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梁書卷第三十一列傳第二十五
Book of Liang, Volume 31, Biographies 25
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袁昂子君正
Yuan Ang; Yuan Junzheng
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袁昂字千里,陳郡陽夏人。 祖洵,宋征虜將軍、吳郡太守,父顗,冠軍將軍、雍州刺史,泰始初,舉兵奉晉安王子勛,事敗誅死。 昂時年五歲,乳媼攜抱匿於廬山,會赦得出,猶徙晉安。 至元徽中聽還,時年十五。 初,顗敗,傳首京師,藏於武庫,至是始還之。 昂號慟嘔血,絕而復蘇,從兄彖嘗撫視抑譬,昂更制服,廬于墓次。 後與彖同見從叔司徒粲,粲謂彖曰:「其幼孤而能至此,故知名器自有所在。」
Yuan Ang, styled Qianli, came from Yangxia in Chen commandery. His grandfather Xun had been a General Who Pacifies the Barbarians and Administrator of Wu under the Song; his father Yi was a General Who Conquers Champions and Inspector of Yong. Early in the Taishi reign, Yi took up arms for Prince Zixun of Jin'an; the cause failed, and he was put to death. Ang was only five. His wet nurse took him in her arms and hid with him on Mount Lu. An amnesty eventually let them emerge, but the family was still exiled to Jin'an. During the Yuanhui reign he was allowed to return home, at the age of fifteen. When his father had been defeated, Yi's head had been sent to the capital and kept in the armory; only now was it restored to the family. Ang cried out in grief until he vomited blood and lost consciousness, then came round again. His elder cousin Tuan came to comfort and restrain him, but Ang donned mourning dress once more and kept vigil in a hut beside the grave. Later he and Tuan went together to see their uncle by marriage, Minister of Education Yuan Can. Can told Tuan, "Orphaned so young, yet he has come to this — renown and high office will surely be his."
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齊初,起家冠軍安成王行參軍,遷征虜主簿,太子舍人,王儉鎮軍府功曹史。 儉時爲京尹,經於後堂獨引見昂,指北堂謂昂曰:「卿必居此。」 累遷秘書丞,黃門侍郎。 昂本名千里,齊永明中,武帝謂之曰:「昂昂千里之駒,在卿有之,今改卿名爲昂,卽千里爲字。」 出爲安南鄱陽王長史、尋陽公相。 還爲太孫中庶子、衛軍武陵王長史。
When Qi was founded he began his career as acting aide in the household of the Prince of Ancheng, General Who Conquers Champions, then rose to registrar under the General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, attendant of the heir apparent, and merit clerk on Wang Jian's Pacifying-Army staff. Jian was serving as metropolitan governor. One day, passing through the rear hall, he received Ang alone and, pointing to the north hall, said, "You will surely sit in that seat one day." He was promoted in turn to secretary of the palace library and gentleman of the yellow gate. Ang had originally been named Qianli. During Qi's Yongming reign, Emperor Wu told him, "The horse that travels a thousand li in a day — that is what you are. I now change your given name to Ang, and let Qianli be your style." He was sent out as chief clerk to the Prince of Poyang, General Who Pacifies the South, and as chancellor to the Duke of Xunyang. On returning to court he was made junior mentor to the grand heir apparent and chief clerk to the Prince of Wuling, General of the Guard.
