1
孔希學 〈（孔彥繩）〉 顏希惠曾質粹孔聞禮孟希文仲於陛周冕程接道程克仁張文運邵繼祖朱梴朱墅
Kong Xixue (Kong Yansheng)]〉 Yan Xihui, Zeng Zhicui, Kong Wenli, Meng Xiwen, Zhong Yubi, Zhou Mian, Cheng Jiedao, Cheng Keren, Zhang Wenyun, Shao Jizu, Zhu Ting, and Zhu Shu
2
孔希學，字士行，先聖五十六代孫也，世居曲阜。 祖思晦，字明道，仕元為教諭，有學行。 仁宗時，以思晦襲封衍聖公，卒謚文肅，子克堅襲。
Kong Xixue, whose courtesy name was Shixing, was a fifty-sixth-generation descendant of the Sage; his family had lived in Qufu for generations. His grandfather Sihui, styled Mingdao, held an instructorship under the Yuan and was known for scholarship and integrity. Under Emperor Renzong of Yuan, Sihui inherited the title Duke of Yan Sheng; when he died he was given the posthumous name Wensu, and his son Kejian succeeded him.
3
克堅，字璟夫。 至正六年，中書言衍聖公階止嘉議大夫，與爵不稱，乃進通奉大夫，予銀印。 十五年有薦其明習禮樂者，征為同知太常禮儀院事，以子希學襲封。 克堅累遷國子祭酒。 二十二年，克堅謝病還闕里，後起集賢學士、山東廉訪使，皆不赴。 洪武元年三月，徐達下濟寧，克堅稱疾，遣希學來見，達送之京師。 希學奏父病不能行，太祖敕諭克堅，末言「稱疾則不可」。 會克堅亦來朝，遇使者淮安，惶恐兼程進，見於謹身殿問以年，對曰：「臣年五十有三。」 曰：「爾年未邁，而病嬰之。 今不煩爾以官。 爾家，先聖後，子孫不可不學。 爾子溫厚，俾進學。」 克堅頓首謝。 即日賜宅一區，馬一匹，米二十石。 明日復召見，命以訓厲族人。 因顧侍臣曰：「先聖後，特優禮之，養以祿而不任以事也。」
Kejian, whose courtesy name was Jingfu. In the sixth year of Zhizheng, the Secretariat reported that the Duke of Yan Sheng's rank had been only Grand Master for Aspiration with Purpose—ill-matched to his title—so he was raised to Grand Master for Imperial Audience and granted a silver seal. In the fifteenth year he was recommended as thoroughly versed in ritual and music, summoned as vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and replaced in the hereditary title by his son Xixue. Kejian rose in due course to Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. In the twenty-second year Kejian pleaded illness and went home to Qufu; later appointments as Academician of the Hall of Gathered Worthies and Surveillance Commissioner of Shandong he likewise declined. In the third month of Hongwu 1, when Xu Da captured Jining, Kejian pleaded illness and sent Xixue to pay his respects; Xu Da had him escorted to the capital. Xixue explained that his father was too ill to travel; the founding emperor sent Kejian an edict that closed with the warning, "Pleading illness will not be accepted." Kejian came to court after all, met the imperial messenger at Huai'an, and in alarm pressed on night and day; received in the Hall of Self-Discipline, he was asked his age and answered, "Your subject is fifty-three. The emperor said, "You are not yet old, yet you are stricken with illness. For the present I will not burden you with office. Your family springs from the Sage; its descendants must not neglect learning. Your son is mild and steady—see that he pursues his studies." Kejian kowtowed in gratitude. That same day he received a residence, a horse, and twenty piculs of grain. The next day he was summoned again and charged to instruct and discipline his kinsmen. Turning to his attendants he said, "Descendants of the Sage receive exceptional honor—they are kept on stipends but not assigned to office."
