Volume 80 Biographies 45: Exemplary Women

隋書卷八十列傳第四十五

Book of Sui, Volume 80, Biographies 45

○列女

Exemplary Women

自昔貞專淑媛，布在方策者多矣。婦人之德，雖在於溫柔，立節垂名，咸資於貞烈。溫柔，仁之本也；貞烈，義之資也。非溫柔無以成其仁，非貞烈無以顯其義。是以詩書所記，風俗所在，圖像丹青，流聲竹素，莫不守約以居正，殺身以成仁者也。若文伯、王陵之母，白公、杞植之妻，魯之義姑，梁之高行，衛君靈主之妾，夏侯文寧之女，或抱信以含貞，或蹈忠而踐義，不以存亡易心，不以盛衰改節，其修名彰於既往，徽音傳於不朽，不亦休乎！或有王公大人之妃偶，肆情於淫僻之俗，雖衣繡衣，食珍膳，坐金屋，乘玉輦，不入彤管之書，不沾良史之筆，將草木以俱落，與麋鹿而同死，可勝道哉！永言載思，實庶姬之恥也。觀夫今之靜女，各勵松筠之操，甘於玉折而蘭摧，足以無絕今古。故述其雅志，以纂前代之列女雲。

Since ancient times, countless chaste and virtuous women have been recorded in the historical annals. A woman's virtue may lie in gentleness, but to establish her integrity and win lasting renown she must rely on steadfast fidelity. Gentleness is the foundation of benevolence; steadfast fidelity is what sustains righteousness. Without gentleness there can be no true benevolence; without steadfast fidelity righteousness cannot be made manifest. Thus the women recorded in the Odes and Documents, honored in local custom, painted in portraits, and whose fame lives on in written scrolls—all kept their vows and lived uprightly, giving their lives to fulfill the demands of humaneness. Consider the mothers of Wenbo and Wang Ling, the wives of Duke Bai and Qi Zhi, the righteous aunt of Lu, the woman of lofty conduct in Liang, the concubine of Duke Ling of Wei, and the daughter of Xiahou Wenning—some embraced faith and held fast to purity, others walked the path of loyalty and righteousness. None changed their hearts whether they lived or died, none altered their integrity in fortune or misfortune. Their cultivated names shine in ages past, their fine reputations endure forever—is this not splendid! Some consorts of kings and great men give themselves over to licentious and depraved ways. Though they wear embroidered robes, eat fine delicacies, dwell in golden chambers, and ride jade carriages, they win no place in the historians' records and earn no mention from worthy chroniclers. They will wither like grass and die like deer in the wild—how can one even begin to recount such cases! To dwell on this forever in one's thoughts is truly the shame of ordinary women. Consider the chaste women of our own day: each cultivates the steadfast integrity of pine and bamboo, willing to be broken like jade or crushed like orchids—deeds unmatched in all history. I therefore relate their lofty aspirations, compiling this account of exemplary women from former ages.

○蘭陵公主

Princess Lanling

蘭陵公主，字阿五，高祖第五女也。美姿儀，性婉順，好讀書，高祖于諸女中特所鍾愛。初嫁儀同王奉孝，卒，適河東柳述，時年十八。諸姊並驕貴，主獨折節遵於婦道，事舅姑甚謹，遇有疾病，必親奉湯藥。高祖聞之大悅。由是述漸見寵遇。初，晉王廣欲以主配其妃弟蕭瑒，高祖初許之，後遂適述，晉王因不悅。及述用事，彌惡之。高祖既崩，述徙嶺表。煬帝令主與述離絕，將改嫁之。公主以死自誓，不復朝謁，上表請免主號，與述同徙。帝大怒曰：「天下豈無男子，欲與述同徙耶？」主曰：「先帝以妾適於柳家，今其有罪，妾當從坐，不願陛下屈法申恩。」帝不從，主憂憤而卒，時年三十二。臨終上表曰：「昔共薑自誓，著美前詩，鄎媯不言，傳芳往誥。妾雖負罪，竊慕古人。生既不得從夫，死乞葬于柳氏。」帝覽之愈怒，竟不哭，乃葬主于洪瀆川，資送甚薄。朝野傷之。

Princess Lanling, whose courtesy name was A'wu, was the fifth daughter of Emperor Wen. She was graceful in bearing, gentle and compliant in nature, and fond of reading. Among all his daughters, Emperor Wen cherished her above the rest. She was first married to Wang Fengxiao, an honorary attendant, who soon died. She then married Liu Shu of Hedong at the age of eighteen. Her elder sisters were all proud and privileged, but the princess alone humbled herself and observed the duties of a wife. She served her parents-in-law with scrupulous care, and whenever they fell ill she personally prepared and offered their medicine. When Emperor Wen heard of this, he was greatly pleased. From this Liu Shu gradually came into favor at court. Initially Yang Guang, Prince of Jin, had wished to marry the princess to Xiao Chang, younger brother of his consort. Emperor Wen at first agreed, but she ultimately married Liu Shu instead, and the Prince of Jin was displeased. When Liu Shu came into power, he hated her all the more. After Emperor Wen died, Liu Shu was exiled to the Ling region in the far south. Emperor Yang ordered the princess to sever ties with Liu Shu and intended to marry her to someone else. The princess swore she would rather die, ceased attending court audiences, and submitted a memorial asking to be stripped of her title and exiled together with Liu Shu. The emperor was furious and said, "Are there no men under Heaven? Do you truly wish to be exiled together with Liu Shu? The princess replied, "The late emperor gave me in marriage to the Liu family. Now that they have committed a crime, I ought to share their punishment. I do not wish Your Majesty to bend the law on my account. The emperor would not agree. The princess died of grief and indignation at the age of thirty-two. On her deathbed she submitted a memorial saying, "In former times Jiang of Gong swore her vow and won praise in the ancient Odes; Gui of Xi held her silence and left her fragrance in edicts of old. Though I bear guilt, I have privately admired the ancients. In life I could not follow my husband; in death I beg to be buried among the Liu clan. When the emperor read this he grew even angrier. He did not weep at all, but buried the princess at Hongdu Stream with very meager funeral provisions. Court and commoners alike grieved for her.

南陽公主者，煬帝之長女也。美風儀，有志節，造次必以禮。年十四，嫁于許國公宇文述子士及，以謹肅聞。及述病且卒，主視調飲食，手自奉上，世以此稱之。及宇文化及殺逆，主隨至聊城，而化及為竇建德所敗，士及自濟北西歸大唐。時隋代衣冠並在其所，建德引見之，莫不惶懼失常，唯主神色自若。建德與語，主自陳國破家亡，不能報怨雪恥，淚下盈襟，聲辭不輟，情理切至。建德及觀聽者莫不為之動容隕涕，鹹肅然敬異焉。及建德誅化及，時主有一子，名禪師，年且十歲。建德遣武賁郎將於士澄謂主曰：「宇文化及躬行殺逆，人神所不容。今將族滅其家，公主之子，法當從坐，若不能割愛，亦聽留之。」主泣曰：「武賁既是隋室貴臣，此事何須見問！」建德竟殺之。主尋請建德削髮為尼。及建德敗，將歸西京，複與士及遇於東都之下，主不與相見。士及就之，立於戶外，請複為夫妻。主拒之曰：「我與君仇家。今恨不能手刃君者，但謀逆之日，察君不預知耳。」因與告絕，訶令速去。士及固請之，主怒曰：「必欲就死，可相見也。」士及見其言切，知不可屈，乃拜辭而去。

