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任城王曹彰陳思王曹植蕭懷王曹熊
Cao Zhang, Prince of Rencheng; Cao Zhi, Prince of Chensi; and Cao Xiong, Prince of Xiaohuai.
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任城王曹彰
Cao Zhang, Prince of Rencheng.
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任城威王彰,字子文。 少善射御,膂力過人,手格猛獸,不避險阻。 數從征伐,志意慷慨。 太祖嘗抑之曰:『汝不念讀書慕聖道,而好乘汗馬擊劍,此一夫之用,何足貴也!』 課彰讀《詩》、《書》,彰謂左右曰:『丈夫一為衛、霍,將十萬騎馳沙漠,驅戎狄,立功建號耳,何能作博士邪?』 太祖嘗問諸子所好,使各言其志。 彰曰:『好為將。』 太祖曰:『為將柰何?』 對曰:『被堅執銳,臨難不顧,為士卒先; 賞必行,罰必信。』 太祖大笑。 建安二十一年,封鄢陵侯。
Cao Zhang, posthumously known as Prince Wei of Rencheng, bore the courtesy name Ziwen. From boyhood he excelled at archery and horsemanship, possessed uncanny strength, wrestled dangerous beasts bare-handed, and never shrank from rough ground. He rode again and again on campaign, fired by an ardent, martial spirit. Cao Cao once tried to check him: "You give no thought to study or the path of the sages, yet you love galloping horses and crossing swords. Any brawler can do that—why should it be prized?" Cao Cao set him lessons in the Odes and Documents, but Zhang told his attendants, "A man worth the name should ride at the head of a hundred thousand like Wei Qing or Huo Qubing—sweep the deserts, scatter the barbarians, and win a general's fame. What would I do with a scholar's cap?" Once Cao Cao asked each of his sons what he enjoyed and had them speak his mind. Zhang replied: "I want to command armies." What does a general do? asked Cao Cao. Clad in armor, spear in hand, he answered, I would meet peril head-on and lead from the front, "with rewards kept when promised and punishments given without fail." Cao Cao roared with laughter. In 216 he was made Marquis of Yanling.
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二十三年,代郡烏丸反,以彰為北中郎將,行驍騎將軍。 臨發,太祖戒彰曰:『居家為父子,受事為君臣,動以王法從事,爾其戒之!』 彰北征,入涿郡界,叛胡數千騎卒至。 時兵馬未集,唯有步卒千人,騎數百匹。 用田豫計,固守要隙,虜乃退散。 彰追之,身自搏戰,射胡騎,應弦而倒者前後相屬。 戰過半日,彰鎧中數箭,意氣益厲,乘勝逐北,至于桑乾, 〈臣松之案桑乾縣屬代郡,今北虜居之,號為索干之都。〉 去代二百餘里。 長史諸將皆以為新涉遠,士馬疲頓,又受節度,不得過代,不可深進,違令輕敵。 彰曰:『率師而行,唯利所在,何節度乎? 胡走未遠,追之必破。 從令縱敵,非良將也。』 遂上馬,令軍中:『後出者斬。』 一日一夜與虜相及,擊,大破之,斬首獲生以千數。 彰乃倍常科大賜將士,將士無不悅喜。 時鮮卑大人軻比能將數萬騎觀望彊弱,見彰力戰,所向皆破,乃請服。 北方悉平。 時太祖在長安,召彰詣行在所。 彰自代過鄴,太子謂彰曰:『卿新有功,今西見上,宜勿自伐,應對常若不足者。』 彰到,如太子言,歸功諸將。 太祖喜,持彰鬚曰:『黃鬚兒竟大奇也!』 〈魏略曰:太祖在漢中,而劉備栖於山頭,使劉封下挑戰。 太祖罵曰:『賣履舍兒,長使假子拒汝公乎! 待呼我黃鬚來,令擊之。』 乃召彰。 彰晨夜進道,西到長安而太祖已還,從漢中而歸。 彰鬚黃,故以呼之。〉
In 218 the Wuhuan of Dai rose; Cao Zhang was appointed General of the Household for the North and acting General of Swift Cavalry to deal with them. On the eve of his departure Cao Cao warned him: "Under this roof we are father and son; on duty we are sovereign and subject. Act only as the law allows—remember that." Zhang marched north into Zhuo, where several thousand rebel horsemen fell on him without warning. His main force had not yet come up; he had only a thousand foot soldiers and a few hundred horses. Following Tian Yu's advice, he held the key passes until the enemy broke and withdrew. Zhang gave chase, fighting in the thick of it himself; his bowstring sang and Hu horsemen tumbled from their saddles in an unbroken line. After half a day of fighting, his armor studded with arrows, he only fought harder; he pressed the rout all the way to the Sanggan River, 〈Pei Songzhi remarks that Sanggan County lay in Dai; northern peoples now hold the place and call it the "Suogan" capital.〉 more than two hundred li beyond the seat of Dai. His chief of staff and commanders argued that the army was worn from a long march, bound by orders not to cross beyond Dai, and that to push farther would mean disobeying orders and underestimating the foe. Zhang retorted: "An army on the march goes where victory lies—what do written orders matter?" The Hu are still within reach; a hard pursuit will shatter them. To obey a slip of paper and let the enemy escape is no way for a real commander. He swung into the saddle and told the ranks: "The last man out of the fight dies." In a day and a night he overtook them, smashed their host, and counted beheads and prisoners by the thousand. He doubled the usual bounty for the troops, and every man in the ranks went home delighted. Kebineng, chief of the Xianbei, had brought tens of thousands of horsemen to watch how the fight went; when he saw Zhang tear through every line before him, he offered his surrender. The northern frontier was quiet at last. Cao Cao was then at Chang'an and ordered Zhang to report to court. Passing through Ye from Dai, the heir Cao Pi told him: "You have fresh laurels; when you see our father in the west, do not preen. Speak as though your deeds were never enough." Zhang did exactly that: before Cao Cao he laid the credit at his generals' feet. Delighted, Cao Cao tugged at his whiskers and cried, "My yellow-bearded son—you are a wonder!" 〈The Weilüe records that while Cao Cao was in Hanzhong, Liu Bei camped on a height and sent Liu Feng down to taunt him. Cao Cao swore: "You sandal-seller's whelp—do you mean to fend off your elder with a borrowed son?" Wait till I fetch my yellow-beard and set him on you. He then sent for Cao Zhang. Zhang raced night and day to Chang'an, but Cao Cao had already quit Hanzhong and was on his way home. Zhang's beard was yellow, which earned him the nickname.〉
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太祖東還,以彰行越騎將軍,留長安。 太祖至洛陽,得疾,驛召彰,未至,太祖崩。 〈魏略曰:彰至,謂臨菑侯植曰:『先王召我者,欲立汝也。』 植曰:『不可。 不見袁氏兄弟乎!』〉 文帝即王位,彰與諸侯就國。 〈魏略曰:太子嗣立,既葬,遣彰之國。 始彰自以先王見任有功,冀因此遂見授用,而聞當隨例,意甚不悅,不待遣而去。 時以鄢陵塉薄,使治中牟。 及帝受禪,因封為中牟王。 是後大駕幸許昌,北州諸侯上下,皆畏彰之剛嚴; 每過中牟,不敢不速。〉 詔曰:『先王之道,庸勳親親,並建母弟,開國承家,故能藩屏大宗,禦侮厭難。 彰前受命北伐,清定朔土,厥功茂焉。 增邑五千,并前萬戶。』 黃初二年,進爵為公。 三年,立為任城王。 四年,朝京都,疾薨於邸,謚曰威。 〈魏氏春秋曰:初,彰問璽綬,將有異志,故來朝不即得見。 彰忿怒暴薨。〉 至葬,賜鑾輅、龍旂,虎賁百人,如漢東平王故事。 子楷嗣,徙封中牟。 五年,改封任城縣。 太和六年,復改封任城國,食五縣二千五百戶。 青龍三年,楷坐私遣官屬詣中尚方作禁物,削縣二千戶。 正始七年,徙封濟南,三千戶。 正元、景元初,連增邑,凡四千四百戶。 〈楷,泰始初為崇化少府,見百官名。〉
When Cao Cao marched east again, he named Zhang acting General Who Crosses the River on Horseback and left him to hold Chang'an. Taken ill at Luoyang, Cao Cao urgently summoned Zhang; before Zhang could arrive, he died. 〈The Weilüe says that when Zhang reached Luoyang he told Cao Zhi, Marquis of Linzi: "Father called for me because he meant to make you heir." Zhi answered: "That must not be." Have you forgotten what became of the Yuan brothers? When Cao Pi took the title of King of Wei, Zhang and the other enfeoffed princes went out to their fiefs. 〈The Weilüe says that once the heir had succeeded and the late king was buried, he sent Zhang off to his fief. Zhang had hoped his father's trust and battlefield record would win him a post at court; learning he was to be packed off like any other prince, he left in a sulk before the formal order came. Because his Yanling fief was poor soil, he was reassigned to govern from Zhongmou. When Cao Pi took the throne, Zhang was raised to King of Zhongmou. Thereafter, whenever the court moved to Xuchang, the northern princes high and low went in awe of Zhang's iron discipline; and none dared loiter when his route took him past Zhongmou.〉 An edict declared: "The kings of old rewarded service and cherished kinsmen, enfeoffed younger brothers of the queen, and let them found houses of their own—so the royal line gained bulwarks against peril." Zhang, ordered north, pacified the frontier; his service was outstanding. His appanage is increased by five thousand households, for a total of ten thousand. In 221 his rank was raised to duke. In 222 he was invested as King of Rencheng. In 223 he came to court for an audience, fell ill in his residence, and died; he was posthumously titled Wei, "the Formidable." 〈The Wei Annals of Spring and Autumn claim that Zhang asked after the imperial seal with designs of his own, and for that reason was kept waiting when he presented himself at court. He died suddenly, still in a rage.〉 For his funeral he received the bell-adorned hearse, dragon banners, and a hundred household guards, by the same honor once paid the Han Prince of Dongping. His son Cao Kai inherited the title and was moved to the Zhongmou fief. In 224 the fief was redesignated as Rencheng County. In 232 he was re-established as Prince of the state of Rencheng, with income from five counties totaling twenty-five hundred households. In 235 Cao Kai lost two thousand households of his fief for secretly sending his staff to the imperial workshops to commission forbidden goods. In 246 he was transferred to Jinan with a fief of three thousand households. Under Cao Mao and Cao Huan his appanage was enlarged in steps until it stood at forty-four hundred households. 〈Cao Kai served as Junior Chamberlain for Exalting Transformation at the start of the Jin dynasty; see the official lists.〉
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陳思王曹植
Cao Zhi, Prince of Chensi.
