1
萬石君名奮，其父趙人也，姓石氏。 趙亡，徙居溫。 高祖東擊項籍，過河內，時奮年十五，為小吏，侍高祖。 高祖與語，愛其恭敬，問曰：「若何有？」 對曰：「奮獨有母，不幸失明。 家貧。 有姊，能鼓琴。」 高祖曰：「若能從我乎？」 曰：「願盡力。」 於是高祖召其姊為美人，以奮為中涓，受書謁，徙其家長安中戚裏，以姊為美人故也。 其官至孝文時，積功勞至大中大夫。 無文學，恭謹無與比。
The Marquis of Wanshi was named Fen. His father was a man of Zhao, surnamed Shi. When Zhao fell, he moved to Wen. When Gaozu marched east to attack Xiang Ji and passed through Henei, Fen was fifteen years old, serving as a minor functionary in attendance on Gaozu. Gaozu spoke with him and loved his respectful reverence, asked: "What do you have?" He replied: "Fen alone has a mother, unfortunately she has lost her sight. His family was poor. I have an elder sister who can play the zither." Gaozu said: "Can you follow me?" He said: "I wish to exhaust my strength." Thereupon Gaozu summoned his elder sister to serve as a court beauty, appointed Fen as a palace attendant in charge of receiving documents and audiences, and relocated his family to the Zhongqi quarter in Chang'an—all on account of his sister becoming a court beauty. By the time of Emperor Wen, he had accumulated enough merit to rise to the rank of Grand Palace Counselor. He had no literary learning, but in respectful caution he was without equal.
2
文帝時，東陽侯張相如為太子太傅，免。 選可為傅者，皆推奮，奮為太子太傅。 及孝景即位，以為九卿； 迫近，憚之，徙奮為諸侯相。 奮長子建，次子甲，次子乙，次子慶，皆以馴行孝謹，官皆至二千石。 於是景帝曰：「石君及四子皆二千石，人臣尊寵乃集其門。」 號奮為萬石君。
During Emperor Wen's reign, the Marquis of Dongyang, Zhang Xiangru, served as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince but was dismissed. When a suitable replacement was being selected, all recommended Fen, and so Fen became Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. When Emperor Jing ascended, he became one of the Nine Ministers; Being too close to the throne, others feared him, and so Fen was transferred to serve as chancellor of a feudal kingdom. Fen's eldest son Jian, second son Jia, third son Yi, and fourth son Qing all attained the rank of two-thousand-bushel official through their disciplined conduct, filial piety, and caution. Then Emperor Jing said: "The Marquis of Shi and his four sons are all two thousand dan—ministerial honor and favor all gather at his gate." He bestowed upon Fen the title Marquis of Wanshi.
3
孝景帝季年，萬石君以上大夫祿歸老于家，以歲時為朝臣。 過宮門闕，萬石君必下車趨，見路馬必式焉。 子孫為小吏，來歸謁，萬石君必朝服見之，不名。 子孫有過失，不譙讓，為便坐，對案不食。 然後諸子相責，因長老肉袒固謝罪，改之，乃許。 子孫勝冠者在側，雖燕居必冠，申申如也。 僮仆訢訢如也，唯謹。 上時賜食於家，必稽首俯伏而食之，如在上前。 其執喪，哀戚甚悼。 子孫遵教，亦如之。 萬石君家以孝謹聞乎郡國，雖齊魯諸儒質行，皆自以為不及也。
In the later years of Emperor Jing's reign, the Marquis of Wanshi retired to his home on the salary of a Senior Grand Counselor, attending court only at seasonal assemblies. Whenever he passed the gate-towers of the palace, the Marquis of Wanshi would invariably step down from his carriage and walk briskly past. Whenever he saw the imperial carriage horses on the road, he would bow in salute. When his sons and grandsons who served as minor officials came home to pay their respects, the Marquis of Wanshi would invariably receive them in full court dress, never addressing them by name. When his sons and grandsons committed errors, he would not scold or reproach them but would simply sit before the table and refuse to eat. Then the sons would reproach one another, and the elders would bare their shoulders and earnestly beg forgiveness. Only when the offender had reformed would he relent. When sons and grandsons who had undergone the capping ceremony were at his side, he would always wear his cap even in private, bearing himself with grave composure. His servants and attendants went about cheerfully, all with the utmost caution. Whenever the emperor bestowed food upon his household, he would invariably bow his head to the ground and prostrate himself before eating it, as though he were in the emperor's presence. When the family observed mourning, their grief was profound and deeply sorrowful. His sons and grandsons followed his teachings and conducted themselves in the same manner. The household of the Marquis of Wanshi was renowned for filial piety and caution throughout the commanderies and kingdoms. Even the Confucian scholars of Qi and Lu, known for their upright conduct, all considered themselves his inferiors.
