1
列傳第十四
Biographies 14
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王裕之王鎮之王韶之王悅之王准之
Wang Yuzhi, Wang Zhenzhi, Wang Shaozhi, Wang Yuezhi, and Wang Zhunzhi
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敬弘少有清尚，起家本國左常侍、衛軍參軍。 性恬靜，樂山水，求為天門太守。 及之郡，妻弟荊州刺史桓玄遣信要令過己，敬弘至巴陵，謂人曰：「靈寶正當欲見其姊，我不能為桓氏贅婿。」 乃遣別船送妻往江陵，彌年不迎。 山郡無事，恣其遊適，意甚好之。 後為南平太守，去官，居作唐縣界。 玄輔政及篡位，屢召不下。 宋武帝以為車騎從事中郎、徐州中從事史、征西將軍道規諮議參軍。 時府主簿宗協亦有高趣，道規並以事外相期。 嘗共酣飲，敬弘因醉失禮，為外司所白，道規即更引還，重申初燕。
From youth Jinghong held himself to pure and lofty standards. He began his career as left attendant-in-ordinary of his native principality and as an aide in the guard army. Quiet by nature, he loved mountains and rivers and asked to be made administrator of Tianmen commandery. Once he took up the post, his wife's brother Huan Xuan, inspector of Jingzhou, sent word asking him to call. Jinghong reached Baling and told those around him: "Lingbao only wants to see his sister. I will not be kept as a dependent son-in-law of the Huans. He put his wife on another boat bound for Jiangling and did not go to fetch her for an entire year. The mountain district had little official business, and he roamed as he pleased. He loved the life. He later served as administrator of Nanping, resigned, and lived on the edge of Zuotang county. When Huan Xuan held power and then seized the throne, he summoned Jinghong again and again, but Jinghong refused every call. Emperor Wu of Song made him attendant-in-ordinary on the staff of the chariots-and-cavalry office, central aide of Xuzhou, and advisory aide to General Who Conquers the West Daogui. Daogui's chief clerk Zong Xie shared his high-minded tastes, and the two men looked to Daogui for companionship beyond the duties of office. They once drank together until Jinghong, drunk, breached etiquette. An outside office reported him, but Daogui immediately had him brought back and held the first banquet again.
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永初中，累遷吏部尚書，敬弘每被召，即便祗奉，既到宜退，旋復解官。 武帝嘉其志，不苟違也。 除廬陵王師，加散騎常侍。 自陳無德，不可師範令王，固讓不拜。
In the early Yongchu period he rose repeatedly to director of the Ministry of Personnel. Each summons Jinghong accepted at once, but as soon as he took up the post he resigned again. The emperor admired his resolve and did not press him against his will. He was named tutor to the Prince of Luling and given the additional title of supernumerary regular attendant. He protested that he lacked the virtue to instruct a prince, refused firmly, and would not take the appointment.
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元嘉三年，為尚書僕射，關署文案，初不省讀。 嘗豫聽訟，上問疑獄，敬弘不對。 上變色問左右：「何故不以訊牒副僕射？」 敬弘曰：「臣乃得訊牒讀之，正自不解。」 上甚不悅。 雖加禮敬，亦不以時務及之。 六年，遷尚書令，固讓，表求還東。 上不能奪。 改授侍中、特進、左光祿大夫，給親信三十人。 及東歸，車駕幸冶亭餞送。
In Yuanjia year 3 he became vice director of the Masters of Writing. Papers passed through his office, but he never read them. Once, while sitting in on a trial, the emperor asked about a difficult case. Jinghong said nothing. The emperor's face darkened. He asked his attendants: "Why were the case files not given to the vice director? Jinghong said: "I did receive the files and read them. That is precisely why I know I cannot answer." The emperor was deeply displeased. Courtesy toward him increased, but he was never drawn into the business of government. In year 6 he was promoted to director of the Masters of Writing. He refused and petitioned to return east. The emperor could not make him stay. Instead he was made attendant-in-ordinary, special courtier, and left grand master of the bright hall, with thirty personal attendants. When he went home east, the emperor himself came to Ye Pavilion to see him off.
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十二年，徵為太子少傅，敬弘詣都上表固辭不拜，東歸，上時不豫，自力見焉。 十六年，以為左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，侍中如故。 又詣都表辭，竟不拜東歸。 二十三年，復申前命，復辭。 明年，薨于余杭之舍亭山，年八十八。 順帝升明三年，追諡文貞公。
In year 12 he was summoned to be junior tutor to the heir apparent. Jinghong went to court, petitioned to decline, and went home again. The emperor was ill at the time, and Jinghong forced himself to visit him. In year 16 he was named left grand master of the bright hall and grand master with golden tally equal in ceremony to the three excellencies, retaining his post as attendant-in-ordinary. He went to the capital once more, declined again in a memorial, and never took the appointment. In year 23 the same appointment was offered again. He refused once more. The following year he died at Sheting Mountain in Yuhang, aged eighty-eight. In Shengming year 3 under Emperor Shun he was posthumously enfeoffed as Duke Wen Zhen.
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敬弘形狀短而起坐端方，桓玄謂之「彈棋發八勢」。 所居舍亭山，林澗環周，備登臨之美，故時人謂之王東山。 文帝嘗問為政得失，對曰：「天下有道，庶人不議。」 上高其言。 左右嘗使二老婦女，戴五條辮，著青紋絝袼，飾以朱粉。 女適尚書僕射何尚之弟述之。 敬弘嘗往何氏看女，遇尚之不在，因寄齋中臥。 俄頃尚之還，敬弘使二婦女守合，不聽尚之入，云：「正熱不堪相見，君可且去」。 尚之於是移於他室。 上將為廬陵王納其女，辭曰：「臣女幼，既許孔淳之息。」 子恢之被召為秘書郎，敬弘為求奉朝請，與恢之書曰：「彼秘書有限故有競，朝請無限故無競，吾欲使汝處不競之地。」 文帝嘉之，並見許。
Jinghong was short in stature but sat and stood with perfect composure. Huan Xuan nicknamed him "the eight formations of flicking chess stones." His home at Sheting Mountain was ringed with forest and stream, ideal for climbing and looking out. People called him Wang of the Eastern Mountain. Emperor Wen once asked him about the strengths and failings of government. He answered: "When the realm is well governed, ordinary people have nothing to debate. The emperor admired the reply. His attendants once dressed two elderly women in five-strand braids, blue-patterned trousers and sleeves, and cinnabar makeup. His daughter married Shuzhi, younger brother of Vice Director He Shangzhi. Once, visiting his daughter at the He house, he found Shangzhi away and slept in the guest hall. Shangzhi soon returned. Jinghong had the two women block the door and would not let him in. "It's unbearably hot," he said. "You'd better leave for now." Shangzhi moved to another room. When the emperor wished to marry his daughter to the Prince of Luling, he declined: "My daughter is still young, and I have already promised her to Kong Chunzhi's son. When his son Huizhi was called up as secretary gentleman, Jinghong asked instead for the post of attendant at court audience and wrote to him: "The secretariat has limited seats, so men compete for them. Court audience has no limit, so there is no rivalry. I want you where no one has to fight." Emperor Wen approved, and both requests were granted.
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敬弘見兒孫，歲中不過一再相見，見輒克日。 未嘗教子孫學問，各隨所欲。 人或問之，答曰：「丹朱不應乏教，甯越不聞被捶。」 恢之位新安太守，嘗請假定省。 敬弘克日見之，至日輒不果。 假日將盡，恢之求辭，敬弘呼前至合，復不見。 恢之於合外拜辭流涕而去。
He saw his sons and grandsons at most once or twice a year, and even then only on a day he had set in advance. He never drilled his descendants in scholarship. Each was left to his own inclinations. Asked why, he said: "Danzhu cannot have lacked teachers, yet Ning Yue never needed the rod. Huizhi, then administrator of Xin'an, once asked leave to visit home. Jinghong named a day to receive him. When the day came, he still would not see him. As the leave was ending Huizhi came to bid farewell. Jinghong called him to the door and again refused to meet him. Huizhi bowed outside the door in tears and left.
