1
梁書卷第三十六列傳第三十
Book of Liang, Volume 36, Biography 30
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孔休源江革
Kong Xiuyuan; Jiang Ge
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孔休源，字慶緒，會稽山陰人也。 晉丹陽太守沖之八世孫。 曾祖遙之，宋尚書水部郎。 父珮，齊廬陵王記室參軍，早卒。
Kong Xiuyuan, styled Qingxu, came from Shanyin in Kuaiji. He was an eighth-generation descendant of Jin's Danyang administrator Chongzhi. His great-grandfather Yaozhi had been Water Section Director under the Song. His father Pei, a secretary in the household of Qi's Prince of Luling, died young.
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休源年十一而孤，居喪盡禮，每見父手所寫書，必哀慟流涕，不能自勝，見者莫不爲之垂泣。 後就吳興沈驎士受經，略通大義。 建武四年，州舉秀才，太尉徐孝嗣省其策，深善之，謂同坐曰：「董仲舒、華令思何以尚此，可謂後生之准也。 觀其此對，足稱王佐之才。」 琅邪王融雅相友善，乃薦之於司徒竟陵王，爲西邸學士。 梁臺建，與南陽劉之遴同爲太學博士，當時以爲美選。 休源初到京，寓於宗人少府卿孔登宅，曾以祠事入廟，侍中范雲一與相遇，深加褒賞，曰：「不期忽覯清顏，頓袪鄙吝，觀天披霧，驗之今日。」 後雲命駕到少府門，登便拂筵整帶，謂當詣己，旣而獨造休源，高談盡日，同載還家，登深以爲愧。 尚書令沈約當朝貴顯，軒蓋盈門，休源或時後來，必虛襟引接，處之坐右，商略文義。 其爲通人所推如此。
Orphaned at eleven, he mourned his father with scrupulous ritual. Books in his father's hand always moved him to uncontrollable tears, and even onlookers wept. He later studied under Wuxing's Shen Linshi and mastered the classics in broad outline. In Jianwu year 4 the province nominated him as xiucai. Grand Marshal Xu Xiaosi read his examination paper and praised it to his companions: "Not even Dong Zhongshu or Hua Lingsi would outshine this youth—he is the standard for his generation. From this answer alone, he clearly has the makings of a king's right-hand man." Wang Rong of Langya, who knew him well, recommended him to Minister of Works Prince of Jingling, and he entered the Western Pavilion as a scholar. When the Liang regime was founded, he and Nanyang's Liu Zhilin were both appointed Masters of the Imperial Academy—an appointment everyone envied. On first reaching the capital he stayed with his kinsman Kong Deng, Junior Director of the Treasury. During a temple visit for sacrifice he met Attendant Fan Yun, who exclaimed: "I never expected to see such a clear face—it sweeps away my vulgarity, like clouds parting to reveal the sky." Later Yun drove to the Junior Director's gate. Deng hurried to set out cushions and straighten his sash, sure the visit was for him. Instead Yun sought out Xiuyuan alone, talked all day, and rode home with him—leaving Deng deeply mortified. Chief Minister Shen Yue, then at the height of power with a constant throng at his gate, always made room for Xiuyuan when he came late, seated him on the right, and debated texts with him. Such was the regard in which men of culture held him.
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俄除臨川王府行參軍。 高祖嘗問吏部尚書徐勉曰：「今帝業初基，須一人有學藝解朝儀者，爲尚書儀曹郎。 爲朕思之，誰堪其選？」 勉對曰：「孔休源識具清通，諳練故實，自晉、宋《起居注》誦略上口。」 高祖亦素聞之，卽日除兼尚書儀曹郎中。 是時多所改作，每逮訪前事，休源卽以所誦記隨機斷決，曾無疑滯。 吏部郎任昉常謂之爲「孔獨誦」。
He was soon made an adjutant in Prince of Linchuan's household. Gaozu once asked Xu Mian, Minister of Personnel: "The dynasty is just taking shape. I need a learned man who knows court ceremony for Director of Ritual in the Masters of Writing. Think for me—who can fill the post?" Mian answered: "Kong Xiuyuan is lucid, well grounded in precedent, and can recite the Jin and Song Daily Records almost by heart." Gaozu had already heard of him and appointed him Acting Director of Ritual that very day. The court was then revising many institutions; whenever old precedents were needed, Xiuyuan answered from memory on the spot, never at a loss. Ren Fang of the Personnel Section nicknamed him "Kong the Sole Reciter."
