1
荀伯玉
Xun Boyu
2
齊高帝鎮淮陰，伯玉為高帝冠軍刑獄參軍。 高帝為宋明帝所疑，被徵為黃門郎，深懷憂慮，見平澤有群鶴，仍命筆詠之曰：「八風舞遙翮，九野弄清音，一摧雲間志，為君苑中禽。」 以示伯玉深指，伯玉勸高帝遣數十騎入魏界，安置標榜。 魏果遣遊騎數百履行界上，高帝以聞。 猶懼不得留，令伯玉占。 伯玉言不成行，而帝卒復本任。 由是見親待。 高帝有故吏東莞竺景秀嘗以過系作部，高帝謂伯玉：「卿比看景秀不？」 答曰：「數往候之，備加責誚，云'若許某自新，必吞刀刮腸，飲灰洗胃'。」 帝善其答，即釋之，卒為忠信士。
While Emperor Gao of Qi held Huaiyin, Xun Boyu served him as Attendant in the Champion General's office for punishments and prisons. Emperor Gao fell under suspicion from Emperor Ming of Song and was recalled to the capital as Gentleman at the Yellow Gate. Deeply troubled, he saw a flock of cranes on the flat marshlands and at once took up his brush to write: "The eight winds stir distant wings, the nine realms ring with clear song; crush the will that soared among the clouds, and you become a caged bird in his park. He showed the poem to Boyu as a pointed message. Boyu urged the emperor to send several dozen riders into Wei territory to erect boundary markers. Wei duly sent hundreds of patrol horsemen to ride the frontier, and Emperor Gao reported this to the court. Still afraid he would not be permitted to stay, he had Boyu cast a divination. Boyu foretold that the journey would not take place, and the emperor was ultimately returned to his former post. From that time he was treated with personal favor. Emperor Gao had a former clerk, Zhuge Jingxiu of Dongguan, who had once been held in the labor office for an offense. The emperor asked Boyu, "Have you looked in on Jingxiu lately? Boyu answered, "I have visited him repeatedly and rebuked him thoroughly, saying, 'If you allow me to reform, I will swallow a knife and scour my bowels, drink ashes and wash out my stomach.'" The emperor approved his reply and at once released Jingxiu, who in the end proved a loyal and trustworthy man.
3
後隨高帝還都，除奉朝請。 高帝使主家事。 武帝罷廣興還，立別宅，遣人於大宅掘樹數株，伯玉不與，馳以聞。 高帝善之。 高帝為南兗州，伯玉從轉鎮軍中兵參軍，帶廣陵令。 初，高帝在淮陰，伯玉假還廣陵，夢上廣陵城南樓，上有二青衣小兒語伯玉云：「草中肅，九五相追逐。」 伯玉視城下人頭皆有草。 泰始七年，又夢高帝乘船在廣陵北渚，兩腋下有翅不舒。 伯玉問何當舒，帝曰：「卻後三年。」 伯玉夢中自謂是咒師，凡六唾咒之，有六龍出，兩腋下翅皆舒，還復斂。 元徽二年，而高帝破桂陽，威名大震，五年而廢蒼梧，謂伯玉曰：「卿夢今且效矣。」
Later he followed Emperor Gao back to the capital and was appointed Attendant at Court. Emperor Gao put him in charge of household affairs. When the future Emperor Wu closed Guangxing and returned, he set up a separate residence and sent men to dig up several trees from the main mansion; Boyu refused permission and rushed to report it. Emperor Gao approved of this. When Emperor Gao held Nan Yan Province, Boyu followed him and was transferred to Staff Officer for Central Troops in the Frontier Army, with concurrent appointment as Magistrate of Guangling. Earlier, while Emperor Gao was at Huaiyin, Boyu took leave to return to Guangling and dreamed he climbed the south tower of Guangling. Two boys in blue robes said to him, "Amid the grass, su; nine-five pursue one another. Boyu looked down and saw that every head in the city below had grass on it. In the seventh year of Taishi he dreamed again that Emperor Gao was boating at the north ford of Guangling, with wings under both armpits that would not unfold. Boyu asked when they would spread. The emperor said, "In three more years. In the dream Boyu took himself to be a spell-master. Six times he spat incantations; six dragons appeared, the wings under both armpits spread fully, then folded back again. In the second year of Yuanhui Emperor Gao defeated Guiyang and his martial renown shook the realm; in the fifth year he deposed Emperor Cangwu and told Boyu, "Your dream is about to come true."
4
時武帝在東宮，自以年長，與高帝同創大業，朝事大小悉皆專斷，多違制度。 左右張景真偏見任遇，又多僭侈。 武帝拜陵還，景真白服乘畫舴艋，坐胡床。 觀者咸疑是太子，內外祗畏，莫敢有言者。 驍騎將軍陳胤叔先已陳景真及太子前後得失，伯玉因武帝拜陵之後，密啟之，上大怒。 豫章王嶷素有寵，政以武帝長嫡，又南郡王兄弟並列，故武帝為太子，至是有改易之意。 武帝東還，遣文惠太子、聞喜公子良宣敕詰責，並示以景真罪狀，使以太子令收景真殺之。 胤叔因白武帝，皆言伯玉以聞。 武帝憂懼，稱疾月餘日。 上怒不解，晝臥太陽殿，王敬則直入叩頭，啟請往東宮以慰太子。 高帝無言，敬則因大聲宣旨往東宮，命裝束。 又敕太官設饌，密遣人報武帝，令奉迎。 因呼左右索輿，高帝了無動意。 敬則索衣以衣高帝，仍牽上輿。 遂幸東宮，召諸王宴飲，因游玄圃園。 長沙王晃捉華蓋，臨川王映執雉尾扇，聞喜公子良持酒槍，南郡王行酒，武帝與豫章王嶷及敬則自捧肴饌。 高帝大飲，賜武帝以下酒，並大醉盡歡，日暮乃去。 是日微敬則，則東宮殆廢。
At that time the future Emperor Wu was in the Eastern Palace. Considering himself the elder and a co-founder of the great enterprise with Emperor Gao, he decided all court affairs large and small on his own, often in violation of regulations. His favorite Zhang Jingzhen enjoyed undue favor and trust, and was moreover extravagant beyond his station. When the crown prince returned from paying respects at the tombs, Jingzhen wore white dress, rode a painted skiff, and sat on a folding camp chair. Onlookers all took him for the crown prince. Inside and outside the palace all showed reverent awe, and none dared speak up. Valiant Cavalry General Chen Yinshu had already reported on Jingzhen and the crown prince's conduct. After the crown prince returned from the tombs, Boyu secretly memorialized the emperor, who flew into a rage. Prince Xiao Ye of Yuzhang had long enjoyed favor. Only because the crown prince was the eldest legitimate son and the Prince of Nanjun's brothers stood on equal footing had he been named heir; now the emperor considered replacing him. When the crown prince returned east, the emperor sent the Wenhui crown prince and Prince Zi Liang of Wenxi to proclaim an edict of rebuke, showed them Jingzhen's offenses, and ordered them to arrest and execute Jingzhen by crown prince command. Yinshu then informed the crown prince; everyone said it was Boyu who had reported it. The crown prince was anxious and fearful and claimed illness for more than a month. The emperor's anger did not subside. He lay down by day in the Taiyang Hall. Wang Jingze entered straightway, kowtowed, and asked permission to go to the Eastern Palace to console the crown prince. Emperor Gao said nothing. Jingze thereupon proclaimed aloud the edict to go to the Eastern Palace and ordered preparations made. He also ordered the Imperial Kitchen to set out a feast and secretly sent word to the crown prince to come forth and receive him. He then called to his attendants to fetch the carriage, but Emperor Gao showed not the slightest intent to move. Jingze fetched clothes and dressed the emperor, then pulled him onto the carriage. He then visited the Eastern Palace, summoned the princes to feast and drink, and strolled in the Xuanyuan Garden. Prince Huang of Changsha held the ceremonial canopy; Prince Ying of Linchuan held the pheasant-tail fan; Prince Zi Liang of Wenxi held the wine ladle; the Prince of Nanjun poured wine; the crown prince and Prince Ye of Yuzhang and Jingze personally presented the dishes. Emperor Gao drank heavily, bestowed wine on the crown prince and those below, and all became greatly drunk in full merriment; only at dusk did they leave. Had it not been for Jingze that day, the Eastern Palace would nearly have been abolished.
