Volume 47 Biographies 7: Liu Huaisu, Meng Huaiyu, Liu Jingxuan, Tan Zhi

列傳第七劉懷肅孟懷玉〈弟龍符〉劉敬宣檀祗

Biographies 7: Liu Huaisu and Meng Huaiyu 〈Younger brother Longfu〉 Liu Jingxuan and Tan Zhi

劉懷肅，彭城人，高祖從母兄也。家世貧窶，而躬耕好學。初為劉敬宣寧朔府司馬，東征孫恩，有戰功，又為龍驤司馬、費令。聞高祖起義，棄縣來奔。京邑平定，振武將軍道規追桓玄，以懷肅為司馬。玄留何澹之、郭銓等戍桑落洲，進擊破之。潁川太守劉統平，除高平太守。玄既死，從子振大破義軍於楊林，義軍退尋陽。懷肅與江夏相張暢之攻澹之於西塞，破之。偽鎮東將軍馮該戍夏口東岸，孟山圖據魯山城，桓仙客守偃月壘，皆連壁相望。懷肅與道規攻之，躬擐甲胄，陷二城，馮該走石城，生擒仙客。義熙元年正月，振敗走，道規遣懷肅平石城，斬馮該及其子山靖。三月，桓振復襲江陵，荊州刺史司馬休之出奔，懷肅自雲杜馳赴，日夜兼行，七日而至。振勒兵三萬，旗幟蔽野，躍馬橫矛，躬自突陳。流矢傷懷肅額，眾懼欲奔，懷肅瞋目奮戰，士氣益壯。於是士卒爭先，臨陣斬振首。江陵既平，休之反鎮，執懷肅手曰：「微子之力，吾無所歸矣。」偽輔國將軍符嗣、馬孫、偽龍驤將軍金符青、樂志等屯結江夏，懷肅又討之，梟樂志等。道規加懷肅督江夏九郡，權鎮夏口。

Liu Huaisu, a native of Pengcheng, was a cousin on Emperor Wu's mother's side. His family had long been destitute, yet he worked his own fields and loved learning. He first served as major of Liu Jingxuan's Ningshuo headquarters; in the eastern campaign against Sun En he distinguished himself in battle, and was later made major of the Longxiang command and magistrate of Fei. When he learned that Emperor Wu had risen in arms, he abandoned his county post and rushed to join him. After the capital was pacified, Zhenwu General Liu Daogui pursued Huan Xuan and appointed Huaisu his major. Huan Xuan had left He Danzhi, Guo Quan, and others to hold Sangluo Isle; Huaisu advanced and routed them. After Yingchuan Administrator Liu Tong was subdued, he was appointed administrator of Gaoping. After Huan Xuan's death, his nephew Zhen routed the loyalist army at Yanglin, forcing it to fall back to Xunyang. Huaisu joined Zhang Changzhi, chancellor of Jiangxia, in attacking Danzhi at Xisai and defeated him. The rebel General Who Pacifies the East Feng Gai held the east bank of Xiakou; Meng Shantu occupied Lushan Fortress and Huan Xianke held Yanyue Rampart, their fortifications linked in a continuous line. Huaisu and Daogui attacked them; Huaisu donned armor himself, stormed two cities, drove Feng Gai to Shicheng, and took Xianke alive. In the first month of Yixi 1, Zhen was defeated and fled; Daogui sent Huaisu to take Shicheng and executed Feng Gai and his son Shanjing. In the third month Huan Zhen struck Jiangling again; Jingzhou inspector Sima Xiuzhi fled; Huaisu raced from Yundu day and night without pause and arrived in seven days. Zhen mustered thirty thousand men; banners blotted out the plain; spurring his horse with spear leveled, he charged the line himself. A stray arrow struck Huaisu in the forehead; his men panicked and nearly broke; glaring, he fought on fiercely, and their spirit surged anew. The soldiers then rushed forward and cut off Zhen's head on the battlefield. Once Jiangling was secure, Xiuzhi returned to his post, took Huaisu's hand, and said, "Without your help, I would have had nowhere to go." The rebel Generals Who Assist the State Fu Si and Ma Sun, the rebel Longxiang General Jin Fuqing, Yue Zhi, and others had gathered at Jiangxia; Huaisu campaigned against them again and displayed the heads of Yue Zhi and his fellows. Daogui further put Huaisu in charge of the nine Jiangxia commanderies and gave him acting authority at Xiaokou.

除通直郎。仍為輔國將軍、淮南、歷陽二郡太守。二年，又領劉毅撫軍司馬，軍、郡如故。以義功封東興縣侯，食邑千戶。其冬，桓石綏、司馬國璠、陳襲於胡桃山聚眾為寇，懷肅率步騎討破之。江淮間群蠻及桓氏餘黨為亂，自請出討，既行失旨，毅上表免懷肅官。三年，卒，時年四十一。追贈左將軍。無子，弟懷慎以子蔚祖嗣封，官至江夏內史。

He was appointed gentleman for direct communication. He was then made General Who Assists the State and administrator of Huainan and Liyang. In the second year he also served as major on Liu Yi's staff; his military and prefectural posts were unchanged. For his service in the founding cause he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongxing with a fief of one thousand households. That winter Huan Shisui, Sima Guofan, and Chen Xi raised a band at Hutao Mountain; Huaisu led foot and horse against them and broke them. Tribal groups along the Jiang and Huai and Huan loyalists were in revolt; he asked to lead a campaign, but once underway he fell from favor, and Liu Yi memorialized to strip him of office. In the third year he died, at the age of forty-one. He was posthumously made Left General. He had no son; his younger brother Huaishen had his son Weizu inherit the title, and Weizu rose to interior governor of Jiangxia.

蔚祖卒，子道存嗣。太祖元嘉末，為太尉江夏王義恭諮議參軍。世祖伐元兇，義軍至新亭，道存出奔，元兇殺其母以徇。前廢帝景和中，為義恭太宰從事中郎。義恭敗，以黨與下獄死。

When Weizu died, his son Daocun inherited the title. At the end of the Yuanjia era under Emperor Wen, he served as staff adviser to Grand Marshal Liu Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia. When Emperor Xiaowu marched against the usurper, the loyalist army reached Xinting; Daocun fled, and the usurper killed his mother and exposed her corpse as a warning. Under Emperor Qianfei in the Jinghe era, he was attendant gentleman on Liu Yigong's staff as grand tutor. When Yigong fell, he was imprisoned as a partisan and died there.

懷肅次弟懷敬，澀訥無才能。初，高祖產而皇妣殂，孝皇帝貧薄，無由得乳人，議欲不舉高祖。高祖從母生懷敬，未朞，乃斷懷敬乳，而自養高祖。高祖以舊恩，懷敬累見寵授，至會稽太守，尚書，金紫光祿大夫。

Huaisu's next younger brother, Huaijing, was slow-spoken and without talent. When Emperor Wu was born, his mother died; his father was too poor to hire a wet nurse, and the family even considered abandoning the infant. Emperor Wu's aunt had just borne Huaijing; before the child was a year old she weaned him and nursed Emperor Wu herself. Out of gratitude for that old debt, Emperor Wu repeatedly favored Huaijing with office, raising him to Kuaiji administrator, minister, and grand master for the palace with golden seal and purple ribbon.

