Volume 62 Biographies 22: Yang Xin, Zhang Fu, Wang Wei

列傳第二十二羊欣張敷王微

Biography 22: Yang Xin, Zhang Fu, and Wang Wei

羊欣，字敬元，泰山南城人也。曾祖忱，晉徐州刺史。祖權，黃門郎。父不疑，桂陽太守。欣少靖默，無競於人，美言笑，善容止。汎覽經籍，尤長隸書。不疑初為烏程令，欣時年十二，時王獻之為吳興太守，甚知愛之。獻之嘗夏月入縣，欣著新絹裙晝寢，獻之書裙數幅而去。欣本工書，因此彌善。起家輔國參軍，府解還家。隆安中，朝廷漸亂，欣優遊私門，不復進仕。會稽王世子元顯每使欣書，常辭不奉命，元顯怒，乃以為其後軍府舍人。此職本用寒人，欣意貌恬然，不以高卑見色，論者稱焉。欣嘗詣領軍將軍謝混，混拂席改服，然後見之。時混族子靈運在坐，退告族兄瞻曰：「望蔡見羊欣，遂易衣改席。」欣由此益知名。

Yang Xin, whose courtesy name was Jingyuan, came from Nancheng in Taishan commandery. His great-grandfather Chen had served as Inspector of Xu Province under the Jin. His grandfather Quan had been a Gentleman at the Yellow Gate. His father Buyi had been Governor of Guiyang. Xin had been quiet and unassuming since boyhood, never striving against others, with a pleasant wit and graceful bearing. He read widely in the classics and was especially masterful in clerical script calligraphy. When Buyi first served as magistrate of Wucheng, Xin was twelve; Wang Xianzhi was then Governor of Wuxing and took a great liking to him. Once in midsummer Xianzhi came into the county seat; Xin was napping by day in a new silk gauze skirt, and Xianzhi wrote calligraphy across several panels of the skirt before departing. Xin had already been adept at calligraphy, and this episode made him still better. He entered office as aide to the General Who Assists the State; when that post was abolished he went home. During the Long'an years, as the court slipped into disorder, Xin lived at ease in private life and sought no further advancement. Yuan Xian, heir of the Prince of Kuaiji, often pressed Xin to do calligraphy for him; Xin routinely refused, and in anger Yuan Xian made him registrar of his Rear Army staff. The post was normally given to men of humble origin, yet Xin remained serene in manner and never altered his demeanor with rank; men of judgment praised him for it. Once when Xin called on General of the Guards Xie Hun, Hun first brushed the seat and changed his garments before receiving him. Xie Lingyun, a kinsman of Hun's, was present; afterward he told his elder kinsman Zhan, "When Wangcai received Yang Xin, he changed his clothes and brushed the mat." From that moment Xin's fame grew still greater.

桓玄輔政，領平西將軍，以欣為平西參軍，仍轉主簿，參預機要。欣欲自疏，時漏密事，玄覺其此意，愈重之，以為楚臺殿中郎。謂曰：「尚書政事之本，殿中禮樂所出。卿昔處股肱，方此為輕也。」欣拜職少日，稱病自免，屏居里巷，十餘年不出。

When Huan Xuan held power as regent while also serving as General Who Pacifies the West, he appointed Xin as staff aide to that command, then made him chief clerk with access to confidential policy. Xin tried to keep his distance, and on one occasion leaked confidential matters; Xuan detected his intent yet esteemed him the more and appointed him Palace Attendant of the Chu Terrace. He told him, "The Secretariat is the foundation of state business; the palace bureau is where ritual and music take their form. You once served at the heart of power—by comparison this may seem a lighter post." Xin accepted the post for only a few days, then pleaded illness and resigned; he shut himself within his neighborhood and did not stir abroad for more than a decade.

義熙中，弟徽被遇於高祖，高祖謂諮議參軍鄭鮮之曰：「羊徽一時美器，世論猶在兄後，恨不識之。」即板欣補右將軍劉藩司馬，轉長史，中軍將軍道憐諮議參軍。出為新安太守。在郡四年，簡惠著稱。除臨川王義慶輔國長史，廬陵王義真車騎諮議參軍，並不就。太祖重之，以為新安太守，前後凡十三年，遊玩山水，甚得適性。轉在義興，非其好也。頃之，又稱病篤自免歸。除中散大夫。

During the Yixi years Xin's younger brother Hui won favor with Gaozu, who said to Staff Aide Zheng Xianzhi, "Yang Hui is a rare talent of our time; opinion still ranks him below his brother—I regret never having met the elder." He at once commissioned Xin as Major on the staff of General of the Right Liu Fan, then chief clerk, and finally Consultation Staff Aide to General of the Central Army Daolian. He was sent out as Governor of Xin'an. He governed the prefecture four years and won renown for simple, humane rule. Appointments followed as Chief Clerk on the staff of Prince of Linchuan Yiqing's Kingdom-Assisting command and as Consultation Aide on Prince of Luling Yizhen's Chariots and Cavalry staff, but he took neither post. Taizu esteemed him and again made him Governor of Xin'an; over thirteen years in all he wandered among hills and streams to his heart's content. When he was transferred to Yixing, it was not what he wanted. Before long he again pleaded grave illness and resigned to go home. He was appointed Grand Master of Leisurely Disposition.

素好黃老，常手自書章，有病不服藥，飲符水而已。兼善醫術，撰《藥方》十卷。欣以不堪拜伏，辭不朝覲，高祖、太祖並恨不識之。自非尋省近親，不妄行詣，行必由城外，未嘗入六關。元嘉十九年，卒，時年七十三。子俊，早卒。

He had long favored Daoist teachings, copied ritual texts himself, and when ill refused medicine, drinking only consecrated talisman water. He was also skilled in medicine and compiled a ten-juan work titled Pharmaceutical Formulations. Unable to endure prostration, Xin declined court audiences; both Gaozu and Taizu regretted never having met him in person. Except for brief visits to near kin, he would not pay calls indiscriminately; when he traveled he always kept outside the city walls and never passed through the six inner gates. He died in the nineteenth year of Yuanjia, at the age of seventy-three. His son Jun died young.