Princess Nanyang was the eldest daughter of Emperor Yang. She had fine bearing, possessed resolve and integrity, and observed ritual propriety in every circumstance. At fourteen she married Yu Shiji, son of Yuwen Shu, Duke of Xu, and was known for her careful and solemn conduct. When Yuwen Shu fell gravely ill and was near death, the princess supervised his diet and personally offered his food. The world praised her for this. When Yuwen Huaji committed regicide, the princess followed him to Liaocheng. Huaji was defeated by Dou Jiande, while Shiji fled west from Jibei to submit to the Great Tang. At that time the gentry of the Sui were all in his camp. When Dou Jiande summoned them for an audience, everyone showed fear and lost composure—only the princess remained calm. Dou Jiande spoke with her. The princess declared that her state was destroyed and her house ruined, that she could not avenge her wrongs and wipe away her shame. Tears filled her robe, her words did not cease, and her reasoning was deeply moving. Dou Jiande and all who watched were moved to tears. Everyone regarded her with solemn respect and wonder. When Dou Jiande executed Huaji, the princess had a son named Chanshi, nearly ten years old. Dou Jiande sent Martial Guard Commandant Yu Shicheng to tell the princess, "Yuwen Huaji personally committed regicide—intolerable to both men and spirits. Now his entire clan will be exterminated. Your son, by law, should share the punishment. If you cannot bring yourself to part with him, you may keep him. The princess wept and said, "Since you, Martial Guard, are a noble minister of the Sui house, why need you ask about this at all! Dou Jiande ultimately killed the boy. The princess soon asked Dou Jiande to let her shave her head and become a nun. When Dou Jiande was defeated and she was about to return to the Western Capital, she again encountered Shiji below the Eastern Capital. The princess refused to meet with him. Shiji went to her and stood outside the door, asking to resume their marriage. The princess refused him, saying, "You and I are enemies' kin. The only reason I regret I cannot kill you with my own hand is that on the day of the plot I saw you had no foreknowledge of it. She then declared an end to their relationship and rebuked him to leave at once. Shiji pressed his request. The princess angrily said, "If you must seek death, then you may see me. Seeing how stern her words were, Shiji knew she could not be moved. He bowed in farewell and departed.

○襄城王恪妃

Consort of Prince Xiangcheng Yang Ke

襄城王恪妃者，河東柳氏女也。父旦，循州刺史。妃姿儀端麗，年十余，以良家子合法相，娉以為妃。未幾而恪被廢，妃修婦道，事之愈敬。煬帝嗣位，恪複徙邊，帝令使者殺之于道。恪與辭訣，妃曰：「若王死，妾誓不獨生。」於是相對慟哭。恪既死，棺斂訖，妃謂使者曰：「妾誓與楊氏同穴。若身死之後得不別埋，君之惠也。」遂撫棺號慟，自經而卒。見者莫不為之涕流。

The consort of Prince Xiangcheng Yang Ke was a daughter of the Liu clan of Hedong. Her father Dan was governor of Xunzhou. The consort had elegant and beautiful bearing. In her early teens, as a girl of good family with proper physiognomy, she was betrothed and made consort. Before long Yang Ke was deposed. The consort observed the duties of a wife and served him with even greater respect. When Emperor Yang succeeded to the throne, Yang Ke was again exiled to the frontier. The emperor ordered envoys to kill him on the road. As Yang Ke took his leave in farewell, the consort said, "If the prince dies, I swear I will not live alone. They then wept bitterly facing each other. After Yang Ke died and the coffin was prepared, the consort told the envoys, "I swear to share a grave with the Yang clan. If after my death I am not buried separately, that will be your kindness. She then beat upon the coffin and wailed, and hanged herself to death. All who witnessed it wept for her.

○華陽王楷妃

Consort of Prince Huayang Yang Kai

華陽王楷妃者，河南元氏之女也。父岩，性明敏，有氣幹。仁壽中，為黃門侍郎，封龍涸縣公。煬帝嗣位，坐與柳述連事，除名為民，徙南海。後會赦，還長安。有人譖岩逃歸，收而殺之。妃有姿色，性婉順，初以選為妃。未幾而楷被幽廢，妃事楷逾謹，每見楷有憂懼之色，輒陳義理以慰諭之，楷甚敬焉。及江都之亂，楷遇宇文化及之逆，以妃賜其党元武達。武達初以宗族之禮，置之別舍，後因醉而逼之。妃自誓不屈，武達怒，撻之百餘，辭色彌厲。因取甓自毀其面，血淚交下，武達釋之。妃謂其徒曰：「我不能早死，致令將見侵辱，我之罪也。」因不食而卒。

The consort of Prince Huayang Yang Kai was a daughter of the Yuan clan of Henan. Her father Yan was by nature intelligent and quick, with force of character. During the Renshou era he served as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and was enfeoffed as Duke of Longge County. When Emperor Yang succeeded to the throne, he was implicated in Liu Shu's affair, stripped of rank and made a commoner, and exiled to Nanhai. Later he benefited from an amnesty and returned to Chang'an. Someone slandered Yan as having fled back without permission. He was arrested and executed. The consort was beautiful and graceful, gentle and compliant in nature, and was initially selected as consort. Before long Yang Kai was confined and deposed. The consort served him with even greater care. Whenever she saw worry and fear on his face she would expound moral principles to comfort and instruct him. Yang Kai greatly respected her. During the turmoil at Jiangdu, Yang Kai encountered Yuwen Huaji's rebellion. The consort was given to his follower Yuan Wuda. At first Yuan Wuda treated her with the rites due a clansman's wife and housed her in a separate residence. Later, while drunk, he tried to force himself upon her. The consort vowed she would not yield. Yuan Wuda was enraged and flogged her more than a hundred times, yet her words and expression grew all the sterner. She then took a brick and destroyed her own face. Blood and tears flowed together, and Yuan Wuda released her. The consort said to her attendants, "I did not die sooner, and so was about to suffer violation—this is my fault. She then ceased eating and died.

○譙國夫人

Lady of Qiao

譙國夫人者，高涼洗氏之女也。世為南越首領，跨據山洞，部落十余萬家。夫人幼賢明，多籌略，在父母家，撫循部眾，能行軍用師，壓服諸越。每勸親族為善，由是信義結於本鄉。越人之俗，好相攻擊，夫人兄南梁州刺史挺，恃其富強，侵掠傍郡，嶺表苦之。夫人多所規諫，由是怨隙止息，海南、儋耳歸附者千餘洞。梁大同初，羅州刺史馮融聞夫人有志行，為其子高涼太守寶娉以為妻。融本北燕苗裔，初，馮弘之投高麗也，遣融大父業以三百人浮海歸宋，因留於新會。自業及融，三世為守牧，他鄉羈旅，號令不行。至是，夫人誡約本宗，使從民禮。每共寶參決辭訟，首領有犯法者，雖是親族，無所舍縱。自此政令有序，人莫敢違。遇侯景反，廣州都督蕭勃徵兵援台。高州刺史李遷仕據大皋口，遣召寶。寶欲往，夫人止之曰：「刺史無故不合召太守，必欲詐君共為反耳。」寶曰：「何以知之？」夫人曰：「刺史被召援台，乃稱有疾，鑄兵聚眾，而後喚君。今者若往，必留質，追君兵眾。此意可見，願且無行，以觀其勢。」數日，遷仕果反，遣主帥杜平虜率兵入灨石。寶知之，遽告，夫人曰：「平虜，驍將也，領兵入灨石，即與官兵相拒，未得還。遷仕在州，無能為也。若君自往，必有戰鬥。宜遣使詐之，卑辭厚禮，雲身未敢出，欲遣婦往參。彼聞之喜，必無防慮。於是我將千余人，步擔雜物，唱言輸賧，得至柵下，賊必可圖。」寶從之，遷仕果大喜，覘夫人眾皆擔物，不設備。夫人擊之，大捷。遷仕遂走，保于寧都。夫人總兵與長城侯陳霸先會于灨石。還謂寶曰：「陳都督大可畏，極得眾心。我觀此人必能平賊，君宜厚資之。」

