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卷五十 列傳第四十四 文學下

Volume 50: Men of Letters 2

Chapter 50 of 梁書 · Book of Liang
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Chapter 50
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1
Liu Jun · Liu Zhao · Xie Jiqing · Liu Xie · Wang Ji · He Sichen · Liu Yao · Xie Zheng · Zang Yan · Fu Ting · Yu Zhongrong · Lu Yungong · Ren Xiaogong · Yan Xie
2
Liu Jun, styled Xiaobiao, came from Pingyuan in Pingyuan commandery. His father Ting was Song administrator of Shixing.
3
調 西 使
At one month Jun's mother carried him home to the district. Early in Song Taishi Qingzhou fell to Wei; eight-year-old Jun was seized to Zhongshan, ransomed by the rich Liu Shi, and taught to read. Hearing he had southern kin, the Wei moved him again to Sanggan. Poor and lodging in a lean-to, he studied by hemp torch till dawn, singeing his hair when he dozed, then reading on sleepless—such was his zeal. Under Qi Yongming he came back from Sanggan, sought rare books, and borrowed whatever the capital held—Cui Weizu of Qinghe dubbed him a book lecher. Prince Ziliang of Jingling recruited widely; Jun sought a post but Xu Xiaosi blocked it; offered Southern Sea attendant, he refused. Under Mingdi he was prison officer for Xiao Yaoxin, inspector of Yuzhou, and was honored lavishly. Yaoxin soon died; long afterward he still had no post. Early Tianjian he entered the Western Office and with He Zong collated secret books. His brother Xiaoqing was Qingzhou inspector; Jun visited on leave, was charged with smuggling forbidden goods, and lost office. Prince Xiu of Ancheng prized his learning, made him registrar at Jingzhou, supplied books, and had him compile the Garden of Categories. Ill again before it was done, he withdrew to Purple Rock in Dongyang and built a house. He wrote Mountain Dwelling Record, a work of great beauty.
4
Gaozu summoned literary talent and often promoted the gifted out of turn. Frank and unable to float with the crowd, he was disliked by Gaozu and never used. He then wrote Discourse on Destiny to voice his mind, saying:
5
The emperor once discussed Guan Lu with eminent men and lamented that genius had not won rank. Someone on the red steps who heard it told me on returning. I hold that a scholar's rise or fall is all fate. So I respectfully follow Heaven's meaning and sketch the argument:
6
𨆫 輿
Guan Lu was brilliantly gifted and peerless—a true hero of the realm, no common diviner. Yet he only reached vice director of the palace storehouse and died at forty-eight—how scant Heaven's reward! High talent without rank and gluttons in high place have long been lamented—not Guan Lu alone. Life, rise and fall, early death and blockage tangle together—no one sorts them out. Wang Chong hid the root; Sima Qian opened the puzzle. The poor in cap and window insist heaven sets a term; while tripod nobles in high gates say only men summon fortune. Noise and quarrel—many heterodoxies arise at once. Xiao Yuanlun treated the root but not the flow; Zi Xuan the flow but not the root. I once said: the Way begets all things—that is the Way; life without a master is the natural. Natural means things see it is so, not why; all alike gain, not knowing how they gain. It stirs and molds without merit; myriad kinds form without its force; in life no mind to nurture; in death no will to slaughter; plunging into abyss is not anger, rising to heaven not pleasure. Vast and great—myriad treasures transform by it; firm and pure—one act, unchanging. Transforming yet unchanging—that is fate. Fate is what Heaven mandates. Fixed in dark omens, finally unaltered. Ghosts cannot foretell, sages cannot plot; strength to topple mountains cannot resist; sincerity to overturn the sun cannot move it; the short cannot be stretched in a moment, the long hurried by a water-clock drip; utmost virtue cannot overstep it, highest wisdom cannot escape it. In Yao's age floods piled to the hills; in Tang's time metal scorched and stones ran like water. Duke Wen tugged his tail; Confucius ran out of grain; Yan Hui's orchids withered; Ran Geng sang of plantain; Bo Yi and Shu Qi died for a lady's words; Zengzi was trapped by Zang Cang's suit. Even sages were thus—how much more ordinary men! Wu Zixu floated on the river, Qu Yuan sank in Xiang shallows; Jia Yi lost heart at Changsha, Feng Tang white-haired in the guard office; Jun Shan's flight, wings clipped in high clouds; Jing Tong's rise, pinions broken in the wind cave—lack of talent or flawed conduct?
