1
陳遇，字中行，先世曹人。 高祖義甫，宋翰林學士，徙居建康，子孫因家焉。 遇天資沉粹，篤學博覽，精象數之學。 元末為溫州教授，已而棄官歸隱。 學者稱為靜誠先生。 太祖渡江，以秦從龍薦，發書聘之，引伊、呂、諸葛為喻。 遇至，與語，大悅，遂留參密議，日見親信。 太祖為吳王，授供奉司丞，辭。 即皇帝位，三授翰林學士，皆辭。 乃賜肩輿一乘，衛士十人護出入，以示榮寵。
Chen Yu, courtesy name Zhongxing, came from a family originally of Cao. His great-grandfather Yifu had been a Hanlin Academician under the Song; he relocated to Jiankang, and the family settled there. Chen was by nature grave and refined, a devoted scholar of wide learning who excelled in astronomy, calendrics, and divination. Near the end of the Yuan dynasty he served as an instructor in Wenzhou, but soon resigned and withdrew into private life. Scholars addressed him as Master Jingcheng. After the Founder crossed the Yangzi, Qin Conglong recommended him; the Founder sent a letter of invitation comparing Chen to Yi Yin, Lü Shang, and Zhuge Liang. When Chen arrived and they spoke together, the Founder was delighted and kept him for confidential counsel, growing more trusting of him each day. While the Founder was still King of Wu, Chen was offered the post of deputy director of the Service Bureau, but he declined. After he took the throne, Chen was three times offered the rank of Hanlin Academician, and each time he refused. Instead the Emperor gave him a sedan chair and ten guards to attend him whenever he went abroad, as a mark of special honor.
2
洪武三年，奉命至浙江廉察民隱，還賜金帛。 除中書左丞，又辭。 明年召對華蓋殿，賜坐，命草《平西詔》。 授禮部侍郎，兼弘文館大學士，復辭。 西域進良馬，遇引漢故事以諫。 除太常少卿，固辭。 強之，不可。 最後除禮部尚書，又固辭。 帝沉吟良久，從之。 自是不復強以官。 帝嘗從容言欲官其子，遇曰：「臣三子皆幼，學未成，請俟異日。」 帝亦弗強也。
In Hongwu year 3 he was sent to Zhejiang to inquire into the people's grievances; when he returned, the court rewarded him with gold and silk. He was appointed left vice president of the Secretariat, but again declined. The following year he was summoned to audience in Huagai Hall, given a seat, and ordered to draft the Edict on Pacifying the West. He was made vice minister of rites and concurrent grand academician of the Hongwen Hall, but once more refused. When the Western Regions sent fine horses as tribute, Chen cited Han-dynasty precedents in remonstrance. He was appointed vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and firmly declined. They pressed the appointment on him, but he would not accept. At last he was made minister of rites, and again firmly declined. The Emperor hesitated a long while, then yielded to his wish. After that the court no longer tried to force an office on him. The Emperor once remarked in an easy tone that he wished to appoint Chen's sons. Chen replied, "Your servant's three sons are still young and have not finished their studies; I beg that Your Majesty wait for another day." The Emperor did not press the matter either.
3
遇自開基之始，即侍帷幄。 帝嘗問保國安民至計，遇對：「以不嗜殺人，薄斂，任賢，復先王禮樂為首務。」 廷臣或有過被譴責，遇力為解，多得全釋。 其計畫多秘不傳，而寵禮之隆，勛戚大臣無與比者。 數監幸其第，語必稱「先生」，或呼為「君子」。 命爵輒辭，終成其高。 十七年卒，賜葬鐘山。
From the very founding of the dynasty Chen had served at the imperial side. When the Emperor once asked him for the supreme policy to secure the realm and settle the people, Chen answered, "The foremost tasks are to refrain from bloodshed, keep taxes light, employ the worthy, and restore the ritual and music of the ancient kings." When court officials were faulted and punished, Chen often pleaded on their behalf, and many were spared. Most of his counsel was kept secret, yet the honor the court showed him surpassed even that given to meritorious kinsmen and great ministers. The Emperor repeatedly visited his home in person, always addressing him as "Master" or calling him "the gentleman." Whenever ennoblement was offered he declined, and in the end his reputation for lofty integrity was complete. He died in year 17 of the reign and was granted burial on Bell Mountain.
4
子恭，舉人，累官工部尚書，有能聲。 遇弟遠，字中復，嘗隨遇侍帝。 永樂初，為翰林待詔，精繪事。 遠子孟顒，善書。
His son Gong, a provincial graduate, rose through the ranks to minister of works and won a reputation for competence. Chen's younger brother Yuan, courtesy name Zhongfu, had once accompanied Chen in attendance on the Emperor. Early in the Yongle reign he served as a Hanlin awaiting edict and excelled at painting. Yuan's son Meng'ang was accomplished in calligraphy.