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恢之弟瓚之，位吏部尚書、金紫光祿大夫，諡貞子。 瓚之弟升之，位都官尚書。 瓚之子秀之。
Huizhi's brother Zanzhi became director of the Ministry of Personnel and grand master of the bright hall with golden tassel. He was posthumously titled Zhenzi. Zanzhi's brother Shengzhi served as director of the Ministry of Punishments. His son was Xiuzhi.
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秀之字伯奮，幼時，祖父敬弘愛其風采。 仕宋為太子舍人。 父卒，廬於墓側，服闋，復職。 吏部尚書褚彥回欲與結婚，秀之不肯，以此頻為兩府外兵參軍。 後為晉平太守，期年求還，或問其故，答曰：「此郡沃壤，珍阜日至，人所昧者財，財生則禍逐，智者不昧財，亦不逐禍。 吾山資已足，豈可久留，以妨賢路。」 乃上表請代。 時人以為王晉平恐富求歸。
Xiuzhi, styled Bofen, was admired from boyhood by his grandfather Jinghong for his bearing. Under Song he served as attendant of the heir apparent. When his father died he lived in a hut by the tomb. After mourning he returned to office. Chu Yanhui, director of the Ministry of Personnel, wanted a marriage alliance, but Xiuzhi refused. For that he was repeatedly posted as external military aide in princely staffs. Later, as administrator of Jinping, he asked to leave after a year. Asked why, he said: "This is rich country. Treasures arrive every day. Men miss the point: wealth draws disaster after it. The wise neither chase wealth nor chase disaster. I have enough from my hills. How can I stay long and block better men from office? He then petitioned for a successor. People said Wang of Jinping fled office for fear of growing rich.
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秀之祖父敬弘性貞正，徐羨之、傅亮當朝，不與來往。 及致仕隱吳興，與秀之父瓚之書，深勖以靜退。 瓚之為五兵尚書，未嘗詣一朝貴。 江湛謂何偃曰：「王瓚之今便是朝隱。」 及柳元景、顏師伯貴要，瓚之竟不侯之。 至秀之為尚書，又不與王儉款接。 三世不事權貴，時人稱之。 轉侍中，領射聲校尉。
Xiuzhi's grandfather Jinghong was upright by nature and would not deal with Xu Xianzhi and Fu Liang when they dominated court. After retiring to Wuxing he wrote to Zanzhi urging him to keep to quiet withdrawal. Zanzhi, as director of the five armies, never paid a call on any court magnate. Jiang Zhan told He Yan: "Wang Zanzhi is a recluse who still holds office. When Liu Yuanjing and Yan Shibo rose to power, Zanzhi never courted them. When Xiuzhi became director of the Masters of Writing, he likewise kept his distance from Wang Jian. Three generations refused to serve the mighty. Their contemporaries praised them for it. He was transferred to attendant-in-ordinary and colonel of the archers who shoot at sound.
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出為隨王鎮西長史、南郡內史。 後為輔國將軍、吳興太守。 秀之先為諸王長史、行事，便歎曰：「仲祖之識，見於已多。」 便無復仕進，止營理舍亭山宅，有終焉之志。 及除吳興郡，隱業所在，心願為之。 到郡修舊山，移置輜重。 隆昌元年卒，遺令「朱服不得入棺，祭則酒脯而已。 世人以僕妾直靈助哭，當由喪主不能淳至，欲以多聲相亂。 魂而有靈，吾當笑之」。 諡曰簡子。
He left court as chief administrator on the staff of the Prince of Sui, general who pacifies the west, and internal administrator of Nan commandery. He later served as general who assists the state and administrator of Wuxing. Having already served as chief administrator and acting officer for princes, Xiuzhi sighed: "Zhongzu's judgment has been proved on me more than once. He sought no further promotion and only tended his estate at Sheting Mountain, intending to end his days there. When he was given Wuxing commandery, it was the very country where he had chosen to live apart. On taking up the post he restored his old mountain house and moved his household goods there. He died in Longchang year 1, leaving orders: "No scarlet robes in the coffin. At the rites, wine and dried meat only. People hire concubines and servants to wail at the bier because the chief mourner lacks true grief and wants noise to cover the lack. If my spirit survives, I will laugh at them." He was posthumously titled Jianzi.
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延之字希季，升之子也。 少靜默，不交人事。 仕宋為司徒左長史。 清貧，居宇穿漏，褚彥回以啟宋明帝，即敕材官為起三間齋屋。 曆吏部尚書，尚書左僕射。
Yanzhi, styled Xiji, was Shengzhi's son. From youth he was quiet and kept out of worldly affairs. Under Song he served as left chief administrator of the minister of education. He lived in poverty; his roof leaked. Chu Yanhui told Emperor Ming, who at once ordered three study rooms built for him. He served in turn as director of the Ministry of Personnel and left vice director of the Masters of Writing.
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延之與金紫光祿大夫阮韜俱宋領軍將軍劉湛外甥，並有早譽，湛甚愛之，曰：「韜後當為第一，延之為次也。」 延之甚不平。 每致餉下都，韜與朝士同例，高帝聞之，與延之書曰：「韜雲卿未嘗有別意，當由劉家月旦故邪。」 韜字長明，陳留人，晉金紫光祿大夫裕玄孫也。 為南兗州別駕，刺史江夏王義恭逆求資費錢，韜曰：「此朝廷物。」 執不與。 宋孝武選侍中四人，並以風貌，王彧、謝莊為一雙，韜與何偃為一雙。 常充兼假，至始興王師，卒。
Yanzhi and Grand Master Ruan Tao were both nephews of Liu Zhan, general who leads the army. Both were praised early in life. Zhan favored them and said: "Tao will rank first; Yanzhi second. Yanzhi resented the remark deeply. Whenever gifts went to the capital, Tao was treated like any other court gentleman. Emperor Gao heard of it and wrote to Yanzhi: "Surely Tao meant no slight. Is this because of the Liu family's monthly rankings? Tao, styled Changming, came from Chenliu and was great-grandson of Jin Grand Master Ruan Yu. As administrative aide of South Yanzhou he faced the prince of Jiangxia, Yigong, who demanded funds improperly. Tao said: "This belongs to the court. He refused to hand it over. Emperor Xiaowu chose four attendants-in-ordinary for their looks: Wang Yu with Xie Zhuang as one pair, Tao with He Yan as another. He often held acting appointments concurrently, eventually becoming tutor to the Prince of Shixing, and died in office.
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延之居身簡素，清靜寡欲，凡所經歷，務存不擾。 在江州，祿俸外一無所納。 獨處齋內，未嘗出戶，吏人罕得見焉，雖子弟亦不妄前。 時時見親舊，未嘗及世事，從容談詠而已。 後為尚書左僕射，尋領竟陵王師，卒諡簡子。
Yanzhi lived simply, desired little, and in every post tried not to disturb others. At Jiangzhou he took nothing beyond his salary. He stayed alone in his study and never crossed the threshold. Clerks seldom saw him; even his sons did not approach casually. He occasionally received kin and old friends, but never discussed public affairs—only poetry and easy talk. He later became left vice director of the Masters of Writing, then tutor to the Prince of Jingling. He died and was posthumously titled Jianzi.