5
高帝重伯玉盡心，愈見信任，使掌軍國密事，權動朝右。 每暫休外，軒蓋填門。 嘗遭母憂，成服日，左率蕭景先、侍中王晏共載吊之。 五更便巾車，未到伯玉宅二里許，王侯朝士已盈巷，至下鼓尚未得前，司徒褚彥回、衛軍王儉俱進繼後方得前，又倚聽事久之。 中詔遣中書舍人徐希秀斷哭止客，久方得吊。 比出，二人饑乏，氣息惙然，切齒形於聲貌。 明日入宮，言便云：「臣等所見二宮門及齋合方荀伯玉宅，政可設雀羅。」 續復言：「外論云，千敕萬令，不如荀公一命。」
Emperor Gao valued Boyu's wholehearted devotion and trusted him ever more, putting him in charge of secret military and state affairs; his power moved the right side of court. Whenever he briefly rested outside office, carriage canopies filled his gate. When he suffered his mother's mourning, on the day he completed mourning dress Left Commander Xiao Jingxian and Attendant-in-Ordinary Wang Yan rode together to offer condolences. At the fifth watch they set out in a covered carriage. Before they were within about two li of Boyu's residence, princes and court gentlemen already filled the lane. By the evening drum they still had not been able to advance. Minister of Works Chu Yanhui and Defender-in-Chief Wang Jian both pressed forward in succession behind others before they could advance, and leaned on the reception hall a long while. A central edict sent Secretariat Gentleman Xu Xixiu to cut off weeping and stop visitors; only after a long while could they offer condolences. By the time they came out, the two men were hungry and exhausted, their breath faint; grinding their teeth showed in voice and countenance. The next day they entered the palace and at once said, "What we saw—the two palace gates and the fasting hall were just Xun Boyu's residence; one might as well set up a net for sparrows. They went on, "Outside it is said, a thousand edicts and ten thousand orders are not equal to one word from Lord Xun."
6
武帝深怨伯玉，高帝臨崩，指伯玉以屬武帝。 武帝即位，伯玉憂懼。 上聞之，以其與垣崇祖善，崇祖田業在江西，慮相扇為亂，加意撫之，伯玉乃安。 永明元年，與崇祖並見誣伏誅，而胤叔為太子左率。 呂文顯歎曰：「伯玉能謀太祖而不能自謀，豈非天哉。」
Emperor Wu deeply resented Boyu. As Emperor Gao lay dying, he pointed to Boyu and entrusted him to Emperor Wu. When Emperor Wu took the throne, Boyu was anxious and fearful. The emperor heard of this. Because Boyu was on good terms with Yuan Chongzu, whose fields and estates lay in Jiangxi, he feared they might incite each other to rebellion and showed special care in comforting him; Boyu then was at ease. In the first year of Yongming, he and Chongzu were both slandered and executed; Yinshu became Left Commander of the crown prince. Lü Wenxian sighed and said, "Boyu could plot for the founding emperor but could not plot for himself—is this not Heaven's will?"
7
初，伯玉微時，有善相墓者謂其父曰：「君墓當出暴貴者，但不得久耳； 又出失行女子。」 伯玉聞之曰：「朝聞道，夕死可矣。」 頃之，伯玉姊當嫁，明日應行，今夕逃隨人去，家尋求不能得。 後遂出家為尼。 伯玉卒敗亡。
Earlier, when Boyu was still obscure, a skilled grave diviner told his father, "Your tomb will produce one who rises suddenly to great honor, but he will not last long; it will also produce a woman of misconduct. When Boyu heard this he said, "If one hears the Way in the morning, one may die in the evening." Before long, Boyu's elder sister was to marry; the wedding was set for the next day, but that night she fled and followed a man away; the family searched but could not find her. Later she left home and became a nun. Boyu in the end met defeat and perished.
8
崔祖思
Cui Zusi
9
崔祖思字敬元，清河東武城人，魏中尉琰七世孫也。 祖諲，宋冀州刺史。 父僧護，州秀才。
Cui Zusi, style name Jingyuan, was from Dongwucheng in Qinghe, seventh-generation descendant of Wei Commandant of the Guards Cui Yan. His grandfather Shen was Song Inspector of Ji Province. His father Senghu was a provincial xiucai.
10
祖思少有志氣，好讀書。 年十八，為都昌令，隨青州刺史垣護之入堯廟，廟有蘇侯神偶坐。 護之曰：「唐堯聖人而與蘇侯神共坐，今欲正之何如？」 祖思曰：「使君若清蕩此坐，則是堯廟重去四凶。」 由是諸雜神並除。
From youth Zusi had lofty spirit and loved reading. At eighteen he was Magistrate of Duchang. He followed Qingzhou Inspector Yuan Huzhi into the Yao Temple, where the Su Marquis spirit sat as an equal. Huzhi said, "Tang Yao was a sage yet sits as equal with the Su Marquis spirit—how about correcting this now? Zusi said, "If my lord clears away this seat, it will be as if the Yao Temple again drove out the Four Evils." From this all miscellaneous spirits were removed together.
11
齊高帝在淮陰，祖思聞風自結，為上輔國主簿，甚見親待，參豫謀議。 宋朝初議封高帝為梁公，祖思啟高帝曰：「讖云'金刀利刃齊刈之'。 今宜稱齊，實應天命。」 從之。 自相國從事中郎遷齊國內史。
When Emperor Gao of Qi was at Huaiyin, Zusi heard of his reputation and attached himself, serving as Chief Clerk to the Supporter of the State. He was greatly treated with intimacy and participated in counsel and deliberation. When the Song court first discussed enfeoffing Emperor Gao as Duke of Liang, Zusi memorialized him, "A prophecy says, 'The golden blade's sharp edge—Qi will mow it down. Now you should take the name Qi—it truly accords with Heaven's mandate.' He followed this advice. From Attendant of the Chancellor he was transferred to Internal Administrator of the Qi State.
12
高帝既為齊王，置酒為樂，羹膾既至，祖思曰：「此味故為南北所推。」 侍中沈文季曰：「羹膾吳食，非祖思所解。」 祖思曰：「炰鱉鱠鯉，似非句吳之詩。」 文季曰：「千里蓴羹，豈關魯、衛。」 帝甚悅，曰：「蓴羹故應還沈。」
After Emperor Gao became King of Qi, he set out wine for pleasure. When the broth and minced meat arrived, Zusi said, "This flavor is indeed prized by north and south alike. Attendant-in-Ordinary Shen Wenji said, "Broth and minced meat are Wu food—not something Zusi understands." Zusi said, "Roasted turtle and minced carp—this seems not to be poetry of Gou Wu." Wenji said, "Water-shield broth from a thousand li—what has that to do with Lu and Wei?" The emperor was greatly pleased and said, "The water-shield broth ought to go back to Shen after all."