5
附秦從龍
Appended biography: Qin Conglong
6
秦從龍，字元之，洛陽人。 仕元，官江南行台侍御史。 兵亂，避居鎮江。 徐達之攻鎮江也，太祖謂之曰：「聞有秦元之者，才器老成，汝當詢訪，致吾欲見意。」 達下鎮江，訪得之。 太祖命從子文正、甥李文忠奉金綺造其廬聘焉。 從龍與妻陳偕來，太祖自迎之於龍江。
Qin Conglong, courtesy name Yuanzhi, was a native of Luoyang. Under the Yuan he served as an attending censor on the Jiangnan regional secretariat. During the military turmoil he took refuge in Zhenjiang. When Xu Da was attacking Zhenjiang, the Founder told him, "I have heard of a Qin Yuanzhi, a man of seasoned talent—you should seek him out and convey my wish to meet him." Xu Da took the city, found him, and brought him in. The Founder sent his nephew Guo Wen Zheng and his nephew Li Wenzhong with gifts of gold and brocade to Qin's home to invite him. Conglong came with his wife Chen, and the Founder went in person to welcome them at Longjiang.
7
時太祖居富民家，因邀從龍與同處，朝夕訪以時事。 已，即元御史台為府，居從龍西華門外，事無大小悉與之謀。 嘗以筆書漆簡，問答甚密，左右皆不能知。 從龍生日，太祖與世子厚有贈遺，或親至其家燕飲。 至正二十五年冬，從龍子澤死，請告歸。 太祖出郊握手送之。 尋病卒，年七十，太祖驚悼。 時方督軍至鎮江，親臨哭之，厚恤其家，命有司營葬。
At that time the Founder was staying at a wealthy household; he invited Conglong to lodge with him and consulted him morning and evening on affairs of state. Soon afterward, having made the former Yuan censorate his headquarters, he housed Conglong just outside the Xihua Gate and consulted him on every matter, large or small. They sometimes exchanged written questions and answers on lacquered slips so privately that even those close at hand could not tell what was discussed. On Conglong's birthday the Founder and the heir apparent sent lavish gifts, and sometimes the Founder came in person to feast at his home. In the winter of Zhizheng year 25, Conglong's son Ze died, and he asked leave to return home. The Founder went out beyond the suburbs, took his hand, and saw him off. Soon afterward he died of illness at the age of seventy, and the Founder was shocked and deeply grieved. He was then directing troops toward Zhenjiang, but came in person to mourn him, gave his family generous relief, and ordered the authorities to arrange the funeral.
8
葉兌，字良仲，寧海人。 以經濟自負，尤精天文、地理、卜筮之書。 元末，知天運有歸，以布衣獻書太祖。 列一綱三目，言天下大計。 時太祖已定寧越，規取張士誠、方國珍。 而察罕兵勢甚盛，遣使至金陵招太祖，故兌書於三者籌之為詳。 其略曰：
Ye Dui, courtesy name Liangzhong, was a native of Ninghai. He prided himself on statecraft and was especially expert in astronomy, geography, and divination. Near the end of the Yuan, seeing that the mandate of Heaven was shifting, he submitted a written plan to the Founder as a private citizen. It laid out one overarching strategy and three subsidiary points on the grand design for the empire. At that time the Founder had already secured Ningbo and Shaoxing and was planning to seize the domains of Zhang Shicheng and Fang Guozhen. Meanwhile Chaghan Temür's armies were very strong and had sent envoys to Jinling to win the Founder over, so Ye's memorial weighed all three rivals in careful detail. The gist of it read:
9
愚聞：取天下者，必有一定之規模。 韓信初見高祖，畫楚、漢成敗； 孔明臥草廬，與先主論三分形勢者是也。 今之規模，宜北絕李察罕，南並張九四。 撫溫、台，取閩、越，定都建康，拓地江、廣。 進則越兩淮以北征，退則畫長江而自守。 夫金陵，古稱龍蟠虎踞帝王之都。 藉其兵力資財，以攻則克，以守則固，百察罕能如吾何哉？ 江之所備，莫急上流。 今義師已克江州，足蔽全吳。 況自滁、和至廣陵，皆吾所有。 非直守江，兼可守淮矣。 張氏傾覆可坐而待，淮東諸郡亦將來歸。 北略中原，李氏可並也。 今聞察罕妄自尊大，致書明公，如曹操之招孫權。 竊以元運將終，人心不屬，而察罕欲效操所為，事勢不侔。 宜如魯肅計，鼎足江東，以觀天下之釁，此其大綱也。
I have heard that whoever would take the realm must follow a fixed strategic design. When Han Xin first met Emperor Gaozu of Han, he mapped out the contest between Chu and Han; and Zhuge Liang, still in his thatched hut, discussed the three-way balance of power with the Former Lord—such were the models. The design for today should be to break off relations with Chaghan Temür in the north and absorb Zhang Shicheng in the south. Pacify Wenzhou and Taizhou, seize Fujian and Zhejiang, make Jiankang the capital, and extend your territory along the Yangzi and the coast. If you advance, cross the Huai and campaign north; if you hold back, take the long Yangzi as your line of defense. Jinling has since antiquity been called a capital where dragon and tiger coil—a seat fit for an emperor. With its armies and wealth behind you, you will conquer when you attack and stand firm when you defend—what can Chaghan do against you? In defending the Yangzi, nothing is more urgent than securing the upper river. Your army has already taken Jiangzhou, which is enough to shield all of Wu. Moreover, from Chuzhou and Hezhou down to Guangling, all is already yours. You can defend not only the Yangzi but the Huai as well. Zhang's fall can be awaited at leisure, and the commanderies east of the Huai will soon submit as well. When you campaign north into the Central Plain, Li's territory can be absorbed as well. I hear that Chaghan has grown arrogant and sent Your Excellency a letter like Cao Cao's invitation to Sun Quan. I believe the Yuan mandate is near its end and the people's hearts are no longer with it, yet Chaghan wishes to play Cao Cao's part—the situation does not match. You should follow Lu Su's plan, hold a tripartite footing east of the Yangzi, and watch for openings in the realm—that is the overarching strategy.