4
十一月命希學襲封衍聖公。 置官屬，曰掌書，曰典籍，曰司樂，曰知印，曰奏差，曰書寫，各一人。 立孔、顏、孟三氏教授司，教授、學錄、學司各一人。 立尼山、洙泗二書院，各設山長一人。 復孔氏子孫及顏、孟大宗子孫徭役。 又命其族人希大為曲阜世襲知縣。 而進衍聖公秩二品，階資善大夫。 賜之誥曰：「古之聖人，自羲、農至於文、武，法天治民，明並日月，德化之盛莫有加焉。 然皆隨時制宜，世有因革。 至於孔子，雖不得其位，會前聖之道而通之，以垂教萬世，為帝者師。 其孫子思，又能傳述而名言之，以極其盛。 有國家者，求其統緒，尊其爵號，蓋所以崇德報功也。 歷代以來，膺襲封者或不能繩其祖武，朕甚閔焉。 當臨馭之初，訪世襲者得五十六代孫孔希學，大宗是紹，爰行典禮，以致褒崇。 爾其領袖世儒，益展聖道之用於當世，以副朕之至望，豈不偉歟！」 希大階承事郎，賜之敕。
In the eleventh month Xixue was commanded to inherit the title Duke of Yan Sheng. A staff was appointed—Director of Documents, Director of the Canon, Director of Music, Keeper of the Seal, Memorial Courier, and Scribe—one holder for each post. An instructional office for the Kong, Yan, and Meng clans was set up, each with one professor, one recorder, and one registrar. The Ni Mountain and Zhu-Si academies were founded, each headed by a mountain chief. Corvée obligations were lifted for Kong descendants and for heirs of the main Yan and Meng lines. His kinsman Xida was also made hereditary magistrate of Qufu. The Duke of Yan Sheng was raised to second rank, with the grade Grand Master for Fostering Goodness. He was given an investiture patent that read: "The sages of old—from Fu Xi and Shen Nong to King Wen and King Wu—governed the people on Heaven's pattern; their brilliance rivaled the sun and moon, and none surpassed the reach of their virtue and transforming power. Yet each adapted policy to the age, and every era brought its own inheritances and reforms. Confucius, though he never held supreme power, united the Way of the sages who came before him and handed it down for all ages—teacher to every ruler. His grandson Zisi in turn transmitted and articulated that teaching until it reached its full height. Every state seeks out their line of descent and honors their titles—how else to exalt virtue and repay merit? Down the ages, not every heir to the title has matched his forebears' achievement, and this grieves Us deeply. At the outset of Our reign We sought the hereditary heir and found Kong Xixue, fifty-sixth in descent; with the main line thus secured, We performed the canonical rites of praise and honor. Lead the scholars of your generation; bring the Sage's Way fully to bear on the present age, and fulfill Our highest hopes—what achievement could be greater? Xida received the grade Attendant Gentleman and was granted an imperial edict.
5
三年春，克堅以疾告歸，遣中使慰問。 疾篤，詔給驛還家，賜白金文綺，舟次邳州卒。
In the spring of the third year Kejian petitioned to go home on account of illness, and palace envoys were dispatched to console him. As his illness worsened, an edict provided relay horses for the journey home and granted white gold and brocade; he died when his boat reached Pizhou.
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六年八月，希學服闋入朝，命所司致廩餼，從人皆有賜，復勞以敕，賜襲衣冠帶。 九月辭歸，命翰林官餞於光祿寺，賚白金文綺。 明年二月，希學言：「先聖廟堂廊廡圮壞，祭器、樂器、法服不備，乞命有司修治。 先世田，兵後多蕪，而征賦如故，乞減免。」 並從之。 自是，每歲入朝，班亞丞相，皆加宴賚。
In the eighth month of the sixth year Xixue came to court after mourning; the authorities were told to supply his provisions, every attendant was rewarded, he was again honored by edict, and received the ceremonial robes, cap, and belt of his title. In the ninth month he took his leave; Hanlin scholars were ordered to host a farewell feast at the Court of Imperial Entertainments, and he was given white gold and brocade. The following second month Xixue reported: "The Sage's temple halls and cloisters are in ruins; sacrificial vessels, musical instruments, and ritual vestments are incomplete—we ask that the proper offices be charged with repairs. Our ancestral fields lie largely fallow after the wars, yet taxes are levied as before—we beg for relief and exemption. Both requests were granted. Thereafter, on his annual visits to court he took rank just below the chief minister and always received banquets and gifts besides.
7
希學好讀書，善隸法，文詞爾雅。 每賓客宴集，談笑揮灑，爛然成章。 承大亂之後，廟貌服物，畢力修舉，盡還舊觀。 十四年卒。 命守臣致祭。
Xixue was a devoted reader, wrote excellent clerical script, and composed in an elegant style. At every gathering of guests his conversation flowed freely, turning talk and laughter into polished prose. In the wake of the great upheaval he threw all his energy into restoring the temple precinct and its ritual furnishings until the old splendor was fully recovered. He died in the fourteenth year. Local officials were ordered to conduct the funeral rites.
8
子訥，字言伯，十七年正月襲封。 命禮官以教坊樂導送至國學，學官率諸生二千餘人迎於成賢街。 自後，每歲入覲，給符乘傳。 帝既革丞相官，遂令班文臣首。 訥性恭謹，處宗黨有恩。 建文二年卒。 子公鑒襲。
His son Ne, styled Yanbo, inherited the title in the first month of the seventeenth year. Ritual officials were told to escort him with Music Office ensembles to the Imperial Academy, where the officers led more than two thousand students to welcome him on Chengxian Street. Thereafter he received travel tallies and relay horses for his annual audiences at court. Once the emperor abolished the chief ministership, Ne was placed at the head of the civil roster. Ne was respectful and careful by nature and treated his clansmen with generosity. He died in Jianwen 2. His son Gongjian succeeded him.