懷敬子真道，為錢唐令。元嘉十三年，東土饑，上遣揚州治中從事史沈演之巡行在所，演之上表曰：「宰邑輔政，必其簡惠成能；蒞職闡治，務以利民著績。故王奐見紀於前，叔卿流稱於後。竊見錢唐令劉真道、餘杭令劉道錫，皆奉公恤民，恪勤匪懈，百姓稱詠，訟訴希簡。又翦蕩凶非，屢能擒獲。災水之初，餘杭高堤崩潰，洪流迅激，勢不可量；道錫躬先吏民，親執板築，塘既還立，縣邑獲全。經歷諸縣，訪核名實，並為二邦之首最，治民之良宰。」上嘉之，各賜穀千斛，以真道為步兵校尉。

Huaijing's son Zhendao served as magistrate of Qiantang. In the thirteenth year of Yuanjia the eastern provinces suffered famine; the court sent Yangzhou attendant clerk Shen Yanzhi to inspect the stricken districts. Yanzhi memorialized, "To govern a district and aid the administration, a man must be chosen for simplicity and kindness if he is to succeed; when he takes office and carries out good government, his aim must be to benefit the people and leave a record of achievement. Wang Huan was praised in earlier times, and Shuqing won lasting renown afterward. I have observed that Qiantang magistrate Liu Zhendao and Yuhang magistrate Liu Daoxi both serve the public faithfully and care for the people, diligent and tireless; the people praise them, and lawsuits are few. They have also rooted out violent criminals and repeatedly captured them. At the onset of the floods, Yuhang's high dike burst; the torrent was swift and violent beyond measure; Daoxi led officials and people alike, personally working the tamping boards; once the dike was rebuilt, the county was saved. Having toured the counties and verified their records, I find both the foremost magistrates of their two prefectures—exemplary rulers of the people." The emperor commended them and granted each a thousand hu of grain; Zhendao was made commandant of footsoldiers.

十四年，出為梁、南秦二州刺史。十八年，氐賊楊難當侵寇漢中，真道率軍討破之。而難當寇盜猶不已，太祖遣龍驤將軍裴方明率禁兵五千，受真道節度。十九年，方明至武興，率太子積弩將軍劉康祖、後軍參軍梁坦、陳彌、裴肅之、安西參軍段叔文、魯尚期、始興王國常侍劉僧秀、綏遠將軍馬洗、振武將軍王奐之等，進次潭谷，去臯蘭數里。難當遣其建節將軍苻弘祖、啖元等固守蘭皋，鎮北將軍苻德義於外為游軍，難當子撫軍大將軍和重兵繼其後。方明進擊，大破之於濁水，斬弘祖并三千餘級。遣康祖追之，過臯蘭二千餘里。和又遣德義助戰，康祖又大破之，和退保脩城。難當遣建忠將軍楊林、振威將軍姚憲領二千騎就和，方明又率諸將攻之。和敗走，追至赤亭，難當席卷奔叛。方明遣康祖直趣百頃，偽丞相楊萬壽等一時歸降。難當第三息虎先戍陰平，難當既走，虎逃竄民間，生禽之，送京都，斬於建康市。

In the fourteenth year he was sent out as inspector of Liang and Nanqin. In the eighteenth year the Di chieftain Yang Dandang invaded Hanzhong; Zhendao led an army against him and defeated him. But Dandang's raids continued; Emperor Wen sent Longxiang General Pei Fangming with five thousand palace troops under Zhendao's command. In the nineteenth year Fangming reached Wuxing and advanced with Heir Apparent's general of repeated crossbows Liu Kangzu, rear army staff officer Liang Tan, Chen Mi, Pei Suzhi, Anxi staff officer Duan Shuwen, Lu Shangqi, regular attendant of the Principality of Shixing Liu Sengxiu, general who pacifies the distance Ma Xi, Zhenwu general Wang Huazhi, and others to Tangu, a few li from Gaolan. Dandang sent his general who establishes the staff Fu Hongzu and Tan Yuan to hold Langao, his general who pacifies the north Fu Deyi to serve as a mobile force outside, and his son He, general-in-chief who pacifies the army, to follow with a large rear guard. Fangming attacked and routed them at Zhuoshui, killing Hongzu and more than three thousand of the enemy. He sent Kangzu in pursuit more than two thousand li beyond Gaolan. He sent Deyi to reinforce the fight; Kangzu routed them again, and He fell back to Xiucheng. Dandang sent general who establishes loyalty Yang Lin and general who shakes might Yao Xian with two thousand horsemen to join He; Fangming led the generals against them again. He was defeated and fled; the pursuit reached Chiting; Dandang gathered what he could and fled in disorder. Fangming sent Kangzu straight to Baiyu; the rebel chancellor Yang Wanshou and others surrendered at once. Dandang's third son Hu had garrisoned Yinping; when Dandang fled, Hu hid among the people, was taken alive, sent to the capital, and executed in the Jiankang market.

秦州刺史胡崇之西鎮百頃，行至濁水，為索虜所邀擊，敗沒。以真道為建威將軍、雍州刺史，方明輔國將軍、梁、南秦二州刺史。方明辭不拜。詔曰：「往年氐豎楊難當造為叛亂，俛首者眾。其長史楊萬壽、建節將軍姚憲，情不違順，屢進矢言。及凶醜宵遁，闔境崩擾，建忠將軍呂訓衛倉儲以候王師。寧朔將軍姜檀果烈懇到，志在宣力，濁水之捷，厥庸顯然，近者協贊義奮，乃心無替。略陽苻昭，誠係本朝，亦同斯舉，俘擒偽將，獨克武興，推鋒致效，隕命寇手。並事著屯險，感於予懷，宜蒙旌敘，榮慰存亡。可贈萬壽龍驤將軍，昭武都太守；憲補員外散騎侍郎，訓駙馬都尉、奉朝請；檀征西大將軍司馬、仇池太守，宜並內徙。可符雍、梁二州，厚加贍恤。」呂訓，略氐人呂先子也。又詔曰：「故晉壽太守姜道盛，前討仇池，志輸誠力，即戎著效，臨財能清。近先登濁水，殞身鋒鏑，誠節俱亮，矜悼於懷。可贈給事中，賜錢千萬。」道盛注《古文尚書》，行於世。

Qinzhou inspector Hu Chongzhi marched west to garrison Baiyu; at Zhuoshui he was ambushed by the northern barbarians, defeated, and killed. Zhendao was made general who establishes might and inspector of Yongzhou; Fangming was made general who assists the state and inspector of Liang and Nanqin. Fangming declined the appointment. An edict said, "In former years the Di rebel Yang Dandang rose in rebellion; many submitted. His chief clerk Yang Wanshou and general who establishes the staff Yao Xian remained loyal in spirit and repeatedly offered honest counsel. When the villain fled by night and the whole region fell into chaos, general who establishes loyalty Lü Xun guarded the granaries to await the imperial army. Ningshuo general Jiang Tan was resolute and loyal, eager to serve; his merit at Zhuoshui was plain, and lately he has aided the campaign with undiminished zeal. Fuzhao of Lueyang was sincerely loyal to the dynasty and joined the effort; he captured a rebel general, took Wuxing alone, led the vanguard to victory, and fell to the enemy. All distinguished themselves in perilous posts; moved by their service, they should receive honors to comfort the living and the dead. Wanshou shall be posthumously made Longxiang general and administrator of Zhaowu commandery; Xian shall be appointed supplementary attendant cavalier at large; Xun shall be made commandant of the horse guards for the imperial son-in-law and court attendant; Tan shall be made major on the staff of the general-in-chief who conquers the west and administrator of Chouci; all should be relocated inland. Orders shall go to Yong and Liang to provide generous support and relief." Lü Xun was the son of Lü Xian of the Lue Di. Another edict said, "The late Jinshou administrator Jiang Daosheng, in the campaign against Chouci, gave his loyalty and strength; in battle he distinguished himself and remained incorruptible before wealth. Lately he led the assault at Zhuoshui and fell to the enemy's blades; his loyalty and integrity alike shine clear, and I mourn him deeply. He shall be posthumously made palace attendant and granted ten million in cash." Daosheng had annotated the 《Ancient Text Book of Documents》, which circulated in his day.

真道、方明並坐破仇池，斷割金銀諸雜寶貨，又藏難當善馬，下獄死。劉康祖等繫免各有差。方明，河東人，為劉道濟振武中兵參軍，立功蜀土，歷潁川、南平昌太守，皆坐贓私免官。

Zhendao and Fangming were both convicted for embezzling gold, silver, and other spoils from the conquest of Chouci and for hiding Dandang's fine horses; they were imprisoned and died. Liu Kangzu and the others were detained and dismissed to varying degrees. Fangming, a native of Hedong, had served as Zhenwu central army staff officer under Liu Daoji, won merit in Shu, and held the prefectures of Yingchuan and Nanpingchang in turn, but was dismissed from each for corruption.

