1
謝超宗
Xie Chaozong
2
謝超宗，陳郡陽夏人也。 祖靈運，宋臨川內史。 父鳳，元嘉中坐靈運事，同徙嶺南，早卒。 超宗元嘉末得還。 與慧休道人來往，好學，有文辭，盛得名譽。 解褐奉朝請。
Xie Chaozong was a man of Yangxia in Chen commandery. His grandfather Lingyun had been Song governor of Linchuan. His father Feng, in the Yuanjia era was exiled to Lingnan with Lingyun and died young. Chaozong returned home at the end of the Yuanjia reign. He kept company with the monk Huixiu, loved learning, wrote well, and won great renown. He left coarse cloth as a court gentleman attending audience.
3
新安王子鸞，孝武帝寵子，超宗以選補王國常侍。 王母殷淑儀卒，超宗作誄奏之，帝大嗟賞。 曰：「超宗殊有鳳毛，恐靈運復出。」 轉新安王撫軍行參軍。
Prince Ziluan of Xin'an, Emperor Xiaowu's favorite son, took Chaozong as constant attendant in his household. When the prince's mother Lady Yin Shuyi died, Chaozong wrote a dirge and presented it; the emperor was deeply impressed. He said: 「Chaozong truly has phoenix plumage — I fear Lingyun has been reborn.」 He was made staff officer on the Prince of Xin'an's Pacification Army.
4
泰始初，爲建安王司徒參軍事，尚書殿中郎。 三年，都令史駱宰議策秀才考格，五問竝得爲上，四、三爲中，二爲下，一不合與第。 超宗議以爲「片辭折獄，寸言挫衆，魯史褒貶，孔《論》興替，皆無俟繁而後秉裁。 夫表事之淵，析理之會，豈必委牘方切治道。 非患對不盡問，患以恒文弗奇。 必使一通峻正，寧劣五通而常； 與其俱奇，必使一亦宜採。」 詔從宰議。
At the start of Taishi he served Prince Jian'an's secretariat and was director of the palace at the Secretariat. In year three, bureau clerk Luo Zai proposed the examination standard for eminent scholars: five questions all top make highest grade, four or three middle, two lower, one fail earns no rank. Chaozong argued: 「One phrase can decide a lawsuit, one word can overturn the crowd — the Lu historian's praise and blame, the Analects on rise and fall, need no prolixity before judgment. The depth of memorials and the crux of analysis — must one always heap documents before the Way is served? The worry is not incomplete answers but flat phrasing without brilliance. If one answer must be stern and correct, better five merely adequate passes; if all are brilliant, even one fine answer should count.」 An edict followed Luo Zai's proposal.
5
遷司徒主簿，丹陽丞。 建安王休仁引爲司徒記室，正員郎，兼尚書左丞中郎。 以直言忤僕射劉康，左遷通直常侍。 太祖爲領軍，數與超宗共屬文，愛其才翰。 衞將軍袁粲聞之，謂太祖曰：「超宗開亮迥悟，善可與語。」 取爲長史、臨淮太守。 粲旣誅，太祖以超宗爲義興太守。 ，坐公事免。 詣東府門自通，其日風寒慘厲，太祖謂四座曰：「此客至，使人不衣自暖矣。」 超宗旣坐，飲酒數甌，辭氣橫出，太祖對之甚歡。 板爲驃騎諮議。 及卽位，轉黃門郎。
He was made chief clerk of the secretariat and aide of Danyang. Prince Jian'an Xiuren made him secretariat recorder, regular gentleman, and acting left director among the secretariat gentlemen. Blunt speech offended Vice Director Liu Kang; he was demoted to regular attendant of unimpeded communication. When the founding emperor was Defender General they often wrote together; he cherished Chaozong's talent. Defender General Yuan Can heard and told the founding emperor: 「Chaozong is open, bright, and penetrating — good to talk with.」 He was made chief clerk and governor of Linhuai. After Can was executed the founding emperor made Chaozong governor of Yixing. He was dismissed for a public-affairs offense. He presented himself at the eastern mansion gate; the wind that day was bitterly cold; the founding emperor told the company: 「This guest arrives and one grows warm without dressing.」 Once seated, after several cups Chaozong's eloquence burst forth; the founding emperor delighted in him. He was appointed by patent adviser to the Rapid Cavalry. When the emperor ascended he was transferred to the yellow gate.