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公鑒，字昭文，有孝行，嗣爵二年卒。 成祖即位，遣使致祭。
Gongjian, styled Zhaowen, was known for filial piety and died two years after succeeding to the title. When the Yongle Emperor came to the throne, envoys were dispatched to conduct the funeral rites.
10
子彥縉，字朝紳，永樂八年襲，甫十歲，命肄業國學，久之遺歸。 十五年修闕里文廟成，禦制碑文勒石。 仁宗踐阼，彥縉來朝。 仁宗語侍臣曰：「外蕃貢使皆有公館。 衍聖公假館民間，非崇儒重道意。」 遂賜宅東安門外。 宣德四年，彥縉將遣使福建市書，咨禮部，部臣以聞，命市與之。 已，奏闕里雅樂及樂舞生冠服敝壞，詔所司修治。 景泰元年，帝幸學。 彥縉率三氏子孫觀禮，賜坐彜倫堂聽講。 幸學必先期召衍聖公，自此始。 彥縉幼孤，能自立，然與族人不睦。 景泰六年，族祖克句等與彥縉相訐，帝置不問。 彥縉子承慶，先卒。 孫弘緒，字以敬，甫八歲，而彥縉卒。 妾江訴弘緒幼弱，為族人所侵。 詔遣禮部郎為治喪，而命其族父公恂理家事。 驛召弘緒至京襲封，賜玉帶金印，簡教授一人課其學。 英宗復辟，入賀。 朝見便殿，握其手，置膝上，語良久。 弘緒才十歲，進止有儀，帝甚悅。 每歲入賀聖壽。 帝聞其賜第湫隘，以大第易之。 凡南城賞花、西苑較射，皆與焉。
His son Yanshen, styled Chaoshen, inherited in Yongle 8 at the age of ten; he was sent to study at the Imperial Academy and, after a long stay, allowed to return home. In the fifteenth year the restoration of the Qufu temple was finished, and the emperor's own inscription was cut in stone. When the Renzong emperor took the throne, Yanshen came to court. The Renzong emperor told his attendants: "Foreign tributary envoys all have official lodges. The Duke of Yan Sheng lodges in private homes—that is hardly how We honor Confucian learning and the Way. He was given a residence outside the Dong'an Gate. In Xuande 4 Yanshen planned to send an agent to Fujian to buy books; he consulted the Ministry of Rites, the matter was reported to the throne, and he was told to proceed with the purchase. Later he reported that Qufu's court music and the caps and robes of the student musicians and dancers were in ruins; the responsible offices were ordered to restore them. In Jingtai 1 the emperor visited the Imperial Academy. Yanshen led descendants of the Kong, Yan, and Meng clans to witness the ceremony and was given a seat in the Hall of Human Relations to hear the lecture. From this time onward it became customary to summon the Duke of Yan Sheng in advance whenever the emperor visited the academy. Orphaned young, Yanshen nevertheless held his own, though he did not get on well with his kinsmen. In Jingtai 6 his kinsman Keju and others quarreled with Yanshen; the emperor took no notice. Yanshen's son Chengqing predeceased him. His grandson Hongxu, styled Yijing, was only eight when Yanshen died. His concubine Jiang petitioned that Hongxu, still a child, was being bullied by kinsmen. An edict dispatched a secretary of the Ministry of Rites to oversee the funeral and charged his kinsman Gongxun with managing the household. Hongxu was summoned by relay to the capital to inherit the title, given a jade belt and gold seal, and assigned a tutor to oversee his education. When the Yingzong emperor was restored to the throne, Hongxu came to court to offer congratulations. Received in the informal hall, the emperor took his hand, rested it on his knee, and talked with him at length. Hongxu was only ten, yet his bearing in court was impeccable, and the emperor was delighted. Each year he came to court to offer birthday congratulations. Learning that his granted residence was cramped, the emperor exchanged it for a larger mansion. He was included in every southern-city flower viewing and Western Park archery contest.
