1
王融
Wang Rong
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王融字元長，琅邪臨沂人也。 祖僧達，中書令，曾高竝台輔。 僧達答宋孝武云：「亡父亡祖，司徒司空。」 父道琰，廬陵內史。 母臨川太守謝惠宣女，惇敏婦人也。 教融書學。
Wang Rong, whose style name was Yuanchang, came from Langya in Linyi. His grandfather Wang Sengda had held the post of Secretary Grand Director, and for generations his family had produced ministers at the highest level. When Sengda replied to Emperor Xiaowu of Song, he said, "My deceased father and grandfather were Chamberlain and Minister of Works." His father Wang Daoyan had been Interior Governor of Luling. His mother was the daughter of Linchuan Administrator Xie Huixuan, a conscientious and capable woman. She personally taught Rong to read and write.
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融少而神明警惠，博涉有文才。 舉秀才。 晉安王南中郎板行參軍，坐公事免。 竟陵王司徒板法曹行參軍，遷太子舍人。 融以父官不通，弱年便欲紹興家業，啓世祖求自試。 曰：「臣聞春庚秋蟀，集候相悲，露木風榮，臨年共悅。 夫唯動植，且或有心； 況在生靈，而能無感。 臣自奉望宮闕，沐浴恩私，拔迹庸虛，參名盛列，纓劔紫復，趨步丹墀，歲時歸來，誇榮邑里。 然無懃而官，昔賢曾議； 不任而祿，有識必譏。 臣所用慷慨憤懣，不遑自晏。 誠以深恩鮮報，聖主難逢，蒲柳先秋，光陰不待，貪及明時，展悉愚效，以酬陛下不世之仁。 若微誠獲信，短才見序，文武吏法，唯所施用。 夫君道含弘，臣術無隱，翁歸乃居中自是，充國曰『莫若老臣』。 竊景前脩，敢蹈輕節。 以冒不媒之鄙，式罄奉公之誠。 抑又唐堯在上，不參二八，管夷吾恥之，臣亦恥之。 願陛下裁覽。」 遷祕書丞。
Even as a boy, Rong was exceptionally quick-witted, widely read, and gifted as a writer. He was nominated as a provincial graduate. He was appointed Acting Aide on the staff of the Prince of Jin'an as Southern Commander-in-Chief, but lost the post over a bureaucratic infraction. The Prince of Jingling in his capacity as Grand Minister made him Acting Aide in the Law Section, after which he rose to Attendant of the Heir Apparent. Since his father's career had stalled, Rong even in his youth wanted to restore the family's fortunes and petitioned Emperor Wu to let him prove himself. He wrote: "I have heard that in spring the fifth-month cicada and in autumn the cricket, when the seasons turn, grieve in sympathy; trees bright with dew and wind put forth their glory, and as the year closes all creation shares its joy. If even plants and animals can feel, how could a human being remain unmoved? Since I first beheld the imperial precincts and received your personal grace, I was raised from obscurity into the company of the great, belted in purple with sword at my side, walking the vermilion court; each year when I returned home I could boast of honor in my town. Yet to hold office without real effort—men of old debated that very point; to draw salary without performing one's duties—anyone with sense is bound to scorn it. That is why I burn with shame and indignation and cannot rest at ease. Deep grace is seldom repaid, and a sage sovereign is rarely met; like a willow that yellows before autumn, time will not wait—I mean to seize this bright hour and offer whatever poor service I can in return for your unparalleled benevolence. If my small sincerity wins your trust and my modest talent is put to use, in civil affairs, military affairs, or the laws of office—employ me as you will. The ruler's way is all-embracing, and a minister should conceal nothing: Weng Gui sat in the middle and decided cases himself, and Zhao Chongguo said, 'None better than your old servant.' Taking those earlier models as my guide, I venture this presumptuous request. Though I offend with this uninvited forwardness, I offer the whole of my loyalty to the state. Moreover, when Emperor Yao sat above, he did not consult his Eight and his Two; Guan Zhong found that shameful, and so do I. I beg Your Majesty to consider this petition." He was promoted to Secretary Assistant.
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從叔儉，初有儀同之授，融贈詩及書，儉甚奇憚之，笑謂人曰：「穰侯印詎便可解？」 尋遷丹陽丞，中書郎。 虜使遣求書，朝議欲不與。 融上疏曰：
His cousin Wang Jian had just been granted the rank Peer Equal to the Three Dukes; Rong sent him poems and letters, and Jian was both impressed and alarmed, remarking with a smile, "Does the seal of the Marquis of Rang come off that easily?" Before long he was promoted to Assistant Magistrate of Danyang and Secretariat Gentleman. Northern Wei envoys asked for books, and the court debate favored denying them. Rong submitted a memorial that read:
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:臣側聞僉議，疑給虜書，如臣愚情，切有未喻。 夫虜人面獸心，狼猛蜂毒，暴悖天經，虧違地義，逋竄燭幽，去來豳朔，綿周、漢而不悛，歷晉、宋其踰梗。 豈有愛敬仁智，恭讓廉脩，慚犬馬之馴心，同鷹虎之反目。 設槁秣有儲，筋竿足用，必以草竊關燧，寇擾邊疆； 寧容款塞卑辭，承衣請朔。 陛下務存遵養，不時侮亡，許其膜拜之誠，納裘之賮。 況復願同文軌，儻見款遣，思奉聲教，方致猜拒。 將使舊邑遺逸，未知所寘，衰胡餘噍，或能自推。 一令蔓草難鉏，涓流泛酌，豈直疥癢輕痾，容爲心腹重患。
I have heard the assembly debating whether to give books to the barbarians; in my ignorance I cannot see the sense of it. The barbarians wear human faces but harbor beast hearts; fierce as wolves and venomous as wasps, they trample heaven's laws and break earth's right order, skulking beyond the frontier between Bin and the northern wastes—unrepentant through Zhou and Han, more stubborn still through Jin and Song. How could they cherish benevolence and wisdom, practice courtesy and integrity, feel shame at the loyalty of dog and horse, or turn on their masters like hawk and tiger? Give them fodder in store and bows and poles to spare, and they will surely slip past the beacon fires to harry the borders; never with humble words at the frontier, robes in hand, begging for the imperial calendar. Your Majesty has chosen to nurture and spare them, not to strike the dying when the moment is wrong, accepting their prostrations and their fur tribute. And now they profess to share our script and our ways—if we treat them with courtesy and send them off, while they claim to embrace our civilization, we will only breed suspicion and resistance. Our loyal subjects in the lost north would not know where to turn, and the last remnants of the barbarians might rally on their own. Let the weeds run wild and a trickle swell into a flood, and this is no mere rash or passing illness—it may become a mortal threat at the core of the realm.
