1
宋翻辛雄羊深楊機高崇
Song Fan, Xin Xiong, Yang Shen, Yang Ji, and Gao Chong
2
宋翻，字飛烏，廣平列人人也，吏部尚書弁族弟。 少有操尚，世人以剛斷許之。 世宗初，起家奉朝請，本州治中、廣平王郎中令。 尋拜河陰令。
Song Fan, whose courtesy name was Feiwu, came from Lie in Guangping and was a cousin of Bian, the Minister of Personnel. From youth he held himself to high standards, and contemporaries regarded him as resolute and decisive. When Emperor Shizong first took the throne, Fan began his career as a court gentleman, then became provincial aide and director of retainers for the Prince of Guangping. Before long he was appointed magistrate of Heyin.
3
翻弟道璵，先為冀州京兆王愉法曹行參軍，愉反，逼道璵為官，翻與弟世景俱囚廷尉。 道璵後棄愉歸罪京師，猶坐身死，翻、世景除名。 久之，拜翻治書侍御史、洛陽令、中散大夫、相州大中正，猶領治書。 又遷左將軍、南兗州刺史。 時蕭衍遣將先據荊山，規將寇竊。 屬壽春淪陷，賊遂乘勢徑趨項城。 翻遣將成僧達潛軍討襲，頻戰破之，自是州境帖然。
Fan's younger brother Daoyu had previously been acting aide in the law office of Prince Xu of Jingzhao in Jizhou. When Xu rebelled he compelled Daoyu to serve; Fan and his brother Shijing were both detained by the Court of Justice. Daoyu later deserted Xu and came back to the capital to submit to judgment, but was still condemned to death; Fan and Shijing were removed from office. After some time Fan was made investigating censor, magistrate of Luoyang, Palace Attendant, and chief arbiter of Xiangzhou, and continued to serve as investigating censor. He was then transferred to General of the Left and governor of Southern Yanzhou. At that time Xiao Yan dispatched generals who first occupied Jingshan, planning an incursion. When Shouchun was lost, the rebels rode the tide of victory and marched directly on Xiangcheng. Fan sent General Cheng Sengda with troops in concealment to attack them, won repeated victories, and thereafter the province was at peace.
4
孝莊時，除司徒左長史、撫軍將軍、河南尹。 初，翻為河陰令，順陽公主家奴為劫，攝而不送，翻將兵圍主宅，執主壻馮穆，步驅向縣。 時正炎暑，立之日中，流汗霑地。 縣舊有大枷，時人號曰「彌尾青」，及翻為縣主，吏請焚之。 翻曰：「且置南牆下，以待豪家。」 未幾，有內監楊小駒詣縣請事，辭色不遜，命取尾青以鎮之。 既免，入訴於世宗。 世宗大怒，敕河南尹推治其罪。 翻具自陳狀。 詔曰：「卿故違朝法，豈不欲作威以買名？」 翻對：「造者非臣，買名者亦宜非臣。 所以留者，非敢施於百姓，欲待兇暴之徒如小駒者耳。」 於是威振京師。 及為洛陽，迄於為尹，畏憚權勢，更相承接，故當世之名大致減損。 永安三年，卒於位。 贈侍中、衞將軍、相州刺史。 出帝初，重贈驃騎大將軍、儀同三司、尚書左僕射、雍州刺史，諡曰貞烈。
In the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang he was made chief steward of the left in the Secretariat, General Who Pacifies the Army, and governor of Henan. When Fan had been magistrate of Heyin, a slave in the household of the Princess of Shunyang committed robbery; she held him and refused to surrender him. Fan surrounded the princess's mansion with soldiers, seized her son-in-law Feng Mu, and marched him on foot to the county yamen. It was the height of summer; he made him stand in the noonday sun until sweat pooled on the ground. The county had long kept a great cangue that people called "Mawei Qing"; when Fan took office the clerks asked to burn it. Fan said, "Leave it for now under the south wall, to await the great houses." Not long after, the eunuch supervisor Yang Xiaoju came to the county on business with rude speech and bearing; Fan ordered the cangue brought to hold him. After he was released he went to lodge a complaint with Emperor Shizong. The emperor was furious and ordered the governor of Henan to investigate and punish the crime. Fan presented a full account in his own words. The edict read, "You knowingly violated the law of the court. Did you not mean to throw your weight about and purchase a name for yourself?" Fan answered, "Your servant did not make it, and your servant is not one who would buy a name. I kept it because I did not dare use it on ordinary people, but meant to keep it for brutal men like Xiaoju." From that time his awe-inspiring reputation spread through the capital. Once he served in Luoyang and through his time as governor, he feared the powerful and kept yielding to them, and so his standing in his own day was largely reduced. In the third year of Yong'an he died in his post. He was posthumously granted Palace Attendant, General of the Guard, and governor of Xiangzhou. When Emperor Chu first ascended the throne, Fan was again posthumously made Grand General of Agile Cavalry, granted ceremonial parity with the Three Excellencies, Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and governor of Yongzhou, with the posthumous title Zhenlie.
5
子思遠，卒於司空從事中郎。
His son Siyuan died in the post of aide in the office of the Minister of Works.
6
翻弟毓，字道和，敦篤有志行。 平西將軍、太中大夫。
Fan's younger brother Yu, whose courtesy name was Daohe, was earnest and steadfast in purpose and conduct. He held the ranks of General Who Pacifies the West and Grand Master of Palace Service.
7
子世軌，齊文襄王大將軍府祭酒。
His son Shigui served as libationer in the great general's staff of Prince Wenxiang of Qi.
8
毓弟世景，在良吏傳。
Yu's younger brother Shijing appears in the biography of good officials.
9
世景弟叔集，亦有學行。 征東裴衍之討葛榮也，表為員外散騎侍郎，引同戎役。 及衍敗，同時遇害。
Shijing's younger brother Shuji likewise had learning and integrity. When Pei Yan campaigned east against Ge Rong, he recommended Shuji as supernumerary gentleman attendant at the palace gate and brought him on the expedition. When Yan was defeated, Shuji was killed along with him.
10
叔集弟道璵，少而敏儁。 世宗初，以才學被召，與祕書丞孫惠蔚典校羣書，考正同異。 自太學博士轉京兆王愉法曹行參軍。 臨死，作詩及挽歌詞，寄之親朋，以見怨痛。 道璵又曾贈著作佐郎張始均詩，其末章云：「子深懷璧憂，余有當門病。」 道璵既不免難，始均亦遇世禍，時咸怪之。 無子，兄毓以第三子子叔繼。
Shuji's younger brother Daoyu was clever and brilliant from youth. Early in Emperor Shizong's reign he was called up for his scholarship and, with Secretariat Director Sun Huiwei, supervised the collation of the books and corrected errors. He moved from Erudite of the Imperial Academy to acting aide in the law office of Prince Xu of Jingzhao. On the eve of death he wrote poems and dirges and sent them to relatives and friends to express his anguish. Daoyu had also once given a poem to Zhang Shijun, assistant editor in the History Office, whose final stanza ran, "You carry the worry of a jade in your breast; I have the sickness of a tree before the gate." When Daoyu could not escape his fate, Shijun also suffered calamity in the world, and contemporaries all found it strange. He left no sons; his elder brother Yu had his third son Zishu succeed him.