孟懷玉，平昌安丘人也。高祖珩，晉河南尹。祖淵，右光祿大夫。父綽，義旗後為給事中，光祿勳，追贈金紫光祿大夫。世居京口。

Meng Huaiyu was a native of Anqiu in Pingchang. Emperor Wu's father Heng had been Jin administrator of Henan. His grandfather Yuan was right grand master for splendid happiness. His father Chuo, after the founding uprising, became palace attendant and grand master for splendid happiness, and was posthumously made grand master for the palace with golden seal and purple ribbon. The family had long lived at Jingkou.

高祖東伐孫恩，以懷玉為建武司馬。豫義旗，從平京城，進定京邑。以功封鄱陽縣侯，食邑千戶。高祖鎮京口，以懷玉為鎮軍參軍、下邳太守。義熙三年，出為寧朔將軍、西陽太守、新蔡內史，除中書侍郎，轉輔國將軍，領丹陽府兵，戍石頭。

When Emperor Wu campaigned east against Sun En, he made Huaiyu major of the Jianwu command. He joined the founding uprising, helped pacify Jingcheng, and advanced to secure the capital. For his merit he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Poyang with a fief of one thousand households. When Emperor Wu garrisoned Jingkou, he made Huaiyu staff officer on the garrison army and administrator of Xiapi. In Yixi 3 he was sent out as Ningshuo general, administrator of Xiyang, and interior governor of Xincai; he was appointed gentleman of the secretariat, transferred to general who assists the state, given command of Danyang troops, and posted to Shitou.

盧循逼京邑，懷玉於石頭岸連戰有功，為中軍諮議參軍。賊帥徐道覆屢欲以精銳登岸，畏懷玉不敢上。及循南走，懷玉與眾軍追躡，直至嶺表。徐道覆屯結始興，懷玉攻圍之，身當矢石，旬月乃陷。仍南追循，循平，又封陽豐縣男，食邑二百五十戶。復為太尉諮議參軍，征虜將軍。八年，遷江州刺史，尋督江州、豫州之西陽、新蔡、汝南、潁川、司州之弘農、揚州之松滋六郡諸軍事、南中郎將，刺史如故。時荊州刺史司馬休之居上流，有異志，故授懷玉此任以防之。十一年，加持節。丁父艱，懷玉有孝性。因抱篤疾，上表陳解，不許。又自陳弟仙客出繼，喪主唯己，乃見聽。未去任，其年卒官。時年三十一。追贈平南將軍。子元卒，無子，國除。懷玉別封陽豐男，子慧熙嗣，坐廢祭祀奪爵。慧熙子宗嗣，竟陵太守，中大夫。

When Lu Xun threatened the capital, Huaiyu fought repeatedly at Shitou with distinction and was made central army staff adviser. The rebel leader Xu Daofu repeatedly tried to land elite troops on the shore but feared Huaiyu and did not dare come ashore. When Xun fled south, Huaiyu and the other armies pursued him all the way to Lingnan. Xu Daofu held Shixing; Huaiyu besieged him, exposing himself to arrow and stone fire; after more than a month the city fell. He continued south in pursuit of Xun; when Xun was subdued, he was further enfeoffed as baron of Yangfeng with a fief of two hundred fifty households. He again became grand marshal staff adviser and general who campaigns against the barbarians. In the eighth year he was transferred to inspector of Jiangzhou; soon he was given overall command of military affairs in six commanderies—Xiyang and Xincai in Yuzhou, Runan and Yingchuan, Hongnong in Sizhou, and Songzi in Yangzhou—and made general of the southern gentlemen of the household, retaining his inspectorship. At the time Jingzhou inspector Sima Xiuzhi held the upper Yangtze and harbored ambitions of his own, so Huaiyu was given the post to keep watch on him. In the eleventh year he was invested with the staff of command. When his father died, Huaiyu showed himself deeply filial by nature. He then fell seriously ill and submitted a memorial asking to be relieved of office, but the court refused. He further explained that his brother Xianke had been given in adoption to another line, leaving him solely responsible for the mourning rites, and only then was his resignation approved. Before he could leave his post, he died in office that same year. He was thirty-one years old at the time. He was posthumously honored as general who pacifies the south. His son Yuan died without heirs, and the fief was abolished. Huaiyu also held a separate title as baron of Yangfeng; his son Huixi succeeded him but lost the rank for abandoning the prescribed sacrifices. Huixi's son Zong succeeded him and served as administrator of Jingling and palace attendant.

龍符，懷玉弟也。驍果有膽氣，幹力絕人。少好游俠，結客於閭里。早為高祖所知，既克京城，以龍符為建武參軍。江乘、羅落、覆舟三戰，竝有功。參鎮軍軍事，封平昌縣五等子，加寧遠將軍、淮陵太守。與劉藩、向彌征桓歆、桓石康，破斬之。除建威將軍、東海太守。索虜斛蘭、索度真侵邊，彭、沛騷擾，高祖遣龍符、建威將軍道憐北討，一戰破之。追斛蘭至光水溝邊，被創奔走。

Meng Longfu was the younger brother of Meng Huaiyu. Fierce and resolute, he was bold beyond measure and possessed strength that few could match. As a youth he took to the swagger of the knight-errant and gathered followers in his neighborhood. Emperor Wu noticed him early on; after the capital was taken, he appointed Longfu staff officer on the Jianwu command. He distinguished himself at all three battles—Jiangcheng, Luoluo, and Fuzhou. He joined the garrison army staff, was enfeoffed as fifth-rank viscount of Pingchang, and further promoted to general who pacifies the distant and administrator of Huailing. With Liu Fan and Xiang Mi he campaigned against Huan Xin and Huan Shikang, defeating and executing both. He was appointed general who establishes might and administrator of Donghai. When the Northern Wei generals Hulan and Suduzhen raided the border and threw Peng and Pei into turmoil, Emperor Wu sent Longfu and Jianwei general Liu Daolian north against them; they routed the invaders in a single battle. They pursued Hulan to the Guangshui Ditch, where he was wounded and fled.

高祖伐廣固，以龍符為車騎參軍，加龍驤將軍、廣川太守，統步騎為前鋒。軍達臨朐，與賊爭水，龍符單騎衝突，應手破散，即據水源，賊遂退走。龍符乘勝奔逐，後騎不及，賊數千騎圍繞攻之。龍符奮矟接戰，每一合輒殺數人，眾寡不敵，遂見害，時年三十三。高祖深加痛悼，追贈青州刺史。又表曰：「故龍驤將軍、廣川太守孟龍符，忠勇果毅，隕身王事，宜蒙甄表，以顯貞節，聖恩嘉悼，寵贈方州。龍符投袂義初，前驅效命，推鋒三捷，每為眾先。及西劋桓歆，北殄索虜，朝議爵賞，未及施行。會今北伐，復統前旅，臨朐之戰，氣冠三軍。于時逆徒寔繁，控弦掩澤，龍符匹馬電躍，所向摧靡，奪戈深入，知死弗吝。賊超奔遁，依險鳥聚，大軍因勢，方軌長驅。考其庸績，豫參濟不，竊謂宜班爵土，以褒勳烈。」乃追封臨沅縣男，食邑五百戶。無子，弟仙客以子微生嗣封。太祖元嘉中，有罪奪爵，徙廣州，以微生弟彥祖子佛護襲爵。齊受禪，國除。孝武大明初，諸流徒者悉聽還本，微生已死，子係祖歸京都，有筋幹異力，能儋負數人，入隸羽林，為殿中將軍。二年，索虜寇青、冀，世祖遣軍援之，係祖自占求行。戰於杜梁，挺身入陳，所殺狼籍，遂見殺。詔書追贈潁川郡太守。

