1
南齊書卷四十二‧列傳第二十三
Book of Southern Qi, Volume 42, Biographies 23
2
王晏蕭諶蕭坦之江祏
Wang Yan, Xiao Chen, Xiao Tanzhi, and Jiang Shi
3
王晏字士彥，琅邪臨沂人也。 祖弘之，通直常侍。 父普曜，祕書監。
Wang Yan, courtesy name Shiyan, was a native of Linyi in Langya Commandery. His grandfather Wang Hongzhi served as Regular Attendant of Direct Communication. His father Wang Puyao was Director of the Secretariat.
4
晏，宋大明末起家臨賀王國常侍，員外郎，巴陵王征北板參軍，安成王撫軍板刑獄，隨府轉車騎。
At the end of the Liu Song Daming era, Yan began his career as a regular attendant in the princedom of Linhe, then served as an outside-section gentleman, as a staff officer on the northern expedition board of the Prince of Baling, and as a penal officer on the pacification army board of the Prince of Ancheng; when that establishment became the Chariots and Cavalry staff, he transferred with it.
5
晉熙王燮爲郢州，晏爲安西主簿。 世祖爲長史，與晏相遇。 府轉鎮西，板晏記室諮議。 沈攸之事難，鎮西職僚皆隨世祖鎮盆城，上時權勢雖重，而衆情猶有疑惑，晏便專心奉事，軍旅書翰皆委焉。 性甚便僻，漸見親侍。 乃留爲上征虜撫軍府板諮議，領記室。 從還都，遷領軍司馬，中軍從事中郎。 常在上府，參議機密。 建元初，轉太子中庶子。 世祖在東宮，專斷朝事，多不聞啓，晏慮及罪，稱疾自疏。 尋領射聲校尉，不拜。 世祖卽位，轉長兼侍中，意任如舊。
When Prince Xie of Jinxing was assigned to Ying Province, Yan served as his western pacification chief clerk. The future Emperor Wudi of Qi was chief administrator there, and he and Yan became acquainted. When the establishment was reorganized as the western pacification staff, Yan was appointed recorder and adviser on its board. During the crisis of Shen Youzhi's rebellion, the western pacification staff followed the Heir Apparent to garrison Pencheng. Though his power was already formidable, many still hesitated; Yan devoted himself wholeheartedly to his service, and all military correspondence was placed in his hands. He was clever and obliging by nature, and gradually won intimate favor. He was then kept on as a board adviser on the Heir Apparent's northern expedition and pacification army staff, concurrently heading the recorder's office. On their return to the capital, he was promoted to marshal of the Palace Guard and attendant gentleman of the central army. He was constantly at the Heir Apparent's establishment, participating in confidential deliberations. At the beginning of the Jianyuan era, he was transferred to junior mentor of the heir apparent. While the Heir Apparent held court from the Eastern Palace, he often decided state affairs on his own without reporting them upward. Yan feared he would be held accountable and pleaded illness to keep his distance. He was soon appointed colonel of the Archers' Guard but declined to take up the post. When the Heir Apparent ascended the throne, Yan was made acting regular attendant-in-ordinary, with the same trust and favor as before.
6
永明元年，領步兵校尉，遷侍中祭酒，校尉如故。 遭母喪，起爲輔國將軍、司徒左長史。 晏父普曜藉晏勢宦，多歷通官。 晏尋遷左衞將軍，加給事中。 未拜，而普曜卒，居喪有稱。 起冠軍將軍、司徒左長史、濟陽太守，未拜，遷衞尉，將軍如故。 四年，轉太子詹事，加散騎常侍。 六年，轉丹陽尹，常侍如故。 晏位任親重，朝夕進見，言論朝事，自豫章王嶷、尚書令王儉皆降意以接之，而晏每以疏漏被上呵責，連稱疾久之。 上以晏須祿養，七年，轉爲江州刺史，晏固辭不願出外，見許，留爲吏部尚書，領太子右衞率。 終以舊恩見寵。 時尚書令王儉雖貴而疏，晏旣領選，權行臺閣，與儉頗不平。 儉卒，禮官議諡，上欲依王導諡爲「文獻」，晏啓上曰：「導乃得此諡，但宋以來，不加素族。」 出謂親人曰：「平頭憲事已行矣。」 八年，改領右衞將軍，陳疾自解。
In the first year of Yongming, he was made colonel of the Footsoldiers Guard and promoted to attendant-in-ordinary and libationer, retaining his colonelcy. After his mother's death, he was recalled from mourning to serve as General Who Assists the State and left chief administrator of the Minister of Education. Yan's father Wang Puyao, relying on his son's influence, held a succession of high offices. Yan was soon made General of the Left Guard with the additional title of supervisor of attendance. Before he could take up the post, Puyao died; Yan's conduct in mourning won praise. He was recalled from mourning as Champion General, left chief administrator of the Minister of Education, and Administrator of Jiyang; before accepting those posts he was transferred to Commandant of the Guard, retaining his general's rank. In the fourth year, he was made steward of the heir apparent's household with the additional title of irregular attendant-in-ordinary. In the sixth year, he was made intendant of Danyang, retaining his title as irregular attendant-in-ordinary. Yan held an intimate and weighty position, seeing the emperor morning and evening and discussing state affairs. Even the Prince of Yuzhang, Xie, and the Director of the Department of State Affairs, Wang Jian, treated him with deference—yet Yan was often rebuked for careless mistakes and repeatedly pleaded illness for extended periods. The emperor felt Yan needed an income to support himself, so in the seventh year he was appointed governor of Jiang Province. Yan firmly declined to leave the capital; the emperor agreed and kept him on as Director of the Ministry of Personnel, concurrently heading the heir apparent's right guard. He continued to enjoy favor on account of their long-standing bond. At the time Director Wang Jian, though eminent, stood somewhat apart from the emperor; once Yan took charge of personnel selection, he exercised secretariat power and clashed with Jian. When Jian died, the ritual officers debated his posthumous title. The emperor wished to follow Wang Dao's example and grant the title "Literary and Presented." Yan memorialized the throne: "Only Dao deserved that title—and since the Song, plain families have not received it." Leaving the audience, he told his intimates, "That business with flat-top Xian is settled." In the eighth year he was made to head the Right Guard, then pleaded illness and resigned.
