1
王茂字休連，一字茂先，太原祁人也。 祖深，北中郎司馬。 父天生，宋末為列將，克司徒袁粲，以勳歷位郡守，封上黃縣男。
Wang Mao, courtesy name Xiulian (also known as Maoxian), came from Qi in Taiyuan. His grandfather Shen served as marshal of the Northern Central Commandant. His father Wang Tiansheng, a ranked general in the late Song, took Grand Tutor Yuan Can and, for his merit, rose through prefectural posts until enfeoffed as Baron of Shanghuang.
2
茂年數歲，為大父深所異，常曰：「此吾家千里駒，成門戶者必此兒也。」 及長，好讀兵書，究其大指。 性隱不交遊，身長八尺，潔白美容儀。 齊武帝布衣時嘗見之，歎曰：「王茂先年少堂堂如此，必為公輔。」
While Mao was still a child, his grandfather Shen singled him out and would say, "Here is the swift colt of our clan—the boy who will carry our house will be this one." Once grown, he studied military texts and mastered their essential meaning. Reserved by nature and seldom social, he stood eight feet tall, with a fair complexion and striking looks. Emperor Wu of Qi, still a commoner, once saw him and exclaimed, "Wang Maoxian is young yet already so commanding—he is bound for the highest offices."
3
後為台郎，累年不調。 亦知齊之將亡，求為邊職。 久之，為雍州長史、襄陽太守。 梁武便以王佐許之，事無大小皆詢焉。 人或譖茂反，帝弗之信。 譖者驟言之，遣視其甲矟，則蟲網焉，乃誅言者。 或云茂與帝不睦，帝諸腹心並勸除之。 而茂少有驍名，帝又惜其用，曰：「將舉大事，便害健將，此非上策。」 乃令腹心鄭紹叔往候之。 遇其臥，因問疾。 茂曰：「我病可耳。」 紹叔曰：「都下殺害日甚，使君家門塗炭，今欲起義，長史那猶臥。」 茂因擲枕起，即袴褶隨紹叔入見。 武帝大喜，下床迎，因結兄弟，被推赤心，遂得盡力。
He later served as a capital bureau officer but went years without advancement. Seeing that Qi was nearing collapse, he asked for a border appointment. After some time he was made chief administrator of Yong Province and prefect of Xiangyang. Liang Wudi already counted him among his chief advisers and consulted him on every matter, large or small. When others accused Mao of rebellion, the emperor refused to credit it. The accusers kept at it until he inspected Mao's arms and armor and found them draped in cobwebs; the informers were then put to death. Rumors spread that Mao and the emperor were estranged, and the inner circle urged his removal. Mao's early fame for valor made the emperor reluctant to lose him: "To strike down a proven commander just as we raise a great enterprise is no wise policy." He sent his trusted follower Zheng Shaoshu to visit him instead. Shaoshu found him in bed and asked after his health. Mao replied, "I am hardly ill at all." Shaoshu said, "Slaughter in the capital blackens your family's door; we mean to rise—how can you, Chief Administrator, still lie here?" Mao threw off his pillow, dressed at once, and went in with Shaoshu to see the emperor. Wudi was overjoyed, came down to receive him, swore brotherhood, won his wholehearted loyalty, and thereafter had his full strength.
4
發雍部，遣茂為前驅。 郢、魯既平，從武帝東下為軍鋒。 師次秣陵，東昏遣大將王珍國盛兵朱雀門，眾號二十萬。 及戰，梁武軍引卻，茂下馬單刀直前，外甥韋欣慶勇力絕人，執鐵纏矟翼茂而進，故大破之。 茂勳第一，欣慶力也。 建康城平，以茂為護軍將軍，遷侍中、領軍將軍。 時東昏妃潘玉兒有國色，武帝將留之，以問茂。 茂曰：「亡齊者此物，留之恐貽外議。」 帝乃出之。 軍主田安啟求為婦，玉兒泣曰：「昔者見遇時主，今豈下匹非類。 死而後已，義不受辱。」 及見縊，潔美如生。 輿出，尉吏俱行非禮。 乃以餘妃賜茂，亦潘之亞也。
When the Yong region marched, Mao led the van. Once Ying and Lu had fallen, he marched east with Wudi as the army's spearhead. The host halted at Moling; Dong Hun's general Wang Zhenguo massed troops at the Vermilion Bird Gate, claiming two hundred thousand men. When battle came, Wudi's line gave ground; Mao dismounted and charged alone with one blade while his nephew Wei Xinqing, a man of terrifying strength, bore a iron-bound spear to cover him—together they broke the enemy. Mao took first merit, though the credit was Xinqing's strength. After Jiankang fell, he was made General Who Guards the Army, then palace attendant and general who leads the army. Dong Hun's consort Pan Yu'er was famed for her beauty; Wudi meant to keep her and asked Mao's counsel. Mao said, "This woman helped destroy Qi; keeping her will invite scandal." Wudi sent her away. Commander Tian An petitioned to marry her; Yu'er wept, "I was once the lord's chosen—how could I now be matched to my inferiors? I will die rather than suffer dishonor." When they found her hanged, she looked as fair as though still alive. As her coffin left the city, the escort guards behaved indecently toward her. Wudi therefore gave Mao another palace lady, nearly Pan's equal in beauty.
5
群盜之燒神獸門，茂率所領應赴，為盜所射。 茂躍馬而進，群盜反走。 茂以不能式遏奸盜，自表解職，優詔不許。 加鎮軍將軍，封望蔡縣公。
When rioters torched the Divine Beast Gate, Mao led his men to the scene and was shot. He spurred forward and the mob scattered. Unable, he felt, to check such lawlessness, he asked to resign; the emperor refused with a gracious edict. He was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Army and made Duke of Wangcai.
6
是歲，江州刺史陳伯之叛，茂出為江州刺史，南討之。 伯之奔魏。 時九江新經軍寇，茂務農省役，百姓安之。 四年，魏攻漢中，茂受詔西禦，魏乃班師。 歷位侍中，中衛將軍，太子詹事，車騎將軍，開府儀同三司，丹陽尹。 時天下無事，武帝方敦文雅，茂心頗怏怏，侍宴醉後，每見言色。 武帝宥而不責。 進位司空。
That year Chen Bozhi, inspector of Jiangzhou, rebelled; Mao was sent south as inspector to suppress him. Bozhi fled north to Wei. Jiujiang had just been ravaged by war; Mao promoted farming, eased labor, and the people grew calm. In year four Wei attacked Hanzhong; Mao marched west on imperial orders and the Wei army withdrew. He rose through palace attendant, central guard general, crown prince's household steward, chariots-and-cavalry general, ceremonial parity with the Three Excellencies with an opening office, and governor of Danyang. In a peaceful age Wudi turned to culture; Mao grew restless and, drunk at court, let his displeasure show. Wudi overlooked it without rebuke. He was promoted to Minister of Works.
7
茂性寬厚，居官雖無美譽，亦為吏人所安。 居處方正，在一室衣冠儼然，雖僕妾莫見其惰容。 姿表瑰麗，鬚眉如畫，為眾所瞻望。 徙驃騎將軍、開府同三司之儀、江州刺史。 在州不取奉，獄無滯囚，居處被服，同於儒者。 薨於州。 武帝甚悼惜之，詔贈太尉，諡曰忠烈公。
Broad and forbearing, he won no special praise in office yet left clerks and commoners at ease. At home he was exacting: even alone in a room he remained fully dressed, and servants never saw him careless. His looks were splendid, beard and brows as if painted, and men gazed on him in admiration. He was moved to rapid-cavalry general with Three Excellency ceremony and made inspector of Jiangzhou. In office he took no extra income, kept no prisoners languishing in jail, and lived as plainly as a scholar. He died in post. Wudi mourned him deeply, posthumously made him grand minister of works, and gave the posthumous name Loyal and Fierce Duke.
8
初，茂以元勳，武帝賜鍾磬之樂。 茂在州，夢鍾磬在格，無故自墮，心惡之。 及覺，命奏樂，既成列，鍾磬在格，果無故編皆絕墮地。 茂謂長史江詮曰：「此樂，天子所以惠勞臣也。 樂既極矣，能無憂乎。」 俄而病卒。
Earlier, as a founding merit, Wudi had granted him bells and stone chimes. In the province he dreamed the instruments on their frame fell without cause and took it as ill omen. Awake, he ordered them played; as the musicians formed ranks, every cord on the rack snapped and the pieces crashed down. He told his chief administrator Jiang Quan, "These are the Son of Heaven's gift to reward a servant. When music reaches its height, can sorrow be far behind?" Soon after he died of illness.
9
子貞秀嗣，以居憂無禮，為有司所奏，徙越州，後詔留廣州。 與魏降人杜景欲襲州城，刺史蕭昂斬之。
His son Zhenxiu inherited; for breaches of mourning ritual the authorities impeached him, exiled him to Yuezhou, then an edict kept him at Guangzhou. He joined a Wei defector, Du Jing, in a plot against the prefectural seat; Inspector Xiao Ang executed him.
10
曹景宗
Cao Jingzong
11
曹景宗字子震，新野人也。 父欣之，仕宋位徐州刺史。
Cao Jingzong, courtesy name Zizhen, was from Xinye. His father Xinzhi had served the Song as inspector of Xuzhou.
12
景宗幼善騎射，好畋獵，常與少年數十人澤中逐獐鹿，每眾騎赴鹿，鹿馬相亂，景宗於眾中射之，人皆懼中馬足，鹿應弦輒斃，以此為樂。 未弱冠，欣之於新野遣出州，以匹馬將數人，于中路卒逢蠻賊數百圍之。 景宗帶百餘箭，每箭殺蠻，蠻遂散走。 因以膽勇聞。 頗愛史書，每讀穰苴、樂毅傳，輒放卷歎息曰：「丈夫當如是！」 少與州里張道門善，道門，車騎將軍敬兒少子也，為武陵太守。 敬兒誅，道門於郡伏法，親屬故吏莫敢收。 景宗自襄陽遣船到武陵，收其屍，迎還殯葬。 鄉里以此義之。
As a youth he excelled at horsemanship and archery and loved the hunt, often chasing deer in the marshes with dozens of companions; when riders and deer tangled, he shot into the press while others feared striking a horse—yet every arrow dropped a deer, which delighted him. Before he came of age his father sent him from Xinye with a single horse and a handful of men; midway several hundred Man raiders surrounded them. He had more than a hundred arrows; each flight killed a raider until they broke and ran. His courage became famous from this. He loved history; reading the lives of Rang Ju and Yue Yi he would close the book and sigh, "A man should be like that!" In youth he befriended Zhang Daomen of his district—Daomen, youngest son of General Jing'er, was prefect of Wuling. When Jing'er was killed, Daomen was executed in his commandery and none of kin or old staff dared recover the corpse. Jingzong sent a boat from Xiangyang, recovered the body, and buried him at home. Neighbors praised him for the act.