When Emperor Wu marched on Guanggu, he made Longfu staff officer on the chariots-and-cavalry command, promoted him to dragon-rising general and administrator of Guangchuan, and put him at the head of the infantry and cavalry vanguard. When the army reached Linqu and fought the enemy for control of the water, Longfu charged alone on horseback, scattering them at the first blow, seized the springhead, and drove the rebels to retreat. Longfu pressed the pursuit in the heat of victory, outrunning his escort, until several thousand enemy horsemen surrounded and attacked him. Longfu fought on with leveled spear, killing several men at every pass, but overwhelming numbers prevailed and he fell; he was thirty-three years old. Emperor Wu mourned him deeply and posthumously honored him as inspector of Qingzhou. He also submitted a memorial that said, "The late dragon-rising general and administrator of Guangchuan, Meng Longfu, was loyal, brave, and resolute; he gave his life in the service of the throne. His steadfast devotion deserves public recognition, and your sacred grace has already honored his memory with a posthumous provincial appointment. When the righteous cause first took up arms, Longfu thrust himself forward as vanguard, won three spearpoint victories, and always led the host. After his western campaign against Huan Xin and his northern victories over the barbarians, the court had resolved on rewards but not yet granted them. On this northern expedition he again led the vanguard; at Linqu his fighting spirit surpassed the whole army. The rebel ranks were thick, archers blackened the marshes, yet Longfu charged alone like lightning, crushing all before him, plunging deep among the enemy spears without sparing his life. The enemy broke and fled, clustering in defensible strongpoints like frightened birds, while the main army pressed the advantage in a broad advance. Weighing his service to the cause, including his role in our victories, I submit that enfeoffment would be the fitting tribute to his merit." Thereupon he was posthumously enfeoffed as baron of Linyuan with a fief of five hundred households. He had no sons; his brother Xianke's son Weisheng inherited the title. During Emperor Wen's Yuankai reign, Weisheng was stripped of his title for a crime and exiled to Guangzhou; Fohu, son of Weisheng's brother Yanzu, inherited the title. When the Qi dynasty took the throne, the fief was abolished. At the start of Emperor Xiaowu's Daming era, all exiles were permitted to return home; Weisheng was already dead, but his son Xizu came back to the capital. Possessed of extraordinary strength, he could carry several men on his back; he enlisted in the Feathered Forest guard and was made palace guard general. In the second year, barbarians raided Qing and Ji; Emperor Xiaowu sent relief forces, and Xizu volunteered for the campaign. At the battle of Duliang he plunged into the enemy ranks and killed many, but fell in the fighting. An imperial edict posthumously honored him as administrator of Yingchuan commandery.

劉敬宣，字萬壽，彭城人，漢楚元王交後也。祖建，征虜將軍。父牢之，鎮北將軍。敬宣八歲喪母，晝夜號泣，中表異之。輔國將軍桓序鎮蕪湖，牢之參序軍事。四月八日，敬宣見眾人灌佛，乃下頭上金鏡以為母灌，因悲泣不自勝，序歎息，謂牢之曰：「卿此兒既為家之孝子，必為國之忠臣。」起家為王恭前軍參軍，又參會稽世子元顯征虜軍事。

Liu Jingxuan, courtesy name Wanshou, was a native of Pengcheng and a descendant of Liu Jiao, Prince Yuan of Chu of the Han dynasty. His grandfather Jian served as general who campaigns against the barbarians. His father Laozhi was general who guards the north. Jingxuan lost his mother at eight and wept day and night; relatives near and far marveled at him. When general who assists the state Huan Xu garrisoned Wuhu, Laozhi served on his staff. On the eighth day of the fourth month, Jingxuan watched others bathe the Buddha image; he took the golden mirror from his head and used it to bathe the statue for his mother's sake, weeping until he could no longer contain his grief. Xu sighed and said to Laozhi, "A son who mourns his mother so deeply at home will surely prove a loyal servant of the state." He entered official life as staff officer on Wang Gong's vanguard command and later joined the staff of Yuan Xian, heir of Kuaiji, on his campaign staff.

隆安三年，王恭起兵於京口，以誅司馬尚之兄弟為名。牢之時為恭前軍司馬、輔國將軍、晉陵太守，置佐領兵。而恭以豪戚自居，甚相陵忽，牢之心不能平。及恭此舉，使牢之為前鋒。太傅會稽王道子與牢之書，備言禍福，使以兵反恭。牢之呼敬宣謂曰：「王恭昔蒙先帝殊恩，今居伯舅之重，義心未彰，唯兵是縱。吾不能審恭事捷之日，必能奉戴天子，緝穆宰相與不。今欲奉國威靈，以明逆順，汝以為何如？」敬宣曰：「朝廷雖無成、康之隆，未有桓、靈之亂，而恭怙亂阻兵，志陵京邑。大人與恭親無骨肉，分非君臣，雖共事少時，意好不協。今日討之，於情何有？」牢之至竹里，斬恭大將顏延，遣敬宣率高雅之等還京襲恭。恭方出城耀軍，馳騎橫擊之，一時散潰。元顯進號後將軍，以敬宣為諮議參軍，加寧朔將軍。

In Long'an 3, Wang Gong raised an army at Jingkou on the pretext of punishing the brothers Sima Shangzhi. Laozhi then served as Wang Gong's vanguard major, general who assists the state, and administrator of Jinling, with staff and troops under his command. Gong treated himself as a grand kinsman of the throne and looked down on Laozhi; Laozhi's resentment grew. When Gong launched his rebellion, he put Laozhi at the head of his army. Grand Tutor Sima Daozi, prince of Kuaiji, wrote to Laozhi in detail about the consequences and urged him to turn his troops against Gong. Laozhi called Jingxuan and said, "Wang Gong once enjoyed exceptional favor from the late emperor and now holds the rank of the emperor's maternal uncle. He has shown no loyal intent, yet unleashes his armies at will. I cannot tell whether, if Gong succeeds, he will truly uphold the emperor and work in harmony with the chief ministers. I mean to uphold the authority of the state and make the line between loyalty and rebellion clear. What do you think?" Jingxuan replied, "The court may not enjoy the golden age of Kings Cheng and Kang, but neither has it sunk to the chaos of Emperors Huan and Ling. Yet Gong takes chaos as his shield and blocks the roads with troops, his ambition set on the capital. You and Gong are not blood kin, nor are you bound as lord and minister. You served together only briefly, and your feelings were never close. To move against him now would violate no bond of loyalty or kinship." Laozhi advanced to Zhuli, executed Wang Gong's chief general Yan Yan, and sent Jingxuan with Gao Yazhi and others back to the capital to strike at Gong. Gong had just led his troops out to parade them when Jingxuan's horsemen charged across their ranks and routed them on the spot. Yuan Xian was promoted to rear general; Jingxuan was made staff adviser and further promoted to ningshuo general.

三年，孫恩為亂，東土騷擾，牢之自表東討，軍次虎疁。賊皆死戰，敬宣請以騎傍南山趣其後，吳賊畏馬，又懼首尾受敵，遂大敗。進平會稽，尋加臨淮太守，遷後軍從事中郎。五年，孫恩又入浹口，高祖戍句章，賊頻攻不能拔。敬宣請往為援，賊恩於是退遠入海。是時四方雲擾，朝廷微弱，敬宣每慮艱難未已，高祖既累破妖賊，功名日盛，故敬宣深相憑結，情好甚隆。元顯進號驃騎，敬宣仍隨府轉，軍、郡如故。元顯驕淫縱肆，群下化之；敬宣每預燕會，未嘗飲酒，調戲之來，無所酬答，元顯甚不說。尋進號輔國將軍，餘如故。

In the third year Sun En rebelled and threw the east into turmoil; Laozhi volunteered to campaign east and encamped at Huyao. The rebels fought to the death; Jingxuan proposed taking cavalry around the southern hills to hit their rear. The Wu rebels feared cavalry and dreaded being caught between two forces, and were routed. He went on to pacify Kuaiji, was soon made administrator of Linhuai, and was transferred to rear army attending courtier. In the fifth year Sun En invaded Jiekou again; Emperor Wu held Gouzhang, which the rebels assaulted repeatedly without success. Jingxuan offered to march to his aid; Sun En then withdrew far out to sea. Turmoil engulfed the realm and the court grew weak; Jingxuan feared the troubles would never end. Emperor Wu, having repeatedly defeated the rebels, rose in fame and power day by day, and Jingxuan placed his trust in him; the two became very close. When Yuan Xian was promoted to cavalry-in-chief, Jingxuan transferred with his staff; his military and territorial posts remained unchanged. Yuan Xian grew arrogant, dissolute, and unrestrained, and his subordinates followed his example; Jingxuan attended their banquets but never drank; when teased he offered no response, and Yuan Xian took strong offense. Shortly afterward he was promoted to general who assists the state; his other posts were unchanged.

