1
列傳第十九
Biographies 19
2
廓博涉群書，言行以禮，起家著作佐郎。 後為宋武帝太尉參軍、中書黃門郎，以方鯁閑素，為武帝所知。 載遷太尉從事中郎，未拜，遭母憂。 性至孝，三年不櫛沐，殆不勝喪。
Cai Kuo read widely and conducted himself with ritual propriety. He began his career as Assistant Gentleman of the Palace Library. He later served Liu Yu as Staff Officer on the Grand Commandant's staff and as Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate at the Secretariat. His blunt honesty and unadorned manner won the Emperor's regard. He was soon moved to Attendant-in-Ordinary on the Grand Commandant's staff, but before he could assume the post his mother died. Filial to the core, he went three years without combing his hair or bathing and nearly wasted away in mourning.
3
宋台建，為侍中，建議以為「鞫獄不宜令子孫下辭，明言父祖之罪。 虧教傷情，莫此為大。 自今但令家人與囚相見，無乞鞫之訴，便足以明伏罪，不須責家人下辭」。 朝議從之。
When the Song regime was established, he became Palace Attendant and proposed: "In criminal trials, descendants should not be forced to testify explicitly against their fathers and ancestors. Nothing does more harm to moral teaching or wounds the heart than that. Henceforth let kin visit the accused; without formal petitions for interrogation, that should suffice to establish guilt—there is no need to compel family testimony." The court adopted his proposal.
4
世子左衛率謝靈運輒殺人，御史中丞王准之坐不糾免官。 武帝以廓剛直，補御史中丞。 多所糾奏，百僚震肅。 時中書令傅亮任寄隆重，學冠當時，朝廷儀典，皆取定於亮。 亮每事諮廓然後行，亮意若有不同，廓終不為屈。 遷司徒左長史，出為豫章太守。
Xie Lingyun, Commander of the Left Guard to the Heir Apparent, killed men more than once; Imperial Censor Xu Zhunzhi was removed for failing to impeach him. Liu Yu, noting Kuo's uncompromising integrity, made him Imperial Censor in Xu's place. He brought many impeachments, and the bureaucracy quailed before him. Secretariat Director Fu Liang then carried immense imperial trust. Learned beyond his peers, he set nearly every court ritual and precedent. Liang consulted Kuo before every decision, yet when they disagreed Kuo never bent. He rose to Senior Administrator on the Minister of Works' left staff, then went out as Grand Administrator of Yuzhang.
5
徵為吏部尚書。 廓因北地傅隆問亮：「選事若悉以見付，不論； 不然，不能拜也。」 亮以語錄尚書徐羨之，羨之曰：「黃門郎以下悉以委蔡，吾徒不復厝懷，自此以上，故宜共參同異。」 廓曰：「我不能為徐幹木署紙尾。」 遂不拜。 幹木，羨之小字也。 選案黃紙，錄尚書與吏部尚書連名，故廓言署紙尾也。 羨之亦以廓正直，不欲使居權要，徙為祠部尚書。
He was recalled as Director of the Ministry of Personnel. Kuo then asked Fu Liang through Fu Long of Beidi: "If you hand me the whole selection process without reservation, I have no objection; otherwise I cannot take the post." Liang reported this to Recording Secretary Xu Xianzhi, who said: "From Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate downward, give everything to Cai—we need not concern ourselves further. From that level up, we should still review matters together." Kuo replied: "I will not be Xu Ganmu signing at the bottom of the yellow sheet." He declined the post. Ganmu was Xianzhi's childhood name. Selection dossiers were yellow sheets countersigned by the Recording Secretary and the Director of Personnel—hence Kuo's talk of signing at the foot of the page. Xianzhi too, seeing Kuo's integrity, kept him from power and moved him to Director of the Ministry of Rites.
6
不可； 但殺人二昆，而以之北面，挾震主之威，據上流之重，以古推今，自免為難也。」
Nothing there is to fault; yet you helped kill two imperial brothers and now would have him bow north as your sovereign. You wield the terror of a minister who unnerves his ruler and hold the weight of the upper Yangzi. Measured by past precedent, it will be hard to come through unharmed."
7
廓年位並輕，而為時流所推重，每至歲時，皆束帶詣門。 奉兄軌如父，家事大小，皆諮而後行，公祿賞賜，一皆入軌，有所資須，悉就典者請焉。 從武帝在彭城，妻郗氏書求夏服。 廓答書曰：「知須夏服，計給事自應相供，無容別寄。」 時軌為給事中。 元嘉二年，廓卒。 武帝常云：「羊徽、蔡廓，可平世三公。」 少子興宗。
Young in years and rank though he was, the age's leading men held him in esteem; every New Year they dressed formally and came to his door. He treated his elder brother Gui as a father. Great and small household matters he settled only after consulting Gui. Salary and imperial gifts all went to Gui; whatever he needed he requested from the household steward. While following Liu Yu at Pengcheng, his wife Lady Xi wrote asking for summer garments. Kuo answered: "You need summer clothes—the household ought to provide them. There is no reason to send a separate shipment. Gui was then Attendant Within the Gates. In the second year of Yuanjia, Kuo died. Liu Yu often said: "Yang Hui and Cai Kuo would make Three Dukes in a time of peace. His youngest son was Xingzong.
8
興宗字興宗，幼為父廓所重，謂有己風。 與親故書曰：「小兒四歲，神氣似可，不入非類室，不與小人遊。」 故以興宗為之名，以興宗為之字。
Xingzong—style Xingzong—was cherished by his father Kuo, who said the boy carried his own bearing. He wrote kin and old friends: "The boy is four; his spirit looks promising. Keep him out of unworthy houses and away from low company. So he received both the personal name and style Xingzong.
9
年十歲喪父，哀毀有異凡童。 廓罷豫章郡還，起二宅，先成東宅以與兄軌。 軌罷長沙郡還，送錢五十萬以裨宅直。 興宗年十一，白母曰：「一家由來豐儉必共，今日宅直不宜受也。」 母悅而從焉。 軌深有愧色，謂其子淡曰：「我年六十，行事不及十歲小兒。」 尋又喪母。
At ten he lost his father and mourned with a grief beyond that of ordinary boys. When Kuo returned from Yuzhang, he built two houses and finished the eastern one first for his brother Gui. When Gui came back from Changsha, he sent fifty thousand cash toward the house price. Xingzong, eleven, told his mother: "Our family has always shared wealth and want alike—the house payment should not be accepted. His mother was pleased and agreed. Gui was deeply ashamed and told his son Dan: "I am sixty, yet a ten-year-old boy outdoes me in conduct. He soon lost his mother too.
10
少好學，以業尚素立見稱，為中書侍郎。 中書令建平王宏、侍中王僧綽並與之厚善。 元凶弑立，僧綽被誅，凶威方盛，親故莫敢往，興宗獨臨哭盡哀。
He loved learning from youth and was praised for plain integrity, becoming Attendant Gentleman of the Secretariat. Secretariat Director Prince Jianping Hong and Palace Attendant Wang Sengchuo were both close friends. When the Crown Prince murdered his father and seized the throne, Sengchuo was executed. With the tyrant's power at its height, kin and friends dared not approach, yet Xingzong alone came to mourn with full grief.
