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易稱「男正位乎外,女正位乎內; 男女正,天地之大義也」。 古先哲王,莫不明后妃之制,順天地之德,故二妃嬪媯,虞道克隆,任、姒配姬,周室用熈,廢興存亡,恆此之由。 春秋說云天子十二女,諸侯九女,考之情理,不易之典也。 而末世奢縱,肆其侈欲,至使男女怨曠,感動和氣,惟色是崇,不本淑懿,故風教陵遲而大綱毀泯,豈不惜哉! 嗚呼,有國有家者,其可以永鑒矣!
The Changes says, "The man takes the correct position outside, the woman takes the correct position inside; when each stands in the right relation, that is the great moral order of heaven and earth." Every wise king of antiquity made clear the rules governing empresses and concubines and aligned them with the moral pattern of heaven and earth. Hence the two royal brides who joined the Gui line made Yao’s line thrive, while Ren and Si, wed into the Ji clan, brought radiance to Zhou. Whether a state flourishes or fails has almost always turned on this. Exegetical tradition on the Spring and Autumn Annals assigns twelve consorts to the Son of Heaven and nine to a feudal lord; weighed by common sense, that norm has not changed. In later ages, however, rulers gave themselves to excess and appetite until men and women languished apart in bitterness, unsettling the harmonious air of the realm. They exalted mere loveliness instead of grounding choice in true goodness, until morals frayed and the fundamental ties of society collapsed. What a waste. Alas: any who would hold a realm or a household ought to keep this lesson before them always.
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漢制,帝祖母曰太皇太后,帝母曰皇太后,帝妃曰皇后,其餘內官十有四等。 魏因漢法,母后之號皆如舊制,自夫人以下,世有增損。 太祖建國,始命王后,其下五等:有夫人,有昭儀,有倢伃,有容華,有美人。 文帝增貴嬪、淑媛、脩容、順成、良人。 明帝增淑妃、昭華、脩儀; 除順成官。 太和中始復命夫人,登其位於淑妃之上。 自夫人以下爵凡十二等:貴嬪、夫人,位次皇后,爵無所視; 淑妃位視相國,爵比諸侯王; 淑媛位視御史大夫,爵比縣公; 昭儀比縣侯; 昭華比鄉侯; 脩容比亭侯; 脩儀比關內侯; 倢伃視中二千石; 容華視真二千石; 美人視比二千石; 良人視千石。
Han law styled the sovereign’s grandmother Grand Empress Dowager, his mother Empress Dowager, his chief consort Empress, and recognized fourteen grades of inner-court women below them. Wei adopted Han precedent: the titles of the empress’s mother and similar ranks stayed as before, while from Lady downward successive reigns added or pruned offices. When Cao Cao established his kingdom he first set a queen above five grades: Lady, Brilliant Companion, Handmaid of Favor, Graceful Splendor, and Beauty. Wen-di expanded the roster with Honored Concubine, Virtuous Lady, Cultivated Countenance, Accomplished Success, and Good Woman. Ming-di added Virtuous Consort, Splendid Companion, and Cultured Bearing; and he abolished the Accomplished Success post. During Taihe the court restored the title Lady and set it above Virtuous Consort. Below the empress came twelve noble grades. Honored Concubine and Lady stood immediately beneath her, with no exact analogue among outside nobility; Virtuous Consort’s salary matched the Chancellor’s and her fief ranked with a prince of the blood; Virtuous Lady matched the Imperial Counselor and ranked with a county duke; Brilliant Companion matched a county marquis; Splendid Companion matched a village marquis; Cultivated Countenance matched a pavilion marquis; Cultured Bearing matched a marquis-within-the-passes; Handmaid of Favor drew pay like a full two-thousand-shi official; Graceful Splendor drew true two-thousand-shi rank; Beauty compared to two-thousand-shi salary; Good Woman matched one thousand shi.
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武宣卞皇后
Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan (the martial and manifest empress), surnamed Bian
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武宣卞皇后,琅邪開陽人,文帝母也。 本倡家, 〈《魏書》曰:后以漢延熹三年十二月己巳生齊郡白亭,有黃氣滿室移日。 父敬侯怪之,以問卜者王旦,旦曰:「此吉祥也。」〉 年二十,太祖於譙納后爲妾。 後隨太祖至洛。 及董卓爲亂,太祖微服東出避難。 袁術傳太祖凶問,時太祖左右至洛者皆欲歸,后止之曰:「曹君吉凶未可知,今日還家,明日若在,何靣目復相見也? 正使禍至,共死何苦!」 遂從后言。 太祖聞而善之。 建安初,丁夫人廢,遂以后爲繼室。 諸子無母者,太祖皆令后養之。 〈《魏略》曰:太祖始有丁夫人,又劉夫人生子脩及清河長公主。 劉早終,丁養子脩。 子脩亡於穰,丁常言:「將我兒殺之,都不復念!」 遂哭泣無節。 太祖忿之,遣歸家,欲其意折。 後太祖就見之,夫人方織,外人傳云「公至」,夫人踞機如故。 太祖到,撫其背曰:「顧我共載歸乎!」 夫人不顧,又不應。 太祖却行,立於戶外,復云:「得無尚可邪!」 遂不應,太祖曰:「真訣矣。」 遂與絕,欲其家嫁之,其家不敢。 初,丁夫人旣爲嫡,加有子脩,丁視后母子不足。 后爲繼室,不念舊惡,因太祖出行,常四時使人饋遺,又私迎之,延以正坐而己下之,迎來送去,有如昔日。 丁謝曰:「廢放之人,夫人何能常爾邪!」 其後丁亡,后請太祖殯葬,許之,乃葬許城南。 後太祖病困,自慮不起,歎曰:「我前後行意,於心未曾有所負也。 假令死而有靈,子脩若問『我母所在』,我將何辭以荅!」 《魏書》曰:后性約儉,不尚華麗,無文繡珠玉,器皆黑漆。 太祖常得名璫數具,命后自選一具,后取其中者,太祖問其故,對曰:「取其上者爲貪,取其下者爲偽,故取其中者。」〉 文帝爲太子,左右長御賀后曰:「將軍拜太子,天下莫不歡喜,后當傾府藏賞賜。」 后曰:「王自以丕年大,故用爲嗣,我但當以免無教導之過爲幸耳,亦何爲當重賜遺乎!」 長御還,具以語太祖。 太祖恱曰:「怒不變容,喜不失節,故是最爲難。」
Lady Bian, posthumously honored as Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan, came from Kaiyang in Langye and was Cao Pi’s mother. She was born into a family of performers. 〈The Book of Wei records that she was born on jisi in the twelfth month of Han Yanxi 3 at White Pavilion in Qi, while yellow vapor filled the room for an entire day. Her father, ennobled as the Respectful Marquis, was troubled and questioned the diviner Wang Dan, who answered, “This is a blessed omen.”〉 When she was twenty, Cao Cao took her as a concubine at Qiao. She later accompanied him to Luoyang. When Dong Zhuo’s rebellion convulsed the capital, Cao Cao slipped away in plain clothes toward the east. Yuan Shu circulated a false report of Cao Cao’s death. His followers in Luoyang wanted to flee homeward, but Lady Bian told them, “You cannot know yet whether my lord lives or dies. If you leave today and he proves alive tomorrow, how could you bear to look him in the eye? Even if the worst comes, is dying together so terrible?” They stayed because she said so. Cao Cao heard the story and approved her steadiness. Early in Jian’an, after Lady Ding was cast off, he made Lady Bian his principal wife. He told her to raise every motherless son of his household. 〈The Wei Summary adds that Cao Cao first had Lady Ding, while Lady Liu bore Cao Ang and the Princess of Qinghe. Lady Liu died young, and Lady Ding reared Cao Ang as her own. After Cao Ang died at Rang, Lady Ding cried again and again, “You got my son killed and spare me no thought at all!” and she wept without measure. Enraged, Cao Cao sent her back to her family, expecting her resolve to crumble. Later Cao Cao went to see her. She was at her loom, and when someone outside announced, "The lord has arrived," she remained seated at the loom as before. He stepped in, laid a hand on her back, and said, “Won’t you come home with me in the carriage?” She neither looked at him nor replied. He withdrew to the threshold and called, “Is there still no way to patch this?” Again she was silent, and he said, “Then it is finished between us.” He severed ties and wanted her kin to remarry her, yet they dared not. While Lady Ding was still principal consort and mother to Cao Ang, she looked down on Lady Bian and her sons. Once Lady Bian became principal wife she refused to nurse old grudges. Whenever Cao Cao was away she sent seasonal gifts, received Lady Ding in private, gave her the host’s seat while taking a lower place herself, and saw her off and welcomed her as in earlier times. Lady Ding protested, “I am a discarded woman—why should you honor me like this?” After Lady Ding died, Lady Bian begged Cao Cao to bury her properly; he agreed, and she was interred south of Xu. Later, as Cao Cao lay dying, he sighed, “In everything I have done I do not believe I ever knowingly betrayed another. Yet if the dead have awareness and Cao Ang asks where his mother is, what answer could I give?” The Book of Wei adds that Lady Bian lived plainly—no embroidered silks or jade ornaments, only black-lacquer ware. When Cao Cao offered her a choice of jeweled pins she picked middling ones, explaining, “The finest would show greed, the poorest affectation; the middle course is honest.”〉 When Cao Pi became heir, his senior maids told Lady Bian, “The heir has been named; the whole realm rejoices. You should fling open the treasuries and give largesse.” She answered, “The king chose Pi because he is the elder son. I am lucky enough not to be faulted for poor upbringing—why heap rewards on everyone?” They reported her words to Cao Cao. He said with satisfaction, “To stay calm in anger and measured in joy—that is the rarest thing of all.”
