1
列傳第三十二文九王
Biography 32: The Nine Literary Princes
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文帝十九男：元皇后生劭，潘淑妃生濬，路淑媛生孝武帝，吳淑儀生南平王鑠，高脩儀生廬陵昭王紹，殷脩華生竟陵王誕，曹婕妤生建平宣簡王宏，陳脩容生東海王禕，謝容華生晉熙王昶，江脩儀生武昌王渾，沈婕妤生明帝，楊脩儀生建安王休仁，邢美人生晉平王休祐，蔡美人生海陵王休茂，董美人生鄱陽哀王休業，顏美人生臨慶沖王休倩，陳美人生新野懷王夷父，荀美人生桂陽王休範，羅美人生巴陵哀王休若。 劭、濬、誕、禕、渾、休茂、休範別有傳。 紹出繼廬陵孝獻王義真。
Emperor Wen fathered nineteen sons. The Yuan Empress gave birth to Shao; Consort Pan to Jun; Lady Lu to the future Emperor Xiaowu; Lady Wu to Prince Shuo of Nanping; Lady Gao to Prince Zhao of Luling; Lady Yin to Prince Dan of Jingling; Lady Cao to Prince Hong of Pingping (later honored as Xuanjian); Lady Chen to Prince Yi of Donghai; Lady Xie to Prince Chang of Jinxi; Lady Jiang to Prince Hun of Wuchang; Lady Shen to the future Emperor Ming; Lady Yang to Prince Xiuren of Jian'an; Lady Xing to Prince Xiuyou of Jinping; Lady Cai to Prince Xiumao of Hailing; Lady Dong to Prince Xieye of Poyang; Lady Yan to Prince Xiuqian of Linqing; Lady Chen to Prince Yifu of Xinye; Lady Xun to Prince Xiufan of Guiyang; and Lady Luo to Prince Xiuruo of Baling. Shao, Jun, Dan, Yi, Hun, Xiumao, and Xiufan are treated in separate biographies. Shao was sent out to succeed Prince Xiaoxian of Luling, Yizhen.
3
南平穆王鑠，字休玄，文帝第四子也。 元嘉十七年，都督湘州諸軍事、冠軍將軍、湘州刺史，不之鎮，領石頭戍事。 二十二年，遷使持節、都督南豫、豫、司、雍、秦、并六州諸軍事、南豫州刺史。 時太祖方事外略，乃罷南豫併壽陽，即以鑠為豫州刺史，尋領安蠻校尉，給鼓吹一部。 二十六年，進號平西將軍，讓不拜。
Prince Mu of Nanping, Shuo—courtesy name Xiuxuan—was Emperor Wen's fourth son. In the seventeenth year of Yuanjia he was appointed to command Xiang Province as General Who Crowns the Army and inspector, but he never took up the post and remained in charge of the Shitou garrison instead. In year 22 he was promoted to Bearer of the Staff of Authority, commander of six provinces (Southern Yu, Yu, Si, Yong, Qin, and Bing), and inspector of Southern Yuzhou. While the Grand Ancestor was pressing external campaigns, Southern Yuzhou was abolished and folded into Shouyang; Shuo became inspector of Yu, soon added the post of Colonel Who Pacifies the Barbarians, and received a full set of martial pipes and drums. In year 26 he was offered the title General Who Pacifies the West and declined it.
4
索虜大帥托跋燾南侵陳、潁，遂圍汝南懸瓠城。 行汝南太守陳憲保城自固，賊晝夜攻圍之，憲且守且戰，矢石無時不交。 虜多作高樓，施弩以射城內，飛矢雨下，城中負戶以汲。 又毀佛浮圖，取金像以為大鉤，施之衝車端，以牽樓堞。 城內有一沙門，頗有機思，輒設奇以應之。 賊多作蝦蟆車以填塹，因薄攻城。 憲督厲將士，固女墻而戰。 賊之死者，屍與城等，遂登屍以陵城，短兵相接； 憲銳氣愈奮，戰士無不一當百，殺傷萬計，汝水為之不流。 相拒四十餘日，鑠遣安蠻司馬劉康祖與寧朔將軍臧質救之，虜燒攻具走。
The Wei warlord Tuoba Tao marched south into Chen and Ying and laid siege to Xuanhu in Runan. The acting Runan administrator Chen Xian locked down the city. The enemy assaulted it day and night; Xian fought as he held, and arrows and stones never stopped flying. The invaders raised tall siege towers and shot into the city with crossbows until arrows fell like rain; inside, men had to carry door panels as shields just to draw water. They tore down Buddhist pagodas, forged the gilt statues into great hooks on the battering-rams, and used them to wrench down the parapets. A monk inside the walls, quick-witted and resourceful, kept answering each stratagem with another of his own. The enemy built many 'toad carts' to fill the ditches and pressed in close for a wall assault. Xian roused his officers and men and fought them along the breastwork. So many enemy dead piled up that they equaled the wall height; the attackers climbed the bodies to reach the ramparts and closed for hand-to-hand fighting; Xian's spirit only sharpened; every defender fought as ten, casualties mounted into the tens of thousands, and the Ru River was choked with the dead. After more than forty days, Shuo sent Liu Kangzu and General Zang Zhi to relieve the city; the invaders burned their engines and fled.
5
二十七年，大舉北伐，諸蕃竝出師。 鑠遣中兵參軍胡盛之出汝南，到坦之出上蔡，向長社，長社戍主魯爽委城奔走。 既克長社，遣幢主王陽兒、張略等進據小索。 偽豫州刺史僕蘭於大索率步騎二千攻陽兒，陽兒擊大破之。 到坦之等進向大索，滎陽民鄭德玄、張和各起義以應坦之，僕蘭奔虎牢。 會王陽兒等至，即據大索，因向虎牢，鑠又遣安蠻司馬劉康祖繼坦之。 虜永昌王宜勤庫仁真救虎牢，坦之敗走。 虜乘勝逕進，於尉氏津逢康祖，康祖戰敗見殺。 賊進脅壽陽，因東過與燾會於江上。
In year 27 the court launched a major northern campaign and every princely fief marched. Shuo sent Hu Shengzhi through Runan and Dao Tanzhi through Shangcai toward Changshe; the garrison commander Lu Shuang abandoned the city and ran. After Changshe fell, Wang Yang'er, Zhang Lue, and others were sent on to occupy Xiaosuo. The Wei inspector Pulan brought two thousand horse and foot against Yang'er at Dasuo; Yang'er smashed his force. Dao Tanzhi marched on Dasuo; Zheng Dexuan and Zhang He, commoners of Xingyang, rose to join him, and Pulan fled to Hulao. Wang Yang'er arrived, took Dasuo, and moved on Hulao; Shuo sent Liu Kangzu after Tanzhi. Prince Yongchang Yiqin Kurenzhen relieved Hulao; Tanzhi was beaten and fled. The victors pressed on; at the Wei County crossing they met Kangzu, defeated him, and killed him. The enemy threatened Shouyang, then marched east to join Tao on the Yangzi.
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二十八年夏，虜荊州刺史魯爽及弟秀等，率部曲詣鑠歸順。 其年七月，鑠所生吳淑儀薨，鑠歸京師，葬畢，還攝本任。 時江夏王義恭領南兗州刺史，鎮盱眙。 丁母憂，還京師。 上以兗土彫荒，罷南兗併南徐州，當別置淮南都督住盱眙，開創屯田，應接遠近，欲以授鑠。 既而改授散騎常侍、撫軍將軍，領兵戍石頭。
In the summer of Yuanjia 28, Lu Shuang, Inspector of Jingzhou among the northern captives, and his younger brother Xiu led their followers to Shuo and submitted. In the seventh month of that year, Shuo's birth mother, Wu Shuyi, died. Shuo returned to the capital and, after the burial, went back to resume his post provisionally. At the time, Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia, held the inspectorship of Southern Yan Province and was stationed at Xuyi. When his mother died, he returned to the capital for mourning. Because Yan territory was depleted, the emperor abolished Southern Yan and merged it into Southern Xu Province. He planned to establish a separate Huainan command at Xuyi, opening military colonies and responding to affairs near and far, and intended to give it to Shuo. Before long, he was instead appointed Cavalier Regular Attendant and General Who Pacifies the Army, and led troops to garrison Shitou.
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元兇弑立，以為中軍將軍，護軍、常侍如故。 世祖入討，劭屯兵京邑，使鑠巡行撫勞。 劭還立南兗，以鑠為使持節、都督南兗、徐、兗、青、冀、幽六州諸軍事、征北將軍、開府儀同三司、南兗州刺史，常侍如故。 柳元景至新亭，劭親自攻之，挾鑠自隨。 江夏王義恭南奔，使鑠守東府，以腹心防之。 進授侍中、驃騎將軍、錄尚書事，餘如故。 劭迎蔣侯神於宮內，疏世祖年諱，厭祝祈請，假授位號，使鑠造策文。 及義軍入宮，鑠與濬俱歸世祖，濬即伏法，上迎鑠入營。 當時倉卒失國璽，事寧，更鑄給之。 進侍中、司空，領兵置佐，以國哀未闋，讓侍中。
After the usurper's regicide, Shuo was named General of the Central Army while keeping his posts as Protector of the Army and Regular Attendant. When Emperor Xiaowu marched east to punish the usurper, Shao kept his army in the capital and sent Shuo to tour the camps and hearten the troops. Shao re-established Southern Yan and made Shuo Bearer of the Staff, commander of six provinces, General Who Conquers the North, with privilege equal to the Three Excellencies, and inspector of Southern Yan. When Liu Yuanjing reached Xinting, Shao attacked in person and kept Shuo at his side. When Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia, fled south, Shao had Shuo guard the Eastern Palace and used trusted confidants to watch him. He was further made Regular Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, and Recorder of Affairs of the Masters of Writing. Shao brought the spirit of Lord Jiang into the palace, wrote out Emperor Xiaowu's taboo years, performed curse-rites and prayers, and had Shuo draft the bogus appointment edicts. When the loyalists took the palace, Shuo and Jun both defected to Emperor Xiaowu; Jun was executed at once, and the Emperor welcomed Shuo into camp. The imperial seal was lost in the turmoil; after order returned a new one was cast for him. He was made Regular Attendant and Minister of Works with military staff, but declined the Regular Attendancy while the court was still in mourning.
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鑠素不推事世祖，又為元兇所任，上乃以藥內食中毒殺之，時年二十三，追贈侍中、司徒。 三子：敬猷、敬淵、敬先。 敬猷嗣，官至黃門郎。 敬淵初封南安縣侯，官至後軍將軍。 敬先繼廬陵王紹。 前廢帝景和末，召鑠妃江氏入宮，使左右於前逼迫之，江氏不受命。 謂曰：「若不從，當殺汝三子。」 江氏猶不肯。 於是遣使於第殺敬猷、敬淵、敬先，鞭江氏一百。 其夕廢帝亦殞。 太宗即位，追贈敬猷侍中，諡曰懷王。 追贈敬淵黃門侍郎，諡曰悼侯。 改封孝武帝第十八子臨賀王子產字孝仁為南平王，繼鑠後，未拜，被殺。 泰始五年，立晉平王休祐第七子宣曜為南平王繼鑠。 休祐死，宣曜被廢還本。 後廢帝元徽元年，立衡陽恭王嶷第二子伯玉為南平王繼鑠，後官至給事中。 昇明二年，謀反誅，國除。
Shuo had never deferred to Emperor Xiaowu in affairs and had also been employed by the rebel heir; the Emperor therefore put poison in his food and killed him. He was twenty-three years old, and was posthumously awarded Attendant-in-Ordinary and Minister over the Masses. His three sons were Jingyou, Jingyuan, and Jingxian. Jingyou succeeded him and reached Gentleman at the Yellow Gate. Jingyuan was first made Marquis of Nan'an and rose to General of the Rear Army. Jingxian succeeded Prince Shao of Luling. Late in the Deposed Emperor's Jinghe reign, Lady Jiang, consort of Prince Shuo, was summoned to the palace and pressed by attendants before the throne; she refused. They told her: 'If you refuse, we will kill your three sons.' Lady Jiang still refused. Envoys were sent to the residence to kill all three sons, and Lady Jiang was flogged a hundred strokes. That same night the Deposed Emperor died as well. When Emperor Taizong succeeded, Jingyou was posthumously made Regular Attendant with the title Prince Huai. Jingyuan was posthumously made Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate, posthumous title Marquis Dao. Emperor Xiaowu's eighteenth son, Prince Zichan of Linhe (Xiaoren), was reassigned as Prince of Nanping to succeed Shuo but was killed before taking up the title. In the fifth year of Taishi, Xuanyao, seventh son of Prince Xiuyou of Jinping, was made Prince of Nanping to succeed Shuo. After Xiuyou's death, Xuanyao was deposed and sent back to his original rank. In Yuanhui 1 of the Later Deposed Emperor, Boyu, second son of Prince Gong of Hengyang, succeeded Shuo as Prince of Nanping and later became Supervisor in the Secretariat. In Shengming 2 he plotted rebellion, was executed, and the fief was abolished.
