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列傳第四十
Biographies 40
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劉瓛明僧紹庾易劉虯
Liu Huan, Ming Sengshao, Yu Yi, and Liu Qiu
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瓛篤志好學，博通訓義。 年五歲，聞舅孔熙先讀管甯傳，欣然欲讀，舅更為說之，精意聽受，曰：「此可及也。」 宋大明四年，舉秀才，兄璲亦有名，先應州舉，至是別駕東海王元曾與瓛父惠書曰：「比歲賢子充秀，州閭可謂得人。」
Huan was devoted to study and widely mastered the meanings of the classics. When he was five, he heard his uncle Kong Xixian reading the biography of Guan Ning and at once wanted to read it himself. His uncle explained it to him, and he listened with rapt attention. "I can live up to this," he said. In the fourth year of the Damming era of Song he was nominated as a xiucai. His elder brother Jin was also well known and had already taken the provincial examination. At this time Wang Yuanceng, adjutant of Donghai, wrote to Huan's father Hui: "In recent years your worthy sons have filled the xiucai lists—the province and its communities may truly be said to have found the right men."
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除奉朝請不就，兄弟三人共處蓬室一間，為風所倒，無以葺之。 怡然自樂，習業不廢。 聚徒教授，常有數十。 丹陽尹袁粲於後堂夜集，聞而請之，指聽事前古柳樹謂瓛曰：「人謂此是劉尹時樹，每想高風； 今復見卿清德，可謂不衰矣。」 薦為秘書郎，不見用。
He was appointed Palace Attendant but declined the post. The three brothers lived together in a single thatched hut; when the wind blew it down, they had no means to repair it. They remained cheerful and never let their studies lapse. He gathered students to teach, and his classes often numbered several dozen. Yuan Can, governor of Danyang, was entertaining one evening in his rear hall, heard of Huan, and invited him. Pointing to an ancient willow before the audience hall, he said to Huan: "People say this tree dates from Magistrate Liu's day—I often think of his noble bearing; now, seeing your own integrity, I can say that tradition has not faded. He recommended Huan for the post of Secretary Gentleman, but the appointment was not granted.
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後拜安成王撫軍行參軍，公事免。 瓛素無宦情，自此不復仕。 袁粲誅，瓛微服往哭，並致賻助。
Later he was appointed acting adjutant on the staff of Prince Ancheng's Pacification Army and was dismissed for mishandling official business. Huan had never cared for official life, and from that point he never took office again. When Yuan Can was put to death, Huan went in disguise to mourn him and sent gifts of condolence and support.
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齊高帝踐阼，召瓛入華林園談語，問以政道。 答曰：「政在孝經。 宋氏所以亡，陛下所以得之是也。」 帝咨嗟曰：「儒者之言，可寶萬世。」 又謂瓛曰：「吾應天革命，物議以為何如？」 瓛曰：「陛下戒前軌之失，加之以寬厚，雖危可安； 若循其覆轍，雖安必危。」 及出，帝謂司徒褚彥回曰：「方直乃爾。 學士故自過人。」 敕瓛使數入，而瓛自非詔見，未嘗到宮門。
When Emperor Gao of Qi took the throne, he summoned Huan to the Hualin Garden for conversation and asked his views on governance. He replied: "Good government rests on the Classic of Filial Piety. That is why the Song fell—and why Your Majesty gained the throne. The emperor sighed and said: "A Confucian's words are a treasure for ten thousand generations." He also asked Huan: "I have answered Heaven's call and changed the dynasty—what do people say of it?" Huan said: "If Your Majesty guards against the mistakes of the past and rules with generosity and forbearance, even peril can be turned to safety; but if you follow the same road to ruin, even security will end in danger." After Huan left, the emperor said to Grand Tutor Chu Yanhui: "Such rectitude and plain speaking. A true scholar is naturally above the common run." He ordered Huan to visit often, but unless specifically summoned Huan never came to the palace gates.
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上欲用瓛為中書郎，使吏部尚書何戢喻旨。 戢謂瓛曰：「上意欲以鳳池相處，恨君資輕，可且就前除。 少日當轉國子博士，便即所授。」 瓛笑曰：「平生無榮進意，今聞得中書郎而拜記室，豈本心哉。」
The emperor wished to appoint Huan Secretariat Gentleman and had Minister of Personnel He Ji convey his wishes. Ji told Huan: "His Majesty means to place you in the Secretariat—the Phoenix Pool—but regrets that your seniority is still slight. For now you might accept the earlier appointment. In a short while you will be made Erudite of the National University—that will be the office granted. Huan laughed and said: "I have never sought rank or advancement in my life. To hear I am to be made Secretariat Gentleman and yet accept a recorder's post—how could that be my true wish?"
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後以母老闕養，拜彭城郡丞，司徒褚彥回宣旨喻之，答曰：「自省無廊廟才，所願唯保彭城丞耳。」 上又以瓛兼總明觀祭酒，除豫章王驃騎記室參軍，丞如故。 瓛終不就。 武陵王曄為會稽太守，上欲令瓛為曄講，除會稽郡丞。 學徒從之者轉眾。
Later, because his mother was elderly and needed care, he was appointed assistant magistrate of Pengcheng. Grand Tutor Chu Yanhui conveyed the imperial message, and Huan replied: "I know I have no talent for high office; all I want is to remain assistant magistrate of Pengcheng. The emperor also made him concurrent Libationer of the Zongming Observatory and Recorder on the staff of the Prince of Yuzhang's Rapid Cavalry command, while he retained the assistant magistracy. Huan never accepted any of these posts. When Prince Wuling Ye became governor of Kuaiji, the emperor wanted Huan to lecture for him and appointed Huan assistant magistrate of Kuaiji. The students who followed him grew ever more numerous.
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永明初，竟陵王子良請為征北司徒記室，瓛與張融、王思遠書曰：
At the beginning of the Yongming era, Prince Ziliang of Jingling invited him to serve as recorder on his Northern Expedition staff. Huan wrote to Zhang Rong and Wang Siyuan:
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奉教使恭召，會當停公事； 但念生平素抱，有乖恩顧。 吾性拙人間，不習仕進，昔嘗為行佐，便以不能及公事免黜，此眷者所共知也。 量己審分，不敢期榮，夙嬰貧困，加以疏懶，衣裳容發，有足駭者。 中以親老供養，褰裳徒步，脫爾逮今，二代一紀。 先朝使其更自修正，勉勵於階級之次，見其襤縷，或復賜以衣裳。 袁、褚諸公，咸加勸勵，終於不能自反也。 一不復為，安可重為哉。 昔人有以冠一免，不重加於首，每謂此得進止之儀。 又上下年尊，益不願居官次廢晨昏也。 先朝為此，曲申從許，故得連年不拜。 既習此歲久，又齒長疾侵，豈宜攝齋河間之聽，廁跡東平之僚？ 本無絕俗之操，亦非能偃蹇為高，此又聽覽所當深察者也。 近初奉教，便自希得托跡客遊之末，而固辭榮級，其故何邪？ 以古之王侯大人，或以此延四方之士，有追申、白而入楚，羨鄒、枚而游梁，吾非敢叨夫曩賢，庶欲從九九之遺跡，既于聞道集泮不殊，而幸無職司拘礙，可得奉溫凊，展私計，志在此耳。 除步兵校尉，不拜。
"Having received your gracious summons, I ought to set aside my other duties; but when I think of the life I have always chosen, I find it at odds with your kindness. I am awkward in worldly affairs and unskilled at climbing the ladder of office. I once served as a traveling adjutant and was dismissed because I could not manage official business—those who know me are well aware of this. Knowing my limits, I dare not hope for honor. I have been poor from youth, and besides that I am negligent and indolent—my dress, appearance, and grooming are shocking enough. In the meantime, to support my aging parents I went on foot in plain clothes—and so it has been until today, through two dynasties and more than twelve years. The previous court urged me to reform myself and encouraged me to take my place in the ranks of office. Seeing my rags, they sometimes gave me clothes. Gentlemen such as Yuan and Chu all urged me on, yet in the end I could not change. Having once refused office, how could I take it up again? In antiquity a man who had once removed his cap would not put it on again—he held that this was the proper way to know when to advance and when to withdraw. Moreover, with elders above and below me in age, I am even less willing to hold office and neglect the duties of morning and evening attendance. The previous court made an exception and granted my wish, so for years I was able to decline appointments. Having lived this way for so long, and with age and illness upon me, how could I properly attend lectures like the scholars of Hejian or take my place among the staff of Dongping? I have never sought to reject the world, nor can I play the lofty recluse—this too is something your lordship ought to consider carefully. When I first received your summons, I hoped only to join the company of wandering guests at your gate—yet I firmly decline honored rank. Why is that? Ancient kings and great lords sometimes drew scholars from every quarter in this way—some followed Shen Buhai and Bai Qi into Chu, others admired Zou Yan and Mei Cheng and went to Liang. I do not dare compare myself to those worthies of old; I only wish to follow their example in spirit. To hear the Way and gather at a prince's school is the same in any age, but without the bonds of office I can attend to my parents' comfort and pursue my own aims—that is all I desire. He was appointed Commandant of Footsoldiers but declined.
