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文學《易》曰：「觀乎天文，以察時變，觀乎人文，以化成天下。」 《傳》曰：「言，身之文也，言而不文，行之不遠。」 故堯曰則天，表文明之稱，周雲盛德，著煥乎之美。 然則文之為用，其大矣哉！ 上所以敷德教於下，下所以達情志於上，大則經緯天地，作訓垂範，次則風謠歌頌，匡主和民。 或離讒放逐之臣，途窮後門之士，道轗軻而未遇，志鬱抑而不申，憤激委約之中，飛文魏闕之下，奮迅泥滓，自致青雲，振沈溺於一朝，流風聲於千載，往往而有。 是以凡百君子，莫不用心焉。 自漢、魏以來，迄乎晉、宋，其體屢變，前哲論之詳矣。 暨永明、天監之際，太和、天保之間，洛陽、江左，文雅尤盛。 于時作者，濟陽江淹、吳郡沈約、樂安任昉、濟陰溫子升、河間邢子才、巨鹿魏伯起等，並學窮書圃，思極人文，縟彩郁于雲霞，逸響振于金石。 英華秀髮，波瀾浩蕩，筆有餘力，詞無竭源。 方諸張、蔡、曹、王，亦各一時之選也。 聞其風者，聲馳景慕，然彼此好尚，互有異同。 江左宮商發越，貴於清綺，河朔詞義貞剛，重乎氣質。 氣質則理勝其詞，清綺則文過其意，理深者便於時用，文華者宜於詠歌，此其南北詞人得失之大較也。 若能掇彼清音，簡茲累句，各去所短，合其兩長，則文質斌斌，盡善盡美矣。 梁自大同之後，雅道淪缺，漸乖典則，爭馳新巧。 簡文、湘東，啟其淫放，徐陵、庾信，分路揚鑣。 其意淺而繁，其文匿而彩，詞尚輕險，情多哀思。 格以延陵之聽，蓋亦亡國之音乎！ 周氏吞併梁、荊，此風扇于關右，狂簡斐然成俗，流宕忘反，無所取裁。 高祖初統萬機，每念鵶雕為樸，發號施令，鹹去浮華。 然時俗詞藻，猶多淫麗，故憲台執法，屢飛霜簡。 煬帝初習藝文，有非輕側之論，暨乎即位，一變其風。 其《與越公書》、《建東都詔》、《冬至受朝詩》及《擬飲馬長城窟》，並存雅體，歸於典制。 雖意在驕淫，而詞無浮蕩，故當時綴文之士，遂得依而取正焉。 所謂能言者未必能行，蓋亦君子不以人廢言也。 爰自東帝歸秦，逮乎青蓋入洛，四庾鹹暨，九州攸同，江漢英靈，燕趙奇俊，並該天網之中，俱為大國之寶。 言刈其楚，片善無遺，潤木圓流，不能十數，才之難也，不其然乎！ 時之文人，見稱當世，則范陽盧思道、安平李德林、河東薛道衡、趙郡李元操、巨鹿魏澹、會稽虞世基、河東柳抃、高陽許善心等，或鷹揚河朔，或獨步漢南，俱騁龍光，並驅雲路，各有本傳，論而敘之。 其潘徽、萬壽之徒，或學優而不切，或才高而無貴仕，其位可得而卑，其名不可堙沒，今總之於此，為《文學傳》雲。 劉臻劉臻，字宣摯，沛國相人也。 父顯，梁尋陽太守。 臻年十八，舉秀才，為邵陵王東閣祭酒。 元帝時，遷中書舍人。 江陵陷沒，複歸蕭詧，以為中書侍郎。 周塚宰宇文護辟為中外府記室，軍書羽檄，多成其手。 後為露門學士，授大都督，封饒陽縣子，曆藍田令、畿伯下大夫。 高祖受禪，進位儀同三司。 左僕射高熲之伐陳也，以臻隨軍，典文翰，進爵為伯。 皇太子勇引為學士，甚褻狎之。 臻無吏幹，又性恍惚，耽悅經史，終日覃思，至於世事，多所遺忘。 有劉訥者亦任儀同，俱為太子學士，情好甚密。 臻住城南，訥住城東，臻嘗欲尋訥，謂從者曰：「汝知劉儀同家乎？」 從者不知尋訥，謂臻還家，答曰：「知。」 於是引之而去，既扣門，臻尚未悟，謂至訥家。 乃據鞍大呼曰：「劉儀同可出矣。」 其子迎門，臻驚曰：「此汝亦來耶？」 其子答曰：「此是大人家。」 於是顧盼，久之乃悟，叱從者曰：「汝大無意，吾欲造劉訥耳。」 性好啖蜆，以音同父諱，呼為扁螺。 其疏放多此類也。 精於《兩漢書》，時人稱為漢聖。 開皇十八年卒，年七十二。 有集十卷行於世。 王頍王頍，字景文，齊州刺史頒之弟也。 年數歲，值江陵陷，隨諸兄入關。 少好遊俠，年二十，尚不知書。 為其兄顒所責怒，於是感激，始讀《孝經》、《論語》，盡夜不倦。 遂讀《左傳》、《禮》、《易》、《詩》、《書》，乃歎曰：「書無不可讀者！」 勤學累載，遂遍通五經，究其旨趣，大為儒者所稱。 解綴文，善談論。 年二十二，周武帝引為露門學士。 每有疑決，多頍所為。 而頍性識甄明，精力不倦，好讀諸子，偏記異書，當代稱為博物。 又曉兵法，益有縱橫之志，每歎不逢時，常以將相自許。 開皇五年，授著作佐郎。 尋令于國子講授。 會高祖親臨釋奠，國子祭酒元善講《孝經》，頍與相論難，詞義鋒起，善往往見屈。 高祖大奇之，超授國子博士。 後坐事解職，配防嶺南。 數載，授漢王諒府諮議參軍，王甚禮之。 時諒見房陵及秦、蜀二王相次廢黜，潛有異志。 頍遂陰勸諒繕治兵甲。 及高祖崩，諒遂舉兵反，多頍之計也。 頍後數進奇策，諒不能用。 楊素至蒿澤，將戰，頍謂其子曰：「氣候殊不佳，兵必敗。 汝可隨從我。」 既而兵敗，頍將歸突厥，至山中，徑路斷絕，知必不免，謂其子曰：「吾之計數，不減楊素，但坐言不見從，遂至於此。 不能坐受擒執，以成豎子名也。 吾死之後，汝慎勿過親故。」 於是自殺，瘞之石窟中。 其子數日不得食，遂過其故人，竟為所擒。 楊素求頍屍，得之，斬首，梟於太原。 時年五十四。 撰《五經大義》三十卷，有集十卷，並因兵亂，無複存者。 崔儦崔儦，字岐叔，清河武城人也。 祖休，魏青州刺史。 父仲文，齊高陽太守。 世為著姓。 儦年十六，太守請為功曹，不就。 少與范陽盧思道、隴西辛德源同志友善。 每以讀書為務，負恃才地，忽略世人。 大署其戶曰：「不讀五千卷書者，無得入此室。」 數年之間，遂博覽群言，多所通涉。 解屬文，在齊舉秀才，為員外散騎侍郎，遷殿中侍御史。 尋與熊安生、馬敬德等議《五禮》，兼修律令。 尋兼散騎侍郎，聘于陳。 使還，待詔文林館。 曆殿中、膳部、員外三曹郎中。 儦與頓丘李若俱見稱重，時人為之語曰：「京師灼灼，崔儦、李若。」 齊亡，歸鄉里，仕郡為功曹，州補主簿。 開皇四年，征授給事郎，尋兼內史舍人。 後數年，兼通直散騎侍郎，聘于陳，還授員外散騎侍郎。 越國公楊素時方貴幸，重儦門地，為子玄縱娶其女為妻。 聘禮甚厚。 親迎之始，公卿滿座，素令騎迎儦，亻麃故敝其衣冠，騎驢而至。 素推令上座，儦有輕素之色，禮甚倨，言又不遜。 素忿然，拂衣而起，竟罷座。 後數日，儦方來謝，素待之如初。 仁壽中，卒于京師，時年七十二。 子世濟。 諸葛潁諸葛潁，字漢，丹陽建康人也。 祖銓，梁零陵太守。 父規，義陽太守。 潁年八歲，能屬文，起家梁邵陵王參軍事，轉記室。 侯景之亂，奔齊，待詔文林館。 曆太學博士、太子舍人。 周武平齊，不得調，杜門不出者十餘年。 習《周易》、圖緯、《倉》、《雅》、《莊》、《老》，頗得其要。 清辨有俊才，晉王廣素聞其名，引為參軍事，轉記室。 及王為太子，除藥藏監。 煬帝即位，遷著作郎，甚見親幸。 出入臥內，帝每賜之曲宴，輒與皇后嬪禦連席共榻。 潁因間隙，多所譖毀，是以時人謂之「冶葛」。 後錄恩舊，授朝散大夫。 帝常賜潁詩，其卒章曰：「參翰長洲苑，侍講肅成門。 名理窮研核，英華恣討論。 實錄資平允，傳芳導後昆。」 其見待遇如此。 後征吐谷渾，加正議大夫。 後從駕北巡，卒於道，年七十七。
On Men of Letters — The Book of Changes says: 'Observe the patterns of heaven to discern the changing seasons; observe the patterns of human culture to transform and perfect the world. The Commentary says: 'Words are the adornment of the self; words without elegance will not carry one far.' Thus Yao was styled the one who took Heaven as his model — a name that proclaimed civil refinement; the Zhou praised abundant virtue and celebrated its dazzling brilliance. Such is the scope of literary culture — how vast it is! From above it spreads moral teaching to the people; from below it carries sentiment and intent to the throne. At its highest it weaves order through heaven and earth, crafting precepts and leaving enduring examples; at a lesser level it takes form in ballads and hymns that guide the ruler and harmonize the folk. At times it is the slandered minister in exile, the scholar trapped at poverty's gate — his road rugged and his talent unmet, his will stifled and his purpose unreleased — who, burning with indignation in the depths of obscurity, sends his writings up to the imperial gate; who bursts from the mire to the heights of heaven, lifts the drowning in a single day, and passes his name down through a thousand years. Such cases are not rare. For this reason, every scholar of worth devotes himself to it. From the Han and Wei through the Jin and Song, literary forms shifted again and again — a process that earlier critics have already treated at length. By the Yongming and Tianjian reigns in the south and the Taihe and Tianbao periods in the north, literary culture flourished especially in Luoyang and the Jiangzuo region. Writers of that era — Jiang Yan of Jiyang, Shen Yue of Wu, Ren Fang of Le'an, Wen Zisheng of Jiyin, Xing Zicai of Hejian, Wei Boqi of Julu, and others — had mastered the full range of learning and plumbed the depths of humane letters; their woven colors piled like clouds at dawn, their soaring music rang clear as bronze and bell. Their brilliance bloomed in profusion, their style rolled like great waves; their pens never flagged, their words never ran dry. Measured against the greats Zhang, Cai, Cao, and Wang, each stood among the finest writers of his generation. Those who encountered their influence were drawn to follow them, yet regional tastes differed, with points of agreement and divergence. In the south, where tonal patterns rose with exquisite grace, elegance prized clarity and delicacy; in the north, where diction and thought stood firm and solid, weight was given to force of character. Northern strength let reason outweigh ornament; southern elegance let style outshine substance. Depth of thought served practical ends; literary brilliance suited poetry and song — such were the chief strengths and weaknesses that divided poets north and south. Had one been able to draw on the clear music of the south, pare away the heavy phrasing of the north, discard each side's flaws and join their virtues, letter and substance would have been perfectly balanced — truly complete in form and beauty. After the Datong era of Liang, the classical tradition collapsed; writers drifted from canonical standards and raced one another toward novelty and cleverness. Emperor Jianwen and Prince Xiangdong gave free rein to sensual excess; Xu Ling and Yu Xin then struck out on divergent paths. Their ideas grew shallow yet overwrought, their prose ornate yet hollow; they favored precarious lightness in diction and melancholy in feeling. Judged by the standards of Yanling — were these not indeed the music of a doomed realm! When the Northern Zhou absorbed Liang and the Jing region, this fashion spread through the west; unrestrained eccentricity became the norm, style grew ever more florid with no restraint in sight. When Emperor Gaozu first assumed power, he resolved to restore plain simplicity — in every decree and command he stripped away ornament and show. Yet fashionable writing remained excessively ornate, so the censorate repeatedly issued stern indictments. In his youth Emperor Yang studied letters and even wrote against frivolous style; yet once enthroned, he changed the literary climate entirely. His Letter to the Duke of Yue, Edict on Building the Eastern Capital, poem for the winter-solstice court audience, and imitation of Drinking-Horse at the Long Wall Cavern all maintained an elegant style grounded in classical norms. Though his purposes were proud and indulgent, his language never became florid or unmoored — so contemporaries could still look to his writing as a standard. As the saying goes, those who speak well do not always act well — yet a gentleman does not dismiss sound words because he dislikes the speaker. From the fall of the southern dynasties to reunification under Sui, when all regions were united — the finest minds of the Yangtze and Han, the brightest talents of Yan and Zhao — all came within the empire's fold and became jewels of the new state. One might harvest every fine fragment the Chu region had to offer, yet when it came to nurturing talent and letting it flow freely, scarcely a dozen could be found — such is the scarcity of genius, is it not? Writers of the day who won contemporary renown included Lu Sixian of Fanyang, Li Delin of Anping, Xue Daohéng of Hedong, Li Yuancao of Zhao, Wei Dan of Julu, Yu Shiji of Kuaiji, Liu Bian of Hedong, Xu Shanxin of Gaoyang, and others — some dominant in the north, some unmatched in the south; all burning with extraordinary talent on the same lofty road. Each has a separate biography and will be treated there. Pan Hui, Wan Shou, and others like them — some scholars of wide learning but little practical relevance, some men of great talent who never found high office — were humble in rank but not to be forgotten. They are gathered here in this 'Biographies of Men of Letters.' Liu Zhen, courtesy name Xuanzhi, was a native of Xiang in Pei commandery. His father Xian served as Administrator of Xunyang under the Liang dynasty. At eighteen he was recommended as a xiucai and appointed Libationer of the Eastern Pavilion to Prince Shaoling. During the reign of Emperor Yuan of Liang, he was transferred to the post of Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat. After Jiangling fell, he returned to Xiao Cha and was appointed Vice Director of the Central Secretariat. Northern Zhou regent Yuwen Hu recruited him as recorder of the combined inner and outer offices; most military documents and urgent dispatches were drafted by him. He later became a Lumen Scholar, was granted the rank of Grand Commandant and enfeoffed as Viscount of Raoyang, and served successively as Magistrate of Lantian and Junior Grand Master of Jibo. When Emperor Gaozu accepted the abdication, Zhen was promoted to Third Rank Commissioner with Equal Status. When Left Vice Director Gao Jiong campaigned against Chen, Zhen accompanied the army as chief of documents