1
陸俟，代人也。 曾祖幹，祖引，世領部落。 父突，太祖時率部民隨從征伐，數有戰功，拜厲威將軍、離石鎮將。 天興中，為上黨太守、關內侯。
Lu Si was a native of Dai. His great-grandfather Gan and his grandfather Yin had led their tribal group for generations. His father Tu had led their tribesmen on campaign under Emperor Daozu, won repeated battlefield honors, and been appointed General of Stern Prestige and military commander of Lishi. During the Tianxing reign he held the posts of Shangdang prefect and Marquis of Guannei.
2
俟少聰慧，有策略。 太宗踐阼，拜侍郎，遷內侍，襲爵關內侯，轉龍驤將軍、給事中，典選部蘭臺事。 當官而行，無所屈橈。 世祖親征赫連昌，詔俟督諸軍鎮大磧，以備蠕蠕。 車駕還，復典選部蘭臺事。 與西平公安頡督諸軍攻虎牢，克之，賜爵建業公，拜冀州刺史，仍本將軍。 時考州郡治功，唯俟與河內太守丘陳為天下第一。 轉都督洛豫二州諸軍事、本將軍、虎牢鎮大將。 平涼休屠金崖、羌狄子玉等叛，復轉為使持節、散騎常侍、平西將軍、安定鎮大將。 既至，懷柔羌戎，莫不歸附。 追討崖等，皆獲之。 徵還，拜散騎常侍。
From boyhood Lu Si was clever and shrewd, with a gift for strategy. When Emperor Mingyuan came to the throne, Lu Si was named Gentleman Attendant, then promoted to inner attendant, inherited the Marquisate of Guannei, and was made General of the Dragon Chargers and Palace Attendant in charge of the personnel selection office and Orchid Terrace records. In office he did his duty without bending to pressure. When Emperor Taiwu marched in person against Helian Chang, he ordered Lu Si to command the armies holding the Great Desert against possible Rouran attack. After the emperor returned, Lu Si again took charge of the selection office and Orchid Terrace records. He joined Prince of Xiping An Tjie in commanding the armies that took Hulao; he was enfeoffed as Duke of Jianye, appointed governor of Jizhou, and kept his former rank as general. When provincial and commandery administrations were graded, only Lu Si and Qiu Chen, prefect of Henei, ranked first in the realm. He was reassigned to command all military affairs in Luozhou and Yuzhou as before, with his former rank as general, and made great garrison commander at Hulao. After Jin Ya of the Xiutu people in Pingliang, Ziyu of the Qiang Di, and others rose in revolt, he was again appointed envoy with imperial staff, regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, general who pacifies the west, and great commander of the Anding garrison. Once he arrived, he won over the Qiang and other frontier peoples with kindness, and all submitted. He pursued Ya and his fellows and captured them all. Recalled to court, he was named regular attendant of the scattered cavalry.
3
出為平東將軍、懷荒鎮大將。 未期，諸高車莫弗訟俟嚴急，待下無恩，還請前鎮將郎孤。 世祖詔許之，徵俟還京。 既至朝見，言於世祖曰：「陛下今以郎孤復鎮，以臣愚量，不過周年，孤身必敗，高車必叛。」 世祖疑謂不實，切責之，以公歸第。 明年，諸莫弗果殺郎孤而叛。 世祖聞之，大驚，即召俟，問其知敗之意。 俟曰：「夫高車上下無禮，無禮之人，難為其上。 臣所以莅之以威嚴，節之以憲網，欲漸加訓導，使知分限。 而惡直醜正，實繁有徒，故訟臣無恩，稱孤之美。 孤獲還鎮，欣其名譽，必加恩於百姓，譏臣為失，專欲以寬惠治之，仁恕待之。 無禮之人，易生陵傲，不過期年，無復上下，然後收之以威，則人懷怨懟，怨懟既多，敗亂彰矣。」 世祖笑曰：「卿身乃短，慮何長也。」 即日，復除散騎常侍。
He was sent out as general who pacifies the east and great commander of the Huaihuang garrison. Before his term was up, the Gaoche chieftains petitioned that Lu Si was overly harsh and graceless toward his men, and they asked for the return of the former commander Lang Gu. Emperor Taiwu approved the request and recalled Lu Si to the capital. At his audience he told Emperor Taiwu, "If Your Majesty restores Lang Gu to the garrison, in my judgment within a year he will be ruined and the Gaoche will rebel." The emperor doubted him, rebuked him sharply, and sent him home to his estate. The next year the chieftains did kill Lang Gu and rise in revolt, just as he had said. When Emperor Taiwu heard this he was astonished and at once summoned Lu Si to ask how he had foreseen the disaster. Lu Si said, "Among the Gaoche there is no propriety between high and low; people without propriety are hard to rule from above. That is why I governed them with stern authority and restrained them by law, hoping gradually to teach them their proper limits. But those who hate the upright and resent discipline are many; they accused me of lacking kindness and praised Lang Gu. Once Lang Gu returned to command, pleased with his reputation, he was bound to shower favors on the people, mock my methods as wrong, and try to rule only through leniency and indulgence. People without propriety soon grow arrogant; within a year there would be no order of rank at all. When he then tried to restore authority by force, resentment would pile up—and widespread resentment brings defeat and rebellion." The emperor laughed and said, "You are short in stature, but how far you see ahead!" That same day Lu Si was reappointed regular attendant of the scattered cavalry.
4
世祖征蠕蠕，破涼州，常隨駕別督輜重。 又與高涼王那渡河南，略地至濟南東平陵，徙其民六千家於河北。
On the campaigns against the Rouran and the conquest of Liangzhou, he often accompanied the emperor in a separate command over the supply trains. He also crossed the Yellow River with Prince of Gaoliang Na, raided as far as Dongpingling in Jinan, and resettled six thousand households north of the river.
5
又以俟都督秦雍二州諸軍事、平西將軍、長安鎮大將。 與高涼王那擊蓋吳於杏城，大破之。 獲吳二叔，諸將欲送京師，俟獨不許，曰：「夫長安一都，險絕之土，民多剛強，類乃非一。 清平之時，仍多叛動，今雖良民，猶以為懼，況其黨與乎？ 若不斬吳，恐長安之變未已。 吳一身藏竄，非其親信，誰能獲之？ 若停十萬之眾以追一人，非上策也。 不如私許吳叔，免其妻子，使自追吳，擒之必也。」 諸將咸曰：「今來討賊，既破之，獲其二叔，唯吳一人，何所復至。」 俟曰：「吳之悖逆，本自天性，今若獲免，必誑惑愚民，稱王者不死，妄相扇動，為患必大。 諸君不見毒蛇乎？ 斷其頭猶能為害，況除腹心疾，而曰必遺其類，其可乎？」 諸將曰：「公言是也。 但得賊不殺，更有所求，遂去不返，其如罪何？」 俟曰：「此罪我與諸君當之。」 高涼王那亦從俟計，遂遣吳二叔，與之期。 及吳叔不至，諸將各咎於俟。 俟曰：「此未得其便耳，必不背也。」 後數日，果斬吳以至，皆如其言。 俟之明略獨決，皆此類也。 遷內都大官。
Lu Si was again appointed to command all military affairs in Qinzhou and Yongzhou, as general who pacifies the west and great commander of the Chang'an garrison. With Prince of Gaoliang Na he attacked Gai Wu at Xingcheng and routed him completely. They captured Gai Wu's two uncles; the other generals wanted to send them to the capital, but Lu Si alone objected, saying, "Chang'an is a capital in rugged country; its people are tough, and they are not all of one kind. Even in peaceful times there were frequent uprisings; though the people are loyal now, they will still be afraid—how much more his followers? Unless we kill Gai Wu, I fear unrest in Chang'an will never end. Gai Wu is in hiding alone; who but his own trusted men can catch him? To hold a hundred thousand men idle while chasing one fugitive is no good strategy. Better to promise his uncles privately, spare their wives and children, and let them hunt him down themselves—we are sure to take him." The generals all said, "We came to crush the rebel; we have beaten him and taken his two uncles—what harm can one man, Gai Wu, still do?" Lu Si replied, "Gai Wu's treason is in his nature; if he goes free he will delude the common people, claim that a would-be king cannot die, and stir up trouble on a great scale. Have you never seen a venomous snake? Cut off its head and it can still strike; how much less can you cure a disease at the heart and say you must leave its kind alive—is that reasonable?" The generals said, "My lord is right. But if we spare the rebel and he makes new demands and never comes back—how will we answer for the offense?" Lu Si said, "I and you gentlemen will bear that blame together." Prince of Gaoliang Na agreed to Lu Si's plan; they released Gai Wu's two uncles and set a deadline with them. When the uncles failed to return, every general blamed Lu Si. Lu Si said, "They have not yet found the right moment; they will not betray us." A few days later they did bring Gai Wu's head, exactly as he had predicted. Lu Si's foresight and decisive judgment were always of this sort. He was promoted to grand officer of the inner capital.