13
仕齊以軍功累加遊擊將軍。 建武四年，隨太尉陳顯達北圍馬圈，以奇兵二千破魏援中山王英四萬人。 及克馬圈，顯達論功，以景宗為後。 景宗退無怨言。 魏孝文率眾大至，顯達宵奔，景宗導入山道，故顯達父子獲全。
Under Qi he rose by battle merit to general of mobile strikes. In Jianwu year four he followed Grand Marshal Chen Xianda to besiege Maquan and with two thousand elite troops shattered Prince Ying of Zhongshan's forty-thousand-man relief column. When Maquan fell, Xianda ranked merits and placed Jingzong last. Jingzong withdrew without a word of grievance. When Emperor Xiaowen of Wei came in force, Xianda fled by night; Jingzong led him on mountain paths and father and son escaped whole.
14
梁武為雍州刺史，景宗深自結附，數請帝臨其宅。 時天下方亂，帝亦厚加意焉，表為竟陵太守。 及帝起兵，景宗聚眾並率五服內子弟三百人從軍，遣親人杜思沖勸先迎南康王於襄陽即位，武帝不從。 及至竟陵，以景宗為軍鋒。 道次江寧，東昏將李居士以重兵鎮新亭，景宗被甲馳戰，居士棄甲奔走，景宗皆獲之。 又與王茂、呂僧珍掎角，破王珍國於大航。 景宗軍士皆桀黠無賴，御道左右莫非富室，抄掠財物，略奪子女，景宗不能禁。 及武帝入頓西城，嚴申號令，然後稍息。 城平，封湘西縣侯，除郢州刺史，加都督。 天監元年，改封竟陵縣侯。 景宗在州，鬻貨聚斂，于城南起宅，長堤以東，夏口以北，開街列門，東西數里。 而部曲殘橫，人頗厭之。
When Wudi was inspector of Yongzhou, Jingzong courted him closely and often asked him to his home. With the empire in chaos Wudi favored him and had him named prefect of Jingling. When Wudi rose in arms, Jingzong mustered troops and led three hundred close kin into the host; he sent Du Sichong to urge enthroning the Prince of Nankang at Xiangyang first—Wudi refused. Reaching Jingling, he was made the army's spearhead. At Jiangning, Dong Hun's Li Jushi held Xinting with a strong garrison; Jingzong charged in armor, Jushi fled stripped of armor, and Jingzong took all. With Wang Mao and Lü Sengzhen he took Wang Zhenguo at Dahang in a pincer. His troops were unruly ruffians; along the imperial way every house was wealthy—they looted goods and seized women, and he could not stop them. Only when Wudi encamped at West City and enforced stern orders did the pillage ease. After the capital fell he was made Marquis of Xiangxi, inspector of Yingzhou, with overall command. In Tianjian year one his marquisate was changed to Jingling. In office he traded and hoarded wealth and south of the city built a mansion stretching from the long dike east to north of Xiakou, streets and gates for li in every direction. His household troops were violent, and the people loathed him.
15
二年十月，魏攻司州，圍刺史蔡道恭。 城中負板而汲，景宗望關門不出，但耀軍遊獵而已。 及司州城陷，為御史中丞任昉所奏。 帝以功臣不問，徵為右衛將軍。
In the tenth month of year two Wei attacked Sizhou and besieged Inspector Cai Daogong. Defenders carried planks to draw water under fire; Jingzong stayed at the pass gate, parading his host on hunts rather than relieving the siege. When Sizhou fell, Censor-in-Chief Ren Fang impeached him. Wudi, honoring his founding merit, did not punish him and summoned him as right guard general.
16
五年，魏中山王英攻鍾離，圍徐州刺史昌義之，武帝詔景宗督眾軍援義之，豫州刺史韋叡亦援焉，而受景宗節度。 詔景宗頓道人洲，待眾軍齊集俱進。 景宗欲專其功，乃違敕而進，遇暴風卒起，頗有沈溺，復還守先頓。 帝聞之曰：「此所以破賊也。 景宗不進，蓋天意乎。 若孤軍獨往，城不時立，必見狼狽。 今得待眾軍同進，始可大捷矣。」 及韋叡至，與景宗進頓邵陽洲，立壘與魏城相去百餘步。 魏連戰不能卻，傷殺者十二三，自是魏軍不敢逼。 景宗等器甲精新，魏人望而奪氣。 魏將楊大眼對橋北岸立城，以通糧運。 每牧人過岸伐芻藳，皆為大眼所略。 景宗乃募勇敢士千餘人，徑度大眼城南數里築壘，親自舉築。 大眼來攻，景宗破之，因得壘成。 使別將趙草守之，因謂為趙草城。 是後恣芻牧馬。 大眼遣抄掠，輒為趙草所獲。
In year five Prince Ying of Zhongshan besieged Zhongli and trapped Xuzhou inspector Chang Yizhi; Wudi ordered Jingzong to command all forces to relieve him, with Yuzhou inspector Wei Rui also under his command. An edict had him halt at Daoren Isle until every column assembled. Wanting the glory alone, he disobeyed and advanced; a sudden gale sank many boats and he fell back to his old camp. Hearing this, Wudi said, "This is how the enemy will be broken. Had Jingzong pressed on alone, would it not have been Heaven's will that he hold back? Had he pushed on alone, the city might not have fallen in time and his force would have been thrown into disorder. Now, waiting for the whole army to advance together, a great victory was still possible. When Wei Rui came up, he and Jingzong moved to Shaoyang Isle and threw up works barely a hundred paces from the Wei lines. Repeated Wei assaults failed; they lost perhaps two or three men in ten, and thereafter dared not close. Their gear was bright and new; the Wei troops looked on and their courage failed. The Wei commander Yang Dayan fortified the north bank of the bridge to keep supplies moving. Whenever drovers crossed to cut fodder, Dayan took them. Jingzong raised a thousand bold men, crossed south of Dayan's walls by several li, and built a fort, working the rampart himself. Dayan attacked; Jingzong beat him off and finished the work. He left Zhao Cao to hold it, and men called it Zhao Cao Fort. After that they grazed and cut fodder freely. Dayan's raiders were always taken by Zhao Cao.
17
先是，詔景宗等預裝高艦，使與魏橋等，為火攻計。 令景宗與叡各攻一橋。 叡攻其南，景宗攻其北。 六年三月，因春水生，淮水暴長六七尺。 叡遣所督將馮道根、李文釗、裴邃、韋寂等乘艦登岸，擊魏洲上軍盡殪。 景宗使眾軍復鼓噪亂登諸城，呼聲震天地，大眼於西岸燒營，英自東岸棄城走，諸壘相次土崩，悉棄其器甲，爭投水死，淮水為之不流。 景宗命軍主馬廣躡大眼至濊水上四十餘里，伏屍相枕。 義之出逐英至洛口，英以匹馬入梁城，緣淮百餘里屍骸相藉。 虜五萬餘人，收其軍糧器械山積，牛馬驢騾不可稱計。 景宗乃搜所得生口萬餘人，馬千匹，遣獻捷。
Earlier they had been ordered to ready tall ships to match the Wei bridges for a fire attack. Jingzong and Rui were each to take one bridge. Rui struck the south span; Jingzong the north. In the third month of year six the spring floods raised the Huai six or seven feet. Rui's columns—Feng Daogen, Li Wenzhao, Pei Sui, Wei Ji—landed from the ships and wiped out the Wei force on the isle. Jingzong's men stormed the walls with thunderous drums; Dayan burned his west-bank camp, Ying fled east, fort after fort gave way, and the enemy cast off armor and drowned until the Huai seemed to stand still. He sent Ma Guang after Dayan more than forty li to the Huishui, corpses heaped along the way. Yizhi chased Ying to Luokou; Ying entered Liang city on a single horse; for a hundred li along the Huai the dead lay in heaps. They took more than fifty thousand captives, mountains of grain and arms, and beasts of burden beyond count. Jingzong gathered ten thousand prisoners and a thousand horses and sent word of victory.
18
先是旱甚，詔祈蔣帝神求雨，十旬不降。 帝怒，命載荻欲焚蔣廟並神影。 爾日開朗，欲起火，當神上忽有雲如傘，倏忽驟雨如寫，台中宮殿皆自振動。 帝懼，馳詔追停，少時還靜。 自此帝畏信遂深。 自踐阼以來，未嘗躬自到廟，於是備法駕將朝臣修謁。 是時，魏軍攻圍鍾離，蔣帝神報敕，必許扶助。 既而無雨水長，遂挫敵人，亦神之力焉。 凱旋之後，廟中人馬腳盡有泥濕，當時並目睹焉。
A severe drought had led the court to pray at Jiangdi for rain; ten weeks passed dry. Wudi in anger ordered reeds to burn the temple and the god's image. That day the sky cleared; as fire was kindled a canopy-like cloud appeared and rain fell in sheets; the palace buildings shook. Wudi in fear sent orders to stop; soon all was still. Thereafter his faith in the god deepened. Since taking the throne he had never visited in person; now he went in state with his ministers. While Wei besieged Zhongli, the god promised aid in a revelation. Soon the waters rose without rain and the enemy was broken—again the god's doing. After the victory, men and horses in the temple bore wet, muddy hooves—witnesses saw it.
19
景宗振旅凱入，帝于華光殿宴飲連句，令左僕射沈約賦韻。 景宗不得韻，意色不平，啟求賦詩。 帝曰：「卿伎能甚多，人才英拔，何必止在一詩。」 景宗已醉，求作不已，詔令約賦韻。 時韻已盡，唯餘競病二字。 景宗便操筆，斯須而成，其辭曰：「去時兒女悲，歸來笳鼓競。 借問行路人，何如霍去病。」 帝歎不已。 約及朝賢驚嗟竟日，詔令上左史。 於是進爵為公，拜侍中、領軍將軍。
Jingzong marched home in triumph; Wudi feasted at Hualight Hall in linked verse and set Shen Yue to assign rhymes. Jingzong drew no rhyme and looked sour; he asked to improvise a poem. Wudi said, "Your talents are many—why insist on one poem? Drunk, he pressed on until Yue was told to fix a rhyme. All rhymes were used; only jing (compete) and bing (sickness) were left. He seized the brush and at once wrote, "When I went, my children wept; returning, pipes and drums compete. I ask passersby—how do I compare to Huo Qubing? Wudi sighed with unending admiration. Shen Yue and the court marveled all day; the poem was entered in the Left Historian. He was raised to duke, made palace attendant, and general who leads the army.