and was raised in rank to Count. Crown Prince Yong brought him in as a scholar and treated him with unseemly familiarity. Zhen had no gift for administration and was absent-minded by nature; absorbed in the classics and histories, he pondered all day long and forgot most worldly matters. One Liu Ne, who also held the rank of Commissioner with Equal Status, was likewise a scholar to the Crown Prince; the two were very close friends. Zhen lived in the south of the city and Ne in the east. Once when Zhen wished to visit Ne, he asked his attendants, "Do you know where Commissioner Liu lives? The attendants, not realizing he meant Liu Ne, assumed he was going home and answered, "We do." So they led him off; when they knocked at a door, Zhen still did not realize his mistake and thought he had reached Ne's house. He leaned on his saddle and shouted, "Commissioner Liu, come out! His son came to the door; Zhen exclaimed in surprise, "You came here too?" His son replied, "This is our home, Father." He looked about, and only after a long moment understood; he scolded his attendants, "You had no idea what I meant — I wanted to visit Liu Ne!" He loved eating freshwater clams, but because the word sounded like his father's taboo name, he called them "flat spiral shells." His eccentric habits were mostly of this kind. He was a master of the two Han Histories, and his contemporaries called him the Sage of Han. He died in the eighteenth year of Kaihuang at the age of seventy-two. A collection of his writings in ten volumes circulated in his day. Wang E, styled Jingwen, was the younger brother of Wang Bin, who served as Governor of Qi province. When he was still a child, Jiangling fell; he entered the pass with his elder brothers. In youth he loved roaming and adventure; at twenty he could scarcely read. Scolded harshly by his elder brother Yong, he was stung to shame and began reading the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects, studying through the night without rest. He went on to the Zuo Commentary, the Rites, the Changes, the Odes, and the Documents, and exclaimed, "There is no book worth refusing! After years of diligent study he mastered all five classics and grasped their deeper meaning, winning high praise from Confucian scholars. He could compose prose and was skilled in debate. At twenty-two he was brought into service by Emperor Wu of Zhou as a Lumen Scholar. Whenever difficult questions arose, it was usually E who resolved them. E was sharp and clear-minded, tireless in energy; he loved reading the masters and had a special gift for remembering rare books, and his contemporaries called him a man of encyclopedic learning. He also understood military strategy and grew ever more ambitious for political mastery; he often lamented that the times had not favored him and regarded himself as fit for the roles of general and minister. In the fifth year of the Kaihuang reign he received appointment as Assistant Editor in the Bureau of Documents. Soon afterward he was assigned to lecture at the Imperial Academy. When Emperor Gaozu personally attended the Confucian sacrifice, Academician Yuan Shan lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety; E engaged him in debate, their arguments flashing like blades, and Shan was often bested. Emperor Gaozu was greatly impressed and promoted him directly to Doctor of the Imperial Academy. Later he was dismissed from office for an offense and sent to serve guard duty in Lingnan. Several years later he was appointed Consultant on the staff of Prince Liang of Han, who treated him with great respect. At that time Liang saw the Princes of Fangling, Qin, and Shu deposed one after another and secretly harbored rebellious ambitions. E then secretly urged Liang to gather and prepare arms. When Emperor Gaozu died, Liang raised troops in rebellion — largely on E's counsel. E later offered several ingenious stratagems, but Liang would not follow them. When Yang Su reached Haohao Marsh and battle was imminent, E said to his son, "The signs are very bad — the army will surely be defeated. Come with me. Soon the army was defeated; E tried to flee to the Turks, but in the mountains the path was cut off. Knowing he could not escape, he told his son, "My plans were no worse than Yang Su's — but because I spoke and was not heeded, it has come to this. I will not sit here and be captured, to become some base fellow's trophy. After I am dead, you must not go near any relatives or friends." He then killed himself, and his body was buried in a stone cave. His son went several days without food, then visited an old friend and was captured. Yang Su searched for E's body, found it, beheaded it, and displayed the head at Taiyuan. He was fifty-four years old. He had compiled thirty fascicles of Great Meaning of the Five Classics and a collection in ten fascicles, but all were lost in the turmoil of war. Cui Bi, styled Qishu, came from Wucheng in Qinghe commandery. His grandfather Xiu served as Qingzhou Inspector under Northern Wei. His father Zhongwen served as Administrator of Gaoyang under Northern Qi. For generations the family had been a distinguished clan. At sixteen the local Administrator invited him to serve as Assistant Officer, but he declined. In youth he was close friends and kindred spirits with Lu Sixian of Fanyang and Xin Deyuan of Longxi. He devoted himself to reading, trusting in his talent and family standing, and looked down on ordinary people. He posted a large notice on his door: "Let no one who has not read five thousand volumes enter this room. Within a few years he had read widely across many fields and mastered a great deal. Skilled in prose composition, he was recommended as a xiucai under Qi, served as Supernumerary Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, and was later transferred to Palace Censor. Soon afterward he joined Xiong Ansheng, Ma Jingde, and others in deliberating on the Five Rites and also helped revise statutes and ordinances. He was soon additionally appointed Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and sent as envoy to Chen. On returning from his mission, he awaited imperial orders at the Wulin Library. He served successively as Director in the Bureaus of Palace Affairs, Revenues, and Appointments. Bi and Li Ruo of Dunqiu were both held in high esteem; people of the time coined a saying: "In the capital, shining bright — Cui Bi and Li Ruo. When Qi fell, he returned to his hometown, served the commandery as Assistant Officer, and was appointed Chief Recorder by the province. In the fourth year of Kaihuang he was summoned and appointed Attendant-in-Regular Service, and soon additionally served as Palace Attendant of the Secretariat. Several years later he additionally served as Regular Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Cavalier Office, was sent as envoy to Chen, and on returning was appointed Supernumerary Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. Duke of Yue Yang Su was then at the height of imperial favor; he valued Bi's family standing and had his son Xuanyong marry Bi's daughter. The betrothal gifts were exceedingly generous. At the start of the formal welcome, when ministers and officials filled the hall, Su sent a rider to fetch Bi — who deliberately wore shabby clothes and arrived riding a donkey. Su pressed him to the seat of honor, but Bi showed open contempt; his bearing was haughty and his words insolent. Su flushed with anger, swept from his seat, and the banquet was broken up entirely. Several days later Bi finally came to apologize, and Su treated him as before. During the Renshou era he died in the capital at the age of seventy-two. His son was Shiji. Zhuge Ying, courtesy name Han, was a native of Jiankang in Danyang commandery. His grandfather Quan served as Administrator of Lingling under the Liang dynasty. His father Gui served as Administrator of Yiyang. At eight he could compose prose; he began his career as Aide to Prince Shaoling of Liang and was later transferred to Recorder. During Hou Jing's rebellion he fled to Qi and awaited imperial orders at the Wulin Library. He served successively as Doctor of the Imperial Academy and Attendant of the Crown Prince. When Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Qi, he received no appointment and shut his doors, not venturing out for more than ten years. He studied the Book of Changes, apocryphal texts, the Cangjie Primer, the Erya, Zhuangzi, and Laozi, and grasped their essentials rather well. Clear in debate and gifted with outstanding talent, Prince of Jin Yang Guang had long heard his name and brought him in as Aide, then transferred him to Recorder. When the prince became Crown Prince, he was appointed Director of the Medical Storehouse. When Emperor Yang took the throne, he was transferred to Editing Clerk and was greatly favored. He went in and out of the imperial bedchamber; the emperor often granted him private banquets, and he would share mat and seat with the empress and her attendants. Ying used every opening to slander others, so people of the time called him "Refined Kudzu" — a poisonous vine. Later, when old benefactors were rewarded, he was granted the title Grand Master of Palace Leisure. The emperor often bestowed poems on Ying; the closing lines read: "At Changzhou Garden you joined the brush; at Suicheng Gate you lectured beside the throne. You exhaustively examined name and principle; you freely debated flowering brilliance. True records rely on fair judgment; passing fragrance guides posterity. Such was the treatment he received. Later, when the army marched against Tuyuhun, he was given the additional title Regular Grand Master for Discussion. Later he accompanied the emperor on the northern tour and died on the road at the age of seventy-seven.