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遷建康獄正，及辨訟折獄，時罕冤人。 後有選人爲獄司者，高祖尚引休源以勵之。 除中書舍人，司徒臨川王府記室參軍，遷尚書左丞，彈肅禮闈，雅允朝望。 時太子詹事周舍撰《禮疑義》，自漢魏至于齊梁，並皆搜采，休源所有奏議，咸預編錄。 除給事黃門侍郎，遷長兼御史中丞，正色直繩，無所回避，百僚莫不憚之。 除少府卿，又兼行丹陽尹事。 出爲宣惠晉安王府長史、南郡太守、行荊州府州事。 高祖謂之曰：「荊州總上流沖要，義高分陝，今以十歲兒委卿，善匡翼之，勿憚周昌之舉也。」 對曰：「臣以庸鄙，曲荷恩遇，方揣丹誠，效其一割。」 上善其對，乃敕晉安王曰：「孔休源人倫儀錶，汝年尚幼，當每事師之。」 尋而始興王嶦代鎮荊州，復爲憺府長史，南郡太守、行府州事如故。 在州累政，甚有治績，平心決斷，請託不行。 高祖深嘉之。 除通直散騎常侍，領羽林監，轉秘書監，遷明威將軍，復爲晉安王府長史、南蘭陵太守，別敕專行南徐州事。 休源累佐名籓，甚得民譽，王深相倚仗，軍民機務，動止詢謀。 常於中齋別施一榻，云「此是孔長史坐」，人莫得預焉。 其見敬如此。
Promoted to Corrector of Jiankang Prison, he heard cases with such care that wrongful convictions were rare. When a successor was later chosen for the prison post, Gaozu still held Xiuyuan up as the model. He became Palace Secretary and secretary to Prince of Linchuan, then Left Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing, where his stern integrity in the examination hall won wide respect. When Crown Prince's Steward Zhou She compiled Doubts on Rites, drawing on Han, Wei, Qi, and Liang, every memorial and opinion Xiuyuan had written was included. Made Supervising Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and then Senior Concurrent Censor, he was unflinching in enforcing the law, and the whole bureaucracy feared him. He was appointed Junior Director of the Treasury and also acted as magistrate of Danyang. He left the capital as chief secretary to Propagation and Grace Prince of Jin'an, administrator of Nan commandery, with charge of Jingzhou affairs. Gaozu told him: "Jingzhou guards the upper Yangzi and is as vital as the western frontier. I am placing a ten-year-old prince in your hands—guide him well, and do not hesitate to speak bluntly as Zhou Chang did." He answered: "I am a humble man who has received extraordinary favor; I will give whatever sincerity and effort I possess." Pleased with the answer, Gaozu ordered Prince of Jin'an: "Kong Xiuyuan is a paragon of conduct. You are still young—let him be your teacher in all things." When Prince of Shixing Xiao Dan took over Jingzhou, Xiuyuan stayed on as his chief secretary and Nan commandery administrator with the same duties as before. Over several tours of duty he governed with real success, judging fairly and refusing every private request. Gaozu praised him warmly for it. He became Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and head of the Feathered Forest Guard, then Director of the Secretariat and Bright Might General, again chief secretary to Prince of Jin'an and administrator of South Lanling, with a special commission for South Xu alone. Having served several great princely domains, he enjoyed wide public esteem; the prince leaned on him heavily, consulting him on every military and civil decision. In the inner study he kept a couch set apart, saying, "This seat is for Chief Secretary Kong," and no one else was allowed to sit there. That was the measure of the honor he received.
