1
王弘，字休元，琅邪临沂人也。 曾祖导，晋丞相，祖洽，中领军，父珣，司徒。
Wang Hong, courtesy name Xiuyuan, came from Langya commandery, Linyi county. His great-grandfather Dao had served as Chancellor of Jin; his grandfather Qia as Central Army Commander; his father Xun as Minister of Education.
2
弘少好學，以清悟知名。 弱冠為會稽王道子驃騎主簿。 珣頗好積聚，財物布在人間，及薨，弘悉燔券書，一不收責，其餘舊業，悉委諸弟。 時內外多難，在喪者皆不得終其哀，唯弘徵召一無所就。
From boyhood Hong loved study and won renown for clear, penetrating mind. In his early twenties he served as chief clerk to Daozi, Prince of Kuaiji, under the Cavalry General. Xun had been fond of amassing wealth, with loans scattered far and wide; when he died Hong burned every bond and pressed no debtor for repayment, turning the remainder of the family holdings over entirely to his younger brothers. The realm was racked by turmoil inside and out, and mourners could scarcely finish their rites—yet Hong alone refused every summons that reached him.
3
桓玄克建業，收道子付廷尉，臣吏莫敢瞻送，弘時尚居喪，獨道側拜辭，攀車涕泣，論者稱焉。
When Huan Xuan seized Jianye he delivered Daozi to the Court of Justice; not one clerk or attendant dared watch or follow him. Hong was still in mourning, yet he alone bowed and took leave from the roadside, clinging to the carriage in tears—commentators praised him for it.
4
宋武帝召補鎮軍諮議參軍，以功封華容縣五等侯，累遷太尉左長史。 從北征，前鋒已平洛陽，而未遣九錫，弘銜使還都諷朝廷。 時劉穆之掌留任，而旨乃從北來，穆之愧懼發病，遂卒。 宋國建，為尚書僕射掌選，領彭城太守。 奏彈世子左衛率謝靈運，為軍人桂興淫其嬖妾，靈運殺興棄屍洪流，御史中丞王准之曾不彈舉。 武帝答曰：「端右肅正風軌，誠副所期，自今以為永制。」 於是免靈運官。 後遷江州刺史，省賦簡役，百姓安之。
Emperor Wu of Song summoned him as Adviser to the General Who Guards the Army; for his service he received the fifth-rank marquisate of Huarong and rose in time to Left Chief Clerk of the Grand Commandant. During the northern campaign the vanguard had already taken Luoyang, but the Nine Bestowments had not yet been granted; Hong returned to the capital on embassy to nudge the court toward that step. Liu Muzhi was then in charge at the capital, but the emperor's intent arrived from the north; stricken with shame and fear, Muzhi fell ill and died. When the Song state was founded he became Vice Director of the Masters of Writing with charge of appointments, and also served as Administrator of Pengcheng. He submitted an impeachment of Xie Lingyun, Left Commandant of the Heir Apparent's Guard: a soldier named Gui Xing had violated Lingyun's favorite concubine, and Lingyun killed him and threw the body into the torrent—yet Imperial Censor Wang Zhunzhi had never reported the matter. Emperor Wu answered: "You at the right hand of government have set the tone straight and truly met my hopes; let this stand as permanent practice from this day forward." Lingyun was then stripped of his post. He was later transferred to Inspector of Jiang Province, where he cut taxes and eased labor; the people lived in peace.
5
六年，弘又上表陳彭城王宜入輔，並求解州，義康由是代弘為司徒，與之分錄。 弘又辭分錄。 弘博練政體，留心庶事，斟酌時宜，每存優允。 與八座丞郎疏曰：「同伍犯法，無人士不罪之科，然每至詰謫，輒有請訴。 若常垂恩宥，則法廢不行，依事糾責，則物以為苦。 恐宜更為其制。」 時議多不同，弘以為：
In the sixth year Hong again memorialized that the Prince of Pengcheng should enter court as regent, and asked to surrender the inspectorate; Yikang replaced him as Minister of Education and shared the chief records with him. Hong again declined to share the records. Hong was thoroughly versed in governance and attentive to everyday affairs; weighing each moment's needs, he always favored clemency and fair dealing. In a memorial to the Eight Seats and their clerks he wrote: "When members of the same ward violate the law, the head of household is always liable—yet at every inquiry petitions for mercy pour in. Show constant leniency and the law ceases to bite; pursue every case to the letter and the people cry hardship. I believe a new rule is needed here." Opinion at the time was divided; Hong argued thus:
6
謂之人士，便無庶人之坐； 署為庶人，輒受人士之罰，不其頗歟？ 謂人士可不受同伍之謫，取罪其奴客，庸何傷邪？ 無奴客，可令輸贖。 有修身閭閻，與群小實隔，又或無奴僮，為眾所明者，官長二千石便親臨列上，依事遣判。 又主守偷五疋，常偷四十疋，並加大辟。 議者咸以為重。 弘以為：
Once you call someone a man of standing, he should not suffer the commoner's punishment; yet label them commoners and they at once incur the penalties reserved for men of standing—is that not absurd? Let men of standing escape ward punishment and shift blame to their slaves and retainers—where is the injury in that? Those without slaves or clients may redeem the penalty instead. Again, where a man keeps his conduct clean in the neighborhood and stands apart from the rabble—or has no bondsmen yet is known to all—the local magistrate of two-thousand-bushel rank should come in person, enter his name on the rolls, and decide the case on its merits. The existing rule also imposed death on a chief clerk who stole five bolts of cloth and on a regular clerk who stole forty. Those who debated the matter all judged the penalty too harsh. Hong proposed instead:
7
小吏無知，臨財易昧。 或由疏慢，事蹈重科。 宜進主守偷十疋，常偷五十疋死，四十疋降以補兵。 至於官長以上，荷蒙榮祿，冒利五疋乃已為弘，士人至此，何容復加哀矜。 且此輩人士可殺不可謫，謂宜奏聞，決之聖旨。 文帝從弘議。 弘又上言：「舊制，人年十三半役，十六全役。 今四方無事，應存消息。 請以十五至十六為半丁，十七為全丁。」 從之。 及弟曇首亡，文帝嗟悼不已，見弘流涕歔欷，弘斂容而已。 既而彭城王義康言於帝曰：「曇首既為家寶，又為國器，弘情不稱，何也？」 帝曰：「賢者意不可度。」 其見體亮如此。
Petty clerks are ignorant men; set before money, their judgment clouds. Some stumble through negligence into capital crime. Raise the thresholds: death for a chief clerk at ten bolts and a regular clerk at fifty; at forty bolts commute to military service. For magistrates and above, who enjoy honored stipends, stealing even five bolts already merits no mercy—when a gentleman sinks so low, what room remains for pity? Such men of standing may be executed but should not be merely censured; this ought to be reported upward and left to the emperor's judgment. Emperor Wen adopted Hong's recommendation. Hong also memorialized: "Under the old rule, thirteen-year-olds served half labor and sixteen-year-olds full labor. The realm is at peace on every side; we should allow some easing. Let fifteen and sixteen count as half laborers, and seventeen as full." The court agreed. When his younger brother Tanshou died, Emperor Wen mourned without cease; meeting Hong he wept aloud, but Hong only composed his face. Soon the Prince of Pengcheng Yikang said to the emperor: "Tanshou was treasure to the clan and a pillar of the state—why does Hong's grief seem so slight?" The emperor replied: "A worthy man's heart cannot be fathomed." Such was the trust the throne placed in him.
