1
盧玄，字子真，范陽涿人也。 曾袓諶，晉司空劉琨從事中郎。 袓偃，父邈，並仕慕容氏為郡太守，皆以儒雅稱。 神䴥四年，辟召儒儁，以玄為首，授中書博士。 司徒崔浩，玄之外兄，每與玄言，輒歎曰：「對子真，使我懷古之情更深。」 浩大欲齊整人倫，分明姓族。 玄勸之曰：「夫創制立事，各有其時，樂為此者，詎幾人也？ 宜其三思。」 浩當時雖無異言，竟不納，浩敗頗亦由此。 後轉寧朔將軍、兼散騎常侍，使劉義隆。 義隆見之，與語良久，歎曰：「中郎，卿曾袓也。」 既還，病卒。
Lu Xuan, style name Zizhen, was from Zhuo in Fanyang. His great-grandfather Chen had been Registrar to Liu Kun, Minister of Works under the Jin. His grandfather Yan and his father Miao both held commandery governorships under the Murong, and both were known for their scholarly elegance. In the fourth year of Shenqi, when the court called up eminent Confucian scholars, Xuan was ranked first and appointed Doctor of the Secretariat. Cui Hao, Grand Mentor and Xuan's cousin on his mother's side, would sigh whenever they spoke together: "In Zizhen's company my longing for the ancients only deepens." Hao was deeply intent on standardizing human relations and sorting out clan distinctions. Xuan urged him: "Creating institutions and launching enterprises each has its season—how many would truly relish such an undertaking? You should weigh it again and again." Hao offered no objection at the time, yet he never took the advice—and in no small measure his fall came of this. He was later promoted to General Who Pacifies the North and concurrent Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, and sent on embassy to Liu Yilong. Yilong received him and talked with him for a long while, then sighed: "Attendant, that was your great-grandfather." After he returned home, he fell ill and died.
2
子度世，字子遷。 幼而聰達，有計數。 為中書學生，應選東宮。 弱冠，與從兄遐俱以學行為時流所重。
His son Du Shi bore the style name Ziqian. Clever and far-seeing from boyhood, he had a knack for calculation. He studied at the Secretariat and was chosen for service in the Eastern Palace. When he reached manhood, he and his cousin Xia were both held in high regard by the leading scholars of the age for their learning and character.
3
度世後以崔浩事，棄官逃於高陽鄭羆家，羆匿之。 使者囚羆長子，將加捶楚。 羆戒之曰：「君子殺身以成人，汝雖死勿言。」 子奉父命，遂被考掠，至乃火爇其體，因以物故，卒無所言。 度世後令弟娶羆妹，以報其恩。 世袓臨江，劉義隆使其殿中將軍黃延年朝貢。 世袓問延年曰：「范陽盧度世坐與崔浩親通，逃命江表，應已至彼？」 延對曰：「都下無聞，當必不至。」 世袓詔東宮赦度世宗族逃亡及籍沒者。 度世乃出。 赴京，拜中書侍郎，襲爵。
Later, implicated in the Cui Hao affair, Du Shi resigned his post and fled to the home of Zheng Pi of Gaoyang, who hid him. The authorities seized Pi's eldest son and were about to beat and torture him. Pi admonished him: "A gentleman lays down his life to preserve another's honor—even if you die, say nothing." The son obeyed his father's command. He was tortured and even burned with fire until he died, yet to the end he revealed nothing. Du Shi later had his younger brother marry Pi's sister to repay the debt of gratitude. When Emperor Shizu crossed the Yangzi, Liu Yilong sent his Palace General Huang Yannian to present tribute. The Emperor asked Yannian: "Lu Du Shi of Fanyang, charged with close ties to Cui Hao, fled south of the Yangzi for his life—surely he has reached your realm by now?" Yannian answered: "We have heard nothing of him in our capital; he surely has not come." The Emperor then ordered the Eastern Palace to pardon Du Shi's kinsmen who had fled and those whose households had been confiscated. Only then did Du Shi emerge from hiding. He went to the capital, was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat, and inherited the family title.
4
初，玄有五子，嫡唯度世，餘皆別生。 崔浩事難，其庶兄弟常欲危害之，度世常深忿恨。 及度世有子，每誡約令絕妾孽，不得使長，以防後患。 至淵兄弟，婢賤生子，雖形貌相類，皆不舉接。 為識者所非。
Xuan had had five sons in all; only Du Shi was born of the principal wife, the others of concubines. During the Cui Hao affair his half-brothers had often sought to do him harm, and Du Shi harbored deep resentment. When Du Shi himself had sons, he repeatedly warned them to disown sons born to concubines and not let them grow up, lest trouble arise later. By the time of Yuan and his brothers, even when sons born to servant girls resembled them in looks, they would not acknowledge them. Men of judgment condemned this practice.
5
淵，字伯源，小名陽烏。 性溫雅寡欲，有袓父之風，敦尚學業，閨門和睦。 襲侯爵，拜主客令，典屬國。 遷祕書令、始平王師。 以例降爵為伯。 給事黃門侍郎，遷兼散騎常侍、祕書監、本州大中正。 是時，高祖將立馮后，方集朝臣議之。 高祖先謂淵曰：「卿意以為何如？」 對曰：「此自古所慎，如臣愚意，宜更簡卜。」 高祖曰：「以先后之姪，朕意已定。」 淵曰：「雖奉敕如此，然於臣心實有未盡。」 及朝臣集議，執意如前。 馮誕有盛寵，深以為恨，淵不以介懷。
Yuan, style name Boyuan, was called Yangwu as a child. Gentle, refined, and sparing of desire, he bore his grandfather's manner, devoted himself to learning, and kept his household at peace. He inherited the marquisate, was appointed Director of Guests, and supervised the dependent states. He was promoted to Director of the Secretariat and Preceptor to the Prince of Shiping. Under the usual rules his title was reduced from marquis to count. He served as Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Yellow Gate, then was promoted to concurrent Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Supervisor of the Secretariat, and Chief Rectifier of his home province. At that time Emperor Gaozu was about to install Lady Feng as empress and had summoned the court to discuss it. Gaozu first asked Yuan: "What do you think?" He answered: "This is what the ancients always treated with caution; in my humble view, the choice should be tested further by divination." Gaozu said: "As the former empress's niece, my mind is already made up." Yuan said: "Though I have received Your Majesty's command, my heart is not wholly at ease." When the ministers met to deliberate, he held to the same view as before. Feng Dan, who enjoyed great favor, resented this deeply, but Yuan gave it no thought.
6
及高祖議伐蕭賾，淵表曰：
When Gaozu deliberated a campaign against Xiao Ze, Yuan submitted a memorial that read:
7
臣誠識不周覽，頗尋篇籍。 自魏晉以前，承平之世，未有皇輿親御六軍，決勝行陳之間者。 勝不足為武，弗勝有虧威德，明千鈞之弩不為鼷鼠發機故也。 昔魏武以弊卒一萬而袁紹土崩，謝玄以步兵三千而苻堅瓦解。 勝負不由眾寡，成敗在於須臾，若用田豐之謀，則坐制孟德矣。 魏既并蜀，迄于晉世，吳介有江水，居其上流，大小勢殊，德政理絕。 然猶君臣協謀，垂數十載。 逮孫皓暴戾，上下攜爽，水陸俱進，一舉始克。 今蕭氏以篡殺之燼，政虐役繁，又支屬相屠，人神同棄。 吳會之民，延踵皇澤，正是齊軌之期，一同之會。 若大駕南巡，必左袵革面，閩越倒戈，其猶運山壓卵，有征無戰。 然愚謂萬乘親戎，轉漕難繼，千里饋糧，士有飢色，大軍之後，必有凶年。 不若命將簡銳，盪滌江右，然後鳴鸞巡省，告成東岳，則天下幸甚，率土戴賴。
My own knowledge is far from complete, yet I have searched the written records. Before Wei and Jin, in ages of peace, no emperor ever personally led the six armies to decide victory on the battlefield. Victory would add little to one's martial renown, while defeat would injure imperial prestige—just as a crossbow of a thousand jun is not drawn for a mouse. Cao Cao once routed Yuan Shao with ten thousand weary troops; Xie Xuan shattered Fu Jian's host with three thousand foot soldiers. Victory does not depend on numbers; the issue is decided in an instant—had Yuan Shao followed Tian Feng's counsel, he would have held Cao Cao at his mercy without stirring. After Wei annexed Shu, through the Jin dynasty Wu alone had the Yangzi as its barrier and held the upper reaches; the two states differed vastly in scale, and in virtue and governance they were worlds apart. Yet ruler and ministers still worked in concert, and the contest dragged on for decades. Only when Sun Hao turned cruel and tyrannical, alienating court and people alike, did a combined land-and-water advance conquer Wu in one stroke. The Xiao regime now rests on the ashes of usurpation and murder; its government is cruel and its levies crushing; its own kin turn on one another, and both men and gods have abandoned them. The people of Wu and Kuaiji yearn for the imperial grace; this is the moment to bring them into one fold and achieve unification. If Your Majesty tours south in person, the southerners will surely turn their coats and change their allegiance; Fujian and Yue will lay down their arms—it will be like crushing an egg with a mountain; there will be a campaign but no battle. Yet I believe that when the sovereign takes the field in person, supply lines cannot be sustained; armies fed from a thousand li away go hungry, and in the wake of a great host famine follows. Better to send generals with picked troops to sweep the lands east of the Yangzi, and only then let Your Majesty tour in state and report victory at Mount Tai—then all under Heaven would be blessed and the realm would rejoice in Your rule.
8
臣又聞流言，關右之民，自比年以來，競設齋會，假稱豪貴，以相扇惑。 顯然於眾坐之中，以謗朝廷。 無上之心，莫此之甚。 愚謂宜速懲絕，戮其魁帥。 不爾懼成黃巾、赤眉之禍。 育其微萌，不芟之毫末，斧斤一加，恐蹈害者眾。 臣世奉皇家，義均休戚，誠知干忤之愆實深，然不忠之罪莫大。
I have also heard rumors that in recent years the people west of the Pass have vied to hold fasting assemblies, falsely posing as great families, to stir one another up. Openly, before assembled crowds, they slander the court. Disloyalty to the throne—nothing could be more extreme. I believe they should be swiftly suppressed and their ringleaders executed. Otherwise I fear we shall see another Yellow Turban or Red Eyebrow rebellion. If the first shoots are allowed to grow and are not cut down at once, when the axe finally falls many will suffer. My family has served the imperial house for generations; our fortunes are bound to the throne. I know well that to speak thus is presumptuous, yet the greater crime would be disloyal silence.