The Lady of Qiao was a daughter of the Xi clan of Gaoliang. For generations her family were chieftains of the Southern Yue, holding mountain strongholds and commanding more than a hundred thousand tribal households. From youth the lady was wise and intelligent, with many stratagems. While still in her parents' home she governed and comforted her followers, could deploy troops and command armies, and subdued the various Yue peoples. She always urged her kin to do good, and thus faith and righteousness bound her native region. The Yue people were accustomed to attacking one another. The lady's elder brother Ting, governor of Nanliangzhou, relied on his wealth and strength to raid neighboring commanderies, and the Ling region suffered greatly. The lady often admonished him, and thus enmity ceased. More than a thousand cave-settlements of Hainan and Dan'er submitted to her. In the early Datong era of Liang, Feng Rong, governor of Luozhou, hearing of the lady's resolve and conduct, betrothed her to his son Bao, governor of Gaoliang, as his wife. Feng Rong was descended from Northern Yan. When Feng Hong fled to Goguryeo, he sent Rong's great-grandfather Ye with three hundred men to cross the sea and submit to Song, and they settled at Xinhui. From Ye to Rong, for three generations they served as prefects and governors, yet as sojourners in a foreign land their orders did not prevail. At this point the lady admonished and restrained her own clan, making them follow the rites of the common people. She often joined Bao in deciding lawsuits. When chieftains violated the law, even if they were kin, none were spared. From this government and orders were orderly, and none dared disobey. When Hou Jing rebelled, Xiao Bo, governor-general of Guangzhou, mobilized troops to aid the capital. Li Qianshi, governor of Gaozhou, held Dagao Pass and sent to summon Bao. Bao wished to go, but the lady stopped him, saying, "The governor has no reason to summon the prefect without cause—he surely intends to deceive you into joining his rebellion. Bao asked, "How do you know this? The lady said, "The governor was summoned to aid the capital, yet claimed illness, cast weapons and gathered troops, and only then called for you. If you go now, he will surely hold you as hostage and press your troops into service. His intention is clear. I urge you not to go for now, but to watch how matters develop. Within days Li Qianshi did rebel, sending his chief commander Du Pinglu to lead troops into Gaoshi. Bao learned of it and hurried to report. The lady said, "Pinglu is a fierce general. Leading troops into Gaoshi, he will immediately engage government forces and be unable to return. Li Qianshi remains in the prefecture and can do nothing. If you go yourself, there will surely be fighting. You should send an envoy to deceive him with humble words and rich gifts, saying you dare not go yourself and wish to send your wife to attend him. When he hears this he will rejoice and surely let down his guard. Then I shall take more than a thousand men, carrying goods on foot and proclaiming we come to pay tribute. Once we reach the stockade, the rebels can surely be taken. Bao followed her advice. Li Qianshi was greatly pleased, and seeing the lady's followers all carrying goods, made no preparations. The lady attacked and won a great victory. Li Qianshi fled and took refuge at Ningdu. The lady commanded troops and met Chen Baxian, Marquis of Changcheng, at Gaoshi. On returning she told Bao, "Governor Chen is greatly to be feared. He wins the hearts of the people to the utmost. I observe that this man will surely be able to pacify the rebels. You should support him generously."

及寶卒，嶺表大亂，夫人懷集百越，數州晏然。至陳永定二年，其子僕年九歲，遺帥諸首領朝于丹陽，起家拜陽春郡守。後廣州刺史歐陽紇謀反，召僕至高安，誘與為亂。僕遣使歸告夫人，夫人曰：「我為忠貞，經今兩代，不能惜汝，輒負國家。」遂發兵拒境，帥百越酋長迎章昭達。內外逼之，紇徒潰散。僕以夫人之功，封信都侯，加平越中郎將，轉石龍太守。詔使持節冊夫人為中郎將、石龍太夫人，賚繡「Ｗ油絡駟馬安車一乘，給鼓吹一部，並麾幢旌節，其鹵簿一如刺史之儀。至德中，僕卒。後遇陳國亡，嶺南未有所附，數郡共奉夫人，號為聖母，保境安民。

When Bao died, the Ling region fell into great turmoil. The lady gathered the hundred Yue peoples, and several prefectures remained at peace. By the second year of Yongding of Chen, her son Pu was nine years old. He led the chieftains to court at Danyang and was appointed from common life as governor of Yangchun commandery. Later Ouyang He, governor of Guangzhou, plotted rebellion. He summoned Pu to Gao'an and tempted him to join the revolt. Pu sent a messenger home to tell the lady. She said, "I have served in loyalty through two dynasties now. I cannot spare you and betray the state. She then mobilized troops to guard the border, leading the chieftains of the hundred Yue to welcome Zhang Zhaoda. Pressed from within and without, He's followers scattered in defeat. For the lady's merit, Pu was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xindu, promoted to General of the Center for Pacifying Yue, and transferred to governor of Shilong. An edict with staff of authority enfeoffed the lady as General of the Center and Grand Lady of Shilong, bestowing an embroidered-canopy carriage with a four-horse team and lacquered net, one set of drums and pipes, along with banners, flags, and insignia of command. Her guard of honor matched that of a governor. During the Zhide era, Pu died. Later when Chen fell, Lingnan had no lord to follow. Several commanderies together upheld the lady, calling her the Holy Mother, and she guarded the territory and settled the people.

