Volume 77 Biographies 37: Liu Yuanjing, Yan Shibo, Shen Qingzhi

柳元景

Liu Yuanjing

柳元景字孝仁，河東解人也。曾祖卓，自本郡遷於襄陽，官至汝南太守。祖恬，西河太守。父憑，馮翊太守。

Liu Yuanjing, whose courtesy name was Xiaoren, came from Jie in Hedong commandery. His great-grandfather Zhuo had left his home commandery for Xiangyang and eventually served as administrator of Runan. His grandfather Tian held the post of Xihe administrator. His father Ping served as Fengyi administrator.

元景少便弓馬，數隨父伐蠻，以勇稱。寡言有器質。荊州刺史謝晦聞其名，要之，未及往而晦敗。雍州刺史劉道產深愛其能，元景時居父憂，未得加命。會荊州刺史江夏王義恭召之，道產謂曰：「久欲見屈。今貴王有召，難輒相留，乖意以為惘惘。」服闋，補江夏王國中軍將軍，遷殿中將軍。復為義恭司空行參軍，隨府轉司徒太尉城局參軍，太祖見又嘉之。

From boyhood Yuanjing was adept with bow and horse. He often accompanied his father on campaigns against the southern tribes and won a reputation for bravery. He was sparing of speech and showed real capacity. Xie Hui, inspector of Jingzhou, heard of him and invited him to serve, but Yuanjing had not yet gone when Hui fell. Liu Daochan, inspector of Yongzhou, greatly valued his talent, yet Yuanjing was still in mourning for his father and could not yet be given office. When Prince Jiangxia of Jiangxia, as inspector of Jingzhou, summoned him, Daochan said, "I have long wanted to keep you here. Now that the prince has called you, I cannot simply hold you back, and against my wishes I am left deeply disappointed." When his mourning was over, he was made central army general of the Jiangxia princedom and then promoted to palace general. He again served Yigong as acting staff officer on the Minister of Works' secretariat, then followed the establishment to a post in the city bureau of the Minister over the Masses and Grand Marshal. The Taizu saw him once more and commended him.

先是，劉道產在雍州有惠化，遠蠻悉歸懷，皆出緣沔為村落，戶口殷盛。及道產死，羣蠻大為寇暴。世祖西鎮襄陽，義恭以元景為將帥，即以為廣威將軍、隨郡太守。既至，而蠻斷驛道，欲來攻郡。郡內少糧，器仗又乏，元景設方略，得六七百人，分五百人屯驛道。或曰：「蠻將逼城，不宜分眾。」元景曰：「蠻聞郡遣重戍，豈悟城內兵少。且表裏合攻，於計為長。」會蠻垂至，乃使驛道為備，潛出其後，戒曰：「火舉馳進。」前後俱發，蠻眾驚擾，投鄖水死者千餘人，斬獲數百，郡境肅然，無復寇抄。朱脩之討蠻，元景又與之俱，後又副沈慶之征鄖山，進克太陽。除世祖安北府中兵參軍。

Earlier, while Liu Daochan governed Yongzhou, his benevolent rule had won over the distant tribes. They settled in villages along the Han River, and the population grew thick. After Daochan's death, the tribal peoples launched major raids. The Shizu held the western garrison at Xiangyang. Yigong chose Yuanjing as a field commander and immediately made him general of expansive might and administrator of Suixian commandery. As soon as he arrived, the tribes cut the courier road and prepared to attack the commandery seat. The commandery had little grain and few arms. Yuanjing worked out a plan, raised six or seven hundred men, and sent five hundred to hold the post road. Someone urged him, "The tribes are about to threaten the city—you should not split your force." Yuanjing replied, "When the tribes hear that the commandery has sent a strong detachment, how will they guess how few men remain inside the walls? Besides, striking them from front and rear at once is the better strategy." As the tribes drew near, he had the men on the post road stand ready while he slipped around behind them with orders: "When you see the beacon, ride hard." Both wings struck at once. The tribal force broke in panic; more than a thousand drowned in the Yun River, and several hundred were killed or taken. The commandery grew calm, and raiding ceased. When Zhu Xiuzhi campaigned against the tribes, Yuanjing marched with him again. Later he served under Shen Qingzhi against Mount Yun and helped capture Taiyang. He was made central troops aide on the Shizu's Pacify-the-North staff.

隨王誕鎮襄陽，為後軍中兵參軍。及朝廷大舉北討，使諸鎮各出軍。二十七年八月，誕遣振威將軍尹顯祖出貲谷，奮武將軍魯方平、建武將軍薛安都、略陽太守龐法起入盧氏，廣威將軍田義仁入魯陽，加元景建威將軍，總統羣帥。後軍外兵參軍龐季明年已七十三，秦之冠族，羌人多附之，求入長安，招懷關、陝。乃自貲谷入盧氏，盧氏人趙難納之，弘農強門先有內附意，故委季明投之。十月，魯方平、薛安都、龐法起進次白亭，時元景猶未發。法起率方平、安都諸軍前入，自脩陽亭出熊耳山。季明進達高門木城，值永昌王入弘農，乃回，還盧氏，據險自固。頃之，招盧氏少年進入宜陽苟公谷，以扇動義心。元景以其月率軍繼進。閏月，法起、安都、方平諸軍入盧氏，斬縣令李封，以趙難為盧氏令，加奮武將軍。難驅率義徒，以為眾軍鄉導。法起等度鐵嶺山，次開方口，季明出自木城，與法起相會。元景大軍次臼口，以前鋒深入，懸軍無繼，馳遣尹顯祖入盧氏，以為軍援。元景以軍食不足，難可曠日相持，乃束馬懸車，引軍上百丈崖，出溫谷，以入盧氏。

When Prince Sui Dan held Xiangyang, Yuanjing became central troops aide of the rear army on his staff. When the court mounted a major northern expedition, every regional command was told to deploy its forces. In the eighth month of year 27, Dan sent Quelling Might General Yin Xianzu through Zigui Valley, Striving Martial General Lu Fangping, Establishing Martial General Xue Andu, and Lueyang administrator Pang Faqi into Lushi, while Expansive Might General Tian Yiren advanced on Luyang. Yuanjing was promoted to establishing might general and placed in overall command of the field leaders. Pang Jiming, outer troops aide of the rear army, was already seventy-three—a great Qin clan chief to whom many Qiang looked. He volunteered to enter Chang'an and rally Guanzhong and western Shaan. He came into Lushi from Zigui Valley, where Zhao Nan of Lushi welcomed him. Leading families in Hongnong had already leaned toward submission, so they put themselves under Jiming's lead. In the tenth month Lu Fangping, Xue Andu, and Pang Faqi marched up to Baiting, while Yuanjing had not yet moved. Faqi led Fangping, Andu, and the rest forward, leaving Xiuyang Pavilion by way of Bear's-Ear Mountain. Jiming reached Gaomen Wooden Fort just as Prince Yongchang entered Hongnong. He withdrew to Lushi and fortified the mountain passes. Soon afterward he rallied Lushi youths into Gougong Valley in Yiyang to rouse local loyalists. That same month Yuanjing marched up with the main army. In the intercalary month Faqi, Andu, and Fangping took Lushi, executed Magistrate Li Feng, appointed Zhao Nan magistrate of Lushi, and gave him the rank of striving martial general. Nan led the local volunteers and guided the allied columns. Faqi's force crossed Iron Ridge Mountain and camped at Kaifang Pass. Jiming came out of Wooden Fort and linked up with him. Yuanjing's main force stopped at Jiukou. With the vanguard far ahead and no reserves behind it, he hurried Yin Xianzu into Lushi as reinforcement. Supplies were short and a long stalemate was impossible, so Yuanjing had horses packed and wagons winched up Hundred-Foot Cliff, then led his men through Warm Valley into Lushi.

法起諸軍進次方伯堆，去弘農城五里。賊遣兵二千餘人覘候，法起縱兵夾射之，賊騎退走。諸軍造攻具，進兵城下，偽弘農太守李初古拔嬰城自固，法起、安都、方平諸軍鼓譟以陵城，季明、趙難並率義徒相繼而進，衝車四臨，數道俱攻，士皆殊死戰，莫不奮勇爭先。時初古拔父子據南門，督其處距戰，弘農人之在城內者三千餘人，於北樓豎白幡，或射無金箭。安都軍副譚金、薛係孝率眾先登，生禽李初古拔父子二人，魯方平入南門，生禽偽郡丞，百姓皆安堵。

Faqi's columns marched up to Fangbo Mound, five li from the walls of Hongnong. The enemy sent out more than two thousand scouts. Faqi attacked them from both flanks with archery, and their cavalry broke and ran. The allied armies built siege engines and moved to the walls. The Wei-appointed Hongnong administrator Li Chuguba barred the gates and held on. Faqi, Andu, and Fangping raised a thunder of drums beneath the ramparts while Jiming and Zhao Nan pushed volunteer columns forward. Battering rams closed in on four sides and assault parties struck along several approaches. Every man fought as if for his life, each striving to be first. Chuguba and his son manned the south gate and directed the defense. More than three thousand Hongnong residents inside the city raised white banners on the north tower or shot signal arrows without iron points. Andu's deputies Tan Jin and Xue Xixiao led the assault and captured Li Chuguba and his son alive. Lu Fangping entered the south gate and seized the Wei commandery aide. The townspeople were left unmolested.

元景引軍度熊耳山，安都頓軍弘農，法起進據潼關，季明率方平、趙難軍向陝西七里谷。殿中將軍鄧盛、幢主劉驂亂使人入荒田，招宜陽人劉寬虯率合義徒二千餘人，共攻金門隖，屠之。殺戍主李買得，古拔子也，為虜永昌王長史，勇冠戎類。永昌聞其死，若失左右手。

Yuanjing crossed Bear's-Ear Mountain while Andu encamped at Hongnong, Faqi seized Tong Pass, and Jiming marched Fangping and Zhao Nan toward Qili Valley west of Shaan. Palace general Deng Sheng and standard-bearer Liu Canluan sent agents into Huangtian to rally Liu Kuangqiu of Yiyang, who mustered more than two thousand volunteers. Together they stormed Jintun Fort and put its garrison to the sword. They killed the garrison commander Li Maide—Chuguba's son—who served as chief clerk to Prince Yongchang and was counted the bravest man in the Wei armies. When Yongchang heard that Maide was dead, he felt as though he had lost both hands.

誕又遣長流行參軍姚範領三千人向弘農，受元景節度。十一月，元景率眾至弘農，營於開方口。仍以元景為弘農太守，置吏佐。

Dan also sent chief clerk aide Yao Fan with three thousand men toward Hongnong under Yuanjing's orders. In the eleventh month Yuanjing brought his main force to Hongnong and pitched camp at Kaifang Pass. Yuanjing was again appointed administrator of Hongnong, with a full staff of aides.

初，安都留住弘農，而諸軍已進陝，元景既到，謂安都曰：「無為坐守空城，而令龐公深入，此非計也。宜急進軍，可與顯祖并兵就之。吾須督租畢，尋後引也。」眾並造陝下，即入郭城，列營於城內以逼之，並大造攻具。賊城臨河為固，恃險自守，季明、安都、方平、顯祖、趙難諸軍，頻三攻未拔。虜洛州刺史地河公張是連提眾二萬，度崤來救，安都、方平各列陣城南以待之，顯祖勒精卒以為後柱。季明率高明、宜陽義兵當南門而陣，趙難領盧氏樂從少年，與季明為掎角。賊兵大合，輕騎挑戰。安都瞋目橫矛，單騎突陣，四向奮擊，左右皆辟易不能當，殺傷不可勝數，於是眾軍並鼓噪俱前，士皆殊死戰。虜初縱突騎，眾軍患之，安都怒甚，乃脫兜鍪，解所帶鎧，唯著絳納兩當衫，馬亦去具裝，馳奔以入賊陣，猛氣咆𠷺，所向無前，當其鋒者，無不應刃而倒。賊忿之，夾射不能中，如是者數四，每一入，眾無不披靡。初，元景令將魯元保守函谷關，賊眾既盛，元保不能自固，乃率所領作函箱陣，多列旗幟，緣險而還，正會安都諸軍與賊交戰，虜三郎將見元保軍從山下，以為元景大眾至，日且暮，賊於是奔退，騎多得入城。

Andu had stayed behind at Hongnong while the other columns were already moving on Shaan. When Yuanjing arrived he told Andu, "You should not sit in an empty city while Pang pushes deep into enemy country—that is no strategy. March at once. You can join Xianzu and go to his aid. I still have to finish collecting supplies and will follow shortly." The columns all marched to Shaan, entered the outer city, and pitched camp inside the walls to tighten the siege while building siege engines on a large scale. The enemy held a river-side strongpoint and trusted the terrain. Jiming, Andu, Fangping, Xianzu, and Zhao Nan assaulted three times without breaking the place. The Wei Luozhou inspector, Duke of Dihe Zhang Shilian, brought twenty thousand men over Xiao Mountain to relieve the city. Andu and Fangping formed battle lines south of the walls while Xianzu held picked troops in reserve. Jiming posted the volunteer forces of Gaoming and Yiyang before the south gate. Zhao Nan led the eager young men of Lushi to work a pincer with him. The Wei army gathered in force and sent light cavalry to provoke a fight. Andu glared, levelled his spear, and charged alone into the enemy line, striking in every direction. Men on either flank fell back before him, and the dead and wounded were beyond count. At that the whole allied army surged forward with a roar, every soldier fighting as if for his life. The Wei first unleashed shock cavalry, and the allied ranks wavered. Andu flew into a rage, tore off his helmet and armor, and rode in wearing only a crimson jacket while his horse too was stripped of barding. He charged into the enemy roaring, and wherever he turned no one who met his spear failed to fall. The enemy loosed volleys at him from both sides but could not bring him down. Four or five times he plunged in, and each time the Wei ranks broke before him. Earlier Yuanjing had posted General Lu Yuanbao to hold Hangu Pass. When Wei pressure grew too heavy Yuanbao could not hold the pass. He drew his men into a box formation, raised a forest of banners, and withdrew along the mountain paths—just as Andu was fighting below. A Wei third-rank officer saw Yuanbao's column coming down the slope, took it for Yuanjing's main army, and with dusk falling the enemy broke. Many of their horsemen escaped into the city.

