1
劉繇，字正禮，東萊牟平人也。 齊孝王少子封牟平侯，子孫家焉。 繇伯父寵，為漢太尉。 〈续汉书曰：繇祖父本，师受经传，博学群书，号为通儒。 举贤良方正，为般长，卒官。 宠字祖荣，受父业，以经明行修，举孝廉，光禄 （大夫） 察四行，除东平陵令。 视事数年，以母病弃官，百姓士民攀舆拒轮，充塞道路，车不得前，乃止亭，轻服潜遁，归脩供养。 后辟大将军府，稍迁会稽太守，正身率下，郡中大治。 徵入为将作大匠。 山阴县民去治数十里有若邪中在山谷间，五六老翁年皆七八十，闻宠迁，相率共送宠，人赍百钱。 宠见，劳来曰：“父老何乃自苦远来！” 皆对曰：“山谷鄙老，生未尝至郡县。 他时吏发求不去，民间或夜不绝狗吠，竟夕民不得安。 自明府下车以来，狗不夜吠，吏稀至民间，年老遭值圣化，今闻当见弃去，故戮力来送。” 宠谢之，为选受一大钱，故会稽号宠为取一钱太守。 其清如是。 宠前后历二郡，八居九列，四登三事。 家不藏贿，无重宝器，恆菲饮食，薄衣服，弊车羸马，号为窭陋。 三去相位，辄归本土。 往来京师，常下道脱骖过，人莫知焉。 宠尝欲止亭，亭吏止之曰：“整顿传舍，以待刘公，不可得止。” 宠因过去。 其廉俭皆此类也。 以老病卒于家。〉 繇兄岱，字公山，歷位侍中，兗州刺史。 〈续汉书曰：繇父舆，一名方，山阳太守。 岱、繇皆有隽才。 《英雄记》称岱孝悌仁恕，以虚己受人。〉
Liu Yao, styled Zhengli, came from Mouping in Donglai commandery. The youngest son of Prince Xiao of Qi had been enfeoffed as Marquis of Mouping, and his descendants settled there. Yao's uncle Liu Chong held the Han office of Grand Commandant. 〈According to the Continued Book of Han, Yao's grandfather Liu Ben took instruction in the Classics and histories, read widely, and was known as a Confucian master of comprehensive learning. Recommended as worthy and upright, he served as chief of Pan district and died while holding that post. Liu Chong, styled Zurong, continued his father's scholarship; honored for classical learning and upright conduct, he earned recommendation as filial and incorrupt and entered the Guangluxun cadre (completing the compound title: Supervising Secretary under the Masters of Writing) After evaluation of the four virtues of conduct, he was appointed magistrate of Dongpingling. After a few years in office he resigned to nurse his ailing mother; townspeople clung to his carriage until the roads were impassable. He halted at a relay station, changed into humble clothes, and vanished quietly homeward to devote himself to her care. Summoned to staff the Grand General's headquarters, he rose step by step to Grand Administrator of Kuaiji, where personal rectitude set the tone and good order prevailed. The court recalled him as Director of Palace Construction. In Shanyin, settlements lay dozens of li from the capital in the Ruoye valleys—five or six men in their seventies and eighties who heard Liu Chong was leaving banded together to send him off, each bearing a hundred coins. Seeing them, Chong urged them to spare themselves: Why should you elders wear yourselves out with such a journey! They answered, We old hill folk have never once visited the county or commandery seat. In other years, when clerks came demanding levies, we could never be rid of them; dogs might yap all night, and we never knew a peaceful dusk. Since you arrived, nights are free of barking dogs and clerks seldom trouble our homes; we old folk have tasted enlightened government. Learning you are being forced away, we turned out in force to bid you farewell. Chong thanked them and arranged for each to accept but one large copper coin—hence Kuaiji dubbed him "the grand administrator who took a single coin." Such was his austerity. Liu Chong governed two commanderies in succession, rose eight times into the Nine Ministers' ranks, and four times reached the Three Excellencies. He kept no illicit wealth, owned no costly treasures, ate simply, dressed plainly, and rode in ramshackle wagons with worn-out horses—people called his household threadbare. Three times he stepped down from chief ministership and each time returned to his home commandery. On journeys to and from the capital he routinely slipped off the highway, unhitched a side horse, and rode past unrecognized. Once Liu Chong meant to halt at a courier station, but the attendant barred him: We are preparing the lodge for Minister Liu—you cannot stay. Chong accordingly rode on. His integrity and thrift ran in this vein throughout. He ended his days at home, worn down by age and sickness.〉 His elder brother Liu Dai, styled Gongshan, served in turn as Palace Attendant and Inspector of Yan Province. 〈The Continued Book of Han records Yao's father Liu Yu—also called Fang—as Grand Administrator of Shanyang. Both Dai and Yao were men of remarkable ability. The Record of Heroes praises Dai for filial devotion, kindness, and tolerance, and for receiving others with humble openness.〉
2
繇年十九，從父韙為賊所劫質。 繇篡取以歸，由是顯名。 舉孝廉，為郎中，除下邑長。 時郡守以貴戚托之，遂棄官去。 州辟部濟南，濟南相中常侍子，貪穢不循，繇奏免之。 平原陶丘洪薦繇，欲令舉茂才。 刺吏曰：「前年舉公山。 奈何復舉正禮乎？」 洪曰：「若明使君用公山於前，擢正禮於後，所謂御二龍於長塗，騁騏驥於千里，不亦可乎！」 會辟司空掾，除侍御史，不就。 避亂淮浦，詔書以為揚州刺史。 時袁術在淮南，繇畏憚，不敢之州。 欲南渡江，吳景，孫賁迎置曲阿。 術圖為僭逆，攻沒諸郡縣。 繇遣樊能、張英屯江邊以拒之。 以景、賁術所授用，乃迫逐使去。 於是術乃自置揚州刺史，與景、賁並力攻英、能等，歲余不下。 漢命加繇為牧，振武將軍，眾數萬人。 孫策東渡，破英、能等。 繇奔丹徒， 〈袁宏《汉纪》曰：刘繇将奔会稽，许子将曰：“会稽富实，策之所贪，且穷在海隅，不可往也。 不如豫章，北连豫壤，西接荆州。 若收合吏民，遣使贡献，与曹兗州相闻，虽有袁公路隔在其间，其人豺狼，不能久也。 足下受王命，孟德、景升必相救济。” 繇从之。〉 遂泝江南保豫章，駐彭澤。 笮融先至。 〈笮音壮力反。〉 殺太守朱皓， 〈《献帝春秋》曰：是岁，繇屯彭泽，又使融助皓讨刘表所用太守诸葛玄。 许子将谓繇曰：“笮融出军，不顾 （命） 名义者也。 硃文明善推诚以信人，宜使密防之。” 融到，果诈杀皓，代领郡事。〉 入居郡中。 繇進討融，為融所破，更復招合屬縣，攻破融，融敗走人山。 為民所殺。 繇尋病卒，時年四十二。
