1
昔漢宣帝以爲「政平訟理，其惟良二千石乎！」 前史亦云：「今之郡守，古之諸侯也。」 故長吏之職，號爲親民，是以導德齊禮，移風易俗，咸必由之。 齊末昏亂，政移羣小，賦調雲起，徭役無度。 守宰多倚附權門，互長貪虐，掊克聚斂，侵愁細民，天下搖動，無所厝其手足。 高祖在田，知民疾苦，及梁臺建，仍下寬大之書，昏時雜調，咸悉除省，於是四海之內，始得息肩。 逮踐皇極，躬覽庶事，日昃聽政，求民之瘼。 乃命輶軒以省方俗，置肺石以達窮民，務加隱卹，舒其急病。 元年，始去人貲，計丁爲布； 身服浣濯之衣，御府無文飾，宮掖不過綾彩，無珠璣錦繡； 太官撤牢饌，每日膳菜蔬，飲酒不過三盞：以儉先海內。 每選長吏，務簡廉平，皆召見御前，親勗治道。 始擢尚書殿中郎到溉爲建安內史，左民侍郎劉鬷爲晉安太守，溉等居官，並以廉潔著。 又著令：小縣有能，遷爲大縣； 大縣有能，遷爲二千石。 於是山陰令丘仲孚治有異績，以爲長沙內史； 武康令何遠清公，以爲宣城太守。 剖符爲吏者，往往承風焉。 若新野庾蓽諸任職者，以經術潤飾吏政，或所居流惠，或去後見思，蓋後來之良吏也。 綴爲《良吏篇》云。
In antiquity Han Emperor Xuan said, "When government is level and lawsuits are settled, is this not the work of good two-thousand-bushel officials!" the earlier histories also say, "Today's prefects are the feudal lords of old." therefore the office of chief administrator is called "bringing close to the people"; guiding virtue, equalizing ritual, shifting custom, and changing habit—all must pass through them. At the end of Qi, amid disorder, government passed to petty men; levies piled up like clouds and corvée knew no limit. Prefects and magistrates leaned on powerful cliques, fed one another's greed and cruelty, squeezed and hoarded, and pressed the common folk until the realm shook and people had nowhere to turn. While Gaozu was still in the fields he knew the people's suffering; when the Liang regime was established he issued writs of leniency and abolished every miscellaneous levy of the dark age—within the four seas people at last could breathe easier. When he took the throne he personally reviewed myriad affairs, hearing governance past sundown and seeking the people's wounds. He sent touring carriages to inspect regional customs, set up the grievance stone so the destitute could be heard, strove to add hidden relief, and ease urgent distress. In the first year he abolished the household-asset tax and counted males for cloth levies; he himself wore washed clothes; the imperial storehouse had no ornament; palace women wore no more than figured silk—no pearls, gems, brocade, or embroidery; the Grand Steward withdrew lavish banquets—daily meals were vegetables and wine was limited to three cups: taking frugality ahead of all within the seas. Whenever he chose chief administrators he sought simplicity, integrity, and fairness—each was summoned before the throne and personally urged in the way of governance. At first he promoted Attendant in the Secretariat Inner Section Dao Gai to internal administrator of Jian'an and Left People Section Director Liu Zong to administrator of Jin'an—Gai and the others in office all became known for pure integrity. He also issued an ordinance: if a small county magistrate showed ability, transfer him to a large county; if a large county magistrate showed ability, promote him to two-thousand-bushel rank. Thus Shanyin Magistrate Qiu Zhongfu, whose governance showed extraordinary merit, was made internal administrator of Changsha; Wukang Magistrate He Yuan, pure and fair, was made administrator of Xuancheng. Those who received tally seals as administrators often followed suit. Such as Yu Bi of Xinye and others who took office—using classical learning to polish administration, some leaving grace in their tenure, some missed after departing—were the good officials of later times. They are collected in this Biography of Good Officials.
2
庾蓽字休野，新野人也。 父深之，宋應州刺史。
Yu Bi, styled Xiuye, came from Xinye. His father Shenzhi was Song inspector of Yingzhou.
3
蓽年十歲，遭父憂，居喪毀瘠，爲州黨所稱。 弱冠，爲州迎主簿，舉秀才，累遷安西主簿、尚書殿中郎、驃騎功曹史。 博涉羣書，有口辯。 齊永明中，與魏和親，以蓽兼散騎常侍報使，還拜散騎侍郎，知東宮管記事。
At ten Bi lost his father; in mourning he wasted away, praised by the province and district. At his capping he became the province's chief clerk for reception, was recommended as Cultivated Talent, and rose through Western Pacification Army chief clerk, Attendant in the Secretariat Inner Section, and merit officer in the Rapid Cavalry. He ranged broadly through books and had skill in debate. In Qi Yongming, when peace was made with Wei, Bi was additionally made Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Scattered Cavalry on the return mission; on return he was appointed Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and managed Eastern Palace records.
4
鬱林王卽位廢，掌中書詔誥，出爲荊州別駕。 仍遷西中郎諮議參軍，復爲州別駕。 前後綱紀，皆致富饒。 蓽再爲之，清身率下，杜絕請託，布被蔬食，妻子不免饑寒。 明帝聞而嘉焉，手敕褒美，州里榮之。
When Prince of Yulin was enthroned and then deposed, he managed Secretariat edicts; he went out as vice administrator of Jingzhou. Soon he was transferred to army adviser of the Western Middle General, again serving as vice administrator of the province. His predecessors in managing the province all grew rich. Bi twice held the post—purifying himself and leading subordinates, cutting off all entreaties, with hemp bedding and vegetable fare; wife and children still knew hunger and cold. Mingdi heard and praised him, personally decreeing commendation—the province and district honored him.
5
沈瑀字伯瑜，吳興武康人也。 叔父昶，事宋建平王景素，景素謀反，昶先去之； 及敗，坐繫獄，瑀詣臺陳請，得免罪，由是知名。
Shen Yu, styled Boyu, came from Wukang in Wuxing. His uncle Chang served Song Prince of Jianping Jing Su; when Jing Su plotted rebellion, Chang left him first; when the plot failed he was imprisoned; Yu went to the capital to plead and secured release—by this he became known.