4
建元二年，郎中令王臧以文學獲罪。 皇太后以為儒者文多質少，今萬石君家不言而躬行，乃以長子建為郎中令，少子慶為內史。
In the second year of the Jianyuan era, the Palace Steward Wang Zang was convicted on account of his literary activities. The Empress Dowager considered that Confucian scholars were long on rhetoric but short on substance, whereas the household of the Marquis of Wanshi spoke little but practiced virtue in person. She therefore appointed the eldest son Jian as Palace Steward and the youngest son Qing as Interior Minister.
5
建老白首，萬石君尚無恙。 建為郎中令，每五日洗沐歸謁親，入子舍，竊問侍者，取親中帬廁牏，身自浣滌，復與侍者，不敢令萬石君知，以為常。 建為郎中令，事有可言，屏人恣言，極切； 至廷見，如不能言者。 是以上乃親尊禮之。
By the time Jian had grown old and white-haired, the Marquis of Wanshi was still in good health. While serving as Palace Steward, Jian would return home every five days during his rest period to visit his parents. He would slip into the servants' quarters, secretly ask for his father's undergarments and chamber-pot linings, wash and clean them himself, then return them to the servants—never daring to let the Marquis of Wanshi know. This became his constant practice. Jian served as Palace Steward, when affairs could be spoken of, he would screen people and speak unrestrainedly, extremely cutting; Yet at court audiences, he appeared as though he could not speak a word. For this reason, the emperor personally honored him and treated him with the highest respect.
6
萬石君徙居陵裏。 內史慶醉歸，入外門不下車。 萬石君聞之，不食。 慶恐，肉袒請罪，不許。 舉宗及兄建肉袒，萬石君讓曰：「內史貴人，入閭里，里中長老皆走匿，而內史坐車中自如，固當！」 乃謝罷慶。 慶及諸子弟入里門，趨至家。
The Marquis of Wanshi moved his residence to the Ling quarter. The Interior Minister Qing returned home drunk and entered the outer gate without descending from his carriage. When the Marquis of Wanshi heard of this, he refused to eat. Qing was frightened and bared his shoulders to beg forgiveness, but the Marquis would not accept. The entire clan and brother Jian stripped to the waist, the Marquis of Wan Shi yielded saying: "The Interior Minister is a noble person, entering the alley quarters, the elders of the quarter all walk and hide, yet the Interior Minister sits in his chariot as usual, certainly should!" Only then did he forgive and dismiss Qing. From then on, Qing and all the sons and younger brothers would enter the quarter gate and hasten home on foot.
7
萬石君以元朔五年中卒。 長子郎中令建哭泣哀思，扶杖乃能行。 歲餘，建亦死。 諸子孫咸孝，然建最甚，甚於萬石君。
The Marquis of Wanshi died in the fifth year of the Yuanshuo era. His eldest son, the Palace Steward Jian, wept so piteously in his grief that he could walk only by leaning on a staff. A little over a year later, Jian too died. All the sons and grandsons were filial, but Jian was the most extreme of all—surpassing even the Marquis of Wanshi himself.
8
建為郎中令，書奏事，事下，建讀之，曰：「誤書！ 『馬』者與尾當五，今乃四，不足一。 上譴死矣！」 甚惶恐。 其為謹慎，雖他皆如是。
Jian served as Palace Steward, when book memorials on affairs were submitted, affairs descended, Jian read them and said: "Mistake in the book! "Horse" with tail should be five, now it is four, lacking one." The emperor will blame me to death!" He was greatly alarmed and fearful. Such was his caution—and in all other matters he was just the same.
