Volume 57 Biographies 17: Cai Kuo

列傳第十七蔡廓子興宗

Biography 17: Cai Kuo and his son Cai Xingzong.

蔡廓，字子度，濟陽考城人也。曾祖謨，晉司徒。祖系，撫軍長史。父綝，司徒左西屬。廓博涉群書，言行以禮。起家著作佐郎，時桓玄輔晉，議復肉刑，廓上議曰：「夫建封立法，弘治稽化，必隨時置制，德刑兼施。貞一以閑其邪，教禁以檢其慢，灑湛露以膏潤，厲嚴霜以肅威，晞風者陶和而安恬，畏戾者聞憲而警慮。雖復質文迭用，而斯道莫革。肉刑之設，肇自哲王。蓋由曩世風淳，民多惇謹，圖像既陳，則機心冥戢，刑人在塗，則不逞改操，故能勝殘去殺，化隆無為。季末澆偽，法網彌密，利巧之懷日滋，恥畏之情轉寡，終身劇役，不足止其奸，況乎黥劓，豈能反其善！徒有酸慘之聲，而無濟治之益。至於棄市之條，實非不赦之罪，事非手殺，考律同歸，輕重均科，減降路塞，鍾、陳以之抗言，元皇所為留愍。今英輔翼贊，道邈伊、周，雖閉否之運甫開，而遐遺之難未已。誠宜明慎用刑，愛民弘育，申哀矜以革濫，移大辟於支體，全性命之至重，恢繁息於將來。使將斷之骨，荷更榮於三陽，干時之華，監商飆而知懼。威惠俱宣，感畏偕設，全生拯暴，於是乎在。」

Cai Kuo, whose style name was Zidu, came from Kaocheng in Jiyang commandery. His great-grandfather Cai Mo had served as Grand Tutor of Jin. His grandfather Cai Xi had been secretary to the expeditionary army commander. His father Cai Shen had held a secretariat post under the Grand Tutor. Kuo had read widely, and in speech and conduct he adhered strictly to propriety. He entered office as an assistant in the imperial archives. While Huan Xuan dominated the Jin court, a proposal was put forward to restore mutilation penalties. Kuo submitted a memorial that began: "To establish feudal order and legislate, to govern broadly and foster transformation, institutions must be tailored to their era, with moral suasion and penal sanctions employed together. Integrity restrains wicked impulses; instruction and prohibition curb arrogance. Like heavy dew, clemency nourishes the people; like bitter frost, severity awes them. Those who feel the gentle breeze are shaped toward harmony and live at ease; those who fear the law hear the statutes and are moved to caution. Though the outward forms of governance changed from age to age, this underlying principle never changed. Corporal punishment was first instituted by the sage kings of antiquity. In those earlier ages customs were pure and the people for the most part honest and cautious. Once the penal images were displayed, scheming minds fell silent; when branded convicts walked the roads, men did not dare change their ways. That was how the state could overcome cruelty, abolish killing, and bring about a flourishing age of effortless governance. By the late age customs had turned shallow and false, and the legal net grew ever tighter. Hearts bent on profit and cunning multiplied day by day, while shame and fear dwindled. Lifelong hard labor could not stop their wickedness—how could branding and mutilation restore them to goodness? They produced only cries of bitter suffering, with no benefit to good governance. As for the statute prescribing execution at the marketplace, the offense was not one beyond all pardon; when a man had not killed with his own hand, the law still treated the case the same. Light and heavy offenses received the same sentence, and the path to reduction or commutation was blocked. Zhong Yao and Chen Qun protested on principle, and Emperor Yuan of Jin showed compassion for that reason. Now worthy ministers flank the throne, and the governance aspires to the stature of Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou. Though the age of obstruction is just beginning to lift, the hardships left by a distant legacy have not yet ended. It is truly fitting to use punishments with clarity and caution, to cherish the people and nurture them broadly, to extend compassion and pity in order to curb excess, to replace capital punishment with mutilation of the limbs, to preserve what is most precious in human life, and to restore growth and repose for generations to come. Let those whose limbs were about to be severed instead regain their wholeness in the spring; let the proud men of the age, seeing the autumn wind, learn fear. When awe and kindness are both made manifest, when gratitude and fear are instilled together, the preservation of life and deliverance from violence will be achieved—this is the way."

遷司徒主簿，尚書度支殿中郎，通直郎，高祖太尉參軍，司徒屬，中書、黃門郎。以方鯁閑素，為高祖所知。及高祖領兗州，廓為別駕從事史，委以州任。尋除中軍諮議參軍，太尉從事中郎。未拜，遭母憂。性至孝，三年不櫛沐，殆不勝喪。服闋，相國府復板為從事中郎，領記室。宋臺建，為侍中，建議以為：「鞫獄不宜令子孫下辭明言父祖之罪，虧教傷情，莫此為大。自今但令家人與囚相見，無乞鞫之訴，使足以明伏罪，不須責家人下辭。」朝議咸以為允，從之。

He rose through the posts of registrar in the Grand Tutor's office, palace attendant in the revenue section of the Secretariat, direct communication gentleman, staff officer to the Grand Marshal under Emperor Wu of Song, secretariat aide to the Grand Tutor, and gentleman of the Central Secretariat and Yellow Gate. His upright character and plain, unadorned manner won the notice of Emperor Wu. When Emperor Wu took charge of Yan Province, Kuo served as registrar aide and was entrusted with the full administration of the province. He was soon appointed consulting staff officer in the central army and attendant in the Grand Marshal's office. Before he could assume the post, his mother died. By nature he was profoundly filial; for the full three-year mourning period he neither combed his hair nor bathed, and he nearly succumbed to grief. When his mourning ended, the chancellor's office reappointed him attendant and placed him in charge of the records office. When the Song regime was established, he became palace attendant and proposed: "In criminal interrogations, descendants should not be required to submit written statements explicitly naming the crimes of their fathers and grandfathers. Nothing does greater harm to moral instruction and human feeling. Henceforth let family members meet the prisoner without petitions for re-interrogation, so that guilt may be established clearly enough, without requiring relatives to submit written statements." The court unanimously approved, and the measure was adopted.

世子左衛率謝靈運輒殺人，御史中丞王准之坐不糾免官，高祖以廓剛直，不容邪枉，補御史中丞。多所糾奏，百僚震肅。時中書令傅亮任寄隆重，學冠當時，朝廷儀典，皆取定於亮，每咨廓然後施行。亮意若有不同，廓終不為屈。時疑揚州刺史廬陵王義真朝堂班次，亮與廓書曰：「揚州自應著刺史服耳。然謂坐起班次，應在朝堂諸官上，不應依官次坐下。足下試更尋之。《詩序》云『王姬下嫁於諸侯，衣服禮秩，不係其夫，下王后一等。』推王姬下王后一等，則皇子居然在王公之上。陸士衡《起居注》，式乾殿集，諸皇子悉在三司上。今抄疏如別。又海西即位赦文，太宰武陵王第一，撫軍將軍會稽王第二，大司馬第三。大司馬位既最高，又都督中外，而次在二王之下，豈非下皇子邪？此文今具在也。永和中，蔡公為司徒，司馬簡文為撫軍開府，對錄朝政。蔡為正司，不應反在儀同之下，而于時位次，相王在前，蔡公次之耳。諸例甚多，不能復具疏。揚州反乃居卿君之下，恐此失禮，宜改之邪？」廓答曰：「揚州位居卿君之下，常亦惟疑。然朝廷以位相次，不以本封，復無明文云皇子加殊禮。齊獻王為驃騎，孫秀來降，武帝欲優異之，以秀為驃騎，轉齊王為鎮軍，在驃騎上。若如足下言，皇子便在公右，則齊王本次自尊，何改鎮軍，令在驃騎上，明知故依見位為次也。又齊王為司空，賈充為太尉，俱錄尚書署事，常在充後。潘正叔奏《公羊》事，于時三錄，梁王肜為衛將軍，署在太尉隴西王泰、司徒王玄沖下。近太元初，賀新宮成，司馬太傅為中軍，而以齊王柔之為賀首。立安帝為太子，上禮，徐邈為郎，位元次亦以太傅在諸王下；又謁李太后，宗正尚書符令以高密王為首，時王東亭為僕射。王、徐皆是近世識古今者。足下引式乾公王，吾謂未可為據。其云上出式乾，召侍中彭城王植、荀組、潘嶽、嵇紹、杜斌，然後道足下所疏四王，在三司之上，反在黃門郎下，有何義？且四王之下則云大將軍梁王肜、車騎趙王倫，然後云司徒王戎耳。梁、趙二王亦是皇子，屬尊位齊，在豫章王常侍之下，又復不通。蓋書家指疏時事，不必存其班次；式乾亦是私宴，異於朝堂。如今含章西堂，足下在僕射下，侍中在尚書下耳。來示又云曾祖與簡文對錄，位在簡文下。吾家故事則不然，今寫如別。王姬身無爵位，故可得不從夫而以王女為尊。皇子出任則有位，有位則依朝，復示之班序。唯引泰和赦文，差可為言。然赦文前後，亦參差不同。太宰上公，自應在大司馬前耳。簡文雖撫軍，時已授丞相殊禮，又中外都督，故以本任為班，不以督中外便在公右也。今護軍揔方伯，而位次故在持節都督下，足下復思之。」