元興元年，牢之南討桓玄，元顯為征討大都督，日夜昏酣，牢之驟詣門，不得相見；帝出餞行，方遇公坐而已。桓玄既至溧州，遣信說牢之；牢之以道子昏闇，元顯淫凶，慮平玄之日，亂政方始，假手於玄，誅除執政，然後乘玄之隙，可以得志於天下，將許玄降。敬宣諫曰：「方今國家亂擾，四海鼎沸，天下之重，在大人與玄。玄藉先父之基，據荊南之勢，雖無姬文之德，實為參分之形。一朝縱之，使陵朝廷，威望既成，則難圖也。董卓之變，將生於今。」牢之怒曰：「吾豈不知今日取玄如反覆手，但平玄之後，令我那驃騎何？」遺敬宣為任，玄板為其府諮議參軍。

In Yuanxing 1, Laozhi marched south against Huan Xuan; Yuan Xian served as grand commander of the punitive expedition but spent his days and nights in drunken revelry; Laozhi rushed to his gate and could not obtain an audience; The emperor came out only to bid the army farewell, and Laozhi met Yuan Xian briefly in formal session and nothing more. When Huan Xuan reached Lizhou, he sent envoys to win over Laozhi; Laozhi saw that Daozi was corrupt and Yuan Xian vicious, and reasoned that even if Xuan were defeated, misrule would only worsen. He planned to use Xuan to destroy the ruling clique, then exploit Xuan's weaknesses to seize power himself, and was ready to surrender to him. Jingxuan urged caution: "The realm is in chaos and the empire seethes; the fate of the land now rests with you and Huan Xuan. Xuan builds on his father's power base and holds the strength of southern Jing; he may lack the virtue of King Wen of Zhou, but he already commands a third of the empire. If you let him go now and allow him to overwhelm the court, his authority will solidify and he will become impossible to overthrow. Another Dong Zhuo will arise from this very moment." Laozhi snapped, "Do you think I don't know I could crush Xuan as easily as turning my hand? But once Xuan is gone, what am I to do about that cavalry-in-chief?" He sent Jingxuan as his envoy, and Xuan appointed him staff adviser on his staff.

玄既得志，害元顯，廢道子，以牢之為征東將軍、會稽太守。牢之與敬宣謀共襲玄，期以明旦。值爾日大霧，府門晚開，日旰，敬宣不至，牢之謂所謀已泄，率部曲向白洲，欲奔廣陵。而敬宣還京口迎家，牢之尋求不得，謂已為玄所擒，乃自縊死。敬宣奔喪，哭畢，即渡江就司馬休之、高雅之等，俱奔洛陽，往來長安，各以子弟為質，求救於姚興。興與之符信，令關東募兵，得數千人，復還至彭城間，收聚義故。玄遣孫無終討冀州刺史劉軌，軌要敬宣、雅之等共據山陽破之，不克。又進昌平澗，戰不利，眾各離散，乃俱奔鮮卑慕容德。

Once Xuan secured power, he killed Yuan Xian and deposed Daozi, appointing Laozhi general who campaigns east and administrator of Kuaiji. Laozhi and Jingxuan plotted a joint strike against Xuan, scheduling it for the following dawn. That morning a thick fog delayed the opening of headquarters; dusk came and Jingxuan still had not appeared; Laozhi feared their plot was exposed, gathered his troops, and headed for Baizhou, intending to flee to Guangling. Jingxuan had gone to Jingkou to fetch his family; unable to find him, Laozhi assumed he had been seized by Xuan and hanged himself. Jingxuan rushed to his father's funeral; when the rites were done he crossed the river to join Sima Xiuzhi and Gao Yazhi; together they fled to Luoyang, traveled to Chang'an, sent their sons as hostages, and sought aid from Yao Xing. Yao Xing gave them credentials and orders to raise troops east of the Pass; they mustered several thousand men and returned to the Pengcheng region to rally old comrades. Huan Xuan sent Sun Wuzhong against Ji province inspector Liu Gui; Gui summoned Jingxuan and Yazhi to hold Shanyang and strike at Sun, but they failed. Advancing to Changping Stream, they were defeated and their forces scattered; they all fled together to the Xianbei ruler Murong De.

敬宣素曉天文，知必有興復晉室者。尋夢丸土服之，既覺，喜曰：「丸者桓也。桓既吞矣，吾復本土乎！」乃結青州大姓諸崔、封，並要鮮卑大帥免逵，謀滅德，推休之為主，克日垂發。時劉軌為德司空，大被委任，雅之又欲要軌。敬宣曰：「此公年老，吾觀其有安齊志，必不動，不可告也。」雅之以為不然，遂告軌，軌果不從。謀頗泄，相與殺軌而去。至淮、泗間，會高祖平京口，手書召敬宣；左右疑其詐，敬宣曰：「吾固知其然矣。下邳不誘我也。」即便馳還。既至京師，以敬宣為輔國將軍、晉陵太守，襲封武岡縣男。是歲，安帝元興三年也。

Jingxuan had long studied the heavens and knew that someone would restore the Jin dynasty. He soon dreamed that he swallowed a ball of earth; waking, he exclaimed with delight, "The ball stands for Huan. Once Huan is swallowed, I shall return to my homeland!" He then rallied the great Qingzhou clans of Cui and Feng, enlisted the Xianbei chieftain Miankui, plotted to overthrow Murong De and install Xiuzhi as leader, and set a date for the uprising. Liu Gui then served Murong De as minister of works and enjoyed great trust; Gao Yazhi wanted to win him over as well. Jingxuan said, "That man is old, and I see he has made up his mind to live peacefully in Qi; he will never join us. We must not confide in him." Yazhi disagreed, told Liu Gui anyway, and as Jingxuan had predicted, Liu Gui refused. The plot leaked, and they killed Liu Gui and fled together. Between the Huai and Si rivers they learned that Emperor Wu had pacified Jingkou; he sent a personal letter summoning Jingxuan; His companions suspected a trap; Jingxuan said, "I have expected exactly this all along. This is not a trap set at Xiapi." Immediately he spurred his horse homeward. Once he reached the capital, Liu Yu appointed Jingxuan general who assists the state and administrator of Jinling, with inherited enfeoffment as baron of Wugang County. That year was the third year of the Yuanxing era of Emperor An.