6
有司奏撰立郊廟歌，敕司徒褚淵、侍中謝朏、散騎侍郎孔稚珪、太學博士王咺之、總明學士劉融、何法冏、何曇秀十人竝作，超宗辭獨見用。
Offices memorialized for suburban and temple hymns; the emperor ordered Chu Yuan, Xie Tiao, Kong Zhigui, Wang Xuanzhi, Liu Rong, He Fajiong, and He Yanxiu among ten to compose; only Chaozong's was adopted.
7
爲人仗才使酒，多所陵忽。 在直省常醉，上召見，語及北方事，超宗曰：「虜動來二十年矣，佛出亦無如何！」 以失儀出爲南郡王中軍司馬。 超宗怨望，謂人曰：「我今日政應爲司驢。」 爲省司所奏，以怨望免官，禁錮十年。 司徒褚淵送湘州刺史王僧虔，閣道壞，墜水； 僕射王儉嘗牛驚，跣下車。 超宗撫掌笑戲曰：「落水三公，墮車僕射。」 前後言誚，稍布朝野。
He relied on talent and wine and often slighted others. In the direct offices he was often drunk; summoned to discuss the north he said: 「The barbarians have stirred twenty years — even the Buddha could do nothing!」 For breach of decorum he was sent out as army supervisor to the Prince of Nanjun. Chaozong resented it and said: 「Today I ought to be Director of Mules.」 The provincial office memorialized; for resentful speech he was dismissed and confined ten years. Chancellor Chu Yuan saw off Xiang governor Wang Sengqian; the gallery bridge broke and Yuan fell into the water; Vice Director Wang Jian's ox once bolted and he leapt from the carriage barefoot. Chaozong clapped and mocked: 「The third duke in the water, the vice director off his carriage.」 His jests and sneers gradually spread through court and town.
8
世祖卽位，使掌國史，除竟陵王征北諮議參軍，領記室。 愈不得志。 超宗娶張敬兒女爲子婦，上甚疑之。 永明元年，敬兒誅，超宗謂丹陽尹李安民曰：「往年殺韓信，今年殺彭越，尹欲何計？」 安民具啓之。 上積懷超宗輕慢，使兼中丞袁彖奏曰：
When Emperor Wu ascended he managed the national history and was adviser on the Prince of Jingling's northern campaign with charge of the records office. He grew still more thwarted. Chaozong married his son to Zhang Jing'er's daughter; the emperor grew suspicious. In Yongming year one, when Jing'er was executed, Chaozong told Li Anmin: 「Last year Han Xin; this year Peng Yue — what will you do, Governor?」 Anmin reported everything. The emperor's long resentment of Chaozong's insolence led acting censor Yuan Can to memorialize:
9
:風聞征北諮議參軍謝超宗，根性浮險，率情躁薄。 仕近聲權，務先諂狎。 人裁疏黜，亟便詆賤。 卒然面譽，旋而背毀。 疑閒台賢，每窮詭舌。 訕貶朝政，必聲凶言。 腹誹口謗，莫此之甚； 不敬不諱，罕與爲二。
It is reported that northern-campaign adviser Chaozong is by nature unstable and rash. Near sounding power he fawns and flatters first. When anyone barely slights him he slanders and despises them at once. He flatters to one's face, then slanders behind one's back. He probes court worthies with crafty tongues. He mocks court government with vicious words. Belly slander and open abuse — nothing surpasses this; irreverence and breaking taboo — rarely a second.