7
西 鹿
Recently Liu Huan of Pei and his brother Lin were both outstanding men of the age. Huan was the west's Confucius, versed in the Six Classics, gentle in teaching, devoted to the rites. Lin's will was autumn frost, heart Kun jade, towering, unstained by dust. Both nurtured virtue behind a humble gate and spread fame through heaven and earth. Yet office barely reached vice director and rank never halberd-bearer; they died in turn and sacrifices went unfed. By these two: jade quality and gold aspect, splendid talent—all cast out in their day, talents unused, withering with grass and trees, dying with deer. Grease on the plain, bones in the valleys—those sunk unheard, beyond counting! Prime minister and clerk, long life and early death, rich and poor—all from nature, not wit. Hence "life and death have fate, wealth and honor from Heaven"—that is the sense. Yet fate circulates; change is not one—wail then laugh, auspicious then ill, come unbidden, succeed through others. Crossed and tangled, cycling hidden and manifest. It cannot be verified by one principle nor tested on one path. Its way is secret and fine, lonely and dim—no form to see, no sound to hear. It rides things to show spirit and relies on men for images—like the king's cap, leaving officers their charge. The deluded see Tang and Wu's dragon leap and say pacifying chaos was divine merit; hear Confucius and Mozi born and say brilliance monopolized fame; see Peng and Han's leopard change and say fierceness won rank; see Zhang and Huan's red cords and say classics won purple rank. How would they know a powerful mover hurries it along? Thus speaking against fate has six obscurations. I ask leave to set forth the outline:
8
使
Fine skin, gaping mouth—these are bodily differences; morning glory ends at dusk, tortoise and crane a thousand years—differences of years; hearing like echo, wit dim as beans—these are differences of spirit. The three are fixed by creation, yet glory and shame they say come from man alone. This is knowing two fives but not ten—the first obscuration. Dragon horn and sun brow—the emperor's form; river eyes and tortoise pattern—duke and marquis form. stroking the mirror one knows execution coming; pressing the seal-knob shows appointment. star rainbow and pivot lightning show sage virtue; night weeping and cloud gathering are omens of a rising king. All omens issue in an earlier term and pour forth in later generations. If one says driving tiger and leopard, wielding a sword, entering Purple Subtlety, ascending the imperial Way— then one has not reached the dark abyss nor measured divine numbers—the second obscuration. The village of Kongsang became a mighty river; the capital of Liyang turned to fish and turtles. Chu troops slaughtered Han soldiers; the Sui choked on corpses; Qin buried Zhao soldiers; the boiling sound was thunder. Fire on Kun peak; gravel and fine jade burned together; hard frost at night; wormwood and orchid perished together. Though You and Xia were talented, Yi and Yan nearly sages—how resist? The third obscuration. Some say the bright-moon pearl cannot be without flaw; the Xia sovereign's jade cannot be without crack. Ting Bo died under a county chief, Sima Xiangru as park keeper—talent was not lacking, rulers not blind, yet splendor was shattered—is the measure sometimes short? If so, Zhufu Yan and Gongsun Hong failed the exam, pleaded without entry, herded pigs, abandoned by the province. Suppose they passed like a crack and died in dew—would their shame match Cui and Ma? When they opened the eastern pavilion and set five tripods, fame raced overseas—foolish before and wise after? Or is glory fixed in number and mandate has a limit, and we wrongly birth beauty and ugliness? The fourth obscuration. Tiger roar, wind runs; dragon rises, clouds gather—Chonghua stood and Yuan and Kai rose; Xin Shou was born and Fei Lian advanced. Thus good men are few, evil many; dark lords many, bright lords few. Sweet grass and foul cannot share a vessel; owl and phoenix cannot wing together. This makes Hun Dun and Tao Wu tread Cloud Terrace; Zhongrong and Ting Jian plow beneath cliff rocks. They insist rise and fall depend on me, not Heaven—the fifth obscuration. Those barbarians: human face, beast heart, ease in poison, slaughter as morality, steaming revenge as benevolence. Though the great wind stood at Green Hill and Zao Chi strove on Hua wild, compared with their savagery what surpasses them? Since the Jin line failed, heaven and earth overturned, border peoples boiled, seizing the moment like lightning. They overthrew Chan and Luo, toppled the five capitals; dwelt in the former kings' homeland, stole titles in the central counties; rivaled the Three Sovereigns for the people, contended with the Five Emperors for the realm. Tribes multiplied and filled the divine land. Alas! Bless the good and punish the evil—empty words only. Is it not decline and peace leaning, full and empty turning, yet muddied by man? The sixth obscuration.
9
使
Fate: life and death, noble and base, poor and rich, order and chaos, fortune and disaster—ten things Heaven bestows. Foolish and wise, good and evil—these four man performs. Spirit is not Yao and Shun's alone; hearts differ; talent snags on the mean—in practice. Plain silk has no constancy; black and yellow rise in turn; saltfish and orchid—enter and change of themselves. Zilu studied with Confucius and forged frost-and-wind integrity; Chu Mu plotted with Pan Chong and achieved rebellious disaster. yet Shang Chen's evil let his enterprise shine on heirs; Zhong You's good could not cancel his knotted cap at death. Crooked and straight come from man; fortune and ill rest in fate. Some say spirits harm the full and Heaven aids virtue. Duke Song's one word moved the law star thrice; the Yin emperor cut himself and clouds came a thousand li. Good and evil without tokens—this is not yet reconciled. Duke Yu's high gate awaited enfeoffment; Yan's mother swept the tomb awaiting mourning. This is why the gentleman strengthens himself unceasingly. If benevolence had no reward, why cultivate goodness and establish a name? This is courtyard-wide talk. The sage's words are manifest yet obscure, far and hard to hear, like the Milky Way without end. Sometimes he teaches to advance the dull; sometimes speaks fate to exhaust the spirit. "Heaping good leaves surplus blessing"—that is teaching; "The phoenix does not come"—that is speaking fate. To argue the gist from a fragment—how unlike dying at dusk yet discussing Spring and Autumn changes? King Zhao of Chu's virtuous sound did not roll cinnabar clouds; King Xuan of Zhou prayed for rain and jade scepters were exhausted. Old Yu planted virtue yet did not reach Xun and Hua; Yan Nian was cruel yet not as bad as Dongling. one good, one evil equal, yet fortune and disaster differ, rise and fall differ. Vast Heaven—could it be like this? The Odes say: "Wind and rain like night, the cock crows unceasingly. Thus the good man doing good—how could he rest?
10
To eat grain and meat, wear fur and silk, watch subtle dances, hear Yunhe music—living men desire this, not from seeking. To cultivate the Way, practice benevolence, thicken filial piety, establish loyalty, steep in rites and music, tread the former kings' pattern—the gentleman desires this, not from seeking. Yet the gentleman dwells in rectitude and embodies the Way, delights in Heaven and knows fate. He clarifies what cannot be helped and knows it does not come from intellect and strength. What departs he does not summon; what comes he does not reject; living not glad; dying not grieved. Jade terraces and summer halls cannot gladden his spirit; earthen rooms and woven rush are not enough to trouble his cares. He does not puff up in wealth and honor, does not hurry after desires. Would he write Unappreciated essays like Sima Qian and Dong Zhongshu?