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陳思王植字子建。 年十歲餘,誦讀《詩》、《論》及辭賦數十萬言,善屬文。 太祖嘗視其文,謂植曰:『汝倩人邪?』 植跪曰:『言出為論,下筆成章,顧當面試,柰何倩人?』 時鄴銅爵臺新成,太祖悉將諸子登臺,使各為賦。 植援筆立成,可觀,太祖甚異之。 〈陰澹《魏紀》載植賦曰『從明后而嬉游兮,登層台以娛情。 見太府之廣開兮,觀聖德之所營。 建高門之嵯峨兮,浮雙闕乎太清。 立中天之華觀兮,連飛閣乎西城。 臨漳水之長流兮,望園果之滋榮。 仰春風之和穆兮,聽百鳥之悲鳴。 天雲垣其既立兮,家願得而獲逞。 揚仁化於宇內兮,盡肅恭於上京。 惟桓文之為盛兮,豈足方乎聖明! 休矣美矣! 惠澤遠揚。 翼佐我皇家兮,寧彼四方。 同天地之規量兮,齊日月之暉光。 永貴尊而無極兮,等年壽於東王』云云。 太祖深異之。〉 性簡易,不治威儀。 輿馬服飾,不尚華麗。 每進見難問,應聲而對,特見寵愛。
Cao Zhi, posthumously honored as Prince Si of Chen, bore the courtesy name Zijian. Before he was eleven he had memorized the Odes, the Analects, and hundreds of thousands of characters of verse and rhapsody, and he wrote with uncommon ease. Cao Cao once looked over his compositions and asked, "Did someone else write this for you?" Zhi knelt and answered: "I speak in finished argument and write in finished periods; put me to the test in your presence—why would I need a ghostwriter?" Just then the new Bronze Bird Terrace at Ye was finished; Cao Cao took every son up the stairs and set each to compose a rhapsody on the spot. Zhi seized a brush and finished at once; the piece was striking, and Cao Cao was deeply impressed. 〈Yin Dan's Wei Records preserves Zhi's rhapsody: "I follow my enlightened lord in sport and climb tiered towers to lift the heart." I gaze on the great halls thrown wide and on the works that sacred virtue has raised. Lofty gates rear skyward; paired watchtowers ride the azure void. A splendid belvedere crowns mid-heaven; flying galleries span toward the city's west. Below lies the long roll of the Zhang; before me the orchards swell with fruit. The spring wind breathes soft above; a hundred birds weave their plaintive song. Heaven's clouds stand like a wall; the house of Cao may now fulfill its long desire. Human kindness spreads through the realm; all the capital bends in reverent awe. Huan and Wen were hailed as great—yet what are they beside our sage lord's light! Grace upon grace, beauty upon beauty! His kindly favor reaches to the horizon. He props our royal house on pinions and stills the four quarters of the world. His measure matches heaven and earth; his splendor vies with sun and moon. May he be honored without end and share the years of the King of the East, and more in that vein. Cao Cao was struck with wonder.〉 He was plain and unaffected by temperament and never put on lordly airs. His carriages, mounts, and dress favored modesty over display. At each audience Cao Cao pressed him with hard questions, and he answered on the instant—hence he stood highest in his father's favor.
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建安十六年,封平原侯。 十九年,徙封臨菑侯。 太祖征孫權,使植留守鄴,戒之曰:『吾昔為頓邱令,年二十三。 思此時所行,無悔於今。 今汝年亦二十三矣,可不勉與!』 植既以才見異,而丁儀、丁廙、楊脩等為之羽翼。 太祖狐疑,幾為太子者數矣。 而植任性而行,不自彫勵,飲酒不節。 文帝御之以術,矯情自飾,宮人左右,併為之說,故遂定為嗣。
In 211 he became Marquis of Pingyuan. In 214 his title was moved to Marquis of Linzi. When Cao Cao marched against Sun Quan, he left Zhi to hold Ye and told him: At twenty-three I was magistrate of Dunqiu. Looking back on how I carried myself then, I have nothing I would undo. You are the same age now—see that you do not fall short! Zhi’s gifts had already marked him out, and Ding Yi, Ding Yì, Yang Xiu, and others gathered round him as his partisans. Cao Cao hesitated so often that Zhi nearly became heir more than once. Yet Zhi followed his whims, refused to school himself, and drank without limit. Cao Pi played the game with cold skill—masked his heart, trimmed his conduct, and won every voice in the harem to his side—until the succession was his.
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二十二年,增置邑五千,並前萬戶。 植嘗乘車行馳道中,開司馬門出。 太祖大怒,公車令坐死。 由是重諸侯科禁,而植寵日衰。 《魏武故事》載令曰:『始者謂子建,兒中最可定大事。』 又令曰:『自臨菑侯植私出,開司馬門至金門,令吾異目視此兒矣。』 又令曰:『諸侯長史及帳下吏,知吾出輒將諸侯行意否? 從子建私開司馬門來,吾都不覆信諸侯也。 恐吾適出,便復私出,故攝將行。 不可恆使吾 (爾) 〔以〕誰為心腹也!』 太祖既慮終始之變,以楊脩頗有才策,而又袁氏之甥也,於是以罪誅脩。 植益內不自安。 《典略》曰:楊脩字德祖,太尉彪子也。 謙恭才博。 建安中,舉孝廉,除郎中,丞相請署倉曹屬主簿。 是時,軍國多事,脩總知外內,事皆稱意。 自魏太子已下,並爭與交好。 又是時臨菑侯植以才捷愛幸,來意投脩,數與脩書,書曰:
In 217 his income was raised by five thousand households, for the same ten thousand in all as before. Once Zhi drove his carriage down the forbidden carriage track and had the Sima Gate opened for his exit. Cao Cao’s fury fell on the official who held the Sima Gate; the man was condemned to death. The rules binding the princes were tightened after that, and Zhi’s star sank day by day. The Record of Wei Wu’s Administrative Acts quotes an edict: “I once thought Zijian the son who could shoulder the weightiest charge.” Another reads: “When the Marquis of Linzi slipped out on his own and forced the Sima Gate clear to the Golden Gate, I began to see that son in another light.” A third asks: “Do those stewards and household officers know whether, each time I leave the palace, they still do the bidding of their lords?” “Since Zijian broke the Sima Gate on his own, I no longer place faith in any of the enfeoffed princes.” “I dread that the moment I step out they will steal out again—so I march them with me when I ride.” You cannot forever force me (you) to name anyone my true confidant! Uneasy about what the end might bring, and knowing Yang Xiu for a clever schemer who was also tied by marriage to the Yuans, Cao Cao found a pretext and put him to death. Zhi grew more anxious by the day. The Brief Account of Current Affairs says Yang Xiu (Dezǔ) was the son of Grand Commandant Yang Biao. He combined humility with wide learning. During Jian’an he entered office as Filial and Incorrupt, rose to Gentleman of the Palace, and was assigned registrar under the Chancellor’s Granary Bureau. With army and court both in turmoil, Xiu ran civil and military paperwork to Cao Cao’s satisfaction. Everyone from the heir of Wei downward scrambled to win his friendship. The Marquis of Linzi, favored for his ready wit, warmed to Xiu and wrote him often; one letter began:
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數日不見,思子為勞; 想同之也。 僕少好詞賦,迄至于今二十有五年矣。 然今世作者,可略而言也。 昔仲宣獨步於漢南,孔璋鷹揚於河朔,偉長擅名於青土,公幹振藻於海隅,德璉發跡於大魏,足下高視於上京。 當此之時,人人自謂握靈蛇之珠,家家自謂抱荊山之玉也。 吾王於是設天網以該之,頓八紘以掩之,今盡集茲國矣。 然此數子,猶不能飛翰絕跡,一舉千里也。 以孔璋之才,不閑辭賦,而多自謂與司馬長卿同風,譬畫虎不成還為狗者也。 前為書啁之,反作論盛道僕贊其文。 夫鍾期不失聽,于今稱之。 吾亦不敢妄歎者,畏後之嗤余也。 世人著述,不能無病。 僕常好人譏彈其文; 有不善者,應時改定。 昔丁敬禮嘗作小文,使僕潤飾之,僕自以才不能過若人,辭不為也。 敬禮云:「卿何所疑難乎! 文之佳麗,吾自得之。 後世誰相知定吾文者邪?」 吾常嘆此達言,以為美談。 昔尼父之文辭,與人通流; 至於制《春秋》,游、夏之徒不能錯一字。 過此而言不病者,吾未之見也。 蓋有南威之容,乃可以論於淑媛; 有龍淵之利,乃可以議於割斷。 劉季緒才不逮於作者,而好詆呵文章,掎摭利病。 昔田巴毀五帝,罪三王,呰五伯於稷下,一旦而服千人,魯連一說,使終身杜口。 劉生之辯未若田氏,今之仲連求之不難,可無嘆息乎! 人各有所好尚。 蘭茝蓀蕙之芳,眾人之所好,而海畔有逐臭之夫; 《咸池》、《六英》之發,眾人所樂,而墨翟有非之之論:豈可同哉! 今往僕少小所著詞賦一通相與。 夫街談巷說,必有可采,擊轅之歌,有應風雅,匹夫之思,未易輕棄也。 辭賦小道,固未足以揄揚大義,彰示來世也。 昔揚子雲,先朝執戟之臣耳,猶稱「壯夫不為」也; 吾雖薄德,位為藩侯,猶庶幾戮力上國,流惠下民,建永世之業,流金石之功,豈徒以翰墨為勳績,辭頌為君子哉? 若吾志不果,吾道不行,亦將採史官之實錄,辯時俗之得失,定仁義之衷,成一家之言,雖未能藏之名山,將以傳之同好,此要之白首,豈可以今日論乎! 其言之不怍,恃惠子之知我也。 明早相迎,書不盡懷。
A few days apart, and I am worn thin with longing; I imagine you feel the same. I have loved verse and rhapsody since I was a boy—twenty-five years now. The authors of our time can be summed up in a word or two. Wang Can strode unrivalled south of the Han; Chen Lin hunted like a hawk in Hebei; Xu Gan won his laurels in the eastern hills; Liu Zhen flashed his colors on the coast; Ying Yang made his start in Wei; and you, sir, looked down from the imperial city. Then every man swore he held the pearl of the magic snake; every house boasted the jade of Mount Jing. Our prince cast the net of heaven, drew in the eight directions, and now they are all assembled here in Wei. Even so, not one of them has quite cleared the traces of his brush or soared a thousand li at a single stroke. Chen Lin has no gift for fu, yet he keeps comparing himself to Sima Xiangru—like the painter who set out to draw a tiger and produced a cur instead. I mocked him in a letter; he answered with a long essay insisting I had praised his prose. Bo Ya’s ear for music is still remembered. I dare not hand out empty praise, lest later ages snicker at me. No book under heaven is free of fault. I have always welcomed criticism of my drafts; and when a line fails, I mend it at once. Once Ding Jingli asked me to touch up a short piece; I thought I could not outwrite the man and refused. Jingli said: “Why hesitate? The fine phrases are mine in any case. Who after we are gone will be the judge who “fixes” my lines?” I have treasured that wise remark as a model ever since. Confucius’s ordinary essays flowed with the speech of his day; but when he forged the Spring and Autumn Annals, not even Ziyou and Zixia could change one word. Claim flawless prose beyond that—I have never met the man. You must have Nanwei’s face before you lecture on beauty; you must wield the Longyuan blade before you discourse on the cleaving stroke. Liu Xiu is no writer, yet he delights in tearing apart other men’s lines and hunting for blemishes. Tian Ba once vilified the Five Thearchs, the Three Kings, and the Five Lords at Jixia and silenced a thousand hearers in a day—until Lu Zhonglian spoke once and he never opened his mouth again. Liu’s rhetoric falls short of Tian Ba’s; a modern Lu Lian would soon put him down—small wonder one groans at the sight. Tastes differ with every man. The world loves orchid and iris, yet some coast-dweller craves the smell of rot; the world thrills to Xianchi and Liuying, yet Mozi condemned them—how can all hearts agree! I enclose a packet of the verse I composed in my younger days. Market gossip holds grains of truth; songs banged out on a cart-shaft can match the Odes; a plain fellow’s notion is not to be despised. Fu is a side road—it cannot proclaim the great Way or instruct posterity. Yang Xiong was only a court guardsman, yet he said, “A full-grown man does not traffic in this”; I am a minor prince, yet I mean to serve the throne, bless my people, build a lasting work, and win fame on bronze and stone—not to make a career of ink alone or call myself a gentleman because I chant pretty lines. If I fail in that aim, I will still quarry the historians’ annals, weigh the age’s right and wrong, set the balance of humaneness and duty, and speak in my own voice—if not to hide the book on a sacred hill, then at least to share it with kindred spirits; that is work for a lifetime, not something to settle in a morning’s talk. I speak without blushing because I trust you to understand me as Huizi understood Zhuangzi. I shall expect you at dawn; ink cannot hold all I feel.