Xie Lingyun, commander of the heir apparent's left guard, killed a man on his own authority. Censor-in-chief Wang Zhunzhi was dismissed for failing to impeach him. Emperor Wu, knowing Kuo's upright and unyielding character and his intolerance of wrongdoing, appointed Kuo censor-in-chief in his place. He impeached many officials, and the entire bureaucracy was awed into discipline. At the time Fu Liang, director of the Central Secretariat, held great authority and his learning surpassed that of his contemporaries. Court ritual and protocol were all settled by Liang, who consulted Kuo before implementing them. When Liang's view differed, Kuo never yielded. At the time there was uncertainty about the court seating order of Prince Yizhen of Luling, governor of Yang Province. Liang wrote to Kuo: "As governor of Yang Province, he should of course wear the robes of a provincial governor. But in seating order for court sessions, he should rank above the other officials in the hall and should not take his seat according to ordinary official precedence. Please look into the precedents again. The Preface to the Book of Odes states: "When a king's daughter marries down to a feudal lord, her dress and ritual rank are not bound to her husband's; she ranks one grade below the queen." By that analogy, an imperial prince plainly ranks above kings and dukes. Lu Ji's Court Diary records that at the assembly in Shiqian Hall, all imperial princes were seated above the Three Excellencies. I enclose a copy of the relevant passage separately. Moreover, in the amnesty proclamation when Emperor Haixi ascended the throne, Grand Preceptor Prince Wuling was listed first, General Who Pacifies the Army Prince of Kuaiji second, and Grand Marshal third. The Grand Marshal held the highest position and also commanded all military forces—yet he was listed below the two princes. Does this not show that he ranked below imperial princes? That document still survives in full. In the Yonghe era, Duke Cai served as Grand Tutor while Sima Jianwen opened an office as General Who Pacifies the Army; they jointly oversaw court affairs. Cai held the regular chief office and should not have ranked below a ceremonial equal—yet at that time the Prince of Xiang was seated ahead and Duke Cai second. There are many such precedents, which I cannot list in full here. Yet the governor of Yang Province ranks below you and the lord—this may be a breach of ritual. Should it be changed?" Kuo replied: "That the governor of Yang Province ranks below you and the lord has always troubled me as well. Yet the court orders precedence by actual office, not by original enfeoffment, and there is no explicit statute granting imperial princes special ceremonial rank. Prince Xian of Qi was Rapid Cavalry General. When Sun Xiu surrendered, Emperor Wu wished to honor him specially: he made Xiu Rapid Cavalry General and transferred the Prince of Qi to Pacifying Army General, ranking above the Rapid Cavalry post. If, as you say, an imperial prince by nature ranks above dukes, then the Prince of Qi's standing was already honorable—why transfer him to Pacifying Army General and place him above Rapid Cavalry? Clearly the court knowingly followed actual office for precedence. Again, when the Prince of Qi was Minister of Works and Jia Chong was Grand Marshal, both recording Secretariat affairs, the prince consistently ranked behind Chong. When Pan Zhengshu presented a matter on the Gongyang Commentary, among the three recorders Prince Rong of Liang, as Defender General, signed below Grand Marshal Prince Tai of Longxi and Grand Tutor Wang Xuanchong. Recently, at the beginning of the Taiyuan era, when celebrations for the new palace were held, Sima the Grand Preceptor was central army commander, yet Prince Rouzhi of Qi was made head of the ceremony. When Emperor An was installed as heir apparent and the ascending rites were performed, Xu Miao was a gentleman, and in seating order the Grand Preceptor too was placed below the princes; again, when paying homage to Empress Dowager Li, the order from the Minister of the Imperial Clan and the Secretariat placed the Prince of Gaomi first, at a time when Wang Dongting was vice director. Wang and Xu were both recent authorities who knew past and present precedent. You cite the assembly at Shiqian Hall—I do not think that can serve as evidence. It says the emperor went out to Shiqian and summoned palace attendant Prince Zhi of Pengcheng, Xun Zu, Pan Yue, Ji Shao, and Du Bin—then lists the four princes you cited, above the Three Excellencies yet below yellow gate gentlemen. What sense does that make? Below the four princes, the roster lists Great General Prince Rong of Liang and Chariots-and-Cavalry Prince Lun of Zhao first—only then does it mention Grand Tutor Wang Rong. The princes of Liang and Zhao were also imperial princes of comparable rank, yet placed below Prince Changshi of Yuzhang—again inconsistent. Historians merely record current affairs in summary and need not preserve seating order; Shiqian was also a private banquet, different from a formal court session. As in the western hall of Hanzhang today, you rank below the vice director, and the palace attendant below the director of the Secretariat. Your letter also states that my great-grandfather jointly recorded affairs with Emperor Jianwen and ranked below him. Our family's established practice was otherwise; I enclose the record separately. A king's daughter holds no noble rank in her own person, so she need not follow her husband's rank and may be honored as the king's daughter. When an imperial prince takes office he holds a post; holding a post, he follows court precedence and is seated accordingly. Only your citation of the Taihe amnesty can somewhat support your case. Yet amnesty proclamations before and after that also vary inconsistently. The Grand Preceptor, as senior lord, should naturally precede the Grand Marshal. Although Jianwen was General Who Pacifies the Army, he had already been granted the chancellor's special honors and also commanded all military forces—thus his original office determined his precedence, not the fact that he commanded all forces. Today the Protector of the Army commands the regional governors, yet his rank still falls below a commissioner with the staff of authority—please reconsider."

遷司徒左長史，出為豫章太守，徵為吏部尚書。廓因北地傅隆問亮：「選事若悉以見付，不論；不然，不能拜也。」亮以語錄尚書徐羨之，羨之曰：「黃門郎以下，悉以委蔡，吾徒不復厝懷；自此以上，故宜共參同異。」廓曰：「我不能為徐干木署紙尾也。」遂不拜。干木，羨之小字也。選案黃紙，錄尚書與吏部尚書連名，故廓云：「署紙尾」也。羨之亦以廓正直，不欲使居權要。徙為祠部尚書。

He was promoted to chief clerk on the left in the Grand Tutor's office, served as governor of Yuzhang, and was summoned to be director of the Ministry of Personnel. Kuo sent Fu Long of Beidi to ask Liang: "If you entrust the whole of selection affairs to me, I have no objection; but otherwise I cannot take the post." Liang told Recorder of the Secretariat Xu Xianzhi, who said: "From yellow gate gentleman downward, entrust everything to Cai; we need no longer concern ourselves; from that rank upward, we should jointly deliberate." Kuo said: "I will not countersign the yellow paper at the bottom for Xu Ganmu." He therefore declined the appointment. "Ganmu" was the childhood name of Xu Xianzhi. Selection cases used yellow paper on which the Recorder of the Secretariat and the Director of Personnel signed jointly—hence Kuo's remark about "signing at the paper's end." Xianzhi also, knowing Kuo's upright character, did not wish him to hold a position of power. He was transferred to director of the Ministry of Rites.

太祖入奉大統，尚書令傅亮率百僚奉迎，廓亦俱行。至尋陽，遇疾，不堪前。亮將進路，詣廓別，廓謂曰：「營陽在吳，宜厚加供奉。營陽不幸，卿諸人有弑主之名，欲立於世，將可得邪！」亮已與羨之議害少帝，乃馳信止之，信至，已不及。羨之大怒曰：「與人共計議，云何裁轉背，便賣惡於人。」及太祖即位，謝晦將之荊州，與廓別，屏人問曰：「吾其免乎？」廓曰：「卿受先帝顧命，任以社稷，廢昏立明，義無不可。但殺人二昆，而以之北面，挾震主之威，據上流之重，以古推今，自免為難也。」

When Emperor Wen entered to receive the imperial succession, Secretariat Director Fu Liang led the officials to welcome him, and Kuo went along as well. At Xunyang he fell ill and could not continue. Liang was about to continue and came to bid Kuo farewell. Kuo said to him: "The Lord of Yingyang is in Wu; he should be generously provided for. If misfortune befalls the Lord of Yingyang, you will bear the name of regicides. Do you think you can still stand honorably in the world?" Liang had already plotted with Xianzhi to harm the young emperor and therefore sent an urgent message to stop it, but when the message arrived it was too late. Xianzhi was furious and said: "When men plot together, how can one suddenly turn about and shift the blame onto others?" When Emperor Wen took the throne, Xie Hui was departing for Jing Province. Bidding Kuo farewell, he dismissed his attendants and asked: "Will I escape harm?" Kuo said: "You received the late emperor's dying charge and were entrusted with the state. Deposing a dim ruler and establishing a bright one—nothing in principle forbids that. But you killed two imperial brothers and yet have them pay homage facing north; you wield the awe of one who terrifies his lord and hold command of the upper Yangzi. Judging the present by antiquity, you will find it hard to escape harm."

廓年位並輕，而為時流所推重，每至歲時，皆束帶到門。奉兄軌如父，家事小大，皆咨而後行；公祿賞賜，一皆入軌，有所資須，悉就典者請焉。從高祖在彭城，妻郗氏書求夏服，廓答書曰：「知須夏服，計給事自應相供，無容別寄。」時軌為給事中。元嘉二年，廓卒，時年四十七。高祖嘗云：「羊徽、蔡廓，可平世三公。」少子興宗。

Though Kuo was young and held modest rank, the leading men of the age esteemed him; at each year's turn they all came to his door in formal dress. He served his elder brother Gui as he would a father; in household matters great and small he consulted Gui before acting; official salary and rewards all went to Gui; whatever he needed he requested from the household steward. When he followed Emperor Wu at Pengcheng, his wife Lady Xi wrote asking for summer garments. Kuo replied: "I know you need summer garments; the household steward should supply them—there is no need to send them separately." At the time Gui was palace attendant. In the second year of Yuanjia (425), Kuo died at the age of forty-seven. Emperor Wu once said: "Yang Hui and Cai Kuo could serve as the Three Excellencies in a peaceful age." His youngest son was named Xingzong.