弟徽，字敬猷，世譽多欣。高祖鎮京口，以為記室參軍掌事。八年，遷中書郎，直西省。後為太祖西中郎長史、河東太守。子瞻，元嘉末為世祖南中郎長史、尋陽太守，卒官。

His younger brother Hui, courtesy name Jingyou, was widely thought to surpass Xin in reputation. When Gaozu was stationed at Jingkou, he made Hui Record-House Staff Aide in charge of affairs. In the eighth year he was promoted to Palace Gentleman on duty in the Western Secretariat. He later became Chief Clerk on Taizu's Western Center Army staff and Governor of Hedong. His son Zhan, late in Yuanjia, was Chief Clerk on Shizu's Southern Center Army staff and Governor of Xunyang, and died in office.

張敷，字景胤，吳郡人，吳興太守邵子也。生而母沒。年數歲，問母所在，家人告以死生之分，敷雖童蒙，便有思慕之色。年十許歲，求母遺物，而散施已盡，唯得一畫扇，乃緘錄之，每至感思，輒開笥流涕。見從母，常悲感哽咽。性整貴，風韻甚高，好讀玄書，兼屬文論，少有盛名。高祖見而愛之，以為世子中軍參軍，數見接引。永初初，遷秘書郎。嘗在省直，中書令傅亮貴宿權要，聞其好學，過候之；敷臥不即起，亮怪而去。

Zhang Fu, courtesy name Jingyin, was from Wu commandery and the son of Shao, Governor of Wuxing. His mother died when he was born. When he was only a few years old he asked where his mother was; the family explained that she had died; even as a small child Fu's face showed mourning and longing. Around ten he searched for keepsakes of his mother, but nearly everything had been given away; only one painted fan remained, which he wrapped and stored; whenever grief overtook him he opened the case and wept. Seeing his aunt by marriage always left him choked with sorrow. Upright and fastidious by nature, with a lofty air, he loved metaphysical texts and wrote literary essays as well; his reputation was great even while young. Gaozu took him in at once and made him aide on the Heir Apparent's Central Army staff, summoning him often. Early in the Yongchu reign he was promoted to Secretariat Gentleman. Once while on duty in the Secretariat, Chief Palace Attendant Fu Liang, a senior wielder of power, heard of his devotion to study and paid a visit; Fu remained lying down and did not rise promptly; Liang took offense and withdrew.

父邵為湘州，去官侍從。太祖版為西中郎參軍。元嘉初，為員外散騎侍郎，秘書丞。江夏王義恭鎮江陵，以為撫軍功曹，轉記室參軍。時義恭就太祖求一學義沙門，比沙門求見發遣，會敷赴假還江陵，太祖謂沙門曰：「張敷應西，當令相載。」及敷辭，上謂曰：「撫軍須一意懷道人，卿可以後艑載之，道中可得言晤。」敷不奉旨，曰：「臣性不耐雜。」上甚不說。

When his father Shao went to Xiang Province, Fu left his post to accompany him. Taizu commissioned him as aide on the Western Center Army staff. Early in Yuanjia he became Supernumerary Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Secretariat Director. When Prince of Jiangxia Yigong was stationed at Jiangling, he made Fu Merit Officer on his Pacification Army staff, then Record-House Staff Aide. Yigong had asked Taizu for a learned monk; as the monk awaited travel orders, Fu was returning from leave to Jiangling; Taizu told the monk, "Zhang Fu is heading west—you may travel with him." When Fu came to bid farewell, the Emperor said, "The Pacification Army wants a devoted man of religion—you may take him on the rear vessel and converse with him on the journey." Fu declined: "By nature I cannot abide mixed company." The Emperor was deeply displeased.

遷正員郎。中書舍人狄當、周赳並管要務，以敷同省名家，欲詣之。赳曰：「彼若不相容，便不如不往。詎可輕往邪？」當曰：「吾等並已員外郎矣，何憂不得共坐。」敷先設二床，去壁三四尺，二客就席，酬接甚歡，既而呼左右曰：「移我遠客。」赳等失色而去。其自摽遇如此。善持音儀，盡詳緩之致，與人別，執手曰：「念相聞。」餘響久之不絕。張氏後進至今慕之，其源流起自敷也。

He was promoted to Regular Gentleman. Palace Attendants Di Dang and Zhou Jiu, both handling weighty business, wished to call on Fu as a fellow officer from a great house. Jiu said, "If he will not have us, we had best not go at all. How can we presume to visit rashly?" Dang said, "We are both already supernumerary gentlemen—why fear we cannot sit together?" Fu set out two couches several feet from the wall; the visitors sat down and conversation went pleasantly—then he ordered his servants, "Move my distant guests farther off." Jiu and the rest blanched and withdrew. Such was the pride with which he held himself. He carried voice and bearing to the utmost in unhurried grace; when parting he would take one's hand and say, "Remember to send word." The cadence of his voice would linger long afterward. Younger members of the Zhang clan still emulate him today; the family style begins with Fu.

遷黃門侍郎，始興王濬後軍長史，司徒左長史。未拜，父在吳興亡，報以疾篤，敷往奔省，自發都至吳興成服，凡十餘日，始進水漿。葬畢，不進鹽菜，遂毀瘠成疾。世父茂度每止譬之，輒更感慟，絕而復續。茂度曰：「我冀譬汝有益，但更甚耳。」自是不復往。未朞而卒，時年四十一。

He was promoted to Gentleman at the Yellow Gate, Chief Clerk on Prince of Shixing Jun's Rear Army staff, and Left Chief Clerk to the Minister of Works. Before he could assume the post his father died in Wuxing; hearing he was gravely ill, Fu hurried home; from leaving the capital until donning mourning dress in Wuxing took more than ten days, and only then did he take his first water and gruel. After the burial he ate neither salt nor vegetables and wasted away until illness took hold. His uncle Maodu repeatedly tried to comfort him, but each time Fu only grieved the more, fainting and coming round again. Maodu said, "I hoped consolation would help you, but it has only deepened your grief." After that he ceased visiting altogether. He died before the mourning year was out, at forty-one.