6
安定盧水劉超等聚黨萬餘以叛，[1]世祖以俟威恩被於關中，詔以本官加都督秦雍諸軍事，鎮長安。 世祖曰：「秦川險絕，奉化日近，吏民未被恩德，故頃年已來，頻有叛動。 今超等恃險，不順王命，朕若以重兵與卿，則超等必合而為一，據險拒戰，未易攻也； 若以輕兵與卿，則不制矣。 今使卿以方略定之。」 於是俟單馬之鎮，超等聞之大欣，以為無能為也。 既至，申揚威信，示以成敗，誘納超女，外若姻親。 超猶自警，初無降意。 俟乃率其帳下，往見超，觀其舉措，設掩襲之計。 超使人逆曰：「三百人以外，適當以弓馬相待，三百人以內，當以酒食相供。」 俟乃將二百騎詣超，超設備甚嚴。 俟遂縱酒盡醉而還。 後謂將士曰：「超可取也。」 乃密選精兵五百人，陳國恩德，激厲將士，言至懇切。 士卒奮勇，各曰：「以死從公，必無二也。」 遂偽獵而詣超，與士卒約曰：「今會發機，當以醉為限。」 俟於是詐醉，上馬大呼，手斬超首。 士卒應聲縱擊，殺傷千數，遂平之。 世祖大悅，徵俟還京師，轉外都大官，散騎常侍如故。
Liu Chao of the Lushui people in Anding and others raised a band of more than ten thousand in revolt.[1] Because Lu Si's authority and kindness were felt throughout Guanzhong, Emperor Taiwu ordered him to keep his present rank, take command of all military affairs in Qin and Yong, and hold Chang'an. The emperor said, "Qinchuan is rugged and hard to reach; our rule there is still new, and the officials and people have not yet felt imperial kindness—hence the repeated uprisings in recent years. Now Chao and his fellows trust the terrain and defy the throne. If I give you a large army, they will unite, hold the passes, and be hard to defeat; if I give you too few men, you cannot control them at all. I am sending you to settle this by strategy alone." Lu Si then rode to his post alone. When Chao and his men heard this they were delighted, thinking he could do nothing against them. Once there he displayed his authority, showed them the consequences of victory and defeat, won over Chao's daughter in marriage, and treated them outwardly like kin by marriage. Chao remained wary and at first had no thought of surrender. Lu Si then took his personal guard to visit Chao, studied his habits, and laid a plan for a surprise strike. Chao sent word ahead: "If you bring more than three hundred men, we shall meet you with arms; if three hundred or fewer, we shall receive you with food and wine." Lu Si went with two hundred horsemen. Chao made elaborate preparations. Lu Si drank freely until he was thoroughly drunk, then rode back. Afterward he told his officers, "Chao can be taken." He secretly chose five hundred picked troops, spoke to them of the state's kindness, and stirred them with words of deep earnestness. The men took fire; each said, "We will follow you to the death—there will be no second thought." They pretended to go hunting and approached Chao. He told his men, "When we strike, let drunkenness be our signal." Lu Si then pretended to be drunk, mounted, shouted, and with his own hand cut off Chao's head. His men charged at once; they killed and wounded thousands and the rebellion was pacified. Emperor Taiwu was delighted, recalled Lu Si to the capital, made him grand officer of the outer capital, and left him regular attendant of the scattered cavalry as before.
7
高宗踐阼，以子麗有策立之勳，拜俟征西大將軍，進爵東平王。 太安四年薨，年六十七，諡曰成。 有子十二人。
When Emperor Wencheng came to the throne, because his son Li had helped plan his accession, Lu Si was named general who campaigns west and advanced to Prince of Dongping. He died in the fourth year of Taian, at sixty-seven; his posthumous name was Cheng. He had twelve sons.
8
長子馛，多智，有父風。 高宗見馛而悅之，謂朝臣曰：「吾常歎其父智過其軀，是復踰於父矣。」 少為內都下大夫，奉上接下，行止取與，每能逆曉人意，與其從事者無不愛之。
His eldest son Ba was very clever and took after his father. When Emperor Wencheng met Ba he took a liking to him and told the court, "I used to marvel that his father's mind outran his frame; this son surpasses his father again." While young he served as junior grand master of the inner capital. In dealing with superiors and subordinates alike, in every gesture of giving and receiving, he could read people's minds in advance, and all who worked with him loved him.
9
興安初，賜爵聊城侯，出為散騎常侍、安南將軍、相州刺史，假長廣公。 為政清平，抑強扶弱。 州中有德宿老名望重者，以友禮待之，詢之政事，責以方略。 如此者十人，號曰「十善」。 又簡取諸縣強門百餘人，以為假子，誘接殷勤，賜以衣服，令各歸家，為耳目於外。 於是發姦摘伏，事無不驗。 百姓以為神明，無敢劫盜者。 在州七年，家至貧約。 徵為散騎常侍，民乞留馛者千餘人。 顯祖不許，謂羣臣曰：「馛之善政，雖復古人何以加之？」 賜絹五百匹、奴婢十口。 馛之還也，吏民大斂布帛以遺之，馛一皆不受，民亦不取，於是以物造佛寺焉，名長廣公寺。 後襲父爵，改封建安王。
At the start of the Xing'an era he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Liaocheng and sent out as regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, general who pacifies the south, and governor of Xiangzhou, with the provisional title Duke of Changgung. His administration was fair and peaceful; he curbed the powerful and helped the weak. He treated the province's most respected elders as friends, consulted them on policy, and held them accountable for counsel. There were ten such men, known as the "Ten Worthies." He also chose more than a hundred men from powerful local families across the prefecture, took them as foster sons, treated them warmly and gave them clothes, then sent each home to serve as his eyes and ears in the countryside. Through this network he exposed crime and hidden guilt, and nothing failed to check out. The people thought him almost supernatural, and no one dared rob or steal. After seven years in office his household remained extremely poor and austere. When he was recalled to serve as regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, more than a thousand people petitioned to keep him in office. Emperor Xianwen refused and told his ministers, "Ba's good government—even the ancients could hardly have done better." He rewarded him with five hundred bolts of silk and ten servants. On his departure officials and people raised a great collection of cloth and silk as a parting gift. Ba refused it all, and when the donors would not take it back either, the goods were used to build a Buddhist temple called the Temple of Duke Changgung. Later he inherited his father's title and was enfeoffed as Prince of Jian'an.
10
時劉彧司州刺史常珍奇以懸瓠內附，而新民猶懷去就。 馛銜旨撫慰，諸有陷軍為奴婢者，馛皆免之。 百姓忻悅，民情乃定。 蠕蠕犯塞，車駕親討，詔馛為選部尚書，錄留臺事，督兵運糧，一委處分。
At that time Chang Zhenqi, Liu Yu's governor of Sizhou, surrendered Xuangu to Wei, but the newly submitted population still wavered between staying and leaving. Ba carried out the imperial commission to reassure them, and freed everyone who had been enslaved after falling into military hands. The people were delighted, and public sentiment settled. When the Rouran raided the frontier and the emperor marched in person, Ba was ordered to serve as minister of the selection department, oversee capital affairs in the emperor's absence, and command troop movements and grain transport—with full discretionary authority.
11
顯祖將禪位於京兆王子推，任城王雲、隴西王源賀等並皆固諫。 馛抗言曰：「皇太子聖德承基，四海屬望，不可橫議，干國之紀。 臣請刎頸殿庭，有死無貳。」 久之，帝意乃解，詔曰：「馛，直臣也，其能保吾子乎！」 遂以馛為太保，與太尉源賀持節奉皇帝璽紱，傳位于高祖。
When Emperor Xianwen planned to abdicate in favor of Prince Tui of Jingzhao, Prince of Rencheng Yun, Prince of Longxi Yuan He, and others all strongly objected. Ba spoke up boldly: "The crown prince's virtue upholds the foundation of the state, and the realm looks to him. Such reckless talk must not be allowed to violate the nation's laws. I ask leave to cut my throat here in the hall—I will die rather than waver." After a long while the emperor relented and said by edict, "Ba is an upright minister—surely he can protect my son!" He then appointed Ba grand tutor. Together with Grand Marshal Yuan He, bearing the imperial staff, they presented the imperial seal and cord and transferred the throne to Emperor Xiaowen.
12
延興四年薨，贈以本官，諡曰貞王。 馛有六子，琇、凱知名。
In the fourth year of Yanxing he died; he was posthumously granted his former rank and given the posthumous title Prince Zhen. Ba had six sons; Xiu and Kai were the ones who became well known.
