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列傳第四十三
Biography 43
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梁武帝諸子
The Sons of Emperor Wu of Liang
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武帝八男。 丁貴嬪生昭明太子統、簡文皇帝、廬陵威王續。 阮修容生孝元皇帝。 吳淑媛生豫章王綜。 董昭儀生南康簡王績。 丁充華生邵陵攜王綸。 葛修容生武陵王紀。
Emperor Wu had eight sons. Noble Consort Ding gave birth to Crown Prince Zhaoming (Tong), Emperor Jianwen, and Prince Wei of Luling (Xu). Lady Ruan gave birth to Emperor Xiaoyuan. Lady Wu gave birth to the Prince of Yuzhang, Zong. Lady of Bright Deportment Dong gave birth to Prince Jian of Nankang, Ji. Lady Ding gave birth to Prince Xi of Shaoling, Lun. Lady Ge gave birth to the Prince of Wuling, Ji.
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天監元年十一月，立為皇太子。 時年幼，依舊居於內，拜東宮官屬，文武皆入直永福省。 五年六月庚戌，出居東宮。
In the eleventh month of Tianjian 1, he was installed as crown prince. He was still very young, so he continued to live inside the inner palace as before. Eastern Palace staff were appointed, and both civil and military attendants took their posts at Yongfu Palace. On the gengxu day of the sixth month of year 5, he moved out to take up residence in the Eastern Palace.
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太子生而聰叡，三歲受孝經、論語，五歲遍讀五經，悉通諷誦。 性仁孝，自出宮，恒思戀不樂。 帝知之，每五日一朝，多便留永福省，或五日三日乃還宮。 八年九月，于壽安殿講孝經，盡通大義。 講畢，親臨釋奠于國學。
From birth the crown prince was bright and perceptive. At three he began the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects; by five he had read all the Five Classics and could recite them fluently from memory. Gentle and devoted by nature, he was restless and unhappy after moving out of the inner palace, always longing to return. Learning of this, the emperor had him come to court every five days and often kept him at Yongfu Palace—sometimes for three days, sometimes for five—before he returned to the Eastern Palace. In the ninth month of year 8, he lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety in Shou'an Hall and demonstrated a thorough grasp of its essential meaning. When the lecture ended, he personally went to the National Academy to offer the Confucian sacrifice.
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年十二，於內省見獄官將讞事。 問左右曰：「是皁衣何為者？」 曰：「廷尉官屬。」 召視其書，曰：「是皆可念，我得判否？」 有司以統幼，紿之曰：「得。」 其獄皆刑罪上，統皆署杖五十。 有司抱具獄，不知所為，具言於帝，帝笑而從之。 自是數使聽訟，每有欲寬縱者，即使太子決之。 建康縣讞誣人誘口，獄翻，縣以太子仁愛，故輕當杖四十。 令曰：「彼若得罪，便闔家孥戮，今縱不以其罪罪之，豈可輕罰而已，可付冶十年。」
At twelve, while still in the inner palace, he saw court officials preparing to review criminal cases. He asked his attendants, "Who are those men in dark robes, and what are they doing?" They answered, "Attendants of the minister of justice." He had them bring the records over and said, "These all deserve careful thought. May I decide the cases?" The officials, thinking Tong was too young to understand, humored him and said, "You may." Every case involved capital crimes, yet Tong signed off on fifty strokes of the staff for each. The officials, holding the completed dossiers and unsure what to do, reported the matter fully to the emperor, who laughed and let it stand. After that he was often assigned to hear cases, and whenever the court wished to temper justice with mercy, the crown prince was put in charge of the decision. In a reversed Jiankang County case involving false accusation, the county set the punishment at only forty strokes, counting on the crown prince's compassion. He ruled, "Had he been found guilty, his entire household would have faced execution. Even though we are not punishing him for a crime he did not commit, a light penalty is not enough—sentence him to ten years of penal servitude."
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十四年正月朔旦，帝臨軒，冠太子于太極殿。 舊制太子著遠遊冠、金蟬翠緌纓，至是詔加金博山。 太子美姿容，善舉止，讀書數行並下，過目皆憶。 每游宴祖道，賦詩至十數韻，或作劇韻，皆屬思便成，無所點易。 帝大弘佛教，親自講說。 太子亦素信三寶，遍覽眾經。 乃于宮內別立慧義殿，專為法集之所。 招引名僧，自立二諦、法身義。 普通元年四月，甘露降於慧義殿，咸以為至德所感。 時俗稍奢，太子欲以己率物，服御樸素，身衣浣衣，膳不兼肉。
On New Year's Day of year 14, the emperor presided from the throne and conducted the crown prince's coming-of-age ceremony in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate. Under earlier rules the crown prince wore the far-roaming cap with a golden cicada and green tassel; now an edict added a golden Mount Bo crest as well. Handsome in appearance and dignified in bearing, he could read several lines at a glance and remember whatever passed before his eyes. At banquets and farewell gatherings he would compose poems of ten or more rhymes, sometimes on demanding rhyme schemes, finishing them on the spot without changing a word. The emperor vigorously promoted Buddhism and preached the doctrine himself. The crown prince had long been a devout Buddhist and had read widely in the scriptures. Within the palace he built Huiyi Hall as a dedicated venue for Buddhist gatherings. He invited renowned monks and developed his own interpretations of the two truths and the dharma body. In the fourth month of Putong 1, sweet dew descended on Huiyi Hall, which everyone took as a sign of his supreme virtue. As luxury spread in society, the crown prince sought to set an example through frugality: plain dress, worn garments, and never more than one kind of meat at table.
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三年十一月，始興王憺薨。 舊事以東宮禮絕傍親，書翰並依常儀。 太子以為疑，命僕劉孝綽議其事。 孝綽議曰：「案張鏡撰東宮儀記，稱'三朝發哀者，踰月不舉樂； 鼓吹寢奏，服限亦然'。 尋傍絕之義，義在去服，服雖可奪，情豈無悲。 鐃歌輟奏，良亦為此。 既有悲情，宜稱兼慕，卒哭之後，依常舉樂，稱悲竟，此理例相符。 謂猶應稱兼慕，請至卒哭。」 僕射徐勉、左率周舍、家令陸襄並同孝綽議。 太子令曰：「張鏡儀記雲，'依士禮，終服月稱慕悼'。 又云，'凡三朝發哀者，踰月不舉樂'。 劉僕議雲，'傍絕之義，義在去服，服雖可奪，情豈無悲。 卒哭之後，依常舉樂，稱悲竟，此理例相符'。 尋情悲之說，非止卒哭之後，緣情為論，此自難一也。 用張鏡之'舉樂'，棄張鏡之'稱悲'。 一鏡之言，取捨有異，此自難二也。 陸家令止雲'多歷年所'，恐非事證。 雖復累稔所用，意常未安。 近亦嘗以此問外，由來立意，謂猶應有慕悼之言。 張豈不知舉樂為大，稱悲事小。 所以用小而忽大，良亦有以。 至如元正六佾，事為國章，雖情或未安，而禮不可廢。 鐃吹軍樂，比之亦然，書疏方之，事則成小。 差可緣心。 聲樂自外，書疏自內，樂自他，書自己。 劉僕之議，即情未安。 可令諸賢更共詳衷。」 司農卿明山賓、步兵校尉朱異議，稱「慕悼之解，宜終服月」。 於是付典書遵用，以為永准。
In the eleventh month of year 3, Prince of Shixing, Dan, died. By established custom, Eastern Palace protocol cut off mourning ties with collateral relatives, so correspondence followed ordinary forms. The crown prince was uncertain about this and asked Secretary Liu Xiaochuo to study the question. Xiaochuo argued, "Zhang Jing's Eastern Palace Ceremonial Record says, 'When mourning is announced on three mornings, music is suspended for more than a month; drums and pipes are silenced, and the mourning period for dress is the same. The rule of severing ties with collateral kin is about ending formal mourning dress—but even if the dress is removed, the grief need not disappear. That is precisely why cymbal music is suspended. Where grief remains, correspondence should use the phrase 'mourning together.' After the final wailing, music may resume as usual, and when grief is declared ended, reason and precedent align. He recommended continuing to use 'mourning together' until the final wailing." Vice Director Xu Mian, Left Leader Zhou She, and Household Steward Lu Xiang all sided with Xiaochuo. The crown prince replied, "Zhang Jing's Ceremonial Record says, 'Under the rites of scholars, after the mourning period one writes mourning and lamentation. It also says, 'Whenever mourning is announced on three mornings, music is suspended for more than a month. Secretary Liu argues, 'Severing ties with collateral kin is about ending formal mourning—but even if the dress is removed, grief need not vanish. After the final wailing, music may resume as usual, and when grief is declared ended, reason and precedent align. On the question of grief, the issue is not confined to the period after the final wailing. Arguing from emotion alone, this is the first problem. To adopt Zhang Jing's rule on music while rejecting his rule on declaring grief— picking selectively from a single authority creates a second problem. Household Steward Lu merely cites 'long-standing practice,' which is hardly solid evidence. Even if the practice has stood for years, I have never been comfortable with it. I recently raised this question with others as well. From the start my view has been that correspondence should still include language of mourning and lamentation. Surely Zhang knew that resuming music was the weightier issue and declaring grief the lesser one. His reason for treating the lesser matter seriously while setting aside the greater one must have had its logic. The six rows of dancers at New Year's are a matter of state ritual. One's feelings may be uneasy, but the ceremony cannot be set aside. Cymbals, pipes, and military music are comparable; letters and memorials, by contrast, are a smaller matter. Here one may more readily follow one's feelings. Music comes from outside, correspondence from within; music is imposed by others, writing is one's own. Secretary Liu's proposal does not sit right emotionally. Let the gentlemen reconsider this together in full." Director of Agriculture Ming Shanbin and Commandant of Foot Soldiers Zhu Yi ruled that the phrase mourning and lamentation should be used through the end of the mourning month. The decision was then entrusted to the Master of Documents and adopted as permanent precedent.
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七年十一月，貴嬪有疾，太子還永福省，朝夕侍疾，衣不解帶。 及薨，步從喪還宮，至殯，水漿不入口，每哭輒慟絕。 武帝敕中書舍人顧協宣旨曰：「毀不滅性，聖人之制，不勝喪比於不孝。 有我在，那得自毀如此。 可即強進飲粥。」 太子奉敕，乃進數合，自是至葬，日進麥粥一升。 武帝又敕曰：「聞汝所進過少，轉就羸瘦。 我比更無餘病，政為汝如此，胸中亦填塞成疾。 故應強加饘粥，不俟我恒爾懸心。」 雖屢奉敕勸逼，終喪日止一溢，不嚐菜果之味。 體素壯，腰帶十圍，至是減削過半。 每入朝，士庶見者莫不下泣。
In the eleventh month of year 7, when the noble consort fell ill, the crown prince returned to Yongfu Palace and nursed her day and night without undressing. When she died, he walked behind the coffin back to the palace. Until the encoffining he took neither food nor drink, and each time he wept he collapsed in grief. Emperor Wu sent Palace Secretary Gu Xie with this message: "The sages taught that one must not destroy one's health in mourning; failing to survive grief is itself a kind of unfilial conduct. I am still alive—how can you destroy yourself this way? Force yourself to take gruel at once." The crown prince obeyed and took a few mouthfuls. From then until the burial he consumed one sheng of barley gruel each day. Emperor Wu wrote again, "I hear you are eating too little and growing thinner by the day. I have no other illness myself—it is worry for you that fills my chest and makes me ill. Eat more gruel by force, and spare me this constant anxiety." Though repeatedly pressed by imperial command, throughout the mourning period he ate only one yi a day and never tasted vegetables or fruit. He had been naturally robust, with a waist ten wei around; by now it had shrunk by more than half. Whenever he appeared at court, officials and commoners alike wept at the sight of him.
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太子自加元服，帝便使省萬機，內外百司奏事者填塞於前。 太子明于庶事，每所奏謬誤巧妄，皆即辯析，示其可否，徐令改正，未嘗彈糾一人。 平斷法獄，多所全宥，天下皆稱仁。 性寬和容眾，喜慍不形於色。 引納才學之士，賞愛無倦。 恒自討論墳籍，或與學士商榷古今，繼以文章著述，率以為常。 于時東宮有書幾三萬卷，名才並集，文學之盛，晉、宋以來未之有也。
After his coming-of-age ceremony, the emperor put him in charge of state affairs, and memorials from every office piled up before him. He had a clear grasp of routine business. Whenever a memorial contained errors or fabrications, he analyzed it on the spot, explained what was acceptable and what was not, and had it corrected without ever punishing anyone. In legal judgments he showed mercy and spared many lives, and the realm praised his benevolence. Generous and tolerant by nature, he never let pleasure or anger show on his face. He welcomed men of talent and learning and never tired of encouraging them. He constantly studied the classics on his own, debated history with scholars, and wrote—this was his daily routine. The Eastern Palace held nearly thirty thousand volumes, and eminent talents gathered there in numbers unmatched since the Jin and Song dynasties.
