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列傳第二十八
Biography 28
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柳元景
Liu Yuanjing
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元景少便弓馬，數隨父伐蠻，以勇稱。 寡言語，有器質，荊州刺史謝晦聞其名，要之，未及往而晦敗。 雍州刺史劉道產深愛其能，會荊州刺史江夏王義恭復召之，道產謂曰：「久規相屈。 今貴王有召，難輒相留，乖意以為罔罔。」 服闋，累遷義恭司徒太尉城局參軍。 文帝見又知之。 先是，劉道產在雍州有惠化，遠蠻歸懷皆出，緣沔為村落，戶口殷盛。 及道產死，群蠻大為寇暴。 孝武西鎮襄陽，義恭薦元景，乃以為武威將軍、隨郡太守。 及至，廣設方略，斬獲數百，郡境肅然。
From boyhood Yuanjing was adept with bow and horse; he repeatedly accompanied his father on expeditions against the southern tribes and won renown for valor. Taciturn and endowed with presence, he was invited by Xie Hui, Inspector of Jing Province, after Hui heard of his reputation—but before Yuanjing could arrive, Hui had already been defeated. Liu Daochan, Inspector of Yong Province, greatly valued his talent; when Prince Jiangxia Yigong, now Inspector of Jing Province, summoned him once more, Daochan said to him: "I have long wished to keep you in my service. Now that the august prince has called for you, I cannot simply hold you back; it goes against my wishes, and I feel utterly at a loss. When his mourning period was over, he rose through several posts to Army Controller in the City Bureau on Prince Yigong's staff as Grand Tutor and Grand Commandant. Emperor Wen noticed him on sight and took him into favor once more. Previously, while Liu Daochan governed Yong Province with benevolent rule, distant tribes who submitted to his sway came out of the hills; along the Han River they formed settlements, and the registered population grew abundant. After Daochan's death, the tribal peoples rose in widespread raids and violence. While Emperor Xiaowu held the western command at Xiangyang, Yigong recommended Yuanjing, who was then appointed General of Martial Prestige and Administrator of Suizhou. On taking office he devised far-reaching strategy, killed or captured several hundred enemies, and brought the commandery to quiet order.
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隨王誕鎮襄陽，元景徙為後軍中兵參軍。 及朝廷大舉北侵，使諸鎮各出軍。 二十七年八月，誕遣尹顯祖出貲谷，魯方平、薛安都、龐法起入盧氏，田義仁出魯陽，加元景建威將軍，總統軍帥。
When Prince Dan of Sui held Xiangyang, Yuanjing was reassigned as Middle Army Controller on the Rear Army staff. When the court undertook a great northern campaign, every regional command was ordered to mobilize. In the eighth month of year twenty-seven, Dan dispatched Yin Xianzu from Zigui, Lu Fangping, Xue Anadu, and Pang Faqi into Lushi, and Tian Yiren from Luyang; Yuanjing was promoted to General Who Establishes Might and placed in supreme command of the field commanders.
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後軍外兵參軍龐季明，三秦冠族，求入長安，招懷關、陝，乃自貲谷入盧氏。 盧氏人趙難納之。 元景率軍系進，以前鋒深入，懸軍無繼，馳遣尹顯祖入盧氏，以為諸軍聲援。 元景以軍食不足，難可曠日相持，乃束馬懸車，引軍上百丈崖，出溫谷以入盧氏。 法起諸軍進次方伯堆，去弘農城五里。 元景引軍度熊耳山，安都頓軍弘農。 法起進據潼關，季明率方平、趙難諸軍向陝。 十一月，元景率眾至弘農，營于開方口。 仍以元景為弘農太守。
Pang Jiming, External Troops Controller of the Rear Army—a foremost family of the Three Qins—aimed to reach Chang'an and rally Guanzhong and the Shaan region, and advanced from Zigui into Lushi. Zhao Nan, a local leader in Lushi, welcomed him in. Yuanjing pressed forward in close pursuit; with the vanguard far ahead and no reserves behind, he hurried Yin Xianzu into Lushi to stiffen the rear and give the whole force a rallying point. Supplies were short and a drawn-out stalemate was impossible, so Yuanjing had horses slung and carts winched up the Hundred-zhang Cliff, led his men through Warm Valley, and broke into Lushi. Pang Faqi's columns halted at Fangbo Mound, five li from the walls of Hongnong. Yuanjing crossed Bear's Ear Mountain while Anadu held Hongnong. Faqi pushed forward and occupied Tong Pass; Jiming marched Fangping, Zhao Nan, and the rest toward Shan. In the eleventh month Yuanjing brought his main force to Hongnong and pitched camp at Kaifang Ford. Yuanjing was concurrently named Administrator of Hongnong.
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初，安都留住弘農而諸軍已進陝。 元景既到，謂安都曰：「卿無坐守空城，而令龐公孤軍深入，宜急進軍。」 眾軍並造陝下，列營以逼之，並大造攻具。
At first Anadu had stayed behind at Hongnong while the other columns were already pressing toward Shan. Once Yuanjing arrived, he told Anadu: "Do not sit idle in an empty town while Pang's lone detachment pushes deep into enemy country—march at once. All columns converged beneath Shan, ringed the city with camps, and set to building siege equipment on a grand scale.
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魏城臨河為固，恃險自守。 季明、安都、方平、顯祖、趙難諸軍頻三攻未拔，安都、方平各列陣于城東南以待之。 魏兵大合，輕騎挑戰，安都瞋目橫矛，單騎突陣，四向奮擊，左右皆辟易，殺傷不可勝數，於是眾軍並鼓噪俱前。 魏多縱突騎，眾軍患之。 安都怒甚，乃脫兜鍪，解所帶鎧，唯著絳衲兩當衫，馬亦去具裝，馳入賊陣。 猛氣咆勃，所向無前，當其鋒者無不應刃而倒。 如是者數四。 每入，眾無不披靡。
The Wei-held city hugged the river for protection and trusted the terrain to keep the attackers at bay. Jiming, Anadu, Fangping, Xianzu, and Zhao Nan assaulted the place three times without success; Anadu and Fangping then formed ranks southeast of the walls to receive the Wei counterstroke. The Wei host gathered in force, and their light horse rode out to provoke a fight. Anadu glared, couched his spear, and plunged alone into the enemy ranks, hacking on every side until men fell back from him in waves; the dead and wounded were beyond count, and at that the whole allied army roared forward as one. The Wei kept loosing their shock cavalry, and the allied troops found it hard to endure. Furious beyond bearing, Anadu tore off helmet and mail, kept only a crimson quilted fighting jacket, stripped his horse of armor as well, and charged straight into the enemy lines. His battle fury blazed; nothing stood in his path, and every man who met his spear went down as if cut at a touch. He repeated this charge four times over. Every time he plunged in, the enemy lines shattered before him.
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魏軍之將至也，方平遣驛騎告元景。 時諸軍糧盡，各餘數日食。 元景方督義租並上驢馬以為糧運之計，遣軍副柳元怙簡步騎二千以赴陝急，卷甲兼行，一宿而至。 詰朝，魏軍又出，列陣於城外。 方平諸軍並成列，安都並領馬軍，方平悉勒步卒左右掎角之，余諸義軍方於城西南列陣。 方平謂安都曰：「今勍敵在前，堅城在後，是吾取死之日。 卿若不進，我當斬卿，我若不進，卿當斬我也。」 安都曰：「卿言是也。」 遂合戰。 安都不堪其憤，橫矛直前，殺傷者甚多。 流血凝肘。 矛折，易之復入，軍副譚金率騎從而奔之。 自詰旦戰至日晏，魏軍大潰，面縛軍門者二千餘人。 諸將欲盡殺之，元景以為不可，乃悉釋而遣之。 皆稱萬歲而去。
As the Wei host was closing in, Fangping dispatched a fast rider to warn Yuanjing. By then every column was out of grain, with only a few days' rations remaining. Yuanjing was organizing local grain levies and requisitioning pack animals when he sent his deputy Liu Yuanhu with two thousand picked infantry and cavalry to Shan in emergency relief; they marched under arms without rest and reached the field in a single night. At first light the Wei came out once more and formed their battle lines beyond the walls. Fangping's troops finished forming up; Anadu took command of the horse; Fangping arrayed his foot soldiers on both flanks in support, while the other allied units were still deploying southwest of the city. Fangping told Anadu: "With a formidable foe in front and a walled city at our backs, today is the day we stake our lives. If you fail to charge, I will cut off your head; if I fail to charge, you will cut off mine. Anadu replied: "You speak the truth." With that they closed and fought. Unable to hold his fury in check, Anadu levelled his spear and drove straight in, killing and wounding a great many. Blood clotted thick on his forearms. When his spear snapped he seized another and plunged back in; Army Deputy Tan Jin swept after him with the cavalry. The battle ran from dawn to dusk; the Wei army broke in complete rout, and more than two thousand men came to the gate with hands bound. The commanders wanted to slaughter them all, but Yuanjing forbade it and set every man free. They shouted their thanks and went their way.
