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卷二十六 列傳第二十 范岫 傅昭 弟映 蕭琛 陸杲

Volume 26: Fan Xiu; Fu Zhao; Fu Ying; Xiao Chen; Lu Gao

Chapter 26 of 梁書 · Book of Liang
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Chapter 26
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1
Book of Liang, Volume 26, Biographies, Number 20
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Fan Xiu; Fu Zhao; his younger brother Ying; Xiao Chen; and Lu Gao
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Fan Xiu, styled Maobin, came from Kaocheng in Jiyang commandery. His great-grandfather Xuan had been a Jin dynasty recluse-scholar. His father Yi had served as chief aide to the governor of Yan Province under the Song.
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西簿
Xiu was orphaned young but won renown for tending his mother with filial devotion; he and Shen Yue of Wuxing were alike held in esteem by Cai Xingzong. During the Taishi reign he began his career as a palace attendant. When Xingzong was appointed General Who Pacifies the West, he brought Xiu in as his chief clerk. He rose through a series of posts: magistrate of Linhai and Changcheng, staff officer to the Rapid Cavalry General, revising clerk in the Ministry of Works, army aide to the Protector-General, and recorder on the staff of Qi’s Grand Tutor, Prince Ziliang of Jingling.
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He was promoted again to Director of the Heir Apparent’s Household. When the Literary and Gracious Heir Apparent resided in the Eastern Palace, Shen Yue and others were recruited for their literary gifts, and Xiu was included among them. Xiu’s prose did not equal Yue’s, yet contemporaries respected his name and conduct; widely read and well informed, he was above all expert in ritual and omens from Wei and Jin times onward. Yue would often remark, “Master Fan delights in inquiry and knows everything—Hu Guang himself could add nothing.” Fan Yun of Nanxiang told people, “For how to advance, withdraw, and comport yourselves, ask Long-Head Fan.” — for Xiu knew the old precedents of earlier dynasties better than anyone.
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使使 祿 祿
He was appointed Erudite of the Imperial University. During Yongming an envoy from Wei arrived; the court was ordered to choose the most articulate officials to meet him at the frontier, and Xiu was sent as acting chief clerk of Huaiyin to receive him. After returning he was made Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs; he resigned on his mother’s death but soon took up his duties again in an acting post. He was sent out as General Who Pacifies the North, chief clerk of the Southern Man, and administrator of Southern Yiyang; before he assumed the post he was made staff adviser of the Right Army, retaining his nominal commandery rank. He was appointed army aide to the Pacification General. He was sent out as General Who Establishes Might and interior secretary of Ancheng. He entered court as Attendant Gentleman at the Yellow Gate, then became Censor-in-Chief, concurrently commanding the Vanguard General and serving as chief arbiter of pedigree for northern and southern Yan. At the close of Yongyuan he was sent out as General Who Assists the State and chief clerk to the Champion Prince of Jin’an, with charge of southern Xu. After the righteous army took the capital, he was summoned under provisional authority to be Director of the Ministry of Personnel and took part in the great appointments. When the Liang provisional government was set up, he became Minister of Revenue. In Tianjian year 5 he was made Regular Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, attending the crown prince with a ceremonial staff. In year 6 he also served as Left Commandant of the Crown Prince’s Guard. In year 7 he was transferred to Regular Attendant of Direct Communication and General of the Right Guard, keeping his arbiter’s post. That same year he petitioned to retire; the throne refused. In year 8 he was sent out as administrator of Jinling, at the two-thousand-bushel rank. In year 9 he returned as Minister of Rites and concurrently commanded the Right Valiant Cavalry General; that year he was promoted to Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon with twenty personal attendants. In year 13 he died in office, aged seventy-five. The court granted fifty thousand cash and a hundred bolts of cloth for his funeral.
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Xiu stood seven feet eight inches in height, grave and courteous in manner, every step governed by ritual. After mourning his parents he ate only plain food and wore coarse cloth for the rest of his days. In every post he held he was known for incorruptible conduct. As magistrate of Changcheng he kept a catalpa-wood cap-box; for decades, even after he rose to high office, he never replaced it. At Jinling he allowed himself only one pair of ivory-barrel writing brushes—and even that he thought excessive. His collected writings, Treatise on Rites, Miscellaneous Ritual Protocols, and Character Instruction circulated widely. He left two sons, Bao and Wei.