11
宿 使 西
When the discourse was done Liu Zhao of Zhongshan challenged it; twice he replied and Jun answered with analysis. When Zhao died Jun never saw the later reply; he wrote a preface: "Lord Liu had this challenge, but I had domestic grief and never answered. Soon he passed away; his arguments lay hidden and were not transmitted. Someone showed me his papers; I grieved his tone not faded while the man was gone, bamboo fresh while grave grass would soon rise—tears fell unawares. Though the gap-team does not stay, the wave flashes like lightning; autumn chrysanthemum and spring orchid—splendor never ends. Therefore I keep the outline and answer his intent again. If Mozi's words were not wrong and the Xuan chamber talk had proof— I would hope the tree at Dongping, gazing at Xianyang, bends west; the spring on Gai Mountain, hearing string songs, matches the beat. But the sword hangs over an empty mound—what regret can match! Most of the discourse is not recorded here.
12
Jun also wrote a Self-Preface: "I compare myself to Feng Jingtong with three likenesses and four differences. How so? Jingtong's talent topped the age, his will firm as metal and stone; I do not reach him, yet in integrity and generous spirit—one likeness. Jingtong met a bright lord at restoration yet was never tried; I met a brilliant lord yet was cast out in my year—the second likeness. Jingtong had a jealous wife, to the point of working the well and mortar himself; I have a fierce wife who also cramped the household like the narrow rut—the third likeness. Jingtong in Gengshi's age held the tally and leapt on horse to eat meat; from youth to age I have been sorrowful without joy—the first difference. Jingtong had a son Zhongwen who achieved office and fame; my misfortune matches Bo Dao—I shall never have heirs—the second difference. Jingtong's strength was just firm and in old age grew stronger; I have chronic illness and may die at any time—the third difference. Jingtong though orchid and iris burned still filled the ditch, yet worthies admired him; his fragrance long grew stronger; my name is silent, the age does not know me; once soul departs I am autumn grass—the fourth difference. Therefore I force myself to write this and leave it for lovers of such things." Jun dwelt in Dongyang; many men of Wu and Kuai studied with him. In Putong year two he died, aged sixty. His disciples gave the posthumous title Master Xuanjing.
13
輿
Liu Zhao, styled Mingxin, came from Weichang in Zhongshan. His sixth-generation ancestor Yu was Jin general of agile cavalry.
14
In youth Zhao wrote well; grown, he was widely learned. Under Qi he began as court attendant and champion acting aide. Early Tianjian he served Linchuan prince as staff secretary and governed Moling, then died.
15
Xie Jiqing was from Yangxia in Chen. Great-grandfather Lingyun was Song Linchuan administrator; father Chaozong was Qi yellow-gate gentleman; both were famed in earlier times.
16
Young Jiqing debated clearly; his age called him a prodigy. When Chaozong was exiled to Yue and passed Xinting, Jiqing leapt into the river; aides saved him from drowning. Mourning his father, he grieved beyond the rites. After mourning he entered the National University. Wen Hui prince tested him himself and told Wang Jian: "Jiqing masters dark learning; examine him on the classics." Jian questioned him; Jiqing answered without pause and Wen Hui praised him highly. Jian said: "Xie Chaozong lives again."
17
殿簿 便 滿 西 退
Grown, he studied widely and wrote with grace. He began in Yuzhang prince's service, rose to cavalry law aide and prince libationer. He governed Ningguo, then became secretariat palace gentleman and Jin'an prince chief clerk. Early Tianjian he was Poyang staff secretary and secretariat gentleman, soon imperial censor. Office gentlemen called this transfer "fleeing south." Dispirited, he often feigned illness and neglected ministry work. He became supernumerary cavalry gentleman, then secretariat gentleman, university erudite, and secretariat vice director. He knew antiquities; Xu Mian often asked his advice. Yet he was free-spirited and ignored court decorum when mood moved him. Drunkless after Leyou feast, he drank with his outriders at a roadside inn while crowds stared unabashed. Caught drinking on the gallery in shorts at night, he was impeached and dismissed. Soon erudite again, then Hedong governor; he resigned ill before term's end. Soon crown prince rate officer, then Pingnan prince chief secretary. Putong year six he joined Marquis of Xichang Xiao Yuanyu's northern campaign as chief secretary and weirong general. Defeat at Woyang cost him his post.
18
滿 使 輿 使
At White Poplar Stone Well court friends flocked with wine. Dismissed Yu Zhongrong joined him in wild outings, singing with bells and scorning opinion. Prince Xiangdong in Jingzhou wrote to console him. He answered: "Since leaving the southern ford I hide in the eastern suburbs, daily facing the wind in longing. I recall your kindness at feasts—cassia boats on clear pools, blossoms on layered hills. Orchid scent and competing cups; I heard your discourse and bathed in dark learning. Debate like surging waves outdid hanging rivers; spring foliage in phrasing had no match. All were moved, convinced beyond words, not feeling spring distant or night short. Fine meetings fade; yesterday feels suddenly like autumn. Your grace remains; kind words come from afar. Dismissed on business—is that rest? No high office—only one hamlet suits me. Farm toil is bitter, as your teaching says. I lacked gold trappings and jade capital; age thins me and illness blocks the heart—seventy days on the couch. Dreams pass in a moment; sorrow is useless and I would cast it off. Seeking clarity, I take office as salve; in the mirror I see deformity where others see daylilies. So I honor sages past; Gui Guzi hid deep; Jie Yu held high; names in butcher stalls, rise from market gates; those men are far; their traces remain. If the dead know, they grieve in dark earth, parted from life; if the dead could act, they would shine as in former tours; let this old gardener join the last seat. Parting is long past; new attendance is not slight; linked swords and flying ducks are not my kind; cherishing your virtue I weep in private."
19
簿
Though unrestrained, he was deeply affectionate at home. Brother Caicheng died young; Jiqing raised orphan Zao devotedly. Zao's offices came from Jiqing's training. The age praised it.