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建平宣簡王宏，字休度，文帝第七子也。 早喪母。 元嘉二十一年，年十一，封建平王，食邑二千戶。 少而閑素，篤好文籍。 太祖寵愛殊常，為立第於雞籠山，盡山水之美。 建平國職，高他國一階。 二十四年，為中護軍，領石頭戍事。 出為征虜將軍、江州刺史。 二十八年，徵為中書令，領驍騎將軍。 元凶弒立，以宏為左將軍、丹陽尹。 又以為散騎常侍、鎮軍將軍、江州刺史。 世祖入討，劭錄宏殿內。 世祖先嘗以一手板與宏，宏遣左右親信周法道齎手板詣世祖。 事平，以為尚書左僕射，使奉迎太后，還加中軍將軍，中書監，僕射如故。 臧質為逆，宏以仗士五十人入六門。
Prince Xuanjian of Pingping, Hong—courtesy name Xiudu—was Emperor Wen's seventh son. His mother died while he was young. In the twenty-first year of Yuanjia, at eleven, he was enfeoffed Prince of Pingping with two thousand households. Even as a boy he was quiet and unadorned, with a deep love of books. The Grand Ancestor doted on him unusually, building him a mansion on Cock Cage Mountain in the finest scenery. Pingping's state offices ranked one step above other princely states. In year 24 he became General Who Protects the Army and commanded the Shitou garrison. He left court as General Who Punishes the Barbarians and inspector of Jiangzhou. In year 28 he was recalled as Director of the Masters of Writing and General of Valiant Cavalry. After the regicide, Hong was made General of the Left and Governor of Danyang. He was also named Regular Attendant, General Who Guards the Army, and inspector of Jiangzhou. When Emperor Xiaowu marched east, Shao kept Hong under house arrest in the palace. Emperor Xiaowu had earlier given Hong a hand-board; Hong sent his trusted attendant Zhou Fadao to carry the hand-board to Emperor Xiaowu. After victory he became Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and went to welcome the Empress Dowager; on return he added General of the Central Army and Director of the Secretariat. When Zang Zhi rebelled, Hong entered the Six Gates with fifty armed guardsmen.
10
為人謙儉周慎，禮賢接士，明曉政事，上甚信仗之。 時普責百官讜言，宏議曰：
Humble, frugal, and careful, he honored worthies and welcomed scholars, understood government well, and the Emperor trusted him deeply. When the court demanded candid counsel from every official, Hong submitted this memorial:
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臣聞建國之道咸殊，興王之政不一。 至於開諫致寧，防口取禍，固前王同軌，後主共則。 秦、殷之敗，語戮刺亡； 周、漢之盛，謗升箴顯。 陛下以至德神臨，垂精思治，進儒禮而崇寬教，哀獄法而黜嚴刑，表忠行而舉貞節，辟處士而求賢異，修廢官而出滯賞，撤天膳而重農食，禁貴遊而弛榷酤，通山澤而易關梁，固已海內仰道，天下知德。 今復開不諱之塗，獎直辭之路，四海希風，普天幸甚。 舉蒙採問，敢不悉心，謹條鄙見，置陳如左。 辭理違謬，伏用震讋。
I have heard that every founding age has its own way, and no two dynasties govern alike. Yet opening the road of remonstrance brings peace, while silencing speech invites ruin—former kings walked the same path, and later rulers share the same warning. Qin and Yin fell because they punished speech and killed remonstrators; Zhou and Han flourished when slander became counsel and frank speech was honored. Your Majesty rules with supreme virtue and bent thought on good government: advancing Confucian ritual, lightening punishments, honoring loyalty, calling recluses to office, restoring abolished posts, releasing long-blocked rewards, dining frugally to value grain, easing monopolies, opening mountains and marshes and simplifying passes—the realm already looks up to your Way. Now you open the road of no taboo and reward straight speech; the four seas lean toward your example—what fortune for the realm! Called to answer, I dare not hold back; I respectfully lay out my humble views below. Should my words miss the mark, I tremble to receive your correction.
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夫用兵之道，自古所慎。 頃干戈未戢，戰備宜修，而卒不素練，兵非夙習。 且戎衛之職，多非其才，或以資厚素加，或以祿薄帶帖，或寵由權門，恩自私假，既無將領，虛尸榮祿。 至於邊城舉燧，羽驛交馳，而望其擐甲推鋒，立功閫外，譬緣木求魚，不可得矣。 常謂臨難命師，皆出倉卒，驅烏合之眾，隸造次之主，貌疏情乖，有若胡、越，豈能使其同力，拔危濟難！ 故奔北相望，覆敗繼有。
The art of war has always been approached with caution. Arms are not yet stilled and preparations should be sharpened, yet the ranks are untrained and the men unseasoned. Many frontier posts go to the unfit: some buy rank with wealth, some hold empty titles for thin pay, some enter through powerful patrons—without real commanders they still draw honorable stipends. When beacons blaze and couriers race, to expect such men to arm, lead the charge, and win glory beyond the passes is to fish in a tree—it cannot happen. Troops sent into crisis are always mustered in haste: a mob under overnight commanders, strangers to one another in heart as Hu and Yue are—how can they unite to save the state? Hence rout follows rout and defeat piles on defeat.
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今欲改選將校，皆得其人，分臺見將，各以配給，領、護二軍，為其揔統。 令撫養士卒，使恩信先加，農隙校獵，以習其事，三令五申，以齊其心，使動止應規，進退中律，然後畜銳觀釁，因時而動，摧敵陷堅，折衝於外。 孫子曰：「視卒如赤子，故可與之共死。」 所以張弮效爭先之心，吮癰致必盡之命，豈不由恩著者士輕其生，令明者卒畢其力。 考心跡事，如或有在，妄陳膚知，追懼乖謬。
I propose to choose commanders who truly fit their posts, assign each general at court his proper complement, and place the Palace and Protector armies over them as supreme command. Train the men with kindness first; drill them between harvests; repeat orders until their hearts are one; make every movement lawful—then hoard strength, watch the moment, strike when time serves, and break the enemy abroad. Sunzi said: 'Regard the soldiers as your infants, and they will die with you.' So men string the bow and race to be first, suck the boil and give their last breath—when grace is deep they lightly risk life; when orders are clear they spend their strength to the end. If any of this accords with your intent, I offer it despite my shallowness and fear I may miss the mark.
14
轉尚書令，加散騎常侍，將軍如故； 給鼓吹一部，尋進號衛將軍，中書監、尚書令如故。
He was made Director of the Masters of Writing and Regular Attendant, his generalship unchanged; he received martial pipes and drums, and soon was advanced to General Who Guards the Realm while keeping his secretariat and directorship.
15
宏少而多病，大明二年疾動，求解尚書令，以本號開府儀同三司，加散騎常侍，中書監如故。 未拜，其年薨，時年二十五。 追贈侍中、司徒，中書監如故，給班劍二十人。 上痛悼甚至，每朔望輒出臨靈，自為墓誌銘并序。 與東揚州刺史顏竣詔曰：「宏夙情業尚，素心令績，雖年未及壯，願言兼申。 謂天道可倚，輔仁無妄，雖寢患淹時，慮不至禍。 豈圖祐善虛設，一旦永謝，驚惋摧慟，五內交殞。 平生未遠，舉目如昨，而賞對遊娛，緬同千載，哀酷纏綿，實增痛切。 卿情均休戚，重以周旋，乖坼少時，奄成今古，聞問傷惋，當何可言。」 五年，益諸弟國各千戶，先薨者不在其例，唯宏追益。
Sickly from youth, in the second year of Daming his illness worsened; he asked to leave the directorship, keeping his old title with Three Excellencies privilege and Regular Attendant, still Director of the Secretariat. Before the appointment was conferred he died that year, aged twenty-five. Posthumously he received Regular Attendant and Minister of Works, kept his secretariat, and was granted twenty halberd-bearers. The Emperor mourned deeply; on every new and full moon he went to the bier, and wrote the epitaph and preface himself. He told Yan Jun, inspector of Eastern Yangzhou: 'Hong's native bent and pure heart, his fine promise—though not yet fully grown, his will was already whole. I trusted Heaven's way and believed kindness would be repaid; though illness lingered, I never thought calamity would come. Who knew Heaven's favor was hollow—that in one morning he was gone forever! Grief and shock shatter me within. His death is still so near that it feels like yesterday, yet shared joys now lie a thousand years away; cruel grief clings on and cuts deeper still. You shared my joys and sorrows, and our long friendship besides; after so brief a separation he has suddenly become one of the ancients. Hearing the news wounds and grieves me; what can be said?" In year 5 every living prince's fief gained a thousand households; those already dead were excluded—only Hong was increased posthumously.
16
子景素，少愛文義，有父風。 大明四年，為寧朔將軍、南濟陰太守，徙歷陽、南譙二郡太守，將軍如故。 中書侍郎，不拜。 監南豫、豫二州諸軍事、輔國將軍、南豫州刺史，又不拜。 太宗初，太子中庶子，領步兵校尉，太子左衛率，加給事中，冠軍將軍、南兗州刺史，丹陽尹，吳興太守，使持節、監湘州諸軍事、湘州刺史，將軍並如故。 進號左將軍。 泰始六年，都督荊、湘、雍、益、梁、寧、南、北秦八州諸軍事、左將軍、荊州刺史，持節如故。 徵為散騎常侍、後將軍、太常，未拜。 授使持節、都督南徐、南兗、兗、徐、青、冀六州諸軍事、鎮軍將軍、南徐州刺史。 桂陽王休範為逆，景素雖纂集兵眾，以赴朝廷為名，而陰懷兩端。 及事平，進號鎮北將軍。 齊王為南兗州，景素解都督。
His son Jingsu loved literature from youth and bore his father's manner. In the fourth year of Daming he became General Who Pacifies the North and administrator of Southern Jiyin, then of Liyang and Southern Qiao. He was offered Gentleman Attendant of the Masters of Writing and declined. He was named to command Southern Yu and Yu, as General Who Assists the State and inspector of Southern Yuzhou, and again declined. Under Emperor Taizong he served the crown prince, then as General Who Crowns the Army, inspector of Southern Yan, governor of Danyang, administrator of Wuxing, and inspector of Xiangzhou. He was promoted to General of the Left. In the sixth year of Taishi he commanded eight provinces as General of the Left and inspector of Jingzhou. He was summoned as Regular Attendant, General of the Rear Army, and Minister of Ceremonies, and declined. He received Bearer of the Staff, command of six provinces, General Who Guards the Army, and the inspectorship of Southern Xuzhou. When Prince Xiufan of Guiyang rebelled, Jingsu raised troops in the court's name but hedged his loyalty. After the rebellion he was made General Who Guards the North. When the Prince of Qi took Southern Yan, Jingsu lost his command.
17
時太祖諸子盡殂，眾孫唯景素為長，建安王休祐諸子並廢徙，無在朝者。 景素好文章書籍，招集才義之士，傾身禮接，以收名譽。 由是朝野翕然，莫不屬意焉。 而後廢帝狂凶失道，內外皆謂景素宜當神器，唯廢帝所生陳氏親戚疾忌之。 而楊運長、阮佃夫竝太宗舊隸，貪幼少以久其權，慮景素立，不見容於長主，深相忌憚。 元徽三年，景素防閣將軍王季符失景素旨，怨恨，因單騎奔京邑，告運長、佃夫云「景素欲反」。 運長等便欲遣軍討之，齊王及衛將軍袁粲以下並保持之，謂為不然也。 景素亦馳遣世子延齡還都，具自申理。 運長等乃徙季符於梁州，又奪景素征北將軍、開府儀同三司。
At that time all of Grand Ancestor's sons had died, and among his many grandsons only Jingsu was senior. The sons of Xiuyou, Prince of Jian'an, had all been deposed and exiled, with none at court. Jingsu loved books, gathered talented men, and treated them with full courtesy to win renown. Court and countryside alike began to look to him. The Later Deposed Emperor was mad, cruel, and without the Way, and people inside and outside the court all said Jingsu ought to receive the imperial throne; only the relatives of Lady Chen, the deposed emperor's birth mother, hated and envied him. Yang Yunchang and Ruan Tianfu, Taizong's old retainers, clung to power over a child emperor and dreaded a grown Jingsu on the throne. In Yuanhui 3, Jingsu's officer Wang Jifu, resentful after falling from favor, rode alone to the capital and told Yunchang and Tianfu: "Jingsu intends to rebel." They wanted troops sent at once; the Prince of Qi, Yuan Can, and others held them back. Jingsu sent his heir Yanling to the capital to plead his innocence. They banished Jifu to Liangzhou and stripped Jingsu of General Who Guards the North and Three Excellencies privilege.
18
自是廢帝狂悖日甚，朝野並屬心景素，陳氏及運長等彌相猜疑。 景素因此稍為自防之計，與司馬廬江何季穆、錄事參軍陳郡殷濔、記室參軍濟陽蔡履、中兵參軍略陽垣慶延、左右賀文超等謀之。 以參軍沈顒、毋丘文子、左暄、州西曹王潭等為爪牙。 季穆薦從弟豫之為參軍。 景素遣豫之、潭、文超等去來京邑，多與金帛，要結才力之士。 由是冠軍將軍黃回、游擊將軍高道慶、輔國將軍曹欣之、前軍韓道清、長水校尉郭蘭之、羽林監垣祗祖，並皆響附，其餘武人失職不得志者，莫不歸之。
The emperor grew wilder; hopes fixed on Jingsu, and suspicion between the Chens and Yunchang deepened. Jingsu therefore gradually made plans to protect himself. He plotted with his Marshal He Jimu of Lujiang, Recording Staff Officer Yin Mi of Chen Commandery, Record-Office Staff Officer Cai Lu of Jiyang, Central Army Staff Officer Yuan Qingyan of Lueyang, his attendants He Wenchao and others. Shen Yong, Wuqiu Wenzi, Zuo Xuan, and Wang Tan became his agents. Jimu recommended his cousin Yu Zhi. He sent Yu Zhi, Tan, and Wenchao to the capital with gold and silk to recruit strong men. Huang Hui, Gao Daoqing, Cao Xinzi, Han Daoqing, Guo Lanzhi, and Yuan Qizu all rallied to him, with every discontented soldier besides.
