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【列傳第七十七李文祥·孫磐·徐珪·胡爟·周時從·王雄·羅僑·葉釗·劉天麒·戴冠·黃鞏·陸震·夏良勝·萬潮等·何遵·劉校等】
Biographies 77: Li Wenxiang, Sun Pan, Xu Gui, Hu Guan, Zhou Shicong, Wang Xiong, Luo Qiao, Ye Zhao, Liu Tianqi, Dai Guan, Huang Gong, Lu Zhen, Xia Liangsheng, Wan Chao and others, He Zun, Liu Xiao and others So it was.
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李文祥，字天瑞，麻城人。 祖正芳，山西布政使。 父，陝西參政。 文祥自幼俊異。 弱冠舉于鄉，成化末登進士。 萬安當國，重其才。 以孫弘璧與同榜，款于家，文祥意弗慊也。 屬題畫鳩，語含刺，安深銜之。 未幾，孝宗嗣位，即上封事，略曰：
Li Wenxiang, styled Tianrui, was a native of Macheng. His grandfather Zhengfang served as Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shanxi. His father served as Vice Commissioner of Shaanxi. Wenxiang was precocious and outstanding from childhood. At age twenty he passed the provincial examination, and at the end of the Chenghua reign he became a jinshi. When Wan An held power, he valued Wenxiang's talent. Because Sun Hongbi had passed the jinshi examination in the same year, Wan entertained him at home, and Wenxiang was displeased. When assigned to inscribe a painting of turtledoves, his words carried satire, and Wan deeply resented it. Before long, when Emperor Xiaozong succeeded to the throne, he immediately submitted a sealed memorial, in summary saying:
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祖宗設內閣、六部，贊萬幾，理庶務，職至重也。 頃者，在位多匪人，權移內侍。 賞罰任其喜怒，禍福聽其轉移。 仇視言官，公行賄賂。 阿之則交引驟遷，忤之則巧讒遠竄。 朝野寒心，道路側目。 望陛下密察渠魁，明彰國憲，擇謹厚者供使令。 更博選大臣，諮諏治理，推心委任，不復嫌疑，然後體統正而近習不得肆也。
The ancestors established the Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries to assist in the myriad duties of state and manage common affairs—a responsibility of the utmost weight. Recently, many unworthy men have held office, and power has shifted to inner eunuchs. Rewards and punishments follow their caprice; fortune and disaster depend on their whim. They treat remonstrating officials as enemies and openly accept bribes. Those who flatter them are rapidly promoted in succession, while those who oppose them are slandered by artifice and banished to distant posts. The court and the countryside are chilled with fear, and people on the roads avert their eyes. I hope Your Majesty will secretly investigate the ringleaders, clearly enforce the national statutes, and choose prudent and honest men to serve as attendants. Further, broadly select senior ministers, consult them on governance, and entrust them with open hearts free of suspicion—then the institutional order will be restored and close associates will no longer act wantonly.
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祖宗定律，輕重適宜。 頃法司專徇己私，不恤國典。 豪強者雖重必寬，貧弱者雖輕必罪。 惠及奸宄，養成玩俗。 兼之風尚奢麗，禮制蕩然。 豪民僭王者之居，富室擬公侯之服。 奇技淫巧，上下同流。 望陛下申明舊章，俾法曹遵律令，臣庶各守等威，然後禮法明而人心不敢玩也。
The ancestors established laws with punishments appropriately graded in severity. Recently the judicial offices have exclusively pursued private interest, heedless of the national code. The powerful, though guilty of serious crimes, are invariably treated leniently, while the poor and weak, though guilty of minor offenses, are invariably punished. Evildoers are favored, and lax customs are cultivated. Moreover, customs have turned extravagant and ritual systems have collapsed. Overbearing commoners build dwellings fit for kings, and wealthy households dress like dukes and marquises. Strange skills and licentious crafts flow unchecked from top to bottom. I hope Your Majesty will clarify the old regulations, require legal officials to follow statutes and orders, and require ministers and commoners each to observe their proper rank—then ritual and law will be clear and no one will dare treat them lightly.
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然國無其人，誰與共理？ 致仕尚書王恕、王竑，孤忠自許，齒力未衰； 南京主事林俊、思南通判王純，剛方植躬，才品兼茂。 望陛下起列朝端，資其議論，必有裨益，可翊明時。 且賢才難得，自古為然。 習俗移人，豪傑不免。 惟茲臣庶，不盡庸愚。 能知自愧，即屬名流； 樂其危災，乃為猥品。 願陛下明察群倫，罷其罔上營私違天蠹物者，餘則勉以自新。 既開改過之路，必多遷善之人。
Yet if the state lacks such men, with whom shall we govern together? Retired Ministers Wang Su and Wang Hong, steadfast in solitary loyalty, are still vigorous in age and strength; Lin Jun, a section chief in Nanjing, and Wang Chun, assistant prefect of Sinan, are upright in character and of abundant talent and integrity. I hope Your Majesty will summon them to court and rely on their counsel—they will surely be of benefit and can assist this enlightened age. Moreover, worthy talent is hard to obtain—as it has been since ancient times. Custom shifts people; even heroes cannot escape its influence. Yet among these officials and commoners, not all are mediocre and foolish. Those who can feel shame belong among the distinguished; Those who rejoice in others' misfortune are base in character. I wish Your Majesty to examine all ranks clearly, dismiss those who deceive their superiors, seek private gain, oppose Heaven, and harm the commonwealth, and urge the rest to reform themselves. Once the path of repentance is opened, many will surely turn toward goodness.
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臣見登極詔書，不許風聞言事。 古聖王懸鼓設木，自求誹謗。 言之縱非其情，聽者亦足為戒，何害于國，遽欲罪之？ 昔李林甫持此以禍唐，王安石持此以禍宋。 遠近驟聞，莫不驚駭。 願陛下再頒明詔，廣求直言，庶不墮奸謀，足彰聖德。 大率君子之言決非小人之利，諮問倘及，必肆中傷。 如有所疑，請試面對。
Your servant notes that the accession edict forbids remonstrance based on hearsay. Ancient sage kings hung drums and set up posts, actively seeking criticism and slander. Even if what is said does not match the facts, the listener can still take it as a warning—what harm does it do the state that you hasten to punish it? Formerly Li Linfu used this policy to bring calamity upon Tang; Wang Anshi used it to bring calamity upon Song. Near and far, all who heard it were startled and alarmed. I wish Your Majesty to issue a clear edict again, broadly seeking frank remonstrance—you will not fall into treacherous schemes and will fully display sage virtue. Generally speaking, the words of gentlemen certainly do not serve the interests of petty men; if consultation reaches them, they will surely launch slander at the center. If there is doubt, please try confronting them face to face.
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疏奏，宦官及執政萬安、劉吉、尹直等鹹惡之，數日不下。 忽詔詣左順門，以疏內有「中興再造」語，傳旨詰責。 文祥從容辨析而出。 謫授陝西咸寧丞。 南京主事夏崇文論救，不納。 工部主事莆田林沂復請召文祥及湯鼐，納崇文言，且召陳獻章、謝鐸等。 時安已去，吉、直激帝怒，嚴旨切責之。 廷臣多薦文祥，率為吉、直所沮。
When the memorial was submitted, eunuchs and the ruling ministers Wan An, Liu Ji, Yin Zhi, and others all hated it, and for several days it was not forwarded. Suddenly he was summoned by edict to the Left Shun Gate; because the memorial contained the phrase 'restoring the state and rebuilding,' an imperial order was issued to question and rebuke him. Wenxiang calmly analyzed and argued his case and was released. He was demoted and appointed assistant magistrate of Xianning in Shaanxi. Xia Chongwen, a section chief in Nanjing, remonstrated in his defense, but the appeal was not accepted. Lin Yi, a works section chief from Putian, again requested that Wenxiang and Tang Nai be summoned, that Chongwen's appeal be accepted, and that Chen Xianzhang, Xie Duo, and others also be summoned. By then Wan An had already departed; Liu Ji and Yin Zhi incited the emperor's anger and issued stern orders sharply rebuking them. Many court ministers recommended Wenxiang, but their efforts were mostly obstructed by Liu Ji and Yin Zhi.
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弘治二年以王恕薦召為兵部主事，監司以下饋贐皆不納。 到官未逾月，復以吉人事下獄，貶貴州興隆衛經歷。 都御史鄧廷瓚征苗，咨以兵事，大奇之，欲薦為監司。 文祥曰：「昔以言事出，今以軍功進，不可。」 固辭不得，乃請齎表入都，固乞告歸。 疏再上，不許。 還經商城，渡冰陷，死焉，年僅三十。
In Hongzhi year 2 (1489), on Wang Su's recommendation he was summoned to serve as a section chief in the Ministry of War; he refused all gifts from supervising officials and below. Less than a month after taking office, he was again imprisoned on Liu Ji's account and demoted to administrator of Xinglong Guard in Guizhou. Censor-in-Chief Deng Tingzan, campaigning against the Miao, consulted him on military affairs, greatly admired him, and wished to recommend him as a supervising official. Wenxiang said, 'Formerly I left office for remonstrance; now to advance on military merit—that cannot be done.' He firmly declined but could not succeed; then he requested permission to carry the memorial of tribute to the capital and firmly begged leave to return home. He submitted his request again, but it was not granted. On the return journey he passed through Shangcheng; crossing ice he fell through and drowned, aged only thirty.
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孫磐，遼陽人。 弘治九年進士。 觀政在部時，刑部典吏徐珪以滿倉兒事劾中官楊鵬得罪，磐上疏曰：「近諫官以言為諱，而排寵倖觸權奸者乃在胥吏，臣竊羞之。 請定建言者為四等。 最上不避患害，抗彈權貴者。 其次揚清激濁，能補闕拾遺。 又其次，建白時政，有裨軍國。 皆分別擢敘。 而粉飾文具、循默不言者，則罷黜之。 庶言官知警，不至曠鳷。」 時不見用。
Sun Pan was a native of Liaoyang. In Hongzhi year 9 (1496) he became a jinshi. While observing governance in the ministry, Criminal Section Clerk Xu Gui impeached the inner official Yang Peng over the Mancang'er affair and was punished; Pan submitted a memorial saying, 'Recently remonstrating officials treat speech as taboo, yet those who oppose favored minions and touch powerful villains are found among clerks—your servant is privately ashamed. I request that remonstrators be classified in four grades. The highest grade: those who do not avoid calamity and harm and who resist and impeach the powerful and noble. The next grade: those who promote the pure and stir the turbid, able to supplement omissions and gather what was lost. Again the next: those who propose timely policies beneficial to military affairs and the state. All should be separately promoted and ranked. But those who adorn themselves with empty documents and remain silent should be dismissed. Then remonstrating officials will know to be alert and will not stand vacant like magpies on a gate.' At the time it was not adopted.