高祖遣總管韋洸安撫嶺外，陳將徐璒以南康拒守。洸至嶺下，逡巡不敢進。初，夫人以扶南犀杖獻于陳主，至此，晉王廣遣陳主遺夫人書，諭以國亡，令其歸化，並以犀杖及兵符為信，夫人見杖，驗知陳亡，集首領數千，盡日慟哭。遣其孫魂帥眾迎洸，入至廣州，嶺南悉定。表魂為儀同三司，冊夫人為宋康郡夫人。未幾，番禺人王仲宣反，首領皆應之，圍洸於州城，進兵屯衡嶺。夫人遣孫暄帥師救洸。暄與逆党陳佛智素相友善，故遲留不進。夫人知之，大怒，遣使執暄，系於州獄。又遣孫盎出討佛智，戰克，斬之。進兵至南海，與鹿願軍會，共敗仲宣。夫人親被甲，乘介馬，張錦傘，領彀騎，衛詔使裴矩巡撫諸州，其蒼梧首領陳坦、岡州馮岑翁、梁化鄧馬頭、藤州李光略、羅州龐靖等皆來參謁。還令統其部落，嶺表遂定。高祖異之，拜盎為高州刺史，仍赦出暄，拜羅州刺史。追贈寶為廣州總管、譙國公，冊夫人為譙國夫人。以宋康邑回授僕妾洗氏。仍開譙國夫人幕府，置長史以下官屬，給印章，聽發部落六州兵馬，若有機急，便宜行事。降敕書曰：「朕撫育蒼生，情均父母，欲使率土清淨，兆庶安樂。而王仲宣等輒相聚結，擾亂彼民，所以遣往誅翦，為百姓除害。夫人情在奉國，深識正理，遂令孫盎斬獲佛智，竟破群賊，甚有大功。今賜夫人物五千段。暄不進愆，誠合罪責，以夫人立此誠效，故特原免。夫人宜訓導子孫，敦崇禮教，遵奉朝化，以副朕心。」皇后以首飾及宴服一襲賜之，夫人並盛于金篋，並梁、陳賜物各藏於一庫。每歲時大會，皆陳於庭，以示子孫，曰：「汝等宜盡赤心向天子。我事三代主，唯用一好心。今賜物具存，此忠孝之報也，願汝皆思念之。」

Emperor Wen sent Commander Wei Guang to pacify the region beyond the Ling, while Chen general Xu Qiong held Nankang in defense. When Guang reached the foot of the Ling range, he hesitated and dared not advance. Earlier the lady had presented a rhinoceros-horn staff from Funan to the Chen ruler. At this point Yang Guang, Prince of Jin, had the Chen ruler send the lady a letter explaining the state's fall and urging her to submit, along with the rhinoceros staff and military tally as proof. Seeing the staff, the lady verified Chen's fall, gathered several thousand chieftains, and wept in grief all day. She sent her grandson Hun to lead the people in welcoming Guang. He entered Guangzhou and all of Lingnan was pacified. Hun was memorialized as Honorary Attendant of the Third Rank, and the lady was enfeoffed as Lady of Songkang commandery. Before long Wang Zhongxuan of Panyu rebelled. The chieftains all responded, besieging Guang at the prefectural city and advancing troops to encamp at Hengling. The lady sent her grandson Xuan to lead troops to rescue Guang. Xuan had long been friendly with the rebel Chen Fozhi, and therefore delayed and did not advance. When the lady learned of this she was furious. She sent envoys to seize Xuan and imprisoned him in the prefectural jail. She then sent her grandson Ang to campaign against Fozhi, defeated him in battle, and beheaded him. Advancing to Nanhai, she joined forces with Lu Yuan's army and together defeated Zhongxuan. The lady personally donned armor, rode an armored horse, spread a brocade parasol, and led armored cavalry to escort Imperial Commissioner Pei Ju on his tour of the prefectures. Chieftains Chen Tan of Cangwu, Feng Cenweng of Gangzhou, Deng Matou of Lianghua, Li Guanglue of Tengzhou, Pang Jing of Luozhou, and others all came to pay their respects. She then ordered them to govern their tribes, and the Ling region was settled. Emperor Wen marveled at this, appointing Ang governor of Gaozhou and releasing Xuan from prison to appoint him governor of Luozhou. Bao was posthumously honored as Commander of Guangzhou and Duke of Qiao, and the lady was enfeoffed as Lady of Qiao. The fief of Songkang was transferred back to Pu's concubine, Lady Xi. A staff office for the Lady of Qiao was established with officials from Chief Administrator downward. Seals were granted, and she was authorized to mobilize tribal troops from six prefectures. In urgent matters she might act at her discretion. An edict was issued saying, "We nurture the people with affection equal to that of parents, wishing to make all the realm pure and the multitude secure and content. Yet Wang Zhongxuan and others rashly gathered and banded together, disturbing the people. Therefore We sent forces to suppress and eliminate them, removing harm for the common people. The lady's heart lies in serving the state. Deeply knowing what is right, she had her grandson Ang slay and capture Fozhi, ultimately breaking the rebel bands—great merit indeed. Now We bestow upon the lady five thousand bolts of goods. Xuan's failure to advance was indeed deserving of punishment, but because the lady has shown such loyal merit, he is specially pardoned. The lady should instruct and guide her descendants, honor ritual teaching, and follow the court's civilizing influence, to accord with Our wishes. The empress bestowed upon her head ornaments and one set of banquet robes. The lady stored them all in a golden casket, and gifts from Liang and Chen were each kept in separate storehouses. At each year's great assembly she displayed them in the courtyard to show her descendants, saying, "You should devote your whole hearts to the Son of Heaven. I have served three generations of rulers with but one loyal heart. Now these gifts remain intact—this is the reward of loyalty and filial piety. I wish you all to keep them in mind."

時番州總管趙訥貪虐，諸俚獠多有亡叛。夫人遣長史張融上封事，論安撫之宜，並言訥罪狀，不可以招懷遠人。上遣推訥，得其贓賄，竟致於法。降敕委夫人招慰亡叛。夫人親載詔書，自稱使者，曆十余州，宣述上意，諭諸俚獠，所至皆降。高祖嘉之，賜夫人臨振縣湯沐邑，一千五百戶。贈僕為岩州總管、平原郡公。仁壽初，卒，賻物一千段，諡為誠敬夫人。

At that time Zhao Ne, commander of Fanzhou, was greedy and cruel, and many of the Li and Liao peoples fled or rebelled. The lady sent Chief Administrator Zhang Rong to submit a sealed memorial on the proper methods of pacification, also stating Ne's crimes and that he could not win over distant peoples. The emperor sent to investigate Ne, found evidence of bribery, and ultimately punished him by law. An edict was issued commissioning the lady to summon and comfort those who had fled or rebelled. The lady personally carried the edict, calling herself an envoy. Passing through more than ten prefectures she proclaimed the emperor's intent and instructed the Li and Liao peoples. Wherever she went, all submitted. Emperor Wen praised her and granted the lady a bath-fief at Linzhen county of one thousand five hundred households. Pu was posthumously honored as Commander of Yanzhou and Duke of Pingyuan commandery. At the beginning of Renshou she died. Funeral goods of one thousand bolts were granted, and she was given the posthumous title Lady of Sincere Reverence.

○鄭善果母

Mother of Zheng Shanguo

鄭善果母者，清河崔氏之女也。年十三，出適鄭誠，生善果。而誠討尉迥，力戰死於陣。母年二十而寡，父彥穆欲奪其志，母抱善果謂彥穆曰：「婦人無再見男子之義。且鄭君雖死，幸有此兒。棄兒為不慈，背死為無禮。寧當割耳截發以明素心。違禮滅慈，非敢聞命。」善果以父死王事，年數歲，拜使持節、大將軍，襲爵開封縣公，邑一千戶。開皇初，進封武德郡公。年十四，授沂州刺史，轉景州刺史，尋為魯郡太守。

The mother of Zheng Shanguo was a daughter of the Cui clan of Qinghe. At thirteen she was given in marriage to Zheng Cheng and bore Shanguo. Cheng campaigned against Yuwen Jiong and died fighting fiercely in battle. The mother was widowed at twenty. Her father Yanmu wished to change her resolve. Holding Shanguo, she told Yanmu, "A woman has no principle of seeing another man. Moreover, though Lord Zheng is dead, fortunately there is this son. To abandon the child is to be unloving; to betray the dead is to be without propriety. I would rather cut off my ears and shear my hair to declare my pure heart. To violate propriety and extinguish love—I dare not accept such a command. Shanguo, because his father died in the service of the state, was at several years of age appointed Bearer of the Staff of Authority and Grand General, inheriting the title Duke of Kaifeng county with a fief of one thousand households. At the beginning of Kaihuang he was advanced to Duke of Wude commandery. At fourteen he was appointed governor of Yizhou, transferred to governor of Jingzhou, and soon made governor of Lu commandery.