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瓛姿狀纖小，儒業冠於當時，都下士子貴游，莫不下席受業，當世推其大儒，以比古之曹、鄭。 性謙率，不以高名自居，之詣於人，唯一門生持胡床隨後。 主人未通，便坐門待答。 住在檀橋，瓦屋數間，上皆穿漏，學徒敬慕，不敢指斥，呼為青溪焉。 竟陵王子良親往修謁。 七年，表武帝為瓛立館，以楊烈橋故主第給之，生徒皆賀。 瓛曰：「室美豈為人哉，此華宇豈吾宅邪？ 幸可詔作講堂，猶恐見害也。」 未及徙居，遇疾。 子良遣從瓛學者彭城劉繪、順陽範縝將廚于瓛宅營齋。 及卒，門人受學者並吊服臨送。
Huan was slight in build, but his Confucian learning stood above all others of his day. Gentlemen and nobles of the capital all came to sit at his feet. His contemporaries hailed him as a great scholar, comparing him to the Cao and Zheng of antiquity. He was modest by nature and did not trade on his fame. When he called on others, a single disciple carried a folding stool behind him. If the host had not yet received him, he would sit at the gate and wait. He lived at Tanqiao in a few tile-roofed rooms with holes in every roof. Out of respect his students never criticized the place and called it the Green Stream instead. Prince Ziliang of Jingling paid him a personal visit of respect. In the seventh year he petitioned Emperor Wu to build a hall for Huan and assigned him the former lord's mansion at Yanglie Bridge. All his students rejoiced. Huan said: "Are fine rooms made for people? Is this splendid house meant for me? Let it be turned into a lecture hall by imperial order—even then I fear it may do me harm. Before he could move in, he fell ill. Ziliang sent Liu Hui of Pengcheng and Fan Zhen of Shunyang, both students of Huan, to bring provisions to his house and prepare a vegetarian meal. When he died, his disciples and all who had studied under him wore mourning and came to escort his coffin.
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瓛有至性，祖母病疽經年，手持膏藥，漬指為爛。 母孔氏甚嚴明，謂親戚曰：「阿稱便是今世曾子。」 稱，瓛小名也。 年四十餘，未有婚對。 建元中，高帝與司徒褚彥回為瓛娶王氏女。 王氏穿壁掛履，土落孔氏床上，孔氏不悅。 瓛即出其妻。 及居母憂，住墓下不出廬，足為之屈，杖不能起。 此山常有鴝鵒鳥，瓛在山三年不敢來，服釋還家，此鳥乃至。
Huan was deeply filial. When his grandmother suffered from a carbuncle for a full year, he applied the salve with his own hands until his fingers were soaked through and rotted. His mother, Lady Kong, was strict and principled. She told relatives: "Little Cheng is the Zengzi of our age. Cheng was Huan's childhood name. He was past forty and still unmarried. During the Jianyuan era, Emperor Gao and Grand Tutor Chu Yanhui arranged a marriage for Huan with a daughter of the Wang clan. The Wang woman hung her shoes on a peg through the wall, and dirt fell onto Lady Kong's bed. Lady Kong was displeased. Huan immediately sent his wife away. During mourning for his mother he lived at the tomb and never left the mourning hut. His feet were bent from kneeling so long that he could not rise even with a staff. Mynahs often came to this mountain. While Huan mourned there for three years, they did not appear. Only after he completed mourning and returned home did the birds come again.
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梁武帝少時嘗經伏膺，及天監元年下詔為瓛立碑，諡曰貞簡先生。 所著文集行於世。
In his youth Emperor Wu of Liang had studied under Huan with deep respect. In the first year of Tianjian he ordered a stele erected for him and gave him the posthumous title Master Pure and Simple. His collected writings circulated in his time.
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初，瓛講月令畢，謂學生嚴植之曰：「江左以來，陰陽律數之學廢矣，吾今講此，曾不得其彷佛。」 學者美其退讓。 時濟陽蔡仲熊禮學博聞，謂人曰：「五音本在中土，故氣韻調平。 今既東南土氣偏詖，故不能感動木石。」 瓛亦以為然。 仲熊執經議論，往往與時宰不合，亦終不改操求同，故坎稟不進，歷年方至尚書左丞，當時恨其不遇。
Once, after finishing his lectures on the Monthly Ordinances, Huan told his student Yan Zhizhi: "Since the court moved south of the Yangtze, the study of yin-yang, pitch-pipes, and calendrical numbers has fallen into neglect. I have lectured on it now and scarcely grasp even its outlines. Scholars praised his modesty. At that time Cai Zhongxiong of Jiyang was widely learned in ritual studies. He said: "The five tones originated in the central plains, and so their resonance was even and balanced. Now that we are in the southeast, where the qi is skewed, music can no longer move wood and stone. Huan agreed. Zhongxiong debated the classics and often clashed with the chief ministers of the day, yet he never compromised his principles to win favor. Blocked in his career, it was years before he reached Left Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing, and contemporaries regretted that he was never fully recognized.
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又東陽婁幼瑜字季玉，著禮捃拾三十卷。
Lou Youyu of Dongyang, styled Jiyu, also wrote Gatherings from the Rites in thirty juan.
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瓛弟璡字子璥，方軌正直，儒雅不及瓛而文采過之。 宋泰豫中，為明帝挽郎。 齊建元初，為武陵王曄冠軍征虜參軍。 曄與僚佐飲，自割鵝炙。 璡曰：「應刃落俎，是膳夫之事。 殿下親執鸞刀，下官未敢安席。」 因起請退。 與友人會稽孔逖同舟入東，於塘上遇一女子，逖目送曰：「美而豔。」 璡曰：「斯豈君子所宜言乎，非吾友也。」 於是解裳自隔。 或曰：與友孔徹同舟入東，徹留目觀岸上女子。 璡舉席自隔，不復同坐。 兄瓛夜隔壁呼璡，璡不答，方下床著衣立，然後應。 瓛怪其久，璡曰：「向束帶未竟。」 其立操如此。
Huan's younger brother Jin, styled Zijin, was upright and principled. He was less learned than Huan in Confucian scholarship but surpassed him in literary grace. During the Taiyu era of Song he served as a mourning attendant for Emperor Ming. At the beginning of the Jianyuan era of Qi he served on the staff of Prince Wuling Ye as Champion General Who Pacifies the Barbarians. Once, while drinking with his staff, Ye carved roast goose himself. Jin said: "Letting the blade fall and meat drop to the platter—that is a cook's work. For Your Highness to wield the carving knife yourself—I dare not remain seated. He rose and asked to withdraw. Traveling east by boat with his friend Kong Ti of Kuaiji, they passed a woman on the embankment. Ti gazed after her and said, "Beautiful and alluring. Jin said, "Is that what a gentleman should say? You are no friend of mine." He spread his robe between them to separate himself from Ti. According to another account, he was traveling east by boat with Kong Che, who stared at a woman on the shore. Jin raised his mat between them and would not sit with him again. One night his brother Huan called to him through the wall. Jin did not answer at once but got out of bed, dressed, and stood before replying. Huan wondered at the delay. Jin said, "I had not yet finished fastening my belt. Such was the rigor of his conduct.
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文惠太子召璡入侍東宮，每上事輒削草。 尋署射聲校尉，卒于官。
Crown Prince Wenhu summoned Jin to serve in the Eastern Palace. Whenever he drafted memorials, Jin revised them. Soon after he was appointed Commandant of the Archers and died in office.
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時濟陽江重欣亦清介，雖處闇室，如對嚴賓，而不及璡也。 重欣位至射聲校尉。
At the time Jiang Chongxin of Jiyang was also pure and upright—even in a dark room he conducted himself as if facing distinguished guests—but he did not equal Jin. Chongxin rose to the post of Commandant of the Archers.
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顯字嗣芳，瓛族子也。 父琉字仲翔，博識強正，名行自居。 幼為外祖臧質所鞠養。 質既富盛，恒有音樂。 質亡後，母沒十許年，琉每聞絲竹之聲，未嘗不歔欷流涕。 梁天監初，終於晉安內史。
Xian, styled Sifang, was a clansman of Huan. His father Liu, styled Zhongxiang, was learned, forceful, and upright, and upheld his reputation by his conduct. In childhood he was raised by his maternal grandfather Zang Zhi. Zhi was wealthy, and music was always in the house. After Zhi died and his mother had been gone for about ten years, whenever Liu heard string and wind music he would sigh and weep. At the beginning of the Tianjian era of Liang he died in office as administrator of the interior of Jin'an.
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顯幼而聰敏，六歲能誦呂相絕秦、賈誼過秦。 琅邪王思遠、吳國張融見而稱賞，號曰神童。 族伯瓛儒學有重名，卒無嗣，齊武帝詔顯為後，時年八歲。 本名頲，齊武以字難識，改名顯。 天監初，舉秀才，解褐中軍臨川王行參軍，俄署法曹。
Xian was clever from childhood. At six he could recite Lü Buwei's Rejection of Qin and Jia Yi's Faulting Qin. Wang Siyuan of Langye and Zhang Rong of Wu saw him and praised him, calling him a prodigy. His clansman Huan was a renowned Confucian scholar who died without heirs. Emperor Wu of Qi named Xian his successor when Xian was eight. His original name was Ting. Emperor Wu of Qi, finding the character hard to read, changed it to Xian. At the beginning of Tianjian he was nominated as a xiucai, entered office as acting adjutant on the staff of the Prince of Linchuan's Central Army, and soon was assigned to the Legal Bureau.
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顯博涉多通。 任昉嘗得一篇缺簡，文字零落，示諸人莫能識者，顯見雲是古文尚書所刪逸篇。 昉檢周書，果如其說。 昉因大相賞異。 丁母憂，服闋，尚書令沈約時領太子少傅，引為少傅五官。 約為丹陽尹，命駕造焉。 于坐策顯經史十事，顯對其九。 約曰：「老夫昏忘，不可受策； 雖然，聊試數事，不可至十。」 顯問其五，約對其二。 陸倕聞之擊席喜曰：「劉郎子可謂差人，雖吾家平原詣張壯武，王粲謁伯喈，必無此對。」 其為名流推賞如此。
Xian was widely learned and mastered many fields. Ren Fang once obtained a damaged bamboo slip with scattered characters. No one could identify it until Xian declared it a lost passage deleted from the Old Text Documents. Fang checked the Book of Zhou and found Xian was right. Fang admired him all the more. After mourning for his mother, Shen Yue, Director of the Masters of Writing and concurrent Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent, brought him in as one of the junior tutor's five officers. When Yue became governor of Danyang, he came to visit in person. At the meeting he tested Xian on ten points of classical and historical learning. Xian answered nine correctly. Yue said: "I am old and forgetful—I cannot be examined myself; but let us try a few questions—I could not answer ten. Xian asked him five questions. Yue answered two. Lu Chui heard of it and slapped the mat in delight. "Young Master Liu is truly exceptional," he said. "Even when Pingyuan of our house visited Zhang Zhuangwu, or Wang Can called on Cai Yong, there was never such an exchange. Such was the praise he won from the leading men of the age.