桓歆率氐賊楊秋寇歷陽，敬宣與建威將軍諸葛長民大破之。歆單騎走渡淮，斬楊秋於練固而還。遷建威將軍、江州刺史。敬宣固辭，言於高祖曰：「仇恥既雪，四海清蕩，所願反身草澤，以終餘年。恩遇不遣，遂復僶俛，即目所忝，已為優渥。且盤龍、無忌猶未遇寵，賢二弟位任尚卑，一朝先之，必貽朝野之責。」不許。敬宣既至江州，課集軍糧，搜召舟乘，軍戎要用，常有儲擬。故囗征諸軍雖失利退據，因之每即振復。其年，桓玄兄子亮自號江州刺史，寇豫章；亮又遣苻宏寇廬陵，敬宣並討破之。

Huan Xin led the Di rebel Yang Qiu in an attack on Liyang; Jingxuan and General Who Establishes Might Zhuge Changmin routed them decisively. Xin fled alone on horseback across the Huai; Jingxuan beheaded Yang Qiu at Liangu and withdrew. He was promoted to general who establishes might and inspector of Jiangzhou. Jingxuan firmly declined, telling Liu Yu, "Our feud is settled and the realm is at peace. All I want is to retire to the wilds and live out my days. Your kindness in not releasing me compels me to bend again to office; the honors I already bear are more than enough. Panlong and Wuji have not yet been richly rewarded, and my two younger brothers still hold modest posts. If I were suddenly advanced before them, court and countryside would surely condemn it." His request was denied. After Jingxuan took up his post at Jiangzhou, he levied and stockpiled grain, mustered boats and transport, and maintained reserves of everything the army would need. Thanks to his stockpiles, even when the field armies suffered setbacks and fell back to defensive positions, they could quickly regroup and recover. That year Huan Xuan's nephew Liang declared himself inspector of Jiangzhou and attacked Yuzhang; Liang also sent Fu Hong against Luling; Jingxuan defeated both forces.

初，劉毅之少也，為敬宣寧朔參軍。時人或以雄傑許之，敬宣曰：「夫非常之才，當別有調度，豈得便謂此君為人豪邪？其性外寬而內忌，自伐而尚人，若一旦遭逢，亦當以陵上取禍耳。」毅聞之，深以為恨。及在江陵，知敬宣還，乃使人言於高祖曰：「劉敬宣父子，忠國既昧，今又不豫義始。猛將勞臣，方須敘報，如敬宣之比，宜令在後。若使君不忘平生，欲相申起者，論資語事，正可為員外常侍耳。聞已授其郡，實為過優；尋知復為江州，尤所駭惋。」敬宣愈不自安。安帝反正，自表解職。於是散徹，賜給宅宇，月給錢三十萬。高祖數引與遊宴，恩款周洽，所賜錢帛車馬及器服玩好，莫與比焉。尋除冠軍將軍、宣城內史、襄城太守。宣城多山縣，郡舊立屯以供府郡費用，前人多發調工巧，造作器物。敬宣到郡，悉罷私屯，唯伐竹木，治府舍而已。亡叛多首出，遂得三千餘戶。

In his youth Liu Yi had served on Jingxuan's staff as a Ningshuo command aide. Some had begun to hail him as a hero of the age. Jingxuan said, "A truly extraordinary man reveals himself in his own way. How can we call this fellow a towering talent? Outwardly affable, inwardly jealous; eager for praise yet eager to pull others down. When his hour comes, he will still destroy himself by lording it over his superiors." When Yi heard this, he took a lasting grudge. While holding Jiangling he learned Jingxuan had come back and sent word to Liu Yu: "The Jingxuans' loyalty to the throne has always been doubtful, and they did not join us when the righteous cause began. The hard-fighting generals and worn ministers still await their rewards; men like Jingxuan should wait their turn at the back of the line. If you still wish to do something for an old acquaintance, judging by seniority and service he would deserve nothing more than supernumerary attendant at court. I hear he has already been given a whole commandery — that is far too generous; and now I learn he has been made inspector of Jiangzhou again — that shocks and grieves me most of all." Jingxuan became only more anxious. When Emperor An was restored to the throne, Jingxuan petitioned to resign. He was retired from active service, given a mansion, and a monthly stipend of three hundred thousand cash. Liu Yu repeatedly invited him to hunts and feasts; the warmth between them was complete. Cash, silk, horses, carriages, furnishings, and fine things — no one received gifts like his. Shortly afterward he was made general who conquers champions, interior minister of Xuancheng, and administrator of Xiangcheng. Xuancheng was a rugged, hilly region. The commandery had long maintained colonies to fund its administration; earlier officials had habitually requisitioned artisans to manufacture luxuries. When Jingxuan arrived he abolished the private colonies entirely, using only cut bamboo and timber to repair the yamen — nothing more. Many fugitives voluntarily surrendered, yielding more than three thousand registered households.

高祖方大相寵任，欲先令立功。義熙三年，表遣敬宣率眾五千伐蜀。國子博士周祗書諫高祖曰：「自義旗之建，所征無不必克，此可謂天人交助，信順之徵也。今大難已夷，君臣俱泰。頃五穀轉豐，民無饑苦，劫盜之患，亦為弭息，比誠漸足無事，宜大寧治本。蜀賊宜平，六合宜一，非為不爾也。古人有言，天時不如地利，地利不如人和。今往伐蜀，萬有餘里，溯流天險，動經時歲。若此軍直指成都，徑禽譙氏者，復是將帥奮威，一快之舉耳。然益士荒殘，野無青草，成都之內，殆無孑遺。計得彼利，與今行軍之費，不足相補也。而今往艱險，雨雪方降，驅三州三吳之人，投之三巴三蜀之土，其中疾病死亡，豈可稱計。此一疑也。賊必不守窮城，將決力戰。今我往勞困，彼來甚逸。若忽使師行不利，人情波駭，大勢挫衂。此二疑也。且千里饋糧，士有饑色。況今溯險萬里，所在無儲。若連兵不解，運漕不繼，雖韓、白之將，何以成功。此三疑也。今云可征者皆云：『彼親離眾叛。』愚謂不然。彼以一匹夫，而能致今日之事，若眾力離散，亦何以至此。官所遣兵皆烏合受募之人，亦必無千人一心，有前無退矣。為治者固先定其內而理其外，先安其近而懷其遠。自頃狂狡不息，誅戮相繼，未可謂人和也。天險如彼，未可謂地利也。毛脩之家仇不雪，不應以得死為恨；劉敬宣蒙生存之恩，亦宜性命仰報。今將軍欲驅二死之甘心，而忘國家之重計，愚情竊所未安。闕門之外，非所宜豫，苟其有心，不覺披盡。」不從。

Liu Yu was showering him with trust and meant first to give him a chance to distinguish himself in battle. In the third year of Yixi he petitioned the throne to send Jingxuan at the head of five thousand men to conquer Shu. Zhou Zhi, erudite of the National University, wrote to remonstrate with Liu Yu: "Since you raised the banner of righteousness, every campaign you launched has succeeded — a sign that Heaven and men are working together in trust and accord. The great crisis is past; sovereign and ministers alike enjoy peace. Grain harvests are improving, the people no longer go hungry, and banditry has subsided. The realm is at last turning tranquil; now is the time to cultivate lasting order at home. The rebels in Shu ought to be crushed and the empire reunited — no one denies that. The ancients said that favorable season counts for less than favorable terrain, and terrain for less than harmony among men. An expedition against Shu means more than ten thousand li, fighting upstream through natural barriers — the march alone would take a year or more. If the army could strike straight for Chengdu and seize the Qiao clan at one blow, that would be a splendid feat of generalship — but only if it worked. Yet Yi Province lies wasted and bare; the countryside has not a blade of green grass, and Chengdu itself is nearly emptied of people. Whatever could be gained there would not offset the cost of the march. The route is brutal, snow is already falling, and you would drive men from Jiangdong into the wilds of Ba and Shu — sickness and death would be beyond counting. That is my first concern. The enemy will not sit besieged in a doomed city — they will fight to the death. We would arrive exhausted; they would meet us fresh. One reverse on the march would panic the troops and break the empire's momentum. That is my second concern. As the saying goes, armies that must be fed from a thousand li away arrive with hungry faces. How much worse when the march is ten thousand li against the current, with no depots anywhere along the route? If the campaign drags on and supply lines fail, not even a Han Xin or a Bai Qi could bring it off. That is my third concern. Those who urge the expedition say, 'The Qiao regime is torn by internal strife and deserted by its followers.' I do not believe it. A single adventurer brought them this far; if his followers were truly falling away, how would he have gotten here? Our own troops are hired rabble; they will not march as one man with no thought of retreat. Sound governance secures the interior before venturing abroad, stabilizes what is near before dreaming of what is far. Rebellions and executions have not ceased — one can hardly speak of harmony among men. With natural barriers like those ahead, one can hardly speak of terrain in our favor. Mao Xiuzhi's family blood-debt is still unpaid — we should not simply send him to die satisfied; and Liu Jingxuan owes his life to you — he should repay that debt with service, not with suicide. To send these two men eager for death while neglecting the nation's larger interests — forgive me, but that troubles me deeply. It is not my place to speak beyond the gate, but I have held nothing back." Liu Yu did not accept the advice.

