1
列傳第二十五
Biographies, Number Twenty-Five
2
劉湛庾悅顧琛顧覬之
Liu Zhan · Yu Yue · Gu Chen · Gu Jizhi
3
除宋武帝太尉行參軍，賞遇甚厚。 父柳亡于江州，府州送故甚豐，一無所受，時論稱之。 服闋，為相國參軍。 謝晦、王弘並稱其器幹。
Song's founding emperor appointed him acting adjutant on the Grand Commandant's staff, where he enjoyed lavish favor. After his father Liu died in Jiang Province, the prefectural and provincial offices sent lavish funeral gifts; he refused every item, and public opinion praised his integrity. Once his mourning period ended, he served as an aide to the Chancellor of State. Both Xie Hui and Wang Hong spoke highly of his talent and executive skill.
4
武帝入受晉命，以第四子義康為冠軍將軍、豫州刺史，留鎮壽陽。 以湛為長史、梁郡太守。 義康弱年未親政，府州事悉委湛。 進號右將軍，仍隨府轉。 義康以本號徙南豫州，湛改領曆陽太守。 為人剛嚴用法，奸吏犯贓百錢以上皆殺之，自下莫不震肅。
When Emperor Wu accepted the Jin throne's transfer of mandate, he posted his fourth son Yikang as General Who Establishes Might and Inspector of Yu Province, garrisoned at Shouyang. Zhan was appointed chief administrator to the prince and concurrently Administrator of Liang Commandery. Yikang was still a youth and did not yet govern in person; Zhan handled every matter of the prefecture and province. Promoted to General of the Right, he moved whenever the prince's headquarters moved. When Yikang transferred to Southern Yu Province under his existing title, Zhan took concurrent command as Administrator of Liyang. Hard and severe in enforcing the law, he executed any corrupt clerk who embezzled as little as a hundred cash; terror ran from the bottom of the bureaucracy to the top.
5
廬陵王義真出為車騎將軍、南豫州刺史，湛又為長史，太守如故。 義真時居武帝憂，使帳下備膳，湛禁之，義真乃使左右人買魚肉珍羞，於齋內別立廚帳。 會湛入，因命臑酒炙車螯。 湛正色曰：「公當今不宜有此設。」 義真曰：「旦甚寒，杯酒亦何傷，長史事同一家，望不為異。」 酒至，湛起曰：「既不能以禮自處，又不能以禮處人。」
When Prince of Luling Yizhen left court as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Southern Yu Province, Zhan again served as chief administrator while retaining his post as administrator. Yizhen was observing mourning for Emperor Wu and ordered his staff to prepare food; Zhan forbade it, so Yizhen had attendants buy fish, meat, and delicacies and erect a separate kitchen inside the mourning hall. Zhan entered unexpectedly and was served cured meats, wine, and roasted mantis shrimp. Zhan said gravely, "Your Grace should not be entertaining like this while in mourning. Yizhen replied, "The morning is bitter cold—a cup of wine can hardly hurt. We are family, Chief Administrator; please do not stand on ceremony." When the wine was served, Zhan stood and said, "You cannot keep ritual toward yourself, and you cannot keep it toward others either."
6
後為廣州刺史，嫡母憂去職。 服闋，為侍中。 時王華、王曇首、殷景仁亦為侍中，文帝於合殿與四人宴飲甚悅。 華等出，帝目送良久，歎曰：「此四賢一時之秀，同管喉唇，恐後世難繼。」 及撫軍將軍江夏王義恭鎮江陵，以湛為使持節、南蠻校尉，領撫軍長史，行府州事。 王弘輔政，而王華、王曇首任事居中，湛自謂才能不後之，不願外出。 是行也，謂為弘等所斥，意甚不平。 常曰：「二王若非代邸之舊，無以至此。 可謂遭遇風雲。」 湛負其才氣，常慕汲黯、崔琰為人，故名長子曰黯字長孺，第二子曰琰字季珪。 琰於江陵病卒，湛求自送喪還都，義恭亦為之陳情。 文帝答義恭曰：「吾亦得湛啟事，為之酸懷，乃不欲苟違所請； 但汝弱年，新涉軍務，八州殷曠，專斷事重，疇諮委仗，不可不得其人。 量算二三，未獲便相順許。 今答湛啟，權停彼葬。 頃朝臣零落相系，寄懷轉寡，湛實國器，吾乃欲引其令還，直以西夏任重，要且停此事耳。 汝慶賞黜罰預關得失者，必宜悉相委寄。」
He later became Inspector of Guang Province and resigned when his principal mother died. After mourning he was appointed Palace Attendant. Wang Hua, Wang Tanshou, and Yin Jingren were also Palace Attendants at the time; Emperor Wen dined with all four in the Hall of Assembly and was delighted. As they left, the emperor watched them a long while and sighed, "Four brilliant men at once, all guarding the emperor's voice—I doubt posterity will see their like again. When Prince of Jiangxia Yigong, General Who Pacifies the Army, took Jiangling, Zhan received the staff of office as Colonel of Southern Barbarians, chief administrator to the Pacifying Army, and acting head of the prefecture and province. Wang Hong governed as regent while Wang Hua and Wang Tanshou held real power at court; Zhan believed himself their equal in talent and refused to accept an outside posting. He took the transfer as a banishment engineered by Hong and his circle, and nursed a deep grievance. He often said, "If the two Wangs had not been old companions from the Prince of Dai's household, they would never have risen so high. They had simply ridden the storm, he meant. Confident in his own gifts, Zhan modeled himself on the Han minister Ji An and the Wei statesman Cui Yan; he named his eldest son An (Changru) and his second Yan (Jigui). When Yan died at Jiangling, Zhan asked permission to escort the coffin to the capital, and Yigong petitioned on his behalf as well. Emperor Wen answered Yigong, "I too have Zhan's petition, and it wrings my heart—I do not wish to refuse him lightly; but you are young and new to military command. Eight provinces are vast, and sole discretion is a heavy burden—you cannot do without the right adviser at your side. I have weighed the matter again and again and cannot grant it just yet. My reply to Zhan will defer the burial for the moment. Court ministers have been dying in succession, and trusted confidants grow scarce. Zhan is truly a pillar of the realm and I mean to recall him—but the western frontier is too important to release him yet. Whatever touches reward, punishment, promotion, or dismissal, you must leave entirely in his hands."
7
義恭性甚狷隘，年又漸大，欲專政事，每為湛所裁。 主佐之間，嫌隙遂構。 文帝聞之，密遣詰讓義恭。 義恭陳湛無居下之禮，又自以年長，未得行意，雖奉詔旨，每出怨言。 上友于素篤，欲加酬順，乃詔之曰：「當今之才，委受已爾，宜盡相彌縫，取其可取，棄其可棄。」
Yigong was narrow and jealous; as he aged he wanted sole control of affairs, and Zhan repeatedly overruled him. Between prince and chief administrator, enmity took root. Emperor Wen heard of the friction and secretly sent a messenger to reprove Yigong. Yigong complained that Zhan showed no subordinate's deference; feeling himself the elder and unable to govern as he wished, he obeyed the edict in form but grumbled constantly. The emperor's affection for his brother ran deep; seeking further harmony, he ordered, "Talents have already been assigned as they are—you must patch things up, keep what is worth keeping, and drop what must be dropped."
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先是王華既亡，曇首又卒，領軍將軍殷景仁以時賢零落，白文帝征湛。 八年，召為太子詹事，加給事中，與景仁並被任遇。 湛云：「今代宰相何難，此正可當我南陽郡漢代功曹耳。」 明年，景仁轉尚書僕射，領選，護軍將軍，湛代為領軍。 十二年，又領詹事。 湛與景仁素款，又以其建議征之，甚相感悅。 及俱被時遇，猜隙漸生。 以景仁專內任，謂為間己。 時彭城王義康專執朝權，而湛昔為上佐，遂以舊情委心自結，欲因宰相之力回主心，傾黜景仁，獨當時務。 義康屢言之于文帝，其事不行。 義康僚屬及湛諸附隸潛相約勒，無敢曆殷氏門者。 湛党劉敬文父成未悟其機，詣景仁求郡，敬文遽謝湛曰：「老父悖耄，遂就殷鐵幹祿。 由敬文闇淺，上負生成，合門慚懼，無地自處。」 敬文之奸諂如此。
After Wang Hua's death and Tanshou's passing, Palace Guard General Yin Jingren, alarmed at the thinning ranks of talent, urged Emperor Wen to recall Zhan. In the eighth year he was recalled as Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent with additional rank as Supervising Censor; he and Jingren shared the emperor's trust. Zhan remarked, "Serving as de facto chancellor now—what is so hard about that? It is no more than being merit officer in Nanyang Commandery under the Han. The following year Jingren became Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, overseeing appointments and General Who Protects the Army; Zhan replaced him as General of the Palace Guard. In the twelfth year he also retained the post of Grand Tutor. Zhan and Jingren had been close friends, and Zhan was deeply grateful that Jingren had urged his recall. Once both stood in favor at court, suspicion and friction slowly grew. Jingren controlled inner appointments, and Zhan took it as a move against him. Prince of Pengcheng Yikang then dominated the court. Zhan, once his chief administrator, pledged himself to the prince in old friendship, hoping through the chancellor's power to sway the emperor, oust Jingren, and run affairs alone. Yikang repeatedly pressed the case before Emperor Wen, but the emperor would not act. Yikang's staff and Zhan's followers secretly agreed that no one was to visit the Yin household. Liu Cheng, father of Zhan's ally Liu Jingwen, failed to read the situation and visited Jingren to ask for a prefecture; Jingwen rushed to apologize to Zhan, "My old father, senile and confused, went begging office from 'Iron' Yin. Jingwen is dull and shallow; I have betrayed the grace shown us from above. Our whole house is ashamed and terrified, with nowhere to hide our faces. Such was the flattery and treachery of Jingwen.