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五兵尚書傅昭掌著作，撰國史，顯自兼廷尉正，被引為佐。 及革選尚書五都，顯以法曹兼吏部郎。 後為尚書儀曹郎。 嘗為上朝詩，沈約見而美之，命工書人題之于郊居宅壁。 後兼中書通事舍人，再遷驃騎鄱陽王記室，兼中書舍人。 後為中書郎，舍人如故。
Fu Zhao, Minister of the Five Armies, directed the historiography office and compiled the national history. Xian, who was also Corrector of the Court of Justice, was brought in as his assistant. When the selection system of the Masters of Writing was reformed, Xian served in the Legal Bureau while also holding the post of Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel. Later he became Gentleman of the Ceremonial Bureau of the Masters of Writing. He once wrote a poem for court attendance. Shen Yue admired it and had a calligrapher inscribe it on the wall of his suburban residence. Later he served concurrently as Attending Clerk for General Matters of the Secretariat, then was transferred to recorder on the staff of the Prince of Poyang's Rapid Cavalry command while retaining his post as Secretariat Clerk. Later he was made Secretariat Gentleman while retaining his clerkship.
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顯與河東裴子野、南陽劉之遴、吳郡顧協連職禁中，遞相師友，人莫不慕之。 顯博聞強記，過於裴、顧。 時波斯獻生師子，帝問曰：「師子有何色？」 顯曰：「黃師子超不及白師子超。」 魏人送古器，有隱起字無識者，顯案文讀之無滯，考校年月，一字不差。 武帝甚嘉焉。
Xian served in the palace together with Pei Ziye of Hedong, Liu Zhilin of Nanyang, and Gu Xie of Wu. They learned from one another in turn, and everyone admired them. Xian's learning and memory surpassed even Pei and Gu. When Persia presented a live lion, the emperor asked, "What colors can lions be? Xian replied, "A yellow lion's excellence cannot match a white lion's excellence." When Wei sent ancient vessels bearing raised inscriptions no one could read, Xian read them fluently from the text and verified the dates—not a single character was wrong. Emperor Wu was greatly pleased.
24
遷尚書左丞，除國子博士。 時有沙門訟田，帝大署曰：「貞「。 有司未辯，遍問莫知。 顯曰：「貞字文為與上人。」 帝因忌其能，出之。 後為雲麾邵陵王長史、尋陽太守。 魏使李諧至聞之，恨不相識。 歎曰：「梁德衰矣。 善人國之紀也，而出之，無乃不可乎。」 王遷鎮郢州，除平西府諮議參軍，久在府不得志。 大同九年終於夏口，時年六十三。
He was promoted to Left Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing and appointed Erudite of the National University. When a monk sued over land, the emperor wrote in large characters the single character for constancy. The officials could not interpret it, and no one in the court knew what it meant. Xian said, "If you break down the character zhen, it reads: 'the text gives the land to the superior man'—meaning the monk." The emperor, resenting his cleverness, dismissed him from office. Later he served as chief clerk to Prince Shaoling of the Cloud Banner Guard and as governor of Xunyang. When the Wei envoy Li Xie arrived and heard of this, he regretted never having met him. He sighed and said, "The virtue of Liang has declined. Good men are the backbone of a state, yet you dismiss them—is that not unwise? When the prince was posted to Yingzhou, Xian was appointed advisory staff officer of the Pacification of the West headquarters. He served there for years without finding fulfillment. In the ninth year of Datong he died at Xiakou, aged sixty-three.
25
凡佐兩府，並事驕王，人為之憂，而反見禮重。 友人劉之遴啟皇太子為之銘志，葬於秣陵縣劉真長舊塋。
He served two princely establishments, both times under arrogant lords. People worried for him, yet he was treated with great respect. His friend Liu Zhilin petitioned the crown prince to compose his epitaph. He was buried in the old family graveyard of Liu Zhenchang in Moling county.
26
子莠、恁、臻。 臻早有名，載北史。 顯從弟彀字仲寶。 形貌短小，儒雅博洽，善辭翰，隨湘東王在蕃十餘年，寵寄甚深。 當時文檄皆其所為。 位吏部尚書、國子祭酒。 魏克江陵，入長安。
His sons were You, Ren, and Zhen. Zhen won early fame and is recorded in the History of the Northern Dynasties. Xian's younger cousin Gou, styled Zhongbao. Short in stature, he was refined, learned, and skilled in letters. He followed the Prince of Xiangdong in his fief for more than ten years and enjoyed the prince's deepest trust. All official documents of the time were written by him. He rose to Minister of Personnel and Libationer of the National University. When Wei captured Jiangling, he went to Chang'an.
27
明僧紹字休烈，平原鬲人，一字承烈。 其先吳太伯之裔，百里奚子孟明，以名為姓，其後也。 祖玩，州中從事。 父略，給事中。 僧紹明經有儒術，宋元嘉中，再舉秀才，永光中，鎮北府辟功曹，並不就。 隱長廣郡嶗山，聚徒立學。 魏克淮北，乃度江。
Ming Sengshao, styled Xiulie, was a native of Ge in Pingyuan; he also used the style Chenglie. His ancestors were descendants of Grand Duke Tai of Wu. Mengming, son of Baili Xi, took his name as a surname—and from him the line descended. His grandfather Wan served as a provincial attendant. His father Lue was a Palace Attendant. Sengshao mastered the classics and Confucian learning. During Yuanjia of Song he was twice nominated as xiucai, and during Yongguang the Pacification of the North headquarters summoned him as registrar—but he accepted none of these posts. He retired to Mount Lao in Changguang commandery, gathered disciples, and founded a school. When Wei conquered the region north of the Huai, he crossed the Yangtze.
28
升明中，齊高帝為太傅，教辟僧紹及顧歡、臧榮緒，以旌幣之禮，徵為記室參軍，不至。 僧紹弟慶符為青州，僧紹乏糧食，隨慶符之鬱洲，住弇榆山，棲雲精舍，欣玩水石，竟不一入州城。
During the Shengming era, when Emperor Gao of Qi was grand tutor, he sent banners and silks to summon Sengshao, Gu Huan, and Zang Rongxu as recorders—but Sengshao did not come. Sengshao's younger brother Qingfu served in Qingzhou. Short of food, Sengshao followed him to Yuzhou and lived on Mount Yan'yu at the Qiyun Hermitage, delighting in streams and rocks—he never once entered the prefectural city.
29
泰始季年，岷、益有山崩，淮水竭齊郡，僧紹竊謂其弟曰：「夫天地之氣，不失其序，若夫陽伏而不泄，陰迫而不蒸，於是乎有山崩川竭之變。 昔伊、洛竭而夏亡，河竭而殷亡，三川竭岐山崩而周亡，五山崩而漢亡。 夫有國必依山川而為固，山川作變，不亡何待？ 今宋德如四代之季，爾志吾言而勿泄也。」 竟如其言。
In the last years of Taishi, mountains collapsed in Min and Yi and the Huai dried up in Qi commandery. Sengshao privately told his brother: "Heaven and earth keep their order. When yang is suppressed and cannot release, and yin presses down and cannot rise, mountains collapse and rivers run dry. When the Yi and Luo dried, Xia fell. When the Yellow River dried, Yin fell. When the three rivers dried and Mount Qi collapsed, Zhou fell. When five mountains collapsed, Han fell. Every state depends on its mountains and rivers for security. When they change, how can the state survive? The virtue of Song is now like the last days of those four dynasties. Remember what I say, but tell no one. Events proved him right.
30
慶符罷任，僧紹隨歸住江乘攝山。 僧紹聞沙門釋僧遠夙德，往候定林寺。 高帝欲出寺見之，僧遠問僧紹曰：「天子若來，居士若為相對？」 僧紹曰：「山藪之人，政當鑿壞以遁； 若辭不獲命，便當依戴公故事。」 既而遁還攝山、建棲霞寺而居之，高帝甚以為恨。 昔戴顒高臥牖下，以山人之服加其身，僧紹故云。
When Qingfu left office, Sengshao followed him and settled on Mount She in Jiangcheng. Hearing that the monk Sengyuan was a man of long-standing virtue, Sengshao went to visit him at Dinglin Temple. Emperor Gao wished to leave the temple to see him. Sengyuan asked Sengshao: "If the Son of Heaven comes, how will you receive him? Sengshao said, "A man of the hills should bore through the wall and flee; but if I cannot refuse, I shall follow Lord Dai's example. He soon fled back to Mount She, built Qixia Temple, and lived there. Emperor Gao deeply resented this. He referred to the precedent of Dai Yong, who received the emperor while reclining and wearing a mountain man's garb.
