Volume 29: Three Princes of Gaozu

梁書卷第二十九列傳第二十三

Book of Liang, Volume 29, Biography 23

高祖三王

Three Princes of Gaozu

高祖八男：丁貴嬪生昭明太子統，太宗簡文皇帝，廬陵威王續；阮脩容生世祖孝元皇帝；吳淑媛生豫章王綜；董淑儀生南康簡王績；丁充華生邵陵攜王綸；葛脩容生武陵王紀。綜及紀別有傳。

Emperor Wu of Liang had eight sons. Noble Consort Ding bore Crown Prince Zhaoming (Xiao Tong), Emperor Jianwen, and Prince Wei of Luling (Xiao Xu); Lady Ruan Xiurong bore Emperor Yuan (Xiao Yi); Lady Wu Shuyuan bore the Prince of Yuzhang (Xiao Zong); Lady Dong Shuyi bore Prince Jian of Nankang (Xiao Ji); Lady Ding Chonghua bore Prince Yo of Shaoling (Xiao Lun); Lady Ge Xiurong bore the Prince of Wuling (Xiao Ji). Zong and Ji are treated in separate biographies.

南康簡王績字世謹，高祖第四子。天監八年，封南康郡王，邑二千戶。出爲輕車將軍，領石頭戍軍事。十年，遷使持節、都督南徐州諸軍事、南徐州刺史，進號仁威將軍。績時年七歲，主者有受貨，洗改解書，長史王僧孺弗之覺，績見而輒詰之，便卽時首服，衆咸歎其聰警。十六年，徵爲宣毅將軍、領石頭戍軍事。十七年，出爲使持節、都督南北兗徐青冀五州諸軍事、南兗州刺史，在州著稱。尋有詔徵還，民曹嘉樂等三百七十人詣闕上表，稱績尤異一十五條，乞留州任，優詔許之，進號北中郎將。普通四年，徵爲侍中、雲麾將軍，領石頭戍軍事。五年，出爲使持節、都督江州諸軍事、江州刺史。丁董淑儀憂，居喪過禮，高祖手詔勉之，使攝州任，固求解職，乃徵授安右將軍、領石頭戍軍事，尋加護軍。羸瘠弗堪視事。大通三年，因感病薨于任，時年二十五。贈侍中、中軍將軍、開府儀同三司，給鼓吹一部。諡曰簡。

Prince Jian of Nankang, Xiao Ji, styled Shijin, was Emperor Wu's fourth son. In 509, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Nankang with a fief of two thousand households. He was appointed General of Light Chariots and placed in command of the Shitou garrison. In 511, he was made Bearer of the Staff, commander of South Xuzhou forces, and regional inspector of South Xuzhou, with the additional title General of Benevolent Might. Ji was only seven. A clerk had taken a bribe and altered an imperial rescript by washing and rewriting the text. Chief Administrator Wang Sengru had not noticed, but Ji spotted the fraud and questioned it on the spot; the clerk confessed immediately, and everyone marveled at his sharp mind. In 517, he was recalled to serve as General Who Proclaims Martial Resolution and again took command of the Shitou garrison. In 518, he was sent out as Bearer of the Staff, commander of forces in North and South Yan, Xu, Qing, and Ji, and regional inspector of South Yanzhou, where he earned a strong reputation. He was soon recalled by edict, but Jia Le and three hundred seventy others went to the capital and submitted a memorial listing fifteen exceptional deeds of Ji and asking that he remain in office. The emperor granted their request with a gracious edict and promoted him to General of the North Central Commandant. In 523, he was recalled as palace attendant and General of the Cloud Pennant, with concurrent command of the Shitou garrison. In 524, he was sent out as Bearer of the Staff, commander of Jiangzhou forces, and regional inspector of Jiangzhou. When Lady Dong Shuyi died, he mourned her beyond the prescribed rites. Emperor Wu wrote to him in his own hand urging restraint and had him continue to administer the province, but Ji insisted on resigning. He was then recalled as General Who Pacifies the Right with command of the Shitou garrison and soon made Protector of the Army as well. Wasted by grief, he was unable to carry out his duties. In 531, he died in office of an illness brought on by mourning, at the age of twenty-five. He was posthumously honored as palace attendant, General of the Central Army, and Grand Master with an establishment equal to the Three Excellencies, and granted one set of martial music. His posthumous title was Jian (Plain).

績寡玩好，少嗜欲，居無僕妾，躬事約儉，所有租秩，悉寄天府。及薨後，府有南康國無名錢數千萬。

Ji cared little for amusements and had few wants. He kept no servants or concubines, lived frugally with his own hands, and sent all his income and stipends to the imperial treasury. After his death, the Nankang princely establishment was found to hold several tens of millions in unrecorded cash.

子會理嗣，字長才。少聰慧，好文史。年十一而孤，特爲高祖所愛，衣服禮秩與正王不殊。年十五，拜輕車將軍、湘州刺史，又領石頭戍軍事。遷侍中，兼領軍將軍。尋除宣惠將軍、丹陽尹，置佐史。出爲使持節、都督南北兗北徐青冀東徐譙七州諸軍事、平北將軍、南兗州刺史。太清元年，督衆軍北討，至彭城，爲魏師所敗，退歸本鎮。

His son Huili succeeded him; Huili's style was Changcai. As a youth he was clever and devoted to literature and history. Orphaned at eleven, he was especially favored by Emperor Wu, and his dress and ceremonial standing were no different from those of a full prince. At fifteen he was made General of Light Chariots and regional inspector of Xiangzhou, and again took command of the Shitou garrison. He was promoted to palace attendant and concurrently made General Who Leads the Army. He was soon appointed General Who Proclaims Grace and governor of Danyang, with a full staff. He was sent out as Bearer of the Staff, commander of forces in seven provinces—North and South Yan, North Xu, Qing, Ji, East Xu, and Qiao—as General Who Pacifies the North and regional inspector of South Yanzhou. In 547, he led the armies on a northern campaign. At Pengcheng he was defeated by Northern Wei troops and retreated to his headquarters.