9
詔曰：
The Emperor replied in an edict:
10
至德雖一，樹功多途。 三聖殊文，五帝異律，或張或弛，豈必相因。 遠惟承平之主，所主不親旆五戎者，蓋有由矣。 英明之主，或以同軌無征； 守庸之君，或緣志劣寢伐。 今若喻之英皇，時非昔類； 比之庸后，意有恧焉。 脫元極之尊，本不宜駕，二公之徒，革輅之戎，寧非謬歟？ 尋夫昔人，若必須己而濟世，豈不克廣先業也。 定火之雄，[1]未聞不武，世袓之行，匪皆疑懾。 且曹操勝袁，蓋由德義內舉； 苻堅瓦解，當緣立政未至。 定非弊卒之力強，十萬之眾寡也。 今則驅馳先天之術，駕用仁義之師，審觀成敗，庶免斯咎。 長江之阻，未足可憚； 踰紀之略，何必可師。 洞庭、彭蠡，竟非殷固，奮臂一呼，或成漢業。 經略之義，當付之臨機； 足食之籌，望寄之蕭相。 將希混一，豈好輕動，利見之事，何得委人也！
Supreme virtue is one, but merit may be won by many paths. The Three Sage Kings wrote differently; the Five Emperors ruled differently—sometimes strict, sometimes lenient. Must one age simply copy another? Looking back at peaceful rulers who did not personally lead the five armies, there were reasons for that too. Wise rulers sometimes refrained from war because the realm was already united; mediocre ones sometimes lacked the will and let martial ambition sleep. Compare me now to those brilliant emperors and the times are not the same; compare me to mediocre successors and I would be ashamed. Apart from the dignity of the throne itself, is it not absurd for men like the Duke of Zhou to go to war in a leather chariot? Consider the ancients: if saving the age required one's own hand, how could one fail to enlarge the inheritance of one's fathers? The hero who settled the mandate of Zhou was hardly unwarlike; Emperor Shizu's campaigns were not all met with doubt and dread. Cao Cao's victory over Yuan Shao owed much to moral authority won at home; Fu Jian's collapse came because his government had not yet been firmly established. It was surely not a matter of worn troops being strong or a hundred thousand men being few. Now we shall advance by the arts that precede Heaven and lead an army of benevolence and righteousness, weighing success and failure carefully, so as to avoid that error. The Yangzi's barrier is nothing to fear; and strategies from ages past need not be our only guide. Dongting and Poyang were not impregnable fortresses of Yin; one cry and the Han cause may be won. Strategy must be left to the moment of decision; and plans for provisioning I entrust to my Xiao He. I seek unification—how could I delight in rash action? When the moment of advantage appears, how can I leave it to another!
11
又水旱之運，未必由兵； 堯湯之難，詎因興旅？ 頗豐之後，雖靜有之，關左小紛，已敕禁勒。 流言之細，曷足以紆天功。 深錄誠心，勿恨不相遂耳。
Floods and droughts are not necessarily caused by war; the trials of Yao and Tang were hardly caused by raising armies. After good harvests quiet may return; the minor disturbances west of the Pass have already been ordered suppressed. Petty rumors are hardly enough to obstruct the imperial enterprise. I deeply appreciate your sincerity; do not resent that we cannot follow the same course.
12
及車駕南伐，趙郡王幹督關右諸軍事，詔加淵使持節、安南將軍為副，勒眾七萬將出子午。 尋以蕭賾死，停師。 是時涇州羌叛，殘破城邑，淵以步騎六千眾號三萬，徐行而進。 未經三旬，賊眾逃散，降者數萬口，唯梟首惡，餘悉不問。 詔兼侍中。 初，淵年十四，嘗詣長安。 將還，諸相餞送者五十餘人，別於渭北。 有相者扶風人王伯達曰：「諸君皆不如此盧郎，雖位不副實，然德聲甚盛，望踰公輔。 後二十餘年，當制命關右。 願不相忘。」 此行也，相者年過八十，詣軍門請見，言敍平生。 未幾，拜儀曹尚書。 高祖考課在位，降淵以王師守常侍、尚書，奪常侍祿一周。 尋除豫州刺史，以母老固辭。
When the Emperor marched south, Prince Gan of Zhao Commandery supervised all military affairs west of the Pass; Yuan was appointed Bearer of the Staff and General Who Pacifies the South as his deputy, leading seventy thousand men to march out through Ziwu Pass. Soon afterward Xiao Ze died and the campaign was halted. At that time the Qiang of Jing Province rebelled and ravaged the towns; Yuan took six thousand foot and cavalry, proclaimed a host of thirty thousand, and advanced at an unhurried pace. In less than thirty days the rebels fled and scattered; tens of thousands surrendered; only the ringleaders were executed, and the rest went unpunished. He was appointed concurrent Palace Attendant by edict. When Yuan was fourteen he once visited Chang'an. As he was about to return, more than fifty friends who had come to see him off took their leave north of the Wei River. A physiognomist, Wang Boda of Fufeng, said: "None of you gentlemen is like this young Master Lu; though his rank does not yet match his worth, his reputation for virtue is already great, and his prospects surpass those of the highest ministers. In twenty-odd years you will hold command west of the Pass. Do not forget me." On this expedition the physiognomist, now past eighty, came to the camp gate to request an audience and reminisced about their past acquaintance. Before long he was appointed Minister of the Ceremonial Bureau. When Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) evaluated incumbents, he demoted Yuan to Regular Attendant and Minister on the Master Instructor's staff and stripped one cycle of his Regular Attendant salary. He was soon appointed Governor of Yu Province but firmly declined because his mother was elderly.
13
會蕭昭業雍州刺史曹虎遣使請降，乃以淵為使持節、安南將軍，督前鋒諸軍徑赴樊鄧。 淵面辭曰：「臣本儒生，頗聞俎豆，軍旅之事，未之學也。 惟陛下裁之。」 軍期已逼，高祖不許。 淵曰：「但恐曹虎為周魴耳，陛下宜審之。」 虎果偽降。 淵至葉，具曹虎譎詐之問，兼陳其利害。 詔淵進取南陽。 淵以兵少糧乏，表求先攻赭陽，以近葉倉故也。 高祖許焉，乃進攻赭陽。 蕭鸞遣將垣歷生來救，淵素無將略，為賊所敗，坐免官爵為民。
When Cao Hu, Xiao Zhaoye's Governor of Yong Province, sent envoys offering surrender, Yuan was appointed Bearer of the Staff and General Who Pacifies the South to lead the vanguard straight to Fan and Deng. Yuan declined in person, saying: "I am a Confucian scholar by training, versed in ritual and ceremony; I have never studied the art of war. I leave the decision entirely to Your Majesty." The army's departure date was imminent, and Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) would not allow it. Yuan said: "I fear only that Cao Hu may be another Zhou Fang; Your Majesty should look into this carefully." Cao Hu's surrender proved to be a ruse. When Yuan reached Ye, he laid out Cao Hu's treachery in full and explained the strategic stakes. An edict ordered Yuan to advance and capture Nanyang. Because his forces were few and supplies short, Yuan memorialized asking to attack Zheyang first, since it was close to the granary at Ye. Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) agreed, and the army advanced on Zheyang. Xiao Luan sent General Yuan Lisheng to relieve the city; Yuan had never been skilled in command and was defeated; he was stripped of office and rank and reduced to commoner status.
14
尋遭母憂，高祖遣謁者詣宅宣慰。 服闋，兼太尉長史。 高祖南討，又兼彭城王中軍府長史。 尋為徐州、京兆王愉兼長史，賜絹百匹。 愉既年少，事無巨細，多決於淵。 淵以誠信御物，甚得東南民和。 南徐州刺史沈陵密謀外叛，淵覺其萌漸，潛敕諸戍，微為之備。 屢有表聞，朝廷不納。 陵果殺將佐，勒宿豫之眾逃叛。 濱淮諸戍，由備得全。 陵在邊歷年，陰結既廣，二州人情，咸相扇惑。 陵之餘黨，頗見執送，淵皆撫而赦之，惟歸罪於陵，由是眾心乃安。
Soon afterward his mother died; Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) sent an envoy to his home to offer condolences. When his mourning period ended, he served concurrently as Chief Clerk to the Grand Mentor. When Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) marched south, he also served as Chief Clerk of the Prince of Pengcheng's central army headquarters. He was soon made concurrent chief clerk to Prince Yu of Xuzhou and Jingzhao and granted one hundred bolts of silk. Yu was still young, and whether affairs were great or small, most decisions fell to Yuan. Yuan governed with sincerity and trust and won great goodwill among the people of the southeast. Shen Ling, Governor of Southern Xuzhou, secretly plotted to defect; Yuan detected the first signs and quietly ordered the garrisons to make discreet preparations. He memorialized the court repeatedly, but the court paid no heed. Ling did kill his officers and drive the garrison at Suqian into flight and rebellion. The garrisons along the Huai were preserved intact thanks to those preparations. Ling had spent years on the frontier building secret ties, and sentiment in both provinces fed on one another's agitation. Many of Ling's remaining followers were captured and sent in; Yuan comforted and pardoned them all, laying blame only on Ling, and so the people's minds were settled.
15
景明初，除祕書監。 二年卒官，年四十八。 贈安北將軍、幽州刺史，復本爵固安伯，諡曰懿。
At the opening of the Jingming era he was appointed Superintendent of the Secretariat. In the second year he died in office, at the age of forty-eight. He was posthumously made General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of You Province, restored to his original title Marquis of Gu'an, with the posthumous name Yi.
16
初，諶父志法鍾繇書，傳業累世，世有能名。 至邈以上，兼善草迹。 淵習家法，代京宮殿多淵所題。 白馬公崔玄伯亦善書，世傳衞瓘體。 魏初工書者，崔盧二門。 淵與僕射李沖特相友善。 沖重淵門風，而淵祗沖才官，故結為婚姻，往來親密。 至於淵荷高祖意遇，頗亦由沖。 淵有八子。
From the time of Chen and his father, the family took Zhong Yao's calligraphy as its model; the art passed down through generations, and each produced men of renown. From Miao's generation onward they also excelled in cursive script. Yuan mastered the family style, and many palace buildings in the capital bore his inscriptions. The Duke of Baima, Cui Xuanbo, was also a fine calligrapher; his style was said to follow that of Wei Guan. In the early Wei, the leading calligraphers came from the Cui and Lu clans. Yuan and Vice Director Li Chong were especially close friends. Chong respected the standing of the Lu house, and Yuan revered Chong's talent and rank; they therefore formed a marriage alliance and were intimate in their dealings. Yuan's receiving Emperor Xiaowen's (Gaozu's) gracious favor owed much to Chong as well. Yuan had eight sons.