賊之將至也，方平遣驛騎告元景，時諸軍糧盡，各餘數日食。元景方督義租，并上驢馬，以為運糧之計，而方平信至，元景遣軍副柳元怙簡步騎二千，以赴陝急。卷甲兼行，一宿而至。詰朝，賊眾又出，列陳於城外。方平諸軍並成列，安都并領馬軍，方平悉勒步卒，左右掎角之，餘諸義軍並於城西南列陳。方平謂安都曰：「今勍敵在前，堅城在後，是吾取死之日。卿若不進，我當斬卿；我若不進，卿當斬我也。」安都曰：「善，卿言是也。我豈惜身命乎。」遂合戰。時元怙方至，悉偃旗鼓，士馬皆銜枚，潛師伏甲而進，賊未之覺也。方平等方與虜交鋒，而元怙勒眾從城南門函道直出，北向結陳，旌旗甚盛，鼓譟而前，出賊不意，虜眾大駭。元怙與幢主宗越，率手下猛騎，以衝賊陳，一軍皆馳之。安都、方平等督諸軍一時齊奮，士卒無不用命。安都不堪其憤，橫矛直前，出入賊陳，殺傷者甚多，流血凝肘，矛折，易之復入。軍副譚金率騎從而奔之。自詰旦而戰，至于日昃，虜眾大潰，斬張是連提，又斬三千餘級，投河赴塹死者甚眾，面縛軍門者二千餘人。

As the enemy relief force approached, Fangping sent a courier to Yuanjing. Every column was out of grain and had only a few days' rations left. Yuanjing was busy collecting grain and rounding up pack animals when Fangping's message arrived. He sent his deputy Liu Yuanhu with two thousand picked infantry and cavalry to relieve Shaan at once. They marched without pitching camp and covered the distance in a single night. At dawn the Wei army came out again and formed battle lines outside the walls. Fangping's troops finished forming up. Andu took the cavalry while Fangping led all the infantry in a pincer. The other volunteer columns lined up southwest of the city. Fangping said to Andu, "A powerful enemy stands before us and a walled city behind. Today is the day we stake our lives. If you do not charge, I will cut off your head. If I hang back, you may cut off mine." Andu answered, "Well said—you are right. Do you think I value my life?" They closed and fought. Yuanhu had just arrived. He silenced drums and banners, gagged every man and horse, and advanced with hidden armor while the enemy still knew nothing. Fangping's men were already locked with the Wei when Yuanhu burst through the covered way of the south gate, formed line facing north under a blaze of banners, and charged with a thunder of drums. The enemy had not expected him and panicked. Yuanhu and standard-bearer Zong Yue led their picked horsemen straight into the Wei line, and the whole column swept after them. Andu and Fangping drove every unit forward at once, and not a man held back. Andu, unable to contain his rage, levelled his spear and drove straight through the enemy ranks again and again. Blood caked his elbows. His spear snapped; he took another and went back in. His deputy Tan Jin led the cavalry in his wake. The battle ran from dawn until midafternoon. The Wei army collapsed. Zhang Shilian was killed and more than three thousand heads were taken. Countless men drowned in the river or fell into the ditches. More than two thousand captives were bound before the camp gate.

元景輕騎晨至，虜兵之面縛者多河內人，元景詰之曰：「汝等怨王澤不浹，請命無所，今並為虜盡力，便是本無善心。順附者存拯，從惡者誅滅，欲知王師正如此爾。」皆曰：「虐虜見驅，後出赤族，以騎蹙步，未戰先死，此親將軍所見，非敢背中國也。」諸將欲盡殺之，元景以為不可，曰：「今王旗北掃，當令仁聲先路。」乃悉釋而遣之，家在關裏者，符守關諸軍聽出，皆稱萬歲而去。誕以崤、陝既定，其地宜撫，以弘農劉寬虯行東弘農太守。給元景鼓吹一部。

Yuanjing arrived at dawn with a light escort. Many of the bound prisoners were from Henei. He questioned them: "You complain that the court's grace never reached you and that you had nowhere to turn. Yet now you fought your hardest for the Wei. That shows where your hearts truly lay. Those who yield will be spared; those who cling to the enemy will be destroyed. That is how the imperial army deals with you." They answered together, "The Wei drove us at spear-point. Anyone who fell behind lost his whole clan. Their cavalry herded our foot soldiers—we were dead men before the fight began. Your Lordship saw it yourself. We did not willingly turn against the empire." The other commanders wanted to kill them all, but Yuanjing refused. "The imperial banners are sweeping north," he said. "Let mercy go before the army." He released every man. Those with families inside the passes were given passes allowing them through the border garrisons. They shouted their thanks and went home. With Xiao Mountain and Shaan secured, Dan judged the region needed a civil hand and appointed Liu Kuangqiu of Hongnong acting administrator of East Hongnong. Yuanjing was granted a full band of martial music.

法起率眾次于潼關。先是，建義將軍華山太守劉槐糾合義兵攻關城，拔之，力少不固。頃之，又集眾以應王師，法起次潼關，槐亦至。賊關城戍主婁須望旗奔潰，虜眾溺於河者甚眾。法起與槐即據潼關。虜蒲城鎮主遣偽帥何難於封陵堆列三營以擬法起。法起長驅入關，行王、檀故壘。虜謂直向長安，何難率眾欲濟河以截軍後，法起回軍臨河，縱兵射之，賊退散。關中諸義徒並處處鋒起，四山羌、胡咸皆請奮。誕又遣揚武將軍康元撫領二千人出上洛，受元景節度，援方平於函谷。元景去，賊眾向關。時軍中食盡，元景回據白楊嶺，賊定未至，更下山進弘農，入湖關口，虜蒲阪戍主泰州刺史杜道生率眾二萬至閿鄉水，去湖關一百二十里。元景募精勇一千人，夜斫賊營，迷失道，天曉而反。道生率手下驍銳縱兵射之，鋒刃既交，虜又奔散。

Faqi marched his force to Tong Pass and encamped there. Earlier, establishing righteousness general and Huashan administrator Liu Huai had rallied volunteers, stormed the pass city, and taken it—but his force was too small to hold it. Soon he gathered his men again to join the imperial advance. When Faqi reached Tong Pass, Huai came up as well. The Wei garrison commander Lou Xu saw their banners and broke. Many of his men drowned in the river. Faqi and Huai immediately occupied Tong Pass. The Wei commander at Pucheng sent the officer He Nan to pitch three camps at Fengling Mound to block Faqi. Faqi pressed deep into the pass, marching past the old camps of Wang and Tan. The Wei thought he was marching straight on Chang'an. He Nan tried to cross the river and cut off his rear. Faqi wheeled to the riverbank, poured arrows into them, and drove them off. Loyalists rose throughout Guanzhong, and Qiang and Hu from the surrounding hills all volunteered to fight. Dan also sent raising martial general Kang Yuanfu with two thousand men from Shangluo under Yuanjing's orders to reinforce Fangping at Hangu Pass. After Yuanjing left, the Wei army turned toward the pass. The army had run out of food, so Yuanjing pulled back to defend Baiyang Ridge. Before the enemy could arrive, he marched down again toward Hongnong and entered Huguan Pass. Meanwhile Du Daosheng—the Northern Wei garrison chief at Puban and governor of Taizhou—brought twenty thousand troops to the Wenxiang River, only a hundred and twenty li from Huguan. Yuanjing raised a thousand picked men for a night attack on the enemy camp, but they lost their way in the dark and came back at daybreak. Daosheng led his best fighters in a volley of arrows, but as soon as blades met, the Wei troops broke and fled once more.

時北討諸軍王玄謨等敗退，虜遂深入。太祖以元景不宜獨進，且令班師。元景乃率諸將自湖關度白楊嶺，出于長洲，安都斷後，宗越副之。法起自潼關向商城，與元景會，季明亦從胡谷南歸，並有功而入，士馬旌旗甚盛。誕登城望之，以鞍下馬迎元景。除寧朔將軍、京兆廣平二郡太守，於樊城立府舍，率所領居之，統行北蠻事。龐季明為定蠻長，薛安都為後軍行參軍，魯方平為寧蠻參軍。

Wang Xuamo and the other northern expedition forces had already been beaten back, allowing the Wei army to drive deep into Song territory. Emperor Wen decided Yuanjing should not press forward on his own and ordered a general retreat. Yuanjing led his officers out through Huguan, over Baiyang Ridge, and down to Changzhou, with An Du in the rearguard and Zong Yue supporting him. Fa Qi marched from Tong Pass toward Shangcheng to meet Yuanjing, while Jiming came south through Hogu Pass. Each column returned with creditable victories, and their soldiers, horses, and banners made a splendid show. Liu Dan climbed the city wall to watch the approach, then dismounted and went out on foot to greet Yuanjing. Yuanjing was made General Who Pacifies the North and governor of Jingzhao and Guangping, set up his headquarters at Fancheng with his troops, and was put in charge of affairs with the northern barbarians. Pang Jiming became Chief Who Settles the Barbarians, Xue An Du Rear Army Acting Commandant, and Lu Fangping Barbarian-Pacifying Commandant.

臧質為雍州，除元景為冠軍司馬、襄陽太守，將軍如故。魯爽向虎牢，復使元景率安都等北出至關城，關城棄戍走，即據之。元景至洪關，欲進與安都濟河攻杜道生於蒲阪，會爽退，復還。再出北討，威信著於境外。又使率所領進西陽，會伐五水蠻。

When Zang Zhi took over Yong Province, Yuanjing was named Champion Major and governor of Xiangyang while keeping his existing rank as general. As Lu Shuang moved on Hulao, Yuanjing was sent north again with An Du and others to Guancheng; the garrison fled without a fight, and he occupied the town at once. At Hong Pass Yuanjing planned to cross the river with An Du and strike Du Daosheng at Puban, but Lu Shuang's retreat forced him to pull back. On his second northern campaign his reputation for power and integrity spread beyond the frontier. He was next sent with his troops to Xiyang to take part in the campaign against the Wushui barbarians.

世祖入討元凶，以為諮議參軍，領中兵，加冠軍將軍，太守如故。配萬人為前鋒，宗慤、薛安都等十三軍皆隸焉。元景與朝士書曰：「國禍寃深，凶人肆逆，民神崩憤，若無天地。南中郎親率義師，剪討元惡，司徒、臧冠軍並同大舉，舳艫千里，購賞之利備之。元景不武，忝任行間，總勒精勇，先鋒道路，勢乘上流，眾兼百倍。諸賢弈世忠義，身為國良，皆受遇先朝，荷榮日久，而拘逼寇廷，莫由申効，想聞今問，悲慶兼常。大行屆道，廓清惟始，企遲面對，展雪哀情。」

When Emperor Xiaowu marched east to destroy the usurper Liu Shao, Yuanjing was appointed Advisory Adjutant in charge of the central army, promoted to Champion General, and kept his governorship. He was given ten thousand men as the vanguard, with thirteen armies under Zong Que, Xue An Du, and others subordinated to him. Yuanjing wrote to fellow officials: "The realm suffers a grievous national disaster; a wicked man has risen in open rebellion, and gods and men alike are convulsed with rage, as though heaven and earth had ceased to exist. The Southern Central Commander is personally leading a righteous army to destroy the chief villain; the Minister over the Masses and Champion Zang are both mobilizing on the same scale, with war fleets stretching for a thousand li and generous bounties already posted. I am no warrior, yet I am honored to serve in the field, gathering elite troops to open the vanguard's way; we hold the advantage of the upstream current and our numbers are many times greater. You have served the dynasty with hereditary loyalty and are true pillars of the state, long favored by the previous emperor—yet trapped under the usurper's court you could do nothing until now. Learning of our cause, you must feel joy and sorrow in equal measure. The great undertaking is at hand and order will soon be restored; I eagerly await meeting you face to face to share our grief and joy."

時義軍船率小陋，慮水戰不敵，至蕪湖，元景大喜，倍道兼行，聞石頭出戰艦，乃於江寧步上，於板橋立柵以自固。進據陰山，遣薛安都率馬軍至南岸，元景潛至新亭，依山建壘，東西據險。世祖復遣龍驤將軍、行參軍程天祚率眾赴之。天祚又於東南據高丘，屯砦柵。凡歸順來奔者，皆勸元景速進，元景曰：「不然。理順難恃，同惡相濟，輕進無防，實啟寇心。當倚我之不可勝，豈幸寇之不攻哉。」元景營壘未立，為龍驤將軍詹叔兒覘知之，勸劭出戰，不許。經日，乃水陸出軍，劭自登朱雀門督戰。軍至瓦官寺，與義軍游邏相逢，游邏退走，賊遂薄壘。劭以元景壘塹未立，可得平地决戰，既至，柴柵已堅，倉卒無攻具，便使肉薄攻之。元景宿令軍中曰：「鼓繁氣易衰，叫數力易竭。但各銜枚疾戰，一聽吾營鼓音。」賊步將魯秀、王羅漢、劉簡之、騎將常伯與等及其士卒，皆殊死戰。劉簡之先攻西南，頻得燒草舫，略渡人。程天祚柴未立，亦為所摧。王羅漢等攻壘北門，賊艦亦至。元景水陸受敵，意氣彌強，麾下勇士悉遣出戰，左右唯留數人宣傳。分軍助程天祚，天祚還得固柴，因此破賊。元景察賊衰竭，乃命開壘，鼓譟以奔之，賊眾大潰，透淮死者甚多。劭更率餘眾自來攻壘，復大破之，其所殺傷，過於前戰。劭手斬退者不能禁，奔還宮，僅以身免，蕭斌被創。簡之收兵而止，陳猶未散。元景復出薄之，乃走，競投死馬澗，澗為之滿，斬簡之及軍主姚叔藝、王江寶、朱明智、諸葛邈之等，水軍主褚湛之、副劉道存並來歸順。