母性賢明，有節操，博涉書史，通曉治方。每善果出聽事，母恆坐胡床，於鄣後察之。聞其剖斷合理，歸則大悅，即賜之坐，相對談笑。若行事不允，或妄瞋怒，母乃還堂，蒙被而泣，終日不食。善果伏於床前，亦不敢起。母方起謂之曰：「吾非怒汝，乃愧汝家耳。吾為汝家婦，獲奉灑掃，如汝先君，忠勤之士也，在官清恪，未嘗問私，以身徇國，繼之以死，吾亦望汝副其此心。汝既年小而孤，吾寡婦耳，有慈無威，使汝不知禮訓，何可負荷忠臣之業乎？汝自童子承襲茅土，位至方伯，豈汝身致之邪？安可不思此事而妄加瞋怒，心緣驕樂，墮於公政！內則墜爾家風，或亡失官爵，外則虧天子之法，以取罪戾。吾死之日，亦何面目見汝先人於地下乎？」

The mother was by nature wise and intelligent, with integrity of character. She broadly studied books and histories and understood methods of governance. Whenever Shanguo went out to the audience hall, the mother always sat on a camp stool behind a screen to observe him. Hearing that his judgments were reasonable, she would return greatly pleased, grant him a seat, and converse and laugh together. If his conduct was improper or he rashly grew angry, the mother would return to her chamber, cover herself with a quilt and weep, and eat nothing all day. Shanguo would prostrate himself before her bed and dared not rise. When the mother finally rose she told him, "I am not angry with you; I am ashamed for your family. I became a wife in your family and was able to serve in household duties. Your late father was a man of loyalty and diligence, upright and scrupulous in office, never pursuing private interests, giving his body for the state and following with his death. I also hoped you would match this heart. You were young and orphaned; I am but a widow—with love but without authority, letting you not know ritual training. How could you bear the work of a loyal minister? From childhood you inherited a fief and rose to the rank of regional governor—did you achieve this by your own efforts? How can you not reflect on this and rashly give way to anger, letting your heart be swayed by pride and pleasure, and fall short in public affairs! Within, you would ruin your family's reputation and perhaps lose rank and title; without, you would violate the Son of Heaven's laws and incur punishment. On the day I die, with what face could I meet your ancestors in the underworld?"

母恆自紡績，夜分而寐。善果曰：「兒封侯開國，位居三品，秩俸幸足，母何自勤如是邪？」答曰：「嗚呼！汝年已長，吾謂汝知天下之理，今聞此言，故猶未也。至於公事，何由濟乎？今此秩俸，乃是天子報爾先人之徇命也。當須散贍六姻，為先君之惠，妻子奈何獨擅其利，以為富貴哉！又絲枲紡織，婦人之務，上自王后，下至大夫士妻，各有所制。若墮業者，是為驕逸。吾雖不知禮，其可自敗名乎？」自初寡，便不禦脂粉，常服大練。性又節儉，非祭禮賓客之事，酒肉不妄陳於前。靜室端居，未嘗輒出門閣。內外姻戚有吉凶事，但厚加贈遺，皆不詣其家。非自手作及莊園祿賜所得，雖親族禮遺，悉不許入門。

The mother always spun and wove herself, sleeping only after midnight. Shanguo said, "Your son is an enfeoffed marquis with a fief, holding third-rank position. Salary and stipends are sufficient—why do you toil so yourself? She replied, "Alas! You are already grown. I thought you knew the principles of the world—hearing these words now, you clearly do not yet. As for public affairs, how could you succeed? This salary and stipend now is the Son of Heaven's reward for your forebear's death in service. You should distribute it to support the six kinds of kin, as your late father's kindness. How can wife and children alone monopolize the benefit and call themselves wealthy and honored! Moreover, spinning hemp and silk is a woman's duty. From the queen above to the wives of grandees and officers below, each has her proper standards. To abandon this work is to be proud and indulgent. Though I may not know ritual, how could I ruin my own reputation? From the time she first became a widow she wore no cosmetics and always dressed in plain white silk. Her nature was also frugal. Except for sacrificial rites and entertaining guests, wine and meat were never casually set before her. She dwelt quietly in her chamber and never casually went beyond the gate. When kin within and without had occasions of fortune or misfortune, she only sent generous gifts and never visited their homes. What was not earned by her own hand or from estate and salary stipends—even gifts from kin by ritual—was not permitted to enter her door.

善果歷任州郡，唯內自出饌，於衙中食之，公廨所供，皆不許受，悉用修治廨宇及分給僚佐。善果亦由此克己，號為清吏。煬帝遣御史大夫張衡勞之，考為天下最。征授光祿卿。其母卒後，善果為大理卿，漸驕恣，清公平允遂不如疇昔焉。

Serving in successive prefectures and commanderies, Shanguo ate only food prepared within his household in the yamen. Supplies from the government offices he never accepted, using them all to repair official buildings and distribute to subordinates. Shanguo also through this restrained himself and was known as an upright official. Emperor Yang sent Censor-in-Chief Zhang Heng to commend him, and in official evaluation he was ranked the foremost official in the realm. He was summoned to court and appointed Director of the Imperial Household. After his mother died, Shanguo served as Director of the Court of Judicial Review and gradually grew proud and willful. His uprightness and fairness were no longer what they had once been.

○孝女王舜

Filial Daughter Wang Shun

孝女王舜者，趙郡王子春之女也。子春與從兄長忻不協，屬齊滅之際，長忻與其妻同謀殺子春。舜時年七歲，有二妹，粲年五歲，璠年二歲，並孤苦，寄食親戚。舜撫育二妹，恩義甚篤。而舜陰有復仇之心，長忻殊不為備。姊妹俱長，親戚欲嫁之，輒拒不從。乃密謂其二妹曰：「我無兄弟，致使父仇不復。吾輩雖是女子，何用生為？我欲共汝報復，汝意如何？」二妹皆垂泣曰：「唯姊所命。」是夜，姊妹各持刀逾牆而入，手殺長忻夫妻，以告父墓。因詣縣請罪，姊妹爭為謀首，州縣不能決。高祖聞而嘉歎，特原其罪。

The filial daughter Wang Shun was a daughter of Wang Zichun of Zhao commandery. Zichun was at odds with his cousin Chang Xin. At the time of Northern Qi's fall, Chang Xin and his wife together plotted to kill Zichun. Shun was then seven years old, with two younger sisters—Can at five and Fan at two—all orphaned and dependent, living on the charity of relatives. Shun raised her two sisters with deep affection and righteousness. Yet Shun secretly harbored thoughts of revenge, while Chang Xin was wholly unprepared. When the sisters all came of age, relatives wished to marry them off, but they always refused. She then secretly told her two sisters, "I have no brothers, and so our father's death goes unavenged. Though we are women, what use is there in living? I wish to take revenge together with you—what do you think? Both sisters wept and said, "We obey whatever our elder sister commands. That night the sisters each took a knife, climbed over the wall, and personally killed Chang Xin and his wife, then reported it at their father's grave. They then went to the county to confess their crime. The sisters each claimed to be the chief plotter, and prefecture and county could not decide. When Emperor Wen heard of this he praised them with admiration and specially pardoned their crime.