7
上欲以高宗代晏領選，手敕問之。 晏啓曰：「鸞清幹有餘，然不諳百氏，恐不可居此職。」 上乃止。 明年，遷侍中，領太子詹事，本州中正，又以疾辭。 十年，改授散騎常侍、金紫光祿大夫，給親信二十人，中正如故。 十一年，遷右僕射，領太孫右衞率。
The emperor wished to have Xiao Luan replace Yan in charge of selection and sent a handwritten edict to ask Yan's opinion. Yan replied, "Luan is certainly capable and upright, but he is not versed in the great families—I fear he cannot hold this post." The emperor dropped the plan. The following year he was made attendant-in-ordinary, head of the heir apparent's household, and chief assessor of his native province, but again resigned citing illness. In the tenth year he was reassigned as irregular attendant-in-ordinary and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal, given twenty trusted attendants, and retained his assessor title. In the eleventh year he was made right vice director, concurrently heading the crown prince's right guard.
8
世祖崩，遺旨以尚書事付晏及徐孝嗣，令久於其職。 鬱林卽位，轉左僕射，中正如故。 隆昌元年，加侍中。 高宗謀廢立，晏便響應推奉。 延興元年，轉尚書令，加後將軍，侍中、中正如故。 封曲江縣侯，邑千戶。 給鼓吹一部，甲仗五十人入殿。 高宗與晏宴於東府，語及時事，晏扺掌曰：「公常言晏怯，今定何如？」 建武元年，進號驃騎大將軍，給班劔二十人，侍中、令、中正如故。 又加兵百人，領太子少傅，進爵爲公，增邑爲二千戶。 以虜動，給兵千人。
When Emperor Wudi died, his testament entrusted Department of State Affairs affairs to Yan and Xu Xiaosi, instructing them to hold their posts for the long term. When Emperor Yulin ascended the throne, Yan was made left vice director, retaining his assessor title. In the first year of Longchang he was given the additional title of attendant-in-ordinary. When Xiao Luan plotted to depose the emperor and enthrone himself, Yan immediately supported the move. In the first year of Yanxing he was made Director of the Department of State Affairs with the additional title of rear general, retaining his titles as attendant-in-ordinary and chief assessor. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qujiang with a fief of one thousand households. He was granted a full set of martial music and fifty armed retainers permitted to enter the palace halls. At a feast in the Eastern Establishment, Gaozong and Yan discussed current affairs. Yan clapped his hands and said, "Your Grace always called me timid—what do you think now?" In the first year of Jianwu his title was advanced to Rapid Cavalry General-in-Chief; he was given twenty ceremonial guards with blades and retained his titles as attendant-in-ordinary, director, and chief assessor. He was further given a hundred troops, appointed junior mentor of the heir apparent, advanced to duke, and his fief increased to two thousand households. Because of northern incursions, he was given an additional thousand troops.
9
晏爲人篤於親舊，爲世祖所稱。 至是自謂佐命惟新，言論常非薄世祖故事，衆始怪之。 高宗雖以事際須晏，而心相疑斥，料簡世祖中詔，得與晏手敕三百餘紙，皆是論國家事，以此愈猜薄之。 初卽位，始安王遙光便勸誅晏，帝曰：「晏於我有勳，且未有罪。」 遙光曰：「晏尚不能爲武帝，安能爲陛下。」 帝默然變色。 時帝常遣心腹左右陳世範等出塗巷採聽異言，由是以晏爲事。 晏輕淺無防慮，望開府，數呼相工自視，云當大貴。 與賔客語，好屏人清間，上聞之，疑晏欲反，遂有誅晏之意。 傖人鮮于文粲與晏子德元往來，密探朝旨，告晏有異志。 世範等又啓上云：「晏謀因四年南郊，與世祖故舊主帥於道中竊發。」 會虎犯郊壇，帝愈懼。 未郊一日，敕停行。 元會畢，乃召晏於華林省誅之。 下詔曰：「晏閭閻凡伍，少無持操，階緣人乏，班齒官途。 世祖在蕃，搜揚擢用，弃略疵瑕，遂升要重。 而輕跳險銳，在貴彌著，猜忌反覆，觸情多端。 故以兩宮所弗容，十手所共指。 旣內愧于心，外懼憲牘，掩迹陳痾，多歷年載。 頻授蕃任，輙辭請不行，事似謙虛，情實詭伏。 隆昌以來，運集艱難，匡贊之功，頗有心力。 迺爵冠通侯，位登元輔，綢繆恩寄，朝莫均焉。 谿壑可盈，無厭將及。 視天畫地，遂懷異圖。 廣求卜相，取信巫覡。 論薦黨附，徧滿臺府。 令大息德元淵藪亡命，同惡相濟，劔客成羣。 弟詡凶愚，遠相脣齒，信驛往來，密通要契。 去歲之初，奉朝請鮮于文粲備告姦謀。 朕以信必由中，義無與貳，推誠委任，覬能悛改。 而長惡易流，構扇彌大，與北中郎司馬蕭毅、臺隊主劉明達等剋期竊發。 以河東王鉉識用微弱，可爲其主，得志之日，當守以虛器。 明達諸辭列，炳然具存。 昔漢后以反脣致討，魏臣以虯鬚爲戮，況無君之心旣彰，陵上之迹斯著，此而可容，誰寘刑辟。 竝可收付廷尉，肅明國典。」
Yan was devoted to kin and old friends, a quality the late emperor had praised. From then on he regarded himself as a founder of the new regime and often spoke slightingly of the late emperor's ways, to the astonishment of many. Though Gaozong still needed Yan for the moment, he distrusted him inwardly. Reviewing the late emperor's confidential edicts, he found more than three hundred handwritten orders to Yan on state affairs, which only deepened his suspicion and coldness toward him. Soon after his accession, Prince Yaoguang of Shian urged that Yan be executed. The emperor said, "Yan has served me well, and he has committed no crime." Yaoguang replied, "If he could not even be loyal to Emperor Wu, how can he be loyal to you?" The emperor fell silent, his expression darkening. The emperor often sent trusted attendants such as Chen Shifan into the streets to listen for rumors, and through them Yan became the focus of suspicion. Yan was careless and indiscreet. Hoping for appointment as grand minister, he repeatedly summoned fortune-tellers to read his features and declared that he was destined for great rank. When talking with guests he liked to dismiss attendants for private conversation. When the emperor heard of this, he suspected Yan of plotting rebellion and resolved to kill him. The northern subject Xianyu Wencan associated with Yan's son Deyuan, secretly probed court intentions, and reported that Yan harbored treasonous designs. Shifan and others further reported, "Yan plans to use the southern suburban sacrifice in the fourth year to