The loyalist fleet was mostly small and poorly built, and they worried they could not win on the water. Yuanjing was delighted when they reached Wuhu and pressed forward at forced march. Learning that enemy warships had sortied from Shitou, he went ashore at Jiangning on foot and fortified himself with a stockade at Banqiao. He seized Yinshan, sent Xue An Du with the cavalry to the south bank, and himself stole up to Xinting, where he built fortifications along the hills and secured the passes on both flanks. Emperor Xiaowu also dispatched Dragon Cavalry General and Acting Commandant Cheng Tianzuo with reinforcements. Tianzuo took a hill in the southeast as well and put up camp fortifications there. Every defector who came over urged Yuanjing to attack at once. Yuanjing replied, "No. Righteousness alone is no guarantee; evildoers will rally to one another. A careless advance without defenses will only embolden the enemy. We should rely on making ourselves unbeatable, not on hoping the enemy chooses not to attack. Before Yuanjing's defenses were finished, Dragon Cavalry General Zhan Shu'er spotted the weakness and urged Liu Shao to strike, but Shao refused. A day later Liu Shao finally sent forces by land and sea, personally directing the battle from Zhuque Gate. Shao's troops reached Waguan Temple, clashed with loyalist scouts who fell back, and the rebel force closed in on Yuanjing's camp. Liu Shao had expected to find Yuanjing's trenches unfinished and fight on open ground, but by the time he arrived the palisades were solid. With no siege equipment ready, he ordered a frontal assault. Yuanjing had already told his men, "Heavy drumming wears down morale, and constant shouting drains your strength. Bite your gag and fight hard, and wait for my signal drum alone. The rebel infantry commanders Lu Xiu, Wang Luohan, and Liu Jianzhi, the cavalry commander Chang Boyu, and their troops all fought with desperate fury. Liu Jianzhi hit the southwest first, using burning straw rafts to ferry some of his men across. Cheng Tianzuo's fortifications were not yet complete, and he too was overrun. Wang Luohan and his men assaulted the north gate while enemy ships closed in from the river. Beset on land and water, Yuanjing only fought harder, sending every able fighter into the fray and keeping just a few aides at his side to carry orders. He detached troops to reinforce Cheng Tianzuo, who was able to hold his line and turn the tide against the enemy. Seeing the enemy spent, Yuanjing ordered the gates opened and sent his men charging with a thunder of drums. The rebel army broke completely, and many drowned or were killed trying to cross the canal. Liu Shao personally led another assault with his remaining troops and was crushed again, with even heavier casualties than the first fight. Liu Shao himself cut down retreating soldiers but could not stop the rout. He raced back to the palace and barely escaped with his life, while Xiao Bin was wounded. Liu Jianzhi regrouped his men and held his ground; his formation had not yet broken up. Yuanjing sallied forth again and drove them off. They stampeded into Dead Horse Gully until the stream was choked with bodies. Liu Jianzhi and commanders Yao Shuyi, Wang Jiangbao, Zhu Mingzhi, and Zhuge Miaozhi were killed, while naval officers Chu Zhenzhi and Liu Daocun defected to the loyalists.

上至新亭即位，以元景為侍中，領左衞將軍，轉使持節、監雍梁南北秦四州荊州之竟陵隨二郡諸軍事、前將軍、寧蠻校尉、雍州刺史。上在巴口，問元景：「事平，何所欲？」對曰：「若有過恩，願還鄉里。」故有此授。初，臧質起義，以南譙王義宣闇弱易制，欲相推奉，潛報元景，使率所領西還。元景即以質書呈世祖，語其使曰：「臧冠軍當是未知殿下義舉爾。方應伐逆，不容西還。」質以此恨之。及元景為雍州刺史，質慮其為荊、江後患，建議爪牙不宜遠出。上重違其言，更以元景為護軍將軍，領石頭戍事，不拜。徙領軍將軍，加散騎常侍，曲江縣公，食邑三千戶。

After Emperor Xiaowu took the throne at Xinting, he made Yuanjing Palace Attendant and Left Guard General, then Inspector of Yong Province and Forward General with authority over Yong, Liang, northern and southern Qin, and parts of Jingzhou. At Bakou the new emperor asked Yuanjing, "When this is over, what reward do you want? Yuanjing answered, "If Your Majesty grants me too much favor, I would only ask to go home. That was why he received the Yongzhou post instead of a capital appointment. Early in the uprising Zang Zhi, believing Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao weak and easy to manipulate, planned to put him on the throne and secretly asked Yuanjing to march west with his troops. Yuanjing handed Zang Zhi's letter straight to Emperor Xiaowu and told the messenger, "Champion Zang must not know yet that Your Highness has risen in righteous arms. We are here to punish the usurper; a westward march is out of the question. Zang Zhi never forgave him for it. Once Yuanjing became governor of Yongzhou, Zang Zhi worried he would become a threat to the Jiang and Jing regions and argued that the emperor's strongarm should not be posted so far away. The emperor hesitated to overrule him and offered Yuanjing the post of Protector General in charge of Shitou—but Yuanjing declined. Yuanjing was instead made Commanding General and Regular Palace Attendant, enfeoffed as Duke of Qujiang with three thousand taxable households.

孝建元年正月，魯爽反，遣左衞將軍王玄謨討之，加元景撫軍，假節置佐，係玄謨。復以為都督雍梁南北秦四州荊州之竟陵隨二郡諸軍事、撫軍將軍、領寧蠻校尉、雍州刺史，持節如故。臧質、義宣並反，玄謨南據梁山，夾江為壘，垣護之、薛安都渡據歷陽，元景出屯采石。玄謨聞賊盛，遣司馬管法濟求益兵，上使元景進屯姑孰。元景使將武念前進，質遣將龐法起襲姑孰，值念至，擊破之，法起單船走。質攻陷玄謨西壘，玄謨使垣護之告元景曰：「今餘東岸萬人，賊軍數倍，強弱不敵，謂宜還就節下協力當之。」元景謂護之曰：「師有常刑，不可先退。賊眾雖多，猜而不整，今當卷甲赴之。」護之曰：「逆徒皆云南州有三萬人，而麾下裁十分之一，若往造賊，虛實立見，則賊氣成矣。」元景納其言，悉遣精兵助玄謨，以羸弱居守。所遣軍多張旗幟，梁山望之如數萬人，皆曰：「京師兵悉至。」於是眾心乃安，由是克捷。

In the first month of Xiaojian 454 Lu Shuang rebelled. The court sent Left Guard General Wang Xuamo against him, promoted Yuanjing to Pacification General with provisional staff, and placed him under Xuamo's command. He was again named area commander and Pacification General over Yong, Liang, Qin north and south, and parts of Jingzhou, still holding the staff of authority as governor of Yong and Commandant Who Pacifies the Barbarians. When Zang Zhi and Yixuan both rose in revolt, Xuamo fortified Liangshan on the south bank, Yuan Huzhi and Xue An Du seized Liyang on the north, and Yuanjing encamped at Caishi. Hearing how strong the rebels were, Xuamo sent his major Guan Faji to request reinforcements, and the emperor ordered Yuanjing forward to Gudu. Yuanjing sent General Wu Nian ahead; Zang Zhi countered with Pang Faqi to strike Gudu, but Wu Nian routed the attackers and Pang Faqi escaped alone in one boat. Zang Zhi overran Xuamo's western fort, and Xuamo sent Yuan Huzhi to tell Yuanjing, "I have only ten thousand men left on the east bank, while the rebels outnumber us several times over. We cannot hold. I think we should fall back to you and fight together under your command. Yuanjing replied, "Desertion is punished by death. We cannot pull back first. The enemy may be numerous, but they are divided and disorganized. I am going to rush to your aid at once. Yuan Huzhi argued, "The rebels believe we have thirty thousand men from the south. If you come with only a fraction of that, they will see how weak we really are and their spirits will soar. Yuanjing took his advice and sent nearly all his best troops to Xuamo, leaving only weak forces to hold Gudu. Those troops flew countless banners, and from Liangshan they looked like tens of thousands. Everyone cried, "The capital army has arrived in full strength! Morale steadied, and victory followed.

上遣丹陽尹顏竣宣旨慰勞，與沈慶之俱以本號開府儀同三司，封晉安郡公，邑如故。固讓開府儀同，復為領軍、太子詹事，加侍中。尋轉驃騎將軍、本州大中正，領軍、侍中如故。大明二年，復加開府儀同三司，又固讓。明年，遷尚書令，太子詹事、侍中、中正如故。以封在嶺南，秋輸艱遠，改封巴東郡公。五年，又命左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，侍中、令、中正如故，又讓開府，乃與沈慶之俱依晉密陵侯鄭袤不受司空故事，事在慶之傳。六年，進司空，侍中、令、中正如故，又固讓，乃授侍中、驃騎將軍、南兗州刺史，留衞京師。世祖晏駕，與太宰江夏王義恭、尚書僕射顏師伯並受遺詔輔幼主。遷尚書令，領丹陽尹，侍中、將軍如故，給班劍二十人，固辭班劍。

The emperor sent Danyang governor Yan Jun with imperial commendations. Yuanjing and Shen Qingzhi were both granted Grand Prefect honors under their existing titles and Yuanjing was enfeoffed as Duke of Jin'an with his fief unchanged. He firmly declined the Grand Prefect honor and was instead reappointed Commanding General, Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household, and Palace Attendant. He was soon promoted to Rapid Cavalry General and chief rectifier of his native province while retaining Commanding General and Palace Attendant. In the 458th year of Daming he was again offered Grand Prefect status and again refused. The following year he became Director of the Masters of Writing while keeping his posts as Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household, Palace Attendant, and chief rectifier. Because his original fief lay far south in Lingnan and made tax delivery impractical, his title was changed to Duke of Badong. In the fifth year he was again named Senior Grandee of the Left with Grand Prefect honors while keeping his court posts, declined the Grand Prefect rank again, and followed the Jin precedent of Zheng Mao refusing the Ministry of Works—an episode recounted in Shen Qingzhi's biography. In the sixth year he was promoted to Minister of Works but declined once more and was given Palace Attendant, Rapid Cavalry General, and governor of South Yanzhou while staying in the capital as imperial guard. When Emperor Xiaowu died, Yuanjing joined Grand Tutor Prince Yigong of Jiangxia and Vice Director Yan Shibo as regents under the late emperor's will. He was made Director of the Masters of Writing and governor of Danyang, kept his rank as Palace Attendant and general, was offered twenty ceremonial guard swords, and declined the swords.

元景起自將帥，及當朝理務，雖非所長，而有弘雅之美。時在朝勳要，多事產業，唯元景獨無所營。南岸有數十畝菜園，守園人賣得錢二萬送還宅，元景曰：「我立此園種菜，以供家中啖爾。乃復賣菜以取錢，奪百姓之利邪。」以錢乞守園人。

Yuanjing had risen from the ranks of field commanders; civil administration was not his forte, yet he carried himself with generous elegance. Most powerful men at court were busy building estates, but Yuanjing alone invested in nothing. He kept a vegetable plot of a few dozen mu on the south bank. When the gardener sold produce for twenty thousand cash and brought the money home, Yuanjing said, "I planted this garden so my family could eat from it. Am I supposed to sell vegetables for cash and steal a living from common folk? He handed the money back to the gardener.

世祖嚴暴異常，元景雖荷寵遇，恒慮及禍。太宰江夏王義恭及諸大臣，莫不重足屏氣，未嘗敢私往來。世祖崩，義恭、元景等並相謂曰：「今日始免橫死。」義恭與義陽等諸王，元景與顏師伯等，常相馳逐，聲樂酣酒，以夜繼晝。

Emperor Xiaowu was famously brutal, and even amid imperial favor Yuanjing lived in constant fear for his life. Grand Tutor Prince Yigong of Jiangxia and the other ministers walked on eggshells and never dared visit one another privately. When Emperor Xiaowu died, Yigong, Yuanjing, and the others told each other, "At last we are spared an arbitrary execution. Yigong and the princes, Yuanjing and Yan Shibo and their circle, took to feasting and racing about day and night in endless revelry.

前廢帝少有凶德，內不能平，殺戴法興後，悖情轉露，義恭、元景等憂懼無計，乃與師伯等謀廢帝立義恭，日夜聚謀，而持疑不能速決。永光年夏，元景遷使持節、督南豫之宣城諸軍事、即本號開府儀同三司、南豫州刺史，侍中、令如故。未拜，發覺，帝親率宿衞兵自出討之。先稱詔召元景，左右奔告兵刃非常，元景知禍至，整朝服，乘車應召。出門逢弟車騎司馬叔仁，戎服率左右壯士數十人欲拒命，元景苦禁之。既出巷，軍士大至，下車受戮，容色恬然，時年六十。

The Former Deposed Emperor had been vicious from youth, and after he killed Dai Faxing his depravity broke into the open. Yigong, Yuanjing, and the others, desperate and afraid, joined Yan Shibo in plotting to depose him and put Yigong on the throne. They met night after night but could not bring themselves to act. In the summer of the Yongguang era Yuanjing was transferred to South Yu as area commander and governor with Grand Prefect honors under his existing title, while keeping Palace Attendant and Director of the Masters of Writing. Before he could take up the post the plot was discovered, and the emperor himself led the palace guard out to crush it. The emperor first summoned Yuanjing under imperial pretense. Aides rushed in warning that armed men were abroad. Yuanjing knew his end had come, dressed in full court regalia, and went out in his carriage as ordered. At the gate he met his brother Shuren, the Rapid Cavalry Major, in armor with several dozen retainers ready to resist. Yuanjing forbade them sternly. As soon as he left the lane the soldiers closed in. He stepped down from his carriage to meet the blade, calm to the last. He was sixty years old.

長子慶宗，有幹力，而情性不倫，世祖使元景送還襄陽，於道中賜死。次子嗣宗，豫章王子尚車騎從事中郎。嗣宗弟紹宗、共宗、孝宗、文宗、仲宗、成宗、季宗，叔仁弟衞軍諮議參軍僧珍等諸弟姪在京邑及襄陽從死者數十人。元景少子承宗，及嗣宗子纂，並在孕獲全。

His eldest son Qingzong was capable but wayward. Emperor Xiaowu had Yuanjing send him back to Xiangyang, and he was ordered to take his own life on the way. His second son Sizong served as Attendant in the Rapid Cavalry Retinue of Prince Zishang of Yuzhang. Younger brothers Shaozong, Gongzong, Xiaozong, Wenzong, Zhongzong, Chengzong, and Jizong; Shuren's brother Sengzhen, an Advisory Adjutant of the Guard Army; and dozens of other brothers and nephews in the capital and at Xiangyang were put to death with him. Yuanjing's youngest son Chengzong and Sizong's unborn son Zuan were spared because their mothers were pregnant.