17
長子道將，字祖業，應襲父爵，而讓其第八弟道舒。 有司奏聞，詔曰：「長嫡承重，禮之大經，何得輒授也。」 而道將引清河王國常侍韓子熙讓弟仲穆魯陽男之例，[2]尚書李平重申奏，詔乃聽許。 道將涉獵經史，風氣謇諤，頗有文才，為一家後來之冠，諸父並敬憚之。 彭城王勰、任城王澄皆虛襟相待。 勰為中軍大將軍，辟行參軍。 遷司徒東閤祭酒、尚書左外兵郎中，轉祕書丞。 出為燕郡太守。 道將下車，表樂毅、霍原之墓，而為之立祠。 優禮儒生，勵勸學業，敦課農桑，墾田歲倍。 入為司徒司馬。 卒，贈龍驤將軍、太常少卿，諡曰獻。 所為文筆數十篇。
The eldest son, Dao Jiang, style Zuye, was due to inherit his father's title but yielded it to his eighth brother, Dao Shu. The authorities reported the matter, and an edict said: "The eldest legitimate son bears the weight of the line — that is the great principle of ritual; how can he simply give it away?" Dao Jiang cited the precedent of Han Zixi, Regular Attendant of the Prince of Qinghe's kingdom, who had yielded his title to his younger brother Zhongmu, Baron of Luyang,[2] and Minister Li Ping resubmitted the memorial; the edict then granted permission. Dao Jiang ranged widely in the classics and histories; his bearing was forthright and blunt; he had real literary talent and stood at the head of the younger generation in the family, and his uncles all respected and feared him. Prince Xie of Pengcheng and Prince Cheng of Rencheng both received him with open-hearted courtesy. When Xie served as Grand General of the Central Army, he recruited Dao Jiang as a clerk on his staff. He was promoted to Libationer of the Eastern Pavilion under the Minister of Works, then Director of the Left Outer Troops Bureau, and later transferred to Secretary. He was sent out to serve as Administrator of Yan Commandery. Upon taking office, Dao Jiang memorialized the tombs of Yue Yi and Huo Yuan and had shrines built for them. He honored Confucian scholars, encouraged learning, pressed agriculture and sericulture, and opened new fields until the acreage under cultivation doubled within a year. He was recalled to serve as Marshal under the Minister of Works. He died and was posthumously made General of Majestic Cavalry and Vice Minister of Ceremonies, with the posthumous name Xian. He left several dozen pieces of writing.
18
子懷祖，太學博士、員外散騎侍郎。 卒。
His son Huai Zu served as Doctor of the Imperial University and Supernumerary Gentleman Attendant at Large. He died.
19
懷祖弟懷仁，武定中，太尉鎧曹參軍。
Huai Zu's younger brother Huai Ren, during the Wuding era, served as Armor Bureau Clerk on the Grand Mentor's staff.
20
道將弟亮，字仁業。 [3]不仕而終。 子思道。
Dao Jiang's younger brother Liang, style Renye. [3] He never took office and died. His son was Sidao.
21
亮弟道裕，字寧祖，少以學尚知名，風儀兼美。 尚顯祖女樂浪長公主，拜駙馬都尉、太子舍人，尋轉洗馬。 遷散騎侍郎，轉安遠將軍、中書侍郎、兼祕書丞。 尋以母憂去官。 服終，復拜中書侍郎。 遷龍驤將軍、太子中庶子，幽州大中正。 轉長兼散騎侍郎，加左將軍。 神龜二年，除左將軍、涇州刺史。 其年七月卒官，年四十四。 贈撫軍將軍、青州刺史，賜帛三百匹，諡曰文侯。
Liang's younger brother Dao Yu, style Ningzu, was known from youth for his learning, and his bearing and deportment were both fine. He married the Princess of Lelang, daughter of Emperor Xianzu, and was appointed Chief Commandant of the Imperial Son-in-Law and Attendant of the Heir Apparent; he was soon transferred to Groom of the Heir Apparent. He was promoted to Gentleman Attendant at Large, then made General of Distant Pacification, Palace Attendant of the Secretariat, and concurrent Secretary. Soon afterward he left office upon his mother's death. When his mourning ended, he was again appointed Palace Attendant of the Secretariat. He was promoted to General of Majestic Cavalry, Senior Tutor of the Heir Apparent, and Chief Arbiter of You Province. He was transferred to Senior concurrent Gentleman Attendant at Large and given the additional title General of the Left. In the second year of Shengui he was appointed General of the Left and Governor of Jing Province. That same year, in the seventh month, he died in office at the age of forty-four. He was posthumously made General Who Pacifies the Army and Governor of Qing Province, granted three hundred bolts of silk, and given the posthumous title Marquis Wen.
22
子景緒，武定中，儀同開府錄事參軍。
His son Jingxu, during the Wuding era, served as record-keeping clerk in an office equal in rank to the prefect of affairs.
23
道裕弟道虔，字慶祖，粗閑經史，兼通算術。 尚高祖女濟南長公主。 公主驕淫，聲穢遐邇，先無疹患，倉卒暴薨。 時云道虔所害。 世宗祕其醜惡，不苦窮治。 尚書嘗奏道虔為國子博士。 靈太后追主薨事，乃黜道虔為民，終身不仕。 孝昌末。 臨淮王彧因將出征，啟除道虔奉車都尉。 道虔外生李彧尚莊帝姊豐亭公主，因相藉託。 永安中，除輔國將軍、通直常侍，尋加征虜將軍。 以議曆勳，賜爵臨淄伯，遷散騎常侍。 天平初，征南將軍，轉都官尚書、本州大中正。 出除驃騎將軍、幽州刺史，尋加衞大將軍，卒於官。 贈都督幽瀛二州諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、尚書右僕射、司空公、瀛州刺史，諡曰恭文公。 主二子，昌宇、昌仁。 昌宇不慧，昌仁早卒。 道虔又娶司馬氏，有子昌裕。 及司馬見出之後，更娉元氏，生二子昌期、昌衡。 兄弟競父爵，至今未襲。
Dao Yu's younger brother Dao Qian, style Qingzu, had a working knowledge of the classics and histories and was also versed in arithmetic. He married the Princess of Jinan, daughter of Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu). The princess was arrogant and licentious, and her scandalous reputation spread far and wide; she had shown no sign of illness, yet she died suddenly and violently. At the time people said Dao Qian had killed her. Emperor Xuanwu kept her disgrace secret and did not pursue the case to the full. The Ministry of Works once memorialized appointing Dao Qian as Doctor of the Imperial University. Empress Dowager Ling reopened the investigation into the princess's death, demoted Dao Qian to commoner status, and barred him from office for life. At the end of the Xiaochang era. When Prince Yu of Linhuai was about to take the field, he petitioned to appoint Dao Qian Chief Commandant of the Imperial Carriage. Dao Qian's maternal nephew Li Yu had married the Princess of Fengting, sister of Emperor Zhuang, and through that connection they relied on one another. During the Yong'an era he was appointed General Who Assists the State and Regular Attendant of Direct Communication, and soon afterward was additionally made General Who Captures the Enemy. For his service in calendar reform he was enfeoffed as Baron of Linzi and promoted to Regular Attendant at Large. At the opening of the Tianping era he was made General Who Subdues the South, then transferred to Minister of Justice and Chief Arbiter of his home province. He was sent out as General of Fast Cavalry and Governor of You Province, soon given the additional title Grand General of the Guard, and died in office. He was posthumously made Supervisor of All Military Affairs of You and Ying Provinces, General of Fast Cavalry, Right Vice Director of the Ministry of Works, Duke of the Ministry of Works, and Governor of Ying Province, with the posthumous title Duke Gongwen. He had two sons, Changyu and Changren. Changyu was dull-witted, and Changren died young. Dao Qian also married a Lady of the Sima clan and had a son, Changyu. After Lady Sima was divorced, he married again into the Yuan clan and had two sons, Changqi and Changheng. The brothers contested their father's title, and to this day it had still not been inherited.
24
道虔弟道侃，字希祖。 州主簿，沉雅有學尚。 孝昌末卒。 二子早夭，以弟道約子正達為後。 武定中，征虜將軍、太尉記室參軍。
Dao Qian's younger brother Dao Kan, style Xizu. He served as provincial secretariat clerk; he was refined and scholarly. He died at the end of the Xiaochang era. His two sons died young, and he took his younger brother Dao Yue's son Zhengda as his heir. During the Wuding era he served as General Who Captures the Enemy and recording clerk on the Grand Mentor's staff.
25
道侃弟道和，字叔維。 [4]兄弟之中，人望最下。 冀州中軍府中兵參軍。 卒。
Dao Kan's younger brother Dao He, style Shuwei. [4] Among the brothers, he ranked lowest in public esteem. He served as middle army clerk in the central army headquarters of Ji Province. He died.
26
子景豫。 景豫弟景熙，武定中，儀同開府諮議。
His son was Jingyu. Jingyu's younger brother Jingxi, during the Wuding era, served as staff adviser in an office equal in rank to the prefect of affairs.
27
道和弟道約，字季恭。 起家員外郎，累遷司空錄事參軍、司徒屬、幽州大中正、輔國將軍、光祿大夫。 轉司徒右長史。 太傅李延寔出除青州。 延寔先被病，道約，延寔之妻弟，詔以道約為延寔長史，加散騎常侍，寄以匡維也。 永熙中，車騎將軍、左光祿大夫，領廣平王贊儀同開府長史。 天平中，開府儀同高岳請為長史。 岳轉除青冀二州，道約仍為長史，隨岳兩藩，有毗佐之稱。 興和末，除衞大將軍、兗州刺史，在州頗得民和。 武定元年卒，年五十八。 贈使持節、驃騎大將軍、儀同三司、幽州刺史。
Dao He's younger brother Dao Yue, style Jigong. He began his career as Cadet Gentleman and was successively promoted to record-keeping clerk under the Minister of Works, staff member of the Grand Mentor, Chief Arbiter of You Province, General Who Assists the State, and Household Grandee of the Imperial Household. He was transferred to Right Senior Clerk of the Grand Mentor. Grand Preceptor Li Yanshi was sent out to take up the governorship of Qing Province. Yanshi was already ill; Dao Yue, his brother-in-law, was appointed by edict as Yanshi's chief clerk with the additional title Regular Attendant at Large, entrusted to support and guide him. During the Yongxi era he served as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Household Grandee of the Imperial Household, and concurrently as chief clerk in the office equal in rank to the prefect of affairs held by Prince Zan of Guangping. During the Tianping era Gao Yue, whose office was equal in rank to the prefect of affairs, asked him to serve as chief clerk. When Yue was transferred to govern Qing and Ji Provinces, Dao Yue remained his chief clerk; accompanying Yue through both postings, he earned a reputation as an able assistant. At the end of the Xinghe era he was appointed Grand General of the Guard and Governor of Yan Province, where he kept the people on good terms with the government. He died in the first year of Wuding, at the age of fifty-eight. He was posthumously made Bearer of the Staff, General of Fast Cavalry, an office equal in rank to the Three Excellencies, and Governor of You Province.