11
辛雄，字世賓，隴西狄道人。 父暢，字幼達，大將軍諮議參軍、汝南鄉郡二郡太守，太和中，本郡中正。 雄有孝性，頗涉書史，好刑名，廉謹雅素，不妄交友，喜怒不形於色。 釋褐奉朝請。 父於郡遇患，雄自免歸，晨夜扶抱。 及父喪居憂，殆不可識，為世所稱。
Xin Xiong, whose courtesy name was Shibin, came from Didao in Longxi. His father Chang, courtesy name Youda, had been staff adviser to the great general and governor of the commanderies of Runan and Xiang; in the Taihe period he was chief arbiter of his home commandery. Xiong was filial by nature, well versed in historical writings, devoted to penal law, frugal and scrupulous, refined and unadorned, careful in friendship, and never betraying emotion on his face. On first entering office he became a court gentleman. When his father fell ill while serving in his commandery, Xiong asked to be relieved and went home, attending him day and night. During mourning for his father he grieved until he was scarcely recognizable, and the world praised him for it.
12
正始初，除給事中，十年不遷職，乃以病免。 清河王懌為司空，辟戶曹參軍，攝田曹事。 懌遷司徒，仍隨授戶曹參軍。 並當煩劇，諍訟填委。 雄用心平直，加以閑明政事，經其斷割，莫不悅服。 懌重之，每謂人曰：「必也無訟乎，辛雄其有焉。」 由是名顯。 懌遷太尉，又為記室參軍。 神龜中，除尚書駕部郎中，轉三公郎。 其年，沙汰郎官，唯雄與羊深等八人見留，餘悉罷遣，更授李琰等。
At the opening of the Zhengshi era he was made gentleman attendant at the palace gate; for ten years he was not promoted and then left office citing illness. When Prince Qinghe Yi became Minister of Works, he engaged Xiong as aide in the household bureau and had him oversee the fields bureau. When Yi became Minister of Education, Xiong was again made aide in the household bureau. Both duties were onerous and lawsuits overflowed the desk. Xiong applied himself with impartiality, and together with his mastery of administration, every case he decided won approval. Yi held him in esteem and often said to others, "If there could truly be no lawsuits, perhaps Xin Xiong could bring that about." By this his reputation spread. When Yi became Grand Commandant, Xiong again served as recorder on his staff. In the Shengui period he was made director in the chariot office of the Department of State Affairs and then transferred to gentleman of the Three Excellencies. That year the corps of gentlemen was winnowed; only Xiong, Yang Shen, and six others were kept, while the rest were all dismissed and Li Yan and others were appointed in their place.
13
先是，御史中尉、東平王元匡復欲輿棺諫諍，尚書令、任城王澄劾匡大不敬，詔恕死為民。 雄奏理匡曰：「竊惟白衣元匡，歷奉三朝，每蒙寵遇。 謇諤之性，簡自帝心； 鷹鸇之志，形於在昔。 故高祖錫之以匡名，陛下任之以彈糾。 至若茹皓昇輦，匡斥宜下之言； 高肇當政，匡陳擅權之表。 剛毅忠款，羣臣莫及； 骨鯁之跡，朝野共知。 當高肇之時，匡造棺致諫，主聖臣直，卒以無咎。 假欲重造，先帝已容之於前，陛下亦宜寬之於後，況其元列由緒與罪按不同也。 脫終貶黜，不在朝廷，恐杜忠臣之口，塞諫者之心，乖琴瑟之至和，違鹽梅之相濟。 祁奚云，叔向之賢，可及十世，而匡不免其身，實可嗟惜。」 未幾，匡除龍驤將軍、平州刺史。 右僕射元欽謂左僕射蕭寶夤曰：「至如辛郎中才用，省中諸人莫出其右。」 寶夤曰：「吾聞游僕射云：『得如雄者四五人共治省事，足矣。』 今日之賞，何其晚哉！」
Previously the censor-in-chief, Prince of Dongping Yuan Kuang, had again wished to present remonstrance with a coffin; the Director of the Department of State Affairs, Prince of Rencheng Cheng, impeached Kuang for grave disrespect, and an edict spared his life but stripped him of rank. Xiong submitted a memorial arguing for Kuang: "I respectfully consider the commoner Yuan Kuang, who has served three reigns and repeatedly received imperial favor. His blunt, remonstrating character was known to the emperor himself; his fierce, loyal spirit had long been plain to see. Thus Emperor Gaozu gave him the name Kuang, and Your Majesty charged him with impeachment. When Ru Hao rode in the imperial carriage, Kuang spoke words demanding that he descend; when Gao Zhao dominated the government, Kuang filed a memorial on his monopoly of power. In firmness, loyalty, and sincerity no minister could equal him; his unyielding conduct was known throughout court and realm. In Gao Zhao's day Kuang prepared a coffin and remonstrated; ruler and minister were both upright, and in the end he went unpunished. Even if he were to do so again, the late emperor had already indulged it once, and Your Majesty should likewise be indulgent hereafter, especially since the original grounds and the present accusation differ. Should he finally be banished from court, I fear loyal mouths will be stopped and remonstrators' hearts sealed, breaking the perfect concord of lute and zither and forsaking the mutual seasoning of salt and plum. Qi Xi said that Shuxiang's worth might extend ten generations, yet Kuang cannot save his own person—a thing truly to be mourned." Before long Kuang was made General of Dragon Cavalry and governor of Pingzhou. Right Vice Director Yuan Qin said to Left Vice Director Xiao Baoyin, "When it comes to Director Xin's talent, no one in the department ranks above him." Baoyin replied, "I have heard Vice Director You say that with four or five men like Xiong to manage the department's affairs together, it would suffice. Today's recognition—how late in coming!"
14
初，廷尉少卿袁翻以犯罪之人，經恩競訴，枉直難明，遂奏曾染風聞者，不問曲直，推為獄成，悉不斷理。 詔令門下、尚書、廷尉議之。 雄議曰：
Earlier, Vice Director of the Court of Justice Yuan Fan, finding that after amnesties convicted persons flooded the courts with appeals so that guilt and innocence were hard to tell apart, memorialized that anyone who had once been named in rumor, whether guilty or not, should be treated as a finished case and no longer adjudicated. An edict ordered the Chancellery, the Department of State Affairs, and the Court of Justice to discuss the matter. Xiong's opinion read:
15
春秋之義：不幸而失，寧僭不濫。 僭則失罪人，濫乃害善人。 今議者不忍罪姦吏，使出入縱情，令君子小人薰蕕不別，豈所謂賞善罰惡，殷勤隱恤者也。 仰尋周公不減流言之愆，俯惟釋之不加驚馬之辟，所以小大用情，貴在得所。 失之千里，差在毫釐。 雄久執按牘，數見疑訟，職掌三千，願言者六。
The principle of the Spring and Autumn Annals is that when judgment must fail, it is better to exceed than to be excessive in leniency. Exceeding punishes the innocent guilty; leniency injures the innocent good. The proponents cannot bear to punish corrupt officials, allowing them to act at will so that gentlemen and petty men are not separated like musk from stench—can this be called rewarding good and punishing evil with conscientious care? The Duke of Zhou did not reduce the fault of spreading rumors; Zhang Shizhi did not add a penalty for startling the emperor's horses—great and small are judged by circumstance, and what counts is striking the right measure. A miss of a thousand li begins in a hairsbreadth. Xiong had long handled dossiers and often saw doubtful litigation; charged with three thousand statutes, six points deserve to be stated.