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昭明太子薨，有敕夜召休源入宴居殿，與羣公參定謀議，立晉安王綱爲皇太子。 四年，遘疾，高祖遣中使候問，並給醫藥，日有十數。 其年五月，卒，時年六十四。 遺令薄葬，節朔薦蔬菲而已。 高祖爲之流涕，顧謂謝舉曰：「孔休源奉職清忠，當官正直，方欲共康治道，以隆王化。 奄至殞歿，朕甚痛之。」 舉曰：「此人清介強直，當今罕有，微臣竊爲陛下惜之。」 詔曰：「慎終追遠，歷代通規； 褒德疇庸，先王令典。 宣惠將軍、金紫光祿大夫、監揚州孔休源，風業貞正，雅量沖邈，升榮建禮，譽重搢紳。 理務神州，化覃歌詠，方興仁壽，穆是髂倫。 奄然永逝，倍用悲惻。 可贈散騎常侍、金紫光祿大夫，賻第一材一具，布五十匹，錢五萬，蠟二百斤。 剋日舉哀。 喪事所須，隨由資給。 諡曰貞子。」 皇太子手令曰：「金紫光祿大夫孔休源，立身中正，行己清恪。 昔歲西浮渚宮，東泊枌壤，毘佐蕃政，實盡厥誠。 安國之詳審，公儀之廉白，無以過之。 奄至殞喪，情用惻怛。 今須舉哀，外可備禮。」
After Crown Prince Zhaoming's death, an edict called Xiuyuan to the palace at night to join the assembled ministers in choosing Prince of Jin'an Gang as heir. In year 4 he fell ill; Gaozu sent palace messengers to inquire after him and sent medicine ten or more times a day. He died in the fifth month of that year, at sixty-four. He left orders for a plain funeral and only modest vegetable offerings at the seasonal rites. Gaozu wept and, turning to Xie Ju, said: "Kong Xiuyuan served with pure loyalty and upright integrity. I had hoped to build good government with him and elevate the kingly way. Suddenly he is gone, and I grieve deeply." Ju replied: "He was incorruptible and resolute—a man rarely seen today. Your servant grieves for Your Majesty's loss." An edict ran: "To honor the dead and remember the distant is the custom of every age; to praise virtue and reward service is the ancient kings' true law. Propagation and Grace General, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and Supervisor of Yangzhou Kong Xiuyuan was upright in character, broad in spirit, honored at the Hall of Establishing Rites, and esteemed among officials. He governed the central realm, won the people's praise in song, and was on the verge of bringing humane rule and moral order to fruition. Now he is gone forever, and our sorrow is doubled. Let him be posthumously made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, with one first-grade coffin, fifty bolts of cloth, fifty thousand cash, and two hundred jin of wax. Mourning rites shall be held on the appointed day. All funeral expenses shall be provided as required. Posthumous title: Viscount Zhen. The crown prince wrote: "Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon Kong Xiuyuan was upright in bearing and pure in conduct. In recent years he served princes west at Zhugong and east on the Fen borderlands, giving his whole loyalty to their rule. His careful judgment in governing a realm and his spotless integrity surpass all comparison. His sudden death fills me with sorrow. Mourning must now be observed; let the proper ceremonies be arranged."
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休源少孤，立志操，風範強正，明練治體。 持身儉約，學窮文藝，當官理務，不憚強禦，常以天下爲己任。 高祖深委仗之。 累居顯職，纖毫無犯。 性慎密，寡嗜好。 出入帷幄，未嘗言禁中事，世以此重之。 聚書盈七千卷，手自校治，凡奏議彈文，勒成十五卷。
Orphaned young, Xiuyuan set his will and bearing early—resolute in character, clear in the ways of government. Frugal in private life, deeply learned in letters, fearless before the mighty in office, he always acted as though the empire rested on his shoulders. Gaozu relied on him completely. Through one high appointment after another, he never committed the slightest fault. He was cautious by nature and had few appetites. In and out of the inner councils he never breathed a word of palace affairs, and for that the world respected him. He collected more than seven thousand books and collated them himself; his memorials and impeachments were gathered into fifteen fascicles.
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長子雲童，頗有父風，而篤信佛理，遍持經戒。 官至岳陽王府諮議、東揚州別駕。
His eldest son Yuntong inherited much of his father's manner but devoted himself to Buddhism and kept every precept. He rose to adviser in Prince of Yueyang's household and deputy governor of East Yangzhou.
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少子宗軌，聰敏有識度，歷尚書都官郎，司徒左西掾，中書郎。
His youngest son Zonggui was bright and discerning, and served as Director in the Bureau of Punishments, left western aide to the Minister of Works, and Palace Secretary.
