Volume 85 Biographies 45: Xie Zhuang, Wang Jingwen

列傳第四十五謝莊王景文

Biography 45: Xie Zhuang and Wang Jingwen

謝莊，字希逸，陳郡陽夏人，太常弘微子也。年七歲，能屬文，通《論語》。及長，韶令美容儀，太祖見而異之，謂尚書僕射殷景仁、領軍將軍劉湛曰：「藍田出玉，豈虛也哉！」初為始興王濬後軍法曹行參軍，轉太子舍人，廬陵王文學，太子洗馬，中舍人，廬陵王紹南中郎諮議參軍。又轉隨王誕後軍諮議，并領記室。分左氏《經傳》，隨國立篇，制木方丈，圖山川土地，各有分理，離之則州別郡殊，合之則宇內為一。元嘉二十七年，索虜寇彭城，虜遣尚書李孝伯來使，與鎮軍長史張暢共語，孝伯訪問莊及王徽，其名聲遠布如此。二十九年，除太子中庶子。時南平王鑠獻赤鸚鵡，普詔群臣為賦。太子左衛率袁淑文冠當時，作賦畢，齎以示莊；莊賦亦竟，淑見而歎曰：「江東無我，卿當獨秀。我若無卿，亦一時之傑也。」遂隱其賦。

Xie Zhuang, courtesy name Xiyi, was from Yangxia in Chen Commandery and was the son of Grand Master of Ceremonies Xie Hongwei. At seven he could already compose essays and had mastered the Analects. When he reached adulthood he was graceful in manner and striking in appearance. Emperor Wen saw him and was greatly impressed, and said to Vice Director of the Secretariat Yin Jingren and General-in-Chief of the Guards Liu Zhan, "They say jade comes from Lantian—how true that is!" He began as acting registrar of the rear army under Prince Shixing Jun, then served successively as crown prince attendant, literary companion to the Prince of Luling, crown prince groom, palace attendant, and adviser on the staff of Prince Luling Shao's southern commandery. He was later transferred to rear-army adviser under Prince Sui Dan and also served as his recorder. He divided the Zuo Commentary into sections organized by state, fashioned a wooden map one zhang square, and charted mountains, rivers, and territory so that each had its proper division—taken apart, provinces and commanderies stood distinct; assembled, the empire within the seas formed a single whole. In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia the northern enemies attacked Pengcheng and sent Minister Li Xiaobo as envoy. Li spoke with Chief Clerk Zhang Chang of the pacification army and asked after Zhuang and Wang Hui—such was the reach of his reputation. In year 29 he was appointed vice censor to the crown prince. At that time Prince Nanping Shuo presented a crimson parrot, and the court broadly ordered the ministers to compose rhapsodies on it. Yuan Shu, left guard of the crown prince, was the leading writer of the day; when he had finished his rhapsody he brought it to show Zhuang; Zhuang's rhapsody was finished as well; when Shu read it he sighed and said, "Without me in the southeast, you would stand alone as the finest writer. If you were not here, I would still rank among the finest of the age." He then hid his own rhapsody and did not submit it.

元兇弑立，轉司徒左長史。世祖入討，密送檄書與莊，令加改治宣佈。莊遣腹心門生具慶奉啟事密詣世祖曰：「賊劭自絕於天，裂冠毀冕，窮弑極逆，開闢未聞，四海泣血，幽明同憤。奉三月二十七日檄，聖跡昭然，伏讀感慶。天祚王室，叡哲重光。殿下文明在嶽，神武居陝，肅將乾威，龔行天罰，滌社稷之仇，雪華夷之恥，使弛墜之構，更獲締造，垢辱之氓，復得明目。伏承所命，柳元景、司馬文恭、宗愨、沈慶之等精甲十萬，已次近道。殿下親董銳旅，授律繼進。荊、鄢之師，岷、漢之眾，舳艫萬里，旌斾虧天，九土冥符，群後畢會。今獨夫醜類，曾不盈旅，自相暴殄，省闥橫流，百僚屏氣，道路以目。檄至，輒布之京邑，朝野同欣，裏頌途歌，室家相慶，莫不望景聳魂，瞻雲佇足。先帝以日月之光，照臨區宇，風澤所漸，無幽不洽。況下官世荷寵靈，叨恩逾量，謝病私門，倖免虎口，雖志在投報，其路無由。今大軍近次，永清無遠，欣悲踴躍，不知所裁。」

After the usurper Shao murdered his father and seized the throne, Zhuang was made left chief clerk of the minister of education. When Emperor Xiaowu marched in to suppress the usurper, he secretly sent Zhuang the proclamation and ordered him to revise and polish it for public announcement. Zhuang sent his trusted student Ju Qing with a secret memorial to the heir apparent, saying, "The rebel Shao has cut himself off from Heaven, defiled the crown and regalia, and carried regicide to the utmost pitch of treason—such a crime has never been heard of since the world began; all under heaven weep blood, and the living and the dead alike burn with outrage. I have received the proclamation of the twenty-seventh day of the third month; your sacred purpose shines clear, and reading it prostrate I am moved to joy and gratitude. Heaven blesses the royal house, and sagely wisdom shines forth once more. Your Highness's civil brilliance towers like a mountain, your divine martial power holds the center; solemnly you marshal Heaven's authority and reverently carry out Heaven's punishment, cleansing the state's wrongs and wiping away the shame of court and frontier alike, so that a realm grown slack may be bound anew and a people sunk in dishonor may once more see the light. I humbly learn of your command: Liu Yuanjing, Sima Wengong, Zong Que, Shen Qingzhi, and others at the head of a hundred thousand elite armored troops have already halted on the roads nearby. Your Highness personally leads the crack troops, sets the rules of war, and presses forward in their wake. Armies from Jing and Yan, hosts from Min and Han, war fleets stretching a thousand miles, banners blotting out the sky—the nine provinces answer as one, and all the lords gather in full muster. Now the usurper and his vile crew can scarcely fill a single camp; they tear one another apart, blood flows across the palace gates, the hundred officials hold their breath, and men in the streets dare only look at one another in silence. As soon as the proclamation arrives it is posted through the capital; court and countryside rejoice together, lanes ring with praise and roads with song, and families celebrate in every home—all lift their hearts at the sight of your standard and stand on tiptoe watching for your approach. The late emperor shone upon the realm like sun and moon; wherever his grace and favor reached, no corner however remote was left untouched. How much more so I, who for generations have received your house's favor, who have enjoyed grace beyond my deserts, who retired sick to my home and by fortune escaped the tiger's jaws—though my heart is set on repaying you, I have no means to do so. Now the great army is encamped nearby and lasting peace is close at hand; joy and sorrow overwhelm me, and I scarcely know how to bear it."

世祖踐阼，除侍中。時索虜求通互市，上詔群臣博議。莊議曰：「臣愚以為獯獫棄義，唯利是視，關市之請，或以覘國，順之示弱，無明柔遠，距而觀釁，有足表強。且漢文和親，豈止彭陽之寇；武帝修約，不廢馬邑之謀。故有餘則經略，不足則閉關。何為屈冠帶之邦，通引弓之俗，樹無益之軌，招塵點之風。交易爽議，既應深杜；和約詭論，尤宜固絕。臣庸管多蔽，豈識國儀，恩誘降逮，敢不披盡。」時驃騎將軍竟陵王誕當為荊州，徵丞相、荊州刺史南郡王義宣入輔，義宣固辭不入，而誕便克日下船。莊以丞相既無入志，驃騎發便有期，如似欲相逼切，於事不便。世祖乃申誕發日，義宣竟亦不下。

When Emperor Xiaowu took the throne, Zhuang was appointed attendant-in-ordinary. At that time the northern enemies asked to open mutual border markets, and the emperor ordered a broad debate among the ministers. Zhuang argued, "In my foolish view the northern tribes abandon righteousness and care only for profit; their request for border markets may be a pretext to spy on our state. To agree would show weakness and would not embody the policy of winning distant peoples through kindness; to refuse and watch for trouble is enough to display our strength. Moreover, when Emperor Wen of Han pursued marriage alliances, did that end raids beyond Pengyang alone? When Emperor Wu renewed treaties he still did not abandon the stratagem of Mayi. Thus when strength suffices one campaigns abroad; when it does not, one closes the frontier passes. Why should a civilized state bow to bow-shooting barbarians, establish a precedent of no benefit, and invite a stain upon our honor? The proposal for trade should be firmly rejected; and deceptive talk of peace treaties should especially be firmly rejected. I am narrow in vision and scarcely understand state policy, yet your grace draws me onward—how dare I not speak my mind fully." At that time General of Agile Cavalry Prince Jingling Dan was to take Jing Province, while Chancellor and Jing governor Prince Nanjun Yixuan was summoned to enter the capital as regent. Yixuan firmly refused to come, yet Dan had already fixed a day to embark. Zhuang held that since the chancellor clearly had no intention of coming while the general's departure was already fixed, it looked as though one side was pressing the other—a course ill suited to the situation. The emperor then postponed Dan's departure, and in the end Yixuan did not embark either.

