Volume 100 Biographies 60: Preface

列傳第六十自序

Biographies 60: Preface

昔少暤金天氏有裔子曰昧，為玄冥師，生允格、臺駘。臺駘能業其官，宣汾、洮，障大澤以處太原，帝顓頊嘉之，封諸汾川。其後四國，沈、姒、蓐、黃。沈子國，今汝南平輿沈亭是也。春秋之時，列於盟會。定公四年，諸侯會召陵伐楚，沈子不會，晉使蔡伐沈，滅之，以沈子嘉歸。其後，因國為氏。自茲以降，譜牒罔存。秦末有沈逞，徵丞相，不就。漢初逞曾孫保，封竹邑侯。保子遵，自本國遷居九江之壽春，官至齊王太傅、敷德侯。遵子達，驃騎將軍。達子乾，尚書令。乾子弘，南陽太守。弘子勖，河內守。勖子奮，御史中丞。奮子恪，將作大匠。恪子謙，尚書、關內侯。謙子靖，濟陰太守。靖子戎，字威卿，仕州為從事，說降劇賊尹良，漢光武嘉其功，封為海昏縣侯，辭不受。因避地徙居會稽烏程縣之餘不鄉，遂世家焉。順帝永建元年，分會稽為吳郡，復為吳郡人。靈帝初平五年，分烏程、餘杭為永安縣，吳孫皓寶鼎二年，分吳郡為吳興郡，復為郡人，雖邦邑屢改，而築室不遷。晉武帝平吳後，太康二年，改永安為武康縣，史臣七世祖延始居縣東鄉之博陸里餘烏村。王父從官京師，義熙十一年，高祖賜館于建康都亭里之運巷。

Long ago Shaohao of the Jin Tian line had a descendant named Mei, who held the office of Xuanming and fathered Yunge and Taidai. Taidai succeeded in his father's charge: he dredged the Fen and Tao, blocked the great marsh to establish Taiyuan, and when Emperor Zhuanxu commended him, he was granted fiefs along the Fen. His descendants founded four states: Shen, Si, Ru, and Huang. The state of Shenzi lay where Shen Pavilion in Pingyu, Runan, stands today. During the Spring and Autumn era it took its place among the states at the great alliances. In Duke Ding's fourth year the lords assembled at Zhaoling to campaign against Chu. When the ruler of Shen failed to appear, Jin dispatched Cai against Shen, extinguished the state, and carried Lord Jia away as a prisoner. Thereafter the clan adopted Shen as its surname from the fallen state. From that point on, no family registers have been preserved. Near the fall of Qin a Shen Cheng was summoned to serve as Chancellor but declined the appointment. Early in the Han dynasty Cheng's great-grandson Bao was made Marquis of Zhuyi. Bao's son Zun left their ancestral territory and settled at Shouchun in Jiujiang, eventually serving as Grand Tutor to the King of Qi and holding the title Marquis of Fude. Zun's son Da became General of Agile Cavalry. Da's son Qian served as Director of the Masters of Writing. Qian's son Hong was Administrator of Nanyang. Hong's son Xu governed Henei. Xu's son Fen rose to Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk. Fen's son Ke served as Director of Palace Construction. Ke's son Qian held office as Master of Writing and was enfeoffed as Marquis within the Passes. Qian's son Jing was Administrator of Jiyin. Jing's son Rong, courtesy name Weiqing, served as a provincial aide and talked the rebel Yin Liang into surrender. Emperor Guangwu rewarded him with a marquisate at Haihun, but Rong refused the title. Fleeing the chaos, he relocated to Yubu in Wucheng, Kuaiji, and the clan made its home there for generations. In Yongjian 1 of Emperor Shun, when Kuaiji was split and Wu commandery created, the family became subjects of Wu. In Chuping 5 of Emperor Ling, Wucheng and Yuhang were carved out as Yong'an county; in Baoding 2 of Sun Hao of Wu, Wu commandery became Wuxing commandery, and the clan was reckoned among its people. Though administrative boundaries shifted again and again, the family house never moved. After Jin Emperor Wu conquered Wu, Yong'an was renamed Wukang in Taikang 2. The historian's seventh-generation forebear Yan first settled at Yuwu in Bolu, in the county's eastern township. The historian's grandfather followed his post to the capital, and in Yixi 11 the High Ancestor granted the family a house in Yun Lane, Duting Ward, Jiankang.

戎子酆，字聖通，零陵太守，致黃龍、芝草之瑞。第二子滸，字仲高，安平相。少子景，河間相，演之、慶之、曇慶、懷文其後也。滸子鸞，字建光，少有高名，州舉茂才，公府辟州別駕從事史。時廣陵太守陸稠，鸞之舅也，以義烈政績，顯名漢朝，復以女妻鸞。年二十三，早卒。子直，字伯平，州舉茂才，亦有清名，年二十八卒。

Rong's son Feng, courtesy name Shengtong, governed Lingling and was credited with prodigies of yellow dragons and sacred fungus. The second son Hu, courtesy name Zhonggao, served as Chancellor of Anping. The youngest son Jing was Chancellor of Hejian; from his line came Yanzhi, Qingzhi, Tanqing, and Huaiwen. Hu's son Luan, courtesy name Jianguang, won early renown; the province nominated him as Prominent Talent, and the central offices appointed him Attendant Clerk to the Commandery Aide. Lu Chou of Guangling, Luan's uncle by marriage, was famed in Han service for his integrity and achievements, and he gave his daughter to Luan as wife. He died young at twenty-three. His son Zhi, courtesy name Boping, was likewise nominated as Prominent Talent and enjoyed a spotless reputation, but died at twenty-eight.

子儀，字仲則，少有至行，兄瑜十歲，儀九歲而父亡，居喪過禮，毀瘠過於成人。外祖會稽盛孝章，漢末名士也，深加憂傷，每擾慰之，曰：「汝並黃中沖爽，終成奇器，何為逾制，自取殄滅邪！」三年禮畢，殆至滅性，故兄弟並以孝著。瑜早卒。儀篤學有雄才，以儒素自業。時海內大亂，兵革並起，經術道弛，士少全行，而儀淳深隱默，守道不移，風操貞整，不妄交納，唯與族子仲山、叔山及吳郡陸公紀友善。州郡禮請，二府交辟，公車徵，並不屈，以壽終。

His son Yi, courtesy name Zhongze, showed extraordinary filial devotion as a boy. When their father died, Yu was ten and Yi nine; Yi observed mourning beyond the prescribed rites and wasted away more severely than a grown man. His grandfather Sheng Xiaozhang of Kuaiji, a celebrated scholar of the Han collapse, was deeply alarmed and often came to console him, saying, "You boys are gifted and bright—you will surely become men of mark. Why break the mourning code and destroy yourselves?" When the three-year mourning ended he had nearly ruined his health, and both brothers became renowned for filial devotion. Yu died young. Yi was a devoted scholar of formidable ability who devoted himself to the plain Confucian way. While the empire convulsed in war and learning decayed, few men kept their integrity—but Yi remained grave, silent, and steadfast, his conduct unblemished and his friendships few: only his kinsmen Zhongshan and Shushan, and Lu Gongji of Wu. Provincial and commandery offices courted him; both central bureaus and the imperial summons reached him—he declined them all and lived out his years at home.

子憲，字元禮，左中郎、新都都尉、定陽侯，才志顯于吳朝。子矯，字仲桓，以節氣立名，仕為立武校尉、偏將軍，封列侯，建威將軍、新都太守。孫皓時，有將帥之稱。吳平後，為鬱林、長沙太守，並不就。太康末卒。子陵，字景高，太傅東海王越辟為從事。元帝之為鎮東將軍，命參軍事。徐馥作亂，殺吳興太守袁琇，陵討平之。子延，字思長，桓溫安西參軍、潁川太守。子賀，字子寧，桓沖南中郎參軍，圍袁真于壽陽，遇疾卒。

His son Xian, courtesy name Yuanli, served Wu as Left Gentleman-of-the-Palace, Commandant of Xindu, and Marquis of Dingyang, and his ability and ambition were well known at court. His son Jiao, courtesy name Zhonghuan, won fame for his fortitude, rising to Colonel of Established Martiality and General of the Left, enfeoffed as a full marquis, and finally General Who Establishes Might and Administrator of Xindu. Under Sun Hao he was accounted a leading general. After the conquest of Wu he was offered Yulin and Changsha but refused both appointments. He died near the end of the Taikang era. His son Ling, courtesy name Jinggao, was recruited as an aide by Grand Tutor Sima Yue, Prince of Donghai. When the future Emperor Yuan served as General Who Guards the East, he made Ling his military adviser. When Xu Fu rebelled and killed Yuan Xiu, Administrator of Wuxing, Ling crushed the uprising. His son Yan, courtesy name Sichang, served Huan Wen's western headquarters and governed Yingchuan. His son He, courtesy name Zining, was an adviser in Huan Chong's southern command; while besieging Yuan Zhen at Shouyang he fell ill and died.

子警，字世明，惇篤有行業，學通《左氏春秋》。家世富殖，財產累千金，仕郡主簿，後將軍謝安命為參軍，甚相敬重。警內足於財，為東南豪士，無仕進意，謝病歸。安固留不止，乃謂警曰：「沈參軍，卿有獨善之志，不亦高乎！」警曰：「使君以道御物，前所以懷德而至，既無用佐時，故遂飲啄之願爾。」還家積載，以素業自娛。前將軍、青、兗二州刺史王恭鎮京口，與警有舊好，復引為參軍，手書殷勤，苦相招致，不得已而應之，尋復謝職。

His son Jing, courtesy name Shiming, was a man of sincere character and solid achievement who mastered the Zuo Commentary. The family had long been wealthy, with estates worth thousands in gold. Jing served as a commandery chief clerk until General of the Rear Xie An made him his adviser and held him in high esteem. Content with his wealth and ranked among the great men of the southeast, Jing had no ambition for further office and resigned on grounds of illness. Xie An pressed him to stay, then said, "Adviser Shen, your wish to perfect yourself in private life—is that not admirable!" Jing replied, "You govern by the Way—that is why I came to you in the first place. Finding I can be of no service to the times, I mean only to live out my days in quiet contentment." He went home to his estates and devoted himself to a simple life. Wang Gong, General of the Van and governor of Qing and Yan, held Jingkou and renewed their old friendship by appointing Jing his adviser. Wang's own letter was warm and insistent; Jing yielded reluctantly but soon resigned once more.

子穆夫，字彥和，少好學，亦通《左氏春秋》。王恭命為前軍主簿，與警書曰：「足下既執不拔之志，高臥東南，故屈賢子共事，非以吏職嬰之也。」初，錢唐人杜子恭通靈有道術，東土豪家及京邑貴望，並事之為弟子，執在三之敬。警累世事道，亦敬事子恭。子恭死，門徒孫泰、泰弟子恩傳其業，警復事之。隆安三年，恩於會稽作亂，自稱征東將軍，三吳皆響應。穆夫時在會稽，恩以為前部參軍、振武將軍、餘姚令。其年十二月二十八日，恩為劉牢之所破，輔國將軍高素於山陰回踵埭執穆夫及偽吳郡太守陸瑰之、吳興太守丘尪，並見害，函首送京邑，事見《隆安故事》。先是，宗人沈預素無士行，為警所疾，至是警聞穆夫預亂，逃藏將免矣，預以告官，警及穆夫、弟仲夫、任夫、預夫、佩夫並遇害；唯穆夫子淵子、雲子、田子、林子、虔子獲全。

His son Mufu, courtesy name Yanhe, was a devoted student in youth and likewise mastered the Zuo Commentary. Wang Gong made him chief clerk of the Forward Army and wrote to Jing, "You hold firm to your resolve and live in retirement in the southeast; I ask only that your worthy son work with me—not to trap him in office." Earlier Du Zigong of Qiantang was famed for spirit-medium powers and Daoist arts; wealthy eastern families and great men of the capital all became his disciples and showed him the triple reverence owed to father, elder brother, and teacher. For generations the family had followed the Way, and Jing too honored Du Zigong. After Zigong's death his disciple Sun Tai, and Tai's disciple Sun En, carried on his teaching; Jing served them in turn. In Long'an 3 Sun En rose in Kuaiji, proclaimed himself General Who Conquers the East, and the Three Wu districts rallied to him. Mufu was in Kuaiji at the time; En appointed him Forward Army adviser, General Who Quells Martiality, and magistrate of Yuyao. On the twenty-eighth of the twelfth month En was routed by Liu Laozhi. At Huizhong Dam in Shanyin, Auxiliary General Gao Su captured Mufu along with the rebel administrators Lu Guizhi of Wu and Qiu Kuang of Wuxing; all were executed and their heads sent to the capital, as recorded in the Long'an Annals. Earlier the kinsman Shen Yu, a man of poor character whom Jing despised, learned that Mufu had joined the rebellion. Jing went into hiding and was near escape, but Yu informed the authorities. Jing, Mufu, and the brothers Zhongfu, Renfu, Yufu, and Peifu were all put to death; only Mufu's sons Yuanzi, Yunzi, Tianzi, Linzi, and Qianzi survived.

淵子，字敬深，少有志節，隨高祖克京城，封繁畤縣五等侯。參鎮軍、車騎中軍事，又為道規輔國、征西參軍，領寧蜀太守。與劉基共斬蔡猛於大簿，還為太尉參軍，從征司馬休之，與徐逵之同沒。時年三十五。

Yuanzi, courtesy name Jingshen, showed early fortitude and merit; he followed the High Ancestor in the capture of the capital and was enfeoffed as fifth-rank Marquis of Fanzhi. He served on the staffs of the Pacifying Army and the Chariots and Cavalry, then as adviser to Daogui's western command while governing Ningshu. With Liu Ji he slew Cai Meng at Dabo, then served as adviser to the Grand Marshal on the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi, where he fell alongside Xu Daizhi. He was thirty-five years old.