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子綸之，字元章。 為安成王記室參軍，偃仰召會，退居僚末。 司徒袁粲聞而歎曰：「格外之官，便今日為重。」 貴游居此位者，遂以不掌文記為高，自綸之始也。 齊永明中，歷位侍中，出為豫章太守。 下車祭徐孺子、許子將墓，圖畫陳蕃、華歆、謝鯤像於郡朝堂。 為政寬簡，稱良二千石。 武帝幸琅邪城，綸之與光祿大夫全景文等二十一人坐不參承，為有司奏免官。 後位侍中、都官尚書，卒。 自敬弘至綸之，並方嚴，皆克日乃見子孫，蓋家風也。
His son Lunzhi was styled Yuanzhang. As recording secretary to the Prince of Ancheng, he lounged at ease when called to meetings and kept to the rear of the staff. Minister of Education Yuan Can sighed when he heard of it: "A post outside the usual ladder has become prestigious overnight. After Lunzhi, noblemen in that post began to treat refusal to keep written records as a mark of distinction. Under Qi in the Yongming era he rose to attendant-in-ordinary and then left court as administrator of Yuzhang. On taking office he offered sacrifice at the tombs of Xu Ruzi and Xu Zijiang and hung portraits of Chen Fan, Hua Xin, and Xie Kun in the commandery hall. His rule was lenient and plain, and men called him an excellent commandery administrator. When Emperor Wu visited Langya, Lunzhi and Grand Master Quan Jingwen plus twenty-one others failed to attend the reception. The responsible office reported them and they were dismissed. He later served as attendant-in-ordinary and director of the Ministry of Punishments, then died. From Jinghong to Lunzhi the family was uniformly austere: descendants were received only on appointed days. That was their household way.
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綸之子昕，有業行，居父憂過禮。 謝伷欲遣參之，孔珪曰：「何假參，此豈有全理。」 以憂卒。
Lunzhi's son Xin was a man of solid character and mourned his father beyond what the rites required. Xie Zhou wanted to send an attendant to him. Kong Gui said: "Why send anyone? There is no saving this. He died of grief.
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峻字茂遠，秀之子也。 少美風姿，善容止。 仕齊為桂陽內史。 梁天監初，為中書侍郎。 武帝甚悅其風采，與陳郡謝覽同見賞擢。 累遷侍中，吏部尚書。 處選甚得名譽。
Jun, styled Maoyuan, was Xiuzhi's son. From youth he had fine looks and graceful bearing. Under Qi he served as internal administrator of Guiyang. At the start of the Tianjian era under Liang he became vice director of the secretariat. Emperor Wu admired his bearing and promoted him together with Xie Lan of Chen commandery. He rose to attendant-in-ordinary and director of the Ministry of Personnel. In appointments he won a strong reputation.
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峻性詳雅，無趨競心，嘗與謝覽約，官至侍中，不復謀進仕。 覽自吏部尚書出為吳興郡，平心不畏強禦，亦由處俗情薄故也。 峻為侍中已後，雖不退身，亦淡然自守，無所營務。 遷金紫光祿大夫，未拜，卒，諡惠子。
Jun was meticulous and unambitious. He and Xie Lan agreed that once they reached attendant-in-ordinary they would seek no further promotion. Lan left the Ministry of Personnel to govern Wuxing. Impartial and fearless, he could act so because the age had grown coarse. After becoming attendant-in-ordinary Jun did not resign, but he kept to himself and undertook no new business. He was transferred to grand master of the bright hall with golden tassel, declined the appointment, and died. He was posthumously titled Huizi.
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子琮為國子生，尚始興王女繁昌主。 琮不慧，為學生所嗤，遂離婚。 峻謝王，王曰：「此自上意，僕極不願如此。」 峻曰：「下官曾祖是謝仁祖外孫，亦不藉殿下姻媾為門戶耳。」
Jun's son Cong studied at the imperial university and married Princess Fanchang, daughter of the Prince of Shixing. Cong was dull-witted and ridiculed by his classmates, and the marriage was annulled. Jun apologized to the prince, who said: "This was the emperor's will. I never wanted it. Jun replied: "My great-grandfather was Xie Renzu's grandson by a daughter. Our house does not need Your Highness's marriage to stand."
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王鎮之字伯重，晉司州刺史胡之之從孫、而裕之從祖弟也。 祖耆之，位中書郎，父隨之，上虞令。 鎮之為剡、上虞令，並有能名。 桓玄輔晉，以為大將軍錄事參軍。 時三吳饑荒，遣鎮之銜命賑恤，而會稽內史王愉不奉符旨，鎮之依事糾奏。 愉子綏，玄之外甥，當時貴盛，鎮之為所排抑。 以母老求補安成太守，以母憂去職。 在官清潔，妻子無以自反，乃棄家致喪還上虞舊墓。 葬畢，為子標之求安復令，隨子之官。 服闋，為征西道規司馬、南平太守。 後為御史中丞，執正不撓，百僚憚之。
Wang Zhenzhi, styled Bozhong, was grandnephew of Jin inspector of Sizhou Hu Zhi and a cousin once removed of Yuzhi. His grandfather Qizhi had been director of the secretariat; his father Suizhi was magistrate of Shangyu. Zhenzhi served as magistrate of Shan and of Shangyu, earning a name for competence in both posts. When Huan Xuan controlled Jin, Zhenzhi was made recording aide to the grand general. When the Three Wu lands were starving he was sent to distribute relief, but Kuaiji's internal administrator Wang Yu ignored the order. Zhenzhi impeached him according to law. Wang Yu's son Sui was Huan Xuan's nephew by marriage and then at the height of power. Zhenzhi was sidelined and suppressed. His mother being old, he asked to be made administrator of Ancheng and left office when she died. He served with integrity, but his family had no money to travel. He gave up his household and brought the funeral home to the old grave at Shangyu. After the burial he secured for his son Biaozhi the magistracy of Anfu and went with him to his post. When mourning ended he became military administrator on Daogui's staff and administrator of Nanping. He later served as imperial censor, upright and unyielding. The whole bureaucracy feared him.
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出為建威將軍、平越中郎將、廣州刺史，加都督。 宋武帝謂人曰：「鎮之少著清績，必將繼美吳隱，嶺南弊俗，非此不康也。」 在鎮不受俸祿，蕭然無營，去官之日，不異初至。 武帝初建相國府，為諮議參軍，領錄事。 善於吏職，嚴而不殘。 遷宋台祠部尚書。 武帝踐阼，卒于宣訓衛尉。 弟弘之。
He left court as general who establishes might, general of the army who pacifies the Yue, and inspector of Guangzhou, with overall command. Emperor Wu said: "Zhenzhi has been upright from youth. He will follow Wu Yinshi's example. Lingnan's corrupt ways will not be cured without him. In office he took no salary beyond what was due and lived sparely. When he left, he had nothing more than when he arrived. When Emperor Wu first formed the chancellor's office, Zhenzhi served as advisory aide and chief of records. He was skilled in administration—strict but not harsh. He was transferred to director of the Ministry of Rites on the Song platform. When Emperor Wu took the throne, Zhenzhi died while serving as commandant of Xuanxun guard. His younger brother was Hongzhi.