9
萬石君少子慶為太仆，御出，上問車中幾馬，慶以策數馬畢，舉手曰：「六馬。」 慶於諸子中最為簡易矣，然猶如此。 為齊相，舉齊國皆慕其家行，不言而齊國大治，為立石相祠。
The Marquis of Wan Shi's youngest son Qing served as Grand Coachman, driving out, the emperor asked how many horses were in the chariot, Qing counted the horses with his whip, raised his hand and said: "Six horses." Qing was the most casual and easygoing among the sons, yet even he behaved this way. When he served as Chancellor of Qi, the entire kingdom admired his family's conduct. Without a word of command, Qi was brought to excellent order, and the people erected a stone shrine to Chancellor Shi in his honor.
10
元狩元年，上立太子，選群臣可為傅者，慶自沛守為太子太傅，七歲遷為御史大夫。
In the first year of the Yuanshou era, the emperor established the Crown Prince and selected from among his ministers those fit to serve as tutor. Qing was transferred from his post as Governor of Pei to become Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and after seven years was promoted to Imperial Secretary.
11
元鼎五年秋，丞相有罪，罷。 制詔御史：「萬石君先帝尊之，子孫孝，其以御史大夫慶為丞相，封為牧丘侯。」 是時漢方南誅兩越，東擊朝鮮，北逐匈奴，西伐大宛，中國多事。 天子巡狩海內，修上古神祠，封禪，興禮樂。 公家用少，桑弘羊等致利，王溫舒之屬峻法，兒寬等推文學至九卿，更進用事，事不關決於丞相，丞相醇謹而已。 在位九歲，無能有所匡言。 嘗欲請治上近臣所忠、九卿咸宣罪，不能服，反受其過，贖罪。
In the autumn of the fifth year of the Yuanding era, the Chancellor was found guilty and dismissed. Imperial edict to the Imperial Secretary: "The Marquis of Wan Shi was honored by the former emperor, his sons and grandsons are filial, therefore appoint the Imperial Secretary Qing as Chancellor, seal him as Marquis of Muqiu." At this time, the Han was campaigning against the two Yue kingdoms in the south, striking Chaoxian in the east, pursuing the Xiongnu in the north, and attacking Dayuan in the west. The empire was beset with affairs. The emperor toured and hunted throughout the realm, restored the ancient divine shrines, performed the Feng and Shan sacrifices, and revived the rites and music. The state coffers were running low. Sang Hongyang and his like raised revenue, Wang Wenshu and his sort enforced harsh laws, and Er Kuan and others advanced through scholarship to the rank of the Nine Ministers. Those who handled affairs were the ones promoted, and decisions were no longer referred to the Chancellor. The Chancellor was simply upright and cautious, nothing more. In nine years in office, he was never able to offer a single word of correction. He once tried to request the prosecution of the emperor's close minister Suo Zhong and to publicly declare the crimes of the Nine Ministers, but he could not prevail. Instead, he himself received the blame and had to ransom his offense.
12
元封四年中，關東流民二百萬口，無名數者四十萬，公卿議欲請徙流民於邊以適之。 上以為丞相老謹，不能與其議，乃賜丞相告歸，而案御史大夫以下議為請者。 丞相慚不任職，乃上書曰：「慶幸得待罪丞相，罷駑無以輔治，城郭倉庫空虛，民多流亡，罪當伏斧質，上不忍致法。 願歸丞相侯印，乞骸骨歸，避賢者路。」 天子曰：「倉廩既空，民貧流亡，而君欲請徙之，搖蕩不安，動危之，而辭位，君欲安歸難乎？」 以書讓慶，慶甚慚，遂復視事。
In the fourth year of the Yuanfeng era, there were two million displaced refugees east of the passes, with another four hundred thousand unregistered. The ministers debated whether to petition for the refugees to be relocated to the frontier. The emperor considered the Chancellor old and overly cautious, unable to take part in such deliberations, and so granted the Chancellor leave to retire. He then investigated the Imperial Secretary and those below who had proposed the petition. The Chancellor was ashamed not to bear his duty, so submitted a memorial saying: "Qing fortunately obtained waiting in crime as Chancellor, dismissed and incapable of assisting governance, city walls and warehouses empty and void, people many flowing and perishing, crime should prostrate at axe and block, Your Majesty not bearing to apply the law. I wish to return the Chancellor and Marquis seals, beg to return my bones, avoid the worthy one's path." The emperor said: "Granaries already empty, people poor and flowing away, yet you desire to request moving them, shaking and unsettling, moving to endanger them, yet resign your position—where do you desire to settle and return to difficulty?" He rebuked Qing by letter. Qing was deeply ashamed and thereupon resumed his duties.
