1
列傳第三十四
Biography 34
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齊武帝諸子文惠諸子明帝諸子
The Sons of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi; The Sons of Emperor Wenhui; The Sons of Emperor Ming
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武帝二十三男：穆皇后生文惠太子、竟陵文宣王子良，張淑妃生廬陵王子卿、魚復侯子響，周淑儀生安陸王子敬、建安王子真，阮淑媛生晉安王子懋、衡陽王子峻，王淑儀生隨郡王子隆，蔡婕妤生西陽王子明，樂容華生南海王子罕，傅充華生巴陵王子倫，謝昭儀生邵陵王子貞，江淑儀生臨賀王子岳，庾昭容生西陽王子文，荀昭華生南康王子琳，顏婕妤生永陽王子瑉，宮人謝生湘東王子建，何充華生南郡王子夏。 第六、第十二、第十五、第二十二皇子早亡； 子瑉繼衡陽元王后。
Emperor Wu had twenty-three sons. Empress Mu gave birth to the Crown Prince Wenhui and to Xiao Ziliang, Prince Wenxuan of Jingling. Consort Zhang Shufei bore Xiao Ziqing, Prince of Luling, and Xiao Zixiang, Marquis of Yufu. Lady Zhou Shuyi bore Xiao Zijing, Prince of Anlu, and Xiao Zizhen, Prince of Jian'an. Lady Ruan Shuyuan bore Xiao Zimao, Prince of Jin'an, and Xiao Zijun, Prince of Hengyang. Lady Wang Shuyi bore Xiao Zilong, Prince of Suizhou. Lady Cai Jieyu bore Xiao Ziming, Prince of Xiyang. Lady Yue Ronghua bore Xiao Zihan, Prince of Nanhai. Lady Fu Chonghua bore Xiao Zilun, Prince of Baling. Lady Xie Zhaoyi bore Xiao Zizhen, Prince of Shaoling. Lady Jiang Shuyi bore Xiao Ziyue, Prince of Linhe. Lady Yu Zhaorong bore Xiao Ziwen, Prince of Xiyang. Lady Xun Zhaohua bore Xiao Zilin, Prince of Nankang. Lady Yan Jieyu bore Xiao Zimin, Prince of Yongyang. A palace woman surnamed Xie bore Xiao Zijian, Prince of Xiangdong, and Lady He Chonghua bore Xiao Zixia, Prince of Nanjun. The sixth, twelfth, fifteenth, and twenty-second princes died in childhood; Zimin succeeded to the line of the late Queen of Hengyang.
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文惠皇太子長懋，字雲喬，小字白澤，武帝長子也。 武帝年未弱冠而生太子，姿容豐美，為高帝所愛。 宋元徽末，除秘書郎，不拜，板輔國將軍，遷晉熙王撫軍主簿。 事甯，武帝遣太子還都。 高帝方創霸業，心存嫡嗣，謂太子曰：「汝還，吾事辦矣。」 處之府東齋，令通文武賓客。 謂荀伯玉曰：「我出行日，城中軍悉受長懋節度。 我雖不行，內外直防及諸門甲兵，悉令長懋時時履行。」
The Crown Prince Wenhui, Xiao Changmao—style name Yunqiao, childhood name Baize—was Emperor Wu's eldest son. Emperor Wu was still under twenty when the crown prince was born. The boy's looks were strikingly handsome, and Emperor Gao doted on him. Near the end of the Song Yuanhui reign, he was named Secretary Gentleman but declined the appointment. He was then commissioned as General Who Assists the State and appointed Registrar on the staff of the Prince of Jinxi's Pacification Army. Once affairs in Ning were settled, Emperor Wu sent the crown prince back to the capital. Emperor Gao was then laying the foundations of his rule and kept the legitimate heir firmly in mind. He told the crown prince, "Once you are back, my work here is done." He housed him in the eastern study of the princely residence and allowed him to receive both civil and military retainers. He told Xun Boyu, "On any day I am away, every soldier in the city is to answer to Changmao's orders. Even when I stay in, have Changmao inspect the inner and outer guards on duty and the armored troops at every gate on a regular basis."
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轉秘書丞，以與宣帝諱同，不就。 曆中書、黃門侍郎。 升明三年，高帝將受禪，以襄陽兵馬重鎮，不欲處他族，出太子為雍州刺史，加都督、北中郎將、甯蠻校尉。 建元元年，封南郡王，江左嫡皇孫封王，始自此也。
He was next appointed Secretary Director, but because the title shared a character with Emperor Xuan's tabooed name he declined the office. He served in turn as Central Secretariat Attendant and as Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate. In the third year of Shengming, as Emperor Gao prepared to accept the abdication, he posted the crown prince to Yongzhou as inspector—with additional titles as area commander, General of the North Center, and Colonel Pacifying the Man—because Xiangyang was a vital military center and he did not want it held by any other house. In the first year of Jianyuan he was enfeoffed as Prince of Nanjun—the first time south of the Yangzi that a legitimate imperial grandson had been made a prince.
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先是，梁州刺史范柏年頗著威名，沈攸之事起，候望形勢，事平，朝廷遣王玄邈代之。 玄邈已至，柏年遲回魏興不肯下，太子慮其為變，乃遣說之，許啟為府長史。 及至襄陽，因執誅之。
Earlier, Fan Bonian, inspector of Liangzhou, had built a considerable reputation. When Shen Youzhi's rebellion broke out he watched which way the wind was blowing; after the revolt was crushed the court sent Wang Xuanmiao to replace him. Xuanmiao had already arrived, but Fan lingered at Weixing and refused to yield his post. Fearing a coup, the crown prince sent envoys to win him over, promising to recommend him as chief clerk of the princely staff. Once Fan reached Xiangyang, he was seized and put to death.
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二年，徵為侍中、中軍將軍，置府，鎮石頭。 穆妃薨，成服日，車駕出臨喪，朝議疑太子應出門迎。 左僕射王儉曰：「尋禮記服問：'君所主夫人、妻、太子嫡婦。 '言國君為此三人為主喪也。 今鑾輿臨降，自以主喪而至，雖因事撫慰，義不在吊，南郡以下不應出門奉迎。 但尊極所臨，禮有變革，權去杖絰，移立戶外，足表情敬，無煩止哭。 皇太子既一宮之主，自應以車駕幸宮，依常奉候。 既當成服之日，吉凶不相干，宜以衰幘行事，望拜止哭，率由舊章。 尊駕不以臨吊，奉迎則惟常體，求之情禮，如為可安。」 又其年九月有閏，小祥疑應計閏。 儉又議，以為「三百六旬，尚書明義，文公納幣，春秋致譏。 故先儒期喪，歲數沒閏，大功以下，月數數閏。 所以吳商云：'含閏以正期，允協情理。 '沒閏之理，固在言先」。 並從之。
In the second year he was recalled to serve as Palace Attendant and General of the Central Army, with his own staff, and was posted to garrison Stone City. When Consort Mu died, on the day the crown prince donned mourning garb the emperor himself came to the funeral. Court opinion was divided over whether the crown prince ought to go out and receive him. Left Vice Director Wang Jian argued, "The 'Questions on Mourning' in the Book of Rites states: 'The ruler presides over mourning for his lady, his wife, and the crown prince's principal consort. That is to say, it is the ruler who presides over mourning for these three. The imperial carriage has come down now precisely as presiding mourner. Though the visit may bring comfort in passing, by rite it is not a condolence call, and no one below the Prince of Nanjun should go out to receive it. When the supreme sovereign himself appears, however, ritual may be adjusted: lay aside staff and sash for the moment and stand outside the door—enough to show respect without requiring an end to weeping. As master of his own palace, the crown prince should receive the imperial visit there in the ordinary manner. On the day one assumes full mourning, auspicious and inauspicious rites do not clash. He should wear the mourning cap and headband, bow toward the visitor from where he stands, then cease weeping—all as precedent dictates. The sovereign is not coming to offer formal condolence; receiving him in the usual way satisfies both feeling and rite and seems the sound course." That year also had an intercalary ninth month, raising the question of whether the small-felicitations mourning period should include the intercalary month. Jian argued further that "three hundred and sixty days" is the clear meaning given in the Documents, and that when Duke Wen of Jin accepted betrothal gifts the Spring and Autumn Annals censured him for it. The early Confucians therefore held that for one-year mourning the year-count absorbs the intercalary month, whereas for mourning below the great-achievement grade the month-count includes it. That is why Wu Shang wrote, 'Counting the intercalary month to fix the mourning term accords with both reason and feeling. The principle of absorbing the intercalary month is already set forth in the earlier texts.'" The court adopted all of his recommendations.
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永明三年，於崇正殿講孝經，少傅王儉令太子僕周顒撰為義疏。 五年冬，太子臨國學，親臨策試諸生，於坐問少傅王儉曲禮云：「無不敬。」 義，儉及竟陵王子良等各有酬答。 太子又以此義問諸學生，謝幾卿等一十人，並以筆對。 太子問王儉：「周易幹卦本施天位，而說卦雲'帝出乎震'，震本非天義，豈當相主？」 儉曰：「幹健震動，天以運為德，故言'帝出乎震。」 儉又諮太子孝經「仲尼居曾子侍。」 義，臨川王映諮「孝為德本。」 義，太子並應機酬答，甚有條貫。
In the third year of Yongming he lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety at Chongzheng Hall; Junior Tutor Wang Jian had the crown prince's steward Zhou Yong compile an expository commentary. In the winter of the fifth year the crown prince visited the Imperial Academy and personally presided over the written examinations. From his seat he asked Junior Tutor Wang Jian about a passage in the Ceremonies: "There is nothing that is not to be respected." On its meaning, Jian, Xiao Ziliang of Jingling, and the others each offered replies. The crown prince put the same question to the students; Xie Jiqing and ten others all answered in writing. The crown prince asked Wang Jian, "In the Book of Changes the Qian hexagram assigns Heaven its place, yet the Explanation of the Trigrams says, 'The Emperor emerges from Zhen.' Zhen is not Heaven by nature—how can the two preside over each other?" Jian replied, "Qian is firm and Zhen is stirring. Heaven takes movement as its virtue, which is why the text says, 'The Emperor emerges from Zhen.' Jian also questioned the crown prince on the Classic of Filial Piety: "Confucius was at home and Zengzi attended him." On its meaning. The Prince of Linchuan, Xiao Ying, questioned him on "Filial piety is the root of virtue." On its meaning. The crown prince answered each question on the spot with notable coherence.
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明年，上將訊丹陽所領囚及南北二百里內獄，詔太子于玄圃園宣猷堂錄三署囚，原宥各有差。 上晚年好游宴，尚書曹事，亦分送太子省視。
The following year, as the emperor prepared to review prisoners under Danyang's jurisdiction and every jail within two hundred li to the north and south, he ordered the crown prince to record the prisoners of the three bureaus at Xuanyou Hall in the Mystic Orchard and grant pardons in varying degrees. In his later years the emperor delighted in feasting and excursions, and even Secretariat business was partly forwarded to the crown prince for review.
