1
袁渙字曜卿,陳郡扶樂人也。 父滂,為漢司徒。
Yuan Huan, styled Yaqing, came from Fule in Chen commandery. His father Yuan Pang had been Minister of Education under the Han.
2
〈袁宏《漢紀》曰:滂字公熈,純素寡欲,終不言人之短。 當權寵之盛,或以同異致禍,滂獨中立於朝,故愛憎不及焉。〉 當時諸公子多越法度,而渙清靜,舉動必以禮。 郡命為功曹,郡中姧吏皆自引去。 後辟公府,舉高第,遷侍御史。 除譙令,不就。 劉備之為豫州,舉渙茂才。 後避地江、淮間,為袁術所命。 術每有所咨訪,渙常正議,術不能抗,然敬之不敢不禮也。 頃之,呂布擊術於阜陵,渙往從之,遂復為布所拘留。 布初與劉備和親,後離隙。 布欲使渙作書詈辱備,渙不可,再三彊之,不許。 布大怒,以兵脅渙曰:「為之則生,不為則死。」 渙顏色不變,笑而應之曰:「渙聞唯德可以辱人,不聞以罵。 使彼固君子邪,且不恥將軍之言,彼誠小人邪,將復將軍之意,則辱在此不在於彼。 且渙他日之事劉將軍,猶今日之事將軍也,如一旦去此,復罵將軍,可乎?」 布慙而止。
〈Yuan Hong’s Han Ji records: Pang was styled Gongxi—pure, retiring, and sparing of desire—and never spoke ill of others.) When powerful factions rose and fell, many were ruined for taking sides; Pang alone kept to the middle at court, so neither side could claim him.〉 While many young noblemen flouted the law, Huan remained restrained and measured, and never departed from propriety. When the commandery made him Chief Clerk, the corrupt clerks cleaned out their desks and left. He was later summoned to the central government, topped the civil-service examination, and became a Palace Assistant Clerk. He was offered the magistracy of Qiao but declined to serve. While Liu Bei held Yu Province, he recommended Huan as an outstanding candidate. He later took refuge between the Yangzi and the Huai and entered Yuan Shu’s service. Yuan Shu often asked his opinion; Huan answered frankly every time. Shu could not shout him down, yet respected him too much to treat him roughly. When Lü Bu struck Yuan Shu at Fuling, Huan went over to Lü Bu’s camp—and Bu kept him there against his will. Lü Bu had first allied with Liu Bei and sealed the tie with marriage, then the two fell out. Lü Bu ordered Huan to draft a letter vilifying Liu Bei. Huan refused; however hard Bu pressed, he would not budge. Enraged, Lü Bu drew his troops on him and said: “Write it and you live; refuse and you die.” Huan’s face never changed. Smiling, he answered: “I have heard that shame comes from virtue, not from vilification. If Liu Bei is a gentleman, your insults will not touch him; if he is a petty man, he will answer your spite in kind—and the shame will be yours to bear, not his. Besides, my serving General Liu in days past is as my serving you today; if one day I leave this place and revile you in turn, would that be acceptable?” Lü Bu was ashamed and dropped the matter.
3
布誅,乃得歸太祖。 〈《袁氏世紀》曰:布之破也,陳羣父子時亦在布之軍,見太祖皆拜。 渙獨高揖不為禮,太祖甚嚴憚之。 時太祖又給衆官車各數乘,使取布軍中物,唯其所欲。 衆人皆重載,唯渙取書數百卷,資糧而已,衆人聞之,大慙。 渙謂所親曰:「脫我以行陳,令軍發足以為行糧而已,不以此為我有。 由是厲名也,大悔恨之。」 太祖益以此重焉。〉 渙言曰:「夫兵者,凶器也,不得已而用之。 鼓之以道德,征之以仁義,兼撫其民而除其害。 夫然,故可與之死而可與之生。 自大亂以來十數年矣,民之欲安,甚於倒縣,然而暴亂未息者,何也? 意者政失其道歟! 渙聞明君善於救世,故世亂則齊之以義,時偽則鎮之以樸; 世異事變,治國不同,不可不察也。 夫制度損益,此古今之不必同者也。 若夫兼愛天下而反之於正,雖以武平亂而濟之以德,誠百王不易之道也。 公明哲超世,古之所以得其民者,公旣勤之矣,今之所以失其民者,公旣戒之矣,海內賴公,得免於危亡之禍,然而民未知義,其唯公所以訓之,則天下幸甚!」 太祖深納焉。 拜為沛南部都尉。
After Lü Bu’s execution, Huan was free to join Cao Cao. 〈The Yuan family chronicle notes: When Lü Bu fell, Chen Qun and his son were in Bu’s army; both kowtowed when they met Cao Cao. Huan alone straightened his back and bowed at the waist only—never touching his forehead to the ground. Cao Cao regarded him with wary respect. Cao Cao also gave each officer wagons and told them to help themselves to Lü Bu’s stores. The others hauled off loot by the cartload; Huan took only several hundred scrolls and enough food for the road. When word spread, they burned with shame. Huan told his intimates: “If they had put me in the ranks, rations for the march would have been enough—I would never have treated booty as personal gain. That was how I meant to keep my name unstained.” The others bitterly regretted their greed." Cao Cao respected him all the more for it.〉 Huan urged: “Weapons are ill-omened tools; they are a last resort. Rouse them with moral power and the Way; wage campaigns with benevolence and right; comfort the people while rooting out what harms them. Only then will men face death or life at your side without wavering. The realm has been torn apart for more than a decade; the people long for peace more than for relief from hanging upside down—so why does chaos still rage? Surely policy has strayed from the right path! Wise rulers rescue their age: in chaos they align it with justice; in decadent times they anchor it with plain sincerity. Times change and government must change with them—the difference cannot be ignored. Cutting or adding institutions need not mirror antiquity. Yet caring for the empire and steering it back toward right—even when you use arms to end disorder, you finish the work with virtue—that is the constant thread no succession of rulers may discard. You are enlightened and wise beyond the age; what the ancients did to win the people you have already diligently pursued; what causes the loss of the people today you have already taken as warning. Within the seas they rely on you and have been spared the calamity of peril and ruin—yet the people do not yet understand righteousness. If only you would instruct them as befits you, how fortunate would be all under Heaven!” Cao Cao took his counsel to heart. He was named Chief Commandant for the southern districts of Pei.
4
是時新募民開屯田,民不樂,多逃亡。 渙白太祖曰:「夫民安土重遷,不可卒變,易以順行,難以逆動,宜順其意,樂之者乃取,不欲者勿彊。」 太祖從之,百姓大恱。 遷為梁相。 渙每勑諸縣:「務存鰥寡高年,表異孝子貞婦。 常談曰『世治則禮詳,世亂則禮簡』,全在斟酌之間耳。 方今雖擾攘,難以禮化,然在吾所以為之。」 為政崇教訓,恕思而後行,外溫柔而內能斷。 〈王沈《魏書》曰:穀熟長呂岐善朱淵、爰津,遣使行學還,召用之,與相見,出署淵師友祭酒,津決疑祭酒。 淵等因各歸家,不受署。 岐大怒,將吏民收淵等,皆杖殺之,議者多非焉。 渙教勿劾,主簿孫徽等以為「淵等罪不足死,長吏無專殺之義,孔子稱『唯器與名,不可以假人』。 謂之師友而加大戮,刑名相伐,不可以訓。」 渙教曰:「主簿以不請為罪,此則然矣。 謂淵等罪不足死,則非也。 夫師友之名,古今有之。 然有君之師友,有士大夫之師友。 夫君置師友之官者,所以敬其臣也; 有罪加於刑焉,國之法也。 今不論其罪而謂之戮師友,斯失之矣。 主簿取弟子戮師之名,而加君誅臣之實,非其類也。 夫聖哲之治,觀時而動,故不必循常,將有權也。 間者世亂,民陵其上,雖務尊君卑臣,猶或未也,而反長世之過,不亦謬乎!」 遂不劾。〉 以病去官,百姓思之。 後徵為諫議大夫、丞相軍祭酒。 前後得賜甚多,皆散盡之,家無所儲,終不問產業,乏則取之於人,不為皦察之行,然時人服其清。
The court had just drafted civilians for military-agricultural colonies; morale was low and deserters were many. Huan urged Cao Cao: “People cling to their native soil and resist uprooting overnight. What follows their wishes moves easily; what cuts against them meets stubborn resistance. Bend with their inclinations—enroll the willing and leave the unwilling alone. Cao Cao agreed, and popular morale soared. He was promoted to chancellor of Liang. He constantly told the counties: “Care for widowers, widows, and the aged; lift up model sons and faithful wives. The proverb says, ‘Good times allow elaborate rites; troubled times call for simple ones’—the art is knowing where to draw the line. Though today is disturbed and hard to transform by ritual, still what can be done lies with us.” In office he emphasized moral instruction, deliberated with humane patience before acting, appeared mild abroad, yet could judge firmly within. 〈Wang Chen’s Wei Shu: Gushu district chief Lü Qi thought highly of Zhu Yuan and Yuan Jin. After sending them to study, he recalled them for appointment; at their meeting he named Yuan Libationer for the Friends of Learning and Jin Libationer for Resolving Doubts. Zhu Yuan and his companions went home instead and refused the posts. Lü Qi flew into a rage and ordered his officers and local residents to arrest them; he had every one of them clubbed to death. Opinion widely condemned him. Huan directed that no charges be brought. Chief Clerk Sun Hui argued that Zhu Yuan’s party did not deserve death and that a county chief had no right of summary execution—citing Confucius: “Regalia and titles must never be handled lightly. To honor men as “friends of learning” and then beat them to death confuses law with courtesy—it teaches nothing good.” Huan replied: “The chief clerk deserves blame for failing to seek higher approval—that much is true. To claim those men were innocent of capital crimes is wrong. The title “friend of learning” has always had its uses. But there is the sovereign’s “friend of learning” and there is the minister’s “friend of learning. When a ruler institutes such an office, he means to honor his officials. When crime is proven and sentence passed, that is the kingdom’s law. To skip the facts of guilt and speak only of “murdering a friend of learning” misses the point. Sun Hui borrows the language of a pupil killing his teacher to describe a ruler punishing a minister—the analogy fails. Sage kings watch the times and adapt; they need not cling to precedent when circumstance demands flexibility. In recent generations the age has been in turmoil and the people have lorded it over their superiors; though one strives to honor the ruler and humble ministers, it may still not succeed—and instead you prolong the faults of the age: is that not absurd!” So Huan let the matter drop.〉 He stepped down citing illness, and the people longed for his return. He was later recalled as Grand Counselor of Remonstrance and army libationer under the chancellor. Imperial largesse came often; he passed every gift on until his coffers were bare. He never fussed over fields or houses—when he lacked funds he borrowed—and though he never played the zealous fault-finder, contemporaries revered his integrity.
5
魏國初建,為郎中令,行御史大夫事。 渙言於太祖曰:「今天下大難已除,文武並用,長久之道也。 以為可大收篇籍,明先聖之教,以易民視聽,使海內斐然向風,則遠人不服可以文德來之。」 太祖善其言。 時有傳劉備死者,羣臣皆賀; 渙以甞為備舉吏,獨不賀。 居官數年卒,太祖為之流涕,賜穀二千斛,一教「以太倉穀千斛賜郎中令之家」,一教「以垣下穀千斛與曜卿家」,外不解其意。 教曰:「以太倉穀者,官法也; 以垣下穀者,親舊也。」 又帝聞渙昔拒呂布之事,問渙從弟敏:「渙勇怯何如?」 敏對曰:「渙貌似和柔,然其臨大節,處危難,雖賁、育不過也。」 渙子侃,亦清粹閑素,有父風,歷位郡守尚書。 〈《袁氏世紀》曰:渙有四子,侃、㝢、奧、準。 侃字公然,論議清當,柔而不犯,善與人交。 在廢興之間,人之所趣務者,常謙退不為也。 時人以是稱之。 歷位黃門選部郎,號為清平。 稍遷至尚書,早卒。 㝢字宣厚,精辯有機理,好道家之言,少被病,未官而卒,奧字公榮,行足以厲俗,言約而理當,終於光祿勳。 準字孝尼,忠信公正,不恥下問,唯恐人之不勝己。 以世事多險,故常治退而不敢求進。 著書十餘萬言,論治世之務,為易、周官、詩傳,及論五經滯義,聖人之微言,以傳於世。 此準之自序也。 荀綽九州記稱準有儁才,泰始中為給事中。 袁氏子孫世有名位,貴達至今。〉
When the Wei dukedom was founded he became Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace, handling the duties of Imperial Clerk Grandee. He told Cao Cao: “The worst blows to the realm are over; blending civil and military policy is how dynasties last. I believe you may greatly gather books and documents, clarify the teaching of the former sages, and thereby alter what the people see and hear, so that within the seas they flourish and turn to the wind; then if distant peoples do not submit, you may draw them with the virtue of culture.” Cao Cao praised the proposal. Rumors claimed Liu Bei was dead, and the courtiers crowded in with congratulations. Huan alone stayed away—Liu Bei had once sponsored his career. After several years in office he died. Grand Progenitor wept for him and granted two thousand hu of grain—one edict read “grant the household of the Prefect of the Gentlemen one thousand hu from the Grand Granary,” another “grant one thousand hu from the granary below the wall to Yaqing’s family.” Outsiders did not understand his intent. The order explained: “Grain from the Grand Granary follows public statute. What comes from the granary below the wall is for kin and old friends.” The Emperor also heard of Huan’s past refusal of Lü Bu and asked Huan’s cousin Min, “Was Huan brave or timid?” Min answered: “He looks gentle, but when great principle or mortal danger is at stake, not even ancient heroes could surpass him. His son Kan was clear-minded and retiring like his father, and rose to commandery governor and minister. 〈The Yuan family chronicle lists four sons: Kan, Yu, Ao, and Zhun. Kan, styled Gongran, argued cleanly and fairly—flexible yet firm—and knew how to handle people. When fortunes shifted and others scrambled for advantage, he habitually stood back. His contemporaries admired him for it. He advanced to Gentleman at the Yellow Gates and Director of Selection, famed for even-handed judgment. He eventually reached ministerial rank but died young. Yu, styled Xuanhou, was sharp in debate, drawn to Daoism, and died young before serving. Ao, styled Gongrong, lived modestly enough to reform local habits; his speech was spare but exact, and he rose to Minister of the Imperial Household. Zhun, styled Xiaoni, was loyal, candid, and humble enough to learn from social inferiors—yet anxious whenever peers fell short of his standard. Danger stalked public life, so he preferred retreat and rarely pressed for promotion. He composed over one hundred thousand characters on statecraft—commentaries on the Zhou yi, Zhou li, and Mao Shi plus essays on unresolved issues in the Five Classics—intending them for posterity. Those lines come from Zhun’s own preface. Xun Chuo’s Jiuzhou ji describes Zhun as brilliant and records him as a palace attendant under Emperor Wu (Taishi era). The Yuans have kept high office for generations down to the present.〉
6
初,渙從弟霸,公恪有功幹,魏初為大司農,及同郡何夔並知名於時。 而霸子亮,夔子曾,與侃復齊聲友善。 亮貞固有學行,疾何晏、鄧颺等,著論以譏切之,位至河南尹、尚書。 〈《晉諸公贊》曰:亮子粲,字儀祖,文學博識,累為儒官,至尚書。〉 霸弟徽,以儒素稱。 遭天下亂,避難交州。 司徒辟,不至。 〈袁宏《漢紀》曰:初,天下將亂,渙慨然歎曰:「漢室陵遲,亂無日矣。 苟天下擾攘,逃將安之? 若天未喪道,民以義存,唯彊而有禮,可以庇身乎!」 徽曰:「古人有言:『知機其神乎』! 見機而作,君子所以元吉也。 天理盛衰,漢其亡矣! 夫有大功必有大事,此又君子之所深識,退藏於密者也。 且兵革旣興,外患必衆,徽將遠迹山海,以求免身。」 及亂作,各行其志。〉 徽弟敏,有武藝而好水功,官至河隄謁者。
Earlier, Huan’s cousin Yuan Ba—meticulous and capable—had become Minister of Agriculture at Wei’s founding and, with fellow townsman He Kui, stood among the age’s leading names. Ba’s son Liang and Kui’s son Zeng were as close to Kan as their fathers had been to one another. Liang was upright, learned, and outspoken; he despised He Yan and Deng Yang and lampooned them in essays, rising to governor of Henan and minister. 〈The Jin zhugong zan adds: Liang’s son Can, styled Yizu, was a scholar of wide learning who repeatedly served in academic posts and reached ministerial rank.〉 Ba’s younger brother Hui was known as a plain Confucian gentleman. When chaos spread he fled south to Jiao Province. The court summoned him as Minister of Education; he refused to answer. 〈Yuan Hong’s Han ji: Even before the collapse, Huan had sighed, “The Han house is failing; disaster cannot be far off. Once the realm dissolves in war, what refuge could exile possibly offer? If Heaven has not yet abandoned the Way and the people endure through righteousness, only he who is strong and observes ritual propriety may shelter his person, may he not!” Hui answered: “The classic line runs, ‘To grasp the turning point is next to divine wisdom. Read the moment and move—that is how a gentleman wins the great blessing. The tide of Heaven ebbs and flows; the house of Han is finished. Great deeds stir great crises—wise men see that far ahead and know when to vanish from sight. War invites countless enemies from without; I mean to lose myself among coastal hills until the storm passes." When chaos came, every cousin chose his own course.〉 His brother Min was handy with arms and obsessed with waterworks, rising to inspector of dikes and canals.