28
子正通，開府諮議。 少有令譽，徵赴晉陽，遇患卒。 妻鄭氏，與正通弟正思淫亂，武定中，為御史所劾，人士疾之。
His son Zhengtong served as staff adviser in an opening office. He had a fine reputation in youth; summoned to Jinyang, he fell ill en route and died. His wife, Lady Zheng, had an affair with Zhengtong's younger brother Zhengsi; during the Wuding era the censorate impeached them, and men of standing reviled the affair.
29
道約弟道舒，字幼安，襲父爵。 自尚書左主客郎中為冠軍將軍、中書侍郎。 卒。
Dao Yue's younger brother Dao Shu, style You'an, inherited his father's title. He rose from Chief of the Left Foreign Guests Bureau in the Ministry of State Affairs to General Who Wins Battles and Attendant Gentleman of the Central Secretariat. He died.
30
淵弟敏，字仲通，小字紅崖，少有大量。 太和初，拜議郎，早卒。 贈威遠將軍、范陽太守，諡曰靖。 高祖納其女為嬪。 敏五子。
Yuan's younger brother Min, style Zhongtong, called Hongya as a child, had a generous nature from youth. At the opening of the Taihe era he was appointed Gentleman Adviser, but died young. He was posthumously made General Who Shows Power From Afar and Governor of Fanyang, with the posthumous title Jing. Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) took his daughter as an imperial consort. Min had five sons.
31
義僖，字遠慶，早有學尚，識度沉雅。 年九歲，喪父，便有至性。 少為僕射李沖所歎美。 起家祕書郎，歷太子舍人、司徒中郎。 神龜初，任城王澄奏舉義僖，除散騎侍郎，轉冠軍將軍、中散大夫。 以母憂去職。 幽州刺史王誦與義僖交款，每與舊故李神儁等書曰：「盧冠軍在此，時復惠好，[5]輒留連數日，得諮詢政道。」 其見重若此。 齊王蕭寶夤啟為開府諮議參軍，辭疾不赴。 尋兼司空長史，拜征虜將軍、太中大夫。 散秩多年，澹然自得。 李神儁勸其干謁當途。 義僖曰：「學先王之道，貴行先王之志，何能苟求富貴也。」
Yixi, style Yuanqing, was scholarly from an early age, with a calm and refined mind. When he was nine he lost his father and already showed the deepest filial devotion. In youth he won the admiration of Vice Director Li Chong. He began his career as Secretariat Gentleman and served as Crown Prince Household Attendant and staff gentleman under the Grand Mentor. At the opening of the Shengui era Prince Cheng of Rencheng recommended Yixi; he was appointed Attendant Gentleman at Large, then transferred to General Who Wins Battles and Grand Master of Palace Service. He resigned on account of mourning for his mother. Wang Song, Governor of You Province, was on close terms with Yixi; in letters to old friends such as Li Shenjun he wrote: "General Lu is here, and from time to time shows me kindness; [5] I often keep him for days on end and am able to consult him on affairs of state. Such was the esteem in which he was held. Prince Xiao Baoyin of Qi petitioned to appoint him staff adviser in an opening office, but he declined on grounds of illness and did not go. Soon he was made concurrent chief clerk under the Minister of Works and appointed General Who Captures the Enemy and Grand Master of Palace Counselling. For many years he held rank without active appointment, yet remained tranquil and at ease. Li Shenjun urged him to cultivate those then in power. Yixi said: "One studies the way of the former kings and values living by their will—how could one grub after wealth and rank?"
32
孝昌中，除散騎常侍。 時靈太后臨朝，黃門侍郎李神軌勢傾朝野，求結婚姻。 義僖慮其必敗，拒而不許。 王誦謂義僖曰：「昔人不以一女易五男，卿豈易之也？」 義僖曰：「所以不從，正為此耳。 從之恐禍大而速。」 誦乃堅握義僖之手曰：「我聞有命，不敢以告人。」 遂適他族。 臨婚之夕，靈太后遣中常侍服景就家敕停。 內外惶怖，義僖夷然自若。 建義初，兼都官尚書，尋除安東將軍、衞尉卿。 普泰中，除都官尚書，加驃騎大將軍、左光祿大夫。
During the Xiaochang era he was appointed Regular Attendant at Large. At that time Empress Dowager Ling held court; Li Shengui, Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, dominated court and countryside, and sought a marriage alliance with Yixi's family. Yixi feared Shengui was bound to fall and refused. Wang Song said to Yixi: "People of old would not trade one daughter for five sons—would you make such a bargain? Yixi said: "That is precisely why I refuse. If I agreed, I fear disaster would come swiftly and on a great scale. Song then firmly grasped Yixi's hand and said: "I have heard something I dare not repeat to anyone. She then married into another clan. On the eve of the wedding Empress Dowager Ling sent the eunuch Fu Jing to the family home with an edict stopping the marriage. The household was thrown into terror, but Yixi remained perfectly calm. At the opening of the Jianyi era he was made concurrent Minister of Punishments, and soon afterward was appointed General Who Pacifies the East and Commandant of the Guard. During the Putai era he was appointed Minister of Punishments, with the additional titles General of Fast Cavalry and Left Household Grandee of the Imperial Household.
33
義僖少時，幽州頻遭水旱，先有穀數萬石貸民，義僖以年穀不熟，乃燔其契。 州閭悅其恩德。 性寬和畏慎，不妄交款，與魏子建情好尤篤，言無所隱。 義僖性清儉，不營財利，雖居顯位，每至困乏，麥飯蔬食，忻然甘之。 永熙中，風疾頓發。 興和中卒，年六十四。 贈本將軍、儀同三司、瀛州刺史，諡孝簡。
When Yixi was young, You Province suffered repeated floods and droughts; he had lent the people tens of thousands of shi of grain, and when the harvest failed he burned the loan contracts. The people of the province rejoiced in his kindness. Gentle, cautious, and reserved by nature, he did not form intimacies lightly; his friendship with Wei Zijian was especially close, and between them nothing was hidden. Yixi was pure and frugal by nature and did not pursue profit; though he held high office he often lived in want, yet ate plain wheat and vegetables with willing pleasure. During the Yongxi era he was suddenly stricken with wind paralysis. He died during the Xinghe era, at the age of sixty-four. He was posthumously granted his former generalship, an office equal in rank to the Three Excellencies, and the governorship of Ying Province, with the posthumous title Xiao Jian.
34
子遜之，武定中，太尉記室參軍。
His son Xunzhi, during the Wuding era, served as recording clerk on the Grand Mentor's staff.
35
遜之弟世猷，齊王開府集曹參軍。
Xunzhi's younger brother Shiyou served as staff clerk of the Collecting Bureau in the Prince of Qi's opening office.
36
義僖弟義悰，字叔預。 司空行參軍、本州治中、散騎侍郎、司徒諮議參軍。
Yixi's younger brother Yicong, style Shuyu. He served as acting clerk under the Minister of Works, provincial administrator of his home province, Attendant Gentleman at Large, and staff adviser under the Grand Mentor.
37
子孝章，儀同開府行參軍，早亡。
His son Xiaozhang, acting clerk in an office equal in rank to the prefect of affairs, died young.
38
義悰弟義敦，字季和。 征北府默曹參軍。
Yicong's younger brother Yidun, style Jihe. He served as staff clerk of the Silent Bureau in the Northern Expedition headquarters.
39
子景開，字子達。 武定中，儀同開府屬。
His son Jingkai, style Zida. During the Wuding era he served as staff member in an office equal in rank to the prefect of affairs.
40
義敦弟義安，字幼仁，不仕。 義僖諸弟並遠不逮兄也。
Yidun's younger brother Yian, style Youren, never took office. All of Yixi's younger brothers fell far short of their elder brother.
41
敏弟昶，字叔達，小字師顏，學涉經史，早有時譽。 太和初，為太子中舍人、兼員外散騎常侍，使於蕭昭業。 高祖詔昶曰：「卿便至彼，勿存彼我。 密邇江揚，不早當晚，會是朕物。 卿等欲言，便無相疑難。」 又敕副使王清石曰：「卿莫以本是南人，言語致慮。 若彼先有所知所識，欲見便見，須論即論。 盧昶正是寬柔君子，無多文才，或主客命卿作詩，可率卿所知，莫以昶不作，便復罷也。 凡使人之體，以和為貴，勿遞相矜誇，見於色貌，失將命之體。 卿等各率所知，以相規誨。」 及昶至彼，值蕭鸞僭立，於是高祖南討之，昶兄淵為別道將。 而蕭鸞以朝廷加兵，遂酷遇昶等。 昶本非骨鯁，聞南人云兄既作將，弟為使者。 乃大恐怖，淚汗交橫。 鸞以腐米臭魚莝豆供之。 而謁者張思寧辭氣謇諤，曾不屈撓，遂以壯烈死於館中。 昶還，高祖責之曰：「銜命之禮，有死無辱，雖流放海隅，猶宜抱節致殞。 卿不能長纓羇首，已是可恨。 何乃俛眉飲啄，自同犬馬。 有生必死，修短幾何。 卿若殺身成名，貽之竹素，何如甘彼芻菽，以辱君父乎？ 縱不遠慚蘇武，寧不近愧思寧！」 昶對曰：「臣器乏陸、隨，忝使閩越。 屬蕭鸞昏狂，誅戮無道。 恐不得仰奉明時，歸養老母，苟存尺蠖，屈以求伸。 負辱朝命，罪宜萬死，乞歸司寇，伏聽斧鉞。」 遂見罷黜。 久之，復除彭城王友，轉祕書丞。 景明初，除中書侍郎，遷給事黃門侍郎、本州大中正。 昶請外祿，世宗不許。 遷散騎常侍，兼尚書。
Min's younger brother Chang, style Shuda, called Shiyan as a child, was versed in the classics and histories and had won early renown. At the opening of the Taihe era he served as Crown Prince Household Attendant and concurrent Attendant Gentleman at Large for Foreign Affairs on a mission to Xiao Zhaoye. Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) instructed Chang: "When you arrive there, do not think in terms of 'them and us. The lands along the Yangzi are close at hand; sooner or later, not early or late, they will be mine in the end. If you wish to speak, speak openly and without mutual suspicion.' He also instructed the deputy envoy Wang Qingshi: "Do not, because you are a Southerner by origin, let that make you hesitant in speech. If they already know someone there and wish to meet him, meet him; if something must be discussed, discuss it. Lu Chang is a gentle and yielding gentleman without much literary talent; if the hosts ask you to compose a poem, compose what you can—do not let the fact that Chang will not write stop you altogether. The deportment of envoys should above all value harmony; do not take turns vaunting yourselves before one another in face and bearing, for that loses the dignity of bearing the imperial mandate. Each of you should act according to your own strengths and counsel one another. When Chang arrived, Xiao Luan had just usurped the throne; Emperor Xiaowen (Gaozu) then marched south against him, and Chang's elder brother Yuan served as a general on a separate route. Because the Northern Wei court had sent troops, Xiao Luan treated Chang and his party with deliberate cruelty. Chang was not a man of iron will by nature; when he heard Southerners say that his elder brother was already a general while he himself was the envoy. He was seized with terror, tears and sweat streaming down together. Luan fed them rotten rice, stinking fish, and bean fodder. Attendant Zhang Sining, however, spoke with stern and upright bearing and never yielded, and so died a heroic death in the envoy's lodge. When Chang returned, Emperor Xiaowen rebuked him: "The duty of bearing the imperial mandate is death before disgrace; even exiled to the sea's edge one should hold to integrity unto death. That you could not bind yourself with the long cord like a captive is hateful enough. Why then bow your head and eat whatever is thrown before you, living like a dog or a horse? Life once given must end; long or short, what difference does it make? If you had died to win a name and left your story to be written on bamboo and silk, how would that compare with willingly accepting their fodder and disgracing your sovereign and your father? Even if you feel no shame before Su Wu in the distant past, can you feel no shame before Sining at your side! Chang replied: "My capacity falls far short of men like Lu Ji and Su Wu; I was unworthy to serve as envoy to the southern lands. Xiao Luan was deluded and violent and slaughtered without restraint. I feared I would not be able to serve the enlightened age and return to care for my aged mother; like the inchworm I preserved my life, bending now so that I might straighten later. I have disgraced the imperial mandate and deserve death ten thousand times over; I beg to be handed over to the Minister of Justice and await execution. He was then dismissed from office. After a long interval he was again appointed Friend of the Prince of Pengcheng, then transferred to Secretariat Assistant. At the opening of the Jingming era he was appointed Attendant Gentleman of the Central Secretariat, then promoted to Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate for Presenting Affairs and Chief Arbiter of his home province. Chang requested an appointment with external emoluments, but Emperor Shizong refused. He was promoted to Regular Attendant at Large and made concurrent Minister.
