1
陳伯之
Chen Bozhi
2
陳伯之，濟陰睢陵人也。 年十三四，好著獺皮冠，帶刺刀，候鄰里稻熟，輒偷刈之。 嘗為田主所見，呵之曰：「楚子莫動！」 伯之曰：「君稻幸多，取一擔何苦。」 田主將執之。 因拔刀而進，曰：「楚子定何如！」 田主皆反走，徐擔稻而歸。 及年長，在鍾離數為劫盜，嘗授面覘人船，船人斫之，獲其左耳。 後隨鄉人車騎將軍王廣之，廣之愛其勇，每夜臥下榻，征伐常將自隨。 頻以戰功，累遷驃騎司馬，封魚復縣伯。
Chen Bozhi was from Suiling in Jiyin commandery. When he was thirteen or fourteen, he favored an otter-skin cap and a dagger at his side. He would watch the neighbors' rice ripen and then sneak in to cut it. Once the field's owner caught him and shouted, "You scoundrel—hold still! Bozhi replied, "You've got plenty of grain—what's one load between us?" The owner moved to seize him. He whipped out his knife and stepped forward. "Well now—what are you going to do about it? The owner and his men fled. Bozhi calmly loaded up the rice and went home. As an adult he turned to brigandage around Zhongli. Once, with his face disguised, he was scouting a boat when the crew struck at him and sliced off his left ear. He later attached himself to Wang Guangzhi, Cavalry General and a fellow native of his district. Wang favored his daring, had him sleep on the lower bunk each night, and kept him close on every campaign. Battle honors piled up until he rose to Biaoqi Commandant and was enfeoffed as Count of Yufu.
3
梁武起兵，東昏假伯之節，督前驅諸軍事、豫州刺史，轉江州，據尋陽以拒梁武。 郢城平，武帝使說伯之，即以為江州刺史。 子武牙為徐州刺史。 伯之雖受命，猶懷兩端。 帝及其猶豫逼之，伯之退保南湖，然後歸附，與眾軍俱下。 建康城未平，每降人出，伯之輒喚與耳語。 帝疑其復懷翻覆，會東昏將鄭伯倫降，帝使過伯之，謂曰：「城中甚忿卿，欲遣信誘卿，須卿降，當生割卿手腳。 卿若不降，復欲遣刺客殺卿。」 伯之大懼，自是無異志矣。 城平，封豐城縣公，遣之鎮。
When Emperor Wu of Liang took up arms, Dong Hun gave Bozhi imperial authority, made him commander of the advance forces and Inspector of Yuzhou, then moved him to Jiangzhou to hold Xunyang against the Liang founder. After Ying fell, Emperor Wu sent men to win him over and at once named him Inspector of Jiangzhou. His son Wuya was appointed Inspector of Xuzhou. Bozhi took the commission but remained of two minds. The Emperor, reading his wavering, pressed him hard. Bozhi fell back to South Lake before finally submitting and marching south with the rest of the army. While Jiankang still held out, every time a defector emerged Bozhi would pull him aside for a whispered word. The Emperor suspected another reversal. When Dong Hun's general Zheng Bolun surrendered, he sent him to Bozhi with this message: "The city is furious with you. They plan to lure you in—and once you defect, they'll cut off your hands and feet alive. If you refuse, they'll send assassins after you instead. Bozhi was terrified. From that moment his loyalty held. When the capital fell, he was made Duke of Fengcheng and sent to take up his post.
4
伯之不識書，及還江州，得文牒辭訟，唯作大諾而已。 有事，典簽傳口語，與奪決於主者。
Illiterate, Bozhi returned to Jiangzhou and could do no more than bark assent when documents and lawsuits were read aloud. Business passed through the registrar by word of mouth; the chief clerk decided everything.
5
伯之子武牙時為直合將軍，武帝手疏龍符罪親付武牙，武牙封示伯之。 帝又遣代江州別駕鄧繕，伯之並不受命，曰：「龍符健兒，鄧繕在事有績。 台所遣別駕，請以為中從事。」 繕於是日夜說伯之云：「台家府庫空竭，無復器仗，三倉無米。 此萬世一時，機不可失。」 緭、承忠等每贊成之。 伯之謂繕：「今段啟卿，若復不得，便與卿共下。」 使反，武帝敕部內一郡處繕。 伯之於是集府州佐史，謂曰：「奉齊建安王教，率江北義勇十萬已次六合，見使以江州見力運糧速下。 我荷明帝厚恩，誓以死報。」 使緭詐為蕭寶寅書以示僚佐，於聽事前為壇，殺牲以盟。 伯之先歃，長史以下次第歃。 緭說伯之：「今舉大事，宜引人望。 程元沖不與人同心； 臨川內史王觀，僧虔之孫，人身不惡，可召為長史，以代元沖。」 伯之從之，仍以緭為尋陽太守，承忠輔義將軍，龍符豫州刺史。
His son Wuya was Direct Gate General. The Emperor wrote out Long Fu's crimes by hand, sealed the note, and sent it to Wuya, who opened it and showed his father. The Emperor also tried to replace Jiangzhou's vice-governor Deng Shan. Bozhi refused both appointments. "Long Fu is a solid man," he said, "and Deng Shan has served well. As for the vice-governor the court wants to send—keep him on as Central Assistant instead. Shan then worked on Bozhi night and day. "The court's coffers are bare," he said. "There are no arms left, and the granaries are empty. This is a chance that comes once in an age—you can't let it slip." Chi and Cheng Zhong kept urging him on. Bozhi told Shan, "I'll petition for you this round. If the court refuses again, I'll rebel alongside you. When Bozhi did rebel, the Emperor ordered a commandery in the province to accept Shan. Bozhi gathered his staff and announced: "By command of Qi's Prince of Jian'an, a hundred thousand volunteers from north of the Yangtze are encamped at Luhe. I am to mobilize Jiangzhou's forces, move grain, and march south at once. I owe Emperor Ming a great debt and swear to repay it with my life. He had Chi forge a letter from Xiao Baoyin for the staff. Before the hall they erected an altar and cut throats to seal the oath. Bozhi swore first; the chief administrator and all ranks below followed in turn. Chi advised him: "For an undertaking this large, you need men of standing. Cheng Yuanchong is not with us; Wang Guan, Administrator of Linchuan and grandson of Wang Sengqian, is well regarded. Summon him as chief administrator to replace Yuanchong. Bozhi agreed. He made Chi prefect of Xunyang, Cheng Zhong an Assistant Righteous General, and Long Fu Inspector of Yuzhou.