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:抑孫武之言也，困則數罰，窘則多賞，先暴而後畏其衆者，虜之謂乎？ 前中原士庶，雖淪懾殊俗，至於婚葬之晨，猶巾褠爲禮。 而禁令苛刻，動加誅轘。 于時獯粥初遷，犬羊尚結，卽心徒怨，困懼成逃。 自其將卒奔離，資待銷闕，北畏勍蠕，西逼南胡，民背如崩，勢絕防斷。 於是曲從物情，偽竊章服，歷年將絕，隱蔽無聞。 旣南向而泣者，日夜以覬； 北顧而辭者，江淮相屬。 凶謀歲窘，淺慮無方，於是稽顙郊門，問禮求樂。 若來之以文德，賜之以副書，漢家軌儀，重臨畿輔，司隷傳節，復入關河，無待八百之師，不期十萬之衆，固其提漿佇俟，揮戈願倒，三秦大同，六漢一統。
Was it not Sun Wu who said that when cornered they multiply punishments, when desperate they multiply rewards, brutal first and only then feared by their followers—is that not exactly the barbarians? The people of the Central Plains, though forced under alien rule, still on wedding and funeral mornings wore Chinese dress as ritual demanded. But their prohibitions were savage, and dismemberment by cart-wheel followed every infraction. When the Xiongnu first settled in, the tribes were still bound like dog to sheep; resentment filled every heart, and fear drove men to flee. Once their commanders and troops scattered, supplies ran out; they feared the powerful Rouran in the north and were squeezed by tribes in the west—the people turned away like a collapsing wall, and their defenses were broken. So they bent to popular feeling, stole regalia and robes in pretense, and for years on end kept themselves hidden from sight. Those who had turned south in tears watched day and night for deliverance; those who looked north and took their farewells lined the Yangzi and Huai. Their plots grew desperate year by year, their shallow counsels failed them, and so they beat their foreheads at the frontier gate, begging for ritual and music. If we came with civil virtue and gave them duplicate texts, if Han ritual returned to the heartland and the Director of Retainers bore his tally back through the passes—without needing eight hundred men or a hundred thousand soldiers—they would bring provisions and wait, raise spears eager to defect; the Three Qin would reunite and the six regions of Han would be one again.
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:又虜前後奉使，不專漢人，必介以匈奴，備諸覘獲。 且設官分職，彌見其情，抑退舊苗，扶任種戚。 師保則后族馮晉國，總錄則邽姓直勒渴侯，台鼎則丘頹、苟仁端，執政則目凌、鉗耳。 至於東都羽儀，西京簪帶，崔孝伯、程虞虯久在著作，李元和、郭季祐上于中書，李思沖飾虜清官，游明根泛居顯職。 今經典遠被，詩史北流，馮、李之徒，必欲遵尚； 直勒等類，居致乖阻。 何則？ 匈奴以氈騎爲帷牀，馳射爲糇粮，冠方帽則犯沙陵雪，服左衽則風驤鳥逝。 若衣以朱裳，戴之玄頍，節其揖讓，教以翔趨，必同艱桎梏，等懼冰淵，婆娑躄，因而不能前已。 及夫春草水生，阻散馬之適，秋風木落，絕驅禽之歡，息沸脣於桑墟，別醍乳於冀俗，聽《韶雅》如聾聵，臨方丈若爰居，馮、李之徒，固得志矣，虜之凶族，其如病何？ 於是風土之思深，愎戾之情動，拂衣者連裾，抽鋒者比鏃，部落爭于下，酋渠危於上，我一舉而兼吞，卞莊之勢必也。 且棘寶薦虞，晉疆彌盛，大鍾出智，宿氏以亡。 帝略遠孚，無思不服，鑾光幸岱，匪暮斯朝。 臣請收籍伊瀍，茲書復掌，猶取之內府，藏之外，於理有愜，卽事何損。 若狂言足採，請決敕施行。
Moreover, in their embassies past and present they never sent only Han men but always mixed in Xiongnu, to guard against every kind of intelligence. In their offices and ranks their intent is plain: they push down the old families and elevate their own kin. Their tutor is Feng Jinguo of the empress's clan; their chief recorder is Zhile Kehou of the Guo clan; their top ministers are Qiu Tui and Gou Renduan; those who govern are Muling and Qian'er. As for the courtiers of the old capitals—Cui Xiaobo and Cheng Yuqiu long served in the Composition Office, Li Yuanhe and Guo Jiyou rose in the Secretariat, Li Sichong held high barbarian office, and You Minggen filled one prominent post after another. Now that the classics reach them and poetry and history flow north, men like Feng and Li will surely wish to honor them; while the Zhile and their kind will only breed obstruction. Why? The Xiongnu take felt tents and horsemanship for their home, galloping archery for their sustenance; in square caps they brave sand and snow, in left-lapel dress they ride the wind like birds. Dress them in vermilion robes and dark caps, teach them bowing and measured steps, and they would feel as shackled, as terrified as over an icy abyss, hobbling and shuffling, unable to go forward at all. When spring grass rises and waters flow, they cannot scatter their horses; when autumn wind blows and leaves fall, they cannot hunt for sport; they would cease their clamor at the mulberry altars and leave behind the kumis of Ji—hearing the Shaoya would be like deafness, facing a square hall like living among strangers. Men like Feng and Li would have their way, but the barbarians' fierce clans—how could they endure it except as a mortal illness? Then homesickness would run deep, rebellious passions would stir; men brushing their robes would stand shoulder to shoulder, men drawing blades would stand arrow to arrow; tribes would fight below and chiefs would totter above—and we with one stroke would take them all, as Bian Zhuangzi took both tigers. When the thorn treasure was offered to Yu, Jin's borders grew; when the great bell came from Zhi, the Su clan was destroyed. Your imperial strategy reaches far and wins every heart; your sacred radiance will visit Mount Tai—not by evening but by morning. I ask that we register the texts of the Yi and Luo and hold these books again ourselves—taken from our inner treasury and kept from them abroad—which is reasonable and in practice costs nothing. If this rash speech is worth heeding, I beg Your Majesty to decree and execute it.