興宗年十歲失父，哀毀有異凡童。廓罷豫章郡還，起二宅。先成東宅，與軌；廓亡而館宇未立，軌罷長沙郡還，送錢五十萬以補宅直。興宗年十歲，白母曰：「一家由來豐儉必共，今日宅價不宜受也。」母悅而從焉。軌有愧色，謂其子淡曰：「我年六十，行事不及十歲小兒。」尋喪母。

Xingzong lost his father at the age of ten, and his grief and devastation were unlike those of ordinary children. When Kuo left the governorship of Yuzhang and returned home, he built two residences. He first completed the eastern residence and gave it to his brother Gui; Kuo died before the buildings were finished. Gui, returning after leaving the governorship of Changsha, sent five hundred thousand cash to cover the cost of the house. Xingzong, aged ten, told his mother: "Our family has always shared abundance and want alike; we should not accept the price of the house today." His mother was delighted and assented. Gui looked ashamed and said to his son Dan: "I am sixty years old, yet in conduct I fall short of a ten-year-old child." Soon afterward his mother died.

少好學，以業尚素立見稱。初為彭城王義康司徒行參軍，太子舍人，南平穆王冠軍參軍，武昌太守。又為太子洗馬，義陽王友，中書侍郎。中書令建平王宏、侍中王僧綽並與興宗厚善。元兇弑立，僧綽被誅，凶威方盛，親故莫敢往，興宗獨臨哭盡哀。出為司空何尚之長史。又遷太子中庶子。

In youth he loved learning and won praise for establishing himself through plain, upright conduct. He first served as secretariat aide to Prince Yikang of Pengcheng, gentleman attendant of the heir apparent, staff officer to the champion general under the Prince of Nanping, and governor of Wuchang. He also served as groom of the heir apparent, companion to the Prince of Yiyang, and secretariat gentleman. Central Secretariat Director Prince Hong of Jianping and palace attendant Wang Sengchuo were both on close terms with Xingzong. When the usurper seized the throne by regicide, Sengchuo was executed. The tyrant's power was at its height and kin and friends dared not approach; Xingzong alone came to mourn and wept his full grief. He was sent out as chief clerk to Minister of Works He Shangzhi. He was again promoted to senior attendant of the heir apparent.

世祖踐阼，還先職，遷臨海太守，徵為黃門郎，太子中庶子，轉游擊將軍，俄遷尚書吏部郎。時尚書何偃疾患，上謂興宗曰：「卿詳練清濁，今以選事相付，便可開門當之，無所讓也。」轉司徒左長史，復為中庶子，領前軍將軍，遷侍中。每正言得失，無所顧憚，由是失旨。竟陵王誕據廣陵城為逆，事平，興宗奉旨慰勞。州別駕范義與興宗素善，在城內同誅。興宗至廣陵，躬自收殯，致喪還豫章舊墓。上聞之，甚不悅。廬陵內史周朗以正言得罪，鎖付寧州，親戚故人，無敢瞻送；興宗在直，請急，詣朗別。上知尤怒。坐屬疾多日，白衣領職。尋左遷司空沈慶之長史，行兗州事，還為廷尉卿。

When Emperor Xiaowu took the throne, Xingzong returned to his former post, became governor of Linhai, was summoned as yellow gate gentleman and senior attendant of the heir apparent, transferred to general of roaming attack, and soon promoted to secretariat gentleman in the Ministry of Personnel. At the time Secretariat Director He Yan was ill. The emperor said to Xingzong: "You are well versed in distinguishing the worthy from the unworthy. I now entrust selection affairs to you; take charge openly, with no need to defer." He was transferred to chief clerk on the left in the Grand Tutor's office, again became senior attendant of the heir apparent, took concurrent command as general of the forward army, and was promoted to palace attendant. He always spoke plainly about right and wrong without fear of consequences, and in this way he lost the emperor's favor. Prince Dan of Jingling seized Guangling in rebellion. When the affair was settled, Xingzong was ordered to offer consolation. Provincial registrar Fan Yi had long been on good terms with Xingzong and was executed with others inside the city. Xingzong went to Guangling, personally gathered Fan Yi's remains for burial, and conveyed the coffin back to the old family tomb in Yuzhang. When the emperor heard of it, he was deeply displeased. Zhou Lang, interior secretary of Luling, offended by speaking plainly and was shackled and sent to Ning Province. Kin and old friends dared not go to see him off; On duty at court, Xingzong requested urgent leave and went to bid Zhou Lang farewell. When the emperor learned of it, his anger only grew. He was punished for a prolonged illness and held his post in plain dress. Soon he was demoted to chief clerk under Minister of Works Shen Qingzhi, with acting authority over Yan Province, then returned as director of the Court of Justice.

有解士先者，告申坦昔與丞相義宣同謀。時坦已死，子令孫時作山陽郡。自繫廷尉。興宗議曰：「若坦昔為戎首，身今尚存，累經肆眚，猶應蒙宥。令孫天屬，理相為隱。況人亡事遠，追相誣訐，斷以禮律，義不合關。若士先審知逆謀，當時即應聞啟，苞藏積年，發因私怨，況稱風聲路傳，實無定主，而干黷欺罔，罪合極法。」又有訟民嚴道恩等二十二人，事未洗正，敕以當訊，權繫尚方。興宗以訟民本在求理，故不加械，即若繫尚方，於事為苦。又司徒前劾送武康令謝沈及郡縣尉還職司十一人，坐仲良鑄錢不禽，久已判結。又送郡主簿丘元敬等九人，或下疾假，或去職已久。又加執啟，事悉見從。

One Xie Shixian came forward to report that Shen Tan had once plotted together with Chancellor Yixuan. Tan was already dead; his son Ling Sun was then serving as governor of Shanyang commandery. Ling Sun turned himself in to the Court of Justice. Xingzong argued: "If Tan had once been the ringleader of the rebellion and were still alive, having passed through repeated amnesties he should still receive pardon. Ling Sun is a close blood relation; by principle one conceals wrongdoing for kin. Moreover, the man is dead and the affair long past; to pursue mutual slander and judge by ritual and statute—in principle this does not apply. If Shixian truly knew of the treasonous plot, he should have reported it at once. He concealed it for years and now brings it forth from private resentment; moreover he speaks of rumors passed along the roads, with no fixed proof—yet he presumptuously deceives and misleads. His crime warrants the extreme penalty." There were also twenty-two litigants, including Yan Dao'en, whose cases had not yet been cleared. An edict ordered them interrogated and provisionally detained in the Imperial Workshop. Xingzong held that litigants come to court seeking justice and therefore should not be shackled; to detain them in the Imperial Workshop would be unduly harsh. Again, the Grand Tutor had earlier impeached and sent eleven officials including Wukang magistrate Xie Shen and district and county assistants, charged with failing to arrest Zhongliang for coining; the case had long been decided. Again nine men including commandery registrar Qiu Yuanjing were sent up; some were on sick leave, some had left office long before. Again he submitted a firm memorial, and the court followed his advice in every matter.

出為東陽太守，遷安陸王子綏後軍長史、江夏內史，行郢州事。徵還，未拜，留為左民尚書。頃之，轉掌吏部。時上方盛淫宴，虐侮群臣，自江夏王義恭以下，咸加穢辱，唯興宗以方直見憚，不被侵媟。尚書僕射顏師伯謂議曹郎王耽之曰：「蔡尚書常免昵戲，去人實遠。」耽之曰：「蔡豫章昔在相府，亦以方嚴不狎，武帝宴私之日，未嘗相召，每至官賭，常在勝朋。蔡尚書今日可謂能負荷矣。」

He went out as governor of Dongyang, was moved to rear army chief clerk under Prince Zishao of Anlu and interior secretary of Jiangxia, with acting authority over Ying Province. Summoned back, before he could take up appointment he was retained as director of the Left Bureau of the People. Before long he was transferred to head the Ministry of Personnel. At the time the emperor was given to lavish feasting and abused and insulted the officials. From Prince Yigong of Jiangxia downward, all were subjected to foul humiliation; only Xingzong, because of his upright firmness, was feared and not molested. Vice director of the Secretariat Yan Shibo said to review gentleman Wang Danzhi: "Director Cai is always spared intimate jesting; he is truly far removed from ordinary men." Danzhi said: "Cai of Yuzhang, when formerly in the chancellor's office, was also upright and stern and kept his distance. On the days of Emperor Wu's private feasts he was never summoned; whenever officials gambled, he was always among the winning party. Director Cai today may truly be said able to bear the burden."