8
九年進位太保，領中書監，餘如故。 其年薨。 贈太保、中書監，給節，加羽葆、鼓吹，增班劍為六十人。 諡曰文昭公，配食武帝廟庭。
In the ninth year he was promoted to Grand Mentor and Director of the Secretariat; his other offices were unchanged. He died the same year. Posthumously he received the titles Grand Mentor and Director of the Secretariat, the staff of office, feather canopy and martial music, and an escort of sixty sword-bearers. He was posthumously titled Duke Wen of Zhaogong and granted a place in Emperor Wu's temple.
9
弘既人望所宗，造次必存禮法。 凡動止施為及書翰儀體，後人皆依放之，謂為王太保家法。 雖曆藩輔，而不營財利，薨亡之後，家無餘業。 而輕率少威儀。 客有疑其諱者，弘曰：「家諱與蘇子高同。」 性褊隘，人有忤意，輒加詈辱。 少嘗摴蒱公城子野舍，及後當權，有人就弘求縣。 此人嘗以蒱戲得罪，弘詰之曰：「君得錢會戲，何用祿為。」 答曰：「不審公城子野何所在。」 弘默然。 自領選及當朝總錄，將加榮爵於人者，每先呵責譴辱之，然後施行； 若美相盼接語欣歡者，必無所諧。 人問其故，答曰：「王爵既加於人，又相撫勞，便成與主分功，此所謂奸以事君者也。 若求者絕官敘之分，既無以為惠，又不微借顏色，即大成怨府，亦鄙薄所不任。」 問者悅伏。 子錫嗣。
Hong was a man the realm looked up to; even in haste he never abandoned ritual propriety. His conduct, his letters, his ceremonial forms—later generations all took them as models, calling them the household law of Grand Mentor Wang. Though he long held high provincial and court posts, he never chased profit; when he died the household held nothing extra. Yet he could be flippant and lacked gravitas. When a guest questioned his taboo name, Hong said: "Our family taboo matches that of Su Zigao." He was touchy by nature; anyone who offended him was met with abuse. As a youth he had once gambled at pitch-pot in Gong Chengye's house; when he later held power, a man came seeking a county appointment. The man had once been punished for gambling; Hong demanded: "You can win at games—why do you need an official salary?" The man replied: "I wonder where Gong Chengye is nowadays." Hong said nothing. From his tenure in appointments through his years at the head of court records, whenever he was to grant rank or honor he first scolded and humiliated the recipient, then bestowed the favor; those who met him with pleasant words and smiling faces invariably went away empty-handed. Asked why, he answered: "Grant a man noble rank and then soothe him with kind words, and you have shared the sovereign's merit with him—that is what people call serving the throne by guile. If the petitioner expects rank, you cannot truly favor him; yet refuse even a civil word and you breed lasting resentment—behavior too coarse for a gentleman to bear." His interlocutor was convinced. His son Xi succeeded him.
10
子錫
Son Xi
11
錫字寡光，位太子左衛率、江夏內史，高自位遇。 太尉江夏王義恭當朝，錫箕踞大坐，殆無推敬。 卒，子僧亮嗣，齊受禪，降爵為侯。 僧亮弟僧衍，位侍中。 弘少子僧達。
Xi, courtesy name Guanguang, served as Left Commandant of the Heir Apparent's Guard and Interior Minister of Jiangxia; he carried himself as though his station were above others. When the Prince of Jiangxia Yigong, as Grand Commandant, presided at court, Xi sprawled in his seat with barely a show of respect. At his death his son Sengliang succeeded; when Qi took the throne the family rank was reduced to marquis. Sengliang's younger brother Sengyan served as Palace Attendant. Hong's youngest son Sengda.
12
少子僧達
Youngest son Sengda
13
僧達幼聰敏，弘為揚州時，僧達六七歲，遇有通訟者，竊覽其辭，謂為有理。 及大訟者亦進，弘意其小，留左右，僧達為申理，闇誦不失一句。 兄錫質訥乏風采。 文帝聞僧達早慧，召見德陽殿，應對閑敏，上甚知之，妻以臨川王義慶女。
Sengda was precocious; when Hong was Inspector of Yang Province and Sengda was six or seven, a litigant arrived and the boy secretly read the petition and declared it just. When the principal litigant entered, Hong kept the boy nearby thinking him too young; Sengda pleaded the case for him, reciting every line from memory without error. His elder brother Xi was dull of speech and without presence. Emperor Wen heard of Sengda's early brilliance and summoned him to Deyang Hall; his answers were fluent and apt, and the emperor took great notice of him and married him to a daughter of the Prince of Linchuan Yiqing.
14
少好學，善屬文，為太子舍人。 坐屬疾而於揚列橋觀鬥鴨，為有司所糾，原不問。 性好鷹犬，與閭里少年相馳逐，又躬自屠牛。 義慶聞之，令周旋沙門慧觀造而觀之，僧達陳書滿席，與論文義，慧觀酬答不暇，深相稱美。 訴家貧求郡，文帝欲以為秦郡。 吏部郎庾仲文曰：「王弘子既不宜作秦郡，僧達亦不堪蒞人。」 乃止。 遷太子洗馬，母憂去職。
He loved study from youth, wrote well, and became Attendant of the Heir Apparent. He claimed illness yet went to Yanglie Bridge to watch duck fights; the censors reported him, but he was pardoned. He loved hawking and hunting, raced with local youths, and even slaughtered cattle himself. Yiqing sent the monk Huiguan to observe him; Sengda's papers covered the mat, and in literary debate Huiguan could not keep up and praised him warmly. Pleading poverty, he asked for a prefecture; Emperor Wen meant to give him Qin commandery. Director of the Office of Personnel Yu Zhongwen said: "Wang Hong's son is no fit for Qin commandery, and Sengda cannot govern people either." The appointment was dropped. He was made Groom of the Heir Apparent, then left office to mourn his mother.