11
孝武踐阼，累遷尚書吏部郎。 時尚書何偃疾患，上謂興宗曰：「卿詳練清濁，今以選事相付，便可開門當之，無所讓也。」
After Emperor Xiaowu took the throne, Xingzong rose to Director of the Ministry of Personnel in the Secretariat. Director He Yan was then ill. The Emperor told Xingzong: "You know the worthy from the unworthy. I entrust selections to you—take charge openly, without deferring."
12
後拜侍中，每正言得失，無所顧憚。 孝武新年拜陵，興宗負璽陪乘。 及還，上欲因以射雉，興宗正色曰：「今致虔園陵，情敬兼重，從禽猶有餘日，請待他辰。」 上大怒，遣令下車，由是失旨。 竟陵王誕據廣陵為逆，事平，孝武輿駕出宣陽門，敕左右文武叫稱萬歲。 興宗時陪輦，帝顧曰：「卿獨不叫？」 興宗從容正色答曰：「陛下今日政應涕泣行誅，豈得軍中皆稱萬歲。」 帝不悅。
He was later made Palace Attendant and spoke plainly of right and wrong without fear. At New Year Xiaowu paid homage at the tombs; Xingzong carried the seal and rode in attendance. On the return the Emperor wished to go pheasant hunting. Xingzong said sternly: "We have just paid reverent homage at the tombs with full solemnity. Hawking can wait for another day. The Emperor flew into a rage and ordered him out of the carriage. From that he lost favor. When Prince Dan of Jingling rebelled at Guangling and the revolt was crushed, Xiaowu drove out through Xuanyang Gate and ordered civil and military attendants to shout "Ten thousand years!" Xingzong rode in attendance. The Emperor looked back: "You alone do not shout?" Xingzong answered calmly and evenly: "Your Majesty ought to be weeping as you carry out executions—how can the whole army shout 'Ten thousand years'?" The Emperor was displeased.
13
興宗奉旨慰勞廣陵，州別駕範義與興宗素善，在城內同誅。 興宗至，躬自收殯，致喪還豫章舊墓。 上聞謂曰：「卿何敢故爾觸網？」 興宗抗言答曰：「陛下自殺賊，臣自葬周旋，既犯嚴制，政當甘於斧鉞耳。」 帝有慚色。 又廬陵內史周朗以正言得罪，鎖付甯州，親戚故人無敢瞻送，興宗時在直，請急，詣朗別。 上知尤怒。 坐屬疾多日，白衣領職。
Xingzong was ordered to comfort Guangling. Assistant Administrator Fan Yi, an old friend, was executed inside the city with others. When Xingzong arrived he personally gathered the remains and sent the coffin back to the family tomb in Yuzhang. When the Emperor heard, he said: "How dare you deliberately run afoul of the law?" Xingzong answered boldly: "Your Majesty kills rebels; I bury an old friend. I have broken the law and ought to accept the axe." The Emperor looked ashamed. Zhou Lang, Interior Administrator of Luling, had offended by speaking plainly and was chained off to Ning Province. Kin and friends dared not see him off, but Xingzong, on palace duty, asked urgent leave and went to bid him farewell. When the Emperor learned of it he was still angrier. He was punished with many days' leave for illness and served in plain clothes.
14
後為廷尉卿，有解士先者告申坦昔與丞相義宣同謀。 時坦已死，子令孫作山陽郡，自系廷尉。 興宗議曰：「若坦昔為戎首，身今尚存，累經肆眚，猶應蒙宥。 令孫天屬，理相為隱。 況人亡事遠，追相誣訐，斷以禮律，義不合關。」 見從。
He later became Minister of Justice. A man named Xie Shixian reported that Shen Tan had once plotted with Chancellor Yixuan. Tan was already dead; his son Ling Sun, Grand Administrator of Shanyang, surrendered himself to the Minister of Justice. Xingzong argued: "If Tan had been ringleader and still lived, repeated amnesties should still have spared him. Ling Sun is blood kin; by principle he would conceal his father. Besides, the man is dead and the matter long past—to pursue mutual slander by ritual and law the case should not touch him. His view was accepted.
15
出為東陽太守，後為左戶尚書，轉掌吏部。 時上方盛淫宴，虐侮群臣，自江夏王義恭以下咸加穢辱； 唯興宗以方直見憚，不被侵媟。 尚書僕射顏師伯謂儀曹郎王耽之曰：「蔡尚書常免昵戲，去人實遠。」 耽之曰：「蔡豫章昔在相府，亦以方嚴不狎，武帝宴私之日，未嘗相召。 每至官賭，常在勝朋。 蔡尚書今日可謂能負荷矣。」
He went out as Grand Administrator of Dongyang, later became Director of the Left Households, then transferred to head the Ministry of Personnel. The Emperor then indulged in debauched feasts and humiliated the hundred ministers; from Prince Jiangxia Yigong downward all suffered foul abuse; only Xingzong, feared for his upright integrity, was left unmolested. Vice Director Yan Shibo told Gentleman of Protocol Wang Danzhi: "Director Cai is always spared intimate jesting—he truly keeps his distance." Danzhi said: "Cai of Yuzhang in the Chancellor's office was likewise stern and distant; on Emperor Wu's private feast days he was never summoned. Whenever officials gambled, he was always among the winners. Director Cai today can be called one who bears the load."
16
大明末，前廢帝即位，興宗告太宰江夏王義恭應須策文。 義恭曰：「建立儲副，本為今日，復安用此？」 興宗曰：「累朝故事，莫不皆然。 近永初之末，營陽王即位，亦有文策，今在尚書，可檢視也。」 不從。
At the end of Daming, when the Former Deposed Emperor took the throne, Xingzong told Grand Tutor Prince Jiangxia Yigong that an investiture document would be needed. Yigong said: "We established the heir for this very day—why need this again?" Xingzong said: "Every prior reign followed the same precedent. At the end of Yongchu, when Prince Yingyang took the throne, there was a written investiture too—it is in the Secretariat and can be checked. They did not heed him.
17
時義恭錄尚書，受遺輔政，阿衡幼主，而引身避事，政歸近習。 越騎校尉戴法興、中書舍人巢尚之專制朝權，威行近遠。 興宗職管九流，銓衡所寄，每至上朝，輒與令錄以下陳欲登賢進士之意，又箴規得失，博論朝政。 義恭素性恇撓，阿順法興，恒慮失旨，每聞興宗言，輒戰懼無計。
Yigong was Recording Secretary, entrusted by the late Emperor to assist the young ruler, yet he withdrew from affairs and power passed to close attendants. Colonel of Fast Cavalry Dai Faxing and Secretariat Attendant Chao Shangzhi monopolized court power, their authority reaching far and near. Xingzong oversaw the nine ranks and bore the weight of evaluation. At each morning audience he told the Recording Secretary and those below of his intent to elevate the worthy, admonished on policy, and debated governance at length. Timid by nature, Yigong deferred to Faxing and constantly feared losing favor; whenever Xingzong spoke he trembled without recourse.
