1
高帝十九男：昭皇后生武帝、豫章文獻王嶷； 謝貴嬪生臨川獻王映、長沙威王晃； 羅太妃生武陵昭王曄； 任太妃生安成恭王暠； 陸修儀生鄱陽王鏘、晉熙王銶； 袁修容生桂陽王鑠； 何太妃生始興簡王鑒、宜都王鏗； 區貴人生衡陽王鈞； 張淑妃生江夏王鋒、河東王鉉； 李美人生南平王銳； 第九、第十三、第十四、第十七皇子早亡。 衡陽王鈞出繼元王后。
Emperor Gao had nineteen sons: Empress Zhao bore Emperor Wu and Prince Wenxian of Yuzhang, Ni; Noble Consort Xie bore Prince Xian of Linchuan, Ying, and Prince Wei of Changsha, Huang; Consort Dowager Luo bore Prince Zhao of Wuling, Ye; Consort Dowager Ren bore Prince Gong of Ancheng, Gao; Lady of Cultivated Rites Lu bore the Prince of Poyang, Qiang, and the Prince of Jinxi, Qiu; Lady of Cultivated Appearance Yuan bore the Prince of Guiyang, Shuo; Consort Dowager He bore Prince Jian of Shixing, Jian, and the Prince of Yidu, Keng; Lady of the District Qu bore the Prince of Hengyang, Jun; Imperial Beauty Zhang bore the Prince of Jiangxia, Feng, and the Prince of Hedong, Xuan; Lady of Beauty Li bore the Prince of Nanping, Rui; The ninth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and seventeenth princes died in childhood. The Prince of Hengyang, Jun, was given in adoption to succeed the Prince of Yuan.
2
臨川獻王映，字宣光，太祖第三子也。 宋元徽四年，解褐著作佐郎，遷撫軍行參軍，南陽王文學。 沈攸之事難，太祖時領南徐州，以映為寧朔將軍，鎮京口。 事寧，除中軍諮議、從事中郎、輔國將軍、淮南宣城二郡太守，並不拜。 仍為假節、督南兗兗徐青冀五州諸軍事、行南兗州刺史，將軍如故。 尋除給事黃門侍郎，領前軍將軍，仍復為冠軍將軍、南兗州刺史，假節督，復為監軍，督五州如故。 齊台建，宋帝詔封映及弟晃、曄、暠、鏘、鑠、鑒併為開國縣公，各千五百戶，未及定土宇，而太祖踐阼。 以映為使持節、都督荊湘雍益梁寧南北秦八州諸軍事、平西將軍、荊州刺史。 封臨川王，食邑例二千戶。 又領湘州刺史。 豫章王嶷既留鎮陝西，映亦不行。 改授散騎常侍、都督揚南徐二州諸軍事、前將軍、揚州刺史，持節如故。 國家初創，映以年少臨神州，吏治聰敏，府州曹局皆重足以奉禁令，自宋彭城王義康以後未之有也。
Prince Xian of Linchuan, Ying, styled Xuangguang, was the founding emperor's third son. In Song's fourth year of Yuanhui he left coarse cloth as editorial aide, then became staff officer on the Pacification Army and literary aide to the Prince of Nanyang. When Shen Youzhi rebelled, the founding emperor was holding Southern Xuzhou and appointed Ying General of Pacifying the North to garrison Jingkou. After peace he was named adviser to the central army, attendant gentleman, aide to the state, and general of assisting the state, with grand administrations of Huainan and Xuancheng — all declined. He was then made acting commissioner with credentials, commander of military affairs in Yan, Southern Yan, Xu, Qing, and Ji, and acting governor of Southern Yan, with rank unchanged. Soon he was attendant at the yellow gate and head of the vanguard army, then again champion general and governor of Southern Yan with credentials and command unchanged, again supervising the five provinces. When the Qi regime was formed, the Song emperor enfeoffed Ying and his brothers Huang, Ye, Gao, Qiang, Shuo, and Jian as founding-county dukes of 1,500 households each; before their domains were fixed the founding emperor ascended. Ying was made bearer of credentials, commander of eight provinces — Jing, Xiang, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ning, and northern and southern Qin — and General Who Pacifies the West, with Jing as his province. He was enfeoffed as Prince of Linchuan with the usual fief of two thousand households. He also held Xiang as his province. As Prince of Yuzhang Ni stayed to garrison western Shaanxi, Ying too did not take up his post. He was reassigned attendant at leisure, commander of Yang and Southern Xu, former general, and governor of Yang, with credentials unchanged. When the dynasty was new, Ying in his youth held the imperial metropolis; his governance was sharp, and every office of princedom and prefecture stood in awe of his orders — not since Song's Prince of Pengcheng Yikang had there been the like.