20
景宗為人自恃尚勝，每作書字，有不解，不以問人，皆以意造，雖公卿無所推； 唯以韋叡年長，且州里勝流，特相敬重，同宴御筵，亦曲躬謙遜。 武帝以此嘉之。
Proud and competitive, he would not ask when a character baffled him but guessed at it, deferring even to grandees. Only Wei Rui, older and a leading man of their province, won his deep respect—at imperial feasts he still bowed with humble courtesy. Wudi praised him for this.
21
景宗好內，妓妾至數百，窮極錦繡。 性躁動，不能沈默。 出行常欲褰車帷幔，左右輒諫以位望隆重，人所具瞻，不宜然。 景宗謂所親曰：「我昔在鄉里，騎快馬如龍，與年少輩數十騎，拓弓弦作礔靂聲，箭如餓鴟叫，平澤中逐獐，數肋射之，渴飲其血，饑食其脯，甜如甘露漿。 覺耳後生風，鼻頭出火，此樂使人忘死，不知老之將至。 今來揚州作貴人，動轉不得。 路行開車幔，小人輒言不可。 閉置車中，如三日新婦，此邑邑使人氣盡。」 為人嗜酒好樂，臘月於宅中使人作邪呼逐除，遍往人家乞酒食。 本以為戲，而部下多剽輕，因弄人婦女，奪人財貨。 帝頗知之，景宗懼乃止。
He loved women; concubines and entertainers numbered in the hundreds, with brocade pushed to excess. His nature was restless; he could not be still. Going out he always wished to raise the carriage curtains; attendants admonished that with his rank and dignity all eyes were on him—it was not fitting. He told those close to him, "Once in the countryside I rode a swift horse like a dragon with dozens of youths; the bowstring cracked like thunder, arrows cried like hungry owls; in the open marsh we chased roe deer, shot several ribs at a run, drank their blood when thirsty, ate their flesh when hungry—sweet as dew. Wind whistled behind my ears and fire seemed to burst from my nostrils; such joy makes one forget death and not know age is coming. Now in Yangzhou as a noble I can hardly stir. On the road I raise the curtain and petty men say it cannot be done. Shut in the carriage like a bride of three days—this suffocates the spirit. He loved wine and music; in the twelfth month he had men perform demon-shouts and expulsion rites, going house to house begging food and drink. It was meant as play, but many subordinates were violent; they molested women and seized goods. The Emperor learned of it; Jingzong in fear then stopped.
22
帝數宴見功臣，共道故舊。 景宗酒後謬妄，或誤稱下官。 帝故縱之，以為笑樂。 後為江州刺史，赴任卒於道。 贈雍州刺史、開府儀同三司，諡曰壯。 子皎嗣。
The Emperor often feasted the merit ministers and together recalled old days. After wine Jingzong would speak wildly or mistakenly call himself "your subordinate." The Emperor deliberately indulged him and took it as laughter. Later he was Jiangzhou Inspector and died on the way to his post. Posthumously Yongzhou Inspector, with Three Excellency ceremony and an opening office; posthumous title Strong. His son Jiao succeeded.
23
景宗齊永元初任竟陵郡，其第九弟義宗年少，未有位宦，居在雍州。 既方伯之弟，又是豪強之門。 市邊富人姓向以見錢百萬欲埤義宗，以妹適之。 義宗遣人送書竟陵諮景宗，景宗題書後答曰：「買猶未得，云何已賣。」 義宗貪鏹遂成。 後隨武帝西下，歷位梁、秦二州刺史。 向家兄弟憑附曹氏，位登列卿。 後義宗為都督，征穰城，軍敗，見獲于魏，卒。
In the first year of Yongyuan of Qi, Jingzong held Jingling commandery; his ninth younger brother Yizong was young and without office, dwelling in Yong Province. As a prefect's brother and a powerful house at the market edge. A rich man of the market surnamed Xiang, seeing cash of a million, wished to betroth Yizong and give his sister. Yizong sent word to Jingzong at Jingling for advice; Jingzong wrote on the letter and replied, "Buying is not yet done—how can you already sell? Yizong, greedy for cash, completed the match. Later he followed the Emperor west; he successively held Liang and Qin as inspector. The Xiang brothers relied on the Cao clan and rose to ranked ministers. Later Yizong was overall commander, campaigned against Xiangcheng, the army was defeated, was captured by Wei, and died.
24
席闡文
Xi Chanwen
25
席闡文，安定臨涇人也。 孤貧，涉獵書史。 齊初，為雍州刺史蕭赤斧中兵參軍，由是與其子穎胄善。 復曆西中郎中兵參軍，領城局。 梁武帝之將起兵，闡文勸穎胄同焉，仍遣客田祖恭私報帝，並獻銀裝刀，帝報以金如意。
Xi Chanwen was a native of Linjing in Anding. Orphaned and poor, he ranged through books and histories. In early Qi he was central army commander under Yongzhou Inspector Xiao Chifu, and through this became friendly with his son Yingzhou. He again served as Western Central Commandant army commander, in charge of the city bureau. When Liang Wudi was about to raise arms, Chanwen urged Yingzhou to join and sent his client Tian Zugong in secret to report to the Emperor and present a silver-mounted knife; the Emperor returned a gold ruyi.
26
和帝稱尊號，為衛尉卿。 穎胄暴卒，州府騷擾，闡文以和帝幼弱，中流任重，時始興王憺留鎮雍部，乃與西朝群臣迎憺總州事，故賴以寧輯。
When Emperor He was honored with the exalted title, he was made Commandant of the Guards. When Yingzhou died suddenly, the province and prefecture were disturbed; Chanwen, because Emperor He was young and the midstream task weighty, and the Prince of Shixing Dan was then guarding Yong, together with western court ministers welcomed Dan to oversee provincial affairs—thus they relied on him for calm.
27
帝受禪，除都官尚書，封山陽伯，出為東陽太守。 在郡有能名。 冬至，悉放獄中囚，依期而至。 改封湘西侯。 卒官，諡曰威。
When the Emperor received the Mandate, he was made Minister of the Imperial Clan, enfeoffed Baron of Shanyang, and sent out as Administrator of Dongyang. In the commandery he had a name for ability. At the winter solstice he released all prisoners in the jail; they returned on schedule. Changed enfeoffment to Marquis of Xiangxi. He died in office; posthumous title Majestic.
28
夏侯詳
Xiahou Xiang
29
夏侯詳字叔業，譙郡譙人也。 年十六遭父艱，居喪哀毀，三年廬於墓側。 嘗有三足雀來集其廬戶，眾咸異焉。
Xiahou Xiang, styled Shuye, was a native of Qiao in Qiao Commandery. At sixteen he suffered his father's death; in mourning he was so grief-stricken he dwelt three years in a hut beside the tomb. Once a three-legged sparrow came to perch on his hut door; all regarded it as strange.
30
仕宋為新汲令，政有異績。 豫州刺史段佛榮班下境內，為屬城表。 轉中從事史，仍遷別駕。 曆事八將，州部稱之。
Serving Song as Magistrate of Xinzuo, his administration had unusual results. Yuzhou Inspector Duan Furong toured the territory within his borders; as a subordinate city he was memorialized. Moved to Central Attendant Officer, then promoted to Vice Director. He served eight generals and the province and commandery praised him.
31
齊明帝為刺史，雅相器遇。 及輔政，引詳及裴叔業日夜與語，詳輒不酬。 帝以問叔業，叔業以告詳。 詳曰：「不為福始，不為禍先。」 由此微有忤。 出為征虜長史、義陽太守。
When Emperor Ming of Qi was inspector, he greatly valued and favored him. When he aided the government, he drew Xiang and Pei Shuye to speak with day and night; Xiang would not respond. The Emperor asked Shuye; Shuye told Xiang. Xiang said, "Do not be the start of fortune, do not be the start of calamity. From this he was slightly at odds. He went out as Chief of Staff to the Expeditionary Army and Administrator of Yiyang.
32
及南康王為荊州，詳為西中郎司馬、新興太守。 梁武帝起兵，長史蕭穎胄同創大舉，慮詳不同，以告柳忱。 忱曰：「易耳。 近詳求昏未之許，令成昏而告之，不憂立異。」 於是以女適其子夔。 大事方建，西台以詳為中領軍，加散騎常侍、南郡太守。 凡軍國大事，穎胄多決於詳。 頃之穎胄卒，梁武弟始興王憺留守襄陽，詳乃遣使迎憺共參軍國。 遷侍中、尚書右僕射，尋授荊州刺史，詳又固讓於憺。
When the Prince of Nankang was in Jingzhou, Xiang was Western Central Commandant Marshal and Administrator of Xinxing. When Liang Wudi raised arms, Chief Administrator Xiao Yingzhou joined the great enterprise; fearing Xiang would not agree, he told Liu Chen. Chen said, "That is easy. Xiang recently sought marriage and I did not yet consent; let the marriage be concluded and then tell him—no fear he will stand apart." He therefore gave his daughter to Kui. As the great enterprise took shape, the western court made Xiang central army commander with Nan commandery. On military and civil matters, Yingzhou mostly followed Xiang. Soon Yingzhou died; Xiang brought Prince Dan of Shixing from Xiangyang to steady army and state. He became palace attendant and right vice director, then inspector of Jingzhou, but again yielded to Dan.
33
天監元年，徵為侍中、車騎將軍，封甯都縣侯。 詳累讓，乃更授右光祿大夫，侍中如故，給親信二十人，改封豐城縣公。 三年，遷湘州刺史。 詳善吏事，在州四載，為百姓所稱。 州城南臨水有峻峰，舊傳云：「刺史登此山輒代」，由是曆政莫敢至，詳於其地起台榭，延僚屬，以表損挹之志。 後徵為尚書左僕射、金紫光祿大夫，道病卒。 上為素服舉哀，贈開府儀同三司，諡曰景。 子亶嗣。
In Tianjian year one he was summoned as palace attendant and general of chariots and cavalry, Marquis of Ningdu. He declined until made right grand master of splendid happiness, still palace attendant, with twenty attendants, then Duke of Fengcheng. In year three he went to Xiangzhou. Skilled in administration, in four years the people praised him. A peak south of the city was said to doom any inspector who climbed it; Xiang built halls there anyway to show he did not fear the omen. Summoned as left vice director, he died on the road. Wudi mourned in plain dress and posthumously gave him Three Excellency ceremony; posthumous name Bright. His son Dan inherited.