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二十四年,拜爲王后,策曰:「夫人卞氏,撫養諸子,有母儀之德。 今進位王后,太子諸侯陪位,羣卿上壽,減國內死罪一等。」 二十五年,太祖崩,文帝即王位,尊后曰王太后,及踐阼,尊后曰皇太后,稱永壽宮。 〈《魏書》曰:后以國用不足,滅損御食,諸金銀器物皆去之。 東阿王植,太后少子,最愛之。 後植犯法,爲有司所奏,文帝令太后弟子奉車都尉蘭持公卿議白太后,太后曰:「不意此兒所作如是,汝還語帝,不可以我故壞國法。」 及自見帝,不以爲言。 臣松之案:文帝夢磨錢,欲使文滅而更愈明,以問周宣。 宣荅曰:「此陛下家事,雖意欲爾,而太后不聽。」 則太后用意,不得如此書所言也。 《魏書》又曰:太后每隨軍征行,見高年白首,輙住車呼問,賜與絹帛,對之涕泣曰:「恨父母不及我時也。」 太后每見外親,不假以顏色,常言「居處當務節儉,不當望賞賜,念自佚也。 外舍當怪吾遇之太薄,吾自有常度故也。 吾事武帝四五十年,行儉日久,不能自變爲奢,有犯科禁者,吾且能加罪一等耳,莫望錢米恩貸也。」 帝爲太后弟秉起第,第成,太后幸第請諸家外親,設下廚,無異膳。 太后左右菜食粟飯,無魚肉。 其儉如此。〉 明帝即位,尊太后曰太皇太后。
In the twenty-fourth year of Jian’an she was enfeoffed as queen. The edict read, “Lady Bian has nurtured the princes and embodies a mother’s standard. We therefore raise her to queen; the heir and feudal lords shall attend while ministers toast her long life, and death sentences across the domain are commuted one degree.” The next year Cao Cao died. Cao Pi, now king, styled her Queen Dowager, and as emperor raised her to Empress Dowager of Yongshou Palace. 〈The Book of Wei notes that she cut palace meals when the treasury ran short and stripped the kitchens of gold and silver vessels. Cao Zhi, prince of Dong’e, was her youngest and her favorite. When Cao Zhi broke the law and officials impeached him, Wen-di sent her nephew Lan, commandant of the imperial carriage, with the ministers’ verdict. She said only, “I never thought this boy would go so far. Go back and tell the Son of Heaven not to bend the statutes for my sake.” When she next saw the emperor she never raised the matter. Pei Songzhi remarks: Wen-di dreamed of grinding coins, wanting the characters to fade yet they grew sharper, and asked Zhou Xuan. Zhou Xuan answered, “This concerns your own household: though you wish one outcome, the empress dowager will not consent.” So her attitude cannot have matched what this passage claims. The Book of Wei also says that on campaign she stopped her carriage for white-haired villagers, gave them silk, and wept, “I mourn that my own parents never lived to see days like these.” To kinsmen from outside the palace she showed no easy warmth, warning, “Live modestly; do not look for gifts or live only for comfort. They may think me harsh, but I keep to my rule. I served Emperor Wu forty or fifty years in frugal habit; I will not turn lavish now. Whoever breaks the law gets an extra degree of punishment from me—never expect money or grain favors.” The emperor built a mansion for her brother Bing; when she toured it she feasted the kin with plain fare from the lower kitchen, nothing special. Her own attendants ate vegetables and millet, no meat or fish. Such was her austerity.〉 When Ming-di succeeded he raised her to Grand Empress Dowager.
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黃初中,文帝欲追封太后父母,尚書陳羣奏曰:「陛下以聖德應運受命,創業革制,當永爲後式。 案典籍之文,無婦人分土命爵之制。 在禮典,婦因夫爵。 秦違古法,漢氏因之,非先王之令典也。」 帝曰:「此議是也,其勿施行。 以作著詔下藏之臺閣,永爲後式。」 至太和四年春,明帝乃追謚太后祖父廣曰開陽恭侯,父遠曰敬侯,祖母周封陽都君及敬侯夫人,皆贈印綬。 其年五月,后崩。 七月,合葬高陵。
During Huangchu, Wen-di wanted to posthumously ennoble Lady Bian’s parents. Chen Qun objected: “You received the mandate with sage virtue and set new institutions—you must be the pattern for ages to come. The classics nowhere grant women fiefs or noble rank of their own. Ritual gives a wife rank only through her husband. Qin broke the ancient rule and Han followed suit; neither matches the true kings’ code.” The emperor agreed: “Do not enact it. Instead promulgate an edict, file it in the tower archives, and let it stand forever as precedent.” In Taihe 4 Ming-di belatedly ennobled her grandfather Guang as Marquis Gong of Kaiyang, her father Yuan as Marquis Jing, and her grandmother Zhou as lady of Yangdu and consort of Marquis Jing, each with seals and cords. She died that fifth month. In the seventh month she was laid beside Cao Cao in the Gaoling mausoleum.
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初,太后弟秉,以功封都鄉侯,黃初七年進封開陽侯,邑千二百戶,爲昭烈將軍。 《魏略》曰:初,卞后弟秉,當建安時得爲別部司馬,后常對太祖怨言,太祖荅言:「但得與我作婦弟,不爲多邪?」 后又欲太祖給其錢帛,太祖又曰:「但汝盜與,不爲足邪?」 故訖太祖世,秉官不移,財亦不益。 秉薨,子蘭嗣。 少有才學,《魏略》曰:蘭獻賦贊述太子德美,太子報曰:「賦者,言事類之所附也,頌者,美盛德之形容也,故作者不虛其辭,受者必當其實。 蘭此賦,豈吾實哉? 昔吾丘壽王一陳寶鼎,何武等徒以歌頌,猶受金帛之賜,蘭事雖不諒,義足嘉也。 今賜牛一頭。」 由是遂見親敬。 爲奉車都尉、游擊將軍,加散騎常侍。 蘭薨,子暉嗣。 《魏略》曰:明帝時,蘭見外有二難,而帝留意於宮室,常因侍從,數切諫。 帝雖不能從,猶納其誠欵。 後蘭苦酒消渴,時帝信巫女用水方,使人持水賜蘭,蘭不肯飲。 詔問其意? 蘭言治病自當以方藥,何信於此? 帝爲變色,而蘭終不服。 後渴稍甚,以至於亡。 故時人見蘭好直言,謂帝靣折之而蘭自殺,其實不然。 又分秉爵,封蘭弟琳爲列侯,官至步兵校尉。 蘭子隆女爲高貴鄉公皇后,隆以后父爲光祿大夫,位特進,封睢陽鄉侯,妻王爲顯陽鄉君。 追封隆前妻劉爲順陽鄉君,后親母故也。 琳女又爲陳留王皇后,時琳已沒,封琳妻劉爲廣陽鄉君。 文昭甄皇后,中山無極人,明帝母,漢太保甄邯後也,世吏二千石。 父逸,上蔡令。 后三歲失父。 《魏書》曰:逸娶常山張氏,生三男五女:長男豫,早終; 次儼,舉孝廉,大將軍掾、曲梁長; 次堯,舉孝廉; 長女姜,次脫,次道,次榮,次即后。 后以漢光和五年十二月丁酉生。 每寢寐,家中彷彿見如有人持玉衣覆其上者,常共怪之。 逸薨,加號慕,內外益奇之。 後相者劉良相后及諸子,良指后曰:「此女貴乃不可言。」 后自少至長,不好戲弄。 年八歲,外有立騎馬戲者,家人諸姊皆上閣觀之,后獨不行。 諸姊怪問之,后答言:「此豈女人之所觀邪?」 年九歲,喜書,視字輒識,數用諸兄筆硯,兄謂后言:「汝當習女工。 用書為學,當作女博士邪?」 后答言:「聞古者賢女,未有不學前世成敗,以為己誡。 不知書,何由見之?」 後天下兵亂,加以饑饉,百姓皆賣金銀珠玉寶物,時后家大有儲谷,頗以買之。 后年十餘歲,白母曰:「今世亂而多買寶物,匹夫無罪,懷璧為罪。 又左右皆飢乏,不如以穀振給親族鄰里,廣為恩惠也。」 舉家稱善,即從后言。 《魏略》曰:后年十四,喪中兄儼,悲哀過制,事寡嫂謙敬,事處其勞,拊養儼子,慈愛甚篤。 后母性嚴,待諸婦有常,后數諫母:「兄不幸早終,嫂年少守節,顧留一子,以大義言之,待之當如婦,愛之宜如女。」 母感后言流涕,便令后與嫂共止,寢息坐起常相隨,恩愛益密。 建安中,袁紹為中子熙納之。 熙出為幽州,后留養姑。 及冀州平,文帝納后於鄴,有寵,生明帝及東鄉公主。 《魏略》曰:熙出在幽州,后留侍姑。 及鄴城破,紹妻及后共坐皇堂上。 文帝入紹舍,見紹妻及后,后怖,以頭伏姑膝上,紹妻兩手自搏。 文帝謂曰:「劉夫人云何如此? 令新婦舉頭!」 姑乃捧后令仰,文帝就視,見其顏色非凡,稱嘆之。 太祖聞其意,遂為迎取。 《世語》曰:太祖下鄴,文帝先入袁尚府,有婦人被髮垢面,垂涕立紹妻劉後,文帝問之,劉答「是熙妻」,顧攬髮髻,以巾拭面,姿貌絕倫。 既過,劉謂后「不憂死矣」! 遂見納,有寵。 《魏書》曰:后寵愈隆而彌自挹損,後宮有寵者勸勉之,其無寵者慰誨之,每因閒宴,常勸帝,言「昔黃帝子孫蕃育,蓋由妾媵眾多,乃獲斯祚耳。 所原廣求淑媛,以豐繼嗣。」 帝心嘉焉。 其後帝欲遣任氏,后請於帝曰:「任既鄉黨名族,德、色,妾等不及也,如何遣之?」 帝曰:「任性狷急不婉順,前後忿吾非一,是以遣之耳。」 后流涕固請曰:「妾受敬遇之恩,眾人所知,必謂任之出,是妾之由。 上懼有見私之譏,下受專寵之罪,原重留意!」 帝不聽,遂出之。 十六年七月,太祖徵關中,武宣皇后從,留孟津,帝居守鄴。 時武宣皇后體小不安,后不得定省,憂怖,晝夜泣涕; 左右驟以差問告,后猶不信,曰:「夫人在家,故疾每動,輒歷時,今疾便差,何速也? 此欲慰我意耳!」 憂愈甚。 后得武宣皇后還書,說疾已平復,后乃懽悅。 十七年正月,大軍還鄴,后朝武宣皇后,望幄座悲喜,感動左右。 武宣皇后見后如此,亦泣,且謂之曰:「新婦謂吾前病如昔時困邪? 吾時小小耳,十餘日即差,不當視我顏色乎!」 嗟歎曰:「此真孝婦也。」 二十一年,太祖東征,武宣皇后、文帝及明帝、東鄉公主皆從,時后以病留鄴。 二十二年九月,大軍還,武宣皇后左右侍御見后顏色豐盈,怪問之曰:「后與二子別久,下流之情,不可為念,而后顏色更盛,何也?」 后笑答之曰:「 (諱) 等自隨夫人,我當何憂!」 后之賢明以禮自持如此。 延康元年220年正月,文帝即王位,六月,南征,后留鄴。 黃初元年十月,帝踐阼。 踐阼之後,山陽公奉二女以嬪於魏,郭后、李、陰貴人並愛幸,后愈失意,有怨言。 帝大怒,二年六月,遣使賜死,葬於鄴。 《魏書》曰:有司奏建長秋宮,帝璽書迎后,詣行在所,后上表曰:「妾聞先代之興,所以饗國久長,垂祚後嗣,無不由后妃焉。 故必審選其人,以興內教。 令踐阼之初,誠宜登進賢淑,統理六宮。 妾自省愚陋,不任粢盛之事,加以寢疾,敢守微志。」 璽書三至而后三讓,言甚懇切。 時盛暑,帝欲須秋涼乃更迎后。 會后疾遂篤,夏六月丁卯,崩於鄴。 帝哀痛咨嗟,策贈皇后璽綬。 臣松之以為春秋之義,內大惡諱,小惡不書。 文帝之不立甄氏,及加殺害,事有明審。 魏史若以為大惡邪,則宜隱而不言,若謂為小惡邪,則不應假為之辭,而崇飾虛文乃至於是,異乎所聞於舊史。 推此而言,其稱卞、甄諸后言行之善,皆難以實論。 陳氏刪落,良有以也。 明帝即位,有司奏請追諡,使司空王朗持節奉策以太牢告祠於陵,又別立寢廟。 《魏書》載三公奏曰:「蓋孝敬之道,篤乎其親,乃四海所以承化,天地所以明察,是謂生則致其養,歿則光其靈,誦述以盡其美,宣揚以顯其名者也。 今陛下以聖懿之德,紹承洪業,至孝烝烝,通於神明,遭罹殷憂,每勞謙讓。 先帝遷神山陵,大禮既備,至於先后,未有顯諡。 伏惟先后恭讓著於幽微,至行顯於不言,化流邦國,德侔二南,故能膺神靈嘉祥,為大魏世妃。 雖夙年登遐,萬載之後,永播融烈,后妃之功莫得而尚也。 案諡法:『聖聞周達曰昭。 德明有功曰昭。』 昭者,光明之至,盛久而不昧者也。 宜上尊諡曰文昭皇后。」 是月,三公又奏曰:「自古週人始祖后稷,又特立廟以祀姜嫄。 今文昭皇后之於萬嗣,聖德至化,豈有量哉! 夫以皇家世 (祀) 之尊,而克讓允恭,固推盛位,神靈遷化,而無寢廟以承享 (禮), 非所以報顯德,昭孝敬也。 稽之古制,宜依周禮,先妣別立寢廟。」 並奏可之。 太和元年227年三月,以中山魏昌之安城鄉戶千,追封逸,諡曰敬侯; 適孫像襲爵。 四月,初營宗廟,掘地得玉璽,方一寸九分,其文曰「天子羨思慈親」,明帝為之改容,以太牢告廟。 又嘗夢見后,於是差次舅氏親疏高下,敘用各有差,賞賜累鉅萬; 以像為虎賁中郎將。 是月,后母薨,帝制緦服臨喪,百僚陪位。 四年十一月,以后舊陵庳下,使像兼太尉,持節詣鄴,昭告后土,十二月,改葬朝陽陵。 像還,遷散騎常侍。 青龍二年春,追諡后兄儼曰安城鄉穆侯。 夏,吳賊寇揚州,以像為伏波將軍,持節監諸將東征,還,復為射聲校尉。 三年薨,追贈衛將軍,改封魏昌縣,諡曰貞侯; 子暢嗣。 又封暢弟溫、韡、艷皆為列侯。 四年,改逸、儼本封皆曰魏昌侯,諡因故。 封儼世婦劉為東鄉君,又追封逸世婦張為安喜君。
