1
顏延之
Yan Yanzhi
2
顏延之字延年，琅邪臨沂人也。 曾祖含，晉右光祿大夫。 祖約，零陵太守。 父顒，護軍司馬。
Yan Yanzhi, styled Yannian, came from Linyi in Langye Commandery. His great-grandfather Han had been Right Director of Splendid Honors under the Jin. His grandfather Yue served as administrator of Lingling. His father Yong held a staff post under the Protector-General.
3
延之少孤貧，居負郭，好讀書，無所不覽，文章冠絕當時。 好飲酒，不護細行。 年三十猶未昏。 妹適東莞劉穆之子憲之。 穆之聞其美才，將仕之，先欲相見，延之不往也。
Orphaned and poor, Yanzhi lived just outside the city walls. He read voraciously in every field, and his prose stood above that of his contemporaries. He drank heavily and cared little for propriety in small matters. He remained unmarried until he was thirty. A younger sister of his married Xianzhi, son of Liu Mu of Dongguan. Liu Mu, hearing of his gifts, wished to take him into service and asked to meet him first. Yanzhi refused to come.
4
後為宋武帝豫章公世子中軍行參軍。 及武帝北伐，有宋公之授，府遣延之慶殊命。 行至洛陽，周視故宮室，盡為禾黍，淒然詠黍離篇。 道中作詩二首，為謝晦、傅亮所賞。
He later became an aide in the heir apparent's central army under the Duke of Yuzhang. When Emperor Wu marched north and received the title Duke of Song, the staff dispatched Yanzhi to compose a celebratory address. At Luoyang he walked the ruined palaces, now fields of millet and sorghum, and mournfully recited the 'Millet' ode. En route he wrote two poems that won praise from Xie Hui and Fu Liang.
5
武帝受命，補太子舍人。 雁門周續之隱廬山，儒學著稱。 永初中，征詣都下，開館以居之。 武帝親幸，朝彥畢至。 延之宮官列卑，引升上席。 上使問續之三義，續之雅仗辭辯，延之每以簡要連挫續之。 上又使還自敷釋，言約理暢，莫不稱善。 再遷太子中舍人。 時尚書令傅亮自以文義一時莫及，延之負其才，不為之下，亮甚疾焉。 廬陵王義真待之甚厚，徐羨之等疑延之為同異，意甚不悅。
After Wu accepted the throne, Yanzhi was made an attendant to the heir apparent. Zhou Xuzhi of Yanmen, a recluse on Mount Lu, was famed for classical scholarship. In the Yongchu reign he was summoned to court and housed in a lecture hall. The emperor came in person, and the leading men of court gathered. Though Yanzhi held a low palace post, he was seated among the honored guests. The emperor set him to debate Xuzhi on the Three Meanings. Xuzhi leaned on fluent rhetoric; Yanzhi cut him down again and again with terse answers. The emperor then had Yanzhi explain the doctrine himself. His speech was spare and lucid, and all praised it. He was promoted again to attendant in the central palace. Fu Liang, Director of the Masters of Writing, believed no one matched him in letters; Yanzhi, sure of his own gifts, refused to defer, and Liang deeply resented him. Prince Yizhen of Luling treated him warmly, but Xu Xianzhi and his faction suspected Yanzhi of divided loyalty and took strong dislike to him.
6
少帝即位，累遷始安太守。 領軍將軍謝晦謂延之曰：「昔荀勖忌阮咸，斥為始平郡，今卿又為始安，可謂'二始'。」 黃門郎殷景仁亦謂之曰：「所謂人惡俊異，世疵文雅。」 延之之郡，道經汨潭，為湘州刺史張邵祭屈原文以致其意。
Under the Deposed Emperor he rose by stages to administrator of Shian. Xie Hui, General of the Palace Guard, told him, "Once Xun Xu drove Ruan Xian out to Shiping; now you have been sent to Shian—the 'two beginnings,' as it were." Yin Jingren, an attendant gentleman, added, "So the world hates the brilliant and scorns the cultivated." En route to his post he stopped at the Mi Pool and, at the request of Xiang Province inspector Zhang Shao, sacrificed to Qu Yuan to declare his sentiments.
7
元嘉三年，羨之等誅，徵為中書侍郎，轉太子中庶子，領步兵校尉，賞遇甚厚。 延之既以才學見遇，當時多相推服，唯袁淑年倍小延之，不相推重。 延之忿於眾中折之曰：「昔陳元方與孔元駿齊年文學，元駿拜元方於床下，今君何得不見拜？」 淑無以對。
In the third year of Yuanjia, once Xianzhi's faction had fallen, Yanzhi was recalled as a secretariat gentleman, made attendant to the heir apparent and colonel of footsoldiers, and treated with great favor. Honored for scholarship, Yanzhi was widely admired—only Yuan Shu, though half his age, refused to yield to him. Before the company Yanzhi snapped at him: "Chen Yuanfang and Kong Yuanjun were literary equals in their day, and Yuanjun bowed to Yuanfang at the bedside. Why won't you bow to me?" Shu had no answer.
8
延之疏誕，不能取容當世，見劉湛、殷景仁專當要任，意有不平。 常言：「天下事豈一人之智所能獨了」。 辭意激揚，每犯權要。 又少經為湛父柳後將軍主簿，至是謂湛曰：「吾名器不升，當由作卿家吏耳。」 湛恨焉，言于彭城王義康，出為永嘉太守。 延之甚怨憤，乃作五君詠，以述竹林七賢，山濤、王戎以貴顯被黜。 詠嵇康云：「鸞翮有時鎩，龍性誰能馴。」 詠阮籍云：「物故不可論，途窮能無慟。」 詠阮咸云：「屢薦不入官，一麾乃出守。」 詠劉伶云：「韜精日沈飲，誰知非荒宴。」 此四句蓋自序也。 湛及義康以其辭旨不遜，大怒，欲黜為遠郡。 文帝與義康詔曰：「宜令思愆里閭，猶復不悛，當驅往東土； 乃至難恕者，自可隨事錄之。」 於是延之屏居不豫人間者七載。
Blunt and unbending, Yanzhi could not trim himself to the times. Liu Zhan and Yin Jingren held the chief posts, and he resented it. He often said, "Surely the empire is not a thing one mind can manage alone." His language grew fierce, and he repeatedly crossed those in power. He had once been chief clerk to Zhan's father, Rear General Liu. Now he told Zhan, "My titles never advance—perhaps because I once served as your family's clerk." Zhan took offense and complained to Prince Yikang of Pengcheng. Yanzhi was exiled to Yongjia as administrator. Bitter with rage, he wrote the Five Lord Odes on the Bamboo Grove sages, omitting Shan Tao and Wang Rong for their worldly success. Of Ji Kang he wrote: "Even a phoenix's pinion may be clipped—who can tame a dragon's nature?" Of Ruan Ji: "What is past cannot be argued; at the end of the road, who would not mourn?" Of Ruan Xian: "Recommended again and again, never given office; one gesture, and he was sent to govern a backwater." Of Liu Ling: "He buried his spirit in daily drinking—who could tell it was not reckless feasting?" Those four lines were largely about himself. Zhan and Yikang, finding the tone insolent, were furious and meant to exile him to a remote post. Emperor Wen told Yikang, "Have him repent in his neighborhood; if he still will not mend, send him to the eastern provinces; and for what is truly beyond forgiveness, record it as you see fit." Yanzhi then withdrew from the world for seven years.
9
中書令王球以名公子遺務事外，與延之雅相愛好，每振其罄匱。 晉恭思皇后葬，應須百官，皆取義熙元年除身。 以延之兼侍中，邑吏送劄，延之醉，投劄於地曰：「顏延之未能事生，焉能事死。」 文帝嘗召延之，傳詔頻不見，常日但酒店裸袒輓歌，了不應對，他日醉醒乃見。 帝嘗問以諸子才能，延之曰：「竣得臣筆，測得臣文，啜得臣義，躍得臣酒。」 何尚之嘲曰：「誰得卿狂？」 答曰：「其狂不可及。」 尚之爲侍中在直，延之以醉詣焉。 尚之望見便陽眠，延之發簾熟視曰：「朽木難雕。」 尚之謂左右曰：「此人醉甚可畏。」 閒居無事，爲庭誥之文以訓子弟。
Director of the Secretariat Wang Qiu, a famous young noble who neglected office for outside pursuits, was very close to Yanzhi and often replenished his empty purse. When Empress Gongsi of Jin was buried, every official required had to hold appointment from the first year of Yixi. Yanzhi was made concurrent attendant; a district clerk delivered the summons; drunk, Yanzhi threw it down: "Yan Yanzhi cannot serve the living—how can he serve the dead?" Emperor Wen once summoned Yanzhi, but couriers repeatedly found him absent; on ordinary days he was at wine shops bare-chested singing dirges and utterly unresponsive; only when sober another day would he appear. The emperor once asked about his sons' abilities; Yanzhi said, "Jun gets my brush, Ce gets my writing, Chuo gets my righteousness, and Yue gets my wine." He Shangzhi mocked, "Who gets your madness?" He replied, "That madness is beyond reach." Shangzhi was attendant on duty; Yanzhi came to him drunk. Shangzhi, seeing him, feigned sleep; Yanzhi lifted the curtain, looked closely, and said, "Rotten wood is hard to carve." Shangzhi told his attendants, "This man drunk is truly fearsome." At leisure at home he wrote Household Admonitions to instruct his sons and younger kin.
10
劉湛誅後，起延之為始興王浚後軍諮議參軍、御史中丞。 在任從容，無所舉奏。 遷國子祭酒、司徒左長史。 何尚之素與延之狎，書與王球曰：「延之有後命，教府無復光暉。」 坐啟買人田不肯還直，尚書左丞荀赤松奏之曰：「求田問舍，前賢所鄙。 延之唯利是視，輕冒陳聞，依傍詔恩，抵捍餘直，垂及周年，猶不畢了。 昧利苟得，無所顧忌。 延之昔坐事屏斥，復蒙抽進，而曾不悛革，怨誹無已。 交遊闒茸，沈迷曲蘖，橫興譏謗，詆毀朝士。 仰竊過榮，增憤薄之性，私恃顧眄，成強梁之心。 外示寡求，內懷奔競，幹祿祈遷，不知極已。 預宴班觴，肆詈上席。 山海容含，每存遵養。 愛兼雕蟲，未忍遐棄。 而驕放不節，日月彌甚。 臣聞聲問過情，孟軻所恥，況聲非外來，問由己出。 雖心智薄劣，而高自比擬，客氣虛張，曾無愧畏。 豈可復弼亮五教，增耀臺階。 請以延之訟田不實，妄幹天聽，以強陵弱，免所居官。」 詔可。 後為秘書監，光祿勳，太常。 時沙門釋慧琳以才學為文帝所賞，朝廷政事多與之謀，遂士庶歸仰。 上每引見，常升獨榻，延之甚疾焉。 因醉白上曰：「昔同子參乘，袁絲正色。 此三台之坐，豈可使刑余居之。」 上變色。
After Zhan's execution he was recalled as rear-army adviser to Prince Jun of Shixing and censor-in-chief. In that post he was easygoing and filed no indictments. He was moved to director of the Imperial University and left chief clerk of the Minister of Education. He Shangzhi, who knew Yanzhi well, wrote Wang Qiu, "Yanzhi has a future appointment—the office will lose its luster." When Yanzhi petitioned to buy a field and refused the price, Left Assistant Director Xun Chisong memorialized: "Seeking fields and houses is what the ancients scorned. Yanzhi eyes profit alone, brazenly appeals to the throne, leans on imperial favor to withhold payment, and after nearly a year still has not settled. He grasps for gain without scruple. Once banished and then restored, he never mended his ways; complaint and slander never stopped. He keeps low company, drowns in wine, and spreads mockery, defaming officials at court. He secretly relishes unmerited rank and feeds a petty temper; counting on private favor, he grows overbearing. Outwardly he feigns indifference; inwardly he scrambles for office, chasing salary and promotion without end. At court feasts he openly insults those seated above him. Heaven and earth are broad in mercy, yet he is always indulged. The emperor cherishes even ornamental talent and will not cast him off. Yet his arrogance grows more unrestrained by the day. Mencius held it shameful when fame outruns merit—how much worse when the noise is one's own making. Though his wit is slight, he sets himself among the great; his manner is all bluster, without shame or fear. How can he again assist in the Five Teachings and lend luster to the throne? I ask that Yanzhi be removed for false claims over the field, for importuning the throne, and for bullying the weak with his power." The edict approved. He later served as director of the Secretariat, director of splendid honors, and minister of ceremonies. The monk Huilin, prized by Emperor Wen for learning, was often consulted on state affairs, and commoners and officials alike looked up to him. Whenever the emperor received Huilin, the monk sat on a couch apart; Yanzhi resented it deeply. Drunk, he told the emperor, "Once Yuan Sili rode with Chao Cuo and kept a stern face. How can this seat of the Three Terraces be given to a castrated man?" The emperor's face darkened.