34
子亶
Son Dan
35
亶字世龍，齊永元末，父詳為西中郎南康王司馬，隨府鎮荊州，亶留都下，為東昏聽政主帥。 及崔慧景作亂，亶以捍禦功，除驍騎將軍。 及梁武起兵，詳與長史蕭穎胄協同，密遣迎亶。 亶乃齎宣德皇后令，令南康王纂承大統。 建鄴平，以亶為尚書吏部郎，俄遷侍中，奉璽於帝。
Dan, courtesy name Shilong, stayed in the capital while his father guarded Jingzhou with the Prince of Nankang. When Cui Huijing rebelled, Dan's defense won him general of valiant cavalry. When Wudi rose, Xiang and Yingzhou secretly summoned Dan. Dan bore Empress Dowager Xuande's order for the Prince of Nankang to succeed. When Jiankang fell he became director of officials, then palace attendant bearing the imperial seal.
36
天監六年，累遷南郡太守。 父憂解職，居喪盡禮，廬於墓側，遺財悉推諸弟。 八年，起為司州刺史，領安陸太守。 服闋，襲封豐城縣公。 居州甚有威惠，為邊人悅服。 曆都官尚書，遷給事中、右衛將軍。 累遷吳興太守。 在郡復有惠政，吏人圖其像，立碑頌美焉。
In Tianjian year six he became prefect of Nan commandery. In mourning he lived by the tomb and gave his inheritance to his brothers. In year eight he was inspector of Sizhou and prefect of Anlu. After mourning he inherited Fengcheng. In the province he ruled with authority and kindness; border folk submitted gladly. He became minister of the imperial clan, then palace cadet and right guard general. He was made prefect of Wuxing. Again his rule won praise; clerks raised a stele with his portrait.
37
普通五年，為中護軍。 六年，大舉北侵，先遣豫州刺史裴邃帥譙州刺史湛僧智等自南道攻壽陽，未克而邃卒，乃加亶使持節代邃，與魏將河間王琛、臨淮王彧等相拒，頻戰克捷。 尋敕班師合肥，須堰成復進。 七年夏，淮堰水盛，壽陽城將沒，武帝復遣北道軍元樹帥彭寶孫、陳慶之等稍進。 亶帥湛僧智、魚弘、張澄等通清流澗將入淮、肥。 魏軍夾肥築城出亶後，亶與僧智還襲破之。 進攻黎漿，貞威將軍韋放自北道會焉。 兩軍既合，所向皆降，凡降城五十二，獲男女口七萬五千人。 詔以壽陽依前代置豫州，合肥鎮改為南豫州，以亶為豫、南豫二州刺史，加都督。 壽春久離兵荒，百姓多流散，亶輕刑薄賦，務農省役，頃之人戶充復。 卒於州鎮。 帝聞之，即日素服舉哀，贈車騎將軍，諡曰襄。 州人夏侯簡等表請為亶立碑置祠，詔許之。
In Putong year five he was central army commander. In year six the great northern campaign sent Pei Sui against Shouyang; when Sui died Dan replaced him and beat Wei princes of Hejian and Linhuai. Edict ordered withdrawal to Hefei until the dam was done. In year seven the dam flooded Shouyang; Wudi sent Yuan's column to press the attack. Dan led columns through Qingliu toward the Huai and Fei. Wei built behind him on the Fei; he turned and broke them. Attacking Lijiang, Wei Fang joined from the north. United, they took fifty-two cities and seventy-five thousand people. Shouyang was made Yuzhou again; Dan held both Yu provinces with overall command. Shouchun, long wasted by war, revived under his light taxes and farming. He died in garrison. Wudi mourned in plain dress and made him general of chariots and cavalry posthumously; posthumous name Xiang. The province asked for a stele and shrine; Wudi agreed.
38
亶美風儀，寬厚有器量，涉獵文史，能專對。 宗人夏侯溢為衡陽內史，辭日，亶侍御坐，帝謂亶曰：「夏侯溢於卿疏近？」 亶答云：「是臣從弟。」 帝知溢於亶已疏，乃曰：「卿傖人，如何不辨族從？」 亶對曰：「臣聞服屬易疏，所以不忍言族。」 時以為能。
Handsome, generous, learned, he could debate any point. At court Wudi asked whether Inspector Yi was near kin; Dan said he was a cousin." He answered, "He is my younger cousin." Knowing Yi was distant, Wudi joked, "You rustic—can you not tell kin apart?" He replied, "Worn kin is easily cast off—so I would not claim him as clan." The court admired the wit.
39
亶曆六郡三州，不為產業，祿賜所得，隨散親故。 性儉率，居處服用充足而已，不事華侈。 晚年頗好音樂，有妓妾十數人，並無被服姿容。 每有客，常隔簾奏之，時謂簾為夏侯妓衣。 子誼襲封豐城縣公。
Across six commanderies and three provinces he amassed nothing, giving all to kin. He lived plainly, without luxury. In old age he loved music; a dozen plain concubines. For guests he played behind a curtain—men called it Xiahou's entertainers' dress. Qiao inspector Zhan Sengzhi besieged Yuan Qinghe at Guangling and entered the suburbs.
40
亶弟夔
Yuan Xianbo came to relieve; Sengzhi defeated him.
41
亶弟夔字季龍，位大匠卿，累遷司州刺史，領安陸太守。 帥壯武將軍裴之禮、直閣將軍任思祖出義陽道，攻平靜、穆陵、陰山三關，克之。 時譙州刺史湛僧智圍東豫州刺史元慶和於廣陵，入其郛。 魏將元顯伯率軍赴援，僧智逆擊破之。 夔自武陽出會僧智，斷魏軍歸路。 慶和於內築柵自固，及夔至遂請降，凡降男女口萬餘人。 顯伯聞之夜遁，眾軍追虜二萬餘人，斬獲不可勝數，由是義陽北道遂與魏絕。 及郢州刺史元願達降，詔改為北司州，以夔為刺史，兼督司州，封保城縣侯。
Kui came from Wuyang, joined Sengzhi, and cut Wei retreat. Qinghe held within; when Kui came he surrendered—more than ten thousand people. Xianbo fled by night; pursuit took twenty thousand; Yiyang's north road was severed from Wei. When Yuanda surrendered, the region became North Sizhou; Kui was inspector and Marquis of Baocheng. In Zhongtong year six he held Yuzhou with overall command. War had ruined Yuzhou; Kui dammed Cangling, irrigated a thousand qing, stored a million shi, and fed the poor. Dan had held the post before; now Kui—both brothers were loved in the land. The people sang, "For a province we keep getting Xiahou—brother after brother, gentle rule."
42
中大通六年，為豫州刺史，加督。 豫州積歲連兵，人頗失業，夔乃率軍人于蒼陵立堰，溉田千餘頃，歲收谷百餘萬石，以充儲備，兼贍貧人，境內賴之。 夔兄亶先經此任，至是夔又居焉，兄弟並有恩惠於鄉里。 百姓歌曰：「我之有州，頻得夏侯。 前兄後弟，布政優優。」 夔在州七年，遠近多附之，有部曲萬人，馬二千匹，並服習精強，為當時之盛。 性奢豪，後房伎妾曳羅綺飾金翠者百數。 愛好人士，不以貴位自高，文武賓客常滿坐，時亦以此稱之。 卒於州，諡曰桓。 子撰嗣，官至太僕卿。
Seven years in office he gathered ten thousand retainers and two thousand horses—the strongest host of the day. Luxurious, with a hundred concubines in brocade and gold. He loved talent, kept a full hall of guests, and was praised for it. He died in post; posthumous name Huan. His son Zhuan rose to minister of the imperial stud. Kui's son Zhuan's younger brother Bo Bo, coarse in youth, led his father's troops in the countryside as assistant defense. Inspector Ming of Zhenyang made him chief of staff. When Ming was taken by Wei, Bo became Hou Jing's chief of staff. When Jing rebelled, Bo crossed first, camped at Shilin, looted mansions and families.
43
夔子撰弟譒
Ming had four famous beauties: Zhang, Yu, Wang, and Ruan.
44
撰弟譒，少粗險薄行，常停鄉里，領其父部曲，為州助防。 刺史貞陽侯明引為府長史。 明被魏囚，復為侯景長史。 景反，譒前驅濟江，頓兵士林館，破邸第及居人富室，子女財貨盡略有之。 明在州有四妾章、于、王、阮，並有國色。 明被魏囚，其妾並還都第，譒至破第納焉。
When Ming was captive the women were in the capital; Bo broke in and took them. Yu Hong He stood eight feet, fair and handsome. He often led the van in campaigns. He held Nanqiao, Xuyi, and Jingling. He said, "In a commandery I exhaust everything—waters, mountains, fields, and people."
45
魚弘，襄陽人。 身長八尺，白澈美姿容。 累從征討，常為軍鋒。 曆南譙、盱眙、竟陵太守。 嘗謂人曰：「我為郡有四盡：水中魚鱉盡，山中獐鹿盡，田中米穀盡，村里人庶盡。 丈夫生如輕塵棲弱草，白駒之過隙。 人生但歡樂，富貴在何時。」 於是恣意酣賞。 侍妾百餘人，不勝金翠，服翫車馬，皆窮一時之驚絕。 有眠床一張，皆是蹙柏，四面周匝，無一有異，通用銀鏤金花壽福兩重為腳。
Life is dust on grass, a white colt through a crack. Only joy matters—when is wealth? " Then he gave himself to unrestrained feasting. " Then he gave himself to feasting without restraint. More than a hundred concubines in gold and kingfisher, with clothes, toys, and carriages that were wonders of the age. His bed was carved cypress throughout, every side alike, with double silver openwork feet of longevity and blessing. As Xiangdong's western adjutant marshal he went west on duty; food ran short and he fed his men on wild chestnuts along the road. On a barren isle he took hundreds of monkeys and salted them for feast and cup. By Jiangling his supplies had recovered. Ordered to escort a sacred image to the capital, he marched hundreds of retainers in brocade, splendid enough to draw every eye.
46
為湘東王鎮西司馬，述職西上，道中乏食，緣路采菱，作菱米飯給所部。 弘度之所，後人覓一菱不得。 又於窮洲之上，捕得數百獼猴，膊以為脯，以供酒食。 比及江陵，資食復振。 逢敕迎瑞像，王令送像下都，弘率部曲數百，悉衣錦袍，赫弈滿道，頗為人所慕。 塗經夏首，李抗斅其為人，抗舅元法僧聞之，杖抗三百。 後為新興、永甯太守，卒官。
As Xiangdong's western adjutant marshal he went west; food ran short and he fed his men on chestnuts gathered along the road. After Hong passed, no one could find a single chestnut. On a barren isle he took hundreds of monkeys and salted them for feast and cup. By Jiangling his supplies had recovered. Ordered to escort a sacred image to the capital, he marched hundreds of retainers in brocade, splendid enough to draw every eye. At Xiakou, Li Kang sneered at him; Kang's uncle Yuan Faseng had Kang thrashed three hundred blows. He ended as prefect of Xinxing and Yongning and died in office.