二年，侯景圍京邑，會理治嚴將入援，會北徐州刺史封山侯正表將應其兄正德，外託赴援，實謀襲廣陵，會理擊破之。方得進路，臺城陷，侯景遣前臨江太守董紹先以高祖手敕召會理，其僚佐咸勸距之。會理曰：「諸君心事，與我不同，天子年尊，受制賊虜，今有手敕召我入朝，臣子之心，豈得違背。且遠處江北，功業難成，不若身赴京都，圖之肘腋。吾計決矣。」遂席捲而行，以城輸紹先。至京，景以爲侍中、司空、兼中書令。雖在寇手，每思匡復，與西鄉侯勸等潛布腹心，要結壯士。時范陽祖皓斬紹先，據廣陵城起義，期以會理爲內應。皓敗，辭相連及，景矯詔免會理官，猶以白衣領尚書令。

In 548, Hou Jing besieged the capital. Huili prepared his troops to march to the relief of the court. Meanwhile Marquis Zhengbiao of Fengshan, regional inspector of North Xuzhou, was about to join his elder brother Zhengde. He claimed to be coming to help, but in fact planned to seize Guangling. Huili routed him. He had barely secured his line of advance when the imperial city fell. Hou Jing sent the former administrator of Linjiang, Dong Shaoxian, to summon Huili with a personal edict in Emperor Wu's hand. His officers all urged him to refuse. Huili said, "Your intentions are not mine. The emperor is old and in the rebels' power. Now I have his own edict summoning me to court. How could a loyal subject refuse? Besides, holding the far north of the Yangzi, we can accomplish little. Better to go to the capital myself and strike from within. My mind is made up." He then marched off with all his forces and handed the city over to Shaoxian. When he reached the capital, Hou Jing appointed him palace attendant, Minister of Works, and concurrent Director of the Secretariat. Though held by the rebels, he constantly plotted restoration. With Marquis Qu of Western Township and others he secretly placed agents and rallied stalwart men. At that time Zu Hao of Fanyang killed Shaoxian, seized Guangling, and rose in revolt, planning for Huili to act as his contact inside the capital. When Hao was defeated, testimony implicated Huili. Hou Jing forged an edict stripping him of rank, yet still had him, as a commoner in dress, serve as head of the Department of State Affairs.

是冬，景往晉熙，景師虛弱，會理復與柳敬禮謀之。敬禮曰：「舉大事必有所資，今無寸兵，安可以動？」會理曰：「湖熟有吾舊兵三千餘人，昨來相知，克期響集，聽吾日定，便至京師。計賊守兵不過千人耳，若大兵外攻，吾等內應，直取王偉，事必有成。縱景後歸，無能爲也。」敬禮曰「善」，因贊成之。于時百姓厭賊，咸思用命，自丹陽至于京口，靡不同之。後事不果，與弟祁陽侯通理並遇害。

That winter Hou Jing went to Jinxi. His garrison was weak, and Huili again plotted with Liu Jingli. Jingli said, "A great undertaking needs resources. We have not a single soldier. How can we act?" Huili said, "At Hushu I still have more than three thousand of my old troops. I contacted them yesterday; they will rally on the day I set. Give me a date, and I will come to the capital at once. The rebel garrison cannot be more than a thousand. If a main force attacks from outside while we rise within and seize Wang Wei directly, we are sure to succeed. Even if Hou Jing returns afterward, he will be powerless." Jingli said, "Good," and backed the plan. The people were sick of the rebels and eager to fight. From Danyang to Jingkou, everyone felt the same. The plot failed in the end, and he and his younger brother, Marquis Tongli of Qiyang, were both killed.

通理字仲宣，位太子洗馬，封祁陽侯。

Tongli, styled Zhongxuan, served as groom in the heir apparent's household and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qiyang.

通理弟乂理字季英，會理第六弟也。生十旬而簡王薨，至三歲而能言，見內人分散，涕泣相送，乂理問其故，或曰：「此簡王宮人，喪畢去爾。」乂理便號泣，悲不自勝，諸宮人見之，莫不傷感，爲之停者三人焉。服闋後，見高祖，又悲泣不自勝。高祖爲之流涕，謂左右曰：「此兒大必爲奇士。」大同八年，封安樂縣侯，邑五百戶。

Tongli's younger brother Yili, styled Jiying, was Huili's sixth brother. He was only ten days old when Prince Jian died. By three he could speak. When he saw palace women being sent away, weeping as they parted, Yili asked why. Someone said, "These were Prince Jian's women. Now that mourning is over, they are leaving." Yili burst into wailing he could not control. The palace women were all moved, and three of them stayed because of him. After mourning ended, when he saw Emperor Wu, he wept again until he could not control himself. Emperor Wu wept as well and told his attendants, "When this boy grows up, he will surely be a remarkable man." In 542, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Anle with a fief of five hundred households.

乂理性慷慨，慕立功名，每讀書見忠臣烈士，未嘗不廢卷歎曰：「一生之內，當無愧古人。」博覽多識，有文才，嘗祭孔文舉墓，幷爲立碑，制文甚美。

Yili was ardent by nature and longed to win fame. Whenever he read of loyal ministers and martyrs, he would set the book down and sigh, "In one lifetime a man ought not to be ashamed before the ancients." He read widely and knew much, and had literary talent. He once sacrificed at the tomb of Kong Rong and erected a stele for him; the inscription he composed was excellent.