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太子與竟陵王子良俱好釋氏，立六疾館以養窮人。 而性頗奢麗，宮內殿堂，皆雕飾精綺，過於上宮。 開拓玄圃園與台城北塹等，其中起出土山池閣樓觀塔宇，窮奇極麗，費以千萬。 多聚異石，妙極山水。 慮上宮中望見，乃旁列修竹，外施高鄣。 造遊牆數百間，施諸機巧，宜須鄣蔽，須臾成立，若應毀撤，應手遷徙。 制珍玩之物，織孔雀毛為裘，光採金翠，過於雉頭遠矣。 以晉明帝為太子時立西池，乃啟武帝引前例，求于東田起小苑，上許之。
Both the crown prince and Xiao Ziliang of Jingling were devoted to Buddhism and founded the Six Diseases Hall to care for the destitute. By nature, however, he was extravagantly fond of display: every hall in his palace was carved and hung with fine brocade, outdoing even the emperor's own quarters. He expanded the Mystic Orchard until it matched the northern moat of the terrace city, raising within it artificial hills, ponds, pavilions, towers, belvederes, and pagodas of the utmost wonder and splendor at a cost of tens of millions. He collected rare stones and shaped landscapes of extraordinary refinement. Fearing the view from the upper palace, he planted tall bamboo along the perimeter and erected high screens outside. He built several hundred sections of touring wall fitted with ingenious mechanisms: screens could be raised in an instant when needed and dismantled or shifted at a touch. Among his rare curios were fur robes woven from peacock feathers, their gold-and-emerald luster far surpassing even pheasant-head brocade. Citing the precedent of Emperor Ming of Jin, who as crown prince had built the Western Pond, he petitioned Emperor Wu for permission to lay out a small garden in the Eastern Fields, and the emperor granted it.
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永明中，二宮兵力全實，太子使宮中將吏更番築役，營城包巷，制度之盛，觀者傾都。 上性雖嚴，太子所為，無敢啟者。 後上幸豫章王宅，還過太子東田，見其彌亙華遠，壯麗極目，於是大怒，收監作主帥，太子懼，皆藏之，由是見責。
During the Yongming era both palaces were at full military strength. The crown prince set palace officers and clerks to construction duty in rotating shifts, building walls that enclosed whole lanes on a scale that left the capital staring in astonishment. Strict though the emperor's temper was, no one dared report what the crown prince was doing. Later, returning from a visit to the Prince of Yuzhang's residence, the emperor passed the crown prince's Eastern Fields and saw splendor stretching to the horizon. He flew into a rage, seized and imprisoned the supervising officers, and the crown prince, terrified, hid everything away—earning a sharp rebuke.
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太子素疾，體又過壯，常在宮內，簡於遨遊，玩弄羽儀，多所僭擬。 雖咫尺宮禁，而上終不知。 又使徐文景造輦及乘輿禦物虎賁雲罕之屬，上嘗幸東宮，匆匆不暇藏輦，文景乃以佛像內輦中，故上不疑。 文景父陶仁時為給事中，謂文景曰：「終當滅門，政當掃墓待喪耳。」 及移家避之。 其後文景竟賜死，陶仁遂不哭，時人以為有古人風。
The crown prince had long been in poor health, yet his physique was unusually robust. He rarely left the palace or went on excursions, but in handling ceremonial insignia he often exceeded what was permitted. Though the imperial quarters were only steps away, the emperor never found out. He also had Xu Wenjing construct imperial carriages and regalia—the tiger guards, cloud canopies, and the like. Once, when the emperor visited the Eastern Palace in haste, there was no time to hide a carriage; Wenjing stuffed Buddhist images inside it, and the emperor suspected nothing. Wenjing's father Tao Ren, then a Supervising Attendant Within the Palace, told him, "This will end in the destruction of our whole clan. We might as well sweep the graves and wait for the funeral." He then moved his family away to escape the coming disaster. Wenjing was eventually ordered to take his own life. Tao Ren did not weep, and contemporaries took this as the spirit of the ancients.
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十年，豫章王嶷薨，太子見上友于既至，造碑文奏之，未及鐫勒。 十一年春正月，太子有疾，上自臨視，有憂色。 疾篤，上表告辭，薨於東宮崇明殿，時年三十六。
In the tenth year the Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Yi, died. Seeing how deeply the emperor mourned his brother, the crown prince composed an epitaph and submitted it, though it had not yet been carved in stone. In the first month of spring in the eleventh year the crown prince fell ill. The emperor came in person to see him, worry written on his face. When his illness turned critical he submitted a farewell memorial and died at Chongming Hall in the Eastern Palace, aged thirty-six.
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武帝履行東宮，見太子服玩過制，大怒，敕有司隨事毀除，以東田殿堂處為崇虛館。 郁林立，追尊為文帝，廟稱世宗。
Emperor Wu toured the Eastern Palace and, finding the crown prince's garments and curios far beyond what regulations allowed, flew into a rage and ordered officials to destroy them one by one. The halls of the Eastern Fields were converted into the Lodge of Reverent Emptiness. When the heir apparent was installed, Changmao was posthumously honored as Emperor Wen, with the temple name Shizong.
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初，太子惡明帝，密謂竟陵王子良曰：「我意色中殊不悅此人，當由其福德薄所致。」 子良便苦救解，後明帝立，果大相誅害。
Earlier the crown prince had disliked Emperor Ming and confided to Xiao Ziliang of Jingling, "Something in this man's face fills me with distaste—it must be because his store of fortune and virtue is thin." Ziliang pleaded strenuously on Ming's behalf. When Ming later took the throne, he carried out wholesale executions after all.
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竟陵文宣王子良字雲英，武帝第二子也。 幼聰敏。 武帝為贛縣時，與裴後不諧，遣人船送後還都，已登路，子良時年小，在庭前不悅。 帝謂曰：「汝何不讀書？」 子良曰：「娘今何處？ 何用讀書。」 帝異之，即召後還縣。
Xiao Ziliang, Prince Wenxuan of Jingling—style name Yunying—was Emperor Wu's second son. Even as a child he was exceptionally quick-witted. When Emperor Wu was magistrate of Gan County he quarreled with Consort Pei and sent her back to the capital by boat. She had already embarked when the young Ziliang, standing in the courtyard, showed his displeasure plainly. The emperor said, "Why aren't you studying?" Ziliang replied, "Where is Mother now? What good is studying." Struck by the answer, the emperor at once recalled his consort to the county.
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仕宋為邵陵王友。 時宋道衰謝，諸王微弱，故不廢此官。 升明三年，為會稽太守，都督五郡。 封聞喜公。 宋元嘉中，凡事皆責成郡縣，孝武后，徵求急速，以郡縣遲緩，始遣台使，自此公役勞擾。 高帝踐阼，子良陳之，請息其弊。
Under the Song he served as Companion to the Prince of Shaoling. By then the Song house was in decline and its princes had little power, so the office was left in place. In the third year of Shengming he was appointed Administrator of Kuaiji and area commander over five commanderies. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Wenxi. During the Song Yuanjia era every task was pushed down to the commanderies and counties. After Emperor Xiaowu, levies grew ever more urgent; because local governments were slow to comply, the court began dispatching palace envoys—and from that point public labor and exactions became a constant burden. When Emperor Gao took the throne, Ziliang memorialized on the practice and asked that the abuse be ended.
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子良敦義愛古，郡人朱百年有至行，先卒，賜其妻米百斛，蠲一人，給其薪蘇。 郡合下有虞翻舊床，罷任還，乃致以歸。 後於西邸起古齋，多聚古人器服以充之。 夏禹廟盛有禱祀，子良曰：「禹泣辜表仁，菲食旌約，服玩果粽，足以致誠。」 使歲獻扇簟而已。
Ziliang was earnest in righteousness and devoted to antiquity. Zhu Bainian of the commandery, a man of supreme moral conduct, had died earlier; Ziliang granted his widow a hundred hu of grain, exempted one person from labor on her behalf, and supplied her with fuel. In the commandery headquarters stood an old couch that had belonged to Yu Fan. When Ziliang left office he had it sent back to Yu's descendants. Later, at his western residence, he built an Ancient Study and filled it with antiquities—vessels, garments, and the like. The Temple of Yu the Great was given to lavish prayer and sacrifice. Ziliang said, "Yu wept over the guilty to show benevolence and ate sparingly to display restraint. Fruit and rice dumplings are offering enough to show sincerity." He ordered only fans and mats presented each year.
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時有山陰人孔平詣子良訟嫂市米負錢不還。 子良歎曰：「昔高文通與寡嫂訟田，義異於此。」 乃賜米錢以償平。
At that time Kong Ping of Shanyin came before Ziliang to sue his sister-in-law for failing to repay money owed on rice she had sold him. Ziliang sighed and said, "Long ago Gao Wentong sued his widowed sister-in-law over fields—a very different sort of righteousness from this." He then granted grain and money to settle Ping's claim.
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建元二年，穆妃薨，去官，仍為丹陽尹，開私倉振屬縣貧人。 先是太妃以七月薨，子良以八月奉凶問。 及小祥，疑南郡王應相待。 尚書左僕射王儉議以為「禮有倫序，義無徒設。 如令遠則不待，近必相須，禮例既乖，即心無取。 若疑兄弟同居，吉凶舛雜，則遠還之子，自應開立別門，以終喪事，靈筵祭奠，隨在家之人，再期而毀。 庶子在家，亦不待嫡。 而況儲妃正體王室，中軍長嫡之重，天朝又行權制，進退彌復非疑。 謂應不相待，中軍祥縞之日，聞喜致哀而已，不受吊慰。 至聞喜變除，昆弟亦宜相就寫情，不對客」。 從之。
In the second year of Jianyuan Consort Mu died. Ziliang left office but continued as Administrator of Danyang, opening his private granary to relieve the poor of the subordinate counties. The princess consort had died in the seventh month; Ziliang announced the death in the eighth. At the small-felicitations mourning, court opinion was divided over whether the Prince of Nanjun ought to wait for him. Left Vice Director Wang Jian argued that "rites have an order of precedence; their meaning is never arbitrary. If the distant need not wait while the near must always coordinate, precedent is already violated and the heart has no ground for accepting the rule. If one fears that brothers under one roof will mix auspicious and inauspicious rites, a son returning from afar should set up a separate mourning gate and complete his observances there; offerings at the spirit altar follow whoever remains at home, and the mourning hall is dismantled after two years. A secondary son at home does not wait for the principal heir either. How much more when the stored consort is the legitimate consort of the royal house and the Central Army bears the weight of the eldest legitimate son—especially when the court is already exercising discretionary rites. Under such circumstances advance and retreat are scarcely in doubt. He held that they should not wait for each other: on the day the Central Army donned felicitations mourning garb, Wenxi need only offer condolences and should not receive condolence visits. When Wenxi has concluded his mourning period, the brothers ought likewise to visit one another and give vent to their feelings, but should not receive guests." The court accepted his proposal.
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武帝即位，封竟陵郡王、南徐州刺史，加都督。 永明二年，為護軍將軍，兼司徒。 四年，進號車騎將軍。 子良少有清尚，禮才好士，居不疑之地，傾意賓客，天下才學皆遊集焉。 善立勝事，夏月客至，為設瓜飲及甘果，著之文教。 士子文章及朝貴辭翰，皆發教撰錄。
When Emperor Wu took the throne, Ziliang was enfeoffed as Prince of Jingling and appointed Inspector of South Xuzhou, with the additional title of area commander. In the second year of Yongming (484), he was made General Who Guards the Army while also serving as Minister over the Masses. In the fourth year (486), he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. Ziliang was from youth high-minded and refined. He honored talent and welcomed scholars. Secure in his position as the emperor's son, he lavished attention on his guests, and men of talent and learning from across the realm flocked to him. He had a gift for arranging splendid gatherings. When guests arrived in summer, he served melon drinks and fine fruits and had them write essays on culture and education. At his direction, scholarly essays and compositions by court dignitaries were all collected and compiled.