10
:輙攝白從王永先到臺辨問「超宗有何罪過，詣諸貴皆有不遜言語，竝依事列對」。 永先列稱：「主人超宗恒行來詣諸貴要，每多觸忤，言語怨懟。 與張敬兒周旋，許結姻好，自敬兒死後，惋歎忿慨。 今月初詣李安民，語論『張敬兒不應死』。 安民道『敬兒書疏，墨迹炳然，卿何忽作此語』？ 其中多有不遜之言，小人不悉盡羅縷諳憶。」 如其辭列，則與風聞符同。 超宗罪自已彰，宜附常准。
Your servant sent clerk Wang Yongxian to examine Chaozong's crimes — visits to the great all involved insolent speech; let him answer item by item. Yongxian listed: 「My master constantly visits the powerful; he often offends them with resentful, raging speech. He dealt with Zhang Jing'er and promised marriage; after Jing'er's death he raged in resentment. Early this month he told Li Anmin that Zhang Jing'er ought not to have died.」 Anmin said: 「Jing'er's letters — the evidence is clear — how can you say this?」 There were many insolent words; a servant cannot recall them all.」 As listed, his words match the reports. Chaozong's guilt is clear; the usual standard should apply.
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:超宗少無行檢，長習民慝。 狂狡之迹，聯代所疾； 迷傲之釁，累朝點觸。 剗容掃轍，久埋世表。 屬聖明廣愛，忍禍舒慈，捨之憲外，許以改過。 野心不悛，在宥方驕； 才性無親，處恩彌戾。 遂遘扇非端，空生怨懟，恣囂毒於京輔之門，揚凶悖於卿守之席。 此而不翦，國章何寄？ 此而可貸，孰不可容？ 請以見事免超宗所居官，解領記室。 輙勒外收付廷尉法獄治罪。 超宗品第未入簡奏，臣輙奉白簡以聞。
Chaozong in youth lacked conduct; in age he learned popular vices. Savage cunning — ages detested it; reckless pride — dynasties marked it. He was long cast from the world's rolls. When the sage showed broad mercy he was spared beyond statute and allowed to reform. His wild heart did not mend; pardoned, he grew prouder; talented yet faithless — favored, he grew more perverse. He fanned trouble and bore baseless resentment, raging at the capital's gates and violent at a governor's seat. If this is not cut down, what remains of state law? If this may be pardoned, what cannot? We ask that he be removed from office and relieved of the records office. We urge he be seized and delivered to the tribunal. Chaozong's rank has not entered the brief; your servant reports by white brief.
12
世祖雖可其奏，以彖言辭依違，大怒，使左丞王逡之奏曰：
Emperor Wu approved the memorial but, finding Can's wording evasive, was furious and had left director Wang Junzhi memorialize:
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:臣聞行父盡忠，無禮斯疾； 農夫去草，見惡必耘。 所以振纓稱良，登朝著績，未有尸位存私，而能保其榮名者也。
Your servant has heard: a son honors his father with full loyalty — without ritual there is rot; the farmer uproots weeds — seeing evil he must root it out. Therefore the upright are called good and those who serve court show merit — none cling to office for private ends and keep honor.
14
:今月九日，治書侍御史臣司馬侃啓彈征北諮議參軍事謝超宗，稱「根性昏動，率心險放，悖議爽眞，囂辭犯實，親朋忍聞，衣冠掩目，輙收付廷尉法獄治罪」。 處劾雖重，文辭簡略，事入主書，被却還外。 其晚，兼御史中丞臣袁彖改奏白簡，始粗詳備。 厥初隱衞，寔彖之由。 尋超宗植性險戾，稟行凶詖，豺狼野心，久暴遐邇。 張敬兒潛圖反噬，罰未塞諐，而稱怨痛枉，形于言貌。 協附姦邪，疑閒勳烈，構扇異端，譏議時政，行路同忿，有心咸疾。 而阿昧苟容，輕文略奏。 又彈事舊體，品第不簡，而釁戾殊常者，皆命議親奏，以彰深愆。 況超宗罪愈四凶，過窮南竹，雖下輙收，而文止黃案，沈浮旡見，輕重相乖，此而不糾，憲綱將替。
On the ninth Sima Kan memorialized Chaozong: nature dull and rash, heart dangerous, arrogant speech violating fact — kin and friends cannot bear it — urge seizure for the tribunal. The charge was heavy but wording brief; the chief secretariat returned it. That evening Yuan Can revised the white brief into fuller form. At first it was hidden — truly Can's doing. Chaozong's nature is dangerous, conduct vicious, wolf-heart long exposed to all. Zhang Jing'er plotted rebellion; punishment had not settled all guilt, yet Chaozong spoke of wrongful death openly. He clung to villains, doubted meritorious men, mocked government — travelers were angry, the upright sickened. Yet Can fawned and tolerated, thinning the memorial. By old form rank is not briefed, but extraordinary guilt requires kin to memorialize. Chaozong's crime exceeds the Four Evils — though seizure was ordered, the memorial stopped at the yellow dossier; if uncorrected, law's net fails.