18
先是，大明世奢侈無度，多所造立，賦調煩嚴，征役過苦，至是發詔悉皆削除。 由此紫極殿南北馳道之屬皆被毀壞，自孝建以來至大明末，凡諸制度，無或存者。 興宗於都坐慨然謂顏師伯曰：「先帝雖非盛德，要以道始終。 三年無改，古典所貴。 今殯宮始撤，山陵未遠，而凡諸制度興造，不論是非，一皆刊削，雖復禪代，亦不至爾，天下有識當以此窺人。」 師伯不能用。
Under Daming extravagance had known no bounds, taxes and corvée had been crushing, and many constructions had been raised; now edicts abolished all of it. The north-south carriage roads of the Purple Forbidden Hall and the like were torn down; from Xiaojian through Daming scarcely an institution survived. At the chief ministers' session Xingzong said feelingly to Yan Shibo: "The late Emperor, though no sage, still held to the Way from first to last. Three years without change—the classics prize that. The mourning hall has barely been cleared and the tomb is still near, yet every institution and construction, right or wrong, is cut away wholesale. Even at a dynastic change it would not go so far—men of discernment will read character from this. Shibo could not act on his view.
19
興宗每奏選事，法興、尚之等輒點定回換，僅有存者。 興宗於朝堂謂義恭及師伯曰：「主上諒闇，不親萬機，選舉密事，多被刪改，非復公筆跡，不知是何天子意。」 王景文、謝莊等遷授失序，興宗又欲改為美選。 時薛安都為散騎常侍、征虜將軍，太子率殷恒為中庶子。 興宗先選安都為左衛將軍，常侍如故； 殷恒為黃門，領校。 太宰嫌安都為多，欲單為左衛。 興宗曰：「率、衛相去，幾何之間。 且已失征虜，非乃超越，復奪常侍，則頓為降貶。 若謂安都晚過微人，本宜裁抑，令名器不輕，宜有選序，謹依選體，非私安都。」 義恭曰：「若宮官宜加越授者，殷恒便應侍中，那得為黃門而已？」 興宗又曰：「中庶、侍中，相去實遠。 且安都作率十年，殷恒中庶百日，今又領校，不為少也。」 使選令史顏禕之、薛慶先等往復論執，義恭然後署案。 既而中旨以安都為右衛，加給事中，由是大忤義恭及法興等。 出興宗為吳郡太守，固辭； 又轉南東海太守，又不拜，苦求益州。 義恭於是大怒，上表言興宗之失。 詔付外詳議，義恭因使尚書令柳元景奏興宗及尚書袁湣孫私相許與，自相選署，亂群害政，混穢大猷。 於是除興宗新昌太守，郡屬交州。 朝廷喧然，莫不嗟駭。 先是，興宗納何後寺尼智妃為妾，姿貌甚美。 迎車已去，而師伯密遣人誘之，潛往載取，興宗迎人不得。 及興宗被徙，論者並言由師伯，師伯甚病之。 法興等既不欲以徙大臣為名，師伯又欲止息物議，由此停行。
Whenever Xingzong submitted selections, Faxing and Shangzhi marked and altered them until scarcely any remained. At court Xingzong told Yigong and Shibo: "The ruler is in mourning and does not govern; confidential selections are repeatedly altered—not in our hands, and whose will this is, none can say. Wang Jingwen, Xie Zhuang, and others were promoted out of order; Xingzong again sought to set them right. Xue Andu was Regular Attendant and General Who Conquers Barbarians; Yin Heng, Commander of the Heir Apparent's Left Guard, was Junior Mentor. Xingzong first selected Andu as General of the Left Guard, keeping his Regular Attendant post; and Yin Heng as Attendant of the Yellow Gate while retaining his colonelcy. The Grand Tutor thought Andu held too many posts and wished to give him Left Guard alone. Xingzong said: "Commander of the Guard and General of the Guard—what real distance is there? He has already lost General Who Conquers Barbarians—that is no promotion—and stripping Regular Attendant too would be a sudden demotion. If you say Andu has lately outstripped common men and ought to be restrained so titles are not lightly given, there should be an order of selection. I follow procedure strictly—I do not favor Andu." Yigong said: "If palace officers deserve extraordinary promotion, Yin Heng should be Palace Attendant—how can he be only Attendant of the Yellow Gate?" Xingzong added: "Junior Mentor and Palace Attendant are truly far apart. Andu has been Commander of the Guard ten years; Yin Heng has been Junior Mentor a hundred days. With the colonelcy added, that is no small post. He sent Selection Clerks Yan Yizhi and Xue Qingxian to argue back and forth until Yigong signed the dossier. Soon an imperial order made Andu General of the Right Guard and added Attendant Within the Gates, greatly offending Yigong, Faxing, and the rest. Xingzong was sent out as Grand Administrator of Wu Command and firmly declined; he was transferred to Southern Donghai and again refused, bitterly requesting Yi Province. Yigong flew into a rage and memorialized Xingzong's faults. An edict ordered external deliberation. Yigong had Secretariat Director Liu Yuanjing accuse Xingzong and Director Yuan Min of privately promising each other appointments, selecting each other, disordering government, and befouling great policy. Xingzong was demoted to Grand Administrator of Xinchang in Jiao Province. The court was in uproar; all sighed in shock. Earlier Xingzong had taken the nun Zhifei of Empress He's temple as concubine; she was very beautiful. The welcome carriage had already left when Shibo secretly sent men to entice her away; Xingzong's welcome party got no one. When Xingzong was banished, commentators blamed Shibo; Shibo was deeply troubled. Faxing and the rest did not wish to be known for banishing a great minister; Shibo also wished to still public talk—so the transfer was halted.
20
頃之，法興見殺，尚之被系，義恭、師伯並誅，復起興宗為臨海王子頊前軍長史、南郡太守，行荊州事，不行。 時前廢帝凶暴，興宗外甥袁顗為雍州刺史，固勸興宗行，曰：「朝廷形勢，人情所見，在內大臣，朝夕難保。 舅今出居陝西，為八州行事，顗在襄、沔，地勝兵強，去江陵咫尺，水陸通便。 若一朝有事，可共立桓、文之功，豈與受制凶狂，禍難不測，同年而語乎。」 興宗曰：「吾素門平進，與主上甚疏，未容有患。 宮省內外既人不自保，比者會應有變。 若內難得弭，外釁未必可量。 汝欲在外求全，我欲居內免禍，各行所見，不亦善乎。」 時士庶危懼，衣冠咸欲遠徙，後皆流離外難，百不一存。
Before long Faxing was killed, Shangzhi imprisoned, Yigong and Shibo executed; Xingzong was restored as Senior Administrator to Prince Ziye of Linhai's Forward Army and Grand Administrator of Nan Command, acting Governor of Jing—he did not go. The Former Deposed Emperor was brutal. Xingzong's nephew Yuan Yan, Inspector of Yong Province, firmly urged him to go: "The court's situation, as men see it—great ministers inside the palace can scarcely survive from morning to evening. Uncle, if you go west of the passes to administer eight provinces, I am at Xiang and Mian with strong terrain and troops; Jiangling is a step away and routes by water and land are open. If trouble comes one morning, together we could establish the achievement of Duke Huan and Duke Wen—how can that compare with submitting to a mad tyrant and meeting disaster beyond reckoning?" Xingzong said: "I rose by plain promotion and stand far from the ruler; I am not likely to be harmed. Inside and outside the palace none can preserve themselves; change should come soon. If inner trouble can be quelled, outer danger may still be hard to measure. You wish to preserve yourself outside; I wish to avoid disaster inside—each following his own path—is that not well? Gentry and commoners were in dread; officials and scholars all wished to flee far; afterward they were scattered in outer calamity, and not one in a hundred survived.