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時北略諸軍王玄謨等敗退，魏軍深入。 文帝以元景不宜獨進，且令班師。 諸軍乃自湖關度白楊嶺出於長洲，安都斷後，宗越副之。 法起自潼關向商城，與元景會，季明亦從胡谷南歸，並有功而入。 誕登城望之，以鞍下馬迎元景。
Meanwhile Wang Xuamo's northern expedition had been beaten back, and Wei forces were driving deep into Song territory. Emperor Wen judged that Yuanjing should not press forward alone and ordered a general withdrawal. The columns withdrew through Huguan, crossed White Poplar Ridge, and came out at Changzhou; Anadu held the rear, assisted by Zong Yue. Faqi marched from Tong Pass toward Shangcheng and linked up with Yuanjing; Jiming came south through Hugu Valley as well, and all returned credited with achievement. Dan climbed the city wall to watch them approach, then swung down from his saddle to greet Yuanjing in person.
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時魯爽向虎牢，復使元景率安都等北出，爽退乃還。 再出北侵，威信著於境外。
When Lu Shuang threatened Hulao, Yuanjing was once more sent north with Anadu and the rest; they came back after Shuang retreated. After two northern campaigns his authority was firmly established among the border peoples.
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臧質、義宣並反，王玄謨南據梁山，垣護之、薛安都度據曆陽，元景出屯採石。 玄謨求益兵，上使元景進屯姑孰。 元景悉遣精兵助王玄謨，以羸弱居守。 所遣軍多張旗幟，梁山望之如數萬人，皆謂都下兵悉至，由是克捷。 與沈慶之俱以本號加開府儀同三司，改封晉安郡公。 固讓開府。 復為領軍、太子詹事，加侍中。
When Zang Zhi and Liu Yixuan rose in revolt, Wang Xuamo seized Liang Mountain in the south, Yuan Huzhi and Xue Anadu crossed the Yangtze and held Liyang, and Yuanjing took post at Caishi. Xuamo asked for more troops, and the emperor ordered Yuanjing forward to Gudu. Yuanjing sent every picked soldier to Wang Xuamo's aid and kept only the feeblest men to hold his own position. His detachments flew a forest of banners; from Liang Mountain they looked like tens of thousands of men, and the rebels believed the full capital army had arrived—victory followed from that deception. He and Shen Qingzhi were both promoted in their existing ranks to Grand Master with Golden Seal and Banners Equal to the Three Dukes, and Yuanjing's title was changed to Duke of Jin'an. He firmly declined the separate grand office. He was reappointed Director of the Imperial Guards and Tutor of the Heir Apparent, with the added rank of Palace Attendant.
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大明三年，為尚書令，太子詹事、侍中、中正如故。 以封在嶺南，改封巴東郡公。 又命左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，侍中、令、中正如故。 又讓開府。 乃與沈慶之俱依晉密陵侯鄭袤不受司空故事。
In the third year of the Daming era he was made Director of the Imperial Secretariat, retaining his posts as Tutor of the Heir Apparent, Palace Attendant, and Chief Commandant. Because his original fief lay south of the ranges, his title was changed to Duke of Badong. He was further named Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Grand Master with Golden Seal and Banners Equal to the Three Dukes, while retaining Palace Attendant, Secretariat Director, and Chief Commandant. Once again he declined the separate grand office. He and Shen Qingzhi both invoked the Jin precedent of Zheng Mao, Marquis of Milin, who had refused the office of Minister of Works.
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六年，進司空，侍中、令、中正如故。 又固讓。 乃授侍中、驃騎大將軍、南兗州刺史，留衛都下。
In the sixth year he was promoted to Minister of Works, retaining Palace Attendant, Secretariat Director, and Chief Commandant. He declined once more. He was then given Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, and Inspector of Southern Yan Province, with orders to remain and guard the capital.
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孝武晏駕，與太宰江夏王義恭、尚書僕射顏師伯並受遺詔輔幼主，遷尚書令，領丹陽尹，侍中、將軍如故。 加開府儀同三司，給班劍二十人。 固辭班劍。
After Emperor Xiaowu's death, Yuanjing joined Grand Tutor Prince Jiangxia Yigong and Vice Director Yan Shibo as regents under the late emperor's will; he was moved to Director of the Imperial Secretariat and concurrent Administrator of Danyang, retaining Palace Attendant and his general's rank. He was further granted Grand Master with Golden Seal and Banners Equal to the Three Dukes, with a guard of twenty ceremonial halberds. He firmly declined the ceremonial guard.
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元景少時貧苦，嘗下都至大雷，日暮寒甚，頗有羇旅之歎。 岸側有一老父自稱善相，謂元景曰：「君方大富貴，位至三公。」 元景以為戲之，曰：「人生免饑寒幸甚，豈望富貴。」 老父曰：「後當相憶。」 及貴求之，不知所在。
In youth Yuanjing was poor; once, traveling toward the capital, he reached Dalei at nightfall in bitter cold and felt the full weight of a wanderer's loneliness. An old man on the shore who claimed skill in reading faces told him: "You are destined for great wealth and rank—one of the Three Dukes awaits you. Yuanjing took this for banter and replied: "Merely to escape hunger and cold is fortune enough—who dares dream of wealth and high office?" The old man said: "You will remember this day." After he rose to power he searched for the man, but no one knew where he had gone.
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元景起自將率，及當朝，理務雖非所長，而有弘雅之美。 時在朝勳要多事產業，惟元景獨無所營。 南岸有數十畝菜園，守園人賣菜得錢三萬，送還宅。 元景怒曰：「我立此園種菜，以供家中啖耳，乃復賣以取錢，奪百姓之利邪。」 以錢乞守園人。
Yuanjing had risen from the military ranks; in high office he was no master of routine administration, yet he carried himself with generous and cultivated grace. Most court nobles of the day busied themselves with estates and ventures; Yuanjing alone built nothing for himself. On the south bank he kept a vegetable plot of several dozen mu; the gardener sold produce for thirty thousand cash and brought the money to the house. Yuanjing grew angry: "I planted this garden only to feed my household—how dare you sell the crop for cash and steal profit from the common people? He handed the money back to the gardener.
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孝武嚴暴無常，元景雖荷寵遇，恒慮及禍。 太宰江夏王義恭及諸大臣莫不重足屏氣，未嘗敢私相往來。 孝武崩，義恭、元景等並相謂曰：「今日始免橫死。」 義恭與義陽等諸王，元景與顏師伯等常相馳逐聲樂酣飲，以夜繼晝。 前廢帝少有凶德，內不能平，殺戴法興後，悖情轉露，義恭、元景憂懼，乃與師伯等謀廢帝立義恭，持疑未決。 發覺，帝親率宿衛兵自出討之，稱詔召元景。 左右奔告，兵刃非常。 元景知禍至，整朝服乘車，應召出門。 逢弟車騎司馬叔仁戎服，左右壯士數十人，欲拒命。 元景苦禁之。 及出巷，軍士大至，下車受戮，容色恬然。
Emperor Xiaowu was harsh, cruel, and erratic; though favored, Yuanjing lived in constant fear of ruin. Grand Tutor Prince Jiangxia Yigong and every senior minister walked as if on eggshells and scarcely dared breathe; none ventured private visits to one another. When Xiaowu died, Yigong, Yuanjing, and the rest said to one another: "At last we are free of the fear of a sudden execution. Yigong and the princes, Yuanjing and Yan Shibo and their circle, gave themselves over to racing, music, and heavy drinking, carrying their revels from night into day. The deposed emperor's successor had been vicious from boyhood and could not govern himself; after he killed Dai Faxing his savagery showed plainly. Yigong and Yuanjing, in alarm, plotted with Shibo and others to remove the emperor and set Yigong on the throne, but they wavered and never acted. The plot was uncovered; the emperor led the palace guard in person and, under imperial summons, called Yuanjing to court. His attendants rushed in with word that armed men were massing in ominous array. Knowing his end had come, Yuanjing straightened his court dress, entered his carriage, and went out to answer the summons. He met his brother Shuren, Commandant of Cavalry Attendants, in armor with several dozen strong men at his side, ready to resist by force. Yuanjing forbade them with all his authority. As he left the lane the troops closed in; he stepped down from his carriage to meet the blade, his face serene.