太宗即位，令曰：「故侍中、尚書令、驃騎大將軍、巴東郡開國公、新除開府儀同三司、南豫州刺史元景，風度弘簡，體局深沈，正義亮時，恭素範物。幽明道盡，則首贊孝圖，盛運開曆，則毗燮皇化。方任孚漢輔，業懋殷衡，而蜂豺肆濫，顯加禍毒，寃動勳烈，悲深朝貫。朕承七廟之靈，纂臨寶業，情典既申，痛悼彌軫，宜崇賁徽冊，以旌忠懿。可追贈使持節、都督南豫江二州諸軍事、太尉，侍中、刺史、國公如故。給班劍三十人，羽葆、鼓吹十部，諡曰忠烈公。」叔仁為梁州刺史，黃門郎。以破臧質功，封宜陽侯，食邑八百戶。

When Emperor Ming took the throne, he issued an edict: "The late Palace Attendant, Director of the Masters of Writing, Grand General of Rapid Cavalry, Founding Duke of Badong, newly appointed Grand Prefect, and Governor of South Yu Liu Yuanjing bore himself with broad simplicity and deep composure; his integrity lit the age and his modest courtesy set a standard for all. When the dynasty faced its darkest hour he helped restore filial order; when fortune returned he helped sustain the imperial enterprise. He had only just been entrusted with high office and his service was flourishing when jackals and wolves ran amok and openly visited ruin upon him; the injustice stirred the empire's heroes, and grief ran deep through the court. We who inherit the spirits of the seven temples and hold the imperial throne have already paid him the rites due his feelings, yet our grief only deepens. Let splendid honors be conferred to mark his loyalty and integrity. Let him be posthumously appointed Grand Marshal and commander of all forces in South Yu and Jiang, retaining his ranks as Palace Attendant, provincial governor, and State Duke. Grant him thirty ceremonial swords, ten sets of feathered canopy and military band, and the posthumous title Duke of Loyalty and Resoluteness." Shuren served as Inspector of Liang Province and Yellow Gate Gentleman. For his victory over Zang Zhi he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yiyang with a fief of eight hundred households.

元景從兄元怙，大明末，代叔仁為梁州，與晉安王子勛同逆，事敗歸降。

Yuan Hu, an older cousin of Yuanjing, took over Liang Province from Shuren in the late Daming era, joined Prince Zixun of Jin'an in rebellion, and surrendered after their defeat.

元景從父弟先宗，大明初，為竟陵王誕司空參軍，誕作亂，殺之，追贈黃門侍郎。

Xianzong, a younger cousin of Yuanjing, served on Prince Dan of Jingling's staff in the early Daming era. When Dan rebelled he was executed and later posthumously made Yellow Gate Attendant.

元景從祖弟光世，先留鄉里，索虜以為折衝將軍、河北太守，封西陵男。光世姊夫偽司徒崔浩，虜之相也。元嘉二十七年，虜主拓跋燾南寇汝、潁，浩密有異圖，光世要河北義士為浩應。浩謀泄被誅，河東大姓坐連謀夷滅者甚眾，光世南奔得免。太祖以為振武將軍。前廢帝景和中，左將軍，直閤。太宗定亂，光世參謀，以為右衞將軍，封開國縣侯，食邑千戶。既而四方反叛，同閤宗越、譚金又誅，光世乃北奔薛安都，安都使守下邳城。及安都招引索虜，光世率眾歸降，太宗宥之，以為順陽太守。子欣慰謀反，光世賜死。

Guangshi, another cousin of Yuanjing, had stayed behind in their native region. The Northern Wei made him General Who Breaks the Charge and governor of Hebei, and enfeoffed him as Baron of Xiling. Guangshi's brother-in-law was Cui Hao, the Wei Minister of Works and chief minister of the barbarian court. In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia the Wei ruler Tuoba Tao invaded south toward Ru and Ying. Hao secretly nursed other plans, and Guangshi rallied loyalists in Hebei to rise in his support. When Hao's conspiracy was exposed he was executed, and many great families of Hedong were wiped out for involvement. Guangshi fled south and survived. Emperor Wu made him General Who Stirs Martial Ardor. Under the Deposed Emperor, during the Jinghe reign, he served as Left General and Direct Attendant. When Emperor Ming put down the rebellion, Guangshi helped plan the campaign and was made Right Guard General and Marquis of Kaiguo County with a fief of one thousand households. Rebellions soon erupted everywhere. After Tongge Zongyue and Tan Jin were executed, Guangshi fled north to Xue Andu, who put him in charge of Xiapi. When Andu called in the Northern Wei, Guangshi surrendered with his troops. Emperor Ming spared him and appointed him governor of Shunyang. When his son Xinwei plotted rebellion, Guangshi was ordered to take his own life.

顏師伯

Yan Shibo

顏師伯字長淵，琅邪臨沂人，東揚州刺史竣族兄也。父邵，剛正有局力，為謝晦所知。晦為領軍，以為司馬，廢立之際，與之參謀。晦鎮江陵，請為諮議參軍，領錄事，軍府之務悉委焉。邵慮晦將有禍，求為竟陵太守，未及之郡，值晦見討，晦與邵謀起兵距朝廷，邵飲藥死。

Yan Shibo, styled Changyuan, came from Linyi in Langya and was an older kinsman of Yan Jun, governor of East Yang Province. His father Shao was upright and resolute, and won the esteem of Xie Hui. When Hui became commander of the palace guard, he made Shao his chief of staff, and Shao helped him plan the deposition and enthronement. When Hui took up his post at Jiangling, he brought Shao in as advisory adjutant and chief recorder, leaving the entire headquarters in his hands. Fearing disaster for Hui, Shao asked to be made governor of Jingling. Before he could take up the post, Hui was attacked. Hui and Shao plotted to raise troops against the court, and Shao took poison and died.

師伯少孤貧，涉獵書傳，頗解聲樂。劉道產為雍州，以為輔國行參軍。弟師仲，妻，臧質女也。質為徐州，辟師伯為主簿。衡陽王義季代質為徐州，質薦師伯於義季，義季即命為征西行參軍。興安侯義賓代義季，世祖代義賓，仍為輔國、安北行參軍。王景文時為諮議參軍，愛其諧敏，進之世祖。師伯因求杖節，乃以為徐州主簿。善於附會，大被知遇。及去鎮，師伯以主簿送故。世祖鎮尋陽，啟太祖請為南中郎府主簿。太祖不許，謂典籤曰：「中郎府主簿那得用顏師伯。」世祖啟為長流正佐，太祖又曰：「朝廷不能除之，郎可自板，亦不宜署長流。」世祖乃板為參軍事，署刑獄。及入討元凶，轉主簿。

Shibo lost his father early and grew up in poverty. He read widely in the classics and had a fair knowledge of music. When Liu Daochan governed Yong Province, he appointed Shibo assistant in the country-aiding command. Shibo's younger brother Shizhong was married to a daughter of Zang Zhi. When Zang Zhi governed Xu Province, he recruited Shibo as his chief clerk. When Prince Yiji of Hengyang replaced Zang Zhi at Xu Province, Zhi recommended Shibo to him, and Yiji at once made him western campaigning adjutant. Marquis Yibin of Xing'an succeeded Yiji, and Emperor Xiaowu succeeded Yibin. Shibo continued as adjutant in the country-aiding and north-pacifying commands. Wang Jingwen, then an advisory adjutant, admired Shibo's quick wit and brought him to Emperor Xiaowu's attention. Shibo asked for a ceremonial staff and was appointed chief clerk of Xu Province. He was adept at currying favor and won great favor at court. When the prince left his post, Shibo accompanied him as chief clerk on the formal farewell journey. While garrisoning Xunyang, Emperor Xiaowu asked Emperor Wu to make Shibo chief clerk of the South Central Commander's headquarters. Emperor Wu refused and told the record-keeper, "How can Yan Shibo serve as chief clerk of the South Central Commander's headquarters?" The prince then asked for Shibo to be made senior administrator. Emperor Wu replied, "The court cannot dismiss him, but you may appoint him by tally on your own—still, he should not hold the senior administrator's post." Emperor Xiaowu then appointed Shibo by tally as staff officer and put him in charge of criminal cases. When the prince marched to punish the Primary Culprit, Shibo was made chief clerk.

世祖踐阼，以為黃門侍郎，隨王誕驃騎長史、南郡太守。改為驃騎大將軍長史、南濮陽太守，御史中丞。臧質反，出為寧遠將軍、東陽太守，領兵置佐，以備東道。事寧，復為黃門侍郎，領步兵校尉，改領前軍將軍，徙御史中丞，遷侍中。上以伐逆寧亂，事資羣謀，大明元年，下詔曰：「昔歲國難方結，疑懦者眾，故散騎常侍、太子右率龐秀之履嶮能貞，首暢義節，用使狡狀先聞，軍備夙固，醜逆時殄，頗有力焉。追念厥誠，無忘于懷。侍中祭酒顏師伯、侍中領射聲校尉袁愍孫、豫章太守王謙之、太子前中庶子領右衞率張淹，爰始入討，預參義謀，契闊大難，宜蒙殊報。秀之可封樂安縣伯，食邑六百戶，師伯平都縣子，愍孫興平縣子，謙之石陽縣子，淹廣晉縣子，食邑各五百戶。」

After Emperor Xiaowu took the throne, he made Shibo Yellow Gate Attendant, chief of staff to Prince Dan's rapid cavalry retinue, and governor of Nan Commandery. He was reassigned as chief of staff to the Grand General of Rapid Cavalry and governor of Nanpuyang, and also made imperial censor. When Zang Zhi rebelled, Shibo was sent out as General of Distant Pacification and governor of Dongyang with troops and staff to secure the eastern front. After the rebellion was crushed he returned as Yellow Gate Attendant and infantry commandant, then became van general, imperial censor, and finally palace attendant. Because putting down rebellion had depended on many counsellors, in the first year of Daming the emperor issued an edict: "When the realm was first imperiled and cowards were everywhere, Pang Xiuzhi, palace attendant and right leader of the heir's household, stood firm in danger and was the first to speak for righteousness. Thanks to him the plot was known in advance, the army was ready, and the rebel was destroyed in good time. He deserves great credit. We remember his loyalty and hold it ever in mind. Palace Attendant Yan Shibo, palace attendant and sound-shooting commandant Yuan Minsun, Yuzhang governor Wang Qianzhi, and former right guard leader of the heir's household Zhang Yan joined the punitive campaign from the start and shared in the planning. Having endured the crisis together, they deserve exceptional reward. Xiuzhi shall be made Baron of Le'an with six hundred households; Shibo Viscount of Pingdu, Minsun Viscount of Xingping, Qianzhi Viscount of Shiyang, and Yan Viscount of Guangjin, each with five hundred households."

師伯遷右衞將軍，母憂去職。二年，起為持節、督青冀二州徐州之東安東莞兗州之濟北三郡諸軍事、輔國將軍、青冀二州刺史。其年，索虜拓跋濬遣偽散騎常侍、鎮西將軍天水公拾賁敕文率眾寇清口，清口戍主振威將軍傅乾愛率前員外將軍周盤龍等擊大破之。世祖遣虎賁主龐孟虯、積射將軍殷孝祖等赴討，受師伯節度。師伯遣中兵參軍苟思達與孟虯合力。行達沙溝，虜窟瓌公、五軍公等馬步數萬，迎軍拒戰，孟虯等奮擊盡日，孟虯手斬五軍公，虜於是大奔。孝祖又斬窟瓌公，赴水死者千計。虜又遣河南公、黑水公、濟州公、青州刺史張懷之等屯據濟岸，師伯又遣中兵參軍江方興就傅乾愛擊破之，斬河南公樹蘭等。虜別帥它門又遣萬餘人攻清口戍城，乾愛、方興出城拒戰，即斬它門，餘眾奔走。虜天水公又率二萬人復來逼城，乾愛等出戰，又破之，追奔至赤龍門，殺賊甚眾。上嘉其功，詔曰：「虜驅率犬羊，規暴邊塞，輔國將軍、青冀二州刺史師伯宣略命師，合變應機，濟戍奮怒，一月四捷，支軍異部，騁勇齊效，頻梟名王，大殲羣醜。朕用嘉嘆，良深于懷。可遣使慰勞，并符輔國府詳考功最，以時言上。」

Shibo was promoted to right guard general and left office to mourn his mother. The next year he was recalled as bearer of the staff of authority and commander of forces in Dong'an and Dongguan in Xu and Jibei in Yan, with the rank of country-aiding general and governor of Qing and Ji. That year the Wei ruler Tuoba Jun sent his palace attendant and General Who Guards the West, the Duke of Tianshui Shiben Dewen, against Qingkou. Fu Gan'ai, the garrison commander at Qingkou, and Zhou Panlong and others routed the invaders. Emperor Xiaowu sent Pang Mengjiao of the tiger guard and Yin Xiaozu, general of accumulated shots, among others to join the campaign under Shibo's command. Shibo dispatched his central troops adjutant Gou Sida to combine forces with Mengjiao. Near Shagou the Wei Kulgui Duke, Duke of the Five Armies, and others met them with tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry. Mengjiao's men fought all day; Mengjiao himself slew the Duke of the Five Armies, and the enemy broke and fled. Xiaozu also killed the Kulgui Duke, and more than a thousand drowned trying to escape across the water. The Wei sent the Dukes of Henan, Black Water, and Ji, together with Qing governor Zhang Huai Zhi, to hold the north bank of the Ji. Shibo sent Jiang Fangxing with Fu Gan'ai to defeat them and behead the Duke of Henan Shulan and others. Another Wei commander, Tamen, sent more than ten thousand men against the Qingkou garrison. Gan'ai and Fangxing sallied forth, killed Tamen at once, and the rest fled. The Duke of Tianshui returned with twenty thousand men to threaten the city. Gan'ai and his officers defeated them again, pursued them to Chilong Gate, and killed a great many. The emperor commended their achievement in an edict: "The barbarians, driving their hordes like dogs and sheep, ravage the frontier. Shibo, country-aiding general and governor of Qing and Ji, deployed his strategy wisely and adapted to events. The garrison troops fought with fury and won four victories in a month. Detached columns from different commands fought side by side, repeatedly slaying Wei princes and crushing the enemy hosts. We are deeply moved and full of admiration. Send envoys to congratulate them, and instruct the country-aiding headquarters to review their merits in full and report promptly."