9
義康擅權專朝，威傾內外，湛愈推崇之，無復人臣之禮，上稍不能平。 湛初入朝，委任甚重，善論政道，並諳前代故事，聽者忘疲。 每入雲龍門，禦者便解駕，左右及羽儀隨意分散，不夕不出，以此為常。 及晚節驅煽義康，陵轢朝廷，上意雖內離而接遇不改。 上謂所親曰：「劉斑初自西還，吾與語常看日早晚，慮其當去； 比入亦看日早晚，慮其不去。」 湛小字斑獸，故云斑也。 遷丹陽尹，詹事如故。
Yikang seized power and dominated court and countryside alike; Zhan exalted him ever more openly, abandoning a minister's decorum, and the emperor's displeasure mounted. When Zhan first came to court he bore heavy trust; he debated policy with ease and knew former dynasties' precedents by heart, and listeners forgot their weariness. Each entry through the Cloud Dragon Gate ended with the imperial driver unharnessing the horses; attendants and guard of honor wandered off at will, and he rarely left before nightfall. In later years he fanned Yikang's ambitions and trampled the court; though the emperor's heart had turned against him, his outward courtesy never changed. The emperor told intimates, "When Liu Ban first returned from the west, I always watched the sun while we talked, afraid he would leave; now when he comes in I watch the sun just as closely, afraid he will not leave. Zhan's childhood name was Banshou—hence "Ban." He was moved to Intendant of Danyang while keeping the Grand Tutorship.
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十七年，所生母亡。 上與義康形跡既乖，釁難將結，湛亦知無復全地。 及至丁艱，謂所親曰：「今年必敗，常日賴口舌爭之，故得推遷耳。 今既窮毒，無復此望，禍至其能久乎。」 伏甲於室，以待上臨吊。 謀又泄，竟弗之幸。 十月，詔收付廷尉，於獄伏誅，時年四十九。 子黯等從誅。 弟素，黃門郎，徙廣州。 湛初被收，歎曰：「便是亂邪。」 又曰：「不言無我應亂，殺我日自是亂法耳。」 入獄見素，曰：「乃復及汝邪？ 相勸為惡，惡不可為，相勸為善，正見今日，如何！」 湛生女輒殺之，為時流所怪。
In the seventeenth year his birth mother died. Emperor and Yikang had already drifted apart; catastrophe was near, and Zhan knew he could no longer keep his footing. Entering mourning, he told intimates, "I am finished this year. On ordinary days I talked my way out of trouble and bought delay. Now I am trapped in mourning with no such hope left—when ruin arrives, how long can it wait? He posted armed men in his house, waiting for the emperor to come in person to offer condolences. The plot leaked again, and the emperor never came. In the tenth month an edict ordered his arrest and trial; he was executed in prison at forty-nine. His sons An and the others were executed along with him. His younger brother Su, a Gentleman at the Yellow Gate, was exiled to Guang Province. At his arrest Zhan sighed, "So this counts as rebellion. He added, "I won't claim that without me the realm would revolt—but the day they kill me, the law itself will have rebelled." Seeing Su in prison he said, "You too? When men urged evil, I knew evil must not be done; when they urged good, look where good has brought us today—what then?" Zhan killed every daughter born to him—a practice contemporaries found bizarre.
11
庾悅字仲豫，潁川鄢陵人也，晉太尉亮之曾孫也。 祖羲，吳興內史。 父准，西中郎將、荊州刺史。
Yu Yue, styled Zhongyu, came from Yanling in Yingchuan Commandery and was great-grandson of Jin Grand Commandant Yu Liang. His grandfather Yi served as Interior Administrator of Wuxing. His father Zhun was General of the Right in the Center and Inspector of Jing Province.
12
悅仕晉為司徒右長史。 桓玄篡位，為中書侍郎。 宋武平建鄴，累遷建威將軍、江州刺史，加都督。
Under Jin, Yue served as Right Chief Administrator on the Minister of Education's staff. When Huan Xuan seized the throne, he became a Palace Gentleman of the Secretariat. After Song's founding emperor pacified Jiankang, Yue rose to General Who Establishes Might and Inspector of Jiang Province with area command.
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初，劉毅家在京口，酷貧，嘗與鄉曲士大夫往東堂共射，時悅為司徒右長史，要府州僚佐出東堂，毅已先至，遣與悅相聞曰：「身並貧躓，營一遊甚難。 君如意人，無處不可為適，豈不能以此堂見讓。」 悅素豪，徑前不答。 毅語眾人並避，唯毅留射如故。 悅廚饌甚盛，不以及毅，毅既不去，悅甚不歡。 毅又相聞曰：「身今年未得子鵝，豈能以殘炙見惠。」 悅又不答。 至是，毅表解悅都督、將軍官，以刺史移鎮豫章。 以親將趙恢領千兵守尋陽，建威府文武三千人悉入毅將府，深相挫辱。 悅不得志，疽發背，到豫章少日卒。
Once, when Liu Yi's household at Jingkou was desperately poor, he went with local gentlemen to shoot at the Eastern Hall. Yue, then Right Chief Administrator of the Minister of Education, had invited prefectural staff there; Yi arrived first and sent word: "We are both poor men for whom an outing is a rare luxury. You are a man who always finds comfort—surely you can spare us this hall? Yue was proud by nature; he walked past without a word. Yi told the others to leave; only he kept shooting. Yue's feast was lavish but excluded Yi; Yi refused to go, and Yue was furious. Yi sent another message: "I haven't got young geese this year—surely you don't expect me to treat you to scraps? Yue again said nothing. Now Yi memorialized to strip Yue of his command and general's rank and, as inspector, transferred him to Yuzhang. Yi posted his confidant Zhao Hui with a thousand men at Xunyang and absorbed all three thousand staff of Yue's headquarters into his own command, humiliating Yue thoroughly. Frustrated in his ambitions, Yue developed a back abscess and died within days of reaching Yuzhang.
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登之字元龍，悅族弟也。 曾祖冰，晉司空。 祖蘊，廣州刺史。 父廓，東陽太守。
Dengzhi, styled Yuanlong, was Yue's clansman and junior kinsman. His great-grandfather Bing had been Jin Minister of Works. His grandfather Yun served as Inspector of Guang Province. His father Kuo was Administrator of Dongyang.
15
登之少以強濟自立，初為宋武帝鎮軍參軍，預討桓玄功，封曲江縣五等男。 累遷新安太守。 謝晦為荊州刺史，請為長史、南郡太守，仍為衛軍長史。 登之與晦俱曹氏婿，名位本同，一旦為之佐，意甚不愜。 到廳箋唯言：「即日恭到」，初無感謝之言。 每入覲見，備持箱囊幾席之屬，一物不具，則不肯坐。 嘗於晦坐誦西征賦云：「生有修短之命，位有通塞之遇。」 晦雖恨而常優容之。
In youth Dengzhi made his way by force of will and practical skill; he first served on Song Wu's Pacifying Army staff, earned merit in the campaign against Huan Xuan, and was enfeoffed Fifth-rank Baron of Qujiang. He rose through posts to Administrator of Xin'an. When Xie Hui became Inspector of Jing Province he took Dengzhi as chief administrator and Administrator of Nan Commandery, and later as chief administrator to the Guard General. Dengzhi and Hui were both sons-in-law of the Cao clan and had once stood on equal footing; to become Hui's subordinate overnight rankled deeply. At the reception hall his arrival note read only, "Arrived today with respect"—not a word of thanks. Whenever he attended audience he brought his own chests, bags, stools, and mats; if one item was missing he refused to sit. Once in Hui's presence he recited from the Rhapsody on the Western Expedition: "Life grants long or short spans; office brings smooth fortune or blocked paths. Hui resented the barb but always indulged him.