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徐珪者，應城人。 先是，千戶吳能以女滿倉兒付媒者鬻于樂婦張，紿曰：「周皇親家也。」 後轉鬻樂工袁璘所。 能歿，妻聶訪得之。 女怨母鬻己，詭言非己母。 聶與子劫女歸。 璘訟于刑部，郎中丁哲、員外郎王爵訊得情。 璘語不遜，哲笞璘，數日死。 御史陳玉、主事孔琦驗璘屍，瘞之。 東廠中官楊鵬從子嘗與女淫，教璘妻訴冤于鵬而令張指女為妹，又令賈校尉屬女亦如張言。 媒者遂言聶女前鬻周皇親矣。 奏下鎮撫司，坐哲、爵等罪。 復下法司、錦衣衛讞，索女皇親周彧家，無有。 復命府部大臣及給事、御史廷訊，張與女始吐實。 都察院奏，哲因公杖人死，罪當徒。 爵、玉、琦及聶母女當杖。 獄上，珪憤懣，抗疏曰：「聶女之獄，哲斷之審矣。 鵬拷聶使誣服，鎮撫司共相蔽欺。 陛下令法司、錦衣會問，懼東廠莫敢明，至鞫之朝堂乃不能隱。 夫女誣母僅擬杖，哲等無罪反加以徒。 輕重倒置如此，皆東廠威劫所致也。 臣在刑部三年，見鞫問盜賊，多東廠鎮撫司緝獲，有稱校尉誣陷者，有稱校尉為人報仇者，有稱校尉受首惡贓而以為從、令傍人抵罪者。 刑官洞見其情，無敢擅更一字。 上幹天和，災異迭見。 臣願陛下革去東廠，戮鵬叔侄並賈校尉及此女於市，謫戍鎮撫司官極邊，進哲、爵、琦、玉各一階，以洗其冤，則天意可回，太平可致。 如不罷東廠，亦當推選謹厚中官如陳寬、韋泰者居之，仍簡一大臣與共理。 鎮撫司理刑亦不宜專用錦衣官。 乞推選在京各衛一二人及刑部主事一人，共蒞其事。 或三年、六年一更，則巡捕官校，當有作奸擅刑，誣及無辜者矣。 臣一介微軀，左右前後皆東廠鎮撫司之人，禍必不免。 顧與其死於此輩，孰若死於朝廷。 願斬臣頭，以行臣言。 給臣妻子送骸骨歸，臣雖死無恨。」 帝怒，下都察院考訊。 都御史閔珪等抵以奏事不實，贖徒還役。 帝責具狀，皆上疏引罪，奪俸有差。 珪贖徒畢，發為民。 既而給事中龐泮等言：「哲等獄詞覆奏已餘三月，系獄者凡三十八人，乞早為省釋。」 乃杖滿倉兒，送浣衣局。 哲給璘理葬資，發為民。 爵及琦、玉俱贖杖還職。 時弘治九年十二月也。
Xu Gui was a native of Yingcheng. Earlier, Battalion Commander Wu Neng gave his daughter Mancang'er to a matchmaker to sell to the procuress Zhang, falsely claiming, 'She is from the household of the Zhou imperial relative.' Later she was resold to the musician Yuan Lin. After Neng died, his wife Nie traced her whereabouts and found her. The daughter, resenting her mother for selling her, falsely claimed that Nie was not her mother. Nie and her son seized the daughter and took her back by force. Lin sued at the Ministry of Justice; Bureau Director Ding Zhe and Vice Bureau Director Wang Jue examined the case and established the facts. Lin's words were insolent; Zhe beat him with the bamboo, and within days he died. Censor Chen Yu and Section Chief Kong Qi examined Lin's corpse and had it buried. Yang Peng, an inner official of the Eastern Depot, had a nephew who had once fornicated with the girl; he instructed Lin's wife to plead injustice to Peng, had Zhang identify the girl as a younger sister, and also had Guard Captain Jia instruct the girl to speak as Zhang had. The matchmaker then claimed that Nie's daughter had previously been sold to the Zhou imperial relative. The case was sent down to the Brocade Guard Office, and Zhe, Jue, and others were convicted. The case was again sent down to the judicial offices and the Brocade Guard for judgment; they searched the household of the Zhou imperial relative Zhou Yu and found no such person. The emperor again ordered ministers of the prefectures and ministries together with supervising secretaries and censors to examine the case at court; only then did Zhang and the girl begin to tell the truth. The Censorate memorialized that Zhe, for beating a man to death in the course of official duty, should be punished with penal servitude. Jue, Yu, Qi, and Nie and her daughter should be beaten with the bamboo. When the verdict was submitted, Gui, indignant, submitted a defiant memorial saying, 'In the case of Nie's daughter, Zhe judged it with thoroughness. Peng tortured Nie to make her falsely confess, and the Brocade Guard Office together deceived and covered it up. Your Majesty ordered the judicial offices and the Brocade Guard to examine the case jointly, but fearing the Eastern Depot none dared speak clearly; only at the court examination could the truth not be hidden. The daughter who falsely accused her mother was only proposed for bamboo beating, while Zhe and the others, though innocent, were instead sentenced to penal servitude. Light and heavy thus inverted—all caused by the coercive power of the Eastern Depot. Your servant served in the Ministry of Justice for three years and saw interrogations of thieves and bandits—mostly cases captured by the Eastern Depot Brocade Guard Office; some said the guard captain had falsely entrapped them, some said the guard captain had avenged others, some said the guard captain had received bribes from the chief villain and made accomplices while having bystanders bear guilt. The criminal officials saw through the facts but dared not change a single word on their own authority. Above, it disturbs Heaven's harmony; calamities and anomalies appear in successio. Your servant wishes Your Majesty to abolish the Eastern Depot, execute Peng and his nephew together with Guard Captain Jia and this girl in the marketplace, banish the Brocade Guard officials to the farthest border, and advance Zhe, Jue, Qi, and Yu each one rank—to clear their injustice; then Heaven's intent can be turned back and great peace can be attained. If the Eastern Depot is not abolished, prudent and honest inner officials such as Chen Kuan and Wei Tai should be selected to preside, and a senior minister should still be chosen to govern jointly. The Brocade Guard Office's administration of criminal cases should also not rely exclusively on Brocade Guard officials. I beg that one or two men from each guard in the capital together with one section chief from the Ministry of Justice be selected to jointly preside over the matter. If rotated every three or six years, then the patrol-capture guard captains who commit fraud, abuse punishment, and falsely implicate the innocent would be exposed. Your servant is a single insignificant man; to left and right, before and behind, all are men of the Eastern Depot Brocade Guard Office—calamity cannot be avoided. Rather than die at the hands of such men, how much better to die at the hands of the court. I wish to be beheaded so that my words may be carried out. Grant my wife and children permission to send my bones home; though I die, I will have no regre.' The emperor was angry and sent the case down to the Censorate for examination and interrogation. Censor-in-Chief Min Gui and others charged him with memorializing on matters not factual; he redeemed penal servitude and returned to dut. This emperor ordered detailed statements; all submitted memorials admitting guilt, and salaries were reduced by varying degrees. When Gui finished redeeming penal servitude, he was dismissed to commoner status. Soon after, Supervising Secretary Pang Yang and others said, 'In the case of Zhe and others, the review of the prison testimony has already exceeded three months; those held in prison total thirty-eight persons—I beg that they be released soon.' Then Mancang'er was beaten with the bamboo and sent to the Laundry Bureau. Zhe provided funds for Lin's burial and was dismissed to commoner status. Jue, Qi, and Yu all redeemed bamboo beating and returned to their posts. It was the twelfth month of Hongzhi year 9 (1496).
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珪以刑部主事陳鳳梧薦，授桐鄉丞。 正德中，曆贛州通判。 招降盜魁何積玉。 已，復叛，下珪獄，尋釋之。 後以平盜功擢知州。
On Criminal Section Chief Chen Fengwu's recommendation, Gui was appointed assistant magistrate of Tongxiang. During the Zhengde reign he served successively as assistant prefect of Ganzhou. Then he induced the bandit chieftain He Jiyu to surrender. Later Jiyu rebelled again; Gui was imprisoned and soon release. Later, on merit in suppressing bandits, he was promoted to prefect.
12
胡爟，字仲光，蕪湖人。 弘治六年進士。 改庶起士，授戶部主事。 十年三月，災異求言。 爟應詔，疏言：「中官李廣、楊鵬引左道劉良輔輩惑亂聖聰，濫設齋醮，耗蠹國儲。 而不肖士大夫方昏暮乞憐於其門，交通請托。 陰盛陽微，災何由弭？」 因極陳戚畹、方士、傳奉冗員之害。 疏留中。 未幾，廣死，故爟得無罪。
Hu Guan, styled Zhongguang, was a native of Wuhu. In Hongzhi year 6 (1493) he became a jinshi. Transferred to a Hanlin bachelor, he was appointed section chief in the Ministry of Revenue. In the third month of the tenth year, calamities and anomalies prompted a call for remonstranc. Guan responded to the edict and memorialized saying, 'Inner officials Li Guang and Yang Peng brought in heterodox practitioners such as Liu Liangfu to bewilder the sage ear, wantonly establishing fasting and sacrifices, wasting and harming the national treasury. Yet unworthy grand secretaries at dusk beg for pity at their gates, exchanging communications and seeking favors. Yin flourishes and yang is weak; how can calamities be extinguished?' Thereupon he exhaustively set forth the harms of imperial in-laws, alchemists, and supernumerary transmitted appointees. The memorial was retained at court. Soon Guang died, and so Guan escaped punishment.
13
十三年秋，大同有警，命保國公硃暉禦之。 行人永清王雄極言暉不足任，且請罷中官監督，以重將權。 苗逵方督暉軍，謂雄阻軍，乃下詔獄，謫雲南浪穹丞。
In the autumn of the thirteenth year, Datong had an alarm; the emperor ordered Defender of the State Duke Zhu Hui to defend i. Imperial Envoy Wang Xiong of Yongqing strongly stated that Hui was unfit for the task, and also requested abolishing palace eunuch supervision to strengthen the generals' authority. Miao Kui was then supervising Hui's army and said Xiong was obstructing the army; he was imprisoned by edict and demoted to assistant magistrate of Langqi in Yunnan.
14
羅僑，字維升，吉水人。 性純靜，寡嗜欲。 受業張元禎，講學里中。 舉弘治十二年進士，除新會知縣，有惠愛。
Luo Qiao, styled Weisheng, was a native of Jishui. By nature he was pure and quiet, with few desire. Then he studied under Zhang Yuanzhen and lectured on learning in the village. Selected as a jinshi in Hongzhi year 12 (1499), he was appointed magistrate of Xinhui, where he showed benevolence and kindness.