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長子慶宗有幹力，而情性不倫，孝武使元景送還襄陽，於道賜死。 次子嗣宗、紹宗、茂宗、孝宗、文宗、仲宗、成宗、秀宗至是並遇禍。 元景六弟：僧景、僧珍、叔宗、叔政、叔珍、叔仁。 僧珍、叔仁及子侄在都下襄陽死者數十人。 元景少子承宗、嗣宗子慕並在孕獲全。 明帝即位，贈太尉，給班劍三十人，羽葆、鼓吹一部，諡曰忠烈公。
His eldest son Qingzong was capable but wayward in character; Emperor Xiaowu had Yuanjing escort him back to Xiangyang, and he was ordered to take his own life on the road. His sons Sizong, Shaozong, Maozong, Xiaozong, Wenzong, Zhongzong, Chengzong, and Xiuzong all perished in the same purge. Yuanjing had six younger brothers: Sengjing, Sengzhen, Shuzong, Shuzheng, Shuzhen, and Shuren. Sengzhen, Shuren, and dozens of sons and nephews at the capital and in Xiangyang died in the slaughter. Yuanjing's youngest son Chengzong and Sizong's unborn son Mu were among the few who survived. After Emperor Ming's accession, Yuanjing was posthumously named Grand Commandant, granted thirty ceremonial guards and a full martial escort, and given the posthumous title Duke of Loyal Valor.
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元景從父兄元怙，大明末同晉安王子勳逆，事敗歸降。 元景從祖弟光世留鄉里，仕魏為河北太守，封西陵男，與司徒崔浩親。 浩被誅，光世南奔。 明帝時，位右衛將軍、順陽太守。 子欣慰謀反，光世賜死。
Yuanjing's cousin Yuanhu had joined Prince Jin'an Zixun's revolt in the last years of Daming and surrendered after its collapse. A more distant kinsman, Guangshi, had stayed in the north, served the Wei as Administrator of Hebei, held the title Baron of Xiling, and was close to Minister of Works Cui Hao. When Hao was put to death, Guangshi fled south to Song territory. Under Emperor Ming he served as General of the Right Guard and Administrator of Shunyang. When his son Xinwei rebelled, Guangshi was ordered to take his own life.
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世隆字彥緒，元景弟子也。 父叔宗字雙驎，位建威參軍事，早卒。 世隆幼孤，挺然自立，不與眾同。 雖門勢子弟，獨修布衣之業。 及長，好讀書，折節彈琴，涉獵文史，音吐溫潤。 元景愛賞，異于諸子，言于宋孝武，得召見。 帝謂元景曰：「此兒將來復是三公一人。」 為西陽王撫軍法曹行參軍，出為武威將軍、上庸太守。 帝謂元景曰：「卿昔以武威之號為隨郡，今復以授世隆，使卿門世不乏公也。」
Shilong, styled Yanxu, was Yuanjing's nephew. His father Shuzong, styled Shuanglin, had been an army controller on a general's staff and died young. Orphaned early, Shilong held himself apart and refused to follow the crowd. Though born into a great house, he alone cultivated the life of a plain scholar. As he matured he took to books, mastered the zither, ranged widely in letters and history, and spoke in a voice warm and measured. Yuanjing favored him above the other young men of the clan and commended him to Emperor Xiaowu, who summoned him to court. The emperor told Yuanjing: "This boy will one day rank among the Three Dukes. He was appointed acting legal officer on Prince Xiyang's staff, then sent out as General of Martial Prestige and Administrator of Shangyong. The emperor said to Yuanjing: "You once held the title General of Martial Prestige in Suizhou; I now give that same rank to Shilong, so your line may never lack a man of ducal standing."
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元景為前廢帝所殺，世隆以在遠得免。 泰始初，四方反叛，世隆於上庸起兵以應宋明帝，為孔道存所敗，眾散逃隱，道存購之甚急。 軍人有貌相似者，斬送之。 時世隆母郭妻閻並見縶襄陽獄，道存以所送首示之。 母見首悲情小歇，而妻閻號叫方甚，竊謂郭曰：「今見不悲，為人所覺，唯當大慟以滅之。」 世隆竟以免。
When the deposed emperor's successor had Yuanjing executed, Shilong escaped because he was posted far away. Early in the Taishi era, when rebellion flared on every side, Shilong raised forces at Shangyong for Emperor Ming but was beaten by Kong Daocun; his men scattered into hiding while Daocun offered a heavy price for his head. A soldier who resembled him was killed and his head sent in instead. Shilong's mother Guo and his wife Yan were held in the Xiangyang prison; Daocun showed them the head. The mother, on seeing the head, checked her grief too soon, while Yan wailed loudly; Yan whispered to Guo: "If we do not mourn now, they will suspect us—we must cry out as if our hearts were broken. Shilong himself ultimately escaped capture.
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後為太子洗馬，與張緒、王延之、沈琰為君子之交。 累遷晉熙王安西司馬，加甯朔將軍。 時齊武帝為長史，與世隆相遇甚歡。 齊高帝之謀度廣陵也，令武帝率眾同會都下。 世隆與長流參軍蕭景先等戒嚴待期，事不行。
He later served as Palace Groom to the Heir Apparent and formed a circle of close friends with Zhang Xu, Wang Yanzhi, and Shen Yan. He rose to Pacifying West Army Major on Prince Jinxi's staff and was given the additional rank of General Who Pacifies the North. The future Emperor Wu of Qi was then chief clerk on the staff, and he and Shilong became fast friends. When Emperor Gao of Qi was planning his move against Guangling, he ordered the future Emperor Wu to bring troops to the capital. Shilong, Xiao Jingxian, and others stood ready on alert, but the plot never came off.
23
時朝廷疑憚沈攸之，密為之防，府州器械，皆有素蓄。 武帝將下都，劉懷珍白高帝曰：「夏口是兵沖要地，宜得其人。」 高帝納之，與武帝書曰：「汝既入朝，當須文武兼資人，委以後事，世隆其人也。」 武帝乃舉世隆自代。 轉為武陵王前軍長史、江夏內史，行郢州事。
The court feared Shen Youzhi and quietly laid plans against him; arms and stores were laid up throughout the provinces. As the future Emperor Wu prepared to go to the capital, Liu Huaizhen told Emperor Gao: "Xiakou is a critical military point and needs the right commander. Emperor Gao agreed and wrote to the future Emperor Wu: "Once you reach the capital you will need a man of both civil and military gifts to hold the rear—Shilong is the man." The future Emperor Wu then nominated Shilong as his replacement. He was transferred to chief clerk of the vanguard on Prince Wuling's staff, made Interior Minister of Jiangxia, and given acting charge of Ying Province.
24
武帝初下，與世隆別，曰：「攸之一旦為變，雖留攻城，不可卒拔。 卿為其內，我為其外，乃無憂耳。」 至是，武帝遣軍主桓敬、陳胤叔、苟元賓等八軍據西塞，令堅壁以待賊疲。 慮世隆危急，遣腹心胡元直潛使入郢城通援軍消息。 內外並喜。
When the future Emperor Wu first marched east, he took leave of Shilong and said: "If Youzhi rebels, he may leave men to besiege your city, but he cannot take it in haste. You hold the inside, I the outside, and we need not fear. The future Emperor Wu then sent eight armies under Huan Jing, Chen Yingshu, Gou Yuanbin, and others to hold Xisai, with orders to stand on the defensive until the rebels wore themselves out. Fearing for Shilong, he sent his trusted agent Hu Yuanzhi secretly into Ying city with word of the relief armies. Garrison and relief force alike took heart.
25
郢城既不可攻，而平西將軍黃回軍至西陽，乘三層艦，作羌胡伎，泝流而進。 攸之素失人情，本逼以威力，初發江陵，已有叛者，至此稍多。 攸之大怒，於是一人叛，遣十人追，並去不返。 劉攘兵射書與世隆請降，開門納之。 攸之怒，銜須咀之，收攘兵兄子天賜、女婿張平慮斬之。 軍旅大散。 世隆乃遣軍副劉僧麟緣道追之。
Ying city still could not be stormed when Pacifying West General Huang Hui reached Xiyang with triple-deck warships, barbarian music playing at the prows, rowing upstream. Youzhi had never won men's loyalty and ruled by fear alone; deserters had appeared from the day he left Jiangling, and their numbers were growing. Youzhi flew into a rage: for every deserter he sent ten men in pursuit, and the pursuers deserted as well. Liu Rangbing sent a message offering surrender to Shilong and opened the gates to him. Youzhi gnawed his beard in fury, seized Rangbing's nephew Tiansi and son-in-law Zhang Pinglu, and had them executed. His army broke apart completely. Shilong sent Army Deputy Liu Senglin in pursuit along the road.