7
張範,字公儀,河內脩武人也。 祖父歆,為漢司徒。 父延,為太尉。 太傅袁隗欲以女妻範,範辭不受。 性恬靜樂道,忽於榮利,徵命無所就。 弟承,字公先,亦知名,以方正徵,拜議郎,遷伊闕都尉。 董卓作亂,承欲合徒衆與天下共誅卓。 承弟昭時為議郎,適從長安來,謂承曰:「今欲誅卓,衆寡不敵,且起一朝之謀,戰阡陌之民,士不素撫,兵不練習,難以成功。 卓阻兵而無義,固不能久; 不若擇所歸附,待時而動,然後可以如志。」 承然之,乃解印綬間行歸家,與範避地揚州。 袁術備禮招請,範稱疾不往,術不彊屈也。 遣承與相見,術問曰:「昔周室陵遲,則有桓、文之霸; 秦失其政,漢接而用之。 今孤以土地之廣,士民之衆,欲徼福齊桓,擬迹高祖,何如?」 承對曰:「在德不在彊。 夫能用德以同天下之欲,雖由匹夫之資,而興霸王之功,不足為難。 若苟僭擬,干時而動,衆之所棄,誰能興之?」 術不恱。 是時,太祖將征冀州,術復問曰:「今曹公欲以弊兵數千,敵十萬之衆,可謂不量力矣! 子以為何如?」 承乃曰:「漢德雖衰,天命未改,今曹公挾天子以令天下,雖敵百萬之衆可也。」 術作色不懌,承去之。
Zhang Fan, styled Gongyi, hailed from Xiuwu in Henei commandery. His grandfather Zhang Xin had been Minister of Education under the Han. His father Zhang Yan had served as grand marshal. Grand Tutor Yuan Kui offered him a daughter in marriage; Fan politely refused. Quiet and devoted to learning, he cared nothing for rank or riches and ignored every appointment. His brother Cheng, styled Gongxian, was likewise celebrated; called up as a man of integrity he became a Gentleman Consultant and then commandant of Yique pass. When Dong Zhuo seized the capital, Cheng wanted to raise men and join the coalition against him. His brother Zhao, a Gentleman Consultant fresh from Chang’an, warned him: “You cannot match Zhuo’s army; a hasty plot backed only by untrained villagers will fail. Zhuo commands troops without moral right—he cannot endure. Pick a patron, bide your time, and strike when fortune turns—that is how you get what you want.” Cheng agreed. He shed his official seals, slipped home by back roads, and joined Fan in flight to the south. Yuan Shu courted him with elaborate courtesy; Fan pleaded illness and Shu did not press the issue. Shu sent Cheng to an audience and asked: “When the Zhou throne faltered, Qi Huan and Jin Wen rose as hegemons; Qin bungled the mandate and Han seized it. I command vast territory and a huge population—why should I not rival Duke Huan or trace the path of the Han founder?” Cheng answered: “Power follows virtue, not manpower. Win the world’s aspirations through moral authority and even a commoner can build a hegemon’s enterprise—that is not difficult. Usurp the throne against the tide and the realm will cast you off—who then can lift you up?” Shu’s face darkened. When Cao Cao prepared to march on Ji Province, Shu tried again: “He means to meet your hundred thousand men with a few thousand battered soldiers—is that not suicidal? What say you?” Cheng said flatly: “Han’s prestige may fade, yet Heaven’s choice stands. Cao Cao holds the emperor—against him even a million spears will break.” Shu flushed with anger; Cheng walked out.
8
太祖平冀州,遣使迎範。 範以疾留彭城,遣承詣太祖,太祖表以為諫議大夫。 範子陵及承子戩為山東賊所得,範直詣賊請二子,賊以陵還範。 範謝曰:「諸君相還兒厚矣。 夫人情雖愛其子,然吾憐戩之小,請以陵易之。」 賊義其言,悉以還範。 太祖自荊州還,範得見於陳,以為議郎,參丞相軍事,甚見敬重。 太祖征伐,常令範及邴原留,與世子居守。 太祖謂文帝:「舉動必諮此二人。」 世子執子孫禮。 救恤窮乏,家無所餘,中外孤寡皆歸焉。 贈遺無所逆,亦終不用,及去,皆以還之。 建安十七年卒。 魏國初建,承以丞相參軍祭酒領趙郡太守,政化大行。 太祖將西征,徵承參軍事,至長安,病卒。
After Cao Cao took Ji Province he sent escorts to fetch Zhang Fan. Fan halted at Pengcheng, pleading illness, and sent Cheng ahead; Cao Cao memorialized him as grand counselor of remonstrance. Bandits east of the Taihang seized Fan’s son Ling and Cheng’s son Jian. Fan walked into their camp and bargained for both; they released Ling first. Fan bowed: “You honor me by sending my boy home. Any father loves his sons, but Jian is younger—keep Ling and give me Jian instead.” Touched by his fairness, they freed both children. On Cao Cao’s return from Jing Province he received Fan at Chen, named him a Gentleman Consultant and adviser on army affairs, and treated him with exceptional respect. Whenever Cao Cao marched he left Fan and Bing Yuan with the heir to hold the capital. He told the future Wendi: “Before you act on anything, consult these two. The crown prince treated them with grandsons’ deference. He poured his wealth into charity until his house was bare; widows and orphans everywhere sought him out. He accepted presents but never spent them—when he moved on he sent every gift back. He died in 212 CE, the seventeenth year of the Jian’an era. At the founding of the Wei dukedom Cheng served as army libationer while governing Zhao commandery, and his reforms took deep root. Cao Cao summoned him for the western campaign; he reached Chang’an but died on the road.
9
涼茂字伯方,山陽昌邑人也。 少好學,論議常據經典,以處是非。 太祖辟為司空掾,舉高第,補侍御史。 時泰山多盜賊,以茂為泰山太守,旬月之閒,襁負而至者千餘家。 〈《博物記》曰:襁,織縷為之,廣八寸,長尺二,以約小兒於背上,負之而行。〉 轉為樂浪太守。 公孫度在遼東,擅留茂,不遣之官,然茂終不為屈。 度謂茂及諸將曰:「聞曹公遠征,鄴無守備,今吾欲以步卒三萬,騎萬匹,直指鄴,誰能禦之?」 諸將皆曰:「然。」 〈臣松之案此傳云公孫度聞曹公遠征,鄴無守備,則太祖定鄴後也。 案 〈度傳〉 ,度以建安九年卒,太祖亦以此年定鄴,自後遠征,唯有北征柳城耳。 征柳城之年,度已不復在矣。〉 又顧謂茂曰:「於君意何如?」 茂荅曰:「比者海內大亂,社稷將傾,將軍擁十萬之衆,安坐而觀成敗,夫為人臣者,固若是邪! 曹公憂國家之危敗,愍百姓之苦毒,率義兵為天下誅殘賊,功高而德廣,可謂無二矣。 以海內初定,民始安集,故未責將軍之罪耳! 而將軍乃欲稱兵西向,則存亡之效,不崇朝而決。 將軍其勉之!」 諸將聞茂言,皆震動。 良久,度曰:「涼君言是也。」 後徵遷為魏郡太守、甘陵相,所在有績。 文帝為五官將,茂以選為長史,遷左軍師。 魏國初建,遷尚書僕射,後為中尉奉常。 文帝在東宮,茂復為太子太傅,甚見敬禮。 卒官。 〈《英雄記》曰:茂名在八友中。〉
Liang Mao, styled Bofang, came from Changyi in Shanyang. He loved books from boyhood and anchored every argument in the canon. Cao Cao hired him as an aide to the minister of works; he topped the rankings and became an attendant censor. Mount Tai swarmed with bandits, so Mao was sent as administrator; within weeks more than a thousand refugee families straggled in, babies bundled on their backs. 〈The Bowu ji explains the “back-bundle”: cloth eight inches wide and a foot long, slung to cradle an infant while walking.〉 He was reassigned as governor of Lelang commandery. Gongsun Du of Liaodong kept him under house arrest and blocked his posting, yet Mao never bent. Du told Mao and his officers: “Cao Cao is far away and Ye lies undefended—I can strike with thirty thousand foot and ten thousand horse. Who will stop me?” The generals all said, "It is so." 〈Pei Songzhi objects: the story has Gongsun Du speak as if Cao Cao were away and Ye weak only after Cao Cao had in fact taken Ye. His footnote continues — 〈in Gongsun Du’s biography〉 — Du died in Jian’an 9, the very year Cao Cao took Ye. Later long campaigns were only the northern drive on Liucheng. By the time of the Liucheng campaign Du had been in the ground for years.〉 Turning to Liang Mao he asked, “And you?” Mao answered: “The realm is tearing apart and the dynasty totters, yet you sit on a hundred thousand men and watch from the sidelines—can any loyal minister behave like that? Cao Cao mourns the empire’s peril and the people’s misery; he leads righteous armies against traitors—his achievements tower and his virtue spans the age. The land has barely quieted and families just begun to settle—that is why he has not yet punished you! Yet you would march west on Ye—your fate will be sealed before noon. Think twice, General." The officers trembled at his rebuke. After a long silence Du admitted, “He speaks truth. Mao was later recalled to govern Wei commandery and Ganling principality, leaving a strong record at every post. While still heir, Wendi chose Mao as chief clerk of the Five Offices command and then raised him to master of the left army. At the founding of Wei he became vice director of the secretariat, later commanding justice and court ritual. When Wendi was crown prince, Mao served again as grand tutor and enjoyed singular esteem. He died in harness. 〈The Yingxiong ji counts him among the “Eight Friends.”〉
10
國淵字子尼,樂安蓋人也。 師事鄭玄。 〈《玄別傳》曰:淵始未知名,玄稱之曰:「國子尼,美才也,吾觀其人,必為國器。」〉 後與邴原、管寧等避亂遼東。 〈王沈《魏書》曰:淵篤學好古,在遼東,常講學於山巖,士人多推慕之,由此知名。〉 旣還舊土,太祖辟為司空掾屬,每於公朝論議,常直言正色,退無私焉。 太祖欲廣置屯田,使淵典其事。 淵屢陳損益,相土處民,計民置吏,明功課之法,五年中倉廩豐實,百姓競勸樂業。 太祖征關中,以淵為居府長史,統留事。 田銀、蘇伯反河閒,銀等旣破,後有餘黨,皆應伏法。 淵以為非首惡,請不行刑。 太祖從之,賴淵得生者千餘人。 破賊文書,舊以一為十,及淵上首級,如其實數。 太祖問其故,淵曰:「夫征討外寇,多其斬獲之數者,欲以大武功,且示民聽也。 河閒在封域之內,銀等叛逆,雖克捷有功,淵竊恥之。」 太祖大恱,遷魏郡太守。
Guo Yuan, styled Zini, came from Gai county in Le’an. He was a pupil of Zheng Xuan. 〈Zheng Xuan’s supplemental memoir: Before Yuan was famous, Zheng declared, “Guo Zini is brilliant—watch him become a pillar of the state.”〉 Later he fled the fighting with Bing Yuan, Guan Ning, and company to Liaodong. 〈Wang Chen’s Wei Shu: Yuan devoured the classics; on Liaodong’s cliffs he lectured until students flocked and his name spread.〉 Back home he joined Cao Cao’s ministerial staff, spoke bluntly in council, and gave no favors behind closed doors. Cao Cao planned widespread military colonies and put Yuan in charge. He fine-tuned every regulation—surveying soil, settling households, assigning overseers, tying rewards to output—and within five years the bins overflowed while farmers rushed to the fields. During the Guanzhong campaign Cao Cao named him chief clerk of rear headquarters. When Tian Yin and Su Bo rose in Hejian, scores of followers remained liable for execution after the leaders fell. Yuan argued they were not ringleaders and asked to spare them. Cao Cao agreed; more than a thousand men lived because of Yuan’s plea. Victory bulletins usually multiplied kills tenfold; Yuan reported the actual tally. Asked why, Yuan said: “Inflated body counts impress the realm when you fight foreign enemies. Hejian sits inside our borders—these men were fellow subjects in revolt. Victory here brings me no pride.” Delighted, Cao Cao named him governor of Wei commandery.
11
時有投書誹謗者,太祖疾之,欲必知其主。 淵請留其本書,而不宣露。 其書多引二京賦,淵勑功曹曰:「此郡旣大,今在都輦,而少學問者。 其簡開解年少,欲遣就師。」 功曹差三人,臨遣引見,訓以「所學未及,二京賦,博物之書也,世人忽略,少有其師,可求能讀者從受之。」 又密喻旨。 旬日得能讀者,遂往受業。 吏因請使作箋,比方其書,與投書人同手。 收攝案問,具得情理。 遷太僕。 居列卿位,布衣蔬食,祿賜散之舊故宗族,以恭儉自守,卒官。 〈王沈《魏書》曰:太祖以其子泰為郎。〉
Someone circulated a slanderous pamphlet; Cao Cao burned to learn who wrote it. Yuan persuaded him to keep the original confidential. The tract quoted Zhang Heng’s Two Capitals rhapsodies, so Yuan told his chief clerk: “We are a large commandery at the capital’s edge, yet scholars are scarce. Round up bright young men and enroll them with tutors.” The Chief Clerk assigned three men; as they were about to depart he introduced them and instructed them that "your studies are not yet advanced—the Rhapsodies on the Two Capitals are works of broad learning; the world neglects them and few have teachers—seek those who can read them and study under them." Privately he explained the real purpose. Within ten days tutors appeared and lessons began. Clerks then had the students draft samples—the script matched the pamphlet exactly. Arrest and interrogation broke the case wide open. He rose to grand coachman of the court. Though he ranked among the Nine Ministers, he dressed like a commoner and ate simply, passing every stipend to kinsmen and old friends; he died as poor as he had lived. 〈Wang Chen’s Wei Shu notes that Cao Cao gave Yuan Tai a place among the Gentlemen.〉
12
田疇字子泰,右北平無終人也。 好讀書、擊劒。 初平元年,義兵起,董卓遷帝于長安。 幽州牧劉虞歎曰:「賊臣作亂,朝廷播蕩,四海俄然,莫有固志。 身備宗室遺老,不得自同於衆。 今欲奉使展效臣節,安得不辱命之士乎?」 衆議咸曰:「田疇雖年少,多稱其奇。」 疇時年二十二矣。 虞乃備禮請與相見,大恱之,遂署為從事,具其車騎。 將行,疇曰:「今道路阻絕,寇虜縱橫,稱官奉使,為衆所指名。 願以私行,期於得達而已。」 虞從之。 疇乃歸,自選其家客與年少之勇壯慕從者二十騎俱往。 虞自出祖而遣之。
Tian Chou, styled Zitai, came from Wuzhong in Right Beiping commandery. He loved books and fencing. In 190 CE coalition forces rose while Dong Zhuo dragged the court west to Chang’an. Governor Liu Yu of Youzhou mourned: “Rebel ministers hold the emperor hostage; the realm reels and no one knows where to stand. I carry the imperial surname—I cannot hide among ordinary folk. I need an envoy who can prove loyalty without losing face—where else will I find such a man?” The assembly answered: “Tian Chou is young, but everyone calls him remarkable. Chou was twenty-two. Liu Yu received him with full honors, delighted in the interview, named him an attendant clerk, and furnished wagons and escort. Before leaving he urged: “The roads are closed and bandits swarm—a titled envoy draws every outlaw’s eye. Let me travel as a private scholar—only reaching Chang’an matters." Liu Yu agreed. He went home and picked twenty armed retainers willing to ride with him. Liu Yu himself hosted the farewell feast and sent him on his way.