子正，字元直，淹詳有器度，美風姿，善容止，好老、莊之學。弱冠，州辟從事。宗人光祿大夫演之稱之曰：「此宗中千里駒也。」出為始寧、烏傷、婁令，母憂去職。服闋，為隨王誕後軍安南行參軍。誕鎮會稽，復參安東軍事。元嘉三十年，元兇弑立，分江東為會州，以誕為刺史。誕將受命，正說司馬顧琛曰：「國家此禍，開闢未聞，今以江東義銳之眾，為天下倡始，若馳一介，四方詎不回應。以此雪朝庭冤恥，大明臣子之節，豈可北面凶逆，使殿下受其偽寵。」琛曰：「江東忘戰日久，士不習兵。雖云逆順不同，然強弱又異，當須四方有義舉者，然後應之，不為晚也。」正曰：「天下若有無父之國，則可矣。苟其不爾，寧可自安仇恥，而責義於餘方。今正以弑逆冤醜，義不同戴，舉兵之日，豈求必全耶！馮衍有言，大漢之貴臣，將不如荊、齊之賤士乎！況殿下義兼臣子，事實家國者哉！」琛乃與正俱入說誕，誕猶預未決。會尋陽義兵起，世祖使至，誕乃加正寧朔將軍，領軍繼劉季之。誕入為驃騎大將軍，正為中兵參軍，遷長水校尉。孝建元年，移青州鎮歷城，臨淄地空，除寧朔將軍、齊、北海二郡太守，委以全齊之任。未拜，二年卒，時年四十三。正生好樂，厚自奉養，既終之後，家無餘財。

His son Zheng, courtesy name Yuanzhi, was learned, broad-minded, and handsome in bearing, with graceful manners and a devotion to Laozi and Zhuangzi. At his capping he was recruited as a provincial aide. His kinsman Yanzhi, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, called him "the thousand-li steed of our clan." He served as magistrate of Shining, Wushang, and Lou in turn, then resigned on his mother's death. After mourning he joined Prince Dan of Sui's Rear Army Pacify-the-South staff as mobile adviser. When Dan took up his post at Kuaiji, Zheng again served on his Pacify-the-East staff. In the thirtieth year of Yuanjia, after the crown prince's regicide, the eastern Yangzi region was made into Huizhou and Dan was appointed its governor. As Dan prepared to accept office, Zheng urged Chief Administrator Gu Chen, "A crime unheard of since the founding of the realm—yet with the loyal armies of the east we could lead the empire. Send one messenger abroad and who would not answer? Thus we would wipe away the court's disgrace and show what loyalty means. How can you bow to a regicide and let Your Highness accept favors from a usurper?" Chen replied, "The east has known peace too long; our men are unused to war. Right may differ from wrong, but strength differs too. We should wait until righteous armies rise elsewhere, then join them—it will not be too late." Zheng said, "Only if there were an empire without fathers could we wait. Otherwise how can we rest easy in our shame while demanding virtue from others? The regicide's crime forbids us to live under the same sky. When we take up arms, who expects to survive unscathed? As Feng Yan asked, shall great Han's nobles prove less valiant than the humble men of Jing and Qi? And you, my lord, owe duty both as prince and as subject—the realm and the house are one!" Chen went in with Zheng to persuade Dan, but Dan still wavered. When loyal forces rose at Xunyang and an envoy from the future Emperor Shizu arrived, Dan made Zheng General Who Pacifies the North and put him in command after Liu Jizhi. When Dan entered the capital as General of Agile Cavalry, Zheng served as central army adviser and was promoted to Colonel of the Changshui. In Xiaojian 1 the Qingzhou garrison moved to Licheng with Linzi left undefended; Zheng was made General Who Pacifies the North and dual administrator of Qi and Beihai, charged with holding all of Qi. Before he could assume the post he died in the second year, at forty-three. Zheng loved music and lived generously; when he died the family was left with nothing.

淵子弟雲子，元嘉中，為晉安太守。雲子子煥，字士蔚，少為駙馬都尉、奉朝請。元兇之入弑也，煥時兼中庶子，直坊，逼從入臺。劭既自立，以為羽林監，辭不拜，拜員外散騎侍郎，使防南譙王義宣諸子，事在《義宣傳》。仍除丞相行參軍，員外散騎侍郎，南昌令，有能名。晉平王休祐驃騎中兵記室參軍，同僚皆以諂進，煥獨不。頃之，記室參軍周敬祖等為太宗所責得罪，轉煥諮議參軍。後廢帝元徽中，以為寧遠將軍、交州刺史，未至鎮，病卒，時年四十五。

Yuanzi's younger brother Yunzi served as Administrator of Jin'an during the Yuanjia era. Yunzi's son Huan, courtesy name Shiwei, early held the posts of Commandant of the Horse Guards for the Emperor's Sons-in-Law and Attendant at Court. When the crown prince carried out the regicide, Huan was serving as Junior Tutor on palace duty and was compelled to follow him into the inner quarters. Once Shao seized the throne he offered Huan the post of Supervisor of the Forest of Feathers; Huan refused and was made Extraordinary Attendant Cavalier, then assigned to guard the sons of Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao, as told in Yixuan's biography. He was then made mobile adviser to the Chancellor, Extraordinary Attendant Cavalier, and magistrate of Nanchang, winning a name for competence. Under Prince Xiuyou of Jinping he served as recording secretary on the General of Agile Cavalry's staff; while his colleagues curried favor, Huan alone would not. Soon afterward recording secretaries including Zhou Jingzu were punished on Emperor Taizong's orders; Huan was transferred to advisory military adviser. During Emperor Houfei's Yuanhui reign he was appointed General Who Pacifies the Distance and governor of Jiaozhou, but fell ill and died before taking up the post, at forty-five.

田子，字敬光，雲子弟也。從高祖克京城，進平京邑，參鎮軍軍事，封營道縣五等侯。義熙五年，高祖北伐鮮卑。田子領偏師，與龍驤將軍孟龍符為前鋒。慕容超屯臨朐以距大軍，龍符戰沒，田子力戰破之。及盧循逼京邑，高祖遣田子與建威將軍孫季高由海道襲廣州，加振武將軍。循黨徐道覆還保始興，田子復與右將軍劉藩同共攻討。循尋還廣州圍季高，田子慮季高孤危，謂藩曰：「廣州城雖險固，本是賊之巢穴。今循還圍之，或有內變。且季高眾力寡弱，不能持久。若使賊還據此，凶勢復振。下官與季高同履艱難，泛滄海，於萬死之中，克平廣州，豈可坐視危逼，不相拯救。」於是率軍南還，比至，賊已收其散卒，還圍廣州。季高單守危迫，聞田子忽至，大喜。田子乃背水結陳，身率先士卒，一戰破之。於是推鋒追討，又破循於蒼梧、鬱林、寧浦。還至廣州，而季高病死。既兵荒之後，山賊競出，攻沒城郭，殺害長吏。田子隨宜討伐，旬日平殄。刺史褚升度至，乃還京師。除太尉參軍、振武將軍、淮陵內史，賜爵都鄉侯。復參世子征虜軍事，將軍、內史如故。八年，從討劉毅。十一年，復從討司馬休之，領別軍，與征虜將軍趙倫之，參征虜軍事、振武將軍、扶風太守。

Tianzi, courtesy name Jingguang, was Yunzi's younger brother. He followed the High Ancestor in the capture of the capital and its pacification, joined the Pacifying Army staff, and was enfeoffed as fifth-rank Marquis of Yingdao. In Yixi 5 the High Ancestor launched his northern campaign against the Xianbei. Tianzi commanded a detached column and, with General of Agile Cavalry Meng Longfu, led the vanguard. Murong Chao held Linqu against the main army. Longfu was killed in battle, but Tianzi fought hard and routed the enemy. When Lu Xun threatened the capital, the High Ancestor sent Tianzi with Sun Jigao, General Who Establishes Might, by sea against Guangzhou and promoted Tianzi to General Who Quells Martiality. Xun's lieutenant Xu Daofu fell back to defend Shixing, and Tianzi again campaigned alongside General of the Right Liu Fan. Soon Xun returned to besiege Jigao at Guangzhou. Tianzi feared for his isolated comrade and told Fan, "Guangzhou may be strong, but it was the rebels' own stronghold. With Xun back to invest it, there may be treachery within the walls. Besides, Jigao's men are few and weak—they cannot last. If the rebels hold it again, their power will revive. Jigao and I crossed the sea together and took Guangzhou at the risk of our lives. How can we stand by while he is cornered?" He marched south at once, but by the time he arrived the rebels had rallied their scattered forces and renewed the siege of Guangzhou. Jigao held the city alone in desperate straits and rejoiced when Tianzi appeared. Tianzi drew up his line with water at his back, led the charge in person, and routed the enemy in a single battle. He pressed the pursuit and defeated Xun again at Cangwu, Yulin, and Ningpu. When he returned to Guangzhou, Jigao had died of illness. After the wars and famine, mountain bandits rose everywhere, sacked towns, and killed local officials. Tianzi suppressed them as needed and within ten days had wiped them out. When Governor Chu Shengdu arrived, Tianzi returned to the capital. He was made adviser to the Grand Marshal, General Who Quells Martiality, and interior minister of Huailing, and enfeoffed as Marquis of the Metropolitan Township. He again joined the heir's Pacify-the-Captive staff while retaining his rank as general and interior minister. In the eighth year he joined the campaign against Liu Yi. In the eleventh year he campaigned again against Sima Xiuzhi at the head of a detached force with Zhao Lunzhi, General Who Pacifies the Captive, and served as Pacify-the-Captive adviser, General Who Quells Martiality, and administrator of Fufeng.

十二年，高祖北伐，田子與順陽太守傅弘之各領別軍，從武關入，屯據青泥。姚泓欲自御大軍，慮田子襲其後，欲先平田子，然後傾國東出。乃率步軍數萬，奄至清泥。田子本為疑兵，所領裁數百，欲擊之。傅弘之曰：「彼眾我寡，難可與敵。」田子曰：「師貴用奇，不必在眾。」弘之猶固執，田子曰：「眾寡相傾，勢不兩立。若使賊圍既固，人情喪沮，事便去矣。及其未整，薄之必克，所謂先人有奪人之志也。」便獨率所領鼓而進。合圍數重，田子撫慰士卒曰：「諸君捐親戚，棄墳墓，出矢石之間，正希今日耳。封侯之業，其在此乎！」乃棄糧毀舍，躬勒士卒，前後奮擊，所向摧陷。所領江東勇士，便習短兵，鼓噪奔之，賊眾一時潰散，所殺萬餘人，得泓偽乘輿服御。高祖表言曰：「參征虜軍事、振武將軍、扶風太守沈田子，率領勁銳，背城電激，身先士卒，勇冠戎陳，奮寡對眾，所向必摧，自辰及未，斬馘千數。泓喪旗棄眾，奔還霸西，咸陽空盡，義徒四合，清蕩餘燼，勢在跂踵。」天子慰勞高祖曰：「逋寇阻隘，晏安假日，舉斧函谷，規延王誅，群師勤王，將離寒暑。公躬秉鈇鉞，棱威首塗，戎略載脂，則郊壘疊卷，崤陝甫踐，則潼塞開扃。姚泓窘逼，棄城送死，藍田偏師，覆之霸川，甲首成林，俘獲蔽野，偽首奔迸，華、戎雲集，積紀逋寇，旦夕夷殄。」長安既平，高祖燕於文昌殿，舉酒賜田子曰：「咸陽之平，卿之功也。」即以咸陽相賞。田子謝曰：「咸陽之平，此實聖略所振，武臣效節，田子何力之有。」即授咸陽、始平二郡太守。大軍既還，桂陽公義真留鎮長安，以田子為安西中兵參軍、龍驤將軍、始平太守。時佛佛來寇，田子與安西司馬王鎮惡俱出北地禦之。初，高祖將還，田子及傅弘之等並以鎮惡家在關中，不可保信，屢言之高祖。高祖曰：「今留卿文武將士精兵萬人。彼若欲為不善，正足自滅耳。勿復多言。」及俱出北地，論者謂鎮惡欲盡殺諸南人，以數千人送義真南還，因據關中反叛。田子與弘之謀，矯高祖令誅之，並力破佛佛，安關中，然後南還謝罪。田子宗人沈敬仁驍果有勇力，田子於弘之營內請鎮惡計事，使敬仁於坐殺之，率左右數十人自歸義真。長史王脩收殺田子於長安稿倉門外，是歲，義熙十四年正月十五日也。時年三十六。田子初以功應封，因此事寢。高祖表天子，以田子卒發狂易，不深罪也。無子，弟林子以第二子亮為後。