6
豫章太守鄭伯倫起郡兵拒守。 程元沖既失職，於家合率數百人，使伯之典簽呂孝通、戴元則為內應。 伯之每旦常作伎，日晡輒臥，左右仗身皆休息。 元沖因其解弛，從北門入，徑至聽事前。 伯之聞叫，自率出蕩。 元衝力不能敵，走逃廬山。
Zheng Bolun, prefect of Yuzhang, mustered the commandery troops and held out. Stripped of his post, Yuanchong rallied several hundred men at home and enlisted Bozhi's registrars Lu Xiaotong and Dai Yuanze as inside agents. Each morning Bozhi watched entertainments; by afternoon he napped, and his armed guards rested too. Yuanchong exploited the lull, came in through the north gate, and marched straight to the hall. Hearing the uproar, Bozhi rushed out at the head of his men. Outmatched, Yuanchong fled to Mount Lu.
7
伯之遣使還報武牙兄弟，武牙等走盱眙，盱眙人徐文安、莊興紹、張顯明邀擊之，不能禁，反見殺。 武帝遣王茂討伯之，敗走，間道亡命出江北，與子武牙及褚緭俱入魏。 魏以伯之為使持節、散騎常侍、都督淮南諸軍事、平南將軍、光祿大夫、曲江縣侯。 天監四年，詔太尉臨川王巨集北侵，巨集命記室丘遲私與之書曰：
Bozhi sent word to Wuya and his brothers. They fled toward Xuyi, where local men Xu Wen'an, Zhuang Xingshao, and Zhang Xianming tried to stop them—failed—and were killed instead. Emperor Wu sent Wang Mao against him. Defeated, Bozhi slipped out by back roads north of the Yangtze and fled to Wei with Wuya and Chu Chi. Wei made him Bearer of the Staff, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, commander of Huainan forces, General Who Pacifies the South, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Marquis of Qujiang. In Tianjian year 4, the Grand Marshal, the Prince of Linchuan, was ordered north. He had his secretary Qiu Chi write Bozhi a private letter:
8
陳將軍足下，無恙，幸甚，幸甚。 將軍勇冠三軍，才為世出。 棄燕雀之毛羽，慕鴻鵠以高翔。 昔因機變化，遭遇時主，立功立事，開國稱孤，朱輪華轂，擁旄萬里，何其壯也！ 如何一旦為奔亡之虜，聞鳴鏑而股戰，對穹廬以屈膝，又何劣邪？ 尋君去就之際，非有他故，直以不能內審諸己，外受流言，沈迷猖蹶，以至於此。
General Chen—I trust you are well. This is a fortunate occasion indeed. Your courage heads the three armies; your talent is unmatched in our age. You left behind the petty sparrow and aspired to the wild swan's high flight. Once you seized your moment, found a ruler who valued you, won glory in battle, founded a fief, and rode in vermilion-wheeled carriages bearing command over a thousand miles—how splendid that was! Yet in a moment you became a fugitive in enemy hands, shaking at the whistle of arrows, kneeling before nomad tents—how far you have fallen! As I consider your choice to leave, there is no deeper mystery: you failed to look inward, listened to rumor, and stumbled blind into ruin.
9
聖朝赦罪責功，棄瑕錄用，推赤心于天下，安反側於萬物，此將軍之所知，非假僕一二談也。 昔朱鮪涉血于友于，張繡倳刃於愛子，漢主不以為疑，魏君待之若舊。 況將軍無昔人之罪，而勳重於當代。 夫迷塗知反，往哲是與，不遠而復，先典攸高。 主上屈法申恩，吞舟是漏。 將軍松柏不翦，親戚安居； 高堂未傾，愛妾尚在。 悠悠爾心，亦何可言。 當今功臣名將，雁行有序，佩紫懷黃，贊帷幄之謀； 乘軺建節，奉疆埸之任。 並刑馬作誓，傳之子孫。 將軍獨靦顏借命，驅馳氈裘之長，寧不哀哉！ 夫以慕容超之強，身送東市，姚泓之盛，面縛西都。 故知霜露所均，不育異類，姬漢舊邦，無取雜種。 北虜僭號中原，多歷年所，惡積禍盈，理至焦爛。 況偽孽昏狡，自相夷戮，部落攜離，酋豪猜貳。 方當系頸蠻邸，縣首藳街。 而將軍魚游于沸鼎之中，燕巢於飛幕之上，不亦惑乎！
Our dynasty pardons past wrongs and honors merit, overlooks flaws, and welcomes those who return. Its good faith extends to all the realm. You know this well—I need not rehearse it. Zhu Wei once washed his hands in a brother's blood; Zhang Xiu turned his blade on a beloved son—and yet the Han emperor did not doubt them, and Wei received Zhang as before. You have committed no such crime, and your service to the realm weighs heavier still. The ancients praised those who lost their way yet knew to turn back; the classics honor the swift return. The throne bends the law to show mercy—even great fish escape the net. Your ancestral graves stand untouched; your kin live untroubled; Your home still stands, your beloved wife still waits. What runs through your mind—is there anything left to say? Today's heroes march in ordered ranks, purple sashes and golden seals at their belts, advising strategy in the command tent; Bearing imperial authority on light carriages, they guard the borders. They swear oaths over slaughtered horses and bequeath honor to their heirs. Yet you alone cling to life in shame, driving horses for fur-clad chieftains—does that not wring the heart? Murong Chao's might could not save him from the execution ground; Yao Hong's splendor ended as a captive in the western capital. Where frost and dew fall alike, foreign stock does not thrive; the old realm of Huaxia has no place for barbarian blood. The northern invaders have usurped the Central Plain for years; wickedness piled high must end in ruin. Their pretender is dull and treacherous; they slaughter one another; tribes splinter; chiefs plot against each other. Soon they will be trussed at the barbarian court, heads hung along Reed Street. Yet you swim in a boiling pot and nest on a swaying tent—is that not folly?
