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王僧達
Wang Sengda
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王僧達，琅邪臨沂人，太保弘少子。 兄錫，質訥乏風采。 太祖聞僧達蚤慧，召見於德陽殿，問其書學及家事，應對閑敏，上甚知之，妻以臨川王義慶女。
Wang Sengda, a native of Linyi in Langye, was the youngest son of Grand Tutor Wang Hong. His elder brother Wang Xi was stolid and unimpressive in bearing. When the Founder Emperor heard of Sengda's early brilliance, he summoned him to the Deyang Hall and questioned him on his studies and household affairs. Sengda answered with fluent ease, and the emperor took a strong liking to him and married him to a daughter of Prince Linchuan Liu Yiqing.
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少好學，善屬文。 年未二十，以為始興王濬後軍參軍，遷太子舍人。 坐屬疾，於楊列橋觀鬭鴨，為有司所糾，原不問。 性好鷹犬，與閭里少年相馳逐，又躬自屠牛。 義慶聞如此，令周旋沙門慧觀造而觀之。 僧達陳書滿席，與論文義，慧觀酬答不暇，深相稱美。 與錫不協，訴家貧，求郡，太祖欲以為秦郡，吏部郎庾炳之曰：「王弘子既不宜作秦郡，僧達亦不堪莅民。」 乃止。 尋遷太子洗馬，母憂去職。 兄錫罷臨海郡還，送故及奉祿百萬以上，僧達一夕令奴輦取，無復所餘。 服闋，為宣城太守。 性好游獵，而山郡無事，僧達肆意馳騁，或三五日不歸，受辭訟多在獵所，民或相逢不識，問府君所在，僧達曰：「近在後。」 元嘉二十八年春，索虜寇逼，都邑危懼，僧達求入衛京師，見許。 賊退，又除宣城太守，頃之，徙任義興。
From youth he loved study and excelled at writing. Before he turned twenty he was appointed Rear Army Aide to Prince Shixing Liu Jun, then promoted to Attendant of the Heir Apparent. While claiming illness in his household he went to Yanglie Bridge to watch duck fights; the authorities reported him, but he was forgiven and not punished. He was fond of hawking and hunting dogs, raced with neighborhood youths, and even butchered cattle with his own hands. When Yiqing heard of this conduct, he sent the attendant monk Huiguan to call on him and see for himself. Sengda had books piled across his mat and debated literary matters with him; Huiguan could barely keep pace in answering and spoke of him with high praise. At odds with his brother Xi, he pleaded poverty and asked for a prefecture. The Founder Emperor meant to give him Qin Commandery, but Yu Bingzhi, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, said, "Wang Hong's sons are already ill-suited to Qin Commandery, and Sengda is no less unfit to govern the people." The appointment was dropped. He was soon made Palace Writer to the Heir Apparent, then left office to observe mourning for his mother. When his brother Xi returned from Linhai Commandery, his farewell gifts and salary totaled more than a million cash. In a single night Sengda had his slaves haul it all away, leaving nothing. After mourning he was appointed Administrator of Xuancheng. Fond of hunting, and with little trouble in that mountain prefecture, Sengda rode wherever he pleased and sometimes stayed out three to five days. He heard lawsuits mostly at his hunting camps. When commoners met him and did not know him, they asked where the prefect was; Sengda replied, "Just back there." In spring of the twenty-eighth year of Yuanjia the northern foe pressed the capital, and the court was alarmed. Sengda asked to come defend the capital and was allowed. After the enemy withdrew he was again made Administrator of Xuancheng, then soon transferred to Yixing.
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三十年，元凶弒立，世祖入討，普檄諸州郡，又符郡發兵，僧達未知所從。 客說之曰：「方今釁逆滔天，古今未有，為君計，莫若承義師之檄，移告傍郡，使工言之士，明示禍福，苟在有心，誰不響應，此策上也。 如其不能，可躬率向義之徒，詳擇水陸之便，致身南歸，亦其次也。」 僧達乃自候道南奔，逢世祖於鵲頭，即命為長史，加征虜將軍。 初，世祖發尋陽，沈慶之謂人曰：「王僧達必來赴義。」 人問其所以，慶之曰：「虜馬飲江，王出赴難，見在先帝前，議論開張，執意明決，以此言之，其至必也。」
In year 30 the deposed crown prince murdered his father and seized the throne. The Founder Emperor's son Liu Jun marched to punish him, issuing a general call to the provinces and prefectures and ordering troops raised. Sengda did not know which side to take. A visitor advised him: "Rebellion now fills the realm as never before in history. For you, the best course is to accept the loyal army's proclamation, notify neighboring prefectures, and send eloquent men to show the stakes plainly. Anyone with a conscience will answer. That is the first-best plan. If you cannot manage that, lead those loyal to the cause yourself, choose the best route by land or water, and go south in person. That is the second-best course." Sengda then fled south along the courier road, met Liu Jun at Quetou, and was at once made Chief Clerk with the additional rank of General Who Suppresses Barbarians. Earlier, when Liu Jun set out from Xunyang, Shen Qingzhi told others, "Wang Sengda will certainly come to the loyal cause." When they asked why, Qingzhi said, "With barbarian horses at the river, Wang will come to the crisis. I have seen him before the late emperor—open in debate, clear and firm in purpose. From that I say he is certain to come."
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上即位，以為尚書右僕射，尋出為使持節、南蠻校尉，加征虜將軍。 時南郡王義宣求留江陵，南蠻不解，不成行。 仍補護軍將軍。 僧達自負才地，謂當時莫及。 上初踐阼，即居端右，一二年間，便望宰相。 及為護軍，不得志，乃啟求徐州，曰：
When the emperor took the throne, Sengda was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, then soon sent out as Bearer of the Staff of Authority and Colonel of Southern Man with the additional rank of General Who Suppresses Barbarians. At that time Prince Nanjun Liu Yixuan asked to stay at Jiangling, so the Southern Man post could not be assumed and the tour never took place. He was then appointed Defender of the Army. Sengda trusted in his talent and pedigree and thought no one alive could equal him. As soon as the emperor took the throne, Sengda stood at the chief right hand of power, and within a year or two he expected the premiership. Made Defender of the Army and frustrated, he petitioned for Xuzhou, writing:
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:臣衰索餘生，逢辰藉業，先帝追念功臣，眷及遺賤，飾短捐陋，布策稠采，從官委褐，十有一載。 早憑慶泰，晚親盛明，而有志於學，無獨見之敏，有務在身，無偏鑒之識，固不足建言世治，備辨時宜。 竊以天恩不可終報，尸素難可久處，故猖狂蕪謬，每陳所懷。
Your subject clings to what is left of a failing life and, meeting this age, rests on inherited standing. The late emperor, remembering meritorious servants, extended his regard even to the humblest remnant of our house, glossing my faults and overlooking my meanness while he showered policy upon policy. I have served in plain office for eleven years. Early I enjoyed fortunate peace; late I drew near your splendid reign. I wish to learn, yet lack keen insight of my own; I bear duties, yet lack the discerning eye to judge them—so I am hardly fit to counsel on governing the realm or to read the needs of the hour. I venture to think heaven's grace can never be fully repaid, and idleness in office cannot be borne forever; hence my reckless, clumsy words whenever I lay bare what I feel.
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:陛下孝誠發衷，義順動物，自龍飛以來，實應九服同歡，三光再朗，而臣假視巷里，借聽民謠，黎氓□□，未締其感，遠近風議，不獲稍進，臣所用夙宵疾首，寤寐疚心者也。 臣取之前載，譬之於今。 當漢文之時，可謂藉已成之業，據既安之運，重以布衣菲食，憂勤治道，而賈誼披露迺誠，猶有歎哭之諫。 況今承顛沛，萬機惟始，恩未及普，信未遑周。 臣又聞前達有言，天下，重器也，一安不可卒危，一危亦不可卒安，陛下神思淵通，亦當鑒之聖慮。
Your Majesty's filial sincerity springs from the heart, and righteous accord moves all living things; since your accession the nine domains ought to rejoice as one and the three luminaries shine anew. Yet when I watch the lanes and listen to folk songs, the common people [text missing] have not yet been won, and opinion near and far shows no improvement—this is what keeps me in anguish day and night and guilty in waking and sleep. I take the records of the past and set them beside the present. Under Emperor Wen of Han the throne rested on a finished enterprise and a settled age, and the emperor himself wore plain cloth and ate simple fare while laboring over government—yet Jia Yi still poured out his heart and offered the counsel that moved him to sighs and tears. How much more now, when you inherit turmoil, when the myriad affairs have only just begun, when favor has not yet spread everywhere and trust has not yet circled the realm. I have also heard the ancients say that the realm is a weighty vessel: once secure it must not be suddenly endangered, and once endangered it must not be suddenly secured. Your Majesty's mind is profound and penetrating—may you weigh this in your sacred deliberation.