31
高帝后謂慶符曰：「卿兄高尚其事，亦堯之外臣。 朕夢想幽人，固已勤矣。 所謂'徑路絕，風雲通'。」 仍賜竹根如意、筍籜冠，隱者以為榮焉。 勃海封延伯者，高行士也，聞之歎曰：「明居士身彌後而名彌先，亦宋、齊之儒仲也。」 永明中，征國子博士不就，卒。
Later Emperor Gao told Qingfu: "Your brother's conduct is lofty—he is like an outer minister of Yao. I have long yearned for such a recluse and have sought him earnestly. As the saying goes, 'Though the straight path is blocked, wind and clouds still find a way. He then bestowed on him a bamboo-root ruyi scepter and a bamboo-shoot cap—recluses regarded this as a great honor. Feng Yanbo of Bohai, a man of lofty conduct, sighed and said: "Gentleman Ming's body withdraws ever further, yet his fame runs ever ahead—he is the Confucius of Song and Qi. During Yongming he was summoned as Erudite of the National University but declined. He died not long after.
32
僧紹子元琳、仲璋、山賓並傳家業，山賓最知名。
Sengshao's sons Yuanlin, Zhongzhang, and Shanbin all carried on the family tradition; Shanbin was the most famous.
33
山賓字孝若，七歲能言名理。 十三，博通經傳，居喪盡禮，起家奉朝請。 兄仲璋痼疾，家道屢空，山賓乃行幹祿，後為廣陽令，頃之去官。 會詔使公卿舉士，左衛將軍江祏上書薦山賓才堪理劇。 齊明帝不重學，謂祏曰：「聞山賓談書不輟，何堪官邪。」 遂不用。
Shanbin, styled Xiaoruo, could discuss philosophical principles at seven. At thirteen he had mastered the classics and their commentaries. He observed mourning rites fully and entered office as Palace Attendant. His elder brother Zhongzhang was chronically ill and the family was often destitute. Shanbin then sought official salary, later became magistrate of Guangyang, and soon resigned. When an edict ordered high officials to recommend scholars, General of the Left Guard Jiang Shi memorialized that Shanbin's talent suited him for demanding office. Emperor Ming of Qi did not value scholarship and told Shi: "I hear Shanbin never stops talking about books—how can he hold office? Shanbin was not appointed.
34
梁台建，累遷右軍記室參軍，掌吉禮。 時初置五經博士，山賓首應其選。 曆中書侍郎，國子博士，太子率更令，中庶子。 天監十五年，出為持節、都督緣淮諸軍事、北兗州刺史。 普通二年，徵為太子右衛率，加給事中。 遷御史中丞，以公事左遷黃門侍郎。 四年，為散騎常侍。 東宮新置學士，又以山賓居之。 俄以本官兼國子祭酒。
When the Liang regime was established, he rose to recorder on the staff of the Right Army and directed auspicious rites. When the Five Classics erudites were first established, Shanbin was the first appointed. He served successively as Secretariat Vice Director, Erudite of the National University, Director of the Heir Apparent's Chamberlains for Palace Standards, and Palace Attendant of the Heir Apparent. In the fifteenth year of Tianjian he was sent out as Bearer of the Staff of Authority, commander of all military affairs along the Huai, and governor of Northern Yanzhou. In the second year of Putong he was recalled as Right Commandant of the Heir Apparent's Guard and given the additional title of Palace Attendant. He was promoted to Imperial Censor-in-Chief, then demoted to Vice Director of the Yellow Gate for an official matter. In the fourth year he became Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. When the Eastern Palace newly established academicians, Shanbin was again appointed to the post. Soon he held his original post while also serving as Libationer of the National University.
35
初，山賓在州，所部平陸縣不稔，啟出倉米以振百姓。 後刺史檢州曹，失簿，以山賓為耗損。 有司追責，籍其宅入官。 山賓不自理，更市地造宅。 昭明太子聞築室不就，有令曰：「明祭酒雖出撫大蕃，擁旌推轂，珥金拖紫，而恒事屢空。 聞構宇未成，今送薄助。」 並詒詩曰：「平仲古稱奇，夷吾昔擅美，令則挺伊賢，東秦固多士。 築室非道傍，置宅歸仁裏。 庚桑方有系，原生今易擬。 必來三徑人，將招五經士。」
Earlier, while Shanbin was in the province, Pinglu county under his jurisdiction had a poor harvest. He memorialized to release granary grain to relieve the people. Later the governor inspected the provincial offices. The registers were missing, and Shanbin was held responsible for the shortfall. The authorities pursued the debt and confiscated his house for the state. Shanbin made no defense but simply bought land and built a new house. When Crown Prince Zhaoming learned that Ming Shanbin's house was still unfinished, he issued an order: "Though Director of Sacrifices Ming has gone out to govern a great region as a commander of rank, with gold at his ears and purple at his robe, his household is often bare of means. I hear your house is not yet finished; I am sending a small gift to help. He also sent a poem: "Yan Ying was famed as a wonder of old, and Guan Zhong once held all men's praise. Now you stand among the worthy, and Eastern Qin has always bred fine men. You build your house off the roadside and settle in the Lane of Benevolence. Like Gengsangchu you are bound to a worthy life; like Yan Yuan you are easy to match among recluses. Friends will surely come down your three paths, and you will gather scholars of the Five Classics."
36
山賓性篤實，家中嘗乏困，貨所乘牛。 既售受錢，乃謂買主曰：「此牛經患漏蹄，療差已久，恐後脫髮，無容不相語。」 買主遽追取錢。 處士阮孝緒聞之，歎曰：「此言足使還淳反朴，激薄停澆矣。」
Shanbin was honest and plainspoken. When his family once fell on hard times, he sold the ox he rode. After the sale, when he had been paid, he told the buyer: "This ox once had cracked hooves. It has been cured for a long time, but I fear the hooves may give way again. I could not keep that from you. The buyer at once ran after him to return the payment. The recluse Ruan Xiaoxu heard of it and sighed: "Words like these could turn people back to plain honesty and stop the drift toward shallow excess."
37
五年，又假節攝北兗州事，後卒官，贈侍中，諡曰質子。 山賓累居學官，甚有訓導之益，然性頗疏通，接于諸生多狎比，人皆愛之。 所著吉禮儀注二百二十四卷，禮儀二十卷，孝經喪服義十五卷。
In the fifth year he was again granted provisional authority over Northern Yanzhou. He later died in office and was posthumously made Palace Attendant, with the posthumous name Zhi, "Integrity." Shanbin held academic posts many times and was an excellent teacher, but he was naturally easygoing and often familiar with his students. Everyone liked him. He wrote Annotated Ceremonies for Auspicious Rites in 224 volumes, Rites and Ceremonies in 20 volumes, and On Mourning Garments from the Classic of Filial Piety in 15 volumes.
38
子震字興道，亦傳父業，位太子舍人，尚書祠部郎，余姚令。
His son Zhen, courtesy name Xingdao, followed his father's scholarly path and served as a household attendant to the crown prince, director of sacrifices in the Ministry of Rites, and magistrate of Yuyao.
39
山賓弟少遐字處默，亦知名，位都官尚書。 簡文謂人曰：「我不喜明得尚書，更喜朝廷得人。」 後拜青州刺史。 太清之亂奔魏，仕北齊，卒于太子中庶子。 子罕，司空記室。
Shanbin's younger brother Shaoxia, courtesy name Chumo, was also well known and rose to Minister of Punishments. Emperor Jianwen told someone: "I am less pleased that Ming got the ministry than I am that the court has found a good man. He was later appointed governor of Qingzhou. During the Taiping upheaval he fled to Wei, entered the service of Northern Qi, and died while serving as vice director of the crown prince's household. His son Han served as secretary to the Minister of Works.
40
明氏南度雖晚，並有名位，自宋至梁為刺史者六人。
Although the Ming clan came south rather late, its members all won name and office. From the Song through the Liang, six of them served as governors.
41
庾易字幼簡，新野人也，徙居江陵。 祖玫，巴郡太守。 父道驥，安西參軍。
Yu Yi, courtesy name Youjian, was a native of Xinye who later moved to Jiangling. His grandfather Mei served as administrator of Ba Commandery. His father Daoqi was an army adviser in the Anxi command.
42
易志性恬靜，不交外物，齊臨川王映臨州，表薦之，餉麥百斛。 易謂使人曰：「走樵采麋鹿之伍，終其解毛之衣，馳騁日月之車，得保自耕之祿，于大王之恩亦已深矣。」 辭不受，以文義自樂。 安西長史袁彖欽其風，贈以鹿角書格、蚌盤、蚌研、白象牙筆。 並贈詩曰：「白日清明，青雲遼亮，昔聞巢、許，今睹台、尚。」 易以連理幾、竹翹書格報之。
Yi was quiet by temperament and kept aloof from worldly affairs. When the Qi prince of Linchuan, Ying, took up his provincial post, he recommended Yi in a memorial and sent him a gift of a hundred hu of wheat. Yi told the messenger: "I live among woodcutters and hunters, wear deerskin all my days, and ride the chariot of sun and moon. I already have enough from my own fields. The prince's kindness to me is already more than I deserve. He refused the gift and took his pleasure in literary study. Yuan Luan, chief administrator of the Anxi command, admired his character and gave him a deer-antler book rest, a clam-shell tray, a clam-shell inkstone, and white ivory writing brushes. He also sent a poem: "The bright sun shines clear; azure clouds rise far and high. We once heard of Chao Fu and Xu You; today we see Tai Shi and Shang Shang. Yi replied with a joined-grain writing couch and a bamboo book rest with upturned ends.
43
建武三年，詔徵為司空主簿，不就，卒。 子黔婁。
In the third year of Jianwu an edict summoned him to serve as chief clerk to the Minister of Works. He declined and later died. He had a son named Qianlou.