15
與兄錫不協。 錫罷臨海郡還，送故及奉祿百萬以上，僧達一夕令奴輦取無餘。 服闋，為宣城太守。 性好遊獵，而山郡無事，僧達肆意馳騁，或五日三日方歸，受辭辯訟，多在獵所。 人或逢，不識，問府君所在。 僧達且曰：「在近。」 其後徙義興。
He and his elder brother Xi did not get along. When Xi returned from Linhai with parting gifts and salary exceeding a million cash, Sengda had his servants haul it all away in a single night. After mourning he was appointed Administrator of Xuancheng. He loved hunting; in a quiet mountain prefecture he rode as he pleased, sometimes absent five days or three; lawsuits were often heard at the hunting grounds. Passersby who did not know him asked where the prefect was. Sengda would say: "Close at hand." He was later transferred to Yixing.
16
及元凶弑立，孝武發尋陽，沈慶之謂人曰：「王僧達必來赴義。」 人問其所以，慶之曰：「虜馬飲江，王出赴難，見其在先帝前，議論開張，執意明決，以此言之，其必至也。」 僧達尋至，孝武即以為長史。 及即位，為尚書右僕射。 僧達自負才地，一二年間便望宰相。 嘗答詔曰：「亡父亡祖，司徒司空。」 其自負若此。
When the crown prince regicide took the throne, Emperor Xiaowu marched from Xunyang; Shen Qingzhi told others: "Wang Sengda will surely join the loyal cause." Asked why, Qingzhi said: "When the enemy's horses reached the river, Wang stepped forward in the crisis; I saw him before the late emperor, speaking boldly with clear resolve—from that I know he will come." Sengda arrived soon after, and Xiaowu immediately made him chief clerk. When Xiaowu ascended the throne Sengda became Vice Director of the Right Masters of Writing. Confident in his talent and birth, within a year or two he expected the chancellorship. Replying once to an edict he wrote: "My late father and grandfather were Minister of Education and Minister of Works." So proud was he.
17
後為護軍將軍，不得志，乃求徐州，上不許。 固陳，乃以為吳郡太守。 時期歲五遷，彌不得意。 吳郭西台寺多富沙門，僧達求須不稱意，乃遣主簿顧曠率門義劫寺內沙門竺法瑤得數百萬。 荊、江反叛，加僧達置佐領兵。 台符聽置千人，而輒立三十隊，隊八十人。 立宅于吳，多役功力，坐免官。 後孝武獨召見，傲然了不陳遜，唯張目而視。 及出，帝歎曰：「王僧達非狂如何？ 乃戴面向天子。」 後顏師伯詣之，僧達慨然曰：「大丈夫甯當玉碎，安可以沒沒求活。」 師伯不答，逡巡便退。
Later, as General Who Protects the Army, he grew restless and asked for Xu Province; the emperor refused. He pressed his request and was given Wu commandery instead. By then he had been moved five times in a year and was more dissatisfied than ever. West of Wu city stood Xitai Temple, rich in monks; when Sengda's demands went unmet he sent his chief clerk Gu Kuang with gate retainers to plunder the monk Dharmayao and seized several million cash. During the rebellions in Jing and Jiang, Sengda was ordered to raise aides and lead troops. The court authorized a thousand men, but he immediately formed thirty companies of eighty each. He built a mansion in Wu with heavy forced labor and was dismissed from office. Later Xiaowu summoned him alone; he stood proud, offered no apology, and only stared back. As Sengda left, the emperor sighed: "If Wang Sengda is not mad, then what is he? He actually stared up at the Son of Heaven with insolent eyes." Later Yan Shibo called on him; Sengda declared: "A true man would rather be shattered jade than live on in obscurity." Shibo made no reply and withdrew uneasily.
18
先是，何尚之致仕，復膺朝命，於宅設八關齋，大集朝士，自行香，次至僧達曰：「願郎且放鷹犬，勿復遊獵。」 僧達答曰：「家養一老狗，放無處去，已復還。」 尚之失色。 大明中，以歸順功，封寧陵縣五等侯，累遷中書令。 黃門郎路瓊之，太后兄慶之孫也，宅與僧達門並。 嘗盛車服詣僧達，僧達將獵，已改服。 瓊之就坐，僧達了不與語，謂曰：「身昔門下騶人路慶之者，是君何親？」 遂焚瓊之所坐床。 太后怒，泣涕於帝曰：「我尚在而人陵之，我死後乞食矣。」 帝曰：「瓊之年少，無事詣王僧達門，見辱乃其宜耳。 僧達貴公子，豈可以此加罪乎？」 太后又謂帝曰：「我終不與王僧達俱生。」 先是，南彭城蕃縣人高闍、沙門釋曇標、道方等共相誑惑，自言有鬼神龍鳳之瑞，常聞簫鼓音，與秣陵人藍宏期等謀為亂，又結殿中將軍苗乞食等起兵攻宮門。 事發，凡党與死者數十人。 僧達屢經犯忤，上以為終無悛心，因高闍事陷之，收付廷尉，於獄賜死。 時年三十六。 帝亦以為恨，謂江夏王義恭曰：「王僧達遂不免死，追思太保餘烈，使人慨然。」 於是詔太保華容文昭公門爵國姻，一不貶絕。
Earlier He Shangzhi had retired but was recalled; at home he held an Eight Gates fast and gathered court gentlemen. Passing the censer to Sengda he said: "Pray leave off hawking and hunting." Sengda answered: "My household keeps an old dog; turn it loose and it has nowhere to go—it always returns." Shangzhi flushed. In the Daming era he was enfeoffed fifth-rank Marquis of Ningling for loyalty and rose to Director of the Secretariat. Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Lu Qiongzhi was grandson of the empress dowager's brother Qingzhi; his house faced Sengda's gate. Once Qiongzhi came in splendid carriage and dress; Sengda was setting out to hunt and had already changed clothes. Qiongzhi sat down; Sengda refused to speak with him and asked: "Lu Qingzhi, the runner who once served at my gate—what relation is he to you?" Then he burned the couch on which Qiongzhi had sat. The empress dowager wept to the emperor: "While I still live men insult me; when I am dead my kin will beg in the streets." The emperor said: "Qiongzhi is young and came uninvited to Wang Sengda's door; a rebuke was only fitting. Sengda is a nobleman's son—how can this be grounds for punishment?" The empress dowager told the emperor again: "I refuse to live in the same world as Wang Sengda." Earlier Gao Ge of Fan county in Nan Pengcheng, the monk Tanbiao, Daofang, and others had deluded the people with claims of dragon-and-phoenix omens and phantom music; with Lan Hongqi of Moling they plotted rebellion and joined Palace Guard Miao Qishi in an assault on the palace gates. When the plot was exposed, several dozen conspirators were executed. Sengda had repeatedly crossed the throne; believing he would never reform, the emperor used the Gao Ge case to entrap him, handed him to the Court of Justice, and had him executed in prison. He was thirty-six. The emperor himself felt regret and told the Prince of Jiangxia Yigong: "Wang Sengda could not be spared; thinking of Grand Mentor's legacy moves one to sigh." An edict then declared that the gate rank, fief, and marriage ties of Grand Mentor Duke Wen of Zhaogong of Huarong would not be diminished.