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江革，字休映，濟陽考城人也。 祖齊之，宋尚書金部郎。 父柔之，齊尚書倉部郎，有孝行，以母憂毀卒。
Jiang Ge, styled Xiuying, came from Kaocheng in Jiyang. His grandfather Qizhi had been Gold Section Director under the Song. His father Rouzhi, Granaries Section Director under Qi, was renowned for filial piety and died of grief while mourning his mother.
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革幼而聰敏，早有才思，六歲便解屬文。 柔之深加賞器，曰：「此兒必興吾門。」 九歲丁父艱，與弟觀同生孤貧，傍無師友，兄弟自相訓勖，讀書精力不倦。 十六喪母，以孝聞。 服闋，與觀俱詣太學，補國子生，舉高第。 齊中書郎王融、吏部謝朓雅相欽重。 朓嘗宿衛，還過候革，時大雪，見革弊絮單席，而耽學不倦，嗟歎久之，乃脫所著襦，並手割半氈與革充臥具而去。 司徒竟陵王聞其名，引爲西邸學士。 弱冠舉南徐州秀才。 時豫章胡諧之行州事，王融與諧之書，令薦革。 諧之方貢琅邪王泛，便以革代之。
Clever from childhood and precocious in letters, Ge could write linked prose at six. Rouzhi admired him deeply and said, "This child will bring honor to our house." At nine his father died. He and his younger brother Guan were left alone and poor, with no teachers near at hand; the two brothers pushed each other to study without rest. At sixteen he lost his mother and became known for filial devotion. After mourning he and Guan entered the Imperial Academy as National University students and graduated at the top of their class. Wang Rong, Palace Secretary of Qi, and Xie Tiao, Director of Personnel, both admired him. Once, coming off palace guard duty in heavy snow, Tiao visited Ge and found him in patched cotton on a thin mat, still studying without pause. Tiao sighed long, gave him the padded jacket he was wearing, and cut half his felt mat by hand for Ge's bedding before he left. Prince of Jingling, Minister of Works, heard of him and made him a Western Pavilion scholar. At twenty he was chosen xiucai of South Xu province. Hu Xiezhi of Yuzhang was then acting governor; Wang Rong wrote urging him to recommend Ge. Xiezhi had intended to send up Wang Fan of Langya as the provincial tribute candidate and replaced him with Ge.
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解褐奉朝請。 僕射江祏深相引接，祏爲太子詹事，啓革爲府丞。 祏時權傾朝右，以革才堪經國，令參掌機務，詔誥文檄，皆委以具。 革防杜形跡，外人不知。 祏誅，賓客皆罹其罪，革獨以智免。
His first appointment was Court Gentleman for Palace Attendance. Vice Minister Jiang Shi took a strong liking to him; when Shi became Crown Prince's Steward he recommended Ge as household aide. Shi then dominated the court; judging Ge capable of statecraft, he put him in charge of urgent business, and all edicts and dispatches were drafted by Ge. Ge kept his role hidden, and outsiders never knew. When Shi was executed, every man in his circle was implicated; Ge alone escaped through cleverness.
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除尚書駕部郎。 中興元年，高祖入石頭，時吳興太守袁昂據郡距義師，乃使革制書與昂，于坐立成，辭義典雅，高祖深賞歎之，因令與徐勉同掌書記。 建安王爲雍州刺史，表求管記，以革爲征北記室參軍，帶中廬令。 與弟觀少長共居，不忍離別，苦求同行，乃以觀爲征北行參軍，兼記室。 時吳興沈約、樂安任昉，並相賞重，昉與革書云：「此段雍府妙選英才，文房之職，總卿昆季，可謂馭二龍於長途，騁騏驥於千里。」 途次江夏，觀遇疾卒。 革時在雍，爲府王所禮，款若布衣。 王被徵爲丹陽尹，以革爲記室，領五官掾，除通直散騎常侍，建康正。 頻遷秣陵、建康令。 爲治明肅，豪強憚之。 入爲中書舍人，尚書左丞，司農卿，復出爲雲麾晉安王長史、尋陽太守、行江州府事。 徙仁威廬陵王長史，太守、行事如故，以清嚴爲百城所憚。 時少王行事多傾意于簽帥，革以正直自居，不與簽帥等同坐。 俄遷左光祿大夫、南平王長史、御史中丞，彈奏豪權，一無所避。
He was appointed Driving Section Director in the Masters of Writing. In the first year of Zhongxing Gaozu entered Stone Fort while Yuan Ang, administrator of Wuxing, held the commandery against the cause. Ge was told to draft the letter to Ang and finished it on the spot; its language was elegant, Gaozu praised it highly, and put him in charge of written records together with Xu Mian. When Prince of Jian'an became inspector of Yongzhou and asked for a chief secretary, Ge was made secretary to the northern expedition staff and concurrently commander of the central banners. He and Guan had lived together since childhood and could not bear to separate; Guan pleaded to go with him, and was made acting secretary on the northern expedition staff, additionally serving as