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晦拒王師，欲登之留守，登之不許。 晦敗，登之以無任免官禁錮還家。 何承天戲之曰：「因禍為福，未必皆知。」 登之曰：「我亦幾與三豎同戮。」 承天為晦作表云：「當浮舟東下，戮此三豎。」 故登之為嘲。
When Hui resisted the imperial army and asked Dengzhi to hold the rear, Dengzhi refused. After Hui's defeat Dengzhi was dismissed for incompetence, placed under house arrest, and sent home. He Chengtian teased him, "Turning disaster into blessing—not everyone understands that art. Dengzhi replied, "I nearly died with those three wretches myself." Chengtian had drafted Hui's memorial saying, "I shall sail east and cut down these three wretches." Hence Dengzhi's jest.
17
後為司徒長史、南東海太守。 府公彭成王義康專覽政事，不欲自下厝意。 而登之性剛，每陳己志，義康不悅，出為吳郡太守，以贓貨免官。 後拜豫章太守，徵為中護軍，未拜卒。
He later served as Chief Administrator to the Minister of Education and Administrator of Southern Donghai. Prince of Pengcheng Yikang monopolized policy review and would not defer to subordinates. Dengzhi was stiff-necked and always pressed his own views; Yikang, displeased, posted him to Wu Commandery and later dismissed him for graft. He was later appointed Administrator of Yuzhang and summoned as General Who Protects the Army, but died before accepting.
18
仲文位廣平太守，兄登之為謝晦長史，仲文往省之。 時晦權重，朝士並加敬，仲文獨與抗禮。
Zhongwen was Administrator of Guangping; when his elder brother Dengzhi served Xie Hui as chief administrator, Zhongwen went to visit. Hui's power was immense and courtiers bowed low; Zhongwen alone treated him as an equal.
19
後為彭城王義康驃騎主簿，未就，徙為丹陽丞。 既未到府，疑於府公禮敬，下禮官博議。 中書侍郎裴松之議曰：「案春秋桓公八年，祭公逆王后于紀。 公羊傳曰：'女在國稱女，此其稱王后何？ 王者無外，其辭成矣。 '推此而言，則仲文為吏之道，定於受敕之日矣。 名器既正，則禮亦從之，安可未到廢其節乎？ 宜執吏禮。」 從之。
He later became chief clerk on Prince of Pengcheng Yikang's Rapid Cavalry staff; before reporting he was reassigned Assistant Intendant of Danyang. Before reaching the prince's office he questioned the ceremonial deference owed a prince and referred the matter to the Masters of Rites. Palace Gentleman Pei Songzhi argued: "The Spring and Autumn Annals record that in Duke Huan's eighth year the Duke of Cai met the queen consort at Ji. The Gongyang Commentary asks: 'At home she is called "daughter"—why here "queen consort"? Because the king recognizes no outside, the title is complete. By that logic Zhongwen's duties as an official were fixed the day the edict reached him. Once title and office are settled, ritual follows—how can he abandon propriety before he even reports? He should observe an official's ritual. The court adopted Pei's view.
20
後始興王浚當鎮湘州，以仲文為司馬。 浚不之任，仍除南梁太守，司馬如故。 于時領軍劉湛協附大將軍彭城王義康，而與僕射殷景仁隙。 凡朝士游殷氏者，不得入劉氏之門，獨仲文遊二人間，密盡忠於朝廷。 景仁稱疾不朝見者歷年，文帝常令仲文銜命去來，湛不疑也。
When Prince of Shixing Jun was assigned to Xiang Province, Zhongwen was made his chief administrator. Jun never took the post; Zhongwen was instead appointed Administrator of Nanliang while keeping the chief administrator's title. At that time Palace Guard General Liu Zhan clung to Grand General Prince of Pengcheng Yikang while feuding with Vice Director Yin Jingren. Courtiers who visited the Yin household were barred from Liu's gate; only Zhongwen moved between both camps and secretly served the throne. Jingren feigned illness and stayed away from court for years; Emperor Wen used Zhongwen as courier, and Zhan suspected nothing.
21
義康出蕃，湛伏誅，以仲文為尚書吏部郎，與右衛將軍沈演之俱參機密。 曆侍中、吏部尚書，領義陽王師。 內外歸附，勢傾朝野。 仲文為人強急不耐煩，賓客訴非理者，忿罵形於辭色。 素無術學，不為眾望所推。 性好潔，士大夫造之者，未出戶輒令人拭席洗床。 時陳郡殷沖亦好淨，小史非淨浴新衣，不得近左右，士大夫小不整潔，每容接之。 仲文好潔反是，每以此見譏。
When Yikang left for his fief and Zhan was executed, Zhongwen became Director of Personnel in the Masters of Writing and, with General of the Right Guard Shen Yanzhi, shared confidential state business. He rose through Palace Attendant and Director of the Masters of Writing to concurrent Tutor to Prince of Yiyang. Court and countryside alike rallied to him; his influence overshadowed the realm. Zhongwen was forceful and short-tempered; when petitioners pressed unreasonable cases, rage showed plainly on his face and in his words. He lacked scholarly training and enjoyed little esteem among the learned. Fastidious by nature, he had mats wiped and beds washed the moment a guest stepped out. Yin Chong of Chen Commandery was equally fastidious, yet he still received slightly unkempt gentlemen; his clerks, however, had to bathe and don fresh clothes before approaching. Zhongwen's cleanliness ran the other way, and he was often ridiculed for it.
22
領選既不緝眾論，又頗通貨賄，用少府卿劉道錫為廣州刺史，道錫至鎮，餉白檀牽車，常自乘焉。 或以白文帝，帝見問曰：「道錫餉卿小車，裝飾甚麗，有之乎？」 仲文懼起謝。
As head of appointments he neither soothed opinion nor shunned bribes; he made Palace Store Director Liu Daoxi Inspector of Guang Province, and Daoxi sent him a white sandalwood carriage which he rode daily. Someone informed Emperor Wen, who asked, "Did Daoxi give you a small carriage, lavishly decorated—true or not? Terrified, Zhongwen rose and apologized.
23
又仲文請急還家，吏部令史錢泰、主客令史周伯齊出仲文宅諮事。 泰能彈琵琶，伯齊善歌，仲文因留停宿。 尚書制，令史諮事不得宿停外，雖八座命亦不許，為有司所奏。 上于仲文素厚，將恕之，召問尚書右僕射何尚之，具陳仲文得失，奏言：
Zhongwen also took emergency leave home; Personnel clerk Qian Tai and Reception clerk Zhou Boqi visited his house on official business. Tai played the pipa and Boqi sang well; Zhongwen kept them overnight. Regulations forbade clerks from lodging outside while on business—even an Eight Minister's order could not override that; the responsible office reported him. The emperor had long favored Zhongwen and meant to forgive him, but summoned Vice Director He Shangzhi, who laid out Zhongwen's faults and merits in full:
24
仲文事如丘山，若縱而不糾，復何以為政。 晉武不為明主，斷鬲令事，遂能奮發，華廙見待不輕，廢錮累年，後起改作城門校尉耳。 若言仲文有誠于國，未知的是何事，政當云與殷景仁不失其舊，與劉湛亦復不疏。 且景仁當時意事，豈復可蔑，縱有微誠，復何足掩其惡。 賈充勳烈，晉之重臣，雖事業不稱，不聞有大罪，諸臣進說，便即遠出。 陛下聖叡，反更遲遲於此。 仲文身上之釁，既自過於范曄，所少賊一事耳。 伏願深加三思。 試以諸聲傳普訪諸可顧問者，群下見陛下顧遇既重，恐不敢苦侵傷，顧問之日，宜布嫌責之旨。 若不如此，亦當不辨有所得失。 時仲文自理不諳台制，令史並言停外非嫌。 帝以小事不足傷大臣，尚之又陳：
Zhongwen's offenses pile like hills; if indulged, how can government stand? Emperor Wu of Jin was no sage, yet he acted decisively against Ge Ling; Hua Mi enjoyed favor yet was confined for years and restored only as Colonel of the City Gate. If one calls Zhongwen loyal, to what deed? At best he kept terms with Yin Jingren and did not break with Liu Zhan. And can Jingren's designs be dismissed? Even minor loyalty cannot cover such wickedness. Jia Chong was a meritorious pillar of Jin; though his career fell short of his rank, no grave crime was charged—yet ministers urged exile and he was sent away at once. Your Majesty is sage and clear-sighted—yet you hesitate here. Zhongwen's personal offenses already exceed Fan Ye's; only outright treason is missing. I beg Your Majesty to weigh this three times over. Sound out every adviser you trust; seeing Your Majesty's favor, they will fear to wound him—on consultation day announce blame in advance. Otherwise they will not speak plainly of right and wrong. Zhongwen pleaded ignorance of Secretariat rules; the clerks claimed overnight lodging was no crime. The emperor thought it too small to harm a great minister; Shangzhi pressed again:
25
令史具向仲文說不得停之意，仲文了不聽納，非為不解，直是苟相留耳。 雖是令史出，乃遠虧朝典，又不得謂之小事。 謝晦望實非今者之疇，一事錯誤，免侍中官。 王珣時賢少失，桓胤春搜之謬，皆白衣領職，況公犯憲制邪？ 孔萬祀居左局，言：「仲文貴要異他尚書」。 又云：「不癡不聾，不成姑公」。 敢作此言，亦為異也。 文帝猶優遊，使尚之更陳其意。 尚之備言仲文愆曰：