13
慶文深審謹，然無他大略，為百姓言。 後三歲餘，太初二年中，丞相慶卒，謚為恬侯。 慶中子德，慶愛用之，上以德為嗣，代侯。 後為太常，坐法當死，贖免為庶人。 慶方為丞相，諸子孫為吏更至二千石者十三人。 及慶死後，稍以罪去，孝謹益衰矣。
Qing was learned, thorough, and cautious, yet he had no grand strategies to offer and spoke only on behalf of the common people. A little over three years later, in the second year of the Taichu era, Chancellor Qing died and was posthumously titled Marquis Tian. Qing's second son De was beloved and favored by Qing. The emperor appointed De as his heir to succeed as marquis. He later served as Grand Master of Ceremonies but was convicted of a capital offense. He ransomed himself and was reduced to a commoner. When Qing first became Chancellor, thirteen of his sons and grandsons had attained the rank of two-thousand-bushel officials. After Qing's death, they gradually fell from office due to offenses, and the family's tradition of filial caution steadily declined.
14
建陵侯衛綰者，代大陵人也。 綰以戲車為郎，事文帝，功次遷為中郎將，醇謹無他。 孝景為太子時，召上左右飲，而綰稱病不行。 文帝且崩時，屬孝景曰：「綰長者，善遇之。」 及文帝崩，景帝立，歲餘不噍呵綰，綰日以謹力。
The Marquis of Jianling, Wei Wan, was a man of Daling in Dai. Wan entered service as a mounted attendant through his skill in chariot games, serving Emperor Wen. Through accumulated merit he was successively promoted to Colonel of the Palace Guard—upright and cautious, with no other notable qualities. When Emperor Jing was still Crown Prince, he summoned the emperor's attendants to drink with him, but Wan pleaded illness and did not go. When Emperor Wen was about to pass away, entrusted Emperor Jing saying: "Wan is a venerable elder, treat him well." After Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing ascended the throne, more than a year passed without his ever scolding or rebuking Wan. Wan redoubled his cautious diligence each day.
15
景帝幸上林，詔中郎將參乘，還而問曰：「君知所以得參乘乎？」 綰曰：「臣從車士幸得以功次遷為中郎將，不自知也。」 上問曰：「吾為太子時召君，君不肯來，何也？」 對曰：「死罪，實病！」 上賜之劍。 綰曰：「先帝賜臣劍凡六，劍不敢奉詔。」 上曰：「劍，人之所施易，獨至今乎？」 綰曰：「具在。」 上使取六劍，劍尚盛，未嘗服也。 郎官有譴，常蒙其罪，不與他將爭； 有功，常讓他將。 上以為廉，忠實無他腸，乃拜綰為河閒王太傅。 吳楚反，詔綰為將，將河閒兵擊吳楚有功，拜為中尉。 三歲，以軍功，孝景前六年中封綰為建陵侯。
Emperor Jing visited Shanglin, commanded the Colonel to ride companion, returning asked: "Do you know why you obtained to ride companion?" Wan said: "I followed as chariot warrior fortunate to be promoted to Colonel through merit, I do not know myself." The emperor asked: "When I was crown prince I summoned you, you were unwilling to come, why?" He replied: "Capital crime, really ill!" The emperor bestowed a sword upon him. Wan said: "The former emperor granted me swords altogether six, I dare not receive the command." The emperor said: "Swords are what people use easily, only until now?" Wan said: "All exist." The emperor had the six swords brought out. They were still in pristine condition—he had never once worn them. When mounted officials had blame, he constantly covered their crimes, did not contend with other generals; When there was merit to be claimed, he always deferred to the other generals. The emperor considered him incorruptible, loyal, and sincere, without any ulterior motives, and so appointed Wan as Grand Tutor to the King of Hejian. When Wu and Chu rebelled, an edict appointed Wan as general. He led the troops of Hejian against Wu and Chu with distinction, and was appointed Commandant. Three years later, on account of his military merit, in the sixth year of Emperor Jing's first reign period, Wan was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jianling.