15
:彖才識疏淺，質幹無聞，憑戚昇榮，因慈荷任。 不能克己厲情，少酬恩獎，撓法容非，用申私惠。 何以糾正邦違，式明王度？ 臣等參議，請以見事免彖所居官，解兼御史中丞，輙攝曹依舊下禁止視事如故。
Can's talent is shallow, substance unknown; by marriage he rose, by mercy he held office. He could not restrain himself or repay grace; he bent law for private favor. How can he rectify violations and display royal measure? We ask Can be removed and relieved of acting censor, forbidden yet to view affairs as before.
16
:治書侍御史臣司馬侃雖承稟有由，而初無疑執，亦合及咎。 請杖督五十，奪勞百日。 令史卑微，不足申盡，啓可奉行。
Sima Kan though following orders had no firm hold at first — he too shares guilt. Request fifty strokes and deprivation of merit for a hundred days. Clerks are lowly — the memorial may be carried out.
17
:侃奏彈之始，臣等竝卽經見加推糾，案入主書，方被却檢，疏謬之諐，伏追震悚。
At Kan's first memorial we pressed at once; the chief secretariat returned it — we are filled with dread at the looseness.
18
詔曰：「超宗釁同大逆，罪不容誅。 彖匿情欺國，愛朋罔主，事合極法，特原收治，免官如案，禁錮十年。」 超宗下廷尉，一宿髮白皓首。 詔徙越州，行至豫章，上敕豫章內史虞悰曰：「謝超宗令於彼賜自盡，勿傷其形骸。」
The edict said: 「Chaozong's guilt equals great treason; the crime cannot be pardoned. Can hid facts and deceived the state — the affair fits extreme law; specially pardoned to seizure; removal as memorialized, confinement ten years.」 Chaozong was sent to the tribunal; in one night his hair turned white. He was exiled to Yue; at Zhang commandery the emperor issued an edict Yu Cong: 「Have Chaozong kill himself there — do not harm his body.」
19
明年，超宗門生王永先又告超宗子才卿死罪二十餘條。 上疑其虛妄，以才卿付廷尉辯，以不實見原。 永先於獄自盡。
The next year his student Wang Yongxian reported his son Caiqing for more than twenty capital crimes. The emperor doubted the charges; Caiqing was tried and cleared. Yongxian killed himself in prison.
20
劉祥
Liu Xiang
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劉祥字顯徵，東莞莒人也。 祖式之，吳郡太守。 父敳，太宰從事中郎。
Liu Xiang, styled Xianzheng, was a man of Ju in Dongguan. His grandfather Shizhi had been governor of Wu. His father Ao had been attendant gentleman of the Grand Mentor.
22
祥宋世解褐爲巴陵王征西行參軍，歷驃騎中軍二府，太祖太尉東閣祭酒，驃騎主簿。 建元中，爲冠軍征虜功曹，爲府主武陵王曅所遇。 除正員外。
Under Song he was western-campaign staff officer to the Prince of Baling, served both central and rapid-cavalry staffs, sacrifice officer to the founding emperor as Grand Mentor, and rapid-cavalry chief clerk. In Jianyuan he was merit officer on the champion's barbarian-pacification staff and was favored by Prince Zhao of Wuling. He was made regular outside gentleman.