22
是時上新視政，水旱不時，子良密啟請原除逋租。 又陳寬刑息役，輕賦省徭。 並陳「泉鑄歲遠，類多翦鑿，江東大錢，十不一在，公家所受，必須輪郭完全，遂買本一千，加子七百，求請無地，捶革相繼。 尋完者為用，既不兼兩，回復遷貿，會非委積，徒令小人每嬰困苦。 且錢布相半，為制永久，或聞長宰須令輸直，進違舊科，退容奸利」。
The emperor had only recently assumed direct rule, and floods and droughts struck in succession. Ziliang submitted a confidential memorial asking that overdue rents be remitted. He also urged lighter punishments, a halt to forced labor, reduced taxes, and relief from corvée duties. He also wrote: "Coin has been minted for so many years that most of it has been clipped and filed down. Of the large coins circulating in the Jiangdong region, scarcely one in ten is still intact. Yet what the government will accept must have its rim whole and complete—so a man must buy a full-weight coin for one thousand cash and then pay seven hundred more for a subsidiary coin. There is nowhere to turn for redress, and beatings and confiscations follow one after another. When intact coins are required, a single payment cannot cover both obligations, so people are forced into repeated exchanges—but no real reserve builds up. All it does is visit hardship upon the common people again and again. Moreover, the rule that tax be paid half in coin and half in cloth was meant to be permanent. Yet one hears that local magistrates demand payment entirely in cash—a practice that violates statute on the one hand and opens the door to corruption on the other."
23
五年，正位司徒，給班劍二十人，侍中如故。 移居雞籠山西邸，集學士抄五經百家，依皇覽例為四部要略千卷。 招致名僧，講論佛法，造經唄新聲，道俗之盛，江左未有。
In the fifth year (487), he was formally appointed Minister over the Masses, granted an escort of twenty sword-bearing guards, and retained his post as Palace Attendant. He moved to his western residence on Cock Cage Mountain, gathered scholars to copy the Five Classics and works of the hundred schools, and modeled on the Imperial Overview to produce Essential Summaries in Four Sections—a thousand scrolls in all. He invited celebrated monks to lecture on Buddhist doctrine and composed new hymn melodies for sutra recitation. The splendor of his religious assemblies, drawing both clergy and laity, was unmatched anywhere in the Jiangzuo region.
24
武帝好射雉，子良啟諫。 先是左衛殿中將軍邯鄲超上書諫射雉，武帝為止，久之，超竟被誅。 永明末，上將復射雉，子良復諫，前後所陳，上雖不盡納，而深見寵愛。
Emperor Wu loved hunting pheasants, and Ziliang memorialized to dissuade him. Earlier, Handan Chao, General of the Left Guard in the Palace, had submitted a memorial against pheasant hunting, and the emperor desisted for a time. Eventually, however, Chao was put to death. Near the end of the Yongming era, when the emperor was about to take up pheasant hunting again, Ziliang remonstrated once more. Though the emperor did not accept everything he urged, Ziliang remained deeply favored.
25
又與文惠太子同好釋氏，甚相友悌。 子良敬信尤篤，數于邸園營齋戒，大集朝臣眾僧，至賦食行水，或躬親其事，世頗以為失宰相體。 勸人為善，未嘗厭倦，以此終致盛名。
He and Crown Prince Wenhui shared a devotion to Buddhism and were close friends. Ziliang's Buddhist faith was especially fervent. He frequently held fasting assemblies at his residence and gardens, gathering large numbers of court ministers and monks. He even distributed food and poured water for them himself on occasion, and many at the time felt this was unbecoming in a chief minister. In urging others toward virtue he never tired, and by this he won lasting renown.
26
八年，給三望車。 九年，都下大水，吳興偏劇，子良開倉振救貧病不能立者，於第北立廨收養，給衣及藥。 十年，領尚書令、揚州刺史，本官如故。 尋解尚書令，加中書監。
In the eighth year (490), he was granted the three-wheeled lookout carriage. In the ninth year (491), catastrophic floods struck the capital region, with Wuxing especially hard hit. Ziliang opened his granaries to aid the destitute and infirm who could not support themselves, and north of his mansion he set up relief offices to shelter them, providing clothing and medicine. In the tenth year (492), he was additionally appointed Director of the Masters of Writing and Inspector of Yangzhou while retaining his existing titles. Soon afterward he stepped down as Director of the Masters of Writing and was instead made Director of the Central Secretariat.
27
文惠太子薨，武帝檢行東宮，見太子服御羽儀，多過制度，上大怒，以子良與太子善，不啟聞，頗加嫌責。
When Crown Prince Wenhui died, Emperor Wu inspected the Eastern Palace and found that the crown prince's clothing, equipage, and ceremonial insignia far exceeded what regulations allowed. The emperor was furious. Because Ziliang had been close to the crown prince and had failed to report the excess, he came under heavy censure.
28
武帝不豫，詔子良甲仗入延昌殿侍醫藥。 子良啟進沙門於殿戶前誦經，武帝為感夢見優曇缽花。 子良案佛經宣旨，使禦府以銅為花，插御床四角。 日夜在殿內，太孫間日入參。 武帝暴漸，內外惶懼，百僚皆已變服，物議疑立子良。 俄頃而蘇，問太孫所在，因召東宮器甲皆入，遺詔使子良輔政，明帝知尚書事。 子良素仁厚，不樂時務，乃推明帝。 詔云：「事無大小，悉與鸞參懷」，子良所志也。 太孫少養于子良妃袁氏，甚著慈愛，既懼前不得立，自此深忌子良。 大行出太極殿，子良居中書省，帝使虎賁中郎將潘敞二百人仗，屯太極西階之下。 成服後，諸王皆出，子良乞停至山陵，不許。
When Emperor Wu fell ill, he ordered Ziliang, with an armed escort, into Yanchang Hall to attend to his medical care. Ziliang had Buddhist monks brought in to recite sutras before the hall doors. The emperor was deeply moved and dreamed of udumbara flowers. Citing Buddhist scripture, Ziliang proclaimed the imperial wish and had the imperial workshops cast copper flowers to place at the four corners of the emperor's bed. Ziliang remained in the hall day and night, while the imperial grandson came in to attend every other day. The emperor's condition suddenly worsened. Panic spread inside and outside the palace, and all the officials had already changed into mourning garb. Public opinion turned to the possibility of installing Ziliang as emperor. In a moment he revived and asked where the imperial grandson was. He then summoned all the Eastern Palace's weapons and armor into the palace. His deathbed testament named Ziliang to assist in governing and Xiao Luan to manage the Masters of Writing. Ziliang was by nature gentle and generous and had no taste for the rough work of politics, so he deferred to Xiao Luan. The testament read, "In affairs great and small, consult Luan in full"—and that was exactly what Ziliang wanted. The imperial grandson had been raised from childhood by Ziliang's consort, Lady Yuan, and Ziliang had shown him great affection. Fearing that Ziliang had once stood between him and the throne, from this point on he deeply resented him. When the imperial funeral cortège left Taiji Hall, Ziliang was at the Central Secretariat. The new emperor sent Pan Chang, General of the Tiger Guard in the Palace, with two hundred armed men to encamp at the foot of the western steps of Taiji Hall. After the mourning rites were completed, all the princes were sent away. Ziliang asked to remain until the imperial burial, but permission was denied.
29
進位太傅，增班劍為三十人，本官如故，解侍中。 隆昌元年，加殊禮，劍履上殿，入朝不趨，贊拜不名，進督南徐州。 其年疾篤，謂左右曰：「門外應有異。」 遣人視，見淮中魚無算，皆浮出水上向城門。 尋薨，年三十五。
He was promoted to Grand Tutor, his sword-bearing escort increased to thirty men, and his other titles were unchanged—but he was stripped of the post of Palace Attendant. In the first year of Longchang (494), he was granted special honors: permission to enter the hall wearing sword and shoes, to walk without hurrying at court audiences, and to be hailed in obeisance without having his name spoken. He was also made supervisor of South Xuzhou. That year his illness grew grave. He told those around him, "There ought to be something strange outside the gate." He sent someone to look and saw countless fish in the Huai River, all floating on the surface and facing toward the city gate. He soon died, at the age of thirty-five.
30
所著內外文筆數十卷，雖無文采，多是勸戒。 子良既亡，故人皆來奔赴，陸惠曉于邸門逢袁彖，問之曰：「近者云云，定復何謂？ 王融見殺，而魏准破膽。 道路籍籍，又云竟陵不永天年，有之乎？」 答曰：「齊氏微弱，已數年矣，爪牙柱石之臣都盡，命之所餘，政風流名士耳。 若不立長君，無以鎮安四海。 王融雖為身計，實安社稷，恨其不能斷事，以至於此。 道路之談，自為虛說耳，蒼生方塗炭矣，政當瀝耳聽之。」 建武中，故吏範雲上表為子良立碑，事不行。 子昭胄嗣。
His collected writings, civil and official, ran to several dozen scrolls. They lacked literary polish for the most part, but most were devoted to exhortation and moral counsel. After Ziliang's death, his old friends came from far and wide to attend his funeral. At the gate of the residence Lu Huixiao encountered Yuan Tan and asked him, "All this recent talk—what does it really mean? Wang Rong has been executed, yet Wei Zhun lost his nerve. The roads are buzzing with rumor, and some say Jingling did not live out his natural span—is there any truth to that?" Yuan Tan replied, "The Qi house has been weakening for years. Its claw-and-fang ministers and pillar statesmen are all gone. What fate leaves alive are only men of letters and reputation. If the court does not enthron a mature ruler, there is no way to secure the realm. Wang Rong may have acted partly for himself, but he truly sought to stabilize the state. The pity is that he lacked the ruthlessness to see it through—and that is how things came to this. Street talk is idle rumor. The people are being ground to ruin—one should simply listen hard for what matters." During the Jianwu era, Fan Yun, a former subordinate of Ziliang's, submitted a memorial requesting a commemorative stele; the request was denied. His son Zhaogou succeeded to the title.
31
昭胄字景胤，泛涉書史，有父風，位太常。 以封境邊魏，永元元年，改封巴陵王。
Zhaogou, style name Jingyin, was widely read in history and the classics. He inherited his father's character and rose to the post of Grand Minister of Ceremonies. Because his domain bordered Northern Wei, in the first year of Yongyuan (499) he was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Baling.
32
先是，王敬則事起，南康侯子恪在吳郡，明帝慮有同異，召諸王侯入宮，晉安王寶義及江陵公寶覽住中書省，高、武諸孫住西省，敕人各兩左右自隨，過此依軍法； 孩抱者乳母隨入。 其夜並將加害，賴子恪至乃免。 自建武以來，高、武王侯，居常震怖，朝不保夕，至是尤甚。
Earlier, when Wang Jingze's revolt broke out, Zike, Marquis of Nankang, was in Wu Commandery. Fearing disloyalty among the princes, Emperor Ming summoned all the kings and marquises into the palace. Prince Bao Yi of Jin'an and Duke Bao Lan of Jiangling were quartered in the Central Secretariat; the grandsons of Emperors Gao and Wu were quartered in the Western Secretariat. Each was allowed only two personal attendants—anyone exceeding that limit was subject to martial law. Infants in arms were permitted a wet nurse to accompany them inside. That very night they were all to be executed—but when Zike arrived, they were spared. Since the Jianwu era, the princes and marquises descended from Emperors Gao and Wu had lived in constant terror, never sure they would survive to the next day—and now their dread was worse than ever.