42
時洛陽縣獲白鼠。 昶奏曰：
At that time a white rat was caught in Luoyang County. Chang submitted a memorial, saying:
43
謹案瑞典，外鎮刺史、二千石、令長不祗上命，刻暴百姓，人民怨嗟，則白鼠至。 臣聞禎不虛見，德合必符； 妖不妄出，咎彰則至。 是以古之人君，或怠瑞以失德，或祗變而立功，斯乃萬古之殷鑒，千齡之炯誡。 比者，災氣作沴，恒陽虧度，陛下流如傷之慈，降納隍之旨，哀百姓之無辜，引在予之深責。 舉賢黜佞之詔，道映於堯先； 進思納諫之言，事光於舜右。 伏讀明旨，俯觀徵譴，敢布庸瞽，以陳萬一。
I have carefully consulted the Ruidian, which records that when provincial governors, officials of two-thousand-bushel rank, and local magistrates fail to honor the throne's commands and treat the people with harsh cruelty until the populace groan in resentment, white rats appear. I have heard that auspicious signs never appear without cause, and that when virtue is in harmony, the signs must correspond; nor do portents arise at random: when guilt is plain, they come. Thus the sovereigns of antiquity either neglected auspicious omens and lost their virtue, or reverently heeded change and achieved merit—a stern mirror for all ages, a bright warning across a thousand years. Recently calamity has spread and the sun's courses have fallen out of measure, yet Your Majesty has shown compassion tender as care for a wound, issued edicts in the spirit of drawing the fallen from the ditches, grieved for the innocent among the people, and taken upon yourself the sovereign's deep burden of blame. Your decree to raise the worthy and dismiss the sycophantic shines with a virtue that outshines even Yao; your counsel to advance through reflection and accept remonstrance places your conduct in a light that eclipses even Shun. Prostrate, I have read your enlightened decree and pondered the signs of warning; I dare lay before you my humble ignorance in the hope of offering even one word in ten thousand that may help.
44
竊惟一夫之耕，食裁充口； 一婦之織，衣止蔽形。 年租歲調，則惟常理，此外徵求，於何取足？ 然自比年以來，兵革屢動。 荊揚二州，屯戍不息； 鍾離、義陽，師旅相繼。 兼荊蠻凶狡，王師薄伐，暴露原野，經秋淹夏。 汝潁之地，率戶從戎； 河冀之境，連丁轉運。 又戰不必勝，加之退負，死喪離曠，十室而九。 細役煩徭，日月滋甚； 苛兵酷吏，因逞威福。 至使通原遙畛，田蕪罕耘； 連村接閈，蠶飢莫食。 而監司因公以貪求，豪強恃私而逼掠。 遂令鬻裋褐以益千金之資，制口腹而充一朝之急。 此皆由牧守令長多失其人，郡闕黃霸之君，縣無魯恭之宰，不思所以安民，正思所以潤屋。 故士女呼嗟，相望於道路； 守宰暴貪，風聞於魏闕。 往歲法官案驗，多挂刑網，謂必顯戮，以明勸誡。 然後遣使覆訊，公違憲典。 或承風挾請，輕樹私恩； 或容情受賄，輒施己惠。 御史所劾，皆言誣枉； 申雪罪人，更云清白。 長侮上之源，滋陵下之路。 忠清之人，見之而自怠； 犯暴之夫，聞之以益快。 白鼠之至，信而有徵矣。
Consider: one man's plowing yields barely enough to fill his mouth; one woman's weaving yields cloth barely enough to cover her body. The annual rent and yearly levies are the normal burden alone; beyond them, where is the surplus to meet still more exactions? Yet in recent years war has stirred again and again. In Jing and Yang the garrisons have never rested; at Zhongli and Yiyang armies have marched in unbroken succession. Meanwhile the Man of Jing are fierce and treacherous; the imperial armies have campaigned against them, bivouacking in the open fields from spring through autumn. In Ru and Ying nearly every household has been called to arms; in He and Ji men have been conscripted in unbroken chains to haul supplies. Battles were not always won; rout and defeat followed, and death, loss, and separation left nine houses in ten empty. Petty duties and onerous corvée have grown heavier with each passing day; harsh soldiers and cruel officials have seized the moment to abuse their power. So that across distant plains and far-off fields tillage has been abandoned and fields run to weeds; village after village and lane after lane, silkworms starve for lack of care. Overseers exploit their office to extort; the powerful rely on private ties to coerce and plunder. Families sell their coarse garments to raise sums worth a thousand in gold, and go hungry to meet a single day's emergency. All this stems from the wrong men holding office as governors, prefects, and magistrates: the commanderies have no Huang Ba, the counties no Lu Gong. They give no thought to settling the people, only to fattening their own households. Men and women lament within sight of one another on every road; and reports of the cruelty and greed of local officials have reached the imperial gate. In past years when the legal offices investigated cases, many officials were caught in the penal net and were expected to face public execution as a clear warning to others. Yet afterward imperial envoys were sent to re-examine the cases, openly violating the law. Some seized the moment to press petitions and lightly offered private favors; others turned a blind eye for bribes and granted favors of their own. Impeachments from the censorate were dismissed as false and unjust; and when guilty men were cleared, they were proclaimed innocent instead. This only lengthens the road by which authority is mocked above and emboldens bullying below. The loyal and upright, seeing this, lose heart; while violent offenders, hearing of it, grow all the bolder. The coming of the white rat is, it seems, no empty sign.
45
伏願陛下垂叡哲之鑒，察妖災之起。 延對公卿，廣詢庶政； 引見樞納，博求民隱。 存問孤寡，去其苛碎； 輕徭省賦，與民休息。 貞良忠讜，置之於朝； 姦回貪佞，棄之於市。 則九官勿戒而恒敬，百縣不嚴而自肅，士女欣欣，人有望矣。
I beg Your Majesty to apply the mirror of your sagacious insight and discern why this portent has arisen. Summon the high ministers for counsel and inquire broadly into public affairs; receive those who hold the keys of counsel and seek widely the grievances the people hide. Comfort the orphaned and the widowed, and remove petty and oppressive regulations; lighten corvée and reduce taxes, and give the people respite. Set the upright, the good, the loyal, and the forthright in office at court; and cast the wicked, the crooked, the greedy, and the sycophantic out to public shame. Then the Nine Officers will need no admonition yet remain always reverent; the hundred counties will need no severity yet govern themselves; men and women will rejoice, and the people will have hope again.
46
詔曰：「朕纂承鴻緒，伏膺寶曆，思靖八方，惠康四海。 當必世之期，麟鳳不降； 屬勝殘之會，白鼠告咎。 萬邦有罪，實唯朕躬。 尚書敷納機猷，獻替是寄，讜言有聞，朕實嘉美。」 轉侍中，又兼吏部尚書，尋即正，仍侍中。 昶守職而已，無所激揚也。 與侍中元暉等更相朋附，為世宗所寵，時論鄙之。
An edict said: "I have succeeded to the great throne, received the sacred calendar, and seek to pacify all lands and bring kindness and comfort to the four seas. At a time that should be an age of perfect peace, no qilin or phoenix has appeared; yet in this season when cruelty should be overcome, the white rat announces guilt. If the myriad realms bear guilt, the fault is mine alone. The Minister has offered pivotal counsel and been entrusted with the duty of remonstrance; I have heard your forthright words and greatly commend them." He was transferred to Palace Attendant and again made concurrent Minister of Personnel; shortly afterward he received the regular appointment while continuing as Palace Attendant. Chang merely performed his duties and did nothing to stir reform. He and Palace Attendant Yuan Hui and others formed a mutual faction; favored by Emperor Shizong, he was held in contempt by public opinion.