13
〈《先賢行狀》曰:疇將行,引虞密與議。 疇因說虞曰:「今帝主幼弱,姧臣擅命,表上須報,懼失事機。 且公孫瓚阻兵安忍,不早圖之,必有後悔。」 虞不聽。〉 旣取道,疇乃更上西關,出塞,傍北方,直趣朔方,循閒徑去,遂至長安致命。 詔拜騎都尉。 疇以為天子方蒙塵未安,不可以荷佩榮寵,固辭不受。 朝廷高其義。 三府並辟,皆不就。 得報,馳還,未至,虞已為公孫瓚所害。 疇至,謁祭虞墓,陳發章表,哭泣而去。 瓚聞之大怒,購求獲疇,謂曰:「汝何自哭劉虞墓,而不送章報於我也?」 疇荅曰:「漢室衰穨,人懷異心,唯劉公不失忠節。 章報所言,於將軍未美,恐非所樂聞,故不進也。 且將軍方舉大事以求所欲,旣滅無罪之君,又讎守義之臣,誠行此事,則燕、趙之士將皆蹈東海而死耳,豈忍有從將軍者乎!」 瓚壯其對,釋不誅也。 拘之軍下,禁其故人莫得與通。 或說瓚曰:「田疇義士,君弗能禮,而又囚之,恐失衆心。」 瓚乃縱遣疇。
〈The Conduct of Former Worthies: Before departure Tian Chou took Liu Yu aside. He warned: “The boy emperor is a pawn and corrupt ministers hold real power; waiting for court approval wastes precious time. Gongsun Zan commands troops and kills without mercy—move against him now or repent later." Liu Yu would not listen.〉 He swung northwest through the passes, skirted the steppe to Shuofang, slipped past patrols, and delivered Liu Yu’s memorial at Chang’an. The court named him commandant of cavalry. He refused the commission while the emperor remained a fugitive—honors felt obscene. The court praised his integrity. All three senior ministries called him; he ignored every summons. He raced home with the emperor’s answer but Liu Yu was already dead at Gongsun Zan’s hands. He rode straight to Liu Yu’s grave, read the imperial rescripts aloud, wept, and left. Gongsun Zan flew into a rage, had Tian Chou seized, and demanded: “Why mourn Liu Yu but hide the emperor’s letter from me?” Tian Chou answered: “The Han totters and loyalty is rare—only Liu Yu kept faith. That document praises virtues you lack—I doubt you wanted to hear it. You slaughtered an innocent patron and brand loyalty as crime—carry on like this and every north-China knight will drown himself before he serves you!” Zan respected the nerve of it and spared him. He kept Tian Chou under military arrest and cut him off from friends. An adviser warned: “Tian Chou is a hero—jailing him after failing to win him will cost you hearts. Zan let him go.
14
疇得北歸,率舉宗族他附從數百人,埽地而盟曰:「君仇不報,吾不可以立於世!」 遂人徐無山中,營深險平敞地而居,躬耕以養父母。 百姓歸之,數年閒至五千餘家。 疇謂其父老曰:「諸君不以疇不肖,遠來相就。 衆成都邑,而莫相統一,恐非久安之道,願推擇其賢長者以為之主。」 皆曰:「善。」 同僉推疇。 疇曰:「今來在此,非苟安而已,將圖大事,復怨雪恥。 竊恐未得其志,而輕薄之徒自相侵侮,偷快一時,無深計遠慮。 疇有愚計,願與諸君共施之,可乎?」 皆曰:「可。」 疇乃為約束相殺傷、犯盜、諍訟之法,法重者至死,其次抵罪,二十餘條。 又制為婚姻嫁娶之禮,興舉學校講授之業,班行其衆,衆皆便之,至道不拾遺。 北邊翕然服其威信,烏丸、鮮卑並各遣譯使致貢遺,疇悉撫納,令不為寇。 袁紹數遣使招命,又即授將軍印,因安輯所統,疇皆拒不受。 紹死,其子尚又辟焉,疇終不行。
Free again, he rallied kin and followers, swept earth for an oath, and swore: “Until Liu Yu is avenged I have no place under Heaven!” They withdrew into the Xu Wu range, built a settlement on a sheltered plateau, and farmed to feed their families. Refugees streamed in until more than five thousand households gathered. He told the headmen: “You honor me though I am unworthy and trek here from afar. We have become a town without government—that invites chaos. Choose the worthiest among you to lead." All said: "Good." They elected Tian Chou. He answered: “We did not flee here for comfort—we came to settle scores with Gongsun Zan. Unless we impose order, hotheads will brawl for petty gain and ruin everything. I propose a simple code—will you adopt it?” All said: "It is acceptable." He promulgated twenty-odd statutes covering homicide, theft, and lawsuits—capital crimes for the worst, fines or labor for lesser faults. He added marriage customs, opened schools, and taught the rules until travelers could drop purses untouched. Steppe tribes deferred to him; Wuhuan and Xianbei envoys arrived with gifts, and he kept them from raiding Han settlements. Yuan Shao courted him with repeated missions and even tried to buy him with a general’s seal—Tian Chou refused each time. After Shao died Yuan Shang summoned him again—still no answer.
15
疇常忿烏丸昔多賊殺其郡冠蓋,有欲討之意而力未能。 建安十二年,太祖北征烏丸,未至,先遣使辟疇,又命田預喻指。 疇戒其門下趣治嚴。 門人謂曰:「昔袁公慕君,禮命五至,君義不屈; 今曹公使一來而君若恐弗及者,何也?」 疇笑而應之曰:「此非君所識也。」 遂隨使者到軍,署司空戶曹掾,引見諮議。 明日出令曰:「田子泰非吾所宜吏者。」 即舉茂才,拜為蓨令,不之官,隨軍次無終。 時方夏水雨,而濵海洿下,濘滯不通,虜亦遮守蹊要,軍不得進。 太祖患之,以問疇。 疇曰:「此道,秋夏每常有水,淺不通車馬,深不載舟船,為難久矣。 舊北平郡治在平岡,道出盧龍,達于柳城; 自建武以來,陷壞斷絕,垂二百載,而尚有微徑可從。 今虜將以大軍當由無終,不得進而退,懈弛無備。 若嘿回軍,從盧龍口越白檀之險,出空虛之地,路近而便,掩其不備,蹋頓之首可不戰而禽也。」 太祖曰:「善。」 乃引軍還,而署大木表於水側路傍曰:「方今暑夏,道路不通,且俟秋冬,乃復進軍。」 虜候騎見之,誠以為大軍去也。 太祖令疇將其衆為鄉導,上徐無山,出盧龍,歷平岡,登白狼堆,去柳城二百餘里,虜乃驚覺。 單于身自臨陣,太祖與交戰,遂大斬獲,追奔逐北,至柳城。 軍還入塞,論功行封,封疇亭侯,邑五百戶。 〈《先賢行狀》載太祖表論疇功曰:「文雅優備,忠武又著,和於撫下,慎於事上,量時度理,進退合義。 幽州始擾,胡、漢交萃,蕩析離居,靡所依懷。 疇率宗人避難於無終山,北拒盧龍,南守要害,清靜隱約,耕而後食,人民化從,咸共資奉。 及袁紹父子威力加於朔野,遠結烏丸,與為首尾,前後召疇,終不陷撓。 後臣奉命,軍次易縣,疇長驅自到,陳討胡之勢,猶廣武之建燕策,薛公之度淮南。 又使部曲持臣露布,出誘胡衆,漢民或因亡來,烏丸聞之震蕩。 王旅出塞,塗由山中九百餘里,疇帥兵五百,啟導山谷,遂威烏丸,蕩平塞表。 疇文武有效,節義可嘉,誠應寵賞,以旌其美。」〉 疇自以始為居難,率衆循逃,志義不立,反以為利,非本意也,固讓。 太祖知其至心,許而不奪。 〈《魏書》載太祖令曰:「昔伯成棄國,夏后不奪,將欲使高尚之士,優賢之主,不止於一世也。 其聽疇所執。」〉
He burned to punish the Wuhuan for slaughtering Youzhou officials but lacked the force. In 207 CE Cao Cao marched against the Wuhuan; before the army arrived he summoned Tian Chou through Tian Yu. Tian Chou told his household to pack at once. His followers protested: “Yuan Shao honored you with five respectful summons and you stayed put; yet one word from Cao Cao sends you scrambling—why?” Smiling, he said: “That is not for you to judge. He rode to camp, took a temporary post in the minister’s household bureau, and briefed Cao Cao. Next morning Cao Cao announced: “Tian Zitai is wasted on clerical duty. He nominated him recommended talent and named him magistrate of Tiao—knowing Tian Chou would not sit a desk, he kept him with the host at Wuzhong. Summer rains turned the coastal flats to mud while tribal pickets held the passes—the army stalled. Cao Cao turned to Tian Chou for another route. He explained: “This coast floods summer and fall—too shallow for boats, too soft for wagons. Old maps show the road from Pinggang through Lulong to Liucheng; It fell into ruin two centuries ago but a hunter’s trace remains. The tribes watch Wuzhong—the dead end we just quit—so they relax. Double back through Lulong Pass, burst onto the plateau behind them, and we could seize Tadun’s head without a pitched battle.” Cao Cao said: “Do it.” They feigned retreat and nailed notices to trees: “Summer mud blocks us—we return in autumn. Tribal scouts mistook the withdrawal for real. Tian Chou guided the column up Xu Wu, through Lulong and Pinggang, over Bailang Mountain within two hundred li of Liucheng before the Wuhuan reacted. The chanyu rode out to fight; Cao Cao shattered the horde and chased them to Liucheng. Back inside the Wall he enfeoffed Tian Chou as a village marquis at five hundred households. 〈The Conduct of Former Worthies carries Grand Progenitor's memorial assessing Chou's merit: "Cultured grace fully prepared, loyalty and martial prowess equally evident, harmonious in soothing subordinates, careful in serving superiors—measuring times and principles, advancing and retreating accord with righteousness. Youzhou had shattered—steppe and Han peoples mingled in flight. Tian Chou led kin into Xu Wu, blocking Lulong pass and guarding southern narrows while farming in quiet until thousands sustained him. When the Yuans dominated the north and allied the Wuhuan, Tian Chou still ignored every summons. When this army camped at Yi, Tian Chou raced in with a strategy worthy of Guangwu’s Yan plan or Xue Gong’s Huainan calculus. Agents waved edicts on the frontier; Han refugees slipped through while Wuhuan morale cracked. The imperial column marched nine hundred li of mountain track behind Tian Chou’s five hundred pioneers until the Wuhuan broke. Chou effective in civil and military affairs—integrity commendable—truly should receive favor and reward—to signal his excellence."〉" Tian Chou refused the fief: he had fled disaster, not sought fortune. Cao Cao understood and did not insist. 〈The Wei Shu carries Grand Progenitor's order: "Formerly Bocheng abandoned his state and the Xia lord did not seize him—the intent was to allow lofty gentlemen and rulers who esteem worthies not to stop at one generation. Hear what Chou insists upon."〉"
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遼東斬送袁尚首,令「三軍敢有哭之者斬」。 疇以甞為尚所辟,乃往弔祭。 太祖亦不問。 〈臣松之以為田疇不應袁紹父子之命,以其非正也。 故盡規魏祖,建盧龍之策。 致使袁尚奔迸,授首遼東,皆疇之由也。 旣已明其為賊,胡為復弔祭其首乎? 若以甞被辟命,義在其中,則不應為人設謀,使其至此也。 疇此舉止,良為進退無當,與王脩哭袁譚,貌同而心異也。〉 疇盡將其家屬及宗人三百餘家居鄴。 太祖賜疇車馬穀帛,皆散之宗族知舊。 從征荊州還,太祖追念疇功殊美,恨前聽疇之讓,曰:「是成一人之志,而虧王法大制也。」 於是乃復以前爵封疇。 〈《先賢行狀》載太祖令曰:「蓨令田疇,志節高尚,遭值州里戎夏交亂,引身深山,研精味道,百姓從之,以成都邑。 袁賊之盛,命召不屈。 慷慨守志,以徼真主。 及孤奉詔征定河北,遂服幽都,將定胡寇,特加禮命。 疇即受署,陳建攻胡蹊路所由,率齊山民,一時向化,開塞導道,供承使役,路近而便,令虜不意。 斬蹋頓於白狼,遂長驅於柳城,疇有力焉。 及軍入塞,將圖其功,表封亭侯,食邑五百,而疇懇惻,前後辭賞。 出入三載,歷年未賜,此為成一人之高,甚違王典,失之多矣。 宜從表封,無久留吾過。」〉 疇上疏陳誠,以死自誓。 太祖不聽,欲引拜之,至于數四,終不受。 有司劾疇狷介違道,苟立小節,宜免官加刑。 太祖重其事,依違者久之。 乃下世子及大臣博議,世子以疇同於子文辭祿,申胥逃賞,宜勿奪以優其節。 尚書令荀彧、司隷校尉鍾繇亦以為可聽。 〈《魏書》載世子議曰:「昔薳敖逃祿,傳載其美,所以激濁世,勵貪夫,賢於尸祿素餐飡之人也。 故可得而小,不可得而毀。 至於田疇,方斯近矣。 免官加刑,於法為重。」 《魏略》載教曰:「昔夷、齊棄爵而譏武王,可謂愚闇,孔子猶以為『求仁得仁』。 疇之所守,雖不合道,但欲清高耳。 使天下悉如疇志,即墨翟兼愛尚同之事,而老聃使民結繩之道也。 外議欲為復使令司隷決之。」 魏書載荀彧議,以為「君子之道,或出或處,期於為善而已。 故匹夫守志,聖人各因而成之」。 鍾繇以為「原思辭粟,仲尼不與,子路拒牛,謂之止善,雖可以激清勵濁,猶不足多也。 疇雖不合大義,有益推讓之風,宜如世子議。」 臣松之案《呂氏春秋》:「魯國之法,魯人有為臣妾於諸侯,有能贖之者取其金於府。 子貢贖人而辭不受金,孔子曰:『賜失之矣。 自今以來魯人不贖矣。』 子路拯溺者,其人拜之以牛,子路受之。 孔子曰:『魯人必拯溺矣。』」 案此語不與繇所引者相應,未詳為繇之事誤邪,而事將別有所出?〉 太祖猶欲侯之。 疇素與夏侯惇善,太祖語惇曰:「且往以情喻之,自從君所言,無告吾意也。」 惇就疇宿,如太祖所戒。 疇揣知其指,不復發言。 惇臨去,乃拊疇背曰:「田君,主意殷勤,曾不能顧乎!」 疇荅曰:「是何言之過也! 疇,負義逃竄之人耳,蒙恩全活,為幸多矣。 豈可賣盧龍之塞,以易賞祿哉? 縱國私疇,疇獨不愧於心乎? 將軍雅知疇者,猶復如此,若必不得已,請願效死刎首於前。」 言未卒,涕泣橫流。 惇具荅太祖。 太祖喟然知不可屈,乃拜為議郎。 年四十六卒。 子又早死。 文帝踐阼,高疇德義,賜疇從孫續爵關內侯,以奉其嗣。
Liaodong decapitated Yuan Shang and sent his head—ordering that "whoever of the three armies dares weep shall be executed." Tian Chou had once served Yuan Shang’s summons, so he offered incense anyway. Cao Cao looked the other way. 〈Pei Songzhi argues Tian Chou rightly ignored the Yuans as usurpers. Yet he mapped the Lulong raid for Cao Cao. That route drove Yuan Shang to his death—credit Tian Chou. Having branded him traitor, why mourn his skull? If past patronage bound him, he should never have plotted Yuan Shang’s ruin. His mourning contradicted his strategy—superficially like Wang Xiu weeping for Yuan Tan but morally elsewhere.〉 He relocated three hundred kinsmen to Ye. Cao Cao showered him with goods; he passed everything to relatives and friends. Returning from the campaign in Jing Province, Grand Progenitor pursued his thoughts on Chou's merit being especially fine—he regretted earlier having listened to Chou's declination—saying: "This fulfills one man's aspiration yet harms the great institutions of royal law. He reissued the original marquisate. 〈The Conduct of Former Worthies carries Grand Progenitor's order: "Magistrate of Tiao Tian Chou—loftiness of intent and integrity—encountering barbarian turmoil in the commandery—he withdrew into deep mountains—refined learning and tasted the Way—the common people followed him until they formed a city. Even when the Yuans were strongest he spurned their calls. He kept faith through chaos while watching for a legitimate sovereign. Once I held the emperor’s mandate to pacify the north, crush Youzhou, and strike the Hu, I courted him with unusual ceremony. He took office, mapped the mountain tracks, rallied local clans, opened the passes, and supplied guides so Cao Cao caught the tribes flat-footed. Tadun fell at Bailang and the army raced to Liucheng—Tian Chou made that blow possible. After the campaign Cao Cao listed his deeds and offered a village at five hundred households—Tian Chou refused again and again. Three years of honors deferred served his scruples but mocked the law of rewards. Enfeoff him now and spare me the scandal of stinginess.”〉" Tian Chou petitioned in tears and swore he would die before taking the fief. Cao Cao kept pressing appointments; Tian Chou refused every summons. The ministry charged him with obstructing policy—some demanded stripes as well as dismissal. Cao Cao hesitated, unwilling to punish integrity. He polled the court; the crown prince likened Tian Chou to ancient worthies who spurned pay so virtue might shine. Xun Yu and Zhong Yao agreed he should keep his pride. 〈The Wei Shu carries the heir apparent's deliberation: "Formerly Wei Ao fled salary—the transmitted records carry his beauty—in order to stir a muddy age and encourage greedy men—better than those who hold corpse salaries and eat white meals. Such men may seem odd but must not be crushed. Tian Chou belongs in that company. Stripping and scourging him would be wildly disproportionate." Another edict cited Boyi and Shuqi—even Confucius called their stubbornness “seeking humanity. Tian Chou may miss the big political picture—he only wants a clean name. If everyone behaved so, we would live in Mozi’s communal utopia or Laozi’s primordial village. Some wanted the metropolitan commandant to rule on the case." The Wei Shu carries Xun Yu's deliberation, holding that "the way of the gentleman—sometimes emerging sometimes withdrawing—ends in doing good, that is all. Therefore when a common man guards resolve—the sages each complete him accordingly." Zhong Yao held that "Yuan Si declined grain—Confucius did not approve—Zilu refused an ox—this was called stopping goodness—though it can stir the clear and encourage the muddy—it is still not enough to praise much. Chou though does not match great righteousness—there is benefit to the wind of yielding—one should follow the heir apparent's deliberation." Your servant Songzhi investigates the Lüshi chunqiu: "Lu state's law—when Lu people became servants or concubines in feudal states—whoever could ransom them took gold from the treasury. Zigong refused reimbursement—Confucius scolded him. No one would ransom captives again. Zilu pulled a man from the river and accepted the ox offered in thanks. Confucius said, 'The men of Lu will certainly rescue the drowning.'" Pei doubts Zhong Yao’s anecdote matches the Analects.〉 Cao Cao still wanted him titled. Chou was by nature friendly with Xiahou Dun; Grand Progenitor spoke to Dun: "Go for now and persuade him with feeling—follow whatever you yourself say—do not report my intent." Dun stayed overnight as instructed. Tian Chou saw through the ruse and fell silent. At dawn Dun gripped his shoulder: “The Chancellor begs you—will you not bend?” Tian Chou flared: “That goes too far! I am a fugitive whom your lord spared—I owe him my life. Shall I hawk the Lulong secret for a salary? Even if the court forgives me, could I face myself? You know my heart—if you force me, I die here.” He wept before finishing. Dun reported every word. Cao Cao sighed and named him a ceremonial Gentleman Consultant instead. He died at forty-six. His son had predeceased him. Emperor Wen later ennobled Tian Chou’s great-grandson Xu to keep the line alive.
