Volume 68 Biographies 28: Wu Erwang

列傳第二十八武二王

Biographies 28: The Two Princes of Wu

○彭城王義康南郡王義宣

○ The Prince of Pengcheng, Liu Yikang; the Prince of Nanjun, Liu Yixuan

太祖即位，增邑二千戶，進號驃騎將軍，加散騎常侍，給鼓吹一部。尋加開府儀同三司。元嘉三年，改授都督荊、湘、雍、梁、益、寧、南、北秦八州諸軍事、荊州刺史，給班劍三十人，持節、常侍、將軍如故。義康少而聰察，及居方任，職事脩理。六年，司徒王弘表義康宜還入輔，徵侍中、都督揚、南徐、兗三州諸軍事、司徒、錄尚書事，領平北將軍、南徐州刺史，持節如故。二府並置佐領兵，與王弘共輔朝政。弘既多疾，且每事推謙，自是內外眾務，一斷之義康。太子詹事劉湛有經國才，義康昔在豫州，湛為長史，既素經情款，至是意委特隆，人物雅俗，舉動事宜，莫不咨訪之。故前後在藩，多有善政，為遠近所稱。九年，弘薨，又領揚州刺史。其年，太妃薨，解侍中，辭班劍。十二年，又領太子太傅，復加侍中、班劍。

When Emperor Wen came to the throne, Yikang's fief was increased by two thousand households, his title was raised to General of Agile Cavalry, he was appointed Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, and he was granted a full ensemble of martial pipes and drums. Before long he was granted privilege equal to the Three Excellencies, with his own staff. In the third year of Yuanjia (426), he was reassigned to command military affairs in Jing, Xiang, Yong, Liang, Yi, Ning, and Southern and Northern Qin, and to serve as Governor of Jing. He received thirty ceremonial sword-bearers, while his staff of authority, regular attendant status, and general's rank remained unchanged. Yikang had been clever and observant since boyhood, and once he held a regional command he kept his administration in excellent order. In the sixth year (429), Wang Hong, Minister over the Masses, urged that Yikang be recalled to assist at court. Yikang was summoned as Palace Attendant, commander of military affairs in Yang, Southern Xu, and Yan, Minister over the Masses, and Recorder of the Masters of Writing, while also serving as General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Southern Xuzhou, with his staff of authority unchanged. Both the Secretariat and the Masses' office maintained staffs and commanded troops; together with Wang Hong, Yikang shared in directing the government. Wang Hong was frequently ill and habitually yielded on every issue, so from that point onward Yikang alone decided all business of court and realm. Liu Zhan, Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, possessed genuine talent for statecraft. When Yikang had earlier served in Yuzhou, Zhan had been his chief clerk; their old intimacy now deepened into extraordinary reliance. Whether the question concerned men of rank or commoners, custom or policy, Yikang consulted him on everything. In his successive provincial postings he earned a reputation for sound governance that was praised throughout the realm. In the ninth year (432) Wang Hong died, and Yikang additionally assumed the governorship of Yangzhou. That same year, when the Grand Consort died, he resigned as Palace Attendant and set aside his ceremonial sword guard. In the twelfth year (435) he was also appointed Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent and again received the posts of Palace Attendant and ceremonial sword guard.

義康性好吏職，銳意文案，糾剔是非，莫不精盡。既專總朝權，事決自己，生殺大事，以錄命斷之。凡所陳奏，入無不可，方伯以下，並委義康授用，由是朝野輻湊，勢傾天下。義康亦自強不息，無有懈倦。府門每旦常有數百乘車，雖復位卑人微，皆被引接。又聰識過人，一聞必記，常所暫遇，終生不忘，稠人廣席，每標所憶以示聰明，人物益以此推服之。愛惜官爵，未嘗以階級私人，凡朝士有才用者，皆引入己府，無施及忤旨，即度為臺官。自下樂為竭力，不敢欺負。太祖有虛勞疾，寢頓積年，每意有所想，便覺心中痛裂，屬纊者相係。義康醫藥，盡心衛奉，湯藥飲食，非口所嘗不進；或連夕不寐，彌日不解衣；內外眾事，皆專決施行。十六年，進位大將軍，領司徒，辟召掾屬。

Yikang had a natural bent for administrative work. He threw himself into paperwork, sifted right from wrong, and pursued every detail to the end. Once he held sole sway over the court, every decision was his. Even questions of life and death he settled by his authority as Recorder of the Masters of Writing. Every memorial he favored was approved; governors and officials of every rank received their appointments through him. Court and countryside alike crowded his gates, and his influence overshadowed the empire. Yikang drove himself without rest and never showed fatigue. Every morning hundreds of carriages lined up at his gate; even men of humble rank were admitted and received. His memory was extraordinary: he never forgot what he heard once, and casual acquaintances remained vivid to him for life. At large gatherings he would call out what he remembered about each guest to display his brilliance, and men admired him all the more for it. He valued official rank and never traded appointments for private gain. Talented courtiers he drew into his staff; those who failed to please him or who crossed his will he promptly shifted to posts at the central offices. His subordinates served him gladly and did not dare deceive him. Emperor Wen suffered from a chronic wasting illness and had been bedridden for years. Whenever a worry crossed his mind his chest would seize with pain, and attendants waited on him without cease. Yikang personally supervised his medical care. No medicine, food, or drink reached the Emperor until Yikang had tasted it himself; sometimes he went whole nights without sleep and whole days without changing his clothes; and all affairs of state, within the palace and beyond, he decided and executed on his own authority. In the sixteenth year (439) he was promoted to Grand General while retaining the Ministry over the Masses, and he began recruiting staff.

義康素無術學，闇於大體，自謂兄弟至親，不復存君臣形跡，率心徑行，曾無猜防。私置僮部六千餘人，不以言臺。四方獻饋，皆以上品薦義康，而以次者供御。上嘗冬月啖甘，歎其形味並劣，義康在坐曰：「今年甘殊有佳者。」遣人還東府取甘，大供御者三寸。尚書僕射殷景仁為太祖所寵，與太子詹事劉湛素善，而意好晚衰。湛常欲因宰輔之權以傾之，景仁為太祖所保持，義康屢言不見用，湛愈憤。南陽劉斌，湛之宗也，有涉俗才用，為義康所知，自司徒右長史擢為左長史。從事中郎琅邪王履、主簿沛郡劉敬文、祭酒魯郡孔胤秀，並以傾側自入，見太祖疾篤，皆謂宜立長君。上疾嘗危殆，使義康具顧命詔。義康還省，流涕以告湛及殷景仁，湛曰：「天下艱難，詎是幼主所御。」義康、景仁並不答，而胤秀等輒就尚書議曹索晉咸康末立康帝舊事，義康不知也。及太祖疾豫，微聞之。而斌等既為義康所寵，又威權盡在宰相，常欲傾移朝廷，使神器有歸。遂結為朋黨，伺察省禁，若有盡忠奉國，不與己同志者，必構造愆釁，加以罪黜。每採拾景仁短長，或虛造異同以告湛。自是主相之勢分，內外之難結矣。

Yikang had little learning and no grasp of larger principles. Believing that brotherly intimacy erased the distance between sovereign and subject, he acted on impulse without ceremony and never thought to guard himself. He privately maintained more than six thousand household troops without reporting them to the central government. Gifts sent from every quarter were sorted so that the finest went to Yikang and only the second best reached the imperial table. One winter the Emperor tasted sweet oranges and complained that they were poor in both look and flavor. Yikang, who was present, said, "This year there are some exceptionally fine ones." He sent a man back to the Eastern Mansion for oranges; the largest sent to the Emperor measured three inches across. Yin Jingren, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, enjoyed the Emperor's favor. He and Liu Zhan had once been close friends, but their intimacy had cooled. Zhan repeatedly tried to use Yikang's authority to bring Yin down, but the Emperor protected Yin, and Yikang's protests went unheeded. Zhan's resentment deepened. Liu Bin of Nanyang, a kinsman of Zhan's, had practical talent and won Yikang's notice. He was promoted from Right to Left Chief Clerk in the Ministry over the Masses. Wang Lü of Langye, Liu Jingwen of Pei, and Kong Yinxiu of Lu had all ingratiated themselves with the faction. Seeing the Emperor gravely ill, they argued that an older prince ought to succeed. When the Emperor's illness once turned critical, he ordered Yikang to draft a testamentary edict. Yikang returned to his office in tears and told Zhan and Yin Jingren what had happened. Zhan said, "The realm is in peril—how can a child on the throne govern it?" Yikang and Yin remained silent, but Yinxiu and his allies at once went to the Masters of Writing to retrieve the Jin precedents for enthroning Emperor Kang in his minority—without Yikang's knowledge. When the Emperor recovered somewhat, he caught wind of the affair. Bin and his circle, favored by Yikang and wielding the full power of the chief minister's office, constantly schemed to shift the court and place the throne in their own hands. They formed a faction, watched the inner offices, and whenever a loyal official refused to join them they fabricated charges and had him removed. They collected every fault they could find in Yin Jingren—or invented slights—and reported them to Zhan. From that point the rift between sovereign and chief minister widened, and conflict within and without the court became inevitable.

義康欲以斌為丹陽尹，言次啟太祖，陳其家貧。上覺其旨，義康言未卒，上曰：「以為吳郡。」後會稽太守羊玄保求還，義康又欲以斌代之，又啟太祖曰：「羊玄保欲還，不審以誰為會稽？」上時未有所屬，倉卒曰：「我已用王鴻。」自十六年秋，不復幸東府。上以嫌隙既成，將致大禍。十七年十月，乃收劉湛付廷尉，伏誅。又誅斌及大將軍錄事參軍劉敬文、賊曹參軍孔邵秀、中兵參軍邢懷明、主簿孔胤秀、丹陽丞孔文秀、司空從事中郎司馬亮、烏程令盛曇泰等。徙尚書庫部郎何默子、餘姚令韓景之、永興令顏遙之、湛弟黃門侍郎素、斌弟給事中溫於廣州，王履廢於家。胤秀始以書記見任，漸預機密，文秀、邵秀，皆其兄也。司馬亮，孔氏中表，並由胤秀而進。懷明、曇泰為義康所遇。默子、景之、遙之，劉湛黨也。

Yikang wanted to appoint Bin Governor of Danyang. In conversation with the Emperor he mentioned that Bin's family was poor. The Emperor saw through his intent. Before Yikang could finish, the Emperor said, "Make him Administrator of Wu Commandery instead." Later, when Yang Xuanbao, Administrator of Kuaiji, asked to return to court, Yikang again tried to put Bin in his place and asked the Emperor, "Yang Xuanbao wishes to leave—whom should we send to Kuaiji?" The Emperor had no candidate ready and blurted out, "I have already appointed Wang Hong." From the autumn of the sixteenth year the Emperor never again visited Yikang's Eastern Mansion. With suspicion now entrenched between them, the Emperor resolved to bring the crisis to a head. In the tenth month of the seventeenth year (440) Liu Zhan was arrested and handed over to the Court of Justice, where he was executed. Bin was executed as well, together with Liu Jingwen, Kong Shaoxiu, Xing Huaiming, Kong Yinxiu, Kong Wenxiu, Sima Liang, Sheng Tantai, and others in the faction. He Moizi, Han Jingzhi, Yan Yaozhi, Zhan's brother Su, and Bin's brother Wen were exiled to Guangzhou; Wang Lü was stripped of office and confined to his home. Yinxiu had begun as a secretary and gradually gained access to state secrets; Wenxiu and Shaoxiu were his elder brothers. Sima Liang was a cousin of the Kong family; all had risen through Yinxiu's patronage. Huaiming and Tantai had been men Yikang favored. Mozhi, Jingzhi, and Yaozhi belonged to Liu Zhan's faction.