At first the empress dowager's younger brother Bing was enfeoffed as Marquis of the Capital Village for his service. In Huangchu 7 he was promoted to Marquis of Kaiyang with a fief of twelve hundred households and made General Who Displays Fierce Valor. The Wei Summary says that at first, during Jian'an, Empress Bian's younger brother Bing became a Major of a Separate Unit. The empress often complained about him to the Grand Progenitor, who answered, "Is it not already much that he gets to be my brother-in-law?" Later she also wanted the Grand Progenitor to supply him with money and silks. He replied again, "Is it not enough that you secretly give to him?" So throughout the Grand Progenitor's lifetime Bing's office never changed and his wealth was never increased. When Bing died, his son Lan succeeded. He showed talent and learning from youth. The Wei Summary says Lan presented fu and praise describing the heir apparent's virtues. The heir apparent replied, "The fu states the categories to which affairs attach; the song praises the form of flourishing virtue. The author must not empty his words, and the recipient must match the reality. Is this fu of Lan truly my reality? When Liu Qiu, King Shou of Wu, once presented the precious tripod, He Wu and others merely sang in praise yet still received gold and silks. Lan's matter, though not to be credited, is still worthy of commendation. Now I grant one ox." From this he came to be treated with intimacy and respect. He served as commandant of the imperial carriage and general who attacks independently, with the additional post of regular attendant. When Lan died, his son Hui succeeded. The Wei Summary says that during Emperor Ming's reign, Lan saw two external crises while the emperor focused his attention on palace buildings. He often used occasions of attendance and service to remonstrate sharply and repeatedly. Although the emperor could not follow his advice, he still accepted his sincere devotion. Later Lan suffered from wine-induced thirst. The emperor trusted a shamaness's water prescription and sent water for him, but Lan refused to drink. An edict asked why. Lan said illness should be treated with prescriptions and medicines—why trust in this? The emperor changed countenance, yet Lan to the end would not submit. Later his thirst grew worse until he died. People of the time, seeing Lan's love of blunt speech, said the emperor had shamed him to his face and Lan killed himself—but in fact it was not so. Bing's noble rank was also divided, and Lan's younger brother Lin was enfeoffed as a full marquis and reached the office of colonel of the footsoldiers. Lan's son Long had a daughter who became empress to the Duke of Gaoguixiang. Long, as the empress's father, was made grand master for splendid happiness with the rank of special advance, enfeoffed as Marquis of Suiyang village, and his wife Wang was made lady of Xianyang village. Long's former wife Liu was posthumously enfeoffed as lady of Shunyang village, because she was the empress's birth mother. Lin's daughter also became empress to the Prince of Chenliu. Lin was already dead, so his wife Liu was enfeoffed as lady of Guangyang village. Empress Wen-Zhao of the Zhen clan came from Wuji in Zhongshan. She was Ming-di's mother and a descendant of Han's grand tutor Zhen Han; for generations her family held offices of two thousand shi. Her father Yi was magistrate of Shangcai. The empress lost her father at age three. The Book of Wei says Yi married a woman of the Zhang clan of Changshan and had three sons and five daughters: the eldest son Yu died early; the second, Yan, was recommended as filial and incorrupt, served as aide to the grand general, and was magistrate of Quliang; the third, Yao, was recommended as filial and incorrupt; the eldest daughter Jiang, then Tuo, then Dao, then Rong, and last the empress. The empress was born on dingyou in the twelfth month of Han Guanghe 5. Whenever she slept, the household seemed to see someone holding a jade garment over her, and they all marveled at it. When Yi died, her deep mourning made everyone inside and outside the family find her all the more extraordinary. Later the physiognomist Liu Liang read the empress and all the children. Pointing to her he said, "This girl's nobility is beyond words." From youth to adulthood the empress cared nothing for playful amusement. At age eight, when mounted performers put on a show outside, all her sisters went up to the gallery to watch, but the empress alone would not go. Her sisters wondered and asked her. She answered, "Is this something a woman should watch?" At age nine she loved books; seeing characters she immediately knew them, and often used her elder brothers' brush and inkstone. An elder brother told her, "You should practice women's work. To take books as learning—are you to become a female scholar?" She answered, "I have heard that in antiquity worthy women all studied the successes and failures of former ages and took them as warnings for themselves. Without knowing books, how could one see them?" Later the realm fell into war and famine, and common people sold gold, silver, pearls, jade, and precious goods. The empress's family had great stores of grain and bought such things in considerable quantity. When she was just over ten she told her mother, "In this age of disorder, to buy many precious goods—an ordinary man without guilt becomes guilty for holding a jade disc. Moreover, those around us are all hungry and in want. It would be better to use grain to relieve kin and neighbors and spread kindness broadly." The whole family praised this as good and immediately followed her advice. The Wei Summary says that at age fourteen she mourned her elder brother Yan with grief beyond the prescribed measure. She served her widowed sister-in-law with modest reverence, took on the labor herself, and nurtured Yan's son with deep loving care. The empress's mother was strict by nature and treated the daughters-in-law by fixed rules. The empress repeatedly admonished her: "Elder brother died early; sister-in-law is young and keeps chastity, yet she has left one son. By great principle she should be treated as a daughter-in-law and loved as a daughter." The mother was moved to tears and had the empress lodge with her sister-in-law. In sleeping, rising, sitting, and moving they constantly kept each other company, and their affection grew ever closer. During Jian'an, Yuan Shao had his middle son Xi take her in marriage. Xi went out to You Province, and she remained to care for her mother-in-law. When Ji Province was pacified, Wen-di took her in marriage at Ye. She won favor and bore Ming-di and the Princess of Dongxiang. The Wei Summary says that Xi went out to Youzhou, and the empress remained to attend her mother-in-law. When Ye fell, Yuan Shao's wife and the empress sat