2
潁性褊急，與柳抃每相忿鬩，帝屢責怒之而猶不止，於後帝亦薄之。 有集二十卷，撰《鑾駕北巡記》三卷，《幸江都道裡記》一卷，《洛陽古今記》一卷，《馬名錄》二卷，並行於世。 有子嘉會。 孫萬壽孫萬壽，字仙期，信都武強人也。 祖寶，魏散騎常侍。 父靈暉，齊國子博士。 萬壽年十四，就阜城熊安生受五經，略通大義，兼博涉子史。 善屬文，美談笑，博陵李德林見而奇之。 在齊，年十七，奉朝請。 高祖受禪，滕穆王引為文學，坐衣冠不整，配防江南。 行軍總管宇文述召典軍書。 萬壽本自書生，從容文雅，一旦從軍，鬱鬱不得志，為五言詩贈京邑知友曰：
Ying was narrow and quick-tempered; he and Liu Bian constantly quarreled. The emperor repeatedly scolded them but they would not stop; afterward the emperor also grew cool toward him. He left a collection in twenty fascicles and compiled Record of the Imperial Carriage's Northern Tour in three fascicles, Record of the Route to Jiangdu in one fascicle, Record of Luoyang Past and Present in one fascicle, and Register of Horse Names in two fascicles — all circulated in his day. He had a son named Jiahui. Sun Wanshou, courtesy name Xianqi, was a native of Wuqiang in Xindu commandery. His grandfather Bao served as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary under Northern Wei. His father Linghui served as Doctor of the Imperial Academy under Northern Qi. At fourteen Wanshou studied the Five Classics under Xiong Ansheng of Fucheng, gaining a general grasp of their meaning while also reading widely in masters and histories. Skilled at composition and gracious in conversation, he astonished Li Delin of Boling when they met. Under Qi, at seventeen he served as Court Gentleman for Ceremonies. When Emperor Gaozu accepted the abdication, Prince Teng the Valiant brought him in as Literary Scholar; for improper dress he was assigned to guard duty in Jiangnan. Campaign Commander Yuwen Shu summoned him to manage military documents. Wanshou had been a scholar, easy and refined — but thrust overnight into military service, he grew depressed and unfulfilled, and composed a pentasyllabic poem to send to his friends in the capital:
3
賈誼長沙國，屈平湘水濱。 江南瘴癘地，從來多逐臣。 粵餘非巧宦，少小拙謀身。 欲飛無假翼，思鳴不值晨。 如何載筆士，翻作負戈人！ 飄飄如木偶，棄置同凶狗。 失路乃西浮，非狂亦東走。 晚歲出函關，方春度京口。 石城臨獸據，天津望牛鬥。 牛鬥盛妖氛，梟獍已成群。 郗超初入幕，王粲始從軍。 裹糧楚山際，被甲吳江汶。 吳江一浩蕩，楚山何糾紛。 驚波上濺日，喬木下臨雲。 擊越恆資辯，喻蜀幾飛文。 魯連唯救患，吾彥不爭勳。 羈遊歲月久，歸思常搔首。 非關不樹萱，豈為無杯酒！ 數載辭鄉縣，三秋別親友。 壯志後風雲，衰鬢先蒲柳。 心緒亂如絲，空懷疇昔時。 昔時遊帝裡，弱歲逢知己。 旅食南館中，飛蓋西園裡。 河間本好書，東平唯愛士。 英辯接天人，清言洞名理。 鳳池時寓直，麟閣常遊止。 勝地盛賓僚，麗景相攜招。 舟泛昆明水，騎指渭津橋。 祓除臨灞岸，供帳出東郊。 宜城醖始熟，陽翟曲新調。 繞樹烏啼夜，雊麥雉飛朝。 細塵梁下落，長袖掌中嬌。 歡娛三樂至，懷抱百憂銷。 夢想猶如昨，尋思久寂寥。 一朝牽世網，萬里逐波潮。 回輪常自轉，懸旆不堪搖。 登高視衿帶，鄉關白雲外。 回首望孤城，愁人益不平。 華亭宵鶴唳，幽谷早鶯鳴。 斷絕心難續，惝恍魂屢驚。 群紀通家好，鄒魯故鄉情。 若值南飛雁，時能訪死生。
Jia Yi served in the kingdom of Changsha; Qu Ping dwelt by the banks of the Xiang. The Jiangnan region is a land of miasma and pestilence — from of old it has held many exiled ministers. As for me, I am no skilled courtier; from youth I have been clumsy at managing my own affairs. I wish to fly but have no wings to borrow; I yearn to sing but find no dawn to greet me. How is it that a man who bears the writing brush has turned into one who carries a spear! Drifting like a wooden puppet, cast aside like a vicious dog. Losing my way I drift westward; not mad, yet I run east as well. In late years I passed out through Hangu Pass; in early spring I crossed Jingkou. From Stone City I looked toward Beast Perch; from Heavenly Ford I gazed at Ox and Dipper. Ox and Dipper swelled with baleful vapors; owls and jackals had already formed packs. Xi Chao first entered the staff; Wang Can first joined the army. We packed rations at the foot of Chu mountains; we donned armor along the Wu river banks. The Wu river — one vast flood; the Chu mountains — how tangled and confused! Startled waves splashed the sun from below; tall trees hung clouds beneath them. Quelling Yue always relied on eloquence; instructing Shu nearly took flight in prose. Lu Liang alone wished to relieve distress; Wu Yan refused to compete for merit. Long months of wandering abroad — thoughts of home constantly make me wring my hands. It is not that I neglect to plant daylilies; nor is it for lack of a cup of wine! For years I have been away from home; for three autumns I have parted from kin and friends. My soaring ambitions lag behind the winds and clouds; my fading temples race ahead of the reed and willow. My thoughts tangle like silk threads; in vain I cherish days gone by. In days past I wandered the imperial capital; in youth I met kindred spirits. Boarding at the southern lodge, riding with raised canopies in the western garden. The Prince of Hejian had always loved books; the Prince of Dongping cherished scholars alone. Eloquent brilliance joined heaven and earth; pure discourse penetrated name and principle. At Phoenix Pool I sometimes lodged on duty; at Unicorn Pavilion I often wandered and rested. In splendid places guests and colleagues gathered; in beautiful scenes we called one another forth. Boats drifted on Kunming Lake; riders pointed toward Wei Ford Bridge. Spring purification beside the Ba banks; feast pavilions pitched beyond the eastern wall. Yicheng wine had just ripened; Yangdi tunes were freshly arranged. At night crows called around the trees; at dawn pheasants flew calling among the wheat. Fine dust fell beneath the beams; long sleeves and palms held their delicate charms. Three joys of pleasure arrived; the hundred cares in my breast dissolved. Dreams seem still like yesterday; yet long brooding brings only desolation. In a single morning the world's net drew me in; ten thousand leagues I chase the tide. Wheels constantly turn on their own; the hanging banners cannot bear to be shaken. Climbing high I gaze at belt and stream; my homeland lies beyond the white clouds. Turning back I look upon the lonely city; the troubled man grows ever more restless. At night cranes cry from Huating Pavilion; at dawn orioles sing in the hidden valley. Severed connections — the heart cannot continue; dim and dazed, the soul is shaken again and again. The Ji clan and others were family friends; Zou and Lu hold the feelings of my native place. If you meet the wild geese flying south, from time to time inquire after my life and death.