The clerks explained the ban to Zhongwen; he refused outright—not from ignorance but from wilful retention. Though only clerks were involved, the breach of court precedent was grave—not a trifle. Xie Hui's standing was not of today's rank; one mistake cost him the Palace Attendant's post. Wang Xun's youthful fault and Huan Yin's spring-hunt blunder both brought service in plain clothes while keeping office—how much more when one violates statute? Kong Wansi in the Left Bureau said, "Zhongwen's rank and power differ from other directors." He also said, "Only the deaf and foolish make good in-laws." To speak so boldly was itself extraordinary. Emperor Wen still wavered and asked Shangzhi to speak again. Shangzhi laid out Zhongwen's faults in full:
26
臣思張遼之言，關羽雖兄弟，曹公父子豈得不言。 觀今人臣憂國甚寡，臣復結舌，日月之明或有所蔽。 然不知臣者豈不謂臣有爭競之心，亦追以悵悵。 臣與仲文周旋，俱被恩接，不宜復生厚薄。 太尉昨與臣言說仲文有諸不可，非唯一條，遠近相崇畏，震動四海。 仲文先與劉德願殊惡，德願自持琵琶甚精麗遺之，便復款然。 市令盛馥進數百口材助營宅，恐人知，作虛買券。 劉道錫驟有所輸，傾南奉之半。 劉雍自謂得其力助，事之如父，夏中送甘蔗，若新發於州。 國吏運載櫵蘇，無輟於道。 諸見人有物，鮮或不求，聞劉遵考有材便乞材，見好燭盤便復乞之。 選用不平，不可一二。 太尉又言仲文都無共事之體，凡所選舉悉是其意，政令太尉知耳。 論虞秀之作黃門，太尉不正答和，故得停。 太尉近與仲文疏，欲用德願兒作州西曹，仲文乃啟用為主簿，即語德願以謝太尉。 前後漏泄賣恩，亦復何極。 縱不罪，故宜出之。 自從裴、劉刑罰已來，諸將陳力百倍，今日事實好惡可問，若赫然發憤，顯明法憲，陛下便可閑臥紫闥無復一事也。 帝欲出仲文為丹陽，又以問尚之，答言：
I recall Zhang Liao: though Guan Yu was as a brother, could Cao Cao and his son stay silent? Few ministers today worry for the state; if I hold my tongue, even sun and moon may have blind spots. Those who do not know me will call me contentious; I am troubled and regretful. Zhongwen and I both enjoyed imperial favor; I should not now show partiality. Yesterday the Grand Commandant told me of Zhongwen's many improprieties—not one alone; near and far revere and fear him, shaking the realm. Zhongwen once despised Liu Deyuan; Deyuan sent his own exquisite pipa and intimacy returned at once. Market magistrate Sheng Fu sent hundreds of beams for his house; fearing exposure, he forged purchase receipts. Liu Daoxi showered him with gifts, draining half the southern tribute. Liu Yong, thinking himself backed by Zhongwen, served him like a father and sent midsummer sugarcane as if fresh from the province. Provincial clerks hauling firewood never left the roads. Whoever had goods rarely escaped his demands; hearing Liu Zunkao had timber he begged timber; seeing a fine candle stand he begged that too. Unfair appointments were beyond counting. The Grand Commandant said Zhongwen would not share power; every appointment was his alone—the Grand Commandant learned of them in name only. When Yu Xiu was proposed for Gentleman at the Yellow Gate, the Grand Commandant withheld assent and the appointment stalled. The Grand Commandant, lately estranged, wanted Deyuan's son as provincial western staff officer; Zhongwen appointed him chief clerk instead and told Deyuan to thank the Grand Commandant. Leaking secrets and trading favors—where was the limit? Even without punishment he should be removed. Since Pei and Liu were punished the generals have exerted themselves a hundredfold; the facts of good and evil can be asked—if Your Majesty acts in wrath and makes law visible, you may rest in the Purple Hall with nothing left to do. The emperor meant to post Zhongwen as Intendant of Danyang and asked Shangzhi again; he answered:
27
仲文蹈罪負恩，陛下遲遲舊恩，未忍窮法，方復有尹京赫赫之授。 恐悉心奉國之人於此而息，貪狼恣意，歲月滋甚。 如臣所聞天下議論，仲文恒塵累日月，未見一毫增輝，乃更成形勢，是老王雅也。 古人言，無賞罰，雖堯舜不能為政。 陛下豈可坐損皇家之重，迷一凡人。 令賈誼、劉向重生，豈不慷慨流涕於聖世邪。 臣昔啟范曄，當時亦懼犯觸之尤，苟是愚懷所挹，政自不能不舒達，所謂「雖九死而不悔。」 也。 臣謂仲文且外出，若能修改，在職著稱，還亦不難，而得少明國典，粗酬四海之誚。 今愆釁如山，榮任不損，仲文若復有彰大之罪，誰敢以聞。 亦知陛下不能采臣之言，故是臣不能以己之意耳。 又曰：
Zhongwen has offended and betrayed favor; Your Majesty, clinging to old kindness, would not exhaust the law—yet would give him the capital intendant's glittering post. Men who serve the state wholeheartedly will fall silent; the greedy and ruthless will grow bolder by the month. Public talk says Zhongwen only dims the sun and moon without adding a glimmer of light—yet grows more powerful; he is another Wang Ya. The ancients said: without reward and punishment even Yao and Shun cannot govern. How can Your Majesty sit and weaken the imperial house, bewitched by one ordinary man? Were Jia Yi and Liu Xiang reborn, would they not weep in this enlightened age? I once memorialized on Fan Ye, fearing grave offense; what my foolish heart held I had to speak—the saying, "though nine deaths I would not regret. So I spoke. Send Zhongwen out for now; if he reforms and earns reputation in office, recall is easy—and the state's laws will be partly clarified, answering public reproach. Faults pile like mountains yet honor stands untouched—if Zhongwen commits another glaring crime, who will dare report it? I know Your Majesty will not take my counsel; therefore I cannot act on my own judgment. He added:
28
臣見劉伯龍大慷慨仲文所行，言有人送張幼緒，語人「吾雖得一縣，負錢三十萬。 庾仲遠仍當送至新林，見縛束猶未得解手」。 荀萬秋嘗詣仲文，逢一客姓夏侯，主人問：「有好牛不？」 言無。 問：「有好馬不？」 又言無，政有佳驢耳。 仲文便答：「甚是所欲。」 客出門。 遂相聞索之。 劉道錫言是仲文所舉，就道錫索嫁女具及祠器，乃當百萬數，猶謂不然。 選令史章龍向臣說，亦歎其受納之過。 言實得嫁女銅爐，四人舉乃勝，細葛鬥帳等物不可稱數。 在尚書中令奴酤酃酒，利其百十，亦是立台閣所無，不審少簡聖聽不？ 帝乃可有司之奏，免仲文官，卒于家。 帝錄其宿誠，追贈本官。 子弘遠。
Liu Bolong was furious at Zhongwen's conduct, saying someone sent Zhang Youxu with the remark, "I got one county but owe three hundred thousand cash. Yu Zhongyuan will haul him to Xinlin bound hand and foot before he can breathe free." Xun Wanqiu once visited Zhongwen and met a guest named Xiahou; the host asked, "Any good ox? The guest said no. He asked, "Any good horse? Again no—only a fine donkey. Zhongwen instantly said, "That is precisely what I want. The guest left. Word was sent at once demanding the donkey. Liu Daoxi said Zhongwen had recommended him; Zhongwen then demanded bridal dowry and sacrificial vessels from Daoxi worth a million—and still called it too little. Selection clerk Zhang Long told me and sighed at the scale of his takings. He truly took a bridal copper brazier needing four men to lift, fine-ge summer canopies, and countless like items. In the Masters of Writing he had a slave sell Ling wine for petty profit—unheard of in the Secretariat; I do not know whether this reached Your Majesty's ear? The emperor approved the memorial, dismissed Zhongwen, and he died at home. The emperor noted his earlier loyalty and posthumously restored his rank. His son Hongyuan.
29
弘遠字士操，清實有士譽。 仕齊為江州長史。 刺史陳顯達舉兵敗，斬於朱雀航。 將刑，索帽著之，曰：「子路結纓，吾不可以不冠而死。」 謂看者曰：「吾非賊，乃是義兵，為諸君請命耳。 陳公太輕事，若用吾言，天下將免塗炭。」 弘遠子子曜年十四，抱持父乞代命，遂並殺之。
Hongyuan, styled Shicao, was upright and solid and enjoyed esteem among gentlemen. Under Qi he served as Chief Administrator of Jiang Province. When Inspector Chen Xianda rebelled and was defeated, Hongyuan was beheaded at Zhuque Crossing. Facing execution he asked for a cap, saying, "Zilu tied his cap before death—I cannot die bareheaded. He told the crowd, "I am no rebel but a man of righteous arms, pleading for your lives. Lord Chen treated the affair too lightly; had he heeded me, the realm would have been spared ruin." Hongyuan's fourteen-year-old son Ziyao clung to his father begging to die in his place; both were killed.
