Volume 60 Biographies 50: Fan Xia, Fu Zhao, Kong Xiuyuan, Jiang Ge, Xu Mian, Xu Mao, Yin Jun

列傳第五十

Biographies 50

范岫傅昭孔休源江革徐勉許懋殷鈞

Fan Xia, Fu Zhao, Kong Xiuyuan, Jiang Ge, Xu Mian, Xu Mao, and Yin Jun

岫幼而好學，早孤，事母以孝聞。外祖顏延之早相題目，以為中外之寶。蔡興宗臨荊州，引為主簿。及蔡將卒，以岫貧乏，遺旨賜錢二十萬，固辭拒之。

Xia loved learning from childhood. Orphaned at an early age, he cared for his mother and became renowned for his filial devotion. His maternal grandfather Yan Yanzhi singled him out early on, calling him a treasure to the family and to the world at large. When Cai Xingzong took charge of Jingzhou, he appointed Xia as his chief clerk. As Cai lay dying, knowing that Xia was poor, he left instructions to bequeath him two hundred thousand cash. Xia steadfastly refused the gift.

仕齊為太子家令。文惠太子之在東宮，沈約之徒以文才見引，岫亦預焉。岫文雖不逮約，而名行為時輩所與。博涉多通，尤悉魏、晉以來吉凶故事。約常稱曰：「范公好事該博，胡廣無以加。」南鄉範雲謂人曰：「諸君進止威儀，當問範長頭。」以岫多識前代舊事也。

Under the Qi dynasty he served as steward of the crown prince's household. While Crown Prince Wenhuì resided in the Eastern Palace, Shen Yue and others were brought in for their literary gifts, and Xia was among them. Xia's prose did not match Yue's, but his reputation and conduct won the esteem of his contemporaries. Widely read and deeply learned, he was especially versed in ritual and ceremonial precedents from the Wei and Jin dynasties onward. Yue often said of him, "Master Fan's enthusiasm for learning and breadth of knowledge are such that even Hu Guang could not surpass him. Fan Yun of Nanxiang told others, "When it comes to proper conduct and ceremonial bearing, you should consult Long-Head Fan." This was because Xia knew so many precedents and customs from earlier dynasties.

遷國子博士。岫長七尺八寸，姿容奇偉。永明中，魏使至，詔妙選朝士有辭辯者，接使於界首，故以岫兼淮陰長史迎焉。入為尚書左丞。丁母憂，居喪過禮。朝廷頻起，並不拜。朝廷亮其哀款，得終喪制。出為安成內史，創立鈞折行倉，公私弘益。征黃門侍郎，兼御史中丞，吏將送一無所納。永元末，為輔國將軍、冠軍晉安王長史，行南徐州事。梁武帝平建鄴，承制徵為尚書吏部郎，參大選。天監五年，為散騎常侍、光祿大夫，侍皇太子，給扶。累遷祠部尚書，金紫光祿大夫。卒官。

He was promoted to erudite of the Imperial University. Xia stood seven feet eight inches tall, with a striking and imposing bearing. During the Yongming era, when an envoy from Wei arrived, the court was ordered to select the most eloquent officials to receive him at the border. Xia was therefore appointed concurrently chief clerk of Huaiyin to welcome the envoy. He was recalled to the capital and appointed Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat. When his mother died, he entered mourning and observed the rites with exceptional devotion. The court repeatedly summoned him to office, but he refused each time. The court respected the depth of his grief and permitted him to complete the full mourning period. He was sent out as Administrator of Ancheng, where he established tiered traveling granaries that greatly benefited both the government and the people. He was recalled as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and concurrently Censor-in-Chief. He accepted no gifts whatsoever from clerks or military officers who came to pay their respects. At the end of the Yongyuan era, he served as General Who Assists the State and chief clerk to Prince Jin'an of Champion, administering the affairs of South Xuzhou. After Emperor Wu of Liang captured Jiankang, he was summoned by provisional order to serve as Director of the Personnel Bureau and to participate in the chief appointments of officials. In the fifth year of Tianjian, he was appointed Regular Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, attending upon the crown prince with a walking staff provided for his use. He rose through successive promotions to Minister of Rites and Grand Master with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. He died while still in office.

岫恭敬儼恪，進止以禮，自親喪後，蔬食布衣以終身。每所居官，恒以廉潔著稱。為長城令時，有梓材巾箱，至數十年，經貴遂不改易。在晉陵唯作牙管筆一雙，猶以為費。所著文集、禮論、雜儀、字訓行於世。二子褒、偉。

Xia was reverent, dignified, and disciplined, conducting himself always according to proper ritual. After his parents' deaths, he ate only vegetables and wore plain cloth for the rest of his life. In every post he held, he was known for his incorruptibility. While serving as magistrate of Changcheng, he used a catalpa-wood towel box that he kept for decades without replacing, even after he had risen to high rank. While at Jinling he used only a single pair of bamboo-tube pens, which he still regarded as an unnecessary expense. His collected writings, Ritual Discourses, Miscellaneous Ceremonies, and Character Instruction circulated widely. He had two sons, Bao and Wei.

傅昭字茂遠，北地靈州人，晉司隸校尉咸七世孫也。祖和之，父淡，善三禮，知名宋世。淡事宋竟陵王誕，誕反坐誅。

Fu Zhao, styled Maoyuan, was a native of Lingzhou in Beidi and a seventh-generation descendant of Xian, Censor-in-Chief under the Jin dynasty. His grandfather was Hezhi, and his father Dan was an expert in the Three Rites who gained renown during the Song dynasty. Dan served Prince Dan of Jingling under the Song. When the prince rebelled, Dan was executed as an accomplice.

昭六歲而孤，哀毀如成人，為外祖所養。十歲，於朱雀航賣曆日，雍州刺史袁顗見而奇之。顗嘗來昭所，昭讀書自若，神色不改。顗歎曰：「此兒神情不凡，必成佳器。」司徒建安王休仁聞而悅之，固欲致昭。昭以宋氏多故，遂不往。或有稱昭于廷尉虞願，乃遣車迎昭。時願宗人通之在坐，並當時名流。通之貽昭詩曰：「英妙擅山東，才子傾洛陽，清塵誰能嗣，及爾遘遺芳。」太原王延秀薦昭于丹陽尹袁粲，深見禮，辟為郡主簿，使諸子從昭受學。會明帝崩，粲造哀策文，乃引昭定其所制，昭有其半焉。粲每經昭戶，輒歎曰：「經其戶寂若無人，披其帷其人斯在，豈非名賢。」尋為總明學士、奉朝請。

Zhao lost his father at the age of six and mourned with the grief and self-denial of an adult. He was raised by his maternal grandfather. At the age of ten he was selling calendar almanacs at Zhuque Crossing when Yuan Yi, Governor of Yongzhou, saw him and was struck by the boy's unusual qualities. When Yi once visited Zhao's home, the boy continued reading as if nothing had happened, his composure unaltered. Yi sighed and said, "This boy's spirit and bearing are extraordinary. He is sure to become a man of great promise. When Prince Jian'an Xiu Ren, Minister of Works, heard of the boy, he was delighted and was determined to bring Zhao into his service. Zhao declined to go, citing the many troubles afflicting the Song court. When someone recommended Zhao to Yu Yuan, Minister of Justice, Yu sent a carriage to fetch him. Yu Yuan's clansman Tongzhi was present, along with other leading figures of the day. Tongzhi presented Zhao with a poem: "Outstanding talent shines in Shandong; gifted men fill Luoyang. Who can follow in the footsteps of the great? In you I find their lingering fragrance. Wang Yanxiu of Taiyuan recommended Zhao to Yuan Can, Prefect of Danyang. Yuan treated him with great respect, appointed him chief clerk of the commandery, and had his sons study under Zhao. When Emperor Ming died, Yuan Can drafted the mourning proclamation and brought Zhao in to revise it. Half of the final text was Zhao's work. Whenever Yuan Can passed Zhao's door he would sigh and say, "Pass his threshold and all is silent, as though no one were home; draw aside the curtain and there he sits—surely this is a man of true distinction. Soon afterward he was appointed a scholar of Zongming and Attendant at Court.

齊永明中，累遷尚書儀曹郎。先是御史中丞劉休薦昭于齊武帝，永明初，以昭為南郡王侍讀。王嗣帝位，故時臣隸爭求權寵，唯昭及南陽宗夬保身而已，守正無所參入，竟不罹禍。明帝踐阼，引昭為中書通事舍人。時居此職者，皆權傾天下，昭獨廉靜無所幹豫，器服率陋，身安粗糲。常插燭板床，明帝聞之，賜漆合燭盤，敕曰：「卿有古人之風，故賜卿古人之物。」累遷尚書左丞。

During the Yongming era of Qi, he rose through successive promotions to Director of the Ceremonial Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat. Earlier, Censor-in-Chief Liu Xiu had recommended Zhao to Emperor Wu of Qi. At the beginning of the Yongming era, Zhao was appointed Reader-in-Attendance to the Prince of Nanjun. When the prince ascended the throne, former retainers scrambled for power and favor. Only Zhao and Zong Gai of Nanyang kept themselves safe by holding to rectitude and staying out of court intrigues, and in the end they escaped harm. When Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he appointed Zhao General Affairs Attendant of the Secretariat. At that time those who held this post wielded enormous power, but Zhao alone remained incorruptible and aloof from intrigue. His furnishings and clothing were plain, and he was content with simple food. He often stuck candles into a plain wooden bed. When Emperor Ming heard of this, he sent him a lacquered candle holder and tray with the message, "You have the spirit of the ancients, so I give you the furnishings of the ancients. He was subsequently promoted to Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat.

梁武帝素重昭，梁台建，以為給事黃門侍郎，領著作，兼御史中丞。天監三年，兼五兵尚書，參選事。四年即真。歷位左戶尚書，安成內史。郡自宋來，兵亂相接，府舍稱凶。每昏旦間，人鬼相觸，在任者鮮以吉終。及昭至，有人夜見甲兵出，曰：「傅公善人，不可侵犯。」乃騰虛而去。有頃風雨總至，飄郡聽事入隍中，自是郡遂無患，咸以昭貞正所致。郡溪無魚，或有暑月薦昭魚者，昭既不納，又不欲拒，遂餧於門側。郡多猛獸為害，常設檻阱，昭曰：「人不害猛獸，猛獸亦不害人。」乃命去檻阱，猛獸竟不為害。

Emperor Wu of Liang had long held Zhao in high regard. When the Liang administration was established, he appointed him Supervisor of Attendants and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, concurrently overseeing the Bureau of Compilation and serving as Censor-in-Chief. In the third year of Tianjian, he was additionally appointed Minister of War and participated in the selection of officials. In the fourth year he received the full appointment. He successively served as Minister of the Left Household and Administrator of Ancheng. Since the Song dynasty the commandery had been ravaged by continuous warfare, and the official residence was considered haunted. At dusk and dawn the living and the dead were said to mingle there, and few who held the post met a peaceful end. When Zhao arrived, someone saw armored soldiers emerge at night, saying, "Master Fu is a good man and must not be harmed. They then vanished into the air and departed. Soon afterward a storm arose and blew the commandery hall into the moat. From that time the commandery was free of trouble, and all attributed this to Zhao's upright character. The streams of the commandery had no fish, yet in summer someone once presented fish to Zhao. Unwilling either to accept the gift or to reject the giver outright, he fed the fish beside his gate. Fierce beasts often ravaged the commandery, and traps were constantly set for them. Zhao said, "If men do not harm fierce beasts, the beasts will not harm men either. He then ordered the traps removed, and the fierce beasts ceased to cause harm.

曆秘書監，太常卿，遷臨海太守。郡有蜜岩，前後太守皆自封固，專收其利。昭以周文之囿，與百姓共之，大可喻小，乃教勿封。縣令嘗餉栗，置絹于薄下，昭笑而還之。普通五年，為散騎常侍、金紫光祿大夫。

He successively served as Director of the Palace Library and Minister of Ceremonies, then was transferred to Administrator of Linhai. The commandery had a Honey Cliff that successive administrators had sealed off for their private profit. Zhao cited the example of King Wen's park, shared with the people, arguing that what holds for the great applies to the small, and ordered that the cliff not be sealed. A magistrate once presented chestnuts with silk hidden beneath the record book. Zhao smiled and returned the gift. In the fifth year of Putong he was appointed Regular Attendant and Grand Master with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon.