19
時有蘇寶者名寶生，本寒門，有文義之美，官至南台侍御史、江甯令，坐知高闍謀反，不即聞啟，亦伏誅。
At the time one Su Bao, born Baosheng, came from a humble family yet possessed literary grace; he rose to Attendant Censor of the Southern Office and Magistrate of Jiangning, but was executed for knowing of Gao Ge's rebellion and failing to report it promptly.
20
僧達子道琰，徙新安。 元徽中，為廬陵內史，未至郡，卒。
Sengda's son Daoyan was exiled to Xin'an. In the Yuanhui era he was appointed Interior Minister of Luling but died before reaching his post.
21
僧達孫融
Sengda's grandson Rong
22
融字元長，少而神明警慧。 母臨川太守謝惠宣女，性敦敏，教融書學。 博涉有文才，從叔儉謂人曰：「此兒至四十，名位自然及祖。」 舉秀才，累遷太子舍人。 以父宦不通，弱年便欲紹興家業，啟齊武帝求自試，遷秘書丞。 從叔儉初有儀同之授，贈儉詩及書，儉甚奇之，笑謂人曰：「穰侯印詎便可解。」 曆丹陽丞，中書郎。
Rong, courtesy name Yuanchang, was bright and precocious from childhood. His mother was a daughter of Xie Huixuan, Administrator of Linchuan; earnest and quick herself, she taught Rong reading and scholarship. Well read and gifted in letters, his father's younger cousin Jian told others: "At forty this boy will naturally match his grandfather in rank and fame." Recommended as Presented Scholar, he rose to Attendant of the Heir Apparent. His father's career had stalled; while still young Rong sought to revive the family fortunes, petitioned Emperor Wu of Qi for a trial appointment, and was made Secretary. When his cousin Jian first received appointment as Equal to the Three Excellencies, Rong sent him a poem and letter; Jian was astonished and smiled: "So the seal of Ranghou can be handed over already?" He served as Assistant Magistrate of Danyang and Gentleman of the Secretariat.
23
永明末，武帝欲北侵，使毛惠秀畫漢武北伐圖，融因此上疏，開張北侵之議。 圖成，上置琅邪城射堂壁上，遊幸輒觀焉。 九年，芳林園禊宴，使融為曲水詩序，當時稱之。 上以融才辯，使兼主客，接魏使房景高、宋弁。 弁見融年少，問：「主客年幾？」 融曰：「五十之年，久踰其半。」 景高又云：「在北聞主客曲水詩序勝延年，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，用見齊主之盛。」 融曰：「皇家盛明，豈直比蹤漢武，更慚鄙制，無以遠匹相如。」 上以魏所送馬不稱，使融問之曰：「秦西冀北，實多駿驥，而魏之良馬，乃駑不若，將旦旦信誓，有時而爽，駉駉之牧，遂不能嗣？」 宋弁曰：「當是不習地土。」 融曰：「周穆馬跡遍於天下，若騏騮之性，因地而遷，則造父之策，有時而躓。」 弁曰：「王主客何為勤勤於千里？」 融曰：「卿國既異其優劣，聊復相訪，若千里斯至，聖上當駕鼓車。」 弁曰：「向意既須，必不能駕鼓車也。」 融曰：「買死馬之骨，亦以郭隗之故。」 弁不能答。
At the end of Yongming, when Emperor Wu planned a northern campaign and had Mao Huixiu paint Han Wudi's northern expedition, Rong submitted a memorial urging invasion. When the painting was finished the emperor hung it in the archery hall at Langya city and viewed it on every visit. In the ninth year, at the Fanglin Garden spring purification, he had Rong write the preface to the winding-water poems; contemporaries praised it. The emperor, noting Rong's eloquence, also made him Chief of Guests to receive the Wei envoys Fang Jinggao and Song Bian. Bian saw that Rong was young and asked: "How old is the Chief of Guests?" Rong replied: "Fifty years—well past the halfway mark." Jinggao added: "In the north I heard your winding-water preface surpasses Yannian's—I long to see it." Rong showed it to them. Later at Yaochi Hall Song Bian told Rong: "Reading Sima Xiangru's feng-shan text revealed Han Wudi's virtue; reading Master Wang's preface reveals our lord's splendor." Rong replied: "Our dynasty's brilliance far exceeds Han Wudi's; my humble piece cannot compare with Xiangru." Because the horses Wei sent were poor, the emperor had Rong ask: "Qin west and Ji north abound in fine steeds, yet Wei's gifts are nags—has sworn faith broken, and the pastures failed?" Song Bian said: "Perhaps they are unused to the soil here." Rong said: "King Mu's horses ranged the world; if fine breeds change with soil, then Zaofu's art would sometimes fail." Bian asked: "Why is the Chief of Guests so eager for horses from a thousand li away?" Rong said: "Since your state disputes their quality, I ask again—if they truly come from afar, our emperor will drive the drum carriage to meet them." Bian said: "If you truly need them, you surely will not send the drum carriage." Rong said: "Even buying dead horses' bones honors Guo Kui's memory." Bian had no reply.