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世祖答曰：「吾意不異卿。 今所啓，比相見更委悉。」 事竟不行。
Emperor Wu replied, "My view is no different from yours. What you now present is fuller than when we spoke face to face." In the end nothing was done.
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永明末，世祖欲北伐，使毛惠秀畫《漢武北伐圖》，使融掌其事。 融好功名，因此上疏曰：
At the end of the Yongming era Emperor Wu planned a northern campaign and commissioned Mao Huixiu to paint "Emperor Wu of Han's Northern Expedition," putting Rong in charge of the project. Rong craved fame and used the occasion to submit a memorial:
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:臣聞情慉自中，事符則感，象構於始，機動斯彰。 莊敬之道可宗，會揖讓其彌肅，勇烈之士足貴，應鼙鐸以增思。 肇植生民，厥詳旣緬，降及興運，維道有徵，莫不有所因循而升皇業者也。 若夫膏腴旣稱，天乙知五方之富，皮幣已列，帝劉測四海之尊。 異封禪之文，則升中之典攸鬯，嘆輿地之圖，乃席卷之庸是立。
I have heard that feeling wells up within, and when events accord it stirs response; images are shaped at the outset, and when the mechanism moves they appear. The way of dignity and reverence deserves honor; at gatherings bowing and yielding grow more solemn still; brave men are precious, and answering to drums and bells deepens one's thought. From the first planting of humankind the record was already remote; down to ages of rising fortune the Way left its traces—none failed to build on precedent and ascend to imperial greatness. When fertile lands were acclaimed, Tianyi knew the wealth of the five directions; when furs and coin were set out, Emperor Liu measured the honor of the four seas. Unlike the texts of the feng and shan rites, the ceremony of ascending the central peak was thereby enriched; lamenting the map of the realm, the merit of sweeping it up in conquest was established.
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:伏惟陛下窮神盡聖，總極居中，偶化兩儀，均明二耀，拯玄綱於頹絕，反至道於澆淳，可謂區宇儀形，齊民先覺者也。 臣亦遭逢，生此嘉運，鑿飲耕食，自幸唐年。 而識用昏霾，經術疏淺，將薖且軸，豈蕨與薇。 皇鑒燭幽，天高聽下，賞片言之或善，矜一物之失時，湔拂塵蒙，霑飾光價，拔足草廬，廁身朝序，復得拜賀歲時，瞻望日月，於臣心願，曾已畢矣。 但千祀一逢，休明難再，思策鈆駑，樂陳涓壒。 竊習戰陣攻守之術，農桑牧藝之書，申、商、韓、墨之權，伊、周、孔、孟之道。 常願待詔朱闕，俯對青蒲，請閑宴之私，談當世之務。 位賤人微，徒深傾款。
I consider that Your Majesty exhausts spirit and fulfills sagehood, holds the ultimate center, pairs with heaven and earth, balances sun and moon, rescues the cosmic order from collapse and returns the Way from vulgar decline—you are the model of the realm and guide to the people. I too have met with fortune, born in this excellent age, drinking from the plow and eating from the soil, counting myself blessed to live in an age like Tang Yao's. Yet my mind is dim and my learning shallow; I am like artemisia about to wither on its stem—how could I compare to fern and orchid? Your mirror illuminates the dark, heaven high yet hears below, rewarding a word if it has merit, pitying a talent mistimed, washing away dust and granting honor, lifting me from a grass hut into the court ranks, letting me again bow at the seasons and gaze on sun and moon—in my heart that wish was already fulfilled. Yet an age like this comes once in a thousand years and cannot be repeated; I mean to spur my feeble talent and gladly offer whatever small service I can. I have studied the arts of attack and defense, books of farming and herding, the strategems of Shen Buhai, Shang Yang, Han Fei, and Mozi, and the Ways of Yi Yin, the Duke of Zhou, Confucius, and Mencius. I have long wished to await your summons at the vermilion gate, kneel before the green rush mats, and in a private audience discuss the affairs of the age. My rank is low and my person slight; I can only offer my deepest devotion.
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:方今九服清怡，三靈和晏，木有附枝，輪無異轍，東鞮獻舞，南辮傳歌，羗、踰山，秦、屠越海，舌象翫委體之懃，輶譯厭瞻巡之數，固將開桂林於鳳山，創金城於西守。 而蠢爾獯狄，敢讎大邦，假息關河，竊命函谷，淪故京之爽塏，變舊邑而荒涼，息反坫之儒衣，久伊川之被髮。 北地殘氓，東都遺老，莫不茹泣吞悲，傾耳戴目，翹心仁政，延首王風。 若試馳咫尺之書，具甄戎旅之卒，徇其墮城，納其降虜，可弗勞弦鏃，無待干戈。 真皇王之兵，征而不戰者也。 臣乞以執殳先邁，式道中原，澄澣渚之恒流，掃狼山之積霧，係單于之頸，屈左賢之膝，習呼韓之舊儀，拜鑾輿之巡幸。 然後天移雲動，勒封岱宗，咸五登三，追蹤七十，百神肅警，萬國具僚，璯弁星離，玉帛雲聚，集三燭於蘭席，聆萬歲之禎聲，豈不盛哉！ 豈不韙哉！
Today the nine domains are tranquil, heaven, earth, and man are at peace; trees flourish and wheels run true; the eastern tribes present dance, the southern tribes send song; Qiang and Di cross mountains, Qin and Yue span seas; interpreters grow weary of foreign envoys' obeisance, translators tire of imperial tours—we shall surely open Guilin at Phoenix Mountain and build Golden City in the west. Yet these stupid barbarians dare oppose the great state, clinging to life at the passes, stealing authority at Hangu, ruining the old capital's bright halls, turning ancient cities to wasteland, silencing the scholar's robe at the altar, and keeping disheveled hair at the Yi River far too long. The remnant people of the north, the old elders of the Eastern Capital—all swallow tears, strain their ears and eyes, yearn for benevolent rule, and stretch their necks for the royal transforming wind. If we send a letter a few inches long and muster our troops, accept their fallen cities and their surrendering captives, we need not strain bowstrings or wait for battle. That is the army of a true sage-king—one that campaigns without fighting. I beg to take spear in hand and march ahead, open the way through the Central Plains, clear the constant streams, sweep the mists from Wolf Mountain, bind the Chanyu's neck, bend the Left Worthy's knee, restore the old rites of Huhanye, and bow when your imperial carriage tours the north. Then heaven will shift and clouds will move; we shall inscribe the feng on Mount Tai, complete the five rites and ascend the three, follow the seventy-two kings of old, the hundred spirits will stand in awe, the ten thousand states will attend as officials, jade caps will scatter like stars, jade and silk will gather like clouds, triple candles will burn on orchid mats, and we shall hear the auspicious cry of ten thousand years—how grand! How fitting!