大明末，前廢帝即位，興宗告太宰江夏王義恭，應須策文。義恭曰：「建立儲副，本為今日，復安用此。」興宗曰：「累朝故事，莫不皆然。近永初之末，營陽王即位，亦有文策，今在尚書，可檢視也。」不從。興宗時親奉璽綬，嗣主容色自若，了無哀貌。興宗出謂親故曰：「魯昭在戚而有嘉容，終之以釁結大臣，昭子請死。國家之禍，其在此乎。」時義恭錄尚書事，受遺輔政，阿衡幼主，而引身避事，政歸近習。越騎校尉戴法興、中書舍人巢尚之專制朝權，威行近遠。興宗職管九流，銓衡所寄，每至上朝，輒與令錄以下，陳欲登賢進士之意，又箴規得失，博論朝政。義恭素性恇橈，阿順法興，常慮失旨，聞興宗言，輒戰懼無計。先是大明世，奢侈無度，多所造立，賦調煩嚴，徵役過苦。至是發詔，悉皆削除，由此紫極殿南北馳道之屬，皆被毀壞。自孝建以來至大明末，凡諸制度，無或存者。興宗於都坐慨然謂顏師伯曰：「先帝雖非盛德主，要以道始終。三年無改，古典所貴。今殯宮始徹，山陵未遠，而凡諸制度興造，不論是非，一皆刊削。雖復禪代，亦不至爾。天下有識，當以此窺人。」師伯不能用。

At the end of the Daming era, when the Deposed Former Emperor ascended the throne, Xingzong told Grand Preceptor Prince Yigong of Jiangxia that an accession document was required. Yigong said: "We established the heir precisely for this day—what further use is there for such a document?" Xingzong said: "The precedents of successive dynasties have all been the same. Not long ago, at the close of Yongchu, when the Lord of Yingyang took the throne, there was also a written accession document; it is kept today in the Secretariat and may be consulted." Yigong would not agree. Xingzong then personally presented the seal and cord; the new emperor's countenance was at ease, with no trace of mourning. As he went out, Xingzong said to kin and old friends: "Duke Zhao of Lu, while in mourning, wore a pleasant expression; it ended with offense against great ministers, and Zhaozi asked for death. Is the state's calamity to be found here?" At the time Yigong recorded Secretariat affairs, received the dying charge to assist governance, and should have steadied the young emperor—yet he withdrew from affairs, and government fell to close attendants. Colonel of the upland cavalry Dai Faxing and secretariat attendant Chao Shangzhi monopolized court power; their authority reached near and far. Xingzong's office governed the nine classes and bore the weight of evaluation. At each court session he would speak with the recorder of the Secretariat and those below, stating his intent to elevate the worthy and advance scholars, and also admonish on right and wrong, broadly discussing court affairs. Yigong was by nature timid and weak, fawning on Faxing and always fearing to lose imperial favor. Hearing Xingzong's words, he would tremble in fear, utterly at a loss. In the Daming era that preceded this, extravagance knew no bounds; the court built on every side; levies and taxes grew burdensome and severe; corvée labor was crushing. An edict was now issued abolishing all of it; the north-south imperial avenues of the Ziji Hall and the like were torn down. From Xiaojian to the end of Daming, not one of those institutions survived. At a capital session Xingzong said with feeling to Yan Shibo: "The late emperor, though not a ruler of overflowing virtue, nevertheless saw the Way through from beginning to end. To leave things unchanged for three years—this the classics hold dear. Now the mourning palace has just been cleared and the imperial tomb is not yet distant, yet all institutions and constructions, without regard to right or wrong, are entirely abolished. Even when the mandate passed from one house to another, matters did not go this far. Men of understanding throughout the realm will judge the man by this." Shibo could not bring himself to act.

興宗每陳選事，法興、尚之等輒點定回換，僅有在者。興宗於朝堂謂義恭及師伯曰：「主上諒闇，不親萬機，而選舉密事，多被刪改，復非公筆，亦不知是何天子意。」王景文、謝莊等遷授失序，興宗又欲為美選。時薛安都為散騎常侍、征虜將軍、太子左率，殷常為中庶子。興宗先選安都為左衛將軍，常侍如故；殷常為黃門，領校。太宰嫌安都為多，欲單為左衛，興宗曰：「率衛相去，唯阿之間。且已失征虜，非乃超越，復奪常侍，頓為降貶。若謂安都晚達微人，本宜裁抑，令名器不輕，宜有貫序。謹依選體，非私安都。」義恭曰：「若宮官宜加超授者，殷常便應侍中，那得為黃門而已。」興宗又曰：「中庶、侍中，相去實遠。且安都作率十年，殷恆中庶百日，今又領校，不為少也。」使選令史顏禕之、薛慶先等往復論執，義恭然後署案。

Whenever Xingzong presented selection matters, Faxing, Shangzhi, and the like would mark and alter them; only a few remained as proposed. Xingzong said in the court hall to Yigong and Shibo: "The emperor is in deep mourning and does not attend to state affairs, yet confidential selection matters are largely deleted and altered—not even in your own hand—and one does not know whose imperial will this is." Wang Jingwen, Xie Zhuang, and others had been transferred and appointed out of order; Xingzong again wished to make worthy selections. At the time Xue Andu was regular attendant of scattered cavalry, general who pacifies the barbarians, and left leader of the heir apparent; Yin Chang was senior attendant of the heir apparent. Xingzong first selected Andu as general of the left guard, with regular attendant unchanged; Yin Chang as yellow gate gentleman, concurrently colonel. The Grand Preceptor thought Andu was given too much and wished to make him only left guard. Xingzong said: "Between leader and guard the distance is only a span. Moreover he has already lost general who pacifies the barbarians—this is not advancement—and to take away regular attendant as well is suddenly a demotion. If one holds that Andu, having risen late from humble origins, ought to be held back so that titles are not lightly bestowed, there should still be a consistent order. I respectfully follow the norms of selection; this is not private favor for Andu." Yigong said: "If palace officials should receive extraordinary promotion, Yin Chang ought to be palace attendant—how can he be only yellow gate gentleman?" Xingzong added: "Between senior attendant and palace attendant the distance is truly great. Andu has led for ten years; Yin Heng has been senior attendant for a hundred days; now he also holds colonel—surely that is no small matter." He had selection clerks Yan Yizhi, Xue Qingxian, and others debate back and forth; only then did Yigong sign the document.

既中旨以安都為右衛，加給事中，由是大忤義恭及法興等，出興宗吳郡太守。固辭郡，執政愈怒，又轉為新安王子鸞撫軍司馬、輔國將軍、南東海太守，行南徐州事。又不拜，苦求益州。義恭於是大怒，上表曰：「臣聞慎節言語，《大易》有規，銓序九流，無取裁囗。若乃結黨連群，譏訴互起，街談巷議，罔顧聽聞，乃撤實憲制所宜禁經之巨蠹。侍中秘書監臣彧自表父疾，必求侍養，聖旨矜體，特順所陳，改授臣府元僚，兼帶軍郡。雖臣駑劣，府任非輕，准之前人，不為屈後。京郡本以為祿，不計戶之少多，遇缺便用，無關高下。撫軍長史莊滯府累朝，每陳危苦，內職外守，稱未堪依。唯王球昔比，賜以優養，恩慈之厚，不近於薄。前新除吳郡太守興宗，前居選曹，多不平允，鴻渥含宥，恕其不閑，改任大都，寵均阿輔，仍苦請益州，雅違成命。伏尋揚州刺史子尚、吳興太守休若，並國之茂戚，魯、衛攸在，猶牧守東山，竭誠撫蒞，而辭擇適情，起自庶族，逮佐北藩，尤無欣荷。御史中丞永，昔歲餘愆，從恩今授，光祿勳臣淹，雖曰代臣，累經降黜，後效未申，以何取進。司徒左長史孔覬，前除右衛，尋徙今職，回換之宜，不為乃少。竊外談謂彧等咸為失分，又聞興宗躬自怨懟，與尚書右僕射師伯疏，辭旨甚苦。臣雖不見，所聞不虛。臣以凡才，不應機務，謬自幸會，受任三朝，進無古人興賢之美，退無在下獻替之績，致茲紛紜，伏增慚悚。然此源不塞，此風弗變，將虧正道，塵穢盛猷。伏顧聖德，賜垂覽察。」詔曰：「太宰表如此，省以憮然。朕恭承洪緒，思弘盛烈，而在朝倰競，驅扇成風，將何以式揚先德，克隆至化。公體國情深，保釐攸託，便可付外詳議。」