30
仲文從弟徽之位御史中丞。 徽之子漪，齊邵陵王記室。 漪子仲容。
Zhongwen's clansman Huizhi served as Imperial Censor. Huizhi's son Yi was recorder to Prince of Shaoling of Qi. Yi's son Zhongrong.
31
仲容字子仲，幼孤，為叔父泳所養。 及長，杜絕人事，專精篤學，晝夜手不輟卷。
Zhongrong, styled Zizhong, lost his father young and was raised by his uncle Yong. Grown, he withdrew from worldly affairs and studied relentlessly, never setting book aside day or night.
32
初為安西法曹行參軍，泳時貴顯，吏部尚書徐勉擬泳子晏嬰為宮僚。 泳泣曰：「兄子幼孤，人才粗可，願以晏嬰所忝回用之。」 勉許焉。 轉仲容為太子舍人，遷安成王主簿。 時平原劉峻亦為府佐，並以強學為王所禮接。 後為永康、錢唐、武康令，並無績，多被推劾。 久之，除安成王中記室。 當出隨府，皇太子以舊恩降餞，賜詩曰：「孫生陟陽道，吳子朝歌縣，未若樊林舉，置酒臨華殿。」 時輩榮之。
He first served as acting adjutant in the Pacifying West Army's law section; his uncle Yong was then powerful, and Director Xu Mian planned Yong's son Yan'ying for palace staff. Yong wept and said, "My brother's orphaned son has passable talent—give Yan'ying's post to him instead. Mian agreed. Zhongrong was transferred to Palace Aide to the Heir Apparent and promoted Chief Clerk to Prince of Ancheng. Liu Jun of Pingyuan was also on the prince's staff; both were honored for formidable scholarship. He later served as magistrate of Yongkang, Qiantang, and Wukang—without distinction and often impeached. Long afterward he was appointed recorder to Prince of Ancheng. When he was to follow the prince's transfer, the crown prince, remembering old favor, came down to farewell him with a poem: "Master Sun climbs Yang's road, Master Wu governs Chaoge—none like Fan Lin's ascent, feasting before the splendid hall. Contemporaries regarded it as an honor.
33
後為尚書左丞，坐推糾不直免官。 仲容博學，少有盛名，頗任氣使酒，好危言高論，士友以此少之。 唯與王籍、謝幾卿情好相得，二人時亦不調，遂相追隨，誕縱酣飲，不持檢操。 遇太清亂，遊會稽卒。
He later became Left Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing and was dismissed when his impeachments proved unfair. Zhongrong was widely learned and famous early; willful with wine, he loved shocking pronouncements, and gentlemen thought less of him for it. Only Wang Ji and Xie Jiqing were true friends; both were unrestrained, and together they drank wildly without restraint. He lived through the Taiping turmoil, wandered to Kuaiji, and died there.
34
仲容抄子書三十卷，諸集三十卷，眾家地理書二十卷，列女傳三卷，文集二十卷，並行於代。
Zhongrong compiled thirty juan of miscellany, thirty of collected writings, twenty of geography, three of Exemplary Women, and twenty of his own prose—all circulated in his day.
35
顧琛字弘瑋，吳郡吳人，晉司空和之曾孫也。 祖履之，父惔，並為司徒左西曹掾。
Gu Chen, styled Hongwei, came from Wu in Wu Commandery and was great-grandson of Jin Minister of Works Gu Hezhi. His grandfather Lüzhi and father Tan both served as aides in the Minister of Education's western sections.
36
琛謹確不尚浮華，起家州從事、駙馬都尉，累遷尚書庫部郎。 元嘉七年，文帝遣到彥之經略河南，大敗，悉委棄兵甲，武庫為之空虛。 文帝宴會，有歸化人在座，上問琛庫中仗猶有幾許？ 琛詭辭答有十萬人仗。 舊庫仗秘不言多少，上既發問，追悔失言。 及琛詭對，上甚善之。 尚書寺門有制，八坐以下門生隨入者各有差，不得雜以人士。 琛以宗人顧碩寄尚書張茂度門名，而與顧碩同席坐。 明年坐譴出，免中正。 凡尚書官大罪則免，小罪譴出，譴出者百日無代人，聽還本職。 琛仍為彭城王義康所請，再補司徒錄事參軍。
Chen was careful and unflashy; he began as provincial aide and Commandant of the Horse Consorts and rose to Gentleman in the Arsenal Section. In Yuanjia's seventh year Emperor Wen sent Dao Yanzhi to recover Henan; the army was routed, armor and weapons were abandoned, and the arsenal lay empty. At a banquet a surrendered foreigner was present; the emperor asked Chen how many weapons the arsenal still held. Chen evasively answered arms enough for a hundred thousand men. Arsenal stores were secret by custom; having asked, the emperor regretted his slip. Chen's evasive answer pleased the emperor greatly. Regulations at the Masters of Writing gate fixed retainer quotas for ranks below the Eight Ministers and forbade outsiders. Chen registered clansman Gu Shuo under Director Zhang Maodu's retainer list and sat with him on the same mat. The next year he was reprimanded and dismissed and lost his post as Rectifier. Great crimes brought dismissal; lesser ones reprimand and temporary removal—after a hundred days without replacement one could return. Prince of Pengcheng Yikang recalled him as Recording Secretary to the Minister of Education.
37
十五年，出為義興太守。 初，義康請琛入府，欲委以腹心，琛不能承事劉湛，故尋見斥外。 十九年，徙東陽太守，欲使琛防守彭城王義康，固辭忤旨，廢黜還家積年。
In the fifteenth year he became Administrator of Yixing. Yikang had wanted Chen as confidant, but Chen would not serve under Liu Zhan and was soon pushed out. In the nineteenth year he was moved to Dongyang to guard Yikang; he refused against the emperor's will and was dismissed for years.
38
及元凶弑立，分會稽五郡置州，以隨王誕為刺史，即以琛為會稽太守。 誕起義，加冠軍將軍。 事平，遷吳興太守。
When the crown prince usurped the throne, five Kuaiji commanderies became a province under Prince of Sui Wang Dan; Chen became Administrator of Kuaiji. When Dan raised righteous arms he was promoted General Who Establishes Might. After the revolt was settled he became Administrator of Wuxing.
39
孝建元年，為吳郡太守，以起義功，封永新縣五等侯。 大明元年，吳縣令張闓坐居母喪無禮，下廷尉，錢唐令沈文秀判劾違謬，應坐被彈。 琛宣言於眾，「闓被劾之始，屢相申明」。 又云：「當啟文秀留縣」。 孝武聞之大怒，謂琛賣惡歸上，免官。 琛母老仍停家。
In Xiaojian's first year he governed Wu Commandery; for the righteous rising he was enfeoffed Fifth-rank Marquis of Yongxin. In Daming's first year Wu County magistrate Zhang Kan violated mourning propriety and was sent to trial; Qiantang magistrate Shen Wenxiu had judged wrongly and should himself have been impeached. Chen publicly declared, "From the start of Kan's impeachment I repeatedly clarified the matter." He also said, "I shall memorialize to keep Wenxiu in office." Emperor Xiaowu, hearing this, raged that Chen was shifting blame upward and dismissed him. Chen's mother was elderly and he stayed home to care for her.
40
琛及前西陽太守張牧並事司空竟陵王誕，誕反，遣客陸延稔齎書板琛及子弟官。 時孝武以琛素結事誕，或有異志，遣信就吳郡太守王曇生誅琛父子。 會延稔先至，琛等即執斬之，遣二子送延稔首啟聞。 孝武所遣誅琛使其日亦至而獲免。 琛母孔氏時年百餘歲，晉安帝隆安初，琅邪王廞于吳中作亂，以女為貞烈將軍，悉以女人為官屬，以孔氏為司馬。 及孫恩亂後，東土饑荒，人相食，孔氏散家糧以振邑裏，得活者甚眾，生子皆以孔為名焉。
Chen and former Xiyang Administrator Zhang Mu both served Minister of Works Prince of Jingling Wang Dan; when Dan rebelled he sent Lu Yanren with commissions for Chen and his sons. Emperor Xiaowu, suspecting Chen's old ties to Dan, sent Wang Tansheng, Administrator of Wu Commandery, to execute Chen and his sons. Yanren arrived first; Chen seized and beheaded him and sent two sons with the head to report. The imperial execution party arrived the same day; Chen was spared. Chen's mother Lady Kong was then over a hundred; at Jin Emperor An's Long'an era Prince of Langye Wang Yin rebelled in Wu, made his daughter General of Chaste Martyrs, staffed offices with women, and made Lady Kong chief administrator. After Sun En's rebellion famine drove men to cannibalism; Lady Kong distributed grain through the district and saved many; grateful families named sons Kong.