13
帝之輔政，眾議將加九錫，內外皆贊成之，祖思獨曰：「公以仁恕匡社稷，執股肱之義。 君子愛人以德，不宜如此。」 帝聞而非之，曰：「祖思遠同荀令，豈孤所望也。」 由此不復處任職之官，而禮見甚重。 垣崇祖受密旨參訪朝臣，光祿大夫垣閎曰：「身受宋氏厚恩，復蒙明公眷接，進不敢同，退不敢異。」 祖思又曰：「公退讓誠節，故宜受之以禮。」 次問冠軍將軍崔文仲，文仲問崇祖曰：「卿意云何？」 對曰：「聖人云'知幾其神'。 又云'見幾而作'。」 文仲撫髀曰：「政與吾意同。」 崇祖具說之。 及帝受禪，閎存故爵，文仲、崇祖皆封侯，祖思加官而已。 除給事中、黃門侍郎。
When the emperor was assisting in government, the multitude discussed adding the Nine Bestowals; inside and outside all approved, but Zusi alone said, "Your Grace, with benevolence and forbearance, has set right the altars of soil and grain and upheld the duty of arm and thigh. The gentleman loves others through virtue—this is not fitting. When the emperor heard this he took offense and said, "Zusi is far from being like Director Xun—is this what I hoped for from him?" From this he no longer held an active office, yet was received with ceremony of great weight. Yuan Chongzu received a secret edict to inquire of court ministers. Household Grandee Yuan Hong said, "I have received the Song clan's thick favor and again been shown the Illustrious Duke's gracious regard—in advancing I dare not agree, in retreating I dare not differ. Zusi again said, "Your Grace's yielding and sincere integrity—therefore you ought to receive it with ceremony." Next they asked Champion General Cui Wenzhong. Wenzhong asked Chongzu, "What is your view?" He replied, "The sage said, 'To know the subtle is divine. He also said, 'When one sees the subtle, act.'" Wenzhong slapped his thigh and said, "This is just my meaning." Chongzu reported all this in detail. When the emperor received the abdication, Hong kept his former rank; Wenzhong and Chongzu were both enfeoffed as marquises; Zusi received only an additional office. He was appointed Supervising Attendant and Gentleman at the Yellow Gate.
14
武帝即位，祖思啟陳政事，以為：「自古開物成務，必以教學為先。 宜太廟之南，弘修文序，司農以北，廣開武校。」 又曰：「劉備取帳鉤銅鑄錢，以充國用； 魏武遣女皁帳，婢十人； 東阿婦以繡衣賜死； 王景興以折米見誚； 宋武節儉過人，張妃房唯碧綃蚊幬、三齊苮席、五盞盤桃花米飯，殷仲文勸令畜伎，答云：'我不解聲。 '仲文曰：'但畜自解。 '又答：'畏解故不畜。 '曆觀帝王，未嘗不以約素興侈麗亡也。 伏惟陛下體唐成儉，踵虞為樸，寢殿則素木卑構，膳器則陶瓢充禦。 瓊簪玉笏，碎以為塵； 珍裘繡服，焚之如草。 宜察朝士有柴車蓬館，高以殊等，馳禽荒色，長違清編，則調風變俗，不俟終日。」 又曰：「憲律之重，由來尚矣。 實宜清置廷尉，茂簡三官。 漢來習律有家，子孫並傳其業。 今廷尉律生，乃令史門戶，刑之不厝，抑此之由。」 又曰：「案前漢編戶千萬，太樂伶官方八百二十九人，孔光等奏罷不合經法者四百四十一人，正樂定員唯置三百八十八人。 今戶口不能百萬，而太樂雅鄭，元徽時校試千有餘人，後堂雜伎不在其數。 糜費力役，傷敗風俗。 今欲撥邪歸道，莫若罷雜伎，王庭唯置鍾篽羽戚登歌而已。」 上詔報答。
When Emperor Wu took the throne, Zusi memorialized on state affairs, holding that from antiquity, to open things and accomplish tasks, teaching and learning must come first. South of the Grand Ancestral Temple one should broadly establish literary schools; north of the Minister of Agriculture one should widely open military academies. He also said, "Liu Bei took the bronze of tent hooks to cast coin and fill state use; Cao Cao sent his daughter a black tent and ten maidservants; the woman of Dong'e was granted death by embroidered robe; Wang Jingxing was mocked for breaking rice; Emperor Wu of Song's frugality surpassed others': Consort Zhang's quarters had only green gauze mosquito nets, a Sanqi rush mat, and five-bowl trays of peach-blossom rice; Yin Zhongwen urged him to keep entertainers, and he answered, 'I do not understand music.' Zhongwen said, 'Just keep them—they will understand on their own.' He answered again, 'I fear they would understand, so I do not keep them. Surveying emperors and kings through the ages, none ever failed to rise through frugality and perish through extravagance. I humbly consider that Your Majesty embodies the frugality of Tang and Cheng, follows Yu in simplicity: the sleeping hall is built of plain wood in low structure; dining vessels are earthen ladles filling the imperial use. Jade hairpins and jade tablets were smashed to dust; precious furs and embroidered robes were burned like grass. You should examine court gentlemen who have firewood carts and rush-thatched lodges yet are elevated to special rank, who rush after birds and wilderness pleasures and long violate pure regulations—then harmonizing customs and changing habits need not wait a full day. He also said, "The weight of statutes and ordinances has been honored from of old. It is truly fitting to clearly establish the Court of Justice and abundantly select the three officials. Since Han times there have been families skilled in law, whose sons and grandsons all transmitted the profession. Now the Court of Justice's law students are merely clerks' households—punishment cannot be set right; this is the reason it is suppressed. He also said, "According to Former Han, registered households numbered ten million; the Grand Music Office's performer officials were eight hundred twenty-nine; Kong Guang and others memorialized to dismiss four hundred forty-one who did not accord with canonical law, fixing the proper music establishment at only three hundred eighty-eight persons. Now households cannot reach one million, yet the Grand Music Office's refined and Zheng music—in the Yuanhui era examination tested more than a thousand, and rear-hall miscellaneous performers are not counted among them. They waste resources and labor service and injure and ruin customs. If you now wish to turn away from evil and return to the Way, nothing is better than abolishing miscellaneous performers; the royal court should place only bells, bamboo pipes, feather dancers, and ascending singers. The sovereign issued an edict in reply.
15
後為青、冀二州刺史，在政清勤，而謙卑下士，言議未嘗及時事，上更以敬重之。 未幾卒，上深加嘆惜。
Later he was Qing and Ji Provinces Inspector; in government he was pure and diligent, yet humble and deferential to gentlemen; in speech and discussion he never touched current affairs—the sovereign esteemed him all the more. Before long he died; the sovereign deeply sighed in regret.
16
祖思叔父景真，位平昌太守，有惠政，常懸一蒲鞭而未嘗用。 去任之日，土人思之為立祠。
Zusi's uncle by father's side, Jingzhen, held the post of Pingchang Prefect; he had benevolent government and always hung a rush whip but never used it. On the day he left his post, the local people, missing him, erected a shrine.
17
子元祖有學行，好屬文，仕至射聲校尉。 武帝取為延昌主帥。 從駕至何美人墓，上為悼亡詩，特詔元祖使和，稱以為善。
His son Yuanzu had learning and conduct, loved composing literary works, and served up to Colonel of the Archers Who Shoot at Sound. Emperor Wu took him as Chief of Yan Chang. Accompanying the imperial procession to the tomb of the Beautiful Lady He, the sovereign composed an elegy for the dead; he specially ordered Yuanzu to compose a matching piece and praised it as good.