secretary. Shen Yue of Wuxing and Ren Fang of Le'an both valued him. Fang wrote to Ge: "The Yongzhou staff has chosen its finest men—you and your brother both hold the literary office. It is like driving two dragons on a long road or running twin thoroughbreds a thousand li." On the road at Jiangxia, Guan fell ill and died. Ge was then in Yongzhou, and the prince treated him with the easy warmth of an old friend. When the prince was recalled as magistrate of Danyang, Ge became his secretary, head of the Five Officials section, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, and chief of Jiankang. He was promoted in turn to magistrate of Moling and Jiankang. He governed with clarity and severity, and the local strongmen feared him. He entered court as Palace Writer Attendant, Left Assistant Director of the Ministry of Works, and Minister of Agriculture, then went out again as chief clerk to Prince Jin'an of Cloud Banner, administrator of Xunyang, and acting head of Jiangzhou affairs. Transferred to chief clerk for Prince Renwei of Luling, he kept the same administrator and acting duties, and commanderies across the realm feared his austerity. Young princes' acting deputies usually bowed to their chiefs of staff; Ge stood on principle and refused to share a seat with them. Soon he rose to Left Grand Master of Lustrous Virtue, chief clerk to Prince Nanping, and censor-in-chief, impeaching the mighty without flinching.
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除少府卿，出爲貞威將軍、北中郎南康王長史、廣陵太守，改授鎮北豫章王長史，將軍、太守如故。 時魏徐州刺史元法僧降附，革被敕隨府王鎮彭城。 城旣失守，革素不便馬，乃泛舟而還，途經下邳，遂爲魏人所執。 魏徐州刺史元延明聞革才名，厚加接待。 革稱患腳不拜，延明將加害焉，見革辭色嚴正，更相敬重。 時祖𣈶同被拘執，延明使𣈶作《欹器》、《漏刻銘》，革罵𣈶曰：「卿荷國厚恩，已無報答，今乃爲虜立銘，孤負朝廷。」 延明聞之，乃令革作丈八寺碑並祭彭祖文，革辭以囚執旣久，無復心思。 延明逼之逾苦，將加箠撲。 革厲色而言曰：「江革行年六十，不能殺身報主，今日得死爲幸，誓不爲人執筆。」 延明知不可屈，乃止。 日給脫粟三升，僅餘性命。 值魏主討中山王元略反北，乃放革及祖𣈶還朝。 詔曰：「前貞威將軍、鎮北長史、廣陵太守江革，才思通贍，出內有聞，在朝正色，臨危不撓，首佐台鉉，實允僉諧。 可太尉臨川王長史。」
Appointed Minister of the Lesser Treasury, he went out as General of Loyal Might, chief clerk to Prince Nankang of North Central Command and administrator of Guangling, then was reassigned chief clerk to Prince Zhenbei of Yuzhang while keeping the same generalship and magistracy. When Yuan Faseng, Wei governor of Xuzhou, surrendered, Ge was ordered to follow the prince and garrison Pengcheng. The city fell. Ge had never ridden well; he took to the river instead, and at Xiapi Wei soldiers seized him. Yuan Yanming, Wei governor of Xuzhou, had heard of Ge's fame and received him with deep respect. Ge claimed a bad leg and refused to bow. Yanming meant to punish him, but Ge's stern bearing in word and face won respect instead. Zu Can was held with him. Yanming had Can write inscriptions for the Tilting Vessel and the Clepsydra. Ge reviled him: "The state heaped grace on you and you never repaid it. Now you write for the captors and betray the court." Yanming then ordered Ge to compose the Zhangba Temple stele and a sacrifice to Peng Zu. Ge refused: long imprisonment had drained his mind. Yanming pressed harder and was about to have him flogged. Ge said, face hard: "Jiang Ge is sixty. I could not die for my lord; to die today would be luck. I swear I will never take up the brush for another man." Yanming saw he could not be bent and desisted. Each day he received three sheng of husked millet—just enough to stay alive. When the Wei ruler marched north against Prince Zhongshan Yuan Lue's rebellion, Ge and Zu Can were freed and sent home to court. An edict ran: "Jiang Ge, former General of Loyal Might, chief clerk of Zhenbei, and administrator of Guangling—gifted in mind and word, known in court and out, upright in office, unbroken in danger, chief aide to the Three Dukes—fully worthy of trust. Let him be chief clerk to the Grand Marshal, Prince Linchuan."