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公恂，字宗文。 景泰五年舉會試。 聞母疾，不赴廷對。 帝問禮部，得其故，遣使召之。 日且午，不及備試卷，命翰林院給筆劄。 登第，即丁母憂歸。 天順初，授禮科給事中。 大學士李賢言：「公恂，至聖後，贊善司馬恂，宋大賢溫國公光後，宜輔導太子。」 帝喜，同日超拜少詹事，侍東宮講讀。 入語孝肅皇后曰：「吾今日得聖賢子孫為汝子傅。」 孝肅皇后者，憲宗生母，方以皇貴妃有寵，於是具冠服拜謝，宮中傳為盛事雲。 成化初，以言事謫漢陽知府，未至，丁父憂。 服闋，還故秩，蒞南京詹事府。 久之卒。
Gongxun, whose courtesy name was Zongwen. In Jingtai 5 he passed the metropolitan examination. When he heard his mother was ill, he did not go forward for the palace examination. The emperor inquired at the Ministry of Rites, learned why, and sent an envoy to summon him. It was nearly noon and he had no time to prepare his papers; the Hanlin Academy was told to provide brush and stationery. He passed the examination and immediately went home to mourn his mother. At the start of the Tianshun reign he was made supervising secretary in the Rites Section. Grand Secretary Li Xian said: "Gongxun descends from the Supreme Sage; Instructor Sima Xun descends from the great Song worthy Sima Guang, Duke of Wen—they are fit to tutor the crown prince. The emperor was pleased and that same day promoted him to Junior Mentor to lecture the heir apparent. He went in and told Empress Xiaosu: "Today I have found descendants of sages to tutor your son. Empress Xiaosu was the Xianzong emperor's birth mother and then held favor as Imperial Noble Consort; she donned full court dress and bowed in thanks, and the palace hailed it as a signal honor. Early in the Chenghua reign he was demoted to prefect of Hanyang for a memorial; before he took up the post his father died. When mourning ended he was restored to his former rank and took charge of the Nanjing Mentorship Office. He died some years later.
12
弘緒少貴，又恃婦翁大學士李賢，多過舉。 成化五年被劾，按治，奪爵為庶人，令其弟弘泰襲。 弘泰歿，爵仍歸弘緒子。
Raised young to high rank and backed by his father-in-law Grand Secretary Li Xian, Hongxu often overreached. In Chenghua 5 he was impeached, investigated, and reduced to commoner status; his younger brother Hongtai was made to inherit the title. When Hongtai died, the title reverted to Hongxu's line.
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弘泰，字以和。 既嗣爵，弘治十一年，山東按臣言弘緒遷善改行，命復冠帶。 明年六月，聖殿災，弘泰方在朝，弘緒率子弟奔救，素服哭廟，蔬食百日。 弘泰還，亦齋哭如居喪。 弘泰生七月而孤，奉母孝，與弘緒友愛，無間言。 十六年卒，弘緒子聞韶襲。
Hongtai, whose courtesy name was Yihe. After succeeding to the title, in Hongzhi 11 the Shandong surveillance commissioner reported that Hongxu had mended his ways; he was allowed to resume cap and belt. The following sixth month the Sage's hall burned; Hongtai was at court while Hongxu led the younger generation to the rescue, wore mourning dress and wept at the temple, and ate only plain food for a hundred days. When Hongtai returned, he too fasted and mourned as for a parent's death. Orphaned at seven months, Hongtai was filial to his mother and lived in harmony with Hongxu without a harsh word between them. He died in the sixteenth year; Hongxu's son Wenshao succeeded him.
14
聞韶，字知德。 明年，新廟建，規制逾舊，遣大學士李東陽祭告，禦制碑文勒石。 正德三年以尼山、洙泗二書院及鄒縣子思子廟各有禮事，奏請弟聞禮主之。 帝授聞禮《五經》博士，主子思子祀事，世以衍聖公弟為之。 兩書院各設學錄一人，薦族之賢者充焉。 六年，山東盜起，聞韶與巡撫趙璜請城闕里，遷曲阜縣治以衛廟，不果行。 嘉靖二十五年，聞韶卒，子貞幹襲。
Wenshao, whose courtesy name was Zhide. The next year a new temple was completed on a grander scale than before; Grand Secretary Li Dongyang was sent to announce the sacrifice, and the emperor's inscription was cut in stone. In Zhengde 3, noting that the Ni Mountain and Zhu-Si academies and the Zisi temple at Zou County each required ritual oversight, he asked that his younger brother Wenli be put in charge. The emperor made Wenli Doctor of the Five Classics to oversee sacrifices to Zisi; thereafter the duke's younger brother held the post by hereditary custom. Each academy was given one registrar, drawn from worthy men of the clan. In the sixth year bandits broke out in Shandong; Wenshao and Grand Coordinator Zhao Huang proposed fortifying Qufu and moving the county seat to protect the temple, but the plan was never carried out. Wenshao died in Jiajing 25; his son Zhengan succeeded him.
15
貞幹，字用濟。 三十五年入朝。 卒，子尚賢襲。
Zhengan, whose courtesy name was Yongji. In the thirty-fifth year he came to court. He died; his son Shangxian succeeded him.