18
永明九年，魏使李道固及蔣少遊至。 元祖言臣甥少游有班、倕之功，今來必令模寫宮掖，未可令反。 上不從。 少遊果圖畫而歸。 元祖歷位驍騎將軍，出為東海太守。 上每思之，時節恒賜手敕，賞賜有加。 時青州刺史張沖啟：「淮北頻歲不熟，今秋始稔。 此境鄰接戎寇，彌須沃實，乞權斷穀過淮南。」 而徐、兗、豫、司諸州又各私斷谷米，不聽出境，自是江北荒儉，有流亡之弊。 元祖乃上書，謂宜豐儉均之。 書奏見從。
In the ninth year of Yongming, Wei envoys Li Daogu and Jiang Shaoyou arrived. Yuanzu said, "My nephew Shaoyou has the achievements of Ban and Dai; if he comes now he will surely be made to copy the palace quarters—it is not permissible to let him return." The sovereign did not follow this. Shaoyou indeed drew plans and returned. Yuanzu successively held the post of Valiant Cavalry General and went out as Donghai Prefect. The sovereign often thought of him; at seasons and festivals he always bestowed handwritten edicts, with rewards and gifts added. At that time Qingzhou Inspector Zhang Chong memorialized, "North of the Huai has for years not ripened; this autumn it has first ripened. This region borders on barbarian raiders and all the more needs rich sufficiency; I beg permission to cut off grain passing south of the Huai. But Xu, Yan, Yu, and Si provinces each on their own cut off grain and rice and would not permit it to leave their borders; from this the north of the river was barren and lean, with the harm of displaced refugees. Yuanzu thereupon submitted a memorial, saying abundance and scarcity should be equalized. When the memorial was submitted it was followed.
19
祖思宗人文仲，位徐州刺史，封建陽縣子，在政為百姓所懼。 除黃門侍郎，領越騎校尉，徙封隨縣。 嘗獻高帝纏須繩一枚，上納受。 後卒于汝陰太守，贈徐州刺史，諡襄子。
Zusi's clansman Wenzhong held the post of Xuzhou Inspector, was enfeoffed as Viscount of Jianyang, and in government was feared by the common people. He was appointed Gentleman at the Yellow Gate, concurrently Colonel of the Exotic Cavalry, and transferred enfeoffment to Sui County. He once presented Emperor Gao one rope for binding the beard; the sovereign accepted it. Later he died as Ruyin Prefect; posthumously he was given Xuzhou Inspector and the posthumous title Viscount Xiang.
20
蘇侃字休烈，武邑人也。 祖護，本郡太守。 父端，州中從事。
Su Kan, style name Xiulie, was from Wuyi. His grandfather Hu was Prefect of the native commandery. His father Duan was a provincial attendant.
21
侃涉獵書傳，薛安都反，引侃為其府參軍，使掌書記。 侃自拔南歸，齊高帝在淮上，便自委結。 高帝鎮淮陰，取為冠軍錄事參軍。
Kan ranged widely through books and records. When Xue Andu rebelled, he drew Kan as staff officer in his headquarters and had him oversee documents. Kan extricated himself and returned south; Emperor Gao of Qi was on the Huai and he at once attached himself. When Emperor Gao garrisoned Huaiyin, he took him as Champion General's Records Staff Officer.
22
時高帝在兵久見疑，乃作塞客吟以喻志曰：
At that time Emperor Gao, long in command of troops, was under suspicion; he therefore composed the "Frontier Traveler's Chant" to express his intent, saying:
23
寶緯紊宗，神經淡序，德晦河、晉，曆宣江、楚。 雲雷兆壯，天山繇武。 直髮指秦關，凝精越漢渚。 秋風起，塞草衰，鵰鴻思，邊馬悲。 平原千里顧，但見轉蓬飛。 星嚴海淨，月澈河明，清暉映幕，素液凝庭。 金笳夜厲，羽轊晨征。 斡晴潭而悵泗，枻松洲而悼情。 蘭涵風而寫豔，菊籠泉而散英。 曲繞首燕之歎，吹軫絕越之聲。 欷園琴之孤弄，想庭藿之餘馨。 青關望斷，白日西斜，恬源靚霧，壟首暉霞。 戒旋鷁，躍還波。 情綿綿而方遠，思褭褭而遂多。 粵擊秦中之築，因為塞上之歌。 歌曰：朝發兮江泉，日夕兮陵山。 驚飆兮瀄汨，淮流兮潺湲。 胡埃兮雲聚，楚旆兮星懸。 愁墉兮思宇，惻愴兮何言。 定寰中之逸鑒，審雕陵之迷泉。 悟樊籠之或累，悵遐心以棲玄。 侃達高帝此旨，更自勤厲，遂見委以府事，深被知待。 桂陽之難，帝以侃為平南錄事，領軍主，從頓新亭，使分金銀賦賜將士。 後為帝太尉諮議。 侃事高帝既久，備悉起居，乃與丘巨源撰蕭太尉記，載帝征伐之功。 封新建縣侯。
The precious warp tangled the lineage; the spirit warp thinned the order; virtue was hidden in He and Jin, the calendar proclaimed in Jiang and Chu. Cloud and thunder foretold vigor; Heaven Mountain summoned arms. With hair unbound I point to Qin Pass; gathering spirit I cross Han's ford. Autumn wind rises; frontier grass withers; the eagle-goose longs; border horses grieve. Over the thousand-li plain I look back—only tumbling tumbleweed flying. Stars stern, sea clear; moon limpid, river bright; clear radiance shines on the tent; white dew congeals in the courtyard. Golden reed-pipes keen by night; feathered wheels march at dawn. Turning the clear pool I grieve for Si; plying oars at Pine Islet I mourn in feeling. Orchid holds wind and writes its splendor; chrysanthemum cages spring and scatters its blooms. The tune winds with the swallow's lament at its head; the pipe sounds the music that transcends Yue. Sighing at the garden zither's solitary playing, I think of the courtyard bean's lingering fragrance. Green Pass—gazing breaks off; white sun slants west; tranquil spring shows fair mist; mound crest glows with dawn clouds. Warning the turning petrel, leaping back on returning waves. Feeling stretches on and just grows distant; thought trails thin and grows ever more. Thus striking the Qin-land drumbeat, I thereby make a frontier song. The song says: At dawn I set out from river springs; at dusk I reach hill ranges. Startling gale—rushing torrent; Huai current—murmuring flow. Barbarian dust—clouds gather; Chu banners—stars hang. Sorrow walls—thought of home; anguished—what words? Fix the far mirror within the realm; examine the lost spring at Diao Mound. Awaken that the cage may bind; grieve that the far heart would dwell in mystery. Kan grasped Emperor Gao's intent in this and redoubled his own diligence; he was then entrusted with headquarters affairs and deeply known and favored. In the Guiyang crisis the emperor made Kan Pacify-the-South Records Officer, commanding army masters; he followed in encamping at Xinting and was ordered to distribute gold and silver rewards and gifts to officers and soldiers. Later he was the emperor's Grand Commandant Adviser. Kan had served Emperor Gao long and knew his daily conduct fully; he then with Qiu Juyuan compiled the Record of the Grand Commandant Xiao, recording the emperor's campaigns and achievements. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xinjian County.
24
虞悰字景豫，會稽余姚人也。 祖嘯父，晉左戶尚書。 父秀之，黃門郎。
Yu Cong, style name Jingyu, was from Yuyao in Kuaiji. His grandfather Xiaofu was Jin Left Household Minister. His father Xiuzhi was Gentleman at the Yellow Gate.