19
時廢帝單馬獨出，遊走郊野，曹欣之謀據石頭，韓道清、郭蘭之欲說齊王使同，若不回者圖之。 候廢帝出行，因眾作難，事克奉景素。 景素每禁駐之，未欲匆匆舉動。 運長密遣傖人周天賜偽投景素，勸為異計； 景素知為運長所遣，即斬之，遣司馬孫謙送首還台。
The emperor rode out alone; Cao Xinzi planned to seize Shitou while Han and Guo tried to win or remove the Prince of Qi. They would strike when the emperor went abroad and set Jingsu on the throne. Jingsu always held them back from rash action. Yunchang sent Zhou Tianci to feign defection and urge rebellion; Jingsu knew the trap, executed Tianci, and sent Sun Qian with his head to court.
20
元徽四年七月，垣祗祖率數百人奔景素，云京邑已潰亂，勸令速入。 景素信之，即便舉兵，負戈至者數千人。 運長/等常疑景素有異志，及聞祗祖叛走，便纂嚴備辦。 齊王出屯玄武湖，冠軍將軍任農夫、黃回、左軍將軍李安民各領步軍，右軍將軍張保率水軍，竝北討。 冠軍將軍、南豫州刺史段佛榮為都統，其餘眾軍相繼進。 冠軍將軍齊王世子鎮東府城。 齊王知黃回有異圖，故使安民、佛榮俱行以防之。
In Yuanhui 4, month 7, Yuan Qizu fled to Jingsu with hundreds of men, claiming the capital had collapsed. Believing him, Jingsu rose at once; several thousand armed men gathered. Hearing of Qizu, Yunchang and the others mobilized. The Prince of Qi camped at Xuanwu Lake; Ren Nongfu, Huang Hui, and Li Anmin led foot; Zhang Bao led ships north against Jingsu. Duan Furong of Southern Yuzhou commanded; other armies followed. The Prince of Qi's heir held the Eastern Palace. Knowing Huang Hui's treachery, the Prince of Qi paired Anmin with Furong to watch him.
21
景素欲斷據竹里，以拒臺軍。 垣慶延、祗祖、沈顒等曰：「今天時旱熱，臺軍遠來疲困，引之使至，以逸待勞，可一戰而克也。」 殷濔等固爭不能。 農夫等既至，放火燒市邑，而垣慶延等各相顧望，竝無鬥志。 景素本乏威略，恇擾不知所為。 時張保水軍泊西渚，景素左右勇士數十人，竝荊楚快手，自相要結，擊水軍，應時摧陷，斬張保，而諸將不相應赴，復為臺軍所破。 臺軍既薄城池，顒先眾叛走，垣祗祖次之，其餘諸軍相係奔敗。 左暄驍果有膽力，欲為景素盡節，而所配兵力甚弱，猶力戰不退，於萬歲樓下橫射臺軍，不能禁，然後退散。 右衛殿中將軍張倪奴、前軍將軍周盤龍攻陷京城，倪奴禽景素斬之，時年二十五，即葬京口。 垣慶延、祗祖、左暄、賀文超竝伏誅； 殷濔、蔡履徙梁州； 何季穆先遷官，故不及禍； 其餘皆逃亡，值赦得免。
Jingsu meant to hold Zhuli against the court army. Qingyan and others urged: 'The heat will exhaust the distant court army—let them come, then strike fresh and win at once.' Yin Mi argued in vain. The court army burned the towns; Jingsu's officers lost heart. Jingsu lacked command; in panic he froze. At the time Zhang Bao's naval force was anchored at West Islet. Several dozen brave men among Jingsu's attendants, all crack fighters from Jing and Chu, bound themselves together, attacked the naval force, smashed it at once, and beheaded Zhang Bao. But the other generals did not come to support them, and they were again defeated by the court army. As the court army closed in, Yong fled first, then Qizu, then all the rest. Zuo Xuan fought to the last beneath Wansui Tower before he broke. Zhang Ninu and Zhou Panlong took the city; Ninu seized and beheaded Jingsu, aged twenty-five, buried at Jingkou. Qingyan, Qizu, Xuan, and Wenchao were executed; Yin Mi and Cai Lü were exiled to Liangzhou; He Jimu had been transferred and escaped; the rest fled and were spared at the amnesty.
22
景素既敗，曹欣之反告韓道清、郭蘭之之謀，道清等竝誅。 黃回、高道慶等，齊王撫之如舊。 景素子延齡及二少子，竝從誅。 其年冬，封長沙成王義欣子勰第三子恬為秭歸縣侯，食邑千戶，繼宏後。 順帝昇明二年，卒，國除。 張倪奴以禽景素功，封筑陽縣侯，食邑千戶。
Cao Xinzi then denounced Han and Guo; they were executed. Huang Hui and Gao Daoqing the Prince of Qi kept in favor. Jingsu's heir Yanling and two younger sons were killed. That winter Tian, third son of Prince Cheng of Changsha, succeeded Hong as Marquis of Zigui. In Shun's Shengming 2 he died and the fief ended. Zhang Ninu was made Marquis of Zhuyang for capturing Jingsu.
23
景素敗後，故記室參軍王螭、故主簿何昌宇竝上書訟景素之冤。 齊受禪，建元初，故景素秀才劉璡又上書曰：
Wang Chi and He Changyu later memorialized for Jingsu's innocence. After Qi took power, Liu Zan, Jingsu's former licentiate, memorialized again:
24
臣聞曾子孝於其親而沈乎水，介生忠於其主而焚於火，何則？ 仁也不必可依，信也不必可恃。 昔者墨翟議雲梯於荊臺之下，宋人逐之； 夷叔為衛軍隱難於晉，公子殪之； 李牧北逝強胡之旗，南拒全秦之卒； 趙王不圖其功，賜以利劍； 陳蕃白首固義，忘生事主； 漢靈不明其忠，卒被刑戮。 彼數子者，皆身棲青雲之上，而困於泥塵之裏，誠以危行不容於衰世，孤立聚尤於眾人，加讒諂蛆蠱其中，謗隙蜂飛而至故也。 臣聞浸潤之行，骨肉離絕，疑似一至，君臣易心，此中山所以歔欷奏樂，孟博所以慷慨囊頭者也。 臣每惟故舉將宋建平王之禍，悲徹骨髓，氣凝霜霰。 今璿鼎啟運，人神改物，生罪尚宥，死冤必申。 臣誠不忍王之負謗而不雪，故敢明言其理。
I have heard that Zengzi, filial to his parents, drowned, and Jiesheng, loyal to his lord, burned—why? Virtue cannot always protect you; trust cannot always save you. Mozi argued against siege engines at the Jing Terrace and Song drove him out; Boyi and Shuqi hid with a Jin army in distress and were killed; Li Mu turned back the Hu and held off all Qin; Zhao's king ignored his merit and gave him a sword instead; Chen Fan, white-haired, died serving his lord; Emperor Ling did not see it and had him executed. They stood high yet were trapped in mud—loyalty in a bad age draws slander like bees. Slander separates kin and turns lords against ministers—as with Zhongshan and Meng Bo. Whenever I think of the disaster that befell the late Prince of Jianping, who had recommended me as a general, grief pierces my bones and marrow, and my breath freezes like frost and sleet. Now a new age begins; the living are pardoned—the dead must be cleared. I cannot bear the Prince's name to lie under slander and state his case.
25
臣聞孝悌為志者，不以犯上，曾子不逆薪而爨，知其不為暴也； 秦仁獲麑，知其可為傅也。 臣聞王之事獻太妃也，朝夕不違養，甘苦不見色。 帳下進珍饌，太妃未食，王投箸輟飯。 太妃起居有不安，王傍行蓬髮。 臣聞求忠臣者於孝子之門，安有孝如王而不忠者乎？ 其可明一也。
Filial sons do not rebel—Zengzi would not cook with stolen fuel; Qin Ren spared a fawn and knew he could teach. The Prince served the late Consort without failing day or night. If she had not eaten, he would not eat. When she was ill he walked disheveled at her side. Loyal ministers come from filial sons—how could he be disloyal? That is the first proof.
26
當泰始、元徽中，王公貴人無謁景寧陵者，王獨抗情而行，不以趨時捨義，出鎮入朝，必俛拜陵所。 王尚不棄先君，豈背今君乎？ 其可明二也。
During the Taishi and Yuanhui eras, no princes, dukes, or nobles went to pay respects at Jingning Mausoleum; the prince alone acted against the fashion, never abandoning righteousness to follow the times. Whenever he went out to a garrison or entered court, he always bowed at the mausoleum. He honored the dead—would he betray the living? That is the second proof.
27
王博聞而容眾，與諫而愛士，與人言呴呴若有傷。 聞人之善，譽而進之； 見人之惡，掩而誨之。 李蔚之，蓬廬之寒素也，王枉駕而訊之； 何季穆等，宣簡王之舊也，王提挈以升之。 王虛己以厚天下之士，尚不欲傷一人之心，何乃親戚圖相菹膾乎？ 其可明三也。
He welcomed counsel and loved scholars, speaking gently to all. He praised good and advanced it; he hid faults and taught better. He sought out the poor scholar Li Weizhi; he raised He Jimu and other old retainers of Prince Hong. He honored all scholars—would he slaughter kin? That is the third proof.
28
臣昔以法曹參軍，奉訊於聽朝之末。 王每斷獄，降聲辭，和顏色，以待士女之訟。 時見夏伯以童子縲縶，王愴然改貌，用不加刑。 徐州嘗歲饑，王散秩粟俸帛，以斷民之乏。 蠲理冤疑，咸息徭務，所在皆有愛於民。 臣聞善人，國之紀也。 安有仁於民庶，而虐其宗國者乎？ 其可明四也。
I once served in legal affairs at court's end. In judging cases he spoke softly and kindly to litigants. Seeing a boy prisoner, he grieved and spared punishment. In famine he gave his salary grain to the people. He eased taxes and won love wherever he ruled. Good men are a state's standard. How could he love the people yet harm the clan? That is the fourth proof.
29
王脩身潔行，言無近雜，內去聲酌之娛，外無田弋之好。 每所臨踐，不加穿築，直衛不繁，第宅無改。 荊州高齋，刻楹柏構，王廢而不處。 昔朝廷欲賜王東陵甲第，又辭而不當。 兩宮所遺珍玩，塵於笥篋。 無它嬖私，不耽內寵，姬嬙數人，皆詔令所賜。 王身食不踰一肉，器用瓦素，時有獻鏤玉器，王顧謂何昌宇曰：「我持此安所用哉？」 乃謝而反之。 王恭己蹈義若此。 其可明五也。
He lived plainly: no vulgar talk, no music and wine within, no hunting without. Wherever he ruled he built nothing extra, kept few guards, and left his residence unchanged. A carved hall stood in Jingzhou; he refused to live in it. The court offered him a grand mansion at Dongling; he declined. Gifts from both palaces gathered dust in his chests. He kept no private favorites; his few concubines were all imperial gifts. He ate simply on plain ware; when jade was offered he asked He Changyu, 'What use are these to me?' He thanked the donor and sent them back. Such was his restraint and integrity. That is the fifth proof.
30
王之在荊州也，時獻太妃初薨，宋明帝新棄天下，京畿諸王又相繼非命，王乃徵入為太常，楚下人士並勸勿下，王謂：「為臣而距先皇之命，不忠；為子不奉親之窀穸，不孝。」 於是棄西州之重，而匍伏北闕。 王若志欲倔強，便應高枕江漢，何為屈折而受制於人乎？ 其可明六也。
When the Prince was in Jingzhou, Consort Xian had just died, Emperor Ming had just passed away, and the princes around the capital had one after another met unnatural deaths. He was summoned in as Chamberlain for Ceremonials, and the people of Chu urged him not to go. The Prince said, "As a minister, to resist the late emperor's command would be disloyal; as a son, not to attend to my parent's burial would be unfilial." He therefore gave up the weighty command in the western province and came humbly to the northern palace gate. If the Prince had intended defiance, he could have rested securely between the Yangzi and Han. Why would he have bent himself and submitted to others? That is the sixth proof.
31
王名高海內，義重太山，耆幼懷仁，士庶慕德。 故從昏者忌明，同枉者毀正，搦弦為鉤，張一作百，行坐欬嚏，皆生風塵。 會王季符負罪流謗，事會讒人之心，權醜相扇，鴟梟奮翼。 王雖遘愍離凶，而誠分彌款，散情中孚，揮斥滿素。 虞玩之銜使歸旋，世子入質京邑，續解徐州，請身東第，後求會稽，降階外撫。 虞玩、殷煥實為詮譯，誠心殷勤，備留聖聽。 王若侜張跋扈，何事若斯？ 其可明七也。
His fame filled the realm, his virtue weighed like Tai; young and old honored him. The corrupt hate the upright; slanderers twist one word into a hundred crimes. When Jifu slandered him, villains fanned the flames like birds of prey. Though wronged, he remained sincere and open-hearted. He sent his heir to court, gave up Xuzhou, asked for the Eastern Palace, then for Kuaiji—every step showed submission. Yu Wan and Yin Huan pleaded his case earnestly to the throne. If he were rebellious, why act like this? That is the seventh proof.
32
自是以後，日同殊論，蒼梧之衰德既彰，群小之姦慝彌廣，下盈其毒，上不可依。 時長王並見誅鋤，公卿如蹈虎尾，眾人翕翕，莫不住仰於王。 廂閤諸人，同謀異志，王心不從利，忠不背本，執周天賜而斬之，以距王宜與等，遣司馬孫謙歸款朝廷。 王若欲擬非覬，寧當如此乎？ 其可明八也。
After that the emperor's evil showed; courtiers poisoned the realm and the throne could not be trusted. Princes were slaughtered; officials trembled; all eyes turned to the Prince. His staff plotted rebellion; he executed Tianci and sent Sun Qian to swear loyalty to court. If he sought the throne, would he have done this? That is the eighth proof.