11
延之性既褊激，兼有酒過，肆意直言，曾無回隱，故論者多不與之，謂之顏彪。 居身儉約，不營財利，布衣蔬食，獨酌郊野。 當其為適，傍若無人。 三十年，致事。
Narrow and impulsive, and given to wine, he spoke without reserve; many shunned him and called him Tiger Yan. He lived simply, pursued no wealth, wore plain cloth, ate vegetables, and drank alone in the outskirts. When he was at ease, he seemed oblivious to everyone around him. In the thirtieth year he retired.
12
元凶弑立，以為光祿大夫。 長子竣為孝武南中郎諮議參軍。 及義師入討，竣定密謀，兼造書檄。 劭召延之示以檄文，問曰：「此筆誰造？」 延之曰：「竣之筆也。」 又問：「何以知之？」 曰：「竣筆體，臣不容不識。」 劭又曰：「言辭何至乃爾？」 延之曰：「竣尚不顧老臣，何能為陛下。」 劭意乃釋，由是得免。
When the crown prince usurped the throne, Yanzhi was made director of splendid honors. His eldest son Jun served as adviser to Emperor Xiaowu's southern army. When the punitive army marched, Jun shaped the secret plan and drafted the proclamations. Liu Shao summoned Yanzhi, showed him the proclamation, and asked, "Whose pen wrote this?" Yanzhi said, "Jun's." Shao asked again, "How do you know?" He said, "I would know Jun's hand anywhere." Shao also said, "How could the language go so far?" Yanzhi said, "If Jun shows no mercy to an old minister, how would he spare Your Majesty?" Shao's suspicions eased, and Yanzhi escaped harm.
13
孝武登阼，以為金紫光祿大夫，領湘東王師。 嘗與何偃同從上南郊，偃于路中遙呼延之曰：「顏公！」 延之以其輕脫，怪之，答曰：「身非三公之公，又非田舍之公，又非君家阿公，何以見呼為公？」 偃羞而退。
When Xiaowu took the throne, Yanzhi was made director of splendid honors with the gold seal and tutor to the Prince of Xiangdong. Once, accompanying He Yan to the southern suburban rites, Yan called from the road, "Master Yan!" Yanzhi, offended by the familiarity, replied, "I am no grand duke, no village elder, nor your uncle—why 'duke'?" Yan withdrew in embarrassment.
14
竣既貴重，權傾一朝，凡所資供，延之一無所受。 器服不改，宅宇如舊，常乘羸牛車，逢竣鹵簿，即屏住道側。 又好騎馬遨遊裏巷，遇知舊輒據鞍索酒，得必傾盡，欣然自得。 嘗語竣曰：「平生不喜見要人，今不幸見汝。」 見竣起宅，謂曰：「善為之，無令後人笑汝拙也。」 表解師職，加給親信二十人。 嘗早候竣，遇賓客盈門，竣方臥不起，延之怒曰：「恭敬撙節，福之基也。 驕佷傲慢，禍之始也。 況出糞土之中，而升雲霞之上，傲不可長，其能久乎。」
Jun had grown powerful and his authority tilted the court, yet Yanzhi accepted none of the provisions sent him. His dress and furnishings stayed as before; he rode a thin ox-cart, and when he met Jun's escort he pulled aside. He loved riding through the lanes; seeing old friends he would lean from the saddle for wine, drain the cup when he got it, and be well pleased. He once told Jun, "All my life I hated meeting the powerful—now, alas, I meet you." Seeing Jun build a mansion, he said, "Build it well—don't let posterity laugh at your taste." He petitioned to resign the tutorship and was granted twenty personal attendants. Once he came early to call on Jun and found the gate crowded with guests while Jun lay abed. Yanzhi said angrily, "Respect and restraint are the root of fortune. Pride and arrogance are the start of ruin. To climb from the dust to the clouds—pride cannot last. How long can it endure?"
15
延之有愛姬，非姬食不飽，寢不安。 姬憑寵，嘗蕩延之墜床致損，竣殺之。 延之痛惜甚至，常坐靈上哭曰：「貴人殺汝，非我殺汝。」 以冬日臨哭，忽見妾排屏風以壓延之，延之懼墜地，因病。 孝建三年卒，年七十三。 贈特進，諡曰憲子。
Yanzhi kept a favorite concubine; he could neither eat his fill nor sleep without her. Presuming on favor, she once swung from Yanzhi's bed and fell, hurting him; Jun had her killed. Yanzhi grieved beyond measure and often wept before her spirit tablet: "The great man killed you—not I." Weeping at her bier in winter, he suddenly saw the concubine push aside the screen toward him; terrified, he fell ill. He died in the third year of Xiaojian, aged seventy-three. He was posthumously made special grand master with the posthumous title Xianzi.
16
延之與陳郡謝靈運俱以辭采齊名，而遲速縣絕。 文帝嘗各敕擬樂府北上篇，延之受詔便成，靈運久之乃就。 延之嘗問鮑照己與靈運優劣，照曰：「謝五言如初發芙蓉，自然可愛。 君詩若鋪錦列繡，亦雕繢滿眼。」 延之每薄湯惠休詩，謂人曰：「惠休製作，委巷中歌謠耳，方當誤後生。」 是時議者以延之、靈運自潘岳、陸機之後，文士莫及，江右稱潘、陸，江左稱顏、謝焉。 竣字士遜，延之長子也。 早有文義，為宋孝武帝撫軍主簿，甚被嘉遇，竣亦盡心補益。 元嘉中，上不欲諸王各立朋黨，將召竣補尚書郎。 江湛以為在府有稱，不宜回改，乃止。 隨府轉安北、鎮軍、北中郎府主簿。
Yanzhi and Xie Lingyun of Chen were equally famed for literary brilliance, yet one wrote swiftly and the other slowly. Emperor Wen once ordered each to compose a 'Northward' yuefu piece; Yanzhi finished at once, Lingyun only after long labor. Yanzhi once asked Bao Zhao who was better, he or Lingyun. Zhao said, "Xie's pentasyllabic lines are like a lotus just opening—naturally lovely. Your poems are brocade laid out and embroidery hung—dazzling to the eye." Yanzhi always scorned Tang Hui Xiu's verse: "Hui Xiu writes alley songs—they will mislead the young." Critics held that after Pan Yue and Lu Ji no writer matched Yan and Xie; south of the river they named Pan and Lu, east of it Yan and Xie. Jun, styled Shixun, was Yanzhi's eldest son. Gifted early in letters, he served as chief clerk to Xiaowu's pacification army and was greatly favored; Jun repaid the trust fully. In Yuanjia the emperor did not want princes forming factions and meant to recall Jun to the Masters of Writing. Jiang Zhan argued that Jun had standing in the prince's household and should not be moved, and the plan was dropped. He followed the prince as chief clerk to the pacification army, the army general, and the northern army in turn.
17
初，沙門釋僧含精有學義，謂竣曰：「貧道常見讖記，當有真人應符，名稱次第，屬在殿下。」 後竣在彭城，嘗于親人敘之，言遂宣佈，聞于文帝。 時元凶巫蠱事已發，故上不加推案。
The monk Seng Han, learned and accomplished, told Jun, "I have read prophecies of a true lord to come—the name and order point to Your Highness." Later at Pengcheng Jun spoke of it among kin; the story spread, and Emperor Wen heard. The crown prince's sorcery case had already broken; the emperor did not pursue it.
18
孝武鎮尋陽，遷南中郎記室。 三十年春，以父延之致仕，固求解職，賜假未發，而文帝崩問至，孝武舉兵入討，轉諮議參軍，領錄事，任總內外，並造檄書。 孝武發尋陽，便有疾，自沈慶之以下並不堪相見，唯竣出入臥內，斷決軍機。 時孝武屢經危篤，不任諮稟，凡厥眾務，竣皆專斷施行。
When Xiaowu garrisoned Xunyang, Jun became recorder of the southern army. In spring of the thirtieth year, with Yanzhi retired, he asked to resign; leave was granted but not yet taken when word came of Wen's death. Xiaowu raised arms to punish the usurper; Jun became adviser, handled records, and drafted proclamations. Xiaowu fell ill leaving Xunyang; from Shen Qingzhi down none could face him—only Jun entered the sickroom and decided military affairs. Xiaowu repeatedly hovered near death and could not govern; Jun decided and executed all other affairs alone.
19
孝武踐阼，曆侍中、左衞將軍，封建城縣侯。 孝建元年，轉吏部尚書，領驍騎將軍，留心選舉，自強不息。 任遇既隆，奏無不可。 後謝莊代竣領選，意多不行。 竣容貌嚴毅； 莊風姿甚美，賓客喧訴，常歡笑答之。 人言顏竣瞋而與人官，謝莊笑而不與人官。
When Xiaowu ascended the throne, Jun served as attendant and general of the left guard and was enfeoffed as marquis of Jiancheng county. In the first year of Xiaojian he was transferred to director of the Ministry of Personnel, concurrent general of valiant cavalry; he devoted himself to selection and ceaselessly improved himself. Once his appointment and favor were exalted, no memorial went unapproved. Later Xie Zhuang replaced Jun in charge of selection, and many of his proposals were not carried out. Jun's bearing was stern and severe; Zhuang's manner was very handsome—when guests clamored with appeals he often answered with laughter. People said Yan Jun gave offices in anger while Xie Zhuang gave offices with a smile.
20
南郡王義宣、臧質等反，以竣兼領右將軍。 義宣、質諸子藏匿建康、秣陵、湖熟、江寧縣界，孝武大怒，免丹陽尹褚湛之官，收四縣官長，以竣為丹陽尹，加散騎常侍。
When Prince Yixuan of Nanjun and Zang Zhi rebelled, Jun was concurrently made general of the right. The rebels' sons were hidden in Jiankang, Moling, Hushu, and Jiangning; Xiaowu was furious, removed Danyang administrator Chu Zhanzhi, arrested the four county magistrates, and made Jun Danyang administrator with concurrent rank as regular attendant.
21
先是，竣未有子，而大司馬江夏王義恭諸子為元凶所殺，至是各產男，上自為制名，名義恭子為伯禽，以比魯公伯禽，周公之子。 名竣子為辟強，以比漢侍中辟強，張良之子也。
Jun had no sons yet; Prince Yixong of Jiangxia's sons had been killed by the usurper. Now each house had a boy; the emperor named them himself—Yixong's son Boqin, likened to the Duke of Lu's Boqin, son of the Duke of Zhou. Jun's son was named Biqiang, likened to Biqiang the Han attendant, Zhang Liang's son.