上始踐阼，欲宣弘風則，下節儉詔書，事在《孝武本紀》。莊慮此制不行，又言曰：「詔云『貴戚競利，興貨廛肆者，悉皆禁制』。此實允愜民聽。其中若有犯違，則應依制裁糾；若廢法申恩，便為令有所屈。此處分伏願深思，無緣明詔既下，而聲實乖爽。臣愚謂大臣在祿位者，尤不宜與民爭利，不審可得在此詔不？拔葵去織，實宜深弘。」

When the emperor first took the throne he wished to proclaim lofty standards and issued an edict on frugality; the matter is recorded in the Basic Annals of Emperor Xiaowu. Zhuang feared the measure would not be enforced and spoke again: "The edict says, 'Nobles and imperial kin who compete for profit and open shops to trade—all such activity is forbidden. This truly accords with what the people wish to hear. If any violate it, they should be investigated and punished under the law; if the law is set aside to show favor, the edict itself is compromised. On this point I beg deep reflection: once a clear edict has been issued, word and deed must not diverge. In my foolish view great ministers on salary should especially not compete with the people for profit—can they be included within this edict? The example of uprooting the mallow and banishing the weaving woman should truly be upheld in full."

臣聞功照千里，非特燭車之珍；德柔鄰國，豈徒秘璧之貴，故《詩》稱殄悴，《誓》述榮懷，用能道臻無積，化至恭己。伏惟陛下膺慶集圖，締宇開縣，夕爽選政，昃旦調風，采言廝輿，觀謠仄遠，斯實辰階告平，頌聲方制。臣竊惟隆陂所漸，治亂之由，何嘗不興資得才，替因失士。故楚書以善人為寶，《虞典》以則哲為難。進選之軌，既弛中代，登造之律，未闡當今。必欲崇本康務，庇民濟俗，匪更惉懘，奚取九成。升曆中陽，英賢起於徐、沛；受籙白水，茂異出於荊、宛。寧二都智之所產，七諲愚之所集，實遇與不遇，用與不用耳。

I have heard that merit that shines a thousand li is not merely the treasure of a candle-cart; virtue that wins over neighboring states is not only the worth of a secret jade. Thus the Odes praise tireless care and the Documents describe glory embraced—by this the Way reaches where nothing piles up, and transformation arrives at self-restraint. I humbly consider that Your Majesty has received Heaven's blessing and gathered the mandate, bound the realm and opened the counties, refreshes governance evening by evening and tunes the moral wind from dusk till dawn, gathers words from common carts and heeds songs from distant lanes—truly the hour when the age announces peace and praise-songs are just taking shape. I reflect privately that what the high dyke gradually receives—the causes of order and chaos—when has rise not depended on gaining talent, or decline on losing worthy men? Thus the book of Chu takes good men as treasure, and the Canon of Yu calls discerning the wise the hard task. The path of advancement and selection has slackened since the middle dynasties, and the law of elevation and appointment has not been clarified in our own day. If one must exalt the root, bring peace to affairs, shelter the people, and aid custom—without renewing the ninefold harmonies, how attain the nine accomplishments? When the calendar rose at Zhongyang, heroes and worthies arose from Xu and Pei; when the mandate was received at Baishui, splendid talents came forth from Jing and Wan. Were the two capitals alone producers of wisdom and the seven backwaters alone gatherers of folly? In truth it is a matter of being recognized or not, employed or not.

今大道光亨，萬務俟德，而九服之曠，九流之艱，提鈞懸衡，委之選部。一人之鑒易限，而天下之才難原；以易限之鑒，鏡難原之才，使國罔遺授，野無滯器，其可得乎？昔公叔與僎同升，管仲取臣於盜，趙文非親士疏嗣，祁奚豈諂讎比子，茹茅以匯，作範前經，舉爾所知，式昭往牒。且自古任薦，賞罰弘明，成子舉三哲而身致魏輔，應侯任二士而已捐秦相，臼季稱冀缺而疇以田采，張勃進陳湯而坐以褫爵。此先事之盛准，亦後王之彝鑒。如臣愚見，宜普命大臣，各舉所知，以付尚書，依分銓用。若任得其才，舉主延賞；有不稱職，宜及其坐。重者免黜，輕者左遷，被舉之身，加以禁錮，年數多少，隨愆議制。若犯大辟，則任者刑論。

Now the great Way shines bright and ten thousand affairs await virtue—yet the vast realm and the hardship of every calling, holding the scales of judgment, are entrusted to the selection bureau alone. One man's judgment is easily bounded, while the talent of all under Heaven is hard to fathom; to judge unfathomable talent with a bounded mirror—can the state leave no post unfilled and the wilds no talent unused? Is that possible? Of old Gongshu and Zao rose together; Guan Zhong took a minister from among robbers; Zhao Wen did not favor kin and kept heirs distant from scholars; Qi Xi did not recommend an enemy to match his son. Gathering rush and thatch for storage became a model in former classics—'Recommend those you know' shines forth in past records. Moreover, from antiquity recommendation carried clear reward and punishment: Chengzi recommended three wise men and himself became minister of Wei; Lord Ying entrusted two scholars and at once gave up the Qin chancellorship; Jiuji praised Ji Que and was rewarded with fields; Zhang Bo advanced Chen Tang and sat by while his own rank was stripped. These are the great standards of former times and the constant mirrors for later kings. In my foolish view, the court should broadly order great ministers each to recommend those he knows, deliver the names to the secretariat, and employ them according to rank. If the appointee proves capable, the recommender receives extended reward; if the appointee is unfit, the recommender should share the punishment. Serious cases merit dismissal, light cases demotion; the appointee should also be placed under restriction for a term fixed according to the fault. If the crime reaches capital punishment, the appointing official faces penal judgment.

又政平訟理，莫先親民，親民之要，實歸守宰。故黃霸治潁川累稔，杜畿居河東歷載，或就加恩秩，或入崇輝寵。今蒞民之職，自非公私必應代換者，宜遵六年之制，進獲章明庸墮，退得民不勤擾。如此則下無浮謬之愆，上靡棄能之累，考績之風載泰，楢薪之歌克昌。臣生屬亨路，身漸鴻猷，遂得奉詔左右，陳愚於側，敢露芻言，懼氛恆典。

Moreover, in leveling government and settling lawsuits, nothing comes before drawing near to the people; the key to drawing near the people truly rests with prefects and magistrates. Thus Huang Ba governed Yingchuan for many years and Du Ji held Hedong for years on end—some were promptly given added ranks of grace, others entered court to receive lofty favor. Now offices that preside over the people, unless public or private affairs absolutely require rotation, should follow the six-year rule: on advancement they gain clear marks of merit or demerit; on retirement the people are spared repeated disturbance. Thus below there would be no fault of empty promotion, above no burden of wasted talent; the wind of examining achievement would flourish, and the song of gathering firewood would rise in praise. I was born in an age of prosperity and have been steeped in your great design; thus I attend your edicts at your side and lay foolish thoughts before you. I dare offer these humble words, fearing they may cloud the constant standards.

有詔莊表如此，可付外詳議，事不行。其年，拜吏部尚書。莊素多疾，不願居選部，與大司馬江夏王義恭牋自陳，曰：

An edict said, "Zhuang's memorial is as this; send it out for detailed deliberation." The proposal was not adopted. That year he was appointed minister of the ministry of personnel. Zhuang had long been ill and did not wish to head the selection office; he sent a letter of self-statement to Grand Marshal Prince Jiangxia Yigong, saying:

下官凡人，非有達概異識，俗外之志，實因羸疾，常恐奄忽，故少來無意於人間，豈當有心於崇達邪。頃年乘事回薄，遂果饕非次，既足貽誚明時，又亦取愧朋友。前以聖道初開，未遑引退，及此諸夏事寧，方陳微請。欵志未伸，仍荷今授，被恩之始，具披寸心，非惟在己知尤，實懼塵穢彝序。

I am an ordinary man, without far-reaching vision or ambitions beyond the world; in truth my frail health makes me constantly fear sudden death, and for years I have had no taste for worldly affairs—how could I harbor ambition for lofty advancement? In recent years, riding shifting circumstances, I have in fact obtained rank beyond my deserts—enough to bring reproach in this bright age and shame among friends. Previously, because your sage rule had just begun, I had no leisure to withdraw; now that affairs within the realm are settled, I at last present this modest request. My sincere wish had not been granted when I still received this present appointment; at the start of receiving your grace I lay bare my heart—not only knowing my own fault, but truly fearing to stain the proper order.

稟生多病，天下所悉，兩脅癖疾，殆與生俱，一月發動，不減兩三，每至一惡，痛來逼心，氣餘如綖。利患數年，遂成痼疾，吸吸惙惙，常如行尸。恆居死病，而不復道者，豈是疾痊，直以荷恩深重，思答殊施，牽課尪瘵，以綜所忝。眼患五月來便不復得夜坐，恆閉帷避風日，晝夜惽懵，為此不復得朝謁諸王，慶吊親舊，唯被敕見，不容停耳。此段不堪見賓，已數十日，持此苦生，而使銓綜九流，應對無方之訴，實由聖慈罔已，然當之信自苦劇。若才堪事任，而體氣休健，承寵異之遇，處自效之途，豈苟欲思閑辭事邪！家素貧弊，宅舍未立，兒息不免麤糲，而安之若命，寧復是能忘微祿，正以復有切於此處，故無復他願耳。今之所希，唯在小閑。下官微命，於天下至輕，在己不能不重。屢經披請，未蒙哀恕，良由誠淺辭訥，不足上感。

I was born with many illnesses, as all know; pain in both flanks, a chronic affliction almost from birth—each month it strikes at least two or three times, and whenever a bout comes pain presses on my heart and my breath hangs by a thread. For several years the affliction has worsened into a fixed disease; gasping and faint, I am constantly like a walking corpse. That I constantly dwell in mortal illness yet do not speak of it again—is it because I am cured? It is simply that, bearing your deep grace, I think to repay extraordinary favor and drag my wasted frame through the duties I have been given. For five months my eye ailment has made it impossible to sit up at night; I constantly close my curtains against wind and sun and am dazed day and night. For this I can no longer attend court to visit the princes or offer congratulations and condolences to kin and friends—I appear only when summoned by edict, without pause. For many days now I have been unable to receive guests; bearing this bitter life yet made to weigh and judge every calling and answer boundless petitions—it truly comes from your boundless compassion, yet undertaking it is bitter beyond measure. If my talent matched the task and my body were sound, receiving exceptional favor and standing on the path of service—how would I casually wish to seek leisure and decline office? My family has long been poor, our house not yet built, my children cannot escape coarse fare—yet I accept it as fate. Could I truly forget a modest salary? It is simply that something urgent binds me to this post, and thus I have no other wish. What I now desire is only a little leisure. A humble office and slight command are among the lightest matters in the realm, yet to me they weigh heavily. I have repeatedly laid bare my request yet not received compassionate release—truly because my sincerity is shallow and my words clumsy, insufficient to move you.