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暮春三月，江南草長，雜花生樹，群鸚亂飛。 見故國之旗鼓，感生平於疇日，撫弦登陴，豈不愴恨。 所以廉公之思趙將，吳子之泣西河，人之情也，將軍獨無情哉？ 想早勵良規，自求多福。 當今皇帝盛明，天下安樂，白環西獻，楛矢東來，夜郎、滇池解辮請職，朝鮮、昌海蹶角受化； 唯北狄野心，掘強沙塞之間，欲延歲月之命耳。 中軍臨川殿下，明德茂親，總茲戎重，方吊人洛汭，伐罪秦中，若遂不改，方思僕言。 聊布往懷，君其詳之。 伯之得書，乃于壽陽擁眾八千歸降。 武牙為魏人所殺。 伯之既至，以為平北將軍、西豫州刺史、永新縣侯。 未之任。 復為驍騎將軍，又為太中大夫。 久之，卒於家。 其子猶有在魏者。
In late spring, when Jiangnan's grass runs long and flowers speckle the trees, when parrots wheel in flocks— At sight of your homeland's banners, memory of days gone by, the lute in hand atop the wall—would you not ache with regret? Lian Po yearned for Zhao's general; Wu Qi wept for the River West—such is human nature. Have you no heart at all? I urge you to choose wisely, and secure your own blessing. Our emperor's radiance fills the realm. Tributes stream from every quarter—the white jade ring from the west, hardwood arrows from the east; Yelang and Lake Dian submit; Korea and Changhai bow their horns in obedience. Only the northern barbarians, obstinate in the desert passes, cling to a few borrowed years. His Highness the Prince of Linchuan—virtuous, royal, commander of this campaign—now brings justice to the Luo River and chastisement to Qin. If you refuse to repent, you will soon wish you had heeded me. I offer these heartfelt words for your careful reading. On receiving the letter, Bozhi rallied eight thousand men at Shouyang and surrendered. Wuya was killed by the Wei. Upon his return he was made General Who Pacifies the North, Inspector of Western Yuzhou, and Marquis of Yongxin. He never took up the post. He was later made General of the Valiant Cavalry and then Grand Master of the Palace. In time he died at home. Some of his sons remained in Wei.
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褚緭在魏，魏人欲用之。 魏元會，緭戲為詩曰：「帽上著籠冠，緭上著朱衣，不知是今是，不知非昔非。」 魏人怒，出為始平太守。 日日行獵，墮馬而死。
Chu Chi stayed in Wei, where they wished to use him. At the Wei court New Year's gathering, Chi penned a mocking verse: "A caged crown atop the hat, vermilion robes on Chi—who knows if this is now or then, if past and present aren't the same? The Wei court, furious, sent him out as prefect of Shiping. He hunted every day until a fall from his horse killed him.
12
陳慶之
Chen Qingzhi
13
陳慶之字子雲，義興國山人也。 幼隨從梁武帝。 帝性好碁，每從夜至旦不輟，等輩皆寐，唯慶之不寢，聞呼即至，甚見親賞。 從平建鄴，稍為主書，散財聚士，恒思立效。 除奉朝請。
Chen Qingzhi, courtesy name Ziyun, was from Guoshan in Yixing. From boyhood he served Emperor Wu of Liang. The Emperor loved weiqi and often played from night until dawn. His companions slept; only Qingzhi stayed awake and answered every summons. The Emperor came to favor him greatly. After Jiankang fell he rose to Master of Writing, spent his wealth gathering fighting men, and always looked for a chance to serve. He was appointed Attendant at Court.
14
普通中，魏徐州刺史元法僧于彭城求入內附，以慶之為武威將軍，與胡龍牙、成景雋率諸軍應接。 還除宣猛將軍、文德主帥，仍率軍送豫章王綜入鎮徐州。 魏遣安豐王元延明、臨淮王元彧率眾十萬來拒。 延明先遣其別將丘大千觀兵近境，慶之擊破之。 後豫章王棄軍奔魏，慶之乃斬關夜退，軍士獲全。
During Putong, Yuan Faseng, Wei's Inspector of Xuzhou, sought to defect at Pengcheng. Qingzhi was named General of Martial Prestige and, with Hu Longya and Cheng Jingjun, led troops to meet him. On his return he was made General of Manifest Ferocity and Commander of Wende, and escorted Prince Zong of Yuzhang to his post at Xuzhou. Wei sent the Princes of Anfeng and Huaihai, Yuan Yanming and Yuan Yu, with a hundred thousand men to oppose him. Yanming first sent his deputy Qiu Daqian to scout the frontier. Qingzhi routed him. When Prince Zong of Yuzhang abandoned the army and fled to Wei, Qingzhi broke through the pass under cover of night and brought his men out safely.