In the twelfth year, on the northern campaign, Tianzi and Fu Hongzhi of Shunyang each led detached columns through Wuguan and encamped at Qingni. Yao Hong meant to face the main army but feared an attack from Tianzi in his rear; he resolved to crush Tianzi first, then march east with his full strength. He marched with tens of thousands of foot soldiers and suddenly appeared at Qingni. Tianzi's detachment was meant only as a diversion—he had but a few hundred men—yet he meant to attack. Fu Hongzhi said, "They outnumber us—we cannot fight them." Tianzi replied, "Warfare depends on surprise, not numbers alone." Hongzhi still objected. Tianzi said, "When forces meet, only one side can survive. If their siege tightens and our men's hearts fail, all is lost. Attack before they are ready and we shall win—that is seizing the initiative before the enemy takes heart." He led his men forward alone, drums rolling. Ring after ring closed around them. Tianzi rallied his men: "You left home and graves to face arrows and stones—you have waited for this day. The marquisate you seek—is it not won today!" He burned his stores and camp, led the charge in person, and wherever he struck the enemy line gave way. His Jiangdong veterans, adept with short weapons, charged with a great clamor; the enemy broke at once. More than ten thousand were slain, and Hong's false imperial regalia was taken. The High Ancestor reported: "Shen Tianzi, Pacify-the-Captive adviser, General Who Quells Martiality, and administrator of Fufeng, led elite troops in a lightning strike with his back to the wall. He surpassed all in courage, drove the few against the many, and broke every line he met. From mid-morning to mid-afternoon he slew thousands. Hong fled west in rout, abandoning banners and troops; Xianyang stood empty; loyal forces gathered from every side; the last embers could be swept away and victory was at hand." The emperor praised the High Ancestor: "The rebel holds the passes in false security, threatens at Hangu, and seeks to delay his doom while loyal armies have marched through winter and summer. You bear the imperial axe in person; your majesty leads the van. Where your strategy advances, outer defenses fall; once Xia and Shan are crossed, the Tong passes open. Yao Hong, cornered, abandoned his city to his doom. The Lantian column destroyed him at Bachuan; heads piled like groves and captives filled the plain. The false ruler fled in panic; Chinese and barbarians rallied; the rebel of long standing will be wiped out within days." After Chang'an fell, the High Ancestor feasted in the Wenchang Hall and raised his cup to Tianzi: "The pacification of Xianyang is your doing." He rewarded him with Xianyang. Tianzi demurred: "Xianyang fell by your sacred strategy; we officers only did our duty—what credit is mine?" He was appointed administrator of Xianyang and Shiping. When the main army withdrew, Duke Yizhen of Guiyang stayed to garrison Chang'an, and Tianzi was made central army adviser on the Pacify-the-West staff, General of Agile Cavalry, and administrator of Shiping. When Fotu raided, Tianzi and Wang Zhen'e, chief administrator of Pacify-the-West, marched into Beidi to meet him. Before the High Ancestor withdrew, Tianzi, Fu Hongzhi, and others warned repeatedly that Wang Zhen'e, with his family in Guanzhong, could not be trusted. The High Ancestor said, "I leave you ten thousand elite troops, civil and military alike. If he turns traitor, he will only destroy himself. Say no more of it." When they marched into Beidi together, rumor held that Zhen'e meant to slaughter the southerners, send a few thousand men to escort Yizhen south, and seize Guanzhong in rebellion. Tianzi and Hongzhi plotted to forge an order from the High Ancestor, kill him, defeat Fotu together, secure Guanzhong, then return south to accept punishment. Tianzi's kinsman Shen Jingren was bold and strong. In Hongzhi's camp Tianzi summoned Zhen'e on pretense of counsel and had Jingren kill him at table; then he took several dozen followers to Yizhen. Chief Administrator Wang Xiu had Tianzi executed outside Chang'an's Gaocang Gate on the fifteenth of the first month, Yixi 14. He was thirty-six years old. Tianzi had earned a fief for his deeds, but because of this affair the grant was never made. The High Ancestor reported to the emperor that Tianzi had died in a fit of madness and asked that he not be heavily punished. He left no son; his younger brother Linzi adopted his second son Liang as heir.

亮，字道明，清操好學，善屬文。未弱冠，州辟從事。會稽太守孟顗在郡不法，亮糾劾免官，又言災異，轉西曹主簿。時三吳水淹，穀貴民饑，刺史彭城王義康使立議以救民急，亮議以：「東土災荒，民凋榖踴，富民蓄米，日成其價。宜班下所在，隱其虛實，令積蓄之家，聽留一年儲，餘皆勒使糶貨，為制平價，此所謂常道行於百世，權宜用於一時也。又緣淮歲豐，邑富地穰，麥既已登，黍粟行就，可析其估賦，仍就交市，三吳饑民，即以貸給，使強壯轉運，以贍老弱。且酒有喉脣之利，而非餐餌所資，尤宜禁斷，以息游費。」即並施行。

Liang, courtesy name Daoming, was a man of pure conduct who loved learning and wrote with skill. Before his capping the province recruited him as an aide. When Meng Yi, administrator of Kuaiji, broke the law in office, Liang impeached him and secured his dismissal, reported celestial omens, and was made chief clerk of the Western Bureau. When floods struck the Three Wu and grain prices soared, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng, as governor, called for relief plans. Liang proposed: "The east is stricken; the people are ruined and grain grows dearer daily as the rich hoard rice. Orders should go out to audit stores everywhere: hoarders may keep one year's supply, but the rest must be sold at a fair fixed price—the constant rule for all ages, with a timely expedient for the crisis. Along the Huai the harvest is rich; wheat is in and millet nearly ripe. Take part of their tax grain for exchange and lend it to the starving Three Wu, with the able-bodied transporting it to feed the old and weak. Wine pleases the palate but does not nourish; it should be banned to stop wasteful spending." All these measures were adopted at once.

世祖出鎮歷陽，行參征虜軍事。民有盜發塚者，罪所近村民，與符伍遭劫不赴救同坐。亮議曰：

When the future Emperor Shizu took up his post at Liyang, Liang served as mobile adviser on the Pacify-the-Captive staff. When graves were robbed, nearby villagers were punished, and registry neighbors who failed to respond to a robbery were punished the same way. Liang argued:

尋發塚之情，事止竊盜，徒以侵亡犯死，故同之嚴科。夫穿掘之侶，必銜枚以晦其跡；劫掠之黨，必歡呼以威其事。故赴凶赫者易，應潛密者難。且山原為無人之鄉，丘壟非恆途所踐，至於防救，不得比之村郭。督實效名，理與劫異，則符伍之坐，居宜降矣。又結罰之科，雖有同符伍之限，而無遠近之斷。夫塚無村界，當以比近坐之。若不域之以界，則數步之內，與十里之外，便應同罹其責。防民之禁，不可頓去，止非之憲，宜當其律。愚謂相去百步同赴告不時者，一歲刑，自此以外，差不及罰。

Grave-robbing is essentially theft; only because it violates the dead and carries the death penalty is it treated like the gravest crimes. Grave-robbers work in silence to hide their tracks; robbers shout aloud to terrify their victims. It is easy to answer open violence but hard to detect secret crime. Hills and wilds are uninhabited; tombs lie off the common road—defense and rescue there cannot be judged by village standards. When the facts are examined, the case differs from robbery, and registry-group penalties should be lightened. The collective-punishment statutes, though they bind registry groups, set no limit of distance. Tombs have no village bounds; only those nearby should be held liable. Without a boundary, those a few steps away and those ten li distant would share the same punishment. Popular safeguards cannot be abolished at once, but penalties should fit the offense. I propose one year's punishment for neighbors within a hundred paces who fail to report in time; beyond that, no penalty.

又啟太祖陳府事曰：「伏見西府兵士，或年幾八十，而猶伏隸；或年始七歲，而已從役。衰耗之體，氣用湮微，兒弱之軀，肌膚未實，而使伏勤昏稚，騖苦傾晚，於理既薄，為益實輕。書制休老以六十為限，役少以十五為制，若力不周務，故當粗存優減。」詔曰：「前已令卿兄改革，尋值遷回，竟是不施行耶？今更敕西府也。」時營創城府，功課嚴促，亮又陳之曰：「經始城宇，莫非造創，基築既廣，夫課又嚴，不計其勞，苟務其速，以歲月之事，求不日之成。比見役人未明上作，閉鼓乃休，呈課既多，理有不逮。至於息日，拘備關限，方涉暑雨，多有死病，頃日所承，亦頗有逃逸。竊惟此既內藩，事殊外鎮，撫蒞之宜，無繫早晚。若得少寬其工課，稍均其優劇，徒隸既苦，易以悅加，考其卒功，廢闕無幾。臣聞不居其職，不謀其事，庖割有主，尸不越樽，豈臣疏小，所當預議。但臣泳恩歲厚，服義累世，苟是所懷，忘其常體。」詔答曰：「啟之甚佳。此亦由來常患，比屢敕之，猶復如此，甚為無理。近復令孟休宣旨，想當不同，卿比可密觀其優劇也。」始興王濬臨揚州，復為主簿、秣陵令，善擿奸伏，有非必禽。太祖稱其能，入為尚書都官郎。

He again reported to the Grand Ancestor: "Among the western headquarters troops, some are nearly eighty and still serve as conscripts; others are only seven and already on duty. The aged have little strength left; children are not fully grown—yet both are driven from dawn to dusk. It is unjust and of little use. The statutes set retirement at sixty and service from fifteen; when men cannot meet the work, they should receive some relief." The emperor replied, "I ordered your elder brother to reform this, but he was transferred—was it never done? I order the western headquarters again now." While the city walls were being built, quotas were harsh. Liang reported again: "Building anew on this scale with severe quotas ignores men's labor and demands in days what should take months. Laborers now work from before dawn until nightfall; the quotas set are impossible to meet. Even rest days are restricted; in the summer rains many fall ill and die, and recently many have fled. This is an inner principality, not a frontier post—governance need not turn on dawn-to-dusk haste. Ease the quotas slightly and balance hard and light tasks; the laborers would work more willingly, and little would be lost in the end. I know one should not meddle outside one's office—yet how should a man of my humble rank speak on such matters! Yet I have long enjoyed your grace and served your house for generations; when something weighs on my heart, I forget my place." The emperor replied, "Your report is excellent. This has long been a chronic abuse; I have ordered reform again and again, yet it persists—most unreasonable. I have just sent Meng Xiu with fresh orders; matters should improve. Watch in secret whether the work is fairly apportioned." When Prince Liu Jun of Shixing took up his post at Yangzhou, Liang again served as registrar and magistrate of Moling. He had a gift for uncovering hidden crimes, and whenever he found wrongdoing he always caught those responsible. The Grand Ancestor praised his talent, and Liang was summoned to the capital as Director in the Bureau of Punishments under the Masters of Writing.

襄陽地接邊關，江左來未有皇子重鎮。元嘉二十二年，世祖出為撫軍將軍、雍州刺史。天子甚留心，以舊宛比接二關，咫尺崤、陝，蓋襄陽之北捍，且表裏強蠻，盤帶疆場，以亮為南陽太守，加揚武將軍。邊蠻畏服，皆納賦調，有數村狡猾，亮悉誅之。遣吏巡行諸縣，孤寡老疾不能自存者，皆就蠲養，耆年老齒，歲時有餼。時儒學崇建，亮開置庠序，訓授生徒。民多發塚，並婚嫁違法，皆嚴為條禁。郡界有古時石堨，蕪廢歲久，亮籤世祖修治之，曰：「施生興業，首教農畝，立民崇政，訓本播穡，故能殷邦康俗，禮節用成。頃北洛侵蕪，南宛雕毀，獫狁肆凶。犬夷充疆，遠肅烽驛，近虞郊閈，遂使沃衍弗井，巨防莫修，窘力輟耕，闕於分地，凶荒無待，流冗及今。禮化孚內，威禁清外，斯實去盜修畎，昭農緒稼之時，弘圖廣務，拓土祈年之日。殿下降心育物，振民復古，且方提封榛棘，綏入殊荒。竊見郡境有舊石堨，區野腴潤，實為神皋，而蕪決稍積，久廢其利，凡管所見，謂宜創立。昔文翁守官，起沃成產，偉連撫民，開奧增業，惠昭二邦，庸列兩漢。雖效政圖功，不見所絕，聯事惟忝，憂同職同。」囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗囗又修治馬人陂，民獲其利。在任四年，遷南譙王義宣司空中兵參軍。詔曰：「陝西心膂須才，故授卿此職。」隨王誕鎮襄陽，復為後軍中兵，領義成太守。亮蒞官清約，為太祖所嘉，賜以車馬服玩，前後累積。每遠方貢獻絕國勳器，輒班賚焉。又賜書二千卷。二十七年，卒官，時年四十七。所著詩、賦、頌、贊、三言、誄、哀辭、祭告請雨文、樂府、挽歌、連珠、教記、白事、箋、表、籤、議一百八十九首。

Xiangyang lay on the frontier, and since the Eastern Jin no imperial prince had been stationed at so weighty a command. In the twenty-second year of Yuanjia the future Emperor Shizu took up the posts of General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Yong Province. The emperor took great interest in the matter. Old Wan adjoined the two passes and lay within a stone's throw of Xiao and Shan; it was the northern shield of Xiangyang, with powerful barbarians pressing the frontier both within and without. He therefore made Liang Administrator of Nanyang and promoted him to General Who Displays Martiality. The frontier tribes submitted in fear and paid their taxes and levies. A few villages remained obstinate and deceitful, and Liang put them all to death. He sent officials to inspect the counties. Orphans, widows, the elderly, and the sick who could not support themselves were exempted from levies and given relief, and the very old received regular seasonal provisions. Confucian learning was then greatly encouraged, and Liang established schools and taught students. Grave-robbing was widespread, and marriages often broke the law; he imposed strict regulations against both. An ancient stone dyke within the commandery had lain ruined for many years. Liang petitioned Emperor Shizu to restore it, writing: "To sustain life and build prosperity one must first teach farming; to settle the people and elevate government one must train them in fundamentals and spread cultivation. Only then do states flourish, customs grow sound, and ritual and order take shape. Lately the lands north of Luoyang have fallen to ruin, southern Wan lies devastated, and the northern tribes have run wild with violence. Barbarian forces filled the frontier. Distant beacons fell silent while nearby suburbs lived in fear. Fertile fields went untilled, great dykes unrepaired, farmers too exhausted to plow, and land left undistributed. Famine and ruin needed no invitation, and displaced people still suffer the consequences. When civilizing ritual fills the realm within and authority keeps the frontier clear without, it is precisely the moment to drive off bandits, restore the fields, renew agriculture, broaden great undertakings, and extend the domain in hope of abundant harvests. Your Highness has bent your heart to nurturing the people, rousing them to restore the ways of old, and are now clearing thorn-choked borders and bringing order to distant wilds. I have observed an old stone dyke in the commandery whose surrounding fields are rich and moist—a truly fertile tract. Yet breaches have piled up over time and its benefits have long been lost. In my judgment it should be rebuilt. Long ago Wen Weng in office turned wasteland into abundance, and Wei Lian in governing the people opened hidden lands and expanded production. Their benevolence lit up two kingdoms, and their achievements rank among the great ministers of the two Han dynasties. Though they achieved effective rule and planned great works without equal, I can only feel ashamed in holding a similar post and bear the same burden of office. [Text lost.] He also restored the Mare-human Dyke, and the people reaped its benefits. After four years in office he was transferred to serve as central army adviser on the staff of Prince Liu Yixuan of Nanqiao. An edict read: "The western frontier needs able men at its core; that is why I give you this post." When Prince Liu Dan of Sui took command at Xiangyang, Liang again served as central army commander of the rear army and concurrently as Administrator of Yicheng. Liang governed with purity and restraint, won the Grand Ancestor's praise, and received carriages, horses, clothing, and fine objects in gifts that accumulated over the years. Whenever distant lands sent tribute of rare and exotic objects, Liang was always among those rewarded. He was also given two thousand scrolls of books. In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia he died in office at the age of forty-seven. He left one hundred eighty-nine works, including poems, fu, eulogies, praises, three-character pieces, dirges, mourning compositions, rain-prayer texts, yuefu songs, elegies, linked pearls, admonitions, reports, letters, petitions, memos, and proposals.