25
悰少以孝聞，父病不欲見人，雖子弟亦不得前，時悰年十二三，晝夜伏戶外問內豎消息。 問未知，轉嗚咽流涕，如此者百餘日。 及亡，終喪日唯食麥鉡二枚。 仕宋位黃門郎。 宋明帝誅山陽王休佑，至葬日，寒雪厚三尺，故人無至者，唯悰一人來赴。 初，齊武帝始從宦，家尚貧薄，悰數相分遺。 每行必呼帝同載，帝甚德之。 齊建元初，為太子中庶子，累遷豫章內史。 悰家富於財而善為滋味，豫章王嶷盛饌享賓，謂悰曰：「肴羞有所遺不？」 悰曰：「何曾食疏有黃頷臛，恨無之。」 累遷太子右率。 永明八年大水，百官戎服救太廟，悰朱衣乘車鹵簿，于宣陽門外入行馬內驅逐人，被奏見原。 上以悰布衣之舊，從容謂悰曰：「我當令卿復祖業。」 轉侍中，朝廷咸驚其美。 遷祠部尚書。 武帝幸芳林園就悰求味，悰獻粣及雜肴數十輿，太官鼎味不及也。 上就悰求諸飲食方，悰秘不出。 上醉後體不快，悰乃獻醒酒鯖鮓一方而已。
Cong from youth was known for filial piety; when his father was ill he would not see people—even sons and younger brothers could not approach. At that time Cong was twelve or thirteen; day and night he lay prostrate outside the door asking the inner attendants for news. When he asked and did not yet know, he would turn to sobbing and shedding tears—thus for more than a hundred days. When his father died, throughout the mourning period each day he ate only two wheat cakes. Serving Song, he held the post of Gentleman at the Yellow Gate. Emperor Ming of Song executed the Prince of Shanyang, Xiuyou; on the burial day cold snow lay three feet deep and none of his old friends came—only Cong alone came to attend. Initially, when the future Emperor Wu of Qi first entered official service, his family was still poor and thin; Cong repeatedly shared gifts with him. Whenever he traveled he always called the emperor to ride together; the emperor was deeply grateful. At the beginning of Qi Jianyuan he was Crown Prince Central Attendant and was repeatedly transferred to Yuzhang Internal Administrator. Cong's family was rich in wealth and skilled in flavors; Prince Ye of Yuzhang set out a lavish feast for guests and said to Cong, "Are there any delicacies you have left over? Cong said, "In He Zeng's food notes there is yellow-jaw broth—I regret not having it." He was repeatedly transferred to Crown Prince Right Commander. In the eighth year of Yongming there was great flooding; the hundred officials in military dress rescued the Grand Ancestral Temple. Cong, in red robes riding a carriage with imperial guards, inside the traveling-horse zone at Xuanyang Gate drove people away; he was memorialized against but pardoned. The sovereign, because of Cong's old ties as a commoner, said at ease to Cong, "I shall have you restore your family's profession. He was transferred to Attendant-in-Ordinary; the court all marveled at his excellence. He was transferred to Minister of Rites. Emperor Wu visited the Fragrant Grove Garden and asked Cong for flavors; Cong presented coarse grain and miscellaneous dishes in several dozen carts—the Imperial Kitchen's cauldron flavors could not match them. The sovereign asked Cong for all his food and drink recipes; Cong kept them secret and would not produce them. When the sovereign after drunkenness felt unwell in body, Cong then presented only one recipe for sobering mackerel pickle.
26
郁林王立，兼大匠卿，起休安陵，於陵所受局下牛酒，坐免官。 隆昌元年，以白衣領職。 郁林廢，悰竊歎曰：「王、徐遂縛袴廢天子，天下豈有此理耶？」 延興元年，領右軍。 明帝立，悰稱疾不陪位。 帝使尚書令王晏齎廢立事示悰，以悰舊人，引參佐命。 悰謂晏曰：「主上聖明，公卿戮力，寧假朽老以匡贊惟新乎，不敢聞命。」 因慟不自勝。 朝議欲糾之，僕射徐孝嗣曰：「此亦古之遺直。」 眾議乃止。
When Emperor Yulin was established, Cong concurrently held the post of Grand Master of Works and raised the Xiuan Mausoleum; for oxen and wine received from subordinates at the mausoleum he was dismissed from office. In the first year of Longchang he held the post in plain dress. When Yulin was deposed, Cong sighed privately, "Wang and Xu have bound their trousers and deposed the Son of Heaven—can there be such a principle under Heaven? In the first year of Yanxing he led the Right Army. When Emperor Ming was established, Cong claimed illness and did not take part in the enthronement. The emperor sent Secretariat Director Wang Yan to carry the matter of deposition and establishment to show Cong; because Cong was an old associate, he was invited to participate in assisting the mandate. Cong said to Yan, "The sovereign is sagely and bright; the dukes and ministers exert their strength together—would you borrow a decayed old man to assist the renewal? I dare not accept the command. He thereupon grieved beyond controlling himself. Court discussion wished to censure him; Vice Director Xu Xiaosi said, "This too is an upright remnant of antiquity. The multitude's discussion then ceased.
27
悰稱疾篤還東，詔賜假百日。 轉給事中、光祿大夫，尋加正員常侍，卒。 悰性敦實，與人知識，必相存訪，親疏皆有終始，世以此稱之。
Cong claimed serious illness and returned east; an edict granted him leave for a hundred days. He was transferred to Supervising Attendant and Household Grandee; soon added regular Attendant-in-Ordinary; he died. Cong's nature was solid and sincere; with people he knew he always visited and inquired after them; whether close or distant all had proper beginning and end; the age praised him for this.
28
胡諧之
Hu Xiezhi
29
胡諧之，豫章南昌人也。 祖廉之，書侍御史。 父翼之，州辟不就。
Hu Xiezhi was from Nanchang in Yuzhang. His grandfather Lianzhi was Attendant Censor for Documents. His father Yizhi was summoned by the province but did not accept.
30
諧之仕宋為邵陵王左軍諮議。 齊武帝為江州，以諧之為別駕，委以事任。
Xiezhi served Song as Staff Adviser to the Left Army of the Prince of Shaoling. When the future Emperor Wu of Qi was Jiangzhou Inspector, he took Xiezhi as Vice Director and entrusted him with affairs.
31
建元二年，為給事中、驍騎將軍。 上方欲獎以貴族盛姻，以諧之家人語傒音不正，乃遣宮內四五人往諧之家教子女語。 二年後，帝問曰：「卿家人語音已正未？」 諧之答曰：「宮人少，臣家人多，非唯不能得正音，遂使宮人頓成傒語。」 帝大笑，遍向朝臣說之。
In the second year of Jianyuan he was Supervising Attendant and Valiant Cavalry General. The sovereign wished to reward him with a noble marriage alliance; because Xiezhi's family spoke with incorrect Xi pronunciation, he sent four or five people from within the palace to Xiezhi's home to teach the children speech. Two years later the emperor asked, "Has your family's speech been corrected yet? Xiezhi replied, "There are few people in the palace; my family has many—not only could they not get correct pronunciation, they even made the palace people turn into Xi speakers." The emperor laughed greatly and told all the court gentlemen.
32
永明五年，為左衛將軍，加給事中。 諧之風采瑰潤，善自居處，兼以舊恩見遇，朝士多與交遊。 六年，遷都官尚書。 上欲遷諧之，嘗從容謂曰：「江州有幾侍中邪？」 答曰：「近世唯程道惠一人而已。」 上曰：「當令有二。」 後以語尚書令王儉，儉意更異，乃以為太子中庶子，領左衛率。
In the fifth year of Yongming he was Left Guard General, with added Supervising Attendant. Xiezhi's bearing was splendid and lustrous; he knew how to comport himself well; together with old favor he was met with; many court gentlemen associated with him. In the sixth year he was transferred to Minister of the Capital. The sovereign wished to transfer Xiezhi and once said at ease, "How many Attendants-in-Ordinary does Jiangzhou have? He replied, "In recent times only Cheng Daohui alone." The emperor said, "I shall make it two." Later he told this to Secretariat Director Wang Jian; Jian's intent differed further, and so he was made Crown Prince Central Attendant, leading Left Guard.