33
及陳顯達起事，王侯復入宮，昭胄懲往時之懼，與弟永新侯昭穎逃奔江西，變形為道人。 崔慧景舉兵，昭胄兄弟出投之。 慧景敗，昭胄兄弟首出投台軍主胡松，各以王侯還第，不自安，謀為身計。 子良故防合桑偃為梅蟲兒軍副，結前巴西太守蕭寅，謀立昭胄。 昭胄許事克用寅為尚書左僕射、護軍，以寅有部曲，大事皆委之。 時胡松領軍在新亭，寅遣人說之，松許諾。 又張欣泰嘗為雍州，亦有部曲，昭胄又遣房天寶以謀告之，欣泰聞命回應。 蕭寅左右華永達知其謀，以告禦刀朱光尚。 光尚挾左道以惑東昏，因謂東昏曰：「昨見蔣王，雲巴陵王在外結黨欲反，須官出行，仍從萬春門入，事不可量。」 時東昏日游走，聞此說大懼，不復出四十餘日。 偃等議募健兒百餘人，從萬春門入，突取之。 昭胄以為不可。 偃同黨王山沙慮事久無成，以事告禦刀徐僧重，寅遣人殺山沙于路。 吏於麝幐中得其事蹟，昭胄兄弟與同黨皆伏誅。
When Chen Xianda rose in rebellion, the princes were once again confined in the palace. Mindful of what had happened before, Zhaogou fled with his younger brother Zhaoying, Marquis of Yongxin, west of the Yangzi, disguising themselves as Daoist priests. When Cui Huijing took up arms, the Zhaogou brothers went to join him. When Huijing was defeated, the Zhaogou brothers were the first to surrender to Hu Song, commander of the capital army. They returned to their mansions with their titles intact but felt no security and began plotting for their own survival. Sang Yan, Ziliang's former household guard commander and now deputy to Mei Chong'er's forces, joined with Xiao Yin, former Administrator of Baxi, in a plot to install Zhaogou on the throne. Zhaogou promised that if the plot succeeded, Yin would be made Left Vice Director of the Secretariat and General Who Guards the Army. Because Yin commanded private troops, Zhaogou delegated all major decisions to him. Hu Song was then commanding troops at Xinting. Yin sent envoys to win him over, and Hu Song agreed to join. Zhang Xintai, who had once governed Yongzhou and also commanded private troops, was likewise approached when Zhaogou sent Fang Tianbao to disclose the plot. Xintai agreed on the spot. Hua Yongda, a member of Xiao Yin's staff, learned of the conspiracy and reported it to Zhu Guangshang, an imperial guard. Guangshang, who practiced sorcery, used the occult to sway Emperor Donghun. He told him, "Yesterday I saw Prince Jiang, who said the Prince of Baling is out there building a faction and planning rebellion. When Your Majesty goes out, they mean to enter through Wanchun Gate—the consequences are hard to foresee." Donghun had been roaming about every day. When he heard this, he was terrified and did not leave the palace again for more than forty days. Yan and his co-conspirators proposed recruiting more than a hundred strong fighters to enter through Wanchun Gate and seize the emperor by force. Zhaogou objected that this was unwise. Wang Shansha, a co-conspirator of Yan's, grew anxious as the plot dragged on without success and reported it to Xu Sengzhong, an imperial guard. Yin sent men to kill Shansha on the road. Officials discovered documentary evidence of the plot in a musk pouch. Zhaogou, his brother, and their co-conspirators were all executed.
34
梁受禪，降封昭胄子同為監利侯。
When the Liang dynasty succeeded to the mandate, Zhaogou's son Tong was demoted to Marquis of Jianli.
35
同弟賁字文奐，形不滿六尺，神識耿介。 幼好學，有文才，能書善畫，於扇上圖山水，咫尺之內，便覺萬里為遙。 矜慎不傳，自娛而已。 好著述，嘗著西京雜記六十卷。 起家湘東王法曹參軍，得一府歡心。 及亂，王為檄，賁讀至「偃師南望，無復儲胥露寒，河陽北臨，或有穹廬氈帳」，乃曰：「聖制此句，非為過似，如體目朝廷，非關序賊。」 王聞之大怒，收付獄，遂以餓終。 又追戮賁屍，乃著懷舊傳以謗之，極言誣毀。
Tong's younger brother Ben, style name Wenhuan, stood less than six feet tall, but his mind was sharp and uncompromising. From childhood he loved learning and had literary gifts. He was accomplished in calligraphy and painting; when he painted landscapes on a fan, the tiny surface seemed to open onto vistas a thousand miles away. Reserved and careful, he would not let his work circulate; he created only for his own pleasure. He loved to write and once composed Western Capital Miscellany in sixty scrolls. He began his career as Legal Bureau Aide on the staff of the Prince of Xiangdong and won the affection of the entire household. When rebellion broke out, the prince drafted a military proclamation. Ben read as far as the line, "From Yanshi looking south, no storied towers stand in the cold; from Heyang facing north, one might find nomad tents of felt," and remarked, "In composing this line, Your Highness was not guilty of excessive simile—it reads as though you were describing the imperial court itself, not the enemy." The prince was furious, had him arrested and imprisoned, and Ben eventually starved to death. The prince even had Ben's corpse mutilated in a posthumous execution and then wrote Nostalgic Biographies to defame him, reviling him in the harshest terms.
36
廬陵王子卿字雲長，武帝第三子也。 建元元年，封臨汝縣公。 武帝即位，為郢州刺史，加都督。 子卿諸子中無德，又與魚復侯子響同生，故無寵。 徙都督、荊州刺史。 始興王為益州，子卿解督。
Xiao Ziqing, Prince of Luling—style name Yunchang—was Emperor Wu's third son. In the first year of Jianyuan (479), he was enfeoffed as Duke of Linru. When Emperor Wu took the throne, Ziqing was made Inspector of Yingzhou, with the additional title of area commander. Among the emperor's sons Ziqing stood out for his lack of virtue, and because he shared a mother with Zixiang, Marquis of Yufu, he won no favor at court. He was reassigned as area commander and Inspector of Jingzhou. When the Prince of Shixing was posted to Yizhou, Ziqing was relieved of his area command.
37
子卿在鎮，營造服飾，多違制度，作玳瑁乘具。 詔責之，令速送都； 又作銀鐙、金薄裹箭腳，亦便速壞去。 凡諸服章，自今不啟專輒作者，當得痛杖。 又曰：「汝比令讀學，今年轉成長，學既勿就，得敕如風過耳，使吾失氣。」
While posted to his province, Ziqing had clothing and ornaments made in violation of regulations, including riding gear fashioned from tortoiseshell. An edict censured him and ordered the items sent to the capital at once; He had also made silver stirrups and arrow shafts wrapped in gold foil—these too were to be destroyed immediately. Henceforth, anyone who produced such regalia on his own authority without imperial approval would receive a severe beating. The edict also read, "I ordered you to apply yourself to your studies. You are grown now, yet you have accomplished nothing. My commands pass through you like wind through the ears—and you have taken the wind out of me."
38
永明十年，為都督、南豫州刺史。 之鎮，道中戲部伍為水軍，上聞大怒，殺其典簽。 遣宜都王鏗代之。 子卿還第，至崩不與相見。
In the tenth year of Yongming (492), he was made area commander and Inspector of South Yuzhou. On his way to his post, he amused himself by drilling his retinue as a naval force. When the emperor heard of it he was furious and had Ziqing's chief clerk executed. The emperor sent Prince Keng of Yidu to replace him. Ziqing returned to his mansion and was never granted another audience before the emperor died.
39
魚復侯子響字雲音，武帝第四子也。 豫章王嶷無子，養子響。 後嶷有子，表留為嫡。 武帝即位，為南彭城、臨淮二郡太守。
Xiao Zixiang, Marquis of Yufu—style name Yun Yin—was Emperor Wu's fourth son. Prince Niao of Yuzhang had no sons and adopted Zixiang. When Niao later had a son of his own, he petitioned to keep Zixiang as his legitimate heir. When Emperor Wu acceded to the throne, Zixiang was appointed Grand Administrator of the two commanderies of Nan Pengcheng and Linhuai.
40
子響勇力絕人，開弓四斛力，數在園池中帖騎馳走竹樹下，身無虧傷。 既出繼，車服異諸王，每入朝輒忿，拳打車壁，武帝知之，令車服與皇子同。
Zixiang's strength and daring were unmatched. He could draw a bow rated at four hu, and would often ride at full gallop with his body nearly touching the saddle beneath the bamboo groves in the palace gardens, never suffering so much as a scratch. Once he had been given in adoption, his carriage and insignia differed from those of the other princes. Every time he came to court he would fly into a rage and punch the sides of his carriage. When Emperor Wu learned of this, he ordered that Zixiang's carriage and robes be made identical to those of the imperial princes.
41
永明六年，有司奏子響宜還本，乃封巴東郡王。 七年，為都督、荊州刺史。 直合將軍董蠻粗有氣力，子響要與同行。 蠻曰：「殿下癲如雷，敢相隨邪？」 子響笑曰：「君敢出此語，亦復奇癲。」 上聞而不悅，曰：「人名蠻，復何容得蘊藉。」 乃改名為仲舒。 謂曰：「今日仲舒，何如昔日仲舒？」 答曰：「昔日仲舒，出自私庭，今日仲舒，降自天帝，以此言之，勝昔遠矣。」 上稱善。
In the sixth year of Yongming, the relevant offices memorialized that Zixiang should return to his birth family, whereupon he was enfeoffed as King of Badong. In the seventh year, he was appointed Area Commander and Inspector of Jing Province. Direct Attendant General Dong Man was a man of some physical strength, and Zixiang asked him to accompany him on the journey. Man said, "Your Highness is fierce as thunder itself—how dare anyone follow you?" Zixiang laughed and said, "You dare say such a thing—you're strangely wild yourself." When the emperor heard of this he was displeased and said, "A man named Barbarian—how is he supposed to carry himself with refinement?" Zixiang thereupon renamed him Zhongshu. He asked him, "How does today's Zhongshu compare with yesterday's Zhongshu?" He answered, "Yesterday's Zhongshu came from a private household; today's Zhongshu was sent down by the Son of Heaven. By that measure, he far surpasses his former self." The emperor commended the reply.
42
子響少好武，帶仗左右六十人，皆有膽幹，數在內齋殺牛置酒，與之聚樂。 令私作錦袍絳襖，欲餉蠻交易器仗。 長史劉寅等連名密啟，上敕精檢，寅等懼，欲秘之。 子響聞台使至，不見敕，乃召寅及司馬席恭穆、諮議參軍江悆、殷曇粲、中兵參軍周彥、典簽吳修之、王賢宗、魏景深等俱入，於琴台下並斬之。 上聞之怒，遣衛尉胡諧之、遊擊將軍尹略、中書舍人茹法亮領羽林三千人檢捕群小。 敕「子響若束手自歸，可全其性命」。 諧之等至江津，築城燕尾洲。 子響白服登城，頻遣信與相聞，曰：「天下豈有兒反，身不作賊，直是粗疏。 今便單舸還闕，何築城見捉邪？」 尹略獨答曰：「誰將汝反父人共語。」 子響聞之唯灑泣。 又送牛數十頭，酒二百石，果饌三十輿，略棄之江流。 子響膽力之士王沖天不勝忿，乃率黨度洲攻壘斬略，而諧之、法亮單艇奔逸。
From youth Zixiang loved martial pursuits. He kept sixty armed attendants about him, all men of courage and capability, and would often slaughter oxen and set out wine in the inner hall, feasting and making merry with them. He had brocade robes and crimson padded jackets made in secret, intending to offer them to Man in exchange for weapons and armor. Chief Administrator Liu Yin and others jointly submitted a confidential memorial. The emperor ordered a thorough investigation, and Yin and his colleagues, frightened, wished to keep the matter secret. When Zixiang heard that envoys from the capital had arrived yet saw no edict, he summoned Yin together with Staff Supervisor Xi Gongmu, Advisory Aide Jiang Yu, Yin Tancai, Central Army Aide Zhou Yan, and chief clerks Wu Xiuzhi, Wang Xianzong, and Wei Jingshen, and had them all beheaded beneath the Qin Terrace. When the emperor heard of this he flew into a rage and dispatched Commandant of the Guard Hu Xiezhi, Mobile General Yin Lve, and Palace Secretary Ru Faliang at the head of three thousand Feathered Forest guards to investigate and arrest Zixiang's followers. An edict declared, "If Zixiang surrenders with bound hands of his own accord, his life will be spared." Xiezhi and his men reached the Jiang Ford and constructed a fort on Swallowtail Islet. Clad in white, Zixiang mounted the city wall and sent messenger after messenger to open communications, saying, "Under Heaven, can a son truly be called a rebel? I am no traitor—this is merely heedlessness on my part. I mean to return at once to the capital in a single boat—why build a fort just to capture me?" Yin Lve alone replied, "Who would allow a son who rebelled against his father to negotiate with him?" When Zixiang heard this he could only weep. Zixiang also sent several dozen oxen, two hundred shi of wine, and thirty cartloads of fruit and delicacies; Lve had them cast into the river. Wang Chongtian, one of Zixiang's bravest men, unable to contain his fury, led a band across the islet, stormed the fort, and killed Lve, while Xiezhi and Faliang fled each in a lone boat.