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性愛山水，于玄圃穿築，更立亭館，與朝士名素者遊其中。 嘗泛舟後池，番禺侯軌盛稱此中宜奏女樂。 太子不答，詠左思招隱詩云：「何必絲與竹，山水有清音。」 軌慚而止。 出宮二十餘年，不畜音聲。 未薨少時，敕賜太樂女伎一部，略非所好。
He loved landscape and scenery. In the Mystic Garden he excavated ponds and built new pavilions, where he wandered with distinguished court gentlemen. Once, while boating on the rear pond, Marquis of Panyu Gui enthusiastically suggested that female musicians should perform there. The crown prince made no reply but recited from Zuo Si's Poem Summoning the Recluse: "Why need strings and pipes? The mountains and waters have their own pure music." Gui, abashed, said no more. For more than twenty years after leaving the inner palace, he kept no musicians. Shortly before his death, the emperor granted him a troupe of female performers from the Imperial Music Office, which held little appeal for him.
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普通中，大軍北侵，都下米貴。 太子因命菲衣減膳。 每霖雨積雪，遣腹心左右周行閭巷，視貧困家及有流離道路，以米密加振賜，人十石。 又出主衣絹帛，年常多作襦褲，各三千領，冬月以施寒者，不令人知。 若死亡無可斂，則為備棺槥。 每聞遠近百姓賦役勤苦，輒斂容變色。 常以戶口未實，重于勞擾。 吳興郡屢以水災不熟，有上言當漕大瀆以瀉浙江。 中大通二年春，詔遣前交州刺史王弈假節發吳、吳興、信義三郡人丁就役。 太子上疏曰：「伏聞當遣王弈等上東三郡人丁開漕溝渠，導泄震澤，使吳興一境無復水災，暫勞永逸，必獲後利。 未萌難睹，竊有愚懷。 所聞吳興累年失收，人頗流移，吳郡十城，亦不全熟，唯信義去秋有稔，復非恒役之民。 即日東境穀稼猶貴，劫盜屢起，在所有司，皆不聞奏。 今征戍未歸，強丁疏少，此雖小舉，竊恐難合。 吏一呼門，動為人蠹。 又出丁之處，遠近不一，比得齊集，已妨蠶農。 去年稱為豐歲，公私未能足食，如復今茲失業，慮恐為弊更深。 且草竊多伺候人間虛實，若善人從役，則抄盜彌增。 吳興未受其益，內地已離其弊。 不審可得權停此功，待優實以不？」 武帝優詔以喻焉。
During the Putong era, when northern armies invaded, rice in the capital became scarce and costly. The crown prince responded by adopting plain dress and cutting back his meals. Whenever heavy rain or snow fell, he sent trusted attendants through the lanes to find poor households and people stranded on the roads, quietly giving each person ten shi of rice. He also drew on palace stores of silk to have three thousand jackets and three thousand pairs of trousers made each year, distributing them in winter to those in need without publicity. When the dead had no means of burial, he provided coffins. Whenever he heard that people near and far were burdened by taxes and corvée labor, his face would darken with concern. He regarded inaccurate household registration as a graver problem than the burden of labor itself. Wuxing Commandery repeatedly lost its harvest to floods, and a memorial proposed dredging the Great Canal to drain floodwaters into the Qiantang River. In the spring of Zhongdatong 2, an edict sent former Governor of Jiaozhou Wang Yi with provisional authority to conscript labor from Wu, Wuxing, and Xinyi commanderies. The crown prince submitted a memorial: "I understand that Wang Yi and others are to conscript labor from the three eastern commanderies to dredge canals and drain Lake Zhen, ending floods in Wuxing—a short-term burden for long-term gain. The future is hard to foresee, and I have some modest concerns. I hear that Wuxing has lost harvests for years and many people have fled. In Wu Commandery's ten cities, not all crops have ripened; only Xinyi had a good harvest last autumn, and even there the people are not used to regular corvée. Even now grain in the east remains costly and banditry is frequent, yet local officials report none of it. Conscripts have not yet returned from garrison duty, and able-bodied men are scarce. Though this seems a small project, I fear it will be hard to carry out. When officials come knocking, they invariably become a plague on the people. Laborers must come from places near and far, and by the time they assemble, silkworm season and farming will already be disrupted. Last year was called a good harvest, yet public and private stores still fell short. If people lose work again this year, the harm may run even deeper. Petty bandits watch for weakness among the people. If good citizens are sent to corvée, robbery will only increase. Wuxing has not yet gained the benefit, while the interior has already borne the cost. Might this project be suspended for now until conditions improve?" Emperor Wu replied with a gracious edict explaining his reasoning.
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太子孝謹天至，每入朝，未五鼓便守城門開。 東宮雖燕居內殿，一坐一起，恒向西南面台。 宿被召當入，危坐達旦。
The crown prince's filial devotion was extraordinary. Whenever he attended court, he waited at the city gate before the fifth watch for it to open. Even at rest in the Eastern Palace, whenever he sat or stood he always faced southwest toward the imperial terrace. If summoned the night before, he would sit upright until dawn.
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三年三月，游後池，乘雕文舸摘芙蓉。 姬人蕩舟，沒溺而得出，因動股，恐貽帝憂，深誡不言，以寢疾聞。 武帝敕看問，輒自力手書啟。 及稍篤，左右欲啟聞，猶不許，曰：「雲何令至尊知我如此惡。」 因便嗚咽。 四月乙巳，暴惡，馳啟武帝，比至已薨，時年三十一。 帝臨哭盡哀，詔斂以袞冕，諡曰昭明。 五月庚寅，葬安寧陵，詔司徒左長史王筠為哀冊文。 朝野惋愕，都下男女奔走宮門，號泣滿路。 四方甿庶及疆徼之人，聞喪皆哀慟。
In the third month of year 3, he toured the rear pond in an ornately carved boat, picking lotus flowers. A concubine rocked the boat; he nearly drowned before climbing out, injuring his thigh. Fearing it would worry the emperor, he forbade anyone to speak of it and had the matter reported as a lingering illness. When Emperor Wu sent inquiries, he always forced himself to write replies in his own hand. When his condition worsened, his attendants wanted to inform the emperor, but he still refused, saying, "Why should I let His Majesty know how ill I am?" And he broke into sobs. On the yisi day of the fourth month he suddenly worsened. An urgent message was sent to Emperor Wu, but by the time he arrived the crown prince was dead, aged thirty-one. The emperor came to mourn with full grief, ordered him enshrouded in imperial robes, and gave him the posthumous name Zhaoming. On the gengyin day of the fifth month he was buried at Anning Mausoleum. An edict commissioned Left Chief Administrator Wang Yun of the Ministry of Education to compose the elegiac encomium. Court and countryside were stunned with grief. Men and women of the capital rushed to the palace gates, filling the roads with wailing. Commoners throughout the realm and people on the frontiers all mourned upon hearing the news.
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太子性仁恕，見在宮禁防捉荊子者，問之，雲以清道驅人。 太子恐復致痛，使捉手板代之。 頻食中得蠅蟲之屬，密置柈邊，恐廚人獲罪，不令人知。 又見後合小兒攤戲，後屬有獄牒攤者法，士人結流徒，庶人結徒。 太子曰：「私錢自戲，不犯公物，此科太重。」 令注刑止三歲，士人免官。 獄牒應死者必降長徒，自此以下莫不減半。
The crown prince was naturally benevolent and forgiving. Seeing palace guards with thorn whips seizing people, he asked why and was told they were clearing the road. Fearing they would hurt people again, he had them carry writing tablets instead. When he found flies or insects in his food, he quietly set them aside, fearing the kitchen staff would be punished, and never told anyone. He also saw young boys in the rear quarters gambling. Later a law on gambling sentenced scholars to exile with penal servitude and commoners to penal servitude. The crown prince said, "Gambling with one's own money for amusement, without touching public property—this penalty is too harsh." He ordered the penalty reduced to three years, with scholars merely dismissed from office. Cases warranting death were invariably commuted to long-term penal servitude, and lesser sentences were all halved.
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所著文集二十卷，又撰古今典誥文言為正序十卷，五言詩之善者為英華集二十卷，文選三十卷。
He authored a twenty-volume collected works, plus Correct Prefaces in ten volumes of classical edicts and proclamations, Selected Excellence in twenty volumes of fine five-character poetry, and the thirty-volume Literary Anthology.
17
初，丁貴嬪薨，太子遣人求得善墓地，將斬草，有賣地者因閹人俞三副求巿，若得三百萬，許以百萬與之。 三副密啟武帝，言太子所得地不如今所得地于帝吉，帝末年多忌，便命巿之。 葬畢，有道士善圖墓，云：「地不利長子，若厭伏或可申延。」 乃為蠟鵝及諸物埋墓側長子位。 有宮監鮑邈之、魏雅者，二人初並為太子所愛，邈之晚見疏於雅，密啟武帝云：「雅為太子厭禱。」 帝密遣檢掘，果得鵝等物。 大驚，將窮其事。 徐勉固諫得止，於是唯誅道士，由是太子迄終以此慚慨，故其嗣不立。 後邵陵王臨丹陽郡，因邈之與鄉人爭婢，議以為誘略之罪牒宮，簡文追感太子冤，揮淚誅之。 邈之兄子僧隆為宮直，前未知邈之侄，即日驅出。
When Noble Consort Ding died, the crown prince sent men to find a good burial site. As they were clearing the ground, a landowner, through the eunuch Yu Sanfu, offered to sell the plot for three million, promising Sanfu one million. Sanfu secretly told Emperor Wu that the crown prince's chosen site was less auspicious for the emperor than this new one. In his later years the emperor was deeply suspicious, and he ordered the land purchased. After the burial, a Daoist skilled in tomb geomancy said, "This site is harmful to the eldest son. Suppressive rites might prolong his life." Wax geese and other objects were then buried beside the tomb at the eldest son's position. Palace supervisors Bao Miaozhi and Wei Ya were both once favored by the crown prince, but Miaozhi later fell out of favor to Ya. He secretly told Emperor Wu, "Ya performed curse-suppression rites for the crown prince." The emperor secretly sent men to dig, and they found the geese and other objects. Greatly alarmed, he was about to investigate the matter fully. Xu Mian's firm remonstrance stopped the investigation; only the Daoist was executed. The crown prince carried shame and resentment over this until his death, and his heir was never established. Later, when Prince of Shaoling governed Danyang, Miaozhi disputed a maidservant with a fellow townsman. The case was judged enticement and reported to court. Emperor Jianwen, recalling the crown prince's injustice, wept as he ordered Miaozhi executed. Miaozhi's nephew Senglong, a palace attendant who had not known of the connection, was expelled the same day.
18
棟字元吉。 及簡文見廢，侯景奉以為主。 棟方與妃張氏鋤葵，而法駕奄至，棟驚不知所為，泣而升輦。 及即位，升武德殿，欻有回風從地湧起，翻飛華蓋，徑出端門，時人知其不終。 於是年號天正，追尊昭明太子曰昭明皇帝，安王為安皇帝，金華敬妃蔡氏為敬皇后，太妃王氏為皇太后，妃為皇后。 未幾，行禪讓禮，棟封淮陰王，及二弟橋、樛，並鎖於密室。 景敗走，兄弟相扶出，逢杜崱於道，崱去其鎖。 弟曰：「今日免橫死矣。」 棟曰：「倚伏難知，吾猶有懼。」 初，王僧辯之為都督，將發，諮元帝曰：「平賊之後，嗣君萬福，未審有何儀注？」 帝曰：「六門之內，自極兵威。」 僧辯曰：「平賊之謀，臣為己任，成濟之事，請別舉人。」 由是帝別敕宣猛將軍朱買臣使行忍酷。 會簡文已被害，棟等與買臣遇見，呼往船共飲，未竟，並沈于水。
Dong, styled Yuanji. When Emperor Jianwen was deposed, Hou Jing installed him as emperor. Dong was hoeing sunflowers with his consort Lady Zhang when the imperial carriage suddenly arrived. Startled and at a loss, he wept as he mounted the palanquin. When he took the throne and ascended Wude Hall, a whirlwind suddenly surged from the ground, overturning the imperial canopy and blowing it out through Duan Gate. People knew his reign would not last. He adopted the era name Tianzheng and posthumously honored Crown Prince Zhaoming as Emperor Zhaoming, Prince An as Emperor An, Respectful Consort Cai of Jinhua as Empress Jing, Grand Consort Wang as Empress Dowager, and his own consort as Empress. Before long he performed the abdication rites. Dong was enfeoffed as Prince of Huaiyin, and his two younger brothers Qiao and Jiao were locked in a sealed chamber. When Hou Jing fled in defeat, the brothers helped each other out and met Du Kan on the road, who removed their shackles. The younger brother said, "Today we have escaped violent death." Dong said, "Fortune and misfortune are unpredictable. I am still afraid." Earlier, as Wang Sengbian was about to set out as commander-in-chief, he asked Emperor Yuan, "After the rebels are defeated, what ceremonies should be observed for the heir?" The emperor said, "Within the six gates, use military force to the fullest." Sengbian said, "Defeating the rebels is my responsibility. For the matter of Cheng Ji, please appoint someone else." The emperor then separately ordered General of Manifest Valor Zhu Maichen to carry out the ruthless deed. Emperor Jianwen had already been killed. Dong and the others met Maichen, who invited them to his boat to drink. Before they finished, all were drowned.