33
諧之有識具，每朝廷官缺及應遷代，密量上所用人，皆如其言。 虞悰以此稱服之。 既居權要，多所徵求。 就梁州刺史范柏年求佳馬，柏年患之，謂使曰：「馬非狗子，那可得為應無極之求。」 接使人薄，使人致恨歸，謂諧之曰：「柏年云，胡諧是何傒狗，無厭之求。」 諧之切齒致忿。 時王玄邈代柏年，柏年稱疾推遷不時還。 諧之言於帝曰：「柏年恃其山川險固，聚眾欲擅一州。」 及柏年下，帝欲不問，諧之又言：「見獸格得而放上山。」 於是賜死。
Xiezhi had insight and capacity; whenever court offices were vacant and should be filled or transferred, he secretly gauged whom the sovereign would use—all matched his words. Yu Cong for this praised and admired him. Once he held weighty power, he made many demands. He asked Liangzhou Inspector Fan Bonian for fine horses; Bonian resented this and said to the envoy, "Horses are not puppies—how can one answer boundless demands? The envoy was treated poorly; the envoy bore resentment on returning and said to Xiezhi, "Bonian said, What Xi dog is Hu Xie—demands without end." Xiezhi ground his teeth in rage. At that time Wang Xuanyao replaced Bonian; Bonian claimed illness and delayed transfer, not returning in time. Xiezhi spoke to the emperor, "Bonian relies on his mountains and rivers' perilous strength, gathers crowds and wishes to monopolize a province. When Bonian came down the emperor wished not to question him; Xiezhi again said, "Seeing a beast in the trap and releasing it back up the mountain." Thereupon he was granted death.
34
十年，諧之轉度支尚書，領衛尉。 明年卒，諡肅侯。
In the tenth year Xiezhi was transferred to Minister of Revenue, leading Commandant of the Guard. The next year he died; posthumous title Marquis Su.
35
柏年本梓潼人，土斷屬梁州華陽郡。 初為州將，劉亮使出都諮事，見宋明帝。 帝言次及廣州貪泉，因問柏年：「卿州復有此水不？」 答曰：「梁州唯有文川、武鄉，廉泉、讓水。」 又問：「卿宅在何處？」 曰：「臣所居廉讓之間。」 帝嗟其善答，因見知。 歷位內外，終於梁州刺史。
Bonian was originally from Zitong; through territorial allocation he belonged to Huayang Commandery in Liangzhou. Initially he was a provincial officer; Liu Liang sent him to the capital on business and he saw Emperor Ming of Song. In conversation the emperor came to the Greedy Spring of Guangzhou and asked Bonian, "Does your province also have this water? He replied, "Liangzhou has only Literary River and Martial Township, Integrity Spring and Yielding Water." He again asked, "Where is your residence? He said, "Your subject dwells between Integrity and Yielding." The emperor sighed at his fine reply and thereby came to know him. He held posts inside and outside and ended as Liangzhou Inspector.
36
虞玩之
Yu Wanzhi
37
虞玩之字茂瑤，會稽余姚人也。 祖宗，晉尚書庫部郎。 父玫，通直常侍。
Yu Wanzhi, style name Maoyao, was from Yuyao in Kuaiji. His ancestor Zong was Jin Minister of the Arsenal. His father Mei was Direct Transmission Attendant.
38
玩之少閑刀筆，泛涉書史。 仕宋為烏程令。 路太后外親朱仁彌犯罪，玩之依法案之。 太后怨訴孝武，坐免官。
Wanzhi from youth was skilled with documents and broadly read histories. Serving Song he was Magistrate of Wucheng. The Empress Dowager Lu's maternal relative Zhu Renmi committed a crime; Wanzhi judged the case according to law. The Empress Dowager complained to Emperor Xiaowu; he was dismissed from office.
39
元徽中，為尚書右丞。 齊高帝參政，與玩之書曰：「張華為度支尚書，事不徒然。 今漕藏有闕，吾賢居右丞，已覺金粟可積也。」 玩之上表，陳府庫錢帛，器械役力，所懸轉多，興用漸廣，慮不支歲月。 朝議優報之。 高帝鎮東府，朝廷致敬，玩之為少府，猶躡屐造席。 高帝取屐親視之，訛黑斜銳，蒵斷以芒接之。 問曰：「卿此屐已幾載？」 玩之曰：「初釋褐拜征北行佐買之，著已三十年，貧士竟不辦易。」 高帝咨嗟，因賜以新屐。 玩之不受。 帝問其故，答曰：「今日之賜，恩華俱重，但蓍簪弊席，復不可遺，所以不敢當。」 帝善之。 拜驃騎諮議參軍。 霸府初開，賓客輻湊，高帝留意簡接。 玩之與樂安任遐俱以應對有席上之美，齊名見遇。 玩之遷黃門郎。
In Yuanhui he was Right Assistant Minister of the Secretariat. When Emperor Gao of Qi assisted in government he wrote to Wanzhi, "Zhang Hua as Minister of Revenue—the affair was not in vain. Now the transport stores have gaps; my worthy man holds the right assistant post—I already feel gold and grain can be accumulated. Wanzhi submitted a memorial stating that the headquarters' cash, silk, implements, labor, and suspended items grew ever more, expenditures gradually widened, and he feared they would not last the year. Court discussion favorably replied. When Emperor Gao garrisoned the Eastern Headquarters, the court showed respect; Wanzhi was Minister of the Privy Purse and still wore clogs to take his seat. Emperor Gao took the clog and examined it personally—worn black, slanting and sharp, the rush broken and joined with awn. He asked, "How many years have you worn these clogs? Wanzhi said, "When I first left the cloth and was appointed Northern Expedition traveling staff officer I bought them; I have worn them thirty years—a poor gentleman truly cannot afford to replace them." Emperor Gao sighed in admiration and bestowed new clogs. Wanzhi did not accept them. The emperor asked the reason; he replied, "Today's gift—favor and splendor together are weighty; but worn rush hairpin and broken mat cannot be discarded, so I dare not accept. The emperor approved. He was appointed Valiant Cavalry Adviser. When the Hegemon's headquarters first opened, guests gathered in crowds; Emperor Gao paid attention to selective reception. Wanzhi and Ren Xia of Le'an together had beauty in banquet repartee and were equally famed and favored. Wanzhi was transferred to Gentleman at the Yellow Gate.
40
富陽人唐宇之僑居桐廬，父祖相傳圖墓為業。 宇之自云其家墓有王氣。 山中得金印，轉相誑惑。 永明二年冬，宇之聚黨，遂陷富陽。 至錢唐僭號，置太子。 賊遂據郡，又遣偽會稽太守孫泓取山陰。 時會稽太守王敬則朝正，故宇之謂可乘虛而襲。 泓至浦陽江，而郡丞張思祖遣浹口戍主楊休武拒戰，大破之。 朝廷遣禁兵東討，至錢唐，一戰便散，禽斬宇之。 進兵平諸郡縣，台軍乘勝，百姓頗被強奪。 軍還，上聞之，收軍主、前軍將軍陳天福棄市。 天福善馬矟，為諸將法，上寵將也。 既伏誅，內外莫不震肅。
Tang Yuzhi of Fuyang, sojourning in Tonglu, had fathers and grandfathers who transmitted tomb-mapping as their trade. Yuzhi himself said his family tomb had kingly qi. In the mountains he obtained a gold seal and turned to deceiving others. In winter of the second year of Yongming, Yuzhi gathered a party and thereupon seized Fuyang. Reaching Qiantang he usurped a title and established a crown prince. The bandits then held the commandery and also sent a false Kuaiji Prefect Sun Hong to take Shanyin. At that time Kuaiji Prefect Wang Jingze was at court for the regular audience, so Yuzhi thought he could take advantage of the vacancy to attack. Hong reached the Puyang River; the commandery aide Zhang Sinzu sent Xiakou garrison master Yang Xiuwu to resist; he was greatly defeated. The court sent forbidden troops east to attack; reaching Qiantang, one battle and they scattered; Yuzhi was captured and executed. Advancing troops pacified the commanderies and counties; the capital army rode victory and the common people suffered much forcible seizure. When the army returned the sovereign heard of it and had army master and former Vanguard General Chen Tianfu executed in the market. Tianfu was skilled with the horse lance and was the model for all generals; the sovereign favored generals. Once he was executed, inside and outside none did not tremble in awe.