15
正德初，入為大理右評事。 五年四月，京師旱霾，上疏曰：「臣聞人道理則陰陽和，政事失則災沴作。 頃因京師久旱，陛下特沛德音，釋逋戍之囚，弛株連之禁，而齋禱經旬，雨澤尚滯。 臣竊以為天心仁愛未已也。 陛下視朝，或至日昃，狎侮群小，號呶達旦，其何以承天心基大業乎！ 文網日密，誅求峻急。 盜賊白晝殺人，百姓流移載道，元氣索然。 科道知之而不敢言，內閣言之而不敢盡，此壅蔽之大患也。 古者進退大臣，必有體貌，黥劓之罪不上大夫。 邇來公卿去不以禮。 先朝忠藎如劉大夏者，謫戍窮邊，已及三載，陛下置之不問，非所以待耆舊、敬大臣也。 本朝律例，參酌古今，足以懲奸而蔽罪。 近者法司承望風旨，巧中善類。 傳曰：『賞僭則及淫人，刑濫則及善人。 不幸而過，寧僭無濫。』 今之刑罰，濫孰甚焉。 願陛下慎逸游，屏玩好，放棄小人，召還舊德，與在廷臣工，宵旰圖治，並敕法司慎守成律。 即有律輕情重者，亦必奏請裁決，毋擅有輕重。 庶可上弭天變，下收人心。」 時朝士久以言為諱。 僑疏上，自揣必死，輿櫬待命。 劉瑾大怒，矯中旨詰責數百言，令廷臣議罪。 大學士李東陽力救，得改原籍教職。 其秋，瑾敗，僑尋召復官，引病去。 宸濠反，王守仁起兵吉安，僑首赴義。
At the beginning of the Zhengde reign he entered service as right reviewing censor of the Court of Judicial Review. In the fourth month of the fifth year, the capital suffered drought and haze; he submitted a memorial saying, 'Your servant has heard that when human affairs accord with principle, yin and yang are harmonious; when government affairs fail, calamities and anomalies arise. Recently, because the capital had long suffered drought, the emperor specially issued a benevolent edict, releasing prisoners with overdue sentences and relaxing punishments of collective guilt, yet after fasting and prayer for ten days rain still lagged. Your servant privately believes that Heaven's heart of benevolent love has not yet ceased. Your Majesty holds court, sometimes until the sun slants west; you dally with petty men and shout and clamor until dawn—how can you receive Heaven's heart and establish the great enterprise? This net of literary punishments grows daily tighter; exactions and demands are severe and urgent. Bandits kill people in broad daylight; the common people flee and migrate, filling the roads; vital energy is utterly deplete. The censorate and remonstrance officials know this but dare not speak; the Grand Secretariat speaks but dare not speak fully—this is the great evil of obstruction. In antiquity, when advancing or dismissing great ministers there was always proper ceremony; tattooing and nose-cutting punishments did not reach grand secretarie. Recently grand secretaries and ministers have departed without ceremon. Formerly loyal and steadfast men of the previous reign such as Liu Daxia were banished to the farthest border for nearly three years; the emperor has left them unattended—this is not how to treat elders and respect great ministers. This statutes and precedents of this dynasty, drawn from past and present, are sufficient to punish the wicked and cover crimes. Recently the judicial offices have followed the wind of intent and artfully struck good me. The Classic says, 'If rewards are excessive, they reach licentious men; if punishments are excessive, they reach good men.' If one must err, better excessive reward than excessive punishmen. Today's punishments—what excess could be greater? I wish the emperor to be careful of idle wandering, to put aside amusements, to abandon petty men, to recall old virtue, together with ministers at court to toil day and night in seeking good governance, and also to order the judicial offices carefully to keep the established statutes. Even if the statute is light and the circumstances heavy, it must also be submitted for imperial decision—do not on your own authority vary the severity. Then above you can extinguish Heaven's changes and below gather people's heart.' At the time court gentlemen had long treated speech as taboo. When Qiao's memorial was submitted, he reckoned he would surely die and carried a coffin awaiting order. Liu Jin was greatly angered and forged an imperial order rebuking him in hundreds of words, ordering court ministers to deliberate on punishmen. Grand Secretary Li Dongyang exerted himself to save him, and he was reassigned to an educational post in his native place. That autumn Jin fell; Qiao was soon summoned to restore his office and cited illness to depar. When the Prince of Ning rebelled, Wang Shouren raised troops at Ji'an; Qiao was first to respond to the righteous cause.
16
世宗即位，即家授台州知府。 建忠節祠，祀方孝孺。 延布衣張尺，詢民間疾苦。 歲時循行阡陌，課農桑，講明冠婚喪祭禮，境內大治。 嘉靖二年舉行卓異。 都御史姚鏌上書訟僑曰：「人臣犯顏進諫，自古為難。 曩『八黨』弄權，逆瑾亂政，廷臣結舌，全軀自保。 而給事中劉掞、評事羅僑殉國忘身，發摘時弊，倖存餘息。 遭遇聖朝，謂宜顯加獎擢，用厲具臣。 乃僑知台州，掞知長沙，使懷忠竭節之士淹于常調，臣竊為朝廷惜之。」 帝納其言，擢僑廣東左參政，僑辭。 部牒敦趣，不得已之官。 逾年，遂謝病歸。
When Emperor Shizong succeeded, he was appointed prefect of Taizhou while at home. Then he built a Shrine of Loyalty and Integrity and sacrificed to Fang Xiaoru. Then he invited the commoner Zhang Chi and inquired about the people's hardships. At the seasons he walked the field paths, supervised agriculture and sericulture, and explained the rites of capping, marriage, mourning, and sacrifice; within the jurisdiction great order prevaile. In Jiajing year 2 (1523) he was cited for outstanding merit. Censor-in-Chief Yao E submitted a memorial pleading for Qiao saying, 'For ministers to risk their lives in remonstrance has since ancient times been difficult. Formerly the 'Eight Factions' wielded power; the traitor Jin disturbed government; court ministers sealed their tongues and preserved themselves whol. Yet Supervising Secretary Liu Shan and Reviewing Censor Luo Qiao sacrificed the state and forgot themselves, exposing the ills of the time, and by fortune survive. Encountering the sage reign, one would say they should clearly be rewarded and promoted to encourage capable minister. Yet Qiao is prefect of Taizhou and Shan is prefect of Changsha, making men who cherish loyalty and exhaust their integrity sink in ordinary appointments—your servant privately regrets this for the court.' The emperor accepted his words and promoted Qiao to left vice commissioner of Guangdong; Qiao declined. This ministry sent repeated orders urging him; he had no choice but to take office. After a year he then submitted illness and returned hom.
17
僑敦行誼，動則古人。 羅洪先居喪，不廢講學，僑以為非禮，遺書責之。 其峭直如此。
Qiao honored conduct and righteousness and in action modeled the ancient. Luo Hongxian during mourning did not cease lecturing on learning; Qiao considered this contrary to ritual and sent a letter rebuking hi. Then he was stern and upright to this degree.
18
葉釗，字時勉，豐城人。 弘治十五年進士。 除南京刑部主事。 獄囚久淹，悉按法出之。 守備中官侵蘆洲，判歸之民。 應天諸府災，上荒政四事。 尋進員外郎。
Ye Zhao, styled Shimian, was a native of Fengcheng. In Hongzhi year 15 (1502) he became a jinshi. He was appointed section chief in the Nanjing Ministry of Justice. Prisoners long detained, he all released according to la. The defending palace eunuch encroached on Luzhou; he judged it returned to the people. When the prefectures of Yingtian suffered calamity, he submitted four matters on famine administratio. Soon he was promoted to vice bureau director.
19
武宗立，應詔陳八事，中言：「宣、大被寇，殺卒幾千人。 監督中官苗逵妄報首功，宜召還候勘。 宦官典兵，于古未見。 唐始用之，而宗社丘墟； 我正統朝用之，而鑾輿北狩。 自今軍務勿遣監督，鎮守者亦宜撤還。 且國初宦官悉隸禮部，秩不過四品，職不過掃除。 今請仍隸之部，易置司禮，俾供雜役。 罷革東廠，移為他署。 斯左右不得擅權，而後天下可安也。」 又乞召還劉大夏，宥諫官戴銑等。 劉瑾怒，坐斷獄詿誤，逮下詔獄，削籍歸。 講學西江。 瑾誅，起禮部員外郎，未聞命卒。 學者祀之石鼓書院。
When Emperor Wuzong succeeded, he responded to the edict and set forth eight matters, among them saying, 'Xuan and Da were raided; soldiers killed numbered nearly a thousand. Supervising palace official Miao Kui falsely reported first merit; he should be recalled to await investigation. Eunuchs commanding armies; in antiquity this was never seen. Tang first used them, and the altars of state became ruins; So it was. Our Zhengtong reign used them, and the imperial carriage went north on campaig. From now on in military affairs do not dispatch supervisors; those on frontier defense should also be withdraw. Moreover, at the founding of the dynasty all eunuchs were subordinate to the ministry of Rites; rank did not exceed fourth grade, duties did not exceed sweeping. Now I request they again be subordinate to that ministry, replacing the Directorate of Ceremonial, to supply miscellaneous servic. Abolish the Eastern Depot and move it to another office. Then those at the emperor's side cannot usurp power, and afterward the realm can be at peac.' He also begged to recall Liu Daxia and pardon remonstrance officials such as Dai Xian. Liu Jin was angry and convicted him of error in judging cases; he was arrested and imprisoned by edict, stripped of registry and sent hom. Then he lectured on learning on the West River. When Jin was executed, he was raised to vice bureau director in the Ministry of Rites; before hearing the order he died. Scholars sacrificed to him at the Shigu Academ.
20
時又有工部主事劉天麒者，臨桂人，釗同年進士。 分司呂梁。 奄人過者不為禮，訴之瑾，逮下詔獄，謫貴州安莊驛丞卒。 嘉靖初，復官予祭。
At the time there was also Works Section Chief Liu Tianqi, a native of Lingui, a fellow jinshi of the same year as Zhao. Then he served in the Lüliang branch office. When eunuchs passed by he did not show courtesy; he complained to Jin, was arrested and imprisoned by edict, and was demoted to assistant postmaster of Anzhuang Station in Guizhou, where he died. At the beginning of the Jiajing reign his office was restored and he was granted sacrificial rites.