昭所蒞官，常以清靜為政，不尚嚴肅。居朝廷，無所請謁，不畜私門生，不交私利。終日端居，以書記為樂，雖老不衰。博極古今，尤善人物，魏、晉以來，官宦簿閥，姻通內外，舉而論之，無所遺失，世稱為學府。性尤篤慎，子婦嘗得家餉牛肉以進昭，昭召其子曰：「食之則犯法，告之則不可。取而埋之。」其居身行己，不負闇室，類皆如此。後進宗其學，重其道，人人自以為不逮。卒，諡曰貞。

In every post he held, Zhao governed with calm restraint rather than harsh severity. At court he made no solicitations, kept no private disciples, and engaged in no dealings for personal profit. He spent his days in quiet study, finding his pleasure in books and writing, and never lost this enthusiasm even in old age. His learning spanned all ages, and he was especially expert on people. From the Wei and Jin dynasties onward, he could discuss official genealogies, clan pedigrees, and marriage alliances without omitting a detail. The age called him a living library. He was especially conscientious and cautious. When his daughter-in-law once received beef from her family and presented it to him, Zhao summoned his son and said, "To eat it would violate the law, yet to report the gift would be unthinkable. Take it and bury it. In his personal conduct he was upright even when no one was watching; most of his actions were of this kind. Younger scholars revered his learning and honored his character; each felt himself unable to measure up. When he died, he was given the posthumous name Zhen.

長子諝，位尚書郎，湘東王外兵參軍。諝子准有文才，梁宣帝時，位度支尚書。

His eldest son Xu served as Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Military Affairs Aide to the Prince of Xiangdong. Xu's son Zhun was a man of literary talent who, under Emperor Xuan of Liang, served as Minister of Revenue.

昭弟映字徽遠，三歲而孤。兄弟友睦，修身勵行，非禮不動。始昭之守臨海，陸倕餞之，賓主俱歡，日暮不反。映以昭年高，不可連夜極樂，乃自往候接，同乘而歸。兄弟並已斑白，時人美而服焉。及昭卒，映喪之如父，年踰七十，哀戚過禮，服制雖除，每言輒慟。天監中，位烏程令，卒于太中大夫。子弘。

Zhao's younger brother Ying, styled Huiyuan, was orphaned at the age of three. The brothers were devoted to one another, cultivating themselves in conduct and moving only according to proper ritual. When Zhao first departed to serve as Administrator of Linhai, Lu Chui gave him a farewell banquet. Host and guest were so merry that evening fell before Zhao returned home. Ying, thinking that Zhao was too old to stay out reveling all night, went himself to fetch his brother, and they rode home together. Both brothers' hair was already white. People of the time admired their devotion. When Zhao died, Ying mourned him as he would a father. Though over seventy, his grief exceeded what the rites required. Even after the mourning period ended, he wept whenever he spoke of his brother. During the Tianjian era he served as magistrate of Wucheng and died while holding the rank of Grand Master for All-Purpose. His son was Hong.

孔休源字慶緒，會稽山陰人，晉尚書沖之八世孫，沖即開府儀同三司愉之世父也。曾祖遙之，宋尚書水部郎。父佩，齊通直郎。

Kong Xiuyuan, styled Qingxu, was a native of Shanyin in Kuaiji and an eighth-generation descendant of Chongzhi, Director of the Imperial Secretariat under the Jin dynasty. Chong was the paternal uncle of Yu, who held the rank of Grand Minister with Honors Equal to the Three Excellencies. His great-grandfather Yaozhi served as Director of the Water Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat under the Song dynasty. His father Pei served as Attendant for Direct Communication under the Qi dynasty.

休源十一而孤，居喪盡禮，每見父手所寫書，必哀慟流涕不能自勝，見者莫不為之垂泣。後就吳興沈麟士受經，略通大義。州舉秀才，太尉徐孝嗣省其策，深善之，謂同坐曰：「董仲舒、華令思何以尚此，可謂後生之准的也。觀此足稱王佐之才。」琅邪王融雅相友善，乃薦之于司徒竟陵王，為西邸學士。

Xiuyuan was orphaned at eleven and observed the mourning rites with complete devotion. Whenever he saw books written in his father's hand, he would weep uncontrollably, and those who witnessed his grief wept with him. He later studied the classics under Shen Linshi of Wuxing and gained a general understanding of their essential meaning. The province recommended him as a cultivated talent. Grand Commandant Xu Xiaosi examined his examination answer and was deeply impressed, saying to those present, "How could Dong Zhongshu or Hua Lingsi surpass this? He is a standard by which later generations may be measured. From this one can see that he truly possesses the talent of a chief minister. Wang Rong of Langya became his close friend and recommended him to Prince Jingling, Minister of Works, who appointed him a scholar of the Western Lodge.

梁台建，與南陽劉之遴同為太學博士，當時以為美選。休源初到都，寓於宗人少府孔登。曾以祠事入廟，侍中範雲一與相遇，深加褒賞，曰：「不期忽覯清顏，頓祛鄙吝，觀天披霧，驗之今日。」後雲命駕到少府，登便拂筵整帶，謂當詣己，備水陸之品。雲駐箸命休源，及至，命取其常膳，止有赤倉米飯，蒸鮑魚。雲食休源食，不舉主人之饌。高談盡日，同載還家。登深以為愧。尚書令沈約當朝貴顯，軒蓋盈門，休源或時後來，必虛襟引接，處之坐右，商略文義。其為通人所推如此。

When the Liang administration was established, he and Liu Zhilin of Nanyang were both appointed erudites of the Imperial University, a pairing widely regarded as an excellent choice. When Xiuyuan first arrived in the capital, he stayed with his clansman Kong Deng, Director of the Palace Treasury. Once, while entering a shrine on temple business, he chanced to meet Attendant-in-Ordinary Fan Yun, who praised him warmly, saying, "I never expected to meet you here. Your presence dispels my petty narrowness at once. It is like seeing the sky through parting clouds—and today I have proved it. Later Fan Yun ordered his carriage to the Palace Treasury. Kong Deng immediately brushed the mat and straightened his belt, assuming the visit was for him, and prepared an elaborate feast of land and sea delicacies. Fan Yun put down his chopsticks and summoned Xiuyuan instead. When Xiuyuan arrived, Yun asked for his usual meal—nothing but plain red-grain rice and steamed abalone. Fan Yun ate Xiuyuan's simple meal and did not touch the feast Kong Deng had prepared. They talked at length all day and rode home together in the same carriage. Kong Deng was deeply ashamed. Director of the Imperial Secretariat Shen Yue was one of the most eminent men at court, and carriages filled his gate. Whenever Xiuyuan arrived late, Yue received him with open warmth, seated him at his right hand, and discussed literature with him. Such was the esteem in which men of discernment held him.

武帝嘗問吏部尚書徐勉求一有學藝解朝儀者，為尚書儀曹郎，勉曰：「孔休源識見清通，詳練故事，自晉、宋起居注，誦略上口。」武帝亦素聞之，即日除兼尚書儀曹郎。時多所改作，每逮訪前事，休源即以所誦記隨機斷決，曾無疑滯。吏部郎任昉常謂之為「孔獨誦」。

Emperor Wu once asked Minister of the Personnel Bureau Xu Mian to find a learned man who understood court ritual for the post of Director of the Ceremonial Bureau. Mian replied, "Kong Xiuyuan has clear and penetrating insight and is thoroughly versed in precedent. From the Jin and Song daily records onward, he can recite them from memory. Emperor Wu had also long heard of him and appointed him that same day as concurrent Director of the Ceremonial Bureau. At the time many reforms were underway. Whenever earlier precedents were consulted, Xiuyuan decided on the spot from memory, never hesitating. Director of the Personnel Bureau Ren Fang often called him "Kong the Sole Reciter."

遷建康獄正，平反辯析，時罕冤人。後有選人為獄司者，帝常引休源以勵之。除中書舍人。後為尚書左丞，彈肅禮闈，雅允朝望。時周舍撰禮疑義，自漢、魏至於齊、梁，並皆搜采，休源所有奏議，咸預編錄。再遷長兼御史中丞，正色直繩，無所回避，百僚憚之。

He was transferred to Warden of Jiankang Prison, where he overturned wrongful verdicts and analyzed cases with such care that few innocent people were wronged. Later, whenever someone was appointed to prison administration, the emperor would cite Xiuyuan as an example to encourage him. He was appointed Attendant of the Secretariat. He later served as Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, enforcing discipline in the examination halls and fully meeting the court's expectations. At the time Zhou She was compiling doubtful points in ritual, gathering material from Han and Wei through Qi and Liang. All of Xiuyuan's memorials and proposals were included in the work. He was promoted again to serve concurrently as Censor-in-Chief. With stern countenance he upheld the law without flinching, and the officials feared him.

後為晉安王長史、南郡太守，行荊州府州事。帝謂曰：「荊州總上流沖要，義高分陝，今以十歲兒委卿，善匡翼之，勿憚周昌之舉也。」乃敕晉安王曰：「孔休源人倫儀錶，汝年尚幼，當每事師之。」尋始興王憺代鎮荊州，復為憺府長史，太守、行府事如故。在州累政，甚有政績，平心決斷，請托弗行。帝深嘉之。曆秘書監，復為晉安王府長史、南蘭陵太守，別敕專行南徐州事。休源累佐名蕃，甚得人譽，王深相倚仗，常於中齋別施一榻，云：「此是孔長史坐」，人莫得預焉，其見敬如此。曆都官尚書。

He later served as chief clerk to Prince Jin'an and Administrator of Nanjun, administering the affairs of Jingzhou. The emperor told him, "Jingzhou commands the upper Yangzi and is strategically vital; its importance equals the partition at Shan. I now entrust a ten-year-old boy to you. Guide and support him well, and do not shrink from acting like Zhou Chang. He then instructed Prince Jin'an, "Kong Xiuyuan is a model of human conduct. You are still young; in every matter you should take him as your teacher." Soon Prince Shixing Dan replaced him as commander of Jingzhou. Xiuyuan again served as chief clerk to Dan's administration, retaining his posts as Administrator and acting prefectural affairs. Through successive terms in the province he achieved notable results, deciding cases impartially and refusing to grant requests through connections. The emperor praised him highly. He successively served as Director of the Palace Library, then again as chief clerk to Prince Jin'an's household and Administrator of Nanlanling, with a separate edict appointing him solely to administer South Xuzhou affairs. Xiuyuan repeatedly assisted distinguished princely domains and won great public esteem. The prince relied on him deeply and always placed a separate couch in the inner study, saying, "This is Chief Clerk Kong's seat." No one else was permitted to use it; such was the respect shown him. He successively served as Minister of Justice.

普通七年，揚州刺史臨川王宏薨，武帝與群臣議代居州任者，時貴戚王公咸望遷授。帝曰：「朕已得人，孔休源才識通敏，實應此選。」乃授宣惠將軍、監揚州事。休源初為臨川王行佐，及王薨而管州任，時論榮之。神州都會，簿領殷繁，休源剖斷如流，傍無私謁。

In the seventh year of Putong, Prince Linchuan Hong, Governor of Yangzhou, died. Emperor Wu discussed with his ministers who should replace him; at the time noble princes and royal kin all hoped for the appointment. The emperor said, "I already have my man. Kong Xiuyuan's talent and insight are penetrating and keen; he truly fits this appointment. He then appointed him General Who Proclaims Grace and Supervisor of Yangzhou Affairs. Xiuyuan had first served as Prince Linchuan's administrative aide; when the prince died he took charge of the province, and public opinion regarded this as an honor. In the imperial region's great metropolis, with its abundant records and documents, Xiuyuan cut through cases like flowing water and accepted no private solicitations.