22
先是，元嘉中鑄四銖錢，輪郭形制與五銖同，用費損無利，故百姓不盜鑄。 及孝武即位，又鑄孝建四銖，所鑄錢形式薄小，輪郭不成，於是人間盜鑄者雜以鉛錫，並不牢固。 又翦鑿古錢以取其銅，錢轉薄小，稍違官式。 雖重制嚴刑，人吏官長坐死免者相系，而盜鑄彌甚，百物踴貴，人患苦之。 乃立品格，薄小無輪郭者悉加禁斷。 始興公沈慶之議：「宜聽人鑄錢。 置署，樂鑄之家皆居署內。 去春所禁新品，一時施用，今鑄悉依此格。 萬稅三千，嚴檢盜鑄，並禁翦鑿。 數年之間，公私豐贍，銅盡事息，奸偽自止。 禁鑄則銅轉成器，開鑄則器化為財。」 上下其事於公卿，竣議曰：「今雲開署放鑄，誠所欲同，但慮采山事絕，器用日耗。 銅既轉少，器亦彌貴。 設器直一千，則鑄之減半，為之無利，雖令不行。」 時議者又以銅難得，欲鑄二銖錢。 竣又議曰：「今鑄二銖，恣行新細，于官無解於乏，而人奸巧大興，天下之貨將糜碎至盡。 空曰嚴禁，而利深難絕，不過一二年間，其弊不可復救。 此其甚不可一也。 使奸人意騁，而貽厥愆謀，此又甚不可二也。 富商得志，貧人因窘，此又甚不可三也。 若使交益深重，尚不可行，況又未見利，而眾弊如此，失算當時，取笑百代乎。」 前廢帝即位，鑄二銖，形式轉細，官錢每出，人間即模效之，而大小厚薄皆不及也。 無輪郭，不磨鑢，如今之翦鑿者，謂之耒子錢。 景和元年，沈慶之啟通私鑄，由是錢貨亂敗，一千錢長不盈三寸，大小稱此，謂之鵝眼錢； 劣於此者謂之綖環錢。 貫之以縷，入水不沈，隨手破碎，市井不復料數，十萬錢不盈一掬。 斗米一萬，商貨不行。 明帝初，唯禁鵝眼、綖環，其餘皆通用。 復禁人鑄，官署亦廢，尋復普斷，唯用古錢。
In Yuanjia four-zhu coins had been cast with rims like the five-zhu; costs exceeded profit, so people did not counterfeit. When Xiaowu took the throne Xiaojian four-zhu were cast again—thin, small, with incomplete rims; counterfeiters mixed in lead and tin, and the coins would not hold. People clipped old coins for copper; the money grew thinner and drifted from the standard. Though punishments grew harsher and officials fell in succession, counterfeiting worsened, prices soared, and the people suffered. Coin grades were set; thin rimless coins were banned. Shen Qingzhi, Duke of Shixing, proposed: "Private casting should be allowed. Offices should be set up; willing casters should live within them. Last spring's banned new coins should be used for now; all new casting should follow that standard. Tax three thousand per ten thousand coins; strictly inspect counterfeiting and forbid clipping. Within a few years treasury and people would prosper, copper would run out and fraud would cease. Ban casting and copper becomes vessels; allow casting and vessels become coin." The matter went to the high ministers. Jun argued: "Opening offices for casting is what I too would wish—but mining may cease and daily use be exhausted. As copper grows scarce, vessels grow costlier. If a vessel worth a thousand yields only half that in coin, there is no profit; the order would fail." Others held copper scarce and wished to cast two-zhu coins. Jun argued again: "Cast two-zhu now and let thin new coins circulate freely—the state gains nothing while fraud flourishes and the realm's currency is ground to dust. Strict bans mean nothing when profit runs deep—in a year or two the harm will be beyond repair. That is the first great objection. Letting the cunning run free and bequeathing guilt to posterity is the second. Merchants prosper while the poor are squeezed—that is the third. Even deep trade would be unworkable; with no benefit seen and harms so plain, to choose this now is to be mocked for generations." When the Deposed Emperor took the throne two-zhu were cast, thinner still; whenever official coin appeared the people copied it, never matching size or thickness. Rimless, unfiled, like today's clipped coins—they were called plowshare coins. In the first year of Jinghe Shen Qingzhi urged private casting; currency collapsed—a thousand coins strung did not fill three inches; such were called goose-eye coins; worse still were thread-ring coins. Strung on thread they floated and broke at a touch; markets no longer counted them— a hundred thousand did not fill one handful. A dou of rice cost ten thousand; trade stopped. Early in Ming's reign only goose-eye and thread-ring coins were banned; the rest circulated. Private casting was banned again and government mints abolished; soon all new coin was banned and only old money used.
23
竣自散騎常侍、丹陽尹加中書令，表讓中書令，見許。 時歲旱人饑，竣上言禁餳一月，息米近萬斛。 復代謝莊為吏部尚書，領太子右衛率，未拜，丁父憂。 裁踰月，起為右將軍，丹陽尹如故。 竣固辭，表十上不許。 遣中書舍人戴明寶抱竣登車，載之郡舍。 賜以布衣一襲，絮以彩綸，遣主衣就衣諸體。
Jun rose from regular attendant and Danyang administrator to director of the Secretariat; he declined the directorship and was allowed. In drought and famine he memorialized to forbid malt sugar for one month, saving nearly ten thousand hu of rice. He replaced Xie Zhuang as director of the Masters of Writing and right commandant of the heir's guard, but before taking office mourned his father. Barely a month later he was recalled as general of the right, still Danyang administrator. Jun declined firmly; ten memorials went unanswered. Attendant Dai Mingbao was sent to lift Jun into the carriage and take him to the yamen. He was given plain cloth padded with colored silk and a master of robes to dress him.
24
竣藉蕃朝之舊臣，每極陳得失。 上自即吉之後，宮內頗有醜論，又多所興造。 竣諫爭懇切，並無所回避。 上意甚不悅，多不見從。 竣自謂才足幹時，恩舊莫比，當贊務居中，永執朝政。 而所陳多不被納，疑上欲疏之，乃求出以卜時旨。 大明元年，以爲東揚州刺史。 所求既許，便憂懼無計。 至州又丁母艱，不許去職，聽送喪還都，恩待猶厚，竣彌不自安。 每對親故，頗懷怨憤。 又言朝廷違謬，人主得失。
Relying on his standing as an old minister of the imperial house, Jun always stated gains and losses to the utmost. After the emperor resumed mourning observances, inside the palace there were many ugly rumors and many new constructions. Jun remonstrated earnestly and avoided nothing. The emperor was greatly displeased and often did not follow his advice. Jun considered his talent sufficient to manage the age, his favor and old ties unmatched; he ought to assist affairs at court and hold power forever. Yet what he proposed was mostly not accepted; suspecting the emperor wished to distance him, he asked to leave office to test the court's intent. In the first year of Daming he was made inspector of Eastern Yangzhou. Once his request was granted, he was anxious and at a loss. Reaching the province he again mourned his mother; he was not allowed to leave office but permitted to send the coffin back to the capital; favor remained generous, yet Jun grew only more uneasy. Whenever he met kin and old friends he harbored much resentment. He also spoke of the court's errors and the ruler's faults.
25
及王僧達被誅，謂為所讒構，臨死陳竣前後忿懟，恨言不見從。 僧達所言，頗相符會，上乃使御史中丞庾徽之奏竣：「窺覘國柄，潛圖久執。 受任選曹，驅扇滋甚，出尹京輦，形勢彌放。 傳詔犯憲，舊須啟聞，而竣以通訴忤己，輒加鞭辱，罔顧威靈，莫此為甚。 懷挾奸數，包藏隱慝，豫聞中旨，罔不宣露。 罰則委上，善必歸己，脅懼上宰，激動閭閻。 末慮上聞，內懷猜懼，偽請東牧，以卜天旨。 既獲出藩，怨詈方肆，反唇腹誹，方之已輕。 前冬母亡，詔賜還葬，事畢不去，盤桓經時。 方構間勳貴，造立同異，遂以己被斥外，國道將顛。 兼行闕於家，早負世議，天倫怨毒，親交震駭。 街談道說，非復風聲，宜加顯戮，以昭盛化。 請以見事免竣所居官，下太常削爵土。」 上未欲便加大戮，且止免官。 竣頻啟謝罪，並乞性命。 上愈怒，詔答曰：「憲司所奏，非宿昔所以相期。 卿受榮遇，政當極此。 訕訐怨憤，已孤本望，乃復過煩思慮，懼不全立，豈為下事上誠節之至邪。」
When Wang Sengda was executed, Jun believed himself slandered; dying, Sengda cited Jun's old rancor and regret that his warnings went unheeded. Sengda's words largely matched; the emperor had Censor-in-Chief Yu Huizhi indict Jun: "He spies on the handle of state and plots long tenure. Given the Selection Bureau he fanned faction; as capital intendant his power grew bolder. Transmitting edicts against law once required report; Jun had a messenger whipped for appealing to him—none showed such contempt for authority. He harbored treachery; hearing the emperor's inmost intent he always disclosed it. He ascribed punishment upward and kept merit for himself; he intimidated the chief minister and stirred the lanes. Fearing the emperor would hear, he falsely asked for an eastern post to test heaven's intent. Once sent to the frontier he cursed freely; secret slander was the least of it. Last winter his mother died; he was granted return for burial but lingered long after the rites. He sowed division among meritorious nobles, claiming that because he was cast out the state would fall. His conduct at home was lacking and public censure long; kinship turned poisonous and friends were shaken. Street talk was no longer rumor; he should be punished openly to display reform. I ask that Jun be removed and the Minister of Ceremonies strip rank and fief." The emperor did not yet wish to kill him and only removed him from office. Jun repeatedly apologized and begged for his life. The emperor grew angrier: "What the censor reports is not what we once expected of each other. You received glory and favor and should have reached this limit. Slander and resentment have already betrayed my hope; now you trouble me with anxious pleas—is this the sincerity of a subject?"
26
及竟陵王誕為逆，因此陷之，言通於誕。 召御史中丞庾徽之於前立奏，奏成，詔先打折足，然後於獄賜死，妻息宥之以遠。 子辟強徙交州，又于宮亭湖沈殺之。 竣文集行於世。
When Prince Dan of Jingling rebelled, Jun was implicated as having communicated with him. Yu Huizhi was summoned to draft the indictment; when done, an edict ordered his legs broken, then death in prison; wife and children were spared and sent away. His son Biqiang was exiled to Jiaozhou and drowned in Lake Gongting. Jun's collected writings circulated.
27
竣弟測亦以文章見知，官至江夏王義恭大司馬錄事參軍。
Jun's younger brother Ce was also known for his writing and rose to recorder aide to Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, Grand Marshal.
28
以兄貴為憂，先竣卒。
He grieved that his brother's rank brought trouble and died before Jun.
29
明帝即位，詔曰：「延之昔師訓朕躬，情契兼重。 前記室參軍、濟陽太守啜，伏事蕃朝，綢繆恩舊，可擢為中書侍郎。」 奐，延之第三子也。
When Ming ascended, an edict said, "Yanzhi once tutored me with deep affection. Former recorder Huan, administrator of Jiyang, served the princely court faithfully and may be promoted to secretariat gentleman." Huan was Yanzhi's third son.
30
顏師伯字長深，竣族兄也。 父邵，剛正有局力，為謝晦領軍司馬。 晦鎮江陵，請為諮議參軍，領錄事，軍府之務悉委焉。 邵慮晦有禍，求為竟陵太守。 未及之郡，會晦見討，邵飲藥死。
Yan Shibo, styled Changshen, was Jun's elder clansman. His father Shao was upright and forceful and served as chief of staff to Xie Hui, general of the palace guard. When Hui garrisoned Jiangling he made Shibo adviser and recorder; all headquarters affairs were entrusted to him. Shao feared disaster for Hui and asked to be administrator of Jingling. Before reaching his post, Hui was punished; Shao took poison and died.
31
師伯少孤貧，涉獵書傳，頗解聲樂。 弟師仲妻，臧質女也。 質為徐州，辟師伯為主簿。 孝武為徐州，師伯仍為輔國安北行參軍。 王景文時為諮議參軍，愛其諧敏，進之孝武，以為徐州主簿。 善於附會，大被知遇。 及去鎮，師伯以主簿送故。
Shibo was orphaned and poor; he read widely and knew music fairly well. His younger brother Shizhong's wife was Zang Zhi's daughter. Zhi, in Xuzhou, recruited Shibo as chief clerk. When Xiaowu was in Xuzhou, Shibo still served as aide to the northern pacification army. Wang Jingwen, then an adviser, admired his quick wit and recommended him to Xiaowu, who made him chief clerk of Xuzhou. Skilled at ingratiating himself, he won great favor. When the prince left his post Shibo escorted him as chief clerk.