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丁內憂,哀毀過禮。 服未除而從兄彖卒。 昂幼孤,爲彖所養,乃制棊服。 人有怪而問之者,昂致書以喻之曰:「竊聞禮由恩斷,服以情申。 故小功他邦,加制一等,同爨有緦,明之典籍。 孤子夙以不天,幼傾乾廕,資敬未奉,過庭莫承。 藐藐沖人,未達朱紫。 從兄提養訓教,示以義方,每假其談價,虛其聲譽,得及人次,實亦有由。 兼開拓房宇,處以華曠,同財共有,恣其取足。 爾來三十餘年,憐愛之至,無異於己。 姊妹孤侄,成就一時,篤念之深,在終彌固,此恩此愛,畢壤不追。 旣情若同生,而服爲諸從,言心卽事,實未忍安。 昔馬棱與弟毅同居,毅亡,棱爲心服三年。 由也之不除喪,亦緣情而致制,雖識不及古,誠懷感慕。 常願千秋之後,從服朞齊; 不圖門衰,禍集一旦,草土殘息,復罹今酷,尋惟慟絕,彌劇彌深。 今以餘喘,欲遂素志,庶寄其罔慕之痛,少申無已之情。 雖禮無明據,乃事有先例,率迷而至,必欲行之。 君問禮所歸,謹以諮白。 臨紙號哽,言不識次。」
When his mother died, his mourning exceeded what the rites prescribed. Before he had finished mourning for his mother, his elder cousin Tuan died. Ang had lost his father young and was raised by Tuan, so he put on the full mourning garments appropriate to a closer kin. Some found this strange and questioned him; Ang wrote to explain: "I have heard that ritual obligations are defined by affection, and mourning dress expresses what the heart feels. That is why the canon adds a degree of mourning when kin live apart, and prescribes the finest mourning for those who share a hearth — the classics state this plainly. I was early bereft of Heaven's favor and as a child lost my father's protection. I never had the chance to show daily respect, nor to receive his instruction in the courtyard. A small and tender child, I could not yet tell rank from office. My elder cousin raised and taught me and showed me the right way. He lent me his standing in every discussion and built up my name, so that I could hold my own among others — and he had good reason to do so. He enlarged the family dwellings and gave me spacious quarters; we shared property and wealth, and he let me take whatever I needed. For more than thirty years his love and care were no different from what he gave his own children. He brought my sisters and orphaned nephews to success in their day; his devotion only deepened to the end. Such kindness and love — not even to the ends of the earth could I repay them. In heart we were as close as full brothers, yet in mourning I rank only as a junior cousin; to speak honestly, I cannot bear to accept that. Long ago Ma Ling lived with his younger brother Yi; when Yi died, Ling observed heart-mourning for three years. When You did not leave off mourning, that too was a rule born of feeling; though my learning falls short of the ancients, my heart is full of true devotion. I had long hoped that after my death our mourning periods might be equal; I never imagined our house would fail and ruin fall in a single morning. I am but a wretch left on the earth, and now this fresh blow; the more I think, the more my grief cuts me off from the world. With what life is left I wish to fulfill my long resolve, to give some outlet to hopeless longing and to ease, if only a little, a grief that will not end. Though the rites offer no clear authority, precedent exists; led by my confusion I have come to this and mean to do it. You asked where duty lies in the rites; I respectfully lay this before you. As I write I choke with sobs; my words fall out of order."
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服闋,除右軍邵陵王長史,俄遷御史中丞。 時尚書令王晏弟詡爲廣州,多納賕貨,昂依事劾奏,不憚權豪,當時號爲正直。 出爲豫章內史,丁所生母憂去職。 以喪還,江路風浪暴駭,昂乃縛衣著柩,誓同沉溺。 及風止,餘船皆沒,唯昂所乘船獲全,咸謂精誠所致。 葬訖,起爲建武將軍、吳興太守。
When his mourning ended he was made chief clerk to the Prince of Shaoling, General of the Right Army, and soon afterward promoted to imperial censor. Wang Yan's younger brother Xu was then in Guangzhou and took heavy bribes; Ang impeached him on the facts without fear of the powerful, and men of the day called him upright. He was sent out as internal administrator of Yuzhang and left office when his birth mother died. On the journey home with the coffin, violent storms struck the river route; Ang tied his clothes to the bier and swore to drown with it. When the wind died down every other boat had sunk; only Ang's was spared, and all attributed it to his sincerity. After the funeral he was recalled as General Who Establishes Might and administrator of Wuxing.
