1
列傳第四十四
Biography 44
2
梁簡文帝諸子元帝諸子
The Sons of Emperor Jianwen of Liang; The Sons of Emperor Yuan of Liang
3
簡文二十子。 王皇后生哀太子大器、南郡王大連。 陳淑容生尋陽王大心。 左夫人生南海王大臨、安陸王大春。 謝夫人生瀏陽公大雅。 張夫人生新興王大莊。 包昭華生西陽王大鈞。 范夫人生武甯王大威。 褚修華生建平王大球。 陳夫人生義安王大昕。 朱夫人生綏建王大摯。 其臨川王大款、桂陽王大成、汝南王大封、樂良王大圜，並不知母氏。 潘美人生皇子大訓，早亡無封。 其餘不知不載。
Emperor Jianwen had twenty sons. Empress Wang gave birth to the Lamented Crown Prince Dadqi and to Prince Dalian of Nankang. Lady Chen Shurong bore Prince Daxin of Xunyang. Lady Zuo bore Prince Dalin of Nanhai and Prince Dachun of Anlu. Lady Xie bore Duke Daya of Liyang. Lady Zhang bore Prince Dazhuang of Xinxing. Bao Zhaohua bore Prince Dadjun of Xiyang. Lady Fan bore Prince Dawei of Wuning. Chu Xiuhua bore Prince Daqiu of Jianping. Lady Chen bore Prince Daxin of Yian. Lady Zhu bore Prince Dazhi of Suijian. Prince Dakuan of Linchuan, Prince Dacheng of Guiyang, Prince Dafeng of Runan, and Prince Dayuan of Leliang—their mothers are all unknown. Lady Pan Mei bore the imperial son Dadun, who died young and received no enfeoffment. The remainder are unknown and go unrecorded.
4
哀太子大器字仁宗，簡文嫡長子也。 中大通四年，封宣城郡王。 太清二年十月，侯景寇建鄴，敕太子為台內大都督。 三年五月，簡文即位。 六月丁亥，立為皇太子。
The Lamented Crown Prince Dadqi, styled Renzong, was the legitimate eldest son of Emperor Jianwen. In the fourth year of Zhongdatong he was enfeoffed as Prince of Xuancheng. In the tenth month of the second year of Taiqing, when Hou Jing attacked Jianye, an edict named the crown prince Grand Commander within the Terrace. In the fifth month of the third year, Emperor Jianwen took the throne. On the day dinghai in the sixth month he was installed as crown prince.
5
大寶二年八月，景廢簡文，將害太子。 時景党稱景命召之，太子方講老子，將下床而刑人掩至。 太子顏色不變，徐曰：「久知此事，嗟其晚耳。」 刑者將以衣帶絞之，太子曰：「此不能見殺。」 乃指系帳竿下繩，命取絞之而絕。 時年二十八。
In the eighth month of the second year of Dabao, Jing deposed Emperor Jianwen and intended to kill the crown prince. Jing's men then arrived, summoning him in Jing's name; the crown prince was expounding the Laozi and had just risen from his couch when the executioners were upon him. The crown prince did not change color. He said calmly, "I have known this for a long time—it is only a pity that it comes so late. The executioners were about to strangle him with a belt; the crown prince said, "That is not how I shall die." He pointed to the rope tied beneath the tent pole and told them to take it and strangle him with that. He was twenty-eight.