23
弘之字方平，少孤貧，為外祖征士何准所撫育，從叔獻之及太原王恭並貴重之。 仕晉為司徒主簿。 家貧，性好山水，求為烏傷令。 桓玄輔晉，桓謙以為衛軍參軍。 時殷仲文還姑孰，祖送傾朝，謙要弘之同行，答曰：「凡祖離送別，必在有情，下官與殷風馬不接，無緣扈從。」 謙貴其言。 母隨兄鎮之之安成郡，弘之解職同行。 義熙中，何無忌及宋武帝辟召，一無所就。
Hongzhi, styled Fangping, was orphaned young and poor. His maternal grandfather, the recluse He Zhun, raised him. His cousin Xianzhi and Wang Gong of Taiyuan both held him in esteem. Under Jin he served as chief clerk to the minister of education. The family was poor and he loved mountains and rivers, so he asked to be magistrate of Wushang. When Huan Xuan controlled Jin, Huan Qian made him military aide in the guard army. When Yin Zhongwen returned to Gudu the whole court turned out to see him off. Qian wanted Hongzhi to join the procession. Hongzhi answered: "One sees off only those one cares for. Yin and I share no bond. I have no cause to follow. Qian respected his reply. When his mother went with his brother Zhenzhi to Ancheng, Hongzhi resigned and went with them. During Yixi, He Wuji and Emperor Wu both summoned him. He answered none of their calls.
24
弘之元嘉四年卒，顏延之欲為作誄，書與其子曇生曰：「君家高世之善，有識歸重，豫染豪翰，所應載述，況僕托慕末風，竊以敘德為事，但恨短筆不足書美。」 誄竟不就。
Hongzhi died in Yuanjia year 4. Yan Yanzhi wanted to write his eulogy and wrote to his son Tansheng: "Your family's virtue across generations commands respect. I hoped to set it down, trusting my admiration for your house, but my pen is too short for the task. The eulogy was never written.
25
曇生好文義，以謙和見稱，曆吏部尚書，太常卿。 孝武末，為吳興太守。 明帝初興，與四方同逆，戰敗歸降，被宥，終於中散大夫。
Tansheng loved letters and was known for modesty. He served as director of the Ministry of Personnel and minister of ceremonies. At the end of Emperor Xiaowu's reign he governed Wuxing. When Emperor Ming rose, Tansheng joined the rebels, was defeated, surrendered, was pardoned, and ended as grand master of palace leisure.
26
阮萬齡，陳留尉氏人。 祖思曠，左光祿大夫。 父甯，黃門侍郎。 萬齡少知名，為孟昶建威長史。 時袁豹、江夷相系為昶司馬，時人謂昶府有三素望。 萬齡家在會稽剡縣，頗有素情，位左戶尚書，太常。 出為湘州刺史，無政績。 後為散騎常侍、金紫光祿大夫，卒。
Ruan Wanling came from Weishi in Chenliu. His grandfather Sikuo was left grand master of the bright hall. His father Ning was attendant at the yellow gate. Wanling was known from youth and served as chief administrator to Meng Chang, general who establishes might. Yuan Bao and Jiang Yi served in turn as Chang's military administrator. People said Chang's staff had three men of unblemished repute. Wanling's family was in Shan county, Kuaiji. He lived with plain tastes and served as director of the left households and minister of ceremonies. As inspector of Xiangzhou he left no mark in office. He later served as supernumerary regular attendant and grand master of the bright hall with golden tassel, then died.
27
曇生弟普曜，位秘書監。 普曜子晏。
Tansheng's brother Puyao became director of the secretariat. Yan was Puyao's son.
28
晏字休默，一字士彥。 仕宋，初為建安國左常侍，稍至車騎，晉熙王燮安西板晏主簿，時齊武帝為長史，與晏相遇。 府轉鎮西，板晏為記室。 沈攸之事難，隨武帝鎮盆城。 齊高帝時威權雖重，而眾情猶有疑惑，晏便專心奉事，軍旅書翰皆見委。 性甚便僻，漸見親待，常參議機密。
Yan, styled Xiumo, also known as Shiyan. Under Song he began as left attendant of the Principality of Jian'an and rose to the chariots-and-cavalry office. Prince Xie of Jinxi made Yan chief clerk on his western staff while the future Emperor Wu of Qi was chief administrator. The two men met there. When the staff became the Pacify-the-West headquarters, Yan was made recording secretary. During Shen Youzhi's rebellion he followed the future emperor to garrison Pencheng. When Emperor Gao of Qi held power, doubt still lingered among men. Yan devoted himself to the cause, and military correspondence was entrusted to him. Facile and quick-witted, he grew intimate with the emperor and was often drawn into secret deliberations.
29
建元初，為太子中庶子。 武帝在東宮，專斷朝事，多不聞啟，晏慮及罪，稱疾自疏。 武帝即位，為長兼侍中，意任如舊。 遷侍中祭酒。 遭母喪，起為司徒左長史。 晏父普曜藉晏勢，多曆通官。 普曜卒，晏居喪有禮。
At the start of Jianyuan he became junior mentor in the eastern palace. While the future Emperor Wu ran the eastern palace he decided much of court business without reporting upward. Yan, fearing blame, feigned illness and kept his distance. When Emperor Wu took the throne Yan served as long-attendant-in-ordinary with the same trust as before. He was transferred to attendant-in-ordinary libationer. Called back from mourning for his mother, he served as left chief administrator of the minister of education. Yan's father Puyao used his son's influence to hold one passing appointment after another. When Puyao died Yan mourned with proper rites.
30
永明六年，為丹陽尹。 晏位任親重，自豫章王嶷、尚書令王儉皆降意接之，而晏每以疏漏被責，連稱疾。 久之，轉為江州刺史，泣不願出，留為吏部尚書、太子右率，終以舊恩見寵。
In Yongming year 6 he became intendant of Danyang. Yan held intimate and heavy power. Even Prince Xiao of Yuzhang and Director Wang Jian deferred to him, yet he was often rebuked for lapses and repeatedly pleaded illness. Eventually he was sent to Jiangzhou as inspector. He wept and refused to leave, was kept as director of the Ministry of Personnel and right leader of the heir apparent, and to the end enjoyed favor for old service.
31
時尚書令王儉雖貴而疏，晏既領選，權行台閣，與儉頗不平。 儉卒，禮官欲依王導諡為「文獻」，晏啟上曰：「導乃得此諡，但宋來不加素族。」 謂親人曰：「平頭憲事已行矣。」 十一年，為右僕射，領太孫右衛率。
Director Wang Jian was grand but distant. Yan, who also controlled appointments, wielded secretariat power and clashed with him. When Jian died the rites officers wanted to follow Wang Dao's example and posthumously title him "Literary and Presented." Yan memorialized: "Dao earned that title, but since Song plain families have not received it." He told his kin: "The business with Pingtou Xian is done." In year 11 he became right vice director and right leader of guard for the grand heir apparent.
32
武帝崩，遺旨以尚書事付晏及徐孝嗣。 郁林即位，轉左僕射。 及明帝謀廢立，晏便回應推奉，轉尚書令，封曲江縣侯，給鼓吹一部，甲仗五十人入殿。 時明帝形勢已布，而莫敢先言，蕭諶兄弟握兵權，遲疑未決，晏頻三夜微步詣諶議，時人以此窺之。 明帝與晏東府語及時事，晏抵掌曰：「公常言晏怯，今定如何？」 建武元年，進號驃騎大將軍，給班劍二十人，又加兵百人，領太子少傅，進爵為公。 以魏軍動，給兵千人。
Emperor Wu's deathbed order entrusted the Masters of Writing to Yan and Xu Xiaosi. When Prince of Yulin ascended, Yan became left vice director. When Emperor Ming plotted to depose and install emperors, Yan at once backed him. He became director of the Masters of Writing, was enfeoffed as marquis of Qujiang, and given drums, pipes, and fifty armored guards in the hall. Ming's coup was ready, but no one spoke first. The Xiao Chen brothers held the army and hesitated. Yan stole out three nights running to consult Chen. Men read his movements as proof of complicity. Ming discussed affairs with Yan in the eastern palace. Yan slapped his palm: "You always call me timid. What do you think now? In Jianwu year 1 he was promoted to general of agile cavalry with twenty guards bearing ceremonial swords, given another hundred troops, made junior tutor to the heir apparent, and raised to duke. When Wei armies moved, he was granted a thousand troops.