休源風範強正，明練政體，常以天下為己任。武帝深委仗之。累居顯職，性縝密，未嘗言禁中事。聚書盈七千卷，手自校練。凡奏議彈文勒成十五卷。

Xiuyuan's bearing was forceful and upright. Clear and practiced in the substance of government, he always took the welfare of the empire as his personal responsibility. Emperor Wu relied on him deeply. Through successive eminent posts, he remained meticulous by nature and never spoke of affairs within the palace. He collected more than seven thousand scrolls of books and personally collated and corrected them. His memorials, proposals, and impeachments were compiled into fifteen scrolls.

長子雲章頗有父風，位東揚州別駕。少子宗范聰敏有識度，位中書郎。

His eldest son Yunzhang largely inherited his father's character and served as Vice Administrator of East Yangzhou. His younger son Zongfan was intelligent and perceptive and served as Director of the Secretariat.

江革字休映，濟陽考城人也。祖齊之，宋都水使者，尚書金部郎。父柔之，齊尚書倉部郎，有孝行，以母憂毀卒。

Jiang Ge, styled Xiuying, was a native of Kaocheng in Jiyang. His grandfather Qizhi served as Commissioner of Waterways under the Song dynasty and as Director of the Gold Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat. His father Rouzhi served as Director of the Granary Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat under the Qi dynasty. A man of filial devotion, he died from grief during his mother's mourning period.

革幼而聰敏，早有才思，六歲便解屬文。柔之深加賞器，曰：「此兒必興吾門。」九歲丁父艱，與第四弟觀同生，少孤貧，傍無師友，兄弟自相訓勖，讀書精力不倦。十六喪母，以孝聞。服闋，與觀俱詣太學，補國子生，舉高第。齊中書郎王融、吏部郎謝朓雅相欽重。朓嘗行還過候革，時大寒雪，見革弊絮單席，而耽學不倦，嗟歎久之，乃脫其所著襦，並手割半氈與革充臥具而去。司徒竟陵王聞其名，引為西邸學士。

Ge was intelligent from childhood and showed early literary talent; at the age of six he could already compose prose. Rouzhi admired him deeply, saying, "This boy will surely bring honor to our house. At nine he entered mourning for his father. He and his fourth younger brother Guan, born of the same mother, were orphaned young and poor, with no teachers or friends nearby. The brothers encouraged each other in study and read with tireless energy. When his mother died at sixteen, he became renowned for his filial devotion. When mourning ended, he and Guan both entered the Imperial University as students of the National University and were recommended with the highest marks. Wang Rong, Director of the Secretariat under Qi, and Xie Tiao, Director of the Personnel Bureau, both deeply admired and esteemed him. Tiao once returned from a journey and stopped to visit Ge. It was bitterly cold and snowing; he found Ge in worn cotton clothing on a single mat, yet still devoted to study without rest. Tiao sighed at length, then took off his own padded jacket and cut half a felt rug by hand to serve as Ge's bedding before departing. Prince Jingling, Minister of Works, heard of him and recruited him as a scholar of the Western Lodge.

弱冠舉南徐州秀才。時豫章胡諧之行州事，王融與諧之書令薦革。諧之方貢琅邪王泛，便以革代之。僕射江祏深相引接，祏為太子詹事，啟革為丞。祏時權傾朝右，以革才堪經國，令參掌機務，詔誥文檄皆委以具。革防杜形跡，外人不知。祏誅，賓客皆罹其罪，革獨以智免。除尚書駕部郎。

At his capping he was recommended as a cultivated talent of South Xuzhou. At the time Hu Xiezhi of Yuzhang was acting in provincial affairs. Wang Rong wrote to Xiezhi instructing him to recommend Ge. Xiezhi had just presented Wang Fan of Langya as tribute and therefore substituted Ge in his place. Vice Director Jiang Si received him warmly. When Si became Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household, he recommended Ge as assistant. At the time Si wielded enormous power at court. Considering Ge's talent fit for governing the state, he had him take part in managing secret affairs. Edicts, proclamations, and dispatches were all entrusted to Ge to draft. Ge kept his involvement concealed, and outsiders knew nothing of it. When Si was executed, his retainers all suffered for the crime, but Ge alone escaped through his shrewdness. He was appointed Director of the Chariot Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat.

中興元年，梁武帝入石頭，時吳興太守袁昂據郡拒義不從，革制書與昂，于坐立成，辭義典雅，帝深賞歎之，令與徐勉同掌書記。建安王為雍州刺史，表求管記，以革為征北記室參軍，帶中廬令。與弟觀少長共居，不忍離別，苦求同行。以觀為征北行參軍，兼記室。時吳興沈約、樂安任昉與革書云：「比聞雍府妙選英才，文房之職，總卿昆季，可謂馭二龍於長途，騁騏驥於千里。」途次江夏，觀卒。革在雍州，為府王所禮，款若布衣。後為建康正，頻遷秣陵、建康令，為政明肅，豪強憚之。曆中書舍人，尚書左丞，晉安王長史、尋陽太守，行江州府事。徙廬陵王長史，太守、行事如故。以清嚴為屬城所憚。時少王行事，多傾意于簽帥，革以正直自居，不與典簽趙道智坐。道智因還都啟事，面陳革墮事好酒，以琅邪王曇聰代為行事。南州士庶為之語曰：「故人不道智，新人佞散騎，莫知度不度，新人不如故。」遷御史中丞，彈奏豪權，一無所避。

In the first year of Zhongxing, Emperor Wu of Liang entered Shitou. At the time Yuan Ang, Administrator of Wuxing, held the commandery and refused to submit. Ge drafted a letter to Ang, completing it while seated; its language and meaning were elegant and classical. The emperor admired it deeply and ordered him to manage records together with Xu Mian. Prince Jian'an became Governor of Yongzhou and memorialized requesting a records officer. Ge was appointed Military Affairs Secretary to the Campaign North and concurrently Director of the Central Stable. He and his younger brother Guan had lived together from youth and could not bear to part; he earnestly begged to travel together. Guan was appointed Acting Military Affairs Aide to the Campaign North and concurrently records officer. At the time Shen Yue of Wuxing and Ren Fang of Le'an wrote to Ge, "We have lately heard that the Yongzhou administration has finely selected outstanding talent. The literary posts are entrusted to you and your brother—like driving two dragons on a long road, or letting thoroughbreds run a thousand li. On the way, passing Jiangxia, Guan died. In Yongzhou, Ge was treated with courtesy by the prince of the domain, who received him with the warmth due an old friend. He later served as Warden of Jiankang, then was repeatedly promoted to magistrate of Moling and Jiankang. His governance was clear and stern, and the powerful feared him. He successively served as Attendant of the Secretariat, Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, chief clerk to Prince Jin'an, Administrator of Xunyang, and administrator of Jiangzhou affairs. He was transferred to chief clerk to the Prince of Luling, retaining his posts as Administrator and acting affairs. His clarity and severity were feared throughout the subordinate commanderies. At the time the young prince in acting affairs often favored the chief clerk. Ge held himself upright and would not sit with Chief Clerk Zhao Daozhi. Daozhi therefore returned to the capital to report, stating face to face that Ge neglected affairs and loved wine, and had Prince Tancong of Langya replace him in acting affairs. The gentry and common people of the southern provinces composed a saying: "The old man was not Daozhi; the new man is the fawning Regular Attendant. Who knows whether he measures up—the new man is not as good as the old. He was transferred to Censor-in-Chief, impeaching powerful families without flinching.

後為鎮北豫章王長史、廣陵太守。時魏徐州刺史元法僧降附，革被敕隨府王鎮彭城。城既失守，革素不便馬，泛舟而還。途經下邳，為魏人所執。魏徐州刺史安豐王延明聞革才名，厚加接待。革稱腳疾不拜，延明將害之，見革辭色嚴正，更加敬重。時祖搄同被拘縶，延明使搄作欹器漏刻銘，革唾駡搄曰：「卿荷國厚恩，已無報答，乃為虜立銘，孤負朝廷。」延明聞之，乃令革作丈八寺碑並祭彭祖文，革辭以囚執既久，無復心思。延明將加棰撲，革厲色曰：「江革行年六十，不能殺身報主，今日得死為幸，誓不為人執筆。」延明知不可屈乃止。日給脫粟三升，僅餘性命。會魏帝請中山王元略反北，乃放革及祖搄還朝。上大宴，舉酒勸革曰：「卿那不畏延明害？」對曰：「臣行年六十，死不為夭，豈畏延明。」帝曰：「今日始見蘇武之節。」於是以為太尉臨川王長史。

He later served as chief clerk to Prince Yuzhang of Campaign North and Administrator of Guangling. At the time Yuan Faseng, Governor of Xuzhou under Wei, surrendered and submitted. Ge was ordered by edict to follow the prince of the domain in garrisoning Pengcheng. When the city fell, Ge, who had never been comfortable on horseback, returned by boat. Passing through Xiapi on the way, he was captured by Wei troops. Yanming, Prince of Anfeng and Governor of Xuzhou under Wei, heard of Ge's literary reputation and treated him with great hospitality. Ge claimed a foot ailment and refused to bow. Yanming was about to harm him, but seeing Ge's stern and upright bearing, he respected him all the more. At the time Zu Chong was also detained. Yanming had Chong compose an inscription for a tilting vessel and clepsydra. Ge spat and reviled him, saying, "You received the state's deep grace and have no way to repay it, yet you compose an inscription for the captors—you have betrayed the court. When Yanming heard this, he ordered Ge to compose an inscription for the Zhangba Temple and a sacrificial text to Peng Zu. Ge declined, saying that long imprisonment had left him without the heart to write. Yanming was about to beat him with rods. Ge said sternly, "Jiang Ge is sixty years old. Unable to give my life to repay my lord, to die today would be fortune enough. I swear I will not write at another's command. Yanming knew he could not be bent and stopped. Each day he was given three sheng of husked millet, barely enough to keep him alive. When the Wei emperor requested Prince Yuan Lue of Zhongshan to return north, he released Ge and Zu Chong to return to court. The emperor held a great banquet and raised his cup to Ge, saying, "Were you not afraid Yanming would harm you? He replied, "Your servant is sixty years old; to die is not premature death—why should I fear Yanming." The emperor said, "Today I first see the integrity of Su Wu." Thereupon he was appointed chief clerk to the Grand Commandant, Prince Linchuan.

時帝惑於佛教，朝賢多啟求受戒。革精信因果，而帝未知，謂革不奉佛法，乃賜革覺意詩五百字，云：「唯當勤精進，自強行勝修，豈可作底突，如彼必死囚。以此告江革，並及諸貴遊。」又手敕曰：「果報不可不信，豈得底突如對元延明邪。」革因乞受菩薩戒。

At the time the emperor was enamored of Buddhism, and many court worthies petitioned to receive precepts. Ge deeply believed in cause and effect, but the emperor did not know this and thought Ge did not follow Buddhist teachings. He therefore granted Ge a five-hundred-character poem on awakening intent, saying, "Only diligence and progress; strengthen yourself and practice what surpasses cultivation. How can one be a stubborn fool, like those condemned prisoners. With this he informed Jiang Ge, and also the various noble travelers. He also wrote a personal edict, "Retribution cannot be disbelieved. How can one be a stubborn fool, like when facing Yuan Yanming." Ge therefore petitioned to receive the bodhisattva precepts.