3
出為都督荊湘雍益梁巴寧南北秦九州諸軍事、鎮西將軍、荊州刺史，持節、常侍如故。 給鼓吹一部。 以國憂解散騎常侍，進號征西。 永明元年入為侍中，驃騎將軍。 二年，給油絡車。 五年，即本號開府儀同三司。 七年，薨。 映善騎射，解聲律，工左右書左右射，應接賓客，風韻韶美，朝野莫不惋惜焉。 時年三十二。 詔賜東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲。 贈司空。 九子皆封侯。 長子子晉，歷東陽、吳興二郡太守，秘書監，領后軍將軍。 永元初，為侍中，遷左民尚書。 坐從妹祖日不拜，為有司所奏，事留中，子晉遂不復拜。 梁王定京邑，猶服侍中服。 入梁為輔國將軍、高平太守。 第二子子游，州陵侯。 解褐員外郎，太子洗馬，歷琅邪、晉陵二郡太守，黃門侍郎。 好音樂，解絲竹雜藝。 梁初坐閨門淫穢及殺人，為有司所奏，請議禁錮。 子晉謀反，兄弟並伏誅。 長沙威王晃，字宣明，太祖第四子也。 少有武力，為太祖所愛。 宋世解褐秘書郎邵陵王友，不拜。 升明二年，代兄映為寧朔將軍、淮南宣城二郡太守。 初，沈攸之事起，晃便弓馬，多從武容，熏赫都街，時人為之語曰：「煥煥蕭四傘。」 其年，遷為持節、監豫司二州郢州之西陽諸軍事、西中郎將、豫州刺史。 太祖踐祚，晃欲陳政事，輒為典簽所裁，晃執殺之。 上大怒，手詔賜杖。 尋遷使持節、都督南徐兗二州諸軍事、后將軍、南徐州刺史。 世祖為皇太子，拜武進陵，于曲阿后湖斗隊，使晃御馬軍，上聞之，又不悅。 入為侍中、護軍將軍，以國憂，解侍中，加中軍將軍。 太祖臨崩，以晃屬世祖，處以輦轂近蕃，勿令遠出。 永明元年，上遷南徐州刺史竟陵王子良為南兗州，以晃為使持節、都督南徐兗二州諸軍事、鎮軍將軍、南徐州刺史。 入為散騎常侍，中書監。 諸王在京都，唯置捉刀左右四十人。 晃愛武飾，罷徐州還，私載數百人仗還都，為禁司所覺，投之江水。 世祖禁諸王畜私仗，聞之大怒，將糾以法。 豫章王嶷于御前稽首流涕曰：「晃罪誠不足宥。 陛下當憶先朝念白象。」 白象，晃小字也。 上亦垂泣。 太祖大漸時，誡世祖曰：「宋氏若不骨肉相圖，他族豈得乘其衰弊，汝深戒之。」 故世祖終無異意。 然晃亦不見親寵。 當時論者以世祖優於魏文，減于漢明。
He went out as commander of nine provinces — Jing, Xiang, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ba, Ning, and northern and southern Qin — General Who Guards the West and governor of Jing, with credentials and attendant rank unchanged. He was granted martial pipes and drums. During national mourning he relinquished attendant at leisure and was advanced to General Who Pacifies the West. In Yongming year one he entered court as attendant and Rapid Cavalry General. In year two he received an oiled carriage canopy. In year five he was made Grand Mentor with ceremony equal to the Three Dukes at his present rank. In year seven he died. Ying excelled at mounted archery, understood music, mastered both calligraphic styles and ambidextrous archery, and received guests with graceful charm — all who knew him grieved. He was thirty-two. An edict granted eastern-garden funeral regalia, one court robe, and one suit of garments. He was posthumously made Minister of Works. All nine sons were enfeoffed as marquises. The eldest son Zijin served as governor of Dongyang and Wuxing, director of the secretariat, and head of the rear army. At the start of Yongyuan he was attendant, then promoted to minister of the left for the people. He was impeached for failing to bow on his cousin's ancestral memorial day; the matter lingered at court, and Zijin never bowed again. When the Liang prince secured the capital he still wore court attendant's robes. Under Liang he was made general of assisting the state and governor of Gaoping. The second son Ziyou was Marquis of Zhouling. He left coarse cloth as outside gentleman and crown prince's chamberlain, then governed Langye and Jinling and served as attendant at the yellow gate. He loved music and mastered string and wind instruments. Early in Liang he was impeached for debauchery within the inner quarters and murder; the authorities asked that he be