6
起家州從事、奉朝請。 嘗詣齊尚書右丞殷濔，濔與語及政事，甚器之，謂曰：「觀卿才幹，當居吾此職。」 司徒、竟陵王子良聞瑀名，引爲府參軍，領揚州部傳從事。 時建康令沈徽孚恃勢陵瑀，瑀以法繩之，衆憚其強。 子良甚相知賞，雖家事皆以委瑀。 子良薨，瑀復事刺史、始安王遙光。 嘗被使上民丁，速而無怨。 遙光謂同使曰：「爾何不學沈瑀所爲？」 乃令專知州獄事。 湖熟縣方山埭高峻，冬月，公私行侶以爲艱難，明帝使瑀行治之。 瑀乃開四洪，斷行客就作，三日立辦。 揚州書佐私行，詐稱州使，不肯就作，瑀鞭之三十。 書佐歸訴遙光，遙光曰：「沈瑀必不枉鞭汝。」 覆之，果有詐。 明帝復使瑀築赤山塘，所費減材官所量數十萬，帝益善之。 永泰元年，爲建德令，教民一丁種十五株桑、四株柿及梨栗，女丁半之，人咸歡悅，頃之成林。
He began his career as province attendant and bearer of the court greeting. Once he called on Qi Right Director in the Secretariat Yin Mi; Mi spoke with him on governance and greatly valued him, saying, "Judging your talent, you should hold this office of mine." Minister of Works and Prince of Jingling Zi Liang heard Yu's name and brought him in as a staff officer, concurrently leading Yangzhou relay and transport duties. At the time Jiankang Magistrate Shen Zhengfu relied on power to insult Yu; Yu bound him with law—all feared his strength. Zi Liang knew and prized him deeply; even household affairs he entrusted entirely to Yu. When Zi Liang died, Yu again served the inspector, Prince of Shi'an Yao Guang. Once sent to register household males for corvée, he was swift and without complaint. Yao Guang said to his fellow envoys, "Why do you not learn from what Shen Yu does?" he then had Yu solely manage the province's prison affairs. Hushu County's Fangshan dam was steep and high; in winter travelers public and private found it arduous—Mingdi sent Yu to repair it. Yu opened four sluices and halted travelers until they worked—within three days it was finished. A Yangzhou clerical aide traveled privately, falsely claiming to be a provincial envoy, and refused to work—Yu flogged him thirty strokes. The clerk returned and complained to Yao Guang; Yao Guang said, "Shen Yu would surely not wrongly flog you." on reinvestigation there was indeed fraud. Mingdi again had Yu build Chishan Pond—the expense fell several hundred thousand below the Works Bureau estimate, and the Emperor prized him all the more. In the first year of Yongtai he was magistrate of Jiande; he taught each male to plant fifteen mulberry trees, four persimmon trees, and pear and chestnut trees—female workers half as much—all rejoiced, and shortly groves were formed.
7
去官還京師，兼行選曹郎。 隨陳伯之軍至江州，會義師圍郢城，瑀說伯之迎高祖。 伯之泣曰：「余子在都，不得出城，不能不愛之。」 瑀曰：「不然，人情匈匈，皆思改計，若不早圖，衆散難合。」 伯之遂舉衆降，瑀從在高祖軍中。
Leaving office he returned to the capital and concurrently served as an officer in the Selection Bureau. Following Chen Bozhi's army to Jiangzhou, when the righteous army besieged Yingcheng, Yu persuaded Bozhi to welcome Gaozu. Bozhi wept and said, "My sons are in the capital and cannot leave the city--I must love them." Yu said, "Not so—the mood is turbulent and all wish to change course; if you do not plan early, when the host disperses it will be hard to reunite." Bozhi then raised his host in surrender, and Yu followed in Gaozu's army.
8
初，瑀在竟陵王家，素與范雲善。 齊末，嘗就雲宿，夢坐屋梁柱上，仰見天中有字曰「范氏宅」。 至是，瑀爲高祖說之。 高祖曰：「雲得不死，此夢可驗。」 及高祖卽位，雲深薦瑀，自暨陽令擢兼尚書右丞。 時天下初定，陳伯之表瑀催督運轉，軍國獲濟，高祖以爲能。 遷尚書駕部郎，兼右丞如故。 瑀薦族人沈僧隆、僧照有吏幹，高祖並納之。
Earlier, while Yu was in the Prince of Jingling's household, he had long been close to Fan Yun. At the end of Qi he once stayed overnight with Yun and dreamed he sat atop a house beam and pillar, looking up to see characters in the sky reading "Fan's residence." At this time Yu told this dream to Gaozu. Gaozu said, "If Yun does not die, this dream may be verified." when Gaozu took the throne, Yun deeply recommended Yu, promoting him from magistrate of Jiyang to concurrent Right Director in the Secretariat. When the realm was first settled, Chen Bozhi memorialized that Yu hastened transport and supply—the army and state were sustained; Gaozu held him capable. He was transferred to Master of Carriages in the Secretariat, concurrently Right Director as before. Yu recommended his clansmen Shen Senglong and Sengzhao for administrative skill—Gaozu took both in.
9
以母憂去職，起爲振武將軍、餘姚令。 縣大姓虞氏千餘家，請謁如市，前後令長莫能絕。 自瑀到，非訟所通，其有至者，悉立之階下，以法繩之。 縣南又有豪族數百家，子弟縱橫，遞相庇廕，厚自封植，百姓甚患之。 瑀召其老者爲石頭倉監，少者補縣僮，皆號泣道路，自是權右屏跡。 瑀初至，富吏皆鮮衣美服，以自彰別。 瑀怒曰：「汝等下縣吏，何自擬貴人耶？」 悉使著芒屩粗布，侍立終日，足有蹉跌，輒加榜棰。 瑀微時，嘗自至此鬻瓦器，爲富人所辱，故因以報焉，由是士庶駭怨。 然瑀廉白自守，故得遂行其志。
He left office on mother's mourning, then was recalled as General Who Quells Martial Affairs and magistrate of Yuyao. In the county the great Yu clan numbered over a thousand households—entreaties crowded like a market; successive magistrates could never stop it. From Yu's arrival, what did not belong to litigation—if any came, he had them all stand below the steps and bound them with law. South of the county were also several hundred powerful clans; their sons and younger kin ran wild, shielding one another and thickly planting themselves—common folk greatly suffered. Yu summoned their elders as overseers of the Stone Fort granary, the younger as county runners—all wailed on the roads; from then the mighty hid their tracks. When Yu first arrived, rich clerks all wore bright clothes and fine dress to distinguish themselves. Yu angrily said, "You are low county clerks—why do you compare yourselves to the nobly born?" he had them all wear straw sandals and coarse cloth, standing attendance all day—if the feet stumbled he added the rod. When Yu was still obscure he had once come here selling pottery and was humiliated by a rich man—therefore he took this chance to repay; hence gentlemen and commoners were alarmed and resentful. Yet Yu kept himself pure and white, and so could carry out his will.