15
普通七年，安西將軍元樹出征壽春，除慶之假節、總知軍事。 魏豫州刺史李憲遣其子長鈞別築兩城相拒，慶之攻拔之，憲力屈遂降，慶之入據其城。 轉東宮直合。
In Putong year 7, when the Anxi General Yuan Shu marched on Shouchun, Qingzhi was made Acting Bearer of the Staff with overall command. Wei's Inspector of Yuzhou Li Xian had his son Changjun build two fortified towns to resist. Qingzhi took both. Li Xian's strength gave out and he surrendered; Qingzhi occupied the city. He was transferred to the Eastern Palace's Direct Gate Guard.
16
大通元年，隸領軍曹仲宗伐渦陽，魏遣常山王元昭等來援，前軍至駝澗，去渦陽四十里。 韋放曰：「賊鋒必是輕銳，戰捷不足為功； 如不利，沮我軍勢，不如勿擊。」 慶之曰：「魏人遠來，皆已疲倦，須挫其氣，必無不敗之理。」 於是與麾下五百騎奔擊，破其前軍，魏人震恐。 慶之還共諸將連營西進，據渦陽城，與魏相持，自春至冬，各數十百戰。 師老氣衰，魏之援兵復欲築壘於軍後。 仲宗等恐腹背受敵，謀退。 慶之杖節軍門，曰：「須虜圍合，然後與戰； 若欲班師，慶之別有密敕。」 仲宗壯其計，乃從之。 魏人掎角作十三城，慶之陷其四壘。 九城兵甲猶盛，乃陳其俘馘，鼓噪攻之，遂奔潰，斬獲略盡，渦水咽流。 詔以渦陽之地置西徐州。 眾軍乘勝前頓城父。 武帝嘉焉，手詔慰勉之。
In Datong year 1, under Commander Cao Congzong he attacked Guoyang. Wei sent the Prince of Changshan, Yuan Zhao, and others to relieve it. Their vanguard reached Tuo Stream, forty li away. Wei Fang argued, "The enemy vanguard must be their best troops. Beating them would mean little; and if we lose, it will break our momentum. Better not engage. Qingzhi replied, "The Wei have marched far and are exhausted. We must break their spirit—defeat is certain." He led five hundred horsemen in a headlong charge, smashed the vanguard, and threw the Wei into panic. Qingzhi rejoined the other generals, pushed west in linked camps, and held Guoyang. From spring through winter the two sides fought scores of battles. The army grew weary and morale sagged. Wei reinforcements began building fortifications behind the Liang lines. Congzong and the others, fearing attack from both sides, planned to withdraw. Qingzhi stood at the camp gate, tally in hand, and declared, "Wait until the enemy encircles us completely—then we fight; If anyone wants to retreat, I have a secret order that says otherwise. Congzong admired the plan and agreed. The Wei built thirteen linked fortresses. Qingzhi took four of them. The remaining nine still held strong garrisons. Qingzhi paraded prisoners and severed heads, attacked with a battle roar, and routed them. Slaughter and capture were nearly total; the Wo River ran choked with bodies. An edict created Western Xuzhou on the conquered territory. The army pressed its advantage and encamped at Chengfu. Emperor Wu was delighted and sent a personal edict of praise and encouragement.
17
大通初，魏北海王元顥來降，武帝以慶之為假節、飆勇將軍，送顥還北。 顥于渙水即魏帝號，授慶之前軍大都督。 自銍縣進，遂至睢陽。 魏將丘大千有眾七萬，分築九壘以拒。 慶之自旦至申，攻陷其三，大千乃降。
Early in Datong, Wei's Prince of Beihai, Yuan Hao, defected. The Emperor made Qingzhi Acting Bearer of the Staff and Ferocious Courage General and sent him north with Hao. At the Huan River Hao declared himself Wei emperor and made Qingzhi Grand Commander of the Vanguard. Marching from Quan county, they reached Suiyang. Wei general Qiu Daqian had seventy thousand men and built nine fortresses to block them. From dawn to mid-afternoon Qingzhi took three of them. Daqian surrendered.
18
時魏濟陰王元暉業率羽林庶子二萬人來救梁、宋，進屯考城。 慶之攻陷其城，禽暉業，仍趣大梁。 顥進慶之徐州刺史、武都郡王，仍率眾而西。
Wei's Prince of Jiyin, Yuan Yeye, then marched with twenty thousand Guardians of the Forest to relieve Liang and Song, encamping at Kaocheng. Qingzhi stormed the city, captured Yeye, and pressed on toward Daliang. Hao promoted Qingzhi to Inspector of Xuzhou and Prince of Wudu, then continued west at the head of the army.