苟思達、龐孟虯等又追虜至杜梁，虜眾多，四面俱合，平南參軍童太壹及苟思達等並單騎出盪，應手披靡。孟虯等繼至，虜乃散走，透河死者甚多。既而虜更合眾大至，孟虯等又破之。世祖又遣司空參軍卜天生助師伯。張懷之據縻溝城，師伯遣天生等破之，懷之出城逆戰，天生率軍主劉懷珍、白衣客朱士義、殿中將軍孟繼祖等擊之。懷之敗走入城，僅以身免。繼祖於陳遇害，追贈郡守。又虜隴西王等屯據申城，背濟向河，三面險固，天生又率眾攻之，朱士義等貫甲先登，賊赴河死者無算，即日陷城。虜天水公又攻樂安城，建威將軍、平原樂安二郡太守分武都與卜天生等拒擊，大破之，虜乃奔退，追戰克捷，直至清口。虜攻圍傅乾愛，乾愛隨方拒對，孝祖等既至，虜徹圍遁走。師伯進號征虜將軍。

Gou Sida, Pang Mengjiao, and others pursued the enemy to Duliang, where they were surrounded on all sides. Tong Taiyi, Gou Sida, and others charged alone on horseback and cut down all who met them. When Mengjiao's reinforcements arrived the enemy broke and ran, and a great many drowned crossing the river. The Wei soon gathered a larger force, but Mengjiao and his men defeated them again. Emperor Xiaowu sent his staff officer Bu Tiansheng to reinforce Shibo. Zhang Huai Zhi held Micheng. Shibo sent Tiansheng against him; Huai Zhi came out to fight, and Tiansheng led Liu Huaizhen, Zhu Shiyi, Meng Jizu, and others into the attack. Huai Zhi was beaten back into the city and barely escaped with his life. Jizu was killed in the fighting and was posthumously made commandery administrator. The Wei Prince of Longxi and others held Shen City, backed by the Ji and fortified on three sides. Tiansheng attacked again; Zhu Shiyi and others scaled the walls in full armor, and the defenders who threw themselves into the river died beyond counting. The city fell the same day. The Duke of Tianshui attacked Le'an again. Fen Wudu, establishing-martial general and governor of Pingyuan and Le'an, with Bu Tiansheng and others repulsed him, routed the enemy, and pursued in victory all the way to Qingkou. The Wei besieged Fu Gan'ai, who held them off from every side. When Xiaozu and the others arrived the enemy broke the siege and withdrew. Shibo was promoted to general who punishes barbarians.

三年，竟陵王誕反，師伯遣長史嵇玄敬率五千人赴難。四年，徵為侍中，領右軍將軍，親幸隆密，羣臣莫二。遷吏部尚書，右軍如故。上不欲威柄在人，親監庶務，前後領選者，唯奉行文書，師伯專情獨斷，奏無不可。遷侍中，領右衞將軍。七年，補尚書右僕射。時分置二選，陳郡謝莊、琅邪王曇生並為吏部尚書。師伯子舉周旋寒人張奇為公車令，上以奇資品不當，使兼市買丞，以蔡道惠代之。令史潘道栖、褚道惠、顏禕之、元從夫、任澹之、石道兒、黃難、周公選等抑道惠敕，使奇先到公車，不施行奇兼市買丞事。師伯坐以子領職，莊、曇生免官，道栖、道惠棄市，禕之等六人鞭杖一百。師伯尋領太子中庶子，雖被黜挫，受任如初。

In the third year, when Prince Dan of Jingling rebelled, Shibo sent his chief of staff Ji Xuanjing with five thousand men to the relief. In the fourth year he was recalled as palace attendant and director of the right army. The emperor's favor was intimate beyond compare. He was made director of the masters of writing for personnel while keeping his post with the right army. The emperor would not let power rest in others' hands and kept close watch on daily business. Previous personnel directors had merely processed paperwork, but Shibo decided on his own and every proposal he submitted was approved. He was made palace attendant and director of the right guard. In the seventh year he was also appointed vice director of the masters of writing on the right. At that time personnel appointments were split between two directors: Xie Zhuang of Chen and Wang Tansheng of Langya. Shibo's son Ju pushed through the appointment of Zhang Qi, a man of humble birth, as director of the public chariots. The emperor judged Qi unqualified, made him market-purchase aide instead, and replaced him with Cai Daohui. Clerks Pan Daoqi, Chu Daohui, Yan Yizhi, Yuan Congfu, Ren Tanzhi, Shi Dao'er, Huang Nan, and Zhou Gongxuan blocked Daohui's appointment so that Qi took the public chariots post first and never served as market-purchase aide. Shibo was punished because his son had secured the post. Zhuang and Tansheng were dismissed, Daoqi and Daohui were executed in the marketplace, and Yizhi and six others were flogged a hundred strokes. Shibo was soon made senior tutor to the heir apparent. Despite the setback, he was entrusted as before.

世祖臨崩，師伯受遺詔輔幼主，尚書中事，專以委之。廢帝即位，復還即真，領衞尉。師伯居權日久，天下輻輳，游其門者，爵位莫不踰分。多納貨賄，家產豐積，伎妾聲樂，盡天下之選，園池第宅，冠絕當時，驕奢淫恣，為衣冠所嫉。又遷尚書僕射，領丹陽尹。廢帝欲親朝政，發詔轉師伯為左僕射，加散騎常侍，以吏部尚書王景文為右僕射。奪其京尹，又分臺任，師伯至是始懼。尋與太宰江夏王義恭、柳元景同誅，時年四十七。六子並幼，皆見殺。

On his deathbed Emperor Xiaowu charged Shibo by testamentary edict to assist the young emperor and left the affairs of the masters of writing entirely in his hands. When the Deposed Emperor took the throne, Shibo resumed full rank and became director of the court of the guard. Shibo had held power for years, and the empire flocked to his door. Those who curried favor with him received offices and titles far above their due. He took bribes on a vast scale and amassed enormous wealth. His concubines and musicians were the finest in the land, his gardens and mansions the grandest of the age. Proud, extravagant, and dissolute, he was loathed by the gentry. He was again made vice director of the masters of writing and governor of Danyang. The Deposed Emperor wanted to govern in person and transferred Shibo to left vice director with the added rank of palace attendant, making Wang Jingwen right vice director. Stripped of the capital prefecture and with his secretariat powers divided, Shibo at last grew afraid. He was soon executed along with Grand Preceptor Prince Yigong of Jiangxia and Liu Yuanjing, at the age of forty-seven. All six of his young sons were killed as well.

弟師仲，中書郎，晉陵太守。師叔，司徒主簿，南康相。

His younger brother Shizhong served as attendant of the masters of writing and governor of Jinling. Shishu was chief clerk to the minister of works and governor of Nankang.

太宗即位，詔曰︰「故散騎常侍、僕射、領丹陽尹、平都縣子師伯，昔逢代運，豫班榮賞。遭罹厄會，隕命淫刑，宗嗣殄絕，良用矜悼。但其心瀆貨，宜貶贈典，可紹封社，以慰寃魂。諡曰荒子。」師仲子幹繼封。齊受禪，國除。

When Emperor Ming took the throne, he issued an edict: "The late palace attendant, vice director, governor of Danyang, and Viscount of Pingdu Shibo once rose with the fortunes of the age and received honor and reward. He met a cruel fate, died by arbitrary execution, and his line was cut off. We deeply mourn him. Yet because his heart was stained by greed, his posthumous honors should be diminished. Still, let the fief be restored to comfort his wronged spirit. Posthumous title: Viscount of Recklessness." Shizhong's son Gan inherited the enfeoffment. When Qi accepted the abdication, the fief was abolished.

沈慶之

Shen Qingzhi

沈慶之字弘先，吳興武康人也。兄敞之，為趙倫之征虜參軍、監南陽郡，擊蠻有功，遂即真。

Shen Qingzhi, whose courtesy name was Hongxian, came from Wukang in Wuxing commandery. His elder brother Changzhi served on Zhao Luzhi's staff as general-who-pacifies-the-barbarians staff officer and acting governor of Nanyang. His successful campaigns against the barbarians earned him confirmation in the post.

慶之少有志力。孫恩之亂也，遣人寇武康，慶之未冠，隨鄉族擊之，由是以勇聞。荒擾之後，鄉邑流散，慶之躬耕壟畝，勤苦自立。年三十，未知名，往襄陽省兄，倫之見而賞之。倫之子伯符時為竟陵太守，倫之命伯符版為寧遠中兵參軍。竟陵蠻屢為寇，慶之為設規略，每擊破之，伯符由此致將帥之稱。伯符去郡，又別討西陵蠻，不與慶之相隨，無功而反。

From youth Qingzhi possessed resolve and physical strength. During Sun En's rebellion, when raiders struck Wukang, Qingzhi—still before his coming-of-age—joined his kinsmen in driving them off and won a reputation for courage. After the devastation drove the community apart, Qingzhi worked the fields himself and through hardship made his own way. At thirty he was still unknown. When he went to Xiangyang to visit his brother, Luzhi took notice of him and valued his qualities. Luzhi's son Bofu was then governor of Jingling, and Luzhi had Bofu provisionally appoint Qingzhi staff officer for central army affairs under the rank of general who renders service from afar. When the Jingling barbarians raided again and again, Qingzhi devised the strategy that broke them each time, and Bofu won repute as a capable commander. After Bofu left the post, he mounted a separate campaign against the Xiling barbarians without Qingzhi at his side and came back empty-handed.

永初二年，慶之除殿中員外將軍，又隨伯符隸到彥之北伐。伯符病歸，仍隸檀道濟。道濟還白太祖，稱慶之忠謹曉兵，上使領隊防東掖門，稍得引接，出入禁省。出戍錢唐新城，及還，領淮陵太守。領軍將軍劉湛知之，欲相引接，謂之曰：「卿在省年月久，比當相論。」慶之正色曰：「下官在省十年，自應得轉，不復以此仰累。」尋轉正員將軍。及湛被收之夕，上開門召慶之，慶之戎服履靺縛絝入，上見而驚曰：「卿何意乃爾急裝？」慶之曰：「夜半喚隊主，不容緩服。」遣收吳郡太守劉斌，殺之。遷始興王濬後軍行參軍，員外散騎侍郎。

In Yongchu 2, Qingzhi was appointed supernumerary general of the palace and again followed Bofu on Dao Yanzhi's northern campaign. When illness sent Bofu home, Qingzhi remained attached to Tan Daoji's command. On his return Daoji told Emperor Wu that Qingzhi was loyal, conscientious, and skilled in military affairs. The emperor assigned him to lead guards at the eastern side gate, gradually opened paths of advancement for him, and allowed him to enter the inner palace. After garrison duty at New City in Qiantang, he returned to serve concurrently as governor of Huailing. General Liu Zhan, who controlled the army, learned of him and offered his patronage. "You have served at court for years," he said. "It is time I spoke up for you." Qingzhi answered gravely: "I have served at court for ten years and should be promoted on my own merits. I will not burden you to intervene on my behalf." Soon afterward he was promoted to full general. On the night Liu Zhan was taken into custody, the emperor opened the gates and summoned Qingzhi. Qingzhi entered in full military dress—leather boots and cross-gartered trousers—and the emperor exclaimed in surprise: "Why are you kitted out for battle?" Qingzhi replied: "When a guard captain is summoned at midnight, there is no time to change into court dress." The emperor then ordered Liu Bin, governor of Wu commandery, seized and executed. He was transferred to serve as acting rear-army staff officer to Prince Jun of Shixing and supernumerary gentleman attendant at the dappled stallions.

元嘉十九年，雍州刺史劉道產卒，羣蠻大動，征西司馬朱脩之討蠻失利，以慶之為建威將軍，率眾助脩之。脩之失律下獄，慶之專軍進討，大破緣沔諸蠻，禽生口七千人。進征湖陽，又獲萬餘口。遷廣陵王誕北中郎中兵參軍，領南東平太守，又為世祖撫軍中兵參軍。世祖以本號為雍州，隨府西上。時蠻寇大甚，水陸梗礙，世祖停大隄不得進。分軍遣慶之掩討，大破之，降者二萬口。世祖至鎮，而驛道蠻反殺深式，遣慶之又討之。王玄謨領荊州，王方回領臺軍並會，平定諸山，獲七萬餘口。鄖山蠻最強盛，魯宗之屢討不能克，慶之剪定之，禽三萬餘口。還京師，復為廣陵王誕北中郎中兵參軍，加建威將軍、南濟陰太守。

In the nineteenth year of Yuanjia, after Yongzhou inspector Liu Daochan died and the barbarians rose in force, Zhu Xiuzhi's campaign against them faltered. Qingzhi was appointed general who establishes might and sent with troops to reinforce him. When Xiuzhi was jailed for breach of discipline, Qingzhi took sole command, routed the Han River barbarians, and took seven thousand captives alive. Pressing on to Huyang, he captured more than ten thousand more. He was transferred to staff officer for central troops under Prince Dan of Guangling's northern army, served concurrently as governor of southern Dongping, and again became central-army staff officer on the heir apparent's pacifying army staff. When the heir apparent was assigned Yongzhou under his existing rank, Qingzhi accompanied the establishment west. Barbarian raids were then at their worst, blocking both land and water routes, and the heir apparent was stuck at the Great Embankment, unable to advance. He detached a force under Qingzhi for a surprise campaign that routed the enemy; twenty thousand surrendered. After the heir apparent reached his post, barbarians along the courier route rebelled and killed Shen Shi. Qingzhi was sent against them once more. Wang Xuemo of Jingzhou and Wang Fanghui commanding the capital army joined the campaign, pacified the mountain strongholds, and took more than seventy thousand captives. The Yun Mountain barbarians were the strongest; Lu Zongzhi had repeatedly failed to subdue them. Qingzhi uprooted them and took more than thirty thousand captives. Back in the capital, he again served as central-troops staff officer under Prince Dan of Guangling's northern army, with the added titles of general who establishes might and governor of southern Jiyin.