6
太子性寬和，兼神用端嶷，在賊中每不屈意。 左右竊問其故，答曰：「賊若未須見殺，雖復陵傲呵叱，其終不敢言。 若見害時至，雖一日百拜，無益於死。」 問者又曰：「官今憂逼而神貌怡然，未喻此意。」 答曰：「吾自度死必在賊前，若諸叔外來，平夷羯寇，必前見殺，然後就死。 若其遂開拓上流，必先見殺，後取富貴。 何能以無益之愁，橫憂必死之命。」 景之西上，攜太子同行，及敗歸，船往往相失。 所乘船入樅陽浦，舟中腹心並勸因此入北。 太子曰：「自國家喪敗，志不圖生。 主上蒙塵，寧忍違離。 吾今若去，乃是叛父，非謂避賊。 天下豈有無父之國。」 便涕泗鳴咽，命即前進。 賊以太子有器度，每憚之。 恐為後患，故先及禍。 承聖元年四月，追諡哀太子，祔太廟陰室。
The crown prince was gentle and forbearing, with a dignified presence and keen intelligence; among the rebels he never bent his will. His attendants asked him privately why; he replied, "If the rebels do not yet mean to kill me, then even if I am arrogant and shout at them, they will not dare say a word in the end. But if the hour of death has come, even a hundred bows in a day will not save me from death. They asked again, "Your Highness is beset with troubles, yet your face is calm—we do not understand." He answered, "I am sure I must die before the rebels do. If my uncles arrive from outside and crush the Jie invaders, I shall be killed first and only then die. If they push up the Yangzi and win, I shall still be killed first and only then will others take wealth and honors. Why should I waste useless sorrow on a life that is certain to end in death?" When Jing marched west he took the crown prince along; on his defeat and return, their boats often lost contact. His vessel entered Zongyang Ford; those closest to him aboard all urged him to seize the moment and flee north. The crown prince said, "Since the realm has been ruined, I have no wish to live. The Son of Heaven is in exile in the dust—how could I bear to abandon him? If I go now, I rebel against my father; I am not simply avoiding the rebels. Can there be a country in the world without a father? He wept aloud and ordered them to advance immediately. The rebels feared the crown prince's bearing and always held him in awe. Fearing future trouble, they struck at him first. In the fourth month of the first year of Chengsheng he was posthumously titled the Lamented Crown Prince and enshrined in the yin side-chamber of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
7
尋陽王大心字仁恕，簡文第二子也。 幼而聰朗，善屬文。 中大通四年，以皇孫封當陽縣公。 大同元年，為都督、郢州刺史，時年十三。 簡文以其幼，戒之曰：「事無大小，悉委行事。」 大心雖不親州務，發言每合於理，眾皆驚服。 太清元年，為雲麾將軍、江州刺史。 貪冒財賄，不能綏接百姓。 二年，侯景寇都，大心招集士卒，與上流諸軍赴援宮闕。 三年，台城陷，上甲侯蕭韶南奔宣密詔，加散騎常侍，進號平南將軍。 大寶元年，封尋陽王。
Prince Daxin of Xunyang, styled Renshu, was the second son of Emperor Jianwen. As a boy he was clever and lucid, and skilled at writing. In the fourth year of Zhongdatong he was enfeoffed as Duke of Dangyang while still an imperial grandson. In the first year of Datong he was made Commander-in-chief and Inspector of Yingzhou, at the age of thirteen. Emperor Jianwen, finding him still young, warned him: "Whether the matter is great or small, leave it all to your staff officer. Though Daxin did not manage provincial affairs himself, his words always accorded with reason, and everyone marveled. In the first year of Taiqing he became General of the Cloudy Pennant and Inspector of Jiangzhou. Greedy for bribes, he could not win the people's loyalty. In the second year, when Hou Jing attacked the capital, Daxin raised troops and marched with the upper Yangzi armies to rescue the palace. In the third year the Terrace City fell; Xiao Shao of the superior armor fled south with a secret edict, and Daxin was promoted to Regular Attendant and given the title General Who Pacifies the South. In the first year of Dabao he was enfeoffed Prince of Xunyang.
