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梁書卷第四十六列傳第四十
Book of Liang, Volume 46, Biography 40
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Hu Sengyou; Xu Wensheng; Du Ze; Du An; Du You'an; Du Kan; Yin Zichun Hu Sengyou, styled Yuanguo, came from Guanjun in Nanyang. In youth he was brave and resolute and had military ability. He served Wei, reaching Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon. In Datong 2 he returned to Liang and repeatedly submitted sealed memorials. Gaozu valued him and appointed him acting staff-bearer, General Who Surpasses Martial Might, and commander of the Wende guard, sending him to garrison Xiangcheng. When the city fell, he was again lost to Wei. In Zhongdatong 1, when Chen Qingzhi escorted Yuan Hao, Prince of Beihai of Wei, into Luoyang, Sengyou again managed to return to Liang. He was appointed administrator of South Tianshui and Tianmen commanderies and governed well. By nature he loved reading, but he did not understand literary composition. Yet whenever he attended public banquets, he always forced himself to compose poems. His wording was crude and rustic, and he was often mocked, but Sengyou remained perfectly at ease, believed himself truly skilled, and boasted all the more.
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Later he served Shizu as recorder on the Pacifying West staff. When Hou Jing rebelled the Western Ju rose; Shizu ordered Sengyou to put them down and kill every chieftain; Sengyou remonstrated, offended the throne, and was jailed. In Great Treasure year two Hou Jing raided Jing-Shan and besieged Wang Sengbian at Baling; Shizu freed Sengyou, made him acting staff bearer, General of Martial Ferocity, and Marquis of Xinshi, and sent him to relieve the siege. As he was about to march he told his son, "Prepare two gates—one for red, one for white. If I win, come in by the red gate; if I lose, by the white. I will not come home unless I win." Shizu heard and was stirred. At Yangpu, Jing sent Ren Yue with five thousand elites to hold White Embankment and wait for him. Sengyou took a side road west; Yue thought he had fled in fear and chased hard; at Nan'an Qian Ford he shouted to Sengyou, "Wu whelp—why not surrender now? Where can you run?" Sengyou would not answer but quietly withdrew; at Red Sand Pavilion Lu Fahe came up, and together they attacked Yue, broke him utterly, captured him, and sent him to Jiangling. Hou Jing heard and fled. Shizu made him palace attendant and commanding general and recalled him to Jingzhou.
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In Chengsheng year two he was promoted General of Chariots and Cavalry and Opening-the-Fortress with Three Staffs Equals; the rest unchanged. When Western Wei attacked, Shizu made him commander east of the city. Wei forces assaulted from every side, a hundred lines at once; Sengyou took arrows and stones himself, fighting day and night, clear in rewards and punishments—the men were stirred and died where they stood; nothing could stand before him; the enemy dared not come forward. Soon he was hit by a stray arrow and died at sixty-three. Shizu heard and rushed to mourn over the body. Inside and outside panicked, and the city fell.
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Xu Wensheng, styled Daomao, was from Pengcheng. His family had served Wei as generals for generations. His father Qingzhi, early in Heavenly Surveillance, led over a thousand men south to defect but died on the way. Wensheng took over the troops, won merit step by step, and Gaozu favored him greatly. At the end of Great Unity he became staff bearer and inspector of Ning. The prefecture was remote; the tribes knew no law, only greed and raiding—no earlier governor had controlled them. Wensheng won them with sincerity and awed them with strength; the tribes were moved and manners changed.