together in the main hall. Wen-di entered Yuan Shao's residence and saw Yuan Shao's wife and the empress. She was afraid and laid her head on her mother-in-law's knee, while Yuan Shao's wife beat her own hands together. Wen-di said, "Lady Liu, why are you like this? Have the new bride lift her head!" The mother-in-law lifted her and made her raise her face. Emperor Wen drew near to look, saw that her countenance was extraordinary, and praised her in admiration. The Grand Progenitor heard of his intent and had her welcomed and taken. Accounts of the Age says that when the Grand Progenitor descended on Ye, Wen-di first entered Yuan Shang's mansion. A woman with hair loose and face filthy stood weeping behind Yuan Shao's wife Liu. Wen-di asked about her; Liu answered, "She is Xi's wife." She turned, gathered her hair into a bun, wiped her face with a kerchief, and her bearing and beauty were unmatched. After he had passed, Liu told her, "You need not fear death now!" She was then taken in marriage and won favor. The Book of Wei says that as her favor grew ever greater she all the more restrained herself. To favored women of the inner palace she offered encouragement; to those without favor she gave comfort and instruction. At every idle banquet she often urged the emperor, saying, "In former times the Yellow Emperor's descendants multiplied and flourished—likely because concubines and secondary wives were many, and thereby this blessing was obtained. What I desire is broadly to seek worthy maidens to enrich the succession." The emperor's heart approved this. Afterward the emperor wished to send away Lady Ren. The empress pleaded with him, saying, "Ren is a famous clan of our native district; in virtue and beauty we do not match her—how can you send her away?" The emperor said, "Lady Ren is narrow and quick-tempered, not gentle or compliant. She has been angry with me more than once, and that is why I am sending her away." The empress wept and firmly pleaded, saying, "Your handmaid has received the grace of respectful treatment—this all know. They will surely say Ren's dismissal is because of me. Above I fear the reproach of showing partiality; below I would bear the guilt of monopolizing favor—I beg you to reconsider carefully!" The emperor did not listen and sent her out. In the seventh month of year sixteen the Grand Progenitor campaigned against Guanzhong. Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan followed and remained at Mengjin, while Wen-di stayed to guard Ye. At the time Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan was slightly unwell. The empress could not attend to inquire after her and was anxious and fearful, weeping day and night; attendants suddenly reported that she had improved. The empress still did not believe and said, "When the lady was at home, whenever her old illness stirred it always lasted some time. Now the illness has suddenly improved—how can it be so quick? This is only to comfort my feelings!" Her worry grew all the greater. When she received Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan's reply saying the illness had fully recovered, she rejoiced. In the first month of year seventeen the great army returned to Ye. The empress attended upon Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan, and gazing at the curtained seat felt both grief and joy, moving those around her. Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan, seeing her like this, also wept and said, "Does the new bride think my former illness was like the distress of former times? At the time it was only slight; in little more than ten days it was cured—you should not have looked at my complexion so!" She sighed in admiration and said, "This is truly a filial daughter-in-law." In year twenty-one the Grand Progenitor campaigned east. Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan, Wen-di, Ming-di, and the Princess of Dongxiang all followed, while the empress remained at Ye because of illness. In the ninth month of year twenty-two the great army returned. Attendants around Empress Dowager Wu-Xuan saw the empress's complexion full and flourishing, wondered, and asked, "The empress has been apart from her two sons for long; the feelings of parting should not be forgotten, yet her complexion is even more radiant—why?" The empress laughed and answered: " (tabooed) and the rest follow the lady by themselves—what should I worry about!" Such was the empress's wisdom and restraint in holding herself by ritual. In the first month of Yankang 1 (220 CE) Wen-di took the royal title. In the sixth month he campaigned south, and the empress remained at Ye. In the tenth month of Huangchu 1 the emperor ascended the throne. After ascending the throne, the Duke of Shanyang presented two daughters to become consorts of Wei. Empress Guo and the Honored Ladies Li and Yin were all favored, and the empress grew ever more disappointed and spoke resentfully. The emperor was greatly angered. In the sixth month of year two he sent an envoy to grant death, and she was buried at Ye. The Book of Wei says officials memorialized to establish the Palace of Everlasting Autumn, and the emperor sent an imperial patent to welcome the empress to the traveling residence. She submitted a memorial, saying, "Your handmaid has heard that the rise of former ages, whereby states were nourished long and blessings were handed down to later heirs, was never without empresses and consorts. Therefore one must carefully select the person to raise inner instruction. Now at the beginning of ascending the throne it is truly fitting to advance the worthy and virtuous to govern the six palaces. Your handmaid knows herself to be foolish and lowly, unfit to take charge of the sacrificial grain; moreover I am confined by lingering illness, and so I dare hold to my humble wish." Imperial patents came three times and she yielded three times; her words were very earnest and sincere. It was then the height of summer; the emperor wished to wait until autumn's cool before welcoming her again. But her illness then grew grave. On dingmao in the sixth month of summer she died at Ye. The emperor mourned in grief and lamentation and by patent granted the empress's seal and sash. Pei Songzhi considers that by the meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals, great evils within are tabooed and not written, while small evils are not recorded. Wen-di's not establishing Lady Zhen, and moreover putting her to death—the matter is clearly established. If the Wei historians considered it a great evil, they should have concealed it and not spoken; if they called it a small evil, they should not have fabricated words and exalted empty prose to this extent—this differs from what one hears in the old histories. Extending this to speak, their praise of the good conduct and words of Empresses Bian, Zhen, and the rest are all hard to judge by