○韓覬妻

Wife of Han Qi

韓覬妻者，洛陽於氏女也，字茂德，父實，周大左輔。於氏年十四，適於覬。雖生長膏腴，家門鼎盛，而動遵禮度，躬自儉約，宗黨敬之。年十八，覬從軍戰沒，於氏哀毀骨立，慟感行路。每至朝夕奠祭，皆手自捧持。及免喪，其父以其幼少無子，將嫁之。誓無異志。複令家人敦喻，於氏盡夜涕泣，截發自誓。其父喟然傷感，遂不奪其志焉。因養夫之孽子世隆為嗣，身自撫育，愛同己生，訓導有方，卒能成立。自孀居已後，唯時或歸寧，至於親族之家，絕不來往。有尊卑就省謁者，送迎皆不出戶庭。蔬食布衣，不聽聲樂，以此終身。高祖聞而嘉歎，下詔褒美，表其門閭，長安中號為節婦闕。終於家，年七十二。

The wife of Han Qi was a daughter of the Yu clan of Luoyang, whose courtesy name was Maode. Her father Shi was Grand Left Assistant of Zhou. Lady Yu was fourteen when she married Han Qi. Though she grew up in wealth and her family was flourishing, in conduct she always observed ritual propriety and personally practiced frugality. Her clan respected her. At eighteen Han Qi died in battle on campaign. Lady Yu's grief wasted her to skin and bone, and her mourning moved passersby on the road. At each morning and evening offering she always personally held the vessels. When mourning ended, her father, because she was young and childless, intended to marry her off again. She swore she would not change her resolve. Her family again earnestly urged her. Lady Yu wept all night, cut off her hair, and swore her vow. Her father sighed with emotion and did not force her to change her mind. She then raised her husband's illegitimate son Shilong as heir, personally nurturing him with love equal to a child of her own and instructing him with proper methods until he was fully established. After she became a widow she only occasionally returned to her parents' home. As for the homes of relatives, she never visited at all. When seniors or juniors came to pay respects, she never went beyond the gate to see them off or welcome them. She ate plain food and wore coarse cloth, listened to no music, and lived thus to the end of her life. When Emperor Wen heard of this he praised her with admiration, issued an edict commending her, and honored her household gate. In Chang'an she was called the Arch of the Chaste Wife. She died at home at the age of seventy-two.

○陸讓母

Mother of Lu Rang

陸讓母者，上党馮氏女也。性仁愛，有母儀，讓即其孽子也。仁壽中，為番州刺史，數有聚斂，贓貨狼籍，為司馬所奏。上遣使按之皆驗，於是囚詣長髮，親臨問。讓稱冤，上複令治書侍御史撫按之，狀不易前。乃命公卿百僚議之，鹹曰「讓罪當死」。詔可其奏。讓將就刑，馮氏蓬頭垢面詣朝堂數讓曰：「無汗馬之勞，致位刺史，不能盡誠奉國，以答鴻恩，而反違犯憲章，贓貨狼籍。若言司馬誣汝，百姓百官不應亦皆誣汝。若言至尊不憐湣汝，何故治書覆汝？豈誠臣？豈孝子？不誠不孝，何以為人！」於是流涕嗚咽，親持盂粥勸讓令食。既而上表求哀，詞情甚切，上湣然為之改容。獻皇后甚奇其意，致請於上。治書侍御史柳彧進曰：「馮氏母德之至，有感行路。如或殺之，何以為勸？」上於是集京城士庶於硃雀門，遣舍人宣詔曰：「馮氏以嫡母之德，足為世范，慈愛之道，義感人神，特宜矜免，用獎風俗。讓可減死，除名為民。」複下詔曰：「馮氏體備仁慈，夙閑禮度。孽讓非其所生，往犯憲章，宜從極法。躬自詣闕，為之請命，匍匐頓顙。朕哀其義，特免死辜。使天下婦人皆如馮者，豈不閨門雍睦，風俗和平！朕每嘉歎不能已。宜標揚優賞，用章有德。可賜物五百段。」集諸命婦，與馮相識，以寵異之。

The mother of Lu Rang was a daughter of the Feng clan of Shangdang. She was by nature benevolent and loving, with the bearing of a mother. Rang was her stepson. During Renshou he served as governor of Fanzhou, repeatedly extorting wealth until booty lay scattered everywhere. He was impeached by the Vice Governor. The emperor sent envoys to investigate and all was verified. He was then imprisoned and brought to Chang'an, where the emperor personally questioned him. Rang claimed he was wronged. The emperor again ordered the Drafting Attendant Censor to reinvestigate, but the facts did not change from before. He then ordered the grandees and hundred officials to deliberate. All said, "Rang's crime deserves death." An edict approved their memorial. As Rang was about to be executed, Lady Feng came to the court hall with disheveled hair and a filthy face and rebuked him: "Without sweat-of-the-horse merit you reached the rank of governor. You could not devote yourself fully to serving the state and repaying great grace, but instead violated the statutes and left booty scattered everywhere. If you say the Vice Governor slandered you, then the common people and hundred officials should not all have slandered you as well. If you say the Sovereign did not pity you, why did the Drafting Censor reinvestigate on your behalf? Are you a loyal minister? Are you a filial son? Neither loyal nor filial—how can you be called human! She then wept with streaming tears, personally holding a bowl of gruel and urging Rang to eat. She then submitted a memorial pleading for mercy, her words deeply moving. The emperor was touched and his expression changed. Empress Xian greatly admired her intent and interceded with the emperor on her behalf. Drafting Attendant Censor Liu Yu advanced and said, "Lady Feng's maternal virtue is supreme, moving even passersby on the road. If he is executed, what example will that set? The emperor then gathered the gentry and commoners of the capital at Zhuque Gate and sent a palace attendant to proclaim an edict: "Lady Feng, with the virtue of a proper stepmother, is fit to be a model for the age. Her path of loving kindness moves men and spirits through righteousness. She should specially be shown mercy, to reward good custom. Rang's death sentence is reduced. He is stripped of rank and made a commoner. Another edict was issued: "Lady Feng embodies benevolence and kindness and has long been versed in ritual propriety. The stepson Rang was not born of her, yet having violated the statutes he should receive the ultimate penalty. She came personally to the palace to plead for his life, crawling and bowing her forehead to the ground. We pity her righteousness and specially exempt him from the death penalty. If all women under Heaven were like Lady Feng, would not inner chambers be harmonious and customs peaceful! Each time We praise and sigh without cease. She should be publicly honored with generous reward, to manifest those who possess virtue. She is granted five hundred bolts of goods. All titled ladies were assembled to be introduced to Lady Feng, honoring her with special favor.