4
此詩至京，盛為當時之所吟誦，天下好事者多書壁而玩之。 後歸鄉里，十餘年不得調。 仁壽初，征拜豫章王長史，非其好也。 王轉封于齊，即為齊王文學。 當時諸王官屬多被夷滅，由是彌不自安，因謝病免。 久之，授大理司直，卒于官，時年五十二。 有集十卷行於世。 王貞王貞，字孝逸，梁郡東留人也。 少聰敏，七歲好學，善《毛詩》、《禮記》、《左氏傳》、《周易》，諸子百家，無不畢覽。 善屬文詞，不治產業，每以諷讀為娛。 開皇初，汴州刺史樊叔略引為主簿，後舉秀才，授縣尉，非其好也。 謝病於家。 煬帝即位，齊王暕鎮江都，聞其名，以書召之曰：
When this poem reached the capital it was widely chanted in its day; lovers of fine things throughout the realm copied it on walls and treasured it. Later he returned to his hometown and for more than ten years received no appointment. At the beginning of Renshou he was summoned and appointed Chief of Staff to the Prince of Yuzhang — not to his liking. When the prince was transferred and enfeoffed in Qi, Wanshou became Literary Scholar to the Prince of Qi. At that time many staff members of the princes were executed; accordingly he grew ever more uneasy and resigned on grounds of illness. After a long while he was appointed Judicial Inspector of the Court of Review and died in office at the age of fifty-two. A collection in ten fascicles circulated in his day. Wang Zhen, courtesy name Xiaoyi, was a native of Dongliu in Liang commandery. As a youth he was clever and quick; at seven he loved learning, excelling in the Mao Odes, the Record of Rites, the Zuo Commentary, and the Book of Changes — of the masters and the hundred schools there was none he did not read through. Skilled at literary composition, he did not manage family estates and took recitation and reading as his recreation. At the beginning of Kaihuang, Fan Shulue, Governor of Bian province, brought him in as Chief Recorder; later recommended as xiucai, he was appointed County Commandant — not to his liking. He resigned on grounds of illness and remained at home. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Prince of Qi Yang Jian was stationed at Jiangdu; hearing Zhen's name, he summoned him by letter, saying:
5
夫山藏美玉，光照廊廡之間，地蘊神劍，氣浮星漢之表。 是知毛遂穎脫，義感平原，孫慧文詞，來遷東海。 顧循寡薄，有懷髦彥，籍甚清風，為日久矣，未獲披覿，良深佇遲。 比高天流火，早應涼飆，陵雲仙掌，方承清露，想攝衛攸宜，與時休適。 前園後圃，從容丘壑之情，左琴右書，蕭散煙霞之外。 茂陵謝病，非無《封禪》之文，彭澤遺榮，先有《歸來》之作。 優遊儒雅，何樂如之！ 余屬當籓屏，宣條揚、越，坐棠聽訟，事絕詠歌，攀桂摛詞，眷言高遁。 至於揚旌北渚，飛蓋西園，托乘乏應、劉，置醴闕申、穆，背淮之賓，徒聞其語，趨燕之客，罕值其人。 卿道冠鷹揚，聲高鳳舉，儒墨泉海，詞章苑囿，棲遲衡泌，懷寶迷邦，徇茲獨善，良以於邑。 今遣行人，具宣往意，側望起予，甚於饑渴，想便輕舉，副此虛心。 無信投石之談，空慕鑿壞之逸，書不盡言，更慚詞費。
Mountains hide fine jade whose radiance shines between corridor and eaves; earth holds divine swords whose spirit rises above the Milky Way. Thus we know that when Mao Sui's tapered awl broke through its sheath, he moved Lord Pingyuan by righteousness; when Sun Hui's literary skill shone forth, he was transferred to Donghai. Looking back, I am meager and slight, yet I harbor admiration for eminent talents; your outstanding reputation has long preceded you, and I have not yet had the honor of meeting you face to face — my longing runs very deep indeed. Now that the High Heaven's flowing fire has already yielded to the cool wind, and Lingyun's Immortal Palm is just receiving clear dew, I trust your regimen is as it should be and that you are at ease with the season. With a garden before you and an orchard behind, you enjoy the ease of hills and ravines; with a lute to your left and books to your right, you roam carefree beyond mist and clouds. At Maoling Sima Xiangru declined on grounds of illness — not that he lacked his rhapsody on the Feng and Shan sacrifices; at Pengze Tao Yuanming abandoned worldly glory — he had already composed his "Homecoming." To roam at ease in refined learning — what joy could surpass this! I happen to serve as a frontier shield, promulgating laws across Yang and Yue; seated beneath the crabapple tree to hear lawsuits, I have no leisure for lyric song — yet as I pluck cassia and compose verses, my heart turns ever toward lofty retreat. When I raise banners on the northern islet or fly canopies in the western garden, I lack Ying and Liu for riding companions and Shen and Mu to set out the wine; guests from north of the Huai hear such talk but in vain, and guests hurrying to Yan rarely meet their man. Your Way crowns the soaring hawk; your fame rises like the phoenix in flight; Confucian and Mohist learning fill you like a spring-sea, prose and verse like a garden-park — yet you linger at Heng and Bi, hoarding treasure in a benighted state and pursuing solitary virtue alone. This fills me with distress. Now I send a messenger to convey fully my intent to summon you; I lean and look expectantly for what will rouse me — more urgently than hunger or thirst — and trust you will soon make the journey to answer this sincere invitation. Without the credence of Zhu Ji's stone-throwing pledge, I can only admire in vain the hermit leisure of Chisun Huai; writing cannot exhaust my meaning, and I am all the more ashamed of my wordiness.
6
及貞至，王以客禮待之，朝夕遣問安不。 又索文集，貞啟謝曰：
When Zhen arrived, the prince treated him with the courtesy due a guest, morning and evening sending to inquire after his well-being. The prince also requested his collected writings; Zhen submitted a memorial of thanks, saying:
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屬賀德仁宣教，須少來所有拙文。 昔公旦之才藝，能事鬼神，夫子之文章，性與天道，雅志傳于游、夏，餘波鼓于屈、宋，雕龍之跡，具在風騷，而前賢後聖，代相師祖。 賞逐時移，出門分路，變清音於正始，體高致于元康，鹹言坐握蛇珠，誰許獨為麟角。 孝逸生於戰爭之季，長於風塵之世，學無半古，才不逮人。 往屬休明，寸陰已昃，雖居可封之屋，每懷貧賤之恥。 適鄢郢而迷途，入邯鄲而失步，歸來反覆，心灰遂寒。 豈謂橫議過實，虛塵睿覽，枉高車以載鼷，費明珠以彈雀，遂得裹糧三月，重高門之餘地，背淮千里，望章台之後塵。 與懸黎而並肆，將駿驥而同阜，終朝擊缶，匪黃鐘之所諧，日暮卻行，何前人之能及！ 顧想平生，觸途多感，但以積年沈痼，遺忘日久，拙思所存，才成三十三卷。 仰而不至，方見學仙之遠，窺而不睹，始知遊聖之難。 咫尺天人，周章不暇，怖甚真龍之降，慚過白豕之歸，伏紙陳情，形神悚越。
At the direction of He Deren, who conveyed the order, I must briefly submit the crude writings in my possession. Formerly the Duke of Zhou's talents and arts could serve the ghosts and spirits; the Master's writings were of one nature with Heaven and the Way; refined aspirations were handed down through You and Xia, aftercurrents surged in Qu Yuan and Song Yu, and the traces of the Carving Dragon are fully present in the Feng and Sao — while former worthies and later sages have in each generation been one another's teachers and models. Judgment follows the shifting times; at the gate each man takes a different road — clear tones changed at Zhengshi, lofty bearing embodied at Yuankang; everyone claims to hold the serpent pearl while sitting still — who grants that one alone possesses the unicorn's horn? Xiaoyi was born in an age of warfare and grew up in a world of dust and turmoil; my learning does not reach half the ancients', and my talent falls short of others. In former days I belonged to an age of glory, yet my daylight had already passed its zenith — though I dwelt in a house fit for enfeoffment, I always harbored the shame of poverty and low station. Going to Yan and Ying I lost my way; entering Handan I missed my step — returning again and again, my heart turned to ash and grew cold. Who would have thought that exaggerated praise exceeded reality and falsely soiled the sage's gaze — sending a high carriage to carry a mouse, wasting a bright pearl to shoot a sparrow — so that I packed provisions for three months, returned to the honored gate's leavings, came a thousand li from north of the Huai, and looked toward the trailing dust of Zhang Terrace. To stand in the same marketplace as Hanging Categorite jade, to share the same hill with a swift steed — all morning striking earthen jars, not in harmony with the yellow bell; at dusk walking backward — how could I reach the men of old! Looking back on my whole life, every path stirs many feelings — but because of chronic deep illness and long forgetting, the crude thoughts that remain amount to only thirty-three fascicles. Looking up yet not arriving — only then does one see how far it is to learn from immortals; peering yet not beholding — only then does one know how hard it is to roam in sagehood. A mere step from heaven's chosen man — flustered without respite; I am terrified as though a true dragon were descending, ashamed as though it were the White Boar's return; prostrate on paper I lay out my feelings, body and spirit trembling beyond measure.
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齊王覽所上集，善之，賜良馬四匹。 貞複上《江都賦》，王賜錢十萬貫，馬二匹。 未幾，以疾甚還鄉里，終於家。 虞綽辛大德虞綽，字士裕，會稽余姚人也。 父孝曾，陳始興王諮議。 綽身長八尺，姿儀甚偉，博學有俊才，尤工草隸。 陳左衛將軍傅縡有盛名於世，見綽詞賦，歎謂人曰：「虞郎之文，無以尚也！」 仕陳為太學博士，遷永陽王記室。 及陳亡，晉王廣引為學士。 大業初，轉為秘書學士，奉詔與秘書郎虞世南、著作佐郎庾自直等撰《長洲玉鏡》等書十餘部。 綽所筆削，帝未嘗不稱善，而官竟不遷。 初為校書郎，以籓邸左右，加宣惠尉。 遷著作佐郎，與虞世南、庾自直、蔡允恭等四人常居禁中，以文翰待詔，恩盼隆洽。 從征遼東，帝舍臨海頓，見大鳥，異之，詔綽為銘。 其辭曰：
The Prince of Qi read the collection Zhen submitted, admired it, and granted four fine horses. Zhen again submitted his Rhapsody on Jiangdu; the prince granted one hundred thousand strings of cash and two horses. Before long his illness grew severe; he returned to his hometown and died there. Yu Chuo and Xin Dade — Yu Chuo, courtesy name Shiyu, was a native of Yuyao in Kuaiji commandery. His father Xiao Zeng served as Adviser to the Prince of Shixing of Chen. Chuo stood eight chi tall, with a very imposing bearing; broadly learned and gifted with outstanding talent, he was especially skilled in cursive and clerical script. Fu Zan, Left Guard General of Chen, enjoyed great fame in the world; seeing Chuo's poetry and rhapsodies, he sighed and told others: "Young Master Yu's writings cannot be surpassed! He served Chen as Doctor of the Imperial Academy and was transferred to Recorder for the Prince of Yongyang. When Chen fell, Prince of Jin Yang Guang brought him in as Literary Scholar. At the beginning of Daye he was transferred to Secretariat Scholar and received orders, together with Secretariat Gentleman Yu Shinan, Editing Assistant Yu Zizhi, and others, to compile more than ten works including the Longzhou Jade Mirror. Whatever Chuo edited, the emperor never failed to praise — yet his office was never promoted. Initially he served as Collator; because he was close to the princely residence, he was additionally made Captain of Manifest Benevolence. Transferred to Editing Assistant, he and Yu Shinan, Yu Zizhi, Cai Yungong, and three others constantly resided within the palace precincts, awaiting edicts as literary scribes — imperial favor was warm and generous. On the eastern campaign against Liaodong, when the emperor stopped at Linhai Station he saw a great bird and found it wondrous; he ordered Chuo to compose an inscription. The inscription reads:
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維大業八年，歲在壬申，夏四月丙子，皇帝底定遼碣，班師振旅，龍駕南轅，鸞旗西邁，行宮次於柳城縣之臨海頓焉。 山川明秀，實仙都也。 旌門外設，款跨重阜，帳殿周施，降望大壑。 息清蹕，下輕輿，警百靈，綏萬福，踐素砂，步碧沚。 同軒皇之襄野，邁漢宗於河上，想汾射以開襟，望蓬瀛而載佇。 窅然齊肅，藐屬殊庭，兼以聖德遐宣，息別風與淮雨，休符潛感，表重潤於夷波。 璧日曬光，卿雲舒采，六合開朗，十洲澄鏡。 少選之間，倏焉靈感，忽有祥禽，皎同鶴鷺，出自霄漢，翻然雙下。 高逾一丈，長乃盈尋，靡霜暉於羽翮，激丹華於觜距。 鸞翔鳳跱，鵲起鴻騫，或蹶或啄，載飛載止，徘徊馴擾，咫尺乘輿。 不藉揮琴，非因拊石，樂我君德，是用來儀。 斯固類仙人之騏驥，冠羽族之宗長，西王青鳥，東海赤雁，豈可同年而語哉！ 竊以銘基華嶽，事乖靈異，紀跡鄒山，義非盡美，猶方冊不泯，遺文可觀。 況盛德成功，若斯懿鑠，懷真味道，加此感通，不鐫名山，安用銘異！ 臣拜稽首，敢勒銘云：