26
攸之已死，徵為侍中，仍遷尚書右僕射，封貞陽縣侯。 出為吳郡太守，居母憂，寒不衣絮。 齊高帝踐阼，起為南豫州刺史，加都督，進爵為公。 上手詔司徒褚彥回甚傷美之。 彥回曰：「世隆事陛下，在危盡忠，居憂杖而後起，立人之本，二理同極，加榮增寵，足以敦厲風俗。」
After Youzhi's death Shilong was recalled as Palace Attendant, promoted to Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhenyang. He served as Administrator of Wu Commandery; during his mother's mourning he would not wear padded clothes even in the cold. When Emperor Gao of Qi took the throne, Shilong was recalled as Inspector of Southern Yu Province with full military authority and raised to duke. The emperor personally wrote to Minister of Works Chu Yanhui praising Shilong in the highest terms. Yanhui replied: "In serving Your Majesty Shilong was utterly loyal in danger and observed mourning to the letter—both are the stuff of true manhood. To honor him further would strengthen the moral tone of the realm."
27
建元二年，授右僕射，不拜。 性愛涉獵，啟高帝借秘閣書，上給二千卷。 三年，出為南兗州刺史，加都督。 武帝即位，加散騎常侍。
In the second year of Jianyuan he was offered the vice directorship of the Secretariat but declined. He loved learning for its own sake and asked Emperor Gao for books from the imperial archive; the emperor lent him two thousand scrolls. In the third year he was posted as Inspector of Southern Yan Province with full military authority. When Emperor Wu acceded, Shilong was made Attendant Cavalier as well.
28
世隆善卜，別龜甲，價至一萬。 永明初，世隆曰：「永明九年我亡，亡後三年丘山崩，齊亦于此季矣。」 屏人，命典簽李黨取筆及高齒屐，題簾箔旌曰：「永明十一年。」 因流涕謂黨曰：「汝當見，吾不見也。」 遷護軍，而衛軍王儉修下官敬甚謹。 世隆止之，儉曰：「將軍雖存弘眷，如王典何。」 其見重如此。
Shilong was skilled in divination; one of his special tortoise shells was valued at ten thousand cash. Early in Yongming he said: "I shall die in the ninth year of Yongming; three years later the imperial tombs will fall, and Qi will perish in that same season. Sending everyone away, he had Chief Clerk Li Dang bring brush and clogs and wrote on a curtain and banner: "The eleventh year of Yongming." With tears he told Dang: "You will live to see it; I shall not." He was made Director of the Imperial Guards; Guards General Wang Jian paid him the full ceremonial deference owed a superior. Shilong tried to stop him; Jian said: "Your kindness is generous, General, but what of the court ritual? Such was the esteem in which men held him.
29
性清廉，唯盛事墳典。 張緒問曰：「觀君舉措，當以清名遺子孫邪？」 答曰：「一身之外，亦復何須。 子孫不才，將為爭府； 如其才也，不如一經。」
He was incorrupt by nature and cared only for books and learning. Zhang Xu asked him: "From your way of living, are you leaving your sons nothing but a name for integrity? He replied: "Beyond this single life, what do we need? If my sons lack talent, they will squabble over the estate; if they have talent, one classic is worth more than any fortune."
30
光祿大夫韋祖征州裏宿德，世隆雖已貴重，每為之拜。 人或勸祖征止之，答曰：「司馬公所為，後生楷法，吾豈能止之哉。」 後授尚書左僕射。 湘州蠻動，遣世隆以本官總督伐蠻眾軍，仍為湘州刺史，加都督。 至鎮，以方略討平之。 在州立邸興生，為御史中丞庾杲之所奏。 詔不問。 復入為尚書左僕射，不拜，乃轉尚書令。 世隆少立功名，晚專以談義自業。 善彈琴，世稱柳公雙瑣，為士品第一。 常自云：「馬矟第一，清談第二，彈琴第三。」 在朝不幹世務，垂簾鼓琴，風韻清遠，甚獲世譽。 以疾遜位，拜左光祿大夫、侍中。 永明九年卒，詔給東園秘器，贈司空，班劍二十人，諡曰忠武。 世隆曉數術，于倪塘創墓，與賓客踐履，十往五往，常坐一處。 及卒，墓工圖墓，正取其坐處焉。
Wei Zuzheng, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, was a revered elder of the region; though already a great minister, Shilong always bowed to him. When others urged Zuzheng to accept less deference, he said: "What the Marshal does is an example for the young—how could I forbid it? He was later appointed Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat. When the tribes of Xiang Province rebelled, Shilong was sent to command all punitive forces, made Inspector of Xiang Province, and given full military authority. On reaching his post he pacified them by strategy. He set up trading lodges in the province and was impeached by Imperial Censor Yuan Gao. The emperor ordered the charge dropped. Recalled as Vice Director of the Secretariat, he declined and was made Director instead. Shilong had won fame in youth by arms; in later years he devoted himself to pure talk and scholarship. He was a master of the zither; men called his instrument "Lord Liu's Twin Locks" and ranked his playing first among scholars. He used to say: "First with the lance, second in pure talk, third at the zither. At court he kept clear of routine business, played the zither behind drawn curtains, and won wide praise for his refined, distant air. Illness forced him to step down; he was named Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Palace Attendant. He died in the ninth year of Yongming; the court granted imperial funeral rites, posthumously named him Minister of Works with twenty ceremonial guards, and gave him the posthumous title Loyal Martial. Shilong understood divination; at Nitang he laid out a tomb site and walked the ground with guests, often sitting in the same spot five times out of ten. When he died, the tomb builders set the grave exactly where he had so often sat.
31
所著龜經秘要二卷，行於世。
His two-scroll Secret Essentials of the Tortoise Classic circulated widely.
32
長子悅字文殊，少有清致，位中書郎，早卒，諡曰恭。 世隆次子惔。
His eldest son Yue, styled Wenshu, showed refined taste from youth, served as Secretariat Gentleman, died young, and received the posthumous title Reverent. Shilong's second son was Tan.
33
惔字文通，好學工制文，尤曉音律，少與長兄悅齊名。 王儉謂人曰：「柳氏二龍，可謂一日千里。」 儉為尚書左僕射，嘗造世隆宅，世隆謂為詣己，徘徊久之。 及至門，唯求悅及惔。 遣謂世隆曰：「賢子俱有盛才，一日見顧，今故報禮。 若仍相造，似非本意，恐年少窺人。」
Tan, styled Wentong, loved learning and excelled at literary composition and music theory; in youth he shared equal fame with his elder brother Yue. Wang Jian said of them: "The Liu family's two dragons cover a thousand li in a single day. When Jian, as Vice Director of the Secretariat, once called at Shilong's house, Shilong assumed the visit was for him and waited a long while. At the gate Jian asked only for Yue and Tan. He sent word to Shilong: "Your sons are both gifted; I called on them the other day and now return the courtesy. Further visits might look like something else, and the young are quick to read men's motives."
34
嘗預齊武烽火樓宴，帝善其詩，謂豫章王嶷曰：「惔非徒風韻清爽，亦屬文遒麗。」 後為巴東王子響友，子響為荊州，惔隨之鎮。 子響昵近小人，惔知將為禍，稱疾還都。 及難作竟以得免。
At a Beacon Tower banquet under the future Emperor Wu of Qi, the prince praised Tan's poetry and told Prince of Yuzhang: "Tan is not only graceful in manner—his writing is vigorous and fine. He later became companion to Prince Zixiang of Badong and accompanied him when Zixiang was posted to Jing Province. Zixiang kept company with worthless men; Tan foresaw disaster, pleaded illness, and returned to the capital. When the crisis broke he alone escaped harm.
35
累遷新安太守，居郡以無政績免。 建武末，為梁、南秦二州刺史。 及梁武帝起兵，惔舉漢中以應。
He rose to Administrator of Xin'an but was dismissed for achieving nothing in office. At the end of the Jianwu era he was Inspector of Liang and Southern Qin provinces. When Emperor Wu of Liang raised his banner, Tan rallied Hanzhong to his cause.