太清中，侯景內寇，乂理聚賓客數百，輕裝赴南兗州，隨兄會理入援，恒親當矢石，爲士卒先。及城陷，又隨會理還廣陵，因入齊爲質，乞師。行二日，會侯景遣董紹先據廣陵，遂追會理，因爲所獲。紹先防之甚嚴，不得與兄弟相見，乃偽請先還京，得入辭母，謂其姊安固公主曰：「事旣如此，豈可闔家受斃。兄若至，願爲言之，善爲計自勉，勿賜以爲念也。家國阽危，雖死非恨，前途亦思立效，但未知天命何如耳！」至京師，以魏降人元貞立節忠正，可以託孤，乃以玉柄扇贈之。貞怪其故，不受。乂理曰：「後當見憶，幸勿推辭。」會祖皓起兵，乂理奔長蘆，收軍得千餘人。其左右有應賊者，因間劫會理，其衆遂駭散，爲景所害，時年二十一。元貞始悟其前言，往收葬焉。

During the Taiqing era, when Hou Jing invaded the interior, Yili gathered several hundred retainers, went lightly equipped to South Yanzhou, and followed his brother Huili to relieve the capital. He always placed himself in the line of fire ahead of his men. When the capital fell, he followed Huili back to Guangling, then went to Northern Qi as a hostage to beg for troops. Two days into the journey, Hou Jing sent Dong Shaoxian to seize Guangling. Shaoxian pursued Huili and captured him. Shaoxian guarded him closely and would not let him see his brothers. Yili pretended to ask to return to the capital first. Allowed to bid farewell to his mother, he told his elder sister, Princess Angu, "Matters being what they are, the whole family cannot simply be killed together. If our elder brother comes, please tell him. Make good plans for yourselves and take heart. Do not worry about me. The state and our house are in peril. I do not regret death, and I still hope to serve ahead—but who knows what fate will allow!" In the capital he judged the Northern Wei defector Yuan Zhen upright and trustworthy enough to entrust with a final charge, and gave him a fan with a jade handle. Zhen wondered at this and refused the gift. Yili said, "You will remember me later. Please do not refuse." When Zu Hao rose in revolt, Yili fled to Changlu and raised more than a thousand men. Some of his followers sided with the rebels. They seized an opening to kidnap Huili; Yili's force panicked and scattered, and Hou Jing killed him. He was twenty-one. Yuan Zhen then understood what he had meant earlier and went to recover and bury him.

廬陵威王續字世䐶，高祖第五子，天監八年，封廬陵郡王，邑二千戶。十年，拜輕車將軍、南彭城琅邪太守。十三年，轉會稽太守。十六年，爲都督江州諸軍事、雲麾將軍、江州刺史。普通元年，徵爲宣毅將軍，領石頭戍軍事。

Prince Wei of Luling, Xiao Xu, styled Shiyin, was Emperor Wu's fifth son. In 509 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Luling with a fief of two thousand households. In 511 he was made General of Light Chariots and administrator of Nan Pengcheng and Langye. In 514 he was transferred to administrator of Kuaiji. In 517 he was made commander of Jiangzhou forces, General of the Cloud Pennant, and regional inspector of Jiangzhou. In 520 he was recalled as General Who Proclaims Martial Resolution with command of the Shitou garrison.

續少英果，膂力絕人，馳射游獵，應發命中。高祖常歎曰：「此我之任城也。」嘗與臨賀王正德及胡貴通、趙伯超等馳射于高祖前，續冠于諸人，高祖大悅。三年，爲使持節、都督雍、梁、秦、沙四州諸軍事、西中郎將、雍州刺史。七年，加宣毅將軍。中大通二年，又爲使持節、都督雍、梁、秦、沙四州諸軍事、平北將軍、寧蠻校尉、雍州刺史，給鼓吹一部。續多聚馬仗，畜養驍雄，金帛內盈，倉廩外實。四年，遷安北將軍。大同元年，爲使持節、都督江州諸軍事、安南將軍、江州刺史。三年，徵爲護軍將軍、領石頭戍軍事。五年，爲驃騎將軍、開府儀同三司。又出爲使持節、都督荊郢司雍南北秦梁巴華九州諸軍事、荊州刺史。中大同二年，薨於州，時年四十四。贈司空、散騎常侍、驃騎大將軍，鼓吹一部，諡曰威。長子安嗣。

As a youth Xu was bold and resolute, with extraordinary strength. In mounted archery and the hunt, every shot he loosed found its mark. Emperor Wu often exclaimed, "He is my Rencheng!" Once he competed in mounted archery before Emperor Wu with Prince Zhengde of Linhe, Hu Guitong, Zhao Bochao, and others. Xu outshot them all, and the emperor was delighted. In 522 he was made Bearer of the Staff, commander of forces in Yong, Liang, Qin, and Sha, General of the West Central Commandant, and regional inspector of Yongzhou. In 526 he was given the additional title General Who Proclaims Martial Resolution. In 530 he again became Bearer of the Staff, commander of Yong, Liang, Qin, and Sha, General Who Pacifies the North, Colonel Who Pacifies the Barbarians, and regional inspector of Yongzhou, with one set of martial music granted. Xu stockpiled horses and arms, raised fierce fighters, and filled his treasuries and granaries to overflowing. In 532 he was transferred to General Who Pacifies the North. In 535 he was made Bearer of the Staff, commander of Jiangzhou forces, General Who Pacifies the South, and regional inspector of Jiangzhou. In 537 he was recalled as Protector of the Army with command of the Shitou garrison. In 539 he was made General of Agile Cavalry with an establishment equal to the Three Excellencies. He was again sent out as Bearer of the Staff, commander of forces in nine provinces—Jing, Ying, Si, Yong, North and South Qin, Liang, Ba, and Hua—and regional inspector of Jingzhou. In 546 he died in office at the age of forty-four. He was posthumously honored as Minister of Works, regular attendant, and Grand General of Agile Cavalry, with one set of martial music. His posthumous title was Wei (Martial). His eldest son was Ansi.