11
脩答曰:
Yang Xiu answered:
12
不侍數日,若彌年載,豈獨愛顧之隆,使係仰之情深邪! 損辱來命,蔚矣其文。 誦讀反覆,雖《風》、《雅》、《頌》,不復過也。 若仲宣之擅江表,陳氏之跨冀域,徐、劉之顯青、豫,應生之發魏國,斯皆然矣。 至如脩者,聽采風聲,仰德不暇,目周章於省覽,何惶駭於高視哉? 伏惟君侯,少長貴盛,體旦、發之質,有聖善之教。 遠近觀者,徒謂能宣昭懿德,光贊大業而已,不謂復能兼覽傳記,留思文章。 今乃含王超陳,度越數子; 觀者駭視而拭目,聽者傾首而聳耳; 非夫體通性達,受之自然,其誰能至於此乎? 又嘗親見執事握牘持筆,有所造作,若成誦在心,借書於手,曾不斯須少留思慮。 仲尼日月,無得逾焉。 脩之仰望,殆如此矣。 是以對鶡而辭,作《暑賦》彌日而不獻,見西施之容,歸憎其貌者也。 伏想執事不知其然,猥受顧賜,教使刊定。 《春秋》之成,莫能損益。 《呂氏》、《淮南》,字直千金; 然而弟子鉗口,市人拱手者,聖賢卓犖,固所以殊絕凡庸也。 今之賦頌,古詩之流,不更孔公,風雅無別耳。 脩家子雲,老不曉事,彊著一書,悔其少作。 若此,仲山、周旦之徒,則皆有愆乎! 君侯忘聖賢之顯跡,述鄙宗之過言,竊以為未之思也。 若乃不忘經國之大美,流千載之英聲,銘功景鍾,書名竹帛,此自雅量素所蓄也,豈與文章相妨害哉? 輒受所惠,竊備矇瞍誦歌而已。 敢忘惠施,以忝莊氏! 季緒瑣瑣,何足以云。
A few days’ silence feels like a year—is it only your kindness that binds my heart so fast! Your letter humbles me; its lines glow with color. Read and reread, it outshines even the Airs, the Elegantiae, and the Hymns. Wang Can’s mastery south of the Yangzi, the Chen name in Ji, Xu Gan and Liu Zhen’s reputations in Qing and Yu, Ying Yang’s rise in Wei—you have the right of it all. For my own part I catch only rumor and scarce lift my eyes to true greatness—how should I gape like one dazzled by a summit? You, sir, were born to rank and bred on the models of the Duke of Zhou and Dan, the Duke of Shao. Onlookers thought you would only broadcast virtue and magnify the dynasty; they did not expect you to devour histories and brood over style. Now you outrun the kings of verse and leave Chen Lin behind; spectators rub their eyes, hearers strain their ears; who could reach such heights without native penetration of the Way? I have watched you seize brush and tablet and write as though the text were already memorized—never a second’s hesitation. Confucius is sun and moon; none may eclipse him. So I look up to you. So I hid my face before the heron and, though I drafted a fu on the summer heat, would not show it for a day—like a man who hates his own looks after glimpsing Xishi. I fear you did not know my shame; you honored me with a command to polish your lines. Once the Spring and Autumn Annals stood complete, no hand could alter a word. The Lü’s Spring and Autumn and the Huainan—every word worth its weight in gold; yet their disciples dared not breathe a correction—so it is when a sage towers above the crowd. Modern fu descend from the old songs; without Confucius’s touch they are not true Airs and Odes. Your servant’s townsman Yang Xiong, foolish in old age, forced out one book and repented his early writings. If that were the rule, even the Duke of Zhou would stand condemned! You cite my humble lineage’s gossip and forget how the sages behaved—I think you have not weighed that. To mind the great work of state, ring your fame on the Jing bell, and carve your name in history—that is the purpose you have always cherished; it does not clash with letters. I accept your gift and can only mumble praise like a blind man singing. I would not slight Huizi and shame Zhuang Zhou. Liu Xiu is too small a man to name.
13
二十四年,曹仁為關羽所圍。 太祖以植為南中郎將,行征虜將軍,欲遣救仁,呼有所敕戒。 植醉不能受命,於是悔而罷之。 〈《魏氏春秋》曰:植將行,太子飲焉,偪而醉之。 王召植,植不能受王命,故王怒也。〉
In 219 Cao Ren was trapped by Guan Yu. Cao Cao named Zhi acting General Who Subdues Captives and General of the Household for the South, meant to send him to relieve Ren, and called him in for his orders. Zhi was too drunk to take the commission; Cao Cao repented of the plan and dropped it. 〈The Wei Annals of Spring and Autumn say the heir poured wine for Zhi and made him drunk before he rode out. When the king called for Zhi, he could not answer the summons—hence the king’s wrath.〉
14
文帝即王位,誅丁儀、丁廙并其男口。 〈《魏略》曰:◎丁儀字正禮,沛郡人也。 父沖,宿與太祖親善,時隨乘輿。 見國家未定,乃與太祖書曰:『足下平生常喟然有匡佐之志,今其時矣。』 是時張楊適還河內,太祖得其書,乃引軍迎天子東詣許,以沖為司隸校尉。 後數來過諸將飲,酒美不能止,醉爛腸死。 太祖以沖前見開導,常德之。 聞儀為令士,雖未見,欲以愛女妻之,以問五官將。 五官將曰:『女人觀貌,而正禮目不便,誠恐愛女未必悅也。 以為不如與伏波子楙。』 太祖從之。 尋闢儀為掾,到與論議,嘉其才朗,曰:『丁掾,好士也,即使其兩目盲,尚當與女,何況但眇? 是吾兒誤我。』 時儀亦恨不得尚公主,而與臨菑侯親善,數稱其奇才。 太祖既有意欲立植,而儀又共贊之。 及太子立,欲治儀罪,轉儀為右刺姦掾,欲儀自裁而儀不能。 乃對中領軍夏侯尚叩頭求哀,尚為涕泣而不能救。 後遂因職事收付獄,殺之。 ◎廙字敬禮,儀之弟也。 《文士傳》曰:廙少有才姿,博學洽聞。 初闢公府,建安中為黃門侍郎。 廙嘗從容謂太祖曰:『臨菑侯天性仁孝,發於自然,而聰明智達,其殆庶幾。 至於博學淵識,文章絕倫。 當今天下之賢才君子,不問少長,皆願從其游而為之死,實天所以鍾福於大魏,而永授無窮之祚也。』 欲以勸動太祖。 太祖答曰:『植,吾愛之,安能若卿言! 吾欲立之為嗣,何如?』 廙曰:『此國家之所以興衰,天下之所以存亡,非愚劣瑣賤者所敢與及。 廙聞知臣莫若於君,知子莫若於父。 至於君不論明闇,父不問賢愚,而能常知其臣子者何? 蓋由相知非一事一物,相盡非一旦一夕。 況明公加之以聖哲,習之以人子。 今發明達之命,吐永安之言,可謂上應天命,下合人心,得之於須臾,垂之於萬世者也。 廙不避斧鉞之誅,敢不盡言!』 太祖深納之。〉 植與諸侯並就國。
As soon as Cao Pi became King of Wei, he put Ding Yi, Ding Yì, and every male in their houses to death. 〈The Weilüe: Ding Yi (Zhengli) came from Pei. His father Ding Chong had long been intimate with Cao Cao and sometimes rode in the imperial equipage. Seeing the realm still unsettled, he wrote: “You have always burned to set the world to rights; the moment is now.” Zhang Yang had just withdrawn to Henei; Cao Cao read the letter, marched to escort the emperor east to Xu, and made Ding Chong Colonel Director of Retainers. He kept joining the commanders for feasts, could not refuse the cup, and drank himself to death—his belly literally torn apart by wine. Cao Cao remembered how Ding Chong had first urged him to take the emperor in hand, and held him in lasting regard. Learning that Ding Yi was a man of parts, though they had never met, Cao Cao meant to give him a princess for wife and took the matter to the heir. Cao Pi answered: "Women judge by looks; Ding Yi’s eyes are weak—I doubt our sister would be happy with the match." He urged you to betroth her instead to Mao, son of the old Fubo general. Cao Cao took his advice. Soon Ding Yi was called in as an adviser; one conversation won Cao Cao over. "Ding Yi loves talent," he cried. "I would marry my daughter to him if he were wholly blind—what is a squint?" My son misled me on this. Ding Yi bitterly regretted missing the princess, but he clung to the Marquis of Linzi and never tired of praising Zhi’s genius. Cao Cao already leaned toward naming Zhi heir, and Ding Yi pushed the same way. Once Cao Pi was heir, he moved to ruin Ding Yi, shunted him into the post of right “thorn-investigator,” and hoped shame would drive him to suicide—but Ding Yi could not do it. He threw himself at Xiahou Shang’s feet and begged; Shang wept yet could not shield him. Soon a charge was fabricated, he was clapped in irons, and put to death. Ding Yì (courtesy Jingli) was Ding Yi’s younger brother. The Record of Men of Letters says Ding Yì was gifted in youth, read everything, and heard everything. He first entered Cao Cao’s bureau, then rose to Gentleman of the Yellow Gates under Jian’an. Once Ding Yì told Cao Cao plainly: "The Marquis of Linzi is humane and filial by nature, and his wit is almost that of a sage." His learning runs deep and his brush has no rival. Every able man in the land, young or old, would follow him to the death—surely Heaven heaps fortune on Wei by giving us such an heir. He meant to sway Cao Cao’s heart. Cao Cao replied: "I love Zhi—can he really be everything you claim?" I mean to name him successor—what say you? Yì answered: "The rise and fall of the state hang on this—not a topic for small men to meddle in." Yet the proverb runs: the ruler knows his ministers best, the father his sons best. How then does a lord read light and shadow, or a father judge worth and folly, yet always know his men? Because true knowledge is not won in a single glance nor sealed in a single hour. You are a sage yourself and have reared him as a son. A clear edict now, a pledge of peace forever—this answers Heaven and men alike and will echo for ages. I would face the headsman’s blade before I held back a word! Cao Cao took his counsel to heart.〉 Zhi went out to his fief with the other princes.