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王脩字叔治,北海營陵人也。 年七歲喪母。 母以社日亡,來歲鄰里社,脩感念母,哀甚。 鄰里聞之,為之罷社。 年二十,游學南陽,止張奉舍。 奉舉家得疾病,無相視者,脩親隱恤之,病愈乃去。 初平中,北海孔融召以為主簿,守高密令。 高密孫氏素豪俠,人客數犯法。 民有相劫者,賊入孫氏,吏不能執。 脩將吏民圍之,孫氏拒守,吏民畏憚不敢近。 脩令吏民:「敢有不攻者與同罪。」 孫氏懼,乃出賊。 由是豪彊懾服。 舉孝廉,脩讓邴原,融不聽。 〈融集有融荅脩教曰:「原之賢也,吾已知之矣。 昔高陽氏有才子八人,堯不能用,舜實舉之。 原可謂不患無位之士。 以遺後賢,不亦可乎!」 脩重辭,融荅曰:「掾清身絜己,歷試諸難,謀而鮮過,惠訓不倦。 余嘉乃勳,應乃懿德,用升爾于王庭,其可辭乎!」〉 時天下亂,遂不行。 頃之,郡中有反者。 脩聞融有難,夜往奔融。 賊初發,融謂左右曰:「能冒難來,唯王脩耳!」 言終而脩至。 復署功曹。 時膠東多賊寇,復令脩守膠東令。 膠東人公沙盧宗彊,自為營塹,不肯應發調。 脩獨將數騎徑入其門,斬盧兄弟,公沙氏驚愕莫敢動。 脩撫慰其餘,由是寇少止。 融每有難,脩雖休歸在家,無不至。 融常賴脩以免。
Wang Xiu, styled Shuzhi, came from Yingling in Beihai. His mother died when he was seven. She died on the spring communal festival; the next year’s revels shattered him with grief. Neighbors canceled the festival out of respect. At twenty he studied in Nanyang as a guest of Zhang Feng. When the Zhang household fell ill with no nurse, Xiu nursed them until they recovered. In the 190s Kong Rong made him chief clerk and acting magistrate of Gaomi. The powerful Sun clan harbored armed retainers who broke the law. Robbers fled to the Sun compound and officials dared not enter. Xiu besieged the compound but his men hung back. He threatened his troops: “Hang back and share the bandits’ guilt. The Suns surrendered the fugitives. Local bullies learned to behave. Recommended as filial and honest, he ceded the honor to Bing Yuan; Kong Rong refused. 〈Kong Rong’s letter: “I know Bing Yuan’s excellence. The Eight Paragons eluded Yao yet Shun raised them. Yuan is the sort who never fears obscurity. Save the spotlight for him later!” Xiu protested again; Kong Rong answered: “You have proved incorrupt through every trial. Accept the court rank!”〉" Chaos blocked his journey to the capital. Soon the commandery rose in revolt. When Kong Rong was besieged, Xiu galloped through the night to help. Kong Rong told his staff: “Only Wang Xiu would ride into this trap. Before he finished, Xiu appeared. He was reinstated as chief clerk. With Jiaodong infested by pirates, Kong Rong sent him as magistrate. Gongsha Lu walled his clan and ignored taxes and levies. Xiu rode in with a handful of horsemen and executed Lu’s brothers on the spot. He pacified the rest and piracy ebbed. Whenever Kong Rong faced disaster—even on leave—Xiu came. Kong Rong owed him his life more than once.
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袁譚在青州,辟脩為治中從事,別駕劉獻數毀短脩。 後獻以事當死,脩理之,得免。 時人益以此多焉。 袁紹又辟脩除即墨令,後復為譚別駕。 紹死,譚、尚有隙。 尚攻譚,譚軍敗,脩率吏民往救譚。 譚喜曰:「成吾軍者,王別駕也。」 譚之敗,劉詢起兵漯陰,諸城皆應。 譚歎息曰:「今舉州背叛,豈孤之不德邪!」 脩曰:「東萊太守管統雖在海表,此人不反。 必來。」 後十餘日,統果棄其妻子來赴譚,妻子為賊所殺,譚更以統為樂安太守。 譚復欲攻尚,脩諫曰:「兄弟還相攻擊,是敗亡之道也。」 譚不恱,然知其忠節。 後又問脩:「計安出?」 脩曰:「夫兄弟者,左右手也。 譬人將鬬而斷其右手,而曰『我必勝』,若是者可乎? 夫棄兄弟而不親,天下其誰親之! 屬有讒人,固將交鬬其間,以求一朝之利,願明使君塞耳勿聽也。 若斬佞臣數人,復相親睦,以禦四方,可以橫行天下。」 譚不聽,遂與尚相攻擊,請救於太祖。 太祖旣破冀州,譚又叛。 太祖遂引軍攻譚於南皮。 脩時運糧在樂安,聞譚急,將所領兵及諸從事數十人往赴譚。 至高密,聞譚死,下馬號哭曰:「無君焉歸?」 遂詣太祖,乞收葬譚屍。 太祖欲觀脩意,默然不應。 脩復曰:「受袁氏厚恩,若得收歛譚屍,然後就戮,無所恨。」 太祖嘉其義,聽之。 〈《傅子》曰:太祖旣誅袁譚,梟其首,令曰:「敢哭之者戮及妻子。」 於是王叔治、田子泰相謂曰:「生受辟命,亡而不哭,非義也。 畏死忘義,何以立世?」 遂造其首而哭之,哀動三軍。 軍正白行其戮,太祖曰:「義士也。」 赦之。 臣松之案《田疇傳》,疇為袁尚所辟,不被譚命。 傅子合而言之,有違事實。〉 以脩為督軍糧,還樂安。 譚之破,諸城皆服,唯管統以樂安不從命。 太祖命脩取統首,脩以統亡國之忠臣,因解其縛,使詣太祖。 太祖恱而赦之。 袁氏政寬,在職勢者多畜聚。 太祖破鄴,籍沒審配等家財物貲以萬數。 及破南皮,閱脩家,穀不滿十斛,有書數百卷。 太祖歎曰:「士不妄有名。」 乃禮辟為司空掾,行司金中郎將,遷魏郡太守。 為治,抑彊扶弱,明賞罰,百姓稱之。 〈《魏略》曰:脩為司金中郎將,陳黃白異議,因奏記曰:「脩聞枳棘之林,無梁柱之質; 涓流之水,無洪波之勢。 是以在職七年,忠讜不昭於時,功業不見於事,欣於所受,俯慙不報,未嘗不長夜起坐,中飯釋餐。 何者? 力少任重,不堪而懼也。 謹貢所議如左。」 太祖甚然之,乃與脩書曰:「君澡身浴德,流聲本州,忠能成績,為世美談,名實相副,過人甚遠。 孤以心知君,至深至孰,非徒耳目而已也。 察觀先賢之論,多以鹽鐵之利,足贍軍國之用。 昔孤初立司金之官,念非屈君,餘無可者。 故與君教曰:『昔遏父陶正,民賴其器用,及子媯滿,建侯于陳; 近桑弘羊,位至三公。 此君元龜之兆先告者也』,是孤用君之本言也,或恐衆人未曉此意。 自是以來,在朝之士,每得一顯選,常舉君為首,及聞袁軍師衆賢之議,以為不宜越君。 然孤執心將有所厎,以軍師之職,閑於司金,至於建功,重於軍師。 孤之精誠,足以達君; 君之察孤,足以不疑。 但恐傍人淺見,以蠡測海,為蛇畫足,將言前後百選,輙不用之,而使此君沈滯冶官。 張甲李乙,尚猶先之,此主人意待之不優之效也。 孤懼有此空聲冒實,淫鼃亂耳。 假有斯事,亦庶鍾期不失聽也; 若其無也,過備何害? 昔宣帝察少府蕭望之才任宰相,故復出之,令為馮翊。 從正卿往,似於左遷。 上使侍中宣意曰:『君守平原日淺,故復試君三輔,非有所閒也。』 孤揆先主中宗之意,誠備此事。 旣君崇勳業以副孤意。 公叔文子與臣俱升,獨何人哉!」 後無幾而遷魏郡太守。〉
Yuan Tan hired him as administrative aide while Liu Xian maligned him. When Liu Xian faced execution, Xiu saved him. Onlookers admired the grace. Shao named him magistrate of Jimo, then aide to Tan again. After Shao’s death the brothers feuded. When Shang routed Tan, Xiu rallied officials and civilians to the rescue. Tan cried: “Wang Xiu saved my army! In defeat Liu Xun rebelled at Luoyin and cities flipped. Tan groaned: “Has the whole province abandoned me? Xiu answered: “Guan Tong beyond the sea stays loyal. He will come." Ten days later Tong rode in—bandits slaughtered his family—Tan made him governor of Le’an. Tan planned another strike on Shang; Xiu warned: “Brothers who war invite ruin. Tan scowled but recognized his loyalty. Later he asked: “What now? Xiu said: “Brothers are two hands. Cutting off your right arm then boasting of victory—is that sane? Reject kin and you stand alone. Petty men stoke civil war for quick gain—plug your ears. Kill the whisperers, embrace your brother, and you can face the world." Tan ignored him, fought Shang again, and begged Cao Cao for aid. After Cao Cao took Ji Province, Yuan Tan turned on him again. Cao Cao then besieged him at Nanpi. Wang Xiu was hauling grain in Le'an; when he heard Tan was hard pressed he rushed with his command and dozens of clerks to help. At Gaomi he learned Tan was dead. He flung himself from the saddle: “My lord is gone—where can I go?” He begged Cao Cao for Tan’s body for burial. Cao Cao said nothing, testing his resolve. Wang Xiu said: “The Yuans showed me great kindness. Let me bury my lord, then execute me if you will—I will not complain. Cao Cao admired the loyalty and agreed. 〈The Fuzi states: After Grand Progenitor had executed Yuan Tan and displayed his head, an order said: "Whoever dares weep for him will have wife and children executed with him." Wang Xiu and Tian Chou said: “We served him alive—to stay silent now would be cowardly. Cowering to save our skins would disgrace us forever.” They walked to the severed head and wailed until the whole army wept. The provost moved to kill them; Cao Cao said: “These are men of honor. He spared them. Pei Songzhi notes: Tian Chou served Yuan Shang, not Tan—so the story is muddled. The Fuzi conflated two different men.〉 Cao Cao put him in charge of army grain and sent him back to Le’an. When Tan fell every city yielded except Guan Tong in Le’an. Cao Cao wanted Guan Tong’s head; Wang Xiu cut his ropes and sent him in as a loyalist worth sparing. Cao Cao welcomed the gesture and pardoned Guan Tong. The Yuans ruled loosely, so officials grew rich. Cao Cao’s inventory of Ye seized Shen Pei’s hoards by the ten thousand. At Nanpi Wang Xiu’s store held under ten hu of grain and a few hundred scrolls. Cao Cao said: “The great name was earned. He hired him for the minister’s staff, made him director of the mint, then governor of Wei commandery. He crushed magnates, shielded the weak, and kept clear laws—people praised him. 〈Wei lue: as mint director Wang Xiu wrote: “Thorn thickets yield no timbers; trickles never swell to a flood. Seven years in a minor post left his advice ignored—he could not sleep for shame at failing the trust. Why? The load overwhelmed him. I respectfully submit my deliberations as follows." Cao Cao replied at length: “Your virtue fills your home commandery—loyalty and deeds match your fame. I trust you with more than hearsay. History shows salt and iron fill military coffers. When I created the mint I chose you because no one else would do. I reminded you of Efu’s pottery line that founded Chen—and Sang Hongyang rose to the Three Dukes. That was your mandate—some may not grasp why you stayed at the mint. Every promotion list put you first—Yuan Huan’s circle agreed you deserved senior posts. Cao Cao explained he meant the mint as rehearsal for higher command. His sincerity, he said, should reassure Wang Xiu. Wang Xiu should not doubt Cao Cao’s esteem. Gossip might paint the mint as exile rather than preparation. Lesser men promoted ahead would prove poor patronage. He dreaded frog croaks of rumor. If rumor flies, may wise listeners still discern truth; if not, over-explaining hurts nothing. Like Xuandi testing Xiao Wangzhi by sending him to Fengyi. It looked like a lateral move from chief minister. The emperor explained it was a test, not disfavor. Cao Cao compared his intent to Zhongzong’s. You have proved worthy of my hopes. Like Gongsun Wenzi sharing rank with his servant—such honors await.” Soon after Wang Xiu became governor of Wei.〉
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魏國旣建,為大司農郎中令。 太祖議行肉刑,脩以為時未可行,太祖採其議。 徙為奉常。 其後嚴才反,與其徒屬數十人攻掖門。 脩聞變,召車馬未至,便將官屬步至宮門。 太祖在銅爵臺望見之,曰:「彼來者必王叔治也。」 相國鍾繇謂脩:「舊,京城有變,九卿各居其府。」 脩曰:「食其祿,焉避其離? 居府雖舊,非赴難之義。」 頃之,病卒官。 子忠,官至東萊太守、散騎常侍。
At the founding of Wei he served as palace prefect under the minister of agriculture. Cao Cao debated mutilation laws; Wang Xiu said the times were wrong—Cao Cao agreed. He moved to grand master of ceremonies. When Yan Cai raided the palace side gate with dozens of men, Wang Xiu ran to the gate on foot before his carriage arrived. From the Bronze Bird Terrace Cao Cao said: “That must be Wang Xiu. Zhong Yao protested: “Ministers used to stay at their yamens. Wang Xiu answered: “Their pay buys their peril. Remaining at office though old custom—is not the righteousness of rushing to disaster." He soon died in harness. His son Wang Zhong became governor of Donglai and palace attendant.