13
琇，字伯琳，馛第五子。 母赫連氏，身長七尺九寸，甚有婦德。 馛有以爵傳琇之意。 琇年九歲，馛謂之曰：「汝祖東平王有十二子，我為嫡長，承襲家業，今已年老，屬汝幼沖，詎堪為陸氏宗首乎？」 琇對曰：「苟非鬬力，何患童稚。」 馛奇之，遂立琇為世子。 馛薨，襲爵。 琇沉毅少言，雅好讀書，以功臣子孫為侍御長、給事中，遷黃門侍郎，轉太常少卿、散騎常侍、太子左詹事、領北海王師、光祿大夫，轉祠部尚書、司州大中正。 會從兄叡事免官。 景明初，試守河內郡。 咸陽王禧謀反，令子曇和與尹仵期、薛繼祖等先據河內。 琇聞禧敗，斬曇和首。 時以琇不先送曇和，禧敗始斬首，責其通情，徵詣廷尉。 廷尉少卿崔振窮治罪狀，按琇大逆，陸宗大小，咸見收捕。 會將赦，先薨於獄。 琇弟凱仍上書訴冤，世宗詔復琇爵。 子景祚襲。
Xiu, whose courtesy name was Bolin, was Ba's fifth son. His mother was a woman of the Helian clan, seven feet nine inches tall, and widely admired for her womanly virtue. Ba intended to pass the family title on to Xiu. When Xiu was nine, Ba said to him, "Your grandfather, the Prince of Dongping, had twelve sons. I am the eldest legitimate son and inherited the family estate. I am old now, and you are still a child—how could you bear the burden of leading the Lu clan?" Xiu replied, "If the issue is not brute strength, why should youth be a concern?" Ba was impressed and thereupon named Xiu his heir. When Ba died, Xiu inherited the title. Xiu was grave, resolute, and sparing of speech, with a refined love of books. As the descendant of a meritorious house he served as chief of the imperial attendants and gentleman at the gate, was promoted to yellow gate attendant, then vice director of the court of imperial sacrifices, regular attendant of the privy counselors, left mentor to the crown prince, and concurrently tutor to the Prince of Beihai, grand master of splendid happiness, minister of rites, and grand rectifier of Si Province. About that time his older cousin Rui was caught up in a scandal and removed from office. At the beginning of the Jingming era, he was appointed provisional administrator of Henei Commandery. The Prince of Xianyang, Xi, plotted rebellion and sent his son Tanhe, together with Yin Wuqi, Xue Jizu, and others, to seize Henei first. When Xiu learned that Xi had been defeated, he cut off Tanhe's head. At the time the court held that Xiu had failed to surrender Tanhe beforehand and had only beheaded him after Xi's defeat; he was accused of collusion and summoned to the court of judicial review. Cui Zhen, vice director of the court of judicial review, pursued the case to the end; charging Xiu with treason, he had every member of the Lu clan, high and low, arrested. Just as an amnesty was about to be proclaimed, he died in prison. Xiu's younger brother Kai continued to submit memorials pleading his brother's innocence, and Emperor Xuanwu issued an edict restoring Xiu's title. His son Jingzuo inherited the title.
14
凱，字智君，謹重好學。 年十五，為中書學生，拜侍御中散，轉通直散騎侍郎，遷太子庶子、給事黃門侍郎。 凱在樞要十餘年，以忠厚見稱，希言屢中，高祖嘉之。 後遇患，頻上書乞骸骨，詔不許，敕太醫給湯藥。 除正平太守，在郡七年，號為良吏。 初，高祖將議革變舊風，大臣並有難色。 又每引劉芳、郭祚等密與規謨，共論時政，而國戚謂遂疏己，怏怏有不平之色。 乃令凱私喻之曰：「至尊但欲廣知前事，直當問其古式耳，終無親彼而相疏也。」 國戚舊人意乃稍解。 咸陽王禧謀逆，凱兄琇陷罪，凱亦被收，遇赦乃免。 凱痛兄之死，哭無時節，目幾失明，訴冤不已，備盡人事。 至正始初，世宗復琇官爵，凱大喜，置酒集諸親曰：「吾所以數年之中抱病忍死者，顧門戶計耳。 逝者不追，今願畢矣。」 遂以其年卒。 贈龍驤將軍、南青州刺史，諡曰惠。
Kai, whose courtesy name was Zhijun, was cautious, dignified, and devoted to learning. At fifteen he entered the secretariat school, was appointed attendant cavalryman-in-attendance, transferred to regular attendant of the privy counselors on direct service, and was promoted to companion to the crown prince and gentleman attendant at the yellow gate. Kai held key posts for more than ten years and was praised for loyalty and integrity; his rare comments often proved prescient, and Emperor Xiaowen commended him. Later he fell ill and repeatedly asked leave to retire; the emperor refused, but ordered the imperial physicians to provide him with medicine. He was appointed administrator of Zhengping and, over seven years in the commandery, earned a reputation as an excellent official. When Emperor Xiaowen first proposed reforming old customs, the senior ministers all looked uneasy. He also frequently summoned Liu Fang, Guo Zuo, and others in private to plan reforms and discuss state affairs, while the imperial kinsmen felt themselves sidelined and grew resentful. The emperor therefore had Kai explain privately to them, "His Majesty only wants to learn more about earlier practices; he is simply asking about old precedents. In the end he will not favor them and turn away from you." The imperial kinsmen and veteran officials gradually felt reassured. When the Prince of Xianyang, Xi, plotted rebellion, Kai's elder brother Xiu was implicated; Kai was arrested as well but was released when an amnesty was proclaimed. Kai mourned his brother's death, weeping at all hours until his eyes nearly failed; he never stopped pleading Xiu's innocence and exhausted every avenue open to him. At the beginning of the Zhengshi era, Emperor Xuanwu restored Xiu's offices and title. Overjoyed, Kai set out wine and gathered his relatives, saying, "The reason I endured illness and clung to life all these years was for the sake of our family's standing. What is gone cannot be brought back—but now my wish is fulfilled." He died that same year. He was posthumously awarded the title General of the Flying Dragon and inspector of Southern Qing Province, with the posthumous name Hui (Kind).
15
長子暐，字道暉，與弟恭之並有時譽。 洛陽令賈禎見其兄弟，歎曰：「僕以老年，更覩雙璧。」 又嘗兄弟共候黃門郎孫惠蔚，惠蔚謂諸賓曰：「不意二陸復在座隅，吾德謝張公，無以延譽。」 暐起家司徒行參軍，太尉西閣祭酒，兼尚書右民、三公郎，坐事免。 後除伏波將軍。 正光中卒。 贈司州治中。 孝昌中，重贈冠軍將軍、恒州刺史。 暐擬急就篇為悟蒙章，及七誘、十醉、章表數十篇。 暐與恭之晚不睦，為時所鄙。
His eldest son Wei, courtesy name Daohui, and his younger brother Gongzhi both enjoyed great contemporary renown. When Jia Zhen, magistrate of Luoyang, met the brothers, he sighed, "I am old now, yet here again I see a pair of jade disks." On another occasion the brothers called together on Sun Huiwei, gentleman of the yellow gate. Sun said to the other guests, "I did not expect to find the two Lus here again in the corner. My virtue falls short of Duke Zhang's—I have no way to do justice to their reputations." Wei began his career as an aide in the grand minister of education's office, libationer of the grand marshal's western pavilion, and concurrently right secretary for the people and gentleman of the three dukes; he was later dismissed for an offense. He was later appointed general who quells the waves. He died during the Zhengguang era. He was posthumously awarded the post of aide to the inspector of Si Province. During the Xiaochang era he received a further posthumous award as general of the champion and inspector of Heng Province. Wei modeled his work on the Literacy Primer to write Awakening the Dull, along with Seven Enticements, Ten Intoxications, and several dozen memorials and petitions. Wei and Gongzhi fell out in their later years and were scorned by their contemporaries.
16
子元規，武定中，尚書郎。
His son Yuangui served as a gentleman of the masters of writing during the Wuding era.
17
恭之，字季順，有操尚。 釋褐侍御史、著作佐郎。 建義初，除中書侍郎，領著作郎，尋除河北太守，轉征虜將軍、殷州刺史。 前廢帝初，拜廷尉卿，加鎮西將軍。 所歷並有聲績，後坐事免。 孝靜初，還復本任，出除征南將軍、東荊州刺史。 天平四年卒。 贈散騎常侍、衞將軍、吏部尚書、定州刺史，諡曰懿。 恭之所著文章詩賦凡千餘篇。
Gongzhi, courtesy name Jishun, was a man of firm principles and integrity. Upon entering official service he was appointed attending censor and aide in the bureau of history. At the beginning of the Jianyi era he was appointed vice director of the secretariat and concurrently director of the bureau of history; soon afterward he became administrator of Hebei, then was transferred to general who subdues the barbarians and inspector of Yin Province. At the beginning of the reign of the Former Deposed Emperor he was appointed director of the court of judicial review and additionally made general who guards the west. In every post he won a strong reputation; later he was dismissed for an offense. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaojing's reign he was restored to his former post, then was appointed general who campaigns south and inspector of Eastern Jing Province. He died in the fourth year of Tianping. He was posthumously awarded regular attendant of the privy counselors, general of the guard, minister of personnel, and inspector of Ding Province, with the posthumous name Yi (Dignified). Gongzhi's essays, poems, and rhapsodies numbered more than a thousand in all.
18
子曄，開府中兵參軍。
His son Ye served as aide for military affairs in the grand governor's office.
19
馛弟石跋，涇州刺史。
Ba's younger brother Shiba served as inspector of Jing Province.
20
石跋弟歸，東宮舍人、駕部校尉。
Shiba's younger brother Gui served as attendant of the eastern palace and colonel of the chariot section.
21
歸弟尼，內侍校尉、東陽鎮都將。
Gui's younger brother Ni served as colonel of the inner attendants and commandant of Dongyang garrison.
22
尼弟麗，少以忠謹入侍左右，太武特親昵之。 舉動審慎而無愆失。 賜爵章安子，稍遷南部尚書。
Ni's younger brother Li entered service at a young age as a loyal and careful attendant at the emperor's side; Emperor Taiwu took a special liking to him. His bearing was cautious and he never committed a misstep. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhang'an and was gradually promoted to minister of the southern branch.