23
祥少好文學，性韻剛疏，輕言肆行，不避高下。 司徒褚淵入朝，以腰扇鄣日，祥從側過，曰：「作如此舉止，羞面見人，扇鄣何益？」 淵曰：「寒士不遜。」 祥曰：「不能殺袁、劉，安得免寒士？」 永明初，遷長沙王鎮軍，板諮議參軍，撰《宋書》，譏斥禪代，尚書令王儉密以啓聞，上銜而不問。 歷鄱陽王征虜，豫章王大司馬諮議，臨川王驃騎從事中郎。
Xiang in youth loved literature; he was stiff and unrestrained, speaking and acting freely without regard for rank. Chu Yuan entered court fanning the sun; Xiang passed and said: 「Gestures like that — ashamed to show your face — what good is the fan?」 Yuan said: 「The poor scholar lacks deference.」 Xiang said: 「You could not kill Yuan Can and Liu — how are you not a cold scholar?」 Early in Yongming he advised the Prince of Changsha's Pacification Army and compiled the Song History, mocking the abdication; Wang Jian secretly reported; the emperor resented but did not pursue it. He served the Prince of Poyang, the Prince of Yuzhang's Grand Marshal staff, and the Prince of Linchuan's Rapid Cavalry as attendant gentleman.
24
祥兄整爲廣州，卒官，祥就整妻求還資，事聞朝廷。 於朝士多所貶忽。 王奐爲僕射，祥與奐子融同載，行至中堂，見路人驅驢，祥曰：「驢！ 汝好爲之，如汝人才，皆已令僕。」 著《連珠》十五首以寄其懷。 辭曰：
His brother Zheng died as Guangzhou governor; Xiang demanded Zheng's wife return assets; the matter reached court. He slighted many court gentlemen. Wang Huan was vice director; Xiang rode with Huan's son Rong; in the middle hall they saw a man driving a donkey. Xiang said: 「Donkey! Keep at it — men of your talent are already all servants.」 He composed fifteen Linked Pearls to voice his feelings. The text says:
25
:蓋聞興教之道，無尚必同； 拯俗之方，理貴袪弊。 故揖讓之禮，行乎堯舜之朝； 干戈之功，盛於殷周之世。 清風以長物成春，素霜以凋嚴戒節。
It is said the way to raise teaching has nothing loftier than unity; the method to save custom honors removing harm. Therefore yielding was practiced in Yao and Shun's court; the merit of arms flourished in Yin and Zhou. Pure wind makes spring through growth; white frost warns through decay.
26
:蓋聞鼓鼖懷音，待揚桴以振響； 天地涵靈，資昏明以垂位。 是以俊乂之臣，借湯、武而隆； 英達之君，假伊、周而治。
It is said drums hoard sound awaiting the frame's strike; heaven and earth hold spirit and rely on light and dark to set posts. Therefore worthy ministers rose through Tang and Wu; brilliant rulers governed through Yi and Zhou. It is said when hunger hangs over the year one envies coarse herbs;
27
:蓋聞懸饑在歲，式羨藜藿之飽； 重炎灼體，不念狐白之溫。 故才以偶時爲劭； 道以調俗爲尊。
when heat burns the body one forgets fox-fur warmth. Therefore talent shines when it meets the age; the Way is honored when it tunes custom. It is said practiced skill borrows tools to advance;
28
:蓋聞習數之功，假物可尋； 探索之明，循時則缺。 故班匠日往，繩墨之伎不衰； 大道常存，機神之智永絕。
the brightness of inquiry follows the age and fails. Therefore the builder works daily and measure does not decay; the great Way endures yet moving spirit's wit is cut off. It is said principle fixed in the heart needs no vulgar praise;
29
:蓋聞理定於心，不期俗賞； 情貫於時，無悲世辱。 故芬芳各性，不待汨渚之哀； 明白爲寶，無假荊南之哭。
feeling threaded through the age need not grieve worldly insult. Therefore each nature has its fragrance — no need for Qu Yuan's grief; brightness as treasure needs no Chu mourner's weeping. It is said on a hundred-ren terrace no frost-proof tree stands;