reality. Chen Shou's deletions were well founded. When Emperor Ming succeeded to the throne, the responsible officials memorialized requesting a posthumous title. They sent Wang Lang, Minister of Works, bearing the staff, to present the patent and announce the rite at the tomb with a grand sacrifice, and they also established a separate sleeping temple. The Book of Wei records the Three Dukes' memorial: "Filial reverence begins in deep devotion to one's kin. Through it the four seas receive moral instruction and heaven and earth gain clear sight. While the living owe full nurture, the dead deserve that their spirits be honored; their virtues should be recounted to the full and their names proclaimed abroad. Your Majesty, with sagely virtue, has inherited the great enterprise. Your filial devotion reaches the spirits, and in deep grief you have repeatedly insisted on modest restraint. The late emperor had been laid in the imperial tomb and the great rites were complete, yet the former empress still lacked an illustrious posthumous title. The former empress showed modest yielding in the smallest matters and supreme conduct in deeds rather than words. Her influence flowed through the realm and her virtue matched the Two Nan odes, so she received heaven's blessing and became Great Wei's consort for the ages. Though she died young, her radiant merit will shine for ages to come; no empress or consort could surpass her. The canon of posthumous titles says, "One whose sagely repute is thorough and far-reaching is called Zhao." One whose virtue is bright and whose merit is established is called Zhao." Zhao means the utmost brightness, flourishing long without fading. We should grant the posthumous title Empress Wen-Zhao." That month the Three Dukes memorialized again: "From antiquity the Zhou people's founding ancestor Hou Ji also had a separate temple set up to honor Jiang Yuan. Empress Wen-Zhao's sagely virtue and transforming power toward all posterity—how could they be measured! Given the imperial house's hereditary (sacrifice) honor, she yet yielded and remained sincerely reverent, firmly declining the exalted position. Her spirit has passed on, yet there is no private temple to receive and offer (rites) —this is not how to repay her manifest virtue or proclaim filial reverence. By ancient precedent and the Rites of Zhou, a separate private temple should be established for the founding mother." Both memorials were approved. In the third month of Taihe 1 (227 CE), Yi was posthumously enfeoffed with the thousand households of Ancheng Township in Weichang, Zhongshan, and given the posthumous title Marquis Jing; his eldest grandson Xiang inherited the title. In the fourth month, while the ancestral temple was first being built, workers unearthed a jade seal one inch and nine tenths square inscribed "The Son of Heaven admires and thinks of his gracious parent." Ming-di changed countenance and announced it to the temple with the grand sacrifice. He also once dreamed of the empress. Thereupon he ranked his maternal kin by closeness and distance, appointing each according to rank and bestowing rewards totaling tens of thousands; Xiang was made Colonel of the Palace Guard. That month the empress's mother died. The emperor wore the coarsest mourning and attended the funeral, with the hundred officials in attendance. In the eleventh month of year four, because the empress's old tomb was too low and small, Xiang was made Acting Grand Commandant and sent with the imperial staff to Ye to announce the rite to Queen Earth. In the twelfth month she was reburied at Chaoyang Tomb. When Xiang returned, he was transferred to Regular Attendant. In the spring of Qinglong 2, the empress's elder brother Yan was posthumously titled Marquis Mu of Ancheng Township. In summer Wu raiders attacked Yangzhou. Xiang was made General Who Calms the Waves and, bearing the staff, supervised the generals in the eastern campaign. On his return he again became Colonel of the Archers Who Shoot at Sound. In the third year he died. He was posthumously made General of the Guard, his fief was changed to Weichang County, and he received the posthumous title Marquis Zhen; his son Chang succeeded. Chang's younger brothers Wen, Wei, and Yan were also all enfeoffed as full marquises. In the fourth year the original fiefs of Yi and Yan were both changed to Marquis of Weichang, their posthumous titles remaining unchanged. Yan's daughter-in-law Liu was enfeoffed as Lady of Dongxiang, and Yi's daughter-in-law Zhang was posthumously enfeoffed as Lady of Anxi.
8
景初元年夏,有司議定七廟。 冬,又奏曰:「蓋帝王之興,既有受命之君,又有聖妃協於神靈,然後克昌厥世,以成王業焉。 昔高辛氏卜其四妃之子皆有天下,而帝摯、陶唐、商、周代興。 週人上推后稷,以配皇天,追述王初,本之姜嫄,特立宮廟,世世享嘗,周禮所謂『奏夷則,歌中呂,舞大濩,以享先妣』者也。 詩人頌之曰:『厥初生民,時維姜嫄。』 言王化之本,生民所由。 又曰:『閟宮有侐,實實枚枚,赫赫姜嫄,其德不回。』 詩、禮所稱姬宗之盛,其美如此。 大魏期運,繼於有虞,然崇弘帝道,三世彌隆,廟祧之數,實與周同。 今武宣皇后、文德皇后各配無窮之祚,至於文昭皇后膺天靈符,誕育明聖,功濟生民,德盈宇宙,開諸後嗣,乃道化之所興也。 寢廟特祀,亦姜嫄之閟宮也,而未著不毀之制,懼論功報德之義,萬世或闕焉,非所以昭孝示後世也。 文昭廟宜世世享祀奏樂,與祖廟同,永著不毀之典,以播聖善之風。」 於是與七廟議並勒金策,藏之金匱。
In Jingchu 1 (237 CE) officials debated the arrangement of the seven imperial temples. That winter they memorialized: “Every dynastic founder has both the ruler who receives the mandate and the consort who answers heaven; only then does the house flourish and the great work stand complete. In antiquity, Gaoxin divined that the sons of his four consorts would all possess all under Heaven; Di Zhi, Tao Tang, Shang, and the Zhou dynasty rose in succession. The Zhou looked back to Hou Ji to pair with High Heaven and, tracing their kings to Jiang Yuan, set her a special temple where each generation offered sacrifice—what the Rites of Zhou means by honoring the founding mother with music and dance. The Odes sing, “The birth of the people began from Jiang Yuan.” That is the taproot of royal civilizing power and of the people themselves. They add, “Bi’s shrine stands in awe, firm and ample; august Jiang Yuan’s virtue never falters.” So the canonical texts glorify the Ji house. Wei’s mandate follows Shun’s line, yet across three reigns the imperial way has only deepened; the temple shifts now contemplated mirror Zhou practice. Empresses Dowager Wu-Xuan and Wen-De already receive perpetual pairing rites; Empress Wen-Zhao bore the sage heir, succored the people, and filled heaven and earth with merit—she is the mother in whom the moral order itself is renewed. Her shrine deserves singular rites like Jiang Yuan’s, yet we have not fixed the rule that her temple never be dismantled; I fear posterity might slight the duty to repay her deeds. That would ill serve filial display for generations to come. Wen-Zhao’s temple ought to receive music and offerings in every generation on the same footing as the founding shrines, fixing forever the rule that it never be dismantled so her sanctity may shine for ages.” The court then had this, together with the seven-temples decision, engraved on gold slips and laid them in the golden coffer.