In the great eighth year of Daye, the year being renshen, on bingzi day of the fourth month of summer — the emperor having settled Liaodong and its rocky shores, withdrawing the army in triumph, the dragon carriage turning south, the empress banner proceeding west — the traveling palace halted at Linhai Station in Liucheng county. The mountains and rivers were bright and beautiful — truly an immortal capital. The banner gate was set outside; pavilions boldly spanned the layered heights; tent palaces spread all around, descending to view the great ravine. He rested the clearing guard, descended from the light carriage, alerted the hundred spirits, soothed the myriad blessings, trod white sand, and walked upon green islets. Like the Yellow Emperor on the fields of Xiang, surpassing the Han emperor on the river — thinking of Fen and She to open the breast, gazing toward Penglai and Yingzhou and pausing long. Distantly all was solemn order, faintly belonging to a separate realm — moreover sage virtue spread afar, calming the winds of Bie and the rains of Huai; auspicious tokens subtly stirred, showing deep moisture on the foreign waves. The jade sun spread its light; ministerial clouds unfurled their colors; the six directions opened clear; the ten isles became a polished mirror. Within a brief interval, suddenly came spiritual response — an auspicious bird, bright as crane and egret, emerged from the Milky Way and gracefully descended in pairs. Its height exceeded one zhang; its length filled a xun; frost-brightness spread across its wings and pinions; crimson brilliance flashed at beak and talons. Like phoenix soaring and feng perched, magpie rising and swan ascending — now pecking, now probing, now flying, now resting; circling tame and docile, within inches of the imperial carriage. Not relying on plucked zither, not through struck stone — delighting in our lord's virtue, therefore coming as an auspicious sign. This truly resembles the immortal's fine steed, crowning the feathered kind as their chieftain — Queen Mother of the West's blue bird, East Sea's red wild goose — how could they be spoken of in the same breath! I venture to say that inscribing the foundation on Mount Hua — the matter diverges from the spiritual and strange; recording traces on Mount Zou — the meaning is not wholly perfect — yet still the official records are not extinguished and the surviving text can be viewed. How much more when success accompanies flourishing virtue, radiant as this, embracing truth and savoring the Way, with such spiritual communion added — if not carved on a famous mountain, what need for an inscription of wonder! I, your minister, bow and knock my head; I venture to inscribe the memorial, saying:
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來蘇興怨，帝自東征，言複禹績，乃禦軒營。 六師薄伐，三韓肅清，龔行天罰，赫赫明明。 文德上暢，靈武外薄，車徒不擾，苛慝靡作。 凱歌載路，成功允鑠，反旆還軒，遵林並壑。 停輿海澨，駐驛岩阯，窅想遐凝，藐屬千里。 金台銀闕，雲浮嶽峙，有感斯應，靈禽效祉。 飛來清漢，俱集華泉，好音玉響，皓質水鮮。 狎仁馴德，習習翩翩，絕跡無泯，于萬斯年。
When the people returned to life, grievance rose — the emperor himself marched east, saying he would restore Yu's achievements, and then mounted his camp carriage. The six armies pressed close in punitive strike; the three Han were swept clear; he marched bearing Heaven's punishment — resplendent and bright. Civil virtue flowed aloft; martial spirit spread outward; chariots and foot soldiery were undisturbed; harsh evil did not arise. Victory songs filled the roads; success was true and brilliant; turning banners, returning the carriage, following forests and ravines together. Halt the carriage at the sea's edge; rest the relay station at the rocky shore — distant thoughts gathered in contemplation, faintly spanning a thousand li. Golden terraces and silver towers — clouds floating, peaks standing; where feeling stirs, response comes; the spirit bird manifests blessing. Flying in from the clear Milky Way, all gathering at the glorious spring — fine sounds like jade ringing, white substance fresh as water. Growing intimate with benevolence, tame in virtue — gently, gracefully — its departing traces never extinguished, for ten thousand years.
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帝覽而善之，命有司勒於海上。 以渡遼功，授建節尉。 綽恃才任氣，無所降下。 著作郎諸葛潁以學業幸於帝，綽每輕侮之，由是有隙。 帝嘗問綽於潁，潁曰：「虞綽粗人也。」 帝頷之。 時禮部尚書楊玄感稱為貴倨，虛襟禮之，與結布衣之友。 綽數從之遊。 其族人虞世南誡之曰：「上性猜忌，而君過厚玄感。 若與絕交者，帝知君改悔，可以無咎； 不然，終當見禍。」 綽不從。 尋有告綽以禁內兵書借玄感，帝甚銜之。 及玄感敗後，籍沒其家，妓妾併入宮。 帝因問之，玄感平常時與何人交往，其妾以虞綽對。 帝令大理卿鄭善果窮治其事，綽曰：「羈旅薄游，與玄感文酒談款，實無他謀。」 帝怒不解，徙綽且末。 綽至長安而亡，吏逮之急，於是潛渡江，變姓名，自稱吳卓。 游東陽，抵信安令天水辛大德，大德舍之。 歲餘，綽與人爭田相訟，因有識綽者而告之，竟為吏所執，坐斬江都，時年五十四。 所有詞賦，並行於世。
The emperor read it and approved, ordering the relevant offices to inscribe it on the seashore. For merit in crossing to Liaodong, he was appointed Commandant Bearing the Staff. Chuo relied on his talent and indulged his temperament, deferring to no one. Editing Clerk Zhuge Ying, favored by the emperor for his scholarship, was constantly slighted by Chuo — hence enmity arose. The emperor once asked Ying about Chuo; Ying said: "Yu Chuo is a coarse man. The emperor nodded assent. At the time Minister of Rites Yang Xuangan was said to be proud and aloof; Chuo opened his bosom and treated him with courtesy, forming a friendship of plain cloth. Chuo often accompanied him in his outings. His clansman Yu Shinan admonished him: "The emperor's nature is suspicious, yet you treat Xuangan with excessive warmth. If you break off the friendship, when the emperor knows you have repented, you may escape blame; otherwise, in the end you will surely meet disaster. Chuo did not heed him. Before long someone reported that Chuo had lent Xuangan military books from within the palace precincts; the emperor deeply harbored resentment. When Xuangan was defeated, his household was confiscated and his courtesans and concubines were all taken into the palace. The emperor thereupon asked whom Xuangan ordinarily associated with; one of his concubines named Yu Chuo. The emperor ordered Chief Minister of Justice Zheng Shanguo to investigate thoroughly; Chuo said: "As a traveler wandering far, I exchanged literary conversation and wine with Xuangan — truly no other design. The emperor's anger was not appeased, and Chuo was exiled to Qiemao. Chuo reached Chang'an and fled; officials pressed the pursuit urgently — whereupon he secretly crossed the river, changed his name, and called himself Wu Zhuo. Roaming to Dongyang, he came to Xin Dade, Magistrate of Xin'an in Tianshui; Dade gave him lodging. After more than a year, Chuo had a land dispute with someone and went to court; because someone recognized him and reported him, he was finally seized by officials and executed at Jiangdu at the age of fifty-four. All his poetry and rhapsodies circulated in his day.
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大德為令，誅翦群盜，甚得民和。 與綽俱為使者所執，其妻泣曰：「每諫君無匿學士，今日之事，豈不哀哉！」 大德笑曰：「我本圖脫長者，反為人告之，吾罪也。 當死以謝綽。」 會有詔，死罪得以擊賊自效。 信安吏民詣使者叩頭曰：「辛君人命所懸，辛君若去，亦無信安矣。」 使者留之以討賊。 帝怒，斬使者，大德獲全。 王胄王胄，字承基，琅邪臨沂人也。 祖筠，梁太子詹事。 父祥，陳黃門侍郎。 胄少有逸才，仕陳，起家鄱陽王法曹參軍，曆太子舍人、東陽王文學。 及陳滅，晉王廣引為學士。 仁壽末，從劉方擊林邑，以功授帥都督。 大業初，為著作佐郎，以文詞為煬帝所重。 帝常自東都還京師，賜天下大酺，因為五言詩，詔胄和之。 其詞曰：「河洛稱朝市，崤函實奧區。 周營曲阜作，漢建奉春謨。 大君苞二代，皇居盛兩都。 招搖正東指，天駟乃西驅。 展軨齊玉軑，式道耀金吾。 千門駐罕罼，四達儼車徒。 是節春之暮，神皋華實敷。 皇情感時物，睿思屬枌榆。 詔問百年老，恩隆五日酺。 小人荷熔鑄，何由答大爐。」 帝覽而善之，因謂侍臣曰：「氣高致遠，歸之於胄； 詞清體潤，其在世基； 意密理新，推庾自直。 過此者，未可以言詩也。」 帝所有篇什，多令繼和。 與虞綽齊名，同志友善，于時後進之士咸以二人為准的。 從征遼東，進授朝散大夫。 胄性疏率不倫，自恃才大，鬱鬱于薄宦，每負氣陵傲，忽略時人。 為諸葛潁所嫉，屢譖之於帝，帝愛其才而不罪。 禮部尚書楊玄感虛襟與交，數遊其第。 及玄感敗，與虞綽俱徙邊。 胄遂亡匿，潛還江左，為吏所捕，坐誅，時年五十六。 所著詞賦，多行於世。
As magistrate, Dade exterminated bandit gangs and greatly won the people's accord. He and Chuo were both seized by the messenger; his wife wept and said: "I repeatedly admonished you not to harbor scholars — today's affair — is it not pitiful! Dade smiled and said: "I originally intended to help a worthy man escape — instead I was reported by someone; this is my fault. I should die to answer to Chuo." Just then there was an edict that those guilty of capital crimes might redeem themselves by striking bandits. The officials and people of Xin'an came to the messenger and knocked their heads, saying: "Magistrate Xin's life is what hangs in the balance — if Magistrate Xin departs, there will be no Xin'an left. The messenger kept him to suppress bandits. The emperor raged and executed the messenger; Dade was spared. Wang Zhou, courtesy name Shengji, was a native of Linyi in Langya commandery. His grandfather Yun served as Steward of the Heir Apparent under the Liang dynasty. His father Xiang served as Attendant at the Yellow Gate under Chen. Zhou from youth had exceptional talent; serving Chen, he began his career as Legal Officer Aide to the Prince of Poyang and served successively as Attendant of the Crown Prince and Literary Scholar to the Prince of Dongyang. When Chen fell, Prince of Jin Yang Guang brought him in as Literary Scholar. At the end of the Renshou era he followed Liu Fang in attacking Linyi and for merit was appointed Commander-in-Chief. At the beginning of Daye he served as Editing Assistant; his literary compositions were highly valued by Emperor Yang. The emperor often returned from the Eastern Capital to the capital, granting a grand feast throughout the realm; he thereupon composed a pentasyllabic poem and ordered Zhou to harmonize with it. The lyrics read: "The Yellow and Luo are called the court's marketplace; Xiao and Han are truly the heartland. Zhou established its rule at Qufu; Han founded its capital on Fengchun's counsel. Our great lord embraces two dynasties; his imperial seat flourishes in twin capitals. The Dipper points due east; the Heavenly Team now drives westward. Axles unfold with jade hubs aligned; the route-clearing guard gleams in gold. At a thousand gates the imperial hunt-net halts; on four thoroughfares chariots and foot soldiers stand in ordered ranks. This season marks the end of spring; the sacred fields spread flowers and fruit in abundance. The emperor's heart responds to the season; his sage thoughts turn homeward. Edicts inquire after centenarians; imperial grace magnifies the five-day feast. I, the lesser man, have received smelting and casting — how can I answer the great furnace? The emperor read it and approved, then said to his attendants: "Lofty spirit reaching far — that belongs to Zhou; clear words and polished style belong to Shiji; dense meaning and fresh reasoning — I put forward Yu Zizhi. Beyond these, one cannot speak of poetry at all." Of all the emperor's compositions, he often ordered Zhou to harmonize with them. Famous alongside Yu Chuo, kindred in spirit and friendly, at the time aspiring scholars all took the two as their standard. On the Liaodong campaign he was promoted to Grand Master of Palace Leisure. Zhou's nature was loose and unconventional; relying on his great talent, he brooded over low offices, often arrogant and overbearing, and disdained his contemporaries. Envied by Zhuge Ying, who repeatedly slandered him to the emperor, the emperor loved his talent and did not punish him. Minister of Rites Yang Xuangan, with an open mind, befriended him and often visited his residence. When Xuangan was defeated, he and Yu Chuo were both exiled to the frontier. Zhou then fled into hiding and secretly returned to Jiangzuo; captured by officials, he was executed at the age of fifty-six. His poetry and rhapsodies widely circulated in his day.