16
尚賢，字象之。 巡撫丁以忠言：「尚賢沖年，宜如弘泰例，國學肄業。」 從之。 萬歷九年，庶母郭氏訐尚賢。 帝為革供奉女樂二十六戶，令三歲一朝。 十七年，尚賢仍請比歲入賀，許之。 尚賢博識。 天啟元年卒。 子蔭椿先卒，無嗣，從弟子蔭植襲。
Shangxian, whose courtesy name was Xiangzhi. Grand Coordinator Ding Yizhong said: "Shangxian is still young; following Hongtai's precedent, he should study at the Imperial Academy. The request was granted. In Wanli 9 his stepmother of the Guo clan brought charges against Shangxian. The emperor removed the twenty-six households of female musicians from his retinue and required him to come to court only once every three years. In the seventeenth year Shangxian petitioned to resume annual birthday audiences; the request was granted. Shangxian was a man of wide learning. He died in Tianqi 1. His son Yinchun predeceased him without heirs, and a younger kinsman's son, Yinzhi, succeeded.
17
蔭植，字對寰。 祖貞寧，衍聖公貞幹弟也，仕為《五經》博士。 父尚坦，國學生，追封衍聖公。 蔭植先為博士，尚賢既喪子，遂育為嗣。 天啟四年以覃恩加太子太保。 崇禎元年加太子太傅。
Yinzhi, whose courtesy name was Duihuan. His grandfather Zhenning was the younger brother of Duke Zhengan and held the post of Doctor of the Five Classics. His father Shangtan had been an Imperial Academy student and was posthumously enfeoffed Duke of Yan Sheng. Yinzhi had first served as Doctor of the Five Classics; after Shangxian lost his son, he was adopted as heir. In Tianqi 4 a general amnesty raised him to Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In Chongzhen 1 he was made Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent.
18
彥繩卒，子承美，字永實，十四年襲。 卒，子弘章，字以達，嘉靖二十六年襲。 卒，子聞音，字知政，萬歷五年襲。 卒，子貞運，字用行，四十三年襲。 時以在曲阜者為孔氏北宗，在西安者為南宗雲。
When Yansheng died, his son Chengmei, styled Yongshi, succeeded in the fourteenth year. He died; his son Hongzhang, styled Yida, succeeded in Jiajing 26. He died; his son Wenyin, styled Zhizheng, succeeded in Wanli 5. He died; his son Zhenyun, styled Yongxing, succeeded in the forty-third year. At that time the line at Qufu was known as the Northern branch of the Kong clan, and that at Xi'an as the Southern branch.
19
顏希惠，復聖五十九代孫也。 洪武初，以顏子五十七代孫池為宣德府學教授。 十五年改三氏學教授，以奉祀事。 池，字德裕。 子拳，字克膺。 拳子希仁，字士元。 景泰三年詔以顏、孟子孫長而賢者各一人，至京官之。 其年，希仁為巡按御史顧躭所劾。 詔黜希仁，召希惠以為翰林院《五經》博士。 未幾，以希惠非嫡子，仍以希仁長子議為之。 議，字定伯，成化元年賜第京師，入覲，馳驛以為常。 議卒，子鋐，字宗器，十八年襲。 卒，子重德，字尚本，正德二年襲。 卒，子從祖，字守嗣，襲。 卒，無子，嘉靖四十一年以從祖從父重禮之長子肇先為嗣。 肇先，字啟源。 卒，子嗣慎，字用修襲。 卒，長子尹宗先卒，次子尹祚，字永錫，萬歷年襲。 尹祚為人博學好義，尹宗之子伯貞既長，遂以其職讓之。 伯貞，字叔節，二十七年襲。 卒，子幼，弟伯廉，字叔清，三十四年襲。 卒，子紹緒，崇禎十四年襲。
Yan Xihui was a fifty-ninth-generation descendant of Yan Hui, the Sage of Return. Early in the Hongwu reign, Chi, fifty-seventh in descent from Yan Hui, was appointed instructor at the Xuande prefectural school. In the fifteenth year he was transferred to professor at the Three-Clan school to oversee sacrifices. Chi, whose courtesy name was Deyu. His son Quan, styled Keying. Quan's son Xiren, styled Shiyuan. In Jingtai 3 an edict called for one eldest worthy descendant each of the Yan and Meng lines to come to the capital for appointment. That same year Xiren was impeached by touring censor Gu Dan. An edict removed Xiren and summoned Xihui to serve as Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics. Soon afterward, because Xihui was not born of the principal wife, Xiren's eldest son Yi was reappointed instead. Yi, styled Dingbo, received a residence in the capital in Chenghua 1; on his court visits relay horses became routine. When Yi died, his son Hong, styled Zongqi, succeeded in the eighteenth year. He died; his son Chongde, styled Shangben, succeeded in Zhengde 2. He died; his son Congzu, styled Shousi, succeeded. He died without sons; in Jiajing 41 Chongli's eldest son Zhaoxian, a cousin of Congzu's generation, was made heir. Zhaoxian, whose courtesy name was Qiyuan. He died; his son Sizhen, styled Yongxiu, succeeded. He died; his eldest son Yinzong predeceased him; his second son Yinhuo, styled Yongxi, succeeded in the Wanli reign. Yinhuo was learned and public-spirited; when Yinzong's son Bozhen came of age, he yielded the post to him. Bozhen, styled Shujie, succeeded in the twenty-seventh year. He died leaving a young son; his younger brother Bolian, styled Shuqing, succeeded in the thirty-fourth year. He died; his son Shaoxu succeeded in Chongzhen 14.