21
重除吏部尚書。 太尉沈慶之深慮危禍，閉門不通賓客，嘗遣左右範羨詣興宗屬事。 興宗謂羨曰：「公關門絕客，以避悠悠之請謁耳，身非有求，何為見拒？」 羨復命，慶之使要興宗。 興宗因說之曰：「主上比者所行，人倫道盡，今所忌憚，唯在於公。 公威名素著，天下所服，今舉朝惶惶，人懷危怖，指撝之日，誰不影從？ 如其不斷，旦暮禍及。 僕昔佐貴府，蒙眷異常，故敢盡言，願思其計。」 慶之曰：「僕比日前慮不復自保，但盡忠奉國，始終以之，正當委天任命耳。 加老罷私門，兵力頓闕，雖有其意，事亦無從。」 興宗曰：「當今懷謀思奮者，非復要富貴，期功賞，各欲救死朝夕耳。 殿內將帥，正聽外間消息； 若一人唱首，則俯仰可定。 況公威風先著，統戎累朝，諸舊部曲，布在宮省，誰敢不從？ 僕在尚書中，自當唱率百僚，案前世故事，更簡賢明，以奉社稷。 又朝廷諸所行造，人間皆言公悉豫之，今若沈疑不決，當有先公起事者，公亦不免附惡之禍也。 且車駕屢幸貴第，酣醉彌留。 又聞斥屏左右，獨入合內。 此萬世一時，機不可失。 僕荷眷深重，故吐去梯之言，公宜詳其禍福。」 慶之曰：「此事大，非僕所能行。 事至，政當抱忠以沒耳。」 頓之，慶之果以見忌致禍。
He was again appointed Director of the Ministry of Personnel. Grand Commandant Shen Qingzhi deeply feared disaster, closed his gates to guests, and once sent attendant Fan Xian to entrust affairs to Xingzong. Xingzong told Xian: "The Duke closes his gates to avoid idle petitioners. I seek nothing—why refuse to see me? Xian reported back; Qingzhi summoned Xingzong. Xingzong urged him: "The ruler's recent conduct has exhausted human relations; what he now fears is you alone. Your martial name is long established and the realm submits; the court is in panic and men harbor dread—on the day you raise your hand, who would not follow? If you do not decide, disaster will come soon. I once served in your noble office and received exceptional favor; therefore I dare speak fully—please consider the plan." Qingzhi said: "I lately feared I could not preserve myself, yet in whole-hearted loyalty to the state I hold to the end—I should entrust fate to Heaven. I am old and retired; military strength is gone; though I have the intent, there is no means." Xingzong said: "Those who now harbor plans are no longer seeking wealth or merit—they only wish to save their lives day by day. Generals within the palace are simply waiting for news from outside; if one man takes the lead, the court can be settled in a moment. Your martial prestige was established first; you have commanded troops through successive reigns; your old subordinates fill the palace offices—who would dare not follow? I in the Secretariat will lead the hundred officials, following former precedents to select the worthy and bright for the altars of soil and grain. Every construction the court undertakes, people say you fully share in it. If you sink in doubt, someone will rise before you—and you too will not escape the calamity of joining evil. The imperial carriage repeatedly visits your residence and stays long in drunkenness. I also hear he dismisses attendants and enters the inner chambers alone. This is a once-in-ten-thousand-generations moment; the opportunity must not be lost. I bear deep favor and therefore speak words of removing the ladder; you should weigh calamity and blessing." Qingzhi said: "This affair is great—not something I can carry out. When it comes, I should embrace loyalty and perish. Before long Qingzhi indeed met disaster through being envied.
22
時領軍將軍王玄謨大將有威名，邑裏訛言玄謨當建大事，或言已見誅。 玄謨典簽包法榮家在東陽，興宗故郡人也，為玄謨所信，使至興宗間。 興宗謂曰：「領軍比日殊當憂懼。」 法榮曰； 「頃者殆不復食，夜亦不眠，恒言收已在門，不保俄頃。」 興宗因法榮勸玄謨舉事。 玄謨又使法榮報曰：「此亦未易可行，其當不泄君語。」 右衛將軍劉道隆為帝所寵信，專統禁兵，乘輿當夜幸著作佐郎江斅宅，興宗乘馬車從。 道隆從車後過，興宗謂曰：「劉公，比日思一閑寫。」 道隆深達此旨，掐興宗手曰：「蔡公勿言。」
Colonel Commandant Wang Xuamo, a great general with a martial name, was rumored in the lanes to be raising a great affair—or already executed. Xuamo's Chief Clerk Bao Farong, from Dongyang and trusted by Xuamo, was sent to inquire of Xingzong. Xingzong told him: "The Colonel Commandant lately ought to be especially fearful and anxious." Farong said: "Lately he can hardly eat; at night he does not sleep; he constantly says arrest is at the gate and he cannot last long. Xingzong thereupon urged Xuamo through Farong to raise an affair. Xuamo sent Farong to reply: "This too is not easily done; he must not leak your words. General of the Right Guard Liu Daolong was favored and trusted, commanding the forbidden troops. The imperial carriage that night visited Editorial Assistant Jiang Shuo; Xingzong followed in a carriage. Daolong passed behind the carriage; Xingzong said: "Lord Liu, lately I have been thinking of a quiet talk." Daolong grasped the intent, squeezed Xingzong's hand and said: "Lord Cai, say no more."
23
時帝每因朝宴，棰毆群臣，自驃騎大將軍建安王休仁以下，侍中袁湣孫等咸見陵曳，唯興宗得免。
At each court feast the Emperor beat the hundred ministers with a club; from General of Agile Cavalry Prince Jian'an Xiuren downward, Palace Attendant Yuan Min and the rest all suffered abuse and dragging—only Xingzong was spared.
24
頃之，明帝定大事。 玄謨責所親故吏郭季產、女婿韋希真等曰：「當艱難時，周旋輩無一言相扣發者。」 季產曰：「蔡尚書令包法榮所道，非不會機，但大事難行耳。 季產言亦何益。」 玄謨有慚色。
Before long Emperor Ming settled the great affair. Xuamo reproached close clerks Guo Jichan and son-in-law Wei Xizhen: "In hard times, none of you spoke a word to stir action." Jichan said: "What Director Cai had Bao Farong convey was not missing the moment, but the great affair was hard to carry out. Jichan's words also did no good. Xuamo looked ashamed.