16
其明年，上廢太子，誅栗卿之屬。 上以為綰長者，不忍，乃賜綰告歸，而使郅都治捕栗氏。 既已，上立膠東王為太子，召綰，拜為太子太傅。 久之，遷為御史大夫。 五歲，代桃侯舍為丞相，朝奏事如職所奏。 然自初官以至丞相，終無可言。 天子以為敦厚，可相少主，尊寵之，賞賜甚多。
The following year, the emperor deposed the Crown Prince and executed Li Qing and his associates. The emperor regarded Wan as a venerable elder who could not bear such matters, and so granted Wan leave to retire. He then dispatched Zhi Du to arrest the Li clan. When this was done, the emperor established the King of Jiaodong as Crown Prince, summoned Wan, and appointed him Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. After a long while, he was promoted to Imperial Secretary. After five years, he replaced the Marquis of Tao, She, as Chancellor, presenting memorials to the court as the duties of his office required. Yet from his first appointment as an official all the way to the chancellorship, he ultimately had nothing worth saying. The emperor considered him sincere and steadfast, fit to serve as Chancellor for a young ruler, and honored and favored him greatly, bestowing many rewards and gifts.
17
為丞相三歲，景帝崩，武帝立。 建元年中，丞相以景帝疾時諸官囚多坐不辜者，而君不任職，免之。 其後綰卒，子信代。 坐酎金失侯。
After three years as Chancellor, Emperor Jing died and Emperor Wu ascended the throne. In the first year of the Jianyuan era, the Chancellor was dismissed on the grounds that during Emperor Jing's illness many imprisoned officials had been wrongly convicted, and he had failed to fulfill his duties. Afterward Wan died, and his son Xin succeeded to the title. He was convicted of providing impure ritual gold and lost his marquisate.
18
塞侯直不疑者，南陽人也。 為郎，事文帝。 其同舍有告歸，誤持同舍郎金去，已而金主覺，妄意不疑，不疑謝有之，買金償。 而告歸者來而歸金，而前郎亡金者大慚，以此稱為長者。 文帝稱舉，稍遷至太中大夫。 朝廷見，人或毀曰：「不疑狀貌甚美，然獨無柰其善盜嫂何也！」 不疑聞，曰：「我乃無兄。」 然終不自明也。
The Marquis of Sai, Zhi Buyi, was a man of Nanyang. He served as a mounted attendant under Emperor Wen. One of his barracks-mates went home on leave and mistakenly took the gold of another attendant in the same quarters. When the owner discovered the loss, he rashly suspected Buyi. Buyi accepted the blame, purchased gold, and repaid him. Later, the man on leave returned and gave back the gold. The attendant who had lost it was deeply ashamed. For this, Buyi was acclaimed a man of integrity. Emperor Wen praised and promoted him, and he gradually rose to the rank of Grand Palace Counselor. In court audiences, people sometimes slandered saying: "Buyi's appearance is very beautiful, yet alone how can he handle his good at stealing sister-in-law!" Buyi heard, said: "I then have no brother." Yet he never once defended himself.
19
吳楚反時，不疑以二千石將兵擊之。 景帝後元年，拜為御史大夫。 天子修吳楚時功，乃封不疑為塞侯。 武帝建元年中，與丞相綰俱以過免。
When Wu and Chu rebelled, Buyi led troops against them in his capacity as a two-thousand-bushel official. In the first year of Emperor Jing's latter reign, he was appointed Imperial Secretary. The emperor reviewed the merits from the Wu and Chu campaign and enfeoffed Buyi as Marquis of Sai. In the first year of Emperor Wu's Jianyuan era, he was dismissed along with Chancellor Wan on account of their offenses.
20
不疑學老子言。 其所臨，為官如故，唯恐人知其為吏跡也。 不好立名稱，稱為長者。 不疑卒，子相如代。 孫望，坐酎金失侯。
Buyi studied the teachings of Laozi. Wherever he was posted, he served in office as before, fearing only that others might discern his traces as an official. He had no fondness for building a name or reputation, and so was called a man of integrity. When Buyi died, his son Xiangru succeeded to the title. His grandson Wang was convicted of providing impure ritual gold and lost the marquisate.
21
郎中令周文者，名仁，其先故任城人也。 以醫見。 景帝為太子時，拜為舍人，積功稍遷，孝文帝時至太中大夫。 景帝初即位，拜仁為郎中令。
The Palace Steward Zhou Wen, whose given name was Ren, had ancestors originally from Rencheng. He first came to notice through his skill in medicine. When Emperor Jing was still Crown Prince, Ren was appointed as a retainer. Through accumulated merit he was gradually promoted, reaching the rank of Grand Palace Counselor by Emperor Wen's time. When Emperor Jing first ascended the throne, he appointed Ren as Palace Steward.