21
戴冠，信陽人。 正德三年進士。 為戶部主事。 見寵倖日多，廩祿多耗，乃上疏極諫，略曰：「古人理財，務去冗食。 近京師勢要家子弟僮奴苟竊爵賞，錦衣官屬數至萬餘，次者系籍勇士，投充監局匠役，不可數計，皆國家蠹也。 歲漕四百萬，宿有嬴餘。 近絀水旱，所入不及前，而歲支反過之，計為此輩耗三之一。 陛下何忍以赤子膏血，養無用之蠹乎！ 兵貴精，不貴多。 邊軍生長邊士，習戰陣，足以守禦。 今遇警輒發京軍，而宣府調入京操之軍，累經臣下論列，堅不遣還。 不知陛下何樂於邊軍，而不為關塞慮也。 天子藏富天下，務鳩聚為帑藏，是匹夫商賈計也。 逆瑾既敗，所籍財產不歸有司，而貯之豹房，遂創新庫。 夫供禦之物，內有監局，外有部司，此庫何所用之。」 疏入，帝大怒，貶廣東烏石驛丞。
Dai Guan was a native of Xinyang. In Zhengde year 3 (1508) he became a jinshi. He served as section chief in the Ministry of Revenue. Seeing favored minions daily increase and official salaries greatly wasted, he submitted a memorial strongly remonstrating, in summary saying, 'The ancients in managing finances strove to remove redundant consumption. Recently the sons and servants of powerful families in the capital have frivolously stolen ranks and rewards; the Brocade Guard officials number more than ten thousand, and next come registered warriors and those who enter service in supervisory bureaus and artisan corvée—beyond counting—all parasites on the state. Annual grain transport is four million piculs, with surplus stored from of ol. Recently drought and flood have reduced income below former levels, yet annual expenditure exceeds it; it is calculated that these people consume one-thir. Your Majesty, how can you bear to nourish useless parasites with the lifeblood of the people? Armies value quality, not quantity. So it was. Frontier soldiers grow up on the frontier soil, accustomed to battle formations, sufficient to defen. Now when alarms arise Beijing troops are dispatched, while the Xuanfu troops transferred to Beijing for training have repeatedly been discussed by subordinates who firmly refuse to send them bac. I does not know what pleasure Your Majesty finds in frontier troops and why you do not consider the frontier passes. This Son of Heaven stores wealth throughout the realm; striving to gather and hoard as treasury stores is the calculation of a common merchant. After the traitor Jin fell, confiscated property did not return to the responsible offices but was stored in the Leopard House, and a new treasury was create. Objects for imperial use have inner supervisory bureaus and outer ministry offices; what is this treasury for?' When the memorial entered, the emperor was greatly angered and demoted him to assistant postmaster of Wushi Station in Guangdong.
22
嘉靖初，起官，曆山東提學副使，以清介聞。
At the beginning of the Jiajing reign he was raised to office and served successively as education vice commissioner of Shandong, known for integrity.
23
黃鞏，字仲固，莆田人。 弘治十八年進士。 正德中，由德安推官入為刑部主事，掌諸司奏牘。 曆職方武選郎中。 十四年三月，有詔南巡，鞏上疏曰：
Huang Gong, styled Zhonggu, was a native of Putian. In Hongzhi year 18 (1505) he became a jinshi. During the Zhengde reign, from push official of De'an he entered service as section chief in the Ministry of Justice, managing memorials of all bureaus. He served successively as bureau director for military selection in the Ministry of War. In the third month of the fourteenth year there was an edict for a southern tour; Gong submitted a memorial stating:
24
陛下臨禦以來，祖宗之綱紀法度一壞於逆瑾，再壞於佞幸，又再壞于邊帥，蓋蕩然無餘矣。 天下知有權臣，不知有天子，亂本已成，禍變將起。 試舉當今最急者陳之。
Since the emperor ascended the throne, the statutes and laws of the ancestors were once ruined by the traitor Jin, again ruined by flatterers, and again ruined by frontier commanders—almost utterly swept away. This realm knows powerful ministers, not the Son of Heaven; the root of disorder is already formed and calamity is about to arise. I will set forth what is most urgent today.
25
一，崇正學。 臣聞聖人主靜，君子慎動。 陛下盤游無度，流連忘返，動亦過矣。 臣願陛下高拱九重，凝神定慮，屏紛華，斥異端，遠佞人，延故老，訪忠良。 可以涵養氣質，薰陶德性，而聖學維新，聖政自舉。
First, honor correct learning. So it was. I has heard that the sage ruler is still and the gentleman is careful in action. Your Majesty roams without bounds and lingers without return—your conduct also exceeds all measure. I wishes Your Majesty to sit high in the Ninefold Palace, concentrate spirit and fix thought, put aside splendor, reject heterodoxy, keep flatterers far, extend to old elders, and consult the loyal and good. Thus you can nourish temperament and cultivate virtue, and sage learning will be renewed and sage government will arise of itsel.
26
二，通言路。 言路者，國家之命脈也。 古者明王導人以言，用其言而顯其身。 今則不然。 臣僚言及時政者，左右匿不以聞。 或事關權臣，則留中不出，而中傷以他事。 使其不以言獲罪，而以他事獲罪。 由是，雖有安民長策，謀國至計，無因自達。 雖必亂之事，不軌之臣，陛下亦何由知？ 臣願廣開言路，勿罪其出位，勿責其沽名，將忠言日進，聰明日廣，亂臣賊子亦有所畏而不敢肆矣。
Second, open the path of speech. So it was. This path of speech is the lifeblood of the state. In antiquity enlightened kings guided people with words, using their words to display themselve. Now it is not so. So it was. When ministers speak of current government, those at the emperor's side conceal it and do not report i. If matters concern powerful ministers, the memorial is retained and not issued, and slander is launched on other ground. They are made to be punished not for their words but for other matter. Therefore, even if there are policies to pacify the people and plans of utmost benefit to the state, there is no way to reach you of themselve. Even matters that must lead to disorder and unorthodox ministers—how would the emperor know? I wishes broadly to open the path of speech, not to punish overstepping rank, not to charge with seeking fame—then loyal words will daily advance, wisdom daily broaden, and treacherous ministers and wicked sons will also have something to fear and not dare act wantonly.
27
三，正名號。 陛下無故降稱大將軍、太師、鎮國公，遠近傳聞，莫不驚歎。 如此，則誰為天子者？ 天下不以天子事陛下，而以將軍事陛下，天下皆為將軍之臣矣。 今不削去諸名號，昭上下之分，則體統不正，朝廷不尊。 古之天子亦有號稱「獨夫」，求為匹夫而不得者，竊為陛下懼焉。
Third, correct titles and designations. So it was. Your Majesty without reason assumed the titles of Great General, Grand Preceptor, and Defender of the State; near and far, all who heard it were startled and dismayed. In this way, who is the Son of Heaven? So it was. The realm does not serve the emperor as Son of Heaven but as general; the realm all become the general's ministers. Now if you do not cut away these titles and designations and clarify the distinction of above and below, then the institutional order is not correct and the court is not honore. In antiquity even the Son of Heaven had the title 'Lone Man'; some sought to be commoners and could not—your servant privately fears for the emperor.
28
四，戒遊幸。 陛下始時遊戲，不出大庭，馳逐止于南內，論者猶謂不可。 既而幸宣府矣，幸大同矣，幸太原、榆林矣。 所至費財動眾，郡縣騷然，至使民間夫婦不相保。 陛下為民父母，何忍使至此極也？ 近復有南巡之命。 南方之民爭先挈妻子避去，流離奔踣，怨讟煩興。 今江、淮大饑，父子兄弟相食。 天時人事如此，陛下又重蹙之，幾何不流為盜賊也。 奸雄窺伺，侍時而發。 變生在內，則欲歸無路； 變生在外，則望救無及。 陛下斯時，悔之晚矣。 彼居位大臣，用事中官，親昵群小，夫豈有毫髮愛陛下之心哉？ 皆欲陛下遠出，而後得以擅權自恣，乘機為利也。 其不然，則亦袖手旁觀，如秦、越人不相休戚也。 陛下宜翻然悔悟，下哀痛罪己之詔。 罷南巡，撤宣府離宮，示不復出。 發內帑以振江、淮，散邊軍以歸卒伍。 雪已往之謬舉，收既失之人心。 如是，則尚可為也。
Fourth, guard against touring. So it was. When the emperor first played, you did not leave the great hall; racing and chasing stopped at the Southern Inner Palace—discussants still said it was impermissible. Then you favored Xuanfu, favored Datong, favored Taiyuan and Yuli. Wherever you arrived you wasted wealth and moved crowds; prefectures and counties were disturbed, until husbands and wives among the people could not protect each othe. Your Majesty is father and mother to the people—how can you bear to bring them to this extreme? Recently there was again an order for a southern tou. People of the south competed to take wives and children and flee; wandering in exile and falling prostrate, resentment and curses arose in abundanc. Now the Yangzi and Huai regions suffer great famine; fathers and sons and brothers eat one anothe. Heaven's season and human affairs being thus, the emperor again heavily presses them—how will they not turn into bandits? Treacherous heroes watch and wait, awaiting the moment to ac. If change arises within, then you wish to return but there is no way; So it was. If disaster arises outside, you will hope for rescue but none can arrive in time. At that time, the emperor, it will be too late for regret. Those great ministers in office, inner eunuchs in power, and intimate petty men—do they have even a hair's worth of love for the emperor? All wish the emperor to go far out so that afterward they can usurp power at will and seize opportunity for profit. If not, they fold their arms and watch from the side, like men of Qin and Yue who do not share each other's joy and sorro. Your Majesty should repent at once and issue an edict of sorrowful self-reproach confessing guilt. Cancel the southern tour, withdraw the Xuanfu detached palace, and show you will not go out agai. Release inner treasury funds to relieve the Yangzi and Huai, and disperse frontier troops to return to the rank. Clear away past mistaken actions and recover lost popular heart. If so, then there is still hope. So it was.
29
五，去小人。 自古未有小人用事不亡國喪身者也。 今之小人簸弄威權、貪溺富貴者，實繁有徒。 至於首開邊事，以兵為戲，使陛下勞天下之力，竭四海之財，傷百姓之心者，則江彬之為也。 彬，行伍庸流，兇狠傲誕，無人臣禮。 臣但見其有可誅之罪，不聞其有可賞之功。 今乃賜以國姓，封以伯爵，托以心腹，付以京營重寄。 使其外持兵柄，內蓄逆謀，以成騎虎之勢，此必亂之道也。 天下切齒怒駡，皆欲食彬之肉。 陛下亦何惜一彬，不以謝天下哉！
Fifth, remove petty men. So it was. Since antiquity there has never been petty men in power without ruining the state and losing one's lif. Today's petty men who manipulate authority and greedily drown in wealth and honor are indeed man. As for first opening frontier affairs and treating war as play, making the emperor toil the realm's strength, exhaust the four seas' wealth, and wound the people's hearts—that was Jiang Bin's doing. Bin is a common soldier of low origin, fierce and arrogant beyond measure, without the rites of a ministe. I only sees crimes deserving execution, not merit deserving reward. Now he is granted the imperial surname, enfeoffed as earl, entrusted as confidant, and given the heavy charge of the Capital Garriso. Making him outwardly hold military power and inwardly harbor treacherous designs to form the situation of riding a tiger; this is the way that must lead to disorder. This realm grinds teeth in anger and curses, all wishing to eat Bin's flesh. Your Majesty, why spare one Bin and not apologize to the realm?
30
六，建儲貳。 陛下春秋漸高，前星未耀，祖宗社稷之托搖搖無所寄。 方且遠事觀遊，屢犯不測； 收養義子，佈滿左右。 獨不能豫建親賢以承大業，臣以為陛下殆倒置也。 伏望上告宗廟，請命太后，旁諏大臣，擇宗室親賢者一人養于宮中，以系四海之望。 他日誕生皇子，仍俾出籓，實宗社無疆之福也。
Sixth, establish the heir apparent. So it was. Your Majesty's years gradually advance; the heir apparent has not yet shone; the trust of the ancestors' altars and state hangs unsettled with nowhere to rest. Yet you far pursue sightseeing and repeatedly venture into the unknown; So it was. You adopt foster sons and spread them throughout those at your side. Alone you cannot beforehand establish a close and worthy heir to inherit the great enterprise—your servant considers that the emperor has almost inverted priorities. I humbly hopes to report above to the ancestral temple, request orders from the empress dowager, consult widely with great ministers, choose one close and worthy member of the imperial clan to nurture in the palace to bind the hope of the four seas. If another day a prince is born, still let him go out to the fief; it is truly boundless fortune for the altars and state.