19
河東王譽字重孫，普通二年，封枝江縣公。 中大通三年，改封河東郡王。 累遷南中郎將、湘州刺史。 未幾，侯景寇建鄴，譽入援，至青草湖，台城沒，有詔班師。 譽還湘鎮。
Prince of Hedong Yu, styled Chongsun, was enfeoffed as Duke of Zhijiang County in Putong 2. In Zhongdatong 3 he was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Hedong. He rose to General of the Southern Palace Guard and Governor of Xiangzhou. Before long Hou Jing attacked Jiankang. Yu marched to the rescue and reached Qingcao Lake, but the capital fell and an edict ordered withdrawal. Yu returned to his post in Xiang.
20
時元帝軍于武城，新除雍州刺史張纘密報元帝曰：「河東起兵，岳陽聚米，將來襲江陵。」 元帝甚懼，沈米斷纜而歸。 因遣諮議周弘直至譽所督其糧眾。 譽曰：「各自軍府，何忽隸人。」 使三反，譽並不從。 元帝大怒，遣世子方等征之，反為譽敗死。 又令信州刺史鮑泉討譽，並陳示禍福。 譽謂曰：「欲前即前，無所多說。」 泉軍于石槨寺，譽逆擊不利而還。 泉進軍橘洲，譽攻之又見敗。 於是遂圍之。 譽幼而驍勇，馬上用弩，兼有膽氣，能撫士卒，甚得眾心。 元帝又遣領軍王僧辯代鮑泉攻譽。 譽將潰圍而出，會其麾下將慕容華引僧辯入城，遂被執。 謂守者曰：「勿殺我，得一見七官，申此讒賊，死無恨。」 主者曰：「奉令不許。」 遂斬首，送荊鎮。 元帝返其首以葬焉。
Emperor Yuan was encamped at Wucheng when the newly appointed Governor of Yongzhou Zhang Zan secretly reported, "Prince of Hedong has raised troops and Yueyang is stockpiling grain. He will soon attack Jiangling." Greatly alarmed, Emperor Yuan sank his grain stores, cut his mooring ropes, and retreated. He then sent Adviser Zhou Hongzhi to Yu's headquarters to take charge of his grain and troops. Yu said, "Each of us has his own command—why should I suddenly become someone else's subordinate?" The order was sent three times, but Yu refused each time. Emperor Yuan was furious and sent his heir Fangdeng against him, but Fangdeng was defeated and killed. He then ordered Governor of Xinzhou Bao Quan to attack Yu, also explaining the consequences. Yu said, "If you want to advance, then advance. There is nothing more to say." Quan encamped at Shiguang Temple. Yu counterattacked but failed and withdrew. Quan advanced to Juzhou. Yu attacked again and was defeated once more. Quan then besieged him. Yu had been fierce and brave from youth, skilled with a crossbow on horseback. Courageous and able to win over his troops, he enjoyed deep loyalty. Emperor Yuan then sent Commander-in-Chief Wang Sengbian to replace Bao Quan and attack Yu. Yu was about to break out when his subordinate Murong Hua let Sengbian into the city, and Yu was captured. He told his guards, "Do not kill me. Let me see the Seventh Officer once to expose this slanderer, and I will die without regret." The officer in charge said, "Orders forbid it." His head was cut off and sent to the Jing garrison. Emperor Yuan returned his head for burial.
21
初，譽之將敗，引鏡照面，不見其頭。 又見長人蓋屋，兩手據地噉其臍。 又見白狗大如驢，從城出，不知所在。 譽甚惡之，俄而城陷。
Before his defeat, Yu held a mirror to his face and could not see his head. He also dreamed of a giant covering the house, hands on the ground, biting at his navel. He also saw a white dog as large as a donkey leave the city and vanish. Yu took these as terrible omens, and soon the city fell.
22
豫章王綜字世謙，武帝第二子也。 天監三年，封豫章郡王。 累遷北中郎將、南徐州刺史。 入為侍中、鎮右將軍。
Prince of Yuzhang Zong, styled Shiqian, was Emperor Wu's second son. In Tianjian 3 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Yuzhang. He rose to General of the Northern Palace Guard and Governor of South Xuzhou. He entered court as Palace Attendant and General Who Guards the Right.
23
初，綜母吳淑媛在齊東昏宮，寵在潘、餘之亞。 及得幸于武帝，七月而生綜，宮中多疑之。 淑媛寵衰怨望。 及綜年十四五，恒夢一年少肥壯自挈其首對綜，如此非一，綜轉成長，心驚不已。 頻密問淑媛曰：「夢何所如？」 夢既不一，淑媛問夢中形色，頗類東昏。 因密報之曰：「汝七月日生兒，安得比諸皇子。 汝今太子次弟，幸保富貴勿泄。」 綜相抱哭，每日夜恒泫泣。 又每靜室閉戶，藉地被髮席藳。 輕財好士，分施不輟，唯留身上故衣，外齋接客，分粗服。 廚庫恒致罄乏。 常于內齋布沙於地，終日跣行，足下生胝，日能行三百里。 嘗有人士姓王，以屯躓投告綜。 于時大乏，唯有眠床故皁復帳，即下付之。 其降意下士，以伺風雲之會，諸侯王妃主及外人並知此懷，唯武帝不疑。
Zong's mother Lady Wu had served in the palace of Qi Emperor Donghun, where her favor ranked below Pan and Yu. When she won Emperor Wu's favor and gave birth to Zong in the seventh month, many in the palace were suspicious. As Lady Wu's favor waned, she grew resentful. When Zong was fourteen or fifteen, he repeatedly dreamed of a stout young man holding up his own severed head before him. As he grew older, he was constantly unsettled. He repeatedly pressed Lady Wu, "What do the dreams look like?" The dreams varied, but when Lady Wu asked about the figure's appearance, it closely resembled Donghun. She secretly told him, "You were born in the seventh month. How can you compare with the other princes? You are the crown prince's next younger brother. Keep your fortune and tell no one." They embraced and wept. Day and night Zong wept without cease. He also shut himself in quiet rooms, let down his hair, and slept on straw mats on the floor. He was generous with wealth and fond of scholars, giving constantly and keeping only his worn clothes. When receiving guests in his outer study, he wore coarse garments. The kitchen stores were constantly empty. He often spread sand on the floor of his inner study and walked barefoot all day until calluses formed on his soles. He could walk three hundred li in a day. Once a gentleman named Wang, fallen on hard times, came to Zong for help. Supplies were scarce; he had only an old dark cloth coverlet from his bed, which he immediately gave away. He humbled himself to win over scholars, waiting for his moment. Princes, princesses, and outsiders all knew his intent, but only Emperor Wu remained unsuspicious.
24
及長有才學，善屬文。 武帝御諸子以禮，朝見不甚數。 綜恒怨不見知。 每出蕃，淑媛恒隨之至鎮。 時年十五，尚裸袒嬉戲於前，晝夜無別。 妃袁氏，尚書令昂之女也。 淑媛恒節其宿止，遇袁妃尤不以道，內外咸有穢聲。
As he grew up he proved talented and learned, skilled at literary composition. Emperor Wu treated his sons with formal propriety and did not summon them to court often. Zong constantly resented feeling unrecognized. Whenever he went to his fief, Lady Wu always accompanied him. He was fifteen, yet still played bare-chested before her, making no distinction between day and night. His consort Lady Yuan was the daughter of Minister of Works Ang. Lady Wu constantly controlled his lodging. Toward Consort Yuan she was especially improper, and scandal spread inside and outside the household.
25
綜後在徐州，政刑酷暴，又有勇力，制及奔馬，暴殺駒犢。 常陰服微行，著烏絲布帽。 夜出無有期度，招引道士，探求數術。 性聰敏多通，每武帝有敕疏至，輒忿恚形於顏色。 帝性嚴，群臣不敢輕言得失，凡綜所行，弗之知也。 於徐州還，頻裁表陳便宜，求經略邊境。 帝並優敕答之。 徐州所有練樹，並令斬殺，以帝小名練故。 累致意尚書僕射徐勉，求出鎮襄陽。 勉未敢言，因是怒勉，餉以白團扇，圖伐檀之詩，言其賄也。
Later in Xuzhou, Zong's rule was cruel and violent. Strong and fearless, he could keep pace with galloping horses and wantonly killed foals and calves. He often traveled incognito in dark clothing and a black silk cap. He went out at night without fixed schedule, inviting Daoist priests and pursuing occult arts. Clever and widely learned, he showed anger on his face whenever an edict or memorial arrived from Emperor Wu. The emperor was stern, and officials dared not speak freely of right and wrong. None of Zong's actions reached his ears. After returning from Xuzhou, he repeatedly submitted memorials proposing practical measures and requesting frontier command. The emperor each time replied with gracious edicts. He ordered all practice trees in Xuzhou cut down, because the emperor's childhood name was Lian. He repeatedly asked Vice Director Xu Mian to help him obtain a posting at Xiangyang. Mian did not dare speak up. Zong grew angry and sent him a white round fan painted with the poem Cutting Sandalwood, implying he had taken bribes.
26
在西州，於別室歲時設席，祠齊氏七廟。 又累微行至曲阿拜齊明帝陵。 然猶無以自信，聞俗說以生者血瀝死者骨滲，即為父子。 綜乃私發齊東昏墓，出其骨，瀝血試之。 既有征矣，在西州生次男月餘日，潛殺之。 既瘞，夜遣人發取其骨又試之，其酷忍如此。 每對東宮及諸王辭色不恭遜。 嘗改歲後，問訊臨川王巨集，出至中合，登宏羊車次遺糞而出。 居都下所為多如此者。
In Xizhou he held seasonal feasts in a separate chamber to sacrifice to the seven temples of the Qi dynasty. He also repeatedly traveled incognito to Qu'e to pay respects at Qi Emperor Ming's tomb. Still unable to trust himself, he heard a popular saying: if a living person's blood dripped on a dead person's bone and seeped in, they were father and son. Zong secretly opened Qi Emperor Donghun's tomb, took out the bones, and tested them with his blood. When the test proved positive, he secretly killed his second son in Xizhou, barely a month after the birth. After burial he sent men at night to dig up the bones and test them again—such was his cruelty. Toward the crown prince and the other princes his words and manner were consistently disrespectful. Once after New Year, while paying a visit to Prince of Linchuan Hong, he climbed onto Hong's sheep cart at the central gate and defecated before leaving. While living in the capital, most of his behavior was of this sort.
27
普通四年，為都督、南兗州刺史。 頗勤於事，而不見賓客。 其辭訟則隔簾理之。 方幅出行，垂帷於輿，每雲惡人識其面也。
In Putong 4 he became commander-in-chief and Governor of South Yanzhou. He was diligent in affairs but refused to receive guests. He heard lawsuits from behind a screen. When traveling formally, he hung curtains on his carriage, saying he hated being recognized.
28
初，齊故建安王蕭寶寅在魏，綜求得北來道人釋法鸞使入北通問於寶寅，謂為叔父。 襄陽人梁話母死，法鸞說綜厚賜之，言終可任使。 綜遺話錢五萬。 及葬畢，引在左右。 法鸞在廣陵，往來通魏尤數，每舍淮陰苗文寵家。 言文寵於綜，綜引為國常侍。
Former Prince of Jian'an of Qi, Xiao Baoyin, was in Wei. Zong found the northern monk Shi Faluan and sent him north to contact Baoyin, whom he called uncle. When Liang Hua of Xiangyang's mother died, Faluan persuaded Zong to reward him generously, saying he would prove useful. Zong sent Hua fifty thousand in cash. After the burial he kept Hua at his side. Faluan was in Guangling and traveled frequently to Wei, usually staying with Miao Wenchong of Huaiyin. He recommended Wenchong to Zong, who made him a regular attendant of the princely establishment.