邵陵攜王綸字世調，高祖第六子也。少聰穎，博學善屬文，尤工尺牘。天監十三年，封邵陵郡王，邑二千戶。出爲寧遠將軍、琅邪、彭城二郡太守，遷輕車將軍、會稽太守。十八年，徵爲信威將軍。普通元年，領石頭戍軍事，尋爲江州刺史。五年，以西中郎將權攝南兗州，坐事免官奪爵。七年，拜侍中。大通元年，復封爵，尋加信威將軍，置佐史。中大通元年，爲丹陽尹。四年，爲侍中、宣惠將軍、揚州刺史。以侵漁細民，少府丞何智通以事啓聞，綸知之，令客戴子高於都巷刺殺之。智通子訴于闕下，高祖令圍綸第，捕子高，綸匿之，竟不出。坐免爲庶人。頃之，復封爵。大同元年，爲侍中、雲麾將軍。七年，出爲使持節、都督郢定霍司四州諸軍事、平西將軍、郢州刺史，遷爲安前將軍、丹陽尹。中大同元年，出爲鎮東將軍、南徐州刺史。

Prince Yo of Shaoling, Xiao Lun, styled Shitiao, was Emperor Wu's sixth son. As a youth he was clever and widely learned, skilled at composition and especially at letter-writing. In 514 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Shaoling with a fief of two thousand households. He was sent out as General Who Pacifies the Distant and administrator of Langye and Pengcheng, then promoted to General of Light Chariots and administrator of Kuaiji. In 519 he was recalled as General of Trustworthy Might. In 520 he took command of the Shitou garrison and soon became regional inspector of Jiangzhou. In 524, serving as General of the West Central Commandant, he acted as regent of South Yanzhou. For an offense he was dismissed and stripped of his title. In 526 he was appointed attendant-in-ordinary. In 527 his title was restored; soon after he was made General of Trustworthy Might, with adjutants and clerks assigned. In 529 he became intendant of Danyang. In 532 he was appointed attendant-in-ordinary, General Who Promotes Grace, and regional inspector of Yangzhou. Because he had preyed on the common people, Vice Director of the Privy Treasury He Zhitong reported him to the throne. Xiao Lun learned of it and had his retainer Dai Zigao stab him to death in a city alley. He Zhitong's son appealed at the palace gates. Emperor Wu ordered Xiao Lun's residence surrounded and Dai Zigao arrested. Xiao Lun hid him and refused to hand him over. He was stripped of office and reduced to commoner status. Before long his title was restored. In 535 he was appointed attendant-in-ordinary and General of Cloudy Pennants. In 541 he was sent out with imperial credentials as area commander over E, Ding, Huo, and Si provinces, as General Who Pacifies the West and regional inspector of Ezhou, then transferred to General Who Secures the Vanguard and intendant of Danyang. In 546 he was appointed General Who Guards the East and regional inspector of South Xuzhou.

太清二年，進位中衛將軍、開府儀同三司。侯景構逆，加征討大都督，率衆討景。將發，高祖誡曰：「侯景小豎，頗習行陣，未可以一戰卽殄，當以歲月圖之。」綸次鐘離，景已度釆石。綸乃晝夜兼道，遊軍入赴。濟江中流，風起，人馬溺者十一二。遂率寧遠將軍西豊公大春、新淦公大成等，步騎三萬，發自京口。將軍趙伯超曰：「若從黃城大道，必與賊遇，不如徑路直指鐘山，出其不意。」綸從之。衆軍奄至，賊徒大駭，分爲三道攻綸，綸與戰，大破之，斬首千餘級。翌日，賊又來攻，相持日晚，賊稍引卻，南安侯駿以數十騎馳之。賊回拒駿，駿部亂。賊因逼大軍，軍遂潰。綸至鐘山，衆裁千人，賊圍之，戰又敗，乃奔還京口。

In 548 he was promoted to General of the Central Guard with an honorific suite equal to the Three Departments. When Hou Jing plotted rebellion, Xiao Lun was additionally made grand area commander to campaign and punish, and he led an army against Hou Jing. As he was about to set out, Emperor Wu warned him: "Hou Jing is a petty rebel who knows his way around a battlefield. You cannot wipe him out in one battle—you must wear him down over time." By the time Xiao Lun reached Zhongli, Hou Jing had already crossed Caishi. Xiao Lun then forced day-and-night marches, sending advance units to rush to the relief. Crossing the Yangzi midstream, a wind sprang up and one or two men and horses in ten were drowned. He then led General Who Pacifies the Distance Duke of Xifeng Dachun, Duke of Xingan Dacheng, and others—thirty thousand foot and horse—setting out from Jingkou. General Zhao Bochao said: "If we take the Huangcheng highway we are sure to run into the rebels. Better to strike straight for Zhongshan by a direct route and take them by surprise." Xiao Lun agreed. The army arrived without warning. The rebels were terrified, split into three columns, and attacked Xiao Lun. He fought them and won a great victory, taking more than a thousand heads. The next day the rebels attacked again. The battle lasted until evening; as the rebels began to pull back, Marquis of Nan'an Jun charged them with several dozen horsemen. The rebels turned to meet Jun, and his unit broke ranks. The rebels pressed the main force, and the army collapsed. Xiao Lun reached Zhongshan with barely a thousand men. The rebels besieged him; defeated again, he fled back to Jingkou.