47
出除鎮東將軍、徐州刺史。 永平四年夏，昶表曰：「蕭衍琅邪郡民王萬壽等款誠內結，潛來詣臣，云朐山戍今將交換，有可圖之機。 臣即許以旌賞，遣其還入。 至三月二十四夜，萬壽等奬率同盟，攻掩朐城，斬衍輔國將軍，琅邪、東莞二郡太守，帶朐山戍主劉晣并將士四十餘人，傳首至州。 臣即遣兼郯城戍副張天惠率驍勇二百，徑往赴之。 琅邪諸戍絡繹繼援，而衍郁洲已遣二軍以拒天惠。 天惠與萬壽等內外齊擊，俘斬數百，便即據城。」 詔昶曰：「彭宋地接邊疆，勢連淮海，威禦之術，功在不易。 朐山險塞，寇之要防，水陸交湊，揚、郁路衝，畜聚凶徒，虔劉邊鄙，青、光、齊、兗每罹其患。 卿妙算既敷，克城殄眾，展疆闢土，何善如之。 庸勳之懋，朕用嘉止。 故遣左右直長閻遵業具宣往懷。 此戍郁洲之本，存亡所繫。 今既失守，有不存之心； 彼見扼喉，將圖救援之計。 今水雨盛行，宜須防守。 卿可深思擬捍之規，攘敵之略，使還具聞。」
He was sent out and appointed General Who Pacifies the East and Governor of Xuzhou. In the summer of the fourth year of Yongping, Chang submitted a memorial: "Wang Wanshou and others, subjects of Langye under Xiao Yan, have pledged their loyalty from within. They came secretly to me and reported that the Qiu Mountain garrison is soon to be exchanged—a moment we may seize. I promised them honors and rewards and sent them back. On the night of the twenty-fourth day of the third month, Wanshou and his allies stormed Qiu City and beheaded Liu Xi, Xiao Yan's General Who Supports the State and Grand Administrator of Langye and Dongguan, who also commanded the Qiu Mountain garrison, along with more than forty officers and men; their heads were sent to my provincial headquarters. I immediately sent Zhang Tianhui, deputy commander of the Tancheng garrison, with two hundred picked warriors to hurry to their aid. The Langye garrisons sent reinforcements in unbroken succession, but Xiao Yan had already sent two armies from Yuzhou to block Tianhui. Tianhui and Wanshou attacked together from within and without, capturing and slaying several hundred men, and held the city." An edict to Chang said: "The Peng-Song region lies on the frontier, its position tied to the Huai River and the sea. To intimidate and defend it is no easy achievement. Qiu Mountain is a perilous stronghold and the enemy's vital defense, where land and water routes meet at the crossroads of Yang and Yu. It has gathered bandits and ravaged the frontiers, and Qing, Guang, Qi, and Yan suffer from it again and again. You laid your plans wisely, took the city, destroyed the enemy, and expanded our territory—what could be better? For such distinguished merit I commend you with highest praise. I have therefore sent Chief Attendant Yan Zunye to convey my sentiments in full. This garrison is the foundation of Yuzhou; its survival hangs upon it. Now that it has been taken, they will not be content to stop there; finding their throat seized, they will seek some means of rescue. With the rains at their height, you must hold the position. Consider deeply how to hold and how to repel the enemy, and report back in full."
48
昶又表：「蕭衍將張稷、馬仙琕、陰虔和等各領精兵，分屯諸堰； 昌義之、張惠紹、王神念、王茂光承彼傳信，續發建鄴。 自存之計，并歸於此。 量力準寇，事恐不輕。 何者？ 此兵九千，賊眾四萬，名將健士，遠近畢集，邀憑雨熱，[6]決死來戰，藉眾乘凶，希固巢穴。 所以傾國而舉，非為朐山，將恐王師固六里，據湖衝，南截淮浦，勢崩難測，海利鹽物，交闕常貢。 所慮在大，有必爭之心。 若皇家經略，方有所討，必須簡將增兵，加益糧仗，與之亢擬。 相持至秋，天麾一動，開拓為易。 圖南之計，事本在今，請增兵六千、米十萬石； 如其不也，伏聽朝議。」 昶又表：「賊徒大集，眾旅強盛，置柵朐山，屯守門井，并圍固城，晝夜連戰。 恐狡勢既強，後難除揃。 輒欲令征虜將軍趙遐率勒見兵，與之決勝。 遐慮眾少不敵，若一舉失利，則眾心挫怯，求待大眾俱至，奮銳擊之。 竊謂此謀，非為孟浪。 且臣本奉朝規，令相拒守，以待涼月。 今歲已云秋，高風漸舉，經算大圖，時事既至。 且鮑口以東，陸運無閡，朐、固之間，本無停潦，宜時掩擊邊陲。 而賊自夏以來，貫甲不歇，從六里以北，城柵相連，役使兵人，便已疲殆。 若大眾臨之，必可禽捷。 一城退潰，眾壘土崩，乘勝圖之，易於振朽。 脫兵不速至，長彼熾心，軍士憂惶，自生異議。 請速簡配，以及事機。」 詔曰：「克獲朐山，計本於昶，乘勝之規，終宜有寄。 是以起兵之始，即委處分，前機經略，一以任之。 今既請兵，理宜速遂。 可遣冀、定、瀛、相四州中品羽林、虎賁四千人赴之。」
Chang submitted another memorial: "Xiao Yan's generals Zhang Ji, Ma Xianbi, and Yin Qianhe each lead picked troops posted at the various dams; Chang Yizhi, Zhang Huishao, Wang Shenshen, and Wang Maoguang, acting on their dispatches, are sending reinforcements from Jiankang. Their entire plan for survival depends on this. Judging by the forces on both sides, this will be no small affair. Why? We have nine thousand men; the enemy may number forty thousand, with famous generals and stout warriors gathered from near and far. They will rely on the rain and heat to fight to the death, use their numbers to exploit our danger, and hope to hold their stronghold. They are mobilizing the entire state—not merely for Qiu Mountain, but because they fear our armies may hold Liuli, command the lake crossings, and cut the Huai's southern bank. The consequences are hard to foretell: profits from the sea and salt, and the tribute route of Jiao, would all be severed. Their concern is great; they mean to fight for this at all costs. If the throne intends a full campaign, we must select commanders, add troops and supplies, and meet them on equal terms. Hold through autumn, and when the imperial banner moves, expansion will come easily. The plan to push south must begin now. I request six thousand additional troops and one hundred thousand shi of grain; if that cannot be granted, I await the court's deliberation." Chang submitted another memorial: "The enemy has massed in strength, set palisades at Qiu Mountain, garrisoned Menjing, and invested Gucheng, fighting day and night without cease. I fear that once their strength grows, they will be difficult to destroy later. I propose that General Who Pacifies the Barbarians Zhao Xia lead our present forces and fight them to a decision. Xia feared our numbers were too few; one defeat would break the army's spirit, so he wished to wait until the main force arrived and then strike with full vigor. I believe this plan is not rash. Moreover I was originally ordered by the court to hold and wait until the cooler months. Autumn has already come, the high winds are rising, and the grand strategy we planned for is now at hand. East of Baokou overland transport is clear; between Qiu and Gu there is no standing water. This is the time to strike the border positions. Yet since summer the enemy have worn armor without rest; north of Liuli their walls and palisades run unbroken, and their soldiers are already worn out from constant labor. If our main force presses them now, a quick victory is certain. If one city falls, the rest will collapse like earthen walls; pressed while they are in rout, the rest will break like rotten wood. If reinforcements do not come quickly, the enemy's resolve will only harden, our soldiers will grow anxious, and dissent will arise in our ranks. I beg that troops be selected and dispatched at once, before the moment is lost." An edict said: "The plan to take Qiu Mountain began with Chang; the strategy to press our advantage should ultimately rest with him. From the moment the campaign began I entrusted the disposition of forces to him and gave him full authority over the forward strategy. Now that he has requested troops, they should be sent at once. Dispatch four thousand mid-grade Yulin and Huben guards from Ji, Ding, Ying, and Xiang to join him."
49
又詔昶曰：「朐山之克，實由於卿，開疆拓土，實為長策。 然經討未服，非卿而誰？ 而蟻徒送死，規侵王略，天亡小賊，數在無遠。 故前者命卿親臨指授，尋以卿疾未瘳，且待消息。 今既痊復，宜遵前旨，秉戈揮銳，殄寇為懷。 已發虎旅五萬，應機電赴，指辰而至，遂卿本請。 截彼東南，亮委高算。」 又詔昶曰：「取朐置戍，並是卿計，始終成敗，悉歸於卿。 卿以兵少請益，今已遂卿本意。 如聞東唐陸道甚狹，一軌之外，皆是大水。 彼必據之，以斷軍路。 若已如此，更設何策？ 其軍奇兵變，遽以表聞。 又聞衍軍將帥，每有流言，云魏博淮陽、宿豫，乃是兩宜。 若實有此，卿可量朐山薪水得支幾時。 脫事容往返，馳驛速聞。 如薪水少急，即可量計。 若理不可爾，亦將軍裁決。」
Another edict to Chang said: "The capture of Qiu Mountain was truly your doing; opening and expanding the frontier is the sound long-term strategy. Yet the rebels are not yet fully subdued—who but you can finish the work? Those ant-like rebels rush headlong to their deaths, scheming to encroach on our imperial territory; Heaven will destroy these petty bandits, and their end is near. That is why I earlier ordered you to take command in person; when your illness had not yet healed, I held off and waited for news. Now that you have recovered, you should carry out my earlier orders: take up arms, lead your troops, and make the destruction of the enemy your sole aim. I have already sent fifty thousand elite troops to move swiftly as circumstances require and arrive on schedule, granting the reinforcements you originally requested. Sever their hold on the southeast; the overall strategy I now place entirely in your hands." Another edict to Chang said: "Capturing Qiu and posting a garrison were your plans; from first to last, success or failure rests entirely with you. You asked for more troops because your force was too small; that request has now been granted. I have heard that the land route through eastern Tang is extremely narrow—beyond a single cart track, there is only open water. They will surely hold that ground to sever our line of march. If matters stand as you describe, what alternative strategy do you propose? Use your troops with surprise maneuvers and flexible tactics, and report back immediately by memorial. I have also heard persistent rumors among Yan's commanders that Weibo, Huaiyang, and Suyu would each make favorable objectives. If those rumors are true, calculate how long the garrison at Qiu Mountain can sustain itself on its provisions. If a round trip is feasible, send word back at once by express courier. If provisions are running critically low, assess the situation and act accordingly without delay. If the plan is not feasible, you as commander shall make the final decision."
50
昶既儒生，本少將略，又羊祉子燮為昶司馬，專任戎事，掩昶耳目，將士怨之。 朐山戍主傅文驥糧樵俱罄，以城降衍。 昶見城降，於是先走退。 諸軍相尋奔遁，遇大寒雪，軍人凍死及落手足者三分而二。 自國家經略江左，唯有中山王英敗於鍾離，昶於朐山失利，最為甚焉。 世宗遣黃門甄琛馳驛鎖昶，窮其敗狀。 詔曰：「朐山之敗，傷損實深，推始究末，罪鍾元帥。 雖經大宥，輕重宜別，昶一人可以免官論坐，自餘將統以下悉聽依赦復任。」
Chang was a scholar by training and had little military experience; moreover, Yang Zhi's son Xie served as his major, monopolized all military affairs, and kept Chang in the dark, to the resentment of officers and men alike. Fu Wenji, commander of the Qiu Mountain garrison, ran out of grain and firewood and surrendered the city to Yan. When Chang saw the city had fallen, he was the first to flee. The armies broke and fled in succession; caught in bitter cold and heavy snow, two-thirds of the men either froze to death or lost hands and feet to frostbite. Since the dynasty began its campaigns south of the Yangtze, only the Prince of Zhongshan Ying's defeat at Zhongli and Chang's loss at Qiu Mountain have been so disastrous. Emperor Xuanwu sent the palace attendant Zhen Chen by express courier to arrest Chang in chains and investigate the defeat in full. An edict said: "The defeat at Qiu Mountain caused grave losses; tracing events from start to finish, the blame falls on the commander-in-chief. Although a general amnesty has been proclaimed, punishments should vary in severity: Chang alone shall be stripped of office and held accountable, while all other commanders and officers may return to their posts under the pardon."