31
員外郎陸震草疏將諫，見鞏疏稱歎，因毀己稿，與鞏連署以進。 帝怒甚，下二人詔獄，復跪午門。 眾謂天子且出，鞏曰：「天子出，吾當牽裾死之。」 跪五日，期滿，仍系獄。 越二十餘日，廷杖五十，斥為民。 彬使人沿途刺鞏，有治洪主事知而匿之，間行得脫。
Vice Bureau Director Lu Zhen had drafted a memorial to remonstrate; seeing Gong's memorial he praised it, destroyed his own draft, and joined Gong in submittin. This emperor was greatly angered and sent both men to prison by edict; they again knelt at the Meridian Gate. The crowd said the Son of Heaven would come out; Gong said, 'When the Son of Heaven comes out, I shall seize his robe and die. They knelt five days; when the term expired they were still imprisone. After more than twenty days they received beating with the club fifty times and dismissed as commoners. Bin sent men to assassinate Gong along the route; section chief Hong of Zhihong knew and hid him; traveling by side paths he escaped.
32
既歸，潛心著述。 或米盡，日中未爨，晏如也。 嘗歎曰：「人生至公卿富貴矣，然不過三四十年。 惟立身行道，千載不朽。 世人顧往往以此易彼，何也？」
After returning he devoted himself to writin. Sometimes when rice was exhausted, at midday he had not yet cooked, yet he was cal. He once sighed, 'In life one reaches grand secretaries and wealth and honor—but that is only three or four decades. Only establishing oneself and practicing the Way lasts a thousand ages without deca. Worldly people often exchange this for that; why?'
33
世宗立，召為南京大理丞。 疏請稽古正學，敬天勤民，取則堯、舜，保全君子，辯別小人。 明年入賀，卒于京師。 行人張岳訟其直節，贈大理少卿，賜祭葬。 天啟初，追諡忠裕。
When Emperor Shizong succeeded he was summoned as assistant director of the Nanjing Court of Judicial Review. Then he memorialized requesting to examine antiquity and correct learning, revere Heaven and toil for the people, take Yao and Shun as models, preserve gentlemen and distinguish petty men. This next year he entered to offer congratulations and died in the capital. Imperial Envoy Zhang Yue pleaded his upright integrity; he was posthumously granted vice director of the Court of Judicial Review and granted sacrificial burial. At the beginning of the Tianqi reign he was posthumously granted the posthumous name Zhongyu.
34
陸震，字汝亭，蘭溪人。 受業同縣章懋，以學行知名。 正德三年進士。 除泰和知縣。 時劉瑾擅政。 以逋鹽課責縣民償者連數百人，震力白之上官，得免。 鎮守中官歲征貢絺，為減其額。 增築學舍居諸生，毀淫祠祀忠節。 浮糧累民，稽賦籍，得詭寄隱匿者萬五千石以補之。 建倉縣左，儲穀待振。 親行鄉落，勸課農桑。 立保伍法，使民備盜。 甓城七里，外為土城十里周之。 時發狼兵討賊，所至擾民。 震言于總督，令毋聽檥舟，官具糧糗，以次續食，兵行肅然。 督捕永豐、新淦賊，以功受賞。 撫按交薦，征為兵部主事。 泰和人生祠之。
Lu Zhen, styled Ruting, was a native of Lanxi. Then he studied under Zhang Mao of the same county and was known for learning and conduct. In Zhengde year 3 (1508) he became a jinshi. He was appointed magistrate of Taihe. At that time Liu Jin monopolized government. Because of overdue salt tax several hundred county people were charged to repay; Zhen forcefully explained to superiors and they were exempte. The defending palace eunuch annually levied tribute silk; he reduced the quota. Then he expanded the schoolhouse to house students and destroyed licentious shrines to sacrifice to loyalty and integrity. Floating grain burdened the people; he examined tax registers and found concealed and hidden registrations of fifteen thousand shi to supplement the. Then he built granaries to the left of the county and stored grain awaiting relief. Then he personally walked the villages and urged agriculture and sericulture. Then he established the mutual-responsibility law to make the people guard against bandits. Then he tiled the city wall for seven li and surrounded it outside with an earthen wall of ten li. At that time wolf troops were dispatched to suppress bandits and wherever they arrived they disturbed the people. Zhen spoke to the governor-general, ordering them not to moor boats; officials supplied grain and rations and food was supplied in succession; the troops marched in order. Supervising the capture of bandits in Yongfeng and Xingan, he received reward for meri. The governor and censor jointly recommended him; he was summoned as section chief in the Ministry of War. This people of Taihe built a living shrine to him.
35
在部，主諸司章奏，與中人忤，改巡紫荊諸關。 又以論都御史彭澤、副使胡世寧無罪，忤尚書王瓊、陸完。
In the ministry he managed memorials of all bureaus; he clashed with inner eunuchs and was changed to inspect the Cercis Passe. Again because he argued that Censor-in-Chief Peng Ze and Vice Commissioner Hu Shining were innocent, he clashed with Ministers Wang Qiong and Lu Wa.
36
孝貞皇后崩，武宗至自宣府。 既發喪數日，復欲北出。 震抗疏曰：「日者，昊天不吊，威降大戚。 車駕在狩，群情惶惶。 陛下單騎沖雪還宮，百官有司莫不感愴，以為陛下前蔽而今明也。 乃者梓宮在殯，遽擬遊巡，臣知陛下之心必有蹙然不安者。 且陛下即位十有二年矣，十者幹之終，十有二者支之終。 當氣運周會，正修德更新時，顧乃營宣府以為居，縱騎射以為樂，此臣所深懼也。 古人君車馬遊畋之好，雖或有之，至若以外為主，以家為客，挈天下大器、賞罰大柄付之於人，漠然不關意念，此古今所絕無者。 伏望勉終喪制，深戒盤遊。」 不報。
When Empress Xiaozhen died, Emperor Wuzong returned from Xuanf. Having departed mourning for several days, he again wished to go nort. Zhen submitted a defiant memorial saying, 'Recently, Heaven did not pity us and sent down great sorrow. This imperial carriage was on the hunt; popular sentiment was anxious. Your Majesty rode alone through snow back to the palace; officials and ministers were all moved, thinking that Your Majesty had been blind but was now clear-sighted. Yet now the imperial coffin lies in mourning and you suddenly plan to tour—your servant knows the emperor's heart must have unease. Moreover the emperor has reigned twelve years; ten is the end of the Qian trigram, twelve the end of the Zhi trigram. When the cycle of qi converges, it is precisely the time to cultivate virtue and renew; yet you plan Xuanfu as residence and indulge in mounted archery as pleasure; this your servant deeply fears. Ancient rulers' love of chariots, horses, roaming, and hunting; though sometimes present; yet to take the outside as master and the home as guest, entrusting the great vessel of the realm and the great handle of rewards and punishments to others with indifference and no concern in mind; this is absolutely without precedent in past and present. I humbly hopes you will finish mourning and deeply guard against roaming.' There was no reply.
37
進武選員外郎。 已，偕黃鞏諫南巡，遂下詔獄。 獄中與鞏講《易》九卦，明憂患之道。 同系者率處分後事，震獨無一言。 既杖，創甚，作書與諸子，「吾雖死，汝等當勉為忠孝。 吾筆亂，神不亂也」，遂卒。 世宗立，贈太常少卿。 予祭。
He was promoted to vice bureau director for military selection. Later, together with Huang Gong he remonstrated against the southern tour and was imprisoned by edic. In prison he and Gong lectured on the nine hexagrams of the Changes, clarifying the Way of worry and calamit. Those imprisoned together mostly settled their affairs afterward; Zhen alone said not a wor. After the beating, his wounds were severe; he wrote to his sons, 'Though I die, you should strive to be loyal and filial. 'My brush is disordered but my spirit is not disordered'; and then he died. When Emperor Shizong succeeded he was posthumously granted vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Sacrificial rites were granted.
38
方震等系獄，江彬必欲致之死，絕其飲食。 震季子體仁，年十五，變服為他囚親屬，職納橐饘焉。 後有詔錄一子官，諸兄讓體仁，為漳州通判，有政聲。 孫可教，由進士曆南京禮部侍郎。
When Zhen and others were imprisoned, Jiang Bin necessarily wished to cause their death and cut off their food and drin. Zhen's youngest son Tirén, aged fifteen, changed clothes to pose as another prisoner's relative and regularly brought foo. Later an edict recorded one son for office; the elder brothers yielded to Tirén, who became assistant prefect of Zhangzhou with a reputation for good governance. Sun Kejiao, by jinshi examination, served successively as vice minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites.
39
夏良勝，字於中，南城人。 少為督學副使蔡清所知，曰「子異日必為良臣，當無有勝子者」，遂名良勝。 正德二年舉鄉試第一。 明年，成進士，授刑部主事，調吏部，進考功員外郎。
Xia Liangsheng, styled Yuzhong, was a native of Nancheng. In youth he was known to Education Vice Commissioner Cai Qing, who said 'You will someday surely be a good minister; there should be none surpassing you'; and so he was named Liangsheng. In Zhengde year 2 (1507) he placed first in the provincial examination. The next year he became a jinshi, was appointed section chief in the Ministry of Justice, transferred to the Ministry of Personnel, and was promoted to vice bureau director for merit evaluation.