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:竊謂當今之務，惟在萬有為己，家國同憂，允彼庶心，從民之欲。 民有咨瘼之聲，君表納隍之志。 下有愆弊之苦，上無侈豫之情。 又應官酌其才，爵疇其望，與失不賞，寧失不刑。 至若樞任重司，藩扞要鎮，治亂攸寄，動靜所歸，百度惟新，或可因而弗革，事在適宜，無或定其出處。 天下多才，在所用之。
I venture to say that today's task is to make all things your own concern, to share the worry of house and state, to win the people's hearts, and to follow their desires. When the people voice bitter complaint, the ruler should show the will to take their troubles upon himself. Below lie the pains of fault and abuse; above let there be no mood of extravagant ease. Offices should fit men's talents, ranks should match their deserts, and it is better to reward in error than to punish in error. As for pivot posts and weighty offices, frontier commands and key garrisons—on these order and disorder depend, to these action and rest turn. Though the hundred measures are all new, some may be left as they are; what matters is fitness, not fixing in advance who goes where. Talent abounds under heaven; what matters is to use it.
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:臣非惟寄觀世路，謬識其難，即之於身，詳見其弊。 何者？ 臣雖得免牆面，書不入於學伍，行無愆戾，自無近於才能，直以廕託門世，夙列榮齒。 且近雖奔迸江路，歸命南闕，竟何功効，可以書賞。 而頻出內寵，陛下綢繆數旬之中，累發明詔。 自非才略有素，聲實相任，豈可聞而弗驚，履而無懼。 固宜退省身分，識恩之厚，不知報答，當在何期。 夫見危致命，死而後已，皆殷勤前誥，重其忘生。 臣感先聖格言，思在必効之地，使生獲其志，死得其所。 如使臣享厚祿，居重榮，衣狐坐熊，而無事於世者，固所不能安也。 今四夷猶警，國未忘戰，辮髮凶詭，尤宜裁防。 間者天兵未獲，已肆其輕漢之心，恐戎狄貪惏，猶懷匪遜。 脫以神州暫擾，中夏兵飢，容或遊魂塞內，重窺邊壘。 且高秋在節，胡馬興威，宜圖其易，蚤為之所。 臣每一日三省，志在報效，遠近小大，顧其所安，受效偏方，得司者則慮之所辦，情有不疑。 若首統軍政，董勒天兵，既才所不周，實誠亦非願。 陛下矜諒已厚，願復曲體此心。 護軍之任，臣不敢處，彭城軍府，即時過立。 且臣本在驅馳，非希崇顯，輕智小號，足以自安。 願垂鑑恕，特賜申奬，則內外榮荷，存沒銘分。
I do not only, by watching the world's course from afar, misread its difficulties; applied to myself, I see its abuses in detail. How so? Though I escaped the shame of ignorance, my writings never entered the schools, my conduct is without offense, yet by myself I am no near match for ability; I rest only on my clan's patronage and long stood among the honored ranks. Moreover, though I lately rushed along the river road and submitted to the southern court, what achievement is there that deserves to be recorded for reward? Yet favor from within the palace has come again and again; within a few dozen days Your Majesty's intimate regard has issued many bright edicts. Unless talent and strategy were already formed and reputation matched the charge, how could one hear this without alarm or bear it without fear? I ought to withdraw and examine my station, know how deep your grace runs, and wonder when I can ever repay it. To face peril and give one's life, to die and only then stop—these are the earnest teachings of former ages, honoring those who forget themselves. Moved by the maxims of the former sages, I think of the place where I can be of certain use, so that in life I may fulfill my aim and in death find my due. If I were to enjoy rich salary, dwell in high honor, wear fox fur and sit on bear skins, yet have no work in the world, I truly could not be at ease. The four quarters still give alarm, the state has not forgotten war, and the braided-haired foe is treacherous and cunning—above all he must be checked and guarded against. Lately, though our armies have not yet won, they have already shown their contempt for Han; I fear the northern peoples, greedy and insatiable, still harbor defiance. Should the sacred land be briefly disturbed and the central realm suffer hunger of troops, their roaming spirits within the passes might again peer at our frontier walls. High autumn is at hand, when barbarian horses grow bold; one should plan while matters are easy and act early. Thrice each day I examine myself, with the will to repay your grace. Near and far, small and great, I look to what is fitting; to serve in one corner, to hold an office one can manage—that is what I believe I can do, and in that I have no doubt. To head military and civil affairs and oversee the imperial armies is beyond my talent and truly not my wish. Your Majesty's compassionate understanding is already generous; I beg you again to bend to this wish. I dare not hold the post of Defender of the Army; the Pengcheng military headquarters has just been established. Moreover I belong by nature in the field, not aspiring to lofty display; a modest post and small title are enough for me. I beg your forgiveness and a special grant of my plea; then within and without all will honor your grace, and living or dead I shall be bound to you.
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上不許。 僧達三啟固陳，上甚不說。 以為征虜將軍、吳郡太守。 朞歲五遷，僧達彌不得意。
The emperor refused. Sengda memorialized three times and held firm; the emperor was greatly displeased. He was appointed General Who Suppresses Barbarians and Administrator of Wu Commandery. Within a year he was moved five times, and Sengda grew only more frustrated.
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吳郭西臺寺多富沙門，僧達求須不稱意，乃遣主簿顧曠率門義劫寺內沙門竺法瑤，得數百萬。 荊、江反叛，加僧達置佐領兵，臺符聽置千人，而輒立三十隊，隊八十人。 又立宅於吳，多役公力。 坐免官。 初，僧達為太子洗馬，在東宮，愛念軍人朱靈寶，及出為宣城，靈寶已長，僧達詐列死亡，寄宣城左永之籍，注以為己子，改名元序，啟太祖以為武陵國典衛令，又以補竟陵國典書令，建平國中軍將軍。 孝建元年春，事發，又加禁錮。 上表陳謝云：「不能因依左右，傾意權貴。」 上愈怒。 僧達族子確年少，美姿容，僧達與之私款。 確叔父休為永嘉太守，當將確之郡，僧達欲逼留之，確知其意，避不復往。 僧達大怒，潛於所住屋後作大坑，欲誘確來別，因殺而埋之，從弟僧虔知其謀，禁呵乃止。 御史中丞劉瑀奏請收治，上不許。
Xitai Temple outside Wu held many wealthy monks. When Sengda's requests for funds went unsatisfied, he sent his registrar Gu Kuang with gate guards to rob the monk Fayaou of the temple and seized several million cash. When Jing and Jiang rebelled, Sengda was ordered to raise aides and lead troops. The court document allowed a thousand men, but he promptly formed thirty companies of eighty men each. He also built a mansion in Wu, drawing heavily on public labor. For this he was dismissed from office. Earlier, while Sengda was Palace Writer in the Eastern Palace, he favored the soldier Zhu Lingbao. When he left for Xuancheng, Lingbao had already come of age. Sengda falsely reported him dead, entered him on Zuo Yongzhi's Xuancheng register as his own son under the name Yuanxu, and petitioned the Founder Emperor to make him Commandery Guard Director of Wuling, then also secured him posts as Commandery Secretary Director of Jingling and Central Army General of Jianping. In spring of Xiaojian 1 the affair came to light, and he was further placed under detention. He submitted a memorial of apology, writing, "I could not court those at your side and pour out my heart to the powerful." The emperor grew angrier still. Sengda's clansman Que was young and handsome; Sengda was intimate with him. Que's uncle Xiu was Administrator of Yongjia and was about to take Que to his post. Sengda meant to force him to stay, but Que understood and stayed away. Sengda flew into a rage, secretly dug a large pit behind his house, and meant to lure Que to a farewell visit, kill him, and bury him there. His cousin Sengqian learned of the plot, forbade and scolded him, and he stopped. Censor-in-Chief Liu Yu memorialized to have him arrested and punished; the emperor refused.