家世無年，亡高祖四十，曾祖三十二，亡祖四十七，下官新歲便三十五，加以疾患如此，當復幾時見聖世，就其中煎憹若此，實在可矜。前時曾啟願三吳，敕旨云「都不須復議外出」。莫非過恩，然亦是下官生運，不應見一閒逸。今不敢復言此，當付之來生耳。但得保餘年，無復物務，少得養痾，此便是志願永畢。在衡門下有所懷，動止必聞，亦無假居職，患於不能裨補萬一耳。識淺才常，羸疾如此，孤負主上擢授之恩，私心實自哀愧。入年便當更申前請，以死自固。但庸近所訴，恐未能仰徹。公恩盼弘深，粗照誠懇，願侍坐言次，賜垂拯助，則苦誠至心，庶獲哀允。若不蒙降祐，下官當於何希冀邪？仰憑愍察，願不垂恡。

My family has no long years: my great-grandfather died at forty, my grandfather at thirty-two, my father at forty-seven; in the new year I will already be thirty-five. With illness such as this, how much longer can I see this sage age? That amid this I am tormented so truly warrants pity. Earlier I once petitioned to be sent to the Three Wu region; the edict said, "Do not discuss going out again at all." All of this was excessive grace—yet it is also my lot in life that I ought not to see a single moment of leisure. Now I dare not speak of this again; I must entrust it to the next life. If I may only preserve my remaining years, be free of worldly duties, and gain a little time to nurse my illness—that would fulfill my life's wish. Dwelling at home, if I have thoughts they will surely be known in all I do; there is no pretense in holding office—I only fear being unable to serve you in the least degree. My understanding is shallow and talent ordinary; with frail illness such as this I have failed your grace in raising and appointing me—in private I truly grieve and feel shame. When the new year comes I shall again present my former request, and hold to it with my life. But in this shallow, clumsy plea of mine, I fear my meaning may not fully reach you. Your boundless grace has barely shone upon my sincere appeal; I wish to attend you in person and speak directly, and ask for your rescue and aid—then this bitter plea from my heart might perhaps win your compassionate consent. If I do not receive your gracious aid, what hope remains for me? I rely upon your compassionate judgment and hope you will not withhold your mercy.

三年，坐辭疾多，免官。大明元年，起為都官尚書，奏改定刑獄，曰：

In the third year, because he had repeatedly pleaded illness, he was dismissed from office. In the first year of Daming, he was recalled as minister of justice and memorialized to reform the penal system, saying:

臣聞明慎用刑，厥存姬典；哀矜折獄，實暉呂命。罪疑從輕，既前王之格範；寧失弗經，亦列聖之恆訓。用能化致升平，道臻恭己。逮漢文傷不辜之罰，除相坐之令，孝宣倍深文之吏，立鞫訊之法，當是時也，號令刑存。陛下踐位，親臨聽訟，億兆相賀，以為無冤民矣。而比囹圄未虛，頌聲尚缺。臣竊謂五聽之慈，弗宣於宰物；三宥之澤，未洽於民謠。頃年軍旅餘弊，劫掠猶繁，監司計獲，多非其實。或規免咎，不慮國患，楚對之下，鮮不誣濫。身遭鈇鑕之誅，家嬰孥戮之痛，比伍同閈，莫不及罪。是則一人罰謬，坐者數十。昔齊女告天，臨淄臺殞；孝婦冤戮，東海愆陽，此皆符變靈祗，初咸景緯。臣近兼訊，見重囚八人，旋觀其初，死有餘罪，詳察其理，實並無辜。恐此等不少，誠可怵惕也。

I have heard that wise and careful use of punishment is preserved in the Zhou classic; compassion and pity in judging cases truly honor the mandate recorded in the Punishments of Lü. When guilt is doubtful, lean toward leniency—this is already the standard of former kings; better to release the guilty than execute the innocent—this too is the constant teaching of successive sages. By this means they transformed the realm and attained peace, and the Way reached the virtue of self-restraint. When Emperor Wen of Han grieved over the punishment of the innocent and abolished mutual implication, and Emperor Xuan confronted harsh legalists and established interrogation procedures—at that time both decrees and punishments stood in proper balance. When Your Majesty ascended the throne and personally heard lawsuits, the people everywhere congratulated one another, believing there would be no more wronged subjects. Yet lately the prisons are still not empty, and praise for your rule has not yet fully risen. I privately consider that the compassion of the five hearings has not been fully proclaimed in governing the realm; and the grace of the three pardons has not yet reached the people's songs. In recent years the aftereffects of war linger; robbery and plunder remain frequent, and supervisory officials tally arrests—many of which are false. Some seek only to escape blame and give no thought to the harm done the state; under harsh interrogation, scarcely any case is free of false charges and abuse. Men suffer execution by axe and halberd, families endure the slaughter of wives and children, and neighbors in the same ward and lane—none escape punishment. Thus a single wrongful punishment can implicate dozens. Formerly the girl of Qi appealed to Heaven, and the tower at Linzi collapsed; a filial wife was wrongfully executed, and drought afflicted Donghai—these were all transformations wrought by spirits and deities, all auguries written in the heavens. Recently, while jointly examining cases, I saw eight prisoners under sentence of death; at first glance they seemed richly deserving of death, but on careful examination they were in fact all innocent. I fear such cases are not few—truly a matter for dread and vigilance.

舊官長竟囚畢，郡遣督郵案驗，仍就施刑。督郵賤吏，非能異於官長，有案驗之名，而無研究之實。愚謂此制宜革。自今入重之囚，縣考正畢，以事言郡，並送囚身，委二千石親臨覈辯，必收聲吞釁，然後就戮。若二千石不能決，乃度廷尉。神州統外，移之刺史；刺史有疑，亦歸臺獄。必令死者不怨，生者無恨。庶鬻棺之諺，輟歎於終古；兩造之察，流詠於方今。臣學闇申、韓，才寡治術，輕陳庸管，懼乖國憲。

Formerly, when local officials finished trying prisoners, the commandery sent supervising clerks to verify the cases and then immediately carried out punishment. Supervising clerks are lowly functionaries, no more capable than local officials; they bear the title of verification but not the reality of thorough investigation. I humbly consider that this institution should be reformed. From now on, for prisoners sentenced to heavy punishment: when the county investigation is complete, report the matter to the commandery and send the prisoner as well; the two-thousand-dan official should verify and cross-examine in person—only when guilt is fully confessed should execution proceed. If the two-thousand-dan official cannot decide, the case should be referred to the minister of justice. Outside the central provinces, refer the case to the provincial inspector; if the inspector has doubts, the case should also be referred to the central court prison. This must ensure that the dead do not resent and the living harbor no grudge. Perhaps the proverb of the coffin seller may cease its lament through all ages; and scrutiny of both parties may be sung in praise in our own time. My learning is obscure in the arts of Shen and Han, my talent meager in statecraft; I lightly offer this foolish opinion, fearing it may violate the statutes of the realm.