33
晏人望未重，又與上素疏，中興初，雖以事計委任，而內相疑阻，晏無防意。 既居朝端，事多專決，內外要職，並用周旋門義，每與上爭用人。 數呼相工自視，雲當大貴。 與客語，好屏人。 上聞，疑晏欲反，遂有誅晏意。 有鮮于文粲與晏子德元往來，密探朝旨，告晏有異志。 又左右單景雋、陳世范等采巫覡言啟上，雲晏懷異圖。 是時南郊應親奉，景雋等言晏因此與武帝故主帥于道中竊發。 會獸犯郊壇，帝愈懼，未郊前一日，上乃停行，先報晏及徐孝嗣，孝嗣奉旨，而晏陳郊祀事大，必宜自力。 景雋言益見信，元會畢，乃召晏于華林省誅之。 下詔顯其罪，稱以河東王鉉識用微弱，欲令守以虛器，並令收付廷尉。
Yan lacked broad prestige and had always been distant from the emperor. Early in Restoration he was entrusted with business, yet mutual suspicion remained. Yan kept no guard. At the head of court he decided most matters himself, filled key posts with his clients, and repeatedly fought the emperor over appointments. He often called in physiognomists who told him he was destined for the highest rank. When he talked with guests he liked to dismiss attendants from the room. The emperor heard of it, suspected Yan of plotting rebellion, and resolved to kill him. Xianyu Wencan consorted with Yan's son Deyuan, spied on court opinion, and told Yan he was suspected of disloyalty. Attendants Shan Jingjun and Chen Shifan also collected sorcerers' talk and told the emperor Yan harbored treasonous designs. The southern sacrifice required the emperor's presence. Jingjun claimed Yan would use the occasion to strike along the road with the late emperor's former commander. Beasts desecrated the suburban altar and the emperor grew afraid. A day before the rites he halted the procession and warned Yan and Xu Xiaosi. Xiaosi obeyed, but Yan insisted the sacrifice must be conducted in person. Jingjun's story gained credence. After the New Year audience the emperor summoned Yan to Hualin Pavilion and had him killed. An edict listed his crimes, claiming Prince Xuan of Hedong was too weak to rule and had been kept as a figurehead, and ordered his associates sent to the Court of Judicial Review.
34
晏之為員外郎也，父普曜齋前柏樹忽變成梧桐，論者以為梧桐雖有棲鳳之美，而失後凋之節。 及晏敗，果如之。 又未敗前，見屋桷子悉是大蛇，就視之猶木也。 晏惡之，乃以紙裹桷子，猶紙內搖動，蔌蔌有聲。 又於北山廟答賽夜還，晏醉，部伍人亦飲酒，羽儀錯亂，前後十餘里中，不復禁制。 識者雲此不復久也。 未幾而敗。
While Yan was an supernumerary gentleman, a cypress before Puyao's fasting hall turned into a parasol tree. Men said the parasol may invite the phoenix but lacks the cypress's virtue of surviving winter. When Yan fell, the omen proved true. Before his fall he saw every rafter-end as a great serpent; up close they were still wood. He hated the sight and wrapped the rafters in paper, yet the paper still rustled as if something moved inside. Returning drunk at night from sacrifice at the northern mountain shrine, he and his escort drank until the procession fell into disorder for more than ten li. Those who read omens said he could not last long. Soon he was destroyed.
35
晏子德元，有意尚，位車騎長史。 德元初名湛，武帝曰：「劉湛、江湛，並不善終，此非佳名也。」 晏乃改之，至是及誅。
Yan's son Deyuan was a man of purpose and served as chief administrator of the chariots-and-cavalry office. Deyuan had originally been named Zhan. Emperor Wu said: "Liu Zhan and Jiang Zhan both came to bad ends. This is no auspicious name. Yan changed the name, but when the purge came Deyuan was killed with him.
36
晏弟詡，位少府卿。 敕未登黃門郎，不得畜女伎，詡與射聲校尉陰玄智坐畜伎免官，禁錮十年。 敕特原詡。 詡亦篤舊。 後拜廣州刺史。 晏誅，上遣殺之。
Yan's younger brother Xu served as minister of the lesser treasury. An edict forbade men below attendant at the yellow gate to keep female performers. Xu and Colonel Yin Xuanzhi were dismissed and confined for ten years for keeping performers. The emperor issued a special pardon for Xu. Xu was also loyal to old friends. He was later appointed inspector of Guangzhou. When Yan was executed the emperor sent men to kill Xu as well.
37
思遠、晏從父弟也。 父羅雲，平西長史。 思遠八歲父卒，祖弘之及外祖新安太守羊敬元並棲退高尚，故思遠少無仕心。 宋建平王景素辟南徐州主簿，深見禮遇。 景素被誅，左右離散，思遠親視殯葬，手種松柏，與廬江何昌宇、沛郡劉璡上表理之，事感朝廷。 景素女廢為庶人，思遠分衣食以相資贍。 年長，為備笄總，訪求素對，傾家送遣。
Siyuan and Yan were cousins; Siyuan was the younger. His father Luoyun had been chief administrator on the Pacify-the-West staff. Siyuan was eight when his father died. His grandfather Hongzhi and maternal grandfather Yang Jingyuan, administrator of Xin'an, both lived in lofty retirement, so from youth Siyuan had no wish for office. Prince Jing Su of Jianping recruited him as chief clerk of South Xuzhou and treated him with great honor. When Jing Su was killed his followers fled. Siyuan saw to the burial, planted pines and cypresses with his own hands, and with He Changyu and Liu Zhen petitioned to clear his name. The court was moved. Jing Su's daughter was reduced to commoner status. Siyuan shared food and clothing to sustain her. When she came of age he prepared her hairpins, found a suitable husband, and spent the family fortune on her marriage.
38
齊建元初，曆竟陵王司徒錄事參軍、太子中舍人。 文惠太子與竟陵王子良素好士，並蒙賞接。 思遠求出為遠郡，除建安內史。 長兄思玄卒，思遠友于甚至，表乞自解，不許。 及祥日又固陳，武帝乃許之。 仍除中書郎、大司馬諮議。 詔舉士，竟陵王子良薦思遠及吳郡顧暠之、陳郡殷叡。 時邵陵王子貞為吳郡，除思遠為吳郡丞，以本官行郡事，論者以為得人。 後拜御史中丞。 臨海太守沈昭略贓私，思遠依事劾奏，明帝及思遠從兄晏、昭略叔父文季並請止之，思遠不從，案事如故。
At the start of Jianyuan under Qi he served as recording aide to the Prince of Jingling and attendant of the heir apparent. Crown Prince Wen Hui and Prince Ziliang of Jingling both loved scholars and welcomed him warmly. Siyuan asked for a distant post and was made internal administrator of Jian'an. When his elder brother Sixuan died, Siyuan's devotion as a brother was extreme. He petitioned to resign and was refused. When the mourning period ended he petitioned again, and Emperor Wu allowed him to leave office. He was then made director of the secretariat and advisory aide to the grand marshal. When the court sought scholars, Prince Ziliang recommended Siyuan together with Gu Haozhi of Wu and Yin Rui of Chen. Prince Zizhen of Shaoling governed Wu commandery and made Siyuan deputy administrator with full authority. Observers said the right man had been chosen. He later became imperial censor. Linhai administrator Shen Zhaolue was corrupt. Siyuan impeached him. Emperor Ming, Siyuan's cousin Yan, and Zhaolue's uncle Wen Ji all asked him to stop. He refused and pursued the case.