confined. When Zijin rebelled, the brothers were all executed. Prince Wei of Changsha, Huang, styled Xuanming, was the founding emperor's fourth son. In youth he was physically powerful and a favorite of the founding emperor. Under Song he was made secretariat gentleman and friend to the Prince of Shaoling — and declined. In Shengming year two he replaced his elder brother Ying as General of Pacifying the North and governor of Huainan and Xuancheng. When Shen Youzhi rebelled, Huang rode out with many armed attendants and filled the capital streets; people said, 「Splendid, splendid — Xiao the Fourth and his umbrella.」 That year he was made bearer of credentials, supervisor of Yu and Si and of Xiyang in Ying, General of the West Center, and governor of Yu. When the founding emperor ascended, Huang tried to present affairs of state but the chief clerk always blocked him; Huang seized and killed the man. The emperor was furious and by his own hand issued an edict a beating with the staff. Soon he was bearer of credentials, commander of Southern Xu and Yan, rear general, and governor of Southern Xu. When Emperor Wu was crown prince he visited Wujin tomb; at Qu'a's rear lake they drilled in ranks and Huang was set to command the horse army — the emperor heard and was displeased again. He entered court as attendant and Defender General; during national mourning he left the attendant post and was made general of the central army. On his deathbed the founding emperor entrusted Huang to Emperor Wu, keeping him in the capital's nearby domains — never far away. In Yongming year one the emperor shifted Southern Xu governor Prince of Jingling Ziliang to Southern Yan and made Huang bearer of credentials, commander of Southern Xu and Yan, General Who Guards the Army, and governor of Southern Xu. He entered court as attendant at leisure and director of the secretariat. Princes residing in the capital were allowed only forty blade-bearing guards. Huang loved martial display; returning from Xu he secretly brought several hundred weapons to the capital; the prohibition office found them and cast them into the river. Emperor Wu forbade princes private weapons; hearing of it he was furious and nearly prosecuted Huang by law. Prince of Yuzhang Ni kowtowed before the throne in tears: 「Huang's crime truly cannot be forgiven. Your Majesty should remember how the late emperor cherished White Elephant.」 White Elephant was Huang's childhood name. The emperor wept as well. On his deathbed the founding emperor warned Emperor Wu: 「If the Song house does not turn on its own kin, no other clan can exploit its weakness — guard against this deeply.」 Therefore Emperor Wu never truly turned against him. Yet Huang was never treated with intimate favor either. Contemporaries judged Emperor Wu better than Cao Pi and less than Liu Zhuang of Han Ming.