假敬宣節，監征蜀諸軍事，郡如故。既入峽，分遣振武將軍、巴東太守溫祚以二千人揚聲外水，自率益州刺史鮑陋、輔國將軍文處茂、龍驤將軍時延祖由墊江而進。敬宣率先士卒，轉戰而前，達遂寧郡之黃虎，去成都五百里。偽輔國將軍譙道福等悉眾距險，相持六十餘日，大小十餘戰，賊固守不敢出。敬宣不得進，食糧盡，軍中多疾疫，死者太半，引軍還。譙縱送毛璩一門諸喪，其妻女、文處茂母何，并諸士人喪柩，浮之中流，敬宣皆拯接致歸。為有司所奏，免官，削封三分之一。

Jingxuan was given commissary credentials and overall command of the Shu expedition; his commandery post remained unchanged. Once inside the gorges he sent General Who Rouses Martial Might Wen Zuo, administrator of Badong, with two thousand men to feint along the outer river, while he led Inspector of Yizhou Bao Lou, General Who Assists the State Wen Chumao, and General Who Is Like a Dragon Shi Yanzu up the inner route through Dianjiang. Jingxuan fought at the head of his men, battle after battle, until he reached Huanghu in Suining Commandery — five hundred li from Chengdu. The rebel general Qiao Daofu massed his troops on the defiles. For more than sixty days they skirmished in a dozen fights, but the enemy held their lines and would not come out. Jingxuan could not break through. Provisions ran out, plague swept the camp, and more than half his men died; he withdrew. Qiao Zong floated downriver the coffins of Mao Qiong's entire household, his wife and daughters, Wen Chumao's mother Lady He, and several gentry — Jingxuan recovered every coffin and sent them home. The authorities impeached him; he was stripped of office and lost one third of his fief.

五年，高祖伐鮮卑，除中軍諮議參軍，加冠軍將軍。從至臨朐，慕容超出軍距戰，敬宣與兗州刺史劉藩等奮擊，大破之。龍驤將軍孟龍符戰沒，敬宣并領其眾，圍廣固，屢獻規略。盧循逼京師，敬宣分領鮮卑虎班突騎，置陣甚整，循等望而畏之。遷使持節、督馬頭、淮西諸軍郡事、鎮蠻護軍、淮南、安豐二郡太守、梁國內史，將軍如故。循既走，仍從高祖南討，轉左衛將軍，加散騎常侍。

In the fifth year, when Liu Yu marched against the Xianbei, Jingxuan was made central-army staff adviser with the additional rank of general who conquers champions. He accompanied the campaign to Linqu. When Murong Chao marched out to meet them, Jingxuan and Inspector of Yanzhou Liu Fan led a furious charge and routed the enemy. When General Who Is Like a Dragon Meng Longfu fell in battle, Jingxuan took over his command, helped besiege Guanggu, and repeatedly offered sound counsel. When Lu Xun threatened the capital, Jingxuan commanded a corps of Xianbei tiger-guard shock cavalry in impeccably drawn ranks — Lu Xun's men looked on in fear. He was promoted to bearer of the staff, supervisor of Matou and the Huai west, general who guards the barbarians, administrator of Huainan and Anfeng commanderies, and interior minister of Liang — while retaining his general's rank. After Lu Xun fled, he followed Liu Yu south in pursuit, was made left guard general, and received the additional title of regular attendant.

敬宣寬厚善待士，多伎藝，弓馬音律，無事不善。時尚書僕射謝混自負才地，少所交納，與敬宣相遇，便盡禮著歡。或問混曰：「卿未嘗輕交於人，而傾蓋於萬壽，何也？」混曰：「人之相知，豈可以一塗限。孔文舉禮太史子義，夫豈有非之者邪！」

Jingxuan was broad-minded and gracious to men of talent. He mastered archery, horsemanship, music, and a dozen other arts besides. Xie Hun, vice director of the Masters of Writing, was proud of his gifts and station and rarely deigned to befriend anyone — yet when he met Jingxuan he treated him with full ceremony and obvious delight. Someone asked Hun, "You never make friends lightly, yet you took to Wanshou under a shared cart awning — why?" Hun replied, "Friendship does not follow one rule for everyone. Kong Wenju honored Taishi Ziyi — who would call that wrong?"

初，敬宣回師於蜀，劉毅欲以重法繩之；高祖既相任待，又何無忌明言於毅，謂不宜以私憾傷至公，若必文致為戮，己當入朝以廷議決之。毅雖止，猶謂高祖曰：「夫生平之舊，豈可孤信。光武悔之於龐萌，曹公失之於孟卓，公宜深慮之。」毅出為荊州，謂敬宣曰：「吾忝西任，欲屈卿為長史、南蠻，豈有見輔意乎？」敬宣懼禍及，以告高祖。高祖笑曰：「但令老兄平安，必無過慮。」出為使持節、督北青州軍郡事、征虜將軍、北青州刺史，領青河太守，尋領冀州刺史。

After Jingxuan withdrew from Shu, Liu Yi wanted to have him punished under the harshest laws; but Liu Yu continued to favor him. He Wuji told Yi plainly that private spite must not override the public good — and that if Yi insisted on framing Jingxuan for execution, he would enter court himself and let the full assembly decide. Yi relented, but told Liu Yu, "A lifelong confidant is not someone you can trust blindly. Emperor Guangwu repented his trust in Pang Meng; Cao Cao paid for trusting Zhang Miao. You would do well to think on that." When Yi took up his post in Jingzhou he said to Jingxuan, "I am honored with the western command and would be pleased to have you as chief clerk and director of the southern barbarians — would you consent to assist me?" Jingxuan feared a trap and reported it to Liu Yu. Liu Yu laughed and said, "So long as your old friend keeps the peace, you need not worry." Jingxuan was posted out as bearer of the staff, supervisor of northern Qingzhou, general who punishes the barbarians, and inspector of northern Qingzhou, with concurrent appointment as administrator of Qinghe; soon afterward he also held Jizhou.

時高祖西討劉毅，豫州刺史諸葛長民監太尉軍事，貽敬宣書曰：「盤龍狼戾專恣，自取夷滅，異端將盡，世路方夷，富貴之事，相與共之。」敬宣報曰：「下官自義熙以來，首尾十載，遂忝三州七郡。今此杖節，常懼福過禍生，實思避盈居損；富貴之旨，非所敢當。」遣使呈長民書，高祖謂王誕曰：「阿壽故為不負我也。」十一年正月，進號右將軍。

While Liu Yu marched west against Liu Yi, Inspector of Yuzhou Zhuge Changmin, acting grand marshal, wrote to Jingxuan: "Panlong's brutal arrogance destroyed him; the last rebels are nearly gone and the age is settling into peace — let us share the rewards together." Jingxuan replied, "Since Yixi I have served ten years straight and been given three inspectorates and seven commanderies. This new command terrifies me — good fortune overrun invites disaster; I only want to step back from the peak; a share in wealth and power is not something I dare accept." He forwarded Changmin's letter to Liu Yu, who told Wang Dan, "A Shou has not let me down." In the first month of the eleventh year Jingxuan was promoted to right general.