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初,脩識高柔於弱冠,異王基於幼童,終皆遠至,世稱其知人。 〈王隱《晉書》曰:脩一子,名儀,字朱表,高亮雅直。 司馬文王為安東,儀為司馬。 東關之敗,文王曰:「近日之事,誰任其咎?」 儀曰:「責在軍師。」 文王怒曰:「司馬欲委罪於孤邪?」 遂殺之。 子襃,字偉元。 少立操尚,非禮不動。 身長八尺四寸,容貌絕異。 痛父不以命終,絕世不仕。 立屋墓側,以教授為務。 旦夕常至墓前拜,輙悲號斷絕。 墓前有一柏樹,襃常所攀援,涕泣所著,樹色與凡樹不同。 讀詩至「哀哀父母,生我勞悴」,未曾不反覆流涕,泣下沾衿。 家貧躬耕,計口而田,度身而蠶。 諸生有密為襃刈麥者,襃遂棄之; 自是莫敢復佐刈者。 襃門人為本縣所役,求襃為屬,襃曰:「卿學不足以庇身,吾德薄不足以蔭卿,屬之何益? 且吾不捉筆已四十年。」 乃步擔乾飯,兒負鹽豉,門徒從者千餘人。 安丘令以為見己,整衣出迎之於門。 襃乃下道至土牛,磬折而立。 云:「門生為縣所役,故來送別。」 執手涕泣而去。 令即放遣諸生,一縣以為恥。 同縣管彥,少有才力,未知名,襃獨以為當自達,常友愛之; 男女各始生,共許為婚。 彥果為西夷校尉。 襃後更以女嫁人,彥弟馥問襃,襃曰:「吾薄志畢願,山藪自處,姊妹皆遠,吉凶斷絕,以此自誓。 賢兄子葬父於帝都,此則洛陽之人也,豈吾欲婚之本指邪?」 馥曰:「嫂,齊人也。 當還臨菑。」 襃曰:「安有葬父河南,隨妻還齊! 用意如此,何婚之有?」 遂不婚。 邴春者,根矩之後也。 少立志操,寒苦自居,負笈遊學,身不停家,鄉邑翕然,以為能係其先也。 襃以為春性險狹,慕名意多,終必不成,及後春果無學業,流離遠外,有識以此歸之。 襃常以為人所行,其當歸於善道,不可以己所能而責人所不能也。 有致遺者,皆不受。 及洛都傾覆,寇賊蠭起,襃宗親悉欲移江東,襃戀墳壠。 賊大盛,乃南達泰山郡。 襃思土不肯去,賊害之。 《漢晉春秋》曰:襃與濟南劉兆字延世,俱以不仕顯名。 襃以父為文王所濫殺,終身不應徵聘,未甞西向坐,以示不臣於晉也。〉
He had spotted Gao Rou young and Wang Ji as a boy—both rose high; contemporaries praised his eye for talent. 〈Wang Yin’s Jin shu names his son Wang Yi, styled Zhu biao—grave and upright. When Sima Zhao commanded the east, Wang Yi served as his marshal. At the defeat at Dongguan Wenwang said: "In recent matters—who bears the blame?" Wang Yi said: “The chief of staff. Sima Zhao snarled: “You blame me?” He had Wang Yi executed. His son Wang Bao, styled Weiyuan, formed stern principles in youth—never stepped outside ritual. He stood eight chi four—striking in appearance. Because his father died by violence he refused office for life. He lived by his father’s grave and taught for a living. Morning and night he keened at the grave until he could not breathe. His tears stained the graveyard cypress until its bark darkened. Whenever he read “Alas, my parents” he wept until his collar dripped. Poor, he farmed by mouth and raised silkworms within his means. When pupils secretly harvested grain for him he threw the crop away; after that no one tried. A pupil asked him to write off corvée; Wang Bao refused: “Your scholarship cannot shield you—my virtue cannot shelter you. Moreover I have not grasped the brush for forty years." He shouldered dry rations, his son carried pickled beans, and a thousand students followed him south. The Anqiu magistrate thought Wang Bao came to visit him and waited at the gate in full dress. Wang Bao stopped at the milestone, bowed low, and stood aside. He said only: “I escort a drafted pupil. He clasped the boy’s hand, wept, and left. The magistrate freed every student—the county squirmed with shame. He befriended Guan Yan before anyone noticed him; they betrothed their infants. Guan Yan became colonel of the western Yi. Bao afterward changed by marrying his daughter to another—Yan's younger brother Fu asked Bao—Bao said: "My meager intent having fulfilled its wish—in mountains and marshes I dwell myself—sisters all distant—good and ill fortune cut off—by this I swore myself. Your worthy elder brother's son buried his father in the imperial capital—thereby he is a Luoyang person—how could this be my original intent for contracting marriage?" Guan Fu said: “But his wife is from Qi. She ought to return to Linzi." Wang Bao shot back: “Who buries his father in Henan yet trails a wife to Qi? Given that stance, what wedding vow could stand?” He broke the betrothal. Bing Chun traced his line to Bing Yuan. Young Bing Chun apprenticed himself to hardship, studied away from home, and locals thought him worthy of his forebears. Wang Bao called him vain and shallow—Chun later proved a wanderer without learning, vindicating Bao’s judgment. Wang Bao taught that conduct must aim at virtue—never judge others by your own gifts. He refused every gift. When Luoyang fell and rebels swarmed, kin fled south but Wang Bao stayed by his father’s tomb. The raiders grew until they overran Taishan. He would not abandon home soil and the bandits killed him. (Han Jin chunqiu pairs Wang Bao with Liu Zhao of Jinan—both famed refusers of office. Wang Bao blamed Sima Zhao for his father’s death—never served the Jin and avoided facing west—the emperor’s direction.〉
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邴原字根矩,北海朱虛人也。 少與管寧俱以操尚稱,州府辟命皆不就。 黃巾起,原將家屬入海,住鬱洲山中。 時孔融為北海相,舉原有道。 原以黃巾方盛,遂至遼東,與同郡劉政俱有勇略雄氣。 遼東太守公孫度畏惡欲殺之,盡收捕其家,政得脫。 度告諸縣:「敢有藏政者與同罪。」 政窘急,往投原,
Bing Yuan, styled Genju, came from Zhuxu in Beihai. Like Guan Ning he was famed for integrity and ignored every summons. When the Yellow Turbans rose he fled with kin to Yu Isle. Kong Rong, ruling Beihai, nominated him as a candidate for moral excellence. Because rebels still raged he sailed to Liaodong where he and Liu Zheng of his commandery shared fame for daring. Gongsun Du meant to kill Liu Zheng—seized his family—but Liu escaped. Du announced to the counties: "Whoever dares harbor Zheng shares the same crime." Cornered, Liu fled to Bing Yuan.
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〈《魏氏春秋》曰:政投原曰:「窮鳥入懷。」 原曰:「安知此懷之可入邪?」〉 原匿之月餘,時東萊太史慈當歸,原因以政付之。 旣而謂度曰:「將軍前日欲殺劉政,以其為己害。 今政已去,君之害豈不除哉!」 度曰:「然。」 原曰:「君之畏政者,以其有智也。 今政已免,智將用矣,尚奚拘政之家? 不若赦之,無重怨。」 度乃出之。 原又資送政家,皆得歸故郡。 原在遼東,一年中往歸原居者數百家,游學之士,教授之聲,不絕。
〈Wei shi chunqiu: Liu said: “A hunted bird dives into your cloak. Bing Yuan answered: “How do you know this chest is safe?”〉 Bing Yuan hid him a month, then passed him to Taishi Ci sailing south. Then he told Du: “You wanted Liu dead because he threatened you. Now Zheng has gone—is not your harm already removed!" Du said: "It is so." Bing Yuan continued: “You feared his wit. He is free—why jail his kin? Release them before hatred deepens." Du freed Liu’s family. Bing Yuan paid their passage home. In Liaodong hundreds of families settled under him; his school never quieted.
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後得歸,太祖辟為司空掾。 原女早亡,時太祖愛子倉舒亦沒,太祖欲求合葬,原辭曰:「合葬,非禮也。 原之所以自容於明公,公之所以待原者,以能守訓典而不易也。 若聽明公之命,則是凡庸也,明公焉以為哉?」 太祖乃止,徙署丞相徵事。 〈《獻帝起居注》曰:建安十五年,初置徵事二人,原與平原王烈俱以選補。〉 崔琰為東曹掾,記讓曰:「徵事邴原、議郎張範,皆秉德純懿,志行忠方,清靜足以厲俗,貞固足以幹事,所謂龍翰鳳翼,國之重寶。 舉而用之,不仁者遠。」 代涼茂為五官將長史,閉門自守,非公事不出。
Back in Han lands Cao Cao hired him for the minister’s staff. When Cao Cao’s son Cao Chong died, he asked to bury him with Bing Yuan’s daughter; Bing Yuan refused: “Joint burial breaches ritual. You employ me because I uphold the classics—do not ask me to break them. If I obey, I am just another timeserver.” Cao Cao dropped the idea and named him chancellor’s investigator. 〈Xian di qiju zhu: in 210 CE two investigator posts were created—Bing Yuan and Wang Lie filled them.〉 Cui Yan memorialized: “Bing Yuan and Zhang Fan are dragon wings for the state. Promote them and petty men flee." He replaced Liang Mao as the heir’s chief clerk and rarely left his house.
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太祖征吳,原從行,卒。 〈《原別傳》曰:原十一而喪父,家貧,早孤。 鄰有書舍,原過其傍而泣。 師問曰:「童子何悲?」 原曰:「孤者易傷,貧者易感。 夫書者,必皆具有父兄者,一則羨其不孤,二則羨其得學,心中惻然而為涕零也。」 師亦哀原之言而為之泣曰:「欲書可耳!」 荅曰:「無錢資。」 師曰:「童子苟有志,我徒相教,不求資也。」 於是遂就書。 一冬之間,誦孝經、論語。 自在童齓之中,嶷然有異。 及長,金玉其行。 欲遠游學,詣安丘孫崧。 崧辭曰:「君鄉里鄭君,君知之乎?」 原荅曰:「然。」 崧曰:「鄭君學覽古今,博聞彊識,鉤深致遠,誠學者之師模也。 君乃舍之,躡屣千里,所謂以鄭為東家丘者也。 君似不知而曰然者,何?」 原曰:「先生之說,誠可謂苦藥良鍼矣; 然猶未達僕之微趣也。 人各有志,所規不同,故乃有登山而採玉者,有入海而採珠者,豈可謂登山者不知海之深,入海者不知山之高哉! 君謂僕以鄭為東家丘,君以僕為西家愚夫邪?」 崧辭謝焉。 又曰:「兖、豫之士,吾多所識,未有若君者; 當以書相分。」 原重其意,難辭之,持書而別。 原心以為求師啟學,志高者通,非若交游待分而成也。 書何為哉? 乃藏書於家而行。 原舊能飲酒,自行之後,八九年間,酒不向口。 單步負笈,苦身持力,至陳留則師韓子助,潁川則宗陳仲弓,汝南則交范孟博,涿郡則親盧子幹。 臨別,師友以原不飲酒,會米肉送原。 原曰:「本能飲酒,但以荒思廢業,故斷之耳。 今當遠別,因見貺餞,可一飲燕。」 於是共坐飲酒,終日不醉。 歸以書還孫崧,解不致書之意。 後為郡所召,署功曹主簿。 時魯國孔融在郡,教選計當任公卿之才,乃以鄭玄為計掾,彭璆為計吏,原為計佐。 融有所愛一人,常盛嗟嘆之。 後恚望,欲殺之,朝吏皆請。 時其人亦在坐,叩頭流血,而融意不解。 原獨不為請。 融謂原曰:「衆皆請而君何獨不?」 原對曰:「明府於某,本不薄也,常言歲終當舉之,此所謂『吾一子』也。 如是,朝吏受恩未有在某前者矣,而今乃欲殺之。 明府愛之,則引而方之於子,憎之,則推之欲危其身。 原愚,不知明府以何愛之? 以何惡之?」 融曰:「某生於微門,吾成就其兄弟,拔擢而用之; 某今孤負恩施。 夫善則進之,惡則誅之,固君道也。 往者應仲遠為泰山太守,舉一孝廉,旬月之間而殺之。 夫君人者,厚薄何常之有!」 原對曰:「仲遠舉孝廉,殺之,其義焉在? 夫孝廉,國之俊選也。 舉之若是,則殺之非也; 若殺之是,則舉之非也。 詩云:『彼己之子,不遂其媾。』 蓋譏之也。 語云:『愛之欲其生,惡之欲其死。 旣欲其生,又欲其死,是惑也。』 仲遠之惑甚矣。 明府奚取焉?」 融乃大笑曰:「吾但戲耳!」 原又曰:「君子於其言,出乎身,加乎民; 言行,君子之樞機也。 安有欲殺人而可以為戲者哉?」 融無以荅。 是時漢朝陵遲,政以賄成,原乃將家人入鬱洲山中。 郡舉有道,融書喻原曰:「脩性保貞,清虛守高,危邦不入,久潛樂土。 王室多難,西遷鎬京。 聖朝勞謙,疇咨儁乂。 我徂求定,策命懇惻。 國之將隕,釐不恤緯,家之將亡,緹縈跋涉,彼匹婦也,猶執此義。 實望根矩,仁為己任,授手援溺,振民於難。 乃或晏晏居息,莫我肯顧,謂之君子,固如此乎! 根矩,根矩,可以來矣!」 原遂到遼東。 遼東多虎,原之邑落獨無虎患。 原甞行而得遺錢,拾以繫樹枝,此錢旣不見取,而繫錢者愈多。 問其故,荅者謂之神樹。 原惡其由己而成淫祀,乃辨之,於是里中遂斂其錢以為社供。 後原欲歸鄉里,止於三山。 孔融書曰:「隨會在秦,賈季在翟,諮仰靡所,歎息增懷。 頃知來至,近在三山。 詩不云乎,『來歸自鎬,我行永久』。 今遣五官掾,奉問榜人舟楫之勞,禍福動靜告慰。 亂階未已,阻兵之雄,若棊奕爭梟。」 原於是遂復反還。 積十餘年,後乃遁還。 南行已數日,而度甫覺。 度知原之不可復追也,因曰:「邴君所謂雲中白鶴,非鶉鷃之網所能羅矣。 又吾自遣之,勿復求也。」 遂免危難。 自反國土,原於是講述禮樂,吟詠詩書,門徒數百,服道數十。 時鄭玄博學洽聞,注解典籍,故儒雅之士集焉。 原亦自以高遠清白,頤志澹泊,口無擇言,身無擇行,故英偉之士向焉。 是時海內清議,云青州有邴、鄭之學。 魏太祖為司空,辟原署東閤祭酒。 太祖北伐三郡單于,還住昌國,燕士大夫。 酒酣,太祖曰:「孤反,鄴守諸君必將來迎,今日明旦,度皆至矣。 其不來者,獨有邴祭酒耳!」 言訖未久,而原先至。 門下通謁,太祖大驚喜,擥履而起,遠出迎原曰:「賢者誠難測度! 孤謂君將不能來,而遠自屈,誠副饑虛之心。」 謁訖而出,軍中士大夫詣原者數百人。 太祖怪而問之,時荀文若在坐,對曰:「獨可省問邴原耳!」 太祖曰:「此君名重,乃亦傾士大夫心?」 文若曰:「此一世異人,士之精藻,公宜盡禮以待之。」 太祖曰:「固孤之宿心也。」 自是之後,見敬益重。 原雖在軍歷署,常以病疾,高枕里巷,終不當事,又希會見。 河內張範,名公之子也,其志行有與原符,甚相親敬。 令曰:「邴原名高德大,清規邈世,魁然而峙,不為孤用。 聞張子頗欲學之,吾恐造之者富,隨之者貧也。」 魏太子為五官中郎將,天下向慕,賔客如雲,而原獨守道持常,自非公事不妄舉動。 太祖微使人從容問之,原曰:「吾聞國危不事冢宰,君去不奉世子,此典制也。」 於是乃轉五官長史,令曰:「子弱不才,懼其難正,貪欲相屈,以匡勵之。 雖云利賢,能不恧恧!」 太子燕會,衆賔百數十人,太子建議曰:「君父各有篤疾,有藥一丸,可救一人,當救君邪,父邪?」 衆人紛紜,或父或君。 時原在坐,不與此論。 太子諮之於原,原悖然對曰:「父也。」 太子亦不復難之。〉
He died on Cao Cao’s Wu campaign. 〈Yuan bie zhuan: orphaned at eleven in poverty. He wept outside a neighbor’s school. The teacher asked: "Boy—why grieve?" He said: “Orphans bruise easily—the poor feel everything. As for scholars—they surely all have fathers and elder brothers—first I envy them as not orphaned—second I envy them obtaining study—in my heart sad and therefore shedding tears." The teacher wept and said: “Study if you wish! He replied: "I lack funds." The teacher said: "Boy—if you indeed have intent—I as teacher instruct you—not seeking funds." He enrolled. One winter later he knew the Classic of Filial Piety and Analects by heart. Even as a child he seemed extraordinary. As a man his conduct was flawless. He sought Sun Song of Anqiu before roaming. Song declined saying: "Your village worthy Master Zheng—do you know him?" Yuan replied: "Yes." Song said: "Master Zheng's learning surveys ancient and modern—broad hearing strong memory—hooking deep reaching far—truly a model teacher for scholars. Yet you skip him—that is ignoring Confucius’s eastern mound. You seem not to know yet say yes—why?" Bing Yuan answered: “Your lecture is bitter medicine; but you miss my purpose. Some quarry jade on peaks, others pearls in the sea—each trade need not mock the other. You deem my servant takes Zheng as mound east of house—you deem my servant west-house foolish husband?" Sun Song apologized. He added: “I know many scholars in Yan and Yu—none like you; I ought to write letters of introduction for you." Bing Yuan took the letters to be polite. True learning depends on intent, not introductions. Why cart letters? He left them in a drawer and set out. Though once fond of wine he touched none for nine years on the road. He walked to Chenliu to study with Han Zizhu, Yingchuan with Chen Zhonggong, Runan with Fan Mengbo, Zhuo with Lu Zigàn. Friends offered a farewell feast though he abstained from wine. Yuan said: "Originally able to drink wine—but because idle thoughts waste enterprise—therefore cut it off. Now about to part far—because seeing gifts for farewell—may once drink and feast." They drank all day; Bing Yuan never stumbled. He returned Sun Song’s letters unused. The commandery later made him chief clerk. Kong Rong stacked his revenue office with Zheng Xuan, Peng Qiu, and Bing Yuan. Kong Rong doted on a favorite. Later he meant to execute him; every official begged mercy. The man kowtowed bloodily; Kong Rong would not relent. Only Bing Yuan stayed silent. Rong said to Yuan: "All plead—yet why do you alone not?" Bing Yuan said: “You called him your adopted son and promised him promotion. No clerk owed you more—yet now you mean to kill him. Love likens him to a son; hate wants him dead. I cannot tell love from spite. By what do you hate him?" Kong Rong said: “I raised him from nothing; He repaid kindness with treason. Reward good, kill evil—that is rule. Ying Shao once nominated a candidate then executed him within the month. As for lording over people—thick and thin—what constancy is there!" Yuan replied: "Zhongyuan recommended Filially Pious and Incorrupt—killed him—where is the righteousness in that? Such nominees are national jewels. If the nomination was sound, killing him was wrong; if killing him was right, nominating him was wrong. The Odes say: “Those friends failed their troth. —that line exposes Ying Shao’s contradiction. The Analects say: love someone and you want him to thrive—hate him and you want him dead. To promote him then execute him is sheer muddle. Ying Shao’s confusion ran deeper still. What does enlightened prefect take from