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初，曆陽太守莊鐵以城降侯景，既而又奉其母來奔。 大心以鐵舊將，厚為其禮，軍旅之事，悉以委之，以為豫章內史。 景數遣軍西上寇抄，大心輒令鐵擊破之，禽其將趙加婁，賊不能進。 時鄱陽王範率眾棄合肥，屯於柵口，待援兵總集，欲俱進。 大心聞之，遣要範西上，以盆城處之，廩饋甚厚，欲與戮力共除禍難。 會鐵據豫章反，大心令中兵參軍韋約討之，鐵敗乞降。 鄱陽世子嗣先與鐵善，乃謂範曰：「昔與鐵遊處，其人才略從橫，若降江州，必不全其首領，請援之。」 乃遣將侯瑱救鐵，夜破韋約等營。 大心大懼。 於是二蕃釁起。
At first Zhuang Tie, prefect of Liyang, surrendered his city to Hou Jing, then came over with his mother. Daxin, knowing Tie as a veteran commander, honored him richly and entrusted all military affairs to him, making him Interior Governor of Yuzhang. Jing sent troops west again and again to raid; Daxin had Tie repulse them each time and capture the general Zhao Jialou, so the rebels could not advance. Prince Fan of Poyang had abandoned Hefei and camped at Shankou, waiting for all relief forces to gather before advancing together. Hearing this, Daxin invited Fan west, quartered him at Pencheng, fed his troops generously, and hoped to join in removing the disaster. When Tie rebelled and held Yuzhang, Daxin sent Wei Yue to attack; Tie was defeated and begged to surrender. Sizian, heir of Poyang, was Tie's friend and told Fan, "I used to keep company with Tie—he is clever and bold. If he surrenders to Jiangzhou they will not spare his life. Please aid him. He sent Hou Zhen to rescue Tie, who by night smashed Wei Yue's camp. Daxin was deeply alarmed. From this, strife broke out between the two princely domains.
9
景將任約略地至盆城，大心遣司馬韋質拒戰敗績，時帳下猶有勇士千餘人，咸說曰：「既無糧儲，難以守固，若輕騎往建州，以圖後舉，策之上也。」 其母陳淑容不從，撫胸慟哭，大心乃止，遂與約和。 二年，將遇害，遶床謂賊廂公王僧貴曰：「我以全州歸命，何忍相苦。」 乃見射而殞。
When Jing's general Ren Yue reached Pencheng, Daxin sent Wei Zhi to fight and was beaten. More than a thousand brave men remained in camp; all urged, "Without provisions we cannot hold—if we ride lightly to Jianzhou and plan our next move, that is best. His mother Lady Chen Shurong refused; she beat her breast and wept, and Daxin halted and made peace with Yue. In the second year, about to be killed, he circled his bed and said to the rebel chamberlain Wang Senggui, "I surrendered my whole province—how can you treat me so harshly? He was shot and died.
10
臨川王大款字仁師，簡文第三子也。 初封石城縣公，位中書侍郎。 太清三年，簡文即位，封江夏郡王。 大寶元年，奔江陵，湘東王承制，改封臨川王。 魏克江陵，遇害。
Prince Dakuan of Linchuan, styled Renshi, was the third son of Emperor Jianwen. He was first enfeoffed Duke of Shicheng and served as Secretariat Gentleman. In the third year of Taiqing, when Emperor Jianwen took the throne, he was enfeoffed Prince of Jiangxia. In the first year of Dabao he fled to Jiangling; the Prince of Xiangdong, exercising the imperial mandate, changed his title to Prince of Linchuan. When Wei took Jiangling, he was killed.
11
南海王大臨字仁宣，簡文帝第四子也。 大同二年，封甯國縣公。 少而敏慧。 年十一，遭左夫人憂，哭泣毀瘠，以孝聞。 後入國學，明經射策甲科，拜中書侍郎，遷給事黃門侍郎。 十一年，長兼侍中，出為琅邪、彭城二郡太守。 侯景亂，屯端門，都督城南諸軍事。 大寶元年，封南海郡王，出為都督、東揚州刺史，又除吳郡太守。 時張彪起義於會稽，吳人陸令公、潁川庾孟卿等勸大臨投之。 大臨曰：「彪若成功，不藉我力； 如其撓敗，以我說焉，不可往也。」 二年遇害。
Prince Dalin of Nanhai, styled Renxuan, was the fourth son of Emperor Jianwen. In the second year of Datong he was enfeoffed Duke of Ningguo. As a boy he was clever and quick. At eleven he mourned Lady Zuo, weeping until he was wasted away, and became known for filial devotion. He later entered the Imperial Academy, took first rank in the Classics examination, was made Secretariat Gentleman, and promoted to Attendant of the Yellow Gate. In the eleventh year he served concurrently as Palace Attendant and went out as prefect of Langye and Pengcheng. When Hou Jing rebelled, he camped at the Duan Gate and commanded all forces south of the city. In the first year of Dabao he was enfeoffed Prince of Nanhai, made Commander-in-chief and Inspector of Dongyang, and also appointed Prefect of Wu. Zhang Biao had raised forces in Kuaiji; Lu Linggong of Wu and Yu Mengqing of Yingchuan urged Dalin to join him. Dalin said, "If Biao succeeds, he will not need me; and if he is crushed, to go because I urged it—that I will not do. In the second year he was killed.