33
又是年五月以後，道路皆謂阮佃夫等欲潛圖宮禁，因兵北襲，而黃回、高道慶等傳構其事，武人獎亂，更相恐脅。 至六月而京師徵賦車徒，將講眾北壘，都鄙疑駭，僉言釁作。 垣祗祖因民情囂蕩，揚聲北奔，紿辭惑眾，窮亂極禍。 會州人自都還，說：「掖門已閉，殊不知臺中安不？」 王既素籍異論，謂為信然，收率疲弱，志在投散，冰炭在懷，但恐遲後。 何圖兵以順出，翻為逆動乎？ 夫往來之人，喧嘩幻惑，皆出輦轂，非從徐州起也。 且臺以六月晦夜無何呼北兵已至，皆登陴抽刃，而朱方七月朔猶緩帶從容，其晚聞京都變亂，始乃鳩兵簡甲耳。 王豈先造禍哉！ 其可明九也。
After the fifth month rumor said Ruan Tianfu would strike the palace; Huang Hui and others inflamed the soldiers. In the sixth month the capital mobilized for war; everyone feared rebellion. Qizu exploited panic, crying that flight north was needed, and misled the crowd. Men from the capital reported: 'The gates are shut—is the court safe?' He believed the rumors, gathered weak troops, and only wanted to escape. How could loyal mustering become rebellion? The panic came from the capital, not from Xuzhou. The court army was armed on the sixth month's last night; Jingsu only armed on the seventh after hearing of chaos. He did not start the trouble! That is the ninth proof.
34
王聞京室有難，坐不安，食不甘，言及太后，未嘗不交巾掩泣。 又臨危之際，撫楹而歎曰：「吾恐三才於斯絕矣。」 茲豈不誠在本朝，以天下為憂乎？ 自非深忠遠概，孰能身滅之不恤，獨眷眷國家安危哉？ 其可明十也。
Hearing of capital turmoil he could not eat or sit; he wept for the Empress Dowager. At the crisis he sighed: 'I fear heaven, earth, and man will perish here.' Was that not love for the dynasty and the realm? Only deep loyalty could make a man forget himself for the state. That is the tenth proof.
35
夫王起兵之日，止在匡救昏難，放殛姦盜，非它故也。 請較言之。 當時君臣之道，治亂云何？ 楊運長、阮佃夫為有罪邪？ 為無罪邪？ 若其無罪，何故為戮？ 若其有罪，討之何辜？ 王豈不知君親之無將乎？ 顧以救火之家，豈遑先白丈人，非不恭也，徒以運屬陵喪，智力無所用之，蹉跌傾覆，此乃時也，豈謂反乎？ 果然今日王亡，明日宋亡，王何負於社稷，何媿於天下哉！
He raised arms only to save the state from villains, not for himself. Let us compare. Was the court ordered or chaotic? Were Yang Yunchang and Ruan Tianfu guilty? Or innocent? If innocent, why kill them? If guilty, what crime in attacking them? He knew one must not rebel against kin and throne. In a burning house one cannot wait for permission—this was crisis, not rebellion. If he dies today, Song falls tomorrow—he owes the state nothing.
36
臣聞武王克商，未及下車，而封王子之墓； 漢高定天下，過大梁，躡燕、代，修信陵之祀，存望諸之裔； 晉世受命，亦追王陵之冤，而詔其孫為郎。 夫比干，殷辛之罪人也； 無忌，魏之疑臣也； 樂毅，燕之逃將也； 彥雲，齊之賊而晉害也。 適逢聖明之君，革運創制，昭功誠，蕩嫌怨，清議以天下之善也。 或殊世而相明，故四賢咸濟其令問，三后馳光於萬葉，君子榮其輝，小人服其義。
King Wu enfeoffed Prince Bi's tomb before leaving his chariot; Han Gaozu honored Lord Xinling and Wang Zhu; Jin cleared Wang Ling's name and honored his heir. Bigan was condemned by Shang; Wuji was suspected in Wei; Yue Yi fled Yan; Yan Yun was Qi’s man whom Jin wronged. Sage rulers cleared their names and honored their merit. Thus worthies shine through ages and all men honor them.
37
今陛下尊英雄之高軌，振逸世之奇聲，何至仍衰世之異議，以掩賢人之名哉！ 若王之中外不明，終始蹈德，臣懼方今之人，不復為善矣。 且世之興衰，何代無有，今齊苗裔萬世之後，其能無汙隆乎？ 苟前良可廢，何以勸後之能者。 伏願上同周、漢、西晉之如彼，下為來胤垂範之如此。 儻能降明詔，箋枉道，使往王得洗謗議，拯冥魂，賜以王禮反葬，則民之從義，猶若回風之卷草也。 臣聞鸛鳴臯垤，則降陰吐雨； 騰蛇聳躍，而沈雲鬱冥。 但傷臣言輕落毛，身如橫芥，神高聽邈，終焉莫省，直欲內不負心，庶將來知王之意耳。
Why follow a bad age's slander and hide a worthy man's name? If his virtue stays hidden, who will dare do good hereafter? Every age rises and falls; Qi's heirs too will know fortune and ruin. If past worthies are cast aside, how can later men be urged to virtue? Match Zhou, Han, and Jin above; teach posterity below. Clear his name, grant princely burial, and the people will turn like grass in wind. When the crane cries, rain follows; when the serpent rises, clouds darken. My words are slight, yet I speak so posterity may know his heart.
38
又不省。 至今上即位，乃下詔曰：「宋建平王劉景素，名父之子，少敦清尚。 雖末路失圖，而原心有本。 年流運改，宜弘優澤，可聽以王禮還葬舊墓。」 晉熙王昶字休道，文帝第九子也。 元嘉二十二年，年十歲，封義陽王，食邑二千戶。 二十七年，為輔國將軍、南彭城下邳二郡太守。 元凶弒立，加散騎常侍。 世祖踐祚，遷太常，出為東中郎將、會稽太守，尋監會稽、東陽、臨海、永嘉、新安五郡諸軍事。 孝建元年，立東揚州，拜昶為刺史，東中郎將如故，進號後將軍。 大明元年，徵為祕書監，領驍騎將軍，加散騎常侍，遷中軍將軍、南彭城下邳二郡太守。 又出為都督江州郢州之西陽豫州之新蔡晉熙三郡諸軍事、前將軍、江州刺史。 三年，徵為護軍將軍，給鼓吹一部，增邑千戶。 轉中書令，中軍將軍，尋以本號開府儀同三司，加散騎常侍，太常。 從世祖南巡，坐斥皇太后龍舟，免開府，尋又以加授。 前廢帝即位，出為使持節、都督徐兗南兗青冀幽六州豫州之梁郡諸軍事、征北將軍、徐州刺史，加散騎常侍，開府如故。
Again, the court did not examine it. When the present emperor took the throne, he issued an edict: "Liu Jingsu, Prince of Jianping of Song, was the son of an illustrious father and was devoted from youth to pure and lofty conduct. Though at the end he lost his way, the heart behind it had its grounds. Years have passed and fortune has changed. It is fitting to extend generous favor; let him be returned and buried in his old tomb with the rites of a prince." Prince of Jinxi, Chang, courtesy name Xiudao, was Emperor Wen's ninth son. In Yuanjia 22, at ten, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Yiyang with two thousand households. In year 27 he became General Who Supports the State and Administrator of Southern Pengcheng and Xiapi. When the chief criminal committed regicide and took the throne, Chang was additionally made Cavalier Regular Attendant. When Shizu took the throne, Chang became Chamberlain for Ceremonials, then was sent out as General of the Gentlemen of the Household for the East and Administrator of Kuaiji, soon supervising military affairs in Kuaiji, Dongyang, Linhai, Yongjia, and Xin'an. In Xiaojian 1, Eastern Yang Province was established and Chang was appointed its inspector, retaining General of the Gentlemen of the Household for the East and advancing to General of the Rear. In Daming 1 he was summoned as Director of the Palace Library, concurrently General of Agile Cavalry, additionally Cavalier Regular Attendant, and then transferred to General of the Central Army and Administrator of Southern Pengcheng and Xiapi. He was also sent out as commander of military affairs in Jiang Province, Xiyang of Ying Province, and the Xincai and Jinxi commanderies of Yu Province, serving as General of the Front and Inspector of Jiang Province. In year 3 he was summoned as General Who Protects the Army, given a drum-and-pipe band, and his fief was increased by one thousand households. He was transferred to Director of the Secretariat and General of the Central Army, and soon, under his original title, opened office with the same ceremonies as the Three Excellencies, while also serving as Cavalier Regular Attendant and Chamberlain for Ceremonials. He accompanied Shizu on a southern tour and was stripped of Opening Office for criticizing the empress dowager's dragon boat; soon afterward it was restored. When the Former Deposed Emperor took the throne, Chang was sent out as Envoy Holding the Staff and commander over Xu, Yan, Southern Yan, Qing, Ji, You, and Liang Commandery of Yu, serving as General Who Campaigns North and Inspector of Xu Province; he was additionally Cavalier Regular Attendant, with Opening Office as before.
39
昶輕訬褊急，不能祗事世祖，大明中常被嫌責； 民間喧然，常云昶當有異志。 永光、景和中，此聲轉甚。 廢帝既誅群公，彌縱狂悖，常語左右曰：「我即大位來，遂未嘗戒嚴，使人邑邑。」 江夏王義恭誅後，昶表入朝，遣典籤蘧法生銜使。 帝謂法生曰：「義陽與太宰謀反，我正欲討之，今知求還，甚善。」 又屢詰問法生：「義陽謀反，何故不啟？」 法生懼禍，叛走還彭城。 帝因此北討，親率眾過江。 法生既至，昶即聚眾起兵。 統內諸郡，竝不受命，斬昶使。 將佐文武，悉懷異心。 昶知其不捷，乃夜與數十騎開門北奔索虜，棄母妻，唯攜愛妾一人，作丈夫服，亦騎馬自隨。 昶家還都，二妾各生一子。 時太宗已即位，名長者曰思遠，小者曰懷遠，尋竝卒。 追封懷遠為池陽縣侯，食邑千戶。
Chang was rash and disrespectful to Emperor Xiaowu and often fell under suspicion in Daming; People commonly said he harbored other designs. The rumor grew in Yongguang and Jinghe. After killing the lords, the Deposed Emperor grew still more reckless and perverse, and often said to his attendants: "Since I took the throne, I have never once held a night watch, which leaves people uneasy." After Yigong's death Chang asked to attend court and sent Qu Fasheng. The emperor told Fasheng: 'Yiyang plots with the Grand Regent; I was about to strike—good that he comes.' He pressed Fasheng: 'Why did you not report the plot?' Fasheng fled in fear back to Pengcheng. The emperor marched north in person. Chang rose as soon as Fasheng arrived. Every commandery refused him and killed his envoys. His officers all turned against him. Knowing defeat, he fled north to Wei with one concubine, abandoning family. His concubines at home each bore a son. Taizong named the boys Siyuan and Huaiyuan; both soon died. Huaiyuan was posthumously made Marquis of Chiyang.
40
泰始六年，以第六皇子燮字仲綏繼昶，改昶封為晉熙王。 燮襲爵，食邑三千戶。 太宗既以燮繼昶，乃下詔曰：「夫虎狼護子，猴猨負孫，毒性薄情，亦有仁愛，故識念氣類，尚均群品，況在人倫，可忘天屬。 晉熙太妃謝氏，沈刻無親，物理罕比，征北公雖孝道無替，而遭此不慈，自少及長，闕恩鞫之□，乃至休否莫關，寒溫不訪，晨昏屏塞，定省靡因。 事無違忤，動致誚責，毒句發口，人所難聞，加惡備苦，過於讎隙，遂事憤於宗姻，義傷於行路。 公故妃郗氏，婦禮無違，逢此嚴酷，遂以憂卒，用夭盛年。 又謝氏食則豐珍，衣則文麗，奉己之餘，播覃群下； 而諸孫纊不溫體，食不充饑，付於姏妳之手，縱以任軍之路。 遇其所生，弃若糞土，繿縷比於重囚，窮困過於下使。 誠皇規方遠，沙塞將一，公脩短不諱，亦難豫圖。 兼妾女累弱，一弟領主，防閑之道，人理斯急。 朕所以詔第六子燮奉公為胤，欲以毗整一門，為公繼紹。 但謝氏待骨肉至親，尚相棄蔑，況以義合，免苦為難。 患萌防漸，危機須斷，便可還其本家，削絕蕃秩。」 先是，改謝氏為射氏。
In the sixth year of Taishi Prince Xie succeeded Chang as Prince of Jinxi. Xie received three thousand households. Taizong issued an edict: "Tigers and wolves protect their young, and monkeys and gibbons carry their grandchildren. Even creatures poisonous in nature and thin in feeling have love, and so, knowing and remembering their own kind, they are still equal among all species; how much more, among human relations, can one forget Heaven-given kinship? The late Imperial Consort of Jinxi, Lady Xie, was harsh and without kinship, rarely matched in nature. Though the Duke Who Campaigns North never failed in filial conduct, he met with this unkindness. From youth to adulthood he lacked the kindness of nurture; even his welfare did not concern her, she did not ask after his cold or warmth, and morning and evening access was blocked, with no way to make the regular visits. Even when there was no disobedience, her every act brought rebuke; poisonous words came from her mouth that people could hardly bear to hear. Her added cruelty and complete bitterness went beyond enmity, until the affair angered the clan and wounded the sense of passersby. The duke's former consort, Lady Chi, did not violate a wife's rites, yet meeting this severity, she died of grief and her flourishing years were cut short. Moreover Lady Xie ate rich delicacies and wore patterned finery, and what remained after serving herself she spread among those below; yet the grandsons had padding that did not warm their bodies and food that did not fill their hunger; they were handed over to nurses and left to the route of military assignment. Those born from her own line she cast aside like dung; in rags they were like heavily punished prisoners, and in poverty they were worse off than the lowest servants. Truly the imperial plan reaches far and the frontier lands will be made one; the duke's lifespan cannot be spoken of in advance and is hard to foresee. Moreover his concubines and daughters are weak, and one younger brother holds the fief; in the way of guarding and restraining, human principle makes this urgent. Therefore I ordered the sixth son, Xie, to serve as the duke's heir, wishing thereby to support and order the whole household and continue the duke's succession. But if Lady Xie abandoned and scorned even her closest blood kin, then where the bond is only one of duty, avoiding suffering would be difficult. When trouble sprouts, guard against its gradual growth; the dangerous opening must be cut off. She may at once return to her original family and be severed from princely rank." Earlier her clan name had been changed to She.