其日刺義康入宿，留止中書省，其夕分收湛等。青州刺史杜驥勒兵殿內，以備非常。遣人宣旨告以湛等罪釁，義康上表遜位曰：「臣幼荷國靈，爵遇逾等。陛下推恩睦親，以隆棠棣，愛忘其鄙，寵授遂崇，任總內外，位兼台輔。不能正身率下，以肅庶僚，暱近失所，漸不自覺，致令毀譽違實，賞罰謬加，由臣才弱任重，以及傾撓。今雖罪人即戮，王猷載靜，養釁貽垢，實由於臣。鞠躬慄悚，若墮溪壑，有何心顏，而安斯寵，輒解所職，待罪私第。」改授都督江州諸軍事、江州刺史，持節、侍中、將軍如故，出鎮豫章。

That day Yikang was summoned to stay overnight at court and held in the Secretariat; that evening Zhan and his associates were arrested. Du Ji, Governor of Qingzhou, mustered troops inside the palace to guard against any disturbance. An envoy announced Zhan's crimes to Yikang. Yikang submitted a memorial resigning his offices: "From youth I have enjoyed the state's grace, with honors beyond my deserts. Your Majesty extended brotherly kindness and raised me above my station, entrusting me with affairs within and without the court and with ranks that combined the highest offices. I failed to discipline myself and my staff, lost judgment in those I trusted, and no longer saw my own errors—so that praise and blame lost their truth and rewards and punishments went awry. My weak talents could not bear so great a burden, and ruin followed. Though the guilty have now been executed and the realm is calm again, the trouble that was allowed to grow and the stain that remains are truly my fault. I tremble as though on the edge of an abyss. What face have I to accept such favor? I hereby resign my offices and await judgment in my private residence." He was reassigned to command military affairs in Jiangzhou and to serve as Governor of Jiangzhou, retaining his staff of authority, palace attendant status, and general's rank, and was sent to garrison Yuzhang.

停省十餘日，桂陽侯義融、新喻侯義宗、秘書監徐湛之往來慰視。於省奉辭，便下渚。上唯對之慟哭，餘無所言。上又遣沙門釋慧琳視之，義康曰：「弟子有還理不？」慧琳曰：「恨公不讀數百卷書。」征虜司馬蕭斌，昔為義康所暱，劉斌等害其寵，讒斥之。乃以斌為諮議參軍，領豫章太守，事無大小，皆以委之。司徒主簿謝綜，素為義康所狎，以為記室參軍，左右愛念者，並聽隨從至豫章。辭州，見許，增督廣、交二州、湘州之始興諸軍事。資奉優厚，信賜相係，朝廷大事，皆報示之。義康未敗，東府聽事前井水忽湧溢，野雉江鷗並飛入所住齋前。

He remained at the Secretariat for more than ten days while the Marquises Yirong and Yizong and Xu Pazhi, Director of the Secretariat, came repeatedly to comfort him. He took his leave at the Secretariat and went straight down to the river landing. The Emperor could only weep before him and said nothing more. The Emperor also sent the monk Huilin to see him. Yikang asked, "Is there any chance that I may return?" Huilin replied, "It is a pity you did not read a few hundred scrolls of books. Xiao Bin, staff officer of the Pacification campaign, had once been a favorite of Yikang's until Liu Bin and his circle, jealous of him, slandered him into exile. Yikang now appointed him Advisory Staff Officer and acting Administrator of Yuzhang, entrusting him with every matter large and small. Xie Zong, registrar in the Ministry over the Masses, had long been close to Yikang and was made his recording secretary; every attendant Yikang cared for was allowed to accompany him to Yuzhang. He declined the governorship and was allowed to do so, but his command was expanded to include military affairs in Guang, Jiao, and Shixing in Xiangzhou. His stipend remained generous, gifts and letters arrived in steady succession, and major court affairs were reported to him. Before Yikang's fall, the well before the Eastern Mansion's audience hall suddenly overflowed, and wild pheasants and river gulls flew into the courtyard of his residence.

龍驤參軍巴東扶令育詣闕上表曰：

Fu Lingyu of Badong, a Dragon Cavalry staff officer, went to the palace and submitted a memorial:

蓋聞哲王不逆切旨之諫，以博聞為道；人臣不忌殲夷之罰，以盡言為忠。是故周昌極諫，馮唐面折，孝惠所以克固儲嗣，魏尚所以復任雲中。彼二臣豈好逆主干時，犯顏違色者哉！又爰盎之諫孝文曰：「淮南王若道遇疾死，則陛下有殺弟之名，奈何？」文帝不用，追悔無及。臣草莽微臣，竊不自揆，敢抱葵藿傾陽之心，仰慕《周易》匪躬之志，故不遠六千里，願言命侶，謹貢丹愚，希垂察納。

I have heard that a wise ruler does not reject blunt counsel, for breadth of hearing is the path of governance; and that a minister who does not fear death for speaking fully has performed true loyalty. Thus Zhou Chang's blunt remonstrance and Feng Tang's open rebuke secured the heir for Emperor Hui, and restored Wei Shang to his command at Yunzhong. Surely those two ministers did not enjoy defying their sovereigns or risking their lives for nothing! Yuan Ang likewise warned Emperor Wen of Han: "If the King of Huainan should die of illness on the road, Your Majesty will be blamed for killing your own brother—what then?" Emperor Wen did not heed him and later regretted it beyond remedy. I am a humble man from the wilds who dares not measure his own worth. With the sunward heart of the mallow and the selfless resolve praised in the Book of Changes, I have come six thousand li to offer this foolish counsel and beg that Your Majesty examine and accept it.

伏惟陛下躬執大象，首出萬物，王化咸通，三才必理，闢天人之路，開大道之門，搜殊逸于巖穴，招奇英於側陋，窮谷無白駒之倡，喬岳無遺寶之嗟，豈特羅飛翮于垂天，網沈鱗於溟海。況於彭城王義康，先朝之愛子，陛下之次弟哉！一旦黜削，遠送南服，恩絕于內，形隔於遠，躬離明主，身放聖世，草萊黔首，皆為陛下痛之。

Your Majesty holds the supreme Way, stands first among all creation, and extends royal transformation until heaven, earth, and humanity are rightly ordered. You open the path between Heaven and man, seek out hidden worthies in cave and cliff, summon talent from the humblest lanes, leave no white colt unsung in the deepest valley and no treasure unclaimed on the highest peak—how much more do you gather soaring talent and net the wise from the deepest sea! How much more is this true of the Prince of Pengcheng, Liu Yikang—the late emperor's beloved son and Your Majesty's own younger brother! Yet in a single stroke he was stripped of rank and sent far south. Favor was cut off within the court and his person banished to the frontier. Torn from his enlightened sovereign and cast out in this sage age, the common people everywhere grieve for him—and for Your Majesty.

臣追惟景平、元嘉之釁，幾於危殆，三公託以興廢之宜，密懷不臣之計，台輔伺隙於京甸，強楚窺窬於上流，或苞惡而窺國，或顯逆而陵主，有生之所惴恐，神祇之所忿忌也。賴宗社靈長，廟算流遠，灑滌塵埃，殲馘醜類，氛霧時靖，四門載清。當爾之時，義康豈不預參皇謀，均此休否哉？且陛下舊楚形勝，非親勿居，遂以驃騎之號，任以藩夏之重，撫政南郢，綏民遏寇，播皇宋之澤，以洽幽荒。陛下之潤，被之九有，豈直南荊之民沾渥而已焉！召之以宰輔，又寄之以和味，既居三事，又牧徐、揚，所以幽顯齊歡，人神同忭。莫不言陛下授之為得，義康受之為是也。今如何信疑似之嫌，闕兄弟之恩乎？若有迷謬之愆，可責之罪，正可數之以善惡，導之以義方。且廬陵王往事，足以知今，此乃陛下前車之殷鑒，後乘之靈龜也。夫曾子之不殺，忠臣之篤譬；二告而猶織，仁王之令範。故《詩》云：「無信人之言，人實不信」。又云：「兄弟雖鬩，不廢親也。」《尚書》曰：「克明俊德，以親九族。」九族既睦，可以親百姓，兄弟安可棄乎！

I recall the crises of the Jingping and Yuanjia eras, when the realm nearly perished: the Three Excellencies entrusted with the power to make and unmake rulers secretly plotted treason; ministers in the capital watched for their chance; powerful enemies on the Yangzi eyed the throne; some wrapped their malice in loyalty while others openly rebelled—crises that terrified the living and offended Heaven itself. Thanks to the enduring fortune of the ancestral temple and the court's far-sighted strategy, the dust was swept away, the enemy destroyed, the mists cleared, and peace restored to the four quarters. At that time, did Yikang not share in the imperial counsels and bear an equal part in fortune and disaster? Moreover, old Chu was a strategic domain where only kin might rule. Yikang was given the title General of Agile Cavalry and the weight of the southern frontier. He governed at Southern Ying, pacified the people, checked invaders, and spread Song's bounty to the remotest lands. Your Majesty's grace reached the nine realms—surely not only the people of southern Jing were blessed! He was recalled as chief minister and entrusted to harmonize the realm. He held the three highest offices and governed Xu and Yang as well, so that the seen and unseen rejoiced alike and men and spirits were glad together. Everyone agreed that Your Majesty had chosen rightly and that Yikang had served rightly. How then can Your Majesty trust mere suspicion and set aside the bond between brothers? If he has erred, let his faults be named plainly and let righteousness guide his correction. The fate of the Prince of Luling is warning enough for today—let it be the overturned cart before Your Majesty's eyes and the oracle tortoise at your hand. Zengzi's refusal to kill his son is the loyal minister's earnest lesson; and the king who still wove after hearing the same report twice is the benevolent ruler's finest model. As the Odes says: "Do not heed every rumor you hear—for rumors are not to be trusted." He also said: "Though brothers may quarrel, they do not cease to be kin." The Book of Documents says: "Make your noble virtue shine forth, and cherish your nine clans." When the nine clans live in harmony, the ruler may embrace the people—how then can a brother be abandoned!