41
玩之以久宦衰疾，上表告退，許之。 玩之于人物好臧否，宋末，王儉舉員外郎孔魁使魏，玩之言論不相饒，逖、儉並恨之。 至是，玩之東歸，儉不出送，朝廷無祖餞者。 中丞劉休與親知書曰：「虞公散發海隅，同古人之美，而東都之送，殊不藹藹。」
Wanzhi, because of long service, decline, and illness, submitted a memorial asking to retire; it was granted. Wanzhi in judging people was good at praise and blame; at the end of Song, Wang Jian recommended Staff Member Kong Kui to go to Wei; Wanzhi's remarks were not mutually forgiving—Xia and Jian both resented him. By then Wanzhi returned east; Jian did not come out to see him off; the court had no farewell feast. Censor Liu Xiu wrote to kin and friends, "Lord Yu has scattered his hair at the sea's edge, sharing the ancients' beauty—but the eastern capital's send-off was far from harmonious."
42
玩之歸家數年卒，其後員外郎孔瑄就儉求會稽五官。 儉方盥，投皁莢於地曰：「卿鄉俗惡，虞玩之至死煩人。」
Wanzhi returned home and died several years later; afterward Staff Member Kong Xuan asked Jian for Kuaiji Five-Officials. Jian was washing his face and threw the soap pod on the ground saying, "Your native customs are vile—Yu Wanzhi troubled people to his death."
43
劉休字弘明，沛郡相人也。 初為駙馬都尉，宋明帝居藩，休為湘東國常侍，不為帝所知。 襲祖封南鄉侯。 友人陳郡謝儼同丞相義宣反，休坐匿之，被系尚方。 孝武崩乃得出。
Liu Xiu, style name Hongming, was from Xiang in Pei Commandery. Initially he was Commandant of the Horse Guards; when Emperor Ming of Song was in a princely residence, Xiu was Xiangdong Kingdom Regular Attendant—not known to the emperor. He inherited his grandfather's enfeoffment as Marquis of Nanxiang. His friend Xie Yan of Chen Commandery joined Chancellor Yixuan in rebellion; Xiu was implicated for hiding him and was detained in the Palace Workshops. Only when Emperor Xiaowu died was he able to come out.
44
泰始初，諸州反，休素能筮，知明帝當勝，靜處不預異謀。 休之系尚方也，尚方令吳喜愛其才，後投吳喜，為喜輔師府錄事參軍。 喜進之明帝，得在左右，板桂陽王征北參軍。
At the beginning of Taishi, when the provinces rebelled, Xiu was skilled at divination and knew Emperor Ming would prevail; he stayed quiet and did not join the plot. When Xiu was detained in the Palace Workshops, the Palace Workshops Director Wu Xi loved his talent; later he went to Wu Xi and became Xi's Assistant Master of Records. Xi introduced him to Emperor Ming and he gained a place at his side; he was appointed Guiyang Prince's Northern Expedition Staff Officer.
45
帝頗有好尚，尤嗜飲食。 休多藝能，爰至鼎味，莫不閑解，遂見親賞，長直殿內。 後宮孕者，帝使筮其男女，無不如占。 帝憎婦人妒，尚書右丞勞彥遠以善棋見親，婦妒傷其面，帝曰：「我為卿斷之，何如？」 彥遠率爾從旨。 其夕，遂賜藥殺其妻。 休妻王氏亦妒，帝聞之，賜休妾，敕與王氏二十杖。 令休於宅後開小店，使王氏親賣皁莢掃帚，以此辱之。 其見親如此。
The emperor had many preferences and especially loved food and drink. Xiu had many arts and skills, down to cauldron flavors—all he understood well; he was then met with intimate favor and long served inside the halls. When women in the rear palace were pregnant the emperor had Xiu divine male or female—none failed to match the divination. The emperor hated jealous wives; Right Assistant Minister Lao Yanyuan was met with favor for skill at chess; his wife's jealousy injured his face; the emperor said, "I shall cut it off for you—how about that? Yanyuan rashly followed the intent. That evening he was bestowed medicine and his wife was killed. Xiu's wife the Lady Wang was also jealous; the emperor heard of it, bestowed Xiu a concubine, and ordered twenty strokes for the Lady Wang. He had Xiu open a small shop behind his house and made Lady Wang sell soap pods and brooms herself, to humiliate her. Such was the favor shown him.
46
尋除員外郎，領輔國司馬，中書通事舍人，帶南城令。 後為都水使者，南康相。 善談政體，而在郡無異績。 齊建元初，為御史中丞。 頃之啟言：「宋世載祀六十，曆斯任者五十有三，校其年月，不過盈歲。 於臣叨濫，宜請骸骨。」 四年，出為豫章內史，卒。
Soon he was Staff Member, leading Pacify-the-State Staff Major, Secretariat Communication Gentleman, and concurrently Magistrate of Nancheng. Later he was Commissioner of Waterways and prefect of Nankang. He was skilled at discussing government institutions, yet in the commandery achieved nothing notable. At the beginning of Qi Jianyuan he was Censor. Before long he memorialized, "Song bore the sacrifice for sixty years; fifty-three men held this post, and none served more than a year on average. I have overstayed my welcome and ought to request retirement. In the fourth year he went out as Yuzhang Internal Administrator and died.
47
宋末，造指南車，高帝以休有思理，使與王僧虔對共監試。 又元嘉中，羊欣重王子敬正隸書，世共宗之，右軍之體微輕，不復見貴。 及休始好右軍法，因此大行云。
At the end of Song he constructed a south-pointing carriage; Emperor Gao, finding Xiu thoughtful, had him jointly supervise trials with Wang Sengqian. Also in Yuanjia, Yang Xin prized Wang Zijing's regular clerical script and the age took it as standard; Wang Xizhi's style grew slightly light and fell from favor. When Xiu first favored Wang Xizhi's method, it spread widely.
48
江祏字弘業，濟陽考城人也。 祖遵，寧朔參軍。 父德驎，司徒右長史。 祏姑為齊高帝兄始安貞王道生妃，追諡景皇后，生齊明帝。 祏少為明帝所親，恩如兄弟。 明帝為吳興，以祏為郡丞。 後除通直郎，補南徐州別駕。 明帝輔政，委以腹心，引為驃騎諮議參軍，領南平昌太守。
Jiang Shi, style name Hongye, was from Kaocheng in Jiyang. His grandfather Zun was Pacify-the-North Staff Officer. His father Delin was Secretariat Right Senior Recorder. Shi's paternal aunt was consort to Emperor Gao of Qi's elder brother, Prince Daosheng of Shi'an; posthumously titled Empress Jing; she bore Emperor Ming of Qi. From youth Shi was intimate with Emperor Ming; their bond was like brothers. When Emperor Ming held Wuxing, he made Shi commandery aide. Later he was Direct Transmission Lang and supplemented as Nan Xuzhou Vice Director. When Emperor Ming assisted in government he entrusted him with innermost trust, drew him in as Valiant Cavalry Adviser, and led Nan Pingchang Prefect.
49
時新立海陵，人情未服，祏每說明帝以君臣大節，明帝轉顧而不言。 明帝胛上有赤志，常秘不傳，既而祏勸帝出以示人。 晉壽太守王洪范罷任還，上袒示之曰：「人皆謂此是日月相，卿幸無泄之。」 洪範曰：「公日月在軀，如何可隱？ 轉當言之公卿。」 上大悅。 會直後張伯、尹瓚等屢謀竊發，祏憂虞無計，每夕輒托事外出。 及明帝入纂議定，加祏甯朔將軍。
At that time the newly established Prince of Hailing had not won popular assent; Shi often spoke to Emperor Ming on the great integrity of ruler and minister; Emperor Ming turned away and said nothing. Emperor Ming had a red mole on his shoulder blade, always kept secret; afterward Shi urged him to show it to people. Jinshou Prefect Wang Hongfan finished his term and returned; the sovereign bared himself and said, "All say this is a sun-and-moon mark—you must not leak it. Hongfan said, "Your Grace's sun and moon are on your body—how can they be hidden? I ought to speak of it to the dukes and ministers. The sovereign was greatly pleased. Attendant-after Zhang Bo, Yin Zan, and others repeatedly plotted secret outbreaks; Shi, anxious and without a plan, every evening pretended business and went out. When Emperor Ming entered to succeed and the matter was settled, Shi was given added Pacify-the-North General.