16
時高祖盛於佛教，朝賢多啓求受戒，革精信因果，而高祖未知，謂革不奉佛教，乃賜革《覺意詩》五百字，云「惟當勤精進，自強行勝脩； 豈可作底突，如彼必死囚。 以此告江革，並及諸貴遊。」 又手敕云：「世間果報，不可不信，豈得底突如對元延明邪？」 革因啓乞受菩薩戒。
Gaozu was then deep in Buddhism; court worthies often asked to take vows. Ge truly believed in karma, but Gaozu did not know and thought he rejected the faith. He gave Ge a five-hundred-character "Awakened Intent Poem," saying, "Only diligence and self-strengthening beat empty practice; Who would be a stubborn bump, like a man already condemned to die? Tell this to Jiang Ge, and to the other noble travelers as well." A handwritten edict added: "Worldly retribution is real. How can you be a stubborn bump with Yuan Yanming as you were before?" Ge then memorialized asking to receive the bodhisattva precepts.
17
重除少府卿、長史、校尉。 時武陵王在東州，頗自驕縱，上召革面敕曰：「武陵王年少，臧盾性弱，不能匡正，欲以卿代爲行事。 非卿不可，不得有辭。」 乃除折沖將軍、東中郎武陵王長史、會稽郡丞、行府州事。 革門生故吏，家多在東州，聞革應至，並齎持緣道迎候。 革曰：「我通不受餉，不容獨當故人筐篚。」 至鎮，惟資公俸，食不兼味。 郡境殷廣，辭訟日數百，革分判辨析，曾無疑滯。 功必賞，過必罰，民安吏畏，百城震恐。 琅邪王騫爲山陰令，贓貨狼藉，望風自解。 府王憚之，遂雅相欽重。 每至侍宴，言論必以《詩》《書》，王因此耽學好文。 典簽沈熾文以王所制詩呈高祖，高祖謂僕射徐勉曰：「江革果能稱職。」 乃除都官尚書。 將還，民皆戀惜之，贈遺無所受。 送故依舊訂舫，革並不納，惟乘臺所給一舸。 舸艚偏欹，不得安臥。 或謂革曰：「船旣不平，濟江甚險，當移徙重物，以迮輕艚。」 革旣無物，乃於西陵岸取石十餘片以實之。 其清貧如此。
He was again made Minister of the Lesser Treasury, chief clerk, and colonel commandant. Prince Wuling held East Yangzhou and had grown proud and loose. The emperor summoned Ge and charged him in person: "Prince Wuling is young. Zang Dun is mild and cannot correct him. I want you to replace him as acting administrator. No one but you will do. You may not refuse." He was made General Who Breaks the Charge, chief clerk to Prince Wuling of East Central Command, assistant administrator of Kuaiji, and acting head of prefectural and commandery affairs. Many of Ge's former students and subordinates lived in East Yangzhou. Hearing he was coming, they lined the road with gifts to welcome him. Ge said, "I never take gifts. I cannot be the only one to fill my old friends' baskets and boxes." At his post he lived only on official salary and never ate more than one dish at a meal. The commandery was broad and crowded; lawsuits came by the hundred each day. Ge divided and decided them without a moment's hesitation. Merit was always rewarded and fault always punished. The people rested easy, officials feared him, and every city shook. Wang Qian of Langye, magistrate of Shanyin, was awash in bribes. At Ge's coming he resigned before the wind. The prince feared him and thereafter held him in deep respect. At every banquet his talk turned to the Odes and Documents, and the prince came to love learning and letters. Chief of staff Shen Chiwen showed the prince's poems to Gaozu. Gaozu told Vice Director Xu Mian, "Jiang Ge has truly done his duty." He was made Minister of Justice. When he was about to leave, the people clung to him with grief. He took no parting gifts. Escorts arranged a boat as always. Ge refused it and took only the single vessel the office gave him. The boat listed to one side, and he could not lie down in comfort. Someone told Ge, "The boat is unsteady. Crossing the river will be dangerous. Move heavy things to weigh down the lighter hull." Ge owned nothing. He went to the West Mausoleum shore, took more than ten stones, and loaded them aboard. Such was his austerity.