36
梁武受命，為太子詹事，加散騎常侍。 武帝之鎮襄陽，惔祖道，帝解茅土玉環贈之。 天監二年元會，帝謂曰：「卿所佩玉環，是新亭所贈邪？」 對曰：「既而瑞感神衷，臣謹服之無斁。」 帝因勸之酒，惔時未卒爵，帝曰：「吾常比卿劉越石，近辭卮酒邪。」 罷會，封曲江縣侯。 帝因宴為詩貽惔曰：「爾實冠群後，惟餘實念功。」 帝又嘗謂曰：「徐元瑜違命嶺南，周書父子兄弟罪不相及，朕已放其諸子，何如？」 惔曰：「罰
After the Liang founder took the throne, Tan was made Tutor of the Heir Apparent and Attendant Cavalier. When the future emperor was posted to Xiangyang, Tan gave him a farewell feast and received a jade ring from his belt in return. At the New Year's court in the second year of Tianjian, the emperor asked: "The jade ring at your belt—is that the one from our farewell at Xinting? He replied: "A blessed omen touched the divine heart; I wear it ever in gratitude." The emperor pressed wine on him; Tan had not drained his cup when the emperor said: "I have often likened you to Liu Yueshi—will you refuse the cup now?" When the feast ended, Tan was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qujiang. At a banquet the emperor wrote him a poem: "You stand first among them all; I alone keep your service in mind. The emperor once asked him: "Xu Yuanyu rebelled in the far south; the Zhou canon says that guilt does not chain from father to son or brother to brother. I have released his sons—what do you think?" Tan said: "Punishment
37
不及嗣，賞延於後，今復見之聖朝。」 時以為知言。
does not reach the sons; reward flows to posterity—we see that principle alive again in this sacred court." Men at the time praised his answer as wise.
38
尋遷尚書左僕射，年四十六，卒于湘州刺史，諡曰穆。
He was soon made Vice Director of the Secretariat; he died at forty-six while serving as Inspector of Xiang Province and received the posthumous title Reverent.
39
惔度量寬博，家人未嘗見其喜慍。 甚重其婦，頗成畏憚。 性愛音樂，女伎精麗，略不敢視。 僕射張稷與惔狎密，而為惔妻賞敬。 稷每詣惔，必先相問夫人。 惔每欲見妓，恒因稷請奏。 其妻隔幔坐，妓然後出。 惔因得留目。
Tan was magnanimous by nature; his family never saw him show pleasure or anger. He held his wife in high regard and stood somewhat in awe of her. He loved music by nature, yet the female performers were so lovely that he scarcely dared glance at them. Vice Director Zhang Ji was on close terms with Tan, yet Tan's wife admired and respected him. Whenever Ji called on Tan, he always asked first after Tan's wife. When Tan wished to hear the performers, he always had Ji ask for a performance. His wife sat behind a curtain, and only then would the performers appear. Only then could Tan steal a lingering look.
40
惔著仁政傳及諸詩賦，粗有辭義。 子昭，位中書郎，襲爵曲江侯。
Tan wrote a Treatise on Benevolent Government and various poems and fu, all with respectable literary merit. His son Zhao served as Secretariat Gentleman and inherited the marquisate of Qujiang.
41
惔弟惲字文暢，少有志行。 好學，善尺牘。 與陳郡謝淪鄰居，深見友愛。 淪曰：「宅南柳郎，可為儀錶。」
Tan's younger brother Yun, styled Wenchang, showed purpose and integrity from youth. He loved learning and wrote excellent letters. He lived next to Xie Lun of Chen Commandery, and they became close friends. Lun said: "The young Liu south of our houses could be a model for any man."
42
初，宋時有嵇元榮、羊蓋者，並善琴，雲傳戴安道法。 惲從之學。 惲特窮其妙。 齊竟陵王子良聞而引為法曹行參軍，唯與王暕、陸杲善。 每歎曰：「暕雖名家，猶恐累我也。」 雅被子良賞狎。 子良嘗置酒後園，有晉太傅謝安鳴琴在側，援以授惲，惲彈為雅弄。 子良曰：「卿巧越嵇心，妙臻羊體，良質美手，信在今夜。 豈止當今稱奇，亦可追蹤古烈。」
In Song times Ji Yuanrong and Yang Gai were both master zither players, said to carry on the tradition of Dai Andao. Yun studied under them. Yun mastered their art to its depths. Prince Ziliang of Jingling heard of him and made him acting legal officer on his staff; his only close friends were Wang Yan and Lu Gao. He would sigh: "Even Wang Yan, for all his great family, might still weigh me down. Prince Ziliang always favored and indulged him. Ziliang once gave a feast in his rear garden; a zither once owned by Grand Tutor Xie An of Jin lay nearby, and he gave it to Yun, who played an elegant air. Ziliang said: "Your art surpasses Ji's soul and matches Yang's style—fine wood and gifted hands, all proved tonight. You are not merely the wonder of our age—you may stand with the masters of old."
43
為太子洗馬，父憂去官，著述先頌，申其罔極之心，文甚哀麗。 後試守鄱陽相，聽吏屬得盡三年喪禮，署之文教，百姓稱焉。 還除驃騎從事中郎。 梁武帝至建鄴，惲候謁石頭，以為征東府司馬。 上箋請城平之日，先收圖籍，及遵漢高寬大之義。 帝從之。 徙為相國右司馬。 天監元年，除長兼侍中，與僕射沈約等共定新律。
He served as Palace Groom to the Heir Apparent; when his father died he left office and wrote a funeral hymn of deep grief, moving and beautiful in its language. He later served as acting Administrator of Poyang, allowed his staff the full three years of mourning, and filled his appointments with men of learning; the people praised him. On returning to court he was made Attendant Gentleman on the staff of the General of Agile Cavalry. When Emperor Wu of Liang reached Jiankang, Yun met him at Shitou and was appointed major on the Eastern Campaigning Army staff. He memorialized that when the city fell, the archives should be secured first and that the conquerors should follow the magnanimous example of Emperor Gao of Han. The emperor agreed. He was transferred to Right Major on the Chancellor of State's staff. In the first year of Tianjian he was made Chief Concurrent Palace Attendant and, with Vice Director Shen Yue and others, helped draft the new legal code.
44
惲立性貞素，以貴公子早有令名，少工篇什，為詩云：「亭皋木葉下，壟首秋雲飛。」 琅邪王融見而嗟賞，因書齋壁及所執白團扇。 武帝與宴，必詔惲賦詩。 嘗和武帝登景陽樓篇云：太液滄波起，長楊高樹秋，翠華承漢遠，雕輦逐風遊。」 深見賞美。 當時咸共稱傳。
Yun was upright and unadorned by nature; as a young nobleman he won early fame for poetry, including the lines: "Leaves fall on the terrace; autumn clouds drift above the mound. Wang Rong of Langye admired it and copied the lines on his study wall and on his white silk fan. Whenever the emperor feasted with him, he ordered Yun to compose a poem. Once, matching the emperor's poem on ascending Jingyang Tower, he wrote: "Dark waves rise on the Great Pool; tall poplars mark the autumn air; imperial banners greet the distant Han; carved carriages ride the wind." The emperor admired it greatly. The poem was praised and passed around at court.
45
曆平越中郎將、廣州刺史，秘書監，右衛將軍。 再為吳興太守，為政清靜，人吏懷之。 于郡感疾，自陳解任。 父老千餘
He served in turn as General of the Pacifying Yue Interior Army, Inspector of Guang Province, Director of the Secretariat, and General of the Right Guard. Twice he governed Wuxing with quiet integrity, and officials and people alike held him in affection. He fell ill in office and asked to be relieved. More than a thousand elders
46
人拜表陳請，事未施行，卒。
submitted a joint petition begging him to stay; before the request could be granted, he died.
47
初，惲父世隆彈琴，為士流第一，惲每奏其父曲，常感思。 復變體備寫古曲。 嘗賦詩未就，以筆捶琴，坐客過，以箸扣之，惲驚其哀韻，乃制為雅音。 後傳擊琴自於此。 惲常以今聲轉棄古法，乃著清調論，具有條流。 齊竟陵王嘗宿晏，明旦將朝見，惲投壺梟不絕，停輿久之，進見遂晚。 齊武帝遲之，王以實對。 武帝復使為之，賜絹二十匹。 嘗與琅邪王瞻博射，嫌其皮闊，乃摘梅帖烏珠之上，發必命中，觀者驚駭。
Yun's father Shilong had been the finest zither player of his generation; when Yun played his father's music, he was often overcome with feeling. He also reworked old forms and set down ancient pieces in full. Once, while struggling with a poem, he struck the zither with his brush; a guest rapped it with chopsticks as he passed, and Yun, struck by the plaintive note, turned it into a refined composition. The tradition of struck-zither music began with this incident. Yun often favored contemporary sounds over ancient methods and wrote a Treatise on Pure Tones, arranged in clear sections. Prince Ziliang of Jingling once stayed overnight at Yan; the next morning he was due at court, but Yun kept him playing pitch-pot, the carriage waited a long while, and the prince arrived late. Emperor Wu of Qi was annoyed at the delay; the prince told him what had happened. The emperor had Yun play again and rewarded him with twenty bolts of silk. Once, shooting against Wang Zhan of Langye, he found the target too large, plucked plum blossoms and fixed them on the bull's-eye, and never missed; the spectators were astounded.