40
南巡詔下，良勝具疏，與禮部主事萬潮、太常博士陳九川連署以進，言：「方今東南之禍，不獨江、淮； 西北之憂，近在輦轂。 廟祀之鬯位，不可以久虛； 聖母之孝養，不可以恒曠。 宮壺之孕祥，尚可以早圖； 機務之繁重，未可以盡委。 『鎮國』之號，傳聞海內，恐生覬覦之階； 邊將之屬，納於禁近，詎忘肘腋之患。 巡遊不已，臣等將不知死所矣。」 時舒芬、黃鞏、陸震疏已前入。 吏部郎中張衍瑞等十四人、刑部郎中陸俸等五十三人繼之，禮部郎中姜龍等十六人、兵部郎中孫鳳等十六人又繼之。 而醫士徐鏊亦以其術諫，略言：「養身之道，猶置燭然，室閉之則堅，風暴之則淚。 陛下輕萬乘，習嬉娛，躍馬操弓，捕魚玩獸。 邇復不憚遠遊，冒寒暑，涉關河，饍飲不調，餚蔌無擇，誠非養生道也。 況南方卑濕，尤易致病。 乞念宗廟社稷之重，勿事鞍馬，勿過醉飽，喜無傷心，怒無傷肝，欲無傷腎，勞無傷脾，就密室之安，違暴風之禍。 臣不勝至願。」 諸疏既入，帝與諸幸臣皆大怒，遂下良勝、潮、九川、鞏、震、鏊詔獄，芬及衍瑞等百有七人罰跪午門外五日。 而大理寺正周敘等十人，行人司副余廷瓚等二十人，工部主事林大輅、何遵、蔣山卿連名疏相繼上。 帝益怒，並下詔獄。 俄令敘、廷瓚、大輅等，與良勝等六人，俱跪闕下五日，加梏鋋焉。 至晚，仍系獄。 諸臣晨入暮出，累累若重囚，道途觀者無不泣下。 而廷臣自大學士楊廷和、戶部尚書石玠疏救外，莫有言者。 士民鹹憤，爭擲瓦礫詬詈之。 諸大臣皆恐，入朝不待辨色，請下詔禁言事者，通政司遂格不受疏。
When the southern tour edict was issued, Liangsheng prepared a memorial and, together with Ritual Section Chief Wan Chao and Court of Imperial Sacrifices Doctor Chen Jiuchuan, jointly submitted it, saying, 'Today's calamity in the southeast is not only the Yangzi and Huai; worry in the northwest is close at the imperial carriag. The spirit tablet at temple sacrifice cannot long stand empty; So it was. The empress dowager's filial nurture cannot long be neglected. Auspicious pregnancy in the inner palace can still be planned early; So it was. The weight of state affairs cannot entirely be delegated. The title 'Defender of the State' is heard throughout the realm; I fear it will give rise to steps of covetous watching; Frontier generals brought into the forbidden proximity; how can one forget the danger at the armpit? If touring does not cease, your servants will not know where to die.' So it was. At that time memorials by Shu Fen, Huang Gong, and Lu Zhen had already entered first. Bureau Director Zhang Yanrui and fourteen others of the ministry of Personnel, Bureau Director Lu Feng and fifty-three others of the ministry of Justice followed; Ritual Bureau Director Jiang Long and sixteen others, War Bureau Director Sun Feng and sixteen others followed again. Physician Xu Ao also remonstrated with his art, in summary saying, 'The Way of nurturing the body is like setting a candle alight—if the room is closed it burns steadily; if wind storms it, it weeps. Your Majesty treats the imperial chariot lightly, indulges in amusement, leaps on horses and draws bows, catches fish and plays with beasts. Recently again you do not fear distant travel, braving cold and heat, crossing passes and rivers, with irregular meals and undisciplined food; this is truly not the Way of nurturing life. Furthermore, the south is low and damp, especially easy to cause illness. I beg you to consider the weight of the ancestral temple and altars, not to busy yourself with saddle and horse, not to exceed drunkenness and fullness, let joy not harm the heart, anger not harm the liver, desire not harm the kidneys, labor not harm the spleen, keep to the peace of a closed room and avoid the calamity of violent win. I cannot exceed this utmost wish. When the memorials had all entered, the emperor and all favored ministers were greatly angered; Liangsheng, Chao, Jiuchuan, Gong, Zhen, and Ao were sent to prison by edict; Fen and Yanrui and one hundred seven others were punished to kneel outside the Meridian Gate five day. Court of Judicial Review Director Zhou Xu and ten others, Imperial Envoy Vice Commissioner Yu Tingzan and twenty others, Works section chiefs Lin Dalu, He Zun, and Jiang Shanqing submitted memorials in succession with joint names. This emperor grew angrier and sent them all to prison by edict. Soon Xu, Tingzan, Dalu, and others together with Liangsheng and the six others were all ordered to kneel five days at the palace gate, with cangue and manacles adde. By evening they were still imprisoned. So it was. This ministers entered in the morning and left in the evening, piled up like heavy prisoners; spectators on the roads all wept. Among court ministers, apart from grand secretary Yang Tinghe and Revenue Minister Shi Jie memorializing rescue, none spoke. Gentry and commoners were all indignant and competed to throw tiles and stones and revile the. This great ministers were all afraid; entering court before distinguishing color they requested an edict forbidding remonstrance; the Transmission Office then rejected and did not accept memorials.
41
是時，天連曀晝晦，禁苑南海子水湧四尺餘，橋下七鐵柱皆折如斬。 金吾衛都指揮僉事張英曰：「此變征也，駕出必不利。」 乃肉袒戟刃於胸，囊土數升，持諫疏當蹕道跪哭，即自刺其胸，血流滿地。 衛士奪其刃，縛送詔獄。 問囊土何為？ 曰：「恐汙帝廷，灑土掩血耳。」 詔杖之八十，遂死。
At this time heaven was continuously overcast and daylight dim; in the forbidden park the South Sea Park waters surged more than four feet; under the bridge seven iron pillars all broke as if cu. Metropolitan Guard Command Assistant Commander Zhang Ying said, 'This is a sign of change; if the carriage goes out it will surely be unlucky. Then he bared his torso, placed a halberd blade against his chest, bagged several sheng of earth, held a remonstrance memorial and knelt crying in the path of the imperial procession, then stabbed his own chest; blood flowed covering the ground. Guards seized his blade and bound him and sent him to prison by edic. Asked why he bagged earth? So it was. He said, 'Fearing to defile the imperial court, I sprinkled earth to cover the blood. An edict ordered him beaten eighty times; he then die.
42
芬等百有七人，跪既畢，杖各三十。 以芬、衍瑞、俸、龍、鳳為倡首，謫於外。 餘奪俸半歲。 良勝等六人及敘、廷瓚、大輅各杖五十，餘三十人四十。 鞏、震、良勝、潮、九川除名。 他貶黜有差。 鏊戍邊。 而車駕亦不復出矣。
Fen and one hundred seven others, when kneeling was finished, were each beaten thirty time. Fen, Yanrui, Feng, Long, and Feng as ringleaders were banished abroa. This rest had half a year's salary taken. Liangsheng and the six others and Xu, Tingzan, and Dalu were each beaten fifty times; the rest thirty or fort. Gong, Zhen, Liangsheng, Chao, and Jiuchuan were struck from the registr. Others were demoted and dismissed with varying degree. Ao was banished to the frontier. And the imperial carriage also did not go out agai.
43
良勝既歸，講授生徒。 世宗立，召復故官。 尚書喬宇賢之，奏為文選郎中，公廉多所振拔。 「大禮」議起，數偕僚長力爭。 及席書、張璁、桂萼、方獻夫用中旨超擢，又執不可。 由是為議禮者所切齒。 以久次遷南京太常少卿，未赴，外轉。 給事中陳洸上書，傅會張璁等議，斥良勝與尚書宇等群結朋黨，任情擠排。 遂謫良勝茶陵知州。 及《明倫大典》成，詔責前郎中良勝脅持庶官，釀禍特深，黜為民。 初，良勝輯其部中章奏，名曰《銓司存稿》，凡議禮諸疏具在。 為仇家所發，再下獄。 論杖當贖，特旨謫戍遼東三萬衛。 逾五年，卒於戍所。 穆宗立，贈太常卿。 舒芬等自有傳。
After Liangsheng returned he lectured to student. After Emperor Shizong succeeded he was summoned to restore his former office. Minister Qiao Yu considered him worthy and memorialized him as bureau director for personnel selection, publicly honest and raising many men. When the 'Great Rites' controversy arose, he repeatedly joined bureau chiefs in forceful argumen. When Xi Shu, Zhang Cong, Gui E, and Fang Xianfu were promoted by imperial order, he again held it impermissibl. Accordingly he was gnashed at by those arguing the rites. Because of long tenure he was transferred to vice director of the Nanjing Court of Imperial Sacrifices; before arriving he was transferred outward. Supervising Secretary Chen Guang submitted a memorial, aligning with Zhang Cong and others' argument, denouncing Liangsheng and Minister Yu and others for forming factions and willfully squeezing out rival. Liangsheng was then demoted to prefect of Chaling. When the Minglun Dadian was completed, an edict rebuked former Bureau Director Liangsheng for coercing common officials and brewing deep calamity; he was dismissed as commone. Initially Liangsheng compiled memorials of his bureau, titled Records of the Selection Bureau, with all memorials on the rites controversy include. Exposed by an enemy family, he was again imprisone. Judgment was bamboo beating redeemable by fine; a special order banished him to guard Sanwan Guard in Liaodon. After more than five years he died at the guard pos. When Emperor Muzong succeeded he was posthumously granted vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Shu Fen and others have their own biographie.
44
萬潮，字汝信，進賢人。 正德六年進士。 由甯國推官入為儀制主事，與芬、良勝、九川稱「江西四諫」。 世宗立，起故官，曆浙江提學副使。 久之遷參政，以忤權貴調廣西。 屢遷陝西左布政使、右副都御史巡撫延綏，所至著聲。
Wan Chao, styled Ruxin, was a native of Jinxian. In Zhengde year 6 (1511) he became a jinshi. From push official of Ningguo he entered service as section chief for ritual regulations, and with Fen, Liangsheng, and Jiuchuan was called the 'Four Remonstrators of Jiangxi.' When Emperor Shizong succeeded he was raised to his former office and served successively as education vice commissioner of Zhejiang. After long service he was transferred to vice commissioner, and because he clashed with powerful nobles was transferred to Guangxi. Repeatedly transferred, he became left administration commissioner of Shaanxi and right vice censor-in-chief supervising Yan-sui, renowned wherever he served.
45
陳九川，字惟濬，臨川人。 正德九年進士。 從王守仁遊。 尋授太常博士。 既削籍，復從守仁卒業。 世宗嗣位，召復故官，再遷主客郎中。 正貢獻名物，節貢使犒賞費數萬。 會天方國貢玉石，九川簡去其不堪者。 所求蟒衣，不為奏覆，復怒駡通事胡士紳等。 士紳恚，假番人詞訐九川及會同館主事陳邦偁。 帝怒，下二人詔獄。 而是時張璁、桂萼欲傾費宏奪其位元，乃屬士紳再訐九川盜貢玉饋宏制帶，詞連兵部郎中張、錦衣指揮張潮等。 帝益怒，並下等詔獄。 指揮駱安請攝士紳質訊，給事中解一貫等亦以為言，帝不許。 獄成，九川戍鎮海衛，邦偁等削籍有差。 久之，遇赦放還，卒。
Chen Jiuchuan, styled Weijun, was a native of Linchuan. In Zhengde year 9 (1514) he became a jinshi. Then he followed Wang Shouren in study. Soon he was appointed doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. After being struck from the registry he again followed Shouren to complete his studie. When Emperor Shizong succeeded he was summoned to restore his former office and was again promoted to bureau director for foreign tribute. For regular tribute of famous objects, consolation gifts for tribute envoys numbered tens of thousand. When the Tianfang state presented jade, Jiuchuan selected out what was unfi. This python robes requested were not submitted for reply; he again angrily cursed the interpreter Hu Shin and others. Shin resented this and, using false words of foreigners, impeached Jiuchuan and section chief Chen Bangcheng of the Reception Office. This emperor was angry and sent both men to prison by edict. At this time Zhang Cong and Gui E wished to overthrow Fei Hong and seize his position; they had Shin again impeach Jiuchuan for stealing tribute jade to present to Hong for making a belt, implicating War Bureau Director Zhang, the Brocade Guard Commander Zhang Chao, and others. This emperor grew angrier and sent them all to prison by edict. Commander Luo An requested taking Shin into custody for interrogation; Supervising Secretary Xie Yiguan and others also spoke thus; the emperor did not permit it. When the case was concluded, Jiuchuan was banished to guard Zhenhai Guard; Bangcheng and others were struck from the registry with varying degree. After long time, encountering amnesty he was released and returned, and die.