雍州蠻又為寇，慶之以將軍、太守復與隨王誕入沔。既至襄陽，率後軍中兵參軍柳元景、隨郡太守宗慤、振威將軍劉顒、司空參軍魯尚期、安北參軍顧彬、馬文恭、左軍中兵參軍蕭景嗣、前青州別駕崔目連、安蠻參軍劉雍之、奮威將軍王景式等二萬餘人伐沔北諸山蠻，宗慤自新安道入太洪山，元景從均水據五水嶺，文恭出蔡陽口取赤係隖，景式由延山下向赤圻阪，目連、尚期諸軍八道俱進，慶之取五渠，頓破隖以為眾軍節度。前後伐蠻，皆山下安營以迫之，故蠻得據山為阻，於矢石有用，以是屢無功。慶之乃會諸軍於茹丘山下，謂眾曰：「今若緣山列斾以攻之，則士馬必損。去歲蠻田大稔，積穀重巖，未有饑弊，卒難禽剪。今令諸軍各率所領以營于山上，出其不意，諸蠻必恐，恐而乘之，可不戰而獲也。」於是諸軍並斬山開道，不與蠻戰，鼓譟上山，衝其腹心，先據險要，諸蠻震擾，因其懼而圍之，莫不奔潰。自冬至春，因糧蠻穀。

When the Yongzhou barbarians raided again, Qingzhi returned to the Han as both general and governor alongside Prince Dan of Sui. At Xiangyang he led a force of more than twenty thousand, including Liu Yuanjing, Zong Que, Liu Yong, Lu Shangqi, Gu Bin, Ma Wengong, Xiao Jingsi, Cui Mulian, Liu Yongzhi, Wang Jingshi, and others, against the barbarians north of the Han. Zong Que entered Great Hong Mountain by the Xin'an route; Yuanjing seized Wushui Ridge from the Jun River; Wengong struck Chixi Bay from Caiyang Pass; Jingshi descended from Yanshan toward Chiqian Slope; Mulian, Shangqi, and the rest advanced in eight columns. Qingzhi took Wuju, broke the fort, and made camp as overall coordinator of the campaign. Earlier campaigns had always camped at the foot of the mountains to press the enemy, which let the barbarians hold the heights where arrows and rolling stones were deadly. That was why previous efforts had failed. Qingzhi gathered the commanders below Ruqiu Mountain and told them: "If we deploy our banners along the slopes to attack, our men and horses will suffer heavy losses. Last year's harvest had filled their cliffside granaries. They are not yet hungry or weakened, so a quick strike will not destroy them. Order every unit to encamp on the heights with their full strength, catching them off guard. Terror will break them—and terror is the moment to strike. We can take them without a pitched battle." The armies cut paths through the slopes without engaging the barbarians directly. Beating drums and shouting, they stormed the heights, seized the strong points at the heart of the enemy positions, and threw the barbarians into panic. While terror still held them, the encirclement closed and they broke and fled. From winter through spring they subsisted on grain captured from the barbarians.

頃之，南新郡蠻帥田彥生率部曲十封六千餘人反叛，攻圍郡城，慶之遣元景率五千人赴之。軍未至，郡已被破，焚燒城內倉儲及廨舍蕩盡，并驅略降戶，屯據白楊山。元景追之至山下，眾軍悉集，圍山數重。宗慤率其所領先登，眾軍齊力急攻，大破之，威震諸山，羣蠻皆稽顙。慶之患頭風，好著狐皮帽，羣蠻惡之，號曰「蒼頭公」。每見慶之軍，輒畏懼曰：「蒼頭公已復來矣。」慶之引軍自茹丘山出檢城，大破諸山，斬首三千級，虜生蠻二萬八千餘口，降蠻二萬五千口，牛馬七百餘頭，米粟九萬餘斛。隨王誕築納降、受俘二城於白楚。

Soon after, the Nanxin barbarian chieftain Tian Yansheng rebelled at the head of more than six thousand followers in ten clan divisions, besieging the commandery seat. Qingzhi dispatched Yuanjing with five thousand men to relieve it. Before relief arrived the city had fallen. The rebels burned the granaries and government buildings to the ground, drove off surrendered households as booty, and fortified themselves on White Poplar Mountain. Yuanjing pursued them to the mountain's base. All units converged and ringed the heights in layer upon layer. Zong Que's men scaled the heights first; the combined force stormed the position and broke it utterly. The victory terrified every mountain stronghold, and the barbarian leaders submitted with foreheads to the ground. Qingzhi suffered from migraines and habitually wore a fox-fur cap. The barbarians loathed the sight and called him "Lord Dark-Head." At the sight of his troops they would cry in terror: "Lord Dark-Head is back!" Qingzhi led his army from Ruqiu Mountain through Jiancheng and crushed the mountain strongholds: three thousand heads taken, more than twenty-eight thousand captives, twenty-five thousand who surrendered, over seven hundred head of cattle and horses, and more than ninety thousand bushels of grain. Prince Dan of Sui built two settlements at Baichu—Accepting Surrenders and Receiving Captives—to hold the newly subdued population.

慶之復率眾軍討幸諸山犬羊蠻，緣險築重城，施門櫓，甚峻。山多木石，積以為礧。立部曲，建旌旗，樹長帥，鐵馬成羣。慶之連營山下，營中開門相通，又命諸軍各穿池於營內，朝夕不外汲，兼以防蠻之火。頃之風甚，蠻夜下山，人提一炬以燒營。營內多幔屋及草菴，火至輒以池水灌滅，諸軍多出弓弩夾射之，蠻散走。慶之令諸軍斬山開道攻之，而山高路險，暑雨方盛，乃置東岡、蜀山、宜民、西柴、黃徼、上夌六戍而還。蠻被圍守日久，並饑乏，自後稍出歸降。慶之前後所獲蠻，並移京邑，以為營戶。

Qingzhi again led the combined armies against the "dog-and-sheep" barbarians of the mountain ranges. They had built tiered fortresses along the cliffs, with gate towers and watchtowers—formidable defenses. Timber and stone abounded on the slopes, stockpiled as rolling weapons. They had organized their fighters, raised banners, appointed chieftains, and massed cavalry in great numbers. Qingzhi linked his camps at the mountain's foot, connecting them with internal gates. He ordered each unit to dig pools inside its camp so troops never had to leave for water—and to douse any night attack by fire. When a strong wind rose, the barbarians descended at night, each man carrying a torch to set the camps ablaze. Canvas tents and grass huts filled the camps, but as flames spread the pools supplied water to douse them. Archers volleyed from every side and the barbarians broke and ran. Qingzhi ordered his forces to cut paths up the slopes and attack, but the heights were steep and summer rains swelled. He established six garrisons—East Mound, Shu Mountain, Benefits-the-People, West Firewood, Yellow Outpost, and Upper Ling—and withdrew. Cut off and besieged for months, the barbarians grew hungry and weak and gradually came down to surrender. All the barbarians Qingzhi had taken, in campaign after campaign, were resettled in the capital region as military households.

二十七年，遷太子步兵校尉。其年，太祖將北討，慶之諫曰：「馬步不敵，為日已久矣。請舍遠事，且以檀、到言之。道濟再行無功，彥之失利而返。今料王玄謨等未踰兩將，六軍之盛，不過往時。將恐重辱王師，難以得志。」上曰：「小醜竊據，河南修復，王師再屈，自別有以；亦由道濟養寇自資，彥之中塗疾動。虜所恃唯馬，夏水浩汗，河水流通，泛舟北指，則碻磝必走，滑臺小戍，易可覆拔。克此二戍，館穀弔民，虎牢、洛陽，自然不固。比及冬間，城守相接，虜馬過河，便成禽也。」慶之又固陳不可。丹陽尹徐湛之、吏部尚書江湛並在坐，上使湛之等難慶之，慶之曰：「治國譬如治家，耕當問奴，織當訪婢。陛下今欲伐國，而與白面書生輩謀之，事何由濟。」上大笑。

In year 27 he was promoted to commandant of the crown prince's foot soldiers. That year, as Emperor Wu prepared a northern campaign, Qingzhi remonstrated: "Our infantry and cavalry have long been no match for theirs. Leave distant schemes aside and consider Tan Daoji and Dao Yanzhi. Daoji campaigned twice without success; Yanzhi was defeated and driven back. Wang Xuemo and the rest are no better than those two commanders, and this grand army is no stronger than before. I fear we will only disgrace the imperial army again and fail to achieve our aims." The emperor replied: "A petty foe holds stolen ground and Henan is being restored. The imperial army has twice been humbled—but for reasons of its own. Daoji fattened the enemy for his own gain, and Yanzhi fell ill on the march. They rely on cavalry alone. With summer floods swelling the rivers, we can sail north—Que'ao will flee, and the small garrison at Huatai will fall easily. Once those two posts fall and we stock grain and succor the people, Hulao and Luoyang will not hold. By winter our garrisons will link the line. When their horses cross the river, they will be ours for the taking." Qingzhi pressed his objections all the more firmly. Danyang governor Xu Zhanzhi and personnel director Jiang Zhan were present. The emperor had them debate Qingzhi, who said: "Governing a state is like running a household: ask the plowman about farming and the weaver about cloth. Your Majesty means to make war yet plans it with pale-faced scholars. How can such an enterprise succeed?" The emperor roared with laughter.

及北討，慶之副玄謨向碻磝，戍主棄城走，玄謨圍滑臺，慶之與蕭斌留碻磝，仍領斌輔國司馬。玄謨攻滑臺，積旬不拔。虜主拓跋燾率大眾南向，斌遣慶之率五千人救玄謨。慶之曰：「玄謨兵疲眾老，虜寇已逼，各軍營萬人，乃可進耳，少軍輕往，必無益也。」斌固遣令去，會玄謨退，斌將斬之，慶之固諫乃止。太祖後問：「何故諫斌殺玄謨？」對曰：「諸將奔退，莫不懼罪，自歸而死，將至逃散。且大兵至，未宜自弱，故以攻為便耳。」

When the northern campaign began, Qingzhi marched with Xuemo toward Que'ao. The garrison commander fled. Xuemo besieged Huatai while Qingzhi and Xiao Bin held Que'ao, with Qingzhi serving as Bin's pacifies-the-state staff officer. Xuemo besieged Huatai for weeks without success. The Northern Wei emperor Tuoba Tao marched south with a great army. Bin sent Qingzhi with five thousand men to relieve Xuemo. Qingzhi said: "Xuemo's army is exhausted, and the enemy is upon us. We need ten thousand men from every camp before we advance. A token force will do no good." Bin insisted he go anyway. When Xuemo retreated, Bin would have executed him—but Qingzhi's urgent plea stayed his hand. Later Emperor Wu asked: "Why did you stop Bin from executing Xuemo?" He answered: "Every retreating officer fears punishment. If returning means death, they will flee and never rally. Besides, when a great army is at hand you must not weaken yourself. The offensive was the practical course."

蕭斌以前驅敗績，欲死固碻磝，慶之曰：「夫深入寇境，規求所欲，退敗如此，何可久住。今青、冀虛弱，而坐守窮城，若虜眾東過，清東非國家有也。碻磝孤絕，復作朱脩之滑臺耳。」會詔使至，不許退，諸將並謂宜留，斌復問計於慶之，慶之曰：「閫外之事，將所得專，詔從遠來，事勢已異。節下有一范增而不能用，空議何施。」斌及坐者並笑曰：「沈公乃更學問。」慶之厲聲曰：「眾人雖見古今，不如下官耳學也。」玄謨自以退敗，求戍碻磝，斌乃還歷城，申坦、垣護之共據清口。慶之乘驛馳歸，未至，上驛詔止之，使還救玄謨。會虜已至彭城，不得向北，太尉江夏王義恭留領府中兵參軍。拓跋燾至卯山，義恭遣慶之率三千拒之，慶之以為虜眾強，往必見禽，不肯行。太祖後謂之曰：「河上處分，皆合事宜，惟恨不棄碻磝耳。卿在左右久，偏解我意，正復違詔濟事，亦無嫌也。」

After the vanguard's defeat, Xiao Bin wanted to hold Que'ao to the death. Qingzhi said: "We marched deep into enemy territory to seize our objective. After a defeat like this, how can we stay? Qing and Ji provinces lie defenseless. If we sit in this isolated fortress while the enemy sweeps east, the eastern heartland will be lost. Que'ao is another Huatai—the trap that swallowed Zhu Xiuzhi." An imperial messenger arrived forbidding retreat. The other generals urged Bin to stay. When Bin asked Qingzhi again, he said: "A field commander decides affairs beyond the frontier. That edict came from far away; the situation has already changed. You have your own Fan Zeng and will not heed him. Of what use is talk?" Bin and everyone present laughed: "So Marshal Shen has gone literary on us." Qingzhi thundered: "You may have read history, but living experience counts for more than books—and that is where I stand." Xuemo, shamed by his retreat, asked to hold Que'ao. Bin withdrew to Licheng while Shen Tan and Yuan Huzhi held Qingkou together. Qingzhi raced post-horses toward the capital, but before he arrived an imperial courier ordered him to turn back and save Xuemo. By then the enemy had reached Pengcheng and the northern route was closed. Grand Commandant Prince Yigong of Jiangxia kept him on as palace-troops staff officer. When Tuoba Tao reached Maoshan, Yigong ordered Qingzhi to block him with three thousand men. Qingzhi judged the enemy too strong—a march out meant capture—and refused. Later Emperor Wu told him: "Your dispositions along the river were all sound—my only regret is that Que'ao was not abandoned sooner. You have been at my side long enough to know my mind. Even when you defied my orders to save the situation, I hold no grievance."