30
:蓋聞百仞之臺，不挺陵霜之木； 盈尺之泉，時降夜光之寶。 故理有大而乖權； 物有微而至道。
in a foot-deep spring night gems sometimes fall. Therefore principle may be great yet oppose expedient measure; things may be slight yet touch the Way. It is said loyal ministers rush to integrity — not only in court;
31
:蓋聞忠臣赴節，不必在朝； 列士匡時，義存則幹。 故包胥垂涕，不荷肉食之謀； 王歜投身，不主廟堂之算。
knights right the age — when righteousness is stored they act. Therefore Shen Baoxu wept and bore no plot of comfort; Wang Ao gave his life and did not master court reckoning. It is said wisdom beyond the body — principle cannot trap it;
32
:蓋聞智出乎身，理無或困； 聲係於物，才有必窮。 故陵波之羽，不能淨浪； 盈岫之木，無以輟風。
sound tied to things — talent has limits. Therefore wave-crossing wings cannot calm the sea; trees that fill peaks cannot stop the wind. It is said fine treasure meeting bluntness — marvel-text does not show;
33
:蓋聞良寶遇拙，則奇文不顯； 達士逢讒，則英才滅耀。 故墜葉垂蔭，明月爲之隔輝； 堂宇留光，蘭燈有時不照。
reached scholar meeting slander — heroic talent's glory is quenched. Therefore fallen leaves cast shade and the bright moon is dimmed; the hall keeps light — the orchid lamp sometimes does not shine. It is said clinging to the near — momentum is lost to the far;
34
:蓋聞迹慕近方，必勢遺於遠大； 情係驅馳，固理忘於肥遯。 是以臨川之士，時結羨網之悲； 負肆之氓，不抱屠龍之歎。
feeling tied to rushing — principle is forgotten in seclusion. Therefore riverside men sometimes knot nets of envy; market porters do not sigh like dragon-slayers. It is said what numbers divide is hard though near;
35
:蓋聞數之所隔，雖近則難； 情之所符，雖遠則易。 是以陟歎流霜，時獲感天之誠； 泣血從刑，而無悟主之智。
what feeling matches is easy though far. Therefore sighing at frost sometimes wins heaven-moved sincerity; weeping blood under punishment yet no wit to awaken the ruler. It is said wonder ends in knowing — spirit far is abandoned;
36
:蓋聞妙盡於識，神遠則遺； 功接於人，情微則著。 故鍾鼓在堂，萬夫傾耳； 大道居身，有時不遇。
merit touching men — slight feeling then shows. Therefore bells in the hall — ten thousand men listen; the great Way in the body — sometimes not met. It is said grass in deep peaks keeps last winter's wither;
37
:蓋聞列草深岫，不改先冬之悴； 植松澗底，無奪後凋之榮。 故展禽三黜，而無下愚之譽； 千秋一時，而無上智之聲。
pine in stream beds keeps late frost's unbroken glory. Therefore Zhan Qin thrice removed without lowest-fool praise; a thousand years one season — yet without highest wit's fame. It is said rare treasure is cheap against the time;
38
:蓋聞希世之寶，違時則賤； 偉俗之器，無聖必淪。 故鳴玉黜於楚岫，章甫窮於越人。
marvelous vessels sink without a sage. Therefore sounding jade was dismissed from Chu peaks, caps failed among Yue men. It is said hearing ended in deafness — not surging sound's grasp;
39
:蓋聞聽絕於聦，非疾響所握； 神閉於明，非盈光所燭。 故破山之雷，不發聾夫之耳； 朗夜之輝，不開矇叟之目。
spirit closed in blindness — not overflowing light's shine. Therefore mountain thunder does not wake the deaf; bright night's glow does not open the blind man's eyes. Someone presented Xiang's Linked Pearls; the emperor ordered Ren Xia to memorialize:
40
有以祥《連珠》啓上者，上令御史中丞任遐奏曰：「祥少而狡異，長不悛徙，請謁絕於私館，反脣彰於公庭，輕議乘輿，歷貶朝望，肆醜無避，縱言自若。 厥兄浮櫬，天倫無一日之悲，南金弗獲，嫂姪致其輕絕，孤舟敻反，存沒相捐，遂令暴客掠奪骸柩，行路流歎，有識傷心。 攝祥門生孫狼兒列『祥頃來飲酒無度，言語闌逸，道說朝廷，亦有不遜之語，實不避左右，非可稱紙墨。 兄整先爲廣州，於職喪亡，去年啓求迎喪，還至大雷，聞祥與整妻孟爭計財物瞋忿，祥仍委前還，後未至鵲頭，其夜遭劫，內人竝爲凶人所淫略』。 如所列與風聞符同。 請免官付廷尉。」