三年春，綸復與東揚州刺史大連等入援，至于驃騎洲。進位司空。臺城陷，奔禹穴。大寶元年，綸至郢州，刺史南平王恪讓州於綸，綸不受，乃上綸爲假黃鉞、都督中外諸軍事。綸於是置百官，改廳事爲正陽殿。數有災怪，綸甚惡之。時元帝圍河東王譽於長沙旣久，內外斷絕，綸聞其急，欲往救之，爲軍糧不繼，遂止。乃與世祖書曰：

In spring of 549 Xiao Lun again marched to relieve the capital with Eastern Yangzhou regional inspector Dalian and others, reaching Piaoqi Isle. He was promoted to minister of works. When the capital fell, he fled to the Yu Cave region. In 550 Xiao Lun reached Yingzhou. Regional inspector Prince of Nanping Ke offered him the province; Xiao Lun refused, so they elevated him as acting bearer of the yellow axe and area commander of all military affairs within and without. Xiao Lun thereupon installed a full bureaucracy and renamed the office hall the Hall of Correct Yang. Strange omens kept appearing, and Xiao Lun was deeply troubled by them. At that time Emperor Yuan had long besieged Prince of Hedong Yu at Changsha, cutting the city off inside and out. When Xiao Lun heard how desperate the situation was, he wanted to go to his rescue, but with army provisions running short he had to abandon the plan. He then wrote to Emperor Yuan, saying:

伏以先朝聖德，孝治天下，九親雍睦，四表無怨，誠爲國政，實亦家風。唯餘與爾，同奉神訓，宜敦旨喻，共承無改。且道之斯美，以和爲貴，況天時地利，不及人和，豈可手足肱支，自相屠害。日者聞譽專情失訓，以幼陵長，湘、峽之內，遂至交鋒。方等身遇亂兵，斃於行陣，殞于吳局。方此非冤，聞問號怛，惟增摧憤，念以兼悼，當何可稱。吾在州所居遙隔，雖知其狀，未喻所然。及屆此籓，備加覿訪，咸云譽應接多替，兵糧閉壅；弟教亦不悛，故興師以伐。譽未識大體，意斷所行，雖存急難，豈知竊思。不能禮爭，復以兵來。蕭牆興變，體親成敵，一朝至此，能不鳴呼。旣有書問，雲雨傳流，噂栎遝其間，委悉無因詳究。

I reflect that our late emperor's sacred virtue ruled the realm through filial piety: the nine branches of kin lived in harmony, and no quarter of the empire nursed grievance. This was truly sound government—and it was our family's way. Only you and I remain to uphold our father's teaching. We ought to heed his words and together preserve what must not be changed. The Way itself teaches that harmony is supreme—and when heaven's season and earth's advantage count for less than human accord, how can the arms and legs of one body turn on each other in slaughter? Lately I have heard that Yu, stubborn and heedless of instruction, let the young insult their elders, until fighting broke out across Xiang and the gorges. Fangdeng ran into mutinous troops, was killed in battle, and died in the Wu campaign. Even if his death was not unjust, the news made me cry out in grief; sorrow and rage only grew. When I think of this added loss, what words could be enough? From my distant province I knew something of the situation, but not why it had come to this. When I reached this princely domain and questioned everyone closely, all said Yu had been lax in receiving envoys and that military grain was blocked; yet my younger brother's admonitions did not move him, and so troops were raised against him. Yu failed to see the larger picture and acted on his own judgment alone. Though he was in grave danger, how could he know what others were thinking in private? Unable to settle the matter through proper remonstrance, he answered with arms again. Disaster rose within our own walls; kin became enemies. When it has come to this in a single day, how can one not cry out? Letters have passed back and forth like clouds and rain, but slander and malice crowd between them, and I have had no way to learn the full truth.

方今社稷危恥，創巨痛深，人非禽蟲，在知君父。卽日大敵猶強，天仇未雪，余爾昆季，在外三人，如不匡難，安用臣子。唯應剖心嘗膽，泣血枕戈，感誓蒼穹，憑靈宗祀，晝謀夕計，共思匡復。至於其餘小忿，或宜寬貸。誠復子憾須臾，將奈國冤未逞。正當輕重相推，小大易奪，遣無益之情，割下流之悼，弘豁以理，通識勉之。今已喪鐘山，復誅猶子，將非揚湯止沸，吞冰療寒。若以譽之無道，近遠同疾，弟復效尤，攸非獨罪。幸寬於衆議，忍以事寧。如使外寇未除，家禍仍構，料今訪古，未或弗亡。

Now the altars of state stand in peril and shame; the wound is deep and the pain unbearable. Men are not birds or insects—they know their sovereign and their father. Even now the great enemy remains strong and heaven's vengeance is unrequited. Of us brothers, three are abroad—if we do not rescue the realm in its crisis, of what use are we as sons and subjects? We should rend our hearts and taste gall, weep blood and sleep upon our spears, vow before heaven and invoke our ancestors, and plan day and night together to restore the realm. As for lesser grievances, it may be right to show forbearance. A son's grievance may demand momentary satisfaction—but what of the nation's wrong, still unavenged? We ought to weigh the greater against the lesser, set aside what is small for what is large, release feelings that serve no purpose, and cut off lesser grief—with broad reason and shared understanding urging one another on. Zhongshan is already lost—must we also kill a nephew? Is that not like skimming boiling water or swallowing ice to cure a chill? If Yu's misconduct afflicts near and far alike, and my younger brother also follows his bad example, the fault is not Yu's alone. I beg you to yield to the consensus of many and bear with the situation until peace is restored. If foreign enemies are not destroyed and domestic calamity continues, then whether I look to the present or search the past, no state has failed to perish.