臣伏願陛下上尋往代黜廢之禍，下惟近者讒言之釁。廬陵王既申冤魂於后土，彭城王亦弭疑愆於宋京，豈徒皇代當今之計，蓋乃良史萬代之美也。且諂諛難辨，是非易黷，福始禍先，古人所畏。故愛身之士，自為己計，莫不結舌杜口，孰肯冒忌干主哉！臣以頑昧，獨獻微管，所以勤勤懇懇，必訴丹誠者，實恐義康年窮命盡，奄忽于南，遂令陛下有棄弟之責。臣雖微賤，竊為陛下羞之。況書言記事，史豈能屈典謨而諱哉。脫如臣慮，陛下恨之何益。揚子雲曰：「獲福之大，莫先於和穆；遘禍之深，莫過於內難。」每服斯言，以為警戒。矧今覩王室大事，豈得韜筆默爾而已哉！臣將恐天下風靡，離間是懼，遂令宇內遷觀，民庶革心，欲致康哉，實為難也。

I beg Your Majesty to look back at the disasters of deposition in former ages, and to weigh the provocations of recent slander. If the Prince of Luling's wronged soul is vindicated under Heaven and the Prince of Pengcheng's suspicions are laid to rest in the Song capital, this would be not only wise policy for our age but a deed that good historians would praise for ten thousand generations. Flattery is hard to tell from truth, right and wrong are easily blurred, and fortune often precedes disaster—the ancients dreaded this. Men who value their lives, thinking only of themselves, seal their lips and hold their tongues—who would dare risk the sovereign's displeasure by speaking out! Though I am dull and of little account, I alone offer this small counsel. I plead so earnestly because I truly fear that Yikang's life may end suddenly in the south, leaving Your Majesty with the blame of having abandoned a brother. Humble though I am, I would feel shame on Your Majesty's behalf. When books record events, how can history bend the canon to conceal the truth? If my fears prove true, what good will regret do Your Majesty then? Yang Ziyun said: "Of all great blessings, none surpasses harmony and concord; and of all deep calamities, none is worse than strife within the family." I have always taken these words to heart as a warning. Now that I witness so grave an affair of the royal house, how can I simply hide my brush and hold my tongue! I fear the realm would follow suit, dreading estrangement, until all within the four seas turn their eyes elsewhere and the people change their hearts—to achieve true peace would then be impossible.

陛下徒云惡枝之宜伐，豈悟伐柯之傷樹，乃往古之所悲，當今所宜改也。陛下若蕩以平聽，屏此猜情，垂訊芻蕘之謀，曲察狂瞽之計，一發非意之詔，逮訪博古之士，速召義康返于京甸，兄弟協和，君臣緝穆，息宇內之譏，絕多言之路，如是則四海之望塞，讒說之道消矣。何必司徒公、揚州牧，然後可以安彭城王哉？若臣所啟違憲，於國為非，請即伏誅，以謝陛下。雖復分形赴鑊，煑體烹屍，始願所甘，豈不幸甚！

Your Majesty speaks only of cutting away evil branches—do you not see that hewing the handle for an axe also wounds the tree? Antiquity lamented this; the present age ought to mend its ways. If Your Majesty would listen with an open mind, set aside suspicion, heed even the humblest counsel and weigh even the wildest advice, issue one unexpected edict, summon scholars of antiquity, and quickly recall Yikang to the capital—then brothers would live in harmony, ruler and ministers in concord, mockery within the realm would cease, and the path of slander would be closed. The hopes of the four seas would be answered, and malicious talk would fade away. Must the Prince of Pengcheng hold the posts of Minister over the Masses and Governor of Yangzhou before he can be kept safe? If what I have submitted violates the law and harms the state, I ask to be executed at once to answer to Your Majesty. Even if my body were torn apart and boiled in a cauldron, that was my wish from the first and I would accept it gladly—what greater fortune could there be!

表奏，即收付建康獄，賜死。

When the memorial was submitted, he was immediately arrested, sent to the Jiankang prison, and granted death.

會稽長公主，於兄弟為長，太祖至所親敬。義康南上後，久之，上嘗就主宴集甚歡，主起再拜稽顙，悲不自勝。上不曉其意，自起扶之。主曰：「車子歲暮，必不為陛下所容，今特請其生命。」因慟哭。上流涕，舉手指蔣山曰：「必無此慮。若違今誓，便負初寧陵。」即封所飲酒賜義康，並書曰：「會稽姊飲宴憶弟，所餘酒今封送。」車子，義康小字也。

The Princess of Kuaiji, eldest among the imperial siblings, was especially cherished and honored by Emperor Wen. Long after Yikang had gone south, the Emperor once visited the Princess for a banquet and was very merry. The Princess rose, bowed twice, and prostrated herself, overcome with grief. The Emperor did not understand her meaning and rose to help her up. The Princess said: "Chezi is nearing the end of his years and will surely not survive Your Majesty's displeasure. I beg now for his life." Then she wept bitterly. The Emperor wept, raised his hand toward Mount Jiang, and said: "Put such fears from your mind. If I break this oath today, may I be false to Chuning Mausoleum." He immediately sealed the wine from the feast and sent it to Yikang with a note: "Your elder sister of Kuaiji, drinking at a feast and thinking of her brother—the remaining wine is sealed and sent to you." Chezi was Yikang's childhood name.

二十二年，太子詹事范曄等謀反，事逮義康，事在曄傳。有司上曰：「義康昔擅國權，恣心凌上，結朋樹黨，苞納凶邪。重釁彰著，事合明罰。特遭陛下仁愛深至，敦惜周親，封社不削，爵寵無貶。四海之心，朝野之議，咸謂皇德雖厚，實撓典刑。而義康曾不思此大造之德，自出南服，詭飾情貌，外示知懼，內實不悛。窮好極欲，干請無度。聖慈含弘，每不折舊，矜釋屢加，恩疇已往。而陰敦行李，方啟交通之謀，潛資左右，以要死士之命。崎嶇伺隙，不忘窺窬。時猶隱忍，罰止僕侍。狂疾之性，永不懲革，凶心遂成，悖謀仍構。遠投群醜，千里相結，再議宗社，重窺鼎祚。賴陛下至誠感神，宋曆方永，故姦事昭露，罪人斯得。周公上聖，不辭同氣之刑；漢文仁明，無隱從兄之惡。況義康釁深二叔，謀過淮南，背親反道，自棄天地。臣等參議，請下有司削義康王爵，收付廷尉法獄治罪。」詔特宥大辟。於是免義康及子泉陵侯允、女始寧、豐城、益陽、興平四縣主為庶人，絕屬籍，徙付安成郡。以寧朔將軍沈邵為安成公相，領兵防守。義康在安成讀書，見淮南厲王長事，廢書歎曰：「前代乃有此，我得罪為宜也。」

In the twenty-second year, Fan Ye, Grand Supervisor of the Heir Apparent, and others plotted rebellion. The affair implicated Yikang; the full account is in Fan Ye's biography. The responsible officials memorialized: "Yikang once monopolized state power, willfully defied his sovereign, formed factions, and sheltered the wicked and depraved. His grave offenses are plain; the case calls for clear punishment. Your Majesty showed him extraordinary benevolence, cherishing a close kinsman: his fief and altars were left intact and his rank and honors undiminished. Throughout the realm and at court alike, all agreed that though imperial virtue was generous, it in truth undermined the rule of law. Yet Yikang never reflected on this supreme grace. Since leaving the south he has artfully disguised his manner—outwardly showing fear, inwardly unrepentant. He indulged his desires to the utmost and made demands without limit. Imperial kindness was broad and forbearing; again and again Your Majesty spared him, showing compassion and granting pardon, grace upon grace. Yet secretly he dispatched messengers and baggage, was opening channels of conspiracy, and quietly supplied his attendants to bind desperate men to his service. He watched for openings through every twist and turn, never ceasing to covet what was not his. Your Majesty still restrained his anger then, punishing only the servants. His wild and reckless nature was never corrected; vicious intent took shape, and treasonous plots were woven again. He cast himself afar to join the wicked, binding conspirators across a thousand li, again scheming against the altars of state and once more coveting the throne. Thanks to Your Majesty's utmost sincerity, which moved Heaven, and to the enduring fortune of Song, the treachery was exposed and the guilty brought to justice. The Duke of Zhou, supreme among sages, did not shrink from punishing his own kin; Emperor Wen of Han, benevolent and wise, did not conceal his cousin's crimes. How much more so Yikang, whose offense surpasses the Two Uncles of Zhou and whose plot exceeds the Prince of Huainan—turning against kin, reversing the Way, and abandoning Heaven and Earth. We jointly recommend that the responsible officials be ordered to strip Yikang of his princely rank and deliver him to the Court Commandant's prison for trial." An edict specially spared him from execution. Thereupon Yikang, his son Yun the Marquis of Quanling, and his daughters the Ladies of Shining, Fengcheng, Yiyang, and Xingping were reduced to commoner status, struck from the imperial genealogy, and exiled to Ancheng Commandery. Shen Shao, General Who Pacifies the North, was appointed Chancellor of the Duke of Ancheng and placed in command of troops to guard him. While reading in Ancheng, Yikang came upon the account of Huainan King Li Chang. He put down the book and sighed: "Former ages knew such cases—I deserved my punishment."

二十四年，豫章胡誕世、前吳平令袁惲等謀反，襲殺豫章太守桓隆、南昌令諸葛智之，聚眾據郡，復欲奉戴義康。太尉錄尚書江夏王義恭等奏曰：「投畀之言，義著《雅》篇，流殛之教，事在《書》典。庶人義康負釁深重，罪不容戮。聖仁不忍，屢加遲回，宥其大辟，賜遷近甸，斯乃至愛發天，超邈終古。曾不遇愆甘引，而讒言同眾，佷悖徼幸，每形辭色，內宣家人，外動民聽，不逞之族，因以生心。胡誕世假竊名號，構成凶逆。杜漸除微，古今所務，況禍機驟發，庸可忽乎！臣等參議，宜徙廣州遠郡，放之邊表，庶有防絕。」奏可，仍以安成公相沈邵為廣州事。未行，值邵病卒，索虜來寇瓜步，天下擾動。上慮異志者或奉義康為亂，世祖時鎮彭城，累啟宜為之所，太子及尚書左僕射何尚之並以為言。二十八年正月，遣中書舍人嚴龍齎藥賜死。義康不肯服藥，曰：「佛教自殺不復得人身，便隨宜見處分。」乃以被揜殺之，時年四十三，以侯禮葬安成。

In the twenty-fourth year, Hu Danshi of Yuzhang, Yuan Yun the former Magistrate of Wuping, and others plotted rebellion. They attacked and killed the Governor of Yuzhang Huan Long and the Magistrate of Nanchang Zhuge Zhizhi, gathered troops and seized the commandery, again seeking to install Yikang as their leader. The Grand Commandant and Recorder of the Masters of Writing, the Prince of Jiangxia Yigong, and others memorialized: "The injunction to cast the wicked away is set forth in the Ya poems; the teaching of exile and execution appears in the Book of Documents. The commoner Yikang bears offenses deep and grave; his guilt brooks no sparing. Your Majesty's benevolence could not bear to act, hesitating again and again, sparing him from execution and granting exile to a nearby domain—love reaching from Heaven, surpassing all antiquity. He never accepted blame when fault was found, but instead echoed slanderous talk, perverse and rebellious, seeking advantage—showing it in words and countenance, stirring his household within and the people without, so that the reckless conceived designs. Hu Danshi usurped a title and fomented treacherous rebellion. Checking evil at its first stirrings is the concern of every age—how much more when disaster bursts forth suddenly! How can it be ignored! We jointly recommend that he be exiled to a distant commandery of Guangzhou, sent to the frontier, so that further trouble may be prevented." The memorial was approved, and Shen Shao, Chancellor of the Duke of Ancheng, was again assigned to Guangzhou affairs. Before they could depart, Shen Shao fell ill and died. The Northern Wei raided Guabu, and the realm was thrown into turmoil. The Emperor feared that men of divergent intent might install Yikang to foment rebellion. Emperor Xiaowu, then stationed at Pengcheng, repeatedly memorialized that something must be done; the Crown Prince and He Shangzhi, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, said the same. In the first month of the twenty-eighth year, the Emperor sent Palace Attendant Yan Long bearing poison to grant him death. Yikang refused to take the poison, saying: "In Buddhism, suicide means one will not be reborn in human form—do as you see fit." They then smothered him with a quilt. He was forty-three years old and was buried in Ancheng with the rites due a marquis.