10
後王師北伐，徵瑀爲建威將軍，督運漕，尋兼都水使者。 頃之，遷少府卿。 出爲安南長史、尋陽太守。 江州刺史曹景宗疾篤，瑀行府州事。 景宗卒，仍爲信威蕭穎達長史，太守如故。 瑀性屈強，每忤穎達，穎達銜之。 天監八年，因入諮事，辭又激厲，穎達作色曰：「朝廷用君作行事耶？」 瑀出，謂人曰：「我死而後已，終不能傾側面從。」 是日，于路爲盜所殺，時年五十九，多以爲穎達害焉。 子續累訟之，遇穎達亦尋卒，事遂不窮竟。 續乃布衣蔬食終其身。
Later when the royal army marched north, Yu was summoned as General Who Establishes Might, supervising transport; soon he was additionally Commissioner of Waterways. Shortly afterward he was transferred to Minister of the Palace Supplies. He went out as chief clerk of the Army of the South and administrator of Xunyang. Inspector of Jiangzhou Cao Jingzong was gravely ill—Yu acted for the prefecture and province. When Jingzong died, he became chief clerk to Xiao Yingda of Trustworthy Might, administrator as before. Yu by nature was stubborn and unyielding—often opposing Yingda; Yingda bore a grudge. In the eighth year of Tianjian, when entering to consult on affairs, his words were again fierce—Yingda showed anger, "Did the court employ you as a mere acting officer?" Yu left and told others, "Only after I die will I stop—I can never lean and turn my face to follow." that same day on the road he was killed by bandits—aged fifty-nine; many believed Yingda had harmed him. His son Xu repeatedly sued; Yingda also soon died—the matter was never fully pursued. Xu thereafter wore hemp and ate vegetables to the end of his days.
11
范述曾
Fan Shuzeng
12
范述曾字子玄，吳郡錢唐人也。 幼好學，從餘杭呂道惠受《五經》，略通章句。 道惠學徒常有百數，獨稱述曾曰：「此子必爲王者師。」 齊文惠太子、竟陵文宣王幼時，高帝引述曾爲之師友。 起家爲宋晉熙王國侍郎。 齊初，至南郡王國郎中令，遷尚書主客郎、太子步兵校尉，帶開陽令。 述曾爲人謇諤，在宮多所諫爭，太子雖不能全用，然亦弗之罪也。 竟陵王深相器重，號爲「周舍」。 時太子左衛率沈約亦以述曾方汲黯。 以父母年老，乞還就養，乃拜中散大夫。
Fan Shuzeng, styled Zixuan, came from Qiantang in Wu commandery. In youth he loved learning; from Yuhang's Lü Daohui he received the Five Classics and broadly grasped their clause-and-commentary. Daohui's students often numbered a hundred, yet he alone praised Shuzeng, "This boy will surely be teacher to a king." in Qi, when the Filial and Cultured Heir and Prince of Jingling the Cultured and Sagely were young, Emperor Gao brought in Shuzeng as their teacher and friend. He began his career as Gentleman of the Kingdom of Prince Jinxi of Song. At the beginning of Qi he reached Commandant of the Kingdom of the Prince of Nankeng, then was transferred to Master of Guests in the Secretariat, Colonel of Footsoldiers of the Heir Apparent, and concurrently magistrate of Kaiyang. Shuzeng as a man was blunt and upright; in the palace he often remonstrated—the Heir Apparent could not fully employ his counsel, yet did not blame him. The Prince of Jingling valued him deeply and called him "Zhou She." At the time Left Guard Commandant of the Heir Apparent Shen Yue also compared Shuzeng to Ji An. Because his parents were old, he begged to return and support them—he was appointed Grand Master with Leisure.
13
明帝卽位，除遊擊將軍，出爲永嘉太守。 爲政清平，不尚威猛，民俗便之。 所部橫陽縣，山谷險峻，爲逋逃所聚，前後二千石討捕莫能息。 述曾下車，開示恩信，凡諸凶黨，繦負而出，編戶屬籍者二百餘家。 自是商賈流通，居民安業。 在郡勵志清白，不受饋遺，明帝聞甚嘉之，下詔褒美焉。 徵爲遊擊將軍。 郡送故舊錢二十餘萬，述曾一無所受。 始之郡，不將家屬； 及還，吏無荷擔者。 民無老少，皆出拜辭，號哭聞于數十里。
When Mingdi took the throne he was made General Who Patrols and Attacks and went out as administrator of Yongjia. In governance he was clear and level, not favoring fierceness—the folk found it convenient. Within his jurisdiction Hengyang County had steep mountain valleys where fugitives gathered—successive two-thousand-bushel officials hunted them without cease. When Shuzeng took office he opened with grace and trust—all violent factions came out carrying infants on their backs; over two hundred households were registered and enrolled. From then merchants flowed and residents rested in their occupations. In office he kept to pure conduct and refused gifts; Emperor Ming heard of it, greatly approved, and issued an edict of praise. He was summoned as General Who Attacks with Cavalry. The commandery sent over two hundred thousand cash from old associates; Shuzeng refused it all. When he first took office, he came without his family; when he returned, no clerk carried a load. Young and old came out to bow farewell; their wailing was heard for dozens of li.
14
東昏時，拜中散大夫，還鄉里。 高祖踐阼，乃輕舟出詣闕，仍辭還東。 高祖詔曰：「中散大夫范述曾，昔在齊世，忠直奉主，往蒞永嘉，治身廉約，宜加禮秩，以厲清操。 可太中大夫，賜絹二十匹。」
Under Dong Hun he became Grand Master of Palace Leisure and returned home. When Gaozu took the throne, he came by light boat to court, then declined and returned east. Gaozu's edict said: "Grand Master of Palace Leisure Fan Shuzeng served his lord loyally in Qi; governing Yongjia he lived in frugal integrity. Increase his rank and salary to encourage pure conduct. Appoint him Grand Master of Palace Leisure with Regular Attendance and award twenty bolts of silk."
15
述曾生平得奉祿，皆以分施。 及老，遂壁立無所資。 以天監八年卒，時年七十九。 注《易文言》，著雜詩賦數十篇。
Shuzeng's salary he always divided and gave away. In old age he had nothing to his name. In the eighth year of Tianjian he died, aged seventy-nine. He annotated the Changes "Words on Language" and wrote several tens of chapters of miscellaneous poetry and fu.
16
丘仲孚
Qiu Zhongfu
17
丘仲孚字公信，吳興烏程人也。 少好學，從祖靈鞠有人倫之鑒，常稱爲千里駒也。 齊永明初，選爲國子生，舉高第，未調，還鄉里。 家貧，無以自資，乃結羣盜，爲之計畫，劫掠三吳。 仲孚聰明有智略，羣盜畏而服之，所行皆果，故亦不發。 太守徐嗣召補主簿，歷揚州從事、太學博士、于湖令，有能名。 太守呂文顯當時倖臣，陵詆屬縣，仲孚獨不爲之屈。 以父喪去職。
Qiu Zhongfu, styled Gongxin, came from Wucheng in Wuxing. As a youth he loved learning; his cousin Lingju had a discerning eye for men and often called him a colt of a thousand li. At the start of Yongming in Qi he was selected as a National University student, ranked highest, but before appointment returned home. His family was poor and could not support themselves, so he joined a band of robbers, planned their raids, and plundered the Three Wu. Clever and resourceful, Zhongfu made the band fear and obey him; their raids always succeeded and they were never caught. Prefect Xu Si made him chief clerk; he served as Yangzhou staff officer, National University erudite, and magistrate of Yuhu, gaining a reputation for competence. Prefect Lü Wenxian, a court favorite, bullied subordinate counties; only Zhongfu would not yield. He left office on his father's death.