12
南郡王大連字仁靖，簡文第五子也。 少俊爽，能屬文。 舉止風流，雅有巧思，妙達音樂，兼善丹青。 大同二年，封臨城縣公。 七年，與南海王俱入國學，並射策甲科，皆拜中書侍郎。 十年，武帝幸朱方，大連與兄大臨並從。 武帝問曰：「汝等習騎不？」 對曰：「臣等未奉詔，不敢輒習。」 敕令給馬試之。 大連兄弟據鞍往還，各得馳驟之節。 帝大說，即賜所乘馬。 及為啟謝，辭又甚美。 帝他日謂簡文曰：「昨見大臨、大連，風韻可愛，足慰吾老年。」 遷給事黃門侍郎，轉侍中。
Prince Dalian of Nankang, styled Renjing, was the fifth son of Emperor Jianwen. In youth he was handsome and spirited, and skilled at writing. His manner was refined, he had a gift for invention, understood music deeply, and was also skilled at painting. In the second year of Datong he was enfeoffed Duke of Lincheng. In the seventh year he and the Prince of Nanhai entered the Imperial Academy together; both took first rank and were made Secretariat Gentlemen. In the tenth year Emperor Wu visited Zhufang; Dalian went with his elder brother Dalin. The Emperor asked, "Have you practiced horsemanship? They answered, "We have not received Your Majesty's command and did not dare practice on our own." He ordered horses given them for a trial. Dalian and his brother mounted and rode back and forth, each showing proper control at the gallop. The Emperor was delighted and gave them the horses he had been riding. Their memorial of thanks was also beautifully worded. Another day the Emperor told Emperor Jianwen, "Yesterday I saw Dalin and Dalian—their grace is lovely and enough to comfort me in my old age. He was promoted to Attendant of the Yellow Gate and then to Palace Attendant.
13
安陸王大春字仁經，簡文第六子也。 少博涉書記，善吹笙。 天性孝謹，體貌瑰偉，腰帶十圍。 大同六年，封西豐縣公，拜中書侍郎。 後為甯遠將軍，知石頭戍軍事。 侯景內寇，大春奔京口，隨邵陵王入援，戰於鍾山。 軍敗，肥大不能行，為賊所獲。 大寶元年，封安陸郡王，出為東揚州刺史。 二年遇害。
Prince Dachun of Anlu, styled Renjing, was the sixth son of Emperor Jianwen. In youth he was widely read in documents and records and skilled at the sheng flute. By nature he was filial and careful; his build was imposing and his waist measured ten arm-spans. In the sixth year of Datong he was enfeoffed Duke of Xifeng and made Secretariat Gentleman. He later became General Who Pacifies the Distance and took charge of the Shitou garrison. When Hou Jing invaded, Dachun fled to Jingkou and followed the Prince of Shaoling to the rescue, fighting at Zhongshan. The army was beaten; too heavy to walk, he was taken by the rebels. In the first year of Dabao he was enfeoffed Prince of Anlu and made Inspector of Dongyang. In the second year he was killed.
14
桂陽王大成字仁和，簡文第八子也。 初封新淦公。 太清三年，簡文即位，封山陽郡王。 大寶元年，奔江陵。 湘東王承制，改封桂陽王。 大成性甚凶粗，兼便弓馬。 至江陵，被甲夜出，人謂為劫，斫之，遂失左髻。 魏克江陵，遇害。
Prince Dacheng of Guiyang, styled Renhe, was the eighth son of Emperor Jianwen. He was first enfeoffed Duke of Xingan. In the third year of Taiqing, when Emperor Jianwen took the throne, he was enfeoffed Prince of Shanyang. In the first year of Dabao he fled to Jiangling. The Prince of Xiangdong, exercising the mandate, changed his title to Prince of Guiyang. Dacheng was fierce and rough by nature, and also skilled with bow and horse. At Jiangling he went out at night in armor; people mistook him for a bandit and struck him, so that he lost the knot of hair on his left temple. When Wei took Jiangling, he was killed.