23
太武崩，南安王余立，既而為中常侍宗愛等所殺。 百僚憂惶，莫知所立。 麗以高宗世嫡之重，民望所係，乃首建大義，與殿中尚書長孫渴侯、尚書源賀、羽林郎劉尼奉迎高宗於苑中，立之。 社稷獲安，麗之謀矣。 由是受心膂之任，在朝者無出其右。 興安初，封平原王，加撫軍將軍。 麗辭曰：「陛下以正統之重，承基繼業，至於奉迎守順，臣職之常，豈敢昧冒以干大典。」 頻讓再三，詔不聽。 麗乃啟曰：「臣父歷奉先朝，忠勤著稱，今年至西夕，未登王爵。 臣幼荷寵榮，於分已過，愚款之情未申，犬馬之効未展，願裁過恩，聽遂所請。」 高宗曰：「朕為天下主，豈不能得二王封卿父子也。」 乃以其父俟為東平王。 麗尋遷侍中、撫軍大將軍、司徒公，復其子孫，賜妻妃號。 麗以優寵既頻，固辭不受，高宗益重之。 領太子太傅。 麗好學愛士，常以講習為業。 其所待者，皆篤行之流，士多稱之。 性又至孝，遭父憂，毀瘠過禮。
When Emperor Taiwu died, the Prince of Nan'an, Yu, was enthroned, but was soon killed by the regular palace attendant Zong Ai and his associates. The officials were panic-stricken and did not know whom to enthrone. Li, recognizing that Emperor Wencheng, as the legitimate heir of his generation, carried the people's hopes, took the lead in the righteous cause; together with Changsun Kehou, palace director, Yuan He, minister of state, and Liu Ni, gentleman of the feathered forest, he went to the imperial park to welcome Emperor Wencheng and set him on the throne. The realm was saved—thanks to Li's design. From then on he held the emperor's closest trust; at court no one outranked him in influence. At the beginning of the Xing'an era he was enfeoffed as Prince of Pingyuan and additionally appointed general who pacifies the army. Li declined, saying, "Your Majesty bears the weight of the legitimate succession and has inherited the foundation of the state. Welcoming you and serving loyally is merely a subject's ordinary duty—how dare I presumptuously claim credit for a great achievement?" He declined again and again, but the emperor would not accept his refusal. Li then submitted a memorial: "My father served successive emperors and was renowned for loyalty and diligence; this year he reached the end of his life without ever receiving a princely title. I have enjoyed favor and honor since youth, already far beyond what I deserve; my sincere devotion has not yet been expressed, nor my service repaid. I beg you to restrain your excessive kindness and grant what I ask." Emperor Wencheng said, "I am sovereign of the empire—surely I can find two princedoms to enfeoff you and your father." He thereupon enfeoffed Li's father Si as Prince of Dongping. Li was soon promoted to palace attendant, grand general who pacifies the army, and duke of the department of state; his descendants were restored to rank, and his wife was granted a consort title. As imperial favor came again and again, Li steadfastly refused to accept it, and Emperor Wencheng esteemed him all the more. He also served as grand tutor to the crown prince. Li loved learning and valued scholars, making lectures and study his constant occupation. Those he welcomed were all men of solid character, and scholars widely praised him. He was also deeply filial by nature; when his father died he mourned so severely that he wasted away beyond what the rites required.
24
和平六年，高宗崩。 先是麗療疾於代郡溫泉，聞諱欲赴，左右止之曰：「宮車晏駕，王德望素重，姦臣若疾民譽，慮有不測之禍。 願少遲回，朝廷寧靜，然後奔赴，猶為未晚。」 麗曰：「安有聞君父之喪，方慮禍難，不即奔波者！」 遂便馳赴。 乙渾尋擅朝政，忌而害之。 初，渾悖傲，每為不法，麗數諍之，由是見忌。 顯祖甚追惜麗，諡曰簡王，陪葬金陵。 高祖追錄先朝功臣，以麗配饗廟庭。 麗二妻，長曰杜氏，次張氏。 長子定國，杜氏所生； 次叡，張氏所生。
In the sixth year of Heping, Emperor Wencheng died. Li had earlier been taking the waters at the hot springs in Dai Commandery. When he heard the mourning proclamation he wanted to set out at once, but his attendants stopped him, saying, "The emperor is dead. Your virtue and standing have always been great. If wicked ministers resent your popularity, you may face unforeseen danger. We beg you to wait a little. Once the court has settled, you can go—it will not be too late." Li said, "How can one hear that one's lord and father has died and still weigh the risk of disaster instead of rushing to attend at once!" He galloped off at once. Yifu Hun soon seized control of the government, envied Li, and had him killed. Hun had long been arrogant and lawless; Li repeatedly remonstrated with him, and for that earned his hatred. Emperor Xianwen deeply mourned Li; he was given the posthumous title Prince Jian and buried at Jinling alongside the imperial tombs. Emperor Xiaowen later recorded the meritorious officials of the previous reign and had Li honored with a place in the ancestral temple sacrifices. Li had two wives: the first was of the Du clan, the second of the Zhang clan. The eldest son, Dingguo, was born to the Du clan; the second, Rui, was born to the Zhang clan.
25
子昕之，字慶始，風望端雅。 襲爵，例降為公。 尚顯祖女常山公主，拜駙馬都尉。 歷通直郎，景明中，以從叔琇罪免官。 尋以主壻，除通直散騎常侍。 未幾，遷司徒司馬，加輔國將軍，出為兗州刺史。 尋進號安東將軍，治有名績，仍除青州刺史。 在州著寬平之稱，轉安北將軍、相州刺史。 永平四年夏卒。 贈鎮東將軍、冀州刺史，諡曰惠。
His son Xinzhi, courtesy name Qingshi, had an upright and elegant reputation. He inherited the title, which by regulation was reduced from princely rank to duke. He married Emperor Xianwen's daughter, the Princess of Changshan, and was appointed commandant of the horse fast for the emperor's son-in-law. He served as direct attendant; during the Jingming era he was dismissed from office because of the crime of his cousin Xiu. Soon afterward, as the emperor's son-in-law, he was appointed regular attendant of the privy counselors on direct service. Before long he was promoted to vice director of the department of state and general who assists the state, and was sent out as inspector of Yan Province. He was soon promoted to general who pacifies the east; his administration won a strong reputation, and he was then appointed inspector of Qing Province. In office he was known for lenience and fairness; he was then transferred to general who pacifies the north and inspector of Xiang Province. He died in the summer of the fourth year of Yongping. He was posthumously granted the titles of general who pacifies the east and inspector of Ji Province, with the posthumous name Hui.
26
初，定國娶河東柳氏，生子安保，後納范陽盧度世女，生昕之。 二室俱為舊族而嫡妾不分。 定國亡後，兩子爭襲父爵。 僕射李沖有寵於時，與度世子淵婚親相好。 [2]沖遂左右申助，昕之由是承爵尚主，職位赫弈。 安保沉廢貧賤，不免飢寒。
At first Dingguo married a woman of the Liu clan of Hedong and had a son, Anbao; later he took a daughter of Lu Dushi of Fanyang as a concubine and had Xinzhi. Both wives came from established clans, but no clear distinction was made between the primary wife and the concubine. After Dingguo died, the two sons fought over who would inherit their father's title. Vice Director Li Chong was influential at court and was close to Dushi's son Yuan through marriage ties. [2] Chong then pulled strings on his behalf, so Xinzhi inherited the title, married an imperial princess, and rose to dazzling prominence. Anbao was left in obscurity and poverty, and could not escape hunger and cold.
27
昕之容貌柔謹，高祖以其主壻，特垂昵眷。 世宗時，年未四十，頻撫三蕃，當世以此榮之。 昕之卒後，母盧悼念過哀，未幾而亡。 公主奉姑有孝稱，神龜初，與穆氏頓丘長公主並為女侍中。 又性不妬忌，以昕之無子，為納妾媵，而皆育女。 公主有三女無男，以昕之從兄希道第四子子彰為後。
Xinzhi had a gentle, deferential bearing, and because he was the emperor's son-in-law, Emperor Xiaowen showed him exceptional favor. Under Emperor Shizong, though still under forty, he was repeatedly appointed to govern the three frontier regions, which contemporaries regarded as a great honor. After Xinzhi died, his mother Lu grieved so deeply that she soon followed him in death. The princess cared for her mother-in-law with filial devotion and won praise for it; at the beginning of the Shengui era she and Lady Mu, Princess of Dunqiu, were both appointed female palace attendants. She was also free of jealousy; since Xinzhi had no sons, she found concubines for him, but they all bore daughters. The princess had three daughters and no son, so she adopted Zizhang, the fourth son of Xinzhi's cousin Sidao, as her heir.