「Xiang from youth was cunning and strange, in age unrepentant; private visits, public back talk; he slighted the throne and mocked court figures without restraint. His brother's coffin floated — no kin grief; he fought his sister-in-law for goods; living and dead abandoned — robbers plundered the coffin; travelers sighed, the knowing were wounded. Student Sun Lang'er listed: 「Xiang drinks without limit, speech reckless, discusses court with insolent words, not fit for record.」 Brother Zheng died in Guangzhou; Xiang fought Zheng's wife Meng over goods, abandoned the coffin, and later met robbery where household members were violated.」 As listed it matches reports. Request removal and delivery to the tribunal.」
41
上別遣敕祥曰：「卿素無行檢，朝野所悉。 輕棄骨肉，侮蔑兄嫂，此是卿家行不足，乃無關他人。 卿才識所知，蓋何足論。 位涉清途，於分非屈。 何意輕肆口噦，詆目朝士，造席立言，必以貶裁爲口實。 冀卿年齒已大，能自感厲，日望悛革。 如此所聞，轉更增甚，諠議朝廷，不避尊賤，肆口極辭，彰暴物聽。 近見卿影《連珠》，寄意悖慢，彌不可長。 卿不見謝超宗，其才地二三，故在卿前，事殆是百分不一。 我當原卿性命，令卿萬里思諐。 卿若能改革，當令卿得還。」
The emperor separately issued an edict Xiang: 「You have long lacked conduct — known to all. You abandoned kin and insulted your sister-in-law — your family's failing, not others' affair. The talent you possess — how is it worth discussion? Your rank touched the clear path — not bent in allotment. Why vent your mouth and sneer at court gentlemen, always deprecating as habit? I hoped age would make you reform; I looked for repentance daily. Reports grow worse, clamoring in court, not avoiding rank, speech to the extreme, exposing violence to all who hear. Recently your Linked Pearls — intent rebellious and slow, unbearable. Have you not seen Xie Chaozong? His talent stands two or three ranks above yours — yet his case was perhaps one hundredth unlike yours. If you can reform, you may return.」
42
獄鞫祥辭。 祥對曰：「被問『少習狡異，長而不悛，頃來飲酒無度，輕議乘輿，歷貶朝望，每肆醜言，無避尊賤』。 迂答奉旨。 囚出身入官，二十餘年，沈悴草萊，無明天壤。 皇運初基，便蒙抽擢，祭酒主簿，竝皆先朝相府。 聖明御宇，榮渥彌隆，諮議中郎，一年再澤。 廣筵華宴，必參末列，朝半問訊，時奉天暉。 囚雖頑愚，豈不識恩？ 有何怨望，敢生譏議？ 囚歷府以來，伏事四王：武陵功曹，凡涉二載； 長沙諮議，故經少時； 奉隷大司馬，竝被恩拂，驃騎中郎，親職少日； 臨川殿下不遺蟲蟻，賜參辭華。 司徒殿下文德英明，四海傾屬。 囚不涯卑遠，隨例問訊，時節拜覲，亦沾眄議。 自餘令王，未被祗拜，旣不經伏節，理無厚薄。 敕旨制書，令有疑則啓。 囚以天日懸遠，未敢塵穢。 私之疑事，衞將軍臣儉，宰輔聖朝，令望當世，囚自斷才短，密以諮儉，儉爲折衷，紙迹猶存。 未解此理云何敢爲『歷貶朝望』。 云囚『輕議乘輿』，爲向誰道？ 若向人道，則應有主甲，豈有事無髣彿，空見羅謗？ 囚性不耐酒，親知所悉，強進一升，便已迷醉。」 其餘事事自申。 乃徙廣州。
The tribunal examined Xiang's defense. Xiang replied: 「Asked about cunning youth, unrepentant age, drunkenness, slighting the throne, mocking court figures, venting ugliness without regard to rank.」 