9
帝思念舅氏不已。 暢尚幼,景初末,以暢為射聲校尉,加散騎常侍,又特為起大第,車駕親自臨之。 又於其后園為像母起觀廟,名其里曰渭陽里,以追思母氏也。 嘉平三年251年正月,暢薨,追贈車騎將軍,諡曰恭侯; 子紹嗣。 太和六年,明帝愛女淑薨,追封諡淑為平原懿公主,為之立廟。 取后亡從孫黃與合葬,追封黃列侯,以夫人郭氏從弟德為之後,承甄氏姓,封德為平原侯,襲公主爵。 孫盛曰:於禮,婦人既無封爵之典,況於孩末,而可建以大邑乎? 德自異族,援繼非類,匪功匪親,而襲母爵,違情背典,於此為甚。 陳群雖抗言,楊阜引事比並,然皆不能極陳先王之禮,明封建繼嗣之義,忠至之辭,猶有闕乎! 詩云:「赫赫師尹,民具爾瞻。」 宰輔之職,其可略哉! 《晉諸公贊》曰:德字彥孫。 司馬景王輔政,以女妻德。 妻早亡,文王復以女繼室,即京兆長公主。 景、文二王欲自結於郭后,是以頻繁為婚。 德雖無才學,而恭謹謙順。 甄溫字仲舒,與郭建及德等皆后族,以事宜見寵。 咸熙初,封郭建為臨渭縣公,德廣安縣公,邑皆千八百戶。 溫本國侯,進為輔國大將軍,加侍中,領射聲校尉,德鎮軍大將軍。 泰始元年,晉受禪,加建、德、溫三人位特進。 德為人貞素,加以世祖姊夫,是以遂貴當世。 德暮年官更轉為宗正,遷侍中。 太康中,大司馬齊王攸當之籓,德與左衛將軍王濟共諫請,時人嘉之。 世祖以此望德,由此出德為大鴻臚,加侍中、光祿大夫,尋疾薨,贈中軍大將軍,開府侍中如故,諡恭公,子喜嗣。 喜精粹有器美,歷中書郎、右衛將軍、侍中,位至輔國大將軍,加散騎常侍。 喜與國姻親,而經趙王倫、齊王冏事故,能不豫際會,良由其才短,然亦以退靜免之。 青龍中,又封后從兄子毅及像弟三人,皆為列侯。 毅數上疏陳時政,官至越騎校尉。 嘉平中,复封暢子二人為列侯。 后兄儼孫女為齊王皇后,后父已沒,封后母為廣樂鄉君。 文德郭皇后,安平廣宗人也。 祖世長吏。 《魏書》曰:父永,官至南郡太守,諡敬侯。 母姓董氏,即堂陽君,生三男二女:長男浮,高唐令,次女昱,次即后,后弟都,弟成。 后以漢中平元年三月乙卯生,生而有異常。 后少而父永奇之曰:「此乃吾女中王也。」 遂以女王為字。 早失二親,喪亂流離,沒在銅鞮侯家。 太祖為魏公時,得入東宮。 后有智數,時時有所獻納。 文帝定為嗣,后有謀焉。 太子即王位,后為夫人,及踐阼,為貴嬪。 甄后之死,由后之寵也。 黃初三年,將登后位,文帝欲立為后,中郎棧潛上疏曰:「在昔帝王之治天下,不惟外輔,亦有內助,治亂所由,盛衰從之。 故西陵配黃,英娥降媯,並以賢明,流芳上世。 桀奔南巢,禍階末喜; 紂以砲烙,怡悅妲己。 是以聖哲慎立元妃,必取先代世族之家,擇其令淑以統六宮,虔奉宗廟,陰教聿修。 易曰:『家道正而天下定。』 由內及外,先王之令典也。 春秋書宗人釁夏云,無以妾為夫人之禮。 齊桓誓命於葵丘,亦曰『無以妾為妻』。 今后宮嬖寵,常亞乘輿。 若因愛登后,使賤人暴貴,臣恐後世下陵上替,開張非度,亂自上起也。」 文帝不從,遂立為皇后。 《魏書》曰:后上表謝曰:「妾無皇、英釐降之節,又非姜、任思齊之倫,誠不足以假充女君之盛位,處中饋之重任。」 后自在東宮,及即尊位,雖有異寵,心愈恭肅,供養永壽宮,以孝聞。 是時柴貴人亦有寵,后教訓獎導之。 后宮諸貴人時有過失,常彌覆之,有譴讓,輒為帝言其本末,帝或大有所怒,至為之頓首請罪,是以六宮無怨。 性儉約,不好音樂,常慕漢明德馬后之為人。
The emperor could not stop thinking of his maternal kin. Chang was still young. At the end of Jingchu he was made Colonel of the Archers Who Shoot at Sound and Regular Attendant. A great mansion was specially built for him, and the emperor personally visited it. In the empress's rear garden a viewing temple was also built for Xiang's mother. The lane was named Weiyang Lane in remembrance of the maternal clan. In the first month of Jiaping 3 (251 CE), Chang died. He was posthumously made General of Chariots and Cavalry and given the posthumous title Marquis Gong; his son Shao succeeded. In Taihe 6, Ming-di's beloved daughter Shu died. She was posthumously enfeoffed as Princess Yi of Pingyuan, and a temple was built for her. The empress's deceased grandnephew Huang was buried with her and posthumously enfeoffed as a full marquis. Lady Guo's younger cousin De was made his heir, took the Zhen surname, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingyuan, and inherited the princess's title. Sun Sheng said: "By ritual, women have no norm of enfeoffment and titles. How much less an infant child—could one establish a great fief in such a case?" De came from a different clan. To install him as heir without merit or kinship, yet have him inherit a mother's title, violates both feeling and canon—and here the offense was extreme. Although Chen Qun spoke out boldly and Yang Fu cited parallel cases, neither fully set forth the rites of the former kings or clarified the meaning of enfeoffment and succession. Even their most loyal remonstrance left something unsaid! The Odes say, "Splendid is the master minister; the people all look to you." The duty of chief ministers—can it be treated lightly! Accounts of the Lords of Jin says De's style was Yansun. When Sima Jingwang held regency, he gave his daughter to De in marriage. When the wife died early, King Wen again gave a daughter as a successor wife—the Princess Chang of Jingzhao. The two kings Jing and Wen wished to bind themselves to Empress Guo, and therefore repeatedly contracted marriages. Although De had no talent or learning, he was reverent, careful, modest, and compliant. Zhen Wen's style was Zhongshu. He, Guo Jian, De, and the rest were all empress kin and were favored for affairs of state. At the beginning of Xianxi, Guo Jian was enfeoffed as Duke of Linwei County and Guo De as Duke of Guang'an County; each fief comprised eighteen hundred households. Wen was originally a marquis of the founding state. He was advanced to General Who Assists the State, additionally made Palace Attendant, and put in charge as Colonel of the Archers Who Shoot at Sound. De was made General Who Guards the Army. In the first year of Taishi, when Jin received the abdication, Jian, De, and Wen were all advanced to Special Advance. De was upright and plain by nature, and as the brother-in-law of Shizu he came to be honored in his age. In De's later years he was made Director of the Imperial Clan and transferred to Palace Attendant. In Taikang, when Grand Marshal Prince of Qi You was about to go to his fief, De and Left Guard General Wang Ji jointly remonstrated and petitioned, and men of the time praised them. Shizu on this account looked askance at De and sent him out as Grand Herald, additionally making him Palace Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Soon he died of illness. He was posthumously made General of the Central Army with an office and Palace Attendant as before, given the posthumous title Duke Gong, and his son Xi succeeded. Xi was refined and possessed fine capacity. He served as Palace Secretary, Right Guard General, and Palace Attendant, reaching the rank of General Who Assists the State and Regular Attendant. Xi was related by marriage to the state, yet through the affairs of Prince of Zhao Lun and Prince of Qi Jiong he was able to stay out of those encounters—likely because his talent was limited, but also because retiring into quiet spared him. In Qinglong, the empress's cousin's son Yi and Xiang's three younger brothers were again enfeoffed, all as full marquises. Yi repeatedly submitted memorials on current policy and reached the office of Colonel of the Yue Cavalry. In Jiaping, Chang's two sons were again enfeoffed as full marquises. The empress's elder brother Yan's granddaughter became empress to the Prince of Qi. The empress's father was already dead, so her mother was enfeoffed as Lady of Guangle Township. Empress Wen-De of the Guo clan came from Guangzong in Anping. For generations her forebears had served as chief clerks. The Book of Wei says her father Yong reached the office of Administrator of Nan Commandery and received the posthumous title Marquis Jing. Her mother was of the Dong clan, namely Lady Tangyang. She bore three sons and two daughters: the eldest son Fu, Magistrate of Gaotang; the second daughter Yu; next the empress; and the empress's younger brothers Du and Cheng. The empress was born on the yimao day of the third month of Han Zhongping 1; at birth there were unusual signs. When the empress was young her father Yong marveled at her, saying, "This is the king among my daughters." Thereupon he took Nüwang as her style. She early lost both parents. In the chaos of war and exile she ended up in the household of the Marquis of Tongdi. When the Grand Ancestor became Duke of Wei, she entered the Eastern Palace. The empress was clever and from time to time offered suggestions. When Wen-di was fixed as heir, the empress had a hand in the plan. When the heir apparent took the royal title, she became Lady; when he ascended the throne, she became Honored Consort. Empress Zhen's death came from this empress's favor. In Huangchu 3, as she was about to ascend the empress's seat, Wen-di wished to install her as empress. Palace Gentleman Stack Qian submitted a memorial, saying, "In former times when emperors and kings governed the realm, they relied not only on outer assistance but also on inner support; order and disorder arise from this, and rise and decline follow it. Therefore Xiling was paired with Huang and the heroic maid descended to the Gui clan—all by sage wisdom and clarity, their fame flowed through upper ages. Jie fled to Southern Nest and disaster began with Mo Xi; Zhou used the burning pillar and took delight in Daji. Therefore the sage and wise are careful in establishing the primary consort. They must take a house of hereditary clans of former ages, choose one who is good and virtuous to govern the six palaces, reverently serve the ancestral temple, and fully cultivate inner instruction. The Changes says, "When the way of the family is correct, the realm is settled." From inner to outer—this is the august norm of the former kings. The Spring and Autumn records the clan officer Xin Xia and shows that there is no ritual basis for making a concubine into the principal lady. Duke Huan of Qi swore his command at Kuqiu and likewise said, "Do not take a concubine as wife." Now in the inner palace favored concubines often rank just below the imperial carriage. If through affection one installs her as empress and makes a base person suddenly exalted, I fear that in later ages inferiors will encroach on superiors, irregular practices will be opened wide, and disorder will rise from above." Wen-di did not follow this and installed her as empress. The Book of Wei says the empress submitted a memorial of thanks, saying, "Your handmaid lacks the virtue of Huang and Ying or the descending grace of Li, nor am I of the same order as Jiang and Ren in aspiring to equal virtue. Truly I am not fit to fill the exalted seat of the female sovereign or bear the heavy charge of the inner household." From the Eastern Palace until she reached the honored position, although she had special favor, her heart grew ever more reverent and solemn. She supported Yongshou Palace and was known for filial piety. At that time Honored Lady Chai also had favor, and the empress instructed, exhorted, and guided her. When the various honored ladies of the inner palace at times had faults, she constantly covered them over. When there was reproof or censure, she would explain the whole matter to the emperor. The emperor might become greatly angry, even to the point that she would kowtow and plead guilt—thus the six palaces were without resentment. By nature she was frugal and restrained, disliked music, and constantly admired the conduct of Empress Ma the Bright and Virtuous of Han.