47
起士瞻
Shi Zhan
48
初，士瞻為荊府城局參軍，浚萬人仗庫防池，得一金革鉤，隱起鏤甚精巧。 篆文曰：「錫爾金鉤，且公且侯。」 士瞻娶夏侯詳兄女，女竊以與詳，詳喜佩之。 及是革命，詳果封侯，而士瞻不錫茅土。
Once, as Jing's city-bureau commander, he dredged the arsenal moat and found a finely worked gold belt hook. The inscription ran, "Bestowed this gold hook—duke and marquis alike. He married Xiang's niece, who slipped the hook to Xiang, who wore it with delight. When the throne changed, Xiang was enfeoffed; Zhan received no fief.
49
天監二年，入為直合將軍，歷位秦、梁二州刺史，加都督。 後為太子右衛率，又出為西陽、武昌二郡太守。 在郡清約，家無私積。 始士瞻夢得一積鹿皮，從而數之，有十一領。 及覺喜曰：「鹿者祿也，吾當居十一祿乎。」 自其仕進所蒞已九，及除二郡，心惡之，遇疾不肯療。 普通七年卒於郡，贈左衛將軍，諡曰鬍子。 子琨時在戎役，聞問一踴而絕，良久乃蘇。 不顧軍制，輒離所部，遂以孝聞。 詔下旌異。
In Tianjian year two he entered as direct attendant general, then inspector of Qin and Liang with overall command. Later crown prince's right guard leader, then prefect of Xiyang and Wuchang. In office he was frugal; no private hoard at home. He dreamed of a pile of deerskin and counted eleven hides. Awake he said, "Deer means salary—I shall hold eleven posts. Nine posts had already come; the two commanderies displeased him; he fell ill and refused care. In Putong year seven he died in office; posthumously left guard general; posthumous name Huizi. His son Kun, on campaign, heard and fainted dead away. He left his post against orders and won fame for filial piety. An edict praised him.
50
蔡道恭
Cai Daogong
51
蔡道恭字懷儉，南陽冠軍人也。 父那，宋益州刺史。
Cai Daogong, courtesy name Huaijian, was from Guanjun in Nanyang. His father Na had been Song inspector of Yizhou.
52
三年，魏圍司州，時城中眾不滿五千人，食裁半歲。 魏軍攻之，晝夜不息，乃作大車載土，四面俱前，欲以填塹。 道恭塹內列艨艟鬥艦以待之。 魏人不得進，又潛作伏道以決塹水，道恭載土屯塞之。 相持百餘日，前後斬獲不可勝計。 魏大造梯沖，攻圍日急。 道恭用四石烏漆大弓射，所中皆洞甲飲羽，一發或貫兩人，敵人望弓皆靡。 又于城內作土山，多作大矟，長二丈五尺，施長刃，使壯士執以刺魏人。 魏軍甚憚之，將退。 會道恭疾篤，乃呼兄子僧勰、從弟靈恩及將率謂曰：「吾所苦勢不能久，汝等當以死固節，無令吾沒有遺恨。」 又令取所持節授僧勰曰：「稟命出疆，既不得奉以還朝，方欲攜之同逝。 可與棺柩相隨。」 眾皆流涕。 其年五月卒。 魏知道恭死，攻之轉急。 先是，朝廷遣郢州刺史曹景宗赴援，景宗不前。 至八月，城內糧盡，魏克之。 贈鎮西將軍，並尋購喪櫬。 八年，魏許還道恭喪，其家以女樂易之。 葬襄陽。 傳國至孫固，早卒，國除。
In year three Wei besieged Sizhou with fewer than five thousand defenders and half a year's grain. Wei attacked ceaselessly and advanced earth-filled carts to fill the moat. Daogong lined tower ships in the moat to meet them. When Wei tried to drain the moat he blocked them with earth. For a hundred days the slaughter was beyond count. Wei built siege towers; the assault grew fiercer. His four-stone black bows pierced armor; one arrow might nail two men; the enemy quailed at the bow. He built an earthen mound and long spears for strong men to stab the Wei climbers. Wei feared greatly and prepared to withdraw. As his illness worsened he told his kin and officers to hold the city unto death. He gave Sengji his staff of authority to die with the coffin. All wept. He died in the fifth month. Learning of his death, Wei pressed harder. Cao Jingzong had been sent to relieve but did not move. By the eighth month the city starved and fell. He was posthumously general who pacifies the west; the court sought his coffin. In year eight Wei returned the body; the family traded musicians for it. Buried at Xiangyang. The line passed to grandson Gu, who died young and the fief ended. Yang Gongze
53
楊公則
Yang Gongze
54
楊公則字君翼，天水西縣人也。 父仲懷，為宋豫州刺史殷琰將。 琰叛，輔國將軍劉勉討琰，仲懷力戰，死於橫塘。 公則隨父在軍，年未弱冠，冒陣抱屍，號哭氣絕良久。 勉命還仲懷首。 公則斂畢，徒步負喪歸鄉里，由此著名。
Yang Gongze, courtesy name Junyi, was from Xi County in Tianshui. His father Zhonghuai was a general to Yin Yan of Yuzhou. When Yan rebelled, Liu Mian attacked; Zhonghuai died at Hengtang. Still a boy, he ran into the fight, seized his father's corpse, and wailed until he fainted. Mian sent back the head. He bore the coffin home on foot and became famous.
55
後梁州刺史范柏年板為宋熙太守、領白馬戍主。 時氐賊李烏奴攻白馬，公則矢盡糧竭，陷於寇，抗聲罵賊，烏奴壯之，耍與同事。 公則偽許而圖之，謀泄，單馬逃歸。 齊高帝下詔褒美。 除晉壽太守，在任清潔自守。 遷扶風太守，母憂去官。 雍州刺史陳顯達起為甯朔將軍，復領太守。 頃之，荊州刺史巴東王子響構亂，公則進討。 事平，遷武甯太守，百姓便之。 入為前軍將軍。
Fan Bonian of Liangzhou made him prefect of Songxi and warden of White Horse. He pretended agreement, plotted escape, and fled alone when discovered. Qi Emperor Gao praised him by edict. As prefect of Jinshou he was scrupulously clean. He became prefect of Fufeng and left on his mother's death. Chen Xianda of Yongzhou restored him as pacifying-the-north general and prefect. When the Prince of Badong rebelled, Gongze marched against him. After the revolt he was prefect of Wuning, where the people were content. He entered court as forward army general. When Emperor He was inspector of Jingzhou, Gongze was his army commander.
56
和帝為荊州刺史，公則為西中郎中兵參軍。 及蕭穎胄協同梁武，以公則為輔國將軍，領西中郎諮議參軍，率兵東下。 和帝即位，授湘州刺史。 梁武軍次沔口，公則率湘府之眾會于夏口。 時荊州諸軍悉受公則節度，雖蕭穎達宗室之貴亦隸焉。 郢城平，武帝命眾軍即日俱下，公則受命先驅。 江州既定，連旌東下，直造建鄴。 公則號令嚴明，秋豪不犯，所在莫不賴焉。
When Emperor He was inspector of Jingzhou, Gongze was his army commander. When Yingzhou joined Wudi, Gongze was made supporting-the-state general and adviser, marching east. When Emperor He ascended, he was made inspector of Xiangzhou. Wudi halted at Hankou; Gongze led Xiang troops to Xiakou. All Jingzhou armies were under his command—even Yingda of the imperial clan. When Ying fell, Wudi ordered an immediate march; Gongze led the van. Jiangzhou secured, he marched straight on Jiankang. His orders were strict; nothing was harmed—everywhere people relied on him.
57
大軍至新林，公則自越城移屯領軍府壘北樓，與南掖門相對。 嘗登樓望戰，城中遙見麾蓋，縱神鋒弩射之，矢貫胡床，左右皆失色。 公則曰：「虜幾中吾腳。」 談笑如初。 東昏夜選勇士攻公則柵，軍中驚擾。 公則堅臥不起，徐命擊之，東昏軍乃退。 公則所領多是湘溪人，性懦怯，城內輕之，以為易與，每出蕩，輒先犯公則壘。 公則獎厲軍士，克獲更多。 及城平，城內出者或被剝奪，公則親率麾下，列陳東掖門，衛送公卿士庶，故出者多由公則營焉。 進號左將軍，還鎮南藩。
At Xinlin he encamped at the army leader's north tower, facing the South Flank Gate. Watching battle from the tower, the enemy shot divine-bolt bolts; one pierced his armrest and his men paled. He said, "The enemy nearly hit my foot." He laughed and talked as before. Dong Hun's night attack alarmed the camp. He lay still, then ordered a counterattack and drove them off. His Xiang Creek men were thought timid; the city always hit his ramparts first. He encouraged his men and took more captives. When the city fell he guarded the East Flank Gate and escorted nobles and commoners through his lines. Promoted to left general; returned to guard the south.
58
初，公則東下，湘部諸郡多未賓從，及公則還州，然後諸屯聚並散。 天監元年，進號平南將軍，封甯都縣侯。 湘州寇亂累年，人多流散。 公則輕刑薄斂，頃之戶口充復。 為政雖無威嚴，然勵己廉慎，為吏人所悅。 湘俗單門多以賂求州職，公則至皆斷之，所辟皆州郡著姓。 武帝班下諸州以為法。
Many Xiang districts had held out; when he returned they submitted. In Tianjian year one he was pacifying-the-south general, Marquis of Ningdu. Xiangzhou had been ravaged for years; people had scattered. He lightened punishments and taxes; households soon returned. Without harsh rule he was scrupulously honest—clerks and people were pleased. He ended bribery for office and appointed only reputable local families. Wudi made it the model for all provinces.
59
三年，征中護軍。 代至，乘二舸便發，送故一無所取。 遷衛尉卿。 時朝廷始議北侵，公則威名素著，至都，詔假節，先屯洛口。 公則受命將發，遘疾，謂親人曰：「昔廉頗、馬援以年老見遺，猶自力請用。 今國家不以吾朽懦，任以前驅，方于古人，見知重矣。 雖臨塗疾苦，豈可僶俛辭事。 馬革還葬，此吾志也。」 遂強起登舟，至洛口，壽春士女歸降者數千戶。 魏豫州刺史薛恭度遣長史石榮等前鋒接戰，即斬石榮，逐北至壽春，去城數十里而返。 疾篤，卒于師。 武帝深痛惜之，即日舉哀，諡烈侯。
In year three he was summoned as central army commander. When relieved he sailed off in two light boats, taking no farewell gifts. He became commandant of the guards. When the north was debated, his fame brought him to the capital with authority to hold Luokou. Ordered to march but ill, he told kin, "Lian Po and Ma Yuan were cast aside in age yet still wished to serve. The state still trusts me as vanguard—that is heavy honor. Though ill on the road, how can I refuse. Burial in horse-hide is my wish." He forced himself aboard; at Luokou thousands of Shouchun households surrendered. He beheaded Shi Rong, pursued to Shouchun, then withdrew. He died in the army of his illness. Wudi mourned him the same day; posthumous name Fierce Marquis.