41
琛仍為吳興太守，明年坐郡人多翦錢及盜鑄免官。 歷位都官尚書。
Chen again governed Wuxing; the next year he was dismissed when the commandery clipped coins and cast illicit cash. He later served as Director of Punishments in the Masters of Writing.
42
廢帝即位，為吳郡太守。 初，琛景平中為朝請，假還東，日晚至方山。 于時商旅數十船，悉泊岸側，有一人玄衣介幘，執鞭屏諸船云：「顧吳郡部伍尋至，應泊此岸。」 於是諸船各東西。 俄有一假裝至，事力甚寡，仍泊向處，人問：「顧吳郡早晚至？」 船人答：「無顧吳郡。」 又問：「何船？」 曰：「顧朝請耳。」 莫不驚怪。 琛意竊知為善征，因誓之曰：「若得郡，當於此立廟。」 至是果為吳郡，乃立廟方山，號白馬廟云。 明帝泰始初，與四方同反。 兵敗，奉母奔會稽，台軍既至，歸降，後為員外常侍、中散大夫。 卒。
When Emperor Fei ascended he again governed Wu Commandery. Earlier, in the Jingping era, Chen was Court Gentleman for Consultation returning east and reached Fang Mountain at dusk. Dozens of merchant boats lay at shore when a man in dark clothes and kerchief cap drove them off: "Gu, Administrator of Wu, approaches—moor here. The boats scattered east and west. Soon a modest boat with few attendants moored where the others had been; people asked, "When does Gu, Administrator of Wu, arrive? The boatmen said, "There is no Administrator Gu." They asked, "Whose boat then?" They said, "Only Court Gentleman Gu." All were astonished. Chen took it as a good omen and vowed, "If I win the commandery I shall build a temple here. He did become Administrator of Wu and built the White Horse Temple at Fang Mountain. At Emperor Ming's Taishi opening he joined the four-direction rebellion. Defeated, he fled with his mother to Kuaiji, surrendered when imperial troops arrived, and later served as Extraordinary Palace Attendant and Gentleman for Regular Attendance. He died.
43
次子寶先，大明中，為尚書水部郎。 先是，琛為左丞荀萬秋所劾，及寶先為郎，萬秋猶在職，自陳不拜。 孝武詔曰：「敕違糾慢，憲司之職，若有不公，自當更有厘改。 而自頃劾無輕重，輒致私絕，此風難長，主者嚴為其科。」 先是宋世江東貴達者，會稽孔季恭子靈符、吳興丘深之及琛，吳音不變。 深之字思玄，吳興烏程人，位侍中、都官尚書，卒于太常。 顧覬之字偉仁，吳郡吳人也。 高祖謙字公讓，晉平原內史陸機姊夫。 祖崇，大司農。 父黃老，司徒左西曹掾。
Second son Baoxian, in the Daming era, was Gentleman in the Water Section. Chen had once been impeached by Left Assistant Director Xun Wanqiu; when Baoxian took office Wanqiu still served and refused to bow to him. Emperor Xiaowu ordered: "Disobedience and negligent impeachment are the censorate's concern; injustice should be corrected elsewhere. But lately impeachments regardless of weight have led to private boycotts—this must not spread; penalties shall be strict. Among Song-era Jiangdong eminences—Kong Jigong's son Lingfu of Kuaiji, Qiu Shenzhi of Wuxing, and Chen—the Wu accent never changed. Shenzhi, styled Siyuan, came from Wucheng in Wuxing; he served as Palace Attendant and Director of Punishments and died as Minister of Ceremonies. Gu Jizhi, styled Weiren, came from Wu in Wu Commandery. His great-grandfather Qian, styled Gongrang, was brother-in-law to Jin's Interior Administrator of Pingyuan, Lu Ji. His grandfather Chong was Grand Minister of Agriculture. His father Huanglao was aide in the Minister of Education's left western section.
44
覬之為謝晦衛軍參軍，晦愛其雅素，深相知待。 歷位尚書都官郎。 殷、劉隙著，覬之不欲與殷景仁久接，乃辭腳疾免歸。 每夜常于床上行腳，家人竊異之而莫曉其意。 及義康徙廢，朝廷多受禍。 覬之竟免。
Jizhi served on Xie Hui's Guard General staff; Hui admired his refined simplicity and treated him with deep trust. He rose to Gentleman in the Punishments Section of the Masters of Writing. When the Yin–Liu feud flared, Jizhi avoided prolonged contact with Yin Jingren, pleaded foot ailment, and retired home. Each night he walked back and forth on his bed; the household found it strange but none guessed why. When Yikang was deposed and banished, many at court were ruined. Jizhi alone escaped harm.
45
後為山陰令。 山陰劇邑三萬戶，前後官長晝夜不得休，事猶不舉。 覬之禦繁以約，縣用無事。 晝日垂簾，門階閑寂，自宋世為山陰，務簡而事理，莫能尚也。
He later became magistrate of Shanyin. Shanyin was a demanding district of thirty thousand households; previous magistrates worked day and night yet still fell behind. Jizhi handled complexity through restraint; the district ran without crisis. By day his curtain hung undisturbed and the gate steps were silent; since Song times no Shanyin magistrate matched his simplicity and efficiency.
46
後為尚書吏部郎。 嘗于文帝坐論江東人物，言及顧榮，袁淑謂覬之曰：「卿南人怯懦，豈辦作賊。」 覬之正色曰：「卿乃復以忠義笑人。」 淑有愧色。 孝建中，為湘州刺史，以政績稱。
He later became Director of Personnel in the Masters of Writing. Once at Emperor Wen's court, discussing Jiangdong figures and Gu Rong, Yuan Shu told Jizhi, "You southerners are timid—how could you play rebels? Jizhi said gravely, "You mock men with their own loyalty and righteousness." Shu flushed with shame. In the Xiaojian era he governed Xiang Province and was praised for his record.
47
大明元年，征守度支尚書，轉吏部尚書。 時沛郡相縣唐賜往比村彭家飲酒還，因得病，吐蠱二十餘物。 賜妻張從賜臨終言，死後親刳腹，五藏悉糜碎。 郡縣以張忍行刳剖，賜子副又不禁止。 論妻傷夫，五歲刑，子不孝父母，子棄市。 並非科例。 三公郎劉勰議：「賜妻痛遵往言，兒識謝及理，考事原心，非在忍害，謂宜哀矜。」 覬之議：「以妻子而行忍酷，不宜曲通小情，謂副為不孝，張同不道。」 詔如覬之議。
In Daming's first year he was summoned as Director of Revenue and transferred to Director of Personnel. Then Tang Ci of Pei's Xiang County drank at a neighbor's Peng household and returned home ill, vomiting more than twenty parasitic masses. Ci's wife Zhang obeyed his dying wish and cut open his belly after death; all five viscera lay crushed. Commandery and county held that Zhang had endured mutilation and son Fu had not stopped her. They sentenced the wife to five years for injuring her husband and the son to market execution for unfiliality. Neither sentence matched statutory precedent. Three Ducal Offices Gentleman Liu Xie argued: "The wife obeyed a dying command; the son grasped filial reason; judged by intent, not cruelty—they deserve compassion. Jizhi argued: "Wife and son performed cruel obedience; sentiment must not bend the law—I hold Fu unfilial and Zhang equally impious." The edict followed Jizhi's view.
48
後為吳郡太守，幸臣戴法興權傾人主，而覬之未嘗低意。 左光祿大夫蔡興宗與覬之善，嫌其風節過峻。 覬之曰：「辛毗有雲，孫、劉不過使吾不為三公耳。」 後卒于湘州刺史，諡曰簡子。 覬之家門雍穆，為州郡所重。 子綽私財甚豐，鄉里士庶多負責，覬之禁不能止。 及後為吳郡，誘出文券一大廚，悉令焚之。 宣語遠近，皆不須還。 綽懊歎彌日。
Later as Administrator of Wu Commandery, favored minister Dai Faxing overshadowed the throne, yet Jizhi never bowed. Left Director Cai Xingzong was Jizhi's friend yet thought his integrity too harsh. Jizhi said, "Xin Pi said Sun and Liu could at most keep me from the Three Ducal Offices. He later died in office as Inspector of Xiang Province; his posthumous title was Master Jian. Jizhi's household was harmonious and solemn and won respect in every province and commandery. His son Chuo grew very wealthy; many locals owed him money, and Jizhi forbade it but could not stop him. Later as Administrator of Wu Commandery he brought out a cupboard of debt bonds and burned them all. He proclaimed near and far that no debts need be repaid. Chuo grieved an entire day.
49
覬之常執命有定分，非智力所移，唯應恭己守道，信天任運。 而闇者不達，妄意徼幸，徒虧雅道，無關得喪。 乃以其意，命弟子願作定命論。
Jizhi held that fate is fixed, not moved by wit or force; one should keep the Way, trust Heaven, and accept what comes. The foolish hope for luck, lose elegant conduct, and gain nothing either way. He therefore had his disciple Yuan compose the Treatise on Fixed Destiny from his views.