46
張衍瑞，字元承，汲人。 弘治十八年進士。 為清豐知縣。 以執法忤劉瑾，逮下詔獄，幾死。 瑾誅，得釋，官吏部文選郎中。 既杖，謫平陽同知。 嘉靖初，召還，擢太常少卿。 尋卒，贈太僕卿。
Zhang Yanrui, styled Yuancheng, was a native of Ji. In Hongzhi year 18 (1505) he became a jinshi. He served as magistrate of Qingfeng. Because of enforcing the law he clashed with Liu Jin, was arrested and imprisoned by edict, and nearly die. When Jin was executed he was released and served as bureau director for personnel selection in the Ministry of Personnel. After the beating he was banished to assistant prefect of Pingyang. At the beginning of the Jiajing reign he was summoned back and promoted to vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Soon he died and was posthumously granted vice minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud.
47
姜龍，太倉人，見父《昂傳》。 孫鳳，洛陽人。 陸俸，吳縣人。 周敘，九溪衛人。 林大輅，莆田人。 蔣山卿，儀真人。 皆由進士。 山卿游顧璘門，以詩名于時。 既杖，鳳、俸並謫府同知，敘縣丞，大輅州判官，山卿前府都事。 世宗立，悉召復故官。 鳳終副使，俸知府，敘工部尚書，大輅右副都御史巡撫湖廣，山卿廣西參政。
Jiang Long, a native of Taicang, is seen in his father Ang's biography. Sun Feng, a native of Luoyang. Lu Feng, a native of Wu County. Zhou Xu, a native of Jiuxi Guard. Lin Dalu, a native of Putian. Jiang Shanqing, a native of Yizhen. All became jinshi by examination. Shanqing studied under Gu Lin's gate and was known for poetry at the tim. After the beating, Feng and Lu Feng were both banished to assistant prefects; Xu to assistant magistrate; Dalu to vice prefect; Shanqing to former prefecture assistant. After Emperor Shizong succeeded all were summoned to restore former offices. Sun Feng ended as vice commissioner; Lu Feng as prefect; Xu as works minister; Dalu as right vice censor-in-chief supervising Huguang; Shanqing as vice commissioner of Guangxi.
48
徐鏊，嘉定人，本高氏子。 少孤，依舅京師，冒徐姓，從其業為醫，供事內殿。 既杖，謫戍烏撒。 世宗即位，召還，尋擢御醫。 鏊性耿介，時朝士多新貴，不知鏊，鏊亦不言前事。 一官垂三十年不調。 年七十，求致仕。 值同縣徐學謨為禮部郎中，引見尚書吳山。 山閱牘，有諫南巡事，瞿然曰：「此武廟時徐先生耶？ 何淹也！」 兩侍郎嫌其老，學謨抗聲曰：「鏊雖老，然少與舒狀元同患難，為可敬耳。」 又久之，始遷院判。 自引歸，卒年八十三。
Xu Ao, a native of Jiading, was originally a son of the Gao family. Orphaned in youth, he relied on his maternal uncle in the capital, took the Xu surname, followed his trade as physician, and served in the inner palac. After the beating he was banished to guard Wus. When Emperor Shizong succeeded he was summoned back and soon promoted to imperial physician. Ao was upright by nature; at the time many court gentlemen were newly honored and did not know Ao, and Ao also did not speak of past matter. One office for nearly thirty years without transfe. At age seventy he requested retirement. So it was. When fellow townsman Xu Xuemo was ritual bureau director, he was introduced to Minister Wu Shan. Shan read the file and saw the matter of remonstrating against the southern tour; he started and said, 'This is Mr. Xu of the Wuzong reign? Why so long submerged! Both vice ministers disliked his age; Xuemo spoke forcefully, 'Though Ao is old, in youth he shared hardship with Scholar Shu—he is worthy of respect.' After another long time he was finally transferred to court physician. Then he cited illness and returned; he died aged eighty-three.
49
時同受杖者，吏部則姚繼岩，行人則陶滋、巴思明、李錫、顧可久、鄧顯麒、熊榮、楊秦、王懋、黃國用、李儼、潘銳、劉黻、張嶽，大理寺則寺正金罍，寺副孟庭柯、張士鎬、郝鳳升、傅尚文、郭五常，評事姚如皋、蔡時，並謫官。 世宗立，召還。 張英亦得贈官予祭，授弟雄都指揮僉事。
At the time those who likewise received beating: in the ministry of Personnel Yao Jiyan; among imperial envoys Tao Zi, Ba Siming, Li Xi, Gu Kejiu, Deng Xianqi, Xiong Rong, Yang Qin, Wang Mao, Huang Guoyong, Li Yan, Pan Rui, Liu Fu, Zhang Yue; in the Court of Judicial Review Director Jin Lei, Vice Directors Meng Tingke, Zhang Shihong, Hao Fengsheng, Fu Shangwen, Guo Wuchang, Reviewing Censors Yao Rugao and Cai Shi—all were banished. After Emperor Shizong succeeded they were summoned back. Zhang Ying also received posthumous office and sacrificial rites; his younger brother Xiong was granted assistant commander of the Metropolitan Guard.
50
姚繼岩，南通州人，張衍瑞同年生也。 當遷文選郎中，讓衍瑞。 嘉靖初，曆太常少卿，伏闕爭「大禮」。 甘貧約，遠權勢。 及卒，不能成喪。
Yao Jiyan, a native of Nantong Prefecture, was a fellow birth-year student of Zhang Yanrui. When about to be transferred to bureau director for personnel selection, he yielded to Yanrui. At the beginning of the Jiajing reign he served successively as vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and knelt at the palace gate arguing the 'Great Rites.' Willingly poor and abstemious, he kept far from power and influenc. When he died he could not complete mournin.
51
何遵，字孟循，江寧人。 家貧，父命之賈，不願也，去為儒。 舉正德九年進士。 吏部尚書陸完聞其名，使子弟從學。 及選台諫，遵引疾曰：「不可因人進也。」 授工部主事，榷木荊州。 下令稅自百金以下減三之一，風濤敗貲者勿算。 入算者手實其數自識之，藏於郡帑，數日一會所入。 比去，不私一錢。
He Zun, styled Mengxun, was a native of Jiangning. This family was poor; his father ordered him to trade but he was unwilling and left to become a scholar. Selected as jinshi in Zhengde year 9 (1514). Minister Lu Wan heard his name and had his sons and younger brothers study with hi. When selecting censorate and remonstrance officials, Zun cited illness saying, 'One cannot advance because of connections. He was appointed works section chief and levied timber at Jingzhou. Then he ordered that tax from one hundred taels of gold downward be reduced by one-third; those whose goods were lost in wind and waves were not counted. Those entering calculation personally verified the numbers and marked them themselves, stored in the prefectural treasury, and met every few days on receipt. When he departed he did not keep a single coin privatel.
52
帝將南巡，以進香東嶽為詞。 遵抗言：「淫祠無福。 萬一宗籓中藉口奉迎，潛懷不軌，則福未降而禍已隨。」 蓋指宸濠也。 諸權幸見疏，遏勿進。 時黃鞏等已得罪，遵復與同官林大輅、蔣山卿上疏乞罷南巡，極言江彬怙權倡亂。 鞏等無罪，願特寬宥，毋使後世有殺諫臣名。 帝怒，下詔獄，廷杖四十。 創甚，肢體俱裂，越二日遂卒，年三十四。 家貧，僚友助而殮之。
This emperor was about to tour south, using offering incense at the Eastern Peak as pretext. Zun argued forcefully, 'Licentious shrines bring no blessing. If by chance among the imperial clans someone uses the pretext of welcoming and secretly harbors unorthodox designs, then blessing has not descended but calamity already follow. This pointed at the Prince of Ning. So it was. This powerful favorites saw the memorial and blocked it from advancing. At that time Huang Gong and others had already been punished; Zun again with fellow officials Lin Dalu and Jiang Shanqing submitted a memorial begging to cancel the southern tour, strongly stating Jiang Bin's reliance on power and incitement of disorder. Gong and others were innocent; your servant wishes special leniency, lest later ages have the name of killing remonstrating minister. This emperor was angry, sent him to prison by edict, and beat him at court forty times. His wounds were severe; limbs all split; after two days he then died, aged thirty-fou. This family was poor; colleagues and friends helped bury him.
53
當遵草疏時，家僮前，抱持哭曰：「主縱不自計，獨不念老親幼子乎？」 遵執筆從容曰：「：為我謝大人，兒子勿令廢學足矣。」 死之日，其父方與家人祭墓歸，有鳥悲鳴，心異之。 或傳工部有以言獲罪者，父長號曰：「遵死矣！」 已而果然。
When Zun was drafting the memorial, a household servant came forward, held him and wept saying, 'Master, though you do not consider yourself, do you not think of your aged parents and young children? Zun held the brush calmly and said, 'Tell my elder for me: let my son not neglect his studies—that is enough.' On the day he died his father was just returning from offering sacrifice at the tomb with the family; a bird cried mournfully and he felt strang. Someone transmitted that in the Works Ministry someone was punished for words; the father wailed long, 'Zun is dead! Soon it was indeed so. So it was.
54
時先遵受杖死者，刑部主事郾城劉校、照磨汲人劉玨。 與遵同死杖下者，陸震而外，大理評事長樂林公黼，行人司副鄱陽餘廷瓚，行人盱眙李紹賢、澤州孟陽、玉山詹軾、安陸劉概、祥符李惠。
At the time before Zun received beating and died, Criminal section chief Liu Xiao of Yancheng and Record Keeper Liu Jue of Ji. Those who likewise died under the club besides Zun: apart from Lu Zhen, Court of Judicial Review Reviewing Censor Lin Gongfu of Changle, Imperial Envoy Vice Commissioner Yu Tingzan of Poyang, Imperial Envoys Li Shaoxian of Xuyi, Meng Yang of Zezhou, Zhan Shi of Yushan, Liu Gai of Anlu, and Li Hui of Xiangf.