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孝建三年，除太常，意尤不悅。 頃之，上表解職，曰：
In Xiaojian 3 he was made Minister of Ceremonies and was especially displeased. Soon after he submitted a memorial resigning office, writing:
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:臣自審庸短，少闕宦情，兼宿抱重疾，年月稍甚，生平素念，願閑衡廬。 先朝追遠之恩，早見榮齒。 曩者以親貧須養，僶俛從祿，解褐後府，十有餘旬。 俄遷舍人，殆不朝直。 實無緣坐閱宸寵，尸爵家庭，情計二三，屢經聞啟，終獲允亮，賜反初服。 還私未用，又擢為洗馬，意旨優隆，其令且拜，許有郡缺，當務處置。 會琅邪遷改，即蒙敕往反神翰，慈誘殷勤，令裝成即自隨。 靈寶往年淪覆長溪，因彼散失，仰感沉恩，俯銘浮寵。 臣釁積禍并，仍丁艱罰，聊及視息，即蒙逮問，具啟以奉營情事，負舉猥多。 賜莅宣城，極其窮躓。 仲春移任，方冬便值虜南侵。 臣忝同肺腑，情為義動，苦求還都，侍衛輦轂。 至止之日，戎旗已搴。 在郡雖淺，而貪得分了，方拂農衣，還事耕牧，宣城民庶，詣闕見請。 爾時敕亡從兄僧綽宣見留之旨。 闇疾寡任，野心素積，仍附啟苦乞且旋任。 還務未期，亡兄臣錫奄見棄背，啟解奔赴，賜帶郡還都，曾未淹積，復除義興。 臣自天飛海泳，豈假鱗翼，徒思橫施，與日而深。 自處官以來，未嘗有涓豪之積，羸疾闇疚，又無人一諾。 而性狎林水，偏愛禽魚，議其所託，動乖治要，故收崖斂分，無忘俄頃，實由有待難供，上裝未立，東郡奉輕，西陝祿重。 具陳蘄懇，備執初願，乞置江、湘遠郡，一二年中，庶反耕之日，糧藥有寄。 即蒙亮許，當賜矜擢。
I find myself mediocre and brief in talent, with little taste for office, and I have long carried a grave illness that worsens with the years. All my life I have wished for quiet seclusion. The former court's grace in remembering the distant early placed me among the honored ranks. Once, because my kin were poor and needed support, I bent low to accept salary and left plain dress for the rear office, for more than a hundred days. Soon I was made Attendant and scarcely attended court duty. I truly had no cause to sit idle under imperial favor, holding rank without serving the house. Two or three times I reported my wish and at last won approval to return to private life. I had not yet returned to private life when I was again made Palace Writer. The intent was especially generous: I was ordered to accept for the time being, with promise that a prefecture would be found when a vacancy arose. When Langye was reorganized I at once received an edict to go and return with the imperial writ. Your kind inducement was earnest, ordering me to make ready and follow immediately. Lingbao in former years was lost at Changxi and scattered thereby. Looking up I felt your deep grace; looking down I marked your passing favor. My offenses piled up and disasters joined; I still met with the punishment of mourning. Barely drawing breath, I was summoned for questioning, reported the full facts, and bore many petty charges. I was sent to Xuancheng at the lowest point of my fall. In mid-spring I was transferred; by winter the northern foe had invaded south. Ashamed to share the same flesh and bone as the throne, I was moved by duty, begged bitterly to return to the capital, and guarded the imperial carriage. On the day I arrived, the army banners had already been raised. Though my time in the prefecture was brief, I wished greedily to settle affairs and had just put on farming dress to return to plowing and herding when the people of Xuancheng went to court to petition. At that time an edict from my late cousin Sengchuo announced the intent to keep me. Dim of illness and scant in capacity, with a wild heart long accumulated, I still appended a memorial bitterly begging to return to my post for the time being. Before my return to duty was due, my late brother Xi suddenly died. I memorialized to be released to rush there, was granted to return to the capital still bearing my prefecture, and before long was again appointed to Yixing. I have flown through heaven and swum the sea by your grace—what need had I of fins or wings? I only think of what you have spread upon me, growing deeper day by day. Since I took office I have never saved even a jot. Weakened by illness and dim with grief, I have no one on whom I can rely. By nature I am drawn to forests and streams and love birds and fish; the pursuits I choose constantly miss the essentials of governance. I must restrain myself every moment, for what I need is hard to afford—proper dress still lacking, the salary of an eastern commandery too light and that of a western post too heavy. I have fully stated my earnest plea and held firm to my original wish: place me in a distant Jiang or Xiang commandery so that within a year or two, when I return to the plow, I may have grain and medicine to rely upon. Now that I have received Your enlightened consent, grant compassionate approval of my request.
14
:遭逢厄運，天地崩離，世蒙聖朝門情之顧，及在臣身，復荷殊識，義雖君臣，恩猶父子。 臣誠庸蔽，心過草木，奉諱之日，不覺捐身。 單軀弱嗣，千里共氣，繼罹凶塗，動臨危盡，生微朝露，不察如絲，信順所扶，得獲全濟，再見天地，重覩三光。 于時兄子僧亮等幽窘醜逆，盡室獄戶，山川嶮岨，吉凶路塞，悠遠之思，誰能勿勞。 嘗膽濡足，是其分願，分心挂腹，實亦私苦。
: I met evil fortune when heaven and earth collapsed. Our house received the holy dynasty's familial regard; as for me, I again bore Your special recognition—though the relation was lord and minister, the grace was like that of father and son. I am truly dull and obtuse, my heart no better than grass or trees. On the day the late emperor died, I would have given my life without a thought. Alone in body with a weak heir, a thousand li away yet sharing the same breath, I again walked the road of disaster and constantly faced death. Life was slight as morning dew, thin as unseen silk; upheld by faith and obedience I was wholly saved, and again saw heaven and earth and the sun, moon, and stars. At that time my nephew Sengliang and others, trapped in that foul rebellion, had their whole households shut in prison. Mountains and rivers were steep and the roads of life and death blocked—who could not labor with distant worry? To taste gall and wet his feet was his allotted wish; to split my heart and hang my belly in worry was my private anguish.
15
:幸屬聖武，剋復大業，宇宙廓清，四表靖晏。 臣父子叔姪，同獲泰辰，造情追尋，歸骨之本，欲以死明心，誤有餘辰； 情願已展，避逆向順，終古常節，智力無効，有何勳庸，而頻煩恩榮，動踰分次。 但忽病之日，不敢固辭，故吞訴於鵲渚，飲愧於新亭。 及元凶既殄，人神獲乂，端右之授，即具陳請。 天慈優渥，每越常倫，南蠻、護軍，旬月私授。 臣三省非分，必致孤負，居常輕任，尚懼網墨，況參要內職，承寵外畿，其取覆折，不假識見。 故披誠啟訴，表疏相屬，或乞輕高就卑，或願以閑易要，言誓致苦，播於辭牘，誠知固陋，當觸明科。 去歲往年，累犯刑禁，理無申可，罪有恒典，虛穢朝序，慚累家業，臣甘其終，物議其盡。 陛下棄其身瑕，矜其膝貴，迂略法憲，曲相全養。 臣一至之感，口此何忘。 利伊恩升，加以今位，當時震驚，收足失所，本忘閑情，不敢聞命。 內慮於己，外訪於親，以為天地之仁，施不期報，再造之恩，不可妄屬。 故洗拂灰壤，登沐膏露，上處聖澤，下更生辰，合芳離蛻，遐邇改觀。 但偷榮託幸，忽移此歲，自見妨長，轉不可寧，宜其沈放，志事俱盡。
: Fortunately the age belonged to holy martial power. The great enterprise was recovered, the cosmos cleared, and the four quarters were calm and at peace. My father, son, uncles, and nephews together obtained this grand era. Tracing my feelings to their root, I wished to prove my heart with death and mistakenly still had days remaining; My feelings and wishes were already fulfilled. To yield the contrary and follow the proper is the eternal norm, yet wit and strength were useless—what achievement or merit had I, that grace and glory should repeatedly be heaped upon me beyond my rank? But when sudden illness came I dared not firmly refuse; therefore I swallowed my complaint at Magpie Ford and drank shame at Xinting. When the prime culprit was destroyed and men and spirits restored to order, I immediately petitioned in full against the appointment to the Right-side. Heaven's compassion was generous beyond every normal rule: General of the Southern Man and Protector General were privately conferred upon me within a month. Thrice I examined my unmerited status and knew I must fail in my charge. In ordinary light duties I still feared the law—how much more holding important inner office while favored in the outer capital? That I would be overturned and broken needed no insight to see. Therefore I opened my heart and petitioned again and again—begging to descend from high to low, or to exchange an important post for a quiet one—words of bitter oath spread across my memorials. I truly know that obstinacy and rusticity must touch the enlightened statutes. Last year and the years before I repeatedly violated penal prohibitions. Reason allowed no petition; crime had its fixed law. I empty and pollute the court order and shame and burden my house. I accept the end; public opinion demands my exhaustion. Your Majesty set aside my bodily flaws, pitied my noble lineage, passed over the laws and statutes, and bent to preserve and nurture me wholly. Such first grace—I can never forget to declare it. Favor raised me through grace to my present rank. At the time I was shocked and lost my footing; my original wish for quiet forgotten, I dared not refuse the command. Inwardly I considered myself; outwardly I asked my kin—we thought heaven and earth's benevolence is given not expecting repayment, and grace of second creation cannot be recklessly attributed. Therefore I washed off the dust and bathed in rich dew; above I received holy grace, below I was born again in this era. Like fragrance leaving its shell, near and far changed their view of me. But stealing glory and trusting luck suddenly brought me to this year. Seeing that I obstruct my elder, I can no longer be at peace. I should be cast down and released; ambition and office are altogether exhausted.
16
:伏願陛下承太始之德，加成物之恩，及臣狂蔽未至，得於榮次自引，聖朝厚終始之惠，孤臣保不泯之澤。 夫讓功為高，臣無功而讓； 專素為美，臣榮采已積。 以是求退，誠亦可愍。 又妻子為居，更無餘累，婢僕十餘，粗有田入，歲時是課，足繼朝昏。 兼比日眩瞀更甚，風虛漸劇，湊理合閉，榮衛惛底，心氣忡弱，神志衰散，念此根疵，不支歲月。 公私誠願，宜蒙諒許，乞徇餘辰，以終瑣運。 白水皎日，不足為譬，願垂矜鑑，哀申此請。
: I prostrate and wish Your Majesty to inherit the virtue of the Grand Beginning and complete the grace that forms all things. While my mad obtuseness has not yet arrived, grant me release from rank by my own request—the holy court's grace from beginning to end, and this lone subject's undying favor preserved. To yield merit is noble; I have no merit yet yield; Plain purity is beautiful; my glory and honors have already accumulated. To seek withdrawal on these grounds is truly pitiable as well. My wife and children are my only dependents; I have no further burdens. A dozen or so maidservants and bondsmen bring a modest field income; seasonal levies are enough to sustain morning and evening. Moreover my dizziness and blindness have grown worse day by day, and wind vacuity grows severe. My pores should be closed, my vital guard is confused, heart and breath are weak, spirit and mind scattered—considering this root affliction, I cannot last months and years. In public and private alike my sincere wish should receive understanding and consent. I beg to follow my remaining days to the end of this petty fortune. White water and bright sun are insufficient comparison—I beg You to look with compassionate inspection and pityingly grant this request.