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太清二年,聞國難,乃召募得數萬人來赴。 世祖嘉之,以爲持節、散騎常侍、左衛將軍、督梁、南秦、沙、東益、巴、北巴六州諸軍事、仁威將軍、秦州刺史,授以東討之略。 於是文盛督衆軍東下,至武昌,遇侯景將任約,遂與相持。 久之,世祖又命護軍將軍尹悅、平東將軍杜幼安、巴州刺史王珣等會之,並受文盛節度。 擊任約於貝磯,約大敗,退保西陽。 文盛進據蘆洲,又與相持。 侯景聞之,乃率大衆西上援約,至西陽。 文盛不敢戰。 諸將咸曰:「景水軍輕進,又甚饑疲,可因此擊之,必大捷。」 文盛不許。 文盛妻石氏,先在建鄴,至是,景載以還之。 文盛深德景,遂密通信使,都無戰心,衆咸憤怨。 杜幼安、守簉等乃率所領獨進,與景戰,大破之,獲其舟艦以歸。 會景密遣騎從間道襲陷郢州,軍中兇懼,遂大潰。 文盛奔還荊州,世祖仍以爲城北面都督。 又聚贓汚甚多,世祖大怒,下令責之,數其十罪,除其官爵。 文盛旣失兵權,私懷怨望,世祖聞之,乃以下獄。 時任約被擒,與文盛同禁。 文盛謂約曰:「汝何不早降,令我至此。」 約曰:「門外不見卿馬跡,使我何遽得降?」 文盛無以答,遂死獄中。
In Supreme Clarity year two, hearing the capital was in peril, he raised tens of thousands and marched east. Shizu praised him and made him staff bearer, palace attendant, Left Guard general, commander of six prefectures' forces, General of Benevolent Might, and Qin inspector, with the eastern campaign plan. Wensheng led his host east; at Wuchang he met Ren Yue and stood locked. After long delay Shizu sent Yin Yue, Du You'an, Wang Xun, and others to join him, all under Wensheng. They fought Ren Yue at Shell Ford; Yue was routed and fell back on Xiyang. Wensheng took Reed Islet and faced him again. Hou Jing heard and led a great force west to save Yue, reaching Xiyang. Wensheng would not give battle. The generals said, "Jing's fleet came fast and is starving—we can strike now and win a great victory." Wensheng refused. Wensheng's wife Lady Shi had been in Jiankang; Jing now sent her back to him. Wensheng felt beholden to Jing and began secret correspondence; he would not fight—the army seethed with anger. Du You'an, Shouzao, and others led their men out alone, fought Jing, smashed him, and brought back his ships. Then Jing sent cavalry by a hidden road, took E prefecture, and the army collapsed in terror. Wensheng fled to Jingzhou; Shizu still made him commander of the north wall. He had also piled up loot; Shizu raged, rebuked him, listed ten crimes, and stripped his titles. Stripped of command, he nursed grievance; Shizu heard and jailed him. Ren Yue had been captured and shared his cell. Wensheng said to Yue, "Why did you not surrender sooner and spare me this?" Yue said, "I saw no hoofprints of yours outside the gate—how could I surrender so soon?" Wensheng had no reply and died in prison.
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Du Ze was from Dulings in Jingzhao. His forebears came south from the north and settled at Xiangyang in Yong; the family remained there. Grandfather Lingqi was a Qi court attendant. His father Huaibao had spirit and principle from youth and waited for his hour. When Gaozu's army marched east he stayed with Prince of Nanping Wei to hold Xiangyang. Under Heavenly Surveillance he rose through merit to General of Fierce Valor and Liang inspector. Early in Great Unity Yuan Luo, Wei inspector of Liang, surrendered; Huaibao was also made commander of Hua. Yang Shao, Di king of Wu Xing in Qin, rebelled; Huaibao defeated him. In the fifth year he died in office. Ze was Huaibao's seventh son. From youth he had nerve and was known at home for boldness. He began as army recorder on the Lujiang Rapid Cavalry staff. When Shizu held Jingzhou he served on his staff, later becoming governor of Xinxing.
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In Supreme Clarity year two he came with the Prince of Yueyang to attack Jingzhou; Shizu, who knew him of old, secretly called him over. Ze came by night with his brother An, younger brother You'an, and nephew Kan; Shizu made him staff bearer, General of Trustworthy Might, and Wu inspector. Soon he became General Who Chastises the Yi, Barbarian-quelling Protector, interior minister of Wuling, and Marquis of Zhijiang with a thousand households. He was ordered to follow Wang Sengbian east against Hou Jing. At Baling Hou Jing attacked; after many days he could not win and fled. He was made palace attendant and Left Guard general, raised to duke, fief increased five hundred households. He followed Sengbian in pursuit to Stonehead and faced the bandit at Heng Ridge. In the fight Jing led his best men in person; Ze struck from behind the ridge; Jing was shattered and fled east to Jinling; Ze took the city. When Jing fell he was added palace attendant, staff bearer, Jiang commander, and Jiang inspector—fief increased a thousand households.