28
子彰，字明遠，本名士沈。 年十六出後，事公主盡禮。 丞相高陽王雍嘗言曰：「常山妹雖無男，以子彰為兒，乃過自生矣。」 正光中，襲爵東郡公，尋除散騎侍郎，拜山陽太守。 莊帝即位，徵拜給事黃門侍郎。 子彰妻即咸陽王禧女。 禧誅，養於彭城王第，莊帝親之，略同諸姊。 建義初，尒朱榮欲修舊事，庶姓封王，由是封子彰濮陽王，食邑七百戶。 尋而詔罷，仍復先爵。 除安西將軍、洛州刺史。 還，拜征東將軍、金紫光祿大夫，領廣平王贊開府諮議參軍事。 天平中，拜衞將軍、潁州刺史。 以母憂去職。 元象中，以本將軍除齊州刺史，又加驃騎將軍，行懷州事。 轉北豫州刺史，仍除徐州刺史，將軍並如故。 一年歷三州，當世榮之。 還朝，除衞大將軍、左光祿大夫。 又行瀛州事。 尋拜侍中。 復行滄州事。 進號驃騎大將軍，行冀州事。 除侍讀、兼七兵尚書。 行青州事。 子彰之為州，以聚斂為事，晚節修改，自行青、冀、滄、瀛，甚有時譽，加以虛己納物，人敬愛之。 武定八年二月，除中書監。 三月卒，年五十四。 賻帛一百匹，追贈都督青光齊三州諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、青州刺史，公如故，諡曰文宣。
Zizhang, courtesy name Mingyuan, was originally named Shishen. At sixteen he was made heir to their line and served the princess with complete propriety. Chief Minister Prince Yong of Gaoyang once said, "Though the Princess of Changshan had no son of her own, in taking Zizhang as her heir she did better than if she had borne one herself. During the Zhenguang era he inherited the title of Duke of Dongjun, was soon appointed gentleman of the scattered cavalry, and became prefect of Shanyang. When Emperor Zhuangdi took the throne, Zizhang was summoned and appointed attendant-in-ordinary of the yellow gate. Zizhang's wife was a daughter of Prince Xi of Xianyang. After Xi was executed, she was raised in the household of Prince Cheng of Peng, and Emperor Zhuangdi treated her with nearly the same affection as his elder sisters. At the beginning of the Jianyi era, Erzhu Rong sought to revive the old practice of ennobling men of common lineage as kings, and so enfeoffed Zizhang as Prince of Puyang with a fief of seven hundred households. An edict soon revoked the ennoblement, and he reverted to his previous title. He was appointed general who pacifies the west and inspector of Luo Province. On returning to court he was appointed general who pacifies the east and grand master of golden sign and purple punctuation, and served as staff counselor to Prince Zan of Guangping. During the Tianping era he was appointed general of the guard and inspector of Ying Province. He resigned to observe mourning for his mother. During the Yuanxiang era he was appointed inspector of Qi Province with his existing general's rank, promoted to general of chivalry and cavalry, and charged with administering Huai Province. He was transferred to inspector of North Yu Province and then also appointed inspector of Xu Province, retaining his general's titles. Within a single year he held three provincial posts in succession, which his contemporaries regarded as a great honor. On returning to court he was appointed grand general of the guard and left grand master of the privy counselors. He was also charged with administering Ying Province. He was soon appointed palace attendant. He again took charge of affairs in Cang Province. He was promoted to general of chivalry and cavalry and charged with administering Ji Province. He was appointed lecturer attendant and concurrently minister of the seventh armies. He was charged with administering Qing Province. In his early provincial career Zizhang was given to enrichment, but in later years he changed his ways; from his terms governing Qing, Ji, Cang, and Ying he won wide contemporary praise, and by modesty and openness to others he earned respect and affection. In the second month of the eighth year of Wuding he was appointed supervisor of the secretariat. He died in the third month, at the age of fifty-four. One hundred bolts of burial silk were granted. He was posthumously appointed commander-in-chief of all military affairs in Qing, Guang, and Qi provinces, general of chivalry and cavalry, equal in honor to the three excellencies with an opening office, and inspector of Qing Province, while retaining his ducal title; his posthumous name was Wenxuan.
29
子彰崇好道術，曾嬰重疾，藥中須桑螵蛸，子彰不忍害物，遂不服焉。 其仁恕如此。 教訓六子，雅有法度。
Zizhang was devoted to Daoist arts. Once, when he fell gravely ill, his prescription required mantid egg cases, but he could not bear to harm living creatures and refused to take the medicine. Such was his kindness and forbearance. He raised and disciplined his six sons with consistent propriety.
30
子昂，武定中，中書舍人。
His son Ang served as secretary of the secretariat during the Wuding era.
31
昂弟駿，太子洗馬。
Ang's younger brother Jun was groom of the heir apparent.
32
駿弟杳，尚書倉部郎。
Jun's younger brother Yao was director of the granaries section in the ministry of revenue.
33
叡，字思弼。 其母張氏，字黃龍，本恭宗宮人，以賜麗，生叡。 麗之亡也，叡始十餘歲，襲爵撫軍大將軍、平原王。 沉雅好學，折節下士。 年未二十，時人便以宰輔許之。 娶東徐州刺史博陵崔鑒女，[3]鑒謂所親云：「平原王才度不惡，但恨其姓名殊為重複。」 時高祖未改其姓。 叡婚自東徐還，經於鄴，見李彪，甚敬悅之，仍與俱趨京師，以為館客，資給衣馬僮使，待之甚厚。 為北征都督，拜北部長，轉尚書，加散騎常侍。
Rui, courtesy name Sibie. His mother was of the Zhang clan, styled Huanglong; originally a palace woman of Emperor Gong, she was given to Li and bore Rui. When Li died, Rui was just over ten years old and inherited the titles of general who stabilizes the army and Prince of Pingyuan. Refined and devoted to learning, he humbled himself before scholars. Before he was twenty, people already spoke of him as a future chief minister. He married a daughter of Cui Jian, inspector of East Xu Province of Boling. [3] Jian told his intimates, "The Prince of Pingyuan's talents are not bad, but I find his personal name and princely title awkwardly redundant. At that time Emperor Xiaowen had not yet changed the imperial surname. On returning from his wedding in East Xu, Rui passed through Ye, met Li Biao, and took an immediate liking to him; they traveled on together to the capital, where Rui took him on as a household retainer and provided him with clothes, horses, and servants, treating him very generously. As northern campaign commander he was appointed chief of the northern section, then director of the imperial secretariat, and additionally regular attendant of the scattered cavalry.
34
太和八年正月，叡與隴西公元琛並持節為東西二道大使，褒善罰惡，聲稱聞於京師。 五月，詔賜叡夏服一具。 後以叡為北征都督，擊蠕蠕，大破之。 遷侍中、都曹尚書。 時蠕蠕又犯塞，詔叡率騎五千以討之，蠕蠕遁走，追至石磧，擒其帥赤河突等數百人而還。 加散騎常侍，遷尚書左僕射，領北部尚書。
In the first month of the eighth year of Taihe, Rui and Yuan Chen of Longxi, both bearing imperial staffs, served as great envoys of the eastern and western circuits, rewarding virtue and punishing wrongdoing, and their reputation spread to the capital. In the fifth month an edict granted Rui one set of summer garments. Rui was later appointed northern campaign commander, attacked the Rouran, and routed them completely. He was promoted to palace attendant and director of the central personnel section. When the Rouran again raided the frontier, an edict ordered Rui to lead five thousand horsemen against them; the Rouran fled, and he pursued them to Shiji, captured their chieftain Chihetu and several hundred of his followers, and returned. He was additionally made regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, promoted to left vice director of the imperial secretariat, and put in charge of the northern section.
35
十六年，降五等之爵，以麗勳著前朝，封叡鉅鹿郡開國公，食邑三百戶。 尋為使持節、鎮北大將軍，與陽平王頤並為都督，督領軍將軍斛律桓等北征三道諸軍事，步騎十萬以討蠕蠕。 叡以下各賜衣物布帛。 高祖親幸城北，訓誓羣帥。 除尚書令、衞將軍。 叡大破蠕蠕而還。 尋以母憂解令。 高祖將有南伐之事，以本官起之，改授征北將軍。 叡固辭，請終情禮。 詔曰：「叡猶執私痛，致違往旨，金革方馳，何宜曲遂也。 加領衞尉。 可重敕有司，速令敦喻。」 後除使持節、都督恒肆朔三州諸軍事、本將軍、恒州刺史，行尚書令。 高祖大考百官，奪叡尚書令祿一周。
In the sixteenth year the five ranks of nobility were reduced in grade; because Li's merit had been outstanding under the previous reign, Rui was enfeoffed as Duke of Julu with a fief of three hundred households. He was soon appointed bearer of the staff of authority and general who pacifies the north; together with Prince Yi of Yangping he served as overall commander, directing the three northern campaign routes under generals such as Hulü Huan, with a hundred thousand infantry and cavalry to attack the Rouran. Rui and his subordinates were each granted clothing and cloth. Emperor Xiaowen personally went to the north of the city to instruct and exhort the commanders. He was appointed director of the imperial secretariat and general of the guard. Rui routed the Rouran completely and returned. He soon resigned the directorship to observe mourning for his mother. Emperor Xiaowen was planning a southern campaign; he recalled Rui to his former post and reassigned him as general who campaigns north. Rui firmly declined, asking to complete his mourning obligations. An edict said, "Rui still clings to private grief in defiance of our earlier command. Military affairs are urgent—how can we indulge his wish? He was additionally put in charge of the commandant of the guard. The responsible offices are again instructed to press him to comply at once. He was later appointed bearer of the staff of authority, commander-in-chief of all military affairs in Heng, Si, and Shuo provinces, with his existing rank as general and as inspector of Heng Province, while acting as director of the imperial secretariat. When Emperor Xiaowen conducted a major review of officials, Rui was deprived of one year's salary as director of the imperial secretariat.