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:昔桓公志在伐莒，郭牙審其幽趣，魏后心存去漢，德祖究其深言。 臣愚昧，忖誠不足以知微，然伏揆聖心，規模弘遠，旣圖載其事，必克就其功。 臣不勝歡喜。
When Duke Huan of Qi meant to attack Ju, Guo Ya read his hidden intent; when the Wei empress meant to remove Han, Xu Dezhi plumbed her deeper meaning. I am foolish and my sincerity is not enough to grasp subtleties, yet I bow to your sacred intent—its scope is vast and far; since you have set this matter down in a picture, you will surely bring it to completion. I cannot contain my joy.
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圖成，上置琅邪城射堂壁上，遊幸輙觀視焉。
When the painting was finished, the emperor hung it on the wall of the archery hall in Langya; on his tours he always stopped to view it.
15
九年，上幸芳林園禊宴朝臣，使融爲《曲水詩序》，文藻富麗，當世稱之。
In the ninth year the emperor held the spring purification feast for his ministers at Fanglin Garden and had Rong write the "Preface to the Winding Water Poems"; its prose was rich and splendid, and contemporaries praised it.
16
上以融才辯，十一年，使兼主客，接虜使房景高、宋弁。 弁見融年少，問主客年幾？ 融曰：「五十之年，久踰其半。」 因問：「在朝聞主客作《曲水詩序》。」 景高又云：「在北聞主客此制，勝於顏延年，實願一見。」 融乃示之。 後日，宋弁於瑤池堂謂融曰：「昔觀相如《封禪》，以知漢武之德； 今覽王生《詩序》，用見齊王之盛。」 融曰：「皇家盛明，豈直比蹤漢武； 更慚鄙製，無以遠匹相如。」 上以虜獻馬不稱，使融問曰：「秦西冀北，實多駿驥。 而魏主所獻良馬，乃駑駘之不若。 求名檢事，殊爲未孚。 將旦旦信誓，有時而爽，駉駉之牧，不能復嗣？」 宋弁曰：「不容虛偽之名，當是不習土地。」 融曰：「周穆馬迹徧於天下，若騏驥之性，因地而遷，則造父之策，有時而躓。」 弁曰：「王主客何爲懃懃於千里？」 融曰：「卿國旣異其優劣，聊復相訪。 若千里日至，聖上當駕鼓車。」 弁曰：「向意旣須，必不能駕鼓車也。」 融曰：「買死馬之骨，亦以郭隗之故。」 弁不能答。
Because the emperor valued Rong's eloquence, in the eleventh year he made him also Director of Guests to receive the Northern Wei envoys Fang Jinggao and Song Bian. Bian saw that Rong was young and asked how old the Director of Guests was. Rong said, "Of fifty years, I have long since passed the halfway mark." He then asked, "At court I heard that the Director of Guests wrote the 'Preface to the Winding Water Poems.' Jinggao added, "In the north I heard that the Director of Guests wrote this piece, surpassing Yan Yanzhi—I would truly like to see it." Rong then showed it to him. A few days later Song Bian said to Rong at Yaochi Hall, "When I once read Sima Xiangru's 'Feng and Shan,' I learned Emperor Wu of Han's virtue; now reading your 'Poem Preface,' I see the splendor of the Prince of Qi." Rong said, "The imperial house is radiant—how could it be compared only with Emperor Wu of Han; and I am ashamed that my humble piece cannot remotely match Xiangru." Because the horses the barbarians presented were unworthy, the emperor had Rong ask, "West of Qin and north of Ji have many fine steeds. Yet the fine horses your Wei ruler presented are worse than common nags. To seek a good name while the facts fail to match is hardly convincing. Will sworn faith given morning after morning sometimes be broken, and the sleek herds never be matched again?" Song Bian said, "A false reputation will not stand—probably they are unaccustomed to the terrain here." Rong said, "King Mu of Zhou's horses ranged over all the world; if fine steeds change with the land, then even Zaofu's skill would sometimes fail." Bian said, "Why is Director Wang so eager about a thousand-li horse?" Rong said, "Since your state already admits they differ in quality, I am simply asking again. If a thousand-li horse arrives within a day, the emperor will drive the drum carriage to meet it." Bian said, "Since you already wanted one, he surely will not drive the drum carriage." Rong said, "Buying the bones of a dead horse was also for Guo Wei's sake." Bian had no answer.
17
融自恃人地，三十內望爲公輔。 直中書省，夜歎曰：「鄧禹笑人。」 行逢大開，喧湫不得進。 又歎曰：「車前無八騶卒，何得稱爲丈夫！」
Rong trusted in his birth and standing and expected to reach the highest ministerial rank before he was thirty. One night at the Secretariat he sighed, "Deng Yu would laugh at me." On his way he met a great throng, noisy and jammed, and could not pass. He sighed again, "With no eight outriders before my carriage, how can I call myself a man!"
18
朝廷討雍州刺史王奐，融復上疏曰：
When the court moved against Wang Huan, Governor of Yong Province, Rong submitted another memorial:
19
:臣每覽史傳，見憂國忘家，捐生報德者，未曾不撫卷歎息，以爲今古共情也。 然或以片言微感，一餐小惠，參國士之眄，同布素之遊耳。 豈有如臣，獨拔無聞之伍，過超非分之位，名器雙假，榮祿兩升，而宴安具罷之晨，優游旰食之日。 所以敢布丹愚，仰聞宸聽。
Whenever I read the histories and see men who forgot their families for the state and gave their lives to repay kindness, I cannot help stroking the scroll and sighing, for I believe past and present share the same feeling. Yet some were moved by a single word or a meal's small favor, earning a great man's glance or sharing a commoner's friendship—that is all. How could there be one like me, plucked alone from obscurity, raised beyond my deserts, given both title and regalia, both honor and salary—yet living at ease while the ruler eats late into the day? That is why I dare offer my loyal counsel and beg to be heard by the throne.