林子，字敬士，田子弟也。少有大度，年數歲，隨王父在京口。王恭見而奇之，曰：「此兒王子師之流也。」與眾人共見遺寶，咸爭趨之，林子直去不顧。年十三，遇家禍，時雖逃竄，而哀號晝夜不絕聲。王母謂之曰：「汝當忍死強視，何為空自殄絕。」林子曰：「家門酷橫，無復假日之心，直以至仇未復，故且苟存爾。」一門既陷妖黨，兄弟並應從誅，逃伏草澤，常慮及禍，而沈預家甚強富，志相陷滅。林子與諸兄晝藏夜出，即貨所居宅，營墓葬父祖諸叔，凡六喪，儉而有禮。時生業已盡，老弱甚多，東土饑荒，易子而食，外迫國網，內畏強仇，沈伏山草，無所投厝。時孫恩屢出會稽，諸將東討者相續，劉牢之、高素之放縱其下，虜暴縱橫，獨高祖軍政嚴明，無所侵犯。林子乃自歸曰：「妖賊擾亂，僕一門悉被驅逼，父祖諸叔，同罹禍難，猶複偷生天壤者，正以仇讎未復，親老漂寄爾。今日見將軍伐惡旌善，是有道之師，謹率老弱，歸罪請命。」因流涕哽咽，三軍為之感動。高祖甚奇之，謂曰：「君既是國家罪人，強讎又在鄉里，唯當見隨還京，可得無恙。」乃載以別船，遂盡室移京口，高祖分宅給焉。博覽眾書，留心文義，從高祖克京城，進平都邑。時年十八，身長七尺五寸。沈預慮林子為害，常被甲持戈。至是林子與兄田子還東報讎。五月夏節日至，預正大集會，子弟盈堂，林子兄弟挺身直入，斬預首，男女無長幼悉屠之，以預首祭父、祖墓。仍為本郡所命，毅又板為冠軍參軍，並不就。林子以家門荼蓼，無複仕心，高祖敦逼，至彌年不起。及高祖為揚州，辟為從事，謂曰：「卿何由遂得不仕。頃年相申，欲令萬物見卿此心爾。」固辭不得已，然後就職，領建熙令，封資中縣五等侯，時年二十一。

Linzi, courtesy name Jingshi, was the younger brother of Shen Tianzi. From childhood he showed unusual breadth of character. At only a few years old he went with his grandfather to Jingkou. Wang Gong saw him and was struck by the boy, saying, "This child is cut from the same cloth as Wang Zishi." Once, when he and others came upon abandoned valuables, everyone rushed to seize them, but Linzi walked straight on without a glance. At thirteen he suffered a family catastrophe. Though he was fleeing for his life, he wailed day and night without stopping. His grandmother said to him, "You must force yourself to live on and keep your eyes open. Why throw your life away for nothing?" Linzi replied, "Our family has suffered cruel injustice, and I have no heart left for anything else. I endure only because my greatest enemy is not yet avenged." The whole clan had been implicated in the sorcerer rebellion; the brothers all faced execution. They hid in marshes and wild country, living in constant fear, while the Shen Yu family, powerful and wealthy, was determined to destroy them. Linzi and his brothers hid by day and ventured out by night. They sold their house at once and arranged burials for their father, grandfathers, and uncles—six funerals in all, carried out with frugality but proper ceremony. By then their livelihood was gone and many among them were old or weak. Famine ravaged the eastern lands until people exchanged children to eat. Hunted by the imperial law without and menaced by their powerful enemy within, they lay hidden in the hills with nowhere to go. Sun En repeatedly raided from Kuaiji, and one eastern campaign followed another. The troops of Liu Laozhi and Gao Suzhi plundered unchecked, but the High Ancestor's army alone maintained strict discipline and did not molest the people. Linzi then came forward of his own accord and said, "The rebel sorcerers have thrown the realm into chaos. My whole household was forced into their ranks; my father, grandfathers, and uncles all suffered the same disaster. The only reason we still live beneath heaven is that our enemies are not yet avenged and our elders remain adrift in exile. Today I see Your Lordship punishing evil and honoring good—an army of the Way. I therefore bring the old and weak of my household to submit and beg for our lives." As he spoke he wept and choked with sobs, and the whole army was deeply moved. The High Ancestor was greatly impressed and said, "You are still a criminal in the eyes of the state, and your powerful enemy remains in your home district. You should come with me back to the capital; only then can you be safe." He had Linzi carried on a separate boat, moved the whole family to Jingkou, and allotted them a house. He read widely and attended carefully to literary meaning. He followed the High Ancestor in the capture of the capital region and the pacification of the capital itself. He was then eighteen years old and seven feet five inches tall. Shen Yu, fearing Linzi would harm him, often wore armor and carried a spear. At that point Linzi and his elder brother Tianzi returned east to take revenge. On the Dragon Boat Festival in the fifth month Yu was holding a great gathering with sons and nephews filling the hall. The Linzi brothers went straight in, cut off Yu's head, slaughtered men and women of every age, and offered his head at the tombs of their father and grandfathers. The local commandery then offered him office, and Huan Yi also issued a commission as Champion Army military adviser, but he accepted neither. Because his family had suffered bitter hardship, Linzi had no wish to serve in office. The High Ancestor pressed him urgently, yet for a full year he refused to accept a post. When the High Ancestor became Inspector of Yangzhou, he recruited Linzi as a staff officer and said, "How can you go on refusing office? These past years I have urged you again and again because I wanted everyone to see where your heart truly lies." Linzi declined until he could refuse no longer, then took office as Magistrate of Jianxi and was enfeoffed as fifth-rank Marquis of Zizhong. He was twenty-one.

義熙五年，從伐鮮卑，行參鎮軍軍事。大軍於臨朐交戰，賊遣虎班突騎馳軍後，林子率精勇東西奮擊，皆大破之。慕容超退守廣固，複與劉敬宣攻其西隅。廣固既平，而盧循奄至。初，循之下也，廣固未拔，循潛遣使結林子及宗人叔長。林子即密白高祖，叔長不以聞，反以循旨動林子。叔長素驍果，高祖以超未平，隱之，還至廣固，乃誅叔長。謂林子曰：「昔魏武在官渡，汝、兗之士，多懷貳心，唯李通獨斷大義，古今一也。」循至蔡洲，貴遊之徒，皆議還徙，唯林子請移家京邑，高祖怪而問之，對曰：「耿純盡室從戎，李典舉宗居魏。林子雖才非古人，實受恩深重。」高祖稱善久之。

In Yixi 5 he joined the campaign against the Xianbei as mobile adviser on the Pacifying Army staff. The main army fought at Linqu. The enemy sent elite Tiger-pattern shock cavalry against the rear, but Linzi led crack troops in fierce strikes east and west and broke them completely. Murong Chao withdrew to defend Guanggu, and Linzi again joined Liu Jingxuan in attacking the western corner of the city. Guanggu had barely been taken when Lu Xun suddenly appeared. When Xun first marched south, Guanggu had not yet fallen. He secretly sent envoys to win over Linzi and his clansman Shuzhang. Linzi at once secretly informed the High Ancestor. Shuzhang did not report the approach, but instead tried to sway Linzi with Xun's message. Shuzhang was by nature fierce and resolute. Because Murong Chao was not yet defeated, the High Ancestor kept the matter secret until he returned to Guanggu, when he executed Shuzhang. He said to Linzi, "At Guandu in olden days, many men of Yu and Yan wavered in their loyalty, but Li Tong alone held to the greater cause. Past and present are the same." When Xun reached Caizhou, the court nobles all debated retreat, but Linzi alone asked to move his family to the capital. The High Ancestor was surprised and questioned him. Linzi replied, "Geng Chun brought his whole household to war, and Li Dian settled his entire clan under Wei. I am no match for those ancients in talent, but I have received profound favor." The High Ancestor praised him at length.

林子時領別軍於石頭，屢戰摧寇。循每戰無功，乃偽揚聲當悉眾于白石步上，而設伏于南岸，故大軍初起白石，留林子與徐赤將斷拒查浦。林子乃進計曰：「此言妖詐，未必有實，宜深為之防。」高祖曰：「石頭城險，且淮柵甚固，留卿在後，足以守之。」大軍既去，賊果上，赤特將擊之。林子曰：「賊聲往白石，而屢來挑戰，其情狀可知矣。賊養銳待期，而吾眾不盈二旅，難以有功。今距守此險，足以自固。若賊偽計不立，大軍尋反，君何患焉？」赤特曰：「今賊悉眾向白石，留者必皆羸老，以銳卒擊之，無不破也。」便鼓噪而出，賊伏兵齊發，赤特軍果敗，棄軍奔北岸；林子率軍收赤特散兵，進戰，摧破之。徐道覆乃更上銳卒，沿塘數里。林子策之曰：「賊沿塘結陣，戰者不過一隊。今我據其津而厄其要，彼雖銳師數里，不敢過而東必也。」於是乃斷塘而鬥。久之，會朱齡石救至，與林子並勢，賊乃散走。大軍至自白石，殺赤特以殉，以林子參中軍軍事。

Linzi then commanded a detached force at Shitou and repeatedly defeated the rebels in battle. Xun won no victory in battle after battle, so he falsely announced that he would mass his entire force at Baishi Step while setting ambushes on the south bank. When the main army therefore moved toward Baishi, Linzi and Xu Chi were left to block Zhapu. Linzi then offered a plan: "This report is likely a ruse and may not be true. We should guard against it carefully." The High Ancestor said, "Shitou is a strong fortress and the Huai barricades are solid. Leaving you in the rear is enough to hold them. Once the main army had departed, the rebels did come upstream, and Chi Te led his troops out to attack them. Linzi said, "The rebels claim they are heading for Baishi, yet they keep coming to challenge us. Their real intent is clear. The enemy is husbanding his strength for the appointed day, while our force numbers less than two brigades. It will be hard to win a victory. If we hold this strong position, we can defend ourselves adequately. If the enemy's ruse fails, the main army will soon return. What is there to worry about?" Chi Te said, "The rebels have sent their whole force toward Baishi. Those left behind must be weak and old. A strike with crack troops cannot fail to break them." He beat drums and charged out. The enemy's hidden troops sprang up together, Chi Te's force was routed, and he abandoned his army and fled to the north bank. Linzi gathered Chi Te's scattered troops, advanced to battle, and broke the enemy. Xu Daofu then brought up fresh crack troops along the embankment for several li. Linzi assessed the situation and said, "The enemy is forming battle lines along the embankment, but only one unit can fight at a time. If we hold their crossing and block the vital point, they may have crack troops strung out for miles, but they will not dare pass eastward." They therefore blocked the embankment and gave battle. After a long fight Zhu Lingshi's relief force arrived. He and Linzi combined strength, and the rebels broke and fled. When the main army returned from Baishi, Chi Te was executed as a warning to the troops, and Linzi was appointed adviser on the Central Army staff.

從征劉毅，轉參太尉軍事。十一年，複從討司馬休之。高祖每征討，林子輒摧鋒居前，雖有營部，至於宵夕，輒敕還內侍。賊党郭亮之招集蠻眾，屯據武陵，武陵太守王鎮惡出奔，林子率軍討之，斬亮之於七里澗，納鎮惡。武陵既平，複討魯軌於石城，軌棄眾奔襄陽，複追躡之。襄陽既定，權留守江陵。十二年，高祖領平北將軍，林子以太尉參軍，複參平北軍事。其冬，高祖伐羌，複參征西軍事，悉署三府中兵，加建武將軍，統軍為前鋒，從汴入河。

He joined the campaign against Liu Yi and was transferred to adviser on the Grand Commandant's staff. In the eleventh year he again joined the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi. Whenever the High Ancestor took the field, Linzi always led the vanguard in breaking the enemy line. Though he had his own camp staff, each evening he was ordered back to attend the commander in person. The rebel Guo Liangzhi gathered tribal forces and seized Wuling. The administrator Wang Zhen'e fled, but Linzi led troops against him, cut off Liangzhi's head at Qili Stream, and restored Zhen'e to office. After Wuling was pacified, he again attacked Lu Gui at Shicheng. Gui abandoned his troops and fled to Xiangyang, and Linzi pursued him. When Xiangyang was secured, he was temporarily left to garrison Jiangling. In the twelfth year the High Ancestor took the post of General Who Pacifies the North. Linzi, as adviser to the Grand Commandant, again served on the Pacify-the-North staff. That winter the High Ancestor marched against the Qiang. Linzi again served on the Pacify-the-West staff, was put in charge of all central army troops of the three headquarters, promoted to General Who Establishes Martiality, and commanded the vanguard entering the Yellow River from Bian.