10
至其目有三。 張九四之地，南包杭、紹，北跨通、泰，而以平江為巢穴。 今欲攻之，莫若聲言掩取杭、紹、湖、秀，而大兵直搗平江。 城固難以驟拔，則以鎖城法困之。 於城外矢石不到之地別築長圍，分命將卒四面立營，屯田固守，斷其出入之路。 分兵略定屬邑，收其稅糧以贍軍中。 彼坐守空城，安得不困？ 平江既下，巢穴已傾，杭、越必歸，余郡解體。 此上計也。
The three subsidiary points are as follows. Zhang Shicheng's territory runs south through Hangzhou and Shaoxing, north across Nantong and Taizhou, with Pingjiang as his stronghold. To attack him now, it would be best to announce a feint against Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Huzhou, and Jiaxing while the main force strikes directly at Pingjiang. If the city is too strong to take quickly, use the encirclement method to wear him down. Beyond range of missiles, build an outer cordon; station troops in camps on all four sides, farm the fields, hold the line, and cut off every route in or out. Send detachments to secure the surrounding districts and levy their grain to feed your army. Trapped in an empty city, how can he fail to be worn down? Once Pingjiang falls, his stronghold is gone; Hangzhou and Shaoxing will submit, and the other districts will collapse. This is the best plan.
11
張氏重鎮在紹興。 紹興懸隔江海，所以數攻而不克者，以彼糧道在三江斗門也。 若一軍攻平江，斷其糧道； 一軍攻杭州，絕其援兵，紹興必拔。 所攻在蘇、杭，所取在紹興，所謂多方以誤之者也。 紹興既拔，杭城勢孤，湖、秀風靡，然後進攻平江，犁其心腹，江北餘孽隨而瓦解。 此次計也。
Zhang's chief stronghold lies at Shaoxing. Shaoxing lies across river and sea; the reason repeated attacks have failed is that their supply line runs through the Sanjiang sluice. If one army attacks Pingjiang and cuts their supply line, and another attacks Hangzhou and blocks their reinforcements, Shaoxing will surely fall. You strike at Suzhou and Hangzhou but take Shaoxing—this is the tactic of confusing the enemy on many fronts. Once Shaoxing is taken, Hangzhou stands alone, Huzhou and Jiaxing will follow, and then you can advance on Pingjiang and strike at his core; his remaining forces north of the river will collapse in turn. This is the second-best plan.
12
方國珍狼子野心，不可馴狎。 往年大兵取婺州，彼即奉書納款。 後遣夏煜、陳顯道招諭，彼復狐疑不從。 顧遣使從海道報元，謂江東委之納款，誘令張昶齎詔而來。 且遣韓叔義為說客，欲說明公奉詔。 彼既降我，而反欲招我降元。 其反覆狡獪如是，宜興師問罪。 然彼以水為命，一聞兵至，挈家航海，中原步騎無如之何。 夫上兵攻心，彼言杭、趙一平，即當納土，不過欲款我師耳。 攻之之術，宜限以日期，責其歸順。 彼自方國璋之沒，自知兵不可用。 又叔義還稱義師之盛，氣已先挫。 今因陳顯道以自通，正可脅之而從也。 事宜速不宜緩。 宣諭之後，更置官吏，拘集舟艦，潛收其兵權，以消未然之變。 三郡可不勞而定。
Fang Guozhen has the heart of a wolf cub and cannot be tamed. When your army took Wuzhou in earlier years, he promptly sent a letter of submission. Later, when Xia Yu and Chen Xiandao were sent to win him over, he wavered again and refused. Yet he also sent envoys by sea to report to the Yuan that he had entrusted Jiangdong's surrender, and induced Zhang Chang to come bearing an imperial edict. He even sent Han Shuyi as an envoy to urge Your Excellency to accept the Yuan edict. Having already submitted to you, he then tried to recruit you to submit to the Yuan. His duplicity is such that you ought to raise an army and call him to account. Yet he lives by the sea; at the first rumor of troops he will put his family aboard ship, and your northern infantry and cavalry can do nothing against him. The highest form of warfare strikes at the mind: his promise to surrender once Hangzhou and Zhao are pacified is only a ruse to stall your army. The way to attack him is to set a deadline and demand his submission. Since the death of Fang Guozhang, he knows himself that his forces are useless. Moreover, when Han Shuyi returned he spoke of how strong your army was, and their morale was already shaken. Now that he has opened contact through Chen Xiandao, you can press him into submission. The matter calls for speed, not delay. After you announce your demands, replace his officials, assemble his ships, and quietly strip him of military power to forestall any future revolt. The three coastal commanderies can be secured without a fight.
13
福建本浙江一道，兵脃城陋。 兩浙既平，必圖歸附。 下之一辯士力耳。 如復稽遲，則大兵自溫、處入，奇兵自海道入，福州必不支。 福州下，旁郡迎刃解矣。 威聲已震，然後進取兩廣，猶反掌也。
Fujian was originally part of the Zhejiang circuit; its armies are weak and its cities poor. Once the two Zhejiangs are pacified, it will surely seek to submit. It would take no more than a single persuasive envoy. If you delay again, your main force can enter from Wenzhou and Chuzhou while a flanking force comes by sea, and Fuzhou will not hold. Once Fuzhou falls, the neighboring districts will collapse like bamboo split by a knife. Once your prestige has shaken the south, taking the two Guang provinces will be as easy as turning your hand.