琅邪顏延之書弔茂度曰：「賢弟子少履貞規，長懷理要，清風素氣，得之天然。言面以來，便申忘年之好，比雖艱隔成阻，而情問無睽。薄莫之人，冀其方見慰說，豈謂中年，奄為長往，聞問悼心，有兼恆痛。足下門教敦至，兼實家寶，一旦喪失，何可為懷。」其見重如此。世祖即位，詔曰：「司徒故左長史張敷，貞心簡立，幼樹風規。居哀毀滅，孝道淳至，宜在追甄，於以報美。可追贈侍中。」於是改其所居稱為孝張里。無子。

Yan Yanzhi of Langye wrote Maodu a letter of condolence: "Your worthy nephew practiced integrity from youth and held to essential truth in maturity; clarity of spirit was his by nature. From our first meeting we formed a friendship without regard to age; though distance has lately intervened, our bond has not cooled. I am a man in life's twilight and hoped soon to enjoy his company again—who dreamed that in his prime he would be gone so suddenly? The news fills me with grief beyond ordinary sorrow. Your family discipline is exemplary, and he was its jewel; to lose him in a day—how can the heart bear it?" Such was the esteem in which men held him. When Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, an edict read: "The late Zhang Fu, former Left Chief Clerk to the Minister of Works, bore a loyal heart and plain integrity and established his moral bearing from youth. In mourning he destroyed himself—filial devotion of the purest kind; let posthumous honors recall his excellence. Let him be posthumously awarded Palace Attendant." His former neighborhood was thereafter renamed Filial Zhang Lane. He left no sons.

王微，字景玄，琅邪臨沂人，太保弘弟子也。父孺，光祿大夫。微少好學，無不通覽，善屬文，能書畫，兼解音律、醫方、陰陽術數。年十六，州舉秀才，衡陽王義季右軍參軍，並不就。起家司徒祭酒，轉主簿，始興王濬後軍功曹記室參軍，太子中舍人，始興王友。父憂去官，服闋，除南平王鑠右軍諮議參軍。微素無宦情，稱疾不就。仍除中書侍郎，又擬南琅邪、義興太守，並固辭。吏部尚書江湛舉微為吏部郎，微與湛書曰：

Wang Wei, courtesy name Jingxuan, was from Linyi in Langye and a nephew of Grand Mentor Wang Hong. His father Ru was Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. From youth Wei loved learning and read broadly; he wrote well, painted and practiced calligraphy, and knew music, medicine, and the arts of yin-yang and prognostication. At sixteen the province nominated him as Cultivated Talent and Prince of Hengyang Yiji made him aide on the Right Army staff—he took neither post. He entered office as Libationer of the Minister of Works, then chief clerk, Merit Officer and Record-House Aide on Prince of Shixing Jun's Rear Army staff, Attendant in the Heir Apparent's household, and Friend to the Prince of Shixing. He left office for his father's mourning; when the period ended he was appointed Consultation Aide on Prince of Nanping Shuo's Right Army staff. Wei had never sought office and pleaded illness rather than accept. Appointments followed as Palace Gentleman and as Governor of Southern Langye and Yixing—but he firmly declined them all. Minister of Personnel Jiang Zhan nominated Wei as Director of the Ministry of Personnel; Wei wrote him:

弟心病亂度，非但蹇蹙而已，此處朝野所共知。騶會忽扣蓽門，閭里咸以為祥怪，君多識前世之載，天值何其易傾。弟受海內駭笑，不過如燕石禿鶖邪，未知君何以自解於良史邪？今雖王道鴻鬯，或有激朗於天表，必欲探援潛寶，傾海求珠，自可卜肆巫祠之間，馬棧牛口之下，賞劇孟於博徒，拔卜式於芻牧。亦有西戎孤臣，東都戒士，上窮範馳之御，下盡詭遇之能，兼鱗雜襲者，必不乏於世矣。且廬於承明，署乎金馬，皆明察之官，又賢於管庫之末。何為劫勒通家疾病人，塵穢難堪之選，將以靖國，不亦益囂乎？《書》云：「任官維賢才」。而君擢士先疹廢，芃芃棫樸，似不如此。且弟曠違兄姊，迄將十載，姊時歸來，終不任輿曳入閣，兄守金城，永不堪扶抱就路，若不憊疾，非性僻而何。比君曰表裏，無假長目飛耳也。

Your younger brother suffers a disordered heart, not mere lameness—that is known to court and countryside alike. Outriders suddenly knocked at my humble door; neighbors took it for a portent. You who have read the records of former ages know how easily Heaven's favor can overturn. Your younger brother will become a laughingstock throughout the realm—no better than the stone goose or the bald ibis, perhaps. How will you answer the impartial historian? Though the royal way now flourishes, men of brilliance may still appear from on high; if you wish to seek hidden talent and pearls from the deep, you may find them between the fortune-teller's stall and the shaman's shrine, in the stable and the cattle pen—as when Ju Meng was valued among gamblers or Bu Shi was drawn up from the pasture. Western frontier exiles and eastern capital veterans abound—men who master charioteering at one extreme and cunning stratagem at the other; the world is never short of men who combine many talents. The scholars lodged at Chenming and posted at the Golden Horse Gate are all men of keen judgment—far worthier than a post at the bottom of the granary rolls. Why force upon the state a sick man from a great family, a choice foul and unfit, in the name of good government—would that not only make matters worse? The Documents says, "In appointing officials, set merit and talent first." Yet you choose officials by starting with the sick and broken—the ode's thriving saplings were not chosen that way. Your younger brother has been away from his siblings nearly ten years; when my sister visits I cannot endure being carried in a carriage through the gate; my brother holds Jincheng and I can never bear being helped along the road—if this is not illness, what else could it be but a perverse nature? When you speak of knowing a man inside and out, you need no spies with far-reaching eyes and ears.