60
公則為人敦厚慈愛，居家篤睦，視兄子過於己子，家財悉委焉。 性好學，雖居軍旅，手不輟卷，士大夫以此稱之。
He was generous at home and favored his brother's sons over his own, giving them all his wealth. He loved books even in camp—scholars praised him.
61
子瞟嗣，有罪國除。 帝以公則勳臣，特聽庶長子眺嗣。 眺固讓歷年，乃受。
His son Piao inherited; for crime the fief ended. Wudi allowed his concubine's eldest son Tiao to succeed. Tiao declined for years, then accepted.
62
鄧元起
Deng Yuanqi
63
初，梁武之起，益州刺史劉季連持兩端。 及聞元起至，遂發兵拒守。 元起至巴西，巴西太守朱士略開門以待。 先時蜀人多逃亡，至是競出投元起，皆稱起義應朝廷。 元起在道久，軍糧乏絕，或說之曰：「蜀郡政慢，若檢巴西一郡籍注，因而罰之，所獲必厚。」 元起然之。 涪令李膺諫曰：「使君前有嚴敵，後無繼援，山人始附，於我觀德。 若糾以刻薄，人必不堪。 眾心一離，雖悔無及。 膺請出圖之，不患資糧不足也。」 元起曰：「善，一以委卿。」 膺退，率富人上軍資米，俄得三萬斛。
When Wudi rose, Liu Jilian of Yizhou wavered. Hearing Yuanqi had come, he sent troops to resist. At Baxi, Administrator Zhu Shilue opened the gates. Shu fugitives now flocked to him as loyalists to the court. Grain ran out; some urged auditing Baxi registers for heavy fines. Yuanqi agreed. Magistrate Li Ying warned, "Enemies ahead, no relief behind—the mountain folk watch your virtue. If you are too harsh, the people cannot bear it. When hearts depart, regret comes too late. Ying asked to survey the land and did not fear short supplies. Yuanqi said, "Good—I entrust it all to you." Ying led the wealthy to submit grain; soon thirty thousand shi were gathered.
64
元起進屯西平，季連始嬰城自守。 時益州兵亂既久，人廢耕農，內外苦饑，人多相食，道路斷絕。 季連計窮。 會明年武帝使赦季連罪，許之降，季連即日開城納元起，元起送季連于建康。
Yuanqi encamped at Xiping; Jilian finally walled himself in. War had ruined farming; famine was so fierce men ate one another; roads were cut. Jilian was desperate. Next year an edict pardoned Jilian; he opened the city; Yuanqi sent him to Jiankang.
65
元起以鄉人庾黔婁為錄事參軍，又得荊州刺史蕭遙欣故客蔣光濟，並厚待之，任以州事。 黔婁甚清潔，光濟多計謀，並勸為善政。 元起之克季連也，城內財寶無所私，勸恤人事，口不論財色。 性能飲酒，至一斛不亂，及是絕之，為蜀土所稱。 元起舅子梁矜孫性輕脫，與庾黔婁志行不同，乃言於元起曰：「城中稱有三刺史，節下何以堪之。」 元起由此疏黔婁而政跡稍損。
He made Yu Qianlou recorder and Jiang Guangji his adviser—both were trusted for provincial affairs. Qianlou was pure; Guangji was clever—both urged good government. He took no loot; he comforted the people and never spoke of wealth or women. He could drink a hu without stumbling; then he stopped—Shu praised him. His nephew Jinsun was frivolous and said three men ruled the province—how could Yuanqi bear it? Yuanqi distanced Qianlou and his rule slipped.
66
在政二年，以母老乞歸供養，詔許焉。 徵為右衛將軍，以西昌侯蕭藻代之。 時梁州長史夏侯道遷以南鄭叛，引魏將王景胤、孔陵，攻東、西晉壽，並遣告急。 眾勸元起急救之。 元起曰：「朝廷萬里，軍不卒至，若寇賊浸淫，方須撲討，董督之任，非我而誰？ 何事匆匆便相催督。」 黔婁等苦諫之，皆不從。 武帝亦假元起節、都督征討諸軍，將救漢中。 比是，魏已攻克兩晉壽。
After two years he asked to go home for his mother; edict allowed it. Summoned as right guard general; Xiao Zao replaced him. Daoyian rebelled at Nanzheng; Wei columns attacked Jinsou and sent urgent reports. Many urged immediate rescue. He said the court was far away and he alone must supervise—why the hurry? Qianlou urged him; he refused. Wudi gave him authority to save Hanzhong. By then Wei had taken both Jinsou. As Xiao Zao came, Yuanqi packed to leave, stripping stores bare.
67
蕭藻將至，元起頗營還裝，糧儲器械略無遺者。 蕭藻入城，求其良馬。 元起曰：「年少郎子，何用馬為。」 藻恚，醉而殺之。 元起麾下圍城，哭且問其故。 藻懼曰：「天子有詔。」 眾乃散。 遂誣以反，帝疑焉。 有司追劾削爵土，詔減邑之半，封松滋縣侯。 故吏廣漢羅研詣闕訟之，帝曰：「果如我所量也。」 使讓藻曰：「元起為汝報讎，汝為讎報讎，忠孝之道如何？ 「乃貶藻號為冠軍將軍。 贈元起征西將軍，給鼓吹，諡忠侯。 羅研字深微，少有材辯。 元起平蜀，辟為主簿，後為信安令。 故事置觀農謁者，圍桑度田，勞擾百姓。 研請除其弊，帝從之。 鄱陽忠烈王恢臨蜀，聞其名，請為別駕。 及西昌侯藻重為刺史，州人為之懼，研舉止自若。 侯謂曰：「非我無以容卿，非卿無以事我。」 齊苟兒之役，臨汝侯嘲之曰：「卿蜀人樂禍貪亂，一至於此。」 對曰：「蜀中積弊，實非一朝。 百家為村，不過數家有食，窮迫之人，什有八九，束縛之使，旬有二三。 貪亂樂禍，無足多怪。 若令家畜五母之雞，一母之豕，床上有百錢布被，甑中有數升麥飯，雖蘇、張巧說于前，韓、白按劍於後，將不能使一夫為盜，況貪亂乎？」
Xiao Zao demanded his fine horses. Yuanqi said, "Young man—what need of horses?" Zao, furious and drunk, killed him. His men surrounded the city weeping. Zao feared and said, "The emperor ordered it." The host dispersed. They slandered him as a rebel; the emperor doubted. Authorities impeached him; his fief was halved to Songzi. Luo Yan sued at court; the emperor said, "As I thought." He reproached Zao: "Yuanqi avenged you—how is this filial?" He demoted Zao to general of the champions. Posthumously he was general who pacifies the west; posthumous name Loyal Marquis. Luo Yan, styled Shenwei, was talented and eloquent in youth. Yuanqi made him chief clerk, later magistrate of Xin'an. Old practice sent envoys to survey fields, troubling people. Yan asked to end the abuse; the emperor agreed. Prince Hui of Poyang heard of him and made him vice director. When Zao returned as inspector the province feared; Yan was calm. The marquis said, "Without me you have no place; without you I cannot govern." Hou mocked him: "You Shu love chaos—that is why." He replied, "Shu's abuses are old—not one morning's fault." Few villages had food; most were desperate; many were bound laborers. In a hundred-household village only a few families ate; most were destitute; many were bound to service. Greed for chaos is no surprise. Give peasants hens, a sow, cloth, and grain, and even Su and Zhang could not turn them into bandits—much less a general uprising."
68
大通二年，為散騎侍郎。 嗣王范將西，忠烈王恢謂曰：「吾昔在蜀，每事委羅研，汝遵而勿失。」 範至，復以為別駕，升堂拜母，蜀人榮之。 數年卒官。 蜀土以文達者，唯研與同郡李膺。
In Datong year two he became a regular attendant. Prince Fan was heading west; Prince Hui told him, "In Shu I always relied on Luo Yan—follow his counsel." When Fan arrived, Yan was again made vice director; he bowed to Fan's mother in the hall, to Shu people's honor. He died in office after a few years. In Shu, only Yan and Li Ying of his district were famed for learning.
69
膺字公胤，有才辯。 西昌侯藻為益州，以為主簿。 使至都，武帝悅之，謂曰：「今李膺何如昔李膺？」 對曰：「今勝昔。」 問其故，對曰：「昔事桓、靈之主，今逢堯、舜之君。」 帝嘉其對，以如意擊席者久之。 乃以為益州別駕。 著益州記三卷行於世。
Li Ying, courtesy name Gongyin, was gifted in debate. Zao of Xichang made him chief clerk in Yizhou. At court Wudi asked how he compared to the famous Li Ying of Han." He answered, "Today's is better." Because the old Li Ying served bad emperors; I serve Yao and Shun." Wudi praised him and struck his seat with a ruyi. He was made vice director of Yizhou. He wrote three juan of Records of Yizhou.
70
初，元起在荊州，刺史隨王板元起為從事別駕，庾蓽堅執不可，元起恨之。 及大軍至都，蓽在城內甚懼。 城平，而元起先遣迎蓽，語人曰：「庾別駕若為亂兵所殺，我無以自明。」 因厚遺之。 少時又嘗至其西沮田舍，有沙門造之乞，元起有稻幾二千斛，悉以施之，時人稱其二者有大度。 元起初為益州，過江陵迎其母，母事道方居館，不肯出。 元起拜請同行，母曰：「汝貧賤家兒忽得富貴，詎可久保。 我寧死此，不能與汝共入禍敗。」 及至巴東，聞蜀亂，使蔣光濟筮之遇蹇，喟然歎曰：「吾豈鄧艾而及此乎。」 後果如筮。 子鏗嗣。
When Yuanqi was in Jingzhou, the Prince of Sui made him vice director, but Yu Bi blocked the appointment and Yuanqi bore a grudge. When the army reached the capital, Bi was terrified inside the walls. After the city fell, Yuanqi sent men to fetch Bi and said, "If Yu were killed in the fighting, I could never prove my innocence." He then gave him lavish gifts. As a young man he visited his farm at Xiju; a monk begged food and he gave away nearly two thousand hu of rice; contemporaries praised both for their largeness of spirit. On his first posting to Yizhou he went to Jiangling for his mother; she was a Daoist living in a lodge and refused to leave. Yuanqi begged her to come; she said, "You were born poor—how long can sudden riches last? I would rather die here than share your downfall." At Badong he heard Shu was in revolt and had Jiang Guangji cast the hexagram Jian; he sighed, "Am I another Deng Ai?" Events later matched the omen. His son Keng inherited the title.