六子：允、肱、珣、昭、方、曇辯。允初封泉陵縣侯，食邑七百戶。昭、方並早夭。允等留安成，元兇得志，遣殺之。

He had six sons: Yun, Gong, Xun, Zhao, Fang, and Tanbian. Yun was initially enfeoffed as Marquis of Quanling County with a fief of seven hundred households. Zhao and Fang both died young. Yun and the others remained in Ancheng. When the chief culprit gained power, he sent orders to have them killed.

世祖大明四年，義康女玉秀等露板辭曰：「父凶滅無狀，孤負天明，存荷優養，沒蒙加禮，明罰羽山，未足敕法。烏鳥微心，昧死上訴，乞反葬舊塋，糜骨鄉壤。」詔聽，並加資給。前廢帝永光元年，太宰江夏王義恭表曰：「臣聞忝祖遠支，猶或慮親，降霍省序，義重令戚。故嚴道疾終，嗣啟方宇，阜陵愆屏，身膋晚恩。竊惟故庶人劉義康昔昧奸回，自貽非命，沈魂漏籍，垂誡來典。運革三朝，歲盈三紀，天地改朔，日月再升，陶形賦氣，咸蒙更始。義康妻息漂沒，早違盛化，眾女孤弱，永淪黔首。即情原釁，本非己招，感事哀煢，俯增傷咽。敢緣陛下聖化融泰，春澤覃被，慈育群生，仁被泉草。實希洗宥，還齒帝宗，則施及陳荄，榮施朽壤。臣特憑國私，冒以誠表，塵觸靈威，伏紙悲悸。」詔曰：「太宰表如此，公緣情追遠，覽以憎慨。昔淮、楚推恩，胙流支胤，抑法弘親，古今成準。使以公表付外，依旨奉行。故泉陵侯允橫罹凶虐，可特為置後。」太宗泰始四年，復絕屬籍，還為庶人。

In the fourth year of Daming under Emperor Xiaowu, Yikang's daughter Yuxiu and others submitted an open petition: "Our father's wicked destruction was beyond measure; he failed Heaven's judgment. While alive he received generous care; in death he received honored rites. Even the punishment at Mount Yu was insufficient to uphold the law. With the humble heart of the filial crow, we risk death to appeal upward, begging that his remains be returned to his old tomb and his bones scattered in his native soil." An edict granted their request and additionally provided funds. In the first year of Yongguang under the Former Deposed Emperor, Grand Preceptor the Prince of Jiangxia Yigong memorialized: "I have heard that even those who disgrace their ancestors in distant branches still honor kinship; when rank is lowered and genealogy examined, the principle weighs on present kin. Thus when Prince Yandao died of illness, his heir was granted a domain; when Prince Fuling was removed for fault, late grace was still shown. Reflecting on the former commoner Liu Yikang—he once embraced wickedness and brought disaster on himself; his soul was cast out from the registers, a warning for future ages. Fate has changed through three reigns and years have filled three cycles; Heaven and Earth have altered their reckonings and sun and moon risen anew. All who received form and breath have been granted a fresh start. Yikang's wife and children were swept away and lost, early parted from the flourishing age; his many daughters, orphaned and weak, remain forever among commoners. Judging by the circumstances and pardoning their offense—it was not of their own making. Moved by their plight, grieving for the orphaned, I bow my head in sorrow that chokes my throat. I dare appeal to Your Majesty's sage rule, harmonious and secure, spring grace extending everywhere, kindly nurturing all living things, benevolence reaching even the spring grass. I truly hope for cleansing pardon and restoration to the ranks of the imperial clan—then grace would reach even withered stalks and honor extend to rotted soil. Presuming on both public and private feeling, I dare present this sincere memorial. Dust touches divine majesty; prostrate before this document, I am filled with grief and dread." An edict said: "The Grand Preceptor's memorial is thus. Moved by feeling to honor the distant past, I have read it with sorrow and indignation. Formerly in Huai and Chu grace was extended and enfeoffments flowed to branch descendants, restraining law to magnify kin—a standard for all ages. Let the Duke's memorial be sent to the responsible offices and carried out according to its intent. The former Marquis of Quanling Yun met violent cruelty—a successor may specially be appointed for him." In the fourth year of Taishi under Emperor Ming, they were again struck from the imperial genealogy and returned to commoner status.

初，高祖以荊州上流形勝，地廣兵強，遺詔諸子次第居之。謝晦平後，以授彭城王義康。義康入相，次江夏王義恭。又以臨川王義慶宗室令望，且臨川武烈王有大功於社稷，義慶又居之。其後應在義宣。上以義宣人才素短，不堪居上流。十六年，以衡陽王義季代義慶，而以義宣代義季為南徐州刺史，都督南徐州軍事、征北將軍，持節如故。加散騎常侍。而會稽公主每以為言，上遲回久之。二十一年，乃以義宣都督荊、雍、益、梁、寧、南、北秦七州諸軍事、車騎將軍、荊州刺史，持節、常侍如故。先賜中詔曰：「師護以在西久，比表求還，出內左右，自是經國常理，亦何必其應於一往。今欲聽許，以汝代之。護雖無殊績，潔己節用，通懷期物，不恣群下。此信未易，非唯聲著西土，朝野以為美談。在彼已有次第，為士庶所安，論者乃謂未議遷之，今之回換，更在欲為汝耳。汝與護年時一輩，各有其美，物議亦互有少劣。若今向事脫一減之者，既於西夏交有巨礙，遷代之譏，必歸責於吾矣。複當為護怨，非但一誚而已也。如此則公私俱損，為不可不先共善詳。此事亦易勉耳，無為使人動生評論也。」師護，義季小字也。

Initially, Emperor Wu considered that Jingzhou lay upstream in a strategic position, its territory broad and its troops strong, and in his testamentary decree ordered his sons to hold it in succession. After Xie Hui was pacified, it was granted to the Prince of Pengcheng, Liu Yikang. When Yikang entered the capital as chief minister, next in line was the Prince of Jiangxia, Liu Yigong. Also, because the Prince of Linchuan Liu Yiqing had outstanding repute among the imperial house, and because Prince Wulie of Linchuan had rendered great service to the state, Yiqing held it as well. Afterward the turn should fall to Yixuan. The Emperor considered Yixuan's talents ordinarily limited—not fit to hold the upper Yangzi region. In the sixteenth year, the Prince of Hengyang Liu Yiji replaced Yiqing, and Yixuan replaced Yiji as Governor of Southern Xuzhou, Commander of Military Affairs in Southern Xuzhou, and General Who Campaigns North, with his staff of authority unchanged. He was also appointed Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. But the Princess of Kuaiji spoke of it repeatedly, and the Emperor hesitated for a long while. In the twenty-first year, Yixuan was finally made Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs in Jing, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ning, and Southern and Northern Qin, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Governor of Jing, with his staff of authority and regular attendant status unchanged. First an inner edict was issued: "Shihu has been in the west a long time and has recently memorialized asking to return. The rotation of court and regional officials is the ordinary principle of governing a state—why must it follow one fixed pattern? Now I wish to grant his request and have you take his place. Though Shihu had no outstanding achievements, he kept himself pure and frugal, understood people's hearts and set standards for conduct, and did not indulge his subordinates. This reputation is not easily earned. His fame is established not only in the western provinces, but court and countryside alike treat it as a fine topic of praise. There he has already established order and is a comfort to officials and commoners; critics even say relocation has not been discussed—the present rotation is simply because I wish it for your sake. You and Shihu are of the same generation, each with his own strengths; public opinion also finds each of you slightly wanting in some respects. If in the present affair one of you should prove lacking, it would create great obstacles in affairs on the western frontier, and the blame for the transfer would surely fall on me. Shihu would again resent it—and not merely one reproach at that. In that case both public and private interests would suffer; this must be carefully discussed together first. This matter is also easy to manage with effort—do not give people constant cause for gossip." Shihu was Yiji's childhood name.

義宣至鎮，勤自課厲，政事修理。白皙，美鬚眉，長七尺五寸，腰帶十圍，多畜嬪媵，後房千餘，尼媼數百，男女三十人。崇飾綺麗，費用殷廣。進位司空，改侍中，領南蠻校尉。二十七年，索虜南侵，義宣慮寇至，欲奔上明。及虜退，太祖詔之曰：「善脩民務，不須營潛逃計也。」

When Yixuan reached his post, he diligently applied himself and kept administration in excellent order. He was fair-skinned, with fine beard and brows, seven feet five inches tall, with a waist girdle of ten girths. He kept many concubines—more than a thousand in the inner quarters, several hundred old nursemaids, and thirty sons and daughters. He adorned himself extravagantly in brocade and silk, and his expenses were immense. He was promoted to Minister of Works, made Attendant-in-Chief, and appointed Colonel of the Southern Barbarians. In the twenty-seventh year, the Northern Wei raided south. Yixuan feared the enemy would arrive and wished to flee to Shangming. When the invaders withdrew, Emperor Wen issued an edict to him: "Devote yourself well to governing the people; there is no need to plan a secret escape."

三十年，遷司徒、中軍將軍、揚州刺史，侍中如故。未及就徵，值元兇弑立，以義宣為中書監、太尉，領司徒、侍中如故。義宣聞之，即時起兵，徵聚甲卒，傳檄近遠。會世祖入討，義宣遣參軍徐遺寶率眾三千，助為前鋒。世祖即位，以義宣為中書監，都督揚、豫二州、刺史，加羽葆、鼓吹，給班劍四十人，持節、侍中如故。改封南郡王，食邑萬戶。進諡義宣所生為獻太妃，封次子宜陽侯愷為南譙王，食邑千戶。義宣固辭內任，及愷王爵。於是改授都督荊、湘、雍、益、梁、寧、南、北秦八州諸軍事、荊、湘二州刺史，持節、侍中、丞相如故。降愷為宜陽縣王。義宣將佐以下，並加賞秩。長史張暢，事在本傳。諮議參軍蔡超專掌書記並參謀，除尚書吏部郎，仍為丞相諮議參軍、南郡內史，封汝南縣侯，食邑千戶。司馬竺超民為黃門侍郎，仍除丞相司馬、南平內史。其餘各有差。

In the thirtieth year, he was transferred to Minister over the Masses, General of the Central Army, and Governor of Yangzhou, with his status as Attendant-in-Chief unchanged. Before he could respond to the summons, the chief culprit usurped the throne by murder; Yixuan was made Supervisor of the Masters of Writing and Grand Commandant, retaining Minister over the Masses and Attendant-in-Chief as before. When Yixuan heard of it, he immediately raised troops, mustered armored soldiers, and issued proclamations near and far. When Emperor Xiaowu entered to suppress the rebellion, Yixuan sent Staff Officer Xu Yibao at the head of three thousand men to serve as vanguard. When Emperor Xiaowu ascended the throne, Yixuan was made Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Commander-in-Chief of military affairs in Yang and Yu and their Governor, granted feather canopy and martial pipes and drums, given forty ceremonial sword-bearers, with his staff of authority and status as Attendant-in-Chief unchanged. His title was changed to Prince of Nanjun, with a fief of ten thousand households. Yixuan's birth mother was posthumously honored as the Grand Consort Xian; his second son Kai, Marquis of Yiyang, was enfeoffed as Prince of Nanqiao with a fief of one thousand households. Yixuan firmly declined the capital appointment and Kai's princely title. Thereupon he was reassigned as Commander-in-Chief of military affairs in Jing, Xiang, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ning, and Southern and Northern Qin, and Governor of Jing and Xiang, with his staff of authority, status as Attendant-in-Chief, and chancellorship unchanged. Kai was demoted to Prince of Yiyang county. Yixuan's officers, staff, and all below them received increased rewards and ranks. Chief Clerk Zhang Chang—his affairs are recorded in his own biography. Consulting Staff Officer Cai Chao exclusively handled records and counseling. He was appointed Master of Writing in the Ministry of Personnel, then continued as Consulting Staff Officer to the Chancellor and Governor of Nanjun Interior, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Runan with a fief of one thousand households. Major Zhu Chaomin was made Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate, then appointed Chancellor's Major and Governor of Nanping Interior. The others each received rewards according to their rank.