36
十九年，叡表曰：「臣聞先天有弗違之略，後天有順時之規。 今蕭鸞盜有名目，竊據江左，惡盈罪稔，天人棄之。 取亂攻昧，誠在茲日。 愚以長江浩蕩，彼之巨防，可以德招，難以力屈。 又南土昏霧，暑氣鬱蒸，師人經夏，必多疾病。 而鼎遷草創，庶事甫爾，臺省無論政之館，府寺靡聽治之所，百僚居止，事等行路，沉雨炎陽，自成癘疫。 且兵徭並舉，聖王所難。 今介冑之士，外攻讎寇； 羸弱之夫，內動土木； 運給之費，日損千金。 驅罷弊之兵，討堅城之虜，將何以取勝乎？ 陛下往冬之舉，政欲曜武江漢，示威衡湘，自春幾夏，理宜釋甲。 願櫜旌卷斾，為持久之方； 崇成帝居，深重本之固。 聖懷無內念之虞，兆庶休斤板之役，修禮華區，諷風洛浦。 然簡英略之將，任猛毅之雄，南取荊湘，據其要府，則梁秦以西覩機自服； 撫附振威，回麾東指，則義陽以左馳聲可制。 然後布仁化以綏近，播恩施以懷遠，凡在有情，孰不思奮！ 還遣慕德之人効其餘力，乘流而下，勢勝萬倍，蕞爾閩甌，敢不稽顙！ 豈必茲年，競斯寸尺。 惟願顧存近敕，納降而旋，不紆鑾輿，久臨炎暑。」 高祖從之。 叡表請車駕還代，親臨太師馮熙之葬，坐削奪都督三州諸軍事。 尋除都督恒朔二州諸軍事，進號征北大將軍。 以有順遷之表，加邑四百戶。
In the nineteenth year Rui submitted a memorial saying, "I have heard that the plan ordained by Heaven must not be set aside, and that the wise ruler who comes after must have rules for acting in accord with the times. Now Xiao Luan has stolen a title and seized the lands east of the Yangzi; his wickedness is complete and his crimes are ripe, and both Heaven and men have turned from him. To strike when the realm is in disorder and the enemy is in darkness—truly the moment is now. In my humble view the Yangzi runs vast and deep; it is their great barrier, one that may be overcome by moral appeal but is hard to break by force alone. Moreover, the south is shrouded in humid mists, and the steamy summer heat makes it inevitable that armies campaigning through the season will suffer widespread sickness. Yet the dynasty has only just moved its capital and every affair is still in its first beginnings; the secretariat and provincial offices have no halls for conducting government, and the ministries and courts have no offices for hearing cases; officials live as if on the open road, and drenching rains and scorching sun breed plague by themselves. And to wage war and impose corvée labor at the same time is what even a sage king finds hard to manage. Now armored warriors are fighting the enemy abroad; frail men are hauling earth and timber at home; and the cost of transport and supply bleeds a thousand in gold each day. With what hope of victory can we drive exhausted troops against an enemy behind stout walls? Your Majesty's campaign last winter was meant to display martial might on the Jiang and Han and show force on the Heng and Xiang; from spring nearly through summer, it is fitting to lay down arms. I beg that the banners be furled and a long-term strategy adopted; that the imperial residence be greatly strengthened and the foundations of rule made secure. Then Your Majesty will be free of inward anxieties, the people will be spared corvée hammer-work, rites will be restored in the heartland, and moral influence spread along the Luo. Select outstanding commanders and appoint fierce, resolute heroes; seize Jing and Xiang in the south and hold their key prefectures, and west of Liang and Qin all will see the moment and submit of themselves; pacify, reassure, and display authority, then turn east, and east of Yiyang your name alone will be enough to bring the region under control. Then spread benevolent rule to settle those nearby and gracious favor to win those far off—who among all living beings will not burn to serve you! Then send men drawn by your virtue to lend their strength; sailing downstream, your momentum will be ten thousand times greater, and tiny Min and Ou—how could they fail to bow in submission! Must we grasp for every inch of ground in a single year? I only ask that Your Majesty heed this recent counsel, accept surrender and return, and not keep the imperial carriage long in the scorching heat. Emperor Xiaowen accepted his advice. Rui submitted a memorial asking that the imperial carriage return to Dai so the emperor could personally attend Grand Preceptor Feng Xi's funeral; for this he was stripped of his command over the three provinces. He was soon appointed commander-in-chief of all military affairs in Heng and Shuo provinces and promoted to general who campaigns north. Because of his memorial urging orderly withdrawal, his fief was increased by four hundred households.
37
時穆泰為定州刺史，辭以疾病，土溫則甚，請恒州自効，高祖許之。 乃以叡為散騎常侍、定州刺史，將軍如故。 叡未發，遂與泰等同謀構逆。 賜死獄中，聽免孥戮，徙其妻子為遼西郡民。 詔僕射李冲、領軍于烈曰：「陸叡、元丕，早蒙寵祿，位極人臣。 自與卿等同受非常之詔，朕許以不死之旨，思得上下齊信，以保大義。 朕於卿等常忘短棄瑕，務相含養。 豈謂陸叡無心之甚，一至於斯！ 乃與穆泰結禍，數圖反噬。 以朕遷洛，內懷不可，擬舉諸王，議引子恂，若斯之論，前後非一。 始欲推故南安王，次推陽平王，若不肯從，欲逼樂陵王。 訕謗朝廷，書信炳然。 事既垂就，叡以洛都休明，勸令小緩，於是之後，兩人復競。 然猶隱而弗聞。 賴陽平王忠貞奮發，獲泰之言，便爾馳表，得使王人糾慝，恒岳無塵。 是以叡之愆失，處入門誅。 朕諦尋前旨，許不盡法。 反逆之志，自負幽冥，違誓在彼，不關朕也。 反心逆意，既異餘犯，雖欲矜恕，末如之何。 然猶憶先言，兼以末頗異議，聽自死別府，免厥孥戮其門，子孫永世不齒。 元丕二子一弟，首為賊端，其父無人明證，理在可覩。 但以言無炳灼，隱而弗窮，以連坐應死，特恕為民。 朕本期有終，而彼自棄。 卿等之間，忽及今日，違心乖念，一何可悲，故此別示，想無致怪也。 謀反之外，皎如白日耳。」
At the time Mu Tai was governor of Ding Province. He declined on grounds of illness—the climate there was too warm—and asked to serve at Heng Province instead. Emperor Xiaowen granted his request. Rui was then appointed regular attendant of the scattered riders and governor of Ding Province, retaining his general's rank. Before Rui could depart, he joined Tai and others in plotting rebellion. He was granted death in prison. His wife and children were spared execution and relocated as commoners of Liaoxi Commandery. An edict addressed Vice Director Li Chong and Commander-in-Chief Yu Lie: "Lu Rui and Yuan Pi were long favored with grace and emoluments and rose to the pinnacle of ministerial rank. You and I alike received that extraordinary edict, and I pledged that you would not die, hoping to win mutual trust between sovereign and subject and preserve the grand principle. Toward you I have constantly overlooked small faults and flaws, striving to forbear and nurture you. Who would have thought Lu Rui's heedlessness could go so far! He joined Mu Tai in a bond of calamity and repeatedly plotted rebellion. He could not accept my move of the capital to Luoyang; he planned to raise the princes and discussed installing my son Xun—such talk was repeated again and again. At first he sought to install the former Prince of Nan'an, then the Prince of Yangping; if they refused, he intended to coerce the Prince of Leling. He slandered the court, and the letters bear clear witness. When the plot was nearly complete, Rui urged a slight delay on grounds that the Luoyang capital was flourishing and enlightened; thereafter the two men quarreled again. Yet I still heard nothing of it—the matter was kept hidden from me. Thanks to the Prince of Yangping's loyal steadfastness and swift action, who obtained Tai's confession and at once sent an urgent memorial, enabling the court to investigate the crime so that Heng and Yue provinces remained undisturbed. Therefore by law Rui's offenses warranted execution at the gate of his house. On careful reflection of my earlier pledge, I granted that the full penalty of the law not be applied. The intent to rebel he bore in secret; the breach of oath was his, not mine. Rebellious intent differs from other offenses; though I wished to show mercy, nothing could be done. Yet remembering my earlier pledge, and also because he had expressed some dissent at the end, I permitted him to take his own life in another office, spared his wife and children execution, and barred his descendants forever from official standing. Yuan Pi's two sons and one younger brother were the ringleaders of the plot; no one could clearly prove complicity against the father, yet the inference is plain. But because the evidence was not conclusive, I did not pursue it fully; though he should by guilt-by-association have been executed, I specially spared him to become a commoner. I had intended to honor my pledge to the end, but they threw it away themselves. That it has come to this between us—hearts at odds and trust broken—is deeply lamentable. Hence this separate explanation; I trust you will not take offense. Apart from the rebellion itself, all is as clear as daylight."