71
張惠紹
Zhang Huishao
72
張惠紹字德繼，義陽人也。 少有武幹，仕齊為竟陵橫桑戍主。 母喪歸鄉里。 聞梁武帝起兵，乃自歸，累有戰功。 武帝踐阼，封石陽縣侯，位驍騎將軍、直合、左細仗主。 時東昏餘黨數百人竊入南、北掖門，夜燒神獸門，害衛尉張弘策。 惠紹馳率所領赴戰，賊乃散走。 遷太子右衛率，以軍功累增爵邑。 歷位衛尉卿，左衛將軍，司州刺史，領安陸太守。 在州和理，吏人親愛之。 征還為左衛將軍，加通直散騎常侍，甲仗百人，直衛殿中。 卒，諡曰忠。
Zhang Huishao, courtesy name Deji, was from Yiyang. As a youth he showed martial talent and served Qi as commander of the Hengsang garrison at Jingling. He went home for his mother's mourning. When Wudi rose in arms he joined him and won repeated victories. At Wudi's accession he was made Marquis of Shiyang, general of valiant cavalry, direct attendant, and chief of the left fine guards. Several hundred of Dong Hun's remnant men broke into the palace gates, burned the Divine Beast Gate, and killed Commandant Zhang Hongce. Huishao charged with his troops and the rebels fled. He became right guard of the heir apparent and his fief grew with his victories. He served as commandant of the guard, left guard general, inspector of Sizhou, and administrator of Anlu. He governed harmoniously and was beloved by officials and people. Recalled as left guard general with added palace attendant rank, he commanded a hundred guards in the hall. He died; his posthumous name was Loyal.
73
子澄嗣。 累有戰功，與湛僧智、胡紹世、魚弘並為當時驍將。 曆官衛尉卿，太子左衛率。 卒官，諡曰湣。
His son Cheng inherited the title. A proven fighter, he ranked with Zhan Sengzhi, Hu Shaoshi, and Yu Hong among the day's fiercest generals. He held the posts of commandant of the guard and left guard of the heir apparent. He died in office; posthumous name Mourned.
74
馮道根
Feng Daogen
75
馮道根字巨基，廣平酇人也。 少孤，家貧，傭賃以養母。 行得甘肥，未嘗先食，必遽還以遺母。 年十三，以孝聞。 郡召為主簿，不就，曰：「吾當使封侯廟食，安能為儒吏邪。」
Feng Daogen, courtesy name Juji, was from Zan in Guangping. Orphaned and poor, he hired out as a laborer to feed his mother. Any good food he got he brought straight home to his mother without tasting it first. At thirteen his filial piety was known through the commandery. Summoned as chief clerk he refused: "I will win a fief and sacrifices—why be a clerk?"
76
年十六，鄉人蔡道班為湖陽戍主，攻蠻錫城，反為蠻困。 道根救之、匹馬轉戰，提雙劍左右奮擊，殺傷甚多，道班以免，由是知名。
At sixteen he rescued Cai Daoban, garrison chief at Huyang, who had been besieged at Xi by the Man. Daogen rode in alone with twin swords, killed many, and freed Daoban—his fame began there.
77
齊建武末，魏孝文攻陷南陽等五郡。 明帝遣太尉陳顯達爭之，師入汮口，道根說顯達曰：「汮水急，不如悉棄船於酇城，方道步進。」 顯達不聽，道根猶以私屬從軍。 及顯達敗夜走，賴道根指路以全。 尋為汮口戍副。
Late in Qi's Jianwu era Wei's Emperor Xiaowen took Nanyang and four other commanderies. Emperor Ming sent Chen Xianda; at the Bian mouth Daogen urged abandoning the fleet and marching overland from Zan." Xianda refused; Daogen followed anyway as a volunteer. When Xianda fled by night, Daogen's guidance saved the column. He became deputy commander at the Bian mouth garrison.
78
以母喪還家。 聞梁武帝起兵，乃謂所親曰：「金革奪禮，古人不避，揚名後世，豈非孝乎。」 因率鄉人歸武帝，隸于王茂，常為前鋒。 武帝即位，為驍騎將軍，封增城縣男。
He went home for his mother's mourning. When Wudi rose he told kin, "The ancients fought through mourning—fame is also filial piety." He led his neighbors to Wudi, served under Wang Mao, and usually fought in the van. At Wudi's accession he became general of valiant cavalry and baron of Zengcheng.
79
天監二年，為南梁太守，領阜陵城戍。 初到阜陵，修城隍，遠斥候，如敵將至者。 眾頗笑之。 道根曰：「怯防勇戰，此之謂也。」 修城未畢，魏將党法宗、傅豎眼率眾二萬，奄至城下，道根塹壘未固，城中眾少，莫不失色。 道根命開城門，緩服登城，選精銳二百人出與魏軍戰，敗之，魏軍因退。 遷輔國將軍。
In Tianjian year two he governed Nanliang and held the Fuling garrison. On reaching Fuling he fortified walls and posted scouts as if battle were imminent. His men laughed at the fuss. Daogen said, "Caution in defense makes courage in battle." Before the works were done, twenty thousand Wei troops under Dang Fazong and Fu Shuyan appeared; the garrison panicked. He opened the gates in plain dress, led two hundred picked men out, routed the Wei column, and they withdrew. He was promoted to general who assists the state.
80
六年，魏攻鍾離，武帝詔豫州刺史韋叡救之。 道根為叡前驅，至徐州，建計據邵陽洲，築壘掘塹逼魏城。 道根能走馬步地，計馬足以賦功，城隍立辦。 及淮水長，道根乘戰艦斷魏連橋，魏軍敗績。 進爵為伯，改封豫寧縣。 八年，拜豫州刺史，領汝陰太守。 為政清簡，境內安之。 累遷右衛將軍。
In year six Wei besieged Zhongli; Wudi sent Wei Rui from Yuzhou to relieve it. As Rui's vanguard he seized Shaoyang islet and trenchworks that hemmed the Wei camp. He paced works at a gallop and finished walls and moats in no time. When the Huai flooded he cut Wei's bridges with warships and the enemy was crushed. He was raised to marquis of Yuning. In year eight he became inspector of Yuzhou and administrator of Ruyin. He ruled simply and the region was calm. He rose to right guard general.
81
道根性謹厚，木訥少言，為將能檢禦部曲。 所過村陌，將士不敢虜掠。 每征伐終不言功，其部曲或怨非之。 道根喻曰：「明主自鑒功之多少，吾將何事。」 武帝嘗指道根示尚書令沈約，美其口不論勳。 約曰：「此陛下之大樹將軍也。」 曆處州郡，和理清靜，為下所懷。 在朝廷雖貴顯，而性儉約，所居宅不修牆屋，無器服侍衛，入室則蕭然如素士之貧賤者。 當世服其清退，武帝亦雅重之。 微時不學，既貴粗讀書，自謂少文，常慕周勃之器量。
Cautious and taciturn, he kept tight discipline over his men. His troops never looted the countryside. He never claimed credit after battles; some of his men resented it. He told them, "The emperor knows our merit—why should I boast? Wudi pointed him out to Shen Yue, praising a general who never talked of his deeds. Yue called him "Your Majesty's great-tree general. In every post he was gentle and quiet, and subordinates loved him. Though exalted at court he lived like a poor scholar—no guards, bare rooms. His austerity won the age's respect and Wudi's esteem. Unschooled in youth, he read a little after promotion and admired Zhou Bo's magnanimity.
82
十六年，復為豫州。 將行，武帝引朝臣宴別道根于武德殿，召畫工使圖其形，道根踧踖謝曰：「臣所可報國家，唯餘一死，但天下太平，恨無可死之地。」 豫部重得道根，人皆喜悅。 武帝每稱曰：「馮道根所在，能使朝廷不復憶有一州。」
In year sixteen he returned to Yuzhou. Wudi feasted him at Wude Hall and had his portrait painted; Daogen blushed and said he had no war left to die in." Yuzhou rejoiced to have him back. Wudi said, "With Feng Daogen in office the court forgets whole provinces."
83
居州少時遇疾，乞還。 朝廷徵為散騎常侍、左軍將軍。 卒於官。 是日，輿駕春祠二廟，及出宮，有司以聞。 帝問中書舍人朱異曰：「吉凶同日，今可行乎？」 對曰：「昔柳莊寢疾，衛獻公當祭，請屍曰：'有臣柳莊，非寡人之臣，社稷之臣也。 聞其死，請往。 '不釋祭服而往，遂以襚之。 道根雖未為社稷臣，亦有勞王室，臨之禮也。」 帝即駕幸其宅，哭之甚慟。 諡曰威。 子懷嗣。
Soon he fell ill and asked to leave office. The court recalled him as palace attendant and left army general. He died in office. That day the emperor was leaving for spring sacrifice when news of his death arrived. The emperor asked Zhu Yi whether to proceed with the rites on an inauspicious day." Zhu Yi cited Duke Xian of Wei, who broke off sacrifice for the minister Liu Zhuang. Hearing of Zhuang's death, the duke went at once. He went in sacrificial dress and performed the funeral gifts. Daogen, though no pillar of state, had served the house—visiting him was proper." The emperor drove to his home and wept bitterly. Posthumous name Awesome. His son Huai inherited the title.
84
康絢字長明，華山藍田人也。 其先出自康居。 初，漢置都護，盡臣西域，康居亦遣侍子待詔河西，因留不去，其後遂氏焉。 晉時隴右亂，遷于藍田。 絢曾祖因為苻堅太子詹事，生穆。 穆為姚萇河南尹。 宋永初中，穆率鄉族三千餘家入襄陽之峴南，宋為置華山郡藍田縣，寄立於襄陽，以穆為秦、梁二州刺史。 未拜，卒。 絢伯元隆、父元撫，並為流人所推，相繼為華山太守。
Kang Xuan, courtesy name Changming, was from Lantian in Huashan. His clan originated in Kangju. Under Han, Kangju sent a hostage prince to Hexi who stayed and founded the clan in China. In Jin, turmoil in Longyou drove them to Lantian. His great-grandfather Yin was Fu Jian's tutor of the heir apparent; his son was Mu. Mu served Yao Chang as administrator of Henan. In Song's Yongchu era Mu led three thousand families south of Xiangyang's Xian and was made inspector of Qin and Liang. He died before taking office. His uncle Yuanlong and father Yuanfu, leaders among refugees, each became administrator of Huashan.