15
黃初二年,監國謁者灌均希指,奏『植醉酒悖慢,劫脅使者』。 有司請治罪,帝以太后故,貶爵安鄉侯。 〈魏書載詔曰:『植,朕之同母弟。 朕於天下無所不容,而況植乎? 骨肉之親,舍而不誅,其改封植。』〉 其年改封鄄城侯。 三年,立為鄄城王,邑二千五百戶。
In 221 the court watcher Guan Jun, eager to please, reported that Zhi had insulted an imperial messenger while drunk. The ministry demanded his head; for his mother’s sake Cao Pi only stripped him to Marquis of Anxiang. 〈The Book of Wei quotes an edict: "Zhi is my own mother’s son." There is room in my heart for the world—shall there be none for Zhi? Blood binds us; I spare his life and change his fief instead. The same year he was made Marquis of Juancheng. In 222 he was raised to King of Juancheng with twenty-five hundred households.
16
四年,徙封雍丘王。 其年,朝京都。 上疏曰:
In 223 his seat was moved to Yongqiu. That year he came to court. He submitted a memorial that read:
17
臣自抱釁歸藩,刻肌刻骨,追思罪戾,晝分而食,夜分而寢。 誠以天罔不可重離,聖恩難可再恃。 竊感相鼠之篇,無禮遄死之義,形影相弔,五情愧赧。 以罪棄生,則違古賢『夕改』之勸,忍活苟全,則犯詩人『胡顏』之譏。 伏惟陛下德象天地,恩隆父母,施暢春風,澤如時雨。 是以不別荊棘者,慶雲之惠也; 七子均養者,屍鳩之仁也; 舍罪責功者,明君之舉也; 矜愚愛能者,慈父之恩也:是以愚臣徘徊於恩澤而不能自棄者也。 前奉詔書,臣等絕朝,心離志絕,自分黃耇無復執珪之望。 不圖聖詔猥垂齒召,至止之日,馳心輦轂。 僻處西館,未奉闕廷,踴躍之懷,瞻望反仄。 謹拜表獻詩二篇,其辭曰:
Since I was sent back to my domain under a cloud, I have worn my guilt in my very bones—I rise at noon and retire at midnight, counting my faults. Heaven’s net does not part twice for the same man, nor does imperial mercy wait on a fool forever. The Ode of the Rat haunts me—without courtesy, better die at once—yet here stand body and shadow alone, and every passion burns with shame. Die for my crimes and I spurn the sage counsel to mend at dusk; cling to life and I earn the poet’s taunt—what cheek have you to show? Your virtue spans heaven and earth; your love outdoes a father’s; it blows like spring wind and falls like seasonable rain. To spare thorn and thistle alike is the favor of the lucky cloud; to nurse seven chicks as one is the kindness of the turtle-dove; to forget fault and weigh service is the way of a wise king; to pity the dull yet cherish talent is a tender father’s grace—so I hang between gratitude and despair and cannot cut myself loose. When your first order barred us from audience, I thought my heart dead and my court days over—never again to bear the jade baton. I never dreamed you would stoop to call me by name; the day I reached the capital my soul flew to your chariot wheels. They lodge me in the western guest hall; I have not yet seen the throne—yet my heart leaps and turns, all impatience. I therefore lay before you two poems, which begin:
18
於穆顯考時惟武皇
Splendid my late father—he was Emperor Wu.
19
受命於天寧濟四方
He took Heaven’s charge and stilled the four seas.
20
朱旗所拂九土披攘
His crimson flag swept wide; the nine domains bowed.
21
玄化滂流荒服來王
His transforming power rolled outward; wild borderlands sent kings.
22
超商越周與唐比蹤
He outshone Shang and Zhou; he walked in Yao’s stride.
23
篤生我皇奕世載聰
Then rose my lord—wise through the ages.
24
武則肅烈文則時雍
Terrible in war, gentle in peace.
25
受禪炎漢臨君萬邦
He took the flame-red Han’s abdication and rules ten thousand lands.
26
萬邦既化率由舊則
The myriad lands obey; the old statutes hold.
27
廣命懿親以藩王國
He sent kinsmen wide to fence the throne.
28
帝曰爾侯君茲青土
The Emperor said: "You, my prince—this green earth is yours."
29
奄有海濱方周於魯
You hold the coast; your realm rivals Lu of old.
30
車服有輝旗章有敘
Bright your chariots and robes; ordered your banners and blazons.
31
濟濟雋乂我弼我輔
Hosts of fine men are my props and stays.
32
伊予小子恃寵驕盈
I, a foolish boy, leaned on favor and swelled proud.
33
舉掛時網動亂國經
I tangled in the age’s net and snapped the kingdom’s cord.
34
作藩作屏先軌是墮
You made me a shield—I broke the ancient rule.
35
傲我皇使犯我朝儀
I slighted your herald and mocked the court’s rite.
36
國有典刑我削我絀
The law has teeth—I was shorn and cast down.
37
將寘於理元凶是率
They would have bound me to justice—I was ringleader of the wrong.
38
明明天子時篤同類
Heaven’s Son, clear of eye—holds his kindred dear.
39
不忍我刑暴之朝肆
He would not shame me on the public block.
40
違彼執憲哀予小子
He set the judge aside and pitied this small son.
41
改封兗邑於河之濱
He moved my seat to Yan, beside the river’s brim.
42
股肱弗置有君無臣
No helpers at my side—only a lord, no ministers.
43
荒淫之闕誰弼予身
Lost in license and sloth, who would brace my frame?
44
煢煢僕夫於彼冀方
Lonely my groom and I—far off in Ji.
45
嗟予小子乃罹斯殃
Alas, this boy—such ruin fell on me.
46
赫赫天子恩不遺物
Bright Heaven’s Son—his grace spares nothing.
47
冠我玄冕要我朱紱
He crowned me in black silk, tied the crimson cord.
48
朱紱光大使我榮華
The crimson cord gleams wide—he gave me glory.
49
剖符授玉王爵是加
He halved the tally, gave the jade—raised me to prince.
50
仰齒金璽俯執聖策
I lift the golden seal; I bow and take the sacred writ.
51
皇恩過隆祗承怵惕
The favor is too high—I take it in fear.
52
咨我小子頑凶是嬰
Woe, this stubborn child—evil clings like a swaddling band.
53
逝慚陵墓存愧闕廷
Dead I shame the tombs; alive I shame your hall.
54
匪敢傲德實恩是恃
I dare not scorn your virtue—I cling to mercy alone.
55
威靈改加足以沒齒
Your aweful grace remade me—enough to hide my shame till the grave.
56
昊天罔極性命不圖
Heaven’s height knows no bound—my life is not my own to chart.
57
常懼顛沛抱罪黃壚
I dread a fall that drags my guilt down to the yellow springs.
58
願蒙矢石建旗東嶽
I would meet stone and shaft and plant your flag on Taishan’s height.
59
庶立豪氂微功自贖
Perhaps earn a hair’s weight of merit to buy off my fault.
60
危軀授命知足免戾
Give this frail life gladly—if guilt lifts, I am content.
61
甘赴江湘奮戈吳越
I would march to the Yangzi’s waves and strike for you in Wu and Yue.
62
天啟其衷得會京畿
Heaven relented; I may see the capital again.
63
遲奉聖顏如渴如飢
Slowly I near your face—as parched men crave rain, as the starving crave bread.
64
心之雲慕愴矣其悲
My heart is a cloud of longing—grief without end.
65
天高聽卑皇肯照微
High Heaven hears the humble—will you, my emperor, light even me?
66
又曰:
A second poem says:
67
肅承明詔應會皇都
I bow to your clear command and hasten to the capital.
68
星陳夙駕秣馬脂車
Before dawn I harness, grain the horses, oil the axles.
69
命彼掌徒肅我征旅
I order my stewards to set my escort in order.
70
朝發鸞台夕宿蘭渚
We quit the tower at dawn and make orchid shoals by nightfall.
71
芒芒原隰祁祁士女
Endless moors, crowds of travelers on every hand.
72
經彼公田樂我稷黍
We cross the public fields and feast our eyes on the crops.
73
爰有樛木重陰匪息
A stooping tree spreads shade where we cannot linger.
74
雖有餱糧飢不遑食
Though we pack provisions, hunger will not let us pause to eat.
75
望城不過面邑匪游
We pass cities without stopping, skirt towns without tarrying.
76
僕夫警策平路是由
The driver lays on the whip; we hold to the straight highway.
77
玄駟藹藹揚鑣漂沫
The jet team rolls on, bits high, froth flying.
78
流風翼衡輕雲承蓋
Wind fans the crossbar like wings; light clouds bear the carriage hood.
79
涉澗之濱緣山之隈
We cross the ford and trace the mountain’s bend.
80
遵彼河滸黃阪是階
We keep to the river road; the yellow ridge is our climb.
81
西濟關谷或降或升
West through the passes we climb and descend by turns.
82
騑驂倦路再寢再興
Trace-horses tire on the long road; we sleep, wake, and press on.
83
將朝聖皇匪敢晏寧
I ride to my sovereign—I dare not seek comfort.
84
弭節長騖指日遄徵
I check the bit only to race on; each sun marks a day nearer you.
85
前驅舉燧後乘抗旌
Vanguard lights the signal fires; rearguard flies the great flags.
86
輪不輟運鸞無廢聲
The wheels never stop; the carriage bells never fall silent.
87
爰暨帝室稅此西墉
At last I reach the palace and dismount at the western lodging.