38
沖、烈表曰：「臣等邀逢幸會，生遇昌辰。 才非利用，坐班位列； 功無汗馬，猥受山河。 叨忝之寵，終古無比； 莫大之施，萬殞靡酬。 而叡、丕識乖犬馬，心同梟獍，潛引童稚，構茲妖逆，違悖天常，罪踰萬殞。 叡結釁在心，陰構不息，間說戚蕃，擬窺乾象。 雖覩休平，未懷疑惑，何嘗片辭披露宿志，原心語跡，實為賊首。 丕之二子，從惡累年，交扇東西，規擾并夏，測觀此狀，無容不知。 雖聖慈含育，恕其生命，其若天地何！ 其若神祇何！ 夫効誠盡節，為下之恒分； 刑茲無捨，在上之常法。 況曲蒙莫大之恩，奬以忠貞之義，而更違天背道，包藏姦逆，求情推理，罪乃常誅。 而慈造寬渥，更流恩貸，續叡三斷之骸，還丕已絕之魄，二三縱宥，實虧憲典。 猶復上延天眷，言念疇日。 不以臣等背負餘黨，別垂明詔，再申齊信之恩，重喻晈日之旨，伏讀悲慚，惟深愧惕。」
Chong and Lie submitted a memorial: "We have encountered fortunate opportunity and been born in an age of prosperity. Our talents are unworthy of our posts, yet we sit among the highest ranks; We have no battlefield merit, yet we presumptuously receive great fiefs. The favor we have received is unmatched since antiquity; the greatest grace imaginable—ten thousand deaths could not repay it. Yet Rui and Pi, ungrateful as dogs and horses and vicious as owls and jackals, secretly drew in the young and plotted this monstrous treason, violating heaven's order—their guilt deserved death ten thousand times over. Rui harbored enmity in his heart and plotted ceaselessly in secret, going among the imperial kin and intending to seize the throne. Though the realm was at peace, he never wavered in his intent and never disclosed it in the slightest word. Judging heart, speech, and acts together, he was truly the ringleader. Pi's two sons followed evil for years, stirring trouble east and west and plotting to disturb Bing and Xia provinces—he must have known. Though Your Sacred Mercy would nurture and spare their lives, what of Heaven and Earth! What of the spirits! Devoting loyalty and fulfilling one's duty is the constant obligation of subjects; punishing such crimes without mercy is the constant law of rulers. Moreover, having received immeasurable grace and been encouraged to loyalty, yet violating heaven and the Way and harboring treachery—in law their crime warrants the ordinary death penalty. Yet Your Majesty's merciful grace flows in pardon—sparing Rui who deserved dismemberment and restoring Pi who deserved extinction; such repeated leniency truly impairs the code of law. Still further extending heaven's favor and speaking of former days. Not treating us as remnants of the faction, You separately issued a clear edict again proclaiming mutual trust and reiterating pledges bright as day; reading it we are grieved and ashamed, filled with deep remorse and awe."
39
叡長子希道，字洪度，有風貌，美鬚髯。 歷覽經史，頗有文致。 初拜中散，遷通直郎，坐父事徙於遼西。 於後得還，從征自效。 以軍功拜給事中，遷司徒記室、司空主簿。 征南將軍元英攻蕭衍司州，以希道為副，及克義陽，以功賜爵淮陽男。 拜諫議大夫。 以學關今古，參議新令。 轉廷尉少卿。 加龍驤將軍、南青州刺史。 以本將軍轉梁州刺史。 希道頻表辭免。 又除東夏州刺史，不拜。 轉北中郎將，遷前將軍、郢州刺史。 希道善於馭邊，甚有威略，轉平西將軍、涇州刺史。 正光四年卒官。 贈撫軍將軍、定州刺史。 希道有六子。
Rui's eldest son Xidao, styled Hongdu, had a distinguished bearing and a handsome beard. He read widely in the classics and histories and wrote with considerable polish. He was first appointed palace attendant, then promoted to direct attendant; owing to his father's crime he was relocated to Liaoxi. Later he was permitted to return and served in campaigns to prove his worth. For military merit he was appointed palace attendant, then transferred to recorder in the Department of State Affairs and chief clerk in the Ministry of Works. When General Who Campaigns South Yuan Ying attacked Xiao Yan's Si Province, Xidao served as his deputy; when Yiyang was taken, he was granted the title baron of Huaiyang for his merit. He was appointed grand master of remonstrance. Because his learning spanned past and present, he participated in drafting the new legal code. He was transferred to vice director of the court of justice. He was additionally appointed flying dragon general and governor of Southern Qing Province. Retaining his general's rank, he was transferred to governor of Liang Province. Xidao repeatedly submitted memorials requesting dismissal. He was again appointed governor of Eastern Xia Province but declined to accept. He was transferred to general of the northern palace guard, then promoted to general of the vanguard and governor of Ying Province. Xidao was skilled at governing the frontier and had great authority and strategic acumen; he was transferred to general who pacifies the west and governor of Jing Province. He died in office in the fourth year of Zhengguang. He was posthumously granted the title general who pacifies the army and governor of Ding Province. Xidao had six sons.
40
士懋，字元偉。 天平中，以其曾祖麗有翼戴之勳，詔特復鉅鹿郡開國公，邑三百戶，令士懋襲。 武定中，平東將軍、營州刺史。
Shimao, styled Yuanwei. In the Tianping era, because his great-grandfather Li had merit in supporting and enthroning the emperor, an edict specially restored the ducal title of Julu Commandery with a fief of three hundred households and ordered Shimao to inherit it. In the Wuding era he served as general who pacifies the east and governor of Ying Province.
41
士懋弟士宗，字仲彥。 尚書左外兵郎中。
Shimao's younger brother Shizong, styled Zhongyan. He served as director of the left outer military affairs section of the Ministry of Works.
42
士宗弟士述，字幼文。 符璽郎中。 士宗、士述，建義初，並於河陰遇害。
Shizong's younger brother Shishu, styled Youwen. He served as director of seals and credentials. Shizong and Shishu were both killed at Heyin at the beginning of Jianyi.
43
士述弟士沈，出繼從叔昕之。
Shishu's younger brother Shishen was given in adoption to succeed his father's younger cousin Xinzhi.
44
士沈弟士廉，字季脩。 建州平北府長史。 永安末，為尒朱世隆攻陷州城，見害。
Shishen's younger brother Shilian, styled Jixiu. He served as chief clerk of the pacify-the-north staff of Jian Province. At the end of Yong'an, when Erzhu Shilong captured the provincial city, he was killed.
45
士廉弟士佩，字季偉。 武定中，安東將軍、司州治中。
Shilian's younger brother Shipi, styled Jiwei. In the Wuding era he served as general who pacifies the east and chief administrator of Si Province.
46
希道弟希悅，尚書外兵郎中、驃騎諮議參軍、通直散騎常侍、平南將軍、光祿大夫。 遇害於河陰。 贈散騎常侍、衞將軍、相州刺史。
Xidao's younger brother Xiyue served as director of outer military affairs in the Ministry of Works, consultant to the general of fast cavalry, direct regular attendant of the scattered riders, general who pacifies the south, and grand master for splendid happiness. He was killed at Heyin. He was posthumously granted regular attendant of the scattered riders, general of the guard, and governor of Xiang Province.
47
希悅弟希謐，太尉參軍，早卒。
Xiyue's younger brother Ximi, a staff officer under the grand commander, died young.
48
希謐弟希靜，字季默。 司徒默曹，稍遷邵郡太守。
Ximi's younger brother Xijing, styled Jimo. He served as clerk in the silent office of the Department of State Affairs and was gradually promoted to governor of Shao Commandery.
49
希靜弟希質，字幼成。 起家員外郎，領侍御史，稍遷散騎侍郎、陽城太守。 孝莊初，除龍驤將軍、膠州刺史。 蕭衍遣將率眾數萬從郁洲浮海據島，來侵州界，希質討破之。 轉建州刺史，將軍如故。 尒朱榮之死也，世隆率眾北還晉陽，希質固守拒之，城陷，兄子被害。 希質妻元氏，榮妻之兄孫，由是獲免。 天平初，給事黃門侍郎，遷魏尹，轉太常卿、衞大將軍、都官尚書。 武定七年夏卒，年五十八。 贈驃騎大將軍、中書監、青州刺史，諡曰文。 希質名家子，位宦又通，不能平心於物，唯與山偉、宇文忠之等共為朋黨，排毀朝俊，有識者薄之。
Xijing's younger brother Xizhi, styled Youcheng. He began his career as vice director and concurrently served as attendant censor, gradually rising to gentleman of the scattered riders and governor of Yangcheng. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, he was appointed flying dragon general and governor of Jiao Province. Xiao Yan sent a general with an army of tens of thousands to sail from Yuzhou and seize an island, invading the provincial border; Xizhi attacked and defeated them. He was transferred to governor of Jian Province, retaining his general's rank. When Erzhu Rong died, Shilong led troops north to Jinyang; Xizhi held the city and resisted, but when it fell his brother's son was killed. Xizhi's wife was a Yuan, granddaughter of Erzhu Rong's wife's elder brother; by this connection he was spared. At the beginning of Tianping he served as attendant gentleman of the yellow gate, then as intendant of Wei, then as director of the court of sacrifices, grand general of the guard, and minister of judgment affairs. He died in the summer of the seventh year of Wuding, aged fifty-eight. He was posthumously granted grand general of fast cavalry, supervisor of the secretariat, and governor of Qing Province, with the posthumous name Wen. Xizhi was a son of an eminent house who rose to high office, yet he could not treat others fairly; he formed a faction with Shan Wei, Yuwen Zhongzhi, and others, driving out and slandering worthy officials of the court, and those with discernment looked down on him.
50
子珣，字子琰。 開府參軍。 次瑾，字子瑜。 性並粗險，乃為劫盜，珣、瑾俱死。
His son Xun, styled Ziyan. He served as staff officer of a general who opens a commandery. Next came Jin, styled Ziyu. Both were crude and violent by nature; they turned to banditry, and Xun and Jin both died.
51
瑾弟瓘，字子璧。 次悉達。 武定中，並儀同開府參軍。
Jin's younger brother Guan, styled Zibi. Next came Xida. In the Wuding era both served as staff officers of generals with the honorary title of the three excellencies who open a commandery.
52
麗弟頹，早卒。 子□，字清都。 性機巧，歷位長水校尉，賜爵廣牧子。 遷龍驤將軍、游擊將軍、北中郎將。 轉南中郎將，帶魯陽太守，進號前將軍。 卒，贈本將軍、夏州刺史，諡曰順。
Li's younger brother Tui died young. His son □, styled Qingdu. Clever and resourceful by nature, he rose through the ranks to commandant of the ever-flowing waters and was enfeoffed as baron of Guangmu. He was promoted to flying dragon general, raiding general, and general of the northern palace guard. He was transferred to general of the southern palace guard, concurrently served as prefect of Luyang, and was advanced to general of the vanguard. He died and was posthumously awarded his former general's rank and the governorship of Xia Province, with the posthumous name Shun (Compliant).