4
尋加晃鎮軍將軍，轉丹陽尹，常侍、將軍如故。 又為侍中、護軍將軍，鎮軍如故。 尋進號車騎將軍，侍中如故。 給油絡車，鼓吹一部。 八年，薨，年三十一。 賜東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲。 即本號，贈開府儀同三司。
Soon he was made General Who Guards the Army and governor of Danyang, with attendant rank and generalship unchanged. He was again attendant and Defender General, still General Who Guards the Army. Soon he was advanced to General of the Chariots and Cavalry, attendant as before. He received an oiled carriage canopy and martial pipes and drums. In year eight he died at thirty-one. He was granted eastern-garden funeral regalia, one court robe, and one suit. At his present rank he was posthumously made Grand Mentor with Three-Dukes ceremony.
5
世祖嘗幸鐘山，晃從駕，以馬槊刺道邊枯櫱，上令左右數人引之，銀纏皆卷聚，而槊不出。 乃令晃復馳馬拔之，應手便去。 每遠州獻駿馬，上輒令晃于華林中調試之。 太祖常曰：「此我家任城也。」 世祖緣此意，故諡曰威。
Emperor Wu once visited Zhongshan; Huang followed and pierced a roadside dead stump with his lance; the emperor had several men pull — the silver bindings coiled but the lance would not budge. He ordered Huang to charge and pull again; it came free at once. Whenever distant provinces sent fine horses, the emperor had Huang test them in the Flowery Grove. The founding emperor often said: 「This is our house's Prince of Ren.」 Emperor Wu followed that sentiment, hence the posthumous epithet Wei.
6
武陵昭王曄，字宣照，太祖第五子也。 母羅氏，從太祖在淮陰，以罪誅，曄年四歲，思慕不異成人，故每見愛。 初除冠軍將軍，轉征虜將軍。 曄剛穎俊出，工弈棋，與諸王共作短句，詩學謝靈運體，以呈上，報曰：「見汝二十字，諸兒作中最為優者。 但康樂放蕩，作體不辨有首尾，安仁、士衡深可宗尚，顏延之抑其次也。」 建元三年，出為持節、都督會稽東陽新安永嘉臨海五郡軍事、會稽太守，將軍如故。 上遣儒士劉瓛往郡，為曄講《五經》。
Prince Zhao of Wuling, Ye, styled Xuanzhao, was the founding emperor's fifth son. His mother was Lady Luo; she had followed the founding emperor at Huaiyin and was executed; at four Ye grieved like a grown man — and was always cherished for it. He was first champion general, then General Who Punishes the Barbarians. Ye was sharp and outstanding, skilled at chess; with his brothers he wrote short verses in Xie Lingyun's style and presented them; the emperor replied: 「In your twenty characters this is the best of the boys' work. Yet Lingyun is unrestrained — his pieces lack clear beginning and end; Pan Yue and Lu Ji are truly worth emulating; Yan Yanzhi ranks beneath them.」 In Jianyuan year three he went out bearer of credentials, commander of Kuaiji, Dongyang, Xin'an, Yongjia, and Linhai, and governor of Kuaiji, rank unchanged. The emperor sent the scholar Liu Huan to lecture Ye on the Five Classics in his commandery.
7
世祖即位，進號左將軍，入為中書令，將軍如故。 轉散騎常侍，太常卿。 又為中書令，遷祠部尚書，常侍並如故。
When Emperor Wu ascended Ye was advanced to General of the Left and entered as director of the secretariat, rank unchanged. He was transferred to attendant at leisure and grand minister of rituals. He was again director of the secretariat and promoted minister of imperial sacrifices, still attendant.