At nineteen, Yao saw his uncle Wei taken hostage by bandits. He wrested his uncle free and brought him home—a deed that made his name. Recommended as filial and incorrupt, he became a Gentleman of the Palace and was named magistrate of Xiayi. The grand administrator, a man of influential kin, tried to trade on Yao's office; Yao resigned and walked away. The provincial inspector called him to Jinan's staff; the commandery chancellor there was a palace eunuch's son—venal and lawless—so Yao impeached him and secured his removal. Tao Qiuhong of Pingyuan urged Yao's nomination as Outstanding Talent. The inspector replied, "I already nominated Gongshan two years ago. How can I elevate Zhengli as well?" Hong said, "If you advance Gongshan first and lift Zhengli next, you harness two dragons on the long road and let twin steeds run a thousand li—what could be better! He was then summoned as aide to the Minister of Works and offered the post of Palace Assistant Clerk, which he declined. He took refuge at Huaipu amid the chaos; an edict named him Inspector of Yang Province. Yuan Shu held Huainan, and Yao, wary of him, hesitated to enter his jurisdiction. Planning to cross the river southward, he was received by Wu Jing and Sun Ben, who settled him at Qu'e. Yuan Shu aimed at rebellion, overrunning commanderies and counties. Yao stationed Fan Neng and Zhang Ying along the river to hold him off. Because Wu Jing and Sun Ben held appointments from Yuan Shu, Yao drove them out. Yuan Shu then installed his own inspector of Yang Province and joined Jing and Ben in besieging Ying and Neng—yet after a year still could not break them. The Han court promoted Yao to governor, General Who Shakes Might, at the head of tens of thousands of men. Sun Ce crossed to the east and routed Fan Neng and Zhang Ying. Yao retreated toward Dantu 〈Yuan Hong's Han Annals records that as Liu Yao prepared to withdraw to Kuaiji, Xu Shao warned him: Kuaiji is prosperous—exactly what Sun Ce wants—and tucked away at the ocean's rim offers no refuge. Yuzhang is better: it links northward with the Central Plain and touches Jingzhou on the west. Rally officials and people, send tribute, and open channels to Cao Cao in Yan—even with Yuan Shu between you, that predator cannot endure long. You carry imperial mandate; Cao Cao and Liu Biao will surely lend relief. Yao took his counsel.〉 He therefore moved upriver on the southern shore to secure Yuzhang and camped at Pengze. Ze Rong got there ahead of him. 〈Pronunciation note: Ze is given the fanqie reading zhuang-li fan.〉 He murdered Grand Administrator Zhu Hao 〈The Annals of Emperor Xian notes that Yao camped at Pengze and detached Ze Rong to help Zhu Hao against Zhuge Xuan, Liu Biao's appointee as grand administrator. Xu Shao told Yao, When Ze Rong takes the field he shows no regard for his orders— or for honor and duty. Zhu Hao is trusting by nature; have him watch Ze Rong closely. Ze Rong arrived, murdered Zhu Hao by treachery, and usurped the commandery.〉 He moved into the administrative center. Yao marched against Ze Rong but lost; regrouping his counties, he routed Ze Rong, who fled broken into the hills. Commoners killed him. Yao died of illness not long after, at forty-two.
3
笮融者，丹楊人。 初聚眾數百，往依徐州牧陶謙。 謙使督廣陵、彭城運漕，遂放縱擅殺，坐斷三郡委輸以自入。 乃大起浮圖祠，以銅為人，黃金塗身，衣以錦采，垂銅槃九重，下為重樓閣道，可容三千餘人。 悉課讀佛經，令界內及旁郡人有好佛者聽受道，復其他役以招致之，由此遠近前後至者五千餘人戶。 每浴佛，多設酒飯，布席於路，經數十里，民人來觀及就食且萬人，費以巨億計。 曹公攻陶謙，徐土騷動，融將男女數萬口，馬三千匹，走廣陵，廣陵太守趙昱待以賓禮。 先是，彭城相薛禮為陶謙所逼，屯秣陵。 融利廣陵之眾，因酒酣殺昱，放兵大略，因載而去。 過殺禮，然後殺皓。
Ze Rong came from Danyang. He first raised a few hundred men and threw in his lot with Tao Qian, governor of Xu Province. Tao Qian put him in charge of grain transport between Guangling and Pengcheng; Ze Rong then slaughtered freely and seized the riverborne revenue of three commanderies for himself. He erected vast Buddhist shrines: bronze statues gilded with gold, robed in figured silk, hung with nine tiers of bronze bowls, and under them built tiered galleries and elevated walks seating three thousand souls. He set disciples to chanting sutras, welcomed Buddhists from his territory and beyond by waiving other corvée, and drew more than five thousand households from every quarter. At each ritual bathing of the Buddha he laid out feasts along miles of roadway; tens of thousands thronged to watch and eat, at a cost reckoned in hundreds of millions. When Cao Cao struck Tao Qian, Xu Province churned; Ze Rong fled toward Guangling with tens of thousands of people and three thousand horses. Zhao Yu, grand administrator of Guangling, welcomed him as an honored guest. Earlier, Xue Li, chancellor of Pengcheng—harried by Tao Qian—had camped at Moling. Coveting Guangling's manpower, Ze Rong murdered Zhao Yu in his cups, unleashed his men to loot widely, then marched away laden with spoils. En route he slew Xue Li, then later murdered Zhu Hao.
4
後策西伐江夏，還過豫章，收載繇喪，善遇其家。 王朗遺策書曰："劉正禮昔初臨州，未能自達，實賴尊門為之先後。 用能濟江成治，有所處定。 踐境之禮，感分結意，情在終始。 後以袁氏之嫌，稍更乖刺。 更以同盟，還為仇敵，原其本心，實非所樂。 康寧之後，常願渝平更成，復踐宿好。 一爾分離，款意不昭，奄然殂隕，可為傷恨。 知敦以厲薄，德以報怨，收骨育孤，哀亡愍存，捐既往之猜。 保六尺之托，誠深恩重分，美名厚實也。 昔魯人雖有齊怨，不廢喪紀，《春秋》善之，謂之得禮，誠良史之所宜借，鄉校之所歎聞。 正禮元子，致有志操，想必有以殊異。 威盛刑行，施之以恩，不亦優哉!"