○劉昶女

Daughter of Liu Chang

劉昶女者，河南長孫氏之婦也。昶在周，尚公主，官至柱國、彭國公，數為將帥，位望隆顯。與高祖有舊。及受禪，甚親任，曆左武衛大將軍、慶州總管。其子居士，為太子千牛備身，聚徒任俠，不遵法度，數得罪。上以昶故，每輒原之。居士轉恣，每大言曰：「男兒要當辮頭反縛，籧篨上作獠舞。」取公卿子弟膂力雄健者，輒將至家，以車輪括其頸而棒之。殆死能不屈者，稱為壯士，釋而與交。黨與三百人，其趫捷者號為餓鶻隊，武力者號為蓬轉隊。每韝鷹絏犬，連騎道中，毆擊路人，多所侵奪。長安市里無貴賤，見之者皆辟易，至於公卿妃主，莫敢與校者。其女則居士之姊也，每垂泣誨之，殷勤懇惻。居士不改，至破家產。昶年老，奉養甚薄。其女時寡居，哀昶如此，每歸甯於家，躬勤紡績，以致其甘脆。有人告居士與其徒游長安城，登故未央殿基，南向坐，前後列隊，意有不遜，每相約曰：「當為一死耳。」又時有人言居士遣使引突厥令南寇，當于京師應之。上謂昶曰：「今日之事，當複如何？」昶猶恃舊恩，不自引咎，直前曰：「黑白在於至尊。」上大怒，下昶獄，捕居士党與，治之甚急。憲司又奏昶事母不孝。其女知昶必不免，不食者數日，每親調飲食，手自捧持，詣大理餉其父。見獄卒，長跪以進，歔欷嗚咽，見者傷之。居士坐斬，昶竟賜死於家。詔百僚臨視。時其女絕而復蘇者數矣，公卿慰諭之。其女言父無罪，坐子以及於禍。詞情哀切，人皆不忍聞見。遂布衣蔬食以終其身。上聞而歎曰：「吾聞衰門之女，興門之男，固不虛也！」

The daughter of Liu Chang was the wife of the Zhangsun clan of Henan. Chang in Zhou married a princess, rose to Pillar of State and Duke of Peng, served repeatedly as general, and his rank and prestige were lofty and eminent. He had old ties with Emperor Wen. When the throne was received he was greatly trusted and favored, serving as General-in-Chief of the Left Martial Guard and Commander of Qingzhou. His son Jushi served as Personal Attendant of the Thousand-Ox Guard for the Crown Prince, gathering followers and practicing knight-errantry, not observing the law, and repeatedly offending. Because of Chang, the emperor each time pardoned him. Jushi grew ever more reckless, often declaring loudly, "A man ought to have his hair braided, be bound hand and foot, and dance the Liao dance upon a bamboo mat. He would take sons of grandees who were strong and robust, bring them to his house, encircle their necks with a cart wheel, and beat them with clubs. Those who nearly died yet did not yield he called stalwarts, released them, and befriended them. His faction numbered three hundred. The swift were called the Hungry Falcon Company, the strong the Whirling Thistle Company. Each time he hooded hawks and leashed dogs, riding in file along the road, beating passersby and seizing much by force. In the markets of Chang'an, high and low alike gave way at sight of him. Even grandees' consorts and princesses dared not contend with him. His daughter was Jushi's elder sister. She always wept as she admonished him, earnest and deeply sincere. Jushi did not reform until he ruined the family estate. Chang was old, and his support was very meager. His daughter was then a widow. Grieving for Chang in this state, each time she returned home to her parents she personally spun and wove to provide him delicacies. Someone reported that Jushi and his followers roamed Chang'an city, climbed the old foundation of Weiyang Palace, sat facing south with ranks arrayed before and behind, showing disrespectful intent, each saying to the other, "We ought to die for this. At times someone also said Jushi sent envoys to bring the Turks south to raid, and that he would respond in the capital. The emperor said to Chang, "In today's matter, what is to be done? Chang still relied on old favor, did not blame himself, and stepped forward saying, "Right and wrong lie with the Sovereign. The emperor was furious, imprisoned Chang, arrested Jushi's followers, and prosecuted them with great urgency. The judicial office also memorialized that Chang was unfilial toward his mother. His daughter knew Chang would surely not escape. She ate nothing for several days, yet each time personally prepared food, held it in her own hands, and went to the Court of Judicial Review to feed her father. Before the prison guards she knelt long to present it, sobbing and weeping. All who saw were moved to grief. Jushi was executed by decapitation. Chang was ultimately granted death at home. An edict ordered the hundred officials to witness it. At that time his daughter had fainted and revived several times. Grandees comforted and consoled her. His daughter said her father was guiltless, punished because of his son. Her words were mournful and piercing. None could bear to hear or see. She then wore coarse cloth and ate plain food to the end of her life. When the emperor heard he sighed and said, "I have heard that daughters of a declining house and sons of a rising house—this is truly no empty saying!"

○鐘士雄母

Mother of Zhong Shixiong

鐘士雄母者，臨賀蔣氏女也。士雄仕陳為伏波將軍。陳主以士雄嶺南酋帥，慮其反覆，每質蔣氏於都下。及晉王廣平江南，以士雄在嶺表，欲以恩義致之，遣蔣氏歸臨賀。既而同郡虞子茂、鐘文華等作亂，舉兵攻城，遣人召士雄，士雄將應之。蔣氏謂士雄曰：「我前在揚都，備嘗辛苦。今逢聖化，母子聚集，沒身不能上報，焉得為逆哉！汝若禽獸其心，背德忘義者，我當自殺於汝前。」士雄於是遂止。蔣氏複為書與子茂等，諭以禍福。子茂不從，尋為官軍所敗。上聞蔣氏，甚異之，封為安樂縣君。

The mother of Zhong Shixiong was a daughter of the Jiang clan of Linhe. Shixiong served Chen as General Who Calms the Waves. The Chen ruler, because Shixiong was a chieftain of Lingnan, feared he might turn traitor and each time held Lady Jiang as hostage in the capital. When Yang Guang, Prince of Jin, pacified Jiangnan, because Shixiong was in the Ling region he wished to win him through kindness and righteousness, and sent Lady Jiang back to Linhe. Soon after, Yu Zimao, Zhong Wenhua, and others of the same commandery rebelled, raised troops to attack the city, and sent men to summon Shixiong. Shixiong was about to respond. Lady Jiang said to Shixiong, "I was formerly in Yangdu and fully tasted hardship. Now we meet the sage transformation, mother and son reunited—even giving my life I could not repay this. How could I turn rebel! If your heart is that of a beast, betraying virtue and forgetting righteousness, I shall kill myself before you. Shixiong then stopped. Lady Jiang also wrote letters to Zimao and the others, instructing them on fortune and disaster. Zimao did not obey, and soon was defeated by government troops. When the emperor heard of Lady Jiang he greatly admired her and enfeoffed her as Lady of Anle county.

時尹州寡婦胡氏者，不知何氏妻也，甚有志節，為邦族所重。當江南之亂，諷諭宗黨，皆守險不從叛逆，封為密陵郡君。

At that time the widow Lady Hu of Yinzhou, wife of an unknown clan, possessed great resolve and integrity and was respected by her community. During the turmoil of Jiangnan she admonished her clan, who all held the passes and refused to join the rebels. She was enfeoffed as Lady of Miling commandery.