51
未幾，拜太常卿，仍除安西將軍、雍州刺史，又進號鎮西將軍，加散騎常侍。 熙平元年卒於官。 贈征北將軍、冀州刺史，諡曰穆。
Before long he was appointed Minister of Ceremonies and concurrently made General Who Pacifies the West and Governor of Yong Province; he was later promoted to General Who Guards the West with the additional title of Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. He died in office in the first year of the Xiping era. He was posthumously honored as General Who Campaigns North and Governor of Ji Province, with the posthumous name Mu.
52
昶寬和矜恕，善於綏撫，其在徐州，戍兵疾，親自檢恤。 至番兵年滿不歸，容充後役，終昶一政，然後始還。 人庶稱之。
Chang was generous, gentle, and forgiving, and skilled at winning people over; while serving in Xu Province, when garrison soldiers fell ill, he personally visited and tended them. When foreign troops whose terms had expired wished to stay, he allowed them to serve additional rotations and released them only after his entire term of office was complete. The people praised him for it.
53
子元聿，字仲訓，無他才能。 尚高祖女義陽長公主，拜駙馬都尉。 位太尉司馬、光祿大夫。 卒，贈中書監。
His son Yuan Yu, courtesy name Zhongxun, had no notable talents. He married the Long Princess of Yiyang, a daughter of Emperor Gaozu, and was appointed Commandant of the Horse Guards for Imperial Sons-in-Law. He rose to the posts of Major of the Grand Commandant and Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Upon his death he was posthumously honored as Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat.
54
子士晟，儀同開府掾。
His son Shi Sheng served as an aide in a grand commandant's establishment.
55
元聿第五弟元明，字幼章。 涉歷羣書，兼有文義，風彩閒潤，進退可觀。 永安初，長兼尚書令、臨淮王彧欽愛之。 及彧開府，引為兼屬，仍領部曲。 出帝登阼，以郎任行禮，封城陽縣子，遷中書侍郎。 永熙末，居洛東緱山，乃作幽居賦焉。 於時元明友人王由居潁川，忽夢由攜酒就之言別，賦詩為贈。 及明，憶其詩十字云：「自茲一去後，市朝不復遊。」 元明歎曰：「由性不狎俗，旅寄人間，乃今有夢，又復如此，[7]必有他故。」 經三日，果聞由為亂兵所害。 尋其亡日，乃是得夢之夜。 天平中，兼吏部郎中，副李諧使蕭衍，南人稱之。 還，拜尚書右丞，轉散騎常侍，監起居。 積年在史館，了不厝意。 又兼黃門郎、本州大中正。 元明善自標置，不妄交遊，飲酒賦詩，遇興忘返。 性好玄理，作史子新論數十篇，文筆別有集錄。 少時常從鄉還洛，途遇相州刺史、中山王熙。 熙博識之士，見而歎曰：「盧郎有如此風神，唯須誦離騷，飲美酒，自為佳器。」 遂留之數日，贈帛及馬而別。 元明凡三娶，次妻鄭氏與元明兄子士啟淫汙，元明不能離絕。 又好以世地自矜，時論以此貶之。
Yuan Yu's fifth younger brother was Yuan Ming, courtesy name Youzhang. He read widely and possessed both literary skill and moral discernment; his bearing was refined and graceful, and his conduct in every setting was admirable. At the beginning of the Yong'an era, Yu, Prince of Linhuai, who long served concurrently as Director of the Masters of Writing, held him in high regard. When Yu established his grand commandant's office, he brought Ming onto his staff and also placed him in command of his personal troops. When Emperor Chu ascended the throne, Ming served as a gentleman attendant in the accession rites, was enfeoffed as Viscount of Chengyang County, and was promoted to Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat. At the end of the Yongxi era he retired to Mount Gou east of Luoyang, where he wrote his "Rhapsody on Secluded Dwelling." At that time Ming's friend Wang You was living in Yingchuan; Ming suddenly dreamed that You came with wine to say farewell and composed a poem as a parting gift. At dawn he recalled the poem's ten characters: "From this departure onward, I shall no longer walk the markets and courts of the world." Ming sighed and said: "You by nature shuns worldly company and lives as a wanderer among men; to have such a dream now can only mean something has happened." Three days later he learned that You had indeed been killed by mutinous soldiers. When he traced the date of You's death, it proved to be the very night of the dream. During the Tianping era he served concurrently as a Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel and, as Li He's deputy, went on a mission to Xiao Yan; the southerners spoke well of him. After his return he was appointed Right Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing, then transferred to Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Supervisor of the Imperial Diary. He spent many years in the Historiography Office and gave the work no attention whatsoever. He also served concurrently as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and as chief provincial arbiter of his native commandery. Ming knew how to hold himself with dignity; he did not socialize lightly, and when drinking and composing poetry he would lose himself in the moment and forget to return home. He had a natural love of philosophical speculation and wrote several dozen chapters of New Discourses on the Historians and Philosophers; his literary works were collected in a separate volume. In his youth, while traveling from his home district back to Luoyang, he met Xi, Prince of Zhongshan and Governor of Xiang Province, on the road. Xi was a man of wide learning; seeing Ming, he sighed and said: "Young Master Lu has such spirit and bearing—all he need do is recite the "Li Sao," drink fine wine, and he will be a man of rare quality." He kept Ming for several days, then presented him with silk and a horse before they parted. Ming married three times in all; his second wife, Lady Zheng, had an affair with Ming's nephew Shi Qi, and Ming could not bring himself to cast her off. He also took excessive pride in his family's status, and contemporary opinion counted this against him.
56
元明弟元緝，字幼緒。 凶率好酒，曾於婦氏飲宴，小有不平，手刃其客。 起家祕書郎，轉司徒祭酒。 稍遷輔國將軍、司徒司馬，卒於官。 贈散騎常侍、都督幽瀛二州諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、吏部尚書、幽州刺史，諡曰宣。
Ming's younger brother was Yuan Ji, courtesy name Youxu. He was fierce, reckless, and fond of wine; once while feasting at his wife's family's home, he took slight offense and killed a guest with his own hand. He began his career as a Gentleman of the Palace Library and was transferred to Libationer of the Minister of Education. He was gradually promoted to General Who Assists the State and Major of the Minister of Education, and died in office. He was posthumously honored as Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs in You and Ying Provinces, General of Fast Cavalry, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, and Governor of You Province, with the posthumous name Xuan.
57
子士深，開府行參軍。
His son Shi Shen served as a traveling aide in a grand commandant's establishment.
58
昶弟尚之，字季儒，小字羨夏，亦以儒素見重。 太和中，拜議郎，轉趙郡王征東諮議參軍。 母憂去官。 後為太尉主簿、司徒屬、范陽太守、章武內史、兼司徒右長史，加冠軍將軍，轉左長史。 出為前將軍、濟州刺史。 入除光祿大夫。 正光五年卒，年六十二。 贈散騎常侍、安東將軍、青州刺史。
Chang's younger brother Shangzhi, courtesy name Jiru and childhood name Xianxia, was likewise respected for his scholarly integrity. During the Taihe era he was appointed Gentleman Consultant and transferred to Strategic Adviser on the staff of the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Commander Who Campaigns East. He left office to observe mourning for his mother. Later he served as Chief Clerk to the Grand Commandant, an official of the Minister of Education, Governor of Fanyang, Internal Administrator of Zhangwu, and concurrently Right Chief Clerk of the Minister of Education; he was given the additional title General Who Establishes Victory and was transferred to Left Chief Clerk. He was sent out to serve as General of the Vanguard and Governor of Ji Province. He was recalled to court and appointed Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He died in the fifth year of the Zhengguang era at the age of sixty-two. He was posthumously honored as Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, General Who Pacifies the East, and Governor of Qing Province.
59
長子文甫，字元祐。 少有器尚，涉歷文史，有譽於時。 位司空參軍，年四十九卒。
His eldest son was Wenfu, courtesy name Yuanyou. From youth he showed ability and high aspiration, read widely in literature and history, and enjoyed a fine reputation in his day. He served as Aide to the Minister of Works and died at the age of forty-nine.
60
子敬舒，有文學，早亡。
His son Jingshu was a man of letters and died young.
61
文甫弟文翼，字仲祐。 少甚輕躁，晚頗改節。 為員外郎，因歸鄉里。 永安中，為都督，守范陽三城，拒賊帥韓婁有功，賜爵范陽子。 永熙中，除右將軍、太中大夫。 栖遲桑井而卒，年六十。
Wenfu's younger brother was Wenyi, courtesy name Zhongyou. In youth he was very frivolous and impetuous; in later years he reformed his conduct considerably. He served as an External Gentleman and then returned to his home district. During the Yong'an era he served as commander, defended the three cities of Fanyang, and distinguished himself repelling the bandit chief Han Lou; he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Fanyang. During the Yongxi era he was appointed General of the Right and Grand Master of Palace Counsel. He lived out his days in his native village and died at the age of sixty.
62
子士偉，興和中，中散大夫。
His son Shi Wei served as Palace Doctor during the Xinghe era.
63
子翼弟文符，字叔僖，性通率。 位員外郎、羽林監、尚書主客郎中，遷通直散騎侍郎。 永安中卒，年四十。
Wenyi's younger brother was Wenfu, courtesy name Shuxi, a straightforward and unpretentious man. He rose through the posts of External Gentleman, Supervisor of the Feathered Forest Guard, and Gentleman of the Masters of Writing in charge of foreign guests, and was promoted to Attendant Gentleman of the Palace Library. He died during the Yong'an era at the age of forty.
64
子子潛，[8]武定中，齊文襄王中外府中兵參軍。
His son Ziqian served during the Wuding era as a military aide in the inner and outer establishment of Prince Wenxiang of Qi.