二十八年，使慶之自彭城徙流民數千家於瓜步，征北參軍程天祚徙江西流民於南州，亦如之。

In year 28 Qingzhi resettled several thousand refugee households from Pengcheng to Guabu. Northern campaign staff officer Cheng Tianzuo relocated refugees west of the Yangzi to the southern provinces in the same manner.

二十九年，復更北伐，慶之固諫不從，以立議不同，不使北出。是時亡命司馬黑石、廬江叛吏夏侯方進在西陽五水，誑動羣蠻，自淮、汝至于江沔，咸罹其患。十月，遣慶之督諸將討之，詔豫、荊、雍並遣軍，受慶之節度。三十年正月，世祖出次五洲，總統羣帥，慶之從巴水出至五洲，諮受軍略。會世祖典籤董元嗣自京師還，陳元凶弒逆，世祖遣慶之還山引諸軍，慶之謂腹心曰：「蕭斌婦人不足數，其餘將帥，並是所悉，皆易與耳。東宮同惡不過三十人，此外屈逼，必不為用力。今輔順討逆，不憂不濟也。」眾軍既集，假慶之征虜將軍、武昌內史，領府司馬。世祖還至尋陽，慶之及柳元景等並以天下無主，勸世祖即大位，不許。賊劭遣慶之門生錢無忌齎書說慶之解甲，慶之執無忌白世祖。

In year 29 another northern campaign was planned. Qingzhi remonstrated in vain; because his advice had been rejected before, he was kept from the northern front. Outlaws Sima Heishi and the Lujiang renegade Xiahou Fangjin were then stirring barbarian revolts from Xiyang's Five Waters. From the Huai and Ru to the Yangzi and Han, the region suffered their raids. In the tenth month Qingzhi was dispatched to command the campaign. Edicts ordered Yu, Jing, and Yong provinces each to send troops under his authority. In the first month of year 30 Emperor Xiaowu took up position at Wuzhou to command the generals. Qingzhi marched from the Ba River to Wuzhou to receive his strategy. When palace clerk Dong Yuansi arrived from the capital with news of the crown prince's regicide, Emperor Xiaowu sent Qingzhi back into the hills to rally the armies. Qingzhi told his confidants: "Xiao Bin counts for nothing. The rest of the commanders I know well—they will not be hard to handle. No more than thirty men in the eastern palace truly share his crime. The rest were coerced and will not fight in earnest. With righteousness on our side against rebellion, success is assured." Once the armies had gathered, Qingzhi was provisionally named General Who Pacifies the Barbarians and interior governor of Wuchang, and served concurrently as staff officer of the prince's headquarters. When Emperor Xiaowu returned to Xunyang, Qingzhi and Liu Yuanjing and the others, seeing the throne vacant, urged him to ascend. He refused. The usurper Shao sent Qingzhi's old protégé Qian Wuji with a letter urging him to disarm. Qingzhi seized Wuji and reported the matter to Xiaowu.

世祖踐阼，以慶之為領軍將軍，加散騎常侍，尋出為使持節、督南兗豫徐兗四州諸軍事、鎮軍將軍、南兗州刺史，常侍如故，鎮盱眙。上伐逆定亂，思將帥之功，下詔曰：「朕以不天，有生罔二，泣血千里，志復深逆，鞠旅伐罪，義氣雲踴，羣帥仗節，指難如歸。故曾未積旬，宗社載穆，遂以眇身，猥纂大統。永念茂庸，思崇徽錫。新除使持節、散騎常侍、都督南兗豫徐兗四州諸軍事、鎮軍將軍、南兗州刺史沈慶之，新除散騎常侍、領軍將軍柳元景，新除散騎常侍、右衞將軍宗慤，督兗州諸軍事、輔國將軍、兗州刺史徐遺寶，寧朔將軍、始興太守沈法系，驃騎諮議參軍顧彬之，或盡誠謀初，宣綜戎略；或受命元帥，一戰寧亂；或禀奇軍統，協規効捷，偏師奉律，勢振東南。皆忠國忘身，義高前烈，功載民聽，誠簡朕心。定賞策勳，茲焉攸在，宜列土開邑，永蕃皇家。慶之可封南昌縣公，元景曲江縣公，並食邑三千戶。慤洮陽縣侯，食邑二千戶。遺寶益陽縣侯，食邑一千五百戶。法系平固縣侯，彬之陽新縣侯，並食邑千戶。」又特臨軒召拜。又使慶之自盱眙還鎮廣陵。

After Xiaowu took the throne he made Qingzhi general of the palace garrison and regular attendant of the scattered cavalry. Soon Qingzhi was posted as bearer of the staff, supervisor of military affairs in Southern Yanzhou, Yu, Xu, and Yanzhou, general who pacifies the army, and governor of Southern Yanzhou—keeping his attendant rank—stationed at Xuyi. Having crushed rebellion and restored order, the emperor wished to honor his commanders and issued an edict: "Heaven took my father while I was young; I had no other to call my own. I wept my way a thousand li to avenge this deepest treason, mustered armies to punish the guilty, and watched righteous valor surge like clouds. My generals took up their staffs and met hardship as men returning home. In less than ten days the altars of state were secure again. With my humble self I have presumptuously inherited the throne. Mindful always of their great service, I mean to raise their honors and reward them fittingly. Shen Qingzhi, newly appointed bearer of the staff, regular attendant, director of military affairs in Southern Yanzhou, Yu, Xu, and Yanzhou, general who pacifies the army, and governor of Southern Yanzhou; Liu Yuanjing, newly appointed regular attendant and general of the palace garrison; Zong Que, newly appointed regular attendant and general of the right guard; Xu Yibao, supervisor of Yanzhou military affairs, general who supports the state, and governor of Yanzhou; Shen Faxue, general who pacifies the north and governor of Shixing; and Gu Binzhi, staff officer for counsel under the general who cavalry general—some gave their full loyalty from the first planning and shaped the overall strategy; some took orders from the supreme commander and ended the turmoil in a single battle; some commanded exceptional troops, coordinated plans for swift victory, and with detached columns upheld discipline until their momentum shook the southeast. All forgot themselves for the state. Their loyalty outshone the heroes of old, their deeds are known to the people, and their sincerity speaks directly to my heart. To fix rewards and record merit is precisely the purpose of this decree. Let them receive fiefs and open estates as everlasting pillars of the throne. Qingzhi shall be enfeoffed as Duke of Nanchang with a fief of three thousand households; Yuanjing as Duke of Qujiang with the same. Que shall be marquis of Taoyang with a fief of two thousand households. Yibao shall be marquis of Yiyang with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Faxue shall be marquis of Pinggu and Binzhi marquis of Yangxin, each with a fief of one thousand households." He also had them summoned to a special audience in the palace hall for formal investiture. He also ordered Qingzhi back from Xuyi to garrison Guangling.

孝建元年正月，魯爽反，上遣左衞將軍王玄謨討之，軍泝淮向壽陽，總統諸將。尋聞荊、江二州並反，徵慶之入朝，率所領屯武帳崗，甲仗五十人入六門。魯爽先遣弟瑜進據蒙蘢，歷陽太守張幼緒率軍討瑜，值爽至，眾散而反。乃遣慶之濟江討爽。爽聞慶之至，連營稍退，自留斷後。慶之與薛安都等進與爽戰，安都臨陣斬爽。進慶之號鎮北大將軍，進督青、冀、幽三州，給鼓吹一部。前軍破賊，轉位等後至追躡一階。尋與柳元景俱開府儀同三司，辭。改封始興郡公，戶邑如故。

In the first month of Xiaojian 454, Lu Shuang rebelled. The emperor sent General of the Left Guard Wang Xuemo against him. The army moved up the Huai toward Shouyang, with Xuemo in overall command. Soon reports arrived that Jing and Jiang provinces had both risen. Qingzhi was recalled to court, camped his troops at Wuzhang Ridge, and was allowed fifty armed men through the six palace gates. Lu Shuang first sent his brother Yu to seize Menglong. Liyang governor Zhang Youxu marched against Yu, but when Shuang himself arrived the force broke and fell back. Qingzhi was then sent across the river to attack Shuang. Learning that Qingzhi had come, Shuang began pulling his camps back in stages while he himself stayed behind as rearguard. Qingzhi advanced with Xue Andu and the others to give battle. Andu cut Shuang down on the field. Qingzhi was promoted to general who pacifies the north, given supervision of Qing, Ji, and You provinces, and granted a full martial band. Because the vanguard had broken the enemy, those who arrived later received one step of promotion in rank when the pursuit was credited. Soon he and Liu Yuanjing were both granted grand prefect honors equal to the three excellencies. Qingzhi declined. His title was changed to Duke of Shixing commandery while his fief households remained unchanged.

慶之以年滿七十，固請辭事，上嘉其意，許之。以為侍中、左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，又固讓，上不許。表疏數十上，又面陳曰：「張良名賢，漢高猶許其退，臣有何用，必為聖朝所須。」乃至稽顙自陳，言輒泣涕。上不能奪，聽以郡公罷就第，月給錢十萬，米百斛，衞史五十人。大明元年，又申前命，復固辭。

When Qingzhi turned seventy he repeatedly asked to retire. The emperor praised his wish and agreed. He was named palace attendant, senior grandee of the left, and grand prefect with honors equal to the three excellencies—but he declined again, and the emperor would not hear of it. He sent up dozens of memorials and pleaded in person: "Zhang Liang was a celebrated worthy, and even Emperor Gaozu of Han let him withdraw. What use am I that the court must keep me?" He went so far as to knock his forehead to the floor in supplication, weeping whenever he spoke. Unable to prevail, the emperor let him retire to his mansion as commandery duke, with a monthly stipend of one hundred thousand cash, one hundred hu of grain, and fifty guard attendants. In the 457th year of Daming the earlier appointment was renewed; he declined once more.

三年，司空竟陵王誕據廣陵反，復以慶之為使持節、都督南兗徐兗三州諸軍事、車騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、南兗州刺史，率眾討之。至歐陽，誕遣客慶之宗人沈道愍齎書說慶之，餉以玉鐶刀，慶之遣道愍反，數以罪惡。慶之至城下，誕登樓謂之曰：「沈君白首之年，何為來？」慶之曰：「朝廷以君狂愚，不足勞少壯，故使僕來耳。」上慮誕北奔，使慶之斷其走路。慶之移營白土，去城十八里。又進新亭，誕果出走，不得去，還城，事在誕傳。慶之進營洛橋西，焚其東門，值雨不克。慶之兄子僧榮，時為兗州刺史，鎮瑕丘，遣子懷明率數百騎詣受慶之節度。慶之塞壍，造攻道，立行樓土山，并諸攻具。時夏雨，不得攻城，上使御史中丞庾徽之奏免慶之官以激之，詔無所問。誕餉慶之食，提挈者百餘人，出自北門，慶之不問，悉焚之。誕於城上授函表，倩慶之為送，慶之曰：「我奉詔討賊，不得為汝送表。汝必欲歸死朝廷，自應開門遣使，吾為汝送護之。」每攻城，輒身先士卒。上戒之曰：「卿為統任，當令處分有方，何蒙楯城下，身受矢石邪。脫有傷挫，為損不少。」自四月至于七月，乃屠城斬誕。進慶之司空，又固讓。於是與柳元景並依晉密陵侯鄭袤故事，朝會慶之位次司空，元景在從公之上，給卹吏五十人，門施行馬。

In the third year Prince Dan of Jingling, minister of works, rebelled at Guangling. Qingzhi was again made bearer of the staff, director of military affairs in Southern Yanzhou, Xu, and Yanzhou, grand general of chariots and cavalry, grand prefect, and governor of Southern Yanzhou, and sent to suppress him. At Ouyang, Dan sent a client—Qingzhi's kinsman Shen Daomin—with a letter of persuasion and a jade ring-knife as a gift. Qingzhi sent him back and listed Dan's crimes one by one. When Qingzhi reached the walls, Dan climbed the tower and called down: "Master Shen, at your white-haired age—why have you come?" Qingzhi answered: "The court thinks you too mad and foolish to waste the young and strong on—so they sent me." Fearing Dan might flee north, the emperor ordered Qingzhi to block his escape. Qingzhi shifted camp to Baitu, eighteen li from the city. He then advanced to Xinting. Dan did try to break out but could not get away and returned to the city—the full story is told in Dan's biography. Qingzhi moved his camp west of Luo Bridge and burned the east gate, but rain thwarted the assault. Qingzhi's nephew Seng Rong, then governor of Yanzhou at Xiaqiu, sent his son Huaiming with several hundred horsemen to serve under Qingzhi's command. Qingzhi filled the moats, built assault ramps, raised mobile towers and earthen mounds, and assembled every siege engine. Summer rains made assault impossible. The emperor had vice censor-in-chief Yu Huizhi memorialize to strip Qingzhi of office as a spur—but the edict took no action. Dan sent provisions to Qingzhi, more than a hundred bearers carrying them out the north gate. Qingzhi ignored the gift and had everything burned. From the wall Dan handed down a sealed petition and asked Qingzhi to deliver it. Qingzhi said: "I have orders to suppress a rebel. I cannot carry your petition. If you truly wish to surrender and accept judgment from the throne, open the gates and send envoys yourself. I will escort them for you." In every assault he placed himself at the head of the troops. The emperor warned him: "You hold supreme command. You should direct the battle with discipline. Why crouch beneath the ramparts yourself and take arrows and stones? If you are hurt, the damage will be far from small." From the fourth month to the seventh the city was taken by storm and Dan was beheaded. Qingzhi was promoted to minister of works and again firmly declined. He and Liu Yuanjing then followed the Jin precedent of Zheng Mao, marquis of Milin: at court Qingzhi was seated in minister-of-works rank and Yuanjing above attendant dukes; each received fifty attendants and ceremonial horses at the gate.

四年，西陽五水蠻復為寇，慶之以郡公統諸軍討之，攻戰經年，皆悉平定，獲生口數萬人。

In the fourth year the Xiyang Wushui tribes raided again. As commandery duke, Qingzhi commanded the campaign. After a year of fighting all was pacified and tens of thousands of captives were taken.