10
后早喪兄弟,以從兄表繼永後,拜奉車都尉。 后外親劉斐與他國為婚,后聞之,敕曰:「諸親戚嫁娶,自當與鄉里門戶匹敵者,不得因勢,強與他方人婚也。」 后姊子孟武還鄉里,求小妻,后止之。 遂敕諸家曰:「今世婦女少,當配將士,不得因緣取以為妾也。 宜各自慎,無為罰首。」 〈《魏書》曰:后常敕戒表、武等曰:「漢氏椒房之家,少能自全者,皆由驕奢,可不慎乎!」〉
After her brothers died young, she had her cousin Guo Biao posthumously continue another brother’s line and appointed him commandant of the imperial carriage. When a relative by marriage, Liu Fei, allied his house with another kingdom, she issued an order: “Our kinsmen’s weddings should pair like with like in their own neighborhoods; no one may use influence to drag in spouses from far away.” She also blocked her sister’s son Meng Wu when he went home looking for a secondary wife. She then warned every branch of the clan: “Women are scarce in wartime; they belong with the troops. Do not invent excuses to press them into concubinage. Watch yourselves—do not be the first to bring down the law.” 〈The Book of Wei adds that she repeatedly cautioned Guo Biao, Meng Wu, and their circle: “Few consort clans under Han survived their own pride and waste—take care.”〉
11
五年,帝東征,后留許昌永始台。 時霖雨百餘日,城樓多壞,有司奏請移止。 后曰:「昔楚昭王出遊,貞姜留漸台,江水至,使者迎而無符,不去,卒沒。 今帝在遠,吾幸未有是患,而便移止,奈何?」 群臣莫敢復言。 六年,帝東征吳,至廣陵,后留譙宮。 時表留宿衛,欲遏水取魚。 后曰:「水噹通運漕,又少材木,奴客不在目前,當複私取官竹木作梁遏。 今奉車所不足者,豈魚乎?」
In the fifth year of an era (Huangchu) the emperor marched east while she stayed at Yongshi Terrace in Xuchang. Rain fell for over a hundred days straight, ruining tower works, so officials begged her to relocate. She answered, “Long ago, when King Zhao of Chu was away, his faithful Jiang stayed on the Gradual Terrace; the river rose, yet without the proper tally she refused to flee and drowned. The sovereign is far off, and I have no such flood at my door—why should I bolt at the first leak?” No minister dared press the point again. The next year he campaigned east against Wu as far as Guangling, leaving her at the Qiao palace. Guo Biao, left on night duty, wanted to block a stream to seine for fish. She reproved him: “That water feeds the supply barges, and lumber is short. Your servants are not here to haul timber—would you raid government bamboo to brace a private weir? Is the commandant of the carriage short of fish?”
12
明帝即位,尊后為皇太后,稱永安宮。 太和四年,詔封表安陽亭侯,又進爵鄉侯,增邑並前五百戶,遷中壘將軍。 以表子詳為騎都尉。 其年,帝追諡太后父永為安陽鄉敬侯,母董為都鄉君。 遷表昭德將軍,加金紫,位特進,表第二子訓為騎都尉。 及孟武母卒,欲厚葬,起祠堂,太后止之曰:「自喪亂以來,墳墓無不發掘,皆由厚葬也; 首陽陵可以為法。」 青龍三年春,后崩於許昌,以終制營陵,三月庚寅,葬首陽陵西。 《魏略》曰:明帝既嗣立,追痛甄后之薨,故太后以憂暴崩。 甄后臨沒,以帝屬李夫人。 及太后崩,夫人乃說甄后見譖之禍,不獲大斂,被髮覆面,帝哀恨流涕,命殯葬太后,皆如甄后故事。 漢晉春秋曰:初,甄后之誅,由郭后之寵,及殯,令被髮覆面,以糠塞口,遂立郭后,使養明帝。 帝知之,心常懷忿,數泣問甄后死狀。 郭后曰:「先帝自殺,何以責問我? 且汝為人子,可追讎死父,為前母枉殺後母邪?」 明帝怒,遂逼殺之,敕殯者使如甄后故事。 《魏書》載哀策曰:「維青龍三年三月壬申,皇太后梓宮啟殯,將葬於首陽之西陵。 哀子皇帝叡親奉冊祖載,遂親遣奠,叩心擗踴,號咷仰訴,痛靈魂之遷幸,悲容車之向路,背三光以潛翳,就黃壚而安厝。 嗚呼哀哉! 昔二女妃虞,帝道以彰,三母嬪週,聖善彌光,既多受祉,享國延長。 哀哀慈妣,興化閏房,龍飛紫極,作合聖皇,不虞中年,暴罹災殃。 愍予小子,煢煢摧傷,魂雖永逝,定省曷望? 嗚呼哀哉!」 帝進表爵為觀津侯,增邑五百,並前千戶。 遷詳為駙馬都尉。 四年,追改封永為觀津敬侯,世婦董為堂陽君。 追封諡后兄浮為梁裡亭戴侯,都為武城亭孝侯,成為新樂亭定侯,皆使使者奉策,祠以太牢。 詳薨,子釗嗣。
When Ming-di succeeded he raised the empress to Empress Dowager of Yong'an Palace. In Taihe 4 an edict made Guo Biao Marquis of Anyang Pavilion, then promoted him to village marquis, added five hundred households to his fief for a total with prior holdings, and appointed him general of the central rampart. He made Biao's son Guo Xiang cavalry commandant. That same year the emperor posthumously ennobled the empress dowager's father Yong as Marquis Jing of Anyang village and her mother Dong as lady of the capital village. Guo Biao was promoted to general who displays virtue, given the gold seal and purple cord and the rank of special advance; Biao's second son Xun became cavalry commandant. When Meng Wu's mother died and he wanted a lavish funeral and an ancestral shrine, the empress dowager forbade it, saying, "Since the age of chaos no tomb has escaped looting, and lavish burial is always the reason; Take Shouyang Mausoleum as your model." In the spring of Qinglong 3 the empress dowager died at Xuchang. A tomb was built according to the prescribed mourning rites, and on gengyin of the third month she was buried west of Shouyang Mausoleum. The Wei Summary says that once Emperor Ming had succeeded to the throne and grieved anew over Empress Zhen's death, the empress dowager therefore died suddenly from distress. As Empress Wen-Zhao lay dying she entrusted the emperor to Lady Li. After the empress dowager died, Lady Li recounted how Empress Wen-Zhao had been slandered to her ruin, denied proper encoffinment, and left with hair loose over her face. The emperor wept in grief and rage and ordered the empress dowager's funeral handled exactly as Empress Wen-Zhao's had been. The Spring and Autumn of Han and Jin says that Empress Zhen's execution originally came from Empress Guo's favor; when she was encoffined, she was made to wear her hair loose over her face, with chaff stuffed in her mouth. Empress Guo was then established and made to raise Emperor Ming. Ming-di knew this and nursed a lasting grievance, weeping repeatedly as he questioned how Empress Wen-Zhao had died. Empress Wen-De answered, "The late emperor took his own life—why blame me? And as his son, would you avenge a dead father by killing your stepmother for your birth mother's sake?" Ming-di flew into a rage, forced her to her death, and ordered the embalmers to treat her exactly as Empress Wen-Zhao had been treated. The Book of Wei preserves the lamentation patent: "In Qinglong 3, on renshen of the third month, the empress dowager's coffin was opened for burial at the western tomb of Shouyang. The grieving son, Emperor Rui, personally bore the patent and ancestral carriage, then offered sacrifice himself—beating his breast, stamping in anguish, wailing heavenward—mourning the spirit's departure, grieving the bier's journey, turning from the sun, moon, and stars now dimmed, and committing her to the yellow earth in peace. Alas, how mournful! Long ago two daughters wed into Yu's line and the imperial way shone forth; three mothers entered Zhou and sanctity grew ever brighter—they received great blessing and their realms endured. Mournful is my gracious mother, who nurtured virtue in the inner chambers, rose to the purple throne beside the sage emperor, and yet, in mid-life, was suddenly struck by disaster. Pity me, a lonely child crushed with grief; though her soul is gone forever, how can I ever again attend her morning and evening? Alas, how mournful!" The emperor promoted Guo Biao to Marquis of Guanjin, added five hundred households to his fief, and brought his total holdings to one thousand households. Guo Xiang was made commandant of the stable for the emperor's son-in-law. In the fourth year Yong was posthumously re-enfeoffed as Marquis Jing of Guanjin and the late wife Dong as lady of Tangyang. The empress dowager's brothers were posthumously ennobled: Fu as Marquis Dai of Liangli pavilion, Du as Marquis Xiao of Wucheng pavilion, and Cheng as Marquis Ding of Xinle pavilion. Envoys were dispatched with patents to sacrifice to each with the grand offering. Guo Xiang died and was succeeded by his son Zhao.