17
僧達文旨抑揚，詔付門下。 侍中何偃以其詞不遜，啟付南臺，又坐免官。
The tone of Sengda's memorial was insubordinate; an edict sent it to the Secretariat. Attendant-in-Ordinary He Yan, finding his words insubordinate, memorialized to send the case to the Southern Administration. Sengda was again stripped of office.
18
頃之，除江夏王義恭太傅長史，臨淮太守，又徙太宰長史，太守如故。 大明元年，遷左衛將軍，領太子中庶子。 以歸順功，封寧陵縣五等侯。 二年，遷中書令。
Soon after he was made Chief Clerk to Grand Tutor Prince of Jiangxia Yigong and Administrator of Linhuai, then transferred to Chief Clerk of the Grand Preceptor while retaining the same prefecture. In the first year of Daming he was transferred to General of the Left Guard and concurrently made Heir Apparent Vice-Director. For meritorious return to allegiance he was enfeoffed as fifth-rank Marquis of Ningling County. In the second year he was transferred to Director of the Secretariat.
19
先是，南彭城蕃縣民高闍、沙門釋曇標、道方等共相誑惑，自言有鬼神龍鳳之瑞，常聞簫鼓音，與秣陵民藍宏期等謀為亂。 又要結殿中將軍苗允、員外散騎侍郎嚴欣之、司空參軍闞千纂、太宰府將程農、王恬等，謀剋二年八月一日夜起兵攻宮門，晨掩太宰江夏王義恭，分兵襲殺諸大臣，以闍為天子。 事發覺，凡黨與死者數十人。 僧達屢經狂逆，上以其終無悛心，因高闍事陷之，下詔曰：「王僧達餘慶所鍾，早登榮觀，輕險無行，暴於世談。 值國道中艱，盡室願效，甄其薄誠，貰其鴻慝，爵遍外內，身窮榮寵。 曾無在泮，食椹懷音，乃協規西楚，志擾東區，公行剽掠，顯奪凶黨，倚結羣惡，誣亂視聽。 朕每容隱，思加蕩雪，曾無犬馬感恩之志，而炎火成燎原之勢，涓流兆江河之形，遂脣齒高闍，契規蘇寶，搜詳妖圖，覘察象緯。 逮賊長臨梟，餘黨就鞫，咸布辭獄牒，宣言虛市，猶欲隱忍，法為情屈。 小醜紛紜，人扇方甚，矯構風塵，志希非覬，固已達諸公卿，彰于朝野。 朕焉得輕宗社之重，行匹夫之仁。 殛山誅邪，聖典所同，戮諷翦律，漢法攸尚。 便可收付廷尉，肅正刑書。 故太保華容文昭公弘契闊歷朝，綢繆眷遇，豈容忘茲勳德，忽其世祀，門爵國姻，一不貶絕。」 於獄賜死。 時年三十六。
Earlier, Gao Zhe, a commoner of Fancheng County in Southern Pengcheng, the monk Shi Tanbiao, Daofang, and others deceived one another, claiming omens of ghosts, spirits, dragons, and phoenixes and constantly hearing flute and drum music. With Lan Hongqi of Moling and others they plotted rebellion. They further sought to join Palace Guards General Miao Yun, Supernumerary Cavalier Attendant Yan Xinzhi, Staff Member of the Minister of Works Kan Qianzuan, General of the Grand Preceptor's Office Cheng Nong, Wang Tian, and others, planning to raise troops on the night of the first day of the eighth month in year 2, attack the palace gates at dawn, seize Grand Preceptor Prince of Jiangxia Yigong, divide forces to strike and kill the ministers, and make Zhe emperor. When the plot was discovered, dozens of conspirators were put to death. Sengda had repeatedly been wildly rebellious. The emperor, seeing he ultimately had no heart of reform, used the Gao Zhe affair to entrap him and issued an edict saying: "Wang Sengda, favored by residual blessing, early ascended to glory; light and dangerous in conduct, notorious in public talk. When the nation's road was hard, his whole household wished to serve. We distinguished his slight sincerity and pardoned his great wickedness; ranks were spread inside and outside, and he was exhausted in glory and favor. He never showed the virtue of the academy or gratitude for kindness received, yet conspired in the west and disturbed the eastern region; he openly plundered and visibly joined violent factions, relying on wicked groups and deceiving sight and hearing. Each time I tolerated and concealed him, thinking to cleanse him—never did he show the gratitude of dog or horse. Yet fire formed a prairie blaze and a trickle foretold a river's shape; he then joined lips and teeth with Gao Zhe, covenanted with Su Bao, searched sorcerous charts, and spied at celestial signs. When the bandit chief was near execution and the remaining party came to trial, all spread words in prison documents and declared them empty market talk; still I wished to tolerate and conceal, bending law for feeling. Petty villains stirred confusion and public rumor grew fierce. Falsely raising wind and dust, he hoped for improper ambition—already known to the ministers and clear in court and countryside. How can I lightly treat the weight of altars and state and act the private benevolence of a common man? To execute evildoers on the mountain is the same in the sagely canon; to kill slanderers and cut off lawbreakers is honored in Han law. Let him be taken and delivered to the Court of Judicial Review and solemnly corrected by written punishment. Former Grand Tutor Duke Wen Zhao of Huarong, Wang Hong, bound through dynasties by covenant and tender regard—how could We forget his achievements and virtue and suddenly cut off his ancestral sacrifices? Gate rank and state marriage shall not one be demoted or cut off." He was granted death in prison. He was thirty-six years old.
20
子道琰，徙新安郡，前廢帝即位，得還京邑。 後廢帝元徽中，為廬陵國內史，未至郡，卒。
His son Daoyan was relocated to Xin'an Commandery. When the Former Deposed Emperor took the throne, he was allowed to return to the capital. In the Yuanhui era of the Later Deposed Emperor he was made Interior Administrator of Luling Principality; before reaching the commandery he died.
21
蘇寶者，名寶生，本寒門，有文義之美。 元嘉中立國子學，為毛詩助教，為太祖所知，官至南臺侍御史，江寧令。 坐知高闍反不即啟聞，與闍共伏誅。
Su Bao, personal name Baosheng, was originally of humble birth and possessed literary talent. When Yuanjia established the National University he was Assistant Instructor in the Mao Classic, came to the Founder Emperor's notice, and reached office as Attendant Censor of the Southern Administration and Magistrate of Jiangning. He was convicted of knowing of Gao Zhe's rebellion yet failing to report it immediately, and was executed together with Zhe.
22
顏竣
Yan Jun
23
顏竣字士遜，琅邪臨沂人，光祿大夫延之子也。 太祖問延之：「卿諸子誰有卿風？」 對曰：「竣得臣筆，測得臣文，㚟得臣義，躍得臣酒。」
Yan Jun, styled Shixun, was a native of Linyi in Langye and the son of Grand Master of Splendor Yan Yanzhi. The Founder Emperor asked Yanzhi, "Which of your sons has your style?" He replied, "Jun got my brush, Ce got my prose, Yu got my moral sense, and Yue got my wine."