launch a surprise attack on the road with the late emperor's old commanders." When a tiger appeared at the suburban altar, the emperor grew still more alarmed. One day before the sacrifice, an edict canceled the ceremony. After the New Year's audience concluded, he summoned Yan to the Hualin Pavilion and had him executed. An edict was issued: "Yan came from common stock, showed no firm character in youth, and climbed the official ladder by exploiting others' weaknesses. While still a prince, the late emperor sought him out and promoted him, overlooking his faults, until he rose to the highest offices. Yet he was frivolous, rash, and treacherous; the higher he rose, the worse these traits became—suspicious, changeable, and driven by whim. For this reason neither palace could tolerate him, and all pointed him out as a danger. Feeling guilty within and fearing prosecution without, he hid himself behind repeated claims of illness for many years. Repeatedly offered provincial posts, he always declined to leave the capital—an appearance of modesty that masked deceit. Since the Longchang era, when the dynasty faced grave trials, he had contributed real effort to restoring order. He was then ennobled as a full marquis, raised to chief minister, and showered with favor morning and evening alike. Yet ravines may be filled, but his greed knew no limit. He looked to heaven and plotted on earth, harboring treasonous designs. He sought out diviners and fortune-tellers and put his faith in shamans. He packed the secretariat with his own faction through recommendations and patronage. His eldest son Deyuan harbored fugitives and outlaws; villains aided one another until swordsmen gathered in gangs. His younger brother Xu was brutal and foolish; though far apart, they acted as mutual allies, exchanging couriers and secret agreements. Early last year the court gentleman Xianyu Wencan reported the full details of the conspiracy. Believing that trust must come from the heart and that loyalty admits no division, We extended Our trust to him, hoping he would reform. Instead he clung to evil and spread unrest ever wider, setting a date for a surprise rising with the northern central army's staff officer Xiao Yi, the palace guard commander Liu Mingda, and others. They intended to make Prince Xuan of Hedong, whose abilities were slight, their puppet ruler, keeping him as a figurehead once they seized power. Mingda's confessions and lists of accomplices remain fully on record. In former times the Han empress was punished for insolent speech and a Wei minister was executed for his arrogance—how much more when disloyalty is plain and the crime of lèse-majesté is evident? If this can be tolerated, who would ever face the law? Let all of them be handed over to the Minister of Justice so that the law may be enforced."
10
晏未敗數日，於北山廟答賽，夜還，晏旣醉，部伍人亦飲酒，羽儀錯亂，前後十餘里中，不復相禁制，識者云「此勢不復久也」。
Several days before his downfall, Yan offered thanks at the Beishan temple. Returning at night drunk, with his escort also drinking, his ceremonial guard fell into disorder for more than ten li in every direction. Observers said, "Such power cannot last."
11
晏子德元，有意尚。 至車騎長史。 德元初名湛，世祖謂晏曰：「劉湛、江湛，竝不善終，此非佳名也。」 晏乃改之。 至是與弟晉安王友德和俱被誅。
Yan's son Deyuan had ability and refinement. He rose to chief administrator of the Chariots and Cavalry staff. Deyuan's original name was Zhan. The late emperor told Yan, "Liu Zhan and Jiang Zhan both came to bad ends—this is not an auspicious name." Yan then changed his son's name. At this time he and his younger brother Dehe, a friend of the Prince of Jin'an, were both executed.
12
晏弟詡，永明中爲少府卿。 六年，敕位未登黃門郎，不得畜女妓。 詡與射聲校尉陰玄智坐畜妓免官，禁錮十年。 敕特原詡禁錮。 後出爲輔國將軍、始興內史。 廣州刺史劉纘爲奴所殺，詡率郡兵討之。 延興元年，授詡持節廣州刺史。 詡亦篤舊。 晏誅，上又遣南中郎司馬蕭季敞襲詡殺之。
Yan's younger brother Xu served as Minister of the Privy Purse during the Yongming era. In the sixth year an edict declared that officials below the rank of Yellow Gate Gentleman might not keep female entertainers. Xu and Colonel Yin Xuanzhi of the Archers' Guard were dismissed for keeping entertainers and confined for ten years. An edict specially remitted Xu's confinement. He was later appointed General Who Assists the State and interior minister of Shixing. When Administrator Liu Zuan of Guang Province was killed by a slave, Xu led commandery troops to punish the killers. In the first year of Yanxing, Xu was appointed Administrator of Guang Province with credentials bearing the imperial staff. Xu, too, was devoted to old friends and kin. After Yan's execution, the emperor sent the southern central army's staff officer Xiao Jichang to strike down and kill Xu.
13
蕭諶字彥孚，南蘭陵蘭陵人也。 祖道清，員外郎。 父仙伯，桂陽國參軍。
Xiao Chen, courtesy name Yanfu, was a native of Lanling in Southern Lanling Commandery. His grandfather Xiao Daoqing served as an outside-section gentleman. His father Xiao Xianbo was a staff officer of the princedom of Guiyang.