15
汝南王大封字仁叡，簡文第九子也。 初封臨汝公。 太清三年，簡文即位，封宜都郡王。 大寶元年，奔江陵。 湘東王承制，封汝南王。 魏克江陵，遇害。
Prince Dafeng of Runan, styled Renrui, was the ninth son of Emperor Jianwen. He was first enfeoffed Duke of Linru. In the third year of Taiqing, when Emperor Jianwen took the throne, he was enfeoffed Prince of Yidu. In the first year of Dabao he fled to Jiangling. The Prince of Xiangdong, exercising the mandate, enfeoffed him Prince of Runan. When Wei took Jiangling, he was killed.
16
瀏陽公大雅字仁風，簡文第十二子也。 大同九年，封瀏陽縣公。 少聰警，美姿儀，特為武帝所愛。 台城陷，大雅猶命左右格戰。 賊至漸眾，乃自縋而下，發憤感疾薨。
Duke Daya of Liyang, styled Renfeng, was the twelfth son of Emperor Jianwen. In the ninth year of Datong he was enfeoffed Duke of Liyang. As a boy he was clever and alert, handsome in bearing, and especially loved by Emperor Wu. When the Terrace City fell, Daya still ordered his men to fight at close quarters. As the rebels grew in number, he let himself down by rope; stricken with grief he fell ill and died.
17
新興王大莊字仁禮，簡文第十三子也。 性躁動。 大同九年，封高唐縣公。 大寶元年，封新興郡王，位南徐州刺史。 二年遇害。
Prince Dazhuang of Xinxing, styled Renli, was the thirteenth son of Emperor Jianwen. He was restless by nature. In the ninth year of Datong he was enfeoffed Duke of Gaotang. In the first year of Dabao he was enfeoffed Prince of Xinxing and made Inspector of South Xuzhou. In the second year he was killed.
18
西陽王大鈞字仁博，簡文第十四子也。 性厚重，不妄戲弄。 年七歲，武帝嘗問讀何書，對曰學詩。 因令諷誦，即誦周南，音韻清雅。 帝重之，因賜王羲之書一卷。 大寶元年，封西陽郡王，位丹陽尹。 二年，監揚州，遇害。
Prince Dadjun of Xiyang, styled Renbo, was the fourteenth son of Emperor Jianwen. He was grave and steady and did not play about lightly. At seven, Emperor Wu asked what book he was reading; he said he was studying the Odes. The Emperor had him recite, and he at once recited the Zhou Nan in clear, elegant tones. The Emperor prized him and gave him a scroll of Wang Xizhi's writing. In the first year of Dabao he was enfeoffed Prince of Xiyang and made Governor of Danyang. In the second year he supervised Yangzhou and was killed.
19
武甯王大威字仁容，簡文第十五子也。 美風儀，眉目如畫。 大寶元年，封武甯郡王。 二年，為丹陽尹，遇害。
Prince Dawei of Wuning, styled Renrong, was the fifteenth son of Emperor Jianwen. His bearing was elegant; his brows and eyes were like a painting. In the first year of Dabao he was enfeoffed Prince of Wuning. In the second year he became Governor of Danyang and was killed.
20
皇子大訓字仁德，簡文第十六子也。 少而腳疾，不敢躡履。 太清三年，未封而亡，年十歲。
The imperial son Dadun, styled Rende, was the sixteenth son of Emperor Jianwen. From childhood he had a foot ailment and dared not wear shoes. In the third year of Taiqing he died before enfeoffment, at the age of ten.