8
曄無寵於世祖，未嘗處方岳，數以語言忤旨。 世祖幸豫章王嶷東田宴諸王，獨不召曄。 嶷曰：「風景殊美，今日甚憶武陵。」 上乃呼之。 曄善射，屢發命中，顧謂四坐曰：「手如何？」 上神色甚怪。 嶷曰：「阿五常日不爾，今可謂仰藉天威。」 帝意乃釋。 後於華林賭射，上敕曄疊破，凡放六箭，五破一皮，賜錢五萬。 又于御席上舉酒勸曄，曄曰：「陛下嘗不以此處許臣。」 上回面不答。
Ye lacked Emperor Wu's favor, never held a provincial command, and often offended by his speech. Emperor Wu feasted the princes at Prince of Yuzhang Ni's eastern estate and alone did not summon Ye. Ni said: 「The view is especially fine — today I sorely miss Wuling.」 The emperor then had him summoned. Ye was a fine archer; shot after shot struck; he turned to the guests and said: 「How is my hand?」 The emperor's expression turned very strange. Ni said: 「Brother Five is not usually so skilled — today he may be said to borrow Heaven's awesomeness.」 The emperor's mood then eased. Later at Flowery Grove archery games the emperor ordered Ye to shoot in succession; of six arrows five broke the hide and one remained — he was granted fifty thousand cash. Again at the imperial feast he raised wine to toast Ye; Ye said: 「Your Majesty once would not grant me this seat.」 The emperor turned away and did not answer.
9
久之，出為江州刺史，常侍如故。 上以曄方出外鎮，求曄宅給諸皇子。 曄曰：「先帝賜臣此宅，使臣歌哭有所。 陛下欲以州易宅，臣請不以宅易州。」 至鎮百餘日，典簽趙渥之啟曄得失，於是征還為左民尚書。 俄轉前將軍，太常卿，累不得志。 冬節問訊，諸王皆出，曄獨後來，上已還便殿，聞曄至，引見問之。 曄稱牛羸，不能取路。 上敕車府給副御牛一頭。 敕主客：「自今諸王來不隨例者，不得復為通。」
After a long interval he went out as governor of Jiang, attendant as before. As Ye was leaving for an outer command, the emperor sought Ye's mansion to give to the other princes. Ye said: 「The late emperor gave me this house so I would have where to grieve and rejoice.」 「If Your Majesty wishes to trade a province for the house, I ask not to trade the house for a province.」 After little more than a hundred days at post, chief clerk Zhao Wozhi reported Ye's faults and merits; he was recalled as minister of the left for the people. Soon he was former general and grand minister of rituals, repeatedly thwarted. At the winter solstice audience all princes departed; Ye alone came late; the emperor had returned to the side hall; hearing Ye had come, he summoned and questioned him. Ye said his ox was worn out and could not keep pace on the road. The emperor ordered the carriage office to supply one spare imperial ox. He issued an edict the chief of guests: 「Hereafter princes who do not follow precedent shall not be admitted.」
10
以公事還過竟陵王子良宅，冬月道逢乞人，脫襦與之。 子良見曄衣單，薦襦于曄。 曄曰：「我與向人亦復何異！」 尚書令王儉詣曄，曄留儉設食，柈中菘菜<魚邑>魚而已。 又名後堂山為「首陽」，蓋怨貧薄也。
Returning on state business he passed Prince of Jingling Ziliang's house; in winter he met a beggar on the road, stripped off his jacket, and gave it. Ziliang saw Ye was thinly clad and offered him a jacket. Ye said: 「How am I different from the man I just met!」 Director Wang Jian visited Ye; Ye kept him to eat — the trays held only turnip greens and pickled fish. He also named his rear-hall hill 「Shouyang,」 in mockery of his poverty.
11
尋為丹陽尹，常侍、將軍如故。 始不復置行事，得自親政。 轉侍中，護軍將軍。 給油絡車。 又給扶二人。 世祖臨崩，遺詔為衛將軍，開府儀同三司，給鼓吹一部。
Soon he was governor of Danyang, attendant and general unchanged. For the first time he dispensed with a acting staff and governed in person. He was transferred attendant and Defender General. He was given an oiled carriage canopy. He was also given two attendants to support him. On his deathbed the Shizu's final edict made Ye Defender General and Grand Mentor with Three-Dukes ceremony, with martial pipes and drums.