Later Sun Ce campaigned west to Jiangxia; on his way back through Yuzhang he took charge of Liu Yao's funeral train and treated his kin with kindness. Wang Lang wrote Sun Ce: When Liu Zhengli first entered the province he could not stand on his own and indeed leaned on your family to open the way. Only thus could he cross the river, establish rule, and find his footing. The welcome at your border stirred him and sealed a bond meant to endure. Later, Yuan-clan suspicions drove them slowly apart. Though once allies, they became enemies—yet at heart neither had desired it. Once calm returned he longed to wipe away the breach and renew their old accord. That single rupture left fond intentions unspoken; his sudden death is cause for grief. I know you shore up the weak with generosity and answer injury with virtue—gathering his bones, raising his orphans, grieving the dead and cherishing the living, putting old mistrust aside. To safeguard a child's lone charge is profound grace and weighty duty—both honorable name and tangible good. The Lu, though they hated Qi, still observed mourning rites; the Spring and Autumn Annals approved this as proper ritual—an example historians should borrow and hearths should celebrate. Zhengli's eldest son has come forward with evident purpose and principle—no doubt he will prove extraordinary. When authority is firm and law has done its work, to overlay it with kindness—could anything be finer!
5
子基
Son: Ji
6
繇長子基，字敬輿。 年十四，居繇喪盡禮，故吏饋餉，皆無所受。 〈吴书曰：基遭多难，婴丁困苦，潜处味道，不以为戚。 与群弟居，常夜卧早起，妻妾希见其面。 诸弟敬惮，事之犹父。 不妄交游，门无杂宾。〉 姿容美好，孫權愛敬之。 權為驃騎將軍，辟東曹掾，拜輔義校尉、建忠中郎將。 權為吳王，遷基大農。 權嘗宴飲，騎都尉虞翻醉酒犯忤，權欲殺之，威怒甚盛，由基諫爭，翻以得免。 權大暑時，嘗於船中宴飲，於船樓上值雷雨，權以蓋自覆，又命覆基，餘人不得也。 其見待如此。 徙郎中令。 權稱尊號，改為光祿勳，分平尚書事。 年四十九卒。 後權為子霸納基女，賜第一區。 四時寵賜，與全、張比。 基二弟，鑠、尚，皆騎都尉。
His eldest son Liu Ji, styled Jingyu. At fourteen he observed his father's mourning with full ritual propriety, refusing every offering from old retainers. 〈The Wu Book says Ji knew repeated calamities and bitter poverty in youth, yet lived quietly cultivating the Way without nursing resentment. Living with his brothers he kept farmer's hours—his wives and concubines rarely glimpsed him. His brothers stood in awe of him and served him like a father. He formed no idle friendships; no riffraff darkened his door.〉 Handsome in face and deportment, he won Sun Quan's affection and esteem. While holding the title General of Agile Cavalry, Sun Quan called Liu Ji to staff the East Bureau and invested him as Colonel Who Supports Righteousness and General of the Household for Establishing Loyalty. After Sun Quan took the kingship of Wu, Liu Ji rose to Grand Minister of Agriculture. At a banquet Yu Fan, drunk, insulted Sun Quan, who in fury meant to execute him; Liu Ji's desperate pleading saved Fan's life. On a sweltering day Sun Quan banqueted on a boat; when a storm broke over the deckhouse he sheltered himself with a canopy and had one spread for Liu Ji alone—no one else was so favored. Such was the regard Sun Quan showed him. He was moved to the post of Prefect of the Palace Gentlemen. Upon Sun Quan's accession Liu Ji became Superintendent of the Imperial Household and jointly supervised secretariat business. He died at the age of forty-nine. Later Sun Quan married Liu Ji's daughter to his son Sun Ba and presented the family with a landed residence. Imperial largesse through the seasons matched what the Quan and Zhang families received. His brothers Liu Shuo and Liu Shang both served as Commandants of Cavalry.
7
太史慈
Taishi Ci
8
太史慈字子義，東萊黃人也。 少好學，仕郡奏曹史。 會郡與州有隙，曲直未分，以先聞者為善。 時州章已去，郡守恐後之，求可使者。 慈年二十一，以選行，晨夜取道，到洛陽，詣公車門，見州吏始欲求通。 慈問曰：「君欲通章邪？」 吏曰：「然。」 問：「章安在？」 曰：「車上。」 慈曰：「章題署得無誤邪？ 取來視之。」 吏殊不知其東萊人也，因為取章。 慈已先懷刀，便截敗之。 吏踴躍大呼，言「人壞我章」！ 慈將至車閒，與語曰：「向使君不以章相與，吾亦無因得敗之，是為吉凶禍福等耳，吾不獨受此罪。 豈若默然俱出去，可以存易亡，無事俱就刑辟。」 吏言：「君為郡敗吾章，已得如意，欲復亡為？」 慈答曰：「初受郡遣，但來視章通與未耳。 吾用意太過，乃相敗章。 今還，亦恐以此見譴怒，故俱欲去爾。」 吏然慈言，即日俱去。 慈既與出城，因遁還通郡章。 州家聞之，更遣吏通章，有司以格章之故不復見理，州受其短。 由是知名，而為州家所疾，恐受其禍，乃避之遼東。
Taishi Ci, styled Ziyi, hailed from Huang district in Donglai. As a youth he was bookish and held the commandery post of clerk for memorials. The commandery and provincial authorities were feuding with no verdict yet in sight—the side that lodged its report first would carry the day. The province had already dispatched its memorial; the grand administrator, afraid of coming second, looked for a courier. Taishi Ci, twenty-one, was picked for the run. He rode night and day to Luoyang, reached the Gate of the Imperial Coaches, and arrived as the provincial clerk was preparing to file. Taishi Ci asked, "Are you here to submit that memorial? The clerk said, "I am." Where is it?" In the wagon." Is the endorsement correct?" Taishi Ci asked. "Let me see it. Hand it over for inspection." Unaware that he faced a man from Donglai, the clerk produced the document. Taishi Ci had hidden a knife; he shredded the memorial on the spot. The clerk cried out, "He has destroyed my memorial! Taishi Ci drew him between the wagons: "Had you refused the document, I could not have torn it—good or ill, we share the blame equally. Better we slip away together in silence—trade ruin for survival—than hang separately for nothing." You shredded my memorial for their sake," the clerk shot back. "You have what you wanted—why run now?" The commandery sent me," Taishi Ci answered, "only to learn whether your memorial had gone in. I went further than intended and ruined it—with you. Going home I still face punishment over this—so flight suits us both." The clerk agreed; they fled together that very day. Once outside the walls Taishi Ci doubled back and filed the commandery's petition. The province dispatched another clerk, but the boards refused the case—the mishandled paperwork left the provincial side at fault. The exploit made his name—and earned the provincial inspector's hatred—so he took refuge in Liaodong.