14
諶初爲州從事，晉熙國侍郎，左常侍。 諶於太祖爲絕服族子，元徽末，世祖在郢州，欲知京邑消息，太祖遣諶就世祖宣傳謀計，留爲腹心。 昇明中，爲世祖中軍刑獄參軍，東莞太守。 以勳懃封安復縣男，三百戶。 建元初，爲武陵王冠軍、臨川王前軍參軍，除尚書都官郎，建威將軍，臨川王鎮西中兵。 世祖在東宮，諶領宿衞。 太祖殺張景真，世祖令諶口啓乞景真命，太祖不悅，諶懼而退。 世祖卽位，出諶爲大末令，未之縣，除步兵校尉，領射陽令，轉帶南濮陽太守，領御仗主。
Chen began as a provincial aide, then served as gentleman-attendant of the princedom of Jinxing and as left regular attendant. Chen was a clansman of the founding emperor beyond the mourning grades. At the end of the Yuanhui era, when the future Emperor Wudi was in Ying Province and wished for news from the capital, the founding emperor sent Chen to convey plans and kept him as a trusted confidant. During the Shengming era he served as penal officer on the Heir Apparent's central army staff and as Administrator of Dongguan. For meritorious service he was enfeoffed as Baron of Anfu with a fief of three hundred households. At the beginning of Jianyuan he served on the staffs of the Princes of Wuling and Linchuan, was appointed Gentleman of the Department of State Affairs for Capital Offenses, made General Who Establishes Might, and central-army officer on the Prince of Linchuan's western pacification staff. While the Heir Apparent held court from the Eastern Palace, Chen commanded the night guard. When the founding emperor executed Zhang Jingzhen, the Heir Apparent had Chen plead orally for his life. The founding emperor was displeased, and Chen withdrew in fear. When the Heir Apparent ascended the throne, Chen was sent out as magistrate of Damo but never took up the post. He was made colonel of the Footsoldiers Guard and magistrate of Sheyang, then transferred to Administrator of southern Puyang while heading the imperial arms guard.
15
永明二年，爲南蘭陵太守，建威將軍如故。 復除步兵校尉，太守如故。 世祖齋內兵仗悉付之，心膂密事，皆使參掌。 除正員郎，轉左中郎將，後軍將軍，太守如故。 世祖卧疾延昌殿，敕諶在左右宿直。 上崩，遺敕諶領殿內事如舊。 鬱林卽位，深委信諶，諶每請急出宿，帝通夕不得寐，諶還乃安。 轉衞軍司馬，兼衞尉，加輔國將軍。 丁母憂，敕還復本任，守衞尉。 高宗輔政，有所匡諫，帝旣在後宮不出，唯遣諶及蕭坦之遙進，乃得聞達。 諶回附高宗，勸行廢立，密召諸王典籤約語之，不許諸王外接人物。 諶親要日久，衆皆憚而從之。 鬱林被廢日，初聞外有變，猶密爲手敕呼諶，其見信如此。 諶性險進無計略，及廢帝日，領兵先入後宮，齋內仗身素隷服諶，莫有動者。
In the second year of Yongming he was made Administrator of Southern Lanling, retaining his rank as General Who Establishes Might. He was again appointed colonel of the Footsoldiers Guard while retaining his post as administrator. The late emperor entrusted him with all arms within the fasting palace and had him participate in the most confidential affairs of state. He was appointed a full-rank gentleman, then made left central army general and rear army general while retaining his post as administrator. When the late emperor fell ill in the Yanchang Hall, he ordered Chen to keep night watch at his bedside. At the emperor's death, his testament ordered Chen to continue managing palace affairs as before. When Emperor Yulin ascended the throne, he placed deep trust in Chen. Whenever Chen asked to go out on night duty, the emperor could not sleep until Chen returned. He was made marshal of the Guard Army and Commandant of the Guard, with the additional title of General Who Assists the State. When his mother died, an edict recalled him from mourning to resume his former duties as Commandant of the Guard. When Xiao Luan served as regent and offered remonstrance, the young emperor stayed in the rear palace and would not emerge; only by sending Chen and Xiao Tanzhi to relay his words could he be reached. Chen aligned himself with Xiao Luan, urged the deposition and enthronement, secretly summoned the princes' recorders to bind them by pact, and forbade the princes from receiving outsiders. Chen had long been intimate with power, and all feared him and obeyed. On the day Emperor Yulin was deposed, when he first heard of trouble outside, he still secretly wrote a handwritten edict summoning Chen—such was the trust he enjoyed. Chen was treacherous and rash but lacked strategic sense. On the day of the deposition he led troops first into the rear palace; the armed attendants of the fasting palace had long been his men, and none resisted.
16
海陵立，轉中領軍，進爵爲公，二千戶。 甲仗五十人。 入直殿內，月十日還府。 建武元年，轉領軍將軍，左將軍，南徐州刺史，給扶，進爵衡陽郡公，食邑三千戶。 高宗初許事克用諶爲揚州，及有此授，諶恚曰：「見炊飯熟，推以與人。」 王晏聞之曰：「誰復爲蕭諶作甌箸者。」 諶恃勳重，干豫朝政，諸有選用，輙命議尚書使爲申論。 上新卽位，遣左右要人於外聽察，具知諶言，深相疑阻。
When Emperor Hailing was enthroned, Chen was made central palace guard general, advanced to duke, with a fief of two thousand households. He was given fifty armed retainers. He kept watch within the palace halls, returning to his residence on the tenth of each month. In the first year of Jianwu he was made palace guard general and left general, appointed governor of southern Xu Province with a support staff, and advanced to Duke of Hengyang with a fief of three thousand households. Xiao Luan had initially promised Chen the governorship of Yang Province once the coup succeeded; when this lesser appointment came instead, Chen said angrily, "You see the rice cooked and hand the pot to someone else." Wang Yan heard of it and said, "Who will set the table for Xiao Chen now?" Relying on his meritorious service, Chen meddled in court affairs; whenever there were appointments, he ordered the deliberating director of the Department of State Affairs to plead his case. When the new emperor took the throne, he sent trusted attendants to listen in the capital, learned all of Chen's remarks, and grew deeply suspicious of him.