時武陵王紀在東州，頗驕縱，上以臧盾性弱，不能匡正，召革慰遣，乃除武陵王長史、會稽郡丞，行府州事。革門生故吏家多在東，聞革應至，並賚持緣道迎候。革曰：「我通不受餉，不容獨當故人筐篚。」至鎮唯資公俸，食不兼味。郡境殷廣，辭訟日數百，革分判辯析，曾無疑滯，人安吏畏，百城震恐。琅邪王騫為山陰令，贓貨狼籍，望風自解。府王憚之。每侍燕，言論必以詩、書，王因此耽學好文。典簽沈熾文以王所制詩呈武帝，帝謂僕射徐勉曰：「革果稱職。」乃除都官尚書。將還，贈遺一無所受，送故依舊訂舫，革並不納，唯乘台所給一舸。舸艚偏欹，不得安臥。或請濟江徙重物以迮輕艚，革既無物，乃於西陵岸取石十餘片以實之。其清貧如此。

At the time Prince Wuling Ji was in the eastern province, rather arrogant and unrestrained. The emperor, thinking Zang Dun's nature too weak to correct him, summoned Ge and dispatched him to the post of chief clerk to Prince Wuling, Assistant Administrator of Kuaiji Commandery, and acting prefectural and provincial affairs. Many of Ge's disciples and former subordinates had homes in the east. Hearing that Ge was coming, they all brought gifts and waited along the road to welcome him. Ge said, "I have never accepted gifts; I cannot alone receive my old friends' baskets and boxes. Upon reaching his post he relied only on his official salary and ate no more than one dish at a meal. The commandery's territory was broad and populous, with hundreds of lawsuits each day. Ge divided, judged, and analyzed them without hesitation. The people were at peace, the clerks feared him, and the hundred cities trembled in awe. Prince Qian of Langya served as magistrate of Shanyin, his ill-gotten goods scattered everywhere. At the news of Ge's arrival he resigned of his own accord. The prince of the domain feared him. Whenever he attended banquets, his discourse always drew on the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents. Because of this the prince became devoted to study and fond of literature. Chief Clerk Shen Chiwen presented to Emperor Wu poems composed by the prince. The emperor said to Vice Director Xu Mian, "Ge truly fills his post. He then appointed him Minister of Justice. When about to return, he accepted no gifts whatsoever. The farewell escort arranged boats as usual, but Ge accepted none and took only the single skiff provided by the administration. The skiff listed to one side and he could not lie down in comfort. Someone suggested crossing the river and moving heavy objects to ballast the light skiff. Ge had no possessions, so he took more than ten stones from the bank at Xiling to fill it. Such was his purity and poverty.

尋監吳郡，時境內荒儉，劫盜公行。革至郡唯有公給仗身二十人，百姓皆懼不能靜寇，革反省游軍尉，百姓逾恐。革乃廣施恩惠，盜賊靜息。

Soon he supervised Wu Commandery. At the time the territory was stricken by famine, and bandits and robbers operated openly. When Ge arrived at the commandery he had only twenty armed attendants provided by the administration. The common people feared he could not pacify the bandits. Ge then dismissed the touring army commandant, and the people grew even more afraid. Ge then broadly dispensed kindness and favor, and the bandits and robbers quieted.

武陵王出鎮江州，乃曰：「我得江革文，得革清貧，豈能一日忘之，當與其同飽。」乃表革同行。除南中郎長史、尋陽太守。征入為度支尚書。好獎進閭閻，為後生延譽，由是衣冠士子翕然歸之。時尚書令何敬容掌選，序用多非其人。革性強直，每朝宴恒有褒貶，以此為權貴所疾。乃謝病還家，除光祿大夫，優遊閑放，以文酒自娛。卒，諡曰強子。有集二十卷行於世。革曆官八府長史，四王行事，三為二千石，傍無姬侍，家徒壁立，時以此高之。長子行敏早卒，次子德藻。

When Prince Wuling went out to command Jiangzhou, he said, "I have gained Jiang Ge's writing and gained Ge's purity and poverty—how can I forget this for a single day? I shall share my table with him. He then memorialized requesting Ge to accompany him. Ge was appointed chief clerk of the Southern Palace Guard and Administrator of Xunyang. He was summoned to the capital as Minister of Revenue. He loved to encourage and advance men of the lanes and wards, extending reputation for younger generations. Thereby gentry and scholars converged upon him. At the time Director of the Imperial Secretariat He Jingrong managed selection, and many of those he appointed were not the right men. Ge's nature was forceful and upright. At every court banquet he always had praise and blame to offer, and for this the powerful and noble resented him. He then pleaded illness and returned home. Appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, he lived at leisure and found pleasure in literature and wine. When he died, he was given the posthumous name Qiangzi. His collected works of twenty scrolls circulated widely. Ge successively served as chief clerk in eight princely administrations, acted in affairs for four princes, and three times held the rank of two-thousand-dan official. He had no concubines at his side and his household was bare as walls; the age honored him for this. His eldest son Xingmin died early; his second son was Dezao.

德藻字德藻，好學，美風儀，身長七尺四寸。性至孝，事親盡禮。與異產昆弟居，恩惠甚篤。涉獵經籍，善屬文。仕梁為尚書比部郎，以父憂去職。服闋後，容貌毀瘠，如居喪時。

Dezao, styled Dezao, loved learning, had fine bearing, and stood seven feet four inches tall. Supremely filial by nature, he served his parents with complete devotion to ritual. He lived with half-brothers of different mothers and treated them with deep kindness. He ranged through the classics and was skilled at composing prose. He served under Liang as Director of the Comparison Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat and left office on his father's death. After mourning ended, his appearance remained wasted and gaunt, as though still in mourning.

及陳武帝受禪，為秘書監，兼尚書左丞。尋以本官兼中書舍人。天嘉中，兼散騎常侍，與中書郎劉師知使齊，著北征道里記三卷。還除太子中庶子。遷御史中丞，坐公事免。後自求宰縣，補新渝令。政尚恩惠，頗有異績。卒于官，文帝贈散騎常侍。文筆十五卷。子椿亦善屬文，位尚書右丞。

When Emperor Wu of Chen accepted the abdication, he became Director of the Palace Library and concurrently Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Soon, in his existing post, he additionally served as Attendant of the Secretariat. In the Tianjia era, he concurrently served as Regular Attendant and, with Director of the Secretariat Liu Shizhi, was envoy to Qi, composing the Record of Routes on the Northern Expedition in three scrolls. Upon return he was appointed Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household. He was transferred to Censor-in-Chief and was dismissed for an official matter. Later he himself requested to govern a county and was appointed magistrate of Xinyu. His governance prized kindness and favor and achieved notable results. He died in office; Emperor Wen posthumously granted him the rank of Regular Attendant. His literary writings filled fifteen scrolls. His son Chun was also skilled at composing prose and served as Right Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat.

德藻弟從簡，少有文情，年十七，作采荷調以刺何敬容，為當時所賞。位司徒從事中郎。侯景亂，為任約所害。子兼叩

Dezao's younger brother Congjian had literary talent from youth. At seventeen he composed the Tune of Picking Lotus to satirize He Jingrong and was admired by contemporaries. He served as Attendant of the Minister of Works. During the Hou Jing rebellion he was killed by Ren Yue. His son Jian knocked

頭流血，乞代父命，以身蔽刃，遂俱見殺，天下痛之。

his head until it bled, begging to take his father's place and shielding the blade with his body. In the end both were killed, and the empire grieved for them.

徐勉字修仁，東海郯人也。祖長宗，宋武帝霸府行參軍。父融，南昌相。

Xu Mian, styled Xiuren, was a native of Tan in Donghai. His grandfather Changzong served as Acting Military Affairs Aide in Emperor Wu of Song's hegemonic administration. His father Rong served as Chancellor of Nanchang.

勉幼孤貧，早勵清節。年六歲，屬霖雨，家人祈霽，率爾為文，見稱耆宿。及長好學，宗人孝嗣見之歎曰：「此所謂人中之騏驥，必能致千里。」又嘗謂諸子曰：「此人師也，爾等則而行之。」年十八，召為國子生，便下帷專學，精力無怠。同時儕輩肅而敬之。祭酒王儉每見，常目送之，曰：「此子非常器也。」每稱有宰輔之量。射策甲科，起家王國侍郎，補太學博士。時每有議定，勉理證明允，莫能貶奪，同官咸取則焉。遷臨海王西中郎田曹行參軍，俄徙署都曹。時琅邪王融一時才俊，特相慕悅，嘗請交焉。勉謂所親曰：「王郎名高望促，難可輕霹衣裾。」融後果陷於法，以此見推識鑒。累遷領軍長史。

Mian was orphaned young and poor, and early cultivated purity of conduct. At six, during prolonged rain, when the family prayed for clear skies, he spontaneously composed a text and was praised by elders. When grown he loved learning. His clansman Xiaosi saw him and sighed, saying, "This is what they call a thoroughbred among men—he will surely reach a thousand li. He also once told his sons, "This man is a teacher; you should take him as your model and follow him." At eighteen he was summoned as a student of the National University, drew the curtain and devoted himself to study, his energy never slackening. Contemporaries of the same generation were solemn and respectful toward him. Chancellor Wang Jian whenever he saw him would gaze after him and say, "This youth is no ordinary vessel. He often declared that Mian had the capacity of a chief minister. In the archery-and-policy examination he ranked in the top class. He began his career as Gentleman of a princely domain and was appointed erudite of the Imperial University. Whenever there was deliberation and decision at the time, Mian's reasoning was clear and fair. None could diminish or overturn it, and colleagues all took him as their standard. He was transferred to Acting Military Affairs Aide in the Field Bureau of the Western Palace Guard under Prince Linhai, and soon moved to serve in the Capital Bureau. At the time Wang Rong of Langya was a leading talent of the age and especially admired him, once requesting friendship. Mian said to those close to him, "Master Wang's fame is high but his prospects are short; one cannot lightly attach oneself to his hem. Rong later indeed fell afoul of the law; for this Mian was praised for his discernment. He was repeatedly promoted to chief clerk of the Army of the Guard.

初與長沙宣武王游，梁武帝深器賞之，及武帝兵至建鄴，勉于新林謁見，帝甚加恩禮，使管書記。及帝即位，拜中書侍郎，進領中書通事舍人，直內省。遷臨川王后軍諮議、尚書左丞。自掌樞憲，多所糾舉，時論以為稱職。

Early on he associated with Prince Xuanwu of Changsha, and Emperor Wu of Liang deeply valued him. When the emperor's army reached Jiankang, Mian paid his respects at Xinlin. The emperor greatly honored him and had him manage records. When the emperor ascended the throne, Mian was appointed Director of the Secretariat, then advanced to General Affairs Attendant of the Secretariat, serving in the inner office. He was transferred to Military Affairs Counselor to the Rear Army of Prince Linchuan and Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat. From managing the pivot of law and censure he impeached many; public opinion considered him fit for his post.

天監三年，除給事黃門侍郎，尚書吏部郎，參掌大選。遷侍中。時師方侵魏，候驛填委。勉參掌軍書，劬勞夙夜，動經數旬，乃一還家。群犬驚吠，勉歎曰：「吾憂國忘家，乃至於此。若吾亡後，亦是傳中一事。」

In the third year of Tianjian, he was appointed Supervisor of Attendants and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Director of the Personnel Bureau, and took part in managing the great selection of officials. He was transferred to Attendant-in-Ordinary. At the time the army was invading Wei, and courier stations were piled with dispatches. Mian took part in managing military documents, toiling early and late. Often several tens of days would pass before he returned home once. The household dogs barked in alarm. Mian sighed and said, "I worry for the state and forget my home, even to this point. If after my death this too will be an item in my biography."

六年，除給事中、五兵尚書，遷吏部尚書。勉居選官，彝倫有序。既閑尺牘，兼善辭令，雖文案填積，坐客充滿，應對如流，手不停筆。又該綜百氏，皆避其諱。嘗及閘人夜集，客有虞暠求詹事五官。勉正色答云：「今夕止可談風月，不宜及公事。」故時人服其無私。天監初，官名互有省置，勉撰立選簿奏之，有詔施用。其制開九品為十八班，自是貪冒苟進者以財貨取通，守道淪退者以貧寒見沒矣。

In the sixth year he was appointed Supervisor of Attendants and Minister of War, then transferred to Minister of the Personnel Bureau. As selection officer, Mian brought order to human relations and appointments. Skilled both in documents and in eloquence, though papers piled up and seated guests filled the room, he responded like flowing water, his hand never stopping the brush. He also mastered the genealogies of the hundred clans, and all avoided his taboo name. Once, gathering at night with the gatekeeper, a guest named Yu Gao requested the five offices of the Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household. Mian answered with stern countenance, "Tonight one may speak only of wind and moon; public business is not suitable. Therefore people of the time admired his lack of partiality. At the beginning of Tianjian, official titles were variously reduced and established. Mian drafted and submitted a selection register, and an edict ordered its use. The system opened the nine ranks into eighteen grades. From then on, the greedy and rash in advancement obtained passage through wealth, while those who upheld the Way and sank into obscurity were submerged through poverty.