上時親覽朝政，常慮權移臣下，以吏部尚書選舉所由，欲輕其勢力。二年，下詔曰：「八柄馭下，以爵為先；九德咸事，政典居首。銓衡治樞，興替攸寄。頃世以來，轉失厥序，徒秉國鈞，終貽權謗。今南北多士，勳勤彌積，物情善否，實繫斯任。官人之詠，維聖克允；則哲之美，粵帝所難。加澆季在俗，讓議成風，以一人之識，當群品之誚，望沈浮自得，庸可致乎！吏部尚書可依郎分置，並詳省閑曹。」又別詔太宰江夏王義恭曰：

At that time the emperor personally oversaw court affairs and often worried that power would shift to his ministers; since the minister of personnel controlled selection and appointment, he wished to reduce that office's influence. In the second year an edict was issued, saying, "The eight handles for governing subordinates take ennoblement first; the nine virtues all serve the state, and the governmental canon holds the foremost place. The scales of selection are the pivot of governance; rise and fall depend upon them. In recent generations the proper order has increasingly been lost; merely holding the balance of state, one ultimately invites slander over power. Now men of talent abound north and south, merit and diligence accumulate ever more—the people's judgment of good and bad truly hinges on this office. The people's song about appointing officers—only a sage can fulfill it; the beauty of discerning the wise—this is what emperors find hardest. Added to this, the age is degenerate and yielding debate has become the fashion—how can one person's judgment bear the blame of all ranks and hope to settle who rises and falls on his own? How can this be achieved! The minister of personnel may be established according to bureau divisions, and idle offices carefully reduced. A separate edict was also issued to Grand Preceptor Prince Jiangxia Yigong, saying:

分選詔旦出，在朝論者，亦有同異。誠知循常甚易，改舊生疑。但吏部尚書由來與錄共選，良以一人之識，不辦洽通，兼與奪威權，不宜專一故也。前述宣先旨，敬從來奏，省錄作則，永貽後昆。自此選舉之要，唯由元、凱一人。若通塞乖衷，而訴達者鮮，且違令與物，理至隔閡。前王盛主，猶或難之，況在寡闇，尤見其短。又選官裁病，即嗟誚滿道，人之四體，會盈有虛，旬日之間，便至怨詈，況實有假託，不由寢頓者邪！一詣不前，貧苦交困，則兩邊致患，互不相體，校之以實，並有可哀。若職置二人，則無此弊。兼選曹樞要，歷代斯重，人經此職，便成貴塗，己心外議，咸不自限，故范曄、魯爽，舉兵滅門。以此言之，實由榮厚勢驅，殷繁所至。設可擬議此授，唯有數人，本積歲月，稍加引進，而理無前期，多生慮表；或嬰艱抱疾，事至回移。官人之任，決不可闕，一來一去，向人已周，非有黜責，已貴難賤；既成妨長，置之無所，盛衰遞襲，便是一段世臣相處之方。臣主生疑，所以彌覺此職，宜在降階。監令端右，足處時望，無人則闕，異於九流。今但直銓選部，有減前資。物情好猜，橫立別解，本旨向意，終不外宣。唯有從郎分置，視聽自改。選既輕先，民情已變，有堪其任，大展遷回。兼常之宜，以時稍進，本職非復重官可得，不須帶帖數過，居之盡無詒怪。

"The edict on divided selection issued this morning—those at court who discuss it are also divided in opinion. I truly know that following custom is very easy, and changing old ways breeds doubt. But the minister of personnel has from old jointly conducted selection with the chief recorder—truly because one person's judgment cannot grasp everything, and because the power to grant and withhold should not be concentrated. My earlier statement proclaimed the prior intent; respectfully following your former memorial, the chief recorder set the rule to be bequeathed to posterity. From then on the essentials of selection rested solely with Yuan and Kai acting as one. If success and obstruction diverge from what is right, and few complaints can reach the throne, moreover violating both orders and public sentiment—the result is estrangement. Even former enlightened kings and sage rulers found this difficult; how much more for one as dull and dim as I—its flaws would appear all the more. Moreover, when appointment to office is curtailed for illness, sighs and blame fill the roads; a person's health waxes and wanes—in ten days resentment and cursing arise; how much more when some truly feign illness rather than suffer bedridden exhaustion!" When one side fails to advance to appointment, poverty and hardship compound—trouble arises on both sides, neither understanding the other; measured against reality, both sides deserve pity. If the office were held by two persons, this flaw would not exist. Moreover the selection bureau is pivotal and has been weighty in every dynasty; once a man passes through this office it becomes a path to eminence—in his own mind and in public opinion he fails to restrain himself; thus Fan Ye and Lu Shuang raised armies and their clans were destroyed. Speaking thus, it truly stems from glory and rich rewards driving power—where abundance leads. Even if one could consider candidates for this appointment, there are only a few men; they are accumulated over years and gradually promoted—yet there is no fixed term in principle, and many outward concerns arise; some encounter hardship or fall ill, and when affairs arrive plans must shift. The task of appointing officers absolutely cannot be left vacant; one man comes, one goes—the roster is already full; without dismissal or censure, a man already eminent is hard to demote; having already become an obstacle to others' advancement, with nowhere to place them—as rise and decline pass in turn, this becomes a whole generation's pattern for how hereditary ministers coexist. When lord and minister generate suspicion, for this reason I feel all the more that this office should be lowered in rank. Supervisors and commanders on the right suffice to meet contemporary expectations; if there is no suitable man, leave the post vacant—different from the nine ranks. Now merely directly handling the selection bureau—a reduction from previous standing. Public sentiment loves suspicion; arbitrarily setting up separate interpretations—the original intent ultimately cannot be proclaimed abroad. Only by dividing according to bureau will what is seen and heard change of itself. Once selection is first lightened, public sentiment already changes; men capable of the task may be broadly rotated and advanced. As for concurrent regular appointments, advance them slightly with time; the primary office can no longer be obtained as a heavy post; there is no need to carry multiple concurrent titles repeatedly—holding it should cause no reproach at all.

自中分荊、揚，于時便有意於此，正訝改革不少，容生駭惑。爾來多年，欲至歲下處分，會何偃致故，應有親人，故近因此施行。本意詔文不得委悉，故復紙墨具陳。

Since Jing and Yang were divided from the center, I already had this intent at the time; I was only surprised that the reforms were so numerous, lest alarm and confusion arise. For many years since, I wished to implement it at year's end; then He Yan passed away—there should be a trusted man, hence it was recently implemented for this reason. The original intent could not be fully conveyed in the edict text, hence it is again set forth in full here.

於是置吏部尚書二人，省五兵尚書，莊及度支尚書顧覬之竝補選職。遷右衛將軍，加給事中。時河南獻舞馬，詔群臣為賦，莊所上其詞曰：

Thereupon two ministers of personnel were established and the minister of five arms was abolished; Zhuang and Minister of Revenue Gu Yan were both appointed to selection duties. He was transferred to general of the right guards and given the additional title of attendant within. At that time Henan presented dancing horses; an edict ordered the ministers to compose rhapsodies, and the text Zhuang submitted read:

天子馭三光，緫萬宇，挹雲經之留憲，裁河書之遺矩。是以德澤上昭，天下漏泉，符瑞之慶咸屬，榮懷之應必躔。月晷呈祥，乾維效氣，賦景河房，承靈天駟，陵原郊而漸影，躍采淵而泳質，辭水空而南傃，去輪臺而東洎，乘玉塞而歸寶，奄芝庭而獻秘。及其養安騏校，進駕龍涓，輝大馭於國皁，賁上襄於帝閑，超益野而逾綠地，軼蘭池而轢紫燕。五王晦其術，十氏懵其玄，東門豈或狀，西河不能傳。既秣苞以均性，又佩蘅以崇躅，卷雄神於綺文，蓄奔容於帷燭，蘊籋雲之銳景，戢追電之逸足，方疊熔於丹縞，亦聯規於朱駮。觀其雙璧應範，三封中圖，玄骨滿，燕室虛，陽理竟，潛策紆，汗飛赭，沫流朱。至於《肆夏》已升，《采齊》既薦，始徘徊而龍俛，終沃若而鸞眄，迎調露於飛鍾，赴承雲於驚箭，寫秦坰之彌塵，狀吳門之曳練，窮虞庭之蹈蹀，究遺野之環袨。若夫蹠實之態未卷，凌遠之氣方攄，歷岱野而過碣石，跨滄流而軼姑餘，朝送日於西坂，夕歸風於北都，尋瓊宮於倏瞬，望銀臺於須臾。

The Son of Heaven drives the three luminaries and gathers the myriad realms, drawing from the lingering statutes of the Cloud Classic and trimming the surviving norms of the River Book. Thus virtue's grace shines above and the realm below flows like a spreading spring; auspicious omens and blessings all gather, and responses of glory and contentment surely align with the stars. The sundial presents auspicious signs, the heavenly axis exhales numinous breath; splendor is assigned to the River Chamber, spirit inherited from the Heavenly Team—crossing the suburban plain its shadow lengthens, leaping through colored depths its form swims; leaving the empty waters it turns south, departing from Luntai it drifts east; riding the jade frontier it returns with treasure, covering the terrace of ling it presents the secret. When it was nurtured in peace at the fine stable and entered the carriage behind the dragon reins, it shone the great chariot in the national stable and adorned Upper Xiang in the imperial stud; surpassing Yiye it crossed the green lands, outstripping Orchid Pool it crushed Purple Swallow. The Five Kings obscure their arts, the Ten Clans are bewildered by their mystery; could East Gate ever describe it? River West could not transmit it. Fed with millet for even temperament, adorned with orchids for lofty tracks, it rolls heroic spirit into brocade text and stores running form within curtain and candle; hoarding the sharp radiance of cloud-steeds, it restrains the flying feet that chase lightning; now layered in molten cinnabar stripes, now linked in pattern with vermilion dapples. Observing it: paired jade disks match the measure, three seals hit the target; dark bone fills, swallow chamber empties; yang principle ends, hidden tally twists; sweat flies cinnabar, foam flows vermilion. When Si Xia had ascended and Cai Qi was already presented, at first it paced circling with dragon bow, at last lush as it gazed like a phoenix; meeting Tiaolu upon the flying bell, hastening to Chengyun upon the startled arrow; portraying the dust filling the Qin wilds, depicting the white silk trailing at Wu Gate; exhausting the treading dance of the Yu court, reaching the ringed splendor of the distant field. When the treading-solid form is not yet rolled up and the soaring-far spirit is just being released, it crosses the wilds of Dai and passes Jieshi, spans the blue stream and outruns Guyu; at dawn it sends off the sun at the western slope, at dusk it returns with the wind to the northern capital; seeking the jade palace in an instant, gazing at the silver terrace in a flash.

