and won a fine reputation. He again served as Attendant Gentleman and Director of the Secretariat, retaining Attendant Gentleman while taking up the directorship. In the second year of Putong he was posted as General of Manifest Resolution and Administrator of Wu Commandery. In the fourth year he died, at fifty-seven. Posthumously he was made Attendant Gentleman, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and General of Manifest Favor. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Kang.
53
子彥熙，歷官中書郎，宣城內史。
His son Yanxi served as Gentleman in the Secretariat and Administrator of Xuancheng.
54
江蒨字彥標，濟陽考城人。 曾祖湛，宋左光祿、儀同三司； 父斅，齊太常卿：並有重名於前世。
Jiang Qian, whose style was Yanbiao, came from Kaocheng in Jiyang. His great-grandfather Zhan had been Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness under Song with credentials equal to the Three Excellencies. His father Xiao had been Grand Minister of Ceremonies of Qi; both forebears enjoyed great fame.
55
蒨幼聰警，讀書過目便能諷誦。 選爲國子生，通《尚書》，舉高第。 起家秘書郎，累遷司徒東閣祭酒、廬陵王主簿。 居父憂以孝聞，廬於墓側，明帝敕遣齊仗二十人防墓所。 服闋，除太子洗馬，累遷司徒左南屬，太子中舍人，秘書丞。 出爲建安內史，視事朞月，義師下次江州，遣寧朔將軍劉諓之爲郡，蒨帥吏民據郡拒之。 及建康城平，蒨坐禁錮。 俄被原，起爲後軍臨川王外兵參軍。 累遷臨川王友，中書侍郎，太子家令，黃門侍郎，領南兗州大中正。 遷太子中庶子，中正如故。 轉中權始興王長史。 出爲伏波將軍、晉安內史。 在政清約，務在寬惠，吏民便之。 詔徵爲寧朔將軍、南康王長史，行府、州、國事。 頃之，遷太尉臨川王長史，轉尚書吏部郎，右將軍。
As a boy Qian was quick and sharp; he could recite a text after reading it once. He entered the Imperial University, mastered the Documents, and graduated at the head of his class. He began as Secretary, then rose to libationer of the Sikong's Eastern Pavilion and chief clerk to the Prince of Luling. Mourning his father, he won fame for filial devotion and lived beside the tomb; Emperor Ming sent twenty Qi guards to watch over the grave. When mourning ended he became Groom of the Heir Apparent, then left aide in the Sikong's office, Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent, and Secretary. Posted as Administrator of Jian'an, within a month the righteous army arrived at Jiangzhou. Liu Yanzhi, General Who Pacifies the North, was sent to take the commandery, and Qian led officials and people in its defense. When Jiankang fell, Qian was imprisoned. Soon pardoned, he became external military gentleman on the staff of Prince Linchuan of the Rear Army. He rose through companion to the Prince of Linchuan, Vice Director of the Secretariat, household head to the Heir Apparent, Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gates, and chief rectifier of Southern Yang Province. He was made Household Attendant to the Heir Apparent while keeping the chief rectifier's post. He was transferred to chief clerk to Prince Shixing of the Central Authority. He was posted as General Who Subdues Waves and Administrator of Jin'an. He governed with austerity and kindness, to the ease of officials and people alike. He was summoned as General Who Pacifies the North and chief clerk to the Prince of Nankang, acting for the fief, commandery, and state. Soon he became chief clerk to Prince Linchuan, Grand Commandant, then Vice Minister of Personnel and General of the Right.
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蒨方雅有風格。 僕射徐勉以權重自遇，在位者並宿士敬之，惟蒨及王規與抗禮，不爲之屈。 勉因蒨門客翟景爲第七兒繇求蒨女婚，蒨不答，景再言之，乃杖景四十，由此與勉有忤。 除散騎常侍，不拜。 是時勉又爲子求蒨弟葺及王泰女，二人並拒之。 葺爲吏部郎，坐杖曹中幹免官，泰以疾假出宅，乃遷散騎常侍，皆勉意也。 初，天監六年，詔以侍中、常侍並侍帷幄，分門下二局入集書，其官品視侍中，而非華胄所悅，故勉斥泰爲之。 蒨尋遷司徒左長史。
Qian was refined and possessed real style. Vice Director Xu Mian threw his weight around; senior officials deferred to him, but only Qian and Wang Gui met him as equals and would not yield. Through Qian's client Zhai Jing, Mian sought Qian's daughter for his seventh son Yao. Qian ignored him; when Jing pressed again, Qian had Jing beaten forty strokes and fell out with Mian. Offered Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, he declined. Mian then sought Qian's brother Qi and Wang Tai's daughter for his son; both refused. Qi, as Vice Minister of Personnel, was dismissed for beating a ministry clerk; Tai left his house on medical leave. Both were moved to Palace Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry—at Mian's doing. In the sixth year of Tianjian an edict had Attendant Gentlemen and Palace Attendants attend within the curtain and merged two Masters of Writing bureaus into the Imperial Library at their rank—unwelcome to great families, and Mian used it to sideline Tai. Qian was soon made left chief clerk of the Sikong.
57
初，王泰出閤，高祖謂勉云：「江蒨資歷，應居選部。」 勉對曰：「蒨有眼患，又不悉人物。」 高祖乃止。 遷光祿大夫。 大通元年，卒，時年五十三。 詔贈本官。 諡肅子。
When Wang Tai left the Secretariat, the High Ancestor told Mian, "Jiang Qian's qualifications suit the Ministry of Personnel." Mian answered, "Qian has eye trouble and does not know men well." The High Ancestor dropped the matter. Qian was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. In the first year of Datong he died, at fifty-three. An edict granted his former rank. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Su.
58
蒨好學，尤悉朝儀故事，撰《江左遺典》三十卷，未就，卒。 文集十五卷。
Qian loved learning and knew court ritual and precedent especially well. He drafted thirty juan of Remnant Institutions of the Eastern Court but died before finishing. His collected writings ran to fifteen juan.
59
子紑、經，在《孝行傳》。
His sons Zhou and Jing appear in the Biography of Filial Conduct.
60
史臣曰：王氏自姬姓已降，及乎秦漢，繼有英哲。 洎東晉王茂弘經綸江左，時人方之管仲。 其後蟬冕交映，台袞相襲，勒名帝籍，慶流子孫，斯爲盛族矣。 王瞻等承藉茲基，國華是貴，子有才行，可得而稱。 張充少不持操，晚乃折節，在於典選，實號廉平。 柳惲以多藝稱，蔡撙以方雅著，江蒨以風格顯，俱爲梁室名士焉。 [1]
The historian writes: From the Ji clan down through Qin and Han, the Wangs produced worthy men in succession. By the Eastern Jin, Wang Maohong governed the lands east of the Yangtze, and contemporaries compared him to Guan Zhong. Thereafter court caps and robes glittered in succession, high office passed from father to son, names were entered on the imperial registers, and blessing flowed to descendants—such was this great house. Wang Zhan and the others inherited this foundation; national glory was their birthright, and their sons had talent and conduct worth praising. Zhang Chong neglected propriety in youth but greatly reformed in later years; in appointments he was truly called fair and upright. Liu Yun was famed for many arts, Cai Zun for square elegance, Jiang Qian for style—all were celebrated gentlemen of Liang. Editorial footnote marker in the source text.
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全文以中華書局、一九七三年五月版《梁書》爲本校。
The full text has been collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the Book of Liang (May 1973).