that?" Kong Rong laughed: “Only teasing! Bing Yuan answered: “A gentleman’s words leave his mouth and bind the people; speech and deed are his pivot. How can there be wishing to kill someone yet treating it as jest?" Kong Rong had no answer. As Han rotted and offices sold for silver, Bing Yuan fled with his kin to Yu Isle. Kong Rong urged him: “You refine yourself and shun dangerous courts. The dynasty staggers west like the Zhou move to Haojing. The court humbly seeks worthies. Every edict pleads for help. Even widows and girls like Tiying rush to save a doomed realm. Genju—take humanity as your burden—pull men from the flood. Will you lounge in safety while the realm burns—is that the gentleman’s way? Genju—Genju—it is time to come!" So Bing Yuan sailed for Liaodong. Tigers plagued Liaodong—yet Bing Yuan’s hamlet never saw one. He tied stray cash to a tree; others piled offerings until the trunk glittered. Villagers mistook it for a sacred tree. He exposed the fraud and pooled the coins for proper village rites. Later he tried to go home and halted at Three Mountains. Kong Rong wrote: “Like exiles yearning for news of home. I hear you have reached Three Mountains. As the Odes sing: “Home from the west—the road seemed endless.” He sends an aide to ask after your voyage—whatever fortune finds you. Warlords still wrestle like chess masters fighting over the king." So Bing Yuan turned back. More than ten years passed before he slipped away. He was days south before Gongsun Du noticed. Du admitted: “Lord Bing is the crane above the clouds—no quail net holds him. I let him go—do not chase." So Bing Yuan escaped. Home again he taught ritual and classics—hundreds enrolled, dozens mastered the Way. Zheng Xuan’s glosses drew every scholar in Qingzhou. Bing Yuan matched him—aloof, precise in word and deed—and heroes flocked. Critics spoke of “the Bing and Zheng schools” in Qingzhou. Cao Cao named him eastern-pavilion libationer. After campaigning against the steppe khans he banqueted Yan scholars at Changguo. Drunk, Cao Cao said: “Every Ye official will ride out to greet me by dawn. Everyone has come except Libationer Bing!" Before he finished, Bing Yuan arrived first. Word came—Cao Cao snatched his sandals and ran: “Sages are unpredictable! I feared you would stay away; by coming from afar and lowering yourself, you truly answer my hungry and empty heart." Hundreds of officers lined up to see him. Cao Cao asked why; Xun Yu said: “Ask Bing Yuan. Grand Progenitor said: "This lord's name weighty—yet also overturns scholar-official hearts?" Xun Yu said: “He is singular—honor him fully. Cao Cao said: “Always my intent. After that Cao Cao esteemed him more. Bing Yuan stayed on sick leave in his lane—avoiding duty and audiences. Zhang Fan of Henei—kindred spirit—became his closest friend. An edict lamented: “Bing Yuan towers above the age yet will not serve me. Hearing Zhang Zi quite wishes to study him—I fear makers thereof rich—followers thereof poor." While the heir filled his salon, Bing Yuan ignored fashion unless duty called. Grand Progenitor subtly sent someone casually ask him—Yuan said: "I have heard state in peril does not serve chief minister—lord departed does not attend heir apparent—this is canonical regulation." So Cao Cao made him chief clerk to the heir: “My son needs discipline—I burden you. Even benefiting him leaves me ashamed." At a banquet the heir asked: “One pill saves one dying man—father or lord? Guests split evenly. Bing Yuan stayed out of the debate. Pressed for an answer he said: “Father. The heir dropped the subject.〉
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是後大鴻臚鉅鹿張泰、河南尹扶風龐辿以清賢稱, 〈荀綽《冀州記》曰:鉅鹿張貔,字邵虎。 祖父泰,字伯陽,有名於魏。 父邈,字叔遼,遼東太守。 著名自然好學論,在嵇康集。 為人弘深有遠識,恢恢然,使求之者莫之能測也。 宦歷二宮,元康初為城陽太守,未行而卒。〉 永寧太僕東郡張閣以簡質聞。 杜恕著家戒稱閣曰:「張子臺,視之似鄙樸人,然其心中不知天地間何者為美,何者為好,敦然似如與陰陽合德者。 作人如此,自可不富貴,然而患禍當何從而來? 世有高亮如子臺者,皆多力慕,體之不如也。」
Later Zhang Tai of Julu as grand herald and Pang Chan of Fufeng as Henan governor won fame for purity, 〈Jiuzhou ji adds Zhang Pi, styled Shaohu. His grandfather Zhang Tai, styled Boyang, was celebrated in Wei. His father Zhang Miao governed Liaodong. His essay on loving learning appears in Ji Kang’s works. Broad-minded and unreadable as water. He served two courts, took Chengyang, then died before posting.〉 Zhang Ge of Dongjun, grand coachman under Yongning, was famed for plain living. Du Shu wrote: “Zhang Ge looks dull yet embodies harmony with heaven and earth. Such men may never grow rich—what calamity could touch them? The world admires men like him though few match him."
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管寧字幼安,北海朱虛人也。 〈《傅子》曰:齊相管仲之後也。 昔田氏有齊而管氏去之,或適魯,或適楚。 漢興有管少卿為燕令,始家朱虛,世有名節,九世而生寧。〉 年十六喪父,中表愍其孤貧,咸共贈賵,悉辭不受,稱財以送終。 長八尺,美須眉。 與平原華歆、同縣邴原相友,俱游學於異國,並敬善陳仲弓。 天下大亂,聞公孫度令行於海外,遂與原及平原王烈等至于遼東。 度虛館以候之。 旣往見度,乃廬於山谷。 時避難者多居郡南,而寧居北,示無遷志,後漸來從之。 太祖為司空,辟寧,度子康絕命不宣。 〈《傅子》曰:寧往見度,語唯經典,不及世事。 還乃因山為廬,鑿坏為室。 越海避難者,皆來就之而居,旬月而成邑。 遂講詩、書,陳俎豆,飾威儀,明禮讓,非學者無見也。 由是度安其賢,民化其德。 邴原性剛直,清議以格物,度已下心不安之。 寧謂原曰:「潛龍以不見成德,言非其時,皆招禍之道也。」 密遣令西還。 度庶子康代居郡,外以將軍太守為號,而內實有王心,卑己崇禮,欲官寧以自鎮輔,而終莫敢發言,其敬憚如此。 皇甫謐《高士傳》曰:寧所居屯落,會井汲者,或男女雜錯,或爭井鬬鬩。 寧患之,乃多買器,分置井傍,汲以待之,又不使知。 來者得而怪之,問知寧所為,乃各相責,不復鬬訟。 鄰有牛暴寧田者,寧為牽牛著涼處,自為飲食,過於牛主。 牛主得牛,大慙,若犯嚴刑。 是以左右無鬬訟之聲,禮讓移於海表。〉
Guan Ning, styled You’an, came from Zhuxu in Beihai. 〈The Fuzi traces him to Guan Zhong. When the Tian seized Qi, the Guan clan scattered to Lu and Chu. A Guan Shaoqing settled Zhuxu under Han; nine generations later came Guan Ning.〉 Orphaned at sixteen, he refused kinfolk’s funeral gifts and buried his father with what he could afford. He stood eight chi tall with striking beard and brows. With Hua Xin of Pingyuan and Bing Yuan he studied abroad and revered Chen Zhonggong. When chaos erupted they heard Gongsun Du ruled Liaodong and sailed there with Bing Yuan and Wang Lie. Gongsun Du cleared a guesthouse for them. After the courtesy call Guan Ning built a hut in the hills. Refugees clustered south; Guan Ning camped north to show he would not drift—and disciples followed. When Cao Cao summoned Guan Ning, Gongsun Kang suppressed the edict. 〈The Fuzi: Guan Ning discussed only the canon with Du. Home in the hills he dug a cellar hut. Exiles moored beside him until a town grew in weeks. He taught the classics, staged sacrifices, drilled deportment, and shut his door to casual callers. Du trusted his virtue; commoners copied his manners. Bing Yuan’s blunt criticism unsettled Gongsun Du. Guan Ning warned him: “Hidden dragons stay silent—untimely words invite ruin. He secretly urged Bing Yuan to flee west. Gongsun Kang played king in all but name—yearned to hire Guan Ning as minister yet never dared ask aloud. (Huangfu Mi: at the village well men and women jostled and brawled. Guan Ning bought buckets, left them at the well, and filled them anonymously. Drawers found the filled buckets and guessed Guan Ning’s handiwork—they stopped brawling at the well. When a neighbor’s ox trampled his crop, Guan Ning led it to shade, fed it better than its master. The owner was humiliated as if flogged. Neighbor disputes vanished—courtesy reached even Liaodong.〉
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王烈者,字彥方,於時名聞在原、寧之右。 辭公孫度長史,商賈自穢。 太祖命為丞相掾,徵事,未至,卒於海表。 〈《先賢行狀》曰:烈通識達道,秉義不回。 以潁川陳太丘為師,二子為友。 時潁川荀慈明、賈偉節、李元禮、韓元長皆就陳君學,見烈器業過人,歎服所履,亦與相親。 由是英名著於海內。 道成德立,還歸舊廬,遂遭父喪,泣淚三年。 遇歲饑饉,路有餓殍,烈乃分釜庚之儲,以救邑里之命。 是以宗族稱孝,鄉黨歸仁。 以典籍娛心,育人為務,遂建學校,敦崇庠序。 其誘人也,皆不因其性氣,誨之以道,使之從善遠惡。 益者不自覺,而大化隆行,皆成寶器。 門人出入,容止可觀,時在市井,行步有異,人皆別之。 州閭成風,咸競為善。 時國中有盜牛者,牛主得之。 盜者曰:「我邂逅迷惑,從今已後將為改過。 子旣已赦宥,幸無使王烈聞之。」 人有以告烈者,烈以布一端遺之。 或問:「此人旣為盜,畏君聞之,反與之布,何也?」 烈曰:「昔秦穆公,人盜其駿馬食之,乃賜之酒。 盜者不愛其死,以救穆公之難。 今此盜人能悔其過,懼吾聞之,是知恥惡。 知恥惡,則善心將生,故與布勸為善也。」 間年之中,行路老父擔重,人代擔行數十里,欲至家,置而去,問姓名,不以告。 頃之,老父復行,失劒於路。 有人行而遇之,欲置而去,懼後人得之,劒主於是永失,欲取而購募,或恐差錯,遂守之。 至暮,劒主還見之,前者代擔人也。 老父擥其袂,問曰:「子前者代吾擔,不得姓名,今子復守吾劒于路,未有若子之仁,請子告吾姓名,吾將以告王烈。」 乃語之而去。 老父以告烈,烈曰:「世有仁人,吾未之見。」 遂使人推之,乃昔時盜牛人也。 烈歎曰:「韶樂九成,虞賔以和:人能有感,乃至於斯也!」 遂使國人表其閭而異之。 時人或訟曲直,將質於烈,或至塗而反,或望廬而還,皆相推以直,不敢使烈聞之。 時國主皆親驂乘適烈私館,疇諮政令。 察孝廉,三府並辟,皆不就。 會董卓作亂,避地遼東,躬秉農器,編於四民,布衣蔬食,不改其樂。 東域之人,奉之若君。 時衰世弊,識真者少,朋黨之人,互相讒謗。 自避世在東國者,多為人所害,烈居之歷年,未甞有患。 使遼東彊不淩弱,衆不暴寡,商賈之人,市不二價。 太祖累徵召,遼東為解而不遣。 以建安二十三年寢疾,年七十八而終。〉
Wang Lie, styled Yanfang, outranked Bing Yuan and Guan Ning in renown. He refused Du’s chief clerk post and worked as a tradesman to stay obscure. Cao Cao summoned him as investigator—he died en route from Liaodong. 〈The Xianxian xingzhuang: Wang Lie grasped the Way and never bent principle. He studied under Chen Shi and befriended his sons. The Yingchuan luminaries who studied with Chen Shi admired Wang Lie’s stature. His fame spread empire-wide. Virtue won, he went home—then mourned his father three years. In famine he emptied his granary for the hamlet. Kin called him filial; neighbors deferred to him. He founded schools and taught the classics. He taught the Way and steered men toward good. Pupils hardly noticed the change—yet every graduate shone. His students walked so upright that crowds spotted them. The district raced to outdo one another in virtue. When a cattle thief was caught, The thief said: "I stumbled into error—from now on I shall reform. Since you have already pardoned me—pray do not let Wang Lie hear of it." When Wang Lie heard, he sent the thief a bolt of cloth. Someone asked: "This man was a thief—he feared you would hear—yet you give him cloth—why?" Lie said: "Formerly Duke Mu of Qin—someone stole his fine horse and ate it—and he gifted wine. Those thieves later died saving Mu. Shame proves a conscience. Knowing shame of evil—then a good heart will arise—therefore I give cloth to encourage good." Later a stranger hauled an old man’s load for miles and vanished without giving his name. The same elder dropped a sword. A passerby guarded the blade rather than pocket it. At dusk the owner found the same helper. The old father grasped his sleeve and asked: "You formerly carried for me yet I learned no name—now you guard my sword on the road—none so benevolent as you—please tell me your name—I shall report it to Wang Lie." The man whispered his name and fled. Wang Lie marveled: “I never met such goodness. An inquiry proved he was the cattle thief. Wang Lie sighed: “Music moves gods—men can change too! He ordered a plaque hung on the man’s gate. Litigants settled out of court rather than trouble Wang Lie. Liaodong’s rulers drove to his cottage for advice. He refused every capital summons. He fled Zhuo to Liaodong, farmed among commoners, and stayed content. Eastern Liaodong treated him like a prince. Faction politics poisoned everyone who could judge. Exiles usually died—Wang Lie did not. Under his moral sway the strong spared the weak and markets stayed honest. Cao Cao called repeatedly; Liaodong stalled. He died in 218 CE at seventy-eight.〉
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自黃初至于青龍,徵命相仍,常以八月賜牛酒。 詔書問青州刺史程喜:「寧為守節高乎,審老疾尪頓邪?」 喜上言:「寧有族人管貢為州吏,與寧鄰比,臣常使經營消息。 貢說:『寧常著皁帽、布襦袴、布裠,隨時單複,出入閨庭,能自任杖,不須扶持。 四時祠祭,輙自力彊,改加衣服,著絮巾,故在遼東所有白布單衣,親薦饌饋,跪拜成禮。 寧少而喪母,不識形象,常特加觴,泫然流涕。 又居宅離水七八十步,夏時詣水中澡灑手足,闚於園圃。』 臣揆寧前後辭讓之意,獨自以生長潛逸,耆艾智衰,是以栖遲,每執謙退。 此寧志行所欲必全,不為守高。」 〈《高士傳》曰:管寧自越海及歸,常坐一木榻,積五十餘年,未甞箕股,其榻上當膝處皆穿。〉
From Huangchu through Qinglong the court sent oxen and wine each autumn. An edict asked Qingzhou Inspector Cheng Xi: "Is Ning guarding integrity out of loftiness—or truly old, sick, and exhausted?" Xi memorialized: "Ning has a clansman Guan Gong who serves as state clerk—living adjacent to Ning—your servant often sent him to gather news. Guan Gong described Guan Ning’s dress and steady gait. At ancestral rites he still dons his Liaodong robe and completes every bow. For the mother he never knew he pours an extra cup and weeps. His hut stands near a stream; he still bathes and gardens in summer. Cheng Xi argued Guan Ning declined from modest old age, not posturing. This is Ning's intent and conduct—what he desires he must complete—not for guarding loftiness." 〈Huangfu Mi: Guan Ning sat fifty years on one couch—knees wore holes in the wood.〉
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正始二年,太僕陶丘一、永寧衞尉孟觀、侍中孫邕、中書侍郎王基薦寧曰:
In 241 Tao Qiuyi, Meng Guan, Sun Yong, and Wang Ji jointly memorialized for Guan Ning:
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臣聞龍鳳隱耀,應德而臻,明哲潛遁,俟時而動。 是以鸞鷟鳴岐,周道隆興,四皓為佐,漢帝用康。 伏見太中大夫管寧,應二儀之中和,總九德之純懿,含章素質,冰絜淵清,玄虛澹泊,與道逍遙; 娛心黃老,游志六藝,升堂入室,究其閫奧,韜古今於胷懷,包道德之機要。 中平之際,黃巾陸梁,華夏傾蕩,王綱弛頓。 遂避時難,乘桴越海,羈旅遼東三十餘年。 在乾之姤,匿景藏光,嘉遁養浩,韜韞儒墨,潛化傍流,暢於殊俗。
They opened: worthies wait for the right sovereign. They cited omens from Zhou and Han. They praised Guan Ning’s cosmic virtue. They listed his mastery of Daoism and the classics. They recalled the Zhongping turmoil. He fled thirty years in Liaodong. There he hid like the Book of Changes counsels—teaching even barbarians.