43
上又遣丹陽尹蕭順之領兵繼之，子響即日將白衣左右三十人，乘舴艋中流下都。 初，順之將發，文惠太子素忌子響，密遣不許還，令便為之所。 子響及見順之，欲自申明，順之不許，於射堂縊之。 有司奏絕子響屬籍，賜為蛸氏。
The emperor then sent Metropolitan Governor Xiao Shunzhi of Danyang with troops in pursuit. That same day Zixiang took thirty attendants dressed in white, boarded small boats, and sailed downstream toward the capital. Before Shunzhi set out, Crown Prince Wenhui, who had long resented Zixiang, secretly sent word forbidding his return and instructing Shunzhi to dispose of him then and there. When Zixiang met Shunzhi and tried to plead his case, Shunzhi would not hear him and strangled him in the archery hall. The relevant offices memorialized to strike Zixiang from the imperial clan register and bestow upon him the surname of the Xiao clan as punishment.
44
子響密作啟數紙，藏妃王氏裙腰中，具自申明，云：「輕舫還闕不得，此苦之深，唯願矜憐，無使竹帛齊有反父之子，父有害子之名。」 及順之還，上心甚怪恨。 百日于華林為子響作齋，上自行香，對諸朝士嚬蹙。 及見順之，嗚咽移時，左右莫不掩涕。 他日出景陽山，見一沐透擲悲鳴，問後堂丞：「此沐何意？」 答曰：「沐子前日墮崖致死，其母求之不見，故爾。」 上因憶子響，歔欷良久，不自勝。 順之慚懼，感病，遂以憂卒。 於是豫章王嶷上表曰：「故庶人蛸子響識懷靡樹，見淪不逞，肆憤一朝，取陷凶德，身膏草野，未雲塞釁。 但歸罪司戮，迷而知返，撫事惟往，載傷心目。 伏願一下天矜，使得旋窆餘麓，豈伊窮骸被德，實且天下歸仁。」 上不許，貶為魚復侯。
Zixiang secretly wrote several memorials and hid them in the waistband of his consort Lady Wang's skirt, setting forth his full account: "Unable to return to court even in a light boat—the anguish of this is beyond words. I beg only for compassion, that history not record alongside one another both a son who rebelled against his father and a father who destroyed his son." When Shunzhi returned, the emperor was deeply troubled and filled with regret. On the hundredth day after his death a memorial service for Zixiang was held at Hualin. The emperor burned incense himself, his face deeply furrowed before the assembled courtiers. When he saw Shunzhi he wept aloud for a long while, and none among his attendants could keep from shedding tears. On another day, while out at Jingyang Mountain, he saw a macaque casting itself about and crying mournfully. He asked the Rear Hall Attendant, "What is that macaque doing?" He answered, "The macaque's infant fell from the cliff and died yesterday. Its mother searches for it in vain, and so she wails." The emperor was reminded of Zixiang and sighed at length, unable to contain his grief. Shunzhi, stricken with shame and fear, fell ill and died of grief. Thereupon Prince Niao of Yuzhang submitted a memorial stating, "The late commoner of the Xiao clan, Zixiang, had nowhere to anchor his aspirations. Seeing himself brought low and unable to prevail, he unleashed his fury in a single day and fell into wicked conduct; his body now fertilizes the wild grass, yet this scarcely atones for his crime. Yet he accepted the executioner's blade, lost his way but sought to return, and faced the matter with only the past in his heart—a sight that wounds the heart and eye to recall. I humbly beg Your Majesty to extend Heaven's compassion just once, that he may be reburied on a distant hillside—not only so that his poor remains may receive grace, but so that all under Heaven may turn toward benevolence." The emperor refused. Zixiang's title was reduced to Marquis of Yufu.
45
安陸王子敬字雲端，武帝第五子也。 初封應城縣公。 先是子敬所生早亡，帝命貴妃范氏母養之，及范氏薨，而子及婦服制，禮無明文。 永明中，尚書令王儉議：「孫為慈孫，婦為慈婦，姑為慈姑，宜制期年服。」 從之。 十年，位散騎常侍、撫軍將軍、丹陽尹。 十一年，加車騎將軍。 隆昌元年，遷都督、南兗州刺史。 延興元年，加侍中。 明帝除諸蕃王，遣中護軍王玄邈征九江，王廣之襲殺子敬。
Xiao Zijing, Prince of Anlu—style name Yun Duan—was Emperor Wu's fifth son. He was first enfeoffed as Duke of Yingcheng County. Zijing's birth mother had died while he was still young, and the emperor had ordered Honored Consort Fan to raise him as his mother. When Fan died, there was no explicit provision in the rites governing whether the son and his wife should observe mourning for her. During the Yongming era, Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Jian proposed, "The grandson should be a filial grandson, the daughter-in-law a filial daughter-in-law, and the mother-in-law a filial mother-in-law—they ought to observe one year of mourning." The emperor approved. In the tenth year he held the posts of Regular Attendant, General Who Pacifies the Army, and Metropolitan Governor of Danyang. In the eleventh year he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. In the first year of Longchang he was transferred to Area Commander and Inspector of Southern Yan Province. In the first year of Yanxing he was promoted to Palace Attendant. When Emperor Ming moved to eliminate the feudal princes, he sent Central Guard General Wang Xuanyao to campaign against Jiujiang, and Wang Guangzhi launched a surprise attack and killed Zijing.
46
初，子敬為武帝所留心，帝不豫，有意立子敬為太子，代太孫。 子敬與太孫俱入參畢同出，武帝目送子敬良久，曰：「阿五鈍。」 由此代換之意乃息。
Zijing had long been a favorite of Emperor Wu's. When the emperor fell ill, he considered making Zijing crown prince in place of the imperial grandson. Zijing and the imperial grandson entered for audience together and left together. Emperor Wu watched Zijing go for a long while and said, "Ah Fifth is slow-witted." With that, the plan to replace the heir was abandoned.
47
晉安王子懋字雲昌，武帝第七子也。 諸子中最為清恬，有意思，廉讓好學。 年七歲時，母阮淑媛嘗病危篤，請僧行道。 有獻蓮華供佛者，眾僧以銅罌盛水漬其莖，欲華不萎。 子懋流涕禮佛曰：「若使阿姨因此和勝，願諸佛令華竟齋不萎。」 七日齋畢，華更鮮紅，視罌中稍有根須，當世稱其孝感。
Xiao Zimao, Prince of Jin'an—style name Yun Chang—was Emperor Wu's seventh son. Among all the emperor's sons he was the most serene and thoughtful—modest, yielding, and devoted to learning. When he was seven, his mother Lady Ruan the Graceful Fair One fell gravely ill, and he invited monks to perform Buddhist rites on her behalf. Someone presented lotus blossoms as an offering to the Buddha. The monks placed them in a copper jar of water to soak the stems, hoping to keep the flowers from wilting. Zimao bowed before the Buddha with tears streaming down his face and said, "If my dear aunt may recover her health through this, I pray that the Buddhas will keep these flowers fresh and unwithered for the entire seven-day fast." When the seven-day fast was complete, the flowers were fresher and redder than before, and slight roots could be seen in the jar. People of the day praised this as an act of filial devotion moving Heaven.
48
永明五年，為南兗州刺史、監五州軍事。 六年，徙監湘州刺史。 八年，撰春秋例苑三十卷，奏之，武帝敕付秘閣。 十一年，為都督、雍州刺史，給鼓吹一部。 豫章王喪服未畢，上以邊州須威望，許得奏之。 啟求所好書，武帝曰：「知汝常以書讀在心，足為深欣。」 賜以杜預手所定左傳及古今善言。
In the fifth year of Yongming he was appointed Inspector of Southern Yan Province with oversight of military affairs in five provinces. In the sixth year he was transferred to oversee the Inspector of Xiang Province. In the eighth year he compiled thirty juan of Chunqiu Liyuan and submitted it to the throne. Emperor Wu ordered it deposited in the Secret Archive. In the eleventh year he was appointed Area Commander and Inspector of Yong Province and granted one set of martial pipes and drums. Prince Niao of Yuzhang's mourning period was not yet complete, but because the border province required a figure of authority, the emperor permitted Zimao to assume the post upon memorializing. He memorialized requesting books he favored. Emperor Wu replied, "Knowing that you always keep reading close to your heart gives me deep pleasure." He was granted Du Yu's hand-edited Zuozhuan and a collection of fine sayings ancient and modern.
49
延興元年，加侍中。 聞鄱陽、隨郡二王見殺，欲起兵赴難，與參軍周英、防合陸超之議：「傳檄荊、郢，入討君側，事成則宗廟獲安，不成猶為義鬼。」 防合董僧慧攘袂曰：「此州雖小，孝武亦嘗用之，今以勤王之師，橫長江，指北闕，以請郁林之過，誰能對之。」 於是部分兵將，入匡社稷。
In the first year of Yanxing he was promoted to Palace Attendant. When he learned that the Princes of Poyang and Suijun had been killed, he wished to raise troops to their aid and discussed the matter with Aide Zhou Ying and garrison commander Lu Chaozhi: "Let us issue proclamations to Jing and Ying and march to punish the evil at the ruler's side. If we succeed, the ancestral temple will be secure; if we fail, we will still die as righteous spirits." Garrison commander Dong Sengui rolled up his sleeves and said, "This province may be small, but Emperor Xiaowu once made use of it too. With an army loyal to the throne, we can cross the Yangzi, march on the northern gate, and demand justice for the wrongs done to Emperor Yulin—who could stand against us?" Thereupon he deployed his troops and officers to restore the realm.
50
母阮在都，遣書欲密迎上，阮報同產弟于瑤之為計。 瑤之馳告明帝，於是纂嚴，遣中護軍王玄邈、平西將軍王廣之南北討，使軍主裴叔業與瑤之先襲尋陽，聲雲為郢府司馬。 子懋知之，遣三百人守盆城。 叔業泝流直上，襲盆城。 子懋先已具船於稽亭渚，聞叔業得盆城，乃據州自衛。
His mother Lady Ruan was in the capital and sent a letter proposing to secretly welcome him there. Lady Ruan consulted her full brother Yu Yaozhi for advice on the plan. Yaozhi galloped to inform Emperor Ming. Ming thereupon mobilized his forces and sent Central Guard General Wang Xuanyao and Pacifying West General Wang Guangzhi to campaign from north and south, dispatching army commander Pei Shuye with Yaozhi to strike Xunyang first, publicly claiming to be the Staff Major of the Ying prefecture. When Zimao learned of this, he sent three hundred men to hold Pencheng. Shuye sailed upstream and took Pencheng by surprise. Zimao had already prepared boats at Jiting Ford. When he heard that Shuye had taken Pencheng, he held the province in self-defense.