50
願字子恭，父深之，散騎侍郎。 願好學，有才辭，卒于太子舍人。 覬之孫憲之。
Yuan, styled Zigong, was son of Palace Gentleman Shenzhi. Yuan loved learning and wrote well; he died as Palace Aide to the Heir Apparent. Jizhi's grandson Xianzhi.
51
憲之字士思，性尤清直。 宋元徽中，為建康令。 時有盜牛者，與本主爭牛，各稱己物，二家辭證等，前後令莫能決。 憲之至，覆其狀，乃令解牛任其所去，牛徑還本宅，盜者始伏其罪，時人號曰神明。 至於權要請托，長吏貪殘，據法直繩，無所阿縱。 性又清儉，強力為政，甚得人和，故都下飲酒者醇旨輒號為「顧建康」，謂其清且美焉。
Xianzhi, styled Shisi, was exceptionally upright and pure. In Song's Yuanhui era he was magistrate of Jiankang. A cattle thief disputed ownership with the true owner; arguments and evidence matched, and previous magistrates could not decide. Xianzhi reviewed the case, untied the ox, and let it choose; it walked straight home and the thief confessed—men called his judgment divine. Facing powerful men's requests and greedy senior officials, he applied the law straight without favor. Pure and frugal, he governed forcefully and won popular trust; capital drinkers called fine wine "Gu of Jiankang"—pure and excellent.
52
仕齊為衡陽內史。 先是，郡境連歲疾疫，死者太半，棺槨尤貴，悉裹以葦席，棄之路傍。 憲之下車，分告屬縣，求其親黨，悉令殯葬。 其家人絕滅者，憲之出公祿使紀綱營護之。 又土俗：山人有病輒云先亡為禍，皆開塚剖棺，水洗枯骨，名為除祟。 憲之曉喻，為陳生死之別，事不相由，風俗遂改。 時刺史王奐初至，唯衡陽獨無訟者，乃歎曰：「顧衡陽之化至矣，若九郡率然，吾將何事。」
Under Qi he served as Interior Administrator of Hengyang. Plague had ravaged the commandery for years; more than half died; coffins were costly and corpses were wrapped in reed mats and left by the roads. On taking office he ordered subordinate counties to find kin and bury every body properly. Where families were extinct he spent official funds and had clerks arrange burial. Local custom held that illness came from dead ancestors; people opened tombs, cut coffins, and washed bones—"removing malign influence." Xianzhi explained life and death's separation and that the living and dead do not cause one another's ills; the custom changed. Inspector Wang Huan, newly arrived, found only Hengyang free of lawsuits and sighed, "Gu of Hengyang's transformation is complete; if all nine commanderies were thus, what work would remain for me?"
53
後為東中郎長史，行會稽郡事。 山陰人呂文度有寵于齊武帝，于余姚立邸，頗縱橫。 憲之至郡，即日除之。 文度後還葬，郡縣爭赴吊，憲之不與相聞，文度甚銜之，亦卒不能傷也。
He later served as chief administrator to the Eastern General of the Center and acting administrator of Kuaiji. Shanyin's Lü Wendu, favored by Qi Emperor Wu, built a lodge at Yuyao and behaved lawlessly. The day Xianzhi reached the commandery he abolished it. Wendu later returned for burial; counties rushed to mourn; Xianzhi sent no word; Wendu resented it but could not touch him.
54
時西陵戍主杜元懿以吳興歲儉，會稽年登，商旅往來倍歲。 西陵牛埭稅，官格日三千五百，求加至一倍，計年長百萬。 浦陽南北津及柳浦四埭，乞為官領攝，一年格外長四百許萬。 武帝以示會稽，使陳得失。 憲之議曰：
Xiling garrison commander Du Yuanyi noted Wuxing's lean year against Kuaiji's harvest and doubled merchant traffic. Xiling's ox-ford tax stood at three thousand five hundred per day by statute; he sought to double it for a million in annual surplus. He also sought charge of Puyang's crossings and Liupu's four fords for four million beyond quota. Emperor Wu sent the proposal to Kuaiji for comment on gain and loss. Xianzhi argued:
55
尋始立牛埭，非苟通僦以納稅也，當以風濤迅險，人力不捷，濟急以利物耳。 既公私是樂，故輸直無怨。 京師航渡，即其例也。 而後之監領，各務己功，或禁遏別道，互生理外，凡如此類，不經埭煩牛者上詳。 被報蒙停格外十條，從來喧訴，始得暫弭。 案吳興頻歲失稔，今茲尤饉，去乏從豐，良田饑棘，舊格新減，尚未議登，格外加倍，將以何術？ 皇慈恤隱，振廩蠲調，而元懿幸災榷利，重增困瘼，人而不仁，古今共疾。 且比見加格置市者，前後相屬，非唯新加無贏，並皆舊格有闕，愚恐元懿今啟，亦當不殊。 若事不副言，懼貽譴詰，便百方侵苦，為公賈怨，其所欲舉腹心，亦當獸而冠耳。 書云：「與其有聚斂之臣，寧有盜臣。」 言盜公為損蓋微，斂人所害乃大也。 然掌斯任者應簡廉平，則無害於人。 愚又以便宜者，蓋謂便於公宜於人也。 竊見頃之言便宜者，非能於人力之外，用天分地者也，率皆即日不宜於人，方來未便於公，名與實反，有乖政體。 凡如此等，誠宜深察。
The ox-ford was not established merely to collect tolls but because swift dangerous waters exceeded human strength—to aid urgent crossing and benefit travelers. Public and private alike welcomed it, so ferry fees drew no complaint. Capital river crossings follow the same principle. Later overseers pursued private gain, blocked alternate routes, and created extralegal profits; every evasion of the ford was reported upward. Imperial reply suspended ten extralegal charges; long-standing clamor briefly ceased. Wuxing has suffered repeated poor harvests; famine this year is worst yet—good fields turn to thorns; old rates were cut and not restored, yet he would double beyond-quota charges—by what means? Imperial kindness opens granaries and remits levies, yet Yuanyi profiteers from disaster and deepens distress—inhumanity condemned in every age. Recent beyond-quota markets have multiplied—not only failing to yield surplus but falling short of old rates; Yuanyi's proposal will likely fare no better. If results fail to match promises, inquiry will follow; oppression will buy public resentment, and his chosen agents will be beasts in human dress. The Documents say, "Better a thieving minister than one who gathers wealth. Theft from the public harms little; gathering from the people harms greatly. Those who hold such posts should be chosen for integrity and fairness, then people suffer no harm. I hold that "convenience" means what serves the public and suits the people. Lately "convenience" means neither heaven's allotment nor earth's division—it harms people today and the public tomorrow; name and fact diverge and violate good government. All such cases deserve deep scrutiny.
56
山陰一縣課戶二萬，其人貲不滿三千者，殆將居半，刻又刻之，猶且三分餘一。 凡有貲者多是士人復除，其貧極者悉皆露戶役人，三五屬官，蓋惟分定，百端輸調，又則常然。 比眾局檢校，首尾尋續，橫相質累者亦復不少。 一人被攝，十人相追，一緒裁萌，千孽互起。 蠶事弛而農業廢，賤取庸而貴舉責，應公贍私，日不暇給，欲無為非，其可得乎。 死且不憚，矧伊刑罰，身且不愛，何況妻子。 是以前檢未窮，後巧復滋，網辟徒峻，猶不能悛。 竊尋人之多偽，實由宋季軍旅繁興，役賦殷重，不堪勤劇，奇巧所優，積習生常，遂迷忘反。 四海之大，庶黎之眾，心用參差，難卒澄之。 化宜以漸，不可疾責。 誠存不擾，藏疾納洿。 務詳寬簡，則稍自歸淳。 又被簡符，前後累千，符旨既嚴，不敢闇信。 縣簡送郡，郡簡呈使，殊形詭狀，千變萬源。 聞者忽不經懷，見者實足傷駭。 兼親屬裏伍，流離道路，時轉窮涸，事方未已，其士人婦女彌難厝衷。 不簡則疑其有巧，欲簡復未知所安。 愚謂此條宜委縣保，舉其綱領，略其毛目，乃當有漏，不出貯中，庶嬰疾沈痼者重荷生造之恩也。
Shanyin alone has twenty thousand taxable households; nearly half hold property under three thousand—carved again and again, still a third remain. The propertied are mostly exempt gentlemen; the poorest are bare households on corvée; three or five attached to officials is fixed allotment; countless levies are constant. Recently bureaus inspect endlessly; cross-case implications are not few. Seize one man and ten pursue; one thread sprouts and a thousand evils follow. Silkworm work slackens and farming fails; cheap labor and dear debt; public duty drains private means daily—who can stay honest? Men who fear not death fear punishment less still; who love not their bodies love wives and children less still. Before one inspection ends new evasions multiply; though the net grows stern, men will not reform. Men falsify because late Song campaigns and heavy levies drove them to clever evasion; habit hardened into custom and they forgot the straight path. Within the four seas hearts differ; sudden clarification is impossible. Reform should be gradual; haste avails nothing. Preserve non-disturbance; tolerate flaws and accept imperfection. Devote effort to leniency and simplicity, and men gradually return to honesty. Inspection orders arrive by the thousand; their stern intent forbids blind compliance. County sends to commandery, commandery to commissioner—strange forms and deceitful shapes in endless variety. Hearing them one pays no heed; seeing them one is shocked. Kin and neighbors wander the roads toward destitution; the affair is not ended—and gentry women suffer most. Skip inspection and one suspects trickery; inspect and one knows not what is safe. Entrust this to county guarantors— grasp the main cord, omit fine threads—then leaks stay within bounds and the chronically afflicted may breathe again.