夫征戰之理，義在克勝；至於骨肉之戰，愈勝愈酷，捷則非功，敗則有喪，勞兵損義，虧失多矣。侯景之軍所以未窺江外者，正爲籓屏盤固，宗鎮強密。若自相魚肉，是代景行師。景便不勞兵力，坐致成效，醜徒聞此，何快如之！又莊鐵小豎作亂，久挾觀寧、懷安二侯，以爲名號，當陽有事克掣，殊廢備境。第聞征伐，復致分兵，便是自於瓜州至於湘、雍，莫非戰地，悉以勞師。侯景卒承虛藉釁，浮江豕突，豈不表裹成虞，首尾難救？可爲寒心，其事已切。弟若苦陷洞庭，兵戈不戢，雍州疑迫，何以自安？必引進魏軍，以求形援。侯景事等內癰，西秦外同瘤腫。直置關中，已爲咽氣，況復貪狼難測，勢必侵吞。弟若不安，家國去矣。吾非有深鑒，獨能弘理，正是採藉風謠，博參物論，咸以爲疑，皆欲解體故耳。

The principle of war lies in righteous victory over the enemy; but in war among kin, the more one wins the crueler it grows. Victory brings no merit; defeat brings mourning. Troops are exhausted, righteousness is lost—the losses are many. The reason Hou Jing's army has not yet looked beyond the Yangzi is precisely that the princely domains stand firm as a screen and the imperial fiefs are strong and secure. If we devour one another, we fight Hou Jing's battles for him. Hou Jing would need no effort of his own and would achieve his ends at leisure—how the vile rebel would rejoice at that! Moreover the petty rebel Zhuang Tie has risen in revolt, long holding the marquises of Guanning and Huai'an as his figureheads. Affairs at Dangyang had barely been settled when border defenses were wholly abandoned. On word of this campaign, troops were diverted again—so from Guazhou to Xiang and Yong, nowhere was free of battle, and every province exhausted its armies. Hou Jing would then seize the opening, cross the Yangzi like a rampaging boar—would we not face danger within and without, impossible to save at either end? It makes the blood run cold—and the matter is already urgent. If my younger brother stubbornly presses the siege at Dongting and arms are not stilled, with Yongzhou under threat, how can he rest secure? He will inevitably invite Northern Wei troops to lend him force. Hou Jing is a carbuncle within; Western Qin is a tumor without. Simply to place them at the passes would already choke our throat—how much more when greedy wolves are unpredictable and will surely invade and devour? If my younger brother is not secure, state and family are lost. I do not claim deep insight or unique wisdom—I am simply gathering what people say and consulting widely. All are troubled and wish only to withdraw.

自我國五十許年，恩格玄穹，德彌赤縣，雖有逆難，未亂邕熙。溥天率土，忠臣憤慨，比屋罹禍，忠義奮發，無不抱甲負戈，沖冠裂眥，咸欲剚刃於侯景腹中，所須兵主唱耳。今人皆樂死，赴者如流。弟英略振遠，雄伯當代，唯德唯藝，資文資武，拯溺濟難，朝野咸屬，一匡九合，非弟而誰？豈得自違物望，致招羣讟！其間患難，具如所陳。斯理皎然，無勞請箸；驗之以實，寧須確引。吾所以間關險道，出自東川，政謂上游諸籓，必連師狎至，庶以殘命，預在行間；及到九江，安北兄遂溯流更上，全由餼饋懸絕，卒食半菽，阻以菜色，無因進取。侯景方延假息，復緩誅刑，信增號憤，啓處無地。計瀟湘穀粟，猶當紅委，若阻弟嚴兵，唯事交切，至於運轉，恐無暇發遣。卽日萬心慊望，唯在民天，若遂等西河，時事殆矣。必希令弟豁照茲途，解汨川之圍，存社稷之計，使其運輸糧儲，應贍軍旅，庶協力一舉，指日寧泰。宗廟重安，天下清復，推弟之功，豈非幸甚。吾才懦兵寡，安能爲役，所寄令弟，庶得申情，朝聞夕死，萬殞何恨。聊陳聞見，幸無怪焉。臨紙號迷，諸失次緒。