18
明帝卽位，起爲烈武將軍、曲阿令。 值會稽太守王敬則舉兵反，乘朝廷不備，反問始至，而前鋒已屆曲阿。 仲孚謂吏民曰：「賊乘勝雖銳，而烏合易離。 今若收船艦，鑿長崗埭，泄瀆水以阻其路，得留數日，臺軍必至，則大事濟矣。」 敬則軍至，值瀆涸，果頓兵不得進，遂敗散。 仲孚以距守有功，遷山陰令，居職甚有聲稱，百姓爲之謠曰：「二傅沈劉，不如一丘。」 前世傅琰父子、沈憲、劉玄明，相繼宰山陰，並有政績，言仲孚皆過之也。
When Emperor Ming took the throne, he was recalled as General of Fierce Martiality and magistrate of Qu'a. Kuaiji Administrator Wang Jingze raised troops in rebellion; catching the court unprepared, word had just arrived when the vanguard already reached Qu'a. Zhongfu told clerks and people: "Though the rebels are sharp on victory, a mob easily gathered will easily scatter. Gather boats, cut the Changgang dam, release the sluice waters to block their path, and hold for several days—the metropolitan army will arrive and the great affair will succeed." When Jingze's army arrived, the sluice had run dry; he halted and could not advance, and was defeated and scattered. For meritorious defense Zhongfu was transferred to magistrate of Shanyin; in office he won great renown, and the people sang: "Two Fus, Shen, and Liu—none equals one Qiu." Earlier Fu Yan and his son, Shen Xian, and Liu Xuanming had successively governed Shanyin with distinction—the saying meant Zhongfu surpassed them all.
19
齊末政亂，頗有贓賄，爲有司所舉，將收之，仲孚竊逃，徑還京師詣闕，會赦，得不治。 高祖踐阼，復爲山陰令。 仲孚長於撥煩，善適權變，吏民敬服，號稱神明，治爲天下第一。
At the end of Qi, government was chaotic and bribery rife; reported and about to be arrested, Zhongfu secretly fled to the capital and presented himself at court; an amnesty spared him. When Gaozu took the throne, he again became magistrate of Shanyin. Zhongfu excelled at cutting through red tape and adapting to circumstances; clerks and people revered him, called him divine, and his administration ranked first under Heaven.
20
超遷車騎長史、長沙內史，視事未朞，徵爲尚書右丞，遷左丞，仍擢爲衛尉卿，恩任甚厚。 初起雙闕，以仲孚領大匠。 事畢，出爲安西長史、南郡太守。 遷雲麾長史、江夏太守，行郢州州府事，遭母憂，起攝職。 坐事除名，復起爲司空參軍。 俄遷豫章內史，在郡更勵清節。 頃之，卒，時年四十八。 詔曰：「豫章內史丘仲孚，重試大邦，責以後效，非直悔吝云亡，實亦政績克舉。 不幸殞喪，良以傷惻。 可贈給事黃門侍郎。」 仲孚喪將還，豫章老幼號哭攀送，車輪不得前。
He was exceptionally promoted to Chief Clerk of the Chariots and Cavalry and internal administrator of Changsha; before his term ended he became Right Director of the Masters of Writing, then Left Director, then Minister of the Guard—with great favor. When the Twin Gate-towers were first built, Zhongfu served as Master of Crafts. When the work was done, he went out as Chief Clerk of the Pacifying West and administrator of Nan. Transferred to Chief Clerk of the Cloudy Banner and administrator of Jiangxia, acting on Yingzhou affairs; he mourned his mother but was recalled to hold office. For an offense he was dismissed; later recalled as staff officer to the Minister of Works. Shortly afterward he became internal administrator of Yuzhang and further urged pure integrity in office. Before long he died, aged forty-eight. An edict said: "Internal Administrator Qiu Zhongfu of Yuzhang was tried in a great commandery and charged with later results—not merely regret at his loss, but his achievements were fully attained. His untimely death is truly heart-wrenching. Posthumously award him Attendant of Affairs and Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate." As Zhongfu's coffin was about to return, old and young of Yuzhang wailed and clung to see him off—the wheels could not turn.
21
仲孚爲左丞，撰《皇典》二十卷、《南宮故事》百卷，又撰《尚書具事雜儀》，行於世焉。
As Left Director, Zhongfu compiled twenty chapters of the Imperial Canon and one hundred of Southern Palace Precedents, plus Miscellaneous Rituals of the Masters of Writing with Complete Particulars—all circulated in the world.
22
孫謙字長遜，東莞莒人也。 少爲親人趙伯符所知。 謙年十七，伯符爲豫州刺史，引爲左軍行參軍，以治幹稱。 父憂去職，客居歷陽，躬耕以養弟妹，鄉里稱其敦睦。 宋江夏王義恭聞之，引爲行參軍，歷仕大司馬、太宰二府。 出爲句容令，清慎強記，縣人號爲神明。
Sun Qian, styled Changxun, came from Ju in Dongguan. As a youth he was recognized by his kinsman Zhao Bofu. At seventeen, when Bofu was inspector of Yuzhou, he brought Qian in as acting military staff officer of the Left Army, renowned for governing competence. He left office on his father's death, lived in Liyang, tilled fields to support younger siblings, and the village praised his warm harmony. In Song, Prince Jiangxia Wang Yigong heard of it and brought him in as acting staff officer; he served in both the Grand Marshal's and Grand Tutor's offices. He went out as magistrate of Gou Rong—pure, cautious, with strong memory—and the county people called him divine.
23
泰始初，事建安王休仁，休仁以爲司徒參軍，言之明帝，擢爲明威將軍、巴東、建平二郡太守。 郡居三峽，恒以威力鎮之。 謙將述職，敕募千人自隨。 謙曰：「蠻夷不賓，蓋待之失節耳。 何煩兵役，以爲國費。」 固辭不受。 至郡，布恩惠之化，蠻獠懷之，競餉金寶，謙慰喻而遣，一無所納。 及掠得生口，皆放還家。 俸秩出吏民者，悉原除之。 郡境翕然，威信大著。 視事三年，徵還爲撫軍中兵參軍。
At the start of Taishi he served Prince Jian'an Wang Xiuren, who made him staff officer to the Minister of Education and recommended him to Emperor Ming, who promoted him to General of Illustrious Might and administrator of Badong and Jianping. The commandery lay in the Three Gorges and was constantly controlled by armed might. When Qian was about to take office, an edict ordered a thousand men recruited to accompany him. Qian said: "The barbarians do not submit because they are treated without proper measure. Why trouble military service and burden state expense?" He firmly declined. Reaching the commandery he spread benevolent rule; the Man and Liao cherished him and competed to offer gold and jewels—Qian comforted them and sent them away, accepting none. Captives taken in raids he released to return home. Salary levies drawn from clerks and people he remitted entirely. The commandery settled in harmony; prestige and trust greatly flourished. After three years in office he was summoned back as military staff officer of the Pacification Army Central Regiment.