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永元末,義師至京師,州牧郡守皆望風降款,昂獨拒境不受命。 高祖手書喻曰:「夫禍福無門,興亡有數,天之所棄,人孰能匡? 機來不再,圖之宜早。 頃藉聽道路,承欲狼顧一隅,旣未悉雅懷,聊申往意。 獨夫狂悖,振古未聞,窮凶極虐,歲月滋甚。 天未絕齊,聖明啟運,兆民有賴,百姓來蘇。 吾荷任前驅,掃除京邑,方撥亂反正,伐罪弔民,至止以來,前無橫陣。 今皇威四臨,長圍已合,遐邇畢集,人神同奮。 銳卒萬計,鐵馬千羣,以此攻戰,何往不克。 況建業孤城,人懷離阻,面縛軍門,日夕相繼,屠潰之期,勢不云遠。 兼熒惑出端門,太白入氐室,天文表於上,人事符於下,不謀同契,寔在茲辰。 且范岫、申胄,久薦誠款,各率所由,仍爲掎角,沈法瑀、孫肸、朱端,已先肅清吳會,而足下欲以區區之郡,禦堂堂之師,根本旣傾,枝葉安附? 童兒牧豎,咸謂其非,求之明鑒,實所未達。 今竭力昏主,未足爲忠,家門屠滅,非所謂孝,忠孝俱盡,將欲何依? 豈若翻然改圖,自招多福,進則遠害全身,退則長守祿位。 去就之宜,幸加詳擇。 若執迷遂往,同惡不悛,大軍一臨,誅及三族。 雖貽後悔,寧復云補? 欲布所懷,故致今白。」 昂答曰:「都史至,辱誨。 承藉以衆論,謂僕有勤王之舉,兼蒙誚責,獨無送款,循復嚴旨,若臨萬仞。 三吳內地,非用兵之所,況以偏隅一郡,何能爲役? 近奉敕,以此境多虞,見使安慰。 自承麾旆屆止,莫不膝袒軍門,惟僕一人敢後至者,政以內揆庸素,文武無施,直是東國賤男子耳。 雖欲獻心,不增大師之勇; 置其愚默,寧沮衆軍之威。 幸藉將軍含弘之大,可得從容以禮。 竊以一飡微施,尚復投殞,況食人之祿,而頓忘一旦。 非惟物議不可,亦恐明公鄙之,所以躊躇,未遑薦璧。 遂以輕微,爰降重命,震灼于心,忘其所厝,誠推理鑒,猶懼威臨。」 建康城平,昂束身詣闕,高祖宥之不問也。
At the end of the Yongyuan reign the army of righteousness reached the capital; governors and administrators everywhere surrendered at the first rumor, but Ang alone closed his borders and refused to obey. Emperor Gaozu wrote to him in his own hand: "Fortune and disaster have no fixed door; rise and fall follow Heaven's reckoning. What Heaven has cast off — who can set right? Opportunity does not come twice; you should act while you can. Lately, from what travelers report, I hear you mean to hold one corner and look back in hesitation; since I do not yet know your mind, I briefly state my purpose. The tyrant is mad and perverse beyond anything antiquity records; his cruelty grows worse with every month. Heaven has not abandoned Qi; a sage ruler has begun his mandate; the people have someone to lean on; the common folk are coming back to life. I bear the charge as vanguard to clear the capital, to set chaos aright, punish the guilty, and comfort the people; since I arrived no force has blocked our advance. Imperial authority now commands every quarter; the long siege is closed; the near and the far have all gathered; men and spirits fight as one. Tens of thousands of elite troops, thousands of squadrons of armored horse — with such a force, what could fail to fall? Jianye is but a lone city; hearts within are divided; men come day and night to surrender at the camp gate — the day of its fall cannot be far off. Mars has left the Gate of Beginning and Venus has entered the Chamber of Di — Heaven shows the sign above and human affairs match below; to join in one accord needs no further counsel — the moment is now. Fan Xiu and Shen Zhou have long pledged their loyalty; each leads his forces and forms a pincer with us. Shen Faying, Sun Xi, and Zhu Duan have already cleared Wu and Kuaiji — yet you would hold one small commandery against a great army? When the root is down, what can the branches cling to? Even children and herd boys say this is wrong; I ask your clear judgment, for I truly do not see your purpose. To exhaust yourself for a benighted ruler is no true loyalty; to see your house destroyed is no filial piety — when both are gone, what will you lean on? Better to change course at once and win great fortune — advance and you escape harm with body whole; hold back and you keep rank and stipend for long. Whether to stay or go — I hope you will choose with care. If you cling to error and go on with the wicked without repenting, when the great army comes punishment will reach three generations of your kin. Regret afterward will mend nothing. I write to lay my mind before you." Ang replied: "Your envoy from the capital has arrived — I am honored by your letter. I hear the common talk that I am raising troops to rescue the throne, and your rebuke that I alone have not surrendered. I read your stern command again as if standing before a cliff ten thousand ren high. The Three Wu is heartland, not a field for armies — how could one remote commandery be of any use? I have lately received an edict, because this region is troubled, appointing me to reassure the people. Since your banners arrived, everyone has bared the knee at your camp gate — only I dared to come last, because I know myself mediocre and useless in civil and military matters, a mere low fellow from the east. Though I wished to offer my loyalty, it would not add to your army's strength; and my silence would only damp the army's prestige. I trust in your breadth of mind and hope to be treated with courtesy. For a single meal's kindness men will lay down their lives — how then can one who has eaten the ruler's stipend forget it overnight? Public opinion would not permit it, and I fear you would despise me for it — that is why I hesitate and have not yet come to offer surrender. Because I am insignificant you have sent so weighty a command; it burns in my heart and leaves me unsure where I stand — even by your clear judgment I still fear your authority." When Jiankang fell, Ang went to court of his own accord; Emperor Gaozu pardoned him and asked nothing further.