In the fifty-odd years since our state was founded, grace has moved heaven and virtue filled the realm. Though there have been rebellions and crises, peace has not been overturned. Under heaven and across the earth loyal ministers burn with outrage; every household suffers. Righteous fury flares—men don armor and take up weapons, bristling with rage, all wishing to drive blades into Hou Jing's belly. They need only a commander to lead them. Now men are eager to die for the cause; volunteers come forward like a flowing stream. My younger brother's heroic strategy resounds far and wide; you are the great leader of the age—in virtue and talent, in letters and arms, saving the drowning and relieving disaster. Court and country alike look to you to unite the realm—who but you? How can you go against what the world expects and invite the censure of all! The hardships involved are as I have set forth. This reasoning is clear and needs no further proof; tested against the facts, there is no need to cite examples at length. I crossed perilous routes from the eastern circuit because I believed the upper Yangzi princes would surely link their armies and arrive in succession, hoping with what life remains to take my place in the ranks; When I reached Jiujiang, elder brother Anbei turned upstream again—entirely because supplies were cut off. We ate half beans at the end and were stopped by hunger, with no way to advance. Hou Jing was then buying time and deferring punishment—the news only deepened my cries of rage. I had nowhere to turn. I reckon the grain of the Xiao-Xiang region is still abundant in store. If my younger brother's strict blockade continues, matters will only grow urgent—and as for transport, I fear there will be no time to dispatch it. Today every heart looks with eager hope to the people's sovereign. If you persist as with the Xi River affair, the times will be nearly lost. I earnestly hope my younger brother will see this clearly, lift the siege on the Mil River, preserve the plan for the altars of state, and enable grain transport to supply the armies, so that with combined strength in one thrust peace may come within days. When the ancestral temples are secure again and the realm restored to order, to credit my younger brother's achievement—would that not be the greatest fortune? My talent is weak and my troops few—I cannot serve in this cause. What I entrust to my younger brother is only that he may give voice to my feelings. If I hear his answer in the morning and die by evening, what regret in dying ten thousand deaths? I have briefly set forth what I have heard and seen; I hope you will not take offense. Facing the paper I cry out in confusion; my words fall out of order.

世祖復書，陳河東有罪，不可解圍之狀。綸省書流涕曰：「天下之事，一至於斯！」左右聞之，莫不掩泣。於是大修器甲，將討侯景。元帝聞其強盛，乃遣王僧辯帥舟師一萬以逼綸，綸將劉龍武等降僧辯，綸軍潰，遂與子躓等十餘人輕舟走武昌。

Emperor Yuan wrote back, setting forth Prince of Hedong's crimes and explaining why the siege could not be lifted. Reading the letter, Xiao Lun wept and said: "Affairs under heaven have come to this!" His attendants, hearing this, all hid their faces and wept. Thereupon he greatly refurbished armor and weapons, intending to campaign against Hou Jing. When Emperor Yuan heard how strong he had become, he dispatched Wang Sengbian with ten thousand river troops to press Xiao Lun. Xiao Lun's general Liu Longwu and others surrendered to Wang Sengbian; Xiao Lun's army collapsed. He fled in a light boat to Wuchang with his son Zhi and more than ten others.

時綸長史韋質、司馬薑律先在于外，聞綸敗，馳往迎之。於是復收散卒，屯于齊昌郡，將引魏軍共攻南陽。侯景將任約聞之，使鐵騎二百襲綸，綸無備，又敗走定州。定州刺史田龍祖迎綸，綸以龍祖荊鎮所任，懼爲所執，復歸齊昌。行至汝南，西魏所署汝南城主李素者，綸之故吏，聞綸敗，開城納之。綸乃脩浚城池，收集士卒，將攻竟陵。西魏安州刺史馬岫聞之，報于西魏，西魏遣大將軍楊忠、儀同侯幾通率衆赴焉。二年二月，忠等至于汝南，綸嬰城自守。會天寒大雪，忠等攻不能克，死者甚衆。後李素中流矢卒，城乃陷。忠等執綸，綸不爲屈，遂害之。投于江岸，經日顏色不變，鳥獸莫敢近焉。時年三十三。百姓憐之，爲立祠廟，後世祖追諡曰攜。

At that time Xiao Lun's chief clerk Wei Zhi and marshal Jiang Lu were already abroad; hearing of his defeat they raced to meet him. Thereupon he gathered scattered troops again and encamped in Qichang commandery, intending to bring in Northern Wei troops to attack Nanyang jointly. Hou Jing's general Ren Yue heard of this and sent two hundred armored horsemen to raid Xiao Lun. Unprepared, Xiao Lun was defeated again and fled to Dingzhou. Dingzhou regional inspector Tian Longzu welcomed Xiao Lun, but Xiao Lun, knowing Longzu had been appointed from the Jing garrison, feared being seized and returned to Qichang. When he reached Runan, Li Su—commandant of Runan appointed by Western Wei and Xiao Lun's former subordinate—hearing of his defeat, opened the city and received him. Xiao Lun then repaired the walls and moat, gathered troops, and prepared to attack Jingling. Ma Xiu, regional inspector of Anzhou under Western Wei, heard of this and reported to his court. Western Wei sent Grand General Yang Zhong and Yitong Hou Jitong with an army to intervene. In the second month of 551, Yang Zhong and his force reached Runan. Xiao Lun shut the gates and held the city. Bitter cold and heavy snow set in; Yang Zhong could not storm the city, and his losses were very heavy. Later Li Su was killed by a stray arrow, and the city fell. Yang Zhong seized Xiao Lun. He refused to yield and was put to death. His body was thrown on the riverbank. For a full day his face did not change, and neither bird nor beast dared come near. He was thirty-three. The people pitied him and erected a shrine in his honor. Later Emperor Yuan posthumously titled him Yo.

長子堅，字長白。大同元年，以例封汝南侯，邑五百戶。亦善草隸，性頗庸短。侯景圍城，堅屯太陽門，終日蒲飲，不撫軍政。吏士有功，未嘗申理，疫癘所加，亦不存卹，士咸憤怨。太清三年三月，堅書佐董勛華、白曇朗等以繩引賊登樓，城遂陷，堅遇害。

His eldest son Jian, styled Changbai. In 535, by precedent he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Runan with a fief of five hundred households. He was also skilled in cursive and clerical script, but by nature he was rather dull and limited. When Hou Jing besieged the capital, Jian held the Taiyang Gate, drinking all day on rush mats and neglecting military affairs. He never reported the deeds of deserving officers and men. When plague struck, he offered no relief. The troops were furious. In the third month of 549, Jian's clerks Dong Xunhua, Bai Tanlang, and others used ropes to let the rebels scale the walls. The city fell, and Jian was killed.