25
當明帝起事之夜，廢帝橫屍太醫合口。 興宗謂尚書右僕射王景文曰：「此雖凶悖，是天下之主，宜使喪禮粗足。 若直如此，四海必將乘人。」
On the night Emperor Ming raised the affair, the Deposed Emperor's corpse lay sprawled at the Imperial Medical Office gate. Xingzong told Vice Director Wang Jingwen: "Though brutal and rebellious, he was still lord of the realm; proper mourning should roughly suffice. If it is simply like this, the four quarters will surely take advantage."
26
時諸方並舉兵反，朝廷所保丹陽、淮南數郡，其間諸縣或已應賊。 東兵已至永世，宮省危懼，上集群臣以謀成敗。 興宗曰：「宜鎮之以靜，以至信待人。 比者，逆徒親戚布在宮省，若繩之以法，則土崩立至，宜明罪不相及之義。」 上從之。
Every quarter had raised troops; the court held only Danyang and Huainan, and some counties had already joined the rebels. Eastern troops had reached Yongshi; the palace was in dread; the Emperor assembled ministers to deliberate. Xingzong said: "Settle them with calm; use utmost trust toward men. Relatives of rebels fill the palace offices; bind them by law and collapse comes at once—the meaning that guilt does not extend to kin should be made clear. The Emperor followed his view.
27
遷尚書右僕射，尋領衛尉。 明帝謂興宗曰：「頃日人情言何？ 事當濟不？」 興宗曰：「今米甚豐賤，而人情更安，以此算之，清蕩可必。 但臣之所憂，更在事後，猶羊公言既平之後，方當勞聖慮耳。」 尚書褚彥回以手板築興宗，興宗言之不已。 上曰：「如卿言。」
He was transferred to Vice Director of the Secretariat and soon also headed the Court of the Imperial Clan. Emperor Ming asked Xingzong: "Lately what do men say in their hearts? Will the affair succeed or not?" Xingzong said: "Rice is abundant and cheap, and hearts are more at ease—by that reckoning, pacification is certain. But what I fear is afterward—just as Duke Yang said that after pacification the sage's concern should begin. Director Chu Yanhui struck Xingzong with his hand board; Xingzong spoke on without stopping. The Emperor said: "As you say."
28
赭圻平，函送袁顗首，敕從登南掖門樓以觀之。 興宗潸然流涕，上不悅。 事平，封興宗始昌縣伯，固讓，不許，改封樂安縣伯，國秩吏力，終以不受。
When Zheqi was pacified, Yuan Yan's head arrived in a box; an edict ordered Xingzong to ascend the South Yeb Gate tower to view it. Xingzong shed tears; the Emperor was displeased. When the affair was settled, Xingzong was enfeoffed as Marquis of Shichang; he declined and was refused; it was changed to Marquis of Le'an; state salary and clerical labor he ultimately did not accept.
29
時殷琰據壽陽為逆，遣輔國將軍劉勉攻圍之。 四方既平，琰嬰城固守。 上使中書為詔譬琰，興宗曰：「天下既定，是琰思順之日，陛下宜賜手詔數行。 今直使中書為詔，彼必疑非真。」 不從。 琰得詔，謂劉勉詐造，果不敢降，久乃歸順。
Yin Yan held Shouyang in rebellion; General Who Supports the State Liu Mian was sent to besiege it. When the four quarters were pacified, Yan held the city and firmly defended. The Secretariat drafted an edict to persuade Yan; Xingzong said: "The realm is settled; this is the day Yan would submit. Your Majesty should bestow a handwritten edition of several lines. To have the Secretariat alone draft it, he will suspect it is not genuine. They did not heed him. Yan received the edict, said Liu Mian had forged it, and did not dare surrender; only after long delay did he submit.
30
先是，徐州刺史薛安都據彭城反，後遣使歸款，泰始二年冬，遣鎮軍將軍張永率軍迎之。 興宗曰：「安都遣使歸順，此誠不虛，今不過須單使一人，咫尺書耳。 若以重兵迎之，勢必疑懼，或能招引北虜，為患不測。」 時張永已行，不見信。 安都聞大軍過淮，果引魏軍。 永戰大敗，遂失淮北四州。 其先見如此。 初，永敗問至，上在幹明殿，先召司徒建安王休仁，又召興宗。 謂休仁曰：「吾慚蔡僕射。」 以敗書示興宗，曰：「我愧卿。」
Earlier Inspector of Xuzhou Xue Andu had rebelled at Pengcheng; later he sent envoys to submit. In winter of Taishi year 2, General Who Stabilizes the Army Zhang Yong was sent with troops to welcome him. Xingzong said: "Andu sent envoys to submit—that is truly not empty; now one need only send a single envoy with a letter at arm's length. Send a heavy army to welcome him and he will suspect and fear, and may summon northern barbarians—calamity beyond reckoning. Zhang Yong had already set out and was not believed. Andu, hearing the great army had crossed the Huai, indeed brought in Wei troops. Yong was greatly defeated and the four northern provinces were lost. His foresight was like this. When Yong's defeat report arrived, the Emperor was at Ganming Hall; he first summoned Prince Jian'an Xiuren, Minister of Works, then Xingzong. He told Xiuren: "I am ashamed before Vice Director Cai. He showed Xingzong the defeat report: "I am ashamed before you."
31
三年，出為郢州刺史。 初，吳興丘珍孫言論常侵興宗。 珍孫子景先人才甚美，興宗與之周旋。 及景先為鄱陽郡，會晉安王子勳為逆，轉在竟陵，為吳喜所殺。 母老女幼，流離夏口。 興宗至郢州，親自臨哭，致其喪柩，家累皆得東還。
In the third year he went out as Inspector of Ying Province. Earlier Qiu Zhensun of Wuxing often spoke in ways that encroached on Xingzong. Zhensun's grandson Jingxian was very talented; Xingzong kept company with him. When Jingxian was Grand Administrator of Poyang, Prince Jin'an Ziluan rebelled; he transferred to Jingling and was killed by Wu Xi. His mother was old, his daughter young; they were scattered at Xiakou. When Xingzong reached Ying Province he personally came to mourn, sent the coffin back, and the whole household returned east.
32
遷會稽太守，領兵置佐，加都督。 會稽多諸豪右，不遵王憲，幸臣近習，參半宮省。 封略山湖，妨人害政，興宗皆以法繩之。 又以王公妃主多立邸舍，子息滋長，督責無窮，啟罷省之，並陳原諸逋負，解遣雜役，並見從。 三吳舊有鄉射禮，元嘉中，羊玄保為吳郡行之，久不復修。 興宗行之，禮儀甚整。
He was transferred to Grand Administrator of Kuaiji, with troops and staff appointed, and added as Commander. Kuaiji had many powerful clans who did not obey royal statutes; favored ministers and close attendants, half of them held palace posts. They sealed off mountains and lakes, harming people and government; Xingzong bound them all by law. Princes, consorts, and princesses mostly established lodges; as descendants grew, exaction knew no end. He memorialized to abolish them, remit old arrears, and release miscellaneous corvée—all were followed. The Three Wu region formerly had the district archery rite; in Yuanjia Yang Xuanbao as Grand Administrator of Wu Command performed it; for long it was not restored. Xingzong performed it; the ritual was very orderly.