41
時主幼時艱，宗室寡弱。 元徽元年，燮年四歲，以為使持節、監郢州豫州之西陽司州之義陽二郡諸軍事、征虜將軍、郢州刺史，以黃門郎王奐為長史，總府州之任。 明年，太尉、江州刺史桂陽王休範舉兵逼朝廷，燮遣中兵參軍馮景祖襲尋陽，休範留中兵參軍毛惠連、州別駕程罕之居守，開門詣景祖降。 進燮號安西將軍，加督江州諸軍事，復昶所生謝氏為晉熙國太妃。 四年，又進燮鎮西將軍，加鼓吹一部。 順帝即位，徵為使持節、都督揚南徐二州諸軍事、撫軍將軍、揚州刺史。 先是，齊世子為燮安西長史，行府州事，時亦被徵為左衞將軍，與燮俱下。 會荊州刺史沈攸之舉兵反，世子因奉燮鎮尋陽之盆城，據中流，為內外形援。 攸之平，燮還京邑。 齊王為南徐州，燮解督南徐，進督南豫、江州諸軍事，進號中軍將軍、開府儀同三司，遷司徒。 齊受禪，解司徒，降封陰安縣侯，食邑千五百戶。 謀反，賜死。 始安王休仁，文帝第十二子也。 元嘉二十九年，年十歲，立為建安王，食邑二千戶。 孝建三年，為祕書監，領步兵校尉。 尋都督南兗徐二州諸軍事、冠軍將軍、南兗州刺史。 大明元年，入為侍中，領右軍將軍。 四年，出為湘州刺史，加散騎常侍，加號平南將軍。 八年，遷使持節、督江州南豫州之晉熙新蔡郢州之西陽三郡諸軍事、安南將軍、江州刺史。 未拜，徙為散騎常侍、太常，又不拜。 仍為護軍將軍，常侍如故。 前廢帝永光元年，遷領軍將軍，常侍如故。 景和元年，又遷使持節、都督雍梁南北秦四州諸軍事、安西將軍、寧蠻校尉、雍州刺史，未之任，留為散騎常侍、護軍將軍，又加特進、左光祿大夫，給鼓吹一部。
At the time the ruler was young, the times were difficult, and the imperial clan was thin and weak. In Yuanhui 1, when Xie was four, he was made Envoy Holding the Staff, supervisor of military affairs in Ying Province, Xiyang of Yu Province, and Yiyang of Si Province, General Who Campaigns Against Caitiffs, and Inspector of Ying Province. Wang Huan, Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, served as senior clerk and managed the command and province. The next year, Xiufan, Prince of Guiyang, Grand Marshal and Inspector of Jiang Province, raised troops against the court. Xie sent Feng Jingzu to attack Xunyang; Mao Huilian and Cheng Hanzhi, left behind to guard it, opened the gates and surrendered. Xie was advanced to General Who Pacifies the West and given command of Jiang Province military affairs; Lady Xie, Chang's mother, was restored as Grand Consort of Jinxi. In year 4, Xie was advanced to General Who Guards the West and given a drum-and-pipe band. When Emperor Shun took the throne, Xie was summoned as Envoy Holding the Staff, commander of Yang and Southern Xu military affairs, General Who Pacifies the Army, and Inspector of Yang Province. Before this, the Heir of Qi had served as Xie's senior clerk under his Anxi command and handled the command and provincial business. He too was summoned as General of the Left Guard and went down with Xie. When Shen Youzhi, Inspector of Jing Province, rebelled, the heir escorted Xie to garrison Pencheng at Xunyang, holding the midstream as support between inside and outside. After Youzhi was pacified, Xie returned to the capital. When the Prince of Qi took Southern Xu Province, Xie gave up command over Southern Xu and was advanced to command Southern Yu and Jiang military affairs. He was promoted to General of the Central Army, Opening Office with the Same Ceremonies as the Three Excellencies, and then Minister over the Masses. When Qi received the abdication, Xie was removed as Minister over the Masses and demoted to Marquis of Yinan County, with fifteen hundred households. He plotted rebellion and was ordered to commit suicide. Xiuren, Prince of Shian, was Emperor Wen's twelfth son. In Yuanjia 29, at ten, he was established as Prince of Jian'an with two thousand households. In Xiaojian 3 he became Director of the Palace Library and Colonel of Infantry. Soon he commanded military affairs in Southern Yan and Xu, serving as Champion General and Inspector of Southern Yan Province. In Daming 1 he entered court as Palace Attendant and General of the Right Army. In year 4 he was sent out as Inspector of Xiang Province, additionally Cavalier Regular Attendant, and titled General Who Pacifies the South. In year 8 he became Envoy Holding the Staff, supervising military affairs in Jiang Province, Jinxi and Xincai of Southern Yu, and Xiyang of Ying, while serving as General Who Pacifies the South and Inspector of Jiang Province. Before taking office, he was transferred to Cavalier Regular Attendant and Chamberlain for Ceremonials, and again did not take office. He was then made General Who Protects the Army, retaining Regular Attendant. In Yongguang 1 under the Former Deposed Emperor, he was transferred to General Who Commands the Army, retaining Regular Attendant. In Jinghe 1 he was again transferred as Envoy Holding the Staff and commander over Yong, Liang, Southern Qin, and Northern Qin, with the posts General Who Pacifies the West, Colonel Who Pacifies the Man, and Inspector of Yong Province. Before taking the post, he was retained as Cavalier Regular Attendant and General Who Protects the Army, and was additionally made Specially Advanced and Grand Master for Splendid Happiness on the Left, with a drum-and-pipe band.
42
時廢帝狂悖無道，誅害群公，忌憚諸父，並囚之殿內，毆捶凌曳，無復人理。 休仁及太宗、山陽王休祐，形體竝肥壯，帝乃以竹籠盛而稱之，以太宗尤肥，號為「豬王」，號休仁為「殺王」，休祐為「賊王」。 以三王年長，尤所畏憚，故常錄以自近，不離左右。 東海王禕凡劣，號為「驢王」，桂陽王休範、巴陵王休若年少，故竝得從容。 嘗以木槽盛飯，內諸雜食，攪令和合，掘地為坑穽，實之以泥水，裸太宗內坑中，和槽食置前，令太宗以口就槽中食，用之為歡笑。 欲害太宗及休仁、休祐前後以十數，休仁多計數，每以笑調佞諛悅之，故得推遷。 常於休仁前使左右淫逼休仁所生楊太妃，左右並不得已順命，以至右衛將軍劉道隆，道隆歡以奉旨，盡諸醜狀。 時廷尉劉矇妾孕，臨月，迎入後宮，冀其生男，欲立為太子。 太宗嘗忤旨，帝怒，乃裸之，縛其手腳，以杖貫手腳內，使人檐付太官，曰：「即日屠豬。」 休仁笑謂帝曰：「豬今日未應死。」 帝問其故，休仁曰：「待皇太子生，殺豬取其肝肺。」 帝意乃解，曰：「且付廷尉。」 一宿出之。
The Deposed Emperor imprisoned and tortured his uncles. He caged his fat uncles and mocked Taizong as 'Prince Pig,' Xiuren as 'Killing Prince,' Xiuyou as 'Thief Prince.' He kept the three eldest princes at his side in fear. Prince Yi of Donghai was mediocre and base and was nicknamed "Donkey Prince"; Prince Xiufan of Guiyang and Prince Xiuruo of Baling were young, and so they were allowed to remain at ease. He forced Taizong naked into a mud pit and made him eat slop from a trough for sport. He tried to kill Taizong and others repeatedly; Xiuren flattered his way to safety. He forced Xiuren to watch the violation of his mother; even generals obeyed. Liu Meng's pregnant concubine was taken to the palace hoping for an heir. Taizong once offended the emperor, who became angry, stripped him, bound his hands and feet, ran a staff through them, and had men carry him to the Imperial Kitchen, saying: "Slaughter the pig today." Xiuren joked: 'The pig should not die today.' He said: 'Wait for the crown prince, then take the pig's liver.' The emperor's anger then eased, and he said: "For now hand him to the Minister of Justice." He was freed the next day.
43
帝將南遊荊、湘二州，明旦欲殺諸父便發。 其夕，太宗克定禍難，殞帝於華林園。 休仁即日推崇太宗，便執臣禮。 明旦，休仁出住東府。 時南平，廬陵敬先兄弟，為廢帝所害，猶未殯殮，休仁、休祐同載臨之，開帷歡笑，奏鼓吹往反，時人咸非焉。
He planned to tour the south and kill his uncles first. That night Taizong seized power and the emperor died at Hualin. Xiuren backed Taizong at once. Next day Xiuren moved to the Eastern Palace. They laughed at the unburied princes their nephew had killed.
44
先是，廢帝進休仁為驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，常侍如故。 未拜，太宗令書以為使持節、侍中、都督揚、南徐二州諸軍事、司徒、尚書令、揚州刺史，加班劍二十人，給三望十五乘。 時劉道隆為護軍，休仁請求解職，曰：「臣不得與此人同朝。」 上乃賜道隆死。 尋諸方逆命，休仁都督征討諸軍事，增班劍三十人。 出據虎檻，進據赭圻。 尋領太子太傅，揔統諸軍，隨宜應接。 中流平定，休仁之力也。 初行，與蘇侯神結為兄弟，以求神助。 及事平，太宗與休仁書曰：「此段殊得蘇侯兄弟力。」 增休仁邑四千戶，固辭，乃受千戶。 上流雖平，薛安都據彭城，招引索虜，復都督北討諸軍事，又增邑三千戶，不受。 時豫州刺史殷琰據壽陽，未平。 晉平王休祐先督征討諸軍事，休祐出領江陵，休仁代督西討諸軍事。 泰始五年，進都督豫、司二州。
The Deposed Emperor had nearly made Xiuren grand minister. Taizong made him commander of Yang with full honors. At that time Liu Daolong was Protector of the Army; Xiuren requested release from office, saying: "Your servant cannot serve in the same court as this man." The emperor had Daolong executed. Rebellions followed; Xiuren commanded campaigns with added honors. He held Hujian and Zheqi. He became crown prince's tutor and commanded all armies. The mid-Yangzi was pacified by his effort. He sought help from the spirit of Lord Su. When the affair was settled, Taizong wrote to Xiuren: "In this matter we especially gained the strength of Lord Su and his brother." His fief grew by a thousand households after he declined more. Xue Andu held Pengcheng; Xiuren declined further fief increase. Yin Yan still held Shouyang. Xiuren replaced Xiuyou in the western command. In the fifth year of Taishi he added Yu and Si provinces.
45
休仁年與太宗鄰亞，俱好文籍，素相愛友。 及廢帝世，同經危難，太宗又資其權譎之力。 泰始初，四方逆命，兵至近畿，休仁親當矢石，大勳克建，任緫百揆，親寄甚隆。 朝野四方，莫不輻湊。 上漸不悅。 休仁悟其旨，其冬，表解揚州，見許。 六年，進位太尉，領司徒，固讓，又加漆輪車、劍履。
He and Taizong were peers who loved books and were close. They survived the Deposed Emperor together; Taizong used his cunning. In early Taishi he won great merit at the capital's gates. All the realm flocked to him. The emperor grew uneasy. Xiuren sensed danger and gave up Yangzhou. In year 6 he was made Grand Marshal and declined again.
46
太宗末年，多忌諱，猜害稍甚，休仁轉不自安。 及殺晉平王休祐，憂懼彌切。 其年，上疾篤，與楊運長等為身後之計，慮諸弟強盛，太子幼弱，將來不安。 運長又慮帝宴駕後，休仁一旦居周公之地，其輩不得秉權，彌贊成之。 上疾嘗暴甚，內外莫不屬意於休仁，主書以下，皆往東府休仁所親信，豫自結納，其或直不得出者，皆恐懼。 上既宿懷此意，至是又聞物情向之，乃召休仁入見。 既而又謂曰：「夕可停尚書下省宿，明可早來。」 其夜，遣人齎藥賜休仁死，時年三十九。
Taizong grew suspicious; Xiuren grew afraid. Xiuyou's death deepened his fear. Dying, Taizong feared strong princes and a child heir. Yunchang urged killing Xiuren lest he rule as regent. All courtiers looked to Xiuren; his faction grew. Hearing the court favored Xiuren, Taizong summoned him. Then he again said: "Tonight you may stay overnight below the Department of State Affairs; tomorrow you may come early." That night he was poisoned, aged thirty-nine.