When an imperial order then made Andu right guard and added attendant to the affairs of the masters, Xingzong thereby greatly offended Yigong, Faxing, and the rest, and was sent out as governor of Wu commandery. He firmly declined the commandery; the ruling faction grew angrier and transferred him to pacifying army marshal under Prince Ziluan of Xin'an, aid-the-state general, and governor of Southern Donghai, with acting authority over Southern Xuzhou. He again refused the appointment and pressed urgently for Yi Province. Yigong was then furious and submitted a memorial, saying: "Your servant has heard that one must be careful in speech; the Book of Changes has regulations on this. In ordering the nine classes, one should not take arbitrary judgment. If men form factions and link groups, slander and accusations rise against one another, and street talk disregards what reaches the throne, this is truly the great pest that law and institutions ought to forbid. Palace attendant and director of the Secretariat Yu submitted that his father was ill and he must attend him. The imperial edict showed compassion and granted his request, changing his appointment to a chief aide in your servant's office, concurrently holding army and commandery posts. Although your servant is mediocre, the prince's establishment is not a light post; measured against predecessors, one should not be placed lower. The capital commandery was originally for salary, without regard to the number of households; when a vacancy arose it was filled, unrelated to rank high or low. Pacifying army chief clerk Zhuang lingered in the establishment for many reigns, repeatedly stating hardship; holding inner office and outer governorship, he said he could not bear both. Only Wang Qiu in former times was granted generous maintenance; the grace shown was far from meager. The former newly appointed governor of Wu Xingzong, when previously in the selection office, was often unfair; the court included him in pardon, forgiving his lack of skill, and changed him to a great commandery with favor equal to a chief aide—yet he still urgently requested Yi Province, plainly defying the settled command. Reflecting on Governor of Yangzhou Zishang and Governor of Wuxing Xiuruo, both eminent kin of the state, like Lu and Wei still present, yet they govern the eastern regions with full sincerity—while he picks and chooses to suit his mood, rising from the common clans, reaching to aide the northern frontier, especially without joyful acceptance. Censor-in-chief Yong had remaining faults from former years yet is appointed by grace today; minister of the imperial household Chen Yan, though called a replacement minister, has been repeatedly demoted; later merit not yet shown—on what basis should he advance? Chief clerk on the left in the Grand Tutor's office Kong Gu, previously appointed right guard and soon moved to the present post—the fitness of the exchange is not that he received too little. Privately it is said Yu and the rest all lost proper measure; I also hear Xingzong personally resentful, writing to vice director of the Secretariat Shibo with very bitter wording. Your servant has not seen it himself, but what is reported is not false. Your servant, with ordinary talent, should not handle urgent affairs; wrongly favored by chance, entrusted across three reigns, advancing without the ancients' beauty of raising the worthy, retreating without subordinates' record of offering corrections—bringing on this turmoil, I prostrate myself in increased shame and fear. Yet unless this source is stopped and this wind changed, the correct Way will be impaired and the great design befouled. I humbly look to Your sacred virtue and beg that You deign to examine the matter. An imperial edict responded: "The Grand Preceptor's memorial is as stated above; upon reviewing it I am deeply troubled. I respectfully inherit the great succession and mean to spread our glorious achievements, yet disorderly rivalry at court drives faction until it becomes the prevailing wind—how then can I extol the virtue of our forebears and bring about the highest transformation? Your Grace's concern for the state runs deep, and the charge of safeguarding and ordering the realm is entrusted to you; let this be referred outward for detailed deliberation."

義恭因使尚書令柳元景奏曰：「臣義恭表、詔書如右。攝曹辨核尚書袁愍孫牒：『此月十七日，詣僕射顏師伯，語次，因及尚書蔡興宗有書固辭今授，仍出疏見示，乃者數紙，不意悉何所道，緣此因及朝士。當今聖世，不可使人以為少。今牒。』數之，朝廷處之實得所，臣等亦自謂得分，常多在門，袁愍孫無或措多，而愚意欲啟更量出內之宜，芻蕘管見，願在聞徹。選令史宣傳密事，故因附上聞，亦外人言此。今薛慶先列：『今月十八日，往尚書袁愍孫論選事。愍孫云，昨詣顏僕射，出蔡尚書疏見示，言辭甚苦。又云所得亦少。主上踐阼始爾，朝士有此人不多，物議謂應美用，乃更恨少，使咨事便啟錄公。又謝莊囗時未老，其疾以轉差，今居此任，復為非宜，謂宜中書令才望為允。又孔覬南士之美，所歷已多，近頻授即復回改，於理為屈，門下無人，此是名選。又張永人地可論，其去歲愆戾，非為深罪，依其望復門下一人。張淹昔忝南下，預同休戚，雖屢經愆黜，事亦已久，謂應秘書監。』帶授興宗手跡數紙，文翰炳然，事證明白，不假核辨。愍孫任居官人，職掌銓裁，若有未允，則宜顯言，而私加許與，自相選署，託云物論，終成虛詭，隱末出端，還為矛楯。臣聞九官成讓，虞風垂則，誹主怨時，漢罪夙斷。況義為身發，言謗朝序，亂辟害政，混穢大猷，紛紜彰謬，上延詔旨，不有霜准，軌憲斯淪。請解興宗新附官，須事御，收付廷尉法獄治罪，免愍孫所居官。」詔曰：「興宗首亂朝典，允當明憲，以其昔經近侍，未忍盡法，可令思愆遠封。愍孫竊評自己，委咎物議，可以子領職。」

Yigong thereupon had the Minister of the Secretariat Liu Yuanjing submit a memorial saying: "Your servant Yigong's memorial and the edict are as at right. The acting bureau investigated and verified Minister Yuan Minsun's report: 'On the seventeenth of this month I went to Vice Director Yan Shibo; in conversation the matter arose of Minister Cai Xingzong's letter firmly declining the present appointment, and he produced the memorial for me to see—several sheets—and I did not expect everything he was saying; because of this the talk turned to court officials.' In this sagely age, one must not let people think the appointments are too few. The report follows. Counting them, the court's handling was in fact appropriate; we also consider ourselves to have obtained our share—Chang Duo is often at the gate, and Yuan Minsun had nothing further to add—but my humble intent is to submit a request to reconsider what is appropriate for appointments from within, offering a crude and narrow view in hope that it will be heard and understood. The selection clerks spread confidential matters, and so I attach this for transmission upward; outsiders speak of this as well. Xue Qingxian now states: 'On the eighteenth of this month I went to Minister Yuan Minsun to discuss selection affairs.' Minsun said that yesterday he called on Vice Director Yan, who showed him Minister Cai's memorial; the language was very bitter. He also complained that what he obtained was likewise too little. The sovereign has only just ascended the throne; men of this caliber are scarce at court, and public opinion holds they ought to be well employed—yet he complained all the more that there were too few, and had the advisory office immediately submit a record to the Duke. He also said that Xie Zhuang, though not yet old, had an illness that was turning for the better, and that holding this post was again unsuitable; he held that a man of talent and standing ought to serve as Director of the Secretariat. He also observed that Kong Gu, a fine man of the south, had already held many posts; recently, after repeated appointments he was transferred once more—a logical injustice—and with no one in the Secretariat, this was a notable selection. He also argued that Zhang Yong's personal standing was worth considering; his offense of last year, though rebellious, was not a grave crime, and by his standing he should again receive one post in the Secretariat. He said Zhang Yan once had the honor of going south and shared in weal and woe; though he had repeatedly been punished and demoted, that was long ago, and Yan ought to be made Director of the Secretariat for Compilation. Enclosed were several sheets in Cai Xingzong's own hand; the writing was clear and the evidence plain, with no need for further verification. Minsun holds a ministerial post and his duty is to judge selection; if something is not acceptable, he ought to speak openly, yet he privately gave approval and made mutual appointments, claiming public opinion—only to produce falsehood in the end, hiding the source while the tail appeared, and thus creating contradiction. Your servant has heard that when the Nine Ministers yielded their posts to one another, the virtue of Yu became the standard, and that to slander one's lord and resent the times was long ago judged a crime under Han law. How much more when righteousness is invoked for private ends, speech slanders the court order, disorderly punishments harm governance, and the great design is befouled—confusion makes error manifest and extends upward to the edict; without a frost-like standard, the norms and statutes will collapse. We ask that Cai Xingzong's newly granted office be removed, that the matter await imperial decision, that he be taken and handed over to the Court of Justice for legal punishment, and that Minsun be dismissed from the office he holds." An edict said: "Cai Xingzong was foremost in disrupting court norms and fully deserves the clear penalty of the law; because he once served in close attendance, We cannot bear to apply the full measure of punishment—let him reflect on his faults from afar in exile. Minsun had privately judged on his own behalf and shifted blame to public opinion; his son may take over the post."

除興宗新昌太守，郡屬交州。朝廷莫不嗟駭。先是，興宗納何后寺尼智妃為妾，姿貌甚美，有名京師，迎車已去，而師伯密遣人誘之，潛往載取，興宗迎人不覺。及興宗被徙，論者並云由師伯，師伯甚病之。法興等既不欲以徙大臣為名，師伯又欲止息物議，由此停行。頃之，法興見殺，尚之被繫，義恭、師伯誅，復起興宗為臨海王子頊前軍長史、輔國將軍、南郡太守，行荊州事，不行。

Cai Xingzong was made Administrator of Xinchang, a commandery subordinate to Jiaozhou. The whole court sighed in shock. Earlier, Cai Xingzong had taken as a concubine the nun Zhifei of Empress He's temple; her beauty was renowned in the capital. The welcoming carriage had already departed when Yan Shibo secretly sent men to entice her, seized her in secret, and carried her off—Cai Xingzong's welcoming party never noticed. When Cai Xingzong was banished, commentators all attributed it to Yan Shibo, and Shibo was deeply troubled. Faxiang and the others did not wish to be known for banishing a great minister, and Shibo also wanted to quiet public talk; for this reason the transfer was halted. Before long Faxiang was killed, Shangzhi was imprisoned, and Yigong and Shibo were executed; Xingzong was again raised up as Chief Clerk of the Vanguard for Liu Zixu, Prince of Linhai, General Who Supports the State, and Administrator of Nanjun, acting as governor of Jingzhou—but he did not go.