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簿使
Fu Zhao, styled Maoyuan, came from Lingzhou in Beidi—seventh in descent from Jin’s Director of the Metropolitan Area, Fu Xian. His grandfather was Hezhi; his father Dan mastered the Three Rites and was renowned in Song times. Dan had served Prince Jingling of Song, Liu Dan; when the prince rebelled, Dan was executed as an accomplice. Zhao lost his father at six; his mourning was as deep as a grown man’s, and the whole clan wondered at him. At eleven he helped his maternal grandfather sell almanacs at the Zhuque ferry. He was retained by Yuan Yi, governor of Yong Province; when Yi once visited Zhao’s lodging, Zhao went on reading without a change of expression. Yi sighed and said, “This boy’s spirit is uncommon—he will surely become someone of note.” Grand Tutor Xiu Ren, Prince of Jian’an, heard of this and was delighted; he wished to bring Zhao in, but Zhao, citing the Song court’s turmoil, declined to go. Someone commended Zhao to Yu Yuan, the Director of Justice, and Yuan sent a carriage to fetch him. Yuan’s kinsman Tongzhi was also present—both were luminaries of the day—and Tongzhi gave Zhao a poem: “A prodigy famed east of the mountains, a young talent who turns Luoyang’s head. Who could inherit such pure renown? In meeting you I find a fragrance that endures.” Wang Yanxiu of Taiyuan recommended Zhao to Yuan Can, governor of Danyang, who treated him with great respect, made him chief clerk of the commandery, and had his sons study under him. When Emperor Ming died, Can drafted the mourning proclamation and had Zhao revise it. Whenever he passed Zhao’s door he would sigh: “At his gate all is still as though no one were within; yet draw the curtain and the man is there—is this not a true sage?” Soon after he became a scholar of the Zongming Hall and a court attendant. During Qi’s Yongming reign he rose through outer court gentleman, staff officer to Grand Tutor Prince Ziliang of Jingling, and clerk in the Ceremonial Section of the Ministry of Rites.
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Earlier Censor-in-Chief Liu Xiu had recommended Zhao to Emperor Wu; at the start of Yongming he was made tutor to the Prince of Nanjun. When the prince ascended the throne, former retainers fought for favor and power; only Zhao and Zong Que of Nanyang kept their integrity and stayed aloof, and in the end they escaped the purge. When Emperor Ming acceded, he brought Zhao in as Secretariat Attendant for Current Affairs. Others in that office wielded power over the realm; Zhao alone remained incorrupt and withdrawn, interfering in nothing. His furnishings and dress were plain; he was content with coarse food. He would stick a candle into a plank bed; when Emperor Ming heard of it he sent a lacquered candle box and tray, writing: “You have the spirit of the ancients, so I give you the furnishings of the ancients.” He rose through recorder to the Cavalry General Prince of Linhai, Commandant of the Changshui Guard, Director of the Heir Apparent’s Household, and staff adviser to the Rapid Cavalry Prince of Jin’an. Soon he was made Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs and chief arbiter of his home province.
10
The High Ancestor had long known Zhao’s gifts; when Jiankang fell he brought him in as recording officer on the Rapid Cavalry staff. When the Liang provisional government was set up he became Attendant Gentleman at the Yellow Gate and Director of the History Office; soon he also served as Censor-in-Chief while keeping his Yellow Gate, History Office, and arbiter posts. In Tianjian year 3 he also served as Minister of the Five Arms and took part in appointments; in year 4 he received the full title. In year 6 he was transferred to Minister of the Left People; before taking the seal he was sent out as General Who Establishes Might, chief clerk to the Pacification Prince of Ancheng, and administrator of Xunyang. In year 7 he returned as General Who Quells the Distance and chief clerk of the Central Guard. In year 8 he became Regular Attendant of Direct Communication and Commandant of the Footsoldiers, resuming his post as chief arbiter of his home province. In year 10 he again became Minister of the Left People.