18
尋監吳郡。 于時境內荒儉，劫盜公行。 革至郡，惟有公給仗身二十人，百姓皆懼不能靜寇； 反省游軍尉，民下逾恐。 革乃廣施恩撫，明行制令，盜賊靜息，民吏安之。
Soon he was put in charge of Wu commandery. The land was then famine-stricken, and bandits roamed openly. When Ge arrived he had only twenty armed attendants from the office. The people feared he could not still the bandits; and when they heard he meant to inspect the patrol commandant, fear only deepened. Ge then showed broad kindness, enforced clear rules, and the bandits fell silent. People and officials alike were at peace.
19
武陵王出鎮江州，乃曰：「我得江革，文華清麗，豈能一日忘之，當與其同飽。」 乃表革同行。 又除明威將軍、南中郎長史、尋陽太守。 徵入爲度支尚書。 好獎進閭閻，爲後生延譽，由是衣冠士子，翕然歸之。 時尚書令何敬容掌選，序用多非其人。 革性強直，每至朝宴，恒有褒貶，以此爲權勢所疾，乃謝病還家。
When Prince Wuling went out to garrison Jiangzhou he said, "I gained Jiang Ge—refined and bright in letters. How could I forget him in a day? I shall eat with him." He memorialized for Ge to go with him. Ge was also made General of Bright Might, chief clerk of South Central Command, and administrator of Xunyang. He was summoned to court as Minister of Revenue. He loved to lift up common folk and speak well of the young, and gentry and scholars gathered to him. Minister of Works He Jingrong controlled appointments, and many of his choices were unworthy. Ge was forceful and upright. At every court banquet he praised and blamed without restraint. The powerful resented him, and he pleaded illness and went home.
20
除光祿大夫、領步兵校尉、南、北兗二州大中正，優遊閑放，以文酒自娛。 大同元年二月，卒，諡曰強子。 有集二十卷，行於世。 革歷官八府長史，四王行事，三爲二千石，傍無姬侍，家徒壁立，世以此高之。
He was made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, colonel of footsoldiers, and chief arbiter of South and North Yan provinces, and lived at ease with letters and wine. In the second month of the first year of Datong he died. His posthumous title was Qiangzi. His collected works, twenty scrolls, circulated in the world. Ge had been chief clerk in eight princely households, acting deputy for four princes, and thrice held two-thousand-household posts. He kept no concubines, and his house stood bare as walls. The world honored him for it.
21
長子行敏，好學有才俊，官至通直郎，早卒，有集五卷。
His eldest son Xingmin loved learning and had talent. He reached Direct Communication Gentleman, died young, and left five scrolls of collected works.
22
次子從簡，少有文情，年十七，作《采荷詞》以刺敬容，爲當時所賞。 歷官司徒從事中郎。 侯景亂，爲任約所害。 子兼叩頭流血，乞代父命，以身蔽刃，遂俱見殺。 天下莫不痛之。
Second son Congjian had literary feeling from youth. At seventeen he wrote "Song of Gathering Lotus" to satirize Jingrong, and his age praised it. He served as aide to the Minister of Education. In Hou Jing's rebellion Ren Yue killed him. His son Jian kowtowed until blood ran, begging to die in his father's place and covering him with his body. Both were killed. All under heaven grieved.
23
史臣曰：高祖留心政道，孔休源以識治見知，旣遇其時，斯爲幸矣。 江革聰敏亮直，亦一代之盛名歟。 [1]
The historian writes: Gaozu cared for good government. Kong Xiuyuan was known for his grasp of rule, and to meet such a time was fortune. Jiang Ge was quick, bright, and upright—a famed name of his generation, surely. Editorial footnote marker in the source text.
24
全文以中華書局、一九七三年五月版《梁書》爲本校。
The full text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the Book of Liang (May 1973).