14
太祖奇其言，欲留用之，力辭去。 賜銀幣襲衣。 後數歲，削平天下，規模次第，略如兌言。
The Founder was impressed by his counsel and wished to keep him in service, but Ye firmly declined and departed. The court rewarded him with silver, silk, and a ceremonial robe. Within a few years the Founder had pacified the realm, and the course of conquest followed Ye's design in broad outline.
15
范常，字子權，滁人。 太祖軍滁，杖策謁軍門。 太祖夙知其名，與語意合，留置幕下。 有疑輒問，常悉以實對。 諸將克和州，兵不戢。 常言於太祖曰：「得一城而使人肝腦塗地，何以成大事？」 太祖乃切責諸將。 搜軍中所掠婦女，還其家，民大悅。 太祖以四方割據，戰爭無虛日，命常為文，禱於上帝。 其辭曰：「今天下紛紜，生民塗炭，不有所屬，物類盡矣。 倘元祚未終，則群雄當早伏其辜。 某亦在群雄中，請自某始。 若已厭元德，有天命者宜歸之，無使斯民久阽危苦。 存亡之機，驗於三月。」 太祖嘉其能達己意，命典文牘，授元帥府都事。 取太平，命為知府，諭之曰：「太平，吾股肱郡，其民數困於兵，當令得所。」 常以簡易為治，興學恤民。 官廩有谷數千石，請給民乏種者，秋稔輸官，公私皆足。 居三年，民親愛之，召入為侍儀。
Fan Chang, courtesy name Ziquan, was a native of Chuzhou. When the Founder's army was at Chuzhou, he came to the camp leaning on his staff. The Founder had long known his reputation; they spoke together and found their views in accord, and Fan was kept on the staff. Whenever the Founder had doubts he would ask Fan, who always answered frankly. When the generals took Hezhou, the troops would not restrain themselves. Fan said to the Founder, "If you win a city only to leave the people slaughtered, how can you accomplish anything great?" The Founder then sternly rebuked the generals. He searched out the women seized by the troops and sent them home, and the people were greatly relieved. With the realm divided and war unceasing, the Founder ordered Fan to draft a prayer to Heaven. It read: "The realm is in turmoil and the people are in misery; unless they find a ruler to whom they can belong, all living things will perish. If the Yuan mandate is not yet exhausted, then let the rival warlords be punished first. I too am among those warlords; let the punishment begin with me. If Heaven has already turned from the Yuan, let those with the mandate be followed, and do not let the people suffer in danger any longer. Whether we survive or perish will be known within three months." The Founder praised him for voicing his own thoughts and put him in charge of documents, appointing him chief clerk of the marshal's headquarters. When Taiping was taken, Fan was made prefect. The Founder told him, "Taiping is one of my core districts; its people have suffered repeatedly from war—you must give them relief." Fan governed with simplicity, promoted schools, and cared for the people. The government granary held several thousand piculs of grain; he lent seed to farmers in need, to be repaid after the autumn harvest, and both public and private stores were filled. After three years the people loved him, and he was recalled to serve as attendant of ceremonies.
16
洪武元年，擢翰林直學士兼太常卿。 帝銳意稽古禮文。 群臣集議，間有異同。 常能參合眾言，委曲當上意。 尋以病免歸。 歲餘，手詔征詣闕，仍故官。 帝宴閒，輒命儒臣列坐，賦詩為樂。 常每先成，語多率。 帝笑曰：「老范詩質朴，殊似其為人也。」 遷起居注。 常有足疾，數在告，賜以安車。 尋乞歸，帝賦詩四章送之。 賜宅於太平。 子祖，歷官雲南左參政，有修潔稱。
In Hongwu 1 he was promoted to direct Hanlin academician and concurrent director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The Emperor was intent on reviving ancient ritual and ceremony. When the ministers met to deliberate, their views sometimes differed. Fan could reconcile the various opinions and shape them to satisfy the Emperor. Soon afterward he retired on grounds of illness. A year later the Emperor summoned him back by personal edict and restored his former post. At leisure banquets the Emperor would have the scholar-officials sit together and compose poetry for amusement. Fan always finished first, and his verse was plain and direct. The Emperor laughed and said, "Old Fan's poems are as plain as the man himself." He was promoted to diarist of attendance. Fan suffered from a foot ailment and often took leave; the Emperor granted him a comfort carriage. Soon he asked to retire, and the Emperor wrote four poems to see him off. He was granted a house in Taiping. His son Zu rose to left vice commissioner of Yunnan and was known for integrity.