時襄邑降人董神虎有義兵千餘人，高祖欲綏懷初附，即板為太尉參軍，加揚武將軍，領兵從戎。林子率神虎攻倉垣，克之，神虎伐其功，徑還襄邑。林子軍次襄邑，即殺神虎而撫其眾。時偽建威將軍、河北太守薛帛先據解縣，林子至，馳往襲之，帛棄軍奔關中，林子收其兵糧。偽并州刺史、河東太守尹昭據蒲阪，林子於陝城與冠軍檀道濟同攻蒲阪，龍驤王鎮惡攻潼關。姚泓聞大軍至，遣偽東平公姚紹爭據潼關。林子謂道濟曰：「今蒲阪城堅池深，不可旬日而克，攻之則士卒傷，守之則引日久，不如棄之，還援潼關。且潼關天阻，所謂形勝之地，鎮惡孤軍，勢危力屈。若使姚紹據之，則難圖也。及其未至，當並力爭之。若潼關事捷，尹昭可不戰而服。」道濟從之。既至，紹舉關右之眾，設重圍圍林子及道濟、鎮惡等。

At that time Dong Shenhu, a surrendered man of Xiangyi, had a volunteer force of more than a thousand. The High Ancestor wished to reassure those newly submitted and immediately commissioned him as adviser to the Grand Commandant with the added title General Who Displays Martiality, leading troops on campaign. Linzi led Shenhu in an attack on Cangyuan and took it, but Shenhu claimed the credit and went straight back to Xiangyi. When Linzi's army halted at Xiangyi, he immediately executed Shenhu and reassured Shenhu's troops. The Later Qin general Xue Bo, titled General Who Establishes Might and Administrator of Hebei, held Jie county. When Linzi arrived he galloped to surprise him. Bo abandoned his army and fled to Guanzhong, and Linzi seized his troops and grain. The Later Qin Inspector of Bing Province and Administrator of Hedong, Yin Zhao, held Puban. At Shaan city Linzi joined Champion Tan Daoji in attacking Puban, while Wang Zhen'e, Dragon Coursing General, assaulted Tong Pass. When Yao Hong learned that the main army had arrived, he sent the Duke of Dongping, Yao Shao, to seize and hold Tong Pass. Linzi said to Daoji, "Puban has strong walls and a deep moat. It cannot be taken in ten days. To attack will cost us soldiers; to besiege will waste time. Better abandon it and return to aid Tong Pass. Tong Pass is a natural barrier, a classic strongpoint. Zhen'e's isolated force is in peril and near exhaustion. If Yao Shao takes it, the pass will be hard to win. Before he arrives we must combine our forces and fight for it. If Tong Pass is taken, Yin Zhao will submit without a fight. Daoji followed his advice. When they arrived, Yao Shao rallied the armies of Guanxi and threw a tight cordon around Linzi, Tan Daoji, Wang Zhen'e, and the rest.

時懸師深入，糧輸艱遠，三軍疑阻，莫有固志。道濟議欲渡河避其鋒，或欲棄捐輜重，還赴高祖。林子按劍曰：「相公勤王，志清六合，許、洛已平，關右將定，事之濟否，所系前鋒。今舍已捷之形，棄垂成之業，大軍尚遠，賊眾方盛，雖欲求還，豈可複得。下官受命前驅，誓在盡命，今日之事，自為將軍辦之。然二三君子，或同業艱難，或荷恩罔極，以此退撓，亦何以見相公旗鼓耶！」塞井焚舍，示無全志，率麾下數百人犯其西北。紹眾小靡，乘其亂而薄之，紹乃大潰，俘虜以千數，悉獲紹器械資實。時諸將破賊，皆多其首級，而林子獻捷書至，每以實聞，高祖問其故，林子曰：「夫王者之師，本有征無戰，豈可複增張虛獲，以自誇誕。國淵以事實見賞，魏尚以盈級受罰，此亦前事之師表，後乘之良轍也。」高祖曰：「乃所望於卿也。」

The army was far inside enemy country, supplies were hard to bring up, and doubt spread through the ranks until no one held firm. Daoji argued for crossing the river to dodge the enemy's thrust; others wanted to dump the baggage train and march back to Gaozu. Linzi hand on sword, said, "My lord took the field to restore the throne and clear the realm. Xu and Luoyang are already pacified; Guanxi will soon follow. Success or failure now hangs on the vanguard. To throw away a winning position and a victory almost in hand, with the main force still far off and the enemy at full strength— even if you wanted to retreat, how could you hope to get out? I was ordered to lead the van and swore to spend my life in the effort. Leave today's fight to me, General—I will see it through. And you— some who marched through hardship together, some who owe him more than you can repay— if you shrink back now, how will you ever stand before his banners again? He sealed the wells and burned his camp to show he would not retreat whole, then led a few hundred men straight at the enemy's northwest flank. Shao's line buckled; Linzi drove into the confusion and closed. Shao's army broke completely. Thousands were taken prisoner, along with all his arms and stores. Other generals padded their body counts, but Linzi's dispatches always gave the plain facts. When Gaozu asked why, Linzi said, "A true royal army wins by presence, not slaughter. How can we inflate false kills to puff ourselves up? Guo Yuan was honored for telling the truth; Wei Shang was punished for padding his tally. Those are the precedents worth following. Gaozu said, "That is exactly what I expect of you."

初，紹退走，還保定城，留偽武衛將軍姚鸞精兵守險。林子銜枚夜襲，即屠其城，劓鸞而坑其眾。高祖賜書曰：「頻再破賊，慶快無譬。既屢摧破，想不復久爾。」紹複遣撫軍將軍姚贊將兵屯河上，絕水道。贊壘塹未立，林子邀擊，連破之，贊輕騎得脫，眾皆奔敗。紹又遣長史領軍將軍姚伯子、甯朔將軍安鸞、護軍姚默騾、平遠將軍河東太守唐小方率眾三萬，屯據九泉，憑河固險，以絕糧援。高祖以通津阻要，兵糧所急，複遣林子爭據河源。林子率太尉行參軍嚴綱、竺靈秀卷甲進討，累戰，大破之，即斬伯子、默騾、小方三級，所俘馘及驢馬器械甚多。所虜獲三千餘人，悉以還紹，使知王師之弘。兵糧兼儲，三軍鼓行而西矣。或曰：「彼去國遠鬥，其鋒不可當。」林子白高祖曰：「姚紹氣蓋關右，而力以勢屈，外兵屢敗，衰亡協兆，但恐凶命先盡，不得以釁齊斧爾。」尋紹忽死，可謂天誅。於是贊統後事，鳩集餘眾，複襲林子。林子率師禦之，旗鼓未交，一時披潰，贊輕騎遁走。既連戰皆捷，士馬旌旗甚盛，高祖賜書勸勉，並致縑帛肴漿。

When Shao first fell back, he withdrew to Baoding and left the Qin general Yao Luan with picked troops holding the passes. Linzi struck at night with his men silenced by gags, stormed the city, cut off Luan's nose, and buried his soldiers alive. Gaozu wrote, "You have broken the enemy again and again— my delight is beyond words. With so many defeats behind them, I doubt this can last much longer. Shao sent Pacification Army General Yao Zan to camp on the river and cut the water supply. Before Zan could finish his fortifications, Linzi hit him, broke him again and again, and Zan escaped with a handful of horsemen while the rest scattered. Shao sent Chief Administrator Yao Bozi, Ningshuo General An Luan, Protector of the Army Yao Mozhen, and Pacifying-the-Distant General and Hedong Administrator Tang Xiaofang with thirty thousand men to hold Jiuquan on the river, fortify the crossing, and block grain convoys. The ford was vital and supplies were running short, so Gaozu sent Linzi back to fight for control of the riverhead. Linzi marched with Yan Gang and Zhu Lingxiu, armor on and no time wasted, and after a series of battles routed the enemy, beheading Bozi, Mozhen, and Xiaofang. The haul of prisoners, heads, pack animals, and arms was enormous. More than three thousand captives were sent back to Shao unharmed, a gesture meant to show the imperial army's clemency. With grain stocked in abundance, the whole army beat drums and marched west. Some said, "They are fighting far from home— their momentum is unstoppable." Linzi wrote Gaozu, "Yao Shao still dominates Guanxi in name, but his power is already broken. His allies keep losing. Every sign points to collapse. I only worry he will die before we can bring him to justice. Soon after, Shao died suddenly— heaven's judgment, one might say. Zan took command, rallied the survivors, and came at Linzi again. Linzi met him head-on. Before the lines even clashed, the enemy broke and ran; Zan escaped with a few riders. Victory followed victory, and Linzi's camp swelled with men, horses, and banners. Gaozu wrote to praise him and sent silk, meat, and wine.

高祖至閿鄉，姚泓掃境內之民，屯兵堯柳。時田子自武關北入，屯軍藍田，泓自率大眾攻之。高祖慮眾寡不敵，遣林子步自秦嶺，以相接援。比至，泓已摧破，兄弟複共追討，泓乃舉眾奔霸西。田子欲窮追，進取長安，林子止之，曰：「往取長安，如指掌爾。複克賊城，便為獨平一國，不賞之功也。」田子乃止。復參相國事，總任如前。林子威聲遠聞，三輔震動，關中豪右，望風請附。西州人李焉等並求立功，孫妲羌雜夷及姚泓親屬，盡相率歸林子。高祖以林子綏略有方，頻賜書褒美，並令深慰納之。長安既平，殘羌十餘萬口，西奔隴上，林子追討至寡婦水，轉鬥達於槐里，克之，俘獲萬計。

When Gaozu reached Wen Township, Yao Hong emptied the countryside and massed his army at Yao Willow. Liu Tianzi had come down from Wu Pass and was camped at Lantian when Hong marched out in person to attack him. Fearing Tianzi was outnumbered, Gaozu sent Linzi over the Qin Mountains on foot to link up and reinforce him. By the time Linzi arrived, Hong was already beaten. The two brothers pressed the pursuit together, and Hong fled west of Ba with what was left of his force. Tianzi wanted to run Hong down and seize Chang'an. Linzi stopped him. "Chang'an is within our grasp— but if you take it now, you alone will have pacified a kingdom. That is a feat too great to reward." Tianzi held back. He resumed his role in the chief minister's council with the same broad authority as before. Linzi's name carried far. The Three Adjuncts shook, and the great families of Guanzhong came over at the first rumor of his approach. Men such as Li Yan of the western provinces offered their service; Sun clansmen, Qiang, mixed tribes, and even Yao Hong's own kin turned to Linzi one after another. Gaozu praised Linzi's steady hand in winning people over and told him to treat every defector with care. After Chang'an fell, more than a hundred thousand Qiang fled west into Longshang. Linzi chased them to Widow's Water, fought his way to Huaili, took the city, and captured tens of thousands.

大軍東歸，林子領水軍于石門，以為聲援。還至郡，高祖器其才智，不使出也。故出仕以來，便管軍要，自非戎軍所指，未嘗外典焉。後太祖出鎮荊州，議以林子及謝晦為蕃佐，高祖曰：「吾不可頓無二人，林子行則晦不宜出。」乃以林子為西郎中兵參軍，領新興太守。林子思議弘深，有所陳畫，高祖未嘗不稱善。大軍還至彭城，林子以行役既久，士有歸心，深陳事宜，並言：「聖王所以戒慎祗肅，非以崇威立武，實乃經國長民，宜廣建蕃屏，崇嚴宿衛。」高祖深相訓納。俄而謝翼謀反，高祖歎曰：「林子之見，何其明也。」太祖進號鎮西，隨府轉，加建威將軍、河東太守。時高祖以二虜侵擾，複欲親戎，林子固諫，高祖答曰：「吾輒當不復自行。」

When the main force marched east, Linzi took the river fleet to Shimen to cover the withdrawal. Back at headquarters, Gaozu prized his mind too highly to send him away again. From the day he entered service he held the army's core portfolios and was never posted outside except on campaign. When Taizu was sent to guard Jingzhou, the court considered posting Linzi and Xie Hui as his deputies. Gaozu said, "I cannot lose both at once. If Linzi goes, Hui must stay. Linzi was made Western Central Commandant Army Aide and Administrator of Xinxing. Linzi's counsel ran deep, and Gaozu never heard a proposal from him he did not approve. When the army returned to Pengcheng, Linzi— noting how long the men had been in the field and how eager they were to go home— laid out his concerns and said, "A sage ruler's vigilance is not about posturing with arms. It is about governing the realm and caring for the people. We should strengthen the feudal shields around the throne and tighten the guard at court. Gaozu took the advice to heart. When Xie Yi soon after rose in rebellion, Gaozu sighed, "Linzi saw it coming— how sharp he was! Taizu was promoted to Pacifier of the West; Linzi moved with his staff and was given the additional titles of Jianwei General and Administrator of Hedong. When the northern enemies pressed again, Gaozu wanted to take the field in person. Linzi argued hard against it. Gaozu answered, "Very well—I will not lead another campaign myself."

高祖踐阼，以佐命功，封漢壽縣伯，食邑六百戶，固讓，不許。傅亮與林子書曰：「班爵疇勳，歷代常典，封賞之發，簡自帝心。主上委寄之懷，實參休否，誠心所期，同國榮戚，政複是卿諸人共弘建內外爾。足下雖存挹退，豈得獨為君子邪！」除府諮議參軍，將軍、太守如故。尋召暫下，以中兵局事副錄事參軍王華。上以林子清公勤儉，賞賜重疊，皆散於親故。家無餘財，未嘗問生產之事，中表孤貧悉歸焉。遭母憂，還東葬，乘輿躬幸，信使相望。葬畢，詔曰：「軍國多務，內外須才，前鎮西諮議、建威將軍、河東太守沈林子，不得遂其情事，可起輔國將軍。」林子固辭，不許，賜墨詔，朔望不復還朝，每軍國大事，輒詢問焉。時領軍將軍謝晦任當國政，晦每疾寧，輒攝林子代之。林子居喪至孝，高祖深相憂湣。頃之有疾，上以林子孝性，不欲使哭泣減損，逼與入省，日夕撫慰。敕諸公曰：「其至性過人，卿等數慰視之。」小差乃出。上尋不豫，被敕入侍醫藥，會疾動還外。

At Gaozu's accession, Linzi was enfeoffed as Marquis of Hanshou with six hundred households for his role in founding the dynasty. He tried to refuse; the emperor would not hear of it. Fu Liang wrote Linzi, "Granting rank and sorting merit by deed is the way of every dynasty. Honors come straight from the throne. The emperor stakes his trust in you because your fates are bound to the realm's. What he asks is that you and your peers strengthen the court at home and abroad together. You may be modest, but you cannot be the only man who refuses his due!" He was made Advisory Army Aide on the prince's staff while keeping his generalship and prefecture. He was soon called away on leave, and Wang Hua took over the central military desk in his stead. The emperor heaped gifts on Linzi for his integrity and thrift; Linzi gave every one away to relatives and old friends. His house held nothing extra. He never fussed over income. Every poor cousin and orphaned relative found shelter with him. When his mother died, he went east to bury her. The emperor came in person, and couriers bearing the throne's condolences never stopped coming. After the funeral an edict ran, "State and army both need able men. Former Pacifier of the West Advisory Aide, Jianwei General, and Hedong Administrator Shen Linzi may not remain in mourning— recall him as Assistant General. Linzi begged off again and was refused. By special edict he was excused from the first- and fifteenth-day audiences, but on every weighty matter the throne sought his word. Army-leader General Xie Hui ran the government; whenever illness kept Hui away, Linzi stood in for him. Linzi mourned with fierce devotion, and Gaozu grieved for him. He soon fell sick. Fearing grief would waste him, the emperor had him brought into the palace and watched over him day and night. The emperor told the ministers, "His devotion is extraordinary— go often and comfort him. When he improved a little, he was allowed to leave. When the emperor himself sickened, Linzi was summoned to tend him. When the sickness worsened, he was sent home again.