義宣在鎮十年，兵強財富，既首刱大義，威名著天下，凡所求欲，無不必從。朝廷所下制度，意所不同者，一不遵承。嘗獻世祖酒，先自酌飲，封送所餘，其不識大體如此。初，臧質陰有異志，以義宣凡弱，易可傾移，欲假手為亂，以成其奸。自襄陽往江陵見義宣，便盡禮，事在質傳。及至江州，每密信說義宣，以為「有大才，負大功，挾震主之威，自古鮮有全者，宜在人前，蚤有處分。且萬姓莫不係心於公，整眾入朝，內外孰不欣戴。不爾，一旦受禍，悔無所及。」義宣陰納質言。而世祖閨庭無禮，與義宣諸女淫亂，義宣因此發怒，密治舟甲，克孝建元年秋冬舉兵。報豫州刺史魯爽、兗州刺史徐遺寶使同。爽狂酒失旨，其年正月便反。遣府戶曹送版，以義宣補天子，並送天子羽儀；遺寶亦勒兵向彭城。義宣及質狼狽起兵。二月二十六日，加都督中外諸軍事，置左右長史、司馬，使僚佐悉稱名。遣傳奉表曰：

Yixuan held his post for ten years; his troops were strong and his wealth abundant. Having been the first to initiate the righteous cause, his fame resounded throughout the realm, and whatever he sought or desired was invariably granted. Whatever regulations the court issued that differed from his wishes, he followed not a single one. Once he presented wine to Emperor Xiaowu: he first poured and drank himself, then sealed and sent the remainder—such was his lack of sense of propriety. Initially, Zang Zhi secretly harbored divergent ambitions. Considering Yixuan mediocre and weak, easy to sway, he wished to use another's hand to create chaos and thereby accomplish his treachery. From Xiangyang he went to Jiangling to see Yixuan and showed him full courtesy—the affair is recorded in Zhi's biography. When he reached Jiangzhou, he repeatedly sent secret letters urging Yixuan, saying that "you possess great talent, bear great merit, and wield awe that shakes the ruler—since antiquity few have preserved themselves whole. You should settle matters early, before others do. Moreover, the people all fix their hearts on you. March in with your forces and none within or without will fail to rejoice and support you. Otherwise, when disaster strikes one day, there will be no time for regret." Yixuan secretly accepted Zhi's words. But Emperor Xiaowu was unrestrained in the inner quarters and engaged in lewd relations with Yixuan's daughters. Yixuan therefore grew angry, secretly prepared boats and armor, and set the autumn or winter of the first year of Xiaojian as the time to raise troops. He notified Lu Shuang, Governor of Yu, and Xu Yibao, Governor of Yan, to join him. Shuang, drunk and reckless, lost imperial favor and rebelled that very year in the first month. He sent his household registrar with the imperial seal tablet to install Yixuan as Son of Heaven, and also sent the Son of Heaven's regalia; Yibao also mobilized troops toward Pengcheng. Yixuan and Zhi raised troops in haste and disorder. On the twenty-sixth day of the second month, he was made Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs within and without; left and right chief clerks and majors were appointed, and all staff officers were given full titles. He sent a messenger presenting a memorial that said:

臣聞博陸毗漢，獲疑宣后；昌國翼燕，見猜惠王。常謂異姓震主，嫌隙易構；葭莩淳戚，昭亮可期。臣雖庸懦，少希忠謹。值巨逆滔天，忘家殉國，雖曆筭有歸，微績不樹，竭誠盡愚，貫之幽顯。而微疑莫監，積毀日聞；投杼之聲，紛紜溢聽。諒緣奸臣交亂，成是貝錦。夫澆俗之季，少貞節之臣；冰霜競至，靡後彫之木。並寢處凶世，甘榮偽朝，皆纓冕之所棄，投畀之所取。至乃位超昔寵，任參大政，惡直醜勳，妄生邪說，疑惑明主，誣罔視聽。又南從郡僚，勞不足紀，橫叨天功，以為己力，同弊相扇，圖傾宗社。臧質去歲忠節，勳高古賢；魯爽協同大義，志契金石，此等猜毀，必欲禍陷。昔汲黯尚存，劉安寢志；孔父既逝，華督縱逆。臣雖不武，績著艱難，復肆讒狡，規見誘召。宗祀之危，綴旒非所。

Your subject has heard that Lord Bo assisted Han but aroused Empress Xuan's suspicion; Lord Changguo aided Yan but was distrusted by King Hui. It is commonly said that when a man of different surname awes his ruler, suspicion and rifts are easily built; but when kin are as close as reed and pith, clarity and brightness may be expected. Though your subject is mediocre and timid, he has hoped for nothing but loyalty and prudence. When the great traitor filled heaven with evil, I forgot my house and gave my life for the state. Though the calendar held its ordained turn, I planted no outstanding achievement—yet I exhausted sincerity and used all my folly, extending it through the hidden and the manifest. Yet petty suspicion goes unexamined, and accumulated slander is heard daily; the sound of false accusations fills the ears in confusion. I understand it stems from wicked ministers mingling chaos, weaving these brocaded slanders. In an age of degenerate custom, few are the ministers of steadfast integrity; when frost and ice compete to arrive, there are no trees that flourish after the carving of winter. They all sleep and dwell in an evil age, gladly flourishing in a false court—all that official caps and robes reject, and all that is cast away and taken up by the wicked. Some have even risen above former favor, their duties participating in great governance—hating the upright, disfiguring merit, recklessly spawning perverse theories, bewildering the clear-sighted ruler, and deceiving what eyes and ears perceive. Again, southern followers from county staffs—their labor unworthy of record—presumptuously claim heaven's achievement as their own strength. Sharing in corruption they fan one another, plotting to overturn the imperial altars. Zang Zhi's loyal integrity last year—his merit surpasses ancient worthies; Lu Shuang joined in the great cause, his will bonded like metal and stone—these kinds of suspecting slander surely seek to trap them in disaster. Formerly while Ji An still lived, Liu An put aside his ambition; once Kong Fu was gone, Hua Du gave free rein to rebellion. Though your subject is not martial, his achievements stand out through hardship; yet slander and cunning are again unleashed, seeking to lure and summon him to destruction. The altars are in peril—the dangling tassel is not where it belongs.

臣託體皇基，連暉日月，王室顛墜，咎在微躬，敢忘抵鼠之忌，甘受犯墉之責。輒徵召甲卒，分命眾藩，使忠勤申憤，義夫效力，戮此凶醜，謝愆闕廷，則進不負七廟之靈，退無愧二朝之遇。臨表感愧，辭不自宣。

Your subject rests his person on the imperial foundation, linked in glory to sun and moon. The royal house topples—the fault lies in his humble person. He dare not forget the taboo of striking a mouse, and willingly accepts the blame of breaching the city wall. I therefore summon armored soldiers and assign orders to the various prefectures, causing the loyal and diligent to express their wrath and men of righteousness to exert their strength, to slay these vicious criminals and answer for my fault before the court—then advancing I will not fail the spirits of the seven temples, and retreating I will have no shame before the grace of two reigns. Facing this memorial I am moved with shame; my words cannot express themselves.

上詔答曰：

The Emperor issued an edict in reply:

皇帝敬問。朕以不天，招罹屯難，家國阽危，剪焉將及。所以身先八百，雪清冤恥，遠憑高算，共濟艱難。遂登寡闇，嗣奉洪祀，尊戚酬勳，實表心事，粃政闕職，所願匡拯。而嘉言蔑聞，末德先著，勤王之績未終，毀冕之圖已及。臧質嶮躁無行，見棄人倫，以此不識，志在問鼎，凶意將逞，先借附從，扇誘欺熾，成此亂階。如使群逆並濟，眾邪競逐，將恐瞻烏之命，未識所止，構怨連禍，孰知其極。公明有不照，背本崇奸，迷昵讒醜，還謀社稷，雖履霜有日，喧議糾紛。朕以至道無私，杜遏疑議，信理推誠，暴於遐邇。不虞物變難籌，醜言遂驗，是用悼心失圖，忽忘寢食。

The Emperor respectfully inquires. I, having lost heaven's favor, encountered accumulated hardship. House and state teetered on the brink, destruction imminent. Therefore I placed myself at the fore with the eight hundred, clearing injustice and shame, relying from afar on lofty counsel, together crossing hardship. Thus I ascended the dim and lonely throne, succeeding to the great sacrifices, honoring kin and repaying merit—truly expressing my heart's intent. In flawed governance and neglected duties, that is what I wished to rectify and save. Yet good words go unheard, while base conduct appears first. The achievement of rescuing the throne is not yet complete, but the plot to remove the crown already approaches. Zang Zhi is rash, violent, and without propriety, cast off by human relations. With this lack of understanding his ambition aims at seizing the throne. His vicious intent about to flourish, he first borrowed followers, fanning deception until it blazed—creating this stairway to chaos. If all the rebels succeed together and the wicked compete in pursuit, I fear the mandate that the people look to will lose its direction. Hatreds linked and disasters chained—who knows their limit? Your lordship's clarity has its blind spots. You turn your back on the root and exalt treachery, bewitched by slanderers and wickedness, yet plot against the altars. Though treading on frost has its day, clamorous debate is tangled. I, with utmost principle and no private ends, have blocked and stemmed suspicious debate, trusting reason and extending sincerity, making it known far and near. I did not anticipate that things would change beyond calculation and wicked words would prove true—therefore my heart is stricken and my plans lost; suddenly I forget sleep and food.