24
竣初為太學博士，太子舍人，出為世祖撫軍主簿，甚被愛遇，竣亦盡心補益。 元嘉中，上不欲諸王各立朋黨，將召竣補尚書郎，吏部尚書江湛以為竣在府有稱，不宜回改，上乃止。 遂隨府轉安北、鎮軍、北中郎府主簿。 二十八年，虜自彭城北歸，復求互市，竣議曰：「愚以為與虜和親無益，已然之明效。 何以言其然？ 夷狄之欲侵暴，正苦力之不足耳。 未嘗拘制信義，用輟其謀。 昔年江上之役，乃是和親之所招。 歷稔交聘，遂求國婚，朝廷羈縻之義，依違不絕，既積歲月，漸不可誣，獸心無厭，重以忿怒，故至於深入。 幸今因兵交之後，華、戎隔判，若言互市，則復開曩敝之萌。 議者不過言互市之利在得馬，今棄此所重，得彼下駟，千匹以上，尚不足言，況所得之數，裁不十百邪。 一相交關，卒難閉絕。 寇負力玩勝，驕黠已甚，雖云互市，實覘國情，多贍其求，則桀慠罔已，通而為節，則必生邊虞。 不如塞其端漸，杜其觖望，內修德化，外經邊事，保境以觀其釁，於事為長。」
Jun at first was Erudite of the Imperial University and Heir Apparent Attendant. He went out as Chief Clerk to the Heir Apparent's Pacification Army and was greatly favored; Jun also devoted himself wholly to assisting him. In the Yuanjia era the emperor did not wish the various princes each to form faction cliques and was about to summon Jun to fill a Palace Writer post. Minister of Personnel Jiang Zhan thought Jun had a good reputation in the prince's office and should not be transferred; the emperor then stopped. Thereupon he followed the prince's office through transfers as Chief Clerk to the Pacification of the North, Pacification Army, and Northern Center General. In year 28 the barbarians returned north from Pengcheng and again sought mutual trade. Jun opined: "In my dull view, peace and alliance with the barbarians bring no benefit—a lesson already clearly shown. Why do I say this is so? The barbarians' desire to invade and plunder arises precisely because their strength is not yet enough. Never once were they restrained by trust and righteousness so as to pause their plots. The river battle of former years was precisely what peace and alliance invited. Years of diplomatic exchange led them to seek a royal marriage. The court's policy of restraint hesitated without end; months and years accumulated until deception was no longer possible. Their beastly hearts knew no satiety; anger mounted again—and so they penetrated deep. Fortunately, now after arms have crossed, Chinese and barbarian are divided. If we speak of mutual trade, we again open the sprout of former corruption. Those who debate speak only of the benefit of getting horses from trade. Now we abandon what is weighty here to get their inferior mounts—even a thousand or more is hardly worth mention; moreover the number obtained is barely one in ten or a hundred. Once trade relations are opened, they are suddenly hard to close and cut off. The bandits rely on strength and treat victory as a game; their arrogance and craft are already extreme. Though called mutual trade, it is truly spying on the state's condition. If we richly grant their requests, fierce arrogance knows no bound; if we connect yet set limits, border alarms must arise. Better to block the beginning and stop their hopes of encroachment; inwardly cultivate virtue and transformation, outwardly manage border affairs, and preserve the borders to watch for their provocation—in affairs this is the longer course."
25
初，沙門釋僧含粗有學義，謂竣曰：「貧道粗見讖記，當有真人應符，名稱次第，屬在殿下。」 竣在彭城嘗向親人敍之，言遂宣布，聞於太祖。 時元凶巫蠱事已發，故上不加推治。 世祖鎮尋陽，遷南中郎記室參軍。 三十年春，以父延之致仕，固求解職，不許。 賜假未發，而太祖崩問至，世祖舉兵入討。 轉諮議參軍，領錄事，任總外內，并造檄書。 世祖發尋陽，便有疾，領錄事自沈慶之以下，並不堪相見，唯竣出入臥內，斷決軍機。 時世祖屢經危篤，不任咨禀，凡厥眾事，竣皆專斷施行。 世祖踐阼，以為侍中，俄遷左衛將軍，加散騎常侍，辭常侍，見許。 封建城縣侯，食邑二千戶。
Earlier the monk Shi Senghan had some learning and said to Jun: "This humble monk has roughly seen prophecy records: a true man will respond to the omen, and name and rank in order belong to Your Highness. Jun once narrated this to kin at Pengcheng; the words were spread abroad and reached the Founder Emperor. At the time the prime culprit's witchcraft affair had already erupted, so the emperor did not pursue the matter further. When the Heir Apparent garrisoned Xunyang, Jun was transferred to Records Aide to the Southern Center General. In the spring of year 30, because his father Yanzhi had retired, he firmly sought release from office but was not permitted. Leave had been granted but he had not yet departed when news of the Founder Emperor's death arrived. The Heir Apparent raised troops to march in punishment. He was transferred to Advisory Aide and concurrently Records Officer, with responsibility over all affairs inside and outside, and also drafted the proclamation. When the Heir Apparent set out from Xunyang he fell ill. From Records Officer Shen Qingzhi down, none could meet with him face to face; only Jun entered and exited the inner quarters and decided military affairs. At the time the Heir Apparent was repeatedly gravely ill and unable to consult on all matters; Jun exclusively decided and executed every public affair. When the Heir Apparent ascended the throne he was made Attendant-in-Ordinary; soon he was transferred to Left Guard General and given the additional rank of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. He declined the Attendant-in-Ordinary rank and was permitted. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Fengcheng County with a fief of two thousand households.
26
孝建元年，轉吏部尚書，領驍騎將軍。 留心選舉，自強不息，任遇既隆，奏無不可。 其後謝莊代竣領選，意多不行。 竣容貌嚴毅，莊風姿甚美，賓客喧訴，常歡笑答之。 時人為之語曰：「顏竣嗔而與人官，謝莊笑而不與人官。」
In the first year of Xiaojian he was transferred to Minister of Personnel and concurrently made General of Agile Cavalry. Attentive to selection and appointment, he strengthened himself without ceasing. His trust and treatment were already lofty, and none of his memorials went unapproved. Thereafter Xie Zhuang replaced Jun in leading selection, and many of his intended appointments were not carried out. Jun's appearance was stern and severe; Zhuang's bearing was very handsome. When guests clamored with complaints, Zhuang often laughed in reply. People of the time said: "Yan Jun scowling yet gives people office; Xie Zhuang smiling yet does not give people office."
27
南郡王義宣、臧質等反，以竣兼領軍。 義宣、質諸子藏匿建康、秣陵、湖熟、江寧縣界，世祖大怒，免丹陽尹褚湛之官，收四縣官長，以竣為丹陽尹，加散騎常侍。 先是，竣未有子，而大司馬江夏王義恭諸子為元凶所殺，至是並各產男，上自為制名，名義恭子為伯禽，以比魯公伯禽，周公旦之子也； 名竣子為辟強，以比漢侍中張良之子。
When Prince of Nanjun Yixuan, Zang Zhi, and others rebelled, Jun concurrently commanded the army. The sons of Yixuan and Zhi were hidden within the boundaries of Jiankang, Moling, Hushu, and Jiangning. The emperor was greatly angered, stripped Danyang Magistrate Chu Zhanzhi of office, and arrested the chief officials of the four counties. Jun was made Magistrate of Danyang with the additional rank of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. Earlier Jun had no sons yet, and Grand Marshal Prince of Jiangxia Yigong's sons had been killed by the prime culprit. At this point each produced a male heir, and the emperor himself chose names: he named Yigong's son Boqin, comparing him to Boqin, Duke of Lu, son of the Duke of Zhou; and named Jun's son Piqiang, comparing him to the son of Han Attendant-in-Ordinary Zhang Liang.
28
先是元嘉中，鑄四銖錢，輪郭形制，與五銖同，用費損，無利，故百姓不盜鑄。 及世祖即位，又鑄孝建四銖。 三年，尚書右丞徐爰議曰：「貴貨利民，載自五政，開鑄流圜，法成九府，民富國實，教立化光。 及時移俗易，則通變適用，是以周、漢俶遷，隨世輕重。 降及後代，財豐用足，因循前貫，無復改創。 年歷既遠，喪亂屢經，堙焚剪毀，日月銷減，貨薄民貧，公私俱困，不有革造，將至大乏。 謂應式遵古典，收銅繕鑄，納贖刊刑，著在往策，今宜以銅贖刑，隨罰為品。」 詔可。 所鑄錢形式薄小，輪郭不成就。 於是民間盜鑄者雲起，雜以鉛錫，並不牢固。 又剪鑿古錢，以取其銅，錢轉薄小，稍違官式。 雖重制嚴刑，民吏官長坐死免者相係，而盜鑄彌甚，百物踊貴，民人患苦之。 乃立品格，薄小無輪郭者，悉加禁斷。
Earlier in the Yuanjia era four-zhu coins were cast—the rim and form the same as five-zhu coins. The cost was wasteful and unprofitable, so the common people did not illicitly cast them. When the emperor ascended the throne, Xiaojian four-zhu coins were cast again. In year 3 Secretariat Right Assistant Xu Ai opined: "Precious goods benefit the people—a principle recorded since the Five Governmental Functions; opening casting and circulating round coins—law formed in the Nine Treasuries—makes the people rich, the state solid, teaching established, and transformation bright. When times shift and customs change, policy must adapt flexibly to fit the age. Therefore Zhou and Han each reformed their coinage, adjusting weight to the times. By later generations wealth was abundant and expenditures ample; they merely followed former practice, with no further reforms or innovations. As years passed and repeated wars and upheavals took their toll, coins were buried, burned, clipped, and destroyed, dwindling day by day. Goods grew scarce and the people poor; public and private coffers alike were straitened. Without reform, a grave shortage was imminent. He argued that one should follow ancient precedent, gather copper for recoining, and accept copper in lieu of corporal punishment—a practice recorded in former statutes. Copper redemption of punishments should now be adopted, with grades set according to the severity of the offense. The emperor approved the proposal. The coins cast were thin and small, with rims poorly formed. Illicit casters sprang up everywhere among the people, mixing in lead and tin so that the coins were not sound. People also clipped and filed old coins to extract their copper, so that coins grew ever thinner and smaller, gradually deviating from the official standard. Though heavy laws and severe punishments were imposed—commoners, clerks, and magistrates executed or dismissed in unbroken succession—illicit casting grew ever worse. The price of all goods soared, and the people suffered bitterly. Grades and standards were established, and thin coins without rims were entirely banned.