51
子懋部曲多雍土人，皆踴躍願奮，叔業畏之，遣於瑤之說子懋曰：「今還都，必無過憂，政當作散官，不失富貴也。」
Many of Zimao's followers were natives of Yong Province, and all were eager to fight. Shuye, fearing them, sent Yu Yaozhi to persuade Zimao, saying, "If you return to the capital now, you will surely come to no serious harm—you will merely be given an inactive post and will not lose your wealth and rank."
52
子懋既不出兵攻叔業，眾情稍沮。 中兵參軍於琳之，瑤之兄也，說子懋重賂叔業。 子懋使琳之往，琳之因說叔業請取子懋。 叔業遣軍主徐玄慶將四百人隨琳之入城，僚佐皆奔散，唯周英及外兵參軍王皎更移入城內。 子懋聞之歎曰：「不意吾府有義士二人。」 琳之從二百人仗自入齋，子懋笑謂之曰：「不意渭陽，翻成梟鏡。」 琳之以袖障面，使人害之。 故人懼罪無敢至者，唯英、皎、僧慧號哭盡哀，為之喪殯。
Since Zimao did not march out to attack Shuye, the troops' morale gradually sank. Central Army Aide Yu Linzhi, Yaozhi's elder brother, urged Zimao to bribe Shuye heavily. Zimao sent Linzhi on the mission, but Linzhi instead urged Shuye to seize Zimao. Shuye sent army commander Xu Xuanqing with four hundred men to follow Linzhi into the city. The staff all fled, but Zhou Ying and External Army Aide Wang Jiao moved deeper into the city instead. When Zimao heard of this he sighed and said, "I never expected my headquarters to hold two men of such loyalty." Linzhi entered the study at the head of two hundred armed men. Zimao smiled at him and said, "I never thought the bond of Weiyang would become the treachery of the owl before the mirror." Linzhi covered his face with his sleeve and had his men kill Zimao. His old associates, fearing punishment, dared not come near; only Ying, Jiao, and Sengui wailed with full grief and performed funeral rites for him.
53
董僧慧，丹陽姑孰人，出自寒微而慷慨有節義。 好讀書，甚驍果，能反手於背彎五斛弓，當世莫有能者。 玄邈知其豫子懋之謀，執之。 僧慧曰：「晉安舉義兵，僕實豫議。 古人云'非死之難，得死之難'。 僕得為主人死，不恨矣。 願至主人大斂畢，退就湯鑊，雖死猶生。」 玄邈義而許之。 還具白明帝，乃配東冶。 言及九江時事，輒悲不自勝。 子懋子昭基，九歲，以方二寸絹為書，參其消息，並遺錢五百，以金假人，崎嶇得至。 僧慧睹書，對錢曰：「此郎君書也。」 悲慟而卒。
Dong Sengui was a native of Gushu in Danyang. Though he came from humble origins, he was magnanimous and possessed a strong sense of honor. He loved to read and was exceptionally fierce and resolute. He could bend a five-hu bow behind his back, and none in his day could match him. Xuanyao learned that he had taken part in Zimao's plot and arrested him. Sengui said, "When the Prince of Jin'an raised his righteous army, I did indeed take part in the deliberations. The ancients said, 'It is not dying that is hard—it is obtaining death that is hard.' To die for my lord—I have no regret. I ask only to attend my lord's full funeral rites, and then submit myself to the boiling cauldron. Though I die, it will be as though I live." Xuanyao, moved by his integrity, consented. When he returned he reported fully to Emperor Ming, and Sengui was assigned to the Eastern Works prison. Whenever he spoke of the events at Jiujiang, he grieved beyond bearing. Zimao's son Zhaoji, nine years old, wrote a letter on a square of silk two inches across inquiring after news, and sent five hundred coins as well. He used gold to hire a man, who made the arduous journey to deliver them. When Sengui saw the letter, he said to the coins beside it, "This is the young lord's writing." Overcome with grief, he died.
54
陸超之，吳人，以清靜雅為子懋所知。 子懋既敗，於琳之勸其逃亡。 答曰：「人皆有死，此不足懼。 吾若逃亡，非唯孤晉安之眷，亦恐田橫客笑人。」 玄邈等以其義，欲囚將還都，而超之亦端坐待命。 超之門生姓周者，謂殺超之當得賞，乃伺超之坐，自後斬之，頭墜而身不僵。 玄邈嘉其節，厚為殯斂。 周又助舉棺，未出戶，棺墜，政壓其頭折頸即死。 聞之者莫不以為有天道焉。
Lu Chaozhi was a man of Wu, known to Zimao for his quiet refinement. After Zimao was defeated, Yu Linzhi urged him to flee. He replied, "All men must die. That is nothing to fear. If I flee, I will not only fail those who depend on the Prince of Jin'an, but I also fear that Tian Heng's followers will laugh at me. Xuanyao and the others, moved by his integrity, wished to imprison him and escort him back to the capital, but Chaozhi simply sat upright and awaited his fate. One of Chaozhi's disciples surnamed Zhou, believing that killing Chaozhi would win a reward, waited until Chaozhi was seated and struck him down from behind. His head fell, but his body did not stiffen. Xuanyao admired his integrity and gave him a generous burial. Zhou also helped lift the coffin, but before it passed through the doorway the coffin fell, crushing his head and breaking his neck. He died on the spot. All who heard of it took it as Heaven's justice.
55
隨郡王子隆字雲興，武帝第八子也。 性和美，有文才。 娶尚書令王儉女為妃。 武帝以子隆能屬文，謂儉曰：「我家東阿也。」
Xiao Zilong, Prince of Suizhou, courtesy name Yunxing, was the eighth son of Emperor Wu. His nature was gentle and pleasant, and he had literary talent. He took the daughter of Minister of Works Wang Jian as his consort. Because Zilong could compose literary pieces, Emperor Wu told Jian, "In our house we have our own Cao Zhi."
56
永明八年，為都督、荊州刺史。 隆昌元年，為侍中、撫軍將軍，領兵置佐。 延興元年，轉中軍大將軍，侍中如故。
In the eighth year of Yongming he became Area Commander and Inspector of Jing Province. In the first year of Longchang he became Palace Attendant and General Who Pacifies the Army, commanding troops with full staff. In the first year of Yanxing he was transferred to General-in-Chief of the Central Army, retaining his post as Palace Attendant.
57
子隆年二十一，而體過充壯，常使徐嗣伯合蘆茹丸以服自銷損，猶無益。 明帝輔政，謀害諸王，武帝諸子中子隆最以才貌見憚，故與鄱陽王鏘同夜先見殺。 文集行於世。
Zilong was twenty-one, yet his physique was excessively robust. He continually had Xu Sibo compound luru pills for him to take in hopes of slimming down, but to no avail. When Emperor Ming served as regent and plotted to eliminate the princes, Zilong was the most feared among Emperor Wu's sons for his talent and appearance. He and Xiao Ziqiang, Prince of Poyang, were therefore the first to be killed, on the same night. His collected writings circulated in the world.
58
建安王子真字雲仙，武帝第九子也。 永明七年，累遷郢州刺史，加都督。 隆昌元年，為散騎常侍、護軍將軍。
Xiao Zizhen, Prince of Jian'an, courtesy name Yunxian, was the ninth son of Emperor Wu. In the seventh year of Yongming he was repeatedly promoted to Inspector of Ying Province and given the additional title of Area Commander. In the first year of Longchang he became Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and General Who Guards the Army.
59
延興元年，明帝遣裴叔業就典簽柯令孫殺之，子真走入床下，令孫手牽出之，叩頭乞為奴贖死，不從，見害，年十九。 西陽王子明字雲光，武帝第十子也。 永明元年，封武昌王。 三年，失國璽，改封西陽。 十年，為會稽太守，督五郡軍事。 子明風姿明淨，士女觀者，咸嗟歎之。 建武元年，為撫軍將軍，領兵置佐。 二年，誅蕭諶，子明及弟子罕、子貞同諶謀見害，年十七。
In the first year of Yanxing, Emperor Ming sent Pei Shuye to have chief clerk Ke Lingsun kill him. Zizhen fled under the bed, and Lingsun pulled him out by hand. He kowtowed and begged to be made a slave in exchange for his life, but was refused and killed. He was nineteen. Xiao Ziming, Prince of Xiyang, courtesy name Yunguang, was the tenth son of Emperor Wu. In the first year of Yongming he was enfeoffed as Prince of Wuchang. In the third year he lost the state seal and was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Xiyang. In the tenth year he became Administrator of Kuaiji and supervised military affairs in five commanderies. Ziming's bearing was bright and pure; men and women who saw him all sighed in admiration. In the first year of Jianwu he became General Who Pacifies the Army, commanding troops with full staff. In the second year, when Xiao Chen was executed, Ziming, his nephew Zihan, and Zizhen were killed for plotting with Chen. He was seventeen.
60
南海王子罕字雲華，武帝第十一子也，頗有學。 母樂容華有寵，故武帝留心。
Xiao Zihan, Prince of Nanhai, courtesy name Yunhua, was the eleventh son of Emperor Wu and was quite learned. His mother, Lady Yue Ronghua, enjoyed favor, and so Emperor Wu kept him in mind.
61
母嘗寢疾，子罕晝夜祈禱。 于時以竹為燈纘照夜，此纘宿昔枝葉大茂，母病亦愈，咸以為孝感所致。 主簿劉鬷及侍讀賀子喬為之賦頌，當時以為美談。 建武元年，位護軍將軍。 二年，見殺，年十七。
When his mother once fell ill, Zihan prayed day and night. At the time a bamboo lamp-wick was used to light the night. Overnight its branches and leaves flourished greatly, and his mother's illness also recovered. All took it as the result of filial devotion. Chief Clerk Liu Juan and Lecturer He Ziqiao composed rhapsodies and eulogies for this, and at the time it was regarded as a fine story. In the first year of Jianwu he held the post of General Who Guards the Army. In the second year he was killed. He was seventeen.
62
巴陵王子倫字雲宗，武帝第十三子也。 永明十年，為北中郎將、南琅邪彭城二郡太守。 郁林即位，以南彭城祿力優厚，奪子倫與中書舍人綦母珍之，更以南蘭陵代之。
Xiao Zilun, Prince of Baling, courtesy name Yunzong, was the thirteenth son of Emperor Wu. In the tenth year of Yongming he became General of the North Center and Administrator of the two commanderies of Southern Langye and Pengcheng. When the Prince of Yulin ascended the throne, because the revenue of Southern Pengcheng was rich and generous, he took it from Zilun and gave it to Palace Attendant Qimu Zhenzhi, replacing it with Southern Lanling.