12
大行在殯，竟陵王子良在殿內，太孫未立，眾論喧疑。 曄眾中言曰：「若立長則應在我，立嫡則應在太孫。」 郁林即立，甚見憑賴。 隆昌元年，年二十八，薨。 賜東園秘器，朝服。 贈司空，侍中如故。 給節，班劍二十人。
While the late emperor lay in state, Prince of Jingling Ziliang was in the hall and the heir was not yet named — rumor swirled. Ye said before the assembly: 「If the elder line is chosen it should be me; if the direct heir, it should be the crown prince.」 Emperor Yulin was enthroned and Ye was greatly relied upon. In Longchang year one he died at twenty-eight. He was granted eastern-garden funeral regalia and court dress. He was posthumously made Minister of Works, attendant as before. Credentials were granted and twenty guards with ceremonial swords.
13
延興元年，進位司徒，侍中、驃騎如故。 高宗鎮東府，權勢稍異，鏘每往，高宗常屣履至車迎鏘。 語及家國，言淚俱下，鏘以此推信之。 而宮台內皆屬意於鏘，勸鏘入宮發兵輔政。 制局監謝粲說鏘及隨王子隆曰：「殿下但乘油壁車入宮，出天子置朝堂，二王夾輔號令，粲等閉城門上仗，誰敢不同？ 東城人政共縛送蕭令耳。」 子隆欲定計，鏘以上台兵力既悉度東府，且慮事難捷，意甚猶豫。 馬隊主劉巨，世祖時舊人，詣鏘請間，叩頭勸鏘立事。 鏘命駕將入，復回還內與母陸太妃別，日暮不成行。 數日，高宗遣二千人圍鏘宅害鏘，謝粲等皆見殺。 鏘時年二十六。 凡諸王被害，皆以夜遣兵圍宅，或斧關排牆叫噪而入，家財皆見封籍焉。 桂陽王鑠，字宣朗，太祖第八子也。 永明二年，出為南徐州刺史，鎮京口。
In Yanxing year one he was posthumously advanced to Grand Mentor, attendant and Rapid Cavalry unchanged. When Emperor Ming garrisoned the eastern mansion his power grew distinct; whenever Qiang visited, Ming often ran out in slippers to his carriage to welcome him. Speaking of state and family they wept together; Qiang therefore trusted him. Within the palace all looked to Qiang and urged him to enter, raise troops, and assist the government. Bureau supervisor Xie Can said to Qiang and Prince of Suizhou Zilong: 「Your Highness need only ride the lacquered carriage into the palace, set the Son of Heaven in court with two princes flanking command — we shut the gates and arm the guard — who would not follow? The eastern-city men would only bind and deliver Chief Xiao.」 Zilong wished to fix the plan; Qiang, seeing court forces had all shifted to the eastern mansion and fearing the coup would not be swift, hesitated deeply. Horse-corps chief Liu Ju, a veteran of Emperor Wu's day, visited Qiang in private, kowtowed, and urged him to act. Qiang ordered his carriage to enter, then turned back to farewell his mother, Consort Dowager Lu; by dusk he still had not gone. Days later Emperor Ming sent two thousand men to surround Qiang's house and kill him; Xie Can and the rest were all slain. Qiang was twenty-six. Whenever princes were killed, troops came by night to surround the house, or broke gates and walls with axes, shouting as they entered; household goods were all sealed and inventoried. Prince of Guiyang, Shuo, styled Xuanlang, was the founding emperor's eighth son. In Yongming year two he went out as governor of Southern Xu, garrisoning Jingkou.