85
時魏降人王足陳計，求堰淮水以灌壽陽。 足引北方童謠曰：「荊山為上格，浮山為下格，潼沱為激溝，並灌钜野澤。」 帝以為然，使水工陳承伯、材官將軍祖揯視地形，咸謂淮內沙土漂輕，不堅實，其功不可就。 帝弗納，發徐、揚人率二十戶取五丁以築之。 假絢節、都督淮上諸軍事，並護堰作役人及戰士，有眾二十萬，于鍾離南起浮山，北抵巉石，依岸築土，合脊于中流。 十四年四月，堰將合，淮水漂疾，復決潰。 眾患之。 或謂江、淮多蛟，能乘風雨決壞崖岸，其性惡鐵。 因是引東西二冶鐵器，大則釜鬲，小則鋘鋤，數千萬斤沈於堰所，猶不能合。 乃伐樹為井幹，填以巨石，加土其上。 緣淮百里內岡陵木石無巨細必盡，負擔者肩穿。 夏日疾疫，死者相枕，蠅蟲晝夜聲合。 武帝湣之，遣尚書右僕射袁昂、侍中謝舉假節慰勞，並加蠲復。 是冬寒甚，淮、泗盡凍，士卒死者十七八。 帝遣賜以衣褲。
The Wei defector Wang Zu proposed damming the Huai to flood Shouyang. Zu quoted a rhyme: Jing Mountain upper frame, Floating Mountain lower, Tongtuo the sluice—flooding Juye marsh." Wudi sent engineers who warned the Huai silt was too loose for a dam. He ignored them and drafted five men from every twenty households in Xu and Yang. Xuan commanded two hundred thousand men to build a mid-river dam from Floating Mountain north of Zhongli. In month four of year fourteen the Huai tore the nearly finished dam apart. The workers despaired. Some said river dragons hated iron and wrecked works in storms. They sank millions of jin of iron pots and tools into the breach—it still would not hold. They drove tree wells packed with boulders and earth into the gap. For a hundred li they stripped hills bare; porters rubbed shoulders raw. Summer plague piled corpses; flies droned day and night. Wudi sent Yuan Ang and Xie Ju to comfort the workers and grant tax relief. That winter the Huai and Si froze; seven or eight soldiers in ten died. The emperor sent warm clothing.
86
十一月，魏遣將楊大眼揚聲決堰，絢命諸軍撤營露次以待之。 遣其子悅挑戰，斬魏咸陽王府司馬徐方興，魏軍小卻。 十五年四月，堰成，其長九里，下闊一百四十丈，上廣四十五丈，高二十丈，深十九丈五尺，夾之以堤，並樹杞柳，軍人安堵，列居其上。 其水清潔，俯視邑居墳墓，了然皆在其下。 或謂絢曰：「四瀆天所以節宣其氣，不可久塞，若鑿湫東注，則遊波寬緩，堰得不壞。」 絢然之，開湫東注。 又縱反間于魏曰：「梁所懼開湫。」 魏人信之，果鑿山深五丈，開湫北注。 水日夜分流，湫猶不減。 其月，魏軍竟潰而歸。 水之所及，夾淮方數百里地。 魏壽陽城戍稍徙頓八公山。 此南居人散就岡壟。
In month eleven Yang Dayan threatened to break the dam; Xuan camped his men in the open to bait him. His son Yue killed Wei's steward Xu Fangxing in a skirmish and the enemy pulled back. In month four of year fifteen the nine-li dam stood; troops camped on its crown. The reservoir was so clear towns and tombs below looked close enough to touch. Advisers said opening the eastern sluice would spare the dam by easing the current." Xuan opened the eastern outlet. He told Wei by rumor that Liang feared the sluice being opened." Wei believed him, dug five zhang into the mountain, and opened a northern outlet. Water split north and east yet the sluice did not drain. That month the Wei army broke and retreated. Floods spread for hundreds of li along both banks of the Huai. Wei's garrison at Shouyang retreated toward Mount Bagong. Southern villagers fled to high ground.
87
初，堰起徐州界，刺史張豹子謂己必屍其事。 既而絢以佗官來監作，豹子甚慚，由是譖絢與魏交通。 帝雖不納，猶以事畢征絢。 尋除司州刺史，領安陸太守。
When work began, Xuzhou inspector Zhang Baozi assumed he would command it. Xuan was sent to supervise instead; Baozi slandered him as a Wei agent. Wudi dismissed the charge but recalled Xuan when the dam was done. He was made inspector of Sizhou and administrator of Anlu.
88
絢征還，豹子不修堰，至其秋，淮水暴長，堰壞，奔流於海，殺數萬人。 其聲若雷，聞三百里。 水中怪物，隨流而下，或人頭魚身，或龍形馬首，殊類詭狀，不可勝名。 祖揯坐下獄。 絢在州三年，大修城隍，號為嚴整。
After Xuan left, Baozi let the dam fail; autumn floods killed tens of thousands. The roar carried three hundred li. Monsters swept downriver—fish-headed men, dragon-horses—beyond counting. Zu Kai was thrown into prison. For three years in office Xuan rebuilt fortifications to renowned strictness.
89
昌義之
Chang Yizhi
90
昌義之，曆陽烏江人也。 少有武幹，為馮翊戍主。 梁武帝為雍州，因事帝，帝亦厚遇之。 及起兵，板為輔國將軍、軍主。 每戰必捷。
Chang Yizhi was from Wujiang in Liyang. Youthful and martial, he held the Fengyi garrison. He attached himself to Wudi when Wudi held Yongzhou and was well treated. At the uprising he became a supporting general and army commander. He won every battle he fought.
91
天監元年，封永豐侯，累遷北徐州刺史，鎮鍾離。 四年，大舉北侵，臨川王宏督眾軍向洛口，義之為前軍，攻魏梁城戍，克之。 五年冬，武帝以征役久，詔班師。 魏中山王元英乘勢追躡，攻沒馬頭等城。 城內糧貯，魏悉移歸北，議者咸謂無復南向。 帝曰：「此必進兵，非其實也。」 乃遣修鍾離城，敕義之為戰守備。 是冬，英果率眾數十萬圍鍾離，沖車毀西墉。 時城中眾才三千，義之督帥，隨方抗禦，前後殺傷萬計，魏軍死者與城平。
In Tianjian year one he was made marquis of Yongfeng and inspector of north Xuzhou at Zhongli. In year four Prince Hong marched north; Yizhi took the Wei garrison at Liang city. Winter of year five Wudi ordered the northern campaign withdrawn. Wei's Prince Yuan Ying pursued and captured Matou and other towns. Wei emptied the captured granaries; courtiers thought they would not march south again. Wudi said, "They are feinting—they will come south." He reinforced Zhongli and ordered Yizhi to ready its defense. That winter Ying besieged Zhongli with hundreds of thousands and smashed the west wall. With only three thousand men Yizhi directed the defense; Wei losses piled as high as the walls.
92
六年，帝遣曹景宗、韋叡率眾二十萬救焉，大破魏軍。 義之率輕兵追至洛口而還。 以功進號軍師將軍，再遷都督、南兗州刺史。 坐以禁物出蕃，為有司所奏免。
In year six Cao Jingzong and Wei Rui brought two hundred thousand men and crushed the Wei army. Yizhi chased with light troops to Luokou and withdrew. He was made army general and overall commander of south Yanzhou. He was dismissed for smuggling forbidden goods across the border.
93
十三年，累遷左衛將軍。 是冬，帝遣太子右衛率康絢督眾軍作荊山堰，魏將李曇定大眾逼荊山，揚聲決堰。 詔假義之節救絢，軍未至，絢等已破魏軍。 魏又遣大將軍李平攻硤石，義之又率朱衣直合王神念救之。 魏克硤石，義之班師，為有司所奏，帝以其功臣不問。
In year thirteen he became left guard general. That winter Kang Xuan built the Jing Mountain dam; Li Tanding threatened to break it. Yizhi was sent to aid Xuan but arrived after Xuan had already won. Li Ping attacked Xiashi; Yizhi marched with Wang Shennian to relieve it. Xiashi fell; Yizhi was impeached but spared as an old hero.
94
十五年，授北徐州刺史。 義之不知書，所識不過十字。 性寬厚，為將能得人死力。 及居藩任，吏人安之。 改封營道縣侯。 徵為護軍將軍，卒于官。 帝深痛惜之，諡曰烈。 子寶景嗣。
In year fifteen he governed north Xuzhou. Yizhi barely knew ten characters. Generous and blunt, he won men to fight to the death for him. On the frontier his rule kept officials and people at ease. His fief was changed to Yingdao county. Recalled as protector of the army, he died in office. Wudi mourned him deeply; posthumous name Fierce. His son Baojing inherited the title.
95
論曰：永元之季，雖時主昏狂，荊、雍二州，尚未有釁。 武皇跡緣家酷，首唱孟津之師，王茂等運接昌期，自致勤王之舉。 若非天人啟期，豈得若斯之速乎。 其隆名顯級，亦各風雲之感會也。 元起勤乃胥附，功惟辟土，勞之不圖，禍機先陷。 冠軍之貶，於罰已輕，梁之政刑，於斯為失。 私戚之端，自斯而啟，年之不永，不亦宜乎。 張惠紹、馮道根、康絢、昌義之攀附之始，其功則末。 及群盜焚門，張以力戰自著。 鍾離、邵陽之逼，馮、昌勞效居多。 浮山之役，而康絢實典其事。 互有厥勞，寵進宜矣。 先是鎮星守天江而堰實興，退舍而決，豈人事乎，其天道也。
The Commentary says: In Yongyuan's last years the throne was mad, yet Jing and Yong had not yet rebelled. Wudi rose at Mengjin on family grief; Wang Mao and others rode the tide of loyalty. Without Heaven's nod and men's timing, could success have come so fast? Their fame and rank each matched its moment. Yuanqi's merit in pacifying Shu went unrewarded—disaster struck first. Demoting the champion general was too light—Liang's justice failed here. Private favor began here; his early death was no surprise. Zhang, Feng, Kang, and Chang rose late; their great deeds came last. When rebels torched the gates, Zhang distinguished himself in battle. At Zhongli and Shaoyang Feng and Chang bore the heavier fighting. At Floating Mountain Kang Xuan truly ran the work. Each earned his honors fairly. Earlier the guardian star held Tian River while the dam rose; it retreated and the breach followed—Heaven's way, not men's.