20
:今議者或以西夏爲念，臣竊謂之不爾。 其故何哉？ 陛下聖明，羣臣悉力，從以制逆，上而御下，指開賞黜之言，微示生死之路，方域之人，皆相爲敵。 旣兵威遠臨，人不自保，雖窮鳥必啄，固等命於梁鶉，困獸斯驚，終竝懸於廚鹿。 凱師勞飲，固不待晨。 臣之寸心，獨有微願。
Some advisers now worry about the western campaign; I do not think they should. Why? Your Majesty is sage and bright, your ministers give their full strength, rebellion is controlled from above, reward and punishment are made plain and the path of life and death shown—the people of the region have turned against one another. Once your armies press near, no one can protect himself; cornered birds must strike, beasts in a trap panic, and in the end they will all hang together like deer in the kitchen. The victory feast need not wait until morning. In my heart I have only one small wish.
21
:自獫狁荐食，荒侮伊瀍，天道禍淫，危亡日至，母后內難，糧力外虛，謠言物情，屬當今會。 若藉巫、漢之歸師，騁士卒之餘憤，取函谷如反掌，陵關塞若摧枯。 但士非素蓄，無以卽用，不教民戰，是實棄之。 特希私集部曲，豫加習校。 若蒙垂許，乞隷監省拘食人身，權備石頭防衞之數。 臣少重名節，早習軍旅，若試而無績，伏受面欺之誅； 用且有功，仰詶知人之哲。
Since the barbarians have repeatedly encroached and insulted the heartland, heaven punishes excess and ruin draws near daily; the empress dowager faces internal trouble, supplies abroad are exhausted, and rumor and popular feeling all point to this moment. If we use the returning armies of Wu and Han and unleash the soldiers' remaining fury, we could take Hangu Pass as easily as turning one's hand and storm the frontier barriers as if crushing dry wood— but the troops are not long trained and cannot be used at once; not to teach the people war is truly to abandon them. I beg only to gather my private retainers in advance and train them. If you grant this, I ask to be attached to the supervisory offices for rations and temporarily to fill the Stone City defense quota. From youth I have valued honor and early studied military affairs; if tried and I fail, I accept punishment for deceiving you to your face; if employed and I succeed, I will repay your wisdom in knowing men.
22
會虜動，竟陵王子良於東府募人，板融寧朔將軍、軍主。 融文辭辯捷，尤善倉卒屬綴，有所造作，援筆可待。 子良特相友好，情分殊常。 晚節大習騎馬。 才地旣華，兼藉子良之勢，傾意賔客，勞問周款，文武翕習輻湊之。 招集江西傖楚數百人，竝有幹用。
When the barbarians stirred, the Prince of Jingling recruited men at the Eastern Mansion and appointed Rong General Who Pacifies the North and army commander. Rong was eloquent and quick with words, especially skilled at composing on the spur of the moment—whatever he wrote, he could take up the brush and finish at once. Ziliang was especially close to him; their bond was unlike any other. In his later years he trained hard in horsemanship. His talent and birth were already splendid, and with Ziliang's backing he lavished attention on guests; civil and military men flocked to him like spokes to a hub. He recruited several hundred tough men from Jiangxi and Chu, all capable and useful.
23
世祖疾篤暫絕，子良在殿內，太孫未入，融戎服絳衫，於中書省閤口斷東宮仗不得進，欲立子良。 上旣蘇，太孫入殿，朝事委高宗。 融知子良不得立，乃釋服還省。 歎曰：「公誤我。」 鬱林深忿疾融，卽位十餘日，收下廷尉獄，然後使中丞孔稚珪倚爲奏曰：「融姿性剛險，立身浮競，動迹驚羣，抗言異類。 近塞外微塵，苦求將領，遂招納不逞，扇誘荒傖。 狡筭聲勢，專行權利，反覆脣齒之閒，傾動頰舌之內。 威福自己，無所忌憚，誹謗朝政，歷毀王公，謂己才流，無所推下，事曝遠近，使融依源據答。」 融辭曰：「囚寔頑蔽，觸行多諐，但夙忝門素，得奉教君子。 爰自總髮，迄將立年，州閭郷黨，見許愚慎，朝廷衣冠，謂無舋咎。 過蒙大行皇帝獎育之恩，又荷文皇帝識擢之重，司徒公賜預士林，安陸王曲垂眄接。 旣身被國慈，必欲以死自效，前後陳伐虜之計，亦仰簡先朝。 今假犬羊乍擾，紀僧真奉宣先敕，賜語北邊動靜，令囚草撰符詔，于時卽因啓聞，希侍鑾輿。 及司徒宣敕招募，同例非一，實以戎事不小，不敢承教。 續蒙軍號，賜使招集，銜敕而行，非敢虛扇。 且格取亡叛，不限傖楚，『狡笇聲勢』，應有形迹。 『專行權利』，又無贓賄。 『反覆脣齒之間』，未審悉與誰言？ 『傾動頰舌之內』，不容都無主此。 但聖主膺教，實所沐浴，自上《甘露頌》及《銀甕啓》、《三日詩序》、《接虜使語辭》，竭思稱揚，得非『誹謗』？ 且王公百司，唯賢是與，高下之敬，等秩有差，不敢踰濫，豈應『訾毀』？ 囚才分本劣，謬被策用，悚怍之情，夙宵兢惕，未嘗誇示里閭，彰曝遠邇，自循自省，竝愧流言。 良由緣淺寡虞，致貽囂謗。 伏惟明皇臨宇，普天蒙澤，戊寅赦恩，輕重必宥。 百日曠期，始蒙旬日，一介罪身，獨嬰憲劾。 若事實有徵，爰對有在，九死之日，無恨泉壤。」 詔於獄賜死。 時年二十七。 臨死歎曰：「我若不爲百歲老母，當吐一言。」 融意欲指斥帝在東宮時過失也。
When Emperor Wu was gravely ill and briefly lost consciousness, Ziliang was in the hall and the heir apparent had not yet entered; Rong in military dress and scarlet shirt blocked the Eastern Palace guards at the Secretariat gate, intending to make Ziliang emperor. When the emperor revived, the heir apparent entered the hall and court affairs were entrusted to the High Ancestor Xiao Luan. Rong knew Ziliang could not take the throne, removed his military dress, and returned to his office. He sighed, "You misled me." Emperor Yulin deeply hated Rong; within a fortnight of his accession he had Rong imprisoned by the Minister of Justice, then had Censor Kong Zhigui draft the charge: "Rong's nature is harsh and treacherous, his conduct restless and competitive; his