32
孝武鎮尋陽，啟文帝請為南中郎府主簿，文帝不許，謂典簽曰：「中郎府主簿，那得用顏師伯。」 孝武啟為長流正佐，帝又曰：「朝廷不能除之，郎可自板，然亦不宜署長流。」 乃板為參軍刑獄。 及討元凶，轉主簿。
When Xiaowu garrisoned Xunyang he asked Wen to make Shibo southern-army chief clerk; Wen refused: "How can Shibo hold that post?" Xiaowu asked for him as senior clerk of the long stream; Wen said, "The court cannot remove him—you may appoint by plaque, but not to long stream." He was then appointed by plaque as adviser for punishments. When the usurper was punished he became chief clerk.
33
孝武踐阼，以為黃門侍郎，累遷侍中。 大明元年，封平都縣子。 親幸隆密，群臣莫二。 多納貨賄，家累千金。 孝武嘗與師伯摴蒱，帝擲得雉，大悅，謂必勝。 師伯後得盧，帝失色，師伯遽斂子曰：「幾作盧。」 爾日，師伯一輸百萬。 仍遷吏部尚書、右軍將軍。 上不欲威權在下，前後領選者唯奉行文書，師伯專情獨斷，奏無不可。
When Xiaowu took the throne he became attendant gentleman of the yellow gate and rose to attendant. In the first year of Daming he was enfeoffed as marquis of Pingdu district. Favored intimately—among ministers none was second. He took many bribes and his household amassed a thousand gold. Xiaowu once played bo with Shibo; the emperor threw the pheasant and was pleased, sure of victory. Shibo later threw the deer; the emperor's face fell; Shibo quickly gathered the dice: "Nearly the deer." That day Shibo lost a million in one throw. He was then made director of the Masters of Writing and general of the right army. The emperor did not want power below; past selection chiefs only carried papers—Shibo decided alone and nothing was refused.
34
七年，為尚書右僕射。 時分置二選，陳郡謝莊、琅邪王曇生並為吏部尚書。 師伯子舉周旋寒人張奇為公車令，上以奇資品不當，使兼市買丞，以蔡道惠代之。 令史潘道棲、褚道惠、顏禕之、元從夫、任澹之、石道兒、黃難、周公選等抑道惠敕，使奇先到公車，不施行奇兼市買丞事。 師伯坐以子預職，莊、曇生免官，道棲、道惠棄市，禕之等六人鞭杖一百。 師伯尋領太子中庶人，雖被黜挫，受任如初。
In the seventh year he became right vice director of the Masters of Writing. Selection was then split; Xie Zhuang of Chen and Wang Tansheng of Langye were both directors. Shibo's son promoted the low-born Zhang Qi to director of the public carriages; the emperor held Qi unfit and made him market-buying assistant; Cai Daohui replaced him. Clerks Pan Daoqi and others suppressed Daohui's order so Qi reached the public carriages first without taking the market-buying post. Shibo was punished because his son foreknew the post; Zhuang and Tansheng were removed; Daoqi and Daohui were executed; six others were flogged. Shibo soon became attendant to the heir apparent; though demoted, he was trusted as before.
35
孝武臨崩，師伯受遺詔輔幼主，尚書中事專以委之。 廢帝即位，復還即真，加領衞尉。
As Xiaowu neared death, Shibo received the deathbed edict to assist the young sovereign; Masters of Writing affairs were entrusted to him alone. When the Deposed Emperor ascended, Shibo returned to full office and was additionally made concurrent commandant of the guards.
36
師伯居權日久，天下輻協，遊其門者，爵位莫不踰分。 多納貨賄，家產豐積，妓妾聲樂，盡天下之選，園池第宅，冠絕當時，驕奢淫恣，為衣冠所疾。 又遷尚書僕射，領丹陽尹。 廢帝欲親朝政，轉師伯為左僕射。 以吏部尚書王景文為右僕射。 奪其京尹，又分台任。 師伯至是始懼，與柳元景謀廢立。
Long in power, he drew the realm to his gate; visitors won rank beyond their measure. He took bribes; his estate was vast; singers and gardens surpassed the age; proud and dissolute—officials resented him. He was again made vice director of the Masters of Writing and Danyang administrator. The Deposed Emperor wished to govern himself and moved Shibo to left vice director. Wang Jingwen, director of the Masters of Writing, became right vice director. His capital post was taken and platform duties divided. Shibo then feared and plotted with Liu Yuanjing to depose the emperor.
37
初，師伯專斷朝事，不與沈慶之參懷，謂令史曰：「沈公爪牙者耳，安得預政事。」 慶之聞而切齒，乃泄其謀。 尋與太宰江夏王義恭同誅，六子皆見殺。 明帝即位，諡曰荒。
At first Shibo monopolized court affairs without consulting Shen Qingzhi: "Shen is only claws and fangs—how can he share government?" Qingzhi heard, gnashed his teeth, and leaked the plot. Soon he was executed with Grand Tutor Prince Yixong of Jiangxia; six sons were killed. When Ming ascended, his posthumous title was Huang.
38
沈懷文
Shen Huaiwen
39
沈懷文字思明，吳興武康人也。 祖寂，晉光祿勳。 父宣，新安太守。
Shen Huaiwen, styled Siming, came from Wukang in Wuxing. His grandfather Ji was director of splendid honors under the Jin. His father Xuan was administrator of Xin'an.
40
懷文少好玄理，善為文章，為楚昭王二妃詩，見稱於世。 為江夏王義恭東合祭酒。 丁父憂，新安郡送故豐厚，奉終禮畢，余悉班之親戚，一無所留。 文帝聞而嘉之，賜奴婢六人。 服闋，除尚書殿中郎。 隱士雷次宗被征居鍾山，後南還廬江。 何尚之設祖道，文義之士畢集。 為連句詩，懷文所作尤美，辭高一座。 隨王誕鎮襄陽，出為後軍主簿，與諮議參軍謝莊共掌辭令，領義成太守。
Huaiwen loved arcane learning in youth and wrote well; his poem on King Zhao of Chu's two consorts was praised. He served as eastern-pavilion libationer under Prince Yixong of Jiangxia. Mourning his father, Xin'an sent lavish funeral gifts; when rites ended he gave all to kin and kept nothing. Emperor Wen commended him and granted six servants. When mourning ended he became gentleman of the palace section of the Masters of Writing. The recluse Lei Cizong, summoned to Mount Zhong, later returned south to Lujiang. He Shangzhi gave a farewell feast; men of letters gathered. They composed linked verse; Huaiwen's lines were finest and topped the company. When Prince Dan garrisoned Xiangyang he became rear-army chief clerk, shared documents with Xie Zhuang, and governed Yicheng.
41
元嘉二十八年，誕當為廣州，欲以懷文為安南府記室，先除通直郎。 懷文固辭南行，上不悅。 弟懷遠納東陽公主養女王鸚鵡為妾，元凶行巫蠱，鸚鵡豫之，事泄，懷文因此失調，為治書侍御史。
In the twenty-eighth year of Yuanjia, when Dan was to go to Guangzhou he wished Huaiwen as pacification-army recorder and first made him direct attendant. Huaiwen declined the southern journey; the emperor was displeased. His brother Huaiyuan took Princess Dongyang's foster daughter Yingwu as concubine; the usurper's sorcery case implicated her; Huaiwen lost favor and became drafting censor.
42
元凶弑立，以為中書侍郎。 孝武入討，呼之使作符檄，固辭。 劭大怒，會殷沖救得免。 托疾落馬，間行奔新亭，以為竟陵王誕驃騎錄事參軍、淮陵太守。 時國哀未釋，誕欲起內齋。 懷文以為不可，乃止。 尋轉揚州中從事史。 時議省錄尚書，懷文以為非宜，上議不從。 遷別駕從事史。
When the usurper seized the throne he was made secretariat gentleman. When Xiaowu marched to punish the usurper he was summoned to write proclamations and declined. Shao was furious; Yin Chong's intervention saved him. Feigning illness he fell from a horse, fled secretly to Xinting, and served Prince Dan of Jingling as recorder and Huailing administrator. National mourning was not yet lifted; Dan wished to hold an inner fast. Huaiwen said it was wrong and Dan stopped. Soon he became central-army aide of Yang Province. Some proposed abolishing the recording Masters of Writing; Huaiwen held it unfitting and the court did not agree. He was promoted to aide and attendant.
43
及江夏王義恭遷西陽王子尚為揚州，居職如故。 時熒惑守南斗，上乃廢西州舊館，使子尚移居東城以厭之。 懷文曰：「天道示變，宜應之以德，今雖空西州，恐無益也。」 不從，而西州竟廢。
When Prince Yixong was moved and Prince Zishang of Xiyang became Yangzhou inspector, Huaiwen's duties stayed the same. When the Fire Star guarded the Southern Dipper the emperor abolished the old Western Province residence and moved Zishang to the eastern city to appease it. Huaiwen said, "Heaven shows change; answer with virtue. Emptying the Western Province may not help." The emperor did not listen, and the Western Province was abolished.
44
大明二年，遷尚書吏部郎，時朝議欲依古制置立王畿，揚州移居會稽，猶以星變故也。 懷文曰：「周制封畿，漢置司隸，各因時宜，非存相反。 安人定國，其揆一也。 苟人心所安，天亦從之。 未必改今追古，乃致平一。 神州舊壤，歷代相承，異于邊州，或置或罷。 既物情不悅，容虧化本。」 又不從。
In the second year of Daming he became director of personnel; court then debated establishing a royal domain and moving Yangzhou to Kuaiji—again because of the omen. Huaiwen said, "Zhou enfeoffed the domain; Han set the metropolitan commandant—each suited its time, not opposed in essence. Settling people and stabilizing the state follow one measure. If hearts are at ease, heaven follows. Changing the present to chase antiquity will not necessarily bring unity. The old lands of the divine province have passed through generations, unlike frontier provinces set up or abolished at will. Since hearts are displeased, the root of good governance may be harmed." Again the emperor did not listen.
45
三年，子尚移鎮會稽。 遷撫軍長史，行府州事。 時囚系甚多，動經年月，懷文到任，訊五郡九百三十六獄，眾咸稱平。 入為侍中，寵待隆密。 竟陵王誕據廣陵反，及城陷，士庶皆裸身鞭面然後加刑，聚所殺人首于石頭南岸，謂之髑髏山。 懷文陳其不可，上不納。
In the third year Zishang moved his garrison to Kuaiji. Huaiwen became pacification-army chief clerk and handled the prince's prefectural affairs. Prisoners were many and often held for years; Huaiwen tried nine hundred thirty-six cases in five commanderies and all praised the fairness. He entered court as attendant and was favored closely. When Prince Dan of Jingling rebelled at Guangling and the city fell, people were stripped and whipped before execution; heads piled on Stone City's south bank were called Skull Mountain. Huaiwen said this was wrong; the emperor did not accept.
46
孝武嘗有事圓丘，未至期而雨晦竟夜。 明旦風霽，雲色甚美，帝升壇悅。 懷文稱慶曰：「昔漢後郊祀太一，白日重輪，神光四燭。 今陛下有事茲禮，而膏雨迎夜，清景麗朝，斯實聖明幽感所致，臣願與侍臣賦之。」 上笑稱善。
Xiaowu was to perform the round-mound rite; rain and gloom lasted the whole night before the date. At dawn the wind cleared and clouds were beautiful; the emperor ascended the altar in joy. Huaiwen congratulated him: "When Han's later emperor sacrificed to the Grand Unity, the sun doubled its wheel and divine light shone on four sides. Now Your Majesty performs this rite; moist rain came by night and clear skies at dawn—surely the sage's hidden resonance; I wish to compose a fu with the attendants." The emperor smiled and praised it.
47
揚州移會稽，上忿浙江東人情不和，欲貶其勞祿，唯西州舊人不改。 懷文曰：「揚州徙居，既乖人情，一州兩格，尤失大體。」 上不從。
When Yangzhou moved to Kuaiji the emperor resented discord east of the Zhe and wished to cut salaries; only old Western Province men were spared. Huaiwen said, "Moving Yangzhou already offends hearts; two standards in one province loses the larger principle." The emperor did not listen.