24
元徽初，遷梁州刺史，辭不赴職，遷越騎校尉、征北司馬府主簿。 建平王將稱兵，患謙強直，託事遣使京師，然後作亂。 及建平誅，遷左軍將軍。
At the start of Yuanhui he was transferred to inspector of Liangzhou but declined; he was then made Colonel of Rapid Cavalry and chief clerk of the Northern Expedition Grand Marshal's office. Prince Jianping planned to raise troops and feared Qian's stern uprightness; he contrived an affair to send him as envoy to the capital, then rebelled. When Jianping was executed, he was transferred to General of the Left Army.
25
天監六年，出爲輔國將軍、零陵太守，已衰老，猶強力爲政，吏民安之。 先是，郡多虎暴，謙至絕迹。 及去官之夜，虎卽害居民。 謙爲郡縣，常勤勸課農桑，務盡地利，收入常多於鄰境。 九年，以年老，徵爲光祿大夫。 旣至，高祖嘉其清潔，甚禮異焉。 每朝見，猶請劇職自效。 高祖笑曰：「朕使卿智，不使卿力。」 十四年，詔曰：「光祿大夫孫謙，清慎有聞，白首不怠，高年舊齒，宜加優秩。 可給親信二十人，幷給扶。」
In the sixth year of Tianjian he went out as General Who Assists the State and administrator of Lingling; though aged, he still governed vigorously—clerks and people were at peace. Before this the commandery had many violent tigers; when Qian arrived they vanished. The night he left office, a tiger at once harmed residents. Serving commanderies and counties he always urged farming and sericulture and strove to use all land—revenue constantly exceeded neighboring regions. In the ninth year, because of age, he was summoned as Grand Master of Splendor. When he arrived, Gaozu praised his purity and treated him with great honor. At every court audience he still requested heavy duties to prove himself. Gaozu laughed and said: "I employ your wisdom, not your strength." In the fourteenth year, an edict said: "Grand Master of Splendor Sun Qian—pure and cautious, white-haired yet unwearying, old in years and rank—deserves preferential rank. Grant him twenty trusted attendants and a walking staff."
26
謙自少及老，歷二縣五郡，所在廉潔。 居身儉素，床施蘧蒢屏風，冬則布被莞席，夏日無幬帳，而夜臥未嘗有蚊蚋，人多異焉。 年逾九十，強壯如五十者，每朝會，輒先衆到公門。 力於仁義，行己過人甚遠。 從兄靈慶常病寄于謙，謙出行還問起居。 靈慶曰：「向飲冷熱不調，卽時猶渴。」 謙退遣其妻。 有彭城劉融者，行乞疾篤無所歸，友人輿送謙舍，謙開廳事以待之。 及融死，以禮殯葬之。 衆咸服其行義。 十五年，卒官，時年九十二。 詔賻錢三萬、布五十匹。 高祖爲舉哀，甚悼惜之。
From youth to old age Qian served two counties and five commanderies—incorrupt in every place. Frugal and plain in person: his bed had arrowroot and coarse-rush screens; in winter cotton quilts and cattail mats; in summer no mosquito curtains—yet he never had mosquitoes or gnats at night, and many found this strange. Past ninety, strong as a man of fifty—at every court assembly he always arrived at the gate before the crowd. He exerted himself in benevolence and righteousness; his conduct far exceeded others. His cousin Lingqing was often ill and lodged with Qian; when Qian went out and returned he asked after his health. Lingqing said: "Just now I drank something hot and cold out of balance—I am still thirsty." Qian withdrew and sent his wife. Liu Rong of Pengcheng was a wandering beggar, desperately ill with nowhere to go; a friend carried him to Qian's house, and Qian opened the reception hall to await him. When Rong died, he buried him with full rites. All admired his righteous conduct. In the fifteenth year he died in office, aged ninety-two. An edict awarded funeral gifts of thirty thousand cash and fifty bolts of cloth. Gaozu held mourning for him and deeply lamented his loss.
27
謙從子廉，便辟巧宦。 齊時已歷大縣，尚書右丞。 天監初，沈約、范雲當朝用事，廉傾意奉之。 及中書舍人黃睦之等，亦尤所結附。 凡貴要每食，廉必日進滋旨，皆手自煎調，不辭勤劇，遂得爲列卿、御史中丞、晉陵、吳興太守。 時廣陵高爽有險薄才，客於廉，廉委以文記，爽嘗有求不稱意，乃爲屐謎以喻廉曰：「刺鼻不知嚏，蹋面不知瞋，齧齒作步數，持此得勝人。」 譏其不計恥辱，以此取名位也。
Qian's nephew Lian was smooth and clever in office-seeking. In Qi he had already served large counties and been Right Director of the Masters of Writing. At the start of Tianjian, Shen Yue and Fan Yun held power; Lian inclined himself to serve them. He was especially connected with Palace Secretariat Attendants Huang Muzhi and others. Whenever the noble and powerful dined, Lian daily sent rich delicacies, all personally prepared, not shunning toil—thus attaining ministerial rank, Censor-in-Chief, and administrator of Jinling and Wuxing. Gaoling's Gao Shuang had a sharp, shallow talent; lodging with Lian, Lian entrusted him with documents; once denied a request, Shuang made a clog riddle to mock Lian: "Pierced nose knows not to sneeze, stepped face knows not to rage, gnashing teeth count paces—with this one outdoes men." It mocked him for ignoring disgrace to win name and rank.
28
伏暅字玄耀，曼容之子也。 幼傳父業，能言玄理，與樂安任昉、彭城劉曼俱知名。 起家齊奉朝請，仍兼太學博士，尋除東陽郡丞，秩滿爲鄞令。 時曼容已致仕，故頻以外職處暅，令其得養焉。
Fu Xuan, styled Xuanyao, was Manrong's son. As a child he inherited his father's learning, could discourse on abstruse principles, and was renowned with Ren Fang of Le'an and Liu Man of Pengcheng. He began as Qi Court Gentleman for the Dynasty, concurrently National University erudite; soon became assistant administrator of Dongyang, and at term's end became magistrate of Yin. Manrong had already retired, so Xuan was repeatedly placed in outer posts so he could support him.
29
齊末，始爲尚書都官郎，仍爲衛軍記室參軍。 高祖踐阼，遷國子博士，父憂去職。 服闋，爲車騎諮議參軍，累遷司空長史、中書侍郎、前軍將軍、兼《五經》博士，與吏部尚書徐勉、中書侍郎周捨，總知五禮事。
At the end of Qi he first became Director in the Ministry of Justice Section, then staff secretary in the Guard Army office. When Gaozu took the throne, he was made Erudite of the National University, then left office to mourn his father. After mourning he served as Army Adviser on the Chariots and Cavalry Campaign, then rose through Chief Clerk of the Minister of Works, Attendant of the Secretariat, General of the Vanguard, and concurrent Erudite of the Five Classics; with Xu Mian of Personnel and Zhou She of the Secretariat he oversaw the Five Rites.