50
帝失德既彰，祏議欲立江夏王寶玄。 劉暄初為寶玄郢州行事，執事過刻。 有人獻馬，寶玄欲看之，暄曰：「馬何用看。」 妃索煮肫，帳下諮暄，暄曰：「旦已煮鵝，不煩復此。」 寶玄恚曰：「舅殊無渭陽之情。」 暄聞之亦不悅。 至是不同祏議，欲立建安王寶寅。 密謀於遙光，遙光自以年長，屬當鼎命，微旨動祏。 祏弟祀以少主難保，勸祏立遙光。 暄以遙光若立，己失元舅之望，不肯同。 故祏遲疑久不決。 遙光大怒，遣左右黃曇慶於青溪橋道中刺殺暄。 曇慶見暄部伍人多，不敢發。 事覺，暄告祏謀，帝處分收祏兄弟。 祀時直在殿內，疑有異，遣信報祏曰：「劉暄似有謀，今作何計？」 祏曰：「政當靜以鎮之。」 俄而召祏入見，停中書省。 先是，直齋袁文曠以王敬則勳當封，祏執不與。 帝使文曠取祏，以刀環築其心，曰：「復能奪我封不？」 祏、祀同日見殺。 祏任寄雖重，而不忘財利，論者以此少之。
The emperor's loss of virtue was already manifest; Shi discussed wishing to establish Prince Baoxuan of Jiangxia. Liu Xuan initially was Baoxuan's Yingzhou acting officer; his handling of affairs was overly harsh. Someone presented a horse; Baoxuan wished to look at it; Xuan said, "What use is looking at a horse? The consort asked for boiled tripe; the tent staff consulted Xuan; Xuan said, "This morning goose was already boiled—no need for this again." Baoxuan angrily said, "Uncle utterly lacks Wei-yang affection." Xuan heard this and was also displeased. By then he differed from Shi's plan and wished to establish Prince Baoyin of Jian'an. He secretly plotted with Yaoguang; Yaoguang, considering himself older and due the mandate, subtly moved Shi. Shi's younger brother Si, because the young sovereign was hard to preserve, urged Shi to establish Yaoguang. Xuan, if Yaoguang were established, would himself lose hope as chief maternal uncle and would not agree. Therefore Shi hesitated long without deciding. Yaoguang was greatly enraged and sent his attendant Huang Tanqing on the road at Qingxi Bridge to assassinate Xuan. Tanqing saw Xuan's retinue was numerous and did not dare strike. The affair was exposed; Xuan informed on Shi's plot; the emperor disposed to arrest the Shi brothers. Si at that time was on duty inside the hall, suspected something amiss, sent word to Shi, "Liu Xuan seems to have a plot—what plan now? Shi said, "We should just calm and suppress it." Before long Shi was summoned to audience and detained in the Secretariat. Earlier, Direct Attendant Yuan Wenkuan, because Wang Jingze's merit should be enfeoffed, Shi held and would not grant it. The emperor sent Wenkuan to take Shi; with the knife-ring he struck his heart and said, "Can you again seize my enfeoffment? Shi and Si were killed the same day. Though Shi's trust was weighty, he did not forget wealth and profit; commentators for this thought slightly less of him.
51
祏等既誅，帝恣意遊走，單騎賓士，謂左右曰：「祏常禁吾騎馬，小子若在，吾豈能得此。」 因問祏親親餘誰，答曰：「江祥今猶在冶。」 乃於馬上作敕，賜祥死。
Once Shi and the rest were executed, the emperor roamed at will, alone on horseback with guests; he said to attendants, "Shi always forbade my riding horses—if the boy were still here, how could I get this? He thereupon asked who among Shi's kin remained; the reply, "Jiang Xiang is still at Ye." He then on horseback composed an edict and granted Xiang death.
52
祀字景昌，歷位晉安王鎮北長史，南東海太守，行府州事。 祀弟禧，早卒。 有子廞字偉卿，年十二，聞收至，謂家人曰：「伯既如此，無心獨存。」 赴井死。
Si, style name Jingchang, successively held Jin'an Prince's Pacify-the-North Senior Recorder, Nan Donghai Prefect, and acting headquarters and province affairs. Shi's younger brother Xi died early. He had a son Yin, style name Weiqing, age twelve; hearing the arrest had come, he told the family, "Uncle is already thus—I have no heart to live alone. He threw himself into a well and died.
53
劉暄字士穆，彭城人。 及聞祏等戮，眠中大驚，投出戶外。 問左右：「收至未？」 良久意定，還坐，大悲曰：「不念江，行自痛也。」
Liu Xuan, style name Shimu, was from Pengcheng. When he heard Shi and the rest were executed, in sleep he was greatly startled and threw himself outside the door. He asked attendants, "Has the arrest come yet? After a long while his mind settled; he returned to sit and greatly grieved, "I did not think of Jiang—I bring pain on myself."
54
遙光事起，以討暄為名。 事平，暄遷領軍將軍，封平都縣侯。 其年，茹法珍、梅蟲兒、徐世標譖暄有異志。 帝曰：「領軍是我舅，豈應有此？」 世標曰：「明帝是武帝同堂，恩遇如此，尚滅害都盡，舅復焉可信。」 乃誅之。
When Yaoguang's affair arose, he took attacking Xuan as the name. When the affair was pacified, Xuan was transferred to Defender-in-Chief and enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingdu. That year, Ru Fazhen, Mei Chong'er, and Xu Shibiao slandered Xuan as having different intent. The emperor said, "The Defender-in-Chief is my maternal uncle—how could he have this? Shibiao said, "Emperor Ming was Emperor Wu's same hall and was met with such favor—yet he destroyed the clan entirely; how can a maternal uncle again be trusted?" Thereupon he was executed.
55
暄為人性軟弱，當軸居政，每事讓江祏，群弟不得進官。 死之日，皆怨之。
Xuan's nature was soft and weak; holding the axis in government, in each matter he yielded to Jiang Shi; his brothers could not advance in office. On the day of death all resented him.
56
論曰：「君老不事太子」，義烈之遺訓也，欲夫專心所奉，在節無二。 伯玉始遵其事，旋及誅夷，有以驗「行之惟艱」，且知齊武之非弘量矣。 高帝作牧淮、兗，將興霸業，崔、蘇睹微知著，自同奔走。 虞悰笥餌之恩，諧之心腹之寄，並得攀光日月，亦各時運之所躋乎。 玩之臧否之尤，著在懸車之日，是知嗣宗所誡，蓋亦遠有致乎。 江祏立辟非時，竟蹈龍逄之血，「人之多僻」，蓋詩人所深懼也。
The Discussion says, "When the lord is old, do not serve the crown prince"—this is the righteous teaching of martyrs' legacy; one wishes that single-minded devotion to what is upheld have integrity without duality. Boyu first followed this matter, then swiftly met execution and extinction—thereby verifying that "action is hard"; and one knows Emperor Wu of Qi was not of broad measure. When Emperor Gao was governor of Huai and Yan, about to raise the hegemonic enterprise, Cui and Su saw the subtle and knew what was coming, themselves like running in attendance. Yu Cong's basket-and-bait favor, Xie's entrustment of innermost heart, both could climb the sun and moon's light—also each the fortune of the times they ascended. Wanzhi's excess in praise and blame was manifest on the day he hung up his carriage—thus one knows the warning Zongsun gave perhaps also had far-reaching intent. Jiang Shi's establishing the heir was not timely; in the end he trod Longfeng's blood—"how many are depraved"—perhaps what the poet deeply feared.