常謂生遭太公，將即華士之戮；幸遇管叔，必蒙僻儒之養。光武以馮衍才浮其實，故棄而不齒。諸葛孔明云：「來敏亂郡，過於孔文舉。」況無古人之才槩，敢干周、漢之常刑。彼二三英賢，足為曉治與否？恐君逄此時，或亦不免高閣，乃復假名不知己者，豈欲自比衛賜邪？君欲高斅山公，而以仲容見處，徒以搥提禮學，本不參選，鄙夫瞻彼，固不任下走，未知新沓何如州陵耳。而作不師古，坐亂官政，誣飾蚯蚓，冀招神龍，如復託以真素者，又不宜居華留名，有害風俗。君亦不至期人如此，若交以為人賜，舉未以己勞，則商販之事，又連所不忍聞也。豈謂不肖易擢，貪者可誘，凡此數者，君必居一焉。雖假天口於齊駢，藉鬼說於周季，公孫碎毛髮之文，莊生縱漭瀁之極，終不能舉其契，為之辭矣。子將明魂，必靈咍於萬里，汝、潁餘彥，將拂衣而不朝。浮華一開，風俗或從此而爽。鬼谷以揣情為最難，何君忖度之輕謬。

I have often said that had I lived in the age of the Grand Duke of Qi, I would soon have shared Hua Shi's fate; had I met Uncle Guan instead, I would surely have been kept alive as an eccentric scholar. Emperor Guangwu found Feng Yan's talent greater than his substance and cast him aside without a place at court. Zhuge Liang said, "Lai Min throws a commandery into disorder—worse than Kong Rong." How much less do I possess the capacity of the ancients, yet dare to invite the ordinary penalties of Zhou and Han! Do those two or three worthy men suffice to show whether one understands good government? I fear that in such a time you too may not escape disgrace in high office, yet you borrow the name of one who does not know you—do you wish to compare yourself to Wei Ci? You wish to take Mount Gong as your model yet treat me like Ruan Zhongrong; raised on ritual learning, I was never on the selection rolls—a coarse man like me cannot serve as your runner, and I do not know how the new appointee compares with you, Zhouling. Yet acting without antiquity as your guide you disturb official government, dressing up an earthworm and hoping to summon a dragon; if one truly relies on plain authenticity, one should not dwell in glory and leave a name—harmful to custom. You should not expect such a man either; if friendship is treated as a gift from others and promotion comes without one's own effort—that is merchant's business, and something I cannot bear to hear. Do you mean that the unworthy are easy to promote and the greedy can be bought—of all these you must be guilty of at least one. Though one had the eloquence of the Qi persuaders, the ghost lore of late Zhou, Gongsun Long's hair-splitting disputations, or Zhuangzi's boundless paradoxes, one still could not justify this appointment. Zizhan's bright spirit must laugh in the dark from afar; the remaining fine men of Ru and Ying will brush their robes and refuse court. Once ostentation is unleashed, custom may slip away from this. Guiguzi held gauging a man's heart the hardest art—how lightly and absurdly you judge!

今有此書，非敢叨擬中散，誠不能顧影負心，純盜虛聲，所以綿絡累紙，本不營尚書虎爪板也。成童便往來居舍，晨省復經周旋，加有諸甥，亦何得頓絕慶弔。然生平之意，自於此都盡。君平公云：「生我名者殺我身。」天爵且猶滅名，安用吏部郎哉！其舉可陋，其事不經，非獨搢紳者不道，僕妾皆將咲之。忽忽不樂，自知壽不得長，且使千載知弟不詐諼耳。

This letter is not written to imitate Ji Kang; I truly cannot look at my shadow and betray my heart or steal empty fame; these pages are strung together because I never sought the Ministry's appointment tablet. Since childhood I have visited family homes for morning calls and social rounds; with many nephews besides, how can I abruptly cut off congratulations and condolence? Yet the purpose of my life ends here entirely. Lord Junping said, "He who gives me fame kills my person." Heavenly honor already destroys one's name—what use is the post of Director of the Ministry of Personnel! This recommendation is contemptible and the affair irregular; not only will the gentry refuse to speak of it—even servants and concubines will laugh. Restless and unhappy, I know my years will not be long; yet let a thousand years know your younger brother does not lie.

微既為始興王濬府吏，濬數相存慰，微奉答箋書，輒飾以辭采。微為文古甚，頗抑揚，袁淑見之，謂為訴屈。微因此又與從弟僧綽書曰：

Once Wei became an officer on Prince of Shixing Jun's staff, Jun often sent words of concern; Wei in his replies always adorned his letters with literary polish. Wei's style was very archaic and heavily modulated; Yuan Shu, reading it, said it sounded like a complaint of wrongs suffered. Wei therefore wrote to his younger cousin Sengchuo:

吾雖無人鑒，要是早知弟，每共宴語，前言何嘗不以止足為貴。且持盈畏滿，自是家門舊風，何為一旦落漠至此，當局苦迷，將不然邪！詎容都不先聞，或可不知耳。衣冠胄胤，如吾者甚多，才能固不足道，唯不傾側溢詐，士頗以此容之。至於規矩細行，難可詳料。疹疾日滋，縱恣益甚，人道所貴，廢不復脩。幸值聖明相容，置之教外，且舊恩所及，每蒙寬假。吾亦自揆疾疹重侵，難復支振，民生安樂之事，心死久矣。所以解日偷存，盡於大布糲粟，半夕安寢，便以自度，血氣盈虛，不復稍道，長以大散為和羹，弟為不見之邪？疾廢居然，且事一己，上不足敗俗傷化，下不至毀辱家門，泊爾尸居，無方待化。凡此二三，皆是事實。吾與弟書，不得家中相欺也。州陵此舉，為無所因，反覆思之，了不能解。豈見吾近者諸牋邪，良可怪笑。

Though I am no judge of men, I have known you long; whenever we talked at leisure, did we not always prize knowing when to stop? Holding fast when full and fearing excess is our family's old way—why have you fallen to such desolation in a single day? Those in charge are deeply deluded—are they not! Could you not have told me first—or perhaps you did not know. There are many scions of great houses like me; my talent is nothing to speak of—only in not leaning and overflowing with deceit do gentlemen somewhat tolerate me. As for rules of conduct and small proprieties, these are hard to reckon in detail. My rash illness grows daily and my indulgence ever worse; what human conduct esteems I have abandoned and no longer cultivate. Fortunately a sage ruler tolerates me and sets me outside ordinary discipline; where old favor reaches I always receive leniency. I also know that rash illness has heavily invaded me and I can hardly hold myself up; the pleasures of life have been dead to my heart for long. Therefore I steal through my days on coarse cloth and plain grain; half a night's sleep is my measure of well-being; I no longer speak of the ebb and flow of my vitality; I have long taken powdered medicine as my sustenance—do you not see this, younger brother? Settled in illness and disability, serving only myself—I am not enough to ruin custom above or shame my family below; I dwell like a corpse, awaiting transformation without method. All of this is fact. In writing to you, younger brother, we must not deceive each other within the family. Zhouling's action has no cause I can see; thinking it over repeatedly I cannot understand it at all. Did he see my recent letters? That would be truly laughable.

吾少學作文，又晚節如小進，使君公欲民不偷，每加存飾，酬對尊貴，不厭敬恭。且文詞不怨思抑揚，則流澹無味。文好古，貴能連類可悲，一往視之，如似多意。當見居非求志，清論所排，便是通辭訴屈邪。爾者真可謂真素寡矣！其數旦見客小防，自來盈門，亦不煩獨舉吉也。此輩乃云語勢所至，非其要也。弟無懷居今地，萬物初不以相非，然魯器齊虛，實宜書紳。今三署六府之人，誰表裏此內，儻疑弟豫有力，於素論何如哉。則吾長阨不死，終誤盛壯也。

From youth I studied composition, and in later years made some small progress; when lords wished the people not remiss, I always added polish; in answering the great I was never weary of respect. Moreover if literary language lacks modulation of feeling, it flows thin and tasteless. Writing favors antiquity and values the power to link images into pathos; read through at once it seems full of hidden meaning. When one sees that one's position is not what one sought and pure discourse rejects it—is that then a general complaint of wrongs? In that case one may truly be called lacking in plain authenticity! I receive visitors only on a few guarded days; they come of themselves filling the gate—I need not trouble to raise auspicious words alone. These people say it is only the momentum of language, not its essence. Younger brother, do not be complacent in your present place; all things do not reject each other at first—yet the story of Lu's vessels and Qi's emptiness truly should be written on one's sash. Among the men of the three offices and six ministries today, who knows the inside and outside of this—if they suspect you had foreknowledge and influence, what of plain discourse? Then I will long linger in obstruction without dying, ultimately misleading my prime years.

江不過強吹拂吾，云是巖穴人。巖穴人情所高，吾得當此，則雞鶩變作鳳皇，何為干飾廉隅，秩秩見於面目，所惜者大耳。諸舍闔門皆蒙時私，此既未易陳道，故常因含聲不言。至兄弟，尤為叨竊，臨海頻煩二郡，謙亦越進清階，吾高枕家巷，遂至中書郎，此足以闔棺矣。

Jiang merely pressed and flattered me, calling me a man of cliff and cave. Men of cliff and cave are what the world esteems; given this title, chickens and ducks become phoenixes—why bother adorning one's integrity, showing it orderly in one's face? What I regret is the greater matter only. All our households have received private favor of the time; this is not easy to state, so I often hold my tongue. As for my brothers, they have been especially presumptuous—Linhai repeatedly held two commanderies, Qian also rose beyond his station; I with high pillow in my lane reached Palace Gentleman—this is enough to close the coffin.

又前年優旨，自弟所宣，雖夏后撫辜人，周宣及鰥寡，不足過也。語皆循檢校跡，不為虛飾也。作人不阿諛，無緣頭髮見白，稍學諂詐。且吾何以為，足不能行，自不得出戶；頭不耐風，故不可扶曳。家本貧餧，至於惡衣蔬食，設使盜蹠居此，亦不能兩展其足，妄意珍藏也。正令選官設作此舉，於吾亦無劍戟之傷，所以懃懃畏人之多言也。管子晉賢，乃關人主之輕重，此何容易哉。州陵亦自言視明聽聰，而返區區飾吾，何辯致而下英俊。夫奇士必龍居深藏，與蛙蝦為伍，放勳其猶難之，林宗輩不足識也。似不肯睠睠奉牋記，雕琢獻文章，居家近市廛，親戚滿城府，吾猶自知袁陽源輩當平此不？飾詐之與直獨，兩不關吾心，又何所耿介。弟自宜以解塞群賢矣，兼悉怒此言自爾家任兄故能也。