13
明悼毛皇后,河內人也。 黃初中,以選入東宮,明帝時為平原王,進御有寵,出入與同輿輦。 及即帝立,以為貴嬪。 太和元年,立為皇后。 后父嘉,拜騎都尉,后弟曾,郎中。
Lady Mao, honored as Empress Ming-Dao, came from Henei. During Huangchu she was selected into the Eastern Palace; while Emperor Ming was still Prince of Pingyuan, she attended him and won favor, going in and out in the same carriage and palanquin. Once he took the throne he raised her to Honored Concubine. In Taihe 1 she was enthroned as empress. Her father Mao Jia became cavalry commandant; her brother Mao Zeng, a gentleman at court.
14
初,明帝為王,始納河內虞氏為妃,帝即位,虞氏不得立為后,太皇后卞太后慰勉焉。 虞氏曰:「曹氏自好立賤,未有能以義舉者也。 然后職內事,君聽外政,其道相由而成,苟不能以善始,未有能令終者也。 殆必由此亡國喪祀矣!」 虞氏遂絀還鄴宮。 進嘉為奉車都尉,曾騎都尉,寵賜隆渥。 頃之,封嘉博平鄉侯,遷光祿大夫,曾駙馬都尉。 嘉本典虞車工,卒暴富貴,明帝令朝臣會其家飲宴,其容止舉動甚蚩騃,語輒自謂「侯身」,時人以為笑。 孫盛曰:古之王者,必求令淑以對揚至德,恢王化於關雎,致淳風於麟趾。 及臻三季,並亂茲緒,義以情溺,位由寵昏,貴賤無章,下陵上替,興衰隆廢,皆是物也。 魏自武王,暨於烈祖,三后之升,起自幽賤,本既卑矣,何以長世? 詩云:「絺兮绤兮,淒其以風。」 其此之謂乎! 后又加嘉位特進,曾遷散騎侍郎。 青龍三年,嘉薨,追贈光祿大夫,改封安國侯,增邑五百,並前千戶,諡曰節侯。 四年,追封后母夏為野王君。
When Ming-di was still a prince he first took Lady Yu of Henei as consort. Once he took the throne she could not be made empress, and Grand Empress Dowager Bian tried to console her. Lady Yu replied, "The Cao clan has always favored elevating the lowborn; none has ever been raised on grounds of righteousness. Yet the empress governs within while the sovereign rules without, and the two must work together. If the beginning is not good, the end is never good. This is surely how a realm loses its altars and its line!" Lady Yu then put on mourning dress and withdrew to the palace at Ye. Mao Jia was promoted to commandant of the imperial carriage and Mao Zeng to cavalry commandant, with lavish favor and gifts. Soon Mao Jia was enfeoffed as Marquis of Boping village and made grand master for splendid happiness; Mao Zeng became commandant of the stable for the son-in-law. Jia had once overseen the Yu family's carriage workshops and suddenly shot to wealth and rank. Ming-di had court ministers feast at his house, where his manners were oafish and he kept calling himself "the marquis's own person"—a laughingstock at the time. Sun Sheng writes: Ancient kings sought worthy consorts to answer and display supreme virtue, spreading royal civilizing power through Guanju and pure custom through Linzhi. By the three later ages that thread was ruined everywhere: duty drowned in passion, rank won through blind favor, noble and base confused, inferiors overrunning superiors—rise and fall alike followed the same pattern. From Cao Cao down to Cao Pi, three empresses were raised from obscure and humble origins. With so low a foundation, how could the house endure for ages? The Odes say, "Fine and coarse linen—how chill it is in the wind." Is this not exactly what is meant! The empress later gave Mao Jia the rank of special advance and moved Mao Zeng to attendant gentleman at court. In Qinglong 3 Mao Jia died. He was posthumously made grand master for splendid happiness, re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Anguo with five hundred added households for a total of one thousand, and given the posthumous title Marquis Jie. In the fourth year the empress's mother Xia was posthumously enfeoffed as lady of Yewang.
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帝之幸郭元后也,后愛寵日弛。 景初元年,帝遊后園,召才人以上曲宴極樂。 元后曰「宜延皇后」,帝弗許。 乃禁左右,使不得宣。 后知之,明日,帝見后,后曰:「昨日遊宴北園,樂乎?」 帝以左右洩之,所殺十餘人。 賜后死,然猶加諡,葬愍陵。 遷曾散騎常侍,後徙為羽林虎賁中郎將、原武典農。
Once Ming-di’s affection shifted to Lady Guo—the future Empress Yuan—Lady Mao’s favor ebbed by the day. In Jingchu 1 he held a private revel in the rear park with every consort from Talent upward. The Yuan empress said, "You ought to invite the empress"; the emperor did not permit it. He ordered his attendants to keep silent so word would not reach her. The next day, when he came to her apartments, she asked calmly, “Was the north-garden party yesterday to your liking?” Enraged that someone had told her, he executed over a dozen people. He then forced her to take her own life, yet still granted a posthumous name and buried her at the Mausoleum of Lament. Mao Zeng was moved up to regular attendant at court, then to colonel of the feathered forest guards and overseer of the Yuanwu agricultural colony.
16
明元郭皇后,西平人也,世河右大族。 黃初中,本郡反叛,遂沒入宮。 明帝即位,甚見愛幸,拜為夫人。 叔父立為騎都尉,從父芝為虎賁中郎將。 帝疾困,遂立為皇后。 齊王即位,尊后為皇太后,稱永寧宮,追封諡太后父滿為西都定侯,以立子建紹其爵。 封太后母杜為郃陽君。 芝遷散騎常侍、長水校尉,《魏略》曰:諸郭之中,芝最壯直。 先時自以他功封侯。 立,宣德將軍,皆封列侯。 建兄德,出養甄氏。 德及建俱為鎮護將軍,皆封列侯,並掌宿衛。 值三主幼弱,宰輔統政,與奪大事,皆先諮啟於太后而後施行。 毌丘儉、鍾會等作亂,咸假其命而以為辭焉。 景元四年十二日崩,五年二月,葬高平陵西。 《晉諸公贊》曰:建字叔始,有器局而強問,泰始中疾薨。 子嘏嗣,為給事中。
Empress Ming-Yuan of the Guo clan came from Xiping; her family was a great house west of the Yellow River for generations. During Huangchu her commandery rebelled, and she was taken into the palace. Once Ming-di succeeded she won great favor and was made Lady. Her uncle Li became cavalry commandant and her father's cousin Guo Zhi colonel of the tiger guards. When the emperor fell gravely ill she was enthroned as empress. When Cao Fang succeeded he raised her to Empress Dowager of Yongning Palace, posthumously ennobled her father Man as Marquis Ding of Xidu, and had his son Jian inherit the title. Her mother Du was enfeoffed as lady of Heyang. Guo Zhi was promoted to regular palace attendant and colonel of the Changshui guard. The Wei Summary says that among the Guo clan Zhi was the most forceful and upright. He had earlier been enfeoffed as marquis on other merits. Li was made general who displays virtue; both were enfeoffed as full marquises. Jian's elder brother De had been given in adoption to the Zhen clan. De and Jian both became generals who guard the garrisons, were enfeoffed as full marquises, and jointly commanded the palace guard. With three successive child emperors and regents holding power, every major appointment or dismissal was first reported to the empress dowager before it was enacted. When Guanqiu Jian, Zhong Hui, and others rebelled, they all invoked her authority as their pretext. She died in the twelfth month of Jingyuan 4 and was buried west of Gaoping Mausoleum in the second month of the following year. Commendations of the Lords of Jin records that Jian, styled Shushi, had breadth of vision and forceful judgment; he died of illness during Taishi. His son Gu succeeded him and served as supervisor in attendance.
17
【評】
Commentary
18
評曰:魏后妃之家,雖云富貴,未有若衰漢乘非其據,宰割朝政者也。 鑑往易軌,於斯為美。 追觀陳群之議,棧潛之論,適足以為百王之規典,垂憲範乎後葉矣。
The historian’s verdict: Wei’s consort clans grew wealthy, yet none usurped the government the way late Han favorites did. They learned from history and kept to a safer path—that is the virtue here. Seen in hindsight, Chen Qun’s memorial and Zhan Qian’s admonitions are enough to serve as precedent for any line of kings and to hand down a pattern of law for generations yet to come.