24
融躁于名利，自恃人地，三十內望為公輔。 初為司徒法曹，詣王僧佑，因遇沈昭略，未相識。 昭略屢顧盼，謂主人曰：「是何年少？」 融殊不平，謂曰：「僕出於扶桑，入于湯穀，照耀天下，誰雲不知，而卿此問？」 昭略云：「不知許事，且食蛤蜊。」 融曰：「物以群分，方以類聚，君長東隅，居然應嗜此族。」 其高自標置如此。
Rong hungered for fame and office; trusting in birth and rank, before thirty he expected the highest posts. Early in his career, as Law Clerk of the Minister of Education, he called on Wang Sengyou and met Shen Zhaolüe, a stranger to him. Zhaolüe glanced back again and again and asked the host: "Who is this young man?" Rong was furious: "I rise from Fusang and set in Tanggu, shining over the world—who does not know me, that you should ask?" Zhaolüe said: "I know nothing of that—let us eat clams instead." Rong retorted: "Things flock by kind and regions by class—you rule the eastern corner and naturally favor this tribe." Such was his towering self-regard.
25
及為中書郎，嘗撫案歎曰：「為爾寂寂，鄧禹笑人。」 行遇朱雀桁開，路人填塞，乃捶車壁曰：「車中乃可無七尺，車前豈可乏八騶。」
As Gentleman of the Secretariat he once struck the desk and sighed: "In this obscurity even Deng Yu would laugh at me. When the Vermilion Bird Bridge opened and the road jammed with people, he hammered the carriage wall and cried: "A carriage should hold a seven-foot man; before it there must be no lack of eight outrunners."
26
及魏軍動，竟陵王子良于東府募人，板融甯朔將軍、軍主。 融文辭捷速，有所造作，援筆可待，子良特相友好。 晚節大習騎馬，招集江西傖楚數百人，並有幹用，融特為謀主。 武帝病篤暫絕，子良在殿內，太孫未入，融戎服絳衫，於中書省合口斷東宮仗不得進，欲矯詔立子良。 詔草已立，上重蘇，朝事委西昌侯鸞。 梁武謂範雲曰：「左手據天下圖，右手刎其喉，愚夫不為。 主上大漸，國家自有故事，道路籍籍，將有非常之舉，卿聞之乎？」 雲不敢答。 俄而帝崩，融乃處分以子良兵禁諸門，西昌侯聞，急馳到雲龍門，不得進，乃曰：「有敕召我。」 仍排而入，奉太孫登殿，命左右扶出子良，指麾音響如鍾，殿內無不從命。 融知不遂，乃釋服還省，歎曰：「公誤我。」
When Wei armies mobilized, the Prince of Jingling Ziliang recruited at the Eastern Mansion and appointed Rong General Who Pacifies the North and Army Commander. Rong wrote with swift grace; whatever he undertook he finished at a stroke; Ziliang favored him especially. In his later years he took hard to horsemanship, gathered several hundred tough men from west of the river and Chu, all useful fighters, and made himself their chief strategist. When Emperor Wu lay gravely ill and briefly lost consciousness, Ziliang remained in the palace while the heir had not entered; Rong in martial dress and scarlet shirt blocked the Eastern Palace guard at the Secretariat gate, intending to forge an edict and install Ziliang. The draft edict was already written; the emperor rallied and entrusted affairs to the Marquis of Xichang Luan. Emperor Wu of Liang told Fan Yun: "Left hand on the empire's map, right hand at its throat—no fool would do that. The emperor is failing; the state has its own precedents; the roads buzz with talk of something extraordinary—have you heard?" Yun dared not answer. Soon the emperor died; Rong deployed Ziliang's troops to seal the gates; the Marquis of Xichang galloped to Cloud Dragon Gate but could not enter and cried: "An edict summons me." He forced his way in, escorted the heir to the throne, ordered attendants to lead Ziliang out; his commands rang like a bell and none in the hall disobeyed. Knowing he had failed, Rong changed out of martial dress, returned to his office, and sighed: "The duke misled me."
27
郁林深怨融，即位十餘日，收下廷尉獄。 使中丞孔珪倚為奏曰：「融姿性剛險，立身浮競，動跡驚群，抗言異類。 近塞外微塵，苦求將領，遂招納不逞，扇誘荒傖。 狡弄威聲，專行權利，反復唇齒之間，傾動頰舌之內，威福自己，無所忌憚，誹謗朝政，曆毀王公。 謂己才流，無所推下，事暴遠近，使融依源據答。」 融辭曰：「囚實頑蔽，觸行多愆。 但夙忝門素，得奉教君子。 爰自總發，迄將立年，州閭鄉党，見許愚慎。 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，安陸王曲垂盼接，前後陳伐虜之計，亦仰簡先朝。 今段犬羊乍擾，令囚草撰符詔。 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。 且張弄威聲，應有形跡。 專行權利，又無贓賄。 反復唇齒之間，未審悉與誰言？ 傾動頰舌之內，不容都無主此。 自上甘露頌及銀甕啟、三日詩序、接虜使語辭，竭思稱揚，得非誹謗。 囚才分本劣，謬被策用，悚怍之情，夙宵兢惕，自循自省，並愧流言。 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。」 融被收，朋友部曲，參問北寺，相繼於道； 請救於子良，子良不敢救； 西昌侯固爭不得。 詔于獄賜死，時年二十七。 臨死歎曰：「我若不為百歲老母，當吐一言。」 融意欲指斥帝在東宮時過失也。 先是，太學生會稽魏准，以才學為融所賞，既欲奉子良，而准鼓成其事。 太學生虞羲、丘國賓竊相謂曰：「竟陵才弱，王中書無斷，敗在眼中矣。」 及融誅，召准入舍人省詰問，遂懼而死，舉體皆青，時人以准膽破。 融文集行于時。
Emperor Yulin deeply hated Rong; within ten days of enthronement he seized him and cast him into the Court of Justice. He had Censor Kong Gui draft the impeachment: "Rong's nature is harsh and treacherous, his conduct restless and ambitious; his deeds startle the crowd and his words defy convention. Lately, with dust on the frontier, he bitterly sought command and recruited unruly men, stirring up wild northerners. He played at intimidation, grasped power for himself, whispered and shouted as he pleased, feared nothing, slandered the court, and repeatedly defamed princes and nobles. He claimed no man matched his talent and birth; the charges were known far and wide; let Rong answer point by point." Rong replied: "The prisoner is indeed dull and erring; his conduct has many faults. Yet from youth I have borne my family's name and received instruction from gentlemen. From boyhood until nearly adulthood, neighbors in district and village called me prudent. I enjoyed the late Grand Emperor's nurturing favor and the late Literary Emperor's recognition; the Minister of Education admitted me to the literati, the Prince of Anlu favored me; my plans against the northern foe were also approved by the former court. When the northern barbarians suddenly stirred, I was ordered to draft edicts and warrants. The Minister of Education again proclaimed recruitment; others did the same—it was not because the war was minor that I refused. I received a military title and orders to gather troops; I carried out the command—I did not stir empty alarm. As for playing at intimidation, there should be visible evidence. Grasping power for profit—again, there is no bribe. Whispering between lips and teeth—with whom was all this spoken? Shouting within cheek and tongue—surely someone must have presided over it? From the Sweet Dew hymn to the silver-jar memorial, the three-day poem preface, and my words with barbarian envoys—I exhausted myself in praise; how is that slander? My talent is by nature modest; wrongly placed in office, I tremble day and night; examining myself, I am ashamed before gossip. I bow before the bright emperor whose grace covers the realm; the Wuyin amnesty spares light and heavy alike, and within the hundred-day grace I had barely ten days—a lone guilty man alone bears punishment." When Rong was seized, friends and retainers lined the road to North Temple to inquire after him; they begged Ziliang to save him, but Ziliang dared not; the Marquis of Xichang argued fiercely but could not prevail. An edict ordered death in prison; he was twenty-seven. Facing death he sighed: "Were it not for my aged mother, I would speak one word. Rong meant to expose the emperor's misconduct from his days as heir. Earlier Wei Zhun of Kuaiji, a Grand Academy student admired by Rong for talent, wished to support Ziliang and pressed the plot forward. Grand Academy students Yu Xi and Qiu Guobin whispered: "Jingling's talent is weak and Wang the Secretariat Director lacks resolve—defeat is plain to see." When Rong was executed, Zhun was summoned to the Attendants' Office for questioning; terror killed him—his whole body turned blue—and men said his gall had burst. Rong's collected writings circulated in his day.