弟確，字仲正。少驍勇，有文才。大同二年，封爲正階侯，邑五百戶，後徙封永安。常在第中習騎射，學兵法，時人皆以爲狂。左右或以進諫，確曰：「聽吾爲國家破賊，使汝知之。」除秘書丞，太子中舍人。

His younger brother Que, styled Zhongzheng. As a youth he was bold and brave and had literary talent. In 536 he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhengjie with five hundred households, and later transferred to the title Marquis of Yong'an. He constantly practiced mounted archery at home and studied military tactics. People at the time thought him mad. His attendants sometimes tried to dissuade him. Que said, "Wait until I break the rebels for the state—then you will see." He was appointed assistant in the Secretariat and attendant in the heir apparent's household.

鐘山之役，確苦戰，所向披靡，羣虜憚之。確每臨陣對敵，意氣詳贍。帶甲據鞍，自朝及夕，馳驟往反，不以爲勞，諸將服其壯勇。及侯景乞盟，確在外，慮爲後患，啓求召確入城。詔乃召確爲南中郎將、廣州刺史，增封二千戶。確知此盟多貳，城必淪沒，因欲南奔。攜王聞之，逼確使入，確猶不肯。攜王流涕謂曰：「汝欲反邪！」時臺使周石珍在坐，確謂石珍曰：「侯景雖云欲去，而不解長圍，以意而推，其事可見。今召我入，未見其益也。」石珍曰：「敕旨如此，侯豈得辭？」確執意猶堅，攜王大怒，謂趙伯超曰：「譙州，卿爲我斬之，當賚首赴闕。」伯超揮刃眄確曰：「我識君耳，刀豈識君？」確於是流涕而出，遂入城。及景背盟復圍城，城陷，確排闥入，啓高祖曰：「城已陷矣。」高祖曰：「猶可一戰不？」對曰：「不可。臣向者親格戰，勢不能禁，自縋下城，僅得至此。」高祖歎曰：「自我得之，自我失之，亦復何恨。」乃使確爲慰勞文。

At the battle on Zhongshan, Que fought fiercely, routing every foe he met; the rebels all feared him. Whenever Que faced the enemy in battle, his bearing was calm and confident. Armored and in the saddle from dawn to dusk, he rode back and forth without tiring. The generals admired his courage. When Hou Jing sued for peace, Que was outside the walls. Fearing he would become a threat later, a memorial asked that Que be recalled into the city. An edict summoned Que as General of the South Central Commandant and regional inspector of Guangzhou, with an added fief of two thousand households. Que knew the truce was treacherous and the city would fall, and he wanted to flee south. Prince Yo heard of this and pressed Que to enter, but Que still refused. Prince Yo wept and said, "Are you trying to rebel?" The court envoy Zhou Shizhen was present. Que told him, "Hou Jing says he will leave, but he keeps the long siege intact. That tells you what he really intends. Summoning me inside now will do no good." Shizhen said, "That is the emperor's order. How can you refuse?" Que would not budge. Prince Yo flew into a rage and told Zhao Bochao, "Bochao, cut him down for me and bring his head to the court." Bochao drew his blade and looked at Que. "I know you," he said, "but does my blade?" Que wept as he left, then entered the city. When Hou Jing broke the truce and besieged the city again, the walls fell. Que burst through the inner gate and told Emperor Wu, "The city is lost." Emperor Wu asked, "Can we still fight one more battle?" He answered, "No. I was fighting hand to hand and could not hold them. I let myself down from the wall on a rope and barely made it here." Emperor Wu sighed and said, "I won it myself and I lose it myself—what is there to regret?" He then had Que draft a letter of consolation to the troops.

確旣出見景，景愛其膂力，恒令在左右。後從景行，見天上飛鳶，羣虜爭射不中，確射之，應弦而落。賊徒忿嫉，咸勸除之。先是攜王遣人密導確，確謂使者曰：「侯景輕佻，可一夫力致，確不惜死，正欲手刃之；但未得其便耳。卿還啓家王，願勿以爲念也。」事未遂而爲賊所害。

When Que went out to see Hou Jing, Hou Jing admired his strength and always kept him close. Later, marching with Hou Jing, they saw a kite overhead. The rebels all shot and missed. Que shot once and brought it down. The rebels were jealous and urged that he be killed. Earlier Prince Yo had sent a secret envoy to Que. Que told him, "Hou Jing is reckless and could be brought down by one man. I do not fear death—I mean to kill him with my own hand; I only lack the chance. Go back and tell my father not to worry about me." Before he could act, the rebels killed him.

史臣曰：自周、漢廣樹籓屏，固本深根；高祖之封建，將遵古制也。南康、廬陵並以宗室之貴，據磐石之重，績以孝著，續以勇聞。綸聰警有才學，性險躁，屢以罪黜，及太清之亂，忠孝獨存，斯可嘉矣。 [1]

The historian remarks: From Zhou and Han onward, feudal princes were widely enfeoffed to secure the dynasty at its roots; Emperor Wu's enfeoffments were meant to follow that ancient model. Nankang and Luling, as members of the imperial house, held the weight of bedrock posts. Ji was known for filial piety, Xu for courage. Lun was clever and learned, but rash and volatile; he was repeatedly punished for offenses. Yet amid the Taiqing turmoil he alone kept faith and filial duty—this is praiseworthy. Footnote marker.

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 Book Company edition of the Book of Liang, May 1973.

Cite this Chapter