48
懷文與顏竣、周朗素善，竣以失旨見誅，朗亦以忤意得罪。 上謂懷文曰：「竣若知我殺之，亦當不敢如此。」 懷文默然。 又嘗以歲夕與謝莊、王景文、顏師伯被敕入省，未及進，景文因談言次稱竣、朗人才之美，懷文與相酬和。 師伯後因語次白上，敘景文等此言。 懷文屢經犯忤，至此上倍不悅。
Huaiwen was close to Yan Jun and Zhou Lang; Jun was executed for losing favor and Lang also offended and was punished. The emperor told Huaiwen, "If Jun had known I would kill him, he would not have dared act so." Huaiwen was silent. Once on New Year's Eve he was ordered into the Secretariat with Zhuang, Jingwen, and Shibo; Jingwen praised Jun and Lang and Huaiwen agreed. Shibo later told the emperor what Jingwen had said. Huaiwen had repeatedly offended; now the emperor was doubly displeased.
49
上又壞諸郡士族以充將吏，並不服役，至悉逃亡。 加以嚴制不能禁，乃改用軍法，得便斬之。 莫不奔竄山湖，聚為盜賊。 懷文又以為言。
The emperor also drafted gentry clans to fill posts; none would serve corvée and all fled. Strict rules could not stop it; military law was used and offenders could be beheaded on the spot. All fled into mountains and lakes and became bandits. Huaiwen spoke on this again.
50
齋庫上絹年調钜萬疋，綿亦稱此，期限嚴峻。 人間買絹一疋至三二千，綿一兩三四百，貧者賣妻子，甚者或自縊死。 懷文具陳人困，由是綿絹薄有所減，俄復舊。
Silk for palace stores in the annual levy reached tens of thousands of bolts, cotton likewise; deadlines were severe. Silk cost two or three thousand per bolt and cotton three or four hundred per liang; the poor sold wives and children, some hanged themselves. Huaiwen stated the people's distress; silk and cotton were slightly reduced, then soon restored.
51
子尚等諸皇子皆置邸舍，逐什一之利，為患遍天下。 懷文又曰：「列肆販賣，古人所非。 卜式明不雨之由，弘羊受致旱之責。 若以用度不充，故宜量加減省。」 不聽。
Zishang and other princes set up lodges for one-tenth profit—the harm spread through the realm. Huaiwen said again, "Setting out stalls to sell is what the ancients rejected. Bu Shi explained drought's cause; Hong Yang bore blame for causing it. If expenditure falls short, measure increase and decrease." The emperor did not listen.
52
孝建以來，抑黜諸弟，廣陵平後，復欲更峻其科。 懷文曰：「漢明不使其子比光武之子，前史以為美談。 陛下既明管、蔡之誅，願崇唐、衛之寄。」 及海陵王休茂誅，欲遂前議。 太宰江夏王義恭探得密旨，先發議端，懷文固請不可，由是得息。
Since Xiaojian younger brothers had been suppressed; after Guangling was pacified he wished to tighten the code. Huaiwen said, "Han Ming did not let his sons compare with Guangwu's—the histories praised this. Your Majesty has clarified Guan and Cai's punishment; honor the entrustment of Tang and Wei." When Prince Xiumao of Hailing was executed he wished to pursue the earlier discussion. Grand Tutor Prince Yigong of Jiangxia learned the secret intent and opened the discussion; Huaiwen firmly objected, and the matter was dropped.
53
時游幸無度，太后六宮常乘副車在後。 懷文與王景文每諫不宜亟出，後因從坐松樹下，風雨甚驟。 景文曰：「卿可以言矣。」 懷文曰：「獨言無繼，宜相與陳之。」 江智深臥草側，亦謂之善。 俄而被召俱入雉場，懷文曰：「風雨如此，非聖躬所宜。」 景文又曰：「懷文所啟宜從。」 智深未及有言，上方注弩，作色曰：「卿欲效顏竣邪？ 何以恒知人事。」 又曰：「顏竣小子，恨不得鞭其面。」
Touring was then without limit; the empress dowager and six palaces often rode escort carriages behind. Huaiwen and Jingwen often remonstrated against going out so often; later sitting under pines, wind and rain came fiercely. Jingwen said, "You may speak now." Huaiwen said, "Alone I have no follow—we should speak together." Jiang Zhishen, lying on the grass nearby, also approved. Soon all were summoned to the pheasant field; Huaiwen said, "Weather like this is not fit for Your Majesty." Jingwen added, "Huaiwen's words should be followed." Before Zhishen could speak the emperor, fixing his crossbow, darkened: "Do you imitate Yan Jun? Why do you always know human affairs?" He also said, "That boy Jun—I wish I could whip his face."
54
上每宴集，在坐者咸令沈醉。 懷文素不飲酒，又不好戲，上謂故欲異己。 謝莊嘗誡懷文曰：「卿每與人異，亦何可久。」 懷文曰：「吾少來如此，豈可一朝而變。 非欲異物，性之所不能耳。」
At banquets those seated were all ordered drunk. Huaiwen never drank and disliked games; the emperor thought he deliberately differed. Xie Zhuang once warned him, "You always differ from others—how can that last?" Huaiwen said, "I have been thus from youth—how change in a morning? I do not wish to differ—it is what my nature cannot do."
55
五年，出為晉安王子勳征虜長史、廣陵太守。 明帝坐朝正事畢，被遣還北，以女病求申，臨辭又乞停三日，訖猶不去，為有司所糾，免官，禁錮十年。 既被免，賣宅還東。 上大怒，收付廷尉賜死。
In the fifth year he went out as punitive-army chief clerk under Prince Zixun of Jin'an and Guangling administrator. When Ming finished court business he was sent north; citing his daughter's illness he delayed; at parting he begged three days more and still did not leave—impeached, removed, and confined ten years. Once removed he sold his house and returned east. The emperor was furious, arrested him, and had him executed by the court.
56
弟懷遠為始興王浚征北長流參軍，深見親待。 坐納王鸚鵡為妾，孝武徙之廣州。 刺史宗愨欲殺之，會南郡王義宣反，懷遠頗閑文筆，愨起義，使造檄書，並銜命至始興，與始興相沈法系論起義事。 事平，愨具為陳請，由此見原。 終孝武世不得還。 前廢帝世歸，位武康令，撰南越志，及懷文文集並傳於世。 懷文三子：淡、深、沖。
His brother Huaiyuan was northern-army senior clerk under Prince Jun of Shixing and was deeply favored. For taking Yingwu as concubine Xiaowu exiled him to Guangzhou. Inspector Zong Que wished to kill him; when Prince Yixuan of Nanjun rebelled Huaiyuan, skilled with the brush, drafted proclamations for Que and went to Shixing to discuss the uprising with Shen Faxi. When the affair was settled Que fully petitioned for him and he was pardoned. Through Xiaowu's reign he was not permitted to return. Under the Deposed Emperor he returned, became magistrate of Wukang, compiled the Record of the Southern Yue, and his and Huaiwen's writings circulated. Huaiwen had three sons: Dan, Shen, and Chong.
57
沖字景綽，涉獵文義，仕宋歷位撫軍正佐，兼記室。 及懷文得罪被系，沖兄弟行謝，情哀貌苦，見者傷之。 柳元景欲救懷文，言于孝武曰：「沈懷文三子塗炭不可見，願陛下速正其罪。」 帝曰：「宜急殺之，使其意分。」 竟殺之。 元景為之歎息，沖兄弟以此知名。 累遷司徒錄事。
Chong, styled Jingchuo, ranged through letters and meaning and reached regular assistant to the pacification army and recorder. When Huaiwen was imprisoned Chong and his brothers went to apologize; their grief moved all who saw them. Liu Yuanjing wished to save Huaiwen and told Xiaowu, "Shen Huaiwen's three sons in torment cannot be seen—may Your Majesty quickly settle his case." The emperor said, "Kill him quickly so his mind may divide." In the end Huaiwen was killed. Yuanjing sighed; the Chong brothers became famous by this. He rose to recorder of the Minister of Education.
58
齊武帝爲江州，沖爲征虜長史、尋陽太守。 齊建元中，累遷太子中庶子。 武帝在東宮，待以恩舊。 及即位，轉御史中丞、侍中。 永明四年，爲五兵尚書。 沖與兄淡、深名譽有優劣，世號爲「腰鼓兄弟」。 淡、深並曆御史中丞。 兄弟三人皆爲司直，晉、宋所未有也。
When Emperor Wu of Qi was in Jiang Province, Chong was chief clerk of the punitive army and administrator of Xunyang. In the Jianyuan era of Qi he was repeatedly promoted to attendant of the heir apparent. When Emperor Wu was in the Eastern Palace he treated Chong as an old favored associate. When he ascended the throne Chong was transferred to censor-in-chief and attendant. In the fourth year of Yongming he was made minister of the five armies. Chong and his elder brothers Dan and Shen had unequal reputations; the age called them the "waist-drum brothers." Dan and Shen both served as censor-in-chief. All three brothers were rectifiers—something not seen in Jin or Song.
59
中丞案裁之職，被惡者多結怨。 永明中，深彈吳興太守袁彖。 建武中，彖從弟昂為中丞，到官數日，奏彈深子繢父在僦白幰車，免官禁錮。 沖母孔氏在東，鄰家失火，疑為人所焚爇，大呼曰：「我三兒皆作御史中丞，與人豈有善者。 方恐肌分骨散，何但焚如。」 兄弟後並曆侍中，武帝方欲任沖，尋卒。 追贈太常，諡曰恭子。
The censor's duty of impeachment—many indicted bore resentment. In Yongming Shen impeached Wuxing administrator Yuan Luan. In Jianwu Luan's cousin Ang became censor-in-chief; within days he impeached Shen's son Hui for renting a white-canopied cart during his father's life and removed him with confinement. Chong's mother Lady Kong was in the east; a neighbor's house burned and she cried, "All three sons were censor-in-chief—did they ever do anyone good? I fear flesh divided and bones scattered—how much less mere burning." The brothers later all served as attendants; Emperor Wu was about to employ Chong when he died. He was posthumously made minister of ceremonies with the posthumous title Gongzi.
60
曇慶，懷文從父兄也。 父發，員外散騎侍郎。 曇慶仕宋位尚書左丞。 時歲有水旱，曇慶議立常平倉以救人急，文帝納其言而事不行。
Tanqing was Huaiwen's father's elder brother's son. His father Fa was supernumerary attendant cavalier. Tanqing served in Song and reached left assistant director of the Masters of Writing. In flood and drought years Tanqing proposed an ever-normal granary to save people in emergency; Wen accepted but did not carry it out.
61
大明元年，爲徐州刺史。 時殿中員外將軍裴景仁助戍彭城，景仁本北人，多悉關中事。 曇慶使撰秦記十卷，敘苻氏事，其書傳於世。
In the first year of Daming he was made inspector of Xuzhou. At the time outside-staff palace attendant general Pei Jingren helped garrison Pengcheng; Jingren was a northerner and knew much about Guanzhong affairs. Tanqing had him compile ten scrolls of Records of Qin on the Fu clan; the book circulated in the world.
62
曇慶謹實清正，所蒞有稱績。 常謂子弟曰：「吾處世無才能，圖作大老子耳。」 世以長者稱之。 卒于祠部尚書。
Tanqing was cautious, solid, and clear; wherever he served won praise. He often told his kin, "I have no worldly talent—I only aim to be a great old man." The age called him an elder. He died as minister of the imperial ancestral temple.
63
周朗字義利，汝南安成人也。 父淳，宋初歷位侍中，太常。 兄嶠尚武帝第四女宣城德公主。 二女適建平王宏、廬江王褘。 以貴戚顯官。 朗少而愛奇，雅有風氣，與嶠志趨不同，嶠甚疾之。 為江夏王義恭太尉參軍。
Zhou Lang, styled Yili, came from Ancheng in Runan. His father Chun in early Song reached attendant and minister of ceremonies. His elder brother Qiao married Emperor Wu's fourth daughter, Princess Dexuan of Xuancheng. Two daughters married Prince Hong of Jianping and Prince Hui of Lujiang. By imperial kinship they held illustrious office. Lang from youth loved the unusual and had elegant air; his aims differed from Qiao's and Qiao resented him. He served as army aide to Grand Marshal Prince Yixong of Jiangxia.