28
弟孺子微
Younger brother Ruzi Wei
29
微字景玄，弘弟光祿大夫孺之子也。 少好學，善屬文，工書，兼解音律及醫方卜筮陰陽數術之事。 宋文帝賜以名蓍。 初為始興王友，父憂去職。 微素無宦情，服闋，除南平王鑠右軍諮議參軍，仍為中書侍郎。 時兄遠免官歷年，微歎曰：「我兄無事而屏廢，我何得而叼忝踰分？」 文帝即以遠為光祿勳。
Wei, courtesy name Jingxuan, was son of Hong's younger brother Ru, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. From youth he loved learning, wrote well, practiced calligraphy, and also mastered music, medicine, divination, and the yin-yang arts. Emperor Wen of Song gave him a set of famed yarrow stalks for divination. He first served as Friend to the Prince of Shixing, then left office to mourn his father. Wei had never sought office; after mourning he was made Adviser to the Right Army of the Prince of Nanping Shuo, then Gentleman of the Secretariat. His elder brother Yuan had been idle without cause for years; Wei sighed: "My brother sits dismissed without fault—how can I presumptuously hold higher rank?" Emperor Wen at once restored Yuan as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
30
微為文好古，言頗抑揚，袁淑見之，謂為訴屈。 吏部尚書江湛舉微為吏部郎，微確乎不拔。 時論者或云微之見舉，廬江何偃亦參其議。 偃慮為微所咎，與之書自陳。 微報書深言塵外之適。 其從弟僧綽宣文帝旨使就職，因留之宿。 微妙解天文，知當有大故，獨與僧綽仰視，謂曰：「此上不欺人，非智者其孰能免之。」 遂辭不就。 尋有元凶之變。
Wei's prose favored antique style with measured cadence; Yuan Shu read it and called it a plea against injustice. Director of the Office of Personnel Jiang Zhan recommended Wei for that same post; Wei steadfastly refused. Some said that when Wei was recommended, He Yan of Lujiang had also joined the deliberation. Yan feared Wei would resent him and wrote to explain himself. Wei replied at length on the joys of life beyond office. His cousin Sengchuo brought Emperor Wen's order that he take office and kept him overnight. Wei understood astronomy and knew calamity was near; alone with Sengchuo he looked skyward and said: "Heaven does not deceive—who but the wise can escape what comes?" He declined and would not take the post. Soon came the crown prince regicide's coup.
31
微常住門屋一間，尋書玩古，遂足不履地。 終日端坐，床席皆生塵埃，唯當坐處獨淨。 弟僧謙亦有才譽，為太子舍人，遇疾，微躬自處療，而僧謙服藥失度，遂卒。 深自咎恨，發病不復自療，哀痛僧謙不能已，以書告靈。 僧謙卒後四旬而微終，遺令薄葬，不設車需旐鼓挽之屬，施五尺床為靈，二宿便毀，以常所彈琴置床上，何長史偃來，以琴與之。 無子，家人遵之。 所著文集傳於世。 贈秘書監。
Wei lived in a single gate-room, reading antiquity; he scarcely set foot outside. He sat upright all day; bed and mat gathered dust—only his seat stayed clean. His younger brother Sengqian, also talented, served as Attendant of the Heir Apparent; when Sengqian fell ill Wei treated him himself, but Sengqian overdosed on medicine and died. Blaming himself deeply, he fell ill and ceased treating himself; unable to end his grief for Sengqian, he wrote to his spirit. Forty days after Sengqian's death Wei died; he ordered a plain burial without mourning pomp; a five-foot bed served as the spirit seat and was destroyed after two nights; his zither was placed upon it and given to Chief Clerk He Yan when he came. He had no sons; the household obeyed his wishes. His collected writings passed down in the world. Posthumously he was made Director of the Secretariat.
32
微兄遠
Wei's elder brother Yuan
33
微兄遠字景舒，位光祿勳。 時人謂遠如屏風，屈曲從俗，能蔽風露。 言能不乖物理也。
Wei's elder brother Yuan, courtesy name Jingshu, served as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Contemporaries said Yuan was like a folding screen—bending with custom, shielding against wind and dew. The saying meant he never fought the way things are.
34
遠子僧佑字胤宗，幼聰悟，叔父微撫其首曰：「兒神明意用，當不作率爾人。」 雅為從兄儉所重，每鳴笳列騶到其門候之，僧佑輒稱疾不前。 儉曰：「此吾之所望於若人也。」 世皆推儉之愛名德，而重僧佑之不趨勢也。
Yuan's son Sengyou, courtesy name Yinzong, was clever as a child; his uncle Wei stroked his head and said: "This boy's mind is bright—he will not be a careless man." His cousin Jian prized him and often came to his gate with horn and outrunners; Sengyou always pleaded illness and stayed home. Jian said: "That is exactly what I hoped of you." The world praised Jian for loving worth and Sengyou for refusing to chase power.