actions alarm the court and his words oppose his peers. When slight trouble stirred beyond the frontier he eagerly sought command and recruited unruly men, stirring up wild bondsmen. He cunningly built his reputation, monopolized power, and with words back and forth stirred up trouble within the court. He wielded power as he pleased, feared nothing, slandered the government, repeatedly defamed princes and dukes, and claimed no one matched his talent; when the matter became known far and wide, Rong was made to answer each charge in turn." Rong replied, "I am truly dull and often err in conduct, yet from childhood I have disgraced a noble house and was taught by gentlemen. From childhood until near my coming of age, neighbors regarded me as cautious, and at court they said I had given no offense. I received the late emperor's grace in nurturing me, again the late emperor's favor in promoting me; the Grand Minister admitted me to the scholars, and the Prince of Anlu showed me special regard. Having received the state's kindness, I wished to repay it with my life; again and again I presented plans against the barbarians, as the former court approved. When the barbarians stirred, Ji Sengzhen announced the prior edict and told me of northern movements; I was ordered to draft edicts and at once memorialized, hoping to attend the imperial carriage. When the Grand Minister ordered recruitment, others were treated the same; truly because military affairs were grave, I did not dare refuse. I then received a military title and was ordered to recruit; I acted under edict and did not dare stir up trouble on my own. Moreover, seizing fugitives and rebels was not limited to Chu men; 'cunning reputation-building' should leave visible traces. 'Monopolizing power'—again there is no bribery. 'Turning back and forth in words'—with whom exactly did I speak? 'Stirring trouble within the court'—surely there must be witnesses. But I bathed in the sage ruler's teaching; from the 'Ode to Sweet Dew' and 'Silver Urn Memorial' to the 'Three-Day Poem Preface' and 'Words on Receiving Barbarian Envoys' I exhausted myself in praise—how is that 'slander'? Among princes and the hundred offices, only the worthy are advanced; ranks differ in honor—I did not dare overstep; how could I 'revile' them? My talent was always inferior and I was wrongly employed; I have been fearful day and night, never boasting in my village or exposing myself far and wide; examining myself, I am ashamed of rumor. Truly because my ties were shallow and I lacked foresight, I brought clamor and slander upon myself. I consider that the bright emperor rules the realm and all heaven receives his grace; the wuyin amnesty must pardon both light and heavy offenses. The hundred-day grace period had only just begun its ten-day window, yet I alone, a single guilty man, bear punishment. If the facts are proved, answers can be given; on the day I die nine deaths over, I will have no regret in the grave." An edict ordered him to die in prison. He was twenty-seven years old. Facing death he sighed, "If it were not for my aged mother, I would speak one word." Rong meant to denounce the emperor's misconduct when he was heir apparent.
24
融被收，朋友部曲參問北寺，相繼於道。 融請救於子良，子良憂懼不敢救。 融文集行於世。
When Rong was arrested, friends and retainers came in succession to inquire at North Temple along the road. Rong begged Ziliang to save him, but Ziliang was too afraid to intervene. Rong's collected writings circulated in his time.
25
謝朓
Xie Tiao
26
謝朓字玄暉，陳郡陽夏人也。 祖述，吳興太守。 父緯，散騎侍郎。
Xie Tiao, whose style name was Xuanhui, came from Yangxia in Chen commandery. His grandfather Shu was Administrator of Wuxing. His father Wei was Attendant Gentleman of the Household.
27
朓少好學，有美名，文章清麗。 解褐豫章王太尉行參軍，度隨王東中郎府，轉王儉衞軍東閤祭酒，太子舍人、隨王鎮西功曹，轉文學。
Tiao from youth loved learning, enjoyed a fine reputation, and wrote in a clear, beautiful style. Upon entering office he was Acting Aide to the Prince of Yuzhang as Grand Minister, moved to the staff of the Prince of Sui as Eastern Commander-in-Chief, became Eastern Pavilion Libationer on Wang Jian's staff as Guard General, then Attendant of the Heir Apparent and Western Headquarters Aide to the Prince of Sui, and finally Literary Scholar.