Moreover the favorable edict of two years ago was proclaimed by you; though Yu comforted the guilty and King Xuan of Zhou reached widows and orphans, they could not surpass it. The words all follow verified facts and are not empty adornment. By nature I do not flatter; without cause for my hair to turn white, I would slightly learn flattery and deceit. Moreover what can I do—my feet cannot walk, so I naturally cannot leave the house; my head cannot bear wind, so I cannot be supported and led along. Our family was originally poor, to the point of coarse clothes and plain food; even Robber Zhi dwelling here could not stretch both feet twice, vainly dreaming of hoarded treasure. Even if the selection official made this appointment, it would not wound me like sword or halberd; what I earnestly fear is people's gossip. Guanzi was a worthy man of Jin, yet concerned the ruler's weight in the balance—how is this easy! Zhouling also claims clear sight and keen hearing, yet turns to petty flattery of me—what eloquence can bring down outstanding men? Extraordinary men must dwell hidden like dragons, keeping company with frogs and shrimp; even Emperor Yao found it hard; men like Guo Linzong are not enough to recognize them. Seemingly unwilling to present polished memorials and carved compositions, dwelling near the market with kin filling the city offices—I still know whether men like Yuan Yangyuan would approve of this, do I not? Adorning deceit and plain solitude—neither concerns my heart; what is there to be indignant about? Younger brother, you yourself ought to use this to answer the worthy men; moreover I fully know that anger at these words comes from your Elder Brother Ren's influence.

日日望弟來，屬病終不起，何意向與江書，粗布胸心，無人可寫，比面乃具與弟。書便覺成，本以當半日相見，吾既惡勞，不得多語，樞機幸非所長，相見亦不勝讀此書也。親屬欲見自可示，無急付手。

Day by day I hoped you would come; illness kept me from rising; I had intended the letter to Jiang to spread my heart roughly, with no one to write it—only now face to face do I give it fully to you. The letter then seemed complete; I had thought we would meet half a day—I hate exertion and cannot speak much; statecraft is fortunately not my strength; meeting face to face also cannot match reading this letter. If kin wish to see it you may show them; no need to hand it over in haste.

時論者或云微之見舉，廬江何偃亦豫其議，慮為微所咎，與書自陳。微報之曰：

Some said that when Wei was recommended, He Yan of Lujiang also took part in the deliberation; fearing blame from Wei, he wrote to explain himself. Wei replied:

卿昔稱吾於義興，吾常謂之見知，然復自怪鄙野，不參風流，未有一介熟悉於事，何用獨識之也。近日何見綽送卿書，雖知如戲，知卿固不能相哀。苟相哀之未知，何相期之可論。

You once praised me at Yixing; I took that for true recognition, yet I marvel at my own rustic nature—I never joined the elegant world, had no friend familiar with affairs—why single me out? Recently He Jianchuo sent your letter; though I know it was in jest, I know you truly cannot pity me. If pity between us is not yet known, what expectation can be discussed?

卿少陶玄風，淹雅脩暢，自是正始中人。吾真庸性人耳，自然志操不倍王、樂。小兒時尤麤笨無好，常從博士讀小小章句，竟無可得，口吃不能劇讀，遂絕意於尋求。至二十左右，方復就觀小說，往來者見床頭有數帙書，便言學問，試就檢，當何有哉。乃復持此擬議人邪。尚獨愧咲揚子之褒贍，猶恥辭賦為君子，若吾篆刻，菲亦甚矣。卿諸人亦當尤以此見議。或謂言深博，作一段意氣，鄙薄人世，初不敢然。是以每見世人文賦書論，無所是非，不解處即日借問，此其本心也。

From youth you were steeped in metaphysical discourse, refined and fluent—naturally a man of the Zhengshi era. I am truly a commonplace man; by nature my aims do not match those of Wang Bi and Yue Guang. In childhood I was especially coarse and dull, often reading small passages with tutors but gaining nothing; I stammered and could not read aloud, and gave up serious study. Only around twenty did I read minor fiction again; visitors seeing books by my bed would speak of learning—inspect them and what would you find? Yet you use this to judge men? I still blush to laugh at Yang Xiong's generous praise and still find rhapsodies unworthy of a gentleman—how much more slight is my seal carving. You gentlemen also ought especially to be criticized on this account. Some say my words are profound, making a show of spirit and despising the world—I never dared do so. Therefore whenever I see the world's essays and treatises I pass no judgment; where I do not understand I ask at once—that is my true heart.

至於生平好服上藥，起年十二時病虛耳。所撰服食方中，粗言之矣。自此始信攝養有徵，故門冬昌朮，隨時參進。寒溫相補，欲以扶護危羸，見冀白首。家貧乏役，至於春秋令節，輒自將兩三門生，入草采之。吾實倦遊醫部，頗曉和藥，尤信《本草》，欲其必行，是以躬親，意在取精。世人便言希仙好異，矯慕不羈，不同家頗有罵之者。又性知畫繢，蓋亦鳴鵠識夜之機，盤紆糾紛，或記心目，故兼山水之愛，一往跡求，皆仿像也。不好詣人，能忘榮以避權右，宜自密應對舉止，因卷慙自保，不能勉其所短耳。由來有此數條，二三諸賢，因復架累，致之高塵，詠之清壑。瓦礫有資，不敢輕廁金銀也。

As for my lifelong fondness for superior medicines, it began when at twelve I suffered from deficiency illness. I have spoken of it roughly in the ingestion formulas I compiled. From this I began to believe regulated nourishment has effect; therefore I take ophiopogon and atractylodes according to the season. Balancing cold and warm properties, I wish thereby to sustain my frail body and hope to reach old age. Our family was poor and lacked servants; at spring and autumn festivals I would myself lead two or three students into the fields to gather herbs. I have grown weary of medical offices, understand compounding fairly well, and especially trust the Materia Medica; wishing remedies to be effective, I gather herbs myself to obtain the finest. The world then says I seek immortality and love the strange, pretentiously admiring untrammeled ways—even within my family some revile this. Moreover I know painting by nature—perhaps like the goose that knows night by its call; winding forms sometimes fixed in the mind's eye; therefore I also love landscape; whenever I go to trace them, all are likenesses. I do not like calling on people and can forget glory to avoid the powerful; one ought to be reserved in speech and bearing; I curl inward in shame to preserve myself and cannot force what is beyond my strength. These traits have long existed; two or three worthies piled reputation upon them, raising them to lofty heights and chanting them in clear valleys. Tiles and rubble have their place—I dare not lightly rank them with gold and silver.