39
建武中，遷吏部郎。 思遠以晏為尚書令，不欲並居內台權要之職，上表固讓，乃改授司徒左長史。 初明帝廢立之際，思遠謂晏曰：「兄荷武帝厚恩，今一旦贊人如此事，彼或可以權計相須，未知兄將何以自立。 及此引決，猶可保全門戶，不失後名。」 晏曰：「方噉粥，未暇此事。」 及拜驃騎，會子弟，謂思遠兄思征曰：「隆昌之末，阿戎勸吾自裁，若用其語，豈有今日。」 思遠遽應曰：「如阿戎所見，猶未晚也。」 晏既不能謙退，位處朝端，事多專斷，內外要職，並用門生，帝外跡甚美，內相疑異。 思遠謂曰：「時事稍異，兄覺不？ 凡人多拙於自謀，而巧於謀人。」 晏默然不答。 思遠退後，晏方歎曰：「天下人遂勸人自殺。」 旬日，晏及禍。 明帝后知思遠有此言，謂江祏曰：「王晏早用思遠語，當不至此。」
In the Jianwu era he was transferred to director of the Ministry of Personnel. Because Yan was director of the Masters of Writing, Siyuan declined to share power on the inner platform and was reassigned as left chief administrator of the minister of education. When Ming plotted the coup Siyuan told Yan: "Brother, Emperor Wu favored you deeply. Now you help others seize the throne in a morning. They may need you for now, but how will you stand afterward? If you end your life now, you can still save the family and your name. Yan said: "I am eating my porridge. No time for that." When he became general of agile cavalry he told Siyuan's brother Sizheng: "At the end of Longchang Arong urged me to kill myself. Had I listened, I would not be here today." Siyuan answered at once: "By Arong's reckoning, it would still not be too late." Yan would not step back. At court he decided most matters and filled posts with his clients. The emperor smiled in public but doubted him in private. Siyuan said: "Things are changing. Brother, do you not see it? Most men are clumsy at saving themselves and clever at ruining others. Yan said nothing. After Siyuan left, Yan sighed: "The whole world wants me dead. Within ten days Yan was destroyed. Later the empress learned of Siyuan's warning and told Jiang Shi: "If Wang Yan had heeded Siyuan earlier, he would not have come to this."
40
思遠立身簡潔，諸客有詣己者，覘知衣服垢穢，方便不前，形儀新楚，乃與促膝。 雖然，及去之後，猶令二人交帚拂其坐處。 明帝從祖弟季敞性甚豪縱，使詣思遠，令見禮度。 都水使者李珪之常曰：「見王思遠終日匡坐，不妄言笑，簪帽衣領，無不整潔，便憶丘明士。 見明士蓬頭散帶，終日酣醉，吐論從橫，唐突卿宰，便復憶見思遠。」 言其兩反也。
Siyuan lived simply. If a visitor's clothes were dirty he would not come forward; if the man was neat he would sit knee to knee with him. Even so, after guests left he had two servants sweep the seat where they had sat. Emperor Ming's cousin Jichang was wildly arrogant. He was sent to Siyuan to learn proper conduct. Li Guizhi, director of waterways, often said: "See Wang Siyuan sit upright all day, never careless in speech or dress, and you think of Qiu Mingshi. See Mingshi with hair loose and belt undone, drunk all day, talking wildly and offending ministers, and you think again of Siyuan. He meant how opposite the two men were.
41
上既誅晏，思遠遷為侍中，掌優策及起居注。 卒，年四十九，贈太常，諡曰貞子。
After Yan's execution Siyuan became attendant-in-ordinary and oversaw court policy and the daily record. He died at forty-nine, was posthumously made minister of ceremonies, and titled Zhenzi.
42
思遠與顧暠之善，暠之卒後，家貧，思遠迎其妻子，經恤甚至。 暠之字士明，少孤好學，有義信，位太子中舍人，兼尚書左丞。
Siyuan was close to Gu Haozhi. After Haozhi died poor, Siyuan took in his wife and children and cared for them devotedly. Haozhi, styled Shiming, was orphaned young, loved learning, and was known for integrity. He served as attendant of the heir apparent and left director of the Masters of Writing.
43
王韶之字休泰，胡之從孫而敬弘從祖弟也。 祖羨之，鎮軍掾。 父偉之，少有志尚，當世詔命表奏，輒手自書寫。 太元、隆安時事，大小悉撰錄。 位本國郎中令。
Wang Shaozhi, styled Xiutai, was grandnephew of Hu Zhi and a cousin once removed of Jinghong. His grandfather Xianzhi had been aide to the general who guards the army. His father Weizhi was ambitious from youth and copied every edict, order, and memorial by hand. He compiled and recorded affairs great and small from the Taiyuan and Long'an eras. He served as director of the principality in his native commandery.
44
韶之家貧好學，嘗三日絕糧而執卷不輟，家人誚之曰：「困窮如此，何不耕？」 答曰：「我常自耕耳。」 父偉之為烏程令，韶之因居縣境。 好史籍，博涉多聞。 初為衛將軍謝琰行參軍，得父舊書，因私撰晉安帝陽秋。 及成，時人謂宜居史職，即除著作佐郎，使續後事，訖義熙九年。 善敘事，辭論可觀。 遷尚書祠部郎。
Shaozhi was poor and loved books. Once he went three days without food yet never put down his scroll. His family mocked him: "This poor—why not farm? He answered: "I am already farming—inside my books." His father Weizhi was magistrate of Wucheng, and Shaozhi lived within that county. He loved history and read widely. He first served as acting aide to General Xie Yan, inherited his father's papers, and privately compiled the Annals of Emperor An of Jin. When it was finished men said he should be a court historian. He was made assistant gentleman of the compilation bureau and continued the chronicle through Yixi year 9. He narrated events well and wrote with force. He was transferred to gentleman of the Ministry of Rites in the Masters of Writing.
45
子曄，位臨賀太守。
His son Ye became administrator of Linhe.
46
王悅之字少明，晉右軍將軍羲之曾孫也。 祖獻之，中書令。 父靖之，司徒左長史，為劉穆之所厚，就穆之求侍中，如此非一。 穆之曰：「卿若不求，久自得之。」 遂不果。
Wang Yuezhi, styled Shaoming, was great-grandson of Jin general of the right army Xizhi. His grandfather Xianzhi had been director of the secretariat. His father Jingzhi was left chief administrator of the minister of education. Liu Muzhi favored him, and Jingzhi asked Muzhi repeatedly for attendant-in-ordinary. Muzhi said: "If you stop asking, the post will come to you in time. It never came.
47
悅之少厲清操，亮直有風檢。 為吏部郎，鄰省有會同者，遺悅之餅一甌。 辭不受，曰：「此費誠小，然少來不願當之。」 宋明帝泰始中為黃門郎、御史中丞。 上以其廉介，賜良田五頃，以為侍中，在門下盡其心力。 掌檢校禦府太官太醫諸署。 時承奢忲之後，奸竊者眾，悅之按覆無所避，得奸巧甚多，於是眾署共咒詛。 悅之病甚，恒見兩烏衣人捶之。 及卒，上乃收典掌者十許人，桎梏之送淮陰，密令度瓜步江，投之中流。
From youth Yuezhi cultivated integrity and was upright and principled. As director of the Ministry of Personnel he received a bowl of cakes from a neighboring office holding a joint meeting. He refused them: "The gift is small, but I have never accepted such things. In the Taishi era under Emperor Ming he served as attendant at the yellow gate and imperial censor. The emperor rewarded his integrity with five qing of good land and made him attendant-in-ordinary. In the gate office he gave all his strength. He oversaw inspection of the imperial storehouse, grand commissary, grand physician, and other offices. After an age of extravagance, theft was rampant. Yuezhi investigated fearlessly and exposed many frauds. The offices cursed him together. Yuezhi fell gravely ill and constantly saw two men in black beating him. When he died the emperor seized some ten record keepers, chained them, sent them to Huaiyin, and secretly had them thrown into the Yangzi at Guadu.