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便
In year 11 he was sent out as Trustworthy Martial General and interior secretary of Ancheng. Since Song times Ancheng had been ravaged by war, and the prefectural residence was considered haunted. When Zhao took the commandery, a local man dreamed one night of armored hosts in full array and heard a voice say, “Make way for the good man”; the soldiers all rose into the air and vanished together. The dreamer woke with a start. Soon a fierce wind and driving rain struck without warning; several buildings collapsed on the very spot where, in the dream, the army had trodden. After that the residence was untroubled; everyone credited Zhao’s integrity. The streams of the commandery held no fish; one summer someone offered Zhao fish. He would neither accept nor refuse outright, and so he fed them beside his gate.
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祿 祿
In year 12 he returned as Director of the Secretariat and concurrently commanded the Rear Army General. In year 14 he was made Minister of Ceremonies. In year 17 he was sent out as Sagacious Martial General and administrator of Linhai. The commandery had a honey cliff; successive administrators had sealed it off and kept the profits for themselves. Zhao cited King Wen’s park, shared with the people—the great can stand for the small—and ordered that it remain open. The county magistrate often sent chestnuts with silk hidden beneath the wrapping; Zhao smiled and sent them back. In Putong year 2 he returned as Regular Attendant of Direct Communication and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, chief arbiter of his home province; soon he also directed the Secretariat. In year 5 he was made Regular Attendant and Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, keeping his arbiter’s post.
13
簿
In every post he held Zhao governed through quiet integrity rather than harsh severity. At court he made no solicitations, kept no private disciples, and took no illicit gain. He sat in quiet study all day, finding his pleasure in books and records, and did not slacken even in old age. His learning spanned antiquity and his own age; above all he knew people—from Wei and Jin on, office lists, pedigrees, and marriage alliances inside and out—and could discourse on them without omission. His character was profoundly conscientious. His daughter-in-law once received beef from her family and served it to him; Zhao called his son and said, “To eat it breaks the law; to report it is impossible—take it and bury it.” In private conduct he would not compromise even where no one could see; nearly everything he did was of this sort. Young scholars in the capital revered his learning and honored his path; each felt himself unable to match him. In the ninth month of Datong year 2 he died, aged seventy-five. The court granted thirty thousand cash and fifty bolts of cloth; mourning was proclaimed that day; his posthumous title was Zhenzi, “the Upright.” His eldest son Xu served as a gentleman of the Ministry of Works and as magistrate of Lin’an. His second son was Gong.
14
Ying, styled Huiyuan, was Zhao’s younger brother. He was orphaned at the age of three. The brothers lived in warm accord, disciplined in conduct and strict in observance; nothing contrary to ritual was permitted. When Zhao first took office at Linhai, Lu Chun gave him a farewell feast; host and guests made merry until dusk, and Zhao did not return. Ying thought his elder brother, at his age, should not carouse all night; he went to fetch him himself, and they rode home together—both already gray-haired. Contemporaries admired and revered the deed. When Zhao died, Ying mourned him as a father; though over seventy, his grief exceeded the prescribed rites, and even after the mourning period ended, speech would still move him to tears.
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Ying read widely in histories and chronicles and had literary gifts, yet he did not claim the name of poet. In youth he was close to Liu Hui and Xiao Chen; when Hui became administrator of Nankang and Ying served as his commandery aide, Hui often had him draft official documents. Chu Yanhui heard of him with pleasure and allowed him to keep company with his son Ben and the like. Before he was twenty Yanhui wished him to take office, but Ying refused firmly while Zhao had not yet entered service; he would not take rank until his brother did.