16
一曰：御史所糾，有注其逃走者。 及其出訴，或為公使，本曹給過所有指，如不推檢，文按灼然者，雪之。 二曰：御史赦前注獲見贓，不辨行賕主名，檢無賂以置直之主，宜應洗復。 三曰：經拷不引，傍無三證，比以獄按既成，因即除削。 或有據令奏復者，與奪不同，未獲為通例。 又須定何如得為證人。 若必須三人對見受財，然後成證，則於理太寬。 若傳聞即為證，則於理太急。 今請以行賕後三人俱見，物及證狀顯著，準以為驗。 四曰：赦前斷事，或引律乖錯，使除復失衷，雖按成經赦，宜追從律。 五曰：經赦除名之後，或邀駕訴枉，被旨重究； 或訴省稱冤，為奏更檢。 事付有司，未被研判，遂遇恩宥。 如此之徒，謂不得異於常格，依前按為定。 若不合拷究，已復之流，請不追奪。 六曰：或受辭下檢反覆，使鞫獄證占分明，理合清雪，未及告按，忽逢恩赦。 若從證占而雪，則違正格； 如除其名，罪濫潔士。 以為罪須按成，雪以占定，若拷未畢格及要證一人不集者，不得為占定。
First: in censorial impeachments, some persons are recorded as having fled. When they later appeal, some are on official mission and the original office has issued passes for every stop listed; if this is not checked and the documents plainly show it, they should be cleared. Second: before an amnesty the censorate records seized visible loot but does not name who paid the bribe; if inquiry finds no bribe and the accused is upright, he should be restored. Third: after interrogation under torture they do not confess and there are no three supporting witnesses; recently, because the prison file is treated as complete, they are immediately struck from the rolls. Some have appealed for restoration under statute, yet decisions differ and no common rule has been settled. It is also necessary to define who may serve as a witness. If proof required three persons to witness the bribe together, the rule would be too lenient. If hearsay alone counted as proof, the rule would be too harsh. I propose that after the bribe all three witnesses be present together, with goods and evidence clearly shown, and that this be taken as sufficient proof. Fourth: pre-amnesty judgments that misapplied the statute, making restoration unjust, though closed by amnesty, should be revised to follow the law. Fifth: after removal from the rolls by amnesty, some waylay the imperial carriage to plead injustice and receive an order for reinvestigation; some appeal to the department claiming injustice and obtain a memorial for further examination. The matter is assigned to the responsible office but not yet decided, and then an amnesty intervenes. Such persons, I hold, should not be treated differently from the ordinary rule and should be decided according to the prior record. If they are not subject to torture and full investigation, those already restored to their posts should not have their property seized again. Sixth point: Sometimes a person gives testimony and is subjected to repeated scrutiny until the trial evidence and divination are clear and exoneration is warranted — but before the case can be formally reported, an amnesty suddenly intervenes. If exoneration follows from the evidence and divination, that violates the proper regulations; If their name is struck from the record, the charge is wrongly applied to sully worthy men. They argued that guilt must be fully established before exoneration can be fixed by divination — and that if torture has not been completed according to statute, or if even one required witness is missing, divination-based clearing must not be permitted.
17
古人雖患察獄之不精，未聞知冤而不理。 今之所陳，實士師之深疑，朝夕之急務，願垂察焉。
The ancients feared sloppy trials, but never of learning that someone was wronged and doing nothing about it. What I now submit is a grave concern for those who judge cases and an urgent matter that admits no delay — I beg Your Majesty to consider it.
18
詔從雄議。 自後每有疑議，雄與公卿駁難，事多見從，於是公能之名甚盛。
An edict adopted Xiong's recommendation. From then on, whenever a disputed question arose, Xiong argued with the chief ministers, and his views were usually accepted — so his fame as a man of public ability spread far and wide.
19
又為祿養論，稱仲尼陳五孝，自天子至庶人無致仕之文。 禮記：「八十，一子不從政； 九十，家不從政。」 鄭玄注云：「復除之。」 然則，止復庶民，非公卿大夫士之謂。 以為宜聽祿養，不約其年。 書奏，肅宗納之。 以母憂去任。 卒哭，右僕射元欽奏雄起復為郎。 俄兼司州別駕，加前軍將軍。
He also submitted a memorial on stipends for supporting parents, arguing that Confucius laid out the Five Filial Duties yet nowhere, from Son of Heaven to commoner, is retirement from office mentioned. The Book of Rites states: "At eighty, one son is exempt from government service; at ninety, the entire household is exempt from government service." Zheng Xuan annotates: "This refers to exemption from corvée and taxes." Accordingly, this applies only to commoners — not to ministers, grandees, or officers. He argued that stipends for supporting parents should be permitted without age restrictions. When the memorial was submitted, Emperor Suzong approved it. He resigned his office to observe mourning for his mother. When the mourning period ended, Right Vice Director Yuan Qin recommended that Xiong be recalled from mourning to serve again as a court gentleman. Shortly afterward he was appointed concurrently as Administrator of Si Province and promoted to General of the Forward Army.
20
時諸方賊盛，而南寇侵境，山蠻作逆，肅宗欲親討，以荊州為先，詔雄為行臺左丞，與前軍臨淮王彧東趣葉城，別將裴衍西通鵶路。 衍稽留未進，彧師已次汝濱。 北溝求救，[1]彧以處分道別，不欲應之。 雄曰：「今裴衍未至，王士眾已集，蠻左唐突，撓亂近畿，梁汝之間，民不安業，若不時撲滅，更為深害。 王秉麾閫外，唯利是從，見可而進，何必守道，苟安社稷，理可專裁。 所謂臣率義而行，不待命者也。」 彧恐後有得失之責，要雄符下。 雄以駕將親伐，蠻夷必懷震動，乘彼離心，無往不破，遂符彧軍，令速赴擊。 賊聞之，果自走散。
At the time rebels were powerful everywhere, southern enemies were raiding the frontier, and mountain tribes had risen in revolt. Emperor Suzong intended to lead a personal campaign, beginning with Jing Province. Xiong was made Left Director of the Mobile Secretariat and, with Prince of Huainai Yu's vanguard, marched east toward Yecheng, while the separate commander Pei Yan was to advance west and open the Ya Road. Pei Yan lingered without advancing, while Yu's forces had already reached the Ru River. Beigou sought aid, but Yu, believing their assignments were on different routes, did not want to answer the call. Xiong said: "Pei Yan has not yet arrived, but Your Highness's troops are already gathered. The barbarian forces are pressing recklessly, disrupting the region near the capital. Between Liang and Ru the people cannot work in peace. If we do not destroy them at once, the damage will become far worse. Your Highness commands beyond the capital and should pursue whatever serves the interest — advance when the moment is right; why cling to fixed rules? If it will safeguard the realm, you may decide on your own authority. That is what is meant when a subject acts on principle without waiting for orders." Yu, afraid of being held accountable afterward for success or failure, insisted that Xiong issue a written authorization. Xiong argued that with the Emperor about to campaign in person, the barbarians would surely be terrified; seizing their disunity, no enemy could stand before them. He therefore authorized Yu's army to strike at once. When the rebels heard of it, they indeed broke and scattered of their own accord.