47
上寢疾久，內外隔絕，慮人情有同異，自力乘輿出端門。 休仁死後，乃詔曰：「夫無將之誅，諒惟通典，知咎自引，實有偏介。 劉休仁地屬密親，位居台重，朕友寄特深，寵秩兼茂。 不能弘贊國猷，裨宣政道，而自處相任，妄生猜嫌，側納群小之說，內懷不逞之志，晦景蔽跡，無事陽愚。 因近疾患沉篤，內外憂悚，休仁規逼禁兵，謀為亂逆。 朕曲推天倫，未忍明法，申詔誥礪，辨覈事原。 休仁慚恩懼罪，遽自引決。 追尋悲痛，情不自勝，思屈法科，以申矜悼。 可宥其二子，并全封爵。 但家國多虞，釁起台輔，永尋既往，感慨追深。」
Though ill, Taizong rode out to show control. After Xiuren's death, he issued an edict: "The punishment of those who plot against their lord is indeed a common canon; to know one's guilt and draw blame upon oneself truly has a special ground. Liu Xiuren was close kin by place, held an important position in the court, and my friendship and trust in him were especially deep, while favor and rank were both abundant. He could not broadly aid the state's plans or help proclaim the way of government, but, while set in a position of mutual trust, recklessly bred suspicion, secretly accepted the words of petty men, inwardly harbored unfulfilled ambitions, and hid his traces in shadow, pretending foolishness without cause. Because my recent illness became grave, and inside and outside were anxious, Xiuren planned to press the palace troops and plotted rebellion. I bent the law out of heavenly kinship and could not bear to make the law plain; I repeatedly issued edicts of warning and examined the source of the affair. Xiuren, ashamed of grace and afraid of guilt, hastily took his own life. When I seek back over it, grief is more than I can bear, and I think to bend the legal statutes in order to express pity and mourning. His two sons may be pardoned, and their fiefs and titles may both be preserved. But the state and family have many troubles, and misfortune arose from a chief minister; when I forever seek back over what has passed, feeling and sighing only deepen."
48
有司奏曰：「臣聞明罰無親，情屈於司綱，國典有經，威申於義滅。 是以梁、趙之誅，跣出稱過，來言之罰，克入致動。 謹案劉休仁苞蓄禍跡，事蔽於天明，竄匿沉姦，情宣於民聽。 自以屬居戚近，早延恩睦，異禮殊義，望越常均。 往歲授鉞南討，本非才命，啟行濃湖，特以親攝，仰遵廟略，俯藉眾效，屬承泰運，竊附成勳，而亟叨天功，多自臧伐。 既聖明御宇，躬覽萬機，百司有紀，官方無越，而休仁矜勳怙貴，自謂應揔朝權，遂妄生疑難，深自猜外。 故司空晉平刺王休祐，少無令業，長滋貪暴，蒞任陝荊，毒流西夏，編戶嗟散，列邑彫虛，聖澤含弘，未明正憲。 亟與休仁論其愆跡，辭意既密，不宜傳廣，遂飾容旨，反相勸激。 休祐以休仁位居朝右，任遇優崇，必能為己力援，故深相黨結。 休祐於是輸金薦寶，承顏接意，造膝之間，必論朝政，遂無日不俱行，無時不同宿，聲酣聚集，密語清閒。 休仁含姦扇惑，善於計數，說休祐使外托專慎之法，密行貪詐之心，謂朝廷不覺，人莫之悟。 休祐遂乃外積怨懼，內協禍心，既得贊激，凶慝轉熾，與休仁共為姦謀，潛伺機隙，圖造釁變，規肆凶狡。 休仁致殞倉卒，實維天誅，而晉平國太妃妾邢不能追慚子惡，上感曲恩，更懷不逞，巫蠱祝詛。 休仁因聖躬不和，猥謀姦逆，滅道反常，莫斯為甚，殛肆朝市，庶申國刑，而法網未加，自引厥命。 天慈矜厚，減法崇恩，賜全二息，及其爵封，斯誠弘風曠德，貫絕通古，然非所以棄惡流釁，懲懼亂臣者也。 臣等參議，謂宜追降休仁為庶人，絕其屬籍，見息悉徙遠郡。 休祐愆謀始露，亦宜裁黜，徙削之科，一同舊准。 收邢付獄，依法窮治。」 詔曰：「邢匹婦狂愚，不足與計。 休仁知釁自引，情有追傷，可特為降始安縣王，食邑千戶，并停伯融等流徙，聽襲封爵。 伯猷先紹江夏國，令還本，賜爵鄉侯。」
The responsible offices memorialized: "Your servants have heard that clear punishment has no kin, and private feeling yields to the law; the state's code has constants, and authority is extended when righteousness destroys kinship. Therefore, in the punishments of Liang and Zhao, men went out barefoot and confessed their faults; in the penalty for Lai's words, he was able to enter and set things in motion. Respectfully examining Liu Xiuren, he stored up traces of disaster, with affairs hidden from Heaven's brightness, and concealed deep treachery, with his feelings proclaimed in what the people heard. He considered himself a close relative, long extended favor and intimacy, and with special rites and exceptional meaning, his expectations exceeded the usual measure. In past years, when he received the axe to campaign south, it was not because of his talent or command; when he set out from Nonghu, it was especially because kinship placed him in charge. Looking up, he followed the ancestral strategy; looking down, he relied on the efforts of the many. Meeting a fortunate time, he attached himself to completed merit, yet repeatedly usurped Heaven's achievement and often praised himself. Once the sagely and enlightened ruler governed the realm and personally oversaw all affairs, the hundred offices had order and official duties did not overstep; yet Xiuren boasted of merit and relied on nobility, thinking he should control court power, and so recklessly bred doubts and deeply set himself apart in suspicion. The late Minister of Works, Prince Xiuyou of Jinping, had no good conduct when young and grew more greedy and violent as he aged. When he held office in Shan and Jing, his poison flowed through the western regions; registered households sighed and scattered, and cities were carved empty. The sagely grace was broad and generous, and the correct law had not yet been made clear. I repeatedly discussed his faults with Xiuren, and because the wording and meaning were secret, they should not have been spread widely; yet he dressed up his expression and intent and instead encouraged and stirred him. Xiuyou, because Xiuren held a high position at court and received exceptional treatment, believed he could surely act as a powerful support for him, and therefore they formed a deep factional bond. Xiuyou then sent gold and offered treasures, matching his expression and meeting his intent. In close conversation they invariably discussed court government; there was no day when they did not go together, no time when they did not stay together, drinking and gathering noisily, and speaking secretly in quiet leisure. Xiuren harbored treachery and fanned delusion, and was good at calculation. He told Xiuyou outwardly to adopt a method of exclusive caution while secretly carrying out a heart of greed and fraud, saying that the court would not notice and that no one would understand. Xiuyou then outwardly accumulated resentment and fear, inwardly joined a heart of disaster, and once he had obtained praise and incitement, his wickedness grew still fiercer. Together with Xiuren he made treacherous plans, secretly watched for openings, plotted to create upheaval, and planned to indulge his fierce cunning. Xiuren's sudden death was truly Heaven's punishment; yet Lady Xing, concubine of the former Grand Consort of the Jinping state, could not feel shame for her son's evil, was moved above by partial grace, again harbored unfulfilled ambitions, and practiced witchcraft and curses. Xiuren took advantage of the sagely body's illness to plot vile treason; no destruction of the Way or reversal of the constant is worse than this. He should have been executed and exposed in the court market, so that the state's punishment might be declared, but before the net of law was applied, he took his own life. Heavenly kindness, pitying and generous, reduced the law and exalted grace, granting the preservation of his two sons and their titles and fiefs. This is truly a vast custom and broad virtue, surpassing all past and present, yet it is not the way to abandon evil, let guilt flow on, and make rebellious ministers afraid. Your servants have discussed this and say Xiuren should be posthumously reduced to commoner, his clan register cut off, and his surviving sons all moved to distant commanderies. Since Xiuyou's wrongful plan has only now been exposed, he too should be punished and reduced; the statutes for exile and reduction should all follow the old standard. Seize Xing and deliver her to prison; according to law, investigate fully." The edict said: "Xing is a mad and foolish common woman, not worth taking into account. Xiuren knew the guilt and drew it upon himself; in feeling there is lingering grief. He may specially be reduced to Prince of Shian with a fief of one thousand households, and the exile of Borong and the others is to be stopped, permitting them to inherit the title. Boyou had earlier succeeded to the Jiangxia state; order him returned to his original line and grant him the rank of district marquis."
49
上既殺休仁，慮人情驚動，與諸方鎮及諸大臣詔曰：
Taizong explained Xiuren's death to the generals:
50
休仁致殞，卿未具悉，事之始末，今疏以相示。 休祐貪恣非政，法網之所不容。 昔漢梁孝王、淮南厲王無它釁悖，正以越漢制度耳。 況休祐吞嚼聚斂，為西數州之蝗，取與鄙虐，無復人情。 屢得王景文、褚淵、沈攸之等啟，陳其罪惡，轉不可容。 吾篤兄弟之恩，不欲致之以法，且每恨大明兄弟情薄，親見休祐屯苦之時，始得寬寧，彌不忍問。 所以改授徐州，冀其去朝廷近，必應能自悛革。 及拜徐州，未及之任，便徵動萬端，暴濁愈甚，既每為民蠹，不可復全。
He sent the full story to the provinces. Xiuyou's greed broke the law. In former times, Prince Xiao of Liang and Prince Li of Huainan under Han had no other rebellious offense; they were condemned simply for exceeding the institutions of Han. Xiuyou was a plague on the western provinces. Many officials denounced him. Brotherly love delayed punishment. He was sent to Xuzhou to reform. He grew worse in Xuzhou.
51
休仁身粗有知解，兼為宰相； 又吾與其兄弟情昵，特復異常，頗與休仁論休祐釁狀。 休祐以休仁為吾所親，必應知吾意； 又云休仁言對，能為損益。 遂多與財賂，深相結事，乃寢必同宿，行必共車。 休仁性軟，易感說，遂成繾綣，共為一家，是吾所吐密言，一時倒寫。
Xiuren was clever and chief minister; Taizong discussed Xiuyou with Xiuren. Xiuyou thought Xiuren knew the emperor's mind; and that Xiuren could sway the throne. Xiuyou bribed him and stayed always at his side. Xiuren repeated the emperor's secrets to Xiuyou.
52
吾與休仁，少小異常，唯虛心信之，初不措疑。 雖爾猶慮清閒之時，非意脫有聞者。 吾近向休祐推情，戒訓嚴切，休祐更不復致疑。 休祐死後，吾將其內外左右，問以情狀，方知言語漏泄并具之由，彌日懊惋，心神萎孰。 休仁又說休祐云：「汝但作佞，此法自足安。 我常秉許為家，從來頗得此力。 但試用，看有驗不？」 休祐從之，於是大有獻奉，言多乖實，積惡既不可恕。
Taizong had trusted Xiuren blindly. He still feared leaks. A final warning was given Xiuyou. After Xiuyou died, I questioned everyone around him, inside and outside, about the circumstances. Only then did I learn how the words had leaked and the full reasons for it; for days I was sick with regret, and my spirit withered. Xiuren also told Xiuyou: "You need only act the flatterer; this method is enough for safety. I have always held this as a method for the family, and from the beginning I have gained much strength from it. Just try using it, and see whether it proves effective." Xiuyou flattered and bribed until unpardonable.
53
自休祐殞亡之始，休仁款曲共知。 休仁既無罪釁，主相本若一體，吾之推意，初無有間。 休祐貪愚，為天下所疾，致殞之本，為民除患，兄弟無復多人，彌應思弔不咸，益相親信。 休祐平生，狼抗無賴，吾慮休仁往哭，或生祟禍。 且吾爾日本辦仗往哭，晚定不行。 吾所以為設方便，呼入在省。 而休仁得吾召入，大自驚疑，遂入辭楊太妃，顏色狀意，甚與常異。 既至省，楊太妃驟遣監子去來參察。 從此日生嫌懼，而吾之推情，初不疑覺。 從休祐死後，吾再幸休仁第，飲噉極日，排閤入內，初無猜防，休仁坐生嫌畏。
From Xiuyou's death, Xiuren knew everything. Xiuren was innocent; emperor and minister had been one. Xiuyou was killed for the people's good; kin should draw closer. Taizong feared mourning might cause trouble. He planned to mourn but did not. He summoned Xiuren to the Secretariat instead. Xiuren, alarmed, visited his mother before going. Lady Yang sent spies to watch. Taizong did not yet suspect him. Visits that once seemed friendly now frightened Xiuren.
54
一日，吾春中多期射雉，每休仁清閒，多往雉場中，或敕使陪輦，及不行日，多不見之。 每值宵，休仁輒語左右云：「我已復得今一日。」 及在房內見諸妓妾，恆語：「我去不知朝夕見底，若一旦死去作鬼，亦不取汝，取汝正足亂人耳。」 休祐死時，日已三晡，吾射雉，始從雉場出，休仁從騎在右，伏野中，吾遣人召之，稱云：「腹痛，不堪騎馬。」 爾時諸王車皆停在朱雀門裏，日既暝，不暇遠呼車，吾衣書車近在離門裏，敕呼來，下油幢絡，擬以載之。 吾由來諳悉其體有冷患，聞腹痛，知必是冷，乃敕太醫上省送供御高梁薑飲以賜之。 休仁得飲，忽大驚，告左右稱：「敗今日了。」 左右答曰：「此飲是御師名封題。」 休仁乃令左右先飲竟，猶不甚信，乃僶俛噬之，裁進一合許。 妄生嫌貳，事事如是。 由來十日五日，一就問太妃。 自休祐死後，每吾詔，必先至楊太妃問，如分別狀。 休仁由來自營府國興生文書，二月中，史承祖齎文書呈之，忽語承祖云：「我得成許那，何煩將來。」 吾虛心如舊，不復見信，既懷不安，大自嫌恐，惟以情理，不容復有善心。
Taizong's hunting visits made Xiuren anxious. Each night Xiuren would tell his attendants: "I have won one more day." When he saw the singers and concubines in his rooms, he would always say: "I do not know whether I will see the end by morning or evening. If one day I die and become a ghost, I still will not take you; taking you would only be enough to trouble people." When Xiuyou died, the day was already late afternoon. I was shooting pheasants and had just left the pheasant grounds; Xiuren's riders were on the right, hidden in the fields. I sent someone to summon him, and he claimed: "My belly hurts; I cannot ride a horse." Taizong sent his own carriage for him. Taizong sent ginger drink for his 'cold.' When Xiuren received the drink, he suddenly became greatly alarmed and told his attendants: "Today is ruined." The attendants answered: "This drink is sealed with the name of the imperial physician." He made others taste it first, then sipped barely. Everything fed his paranoia. He used to visit his mother regularly. After Xiuyou's death he always visited Lady Yang before court. Xiuren had always personally managed the fief state's revenue documents. In the second month, Shi Chengzu brought the documents and presented them, and Xiuren suddenly told Chengzu: "I have obtained this much; why trouble to bring them?" Taizong's trust was gone; Xiuren despaired.