20
He died ill before full use. His works circulated.
21
Liu Xie, styled Yanhe, was from Ju in Dongguan. Grandfather Lingzhen was younger brother of Song Minister of Works Xiu. Father Shang was rapid cavalry commandant.
22
Orphaned early, he studied devotedly. Poor and unmarried, he lived with monk Sengyou ten years, mastered sutras, and classified the canon. Dinglin Temple's canon was his ordering. Early Tianjian he was court attendant, then Linchuan prince staff secretary and cavalry storehouse aide. As Taimo magistrate his rule was exemplary. He became Nankang staff secretary and Eastern Palace attendant. Seven temples used fruit; two suburbs still sacrificed animals. He urged matching suburbs to temples; the ministry agreed. He rose to infantry commandant while keeping attendant duty. Zhaoming prince loved letters and favored him.
23
He wrote Literary Mind and Carved Dragon in fifty chapters on styles past and present. The preface says:
24
綿
Literary Mind means mind applied to writing. Juanzi's Lute Mind and Wang Sun's Clever Mind show how beautiful mind is—hence the title. Ancient writings are ornate—is the title from Zou Yi's "carving the dragon"? The cosmos is vast; to stand out takes intelligence alone. Time flies; raising sound and fact is making alone. We mirror heaven and earth, model senses on sun and moon and voice on wind and thunder—we surpass all things in spirit. Form is fragile, fame hard—gentlemen plant virtue and speak: not from love of debate but because they must.
25
Past twenty I dreamed I held ritual vessels following Confucius south and woke pleased. How hard to see the sage! Was it a small man's dream below? Since men arose none like the Master. Annotating classics spreads the sage intent, but Ma and Zheng refined it—deep insight cannot found a school. Writing alone is the classics' branches: rites and canons depend on it; lord and minister and army and state shine through it. At root all come from the classics. Far from sages, styles dissolved; writers loved the strange and ornament, drifting from root toward false overflow. Zhou Documents prize substance in phrasing; Confucius hated heterodox branches. Phrasing and instruction should take substance as body. So I took brush and ink and began to discuss writing.
26
Recent writing discussions are many. Cao Pi's Classic, Cao Zhi's Letter, Ying Chang, Lu Ji, Wang Zhongxuan, Liu Hongfan—each sees a corner, rarely the road. Some judge present talent, some earlier writings, some taste, some chapter themes. Wei's Classic is dense but incomplete; Chen's Letter clever but unsound; Ying loose; Lu fragmented; Genre Differentiation fine but slight; Forest shallow. Junshan, Gonggan, Jifu, Shilong discuss in pieces but none sought root from leaf or source from billows. They do not transmit sages' instructions or aid later students.
27
Literary Mind roots in the Way, sages, classics, weft-texts, and Li Sao—the pivot of writing. It delimits writing, shows origin and end, names and meaning, texts and chapters, principle and systems— the upper chapters' outline is clear. It cuts emotion, maps wind, surveys sound, exalts Seasonal Order, Talent Summary, Knowing Sound, Style Vessel, and Preface Intent— the lower chapters' categories are manifest. Principle and names shine in Change numbers; forty-nine chapters serve writing.
28
One text is easy; binding all sayings is hard. Though probing deep, hidden sources seem near yet far—much is left unsaid. Some judgments match old talk—not sameness but necessity; some differ—not rashness but different principle. Sameness and difference ignore age; one seeks the mean. One almost completes the field of letters and ornament. Words do not exhaust meaning; knowing is narrow—how square the compass? Past ages have washed my hearing; coming ages may dust that view.
29
便
Finished, it was not praised by the age. Xie prized his text and sought Shen Yue's judgment. Unable to reach noble Shen Yue, he waited at his carriage like a peddler. Yue read it, prized it, said it mastered principle, and kept it on his desk.
30
He excelled in Buddhist writing; temples and steles sought his texts. Ordered to compile sutras with Huizhen, he then vowed to tonsure; the throne permitted it. He changed robes at the temple and took the name Huidi. Within a year he died. His works circulated.
31
祿
Wang Ji, styled Wenhai, was from Linyi in Langye. Grandfather Yuan was Song director of the imperial clan. Father Sengyou was Qi rapid cavalry general.
32
簿 西
At seven Ji could compose. Grown, he studied widely; Ren Fang praised him. At Shen Yue's he composed On the Candle and won praise. Late Qi he was champion aide, then external affairs and staff secretary. Early Tianjian he was Ancheng chief clerk, secretariat gentleman, and court reviewer. He governed Yuyao and Qiantang, both dismissed for license. Later he was Xiangdong consulting colonel in Kuaiji. He often toured Cloud Gate and Tianzhu for months. At Ruoye Creek: "Cicadas cry—the grove stiller; birds call—the mountain more secluded." The age called it beyond the text. Returning frustrated, he walked markets without choosing company. Xiangdong in Jingzhou made him consulting colonel and Zuotang magistrate. He drank daily; suitors he whipped away. He died young. His works circulated.
33
Son Bi had talent and died before Ji.
34
He Sicheng, styled Yuanjing, was from Tan in Donghai. Father Jingshu was Qi eastern expedition recorder and Yuhang magistrate.
35
西
Young Sicheng studied hard and wrote well. He began in Nankang service, rose to Ancheng attendant, erudite, and staff secretary. His Mount Lu poem made Shen Yue praise him above himself. Yue had the poem inscribed on his new tower study. Fu Zhao asked for Sacrifice poetry—classic and beautiful. He became court reviewer. Tianjian year fifteen Mian recommended Sicheng and four others for Hualin Digest. He became imperial censor. The post had grown light; Tianjian restored its weight. Three outriders and seal pouch followed old impeachment custom. Later Moling magistrate and Eastern Palace attendant. He was Xiangdong recorder while keeping attendant duty. Xu Mian and Zhou She, holding court, often invited him. When Zhaoming died he became Yi magistrate. He rose to Wuling center recorder and died in office at fifty-four. Fifteen scrolls of works.