時前廢帝兇暴，興宗外甥袁顗為雍州刺史，勸興宗行，曰：「朝廷形勢，人所共見，在內大臣，朝夕難保。舅今出居陝西，為八州行事，顗在襄、沔，地勝兵強，去江陵咫尺，水陸通便。若朝廷有事，可共立桓、文之功，豈與受制兇狂，禍難不測，同年而語乎。今不去虎口，而守此危逼，後求復出，豈得哉！」興宗曰：「吾素門平進，與主上甚疏，未容有患。宮省內外，人不自保，會應有變。若內難得弭，外釁未必可量。汝欲在外求全，我欲居內免禍，各行所見，不亦善乎。」時京城危懼，衣冠咸欲遠徙，後皆流離外難，百不一存。

At that time the Deposed Former Emperor was violent and cruel; Xingzong's nephew Yuan Yan was Inspector of Yongzhou and urged him to leave, saying: "The situation at court is plain for all to see; the great ministers within cannot be assured of their lives from one morning to the next. Uncle, you would now go out to dwell west of the Shan passes and govern eight provinces; I am at Xiang and Mian, where the terrain is superior and the troops strong, only a short distance from Jiangling, with easy access by land and water. If trouble comes at court, together we could achieve what Duke Huan and Duke Wen achieved—how can that be compared with submitting to a violent madman, with disaster impossible to foretell? If you do not leave the tiger's maw now but remain in this perilous confinement, how will you ever get out later!" Xingzong said: "My family has always advanced by plain merit; I am very distant from the sovereign and am unlikely to meet with trouble. Inside and outside the palace, no one can protect himself; change is sure to come. If internal trouble can be quelled, external disturbances may still be beyond measure. You wish to seek safety abroad; I wish to stay within and avoid disaster—each acting on his own judgment—is that not also well?" The capital was then fearful and alarmed; officials and gentry all wished to flee far away, and afterward they were scattered in external calamity—not one in a hundred survived.

重除吏部尚書。太尉沈慶之深慮危禍，閉門不通賓客，嘗遣左右范羨詣興宗屬事。興宗謂羨曰：「公閉門絕客，以避悠悠請託耳，身非有求，何為見拒。」還造慶之，慶之遣羨報命，要興宗令往。興宗因說之曰：「先帝雖無功於天下，要能定平凶逆，在位十一年，以道晏駕。主上紹臨，四海清謐，即位正是舉止違衷，小小得失耳，亦謂春秋尚富，進德可期。而比者所行，人倫道盡。今所忌憚，唯在於公；百姓喁喁，無復假息之望，所冀正在公一人而已。若復坐視成敗者，非唯身禍不測，四海重責，將有所歸。公威名素著，天下所服，今舉朝遑遑，人人危怖，指麾之日，誰不景從；如其不斷，旦暮禍及。僕者昔佐貴府，蒙眷異常，故敢盡言，願公思為其計。」慶之曰：「僕皆前慮不復自保，但盡忠奉國，始終以之，正當委天任命耳。加老罷私門，兵力頓闕，雖有其意，事亦無從。」興宗曰：「當今懷謀思奮者，非要富貴，求功賞，各欲免死朝夕耳。殿內將帥，正聽外間消息，若一人唱首，則俯仰可定。況公威風先著，統戎累朝，諸舊部曲，布在宮省，宋越、譚金之徒，出公宇下，並受生成；攸之、恩仁，公家口子弟耳，誰敢不從。且公門徒義附，並三吳勇士，宅內奴僮，人有數百。陸攸之今入東討賊，又大送鎧仗，在青溪未發。攸之公之鄉人，驍勇有膽力，取其器仗，以配衣宇下，使攸之率以前驅，天下之事定矣。僕在尚書中，自當率百僚案前世故事，更簡賢明，以奉社稷。昔太甲罪不加民，昌邑虐不及下，伊尹、霍光猶成大事，況今蒼生窘急，禍百往代乎。又朝廷諸所行造，民間皆云公悉豫之。今若沈疑不決，當有先公起事者，公亦不免附從之禍。車駕屢幸貴第，醉酣彌留，又聞屏左右獨入閣內，此萬世一時，機不可失。僕荷眷深重，故吐去梯之言，宜詳其禍福。」慶之曰：「深感君無已。意此事大，非僕所能行，事至故當抱忠以沒耳。」頃之，慶之果以見忌致禍。

Once more he was appointed to head the Secretariat for Personnel. Grand Commandant Shen Qingzhi lived in deep fear of disaster and closed his gates to visitors; he once sent his attendant Fan Xian to Xingzong on business. Xingzong said to Fan Xian: "The Duke shuts his gates and turns away guests to avoid idle requests—that is all; I come without a request—why am I refused?" Fan Xian returned to Qingzhi; Qingzhi sent him back with a reply and asked that Xingzong come in person. Xingzong thereupon urged him: "The late Emperor Xiaowu, though he won no great merit for the realm, was yet able to settle and pacify violent rebels; he reigned eleven years and departed in accordance with the Way. The sovereign succeeded him; the four seas were tranquil; at his accession it was merely that his conduct departed from what was fitting—small faults and lapses—and people still thought his years were plentiful and moral progress could be expected. But what he has done of late exhausts every bond of human relations. You alone are what he now fears and dreads; the common people murmur and have no hope of respite; their hopes rest on you alone. If you again sit and watch whether things succeed or fail, not only will personal disaster be impossible to foretell—the heavy responsibility of the realm will fall on someone. Your prestige has stood firm for years and the realm submits to you; now the whole court is alarmed and every man lives in dread—when you give the command, who would not follow with admiration; unless you decide now, disaster will come at any moment. I once served in your noble household and received extraordinary favor; therefore I dare speak plainly and beg you to think and plan accordingly." Qingzhi said: "I too have lately feared I could no longer protect myself, but to serve the state with full loyalty from beginning to end—that is my course; I should simply entrust myself to Heaven and accept my fate. Besides, I am old and retired to my home, and my military strength has suddenly dwindled; though I have the intent, there is no way to act on it." Xingzong said: "Those who now harbor plans and think to rise up do not seek wealth and rank or merit and reward—they each wish only to escape death from one morning to the next. The generals within the palace halls are only waiting for word from outside; if one man takes the lead, the whole affair can be settled in an instant. Moreover your commanding presence was established long ago and you have commanded armies across several reigns; your old retainers are spread through the palace offices—men like Song Yue and Tan Jin came from under your roof and all owe you their lives; Youzhi and Enren are dependents and younger kinsmen of your household—who would dare refuse to follow? Your followers and sworn adherents are all warriors of the Three Wu regions, and the slaves and servants in your residence number in the hundreds. Lu Youzhi is now marching east to attack bandits and has also sent a large shipment of armor and weapons, now at Qingxi and not yet departed. Youzhi is a townsman of your native place, fierce and brave; take his weapons and armor, equip the men under your roof, put Youzhi at their head as vanguard, and the affairs of the realm will be settled. Your servant, in the Secretariat, would lead the hundred officials according to precedents of former ages, select anew the worthy and enlightened, and serve the altars of state. In the past Taijia's crimes did not reach the people, and Changyi's cruelty did not extend to the lower ranks—yet Yi Yin and Huo Guang still accomplished great deeds. How much more now, when the common people are in dire straits and the calamity exceeds anything of former ages? Moreover, for everything the court has done and built, the common people say you had a full hand in it. If you now sink in doubt and do not decide, someone will rise up before you—and you too will not escape the disaster of being forced to follow. The imperial carriage has repeatedly come to your noble residence; he lingers long in drunken revelry, and I have heard that he dismisses his attendants and enters the inner chamber alone—a moment that comes once in ten thousand generations; the opportunity must not be lost. I bear your deep favor and therefore speak words after removing the ladder; you should weigh the blessings and disasters with care." Qingzhi said: "I am deeply moved by your unceasing concern. I consider this matter great and not something your servant can undertake; when the moment comes I shall simply embrace loyalty and perish." Before long Qingzhi indeed met with disaster because he was regarded with suspicion.

時領軍王玄謨大將有威名，邑里訛言云已見誅，市道喧擾。玄謨典籤包法榮者，家在東陽，興宗故郡民也，為玄謨所信，見使至，興宗因謂曰：「領軍殊當憂懼。」法榮曰：「領軍比日殆不復食，夜亦不眠，常言收已在門，不保俄頃。」興宗曰：「領軍憂懼，當為方略，那得坐待禍至。」初，玄謨舊部曲猶有三千人，廢帝頗疑之，徹配監者。玄謨太息深怨，啟留五百人巖山營墓，事猶未畢，少帝欲獵，又悉喚還城。巖兵在中堂，興宗勸以此眾舉事，曰：「當今以領軍威名，率此為朝廷唱始，事便立克。領軍雖復失腳，自可乘輿處分。禍殆不測，勿失事機。君還，可白領軍如此。」玄謨遣法榮報曰：「此亦未易可行，期當不泄君言。」太宗踐祚，玄謨責所親故吏郭季產、女婿韋希真等曰：「當艱難時，周旋輩無一言相扣發者。」季產曰：「蔡尚書令包法榮所道，非不會機，但大事難行爾，季產言亦何益。」玄謨有慚色。

At that time Commandant of the Guards Wang Xuanymou was a great general with a formidable reputation; false rumors in the neighborhoods said he had already been executed, and the markets and streets were in an uproar. Xuanymou's registrar Bao Farong was a native of Dongyang and a former subject of Xingzong's commandery; trusted by Xuanymou, he was sent on a visit, and Xingzong thereupon said to him: "The Commandant must be deeply fearful and alarmed." Farong said: "The Commandant of late can scarcely eat; he does not sleep at night and constantly says that arrest is already at the gate and he cannot be assured even for a moment." Xingzong said: "If the Commandant is fearful and alarmed, he ought to devise a plan—how can he sit and wait for disaster to arrive?" Earlier Xuanymou's old retainers still numbered three thousand; the Deposed Former Emperor was quite suspicious of them and reassigned them under overseers. Xuanymou sighed deeply and harbored deep resentment; he requested that five hundred men remain at Yanshan to build his tomb—the work was not yet finished when the Deposed Former Emperor wished to hunt and summoned them all back to the city. The Yanshan troops were in the central hall; Xingzong urged that with this force they rise up, saying: "At present, with the Commandant's formidable reputation, leading these men to initiate action for the court, the matter would be settled at once. Even if the Commandant should again stumble, he could himself mount the imperial carriage and dispose affairs. Disaster is hard to foresee—do not let the opportunity slip. When you return, tell the Commandant as much." Xuanymou sent Farong back with a reply: "This too is not easily feasible; I expect I shall not reveal your words." When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, Xuanymou reproached his close associates and former clerks Guo Jichan, his son-in-law Wei Xizhen, and others, saying: "In those difficult times, none of my companions said a single word to urge me to act." Jichan said: "What Minister Cai told Bao Farong was not without understanding of the moment, but great affairs are hard to carry out; what use would Jichan's words have been?" Xuanymou looked ashamed.