35
未弱冠，頻經憂，居喪至孝。 服闋，發落略盡，殆不立冠帽。 舉秀才，為驃騎法曹，羸瘠不堪受命。
Before coming of age he endured repeated bereavements and mourned with supreme filiality. When mourning ended his hair had nearly all fallen out; he could scarcely wear cap or hat. Recommended as Presented Scholar, he was made Law Clerk to the Cavalry General but was too frail to serve.
36
雅好博古，善老、莊，不尚繁華。 工草隸，善鼓琴，亭然獨立，不交當世。 沛國劉瓛聞風而悅，上書薦之。 為著作佐郎，遷司空祭酒，謝病不與公卿遊。 齊高帝謂王儉曰：「卿從可謂朝隱。」 答曰：「臣從非敢妄同高人，直是愛閑多病耳。」 經贈儉詩云：「汝家在市門，我家在南郭； 汝家饒賓侶，我家多鳥雀。」 儉時聲高一代，賓客填門，僧佑不為之屈，時人嘉之。
He loved antiquity, favored Laozi and Zhuangzi, and scorned extravagance. Skilled in cursive and clerical script and in the zither, he stood apart and kept aloof from the world. Liu Huan of Pei, hearing his reputation, was delighted and memorialized recommending him. He became Assistant Editor, then Libationer of the Minister of Works; pleading illness, he avoided the company of high officials. Emperor Gao of Qi told Wang Jian: "Your cousin is a recluse at court." Jian answered: "My cousin does not pretend to lofty reclusion—he simply loves leisure and is often ill." Once he wrote Jian: "Your house stands at the market gate, mine south of the wall; yours abounds in guests, mine in birds and sparrows." Jian's fame then filled the age and guests thronged his gate; Sengyou would not bend to it, and men praised him.
37
稍遷晉安王文學，而陳郡袁利為友，時人以為妙選。 齊武帝數閱武，僧佑獻講武賦，王儉借觀不與。 竟陵王子良聞其工琴，於座取琴進之，不從命。 永明末，為太子中舍人，在直屬疾，不待對人輒去。 中丞沈約彈之云：「肆情運氣，不顧朝典，揚眉闊步，直轡高驅。」 坐贖論。 時何點、王思遠之徒請交，並不降意。 自天子至於侯伯，未嘗與一人遊。 卒于黃門郎。 子籍。
He rose to Literary Companion to the Prince of Jin'an; Yuan Li of Chen was his Friend—a pairing men called inspired. Emperor Wu of Qi often reviewed troops; Sengyou submitted a Discourse on Martial Review; Wang Jian asked to read it but he refused. The Prince of Jingling Ziliang, hearing of his zither, offered one at a gathering; Sengyou refused. At the end of Yongming he was Attendant of the Heir Apparent; on duty he took ill and left without awaiting audience. Censor Shen Yue impeached him: "He indulges his mood heedless of court law—brows raised, stride wide, reins taut, carriage high." He was fined in lieu of punishment. He Dian, Wang Siyuan, and others sought his friendship; he would not condescend. From the Son of Heaven to marquises and earls, he kept company with no one. He died while serving as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Son Ji.
38
籍字文海，仕齊為余杭令，政化如神，善於擿伏，自下莫能欺也。 性頗不儉，俄然為百姓所訟。 又為錢唐縣，下車布政，咸謂數十年來未之有也。
Ji, courtesy name Wenhai, served Qi as Magistrate of Yuhang; his rule seemed almost supernatural, and he exposed hidden crimes so that none below could deceive him. He was not frugal by nature; soon the people brought suit against him. As Magistrate of Qiantang, from his first day in office his governance was called unmatched in decades.
39
籍好學，有才氣，為詩慕謝靈運。 至其合也，殆無愧色。 時人咸謂康樂之有王籍，如仲尼之有丘明，老聃之有嚴周。 梁天監中，為輕車湘東王諮議參軍，隨府會稽郡。 至若邪溪賦詩云：「蟬噪林逾靜，鳥鳴山更幽。」 劉孺見之，擊節不能已已。 以公事免。
Ji loved learning and had literary talent; in poetry he modeled himself on Xie Lingyun. When he matched Lingyun's level, he scarcely blushed. Men of the time said that for Kangle's poetry there was Wang Ji, as Confucius had Qiu Ming and Laozi had Yan Zhou. In Liang's Tianjian era he was Adviser to the Prince of Xiangdong and followed the establishment to Kuaiji. At Ruoye Stream he wrote: "Cicadas cry—the grove grows stiller; birds sing—the mountain grows deeper." Liu Ru saw it and beat time in endless admiration. He was dismissed over an official matter.
40
及為中散大夫，彌忽忽不樂，乃至徒行市道，不擇交遊。 有時塗中見相識，輒以笠傘覆面。 後為作唐侯相，小邑寡事，彌不樂，不理縣事。 人有訟者，鞭而遣之。 未幾而卒。 籍又甚工草書，筆勢遒放，蓋孔琳之流亞也。 湘東王集其文為十卷云。 瞻字思範，弘從孫也。 祖柳字休季，位光祿大夫、東亭侯。 父猷字世倫，位侍中、光祿大夫。 瞻年六歲從師，時有伎經門過，同業皆出觀，瞻獨不視，習業如初。 從父僧達聞而異之，謂其父猷曰：「大宗不衰，寄之此子。」 年十二居父憂，以孝聞。 服闋，襲封東亭侯。 後頗好逸遊，為閭里患，以輕薄稱。 及長，折節修士操，涉獵書記，善碁工射。
As Grand Master of the Palace he grew restless and unhappy, even walking the streets on foot without choosing his company. Sometimes on the road he saw an acquaintance and hid his face beneath hat and umbrella. Later he became Marquis of Zuotang; the tiny fief had little to do and he was unhappier still, ignoring county affairs. When litigants came he whipped them and sent them away. He died soon after. Ji was also masterful at cursive script; his brush was forceful and free, nearly of Kong Lin's school. The Prince of Xiangdong collected his writings in ten scrolls. Zhan, courtesy name Sifan, was Hong's grand-nephew. His grandfather Liu, courtesy name Xiuji, served as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Marquis of Dongting. His father You, courtesy name Shilun, served as Palace Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. At six he followed a teacher; when acrobats passed the gate his classmates all ran out to watch, but Zhan alone kept studying. His uncle Sengda heard and marveled; he told Zhan's father You: "The great lineage will not fail—hope rests in this boy." At twelve he mourned his father and won fame for filial piety. After mourning he inherited the marquisate of Dongting. Later he took to idle roaming and became a neighborhood nuisance, known for frivolity. When grown he checked himself and cultivated a gentleman's conduct, read widely, and excelled at chess and archery.