若乃日宣重光，德星昭衍，國稱梁、岱佇蹕，史言壇場望踐。鄗上之瑞彰，江間之禎闡，榮鏡之運既臻，會昌之曆已辨，感五繇之程符，鑒群后之薦典。聖主將有事於東嶽，禮也。於是順斗極，乘次躔，戒懸日於昭旦，命月題於上年。騑騑翼翼，泛修風而浮慶煙，肅肅雍雍，引八神而詔九仙。下齊郊而掩配林，集嬴裏而降祊田，蒲軒次巘，瑄璧承巒，金檢茲發，玉牒斯刊，盛節之義洽，升中之禮殫，億兆悅，精祗歡，聆萬歲於曾岫，燭神光於紫壇。是以擊轅之蹈，撫埃之舞，相與而歌曰：「聳朝蓋兮泛晨霞，靈之來兮雲漢華。山有壽兮松有茂，祚神極兮貺皇家。」然後悟聖朝之績，號慶榮之烈，比盛乎天地，爭明乎日月，茂實冠於胥、庭，鴻名邁於勛、發。業底於告成，道臻乎報謁，巍巍乎，蕩蕩乎，民無得而稱焉。

If the sun proclaims double light and the virtue star spreads bright, the realm names Liang and Dai awaiting the imperial halt, and the histories speak of the altar ground awaiting the tread. Portents at Gao are revealed, omens between the rivers are displayed; the fortune of the glory mirror has arrived, the calendar of the great assembly is discerned; sensing the timed seals of the five charts, mirroring the sacrificial canons offered by all the lords. The sage lord will perform rites at Mount Tai in the east—it is proper ritual. Thereupon following the Pole Star, riding the sequence of stations, setting the suspended sun for a bright dawn, naming the moon's inscription for the year above. Pair after pair wing upon wing, floating on cultivated winds and drifting auspicious smoke; solemn and harmonious, leading the eight spirits and proclaiming to the nine immortals. Descending to the Qi suburb and covering the paired grove, gathering at Yingli and descending to the border field; rush carriage halts at the peak, ceremonial jade and disk receive the mountain ridge; the gold tally is opened here, the jade document is engraved here; the meaning of the grand rite is complete, the ceremony of ascending and offering is fulfilled; the hundred millions rejoice, spirits and deities exult; listening for ten thousand years at the layered peak, lighting divine radiance upon the purple altar. Thus the treading of cart-rims, the dance of brushing dust, together they sing: "Raising the morning canopy, floating through dawn clouds; the spirit comes, the Milky Way glorious. Mountains have longevity, pines have luxuriance; bless the divine pinnacle, bestow upon the imperial house." Then they comprehend the achievements of the sage court and proclaim the blaze of celebratory glory—comparing in grandeur with Heaven and Earth, vying in brilliance with sun and moon; luxuriant fruit crowns Xu and Ting, great name surpasses Xun and Fa. Works reach the report of completion, the Way attains the tribute visit—towering, vast—the people cannot find words to praise it.

又使莊作《舞馬歌》，令樂府歌之。五年，又為侍中，領前軍將軍。於時世祖出行，夜還，敕開門。莊居守，以棨信或虛，執不奉旨，須墨詔乃開。上後因酒宴從容曰：「卿欲效郅君章邪？」對曰：「臣聞蒐巡有度，郊祀有節，盤於遊田，著之前誡。陛下今蒙犯塵露，晨往宵歸，容恐不逞之徒，妄生矯詐。臣是以伏須神筆，乃敢開門耳。」改領游擊將軍，又領本州大中正，晉安王子勛征虜長史、廣陵太守，加冠軍將軍。改為江夏王義恭太宰長史，將軍如故。六年，又為吏部尚書，領國子博士，坐選公車令張奇免官，事在顏師伯傳。

He also had Zhuang compose the "Song of the Dancing Horses" and ordered the Music Bureau to sing it. In the fifth year he again became palace attendant and colonel of the forward army. At that time Emperor Shizu went out; returning at night, he ordered the gate opened. Zhuang was holding the fort; because the tally-seal message might be forged, he firmly refused the order and required a written edict in ink before opening. Later at a wine banquet the emperor said casually, "Do you wish to emulate Zhi Junzhang?" He replied, "I have heard that autumn hunts and patrols have their limits, suburban sacrifices have their seasons, and delight in the hunting park is recorded in prior admonitions. Your Majesty now braves wind and weather, setting out at dawn and returning at night—I fear that unscrupulous men may seize the moment to forge false orders. That is why I must wait for your written edict in your own hand before I dare open the gate." He was reassigned to serve as general of mobile forces and as grand provincial arbiter of his native province, and was appointed chief administrator on Prince Zixun of Jin'an's barbarian-campaign staff and administrator of Guangling, with the additional rank of general who establishes might. He was reassigned as chief administrator to Grand Preceptor Prince Jiangxia Yigong, while retaining his rank as general. In the sixth year he again became minister of personnel and concurrently dean of the state university; he was dismissed for his role in the appointment of palace coach commandant Zhang Qi—the affair is recorded in the biography of Yan Shibo.

時北中郎將新安王子鸞有盛寵，欲令招引才望，乃使子鸞板莊為長史，府尋進號撫軍，仍除長史、臨淮太守。未拜，又除吳郡太守。莊多疾，不樂去京師，復除前職。前廢帝即位，以為金紫光祿大夫。初，世祖寵姬殷貴妃薨，莊為誄云：「贊軌堯門。」引漢昭帝母趙婕妤堯母門事，廢帝在東宮，銜之。至是遣人詰責莊曰：「卿昔作殷貴妃誄，頗知有東宮不？」將誅之。或說帝曰：「死是人之所同，政復一往之苦，不足為深困。莊少長富貴，今且繫之尚方，使知天下苦劇，然後殺之未晚也。」帝然其言，繫於左尚方。太宗定亂，得出。及即位，以莊為散騎常侍、光祿大夫，加金章紫綬，領尋陽王師。頃之，轉中書令，常侍、王師如故。尋加金紫光祿大夫，給親信二十人，本官並如故。泰始二年，卒，時年四十六，追贈右光祿大夫，常侍如故，諡曰憲子。所著文章四百餘首，行於世。長子颺，晉平太守。女為順帝皇后，追贈金紫光祿大夫。

At that time Prince Ziluan of Xin'an, as north camp commander, enjoyed great favor; wishing to attract men of talent and reputation, he had Ziluan appoint Zhuang chief administrator; the princely establishment was soon upgraded to pacifying army, and Zhuang was appointed chief administrator and administrator of Linhuai. Before he could take up the post, he was appointed administrator of Wu commandery. Zhuang was frequently ill and reluctant to leave the capital, so he was restored to his former post. When Deposed Emperor Qianfei ascended the throne, Zhuang was made grand master with the golden seal and purple cord. Earlier, when Emperor Xiaowu's favored consort Lady Yin died, Zhuang composed an elegy that read, "In praise of the path through the Gate of Yao. He cited the affair of Emperor Zhao of Han's mother, Consort Zhao Jieyu, and the Gate of Yao's Mother; the deposed emperor, while still heir apparent in the Eastern Palace, had nursed a grudge against Zhuang. At this point he sent someone to rebuke Zhuang, saying, "You once wrote the eulogy for Consort Yin of Yin—surely you knew there was an Eastern Palace?" He was about to have him executed. Someone advised the emperor: "Death comes to everyone alike; even one round of hardship is not enough to cause real torment. Zhuang has known nothing but wealth and honor since youth; for now put him in the imperial workshops and let him learn how bitter and harsh the world can be—then execute him, and it will not be too late." The emperor agreed and had Zhuang imprisoned in the left directorate of imperial manufactories. When Emperor Xiaowu put down the rebellion, Zhuang was freed. When he took the throne, he made Zhuang attendant cavalry regular attendant and grand master for splendid happiness, granted him the golden seal and purple cord, and appointed him supervisor to Prince Xunyang. Before long he was moved to director of the secretariat, while retaining his posts as regular attendant and prince's supervisor. Soon he was further promoted to grand master with the golden seal and purple cord and given twenty personal attendants; his existing offices were unchanged. In the second year of Taishi he died at forty-six; he was posthumously made right grand master for splendid happiness with his rank as regular attendant unchanged, and given the posthumous title Filial Son. He left more than four hundred written works, which circulated widely. His eldest son Yang served as administrator of Jinping. His daughter became Empress to Emperor Shun, and Zhuang was posthumously granted the rank of grand master with the golden seal and purple cord.

景文出繼智，幼為從叔球所知。美風姿，好言理，少與陳郡謝莊齊名。太祖甚相欽重，故為太宗娶景文妹，而以景文名與太宗同。高祖第五女新安公主先適太原王景深，離絕，當以適景文，固辭以疾，故不成婚。起家太子太傅主簿，轉太子舍人，襲爵建陵子。出為江夏王義恭、始興王濬征北、後軍二府主簿，武陵王文學，世祖撫軍記室參軍，南廣平太守，轉諮議參軍，仍度安北、鎮軍府，出為宣城太守。

Jingwen was born into the branch descended from Zhi; as a youth he won the regard of his father's younger cousin Qiu. Graceful in appearance and fond of reasoned discourse, in his youth he was as celebrated as Xie Zhuang of Chen commandery. Emperor Wendi thought highly of him, so he had Taizong marry Jingwen's younger sister and gave Jingwen the same personal name as Taizong. Emperor Gaozu's fifth daughter, Princess Xin'an, had first been married to Wang Jingshen of Taiyuan; after the marriage ended she was to be matched with Jingwen, but he firmly pleaded illness and declined, so the marriage never took place. He entered service as recorder to the grand tutor of the heir apparent, then became an attendant to the heir apparent and inherited the title marquis of Jianling. He served as recorder in the northern-campaign and rear-army staffs of Prince Jiangxia Yigong and Prince Shixing Jun, as literary aide to Prince Wuling Wen, as recording secretary on Emperor Xiaowu's pacifying-army staff, and as administrator of Nan Guangping; he was then made advisory aide, served in the pacifying-north and pacifying-army establishments, and was appointed administrator of Xuancheng.