14
歷代鎮府，鑠出蕃，始省軍府。 四年，加散騎常侍。 六年，遷中書令，度支尚書。 七年，轉中書令，加散騎常侍。 時鄱陽王鏘好文章，鑠好名理，時人稱為「鄱桂。」 十年，遷太常，常侍如故。 鑠清羸有冷疾，常枕臥。 世祖臨視，賜床帳衾褥。 隆昌元年，加前將軍。 給油絡車，並給扶侍二人。 海陵立，轉侍中、撫軍將軍，領兵置佐。
For generations the garrison had kept a military staff; when Shuo took his fief the staff was abolished for the first time. In year four he was made attendant at leisure. In year six he was made director of the secretariat and minister of revenue. In year seven he was again director of the secretariat with added attendant at leisure. Prince of Poyang Qiang loved literature and Shuo loved abstruse principles; people called them 「Poyang and Guiyang.」 In year ten he was moved to grand minister of rituals, attendant unchanged. Shuo was slight and frail with a chill disorder and often lay abed. Emperor Wu visited him in person and granted bedding and coverlets. In Longchang year one he was made former general. He was given an oiled carriage canopy and two supporting attendants. When Emperor Hailing ascended he was attendant and Pacification General with military staff.
15
鄱陽王見害，鑠遷中軍將軍，開府儀同三司。 鑠不自安，至東府詣高宗還，謂左右曰：「向錄公見接殷勤，流連不能已，而貌有慚色，此必欲殺我。」 三更中，兵至見害。 時年二十五。
When the Prince of Poyang was killed, Shuo was made general of the central army and Grand Mentor with Three-Dukes ceremony. Shuo was uneasy; returning from visiting Emperor Ming at the eastern mansion he told his attendants: 「The Chief Recorder received me so warmly I could not tear myself away, yet his face showed shame — he must mean to kill me.」 In the third watch troops came and killed him. He was twenty-five.
16
始興簡王鑒，字宣徹，太祖第十子也。 初封廣興王，后國隨郡改名。 永明二年，世祖始以鑒為持節、都督益寧二州軍事、前將軍、益州刺史。 廣漢什邡民段祖以錞于獻鑒，古禮器也。 高三尺六寸六分，圍二尺四寸，圓如筒，銅色黑如漆，甚薄。 上有銅馬，以繩縣馬，令去地尺餘，灌之以水，又以器盛水于下，以芒莖當心跪注錞于，以手振芒，則其聲如雷，清響良久乃絕。 古所以節樂也。
Prince Jian of Shixing, Jian, styled Xuanche, was the founding emperor's tenth son. He was first enfeoffed Prince of Guangxing; later the fief moved to Suizhou and the title changed. In Yongming year two Emperor Wu first made Jian bearer of credentials, commander of Yi and Ning, former general, and governor of Yi. Duan Zu of Shifang in Guanghan presented Jian with a chunyu — an ancient ritual bell. It stood three chi six cun six fen high, two chi four cun around, round as a tube, copper black as lacquer, very thin. A bronze horse hung above; rope held it a foot from the ground; water was poured in and a basin set below; kneeling, one poured through a rush at the center — shake the rush and the tone rolled like thunder, clear and long before fading. In antiquity music was regulated thus.
17
五年，鑒獻龍角一枚，長九尺三寸，色紅，有文。 八年，進號安西將軍。
In year five Jian presented a dragon horn nine chi three cun long, red and patterned. In year eight he was advanced to General Who Pacifies the West.
18
鋒好琴書，有武力。 高宗殺諸王，鋒遺書誚責，左右不為通，高宗深憚之。 不敢於第收鋒，使兼祠官于太廟，夜遣兵廟中收之。 鋒出登車，兵人慾上車防勒，鋒以手擊卻數人，皆應時倒地，於是敢近者遂逼害之。 時年二十。
Feng loved zither and books and possessed martial strength. When Emperor Ming slaughtered the princes, Feng sent a letter of rebuke; attendants would not deliver it — Ming feared him deeply. He dared not take Feng at his house and made him acting temple sacrifices officer, then sent troops at night to seize him in the temple. Feng came out and mounted his carriage; soldiers tried to board and seize him — Feng struck down several with his hands, each falling at once; none dared near, and they pressed in and killed him. He was twenty.