57
又永興、諸暨離唐宇寇擾，公私殘燼，彌復特甚，儻逢水旱，實不易思。 俗諺云：「會稽打鼓送恤，吳興步擔令史。」 會稽舊稱沃壤，今猶若此，吳興本是塉土，事在可知。 因循餘弊，誠宜改張。 武帝並從之，由是深以方直見知。
Yongxing and Zhuji, ravaged after leaving Tang's domain, lie burned bare; flood or drought would be unbearable to contemplate. A proverb says, "Kuaiji beats drums to send relief; Wuxing carries the clerk's dispatch on a shoulder pole. Kuaiji was once called fertile; even now it struggles; Wuxing was always poor soil—the contrast tells all. Remaining abuses cry out for reform. Emperor Wu accepted every point; Xianzhi won deep renown for upright integrity.
58
遷南中郎巴陵王長史、南兗南豫二州事。 典簽諮事，未嘗接以顏色，動遵法制。 時司徒竟陵王于宣城、臨成、定陵三縣界立屯，封山澤數百里，禁人樵采。 憲之固陳不可，言甚切直。 王曰：「非君無以聞此德音。」 即命罷屯禁。
He became chief administrator to Prince of Baling, Southern General of the Center, charged with Southern Yan and Southern Yu. Registry clerks never saw a pleasant face from him; he moved strictly by law. Minister of Works Prince of Jingling established garrisons across Xuancheng, Lincheng, and Dingling, sealing hundreds of li of mountains and marshes and forbidding firewood gathering. Xianzhi firmly protested in blunt, direct words. The prince said, "Without you I would never have heard this righteous counsel. He at once abolished the garrisons and prohibitions.
59
遷給事黃門，兼尚書吏部郎中。 宋時其祖覬之嘗為吏部，於庭列植嘉樹，謂人曰：「吾為憲之植耳。」 至是憲之果為此職。 永元中為豫章內史，在任清簡，務存寬惠。 有貞婦萬晞者，少孀居無子，事舅姑尤孝，父母欲奪而嫁之，誓死不許。 憲之賜以束帛，表其節義。
He was promoted Attendant Gentleman at the Yellow Gate and concurrently Gentleman in the Personnel Section. In Song times his grandfather Jizhi, once Director of Personnel, planted fine trees in the courtyard and said, "I plant these for Xianzhi. Now Xianzhi indeed held that office. In the Yongyuan era he governed Yuzhang with purity and simplicity, devoted to leniency and grace. Chaste woman Wan Xi widowed young and childless, served her in-laws with deep filial piety, and refused remarriage though her parents insisted, swearing to die first. Xianzhi bestowed silk rolls and memorialized her integrity.
60
梁武帝平建鄴，為揚州牧，征憲之為別駕從事史，比至而已受禪。 憲之風疾漸篤，因求還吳，就加太中大夫。 憲之雖累經宰郡，資無儋石，及歸，環堵不免饑寒。
When Liang's Emperor Wu pacified Jiankang as Governor of Yang Province he summoned Xianzhi as assistant administrator; by the time Xianzhi arrived the emperor had already taken the throne. Xianzhi's palsy worsened; he asked to return to Wu and was promoted Grand Master of Palace Attendance. Though he had governed many commanderies he owned no store of grain; home again, his bare walls could not keep out hunger and cold.
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天監八年，卒於家。 臨終為制敕其子曰：「夫出生入死，理均晝夜。 生既不知所從，死亦安識所往。 延陵云：'精氣上歸於天，骨肉下歸於地，魂氣則無所不之。 '良有以也。 雖復茫昧難征，要若非妄。 百年之期，迅若馳隙，吾今預為終制，瞑目之後，念並遵行，勿違吾志也。 莊周、澹台，達生者也； 王孫、士安，矯俗者也。 吾進不及達，退無所矯。 常謂中都之制，允理愜情，衣周於身，示不違禮，棺周於衣，足以蔽臭。 入棺之物，一無所須，載以輴車，覆以粗布，為使人勿惡也。 漢明帝天子之尊，猶祭以杅水脯糗，范史雲列士之高，亦奠以寒水乾飯。 況吾卑庸之人，其可不節衷也。 喪易甯戚，自是親親之情，禮奢寧儉，差可得由吾意。 不須常施靈筵，可止設香燈，使致哀者有憑耳。 朔望祥忌，可權安小床，暫施幾席，唯下素饌，勿用牲牢。 蒸嘗之祠，貴賤罔替，備物難辦，多致疏怠。 祠先自有舊典，不可有闕，自吾已下，止用蔬食時果，勿同於上世，示令子孫四時不忘其親耳。 孔子雲'雖菜羹瓜祭必齋如'者，本貴誠敬，豈求備物哉。」 所著詩賦銘贊並衡陽郡記數十篇。
In Tianjian's eighth year he died at home. Dying, he instructed his sons: "Birth and death divide life as day divides night. Life—we know not whence it comes; death—we know not whither it goes. Yanling said: 'Essence rises to heaven, flesh returns to earth, soul and breath wander everywhere. There is reason in that. Though obscure and hard to verify, it is not vain. A hundred years pass like a galloping gap; I now set final rules—after my eyes close, follow them all and do not violate my will. Zhuang Zhou and Dantai comprehended life; Wang Sun and Shi'an corrected custom. I neither reached their comprehension nor their corrective zeal. I always held the capital's rites reasonable and satisfying—clothes on the body show ritual kept; a coffin around the clothes suffices to cover decay. Nothing need enter the coffin; carry me on a plain cart covered with coarse cloth so men need not be disgusted. Emperor Ming of Han, though Son of Heaven, sacrificed with earthen cup, water, and parched grain; Fan Shiyun, though a lofty gentleman, offered cold water and dry rice. How much more should a base man like me restrain extravagance? Easing mourning is easier than settling grief—that is natural kin affection; when ritual tends toward extravagance, choose frugality and you may follow my intent. Do not constantly set spirit tables; incense lamps alone will give mourners something to rely on. On new and full moons and memorial days, set a small bed briefly with plain mats and plain food only—no sacrificial animals. Seasonal ancestral rites bind noble and base alike; elaborate offerings are hard to maintain and invite neglect. Ancestors' rites have old statutes and must not lapse; from my generation down use vegetables and seasonal fruit only—not matching elders' lavish rites, so descendants remember kin through the four seasons. Confucius said, 'Even for vegetable soup and melon one must fast as if present'—sincere reverence matters, not lavish offerings. He left poetry, rhapsodies, inscriptions, eulogies, and several tens of juan of Record of Hengyang Commandery.
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論曰：古人云：「利令智昏」，甚矣利害之相傾也。 劉湛識用才能，實包經國之略，豈知移弟為臣，則君臣之道用，變兄成主，則兄弟之義殊。 而執數懷奸，苟相崇悅，與夫推長戟而犯順，何以異哉。 昔華元敗則以羊羹而取禍，觀夫庾悅亦鵝炙以速尤。 幹餱以愆，斯相類矣。 登之因禍而福，倚伏無常，仲文賄而為災，乃徇財之過也。 顧琛吳郡，徵兆于初筮，覬之清白之跡，見於暮年。 憲之蒞政，所在稱美，時移三代，一德無虧，求之古人，未為易遇。 觀其遺命，可謂有始有卒者矣。
The commentary says: The ancients said, "Profit dulls wisdom"—how extreme is the overturning of benefit and harm. Liu Zhan's talent truly held statecraft—yet when a younger brother becomes minister the ruler-minister way applies, and when an elder brother becomes lord brotherhood itself changes. Yet he clung to schemes and treachery, flattering power—how differs that from raising the halberd against one's lord? Hua Yuan's defeat brought disaster through mutton broth; Yu Yue's goose roast brought swift blame likewise. Fault over dry rations—the pattern repeats. Dengzhi turned calamity to blessing— fortune and misfortune turn without rule; Zhongwen's bribes became disaster—the price of chasing wealth. Gu Chen's Wu Commandery post was foretold at the first omen; Jizhi's pure conduct showed clearest in old age. Xianzhi won praise wherever he governed; three generations passed without stain—such constancy is rare even among ancients. Reading his final testament, one may say he finished as he began.