28
子隆在荊州，好辭賦，數集僚友，朓以文才，尤被賞愛，流連晤對，不捨日夕。 長史王秀之以朓年少相動，密以啓聞。 世祖敕曰：「侍讀虞雲自宜恒應侍接。 朓可還都。」 朓道中爲詩寄西府曰：「常恐鷹隼擊，秋菊委嚴霜。 寄言罻羅者，寥廓已高翔。」 遷新安王中軍記室。 朓牋辭子隆曰：「朓聞潢汙之水，思朝宗而每竭； 駑蹇之乘，希沃若而中疲。 何則？ 皐壤搖落，對之惆悵； 岐路東西，或以嗚悒。 況乃服義徒擁，歸志莫從，邈若墜雨，飄似秋蔕。 朓實庸流，行能無算，屬天地休明，山川受納，褒採一介，搜揚小善，捨耒場圃，奉筆菟園。 東亂三江，西浮七澤，契闊戎旃，從容讌語。 長裾日曳，後乘載脂，榮立府廷，恩加顏色。 沐髮晞陽，未測涯涘； 撫臆論報，早誓肌骨。 不悟滄溟未運，波臣自蕩； 渤澥方春，旅翮先謝。 清切蕃房，寂寥舊蓽。 輕舟反泝，弔影獨留，白雲在天，龍門不見。 去德滋永，思德滋深。 唯待青江可望，候歸艎於春渚； 朱邸方開，效蓬心於秋實。 如其簪履或存，衽席無改，雖復身填溝壑，猶望妻子知歸。 攬涕告辭，悲來橫集。」
Zilong in Jing Province loved poetry and often gathered his staff; Tiao for his literary talent was especially favored, and they lingered in conversation day and night. Chief Aide Wang Xiuzhi, thinking the young Tiao was too intimate with the prince, secretly reported it to the throne. Emperor Wu ordered, "Reader-in-Waiting Yu Yun should constantly attend the prince. Tiao is to return to the capital." On the road Tiao sent a poem to the western headquarters: "I constantly fear the hawk's strike; autumn chrysanthemums bow to harsh frost. Tell the fowler: in the vast sky I have already soared away." He was transferred to Recorder of the Central Army on the staff of the Prince of Xin'an. Tiao wrote Zilong a farewell note: "I have heard that muddy pool water, though it longs to reach the great river, is always exhausted; a lame nag's cart, hoping for lush pasture yet failing halfway. Why? The highland soil shakes and falls; facing it one is filled with melancholy; roads east and west—perhaps one sobs in distress. How much more when duty binds me though followers crowd round, and homeward will cannot be followed—distant as falling rain, drifting like an autumn stem. I am truly a mediocrity, my conduct and ability beyond reckoning; heaven and earth were bright, mountains and rivers at peace; one man was praised and small merit sought out—I left the plow in the fields and took up the brush in the garden. East through the turmoil of the three rivers, west across the seven marshes, parting and reuniting under military banners, at ease in feast and conversation. Long robes trailed day after day, rear carriages bore gifts; I stood honored in your court, and favor brightened my face. I bathed my hair in the sun, never guessing where the shore lay; I pressed my breast and spoke of repayment, swearing it early in flesh and bone. I did not see that the great sea had not yet stirred, and I swayed like a wave-subject; the Bohai was barely in spring, yet the traveler's wings already withered. The clear, intimate lodging abroad, the lonely old thatched hut. A light boat turns back upstream; I mourn my shadow left alone—white clouds fill the sky, and Dragon Gate is out of sight. The farther I am from your grace, the longer it seems; the more I think on it, the deeper my feeling. I only wait until the green river comes in view, watching for your returning boat at the spring ford; your vermilion mansion newly opens—I offer my humble heart as autumn fruit. If your favor still remains and your seat is unchanged, though my body fill ditch and ravine, I still hope my wife and children know I would return. Wiping tears I take my leave; grief comes and gathers over me."
29
尋以本官兼尚書殿中郎。 隆昌初，敕朓接北使，朓自以口訥，啓讓不當，不見許。 高宗輔政，以朓爲驃騎諮議，領記室，掌霸府文筆。 又掌中書詔誥，除祕書丞，未拜，仍轉中書郎。 出爲宣城太守，以選復爲中書郎。
Soon he additionally served as Attendant Gentleman of the Palace Department while keeping his original post. At the beginning of Longchang he was ordered to receive northern envoys; thinking his speech too slow, he memorialized that he was unfit, but the request was denied. When the High Ancestor held power, he made Tiao Counselor on the staff of the Rapid Cavalry General, head recorder, and chief writer for the princely headquarters. He also managed Secretariat edicts; was appointed Secretary Assistant but never took office, and was transferred to Secretariat Gentleman. He went out as Administrator of Xuancheng, then through selection returned as Secretariat Gentleman.
30
建武四年，出爲晉安王鎮北諮議、南東海太守，行南徐州事。 啓王敬則反謀，上甚嘉賞之。 遷尚書吏部郎。 朓上表三讓，中書疑朓官未及讓，以問祭酒沈約。 約曰：「宋元嘉中，范曅讓吏部，朱脩之讓黃門，蔡興宗讓中書，竝三表詔答，具事宛然。 近世小官不讓，遂成恒俗，恐此有乖讓意。 王藍田、劉安西竝貴重，初自不讓，今豈可慕此不讓邪？ 孫興公、孔顗竝讓記室，今豈可三署皆讓邪？ 謝吏部今授超階，讓別有意，豈關官之大小？ 撝讓之美，本出人情。 若大官必讓，便與詣闕章表不異。 例旣如此，謂都自非疑。」 朓又啓讓，上優答不許。
In the fourth year of Jianwu he served as Counselor to the Prince of Jin'an as Northern Commander-in-Chief and Administrator of Southern Donghai, acting for Southern Xuzhou. He reported Wang Jingze's plot to rebel, and the emperor greatly praised him. He was promoted to Attendant Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel. Tiao submitted three memorials declining the post; the Secretariat doubted whether his rank warranted declining and asked Libationer Shen Yue. Yue said, "In Emperor Wen's Yuanjia era, Fan Ye declined the Ministry of Personnel, Zhu Xiuzhi the Yellow Gate, and Cai Xingzong the Secretariat—all submitted three memorials and received edict replies; the precedents are clear. In recent times minor offices no longer decline, and that has become custom—I fear that misses the point of yielding. Wang Lantian and Liu Anxi were both eminent and at first did not decline—how can we now imitate their refusal to decline? Sun Xinggong and Kong Yan both declined the recorder's post—how can one decline all three offices now? Xie of the Ministry is now promoted beyond his rank—his declining has its own meaning; what has that to do with the size of the office? The beauty of yielding springs from human feeling. If high offices must always decline, it is no different from a formal memorial at the palace gate. Since the precedents are clear, I see no doubt at all." Tiao memorialized again to decline; the emperor graciously refused.
31
朓善草隷，長五言詩，沈約常云「二百年來無此詩也」。 敬皇后遷祔山陵，朓撰哀策文，齊世莫有及者。
Tiao was skilled in cursive and clerical script and excelled at five-character verse; Shen Yue often said, "In two hundred years there has been no poetry like this." When the Respectful Empress was moved to the imperial tomb, Tiao composed the lamentation text, unmatched in the Qi age.