17
二年六月，上幸華林園，宴諶及尚書令王晏等數人盡歡。 坐罷，留諶晚出，至華林閤，仗身執還入省，上遣左右莫智明數諶曰：「隆昌之際，非卿無有今日。 今一門二州，兄弟三封，朝廷相報，政可極此。 卿恒懷怨望，乃云炊飯已熟，合甑與人邪？ 今賜卿死。」 諶謂智明曰：「天去人亦復不遠，我與至尊殺高、武諸王，是君傳語來去。 我今死，還取卿。」 於省殺之，至秋而智明死，見諶爲祟。 詔曰：「蕭諶擢自凡庸，識用輕險，因藉倖會，早預驅馳。 永明之季，曲頒恩紀。 鬱林昏悖，頗立誠效。 寵靈優渥，期遇兼隆，內總戎柄，外暢蕃威，兄弟榮貴，震灼朝野。 曾不感佩殊荷，少答萬一。 自以勳高伊、霍，事均難賞，才冠當時，恥居物後。 矯制王權，與奪由己。 空懷疑懼，坐構嫌猜。 覘候宮掖，希覬非望。 蔽上罔下之心，誣君不臣之迹，固以彰暴民聽，喧聒遐邇。 遂潛散金帛，招集不逞，交結禁衞，互爲脣齒，密契戚邸，將肆姦逆。 朕以其任寄旣重，爵列河山，每加彌縫，弘以大信，庶能懷音，翻然悛改。 而豺狼其性，凶謀滋甚。 夫無將必戮，陽秋明義，況釁積禍盈，若斯之大。 可收付廷尉，速正刑書。 罪止元惡，餘無所問。」
In the sixth month of the second year, the emperor visited the Hualin Garden and feasted with Chen, Director Wang Yan, and several others until all were merry. When the feast ended, the emperor kept Chen behind. At the Hualin pavilion, armed attendants seized him and brought him back into the secretariat. The emperor sent his attendant Mo Zhiming to tell Chen, "In the Longchang era, without you there would be no today for me. Now your household holds two provinces and three brothers are enfeoffed—the court's repayment can go no further than this. Yet you constantly harbor resentment, even saying the rice is cooked and asking whether the pot should be handed to others? Now We grant you death." Chen told Zhiming, "Heaven is not far from man. I and the emperor killed the princes of Gao and Wu—you were the one who carried messages between us. I die today—you will be next." He was executed in the secretariat. By autumn Zhiming died, claiming that Chen's ghost was haunting him. An edict said, "Xiao Chen rose from common stock, his talents frivolous and dangerous; by fortunate chance he early joined the emperor's service. At the end of Yongming he was showered with special favor. Though Emperor Yulin was benighted and perverse, Chen rendered loyal service. He was showered with favor, held military power within and provincial authority without; his brothers were ennobled, and their glory dazzled court and countryside. Yet he never felt gratitude and repaid scarcely a fraction of what he owed. He deemed his merit greater than Yi Yin and Huo Guang's, his deeds beyond reward, his talent unmatched in the age—and was ashamed to stand behind others. He usurped royal authority, making appointments at his own will. Harborng groundless suspicion and fear, he bred distrust. He spied on the inner palace and coveted what was not his due. His heart screened the ruler and deceived those below; his disloyalty was plain to all, and rumor of it spread far and wide. He secretly scattered gold and silk, gathered malcontents, won over the palace guard, made secret pacts with imperial kin, and was about to launch treason. Because his commission was weighty and his rank eminent, We repeatedly smoothed matters over and extended great trust, hoping he would reform. Yet his wolfish nature only grew worse, and his treacherous plots intensified. When rebellion is afoot, execution is inevitable—the Spring and Autumn makes the principle clear; how much more when guilt had accumulated to such a degree. Let him be handed over to the Minister of Justice so that sentence may be swiftly pronounced. Punishment shall fall only on the chief villain; the rest shall not be questioned."
18
諶好左道，吳興沈文猷相諶云：「相不減高帝。」 諶喜曰：「感卿意，無爲人言也。」 至是文猷伏誅。
Chen dabbled in heterodox arts. Shen Wenyao of Wuxing read his features and said, "Your physiognomy is no less than the founding emperor's." Chen was pleased and said, "I am moved by your words—tell no one." At this time Wenyao was executed as well.
19
諶兄誕，字彥偉，初爲殿中將軍。 永明中爲建康令，與秣陵令司馬迪之同乘行，車前導四卒，左丞沈昭略奏：「凡有鹵簿官，共乘不得兼列騶寺。 請免誕等官。」 詔贖論。 延興元年，自輔國徐州爲持節督司州剌史，將軍如故。 明帝立，封安德侯，五百戶。 進號冠軍。 建武二年春，虜攻司州，誕盡力拒守，虜退。 增封四百戶。 徵左衞將軍。 上欲殺諶，以誕在邊鎮拒虜，故未及行。 虜退六旬，諶誅，遣黃門郎梁王爲司州別駕，使誅誕，束身受戮，家口繫尚方。
Chen's elder brother Xiao Dan, courtesy name Yanwei, began as a palace hall general. During Yongming he was magistrate of Jiankang. Riding with the Moling magistrate Sima Dizhi, each with four soldiers leading his carriage, the left assistant director Shen Zhaolue memorialized, "Officials with ceremonial guards may not jointly array outriders when riding together. He requested that Dan and the others be dismissed from office." An edict allowed them to commute the penalty by fine. In the first year of Yanxing he was transferred from General Who Assists the State in Xu Province to Governor of Si Province with credentials bearing the imperial staff, retaining his general's rank. When Emperor Ming took the throne, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Ande with a fief of five hundred households. His title was advanced to Champion General. In the spring of the second year of Jianwu, the northern enemy attacked Si Province. Dan defended with all his strength until the enemy withdrew. His fief was increased by four hundred households. He was recalled to serve as General of the Left Guard. The emperor wished to kill Chen, but because Dan was on the frontier resisting the enemy, he delayed. Sixty days after the enemy withdrew, Chen was executed. The emperor sent the Yellow Gate Gentleman Liang Wang as assistant administrator of Si Province to execute Dan. Dan submitted to execution, and his household was detained at the Imperial Workshop.
20
諶弟誄，與諶同豫廢立，爲寧朔將軍、東莞太守，轉西中郎司馬。 建武初，封西昌侯，千戶。 轉太子左率。 領軍解司州圍還，同伏誅。 諶伯父仙民，官至太中大夫，卒。
Chen's younger brother Xiao Tui, who had taken part with Chen in the deposition and enthronement, was made General Who Pacifies the North and Administrator of Dongguan, then transferred to staff officer of the western central army. At the beginning of Jianwu he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xichang with a fief of one thousand households. He was made left guard leader of the heir apparent. When the palace guard general lifted the siege of Si Province and returned, Tui was executed along with the others. Chen's uncle Xiao Xianmin rose to Grand Master of the Palace and died in office.
21
蕭坦之，南蘭陵蘭陵人也。 祖道濟，太中大夫。 父欣祖，有勳於世祖，至武進令。
Xiao Tanzhi was a native of Lanling in Southern Lanling Commandery. His grandfather Xiao Daoji served as Grand Master of the Palace. His father Xiao Xinzu had rendered meritorious service to the late emperor and rose to magistrate of Wujin.