48
王准之字元魯，晉尚書僕射彬玄孫也。 曾祖彪之，位尚書令，祖臨之、父訥之並御史中丞。 彪之博聞多識，練悉朝儀，自是家世相傳，並諳江左舊事，緘之青箱，世謂之王氏青箱學。
Wang Zhunzhi, styled Yuanlu, was great-great-grandson of Jin Vice Director Bin. His great-grandfather Biaozhi had been director of the Masters of Writing; his grandfather Linzhi and father Nezhi both served as imperial censor. Biaozhi knew court ritual thoroughly, and the family preserved Jiangdong precedent in their blue chests for generations. Men called it the Wang clan's Blue Box Learning.
49
准之兼明禮傳，贍于文辭。 桓玄篡位，以為尚書祠部郎。 宋武帝起兵，為太尉主簿。 出為山陰令，有能名，預討盧循功，封都亭侯。 宋台建，除御史中丞，為百僚所憚。 自彪之至准之四世居此職。 准之嘗作五言詩，範泰嘲之：「卿唯解彈事耳。」 准之正色答：「猶差卿世載雄狐。」 坐世子左衛率謝靈運殺人不舉，免官。
Zhunzhi also mastered the Rites and wrote with ease. When Huan Xuan usurped the throne Zhunzhi was made gentleman of the Ministry of Rites. When Emperor Wu raised his armies Zhunzhi served as chief clerk to the grand commandant. As magistrate of Shanyin he earned a name for competence, shared in the campaign against Lu Xun, and was enfeoffed as marquis of Duting. When the Song platform was formed he became imperial censor and was feared throughout the bureaucracy. From Biaozhi to Zhunzhi four generations held that office. Zhunzhi once wrote a five-character poem. Fan Tai mocked him: "All you know is filing impeachments. Zhunzhi answered coldly: "Still better than your family, which for generations has bred male foxes." He was dismissed because Xie Lingyun, left leader of guard to the heir apparent, had killed a man without reporting it.
50
武帝受命，拜黃門侍郎。 永初中奏曰：「鄭玄注禮：三年之喪，二十七月而吉。 古今學者多謂得禮之宜。 晉初用王肅議，祥禫共月，故二十五月而除。 遂以為制。 江左以來，唯晉朝施用，搢紳之士多遵玄義。 夫先王制禮，以大順群心，'喪也甯戚'，著自前經。 今大宋開泰，品物遂理，愚謂宜同即物情，以玄義為制。 朝野一禮，則家無殊俗。」 從之。 元嘉中，歷位侍中，都官尚書，改領吏部，出為丹陽尹。
When Emperor Wu received the mandate Zhunzhi was appointed attendant at the yellow gate. Early in Yongchu he memorialized: "Zheng Xuan's commentary on the Rites holds that three years of mourning end in auspiciousness in the twenty-seventh month. Scholars ancient and modern mostly say this accords with the Rites. Early Jin followed Wang Su's view, combining end-of-mourning and sacrificial repose in one month, so mourning ended in the twenty-fifth month. That became the rule. Since then only the Jin court used it east of the Yangzi, though many gentry followed Zheng Xuan's interpretation. The ancient kings fashioned rites to align with men's hearts: 'In mourning, let grief prevail,' as the classics teach. Now that Song brings order to the realm, I propose we follow present sentiment and adopt Zheng Xuan's rule. One rite for court and country, and no household will mourn differently. The emperor agreed. In the Yuanjia era he served as attendant-in-ordinary, director of the Ministry of Punishments, then director of the Ministry of Personnel, and finally intendant of Danyang.
51
准之究識舊儀，問無不對。 時大將軍彭城王義康錄尚書事，每歎曰：「何須高論玄虛，正得如王准之兩三人，天下便足。」 然寡風素，情悁急，不為時流所重。 撰儀注，咸見遵用。 卒，贈太常。
Zhunzhi knew old ceremony inside out and could answer any question. Grand General Yikang, Prince of Pengcheng, who oversaw the Masters of Writing, often sighed: "Why talk mysticism? Two or three men like Wang Zhunzhi would be enough for the realm. Yet he lacked easy grace; impatient by nature, he was not widely admired. His ceremonial compilations were all adopted. He died and was posthumously made minister of ceremonies.
52
子輿之，征虜主簿。 輿之子進之，仕齊位給事黃門侍郎，扶風太守。 梁武帝之舉兵也，所在回應，鄰郡多請進之同遣修謁。 進之曰：「非吾志也。」 竟不行。 武帝嘉之。 梁台建，曆尚書左丞，廣平、天門二郡太守，左衛將軍，封建甯公。
His son Yuzhi served as chief clerk to the general who conquers the barbarians. Yuzhi's son Jinzhi served Qi as attendant at the yellow gate, director of the Masters of Writing, and administrator of Fufeng, and was enfeoffed as duke of Jianning. When Emperor Wu of Liang raised his armies the region rallied. Neighboring commanderies asked Jinzhi to join them in sending envoys to submit. Jinzhi said: "That is not my wish. He never went. Emperor Wu praised his restraint. When the Liang platform was formed he served as left director of the Masters of Writing, administrator of Guangping and Tianmen, left leader of the guard, and was enfeoffed as duke of Jianning.
53
進之子清，位散騎常侍，金紫光祿大夫，鎮東府長史，新野、東陽二郡太守，安南將軍，封中廬公。 承聖末，陳武帝殺太尉王僧辯，遣文帝攻僧辯婿杜龕，龕告難於清，引兵援龕，大敗陳文帝于吳興，追奔至晉陵。 時廣州刺史歐陽頠亦同清援龕，中更改異，殺清而歸陳武帝。 子猛。
Jinzhi's son Qing served as supernumerary regular attendant, grand master of the bright hall with golden tassel, chief administrator of the eastern palace, administrator of Xinye and Dongyang, general who pacifies the south, and was enfeoffed as duke of Zhonglu. At the end of Chengsheng, Chen Emperor Wu killed Grand Commandant Wang Sengbian and sent Emperor Wen against Sengbian's son-in-law Du Kan. Kan appealed to Qing, who marched to his aid and routed Emperor Wen at Wuxing, pursuing him to Jinling. Guangzhou inspector Ouyang Wei had also joined Qing to aid Kan, but midway he turned, killed Qing, and submitted to Chen Emperor Wu. His son was Meng.
54
猛字世雄，本名勇。 五歲而父清遇害，陳文帝軍度浙江，訪之，將加夷滅。 母韋氏攜之遁於會稽，遂免。 及長勤學不倦，博涉經史，兼習孫、吳兵法。 以父遇酷，終文帝之世不聽音樂，蔬食布衣，以喪禮自處。 宣帝立，乃始求位。 太建初，釋褐鄱陽王府中兵參軍，再遷永陽王府錄事參軍。
Meng, styled Shixiong, was originally named Yong. When he was five his father Qing was killed. As Emperor Wen's army crossed the Zhe they searched for the family to exterminate them. His mother Lady Wei fled with him to Kuaiji and he survived. As he grew he studied tirelessly, mastered the classics and histories, and also learned the art of war of Sun and Wu. Because his father had been killed unjustly, he refused music throughout Emperor Wen's reign, ate plainly, wore hemp, and lived as if in mourning. Only when Emperor Xuan took the throne did he seek office. At the start of Taijian he entered service as military aide on the Prince of Poyang's staff, then became recording aide on the Prince of Yongyang's staff.