元兇弑立，以為黃門侍郎，未及就，世祖入討，景文遣間使歸款。以父在都邑，不獲致身，及事平，頗見嫌責，猶以舊恩，除南平王鑠司空長史，不拜。出為東陽太守，入為御史中丞，秘書監，領越騎校尉，不拜，遷司徒左長史。上以散騎常侍舊與侍中俱掌獻替，欲高其選，以景文及會稽孔覬俱南北之望，並以補之。尋復為左長史。坐姊墓開不臨赴，免官。大明二年，復為秘書監，太子右衛率，侍中。五年，出為安陸王子綏冠軍長史、輔國將軍、江夏內史，行郢州事。又徵為侍中，領射聲校尉，右衛將軍，加給事中，太子中庶子，右衛如故。坐與奉朝請毛法因蒱戲，得錢百二十萬，白衣領職。尋復為侍中，領中庶子，未拜。前廢帝嗣位，徙秘書監，侍中如故。以父老自解，出為江夏王義恭太宰長史，輔國將軍、南平太守。永光初，為吏部尚書。景和元年，遷右僕射。

When the usurper took power, Jingwen was named a palace gate gentleman, but before he could assume the post Emperor Xiaowu raised forces against the usurper, and Jingwen sent a secret envoy to pledge allegiance. Because his father remained in the capital he could not commit himself bodily to the cause; after the rebellion was crushed he drew considerable suspicion and reproach, yet thanks to past grace he was appointed chief administrator to Prince Nanping Shao on the minister of works' staff—he declined the appointment. He was sent out as administrator of Dongyang, recalled as director of the censorate and supervisor of the secretariat with concurrent command of the rapid-as-steeds guard—declined—and then moved to left chief administrator under the minister of works. Because attendant cavalry regular attendants had long shared with attendants-in-ordinary the duty of remonstrance and counsel, the emperor wished to elevate the quality of the appointment; Jingwen and Kong Xi of Kuaiji, both men of standing throughout north and south, were appointed to the posts. Soon he was again made left chief administrator. He was dismissed because he failed to attend in person when his elder sister's tomb was opened. In the second year of Daming he was again appointed supervisor of the secretariat, right commandant guarding the heir apparent, and attendant-in-ordinary. In the fifth year he was sent out as chief administrator to Prince Anlu Zisui with the ranks of general who establishes might and general who assists the state, and as interior minister of Jiangxia, acting governor of Ying province. He was recalled as attendant-in-ordinary, concurrently commander of the sound-shooting guard and right guard general, with the additional titles giver of affairs and middle aide to the heir apparent, retaining his post as right guard general. He was penalized for gambling at bo with attendant-at-court Mao Fa and winning one million two hundred thousand cash, and continued in office wearing plain clothes. Soon he was again made attendant-in-ordinary and middle aide to the heir apparent, but did not take up the latter post. When Deposed Emperor Qianfei ascended the throne, Jingwen was moved to supervisor of the secretariat while retaining his rank as attendant-in-ordinary. Citing his father's advanced age, he resigned and was sent out as chief administrator to Grand Preceptor Prince Jiangxia Yigong, with the ranks of general who assists the state and administrator of Nanping. At the opening of Yongguang he was appointed minister of personnel. In the first year of Jinghe he was promoted to right vice director of the imperial secretariat.

太宗翦除暴主，又平四方，欲引朝望以佐大業，乃下詔曰：「夫良圖宣國，賞崇彝命；殊績顯朝，策勤王府。安南將軍、江州刺史景文，風度淹粹，理懷清暢，體兼望實，誠備夷岨。寶曆方啟，密贊義機，妖徒干紀，預毗廟略。宜登茅社，永傳厥祚。朕澄氛寧樞，實資多士，疏爵疇庸，實膺徽烈。尚書右僕射、領衛尉興宗，識懷詳正，思局通敏。吏部尚書、領太子左衛率淵，器情閑茂，風業韶遠。並謀參軍政，績亮時艱，拓宇開邑，實允勳典。景文可封江安縣侯，食邑八百戶，興宗可始昌縣伯，淵可南城縣伯，食邑五百戶。」景文固讓，不許，乃受五百戶。進號鎮南將軍，尋給鼓吹一部。後以江州當徙鎮南昌，領豫章太守，餘如故；州不果遷。頃之，徵為尚書左僕射，領吏部，揚州刺史，加太子詹事，常侍如故。不願還朝，求為湘州刺史，不許。

After Emperor Xiaowu had removed the tyrannical ruler and pacified the realm, he sought to enlist men of standing at court to help consolidate his rule and issued an edict: "Sound plans sustain the state, and rewards should honor merit ordained by tradition; outstanding achievement should shine at court, and stratagems should record service rendered to the imperial house. General who pacifies the south and inspector of Jiang province Jingwen—his bearing is refined and pure, his mind clear and penetrating, his person equal to his reputation, his loyalty steadfast in easy times and hard. As the imperial succession was about to begin, he secretly supported the righteous coup; when rebels violated order, he shared in the temple councils of war. He should receive a territorial fief and transmit his line forever. I have cleared the air at the center of power and truly depend on many able men; in ennobling merit I have indeed received their outstanding service. Right vice director of the imperial secretariat and concurrent commandant of the guard Xingzong—his mind is thorough and upright, his judgment broad and sharp. Minister of personnel and concurrent left commandant guarding the heir apparent Yuan—his talent is balanced and flourishing, his conduct refined and far-sighted. Together they advised on civil and military affairs and shone in those difficult years; in expanding territory and establishing settlements they truly fulfilled the standards of rewarded service. Jingwen shall be enfeoffed as marquis of Jiang'an with eight hundred households; Xingzong as baron of Shichang; Yuan as baron of Nancheng—each with five hundred households." Jingwen repeatedly declined but was overruled, and in the end accepted a fief of five hundred households. He was promoted to general who pacifies the south and soon granted a full set of martial music. Later, when Jiang province was slated to move its seat to Nanchang, he was also made administrator of Yuzhang, with his other posts unchanged; the provincial relocation never took place. Soon he was recalled as left vice director of the imperial secretariat, concurrently minister of personnel and inspector of Yang province, with the additional title grand tutor to the heir apparent, retaining his rank as regular attendant. Reluctant to return to the capital, he asked to be made inspector of Xiang province, but the request was denied.

時又謂景文在江州，不能潔己。景文與上幸臣王道龍書曰：「吾雖寡於行己，庶不負心，既愧殊效，誓不上欺明主。竊聞有為其貝錦者，云營生乃至巨萬，素無此能，一旦忽致異術，必非平理。唯乞平心精檢，若此言不虛，便宜肆諸市朝，以正風俗。脫其妄作，當賜思罔昧之由。吾逾忝轉深，足以致謗，念此驚懼，何能自測。區區所懷，不願望風容貸。吾自了不作偷，猶如不作賊。故以密白，想為申啟。」景文屢辭內授，上手詔譬之曰：「尚書左僕射，卿已經此任，東宮詹事，用人雖美，職次正可比中書令耳。庶姓作揚州，徐干木、王休元、殷鐵並處之不辭。卿清令才望，何愧休元；毗贊中興，豈謝干木；綢繆相與，何後殷鐵邪？司徒以宰相不應帶神州，遠遵先旨，京口鄉基義重，密邇畿內，又不得不用驃騎，陝西任要，由來用宗室。驃騎既去，巴陵理應居之，中流雖曰閑地，控帶三江，通接荊、郢，經塗之要，由來有重鎮。如此，則揚州自成闕刺史，卿若有辭，更不知誰應處之。此選大備，與公卿疇懷，非聊爾也。」固辭詹事領選，徙為中書令，常侍、僕射、揚州如故。又進中書監，領太子太傅，常侍、揚州如故。景文固辭太傅，上遣新除尚書右僕射褚淵宣旨，以古來比例六事詰難之，不得已，乃受拜。