33
明帝崩，興宗與尚書令袁粲、右僕射褚彥回、中領軍劉勉、鎮軍將軍沈攸之同被顧命。 以興宗為征西將軍、開府儀同三司、都督、荊州刺史，加班劍二十人，被征還都。 時右軍將軍王道隆任參國政，權重一時，躡履到興宗前，不敢就席，良久方去。 竟不呼坐。 元嘉初，中書舍人秋當詣太子詹事王曇首，不敢坐。 其後中書舍人弘興宗為文帝所愛遇，上謂曰：「卿欲作士人，得就王球坐，乃當判耳，殷、劉並雜，無所益也。 若往詣球，可稱旨就席。」 及至，球舉扇曰：「君不得爾。」 弘還，依事啟聞。 帝曰：「我便無如此何。」 至是，興宗復爾。
When Emperor Ming died, Xingzong together with Secretariat Director Yuan Can, Vice Director Chu Yanhui, Colonel Commandant Liu Mian, and General Who Stabilizes the Army Shen Youzhi received the late Emperor's testament. Xingzong was made General Who Conquers the West, Commissioner with the Same Privileges as the Three Excellencies, Commander, and Inspector of Jing Province, with twenty ceremonial swords; he was recalled to the capital. General of the Right Army Wang Daolong then shared in governance with weighty authority; treading his shoes he came before Xingzong and did not dare sit, and only after long time left. He never called him to sit. At the beginning of Yuanjia, Secretariat Attendant Qiu Dang visited Crown Prince Household Steward Wang Tanshou and did not dare sit. Later Secretariat Attendant Hong Xingzong was favored by Emperor Wen. The Emperor told him: "If you wish to be a gentleman, you may sit with Wang Qiu—that would be fitting; mixing with Yin and Liu would do no good. If you go to Qiu, you may say it is by imperial intent and take a seat. When he arrived, Qiu raised his fan and said: "Sir, you cannot do this." Hong returned and reported. The Emperor said: "I can do nothing about this. At this time Xingzong was again like this.
34
道隆等以興宗強正，不欲使擁兵上流，改為中書監、左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，固辭不拜。
Daolong and the rest, because Xingzong was stern and upright, did not wish him to hold troops on the upper reaches; he was changed to Director of the Secretariat, Left Grand Master of the Palace, and Commissioner with the Same Privileges as the Three Excellencies; he firmly declined.
35
興宗行己恭恪，光祿大夫北地傅隆與父廓善，興宗常修父友之敬。 又太原孫敬玉嘗通興宗侍兒，被禽反接，興宗命與杖，敬玉了無怍容。 興宗奇其言對，命釋縛，試以伎能，高其筆劄，因以侍兒賜之，為立室宇，位至尚書右丞。 其遏惡揚善若此。 敬玉子廉，仕梁，以清能位至御史中丞。
Xingzong in conduct was respectful and reverent; Grand Master of the Palace Fu Long of Beidi was friendly with his father Kuo, and Xingzong often observed the respect due a father's friend. Sun Jingyu of Taiyuan once had relations with Xingzong's concubine and was seized with hands bound behind; Xingzong ordered him beaten; Jingyu showed not the least shame. Xingzong marveled at his replies; he ordered him unbound, tested his skills, admired his writing, gave him the concubine, built him a house, and he rose to Vice Director of the Secretariat. In restraining evil and exalting good he was like this. Jingyu's son Lian served Liang and for pure ability rose to Imperial Censor.
36
興宗家行尤謹，奉歸宗姑，事寡嫂，養孤兄子，有聞於世。 太子左率王錫妻范，聰明婦人也，有才學。 書讓錫弟僧達曰：「昔謝太傅奉寡嫂王夫人如慈母，今蔡興宗亦有恭和之稱。」 其為世所重如此。
Xingzong's household conduct was especially strict; he served the aunt who had returned to the clan, attended his widowed sister-in-law, and raised his orphaned elder brother's son—with renown in the world. Commander of the Left Guard to the Heir Apparent Wang Xi's wife Fan was an intelligent woman with talent and learning. She wrote reproaching Xi's younger brother Sengda: "Formerly Grand Tutor Xie served his widowed sister-in-law Lady Wang as a kindly mother; today Cai Xingzong likewise has the reputation of reverence and harmony. He was esteemed by the age like this.
37
妻劉氏早卒，一女甚幼，外甥袁覬始生子彖，而妻劉氏亦亡，興宗姊即覬母也。 一孫一侄，躬自撫養，年齒相比，欲為婚姻，每見興宗，輒言此意。 大明初，詔興宗女與南平王敬猷婚。 興宗以姊生平之懷，屢經陳啟。 帝答曰：「卿諸人欲各行己意，則國家何由得婚。 且姊言豈是不可違之處邪？」 舊意既乖，彖亦他娶。 甚後彖家好不終，顗又禍敗，彖亦淪廢當時，孤微理盡。 敬猷遇害，興宗女無子嫠居，名門高胄，多欲結姻。 明帝亦敕適謝氏，興宗並不許，以女適彖。
His wife Lady Liu died early; one daughter was very young; his nephew Yuan Yan had just borne a son Tuan when his wife Lady Liu also died; Xingzong's elder sister was Yan's mother. One grandson and one nephew he personally raised; their ages were comparable; he wished to arrange a marriage; whenever he saw Xingzong he spoke this intent. At the beginning of Daming an edict matched Xingzong's daughter to Prince Nanping Jingyou in marriage. Xingzong, because of his sister's lifelong wish, repeatedly memorialized. The Emperor answered: "If you all wish each to follow his own intent, how can the state arrange marriages? Moreover is your sister's word truly something that cannot be disobeyed? The old intent was already at odds; Tuan also married elsewhere. Much later Tuan's household alliance did not end well; Yan met calamity and defeat; Tuan too was ruined and disgraced—orphaned and lowly, reason exhausted. Jingyou met with disaster; Xingzong's daughter had no son and lived as widow; eminent families and high pedigrees mostly wished to arrange marriage. Emperor Ming also ordered her to marry the Xie clan; Xingzong would permit none and gave his daughter to Tuan.
38
泰豫元年卒，年五十八。 遺命薄葬，奉還封爵。 追贈後授，子順固辭不受，又奉表疏十餘上。 詔特申其請，以旌克讓之風。
In the first year of Taiyu he died, age fifty-eight. His testament ordered a plain burial and return of the enfeoffment. Posthumous honors were granted afterward; his son Shun firmly declined and would not accept, submitting memorials more than ten times. An edict specially granted his request to commend the spirit of self-restraint.