48
梁武帝好弈棋，使惲品定棋譜，登格者二百七十八人，第其優劣，為棋品三卷。 惲為第二焉。 帝謂周舍曰：「吾聞君子不可求備，至如柳惲可謂具美。 分其才藝，足了十人。」 惲著卜杖龜經。 性好醫術，盡其精妙。
Emperor Wu of Liang loved weiqi and had Yun rank the players; two hundred seventy-eight qualified, and Yun graded them in three scrolls of Chess Ranks. Yun himself ranked second. The emperor told Zhou She: "They say no man can be perfect in everything—yet Liu Yun comes as close as anyone. Split his talents among ten men, and each would still be accomplished. Yun wrote the Tortoise Classic of the Divining Staff. He loved medicine and mastered it to its finest points.
49
少子偃字彥遊，年十二，梁武帝引見，詔問讀何書，對曰：「尚書。」 又問有何美句，對曰：「德惟善政，政在養人。」 眾咸異之。 詔尚武帝女長城公主，拜駙馬都尉、都亭侯，位鄱陽內史，卒。
His youngest son Yan, styled Yanyou, at twelve was presented to Emperor Wu, who asked what he was reading; the boy answered: "The Book of Documents. Asked for a fine passage, he quoted: "Virtue is good government, and government lies in nourishing the people." Everyone present was astonished. He was married to the emperor's daughter Princess Changcheng, made Commandant of the Horse Guards and Marquis of Duting, served as Interior Minister of Poyang, and died in office.
50
後從祖弟莊清警有鑒識，自盼卒後，太后宗屬唯莊為近，兼素有名望，深被恩禮。 位度支尚書。 陳亡入隋，為岐州司馬。 惲弟憕。
A later kinsman Zhuang was acute and discerning; after Pan's death he was the empress dowager's closest male relative, long respected at court and deeply honored. He rose to Director of Revenue. After Chen fell he entered Sui service as Military Aide of Qi Province. Yun's younger brother was Chen.
51
憕字文深，少有大意，好玄言，通老、易。
Chen, styled Wenshen, was ambitious from youth, loved philosophical discourse, and mastered the Laozi and Book of Changes.
52
梁武帝舉兵至姑孰，憕與兄惲及諸友朋于小郊候接。 時道路猶梗，憕與諸人同憩逆旅食，俱去行里餘，憕曰：「寧我負人，不人負我。 若復有追，堪憩此客。」 命左右燒逆旅舍，以絕後追。 當時服其善斷。
When Emperor Wu of Liang marched to Gushu, Chen joined his brother Yun and their friends to welcome him in the suburbs. The roads were still unsafe; after eating at an inn they had gone a little over a li when Chen said: "Better that I wrong others than that others wrong me. If pursuers come again, let them rest at this inn. He ordered his men to burn the inn to block pursuit from behind. Men at the time admired his decisive judgment.
53
歷位給事黃門侍郎。 與琅邪王峻齊名，俱為中庶子，時人號為方王。
He served as Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. He shared equal fame with Wang Jun of Langye; both were Palace Companions, and contemporaries called them the Two Wangs.
54
後為鎮北始興王長史。 王移鎮益州，復請憕。 帝曰：「柳憕風標才氣，恐不能久為少王臣。」 王祈請數四，不得已，以為鎮西長史、蜀郡太守。 在蜀廉恪為政，益部懷之。 憕弟忱。 忱字文若，年數歲，父世隆及母閻氏並疾，忱不解帶經年，及居喪以毀聞。
He later served as chief clerk to Prince Shixing of Pacifying North. When the prince was transferred to Yi Province, he asked for Chen again. The emperor said: "Liu Chen's talent and presence are too great to keep long in a prince's service. The prince pleaded repeatedly; at last the court appointed Chen chief clerk of Pacifying West and Administrator of Shu Commandery. In Shu he governed with integrity and frugality, and the region held him in affection. Chen's younger brother was Xin. Chen Xin, styled Wenruo, was only a few years old when both his father Shilong and mother Lady Yan fell ill; he kept his belt tied for a year, and in mourning he was famed for devastating grief.
55
仕齊為西中郎主簿。 東昏遣巴西太守劉山陽由荊州襲梁武帝於雍州，西中郎長史蕭穎胄計未定，召忱及其所親席闡文等夜入議之。 忱及闡文並勸同武帝，穎胄從之。 以忱為甯朔將軍，累遷侍中。 郢州平，穎胄議遷都夏口，忱以巴峽未賓，不宜輕舍根本，搖動人心，不從。 俄而巴東兵至峽口，遷都之議乃息。 論者以為見機。
Under Qi he served as chief clerk of the Western Center Army. Emperor Donghun sent Liu Shanyang, Administrator of Baxi, from Jing Province to attack the future Emperor Wu in Yong Province; Chief Clerk Xiao Yinggou had not decided on a course and summoned Chen Xin, Xi Kanwen, and others for a night council. Chen Xin and Kanwen both urged alliance with the future emperor, and Yinggou agreed. Chen Xin was made General Who Pacifies the North and rose to Palace Attendant. After Ying Province was secured, Yinggou proposed moving the capital to Xiakou; Chen Xin argued that Ba and the gorges were not yet pacified and that abandoning the base would unsettle men's hearts; his counsel prevailed. Soon Eastern Ba forces reached the gorge, and the move was dropped. Commentators praised his foresight.
56
及梁受命，封州陵伯。 曆五兵尚書，秘書監，散騎常侍。
When the Liang founder took the throne, Chen Xin was enfeoffed as Baron of Zhouling. He served as Director of the Five Armies, Director of the Secretariat, and Attendant Cavalier.
57
改授給事中、光祿大夫。 疾篤不拜。 卒，諡曰穆。
He was reassigned as Supernumerary Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He was too ill to accept the appointment. He died and received the posthumous title Reverent.
58
忱兄弟十五人，多少亡，唯第二兄惔、第三兄惲、第四兄憕及忱三兩年間四人疊為侍中，復居方伯，當世罕比。 子範嗣。 慶遠字文和，元景弟子也。 父叔珍，義陽內史。
Chen had fifteen brothers, most of whom had already died. Only his second brother Tan, third brother Yun, fourth brother Cheng, and Chen himself—in the span of two or three years all four successively held the post of Attendant-in-Ordinary and provincial governorships, a distinction rarely equaled in their generation. His son Fan succeeded to his position. Liu Qingyuan, styled Wenhe, was the nephew of Liu Yuanjing. His father Shuzhen served as Interior Administrator of Yiyang.
59
慶遠仕齊為魏興太守，郡遭暴水，人欲移於杞城。 慶遠曰：「吾聞江河長不過三日，命築土而已。」 俄而水退，百姓服之。
Qingyuan served under the Qi as Administrator of Weixing. When the commandery was struck by a sudden flood, the people wanted to move to Qicheng. Qingyuan said, "I have heard that river floods never last more than three days. Simply order earthworks to be built. Before long the floodwaters receded, and the people were won over.
60
後為襄陽令，梁武帝之臨雍州，問京兆人杜惲求州綱紀，惲言慶遠。 武帝曰：「文和吾已知之，所問未知者耳。」 因辟為別駕。 慶遠謂所親曰：「天下方亂，定霸者其吾君乎。」 因盡誠協贊。 及起兵，慶遠常居帷幄為謀主，從軍東下，身先士卒。 武帝行營，見慶遠頓舍嚴整，每歎曰：「人人若是，吾又何憂。」 建康城平，為侍中，帶淮陵齊昌二郡太守。 城內嘗夜火，眾並驚懼。 武帝時居宮中，悉斂諸門鑰，問柳侍中何在。 慶遠至，悉付之，其見任如此。
Later he served as Magistrate of Xiangyang. When Emperor Wu of Liang assumed his post in Yong Province, he asked Du Yun of Jingzhao to recommend a chief administrator for the province, and Yun named Qingyuan. The Emperor said, "I already know Wenhe—it is someone I do not yet know that I am asking about. Accordingly, Qingyuan was summoned to serve as Vice Director. Qingyuan said to his intimates, "The realm is in turmoil—is it not our lord who will win the hegemony? He therefore devoted himself wholeheartedly to supporting him. When the army was raised, Qingyuan regularly remained in the command tent as chief strategist. Marching east with the forces, he always led from the front. On his rounds through the camp, Emperor Wu saw that Qingyuan's encampments were rigorously ordered and would sigh each time, "If every man were like this, what would I have to worry about? When Jiankang was taken, he was appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary and concurrently served as Administrator of the commanderies of Huailing and Qichang. Once a fire broke out in the city at night, and the whole populace was alarmed and afraid. The Emperor was then inside the palace. He gathered all the gate keys and asked where Attendant Liu was. When Qingyuan arrived, the Emperor entrusted them all to him—such was the trust he enjoyed.