55
猛慷慨常慕功名，先是上疏陳安邊拓境之策，甚見嘉納，至是詔隨大都督吳明徹略地，以軍功封應陽縣子。 累遷太子右衛率，徙晉陵太守。 威惠兼舉，奸盜屏跡，富商野次，云：「以付王府君」。 郡人歌之，以比漢之趙廣漢。 至德初，徵為左驍騎將軍，加散騎常侍，深見信重。
Meng was bold and hungered for glory. He had earlier submitted plans to secure the frontier and was praised. Now he followed Grand Commander Wu Mingche on campaign and was enfeoffed as viscount of Yingyang for his service. He rose to right leader of guard for the heir apparent and was transferred to administrator of Jinling. He combined sternness with mercy until bandits disappeared. Merchants on the roads said: "Leave it to the prince's governor." The people sang of him and compared him to Han's Zhao Guanghan. At the start of Zhide he was summoned as general of the left agile cavalry with supernumerary regular attendant and was deeply trusted.
56
時孔范、施文慶等並相與比周，害其梗直，議將出之而未有便。 會廣州刺史馬靖不受征，乃除猛都督東衡州刺史，領始興內史，與廣州刺史陳方慶共取靖。 猛至，即禽靖送建鄴，進爵為公，加光勝將軍、平越中郎將、大都督，發廣、桂等二十州兵討嶺外荒梗，所至皆平。
Kong Fan, Shi Wenqing, and others formed factions, resented his blunt integrity, and wanted to banish him but found no occasion. When Guangzhou inspector Ma Jing refused summons, Meng was made commander of East Hengzhou and internal administrator of Shixing, and with Guangzhou inspector Chen Fangqing took Jing. Meng captured Jing at once and sent him to Jiankang. He was raised to duke, given the titles general of luminous victory and general of the army who pacifies the Yue, and sent with troops from twenty commanderies to pacify the far south. Wherever he went, order followed.
57
禎明二年，詔授鎮南大將軍、都督二十四州諸軍事，尋命徙鎮廣州。 未之鎮，而隋師濟江，猛總督所部赴援。 時廣州刺史臨汝侯方慶、西衡州刺史衡陽王伯信並隸猛督府，各觀望不至。 猛使高州刺史戴智烈、清遠太守曾孝遠各以輕兵就斬之而發其兵。 及聞台城不守，乃舉哀素服，藉稿不食，歎曰：「申包胥獨何人哉。」 因勒兵緣江拒守，以固誠節。 及審後主不死，乃遣其部將辛昉馳驛赴京師歸款。 隋文帝大悅，謂昉曰：「猛懷其舊主，送故情深，即是我之誠臣。 保守一方，不勞兵甲，又是我之功臣。」 即日拜昉開府儀同三司，仍詔猛與行軍總管韋洸便留嶺表經略。
In Zhenming year 2 he was made general who guards the south and commander of twenty-four provinces. Soon he was ordered to transfer his garrison to Guangzhou. Before he took up the post Sui armies crossed the Yangzi. Meng led his forces to the rescue. Guangzhou inspector Fangqing, Marquis of Linru, and West Hengzhou inspector Prince Boxin of Hengyang were under his command but held back and never came. Meng sent Dai Zhilie, administrator of Gaozhou, and Zeng Xiaoyuan, administrator of Qingyuan, each with light troops to execute them and seize their armies. When he learned the capital had fallen he put on mourning, lay on straw, and refused food, sighing: "Was Shen Baoxu the only man who could do this? He then marshaled troops along the river to hold the line and keep faith with the fallen dynasty. Learning the later lord still lived, he sent his officer Xin Fang by post relay to the capital to offer submission. Emperor Wen of Sui was delighted and told Fang: "Meng keeps faith with his old master and sees the former ruler off with true feeling. That makes him my loyal minister. He holds a region without forcing me to send armies. That makes him my meritorious minister too. That day Fang was made grand master with golden tally equal in ceremony to the three excellencies, and Meng was ordered with campaign commander Wei Guang to remain in Lingnan and govern the region.
58
逡之字宣約，少禮學博聞。 仕宋位吳令。 升明末，尚書右僕射王儉重儒術，逡之以著作郎兼尚書左丞，參定齊國儀禮。 初，儉撰古今喪服集記，逡之難儉十一條，更撰世行五卷。
Qunzhi, styled Xuanyue, mastered ritual learning from youth and was widely read. Under Song he served as magistrate of Wu. At the end of Shengming, Vice Director Wang Jian valued Confucian learning. Qunzhi, as gentleman of the compilation bureau and left director of the Masters of Writing, helped fix Qi ceremonial rites. Jian had compiled a record of mourning garments ancient and modern. Qunzhi challenged eleven of his points and wrote World Practice in five scrolls.
59
國學久廢，齊建元二年，逡之先上表立學。 轉國子博士，又兼著作。 撰永明起居注。 後位南康相，光祿大夫，加給事中。 逡之率素，衣裳不澣，几案塵黑，年老手不釋卷。 建武二年卒。
The imperial university had long lain idle. In Jianyuan year 2 Qunzhi first petitioned to restore it. He became erudite of the imperial university and also served in the compilation bureau. He wrote the daily record of the Yongming reign. He later served as administrator of Nankang and grand master of the bright hall with supernumerary regular attendant. Qunzhi lived plainly: unwashed clothes, black with dust on his desk, and in old age he never put down his books. He died in Jianwu year 2.
60
從弟珪之，位長水校尉，撰齊職儀。 永明九年，其子中軍參軍顥啟上其書，凡五十卷，詔付秘閣。
His cousin Guizhi served as commandant of the chang water and compiled Qi Office Regulations. In Yongming year 9 his son Ha, a central army aide, presented the work—fifty scrolls in all—and an edict placed it in the secret vault.
61
素字休業，彬五世孫而逡之族子也。 高祖翹之，晉光祿大夫。 曾祖望之、祖泰之，並不仕。 父元弘，位平固令。 素少有志行，家貧母老，隱居不仕。 宋孝建、大明、泰始中，屢征不就，聲譽甚高。 山中有蚿聲清長，聽之使人不厭，而其形甚醜，素乃為蚿賦以自況。 卒年五十四。
Su, styled Xiuye, was Bin's fifth-generation descendant and Qunzhi's clansman. His high ancestor Qiaozhi was Jin grand master of the bright hall. His great-grandfather Wangzhi and grandfather Taizhi both refused office. His father Yuanhong was magistrate of Pinggu. Su had strong character from youth. His family was poor and his mother old, so he lived in seclusion and refused office. Under Song in the Xiaojian, Daming, and Taishi eras he was summoned repeatedly and never came. His repute was very high. Mountain centipedes sang with a clear, lingering voice that never tired the ear, though the creature itself was ugly. Su wrote a Centipede Rhapsody comparing himself to it. He died at fifty-four.
62
論曰：昔晉初度江，王導卜其家世，郭璞云：「淮流竭，王氏滅。」 觀夫晉氏以來，諸王冠冕不替，蓋亦人倫所得，豈唯世祿之所專乎。 及于陳亡之年，淮流實竭，曩時人物掃地盡矣。 斯乃興亡之兆已有前定。 天之所廢，豈智識之所謀乎。
The commentary says: When the Jin first crossed the Yangzi, Wang Dao asked Guo Pu to read his family's fate. Guo Pu said: "When the Huai runs dry, the Wang clan falls. Since then the Wangs had never lost rank among the great houses. That owed something to human talent, not salary alone. In the year Chen fell the Huai indeed ran dry, and the men of that age were swept away. The omen of rise and fall had been fixed long before. What Heaven casts aside—can wit or wisdom defy it?