9
北海相孔融聞而奇之，數遣人訊問其母，并致餉遺。 時融以黃巾寇暴，出屯都昌，為賊管亥所圍。 慈從遼東還，母謂慈曰：「汝與孔北海未嘗相見，至汝行後，贍恤殷勤，過於故舊，今為賊所圍，汝宜赴之。」 慈留三日，單步徑至都昌。 時圍尚未密，夜伺閒隙，得入見融，因求兵出斫賊。 融不聽，欲待外救。 未有至者，而圍日偪。 融欲告急平原相劉備，城中人無由得出，慈自請求行。 融曰：「今賊圍甚密，眾人皆言不可，卿意雖壯，無乃實難乎？」 慈對曰：「昔府君傾意於老母，老母感遇，遣慈赴府君之急，固以慈有可取，而來必有益也。 今眾人言不可，慈亦言不可，豈府君愛顧之義，老母遣慈之意邪？ 事已急矣，願府君無疑。」 融乃然之。 於是嚴行蓐食，須明，便帶鞬攝弓上馬，將兩騎自隨，各作一的持之，開門直出。 外圍下左右人並驚駭，兵馬互出。 慈引馬至城下塹內，植所持的各一，出射之，射之畢，徑入門。 明晨復如此，圍下人或起或臥，慈復植的，射之畢，復入門。 明晨復出如此，無復起者，於是下鞭馬直突圍中馳去。 比賊覺知，慈行已過，又射殺數人，皆應弦而倒，故無敢追者。 遂到平原，說備曰：「慈，東萊之鄙人也，與孔北海親非骨肉，比非鄉黨，特以名志相好，有分災共患之義。 今管亥暴亂，北海被圍，孤窮無援，危在旦夕。 以君有仁義之名，能救人之急，故北海區區，延頸恃仰，使慈冒白刃，突重圍，從萬死之中自託於君，惟君所以存之。」 備斂容答曰：「孔北海知世間有劉備邪！」 即遣精兵三千人隨慈。 賊聞兵至，解圍散走。 融既得濟，益奇貴慈，曰：「卿吾之少友也。」 事畢，還啟其母，母曰：「我喜汝有以報孔北海也。」
Kong Rong, chancellor of Beihai, heard the tale and took notice, repeatedly inquiring after Taishi Ci's mother and sending presents. Yellow Turban unrest had driven Kong Rong to camp at Duchang, where the outlaw Guan Hai surrounded him. When Taishi Ci came home from Liaodong, his mother said, "You have never met Kong Rong, yet since you left he has cared for me more faithfully than old companions—now bandits hem him in—you must go. Taishi Ci lingered three days, then walked alone straight to Duchang. The ring was still loose; under cover of night he found a gap, slipped in to Kong Rong, and asked for sortie troops. Kong Rong refused, insisting on waiting for reinforcements. Relief never came and the noose tightened daily. Kong Rong needed to alert Liu Bei in Pingyuan, yet no one could break out—Taishi Ci volunteered. "The rebels have sealed every gap," Kong Rong said. "All say it is impossible—your courage is great, but can you really do this?" My mother sent me because you honored her," Taishi Ci replied. "She believed I could help you. If everyone—including me—calls it hopeless, what becomes of your kindness and her charge? Time is short—please trust me." Kong Rong consented. They packed a meal; at first light Taishi Ci slung his quiver, seized his bow, mounted with two riders—each man carrying a straw target—and rode straight through the gate. Sentries along the berm recoiled as troops boiled forth. He rode into the ditch, planted the targets, emptied his bow at them, and wheeled back inside. Next dawn he repeated the display—watchmen lounged or slept—then planted fresh targets, shot them clear, and slipped back in. On the third morning no one stirred to stop him; he spurred through the lines and vanished. Before the rebels reacted he was gone, dropping pursuers with each shot until none followed. At Pingyuan he told Liu Bei, "I am a nobody from Donglai—not Kong Rong's kin nor neighbor—yet name and honor bind us to share peril. Guan Hai ravages the land; Beihai is ringed and alone—ruin is hours away. They say you are humane—you save the desperate—so Beihai cranes its neck toward you. I broke through at sword's edge to beg your aid." Liu Bei straightened: "Kong Rong knows there is a Liu Bei in this world! He detached three thousand veterans at once. At word of soldiers the besiegers melted away. Delivered, Kong Rong prized Taishi Ci still higher: "You are the friend of my youth. Taishi Ci reported home; his mother said, "I rejoice that you could repay Kong Rong.
10
揚州刺史劉繇與慈同郡，慈自遼東還，未與相見，暫渡江到曲阿見繇，未去，會孫策至。 或勸繇可以慈為大將軍，繇曰：「我若用子義，許子將不當笑我邪？」 但使慈偵視輕重。 時獨與一騎卒遇策。 策從騎十三，皆韓當、宋謙、黃蓋輩也。 慈便前鬥，正與策對。 策刺慈馬，而攬得慈項上手戟，慈亦得策兜鍪。 會兩家兵騎並各來赴，於是解散。
Liu Yao, inspector of Yang Province, shared Taishi Ci's homeland. Returning from Liaodong, Taishi Ci crossed to Qu'e to join him—Sun Ce arrived before he could depart. Counselors said appoint Taishi Ci commander—Liu Yao answered, "Would Xu Shao not mock me? He used Taishi Ci only as a scout. Taishi Ci met Sun Ce with a single trooper. Sun Ce brought thirteen horsemen—Han Dang, Song Qian, Huang Gai, and their ilk. Taishi Ci rode out and traded blows with Sun Ce. Sun Ce lanced Taishi Ci's mount and snatched the halberd at his collar; Taishi Ci tore off Sun Ce's helmet. Then both armies poured in and they separated.