22
仁為人陰重不泄，常衣敝補衣溺袴，期為不絜清，以是得幸。 景帝入臥內，於後宮祕戲，仁常在旁。 至景帝崩，仁尚為郎中令，終無所言。 上時問人，仁曰：「上自察之。」 然亦無所毀。 以此景帝再自幸其家。 家徙陽陵。 上所賜甚多，然常讓，不敢受也。 諸侯群臣賂遺，終無所受。
Ren was by nature secretive and discreet, never divulging anything. He habitually wore worn and patched clothes and soiled trousers, deliberately making himself appear unkempt, and thus won the emperor's favor. When Emperor Jing retired to his private chambers and engaged in secret amusements in the rear palace, Ren was always at his side. Until Emperor Jing's death, Ren still served as Palace Steward, and to the end he never uttered a word about what he had seen. The emperor sometimes asked people, Ren said: "Your Majesty examine it yourself." Yet neither did he ever slander anyone. For this reason, Emperor Jing twice personally visited his home. His family relocated to Yangling. The emperor's gifts to him were many, yet he always declined, not daring to accept. Gifts and offerings from feudal lords and ministers he would never accept.
23
武帝立，以為先帝臣，重之。 仁乃病免，以二千石祿歸老，子孫咸至大官矣。
When Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he regarded Ren as a minister of the former emperor and treated him with great respect. Ren eventually fell ill and was relieved of his duties, retiring on a salary of two thousand bushels. His sons and grandsons all rose to high office.
24
御史大夫張叔者，名歐，安丘侯說之庶子也。 孝文時以治刑名言事太子。 然歐雖治刑名家，其人長者。 景帝時尊重，常為九卿。 至武帝元朔四年，韓安國免，詔拜歐為御史大夫。 自歐為吏，未嘗言案人，專以誠長者處官。 官屬以為長者，亦不敢大欺。 上具獄事，有可卻，卻之； 不可者，不得已，為涕泣面對而封之。 其愛人如此。
The Imperial Secretary Zhang Shu, whose given name was Ou, was a concubine's son of the Marquis of Anqiu, Yue. During Emperor Wen's time, he presented affairs to the Crown Prince through his expertise in the Legalist school of penal law and terminology. Yet although Ou was a practitioner of the Legalist school, he was himself a man of integrity. During Emperor Jing's reign he was respected and honored, regularly serving as one of the Nine Ministers. In the fourth year of Emperor Wu's Yuanshuo era, Han Anguo was dismissed, and an edict was issued appointing Ou as Imperial Secretary. From the time Ou first became an official, he never once spoke of prosecuting anyone, devoting himself entirely to administering his office with sincerity and the manner of a man of integrity. His subordinates regarded him as a man of integrity and did not dare to deceive him greatly. The emperor prepared prison affairs, if could reject, rejected them; When he could not reject them, he had no choice but to weep as he sealed the verdicts face to face. Such was his compassion for others.
25
老病甐，請免。 於是天子亦策罷，以上大夫祿歸老于家。 家於陽陵。 子孫咸至大官矣。
When he grew old and fell ill with dropsy, he requested to be relieved of his duties. Thereupon the emperor also issued an edict relieving him of office, and he retired to his home on the salary of a Senior Grand Counselor. He made his home in Yangling. His sons and grandsons all rose to high office.
26
太史公曰：仲尼有言曰「君子欲訥於言而敏於行」，其萬石、建陵、張叔之謂邪？ 是以其教不肅而成，不嚴而治。 塞侯微巧，而周文處讇君子譏之，為其近於佞也。 然斯可謂篤行君子矣！
The Grand Historian says: Confucius had words saying "The gentleman desires to be hesitant in speech but diligent in action," is this not what Wan Shi, Jianling, Zhang Shu and the like are called? Thus their instruction achieved its ends without severity, and their governance maintained order without strictness. The Marquis of Sai was possessed of subtle skill, while Zhou Wen dwelt in flattery—the gentlemen censured him for bordering on sycophancy. Yet these can be called steadfast gentlemen!