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黃初四年,高祖文皇帝疇咨羣公,思求儁乂,故司徒華歆舉寧應選,公車特徵,振翼遐裔,翻然來翔。 行遇屯厄,遭罹疾病,即拜太中大夫。 烈祖明皇帝嘉美其德,登為光祿勳。 寧疾彌留,未能進道。 今寧舊疾已瘳,行年八十,志無衰倦。 環堵篳門,偃息窮巷,飯鬻餬口,并日而食,吟詠詩書,不改其樂。 困而能通,遭難必濟,經危蹈險,不易其節,金聲玉色,乆而彌彰。 揆其終始,殆天所祚,當贊大魏,輔亮雍熙。 袞職有闕,羣下屬望。 昔高宗刻象,營求賢哲,周文啟龜,以卜良佐。 況寧前朝所表,名德已著,而乆栖遲,未時引致,非所以奉遵明訓,繼成前志也。 陛下踐阼,纂承洪緒。 聖敬日躋,超越周成。 每發德音,動諮師傅。 若繼二祖招賢故典,賔禮儁邁,以廣緝熙,濟濟之化,侔於前代。
In 223 Wendi summoned him via Hua Xin. Illness waylaid him—court named him grand counsellor. Mingdi raised him to minister of the imperial household. Sickness kept him from duties. Now eighty and recovered, he remains vigorous. He lives in a lane on gruel yet stays cheerful. Hardship only polished his integrity. Heaven meant him to serve Wei. The realm waits for him to fill high office. They cited Shang Gaozong and Zhou Wen seeking ministers. Earlier memorials praised him—delay dishonors precedent. Your majesty inherits the mandate. Your virtue surpasses the Duke of Zhou. You consult tutors with every edict. Continue Wendi and Mingdi’s guest ritual.
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寧清高恬泊,擬跡前軌,德行卓絕,海內無偶。 歷觀前世玉帛所命,申公、枚乘、周黨、樊英之儔,測其淵源,覽其清濁,未有厲俗獨行若寧者也。 誠宜束帛加璧,備禮徵聘,仍授几杖,延登東序,敷陳墳素,坐而論道,上正璇璣,恊和皇極,下阜羣生,彝倫攸叙,必有可觀,光益大化。 若寧固執匪石,守志箕山,追迹洪崖,參蹤巢、許。 斯亦聖朝同符唐、虞,優賢揚歷,垂聲千載。 〈《今文尚書》曰「優賢揚歷」,謂揚其所歷試。 左思《魏都賦》曰:「優賢著於揚歷」也。〉 雖出處殊塗,俯仰異體,至於興治美俗,其揆一也。
Guan Ning has no peer. No hermit rivaled Guan Ning. Summon him with full honors to tutor the throne. If he insists on life like the sages of Ji Mountain, the court still shines like Yao and Shun. 〈The Jinwen Shangshu says "promote worthies and display experience"—meaning to display what they experienced in trial. Zuo Si's Wei du fu says: "promote worthies manifests in displayed experience."〉 Serve or retreat—both orders the age.
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於是特具安車蒲輪,束帛加璧聘焉。 會寧卒,時年八十四。 拜子邈郎中,後為博士。 初,寧妻先卒,知故勸更娶,寧曰:「每省曾子、王駿之言,意常嘉之,豈自遭之而違本心哉?」 〈《傅子》曰:寧以衰亂之時,世多妄變氏族者,違聖人之制,非禮命姓之意,故著《氏姓論》以原本世系,文多不載。 每所居姻親、知舊、鄰里有困窮者,家儲雖不盈擔石,必分以贍救之。 與人子言,教以孝; 與人弟言,訓以悌; 言及人臣,誨以忠。 貌甚恭,言甚順,觀其行,邈然若不可及,即之熈熈然,甚柔而溫,因其事而導之於善,是以漸之者無不化焉。 寧之亡,天下知與不知,聞之無不嗟歎。 醇德之所感若此,不亦至乎!〉
The court sent the full carriage-and-jade summons. Guan Ning died at eighty-four before the escort arrived. His son Guan Miao became gentleman and academician. Earlier Ning's wife had died first—friends knowing the story urged him to remarry—Ning said: "Whenever I reflect on Zengzi and Wang Jun's words—my heart always praises them—how could I encounter this myself yet violate my original heart?" 〈The Fuzi notes his Treatise on Surnames against fraudulent genealogies. He split his last grain with needy kin and neighbors. To sons he preached filial piety; to younger brothers, fraternity; to officials, loyalty. He looked stern afar, gentle up close—every pupil bent toward good. All China mourned Guan Ning—friend or stranger. Such was the power of his purity.〉
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張臶、胡昭
Zhang Qian and Hu Zhao
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時鉅鹿張臶,字子明,頴川胡昭,字孔明,亦養志不仕。 臶少游太學,學兼內外,後歸鄉里。 袁紹前後辟命,不應,移居上黨。 并州牧高幹表除樂平令,不就,徙遁常山,門徒且數百人,遷居任縣。 太祖為丞相,辟,不詣。 太和中,詔求隱學之士能消災復異者,郡累上臶,發遣,老病不行。 廣平太守盧毓到官三日,綱紀白承前致版謁臶。 毓教曰:「張先生所謂上不事天子,下不友諸侯者也。 此豈版謁所可光飾哉!」 但遣主簿奉書致羊酒之禮。 青龍四年辛亥詔書:「張掖郡玄川溢涌,激波奮蕩,寶石負圖,狀像靈龜,宅于川西,嶷然磐峙,倉質素章,麟鳳龍馬,煥炳成形,文字告命,粲然著明。 太史令高堂隆上言:古皇聖帝所未甞蒙,實有魏之禎命,東序之世寶。」 〈《尚書·顧命篇》曰:「大玉、夷玉、天球、河圖在東序。」 注曰:「河圖,圖出於河,帝王聖者之所受。」〉 事班天下。 任令于綽連齎以問臶,臶密謂綽曰:「夫神以知來,不追已往,禎祥先見而後廢興從之。 漢已乆亡,魏已得之,何所追興徵祥乎! 此石,當今之變異而將來之禎瑞也。」 正始元年,戴鵀之鳥,巢臶門陰。 臶告門人曰:「夫戴鵀陽鳥,而巢門陰,此凶祥也。」 乃援琴歌詠,作詩二篇,旬日而卒,時年一百五歲。 是歲,廣平太守王肅至官,教下縣曰:「前在京都,聞張子明,來至問之,會其已亡,致痛惜之。 此君篤學隱居,不與時競,以道樂身。 昔絳縣老人屈在泥塗,趙孟升之,諸侯用睦。 愍其耄勤好道,而不蒙榮寵,書到,遣吏勞問其家,顯題門戶,務加殊異,以慰旣往,以勸將來。」
Zhang Qian of Julu (styled Ziming) and Hu Zhao of Yingchuan (styled Kongming) likewise refused office. Zhang Qian studied at the imperial academy, mastering classics and technical lore, then went home. He ignored Yuan Shao’s repeated summons and moved to Shangdang. Gao Gan nominated him for Leping magistrate; he fled to Changshan with hundreds of pupils, then to Ren county. He ignored Cao Cao’s summons as chancellor. Taihe edicts sought miracle-working hermits; the county nominated Zhang Qian but age and illness blocked travel. Lu Yu’s clerks wanted to pay Zhang Qian a formal visit. Yu instructed saying: "Mr Zhang—what men call one who above does not serve the Son of Heaven—below does not befriend feudal lords. How could visiting-cards brighten him!" Send only letters and modest gifts. Qinglong fourth year xinhai edict: "In Zhangye commandery the Dark River overflowed surging—waves rose fiercely—precious stone bore chart—shape like spirit tortoise—dwelling west of the river—towering like massive pillar—plain substance plain pattern—unicorn phoenix dragon horse—brilliantly formed—written characters proclaiming mandate—radiantly manifest. Director of Astronomy Gao Tanglong memorialized: ancient sage emperors never received such—it is truly Wei's auspicious mandate—the eastern hall's treasure of the age." 〈The Shangshu Gu ming chapter states: "Great jade, barbarian jade, celestial sphere, River Chart lie in the eastern hall. Commentary states: "River Chart—the chart emerging from the river—what sage emperors receive."〉 The edict circulated empire-wide. Magistrate of Ren Yu Chuo repeatedly carried it to ask Qian—Qian secretly said to Chuo: "As for spirit—it knows what comes—it does not chase what has passed—auspicious signs appear first—then rise and fall follow. Han is gone and Wei holds power—why parade omens of mandate? This stone marks today’s prodigy and the coming auspicious sign." In 240 a hoopoe nested in Zhang Qian’s doorway. Qian told disciples: "The hoopoe is a yang bird—yet it nests in gate shade—this is ill omen." He sang, wrote two poems, and died ten days later at one hundred and five. That year Administrator of Guangping Wang Su arrived at office—instructed the counties saying: "Formerly in the capital I heard of Zhang Ziming—coming here I asked—happened that he had already died—I extended deep regret. He studied in seclusion and found joy in the Way. Like Zhao Meng honoring Jiang’s elder, honor worthies and lords unite. Pity his aged diligence loving the Way—yet not receiving glory and favor—when the letter arrives—dispatch clerks to console his household—mark his gate prominently—strive to add exceptional marks—to console the past—to encourage the future."
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胡昭始避地冀州,亦辭袁紹之命,遁還鄉里。 太祖為司空丞相,頻加禮辟。 昭往應命,旣至,自陳一介野生,無軍國之用,歸誠求去。 太祖曰:「人各有志,出處異趣,勉卒雅尚,義不相屈。」 昭乃轉居陸渾山中,躬耕樂道,以經籍自娛。 閭里敬而愛之。 〈《高士傳》曰:初,晉宣帝為布衣時,與昭有舊。 同郡周生等謀害帝,昭聞而步陟險,邀生於崤、澠之間,止生,生不肯。 昭泣與結誠,生感其義,乃止。 昭因與斫棗樹共盟而別。 昭雖有陰德於帝,口終不言,人莫知之。 信行著於鄉黨。 建安十六年,百姓聞馬超叛,避兵入山者千餘家,飢乏,漸相劫略,昭常遜辭以解之,是以寇難消息,衆咸宗焉。 故其所居部落中,三百里無相侵暴者。〉 建安二十三年,陸渾長張固被書調丁夫,當給漢中。 百姓惡憚遠役,並懷擾擾。 民孫狼等因興兵殺縣主簿,作為叛亂,縣邑殘破。 固率將十餘吏卒,依昭住止,招集遺民,安復社稷。 狼等遂南附關羽。 羽授印給兵,還為寇賊,到陸渾南長樂亭,自相約誓,言:「胡居士賢者也,一不得犯其部落。」 一川賴昭,咸無怵惕。 天下安輯,徙宅宜陽。 〈《高士傳》曰:幽州刺史杜恕甞過昭所居草廬之中,言事論理,辭義謙敬,恕甚重焉。 太尉蔣濟辟,不就。〉 正始中,驃騎將軍趙儼、尚書黃休、郭彝、散騎常侍荀顗、鍾毓、太僕庾嶷、 〈案《庾氏譜》:嶷字劭然,頴川人。 子䨹字玄默,晉尚書、陽翟子。 嶷弟遁,字德先,太中大夫。 遁胤嗣克昌,為世盛門。 侍中峻、河南尹純,皆遁之子,豫州牧長史顗,遁之孫,太尉文康公亮、司空冰皆遁之曾孫,貴達至今。〉 弘農太守何楨等 〈《文士傳》曰:楨字元幹,廬江人,有文學器幹,容貌甚偉。 歷幽州刺史、廷尉,入晉為尚書光祿大夫。 楨子龕,後將軍; 勗,車騎將軍; 惲,豫州刺史; 其餘多至大官。 自後累世昌阜,司空文穆公充,惲之孫也,貴達至今。〉 遞薦昭曰:「天真高絜,老而彌篤。 玄虛靜素,有夷、皓之節。 宜蒙徵命,以勵風俗。」 〈《高士傳》曰:朝廷以戎車未息,徵命之事,且須後之,昭以故不即徵。 後顗、休復與庾嶷薦昭,有詔訪於本州評議。 侍中韋誕駮曰:「禮賢徵士,王政之所重也,古者考行於鄉。 今顗等位皆常伯納言,嶷為卿佐,足以取信。 附下罔上,忠臣之所不行也。 昭宿德耆艾,遺逸山林,誠宜加異。」 乃從誕議也。〉 至嘉平二年,公車特徵,會卒,年八十九。 拜子纂郎中。
Hu Zhao fled to Ji, refused Yuan Shao, then slipped home. Cao Cao summoned him repeatedly. Hu Zhao answered the summons but begged off as useless to state affairs. Cao Cao said: “Each man has his path—I will not force you. Hu Zhao retired to Luhun, farmed, and read. Neighbors revered him. 〈Huangfu Mi: Sima Yi knew Hu Zhao before power. When neighbors plotted against Sima Yi, Hu Zhao crossed mountain passes to stop them. Tears and earnest pleas turned the plotters. They cut a jujube tree as covenant. Hu Zhao never told Sima Yi what he had done. His integrity was locally famous. When Ma Chao’s revolt drove refugees into the hills, Hu Zhao mediated feuds until calm returned. No raider touched his valley for three hundred li.〉 In 218 Luhun district was ordered to ship corvée labor to Hanzhong. People dreaded the long march. Sun Lang killed the registrar and sacked the town. Magistrate Gu rallied survivors at Hu Zhao’s camp and rebuilt the district. Sun Lang then joined Guan Yu. Yu conferred seals and issued troops—returned as bandit raiders—reached south of Luhun at Changle pavilion—mutually swore an oath saying: "Layman Hu is a worthy—none may violate his tribal settlement." The whole basin slept safely thanks to him. When peace returned he moved to Yiyang. 〈Du Shu visited Hu Zhao’s hut and admired his discourse. He refused Grand Commandant Jiang Ji.〉 During Zhengshi, Zhao Yan, Huang Xiu, Guo Yi, Xun Yi, Zhong Yu, Yu Yi, 〈Pei notes: Yu Yi, styled Shaoran, from Yingchuan. His son Yu Yun rose in Jin. Brother Yu Dun was grand counsellor. The Yu clan flourished. Their descendants filled Jin offices down to the present.〉 He Zhen of Hongnong and others 〈Wenshi zhuan: He Zhen, styled Yuanqian, from Lujiang. He served Youzhou, justice, then Jin ministries. Son He Kan became a general; He Xu, general of chariots; He Yun, governor of Yu; The rest rose high. He Chong descended from this line.〉 In turn recommended Zhao saying: "Heavenly truth high and pure—old yet more devoted. He rivals Boyi and the Four Elders. Ought receive summons with exception—to encourage customs." 〈War delayed Hu Zhao’s summons. Later Xun Yi and Huang Xiu renewed the plea; the court polled his county. Attendant Wei Dan refuted saying: "Courtesy toward worthies and summoned gentlemen—is what royal governance esteems—in ancient times conduct was examined in the village. High ministers can vouch for him. Flattery of inferiors is unworthy. Yet Hu Zhao’s long-standing virtue and venerable age, withdrawn in the mountains and forests, truly deserve exceptional honor." The court adopted Wei Dan’s view.〉 In 250 the court summoned him—he died at eighty-nine first. Son Hu Zuan became a gentleman.