44
黔婁字子貞，一字貞正。 少好學，多所講誦。 性至孝，不曾失色於人。 南陽高士劉虯、宗測並歎異之。 仕齊為編令，政有異績。 先是縣境多猛獸暴，黔婁至，猛獸皆度往臨沮界，時以為仁化所感。
Qianlou, courtesy name Zizhen, also known as Zhenzheng. From boyhood he loved learning and lectured widely on many texts. He was deeply filial and never let his grief show in public. The noted recluses of Nanyang, Liu Chao and Zong Ce, both marveled at him. Under the Qi he served as magistrate of Bian and achieved remarkable results in office. Before his arrival the county was troubled by many fierce beasts, but once Qianlou took office the beasts all crossed into Linju territory. People at the time took this as a response to his benevolent rule.
45
徙孱陵令，到縣未旬，易在家遘疾，黔婁忽心驚，舉身流汗，即日棄官歸家。 家人悉驚其忽至。 時易疾始二日，醫雲欲知差劇，但嘗糞甜苦。 易泄利，黔婁輒取嘗之，味轉甜滑，心愈憂苦。 至夕，每稽顙北辰，求以身代。 俄聞空中有聲曰：「征君壽命盡，不復可延。 汝誠禱既至，政得至月末。」 及晦而易亡。 黔婁居喪過禮，廬於塚側。
He was transferred to magistrate of Canling, but less than ten days after reaching the county Yi fell ill at home. Qianlou was suddenly seized with alarm, broke out in a sweat all over, and that same day resigned and rushed home. The whole family was astonished by his sudden return. Yi's illness had begun only two days earlier. The doctor said that to tell whether he was improving or failing, one had only to taste his stool for sweetness or bitterness. Yi had diarrhea, and Qianlou at once tasted it. The flavor grew sweet and smooth, and his grief deepened. By evening he was repeatedly bowing to the ground before the North Star, begging to die in his father's place. Soon he heard a voice in the air say: "The Recluse's allotted span is spent and cannot be prolonged. Because your prayers were sincere, he may be granted only until the end of the month. When the month ended, Yi died. Qianlou mourned beyond the prescribed rites and lived in a hut beside the tomb.
46
梁台建，黔婁自西台尚書儀曹郎為益州刺史鄧元起表為府長史、巴西梓潼二郡太守。 及成都平，城中珍寶山積，元起悉分與僚佐，唯黔婁一無所取。 元起惡其異眾，厲聲曰：「長史何獨為高？」 黔婁示不違之，請書數篋。 尋除蜀郡太守，在職清素，百姓便之。 元起死於蜀郡，部曲皆散，黔婁身營殯斂，攜持喪柩歸鄉里。
When the Liang regime was established, Qianlou was serving as a director in the Ministry of Rites' Ceremonies Section on the Western Terrace. Deng Yuanqi, governor of Yizhou, recommended him in a memorial as chief of staff and as administrator of both Baxi and Zitong commanderies. When Chengdu was taken, treasures in the city piled up like hills. Yuanqi divided them among his staff, but Qianlou alone took nothing. Yuanqi disliked his standing apart from the others and said sharply: "Why must the chief of staff alone play the lofty man? Qianlou showed he would not defy him and asked only for a few cases of books. He was soon appointed administrator of Shu Commandery. In office he was upright and plain, and the people benefited from his rule. When Yuanqi died in Shu Commandery and his troops scattered, Qianlou personally arranged the burial and carried the coffin home.
47
東宮建，以中軍記室參軍侍皇太子讀，甚見知重。 詔與太子中庶子殷鈞、中舍人到洽、國子博士明山賓遞日為太子講五經義。 遷散騎侍郎，卒。 弟于陵。
When the Eastern Palace was established, he served as a staff officer attending the crown prince's studies and was greatly trusted. An edict ordered him to take turns with Yin Jun, vice director of the crown prince's household, Dao Qie, a household attendant, and Ming Shanbin, an erudite of the National University, lecturing the crown prince on the Five Classics. He was promoted to attendant cavalry gentleman and later died. He had a younger brother named Yuling.
48
於陵字子介，七歲能言玄理。 及長，清警博學，有才思。 齊隨王子隆為荊州，召為主簿，使與謝朓、宗夬抄撰群書。 子隆代還，又以為送故主簿。 子隆為明帝所害，僚吏畏避莫至，唯於陵與夬獨留經理喪事。 永元末，除東陽遂安令，為人吏所稱。
Yuling, courtesy name Zijie, could discuss abstruse doctrine at the age of seven. When he grew up he was refined and quick-witted, widely learned, and gifted in letters. When the Qi prince of Sui, Zilong, took charge of Jingzhou, he summoned Yuling as chief clerk and had him compile books with Xie Tiao and Zong Que. When Zilong was replaced and returned to the capital, Yuling was again made chief clerk to escort the outgoing prince. When Zilong was killed by Emperor Ming, the other officials were too afraid to come. Only Yuling and Que stayed behind to manage the funeral. At the end of the Yongyuan era he was appointed magistrate of Sui'an in Dongyang and was praised by officials and common people alike.
49
梁天監初，為建康獄平，遷尚書功論郎，待詔文德殿。 後兼中書通事舍人，拜太子洗馬。 舊東宮官屬通為清選，洗馬掌文翰，尤其清者。 近代用人，皆取甲族有才望者，時于陵與周舍並擢充此職。 武帝曰：「官以人清，豈限甲族。」 時論以為美。 累遷中書黃門侍郎，舍人如故。 後終於鴻臚卿。 弟肩吾。
At the start of Liang Tianjian he served as warden of Jiankang prison, was promoted to a director of merit evaluations in the Ministry of Works, and awaited imperial orders at Wende Hall. He later also served as a palace receptionist in the Secretariat and was appointed groom of the crown prince. In the past Eastern Palace posts were generally filled from distinguished families, and the groom, who managed documents, was especially select. In recent times such posts had gone to men of great families with talent and reputation, but now Yuling and Zhou She were both chosen for this office. Emperor Wu said: "An office is ennobled by the man who fills it. Why should it be limited to great clans? Contemporary opinion praised the appointment. He was promoted to gentleman palace attendant in the Secretariat while retaining his post as receptionist. He later died while serving as Grand Master of Ceremonies. He had a younger brother named Jianwu.
50
肩吾字慎之，八歲能賦詩，為兄于陵所友愛。 初為晉安王國常侍，王每徙鎮，肩吾常隨府。 在雍州被命與劉孝威、江伯搖、孔敬通、申子悅、徐防、徐摛、王囿、孔鑠、鮑至等十人抄撰眾籍，豐其果饌，號高齋學士。 王為皇太子，兼東宮通事舍人。 後為安西湘東王錄事、諮議參軍，太子率更令，中庶子。 簡文開文德省置學士，肩吾子信、徐摛子陵、吳郡張長公、北地傅弘、東海鮑至等充其選。 齊永明中，王融、謝朓、沈約文章始用四聲，以為新變，至是轉拘聲韻，彌為麗靡，復踰往時。 簡文與湘東王書論之曰：
Jianwu, courtesy name Shenzhi, could write poetry at eight and was dearly loved by his elder brother Yuling. He first served as an attendant in the household of the prince of Jin'an, and whenever the prince moved his post Jianwu followed the headquarters. While in Yongzhou he was ordered, together with Liu Xiaowei, Jiang Boyao, Kong Jingtong, Shen Ziyue, Xu Fang, Xu Chi, Wang You, Kong Shuo, Bao Zhi, and others—ten men in all—to compile many books, richly supplied with food and fruit. They were called the High Study Scholars. When the prince became crown prince, Jianwu also served as an Eastern Palace receptionist. He later served as recorder and consultant to the Anxi prince of Xiangdong, director of music for the crown prince, and vice director of the crown prince's household. When Jianwen established the Wende Office and appointed scholars, Jianwu's son Xin, Xu Chi's son Ling, Zhang Changgong of Wu, Fu Hong of Beidi, Bao Zhi of Donghai, and others were chosen. In the Yongming era of Qi, Wang Rong, Xie Tiao, and Shen Yue first introduced the four tones into literary composition as a new style. By this time writers had grown ever more rigid about rhyme and tone, their work more ornate and decadent than before. Jianwen wrote to the prince of Xiangdong to discuss the matter, saying:
51
比見京師文體，懦鈍殊常，競學浮疏，爭事闡緩，既殊比興，正背風騷。 若夫六典三禮，所施則有地，吉凶嘉賓，用之則有所，未聞吟詠情性，反擬內則之篇，操筆寫志，更模酒誥之作。 遲遲春日，翻學歸藏，湛湛江水，遂同大傳。
Lately I have seen the literary style of the capital grow dull and sluggish in the extreme. Writers compete to imitate what is shallow and loose, and strive to produce work that is dilatory and slack. It no longer resembles the method of metaphor and allegory, and directly turns away from the traditions of the Book of Songs and the Songs of Chu. The Six Canon and Three Rites have their proper occasions; rites for good and ill fortune, celebration and guest reception each have their place. One never heard of singing one's feelings while imitating the Neize, or taking up the brush to express one's mind while copying the 'Announcement about Wine.' A line like 'the spring days pass slowly' is turned into imitation of the Guicang; 'the deep, clear river waters' are made to read like the Great Commentary.