19
魏左僕射楊昱等率禦仗羽林宗子庶子眾七萬據滎陽拒顥，兵強城固，魏將元天穆大軍復將至，先遣其驃騎將軍爾朱兆、騎將魯安等援楊昱，又遣右僕射爾朱世隆、西荊州刺史王羆據虎牢。 時滎陽未拔，士眾皆恐。 慶之乃解鞍秣馬，宣喻眾曰：「我等才有七千，賊眾四十餘萬。 今日之事，義不圖存，須平其城壘。」 一鼓悉使登城，壯士東陽宋景休、義興魚天湣踰堞而入，遂克之。 俄而魏陣外合，慶之率精兵三千大破之。 魯安於陣乞降，天穆、兆單騎獲免。 進赴虎牢，爾朱世隆棄城走。 魏孝莊出居河北。 其臨淮王彧、安豐王延明率百僚備法駕迎顥入洛陽宮，御前殿，改元大赦。 顥以慶之為車騎大將軍。
Yang Yu, Wei's Left Vice Minister, held Xingyang with seventy thousand Imperial Guards and other troops. The garrison was strong and the walls solid. Yuan Tianmu's main army was approaching; he sent Erzhu Zhao and Lu An ahead to reinforce Yang Yu, and Erzhu Shilong and Wang Pi, Inspector of Western Jing, to hold Hulao. Xingyang had not fallen, and the men were afraid. Qingzhi had the horses unsaddled and fed, then addressed the troops: "We number only seven thousand. The enemy exceeds four hundred thousand. Today honor forbids us to think of survival. We must take their walls. At the first drum he sent every man up the wall. Song Jingxiu of Dongyang and Yu Tianmin of Yixing scaled the parapet and broke in. The city fell. Wei forces soon closed in from outside. Qingzhi led three thousand picked men and routed them. Lu An surrendered on the field. Tianmu and Zhao escaped alone on horseback. Qingzhi pressed on to Hulao. Erzhu Shilong abandoned the city and fled. Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei fled north of the Yellow River. The Princes of Huaihai and Anfeng, Yu and Yanming, led the officials with the imperial carriage to welcome Hao into Luoyang Palace. He took the front hall, changed the reign title, and proclaimed a general amnesty. Hao made Qingzhi Cavalry Grand General.
20
魏上党王元天穆又攻拔大梁，分遣王老生、費穆據虎牢，刁宣、刁雙入梁、宋，慶之隨方掩襲，並降，天穆與十餘騎北度河。 慶之麾下悉著白袍，所向披靡。 先是洛中謠曰：「名軍大將莫自牢，千兵萬馬避白袍。」 自發銍縣至洛陽，十四旬平三十二城，四十七戰，所向無前。
Wei's Prince of Shangdang, Yuan Tianmu, retook Daliang and sent Wang Laosheng and Fei Mu to hold Hulao and Diao Xuan and Diao Shuang into Liang and Song. Qingzhi struck wherever opportunity offered; all surrendered. Tianmu crossed the river north with a dozen horsemen. Qingzhi's men all wore white robes and swept aside everything in their path. A Luoyang ballad had already warned: "Famous generals, don't trust your walls—ten thousand horsemen flee the white robes. From Quan county to Luoyang, in fourteen ten-day periods he took thirty-two cities in forty-seven battles. Nothing stood before him.
21
初，魏莊帝單騎度河，宮衛嬪侍無改于常。 顥既得志，荒於酒色，不復視事，與安豐、臨淮計將背梁，以時事未安，且資慶之力用。 慶之心知之，乃說顥曰：「今遠來至此，未伏尚多，宜啟天子，更請精兵； 並勒諸州有南人沒此者，悉須部送。」
When Emperor Zhuang of Wei fled alone on horseback across the river, his palace guards and attendants carried on as if nothing had happened. Once Hao had what he wanted, he sank into wine and women and neglected affairs. With the Princes of Anfeng and Huaihai he plotted to betray Liang, but while the situation remained unsettled he still relied on Qingzhi's strength. Qingzhi saw through it. He urged Hao, "Many here still hold out. You should petition the Son of Heaven for more elite troops; and order every province to send up all southerners held captive here."
22
顥欲從之，元延明說顥曰：「慶之兵不出數千，已自難制，今更增其眾，寧肯為用？ 魏之宗社，於斯而滅。」 顥由是疑慶之，乃密啟武帝停軍。 洛下南人不出一萬，魏人十倍。 軍副馬佛念言于慶之曰：「勳高不賞，震主身危，二事既有，將軍豈得無慮？ 今將軍威震中原，聲動河塞，屠顥據洛，則千載一時。」 慶之不從。 顥前以慶之為徐州刺史，因求之鎮，顥心憚之，遂不遣。
Hao was inclined to agree, but Yuan Yanming warned him, "Qingzhi commands only a few thousand men and is already hard to control. Send him more troops—will he still obey? Wei's dynasty would be finished. Hao grew suspicious and secretly asked Emperor Wu to halt reinforcements. Southerners in Luoyang numbered fewer than ten thousand; the Wei outnumbered them ten to one. His deputy Ma Fonian said to Qingzhi, "Great merit goes unrewarded, and power that awes the throne endangers its holder. With both in play, can you afford not to worry? Your prestige now shakes the Central Plain and your name resounds to the Yellow River frontier. Kill Hao and hold Luoyang—a chance that comes once in an age. Qingzhi refused. Hao had earlier made Qingzhi Inspector of Xuzhou. When Qingzhi asked to take up the post, Hao, fearing him, refused.
23
魏將爾朱榮、爾朱世隆、元天穆、爾朱兆等眾號百萬，挾魏帝來攻顥。 顥據洛陽六十五日，凡所得城一時歸魏，慶之度河守北中郎城。 三日十一戰，傷殺甚眾。 榮將退還，時有善天文人劉靈助謂榮曰：「不出十日，河南大定。」 榮乃為伐濟自硤石，與顥戰於河橋。 顥大敗，走至臨潁被禽，洛陽復入魏。 慶之馬步數千結陣東反，榮親自來追，軍人死散。 慶之乃落鬚髮為沙門，間行至豫州，州人程道雍等潛送出汝陰。 至都，仍以功除右衛將軍，封永興侯。
Wei generals Erzhu Rong, Erzhu Shilong, Yuan Tianmu, and Erzhu Zhao marched with what they claimed was a million men and the Wei emperor to attack Hao. Hao held Luoyang for sixty-five days. Every city he had taken reverted to Wei at once. Qingzhi crossed the river and held North Central Gentleman City. In three days he fought eleven battles. Casualties were heavy on both sides. Rong was about to withdraw when the astrologer Liu Lingzhu told him, "Within ten days Henan will be secured. Rong cut a path through the Xiaoxi ford at Xiashi and met Hao at River Bridge. Hao was routed, fled to Linying, and was captured. Luoyang returned to Wei. Qingzhi formed his few thousand horse and foot and turned east. Rong pursued in person. His men were killed or scattered. Qingzhi shaved his head and beard and went as a monk by back roads to Yuzhou, where Cheng Daoyong and others smuggled him out through Ruyin. Back at the capital he was made Right Guard General and Marquis of Yongxing for his service.