而頃年嬰疾，沉淪無已，區區之情，愒於生存，自恐難復，而先命猥加，魂氣褰薾，常人不得作常自處疾苦，正亦臥思已熟，謂有記自論。既仰天光，不夭庶類，兼望諸賢，共相哀體，而卿首唱誕言，布之翰墨，萬石之慎，或未然邪。好盡之累，豈其如此。綽大駭歎，便是闔朝見病者。吾本儜人，加疹意惛，一旦聞此，便惶怖矣。五六日來，復苦心痛，引喉狀如胸中悉腫，甚自憂。力作此答，無復條貫，貴布所懷，落漠不舉。卿既不可解，立欲便別，且當笑。

Yet in recent years illness has held me in endless decline; my petty heart is weary of living and I fear I cannot recover—yet fate has been prematurely imposed, my spirit drooping; ordinary men cannot constantly dwell amid illness; lying abed I have thought it through and believe there is matter for self-account. Having looked up to Heaven's light and hoped not to cut life short, I also hoped the worthies would pity me together—yet you first raised extravagant words and spread them in writing; the caution of a man of ten thousand piculs—perhaps that is not so? The burden of saying all one thinks—can it be thus? Jianchuo was greatly startled and sighed—then the whole court will see the sick man. I am by nature a weak man, and with rash illness my mind is dim; hearing this at once I was terrified. For five or six days I have again suffered heart pain, with a constricted throat as if my chest were entirely swollen—I am deeply worried. I force myself to write this reply without order or coherence, valuing only to spread what is in my heart, desolate and unable to rise. Since you cannot understand, you wish at once to part—we may only laugh.

微常住門屋一間，尋書玩古，如此者十餘年。太祖以其善筮，賜以名蓍。弟僧謙，亦有才譽，為太子舍人，遇疾，微躬自處治，而僧謙服藥失度，遂卒。微深自咎恨，發病不復自治，哀痛僧謙不能已，以書告靈曰：

Wei lived constantly in a single gate-house room, seeking books and enjoying antiquities—for more than ten years. Taizu, because he was skilled at divination, bestowed famous yarrow stalks on him. His younger brother Sengqian also had talent and reputation and served as Attendant in the Heir Apparent's household; when he fell ill Wei treated him personally, but Sengqian took medicine in excess and died. Wei blamed himself deeply, fell ill and no longer treated himself, and could not cease grieving for Sengqian; he wrote to tell the spirit:

弟年十五，始居宿於外，不為察慧之譽，獨沉浮好書，聆琴聞操，輒有過目之能。討測文典，斟酌傳記，寒暑未交，便卓然可述。吾長病，或有小間，輒稱引前載，不異舊學。自爾日就月將，著名邦黨，方隆夙志，嗣美前賢，何圖一旦冥然長往，酷痛煩冤，心如焚裂。

My brother at fifteen first lodged away from home, without a reputation for keen wisdom, devoted only to books; hearing the zither or a melody, he retained it at a glance. Probing the classics and weighing biographies, before a year had passed he was already outstandingly accomplished. I was long ill; when I had a brief respite he would cite former records no differently from a seasoned scholar. From then he advanced day by day, famed in our district, just then fulfilling his long-cherished aims and succeeding the beauty of former worthies—who dreamed that one morning he would depart into darkness? Bitter pain and vexing grief—my heart feels burned and torn.

尋念平生，裁十年中耳。然非公事，無不相對，一字之書，必共詠讀；一句之文，無不研賞，濁酒忘愁，圖籍相慰，吾所以窮而不憂，實賴此耳。奈何罪酷，煢然獨坐。憶往年散發，極目流涕，吾不舍日夜，又恆慮吾羸病，豈圖奄忽，先歸冥冥。反覆萬慮，無復一期，音顏髣髴，觸事歷然，弟今何在，令吾悲窮。昔仕京師，分張六旬耳，其中三過，誤云今日何意不來，鍾念懸心，無物能譬。方欲共營林澤，以送餘年，念茲有何罪戾，見此夭酷，沒於吾手，觸事痛恨。吾素好醫術，不使弟子得全，又尋思不精，致有枉過，念此一條，特復痛酷。痛酷奈何！吾罪奈何！

Looking back on our life together—it is only ten years in all. Yet unless it was public business we were never apart; a single character's worth of writing we would chant and read together; a single sentence of prose we would study and admire; muddy wine to forget sorrow, books to comfort each other—the reason I was poor yet untroubled truly lay in this. Alas for cruel fate—I sit alone and orphaned. I recall former years with hair unbound, gazing far with streaming tears—I never left him day or night, always worrying over my frail illness—who dreamed he would suddenly depart first into the darkness? Turning over ten thousand thoughts, we shall meet no more; his voice and face seem present, every matter vividly clear—where is my brother now, driving my grief to the limit. When I served the capital we were apart only sixty days; within that time three times he mistakenly asked why I had not come that day—such concentrated longing, nothing can compare. We were just about to retire together to woods and streams to spend our remaining years—what crime is this, to see such untimely cruelty and that he perished by my hand—at every turn I hate bitterly. I have long loved medicine yet did not preserve my disciple; reflecting that my skill was not refined and caused a wrongful death—on this account especially I grieve bitterly. Bitter pain—what can be done! My guilt—what can be done!