20
曾質粹，字好古，吉安永豐人，宗聖五十九代孫也。 其先，都鄉侯據避新莽之亂，徙家豫章，子孫散居撫、吉諸郡間。 成化初，山東守臣上言：「嘉祥縣南武山西南，元寨山之東麓，有漁者陷入穴中，得懸棺，碣曰曾參之墓。」 詔加修築。 正德間，山東僉事錢鋐訪得曾子之後一人於嘉祥山中，未幾而沒。 嘉靖十二年，以學士顧鼎臣言，詔求嫡嗣。 於是江西撫按以質粹名聞，命回嘉祥，以衣巾奉祀。 十八年，授翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲。 三十九年卒。 子昊，未襲卒。 昊子繼祖，字繩之，少病目，江西族人袞謀奪其職，為給事中劉不息、御史劉光國所糾，於是罷袞官，而繼祖仍主祀事。 卒，子承業，字洪福，萬歷五年襲。 卒，子弘毅，字泰東，崇禎元年襲。 卒，子聞達，字象輿，十四年襲。
Zeng Zhicui, styled Haogu, was from Yongfeng in Ji'an and a fifty-ninth-generation descendant of Zengzi, the Sage of the Zeng clan. An ancestor, Marquis Ju of Duxiang, fled the Xin Mang turmoil and settled in Yuzhang; later generations spread across Fu and Ji prefectures. Early in the Chenghua reign Shandong officials reported: "Southwest of Mount Nanwu in Jiaxiang County, on the eastern slope of Mount Yuanzhai, a fisherman fell into a cave and found a suspended coffin; the stele read 'Tomb of Zeng Shen.' An edict ordered the site restored and enlarged. During the Zhengde reign Shandong Vice Commissioner Qian Hong found a descendant of Zengzi in the Jiaxiang hills, but he died soon afterward. In Jiajing 12, on Academician Gu Dingchen's recommendation, an edict was issued to seek the legitimate heir. The Jiangxi authorities then nominated Zhicui; he was ordered back to Jiaxiang to perform sacrifices in scholar's dress. In the eighteenth year he was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, a post made hereditary for his line. He died in the thirty-ninth year. His son Hao died before succeeding to the post. Hao's son Jizu, styled Shengzhi, had been partly blind from youth; a Jiangxi kinsman named Gun tried to seize the post but was impeached by supervising secretary Liu Buxi and censor Liu Guangguo; Gun was removed from office and Jizu retained charge of the sacrifices. He died; his son Chengye, styled Hongfu, succeeded in Wanli 5. He died; his son Hongyi, styled Taidong, succeeded in Chongzhen 1. He died; his son Wenda, styled Xiangyu, succeeded in the fourteenth year.
21
孔聞禮，字知節，衍聖公聞韶弟也。 正德二年詔授翰林院《五經》博士，以奉述聖祀事。 自後，世以衍聖公弟為之。 聞禮卒，嘉靖二十五年，貞寧字用致襲。 卒，萬歷二十二年，蔭桂襲。 卒，天啟二年，蔭隆襲。 卒，八年，尚達襲。 卒，崇禎十年，蔭相襲。 卒，十四年，蔭錫襲。 卒，十六年，蔭鈺襲。
Kong Wenli, styled Zhijie, was the younger brother of Duke Wenshao. In Zhengde 2 an edict made him Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics to oversee sacrifices to Zisi. Thereafter the duke's younger brother held the post by hereditary custom. When Wenli died, Zhenning, styled Yongzhi, succeeded in Jiajing 25. He died; Yingui succeeded in Wanli 22. He died; Yinlong succeeded in Tianqi 2. He died; Shangda succeeded in the eighth year. He died; Yinxiang succeeded in Chongzhen 10. He died; Yinxi succeeded in the fourteenth year. He died; Yinyu succeeded in the sixteenth year.