24
出為北兗州刺史、都督緣淮諸軍事。 會有祅賊沙門僧強自稱為帝，土豪蔡伯寵起兵應之，攻陷北徐州。 詔慶之討焉。 慶之斬伯寵、僧強，傳其首。
He was posted as Inspector of Northern Yanzhou and commander of forces along the Huai. A sorcerer monk, Seng Qiang, declared himself emperor. The local strongman Cai Bochong rose in support and seized Northern Xuzhou. An edict sent Qingzhi to suppress them. Qingzhi beheaded Bochong and Seng Qiang and sent their heads to the capital.
25
中大通二年，除南北司二州刺史，加都督。 慶之至鎮，遂圍縣瓠，破魏潁州刺史婁起、揚州刺史是雲寶于溱水。 又破行台孫騰、豫州刺史堯雄、梁州刺史司馬恭于楚城。 罷義陽鎮兵，停水陸轉運，江湘諸州並得休息。 開田六千頃，二年之後，倉廩充實。 又表省南司州，復安陸郡，置上明郡。
In Zhongdatong year 2 he was made Inspector of both Southern and Northern Si provinces and given overall command. At his post Qingzhi besieged Xiangcheng and defeated Wei's Inspectors of Ying and Yang, Lou Qi and Shi Yunbao, at the Zhen River. He also defeated Sun Teng of the Mobile Command and Wei's Inspectors Yao Xiong of Yuzhou and Sima Gong of Liangzhou at Chucheng. He disbanded the Yiyang garrison and halted water and land transport, giving the Jiang and Xiang provinces relief from the burden. He opened six thousand qing of fields; within two years the granaries were full. He also petitioned to abolish Southern Si province, restore Anlu commandery, and create Shangming commandery.
26
大同二年，魏遣將侯景攻下楚州，執刺史桓和。 景仍進軍淮上，慶之破之。 時大寒雪，景棄輜重走。 是歲豫州饑，慶之開倉振給，多所全濟。 州人李升等八百人表求樹碑頌德，詔許焉。 五年卒，諡曰武。
In Datong year 2, Wei sent Hou Jing to take Chuzhou and captured Inspector Huan He. Jing pressed on toward the Huai. Qingzhi defeated him. In bitter cold and snow Jing abandoned his baggage train and fled. That year Yuzhou suffered famine. Qingzhi opened the granaries and saved many lives. Eight hundred locals led by Li Sheng petitioned for a stele in his honor. The court approved. He died in the fifth year of the reign and was posthumously titled Martial.
27
慶之性祗慎，每奉詔敕，必洗沐拜受。 儉素不衣紈綺，不好絲竹。 射不穿劄，馬非所便，而善撫軍士，能得其死力。 長子昭嗣。
Qingzhi was reverent and careful. Whenever an edict arrived he washed and bowed before accepting it. He lived plainly, wore no silk, and cared nothing for music. He could not shoot an arrow through a leaf and was no horseman, yet he knew how to win soldiers' hearts and call forth their utmost loyalty. His eldest son Zhaosi succeeded him.
28
梁世寒門達者唯慶之與俞藥，藥初為武帝左右，帝謂曰：「俞氏無先賢，世人云'俞錢'，非君子所宜，改姓喻。」 藥曰：「當令姓自於臣。」 歷位雲旗將軍，安州刺史。
In Liang times only Qingzhi and Yu Yao rose from humble origins. Yao had served at the Emperor's side. The Emperor told him, "Your clan has no distinguished ancestors. People mock the name as 'Yu money'—unfit for a gentleman. Change it to Yu, 'to illustrate.' Yao replied, "Let the surname speak for the man himself." He rose to General of Cloud Banners and Inspector of Anzhou.
29
慶之第五子昕字君章，七歲能騎射。 十二隨父入洛，遇疾還都，詣鴻臚卿朱異。 異訪北間事，昕聚土畫城，指麾分別，異甚奇之。
Qingzhi's fifth son Xin, courtesy name Junzhang, could ride and shoot by age seven. At twelve he followed his father to Luoyang. Illness sent him back to the capital, where he called on Zhu Yi, Chamberlain for Dependent States. Yi questioned him about the north. Xin molded earth into a map of the cities and traced the deployments. Yi was astonished.
30
慶之在縣瓠，魏驍將堯雄子寶樂特為敢勇，求單騎校戰，昕躍馬直趣寶樂，雄即潰散。 後為臨川太守。
At Xiangcheng, Yao Xiong's son Baoyue, a Wei champion, challenged anyone to single combat. Xin spurred straight at him. Yao Xiong's force broke and fled. He later became prefect of Linchuan.