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祿 祿
In the first year of Yongyuan he served on the staff of the Pacification General, Prince of Jiangxia, and was sent out as magistrate of Wukang. When the High Ancestor’s army reached Jiankang, Yuan Ang, administrator of Wuxing, believing his house loyal through generations, clung to his oath of fealty and asked Ying, “What do you make of the times?” Ying replied, “At the end of Yuanjia the succession was unsettled; the Grand Marshal gave his life to prove his loyalty, and the Minister over the Masses bore the burden of the realm—there was no saving himself—so he faced every peril for duty and honor. Today the heir is cruel and benighted, fond of petty men, slaying kin and worthies; the way of the gentleman has waned, troubles multiply from without, and he will not mend his ways. Now Jing and Yong have risen together, holding the upper Yangzi; turning from darkness to light, their cause cannot fail. The people yearn for peace—the will of Heaven and of men is plain; to be clear-sighted and wise is to keep the path of loyalty and filial piety unclouded. May Your Excellency weigh this carefully and not repent too late.” Soon after he was removed from office on official grounds. Early in Tianjian he became staff officer to the Pacification General Prince of Poyang, recording officer on Prince Jian’an’s Central Guard staff, chief clerk of the Army Director, and magistrate of Wucheng. Every stipend he received he turned over to his brother. He later served as recording officer to the Prince of Linchuan, drafter for the Southern Office, recording officer to the Prince of Ancheng, and Commandant of the Heir Apparent’s Guard, rising through Palace Gentleman, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Grand Master of the Palace. In Datong year 5 he died, aged eighty-three. His son was Hong.
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Xiao Chen, styled Yanyu, came from Lanling. His grandfather Sengzhen had been Director of Justice under the Song. His father Huixun had been Grand Master of the Palace. When Chen was still a child, his uncle Huikai stroked his back and said, “You will surely raise up our house.”
18
簿
Chen was quick-witted from youth and possessed a debater’s eloquence. He began his career as Erudite of the Qi Imperial University. Wang Jian then dominated the court; Chen was young and unknown to him, but confident in his gifts and determined to seek him out. When Jian was feasting in the Leyou Gardens, Chen appeared in tiger-skin boots, leaning on a peach-branch staff, and walked straight to Jian’s seat; Jian spoke with him and was delighted. When Jian became governor of Danyang he made Chen his chief clerk, nominated him as southern Xu’s distinguished graduate, and promoted him to recorder on the Grand Tutor’s staff.
19
使
In Yongming year 9, when Wei first opened friendly relations, Chen twice carried the imperial commission to Sanggan; on his return he became Regular Attendant of Direct Communication. Wei then sent Li Daogu as envoy, and the Qi emperor entertained him at court. At the imperial banquet Chen offered wine to Daogu; Daogu refused, saying, “At court there is no private courtesy—I cannot accept a personal toast.” Chen answered calmly, “As the Book of Songs says: ‘Rain on our public fields, and it reaches our private ones as well.’” The assembly was won over, and Daogu drank Chen’s toast. He was made Right Chief Clerk of the Grand Tutor. He was sent out as chief clerk to the Prince of Jinxi with charge of southern Xu. On returning he also served as Minister of the Lesser Treasury and Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs.
20
While Chen was at Xuancheng, a northern monk came south carrying only a gourd that held the “Ordered Biographies” of the Book of Han. The monk said, “Elders of the Three Metropolises have handed down that this is Ban Gu’s authentic text.” Chen insisted on obtaining it; the text differed in many places from current versions, the paper and ink were ancient, and the script was mostly of the “dragon-raised” type—neither clerical nor seal. Chen guarded it closely. On this embassy he presented the book to Prince Fan of Poyang, who in turn offered it to the Eastern Palace.
21
西
Soon Chen was made chief clerk of the Pacification West and administrator of Nan Commandery; he left office for his mother’s death and again for his father’s. He returned as Trustworthy Martial General and chief clerk of the Protector-General, and soon became Upright and Resolute General and chief clerk to the Grand Marshal. He was sent out as Trustworthy and Awesome General and administrator of Dongyang, then transferred to administrator of Wuxing. The commandery had a temple to Xiang Yu, whom locals called the Wrathful King and held in great awe; bed and curtains had been installed in the main hall as a spirit seat, and all who came to pray did so there—successive administrators worshipped in the hall and slept elsewhere. When Chen arrived he returned the shrine to the temple and occupied the hall without hesitation. He also forbade cattle sacrifice, substituting dried meat for fresh offerings.