後為左衛將軍，領太子中庶子，侍東宮。昭明太子尚幼，敕知宮事，太子禮之甚重，每事詢謀。嘗於殿講孝經，臨川王宏、尚書令沈約備二傅，勉與國子祭酒張充為執經，王瑩、張稷、柳憕、王暕為侍講。時選極親賢，妙盡人譽。勉陳讓數四，又與沈約書，求換侍講，詔弗許，然後就焉。舊揚、徐首迎主簿，盡選國華中正，取勉子崧充南徐選首。帝敕之曰：「卿寒士，而子與王志子同迎，偃王以來未之有也。」勉恥以其先為戲，答旨不恭，由是左遷散騎常侍，領遊擊將軍。

Later he served as General of the Left Guard, concurrently Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household, attending the Eastern Palace. Crown Prince Zhaoming was still young. By edict Mian was ordered to manage palace affairs. The crown prince honored him greatly and consulted him on every matter. Once in the hall he lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety. Prince Linchuan Hong and Director of the Imperial Secretariat Shen Yue served as the two mentors; Mian and Chancellor of the Imperial University Zhang Chong held the classic; Wang Ying, Zhang Ji, Liu Zong, and Wang Yan served as lecture attendants. The selection at the time drew on the closest kin and worthiest men, winning universal praise. Mian declined several times, then wrote to Shen Yue requesting to exchange for lecture attendant. An edict did not permit it, and only then did he take up the post. By old custom the chief clerks who welcomed the prince in Yang and Xu were all selected from the finest men of the state. Mian's son Song was chosen to fill the South Xu selection chief. The emperor instructed him, "You are a humble scholar, yet your son welcomes the prince together with Wang Zhi's son—since King Yan there has been nothing like it. Mian was ashamed that his ancestors were made a jest. His reply to the edict was disrespectful, and for this he was demoted to Regular Attendant and concurrently General of the Mobile Corps.

後為太子詹事，又遷尚書右僕射，詹事如故。時人間喪事多不遵禮，朝終夕殯，相尚以速。勉上疏曰：「禮記問喪云：'三日而後斂者，以俟其生也。三日而不生，亦不生矣。 '頃來不遵斯制，送終之禮，殯以期日。潤屋豪家，乃或半晷。衣衾棺槨，以速為榮。親戚徒隸，各念休反。故屬纊才畢，灰釘已具。忘狐鼠之顧步，媿燕雀之徊翔，傷情滅理，莫此為大。且人子承衾之時，志懣心絕，喪事所資，悉關他手。愛憎深淺，事實難原。如覘視或爽，存沒違濫，使萬有其一，怨酷已多，豈若緩其告斂之辰，申其望生之冀。請自今士庶宜悉依古，三日大斂。如其不奉，加以糾繩。」詔可其奏。

Later he served as Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household, then was transferred to Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, retaining his post as Supervisor. At the time funerals among the people often did not follow ritual. Mourning ended in the morning and encoffining came in the evening, with speed mutually prized. Mian submitted a memorial saying, "The Record of Rites on questioning mourning says, 'Encoffining after three days is to await revival. If after three days there is no revival, there will be no revival. Recently this system has not been followed; the rites of sending off the dead fix encoffining to a set day. Wealthy houses that adorn their roofs sometimes do it in half a day. Garments, covers, coffins, and outer coffins take speed as glory. Relatives and servants each think of rest and return. Therefore as soon as the final breath is taken, the lime and nails are already prepared. Forgetting the fox and rat's careful steps, ashamed before the swallow and sparrow's circling flight—injury to feeling and extinction of principle, nothing is greater than this. Moreover, when a son receives the coverlet, his will is stifled and his heart cut off. All that supports the funeral depends on other hands. The depth of love and hate is hard to trace to the facts. If observation is in error, or the living and dead are treated with improper excess, even if only one in ten thousand, the grievous resentment is already great. How much better to slow the day of announcing encoffining and extend the hope for revival. I request that from now on gentry and commoners should all follow antiquity and observe the three-day great encoffining. If they do not comply, add correction and discipline. An edict approved his memorial.

又除尚書僕射、中衛將軍。勉以舊恩，繼升重位，盡心奉上，知無不為。爰自小選迄於此職，常參掌衡石，甚得士心。禁省中事，未嘗漏泄，每有表奏，輒焚稿草。博通經史，多識前載。齊世王儉居職已後，莫有逮者。朝儀國典，昏冠吉凶，勉皆預圖議。

He was additionally appointed Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Central Guard. Mian, through old favor, rose in succession to heavy posts, devoting his heart to serving the sovereign and doing all he knew to do. From minor selection up to this post, he always took part in managing appointments, and greatly won the hearts of scholars. Affairs within the forbidden precincts he never leaked. Whenever he submitted a memorial, he burned the draft. Broadly versed in the classics and histories, he knew much of earlier records. Since Wang Jian's tenure under Qi, none has matched him. Court ritual, state statutes, capping and marriage, auspicious and inauspicious affairs—Mian all took part in planning and deliberation.

初，勉受詔知撰五禮，普通六年功畢，表上之曰：

Earlier, Mian received an edict to oversee the compilation of the Five Rites. In the sixth year of Putong the work was completed, and he submitted a memorial saying:

夫禮以安上化人，弘風訓俗，經國家，利後嗣者也。唐、虞、三代，咸必由之。在乎有周，憲章尤備，因殷革夏，損益可知。雖復經禮三百，曲禮三千，經文三百，威儀三千，其大歸有五，即宗伯所掌典禮，吉為上，凶次之，賓次之，軍次之，嘉為下也。故祠祭不以禮，則不齊不莊；喪紀不以禮，則背死忘生者眾；賓客不以禮，則朝覲失其儀；軍旅不以禮，則致亂于師律；冠昏不以禮，則男女失其時。為國修身，於斯攸急。洎周室大壞，王道既衰，官守斯文，日失其序。暴秦滅學，掃地無餘。漢氏鬱興，日不暇給，猶命叔孫于外野，方知帝王之為貴。末葉紛綸，遞有興毀。及東京曹褒，南宮制述，集其散略，百有餘篇。雖寫以尺簡，而終闕平奏。其後兵革相尋，異端互起，章句既淪，俎豆斯輟。方領矩步之容，事滅於旌鼓，蘭台石室之典，用盡于帷蓋。至乎晉氏，爰定新禮，荀顗制之於前，摯虞刪之於末。既而中原喪亂，罕有所遺，江左草創，因循而已。厘革之風，是則未暇。

Ritual is what settles superiors and transforms people, expands custom and instructs the folk, governs the state, and benefits posterity. Tang, Yu, and the Three Dynasties all necessarily passed through it. Under the Zhou, statutes and regulations were especially complete. Following Yin in reforming Xia, additions and subtractions can be known. Though there were three hundred canonical rites, three thousand detailed rites, three hundred canonical texts, and three thousand ceremonial forms, their great categories are five: namely the canonical rites managed by the Minister of Rites—auspicious first, inauspicious second, guest third, military fourth, and celebratory last. Therefore if sacrifice and offering are not by ritual, there is neither order nor dignity; if mourning regulations are not by ritual, many turn their backs on the dead and forget the living; if guests are not by ritual, court audiences lose their forms; if armies are not by ritual, disorder arises in military law; if capping and marriage are not by ritual, men and women miss their proper times. For governing the state and cultivating the person, in this it is urgently important. When the Zhou house greatly collapsed and the royal way declined, officials guarding this culture daily lost its order. Violent Qin extinguished learning, sweeping the ground clean without remainder. Han flourished and rose. Days allowed no respite, yet they still summoned Shusun in the outer wilds and then knew the nobility of emperors and kings. In the late period it was tangled and confused, with rise and ruin in succession. At the Eastern Capital Cao Bao and the Southern Palace made regulations and narratives, gathering scattered outlines into more than a hundred pieces. Though written on foot-long slips, in the end the balanced memorial was lacking. Afterward arms and armor followed one upon another, heterodox teachings arose together, chapters and sentences sank away, and sacrificial vessels ceased. The bearing of square collars and measured steps was extinguished by banners and drums; the statutes of the Orchid Terrace and Stone Chamber were exhausted in canopies and covers. As for the Jin house, they then fixed new rites: Xun Yi made them at the beginning, and Zhi Yu edited them at the end. Soon the central plains fell to chaos and little was preserved. The left bank of the Yangzi was newly founded and merely followed precedent. The wind of reform and change—there was then no leisure for it.

伏惟陛下睿明啟運，先天改物，撥亂惟武，經俗以文。作樂在乎功成，制禮弘於業定。伏尋所定五禮，起齊永明二年，太子步兵校尉伏曼容表求制一代禮樂。于時參議，置新舊學士十人，止修五禮，諮稟衛將軍丹陽尹王儉，學士亦分住郡中，製作歷年，猶未克就。及文憲薨，遺文散逸，又以事付國子祭酒何胤，經涉九載，猶復未畢。建武四年，胤還東山，齊明帝敕委尚書令徐孝嗣，舊事本末，隨在南第。永元中，孝嗣於此遇禍，又多零落。當時鳩集所余，權付尚書左丞蔡仲熊、驍騎將軍何佟之共掌其事。時禮局住在國子學中門外，東昏之時，頻有軍火，其所散失，又踰太半。天監元年，佟之啟審省置之宜，敕使外詳。時尚書參詳，以天地初革，庶務權輿，宜俟隆平，徐議刪撰。欲且省禮局，並還尚書儀曹。詔旨云：「禮壞樂缺，故國異家殊，實宜以時修定，以為永准。」於是尚書僕射沈約等參議，請五禮各置舊學士一人，人各自舉學士二人相助，抄撰其中。有疑者依前漢石渠、後漢白虎，隨源以聞，請旨斷決。乃以舊學士右軍記室參軍明山賓掌吉禮，中軍騎兵參軍嚴植之掌凶禮，中軍田曹行參軍兼太常丞賀瑒掌賓禮，征虜記室參軍陸璉掌軍禮，右軍參軍事司馬褧掌嘉禮，尚書右丞何佟之總參其事。佟之亡後，以鎮北諮議參軍伏揯代之。後又以揯代嚴植之掌凶禮。揯尋遷官，以五經博士繆昭掌凶禮。復以禮儀深廣，記載殘缺，宜須博論，共盡其致，更使鎮軍將軍丹陽尹沈約、太常卿張充及臣三人同參厥務，臣又奉別敕總知其事。末又使中書侍郎周舍、庾於陵二人復豫參知。若有疑義，所掌學士當職先立議，通諮五禮舊學士及參知各言同異，條牒啟聞，決之制旨。疑事既多，歲時又積，制旨裁斷，其數不少。莫不網羅經誥，玉振金聲。凡諸奏決，皆載篇首，具列聖旨，為不刊之則。甯孝宣之能擬，豈孝章之足云。