At the time people also claimed that Jingwen, while serving in Jiang province, had failed to keep his conduct clean. Jingwen wrote to the emperor's favorite Wang Daolong: "Though I am weak in personal conduct, I believe I have not been false in heart; having failed to perform any outstanding service, I would never deceive my sovereign. I hear that someone is fabricating charges against me, claiming my business dealings run to enormous sums—yet I have never had such skill; if such sudden wealth appeared, it could not be honest. I ask only that you investigate this fairly; if the accusation is true, I deserve to be displayed in the public square to set the moral tone. If it is a fabrication, I should be told why such slander was invented. My undeserved promotions grow ever weightier, enough to draw calumny; the thought fills me with dread, and I cannot judge myself. What I feel in my heart is that I do not ask to be excused out of personal favor. I know myself: I am no more capable of theft than I am of becoming a robber. So I write to you in confidence, hoping you will raise this on my behalf." Jingwen repeatedly declined posts at court; the emperor wrote to persuade him: "As left vice director of the imperial secretariat you have already served in that capacity; as grand tutor to the heir apparent the appointee may be worthy, but in rank the duty is truly comparable only to director of the secretariat. Men of non-imperial surname have held Yang province—Xu Ganmu, Wang Xiuyuan, and Yin Tie all accepted without hesitation. With your refined talent and reputation, what have you to fear compared with Xiuyuan; in aiding the restoration, how would you rank below Ganmu; in close cooperation with the throne, how are you inferior to Yin Tie? The minister of works argued that a chief minister should not also govern the capital province; honoring the earlier policy, Jingkou as the dynasty's ancestral base is weighty and lies near the inner capital, so the post of general of swift cavalry must be filled; the key post in the west has traditionally gone to members of the imperial clan. Once the general of swift cavalry leaves, Baling should rightly take the post; the middle Yangzi, though called a quiet region, commands the three Jiang rivers and links Jing and Ying—on the great routes it has always required strong garrisons. In that case Yang province would have no one else to appoint inspector; if you refuse, I truly do not know who should hold it. This appointment has been fully weighed and matches what the ministers feel—it is no light matter." He firmly declined the grand tutorship and concurrent control of appointments and was moved to director of the secretariat, retaining his posts as regular attendant, vice director, and inspector of Yang province. He was further promoted to supervisor of the secretariat and grand tutor to the heir apparent, while remaining regular attendant and inspector of Yang province. Jingwen repeatedly declined the grand tutorship; the emperor sent the newly appointed right vice director Chu Yuan to deliver the imperial message, citing six historical precedents to argue him into acceptance; with no choice left, he finally took the post.

時太子及諸皇子並小，上稍為身後之計，諸將帥吳喜、壽寂之之徒，慮其不能奉幼主，並殺之；而景文外戚貴盛，張永累經軍旅，又疑其將來難信，乃自為謠言曰：「一士不可親，弓長射殺人。」一士，王字；弓長，張字也。景文彌懼，乃自陳求解揚州，曰：

At that time the heir apparent and the princes were all still young; the emperor began planning for the time after his death; fearing that generals such as Wu Xi and Shou Jizhi would not faithfully serve a child emperor, he had them all executed; Jingwen, as a powerful maternal relative, and Zhang Yong, a veteran of many campaigns, were also feared as men who might not prove loyal later; the emperor therefore spread a rhyme himself: "One scholar must not be trusted—bow long shoots a man dead." "One scholar" stands for the character Wang;" " "bow long" stands for the character Zhang." Jingwen grew ever more afraid and memorialized asking to be released from Yang province, stating:

臣凡猥下劣，方圜無筭，特逢聖私，頻叨不次，乘非其任，理宜覆折。雖加恭謹，無補橫至，夙夜燋戰，無地容處。六月中，得臣外甥女殷恆妻蔡疏，欲令其兒啟聞乞祿，求臣署入，云凡外人通啟，先經臣署。於時驚怖，即欲封疏上呈；更思此家落漠，庶非通謗，且廣聽察，幸無復所聞。比日忽得兗州都送迎西曹解季遜板云是臣屬，既不識此人，即問郗顒，方知虛託。比十七日晚，得征南參軍事謝儼口信，云臣使人略奪其婢。臣遣李武之問儼元由，答云「使人謬誤」。誤之與實，雖所不知，聞此之日，唯有憂駭。

I am altogether base and unworthy, without judgment in matters of principle; I have been singled out for imperial favor and repeatedly promoted out of turn, holding a post beyond my capacity—for which I ought rightly to be cast down. However reverent and cautious I become, it cannot undo what has befallen me; day and night I burn with fear and have nowhere to hide. In the sixth month I received a petition from Lady Cai, wife of my niece's husband Yin Heng, asking that her son submit a request for salary with my signature on the cover, on the ground that all outside petitions must first go through me. At the time I was terrified and at once wanted to seal the document and send it upward; on reflection that family was obscure and probably not plotting slander, I widened my inquiries and fortunately heard nothing more. Then on the seventeenth I received a dispatch from Xie Jiyun of Yan province's west bureau escort, claiming to be my subordinate; not knowing him, I questioned Xi Yan and learned the claim was fabricated. That same evening I received word from Xie Yan, staff officer on the southern campaign, that someone sent by me had forcibly taken his maidservant. I sent Li Wuzhi to ask Yan how this arose; he replied that "the messenger made a mistake." Whether mistake or truth I cannot say, but the day I heard it I was only alarmed and shaken.

臣之所知，便有此三變，臣所不覺，尤不可思。若守爵散輩，寧當招此，誠由闇拙，非復可防。自竊州任，倏已七月，無德而祿，其殃將至。且傅職清峻，亢禮儲極，以臣凡走，豈可暫安。荷恩懼罪，不敢執固，焦魂褫氣，憂迫失常。況臣髮醜人群，病絕力效，穢朝點列，顧無與等，獨息易駭，慚懼難持。伏願薄回矜愍，全臣身計，大夫之俸，足以自周，久懷欣羡，未敢干請，仰希慈宥，照臣款誠。

Within my own knowledge there have already been these three incidents; what I do not even notice is all the more frightening. If I held only an empty noble rank among the idle, would such things befall me? It is truly because I am obtuse and awkward that I cannot guard against them. Since I took private charge of the province seven months have passed—emolument without merit, and disaster is near. Moreover the grand tutorship is pure and exalted, equal in ritual standing to the heir apparent—how can someone as unworthy as I rest easy even for a moment? Loaded with favor yet fearing punishment, I dare not stand firm; my spirit is burned hollow and my breath taken away, anxiety pressing me out of my right mind. Moreover I am a sorry sight among men, my illness leaves me no strength to serve; listed among the court's ranks, I see no one my equal—left alone I startle at every breath, shame and fear I can barely bear. I beg you to turn a little pity my way and spare my person—the stipend of a grandee would be enough to live on; I have long wished for this but never dared ask; I look up hoping for your mercy, that you may see my honest request.

上詔答曰：

The emperor replied by edict:

去五月中，吾病始差，未堪勞役，使卿等看選牒，署竟，請敕施行。此非密事，外間不容都不聞。然傳事好訛，由來常患。殷恆妻，匹婦耳，閨閣之內，傳聞事復作一兩倍落漠，兼謂卿是親故，希卿署，不必云選事獨關卿也。恆妻雖是傳聞之僻，大都非可駭異。且舉元薦凱，咸由疇諮，可謂唐堯不明，下干其政邪？悠悠好詐貴人及在事者，屬卿偶不悉耳，多是其周旋門生輩，作其屬託，貴人及在事者，永無由知。非徒止於京師，乃至州郡縣中，或有詐作書疏，灼然有文跡者。諸舍人右丞輩，及親近驅使人，慮有作其名，載禁物，求停檢校，強賣猥物與官，仍求交直，或屬人求乞州郡資禮，希蠲呼召及虜發船車，並啟班下在所，有即駐錄。但卿貴人，不容有此啟。由來有是，何故獨驚！

Last fifth month my illness had just improved; still unable to bear heavy work, I had you review the appointment registers, and once the signing was finished I ordered the edict implemented. This was no secret—it could not be that the outside world heard nothing of it. Yet rumors distort events, as they always have. Yin Heng's wife is only a housewife; inside the women's quarters gossip grows twice as murky; people also said you were kin and that she hoped for your signature—not that appointments depend on you alone. Even if the story about Yin Heng's wife was distant hearsay, on the whole it was hardly shocking. Besides, recommending talent and advancing the able all flow from collegial consultation—can one say Emperor Yao was dim and that subordinates interfered in his rule? As for busy schemers among the great and the officeholders—you simply did not know the whole story; usually it is their student hangers-on who forge entreaties in their names, and the great and the officeholders never learn of it. It is not only in the capital—even in prefectures, commanderies, and counties people sometimes forge letters and petitions with clear written traces. Palace gentlemen, right assistants, close servants and runners—fearing impersonation to smuggle contraband, dodge inspection, force shoddy goods on officials for cash, or beg provincial gifts and exemptions from summons and transport levies—all such petitions are logged and held wherever they turn up. But you are a man of rank—such petitions cannot belong to you. Such things have always existed—why should you alone be shaken!

人居貴要，但問心若為耳。大明之世，巢、徐、二戴，位不過執戟，權亢人主；顏師伯白衣僕射，橫行尚書中。令袁粲作僕射領選，而人往往不知有粲。粲遷為令，居之不疑。今既省錄，令便居昔之錄任，置省事及榦童，竝依錄格。粲作令來，亦不異為僕射。人情向粲，淡淡然亦復不改常。以此居貴位要任，當有致憂兢理不？卿今雖作揚州，太子傅位雖貴，而不關朝政，可安不懼，差於粲也。想卿虛心受榮，而不為累。

For a man in high and weighty station, only the state of his heart matters. In the Daming reign, Chao, Xu, and the two Dai held ranks no higher than halberd-bearer, yet their power equaled the emperor's; Yan Shibo served as vice director in plain clothes, striding through the ministry of personnel. When Yuan Can became vice director with control of appointments, many people scarcely knew he was there. Can was moved to director and took the post as a matter of course. Now that the secretariat has been streamlined, the director holds what the recorder once did; clerks and runners are arranged by the old recorder's rules. Since Can became director, the role has differed little from vice director. Public favor leaned toward Can, yet he remained as calm and unchanged as ever. If that is how one holds high rank and heavy responsibility, is there not cause for caution? Though you are inspector of Yang province, the grand tutorship, though honored, does not touch court policy—you may live without fear, safer than Can. I trust you will accept honor with an open heart and not be crushed by it.