39
初，興宗為郢州，府參軍彭城顏敬以式卜曰：「亥年當作公，官有大字者，不可受也。」 及有開府之授，而太歲在亥，果薨于光祿大夫云。 文集傳於世。
Earlier when Xingzong was at Ying Province, Staff Officer Yan Jing of Pengcheng by divination said: "In the hai year he will become duke; of offices with the character 'great,' none may be accepted. When there was appointment as Commissioner with the Same Privileges as the Three Excellencies and the Grand Year was in hai, he indeed died as Grand Master of the Palace. His collected writings circulated in the world.
40
子順字景玄，方雅有父風，位太尉從事中郎。 升明末卒。 弟約。 約字景撝，少尚宋孝武女安吉公主，拜駙馬都尉。 仕齊，累遷太子中庶子、領屯騎校尉。 永明八年八月合朔，約脫武冠解劍，於省眠至下鼓不起，為有司所奏，贖論。
His son Shun, styled Jingxuan, was refined and elegant with his father's manner and held Attendant-in-Ordinary on the Grand Commandant's staff. He died at the end of the Shengming era. His younger brother was Yue. Yue, styled Jingyi, in youth married Emperor Xiaowu of Song's daughter Princess Anji and was appointed Commandant Escort. Serving Qi, he rose to Junior Mentor and Colonel of the Household Guards of Resolute Cavalry. In the eighth month of Yongming year 8, at the new moon conjunction, Yue removed his martial cap and unsheathed his sword, slept in the office until the evening drum without rising, was reported, and was sentenced to ransom.
41
出為宜都王冠軍長史、淮南太守，行府州事。 武帝謂曰：「今用卿為近蕃上佐，想副我所期。」 約曰：「南豫密邇京師，不化自理，臣亦何人，爝火不息。」 時諸王行事，多相裁割，約居右任，主佐之間穆如也。
He went out as Senior Administrator to Prince Yidu, Champion General, and Grand Administrator of Huainan, acting Governor of the princely fief and province. Emperor Wu told him: "Now I use you as close frontier chief aide—I trust you will meet what I expect." Yue said: "Southern Yu is close to the capital; if it is not governed of itself, what kind of man am I that the torch flame does not cease?" Princes' acting administrators mostly trimmed each other's authority; Yue held the right appointment and lord and aide were harmonious.
42
遷司徒左長史。 齊明帝為錄尚書輔政，百僚脫屐到席，約躡屐不改。 帝謂江祏曰：「蔡氏是禮度之門，故自可悅。」 祏曰：「大將軍有揖客，復見於今。」
He was transferred to Senior Administrator on the Minister of Works' left staff. When Emperor Ming of Qi was Recording Secretary assisting in government, the hundred officials removed their shoes to the mat; Yue tread his shoes unchanged. The Emperor told Jiang Shi: "The Cai house is a gate of ritual measure—therefore it is naturally pleasing." Shi said: "The Grand General had guests who bowed—again seen today."
43
約好飲酒，夷淡不與世雜。 永元二年，卒于太子詹事，年四十四，贈太常。 弟撙。
Yue loved drinking wine; plain and detached, he did not mix with the world. In Yongyuan year 2 he died as Household Steward to the Heir Apparent, age forty-four; he was posthumously made Minister of Ceremonies. His younger brother was Zun.
44
撙字景節，少方雅退默，與第四兄寅俱知名。 仕齊位給事黃門侍郎。 丁母憂，廬於墓側。 齊末多難，服闋，因居墓所。 除太子中庶子、太尉長史，並不就。
Zun, styled Jingjie, from youth was refined, elegant, retiring, and silent; with his fourth elder brother Yin he was alike renowned. Serving Qi he held Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. When his mother died he mourned in a hut beside the tomb. At the end of Qi troubles were many; when mourning ended he dwelt at the tomb site. He was appointed Junior Mentor and Senior Administrator to the Grand Commandant, and accepted neither.
45
梁台建，為侍中，遷臨海太守。 公事左遷太子中庶子，復為侍中，吳興太守。 初，撙在臨海，百姓楊元孫以婢采蘭貼與同里黃權，約生子，酬乳哺直。 權死後，元孫就權妻吳贖婢母子五人，吳背約不還。 元孫訴，撙判還本主。 吳能為巫，出入撙內，以金釧賂撙妾，遂改判與吳。 元孫撾登聞鼓訟之，為有司劾。 時撙已去郡，雖不坐，而常以為恥。 口不言錢，及在吳興，不飲郡井，齋前自種白莧紫茄，以為常餌，詔褒其清。 加信武將軍。
When the Liang regime was established he became Palace Attendant and was transferred to Grand Administrator of Linhai. For public affairs he was demoted to Junior Mentor, again became Palace Attendant and Grand Administrator of Wuxing. Earlier when Zun was at Linhai, commoner Yang Yuansun posted maid Cailan with fellow villager Huang Quan; they agreed she would bear a child and pay nursing wages. After Quan died, Yuansun went to Quan's wife Wu to redeem maid and mother with five persons; Wu broke the agreement and would not return them. Yuansun sued; Zun judged and returned them to the original master. Wu could perform shamanism and entered Zun's household; with gold bracelets she bribed Zun's concubine, and the judgment was changed to give them to Wu. Yuansun beat the Palace Gate drum to sue; Zun was impeached by the relevant office. Zun had already left the command; though not punished, he constantly took it as shame. He did not speak of money; at Wuxing he did not drink from the command well; before his study he planted white amaranth and purple eggplant as regular fare; an edict praised his purity. He was added as General of Trustworthy Martiality.
46
時帝將為昭明太子納妃，意在謝氏。 袁昂曰：「當今貞素簡勝，唯有蔡撙。」 乃遣吏部尚書徐勉詣之，停車三通不報。 勉笑曰：「當須我召也。」 遂投刺乃入。
The Emperor wished to take a consort for Crown Prince Zhaoming; his intent was on the Xie clan. Yuan Ang said: "Among those today who are chaste, plain, and surpass others, there is only Cai Zun. Director of the Ministry of Personnel Xu Mian was sent to visit him; he stopped his carriage three times without response. Mian laughed: "He must need me to summon him. He submitted his calling card and only then entered.
47
天監九年，宣城郡吏吳承伯挾祅道聚眾攻宣城，殺太守朱僧勇，轉寇吳興，吏人並請避之。 撙堅守不動，命眾出戰，摧破斬承伯，餘党悉平。
In Tianjian year 9, Xuancheng clerk Wu Chengbo, relying on heterodox ways, gathered a crowd to attack Xuancheng, killed Grand Administrator Zhu Sengyong, then raided Wuxing; clerks and people all asked to flee. Zun held firm, ordered the crowd out to fight, crushed and beheaded Chengbo, and the remainder was pacified.
48
累遷吏部尚書，在選弘簡有名稱。 又為侍中，領秘書監。 武帝嘗謂曰：「卿門舊尚有堪事者多少？」 撙曰：「臣門客沈約、範岫各已被升擢，此外無人。」 約時為太子少傅，岫為右衛將軍。
He was repeatedly promoted to Director of the Ministry of Personnel; in selections he was broad and plain with a renowned reputation. He again became Palace Attendant and headed the Palace Library. Emperor Wu once asked: "In your gate, how many are still fit for affairs?" Zun said: "My retainers Shen Yue and Fan Xiu have each been promoted; beyond them there is no one." Yue was Junior Tutor to the Heir Apparent; Xiu was General of the Right Guard.