○孝婦覃氏

Filial Daughter-in-Law Lady Tan

孝婦覃氏者，上郡鐘氏婦也。與其夫相見未幾而夫死，時年十八。事後姑以孝聞。數年之間，姑及伯叔皆相繼而死，覃氏家貧，無以葬。於是躬自節儉，晝夜紡績，蓄財十年，而葬八喪，為州裡所敬，上聞而賜米百石，表其門閭。

The filial daughter-in-law Lady Tan was the wife of the Zhong clan of Shang commandery. She had not long been with her husband when he died. She was then eighteen. She served her mother-in-law and was known for filial piety. Within several years her mother-in-law and uncles all died in succession. The Tan family was poor and had no means to bury them. She then personally practiced frugality, spinning day and night. Saving for ten years she buried eight dead, was respected by her district, and when the emperor heard he granted a hundred shi of grain and honored her household gate.

○元務光母

Mother of Yuan Wuguang

元務光母者，范陽盧氏女也。少好讀書，造次以禮。盛年寡居，諸子幼弱，家貧不能就學，盧氏每親自教授，勖以義方，世以此稱之。仁壽末，漢王諒舉兵反，遣將綦良往山東略地。良以務光為記室。及良敗，慈州刺史上官政簿籍務光之家，見盧氏，悅而逼之，盧氏以死自誓。政為人兇悍，怒甚，以燭燒其身。盧氏執志彌固，竟不屈節。

The mother of Yuan Wuguang was a daughter of the Lu clan of Fanyang. From youth she loved reading and in every circumstance observed ritual propriety. In her prime she lived as a widow. Her sons were young and weak, the family was poor and could not send them to school. Lady Lu personally taught them, exhorting them with moral principles, and the world praised her for this. At the end of Renshou Yang Liang, Prince of Han, raised troops in rebellion and sent General Qi Liang to seize territory in Shandong. Liang made Wuguang his secretary. When Liang was defeated, Shangguan Zheng, governor of Cizhou, registered Wuguang's household. Seeing Lady Lu he was pleased and tried to force her. Lady Lu vowed she would rather die. Zheng was by nature fierce and brutal. Enraged, he burned her body with candles. Lady Lu held to her resolve all the more firmly and ultimately did not yield her integrity.

○裴倫妻

Wife of Pei Lun

裴倫妻，河東柳氏女也，少有風訓。大業末，倫為渭源令。屬薛舉之亂，縣城為賊所陷，倫遇害。柳時年四十，有二女及兒婦三人，皆有美色。柳氏謂之曰：「我輩遭逢禍亂，汝父已死，我自念不能全汝。我門風有素，義不受辱於群賊，我將與汝等同死，如何？」其女等皆垂泣曰：「唯母所命。」柳氏遂自投于井，其女及婦相繼而下，皆重死于井中。

The wife of Pei Lun was a daughter of the Liu clan of Hedong. From youth she had proper upbringing and instruction. At the end of Daye Lun was magistrate of Weiyuan. During Xue Ju's rebellion the county seat was taken by bandits and Lun was killed. Lady Liu was then forty, with two daughters and three daughters-in-law, all beautiful. Lady Liu said to them, "We have met with calamity and turmoil. Your father is already dead. I myself think I cannot preserve you. Our family's integrity is established. By principle we cannot suffer disgrace from bandits. I intend to die together with you—what do you say? Her daughters all wept and said, "We obey whatever our mother commands. Lady Liu then threw herself into a well. Her daughters and daughters-in-law followed one after another, all dying together in the well.

○趙元楷妻

Wife of Zhao Yuankai

趙元楷妻者，清河崔氏之女也。父儦，在《文學傳》。家有素範，子女皆遵禮度。元楷父為僕射，家富於財，重其門望，厚禮以聘之。元楷甚敬崔氏，雖在宴私，不妄言笑，進止容服，動合禮儀。化及之反也，元楷隨至河北，將歸長安。至滏口，遇盜攻掠，元楷僅以身免。崔氏為賊所拘，賊請以為妻，崔氏謂賊曰：「我士大夫女，為僕射子妻，今日破亡，自可即死。遣為賊婦，終必不能。」群賊毀裂其衣，形體悉露，縛於床簀之上，將淩之。崔氏懼為所辱，詐之曰：「今力已屈，當聽處分，不敢相違，請解縛。」賊遽釋之。崔因著衣，取賊佩刀，倚樹而立曰：「欲殺我，任加刀鋸。若覓死，可來相逼！」賊大怒，亂射殺之。元楷後得殺妻者，支解之，以祭崔氏之柩。

The wife of Zhao Yuankai was a daughter of the Cui clan of Qinghe. Her father Biao is recorded in the 《Literary Biographies》. The family had established standards. Sons and daughters all observed ritual propriety. Yuankai's father was a Vice Director. The family was rich in wealth and valued their clan prestige, sending rich gifts to betroth her. Yuankai greatly respected Lady Cui. Even in private feasting he did not speak or laugh rashly. His comings and goings, bearing and dress always accorded with ritual. When Huaji rebelled, Yuankai followed him to Hebei and was about to return to Chang'an. Reaching Fukou they met bandits who attacked and plundered. Yuankai barely escaped with his life. Lady Cui was seized by bandits who asked her to be their wife. Lady Cui told the bandits, "I am a daughter of the scholar-official class, wife of a Vice Director's son. Now that we are ruined I can simply die at once. To be made a bandit's wife—I can never accept that. The bandits tore her clothes, exposing her body entirely, bound her upon a bed mat, and were about to violate her. Lady Cui, fearing disgrace, deceived them, saying, "My strength is now broken. I will accept your disposition and dare not disobey—please untie me. The bandits quickly released her. Lady Cui then dressed, took a bandit's sword at his belt, and stood leaning against a tree, saying, "If you wish to kill me, apply blade and saw as you will. If you seek my death, come and force me! The bandits were furious and shot her to death in a volley. Later Yuankai captured his wife's killer, dismembered him, and offered the sacrifice at Lady Cui's coffin.

史臣曰：夫稱婦人之德，皆以柔順為先，斯乃舉其中庸，未臻其極者也。至於明識遠圖，貞心峻節，志不可奪，唯義所在，考之圖史，亦何世而無哉！蘭陵主質邁寒松，南陽主心逾匪石、洗媼孝女之忠壯，崔、馮二母之誠懇，足使義勇慚其志烈，蘭玉謝其貞芳。襄城、華陽之妃，裴倫、元楷之婦，時逢艱阻，事乖好合，甘心同穴，顛沛靡它，志勵冰霜，言逾皎日，雖《詩》詠共薑之自誓，《傳》述伯姬之守死，其將複何以加焉！

The historian says: In speaking of a woman's virtue, gentleness and compliance are always placed first—this merely cites the mean and does not reach the utmost. As for clear insight and far-reaching design, steadfast heart and lofty integrity, resolve that cannot be wrested away, righteousness as the sole guide—consult the chronicles and histories: in what age are such women absent! Princess Lanling's substance surpassed the cold pine; Princess Nanyang's heart exceeded unyielding stone; the loyal valor of Lady Xi and the filial daughter; the sincere earnestness of the two mothers Cui and Feng—enough to make men of righteous courage ashamed of their own resolve, and orchids and jade yield before their chaste fragrance. The consorts of Xiangcheng and Huayang, the wives of Pei Lun and Yuankai—meeting hardship and adversity, their unions cut short, content to share one grave, steadfast through turmoil without wavering, resolve hardened like frost and ice, words brighter than the clear sun—though the 《Odes》 sing of Jiang of Gong's vow, though the 《Documents》 relate Bo Ji guarding death unto the end, what could add to these deeds!

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