21
建平王大球字仁玉，簡文帝第十七子也。 大寶元年，封建平郡王。 性明慧夙成。 初，侯景圍台城，武帝素歸心釋教，每發誓願，恒云：「若有眾生應受諸苦，衍身代當。」 時大球年甫七歲，聞而驚謂母曰：「官家尚爾，兒安敢辭。」 乃六時禮佛，亦云：「凡有眾生應獲苦報，悉大球代受。」 其早慧如此。 二年遇害。
Prince Daqiu of Jianping, styled Renyu, was the seventeenth son of Emperor Jianwen. In the first year of Dabao he was enfeoffed Prince of Jianping. He was bright and clever from early childhood. When Hou Jing first besieged the Terrace City, Emperor Wu had long devoted himself to Buddhism; whenever he made a vow he would say, "If any living being must suffer every pain, let me take it in their stead. Daqiu was then only seven; startled, he told his mother, "If the Emperor is still like this, how dare I refuse?" He then worshiped at the six hours and likewise said, "Whatever suffering living beings must receive, let Daqiu take it all." Such was his precocity. In the second year he was killed.
22
綏建王大摯字仁瑛，簡文第十九子也。 幼雄壯有膽氣，及台城陷，乃歎曰：「大丈夫會當滅虜屬。」 奶媼驚掩其口，曰：「勿妄言，禍將及。」 大摯笑曰：「禍至非由此。」 大寶元年封，二年遇害。
Prince Dazhi of Suijian, styled Renying, was the nineteenth son of Emperor Jianwen. As a boy he was bold and spirited; when the Terrace City fell he sighed, "A real man will one day destroy these barbarian vermin. His nurse, alarmed, clapped her hand over his mouth and said, "Do not speak rashly—disaster is near." Dazhi laughed and said, "When disaster comes, it will not be from this." He was enfeoffed in the first year of Dabao and killed in the second.
23
樂良王大圜，簡文第二十子也。 大寶元年封。 後入周。 仕隋位內史侍郎。
Prince Dayuan of Leliang was the twentieth son of Emperor Jianwen. He was enfeoffed in the first year of Dabao. Later he went over to Zhou. Under the Sui he served as Secretariat Vice-Minister.
24
元帝諸子。 徐妃生武烈世子方等。 王貴嬪生貞惠世子方諸、始安王方略。 袁貴人生湣懷太子方矩。 夏貴妃生敬皇帝。 自餘不顯。
The sons of Emperor Yuan. Consort Xu bore the Martial and Fierce Heir Apparent Fangdeng. Honored Consort Wang bore the Chaste and Gracious Heir Apparent Fangzhu and Prince Fanglue of Shian. Honored Lady Yuan bore the Lamented and Cherished Crown Prince Fangju. Honored Consort Xia bore Emperor Jing. The remainder are not recorded.
25
武烈世子方等字實相，元帝長子也。 少聰敏，有俊才，善騎射，尤長巧思。 性愛林泉，特好散逸。 嘗著論曰：「人生處世，如白駒過隙耳。 一壺之酒，足以養性，一簞之食，足以怡形。 生在蒿蓬，死葬溝壑，瓦棺石槨，何以異茲。 吾嘗夢為魚，因化為鳥。 方其夢也，何樂如之，及其覺也，何憂斯類，良由吾之不及魚鳥者遠矣。 故魚鳥飛浮，任其志性，吾之進退，恒在掌握。 舉首懼觸，搖足恐墮。 若使吾終得與魚鳥同遊，則去人間如脫屣耳。」 初，徐妃以嫉妒失寵，方諸母王氏以冶容幸嬖。 及王夫人終，元帝歸咎徐妃，方等意不自安。 元帝聞之，又惡方等，方等益懼，故述此論以申其志。
The Martial and Fierce Heir Apparent Fangdeng, styled Shixiang, was the eldest son of Emperor Yuan. In youth he was clever and keen, gifted and skilled at riding and archery, and especially ingenious. He loved forests and streams by nature and especially favored a life of ease. He once wrote a treatise: "Life in the world is like a white colt flashing past a crack in the wall. A pot of wine is enough to nourish the nature; a basket of food is enough to please the body. Born in the weeds, buried in a ditch—a tile coffin or a stone sarcophagus, what difference is there? I once dreamed I was a fish, and then became a bird. While dreaming, what joy could match it; when I woke, what sorrow—because I am so far beneath fish and birds. Fish and birds fly and float as their natures dictate; my comings and goings are always in another's hand. I lift my head in fear of striking something; I shift my foot in fear of falling. If I could roam with fish and birds at last, I would leave the human world as easily as kicking off shoes. At first Consort Xu lost favor through jealousy; Fangzhu's mother Lady Wang, with her alluring looks, won the Emperor's favor. When Lady Wang died, Emperor Yuan blamed Consort Xu; Fangdeng grew uneasy. Emperor Yuan heard of it and disliked Fangdeng still more; Fangdeng grew more afraid and wrote this treatise to declare his mind.