居清明門外，有宅四所，室宇甚麗。又有園舍在婁湖，慶之一夜攜子孫徙居之，以宅還官。悉移親戚中表於婁湖，列門同閈焉。廣開田園之業，每指地示人曰：「錢盡在此中。」身享大國，家素富厚，產業累萬金，奴僮千計。再獻錢千萬，穀萬斛。以始興優近，求改封南海郡，不許。妓妾數十人，並美容工藝。慶之優游無事，盡意歡愉，非朝賀不出門。每從遊幸及校獵，據鞍陵厲，不異少壯。太子妃上世祖金鏤匕箸及杅杓，上以賜慶之，曰：「卿辛勤匪殊，歡宴宜等，且觴酌之賜，宜以大夫為先也。」上嘗歡飲，普令羣臣賦詩，慶之手不知書，眼不識字，上逼令作詩，慶之曰：「臣不知書，請口授師伯。」上即令顏師伯執筆，慶之口授之曰：「微命值多幸，得逢時運昌。朽老筋力盡，徒步還南崗。辭榮此聖世，何媿張子房。」上甚悅，眾坐稱其辭意之美。

He lived outside Qingming Gate in four mansions, their halls and chambers sumptuous. He also owned a garden estate at Lou Lake. In a single night Qingzhi moved his children and grandchildren there and returned the city mansions to the state. He relocated all his kin and cousins to Lou Lake, their gates opening onto the same lane. He greatly expanded his farms and estates. Pointing at the land he would tell visitors: "All my wealth is in here." He personally enjoyed a great fief; his family had long been wealthy, with assets worth tens of thousands in gold and more than a thousand servants. Twice he presented ten million cash and ten thousand hu of grain to the throne. Because Shixing was rich and close at hand, he asked to be re-enfeoffed in Nanhai commandery. The request was denied. He kept dozens of concubines and entertainers, all beautiful and accomplished in the arts. Qingzhi lived in easy leisure, taking his pleasure fully. He left home only for court audiences. On imperial tours and hunts he still rode the saddle with fierce vigor, no different from a young man. The crown prince's consort had presented Xiaowu with gilded spoons, chopsticks, and ladles. The emperor gave them to Qingzhi, saying: "Your labors are no less than anyone's; at feast you should enjoy the same honors. When it comes to gifts for the cup, the grandee should come first." Once at a merry feast the emperor ordered every minister to compose a poem. Qingzhi could neither write nor read. When pressed, he said: "I cannot write. Let me dictate to Master Yan." The emperor had Yan Shibo take brush and ink while Qingzhi dictated: "A humble life has met with great fortune; I have lived in a flourishing age. Sinews spent and strength gone in old age, I walk back to South Ridge. To yield honor in such a sage reign—what shame need I feel before Zhang Liang?" The emperor was delighted, and everyone present praised the poem's grace.

世祖晏駕，慶之與柳元景等並受顧命，遺詔若有大軍旅及征討，悉使委慶之。前廢帝即位，加慶之几杖，給三望車一乘。慶之每朝賀，常乘猪鼻無幰車，左右從者不過三五人。騎馬履行園田，政一人視馬而已。每農桑劇月，或時無人，遇之者不知三公也。及加三望車，謂人曰：「我每遊履田園，有人時與馬成三，無人則與馬成二。今乘此車，安所之乎。」及賜几杖，並固讓。

When Xiaowu died, Qingzhi and Liu Yuanjing and the others received a deathbed charge. The testament decreed that all major armies and campaigns were to be entrusted to Qingzhi. When the deposed former emperor Liu Ziye took the throne, Qingzhi was granted a folding stool and staff and a three-canopy carriage. At court audiences he usually rode a plain pig-snout carriage without awning, attended by no more than three or five followers. When he rode through his farms, only one groom went with him. In the busiest farming and mulberry seasons he sometimes went entirely alone. People who met him on the road never guessed he was one of the three excellencies. When the three-canopy carriage was granted, he remarked: "When I roam my fields, with a groom it is three counting the horse; without one, two counting the horse. Where am I supposed to go in a carriage like this?" He firmly declined both the carriage and the stool and staff.

廢帝狂悖無道，眾並勸慶之廢立，及柳元景等連謀，以告慶之。慶之與江夏王義恭素不厚，發其事，帝誅義恭、元景等，以慶之為侍中、太尉，封次子中書郎文季建安縣侯，食邑千戶。義陽王昶反，慶之從帝度江，總統眾軍。少子文耀，年十餘歲，善騎射，帝愛之，又封永陽縣侯，食邑千戶。帝凶暴日甚，慶之猶盡言諫爭，帝意稍不說。及誅何邁，慮慶之不同，量其必至，乃閉清谿諸橋以絕之。慶之果往，不得度而還。帝乃遣慶之從子攸之齎藥賜慶之死，時年八十。是年初，慶之夢有人以兩匹絹與之，謂曰：「此絹足度。」謂人曰：「老子今年不免。兩匹，八十尺也。足度，無盈餘矣。」及死，賜與甚厚，追贈侍中，太尉如故，給鸞輅轀輬車，前後羽葆、鼓吹，諡曰忠武公。未及葬，帝敗。太宗即位，追贈侍中、司空，諡曰襄公。

The deposed emperor was violent and lawless. Many urged Qingzhi to depose him. Liu Yuanjing and others formed a conspiracy and confided in Qingzhi. Qingzhi had never been close to Prince Yigong of Jiangxia. He exposed the plot. The emperor executed Yigong, Yuanjing, and the rest, made Qingzhi palace attendant and grand commandant, and enfeoffed his second son Wenji, a secretariat gentleman, as marquis of Jian'an with a fief of one thousand households. When Prince Chang of Yiyang rebelled, Qingzhi crossed the Yangzi with the emperor and took overall command of the armies. His youngest son Wenyao, barely in his teens and skilled at riding and archery, won the emperor's favor and was also enfeoffed as marquis of Yongyang with a fief of one thousand households. As the emperor grew crueler by the day, Qingzhi still remonstrated without restraint. The emperor's pleasure in him gradually faded. After He Mai was executed, fearing Qingzhi would object and guessing he would come to protest, the emperor closed every bridge on the Qingxi to block him. Qingzhi did come, but unable to cross he turned back. The emperor then sent Qingzhi's clansman Shen Youzhi with poison to grant him death. Qingzhi was eighty. Earlier that year Qingzhi dreamed that someone gave him two bolts of silk, saying: "This silk is enough to measure you out." He told others: "This old man will not escape death this year. Two bolts—eighty chi. Enough to measure me out, with nothing left over." At his death the gifts were lavish. He was posthumously honored as palace attendant and grand commandant as before, granted an imperial funeral carriage with feather banners and martial music front and rear, and given the posthumous title Loyal and Martial Duke. Before he could be buried, the emperor was overthrown. When Emperor Ming ascended, Qingzhi was posthumously honored as palace attendant and minister of works with the posthumous title Duke Xiang.

長子文叔，歷中書黃門郎，景和末，為侍中。慶之之死也，不肯飲藥，攸之以被揜殺之。文叔密取藥藏錄。或勸文叔逃避，文叔見帝斷截江夏王義恭支體，慮奔亡之日，帝怒，容致義恭之變，乃飲藥自殺。子祕書郎昭明，亦自縊死。泰始七年，改封蒼梧郡公。元徽元年，還復先封。時改始興為廣興，昭明子曇亮，襲廣興郡公。齊受禪，國除。

Eldest son Wenshu had served as gentleman of the yellow gate in the secretariat and, by the end of Yuanhe, was palace attendant. When Qingzhi was ordered to die he refused the poison. Youzhi smothered him with a quilt. Wenshu secretly kept some of the poison as a record. Some urged Wenshu to flee. But he had seen the emperor hack Prince Yigong limb from limb, and feared that flight would only provoke a slaughter like Yigong's. He drank the poison and killed himself. His son Zhaoming, a secretariat gentleman, hanged himself as well. In the 471th year of Taishi the family enfeoffment was changed to Duke of Cangwu commandery. In the first year of Yuanhui, his original enfeoffment was restored. Shixing was then renamed Guangxing, and Tanliang, son of Zhaoming, succeeded as duke of Guangxing commandery. When the Qi dynasty took the throne, the fief was abolished.

慶之弟劭之，元嘉中，為廬陵王紹南中郎行參軍，討建安揭陽諸賊，病卒。

Qingzhi's younger brother Shaozhi served in the Yuanjia era as acting staff officer on Prince Shao of Luling's southern army staff, campaigned against bandits in Jian'an and Jieyang, and died of illness.

兄子僧榮，敞之之子也。孝建初，為安成相。荊、江反叛，發兵拒臧質，質遣其安成相臧眇之討僧榮，擊破之。大明中，為兗州刺史。景和中，徵為黃門郎，未還，卒。子懷明，太宗泰始初，居父憂，起為建威將軍，東征南討有功，封吳興縣子，食邑四百戶。歷位黃門侍郎，再為南兗州刺史。元徽初，丁母艱，去職。桂陽王休範為逆，起為冠軍將軍，統水軍防固石頭，朱雀失守，懷明委軍奔走，頃之憂卒。

His nephew Seng Rong was the son of Changzhi. At the start of the Xiaojian era he became chancellor of Ancheng. During the Jing and Jiang rebellions he raised troops against Zang Zhi. Zhi sent his Ancheng chancellor Zang Miaozhi against Seng Rong and routed him. Under the Daming reign he served as inspector of Yanzhou. In the Jinghe era he was recalled as gentleman of the yellow gates but died before he could take up the post. His son Huaiming, early in Emperor Ming's Taishi reign, left mourning to become establishing might general. He earned distinction in campaigns east and south and was made viscount of Wuxing with four hundred households. He rose to palace gentleman of the yellow gates and twice governed South Yanzhou. Early in the Yuanhui era he resigned to mourn his mother. When Prince Guiyang Xiufan rebelled, Huaiming was made champion general to hold Shitou with the fleet. After Zhuque Gate fell he abandoned his troops and fled, then died of shame soon afterward.

慶之從弟法系字體先，亦有將用。初為趙伯符將佐，後隨慶之征五水蠻。世祖伐逆，以為南中郎參軍，加寧朔將軍，領三千人前發，與柳元景旦至新亭。元景居中營，宗慤居西營，法系居東營。東營據岡，賊攻元景，法系臨射之，所殺甚眾。法系塹外樹悉伐之令倒，賊劭來攻，緣樹以進，彭棑多開隙，選善射手，的發無不中，死者交橫。事平，以為寧朔將軍、始興太守，討蕭簡於廣州。聞臺軍將至，簡誑其眾曰：「臺軍是賊劭所遣。」並信之。前征北參軍顧邁被賊徙在城內，善天文，云「荊、江有大兵」。城內由此固守。初，世祖先遣鄧琬圍簡，唯治一攻道，法系至，曰：「宜四面並攻，若守一道，何時可拔。」琬慮功不在己，不從。法系曰：「更相申五十日。」日盡又不克，乃從之。八道俱攻，一日即拔，斬蕭簡，廣州平。封庫藏付鄧琬而還。官至驍騎將軍、尋陽太守，新安王子鸞北中郎司馬。

Qingzhi's cousin Faxing, courtesy name Tixian, was likewise a capable commander. He first served as aide to Zhao Bofu, then followed Qingzhi against the Five Waters tribes. During the Shizu's campaign against the usurper he became southern army aide and pacify-the-north general, led three thousand men ahead, and reached Xinting at dawn with Liu Yuanjing. Yuanjing took the center, Zong Que the west, and Faxing the east. The eastern camp held the heights. When the rebels struck Yuanjing, Faxing rained arrows down and killed a great number. Faxing felled the trees beyond the ditch so they fell inward. When Shao's men attacked along the trunks, the palisade left wide gaps. He posted crack archers whose every shaft found its mark, and corpses piled up in heaps. After the rebellion he was made pacify-the-north general and Shixing administrator and sent to suppress Xiao Jian at Guangzhou. Hearing that the imperial army was approaching, Jian lied to his men: "The court troops are Liu Shao's men. They all believed him. Gu Mai, a former northern campaigning aide held inside the city, was skilled in astronomy and declared, "Large armies are coming from Jing and Jiang." The garrison therefore dug in. The Shizu had first sent Deng Wan to besiege Jian with only one assault ramp. Faxing said, "Attack from all four sides. One approach alone will never take the city. Wan, fearing the glory would not be his, refused. Faxing said, "Give me fifty more days." When the fifty days passed without success, Wan finally agreed. Eight assault columns struck at once. The city fell in a day, Xiao Jian was executed, and Guangzhou was pacified. He sealed the treasury, handed it to Deng Wan, and withdrew. He rose to valiant cavalry general, Xunyang administrator, and major on Prince Ziluan of Xin'an's northern army staff.

劭之子文秀，別有傳。

Shao's son Wenxiu is treated in a separate biography.

慶之羣從姻戚，由之在列位者數十人。

Through Qingzhi's kinsmen and marriage alliances, dozens held office at court.

史評

Historian's Appraisal

史臣曰：張釋之云，用法一偏，天下獄皆隨輕重。縣衡於上，四海共稟其平，法亂於朝，民無所措手足。師伯藉寵代臣，勢震朝野，傾意廝臺，情以貨結，自選部至于局曹，莫不從風而靡。曲徇私請，因停詔敕，天震霣怒，仆者相望，師伯任用無改，而王、謝免職。君子謂是舉也，豈徒失政刑而已哉！

The historiographer writes: Zhang Shizhi observed that when the law tilts one way, every prison in the empire tilts with it. When the scales hang true at the top, the realm shares in their justice; when law collapses at court, the people do not know where to turn. Shibo traded on favor as heir-apparent minister until his power shook court and country. He lavished attention on the clerical offices and bought loyalty with wealth. From the selection bureau to the lowest desk, every office bent to his will. He bent the law to private ends and blocked imperial edicts. Heaven itself seemed to thunder in wrath, and the punished fell one after another—yet Shibo kept his posts while Wang and Xie lost theirs. Thoughtful men judged that this was far more than a failure of law and governance alone!

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