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天監二年,以爲後軍臨川王參軍事。 昂奉啟謝曰:「恩降絕望之辰,慶集寒心之日,焰灰非喻,荑枯未擬,摳衣聚足,顛狽不勝。 臣遍歷三墳,備詳六典,巡校賞罰之科,調檢生死之律,莫不嚴五辟於明君之朝,峻三章於聖人之世。 是以塗山始會,致防風之誅; 酆邑方構,有崇侯之伐。 未有緩憲於斫戮之人,賒刑於耐罪之族,出萬死入一生如臣者也。 推恩及罪,在臣實大,披心瀝血,敢乞言之。 臣東國賤人,學行何取,旣殊鳴雁直木,故無結綬彈冠,徒藉羽儀,易農就仕。 往年濫職,守秩東隅,仰屬龔行,風驅電掩。 當其時也,負鼎圖者日至,執玉帛者相望。 獨在愚臣,頓昏大義,殉鴻毛之輕,忘同德之重。 但三吳險薄,五湖交通,屢起田儋之變,每懼殷通之禍,空慕君魚保境,遂失師涓抱器。 後至者斬,臣甘斯戮。 明刑徇衆,誰曰不然。 幸約法之弘,承解網之宥,猶當降等薪粲,遂乃頓釋鉗赭。 斂骨吹魂,還編黔庶,濯疵蕩穢,入楚游陳,天波旣洗,雲油遽沐。 古人有言:『非死之難,處死之難。』 臣之所荷,曠古不書; 臣之死所,未知何地。」
In the second year of Tianjian he was appointed aide in the household of the Prince of Linchuan, Rear Army. Ang submitted a memorial of thanks: "Grace has come when I had abandoned hope; joy has gathered on the day my heart was cold — no image of flame and ash, no likeness of sprout and withered stalk — I gather my robe and stand trembling, unable to bear the weight of it. I have studied the Three Archives and mastered the Six Canons, reviewed the rules of reward and punishment and the laws of life and death — in every enlightened reign the five punishments are strict, and in every sage age the three statutes are severe. At the first assembly at Mount Tu, Fangfeng was executed; when Feng was first being built, the Marquis of Chong was attacked. Never was the law eased for one marked for execution, nor punishment deferred for a lesser offender — to pass from ten thousand deaths into one life, as I have, is without precedent. To extend grace even to the guilty is for me a vast mercy; with heart laid open and blood poured out, I dare speak of it. I am a low fellow from the east — what learning or conduct can I offer? Unlike the goose that answers the straight timber, I never tied my ribbons or dusted my cap for office; I merely borrowed rank and left farming for service. In former years I held office unworthily in the east, looking up to join the righteous march that swept like wind and lightning. In those days men bearing tribute came day after day, and envoys with jade and silk were seen in endless succession. Alone I, foolish as I am, was suddenly blind to the great cause, ready to die for a feather's weight and forget the bond of shared virtue. But the Three Wu are treacherous and the Five Lakes link by water; revolts like Tian Dan's have risen again and again, and I always feared a disaster like Yin Tong's. I vainly admired those who held their borders and failed to embrace the cause as a true minister should. "He who comes late is beheaded" — I willingly accept that sentence. To enforce the law for the sake of the people — who would deny it? By your merciful law I receive the pardon that loosens the net — I ought still to be reduced to the lowest rank, yet suddenly my chains and marks are gone. My bones are gathered and my soul revived; I am enrolled again among the people; my stains are washed away. I enter Chu and wander Chen — Heaven's waves have washed over me, and sudden blessing rains down. The ancients said: "Dying is not the hard part — living afterward is the hard part." What I have received is unrecorded since antiquity; and where I shall die — I do not yet know."