17
附:潘庭堅
Appended biography: Pan Tingjian
18
潘庭堅，字叔聞，當塗人。 元末為富陽教諭，謝去。 太祖駐太平，以陶安薦，征庭堅為帥府教授。 慎密謙約，為太祖所稱。 下集慶，擢中書省博士。 婺州下，改為金華府，以庭堅同知府事。 時上游諸郡次第平定，擇儒臣撫綏之。 先後用陶安、汪廣洋於江西，而庭堅與王愷守浙東。 太祖為吳王，設翰林院，與安同召為學士。 而庭堅已老，遂告歸。 洪武四年復召至，主會試。
Pan Tingjian, courtesy name Shuwen, was a native of Dangtu. Near the end of the Yuan he served as an instructor in Fuyang, then resigned. While the Founder was at Taiping, Tao An recommended him, and Pan was summoned as professor at the marshal's headquarters. Discreet, humble, and restrained, he won the Founder's praise. After the capture of Jiqing he was promoted to erudite of the Secretariat. When Wuzhou was taken and made Jinhua Prefecture, Pan was appointed to assist in governing it. As the upstream districts were pacified one by one, the Founder chose scholar-officials to govern and reassure them. Tao An and Wang Guangyang were sent in turn to Jiangxi, while Pan and Wang Kai held eastern Zhejiang. When the Founder became King of Wu he established the Hanlin Academy and summoned Pan and Tao An as academicians. Pan was already old by then and asked to retire. In Hongwu year 4 he was summoned again to preside over the metropolitan examination.
19
子黼，字章甫。 有文名，官至江西按察使。 會修律令，留為議律官。 書成，卒。 黼謹飭類父，而文采清雅過之。 父子皆以鄉校顯，時以為榮。
His son Fu, courtesy name Zhangfu. He won a literary reputation and rose to regional inspector of Jiangxi. When the legal code was being revised, he was retained as a legal deliberator. He died soon after the work was finished. Fu was as disciplined as his father, but his literary style was more refined. Father and son both rose to prominence from local schooling, which was regarded at the time as a family honor.
20
宋思顏
Song Siyan
21
宋思顏，不知何許人。 太祖克太平，以思顏居幕府。 及定集慶，置江南行中書省，太祖總省事，以李善長及思顏為參議。 同時所設省中官李夢庚、郭景祥、侯元善、楊元杲、陶安、阮弘道、孔克仁、王愷、欒鳳、夏煜等數十人。 而思顏獨與善長並授參議，其任較諸人為重。 已，建大都督府，以思顏兼參軍事。 太祖嘗視事東閣，天暑，汗沾衣。 左右更以衣進，皆數經浣濯者。 思顏曰：「主公躬行節儉，真可示法子孫，惟願終始如一。」 太祖嘉其直，賜之幣。 他日又進曰：「句容虎為害，既捕獲，宜除之，今豢養民間何益？」 太祖欣然，即命殺虎。 其隨事納忠類如此。 後出為河南道按察僉事，坐事死。
Song Siyan's place of origin is unknown. After the Founder took Taiping, Song served in his headquarters. When Jiqing was secured, the Jiangnan branch secretariat was established with the Founder as its chief; Li Shanchang and Song were made deliberators. At the same time the secretariat included Li Menggeng, Guo Jingxiang, Hou Yuanshan, Yang Yuangao, Tao An, Ruan Hongdao, Kong Keren, Wang Kai, Luan Feng, Xia Yu, and dozens of others. Song alone shared the rank of deliberator with Li Shanchang, and his responsibilities were heavier than those of the others. Soon afterward, when the great military commission was established, Song was also made a staff officer. Once, while conducting business in the Eastern Pavilion on a hot day, sweat soaked the Founder's clothes. His attendants brought fresh garments, all of them well-worn from repeated washing. Song said, "My lord practices thrift in person—a true model for your descendants; I only hope you will remain so to the end." The Founder praised his frankness and rewarded him with silk. On another day he said, "The tiger at Jurong has been doing harm; now that it has been captured, it ought to be killed—what good is it to keep it among the people?" The Founder agreed at once and ordered the tiger killed. His loyal remonstrances on everyday matters were mostly of this sort. Later he was sent out as vice commissioner of the Henan surveillance circuit and was executed for an offense.
22
附夏煜
Appended biography: Xia Yu
23
郭景祥 〈（李夢庚）〉
Guo Jingxiang (Li Menggeng)]〉
24
郭景祥，濠人。 與鳳陽李夢庚皆從渡江，典文書，佐謀議，分任行中書省左右司郎中。 既同調浙東分省，尋復同入為大都督府參軍。 景祥性諒直，博涉書史，遇事敢言，太祖親信之。 嘗曰：「景祥文吏，而有折衝禦侮才，能盡忠於我，可大任也。」 先是，克滁州、太平、溧陽。 以城郭不完，輒命景祥董治之。 既而和州守臣言，州城久廢，命景祥相度，即故址城之，九旬而工畢。 太祖以為能，授和州總制。 景祥益治城隍樓櫓，廣屯田，練士卒，威望肅然。 和遂為重鎮。 璽書褒勞。 仕終浙江行省參政。
Guo Jingxiang was a native of Hao. He and Li Menggeng of Fengyang both crossed the Yangzi with the Founder, managed documents, assisted in planning, and served as left and right bureau directors of the branch secretariat. They were later posted together to the eastern Zhe branch secretariat, then both returned as staff officers of the great military commission. Guo was sincere and upright, widely read in history, and bold in speaking his mind; the Founder trusted him personally. The Founder once said, "Guo is a civil official, yet he has the talent to confront enemies and defend the realm; he can be utterly loyal to me and is fit for great responsibility." Earlier the army had taken Chuzhou, Taiping, and Liyang. Because the city defenses were incomplete, the Founder repeatedly put Guo in charge of repairing them. When the Hezhou garrison reported that the city walls had long lain in ruins, the Founder ordered Guo to survey the site and rebuild on the old foundations; the work was finished in ninety days. The Founder judged him capable and appointed him overall controller of Hezhou. Guo further strengthened the walls and towers, expanded garrison farming, drilled the troops, and his authority became formidable. Hezhou thus became a major stronghold. The Founder sent an imperial letter of commendation. He served to the end as vice commissioner of the Zhejiang branch secretariat.