29
始興郡公沈慶之立議曰：「昔秦幣過重，高祖是患，普令民鑄，改造榆莢，而貨輕物重，又復乖時。 太宗放鑄，賈誼致譏，誠以采山術存，銅多利重，耕戰之器，曩時所用，四民競造，為害或多。 而孝文弗納，民鑄遂行，故能朽貫盈府，天下殷富。 況今耕戰不用，采鑄廢久，鎔冶所資，多因成器，功艱利薄，絕吳、鄧之資，農民不習，無釋耒之患。 方今中興開運，聖化惟新，雖復偃甲銷戈，而倉庫未實，公私所乏，唯錢而已。 愚謂宜聽民鑄錢，郡縣開置錢署，樂鑄之家，皆居署內，平其准式，去其雜偽，官斂輪郭，藏之以為永寶。 去春所禁新品，一時施用，今鑄悉依此格。 萬稅三千，嚴檢盜鑄，并禁剪鑿。 數年之間，公私豐贍，銅盡事息，姦偽自止。 且禁鑄則銅轉成器，開鑄則器化為財，翦華利用，於事為益。」
Duke of Shixing Shen Qingzhi submitted a proposal: "In antiquity Qin coins were too heavy—a plague on Gaozu of Han, who ordered universal private casting and reformed the currency into elm-seed coins; yet money grew too light and goods too dear, again out of step with the age. Emperor Wen opened casting to private hands, drawing Jia Yi's censure—for mining still flourished, copper was plentiful and profits large, and the implements of farming and warfare that had once been essential were now hoarded by all four classes of society competing to cast coins, to great harm. Yet Emperor Wen did not heed such objections; private casting went ahead, and strings of coins rotted in overflowing treasuries—the realm grew wealthy. Moreover farming and warfare no longer depend on copper; mining and minting have long been abandoned. What smelters draw on is mostly already-wrought vessels—the labor is hard and the profit slim. This would cut off the resources of places like Wu and Deng. Farmers are unskilled at casting, and there is no danger of their abandoning the plow. The dynasty has been restored and a new reign begun; though arms are sheathed and spears melted down, granaries remain unfilled and what both public and private coffers lack is coin alone. I humbly propose permitting private coinage: commanderies and counties should open mint offices; households willing to cast should all reside within those offices. Standards should be equalized and counterfeits eliminated; the government should collect the rims and store them as permanent reserves. The new coins banned last spring should be put back into circulation for a time; all casting should now follow that standard. Of every ten thousand coins cast, three thousand should be taxed; illicit casting should be strictly inspected, and clipping and filing forbidden as well. Within a few years public and private coffers would be ample; when copper was exhausted the matter would end, and fraud would cease of its own accord. Moreover, when casting is forbidden copper becomes vessels; when casting is opened vessels become wealth. Trimming excess and putting resources to use would benefit the state."
30
上下其事公卿，太宰江夏王義恭議曰：「伏見沈慶之議，『聽民私鑄，樂鑄之室，皆入署居。 平其準式，去其雜偽』。 愚謂百姓不樂與官相關，由來甚久，又多是人士，蓋不願入署。 凡盜鑄為利，利在偽雜，偽雜既禁，樂入必寡。 云『斂取輪郭，藏為永寶』。 愚謂上之所貴，下必從之，百姓聞官斂輪郭，輪郭之價百倍，大小對易，誰肯為之。 強制使換，則狀似逼奪。 又『去春所禁新品，一時施用』。 愚謂此條在可開許。 又云『今鑄宜依此格，萬稅三千』。 又云『嚴檢盜鑄，不得更造』。 愚謂禁制之設，非惟一旦，昧利犯憲，羣庶常情，不患制輕，患在冒犯。 今入署必萬輸三千，私鑄無十三之稅，逐利犯禁，居然不斷。 又云『銅盡事息，姦偽自禁』。 愚謂赤縣內銅，非可卒盡，比及銅盡，姦偽已積。 又云『禁鑄則銅轉成器，開鑄則器化為財』。 然頃所患，患於形式不均，加以剪鑿，又鉛錫眾雜止於盜鑄銅者，亦無須苦禁。」
The matter was referred to the ministers. Grand Tutor Prince of Jiangxia Yigong opined: "I have read Shen Qingzhi's proposal: 'Permit private casting; households willing to cast should all enter the mint offices to reside. Equalize standards and eliminate counterfeits.'" I consider that the common people have long been unwilling to deal with the government—and most illicit casters are gentry who would scarcely wish to enter a mint office. The profit in illicit casting lies in adulteration; once adulteration is forbidden, few will willingly enter the offices. As for the proposal to 'collect the rims and store them as permanent reserves'— what the court favors the people will surely pursue. If the people hear that the government collects rims, rim prices will rise a hundredfold; with large and small coins exchanged at such rates, who would comply? Compelling exchange would look like outright confiscation. As for 'putting last spring's banned new coins back into circulation for a time'— I consider this point acceptable. As for 'all casting should follow this standard with a tax of three thousand per ten thousand'— and 'strict inspection to forbid illicit casting'— prohibitions are not established overnight. The multitude's common habit is to chase profit in defiance of law—the worry is not that penalties are too light but that violations persist. Entering the offices means paying three thousand per ten thousand, while private casting pays no such thirty-percent tax—profit-seeking violations will plainly continue unabated. As for 'when copper is exhausted the matter ends and fraud ceases of its own accord'— copper within the empire cannot be suddenly exhausted; long before it runs out, fraud will have piled up. As for 'forbidding casting turns copper into vessels, opening casting turns vessels into wealth'— our recent troubles lie in unequal coin standards and clipping and filing, while adulteration with lead and tin is limited to illicit casters—there is no need for harsh prohibitions on that score either."
31
竣議曰：「泉貨利用，近古所同，輕重之議，定於漢世，魏、晉以降，未之能改。 誠以物貨既均，改之偽生故也。 世代漸久，弊運頓至，因革之道，宜有其術。 今云開署放鑄，誠所欣同。 但慮採山事絕，器用日耗，銅既轉少，器亦彌貴。 設器直一千，則鑄之減半，為之無利，雖令不行。 又云『去春所禁，一時施用』。 是欲使天下豐財。 若細物必行，而不從公鑄，利已既深，情偽無極，私鑄剪鑿，盡不可禁，五銖半兩之屬，不盈一年，必至於盡。 財貨未贍，大錢已竭，數歲之間，悉為塵土，豈可令取弊之道，基於皇代。 今百姓之貨，雖為轉少，而市井之民，未有嗟怨，此新禁初行，品式未一，須臾自止，不足以垂聖慮。 唯府藏空匱，實為重憂。 今縱行細錢，官無益賦之理，百姓雖贍，無解官乏。 唯簡費去華，設在節儉，求贍之道，莫此為貴。 然錢有定限，而消失無方，剪鑄雖息，終致窮盡者，亡應官開取銅之署，絕器用之塗，定其品式，日月漸鑄，歲久之後，不為世益耳。」
Yan Jun opined: "The utility of currency has been a shared concern since antiquity. Debates over weight and denomination were settled in Han times, and from Wei and Jin onward none could alter that settlement. Truly, once goods and currency are in balance, any change breeds counterfeiting. As generations pass, decay arrives suddenly, and the path of reform ought to have its methods. Opening mint offices to private casting is something I would gladly support. Yet I worry that with mining ceased and daily depletion of vessels and implements, copper grows scarce and vessels ever costlier. If a vessel worth a thousand cash were melted down for coin, only half its value could be recouped—there is no profit, and the order would not be obeyed. As for 'putting last spring's banned coins back into circulation for a time'— that is meant to enrich the realm. Yet if light coins must circulate while casting is left to private hands, profits will run deep and fraud without limit—private casting, clipping, and filing will be wholly unstoppable, and five-zhu and half-liang coins will within a year be utterly exhausted. Before new wealth is amassed the large coins will be spent—within a few years all will be dust. How can a policy of ruin become the foundation of our dynasty? Though the people's coin has grown somewhat scarcer, market folk have not yet complained. The new ban has only just begun and standards are not yet uniform—the disorder will soon cease on its own and does not warrant the sage ruler's concern. Only the emptiness of the government coffers is a grave worry. Even if light coins were circulated, there is no principle by which the government would gain revenue; though the people might be supplied, it would not relieve the government's shortage. Only to cut expenditure, remove extravagance, and establish frugality—is there any nobler path to sufficiency. Yet coin has fixed limits while its disappearance has no bound; though clipping and illicit casting may cease, it will ultimately be exhausted. The answer is not to open government copper offices, block the supply of vessels and implements, fix standards, and cast gradually month by month—in a few years that would benefit the world not at all."