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That month Qi general Guo Yuanjian besieged Yan Chaoyuan at Qin; Wang Sengbian sent Ze to relieve him. Chen Baxian came from Ouyang to join; at Shilin they fought Guo Yuanjian; Baxian ordered heavy crossbows and Yuanjian's men fell back. Ze charged and broke them—ten thousand heads, a thousand prisoners; Yuanjian gathered what was left and fled. Shizu held Wang Lin at Jiangling; Lu Na rebelled at Changsha; Shizu called Ze and Wang Sengbian to suppress him. In Chengsheng year two they fought Lu Na at Wheel Ford, took two forts, and drove him to Changsha; Ze besieged the city. When Na surrendered Ze went west with Wang Sengbian against the Prince of Wuling at Gorge Mouth and broke him at once. He returned to his post, fell ill, and died. The edict said, "Ze, of the ancient house of Jingzhao, line of Yuan Kai. His clan carried learning; generation after generation served in loyalty. From service on the river isles his rule was called clean and capable. On the shallow fords of command one heard only of his quiet rule. Suddenly he is gone—grief pierces the heart. Let him be posthumously made General of Chariots and Cavalry, with martial music. Posthumous title: Martial."
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An, styled Gongheng. From youth he had martial talent and loved bold stratagems. In Supreme Clarity he returned with Ze; Shizu made him staff bearer, Pacifying North general, North Liang inspector, and Marquis of Jiangling with a thousand households. An asked to strike Xiangyang; Shizu agreed. He marched day and night and struck the city first—but could not take it. When the Prince of Yueyang came he fled to his brother Yan at Nanyang, who was then Nanyang governor. The prince soon took the city; An and Yan both perished.
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You'an was deeply filial, open-handed and mild, yet fiercer than most in battle. In Supreme Clarity he returned with Ze; Shizu made him Cloud Banner general, West Jing inspector, and Marquis of Huarong with a thousand households. He was ordered with Wang Sengbian to campaign against the Prince of Hedong at Changsha and pacify him. He was also told to lead ten thousand armored men to aid Xu Wensheng against Hou Jing. At Shell Ford he met Ren Yue; they fought and broke him. They cut off Chiluo Zitong, Zhao Weifang of Xiangzhou, and others, and sent the heads to Jiangling. Then the host pushed forward and faced Jing in stalemate. He also attacked Wuchang and took it. Jing moved above Reed Islet to crush Wensheng; You'an attacked with the army, shattered Jing, and seized every ship. Then Jing sent raiders by a hidden road, took E prefecture, and captured Fang Zhu; panic spread; Wensheng fled up the Han; the army collapsed; You'an surrendered to Jing. Jing killed him for his repeated betrayals.
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Kan was son of Ze's second brother Cen. From youth he was fierce and knew war; in Supreme Clarity he returned with his uncles; Shizu made him staff bearer, General of Loyal Martial, Yun inspector, and Marquis of Zhonglu with a thousand households. With his uncle You'an he followed Wang Sengbian against the Prince of Hedong and pacified him. Following Sengbian downriver he took over Wensheng's line at Baling; hearing Jing had taken E and was coming west, he and Sengbian held Baling to meet him. Jing besieged it for weeks, failed, and fled. He became Grand Treasurer, Pacifying North general, Ding commander and inspector, Direct and Regular Palace Attendant, fief up five hundred households. He followed Sengbian in pursuit to Jiangxia and besieged the city. Song Zixian abandoned the city and fled; Kan chased to Yangpu and took him alive. In Great Treasure year three the armies reached Gushu; Hou Zijian met them; Kan with Chen Baxian and Wang Lin led elites, broke Zijian, and pushed on to Stonehead. Jing fought in person; Kan and the host struck hard, shattered him, and Jing fled east. His merit ranked first; he was made Pacifying East general, East Yang inspector, fief up a thousand households.