貴高有危殆之懼，卑賤有溝壑之憂，張、單雙災，木雁兩失，有心於避禍，不如無心於任運。夫千仞之木，既摧於斧斤；一寸之草，亦瘁於踐蹋。高崖之脩榦，與深谷之淺條，存亡之要，巨細一揆耳。晉畢萬七戰皆獲，死於牖下；蜀相費禕從容坐談，斃於刺客。故甘心於履危，未必逢禍；縱意於處安，不必全福。但貴者自惜，故每憂其身；賤者自輕，故易忘其己。然為教者，每誡貴不誡賤，言其貴滿好自恃也。凡名位貴達，人以在懷，泰則觸人改容，不則行路嗟愕。至如賤者，否泰不足以動人，存亡不足以絓數，死於溝瀆，死於塗路者，天地之間，亦復何限，人不以係意耳。

The lofty fear danger, the humble fear the gutter—Zhang and Shan met double disaster, tree and goose both lost; trying to dodge disaster is not as good as accepting fate without strain. A tree a thousand ren high is still cut down by axe and hatchet; a blade of grass an inch long withers underfoot. The tall trunk on a cliff and the thin branch in a ravine—whether they live or die, great or small, obey the same law. In Jin, Bi Wan won seven battles yet died under his own roof; Shu's chancellor Fei Yi, talking at ease, was killed by an assassin. So those who willingly walk in peril do not necessarily meet disaster; those who indulge ease do not necessarily keep full fortune. The great cherish themselves and so always fear for their lives; the lowly despise themselves and easily forget their own worth. Yet teachers always warn the great, not the humble, because the privileged, swollen with pride, trust too much in themselves. Whenever men hold fame, rank, and success, others take note; in good times they make people change face, in bad times they make strangers stare in shock. For the humble, rise and fall hardly stir anyone, life and death hardly enter the reckoning; those who die in gutters and on roads are beyond counting under Heaven, and no one much cares.

以此而推，貴何必難處，賤何必易安。但人生也自應卑慎為道，行己用心，務思謹惜。若乃吉凶大期，正應委之理運，遭隨參差，莫不由命也。既非聖人，不能見吉凶之先，正是依俙於理，言可行而為之耳。得吉者是其命吉，遇不吉者是其命凶。以近事論之，景和之世，晉平庶人從壽陽歸亂朝，人皆為之戰慄，而乃遇中興之運；袁顗圖避禍於襄陽，當時皆羨之，謂為陵霄駕鳳，遂與義嘉同滅。駱宰見幼主，語人云：「越王長頸鳥喙，可與共憂，不可與共樂。范蠡去而全身，文種留而遇禍。今主上口頸，頗有越王之狀，我在尚書中久，不去必危。」遂求南江小縣。諸都令史住京師者，皆遭中興之慶，人人蒙爵級；宰值義嘉染罪，金木纏身，性命幾絕。卿耳眼所聞見，安危在運，何可預圖邪！

From this one sees that high station need not be hard to bear, nor low station easy to endure. Yet in life one should walk the path of humility and caution, acting and thinking with constant care for oneself. When the great turning of fortune arrives, one should leave it to reason and fate; uneven fortune always comes by destiny. Not being sages, we cannot foresee fortune or disaster—we can only trust in reason and do what can be done. Those who meet good fortune have a fortunate fate; those who meet ill have an ill fate. Take recent events: in the Jinghe era the Jinping commoner returned from Shouyang amid rebellion—everyone feared for him, yet he rode the tide of restoration; Yuan Hao tried to escape disaster at Xiangyang—everyone envied him, saying he soared like a phoenix, yet he fell with Yijia. Clerk Lu, meeting the young emperor, said to others, "The King of Yue had a long neck and a bird's beak—you can share worry with such a man, not joy. Fan Li withdrew and saved himself whole; Wen Zhong stayed and was destroyed. Our lord's mouth and neck resemble the King of Yue's; I have served long in the ministry of personnel—if I do not leave, I am doomed." So he asked for a minor post on the southern Yangzi. The clerks of commanderies and counties who lived in the capital all shared in the joy of restoration—every man gained rank and pay; Lu, tainted by Yijia's crime, was shackled in metal and wood and nearly lost his life. What you have heard and seen proves that safety and danger rest on fate—how can one plan ahead?

時上既有疾，而諸弟並已見殺，唯桂陽王休範人才本劣，不見疑，出為江州刺史。慮一旦晏駕，皇后臨朝，則景文自然成宰相，門族強盛，藉元舅之重，歲暮不為純臣。泰豫元年春，上疾篤，乃遣使送藥賜景文死，手詔曰：「與卿周旋，欲全卿門戶，故有此處分。」死時年六十。追贈車騎將軍、開府儀同三司，常侍、中書監、刺史如故，諡曰懿侯。

By then the emperor was already ill and his younger brothers had all been killed; only Prince Guiyang Xiufan, a man of lesser ability, was not suspected and was sent out as inspector of Jiang province. Fearing that when the emperor died the empress would rule, Jingwen would naturally become chief minister; his clan was powerful as maternal kin to the imperial house—by year's end he would no longer be a loyal subject. In spring of the first year of Taiyu the emperor's illness turned critical; he sent an envoy with poison to grant Jingwen death, writing in his own hand, "In our long association I meant to preserve your house—hence this measure." He died at sixty. He was posthumously made general of chariots and cavalry with headquarters opened and ceremonial honors equal to the three highest ministers, retaining his ranks as regular attendant, supervisor of the secretariat, and inspector; his posthumous title was Marquis Yi.

長子絢，字長素。年七歲，讀《論語》至「周監於二代」，外祖何尚之戲之曰：「耶耶乎文哉。」絢即答曰：「草蓊風必偃。」少以敏惠見知。及長，篤志好學，官至秘書丞。年二十四，先景文卒，諡曰恭世子。子婼襲封，齊受禪，國除。

His eldest son was Xuan, courtesy name Changsu. At seven, reading the Analects to the line "Zhou surveyed the two dynasties," his maternal grandfather He Shangzhi joked, "Grandfather, how learned!" Xuan answered at once, "When the grass is thick, the wind must bend it." As a youth he was known for sharp intelligence. When he grew up he devoted himself to study and rose to secretary aide. He died at twenty-four, before Jingwen; his posthumous title was Filial Heir. His son Ruo inherited the title; when Qi took the throne, the fief was abolished.

廢帝元徽初，復為黃門郎，東陽太守。未之郡，值桂陽王休範逼京邑，蘊領兵於朱雀門戰敗被創，事平，除侍中，出為寧朔將軍、湘州刺史。蘊輕躁，薄於行業，時沈攸之為荊州刺史，密有異志，蘊與之結厚。及齊王輔朝政，蘊、攸之便連謀為亂，會遭母憂，還都，停巴陵十餘日，更與攸之成謀。時齊王世子為郢州行事，蘊至郢州，謂世子必下慰之，欲因此為變，據夏口，與荊州連橫。世子覺其意，稱疾不往，又嚴兵自衛，蘊計不得行，乃下。及攸之為逆，蘊密與司徒袁粲等結謀，事在粲傳。事敗，走鬬場，追禽，斬於秣陵市。

At the opening of Yuanhui under Deposed Emperor, he again became a palace gate gentleman and administrator of Dongyang. Before he reached his post, Prince Guiyang Xiufan threatened the capital; Yun led troops at the Vermilion Bird Gate, was defeated and wounded; after order was restored he was made attendant-in-ordinary and sent out as general who calms the north and inspector of Xiang province. Yun was impulsive and shallow in character; Shen Youzhi, then inspector of Jing province, secretly nursed rebellious designs, and Yun grew close to him. When the prince of Qi guided court affairs, Yun and Youzhi quickly plotted rebellion together; after his mother's death he returned to the capital, lingered at Baling more than ten days, and renewed his pact with Youzhi. The prince of Qi's heir was then acting governor of Ying province; Yun reached Ying, expecting the heir to come down and console him on his mourning, planning to seize the moment, hold Xiakou, and join forces with Jing province. The heir saw through him, pleaded illness and stayed away, and tightened his guard; Yun's plot failed and he continued downstream. When Youzhi rose in rebellion, Yun secretly conspired with Minister of Works Yuan Can and others—the affair is recorded in Can's biography. When the plot failed he fled to the drill ground, was caught in pursuit, and beheaded in Moling market.

景文弟子孚，大明末，為海鹽令。泰始初，天下反叛，唯孚獨不同逆，官至司徒記室參軍。

Jingwen's nephew Fu, in the late Daming era, served as magistrate of Haiyan. At the opening of Taishi the empire rose in rebellion; Fu alone refused to join and rose to recording secretary under the minister of works.

史臣曰：王景文弱年立譽，聲芳籍甚，榮貴之來，匪由勢至。若泰始之朝，身非外戚，與袁粲群公方驂並路，傾覆之災，庶幾可免。庾元規之讓中書令，義在此乎！

The historian writes: Wang Jingwen won fame in youth, his reputation shining in the records; his rise to honor came not from brute power. Had he served in Taishi's court without being imperial kin, walking beside Yuan Can and the other lords, he might nearly have escaped ruin. Was not Yu Yuan's refusal of the directorate of the secretariat righteous in just this sense?

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