32
時議者又以銅轉難得，欲鑄二銖錢。 竣又議曰：「議者將為官藏空虛，宜更改鑄，天下銅少，宜減錢式，以救交弊，賑國紓民。 愚以為不然。 今鑄二銖，恣行新細，於官無解於乏，而民姦巧大興，天下之貨，將靡碎至盡。 空立嚴禁，而利深難絕，不過一二年間，其弊不可復救。 其甚不可一也。 今鎔鑄獲利，不見有頓得一二億之理，縱復得此，必待彌年。 歲暮稅登，財幣暫革，日用之費，不贍數月，雖權徵助，何解乏邪，徒使姦民意騁，而貽厥愆謀。 此又甚不可二也。 民懲大錢之改，兼畏近日新禁，市井之間，必生喧擾，遠利未聞，切患猥及，富商得志，貧民困窘。 此又甚不可三也。 若使交益深重，尚不可行，況又未見其利，而眾弊如此，失算當時，取誚百代乎。」
At the time some debaters, finding copper increasingly hard to obtain, proposed casting two-zhu coins. Yan Jun again opined: "The debaters hold that the treasury is empty and coin should be recast; copper is scarce empire-wide and the coin standard should be reduced to rescue monetary disorder and relieve the state and people. I consider this wrong. Casting two-zhu coins now and letting new thin coins circulate freely would not relieve the government's shortage, while popular fraud would flourish and the realm's currency would be ground to fragments until nothing remained. Empty prohibitions would be erected while deep profits made them impossible to stop; within a year or two the damage would be beyond repair. This is the first great objection. Profit from smelting and casting offers no prospect of suddenly gaining one or two hundred million; even if obtained, it would take years. Year-end taxes are collected and revenue briefly changes, but daily expenses cannot be covered for even a few months. What shortage would temporary levies relieve? They would only unleash fraudsters' schemes and bequeath blameworthy policies. This is the second great objection. The people, chastened by past changes to large coins and fearful of recent new prohibitions, would stir up clamor in the markets. Distant benefits are unheard of while immediate troubles abound—the rich would prevail and the poor be crushed. This is the third great objection. If even a deeply beneficial exchange were still unworkable, how much less this, whose benefits are unseen and whose evils are so many—a miscalculation for the age and a laughingstock for a hundred generations."
33
前廢帝即位，鑄二銖錢，形式轉細。 官錢每出，民間即模効之，而大小厚薄，皆不及也。 無輪郭，不磨鑢，如今之剪鑿者，謂之耒子。 景和元年，沈慶之啟通私鑄，由是錢貨亂敗，一千錢長不盈三寸，大小稱此，謂之鵝眼錢。 劣於此者，謂之綖環錢。 入水不沉，隨手破碎，市井不復料數，十萬錢不盈一掬，斗米一萬，商貨不行。 太宗初，唯禁鵝眼、綖環，其餘皆通用。 復禁民鑄，官署亦廢工，尋復並斷，唯用古錢。
When the Former Deposed Emperor ascended the throne, two-zhu coins were cast, ever thinner in form. Whenever official coins were issued, the people immediately copied them, but in size, thickness, and weight they fell short. Without rims, unpolished and unfiled—like today's clipped coins—they were called leizi. In the first year of Jinghe, Shen Qingzhi memorialized to permit private casting, and currency fell into chaos. A thousand coins strung together measured less than three inches; coins of this size were called "goose-eye" coins. Those inferior to these were called "thread-ring" coins. They would not sink in water and crumbled at a touch. Markets no longer counted by measure—a hundred thousand coins did not fill a handful; a peck of rice cost ten thousand, and commerce ceased. Early in Emperor Xiaowu's reign, only goose-eye and thread-ring coins were banned; the rest remained in circulation. Private casting was again forbidden, the government mints also shut down, and soon all new coinage was halted—only old coins were used.
34
竣自散騎常侍、丹陽尹，加中書令，丹陽尹如故。 表讓中書令曰：「虛竊國靈，坐玷禁要，聞命慚惶，形魂震越。 臣東州凡鄙，生於微族，長自閭閻，不窺官轍，門無富貴，志絕華伍。 直以委身壟畝，飢寒交切，先朝陶均庶品，不遺愚賤，得免耕稅之勤，厠仕進之末。 陛下盛德居蕃，總攬英異，越以不才，超塵清軌，奉躬歷稔，勞效莫書，仰恃曲成之仁，畢願守宰之秩。 豈期天地中闋，殷憂啟聖，倚附興運，擢景神塗，雲飛海泳，冠絕倫等，曾未三朞，殊命八萃。 詳料賞典，則臣不應科； 瞻言勤良，則臣與侔貴。 方欲訴款皇朝，降階盛序，微已國言，少徹身謗，而制書猥下，爵樹彌隆。 臣小人也，不及遠謀，寵利之來，何能居約，徒以上瀆天明，下汨彝議，災謫之興，懼必在邇。 今之過授，以先微身，苟曰非據，危辱將及，十手所指，諭等膏肓，所以寤寐兢遽，維縈苦疾者也。 伏願陛下察其丹誠，矜其疾願，絕會收恩，以全愚分，則造化之施，方茲為薄。」 見許。 時歲旱民饑，竣上言禁餳一月，息米近萬斛。 復代謝莊為吏部尚書，領太子左衛率，未拜，丁憂。 起為右將軍，丹陽尹如故。
Yan Jun, who had been Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and Magistrate of Danyang, was additionally appointed Director of the Secretariat while retaining the magistracy. He submitted a memorial declining the Directorate: "I have undeservedly stolen the state's grace and undeservedly occupy a forbidden key post. Hearing the order I am ashamed and alarmed, my body and soul trembling. I am a crude man of the eastern provinces, born of a humble clan, raised in the lanes, never glimpsing the ways of office. My house knows no wealth or eminence; my ambition shuns gilded ranks. Having devoted myself to the fields, hunger and cold pressing upon me, the former court harmonized all classes and did not overlook the foolish and lowly, sparing me the toil of farming and taxes and allowing me a foot on the ladder of office. When Your Majesty's splendid virtue held the frontier fief and gathered the outstanding, you raised my unworthy self above the dust into the clear path of service. These many years I have served; my labors cannot be recorded. I relied on your gracious cultivation and wished only to complete my term as a local magistrate. Who could expect heaven and earth to falter, deep grief to summon a sage, and by clinging to the rising fortune to be lifted to a divine height—soaring like clouds, swimming like fish, surpassing all peers? In less than three years, eight extraordinary appointments have been heaped upon me. Weighing the standards of reward, I do not qualify; considering the diligent and worthy, I stand among the noble. I had meant to plead my sincerity before the court, step down from lofty rank, diminish the state's words about me, and slightly clear my reputation—yet an edict has abruptly descended and honors piled ever higher. I am a small man, incapable of far-sighted counsel. Favor and profit having come, how can I remain modest? I only profane heaven's clarity above and muddy public opinion below—the rise of calamity and reproof, I fear, is near. This excessive appointment, given my humble person—if the post is unearned, peril and disgrace will follow. When ten fingers point, the warning reaches the marrow; hence my waking and sleeping dread and ceaseless anguish. I humbly pray Your Majesty discern my sincere heart, pity my urgent plea, cease your grace and withdraw favor to preserve this fool's proper measure—even then your creative bounty would still seem excessive. His request was granted. In a year of drought and famine, Yan Jun memorialized to forbid malt-sugar for one month, saving nearly ten thousand piculs of grain. He was again to replace Xie Zhuang as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently command the Left Guard of the Heir Apparent, but before taking office he entered mourning. Called back to serve as General of the Right while retaining the magistracy of Danyang.