9
高祖答曰:「朕遺射鉤,卿無自外。」 俄除給事黃門侍郎。 其年遷侍中。 明年,出爲尋陽太守,行江州事。 六年,徵爲吏部尚書,累表陳讓,徙爲左民尚書,兼右僕射。 七年,除國子祭酒,兼僕射如故,領豫州大中正。 八年,出爲仁威將軍、吳郡太守。 十一年,入爲五兵尚書,復兼右僕射,未拜,有詔卽真封。 尋以本官領起部尚書,加侍中。 十四年,馬仙琕破魏軍於朐山,詔權假昂節,往勞軍。 十五年,遷左僕射,尋爲尚書令、宣惠將軍。 普通三年,爲中書監、丹陽尹。 其年進號中衛將軍,復爲尚書令,卽本號開府儀同三司,給鼓吹,未拜,又領國子祭酒。 大通元年,加中書監,給親信三十人。 尋表解祭酒,進號中撫軍大將軍,遷司空、侍中、尚書令,親信、鼓吹並如故。 五年,加特進、左光祿大夫,增親信爲八十人。 大同六年,薨,時年八十。 詔曰:「侍中、特進、左光祿大夫、司空昂,奄至薨逝,惻怛於懷。 公器珝凝素,志誠貞方,端朝燮理,嘉猷載緝。 追榮表德,實惟令典。 可贈本官,鼓吹一部,給東園秘器,朝服一具,衣一襲,錢二十萬,絹布一百匹,蠟二百斤,卽日舉哀。」
Emperor Gaozu replied: "I forgive the arrow that struck the hook — do not hold yourself apart." He was soon appointed attendant gentleman of the yellow gate. That same year he was promoted to palace attendant. The following year he was sent out as administrator of Xunyang and acted as inspector of Jiang province. In the sixth year he was recalled as director of the Ministry of Personnel; he repeatedly memorialized to decline and was transferred to director of the Left Bureau of the People, with an additional appointment as vice director of the right. In the seventh year he was made libationer of the imperial university while keeping his vice directorship, and headed the grand assessor of Yu province. In the eighth year he was sent out as General of Humane Might and administrator of Wu commandery. In the eleventh year he returned as director of the Five Armies and again as vice director of the right; before he could take up the latter post, an edict made the appointment substantive. Soon he also headed the Ministry of Commencements in addition to his existing post, and was given the additional title of palace attendant. In the fourteenth year Ma Xiancai defeated the Wei army at Qushan; Ang was given provisional authority by edict to go and comfort the troops. In the fifteenth year he was promoted to vice director of the left, and soon became director of the Department of State Affairs and General Who Proclaims Favor. In the third year of Putong he was appointed supervisor of the palace secretariat and metropolitan governor of Danyang. That year he was advanced to General of the Central Guard and again made director of the Department of State Affairs; on that basis he was granted the privilege of an office equal to the three excellencies, with martial music; before taking up the latter honor he also headed the imperial university as libationer. In the first year of Datong he was given the additional title of supervisor of the palace secretariat and thirty personal attendants. Soon he memorialized to resign as libationer, was advanced to grand general who pacifies the central army, and was made minister of works, palace attendant, and director of the Department of State Affairs; his attendants and martial music remained unchanged. In the fifth year he was given the additional titles of exceptional promotion and grand master of splendid happiness of the left, and his personal attendants were increased to eighty. In the sixth year of Datong he died, at the age of eighty. An edict said: "Palace Attendant, Exceptional Promotion, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness of the Left, and Minister of Works Ang has died suddenly — our hearts are pierced with sorrow. His talent was bright and unadorned, his will sincere and upright; at court he helped harmonize governance, and good counsel flowed from him in succession. To honor him posthumously and display his virtue is indeed the proper precedent. Let him be posthumously granted his present offices, one set of martial music, the secret funerary implements of the Eastern Garden, one set of court robes, one suit of garments, two hundred thousand cash, one hundred bolts of silk and cloth, and two hundred jin of wax — mourning is to begin this day."