64
元嘉二十七年春，朝議北侵魏，當遣義恭出鎮彭城，為諸軍大統。 朗聞之解職。 及義恭出鎮，府主簿羊希從行，與朗書戲之，勸令獻奇進策。 朗報書援引古義，辭意倜儻。
In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia spring court debated invading Wei; Yixong was to garrison Pengcheng as supreme commander. Lang heard this and resigned. When Yixong garrisoned his command, chief clerk Yang Xi wrote playfully to Lang, urging him to offer extraordinary plans. Lang replied citing ancient precedent in free, bold language.
65
孝武即位，除建平王宏中軍錄事參軍。 時普責百官讜言，朗上書陳述得失，多自矜誇。
When Xiaowu ascended, Lang was made recorder under the central army of Prince Hong of Jianping. At the time all officials were broadly required to offer candid counsel; Lang memorialized on gains and losses, much of it self-praising.
66
後為廬陵內史，郡界荒蕪，頗有野獸。 母薛氏欲見獵，朗乃合圍縱火，令母觀之。 火逸燒郡解，朗悉以秩米起屋，償所燒之限。 稱疾去官，為州司所糾，還都謝孝武曰：「州司舉臣愆失多不允，臣在郡猛獸三食人，蟲鼠犯稼，以此二事上負陛下。」 上變色曰：「州司不允，或可有之。 蟲獸之災，甯關卿小物。」
Later he was Luling administrator; the borders were desolate and wild beasts abounded. Fire escaped and burned the yamen; Lang used his salary grain to rebuild and compensate. Fire escaped and burned the yamen; Lang used his salary grain to rebuild and compensate. Claiming illness he left; impeached by the inspector, he told Xiaowu, "Most charges are unjust; wild beasts ate three people and pests harmed crops—for these I fail Your Majesty." The emperor's face changed: "The inspector's disapproval may exist. Insect and beast disaster—what has that to do with you?"
67
朗尋丁母憂，每哭必慟，其餘頗不依居喪常節。 大明四年，上使有司奏其居喪無禮。 詔曰：「朗悖禮利口，宜合翦戮，微物不足亂典刑，特鎖付邊郡。」 於是傳送甯州，於道殺之。 朗族孫顒。
Lang soon mourned his mother; each weeping convulsed him, yet otherwise he largely ignored usual mourning rules. In the fourth year of Daming the emperor had authorities memorialize his improper mourning. The edict said, "Lang is contrary to rites and glib—fit for execution; this small man is not worth disturbing punishments—send him to the frontier." He was sent to Ning Province and killed on the road. Lang's clansman grandson Yong.
68
顒字彥倫，晉左光祿大夫顗七世孫也。 祖虎頭，員外常侍。 父恂，歸鄉相。
His grandfather Hutou was supernumerary regular attendant. His grandfather Hutou was supernumerary regular attendant. His grandfather Hutou was supernumerary regular attendant.
69
顒少為族祖朗所知，解褐海陵國侍郎。 益州刺史蕭惠開賞異顒，攜入蜀，為厲鋒將軍，帶肥鄉、成都二縣令，仍為府主簿。 常謂惠開性太險，每致諫，惠開不悅，答顒曰：「天險地險，王侯設險，但問用險何如耳。」 隨惠開還都。
His grandfather Hutou was supernumerary regular attendant. Yizhou inspector Xiao Hui Kai prized Yong, took him to Shu, made him general of fierce edge and magistrate of Feixiang and Chengdu, and still served as headquarters chief clerk. He often told Hui Kai his nature was too dangerous and remonstrated; Hui Kai answered Yong, "Heaven's danger, earth's danger—princes set danger; the question is only how danger is used." He followed Hui Kai back to the capital.
70
宋明帝頗好玄理，以顒有辭義，引入殿內，親近宿直。 帝所為慘毒之事，顒不敢顯諫，輒誦經中因緣罪福事，帝亦為之小止。 元徽中，詔為剡令，有恩惠，百姓思之。 齊高帝輔政，為齊殿中郎。 建元初，為長沙王后軍參軍、山陰令。 還為文惠太子中軍錄事參軍。 文惠在東宮，顒遷正員郎，始興王前軍諮議，直侍殿省，深見賞遇。
Emperor Ming of Song was fond of arcane learning. Because Yong was eloquent, the emperor brought him into the palace and kept him close on overnight duty. When the emperor committed cruel acts, Yong did not dare remonstrate openly; instead he recited scriptural tales of cause and effect, guilt and blessing, and the emperor would slightly restrain himself. In the Yuanhui era, he was appointed magistrate of Shan; he governed kindly, and the people missed him. When Emperor Gao of Qi served as regent, Yong became attendant in the Qi palace. At the beginning of Jianyuan, he became rear-army aide to the Prince of Changsha and magistrate of Shanyin. He returned as central-army recorder under Crown Prince Wen Hui. While Wen Hui was in the Eastern Palace, Yong was promoted to Regular Gentleman and former-army adviser to the Prince of Shixing; he served on duty in the palace offices and was deeply appreciated.
71
顒音辭辯麗，長於佛理，著三宗論言空假義。 西涼州智林道人遺顒書深相讚美，言：「捉麈尾來四十餘載，頗見宗錄，唯此塗白黑無一人得者，為之發病，非意此音猥來入耳」。 其論見重如此。 顒於鍾山西立隱舍，休沐則歸之。
Yong's diction was eloquent and elegant, and he excelled in Buddhist doctrine. He wrote the Treatise on the Three Schools, discussing emptiness and provisionality. Monk Zhilin of Western Liangzhou wrote Yong praising him: "Forty years with tail-duster in hand I have seen school registers—in this path not one has attained it; it makes me ill that this sound enters my ears." His treatise was valued to this degree. Yong built a retreat west of Mount Zhong and returned there on rest days.
72
轉太子僕，兼著作，撰起居注。 遷中書郎，兼著作如故。 常遊侍東宮。 少從外氏車騎將軍臧質家得衛恒散隸書法，學之甚工。 文惠太子使顒書玄圃茅齋壁。 國子祭酒何胤以倒薤書求就顒換之。 顒笑答曰：「天下有道，丘不與易也。」
He was transferred to Steward of the Heir Apparent and concurrently served as Compiler, compiling the Daily Records. He was promoted to Secretariat Gentleman while still serving concurrently as Compiler. He often attended in the Eastern Palace. In youth, at the house of his maternal relative Zang Zhi, General of Chariots and Cavalry, he obtained Wei Heng's scattered clerical-script method and mastered it. Crown Prince Wen Hui had Yong write on the wall of the thatched studio at Xuanpu. He Yin, libationer of the Imperial University, asked to exchange his inverted-leek script for Yong's. Yong smiled and replied, "When the Way prevails in the realm, Qiu does not exchange it."
73
每賓友會同，顒虛席晤語，辭韻如流，聽者忘倦。 兼善老、易，與張融相遇，輒以玄言相滯，彌日不解。 清貧寡欲，終日長蔬，雖有妻子，獨處山舍。 甚機辯，衛將軍王儉謂顒曰：「卿山中何所食？」 顒曰：「赤米白鹽，綠葵紫蓼。」 文惠太子問顒菜食何味最勝，顒曰：「春初早韭，秋末晚菘。」 何胤亦精信佛法，無妻。 太子又問顒：「卿精進何如何胤？」 顒曰：「三塗八難，共所未免，然各有累。」 太子曰：「累伊何？」 對曰：「周妻何肉。」 其言辭應變如此。
Whenever guests and friends gathered, Yong left an empty seat and conversed; his words flowed so smoothly that listeners forgot fatigue. He was also skilled in the Laozi and the Changes. Whenever he met Zhang Rong, they would become absorbed in arcane discussion for whole days without reaching an end. He was poor, pure, and sparing in desire, eating vegetables all day. Though he had a wife and children, he lived alone in his mountain dwelling. He was very quick in debate. General of the Guards Wang Jian asked Yong, "What do you eat in the mountains?" Yong said, "Red rice, white salt, green mallow, purple smartweed." Crown Prince Wen Hui asked Yong which vegetable food tasted best, and Yong said, "Early spring chives, late autumn cabbage." He Yin also sincerely believed in Buddhism and had no wife. The crown prince again asked Yong, "How does your diligence compare with He Yin's?" Yong said, "The three paths and eight difficulties are things neither of us has escaped, yet each has an encumbrance." The crown prince said, "What are the encumbrances?" He replied, "Zhou has a wife; He eats meat." Such was his verbal quickness.
74
轉國子博士，兼著作如故。 太學諸生慕其風，爭事華辯。 始著四聲切韻行于時。 後卒於官。 子舍。
He was transferred to Erudite of the Imperial University while still serving concurrently as Compiler. The students of the Imperial Academy admired his style and competed in ornate debate. He first wrote the Four Tones and Qie Rhymes, which circulated at the time. Later he died in office. His son was She.
75
舍字升逸，幼聰穎，顒異之。 臨終謂曰：「汝不患不富貴，但當將之以道德。」 及長博學，尤精義理，善誦詩書，音韻清辯。 弱冠秀才，除太學博士。 從兄綿為剡縣，贓汙不少，籍沒資財，舍乃推宅助焉。
She, styled Shengyi, was intelligent and quick from childhood, and Yong regarded him as extraordinary. At his death he told him, "You need not worry that you will lack wealth and rank; only guide them with virtue." When grown, he was broadly learned, especially refined in meanings and principles, and good at reciting the Odes and Documents with clear, discerning cadence. At weak-cap age he became a Presented Scholar and was appointed Erudite of the Imperial University. His elder cousin Mian served in Shan county and was heavily corrupt. When Mian's assets were confiscated, She gave up his own house to help him.
76
建武中，魏人吳苞南歸，有儒學。 尚書僕射江祏招苞講，舍造坐折苞，辭理遒逸，由是名為口辯。 王亮為丹陽尹，聞而悅之，辟為主簿，政事多委焉。 遷太常丞。
During Jianwu, Wu Bao, a man from Wei, returned south and possessed Confucian learning. Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Jiang Shi invited Bao to lecture. She went to the gathering and refuted Bao with forceful, elegant reasoning, and from this became known for oral debate. When Wang Liang was Governor of Danyang, he heard of him and was pleased, recruited him as Chief Clerk, and entrusted many government affairs to him. He was promoted to Assistant Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
77
梁武帝即位，吏部尚書范雲與顒素善，重舍才器，言之武帝，召拜尚書祠部郎。 禮儀損益，多自舍出。 先是，帝與諸王及吳平侯書皆云弟，舍立議，引武王、周公故事，皆曰汝，從之。
When Emperor Wu of Liang ascended the throne, Minister of Personnel Fan Yun, long friendly with Yong, valued She's talent and recommended him to the emperor. Emperor Wu summoned She and appointed him Gentleman of the Sacrificial Section of the Masters of Writing. Most ritual revisions came from She. Before this, in letters to the princes and to the Marquis of Wuping, the emperor always used 'younger brother.' She proposed, citing precedents from King Wu and the Duke of Zhou, that the letters should use 'you' instead, and this was adopted.
78
累遷鴻臚卿。 時王亮得罪歸家，故人莫至，舍獨敦恩舊。 及亮卒，身營殯葬，時人稱之。 遷尚書吏部郎，太子右衛率，右衛將軍。 雖居職屢徙，而常留省內，罕得休下。 國史詔誥，儀體法律，軍旅謀謨，皆兼掌之。 日夜侍上，豫機密二十餘年，未嘗離左右。 帝以為有公輔器。
He was repeatedly promoted, reaching Chamberlain for Dependencies. When Wang Liang was found guilty and returned home, none of his old friends came to him; She alone honored their old bond. When Liang died, She personally arranged the funeral and burial, and people of the time praised him. He was promoted to Personnel Gentleman of the Masters of Writing, Right Guard Commandant of the Heir Apparent, and General of the Right Guard. Although his posts changed repeatedly, he remained constantly inside the department and rarely got leave from office. National history, edicts and proclamations, ritual forms and laws, and military plans were all concurrently managed by him. Day and night he attended the emperor, participated in confidential affairs for more than twenty years, and never left his side. The emperor considered him fit to assist as a chief minister.