司馬道賜者，晉宗室之賤屬也。為敬宣參軍。至高祖西征司馬休之，道賜乃陰結同府辟閭道秀及左右小將王猛子等謀反。道賜自號齊王，以道秀為青州刺史，規據廣固，舉兵應休之。敬宣召道秀有所論，因屏人，左右悉出戶，猛子逡巡在後，取敬宣備身刀殺敬宣，時年四十五。文武佐吏即討道賜、猛子等，皆斬之。先是，敬宣未死，嘗夜與僚佐宴集，空中有放一隻芒屩於坐中，墜敬宣食盤上，長三尺五寸，已經人著，耳鼻間並欲壞。頃之而敗。喪至，高祖臨哭甚哀。子祖嗣。宋受禪，國除。

Sima Daoci was a minor, low-ranking branch of the Jin imperial house. He served on Jingxuan's staff. When Liu Yu marched west against Sima Xiuzhi, Daoci secretly colluded with his colleague Pilu Daoxiu and the junior officers Wang Mengzi and others to plot rebellion. Daoci declared himself King of Qi, appointed Daoxiu inspector of Qingzhou, aimed to seize Guanggu, and rose in arms to support Sima Xiuzhi. Jingxuan summoned Daoxiu for a private talk and sent everyone out; Mengzi hung back, seized Jingxuan's sidearm, and killed him. He was forty-five. His civil and military staff immediately moved against Daoci, Mengzi, and the others, and executed them all. Before his death, Jingxuan once held a night banquet with his officers; a straw sandal dropped from nowhere onto his plate—three feet five inches long, clearly worn, the nose and ears nearly decayed. Soon afterward he met his end. When the coffin arrived, Emperor Wu came in person to mourn and wept bitterly. His son Zu inherited the title. When the Liu Song dynasty was founded, the fief was abolished.

檀祗，字恭叔，高平金鄉人，左將軍歆第二弟也。少為孫無終輔國參軍，隨無終東征孫恩，屢有戰功。復為王誕龍驤參軍。從高祖克京城，參建武軍事。至羅落，檀憑之戰沒之後，仍以憑之所領兵配祗。京邑既平，參鎮軍事，加振武將軍，隸振武大將軍道規追討桓玄，每戰克捷。江陵平定，道規遣祗征溳、沔亡命桓道兒、張靖、苻嗣等，皆悉平之。除龍驤將軍、秦郡太守、北陳留內史；又為寧朔將軍、竟陵太守，不拜。破桓亮於長沙，苻宏於湘東。武陵內史庾悅疾病，道規以祗代悅，加寧朔將軍，封西昌縣侯，食邑千戶。五年，入為中書侍郎。

Tan Zhi, styled Gongshu, was a native of Jinxiang in Gaoping and the second younger brother of Left General Tan Xin. In youth he served as staff officer on Sun Wuzhong's staff; campaigning east against Sun En under Wuzhong, he won repeated distinction in battle. He later served as Longxiang staff officer under Wang Dan. He followed Emperor Wu in capturing Jingcheng and joined the Jianwu military staff. At Luoluo, after Tan Pingzhi was killed in battle, his troops were given to Zhi. After the capital was pacified, he joined the garrison army staff, was made Zhenwu general, and under Zhenwu grand general Liu Daogui pursued Huan Xuan, winning every engagement. When Jiangling was secure, Daogui sent Zhi against the fugitives Huan Dao'er, Zhang Jing, Fu Si, and others along the Yun and Mian rivers, and pacified them all. He was appointed Longxiang general, administrator of Qin commandery, and interior governor of Northern Chenliu; and was offered the posts of Ningshuo general and administrator of Jingling, but declined. He defeated Huan Liang at Changsha and Fu Hong in eastern Xiang. When interior governor of Wuling Yu Yue fell ill, Daogui replaced him with Zhi, promoted him to Ningshuo general, and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Xichang with a fief of one thousand households. In the fifth year he was recalled to the capital as gentleman of the secretariat.

盧循逼京邑，加輔國將軍，領兵屯西明門外。循退走，祗率所領，步道援江陵，未發，遇疾停。八年，遷右衛將軍，出為輔國將軍、宣城內史，即本號督江北、淮南軍郡事、青州刺史、廣陵相。進號征虜將軍，加節。十年，亡命司馬國璠兄弟自北徐州界聚眾數百，潛得過淮，因天夜陰暗，率百許人緣廣陵城得入，叫喚直上聽事。祗驚起，出門將處分，賊射之，傷股，乃入。祗語左右：「賊乘暗得入，欲掩我不備。但打五鼓，懼曉，必走矣。」賊聞鼓鳴，謂為曉，於是奔散，追討殺百餘人。祗降號建武將軍。十一年，進號右將軍。十二年，高祖北伐，而亡命司馬囗寇涂〈涂或作滁〉中，秦郡太守劉基求救，分軍掩討，即破斬之。

When Lu Xun threatened the capital, he was made general who assists the state and posted with troops outside Ximing Gate. When Xun withdrew, Zhi led his men overland to relieve Jiangling, but fell ill before he could depart and had to stop. In the eighth year he was made right guards general, then sent out as general who assists the state and interior governor of Xuancheng, with his existing rank put in charge of Jiangbei and Huainan military affairs, made inspector of Qingzhou, and chancellor of Guangling. He was promoted to general who campaigns against the barbarians and given the staff of authority. In the tenth year the fugitive brothers Sima Guofan and others raised several hundred men on the Northern Xuzhou border, slipped across the Huai, and on a dark night led about a hundred men over the Guangling wall, shouting as they stormed the main hall. Zhi leaped up, went out to take command, was shot in the thigh, and retreated inside. Zhi told his men, "The rebels used the dark to slip in and hoped to catch us off guard. Beat the fifth watch drum. Once they fear dawn is near, they will surely run." Hearing the drums, the rebels thought day had broken and fled; a pursuit killed more than a hundred. Zhi was demoted to Jianwu general. In the eleventh year he was promoted to right general. In the twelfth year, while Emperor Wu marched north, a fugitive Sima [name missing] raided Tu 〈Tu is also written Chu〉 prefecture; Qin commandery administrator Liu Ji appealed for help; Zhi sent a detachment in surprise attack and at once defeated and killed the rebel.

十四年，宋國初建，天子詔曰：「宋國始立，內外草創，禁旅王要，總司須才。右將軍祗可為宋領軍將軍，加散騎常侍。」祗性矜豪，樂在外放恣，不願內遷，甚不得志。發疾不自治，其年卒廣陵，時年五十一。贈散騎常侍、撫軍將軍，諡曰威侯。

In the fourteenth year, when the Song state was first established, the emperor issued an edict, "Song has just been founded; court and realm are still being built; the palace guard and royal household need able men at their head. Right General Zhi shall be Song's general who leads the army, with the added title of cavalier attendant-in-ordinary." Proud by nature, Zhi loved the freedom of command in the provinces and hated the capital posting; he was deeply frustrated. He fell ill and neglected his health; that year he died at Guangling, at the age of fifty-one. He was posthumously made cavalier attendant-in-ordinary and general who pacifies the army, with the posthumous title Marquis Wei.

子獻嗣，元熙中卒，無子，祗次子朗紹封。朗卒，子宣明嗣。宣明卒，子逸嗣。齊受禪，國除。

His son Xian inherited the title; Xian died in the Yuanxi era without an heir, and Zhi's second son Lang succeeded to the fief. When Lang died, his son Xuanming inherited. When Xuanming died, his son Yi inherited. When the Qi dynasty was founded, the fief was abolished.

史臣曰：劉敬宣與高祖恩結龍潛，義分早合，雖興復之始，事隔逢迎，而深期久要，未之或爽。隆赫之任，義止於人存；飾終之數，無聞於身後。恩禮之有厚薄者，將有以乎！

The historian writes: Liu Jingxuan and Emperor Wu forged their bond while still obscure men; their loyalty to one another was pledged early. Though at the dawn of restoration formal courtesies kept them apart for a time, their deep trust and long alliance never wavered. The grandest offices meant nothing once the man was gone; and the honors due the dead were never granted after his death. That favor and ceremony should be meted out so unevenly—surely there was a reason for it!

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