32
東昏失德，江祐欲立夏王寶玄，末更回惑，與弟祀密謂朓曰：「江夏年少輕脫，不堪負荷神器，不可復行廢立。 始安年長入纂，不乖物望。 非以此要富貴，政是求安國家耳。」 遙光又遣親人劉渢密致意於朓，欲以爲肺腑。 朓自以受恩高宗，非渢所言，不肯答。 少日，遙光以朓兼知衞尉事，朓懼見引，卽以祏等謀告左興盛，興盛不敢發言。 祏聞，以告遙光，遙光大怒，乃稱敕召朓，仍回車付廷尉，與徐孝嗣、祏、暄等連名啓誅朓曰：「謝朓資性險薄，大彰遠近。 王敬則往構凶逆，微有誠效，自爾昇擢，超越倫伍。 而谿壑無厭，著於觸事。 比遂扇動內外，處處姦說，妄貶乘輿，竊論宮禁，閒謗親賢，輕議朝宰，醜言異計，非可具聞。 無君之心旣著，共棄之誅宜及。 臣等參議，宜下北里，肅正刑書。」 詔：「公等啓事如此，朓資性輕險，久彰物議。 直以彫蟲薄伎，見齒衣冠。 昔在渚宮，構扇蕃邸，日夜縱諛，仰窺俯畫。 及還京師，飜自宣露，江、漢無波，以爲己功。 素論於茲而盡，縉紳所以側目。 去夏之事，頗有微誠，賞擢曲加，踰邁倫序，感悅未聞，陵競彌著。 遂復矯構風塵，妄惑朱紫，詆貶朝政，疑閒親賢。 巧言利口，見醜前志，涓流纖孽，作戒遠圖。 宜有少正之刑，以申去害之義。 便可收付廷尉，肅明國典。」 又使御史中丞范岫奏收朓，下獄死。 時年三十六。
When Emperor Donghun lost virtue, Jiang You wished to make the Prince of Xia, Bao Xuan, emperor, but later wavered; he and his brother Si secretly told Tiao, "The Prince of Jiangxia is young and frivolous and cannot bear the throne; we cannot depose and establish again. The Prince of Shi'an is older and would succeed without going against popular expectation. We do not seek wealth and honor by this—we seek only the state's peace." Yaoguang also sent his confidant Liu Hong to convey his intentions secretly to Tiao, wishing to make him an intimate ally. Tiao considered that he owed his favor to the High Ancestor and would not accept what Hong said; he refused to reply. A few days later Yaoguang had Tiao additionally manage Court of the Imperial Clan affairs; fearing entanglement, Tiao reported Si's plot to Zuo Xingsheng, who did not dare speak. Si heard and told Yaoguang, who was furious; summoning Tiao in the emperor's name, he turned him over to the Minister of Justice; with Xu Xiaosi, Si, Xuan, and others he jointly memorialized for Tiao's execution: "Xie Tiao's nature is treacherous and shallow, notorious far and near. Wang Jingze had plotted treason; Tiao's small service in exposing it won promotion beyond his peers. Yet his greed knew no limit, shown in everything he did. Recently he has stirred court and country, spreading treacherous talk everywhere, demeaning the throne, discussing palace secrets, slandering kin and worthies, and lightly attacking ministers—ugly words and strange schemes too numerous to list. His disloyal heart is already plain; the punishment of collective rejection should fall on him. We jointly recommend that he be sent to prison and the penal code solemnly applied." The edict read: "Your report is as stated; Tiao's nature is frivolous and dangerous and has long been notorious. He was admitted to the ranks of officials only for his petty literary skill. Formerly at the Isle Palace he stirred up the prince's household, flattering day and night, spying above and plotting below. When he returned to the capital he boasted of it himself, claiming credit though the Yangzi and Han were calm. Public opinion ended there, which is why officials looked askance at him. Last summer's affair showed some small loyalty, and reward was bent to promote him beyond his rank—yet no gratitude was heard, and his arrogance grew only worse. Then again he stirred up trouble, confusing high and low office, slandering the government and sowing doubt among kin and worthies. Clever words and sharp tongue are condemned in the histories; small streams of evil make warnings for far-reaching plans. He should receive the punishment of Shaozheng, to declare the meaning of removing harm. Take him at once to the Minister of Justice and solemnly apply the state code." He also had Censor-in-Chief Fan Xiu memorialize to arrest Tiao; he was imprisoned and executed. He was thirty-six years old.
33
朓初告王敬則，敬則女爲朓妻，常懷刀欲報朓，朓不敢相見。 及爲吏部郎，沈昭略謂朓曰：「卿人地之美，無忝此職。 但恨今日刑于寡妻。」 朓臨敗歎曰：「我不殺王公，王公由我而死。」
When Tiao first reported Wang Jingze, Jingze's daughter was Tiao's wife and often carried a knife to avenge her father; Tiao did not dare meet her. When he became Attendant of the Ministry of Personnel, Shen Zhaolue said to him, "Your birth and talent do not disgrace this office. I only regret that today you suffer at the hands of a widowed wife." Facing ruin Tiao sighed, "I did not kill the prince, but the prince died because of me."
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【評贊】
Historian's Commentary and Praise
35
史臣曰：晉世遷宅江表，人無北歸之計，英霸作輔，芟定中原，彌見金德之不競也。 元嘉再略河南，師旅傾覆，自此以來，攻伐寢議。 雖有戰爭，事存保境。 王融生遇永明，軍國寧息，以文敏才華，不足進取，經略心旨，殷懃表奏。 若使宮車未晏，有事邊關，融之報效，或不易限。 夫經國體遠，許久爲難，而立功立事，信居物右，其賈誼終軍之流亞乎！
The historian says: In the Jin age the court moved south of the Yangzi and men abandoned any plan to return north; when heroic ministers briefly reconquered the Central Plains, it only showed how far the Jin mandate had fallen. In Yuanjia they again seized Henan, but the armies were destroyed; since then offensive war has scarcely been debated. Though war continued, the aim remained merely to hold the borders. Wang Rong was born in the Yongming era, when army and state were at peace; his literary brilliance could not win advancement by office alone, so he poured his strategic vision into earnest memorials. If the emperor had not died young and trouble had arisen at the frontier, Rong's service might have been hard to limit. To govern the state with far-reaching vision is acknowledged as difficult, yet to achieve real deeds truly stands above common things—is he not of the company of Jia Yi and Zhong Jun!
36
贊曰：元長穎脫，拊翼將飛。 時來運往，身沒志違。 高宗始業，乃顧玄暉。 逢昏屬亂，先蹈禍機。
The praise says: Yuanchang was brilliant and ready, beating his wings to fly. The time came and fortune passed; he died and his will was thwarted. When the High Ancestor began his enterprise, he turned to Xuanhui. Meeting a benighted age and chaotic times, he was first to tread the path of disaster.
38
案
Editorial note