11
慈當與繇俱奔豫章，而遁於蕪湖，亡入山中，稱丹楊太守。 是時，策已平定宣城以東，惟涇以西六縣未服。 慈因進住涇縣，立屯府，大為山越所附。 策躬自攻討，遂見囚執。 策即解縛，捉其手曰：「寧識神亭時邪？ 若卿爾時得我云何？」 慈曰：「未可量也。」 策大笑曰：「今日之事，當與卿共之。」 〈《吴历》云：慈於神亭战败，为策所执。 策素闻其名，即解缚请见，咨问进取之术。 慈答曰：“破军之将，不足与论事。” 策曰：“昔韩信定计於广武，今策决疑於仁者，君何辞焉？” 慈曰：“州军新破，士卒离心，若傥分散，难复合聚； 欲出宣恩安集，恐不合尊意。” 策长跪答曰：“诚本心所望也。 明日中，望君来还。” 诸将皆疑，策曰：“太史子义，青州名士，以信义为先，终不欺策。” 明日，大请诸将，豫设酒食，立竿视影。 日中而慈至，策大悦，常与参论诸军事。 臣松之案； 吴历云慈於神亭战败，为策所得，与本传大异，疑为谬误。 《江表传》曰：策问慈曰：“闻卿昔为太守劫州章，赴文举，请诣玄德，皆有烈义，天下智士也，但所讬未得其人。 射钩斩袪，古人不嫌。 孤是卿知己，勿忧不如意也。” 出教曰：“龙欲腾翥，先阶尺木者也。”〉 即署門下督，還吳授兵，拜折衝中郎將。 後劉繇亡於豫章，士眾萬餘人未有所附，策命慈往撫安焉。 〈江表传曰：策谓慈曰：“刘牧往责吾为袁氏攻庐江，其意颇猥，理恕不足。 何者？ 先君手下兵数千餘人，尽在公路许。 孤志在立事，不得不屈意於公路，求索故兵，再往才得千餘人耳。 仍令孤攻庐江，尔时事势，不得不为行。 但其后不遵臣节，自弃作邪僭事，谏之不从。 丈夫义交，苟有大故，不得不离，孤交求公路及绝之本末如此。 今刘繇丧亡，恨不及其生时与共论辩。 今兒子在豫章，不知华子鱼待遇何如，其故复曲复依随之否？ 卿则州人，昔又从事，宁能往视其兒子，并宣孤意於其部曲？ 部曲乐来者便与俱来，不乐来者且安慰之。 并观察子鱼所以牧御方规何似，视庐陵、鄱阳人民亲附之否？ 卿手下兵，宜将多少，自由意。” 慈对曰：“慈有不赦之罪，将军量同桓、文，待遇过望。 古人报生以死，期於尽节，没而后已。 今并息兵，兵不宜多，将数十人，自足以往还也。”〉 左右皆曰：「慈必北去不還。」 策曰：「子義捨我，當復與誰？」 餞送昌門，把腕別曰：「何時能還？」 答曰：「不過六十日。」 果如期而反。 〈江表传曰：策初遣慈，议者纷纭，谓慈未可信，或云与华子鱼州里，恐留彼为筹策，或疑慈西讬黄祖，假路还北，多言遣之非计。 策曰：“诸君语皆非也，孤断之详矣。 太史子义虽气勇有胆烈，然非纵横之人。 其心有士谟，志经道义，贵重然诺，一以意许知己，死亡不相负，诸君勿复忧也。” 慈从豫章还，议者乃始服。 慈见策曰：“华子鱼良德也，然非筹略才，无他方规，自守而已。 又丹杨僮芝自擅庐陵，诈言被诏书为太守。 鄱阳民帅别立宗部，阻兵守界，不受子鱼所遣长吏，言‘我以别立郡，须汉遣真太守来，当迎之耳’。 子鱼不但不能谐庐陵、鄱阳，近自海昬有上缭壁，有五六千家相结聚作宗伍，惟输租布於郡耳，发召一人遂不可得，子鱼亦睹视之而已。” 策拊掌大笑， （仍） 有兼并之志矣。 顷之，遂定豫章。〉
He should have withdrawn to Yuzhang with Liu Yao but broke for Wuhu, hid in the hills, and proclaimed himself grand administrator of Danyang. Sun Ce had already cleared the country east of Xuancheng; six counties west of the Jing River still held out. Taishi Ci advanced into Jing county, threw up a base, and drew heavy support from the mountain Yue. Sun Ce attacked in person and captured him. Sun Ce freed him at once, seized his hand, and asked, "Remember Shenting? If you had caught me then, what then?" Hard to say," Taishi Ci replied. Sun Ce roared with laughter: "From today we share one fortune. 〈The Wu Calendar records that Taishi Ci was defeated at Shenting and captured by Sun Ce. —yet Sun Ce had admired him for years, cut his bonds, received him, and asked strategy. A beaten commander is poor company for counsel. Han Xin planned at Guangwu, Sun Ce said. I settle doubt with a gentleman—why refuse? Your provincial troops are shattered and demoralized—scatter them and you will never reassemble them. I propose to tour them with generous words—but only if that suits you. Sun Ce knelt: It is exactly what I wish. Return to me by noon tomorrow. His officers murmured doubt; Sun Ce said, Taishi Ci is a Qingzhou gentleman of honor—he will not betray me. Next day he feasted his commanders, set wine in advance, and marked noon with a pole's shadow. Taishi Ci appeared at noon; Sun Ce rejoiced and kept him at council. Pei Songzhi notes: The Wu Calendar's tale of defeat and capture contradicts the main text and is probably wrong. The Jiangbiao zhuan quotes Sun Ce: They say you seized the inspector's memorial for your lord, raced to Kong Rong, and sought Liu Bei—heroic acts—yet you backed the wrong patrons. Ancient worthies overlooked far worse slights. I am your true ally—do not fear disappointment. He issued an order: "Before the dragon can leap skyward it needs a perch—even a span of timber."〉 He named Taishi Ci headquarters gate captain, sent him to Wu for a command, and commissioned him General of the Household Who Crushes the Foe. When Liu Yao died at Yuzhang, ten thousand men stood leaderless—Sun Ce sent Taishi Ci to reassure them. 〈The Jiangbiao zhuan records Sun Ce telling Taishi Ci: Liu Yao once reproached me for storming Lujiang at Yuan Shu's bidding—petty logic, hardly worth pardon. Why? The several thousand veterans my father once commanded were entirely in Yuan Shu's hands. I meant to build a power base, so I swallowed my pride with Yuan Shu and pleaded for my father's old soldiers—two trips won me barely a thousand men. He ordered me against Lujiang anyway; in those circumstances I could hardly refuse. Then he cast aside every obligation as a subject and turned to treason; counsel left him unmoved. Honorable men may ally in good faith, but grave offense forces a breach—that is the whole tale of how I served Yuan Shu and how I left him. Liu Yao is gone; I mourn that we never argued out these points face to face. The boy remains in Yuzhang—I cannot tell how Hua Xin receives him, or whether Liu Yao's old retainers still cling to him. You hail from the same province and once served under Liu Yao—will you visit his son and explain my purpose to his officers and men? Welcome anyone willing to follow you; reassure those who prefer to stay. Watch how Hua Xin rules—whether Luling and Poyang truly accept his authority. Take whatever force you judge sufficient—the choice is yours. Taishi Ci answered, I am guilty beyond forgiveness; you rank yourself with the great hegemons of old—your favor overwhelms me. The ancients gave their lives to repay a patron, holding nothing back until death. The realm is quiet—I need no large escort; a few dozen riders will suffice for the round trip.〉 