61
霸府建，為從事中郎。 武帝受禪，封重安侯，位散騎常侍，改封雲杜侯。 出為雍州刺史，加都督。 帝餞於新亭，謂曰：「卿衣錦還鄉，朕無西顧憂矣。」 始武帝為雍州，慶遠為別駕，謂曰：「昔羊公語劉弘，卿後當居吾處。 今相觀亦復如是。」 曾未十年，而慶遠督府，談者以為逾于魏詠之。
When the overlord's headquarters was established, he was appointed Aide-de-Camp. When Emperor Wu accepted the abdication, Qingyuan was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chong'an and appointed Regular Attendant of the Dispersed Cavalry; his title was later changed to Marquis of Yundu. He was sent out as Inspector of Yong Province with the added title of Area Commander. The Emperor saw him off at Xinting and said, "You return home in glory—I need no longer worry about the west. Earlier, when Emperor Wu held Yong Province and Qingyuan served as his Vice Director, he had told him, "In the past Yang Hu said to Liu Hong, 'You will afterward occupy my place. Now, as I look at you, it is again just so.'" In less than ten years Qingyuan was governing the province, and commentators held that he surpassed Wei Yongzhi.
62
累遷侍中、領軍將軍，給扶。 出為雍州刺史。 慶遠重為本州，頗厲清節，士庶懷之。 卒官，贈開府儀同三司，諡曰忠惠侯。 喪還都，武帝親出臨之。
He was promoted in succession to Attendant-in-Ordinary and General Who Leads the Army, and was granted a walking staff. He was again sent out as Inspector of Yong Province. Serving his home province a second time, Qingyuan strongly upheld integrity, and officials and commoners alike held him in esteem. He died in office. Posthumously he was granted the title of Grand Warden with protocol equal to the Three Excellencies and received the posthumous title Reverent and Gracious Marquis. When the funeral procession returned to the capital, Emperor Wu personally went out to attend it.
63
初，慶遠從父兄世隆嘗謂慶遠曰：「吾昔夢太尉以褥席見賜，吾遂亞台司。 適又夢以吾褥席與汝，汝必光我門族。」 至是慶遠亦繼世隆焉。
At the outset, Qingyuan's older first cousin Shilong once said to him, "In the past I dreamed that the Grand Commandant bestowed mattress and mat on me, and I indeed came to rank second among the Three Excellencies. Just now I have again dreamed of giving you my mattress and mat—you will surely bring glory to our clan. By this time Qingyuan too had succeeded Shilong in such station.
64
子津字元舉，雖乏風華，性甚強直。 人或勸之聚書，津曰：「吾常請道士上章驅鬼，安用此鬼名邪。」 曆散騎常侍，太子詹事，襲封雲杜侯。
His son Liu Jin, styled Yuanju, though lacking literary polish, was by nature very forceful and upright. When someone urged him to amass books, Jin said, "I often ask Daoist priests to submit memorials to drive away ghosts—what use have I for these ghost-names? He served successively as Regular Attendant of the Dispersed Cavalry and Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, and inherited the marquisate of Yundu.
65
侯景圍城既急，帝召津問策。 對曰：「陛下有邵陵，臣有仲禮，不忠不孝，賊何由可平。」 太清三年，城陷，卒。
When Hou Jing's siege of the city had grown critical, the Emperor summoned Jin to ask his counsel. He answered, "Your Majesty has Prince Lun of Shaoling, and I have Zhongli—with disloyalty on one side and unfilial conduct on the other, how can the rebels ever be crushed? In the third year of Taiqing the city fell, and he died.
66
子仲禮，勇力兼人，少有膽氣，身長八尺，眉目疏朗。 初，簡文帝為雍州刺史，津為長史。 及簡文入居儲宮，津亦得侍從。 仲禮留在襄陽，馬仗軍人悉付之。 撫循故舊，甚得眾和。 起家著作佐郎，稍遷電威將軍，陽泉縣侯。 中大通中，西魏將賀拔勝來逼樊、鄧，仲禮出擊破之。 除黃門郎，稍遷司州刺史。 武帝思見其面，使畫工圖之。
His son Liu Zhongli possessed the strength of several men. From youth he had daring spirit; he stood eight feet tall, with broad, clear features. At the outset, when Emperor Jianwen was Inspector of Yong Province, Jin served as Chief Clerk. When Jianwen entered the Eastern Palace as heir apparent, Jin likewise obtained a place in attendance. Zhongli remained at Xiangyang, and all horses, weapons, and troops were entrusted to him. He cared for old associates and won the hearts of the troops. He began his career as an Assistant in the Bureau of Composition and was gradually promoted to General of Lightning Awe and Marquis of Yangquan County. During the Zhongdatong era, the Western Wei general Helaba Sheng pressed upon Fan and Deng; Zhongli went out and defeated him. He was appointed Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and gradually promoted to Inspector of Si Province. Emperor Wu longed to see his face in person and had a painter depict him.
67
初，侯景潛圖反噬，仲禮先知之，屢啟求以精兵三萬討景，朝廷不許。 及景濟江，朝野便望其至。 兼蓄雍、司精卒，與諸蕃赴援，見推總督。 景素聞其名，甚憚之。 仲禮亦自謂當世英雄，諸將莫己若也。
At the outset Hou Jing secretly plotted rebellion. Zhongli foresaw it first and repeatedly submitted memorials asking to take thirty thousand picked troops to attack him, but the court would not permit it. When Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze, court and countryside alike looked eagerly for Zhongli's arrival. Gathering elite troops from Yong and Si provinces, he marched with the various princes to the rescue and was chosen as overall commander. Hou Jing had long heard his name and greatly feared him. Zhongli likewise considered himself the hero of the age, and believed no general was his equal.
68
韋粲見攻，仲禮方食，投箸被練馳之，騎能屬者七十。 比至，粲已敗，仲禮因與景戰於青塘，大敗之。 景與仲禮交戰，各不相知。 仲禮矟將及景，而賊將支伯仁自後斫仲禮，再斫仲禮中肩。 馬陷於淖，賊聚矟刺之，騎將郭山石救之以免。 自此壯氣外衰，不復言戰。 神情傲佷，淩蔑將帥。 邵陵王綸亦鞭策軍門，每日必至，累刻移時，仲禮亦弗見也。 綸既忿歎，怨隙遂成。 而仲禮常置酒高會，日作優倡，毒掠百姓，污辱妃主。 父津登城謂曰：「汝君父在難，不能盡心竭力，百代之後，謂汝為何。」 仲禮聞之，言笑自若。 晚又與臨城公大連不協。 景嘗登朱雀樓與之語，遺以金環。 是後閉營不戰，眾軍日固請，皆悉拒焉。 南安侯駿謂曰：「城急如此，都督不復處分，如脫不守，何面以見天下義士。」 仲禮無以應之。
When Wei Can came under attack, Zhongli was at his meal. He cast down his chopsticks, threw on plain armor, and spurred there—only seventy riders could keep pace with him. By the time he arrived, Can had already been defeated. Zhongli thereupon joined battle with Hou Jing at Qingtang and routed him utterly. Hou Jing and Zhongli fought each other without recognizing one another. Zhongli's spear was about to reach Hou Jing when the rebel general Zhi Boren struck from behind, twice cutting Zhongli in the shoulder. His horse sank in the mud; the rebels massed spears to stab him, and the cavalry commander Guo Shanshi rescued him so that he escaped. From this point his bold spirit waned outwardly, and he spoke of battle no more. His bearing was proud and obstinate, and he looked down on commanders and generals. Prince Lun of Shaoling also came daily to the camp gate, whipping his horse and waiting for hours on end, yet Zhongli would not see him. Filled with resentment and lament, Lun and Zhongli thereupon became enemies. Meanwhile Zhongli constantly held grand banquets and feasts, daily staging entertainers; he tyrannized and plundered the common people and defiled imperial consorts and princesses. His father Jin mounted the city wall and said to him, "Your sovereign and father are in peril, yet you cannot devote heart and strength—what will posterity call you a hundred generations hence? Zhongli heard this and continued talking and laughing as before. Later he also fell out with the Duke of Lincheng, Dalian. Hou Jing once mounted the Vermilion Bird Tower to speak with him and presented him with a gold ring. After this he kept his camp shut and would not fight. The allied armies pressed him daily to battle, but he refused them all. Marquis Jun of Nan'an said to him, "The city is in such desperate straits, yet the commander-in-chief no longer issues orders. If it should fall after all, with what face will you meet the men of righteousness under Heaven? Zhongli had nothing to answer.