22
孟希文，字士煥，亞聖五十六代孫也。 洪武元年詔以孟子五十四代孫思諒奉祀，世復其家。 思諒，字友道，子克仁，字信夫。 克仁子希文。 景泰三年授希文翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲。 卒，子元，字長伯，弘治二年襲。 卒，子公棨幼，嘉靖二年以元弟亨之子公肇襲。 公肇，字先文，少好學，事繼母孔氏，以孝聞。 卒，十二年，仍以公棨襲。 公棨，字橐文。 卒，子彥璞，字朝璽，隆慶元年襲。 卒，子承光，萬歷二十九年襲。 卒，子弘譽，天啟三年襲。 卒，子聞玉，崇禎二年襲。
Meng Xiwen, styled Shihuan, was a fifty-sixth-generation descendant of Mencius, the Second Sage. In Hongwu 1 an edict appointed Siliao, fifty-fourth in descent from Mencius, to perform sacrifices and restored his household by hereditary grant. Siliao, styled Youdao; his son Keren, styled Xinfu. Keren's son was Xiwen. In Jingtai 3 Xiwen was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, a hereditary post for his line. He died; his son Yuan, styled Changbo, succeeded in Hongzhi 2. He died leaving a young son Gongqi; in Jiajing 2 Yuan's nephew Gongzhao, son of his brother Heng, succeeded. Gongzhao, styled Xianwen, was studious from youth and famed for filial service to his Kong-clan stepmother. He died; in the twelfth year the title passed back to Gongqi. Gongqi, whose courtesy name was Tuowen. He died; his son Yanpu, styled Chaoxi, succeeded in Longqing 1. He died; his son Chengguang succeeded in Wanli 29. He died; his son Hongyu succeeded in Tianqi 3. He died; his son Wenyu succeeded in Chongzhen 2.
23
仲於陛，先賢仲子六十二代孫也。 萬歷十五年詔以仲子五十九代孫呂為奉祀。 呂子銓。 銓子則顯。 則顯子於陛。 崇禎十六年以衍聖公孔蔭植言，詔授於陛翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲，賜泗水縣、濟寧州田六十余頃，廟戶三十一，以奉其祭祀焉。
Zhong Yubi was a sixty-second-generation descendant of Zhongzi, the former worthy. In Wanli 15 an edict appointed Lü, fifty-ninth in descent from Zhongzi, to perform sacrifices. Lü Ziquan. Quan's son was Zexian. Zexian's son was Yubi. In Chongzhen 16, on Duke Yinzhi's recommendation, an edict made Yubi Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, hereditary for his line, and granted more than sixty qing of land in Sishui County and Jining Prefecture plus thirty-one temple households to support his sacrifices.
24
周冕，先賢元公周子十二代孫也。 其先，道州人，熙寧中，周子葬母江州，子孫因家廬山蓮花峰下。 景泰七年，授冕翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲，還鄉以奉周子祀事。 卒，子繡麟襲。 卒，子道襲。 卒，子聯芳襲。 卒，子濟襲。 卒，從弟汝忠襲。 卒，子蓮應襲。
Zhou Mian was a twelfth-generation descendant of Zhou Dunyi, the former worthy Lord Yuan. His forebears were from Daozhou; during the Xining reign Zhou Dunyi buried his mother in Jiangzhou, and his descendants settled below Lotus Peak on Mount Lu. In Jingtai 7 Mian was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, a hereditary post, and returned home to oversee sacrifices to Zhou Dunyi. He died; his son Xiulin succeeded him. He died; his son Dao succeeded him. He died; his son Lianfang succeeded him. He died; his son Ji succeeded him. He died; his younger cousin Ruzhong succeeded him. He died; his son Lianying succeeded him.
25
程接道，先賢正公程子後也。 宋淳熙間，純公程子五世孫有居江寧者，嘗主金陵書院祀事。 卒，以名幼學者承之。 明初失傳。 崇禎三年，河南巡按李日宣請以正公之後為之嗣，詔許之，遂以接道為翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲。 十四年，土賊於大忠作亂，接道力拒，死之。
Cheng Jiedao was a descendant of Cheng Hao, the former worthy Lord Zheng. During the Song Chunxi era a fifth-generation descendant of Cheng Yi who lived in Jiangning once oversaw sacrifices at the Jinling Academy. When he died, a promising young scholar succeeded him. Early in the Ming the line was lost. In Chongzhen 3 Henan touring censor Li Rixuan asked that a descendant of Cheng Hao be appointed; the throne agreed, and Jiedao was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, hereditary for his line. In the fourteenth year the bandit Yu Dazhong rose in revolt; Jiedao resisted fiercely and was killed.