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承聖二年,又與王僧辯討陸納等於長沙,降之。 又征武陵王於西陵,亦平之。 後江陵陷,齊納貞陽侯以紹梁嗣,以龕爲震州刺史、吳興太守。 又除鎮南將軍、都督南豫州諸軍事、南豫州刺史、溧陽縣侯,給鼓吹一部。 又加散騎常侍、鎮東大將軍。 會陳霸先襲陷京師,執王僧辯殺之。 龕,僧辯之婿也,爲吳興太守。 以霸先旣非貴素,兵又猥雜,在軍府日,都不以霸先經心; 及爲本郡,每以法繩其宗門,無所縱捨,霸先銜之切齒。 及僧辯敗,龕乃據吳興以距之,遣軍副杜泰攻陳蒨於長城,反爲蒨所敗。 霸先乃遣將周文育討龕,龕令從弟北叟出距,又爲文育所破,走義興,霸先親率衆圍之。 會齊將柳達摩等襲京師,霸先恐,遂還與齊人連和。 龕聞齊兵還,乃降,遂遇害。
In Chengsheng year two he again followed Wang Sengbian against Lu Na at Changsha and forced surrender. He also campaigned against the Prince of Wuling at Xiling and pacified him. After Jiangling fell Qi set up the True Yang Marquis to continue Liang; Kan became Zhen inspector and Wuxing governor. He was also made Pacifying South general, South Yu commander and inspector, Marquis of Liyang, with martial music. He was also made Regular Palace Attendant and Great General Who Pacifies the East. Then Chen Baxian seized the capital, took Wang Sengbian, and killed him. Kan was Sengbian's son-in-law and governor of Wuxing. Baxian was low-born and his troops were a rabble; in headquarters days Kan never took him seriously; as home governor he bound his clan by law without mercy—Baxian hated him to the bone. When Sengbian fell Kan held Wuxing against him and sent Du Tai to strike Chen Qian at Changcheng—but Qian beat him. Baxian sent Zhou Wenyun against him; Kan sent his cousin Beisou out and was beaten again; he fled to Yixing and Baxian besieged him in person. Then Liu Damo of Qi struck the capital; Baxian feared and turned back to treat with Qi. When Kan heard Qi had withdrawn he surrendered—and was killed.
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Yin Zichun, styled Youwen, was from Guzang in Wuwei. At the end of Jin Yixi his great-grandfather Xi followed Song Gaozu south to Nanping and settled there. His father Zhibo lived next to Gaozu; they were friends from youth; once he entered Gaozu's bedchamber and saw a five-colored light; he took Gaozu's hand and said, "You are destined for greatness—not the fate of a subject. The realm is in chaos; will you not be the one to save the people?" Gaozu said, "Say no more." Their bond deepened; whenever Gaozu needed anything it was as if he had another treasury. When Gaozu took the throne he rose to inspector of Liang and Qin.
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Zichun began under Heavenly Surveillance as General of Manifest Grace and Xiyang governor. In the Ordinary era he rose to General of Bright Might and South Liang inspector; then General of Trustworthy Might, commander of Liang, Qin, and Hua, and inspector of Liang and Qin. In Supreme Clarity year two he put down rebel tribes in the gorges. He was summoned as Left Guard general, then made palace attendant. When Hou Jing rebelled Shizu ordered Zichun to follow Wang Sengbian against the Prince of Shaoling at E and pacify him. Again with Xu Wensheng he marched east against Hou Jing; at Shell Ford they met Jing; Zichun fought at the fore and beat him again and again. When E prefecture fell the army retreated in rout. In Great Treasure year two he died at Jiangling.
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His grandson Hao was known while still young. He began as Court Attendant on Duty and rose to director of the Jin Department in the Secretariat. Later he went over to Zhou. He wrote Pavilions in Splendor in twenty scrolls.
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The historian writes: Hu Sengyou was famed for courage; again and again he took the standard and broke the foe; when he gave his life for the throne—even the martyrs of old—who could surpass him? Xu Wensheng won merit at first yet could not finish establishing his name—this was unrighteous. Du Ze read the moment and chose the right side; he led armies again and again and crushed rebels—bright merit, a pillar of restoration. How righteous!