63
延興元年，明帝遣中書舍人茹法亮殺子倫，子倫時鎮琅邪城，有守兵，子倫英果，明帝恐不即罪，以問典簽華伯茂。 伯茂曰：「公若遣兵取之，恐不即可辦，若委伯茂，一小吏力耳。」 既而伯茂手自執鴆逼之，左右莫敢動者。 子倫正衣冠，出受詔，謂法亮曰：「積不善之家，必有餘殃。 昔高皇帝殘滅劉氏； 今日之事，理數固然。」 舉酒謂法亮曰：「君是身家舊人，今銜此命，當由事不獲已。 此酒差非勸酬之爵。」 因仰之而死，時年十六，法亮及左右皆流涕。
In the first year of Yanxing, Emperor Ming sent Palace Attendant Ru Faliang to kill Zilun. Zilun was then stationed at Langye city and had garrison troops; he was bold and resolute. Emperor Ming feared he could not be punished immediately and asked chief clerk Hua Bomao about it. Bomao said, "If Your Grace sends troops to take him, I fear it cannot be done at once. If you entrust it to me, it is but the strength of one petty clerk. Thereupon Bomao personally held poisoned wine and forced it on him, and none of those around dared move. Zilun straightened his cap and robes, came out to receive the edict, and said to Faliang, "A house that accumulates no goodness is sure to have surplus calamity. In former times the Gao Emperor exterminated the Liu clan; Today's affair is the natural course of principle and fate." He raised a cup and said to Faliang, "You are an old retainer of our household. Now you carry this command—it must be because the matter cannot be helped. This wine is hardly a cup for a toast of encouragement." He then raised it and drank, and died. He was sixteen. Faliang and those around him all wept.
64
先是高帝、武帝為諸王置典簽帥，一方之事，悉以委之。 每至覲接，輒留心顧問，刺史行事之美惡，系於典簽之口，莫不折節推奉，恒慮弗及，於是威行州部，權重蕃君。 武陵王曄為江州，性烈直不可忤，典簽趙渥之曰：「今出都易刺史。」 及見武帝相誣，曄遂免還。 南海王子罕戍琅邪，欲暫遊東堂，典簽薑秀不許而止。 還泣謂母曰：「兒欲移五步亦不得，與囚何異。」 秀後輒取子罕屐傘飲器等供其兒昏，武帝知之，鞭二百，系尚方，然而擅命不改。 邵陵王子貞嘗求熊白，廚人答典簽不在，不敢與。 西陽王子明欲送書參侍讀鮑僎病，典簽吳修之不許，曰：「應諮行事。」 乃止。 言行舉動，不得自專，征衣求食，必須諮訪。
Earlier, Emperor Gao and Emperor Wu had established chief clerk commanders for the princes, and all affairs of a region were entrusted to them. Whenever the princes came to court, the emperor would carefully inquire after them. Whether a governor's conduct was good or bad depended on the chief clerk's word. None failed to defer and flatter him, always fearing they fell short—thus his authority ran through the province, and his power outweighed that of the feudal lord. When Xiao Ye, Prince of Wuling, was in Jiang Province, his nature was fierce and upright and brooked no offense. Chief clerk Zhao Wozhi said, "One who leaves the capital can easily replace a provincial inspector. When he saw Emperor Wu he slandered Ye, and Ye was dismissed and recalled. Xiao Zihan, Prince of Nanhai, was garrisoned at Langye and wished to stroll briefly to the Eastern Hall, but chief clerk Jiang Xiu would not permit it, so he stopped. On returning he wept and told his mother, "My son wishes to move five paces and cannot—how is this different from being a prisoner? Later Xiu repeatedly took Zihan's sandals, umbrella, drinking vessels, and the like to supply his son's wedding. When Emperor Wu learned of it he had Xiu flogged two hundred strokes and assigned to the Directorate of Manufactories, yet his arbitrary commands did not change. Xiao Zizhen, Prince of Shaoling, once asked for bear's paw marrow; the cook replied that the chief clerk was away and dared not give it. Xiao Ziming, Prince of Xiyang, wished to send a letter to visit Lecturer Bao Fu, who was ill; chief clerk Wu Xiuzhi would not permit it and said, "One should consult the acting governor. He then stopped. In word, deed, and movement they could not act on their own; for clothes or food they had to seek permission.
65
永明中，巴東王子響殺行事劉寅等，武帝聞之，謂群臣曰：「子響遂反。」 戴僧靜大言曰：「諸王都自應反，豈唯巴東。」 武帝問其故，答曰：「天王無罪，而一時被囚，取一挺藕，一杯漿，皆諮簽帥，不在則竟日忍渴。 諸州唯聞有簽帥，不聞有刺史。」
In the Yongming era, Xiao Zixiang, Marquis of Yufu, killed Acting Governor Liu Yin and others. When Emperor Wu heard of it he told the assembled ministers, "Zixiang has truly rebelled. Dai Sengjing spoke up loudly, "All the princes ought naturally to rebel—why only Badong? Emperor Wu asked the reason, and he replied, "The princes are innocent, yet for a time they are imprisoned. To take one lotus root or one cup of gruel, they must consult the chief clerk commander; if he is absent they endure thirst all day. In the provinces one hears only of chief clerk commanders, not of provincial inspectors."
66
竟陵王子良嘗問眾曰：「士大夫何意詣簽帥？」 參軍範雲答曰：「詣長史以下皆無益，詣簽帥便有倍本之價，不詣謂何！」 子良有愧色。
Xiao Ziliang, Prince Wenxuan of Jingling, once asked the assembly, "What do the gentry mean by calling on the chief clerk commander? Aide Fan Yun replied, "Calling on anyone below the chief secretary is useless; calling on the chief clerk commander doubles the principal—why not call on him! Ziliang showed a look of shame.
67
及明帝誅異己者，諸王見害，悉典簽所殺，竟無一人相抗。 孔珪聞之流涕曰：「齊之衡陽、江夏最有意，而復害之。 若不立簽帥，故當不至於此。」
When Emperor Ming executed those who differed from him, the princes who were killed were all slain by chief clerks—not one resisted. When Kong Gui heard of it he wept and said, "Among Qi's princes, Hengyang and Jiangxia had the most spirit, yet they were killed again. Had chief clerk commanders not been established, things would surely not have come to this."
68
邵陵王子貞字雲松，武帝第十四子也。 建武二年見誅，年十五。 臨賀王子岳字雲嶠，武帝第十六子也。 明帝誅武帝諸子，唯子岳及弟六人在後，時呼為「七王」。 朔望入朝，上還後宮，輒歎息曰：「我及司徒諸兒子皆不長，高、武子孫日長大。」 永泰元年，上疾甚，絕而復蘇，於是誅子嶽等。
Xiao Zizhen, Prince of Shaoling, courtesy name Yunsong, was the fourteenth son of Emperor Wu. In the second year of Jianwu he was executed. He was fifteen. Xiao Ziyue, Prince of Linhe, courtesy name Yunqiao, was the sixteenth son of Emperor Wu. When Emperor Ming executed Emperor Wu's sons, only Ziyue and six younger brothers remained; at the time they were called the "Seven Princes." On the first and fifteenth of each month when they entered court, after the emperor returned to the inner palace he would sigh and say, "My sons and the Minister's sons are all still young, while Gao and Wu's descendants grow day by day. In the first year of Yongtai the emperor fell gravely ill, stopped breathing and then revived; thereupon Ziyue and the others were executed.
69
延興、建武中，凡三誅諸王，每一行事，明帝輒先燒香，嗚咽涕泣，眾以此輒知其夜當殺戮也。 子岳死時年十四。
During Yanxing and Jianwu, the princes were executed three times in all. Before each affair Emperor Ming would first burn incense, sobbing and weeping, and the crowd thereby always knew that he would kill that night. When Ziyue died he was fourteen.
70
西陽王子文字雲儒，武帝第十七子也。 永明七年，封蜀郡王，建武中，改封西陽。 永泰元年見殺，年十四。 衡陽王子峻字雲嵩，武帝第十八子也。 永明七年，封廣漢郡王，建武中改封。 永泰元年見殺，年十四。
Xiao Ziwen, Prince of Xiyang, courtesy name Yunru, was the seventeenth son of Emperor Wu. In the seventh year of Yongming he was enfeoffed as Prince of Shujun; in the Jianwu era he was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Xiyang. In the first year of Yongtai he was killed. He was fourteen. Xiao Zijun, Prince of Hengyang, courtesy name Yunsong, was the eighteenth son of Emperor Wu. In the seventh year of Yongming he was enfeoffed as Prince of Guanghan Commandery; in the Jianwu era his enfeoffment was changed. In the first year of Yongtai he was killed. He was fourteen.
71
南康王子琳字雲璋，武帝第十九子也。 母荀昭華盛寵，後宮才人位登采女者，依例舊賜玉鳳凰，荀時始為采女，得玉鳳凰投地曰：「我不能例受此。」 武帝乃拜為昭華。
Xiao Zilin, Prince of Nankang, courtesy name Yunzhang, was the nineteenth son of Emperor Wu. His mother, Lady Xun Zhaohua, enjoyed great favor. When palace talents were promoted by precedent to the rank of Selected Maid and were customarily granted jade phoenixes, Xun had only just become a Selected Maid. Receiving a jade phoenix, she cast it to the ground and said, "I cannot accept this by precedent. Emperor Wu then invested her as Lady Zhaohua.
72
子琳以母寵故最見愛。 太尉王儉因請昏，武帝悅而許之。 群臣奉寶物名好盡直數百金，武帝為之報答亦如此。 及應封，而好郡已盡，乃以宣城封之。 既而以宣城屬揚州，不欲為王國，改封南康公褚蓁為巴東公，以南康為王國封子琳。 永泰元年見殺，年十四。
Zilin was most beloved because of his mother's favor. Grand Commandant Wang Jian thereupon requested a marriage alliance, and Emperor Wu was pleased and consented. The assembled ministers presented famous treasures, all valued at several hundred gold; Emperor Wu's return gifts were likewise. When the time came for enfeoffment, the desirable commanderies were already exhausted, and so Xuancheng was used to enfeoff him. Later, because Xuancheng belonged to Yang Province and was not desired as a princely state, Duke of Nankang Chu Zhen was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Badong, and Nankang was made a princely state to enfeoff Zilin. In the first year of Yongtai he was killed. He was fourteen.
73
湘東王子建字雲立，武帝第二十一子也。 母謝無寵，武帝度為尼。 明帝即位，使還母子建。 永泰元年見殺，年十三。
Xiao Zijian, Prince of Xiangdong, courtesy name Yunli, was the twenty-first son of Emperor Wu. His mother, Lady Xie, had no favor; Emperor Wu had her ordained as a Buddhist nun. When Emperor Ming ascended the throne he had her restored to Zijian. In the first year of Yongtai he was killed. He was thirteen.
74
南郡王子夏字雲廣，武帝第二十三子也。 上春秋高，子夏最幼，寵愛過諸子。 初，武帝夢金翅鳥下殿庭，搏食小龍無數，乃飛上天。 及明帝初，其夢方驗。 永泰元年，子夏誅，年七歲。
Xiao Zixia, Prince of Nanjun, courtesy name Yunguang, was the twenty-third son of Emperor Wu. The emperor was advanced in years, and Zixia was the youngest; he was favored beyond all the other sons. Earlier, Emperor Wu dreamed that a golden-winged bird descended into the palace courtyard, seized and devoured countless small dragons, then flew up to heaven. When Emperor Ming first came to power, the dream was fulfilled. In the first year of Yongtai, Zixia was executed. He was seven.
75
文惠太子四男：安皇后生廢帝郁林王昭業，宮人許氏生廢帝海陵恭王昭文，陳氏生巴陵王昭秀，褚氏生桂陽王昭粲。
Crown Prince Wenhui had four sons. Empress An gave birth to the deposed Emperor Zhaoye, Prince of Yulin. A palace woman surnamed Xu bore the deposed Emperor Zhaowen, Prince Gong of Hailing. Lady Chen bore Zhaoxiu, Prince of Baling, and Lady Chu bore Zhaocan, Prince of Guiyang.