25
謝再興之守諸全也，部將私販易吳境。 太祖怒殺部將，召諭再興，命夢庚往諸全總制軍事。 再興還鎮，忿夢庚出己上，遂叛。 執夢庚降於吳，夢庚死之。 其時，參佐行省者，又有毛騏、王濂。
While Xie Zaixing was defending Zhuzhou, one of his subordinates traded privately across the border into Wu territory. The Founder had the subordinate executed in anger, summoned Xie to admonish him, and sent Li Menggeng to Zhuzhou to take overall command of the army. When Xie returned to his post, resentful that Li had been placed over him, he rebelled. They seized Li Menggeng and surrendered him to Wu; Li was put to death. At that time, among those assisting the branch secretariat were also Mao Qi and Wang Lian.
26
附王濂
Appended biography: Wang Lian
27
濂，字習古，定遠人，李善長婦兄也。 才嗜學，事親孝。 初從汝、潁賊，太祖克集慶，乃渡江來歸。 善長為言，得召見，除執法官，讞獄平允。 遷中書省員外郎，出為浙江按察僉事，治行著聞。 大風晝晦，濂應詔言民瘼，請緩征。 太祖納之。 洪武三年卒。 帝謂善長曰：「濂有王佐才，今死，朕失一臂。」 後善長坐事，帝嘆曰：「使王濂在，必不至是。」
Wang Lian, courtesy name Xigu, was a native of Dingyuan and the elder brother of Li Shanchang's wife. He was gifted and devoted to study, and filial toward his parents. At first he followed the rebels of Ru and Ying; after the Founder took Jiqing, he crossed the Yangzi to submit. Li Shanchang spoke on his behalf; he was summoned for an audience, appointed judge of the law, and his judgments were fair and even. He was promoted to vice director of the Secretariat, then sent out as vice commissioner of the Zhejiang surveillance commission, where his record in office won wide notice. When a great wind darkened the sky at midday, Wang responded to an imperial summons to speak on the people's hardships and asked that levies be eased. The Founder accepted his advice. He died in Hongwu year 3. The Emperor said to Li Shanchang, "Wang had the talent of a king's minister; now that he is dead, I have lost an arm." Later, when Li Shanchang was implicated in a case, the Emperor sighed and said, "If Wang Lian had still been alive, things would surely not have come to this."
28
附毛騏
Appended biography: Mao Qi
29
騏，字國祥，與濂同里。 太祖自濠引兵趨定遠，騏扶縣令出降。 太祖喜，留與飲食，籌兵事，悉當意。 取滁州，擢總管府經歷。 典倉廩，兼掌晨昏歷，稽將帥之失伍者。 從渡江，擢兵省郎中。 是時太祖左右惟善長及騏，文書機密，皆兩人協贊。 尋授參議官。 征婺州，命權理中書省事，委以心膂。 俄病卒，太祖親為文哭之，臨視其葬。
Mao Qi, courtesy name Guoxiang, was from the same district as Wang Lian. When the Founder led troops from Hao toward Dingyuan, Mao helped the county magistrate come out to surrender. The Founder was pleased, kept him to dine with him, and discussed military affairs; everything Mao said accorded with his wishes. After Chuzhou was taken, he was promoted to manager of the general administration. He managed the granaries, also kept the schedule of dawn and dusk watches, and inspected commanders who were absent from their posts. After crossing the Yangzi, he was promoted to director in the military secretariat. At that time only Li Shanchang and Mao Qi stood at the Founder's side; confidential documents were all handled jointly by the two of them. Soon afterward he was appointed deliberator. During the campaign against Wuzhou, he was ordered to manage Secretariat affairs on a provisional basis and was entrusted as the Founder's right-hand man. Before long he died of illness; the Founder personally composed a funeral elegy and wept for him, and attended the burial in person.
30
子驤，管軍千戶，積功擢親軍指揮僉事。 從定中原，進指揮使。 滕州段士雄反，驤討平之。 捕倭浙東，斬獲多，擢都督僉事，見親任，嘗掌錦衣衛事，典詔獄。 後坐胡惟庸黨死。
His son Ziang served as a commander of a thousand households and, by accumulated merit, was promoted to assistant commander of the personal guard. After the pacification of the Central Plains, he was promoted to commander. When Duan Shixiong of Tengzhou rebelled, Ziang campaigned against him and put down the revolt. In pursuing Japanese pirates in eastern Zhejiang he took many heads and captives; he was promoted to vice commissioner of the chief command, enjoyed the Founder's trust, once managed the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and oversaw the imperial prison. Later he was executed as an associate of Hu Weiyong's faction.