35
竣藉蕃朝之舊，極陳得失。 上自即吉之後，多所興造，竣諫爭懇切，無所回避，上意甚不說，多不見從。 竣自謂才足幹時，恩舊莫比，當贊務居中，永執朝政，而所陳多不被納，疑上欲疏之，乃求外出，以占時旨。 大明元年，以為東揚州刺史，將軍如故。 所求既許，便憂懼無計。 至州，又丁母艱，不許去職，聽送喪還都，恩待猶厚，竣彌不自安。 每對親故，頗懷怨憤，又言朝事違謬，人主得失。 及王僧達被誅，謂為竣所讒構，臨死陳竣前後忿懟，每恨言不見從。 僧達所言，頗有相符據。 上乃使御史中丞庾徽之奏之曰：
Relying on his long standing in the princely court, Yan Jun spoke freely on merits and flaws. After the mourning period ended the emperor undertook many construction projects. Yan Jun remonstrated earnestly without evasion. The emperor was deeply displeased and often did not heed him. Yan Jun considered his talent sufficient to serve the age and his favor unmatched; he expected to assist at court and hold power permanently. When his counsel was often rejected he suspected the emperor meant to distance him, and sought an outside posting to test the emperor's intent. In the first year of Daming he was appointed Governor of Eastern Yang Province, retaining his general's rank. Once his request was granted, he was alarmed and at his wit's end. On reaching his province he again mourned his mother. He was not permitted to leave office but was allowed to escort the coffin to the capital. Favor remained lavish, and Yan Jun grew ever more uneasy. Among relatives and old friends he often voiced resentment, criticizing court affairs as mistaken and discussing the ruler's flaws. When Wang Sengda was executed, it was said Yan Jun had slandered him. At his death Wang cited Yan Jun's successive resentments and his constant regret that his words went unheeded. Wang Sengda's statements found considerable corroboration. The emperor then had Supervising Censor Yin Huizhi impeach him, saying:
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:臣聞人臣之奉主，毀家光國，竭情無私，若乃無禮陵人，怙富卑上，是以王叔作戒，子晳為戮。 未有背本塞原，好利忘義，而得自容盛世，溷亂清流者也。 右將軍、東揚州刺史建城縣開國侯顏竣，因附風雲，謬蒙翼長，天地更造，拔以非次。 聖朝親攬，萬務一歸，而窺覘國柄，潛圖秉執。 受任選曹，驅扇滋甚，出尹京輦，形勢彌放。 傳詔犯憲，舊須啟聞，而竣以通訴忤己，輒加鞭辱，罔顧威靈，莫此為甚。 嚴詔屢發，當官責效，竣權恣不行，怨懟彌起，懷挾姦數，苞藏陰慝。 預聞中旨，罔不宣露，罰則委上，恩必歸己，荷遇之門，即加謗辱，受譴之室，曲相哀撫。 翻戾朝紀，狡惑視聽，脅懼上宰，激動閭閻。 末慮上聞，內懷猜懼，偽請東牧，以卜天旨。 既獲出蕃，怨詈方肆，反脣腹誹，方之已輕。 且時有啟奏，必協姦私，宣示親朋，動作羣小。 前冬母亡，詔賜還葬，事畢不去，盤桓經時，方構間勳貴，造立同異。 又表示危懼，深營身觀，曲訪大臣，慮不全立，遂以己被斥外，國道將顛，釁積懷抱，惡窮辭色。 兼行闕於家，早負世議，逮身居崇寵，奉兼萬金，榮以夸親，祿不充養。 宿憾母弟，恃貴輒戮，天倫怨毒，親交震駭。 凡所莅任，皆闕政刑，輒開丹陽庫物，貸借吏下。 多假資禮，解為門生，充朝滿野，殆將千計。 驕放自下，妨公害私，取監解見錢，以供帳下。 賓旅酣歌，不異平月，街談道說，非復風聲。
"I have heard that ministers serving their lord should ruin their households to glorify the state and devote themselves without selfishness. Yet those who are rude and bully others, who rely on wealth to demean their superiors—for this Wang Shu was made a warning and Zixi was executed. Never has one who turned against his roots, blocked the source, loved profit and forgot righteousness, yet found ease in a flourishing age and muddied the clear current. General of the Right, Governor of Eastern Yang Province, and Marquis of Jiancheng County Yan Jun, riding the winds of fortune, absurdly received nurturing growth; when heaven and earth were remade he was promoted out of turn. The emperor personally handled affairs and concentrated all power in his own hands, yet Yan Jun watched for a chance at the reins of government and secretly plotted to seize them. Once placed in charge of personnel appointments, his factional agitation grew worse still; when he was sent out to govern the capital region, his arrogance became utterly unchecked. Couriers bearing imperial edicts who broke regulations had always been required to report to the throne, but Yan Jun had any courier whose report displeased him whipped and humiliated on the spot, utterly heedless of imperial authority—nothing could exceed this. Stern edicts were issued again and again and officials were held accountable for results, yet Yan Jun willfully refused to obey. Resentment mounted, he nursed treacherous designs, and concealed dark malice in his heart. Whenever he learned the emperor's private intentions in advance, he always leaked them. He ascribed punishments to the throne but kept every favor for himself; at the homes of those in favor he spread slander and insult, while in the houses of those under censure he contrived sympathetic consolation. He subverted court order, cunningly misled what people heard and saw, intimidated the chief ministers, and stirred up the common people. Afraid his conduct would reach the emperor's ears, he inwardly grew suspicious and fearful and falsely requested a provincial governorship in the east to test the throne's intent. Once he was posted outside the capital, his curses poured forth without restraint; muttering slander and speaking ill behind backs—what had gone before seemed mild by comparison. Moreover, whenever memorials were submitted to the throne, he always colluded for private ends, showed them to kin and friends, and stirred up petty factions. The previous winter his mother died. An edict granted him leave to return and bury her, but when the rites were finished he would not depart. He lingered for a long while, seeking to drive wedges among meritorious nobles and sow division. He also feigned terror, worked hard at self-preservation, and probed senior ministers indirectly, fearing he might not survive. Finding himself cast out, he claimed the nation's course was about to collapse; grievances piled in his breast and malice showed plainly on his face. His conduct at home had long been deficient and had drawn public censure. Once he held supreme favor with an income of more than ten thousand in cash, he flaunted his glory before kin yet would not use his salary to support his parents. Bearing an old grudge against his younger brother by the same mother, he relied on his rank to have him killed. Family bonds turned poisonous and friends and kin were appalled. In every office he held he neglected governance and law, opening goods from the Danyang treasury to lend to his subordinates. He often made pretense of gift payments and took men on as disciples; they filled the court and the countryside, numbering nearly a thousand. Arrogant from the bottom up, he harmed the public for private gain, seizing cash held in escrow to supply his personal staff. Guests and travelers sang and drank as freely as in ordinary months; street talk and gossip no longer reflected the proper tone of public life.
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:竣代都文吏，特荷天私，棄瑕錄用，豫參要重，勞無汗馬，賞班河、山，出內寵靈，踰越倫伍。 山川之性，日月彌滋，溪壑之心，在盈彌奓，虎冠狼貪，未足為譬。 今皇明開耀，品物咸亨，傷俗點化，實唯害焉，宜加顯戮，以彰盛化。 請以見事免竣所居官，下太常削爵土，須事御收付廷尉法獄罪。
Yan Jun rose from a clerk in the capital administration and was especially favored by heaven's partiality; his flaws were set aside and he was employed, joining weighty affairs in advance. He performed no labor worthy of a sweating horse, yet his rewards matched rivers and mountains; favor from within and without placed him beyond his proper rank. Like mountains and rivers, he grew more insatiable with each passing day; like streams and gorges, the more he had, the more he swelled. Even the tiger's cap and the wolf's greed are insufficient as comparison. Now that imperial brilliance shines forth and all things flourish, he harms custom and stains civilization—he is truly nothing but harm. He should receive public execution to manifest the greatness of our age. I request that he be immediately dismissed from all his offices, that the Minister of Ceremonials be instructed to strip his rank and fief, and that he then be handed over to the Minister of Justice for trial in the legal prison.
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上未欲便加大戮，且止免官。 竣頻啟謝罪，并乞性命。 上愈怒，詔答曰：「憲司所奏，非宿昔所以相期。 卿受榮遇，故當極此，訕訐怨憤，已孤本望，乃復過煩思慮，懼不自全，豈為下事上誠節之至邪！」 及竟陵王誕為逆，因此陷之，召御史中丞庾徽之於前為奏，奏成，詔曰：「竣孤負恩養，乃可至此。 於獄賜死，妻息宥之以遠。」 子辟強徙送交州，又於道殺之。 竣文集行於世。
The emperor did not yet wish to impose capital punishment and only dismissed him from office. Yan Jun repeatedly submitted apologies and also begged for his life. The emperor grew angrier still and replied by edict: "What the censorate reports is not what we long expected. You received honor and favor—you ought to have gone to the utmost in loyalty. Slander, remonstrance, and resentment have already betrayed my hopes. And yet you again trouble yourself with anxious thoughts, fearing you cannot preserve yourself—is this the utmost sincerity of a subordinate serving his superior!" When Prince of Jingling Liu Dan rebelled, the emperor used this to frame Yan Jun. He summoned Supervising Censor Yu Huizhi before him to draft the memorial. When it was done, the edict said: "Yan Jun betrayed the favor with which he was nurtured—how could it come to this? He was granted death in prison; his wife and children were spared and exiled to a distant place." His son Biqiang was exiled to Jiaozhou and was killed on the road as well. Yan Jun's collected writings circulated in the world.
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史評
Historical Appraisal
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史臣曰：世祖弱歲臨蕃，涵道未廣，披胸解帶，義止賓僚。 及運鍾傾陂，身危慮切，擢膽抽肝，猶患言未盡也。 至於馮玉負扆，威行萬物，欲有必從，事無暫失。 既而憂歡異日，甘苦變心，主挾今情，臣追昔款，宋昌之報，上賞已行，同舟之慮，下望愈結，嫌怨既萌，誅責自起。 竣之取釁於世，蓋由此乎。 為人臣者，若能事主而捐其私，立功而忘其報，雖求顛陷，不可得也。
The historian writes: When Emperor Shizu was young at his princedom, his grasp of the Way was not yet broad; opening his heart and loosening his belt meant no more than intimacy among guests and staff. When fate struck at the tipping point and his person was in peril with anxious thoughts acute, he poured out gall and liver—yet still feared his words were not fully spoken. Once he leaned on the jade mat and rested against the imperial screen, his authority moved all things—what he wished was always obeyed and affairs never briefly went awry. Then joy and sorrow differed by day and sweet turned to bitter in their hearts—the lord held to present feeling while the minister recalled past warmth. The reward owed to Song Chang: the emperor's favor had already been given; the anxiety of sharing one boat: the minister's hopes grew ever tighter. Once suspicion and resentment took root, punishment and blame arose of themselves. Yan Jun's downfall in the world probably stemmed from this. For one who serves as minister, if he can serve his lord and cast aside private interest, establish merit and forget reward—even if he sought ruin, he could not obtain it.