He answered evasively as ordered. Your prisoner entered office twenty-odd years from coarse cloth, sunk in hardship without heaven's clarity. Your prisoner entered office twenty-odd years from coarse cloth, sunk in hardship without heaven's clarity. When the dynasty rose he was plucked up — sacrifice officer and chief clerk in former chancelleries. The sage rules; glory overflows; adviser and central gentleman — twice favored in one year. At broad feasts he sits in the last row; at court inquiries he sometimes receives the throne's glance. Though dull, does your prisoner not know grace? What resentment dare he bear to mock? Since serving offices your prisoner attended four princes: Wuling merit officer for two years; Changsha adviser — only a short time; Grand Marshal staff — all favored; Rapid Cavalry attendant — few days in intimate office; the Prince of Linchuan did not disdain him and granted a literary post. The Chancellor's civil virtue is bright — the realm leans on it. Your prisoner followed precedent at seasonal inquiries and festival audiences — also gaining sidelong notice. Other princes he has not visited — without their commands there is no obligation thick or thin. Edicts order: where there is doubt, memorialize. Heaven's sun hangs far — your prisoner did not dare defile; private doubts he secretly consulted Wang Jian — Jian compromised; the paper still exists. Not understanding this — how dare he 「mock court figures」? 「Slighting the throne」 — to whom did he speak? If to others there should be an accuser; how can empty slander stand without likeness? Your prisoner cannot bear wine — kin know it; one cup and he is drunk.」 The rest he answered item by item. He was exiled to Guangzhou.
43
祥至廣州，不得意，終日縱酒，少時病卒，年三十九。
Reaching Guangzhou he was discontent, drank all day, and soon died of illness at thirty-nine.
44
祥從祖兄彪，祥曾祖穆之正胤。 建元初，降封南康縣公，虎賁中郎將。 永明元年，坐廟墓不脩削爵。 後爲羽林監。 九年，又坐與亡弟母楊別居，不相料理，楊死不殯葬，崇聖寺尼慧首剃頭爲尼，以五百錢爲買棺材，以泥洹轝送葬劉墓。 爲有司所奏，事寢不出。
Xiang's agnatic cousin Biao was legitimate heir of great-grandfather Muzhi. At Jianyuan's start he was demoted to Duke of Nankang, tiger-guard central gentleman. In Yongming year one he lost rank for not repairing the ancestral temple. Later he was feathered-forest supervisor. In year nine he was charged with living apart from his dead brother's mother Yang and not caring for her; when Yang died he did not bury her — a nun bought a coffin for five hundred cash and sent burial to the Liu tomb. Offices memorialized; the affair was shelved.
45
【評贊】
Comment and eulogy
46
史臣曰：魏文帝云「文人不護細行」，古今之所同也。 由自知情深，在物無競，身名之外，一概可蔑。 旣徇斯道，其弊彌流，聲裁所加，取忤人世。 向之所以貴身，翻成害己。 故通人立訓，爲之而不恃也。
The historian says: Cao Pi said 「literary men do not guard small conduct」 — ancient and modern agree. Knowing their feeling runs deep, they do not compete in things; beyond body and name — all may be scorned. Following this Way, harm flows wider; reputation takes offense at the world. What once honored the body turns to harm oneself. Therefore the wise set instruction and act without relying on it.
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贊曰：超宗蘊文，祖構餘芬。 劉祥慕異，言亦不羣。 違朝失典，流放南濆。
Eulogy: Chaozong held literature, ancestral fragrance lingering. Liu Xiang admired strangeness; his words stood apart. Violating court and losing canon, exiled to the southern shore.
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【案】
Case note