36
People said: "Three He of Donghai—son Lang most." Sicheng said: "That is wrong. If not, it belongs to Xun." He meant himself.
37
Son Lang, styled Shiming, excelled in pure talk; Zhou She admired him. His Ruined Mound rhapsody modeled Zhuangzi—very artful. People said: "Among men, bright He Zilang." He was supernumerary cavalry gentleman and Gushan magistrate. He died at twenty-four. His works circulated.
38
·
Liu Cha, styled Shishen, was from Pingyuan. Grandfather Chenmin was Song Ji inspector. Father Wenwei was Qi Dongyang administrator, in Qi's Good Administration biography.
39
Sengshao called young Cha a thousand-li colt. At thirteen mourning his father, his weeping moved passersby. Early Tianjian he was university erudite and Yuzhang acting aide.
40
便 𣒅 𠯌
He mastered many books; Shen Yue and Ren Fang consulted him on forgettings. At Yue's they discussed the victim-vessel; Yue cited Zheng Xuan on a painted phoenix tail. Today it no longer exists, so we do not follow antiquity." Cha said: "That cannot be pressed. Ancient vessels were carved birds and beasts with bored tops for wine. Wei times in Lu yielded Qi vessels with an ox-shaped victim-vessel; Yongjia bandit Cao Yi opened Duke Jing's tomb and found two ox-shaped vessels. Both are ancient vessels—proof, not fiction." Yue agreed fully. Yue asked where He Chengtian's Zhang Zhongshi and long-neck king came from. Cha said Zhongshi's height is only in Discourses Weighed. The long neck is King Virudhaka in Zhu Jian's Record south of Funan—immortal from antiquity." Yue searched both books—exactly as Cha said. Cha gave two encomia for Yue's tower study; Yue had them inscribed. Yue wrote: "Life's loves are not among men; ravine joy is stolen by affairs. Sunset ends the road—my heart has gone; yet a little idle distance and clear feelings remain. I built in the eastern suburbs—not mere rest but lodging my old heart for repose. Zhongchang You's retreat and Xiu Lian's praise left me yearning with no likeness. Your generous gift of two encomia shows how much you cherish plain feeling. Lovely diction, full meaning, line answering line in light—this place seems tenfold brighter. Fine words help so much—I will keep them on the shelf and read them again and again. Your other pieces are all masterworks. Your mountain-temple essay already warns; your friends' pieces are lofty too—joy and healing together. Let us meet soon and discuss them further. Yue prized him in this way. At Ren Fang's seat someone sent jujube wine and wrote the character with a wood radical. Fang asked Cha whether the character was right. Cha said Ge Hong's Character Garden puts wood beside the cited text. Fang also said thousand-day drunkenness must be fiction. Cha said Guiyang's Chengxiang had thousand-li wine that left you drunk at home—another example. Fang was startled: "I must have forgotten; I truly do not recall this." Cha said it came from Yang Yuanfeng's Record of Establishing Commanderies. Yuanfeng was a Wei man; the book still has his fu on triple ranks and five grades at Shangxi and Zeli. They checked Yang's record at once; all matched. Wang Sengru, ordered to compile genealogies, asked Cha about blood-line origins. Cha cited Huan Tan: the Grand Historian's tables ran sideways like Zhou genealogies. From that he inferred they began in Zhou. Sengru sighed: "Truly unheard-of." Zhou She asked why attendants-in-ordinary wore purple lotus pouches—the "grasping the pouch" tradition. Cha cited Zhang Anshi's biography on holding pouch and brush for decades. Wei Zhao and Zhang Yan both glossed pouch as bag. Close ministers pinned brushes to await consultation. Fan Xiu, compiling pronunciation glosses, consulted Cha again. His erudition and memory were all like this.
41
滿 西
Soon he assisted Zhou She on the national history. As Linjin magistrate he achieved good results. At term's end three hundred county men petitioned to keep him; the throne agreed. Illness made him resign; he returned as Prince Jin'an's staff officer. Xu Mian sent Cha and Gu Xie and others to Hualin for the Comprehensive Digest; afterward he was concurrent director of justice, then quit for foot ailment. He then wrote the "Forest Garden Fu." Wang Sengru sighed: "Nothing like this since the 'Suburban Dwelling.'" In Putong 1 he was Jiankang director, then imperial stud director; months later he acted as director of ceremonies; Mian entrusted all literary business to him. As Yuyao magistrate he was pure and took no gifts; Prince Xiangdong praised him. He returned as Prince Xiangdong's staff officer, then mourned his mother. After mourning he was staff officer again and eastern-palace attendant. In Datong 1 he became footsoldier commandant, still attendant. Zhaoming said: "You dislike wine yet hold the wine office—you shame no ancients." Soon an edict had him replace Pei Ziye as director of writings. When Zhaoming died and the new palace rose, old staff were dismissed—but Cha was kept by edict. He annotated the crown prince's "Fu on Returning" and was called thorough. He Jingrong wanted Cha as prince counselor; Gaozu said he must pass the secretariat first. He was appointed secretariat gentleman. Soon he was Xiangdong's pacifying-west counselor, still attendant and director of writings. He rose to left vice director of the masters of writing. In Datong 2 he died in office at fifty.
42
便
Cha lived purely and frugally without indulgence. He did not boast or judge others; Buddhist texts moved him to compassion. From mourning his mother in Tianjian 17 he ate no meat and kept vegetarian fast. Dying, he ordered monastic dress, an open cart, a simple grave, and no spirit table or feast. His son Zun obeyed.
43
From youth to age he wrote much. He compiled Essential Elegantiae (5 j.), Chu plants (1 j.), Lofty Men (2 j.), Eastern Palace records (30 j.), and a four-division catalogue (5 j.)—all extant.