79
初，範雲卒，僉以沈約允當樞管，帝以約輕易不如徐勉，於是勉、舍同參國政。 勉小嫌中廢，舍專掌權轄，雅量不及勉而清簡過之，兩人俱稱賢相。
When Fan Yun died, everyone thought Shen Yue was suited to manage the central government, but the emperor considered Yue too casual and inferior to Xu Mian. Therefore Mian and She together participated in state affairs. When Mian was temporarily dismissed for a minor offense, She alone managed the levers of power. In breadth of mind he did not match Mian, but in purity and simplicity he surpassed him; both men were called worthy ministers.
80
時議國史，疑文帝紀傳之名。 舍以為「帝紀之籠百事，如幹象之包六爻，今若追而為紀，則事無所包，若直書功德，則傳而非紀。 應于上紀之前，略有仰述」。 從之。
At the time, discussion of the national history raised doubts about how to name Emperor Wen's annals and biography. She said, "Imperial annals encompass all affairs, like the heavenly image encompassing the six lines. If we now make retrospective annals, there are no affairs for them to encompass; if we simply write his achievements and virtues, that is biography, not annals. Before the main annals, there should be a brief retrospective account." This was followed.
81
舍占對辯捷，嘗居直廬，語及嗜好，裴子野言從來不嚐食薑。 舍應聲曰：「孔稱'不徹'，裴乃不嚐。」 一坐皆悅。 與人論謔，終日不絕，而竟不言漏泄機事，眾尤服之。 性儉素，衣服器用，居處床席，如布衣之貧者。 每入官府，雖廣廈華堂，閨閣重邃，舍居之則塵埃滿積。 以荻為障，壞亦不修。 曆侍中、太子詹事。 普通五年，南津校尉郭祖深獲始興相白渦書，餉舍衣履及婢，以聞，坐免官。 以右驍騎將軍知詹事。 卒。 上臨哭哀動左右，追贈侍中、護軍將軍，諡曰簡子。
She was quick in reply and debate. Once, while he was on duty in the lodge, the conversation turned to tastes, and Pei Ziye said he had never tasted ginger. She answered at once, "Confucius said, 'not removed'; Pei then 'does not taste.'" Everyone present was delighted. He could discuss and joke with people all day without stopping, yet never leaked confidential affairs; people especially admired him for this. By nature he was frugal and plain; his clothes, utensils, dwelling, bed, and mat were like those of a poor commoner. Whenever he entered official buildings, even broad mansions and splendid halls with deep inner chambers accumulated dust wherever She lived. He used reeds as screens, and even when they broke he did not repair them. He successively served as Attendant-in-Ordinary and Household Counselor to the Heir Apparent. In the fifth year of Putong, South Ford Colonel Guo Zushen obtained a letter from Bai Wo, Chancellor of Shixing, sending She clothing, shoes, and a maidservant, and reported it. She was dismissed from office for the matter. He was made Right Agile Cavalry General and administered the heir apparent's household-counselor office. He died. The emperor came in person to mourn him, and his grief moved those around him. He posthumously granted him Attendant-in-Ordinary and General Who Guards the Army; his posthumous title was Jianzi.
82
初，帝銳意中原，群臣咸言不可，唯舍贊成之。 普通中，累獻捷，帝思其功，下詔述其德美。 以為「往者南司白渦之劾，恐外議謂朕有私，致此黜免。 追愧若人一介之善，外可量加褒異，以旌善人」。 舍集二十卷。 二子弘義、弘信，弟子弘正。 弘正字思行。 父寶始，梁司徒祭酒。 弘正幼孤，及弟弘讓、弘直俱為伯父舍所養。 年十歲，通老子、周易。 舍每與談論，輒異之，曰：「觀汝清理警發，後世知名，當出吾右。」 河東裴子野深相賞納，請以女妻之。 十五，召補國子生，仍于國學講易，諸生傳習其義。 以季春入學，孟冬應舉，學司以日淺不許。 博士到洽曰：「周郎弱冠講經，豈俟策試？」
At first the emperor was keen on the central plains; ministers said no—only She approved. In Putong repeated victories were reported; the emperor recalled his merit and issued an edict on his virtue. It said, "The southern office's impeachment of Bai Wo—I feared talk of private feeling and therefore removed him. I regret losing one good man; outwardly add praise to signal the good." She's collected writings ran twenty scrolls. Two sons Hongyi and Hongxin; nephew Hongzheng. Hongzheng, styled Sixing. Father Baoshi was libationer of the Liang Minister of Education. Hongzheng was orphaned young; he and brothers Hongrang and Hongzhi were raised by uncle She. At ten he mastered Laozi and Zhouyi. She discussing with him marveled: "Your clear reasoning—later ages will know you; you should exceed me." Pei Ziye of Hedong prized him and asked to give his daughter in marriage. At fifteen he became a national-university student and lectured on Changes; students transmitted his meaning. Entering late spring and examining early winter—the university held days too few and refused. Erudite Dao Qia said, "Young Zhou lectured at weak cap—must he wait for examination?"
83
普通中，初置司文義郎，直壽光省，以弘正爲司義侍郎。 弘正醜而不陋，吃而能談，俳諧似優，剛腸似直，善玄理，爲當世所宗。 藏法師于開善寺講説，門徒數百，弘正年少，未知名，著紅褌，錦絞髻，踞門而聽，眾人蔑之，弗譴也。 既而乘間進難，舉坐盡傾，法師疑非世人，覘知，大相賞狎。 劉顯將之尋陽，朝賢畢祖道，顯縣帛十匹，約曰：「險衣來者以賞之。」 眾人競改常服，不過長短之間。 顯曰：「將有甚於此矣。」 既而弘正綠絲布褲，繡假種，軒昂而至，折標取帛。 中大通三年，昭明太子薨，其嗣華容公不得立，乃以晉安王綱爲皇太子。 弘正奏記，請「抗目夷上仁之義，執子臧大賢之節」。 其抗直守正如此。
In the Putong era the clerk for literary righteousness was first established, attached to the Shouguang Bureau; Hongzheng was made vice clerk for righteousness. Hongzheng was ugly but not coarse, stammered but could discourse, jested like a performer yet was stiff-spirited as if upright; skilled in arcane principle, he was honored by the age. Master Zang lectured at Kaishan Temple with hundreds of disciples; Hongzheng, young and unknown, wore red drawers and a brocade-wrapped topknot, sat at the gate listening; the crowd despised him but he did not leave. Then seizing an opening he advanced objections; the whole assembly was swayed; the master suspected he was no ordinary man, learned who he was, and greatly favored him. Liu Xian was going to Xunyang; court worthies all saw him off; Xian hung up ten bolts of silk and stipulated, "Whoever comes in outlandish dress shall receive the reward." Everyone hurried to change their usual dress, varying only in length. Xian said, "There will be something more extreme than this." Then Hongzheng arrived loftily in green silk-cloth trousers and embroidered false calves, broke the marker, and took the silk. In the third year of Zhongdatong the heir apparent Zhaoming died; his heir the Duke of Huarong could not be established, and Prince Gang of Jin'an was made heir apparent. Hongzheng memorialized, asking to "uphold the righteousness of Boyi and Shuqi and keep the integrity of the great worthy Zizang." His defiant uprightness and integrity were thus.
84
常自稱有才無相，僕射徐勉掌選，以其陋不堪為尚書郎，乃獻書於勉，其言甚切。 稍遷國子博士。 學中有宋元凶講孝經碑，歷代不改，弘正始到官，即表刊除。 時于城西立士林館，弘正居以講授，聽者傾朝野焉。 弘正啟周易疑義凡五十條，又請釋乾坤二系，復詔答之。
His defiant uprightness and integrity were thus. His defiant uprightness and integrity were thus. He was gradually promoted to grand-academy erudite. In the academy was the usurper's Filial Piety stele unchanged through generations; Hongzheng first took office and memorialized to remove it. West of the city a Scholars' Grove Hall was set up; Hongzheng lectured there and listeners filled court and countryside.
85
後為平西邵陵王府諮議參軍，有罪應流徙，敕以賜幹陀利國。 未去，寄系尚方。 于獄上武帝講武詩，降敕原罪，仍復本位。
Hongzheng memorialized fifty doubtful points in Zhouyi and asked to explain Qian and Kun; an edict answered. Later adviser to Prince of Shaoling; guilty and should be exiled—an edict granted Gandhara. Before leaving he was held in the Directorate.
86
弘正博物，知玄象，善占候。 大同末，嘗謂弟弘讓曰：「國家阨在數年，當有兵起，吾與汝不知何所逃之。」 及武帝納侯景，弘正謂弘讓曰：「亂階此矣。」 台城陷，弘正諂附王偉，又與周石珍合族，避景諱，改姓姬氏，拜太常。 景將篡之際，使掌禮儀。
In prison he presented a martial poem to Emperor Wu; pardoned he returned to his post. Near Datong's end he told Hongrang, "The state's peril is within years; war will rise—we do not know where to flee." When Wu received Hou Jing, Hongzheng told Hongrang, "Here is the ladder of chaos." When the capital fell Hongzheng fawned on Wang Wei, joined clan with Zhou Shizhen, avoided Jing's taboo, changed surname to Ji, and was made Minister of Ceremonies. When Jing was about to usurp he had Hongzheng manage ritual.
87
及王僧辯東討，元帝謂僧辯曰：「王師近次，朝士孰當先來？」 王僧辯曰：「其周弘正乎。 弘正智不後機，體能濟勝，無妻子之顧，有獨決之明，其餘碌碌不逮也。」 俄而前部傳云弘正至，僧辯飛騎迎之。 及見，歡甚，曰：「吾固知王僧達非後機者，公可坐吾膝上。」 對曰：「可謂進而若將加諸膝，老夫何足以當。」 僧辯即日啟元帝，元帝手書與弘正，仍遣使迎之，謂朝士曰：「晉氏平吳，喜獲二陸，今我討賊，亦得兩周。」 及至，禮數甚優，朝臣無比。 授黃門侍郎，直侍中省。 俄遷左戶尚書，加散騎常侍。 夏月著犢鼻褌，衣朱衣，為有司所彈。 其放達如此。
When Sengbian marched east Emperor Yuan asked, "The royal army is near—which court gentleman comes first?" Sengbian said, "Surely Zhou Hongzheng. Hongzheng's wit does not lag; his person overcomes difficulty; no wife and children to worry him and solitary clarity—the rest do not reach him." Soon the vanguard reported Hongzheng arrived; Sengbian flew horse to welcome him. Meeting him he was pleased: "I knew Sengda does not lag—you may sit on my knee." Meeting him he was pleased: "I knew Sengda does not lag—you may sit on my knee." Meeting he was pleased: "I knew Sengbian does not lag—you may sit on my knee." He replied, "Advancing as if to place on the knee—this old man cannot bear it." Sengbian memorialized Yuan; Yuan wrote Hongzheng and sent envoys, telling court, "Jin pacifying Wu gained the two Lus; punishing the rebel we gain the two Zhous." When he arrived ritual was generous—no court gentleman compared. He was given attendant gentleman of the yellow gate, attending in the Secretariat. Soon left minister of the household and regular attendant.
88
元帝嘗著金樓子，曰：「余于諸僧重招提琰法師，隱士重華陽陶貞白，士大夫重汝南周弘正，其于義理清轉無窮，亦一時之名士也。」
Yuan wrote the Golden Tower Master: "Among monks I value Abbot Yan; among recluses Tao Hongjing of Huayang; among gentry Zhou Hongzheng of Runan—in arcane principle clear and inexhaustible, a famous man of the age."