30
出爲永陽內史，在郡清潔，治務安靜。 郡民何貞秀等一百五十四人詣州言狀，湘州刺史以聞。 詔勘有十五事爲吏民所懷，高祖善之，徵爲新安太守。 在郡清恪，如永陽時。 民賦稅不登者，輒以太守田米助之。 郡多麻苧，家人乃至無以爲繩，其厲志如此。 屬縣始新、遂安、海寧，並同時生爲立祠。
He went out as internal magistrate of Yongyang, governing with purity and quiet efficiency. One hundred fifty-four commoners including He Zhenxiu went to the province to praise his conduct, and the inspector of Xiangzhou reported it upward. An imperial review found fifteen deeds that officials and people cherished; Gaozu approved and summoned him as administrator of Xin'an. In the commandery he was pure and scrupulous, as he had been at Yongyang. When commoners could not meet their tax levies, he paid from the administrator's own field grain. The commandery abounded in hemp and ramie, yet his household lacked even rope to bind things—such was his austerity. The subordinate counties Shixin, Suian, and Haining all built living shrines to him while he was still in office.
31
徵爲國子博士，領長水校尉。 時始興內史何遠累著清績，高祖詔擢爲黃門侍郎，俄遷信武將軍、監吳郡。 暅自以名輩素在遠前，爲吏俱稱廉白，遠累見擢，暅遷階而已，意望不滿，多托疾居家。 尋求假到東陽迎妹喪，因留會稽築宅，自表解，高祖詔以爲豫章內史，暅乃出拜。 治書侍御史虞㬭奏曰：
He was summoned as Erudite of the National University and concurrently colonel of the Changshui Guard. At the time He Yuan, internal magistrate of Shixing, had repeatedly shown pure merit; Gaozu promoted him to Attendant of the Yellow Gate, and soon made him General of Trustworthy Might and supervisor of Wu commandery. Xuan believed his name and seniority had always outranked Yuan's—both were praised as incorrupt officials—yet Yuan was promoted again and again while Xuan only moved up in rank; bitter and dissatisfied, he often pleaded illness and stayed home. Soon he asked leave to go to Dongyang for his sister's funeral, then remained in Kuaiji building a house; he memorialized to resign, Gaozu appointed him internal magistrate of Yuzhang, and Xuan at last went out to accept. Imperial Secretary in the Office of the Censor Yu Yan memorialized:
32
臣聞失忠與信，一心之道以虧； 貌是情非，兩觀之誅宜及。 未有陵犯名教，要冒君親，而可緯俗經邦者也。
I have heard that when loyalty and trust are lost, the path of undivided devotion is broken; when appearance and feeling diverge, the punishment of the Two Watchtowers is warranted. No one who tramples name and teaching and importunes lord and kin can weave custom and govern the realm.
33
風聞豫章內史伏暅，去歲啓假，以迎妹喪爲解，因停會稽不去。 入東之始，貨宅賣車。 以此而推，則是本無還意。 暅歷典二邦，少免貪濁，此自爲政之本，豈得稱功。 常謂人才品望，居何遠之右，而遠以清公見擢，名位轉隆，暅深誹怨，形於辭色，興居歎吒，寤寐失圖。 天高聽卑，無私不照。 去年十二月二十一日詔曰：「國子博士、領長水校尉伏暅，爲政廉平，宜加將養，勿使恚望，致虧士風。 可豫章內史。」 豈有人臣奉如此之詔，而不亡魂破膽，歸罪有司； 擢發抽腸，少自論謝？ 而循奉慠然，了無異色。 暅識見所到，足達此旨，而冒寵不辭，吝斯苟得，故以士流解體，行路沸騰，辯跡求心，無一可恕。 竊以暅踉蹡落魄，三十餘年，皇運勃興，咸與維始，除舊佈新，濯之江、漢，一紀之間，三世隆顯。 曾不能少懷感激，仰答萬分，反覆拙謀，成茲巧罪，不忠不敬，於斯已及。 請以暅大不敬論。 以事詳法，應棄市刑，輒收所近獄洗結，以法從事。 如法所稱，暅卽主。
By report Fu Xuan, internal magistrate of Yuzhang, last year sought leave to meet his sister's funeral, then stayed in Kuaiji and never returned. As soon as he entered the east, he mortgaged a house and sold a carriage. From this one infers he never meant to return. Xuan had governed two commanderies with little taint of greed— that is merely the baseline of office; how can it be called merit? He constantly held that in talent, rank, and reputation he stood above He Yuan, yet Yuan was promoted for pure integrity while name and office rose ever higher; Xuan seethed with resentment, showing it in word and face, sighing day and night and losing sleep over it. Heaven is high yet hears what is low; nothing hidden escapes its gaze. On the twenty-first day of the twelfth month last year an edict said: "Erudite of the National University and colonel of the Changshui Guard Fu Xuan governs with pure fairness; nurture him and do not let resentment impair the scholar's wind. Let him be internal magistrate of Yuzhang." Could any minister receiving such an edict fail to lose soul and break gall, turning blame upon himself; pull out his hair and rend his bowels in remorse and offer apology? Yet he accepted it with arrogant composure, showing not the slightest change of color. Xuan understood this perfectly, yet accepted favor without declining, clinging to opportune gain; scholar-officials were disgusted, travelers seethed, and tracing deed to intent, nothing can be pardoned. I venture that Xuan, adrift and fallen for thirty-odd years, when imperial fortune surged—all sharing in the founding, washing away the old in the Jiang and Han—in one era three generations rose to glory. He could not feel the least gratitude or repay the smallest fraction; instead by clumsy scheming he wrought this artful crime—disloyalty and disrespect have reached this point. I ask that Xuan be judged under Great Irreverence. Reviewing the matter against the law, he deserves execution at market; I have had him taken to the nearest prison for examination and closure, to be dealt with by law. As the law provides, Xuan is the principal offender.
34
臣謹案：豫章內史臣伏暅，含疵表行，藉悖成心，語默一違，資敬兼盡。 幸屬昌時，擢以不次。 溪壑可盈，志欲無滿。 要君東走，豈曰止足之歸； 負志解巾，異乎激處之致。 甘此脂膏，孰非荼苦； 佩茲龜組，豈殊縲絏。 宜明風憲，肅正簡書。 臣等參議，請以見事免暅所居官，凡諸位任，一皆削除。
I respectfully charge: internal magistrate of Yuzhang, minister Fu Xuan, whose flaws mark his conduct and whose perversity has become his heart; in speech and silence alike he violated duty and exhausted all reverence owed. Fortunate to live in a flourishing age, he was promoted out of turn. Ravines and gullies can be filled, yet ambition and desire know no limit. Importuning his lord to flee east—can this be called knowing when to stop? Bearing resentment while doffing office—far from the impulse that drives a man to withdraw. Savoring this fat and grease—what is not bitter as thorn? Wearing these turtle seals and silken cords—how is it different from hempen bonds? Wind and law should be made clear; the red registers should be sternly corrected. We counsellors jointly propose: on grounds of the present case remove Xuan from all offices held—every rank and appointment, delete entirely.