I humbly consider that Your Majesty is wise and bright, opening the mandate, transforming things before Heaven, pacifying disorder through martial power and governing custom through culture. Making music lies in the completion of achievement; establishing ritual is grand when the enterprise is settled. I humbly trace the fixed Five Rites to the second year of Yongming under Qi, when Fu Manrong, Commandant of Footsoldiers of the Heir Apparent, memorialized requesting the making of ritual and music for one generation. At the time in joint deliberation they established ten old and new scholars, limiting work to the Five Rites and consulting General of the Guard and Prefect of Danyang Wang Jian. The scholars also dispersed to live in commanderies. Production continued for years but was still not completed. When Wenxian died, surviving texts scattered and were lost. The task was again entrusted to Chancellor of the Imperial University He Yin. Nine years passed, and it was still not finished. In the fourth year of Jianwu, Yin returned to East Mountain. Emperor Ming of Qi ordered that Director of the Imperial Secretariat Xu Xiaosi take charge. The origins and ends of old affairs followed him to the southern residence. In Yongyuan, Xiaosi met disaster here, and much more was scattered and lost. At the time what remained was gathered together and provisionally entrusted to Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat Cai Zhongxiong and General of Valiant Cavalry He Tongzhi to manage the affair jointly. At the time the Ritual Bureau dwelt outside the middle gate of the Imperial University. In the time of Donghun there were frequent military fires, and what was scattered and lost exceeded half again. In the first year of Tianjian, Tongzhi memorialized examining whether abolition or retention was appropriate. An edict ordered detailed review outside the palace. At the time the Imperial Secretariat jointly examined and held that Heaven and Earth had just been transformed, myriad affairs were in provisional rise, and one should await great peace before slowly deliberating deletion and compilation. They wished for the time being to abolish the Ritual Bureau and return everything to the Ceremonial Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat. The edict's intent said, "Ritual is broken and music lacking, therefore states differ and families vary. It truly should be revised and fixed in season as an eternal standard. Thereupon Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat Shen Yue and others jointly deliberated, requesting that each of the Five Rites have one old scholar appointed, each man recommending two scholars to assist in copying and compiling. Where there were doubts, following the Stone Canal of Former Han and the White Tiger of Later Han, trace the source and report, requesting imperial decision. They then appointed old scholar Ming Shanbin, Military Affairs Secretary of the Right Army, to manage auspicious rites; Yan Zhizhi, Cavalry Military Affairs Aide of the Central Army, to manage inauspicious rites; He Yang, Acting Military Affairs Aide in the Field Bureau of the Central Army and concurrently Director of the Ministry of Ceremonies, to manage guest rites; Lu Lian, Military Affairs Secretary of the Campaign Against Barbarians, to manage military rites; Sima Jiong, Military Affairs Aide of the Right Army, to manage celebratory rites; and Right Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat He Tongzhi to oversee the affair in general. After Tongzhi died, Fu Yin, Military Affairs Counselor of Campaign North, replaced him. Later Yin again replaced Yan Zhizhi in managing inauspicious rites. Yin soon moved to another post, and Miao Zhao, Erudite of the Five Classics, managed inauspicious rites. Again, because ritual propriety was deep and broad and records were fragmentary and incomplete, broad discussion was needed to exhaust its reach together. General of the Garrison Army and Prefect of Danyang Shen Yue, Minister of Ceremonies Zhang Chong, and your servant, three men, were further ordered to take part in the task jointly. Your servant also received a separate edict to oversee the affair in general. Finally, Director of the Secretariat Zhou She and Yu Yuling, two men, were again ordered to take part in knowing the affair. If there were doubtful points, the scholar in charge first established a proposal, consulted broadly with the old scholars of the Five Rites and those taking part in knowing, each stating agreement or difference, listed and reported upward, and decided by imperial intent. Doubtful matters were many and years accumulated; imperial decisions were not few in number. None failed to net the classics and edicts, jade vibrating and gold sounding. All memorial decisions were recorded at the head of each section, fully listing the sage's intent as an unalterable standard. How can Ning Xiaoxuan's capacity be matched—can Emperor Xiaozhang even be mentioned?

五禮之職，事有繁簡，及其列畢，不得同時。嘉禮儀注以天監六年五月七日上尚書，合十有二帙，一百一十六卷，五百三十六條。賓禮儀注以天監六年五月二十日上尚書，合十有七帙，一百三十三卷，五百四十五條。軍禮儀注以天監九年十月二十九日上尚書，合十有八帙，一百八十九卷，二百四十條。吉禮儀注以天監十一年十一月十日上尚書，合二十有六帙，二百二十四卷，一千五條。凶禮儀注以天監十一年十一月十七日上尚書，合四十有七帙，五百一十四卷，五千六百九十三條。大凡一百二十帙，一千一百七十六卷，八千一十九條。又列副秘閣及五經典書各一通，繕寫校定，以普通五年二月始獲洗畢。竊以撰正履禮，歷代罕就，皇明在運，厥功克成。周代三千，舉其盈數，今之八千，隨事附益。質文相變，故其數兼倍，猶如八卦之爻，因而重之，錯綜成六十四也。臣以庸識，謬司其任，淹留曆稔，允當斯責。兼勒成之初，未遑表上，實由才輕務廣，思力不周，永言慚惕，無忘寤寐。自今春輿駕將親六師，搜尋軍禮，閱其條章，靡不該備，可以懸諸日月，頒之天下者矣。詔有司案以遵行。

The duties of the Five Rites had affairs both complex and simple. When they were listed complete, they could not be finished at the same time. The ceremonial notes for celebratory rites were submitted to the Imperial Secretariat on the seventh day of the fifth month of the sixth year of Tianjian, totaling twelve fascicles, one hundred sixteen scrolls, and five hundred thirty-six articles. The ceremonial notes for guest rites were submitted to the Imperial Secretariat on the twentieth day of the fifth month of the sixth year of Tianjian, totaling seventeen fascicles, one hundred thirty-three scrolls, and five hundred forty-five articles. The ceremonial notes for military rites were submitted to the Imperial Secretariat on the twenty-ninth day of the tenth month of the ninth year of Tianjian, totaling eighteen fascicles, one hundred eighty-nine scrolls, and two hundred forty articles. The ceremonial notes for auspicious rites were submitted to the Imperial Secretariat on the tenth day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of Tianjian, totaling twenty-six fascicles, two hundred twenty-four scrolls, and one thousand five articles. The ceremonial notes for inauspicious rites were submitted to the Imperial Secretariat on the seventeenth day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of Tianjian, totaling forty-seven fascicles, five hundred fourteen scrolls, and five thousand six hundred ninety-three articles. In all, one hundred twenty fascicles, one thousand one hundred seventy-six scrolls, and eight thousand nineteen articles. Also listed were duplicate copies for the Secret Archive and one complete set each of the Five Classics, copied, written, collated, and fixed. Only in the second month of the fifth year of Putong was the cleansing completed. I venture to hold that compiling and correcting and fulfilling ritual has rarely been achieved through the ages. The august brightness is in the mandate, and this merit has been able to succeed. The Zhou had three thousand, taking its full number. Today's eight thousand follows affairs in addition and increase. Substance and pattern change each other, therefore the number is doubled as well, just as the lines of the eight trigrams, thereby doubled and interwoven, become sixty-four. Your servant, with mediocre understanding, wrongly holds this post. Lingering through accumulated years, I am indeed fit for this responsibility. Moreover, at the beginning of completion there was no leisure to submit upward, truly because talent was light and tasks broad, thought and strength were not complete. I am forever ashamed and cautious, never forgetting waking or sleeping. From this spring the imperial carriage will personally lead the Six Armies. Searching out military rites and reviewing their articles, none is not fully provided. It can be hung beside sun and moon and promulgated throughout the empire. An edict ordered the relevant offices to examine and follow it in practice.

尋加中書令，勉以疾求解內任，詔不許，乃令停下省，三日一朝，有事遣主書論決。患腳轉劇，久闕朝覲，固陳求解，詔許疾差還省。

Soon he was additionally made Director of the Secretariat. Mian, because of illness, requested release from inner duties. An edict did not permit it, but ordered him to stop at the lower office, attend court once every three days, and when there were matters send the chief clerk to discuss and decide. His foot ailment grew severe. Long absent from court audience, he firmly memorialized requesting release. An edict permitted him to return to office when illness improved.

勉雖居顯職，不營產業，家無畜積，奉祿分贍親族之貧乏者。門人故舊或從容致言，勉乃答曰：「人遺子孫以財，我遺之清白。子孫才也，則自致輜軿；如不才，終為佗有。」嘗為書戒其子崧曰：

Though Mian held an eminent post, he did not manage estates. The household had no stored wealth, and he divided his salary to support poor relatives. Disciples and old friends sometimes spoke at leisure. Mian then answered, "People bequeath wealth to descendants; I bequeath them purity. If descendants have talent, they will themselves obtain carriages and teams; if they lack talent, in the end it belongs to others. He once wrote a letter admonishing his son Song, saying:

吾家本清廉，故常居貧素。至於產業之事，所未嘗言，非直不經營而已。薄躬遭逢，遂至今日，尊官厚祿，可謂備之。每念叨竊若斯，豈由才致，仰藉先門風範及以福慶，故臻此爾，古人所謂「以清白遺子孫，不亦厚乎？」。又云：「遺子黃金滿籯，不如一經」。詳求此言，信非徒語。吾雖不敏，實有本志，庶得遵奉斯義，不敢墜失。所以顯貴以來，將三十載，門人故舊，承薦便宜，或使創辟田園，或勸興立邸店；又欲舳艫運致，亦令貨殖聚斂。若此眾事，皆距而不納。非謂拔葵去織，且欲省息紛紜。

Our family has always been pure and honest, therefore we constantly live in poverty and simplicity. As for matters of estates, I have never spoken of them—not merely that I do not manage them. My slight person met with opportunity and reached today. Eminent office and generous salary can be said to be complete. Each time I think how I have undeservedly reached this, it is not by talent alone. Relying on the bearing of former generations and on fortune and blessing, I therefore attained this. As the ancients said, "To bequeath purity to descendants—is that not generous?" They also said, "To bequeath a child gold filling a chest is not as good as one classic." Examining this saying carefully, it is truly not empty words. Though I am not keen, I truly have this original intent, hoping to follow and uphold this principle and not dare to let it fall away. Therefore since becoming eminent and honored, for nearly thirty years, disciples and old friends, accepting recommendations of convenience, sometimes had me open up gardens and fields, or urged me to establish inns and shops; some also wished boats and ships to transport goods, likewise letting trade accumulate and gather. Matters such as these I all rejected and did not accept. This is not to say pulling up mallows and removing weaving, but rather wishing to reduce and quiet confusion.

中年聊于東田開營小園者，非存播藝以要利，政欲穿池種樹，少寄情賞。又以郊際閑曠，終可為宅，儻獲懸車致事，實欲歌哭於斯。慧日、十住等既應營昏，又須住止。吾清明門宅無相容處，所以爾者，亦復有以。前割西邊施宣武寺，既失西廂，不復方幅，意亦謂此逆旅舍爾，何事須華。常恨時人謂是我宅。古往今來，豪富繼踵，高門甲第，連闥洞房，宛其死矣，定是誰室？但不能不為培塿之山，聚石移果，雜以花卉，以娛休沐，用托性靈。隨便架立，不存廣大，唯功德處小以為好，所以內中逼促，無復房宇。近修東邊兒孫二宅，乃藉十住南還之資，其中所須，猶為不少。既牽挽不至，又不可中途而輟，郊間之園，遂不辦保，貨與韋黯，乃獲百金。成就兩宅，已消其半。尋園價所得，何以至此？由吾經始歷年，粗已成立，桃李茂密，桐竹成陰，塍陌交通，渠畎相屬。華樓迥榭，頗有臨眺之美，孤峰叢薄，不無糾紛之興。瀆中並饒苻役，湖裏殊富芰蓮。雖云人外，城闕密邇，韋生欲之，亦雅有情趣。追述此事，非有吝心，蓋是事意所至爾。憶謝靈運山家詩云：「中為天地物，今成鄙夫有。」吾此園有之二十載，今為天地物。物之與我，相校幾何哉。此直所餘，今以分汝營小田舍，親累既多，理亦須此。且釋氏之教，以財物謂之外命。外典亦稱「何以聚人曰財」。況汝常情，安得忘此。聞汝所買湖熟田地，甚為舄鹵，彌復可安，所以如此，非物競故也。雖事異寢丘，聊可髣佛。孔子曰：「居家理事，可移於官。」既已營之，宜使成立，進退兩亡，更貽恥笑。若有所收穫，汝可自分贍內外大小，宜令得所，非吾所知，又復應沾之諸女爾。汝既居長，故有此及。