55
休仁既經南討，與宿衛將帥經習狎共事相識者，佈滿外內。 常日出入，於廂下經過，與諸相識將帥，都不交言。 及吾前者積日失適，休仁出入殿省，諸衛主帥裁相悉者，無不和顏厚相撫勞。 爾時吾既甚惡，意不欲見外人，悠悠所傳，互言差劇。 休仁規欲聞知方便，使曇度道人及勞彥遠屢求啟，闞覘吾起居。 及其所啟，皆非急事，吾意亦不厝疑。 吾與休仁，親情實異，年少以來，恆相追隨，情向大趣，亦往往多同，難否之日，每共契闊。 休仁南討為都統，既有勳績，狀之於心，亦何極已。 但休仁於吾，望既不輕，小人無知，亦多挾背向，既生猜貳，不復自寧。 夫禍難之由，皆意所不悟，如其意趣，人莫能測，事不獲已，反覆思惟，不得不有近日處分。 夫於兄弟之情，不能無厚薄。 休祐之亡，雖復悼念，猶可以理割遣； 及休仁之殞，悲愍特深，千念不能已已，舉言傷心。 事之細碎，既不可曲載詔文，恐物不必即解，兼欲存其兒子，不欲窮法。 為詔之辭，不得不云有兵謀，非事實也。 故相報卿知。
His southern campaign made him popular with guards. He stopped greeting guard officers. While Taizong was ill, Xiuren courted the guards. Taizong hid his illness; rumors spread. He sent agents to spy on the emperor's health. Taizong still did not suspect those reports. They had been close since youth. His southern merit was real. Yet suspicion and flatterers destroyed peace. Disaster came unawares; execution was unavoidable. Brotherly love is not equal. Xiuyou's death could be borne with reason; Xiuren's death grieved Taizong far more. The public edict could not tell all; sons were spared. The charge of military plot was not true. This is told so you may know.
56
上與休仁素厚，至於相害，慮在後嗣不安。 休仁既死，痛悼甚至，謂人曰：「我與建安年時相鄰，少便狎從。 景和、泰始之間，勳誠實重。 事計交切，不得不相除。 痛念之至，不能自已。 今有一事不如與諸侯共說，歡適之方，於今盡矣。」 因流涕不自勝。
Taizong killed him fearing for his heir. After Xiuren died, he mourned him with extreme grief and told people: "Jian'an and I were neighbors in our younger years and were intimate from youth. Between Jinghe and Taishi, his merit and sincerity were truly weighty. The matter and plan pressed hard, and there was no choice but to remove one another. When I think of him with utmost pain, I cannot stop myself. Now there is one matter that is not as good as speaking together with the princes; the way of joy and ease is, from now, exhausted." He wept uncontrollably.
57
子伯融，妃殷氏所生。 殷氏，吳興太守沖女也。 范陽祖翻有醫術，姿貌又美，殷氏有疾，翻入視脈，說之，遂通好。 事泄，遣還家賜死。 伯融歷南豫州刺史，琅邪、臨淮二郡太守，寧朔將軍，廣州刺史，不之職。 廢徙丹楊縣。 後廢帝元徽元年，還京邑，襲封始興王。 弟伯猷，初出繼江夏愍王伯禽，封江夏王，邑二千戶。 休仁死後還本，與伯融俱徙丹楊縣。 後廢帝元徽元年，賜爵都鄉侯。 建平王景素為逆，楊運長等畏忌宗室，稱詔賜伯融等死。 伯融時年十九，伯猷年十一。
His son was Borong, born of Lady Yin. Lady Yin was Yin Chong's daughter. Physician Zu Fan had an affair with Lady Yin. Zu Fan was sent home and ordered to die. Borong held several posts but never took Guangzhou. He was banished to Danyang. He returned and became Prince of Shixing. Boyou had succeeded Jiangxia. After Xiuren's death both were exiled. Boyou became a district marquis. Yunchang had Borong and Boyou killed in Jingsu's revolt. Borong was nineteen; Boyou eleven.
58
晉平剌王休祐，文帝第十三子也。 孝建二年，年十一，封山陽王，食邑二千戶。 大明元年，為散騎常侍，領長水校尉，尋遷東揚州刺史。 未拜，徙湘州刺史，加號征虜將軍。 四年，還為祕書監，領右軍將軍，增邑千戶。 遷侍中，又遷左中郎將，都官尚書，又為祕書監，領驍騎將軍，出為使持節、都督豫司二州南豫州之梁郡諸軍事、右將軍、豫州刺史。 景和元年，入朝，進號鎮西大將軍，仍遷散騎常侍、鎮軍大將軍、開府儀同三司。
Prince Li of Jinping, Xiuyou, was Emperor Wen's thirteenth son. In Xiaojian 2, at eleven, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Shanyang with two thousand households. In Daming 1 he became Cavalier Regular Attendant and Colonel of Changshui, and was soon transferred as Inspector of Eastern Yang Province. Before taking office, he was transferred as Inspector of Xiang Province and given the title General Who Campaigns Against Caitiffs. In year 4 he returned as Director of the Palace Library and General of the Right Army, and his fief was increased by one thousand households. He was promoted to Palace Attendant, then to General of the Gentlemen of the Household on the Left and Minister of the Capital Bureau. Later he again became Director of the Palace Library, concurrently General of Agile Cavalry, and was sent out as Envoy Holding the Staff, commander over Yu and Si provinces and Liang Commandery of Southern Yu, General of the Right, and Inspector of Yu Province. In Jinghe 1 he entered court, was advanced to General-in-Chief Who Guards the West, and then became Cavalier Regular Attendant, General-in-Chief Who Guards the Army, and Opening Office with the Same Ceremonies as the Three Excellencies.
59
太宗定亂，以為使持節、都督荊、湘、雝、益、梁、寧、南、北秦八州諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、荊州刺史，開府、常侍如故。 又改都督江、郢、雍、湘五州、江州刺史； 又改都督江、南豫、司州、南豫州刺史，改都督豫、江、司三州、豫州刺史。 時豫州刺史殷琰據壽陽反叛，休祐出鎮歷陽，督劉勔等討琰，琰未平，勔築長圍守之。 休祐復徙都督荊、湘、雝、益、梁、寧、南、北秦八州諸軍事、荊州刺史，持節、常侍、將軍、開府竝如故，增封二千戶，受五百戶。 以山陽荒敝，改封晉平王。
Taizong made Xiuyou commander of eight provinces. He was shifted among many commands; his posts changed repeatedly. He besieged Yin Yan at Shouyang. Xiuyou was again transferred to Commander of Military Affairs for the eight provinces Jing, Xiang, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ning, Southern Qin, and Northern Qin, and Inspector of Jing Province; his credentials, Attendant-in-Ordinary title, generalship, and opened office remained as before. His fief was increased by two thousand households, of which he received five hundred. He was reassigned from Shanyang to Jinping.
60
休祐素無才能，彊梁自用，大明之世，年尚少，未得自專，至是貪淫，好財色。 在荊州，裒刻所在，多營財貨。 以短錢一百賦民，田登，就求白米一斛，米粒皆令徹白，若有破折者，悉刪簡不受。 民間糴此米，一升一百。 至時又不受米，評米責錢。 凡諸求利，皆悉如此，百姓嗷然，不復堪命。 泰始六年，徵為都督南徐、南兗、徐、兗、青、冀六州諸軍事、南徐州刺史，加侍中，持節、將軍如故。 上以休祐貪虐，不可蒞民，留之京邑，遣上佐行府州事。
In youth he was restrained; now he was greedy and lecherous. He plundered Jingzhou. He demanded perfectly white rice at extortionate rates. People paid a hundred per sheng. He even demanded cash instead of grain. Every levy was alike; the people were ruined. In the sixth year of Taishi he was recalled to command Southern Xu. Taizong kept him at court, unfit to rule.
61
休祐佷戾彊梁，前後忤上非一。 在荊州時，左右苑景達善彈棊，上召之，休祐留不遣。 上怒，詰責之曰：「汝剛戾如此，豈為下之義！」 積不能平。 且慮休祐將來難制，欲方便除之。 七年二月，車駕於岩山射雉，有一雉不肯入場，日暮將反，令休祐射之。 語云：「不得雉，勿歸。」 休祐時從在黃麾內，左右從者竝在部伍後，休祐便馳去，上遣左右數人隨之。 上既還，前驅清道，休祐人從悉分散，不復相得，上因遣壽寂之等諸將追之。 日已欲闇，與休祐相及，逼令墜馬。 休祐素勇壯有氣力，奮拳左右排擊，莫得近。 有一人後引陰，因頓地，即共毆拉殺之。 乃遣人馳白上，行唱：「驃騎落馬。」 上曰：「驃騎體大，落馬殊不易。」 即遣御醫絡驛相係。 頃之，休祐左右人至，久已絕。 去車腳，輿以還第，時年二十七。 追贈司空，持節、侍中、都督、刺史如故，給班劍二十人，三望車一乘。
He repeatedly defied the emperor. He refused to release a chess player the emperor wanted. The emperor became angry and reproached him: "You are so hard and perverse; how can this be the proper conduct of a subordinate!" Anger festered. Taizong planned to kill him. On a hunt Taizong ordered Xiuyou to shoot a stubborn pheasant. 'No pheasant, no return.' Xiuyou rode off; guards followed. Taizong sent assassins after him. At dusk they caught him. He fought fiercely. They pulled him down and killed him. They reported: 'The general fell from his horse.' The emperor said: "The General of Agile Cavalry has a large body; falling from a horse is especially not easy." He sent doctors in haste. Xiuyou was already dead. He was twenty-seven; carried home dead. He was posthumously awarded Minister of Works; his credentials, Attendant-in-Ordinary title, commander post, and inspectorship remained as before. He was given twenty sword-bearing guards and one three-view carriage.
62
時巴陵王休若在江陵，其日即馳信報休若曰：「吾與驃騎南山射雉，驃騎馬驚，與直閣夏文秀馬相蹹，文秀墮地，驃騎失鞚，馬驚，觸松樹墮地，落硎中，時頓悶，不識人，故馳報弟。」 其年五月，追免休祐為庶人。
At that time Prince Xiuruo of Baling was in Jiangling. That day he immediately sent a fast letter to Xiuruo, saying: "I was shooting pheasants with the General of Agile Cavalry at South Mountain. The general's horse was startled and collided with Direct Attendant Xia Wenxiu's horse; Wenxiu fell to the ground, the general lost the reins, the horse bolted, struck a pine tree, and threw him to the ground. He fell into a rut and for the moment was dazed and did not recognize people, so I have hurried to report this to my younger brother." In the fifth month he was posthumously demoted to commoner.
63
長子士薈，早卒。 次子宣翊為世子，為寧朔將軍、湘州刺史，未拜，免廢。 次士弘，繼鄱陽哀王休業，襲封，被廢還本。 次宣彥，封原豐縣侯，為寧朔將軍、彭城太守，未拜，免廢。 次宣諒。 次宣曜，出繼南平穆王鑠封，被廢還本。 次宣景，次宣梵，次宣覺，次宣受，次宣則，次宣直，次宣季，凡十三子，並徙晉平郡。 太宗尋病，見休祐為祟，乃遣前中書舍人劉休至晉平撫慰宣翊等，上遂崩。 後廢帝元徽元年，聽宣翊等還都。 順帝昇明三年，謀反，並賜死。
His eldest son Shihui died young. His next son Xuanyi became heir and was appointed General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs and Inspector of Xiang Province, but before he took office he was dismissed and deposed. Next was Shihong, who succeeded Prince Ai of Poyang, Xiuye, and inherited that fief; when deposed, he was returned to his original line. Next was Xuanyan, enfeoffed as Marquis of Yuanfeng County and appointed General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs and Administrator of Pengcheng, but before taking office he was dismissed and deposed. Next was Xuanliang. Next was Xuanyao, who was sent out to inherit the fief of Prince Mu of Nanping, Shuo; when deposed, he was returned to his original line. Next came Xuanjing, Xuanfan, Xuanjue, Xuanshou, Xuanze, Xuanzhi, and Xuanji, thirteen sons in all; all were relocated to Jinping Commandery. Soon Taizong fell ill and saw Xiuyou haunting him. He sent former Secretariat Drafter Liu Xiu to Jinping to reassure Xuanyi and the others, and then the emperor died. In Yuanhui 1 under the Later Deposed Emperor, Xuanyi and the others were allowed to return to the capital. In Shengming 3 under Emperor Shun, they plotted rebellion and were all ordered to commit suicide.
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鄱陽哀王休業，文帝第十五子也。 孝建二年，年十一，封鄱陽王，食邑二千戶。 三年，薨，追贈太常。 大明六年，以山陽王休祐次子士弘嗣封。 被廢還本，國除。
Prince Ai of Poyang, Xieye, was Emperor Wen's fifteenth son. In Xiaojian 2, at eleven, he became Prince of Poyang. He died in year 3; posthumously Minister of Ceremonies. Shihong succeeded him in the sixth year of Daming. The fief was abolished.
65
臨慶沖王休倩，文帝第十六子也。 孝建元年，年九歲，疾篤，封東平王，食邑二千戶，未拜，薨。
Prince Chong of Linqing, Xiuqian, was Emperor Wen's sixteenth son. In Xiaojian 1, at nine, enfeoffed Prince of Dongping but died before taking the title.