76
巴陵王昭秀字懷尚，太子第三子也。 郁林即位，封臨海郡王。 隆昌元年，為都督、荊州刺史。 延興元年，徵為車騎將軍。 明帝建武二年，改封巴陵王。 永泰元年見殺，年十六。
Xiao Zhaoxiu, Prince of Baling, courtesy name Huaishang, was the crown prince's third son. When the Prince of Yulin ascended the throne, Zhaoxiu was enfeoffed as Prince of Linhai Commandery. In the first year of Longchang he was made Area Commander and Governor of Jing Province. In the first year of Yanxing he was recalled to serve as General of Chariots and Cavalry. In the second year of Jianwu, Emperor Ming re-enfeoffed him as Prince of Baling. In the first year of Yongtai he was killed. He was sixteen.
77
桂陽王昭粲，太子第四子也。 郁林立，封永嘉郡王。 延興元年，出為荊州刺史，加都督。 建武二年，改封桂陽王。 四年，為太常。 永泰元年見殺，年八歲。
Zhaocan, Prince of Guiyang, was the crown prince's fourth son. When the Prince of Yulin was installed as emperor, Zhaocan was enfeoffed as Prince of Yongjia Commandery. In the first year of Yanxing he was sent out as Governor of Jing Province with the additional title of Area Commander. In the second year of Jianwu his enfeoffment was changed to Prince of Guiyang. In the fourth year he was made Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In the first year of Yongtai he was killed. He was eight.
78
明帝十一男：敬皇后生廢帝東昏侯寶卷、江夏王寶玄、鄱陽王寶寅、和帝，殷貴嬪生巴陵隱王寶義、晉熙王寶嵩，袁貴妃生廬陵王寶源，管淑妃生邵陵王寶修，許淑媛生桂陽王寶貞。 餘皆早夭。
Emperor Ming had eleven sons. Empress Jing gave birth to the deposed Emperor Bao Juan, Marquis of Donghun; Prince Baoxuan of Jiangxia; Prince Baoyin of Poyang; and Emperor He. Noble Consort Yin bore Prince Bao Yi of Baling the Hidden and Prince Bao Song of Jinxi. Noble Consort Yuan bore Prince Baoyuan of Luling. Lady Guan Shufei bore Prince Baoxiu of Shaoling, and Lady Xu Shuyuan bore Prince Bao Zhen of Guiyang. The rest all died in infancy.
79
寶義少有廢疾，不堪出人間，止加除授，為都督、揚州刺史，仍以始安王遙光代之。 轉為右將軍，領兵置佐，鎮石頭。 二年，為南徐州刺史，加都督。 東昏即位，進征北將軍、開府儀同三司，給扶。 永元元年，為都督、揚州刺史。 三年，進位司徒。 和帝西台建，以為侍中、司空。
Bao Yi had suffered from a crippling ailment since youth and could not appear in public. He received only nominal appointments and was made Area Commander and Governor of Yang Province, but Prince Yaoguang of Shi'an was still sent to replace him. He was transferred to Right General, given troops and staff, and garrisoned at Stone City. In the second year he was made Governor of South Xu Province with the additional title of Area Commander. When Emperor Donghun ascended the throne, he was promoted to General Who Conquers the North and Grand Preceptor Equal to the Three Excellencies, and granted a supporting staff. In the first year of Yongyuan he was made Area Commander and Governor of Yang Province. In the third year he was promoted to Minister over the Masses. When Emperor He established the Western Platform, he was made Attendant-in-Ordinary and Minister of Works.
80
江夏王寶玄字智深，明帝第三子也。 建武元年，封江夏郡王。 東昏即位，為都督、南徐兗二州刺史。
Xiao Baoxuan, Prince of Jiangxia, courtesy name Zhishen, was Emperor Ming's third son. In the first year of Jianwu he was enfeoffed as Prince of Jiangxia Commandery. When Emperor Donghun ascended the throne, he was made Area Commander and Governor of South Xu and Yan Provinces.
81
寶玄娶尚書令徐孝嗣女為妃，孝嗣被誅離絕，東昏送少姬二人與之。 寶玄恨望有異計。
Baoxuan had taken as consort the daughter of Director of the Secretariat Xu Xiaosi. When Xiaosi was executed the marriage was severed, and Donghun sent him two young concubines in her place. Baoxuan nursed resentment and began to plot treason.
82
明年，崔慧景舉兵，還至廣陵，遣使奉寶玄為主，寶玄斬其使，因是發將吏防城。
The following year Cui Huijing raised troops and returned to Guangling, sending envoys to install Baoxuan as leader. Baoxuan beheaded the envoys and thereupon mobilized his officers and clerks to defend the city.
83
慧景將度江，寶玄密與相應，開門納慧景，乘八扛輿，手執絳麾幡，隨慧景至都，百姓多往投集。 慧景敗，收得朝野投寶玄及慧景軍名，東昏令燒之，曰：「江夏尚爾，豈復可罪餘人。」
As Huijing was about to cross the Yangzi, Baoxuan secretly coordinated with him, opened the gates to admit him, rode in an eight-bearer palanquin with a crimson command banner in hand, and followed Huijing to the capital. Many commoners went to join them. When Huijing was defeated, officials collected lists from court and countryside of those who had joined Baoxuan and Huijing's army. Donghun ordered them burned, saying, "If even the Prince of Jiangxia was like this, how could the others be punished?"
84
寶玄逃奔，數日乃出，帝召入後堂，以步鄣裹之，令群小數十人鳴鼓角馳繞其外，遣人謂曰：「汝近圍我亦如此。」 少日乃殺之。
Baoxuan fled, but after several days he came out. The emperor summoned him to the rear hall, wrapped him in portable screens, and had several dozen ruffians sound drums and horns as they galloped around outside. He sent someone to tell him, "When you recently besieged me it was just like this. A few days later he killed him.
85
廬陵王寶源字智泉，明帝第五子也。 建武元年封。 和帝即位，為車騎將軍、開府儀同三司。 中興二年薨。
Xiao Baoyuan, Prince of Luling, courtesy name Zhiquan, was Emperor Ming's fifth son. He was enfeoffed in the first year of Jianwu. When Emperor He ascended the throne, he was made General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Preceptor Equal to the Three Excellencies. In the second year of Zhongxing he died.
86
鄱陽王寶寅字智亮，明帝第六子也。 建武初，封建安郡王。 東昏即位，為都督、郢州刺史。 永元三年，為車騎將軍、開府儀同三司，鎮石頭。 其秋，雍州刺史張欣泰等謀起事於新亭，殺台內諸主帥。 難作之日，前南譙太守王靈秀奔往石頭，帥城內將吏，去車腳，載寶寅向台城，百姓數千人皆空手隨後。 至杜姥宅，日已欲暗，城門閉，城上人射之，眾棄寶寅走。
Xiao Baoyin, Prince of Poyang, courtesy name Zhiliang, was Emperor Ming's sixth son. At the beginning of Jianwu he was enfeoffed as Prince of Jian'an Commandery. When Emperor Donghun ascended the throne, he was made Area Commander and Governor of Ying Province. In the third year of Yongyuan he was made General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Preceptor Equal to the Three Excellencies, and garrisoned Stone City. That autumn Governor of Yong Province Zhang Xintai and others plotted to raise a revolt at Xinting and kill the various commanders within the capital. On the day the revolt broke out, former Administrator of South Qiao Wang Lingxiu rushed to Stone City, led the officers and clerks within the city, removed the carriage wheels, loaded Baoyin aboard toward the palace city, and several thousand commoners followed empty-handed. Reaching Old Woman Du's house, the sun was nearly set. The city gates were closed and men on the walls shot at them; the crowd abandoned Baoyin and fled.
87
寶寅逃亡三日，戎服詣草市尉，尉馳以啟帝，帝迎入宮，問之。 寶寅涕泣稱制不自由，帝笑，乃復爵位。 宣德太后臨朝，改封寶寅鄱陽王。 中興二年，謀反奔魏。
Baoyin fled for three days, then came in military dress to the Caoshi market guard. The guard rushed to report to the emperor, who welcomed him into the palace and questioned him. Baoyin wept and said he had not been free to act as he wished. The emperor laughed and restored his noble rank. When Empress Dowager Xuande held court, Baoyin was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Poyang. In the second year of Zhongxing he plotted rebellion and fled to Wei.
88
邵陵王寶修字智宣，明帝第九子也。 建武元年，封南平郡王，二年改封。 中興二年謀反，宣德太后令賜死。
Xiao Baoxiu, Prince of Shaoling, courtesy name Zhixuan, was Emperor Ming's ninth son. In the first year of Jianwu he was enfeoffed as Prince of Nanping Commandery; in the second year his enfeoffment was changed. In the second year of Zhongxing he plotted rebellion, and Empress Dowager Xuande ordered him granted death.
89
論曰：守器之重，邦家所馮，觀文惠之在東儲，固已有虧令德，向令負荷斯集，猶當及於禍敗，況先期夙隕，愆失已彰。 而武帝不以擇賢，傳之昏孽，推此而論，有冥數矣。 子良物望所集，失在儒雅，當斷不斷，以及於災，非止自致喪亡，乃至宗祀覆滅，哀哉！ 夫帝王子弟，生長尊貴，情偽之事，不經耳目，雖卓爾天悟，自得懷抱，孤寡為識，所陋猶多。 齊氏諸王，並幼踐方嶽，故輔以上佐，簡自帝心，勞舊左右，用為主帥，州國府第，先令後行。 飲食游居，動應聞啟，端拱守祿，遵承法度，張弛之要，莫敢厝言。 行事執其權，典簽掣其肘，處地雖重，行止莫由。 威不在身，恩未接下，倉卒一朝，事難總集，望其釋位扶危，不可得矣。 路溫舒云：「秦有十失，其一尚存。」 斯宋氏之餘風，及在齊而彌弊。 寶玄親兼一體，欣受家殃，曾不知執柯所指，跗萼相從而敗。 以此而圖萬事，未知其髣佛也。
The commentators say: The weight of guarding the vessel of state is what the realm relies upon. Observing Wenhui in the Eastern Palace, one sees that he already fell short in virtue. Had that burden come upon him in full, disaster would still have followed—how much more when he died early and his faults stood revealed. Yet Emperor Wu did not choose the worthy but transmitted the throne to a benighted heir. Push the reasoning from this and one sees a hidden fate at work. Ziliang commanded the admiration of the age, but his failure lay in bookish gentleness—when he should have cut clean he did not, and calamity followed. It was not only his own destruction but the overthrow of the ancestral sacrifices. Alas! Imperial princes and sons are reared in exalted privilege; matters of true and false never pass before their eyes. Though one be singularly gifted by heaven and confident in his own judgment, the understanding of an isolated and pampered man leaves much to be desired. All the princes of Qi took up provincial commands while still young. Senior administrators were therefore assigned to assist them, chosen from the emperor's own favor and veteran retainers, and made commanders. In the province, state, and princely mansion, orders went first and action followed after. In eating, drinking, travel, and lodging, every move required reporting. Sitting upright and keeping their stipends, they obeyed the law. On the vital points of tightening and loosening authority, none dared speak out of turn. Acting governors held the power, chief clerks tugged at their elbows. Though their stations were weighty, their comings and goings were not theirs to decide. Authority did not rest in their persons, and kindness had not reached those below. In a sudden day of crisis, affairs were hard to gather together—to expect them to step down from rank and steady the peril was impossible. Lu Wenshu said, "Qin had ten failings; one yet remains. This was a remnant of Song custom, which in Qi grew only worse. Baoxuan was the emperor's close kin, yet gladly brought ruin on his own house—never knowing who held the axe-handle, never seeing how calyx and blossom withered together on the stem. To plan all affairs on such a basis—one cannot even imagine how faintly they understood.