29
六年，魏將元法僧以彭城降，帝使綜都督眾軍，權鎮彭城，並攝徐州府事。 武帝曉別玄象，知當更有敗軍失將，恐綜為北所擒，手敕綜令拔軍。 每使居前，勿在人後。 綜恐帝覺，與魏安豐王元延明相持，夜潛與梁話苗文寵三騎開北門，涉汴河，遂奔蕭城。 自稱隊主，見延明而拜。 延明坐之，問其名氏，不答，曰：「殿下問人有見識者。」 延明召使視之，曰：「豫章王也」。 延明喜，下地執其手，答其拜，送於洛陽。 及旦，齋內諸合猶閉不開，眾莫知所以，唯見城外魏軍叫曰：「汝豫章王昨夜已來在我軍中。」 城中既失王所在，眾軍乃退，不得還者甚眾。 湘州益陽人任煥常有騅馬，乘之退走。 煥腳為抄所傷，人馬俱弊，煥於橋下歇，抄復至。 煥腳痛不復得上馬，於是向馬泣曰：「騅子，我於此死矣。」 馬因跪其前腳，煥乃得上馬，遂免難。 綜長史江革、太府卿祖恒並為魏軍所禽，武帝聞之驚駭。
In year 6, Wei general Yuan Faseng surrendered Pengcheng. The emperor put Zong in command of all armies, with provisional garrison at Pengcheng and oversight of Xuzhou headquarters. Emperor Wu read the celestial signs and knew more defeats were coming. Fearing Zong would be captured by the northerners, he personally ordered him to withdraw. Each time he ordered him to stay in front and not fall behind. Fearing the emperor would notice, Zong faced off against Wei Prince of Anfeng Yuan Yanming. That night he slipped out with Liang Hua and Miao Wenchong through the north gate, crossed the Bian River, and fled to Xiaocheng. Calling himself a squad leader, he saw Yanming and bowed. Yanming seated him and asked his name. He did not answer, saying, "Your Highness should ask someone with discernment." Yanming summoned someone to look at him. "It is the Prince of Yuzhang," he said. Delighted, Yanming descended, took his hand, returned his bow, and sent him to Luoyang. By dawn the headquarters gates were still closed and no one knew why, until Wei troops outside shouted, "Your Prince of Yuzhang came to our army last night." With the prince gone, the armies withdrew, and many never made it back. Ren Huan of Yiyang in Xiangzhou had a piebald horse and rode it in retreat. Huan's foot was wounded by raiders. Man and horse exhausted, he rested under a bridge as the raiders closed in again. Too pained to mount, he wept to the horse, "Piebald, I will die here." The horse knelt on its forelegs. Huan mounted and escaped. Zong's chief administrator Jiang Ge and Director of the Palace Storehouse Zu Heng were both captured. Emperor Wu was shocked.
30
綜至魏，位侍中、司空、高平公、丹陽王，梁話、苗文寵並為光祿大夫。 綜改名贊字德文，追服齊東昏斬衰，魏太后及群臣並吊。
In Wei, Zong became Palace Attendant, Minister of Works, Duke of Gaoping, and Prince of Danyang. Liang Hua and Miao Wenchong both became Grand Masters of Splendid Happiness. Zong changed his name to Zan, styled Dewen, and put on severed-edge mourning for Qi Emperor Donghun. The Wei empress dowager and all officials sent condolences.
31
八月，有司奏削爵土，絕其屬籍，改子直姓悖氏。 未及旬日，有詔復屬籍，封直永新侯。 久之乃策免吳淑媛，俄遇鴆而卒，有詔復其品秩，諡曰敬，使直主其喪。
In the eighth month, officials memorialized to strip his title and fief, remove him from the clan register, and change his son Zhi's surname to Bei. Within ten days an edict restored him to the clan register and enfeoffed Zhi as Marquis of Yongxin. Long afterward Lady Wu was dismissed by edict. Soon she was poisoned to death. An edict restored her rank, gave her the posthumous name Jing, and had Zhi preside over her funeral.
32
及蕭寶寅據長安反，綜復去洛陽欲奔之。 魏法，度河橋不得乘馬，綜乘馬而行，橋吏執之送洛陽。 魏孝莊初，歷位司徒、太尉，尚帝姊壽陽長公主。 陳慶之之至洛也，送綜啟求還。 時吳淑媛尚在，敕使以綜小時衣寄之。 信未達而慶之敗。 未幾，終於魏。
When Xiao Baoyin rebelled from Chang'an, Zong left Luoyang intending to join him. Wei law forbade riding horses on the river bridge. Zong rode across anyway, and bridge officials seized him and sent him back to Luoyang. Early in Wei Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign he rose to Minister of Education and Grand Commandant and married the emperor's elder sister, Princess Long of Shouyang. When Chen Qingzhi reached Luoyang, Zong sent a memorial asking to return. Lady Wu was still alive, and an edict ordered Zong's childhood clothes sent to her. The letter had not arrived before Qingzhi was defeated. Before long he died in Wei.
33
初，綜在魏不得志，嘗作聽鍾鳴、悲落葉以申其志，當時莫不悲之。 後梁人盜其柩來奔，武帝猶以子禮祔葬陵次。
Frustrated in Wei, Zong once composed Listening to the Bell Ring and Grieving over Falling Leaves to express his feelings. Everyone who read them was moved to sorrow. Later a man of Liang stole his coffin and fled home. Emperor Wu still buried him by the rites due a son, in collateral placement at the mausoleum.
34
直字思方，位晉陵太守，沙州刺史。
Zhi, styled Sifang, served as Administrator of Jinling and Governor of Shazhou.
35
南康簡王績字世謹，小字四果，武帝第四子也。 天監七年，封南康郡王。 十年，為南徐州刺史。 時年七歲，主者有受貨洗改解書，長史王僧孺弗之覺，績見而詰之，便即首服，眾咸歎其聰警。
Prince Jian of Nankang Ji, styled Shijin, childhood name Siguo, was Emperor Wu's fourth son. In Tianjian 7 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Nankang. In year 10 he became Governor of South Xuzhou. He was only seven. A clerk had taken bribes and altered a dismissal document, which Chief Administrator Wang Sengru failed to notice. Ji saw it, questioned the clerk, and the man confessed at once. All admired his sharp intelligence.
36
績寡玩好，少嗜欲，居無僕妾，躬事儉約。 所有租秩，悉寄天府。 及薨後，少府有南康國無名錢數千萬。 子會理嗣。
Ji had few diversions and little appetite for pleasure. He kept no servants or concubines and lived frugally himself. He deposited all his rent and salary in the imperial treasury. After his death the Privy Treasury held tens of millions in unmarked cash from the Nankang establishment. His son Huili succeeded him.
37
會理字長才，少聰慧，好文史。 年十一而孤，特為武帝所愛，衣服禮秩與正王不殊。 十五為湘州刺史，多信左右。 行事劉納每禁之，會理心不平，證以贓貨，收送建鄴。 納歎曰：「我一見天子，使汝等知。」 會理厚送資糧，數遣慰喻。 令心腹于青草湖為盜，殺納百口俱盡。 累遷都督、南兗州刺史。 太清元年，督眾軍北侵，至彭城，為魏師所敗，退歸本鎮。
Huili, styled Changcai, was bright from youth and fond of literature and history. Orphaned at eleven, he was especially beloved by Emperor Wu. His clothing and ceremonial rank were no different from a full prince's. At fifteen he became Governor of Xiangzhou and placed too much trust in his attendants. Acting Governor Liu Na frequently restrained him. Resentful, Huili fabricated bribery charges and had him arrested and sent to Jiankang. Na sighed, "Once I see the Son of Heaven, you will see." Huili sent generous supplies and repeatedly dispatched envoys to console him. He had his trusted men become bandits at Qingcao Lake and killed Na's entire household of a hundred persons. He rose to commander-in-chief and Governor of South Yanzhou. In Taiqing 1 he led a northern invasion to Pengcheng, was defeated by Wei forces, and retreated to his post.
38
二年，侯景圍城，會理入援。 會北徐州刺史封山侯正表將應其兄正德，外托赴援，實謀襲廣陵。 會理擊破之，方得進路。 台城陷，會理歸鎮。 侯景遣前臨江太守董紹先以武帝手敕召會理。 其僚佐曰：「紹先書豈天子意。」 咸勸拒之。 會理用其典簽范子鸞計，曰：「天子年尊，受制賊虜，今有手敕召我入朝，臣子之心，豈得違背。 且處江北，功業難成，不若身赴京都，圖之肘腋。」 遂納紹先。 紹先入，以烏幡麾眾，單馬遣之至都。 景以為司空兼尚書令。 雖在寇手，每思匡復，與西鄉侯勸等潛布腹心，要結壯士。 時范陽祖皓斬董紹先，據廣陵城起義，期以會理為內應。 皓敗，辭相連及。 侯景矯詔免會理官，猶以白衣領尚書令。
In year 2, when Hou Jing besieged the capital, Huili marched to the rescue. Governor of North Xuzhou Marquis of Fengshan Zhengbiao was about to join his elder brother Zhengde. Claiming to march to the rescue, he actually planned to attack Guangling. Huili defeated him and only then could advance. When the capital fell, Huili returned to his post. Hou Jing sent former Administrator of Linjiang Dong Shaoxian with an imperial handwritten order from Emperor Wu to summon Huili. His staff said, "How can Shaoxian's letter represent the emperor's true intent?" All urged him to refuse. Huili followed his chief clerk Fan Ziluan's advice: "The emperor is old and held by the rebel. A handwritten order summons me to court. How can a subject refuse? Besides, staying north of the river, great deeds are hard to accomplish. Better to go to the capital in person and act from within." He admitted Shaoxian. Shaoxian entered first, waved a black banner to command the troops, and sent Huili alone on horseback to the capital. Hou Jing appointed him Minister of Works and concurrent Director of the Department of State Affairs. Though held by the rebel, he constantly plotted restoration. With Marquis of Xixiang Quan and others he secretly placed trusted agents and recruited stalwart warriors. Zu Hao of Fanyang killed Dong Shaoxian, seized Guangling, and rebelled, planning to use Huili as an inside collaborator. When Hao was defeated, testimony implicated Huili as well. Hou Jing forged an edict dismissing Huili from office, yet still had him serve as Director of the Department of State Affairs in plain dress.
39
是冬，景往晉熙，都下虛弱，會理復與柳敬禮及北兗州司馬成欽謀之。 敬禮曰：「舉大事必有所資，今無寸兵，安可以動。」 會理曰：「湖熟有吾故舊三千餘人，昨來相知，克期響集。 計賊守兵不過千人，若大兵外攻，吾等內應，直取王偉，事必有成。 縱景後歸，無能為也。」 敬禮曰：「善」。 于時百姓厭賊，咸思用命。 建安侯賁以謀告王偉，偉遂收會理及其弟通理。
That winter Hou Jing went to Jinxi. With the capital weakened, Huili again plotted with Liu Jingli and North Yanzhou Chief Administrator Cheng Qin. Jingli said, "A great enterprise requires resources. We have not a single soldier—how can we act?" Huili said, "At Hushu I have more than three thousand old associates. We made contact yesterday, and they will assemble on the appointed day. The rebel garrison is no more than a thousand men. If a great army attacks from outside while we respond from within and strike Wang Wei directly, we will succeed. Even if Hou Jing returns later, he will be powerless." Jingli said, "Good." The people were weary of the rebels and all wished to devote themselves to the cause. Marquis of Jian'an Ben reported the plot to Wang Wei, who arrested Huili and his younger brother Tongli.
40
時有錢唐褚冕，會理之舊，亦囚於省，問事之所起，考掠千計，終無所言。 會理隔壁聞之，遙曰：「褚郎，卿豈不為吾致此邪，然勿言。」 王偉害會理等，冕竟以不服，偉赦之。 會理弟通理字仲宣，位太子洗馬，封祈陽侯，至是亦遇害。
Chu Mian of Qiantang, an old associate of Huili, was also imprisoned. Asked about the plot, he was tortured in a thousand ways yet said nothing. Huili heard from the next cell and called out, "Master Chu, did you not bring this upon me? Yet say nothing." Wang Wei killed Huili and the others. Mian never confessed, and Wei pardoned him. Huili's younger brother Tongli, styled Zhongxuan, was Groom of the Heir Apparent's Household and Marquis of Qiyang. He too was killed.
41
通理弟乂理字季英。 生十旬而簡王薨，至三歲能言，見內人分散，涕泣相送，問其故，或曰：「此簡王宮人喪畢去耳。」 乂理便號泣，悲不自勝。 諸宮人見之，莫不哀感，為之停者三人。 服闋見武帝，升殿，又悲不自勝，帝為之收涕，謂左右曰：「此兒大必為奇士。」 大同八年，封安樂縣侯。
Tongli's younger brother Yili was styled Jiying. He was born ten weeks before Prince Jian died. By three he could speak. Seeing palace women dispersing in tears, he asked why. Someone said, "These are Prince Jian's palace women leaving after mourning is complete." Yili immediately wailed, overcome with grief. The palace women who saw this were all moved to sorrow. Three stopped to remain. When mourning ended he saw Emperor Wu. Ascending the hall, he again could not contain his grief. The emperor wiped away tears and said to his attendants, "This child will surely become an extraordinary man." In Datong 8 he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Anle County.
42
乂理慷慨慕立功名，每讀書見忠臣烈士，未嘗不廢卷歎曰：「一生之內，當無愧古人。」 博覽多識，有文才。 嘗祭孔文舉墓，並為立碑，制文甚美。
Yili was high-spirited and aspired to establish merit and fame. Whenever he read of loyal ministers and martyrs, he put down the scroll and sighed, "In one lifetime I must not fall short of the ancients." He read widely, knew much, and had literary talent. He once sacrificed at Kong Wenju's tomb and erected a stele for him with a very fine inscription.