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胄兄眘，字元恭，博學多通。 少有盛名于江左。 仕陳，曆太子洗馬、中舍人。 陳亡，與胄俱為學士。 煬帝即位，授秘書郎，卒官。 庾自直庾自直，潁川人也。 父持，陳羽林監。 自直少好學，沉靜寡欲。 仕陳，曆豫章王府外兵參軍、宣惠記室。 陳亡，入關，不得調。 晉王廣聞之，引為學士。 大業初，授著作佐郎。 自直解屬文，于五言詩尤善。 性恭慎，不妄交遊，特為帝所愛。 帝有篇章，必先示自直，令其詆訶。 自直所難，帝輒改之，或至於再三，俟其稱善，然後方出。 其見親禮如此。 後以本官知起居舍人事。 化及作逆，以之北上，自載露車中，感激發病卒。 有文集十卷行於世。 潘徽潘徽，字伯彥，吳郡人也。 性聰敏，少受《禮》于鄭灼，受《毛詩》于施公，受《書》于張沖，講《莊》、《老》于張譏，並通大義。 尤精三史。 善屬文，能持論。 陳尚書令江總引致文儒之士，徽一詣總，總甚敬之。 釋褐新蔡王國侍郎，選為客館令。 隋遣魏澹聘于陳，陳人使徽接對之。 澹將返命，為啟于陳主曰：「敬奉弘慈，曲垂餞送。」 徽以為「伏奉」為重，「敬奉」為輕，卻其啟而不奏。 澹立議曰：「《曲禮》注曰：『禮主於敬。』 《詩》曰：『維桑與梓，必恭敬止。』 《孝經》曰：『宗廟致高。』 又云：『不敬其親，謂之悖禮。』 孔子敬天之怒，成湯聖敬日躋。 宗廟極重，上天極高，父極尊，君極貴，四者咸同一敬，五經未有異文，不知以敬為輕，竟何所據？」 徽難之曰：「向所論敬字，本不全以為輕，但施用處殊，義成通別。 《禮》主於敬，此是通言，猶如男子『冠而字之』，注云『成人敬其名也』。 《春秋》有冀缺，夫妻亦云『相敬』。 既於子則有敬名之義，在夫亦有敬妻之說，此可複並謂極重乎？ 至若『敬謝諸公』，固非尊地，『公子敬愛'，止施賓友，『敬問』『敬報』，彌見雷同，『敬聽』『敬酬』，何關貴隔！ 當知敬之為義，雖是不輕，但敬之於語，則有時混漫。 今云『敬奉』，所以成疑。 聊舉一隅，未為深據。」 澹不能對，遂從而改焉。 及陳滅，為州博士，秦孝王俊聞其名，召為學士。 嘗從俊朝京師，在途，令徽於馬上為賦，行一驛而成，名曰《述恩賦》。 俊覽而善之。 複令為《萬字文》，並遣撰集字書，名為《韻篡》。 徽為序曰：
Zhou's elder brother Shen, courtesy name Yuangong, was broadly learned and thoroughly versed. From youth he enjoyed great fame in Jiangzuo. Serving Chen, he successively held the posts of Attendant Cavalry for the Crown Prince and Central Household Attendant. When Chen fell, he and Zhou both became Literary Scholars. When Emperor Yang ascended the throne, he was appointed Secretariat Gentleman and died in office. Yu Zizhi — Yu Zizhi was a native of Yingchuan. His father Chi served as Forest Guard Supervisor under Chen. From youth Zizhi loved learning; he was calm, reserved, and had few desires. Serving Chen, he successively held the posts of External Military Aide to the Prince of Yuzhang and Recorder of Manifest Benevolence. When Chen fell, he entered the passes but could not obtain appointment. Prince of Jin Yang Guang heard of him and brought him in as Literary Scholar. At the beginning of Daye he was appointed Editing Assistant. Zizhi was versed in literary composition and especially skilled at pentasyllabic poetry. Respectful and cautious by nature, he did not socialize lightly and was especially favored by the emperor. When the emperor had compositions, he always first showed them to Zizhi and ordered him to criticize them. Whatever Zizhi faulted, the emperor at once revised, sometimes two or three times, waiting until he praised it before releasing it. Such was the intimacy and honor shown him. Later, while retaining his original rank, he oversaw the duties of Court Diarist. When Huaji rebelled, he was taken north; riding in an open cart, he was stirred to illness and died. A collected works in ten fascicles circulated in his day. Pan Hui — Pan Hui, courtesy name Boyan, was a native of Wu commandery. Intelligent by nature, in youth he studied the Rites under Zheng Zhuo, the Mao Odes under Master Shi, the Documents under Zhang Chong, and the Zhuangzi and Laozi under Zhang Ji, mastering the great principles of all. He was especially proficient in the Three Histories. He was skilled at literary composition and capable in debate. Jiang Zong, Minister of Works of Chen, gathered literary scholars; Hui paid him one visit and Jiang greatly respected him. Upon first appointment he served as Gentleman of the Prince of Xincai's domain and was selected as Keeper of the Guest Hostel. Sui sent Wei Dan as envoy to Chen; the Chen court had Hui receive and respond to him. Dan was about to return with his report and wrote a memorial to the Chen ruler, saying: "Respectfully receiving your vast kindness, you graciously saw us off. Hui held that "prostrate submission" was weighty while "respectful submission" was light; he rejected the memorial and did not submit it. Dan set forth his argument, saying: "The commentary on the Qu Li says: 'Rites are rooted in reverence. The Odes say: 'Of mulberry and catalpa, one must be reverent and respectful. The Classic of Filial Piety says: 'In the ancestral temple, reverence reaches its height. It also says: 'Not revering one's parents is called violating the rites. Confucius revered Heaven's wrath; King Cheng of Tang daily ascended in sage reverence. The ancestral temple is supremely weighty, Heaven supremely high, the father supremely honored, the ruler supremely exalted — all four share the same reverence; the Five Classics nowhere give divergent readings — on what ground do you hold reverence to be light?' Hui challenged him, saying: "In what I argued earlier about the word 'reverence,' I did not wholly treat it as light — only its application differs from place to place, so the meaning becomes general in one case and particular in another. That rites are rooted in reverence is a general statement — just as when a man 'is capped and given a style name,' the commentary says 'as an adult he is reverent toward his personal name.'" In the Spring and Autumn Annals there is Ji Que; husband and wife are also said to 'show mutual reverence.'" If toward a son there is the meaning of reverence for the personal name, and toward a husband there is also talk of revering the wife — can these likewise all be called supremely weighty? As for 'respectfully thanking the lords,' that is plainly not a place of supreme honor; 'the prince respectfully loves' applies only to guests and friends; 'respectful inquiry' and 'respectful reply' show all the more how formulaic it is; 'respectful listening' and 'respectful response' — what have they to do with rank and distance! One should know that as a principle reverence is not light — yet in language, reverence sometimes becomes vague and indiscriminate. To say 'respectful submission' here is what gives rise to doubt. I have merely offered one corner of the matter — this is not yet deep proof." Dan could not reply and thereupon changed his wording accordingly. When Chen fell he served as prefectural doctor; Prince Jun of Qin Xiaowang heard his name and summoned him as Literary Scholar. Once, accompanying Jun to the capital, on the road he ordered Hui to compose a rhapsody on horseback; finished within one post station's travel, it was titled Rhapsody on Expressing Gratitude. Jun read it and approved. He also ordered the Ten Thousand Character Essay and commissioned compilation of a character book named Rhyme Compendium. Hui composed a preface, saying:
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文字之來尚矣。 初則羲皇出震，觀象緯以法天，次則史頡佐軒，察蹄跡而取地。 於是八卦爰始，爻文斯作，繩用既息，墳籍生焉。 至如龍策授河，龜威出洛，綠綈白檢，述勳、華之運，金繩玉字，表殷、夏之符，銜甲示于姬壇，吐卷徵于孔室，莫不理包遠邇，跡會幽明，仰協神功，俯照人事。 其製作也如彼，其祥瑞也如此，故能宣流萬代，正名百物，為生民之耳目，作後王之模範，頌美形容，垂芬篆素。 暨大隋之受命也，追從三五，並曜參辰，外振武功，內修文德。 飛英聲而勒嵩岱，彰大定而銘鐘鼎。 春幹秋羽，盛禮樂於膠庠，省俗觀風，采歌謠于唐衛。 我秦王殿下，降靈霄極，稟秀天機，質潤珪璋，文兼黼黻。 楚詩早習，頗屬懷於言志，沛《易》先通，每留神于索隱。 尊儒好古，三雍之對已遒，博物多能，百家之工彌洽。 遨遊必名教，漁獵唯圖史。 加以降情引汲，擇善芻微，築館招賢，攀枝佇異。 剖連城于井裡，賁束帛於丘園，薄技無遺，片言便賞。 所以人加脂粉，物競琢磨，俱報稻粱，各施鳴吠。 于時歲次鶉火，月躔夷則，驂駕務隙，靈光意靜。 前臨竹沼，卻倚桂岩，泉石瑩仁智之心，煙霞發文彩之致，賓僚霧集，教義風靡。 乃討論群藝，商略眾書，以為小學之家，尤多舛雜，雖複周禮漢律，務在貫通，而巧說邪辭，遞生同異。 且文訛篆隸，音謬楚夏，《三蒼》、《急就》之流，微存章句，《說文》、《字林》之屬，唯別體形。 至於尋聲推韻，良為疑混，酌古會今，未臻功要。 末有李登《聲類》、呂靜《韻集》，始判清濁，才分宮羽，而全無引據，過傷淺局，詩賦所須，卒難為用。 遂躬紆睿旨，摽摘是非，撮舉宏綱，裁斷篇部，總會舊轍，創立新意，聲別相從，即隨注釋。 詳之詁訓，證以經史，備包《騷》《雅》，博牽子集，汗簡雲畢，題為《韻篡》，凡三十卷，勒成一家。 方可藏彼名山，副諸石室，見群玉之為淺，鄙懸金之不定。 爰命末學，制其都序。 徽業術已寡，思理彌殫，心若死灰，文慚生氣。 徒以犬馬識養，飛走懷仁，敢執顛沛之辭，遂操狂簡之筆。 而齊魯富經學，楚鄭多良士，西河之彥，幸不誚于索居，東裡之才，請能加於潤色。
The origin of writing is very ancient. At first Fuxi emerged with the thunder, observing celestial patterns to model Heaven; next Cang Jie assisted the Yellow Emperor, examining hoofprints to take the measure of earth. Then the Eight Trigrams began, line-and-script arose, knotted cords ceased to serve, and written records were born. Consider the dragon tally given at the river, the tortoise omen emerging from the Luo; green silk and white tablets recording the fortunes of Emperor Xun and Emperor Hua; gold cords and jade characters marking the tokens of Yin and Xia; armor-bearing shells shown at the Ji altar, scrolls disgorged as signs at Confucius's house — all embraced near and far in principle, traces meeting in dark and light, above harmonizing with divine power, below illuminating human affairs. Its creation was thus, its auspicious signs like this — therefore it could spread through ten thousand generations, set right the names of the hundred things, serve as the eyes and ears of the people, become the model for later kings, praise and beautify in description, and leave fragrance on bamboo slips and silk. When Great Sui received the Mandate, it followed the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, shining together with the Three Stars; outwardly it strengthened martial achievement, inwardly it cultivated civil virtue. Its soaring fame was carved on Mount Song and Mount Tai; its great settlement was inscribed on bells and cauldrons. With spring plowing and autumn feathers, rites and music flourished in the schools; inspecting customs and observing local ways, ballads were gathered in Tang and Wei. Our Prince of Qin, descending in spirit from the highest heaven, endowed with heaven's finest essence — his substance polished like jade and scepter-stone, his culture combining brocade and embroidery. He early studied the poetry of Chu and greatly cherished expressing intent in words; he first mastered the expansive Changes and always kept his mind on probing hidden meaning. Revering Confucian learning and loving antiquity, his responses at the Three Yong were already forceful; broadly learned and multitalented, his mastery of the hundred schools grew ever more complete. In his roaming he kept to moral teaching; in his hunting he took only