22
坦之與蕭諶同族。 初爲殿中將軍，累至世祖中軍板刑獄參軍。 以宗族見驅使。 除竟陵王鎮北征北參軍，東宮直閤，以懃直爲世祖所知。 除給事中，淮陵令，又除蘭陵令，給事中如故。 尚書起部郎，司徒中兵參軍。 世祖崩，坦之隨太孫文武度上臺，除射聲校尉，令如故。 未拜，除正員郎、南魯郡太守。
Tanzhi was of the same clan as Xiao Chen. He began as a palace hall general and eventually became penal officer on the board of the late emperor's central army staff. He was employed on account of his clan connection. He was appointed staff officer on the northern expedition staff of the Prince of Jingling and direct attendant of the Eastern Palace; his diligent service won the late emperor's notice. He was appointed supervisor of attendance and magistrate of Huailing, then magistrate of Lanling while retaining his title as supervisor of attendance. He served as Gentleman of the Department of State Affairs for Establishment and central-army staff officer of the Minister of Education. When the late emperor died, Tanzhi accompanied the crown prince's officials to the upper terrace. He was appointed colonel of the Archers' Guard while retaining his post as magistrate. Before he could take up the post, he was appointed full-rank gentleman and Administrator of Nanlu Commandery.
23
高宗謀廢少帝，旣與蕭諶及坦之定謀。 帝腹心直閤將軍曹道剛疑外間有異，密有處分，諶未能發。 始興內史蕭季敞、南陽太守蕭穎基竝應還都，諶欲待二蕭至，藉其勢力以舉事。 高宗慮事變，以告坦之，坦之馳謂諶曰：「廢天子古來大事。 比聞曹道剛、朱隆之等轉已猜疑。 衞尉明日若不就事，無所復及。 弟有百歲母，豈能坐聽禍敗，政應作餘計耳！」 諶遑遽，明日遂廢帝，坦之力也。
When Xiao Luan plotted to depose the young emperor, he had already settled the plan with Xiao Chen and Tanzhi. The emperor's trusted direct-attendant general Cao Daogang suspected trouble outside and secretly took precautions; Chen could not act. The interior minister of Shixing, Xiao Jichang, and the Administrator of Nanyang, Xiao Yingji, were both due to return to the capital. Chen wished to wait for them and rely on their forces to act. Xiao Luan feared the plot might unravel and told Tanzhi. Tanzhi galloped to Chen and said, "Deposing the Son of Heaven is a grave matter in any age. I hear that Cao Daogang, Zhu Longzhi, and others are growing suspicious. If you as Commandant of the Guard do not act tomorrow, it will be too late. Your younger brother has a mother nearing a hundred—can he sit by while disaster strikes? You must act at once!" Chen was thrown into confusion; the next day he deposed the emperor—thanks to Tanzhi's urging.
24
海陵卽位，除黃門郎、兼衞尉卿、進爵伯，增邑爲六百戶。 建武元年，遷散騎常侍，右衞將軍，進爵侯，增邑爲千五百戶。 明年，虜動，假坦之節，督徐州征討軍事。 虜圍鍾離，春斷淮洲，坦之擊破之。 還加領太子中庶子，未拜，遷領軍將軍。 永泰元年，爲侍中、領軍。
When Emperor Hailing took the throne, Tanzhi was appointed Yellow Gate Gentleman and Commandant of the Guard, advanced to baron, with his fief increased to six hundred households. In the first year of Jianwu he was made irregular attendant-in-ordinary and General of the Right Guard, advanced to marquis, with his fief increased to fifteen hundred households. The following year, when the northern enemy attacked, Tanzhi was given credentials and placed in command of Xu Province's campaign forces. The enemy besieged Zhongli and in spring severed the Huai River islets; Tanzhi defeated them. On his return he was additionally appointed Grand Master of the Central Palace Personnel for the Crown Prince, but before he could take up the post he was transferred to General of the Guard. In the first year of Yongtai he served as Attendant-in-Ordinary and General of the Guard.
25
東昏立，爲侍中、領軍將軍。 永元元年，遭母喪，起復職，加右將軍，置府。 江祏兄弟欲立始安王遙光，密謂坦之，坦之曰：「明帝取天下，已非次第，天下人至今不服。 今若復作此事，恐四海瓦解。 我其不敢言。」 持喪還宅。 宅在東府城東，遙光起事，遣人夜掩取坦之，坦之科頭著褌踰牆走，從東冶僦渡南渡，間道還臺，假節督衆軍討遙光，屯湘宮寺。 事平，遷尚書右僕射，丹陽尹，右將軍如故。 進爵公，增邑千戶。
When Emperor Donghun was enthroned, he was appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary and General of the Guard. In the first year of Yongyuan, when his mother died, he was recalled from mourning to resume office, given the additional title of General of the Right, and granted an official staff. The Jiang Shi brothers wanted to enthrone Prince Yaoguang of Shian and secretly told Tanzhi. Tanzhi said, "When Emperor Ming seized the throne, it was already a violation of proper succession, and the people have never accepted it. If we attempt this again, I fear the realm will fall apart. I dare not have any part in it. He went home to observe mourning. His house lay east of the Eastern Palace quarter. When Yaoguang launched his revolt, he sent men by night to seize Tanzhi. Tanzhi fled bareheaded in his underdrawers, climbing over a wall. He hired a boat at the Eastern Smeltery to cross the Nan Du ferry, returned to the capital by a hidden route, was granted credentials to command the armies against Yaoguang, and encamped at Xiangong Temple. After the revolt was suppressed, he was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Intendant of Danyang, retaining his rank as General of the Right. He was ennobled as duke and his fief was increased by a thousand households.
26
坦之肥黑無鬚，語聲嘶，時人號爲「蕭瘂」。 剛佷專執，羣小畏而憎之。 遙光事平二十餘日，帝遣延明主帥黃文濟領兵圍坦之宅，殺之。 子賞，祕書郎。 亦伏誅。
Tanzhi was stout and dark-skinned, beardless; his voice was hoarse, and people called him "Xiao the Hoarse." Fierce, stubborn, and domineering, he was feared and loathed by court sycophants. A little over twenty days after Yaoguang's revolt was suppressed, the emperor sent the Yanming camp commander Huang Wenji with troops to surround Tanzhi's house and kill him. His son Shang served as secretary in the Secretariat. He was also executed.