43
及侯景內寇，乂理聚客赴南兗州，隨兄會理入援。 及城陷，又隨會理還廣陵，因入齊為質乞師。 行二日，會景遣董紹先據廣陵，遂追獲之，防嚴不得與兄相見。 乃偽請先還都，入辭母，因謂其姊安固主曰：「兄若至，願使善為計自勉，勿顧以為念。 前途亦思立效，但未知天命何如耳。」 至都，以魏降人元貞忠正可以托孤，乃以玉柄扇贈之。 貞怪不受，乂理曰：「後當見憶。」 會祖皓起兵，乂理奔長蘆，為景所害。 元貞始悟其前言，往收葬焉。
When Hou Jing invaded, Yili gathered clients and went to South Yanzhou, following his elder brother Huili to the rescue. When the city fell, he followed Huili back to Guangling and entered Qi as a hostage to request troops. After two days' travel, Hou Jing sent Dong Shaoxian to seize Guangling. They pursued and captured Yili, guarding him so he could not see his elder brother. He falsely requested to return to the capital first, bid farewell to his mother, and told his elder sister the Princess of Angu, "If my elder brother arrives, plan well and encourage yourself. Do not worry on my account. I also wish to achieve merit, but do not yet know what fate holds." Upon reaching the capital, he regarded the Wei defector Yuan Zhen as loyal and upright and fit to entrust with his affairs, and gave him a jade-handled fan. Zhen, puzzled, refused. Yili said, "You will remember this later." When Zu Hao rebelled, Yili fled to Changlu and was killed by Hou Jing. Yuan Zhen then understood his earlier words and went to recover and bury him.
44
廬陵威王續字世欣，武帝第五子也。 天監八年，封廬陵王。 少英果，膂力絕人，馳射應發命中。 武帝歎曰：「此我之任城也。」 嘗馳射於帝前，續中兩獐，冠于諸人。 帝大悅。 中大通二年，為都督、雍州刺史、甯蠻校尉。 大同元年，遷江州刺史，又為驃騎將軍、開府儀同三司。 又為都督、荊州刺史。 薨，贈司空，諡曰威。
Prince Wei of Luling Xu, styled Shixin, was Emperor Wu's fifth son. In Tianjian 8 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Luling. From youth he was heroic and resolute, with unmatched strength. In mounted archery he hit the mark as soon as he released the arrow. Emperor Wu sighed, "This is my Rencheng." Once, shooting on horseback before the emperor, Xu hit two roe deer, ranking first among all present. The emperor was greatly pleased. In Zhongdatong 2 he became commander-in-chief, Governor of Yongzhou, and Commandant Who Pacifies the Barbarians. In Datong 1 he became Governor of Jiangzhou, General of Agile Cavalry, and Grand Master with Honors Equal to the Three Excellencies. He again became commander-in-chief and Governor of Jingzhou. He died and was posthumously awarded Minister of Works with the posthumous name Wei.
45
始元帝母阮修容得幸，由丁貴嬪之力，故元帝與簡文相得，而與廬陵王少相狎，長相謗。 元帝之臨荊州，有宮人李桃兒者，以才慧得進，及還，以李氏行。 時行宮戶禁重，續具狀以聞。 元帝泣對使訴于簡文，簡文和之得止。 元帝猶懼，送李氏還荊州，世所謂西歸內人者。 自是二王書問不通。 及續薨，元帝時為江州，聞問，入合而躍，屧為之破。 尋自江州復為荊州，荊州人迎於我境，帝數而遣之，吏人失望。
Emperor Yuan's mother Lady Ruan gained favor through Noble Consort Ding's efforts. Emperor Yuan and Emperor Jianwen were close, but he and Prince of Luling were intimate in youth and slandered each other when grown. When Emperor Yuan went to Jingzhou, a palace woman named Li Tao'er won favor through talent and intelligence. When he returned, he took Lady Li with him. Travel restrictions on palace households were strict at the time. Xu submitted a full report to the throne. Emperor Yuan wept as he appealed to Emperor Jianwen through the envoy. Jianwen reconciled the matter and had it stopped. Emperor Yuan was still afraid and sent Lady Li back to Jingzhou—the woman later known as "the inner woman who returned west." From then on the two princes stopped corresponding. When Xu died, Emperor Yuan was in Jiangzhou. Upon hearing the news, he entered his chamber and leaped, breaking his sandals. Soon transferred from Jiangzhou back to Jingzhou, he found the people of Jingzhou waiting at the border to welcome him. The emperor rebuked and sent them away, and officials and people were disappointed.
46
續多聚馬仗，蓄養趫雄，耽色愛財，極意收斂，倉儲庫藏盈溢。 臨終有啟，遣中錄事參軍謝宣融送所上金銀器千餘件，武帝始知其富。 以為財多德寡，因問宣融曰：「王金盡於此乎？」 宣融曰：「此之謂多，安可加也。 夫王之過如日月之蝕，欲令陛下知之，故終而不隱。」 帝意乃解。
Xu amassed horses and weapons, kept fierce warriors, indulged in women and loved wealth, and gathered possessions until storehouses and treasuries overflowed. On his deathbed he submitted a memorial, sending Central Recording Army Adjutant Xie Xuanrong to deliver more than a thousand pieces of gold and silver vessels. Only then did Emperor Wu learn of his wealth. Thinking the prince rich in wealth but poor in virtue, he asked Xuanrong, "Is the prince's gold all here?" Xuanrong said, "If this is called much, how could there be more? A prince's faults are like an eclipse of the sun and moon. Wishing Your Majesty to know, he did not conceal them to the end." The emperor's mind was then relieved.
47
世子憑以罪前誅死，次子應嗣。 應不慧，王薨，至內庫閱珍物，見金鋌，問左右曰：「此可食不？」 答曰：「不可。」 應曰：「既不可食，並特乞汝。」 他皆此類。
The heir Ping had been executed for a crime; the second son Ying succeeded. Ying was not intelligent. When the prince died, he went to the inner treasury and saw gold ingots. He asked his attendants, "Can these be eaten?" They answered, "No." Ying said, "Since they cannot be eaten, I give them all to you." Other matters were all of this sort.
48
邵陵攜王綸字世調，小字六真，武帝第六子也。 少聰穎，博學善屬文，尤工尺牘。 天監十三年，封邵陵郡王。
Prince Xi of Shaoling Lun, styled Shidiao, childhood name Liuzhen, was Emperor Wu's sixth son. From youth he was clever and perceptive, broadly learned and skilled at composition, especially adept at letters. In Tianjian 13 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Shaoling.
49
中大通四年，為揚州刺史。 綸素驕縱，欲盛器服，遣人就巿賒買錦采絲布數百疋，擬與左右職局防合為絳衫、內人帳幔。 百姓並關閉邸店不出。 台續使少府巿采，經時不能得，敕責，府丞何智通具以聞，因被責還第。 恒遣心腹馬容戴子高、戴瓜、李撤、趙智英等於路尋目智通，于白馬巷逢之，以槊刺之，刃出於背。 智通以血書壁作「邵陵」字乃絕，遂知之。 帝懸錢百萬購賊，有西州游軍將宋鵲子條姓名以啟，敕遣舍人諸曇粲領齋仗五百人圍綸第，于內人檻中禽瓜、撤、智英。 子高驍勇，踰牆突圍，遂免。 智通子敞之割炙食之，即載出新亭，四面火炙之焦熟，敞車載錢設鹽蒜，雇百姓食撤一臠，賞錢一千。 徒黨並母肉遂盡。
In Zhongdatong 4 he became Governor of Yangzhou. Lun was arrogant and unrestrained by nature. Wishing to lavish his vessels and apparel, he sent men to buy on credit several hundred bolts of brocade and silk to make crimson shirts and inner-chamber curtains. Shopkeepers all closed their shops and refused to sell. The court repeatedly sent the Privy Treasury to purchase in the market but could obtain nothing for a long time. An edict rebuked them. Assistant Director He Zhitong reported everything and was rebuked and sent home. Lun sent trusted men including Ma Rong, Dai Zigao, Dai Gua, Li Che, and Zhao Zhiying to watch for Zhitong. In White Horse Lane they stabbed him with a spear, the blade emerging from his back. Zhitong wrote "Shaoling" on the wall in blood before dying, and thus it became known. The emperor posted a reward of a million cash. A Western Province patrol general named Song Quezi named the assassins. An edict sent Palace Attendant Zhu Tancan with five hundred armed guards to surround Lun's residence and capture Gua, Che, and Zhiying in the inner quarters. Zigao was fierce and brave. He leaped over the wall, broke through the encirclement, and escaped. Zhitong's son Changzhi cut off flesh and ate it, then had Che taken to Xinting and roasted on all sides until charred. Changzhi's cart carried cash and salt and garlic, hiring commoners to eat a slice of Che's flesh for a thousand cash. The accomplices' flesh, including their mothers', was entirely consumed.
50
綸鎖在第，舍人諸曇粲並主帥領仗身守視。 免為庶人。 經三旬乃脫鎖，頃之復封爵。 後預餞衡州刺史元慶和，於座賦詩十二韻，末云：「方同廣川國，寂寞久無聲」。 大為武帝賞，曰：「汝人才如此，何慮無聲。」 旬日間，拜郢州刺史。
Lun was locked in his residence. Palace Attendant Zhu Tancan and commanders led armed guards to watch over him. He was reduced to commoner status. After thirty days the shackles were removed. Soon after his title was restored. Later, at the farewell banquet for Governor of Hengzhou Yuan Qinghe, he composed a twelve-rhyme poem ending with: "Just like the state of Guangchuan, long silent and without renown." Emperor Wu greatly admired it and said, "With talent like yours, why worry about lacking renown?" Within ten days he was appointed Governor of Yingzhou.
51
太清二年，位中衛將軍、開府儀同三司。 侯景構逆，加征討大都督，率眾討景。 將發，帝誡曰：「侯景小豎，頗習行陣，未可以一戰即殄，當以歲月圖之。」 綸發白下，中江而浪起，有物蕩舟將覆，識者尤異之。 及次鍾離，景已度採石，綸乃晝夜兼道，旋軍入赴。 濟江，中流風起，人馬溺者十一二。 遂率西豐公大春、新淦公大成等步騎三萬發京口，將軍趙伯超請從徑路直指鍾山，出其不意，綸從之。 眾軍奄至，賊徒大駭，分為三道攻綸，綸大破之。 翌日，賊又來攻，日晚賊稍退。 南安侯駿以數十騎馳之，賊回拒駿，駿部亂，賊因逼大軍，大軍潰。 綸至鍾山戰敗，奔還京口。 軍主霍俊見獲，賊送於城下，逼雲已禽邵陵王。 俊偽許之，乃曰：「王小失利，政為糧盡還京口。 俊為托邏所獲，非軍敗也。」 賊以刀背驅其髀，俊色不變，賊義而舍之。 俊，中書舍人靈超子也。
In Taiqing 2 he became General of the Central Guard and Grand Master with Honors Equal to the Three Excellencies. When Hou Jing rebelled, he was additionally appointed Grand Commander for Punitive Campaigns and led troops against him. As he was about to set out, the emperor admonished him: "Hou Jing is a petty upstart practiced in battle. He cannot be destroyed in a single engagement—you must plan over months and years." Lun set out from Baixia. Mid-river waves rose and something rocked the boat nearly capsizing it—those who understood omens found it especially strange. When he reached Zhongli, Hou Jing had already crossed Caishi. Lun then marched day and night, wheeling his army about to enter the rescue. Crossing the river, a wind arose midstream and ten or twenty percent of men and horses drowned. He led Duke of Xifeng Dachun, Duke of Xingan Dacheng, and others with thirty thousand infantry and cavalry from Jingkou. General Zhao Bochao requested the direct route to Zhong Mountain for a surprise strike, and Lun agreed. The armies suddenly arrived. The rebel troops were greatly alarmed, divided into three routes to attack Lun, and Lun routed them completely. The next day the rebels attacked again. Toward evening they gradually withdrew. Marquis of Nan'an Jun charged with several dozen horsemen. The rebels turned to repel him, his unit fell into disorder, and the rebels pressed the main army, which collapsed. Lun was defeated at Zhong Mountain and fled back to Jingkou. Army commander Huo Jun was captured. The rebels brought him below the city wall and forced him to say the Prince of Shaoling had been taken. Jun falsely agreed and said, "The prince suffered a small setback and is merely returning to Jingkou because provisions are exhausted. Jun was captured by a patrol—that is not an army defeat." The rebels struck his thigh with the flat of a blade. Jun's expression did not change, and the rebels, admiring his integrity, released him. Jun was the son of Palace Secretary Lingchao.
52
三年正月，綸與東揚州刺史大連等入援至驃騎洲，進位司空。 台城陷，綸奔禹穴，東土皆附。 臨城公大連懼將害己，乃圖之。 綸覺乃去。 至尋陽，尋陽公大心欲以州讓之，不受。
In the first month of year 3, Lun with Governor of East Yangzhou Dalian and others marched to the rescue as far as Piaoqi Isle and was promoted to Minister of Works. When the capital fell, Lun fled to Yu's Cave, and the eastern lands all rallied to him. Duke of Lincheng Dalian, fearing Lun would kill him, plotted against him. Lun detected the plot and left. At Xunyang, Duke of Xunyang Daxin offered to yield the province, but Lun refused.