21
在軍上疏曰：「凡人所以臨堅陳而忘身，觸白刃而不憚者，一則求榮名，二則貪重賞，三則畏刑罰，四則避禍難。 非此數事，雖聖王不能勸其臣，慈父不能厲其子。 明主深知其情，故賞必行，罰必信，使親疏、貴賤、勇怯、賢愚，聞鍾鼓之聲，見旌旗之列，莫不奮激，競赴敵場，豈厭久生而樂早死也，利害懸於前，欲罷不能耳。 自秦隴逆節，將歷數年； 蠻左亂常，稍已多載。 凡在戎役，數十萬人，三方師眾，敗多勝少，跡其所由，不明賞罰故也。 陛下欲天下之早平，愍征夫之勤悴，乃降明詔，賞不移時。 然兵將之勳，歷稔不決； 亡軍之卒，晏然在家。 致令節士無所勸慕，庸人無所畏懾。 進而擊賊，死交而賞賒； 退而逃散，身全而無罪。 此其所以望敵奔沮，不肯進力者矣。 若重發明詔，更量賞罰，則軍威必張，賊難可弭。 臣聞必不得已，去食就信。 以此推之，信不可斯須廢也。 賞罰，陛下之所易，尚不能全而行之； 攻敵，士之所難，欲其必死，寧可得也？ 臣既庸弱，忝當戎使，職司所見，輒敢上聞。 惟陛下審其可否。」
While on campaign he submitted a memorial: "The reason common soldiers stand before entrenched enemy lines without regard for their lives, and meet naked blades without flinching, is first to win glory, second to gain rich rewards, third to fear punishment, and fourth to escape disaster. Without these incentives, not even a sage king can move his ministers, nor a loving father rouse his sons. A wise ruler understands this perfectly, and so makes rewards certain and punishments sure — so that whether close or distant in rank, high or low in birth, brave or timid, wise or dull, all who hear the drums and see the banners are stirred to rush toward the enemy. It is not that they hate life and love death; reward and danger stand before them, and they cannot hold back. Since the rebellion broke out in Qin and Long, several years have nearly passed; and the barbarian uprisings have already dragged on for many years. Hundreds of thousands serve in the armies, yet on all three fronts defeats outnumber victories. The reason is clear: rewards and punishments are not enforced. Your Majesty desires swift peace under Heaven and pities the exhaustion of the soldiers, and so issued a clear edict promising prompt rewards. Yet the achievements of soldiers and commanders remain undecided for years; while men who abandoned their units live quietly at home. As a result, men of principle have nothing to aspire to, and the mediocre have nothing to dread. Advance to fight and one dies in combat while reward is delayed; Retreat and flee and one's body is spared with no punishment. That is why soldiers waver at the sight of the enemy and refuse to fight with all their strength. If Your Majesty reissues a clear edict and enforces rewards and punishments anew, military morale will rise and the rebel threat can be crushed. I have heard that when there is no other choice, one must sacrifice food for the sake of trust. From this it follows that trust cannot be abandoned even for an instant. Rewards and punishments lie entirely within Your Majesty's power, yet even these cannot be fully enforced; while attacking the enemy is what soldiers find hardest — how then can you expect them to fight to the death? I am a mediocre and unworthy man who holds a military post; what I have witnessed in the course of duty, I dare bring before Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to consider whether this can be done."
22
會右丞闕，肅宗詔僕射、城陽王徽舉人，徽遙舉雄。 仍除輔國將軍、尚書右丞。 尋轉吏部郎中，遷平東將軍、光祿大夫，郎中如故。 上疏曰：「帝王之道，莫尚於安民，安民之本，莫加於禮律。 禮律既設，擇賢而行之，天下雍熙，無非任賢之功也。 故虞舜之盛，穆穆標美； 文王受命，濟濟以康。 高祖孝文皇帝，天縱大聖，開復典謨，選三代之異禮，採二漢之典法。 端拱而四方安，刑措而兆民治。 世宗重光繼軌，每念聿修，官人有道，萬里清謐。 陛下劬勞日昃，躬親庶政，求瘼恤民，無時暫憩，而黔首紛然，兵車不息。 以臣愚見，可得而言。 自神龜末來，專以停年為選。 士無善惡，歲久先敍； 職無劇易，名到授官。 執按之吏，以差次日月為功能； 銓衡之人，以簡用老舊為平直。 且庸劣之人，莫不貪鄙。 委斗筲以共治之重，託碩鼠以百里之命，皆貨賄是求，肆心縱意。 禁制雖煩，不勝其欲。 致令徭役不均，發調違謬，箕斂盈門，囚執滿道。 二聖明詔，寢而不遵； 畫一之法，懸而不用。 自此夷夏之民相將為亂。 豈有餘憾哉？ 蓋由官授不得其人，百姓不堪其命故也。 當今天下黔黎，久經寇賊，父死兄亡，子弟淪陷，流離艱危，十室而九，白骨不收，孤煢靡恤，財殫力盡，無以卒歲。 宜及此時，早加慰撫。 蓋助陛下治天下者，惟在守令，最須簡置，以康國道。 但郡縣選舉，由來共輕，貴遊儁才，莫肯居此。 宜改其弊，以定官方。 請上等郡縣為第一清，中等為第二清，下等為第三清。 選補之法，妙盡才望，如不可並，後地先才。 不得拘以停年，竟無銓革。 三載黜陟，有稱者補在京名官，如前代故事，不歷郡縣不得為內職。 則人思自勉，上下同心，枉屈可申，強暴自息，刑政日平，民俗奉化矣。 復何憂於不治，何恤於逆徒也。 竊見今之守令，清慎奉治，則政平訟理，有非其才，則綱維荒穢。 伏願陛下暫留天心，校其利害，則臣言可驗，不待終朝。 昔杜畿寬惠，河東無警； 蘇則分糧，金城克復。 略觀今古，風俗遷訛，罔不任賢以相化革，朝任夕治，功可立待。 若遵常習故，不明選典，欲以靜民，便恐無日。」 書奏，會肅宗崩。
When the post of Right Director fell vacant, Emperor Suzong ordered Vice Director Prince of Chengyang Hui to nominate someone; from a distance Hui recommended Xiong. Xiong was appointed General Who Assists the State and Right Director of the Secretariat. Shortly afterward he became Director in the Ministry of Personnel and was promoted to General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, while retaining his directorship. He submitted a memorial: "In the way of emperors and kings, nothing is higher than bringing peace to the people; and the foundation of bringing peace to the people is nothing other than rites and law. Once rites and law are in place and the worthy are chosen to carry them out, the realm flourishes in harmony — and that is entirely the work of appointing capable men. Thus the glory of Emperor Shun was celebrated for its solemn dignity; when King Wen received the Mandate, the host of officials served in ordered prosperity. Emperor Gaozu the Filial and Cultured, endowed by Heaven with supreme wisdom, restored the canonical institutions, drew on the varied rites of the Three Dynasties, and adopted the statutes of the two Han dynasties. He ruled with hands folded in his sleeves and the four quarters were at peace; punishments fell into disuse and the myriad people were well governed. Emperor Shizong carried forward that legacy in renewed brilliance, ever intent on good governance; officials performed their duties and peace extended ten thousand li. Your Majesty labors from dawn to dusk, personally attending to every matter, seeking out the people's hardships and showing them compassion without a moment's pause — yet the common people remain in disorder and the chariots of war never stop. In my humble opinion, the reason can be stated plainly. Since the end of the Shengui era, appointments have been made solely on the basis of seniority. Without regard