In middle age I casually opened and managed a small garden in the eastern field—not to preserve sowing and planting for profit, but simply wishing to dig a pond and plant trees, briefly lodging feeling and appreciation. Also because the suburban outskirts are open and spacious, in the end it can serve as a residence. If I should obtain suspension of the carriage and retirement from affairs, I truly wish to sing and weep here. Huiri, Shizhu, and others must both manage marriage and need lodging. My residence at Qingming Gate has no room to accommodate them. The reason for this also has its grounds. Earlier the western side was cut off to endow Xuanwu Temple. Having lost the western wing, it was no longer square and ample. I also considered this an inn or lodging—why need splendor? I often resented that people of the time called it my residence. From ancient times to the present, the wealthy and powerful follow in succession—high gates and noble mansions, linked doors and inner chambers. When they die, whose rooms will these surely be? Yet one cannot fail to make a hill of a mound, gather stones and transplant fruit, mix in flowers and plants, to amuse oneself on days of rest, and lodge one's nature and spirit. Set up casually without aiming at grandeur, considering small merit halls best. Therefore within it is cramped and there are no longer rooms. Recently building the two residences of eastern descendants and grandchildren, I relied on the funds from Shizhu's return south. What was needed within was still not small. Since funds could not be drawn in time and one could not stop halfway, the suburban garden could not be kept. It was sold to Wei An, obtaining a hundred gold. Completing the two residences already consumed half of it. Searching how the garden's price could reach this—how did it come to this? Because I began it and passed years, it was roughly established: peach and plum dense and lush, paulownia and bamboo forming shade, field paths connecting, ditches and furrows linked. Splendid towers and distant pavilions had the beauty of overlooking from afar. Solitary peaks and thickets were not without the mood of winding paths. In the channels there were abundant duckweed duties; in the lake there was especially rich water chestnut and lotus. Though called beyond human habitation, the city towers were close at hand. Master Wei desired it and also had refined feeling and taste. Tracing this matter, there is no stinginess of heart. It is simply where the matter's intent led. Recalling Xie Lingyun's Mountain Dwelling poem: "Once among Heaven and Earth's things, now possessed by a common man. I possessed this garden for twenty years; now it is Heaven and Earth's thing. Things and I—compared, how much difference is there? This is simply what remains. Now I divide it for you to manage a small farmstead. Relatives and dependents are many; by reason this is also needed. Moreover, in the teaching of the Buddha, wealth and goods are called external life. Secular classics also say, "By what are people gathered? By wealth." How much more your ordinary feelings—how can you forget this? I hear the Hushu fields you bought are very saline and brackish, all the more suitable for settling. The reason for this is not competition over things. Though the matter differs from the mound of sleep, it can briefly be likened. Confucius said, "Managing affairs at home can be transferred to office. Since you have already planned it, you should make it succeed. Advance and retreat both lost would further bring shame and laughter. If there is harvest, you may yourself divide support for inner and outer, great and small, making sure each gets what is fitting—not what I know, but also the daughters who should share. Since you occupy the eldest place, therefore there is this extent.

凡為人長，殊復不易，當使中外諧緝，人無間言，先物後己，然後可貴。老生云：「後其身而身先。」若能爾者，更招巨利。汝當自勖，見賢思齊，不宜忽略以棄日也。棄日乃是棄身，身名美惡，豈不大哉，可不慎歟！今之所敕，略言此意。政謂為家以來，不事資產，暨立墅舍，似乖舊業，陳其始末，無愧懷抱。兼吾年時朽暮，心力稍單，牽課奉公，略不克舉，其中餘暇，裁可自休。或復冬日之陽，夏日之陰，良辰美景，文案間隟，負杖躡履，逍遙陋館，臨池觀魚，披林聽鳥，濁酒一杯，彈琴一曲，求數刻之暫樂，庶居常以待終，不宜復勞家間細務。汝交關既定，此書又行，凡所資須，付給如別。自茲以後，吾不復言及田事，汝亦勿復與吾言之。假使堯水湯旱，豈如之何。若其滿庾盈箱，爾之幸遇，如斯之事，並無俟令吾知也。記云：「夫孝者善繼人之志，善述人之事。」今且望汝全吾此志，則無所恨矣。

For anyone who is eldest, it is especially not easy. One should make inner and outer harmonious and orderly, people without divisive words, things before self—only then is one estimable. The old master said, "Putting oneself last, yet oneself goes first. If you can be like this, you will further attract great profit. You should encourage yourself, seeing the worthy and thinking to equal them. You should not neglect and waste days. Wasting days is wasting the person. The beauty or ugliness of person and name—is it not great? Can one not be cautious! What is admonished now briefly states this intent. I mean that since managing the household, I have not engaged in assets. Then establishing villa residences seems to depart from old practice. Stating the beginning and end, I have no shame in my breast. Moreover my years are decayed and twilight, my heart's strength somewhat depleted. Dragged by duties serving the public, I can barely manage. The leisure within barely allows self-rest. Or again the sun of winter days, the shade of summer days, fine times and beautiful scenes, gaps between documents—leaning on a staff and treading in shoes, roaming freely in a humble lodge, facing the pond to watch fish, parting the woods to listen to birds, a cup of coarse wine, a tune on the zither, seeking a few moments' brief pleasure, hoping to dwell ordinarily awaiting the end—you should not again trouble me with household minutiae. Your connections are settled, this letter also goes forth. All that is needed for support is delivered as separately listed. From now on I will not again speak of field affairs. You also must not again speak of them to me. Even if Yao's flood or Tang's drought—what then? If granaries are full and boxes overflow, that is your good fortune. Matters such as these need not wait for you to inform me. The Record says, "Filial persons are good at continuing others' intents and good at carrying out others' affairs. Now I hope you will fulfill this intent of mine; then I will have no regret.

第二子悱卒，痛悼甚至，不欲久廢王務，乃為答客以自喻焉。普通末，武帝自算擇後宮吳聲、西曲女妓各一部，並華少，賚勉，因此頗好聲酒。祿奉之外，月別給錢十萬，信遇之深，故無與匹。

When his second son Fei died, his grief was extreme. Unwilling to long neglect royal duties, he composed a reply to guests to explain himself. At the end of Putong, Emperor Wu himself selected from the inner palace one troupe each of Wu-sound and western-melody female performers, all young and splendid, and bestowed them on Mian. Because of this he came to favor music and wine. Beyond salary and stipend, each month an additional hundred thousand cash was granted. The depth of trust and favor was unmatched.

中大通中，又以疾自陳，移授特進、右光祿大夫、侍中、中衛將軍，置佐史，餘如故。增親信四十人。兩宮參問，冠蓋結轍。有敕每欲臨幸，勉以拜伏有虧，頻啟停出，詔許之，遂停輿駕。及卒，帝聞而流涕。即日車駕臨殯，贈右光祿大夫、開府儀同三司。皇太子亦舉哀朝堂。有司奏諡「居敬行簡曰簡」，帝益「執心決斷曰肅」，因諡簡肅公。勉雖骨鯁不及範雲，亦不阿意苟合，後知政事者莫及，梁世之言相者稱范、徐云。善屬文，勤著述，雖當機務，下筆不休。常以起居注煩雜，乃撰為流別起居注六百六十卷，左丞彈事五卷。在選曹，撰選品三卷。齊時撰太廟祝文二卷。以孔、釋二教殊途同歸，撰會林五十卷。凡所著前後二集五十卷，又為人章表集十卷。

In Zhongdatong, again pleading illness, he was transferred to Special Advance, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness of the Right, Attendant-in-Ordinary, and General of the Central Guard, with assistant clerks appointed. The rest remained as before. Forty trusted attendants were added. Both palaces sent inquiries; carriages and canopies lined the ruts. There was an edict that each time the emperor wished to visit in person, Mian, because bowing and prostrating would be impaired, repeatedly memorialized to stop the visit. An edict permitted it, and the imperial carriage stopped coming. When he died, the emperor heard and wept. That same day the imperial carriage came to the lying in state. He was posthumously granted Grand Master of Splendid Happiness of the Right and Grand Minister with Honors Equal to the Three Excellencies. The crown prince also expressed mourning in the court hall. The relevant offices memorialized the posthumous title "Dwelling in reverence and acting simply, called Jian." The emperor added "Holding the heart and deciding firmly, called Su," and thus he was posthumously titled Duke Jiansu. Though Mian's backbone was not equal to Fan Yun's, he also did not flatter and comply rashly. Later those who knew state affairs could not match him. In Liang times those who spoke of chief ministers named Fan and Xu. Skilled at composing prose and diligent in writing, even when handling urgent affairs his brush did not stop. He often found the daily records troublesome and complex, and therefore compiled them into categorized daily records of six hundred sixty scrolls, and five scrolls of impeachments by the Left Assistant Director. In the Selection Bureau he compiled three scrolls of Selection Grades. Under Qi he compiled two scrolls of prayer texts for the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Holding that the Confucian and Buddhist teachings differ in path yet converge in return, he compiled the Forest of Convergence in fifty scrolls. In all, his earlier and later two collections filled fifty scrolls. He also compiled ten scrolls of memorials for others.

大同三年，故佐史尚書左丞劉覽等詣闕陳勉行狀，請刊石紀德，即降詔立碑於墓焉。

In the third year of Datong, former assistant clerks including Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat Liu Lan went to the palace to present Mian's conduct report, requesting stone inscription to record virtue. An edict was immediately issued to erect a stele at the tomb.

悱字敬業，幼聰敏，能屬文，位太子舍人，掌書記。累遷洗馬，中舍人，猶管書記。出入宮坊者曆稔。以足疾出為湘東王友，俄遷晉安內史。

Fei, styled Jingye, was intelligent from youth and could compose prose. He served as Attendant of the Heir Apparent and managed records. He was repeatedly promoted to Groom and Attendant of the Central Palace, still managing records. Entering and leaving the palace quarters continued for many years. Because of a foot ailment he went out as Friend to the Prince of Xiangdong, and soon was transferred to Administrator of Jin'an.

許懋字昭哲，高陽新城人，魏鎮北將軍允九世孫也。五世祖詢，晉征士。祖珪，宋給事中，著作郎，桂陽太守。父勇慧，齊太子家令，冗從僕射。

Xu Mao, styled Zhaozhe, was a native of Xincheng in Gaoyang and a ninth-generation descendant of Yun, General Who Guards the North under Wei. His fifth-generation ancestor Xun was a reclusive scholar under the Jin dynasty. His grandfather Gui served as Attendant at Court, Director of Compilation, and Administrator of Guiyang under the Song dynasty. His father Yonghui served as Steward of the Heir Apparent's Household and Supernumerary Vice Director of Retainers under the Qi dynasty.

懋少孤，性至孝，居父憂執喪過禮。篤志好學，為州黨所稱。十四入太學，受毛詩，旦領師說，晚而覆講，坐下聽者常數十百人，因撰風雅比興義十五卷，盛行于時。尤明故事，稱為儀注學。

Mao was orphaned young and supremely filial by nature. In his father's mourning he observed the rites beyond measure. With steadfast intent he loved learning and was praised by his district and clansmen. At fourteen he entered the Imperial University and studied the Mao version of the Book of Songs. In the morning he received the master's teaching; in the evening he lectured in return. Listeners seated below often numbered in the tens and hundreds. He therefore compiled fifteen scrolls on the meaning of the Airs, Elegantiae, and comparison-and-arousal, which flourished at the time. He was especially clear on precedents and was called a scholar of ritual regulations.

起家後軍豫章王行參軍，轉法曹。舉秀才，遷驃騎大將軍儀同中記室。文惠太子聞而召之，侍講於崇明殿。後兼國子博士，與司馬褧同志友善。僕射江祏甚推重之，號為經史笥。

He began his career as Acting Military Affairs Aide to the Rear Army under Prince Yuzhang, then transferred to the Legal Bureau. Recommended as a cultivated talent, he was transferred to Records Officer in the Secretariat of the General of Agile Cavalry with Honors Equal to the Three Excellencies. Crown Prince Wenhuì heard of him and summoned him to lecture at Chongming Hall. Later he concurrently served as erudite of the National University and was of one intent and friendly with Sima Jiong. Vice Director Jiang Si greatly esteemed him and called him a basket of classics and histories.