52
吾既拙于為文，不敢輕有掎摭，但以當世之作，曆方古之才人，遠則楊、馬、曹、王，近則潘、陸、顏、謝，觀其遣辭用心，了不相似。 若以今文為是，則昔賢為非，若以昔賢可稱，則今體宜棄。 俱為盍各，則未之敢許。 又時有效謝康樂、裴鴻臚文者，亦頗有惑焉。 何者？ 謝客吐言天拔，出於自然，時有不拘，是其糟粕。 裴氏乃是良史之才，了無篇什之美。 是為學謝則不屆其精華，但得其冗長； 師裴則蔑絕其所長，唯得其所短。 謝故巧不可階，裴亦質不宜慕。 故胸馳臆斷之侶，好名忘實之類，決羽謝生，豈三千之可及，伏膺裴氏，懼兩唐之不傳。 故玉徽金銑，反為拙目所嗤，巴人下俚，更合郢中之聽。 陽春高而不和，妙聲絕而不尋。 竟不精討錙銖，覆量文質，有異巧心，終愧妍手。 是以握瑜懷玉之士，瞻鄭邦而知退，章甫翠履之人，望閩鄉而歎息。 詩既若此，筆又如之。 徒以煙墨不言，受其驅染，紙劄無情，任其搖襞。 甚矣哉，文章橫流，一至於此。
I am myself a poor writer and dare not lightly find fault. But when I compare the work of the present age with the great writers of the past—distantly Yang Xiong, Sima Xiangru, Cao Zhi, and Wang Can; more recently Pan Yue, Lu Ji, Yan Yanzhi, and Xie Lingyun—I see that in diction and intent today's writers are nothing like them. If today's writing is held to be right, then the masters of old must be wrong; if the masters of old are still to be praised, then today's style ought to be abandoned. As for saying that both are equally valid and each may go his own way—I cannot agree to that. Moreover, there are those who now imitate the writing of Xie Kangle and Pei Yin, Prefect of Honglu. That too is rather puzzling. Why is that? Guest Xie's words soared as if lifted by heaven itself and sprang from nature. When he sometimes failed to restrain himself, that was simply the dross in his work. The Pei family had the talent of fine historians and possessed no beauty of lyric verse at all. To imitate Xie is not to reach his essence, but only to inherit his prolixity; to take Pei as one's model is to reject his strengths and gain only his weaknesses. Xie's artistry cannot be matched, and Pei's plainness is not worth emulating. Thus those who rush ahead with half-formed ideas, the sort who crave reputation and forget substance—casting off Xie's feathers, how could they reach his three thousand? Bowing before the Pei family, they fear the histories of the two Tang will not be passed down. Thus jade ornaments and golden stops are mocked by dull eyes, while the crude songs of Ba better suit the ears of Ying. Spring Snow is too lofty to find harmony, and exquisite music dies away unheeded. They never carefully weigh substance against ornament or measure literary quality at all. With a different kind of cleverness, they ultimately disgrace the skilled hand. Therefore men who hold fine jade and pearls, seeing the state of Zheng, know to withdraw; those wearing Zhang caps and green shoes, looking toward the land of Min, can only sigh. If poetry is like this, prose is no better. They simply let mute ink and soot drive and stain them, and unfeeling paper submit to being crumpled and folded. Alas! Literature has drifted so far off course that it has come to this.
53
至如近世謝朓、沈約之詩，任昉、陸倕之筆，斯文章之冠冕，述作之楷模。 張士簡之賦，周升逸之辯，亦成佳手，難可復遇。 文章未墜，必有英絕，領袖之者，非弟而誰。 每欲論之，無可與語，思吾子建，一共商榷。 辨茲清濁，使如涇、渭，論茲月旦，類彼汝南。 朱白既定，雌黃有別，使夫懷鼠知慚，濫竽自恥。 相思不見，我勞如何！
Consider the poetry of Xie Tiao and Shen Yue in our day, and the prose of Ren Fang and Lu Cheng—they are the crown of literature, models for all who write. Zhang Shijian's fu rhapsodies and Zhou Shengyi's eloquence also rank among the finest practitioners—talents one is unlikely to meet again. Literature has not yet collapsed; there must be someone outstanding to lead it—if not you, my brother, then who? Whenever I wish to discuss these matters, I find no one to talk with; thinking of you, Zijian, I long to weigh them together with you. Let us distinguish clear from turbid, as the Jing and Wei are distinguished; let us appraise writers as Xu Shao did in Runan. Once merit and mediocrity are clearly distinguished, let frauds feel ashamed and impostors know disgrace. I long for you yet cannot see you—how heavy my heart grows!
54
虯少而抗節好學，須得祿便隱。 宋泰始中，仕至晉平王驃騎記室、當陽令。 罷官歸家靜處，常服鹿皮袷，斷穀，餌術及胡麻。 齊建元初，豫章王嶷為荊州，教辟虯為別駕，與同郡宗測、新野庾易並遺書禮請之。 虯等各修箋答而不應命。
Qiu was high-minded and devoted to learning from youth; as soon as he received an official salary, he retired from office. During the Taishi reign of Liu Song, he served as recorder on the staff of the Prince of Jinping's Rapid Cavalry commandery and as magistrate of Dangyang. After leaving office he returned home to live in seclusion, usually wearing deerskin jackets, abstaining from grain, and nourishing himself on atractylodes and hemp seed. At the start of Qi's Jianyuan era, when Prince Yuzhang Di held Jingzhou, he ordered Qiu summoned as Vice-Prefect; he and Zong Ce of the same commandery and Yu Yi of Xinye each sent formal letters inviting him to serve. Qiu and the others each sent written replies declining to take office.
55
永明三年，刺史廬陵王子卿表虯及同郡宗測、宗尚之、庾易、劉昭五人，請加蒲車束帛之命。 詔徵為通直郎，不就。 竟陵王致書通意，虯答曰：「虯四節臥疾病，三時營灌植，暢餘陰於山澤，托暮情於魚鳥，甯非唐、虞重恩，周、邵宏施。」
In the third year of Yongming, the provincial inspector, Prince Luling Ziqing, memorialized on behalf of Qiu, Zong Ce, Zong Shangzhi, Yu Yi, and Liu Zhao, all of the same commandery, recommending them for the honor of a ceremonial carriage and silks. An imperial edict summoned him to serve as Director of Communications, but he refused. The Prince of Jingling sent a letter expressing his wishes, and Qiu replied: "I lie ill through all four seasons, spend three seasons tending my plantings, seek peace in mountain shade and marshlands, and confide my twilight years to fish and birds—surely this is blessing enough, like the kindness of the sage kings Tang and Yu or the great service of the Duke of Zhou and Duke Shao."
56
虯精信釋氏，衣粗布，禮佛長齋，注法華經，自講佛義。 以江陵西沙洲去人遠，乃徙居之。 建武二年，詔征國子博士，不就。 其冬虯病，正晝有白雲徘徊簷戶之內，又有香氣及磬聲。 其日卒，年五十八。 虯子之遴。
Qiu was a devout Buddhist; he wore coarse cloth, observed long Buddhist fasts, annotated the Lotus Sutra, and lectured on Buddhist doctrine himself. Finding Xisha Isle near Jiangling remote from human habitation, he moved there to live. In the second year of Jianwu, he was summoned to serve as Erudite of the National University but again refused. That winter Qiu fell ill; at midday white clouds drifted beneath his eaves, and incense and the sound of chime stones filled the air. He died that same day, at the age of fifty-eight. Qiu's son was Zhilin.
57
之遴字思貞，八歲能屬文。 虯曰：「此兒必以文興吾宗。」 常謂諸子曰：「若比之顏氏，之遴得吾之文。」 由是州裏稱之。 時有沙門僧惠有異識，每詣虯必呼之遴小字曰：「僧伽福德兒。」 握手而進之。
Zhilin, styled Sizhen, could compose literary works at the age of eight. Qiu said, "This boy will surely raise our clan through literature. He often told his other sons, "Compared to the Yan clan, Zhilin has inherited my literary gift. Because of this, he was celebrated throughout the commandery. There was a monk named Hui of unusual insight who, whenever he visited Qiu, would call Zhilin by his childhood name: "Sangha Fortunate Child. Then he would take the boy's hand and lead him forward.
58
年十五，舉茂才，明經對策，沈約、任昉見而異之。 吏部尚書王瞻嘗候任昉，遇之遴在坐，昉謂瞻曰：「此南陽劉之遴，學優未仕，水鏡所宜甄擢。」 即辟為太學博士。 昉曰：「為之美談，不如面試。」 時張稷新除尚書僕射，托昉為讓表，昉令之遴代作，操筆立成。 昉曰：「荊南秀氣，果有異才，後仕必當過僕。」 御史中丞樂藹即之遴之舅，憲台奏彈，皆令之遴草焉。 後為荊州中從事，梁簡文臨荊州，仍遷宣惠記室。 之遴篤學明審，博覽群籍，時劉顯、韋棱並稱強記，之遴每與討論，咸不過也。
At fifteen he was recommended as Outstanding Talent; when he took the Classicist examination and composed policy responses, Shen Yue and Ren Fang were struck by his talent. Minister of Personnel Wang Zhan once called on Ren Fang and found Zhilin there. Fang said to Zhan, "This is Liu Zhilin of Nanyang—outstanding in learning though not yet in office. A discerning eye ought to promote him. He was immediately appointed Erudite of the Imperial University. Fang said, "Praise is no substitute for seeing him tested in person. At that time Zhang Ji had just been appointed Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and asked Fang to draft a memorial declining the post; Fang had Zhilin write it instead, and he finished at once. Fang said, "Southern Jing truly breeds extraordinary talent. In later office he will surely surpass me. Censor-in-Chief Yue Ai was Zhilin's maternal uncle; the Censorate's indictments were all drafted by Zhilin. He later served as Middle Aide in Jingzhou; when the future Emperor Jianwen of Liang took charge of Jingzhou, Zhilin was transferred to recorder on his staff. Zhilin was deeply learned, precise in judgment, and widely read. Liu Xian and Wei Ling were both famed for powerful memory, but whenever Zhilin debated with them, none could best him.