to merit, those who have served longest are promoted first; without regard to whether a post is demanding or easy — when one's turn arrives, one is given office. Investigating officials measure their achievement by the calendar of cases processed; and those who assess candidates treat the routine promotion of the aged and familiar as impartial judgment. Moreover, mediocre and unworthy men are invariably greedy and corrupt. Entrusting the weighty business of governance to men of petty capacity, and the fate of a hundred-li district to creatures like bloated rats — all of them seek bribes and indulge their every whim. However many regulations are imposed, they cannot restrain their appetites. The result is unequal corvée, wrongful levies and requisitions, extortionate collections at every door, and prisoners filling the roads. The enlightened edicts of the two previous emperors lie unheeded; and uniform laws are proclaimed but never applied. From this, barbarians and Han subjects alike have one after another taken up arms. What further cause for unrest could there be? It is simply that offices are given to the wrong men, and the people cannot endure their rule. Today the common people throughout the realm have long endured raids and rebellion — fathers dead, brothers lost, sons and younger brothers taken captive; scattered and destitute, nine out of ten households ruined; white bones left unburied, orphans and widows uncared for; resources exhausted, with no means to survive the year. This is the time to offer comfort and relief without delay. Those who assist Your Majesty in governing the realm are the prefects and magistrates above all; they must be carefully chosen if the state is to prosper. Yet appointments to commanderies and counties have long been held in contempt, and men of noble birth and outstanding talent refuse to accept them. This abuse must be corrected to restore the proper order of officialdom. I propose ranking superior commanderies and counties as First Pure, middling ones as Second Pure, and inferior ones as Third Pure. In selecting candidates, talent and reputation should be weighed with the utmost care; where the two cannot be reconciled, talent should take precedence over the rank of the post. Appointments must not be constrained by seniority alone, leaving no room for merit-based selection. After three years of assessment, those with distinguished records should be promoted to prestigious posts in the capital; following earlier precedent, no one who has not served in a commandery or county should hold an inner-court office. Then men will strive to better themselves, high and low will act in concert, injustices will be redressed, the violent will restrain themselves, law and order will improve day by day, and the people will return to proper conduct. What anxiety would remain about misgovernment? What need to dread rebels? I have observed that when today's prefects and magistrates are upright and diligent, government is fair and disputes are resolved — but when they lack ability, the whole administrative order falls into chaos. I humbly ask Your Majesty to pause and weigh the advantages and disadvantages — and my words will be proved true before the morning is out. In antiquity, Du Ji governed with generosity, and Hedong remained untroubled; Su Ze distributed grain, and Jincheng was retaken. Looking broadly at past and present, whenever customs have decayed, no state has failed to appoint the worthy to reform them — appoint a man in the morning and order is restored by evening; results can be immediate. If we cling to old habits and ignore the principles of selection, hoping thereby to calm the people — I fear that day will never come." The memorial was submitted just as Emperor Suzong died.
23
初，蕭寶夤在雍州起逆，城人侯眾德等討逐之，多蒙爵賞。 武泰中，詔雄兼尚書，為關西賞勳大使。 未行之間，會尒朱榮入洛，及河陰之難，人情未安，雄潛竄不出。 莊帝欲以雄為尚書，門下奏曰：「辛雄不出，存亡未分。」 莊帝曰：「寧失亡而用之，不可失存而不用也。」 遂除度支尚書，加安南將軍。 元顥入洛也，北中郎將楊侃從駕北出，莊帝以侃為度支尚書。 及乘輿反洛，復召雄上。 雄面辭曰：「臣不能死事，俛眉從賊，乃是朝廷罪人，縱陛下不賜誅罰，而北來尚書勳高義重，臣宜避賢路。」 莊帝曰：「卿且還本司，朕當別有處分。」 遂解侃尚書。
Earlier, when Xiao Baoyin rebelled in Yong Province, the townspeople Hou Zhongde and others pursued and expelled him, and many were ennobled and rewarded. In the Wutai era, Xiong was appointed concurrently as Director of the Secretariat and Grand Commissioner for Awarding Merit in the Western Passes. Before he could set out, Erzhu Rong entered Luoyang; after the massacre at the River Yin, public feeling was unstable, and Xiong went into hiding and did not appear. Emperor Zhuang wished to appoint Xiong Director of the Secretariat; the Chancellery submitted: "Xin Xiong has not emerged — whether he is alive or dead remains unknown." Emperor Zhuang said: "Better to appoint him and risk that he is gone than to leave him unappointed while he still lives." Xiong was then appointed Director of the Bureau of Revenue and promoted to General Who Pacifies the South. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, General of the Northern Gentlemen Yang Kan accompanied the Emperor north; Emperor Zhuang appointed Kan Director of the Bureau of Revenue. When the Emperor returned to Luoyang, Xiong was summoned back to court. Xiong faced the Emperor and declined: "I failed to die in your service and instead bowed my head to the rebels — I am a criminal of the court. Even if Your Majesty spares me, the Director who came from the north has greater merit and standing; I ought to yield the office to a better man. Emperor Zhuang said: "Return for now to your original post; I will decide your case separately. He then removed Kan from the Directorship of the Secretariat.