31
太清二年，侯景圍曆陽，敕召昕還。 昕啟云：「採石急須重鎮，王質水軍輕弱，恐虜必濟。」 乃板昕為雲騎將軍代質，未及下渚，景已度江，為景所禽。 令收集部曲將用之，昕誓而不許。 景使其儀同範桃棒嚴禁之，昕因說桃棒令率所領歸降，襲殺王偉、宋子仙。 桃棒許之。 遂立盟射城中，遣昕夜縋而入。 武帝大喜，敕即受降。 簡文遲疑，累日不決。 外事泄，昕弗之知，猶依期而下。 景邀得之，逼昕令更射書城中，云：「桃棒且輕將數十人先入」。 景欲裹甲隨之。 昕不從，遂見害。
In Taiqing year 2, Hou Jing besieged Liyang. An edict recalled Xin. Xin memorialized, "Caishi needs a strong garrison at once. Wang Zhi's fleet is too weak—the enemy will surely cross. Xin was hurriedly appointed General of Cloud Cavalry to replace Wang Zhi. Before he reached the lower ford, Jing had already crossed the Yangtze and captured him. Jing ordered him to rally his followers for service. Xin swore he would not. Jing had Fan Taobang guard him closely. Xin persuaded Taobang to defect with his men and kill Wang Wei and Song Zixian. Taobang agreed. They sealed the pact by shooting an arrow into the city and sent Xin in by rope that night. Emperor Wu was overjoyed and ordered the surrender accepted immediately. Emperor Jianwen wavered, and for days could not decide. The plan leaked, but Xin knew nothing and came down on schedule. Jing caught him and forced him to shoot another message into the city: "Taobang will enter first with a few dozen light troops." Jing planned to follow in armor. Xin refused and was killed.
32
少弟暄
The Younger Brother: Xuan
33
少弟暄，學不師受，文才俊逸。 尤嗜酒，無節操，遍曆王公門，沈湎喧譊，過差非度。 其兄子秀常憂之，致書于暄友人何胥，冀以諷諫。 暄聞之，與秀書曰：
The younger brother Xuan was self-taught, with a brilliant literary gift. He was devoted to wine, without restraint, and haunted the houses of princes and dukes, drinking himself into uproar far beyond all propriety. His nephew Xiu worried constantly and wrote to Xuan's friend He Xu, hoping he might offer a tactful warning. When Xuan heard, he wrote back to Xiu:
34
旦見汝書與孝典，陳吾飲酒過差。 吾有此好五十餘年，昔吳國張長公亦稱耽嗜，吾見張時，伊已六十，自言引滿大勝少年時。 吾今所進亦多於往日。 老而彌篤，唯吾與張季舒耳。 吾方與此子交歡於地下，汝欲夭吾所志邪？ 昔阮咸、阮籍同游竹林，宣子不聞斯言。 王湛能玄言巧騎，武子呼為癡叔。 何陳留之風不嗣，太原之氣巋然，翻成可怪！
This morning I saw your letter to Xiaodian complaining that I drink too much. I have loved wine for more than fifty years. Zhang the Elder of Wu was a famous drinker too. When I met him at sixty, he said he could hold his liquor better than in his youth. I drink even more now than I did then. Age has only deepened the habit—Zhang Jishu and I alone know what that means. I am about to drink with that man in the world below. Do you mean to cut short my chosen path? Ruan Xian and Ruan Ji once roamed the Bamboo Grove together. Would Xuanzi have spoken as you do? Wang Zhan could speak abstruse philosophy and ride superbly, yet Wuzi called him the Idiot Uncle. Why has the free spirit of Chenliu died out while the stolid air of Taiyuan endures? That is what is truly strange!
35
吾既寂漠當世，朽病殘年，產不異于顏原，名未動於卿相，若不日飲醇酒，復欲安歸？ 汝以飲酒為非，吾以不飲酒為過。 昔周伯仁度江唯三日醒，吾不以為少； 鄭康成一飲三百杯，吾不以為多。 然洪醉之後，有得有失。 成塚養之志，是其得也； 使次公之狂，是其失也。 吾常譬酒之猶水，亦可以濟舟，亦可以覆舟。 故江諮議有言：「酒猶兵也。 兵可千日而不用，不可一日而不備。 酒可千日而不飲，不可一飲而不醉。」 美哉江公，可與共論酒矣。 汝驚吾墯馬侍中之門，陷池武陵之第，遍佈朝野，自言焦悚。 「丘也幸，苟有過，人必知之」。 吾生平所願，身沒之後，題吾墓云：「陳故酒徒陳君之神道」。 若斯志意，豈避南征之不復，賈誼之慟哭者哉。 何水曹眼不識杯鐺，吾口不離瓢杓，汝甯與何同日而醒，與吾同日而醉乎？ 政言其醒可及，其醉不可及也。 速營糟丘，吾將老焉。 爾無多言，非爾所及。
I am forgotten in this world, broken and old. My means are those of Yan Hui or Yuan Xian; my name has never reached the great ministers. If I do not drink good wine every day, where else is there for me to go? You call drinking a fault; I call sobriety the fault. When Zhou Borren crossed the Yangtze he was sober only three days in all—I do not call that too little; Zheng Kangcheng drank three hundred cups at one sitting—I do not call that too much. Yet deep drunkenness has its gains and its losses. Fulfilling the filial duty of raising a family tomb—that is the gain; Producing the wildness of Cigong—that is the loss. I often compare wine to water—it can carry a boat or sink one. Adviser Jiang once said, "Wine is like arms. Arms may lie unused for a thousand days, but you cannot leave them unready for a single day. Wine may go undrunk for a thousand days, but once you drink you must be drunk. Splendid Lord Jiang—he was a man to discuss wine with! You fuss over my fall from a horse at the Attendant-in-Ordinary's gate and my plunge into the pool at Prince Wuling's mansion—news spread everywhere, and I admit I was mortified. As Confucius said, "If I err, people are sure to know." All my life I have wished that after death my tomb would read: "Spirit Way of Lord Chen, Wine-Drinker of Chen." With such an ambition, would I fear never returning from the south, or weep like Jia Yi? He of the Water Bureau cannot tell one cup from another; my lips never leave the ladle. Would you rather wake sober with He, or get drunk with me? I mean only that you might match him sober—you could never match me drunk. Build me a hill of mash—I mean to grow old upon it. Say no more. This is beyond you.