69
及台城陷，侯景矯詔使石城公大款以白虎幡解諸軍。 仲禮召諸將軍會議，邵陵王以下畢集。 王曰：「今日之命，委之將軍。」 仲禮熟視不對。 裴之高、王僧辯曰：「將軍擁眾百萬，致宮闕淪沒，正當悉力決戰，何所多言。」 仲禮竟無一言，諸軍乃隨方各散。
When Taicheng fell, Hou Jing forged an edict sending the Duke of Shicheng, Dakuan, to dismiss the armies with a White Tiger banner. Zhongli summoned the generals to council; from Prince Lun of Shaoling downward all assembled. The prince said, "Today's decision rests with the general. Zhongli stared at him fixedly and did not reply. Pei Zhigao and Wang Sengbian said, "The general commands a force of a million, yet the palace has fallen to ruin—you should right now commit every strength to decisive battle. What need for so much talk? Zhongli ultimately said not a word, and the armies thereupon dispersed each to its own quarter.
70
時湘東王繹遣王琳送米二十萬石以饋軍，至姑孰聞台城陷，乃沈米于江而退。 仲禮及弟敬禮、羊鴉仁、王僧辯、趙伯超並開營降賊。 時城雖淪陷，援軍甚眾，軍士咸欲盡力，及聞降，莫不歎憤。 論者以為梁禍始于朱異，成于仲禮。
At the time Prince Yi of Xiangdong sent Wang Lin with two hundred thousand shi of rice to supply the army. Reaching Gudu, he heard that Taicheng had fallen, whereupon he sank the rice in the river and withdrew. Zhongli, together with his younger brother Liu Jingli, Yang Yaren, Wang Sengbian, and Zhao Bochao, all opened their camps and submitted to the rebels. Although the city had fallen, the relief armies were still numerous and the soldiers all wished to fight to the utmost. When they heard of the surrender, none failed to sigh in grief and rage. Commentators held that Liang's calamity began with Zhu Yi and was brought to completion by Zhongli.
71
仲禮等入城，並先拜景而後見帝，帝不與言。 既而景留柳敬禮、羊鴉仁，而遣仲禮、僧辯西上，各復本位。 餞于後渚，景執仲禮手曰：「天下之事在將軍耳。 郢州、巴西並以相付。」
When Zhongli and the others entered the city, they all bowed first to Hou Jing and only afterward saw the Emperor; the Emperor would not speak to them. Shortly afterward Hou Jing detained Liu Jingli and Yang Yaren, but sent Zhongli and Sengbian westward to return each to his former post. At a farewell at Houzhu, Hou Jing took Zhongli's hand and said, "The affairs of the realm rest upon the general. Ying Province and Basi are both entrusted to you."
72
及至江陵，會岳陽王察南寇，湘東王以仲禮為雍州刺史，襲襄陽。 仲禮方觀成敗，未發。 及南陽圍急，杜岸請救，仲禮乃以別將夏侯強為司州刺史，守義陽，自帥眾如安陸，使司馬康昭如竟陵討孫暠。 暠執魏戍人以降。 仲禮命其將王叔孫為竟陵太守，副軍馬岫為安陸太守。 置孥于安陸，而以輕兵師於漴頭，將侵襄陽。 岳陽王察告急于魏，魏遣大將楊忠援之。 仲禮與戰於漴頭，大敗，並弟子禮沒于魏。 魏相安定公待仲禮以客禮。 西魏於是盡得漢東。
When they reached Jiangling, Prince Cha of Yueyang was raiding southward. Prince Yi of Xiangdong appointed Zhongli Inspector of Yong Province to assault Xiangyang. Zhongli was still watching how success and failure would fall and had not yet set out. When the siege of Nanyang grew urgent, Du An requested aid. Zhongli thereupon made the subordinate general Xia Houqiang Inspector of Si Province to hold Yiyang; he himself led troops toward Anlu and sent Chief Clerk Kang Zhao to Jingling to subdue Sun Gao. Sun Gao captured Wei garrison troops and surrendered. Zhongli appointed his general Wang Shusun Administrator of Jingling and his lieutenant Ma Xiu Administrator of Anlu. He stationed his family at Anlu and led light troops to camp at Chongtou, intending to invade Xiangyang. Prince Cha of Yueyang urgently appealed to Wei, and Wei sent the great general Yang Zhong to aid him. Zhongli fought at Chongtou and suffered a crushing defeat; together with his younger cousin Li he was captured by Wei. The Wei Chancellor, the Duke of Anding, treated Zhongli with the courtesy due a guest. The Western Wei thereby gained the whole of the eastern Han River region.
73
仲禮弟敬禮，少以勇烈聞。 粗暴無行檢，恒略賣人，為百姓所苦，故襄陽有柳四郎歌。
Zhongli's younger brother Liu Jingli was known from youth for courage and fierceness. Violent and coarse, without moral restraint, he constantly abducted and sold people. The common people suffered under him, and so Xiangyang had the "Song of the Fourth Son Liu."
74
起家著作佐郎，稍遷扶風太守。 侯景度江，敬禮率馬步三千赴援。 至都，與景頻戰，甚著威名。
He began his career as an Assistant in the Bureau of Composition and was gradually promoted to Administrator of Fufeng. When Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze, Liu Jingli led three thousand cavalry and infantry to the rescue. Reaching the capital, he fought Hou Jing repeatedly and won a great reputation for martial prowess.
75
台城陷，與兄仲禮俱見景，景遣仲禮經略上流，留敬禮質，以為護軍將軍。 景餞仲禮於後渚。 敬禮謂仲禮曰：「景今來會，敬禮抱之，兄便可殺，雖死無恨。」 仲禮壯其言，許之。 及酒數行，敬禮目仲禮，仲禮見備衛嚴，不敢動，遂不果。
When the capital fell, he and his brother Zhongli were brought before Hou Jing; Jing sent Zhongli to secure the upper Yangtze, kept Jingli as a hostage, and made him General of the Imperial Guards. Hou Jing gave Zhongli a farewell feast at Rear Ford. Jingli told Zhongli: "When Jing comes to the feast, I will seize him in my arms—you can strike then and kill him. If I die in the attempt, I shall not regret it. Zhongli admired his courage and agreed. After several rounds of wine Jingli signaled his brother, but Zhongli saw how heavily Jing was guarded and dared not act; the plot came to nothing.
76
會景征晉熙，敬禮與南康王會理謀襲其城，克期將發，建安侯蕭賁告之，遂遇害。 臨死曰：「我兄老婢也，國敗家亡，實餘之責，今日就死，豈非天乎。」
While Hou Jing was campaigning against Jinxi, Jingli and Prince Huili of Nankang plotted to seize his city; on the eve of action Marquis Jian'an Xiao Ben betrayed them, and Jingli was put to death. At the end he said: "My brother is a timid old woman; the state is ruined and our house destroyed, and the fault is truly mine. To die today—can this be anything but Heaven's decree?"
77
論曰：柳元景行己所資，豈徒武毅； 當朝任職，實兼雅道。 卒至覆族，遭逢亦有命乎。 世隆文武器業，殆人望也，諸子門素所傳，俱雲克構。 仲禮始終之際，其不副也何哉？ 豈應天方喪梁，不然，何斯人而有斯跡也。
The historian comments: Liu Yuanjing's conduct drew on more than martial resolution alone; in high office he embodied cultivated principle as well. Yet his clan was destroyed in the end—perhaps such a fate was ordained. Shilong's civil and military gifts made him the hope of his age; the sons of the house were all said to inherit his promise and build on his legacy. How did Zhongli, from first to last, fall so far short? Was it because Heaven had already doomed Liang? Otherwise, how could a man of such promise leave such a record of shame?