24
未幾，詔雄以本官兼侍中、關西慰勞大使。 將發，請事五條。 一言逋懸租調，宜悉不徵。 二言簡罷非時徭役，以紓民命。 三言課調之際，使豐儉有殊，令州郡量檢，不得均一。 四言兵起歷年，死亡者眾，或父或子，辛酸未歇，見存耆老，請假板職，悅生者之意，慰死者之魂。 五言喪亂既久，禮儀罕習，如有閨門和穆、孝悌卓然者，宜表其門閭。 仍啟曰：「臣聞王者愛民之道有六，一曰利之，二曰成之，三曰生之，四曰與之，五曰樂之，六曰喜之。 使民不失其時，則成之也； 省刑罰，則生之也； 薄賦斂，則與之也； 無多徭役，則樂之也； 吏靜不苛，則喜之也。 伏惟陛下道邁前王，功超往代，敷春風而鼓俗，旌至德以調民。 生之養之，正當茲日； 悅近來遠，亦是今時。 臣既忝將命，宣揚聖澤，前件六事，謂所宜行。 若不除煩收疾，[2]惠孤恤寡，便是徒乘官驛，虛號王人，往還有費於郵亭，皇恩無逮於民俗。 謹率愚管，敢以陳聞，乞垂覽許。」 莊帝從之，因詔民年七十者授縣，八十者授郡，九十加四品將軍，百歲從三品將軍。
Not long after, an edict appointed Xiong, in his existing post, concurrently as Attendant-in-Ordinary and Grand Envoy to Console the Western Passes. Before setting out, he submitted five policy requests. First: outstanding and suspended rents and taxes should not be collected at all. Second: cut untimely corvée labor to ease the people's burden. Third: when assessing levies, rich and poor should be treated differently; provinces and commanderies should inspect locally rather than apply a flat rate. Fourth: war has raged for years and countless men have died, fathers and sons alike; grief still lingers. For the elderly who remain, grant provisional honors to delight the living and comfort the dead. Fifth: after long chaos, ritual custom has faded. Where families are harmonious and filial piety is exemplary, their households should be publicly honored. He further wrote: "I have heard that the way a king cherishes his people has six aspects: to benefit them, to complete them, to nurture them, to share with them, to give them joy, and to give them delight. Not letting the people miss their seasons — that completes them; reducing punishments — that nurtures them; lightening taxes and levies — that shares with them; not imposing heavy corvée — that gives them joy; officials restrained and not harsh — that gives them delight. I humbly consider that Your Majesty's Way surpasses the kings of old and your achievements exceed those of former ages; you spread a spring wind through custom and hold up supreme virtue to harmonize the people. To nurture and sustain the people — the moment is now; to delight those near and win over those far — that too is the work of our time. Having been entrusted with this mission, I will proclaim your sage grace; the six matters above are what ought to be enacted. If we do not lift burdens, pardon the afflicted, and care for orphans and widows, then I would merely ride the post relays under an empty title as the sovereign's envoy — wasting the stations on the road while your grace never reaches the people. Respectfully, with my humble counsel, I submit this for your review and ask that you approve it. Emperor Zhuang agreed and issued an edict: men of seventy received county rank, those of eighty commandery rank, those of ninety the additional title of Fourth-Rank General, and centenarians the title of Third-Rank General.
25
三年，遷鎮南將軍、都官尚書、行河南尹。 普泰時，為鎮軍將軍、殿中尚書，又加衞將軍、右光祿大夫、秦州大中正。 太昌中，又除殿中尚書、兼吏部尚書。 尋除車騎大將軍、左光祿大夫，仍尚書。 永熙二年三月，又兼吏部尚書。 於時近習專恣，請託不已，雄懼其讒慝，不能確然守正，論者頗譏之。
In the third year he was transferred to General Who Guards the South, Director of the Bureau of Justice, and Acting Governor of Henan. During Putai he served as General Who Guards the Army and Director of the Palace Secretariat, and was further given the titles of General of the Guard, Grand Master of Splendid Virtue on the Right, and Chief Rectifier of Qin Province. In the Taichang era he was again appointed Director of the Palace Secretariat and concurrently Director of the Bureau of Personnel. Soon after he was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Master of Splendid Virtue on the Left, while remaining Director. In the second month of the second year of Yongxi he again served concurrently as Director of the Bureau of Personnel. At that time the Emperor's close favorites acted with impunity and favor-seeking never ceased. Xiong feared their slander and could not hold firmly to principle; commentators largely scorned him for it.
26
出帝南狩，雄兼左僕射留守京師。 永熙末，兼侍中。 帝入關右，齊獻武王至洛，於永寧寺集朝士，責讓雄及尚書崔孝芬、劉欽、楊機等曰：「為臣奉主，扶危救亂，若處不諫諍，出不陪隨，緩則耽寵，急便竄避，臣節安在？」 諸人默然不能對。 雄對曰：「當主上信狎近臣，雄等不與謀議。 及乘輿西邁，若即奔隨，便恐跡同佞黨； 留待大王，便以不從蒙責。 雄等進退如此，不能自委溝壑，實為慚負。」 王復責曰：「卿等備位納言，當以身報國，不能盡忠，依附諂佞，未聞卿等諫諍一言，使國家之事忽至於此，罪欲何歸也！」 乃誅之，時年五十。 沒其家口。 二子士璨、士貞，逃入關中。
When Emperor Chu fled south, Xiong served concurrently as Left Vice Director and remained to guard the capital. At the end of Yongxi he served concurrently as Attendant-in-Ordinary. When the Emperor entered the west, Gao Huan arrived at Luoyang. At Yongning Temple he assembled the court and rebuked Xiong and the Directors Cui Xiaofen, Liu Qin, Yang Ji, and others: "As ministers you should support your lord in peril and rescue the realm from chaos. At ease you did not remonstrate; in flight you did not follow — clinging to favor in calm times, fleeing in crisis — where was your integrity as ministers? The men fell silent and could not answer. Xiong replied: "When the sovereign trusted and favored his close attendants, we were not included in deliberations. When the imperial carriage went west, if we had rushed to follow at once, we feared we would seem no different from the flatterers' faction; by staying behind to await Your Highness, we have instead been blamed for not following. Caught between advance and retreat as we were, unable even to throw ourselves into a ditch, we are truly ashamed. The Prince rebuked them again: "You held the posts of speaking officials and ought to have given your lives for the state. You failed in loyalty and attached yourselves to flatterers — yet not one word of remonstrance was heard from you until the realm came to this pass. Who is to bear the guilt?" They were then executed; he was fifty years old. His household was confiscated. His two sons, Shican and Shizhen, fled into the west.