88
嘉詔未賜朝覲莫從
Your kind summons has not yet let me enter; I cannot yet bow in the hall.
89
仰瞻城閾俯惟闕廷
I lift my eyes to the gate towers; I bow my head and ache for the throne room.
90
長懷永慕憂心如酲
Endless longing racks me like a wine-sickness in the heart.
91
六年,帝東征,還過雍丘,幸植宮,增戶五百。
In 225 the emperor marched east; on his return he stopped at Yongqiu, visited Zhi’s residence, and added five hundred households to his fief.
92
太和元年,徙封浚儀。 二年,復還雍丘。 植常自憤怨,抱利器而無所施,上疏求自試曰:
In 227 he was moved to Junyi. In 228 he was sent back to Yongqiu. Zhi nursed a steady anger: he had a sword’s edge and no wall to try it on. He submitted a memorial asking for a chance to prove himself:
93
臣聞士之生世,入則事父,出則事君; 事父尚於榮親,事君貴於興國。 故慈父不能愛無益之子,仁君不能畜無用之臣。 夫論德而授官者,成功之君也; 量能而受爵者,畢命之臣也。 故君無虛授,臣無虛受; 虛授謂之謬舉,虛受謂之屍祿,詩之『素餐』所由作也。 昔二虢不辭兩國之任,其德厚也; 旦、奭不讓燕、魯之封,其功大也。 今臣蒙國重恩,三世於今矣。 正值陛下升平之際,沐浴聖澤,潛潤德教,可謂厚幸矣。 而竊位東藩,爵在上列,身被輕暖,口厭百味,目極華靡,耳倦絲竹者,爵重祿厚之所致也。 退念古之授爵祿者,有異於此,皆以功勤濟國,輔主惠民。 今臣無德可述,無功可紀,若此終年無益國朝,將掛風人『彼其』之譏。 是以上慚玄冕,俯愧朱紱。 方今天下一統,九州晏如,而顧西有違命之蜀,東有不臣之吳,使邊境未得脫甲,謀士未得高枕者,誠欲混同宇內以致太和也。 故啟滅有扈而夏功昭,成克商、奄而周德著。 今陛下以聖明統世,將欲卒文、武之功,繼成、康之隆,簡賢授能,以方叔、召虎之臣鎮御四境,為國爪牙者,可謂當矣。 然而高鳥未掛於輕繳,淵魚未縣於鉤餌者,恐釣射之術或未盡也。 昔耿弇不俟光武,亟擊張步,言不以賊遺於君父。 故車右伏劍於鳴轂,雍門刎首於齊境,若此二士,豈惡生而尚死哉? 誠忿其慢主而陵君也。 〈劉向說苑曰:越甲至齊,雍門狄請死之。 齊王曰:『鼓鐸之聲未聞,矢石未交,長兵未接,子何務死? 知為人臣之禮邪?』 雍門狄對曰:『臣聞之,昔者王田於囿,左轂鳴,車右請死之,王曰:「子何為死?」 車右曰:「為其鳴吾君也。」 王曰:「左轂鳴者,此工師之罪也。 子何事之有焉?」 車右對曰:「吾不見工師之乘,而見其鳴吾君也。」 遂刎頸而死。 有是乎?』 王曰:『有之。』 雍門狄曰:『今越甲至,其鳴吾君,豈左轂之下哉? 車右可以死左轂,而臣獨不可以死越甲邪?』 遂刎頸而死。 是日,越人引軍而退七十里,曰:『齊王有臣,鈞如雍門狄,疑使越社稷不血食。』 遂歸。 齊王葬雍門狄以上卿之禮。〉 夫君之寵臣,欲以除患興利; 臣之事君,必以殺身靖亂,以功報主也。 昔賈誼弱冠,求試屬國,請系單於之頸而制其命; 終軍以妙年使越,欲得長纓纓其王,羈致北闕。 此二臣,豈好為誇主而耀世哉? 志或鬱結,欲逞其才力,輸能於明君也。 昔漢武為霍去病治第,辭曰:『匈奴未滅,臣無以家為!』 〈固〉 夫憂國忘家,捐軀濟難,忠臣之志也。 今臣居外,非不厚也,而寢不安席,食不遑味者,伏以二方未克為念。 伏見先武皇帝武臣宿將,年耆即世者有聞矣。 雖賢不乏世,宿將舊卒,猶習戰陳,竊不自量,志在效命,庶立毛髮之功,以報所受之恩。 若使陛下出不世之詔,效臣錐刀之用,使得西屬大將軍,當一校之隊,若東屬大司馬,統偏舟之任,必乘危蹈險,騁舟奮驪,突刃觸鋒,為士卒先。 雖未能禽權馘亮,庶將虜其雄率,殲其醜類,必效須臾之捷,以滅終身之愧,使名掛史筆,事列朝策。 雖身分蜀境,首縣吳闕,猶生之年也。 如微才弗試,沒世無聞,徒榮其軀而豐其體,生無益於事,死無損於數,虛荷上位而忝重祿,禽息鳥視,終於白首,此徒圈牢之養物,非臣之所志也。 流聞東軍失備,師徒小衄,輟食棄餐,奮袂攘衽,撫劍東顧,而心已馳於吳會矣。 臣昔從先武皇帝南極赤岸,東臨滄海,西望玉門,北出玄塞,伏見所以行軍用兵之勢,可謂神妙矣。 故兵者不可豫言,臨難而制變者也。 志欲自效於明時,立功於聖世。 每覽史籍,觀古忠臣義士,出一朝之命,以徇國家之難,身雖屠裂,而功銘著於鼎鍾,名稱垂於竹帛,未嘗不拊心而嘆息也。 臣聞明主使臣,不廢有罪。 故奔北敗軍之將用,秦、魯以成其功; 〈臣松之案:秦用敗軍之將,事顯,故不註。 魯連與燕將書曰:『曹子為魯將,三戰三北而亡地五百裡,向使曹子計不反顧,義不旋踵,刎頸而死,則亦不免為敗軍之將矣。 曹子棄三北之恥,而退與魯君計。 桓公朝天子,會諸侯,曹子以一劍之任,披桓公之心於壇坫之上,顏色不變,辭氣不悖。 三戰之所亡,一朝而復之。 天下震動,諸侯驚駭,威加吳、越。』 若此二士者,非不能成小廉而行小節也。〉 絕纓盜馬之臣赦,楚、趙以濟其難。 〈臣松之案:楚莊掩絕纓之罪,事亦顯,故不書。 秦穆公有赦盜馬事,趙則未聞。 蓋以秦亦趙姓,故互文以避上『秦』字也。〉 臣竊感先帝早崩,威王棄世,臣獨何人,以堪長久! 常恐先朝露,填溝壑,墳土未乾,而身名並滅。 臣聞騏驥長鳴,則伯樂照其能; 盧狗悲號,則南韓知其才。 是以效之齊、楚之路,以逞千里之任; 試之狡兔之捷,以驗搏噬之用。 今臣志狗馬之微功,竊自惟度,終無伯樂、南韓之舉,是以於邑而竊自痛者也。 夫臨搏而企竦,聞樂而竊抃者,或有賞音而識道也。 昔毛遂,趙之陪隸,猶假錐囊之喻,以寤主立功,何況巍巍大魏多士之朝,而無慷慨死難之臣乎! 夫自衒自媒者,士女之醜行也。 干時求進者,道家之明忌也。 而臣敢陳聞於陛下者,誠與國分形同氣,憂患共之者也。 冀以塵霧之微補益山海,熒燭末光增輝日月,是以敢冒其醜而獻其忠。
I have heard that a man born to this age serves his father at home and his prince abroad; the son’s duty is to bring glory to his kin; the minister’s duty is to exalt his sovereign’s house. So no loving father dotes on a worthless son, and no humane king feeds a useless officer. The king who matches rank to character finishes his great work; the servant who takes title only as his talent allows gives his life to the end. Thus no crown sits idle on a head, no stipend fills an empty hand; a hollow title is a false choice; pay for no work is “corpse on the payroll”—the shame the Odes call “eating free grain.” The two Guo brothers did not shun twin duties—their virtue ran deep. The Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao did not refuse Yan and Lu—their merit was vast. I have drunk deep of the dynasty’s kindness—three generations of my house. I live under your peace, washed in holy dew and steeped in your teaching—no man could be luckier. Yet I hold a princedom in the east, rank among the first, dress in silken furs, dine on every delicacy, feast my eyes on luxury, tire my ears with music—all because my title is high and my pay rich. Looking back, the men of old who took stipend earned it—by sweat they saved the state, steadied the throne, and fed the people. I have no tale of virtue, no scroll of deeds; if I rot here year on year, I earn the poet’s gibe at useless lords. So I blush for the black cap above me and the crimson cord at my waist. The empire is one and the nine regions calm—yet Shu in the west and Wu in the east still hold aloof, so our spears stay bright and our planners cannot sleep—because you mean to unite all under heaven in perfect peace. So Qi crushed Youhu and Xia’s glory blazed; King Cheng conquered Shang and the loyalist state of Yan and Zhou’s power was plain. You, sage king, mean to finish what Wen and Wu began, match Cheng and Kang, pick able men, and with Fangshu and Zhaohu’s like hold the frontiers as the kingdom’s claws—none could call that wrong. Yet the lofty bird is not snared nor the deep fish hooked—the hunter’s and angler’s craft may still need polish. Geng Yan would not wait for Guangwu but struck Zhang Bu at once, saying he would not leave the bandit for his sovereign and sire. So the chariot guard bared steel at a rattling wheel, and Yongmen Di cut his throat in Qi—did those men love death for its own sake? They could not bear insult to their king. 〈Liu Xiang’s Garden of Stories: when Yue’s army reached Qi, Yongmen Di asked leave to die for his state. The king said: No drum has sounded, no shaft has flown—why rush to die? Do you know what it is to serve a prince? Yongmen Di answered: “They say the king once hunted in the park; the left wheel-hub creaked; the chariot guard asked to die; the king asked, ‘Why die for that?’ The guard said, ‘Because it has dishonored you.’ The king said, ‘That squeak is the coachwright’s fault. What is that to you?” The guard replied, ‘I have not seen the workmen’s cart; I have seen my lord shamed.’ He cut his own throat and died. Did that truly happen? The king said, “It did.” Yongmen Di said: Yue’s host is here—it shames you worse than a wheel’s creak. The guard could die for a hub—may I not die for Yue? He cut his throat and fell dead. That day the Yue army withdrew seventy li, saying, “If Qi has men like Yongmen Di, our state may starve.” So they marched home. The king of Qi buried Yongmen Di with honors fit for a high minister.〉 A king cherishes good servants to scourge foes and build the realm; a minister’s trade is to hazard life, crush revolt, and pay his debt in deeds. Jia Yi at twenty asked for a border post and swore he would rope the Chanyu’s neck; Zhong Jun, barely grown, went south and vowed to lead the king of Yue bound to Chang’an. Those two were not bragging for fame. Their hearts were pent; they longed to lay their power before a wise throne. When Emperor Wu built Huo Qubing a palace, he answered: “While the Xiongnu live, I have no home.” 〈Some editions read gu “indeed” here.〉 