59
累遷中書侍郎，後除南郡太守。 武帝謂曰：「卿母年德並高，故令卿衣錦還鄉，盡榮養之理。」 轉西中郎湘東王繹長史，太守如故。 初，之遴在荊府，常寄居南郡，忽夢前太守袁彖謂曰：「卿後當為折臂太守，即居此中。」 之遴後牛奔墮車折臂，右手偏直，不復得屈伸，書則以手就筆，歎曰：「豈黥而王乎？」 周舍嘗戲之曰：「雖復並坐可橫，政恐陋巷無枕。」 後連相兩王，再為此郡，曆秘書監。
He rose through successive promotions to Vice Director of the Secretariat, and was later appointed administrator of Nan Commandery. Emperor Wu told him, "Your mother's years and virtue are both great; I appoint you to this post so that you may return home in glory and fully fulfill your duty of honoring her. He was transferred to serve as chief administrator on the staff of Xiao Yi, Prince of Xiangdong, as Western Palace Attendant, while retaining his post as administrator. Earlier, while Zhilin was at the Jingzhou headquarters and lodging in Nan Commandery, he dreamed that the former administrator Yuan Lin told him, "You will later become the administrator with the broken arm and will live right here. Later his ox bolted and he fell from his cart, breaking his arm. His right hand stiffened and could no longer bend; when he wrote, he had to bring his hand to the brush. He sighed, "Must I be tattooed to become a king?" Zhou She once joked, "You may be able to lie sideways even when sitting side by side, but I fear there is no pillow in a poor alley." Later he served two princes in succession, again held this commandery, and also served as Director of the Imperial Library.
60
出為郢州行事，之遴意不願出，固辭曰：「去歲命絕離巽，不敢東下； 今年所忌又在西方。」 武帝手敕曰：「朕聞妻子具，孝衰於親，爵祿具，忠衰於君。 卿既內足，理忘奉公之節。」 遂為有司奏免。 後為都官尚書、太常卿。
When he was assigned to administer Yingzhou, Zhilin did not wish to leave and firmly declined: "Last year the baleful stars of Li and Xun blocked my path—I dared not go east; this year the forbidden direction lies again in the west. The Emperor wrote a personal edict: "We are told that when a man has wife and children complete, his filial piety toward his parents wanes; when rank and salary are complete, his loyalty to his lord wanes. Since you are already content at home, it is only natural that you have forgotten your public duty. Thereupon the responsible offices memorialized against him, and he was dismissed. He later served as Director of Punishments and Minister of Ceremonies.
61
之遴好古愛奇，在荊州聚古器數十百種，有一器似甌可容一斛，上有金錯字，時人無能知者。 又獻古器四種於東宮。 其第一種，鏤銅鴟夷榼二枚，兩耳有銀鏤，銘云：「建平二年造。」 其第二種，金銀錯鏤古鐏二枚，有篆銘云：「秦容成侯適楚之歲造。」 其第三種，外國澡灌一口，有銘云：「元封二年，龜茲國獻。」 其第四種，古制澡盤一枚，銘云：「初平二年造。」
Zhilin loved antiquity and prized curiosities. In Jingzhou he collected several dozen kinds of ancient vessels. One, jar-like and holding about ten pecks, bore inlaid-gold characters that no one of his day could decipher. He also presented four kinds of ancient vessels to the crown prince. The first was a pair of carved bronze owl-shaped wine vessels with silver-inlaid ears; the inscription read, "Made in the second year of Jianping. The second was a pair of ancient wine warmers with gold and silver inlay; a seal-script inscription read, "Made in the year Lord Rongcheng of Qin went to Chu." The third was a foreign bathing ewer; the inscription read, "In the second year of Yuanfeng, presented by the Kingdom of Kucha." The fourth was an ancient-style bathing basin; the inscription read, "Made in the second year of Chuping."
62
時鄱陽嗣王范得班固所撰漢書真本獻東宮，皇太子令之遴與張纘、到溉、陸襄等參校異同，之遴錄其異狀數十事，其大略云：「案古本漢書稱永平十六年五月二十一日己酉，郎班固上，而今本無上書年月日子。 又案古本敘傳號為中篇，今本稱為敘傳，又今本敘傳載班彪事行，而古本云：「彪自有傳」。 又今本紀及表志列傳不相合為次，而古本相合為次，總成三十八卷。 又今本外戚在西域後，古本外戚次帝紀下。 又今本高五子、文三王、景十三王、孝武六子、宣元六王雜在諸傳帙中，古本諸王悉次外戚下，在陳項傳上。 又今本韓彭英盧吳述云：「信惟餓隸，布實黥徒，越亦狗盜，芮尹江湖。 雲起龍驤，化為侯王。」 古本述云：「淮陰毅毅，仗劍周章，邦之傑子，實惟彭、英。 化為侯王，雲起龍驤。」 又古本第三十七卷解音釋義，以助雅詁； 而今本無此卷也。」
At the time Prince Fan of Poyang obtained the authentic original of Ban Gu's Book of Han and presented it to the crown prince. The crown prince ordered Zhilin, together with Zhang Zuan, Dao Gai, Lu Xiang, and others to collate the differences. Zhilin recorded several dozen points of variation; in outline he wrote: "According to the ancient Book of Han, it reads: 'On the twenty-first day of the fifth month of the sixteenth year of Yongping, on the day jiyou, Gentleman Ban Gu submitted [the work]'—whereas the present version lacks the date, month, day, and cyclical day of submission. Also according to the ancient version, the autobiographical preface is titled 'Central Chapter,' whereas the present version calls it 'Autobiographical Preface'; moreover the present preface records Ban Biao's deeds, whereas the ancient text says: 'Biao has his own biography.' Also in the present version the Annals, Tables, Treatises, and Biographies are not arranged in interlinked order, whereas in the ancient version they are arranged in interlinked order, together forming thirty-eight scrolls. Also in the present version the Empresses and Consorts come after the Western Regions, whereas in the ancient version they follow directly after the imperial annals. Also in the present version the biographies of the five sons of Emperor Gao, the three sons of Emperor Wen, the thirteen sons of Emperor Jing, the six sons of Emperor Xiaowu, and the six princes of the Xuan-Yuan period are scattered among the various biographical chapters; in the ancient version all the princes follow directly after the Empresses and Consorts, before the biographies of Chen She and Xiang Yu. Also in the present version the summary of Han, Peng, Ying, Lu, and Wu states: "Xin was once a starving slave, Bu truly a tattooed convict, Yue also a dog-thief, Rui a guardian of rivers and lakes. Clouds rise and dragons soar, transforming into marquises and kings. The ancient version's summary states: "Huaiyin was resolute and bold, sword in hand, roving in grandeur—among the state's outstanding sons, truly Peng and Ying. Transforming into marquises and kings—clouds rise and dragons soar. Also in the ancient version, scroll thirty-seven contains phonetic glosses and explanations to aid interpretation of the text; whereas the present version lacks this scroll."
63
之遴好屬文，多學古體，與河東裴子野、沛國劉顯恒共討論古籍，因為交好。 時周易、尚書、禮記、毛詩並有武帝義疏，唯左氏傳尚闕，之遴乃著春秋大意十科，左氏十科，三傳同異十科。 合三十事上之。 帝大悅，詔答曰：「省所撰春秋義，比事論書，辭微旨遠，編年之教，言闡義繁。 丘明傳洙、泗之風，公羊宗西河之學，鐸椒之解不追，瑕丘之說無取。 繼踵胡母，仲舒雲盛，因循谷梁，千秋最篤。 張蒼之傳左氏，賈誼之襲荀卿，源本分鑣，指歸殊致，詳略紛然，其來舊矣。 昔在弱年，久經研味，一從遺置，迄將五紀。 兼晚秋晷促，機事罕暇，夜分求衣，未遑披括。 須待夏景，試欲推尋，若溫故可求，別酬所問也。」
Zhilin loved to compose literary works and often studied ancient styles; with Pei Ziye of Hedong and Liu Xian of Pei he regularly discussed ancient texts and became close friends. At that time the Book of Changes, Documents, Record of Rites, and Mao version of the Odes all had imperial commentaries from Emperor Wu, but the Zuoshi Commentary still lacked one; Zhilin therefore composed ten categories of the Essential Meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals, ten categories on the Zuoshi tradition, and ten categories on agreements and differences among the Three Commentaries. Thirty topics in all, which he submitted to the throne. The Emperor was greatly pleased and responded by edict: "We have reviewed your Spring and Autumn exposition. Comparing events and discussing the text, the language is subtle and the intent far-reaching—the teaching of chronicle compilation, with its meaning elaborated and its doctrine abundant. Qiu Ming transmitted the spirit of Zhu and Si; Gongsun imported the learning of Xihe; Du Jiao's explication cannot be pursued, and Xianqiu's exposition is not to be taken. Following in the steps of Humu of Zhao, Dong Zhongshu flourished like clouds; going along with Guliang, Gong Wujiang was most earnest. Zhang Cang transmitted the Zuoshi tradition; Jia Yi inherited Xun Qing—the sources parted like forked roads, the aims differed, elaborate and brief in confusion; this has been so since old. Long ago in my weak years I long studied and savored these matters; once cast aside and forgotten, it has now been nearly five twelve-year cycles. Moreover with late autumn days short and urgent affairs seldom spared, at midnight I still seek my robe—there has been no leisure to sort through them. We must wait for summer light and then try to pursue the inquiry; if warm familiarity can be sought anew, we will separately reward what was asked."
64
尋避難還鄉，湘東王繹嘗嫉其才學，聞其西上至夏口，乃密送藥殺之。 不欲使人知，乃自製志銘，厚其賻贈。 前後文集五十卷。
Soon afterward, fleeing the turmoil, he returned home. Xiao Yi, Prince of Xiangdong, who had long envied his talent, learned that he was traveling west to Xiakou and secretly sent poison to kill him. Not wishing others to know, he himself composed the epitaph and generously provided funeral gifts. His collected earlier and later works totaled fifty scrolls.