35
有詔勿治，暅遂得就郡。
An edict came not to prosecute; Xuan thus took up the commandery.
36
視事三年，徵爲給事黃門侍郎，領國子博士，未及起。 普通元年，卒於郡，時年五十九。 尚書右僕射徐勉爲之墓誌，其一章曰：「東區南服，愛結民胥，相望伏闕，繼軌奏書。 或臥其轍，或扳其車，或圖其像，或式其閭。 思耿借寇，曷以尚諸。」
After three years in office he was summoned as Secretariat Attendant of the Yellow Gate and concurrent Erudite of the National University, but before he could take up the appointment— In the first year of Putong he died in the commandery, aged fifty-nine. Right Vice Minister of Works Xu Mian wrote his tomb inscription; one section reads: "In the eastern districts and southern realm, affection bound officials and people; crowding the gate in prostration, one after another they memorialized in writing. Some lay across his carriage tracks, some pulled at his cart, some painted his likeness, some bowed at his lane. Longing for Geng and borrowing Kou—how can this be surpassed?"
37
初，暅父曼容與樂安任瑤皆匿於齊太尉王儉，瑤子昉及暅並見知。 頃之，昉才遇稍盛，齊末，昉已爲司徒右長史，暅猶滯於參軍事； 及其終也，名位略相侔。 暅性儉素，車服粗惡，外雖退靜，內不免心競，故見譏於時。 能推薦後來，常若不及，少年士子，或以此依之。
Earlier, Xuan's father Manrong and Ren Yao of Lean both found shelter with Qi Grand Marshal Wang Jian; Yao's son Fang and Xuan were both recognized. Before long Fang's talent and favor grew; by the end of Qi, Fang was already right chief clerk of the Minister of Education while Xuan still languished as a staff officer; yet when Fang died, name and rank were roughly equal. Xuan was frugal and plain by nature; carriage and dress were coarse; outwardly withdrawn and calm, inwardly he could not escape rivalry—hence ridicule in his day. He could recommend those who came after, as if always falling short; young scholar-officials sometimes relied on him for this.
38
何遠字義方，東海郯人也。 父慧炬，齊尚書郎。
He Yuan, styled Yifang, came from Tan in Donghai commandery. His father Huiju was Qi Gentleman of the Masters of Writing.
39
遠釋褐江夏王國侍郎，轉奉朝請。 永元中，江夏王寶玄於京口爲護軍將軍崔慧景所奉，入圍宮城，遠豫其事。 事敗，乃亡抵長沙宣武王，王深保匿焉。 遠求得桂陽王融保藏之，旣而發覺，收捕者至，遠逾垣以免； 融及遠家人皆見執，融遂遇禍，遠家屬繫尚方。 遠亡渡江，使其故人高江產共聚衆，欲迎高祖義師，東昏黨聞之，使捕遠等，衆復潰散。 遠因降魏，入壽陽，見刺史王肅，欲同義舉，肅不能用，乃求迎高祖，肅許之。 遣兵援送，得達高祖。 高祖見遠，謂張弘策曰：「何遠美丈夫，而能破家報舊德，未易及也。」 板輔國將軍，隨軍東下，旣破硃雀軍，以爲建康令。 高祖踐阼，爲步兵校尉，以奉迎勳封廣興男，邑三百戶。 遷建武將軍、後軍鄱陽王恢錄事參軍。 遠與恢素善，在府盡其志力，知無不爲，恢亦推心仗之，恩寄甚密。
Yuan began as Gentleman of the Kingdom of Jiangxia and transferred to Respite at Court. In Yongyuan, Prince of Jiangxia Bao Xuan at Jingkou was backed by Guard General Cui Huijing and entered to besiege the palace city; Yuan took part. When the affair failed, he fled to the Xuanwu King, Prince of Changsha, who deeply protected and hid him. Yuan found Prince of Guiyang Wang Rong to shelter him; when this was discovered and arresters came, Yuan scaled a wall and escaped; Rong and Yuan's family were all seized; Rong met disaster, and Yuan's kin were held in the Imperial Workshop. Yuan fled across the river and had his old acquaintance Gao Jiangchan gather men to welcome Gaozu's righteous army; Donghun's faction heard and sent to capture them—the crowd scattered again. Yuan then surrendered to Wei, entered Shouyang, and saw Inspector Wang Su, wishing to join in righteous action; Su could not employ him, so he asked to welcome Gaozu—and Su consented. Su sent troops to escort him, and he reached Gaozu. Gaozu saw Yuan and said to Zhang Hongce: "He Yuan is a fine man—able to ruin his family to repay old kindness; not easy to match." He was provisionally made General Who Supports the State, followed the army east; after the Zhuzque army was broken, he was made magistrate of Jiankang. When Gaozu took the throne, he was colonel of the Footsoldiers; for merit in welcoming the throne he was enfeoffed as Baron of Guangxing, fief of three hundred households. He was transferred to General Who Establishes Might and recorder of the rear army under Prince Hui of Poyang. Yuan and Hui had long been on good terms; in the princely office he exhausted his will and strength, leaving nothing undone; Hui too relied on him with open heart—favor and trust were very close.
40
頃之，遷武昌太守。 遠本倜儻，尚輕俠，至是乃折節爲吏，杜絕交遊，饋遺秋毫無所受。 武昌俗皆汲江水，盛夏遠患水溫，每以錢買民井寒水； 不取錢者，則摙水還之。 其佗事率多如此。 跡雖似偽，而能委曲用意焉。 車服尤弊素，器物無銅漆。 江左多水族，甚賤，遠每食不過幹魚數片而已。 然性剛嚴，吏民多以細事受鞭罰者，遂爲人所訟，徵下廷尉，被劾數十條。 當時士大夫坐法，皆不受立，遠度己無贓，就立三七日不款，猶以私藏禁仗除名。
Before long he was transferred to administrator of Wuchang. Yuan had been free and easy by nature, fond of light chivalry; now he restrained himself as an official, cut off social ties, and accepted not the slightest gift. Custom in Wuchang was to draw from the river; in high summer Yuan feared the warm water and always bought cold well water from commoners with cash; those who would not take money, he drew water for them in return. Other matters were mostly like this. The track may seem like artifice, yet he could bend and turn with thoughtful intent. Carriage and dress were especially worn and plain; utensils had no bronze or lacquer. South of the Yangtze has many aquatic foods, very cheap; Yuan's meals were no more than a few slices of dried fish. Yet his nature was hard and severe; officials and people often suffered whipping over small matters—thus someone sued him; he was summoned to the Minister of Justice and impeached on several dozen counts. At the time when scholar-officials faced the law, none would stand for questioning; Yuan judged himself innocent of corruption, stood for inquiry, and for twenty-seven days made no confession—yet was still struck from the rolls for privately storing forbidden weapons.