今便親御六師，廣命群牧，告靈誓眾，直造柴桑，梟轘元惡，以謝天下。然後警蹕清江，鳴鑾郢路，投戈襲袞，面稟規勗。有宋不造，家禍仍纏，昔歲事寧，方承遠訓，冀以虛薄，永弭厥艱。豈謂曾未朞稔，復睹斯釁，二祖之業，將墜於淵，仰瞻鴻基，但深感慟。

Now I shall personally lead the six armies, broadly command the regional governors, announce to the spirits and pledge before the hosts, march straight to Chaisang, expose and dismember the chief villain, to answer before the realm. Then I shall clear the Yangzi with my imperial guard, sound the imperial carriage bells on the road to Ying, cast aside weapons and don ceremonial robes, and in person receive instruction and admonition. The House of Song is ill-fated; domestic calamity still entwines it. Last year when affairs were settled, I was just receiving distant instruction, hoping with my hollow inadequacy to forever still these hardships. Who would have thought that before a full year had ripened I would again witness this outrage—the enterprise of the two Founders about to plunge into the abyss. Gazing up at the great foundation, I am only deeply stricken with grief.

太傅江夏王義恭又與義宣書曰：

Grand Tutor Jiangxia Wang Yigong also wrote to Yixuan:

頃聞之道路云，二魯背叛，致之有由，謂不然之言，絕於智者之耳。忽見來表，將興晉陽之甲，驚愕駭惋，未譬所由。若主幼臣強，政移冢宰，或時昏下縱，在上畏逼，然後賢藩忠構，睹難赴機。未聞聖主御世，百辟順軌，稱兵於言興之初，扶危於既安之日。以此取濟，竊為大弟憂之。

Recently I have heard along the road that the two Lus have rebelled—there was cause that brought it about—but words saying otherwise should die at the ears of the wise. Suddenly seeing your arriving memorial, about to raise the armies of Jinyang—I am startled, appalled, and grieved, unable to fathom the cause. If the ruler were young and ministers strong, or governance shifted to the regent; or if the times were benighted and subordinates unrestrained, with those above coerced—then worthy feudatories might loyally rise, seeing danger and hurrying to the moment. I have never heard of a sage sovereign ruling the age, all officials following the track, raising arms at the very dawn of a new reign, or rescuing peril on a day already settled in peace. To seek success by this means—I privately worry for you, great younger brother.

昔歲二凶構逆，四海同奮。弟協宣忠孝，奉戴明主，元功盛德，既已昭著；皇朝欽嘉，又亦優渥。丞相位極人臣，江左罕授，一門兩王，舉世稀有。表倍推誠，彰於見事，出納之宜，唯意所欲。裒升進益，方省後命，一旦棄之，可謂運也。

Last year the two villains plotted rebellion and the four seas rose together. Younger brother, you harmoniously proclaimed loyalty and filial piety, supporting the enlightened sovereign—your founding merit and great virtue are already manifest; The imperial court has admired and praised you, and treated you with exceptional favor. The chancellorship is the apex of subjects—rarely granted in the Jiangzuo era; two princes in one house is scarce in all the world. Your memorial doubled in trust and sincerity, manifest in visible affairs; matters of policy were as you wished. Rewards and promotions accumulated; you were just awaiting further commands—yet in one stroke you abandon it all. What ill fortune.

吾等荷先帝慈育，得及人群，思報厚恩，昊天罔極，竭力盡誠，猶懼無補。奈何妄聽邪說，輕造禍難。國靡流言，遽歸愆於二叔；世無鼂錯，仍襲轍於七藩。棄漢蒼之令范，遵齊冏之敗跡。

We bear the late Emperor's gracious nurture and have reached the company of men. Thinking to repay deep grace—heaven is boundless—we exhaust our strength and sincerity, yet still fear it is not enough. How can you heedlessly listen to wicked counsel and lightly create calamity and disaster? When the state had no slanderous rumors, guilt was suddenly ascribed to the two uncles; There is no Chao Cuo in the world, yet you still follow the path of the Seven Marquisates. You cast aside Han Cang's noble example and follow Qi Jiong's road to ruin.

往時仲堪假兵靈寶，旋害其族；孝伯授之劉牢，忠誠逝踵。皆曩代之成事，當今之殷鑒也。臧質少無美行，弟所具悉，憑恃末戚，並有微勤，承乏推遷，遂超倫伍，藉西楚強力，圖濟其私。凶謀若果，恐非復池中物。魯宗父子，世為國冤，太祖方弘遐略，故爽等均雍齒之封。令據有五州，虎兕出於匣，是須為劉淵耳。徐遺寶是垣護之婦弟，前因護之歸於吾，苦求北出，不樂遠西。近磐桓湖陸，示遣劉雍，其意見可。雍是徐沖舅，適有密信，誓倒戈。自虜侵境以來，公私彫弊，安以撫之，庶可寧靜，弟復隨而擾亂，吾恐邊鄙皆為禾黍。宜遠尋高祖創業艱難，近念家國比者禍釁，時息兵戈，共安社稷。責躬謝過，誅除險佞，追保前勳，傳美竹帛。昔梁孝悔罪，景帝垂恩，阜、質改過，肅宗降澤。忠焉之誨，聊希往言；禍福之機，明者是察。

In the past Yin Zhongkan borrowed Wang Lingbao's troops and soon brought ruin upon his own clan; Wang Xiaobo handed command to Liu Lao, and loyalty vanished the moment after. All are finished lessons from past ages and stern warnings for today. Zang Zhi has shown no virtue since youth—you know this well, younger brother. He relied on distant kinship and a little merit to win promotion in a vacancy and rise above his peers. Now, leaning on Western Chu's strength, he seeks to serve his private ends. If his wicked plot succeeds, I fear he will slip beyond anyone's control. The Lu clan, father and son, had long been the state's grievance. Emperor Wen was then pursuing a broad frontier strategy, so Shuang and the others received fiefs like Yong Chi. To let them hold five provinces—tigers and rhinos let loose from their cases—is to breed another Liu Yuan. Xu Yibao is Yuan Huzhi's brother-in-law. When Huzhi came back to our side, Yibao pleaded hard to move north and had no stomach for a long march west. He has lately been lingering at Huluc and has shown signs of sending Liu Yong; his intentions look sound. Yong is Xu Chong's uncle. He has just sent a secret message pledging to turn his weapons against you. Since the barbarians crossed the border, public and private life have been drained. With patience and reassurance the realm might yet settle—but you stir trouble again, and I fear the frontier will be reduced to wasted fields. Look back to the hardships of Emperor Wu's founding and think of the recent calamities that have struck house and state. Lay down arms now and together secure the realm. Accept blame, purge the dangerous flatterers, preserve your former merit, and leave a good name in the histories. In the past Prince Xiao of Liang repented his crimes, Emperor Jing showed mercy, Fu and Zhi mended their ways, and Emperor Ming of Han extended clemency. This is loyal counsel; I can only hope you will heed what you once said yourself; The turning point between fortune and disaster—the wise can see it.

主上神武英斷，群策如林，忠臣發憤，虎士投袂，雄騎布野，舳艫蓋川。吾以不才，忝權節鉞，總督群帥，首戒戎先，指晨電舉，式清南服。所以積行緩期，冀弟不遠而悟。如其遂溺奸說者，天實為之。臨書慨懣，不識次第。

The sovereign is divinely martial and resolute. Counsel fills the court like a forest; loyal ministers burn with indignation; warriors throw up their sleeves; cavalry cover the fields; ships blanket the river. I, unworthy as I am, hold the tokens of command and oversee all the commanders. I shall be first to take the field, strike at dawn like lightning, and pacify the south. That is why I have slowed the advance and delayed action—I hope you will come to your senses before it is too late. If you persist in heeding wicked counsel, heaven itself will have ordained your ruin. As I write this letter my indignation overwhelms me, and I can scarcely keep my thoughts in order.

義宣移檄諸州郡，加進號位。遣參軍劉諶之、尹周之等率軍下就臧質。雍州刺史朱脩之起兵奉順。義宣二月十一日率眾十萬發自江津，舳艫數百里。是日大風，船垂覆沒，僅得入中夏口。以第八子慆為輔國將軍，留鎮江陵。遣魯秀、朱曇韶萬餘人北討朱脩之。秀初至江陵，見義宣，既出，拊膺曰：「阿兄誤人事，乃與癡人共作賊，今年敗矣！」義宣至尋陽，與質俱下，質為前鋒。至鵲頭，聞徐遺寶敗，魯爽於小峴授首，相視失色。世祖使鎮北大將軍沈慶之送爽首示義宣，并與書：「僕荷任一方，而釁生所統。近聊率輕師，指往翦撲，軍鋒裁交，賊爽授首。公情契異常，或欲相見，及其可識，指送相呈。」義宣、質並駭懼。

Yixuan sent proclamations to the provinces and commanderies and promoted his own titles and ranks. He sent staff officers Liu Chenzhi, Yin Zhouzhi, and others to lead troops downstream to join Zang Zhi. Zhu Xiuzhi, Governor of Yong Province, raised troops in allegiance to the throne. On the eleventh day of the second month Yixuan led a hundred thousand men from Jiangjin, with a fleet stretching for hundreds of li. That day a fierce wind blew; the fleet nearly foundered and only just reached Zhongxiakou. He appointed his eighth son, Tao, General Who Fortifies the State and left him to guard Jiangling. He sent Lu Xiu and Zhu Tanshao with more than ten thousand men north to attack Zhu Xiuzhi. When Xiu first reached Jiangling and met Yixuan, he left beating his chest and said, "My elder brother has botched everything—making common cause with a fool in rebellion. We are finished this year!" Yixuan reached Xunyang and marched downstream with Zhi, who served as vanguard. At Magpie Head they learned that Xu Yibao had been defeated and Lu Shuang had lost his head at Xiao Xian. They looked at each other and went pale. Emperor Xiaowu had Grand General Who Pacifies the North Shen Qingzhi send Shuang's head to Yixuan, along with a letter: "I bear charge of one region, yet rebellion arose in my command. I recently led a light force to strike them down. The armies had barely clashed when the rebel Shuang lost his head. Your bond with him was close, and you may wish to see him. While he is still recognizable, I have sent his head for you to see." Yixuan and Zhi were both terrified.

上先遣豫州刺史王玄謨舟師頓梁山洲內，東西兩岸為卻月城，營柵甚固。義宣屢與玄謨書，要令降。玄謨書報曰：

The Emperor had already sent Wang Xuanshe, Governor of Yuzhou, with a fleet to encamp on Liangshan Isle. On both banks they built a crescent-shaped fortress with very strong camps and palisades. Yixuan repeatedly wrote to Xuanshe, demanding his surrender. Xuanshe replied in a letter:

頻奉二誨，伏對戰駭。先在彭、泗，聞諸將皆云必有今日之事，以鄙意量，謂無此理。去年九月，故遣參軍先僧瑗修書表心，並密陳入相之計，欲使周旦之美，複見於今。豈意理數難推，果至於此。昔因幸會，蒙國士之顧，思報厚德，甘起泉壤，豈謂一旦事與願違。公崇長奸回，自放西服，信邪細之說，忘大節之重，溺流狡之志，滅君親之恩，狎玩極寵，越希非覬，祖宗世祀，自圖顛覆，瞑目行事，未有如斯之甚者也，乃復枉覃書檄，遠示見招。此則丹心微款，未亮於高鑒，赤誠幽志，虛感於平日，環念周回，始悟知己之為難也。

I have repeatedly received your letters. Reading them, I tremble with dread. When I was at Peng and Si I heard the generals say this day was bound to come, but I could not believe it. Last September I sent my staff officer Xian Sengyuan with a letter declaring my loyalty and secretly proposing that I enter the chancellorship, hoping the Duke of Zhou's example might be seen again in our day. Who could have foreseen that fate would turn so—and that it has truly come to this? Once, through good fortune, I won your regard as a man of the state. I would gladly rise from the grave to repay that debt—who expected that in a single day all would turn against my wish? You have nurtured wickedness and cast off all restraint. You heed vile counsel, forget your great obligations, indulge treacherous designs, and cast aside the grace owed your sovereign and kin. You squander supreme favor and reach for what is not yours. You plot to overturn your ancestors' line. In blind action nothing has ever gone so far—and yet you send proclamations across the land summoning me to your side. My loyal heart and humble sincerity have not reached your lofty judgment; my pure intent has been wasted on ordinary days. Looking back, I see at last how hard it is to know another person.