右衛將軍劉道隆為帝所寵信，專統禁兵，乘輿嘗夜幸著作佐郎江斅宅，興宗馬車從道隆從車後過，興宗謂曰：「劉公！比日思一閑寫。」道隆深達此旨，掐興宗手曰：「蔡公！勿多言。」帝每因朝宴，捶毆群臣，自驃騎大將軍建安王休仁以下，侍中袁愍孫等，咸見陵曳，唯興宗得免。頃之，太宗定大事。是夜，廢帝橫屍在大醫閣口，興宗謂尚書右僕射王景文曰：「此雖凶悖，要是天下之主，宜使喪禮粗足。若直如此，四海必將乘人。」

General of the Right Guards Liu Daolong was favored and trusted by the emperor and exclusively commanded the palace guard; the imperial carriage once visited at night the residence of Jiang Xiao, aide in the Secretariat for Compilation; Xingzong's carriage passed behind Daolong's escort carriage, and Xingzong said: "Master Liu! Lately I have wished for a quiet word together." Daolong deeply grasped this intent, squeezed Xingzong's hand, and said: "Master Cai! Say no more." At every court banquet the emperor would beat and assault the ministers; from General of Agile Cavalry Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, down to Palace Attendant Yuan Minsun and others, all were humiliated and dragged about—only Xingzong was spared. Before long Emperor Taizong brought the great affair to its conclusion. That night the Deposed Former Emperor lay dead across the entrance to the Grand Physician's Office; Xingzong said to Vice Director of the Secretariat Wang Jingwen: "Though he was violent and perverse, he was after all sovereign of the realm; the funeral rites ought at least to be roughly adequate. If matters are simply left as they are, all under heaven will surely exploit our disorder."

時諸方並舉兵反，國家所保，唯丹陽、淮南數郡，其間諸縣，或已應賊。東兵已至永世，宮省危懼，上集群臣以謀成敗。興宗曰：「今普天圖逆，人有異志，宜鎮之以靜，以至信侍人。比者逆徒親戚，布在宮省，若繩之以法，則土崩立至，宜明罪不相及之義。物情既定，人有戰心，六軍精勇，器甲犀利，以待不習之兵，其勢相萬耳。願陛下勿憂。」上從之。

At that time every region was raising troops in rebellion; the state could still hold only a few commanderies of Danyang and Huainan, and among their counties some had already gone over to the rebels. Eastern troops had already reached Yongshi; the palace offices were stricken with fear; the emperor assembled his ministers to weigh success or failure. Xingzong said: "Now under heaven all plot rebellion and men harbor divergent intent; you should calm them with stillness and treat people with utmost sincerity. Lately the kinsmen of rebels are spread through the palace offices; if you bind them with the law, collapse will come at once—you should declare clearly that guilt does not extend to relatives. Once popular sentiment is settled, men will take heart for battle; the Six Armies are elite and brave, armed with sharp weapons and armor, against troops unaccustomed to war—the odds are ten thousand to one. I beg Your Majesty to set your mind at ease." The emperor accepted his counsel.

加游擊將軍，未拜，遷尚書右僕射，尋領衛尉，又領兗州大中正。太宗謂興宗曰：「諸處未定，殷琰已復同逆。頃日人情云何？事當濟不？」興宗曰：「逆之與順，臣無以辨。今商旅斷絕，而米甚豐賤，四方雲合，而人情更安，以此卜之，清蕩可必。但臣之所憂，更在事後，猶羊公言既平之後，方當勞聖慮耳。」尚書褚淵以手板築興宗，興宗言之不已，上曰：「如卿言。」赭圻平，函送袁顗首，敕從登南掖門樓觀之，興宗漼然流涕，上不悅。事平，封興宗始昌縣伯，食邑五百戶；固讓不許，封樂安縣伯，邑三百戶，國秩吏力，終以不受。

He was promoted to General Who Attacks at Large, but before he could formally assume the title he was made Vice Director of the Left in the Secretariat; he soon added the post of Commandant of the Guard and also served as Grand Rectifier for Yan Province. Emperor Taizong (Liu Yu) said to Cai Xingzong: "The various regions are still unsettled, and Yin Yan has once more thrown in with the rebels. What is the mood of the people these days? Do you think we shall prevail?" Cai Xingzong replied: "Between rebellion and loyalty, I cannot clearly tell which side holds sway. Trade has all but stopped, yet grain is plentiful and cheap; rebels converge from every quarter, yet the people remain remarkably calm. By these signs, I am certain the realm will be pacified. My concern, however, lies after victory—as Yang Hu once observed, it is only once order is restored that Your Majesty's mind will truly be burdened." Minister Chu Yuan rapped Xingzong with his tablet to silence him, but Xingzong would not stop; the emperor said: "You speak truly." After Zheqi fell, Yuan Yan's head arrived in a box; the emperor commanded his attendants to climb the tower of the Southern Side Gate to view it. Xingzong burst into tears, and the emperor took offense. After the rebellion was crushed, Cai Xingzong was created Marquis of Shichang with a fief of five hundred households; He repeatedly refused until the court relented and offered Le'an instead, with three hundred households plus stipend and clerical staff—but he declined even that.

時殷琰據壽陽為逆，遣輔國將軍劉勔攻圍。四方既平，琰嬰城固守，上使中書為詔譬琰，興宗曰：「天下既定，是琰思過之日，陛下宜賜手詔數行以相私慰。今直中書為詔，彼必疑謂非真，未是所以速清方難也。」不從。琰得詔，謂劉勔詐造，果不敢降。攻戰經時，久乃歸順。

Yin Yan was then holding Shouyang in rebellion, and the court sent General Liu Mian to invest the city. With the realm largely pacified, Yan still held the walled city; the emperor had the Secretariat draft an edict to win him over. Xingzong urged: "The empire is settled—it is time for Yan to repent. Your Majesty should send him a personal note of a few lines as a private reassurance. A routine Secretariat edict will only make him suspect it is a ruse—that is no way to resolve this lingering crisis quickly." The emperor did not heed him. Yan received the edict and assumed Liu Mian had fabricated it; as expected, he refused to surrender. Fighting dragged on for months before he finally capitulated.

先徐州刺史薛安都據彭城反，後遣使歸順。泰始二年冬，遣張永率軍迎之。興宗曰：「安都遣使歸順，此誠不虛。今宜撫之以和，即安所蒞，不過須單使及咫尺書耳。若以重兵迎之，勢必疑懼，或能招引北虜，為患不測。叛臣釁重，必宜翦戮，則比者所宥，亦已弘矣。況安都外據強地，密邇邊關，考之國計，尤宜馴養。如其遂叛，將生旰食之憂。彭城險固，兵強將勇，圍之既難，攻不可拔，疆塞之虞，二三宜慮，臣為朝廷憂之。」時張永已行，不見從。安都聞大軍過淮，嬰城自守，要取索虜。永戰大敗，又值寒雪，死者十八九，遂失淮北四州。其先見如此。初，永敗問至，上在乾明殿，先召司徒建安王休仁，又召興宗，謂休仁曰：「吾慚蔡僕射。」以敗書示興宗，曰：「我愧卿。」

Earlier, Xu Province governor Xue Andu had seized Pengcheng and rebelled; he later sent envoys offering submission. In winter of the second year of Taishi, the court dispatched Zhang Yong at the head of an army to receive him. Xingzong said: "Andu's offer of submission through envoys is surely sincere. He should be won over with conciliation—a single envoy and a brief letter would suffice. Sending a large force will only frighten him into suspicion and may provoke the Northern Wei—a disaster whose scale cannot be foreseen. Treasonous ministers deserve execution, yet the amnesty already granted has been generous enough. Andu moreover holds strategic territory on the frontier; from the standpoint of statecraft, he is best handled with restraint and courtesy. Should he turn traitor after all, the court will face sleepless nights of anxiety. Pengcheng is strongly fortified with brave troops and capable generals—difficult to besiege, impossible to storm. The risk to our border defenses is grave on several counts. I fear for the court's sake." By then Zhang Yong was already marching; his counsel went unheeded. Hearing that a large army was crossing the Huai, Andu shut himself in Pengcheng and sought aid from the Northern Wei. Zhang Yong suffered a crushing defeat in bitter snow; eight or nine men in ten perished, and the four provinces north of the Huai were lost. Such had been his foresight. When word of Zhang Yong's defeat first arrived, the emperor was in the Qianming Hall. He summoned Minister Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, then called in Xingzong and told Xiuren: "I owe Vice Director Cai an apology." He showed Xingzong the defeat report and said: "I was wrong to ignore you."