31
楊元杲 〈（阮弘道）〉
Yang Yuangao (Ruan Hongdao)]〉
32
楊元杲、阮弘道，皆滁人，家世皆儒者。 從渡江，同為行省左右司員外郎，與陶安等更番掌行機宜文字。 元杲以郎中擢理軍儲於金華，而弘道亦於是歲以郎中從大都督文正守南昌，皆有功。 二人皆於太祖最故，又皆儒雅，嗜文學，練達政體，而元杲知慮尤周密。 帝嘗曰：「文臣從渡江，掌簿書文字，勤勞十餘年，無如楊元杲、阮弘道、李夢庚、侯元善、樊景昭者。」 其後，元杲歷應天府尹，弘道歷福建、江西行省參政，皆卒官。
Yang Yuangao and Ruan Hongdao were both natives of Chuzhou, from families of Confucian scholars for generations. After crossing the Yangzi they both served as vice directors of the left and right sections of the branch secretariat, and with Tao An and others took turns handling urgent administrative documents. Yuangao was promoted from director to manage military supplies at Jinhua, while Hongdao in the same year, also as director, followed Grand General Wen Zheng in defending Nanchang; both performed with merit. Both were among the Founder's oldest associates; both were refined and literary, devoted to letters, and skilled in the ways of government, though Yuangao's forethought was especially thorough. The Emperor once said, "Among the civil officials who crossed the Yangzi and managed ledgers and documents, laboring for more than ten years, none compare with Yang Yuangao, Ruan Hongdao, Li Menggeng, Hou Yuanshan, and Fan Jingzhao." Later, Yuangao served as prefect of Yingtian, and Hongdao served as branch secretariat commissioner in Fujian and Jiangxi; both died in office.
33
元杲子賁，博學強記，以詞翰知名，薦授大名知縣，仕至周府紀善。
Yuangao's son Ben was broadly learned with a powerful memory and was renowned for his writing; on recommendation he was appointed magistrate of Daming and rose to secretary of the Zhou princely establishment.
34
元善，全椒人，歷官參知政事，與樊景昭俱無所表見。
Hou Yuanshan, a native of Quanjiao, served as vice grand councillor; he and Fan Jingzhao alike left nothing noteworthy on record.
35
附汪河
Appended biography: Wang He
36
孔克仁
Kong Keren
37
孔克仁，句容人。 由行省都事進郎中。 嘗偕宋濂侍太祖，太祖數與論天下形勢及前代興亡事。 陳友諒既滅，太祖志圖中原，謂克仁曰：「元運既隳，豪傑互爭，其釁可乘。 吾欲督兩淮、江南諸郡之民，及時耕種，加以訓練。 兵農兼資，進取退守。 仍於兩淮間饋運可通之處，儲糧以俟。 兵食既足，中原可圖。 卿以為何如？」 克仁對曰：「積糧訓兵，觀釁待時，此長策也。」 當是時，江左兵勢日盛，太祖以漢高自期，嘗謂克仁曰：「秦政暴虐，漢高帝起布衣，以寬大馭群雄，遂為天下主。 今群雄蜂起，皆不知修法度以明軍政，此其所以無成也。」 因感嘆久之。 又曰：「天下用兵，河北有孛羅帖木兒，河南有擴廓帖木兒，關中有李思齊、張良弼。 然有兵而無紀律者河北也； 稍有紀律而兵不振者河南也； 道途不通、饋餉不繼者關中也。 江南則惟我與張士誠耳。 士誠多奸謀，尚間諜，御眾無紀律。 我以數十萬眾，修軍政，任將帥，相時而動，其勢有不足平者。」 克仁頓首曰：「主上神武，當定天下於一矣。」
Kong Keren was a native of Jurong. He rose from chief clerk of the branch secretariat to director. He once attended the Founder together with Song Lian, and the Founder often discussed with them the strategic situation of the realm and the rise and fall of earlier dynasties. After Chen Youliang was destroyed, the Founder turned his ambitions toward the Central Plains and said to Kong, "The Yuan mandate is already broken and rival lords contend with one another; the opening can be seized. I wish to oversee the people of the Two Huai and the Jiangnan commanderies, have them sow and plow in season, and train them as well. With both military and agricultural resources in hand, we can advance or hold our ground. Moreover, at points between the Two Huai where supply lines can pass, we should store grain and wait. Once troops and provisions are sufficient, the Central Plains can be taken. What do you think of this?" Kong replied, "To accumulate grain and train troops, watch for openings and await the right moment—this is the long-term strategy." At that time military strength east of the Yangzi grew daily; the Founder measured himself against Emperor Gaozu of Han and once said to Kong, "Qin rule was cruel and tyrannical; Emperor Gaozu rose from common cloth, governed the rival lords with magnanimity, and thus became ruler of the realm. Now rival lords swarm forth, yet none know how to establish regulations and clarify military government—this is why they cannot succeed." He sighed at length. He also said, "Across the realm at war, Hebei has Boluo Temür, Henan has Köke Temür, and Guanzhong has Li Siqi and Zhang Liangbi. Yet Hebei has troops but no discipline; Henan has some discipline but its armies lack vigor; Guanzhong has blocked roads and broken supply lines. In Jiangnan there are only Zhang Shicheng and myself. Shicheng relies on treacherous schemes, favors spies, and commands his troops without discipline. With several hundred thousand men under me, if we rectify military government, appoint generals, and move according to the times, their strength can surely not be enough to resist us." Kong bowed and said, "My lord is divinely martial; you will surely unify the realm."