永初三年，薨，時年四十六。群公知上深相矜重，恐以實啟，必有損慟，每見呼問，輒答疾病還家，或有中旨，亦假為其答。高祖尋崩，竟不知也。賜東園秘器，朝服一具，衣一襲，錢二十萬，布二百匹。詔曰：「故輔國將軍沈林子，器懷真審，忠績允著，才志未遂，傷悼在懷。可追贈征虜將軍。」有司率常典也。元嘉二十五年，諡曰懷伯。

In the third year of Yongchu he died, at forty-six. The ministers, knowing how dear Linzi was to the emperor, hid the truth lest the shock kill him. When Gaozu asked after Linzi, they said he was ill at home; even imperial messages were answered with lies. Gaozu died soon after— never knowing Linzi was already gone. The court granted him the imperial coffin from the Eastern Garden, a full set of court robes, another suit of clothes, two hundred thousand cash, and two hundred bolts of cloth. The edict read, "Former Assistant General Shen Linzi was honest in heart and steadfast in deed. His talent had not yet reached its limit, and the grief of his loss weighs on us. Let him be posthumously enfeoffed as General Who Punishes the Barbarians. The ministries carried out the rites as prescribed. In Yuanjia twenty-five he was given the posthumous title Marquis Huai.

林子簡泰廉靖，不交接世務，義讓之美，著於閨門，雖在戎旅，語不及軍事。所著詩、賦、贊、三言、箴、祭文、樂府、表、箋、書記、白事、啟事、論、老子一百二十一首。太祖後讀林子集，歎息曰：「此人作公，應繼王太保。」子邵嗣。

Linzi was spare, quiet, and upright. He kept out of worldly entanglements; at home he was known for courtesy and restraint. Even in camp he rarely spoke of war. He left 121 works: poems, rhapsodies, encomia, three-character verse, admonitions, sacrificial texts, yuefu songs, memorials, letters, reports, essays, and a commentary on the Laozi. Later, reading Linzi's collected writings, Taizu sighed, "Had this man served in civil office, he would have been Wang Dao's heir. His son Shao inherited the line.

劭，字道輝，美風姿，涉獵文史。襲爵，駙馬都尉、奉朝請。太祖以舊恩召見，入拜，便流涕，太祖亦悲不自勝。會強弩將軍缺，上詔錄尚書彭城王義康曰：「沈邵人身不惡，吾與林子周旋異常，可以補選。」事見宋文帝中詔於是拜強弩將軍。出為鐘離太守，在郡有惠政，夾淮人民慕其化，遠近莫不投集。郡先無市，時江夏王義恭為南兗州，啟太祖置立焉事見宋文帝中詔。義恭又啟太祖曰：「盱眙太守劉顯真求自解說，邵往蒞任有績，彰於民聽，若重授盱眙，足為良二千石。」上不許，曰：「其願還經年，方復作此流遷，必當大罔罔也。」事見宋文帝中詔。上敕州辟邵弟亮，邵以從弟正蚤孤，乞移恩於正，上嘉而許之。在任六年，入為衡陽王義季右軍中兵參軍。始興王浚初開後軍府，又為中兵。義季在江陵，安西府中兵久缺，啟太祖求人，上答曰：「稱意才難得。沈邵雖未經軍事，既是腹心，作鐘離郡，及在後軍府，房中甚修理，或欲遣之。」其事不果事見宋文帝中詔。入為通直郎。

Shao, courtesy name Daohui, was handsome and well read in letters and history. He inherited the marquisate, served as Attendant Cavalry Commandant, and attended court. Taizu, remembering old ties, summoned him. Shao entered, bowed, and wept; Taizu could not keep his composure either. When the post of Strong Crossbow General fell open, the emperor told Prince of Pengcheng Yikang, "Shen Shao is a good man. I was close to his father— put him forward. The matter is noted among Emperor Wen's mid-reign edicts." Shao was then made Strong Crossbow General. He was sent out as Administrator of Zhongli. His rule was humane, and people on both banks of the Huai came to him from far and near. The district had never had a market. Prince of Jiangxia Yigong, then governor of Southern Yanzhou, asked Taizu to authorize one— also recorded among Emperor Wen's mid-reign edicts. Yigong wrote again, "Xuyi Administrator Liu Xianzhen asks to be relieved. Shao has done well at Zhongli and is well spoken of. If you move him to Xuyi, he will make a fine prefect. The emperor refused. "He has wanted to come back for years. Shuffle him around like this and he will only grow more lost. That too is recorded among Emperor Wen's mid-reign edicts. The throne ordered the province to recruit Shao's brother Liang. Shao asked that the favor go instead to his orphaned cousin Zheng; the emperor approved. After six years in the prefecture he returned as Right Army Central Military Aide to Prince of Hengyang Yiji. When Prince of Shixing Jun first opened his Rear Army headquarters, Shao again served as central military aide. Yiji was at Jiangling with no central military aide for the Anxi command. He asked Taizu for a man. The emperor answered, "Good men are hard to find. Shen Shao has no battlefield experience, but he is trusted inner circle. He ran Zhongli well and keeps the rear army household in good order. I may send him. In the end he did not go— again noted among Emperor Wen's mid-reign edicts. He was recalled as Direct Communication Gentleman.

時上多行幸，還或侵夜，邵啟事陳論，即為簡出。前後密陳政要，上皆納用之，深相寵待，晨夕兼侍，每出遊，或敕同輦。時車駕祀南郊，特詔邵兼侍中負璽，代真官陪乘。大將軍彭城王義康出鎮豫章，申謨為中兵參軍，掌城防之任，廬陵王紹為江州，以邵為南中郎府錄事參軍，行府州事，事未行，會謨丁艱，邵代謨為大將軍中兵，加寧朔將軍事見宋文帝中詔。邵南行，上遂相任委，不復選代，仍兼錄事，領城局。後義康被廢，邵改為廬陵王紹南中郎參軍，將軍如故。義康徙安成，邵複以本號為安成相。在郡以寬和恩信，為南土所懷。郡民王孚有學業，志行見稱州里，邵蒞任未幾，而孚卒，邵贈以孝廉，板教曰：「前文學主簿王孚，行潔業淳，棄華息競，志學修道，老而彌篤。方授右職，不幸暴亡，可假孝廉檄，薦以特牲。緬想延陵，以遂本懷。」邵慰恤孤老，勸課農桑，前後累蒙賞賜。邵疾病，使命累續，遣御醫上藥，異味遠珍，金帛衣裘，相望不絕。元嘉二十六年，卒，時年四十三。上甚相痛悼。

The emperor traveled often and sometimes returned late at night. Shao's memorials laid out the issues plainly and were promptly approved and sent out. He repeatedly submitted confidential policy briefs, and the emperor adopted every one. Deeply favored, Shao attended him morning and night; on outings the emperor sometimes ordered him to share the imperial carriage. When the emperor performed the Southern Suburb sacrifice, he specially ordered Shao to serve concurrently as Attendant Within, bearing the imperial seal in place of the regular officer on the accompaniment carriage. When Grand General Prince of Pengcheng Yikang went to Yuzhang, Shen Mo was central military aide in charge of the city's defenses. When Prince of Luling Shao took Jiang Province, Shao was made recorder-aide of the Southern Central Commandant headquarters to handle its provincial affairs. Before he could leave, Mo entered mourning; Shao replaced him as the grand general's central military aide with the rank of Ningshuo General— noted among Emperor Wen's mid-reign edicts. As Shao headed south, the emperor entrusted him fully, appointed no successor, and kept him as recorder in charge of the city bureau. After Yikang's fall, Shao was reassigned as Southern Central Commandant Aide to Prince of Luling Shao, retaining his general's rank. When Yikang was exiled to Ancheng, Shao was made chancellor of Ancheng under the same title. In the prefecture he ruled with leniency and good faith, and the south held him in affection. Wang Fu, a learned man of the district known for his character, died soon after Shao took office. Shao posthumously named him Filial and Incorrupt and drafted an instruction: "Former literary master of records Wang Fu lived purely and studied the Way without vanity or rivalry; in old age his devotion only deepened. He was on the verge of appointment when he died suddenly. Grant him a filial-and-incorrupt dispatch and recommend him with a special sacrifice. Recalling Yanling, we grant what his heart desired. Shao comforted the orphaned and aged, promoted farming and silkworms, and was rewarded again and again. When Shao fell ill, imperial couriers arrived in succession with court physicians, fine medicines, rare foods, gold, silk, and furs without end. In the twenty-sixth year of Yuanjia he died at forty-three. The emperor mourned him deeply.

子侃嗣，官至山陽王休祐驃騎中兵參軍、南沛郡太守。侃卒，子整應襲爵，齊受禪，國除。

His son Kan inherited the fief and rose to central military aide to Prince of Shanyang Xiuyou's Rapid Cavalry command and Administrator of Nanpei. After Kan died, his son Zheng would have inherited the marquisate, but when Qi took the throne the fief was abolished.

璞，字道真，林子少子也。童孺時，神意閑審，有異於眾。太祖問林子：「聞君小兒器質不凡，甚欲相識。」林子令璞進見，太祖奇璞應對，謂林子曰：「此非常兒。」年十許歲，智度便有大成之姿，好學不倦，善屬文，時有憶識之功。尤練究萬事，經耳過目，人莫能欺之。居家精理，姻族資賴。弱冠，吳興太守王韶之再命，不就。張邵臨郡，又命為主簿，除南平王左常侍。太祖引見，謂曰：「吾昔以弱年出蕃，卿家以親要見輔，今日之授，意在不薄。王家之事，一以相委，勿以國官乖清塗為罔罔也。」

Pu, courtesy name Daozhen, was Linzi's youngest son. Even as a boy his composure was unusual. Taizu asked Linzi, "I hear your son is no ordinary boy. I should like to meet him. Linzi brought Pu in. Taizu was struck by his answers and told Linzi, "This is no ordinary child. By ten he already showed great promise, studied tirelessly, wrote well, and had a remarkable memory. He mastered every detail; what reached his ear or eye could not be used to fool him. At home he managed affairs with precision, and kin relied on him. At twenty Wang Shaozhi, Administrator of Wuxing, summoned him twice; he declined both times. When Zhang Shao took the prefecture he made Pu his master of records and then appointed him Left Regular Attendant to Prince of Nanping. Taizu received him and said, "When I was young and went out to my fief, your family stood by me as trusted kin. This appointment is meant to be no small honor. I leave princely affairs entirely to you. Do not let official rank distract you from the proper course."

元嘉十七年，始興王浚為揚州刺史，寵愛殊異，以為主簿。時順陽范曄為長史，行州事。曄性頗疏，太祖召璞謂曰：「神畿之政，既不易理。浚以弱年臨州，萬物皆屬耳目，賞罰得失，特宜詳慎。范曄性疏，必多不同。卿腹心所寄，當密以在意。彼雖行事，其實委卿也。」璞以任遇既深，乃夙夜匪懈，其有所懷，輒以密啟，每至施行，必從中出。曄正謂聖明留察，故深更恭慎，而莫見其際也。在職八年，神州大治，民無謗黷，璞有力焉。

In the seventeenth year of Yuanjia Prince of Shixing Jun became governor of Yang Province and favored Pu so greatly that he made him chief clerk. Fan Ye of Shunyang served as chief clerk and handled provincial business. Ye was slack by nature. Taizu called Pu in and said, "Running the imperial capital is hard enough. Jun is young; everything in the province reaches his ears. Rewards and punishments must be weighed with care. Fan Ye's lax habits will lead to friction. I rely on you as my eyes and ears— keep this in mind and report in confidence. He may sign the orders, but the real authority is yours. Deeply entrusted, Pu worked tirelessly. Whatever troubled him he reported secretly, and orders went out only through the center. Ye assumed the throne was watching closely and grew more deferential, never guessing Pu's role. In eight years the capital was well governed and the people quiet— Pu had much to do with it.