44
簿 西
Xie Zheng, styled Xuandu, was from Yangxia in Chen. Dynasty founder Jingren was Song left vice director. Grandfather Zhi was Song secretariat director. Father Jing and cousin Tiao were both famous young. In Qi, Prince Jingling's western lodge drew writers; Jing joined them. In Longchang he was Mingdi's rapid-cavalry counselor and headed the secretariat. He rose to secretariat gentleman and Jin'an interior minister. When Gaozu took the capital he was hegemon counselor and Liang terrace huangmen gentleman. Early Tianjian he rose through granaries, secretariat, left household, illustrious might general, and Dongyang grand administrator. Gaozu wanted him as attendant-in-ordinary; he declined for age and sought gold-purple rank, then died before appointment.
45
西
Clever as a child, Jing told kin: "This boy is extraordinary; I only fear a short life; if Heaven grants years, I have no regret." Grown, he had fine bearing, loved learning, and wrote well. He began as Ancheng's law officer, then masters-of-writing gentleman and Yuzhang staff officer and secretariat attendant. He became pacifying-north counselor and director of dependencies, still attendant.
46
宿 殿 便
Zheng befriended Pei Ziye and Liu Xian; they exchanged fu on night duty and friendship. When Wei's Prince Yuan Lue left north, Gaozu feasted him at Wude and set a thirty-rhyme poem in three quarters of an hour. Zheng finished in two quarters; Gaozu read it twice. His "Essay on Releasing Life" for Marquis Yuan You was also prized.
47
祿
Zang Yan, styled Yanwei, was from Ju in Dongguan. Great-grandfather Tao was Song left grand master of splendid happiness. Grandfather Ning was Qi right vice director. Father Ling was rear army staff officer.
48
As a child he was filial; mourning his father he was known for destructive grief. Orphaned and poor, he studied hard and always carried a book. He began as Prince Ancheng's gentleman, then regular attendant. Uncle Wei Zhen took him to Jiangxia; on the road he wrote "Fu on Garrison Travel" and Ren Fang praised it. His "Seven Calculations" was also rich and lovely. Solitary by nature, he never paid social calls. Xu Mian wished to know him; Yan never came.
49
西西
He rose to champion adjutant, tutored Xiangdong, then light-carriage staff officer and secretariat. He knew much, especially the Book of Han, nearly all by heart. The prince tested him with the four-division catalogue; from A to D he named every item and author without error. When the prince went to Jingzhou he became western headquarters recorder. He inspected Yiyang and Wuning on the frontier where former magistrates used soldiers; Yan entered alone with a few students; the tribes submitted and banditry ceased. When the prince entered as Stone City officer he was pacifying-right recorder. At Jiangzhou he was pacifying-south counselor and died in office. Collected writings: ten juan.
50
Fu Ting, styled Shibiao. Father Peng was Yuzhang interior minister, in the Good Officials biography.
51
西
As a child he was clever; at seven he knew the Filial Classic and Analects. Grown, he wrote poetry in Xie Kangyue's style. Ren Fang of Le'an often said: "This boy has no peer under heaven." At Qi's end the province recommended him as Outstanding Talent; his answers ranked first. When Gaozu's army came, Ting met him at Xinlin; Gaozu called him "Master Yan" and made him eastern-campaign adjutant at eighteen. Early Tianjian he was central army staff officer. At Chaogou he lectured on the Analects and the court came to listen. He became Jiankang director, then was impeached and dismissed. Later he was ceremonies gentleman, western secretariat officer, then Jinling and Wukang magistrate. Leaving office he built in the eastern suburbs and never served again.
52
Famous young and skilled with power-holders, he could not stay secluded long. Xu Mian took sick leave home; Ting wrote to test his mind:
53
西
Shi De once yearned for his patron several days; Fusi missed a friend and was weary ten days. so the heart's bond is the same for noble and base. How much more when kinship and friendship weigh heavy and your virtue shelters all. Yet court and countryside are far; though your words reach me I do not see your face. Can the sigh for the Eastern Mountain soon end? Who can cherish the west wind without longing? Quiet dwelling, no companion, autumn wind, gardens fade, insects cry in the cold wilds. Feelings cannot rest; he often chanted and filled scrolls. Even Yang Sheng in gloom overturned his jar; Huizi's five cartloads only bred contradictions. I sent a small piece unexpecting praise; you returned piled papers—I fear praise exceeds the mark. Zijian feared praising Chen Lin lest later ages mock; will today's excess not burden pure talk?
54
輿
I hide in the fields and learn only from songs and herdsmen. Your sharp words please me; I cast off glory and feast to cleanse myself. Brocade and music—two rows dismissed at once; a square table—only three cups remain. Thus the Way transforms the realm and feeling rushes beyond it. I chant strings and adorn this view of loss. I recall Liu declining grain and Han resigning glory; my thoughts cling to the eastern capital and the southern peak; your gift matches the lower wind. Though fortunate, I am not enlightened. Though the realm is peaceful and Yin and Liang have where to return, the distant man Zhan still rolls his sleeves; on vast waters old Ning lifts his robe. thus the gentleman saves things, not for himself alone. Who can wander with Master Red Pine? May you drive them to benevolence and soothe many blessings. Though silent, the four seasons move. Then the people have shelter and gentlemen are not deprived; the white colt is not in an empty valley; the butcher's sheep receive bounty. Is it not glorious? Is it not glorious? Du Zhen shut himself deep; Lang Zong left no tracks in the wild. Hard indeed—and not what I hope for. Jing Dan and Sima Xiangru still visited power's gates—I secretly admire that grand Way. I think of holding the broom for you—come at the farm gap without waiting.
55
Ting loves writing but cannot quicken his step for the floating age. Like spoiled pickle I wrongly share the taste—not ashamed of rusticity, not fearing the dragon gate. Jingtong prized Jingqing and Meng Gong knew Zhongwei—even among ordinary men that was beautiful; how much more among elites. Paper is lacking; I imitate the eastern man and present a book to the chief minister for copying and polish.