To fret for the realm and forget hearth, to stake life on danger—that is a loyal heart. I live abroad in no small comfort—yet I cannot sleep or savor my meat, for Shu and Wu still stand. I note that Wu’s old captains are dying off with the years. Young men still come forward, and the ranks remember war; I dare not flatter myself, yet I would spend my life for a hair’s worth of merit to repay your kindness. If you would send a matchless call and use this poor blade—let me serve under the Grand General in the west with one column, or under the Grand Marshal in the east with a squadron—I would face every risk, drive the fleet, spur the horses, and lead the charge. I may not nail Sun Quan nor take Zhuge Liang’s head, yet I would crush their champions, scour their rabble, win one swift hour, and wash away my shame—so history records my name and the court files my deed. If my body falls in Shu and my head adorns a Wu gate-post, I would count myself alive. If you never test me and I die unheard, a fattened beast in a pen—useless alive, unmourned dead—then I am only fodder for the cage, not the servant you need. Word says the eastern host was caught unprepared and took a small wound—I dropped my bowl, seized my sword, and my soul was already racing toward Wu. I once rode with Emperor Wu south to Red Shore, east to the sea, west to Jade Gate, north through Dark Pass—I saw how he moved armies: it was sorcery. War admits no rehearsal; you remake the plan when steel meets steel. I mean to give myself to this age and carve one mark on your reign. Whenever I read how loyal men staked all for the state—torn limb from limb yet named on bronze and silk—I beat my breast and sigh. I have heard wise kings use even broken men. Routed generals found work again, and Qin and Lu reaped the gain; 〈Pei Songzhi: Qin’s use of fallen commanders is famous, so I skip it. Lu Lian wrote the Yan general: “Cao Mo led Lu’s army, lost three fights and five hundred li of ground; had he then killed himself for shame, he would still be remembered only as a beaten general.” Cao Mo swallowed the shame of three routs and went home to plan with his duke. When Duke Huan met the Son of Heaven and the lords, Cao Mo with a single blade bared Huan’s chest on the covenant mound—never blinking, never stumbling in speech. In one morning he won back all that three defeats had cost. The world shook; the lords gaped; his name rolled as far as Wu and Yue. Those men were not too small for scruple—they simply aimed higher.〉 Chu forgave the man who snatched his tassel; Zhao spared the groom who stole horses—both kingdoms were saved by mercy. 〈Pei Songzhi: Zhuang of Chu’s “snapped tassel” story is famous, so I omit it here. Duke Mu of Qin pardoned horse-thieves; I find no Zhao parallel. The text pairs “Chu and Zhao” because Qin was of Zhao lineage—scribal avoidance of repeating “Qin.”〉 The late emperor died young, my brother Cao Zhang gone too—what am I, that I should outlive them? I dread I will vanish like dew, fill an anonymous ditch, and leave no name while my tomb is still fresh. They say when a steed trumpets, Bole knows its worth; when the Lu hound bays, the Han hunter marks its skill. So men run them on Qi and Chu roads to prove the thousand-li stride; or set them after a swift hare to test their kill. I ask only the mean service of a dog or horse, yet I see no Bole coming—so I ache in silence. He who cranes at a fight or taps his foot to a tune may still be a true judge of art. Mao Sui was a menial, yet his “awl in the sack” speech won a kingdom—can Wei lack one man ready to die for you? Self-praise and self-sale shame any man or woman. To claw for office is what quietist teaching most condemns. I speak because I am bone of your bone—your peril is mine. Let my mite thicken your mountains; let my spark borrow from your sun—this is why I swallow pride and speak.
94
〈《魏略》曰:植雖上此表,猶疑不見用,故曰『夫人貴生者,非貴其養體好服,終竟年壽也,貴在其代天而理物也。 夫爵祿者,非虛張者也,有功德然後應之,當矣。 無功而爵厚,無德而祿重,或人以為榮,而壯夫以為恥。 故太上立德,其次立功,蓋功德者所以垂名也。 名者不滅,士之所利,故孔子有夕死之論,孟軻有棄生之義。 彼一聖一賢,豈不願久生哉? 志或有不展也。 是用喟然求試,必立功也。 嗚呼! 言之未用,欲使後之君子知吾意者也。〉
〈The Weilüe says Zhi feared his words would lie unread, and wrote: Men who value life value not long years in silks, but doing Heaven’s work in the world. Rank and pay are not toys; they follow real merit—that is the rule. Fat office without deeds shames a grown man, though fools may preen. First plant virtue, then deeds—both are how a name outlives the flesh. The sage would die at dusk if his name were clear; Mencius would drop life for right. Would Confucius and Mencius have refused long life? Their hearts simply had nowhere to go. So I beg for a trial—for I mean to earn my keep. Ah—what grief! No one took my counsel; I leave these lines so later men will know my heart.〉
95
三年,徙封東阿。 五年,覆上疏求存問親戚,因致其意曰:
In 229 he was moved to Dong’e. In 231 he wrote again, begging leave to visit family and saying:
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臣聞天稱其高者,以無不覆; 地稱其廣者,以無不載; 日月稱其明者,以無不照; 江海稱其大者,以無不容。 故孔子曰:『大哉堯之為君! 惟天為大,惟堯則之。』 夫天德之於萬物,可謂弘廣矣。 蓋堯之為教,先親後疏,自近及遠。 其傳曰:『克明峻德,以親九族; 九族既睦,平章百姓。』 及周之文王亦崇厥化,其詩曰:『刑於寡妻,至於兄弟,以御於家邦。』 是以雍雍穆穆。 風人詠之。 昔周公弔管、蔡之不咸,廣封懿親以藩屏王室,傳曰:『周之宗盟,異姓為後。』 誠骨肉之恩爽而不離,親親之義實在敦固,未有義而後其君,仁而遺其親者也。 伏惟陛下資帝唐欽明之德,體文王翼翼之仁,惠洽椒房,恩昭九族,群後百寮,番休遞上,執政不廢於公朝,下情得展於私室,親理之路通,慶弔之情展,誠可謂恕己治人,推惠施恩者矣。 至於臣者,人道絕緒,禁錮明時,臣竊自傷也。 不敢過望交氣類,脩人事,敘人倫。 近且婚媾不通,兄弟乖絕,吉凶之問塞,慶弔之禮廢,恩紀之違,甚於路人,隔閡之異,殊於胡越。 今臣以一切之制,永無朝覲之望,至於註心皇極,結情紫闥,神明知之矣。 然天實為之,謂之何哉! 退唯諸王常有戚戚具爾之心,願陛下沛然垂詔,使諸國慶問,四節得展,以敘骨肉之歡恩。 全怡怡之篤義。 妃妾之家,膏沐之遺,歲得再通,齊義於貴宗,等惠於百司,如此,則古人之所嘆,風雅之所詠,復存於聖世矣。 臣伏自惟省,無錐刀之用。 及觀陛下之所拔授,若以臣為異姓,竊自料度,不後於朝士矣。 若得辭遠游,戴武弁,解朱組,佩青紱,駙馬、奉車,趣得一號,安宅京室,執鞭珥筆,出從華蓋,入侍輦轂,承答聖問,拾遺左右,乃臣丹誠之至願,不離於夢想者也。 遠慕鹿鳴君臣之宴,中詠常棣匪他之誡,下思伐木友生之義,終懷蓼莪罔極之哀; 每四節之會,塊然獨處,左右惟僕隸,所對惟妻子,高談無所與陳,發義無所與展,未嘗不聞樂而拊心,臨觴而嘆息也。 臣伏以為犬馬之誠不能動人,譬人之誠不能動天。 崩城、隕霜,臣初信之,以臣心況,徒虛語耳。 若葵藿之傾葉,太陽雖不為之回光,然向之者誠也。 竊自比於葵藿,若降天地之施,垂三光之明者,實在陛下。 臣聞文子曰:『不為福始,不為禍先。』 今之否隔,友於同憂,而臣獨倡言者,竊不願於聖世使有不蒙施之物。 有不蒙施之物,必有慘毒之懷,故柏舟有『天只』之怨,穀風有『棄予』之嘆。 故伊尹恥其君不為堯舜,孟子曰:『不以舜之所以事堯事其君者,不敬其君者也。』 臣之愚蔽,固非虞、伊,至於欲使陛下崇光被時雍之美,宣緝熙章明之德者,是臣慺慺之誠,竊所獨守,實懷鶴立企佇之心。 敢復陳聞者,冀陛下儻發天聰而垂神聽也。 詔報曰:『蓋教化所由,各有隆弊,非皆善始而惡終也,事使之然。 故夫忠厚仁極草木,則行葦之詩作; 恩澤衰薄,不親九族,則角弓之章刺。 今令諸國兄弟,情理簡怠,妃妾之家,膏沐疏略,朕縱不能敦而睦之,王援古喻義備悉矣,何言精誠不足以感通哉? 夫明貴賤,崇親親,禮賢良,順少長,國之綱紀,本無禁固諸國通問之詔也,矯枉過正,下吏懼譴,以至於此耳。 已敕有司,如王所訴。』 植覆上疏陳審舉之義,曰:臣聞天地協氣而萬物生,君臣合德而庶政成; 五帝之世非皆智,三季之末非皆愚,用與不用,知與不知也。 既時有舉賢之名,而無得賢之實,必各援其類而進矣。 諺曰:『相門有相,將門有將。』 夫相者,文德昭者也; 將者,武功烈者也。 文德昭,則可以匡國朝,致雍熙,稷、契、夔、龍是也; 武功烈,則所以征不庭,威四夷,南仲、方叔是矣。 昔伊尹之為媵臣,至賤也,呂尚之處屠釣,至陋也,及其見舉於湯武、周文,誠道合志同,玄謨神通,豈復假近習之薦,因左右之介哉。 書曰:『有不世之君,必能用不世之臣; 用不世之臣,必能立不世之功。』 殷周二王是矣。 若夫齷齪近步,遵常守故,安足為陛下言哉? 故陰陽不和,三光不暢,官曠無人,庶政不整者,三司之責也。 疆埸騷動,方隅內侵,沒軍喪眾,干戈不息者,邊將之憂也。 豈可虛荷國寵而不稱其任哉? 故任益隆者負益重,位益高者責益深,書稱『無曠庶官』,詩有『職思其憂』,此其義也。 陛下體天真之淑聖,登神機以繼統,冀聞康哉之歌,偃武行文之美。 而數年以來,水旱不時,民困衣食,師徒之發,歲歲增調,加東有覆敗之軍,西有殪沒之將,至使蚌蛤浮翔於淮、泗,鼲鼬讙嘩於林木。 臣每念之,未嘗不輟食而揮餐,臨觴而搤腕矣。 昔漢文發代,疑朝有變,宋昌曰:『內有朱虛、東牟之親,外有齊、楚、淮南、琅邪,此則磐石之宗,願王勿疑。』 臣伏惟陛下遠覽姬文二虢之援,中慮周成召、畢之輔,下存宋昌磐石之固。 昔騏驥之於吳阪,可謂困矣,及其伯樂相之,孫郵御之,形體不勞而坐取千里。 蓋伯樂善御馬,明君善御臣; 伯樂馳千里,明君致太平; 誠任賢使能之明效也。 若朝司惟良,萬機內理,武將行師,方難克弭。 陛下可得雍容都城,何事勞動鑾駕,暴露於邊境哉? 臣聞羊質虎皮,見草則悅,見豺則戰,忘其皮之虎也。 今置將不良,有似於此。 故語曰:『患為之者不知,知之者不得為也。』 昔樂毅奔趙,心不忘燕; 廉頗在楚,思為趙將。 臣生乎亂,長乎軍,又數承教於武皇帝,伏見行師用兵之要,不必取孫、吳而闇與之合。 竊揆之於心,常願得一奉朝覲,排金門,蹈玉陛,列有職之臣,賜須臾之問,使臣得一散所懷,攄舒蘊積,死不恨矣。 被鴻臚所下發士息書,期會甚急。 又聞豹尾已建,戎軒騖駕,陛下將復勞玉躬,擾掛神思。 臣誠竦息,不遑寧處。 願得策馬執鞭,首當塵露,撮風後之奇,接孫、吳之要,追慕卜商起予左右,效命先驅,畢命輪轂,雖無大益,冀有小補。 然天高聽遠,情不上通,徒獨望青雲而拊心,仰高天而嘆息耳。 屈平曰:『國有驥而不知乘,焉皇皇而更索!』 昔管、蔡放誅,周、召作弼; 叔魚陷刑,叔向匡國。 三監之釁,臣自當之; 二南之輔,求必不遠。 華宗貴族,藩王之中,必有應斯舉者。 故傳曰:『無周公之親,不得行周公之事。』 唯陛下少留意焉。 近者漢氏廣建藩王,豐則連城數十,約則饗食祖祭而已,未若姬周之樹國,五等之品制之。 若扶蘇之諫始皇,淳于越之難周青臣,可謂知時變矣。 夫能使天下傾耳註目者,當權者是矣,故謀能移主,威能懾下。 豪右執政,不在親戚; 權之所在,雖疏必重,勢之所去,雖親必輕,蓋取齊者田族,非呂宗也。 分晉者趙、魏,非姬姓也。 唯陛下察之。 苟吉專其位,凶離其患者,異姓之臣也。 欲國之安,祈家之貴,存共其榮,沒同其禍者,公族之臣也。 今反公族疏而異姓親,臣竊惑焉。 臣聞孟子曰:『君子窮則獨善其身,達則兼善天下。』 今臣與陛下踐冰履炭,登山浮澗,寒溫燥濕,高下共之,豈得離陛下哉? 不勝憤懣,拜表陳情。 若有不合,乞且藏之書府,不便滅棄,臣死之後,事或可思。 若有豪釐少掛聖意者,乞出之朝堂,使夫博古之士,糾臣表之不合義者。 如是,則臣願足矣。