53
大寶元年，綸至郢州，刺史南平王恪讓州於綸，綸不受。 乃上綸為假黃鉞、都督中外諸軍事。 綸於是置百官，改聽事為正陽殿，內外齋省悉題署焉。 而數有變怪，祭城隍神，將烹牛，有赤蛇繞牛口出。 南浦施安幄帳，無何風起，飄沒于江。
In Dabao 1, Lun reached Yingzhou. Governor Prince of Nanping Ke offered to yield the province, but Lun refused. They promoted Lun to provisional yellow battle-axe and commander-in-chief of all armies within and without. Lun established a full bureaucracy, renamed the audience hall Zhengyang Hall, and labeled all inner and outer offices. Strange omens repeatedly occurred. When sacrificing to the city god and about to boil an ox, a red snake coiled around the ox's mouth and emerged. At Nanpu they erected tents and canopies. Before long a wind arose and blew them into the river.
54
于時元帝圍河東王譽于長沙既久，譽請救於綸，綸欲往救之，為軍糧不繼遂止。 乃與元帝書曰：「道之斯美，以和為貴，況天時地利不及人和。 豈可手足肱支，自相屠害。 即日大敵猶強，天讎未雪。 余爾昆弟，在外三人，如不匡救，安用臣子。 如使逆寇未除，家禍仍構，料今訪古，未或弗亡。 夫征戰之理，義在克勝。 至於骨肉之戰，愈勝愈酷，捷則非功，敗則有喪，勞兵損義，虧失多矣。 侯景之軍所以未窺江外者，政為蕃屏盤固，宗鎮強密。 若自相魚肉，是謂代景行師，景便不勞兵力，坐致成效，醜徒聞此，何快如之！」 元帝復書，陳譽有罪不可解圍之狀。 綸省書流涕曰：「天下之事，一至於斯！」 左右聞之，莫不掩泣。 於是大修器甲，將討侯景。
Emperor Yuan had long besieged Prince of Hedong Yu at Changsha. Yu asked Lun for rescue, but Lun stopped when army provisions ran short. He wrote to Emperor Yuan: "The beauty of the Way lies in harmony, especially since heaven's timing and earth's advantage matter less than human accord. How can hands and feet slaughter one another? The great enemy is still strong, and heaven's vengeance is not yet avenged. You and I are brothers, and three of us are outside. If we do not rescue him, of what use are we as subjects? If the rebel is not eliminated and domestic calamity continues, judging from present and past, none have failed to perish. The principle of war lies in righteous victory. Battles between kin grow crueler with every victory. Victory brings no merit, defeat brings mourning, troops are wearied and righteousness harmed—the losses are great. Hou Jing's army has not yet peered beyond the river precisely because the frontier screens are firm and the princely garrisons strong. If we devour one another, we campaign on Hou Jing's behalf. He need not exert force and can succeed while seated—how the vile bandits would rejoice!" Emperor Yuan replied, explaining Yu's guilt and why the siege could not be lifted. Lun read the letter and wept, "Affairs under heaven have come to this!" Those around him covered their faces and wept. He greatly repaired weapons and armor, preparing to campaign against Hou Jing.
55
元帝聞其盛，乃遣王僧辯帥舟師一萬以逼綸。 綸將劉龍武等降僧辯，綸遂與子躓等十餘人輕舟走武昌。 沙門法磬與綸有舊，藏之岩石之下。 時綸長史韋質、司馬薑偉先在外，聞綸敗，馳往迎。 元帝復遣將徐文盛追攻之。 綸復收卒屯于齊昌郡，將引魏軍共攻南陽。 侯景將任約襲綸，綸敗走。 定州刺史田龍祖迎綸，綸懼為所執，復歸齊昌。 行收兵至汝南，魏所署汝南城主李素孝者，綸之故吏，開城納之。 綸乃修復城池，收集士卒，將攻竟陵。 魏聞之，遣大將楊忠、儀同侯幾通攻破城，執綸，綸不為屈。 通乃臥大鼓，使綸坐上殺之，投於江岸，經日色不變，鳥獸莫敢近。 時飛雪飄零，屍橫道路，周回數步，獨不沾灑。 舊主帥安陸人郝破敵斂之於襄陽。 葬之日，黃雪雰糅，唯塚壙所獨不下雪。 楊忠知而悔焉，使乙太牢往祭殯焉。 百姓憐之，為立祠廟。 岳陽王察遣迎喪，葬于襄陽望楚山南，贈太宰，諡曰安。 後元帝議追加諡，尚書左丞劉彀議，諡法「怠政交外曰攜」。 從之。
Hearing of his strength, Emperor Yuan dispatched Wang Sengbian with ten thousand naval troops to press Lun. Lun's generals Liu Longwu and others surrendered to Sengbian. Lun fled with his son Zhi and more than ten others in light boats to Wuchang. The monk Faqing, an old friend of Lun's, hid him beneath the rocks. Lun's chief administrator Wei Zhi and chief administrator Jiang Wei were outside. Hearing of his defeat, they raced to meet him. Emperor Yuan again sent General Xu Wensheng to pursue and attack him. Lun gathered troops and encamped in Qichang Commandery, planning to bring Wei troops to attack Nanyang. Hou Jing's general Ren Yue raided Lun. Lun was defeated and fled. Governor of Dingzhou Tian Longzu welcomed Lun, but Lun feared capture and returned to Qichang. Marching to Runan, he found Li Suxiao—Wei's appointee as lord of Runan and Lun's former subordinate—who opened the city and admitted him. Lun repaired the city walls, gathered soldiers, and prepared to attack Jingling. Wei heard of this and sent Great General Yang Zhong and Colonel of Honor Hou Jitong to storm the city and capture Lun, who would not submit. Jitong laid a great drum on its side, had Lun sit on it and killed him, and cast him on the riverbank. For a whole day his complexion did not change, and birds and beasts dared not approach. Flying snow drifted down. Corpses lay across the road, yet for several paces around none touched him. His former commander Hao Podi of Anlu gathered his remains at Xiangyang. On the day of burial, yellow snow mingled in the air, yet snow alone did not fall on the tomb mound. Yang Zhong learned of it and regretted it, sending a second grand sacrifice to offer rites at the burial. The common people pitied him and built a shrine. Prince of Yueyang Cha sent men to receive the coffin. Lun was buried south of Wangchu Mountain at Xiangyang, posthumously awarded Grand Preceptor with the posthumous name An. Later Emperor Yuan deliberated on adding a posthumous name. Left Assistant Director Liu Gu argued that by posthumous naming law, "neglecting governance and associating with outsiders is called Xi." They followed this.
56
長子堅字長白，大同元年，以例封汝南侯。 亦善草隸，性頗庸短，嘗與所親書，題云：「嗣王」。 其人得書大駭，執以諫堅，堅曰：「前言戲耳。」 人曰：「不願以此為戲耳。」 侯景圍城，堅屯太陽門，終日蒱飲，不撫軍政。 吏士有功，未嘗申理，疫癘所加，亦不存恤，士咸憤怨。 太清三年，堅書佐董勳華、白曇朗等以堅私室醞釀，亟有烹宰，不相沾及，忿恨，夜遣賊登樓，城遂陷，堅遇害。 弟確。
The eldest son Jian, styled Changbai, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Runan in Datong 1 by precedent. He was also skilled at cursive and clerical script but rather mediocre by nature. Once in a letter to a close associate he wrote as heading, "Heir Prince." The recipient was greatly alarmed and remonstrated with Jian. Jian said, "What I said before was only in jest." The man said, "I would not wish this to be taken as jest." When Hou Jing besieged the city, Jian garrisoned Taiyang Gate, drinking and gambling all day without attending to military affairs. Officers and soldiers who achieved merit were never rewarded. Those stricken by plague were not cared for. The troops all resented him. In Taiqing 3, Jian's secretarial assistants Dong Xunhua and Bai Tanlang and others, resentful that Jian's private quarters brewed wine and slaughtered animals without sharing, sent rebels up the tower by night. The city fell and Jian was killed. His younger brother was Que.
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確字仲正，少驍勇，有文才，尤工楷隸，公家碑碣皆使書之。 除秘書丞，武帝謂曰：「為汝能文，所以特有此授。」 大同二年，封為正階侯，復徙封永安。 常在第中習騎射，學兵法，時人以為狂。 左右或進諫，確曰：「聽吾為國家破賊，使汝知之。」
Que, styled Zhongzheng, was fierce and brave from youth, talented in letters, and especially skilled at regular and clerical script. All public steles were assigned to him. Appointed Secretary Assistant, Emperor Wu told him, "Because you can write, you are specially given this appointment." In Datong 2 he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Primary Rank, then transferred to Marquis of Yong'an. He constantly practiced mounted archery in his residence and studied military strategy. People thought him mad. When those around him remonstrated, Que said, "Wait until I break the rebels for the state—then you will know."
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鍾山之役，確所向披靡，群賊憚之。 確每臨陣對敵，意甚詳贍，帶甲據鞍，自朝及夕，馳驟往返，不以為勞，諸將服其壯勇。 軍敗，賊使負炮，不之知也。 確因隙自拔，得達朱方。
At Zhong Mountain, Que swept all before him and the rebels feared him. In battle Que was thorough and resolute. Armored and in the saddle from morning to evening, he galloped back and forth without tiring. All generals admired his bold courage. When the army was defeated, the rebels had him carry baggage and did not recognize him. Que seized an opening to escape and reached Zhufang.
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及後侯景乞盟，憚確及趙威方在外，慮為後患，啟求召確入城。 詔乃召確為南中郎將、廣州刺史。 確知此盟多貳，城必淪沒，欲先遣趙威方入，確因南奔。 綸聞之，逼確使入。 確猶不肯，綸流涕謂曰：「汝欲反邪！」 時台使周石珍在坐，確曰：「侯景雖云欲去，而不解長圍，以意而推，其事可見。 今召我入，未見益也。」 石珍曰：「敕旨如此，侯豈得辭。」 確執意猶堅，綸大怒，謂趙伯超曰：「譙州，卿為我斬之。 當齎首赴闕。」 伯超揮刃眄曰：「我識君耳，刀豈識君。」 確流涕而出，遂入城。 及景背盟復圍城，城陷，確排闥入啟。 時武帝方寢，確曰：「城已陷矣。」 帝曰：「猶可一戰不？」 對曰：「人心不可。 臣向格戰不禁，縋下僅得至此。」 武帝歎曰：「自我得之，自我失之，亦復何恨，幸不累子孫。」 乃使確為慰勞文，謂曰：「爾速去謂汝父，無以二宮為念。」
Later when Hou Jing requested a truce, fearing Que and Zhao Weifang outside, he petitioned to have Que summoned into the city. An edict summoned Que as General of the Southern Palace Guard and Governor of Guangzhou. Que knew the truce was largely duplicitous and the city would fall. He wished to send Zhao Weifang in while he fled south. Lun heard of this and forced Que to enter. Que still refused. Lun wept and said, "Do you wish to rebel?" Court Envoy Zhou Shizhen was present. Que said, "Although Hou Jing says he wishes to leave, he does not lift the long siege. Judging by intent, the matter is clear. Summoning me in now brings no benefit." Shizhen said, "The imperial order is thus—how can the marquis refuse?" Que remained firm. Lun was furious and said to Zhao Bochao, "Qiaozhou, cut him down for me. I will carry the head to the palace." Bochao waved his blade and glanced aside. "I know you—but would the blade know you?" Que wept as he departed and entered the city. When Hou Jing broke the truce and again besieged the city, the city fell. Que pushed open the door to report. Emperor Wu was asleep. Que said, "The city has fallen." The emperor said, "Can we still fight one battle?" He replied, "The people's hearts will not allow it. I fought at the barrier but could not hold. I lowered myself by rope and barely reached here." Emperor Wu sighed, "I gained it myself and I lost it myself—what regret is there? Fortunately it does not implicate my descendants." He had Que compose a message of consolation: "Go quickly and tell your father not to worry about the two palaces."
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及出見景，景愛其膂力，恒令在左右。 後從景仰見飛鳶，群賊爭射不中，確射之應弦即落。 賊徒忿嫉，咸勸除之。 先是綸遣典簽唐法隆密導確，確謂使者曰：「侯景輕恌，可一夫力致。 確不惜死，欲手刃之。 卿還啟家王，願勿以一子為念。」 後與景獵鍾山，同逐禽，引弓將射景，弦斷不得發，賊覺殺之。
When he went out and saw Hou Jing, Jing admired his strength and kept him at his side. Later while following Jing he saw a flying kite. The rebels competed to shoot but missed. Que shot and it fell as the string sounded. The rebels, resentful and jealous, all urged he be eliminated. Earlier Lun had sent Chief Clerk Tang Falong to secretly guide Que. Que told the envoy, "Hou Jing is reckless and arrogant—a single man's strength can bring him down. I do not begrudge death and wish to kill him with my own hand. Return and report to my father—please do not worry on account of one son." Later while hunting at Zhong Mountain with Jing, he drew his bow intending to shoot Jing. The string broke and he could not release. The rebels detected it and killed him.