27
坦之從兄翼宗，爲海陵郡，將發。 坦之謂文濟曰：「從兄海陵宅故應無他？」 文濟曰：「海陵宅在何處？」 坦之告。 文濟曰：「應得罪。」 仍遣收之。 檢家赤貧，唯有質錢帖子數百，還以啓帝，原死，繫尚方。
Tanzhi's cousin Yizong served as magistrate of Hailing Commandery and was about to set out. Tanzhi said to Wenji, "My cousin the magistrate of Hailing—his household ought to be free of involvement, yes? Wenji asked, "Where is the Hailing magistrate's residence? Tanzhi told him. Wenji said, "Then he must be guilty." He immediately sent men to arrest him. A search found the family utterly destitute, with only a few hundred pawn tickets; the report reached the emperor, who spared Yizong's life and confined him to the palace workshops.
28
和帝中興元年，追贈坦之中軍將軍、開府儀同三司。
In the first year of Zhongxing under Emperor He, Tanzhi was posthumously honored as General of the Central Army with the privilege of an office equal to the Three Excellencies.
29
江祏字弘業，濟陽考城人也。 祖遵，寧朔參軍。 父德隣，司徒右長史。
Jiang Shi, courtesy name Hongye, was a native of Kaocheng in Jiyang Commandery. His grandfather Jiang Zun served as Ningshuo staff officer. His father Jiang Delin served as Right Senior Clerk of the Minister of Education.
30
祏姑爲景皇后，少爲高宗所親，恩如兄弟。 宋末，解褐晉熙國常侍，太祖徐州西曹，員外郎，高宗冠軍參軍，帶灄陽令，竟陵王征北參軍，尚書水部郎。 高宗爲吳興，以祏爲郡丞，加宣威將軍，廬陵王中軍功曹記室，安陸王左軍諮議，領錄事，帶京兆太守。 除通直郎，補南徐州別駕。
Shi's aunt was Empress Jing; from youth he was intimate with Xiao Luan, and they treated each other with the affection of brothers. At the end of the Liu Song dynasty, he began his career as Attendant-in-Ordinary of the State of Jinxi, then served as Western Assistant of Xu Province under Emperor Gao, Vice Gentleman, staff officer to the Champion General under Xiao Luan while also serving as Magistrate of Ziyang, northern-campaign staff officer under the King of Jingling, and Gentleman of the Water Section in the Department of State Affairs. When Xiao Luan served at Wuxing, he appointed Shi deputy magistrate of the commandery with the additional title General Who Spreads Majesty, recorder-clerk in the central-army staff office of the King of Luling, and left-army adviser to the King of Anlu while also serving as recorder of affairs and Administrator of Jingzhao. He was appointed Gentleman of Direct Communication and assigned as Vice Administrator of Southern Xu Province.
31
建武二年，遷右衞將軍，掌甲仗廉察。 四年，轉太子詹事。 祏以外戚親要，勢冠當時，遠致餉遺，或取諸王第名書好物。 然家行甚睦，待子姪有恩意。
In the second year of Jianwu he was made General of the Right Guard, responsible for the oversight and inspection of armor and weapons. In the fourth year he was transferred to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. As a powerful maternal kinsman of the imperial house, Shi stood at the apex of his age; gifts poured in from afar, and he sometimes took prized goods registered by name from the princes' residences. Yet within his household he was deeply harmonious and treated his sons and nephews with genuine affection.
32
上寢疾，永泰元年，轉祏爲侍中、中書令，出入殿省。 上崩，遺詔轉右僕射，祏弟衞尉祀爲侍中，敬皇后弟劉暄爲衞尉。 東昏卽位，參掌選事。 高宗雖顧命羣公，而意寄多在祏兄弟。 至是更直殿內，動止關諮。 永元元年，領太子詹事。 劉暄遷散騎常侍，右衞將軍。 祏兄弟與暄及始安王遙光、尚書令徐孝嗣、領軍蕭坦之六人，更日帖敕，時呼爲「六貴」。
When the emperor fell gravely ill, in the first year of Yongtai Shi was made Attendant-in-Ordinary and Director of the Secretariat, with free access to the inner palace. When the emperor died, the deathbed edict made Shi Right Vice Director; Shi's younger brother Si, Commandant of the Guard, was appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Empress Jing's younger brother Liu Xuan was made Commandant of the Guard. When Emperor Donghun took the throne, Shi shared in managing official appointments. Although Xiao Luan entrusted several senior officials on his deathbed, his real confidence rested chiefly on the Shi brothers. From then on they took turns on duty inside the palace, and the emperor's every move required their approval. In the first year of Yongyuan he additionally served as Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. Liu Xuan was made irregular attendant-in-ordinary and General of the Right Guard. Shi and his brother, together with Liu Xuan, Prince Yaoguang of Shian, Director of the Department of State Affairs Xu Xiaosi, and General of the Guard Xiao Tanzhi—the six of them took turns issuing edicts each day, and people called them the "Six Exalted Ones."