Heaven is called high because it roofs all things; earth is called wide because it bears all things; sun and moon are called bright because they light all corners; the rivers and seas are called great because they hold all streams. Confucius said: How great was Yao! Heaven alone is great, and Yao patterned himself on it. Heaven’s kindness to creation is boundless. Yao taught: cherish kin before strangers, the near before the far. The canon says: “He spread his bright virtue to draw the nine clans near;" when the nine clans were at peace, he brought order to the hundred families. King Wen did the same; the Odes sing: “He taught wife and brothers, then ruled clan and kingdom." So harmony filled the hall. The poets praised it. When the Duke of Zhou grieved over Guan and Cai, he packed the realm with kin to fence the throne—the saying runs: “In Zhou’s league, outsiders stood last." Kin may wander but the tie holds; no loyal man forgets his prince, no humane man abandons family. You mirror Yao and Wen, bless harem and clan, let princes and ministers take turns at court yet still tend their homes—surely that is the way of mercy. Yet I alone am severed from kin, caged in this bright reign—I grieve for myself. I dare not dream of full friendship or ordered ritual among men. We cannot wed across houses, brothers never meet, no word of weal or woe passes—we are colder than strangers, farther apart than north from south. One law bars me from your face forever—yet my heart knots at the palace gate; the gods know it. Heaven has willed this—what can I say? I know my royal brothers ache as I do; send one generous edict so princes may visit at the seasons and feel human warmth again. Restore the easy love of kinsmen. Let wives’ kin exchange gifts twice a year, treat them like great houses, share bounty with officials—then the Odes’ praise of family love will live again in our day. I know I am not worth a knife-tip’s service. Yet those you raise from outside the blood—I do not think myself less than they. Let me shed my princedom, wear a soldier’s cap or clerk’s green, tend your chariot, keep house in Luoyang, take notes at your stirrup—this is the prayer I mutter in sleep. High I long for the “Deer Call” feast; mid I heed “Changdi’s” warning; low I recall “Felling Trees” friendship; always I mourn like “Thick Motherwort’s” child; each quarter-day I sit alone with servants and wives, no friend for high talk—so music wrings my heart and wine draws only sighs. A dog’s loyalty does not sway men; a gnat’s zeal does not move Heaven. I once believed tales of cities crumbling to grief and frost from wronged wives—against my own case, they ring hollow. Sunflowers turn to the sun though the sun does not turn to them—still they are true. I am that sunflower; if any grace falls, it falls from you alone. Wenzi said: “Do not court fortune, do not court ruin." Brothers all suffer this wall—yet I speak first, for I cannot bear that any soul miss your rain in a reign like yours. Neglect breeds poison—the Odes knew it in “Cypress Boat” and “Valley Wind.” Yi Yin blushed for any king less than Yao; Mencius said serving a prince without Shun’s zeal is disrespect. I am no sage, yet I beg you to shine like Yao and spread harmony—I stand like a crane on one leg, waiting. I speak again, praying you will listen once. The emperor answered: Ways of rule rise and fall—not every age turns sour; circumstance shapes them. When kindness ran deep even to reeds, poets sang “Walking Rushes”; when kin grew cold, they satirized it in “Horn Bow.” I have let brotherly love grow thin and neglected gifts between in-laws—you have argued from the Odes with full right; can you say the heart cannot reach? Clarifying rank, cherishing kin, honoring talent, and ordering age are the law’s spine—no edict ever meant to seal your doors; over-correction and timid clerks did that. I have told the ministries to grant what you ask. Zhi wrote again on choosing officials: Heaven and earth’s breath makes the world live; ruler and minister in tune make government work; the Five Thearchs’ court was not all sages, the last kings’ not all fools—it is use and insight that matter. When “raising worthies” is only a slogan, every man promotes his own pack. The proverb runs: “Prime ministers beget prime ministers, generals beget generals." A minister shines in civil virtue; a general blazes in martial deeds. Civil men set the court straight—think of Ji and Qi; martial men chastise rebels—think of Nanzhong and Fangshu. Yi Yin was a cook, Lü Wang a peddler—yet Tang and Wen raised them; heart met heart, no need of petty introductions. The classic says: A matchless king uses matchless servants; matchless servants win matchless deeds. So it was for Yin and Zhou. Small men hug routine—why waste your ear on them? When yin and yang clash, stars dim, posts stand empty, and policy drifts—the Three Dukes have failed. When frontiers boil, invaders cross, armies die, and war never ends—the field commanders have failed. How bear the state’s pay and not pay the debt? Higher rank means heavier blame—the Documents warn against empty chairs, the Odes tell officers to dread their charge. You are sage and true heir—you mean to hear “How vast,” to trade spears for laws. Yet flood and famine follow, the people hunger, levies mount, eastern hosts are routed, western generals die—and omens rise: shellfish on the Si, vermin in the wood. Each time I think of it I push my food away and grip my wrist over the wine. When Han Wendi came from Dai, Song Chang told him: “Inside you have stalwart kin; outside lie great fiefs—you are rock; do not fear." Look high to Wen’s use of Guo, think mid to Cheng’s use of Shao and Bi, remember low how Song Chang steadied the Han throne. A steed on Wu Slope was spent—yet Bole picked him, Sun You drove him, and he flew a thousand li untired. Bole mastered horses; the wise king masters men; Bole drew out a thousand li; the king draws out the Great Peace; proof that right men in right posts make the realm whole. Fit ministers, smooth government, able generals—and border troubles melt away. You could keep your majesty in Luoyang; why ride the war train to the marches? A sheep dressed as a tiger still loves grass and fears wolves—it forgets the disguise. Bad appointments of commanders are the same folly. The proverb runs: fools suffer what sages see—but cannot fix. Yue Yi fled to Zhao but his heart stayed in Yan; Lian Po, an exile in Chu, begged to lead Zhao’s spears again. I grew up under arms with Emperor Wu’s lessons—I know war’s heart without reciting Sunzi. I ask only one audience—to cross your threshold, speak my piece, and die content. The Herald’s levy order came with a cruel deadline. Word says your banner marches and you mean to take the field again—my heart fails me. I tremble and cannot sit still. Let me ride first, take your dust, use what I learned from Wu—die at the van if you will; even a little use would suffice. Yet you are far as heaven; my words never rise—I beat my breast at empty sky. Qu Yuan cried: "You keep a thoroughbred in the stable yet hunt for nags!" When Guan and Cai fell, Zhou and Shao still held the house; Shuyu went to the block; Shuxiang righted Jin. If the Three Overseers’ guilt returns, let it fall on me; helpers like the Odes’ southern masters—surely they stand near at hand. Among your kinsmen-princes someone can answer this call. The old text says: no Zhou kin, no Zhou-sized task. I beg you weigh these words. Han’s princes ran from vast domains to mere temple stipends—nothing like Zhou’s ordered ladder of lords. Fusu and Chunyu Yue read the turning tide—so should we. Power draws every eye; plots move kings, dread rules ministers. Great houses seize the wheel—not your blood kin; Power makes strangers heavy and kin light—the Tian stole Qi, not the Lü. Jin fell to Zhao and Wei, not to Zhou’s own line. Consider this, I pray. Outsiders ride your luck and quit your storm. Kin sink or swim with the throne—that is our kind. Today you favor strangers and chill your brothers—I cannot understand it. Mencius said: the noble man mends himself in poverty and blesses the world when risen. You and I have shared ice and fire, hill and flood—how should I part from you now? I choke on rage and set it down in this memorial. If it offends, shelve it, do not burn it—after my death it may be read. If a line rings false, publish it and let the learned correct me in daylight. That would fulfill my prayer.