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武陵王紀字世詢，武帝第八子也。 少而寬和，喜怒不形於色，勤學有文才。 天監十三年，封武陵王。 尋授揚州刺史。 中書詔成，武帝加四句曰：「貞白儉素，是其清也； 臨財能讓，是其廉也； 知法不犯，是其慎也； 庶事無留，是其勤也。」 紀特為帝愛，故先作牧揚州。
Prince of Wuling Ji, styled Shixun, was Emperor Wu's eighth son. From youth he was generous and gentle. Pleasure and anger never showed on his face. He studied diligently and had literary talent. In Tianjian 13 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Wuling. Soon after he was appointed Governor of Yangzhou. When the Secretariat edict was completed, Emperor Wu added four lines: "Upright and plain, frugal and simple—this is his purity; facing wealth yet able to yield—this is his integrity; knowing the law yet not violating it—this is his prudence; handling all affairs without delay—this is his diligence." Ji was especially beloved by the emperor and was therefore first made governor of Yangzhou.
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大同三年，為都督、益州刺史。 以路遠固辭，帝曰：「天下方亂，唯益州可免，故以處汝，汝其勉之。」 紀歔欷，既出復入。 帝曰：「汝嘗言我老，我猶再見汝還益州也。」 紀在蜀，開建寧、越嶲，貢獻方物，十倍前人。 朝嘉其績，加開府儀同三司。 初，天監中，震太陽門，成字曰：「紹宗梁位唯武王。」 解者以武陵王當之，於是朝野屬意焉。 及侯景陷台城，上甲侯韶西上至硤，出武帝密敕，加紀侍中、假黃鉞、都督征討諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、太尉、承制。 大寶元年六月辛酉，紀乃移告諸州征鎮，遣世子圓照領二蜀精兵三萬，受湘東王繹節度。 繹命圓照且頓白帝，未許東下。 七月甲辰，湘東王繹遣鮑檢報紀以武帝崩問。 十一月壬寅，紀總戎將發益鎮，繹使胡智監至蜀，以書止之曰：「蜀中鬥絕，易動難安，弟可鎮之，吾自當滅賊。」 又別紙云：「地擬孫、劉，各安境界，情深魯、衛，書信恒通。」
In Datong 3 he became commander-in-chief and Governor of Yizhou. Because the road was far he firmly declined. The emperor said, "The realm is in turmoil. Only Yizhou can be spared, and therefore I place you there. Exert yourself." Ji sighed and wept. Having gone out he returned again. The emperor said, "You once said I am old—I shall yet see you again when you return to Yizhou." In Shu, Ji opened Jianning and Yuexi and presented tribute ten times what his predecessors had offered. The court praised his achievements and added the title Grand Master with Honors Equal to the Three Excellencies. During Tianjian, lightning struck Taiyang Gate, forming characters that read, "To continue the Liang lineage, only the Martial King." Interpreters held that the Prince of Wuling was meant, and court and countryside fixed their hopes on him. When Hou Jing took the capital, Senior Armorer Hou Shao went west to Xia with Emperor Wu's secret edict, appointing Ji Palace Attendant, provisional yellow battle-axe, commander-in-chief of punitive campaigns, Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Grand Commandant, and authority to act by imperial mandate. On the xinyou day of the sixth month of Dabao 1, Ji notified the provincial garrisons and dispatched his heir Yuanzhao with thirty thousand elite Shu troops under Prince of Xiangdong Yi's command. Yi ordered Yuanzhao to halt at Baidi and did not permit him to march east. On the jiachen day of the seventh month, Prince of Xiangdong Yi sent Bao Jian to report Emperor Wu's death to Ji. On the renyin day of the eleventh month, as Ji was about to depart from Yizhou, Yi sent Hu Zhijian with a letter stopping him: "Shu is isolated and steep—easy to stir up, hard to stabilize. Younger brother, hold it; I will destroy the rebels myself." On a separate sheet he wrote, "Our territories may compare to Sun and Liu, each securing his own borders. Our affection is deep as Lu and Wei, and letters should constantly pass between us."
63
二年四月乙丑，紀乃僭號於蜀，改年曰天正，暗與蕭棟同名。 識者尤之，以為于文「天」為二人，「正」為一止，言各一年而止也。 紀又立子圓照為皇太子，圓正為西陽王，圓滿竟陵王，圓普南譙王，圓肅宜都王。 以巴西、梓潼二郡太守永豐侯撝為征西大將軍、益州刺史，封秦郡王。 司馬王僧略、直兵參軍徐怦並固諫，皆殺之。 僧略，僧辯弟； 怦，勉從子也，以諫，且以怦與將帥書云：「事事往人口具」，以為反於己，誅之。 永豐侯撝歎曰：「王不克矣。 夫善人國之基也，今乃誅之，不亡何待。」 又謂所親曰：「昔桓玄年號大亨，識者為謂'二月了'，而玄之敗實在仲春。 今年曰天正，在文為'一止'，其能久乎！」 丁卯，元帝遣萬州刺史宋簉襲圓照于白帝，圓照弟圓正時為西陽太守，召至，鎖於省內。
On the yichou day of the fourth month of year 2, Ji usurped the imperial title in Shu, changed the era name to Tianzheng, secretly sharing the character zheng with Xiao Dong. Those with insight blamed this, holding that in the characters tian meant two men and zheng meant one stop—signifying each would reign one year and stop. Ji established his son Yuanzhao as crown prince, Yuanzheng as Prince of Xiyang, Yuanman as Prince of Jingling, Yuanpu as Prince of Nanqiao, and Yuansu as Prince of Yidu. He appointed Marquis of Yongfeng Hui, Administrator of Baxi and Zitong, as Grand General Who Conquers the West and Governor of Yizhou, enfeoffing him as Prince of Qin. Chief Administrator Wang Senglue and Direct Troops Adjutant Xu Peng both firmly remonstrated and were killed. Senglue was Sengbian's younger brother; Peng was Mian's grand-nephew. Because of his remonstrance, and because Peng's letters to generals said, "All matters are reported in detail by the envoy," Ji thought he was turning against him and executed him. Marquis of Yongfeng Hui sighed, "The prince will not succeed. Good men are the foundation of a state. Now he kills them—if he does not perish, what must he wait for?" He also told those close to him, "Formerly Huan Xuan's era name was Great Prosperity; those with insight read it as 'finished in the second month,' and Huan Xuan's defeat indeed came in mid-spring. This year's name is Tianzheng—in the characters it is 'one stop'—how can it last long!" On the dingmao day, Emperor Yuan sent Governor of Wanzhou Song Qiao to raid Yuanzhao at Baidi. Yuanzheng, then Administrator of Xiyang, was summoned and locked inside the ministry.
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初，楊幹運求為梁州刺史不得，紀以為潼州刺史。 楊法深求為黎州刺史亦不得，以為沙州刺史。 二人皆憾不獲所請，各遣使通西魏。 及聞魏軍侵蜀，紀遣其將譙淹回軍赴援，魏將尉遲迥逼涪水，楊幹運降之。 迥即趨成都。
Yang Ganyun sought to be Governor of Liangzhou but was not granted it. Ji appointed him Governor of Tongzhou. Yang Fashen sought to be Governor of Lizhou but was not granted it. He was appointed Governor of Shazhou. Both resented not obtaining what they requested and each sent envoys to Western Wei. When they heard Wei troops were invading Shu, Ji sent his general Qiao Yan back to the rescue. Wei general Yuchi Tong pressed toward the Fu River, and Yang Ganyun surrendered. Tong then hastened toward Chengdu.
65
五月己巳，紀次西陵，軍容甚盛。 元帝命護軍將軍陸法和立二城於峽口，名七勝城，鎖江以斷峽。 時陸納未平，蜀軍復逼，元帝甚憂。 法和告急，旬日相繼。 元帝乃拔任約於獄，以為晉安王司馬，撤禁兵以配之。 並遣宣猛將軍劉棻共約西赴。 六月，紀築連城，攻絕鐵鎖。 元帝復于獄拔謝答仁為步兵校尉，配眾一旅上赴。 紀之將發也，江水可揭，前部不得行。 及登舟，無雨而水長六尺。 劉孝勝喜曰：「殆天贊也。」 將至峽，有黑龍負舟，其將帥咸謂天助。 及頓兵日久，頻戰不利，師老糧盡，智力俱殫。 又魏人入劍閣，成都虛弱，憂懣不知所為。
On the jisi day of the fifth month, Ji halted at Xiling with a very imposing military array. Emperor Yuan ordered Protector of the Army Lu Fahe to build two cities at the gorge mouth, named Seven Victories Cities, blocking the river to cut off the gorge. Lu Na was not yet pacified and Shu troops pressed again. Emperor Yuan was greatly worried. Fahe reported emergencies one after another within ten days. Emperor Yuan pulled Ren Yue from prison, appointed him Chief Administrator to Prince of Jin'an, and assigned palace guard troops to him. He also dispatched General of Manifest Valor Liu Fen with Yue westward. In the sixth month, Ji built linked fortifications and severed the iron chains. Emperor Yuan again pulled Xie Daren from prison as Commandant of Foot Soldiers and assigned him one brigade to march upstream. When Ji was about to set out, the river was so shallow it could be waded. The vanguard could not advance. When he boarded his boats, though there was no rain the water rose six chi. Liu Xiaosheng rejoiced, "Surely heaven approves." As they neared the gorge, a black dragon bore up the boats. The generals all said heaven was helping. After halting for a long time, battles repeatedly went badly. The troops were weary, provisions exhausted, and both wit and strength spent. Wei troops entered Jian'ge. Chengdu was weak, and he was distressed and did not know what to do.
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先是，元帝已平侯景，執所俘馘，頻遣報紀。 世子圓照鎮巴東，留執不遣。 啟紀云：「侯景未平，宜急征討。 已聞荊鎮為景所滅，疾下大軍。」 紀謂為實然，故仍率眾沿江急進。 于路方知侯景已平，便有悔色，召圓照責之。 圓照曰：「侯景雖誅，江陵未服，宜速平蕩。」 紀亦以既居尊位，宣言於眾，敢諫者死。 蜀中將卒日夜思歸。 所署江州刺史王開業進曰：「宜還救根本，更思後圖。」 諸將僉以為然。 圓照、劉孝勝獨言不可，紀乃止。 既而聞王琳將至，潛遣將軍侯叡傍險出法和後，臨水築壘禦琳及法和。 元帝書遺紀，遣光州刺史鄭安中往喻意于紀，許其還蜀，專制崏方。 紀不從命，報書如家人禮。 既而侯叡為任約、謝答仁所破，又陸納平，諸軍並西赴，元帝乃與紀書曰：「甚苦大智！ 季月煩暑，流金鑠石，聚蚊成雷，封狐千里。 以茲玉體，辛苦行陣，乃睠西顧，我勞如何。 自獯醜憑陵，羯胡叛換，吾年為一日之長，屬有平亂之功，膺此樂推，事歸當璧。 儻遣使乎，良所希也。 如曰不然，於此投筆。 友于兄弟，分形共氣，兄肥弟瘦，無復相代之期； 讓棗推梨，長罷歡愉之日。 上林靜拱，聞四鳥之哀鳴，宣室披圖，嗟萬始之長逝。 心乎愛矣，書不盡言。」 大智，紀別字也。 帝又為詩曰：「回首望荊門，驚浪且雷奔，四鳥嗟長別，三聲悲夜猿。」 圓正在獄中連句曰：「水長二江急，雲生三峽昏，願貰淮南罪，思報阜陵恩。」 帝看詩而泣。
Earlier Emperor Yuan had pacified Hou Jing and held the captured heads, frequently sending reports to Ji. The heir Yuanzhao garrisoned Badong and detained the messengers without forwarding the reports. He reported to Ji, "Hou Jing is not yet pacified. You should urgently campaign against him. I have heard the Jing garrison was destroyed by Jing—hurry down with the great army." Ji believed it and still led his troops rapidly downstream along the river. On the road he learned Hou Jing was already pacified. His face showed regret, and he summoned Yuanzhao to rebuke him. Yuanzhao said, "Though Hou Jing is executed, Jiangling is not yet subdued. You should quickly pacify it." Having taken the exalted position, Ji proclaimed that whoever dared remonstrate would die. The officers and soldiers of Shu day and night longed to return home. His appointed Governor of Jiangzhou Wang Kaiye said, "You should return to rescue the foundation and think of later plans." All the generals agreed. Yuanzhao and Liu Xiaosheng alone objected, and Ji stopped. Hearing Wang Lin was about to arrive, he secretly sent General Hou Rui by a perilous route behind Fahe and built ramparts by the water to resist Lin and Fahe. Emperor Yuan wrote to Ji and sent Governor of Guangzhou Zheng Anzhong to explain his intent, promising Ji could return to Shu and hold sole authority over the Min region. Ji did not obey and replied in the manner of family correspondence. Soon Hou Rui was defeated by Ren Yue and Xie Daren. Lu Na was pacified. All armies marched west, and Emperor Yuan wrote to Ji: "Great suffering, Dazhi! In the late month's oppressive heat, metal flows and stones melt, gathered mosquitoes become thunder, and foxes range a thousand li. With this jade body enduring hardship in battle, yet turning west in affection—how great my toil. Since the Xiongnu villain relied on force and the Jie barbarians rebelled, I am a day older and happened to have merit in pacifying disorder. I received willing endorsement, and the matter fell to the jade disk. If you would send an envoy, that is truly what I hope for. If you say otherwise, I lay down my brush here. Brothers should be friendly, sharing form and breath. Elder brother fat and younger brother thin—no longer any time to take each other's place; yielding jujubes and pushing pears—the long days of joy are ended. In the Upper Park one sits quietly, hearing the mournful cries of four birds. In the Xuan Chamber one unrolls the map, sighing at the long departure of the myriad beginnings. The heart loves indeed, but writing cannot exhaust the words." Dazhi was Ji's alternate style. The emperor also composed a poem: "Turning back to gaze at Jingmen, startled waves thunder and rush. Four birds sigh at long parting, three cries mourn the night gibbons." Yuanzheng in prison linked verses: "Waters long, the two rivers swift. Clouds rise, the Three Gorges dim. I wish to buy off the Huainan crime and think to repay the Fuling grace." The emperor read the poem and wept.