27
雄從父兄纂，字伯將。 學涉文史，溫良雅正。 初為兗州安東府主簿。 與祕書丞同郡李伯尚有舊，伯尚與咸陽王禧同逆，逃竄投纂。 事覺，坐免官。 積十餘年，除奉朝請。 稍轉太尉騎兵參軍，每為府主清河王懌所賞。 及欲定考，懌曰：「辛騎兵有學有才，宜為上第。」 轉越騎校尉。 尚書令李崇北伐蠕蠕，引為錄事參軍。 臨淮王彧北征，以纂隨崇有稱，啟為長史。 及廣陽王淵北伐，又引為長史。 尋拜諫議大夫。 雅為彧所稱歎，屢在朝廷薦舉之。
Xiong's older male cousin Zuan, styled Bojiang. He was learned in literature and history, gentle and upright in character. He first served as Recorder of the Eastern Pacification Office of Yan Province. He was old friends with Li Boshang, a Secretariat Director from the same commandery; Boshang joined the Prince of Xianyang, Xi, in rebellion, fled, and sought refuge with Zuan. When the matter came to light, he was dismissed from office. After more than ten years he was appointed Court Gentleman for Attendance. He was gradually transferred to Cavalry Adjutant of the Grand Commandant and was often praised by his superior, Prince Yi of Qinghe. When the annual merit review was due, Yi said: "Adjutant Xin has learning and talent and deserves the top grade. He was transferred to Colonel of Fast Cavalry. When Director Li Chong marched north against the Rouran, Zuan was brought in as Recording Adjutant. When Prince Yu of Huaiyang campaigned north, because Zuan had distinguished himself under Chong, Yu recommended him as Chief of Staff. When Prince Yuan of Guangyang campaigned north, he was again brought in as Chief of Staff. Soon after he was appointed Grand Master of Remonstrance. Yu consistently praised him and repeatedly recommended him at court.
28
尋除持節、平東將軍、中郎將，賜絹五十匹，金裝刀一口。 永安二年，元顥乘勝，卒至城下，尒朱世隆狼狽退還，城內空虛，遂為顥擒。 及莊帝還宮，纂謝不守之罪。 帝曰：「於時朕亦北巡。 東軍不守，[3]豈卿之過。」 還鎮虎牢，俄轉中軍將軍、滎陽太守。 民有姜洛生、康乞得者，舊是太守鄭仲明左右，豪猾偷竊，境內為患。 纂伺捕擒獲，梟於郡市，百姓忻然。 加鎮東將軍。 太昌中，除左光祿大夫。 纂僑寓洛陽，乃為河南邑中正。
Soon after he was appointed Bearer of the Staff, General Who Pacifies the East, and General of the Gentlemen, and was granted fifty bolts of silk and one gold-mounted blade. In the second year of Yongan, Yuan Hao pressed his advantage and suddenly appeared beneath the walls; Erzhu Shilong withdrew in disarray, the city was empty within, and Hao captured Zuan. When Emperor Zhuang returned to the palace, Zuan apologized for failing to hold the city. The Emperor said: "At that time I too was touring the north. The eastern army failed to hold — how could that be your fault?" He returned to garrison Hulao and soon was transferred to General of the Central Army and Governor of Xingyang. Among the people were Jiang Luosheng and Kang Qide, formerly attendants of the former governor Zheng Zhongming — violent thieves who plagued the territory. Zuan tracked them down, captured them, and displayed their heads in the commandery market; the people rejoiced. He was promoted to General Who Guards the East. In the Taichang era he was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Virtue on the Left. Zuan, a sojourner in Luoyang, served as Chief Rectifier of Henan.
29
永熙三年，除使持節、河內太守。 齊獻武王赴洛，兵集城下，纂出城謁王曰：「纂受詔於此，本有禦防。 大王忠貞王室，扶奬顛危，纂敢不匍匐。」 王曰：「吾志去姦佞，以康國道，河內此言，深得王臣之節。」 因命前侍中司馬子如曰：「吾行途疲弊，宜代吾執河內手也。」 便入洛。
In the third year of Yongxi he was appointed Bearer of the Staff and Governor of Henei. When Gao Huan marched on Luoyang and his troops gathered beneath the walls, Zuan went out to meet him and said: "I received my orders here and originally had the duty to defend this place. Your Highness is loyal to the throne and supports the realm in its peril — how could I not submit to you?" The Prince said: "My aim is to remove treacherous flatterers and restore the realm. These words from Henei show true ministerial integrity. He then ordered the former Attendant-in-Ordinary Sima Ziru: "I am weary from the road; you shall hold Henei in my stead. He then entered Luoyang.
30
九月，行西荊州事、兼尚書、南道行臺，尋正刺史。 時蠻酋樊五能破析陽郡，應宇文黑獺。 纂議欲出軍討之，纂行臺郎中李廣諫曰：「析陽四面無民，唯一城之地耳。 山路深險，表裏羣蠻。 今若少遣軍，則力不能制賊； 多遣，則減徹防衞，根本虛弱。 脫不如意，便大挫威名。 人情一去，州城難保。」 纂曰：「豈得縱賊不討，令其為患日深！」 廣曰：「今日之事，唯須萬全。 且慮在心腹，何暇疥癬。 聞臺軍已破洪威，計不久應至。 公但約勒屬城，使各修完壘壁，善撫百姓，以待救兵。 雖失析陽，如棄雞肋。」 纂曰：「卿言自是一途，我意以為不爾。」 遂遣兵攻之，不克而敗，諸將因亡不返。 城人又密招西賊，黑獺遣都督獨孤如願率軍潛至，突入州城，遂至廳閤。 纂左右惟五六人，短兵接戰，為賊所擒，遂害之。 贈都督定殷二州諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、尚書左僕射、司徒公、定州刺史。
In the ninth month he was charged with the affairs of Western Jing Province and served concurrently as Director and head of the Southern Route Mobile Office; soon after he was made regular Governor. At that time the barbarian chieftain Fan Wuneng seized Xiyang Commandery and rallied to Yuwen Heitu. Zuan proposed sending troops against him. Li Guang, a gentleman of Zuan's mobile office, remonstrated: "Xiyang has no population on all four sides — only a single walled place. The mountain roads are deep and perilous, and barbarians surround it on every side. If we send too few troops, we will lack the strength to control the bandits; if we send many, we weaken our garrisons and leave our base exposed. If things go badly, our prestige will suffer a great blow. Once morale collapses, the provincial capital will be hard to hold. Zuan said: "How can we leave the bandits unpunished and let the harm grow day by day!" Guang said: "In today's affair, only complete safety will do. Besides, when danger lies at the heart, who has time for a scratch? I hear the imperial army has already broken Hongwei, and relief should arrive before long. Your Excellency need only restrain the subordinate cities, have each repair its walls, treat the people well, and await relief. Even if we lose Xiyang, it is like discarding a chicken rib. Zuan said: "That is one course of action; I do not think it is right. He then sent troops to attack but failed and was defeated; the generals fled and did not return. The townspeople also secretly summoned the western rebels; Heitu sent the commander Dugu Ruyuan with troops who arrived in secret, burst into the provincial capital, and reached the hall pavilion. Zuan had only five or six men at his side; fighting at close quarters they were captured by the rebels and killed. He was posthumously granted Supervisor of all military affairs in Ding and Yin provinces, General of Fast Cavalry, Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, Duke of Tu, and Governor of Ding Province.
31
子子炎，武定中，博陵太守。
His son Ziyan served in the Wuding era as Governor of Boling.
32
雄從祖曇護，以謹厚見稱。 卒於并州州都。
Xiong's collateral ancestor Tanhu was praised for his prudence and steadiness. He died while serving as Chief Rectifier of Bing Province.