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帝輒優文答報。 〈《魏略》曰:是後大發士息,及取諸國士。 植以近前諸國士息已見發,孤稚弱,在者無幾,而復被取,乃上書曰:『臣聞古者聖君,與日月齊其明,四時等其信,是以戮凶無重,賞善無輕,怒若驚霆,喜若時雨,恩不中絕,教無二可,以此臨朝,則臣下知所死矣。 受任在萬里之外,審主之所授官,必己之所以投命,雖有構會之徒,泊然不以為懼者,蓋君臣相信之明效也。 昔章子為齊將,人有告之反者,威王曰:「不然。」 左右曰:「王何以明之?」 王曰:「聞章子改葬死母; 彼尚不欺死父,顧當叛生君乎?」 此君之信臣也。 昔管仲親射桓公,後幽囚從魯檻車載,使少年輓而送齊。 管仲知桓公之必用己,懼魯之悔,謂少年曰:「吾為汝唱,汝為和,聲和聲,宜走。」 於是管仲唱之,少年走而和之,日行數百裡,宿昔而至。 至則相齊,此臣之信君也。 臣初受封,策書曰:「植受茲青社,封於東土,以屏翰皇家,為魏藩輔。」 而所得兵百五十人,皆年在耳順,或不逾矩,虎賁官騎及親事凡二百餘人。 正復不老,皆使年壯,備有不虞,檢校乘城,顧不足以自救,況皆復耄耋罷曳乎? 而名為魏東藩,使屏翰王室,臣竊自羞矣。 就之諸國,國有士子,合不過五百人。 伏以為三軍益損,不復賴此。 方外不定,必當須辦者,臣願將部曲倍道奔赴,夫妻負襁,子弟懷糧,蹈鋒履刃,以徇國難,何但習業小兒哉? 愚誠以揮涕增河,鼷鼠飲海,於朝萬無損益,於臣家計甚有廢損。 又臣士息前後三送,兼人已竭。 惟尚有小兒,七八歲已上,十六七已還,三十餘人。 今部曲皆年耆,卧在床席,非糜不食,眼不能視,氣息裁屬者,凡三十七人; 疲瘵風靡,疣盲聾聵者,二十三人。 惟正須此小兒,大者可備宿衛,雖不足以禦寇,粗可以警小盜; 小者未堪大使,為可使耘鉏穢草,驅護鳥雀。 休侯人則一事廢,一日獵則眾業散,不親自經營則功不攝; 常自躬親,不委下吏而已。 陛下聖仁,恩詔三至,士子給國,長不複發。 明詔之下,有若皦日,保金石之恩,必明神之信,畫然自固,如天如地。 定習業者並復見送,晻若晝晦,悵然失圖。 伏以為陛下既爵臣百寮之右,居藩國之任,為置卿士,屋名為宮,冢名為陵,不使其危居獨立,無異於凡庶。 若柏成欣於野耕,子仲樂於灌園; 蓬戶茅牖,原憲之宅也; 陋巷簞瓢,顏子之居也:臣才不見效用,常慨然執斯志焉。 若陛下聽臣悉還部曲,罷官屬,省監官,使解璽釋紱,追柏成、子仲之業,營顏淵、原憲之事,居子臧之廬,宅延陵之室。 如此,雖進無成功,退有可守,身死之日,猶松、喬也。 然伏度國朝終未肯聽臣之若是,固當羈絆於世繩,維繫於祿位,懷屑屑之小憂,執無已之百念,安得蕩然肆志,逍遙於宇宙之外哉? 此願未從,陛下必欲崇親親,篤骨肉,潤白骨而榮枯木者,惟遂仁德以副前恩詔。』 皆遂還之。〉
The emperor always replied with kind words. 〈The Weilüe: then came the great draft of princes’ household troops. Zhi wrote again: the ancient sage matched sun and moon in justice and the seasons in promise—punishment sure, reward swift—so every servant knew where to lay down his life. A man sent far trusts his orders; even slander cannot shake him—that is true faith between prince and servant. Formerly Tian Zhang served as Qi’s general; someone reported him rebellious; King Wei said, "It is not so." Those at his side said, "How does the king know?" He said: “Zhang would not cheat his dead mother’s grave— would he betray a living king?” That is a lord who trusts his man. Guan Zhong once shot Huan, then rode to Qi in Lu’s cage-cart, boys hauling the rope. Guan Zhong knew Duke Huan would surely use him, feared Lu would repent, and told the youths, "I will lead the song, you harmonize; when voice matches voice, you should run." They ran hundreds of li a day to his song and reached Qi overnight. He became Huan’s minister—faith cuts both ways. My patent read: “You take the green soil of the east to fence the royal house.” Yet I was given one hundred fifty troops, all past sixty, plus two hundred guards—every man gray. Even young men could not hold my walls; these ancients could not save themselves, let alone you. You call me the eastern shield—yet I blush at the jest. All princes together can muster fewer than five hundred fit men. The hosts do not need these few souls. If war calls, I will march my whole household at double time—wives, babes, grain sacks—not “schoolboys.” My tears cannot fill a river; my mice cannot drain the sea—this levy helps you not at all and ruins me. You have taken my men three times; the strong are gone. Only thirty-odd boys from eight to sixteen remain. Thirty-seven are bedridden, half blind, barely breathing; twenty-three are crippled, deaf, or blind. The older boys might guard my gate; they will not stop an army but may scare a thief; the younger can weed the garden and shoo birds. Lose one farmhand and a chore stalls; lose a hunt-day and a dozen trades scatter; I must do these tasks myself. Your edict thrice promised: boys pledged to the state would not be called again. That order shone like noon; I trusted it like iron, like oath before the gods. Now you take even my trainees—day turned to night; I am lost. You made me a prince, gave me ministers, called my house a palace—surely you did not mean to leave me as poor as any peasant. If I were Bo Cheng at the plow or Zizhong at the well— a wattle gate was good enough for Yuan Xian; a narrow lane enough for Yan Hui—I have no use for rank, yet I sigh toward such simplicity. Strip me of guards, seal, and stewards; let me live like Yan Hui in a lane— then failure in office would still leave me honor—I could die like an immortal hermit. Yet you will never free me—I stay tied to stipend and fret, never walking the void. If you will not loose my bonds, then honor your old mercy and spare my last boys. They sent the boys back.〉
98
其年冬,詔諸王朝六年正月。
That winter he summoned all princes to Luoyang for New Year of 232.
99
子志嗣,徙封濟北王。 景初中詔曰:『陳思王昔雖有過失,既克己慎行,以補前闕,且自少至終,篇籍不離於手,誠難能也。 其收黃初中諸奏植罪狀,公卿已下議尚書、秘書、中書三府、大鴻臚者皆削除之。 撰錄植前後所著賦頌詩銘雜論凡百餘篇,副藏內外。』 志累增邑,並前九百九十戶。 〈志別傳曰:志字允恭,好學有才行。 晉武帝為中撫軍,迎常道鄉公於鄴,志夜與帝相見,帝與語,從暮至旦,甚器之。 及受禪,改封鄄城公。 發詔以志為樂平太守,歷章武、趙郡,遷散騎常侍、國子博士,後轉博士祭酒。 及齊王攸當之藩,下禮官議崇錫之典,志嘆曰:『安有如此之才,如此之親,而不得樹本助化,而遠出海隅者乎?』 乃建議以諫,辭旨甚切。 帝大怒,免志官。 後復為散騎常侍。 志遭母憂,居喪盡哀,因得疾病,喜怒失常,太康九年卒,謚曰定公。〉
His son Cao Zhi inherited the title and was moved to Jibei. Under Jingchu an edict ran: “Cao Zhi sinned once, then mended his ways; brush never left his hand—a rare man.” He ordered every Huangchu charge-sheet against Zhi burned from the archives. Zhi’s hundred-odd works were copied into palace and public stores. Cao Zhi’s heir saw his appanage raised in steps to nine hundred ninety households in all. 〈Cao Zhi the son: courtesy Yungong, a learned and capable man. When Sima Yan met Cao Zhi at Ye they talked from dusk till dawn; he thought highly of him. At his accession he made Zhi Duke of Juancheng. He sent Zhi through Leping, Zhangwu, and Zhao to Palace Attendant, academy erudite, then chancellor of students. When Sima You was packed off to his fief, Zhi cried: “So much wit, so close a brother—yet you send him to the coast?” He drafted a blunt memorial against it. The emperor sacked him in a rage. Later he was again Palace Attendant. He mourned his mother to illness, lost his temper, and died in 288—posthumously Duke Ding.〉
100
蕭懷王曹熊
Cao Xiong, Prince Xiaohuai.
101
蕭懷王熊,早薨。 黃初二年追封謚蕭懷公。 太和三年,又追封爵為王。 青龍二年,子哀王炳嗣,食邑二千五百戶。 六年薨,無子,國除。
Cao Xiong, Prince Xiaohuai, died in childhood. In 221 he was posthumously named Duke Xiaohuai of Xiao. In 229 his posthumous rank was raised to prince. In 234 his son Cao Bing inherited, with twenty-five hundred households. He died in 238 without heir; the fief was struck out.
102
評曰:任城武藝壯猛,有將領之氣。 陳思文才富艷,足以自通後葉,然不能克讓遠防,終致攜隙。 傳曰『楚則失之矣。 而齊亦未為得也』,其此之謂歟! 〈魚豢曰:諺言『貧不學儉,卑不學恭』,非人性分也,勢使然耳。 此實然之勢,信不虛矣。 假令太祖防遏植等,在於疇昔,此賢之心,何緣有窺望乎? 彰之挾恨,尚無所至。 至於植者,豈能興難? 乃令楊脩以倚註遇害,丁儀以希意族滅,哀夫! 餘每覽植之華採,思若有神。 以此推之,太祖之動心,亦良有以也。〉』
The historian’s verdict: Cao Zhang combined raw strength and martial dash—he was born to lead armies. Cao Zhi’s genius was lush enough to speak across the centuries, yet he could not yield nor look far ahead—and so he came to grief with his kin. The old gloss runs: Chu missed the mark— yet Qi hardly did better—surely that saying fits this case! 〈Yu Huan: “Poverty teaches thrift without lessons; low rank teaches deference without lessons”—not fate, but force of circumstance. That is how power shapes men—no empty word. Had Cao Cao curbed Zhi early, would loyal hearts ever have dreamed of the throne? Zhang’s bitterness never went that far. As for Zhi—could he ever have raised a revolt? Yet Yang Xiu died for taking Zhi’s part, Ding Yi’s whole house perished for flattery—how pitiful! Whenever I read Zhi’s verse, I feel something almost daemonic in it. Small wonder Cao Cao’s heart wavered when faced with such a gift.〉