三年春，出為使持節、都督郢州諸軍事、安西將軍、郢州刺史。坐詣尚書切論以何始真為諮議參軍，初不被許，後又重陳，上怒，貶號平西將軍，尋又復號。初，吳興丘珍孫言論常侵興宗。珍孫子景先，人才甚美，興宗與之周旋。及景先為鄱陽郡，值晉安王子勛為逆，轉在竟陵，為吳喜所殺。母老女稚，流離夏口。興宗至郢州，親自臨哭，致其喪柩家累，令得東還。在任三年，遷鎮東將軍、會稽太守，加散騎常侍，尋領兵置佐，加都督會稽、東陽、新安、永嘉、臨海五郡諸軍事，給鼓吹一部。會稽多諸豪右，不遵王憲。又幸臣近習，參半宮省，封略山湖，妨民害治。興宗皆以法繩之。會土全實，民物殷阜，王公妃主，邸舍相望，橈亂在所，大為民患，子息滋長，督責無窮。興宗悉啟罷省。又陳原諸逋負，解遣雜役，並見從。三吳舊有鄉射禮，久不復修，興宗行之，禮儀甚整。先是元嘉中，羊玄保為郡，亦行鄉射。

In spring of the third year he was posted out as military governor and Governor of Ying Province, with the title General Who Pacifies the West. He was punished for pressing the Secretariat to appoint He Shizhen as Advising Commander—first overruled, then insisting again until the emperor grew angry and reduced his title to General Who Pacifies the West, though it was soon restored. Qiu Zhensun of Wuxing had long been verbally aggressive toward Cai Xingzong. Zhensun's son Jingxian was an exceptionally talented young man, and Xingzong cultivated his friendship. When Jingxian was serving in Poyang, Liu Zilun, Prince of Jin'an, rose in rebellion; Jingxian was transferred to Jingling, where Wu Xi killed him. His aged mother and young daughter were left stranded and destitute at Xiakou. Upon reaching his post at Ying Province, Xingzong went in person to mourn, arranged the return of the coffin and the bereaved family, and saw them safely back east. After three years he was promoted to General Who Guards the East and Governor of Kuaiji, with the added title Regular Attendant of the Fast Horse; he soon received military staff and authority over five commanderies—Kuaiji, Dongyang, Xin'an, Yongjia, and Linhai—and was granted an honorary guard of horns and drums. Kuaiji was home to many powerful clans who flouted imperial law. Imperial favorites and court intimates, who thronged the palace bureaucracy, had seized mountains and lakes to the people's detriment. Xingzong held them all accountable under the law. Kuaiji was fertile and prosperous, and princes, nobles, and imperial in-laws built mansion upon mansion. Their ceaseless encroachments and ever-multiplying demands tormented the common people. Xingzong petitioned to have them all abolished. He also secured remission of unpaid levies and the release of miscellaneous conscript labor—all of which the court approved. The Three Wu had once maintained the village archery ceremony, long neglected; Xingzong revived it with exemplary propriety. In the Yuanjia era, Yang Xuanbao as governor had likewise held the village archery rite.

太宗崩，興宗與尚書令袁粲、右僕射褚淵、中領軍劉勔、鎮軍將軍沈攸之同被顧命。以興宗為使持節、都督荊、湘、雍、益、梁、寧、南、北秦八州諸軍事、征西將軍、開府儀同三司、荊州刺史，加班劍二十人，常侍如故。被徵還都。時右軍將軍王道隆任參內政，權重一時，躡履到前，不敢就席，良久方去，竟不呼坐。元嘉初，中書舍人秋當詣太子詹事王曇首，不敢坐。其後中書舍人王弘為太祖所愛遇，上謂曰：「卿欲作士人，得就王球坐，乃當判耳。殷、劉並雜，無所知也。若往詣球，可稱旨就席。」球舉扇曰：「若不得爾。」弘還，依事啟聞，帝曰：「我便無如此何。」五十年中，有此三事。道隆等以興宗強正，不欲使擁兵上流，改為中書監、左光祿大夫，開府儀同三司、常侍如故，固辭不拜。

When Emperor Taizong died, Xingzong was named to the regency council alongside Director Yuan Can, Vice Director Chu Yuan, Commandant Liu Mian, and General Shen Youzhi. Xingzong was made military governor of eight western provinces with the title General Who Conquers the West and Grand Master of the First Order, Governor of Jing Province, attended by twenty sword-bearing guards, retaining his post as Regular Attendant. He was recalled to the capital. Wang Daolong, General of the Right Guards, then wielded enormous power in court affairs. He crept forward on tiptoe, dared not sit down, lingered awkwardly, and finally left—never once invited to take a seat. Early in the Yuanjia era, Palace Secretary Qiu Dang called on Grand Tutor Wang Tanshou and did not dare to sit. Later, Palace Secretary Wang Hong won Emperor Taizu's favor. The emperor told him: "If you wish to be accepted as a gentleman, try sitting with Wang Qiu—that would mark a genuine rise in standing. The Yin and Liu clans are vulgar company—they would not understand such things. If you visit Qiu, cite my words as authorization and take a seat." Wang Qiu lifted his fan and said: "That will not do." Hong returned and reported what had happened; the emperor said: "Well, then I cannot force the matter." In the span of fifty years, only these three such incidents occurred. Daolong and his faction, wary of the upright and unyielding Xingzong commanding troops upriver, reassigned him to Director of the Secretariat and Grand Master of Splendor on the Left with the honors of the Three Excellencies—but Xingzong firmly refused the appointment.

興宗幼立風概，家行尤謹，奉宗姑，事寡嫂，養孤兄子，有聞於世。太子左率王錫妻范，聰明婦人也，有才藻學見，與錫弟僧達書，詰讓之曰：「昔謝太傅奉嫂王夫人如慈母，今蔡興宗亦有恭和之稱。」其為世所重如此。妻劉氏早卒，一女甚幼，外甥袁顗始生彖而妻劉氏亦亡。興宗姊，即顗母也，一孫一姪，躬自撫養，年齒相比，欲為婚姻，每見興宗，輒言此意。

Xingzong displayed moral resolve from youth. His household conduct was exemplary: he cared for his paternal aunt, tended his widowed sister-in-law, and raised his orphaned nephew—winning widespread renown. Fan, wife of the Heir's Left Commander Wang Xi, was a brilliant woman of learning. In a letter reproaching Wang Xi's brother Sengda, she wrote: "Grand Tutor Xie once treated his sister-in-law Lady Wang as a mother would; today Cai Xingzong is likewise praised for his respectful tenderness toward kin." Such was the esteem in which he was held. His wife Lady Liu died young, leaving a small daughter; his nephew Yuan Yan's son Tan was newborn when Lady Liu passed as well. Xingzong's elder sister—Yuan Yan's mother—raised grandson and nephew side by side, nearly of an age, and whenever she saw Xingzong she pressed her wish to unite them in marriage.

大明初，詔興宗女與南平王敬猷婚，興宗以姊生平之懷，屢經陳啟，答曰：「卿諸人欲各行己意，則國家何由得婚？且姊言豈是不可違之處邪？」舊意既乖，彖亦他娶。其後彖家好不終，顗又禍敗，彖等淪廢當時，孤微理盡。敬猷遇害，興宗女無子嫠居，名門高胄，多欲結姻，明帝亦敕適謝氏，興宗並不許，以女適彖。北地傅隆與廓相善，興宗脩父友敬。

Early in the Daming reign, an edict betrothed Xingzong's daughter to Prince Jingyou of Nanping. Citing his sister's lifelong wish, Xingzong memorialized repeatedly—but Emperor Xiaowu replied: "If everyone insists on their private wishes, how is the throne to arrange marriages at all? And is a sister's dying wish not something that ought to be honored?" With that original plan undone, Tan married someone else. Tan's marriage ended unhappily; Yuan Yan met disaster and ruin; Tan and his kin fell into utter destitution—as though fate had exhausted every allowance for their line. After Jingyou was killed, Xingzong's widowed and childless daughter drew offers from many eminent families; Emperor Ming himself ordered a match with the Xie clan—but Xingzong refused them all and gave her to Tan. Fu Long of Beidi had been close to Cai Kuo; Xingzong honored him as his father's friend.

景玄雅有父風，為中書郎，晉陵太守，太尉從事中郎。昇明末卒。

Jingxuan inherited his father's distinguished bearing and held the posts of Secretariat Gentleman, Governor of Jinling, and Aide to the Grand Commandant. He died late in the Shengming era.

史臣曰：世重清談，士推素論，蔡廓雖業力弘正，而年位未高，一世名臣，風格皆出其下。及其固辭銓衡，恥為志屈，豈不知選錄同體，義無偏斷乎！良以主闇時難，不欲居通塞之任也。遠矣哉！

The Historian writes: In an age that prized refined discourse and plain principle, Cai Kuo's conduct and integrity were surpassing—yet because his years and rank had not risen high, the era's celebrated ministers all fell short of his stature. When he steadfastly refused the post of personnel selection, refusing to bend his principles—did he not know that the selector and the selected are one enterprise, and impartiality is the very duty of the office? In truth, the sovereign was obscured and the times perilous—he would not accept an office where one must decide who passes and who is blocked. How remote such integrity now seems!

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