Courtiers warned, "Taishi Ci will flee north and never come back. Sun Ce replied, "If Ziyi abandons me, whom would he serve instead? At Chang Gate they drank his farewell and clasped wrists: "When will we see you again?" Inside sixty days." He returned exactly on schedule. 〈The Jiangbiao zhuan notes that when Sun Ce first sent Taishi Ci away, critics quarreled: some doubted his loyalty; some feared he would collude with fellow townsman Hua Xin; others suspected he would detour through Huang Zu and bolt north—most called the mission folly. Sun Ce said, You are mistaken—I have thought this through. Taishi Ci is bold and daring, not the sort to intrigue among factions. His mind is that of a gentleman-officer; he follows duty and keeps faith—once he pledges himself to a kindred soul, he dies before he breaks his word. Cease your worrying. When Taishi Ci came back from Yuzhang, his critics fell silent. Taishi Ci reported: Hua Xin is decent enough but no planner—he has no grand scheme beyond digging in. Meanwhile Tong Zhi of Danyang has seized Luling on forged orders. Poyang chiefs have raised private militias along the frontier and refuse Hua Xin's appointees: We have proclaimed our own district—we want an imperial grand administrator before we yield. Hua Xin cannot pacify Luling or Poyang. Near Haihun the Shangliao stockade holds five or six thousand households in clan bands—they pay only cloth tribute and ignore every levy; Hua Xin simply looks on. Sun Ce slapped his thigh and roared with laughter. (emphatic: he) already nursed designs on annexing the region. Soon afterward Yuzhang lay firmly in hand.〉
12
劉表從子磐，驍勇，數為寇於艾、西安諸縣。 策於是分海昏、建昌左右六縣，以慈為建昌都尉，治海昏，并督諸將拒磐。 磐絕跡不復為寇。
Liu Biao's nephew Liu Pan was a fierce fighter who repeatedly harried the Ai and Xi'an districts. Sun Ce carved out six counties around Haihun and Jianchang, named Taishi Ci commandant of Jianchang based at Haihun, and told him to coordinate defense against Liu Pan. Liu Pan withdrew and struck no more raids.
13
慈長七尺七寸，美鬚髯，猿臂善射，弦不虛發。 嘗從策討麻保賊，賊於屯裏緣樓上行詈，以手持樓棼，慈引弓射之，矢貫手著棼，圍外萬人莫不稱善。 其妙如此。 曹公聞其名，遺慈書，以篋封之，發省無所道，而但貯當歸。 孫權統事，以慈能制磐，遂委南方之事。 年四十一，建安十一年卒。 〈吴书曰：慈临亡，叹息曰：“丈夫生世，当带七尺之剑，以升天子之阶。 今所志未从，奈何而死乎！” 权甚悼惜之。〉 子享，官至越騎校尉。 〈吴书曰：享字元复，历尚书、吴郡太守。〉
Taishi Ci stood seven feet seven inches, with a splendid beard and long arms—an archer whose every arrow flew true. During the Ma Bao campaign the rebels stood on their parapet cursing, hands on the rafters; Taishi Ci drove an arrow through palm and timber alike—the army below roared approval. Such was his marksmanship. Cao Cao sent a sealed packet bearing only angelica—a pun urging him to "return" (danggui homophone). Sun Quan, knowing Taishi Ci could hold Liu Pan in check, gave him the southern frontier. He died at forty-one in Jian'an 206. 〈The Wu Book records his dying sigh: A man should belt a seven-foot blade and climb the palace stairs. My ambitions lie unfulfilled—must I die now? Sun Quan grieved deeply for him.〉 His son Taishi Xiang rose to Colonel of Agile Cavalry. 〈The Wu Book gives Xiang the style Yuanfu and lists posts at the secretariat and as grand administrator of Wu.〉
14
士燮字威彥，蒼梧廣信人也。 其先本魯國汶陽人，至王莽之亂，避地交州。 六世至燮父賜，桓帝時為日南太守。 燮少游學京師，事潁川劉子奇，治左氏春秋。 察孝廉，補尚書郎，公事免官。 父賜喪闋後，舉茂才，除巫令，遷交阯太守。
Shi Xie, styled Weiyan, came from Guangxin in Cangwu. The family hailed from Wenyang in Lu but relocated to Jiaozhou during Wang Mang's upheaval. Six generations later came Xie's father Shi Ci, grand administrator of Rinan under Emperor Huan. As a youth Shi Xie studied in Luoyang under Liu Ziqi of Yingchuan, specializing in the Zuo commentary. Recommended as filial and incorrupt, he entered the palace corps but lost his post over an administrative matter. When mourning for his father ended he earned nomination as Outstanding Talent, served as magistrate of Wu district, then rose to grand administrator of Jiaozhi.