33
帝稍欲行意，孝嗣不能奪，坦之雖時有異同，而祏堅意執制，帝深忿之。 帝失德旣彰，祏議欲立江夏王寶玄。 劉暄初爲寶玄郢州行事，執事過刻。 有人獻馬，寶玄欲看之，暄曰：「馬何用看。」 妃索煮肫，帳下諮暄，暄曰：「旦已煮鵝，不煩復此。」 寶玄恚曰：「舅殊無渭陽之情。」 暄聞之亦不悅。 至是不同祏議，欲立建安王寶夤，密謀於遙光。 遙光自以年長，屬當鼎命，微旨動祏。 祏弟祀以少主難保，勸祏立遙光。 暄以遙光若立，己失元舅之望，不肯同。 故祏遲疑久不決。 遙光大怒，遣左右黃曇慶於清溪橋道中刺殺暄，曇慶見暄部伍人多，不敢發。 事覺，暄告祏謀，帝處分收祏兄弟。 祀時直在內殿，疑有異，遣信報祏曰：「劉暄似有異謀，今作何計？」 祏曰：「政當靜以鎮之耳。」 俄而召祏入見，停中書省。 初，直齋袁文曠以王敬則勳當封，祏執不與。 帝使文曠取祏，以刀環築其心曰：「復能奪我封否？」 祏、祀同日見殺。
The emperor gradually wished to have his own way. Xu Xiaosi could not overrule him; Tanzhi sometimes disagreed, but Shi firmly held him in check, and the emperor deeply resented it. As the emperor's misconduct became unmistakable, Shi proposed enthrone Prince Bao Xuan of Jiangxia. Liu Xuan had initially served as acting administrator of Ying Province for Bao Xuan and was excessively severe in his conduct of affairs. When someone presented a horse, Bao Xuan wished to see it, but Xuan said, "What is the point of looking at a horse? The princess consort asked for gizzards to be cooked; the household staff consulted Xuan, who said, "Goose was already cooked this morning—there is no need for this as well. Bao Xuan said angrily, "My uncle shows not the slightest affection of kinship." When Xuan heard this, he too was displeased. At this point he opposed Shi's plan and wished to enthrone Prince Bao Yin of Jian'an, conspiring secretly with Yaoguang. Yaoguang, considering himself the senior candidate and the rightful heir to the throne, subtly pressed Shi. Shi's younger brother Si, believing the young emperor could not be preserved, urged Shi to enthrone Yaoguang. Xuan feared that if Yaoguang were enthroned he would lose his standing as chief maternal uncle, and refused to agree. Thus Shi hesitated for a long time and could reach no decision. Yaoguang was furious and sent his attendant Huang Tanqing to assassinate Xuan on the road at Qingxi Bridge, but Tanqing saw that Xuan's escort was too large and dared not act. When the plot was discovered, Xuan reported the Shi brothers' conspiracy, and the emperor ordered their arrest. Si was then on duty in the inner hall, sensed something amiss, and sent a messenger to Shi: "Liu Xuan seems to be plotting something—what should we do? Shi said, "We should simply keep calm and hold steady." Shortly afterward Shi was summoned for an audience and detained at the Secretariat. Earlier, the direct-attendant guard Yuan Wenkuan, whose service under Wang Jingze merited enfeoffment, had been denied his reward by Shi. The emperor had Wenkuan seize Shi and beat his chest with a sword hilt, saying, "Can you still deny me my enfeoffment? Shi and Si were executed on the same day.
34
祀字景昌，初爲南郡王國常侍，歷高祖驃騎東閤祭酒，祕書丞，晉安王鎮北長史，南東海太守，行府州事。 治下有宣尼廟，久廢不脩，祀更開掃構立。 祀弟禧，居喪早卒。 有子廞，字偉卿，年十二，聞收至，謂家人曰：「伯旣如此，無心獨存。」 赴井死。 後帝於後堂騎馬致適，顧謂左右曰：「江祏若在，我當復能騎此不？」
Si, courtesy name Jingchang, first served as Attendant-in-Ordinary of the State of Nanjun, then Eastern Pavilion libationer under Emperor Gao's Rapid Cavalry command, Secretary, northern-campaign senior clerk under the King of Jin'an, Administrator of Eastern Donghai, and acting prefect of the commandery and province. Within his jurisdiction stood a Confucius temple long abandoned and unrepaired; Si reopened it, cleaned it, and rebuilt it. Si's younger brother Xi died young while in mourning. He had a son Yin, courtesy name Weiqing, twelve years old; when he heard that the arrest had come, he told his family, "Since my uncle is already in such straits, I have no wish to live on alone. He threw himself into a well and died. Later, as the emperor was riding for pleasure in the rear hall, he turned to those beside him and said, "If Jiang Shi were still alive, would I still be able to ride like this?"
35
暄字士穆，出身南陽國常侍。 遙光起事，以討暄爲名。 事平，暄遷領軍將軍，封平都縣侯，千戶。 其年，又見殺。 和帝中興元年，贈祏衞將軍，暄散騎常侍、撫軍將軍，竝開府儀同三司，祀散騎常侍、太常卿。
Xuan, courtesy name Shimu, began his career as Attendant-in-Ordinary of the State of Nanyang. When Yaoguang launched his revolt, he took punishing Liu Xuan as his public justification. After the revolt was suppressed, Xuan was made General of the Guard and enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingdu with a fief of a thousand households. That same year he was executed as well. In the first year of Zhongxing under Emperor He, Shi was posthumously honored as General of the Guard; Xuan as irregular attendant-in-ordinary and General Who Pacifies the Army, both with the privilege of an office equal to the Three Excellencies; and Si as irregular attendant-in-ordinary and Minister of Ceremonials.
36
史臣曰：士死知己，蓋有生所共情，雖愚智之品有二，而逢迎之運唯一。 夫懷可知之才，受知人之眄，無慚外物，此固天理，其猶藏在中心，銜恩念報。 況乎義早蕃僚，道同遇合，踰越勝己，顧邁先流，弃子如遺，曾微舊德，使狗之喻，人致前譏，慚包疚心，我無其事。 嗚呼！ 陸機所以賦豪士也。
The Historian says: For a gentleman to die for one who knows him is a feeling common to all who live; though wit and folly divide men into two kinds, the fortune of winning favor is singular. When one possesses talent that can be recognized and receives the favor of one who knows men, unashamed before the world—this is the way of heaven itself, as though grace were stored in the heart and repayment always in mind. How much more when men were joined early as feudal staff, united in purpose through mutual encounter, surpassing those above them and looking back beyond those who came before, casting off their sons as though they were nothing and scarcely remembering old kindness—the simile of the dog invites reproach from others; ashamed and guilty in heart, I for my part have no such deed. Alas! This is why Lu Ji wrote his rhapsody on the proud knight.
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贊曰：王蕭提契，世祖基之。 樂羊食子，里克無辭。 江、劉后戚，明嗣是維。 廢興異論，終用乖疑。 [1]
In praise: Wang and Xiao raised the covenant, and Emperor Shizu built the foundation upon it. Yue Yang ate his son; Li Ke had nothing to say in his own defense. The Jiang and Liu clans, as empress kin, upheld the Ming succession. Deposing and enthroning provoked conflicting views, and in the end mutual suspicion carried the day. Footnote 1.
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全文以中華書局、一九七二年一月版《南齊書》爲本校。
The full text has been collated against the Zhonghua Book Company, January 1972 edition of the 《Book of Southern Qi》.