53
頹弟陵成，中校尉、河間太守、祕書中散、新城子。
Tui's younger brother Lingcheng served as central commandant, prefect of Hejian, attendant cavalryman of the secretariat, and baron of Xincheng.
54
陵成弟龍成，有父兄之風。 少以功臣子為中散，稍遷散騎常侍，賜爵永安子。 加平遠將軍，出為安南將軍、青州刺史，假樂安公。 愛民恤下，百姓稱之。 卒。
Lingcheng's younger brother Longcheng took after his father and elder brothers. As a young man, through his status as a meritorious official's son, he entered service as an attendant cavalryman, was gradually promoted to regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, and was enfeoffed as baron of Yong'an. He was given the additional rank of general who pacifies the far, sent out as general who pacifies the south and governor of Qing Province, and granted the provisional title duke of Le'an. He cared for the people and looked after his subordinates, and the common people praised him. He died.
55
子昶，字細文，襲爵。 正始中，為太尉屬，加寧遠將軍，以本官行滎陽郡事。 被劾，會赦免。 久之，進號廣武將軍，遷司空司馬，尋拜光祿大夫。 昶無他才能，唯飲酒為事。 出為平西將軍、京兆內史，固辭不拜。 轉平北將軍、肆州刺史。 入為衞將軍、大鴻臚卿，仍除車騎將軍、左光祿大夫。 天平中，進號驃騎大將軍，加散騎常侍、領左右、兼給事黃門侍郎，仍兼太僕卿。 復以本將軍為東徐州刺史。 尋卒。 贈本將軍、衞尉卿、青州刺史。
His son Chang, courtesy name Xiwen, inherited the title. During the Zhengshi era he served on the grand commandant's staff, was given the additional rank of general who pacifies the distant, and with his existing office administered Xingyang commandery. He was impeached but was pardoned when an amnesty was declared. After some time he was advanced to general who displays martial might, transferred to marshal of the ministry of works, and soon appointed grand master of splendid happiness. Chang had no other talents—drinking was his sole pursuit. When he was offered the posts of general who pacifies the west and intendant of Jingzhao, he firmly declined to accept. He was transferred to general who pacifies the north and inspector of Si Province. He was recalled to court as general of the guard and minister herald, then appointed general of chariots and cavalry and left grand master of splendid happiness. During the Tianping era he was advanced to general of chivalry and cavalry, additionally made regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, director of the left and right, concurrently attendant gentleman of the yellow gate, and continued to serve concurrently as minister of the stud. He was again appointed governor of East Xu Province with his existing general's rank. He died soon afterward. He was posthumously awarded his former general's rank, the directorship of the guard office, and the governorship of Qing Province.
56
龍成季弟騏驎，侍御中散，[4]轉侍御長。 太和初，新平太守、銀青光祿大夫，以彭城勳除夏州刺史。
Longcheng's youngest brother Qilin served as attendant cavalryman-in-attendance, [4] then was transferred to chief of the imperial attendants. At the beginning of the Taihe era he served as prefect of Xinping and grand master of splendid happiness with the silver seal; for his merit at Pengcheng he was appointed governor of Xia Province.
57
子高貴，孝昌中，兗州鎮東府法曹參軍。
His son Gaogui served during the Xiaochang era as staff member of the legal bureau in the eastern headquarters of the Yanzhou garrison.
58
子操，武定末，度支尚書。 操弟楚。
His son Cao served at the end of the Wuding era as minister of revenue. Cao's younger brother was Chu.
59
高貴弟順宗，員外郎、祕書中散。
Gaogui's younger brother Shunzong served as outside-section attendant and attendant cavalryman of the secretariat.
60
子概之，武定末，東莞太守。
His son Gaizhi served at the end of the Wuding era as prefect of Dongguan.
61
俟族弟宜，雲中鎮將。
Si's clansman Yi served as garrison commander of Yunzhong.
62
子雋，高宗世，歷侍中、給事。 顯祖初，侍御長。 以謀誅乙渾，拜侍中、樂部尚書。 遷散騎常侍、吏部尚書，賜爵安樂公，甚見委任。 尋拜尚書令。 後除安東將軍、定州刺史，轉征東大將軍、相州刺史。 政尚寬惠，民吏安定。 卒，諡貞公。
His son Jun served during Emperor Wencheng's reign as palace attendant and attendant-in-ordinary. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaowen's reign he served as chief of the imperial attendants. For his role in the plot to execute Yifu Hun, he was appointed palace attendant and minister of the music section. He was promoted to regular attendant of the scattered cavalry and minister of personnel, enfeoffed as duke of Anle, and placed in great trust. He was soon appointed director of the imperial secretariat. He was later appointed general who pacifies the east and inspector of Ding Province, then transferred to general who campaigns east and inspector of Xiang Province. His governance favored lenience and generosity, and officials and people alike lived in security. He died and was given the posthumous title duke of Zhen (Steadfast).
63
子登，澄城太守。
His son Deng served as prefect of Chengcheng.
64
子匡，司空倉曹參軍。
His son Kuang served as staff member of the granary bureau in the ministry of works.
65
登弟子景元，元象初，衞將軍、儀同三司、南青州刺史。
Deng's nephew Jingyuan, at the beginning of the Yuanxiang era, served as general of the guard, equal in honor to the three excellencies, and governor of Southern Qing Province.
66
史臣曰：陸俟威略智器有過人者。 馛識幹明厲，不替家風。 麗忠國奉主，為時梁棟，蹈忠履義，制於一豎。 惜哉！ 叡、琇以沉雅顯達，而釁逆陷禍。 深山大澤，實有龍蛇。 希道風度有聲，子彰令終之美也。
The historian writes: Lu Si's martial authority, strategic skill, and native gifts surpassed those of ordinary men. Ba was wise, capable, and resolute, never falling short of the family tradition. Li was loyal to the state and devoted to his sovereign, a pillar of his age who lived by loyalty and righteousness—yet was destroyed by a single eunuch. What a pity! Rui and Xiu, though refined and already risen to eminence, were destroyed by treason. Deep mountains and great marshes truly harbor dragons and serpents. Xidao was renowned for his bearing and grace; Zizhang fulfilled the ideal of a good end.
67
校勘記
Textual collation notes.
68
安定盧水劉超等聚黨萬餘以叛諸本「水」作「永」。 北史卷二八陸俟傳作「水」，通鑑卷一二四 〈三九二八頁〉 「水」下更有「胡」字。 按盧水胡屢見後漢書、三國志、晉書等史籍。 若作「永」，則是人名，但下文只稱「超」等。 知「永」乃「水」之形訛，今據改。
On "Liu Chao and others of the Luishui [Hu] of Anding gathered a party of more than ten thousand and rebelled": various editions read "Yong" instead of "water" (shui). The biography of Lu Si in the Northern History (scroll 28) reads shui; the Comprehensive Mirror (scroll 124) 〈p. 3928〉 After shui the text also has the character hu (Hu). Comment: the Luishui Hu appear repeatedly in the Book of Later Han, Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Jin, and other histories. If read as Yong it would imply a personal name, yet the text below refers only to Chao and the others. Yong is clearly a graphic corruption of shui; the text is emended accordingly.
69
與度世子淵婚親相好諸本「淵」作「泉」。 按盧淵，卷四七有傳。 這裏當是唐人避諱改，今回改。
On "was on good terms by marriage with Yuan, son of Dushi": various editions read Quan instead of Yuan. Comment: Lu Yuan has a biography in scroll 47. This is plainly a Tang-era taboo alteration; the original reading is restored.
70
娶東徐州刺史博陵崔鑒女諸本無「東」字，北史卷二八陸叡傳有。 按下明云：「叡婚自東徐還。」 卷六二李彪傳稱陸叡「娶東徐州刺史博陵崔鑒女」。 卷四九崔鑒傳也只稱鑒「出為奮威將軍、東徐州刺史」，不云「徐州」。 此傳脫「東」字，今據補。
On "he married a daughter of Cui Jian of Boling, inspector of East Xu Province": most editions omit East; the biography of Lu Rui in the Northern History (scroll 28) includes it. Comment: the text below explicitly states, "Rui returned from his marriage journey in East Xu." The biography of Li Biao (scroll 62) states that Lu Rui "married a daughter of Cui Jian of Boling, inspector of East Xu Province." The biography of Cui Jian (scroll 49) likewise records only that Jian "went out as general of strenuous might and inspector of East Xu Province," not Xu Province alone. This biography has dropped the character East; it is supplied on the evidence cited.
71
侍御中散諸本「御」作「郎」，北史卷二八作「御」。 按「侍御中散」魏初已有此官，太和後品令在從五品上。 「侍郎中散」無此官名，今據改。
On "attendant cavalryman-in-attendance": various editions read lang (gentleman) instead of yu (attendant); the Northern History (scroll 28) reads yu. Comment: the office of attendant cavalryman-in-attendance existed as early as the founding of Wei; after Taihe the rank regulations place it at upper fifth rank, subordinate grade. Attendant-gentleman cavalryman-in-attendance is not a valid office title; the text is emended accordingly.