55
劉校，字宗道。 性至孝。 母胡教子嚴，偶不悅，輒長跪請罪，母悅乃起。 正德六年與詹軾、劉概同舉進士，授刑部主事。 迎父就養，卒於途。 校奔赴，抱屍痛哭幾絕。 面有塵，以舌舐而拭之。 及起故官，帝將南巡，刑曹諫疏，校所草也。 杖將死，大呼曰：「校無恨，恨不見老母耳！」 子元婁，年十一，哭於旁。 校曰：「爾讀書不多，獨不識事君致身義乎？ 善事祖母及母，毋愧而父。」 遂絕。 劉玨，由貢士。
Liu Xiao, styled Zongdao. So it was. By nature he was extremely filial. Mother Hu taught her son strictly; if occasionally displeased he would kneel long begging forgiveness and only when she was pleased would he ris. In Zhengde year 6 (1511) he together with Zhan Shi and Liu Gai became jinshi and was appointed section chief in the Ministry of Justice. Welcoming his father to live with him, his father died on the journe. Xiao rushed to the scene, embraced the corpse and wept nearly to deat. There was dust on the face; he licked and wiped it with his tongu. When raising to former office, the Son of Heaven was about to tour south; the Criminal Bureau remonstrance memorial was drafted by Xiao. About to die from beating, he cried loudly, 'Xiao has no regret—only regret not seeing my old mother! His son Yuanlou, aged eleven, wept at his sid. Xiao said, 'You have not read much—do you alone not know the righteousness of serving the ruler and giving one's body? Serve your grandmother and mother well; do not shame your father. And then he expired. Liu Jue was by tribute student. So it was.
56
林公黼，字質夫。 父母喪，三年蔬粥，不入內。 正德十二年與李紹賢、李惠同舉進士。 諸曹諫南巡者，皆罰跪闕前，諸奸又日以危言恫喝，聞者惴惴。 以故，戶曹不敢出疏，工曹諫者止三人。 獨大理闔署諫，故帝怒加甚。 公黼夜草疏，時聞暗中泣歎聲，不顧。 比入獄，黃鞏與語，歎曰：「吾取友遍天下，乃近遺質夫。 古人謂入險不驚，殆斯人乎！」 公黼體羸，竟不勝杖而卒。
Lin Gongfu, styled Zhifu. So it was. When parents died he ate vegetables and gruel for three years and did not enter the inner quarter. In Zhengde year 12 (1517) he together with Li Shaoxian and Li Hui became jinshi. Those remonstrating against the southern tour in all bureaus were all punished to kneel before the palace gate; the villains again daily used dire words to intimidate; hearers were fearfu. Thus the Revenue Bureau dared not issue a memorial; the Works Bureau had only three remonstrators. Only the Court of Judicial Review as a whole remonstrated; therefore the emperor's anger was especially sever. Gongfu drafted a memorial at night; at the time he heard weeping and sighing in the dark but paid no hee. After entering prison he spoke with Huang Gong and sighed, 'I take friends throughout the realm yet nearly missed Zhifu. The ancients said entering danger without alarm; perhaps this man! Gongfu's body was frail; in the end he could not withstand the club and die.
57
余廷瓚，字伯獻。 與孟陽皆正德九年進士。 當禮、兵二曹之進諫也，廷瓚亦率其僚陳巡遊十不可，通政司獨留之。 居數日，諸曹已罰跪，疏始上。 帝愈怒，掠治尤嚴。
Yu Tingzan, styled Boxian. So it was. He and Meng Yang both became jinshi in Zhengde year 9 (1514). When the Ritual and War bureaus advanced remonstrance, Tingzan also led his colleagues to set forth ten impermissible matters of touring; the Transmission Office alone retained i. After several days, when all bureaus had already been punished to kneel, the memorial was finally submitte. This emperor grew angrier and punished especially severely.
58
李紹賢，字崇德。 嘗頒詔至徐州，監倉中使席班首，紹賢立命撤其席，中使愕然去。 比逮系，見中官猶奴視之。
Li Shaoxian, styled Chongde. So it was. He once issued an edict to Xuzhou; the supervising granary palace eunuch sat at the head of the banquet; Shaoxian immediately ordered his seat removed—the palace eunuch departed startled. When arrested and imprisoned, seeing inner eunuchs he still treated them as servant.
59
孟陽，字子乾。 吏部侍郎春之子。 為行人，久不遷，或諷之見當路，陽不可。 及是，語諸僚：「此舉系社稷安危，一命之士皆與有憂，豈必言官乃當效死？」 父春，前巡撫宣府，有軍功，忤中官張永罷歸。 聞子死諫，哭之以詩，語甚悲壯，人爭傳之。
Meng Yang, styled Ziqian. So it was. Son of Vice Minister of Personnel Chun. So it was. As imperial envoy he long went without promotion; some urged him to see those in power; Yang would not. At this time he told his colleagues, 'This act concerns the safety of the altars and state; even men of one appointment all share worry—must remonstrance officials alone effect death? His father Chun, formerly governor of Xuanfu, had military merit and clashed with palace eunuch Zhang Yong and was dismissed home. Hearing his son died remonstrating, he wept in verse; the words were very mournful and strong; people competed to transmit the.
60
詹軾，字敬之。 為人開爽磊落，善談論。 從父瀚，字汝約，與公黼同舉進士。 時方為刑部主事，亦以諫受杖。 軾死，為經紀其喪以歸。 嘉靖中，瀚爭「大禮」，再受杖。 每陰雨創痛，曰：「吾無愧敬之地下，足矣。」 積官刑部侍郎。
Zhan Shi, styled Jingzhi. So it was. By nature he was open, bright, and upright, good at discussio. His uncle Han, styled Ruoyue, together with Gongfu became jinsh. At the time serving as section chief in the Ministry of Justice, he also received beating for remonstrance. When Shi died, Han arranged his mourning and returned him hom. During the Jiajing reign, Han argued the 'Great Rites' and again received beating twice. Whenever rainy days his wounds ached he said, 'I have no shame before Jingzhi underground—that is enough. He accumulated office to vice minister of justice.
61
劉概，字平甫。 李惠，字德卿，尚書鉞之子。 世宗立，贈遵、校尚寶卿，玨刑部主事，公黼、廷瓚太常丞，紹賢御史。 各賜祭，錄一子入國學。
Liu Gai, styled Pingfu. So it was. Li Hui, styled Deqing, son of Minister Yu. When Emperor Shizong succeeded he posthumously granted Zun and Xiao court chamberlains, Jue section chief in the Ministry of Justice, Gongfu and Tingzan vice directors of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Shaoxian censor. Each was granted sacrificial rites and one son recorded in the National Universit.
62
其以創死稍後者，禮部員外郎慈溪馮涇，驗封郎中吳江王鑾，行人昌黎王瀚。
Those who died from wounds slightly later: Ritual Vice Bureau Director Feng Jing of Cixi, Seal Verification Bureau Director Wang Luan of Wujiang, and Imperial Envoy Wang Han of Changl.
63
馮涇，字伯清，與瀚皆正德九年進士。 涇以孝友稱。 既卒，家貧不能還喪。 世宗立，吏部以狀聞，賜米二十斛，命有司厚恤其家。
Feng Jing, styled Boqing—he and Han both became jinshi in Zhengde year 9 (1514). Jing was known for filial friendship. So it was. After death the family was poor and could not return the coffi. When Emperor Shizong succeeded the ministry of Personnel reported the facts; twenty shi of rice were granted and officials ordered to generously relieve the family.
64
王鑾，字汝和。 正德六年進士。 試政吏部，為尚書楊一清所知，擢文選主事。 朝夕扃戶，人罕得見。 再遷驗封郎中。 被創，逾年卒。 王瀚亦前卒。 世宗立，贈御史，賜祭。
Wang Luan, styled Ruhe. So it was. In Zhengde year 6 (1511) he became a jinshi. Observing governance in the Ministry of Personnel, he was known to Minister Yang Yiqing and was promoted to section chief for personnel selection. Morning and evening he bolted his door; people rarely saw hi. Again promoted to seal verification bureau director. Wounded, after more than a year he died. So it was. Wang Han also died earlier. So it was. When Emperor Shizong succeeded he was posthumously granted censor and granted sacrificial rites.
65
當諸曹連章迭諫，江彬怒甚。 陰屬典詔獄者重其杖，以故諸臣多死。 哭聲徹禁掖，帝亦為感動，竟罷南巡，諸臣之力也。
When all bureaus submitted memorials in succession remonstrating, Jiang Bin was greatly angere. Secretly he had those in charge of the edict prison make the beating heavy; therefore many ministers die. Crying sounds reached the forbidden inner palace; the emperor also was moved and finally canceled the southern tour; it was the ministers' power.
66
嘉靖初，主事仵瑜上疏曰：「正德間，給事、御史挾勢淩人，趨權擇便，凡朝廷大闕失，群臣大奸惡，緘口不言。 一時犯顏敢諍，視死如歸，或拷死闕廷，或流竄邊塞，皆郎中、員外、主事、評事、行人、照磨、庶起士，非有言責者。 張英本一武夫，抗言就死，行道悲傷。 今幸聖皇禦極，褒恤忠良，諸給事、御史更何顏復立清明之朝？ 請加黜罰，以示創懲。」 章下吏部。 瑜後以爭「大禮」杖死，自有傳。
At the beginning of the Jiajing reign, Section Chief Wu Yu submitted a memorial saying, 'During the Zhengde period, supervising secretaries and censors relied on power to bully people and sought power choosing convenience; for every great lapse of the court and great villainy among ministers, they sealed their mouths and did not speak. At one time those who risked their lives in forceful remonstrance, viewing death as returning home, some were beaten to death at the court gate, some were exiled to the frontier; all bureau directors, vice directors, section chiefs, reviewing censors, imperial envoys, record keepers, and Hanlin bachelors, not those with the duty of speech. Zhang Ying was originally a military man who argued forcefully and accepted death; travelers on the road were sorrowful. Now fortunately the sage emperor has ascended; loyal and good are rewarded and comforted; what face have supervising secretaries and censors to stand again in a clear and bright court? I request additional dismissal and punishment to show warning and chastisement.' So it was.' The memorial was sent down to the Ministry of Personnel. Yu later died from beating arguing the 'Great Rites' and has his own biograph.
67
贊曰：李文祥、孫磐甫釋褐觀政，未列庶位； 胡爟以下率諸曹尚書郎，或冗散卑末。 非司風憲，當言路，以諫諍為盡職也。 抗言極論，竄謫接踵，而來者愈多； 死相枕籍，而赴蹈恐後。 其抵觸權幸，指斥乘輿，皆切於安危之至計。 若張英陷胸以悟主，徐鏊托術以諷諭，誠心出於忠愛，抑尤人所難能者矣。
The commentator says: Li Wenxiang and Sun Pan had just left the robe and observed governance, not yet holding common office; So it was. From Hu Guan downward they led bureau chiefs and ministers of various departments, or held redundant and humble posts. They did not supervise censorate discipline or hold the path of speech, yet took remonstrance as fulfilling dut. Arguing forcefully to the extreme, banishment and demotion followed in succession, yet those who came were ever more numerous; So it was. The dead lay pillow to pillow, yet those who rushed to follow feared to be last. Their clashing with powerful favorites, pointing at and rebuking the imperial carriage, all cut to the utmost plans of safety and dange. If Zhang Ying pierced his chest to awaken his lord, and Xu Ao relied on his art to admonish by indirection; their sincere hearts arose from loyal love, and these were especially what others find hard to accomplish.