梁天監初，吏部尚書范雲舉懋參詳五禮，除征西鄱陽王諮議參軍，兼著作郎，待詔文德省。時有請會稽封禪者，武帝因集儒學士草封禪儀，將行焉，懋建議獨以為不可。帝見其議，嘉納之，由是遂停。十年，轉太子家令。凡諸禮儀，多所刊正。以足疾，出為始平太守，政有能名，加散騎常侍，轉天門太守。中大通三年，皇太子召與諸儒錄長春義記。四年，拜中庶子。是歲卒。撰述行記四卷，有集十五卷。子亨。

At the beginning of Tianjian under Liang, Minister of the Personnel Bureau Fan Yun recommended Mao to examine the Five Rites in detail. He was appointed Military Affairs Counselor to the Campaign West under Prince Poyang, concurrently Director of Compilation, awaiting edicts at the Wende Office. At the time someone requested a feng and shan ceremony at Kuaiji. Emperor Wu therefore gathered Confucian scholars to draft the feng and shan rites and was about to proceed. Mao alone memorialized that it was not permissible. The emperor saw his proposal, praised and accepted it, and therefore stopped. In the tenth year he was transferred to Steward of the Heir Apparent's Household. Among all ritual proprieties he corrected many. Because of a foot ailment he went out as Administrator of Shiping; his governance had a reputation for ability. He was additionally granted Regular Attendant and transferred to Administrator of Tianmen. In the third year of Zhongdatong, the crown prince summoned him with various Confucians to record the Changchun Exegesis. In the fourth year he was appointed Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household. That year he died. He compiled a Conduct Record in four scrolls and had a collected works of fifteen scrolls. His son was Heng.

亨字亨道，少傳家業，孤介有節行。博通群書，多識前代舊事，甚為南陽劉之遴所重。梁太清初，為西中郎記室，兼太常丞。侯景之亂，避地郢州。會梁邵陵王自東至，引為諮議參軍。王僧辯之襲郢州，素聞其名，召為儀同從事中郎。遷太尉從事中郎，與吳興沈炯對掌書記，府政朝務，一以委之。晉安王承制，授給事黃門侍郎。

Heng, styled Hengdao, from youth inherited the family profession. Solitary and upright, he had integrity of conduct. Broadly versed in all books, he knew much of earlier generations' old affairs and was greatly esteemed by Liu Zhilin of Nanyang. At the beginning of Taiqing under Liang, he served as Records Officer of the Western Palace Guard and concurrently Director of the Ministry of Ceremonies. During the Hou Jing rebellion he fled to Yingzhou. When Prince Shaoling of Liang came from the east, he recruited him as Military Affairs Counselor. When Wang Sengbian attacked Yingzhou, having long heard his name, he summoned him as Attendant of Affairs with Honors Equal to the Three Excellencies. He was transferred to Attendant of Affairs to the Grand Commandant and, with Shen Jiong of Wuxing, jointly managed records. Prefectural governance and court affairs were all entrusted to them. Prince Jin'an by provisional order granted him Supervisor of Attendants and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.

陳武帝受禪，為太中大夫，領大著作，知梁史事。初僧辯之誅也，所司收僧辯及其子頠屍，于方山同坎埋瘞，至是無敢言者，亨以故吏抗表請葬之。與故義徐陵、張種、孔奐等相率以家財營葬，凡七柩，皆改窆焉。

When Emperor Wu of Chen accepted the abdication, he became Grand Master for All-Purpose, concurrently overseeing the Grand Compilation and managing affairs of Liang history. When Sengbian was executed, the relevant offices collected Sengbian and his son Yi's corpses and buried them in one pit at Fang Mountain. At this time none dared speak of it. Heng, as a former subordinate, submitted a bold memorial requesting burial. Together with former righteous companions Xu Ling, Zhang Zhong, Kong Huan, and others, he led the way in using family wealth to arrange burial. In all seven coffins were reinterred.

亨初撰齊書並志五十卷，遇亂亡失。後撰梁史，成者五十八卷。梁太清之後，所制文筆六卷。子善心，位尚書度支侍郎。

Heng at first compiled the Book of Qi and its annals in fifty scrolls, but they were lost in the chaos. Later he compiled the History of Liang; what was completed filled fifty-eight scrolls. After Taiqing under Liang, his literary writings filled six scrolls. His son Shanxin served as Vice Director of the Revenue Bureau of the Imperial Secretariat.

殷鈞字季和，陳郡長平人，晉荊州刺史仲堪五世孫也。曾祖元素，宋南康相，坐元凶事誅。元素娶尚書僕射琅邪王僧朗女，生子寧早卒，寧遺腹生子叡，亦當從戮，僧朗啟孝武救之得免。叡有口辯，司徒褚彥回甚重之，謂曰：「諸殷自荊州以來無出卿。」叡斂容答曰：「殷族衰悴，誠不如昔，若此旨為虛，故不足降，此旨為實，彌不可聞。」仕齊曆司徒從事中郎。叡妻琅邪王奐女，奐為雍州刺史，啟叡為府長史。奐誅，叡亦見害。

Yin Jun, styled Jihe, was a native of Changping in Chen Commandery and a fifth-generation descendant of Zhongkan, Governor of Jingzhou under the Jin dynasty. His great-grandfather Yuansu served as Chancellor of Nankang under the Song dynasty and was executed for involvement in the Crown Prince's rebellion. Yuansu married the daughter of Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat Wang Senglang of Langya and had a son Ning who died early. Ning's posthumous son was Rui, who was also to be executed along with him. Senglang memorialized Emperor Xiaowu to save him, and he escaped. Rui was eloquent in debate. Minister of Works Chu Yanhui greatly valued him and said, "Among all the Yin clan since Jingzhou, none surpasses you. Rui composed his expression and answered, "The Yin clan is decayed and withered, truly not as in the past. If this intent is empty, it is therefore not worth lowering oneself to. If this intent is real, all the more it must not be heard. He served under Qi and successively held the post of Attendant of Affairs to the Minister of Works. Rui's wife was the daughter of Wang Huan of Langya. Huan was Governor of Yongzhou and recommended Rui as chief clerk of the princely administration. When Huan was executed, Rui was also killed.

鈞九歲以孝聞，及長，恬靜簡交遊，好學有思理，善隸書，為當時楷法。南鄉范雲、樂安任昉並稱美之。梁武帝與叡少故舊，以女永興公主妻鈞，拜駙馬都尉。曆秘書丞，在職啟校定秘閣四部書，更為目錄。又受詔料檢西省法書古跡，列為品目。累遷侍中，東宮學士。

Jun at nine was known for filial piety. When grown he was tranquil and quiet, simplifying social contacts, loving learning with thoughtful principle, skilled at clerical script, and was the model standard of the time. Fan Yun of Nanxiang and Ren Fang of Le'an both praised him. Emperor Wu of Liang and Rui were old friends from youth. He gave his daughter Princess Yongxing in marriage to Jun and appointed him Commandant of the Horse Guards for the Son-in-Law. He successively served as Director of the Secretariat and, while in office, memorialized to collate and fix the four divisions of books in the Secret Archive and make a new catalog. He also received an edict to examine and inspect ancient traces of model calligraphy in the Western Office and arrange them into grades and categories. He was repeatedly promoted to Attendant-in-Ordinary and scholar of the Eastern Palace.

自宋、齊以來，公主多驕淫無行，永興主加以險虐。鈞形貌短小，為主所憎，每被召入，先滿壁為殷叡字，鈞輒流涕以出，主命婢束而反之。鈞不勝怒而言於帝，帝以犀如意擊主碎於背，然猶恨鈞。

From Song and Qi onward, princesses were mostly arrogant, licentious, and without proper conduct. The Princess of Yongxing added to this cruelty and tyranny. Jun's appearance was short and small, and he was hated by the princess. Each time he was summoned in, the walls were first filled with the characters for Yin Rui. Jun would weep as he left, and the princess ordered maids to bind him and send him back. Jun, unable to bear his anger, spoke to the emperor. The emperor struck the princess's back with a rhinoceros-horn ruyi scepter and broke it, yet still resented Jun.

自侍中出為王府諮議，後為明威將軍、臨川內史。鈞體羸多疾，閉合臥理，而百姓化其德，劫盜皆奔出境。嘗禽劫帥，不加考掠，和言誚責。劫帥稽顙乞改過，鈞便命遣之，後遂為善人。郡舊多山瘧，更暑必動，自鈞在任，郡境無復瘧疾。

From Attendant-in-Ordinary he went out as Military Affairs Counselor to a princely administration, later becoming General of Bright Might and Administrator of Linchuan. Jun's body was frail and often ill. He shut his doors and administered affairs from bed, yet the common people were transformed by his virtue and bandits and robbers all fled beyond the borders. Once he captured a bandit chief and did not apply torture, but with gentle words reproached and blamed him. The bandit chief kowtowed and begged to reform. Jun then ordered him released, and afterward he became a good man. The commandery formerly had much mountain malaria that always flared in summer. From the time Jun held office, within the commandery there was no longer malarial illness.

母憂去職，居喪過禮，昭明太子憂之，手書誡喻。服闋，為散騎常侍，領步兵校尉，侍東宮。改領中庶子，後為國子祭酒。卒，諡貞。二子構、渥。鈞宗人芸。

On his mother's death he left office and observed mourning beyond the rites. Crown Prince Zhaoming was concerned and wrote a personal letter admonishing and instructing him. When mourning ended he became Regular Attendant, concurrently Commandant of Footsoldiers, attending the Eastern Palace. He was changed to concurrently Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household, later becoming Chancellor of the Imperial University. When he died, he was given the posthumous name Zhen. He had two sons, Gou and Wo. Jun's clansman was Yun.

芸字灌蔬，倜儻不拘細行，然不妄交遊，門無雜客。勵精勤學，博洽群書。幼而廬江何憲見之，深相歎賞。天監中，位秘書監、司徒左長史。後直東宮學士省，卒。

Yun, styled Guanshu, was unrestrained and not bound by minor conduct, yet he did not socialize rashly and had no miscellaneous guests at his gate. He exerted his spirit and studied diligently, broadly mastering all books. In youth He Xian of Lujiang saw him and deeply sighed in admiration. In the Tianjian era he held the posts of Director of the Palace Library and Left Chief Clerk to the Minister of Works. Later he served in the Eastern Palace Scholars Office and died.

論曰：範懋賓之德美，傅茂遠之清令，孔休源之政事，江休映之強直，並加之以學植，飾之以文采，其所以取高時主，豈徒然哉。徐勉少而勵志，發憤忘食，修身慎行，運屬興王，依光日月，致位公輔，提衡端執，時無異議，為梁氏宗臣，信為美矣。許懋業藝，以經笥見推，亨懷道好古，以博覽歸譽，其所以折議封禪，求葬僧辯，正直存焉，豈唯文義而已。古人云：「仁者有勇」，斯言近之。殷鈞德業自居，又加之以政績，文質斌斌，亦足稱也。

The appraisal says: The virtue and beauty of Fan Maobin, the clarity and excellence of Fu Maoyuan, the governance of Kong Xiuyuan, the forceful uprightness of Jiang Xiuying—all further enhanced by learning and cultivation, adorned by literary grace—the reason they won high regard from the sovereigns of their age was surely not for nothing. Xu Mian from youth encouraged his will, striving in anger and forgetting food, cultivating himself and acting with caution. His fortune belonged to the rising king. Relying on the light of sun and moon, he reached the rank of chief minister, holding the scales upright—at the time there was no dissent. As a pillar minister of the Liang house, he was truly admirable. Xu Mao's professional arts were praised as a basket of classics. Heng cherished the Way and loved antiquity, winning reputation for broad reading. The reason they argued against the feng and shan ceremony and sought burial for Sengbian—uprightness was preserved there. Was it only literary meaning? The ancients said, "The benevolent have courage." This saying comes close. Yin Jun rested in virtue and achievement, further enhanced by administrative results. Substance and pattern balanced and splendid—he too is worth praise.

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