19
南平王銳，字宣毅，太祖第十五子也。 永明七年，為散騎常侍，尋領驍騎將軍。 明年，為左民尚書。 朝直勤謹，未嘗屬疾，上嘉之。 十年，出為持節、都督湘州諸軍事、南中郎將、湘州刺史，以此賞銳。 郁林即位，進號前將軍。 延興元年，害諸王，遣裴叔業平尋陽，仍進湘州。 銳防閣周伯玉勸銳拒叔業，而府州力弱不敢動，銳見害，年十九。 伯玉下獄誅。
Prince of Nanping, Rui, styled Xuanyi, was the founding emperor's fifteenth son. In Yongming year seven he was attendant at leisure, soon head of the Valiant Cavalry. The next year he was minister of the left for the people. At court he was diligent and never pleaded illness; the emperor praised him. In year ten he went out bearer of credentials, commander of Xiang, General of the South Center, and governor of Xiang — in reward for his service. When Emperor Yulin ascended he was advanced to former general. In Yanxing year one, when the princes were killed, Pei Shuye pacified Xunyang and advanced into Xiang. Rui's guard-chamberlain Zhou Boyu urged resistance to Shuye, but princedom and prefecture were too weak; Rui was killed at nineteen. Boyu was imprisoned and executed.
20
河東王鉉，字宣胤，太祖第十九子也。 隆昌元年，為驍騎將軍。 出為徐州刺史，遷中書令。 高宗誅諸王，以鉉年少才弱，故不加害。 建武元年，轉為散騎常侍，鎮軍將軍，置兵佐。
Prince of Hedong, Xuan, styled Xuanyi, was the founding emperor's nineteenth son. In Longchang year one he was head of the Valiant Cavalry. He went out as governor of Xu, then was moved director of the secretariat. When Emperor Ming executed the princes, Xuan was young and slight in ability and was spared. In Jianwu year one he was attendant at leisure and General Who Guards the Army with military staff.
21
史臣曰：陳思王表云：「權之所存，雖疏必重； 勢之所去，雖親必輕。」 若夫六代之興亡，曹冏論之當矣。 分圭命社，實寄宗城。 就國之典，既隨世革，卿士入朝，作貴蕃輔。 皇王托體，同稟尊極，仕無常資，秩有恆數，禮地兼隆，易生猜疑。 世祖顧命，情深尊嫡，淵圖遠算，意在無遺。 豈不以群王少弱，未更多難，高宗清謹，同起布衣，故韜末命于近親，寄重權于疏戚，子弟布列，外有強大之勢，疏親中立，可息覬覦之謀，表裡相維，足固家國。 曾不慮機能運衡，權可制眾，宗族殲滅，一至於斯。 曹植之言信之矣。
The historian says: Prince Si of Chen's memorial states: 「Where power resides, though distant one must honor it; where influence departs, though near one must treat it lightly.」 On the rise and fall of the six dynasties, Cao Tong's argument is apt. Granting jade halves and ordering earth altars truly entrust the royal cities. The institution of taking up a fief changed with the times; ministers entering court became honored assistants in the regions. Princes in body share supreme honor; office has no fixed stipend, rank has set numbers — ritual and territory both lofty, and suspicion comes easily. Emperor Wu's deathbed charge deeply honored the direct heir; his far-reaching design intended to leave nothing out. Was it not because the princes were young and untested, the High Emperor careful and upright, having risen from common cloth together, that he tucked his last words among close kin and lodged heavy power with distant kin — brothers deployed outside with strong force, distant and close balanced within to still greedy designs, inner and outer sustaining each other, enough to secure the house? He never considered that craft could turn the scales and power control the masses — the clan annihilated, all at once to this end. Cao Zhi's words proved true.
22
贊曰：高十二王，始建封植。 獻、昭機警，威、江才力。 恭、簡恬和，鄱、桂清識。 四王少盛，同規謹敕。
Eulogy: The twelve princes of Emperor Gao first received fiefs and were planted in office. The Xian and Zhao princes were sharp-witted; the Wei and Jiang princes had talent and force. The Gong and Jian princes were mild and harmonious; the Poyang and Guiyang princes had clear judgment. Four younger princes in their prime shared one standard of careful restraint.