charts and histories. Moreover he lowered his feelings to draw others up, chose the good even in humble fodder, built halls to summon the worthy, and waited on branches for extraordinary talent. He prized linked-city jade from village wells and honored bundles of silk in rustic gardens; no slight skill was overlooked, and a single phrase might win reward. Therefore people applied rouge and powder, things vied in polishing; all repaid grain and millet, each offering bark and cry. At that time the year stood at Quail Fire, the moon traversed Yize; the paired chariot found leisure between duties, and spiritual light rested in quiet intent. Facing a bamboo pond in front, leaning against cassia cliffs behind — springs and stones polished the heart of benevolence and wisdom; mist and clouds released the charm of literary color; guests and aides gathered like fog; teaching and principle spread on the wind. Then they discussed the various arts and weighed the many books, holding that the school of elementary learning was especially confused and mixed — though Zhou rites and Han statutes sought thorough mastery, clever arguments and perverse phrases constantly produced agreement and divergence. Moreover script had erred from seal to clerical forms, pronunciation was mistaken between Chu and Xia; works like the Three Cang and Rapid Composition preserved only fragments of phrasing; works like the Shuowen and Zilin distinguished bodily forms alone. As for tracing sound and inferring rhyme, this was truly confused and doubtful; weighing antiquity against the present, the essential achievement had not been reached. Only later did Li Deng's Sound Categories and Lu Jing's Rhyme Collection first distinguish clear and murky tones and barely divide gong and yu modes — yet they wholly lacked textual support, were overly shallow and narrow, and what poetry and rhapsody require was in the end hard to use. Thereupon he personally bent to the sage command, marked out right and wrong, gathered the great outline, cut and arranged sections and parts, summed up old tracks, established new meaning — sounds distinguished and following one another, each immediately annotated. Explicating glosses in detail, verified by classics and histories, fully encompassing the Sao and Ya, broadly drawing on masters and collections — bamboo slips sweat and clouds finish; titled Rhyme Compendium, thirty fascicles in all, cut into a school of its own. Only then could it be stored on that famous mountain and deposited in the stone chamber — seeing the shallowness of the Jade Collection, disdaining the uncertainty of suspended gold. He thereupon ordered this least scholar to compose its general preface. Hui's learning and skill are already meager; my thinking is utterly exhausted — my heart like dead ash, my writing ashamed before living breath. Only because dogs and horses know how they are kept, and flying and running creatures cherish benevolence, do I dare take up words of hardship and wield this reckless, rough brush. Yet Qi and Lu abound in classical learning; Chu and Zheng have many worthy scholars — may the eminent men of Xihe not scoff at solitary composition; may the talents of Dongli please add polish.
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未幾，俊薨，晉王廣複引為揚州博士，令與諸儒撰《江都集禮》一部。 複令徽作序曰：
Before long Jun died; Prince of Jin Yang Guang again brought him in as Yangzhou Doctor and ordered him with various Confucians to compile one work, the Jiangdu Collected Rites. He again ordered Hui to compose a preface, saying:
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禮之為用至矣。 大與天地同節，明與日月齊照，源開三本，體合四端。 巢居穴處之前，即萌其理，龜文鳥跡以後，稍顯其事。 雖情存簡易，意非玉帛，而夏造殷因，可得知也。 至如秩宗三禮之職，司徒五禮之官，邦國以和，人神惟敬，道德仁義，非此莫成，進退俯仰，去茲安適！ 若璽印塗，猶防止水，豈直譬彼耕耨，均斯粉澤而已哉！ 自世屬坑焚，時移漢、魏，叔孫通之碩解，高堂隆之博識，專門者霧集，製作者風馳，節文頗備，枝條互起。 皇帝負扆垂旒，辨方正位，纂勳華之曆象，綴文武之憲章。 車書之所會通，觸境斯應，雲雨之所沾潤，無思不韙。 東探石簣之符，西蠹羽陵之策，鳴鑾太室，偃伯靈台，樂備五常，禮兼八代。 上柱國、太尉、揚州總管、晉王握珪璋之寶，履神明之德，隆化贊傑，藏用顯仁。 地居周邵，業冠河楚，允文允武，多才多藝。 戎衣而籠關塞，朝服而掃江湖，收杞梓之才，辟康莊之館。 加以佃漁六學，網羅百氏，繼稷下之絕軌，弘泗上之淪風，賾無隱而不探，事有難而必綜。 至於采標綠錯，華垂丹篆，刑名長短，儒墨是非，書圃翰林之域，理窟談叢之內，謁者所求之餘，侍醫所校之逸，莫不澄涇辨渭，拾珠棄蚌。 以為質文遞改，損益不同，《明堂》、《曲台》之記，南宮、東觀之說，鄭、王、徐、賀之答，崔、譙、何、瘐之論，簡牒雖盈，菁華蓋鮮。 乃以宣條暇日，聽訟餘晨，娛情窺寶之鄉，凝相觀濤之岸，總括油素，躬披緗縹，芟蕪刈楚，振領提綱，去其繁雜，撮其指要，勒成一家，名曰《江都集禮》。 凡十二帙，一百二十卷，取方月數，用比星周，軍國之義存焉，人倫之紀備矣。 昔者龜、蒙令後，睢、渙名籓，誠複出警入蹕，擬乘輿之制度，建韣載旂，用天子之禮樂。 求諸述作，未聞茲典。 方可韜之Ｐ水，副彼名山，見刻石之非工，嗤懸金之已陋。 是知《沛王通論》，不獨擅于前修，《甯朔新書》，更追慚於往冊。 徽幸樓仁岳，忝遊聖海，謬承恩獎，敢敘該博之致雲。
The function of ritual is supreme. In grandeur it keeps pace with Heaven and Earth; in brilliance it shines with sun and moon; its origins reach back to the three foundations, its substance embraces the four cardinal virtues. Even before men lived in nests and caves, its principles had already begun to form; after tortoise script and bird tracks appeared, its practices gradually came to light. Though the spirit favored simplicity and the meaning lay deeper than jade and silk offerings, how Xia fashioned ritual and Yin inherited it can still be discerned. Consider the Director of the Ancestral Temple charged with the three rites, and the Minister of Education with the five — through them states find harmony and men and spirits find reverence; virtue, the Way, benevolence, and righteousness cannot be achieved without ritual; in every bow, every step, every glance, where else could one turn? Like the paste on a seal, it holds back chaos as a dike holds water — how could it be reduced to a mere analogy for tilling fields or applying cosmetics! From the age of the pit and the burning of books, through Han and Wei, masters like Shusun Tong and Gaotang Long brought their great learning; specialists gathered in droves and compilers worked at fever pitch until regulations were largely complete and branches of ritual proliferated. The Emperor, enthroned with screen and pendant tassels, set the directions aright and aligned all positions, gathering the calendrical wisdom of Yao and Shun and weaving together the institutions of King Wen and King Wu. Where chariots and writing converge, every frontier touched brings response; where cloud and rain spread their blessing, no aspiration goes unfulfilled. Eastward he sought the talisman of the Stone Basket; westward he studied the texts of Yuling; he sounded his bells at the Grand Chamber and stilled his war-chariots at the Spirit Terrace; music fulfilled the five constants, ritual spanned eight dynasties. The Prince of Jin, Duke of Upper Pillar, Grand Commandant, and General Director of Yangzhou — holding the jade tablet and scepter, embodying divine virtue, fostering transformation and nurturing talent, concealing his power yet revealing his benevolence. His domain stood where the Zhou dukes once ruled; his achievements surpassed those of the He and Chu lands; he was truly both literary and martial, gifted in many arts. In armor he secured the frontier passes; in court dress he pacified the rivers and lakes; he gathered men of talent as one gathers fine timber, and opened halls to welcome them on the king's highway. Moreover he worked the six schools and gathered the hundred masters, reviving the lost traditions of Jixia and restoring the faded culture of Sishang; no hidden truth went unexplored, no difficult question unexamined. Whether colored headings or cinnabar annotations, legal disputes or Confucian-Mohist debates, texts from the libraries of scholars or the recesses of debate — even stray volumes sought by petitioners or collated by court physicians — all were sifted to separate the clear from the muddy, keeping pearls and casting aside shells. He saw that substance and ornament had shifted through the ages, and that additions and subtractions varied — records such as the Bright Hall and Qu Terrace, discussions from the Southern Palace and Eastern Watchtower, the replies of Zheng, Wang, Xu, and He, the treatises of Cui, Qiao, He, and Yu; though documents abounded, fine essence was rare. Then, in leisure from governing and in mornings left after hearing cases, he turned to the treasury of learning and the shore of great design — gathering scrolls, unrolling bindings himself, clearing away weeds, setting the main theme and raising the guiding principle, stripping away complexity and extracting essentials until one unified work emerged, titled the Jiangdu Collected Rites. In all, twelve fascicles and one hundred twenty scrolls — the number squared like the months, compared to the cycle of stars — preserving the principles of state and army and completing the norms of human relations. In former times the lords of Gui and Meng were ordered to succeed their fathers, and Sui and Huan were famed feudatories — they indeed went abroad with imperial escort and returned with roads cleared, adopting the trappings of the imperial carriage, setting up quivers and bearing banners, and employing the Son of Heaven's rites and music. Search through all literary works — nowhere is such a canon to be found. Only then could it be wrapped away in secret depths and deposited on that famous mountain — seeing that stone carving was inadequate craft, and scoffing at the crudeness of hanging gold. Thus we see that the Comprehensive Treatise of the Prince of Pei was not the sole masterpiece of earlier scholars, and the New Book of Ningshuo would blush in comparison with works of old. I, Hui, fortunate to stand on the tower of benevolence, unworthy to swim in the sea of sagehood, have wrongly received such gracious favor — and dare here set forth the breadth of this achievement.