二十二年，范曄坐事誅，于時浚雖曰親覽，州事一以付璞。太祖從容謂始興王曰：「沈璞奉時無纖介之失，在家有孝友之稱，學優才贍，文義可觀，而沈深守靜，不求名譽，甚佳。汝但應委之以事，乃宜引與晤對。」浚既素加賞遇，又敬奉此旨。璞嘗作《舊宮賦》，久而未畢，浚與璞疏曰：「卿常有速藻，《舊宮》何其淹耶？想行就爾。」璞因事陳答，辭義可觀。浚重教曰：「卿沈思淹日，向聊相敦問，還白斐然，遂兼紙翰。昔曹植有言，下筆成章，良謂逸才贍藻，誇其辭說，以今況之，方知其信。執省躊躇，三複不已。吾遠慚楚元，門盈申、白之賓，近愧梁孝，庭列枚、馬之客，欣恧交至，諒唯深矣。薄因末牘，以代一面。」又與主簿顧邁、孔道存書曰：「沈璞淹思逾歲，卿研慮數旬，瑰麗之美，信同在昔。向聊問之，而遠答累翰，辭藻豔逸，致慰良多。既欣股肱備此髦楚，還慚予躬無德而稱。複裁少字，宣志於璞，聊因尺紙，使卿等具知厥心。」此書真本猶存。浚年既長，璞固求辭事，上雖聽許，而意甚不悅。以璞為浚始興國大農，尋除秣陵令。

In the twenty-second year of Yuanjia Fan Ye was executed for his crimes. Though Jun was nominally in charge, he entrusted every provincial matter to Pu. Taizu told Prince of Shixing, "Shen Pu has never faltered in office and is known at home for filial piety. He is learned, capable, and writes well, yet stays deep and quiet and does not chase reputation— excellent. Give him your business and meet with him in person. Jun already valued Pu and now followed this counsel as well. Pu had begun a "Rhapsody on the Old Palace" but left it unfinished. Jun wrote, "You usually write fast— why is the 'Old Palace' piece taking so long? I expect it is nearly done. Pu answered at length; the prose was fine. Jun wrote again: "You brood for days over every line. I asked lightly and you answered at once, with a whole letter besides. Cao Zhi said he could write finished prose at a stroke. I thought that was boasting— now I see it was true. I read your words again and again and cannot put them down. I am shamed beside King Yuan of Chu with his guests Shen Yi and Bai Gui, and beside Prince Xiao of Liang with Mei Sheng and Ma Rong— proud and abashed at once, and deeply so. This note must stand in for a meeting. He also wrote to clerks Gu Mai and Kong Daocun: "Pu brooded a year over his piece while you debated for weeks. The splendor matches the ancients. I asked casually and he sent pages of bright, graceful prose— a great comfort. I am glad to have such fine men at my side, yet ashamed that I have no merit to match them. I add a few lines for Pu so you will all know his mind. The original of this letter still survives. When Jun came of age Pu asked to step down. The emperor consented but was displeased. Pu was made grand agriculturist of Jun's principality, then magistrate of Moling.

時天下殷實，四方輻輳，京邑二縣，號為難治。璞以清嚴制下，端平待物，奸吏斂手，猾民知懼。其閭里少年，博徒酒客，或財利爭鬥，妄相誣引，前後不能判者，璞皆知其名姓，及巧詐緣由，探擿是非，各標證據，或辨甲有以知乙，或驗東而西事自顯，莫不厭伏，有如神明。以疾去職。太祖厚加存問，賞賜甚厚。浚出為南徐州，謂璞曰：「浚既出蕃，卿故當臥而護之。」與浚詔曰：「沈璞累年主簿，又經國卿，雖未嘗為行佐，今故當正參軍耶。若爾，正當署餘曹，兼房任，不爾便宜行佐正署中兵，恐於選體如不多耳。」事見宋文帝中詔乃為正佐。

The empire was prosperous and people crowded into the capital; its two inner counties were famously hard to rule. Pu ruled subordinates with austere integrity and treated all fairly; corrupt clerks shrank back and sharp dealers learned fear. When young brawlers, gamblers, and petty litigants lied about one another in cases no one could untangle, Pu knew their names and tricks, laid out the evidence, and often proved guilt from a witness on one side or a fact in another quarter until all submitted as if to a god. Illness forced him to resign. Taizu sent warm inquiries and rich gifts. When Jun went to Southern Xuzhou he told Pu, "I am leaving my fief— you must guard it even from your bed. A rescript to Jun asked whether Pu, after years as chief clerk though never a traveling aide, should be made formal staff officer. If so, give him other bureaus and household duties; if not, make him traveling aide and central military aide— though that may look thin on the appointment rolls. The matter is noted among Emperor Wen's mid-reign edicts; Pu was made formal aide.

俄遷宣威將軍、盱眙太守。時王師北伐，彭、汴無虞。璞以強寇對陣，事未可測，郡首淮隅，道當沖要，乃修城壘，浚重隍，聚材石，積鹽米，為不可勝之算。眾鹹不同，朝旨亦謂為過。俄而賊大越逸，索虜大帥托跋燾自率步騎數十萬，陵踐六州，京邑為之騷懼，百守千城，莫不奔駭。腹心勸璞還京師，璞曰：「若賊大眾，不盼小城，故無所懼。若肉薄來攻，則成禽也。諸軍何嘗見數十萬人聚在一處，而不敗者。昆陽、合淝，前事之明驗。此是吾報國之秋，諸軍封侯之日。」眾既見璞神色不異，老幼在焉，人情乃定。收集得二千精手，謂諸將曰：「足矣。但恐賊不過爾。」賊既濟淮，諸軍將帥毛遐祚、胡崇之、臧澄之等，為虜所覆，無不殄盡，唯輔國將軍臧質挺身走，收散卒千餘人來向城。眾謂璞曰：「若不攻則無所事眾，若其來也，城中止可容見力爾，地狹人多，鮮不為患。且敵眾我寡，人所共知，雖雲攻守不同，故當粗量強弱，知難而退，亦用兵之要。若以今眾法能退敵完城者，則全功不在我，若宜避賊歸都，會資舟楫，則更相蹂踐，正足為患。今閉門勿受，不亦可乎！」璞歎曰：「不然。賊不能登城，為諸君保之。舟楫之計，固已久息。賊之殘害，古今之未有，屠剝之刑，眾所共見，其中有福者，不過得驅還北國作奴婢爾。彼雖烏合，寧不憚此耶！所謂'同舟而濟，胡、越不患異心'也。今人多則退速，人少則退遲，吾寧欲專功緩賊乎！」乃命開門納質。質見城隍阻固，人情輯和，鮭米豐盛，器械山積，大喜，眾皆稱萬歲。及賊至，四面蟻集攻城，璞與質隨宜應拒，攻守三旬，殄其太半，燾乃遁走。有議欲追之者，璞曰：「今兵士不多，又非素附，雖固守有餘未可以言戰也。但可整舟艫，示若欲渡岸者，以速其走計，不須實行。」鹹以為然。

He was soon promoted to General Who Spreads Majesty and Administrator of Xuyi. The imperial army was campaigning north and the Peng and Bian region seemed secure. With a powerful foe across the line and Xuyi on a critical stretch of the Huai, Pu rebuilt the walls, dug moats, and stockpiled wood, stone, salt, and grain for a siege no enemy could break. Others disagreed and the court thought it excessive. Then the enemy surged south in force: Tuoba Tao led hundreds of thousands of horsemen and footmen through six provinces, and every garrison and town panicked. His close advisers urged him to flee to the capital. Pu said, "A huge army will not bother with a small city— I am not afraid. If they come close enough to storm the walls, they become our captives. When has an army of hundreds of thousands massed in one spot without defeat? Kunyang and Hefei are clear precedents. This is our season to serve the realm and win marquisates. Seeing Pu calm and families staying put, the people steadied. He mustered two thousand picked men and told his officers, "That is enough. I only fear the enemy will not come. After the enemy crossed the Huai, generals Mao Xiazuo, Hu Chongzhi, Zang Chengzhi, and others were wiped out; only Zang Zhi escaped with a thousand scattered troops and headed for the city. Some told Pu, "Without fighting we have no use for these men. If Zang Zhi enters, the city can barely hold those already here— overcrowding will bring trouble. Everyone knows we are outnumbered. Even if attack and defense differ, we should weigh the odds, retreat when we must— that too is sound generalship. If these troops could drive the enemy off, the credit would not be ours. If we flee to the capital for boats, we will trample one another and make things worse. Why not simply shut the gates and refuse them? Pu sighed. "No. I promise you the enemy cannot take this wall. Plans to escape by boat are long abandoned. Their cruelty is unmatched in history; everyone has seen their butchery. The lucky ones are merely sent north as slaves. Even a rabble army will fear that fate. As they say, 'Once in the same boat, even Hu and Yue do not fear divided hearts.' More men make a retreat faster; fewer make it slower. Do you think I want to hoard glory and let the enemy escape? He ordered the gates opened and admitted Zhi. Zhi found strong walls, calm people, full granaries, and arms heaped like hills. Delighted, the troops cried "Long live!" When the enemy came they swarmed the walls. Pu and Zhi held for thirty days, destroyed more than half their force, and Tuoba Tao fled. When some urged pursuit, Pu said, "We have few troops and they are not seasoned followers. We can hold a wall but cannot yet fight in the field. Muster the boats as if we mean to cross the river— that will hurry their retreat. We need not actually go. All agreed.

臧質以璞城主，使自上露板。璞性謙虛，推功於質。既不自上，質露板亦不及焉。太祖嘉璞功效，遣中使深相褒美。太祖又別詔曰：「近者險急，老弱殊當憂迫耶。念卿爾時，難為心想。百姓流轉已還，此遣部運尋至，委卿量所贍濟也。」始興王浚亦與璞書曰：「狡虜狂凶，自送近服，偽將即斃，酋長傷殘，實天威所喪，卿諸人忠勇之效也。吾式遏無素，致境蕪民瘠，負乘之愧，允當其責。近乞退謝愆，不蒙垂許，故以報卿。」宣城太守王僧達書與璞曰：「足下何如，想館舍正安，士馬無恙。離析有時，音旨無日，憂詠沈吟，增其勞望。間者獯獫扈橫，掠剝邊鄙，郵販絕塵，坰介靡達，瞻江盼淮，眇然千里。吾聞涇陽梗棘，伊滑薦遁，鳥集弦絕，患深自古。承知乃昔寇苦城境，勝胄朝餐，伍甲宵舍，烽鼓交警，羽鏑驟合。而足下砥兵礪伍，總厲豪彥，師請一奮，氓無貳情。遂能固孤城，覆嚴對，陷死地，覿生光，古之田、孫，何以尚茲。商驛始通，粗知梗概，崇贊膽智，嘉賀文猛，甚善甚善。吾近以戎暴橫斥，規效情命，收龜落簪，星舍京里，既獲遄至，胡馬卷跡，支離沾德，複繼前緒，《行葦》之歡，實協初慮。但乖塗重隔，顧增慨涕，比恆疾臥，憂委兼疊，裁書送想，無斁久懷。」

Because Pu had held the city, Zang Zhi had him submit the victory report. Modest by nature, Pu gave the credit to Zhi. Pu did not file one himself, and Zhi's report did not mention him either. Taizu praised Pu's achievement and sent an imperial messenger with warm commendation. Taizu also issued a separate decree: "The recent danger must have been especially hard on the old and weak. Thinking of you in that hour, I can scarcely imagine your distress. The displaced people are returning home. I am sending supply shipments shortly; entrust relief to your discretion." Prince Shixing also wrote Pu: "Those savage barbarians brought ruin on themselves. Their general fell at once and their chieftains were shattered—Heaven's wrath, and the fruit of your loyal courage. I had no skill at defense and left the land waste and the people impoverished. The shame of an overloaded cart is mine alone. I recently asked leave to resign and acknowledge my faults, but was not permitted. I write to tell you so." Xuancheng Administrator Wang Sengda wrote Pu: "How fare you, sir? I trust your quarters are settled and your men and horses unharmed. Parting comes in its season, but word from you never does. My worries deepen and my longing grows. Lately the barbarians have ravaged the borders; mail and trade have stopped. No tidings cross the wilderness, and you seem a thousand li away beyond the Yangzi and Huai. I know the old troubles of Jingyang and the flights across the Yi and Huai—when the string breaks amid gathering birds, disaster runs deep in history. I hear how the enemy once pressed your walls—meals in armor, sleep in arms, beacon drums through the night, and arrows flying in sudden volleys. Yet you sharpened arms and rallied your best men. One charge was all they asked, and the people stood undivided. You held a lone city against fierce odds and turned death ground into glory—even Tian Dan and Sun Bin could add nothing to such a deed. Now that merchants' couriers have resumed, I have heard the outline. I praise your courage and wit and rejoice in your literary and martial prowess. Excellent—excellent! I was lately driven from the capital by barbarian fury and barely escaped with my life. Once I reached safety the Hu horsemen vanished; refugees found mercy, and the old order resumed. The joy of the "Traveling Rushes" poem indeed fulfilled my first hope. Yet our paths lie far apart and sorrow comes unbidden. I have been ill and burdened with care. This letter sends my thoughts; may it not fail my long devotion."

征還，淮南太守，賞賜豐厚，日夕宴見。朝士有言璞功者，上曰：「臧質姻戚，又年位在前，盱眙元功，當以歸之。沈璞每以謙自牧，唯恐賞之居前，此士燮之意也。」時中書郎缺，尚書令何尚之領吏部，舉璞及謝莊、陸展，事不行。事見文帝中詔。凡中詔今悉在台，猶法書典書也。

He was recalled and made Administrator of Huainan, richly rewarded, and feasted and received in audience day after day. When courtiers praised Pu's merit, the Emperor said, "Zang Zhi is a kinsman by marriage and senior in years and rank. The chief credit for Xuyi belongs to him. Shen Pu was ever modest and feared any reward that put Zhi first—the spirit of Shi Xie." At that time the post of Central Secretariat Attendant was vacant. Minister He Shangzhi, heading the Personnel Bureau, recommended Pu along with Xie Zhuang and Lu Zhan, but the appointment did not go through. The affair is recorded in Emperor Wen's palace decrees. All such palace decrees are now kept at the Secretariat, like formal legal archives.