公但念提職在昔，不思善教有本，徒見徐、魯去就，未知仗義有人，豈不惜哉！有臣則欲其忠，誘人而導諸逆，君子忠恕，其如是乎？苟不忠恕，則擇木之翰，有所不集矣。夫挑妾者愛其易，求妻則敬其難。若承命如響，將焉用之。原轂存輿，無禮必及，竊恐荊郢之士，已當潛貳其懷，非皇都陋臣，秉義不徙。公雖心迷跡往，猶願勉建良圖。抑撫軍忠壯慷慨，亮誠有素，新亭之勳，莫與為等，而妄信奸虛，坐相貶謗，不亦惑哉！

You remember only the rank you once gave me and forget that loyalty has deeper roots. You see only Xu and Lu's defection and do not know that some still stand by principle. Is that not lamentable! A lord wants loyal subjects—yet you lure men and lead them into rebellion. Is this what loyalty and forbearance mean? Without loyalty and forbearance, even the choicest timber will not hold together. A man who takes a concubine loves what comes easily; a man who seeks a wife respects what is hard won. If obedience came as easily as an echo, what would such loyalty be worth? Yuan Gu kept the chariot and ruin from breach of propriety was sure to follow. I fear the men of Jing and Ying already secretly waver—not this humble official of the capital alone, who holds to principle and will not budge. Though your heart is lost and your course astray, I still hope you will turn back and choose a better path. The Pacification Army Commander is loyal, bold, and generous; his sincerity is long proven and his merit at Xinting unmatched—yet you heed vile slander and let him be defamed. Is that not folly!

幸承人乏，夙誡前驅，精甲已次近路；鎮軍駱驛繼發，太傅、驃騎嗣董元戎；乘輿親御六師，威靈遐振。人百其氣，慕義如林，舟騎雲回，赫弈千里。輒屬鞬秉銳，與執事周旋，授命當仁，理無所讓。夫君道既盡，民禮亦絕，執筆裁答，感慨交懷。

Entrusted in a time of need, I have long been ordered to take the vanguard; elite troops already stand on the road nearby; the Pacifying Army follows in rapid relays; the Grand Tutor and General of Agile Cavalry next take command of the grand army; the Emperor himself leads the six armies, and imperial might resounds far and wide. Men fight with redoubled spirit; the righteous gather like a forest; ships and horsemen wheel like clouds; glory fills the land for a thousand li. I shall gird on my arms, take up sharp weapons, and meet you in battle. When duty calls, there is no room for yielding. Since the bond between lord and subject is broken and all obligation is spent, I write this answer with grief and indignation mingled in my heart.

撫軍柳元景據姑孰為大統，偏帥鄭琨、武念戍南浦。質逕入梁山，去玄謨一里許結營，義宣屯蕪湖。五月十九日，西南風猛，質乘風順流攻玄謨西壘，冗從僕射胡子友等戰失利，棄壘渡就玄謨。質又遣將龐法起數千兵從洲外趨南浦，仍使自後掩玄謨。與琨、念相遇，法起戰大敗，赴水死略盡。二十一日，義宣至梁山，質上出軍東岸攻玄謨。玄謨分遣游擊將軍垣護之、竟陵太守薛安都等出壘奮擊，大敗質軍，軍人一時投水。護之等因風縱火，焚其舟乘，風勢猛盛，煙焰覆江。義宣時屯西岸，延火燒營殆盡。諸將乘風火之勢，縱兵攻之，眾一時奔潰。

Pacification Army Commander Liu Yuanjing held Gushu as supreme command; subordinate commanders Zheng Kun and Wu Nian garrisoned Nanpu. Zhi marched straight into Liangshan and encamped about a li from Xuanshe; Yixuan encamped at Wuhu. On the nineteenth day of the fifth month a fierce southwest wind blew. Zhi rode the wind downstream to attack Xuanshe's western rampart. Attendant Palace Vice-Director Hu Ziyou and others were defeated, abandoned the rampart, crossed the river, and joined Xuanshe. Zhi also sent General Pang Faqi with several thousand men from outside the isle toward Nanpu, intending to take Xuanshe from behind. He met Kun and Nian; Faqi was routed, and nearly all his men drowned. On the twenty-first day Yixuan reached Liangshan. Zhi led troops from the eastern bank to attack Xuanshe. Xuanshe sent Mobile Corps General Yuan Huzhi, Administrator of Jingling Xue Andu, and others out of the ramparts in a fierce assault. They routed Zhi's army, and the soldiers at once threw themselves into the water. Huzhi and the others used the wind to set fires, burning the rebel boats and chariots. The wind roared and smoke and flame covered the river. Yixuan was encamped on the western bank; the spreading fire burned his camp nearly to ashes. The generals used the wind and fire to press the attack, and the rebel host broke and fled at once.

義宣與質相失，各單舸迸走，東人士庶並歸順，西人與義宣相隨者，船舸猶有百餘。女先適臧質子，過尋陽，入城取女，載以西奔。至江夏，聞巴陵有軍，被抄斷，回入逕口，步向江陵。眾散且盡，左右唯十許人，腳痛不復能行，就民僦露車自載。無復食，緣道求告。至江陵郭外，遣人報竺超民，超民具羽儀兵眾迎之。時外猶自如舊，帶甲尚萬餘人。義宣既入城，仍出聽事見客，左右翟靈寶誡使撫慰眾賓，以「臧質違指授之宜，用致失利，今治兵繕甲，更為後圖；昔漢高百敗，終成大業」。而義宣忘靈寶之言，誤云「項羽千敗」，眾咸掩口而笑。魯秀、竺超民等猶為之爪牙，欲收合餘燼，更圖一決，而義宣惛墊無復神守，入內不復出。左右腹心，相率奔叛。魯秀北走，義宣不復自立，欲隨秀去，乃於內戎服，幐囊盛糧，帶佩刀，攜息慆及所愛妾五人，皆著男子服相隨。城內擾亂，白刃交橫，義宣大懼落馬，仍便步地，超民送城外，更以馬與之，超民因還守城。義宣冀及秀，望諸將送北入虜。既失秀所在，未出郭，將士逃散盡，唯餘慆及五妾、兩黃門而已。夜還向城，入南郡空廨，無床，席地至旦。遣黃門報超民，超民遣故車一乘，載送刺姦。義宣止獄戶，坐地歎曰：「臧質老奴誤我。」始與五妾俱入獄，五妾尋被遣出，義宣號泣語獄吏曰：「常日非苦，今日分別始是苦。」

Yixuan and Zhi lost contact; each fled alone in a single boat. The gentry and common people of the east all submitted; of the westerners who still followed Yixuan, more than a hundred boats remained. His daughter had been married to Zang Zhi's son. Passing Xunyang, he entered the city to fetch her and fled west with her aboard. At Jiangxia he learned that troops at Baling had cut off his route. He turned back into Jingkou and went on foot toward Jiangling. His followers scattered until almost none remained; only about ten men stayed with him. His feet were too sore to walk, so he hired an open cart from a local farmer to carry himself. He had no food and begged along the road. When he reached the outskirts of Jiangling he sent word to Zhu Chaomin, who assembled guards and troops to welcome him. Outwardly the city still looked unchanged, and more than ten thousand armored men remained. Once Yixuan entered the city he still went to the audience hall to receive guests. His attendant Zhai Lingbao urged him to reassure them, saying, "Zang Zhi disobeyed orders and brought defeat. Now we drill troops and repair armor to plan again; Gaozu of Han suffered a hundred defeats yet finally won the empire." But Yixuan forgot what Lingbao had told him and blurted out, "Xiang Yu suffered a thousand defeats." The crowd covered their mouths and laughed. Lu Xiu, Zhu Chaomin, and others still served as his lieutenants, hoping to gather the remnants and fight one last battle—but Yixuan was dazed and lost, no longer in command of himself. He went inside and did not come out again. His closest followers deserted and rebelled one after another. Lu Xiu fled north. Yixuan could no longer hold himself together and wished to follow Xiu. He put on military dress, filled a bag with provisions, girded on a sword, and took his son Tao and five favored concubines—all dressed as men—to go with him. Inside the city there was chaos; blades flashed on every side. Yixuan feared falling from his horse and went on foot. Chaomin escorted him outside the walls, gave him a horse, and returned to hold the city. Yixuan hoped to catch up with Xiu and looked to the generals to escort him north into barbarian territory. Having lost track of Xiu, before he even left the outer city his officers and soldiers had all fled. Only Tao, the five concubines, and two eunuchs remained. At night he turned back toward the city and entered an empty office of Nan Commandery. With no bed available, he slept on the ground until dawn. He sent a eunuch to inform Chaomin, who sent an old carriage to carry him to the Office for Investigating Traitors. Yixuan stopped at the prison gate, sat on the ground, and sighed, "That old villain Zang Zhi ruined me." At first he entered prison with the five concubines. They were soon sent out. Yixuan wept and said to the prison officer, "Ordinary days were not bitter; today's parting is where bitterness begins."

大司馬江夏王義恭、諸公王八座與荊州刺史朱脩之書曰：「義宣反道叛恩，自陷極逆。大義滅親，古今同准。無將之誅，猶或囚殺，況醜文悖志，宣灼遐邇，鋒指絳闕，兵纏近郊，釁逼憂深，臣主旰食。賴朝略震明，祖宗靈慶，罪人斯得，七廟弗隳。司刑定罰，典辟攸在。而皇慈逮下，愍其愚迷，抑法申情，屢奏不省，人神悚遑，省心震惕。義宣自絕於天，理無容受。社稷之慮，臣子責深。便宜專行大戮，以紓國難。但加諸斧鉞，有傷聖仁，示以弘恩，使自為所，上全天德，下一洪憲。臨書悲慨，不復多云。」書未達，脩之至江陵，已於獄盡焉。時年四十。世祖聽還葬。

Grand Marshal Prince of Jiangxia Liu Yigong, the princes, dukes, and the Eight Ministers wrote to Zhu Xiuzhi, Governor of Jing Province: "Yixuan has turned against the Way and betrayed his obligations, plunging himself into extreme rebellion. Great principle requires that kin be punished for treason—past and present share the same standard. Even Wu Jiang was imprisoned or executed for lesser crimes—how much more when vile proclamations and rebellious intent blaze far and wide, blades point at the imperial palace, and armies encircle the capital. With such provocation anxiety runs deep; sovereign and subject skip their meals. Thanks to the court's brilliant strategy and the ancestral spirits' blessing, the guilty man has been captured and the imperial altars remain intact. The Minister of Justice fixes punishment; the authority of law rests with him. Yet the Emperor's kindness reaches even the lowly, pitying his folly and restraining law out of compassion. Repeated memorials have gone unheeded; men and spirits are alarmed; the court is shaken with dread. Yixuan has cut himself off from Heaven; by right he cannot be spared. Concern for the realm—the responsibility of subject and minister runs deep. You are authorized to execute him on your own authority, to relieve the state's peril. But to apply axe and halberd would wound imperial benevolence; show great mercy and let him meet his end himself—fulfilling Heaven's virtue above and extending the grand law below. Faced with this letter in grief and indignation, I will say no more." The letter had not yet arrived when Zhu Xiuzhi reached Jiangling; Yixuan had already died in prison. He was forty years old at the time. Emperor Xiaowu permitted his body to be returned for burial.