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初,昭善史書,與鍾繇、邯鄲淳、衞覬、韋誕並有名,尺牘之迹,動見模楷焉。 〈《傅子》曰:胡徵君怡怡無不愛也,雖僕隷,必加禮焉。 外同乎俗,內秉純絜,心非其好,王公不能屈,年八十而不倦於書籍者,吾於胡徵君見之矣。 時有隱者焦先,河東人也。 《魏略》曰:先字孝然。 中平末,白波賊起。 時先年二十餘,與同郡侯武陽相隨。 武陽年小,有母,先與相扶接,避白波,東客揚州取婦。 建安初來西還,武陽詣大陽占戶,先留陝界。 至十六年,關中亂。 先失家屬,獨竄於河渚間,食草飲水,無衣履。 時大陽長朱南望見之,謂為亡士,欲遣船捕取。 武陽語縣:「此狂癡人耳!」 遂注其籍。 給廩,日五升。 後有疫病,人多死者,縣常使埋藏,童兒豎子皆輕易之。 然其行不踐邪徑,必循阡陌; 及其捃拾,不取大穗; 饑不苟食,寒不苟衣,結草以為裳,科頭徒跣。 每出,見婦人則隱翳,須去乃出。 自作一瓜牛廬,淨埽其中。 營木為牀,布草蓐其上。 至天寒時,搆火以自炙,呻吟獨語。 饑則出為人客作,飽食而已,不取其直。 又出於道中,邂逅與人相遇,輙下道藏匿。 或問其故,常言「草茅之人,與狐兔同羣」。 不肯妄語。 太和、青龍中,甞持一杖南渡淺河水,輙獨云未可也,由是人頗疑其不狂。 至嘉平中,太守賈穆初之官,故過其廬。 先見穆再拜。 穆與語,不應; 與食,不食。 穆謂之曰:「國家使我來為卿作君,我食卿,卿不肯食,我與卿語,卿不應我,如是,我不中為卿作君,當去耳!」 先乃曰:「寧有是邪?」 遂不復語。 其明年,大發卒將伐吳。 有竊問先:「今討吳何如?」 先不肯應,而謬歌曰:「祝衂祝衂,非魚非肉,更相追逐,本心為當殺牂羊,更殺其羖䍽邪!」 郡人不知其謂。 會諸軍敗,好事者乃推其意,疑牂羊謂吳,羖䍽謂魏,於是後人僉謂之隱者也。 議郎河東董經特嘉異節,與先非故人,密往觀之。 經到,乃奮其白鬚,為如與之有舊者,謂曰:「阿先闊乎! 念共避白波時不?」 先熟視而不言。 經素知其昔受武陽恩,因復曰:「念武陽不邪?」 先乃曰:「已報之矣。」 經又復挑欲與語,遂不肯復應。 後歲餘病亡,時年八十九矣。 《高士傳》曰:世莫知先所出。 或言生乎漢末,自陝居大陽,無父母兄弟妻子。 見漢室衰,乃自絕不言。 及魏受禪,常結草為廬於河之湄,獨止其中。 冬夏恒不著衣,卧不設席,又無草蓐,以身親土,其體垢汙皆如泥漆,五形盡露,不行人間。 或數日一食,欲食則為人賃作,人以衣衣之,乃使限功受直,足得一食輙去,人欲多與,終不肯取,亦有數日不食時。 行不由邪徑,目不與女子逆視。 口未甞言,雖有驚急,不與人語。 遺以食物皆不受。 河東太守杜恕甞以衣服迎見,而不與語。 司馬景王聞而使安定太守董經因事過視,又不肯語,經以為大賢。 其後野火燒其廬,先因露寢。 遭冬雪大至,先袒卧不移,人以為死,就視如故,不以為病,人莫能審其意。 度年可百歲餘乃卒。 或問皇甫謐曰:「焦先何人?」 曰:「吾不足以知之也。 考之於表,可略而言矣。 夫世之所常趣者榮味也,形之所不可釋者衣裳也,身之所不可離者室宅也,口之所不能已者言語也,心之不可絕者親戚也。 今焦先棄榮味,釋衣服,離室宅,絕親戚,閉口不言,曠然以天地為棟宇,闇然合至道之前,出羣形之表,入玄寂之幽,一世之人不足以挂其意,四海之廣不能以回其顧,妙乎與夫三皇之先者同矣。 結繩已來,未及其至也,豈羣言之所能髣髴,常心之所得測量哉! 彼行人所不能行,堪人所不能堪,犯寒暑不以傷其性,居曠野不以恐其形,遭驚急不以迫其慮,離榮愛不以累其心,損視聽不以汙其耳目,舍足於不損之地,居身於獨立之處,延年歷百,壽越期頤,雖上識不能尚也。 自羲皇已來,一人而已矣!」 《魏氏春秋》曰:故梁州刺史耿黼以先為「仙人」也,北海傅玄謂之「性同禽獸」,並為之傳,而莫能測之。〉
Hu Zhao ranked with Zhong Yao and Handan Chun in calligraphy. 〈Fu Xuan says Hu Zhao loved everyone, even slaves. Outwardly ordinary, inwardly pure—no prince could break him—still reading at eighty. The narrative turns to Jiao Xian of Hedong. (Wei lue: Jiao Xian, styled Xiaoran. At Zhongping’s end the White Wave rebels rose. Jiao Xian, twenty, fled with Hou Wuyang. They fled east to Yangzhou where Hou married. Returning west, Hou registered at Dayang while Jiao stayed in Shan. By 211 Guanzhong exploded. Jiao Xian lost his family and lived naked on a river bar. Magistrate Zhu Nan thought him a deserter. Wuyang told the county: "This is only a mad deranged man! So they listed him as such. The county gave five sheng of grain daily. During plague the county used him for burials; boys mocked him. He walked only ridge paths—never shortcuts; when gleaning he left the largest heads; he starved and froze rather than steal—wore grass and went barefoot. He hid from women on the road. He built a tiny hovel and swept it clean. A plank bed and straw mat. In winter he huddled by a fire, muttering alone. When hunger drove him he day-labored for meals alone—never kept pay. On the road he dove into ditches whenever anyone approached. Some asked his reason—he constantly said "a man of straw huts—with foxes and hares in one herd." He refused idle chatter. Once he refused to ford a stream alone—folk wondered if he was sane after all. New prefect Jia Mu made a point of visiting his shack. Jiao Xian bowed twice. Jia Mu spoke; Xian stayed mute. Offered food; he refused. Jia Mu said: “The court made me your magistrate—you ignore my food and words—I cannot serve you—I will leave. Xian whispered: “Can that be true? Then fell silent again. The next year Wei launched the Wu campaign. Someone secretly asked Xian: "Now attacking Wu—how will it go?" He chanted nonsense: “Blunt snouts, blunt snouts—neither fish nor flesh—chasing in circles—were we meant to slaughter the Wu ewe or the Wei kid?” Nobody understood the riddle. After the defeat listeners decided “ewe” meant Wu and “kid” meant Wei—and hailed him a prophet. Dong Jing admired him and spied on his hut. Xian stroked his beard and cried: “Brother Xian—long time! Remember the White Wave days?” Xian stared through him. Jing always knew he formerly received Wuyang's kindness—therefore again said: "Remember Wuyang—do you not?" Xian muttered: “Paid that debt. Further questions met silence. He died the next year at eighty-nine. (Huangfu Mi: no one knew Jiao Xian’s origins. Some say he left Shan for Dayang alone. Han’s fall sealed his lips. After Wei took the mandate he built a grass hut on the river. He slept naked on earth year-round—black with grime. He ate when he earned a meal—never took charity. He avoided shortcuts and women’s eyes. He never spoke—even in crisis. He refused food gifts. Du Shu brought clothes; Xian stayed mute. Sima Shi sent Dong Jing to observe; Xian still would not talk. A wildfire destroyed his hut—he slept under sky. He lay naked in blizzard—seemed dead yet unharmed. He died past one hundred. Someone asked Huangfu Mi: "What sort of man was Jiao Xian?" Mi answered: “Beyond my ken. Yet tables sketch his type. Men chase flavor, clothes, houses, talk, and kin. Jiao Xian shed every human tie and merged with the Way. Since legendary times none matched him. Huangfu Mi piles paradox on paradox—cold cannot hurt him, exile cannot scare him. Since Fuxi—only one person!" The Wei shi chunqiu states: former Inspector of Liangzhou Geng Fu took Xian as "transcendent"—Beihai Fu Xuan called him "nature same as birds and beasts"—both composed biographies—yet none could fathom him.〉
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〈《魏略》又載扈累及寒貧者。 累字伯重,京兆人也。 初平中,山東人有青牛先生者,字正方,客三輔。 曉知星曆、風角、鳥情。 常食青葙芫華。 年似如五六十者,人或親識之,謂其已百餘歲矣。 初,累年四十餘,隨正方游學,人謂之得其術。 有婦,無子。 建安十六年,三輔亂,又隨正方南入漢中。 漢中壞,正方入蜀,累與相失,隨徙民詣鄴,遭疾疫喪其婦。 至黃初元年,又徙詣洛陽,遂不復娶婦。 獨居道側,以㼾甎為障,施一廚牀,食宿其中。 晝日潛思,夜則仰視星宿,吟詠內書。 人或問之,閉口不肯言。 至嘉平中,年八九十,裁若四五十者。 縣官以其孤老,給廩日五升。 五升不足食,頗行傭作以裨糧,糧盡復出,人與不取。 食不求美,衣弊縕故,後一二年病亡。 寒貧者,本姓石,字德林,安定人也。 建安初,客三輔。 是時長安有宿儒欒文博者,門徒數千,德林亦就學,始精詩、書。 後好內事,於衆輩中最玄默。 至十六年,關中亂,南入漢中。 初不治產業,不畜妻孥,常讀老子五千文及諸內書,晝夜吟詠。 到二十五年,漢中破,隨衆還長安,遂癡愚不復識人。 食不求味,冬夏常衣弊布連結衣。 體如無所勝,目如無所見。 獨居窮巷小屋,無親里。 人與之衣食,不肯取。 郡縣以其鰥窮,給廩日五升,食不足,頗行乞,乞不取多。 人問其姓字,口不肯言,故因號之曰「寒貧」也。 或素有與相知者,往存恤之,輙拜跪,由是人謂其不癡。 車騎將軍郭淮以意氣呼之,問其所欲,亦不肯言。 淮因與脯糒及衣,不取其衣,取其脯一朐、糒一升而止。 臣松之案《魏略》云:焦先及楊沛,並作瓜牛廬,止其中。 以為瓜當作蝸; 蝸牛,螺蟲之有角者也,俗或呼為黃犢。 先等作圜舍,形如蝸牛蔽,故謂之蝸牛廬。 《莊子》曰:「有國於蝸之左角者曰觸氏,有國於右角者曰蠻氏,時相與爭地而戰,伏尸數萬,逐北旬有五日而後反。」 謂此物也。〉
〈Wei lue adds Hu Lei and “Cold Poverty.” Hu Lei, styled Bozhong, from Jingzhao. In Chuping a Shandong man called Master Green Ox (styled Zhengfang) lived in Sanfu. He knew astrology, wind lore, and bird omens. He lived on herbs. He looked sixty yet people swore he was a century old. Hu Lei studied under Green Ox in middle age. He had a barren wife. In 211 he fled to Hanzhong with Green Ox. When Hanzhong fell, Green Ox went to Shu; Hu Lei trekked to Ye and lost his wife to plague. By 220 he lived in Luoyang and never remarried. He slept in a tile pen by the road. Days he meditated; nights he read stars and esoteric texts. Questions met silence. In Jiaping he looked fifty though eighty. The county gave five sheng daily. He moonlighted when rations ran out—still refused handouts. He wore rags and died of illness soon after. “Cold Poverty” was born Shi Delin of Anding. Early Jian’an he lived in Sanfu. He studied with the famous Luan Wenbo. He turned to esoteric Daoism and fell silent. In 211 he fled south to Hanzhong. He owned nothing—chanted Laozi and inner scriptures. After 220 he wandered back to Chang’an—dementia silenced him. He wore ragged stitched robes in every season. He looked frail and blind. He lived alone in a hovel—no kin. He refused charity. The county ration failed—he begged sparingly. People asked his surname and name—mouth unwilling to speak—therefore on account of this was titled "Cold Poverty." Old friends still drew bows from him—proving sense lingered. Guo Huai shouted questions—no answer. Guo Huai offered clothes and food—he took one strip of jerky and one sheng of grain. Pei Songzhi cites Wei lue on snail huts for Jiao Xian and Yang Pei. “Gua” should read “wo” (snail), meaning spiral shells—folk call them “yellow calves.” Their round huts looked like snail shells. Zhuangzi states: "There is a state on the snail's left horn called Chu Clan—there is a state on the right horn called Man Clan—they constantly dispute territory and war—corpses lie in myriads—pursuing north fifteen days then return. That is the image.〉
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【評】
Evaluative note
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評曰:袁渙、邴原、張範躬履清蹈,進退以道, 〈臣松之以為蹈猶履也,「躬履清蹈」,近非言乎!〉 蓋是貢禹、兩龔之匹。 涼茂、國淵亦其次也。 張承名行亞範,可謂能弟矣。 田疇抗節,王脩忠貞,足以矯俗; 管寧淵雅高尚,確然不拔; 張臶、胡昭闔門守靜,不營當世:故并錄焉。
The historian praises Yuan Huan, Bing Yuan, and Zhang Fan for walking purity and timing every step. 〈Pei Songzhi winces at the phrase “tread purity tread.”〉 They rank with Gong Yu and the Gongs of Han. Liang Mao and Guo Yuan follow. Zhang Cheng stood worthily in his brother’s shadow. Tian Chou’s resolve and Wang Xiu’s loyalty set the tone. Guan Ning towered immovable. Zhang Qian and Hu Zhao shut the world out—so they close the chapter.