15
弟壹，初為郡督郵。 刺史丁宮徵還京都，壹侍送勤恪，宮感之，臨別謂曰：「刺史若待罪三事，當相辟也。」 後宮為司徒，辟壹。 比至，宮已免，黃琬代為司徒，甚禮遇壹。 董卓作亂，壹亡歸鄉里。 〈吴书曰：琬与卓相害，而壹尽心於琬，甚有声称。 卓恶之，乃署教曰：“司徒掾士壹，不得除用。” 故历年不迁。 会卓入关，壹乃亡归。〉 交州刺史朱符為夷賊所殺，州郡擾亂。 燮乃表壹領合浦太守，次弟徐聞令䵋領九真太守， 〈䵋音于鄙反，见《字林》。〉 䵋弟武，領南海太守。
His younger brother Shi Yi began as the commandery Recording Officer. When Inspector Ding Gong returned to the capital, Shi Yi escorted him faithfully; Ding Gong promised, "Should I rise to one of the Three Excellencies, I will call for you. Ding Gong later became Minister of Education and summoned Shi Yi. Shi Yi arrived too late—Ding Gong had fallen; Huang Wan, the new minister of education, honored him nonetheless. When Dong Zhuo seized power Shi Yi fled home. 〈The Wu Book notes that despite Huang Wan's feud with Dong Zhuo, Shi Yi served Huang Wan loyally and earned wide praise. Dong Zhuo struck back with an order: Do not assign any post to Minister of Education clerk Shi Yi. For years Shi Yi could win no promotion. When Dong Zhuo marched west Shi Yi escaped homeward again.〉 Barbarian raiders slew Inspector Zhu Fu; the province collapsed into chaos. Shi Xie memorialized to appoint Shi Yi grand administrator of Hepu and his younger brother Wei—magistrate of Xuwen— 〈Phonetic gloss for the rare graph in Wei's given name: read yu-bi fan per the Zilin dictionary.〉 —as grand administrator of Jiuzhen, while Wei's youngest brother Shi Wu took Nanhai.
16
燮體器寬厚，謙虛下士，中國士人往依避難者以百數。 耽玩春秋，為之注解。 陳國袁徽與尚書令荀彧書曰：「交阯士府君既學問優博，又達於從政，處大亂之中，保全一郡，二十餘年疆埸無事，民不失業，羇旅之徒，皆蒙其慶，雖竇融保河西，曷以加之？ 官事小闋，輒玩習書傳，春秋左氏傳尤簡練精微，吾數以咨問傳中諸疑，皆有師說，意思甚密。 又尚書兼通古今，大義詳備。 聞京師古今之學，是非忿爭，今欲條左氏、尚書長義上之。」 其見稱如此。
Shi Xie was magnanimous and modest before scholars; hundreds of refugees from the north sought shelter with him. He steeped himself in the Spring and Autumn Annals and wrote his own commentary. Yuan Hui of Chen state wrote to Minister Director Xun Yu saying, "Lord Shi of Jiaozhi is both broadly learned and adept at governance; amid great turmoil he has preserved a whole commandery for more than twenty years with quiet borders—his people keep their livelihoods, and wandering travelers all receive his blessings—even Dou Rong guarding Hexi—how could one add more? Whenever duties eased he returned to his books; his grasp of the Zuo Tradition was razor-sharp—every knot I raised carried a teacher's gloss. He commands the Documents ancient and modern alike—its core doctrines fully mapped. While Luoyang quarrels over Old versus New Text Documents, he plans to submit extended glosses on both the Zuo commentary and the Documents." Such was the esteem he commanded.
17
燮兄弟並為列郡，雄長一州，偏在萬里，威尊無上。 出入鳴鍾磬，備具威儀，笳簫鼓吹，車騎滿道，胡人夾轂焚燒香者常有數十。 妻妾乘輜軿，子弟從兵騎，當時貴重，震服百蠻，尉他不足踰也。 〈葛洪《神仙传》曰：燮尝病死，已三日，仙人董奉以一丸药与服，以水含之，捧其头摇 （捎） 之，食顷，即开目动手，颜色渐复，半日能起坐，四日复能语，遂复常。 奉字君异，侯官人也。〉 武先病沒。
The Shi brothers ruled neighboring commanderies like kings of the far south—remote, unrivaled, supreme. Their processions rang bells and stones, paraded full ritual bands, and clogged the roads—foreign followers swinging censers from the carriage rails. Their women rode in silk coaches; sons and nephews rode escort—mightier than any southern lord since Zhao Tuo. 〈Ge Hong recounts that Shi Xie apparently died for three days until the immortal Dong Feng fed him a pill, rinsed his mouth with water, seized his head and shook (variant graph for "shake") it—within minutes his eyes flickered and his fingers stirred; color returned to his cheeks; by midday he sat up; on the fourth day he spoke normally again. Dong Feng, styled Junyi, hailed from Houguan.〉 Shi Wu died first of sickness.
18
朱符死後，漢遣張津為交州刺史，津後又為其將區景所殺，而荊州牧劉表遣零陵賴恭代津。 是時蒼梧太守史璜死，表又遣吳巨代之，與恭俱至。 漢聞張津死，賜燮璽書曰：「交州絕域，南帶江海，上恩不宣，下義壅隔，知逆賊劉表又遣賴恭闚看南土，今以燮為綏南中郎將，董督七郡，領交阯太守如故。」 後燮遣吏張旻奉貢詣京都，是時天下喪亂，道路斷絕，而燮不廢貢職，特復下詔拜安遠將軍，封龍度亭侯。
After Zhu Fu's murder the court named Zhang Jin inspector of Jiaozhou; Ou Jing killed him, so Liu Biao installed Lai Gong of Lingling in his stead. When Cangwu's grand administrator Shi Huang died, Liu Biao sent Wu Ju—who arrived alongside Lai Gong. Han heard Zhang Jin had died and granted Xie an imperial rescript saying, "Jiaozhou is a distant frontier, southern rim touching river and sea—superior grace does not reach downward and inferior duty is blocked—I know the rebel Liu Biao again sent Lai Gong to spy on the southern lands—now I appoint Xie General Who Pacifies the South, superintendent of seven commanderies, continuing concurrently as Grand Administrator of Jiaozhi. Though highways were cut by war, Shi Xie still sent Zhang Min with tribute; the throne rewarded him as General Who Pacifies the Far and marquis of Longdu hamlet.