26
時武帝年高，欲見諸王長子。 元帝遣方等，方等欣然升舟，冀免憂辱。 行至繇水，遇侯景亂，元帝召之，方等啟曰：「昔申生不愛其死，方等豈顧其生。」 元帝省書歎息，知無還意，乃配步騎一萬，使援台城。 賊每來攻，方等必身當矢石。 城陷，方等歸荊州，收集士馬，甚得眾和。 元帝始歎其能。 方等又勸修築城柵，以備不虞，既成，樓雉相望，周回七十餘里。 元帝觀之甚說，入謂徐妃曰：「若更有一子如此，吾復何憂。」 徐妃不答，垂泣而退。 元帝忿之，因疏其穢行牓於大合，方等入見，益以自危。
Emperor Wu was then old and wished to see each prince's eldest son. Emperor Yuan sent Fangdeng; Fangdeng gladly boarded the boat, hoping to escape distress and shame. At the Yao River he met Hou Jing's rebellion; Emperor Yuan recalled him, and Fangdeng wrote, "Long ago Shen Sheng did not cling to life—why should Fangdeng cling to his? Emperor Yuan read it, sighed, knew he would not return, and gave him ten thousand foot and horse to relieve the Terrace City. Whenever the rebels attacked, Fangdeng always placed himself in the path of arrows and stones. When the city fell he returned to Jingzhou, gathered troops and horses, and won great support among the people. Emperor Yuan began to admire his ability. Fangdeng also urged building palisades against surprise; when done, towers and battlements faced one another for more than seventy li around. Emperor Yuan viewed them with delight and told Consort Xu, "If I had another son like this, what would I have to fear? Consort Xu did not answer; weeping, she withdrew. Emperor Yuan was angry and posted a bill of her shameful conduct in the great hall; when Fangdeng came to audience, he felt still more endangered.
27
時河東王為湘州刺史，不受令。 方等求征之，元帝謂曰：「汝有水厄，深宜慎之。」 拜為都督，令南討。 方等臨行謂所親曰：「吾此段出征，必死無二，死而獲所，吾豈愛生。」 及至麻溪，軍敗溺死，求屍不得。 元帝聞之心喜，不以為戚。 後追思其才，贈侍中、中軍將軍、揚州刺史，諡忠壯世子，並招魂以葬之。
The Prince of Hedong was then Inspector of Xiangzhou and would not obey orders. Fangdeng asked to campaign against him; Emperor Yuan said, "You have a water doom in your fate—you must be very careful. He was made Commander-in-chief and ordered south. Before he set out he told his intimates, "On this campaign I am sure to die; if I die and gain my aim, why should I cling to life? At Maxi the army was beaten and he drowned; his body could not be found. When Emperor Yuan heard, he was secretly glad and did not grieve. Later, remembering his ability, he posthumously made him Palace Attendant and General of the Central Army, Inspector of Yangzhou, titled him the Loyal and Martial Heir Apparent, and buried him by summoning his soul.
28
方等注范曄後漢書，未就。 所撰三十國春秋及篤靜子行於世。
Fangdeng had begun annotating Fan Ye's Book of the Later Han but did not finish. His Spring and Autumn of the Thirty States and Dutiful Tranquility Master circulated in his day.