弟為志，奉親孝，事兄順，雖僮僕無所叱咄，可謂君子不失色于人，不失口於人。沖和淹通，內有皁白，舉動尺寸，吾每咨之。常云：「兄文骨氣，可推英麗以自許。又兄為人矯介欲過，宜每中和。」道此猶在耳，萬世不復一見，奈何！唯十紙手跡，封拆儼然，至於思戀不可懷。及聞吾病，肝心寸絕，謂當以幅巾薄葬之事累汝，奈何反相殯送！

In conduct my brother served his parents filially and his elder brother obediently; he never scolded even servants—truly a gentleman who never lost composure or spoke harshly to others. Mild and penetrating, inwardly discerning right from wrong—in every movement's measure I always consulted him. He often said, "Brother, your writing has true bone and spirit—you may claim heroic beauty for yourself. Again, brother, you are upright and exacting almost to excess—you ought always to seek the mean." These words are still in my ears—never in ten thousand generations shall I see him again—what can be done! Only ten sheets in his hand remain, sealed and opened as if yesterday—as for longing, it cannot be borne in the heart. When he heard I was ill his heart broke inch by inch; he said he would burden you with arranging a simple burial in plain cloth—how could it be that instead you bore him to the grave!

弟由來意謂：「婦人雖無子，不宜踐二庭。此風若行，便可家有孝婦」。仲長《昌言》，亦其大要。劉新婦以刑傷自誓，必留供養；殷太妃感柏舟之節，不奪其志。僕射篤順，范夫人知禮，求得左率第五兒，廬位有主。此亦何益冥然之痛，為是存者意耳。

Brother had long held that "though a woman has no son, she ought not enter a second household. If this custom prevailed, every house could have a filial wife." Zhongchang Tong's Open Words also states the same essentials. Liu the new wife vowed by self-injury to remain and provide for the household; Grand Consort Yin, moved by the integrity of Cypress Boat, did not override her resolve. The Vice Director was sincere and obedient, Lady Fan knew ritual; they sought the fifth son of the Left Commander—the mourning place had its master. This also does nothing for pain in the darkness—it is only the wish of those who remain.

吾窮疾之人，平生意志，弟實知之。端坐向窗，有何慰適，正賴弟耳。過中未來，已自愒望，今云何得立，自省惛毒，無復人理。比煩冤困憊，不能作刻石文，若靈響有識，不得吾文，豈不為恨。儻意慮不遂，謝能思之如狂，不知所告訴，明書此數紙，無復詞理，略道阡陌，萬不寫一。阿謙！何圖至此！誰復視我，誰復憂我！他日寶惜三光，割嗜好以祈年，今也唯速化耳。吾豈復支，冥冥中竟復云何。弟懷隨、和之寶，未及光諸文章，欲收作一集，不知忽忽當辦此不？今已成服，吾臨靈取常共飲杯，酌自釀酒，寧有仿像不？冤痛！冤痛！

I, a man broken by illness—my lifelong intent my brother truly knew. Sitting upright by the window, what comfort is there—I truly relied on my brother alone. Past noon he did not come and I was already weary with waiting; now how can I stand? Reflecting on myself in dim anguish—I am no longer human. Lately vexed and exhausted, I cannot compose an inscription; if your spirit has awareness and does not receive my words, would that not be regret? If my thoughts cannot be fulfilled, Xie can think of it like madness, not knowing whom to tell; plainly writing these sheets without order or reason, briefly tracing our paths—of ten thousand things not one is written. Ah, Qian! Who dreamed it would come to this! Who will look upon me again, who will care for me again! Other days I treasured sun, moon, and stars and gave up pleasures to pray for long life—now I wish only swift dissolution. How can I go on—in the darkness what will become of us? Brother held treasures like those of Sui and He, not yet brought to light in writing; I wished to gather his works into one collection—will it be done in time? Now in mourning dress, I approach the spirit and take the cup we often shared, pour wine I brewed myself—is there perhaps some likeness of you? Wronged pain! Wronged pain!

元嘉三十年，卒，時年三十九。僧謙卒後四旬而微終。遺令薄葬，不設轜旐鼓挽之屬，施五尺床，為靈二宿便毀。以嘗所彈琴置床上，何長史來，以琴與之。何長史者，偃也。無子。家人遵之。所著文集傳於世。世祖即位，詔曰：「微棲志貞深，文行惇洽，生自華宗，身安隱素，足以賁茲丘園，惇是薄俗。不幸蚤世，朕甚悼之。可追贈秘書監。」

He died in the thirtieth year of Yuanjia, at the age of thirty-nine. Wei died forty days after Sengqian. His final instructions were for a simple burial, without funeral carts, banners, drums, or processions; provide a five-foot couch; after two nights before the spirit, destroy it. Place the zither he once played on the couch; when Chief Clerk He comes, give him the zither. Chief Clerk He was He Yan. He left no sons. The family followed his instructions. His collected writings circulated in the world. When Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, an edict read: "Wei dwelt with pure and deep intent, his literary conduct sincere and harmonious; born of a great clan, he lived at ease in plain simplicity—enough to adorn these hills and gardens and enrich this shallow age. He died untimely, and I deeply mourn him. Let him be posthumously awarded Director of the Secretariat."

史臣曰：燕太子吐一言，田先生吞舌而死；安邑令戒屠者，閔仲叔去而之沛。良由內懷耿介，峻節不可輕干。袁淑笑謔之間，而王微弔詞連牘，斯蓋好名之士，欲以身為珪璋，皦皦然使塵玷之累，不能加也。

The historiographer says: The Crown Prince of Yan spoke one word, and Master Tian swallowed his tongue and died; the magistrate of Anyi warned the butcher, and Min Zhongshu left for Pei. Truly because inwardly they harbor upright integrity—lofty integrity cannot be lightly offended. Between Yuan Shu's laughter and jest, Wang Wei produced condolence letters sheet after sheet—such men love fame and wish to make themselves jade regalia, bright and clear so that the stain of dust cannot touch them.

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