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初,昂臨終遺疏,不受贈諡。 敕諸子不得言上行狀及立志銘,凡有所須,悉皆停省。 復曰:「吾釋褐從仕,不期富貴,但官序不失等倫,衣食粗知榮辱,以此闔棺,無慚鄉里。 往忝吳興,屬在昏明之際,旣闇於前覺,無識於聖朝,不知天命,甘貽顯戮,幸遇殊恩,遂得全門戶。 自念負罪私門,階榮望絕,保存性命,以爲幸甚; 不謂叨竊寵靈,一至於此。 常欲竭誠酬報,申吾乃心,所以朝廷每興師北伐,吾輒啟求行,誓之丹款,實非矯言。 旣庸懦無施,皆不蒙許,雖欲罄命,其議莫從。 今日瞑目,畢恨泉壤,若魂而有知,方期結草。 聖朝遵古,知吾名品,或有追遠之恩,雖是經國恒典,在吾無應致此,脫有贈官,慎勿祗奉。」 諸子累表陳奏,詔不許。 册諡曰穆正公。
Earlier, in his final testament Ang had refused posthumous honors and a posthumous title. He ordered his sons not to write accounts of his conduct in office or compose memorial inscriptions; whatever was customarily required was to be omitted entirely. He also wrote: "I left private life for office without expecting wealth; I only hoped to keep my proper rank and to know something of honor and disgrace in food and clothing — with that I can close my coffin without shame before my neighbors. When I was unworthily in Wuxing, it was the hour between darkness and light; I was blind to what lay ahead and did not understand the sage court; not knowing Heaven's mandate, I willingly risked execution — yet by exceptional grace my whole house was preserved. I knew I had sinned against my house and could hope for no further advancement; to preserve my life seemed great fortune; I never expected to receive such favor and reach this height. I always wished to repay this with all my heart; whenever the court marched north I memorialized asking to go — I swore it with all my heart, and it was no empty boast. But I was mediocre and useless, and none of it was granted; though I wished to give my life, the court would not agree. Today I close my eyes with all my regret left in the grave; if my soul has knowledge, I can only hope to repay with the tied grass. The sage court follows antiquity and knows my character; there may be posthumous honors — though that is the constant standard of state, I deserve none; if offices are granted after death, do not accept them." His sons memorialized repeatedly; the emperor would not allow it. He was given the posthumous title Duke of Reverent Uprightness.
11
子君正,美風儀,善自居處,以貴公子得當世名譽。 頃之,兼吏部郎,以母憂去職。 服闋,爲邵陵王友、北中郎長史、東陽太守。 尋徵還都,郡民徵士徐天祐等三百人詣闕乞留一年,詔不許,仍除豫章內史,尋轉吳郡太守。 侯景亂,率數百人隨邵陵王赴援,及京城陷,還郡。
His son Junzheng had fine bearing and knew how to comport himself; as a nobleman's son he won reputation in his day. Soon he also served as gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel and left office when his mother died. When mourning ended he was companion to the Prince of Shaoling, chief clerk to the North General of the Center, and administrator of Dongyang. Soon he was recalled to the capital; three hundred men of the commandery, including the scholar Xu Tianyou, went to court asking that he stay another year — the emperor refused; he was appointed internal administrator of Yuzhang and soon transferred to administrator of Wu. When Hou Jing rebelled, he led several hundred men with the Prince of Shaoling to relieve the capital; when the capital fell, he returned to his commandery.
12
君正當官蒞事有名稱,而蓄聚財產,服玩靡麗。 賊遣于子悅攻之,新城戍主戴僧易勸令拒守; 吳陸映公等懼賊脫勝,略其資產,乃曰:「賊軍甚銳,其鋒不可當; 今若拒之,恐民心不從也。」 君正性怯懦,乃送米及牛酒,郊迎子悅。 子悅旣至,掠奪其財物子女,因是感疾卒。
Junzheng had a good reputation in office, but he amassed wealth and his dress and luxuries were extravagant. The rebels sent Yu Ziyue to attack him; Dai Sengyi, commander of the Xincheng garrison, urged him to hold the city; Lu Yingong of Wu and others feared that if the rebels won they would seize their property, and said: "The rebel army is very fierce; its momentum cannot be resisted; if we resist now, the people may not follow." Junzheng was by nature timid; he sent rice, cattle, and wine and went to the suburbs to welcome Ziyue. When Ziyue arrived he plundered Junzheng's property and took his women and children; Junzheng fell ill with grief and died.
13
史臣曰:夫天尊地卑,以定君臣之位; 松筠等質,無革歲寒之心。 袁千里命屬崩離,身逢厄季,雖獨夫喪德,臣志不移; 及抗疏高祖,無虧忠節,斯亦存夷、叔之風矣。 終爲梁室台鼎,何其美焉。 [1]
The historiographer says: Heaven is honored and earth is low — by this the positions of ruler and minister are fixed; pine and bamboo are of such substance that they do not change their hearts when the year turns cold. Yuan Qianli's fate was bound to collapse; he lived in a time of disaster — though the tyrant had lost virtue, his loyalty as a minister did not waver; when he stood firm in his memorial to Emperor Gaozu without failing in loyalty — this too preserves the spirit of Boyi and Shuqi. In the end he became a pillar of the Liang state — how admirable! Footnote marker.
14
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).