65
度世，李氏之甥。 其為濟州也，[9]國家初平升城。 無鹽房崇吉母傅氏，度世繼外祖母兄之子婦也。 兗州刺史申纂妻賈氏，崇吉之姑女也，皆亡破軍途，老病憔悴。 而度世推計中表，致其恭恤。 每覲見傅氏，跪問起居，隨時奉送衣被食物，亦存賑賈氏，供其服膳。 青州既陷，諸崔墜落，多所收贖。 及淵、昶等並循父風，遠親疏屬，敍為尊行，長者莫不畢拜致敬。 閨門之禮，為世所推。 謙退簡約，不與世競。 父母亡，然同居共財，自祖至孫，家內百口。 在洛時有飢年，無以自贍，然尊卑怡穆，豐儉同之。 親從昆弟，常旦省謁諸父，出坐別室，至暮乃入。 朝府之外，不妄交遊。 其相勗以禮如此。 又一門三主，當世以為榮。 淵兄弟亡，及道將卒後，家風衰損，子孫多非法，帷薄混穢，為論者所鄙。
Dushi was a nephew of the Li clan on his mother's side. While he was Governor of Ji Province, the dynasty had just pacified Shengcheng. Lady Fu, mother of Fang Chongji of Wuyan, was the wife Dushi had married from among his maternal grandmother's elder brother's descendants. Lady Jia, wife of Shen Zuan, Governor of Yan Province and Chongji's cousin on his father's side, had been lost amid the chaos of retreating armies; both women were aged, ill, and worn with hardship. Dushi traced their kinship ties and treated them with respectful devotion. Whenever he visited Lady Fu he knelt to inquire after her health and sent her clothing, bedding, and food as the seasons required; he also cared for Lady Jia and provided for her clothing and meals. After Qing Province fell, many members of the Cui clan were reduced to destitution, and he ransomed a great number of them. Yuan, Chang, and the others all followed their father's example: whether kin were near or far, they were ranked by seniority in the family, and every elder received their full bows and respect. The rites observed within their household were admired throughout the land. They were humble, restrained, and unpretentious, and did not strive against the world. After their parents died, they continued to live together and share their property; from grandfathers to grandsons, the household numbered a hundred mouths. While living in Luoyang they endured years of famine and could scarcely support themselves, yet young and old remained harmonious and serene, sharing alike in plenty and in want. Brothers among the close and collateral kin would each morning pay their respects to their uncles, then withdraw to separate rooms and only rejoin the household at dusk. Outside official circles they did not form casual friendships. Such was the way they urged one another to observe ritual propriety. Three heads of household in a single clan were counted an honor in their day. After Yuan and his brothers passed away, and after Dao Jiang died as well, the family's standards fell away; many descendants broke the law, and scandal spread within the inner household, so that critics held them in contempt.
66
度世從祖弟神寶，中書博士。 太和中，高祖為高陽王雍納其女為妃。
Du Shi's cousin Shenbao was a Doctor of the Secretariat. During the Taihe era, Emperor Gaozu had his daughter marry Prince Yong of Gaoyang as his consort.
67
初，玄從祖兄溥，慕容寶之末，總攝鄉部，屯於海濱，遂殺其鄉姻諸祖十餘人，稱征北大將軍、幽州刺史，攻掠郡縣。 天興中討禽之，事在帝紀。
Earlier, Xuan's cousin Pu, in the last days of Murong Bao, took charge of the local communities and encamped on the coast; he killed more than ten senior kinsmen of his district, styled himself General Who Campaigns North and Governor of You Province, and raided the commanderies. In the Tianxing era he was captured in a punitive campaign; the affair is recorded in the imperial annals.
68
溥玄孫洪，字曾孫。 太和中，歷中書博士，稍遷高陽王雍鎮北府諮議參軍、幽州中正、樂陵陽平二郡太守。 洪三子。
Pu's great-grandson Hong, style name Zengsun. During the Taihe era he served as Doctor of the Secretariat, then rose to Advisory Officer on Prince Yong of Gaoyang's northern staff, Chief Rectifier of You Province, and Governor of Leling and Yangping commanderies. Hong had three sons.
69
長子崇，字元禮。 少立美名，有識者許之以遠大。 景明中，驃騎府法曹參軍。 早卒。
The eldest son Chong, style name Yuanli. He won a fine reputation early on, and men of judgment foresaw a brilliant future for him. In the Jingming era he was Legal Bureau Officer in the Rapid Cavalry Command. He died young.
70
子子剛，司空行參軍、荊州驃騎府主簿。 沒於關中。
His son Zigang was Acting Staff Officer to the Minister of Works and Chief Clerk in the Jing Province Rapid Cavalry Command. He perished in Guanzhong.
71
崇弟仲義，小名黑，知名於世。 高陽王雍司空行參軍、員外散騎侍郎、幽州別駕。
Chong's younger brother Zhongyi, called Hei as a child, was famous in his time. He was Acting Staff Officer to Prince Yong of Gaoyang as Minister of Works, Extraordinary Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, and Vice Governor of You Province.
72
弟三子叔矩，字子規。 武定中，尚書郎。
The third son Shuju, style name Zigui. In the Wuding era he was a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing.
73
子規弟子正，司徒法曹參軍。 崇兄弟官雖不達，至於婚姻，常與玄家齊等。
Zigui's nephew Zizheng was Legal Bureau Officer under the Minister of State Affairs. Though Chong and his brothers never rose to high office, in marriage they were regularly matched with Xuan's branch as equals.
74
仲義弟幹，字幼禎。 州主簿。
Zhongyi's younger brother Gan, style name Youzhen. He was Chief Clerk of the province.
75
子讓，儀同開府參軍。
His son Rang was Staff Officer in an Equipage-on-Par Opening Command.
76
洪弟光宗，子觀，觀弟仲宣，事在文苑傳。
Hong's younger brother Guangzong, his son Guan, and Guan's younger brother Zhongxuan are treated in the Treatise on Literature and Gardens.
77
仲宣弟叔虎，[10]武定初，司徒諮議參軍。
Zhongxuan's younger brother Shuhu,[10] in early Wuding, was Advisory Officer under the Minister of State Affairs.
78
洪從弟附伯，附伯弟侍伯，並有學識。 附伯位至滄州平東府長史。 侍伯，永熙中衞大將軍、南岐州刺史。
Hong's cousins Fubo and Shibo were both men of learning. Fubo rose to Chief Clerk of the Eastern Pacification Staff in Cang Province. Shibo, in the Yongxi era, was General of the Guard and Governor of Southern Qi Province.
79
侍伯從弟文偉，興和中，驃騎大將軍、青州刺史、大夏縣開國男。
Shibo's cousin Wenwei, in the Xinghe era, was General of Rapid Cavalry, Governor of Qing Province, and founding Baron of Daxia County.
80
史臣曰：盧玄緒業著聞，首應旌命，子孫繼迹，為世盛門。 其文武功烈，殆無足紀，而見重於時，聲高冠帶，蓋德業儒素有過人者。 淵之兄弟亦有二方之風流。 雅道家聲，諸子不逮，餘烈所被，弗及盈乎？
The historiographer writes: Lu Xuan's inherited standing was illustrious; he was the first to answer the imperial call, and his descendants followed in his steps, making the Lu clan a great house of their age. Their literary and military exploits were hardly worth chronicling in themselves, yet they were held in honor and their fame rang among the gentry—surely it was their virtue and scholarly cultivation that set them apart. Yuan's brothers too had something of the cultivated grace of the two capitals. The refined renown of the house—could their sons equal it? Could the afterglow of their fame ever quite fill the cup?
81
定火之雄李慈銘云：「『火』字有誤，蓋謂太武親征赫連定事也。」
The hero who settled the fire—Li Ciming remarks: "The character huo is mistaken; the passage surely refers to Emperor Taiwu's personal expedition against Helian Ding."
82
而道將引清河王國常侍韓子熙讓弟仲穆魯陽男之例諸本「王國」誤倒作「國王」，今據北史卷三０盧玄附盧道將傳乙正。
Dao Jiang cited Han Zixi's precedent of yielding his title to his younger brother Zhongmu—in various editions wangguo is wrongly reversed as guowang; the reading is corrected here from the biography of Lu Dao Jiang in Northern History, juan 30.
83
道將弟亮字仁業北史卷三０盧玄附盧淵傳「亮」上有「道」字，「仁業」作「仲業」。 張森楷云：「道將兄弟八人並以『道』字為次，不應亮獨無之，疑此當誤脫文。 『仲』『仁』二字，未知孰是。」 按北齊書卷四二盧潛傳、隋書卷五七盧思道傳並作「道亮」。 這裏「亮」上當脫「道」字。 下「亮弟道裕」同脫。
Dao Jiang's younger brother Liang, style name Renye—in Northern History, juan 30, the name reads Dao Liang and the style name is Zhongye rather than Renye. Zhang Senkai remarks: "All eight of Dao Jiang's brothers bear the generation character dao; Liang alone should not lack it—this looks like a textual omission. Whether the style name should read Zhongye or Renye cannot be determined." The biographies of Lu Qian in Northern Qi History, juan 42, and Lu Sidao in Sui History, juan 57, both give the name as Dao Liang. Here the character dao has been omitted before Liang. The same omission appears below in "Liang's younger brother Dao Yu."
84
道侃弟道和字叔維北史卷三０「維」作「雍」。 張森楷云：「『雍』與『和』義洽，此形近而訛。」
Dao Kan's younger brother Dao He, style name Shuwei—in Northern History, juan 30, the final character is yong rather than wei. Zhang Senkai remarks: "Yong accords in meaning with He; this is a corruption through similar forms."
85
時復惠好北史卷三０盧玄附盧義僖傳「好」作「存」，冊府卷六八七 〈八一八八頁〉 作「來」。 疑作「存」是。
From time to time showing kindness—in Northern History, juan 30, hao is written cun; in Cefu, juan 687 〈page 8188〉 the reading is lai (come). Cun is probably the correct reading.
86
邀憑雨熱諸本「雨」作「兩」，獨局本作「雨」。 按「兩熱」不可解。 局本當是以意改。 據上文詔書有「水雨盛行」語，局本改「雨」是，今從之。
Relying on rain and heat—in most editions yu is written liang (two); only the Ju edition reads yu (rain). Liang re makes no sense. The Ju edition was probably emended by conjecture. Since the edict above speaks of floods and rain prevailing widely, the Ju edition's reading yu is correct and is adopted here.
87
又復如此北史卷三０盧玄附盧元明傳「又」作「詩」。 李慈銘云：「『又』上脫『詩』字。」
Again just like this—in Northern History, juan 30, you is written shi (poem). Li Ciming remarks: "The character shi has been omitted before you."
88
子子潛北史卷三０盧玄附盧元明傳但云「子潛」。 按盧潛，北齊書卷四二有傳。 這裏「潛」上當衍一「子」字。
Son Ziqian—in Northern History, juan 30, the text reads only "son Qian." Lu Qian has a biography in Northern Qi History, juan 42. Here the character zi before Qian is probably a scribal addition.
89
仲宣弟叔虎諸本「虎」作「虔」，北史卷三０作「彪」。 按北齊書卷四二有盧叔武傳，即此人。 本是「虎」字，「彪」「武」都是避唐諱改，若本作「虔」，作「彪」作「武」便沒有理由。 知「虔」是「虎」的形訛，今改正。
Zhongxuan's younger brother Shuhu—in most editions hu is written qian; Northern History, juan 30, reads biao. Northern Qi History, juan 42, has a biography of Lu Shuwu—this is the same man. The original reading was hu; biao and wu are both Tang taboo-avoidance forms—if the base text read qian, there would be no reason to change it to biao or wu. Qian is therefore a graphic corruption of hu and is corrected here.