41
歷位驃騎將軍王晏長史。 晏誅，出為晉陵太守。 潔己為政，妻子不免饑寒，時號廉平。 王敬則作亂，瞻赴都，敬則經晉陵郡，人多附之。 敬則敗，台軍討賊黨，瞻言愚人易動，不足窮法。 齊明帝從之。 所全萬數。 遷御史中丞。
He served in succession as chief clerk to the Cavalry General Wang Yan. When Yan was executed he was sent out as Administrator of Jinling. He governed cleanly; wife and children still knew hunger and cold; men called him incorrupt and fair. When Wang Jingze rebelled, Zhan went to the capital; Jingze passed through Jinling and many people joined him. When Jingze was defeated, court troops punished the rebels; Zhan argued that fools are easily swayed and need not be pursued to the full penalty. Emperor Ming of Qi agreed. Those he spared numbered in the tens of thousands. He was transferred to Imperial Censor.
42
梁台建，為侍中、吏部尚書。 性率亮，居選部，所舉多行其意。 頗嗜酒，每飲或彌日，而精神朗贍，不廢簿領。 梁武每稱瞻有三術：射、棋、酒也。 卒，諡康侯。 子長玄早卒。
When the Liang regime was founded he became Palace Attendant and Director of the Office of Personnel. Frank and open by nature, in the Selection Office he mostly promoted men as he saw fit. He loved wine; a bout might last all day, yet his mind stayed clear and he never neglected paperwork. Emperor Wu of Liang often said Zhan had three arts: archery, chess, and wine. At his death he was posthumously titled Marquis Kang. His son Changxuan died young.
43
弘四弟：虞、柳、孺、曇首。 虞字休仲，位廷尉卿。 虞子深字景度，有美名，位新安太守。 柳、孺事列於前，曇首別卷。
Hong had four younger brothers: Yu, Liu, Ru, and Tanshou. Yu, courtesy name Xiuzhong, served as Director of the Court of Justice. Yu's son Shen, courtesy name Jingdu, enjoyed a fine reputation and served as Administrator of Xin'an. Liu and Ru are treated earlier; Tanshou has a separate scroll.
44
玄孫沖
Great-grandson Chong
45
沖字長深，弘玄孫也。 祖僧衍，位侍中。 父茂璋字胤光，仕梁位給事黃門侍郎。 沖母，梁武帝妹新安公主，卒于齊世。 武帝深鍾愛沖，賜爵東安亭侯。 累遷侍中，南郡太守。 習于法令，政號平理，雖無赫赫之譽，久而見思。 曉音樂，習歌舞，善與人交，貴遊之中，聲名籍甚。
Chong, courtesy name Changshen, was Hong's great-grandson. His grandfather Sengyan served as Palace Attendant. His father Maozhang, courtesy name Yinguang, served Liang as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Chong's mother was Princess Xin'an, Emperor Wu of Liang's sister; she had died in the Qi era. Emperor Wu cherished Chong deeply and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Dong'an Pavilion. He rose in succession to Palace Attendant and Administrator of Nan commandery. Skilled in law, he governed fairly; though he won no loud fame, men remembered him in time. He knew music, song, and dance, and made friends easily; among the gilded youth his fame was great.
46
侯景之亂，元帝承制，沖求解南郡讓王僧辯，並獻女伎十人，以助軍賞。 侯景平，授丹陽尹。 魏平江陵，敬帝為太宰承制，以沖為左長史。 紹泰中，累遷左光祿大夫、尚書左僕射、開府儀同三司，給扶。
In Hou Jing's rebellion, Emperor Yuan provisionally had Chong surrender Nan commandery to Wang Sengbian and offer ten female performers as military reward. When Hou Jing was suppressed he was appointed Intendant of Danyang. When Wei took Jiangling, Emperor Jing as Grand Preceptor provisionally made Chong Left Chief Clerk. In the Shaotai era he rose to Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Vice Director of the Left Masters of Writing, and Grand Preceptor Equal to the Three Excellencies with a support staff.
47
沖有子三十人，並致通官； 第十二子瑒。
Chong had thirty sons, all of whom reached prominent office; the twelfth son Yang.
48
沖第十二子瑒
Chong's twelfth son Yang
49
宣帝即位，曆中書令，吏部尚書。 瑒性寬和，務清靜，無所抑揚。 遷尚書左僕射，加侍中，參選事。
When Emperor Xuan took the throne Yang served in succession as Director of the Secretariat and Director of the Office of Personnel. Yang was mild and harmonious, seeking clarity and quiet, pressing nothing up or down. He became Vice Director of the Left Masters of Writing and Palace Attendant, sharing in appointments.
50
瑒居家篤睦，每歲時饋遺，遍及近親。 敦誘諸弟，稟其規訓。 卒，贈特進，諡曰光子。
At home Yang was deeply harmonious; each season he sent gifts to all near kin. He earnestly taught his younger brothers, who followed his instruction. At his death he was posthumously made Special Grand Master with the title Duke Guangzi.
51
瑒弟瑜
Yang's younger brother Yu
52
論曰：語云：「不有君子，其能國乎？」。 晉自中原沸騰，介居江左，以一隅之地，抗衡上國，年移三百，蓋有憑焉。 其初諺云：「王與馬，共天下。」 蓋王氏人倫之盛，實始是矣。 及夫休元弟兄，並舉棟樑之任，下逮世嗣，無虧文雅之風。 其所以簪纓不替，豈徒然也。 僧達倡狂成性，元長躁競不止。
Commentary: The saying runs: "Without gentlemen, how can there be a state?" From the time Jin's heartland boiled and they held east of the river, one corner balancing the northern empire for three hundred years—they surely had something to lean on. An early proverb said: "The Wangs and the Mas share the realm." The Wang clan's eminence among men truly began here. When Xiuyuan and his brothers together bore the weight of state, down through later heirs the refined literary tradition did not fail. That their line held rank without break—was it mere chance? Sengda was wild arrogance incarnate; Yuanchang's restless ambition never ceased.