義宣子悰、愷、恢、憬、惔、[忄矣]、惇、慆、伯實、業、悉達、法導、僧喜、慧正、慧知、明彌虜、妙覺、寶明凡十八人；愷、恢、惔、惇並於江寧墓所賜死，[忄矣]、悉達早卒，餘並與義宣俱為朱脩之所殺。蔡超及諮議參軍顏樂之、徐壽之等諸同惡，並伏誅。超，濟陽考城人。父茂之，侍廬陵王義真讀書，官至彭城王義康驃騎從事中郎，始興太守。超少有才學，初為兗州主簿，時令百官舉才，超與前始寧令同郡江淳之、前征南參軍會稽賀道養並為興安侯義賓所表薦。竺超民，青州刺史竺夔子也。

Yixuan's sons Cong, Kai, Hui, Jing, Tan, Chuo, Dun, Tao, Boshi, Ye, Xida, Fadao, Sengxi, Huizheng, Huizhi, Mingmilu, Miaojue, and Baoming—eighteen in all; Kai, Hui, Tan, and Dun were all granted death at the Jiangning tomb site; Chuo and Xida died early; the rest were killed together with Yixuan by Zhu Xiuzhi. Cai Chao, Consultative Advisor Staff Officers Yan Yuezhi and Xu Shouzhi, and the other co-conspirators were all executed. Chao was a native of Kaocheng in Jiyang. His father Maozhi had served Prince of Luling Liu Yizhen as a reader, rising to Senior Clerk in the suite of General of Agile Cavalry Prince of Pengcheng Liu Yikang, and Governor of Shixing. Chao showed talent and learning from youth. He first served as Chief Clerk of Yan Province. When the throne ordered all officials to recommend talent, Chao, together with the former Magistrate of Shining Jiang Chunzhi of the same commandery and the former Staff Officer of the Campaign South He Daoyang of Kuaiji, were all recommended by Marquis of Xing'an Liu Yibin. Zhu Chaomin was the son of Zhu Kui, Governor of Qing Province.

恢，字景度，既嫡長，少而辯慧，義宣甚愛重之。年十一，拜南譙王世子，除給事中。義宣為荊州，常停都邑。太祖欲令還西，乃以為河東太守，加寧朔將軍。頃之，徵為黃門侍郎。元兇弑立，恢為侍中。義宣起義，劭收恢及弟愷、惔、悰、憬、[忄矣]繫于外，散騎郎沈煥防守之。煥密有歸順意，謂恢等曰：「禍福與諸郎同之，願勿憂。」及臧質自白下上趨廣莫門，劭令煥殺恢等。煥乃解其桎梏，率所領數十人與恢等向廣莫門欲出。門者拒之，煥曰：「臧公已至，凶人走矣。此司空諸郎，並能為諸君得富貴，非徒免禍而已，勿相留。」亦值質至，因以得出。恢至新亭，即除侍中。俄遷侍中、散騎常侍、西中郎將、湘州刺史。義宣并領湘州，轉恢侍中，領衛尉。晉氏過江，不置城門校尉及衛尉官，世祖欲重城禁，故復置衛尉卿。衛尉之置，自恢始也。轉右衛將軍，侍中如故。義宣舉兵反，恢與兄弟姊妹一時逃亡。恢藏江寧民陳銑家，有告之者，錄付廷尉。恢子善藏，與恢俱死。

Hui, courtesy name Jingdu, was the eldest legitimate son. Eloquent and clever from youth, he was greatly loved and valued by Yixuan. At age eleven he was enfeoffed as Heir of Prince of Nanqiao and appointed Attendant. When Yixuan was assigned to Jing Province, Hui often remained in the capital. Emperor Wen wished to have him return west, and so appointed him Governor of Hedong with the additional title General Who Pacifies the North. Before long he was summoned as Gentleman at the Yellow Gate. When the chief culprit usurped the throne by murder, Hui became Attendant-in-Chief. When Yixuan raised the righteous army, Liu Shao arrested Hui and his brothers Kai, Tan, Cong, Jing, and Chuo and detained them outside the palace; Gentleman of the Scattered Cavalry Shen Huan was assigned to guard them. Huan secretly intended to submit. He said to Hui and the others, "Fortune and misfortune—I share them with you gentlemen. Please do not worry." When Zang Zhi hurried from Baixia toward the Guangmo Gate, Shao ordered Huan to kill Hui and the others. Huan then removed their fetters and led his several dozen men together with Hui and the others toward the Guangmo Gate, intending to get out. The gatekeepers barred them. Huan said, "Lord Zang has already arrived—the usurper has fled. These are the sons of the Minister of Works—they can bring you all wealth and honor, not merely escape from disaster. Do not detain us." Just then Zang Zhi arrived, and they were able to get out. When Hui reached Xinting, he was immediately appointed Attendant-in-Chief. Shortly thereafter he was transferred to Attendant-in-Chief, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, General of the Right in the Middle, and Governor of Xiang. Yixuan also held Xiang Province; Hui was made Attendant-in-Chief and placed in charge of the Commandant of the Guard. After the Jin crossed the Yangzi, they had abolished the posts of Commandant of the City Gate and Commandant of the Guard. Emperor Xiaowu wished to strengthen capital security and restored the Commandant of the Guard. The reestablishment of the Commandant of the Guard began with Hui. He was transferred to General of the Right Guard, retaining Attendant-in-Chief. When Yixuan raised troops in rebellion, Hui fled together with his brothers and sisters. Hui hid in the home of Chen Xian, a commoner of Jiangning; someone reported him, and he was arrested and handed over to the Court of Justice. Hui's son Shanzang was hidden with him; both were killed.

愷，字景穆，生而養於宮內，寵均皇子。十歲，封宜陽縣侯。仍為建威將軍、南彭城、沛二郡太守。遷步兵校尉，轉黃門侍郎，太子中庶子，領長水校尉。元兇以愷為散騎常侍。世祖以為秘書監。未拜，遷輔國將軍、南彭城、下邳二郡太守。其年，轉五兵尚書，進爵為王。義宣反問至，愷於尚書寺內，著婦人衣，乘問訊車，投臨汝公蓋詡。詡於妻室內為地窟藏之，事覺，收付廷尉，并詡伏誅。 [忄矣]封臨武縣侯，年十八卒，諡曰悼侯。悰封湘南縣侯。憬封祁陽縣侯。

Kai, courtesy name Jingmu, was raised within the palace from birth; his favor matched that of the imperial princes. At age ten he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yiyang County. He was also made General Who Establishes Might and Governor of Nan Pengcheng and Pei. He was transferred to Commandant of Footsoldiers, then Gentleman at the Yellow Gate, Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent, and Commandant of Ever-Flowing Waters. The chief culprit appointed Kai Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. Emperor Xiaowu appointed him Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. Before he took up the appointment, he was transferred to General Who Assists the State and Governor of Nan Pengcheng and Xiapi. That same year he was made Minister of the Five Arms and his rank was advanced to prince. When news of Yixuan's rebellion arrived, Kai put on women's clothes in the Masters of Writing office, boarded an inquiry cart, and fled to Duke of Linru Gai Xu. Gai Xu hid him in a tunnel dug in his wife's chamber; when the matter was discovered, Kai was arrested and handed over to the Court of Justice, and Gai Xu was executed as well. Chuo was enfeoffed as Marquis of Linwu County; he died at eighteen; his posthumous title was Marquis Dao. Cong was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangnan County. Jing was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qiyang County.

徐遺寶，字石俊，高平金鄉人。初以新亭戰功，為輔國將軍、衛軍司馬、河東太守，不之官。遷兗州刺史，將軍如故，戍湖陸。封益陽縣侯，食邑二千五百戶。義宣既叛，遣使以遺寶為征虜將軍、徐州刺史，率軍出瓜步。遺寶遣長史劉雍之襲彭城，寧朔司馬明胤擊破之。更遣高平太守王玄楷與雍之復逼彭城。時徐州刺史蕭思話未之鎮，因詔安北司馬夏侯祖權率五百人馳往助胤，既至，擊玄楷斬之，雍之還湖陸。遺寶復遣士人檀休祖應玄楷，聞敗，亦潰散。遺寶棄城奔魯爽，爽敗，逃東海郡界，土人斬送之，傳首京邑。

Xu Yibao, courtesy name Shijun, was a native of Jinxiang in Gaoping. At first, for merit at the Battle of Xinting, he was made General Who Assists the State, Army Major of the Guard, and Governor of Hedong—but never took up the post. He was transferred to Governor of Yan Province, keeping his general's rank, and garrisoned Hulu. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yiyang County with a fief of two thousand five hundred households. After Yixuan rebelled, he sent messengers appointing Yibao General Who Campaigns Against Barbarians and Governor of Xuzhou and ordering him to lead troops out from Guabu. Yibao sent Senior Clerk Liu Yongzhi to attack Pengcheng; Ming Yin, Staff Officer of Pacifying the North, defeated him. He again sent Wang Xuankai, Governor of Gaoping, together with Yongzhi to press Pengcheng once more. Governor of Xuzhou Xiao Sihua had not yet reached his post; an edict ordered Xiahou Zuquan, Army Major of Pacifying the North, to lead five hundred men in haste to aid Yin. When they arrived, they attacked Xuankai and beheaded him; Yongzhi returned to Hulu. Yibao again sent the gentleman Tan Xiuzu to support Xuankai; hearing of the defeat, he too scattered and fled. Yibao abandoned his post and fled to Lu Shuang; when Shuang was defeated, he fled to the border of Donghai commandery, where local people beheaded him and sent his head to the capital.

夏侯祖權，譙人也。以功封祁陽縣子，食邑四百戶。大明中，為建武將軍、兗州刺史，卒官。諡曰烈子。

Xiahou Zuquan was a native of Qiao. For his merit he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Qiyang County with a fief of four hundred households. In the Daming era he was made General Who Establishes Martial Might and Governor of Yan Province; he died in office. His posthumous title was Viscount Lie.

史臣曰：襄陽龐公謂劉表曰：「若使周公與管、蔡處茅屋之下，食藜藿之羹，豈有若斯之難。」夫天倫由子，共氣分形，寵愛之分雖同，富貴之情則異也。追味尚長之言，以為太息。

The historian writes: Pang Gong of Xiangyang said to Liu Biao, "If the Duke of Zhou and Guan and Cai had lived in a thatched hut and eaten wild greens, would they have faced such difficulty?" Blood ties bind brothers who share the same breath yet take separate form. Though parental favor may be equal, the pull of wealth and power differs. Reflecting on Pang Gong's words, one can only sigh deeply.

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