65
子三達字三善，數歲能清言及屬文。 州將湘東王繹聞之，盛集賓客，召而試之。 說義屬詩，皆有理致。 年十二，聽江陵令賀革講禮還，仍覆述，不遺一句。 年十八卒。 之遴深懷悼恨，乃題墓曰：「梁妙士。」 以旌之。 之遴弟之亨。
His son Sandada, styled Sanshan, was only a few years old when he could speak elegantly and compose literary works. Xiao Yi, Prince of Xiangdong and provincial commander, heard of this, gathered a great assembly of guests, and summoned the boy to test him. In expounding doctrine and composing verse on assigned topics, everything had reasoning and polish. At twelve, after listening to He Ge, Magistrate of Jiangling, lecture on the Rites, he repeated the lecture on return without missing a single sentence. At eighteen he died. Zhilin mourned him deeply and inscribed the tomb with the words, "Liang's Wondrous Scholar. Thus he honored him. Zhilin's younger brother was Zhiheng.
66
之亨字嘉會，年四歲，出後叔父嵩。 及長好學，美風姿，善占對。 武帝之臨荊州，唯與虯談。 虯見之遴之亨，帝曰：「之遴必以文章顯，之亨當以功名著。」 後州舉秀才，除大學博士，仍代兄之遴為中書通事舍人。 累遷步兵校尉，湘東王繹諮議參軍，敕賜金策並賜詩焉。
Zhiheng, styled Jiahui, at four years was given in adoption to his uncle Song. When grown he loved learning, had handsome bearing, and was skilled in repartee. When Emperor Wu first came to Jingzhou, he spoke only with Qiu. Qiu, seeing Zhilin and Zhiheng, said to the Emperor: "Zhilin will surely be illustrious through literature; Zhiheng will make his name through achievements. Later the province recommended him as Outstanding Talent; he was appointed Erudite of the Imperial University, and then replaced his elder brother Zhilin as Secretariat Attendant. Through successive promotions he became Commandant of Foot Soldiers and Advisory Colonel on the staff of Xiao Yi, Prince of Xiangdong; by edict he was granted a golden tally and also given a poem.
67
大通六年，出師南鄭，詔湘東王節度諸軍。 之亨以司農卿為行台承制，途出本州北界，總督眾軍，杖節而西，樓船戈甲甚盛。 老小緣岸觀曰：「是前舉秀才者。」 鄉部偉之。 是行也，大致克復，軍士有功皆錄，唯之亨為蘭欽所訟，執政因而陷之，故封賞不行，但復本位而已。 久之，帝讀陳湯傳，恨其立功絕域而為文吏所抵。 宦者張僧胤曰：「外聞論者，竊謂劉之亨似之。」 帝感悟，乃封為臨江子。 固辭不拜。
In the sixth year of Datong, the army marched out to Nanzheng; an edict appointed the Prince of Xiangdong commander of all forces. Zhiheng, as Director of the Imperial Granary, served as Executive Staff drafting on authority of the command; on the route he passed the northern border of his home province, overall commanding the army, carrying the staff as he marched west—with tower ships and armor very splendid. Old and young along the banks watched, saying: "That is the one who was recommended as Outstanding Talent before. The district admired him. On this campaign there was broadly recovery of territory; soldiers with merit were all recorded—only Zhiheng was prosecuted by Lan Qin, and the chief ministers therefore entrapped him, so enfeoffment and rewards were not carried out; he merely returned to his original post. After a long while, the Emperor reading the biography of Chen Tang regretted that though he had established merit in distant regions he was constrained by civil officials. The eunuch Zhang Sengyin said: "Among those discussing outside, some privately say Liu Zhiheng is like him. Moved by this, the emperor enfeoffed him as Marquis of Linjiang. He firmly declined the honor.
68
之亨美績嘉聲，在朱異之右，既不協，懼為所害，故美出之，以代之遴為安西東湘王繹長史、南郡太守。 上問朱異曰：「之亨代兄喜不？ 兄弟因循，豈直大馮、小馮而已。」 又謂尚書令何敬容曰：「荊州長史、南郡太守，皆是僕射出入。 今者之亨便是九轉。」 在郡有異績，吏人稱之。 卒，荊土懷之，不復稱名，號為大南郡小南郡。
Zhiheng's achievements and reputation surpassed Zhu Yi's. Because they were at odds, Zhu feared harm and contrived to have him promoted out of the capital, appointing Zhilin in his place as chief clerk to Prince Xiao Yi of Xiangdong and governor of Nan Commandery. The emperor asked Zhu Yi: "Is Zhiheng happy to take his brother's place? Brothers succeeding one another in office—surely this is more than just another Feng Ji and Feng Jun. He also told Director He Jingrong: "The posts of Jingzhou chief clerk and Nan Commandery governor are stepping-stones for future vice directors. For Zhiheng this appointment is the final stage of the elixir." In office he achieved outstanding results, and officials and people praised him. When he died, the people of Jing cherished his memory so deeply that they no longer spoke his name, calling him instead the Greater and Lesser Governor of Nan Commandery.
69
子廣德，亦好學，負才任氣。 承聖中，位湘東太守。 魏平荊州，依于王琳。 琳平，陳太建中，曆河東太守，卒官。
His son Guangde also loved learning and was proud and headstrong in temperament. During the Chengsheng era he served as governor of Xiangdong. When Wei pacified Jingzhou, he joined Wang Lin. After Lin's defeat, during the Taijian era of Chen he served as governor of Hedong and died in office.
70
之亨弟之遲，位荊州中從事史。 子仲威，少有志氣，頗涉文史。 梁承聖中，為中書侍郎。 蕭莊稱尊號，以為御史中丞，隨莊終鄴中。
Zhiheng's younger brother Zhichi served as attendant of Jingzhou. His son Zhongwei was ambitious from youth and well versed in literature and history. During the Chengsheng era of Liang he served as Secretariat Vice Director. When Xiao Zhuang declared himself emperor, he was made Imperial Censor-in-Chief and followed Zhuang to Ye, where he remained until the end.
71
坦字德度，虯從弟也。 仕齊曆孱陵令，南中郎錄事參軍，所居以幹濟稱。
Tan, styled Dedu, was a younger cousin of Qiu. Under Qi he served as magistrate of Chanling and recorder on the staff of the Southern Palace Guard, winning renown for practical competence.
72
梁武帝起兵，時輔國將軍楊公則為湘州刺史，帥師赴夏口。 西朝議行州事者，坦求行，乃除輔國長史、長沙太守，行湘州刺史。 坦嘗在湘州，多舊恩，道迎者甚眾。 齊東昏遣安成太守劉希祖破西台所選太守范僧簡于平都，希祖移檄湘部，於是始興內史王僧粲應之，湘部諸郡，悉皆蜂起。 州人咸欲泛舟逃走，坦悉聚船焚之。 前湘州鎮軍鍾玄紹潛應僧粲，坦聞其謀，偽為不知，因理訟至夜，城門遂不閉以疑之。 玄紹未及發，明旦詣坦問其故。 久留與語，密遣親兵收其家。 玄紹在坐未起，而收兵已報具得其文書本末。 玄紹即首伏，於坐斬之，焚其文書，餘党悉無所問。
When Emperor Wu of Liang raised his army, Pacification General Yang Gongze was governor of Xiangzhou and led his troops to Xiakou. The Western court debated who should administer the province. Tan volunteered and was appointed chief clerk on Yang's staff, governor of Changsha, and acting governor of Xiangzhou. Tan had previously served in Xiangzhou and had many old ties there; a great crowd came out to welcome him along the road. Emperor Donghun of Qi sent Liu Xizu, governor of Ancheng, to defeat Fan Jianjian, the governor chosen by the Western Headquarters, at Pingdu. Xizu issued a proclamation to the Xiang region, and Wang Sencan, administrator of Shixing, answered the call. Every commandery in the region rose in revolt. The people of the province all wanted to flee by boat. Tan gathered every vessel and burned them. Zhong Xuanshao, former garrison general of Xiangzhou, secretly supported Sencan. Tan learned of the plot but pretended ignorance, hearing lawsuits until nightfall and leaving the city gates open to unsettle him. Before Xuanshao could act, he came to Tan the next morning to ask why the gates had been left open. Tan kept him in conversation for a long time while secretly sending trusted soldiers to search his home. Xuanshao had not yet left his seat when the soldiers returned with a full account of his correspondence and conspiracy. Xuanshao confessed at once. Tan executed him on the spot, burned his papers, and did not pursue the rest of his followers.
73
梁天監初，論功封荔浦子。 三年，遷西中郎長史、蜀郡太守，行益州事。 未至蜀，道卒。
At the beginning of the Tianjian era of Liang, his merit was recognized and he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Lipu. In the third year he was transferred to chief clerk of the Western Palace Guard, governor of Shu Commandery, and acting administrator of Yizhou. He died on the road before reaching Shu.
74
論曰：劉瓛弟兄，僧紹父子，並業盛專門，飾以儒行，持身之節，異夫苟得患失者焉。 庾易、劉虯取高一代，其所以行己，事兼隱德，諸子學業之美，各著家聲。 顯及之遴見嫉時主，或以非罪而斥，或以非疾而亡，異夫自古哲王屈己下賢之道，有以知武皇之不弘，元後之多忌。 梁祚之不永也，不亦宜哉。
The historian comments: Liu Huan and his brothers, Ming Sengshao and his sons—all achieved mastery in their fields and adorned their lives with Confucian conduct. In the integrity with which they held themselves, they differed from those who grasp at gain and fear loss. Yu Yi and Liu Qiu stood above their generation. In how they lived they combined reclusive virtue with public duty, and their sons' scholarly achievements each enhanced the family name. Xian and Zhilin aroused the jealousy of their rulers—one was dismissed without cause, the other died by hidden murder. This differs from the ancient way of wise kings who humbled themselves to honor the worthy. From this we may see that Emperor Wu was not magnanimous and that his heirs were quick to jealousy. That the Liang dynasty did not long endure was only to be expected.