26
程克仁，先賢正公程子十七代孫也，世居嵩縣之六渾。 景泰六年授翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲，以奉程子祀事。 卒，子繼祖襲。 卒，仲子世宥襲。 卒，子心傳襲。 心傳莊重寡言，為鄉黨所稱。 卒，弟宗益襲。 卒，從子佳引襲。 卒，從弟佳祚襲。 崇禎十四年為土賊於大忠所殺。
Cheng Keren was a seventeenth-generation descendant of Cheng Hao and his family had long lived at Liuhun in Song County. In Jingtai 6 he was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, a hereditary post charged with sacrifices to Cheng Hao. He died; his son Jizu succeeded him. He died; his second son Shiyou succeeded him. He died; his son Xinchuan succeeded him. Xinchuan was grave and sparing of speech and was well regarded in his community. He died; his younger brother Zongyi succeeded him. He died; his nephew Jiayin succeeded him. He died; his younger cousin Jiazuo succeeded him. In Chongzhen 14 he was killed by the bandit Yu Dazhong.
27
張文運，郿人，先賢明公張子十四代孫也。 天啟二年授翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲，以奉張子祀事。 崇禎三年卒，子承引，以父憂未襲。 六年卒，子元祥，本朝康熙元年襲。
Zhang Wenyun, from Mei, was a fourteenth-generation descendant of Zhang Zai, the former worthy Lord Ming. In Tianqi 2 he was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, a hereditary post charged with sacrifices to Zhang Zai. He died in Chongzhen 3; his son Chengyin had not yet succeeded, being in mourning for his father. He died in the sixth year; his son Yuanxiang succeeded in Kangxi 1 of the present dynasty.
28
邵繼祖，洛陽人，先賢康節公邵子二十七代孫也。 崇禎三年，河南巡按吳甡請以繼祖為翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲，以奉邵子祀事。 詔從之。 卒，子養醇襲。
Shao Jizu, from Luoyang, was a twenty-seventh-generation descendant of Shao Yong, the former worthy Lord Kangjie. In Chongzhen 3 Henan touring censor Wu Shen asked that Jizu be made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, hereditary for his line, to oversee sacrifices to Shao Yong. The request was granted. He died; his son Yangchun succeeded him.
29
朱梴，字孟齡，先賢文公朱子九世孫也，世居福建建安縣之紫霞洲。 景泰六年授翰林院《五經》博士，子孫世襲，以奉朱子祀事。 梴為人淳謹，言動有則。 卒，子燉，字孔暉襲。 燉以事入都，中途遇盜。 未幾，有遺金道上者，燉守之，以還其人，人稱其廉介。 卒，子塋，字元厚襲。 卒，子鎏襲。 卒，子法，字兆祖襲。 法為人孝友。 卒，子楗，字士啟襲。 卒，子瑩，字惟玉襲。 卒，子之俊，字喬之襲。
Zhu Ting, styled Mengling, was a ninth-generation descendant of Zhu Xi and his family had long lived at Zixia Isle in Jian'an County, Fujian. In Jingtai 6 he was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics, a hereditary post charged with sacrifices to Zhu Xi. Ting was plain and careful by nature, and measured in word and deed. He died; his son Dun, styled Konghui, succeeded him. Dun traveled to the capital on business and was robbed on the road. Soon afterward someone dropped gold on the road; Dun kept watch over it and returned it to the owner, and people praised his integrity. He died; his son Ying, styled Yuanhou, succeeded him. He died; his son Liu succeeded him. He died; his son Fa, styled Zhaozu, succeeded him. Fa was known for filial piety and brotherly kindness. He died; his son Jian, styled Shiqi, succeeded him. He died; his son Ying, styled Weiyu, succeeded him. He died; his son Zhijun, styled Qiaozhi, succeeded him.
30
朱墅，先賢文公朱子十一世孫也。 正德間，給事中戴銑、汪元錫，御史王完等相繼言：「朱子，繼孔子者也。 孔子之後有曲阜、西安，朱子之後亦有建安、婺源。 今建安恩典已隆，在婺源者，請依闕里之例，錄其子孫一人，量授以官，俾掌祠事。」 詔許之。 嘉靖二年授墅翰林院《五經》博士。 三十八年以本學訓導席端言，令其世襲。 墅卒，子鎬襲。 卒，子德洪襲。 卒，子邦相襲。 卒，子煜襲。 卒，子坤襲。
Zhu Shu was an eleventh-generation descendant of Zhu Xi. During the Zhengde reign supervising secretaries Dai Xian and Wang Yuanxi, censor Wang Wan, and others said in turn: "Master Zhu stands in succession to Confucius. Confucius has descendants at Qufu and Xi'an; Zhu Xi has descendants at Jian'an and Wuyuan. Favors to Jian'an are already ample; for Wuyuan we ask that, following the Qufu precedent, one descendant be registered and given a modest office to oversee the temple. The request was granted. In Jiajing 2 Shu was made Hanlin Doctor of the Five Classics. In the thirty-eighth year, on the recommendation of local school instructor Xi Duan, the post was made hereditary. When Shu died, his son Hao succeeded him. He died; his son Dehong succeeded him. He died; his son Bangxiang succeeded him. He died; his son Yu succeeded him. He died; his son Kun succeeded him.