三十年，元兇弑立，璞乃號泣曰：「一門蒙殊常之恩，而逢若斯之運，悠悠上天，此何人哉！」日夜憂歎，以至動疾。會二凶逼令送老弱還都，璞性篤孝，尋聞尊老應幽執，輒哽咽不自勝，疾遂增篤，不堪遠迎，世祖義軍至界首，方得致身。先是，琅邪顏竣欲與璞交，不酬其意，竣以致恨。及世祖將至都，方有讒說以璞奉迎之晚，橫罹世難，時年三十八。所著賦、頌、贊、祭文、誄、七、吊、四五言詩、箋、表，皆遇亂零失，今所餘詩筆雜文凡二十首。璞有子曰囗。

In the thirtieth year the usurper seized the throne by murder. Pu wept and said, "Our house owed extraordinary grace, yet met such a fate—O Heaven above, what man is this!" He grieved day and night until illness took hold. When the two usurpers ordered the old and weak sent back to the capital, the devoted Pu learned his father would be imprisoned. He broke down sobbing and grew gravely ill. Too sick to go far to meet the Emperor's forces, he was only able to present himself when they reached the border. Earlier Yan Jun of Langya had sought friendship with Pu, who declined. Jun hence bore a grudge. As Emperor Xiaowu neared the capital, slanders arose that Pu had delayed in welcoming him. He perished in the turmoil. He was thirty-eight. His fu, eulogies, praises, sacrificial writings, dirges, "seven" pieces, laments, four- and five-character poems, letters, and memorials were all lost in the turmoil. Twenty mixed poems and essays survive. Pu had a son whose name is lost.

伯玉，字德潤，虔子子也。溫恭有行業，能為文章。少除世祖武陵國侍郎，轉右常侍，南中郎行參軍，自國入府，以文義見知，文章多見世祖集。世祖踐阼，除員外散騎郎，不拜。左衛顏竣請為司馬。出補句容令，在縣有能名。複為江夏王義恭太宰行參軍，與奉朝請謝超宗、何法盛校書東宮，復為餘姚令，還為衛尉丞。世祖舊臣故佐，普皆升顯，伯玉自守私門，朔望未嘗問訊。顏師伯、戴法興等並有蕃邸之舊，一不造問，由是官次不進。上以伯玉容狀似畫圖仲尼像，常呼為孔丘。舊制，車駕出行，衛尉丞直門，常戎服。張永謂伯玉曰：「此職乖卿志。」王景文亦與伯玉有舊，常陪輦出，指伯玉白上：「孔丘奇形容。」上於是特聽伯玉直門服玄衣。出為晉安王子勳前軍行參軍，侍子勳讀書。隨府轉鎮軍行佐。

Boyu, style name Derun, was the son of Shen Qian's son. Gentle, respectful, and accomplished, he could write well. Young he served as Attendant in Emperor Xiaowu's Principality of Wuling, then Right Regular Attendant and Acting Adjutant under the Southern General of the Guard. Moving from principality to palace staff, he won notice for letters and learning; many of his pieces appear in the Emperor's collected writings. When Emperor Xiaowu took the throne, he was made Supernumerary Cavalier Attendant but declined the appointment. Yan Jun of the Left Guard asked to have him as Marshal. He went out to serve as magistrate of Jurong, where he earned a name for ability. He became Acting Adjutant to Grand Preceptor Yigong of Jiangxia, and with Xie Chaozong and He Fasheng collated texts in the Eastern Palace. He served again as magistrate of Yuyao, then returned as Aide in the Ministry of Guards. The Emperor's former aides were all promoted, but Boyu kept to his home and never visited them even on the first and fifteenth of the month. Yan Shibo, Dai Faxing, and others had old ties at the princely residence, yet he never called on any of them. His rank therefore stalled. The Emperor thought Boyu looked like a painted portrait of Confucius and often called him Kong Qiu. By old rule, when the Emperor went abroad the Guards aide at the gate wore military dress. Zhang Yong told Boyu, "This duty ill suits your bent." Wang Jingwen, who also knew Boyu well, often rode out with the Emperor, pointed to Boyu, and said, "Kong Qiu has a remarkable face." The Emperor then specially allowed Boyu to wear dark robes at the gate. He went out as Acting Adjutant on Prince Zixun of Jin'an's vanguard staff and tutored the prince in his studies. He followed the headquarters and became Acting Assistant to the Garrison General.

前廢帝時，王景文領選，謂子勳典簽沈光祖曰：「鄧琬一旦為長史行事，沈伯玉先帝在蕃囗佐，今猶不改，民生定不應佳。」戴法興聞景文此言，乃轉伯玉為參軍事。子勳初起兵，轉府功曹。及即偽位，以為中書侍郎。初，伯玉為衛尉丞，太宗為衛尉，共事甚美。及子勳敗，伯玉下獄，見原，猶以在南無誠，被責，除南台御史，尋轉武陵國詹事，又轉大農，母老解職。貧薄理盡，閑臥一室，自非吊省親舊，不嘗出門。司徒袁粲、司空褚淵深相知賞，選為永世令，轉在永興，皆有能名。後廢帝元徽三年，卒，時年五十七。伯玉性至孝，奉親有聞，未嘗妄取於人，有物輒散之知故。溫雅有風味，和而能辨，與人共事，皆為深交。

During the Former Deposed Emperor's reign, Wang Jingwen headed selection and told Zixun's Chief Clerk Shen Guangzu, "If Deng Wan suddenly takes charge as Chief Administrator, Shen Boyu—once an aide in the late Emperor's princely household—still has not changed his ways, the people's welfare surely will not be well served." Hearing this, Dai Faxing transferred Boyu to a staff officer's post. When Zixun first rebelled, Boyu became Merit Officer on his staff. When Zixun claimed the throne, he was made Central Secretariat Attendant. At first Boyu was Guards Aide while Emperor Ming headed the Ministry of Guards; they worked together admirably. After Zixun's defeat Boyu was imprisoned and pardoned, but was censured for lack of loyalty in the south. He was made Censor of the Southern Secretariat, then Chamberlain of Wuling, then Grand Agriculture Officer. He resigned when his mother grew old. Poor and with nothing left, he lay idle in one room and rarely left it except to mourn or visit old friends. Yuan Can, Minister over the Masses, and Chu Yuan, Minister of Works, admired him deeply. He was chosen magistrate of Yongshi and then Yongxing, earning a name for ability in both posts. He died in the third year of Yuanhui under the Later Deposed Emperor, aged fifty-seven. Boyu was deeply filial and famed for honoring his parents. He never took what was not his and gave whatever he had to friends. Graceful and discerning, harmonious yet firm, he made close friends of all who worked with him.

弟仲玉，泰始末，為甯朔長史、蜀郡太守。益州刺史劉亮卒，仲玉行府州事。巴西李承明為亂，仲玉遣司馬王天生討平之。廢帝詔以為安成王撫軍中兵參軍，加建威將軍。沈攸之請為征西諮議，未拜，卒。

His younger brother Zhongyu, late in the Taishi era, was Chief Administrator of Ningsuo and Administrator of Shu Commandery. When Inspector Liu Liang of Yizhou died, Zhongyu governed the prefecture and province. When Li Chengming rebelled in Baxi, Zhongyu sent Marshal Wang Tiansheng to suppress him. The Deposed Emperor appointed him Central Army Adjutant under Prince Ancheng's Pacifying General and made him General Who Establishes Might. Shen Youzhi asked to have him as Western Campaign Adviser, but before he could accept the post he died.

史臣年十三而孤，少頗好學，雖棄日無功，而伏膺不改。常以晉氏一代，竟無全書，年二十許，便有撰述之意。泰始初，征西將軍蔡興宗為啟明帝，有敕賜許，自此迄今，年逾二十，所撰之書，凡一百二十卷。條流雖舉，而采掇未周，永明初，遇盜失第五帙。建元四年未終，被敕撰國史。永明二年，又朅奏兼著作郎，撰次起居注。自茲王役，無暇搜撰。五年春，又被敕撰《宋書》。六年二月畢功，表上之，曰：

The historian was orphaned at thirteen. Though studious from youth, years passed with little to show—yet he never abandoned his commitment. He felt that the Jin dynasty lacked a complete history, and by about twenty he intended to write one. In early Taishi, General Cai Xingzong asked Emperor Ming, who granted permission. More than twenty years have passed since, and his work totals one hundred twenty juan. Though the outline was complete, materials were still lacking. Early in Yongming a theft cost him the fifth fascicle. Before the fourth year of Jianyuan ended, he was ordered to compile the national history. In the second year of Yongming he was additionally appointed Compiler and took charge of the court diaries. Imperial duties since then left him no time for research and writing. In the spring of the fifth year he was again ordered to compile the Book of Song. In the second month of the sixth year the work was finished. He memorialized the throne, saying:

臣約言：臣聞大禹刊木，事炳虞書，西伯戡黎，功煥商典。伏惟皇基積峻，帝烈弘深，樹德往朝，立勳前代，若不觀風唐世，無以見帝媯之美，自非睹亂秦餘，何用知漢祖之業。是以掌言未記，爰動天情，曲詔史官，追述大典。臣實庸妄，文史多闕，以茲不才。對揚盛旨，是用夕惕載懷，忘其寢食者也。

Your subject Yue reports: I have read that Yu the Great marked the trees, memorialized in the Documents of Yu, and that the Western Duke subdued the Li people, his merit recorded in the Shang canons. Your imperial foundation rises high and your achievements run deep; virtue planted in past reigns and merit won in former ages. Without studying the ways of Tang, one cannot grasp Yao's glory; without witnessing the ruin after Qin, one cannot understand the Han founder's rise. Because the record was lacking, Your Majesty moved to act. You graciously commanded the historiographers to compile the great chronicle. I am unworthy and ill versed in letters and history—a man of scant talent. Facing Your lofty charge, I have worked day and night and forgotten sleep and food.

臣約頓首死罪：竊惟宋氏南面，承曆統天，雖世窮八主，年減百載，而兵車亟動，國道屢屯，垂文簡牘，事數繁廣。若夫英主啟基，名臣建績，拯世夷難之功，配天光宅之運，亦足以勒銘鐘鼎，昭被方策。及虐後暴朝，前王罕二，國釁家禍，曠古未書，又可以式規萬葉，作鑒於後。

Your subject Yue, prostrate and deserving death: The Song faced south and held the mandate, though eight rulers reigned in less than a century. Armies marched repeatedly and the realm knew constant distress. The written record is vast and the affairs numberless. Its enlightened founders and great ministers who saved the realm and matched Heaven's favor deserve inscription on bells and tripods and a place in the annals. Its cruel successors and tyrannical reigns, dynastic ruin and familial disaster rarely paralleled in history, likewise offer lessons for all ages and a mirror for posterity.

宋故著作郎何承天始撰《宋書》，草立紀傳，止于武帝功臣，篇牘未廣。其所撰志，唯《天文》、《律曆》，自此外，悉委奉朝請山謙之。謙之，孝建初，又被詔撰述，尋值病亡，仍使南台侍御史蘇寶生續造諸傳，元嘉名臣，皆其所撰。寶生被誅，大明中，又命著作郎徐爰踵成前作。爰因何、蘇所述，勒為一史，起自義熙之初，訖於大明之末。至於臧質、魯爽、王僧達諸傳，又皆孝武所造。自永光以來，至於禪讓，十餘年內，闕而不續，一代典文，始末未舉。且事屬當時，多非實錄，又立傳之方，取捨乖衷，進由時旨，退傍世情，垂之方來，難以取信。臣以謹更創立，製成新史，始自義熙肇號，終於升明三年。桓玄、譙縱、盧循、馬、魯之徒，身為晉賊，非關後代。吳隱、謝混、郗僧施，義止前朝，不宜濫入宋典。劉毅、何無忌、魏詠之、檀恁之、孟昶、諸葛長民，志在興複，情非造宋，今並刊除，歸之晉籍。

The late Compiler He Chengtian first began the Book of Song, drafting annals and biographies only as far as Emperor Wu's meritorious ministers—the work remained incomplete. Of the treatises he wrote only Astronomy and Calendars and Chronology survive; the rest he entrusted to Shan Qianzhi. Shan Qianzhi was again ordered to continue in early Xiaojian but soon died. Attending Censor Su Baosheng of the Southern Secretariat then wrote the biographies, including all the famed ministers of the Yuanjia era. After Baosheng was executed, in the Daming era Compiler Xu Ai was ordered to finish the earlier work. Xu Ai combined the work of He and Su into one history from the start of Yixi to the end of Daming. The biographies of Zang Zhi, Lu Shuang, Wang Sengda, and others were all written by Emperor Xiaowu himself. From the Yongguang era to the abdication—more than ten years—the record was left unfinished, and that generation's full story was never told. Moreover much that concerns recent times is not faithful record. Biographies were chosen to suit the moment and popular sentiment rather than truth, and cannot be trusted by posterity. I have therefore carefully created a new history from the first Yixi era year to the third year of Shengming. Huan Xuan, Qiao Zong, Lu Xun, Ma, and Lu were enemies of Jin, not figures for the later dynasty's history. Wu Yin, Xie Hun, and Xi Sengshi belong to the previous dynasty and should not be included in the Song annals. Liu Yi, He Wuji, Wei Yongzhi, Tan Qinzhi, Meng Chang, and Zhuge Changmin sought to restore Jin, not to found Song. I have removed them and assigned them to the Jin record.

臣遠愧南、董，近謝遷、固，以閭閻小才，述一代盛典，屬辭比事，望古慚良，鞠躬跼蹐，靦汗亡厝。本紀列傳，繕寫已畢，合志表七十卷，臣今謹奏呈。所撰諸志，須成續上。謹條目錄，詣省拜表奉書以聞。臣約誠惶誠恐，頓首頓首！死罪死罪！

I am far unworthy of Nan Shi and Dong Hu, and no match even for Sima Qian and Ban Gu. A man of small talent from humble streets, I narrate a generation's grand chronicle. Comparing my words to the ancients, I bow in shame and know not where to hide my face. The annals and biographies are copied and complete—seventy juan including treatises and tables. I respectfully present them now. The treatises I have written will be submitted when finished. I respectfully append the table of contents and submit this memorial and text for Your Majesty's notice. Your subject Yue, in deepest fear and trembling, prostrates himself! Deserving death, deserving death!

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