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煬帝嗣位，詔徽與著作佐郎陸從典、太常博士褚亮、歐陽詢等助越公楊素撰《魏書》，會素薨而止。 授京兆郡博士。 楊玄感兄弟甚重之，數相來往。 及玄感敗，凡交關多罹其患。 徽以玄感故人，為帝所不悅，有司希旨，出徽為西海郡威定縣主簿。 意甚不平，行至隴西，發病卒。 杜正玄弟:正藏杜正玄，字慎徽，其先本京兆人，八世祖曼，為石趙從事中郎，因家於鄴。 自曼至正玄，世以文學相授。 正玄尤聰敏，博涉多通。 兄弟數人，俱未弱冠，並以文章才辨籍甚三河之間。 開皇末，舉秀才，尚書試方略，正玄應對如響，下筆成章。 僕射楊素負才傲物，正玄抗辭酬對，無所屈撓，素甚不悅。 久之，會林邑獻白鸚鵡，素促召正玄，使者相望。 及至，即令作賦。 正玄倉卒之際，援筆立成。 素見文不加點，始異之。 因令更擬諸雜文筆十餘條，又皆立成，而辭理華贍，素乃歎曰：「此真秀才，吾不及也！」 授晉王行參軍，轉豫章王記室，卒官。 弟正藏。
When Emperor Yang succeeded to the throne, he ordered Hui, together with Editing Assistant Lu Congdian, Grand Master of Sacrifices Chu Liang, Ouyang Xun, and others, to assist Duke of Yue Yang Su in compiling the Book of Wei; the project halted when Su died. He was appointed Doctor of Jingzhao Commandery. The brothers Yang Xuangan held him in high esteem, and they visited one another frequently. When Xuangan was defeated, nearly everyone who had dealings with him fell into trouble. Because Hui was an old friend of Xuangan, the Emperor took displeasure with him; the officials, reading his mood, transferred Hui to the post of Chief Clerk of Weiding County in Xihai Commandery. Deeply embittered, he set out for his new post; en route through Longxi he fell ill and died. Du Zhengxuan — Du Zhengxuan, styled Shenhui, whose ancestors were originally from Jingzhao; his eighth-generation ancestor Man served as Attendant Gentleman under the Stone Zhao, and the family then settled in Ye. From Man down to Zhengxuan, literary learning was handed down through the family for generations. Zhengxuan was especially quick-witted, widely learned, and masterful in many fields. Several brothers, none yet twenty, were all renowned throughout the Three Rivers region for their writing and eloquence. At the end of the Kaihuang era he was recommended as xiucai; when the Ministry tested him on strategy and policy, Zhengxuan answered without hesitation and wrote finished compositions at a stroke. Vice Director Yang Su, proud of his talent and arrogant toward others, found Zhengxuan answering his challenges without yielding; Su was greatly displeased. After some time, when Linyi presented a white parrot, Su urgently summoned Zhengxuan, dispatching messenger after messenger. When he arrived, Su immediately ordered him to compose a rhapsody. Under this sudden demand, Zhengxuan took up his brush and finished at once. Su saw that the text needed not a single correction, and began to regard him with new respect. He then ordered him to draft more than ten miscellaneous compositions; again all were finished at once, and the language and reasoning were splendid. Su sighed and said, "This is a true xiucai — I cannot match him! He was appointed Adjutant to the Prince of Jin, then transferred to Recorder for the Prince of Yuzhang, and died in office. His younger brother was Zhengcang.
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正藏字為善，尤好學，善屬文。 弱冠舉秀才，授純州行參軍，曆下邑正。 大業中，學業該通，應詔舉秀才，兄弟三人俱以文章一時詣闕，論者榮之。 著碑誄銘頌詩賦百餘篇。 又著《文章體式》，大為後進所寶，時人號為文軌，乃至海外高麗、百濟，亦共傳習，稱為《杜家新書》。 常得志京兆常得志，博學善屬文，官至秦王記室。 及王薨，過故宮，為五言詩，辭理悲壯，甚為時人所重。 複為《兄弟論》，義理可稱。 尹式河間尹式，博學解屬文，少有令問。 仁壽中，官至漢王記室，王甚重之，及漢王敗，式自殺。 其族人正卿、彥卿俱有俊才，名顯於世劉善經河間劉善經，博物洽聞，尤善詞筆。 曆仕著作佐郎、太子舍人。 著《酬德傳》三十卷，《諸劉譜》三十卷，《四聲指歸》一卷，行於世。 祖君彥范陽祖君彥，齊尚書僕射孝徵之子也。 容貌短小，言辭訥澀，有才學。 大業末，官至東平郡書佐。 郡陷於翟讓，因為李密所得。 密甚禮之，署為記室，軍書羽檄，皆成於其手。 及密敗，為王世充所殺。 孔德紹會稽孔德紹，有清才，官至景城縣丞。 竇建德稱王，署為中書令，專典書檄。 及建德敗，伏誅。 劉斌南陽劉斌，頗有詞藻，官至信都郡司功書佐。 竇建德署為中書舍人。 建德敗，複為劉闥中書侍郎，與劉闥亡歸突厥，不知所終。
Zhengcang, styled Weishan, was devoted to learning and skilled at literary composition. At twenty he was recommended as xiucai, appointed Adjutant of Chunzhou, and served in succession as magistrate of lesser counties. During the Daye era, his learning was comprehensive; summoned by imperial edict as xiucai, all three brothers traveled to court together on the strength of their writing — a feat commentators praised. He wrote more than one hundred stele inscriptions, dirges, eulogies, hymns, poems, and rhapsodies. He also wrote Literary Forms and Styles, which later scholars greatly treasured; contemporaries called it the Track of Letters, and even in distant Goguryeo and Baekje it was transmitted and studied under the name New Book of the Du Family. Chang Dezhi — Chang Dezhi of Jingzhao, a man of broad learning skilled at literary composition, rose to the post of Recorder to the Prince of Qin. When the prince died, Chang passed the former palace and composed a five-character poem — mournful and heroic in tone — that contemporaries greatly admired. He also wrote A Treatise on Brothers, whose reasoning was widely praised. Yin Shi — Yin Shi of Hejian, broadly learned and skilled at literary composition, enjoyed a fine reputation from youth. During the Renshou era he served as Recorder to the Prince of Han, who held him in high esteem; when the prince was defeated, Yin Shi took his own life. His clansmen Zhengqing and Yanqing both had outstanding talent and were famed in the world. Liu Shanjing — Liu Shanjing of Hejian, a man of wide learning and broad knowledge, especially skilled with words and the pen. He served in succession as Editing Assistant and Attendant to the Heir Apparent. He wrote Returning Favor Biographies in thirty scrolls, Genealogies of the Various Lius in thirty scrolls, and Guide to the Four Tones in one scroll — all of which circulated widely. Zu Junyan — Zu Junyan of Fanyang, son of Zu Xiao Zheng, Vice Director of the Ministry of Works under Qi. Short in stature and halting in speech, he nevertheless possessed talent and learning. At the end of the Daye era he served as Secretary Aide of Dongping Commandery. When the commandery fell to Zhai Rang, Zu came into the hands of Li Mi. Li Mi treated him with great respect and appointed him Recorder; military documents and urgent dispatches all issued from his hand. When Li Mi was defeated, Zu was killed by Wang Shichong. Kong Deshao — Kong Deshao of Kuaiji, a man of refined talent, rose to the post of Assistant Magistrate of Jingcheng County. When Dou Jiande declared himself king, he appointed Kong Director of the Secretariat, putting him exclusively in charge of official documents and dispatches. When Dou Jiande was defeated, Kong was executed. Liu Bin — Liu Bin of Nanyang, a man of considerable literary polish, rose to Secretary Aide in the Merit Office of Xindu Commandery. Dou Jiande appointed him Palace Secretary. When Dou Jiande was defeated, Liu served Liu Heita as Vice Director of the Secretariat; he fled with Liu Heita to the Turks, and his ultimate fate is unknown.
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史臣曰：魏文有言「古今文人，類不護細行，鮮能以名節自立」，信矣！ 王胄、虞綽之輩，崔儦、孝逸之倫，或矜氣負才，遺落世事，或學優命薄，調高位下，心鬱抑而孤憤，志盤桓而不定，嘯傲當世，脫略公卿。 是知跅弛見遺，嫉邪忤物，不獨漢陽趙壹、平原禰衡而已。 故多離咎悔，鮮克有終。 然其學涉稽古，文詞辨麗，並鄧林之一枝，昆山之片玉矣。 有隋總一寰宇，得人為盛，秀異之貢，不過十數。 正玄昆季三人預焉，華萼相耀，亦為難兄弟矣。
The historian writes: Cao Pi once said, "Literary men of every age generally neglect small proprieties; few can stand on their reputation and integrity alone" — how true that is! Wang Zhou, Yu Chuo, and their like; Cui Biao, Wang Zhen, and their kind — some proud of their talent and disdainful of worldly affairs; some scholars of great learning but ill fortune, nominally promoted yet kept low; hearts sunk in resentment, wills unsettled and adrift; defiant toward their age and careless of high officials. Thus we see that being unrestrained and cast aside, hating injustice and offending others — this was not the fate of Zhao Yi of Hanyang and Mi Heng of Pingyuan alone. Therefore many met blame and regret, and few came to good ends. Yet their learning reached deep into antiquity, and their writing was clear and beautiful — each a branch of the sacred forest, a shard of jade from Kun Mountain. When Sui unified the realm, its greatest strength lay in the men it gathered — yet outstanding talents numbered scarcely a dozen. Three brothers of the Zhengxuan family were among them — flowers and calyxes shining together — a brotherhood truly hard to match.