56
Mian replied:
57
穿 滿 宿
Again I read your letter, piled sheets; matter wraps emergence and withdrawal, words join speech and silence; matter and meaning thorough, intent far; opening the letter doubles my sighs. You rose at weak cap, mastered a hundred schools and six learnings; your eyes show bright wisdom, your color heroic clarity—like Lu's colt or a cloud crane. In a famous district you would sing like Wucheng and Tongxiang—not Zhuo and Lu. You should be rewarded and set in court's row. Yet you admire curling and stretching, know gain burdens, and high-step in wind and dust—I admire that. In desolate autumn you lie on classics and forget thing and self—who stagnates favor and disgrace? Truly joy and admiration, with a difference in use. The recluse stretches his neck in the empty valley—cast off creeper and follow the court flock; hidden or manifest, glorious!
58
使 簿
My wisdom lacks aiding the age; I receive the pattern and dare not be idle—regret is not one. When the realm has the Way, what business have Yao's people? Weariness and illness make me think of leisure. If the realm were united and rites made, then returning to the balanced gate would be great fortune. Wind cough and dizziness leave documents abandoned—not because I pursue Master Pine or the Marquis of Liu. If Heaven grants years I should perform my duties. The comparison is not of the same kind—words excessive; reading again I turn as if lost. Clear dust far, white clouds drifting—how endless.
59
耀使
You lower a letter and show drafts; I read again and linger on the paper. Zhongxuan relied on the central commander for praise; Zhengping depended on Beihai to soar in fame. Looking at antiquity and today, I have shame in virtue. If it becomes a scroll, be chief. Do not let lone brilliance follow the palm and make writers wring wrists. Shilü wishes to see you—you should sweep the gate. There is also coming thought—go to his suspended couch. Light moss and fish nets—I shall present another time. The sigh for city towers—when is there no longing? What I delay is healing herbs; the letter does not exhaust intent.
60
Later he took office as southern-terrace director of documents and took bribes. Fearing punishment he became a Daoist priest, hid, then came out after amnesty. Prince Shaoling took him to Jiangzhou, favored him, and he returned to lay life. He followed the prince to Yingzhou; summoned as capital intendant he stayed at Xiashou, then returned. In Taiping he traveled Wuxing and Wu and died in Hou Jing's rebellion. Near Discourses (10 j.) and collected writings (20 j.).
61
Son Zhiming served Prince Shaoling and managed documents. In rebellion when the prince was defeated at Yingzhou, Zhiming joined Hou Jing. He resented the court for his father's low rank and wholly served Jing. When Jing besieged Baling, army proclamations were his writing. When Jing usurped he was secretariat attendant with power inside and out. When Jing fell he was sent to Jiangling and died in prison. Younger brother Chui also had fame and was Shaoling's secretariat and staff officer.
62
Yu Zhongrong, styled Zhongrong, was from Guyanling in Yingchuan. Sixth-generation descendant of Jin director of works Bing. His grandfather Huizhi served Song as censor-in-chief. His father Yi was Qi recorder for the Prince of Shaoling.
63
西 簿 殿 西
Orphaned young, Zhongrong was raised by his uncle Yong. Grown, he shut out the world, studied devotedly, and never put his books down day or night. He began as acting army adjutant in the Anxi command. Yong was already eminent; Xu Mian as minister of personnel proposed Yong's son Yan Ying for palace staff; Yong wept: "My brother's orphaned son has passable talent—please give Yan Ying's post to him instead." Mian agreed and made Zhongrong crown prince attendant. He became secretary to the Prince of Ancheng. Liu Xiaobiao of Pingyuan was also on the staff; both were honored for forceful learning. He became Jin'an merit-clerk. He served as magistrate of Yongkang, Qiantang, and Wukang with no notable achievement and was often impeached. After long service he became the Prince of Ancheng's senior recorder; leaving with the prince, the crown prince held a farewell feast and gave a poem: "Master Sun climbed the Yang Road; Master Wu went to Chaoge county. Not like raising wine in Fan Forest before Hua Palace." Contemporaries counted it an honor. He became consulting adjutant to the Anxi Prince of Wuling. Made left vice director of the secretariat, he was dismissed for improper impeachment.
64
使 調
Zhongrong was learned and famed early but willful and fond of wine, loved bold talk, and friends thought less of him. Only Wang Ji and Xie Jiqing were close; all three were unrestrained, drank wildly together, and abandoned propriety. Later he was again consulting adjutant and went out as magistrate of Yi. In the Taiping turmoil he was traveling in Kuaiji, fell ill, and died at seventy-four.
65
He abridged masters in thirty juan, geography in twenty, Exemplary Women in three, and a collection in twenty—all circulated.
66
Lu Yungong, styled Zilong, came from Wu commandery. His grandfather Xian was a provincial aide. His father Wan was Ningyuan chief clerk.
67
西 鯿
At five he recited the Analects and Mao Odes; at nine he read the Book of Han and remembered most of it. His cousin Tong and Liu Xian of Peiguo tested him on ten points; he missed none and Xian marveled. Grown, he loved learning and had talent. The province nominated him presented scholar. He rose as acting staff officer to the Xuanhui Prince of Wuling and the Pingxi Prince of Xiangdong. Yungong had written the Grand Duke Temple stele; Zhang Zuan, leaving Wuxing, read it and sighed: "Today's Cai Yong." Zuan reached the capital, spoke to Gaozu, and Yungong was summoned as acting ritual director, soon confirmed, entered Shouguang duty, and oversaw the historiographer. Soon made historiographer, he rose to secretariat gentleman and kept historiography. Yungong was skilled at weiqi; once at night on imperial duty his cap touched a candle and Gaozu laughed: "The lamp burns your marten." Gaozu was about to make him palace attendant—that is why he joked. Then the new bream-boat on Tianyuan Pool was broad and short; on leisure days Gaozu floated it with only Liu Zhiliao, Dao Gai, and Zhu Yi—and Yungong, still young, also came. Such was his favor. In Taqing year one he died at thirty-seven. Gaozu mourned him and wrote: "Palace attendant and historiography chief Lu Yungong—refined and keen, a rising talent. Suddenly gone—deeply grievous. Hold mourning on an appointed day; grant fifty thousand cash and forty bolts of cloth."