67
紀頻敗，知不振，遣署度支尚書樂奉業往江陵論和緝之計。 元帝知紀必破，遂拒而不許，於是兩岸十餘城遂俱降。 遊擊將軍樊猛率所領至紀所，紀在船中遶床而走，以金擲猛等曰：「此顧卿送我一見七官，卿必當富貴。」 猛曰：「天子何由可見。 殺足下，此金何之。」 猶不敢逼，圍而守之。 法和馳啟，上密敕樊猛曰：「生還不成功也。」 猛率甲士祝文簡、張天成拔刃升舟，猶左右奔擲。 第五子圓滿馳來就父，紀首既落，圓滿軀亦分。 法和收太子圓照兄弟三人，問圓照曰：「阿郎何以至此？」 圓照曰：「失計，願為公作奴。」 法和叱遣之。
Repeatedly defeated, Ji knew he could not recover. He sent Acting Director of Revenue Yue Fengye to Jiangling to discuss peace. Emperor Yuan knew Ji would surely be broken and refused. More than ten cities on both banks all surrendered. Raiding General Fan Meng reached Ji's position. Ji ran around his bed in the boat and threw gold at Meng, saying, "Take this in exchange for sending me to see the Seventh Officer once—you will surely become rich and honored." Meng said, "How could the Son of Heaven be seen? Kill you—where would this gold go?" He still did not dare press close but encircled and guarded him. Fahe sent an urgent report. The emperor secretly ordered Fan Meng, "Returning alive will not succeed." Meng led armored soldiers Zhu Wenjian and Zhang Tiancheng, drew blades and boarded the boat. Ji still ran about throwing things. The fifth son Yuanman raced to his father. Once Ji's head fell, Yuanman's body was also cut apart. Fahe seized the crown prince Yuanzhao and his three brothers and asked Yuanzhao, "Young master, how did you come to this?" Yuanzhao said, "A mistaken plan—I wish to be your slave." Fahe shouted and sent him away.
68
圓照字明周，中大同初，為益州東齋郎、宋甯宋興二郡太守。 遠鎮諸王世子皆在建鄴質守，帝特愛紀，故遣以副紀。 紀之構釁，悉其謀也。 次弟圓正先見鎖在江陵，及紀既以兵終，元帝使謂曰：「西軍已敗，汝父不知存亡。」 意欲使其自裁。 而圓正既奉此問，便號哭盡哀。 以禍難之興皆由圓照，於是唯哭世子，言不絕聲。 上謂圓正聞問悲感，必應自殺，頻看知不能死，又付廷尉獄。 及見圓照曰：「阿兄，何乃亂人骨肉，使酷痛如此。」 圓照更無所言，唯雲計誤。 並命絕食於獄，齧臂啖之，十三日死，天下聞而悲之。
Yuanzhao, styled Mingzhou, was at the beginning of Zhongdatong Eastern Attendant of Yizhou and Administrator of Songning and Songxing. The heirs of princes at distant posts all remained in Jiankang as hostages. The emperor especially loved Ji and dispatched Yuanzhao to assist him. Ji's plotting of rebellion was entirely Yuanzhao's scheme. The next younger brother Yuanzheng had been locked up in Jiangling. When Ji had ended by arms, Emperor Yuan sent word: "The western army is defeated. Your father—I do not know whether he lives or dies." The intent was to make him take his own life. But Yuanzheng, upon receiving this inquiry, immediately wailed with full grief. Because the calamity was all due to Yuanzhao, he wept only for the heir, his words unceasing. The emperor thought Yuanzheng would surely kill himself. Repeatedly checking and finding he would not, he handed him to the Court of Judicature prison. When he saw Yuanzhao he said, "Elder brother, why did you disrupt the flesh and bone of kin, causing such cruel pain?" Yuanzhao had nothing more to say, only that the plan was mistaken. Both were ordered to fast in prison. They bit their arms and ate the flesh. On the thirteenth day they died, and all under heaven mourned them.
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圓正字明允，紀第二子。 美風儀，善談論，寬和好施，愛接士人。 封江安侯。 曆西陽太守，有惠政。 既居上流，人附者甚眾。 及侯景作逆，圓正收兵眾且一萬，後遂跋扈中流，不從王命。 及景破，復謀入蜀。 元帝將圖之，署為平南將軍。 及至弗見，使南平嗣王恪等醉而囚之。
Yuanzheng, styled Mingyun, was Ji's second son. Handsome in bearing, skilled in discourse, generous and fond of giving, he loved to receive scholars. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jiangan. He served as Administrator of Xiyang with benevolent governance. Once he held the upper reaches, very many people attached themselves to him. When Hou Jing rebelled, Yuanzheng gathered nearly ten thousand troops. Later he became overbearing midstream and did not obey the royal command. When Jing was defeated, he again plotted to enter Shu. Emperor Yuan was about to plot against him and appointed him General Who Pacifies the South. When he arrived and was not received, Heir Prince of Nanping Ke and others got him drunk and imprisoned him.
70
時紀稱梁王。 及紀敗死，為有司奏請絕紀屬籍，元帝許之，賜姓饕餮氏。 紀最為武帝所愛。 武帝諸子罕登公位，唯紀以功業顯著，先啟黃扉。 兄邵陵王綸屢以罪黜，心每不平。 及聞紀為征西，綸撫枕歎曰：「武陵有何功業，而位乃前我？ 朝廷憒憒，似不知人。」 武帝聞之，大怒曰：「武陵有恤人拓境之勳，汝有何績。」
At the time Ji styled himself Prince of Liang. When Ji was defeated and died, officials memorialized to cut him from the clan register. Emperor Yuan approved and bestowed the surname Taotie. Ji was most beloved by Emperor Wu. Among Emperor Wu's sons few reached ducal rank. Only Ji, because his achievements were outstanding, first entered the highest offices. His elder brother Prince of Shaoling Lun was repeatedly dismissed for crimes, and he always resented it. When he heard Ji was made General Who Conquers the West, Lun beat his pillow and sighed, "What achievements has the Prince of Wuling, that his rank should be ahead of mine? The court is muddled, as if it does not know men." Emperor Wu heard of this and was furious. "The Prince of Wuling has merit in caring for people and expanding territory—what achievements have you?"
71
太清初，帝思之，使善畫者張僧繇至蜀圖其狀。 在蜀十七年，南開寧州、越嶲，西通資陵、吐谷渾。 內修耕桑鹽鐵之功，外通商賈遠方之利，故能殖其財用，器甲殷積。 馬八千匹，上足者置之內廄，開寢殿以通之，日落，輒出步馬。 便騎射，尤工舞矟。 九日講武，躬領幢隊。 及聞國難，謂僚佐曰：「七官文士，豈能匡濟。」 既東下，黃金一斤為餅，百餅為簉，至有百簉； 銀五倍之，其他錦罽繒采稱是。 每戰則懸金帛以示將士，終不賞賜。 甯州刺史陳知祖請散金銀募勇士，不聽，慟哭而去。 自是人有離心，莫肯為用。 紀頗學觀占，善風角，亦知不復能濟。 瞻望氣色，歎吒天道，椎床聲聞於外。 有請事者，以疾辭不見。 既死，埋於沙洲，不封無櫬。 元帝以劉孝勝付廷尉，尋免之。
At the beginning of Taiqing, the emperor missed him and sent the skilled painter Zhang Sengyou to Shu to paint his likeness. During seventeen years in Shu, he opened Ningzhou and Yuexi to the south and connected with Ziling and Tuyuhun to the west. Internally he developed agriculture, sericulture, salt, and iron. Externally he connected with merchants for distant profit. His wealth grew and weapons and armor accumulated in abundance. He had eight thousand horses. The finest he placed in the inner stable, opening the sleeping hall to connect with it. At sunset he always went out to exercise the horses. He was adept at mounted archery and especially skilled at spear dancing. On the ninth day he held military exercises and personally led the banner companies. When he heard of the national crisis, he told his staff, "The Seventh Officer is a literary man—how can he restore order?" Once he marched east, gold was cast in one-jin cakes, a hundred cakes making one bundle, reaching as many as a hundred bundles; silver five times as much, and brocades, felts, silks, and colored cloths in proportion. Before each battle he hung out gold and silk to show the troops, yet never rewarded them. Governor of Ningzhou Chen Zhizu requested to distribute gold and silver to recruit warriors. Ji refused, and Chen wept bitterly and departed. From then on the troops lost heart and none were willing to serve him. Ji had studied divination and was skilled at wind angles. He also knew he could no longer succeed. He gazed at the sky, sighed and lamented at heaven's way, and the sound of pounding his bed was heard outside. When anyone requested an audience, he declined on grounds of illness. After his death he was buried on a sandbar without a mound or coffin. Emperor Yuan handed Liu Xiaosheng over to the Court of Judicature but soon pardoned him.
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初，紀將僭號，祅怪不一，內寢柏殿柱繞節生花，其莖四十有六，靃靡可愛，狀似荷花。 識者曰：「王敦祅花，非佳事也。」 時蜀知星人說紀曰：「官若東下，當用申年，太白出西，從之為利。 申歲發蜀，酉年入荊，不可失也。」 發蜀之歲，太白在西，比及明年，則已東出矣。
When Ji was about to usurp the imperial title, strange omens appeared. In the inner sleeping hall, cypress pillars at the nodes produced flowers—forty-six stems, graceful and lovely, resembling lotus flowers. Those with insight said, "Wang Dun's demonic flowers were no good omen." A Shu astrologer told Ji, "If Your Highness marches east, you should use the year shen. When the Metal Star appears in the west, following it will be advantageous. Depart Shu in the shen year, enter Jing in the you year—this must not be missed." In the year he departed Shu, the Metal Star was in the west. By the following year it had already moved east.
73
論曰：甚矣，讒佞之為巧也！ 夫言附正直，跡在恭敬，悅目會心，無施不可。 至乃離父子，間兄弟，廢楚嫡，疏漢嗣，可為太息，良非一塗。 以昭明之親之賢，梁武帝之愛之信，謗言一及，至死不能自明，況於下此者也。 綜處秦政之疑，懷負尺之志，肆行狂悖，卒致奔亡。 廬陵多財為累，雄心自立，未及騁暴，早沒為幸。 南康為政有方，居喪以禮，惜乎早夭，不拯危季。 邵陵少而險躁，人道頓亡，晚致勤王，其殆優矣。 武陵地居勢勝，卒致傾覆，才輕志大，能無及乎。
The commentary says: How extreme is the craftiness of slanderers and flatterers! Their words attach to uprightness, their conduct appears respectful. Pleasing to the eye and meeting the heart, there is nothing they cannot apply. They can even separate father and son, come between brothers, depose legitimate heirs, and estrange successors—enough to make one sigh deeply. This is not a single path alone. For one as close and worthy as Zhaoming, as loved and trusted by Emperor Wu—once slander reached him, he could not clear himself even unto death. How much more for those below him. Zong stood under suspicion like Qin Zheng, harbored the ambition of Fu Chi, acted wildly and perversely, and ultimately fled to ruin. Luling was burdened by excessive wealth and ambitious intent. Before he could unleash his violence, early death was fortune. Nankang governed with method and observed mourning by ritual. Alas that he died young and could not rescue the perilous final age. Shaoling from youth was dangerous and impetuous, human decency suddenly lost. In his later years he rallied to aid the throne—this was perhaps his one merit. Wuling held superior terrain and power, yet ultimately collapsed—talent light and ambition great. Could he have escaped this?