29
貞惠世子方諸字明智，元帝第二子也。 幼聰警博學，明老、易，善談玄，風采清越，特為元帝所愛，母王氏又有寵。 及方等敗後，元帝謂曰：「不有所廢，其何以興。 勿以汝兄為念。」 因拜中撫軍將軍以自副。 又出為郢州刺史，鎮江夏，以鮑泉為行事。 時元帝遣徐文盛與侯景將任約相持，方諸年十五，童心未革，恃文盛在近，不恤軍政，日與鮑泉蒱酒為樂。 侯景知之，乃遣其將宋子仙從間道襲之。 百姓奔告，方諸與鮑泉並不信，曰：「文盛大軍在下，虜安得來？」 始命閉門，賊已入城。 方諸方踞泉腹，以五色毦辮其須。 子仙執方諸以歸。 王僧辯軍至蔡洲，景遂害之。 元帝追諡貞惠世子。
The Chaste and Gracious Heir Apparent Fangzhu, styled Mingzhi, was the second son of Emperor Yuan. As a boy he was clever, widely learned, versed in the Laozi and Changes, skilled at metaphysical discourse, of refined bearing, and especially beloved by Emperor Yuan; his mother Lady Wang was also favored. After Fangdeng's defeat, Emperor Yuan told him, "Unless something is discarded, how can anything arise? Do not dwell on your elder brother. He was then made General of the Central Pacification Army as the Emperor's deputy. He went out as Inspector of Yingzhou, stationed at Jiangxia, with Bao Quan as his executive officer. Emperor Yuan had sent Xu Wensheng to hold Ren Yue, Hou Jing's general; Fangzhu was fifteen, still a boy, trusting that Wensheng was near and neglecting military affairs, passing his days drinking and gambling with Bao Quan. Hou Jing learned of this and sent Song Zixian by a secret path to attack. The people came with urgent news; Fangzhu and Bao Quan would not believe them: "Wensheng's main force is downstream—how could the enemy get here? Only then did he order the gates shut—the rebels were already in the city. Fangzhu was sprawled on Bao Quan's belly, braiding his beard with colored wool. Zixian seized Fangzhu and carried him off. When Wang Sengbian's army reached Caizhou, Hou Jing killed him. Emperor Yuan posthumously titled him the Chaste and Gracious Heir Apparent.
30
始安王方略，元帝第十子，貞惠世子母弟也。 母王氏，王琳之次姊，元帝即位，拜貴嬪，次妹又為良人，並蒙寵倖，方略益鍾愛。 侯景亂，元帝結好于魏，方略年數歲便遣入關。 元帝親送近畿，執手歔欷，既而旋駕憶之，賦詩曰：「如何吾幼子，勝衣已別離，十日無由宴，千里送遠垂。」 至長安即得還，贈遺甚厚。 江陵喪亡，遇害。 貴嬪、良人並更誕子，未出合，無封失名。
Prince Fanglue of Shian was Emperor Yuan's tenth son and the Chaste and Gracious Heir Apparent's younger brother by the same mother. His mother Lady Wang was Wang Lin's second elder sister; when Emperor Yuan took the throne she became Honored Consort, and her younger sister became Honored Lady; both were favored, and Fanglue was especially doted on. During Hou Jing's rebellion Emperor Yuan sought ties with Wei and sent Fanglue into the passes while he was still a small child. Emperor Yuan escorted him to the suburbs himself, took his hand and wept; turning back he missed him and wrote: "How is it with my little son—already in short coats and parted from me; ten days without a shared meal, a thousand li seeing him off in tears. At Chang'an he was soon allowed to return; the gifts sent back were lavish. When Jiangling fell, he was killed. The Honored Consort and Honored Lady each bore more sons; they had not yet left the inner quarters, received no titles, and their names are unrecorded.
31
論曰：簡文提挈寇戎，元帝崎嶇危亂，諸子之備踐艱棘，蓋時運之所鍾乎。 武烈以幹蠱之材，居塚嗣之任，竟亦當年擯落，通塞亦云命也，哀哉！
The commentary says: Emperor Jianwen bore the realm through invasion; Emperor Yuan struggled through danger and chaos—the sons' full measure of hardship—was this not the allotment of the age? The Martial and Fierce heir had talent to stem ruin and bore the heir's charge—yet that very year he was cast aside; rise and fall are also called fate. Alas!