38
嘗閱《漢書》，濂與克仁侍。 太祖曰：「漢治道不純者何？」 克仁對曰：「王霸雜故也。」 太祖曰：「誰執其咎？」 克仁曰：「責在高祖。」 太祖曰：「高祖創業，遭秦滅學，民憔悴甫蘇，禮樂之事固所未講。 孝文為令主，正當制禮作樂，以復三代之舊。 乃逡巡未遑，使漢業終於如是。 帝王之道，貴不違時。 三代之王有其時而能為之，漢文有其時而不為，周世宗則無其時而為之者也。」 又嘗問克仁：「漢高起徒步為萬乘主，所操何道？」 克仁對曰：「知人善任使。」 太祖曰：「項羽南面稱孤，仁義不施，而自矜功伐。 高祖知其然，承以柔遜，濟以寬仁，卒以勝之。 今豪傑非一，我守江左，任賢撫民，以觀天下之變。 若徒與角力，則猝難定也。」 及徐達等下淮東、西，又謂克仁曰：「壬辰之亂，生民塗炭。 中原諸將，孛羅擁兵犯闕，亂倫干紀，行已夷滅。 擴廓挾太子以稱戈，急私仇，無敵愾之志。 思齊輩碌碌，竊據一方，民受其害。 士誠外假元名，反覆兩端。 明玉珍父子據蜀僭號，喜於自用而無遠謀。 觀其所為，皆不能有成。 予揆天時，審人事，有可定之機。 今師西出襄、樊，東逾淮、泗，首尾相應，擊之必勝。 大事可成，天下不難定。 既定之後，生息猶難，方勞思慮耳。」
Once, while reading the Book of Han, Song Lian and Kong Keren were in attendance. The Founder said, "Why was Han governance not pure?" Kong replied, "Because kingship and hegemony were mixed." The Founder said, "Who bears the blame?" Kong said, "The fault lies with Gaozu." The Founder said, "Gaozu founded the enterprise at a time when Qin had destroyed learning, the people were worn out and only just reviving, and matters of ritual and music had naturally not yet been addressed. Emperor Wen was an excellent ruler; precisely then he should have made rites and music to restore the institutions of the Three Dynasties. Yet he hesitated and had no leisure for it, and so Han's enterprise ended as it did. The way of emperors and kings lies in not acting against the proper time. The kings of the Three Dynasties had their time and were able to act; Emperor Wen of Han had his time but did not act; Emperor Shizong of Zhou had no proper time yet acted anyway." He also once asked Kong, "Gaozu of Han rose from a foot soldier to lord of ten thousand chariots—what Way did he follow?" Kong replied, "Knowing men and employing them well." The Founder said, "Xiang Yu faced south and styled himself a lone ruler, showed no benevolence or righteousness, yet prided himself on merit and boasted of his victories. Gaozu knew this; he met him with soft humility and aided his cause with generous benevolence, and in the end overcame him. Now rival lords are many; I hold the left bank of the Yangzi, appoint the worthy and comfort the people, and watch the changes in the realm. If we merely contend in brute force, sudden settlement will be difficult." When Xu Da and others took eastern and western Huai, he again said to Kong, "In the disorder of the renchen year, the people were burned in fire and crushed on the anvil. Among the generals of the Central Plains, Boluo seized troops and violated the palace, transgressing ethics and order; his line has already been extinguished. Köke held the crown prince hostage and took up arms, pressing private enmities and lacking any will to resist the common foe. Siqi and his ilk are mediocre men who have seized and hold one region, and the people suffer under them. Shicheng outwardly borrowed the Yuan name yet wavered between two sides. Ming Yuzhen and his son hold Shu and have usurped a title; they delight in acting on their own judgment and lack long-range plans. Judging by their conduct, none of them can succeed. I have measured heaven's timing and examined human affairs, and there is an opening for conquest. Now our armies advance west from Xiang and Fan and east beyond the Huai and Si, head and tail responding to one another; strike and we are sure to win. The great enterprise can be accomplished, and the realm will not be hard to settle. After it is settled, restoration and nurturing will still be difficult—that is what will truly tax our thought."
39
克仁侍帷幄最久，故獲聞太祖謀略居多。 洪武二年四月，命克仁等授諸子經，功臣子弟亦令入學。 已，出知江州，入為參議，坐事死。
Kong Keren attended in the command tent longer than anyone else, and so heard more of the Founder's stratagems than the others. In the fourth month of Hongwu year 2, Kong and others were ordered to teach the classics to the princes, and the sons of meritorious ministers were also ordered to enter school. Before long he went out as prefect of Jiangzhou, then returned as deliberator, and was executed for an offense.
40
贊曰：太祖起布衣，經營天下。 渡江以來，規模宏遠，聲教風馳。 雖曰天授，抑亦左右丞弼多國士之助歟。 陳遇見禮不下劉基，而超然利祿之外。 葉兌於天下大計，籌之審矣，亦能抗節肥遯，其高致均非人所易及。 孔克仁無可稱述，以太祖之雄謀大略具其事中，故敘列於篇。
The commentator says: The Founder rose from common cloth and set about winning the realm. Since crossing the Yangzi, his designs have been vast and far-reaching, and his civilizing influence has spread like the wind. Although one may call it heaven's gift, was it not also because the ministers and assistants at his side included many men of national talent? Chen Yu received honor no less than Liu Ji, yet stood aloof from salary and rank. Ye Dui deliberated with thoroughness on the great designs for the realm, and could also uphold his integrity and withdraw into reclusion; his lofty character, too, is not easily matched. Kong Keren has nothing especially worth recounting in his own right; because the Founder's heroic stratagems and great designs are fully preserved in the affairs in which he appears, he is therefore included in this chapter.