19
後巨與恭相失，舉兵逐恭，恭走還零陵。 建安十五年，孫權遣步騭為交州刺史。 騭到，燮率兄弟奉承節度。 而吳巨懷異心，騭斬之。 權加燮為左將軍。 建安末年，燮遣子廞入質，權以為武昌太守，燮、壹諸子在南者，皆拜中郎將。 燮又誘導益州豪姓雍闓等，率郡人民使遙東附，權益嘉之，遷衛將軍，封龍編侯，弟壹偏將軍，都鄉侯。 燮每遣使詣權，致雜香細葛，輒以千數，明珠、大貝、流離、翡翠、玳瑁、犀、象之珍，奇物異果，蕉、邪、龍眼之屬，無歲不至。 壹時貢馬凡數百匹。 權輒為書，厚加寵賜，以答慰之。 燮在郡四十餘歲，黃武五年，年九十卒。
Wu Ju and Lai Gong quarreled; Wu Ju drove Lai Gong back to Lingling at spear-point. In Jian'an 210 Sun Quan sent Bu Zhi south as inspector of Jiaozhou. Bu Zhi landed to find Shi Xie and his brothers ready to obey. Wu Ju plotted rebellion—Bu Zhi executed him. Sun Quan named Shi Xie General of the Left. Late in Jian'an Shi Xie sent his son Yin as hostage; Sun Quan made Yin grand administrator of Wuchang and commissioned every Shi son still in the south as a gentleman-general. Shi Xie also lured Yizhou magnates like Yong Kai into Sun Quan's orbit; Sun Quan raised him to Guard General and marquis of Longbian while Shi Yi became lieutenant general and marquis of Douxiang township. Year after year his embassies bore incense, gauze, pearls, shells, glass, jade, tortoise shell, horn, ivory, and tropical fruit by the thousand-piece load. Shi Yi sometimes sent hundreds of horses. Sun Quan answered each mission with letters and rich gifts. Shi Xie ruled forty years and died at ninety in Huangwu 226.
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權以交阯縣遠，乃分合浦以北為廣州，呂岱為刺史； 交阯以南為交州，戴良為刺史。 又遣陳時代燮為交阯太守。 岱留南海，良與時俱前行到合浦，而燮子徽自署交阯太守，發宗兵拒良。 良留合浦。 交阯桓鄰，燮舉吏也，叩頭諫徽使迎良，徽怒，笞殺鄰。 鄰兄治子發又合宗兵擊徽，徽閉門城守，治等攻之數月不能下，乃約和親，各罷兵還。 而呂岱被詔誅徽，自廣州將兵晝夜馳入，過合浦，與良俱前。 壹子中郎將匡與岱有舊，岱署匡師友從事，先移書交阯，告喻禍福，又遣匡見徽，說令服罪，雖失郡守，保無他憂。 岱尋匡後至，徽兄祗，弟幹、頌等六人肉袒奉迎。 岱謝令復服，前至郡下。 明旦早施帳幔，請徽兄弟以次入，賓客滿坐。 岱起，擁節讀詔書，數徵罪過，左右因反縛以出，即皆伏誅，傳首詣武昌。 〈孙盛曰：夫柔远能迩，莫善於信； 保大定功，莫善於义。 故齐桓创基，德彰於柯会； 晋文始伯，义显於伐原。 故能九合一匡，世主夏盟，令问长世，贻范百王。 吕岱师友士匡，使通信誓，徽兄弟肉袒，推心委命，岱因灭之，以要功利，君子是以知孙权之不能远略，而吕氏之祚不延者也。〉 壹、䵋、匡後出，權原其罪，及燮質子廞，皆免為庶人。 數歲，壹、䵋坐法誅。 廞病卒，無子，妻寡居，詔在所月給俸米，賜錢四十萬。
Sun Quan split the northern Gulf region into Guangzhou under Lu Dai— —and everything south of Jiaozhi into Jiaozhou under Dai Liang. He named Chen Shi to replace Shi Xie at Jiaozhi. Lu Dai stayed at Nanhai while Dai Liang and Chen Shi moved up—but Shi Hui had proclaimed himself grand administrator and mobilized clan levies against Dai Liang. Dai Liang halted at Hepu. Huan Lin—once Shi Xie's clerk—begged Shi Hui to admit Dai Liang; Hui flew into a rage and beat him to death. Zhi's son Fa rallied clan levies against Shi Hui, who barred the gates. Months of siege failed; the sides married into peace and stood down. Ordered to kill Shi Hui, Lu Dai raced north from Guangzhou day and night, crossed Hepu, and joined Dai Liang. Shi Yi's son Kuang, an old friend of Lu Dai, served as his liaison: Lu Dai wrote Jiaozhi warning of consequences and sent Kuang to urge Shi Hui to surrender—promising safety even at the cost of his office. Lu Dai followed Kuang's arrival; Shi Hui's brothers Zhi, Gan, Song, and six more met him stripped to the waist in submission. Lu Dai had them dress and marched to the city. At dawn he pitched tents and seated a full hall when Shi Hui's brothers entered in turn. Lu Dai stood with his credentials, read the indictment, and had the Shi kin bound and beheaded; their heads went to Wuchang. 〈Sun Sheng observes: winning distant peoples and kin neighbors alike rests above all on good faith. Securing power and lasting deeds demands righteousness before all else. Thus Duke Huan of Qi built Qi's throne—his virtue blazed at the Ke covenant. Duke Wen of Jin first claimed hegemony—his justice showed in the attack on Yuan. Hence their nine alliances and one restoration of the Zhou—lords who led the covenant leagues and left an enduring name for every throne that followed. Yet Lu Dai played mentor to Shi Kuang, exchanged oaths, then slaughtered the Shi brothers who had come bare-skinned in surrender—profit over honor—by which men see Sun Quan's shortsighted southward policy and why the Lu line would not endure.〉 Shi Yi, Wei, and Kuang later submitted and were pardoned along with hostage Shi Yin—yet all were reduced to commoners. Within a few years Shi Yi and Wei died under sentence of law. Shi Yin died childless; his widow drew an imperial stipend of grain each month plus forty thousand cash.
21
【評】
Appraisal
22
評曰：劉繇藻厲名行，好尚臧否。 至於擾攘之時，據萬里之士，非其長也。 太史慈信義篤烈，有古人之分。 士燮作守南越，優遊終世，至子不慎，自貽兇咎。 蓋庸才玩富貴而恃阻險，使之然也。
The historian judges Liu Yao a man who burnished his name and loved to praise or condemn his peers. In chaos, commanding a realm measured in ten thousand li lay beyond his strength. Taishi Ci embodied fierce loyalty worthy of classical exemplars. Shi Xie ruled the deep south in ease for a lifetime; his sons' recklessness invited ruin. Mediocre men cling to riches and rugged terrain—and come to grief.