36
暄以落魄不為中正所品，久不得調。 陳天康中，徐陵為吏部尚書，精簡人物，縉紳之士皆向慕焉。 暄以玉帽簪插髻，紅絲布裹頭，袍拂踝，靴至膝，不陳爵裏，直上陵坐。 陵不之識，命吏持下。 暄徐步而出，舉止自若，竟無怍容。 作書謗陵，陵甚病之。
Xuan's dissolute life kept the Rectifier from rating him, and for years he received no appointment. During Chen's Tiankang era, Xu Ling was Minister of Personnel and renowned for judging talent. Officials and gentry alike admired him. Xuan appeared with a jade pin in his topknot, a red silk head-wrap, a robe sweeping his ankles, and boots to the knee. Without giving name or rank he walked in and sat down before Xu Ling. Xu Ling did not recognize him and ordered his clerks to remove him. Xuan walked out slowly, perfectly at ease, without a trace of embarrassment. He wrote a letter mocking Xu Ling, who was deeply offended.
37
蘭欽字休明，中昌魏人也。 幼而果決，趫捷過人。 宋末隨父子雲在洛陽，恒於市騎橐駝。 後子雲還南，梁天監中以軍功至冀州刺史。 欽兼文德主帥，征南中五郡諸洞反者，所至皆平。
Lan Qin, courtesy name Xiuming, was from Zhongchangwei. From boyhood he was bold and decisive, quicker and nimbler than other men. At the end of the Song he followed his father Ziyun to Luoyang, where he often rode camels in the market. When Ziyun later returned south, Lan Qin rose through battle honors in Liang's Tianjian era to Inspector of Jizhou. As Commander of Wende he campaigned against rebel cave tribes in five southern commanderies and pacified every place he reached.
38
欽有謀略，勇決善戰，步行日二百里，勇武過人。 善撫馭，得人死力。 以軍功封安懷縣男。 累遷都督、梁南秦二州刺史，進爵為侯。
Qin was shrewd, bold, and a skilled fighter. On foot he could cover two hundred li in a day. His courage outmatched other men. He knew how to win men and call forth their utmost loyalty. For his military service he was enfeoffed as Baron of Anhuai. He rose to Commander and Inspector of Liang and Southern Qin, and was promoted to marquis.
39
征梁、漢，事平，進號智武將軍。 改授都督、衡州刺史。 未及述職，會西魏攻圍南鄭，梁州刺史杜懷寶來請救，欽乃大破魏軍，追入斜穀，斬獲略盡。 魏相安定公遣致馬二千疋，請結鄰好。 欽百日之中再破魏軍，威振鄰國。 詔加散騎常侍，仍令述職。
After the Liang and Han campaign he was promoted to Wise Martial General. He was reassigned as Commander and Inspector of Hengzhou. Before he could take up his post, Western Wei besieged Nanzheng. Liang Inspector Du Huaibao appealed for help. Qin routed the Wei army and pursued them into Xie Valley, slaughtering and capturing nearly all. Wei's Chancellor, the Duke of Anding, sent two thousand horses and sought peace between neighbors. Within a hundred days Qin defeated the Wei twice. His fame shook the neighboring states. He was made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and ordered to proceed to his post.
40
經廣州，因破俚帥陳文徹兄弟，並禽之。 至衡州，進號平南將軍，改封曲江縣公。 在州有惠政，吏人詣闕請立碑頌德，詔許焉。
Passing through Guangzhou he defeated the Li chieftain Chen Wenche and his brothers and took them captive. At Hengzhou he was promoted to General Who Pacifies the South and made Duke of Qujiang. His rule in the province was benevolent. Officials and people petitioned the court for a stele in his honor, and the edict approved.
41
後為廣州刺史。 前刺史新渝侯映之薨，南安侯恬權行州事，冀得即真。 及聞欽至嶺，原貨廚人，塗刀以毒，削瓜進之，欽及愛妾俱死。 帝聞大怒，檻車收恬，削爵土。
He later became Inspector of Guangzhou. When the former inspector, the Marquis of Xinyu, died, the Marquis of Nan'an, Tian, acted as interim governor, hoping to keep the post. When he learned Qin had crossed the Ling Pass, he bribed the kitchen staff, poisoned a knife, and served sliced melon. Qin and his favorite concubine both died. The Emperor, furious, had Tian taken away in a prison cart and stripped of his title and fief.
42
欽子夏禮，侯景至曆陽，率其部曲邀景，兵敗死之。
Qin's son Xiali, when Hou Jing reached Liyang, led his followers to intercept him, was defeated, and died.
43
論曰：陳伯之雖輕狡為心，而勇勁自立，其累至爵位，蓋有由焉。 及喪亂既平，去就不已，卒得其死，亦為幸哉。 慶之初同燕雀之遊，終懷鴻鵠之志，及乎一見任委，長驅伊、洛。 前無強陣，攻靡堅城，雖南風不競，晚致傾覆，其所克捷，亦足稱之。 蘭欽戰有先鳴，位非虛受，終逢鴆毒，唯命也夫。
Commentary: Chen Bozhi was frivolous and cunning at heart, yet he made his own way through courage and force. That he rose to enfeoffment was not without cause. After the chaos ended he wavered between loyalty and defection, yet died in his bed—a kind of fortune in itself. Qingzhi began among the sparrows yet always nursed the wild swan's ambition. Once trusted with command, he swept through the Yi and Luo valleys. No enemy line held before him; no walled city withstood his assault. Though fortune turned against him in the end, what he conquered remains worthy of praise. Lan Qin was always first in battle and earned every rank he held. That he died by poison was simply fate.