66
大明七年，立第二十七皇子子嗣為東平王，紹休倩後。 太宗泰始二年還本，國絕。 六年，以第五皇子智丹為東平王，繼休倩，未拜，薨。 其年，追改休倩為臨慶王，以臨賀郡為臨慶國，立第八皇子躋為臨慶王，食邑二千戶，繼休倩後。 明年，還本國。 休倩，太祖所愛，故前後屢加紹門嗣。
In the seventh year of Daming Prince Zisi succeeded Xiuqian as Prince of Dongping. In the second year of Taishi the fief was abolished. In year 6 Prince Zhidan was named successor but died before taking the title. Xiuqian was posthumously made Prince of Linqing; Prince Ji succeeded him. The next year Ji returned to his original rank. The Grand Ancestor loved Xiuqian and repeatedly refilled his line.
67
新野懷王夷父，文帝第十七子也。 元嘉二十九年，薨，時年六歲。 太宗泰始五年，追加封諡。
Prince Huai of Xinye, Yifu, was Emperor Wen's seventeenth son. He died in the twenty-ninth year of Yuanjia, aged six. Taizong posthumously enfeoffed him in the fifth year of Taishi.
68
巴陵哀王休若，文帝第十九子也。 孝建三年，年九歲，封巴陵王，食邑二千戶。 大明二年，為冠軍將軍、南琅邪臨淮二郡太守，徙南彭城、下邳二郡太守，將軍如故。 四年，出為都督徐州諸軍事、徐州刺史，將軍如故，增督豫州之梁郡，增邑千戶。 明年，徵為散騎常侍、左中郎將、吳興太守。 復徵為散騎常侍、太常。 未拜，前廢帝永光元年，遷左衞將軍。 太宗泰始元年，遷散騎常侍、中書令，領衞尉。 未拜，復為左衞將軍，常侍、衞尉如故。 又未拜，出為使持節、都督會稽東陽永嘉臨海新安五郡諸軍事、領安東將軍、會稽太守，率眾東討。 進督吳、吳興、晉陵三郡。 尋加散騎常侍，進號衞將軍，給鼓吹一部。 又進督晉安囗囗二郡諸軍事。 二年，遷雍梁南北秦四州郢州之竟陵隨二郡諸軍事、寧蠻校尉、雍州刺史，持節、常侍、將軍如故，增邑二千戶，受三百戶。
Prince Ai of Baling, Xiuruo, was Emperor Wen's nineteenth son. In Xiaojian 3, at the age of nine, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Baling with a fief of two thousand households. In Daming 2 he became Champion General and Administrator of Southern Langye and Linhuai. He was then transferred to administer Southern Pengcheng and Xiapi, keeping his generalship. In year 4 he was sent out as commander of Xu Province military affairs and Inspector of Xu Province, keeping his generalship. Liang Commandery of Yu Province was added to his command, and his fief was increased by one thousand households. The next year he was summoned as Cavalier Regular Attendant, General of the Gentlemen of the Household on the Left, and Administrator of Wuxing. He was again summoned as Cavalier Regular Attendant and Chamberlain for Ceremonials. Before taking office, in Yongguang 1 under the Former Deposed Emperor, he was transferred to General of the Left Guard. In the first year of Taizong's Taishi reign, he became Cavalier Regular Attendant and Director of the Secretariat, concurrently Chamberlain for the Guards. Before taking office, he again became General of the Left Guard, retaining his posts as Regular Attendant and Chamberlain for the Guards. Again before taking office, he was sent out as Envoy Holding the Staff and commander of military affairs in Kuaiji, Dongyang, Yongjia, Linhai, and Xin'an, while holding General Who Pacifies the East and Administrator of Kuaiji, and led troops eastward. He was then given command over Wu, Wuxing, and Jinling commanderies. Soon he was additionally made Cavalier Regular Attendant, advanced to General of the Guards, and given a drum-and-pipe band. He was further given command of military affairs in Jin'an and two commanderies whose names are lost. In year 2 he was transferred to command military affairs in Yong, Liang, Southern Qin, Northern Qin, and the Ying Province commanderies of Jingling and Sui, serving as Colonel Who Pacifies the Man and Inspector of Yong Province. He retained Staff, Regular Attendant, and General, and his fief was increased by two thousand households, of which he received three hundred.
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前在會稽，錄事參軍陳郡謝沈以諂佞事休若，多受賄賂。 時內外戒嚴，普著袴褶，沈居母喪。 被起，聲樂酣飲，不異吉人，衣冠既無殊異，竝不知沈居喪，嘗自稱孤子，眾乃駭愕。 休若坐與沈褻黷，致有姦私，降號鎮西將軍。 又進衛將軍。 典籤夏寶期事休若無禮，繫獄，啟太宗殺之，慮不被許，啟未報，輒於獄行刑，信反，果錮送，而寶期已死。 上大怒，與休若書曰：「孝建、大明中，汝敢行此邪？」 休若母加杖三百，降號左將軍，貶使持節都督為監，行雝州刺史，使寧蠻校尉，削封五百戶。 四年，遷使持節、都督湘州諸軍事、行湘州刺史，將軍如故。 六年，荊州刺史晉平王休祐入，以休若監荊州事，進號征南將軍、湘州刺史。 仍為都督荊、湘、雝、益、梁、寧、南、北秦八州諸軍事、征西將軍、荊州刺史，持節如故。 尋加散騎常侍，又進號征西大將軍、開府儀同三司。
In Kuaiji, Xie Shen flattered Xiuruo and took bribes. Though the court was in mourning dress, Shen was in filial mourning. He feasted in mourning as if at ease, shocking all. Xiuruo was demoted for debauchery with Shen. He was later restored to General Who Guards the Realm. Baoqi executed a prisoner before imperial approval and was sent in bonds. Taizong wrote: 'Did you dare this in Xiaojian and Daming?' His mother was flogged; he lost rank and five hundred households. In year 4 he was sent to Xiangzhou. In year 6 he supervised Jingzhou and became inspector of Xiang. He commanded eight provinces as General Who Conquers the West. He gained Regular Attendant and Three Excellencies privilege.
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七年，晉平王休祐被殺，建安王休仁見疑。 京邑訛言休若有至貴之表，太宗以言報之，休若內甚憂懼。 會被徵代休祐為都督南徐、南兗、徐、兗、青、冀六州諸軍事、征北大將軍、南徐州刺史，持節、常侍、開府如故。 休若腹心將佐咸謂還朝必有大禍，中兵參軍京兆王敬先固陳不宜入，勸割據荊楚以距朝廷，休若偽許之。 敬先既出，執錄，馳使白太宗，敬先坐誅死。 休若至京口，建安王休仁又見害，益懷危慮。 上以休若和善，能諧緝物情，慮將來傾幼主，欲遣使殺之。 慮不奉詔，徵入朝，又恐猜駭，乃偽遷休若為都督江、郢、司、廣、交、豫州之西陽、新蔡、晉熙、湘州之始興四郡諸軍事、車騎大將軍、江州刺史，持節、常侍、開府如故。 徵還召拜，手書殷勤使赴。 七月七日，即於第賜死，時年二十四。 贈侍中、司空，持節、都督、刺史如故，給班劍二十人，三望車一乘。
In the seventh year, Prince Xiuyou of Jinping was killed, and Prince Xiuren of Jian'an fell under suspicion. Rumors said Xiuruo was destined for the throne; Taizong told him, deepening his fear. Just then he was summoned to replace Xiuyou as Commander of Military Affairs for the six provinces Southern Xu, Southern Yan, Xu, Yan, Qing, and Ji, General-in-Chief Who Campaigns North, and Inspector of Southern Xu Province; his credentials, Attendant-in-Ordinary title, opened office, and other honors remained as before. Xiuruo's trusted generals and aides all said that if he returned to court, a great disaster would surely follow. Wang Jingxian of Jingzhao, Central Army Staff Officer, insisted that he should not enter court and urged him to occupy Jing and Chu in defiance of the court; Xiuruo pretended to agree. Jingxian was arrested and executed when he left. At Jingkou he learned Xiuren was dead and grew more afraid. Taizong feared the gentle Xiuruo would dominate the child emperor. He pretended to promote Xiuruo to Jiangzhou while planning his death. A warm summons lured him to court. On the Double Seventh he was executed at home, aged twenty-four. He was posthumously awarded Attendant-in-Ordinary and Minister of Works; his credentials, commander post, and inspectorship remained as before. He was given twenty sword-bearing guards and one three-view carriage.
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休若既死，上與驃騎大將軍桂陽王休範書曰：
After Xiuruo's death Taizong wrote to Prince Xiufan of Guiyang:
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外間有一師，姓徐名紹之，狀如狂病，自云為塗步郎所使。 去三月中，忽云：「神語道巴陵王應作天子，汝使巴陵王密知之。」 於是師便訪覓休若左右人，不能得。 東宮典書姓何者相識，數去來，師解神語，東宮典書具道神語，東宮典書答云：「我識巴陵間一左右，當為汝向道。」 數日，東宮典書復來語師云：「我已為汝語巴陵左右，道因達巴陵，巴陵具知，云『莫聲，但聽。』」
A mad seer named Xu Shaozhi claimed divine orders. In the third month, he suddenly said: "The spirit says that Prince of Baling should become Son of Heaven; make Prince of Baling know this secretly." The seer tried to reach Xiuruo's men and failed. He knew an Eastern Palace clerk surnamed He, who came and went several times. The master explained the spirit's words, and the Eastern Palace clerk fully reported them. The Eastern Palace clerk answered: "I know one attendant around Baling; I will tell him for you." Several days later the Eastern Palace clerk again came and told the master: "I have already told Baling's attendant for you; the word reached Baling; Baling fully knows and says, 'Do not speak; only listen.'"
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又頃者史官奏天文占候，頗云休若應挾異端。 神道芒昧，乃不可全信，然前後相准，略亦不無髣髴。 且帖肆間，自大明以來有「若好」之謠，于今未止。 詔若百重章句，皆配以美辭美事，諸不逞之徒，咸云必是休若。 休若且知道路有異音，里巷有「若好」之謠，在西已奇懼，致王敬先吐猖狂之言。 近休祐、休仁被誅，休若彌不自安，又左右多是不相當負罪之徒，恆說以道路之言叩動之，相與唱云：「萬民之心，屬在休若」，感激其意。
Astronomers too said Xiuruo showed ominous signs. Omens were uncertain yet suggestive. A ballad 'ruo hao' had circulated since Daming. Rebels said fine edicts proved Xiuruo would rule. Xiuruo also knew that there were strange sounds on the roads and the "Ruo is good" ballad in the lanes. In the west he was already unusually afraid, leading Wang Jingxian to utter reckless words. Recently Xiuyou and Xiuren had been executed, and Xiuruo became still more uneasy. Many of those around him were also unsuitable and guilty men; they constantly used rumors from the roads to stir him, and together chanted: "The hearts of the ten thousand people belong to Xiuruo," exciting his mind.
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尋休若從來心跡，殊有可嫌。 劉亮問高次祖，汝一應識此人，當給休若。 休若在東縱恣群下無本末，還朝被貶，爵位小退，次祖被亮使歸，過問訊，大泣，語次祖云：「我東行是一段功，在郡橫為群小輩過失，大被貶降，我實憤怨，不解劉輔國何意不作。」 次祖答云：「劉輔國蒙朝廷生成之恩，豈容有此理。」 推此已是有奇意。 吾使諸王在蕃，正令優游而已，本不以武事，而休若在西，廣召弓馬健兒，都不啟聞。 又戾道明等，昔親為賊，罪應萬死，休若至西，大信遇之，乃潛將往不啟京。 吾知汝意謂休若處奉因事事何如，心跡既不復可測，因其還朝在第與書，事事詰誚於內，許密自引分，狀如暴疾致故，差得於其名位及見子悉得全也。 休若既是汝弟，使其狼心得申者，汝得守冶城邊作太尉公邪？ 非但事關計，亦於汝甚切，汝可密白荀太妃令知。
His past conduct was suspicious. Liu Liang assigned Cizu to Xiuruo. When Xiuruo was in the east, he indulged his subordinates without order; after returning to court he was demoted and his rank and position were slightly reduced. When Cizu was sent back by Liang and stopped by to ask after him, Xiuruo wept greatly and told Cizu: "My eastern journey was a stretch of merit, yet in the commandery I was arbitrarily faulted by petty men and heavily demoted. I am truly resentful and do not understand why Liu Fuguo does not act." Cizu answered: "Liu Fuguo has received the court's grace of nurture and protection; how could there be such a principle?" That alone showed strange intent. Princes were not to arm themselves; Xiuruo secretly gathered troops. He sheltered former rebels without informing court. We killed him gently so his sons might live—do you think that was mercy? If Xiuruo had won, could you have remained Grand Marshal? Tell the Grand Consort Gou in secret.
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廬江王褘昔在西州，故上云冶城邊也。 休若子冲始襲封。 順帝昇明三年薨，會齊受禪，國除。
Prince Yi of Lujiang had formerly been in the western province; this is why the text above says "by Ye City." Xiuruo's son Chong initially inherited the fief. He died in Shengming 3 under Emperor Shun. When Qi received the abdication, the princely state was abolished.
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史臣曰：《詩》云：「不自我先，不自我後。」 古人畏亂世也。 太宗晚途，疑隙內成，尋斧所加，先自至戚。 晉剌以獷暴摧軀，巴哀由和良鴆體，保身之路，未知攸適。 昔之戒子，慎勿為善，將遠有以乎！
The historian cites the Odes: 'Not before me, not after me.' The ancients feared such times. Taizong's late reign turned on kin with the axe. Jinping fell to violence, Baling to poison—the path of safety was gone. The old warning 'do not be good'—does it still hold?