49
撙風骨鯁正，氣調英嶷，當朝無所屈讓。 嘗奏用琅邪王筠為殿中郎，武帝嫌不取參掌通署，乃推白牒於香橙地下，曰：「卿殊不了事。」 撙正色俯身拾牒起，曰：「臣謂舉爾所知，許允已有前事； 既是所知而用，無煩參掌署名。 臣撙少而仕宦，未嘗有不了事之目。」 因捧牒直出，便命駕而去，仍欲抗表自解。 帝尋悔，取事為畫。
Zun's bearing was stern and upright, his spirit lofty; in court he yielded to none. He once memorialized to appoint Langya Wang Yun as Attendant Within the Gates; the Emperor disliked his not taking part in joint administration and pushed the white dossier beneath the fragrant orange: "You truly do not understand affairs." Zun sternly bent, picked up the dossier and rose: "I consider recommending those one knows—Xu Yun already had a prior case; since it is one known and used, there is no need for joint administration to sign. I, Zun, from youth entered office and have never borne the reputation of not understanding affairs. He held the dossier straight out and left, ordered his carriage and departed, and still wished to memorialized in protest to resign. The Emperor soon regretted it and took the affair as a lesson.
50
帝嘗設大臣餅，撙在坐。 帝頻呼姓名，撙竟不答，食餅如故。 帝覺其負氣，乃改喚蔡尚書，撙始放箸執笏曰：「爾。」 帝曰：「卿向何聾，今何聰？」 對曰：「臣預為右戚，且職在納言，陛下不應以名垂喚。」 帝有慚色。
The Emperor once set out cakes for the great ministers; Zun was seated. The Emperor repeatedly called his personal name; Zun did not answer and ate cake as before. The Emperor perceived his proud spirit and changed to calling Director Cai; Zun then set down chopsticks, took his baton and said: "Yes. The Emperor said: "You were deaf before—why hearing now?" He answered: "I am by precedent a senior imperial relative and my office is to remonstrate; Your Majesty should not call by personal name." The Emperor looked ashamed.
51
性甚凝厲，善自居適。 女為昭明太子妃，自詹事以下咸來造謁，往往稱疾相聞，間遣之。 及其引進，但暄寒而已，此外無復餘言。
By nature he was very stern, good at keeping himself at ease. His daughter was consort to Crown Prince Zhaoming; from Household Steward downward all came to call; he often claimed illness and occasionally sent someone. When he received them, he spoke only of cold and heat—beyond that no further words.
52
後為中書令，卒于吳郡太守，諡曰康子。 司空袁昂嘗謂諸賓曰：「自蔡侯卒，不復更見此人。」 其為名輩所知如此。 子彥深，宣城內史。 彥深弟彥高，給事黃門侍郎。 彥高子凝。
He later became Director of the Secretariat and died as Grand Administrator of Wu Command; his posthumous title was Master Kang. Minister of Works Yuan Ang once told guests: "Since Lord Cai's death, I have not again seen such a man. He was known by leading men of reputation like this. His son Yanshen was Interior Administrator of Xuancheng. Yanshen's younger brother Yangao was Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Yangao's son was Ning.
53
尋授吏部侍郎。 凝年位未高，而才地為時所重，常端坐西齋，自非素貴名流，罕所交接，趣時者多譏焉。 宣帝嘗謂凝曰：「我欲用義興主婿錢肅為黃門侍郎，卿意如何？」 凝正色曰：「帝鄉舊戚，恩由聖旨，則無所復問。 若格以僉議，黃散之職，故須人門兼美。」 帝默然而止。 肅聞而不平，義興公主日譖之，尋免官，遷交趾。 頃之追還。
Soon he was appointed Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel. Though Ning's years and rank were not yet high, his talent and standing were esteemed; he constantly sat upright in the western study; except for old nobles and famous figures he rarely received visitors—those chasing the times mostly ridiculed him. Emperor Xuan once asked Ning: "I wish to use Princess Yixing's son-in-law Qian Su as Attendant of the Yellow Gate—what is your view?" Ning said sternly: "Imperial township old kin—if favor comes from the sage intent, there is nothing further to ask. If measured by collective deliberation, Attendant and Regular Attendant requires a gate with combined excellence. The Emperor fell silent and stopped. Su heard and was not at peace; Princess Yixing daily slandered him; soon he was removed and transferred to Jiaozhi. Before long he was recalled.
54
後主嗣位，為給事黃門侍郎。 後主嘗置酒，歡甚，將移宴弘范宮，眾人咸從，唯凝與袁憲不行。 後主曰：「何為？」 凝曰：「長樂尊嚴，非酒後所過，臣不敢奉詔。」 眾人失色。 後主曰：「卿醉矣。」 令引出。 他日，後主謂吏部尚書蔡征曰：「蔡凝負地矜才，無所用也。」 尋遷信威晉熙王府長史，鬱鬱不得志。 乃喟然歎曰：「天道有廢興，夫子雲'樂天知命'，斯理庶幾可達。」 因著小室賦以見志。 陳亡入隋，道病卒，年四十七。 子君知，頗知名。
When the Later Lord succeeded, he became Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. The Later Lord once set out wine with deep merriment and wished to move the feast to Hongfan Palace; the crowd all followed—only Ning and Yuan Xian did not go. The Later Lord said: "Why?" Ning said: "Changle's dignity is not a place to pass through after wine—I dare not receive the order." The crowd changed color. The Later Lord said: "You are drunk. He ordered him led out. Another day the Later Lord told Director Cai Zheng: "Cai Ning prides himself on standing and talent and is of no use. Soon he was transferred to Senior Administrator to Prince Jinxi of Trustworthy Martiality; depressed, he did not achieve his intent. He sighed: "Heaven's Way has decline and rise; the Master said 'rejoice in Heaven and know fate'—this principle can perhaps be reached. He composed the "Small Chamber Rhapsody" to show his intent. When Chen fell and he entered Sui, he died on the road, age forty-seven. His son Junzhi was somewhat renowned.
55
論曰：蔡廓體業弘正，風格峻舉。 興宗出內所踐，不隕家聲。 位在具臣，而情懷伊、霍，仁者有勇，驗在斯乎。 然自廓及凝，年移四代，高風素氣，無乏于時，其所以取貴，不徒然矣。 至於矜倨之失，蓋其風俗所通，格以正道，故亦名教之深尤也。
Commentary says: Cai Kuo's substance and career were broad and upright, his style lofty and rising. Xingzong in what he tread going out and entering did not fall from the family's reputation. His rank was among full ministers, yet his heart held Yi and Huo; the benevolent have courage—the proof is in this. Yet from Kuo to Ning, years shifted through four generations; lofty wind and plain spirit did not fail in the age—the reason they won esteem was not for nothing. As for the fault of haughty reserve—that is what their customs shared; measured by the upright Way, therefore it is also the deep fault of name and teaching.