22
西
When the High Ancestor was still in the Western Quarters he had long been close to Chen; at court banquets he treated him with old affection and called him “clan elder.” Chen also voiced his gratitude for past kindness: “Long ago I stood in your company at Zhongyang; from the first I was honored to share your household; though I strayed when fortune turned, I still owe your great grace.” The emperor replied, “You speak of an early bond, yet we were never truly kindred spirits; say nothing of how fortune began—tell instead how the mad servant was unlike the rest.”
23
Chen often said, “In my prime I had three loves—music, books, and wine. As I have grown older I have given up two; only books have not faded.” Yet Chen was free-spirited by nature; he often cooked for himself, and when the meal was done he would invariably drink himself into cheerful intoxication.
24
Lu Gao, styled Mingxia, came from Wu in Wu commandery. His grandfather Hui had been General Who Assists the State and inspector of Yi Province under the Song. His father Rui had been chief aide of Yang Province.
25
Gao was upright and unyielding, bowing to no one’s favor. Yu Jian, magistrate of Shanyin, had embezzled millions while in office; Gao memorialized for his arrest and trial. Huang Muzhi, a Secretariat Attendant, asked Gao to intervene in Jian’s case; Gao gave no answer. When the High Ancestor heard of this he questioned Gao, who answered, “That is so.” The High Ancestor asked, “Do you know Muzhi?” Gao replied, “I do not know the man.” Muzhi was then at the emperor’s side; the emperor pointed and said, “This is he.” Gao said to Muzhi, “You petty fellow—how dare you hand a criminal over to the censorate?” Muzhi turned pale. Zhang Ji, the Army Director, was Gao’s maternal uncle; Gao once impeached him on official grounds. At a banquet Ji complained to the High Ancestor: “Lu Gao is my close kinsman by marriage—over a trifle he impeached me and would show no mercy.” The High Ancestor said, “Gao was doing his duty—how can you resent it!” At the Censorate Gao was known as one who did not fear the powerful.
26
祿 祿
In year 6 he became Director of the Secretariat; soon after he was made Palace Companion to the Heir Apparent and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. In year 8 he was sent out as administrator of Yixing, where his lenient and kindly rule won praise from the people. On returning he became chief clerk to the Minister of Works, Prince of Linchuan, and chief arbiter of Yang Province. In year 14 he became Regular Attendant of Direct Communication, then soon Regular Attendant, keeping his arbiter’s post. In year 15 he was made Left Chief Clerk of the Grand Tutor. In year 16 he returned as Minister of the Left People, then became Minister of Ceremonies. In Putong year 2 he was sent out as Benevolent Martial General and interior secretary of Linchuan. In year 5 he returned as Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon and again served as chief arbiter of Yang Province. In the first year of Zhongdatong he received special advancement while keeping his arbiter's post. In year 4 he died, aged seventy-four. His posthumous title was Zhizi, “the Plain.”
27
Gao had long been a devout Buddhist, observed the precepts with great rigor, and wrote the Biographies of Monks in thirty scrolls.
28
His younger brother Xu was learned and thoughtful. Early in Tianjian he served as Gentleman of the Secretariat, Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Director of the Heir Apparent’s Household, then died. He had begun a Book of Jin but did not finish it. He also wrote the History of Lu in fifteen scrolls and the Record of the Lu Clan at Lichuan in one scroll; both circulated widely.
29
祿
His son Zhao was studious from youth and gifted in letters, rising to Palace Companion to the Heir Apparent and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
30
[1]
The historian writes: Fan Xiu and Fu Zhao were alike in steadfast conduct, purity, and caution, admirable from first to last—men in the mold of Shi Jian and Shi Qing. Xiao Chen and Lu Gao were both renowned for talent and learning. Chen was quick-witted and eloquent and thoroughly versed in court precedent; the High Ancestor had known him in private life, and when he took the throne his favor was lavish—a fine thing indeed. Gao was upright and fearless; at the Censorate he enforced the law without sparing the powerful—truly he wore the face of justice. The Book of Songs says, “That man—he is the state’s upright judge.” In this, Gao surely had his part. [1] Endnote marker.
31
The full text has been collated against the Zhonghua Shuju, May 1973 edition of the 《Book of Liang》.
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