89
弘正善清談，梁末為玄宗之冠。 及侯景平，僧辯啟送秘府圖籍，敕弘正讎校。
Yuan wrote the Golden Tower Master: "Among monks I value Abbot Yan; among recluses Tao Hongjing of Huayang; among gentry Zhou Hongzheng of Runan—in arcane principle clear and inexhaustible, a famous man of the age." Yuan wrote the Golden Tower Master: "Among monks I value Abbot Yan; among recluses Tao Zhenbai; among gentry Zhou Hongzheng of Runan—clarity and turning of principle without end, a famous scholar of the age."
90
時朝議遷都，但元帝再臨荊陝，前後二十餘年，情所安戀，不欲歸建業。 兼故府臣僚皆楚人，並欲即都江陵，云：「建康蓋是舊都，雕荒已極。 且王氣已盡，兼與北止隔一江，若有不虞，悔無所及。 且臣等又聞荊南有天子氣，今其應矣。」 元帝無去意。 時尚書左僕射王褒及弘正咸侍，帝顧曰：「卿意何如？」 褒等以帝猜忌，弗敢眾中公害，唯唯而已。 褒後因清閒，密諫還丹陽甚切，帝雖納之，色不悅。 及明日，眾中謂褒曰：「卿昨勸還建鄴，不為無理，吾昨夜思之，猶懷疑惑。」 褒知不引納，乃止。 他日，弘正乃正色諫，至於再三，曰：「若如士大夫，唯聖王所都，本無定處。 至如黔首，未見入建鄴城，便謂未是天子，猶列國諸王。 今日赴百姓之心，不可不歸建鄴。」 當時頗相酬許。 弘正退後，黃羅漢、宗懍乃言：「弘正、王褒並東人，仰勸東下，非為國計」。 弘正竊知其言，他日乃復上前面折二人，曰：「若東人勸下東，謂之私計，西人勸住西，亦是私計不？」 眾人默然，而人情並勸遷都。 上又曾以後堂大集文武，其預會者四五百人，帝欲遍試人情，曰：「勸吾去者左袒。」 於是左袒者過半。 武昌太守朱買臣，上舊左右，而閹人也，頗有幹用，故上擢之。 及是勸上遷，曰：「買臣家在荊州，豈不願官長住，但恐是買臣富貴，非官富貴邪！」 上深感其言，卒不能用。
Hongzheng was skilled at pure talk and at Liang's end was crown of the arcane school. Moreover old headquarters staff were Chu men and wished to make Jiangling capital: "Jiankang is the old capital but desolation is extreme. Royal qi is exhausted; we are separated from the north by one river—if mishap comes, regret will be too late. We also hear emperor's qi south of the Jing—now it has answered." Emperor Yuan had no intent to leave. Left Vice Director Wang Bao and Hongzheng attended; the emperor asked, "What do you think?" Left Vice Director Wang Bao and Hongzheng attended; the emperor asked, "What do you think?" Bao and others, knowing the emperor's suspicion, did not dare speak openly and only assented. Next day in assembly he told Bao, "Yesterday you urged Jiankang—not without reason; I thought on it last night and still doubt." Next day in assembly he told Bao, "Yesterday you urged Jiankang—not without reason; I thought last night and still doubt." Another day Hongzheng sternly remonstrated thrice: "For gentry and officials the sage king's seat has no fixed place. But common people not yet seeing entry into Jiankang say he is not yet Son of Heaven but still a feudal prince. Today to follow the people's hearts one must return to Jiankang." Many responded in agreement. After Hongzheng withdrew Huang Luohan and Zong Lin said, "Hongzheng and Wang Bao are easterners urging east—not for the state's plan." After Hongzheng withdrew Huang Luohan and Zong Lin said, "Hongzheng and Bao are easterners urging east—not for the state." Hongzheng knew their words; another day he refuted them before the emperor: "Easterners urging east is private plan—is westerners urging west not also private?" The emperor once assembled civil and military in the rear hall—four or five hundred attended; he said, "Whoever urges me to leave, bare the left shoulder." The emperor once assembled civil and military at the rear hall—four or five hundred; wishing to test sentiment he said, "Those urging me to leave, bare the left shoulder." Those baring the left shoulder were more than half. He urged moving: "Maichen's home is Jing—would he not wish the ruler to stay? I fear it is Maichen's wealth and rank, not the ruler's!" The emperor was deeply moved and in the end could not act.
91
及魏平江陵，弘正遁歸建鄴。 太平元年，授侍中，領國子祭酒，遷太帝卿、都官尚書。 陳武帝授太子詹事。 天嘉元年，遷侍中、國子祭酒，往長安迎宣帝。 三年，自周還。 廢帝嗣位，領都官尚書，總知五禮事。 宣帝即位，遷特進，領國子祭酒，加扶。 太建五年，授尚書右僕射。 尋敕侍東宮講論語、孝經。 太子以弘正德望素重，有師資之敬焉。
When Wei pacified Jiangling, Hongzheng fled back to Jiankang. In the first year of Taiping he was made attendant, concurrent director of the Imperial University, then chamberlain for the grand emperor and director of the Bureau of Punishments. Emperor Wu of Chen appointed him steward of the heir apparent. In the first year of Tianjia he was moved to attendant and director of the Imperial University and went to Chang'an to welcome Emperor Xuan. In the third year he returned from Zhou. When the Deposed Emperor succeeded, he held concurrent post as director of the Bureau of Punishments and oversaw all five rites. When Emperor Xuan ascended, he was promoted to special advance, concurrent director of the Imperial University, with staff of honor. In the fifth year of Taijian he was made right vice director of the Masters of Writing. Soon he was ordered to attend the Eastern Palace and lecture on the Analects and Classic of Filial Piety. The heir apparent, because Hongzheng's virtue and standing had long been weighty, showed him the respect due a teacher.
92
弘正特善玄言，兼明釋典，雖碩德名僧，莫不請質疑滯。 六年，卒官，年七十九，贈侍中、中書監，諡曰簡子。 所著周易講疏十六卷，論語疏十一卷，莊子疏八卷，老子疏五卷，孝經疏二卷，集二十卷，行於代。
The heir apparent, because Hongzheng's virtue and standing had long been weighty, showed him the respect due a teacher. In the sixth year he died in office, aged seventy-nine; posthumously attendant and director of the Secretariat with posthumous title Jianzi. His writings: Zhouyi lecture and commentary sixteen scrolls, Lunyu eleven, Zhuangzi eight, Laozi five, Filial Piety two, collected writings twenty—circulated in the age.
93
子豫玄，年十四，與俱載入東，乘小船度岸，見藤花，弘正挽之，船覆俱溺，弘正僅免，豫玄遂得心驚疾。 次子墳，尚書吏部郎。
Hongzheng barely escaped; Yuxuan then got heart-startled illness. Second son Fen, director of personnel.
94
弘讓性簡素，博學多通。 始仕不得志，隱于句容之茅山，頻征不出。 晚仕侯景，為中書侍郎，人問其故，對曰：「昔王道正直，得以禮進退，今乾坤易位，不至將害於人，吾畏死耳。」 始彭城劉孝先亦辭辟命，隨兄孝勝在蜀。 武陵建號，仕為世子府諮議參軍。 二隱並獲譏於代。
Hongrang was plain by nature, broadly learned. At first unsuccessful in office he hid on Mount Mao in Jurong; repeatedly summoned he did not emerge. Late he served Hou Jing as secretariat gentleman; asked why he replied, "When the royal way was upright one advanced and withdrew by rites; now heaven and earth have changed—if one does not come one is harmed; I fear death." At first Liu Xiaoxian of Pengcheng also declined appointment and followed elder brother Xiaosheng in Shu. When Wuling declared reign he served as heir-apparent adviser. Both recluses received censure in the age.
95
弘讓承聖初，為國子祭酒。 二年，為仁威將軍，城句容以居之，命曰仁威壘。 陳天嘉初，以白衣領太常卿、光祿大夫，加金章紫綬。
At Chengsheng's start Hongrang was director of the Imperial University. In the second year he was general of benevolent might, walled Jurong to dwell, and named it Benevolent Might Fort. At Chen Tiancheng's start he was in plain clothes concurrent minister of ceremonies and director of splendid honors with gold seal and purple ribbon.
96
弘讓弟弘直，字思方，幼而聰敏。 仕梁為西中郎湘東王外兵記室參軍，與東海鮑泉、南陽宗懍、平原劉緩、沛國劉彀同掌書記。 王出鎮江、荊二州，累除諮議參軍。 及承制，封湘濱縣侯。 累遷昌州刺史。
Hongrang's brother Hongzhi, styled Sifang, was clever from childhood. He served Liang as outer-army recorder under Prince of Xiangdong and with Bao Quan, Zong Lin, Liu Huan, and Liu Gu managed documents. When the prince garrisoned Jiang and Jing he rose to adviser. Receiving provisional command he was enfeoffed marquis of Xiangbin. He rose to inspector of Chang Province.
97
王琳之舉兵，弘直在湘州，琳敗，乃入陳，位太帝卿、光祿大夫，加金章紫綬。
When Wang Lin raised troops Hongzhi was in Xiang; when Lin fell he entered Chen and reached minister of the imperial ancestral temple and director of splendid honors with gold seal and purple ribbon.
98
弘直方雅敦厚，氣調高於次昆。 或問三周孰賢，人曰：「若蜂腰矣」。 太建七年卒。 遺疏：「氣絕之後，便買市中見材小形者。 斂以時服，古人通制，但下見先人，必須備禮，可著單衣裙衫故履。 既應侍養，宜備紛帨，或逢善友，又須香煙，棺內唯安白布手巾粗香爐而已，此外無所用。」 卒於家，年七十六。 有集二十卷。
Hongzhi was square, elegant, and generous; his tone higher than the next brother. Asked which of the three Zhou was worthy, someone said, "Like the wasp-waist." Final instructions: "After breath stops buy small timber seen in the market." Final instructions: "After breath ends, buy small timber seen in the market. Enshroud in timely dress—the ancients' rule—but meeting forebears requires full rites: single skirt, robe, shirt, old shoes. For nurture prepare veil; for good friends incense; in the coffin only white cloth towel and coarse incense burner—nothing else." He died at home, aged seventy-six. Collected writings twenty scrolls.
99
子確，字士潛，美容儀，寬大有行檢。 博涉經史，篤好玄言。 位都官尚書，禎明初卒。
Son Que, styled Shiqian, had beautiful appearance and broad integrity. He ranged through classics and histories and loved arcane speech. Commentary: Literary men do not guard small conduct—ancients and present alike.
100
論曰：文人不護細行，古令之所同焉。 由夫聲裁所知，故取忤於人者也。 觀夫顏、謝之於宋朝，非不名高一代，靈運既以取斃，延之亦躓當年，向之所謂貴身，翻成害己者矣。 士遜援筆數罪，陵讎犯難，餌彼慈親，棄之獸吻，以此為忠，無聞前誥。 夫自忍其親，必將忍人之親，士遜自忘其孝，期以申人之孝，自非嚴父之辭允而義愜，則難乎免矣。 師伯行己縱欲，好進忘退，既以此始，亦以此終，宜乎。 懷文蹈履之地，足以追蹤古烈，孔母致懼中丞，其誡深矣。 周朗始終之節，亦倜儻為尤。 顒、舍父子，文雅不墜，弘正兄弟義業，幾乎德門者焉。
Commentary: Literary men do not guard small conduct—ancients and present alike. Because reputation and judgment are known, they give offense. Yan and Xie in Song were famed for a generation; Lingyun died for it and Yanzhi stumbled—the honor they sought became harm. Shixun counted crimes with his brush and towered over foes, feeding his kind parent to the beast's mouth—calling that loyalty unheard in former edicts. One who bears against his own kin will bear against others'; Shixun forgot filiality yet hoped to extend others'—unless a stern father's words fit, escape is hard. Shibo indulged desire, loving advance and forgetting retreat—he began thus and ended thus; fitting. Huaiwen's tread was enough to follow ancient exemplars; Confucius's mother feared the censor-in-chief—her warning was deep. Zhou Lang's constancy from start to finish was also especially bold. Yong and She, father and son—literary elegance did not fall; Hongzheng and his brothers in righteous learning—almost a house of virtue.