41
後起爲鎮南將軍、武康令。 愈厲廉節，除淫祀，正身率職，民甚稱之。 太守王彬巡屬縣，諸縣盛供帳以待焉，至武康，遠獨設糗水而已。 彬去，遠送至境，進斗酒雙鵝爲別。 彬戲曰：「卿禮有過陸納，將不爲古人所笑乎？」 高祖聞其能，擢爲宣城太守。 自縣爲近畿大郡，近代未之有也。 郡經寇抄，遠盡心綏理，復著名迹。 朞年，遷樹功將軍、始興內史。 時泉陵侯淵朗爲桂州，緣道剽掠，入始興界，草木無所犯。
Later he was restored as staff officer to the General Who Pacifies the South and magistrate of Wukang. He redoubled his integrity, eliminated illicit shrines, corrected his person and led his duty—the people praised him greatly. Administrator Wang Bin toured subordinate counties; each county lavishly prepared provision tents to receive him—at Wukang, Yuan alone set out parched grain and water. When Bin left, Yuan saw him to the border and offered a peck of wine and paired geese as farewell. Bin joked: "Your courtesy exceeds Lu Na's—will you not be laughed at by the men of old?" Gaozu heard of his ability and promoted him to administrator of Xuancheng. From magistrate to a great near-capital commandery—nothing like it in recent times. The commandery had suffered raids and plunder; Yuan devoted himself to pacification and governance, again leaving notable traces. After one year he was transferred to General Who Establishes Merit and internal magistrate of Shixing. At the time Marquis of Quanling Yuan Lang held Guizhou; along the route he plundered—entering Shixing's borders, not even grass and trees were harmed.
42
遠在官，好開途巷，修葺牆屋，民居市里，城隍廄庫，所過若營家焉。 田秩俸錢，並無所取，歲暮，擇民尤窮者，充其租調，以此爲常。 然其聽訟猶人，不能過絕，而性果斷，民不敢非，畏而惜之。 所至皆生爲立祠，表言治狀，高祖每優詔答焉。 天監十六年，詔曰：「何遠前在武康，已著廉平； 復蒞二邦，彌盡清白。 政先治道，惠留民愛，雖古之良二千石，無以過也。 宜升內榮，以顯外績。 可給事黃門侍郎。」 遠卽還，仍爲仁威長史。 頃之，出爲信武將軍，監吳郡。 在吳頗有酒失，遷東陽太守。 遠處職，疾強富如仇讎，視貧細如子弟，特爲豪右所畏憚。 在東陽歲餘，復爲受罰者所謗，坐免歸。
While in office Yuan loved to open roads and lanes, repair walls and houses— dwelling quarters, market streets, city walls, stables and granaries—wherever he passed it was as if tending his own home. Field salary and stipend cash he took none of; at year's end he chose the poorest commoners and paid their tax levies—this became his custom. Yet in hearing cases he was like other men, unable to go beyond that; but his nature was resolute and sharp—people did not dare find fault, fearing yet cherishing him. Wherever he went, while he still lived shrines were built; memorials reported his governance—Gaozu each time replied with gracious edicts. In the sixteenth year of Tianjian an edict said: "He Yuan earlier at Wukang already showed pure fairness; again governing two commanderies, he has ever more fully shown unsullied integrity. He puts governance before all, leaves kindness and keeps the people's love— even the good two-thousand-bushel officials of old cannot surpass this. Inner honor should be raised to display outer achievement. Let him be Attendant of the Yellow Gate in the Secretariat." Yuan returned at once and became chief clerk to the General of Humane Might. Before long he went out as General of Trustworthy Might and supervisor of Wu commandery. In Wu he had several lapses with wine; he was transferred to administrator of Dongyang. In office Yuan hated the rich and powerful like mortal foes and treated the poor like his own kin—the gentry especially feared him. After a year in Dongyang, those he had punished slandered him again; convicted, he was dismissed and sent home.
43
遠耿介無私曲，居人間，絕請謁，不造詣。 與貴賤書疏，抗禮如一。 其所會遇，未嘗以顏色下人，以此多爲俗士所惡。 其清公實爲天下第一。 居數郡，見可欲終不變其心，妻子饑寒，如下貧者。 及去東陽歸家，經年歲口不言榮辱，士類益以此多之。 其輕財好義，周人之急，言不虛妄，蓋天性也。 每戲語人云：「卿能得我一妄語，則謝卿以一縑。」 衆共伺之，不能記也。
Upright and free of private bias, Yuan cut off petitions and visits and never called on others. In letters to high and low alike, he kept equal courtesy. He never softened his manner toward anyone he met—and vulgar men often despised him for it. His integrity was truly unrivaled under Heaven. Though he governed several commanderies, tempting gain never changed his heart; wife and children knew hunger and cold like the poorest men. When he left Dongyang for home, year after year he never spoke of honor or disgrace—and scholars admired him all the more. He scorned wealth yet loved righteousness, rushed to help the desperate, and never spoke falsely—it was his nature. He often jested: "Get one false word from me and I'll thank you with a bolt of silk." All watched for it—they never caught a single false word.
44
後復起爲征西諮議參軍、中撫司馬。 普通二年，卒，時年五十二。 高祖厚贈賜之。
Later he was raised again as staff counselor of the Pacifying West and army aide of the Central Pacification. In the second year of Putong he died, aged fifty-two. Gaozu bestowed rich posthumous gifts on him.
45
【評】
Marker denoting the historian's commentary section in the source text.
46
陳吏部尚書姚察曰：前史有循吏，何哉？ 世使然也。 漢武役繁姦起，循平不能，故有苛酷誅戮以勝之，亦多怨濫矣。 梁興，破觚爲圓，斵雕爲樸，教民以孝悌，勸之以農桑，於是桀黠化爲由余，輕薄變爲忠厚。 淳風已洽，民自知禁。 堯舜之民，比屋可封，信矣。 若夫酷吏，於梁無取焉。 [1]
Yao Cha, Chen Minister of Personnel, said: Earlier histories had chapters on orderly officials—why? The age made it so. Under Han Wudi corvée grew heavy and corruption rose; orderly rule could not cope, so harsh punishments and executions were used—and much resentment and excess followed. When Liang rose, corners were rounded and ornament stripped to plainness; the people were taught filial piety and urged toward farming and sericulture—fierce and cunning men became like You Yu, the frivolous turned steadfast. Pure custom had spread; the people knew restraint on their own. The people of Yao and Shun, a sealed home behind every door—this was indeed true. As for cruel officials—Liang had no need of them. Editorial footnote marker in the source text.
47
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).