68
宿
Zhang Zuan in Xiangzhou wrote Yungong's uncle Xiang and brother Yanzi: "The capital messenger came; your worthy nephew and brother the Yellow Gate Gentleman has died—not only your house loses a treasure; the knowing grieve with you; pain will not cease. Your nephew and brother showed spirit early; in youth what he saw needed scarcely be asked again. Holding oranges and embracing trees came from inborn feeling; sitting upright amid firewood was not from outward praise. Gather learning and one chopstick can stand; question to clarify and the heart alone awakens. Just past tender years his letters and arts were thorough; among scholars he was poetry's outstanding stream. We met passing shoulder to shoulder; courtesy set aside formal bows; our hearts matched and we forgot the years between us. Morning outings and evening feasts lasted a full year; delighting in antiquity and unfolding texts from dawn to dusk. Friends of a lifetime have mostly fallen away; what the old man remembers—how many? As for this life, could there be many more? Heart's joy was entrusted to one man alone. When you moved to Xiao and Xiang you moored at Luoyang's bend; at parting affection deepened. One evening we stopped at the imperial suburb and lingered two nights; hand in hand we lingered, unwilling to part. Years on service, illness in exile—thought dulled and long cut off from the world. Dictated at the mouth, I had no skill; the brush moved like flight—all the more ashamed. Old friends of the capital have scattered like clouds and rain; only this life kept letters many times. Beyond form and trace, distance did not divide feeling; within the plain breast, how could wind and frost change constancy? Half a decade traveling, heart set on returning home, day by day looking east, again deepening old affection. How can this parting be forever a different world! At the first wave of the sleeve, who can be sure? I only fear decline and no former day again. I did not expect flowering years in spring to hide the substance—grief at burying jade touches every affair. I think of those who brought him forward—affection always deep; brotherly feeling utmost, and also a deep family treasure. Suddenly this bereavement—what can be said! Writing at parting adds grief; the words are out of order."
69
Cousin Caizi also had literary fame, reached director of the palace secretariat, friend of Prince Xuancheng, crown prince vice-governor, and minister of justice, and died before Yungong. Caizi's and Yungong's collections both circulated.
70
Ren Xiaogong, styled Xiaogong, came from Linhuai in Linhuai. His great-grandfather Nongfu was Song governor of Southern Yuzhou.
71
西
Orphaned young, Xiaogong was known for filial service to his mother. He studied hard; the family was poor and bookless, so he often traveled hard paths to borrow. Each book read once he could chant back with almost nothing lost. Maternal grandfather Qiu Ta had old ties with Gaozu; hearing of his talent, Gaozu summoned him to the Western Secretariat to compile history. He began as court gentleman, advanced to Shouguang as vice director of literary affairs, and soon also secretariat communications attendant. Ordered to write the Jianling stupa inscription and Gaozu's collected-works preface—both sumptuous—he alone managed official brushwork thereafter. Xiaogong wrote swiftly; given an edict he finished on the spot; every memorial Gaozu praised and gave gold and silk. In youth he studied sutras under Master Yun of Xiao Temple; by then he ate vegetables, kept precepts, and believed deeply. Yet he boasted himself, looked down on others, and often neglected contemporaries—the age thought less of him.
72
In Taqing year two Hou Jing pressed the capital; Xiaogong raised troops under Xiao Zhengde on the south bank. When rebels came Zhengde joined them; Xiaogong returned to the terrace but the gate was closed, fled to the Eastern Palace, and was killed when the city fell. His collected works circulated.
73
Orphaned young, Xie was raised by his mother's clan. In youth he was praised for bearing and measure. He read widely and was skilled in cursive and clerical script. On first appointment he was gentleman of the Prince of Xiangdong's state and also staff recorder. When Shizu governed Jingzhou he became chief recorder. Gu Xie of Wu was also at the princely residence; same name and near in talent—they were called "the two Xies." Uncle by marriage Xie Yan of Chen died; Xie, having rearing grace, mourned like a nephew to an uncle, and critics respected it. Moved by the family's moral misfortune, he sought no prominence, always declining summons, remaining only at the princely house. In Datong year five he died at forty-two. Shizu deeply mourned him and wrote "Poem of Remembering the Past" to grieve. One stanza says: "Hongdu has much elegant breadth; trust indeed holds guest substance. The wild goose has not yet risen high; fine talent is submerged in low rank."
74
His Five Treatises on Jin Immortals and two juan of solar-lunar portents were lost in fire.
75
He had two sons, Zhiyi and Zhitui, both early known. Zhitui during Chengsheng rose to regular gentleman and secretariat attendant.
76
[1]
Yao Cha of Chen, minister of personnel, said: Emperor Wen of Wei said ancient men of letters rarely kept reputation and integrity intact. Why? Writing stirs nature to spirit and lifts the breast alone; overlooking equals, it always breeds display. Greatly they insult lords and kings; in small things they scorn their circle; quick resentment and factional strife begin here. Qu Yuan and Jia Yi were driven off; Huan Tan and Feng Yan were cast out—was it only one age? It is the disaster of relying on talent. These gentlemen met a civilizing age and spread ornate phrasing; they had no depression and did not suffer former ills—beautiful indeed. Liu's discourse is a disciple of fate. Fate is what sages rarely discuss; to insist on it from their words is not what the classics mean. [1] Editorial footnote marker in the source text.
77
The full text has been collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the Book of Liang, May 1973.
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