33
子熾，武定中，衞將軍、右光祿大夫。
His son Chi, in the Wuding era, served as General of the Guard and Grand Master of Splendid Virtue on the Right.
34
雄族祖琛，字僧貴。 父敬宗，[4]延興中代郡太守。 琛少孤，曾過友人，見其父母兄弟悉無恙，垂涕久之。 釋褐奉朝請，滎陽郡丞。 太守元麗性頗使酒，琛每諫之。 麗後醉，輒令閉閤，曰：「勿使丞入也。」 高祖南征，麗從輿駕，詔琛曰：「委卿郡事，如太守也。」 景明中，為伏波將軍、濟州輔國府長史。 轉奉車都尉，出為揚州征南府長史。 刺史李崇，多事產業，琛每諍折，崇不從，遂相糾舉，詔並不問。 後加龍驤將軍，帶南梁太守。 崇因置酒，謂琛曰：「長史後必為刺史，但不知得上佐何如人耳？」 琛對曰：「若萬一叨忝，得一方正長史，朝夕聞過，是所願也。」 崇有慚色。 卒於官。 琛寬雅有度量，涉獵經史，喜慍不形於色，當官奉法，在所有稱。
Xiong's clan forebear Chen, styled Senggui. His father Jingzong served in the Yanxing era as Governor of Dai Commandery. Chen lost his father young. Once when visiting a friend, he saw the friend's parents and brothers all safe and well, and wept for a long time. Upon first taking office he was appointed Court Gentleman for Attendance and Assistant Administrator of Xingyang Commandery. The governor Yuan Li was rather fond of drink, and Chen often remonstrated with him. When Li was drunk afterward, he would always have the gate shut and say, "Do not let the aide in." When Emperor Gaozu marched south, Li followed the imperial train, and an edict told Chen, "I entrust the commandery to you, as though you were its governor." In the Jingming era he was appointed General Who Quells Waves and Chief Clerk of the Jizhou Fuguo Headquarters. He was transferred to Bearer of the Imperial Carriage Commandant and dispatched as Chief Clerk of the Yangzhou Zhengnan Headquarters. The provincial governor Li Chong occupied himself with property and business ventures; Chen repeatedly remonstrated and argued him down. Chong would not heed him, and they eventually impeached each other; an edict ordered that neither case be pursued. Later he was additionally appointed General of Dragon Might, concurrently serving as Governor of Nanliang. Chong then set out wine and said to Chen, "The chief clerk will surely become a provincial governor one day, but who knows what sort of senior aide he will get?" Chen replied, "If by some chance I am undeservedly promoted, to have an upright chief clerk who tells me of my faults morning and evening — that is what I would wish for." Chong looked ashamed. He died in office. Chen was generous and refined, possessed of magnanimity, ranged widely through the classics and histories, never let joy or anger show on his face, upheld the law in office, and was praised wherever he served.
35
長子悠，字元壽，早有器業。 為侍御史，監揚州軍。 賊平，錄勳書，時崇猶為刺史，欲寄人名，悠不許。 崇曰：「我昔值其父，今復逢其子。」 早卒。
His eldest son You, styled Yuanshou, showed talent and promise from early on. He served as Attending Censor, supervising the Yangzhou army. When the rebels were pacified, merit rolls were compiled; Chong was still provincial governor and wished to insert other men's names — You refused. Chong said, "In the past I dealt with his father; now I meet his son again." He died young.
36
悠弟俊，字叔義，有文才。 東益州征虜府外兵參軍。 府主魏子建為山南行臺，以為郎中，有軍國機斷。 還京，於滎陽為人劫害。 贈征虜將軍、東秦州刺史。
You's younger brother Jun, styled Shuyi, possessed literary talent. He served as External Army Attendant in the Dongyizhou Zhenglu Headquarters. When the headquarters chief Wei Zijian served as Mobile Commandant for the South of the Mountains, Jun was appointed Gentleman of the Palace and showed decisive judgment in military and state affairs. On his return to the capital, he was robbed and killed at Xingyang. He was posthumously awarded the title General Who Punishes the Barbarians and Governor of Dongqin Province.
37
俊弟術，武定末，散騎常侍。
Jun's younger brother Shu, at the end of the Wuding era, served as Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry.
38
術弟休，字季令。 休弟脩，字季緒。 俱有學尚，亦早卒，時人傷惜之。
Shu's younger brother Xiu, styled Jiling. His younger brother Xiu, styled Jixu. All pursued learning; they too died young, and people of the time mourned and regretted their loss.
39
琛族子珍之，少有氣力。 太尉鎧曹行參軍，稍遷中堅將軍、司徒錄事參軍、廣州大中正。 丁憂去任。 尋起為汝北太守。 永安中，司空諮議參軍、通直常侍。 永熙中，襄城太守。 天平初，洛州以南人情駭懼，敕為大使，持節慰諭廣洛二州。 三年，除征東將軍、行陽平郡事。 郡民路黑奴起逆，攻郡，為黑奴所執。 諸賊勸殺之，黑奴曰：「成敗未可知，何為先殺太守也？」 乃將珍之自隨，待遇以禮。 右衞將軍郭瓊討平黑奴，乃得免。 興和中，為衞將軍、司徒司馬。 武定三年，除驃騎將軍、北海太守。 還為儀同開府長史、兼光祿少卿。 未幾，詔珍之持節為廣洛北荊揚雍襄六州慰勞大使、北荊鎮城、行廣州事，招納有稱。 齊文襄王遣書慰勉，賜以衣帛。 尋敕行平州，卒於官。 贈驃騎大將軍、洛州刺史，諡曰恭。
Chen's clansman Zhenzhi possessed physical vigor from youth. He served as Acting Army Attendant in the Grand Commandant's Armor Bureau, then was gradually promoted to General of the Central Garrison, Recorder in the Minister of Works' staff, and Chief Arbiter of Guangzhou. He left his post to observe mourning for a parent. Soon afterward he was recalled and appointed Governor of Rubei. In the Yong'an era he served as Advisory Attendant in the Ministry of Works and Palace Attendant Directly at the Gate. In the Yongxi era he was appointed Governor of Xiangcheng. At the beginning of Tianping, the people south of Luozhou were seized with fear; he was appointed commissioner bearing credentials to reassure and instruct the two provinces of Guang and Luo. In the third year he was appointed General Who Conquers the East and Acting Administrator of Yangping Commandery. A commandery resident named Lu Heinu rose in rebellion and attacked the commandery; Zhenzhi was captured by Heinu. The rebels urged that he be killed; Heinu said, "Victory or defeat is not yet certain — why kill the governor first?" Thereupon he kept Zhenzhi with him and treated him with courtesy. Right Guard General Guo Qiong suppressed Heinu and restored order, and only then was Zhenzhi released. In the Xinghe era he served as General of the Guard and Chief Clerk of the Minister of Works. In the third year of Wuding he was appointed General of Agile Cavalry and Governor of Beihai. On his return he served as Chief Clerk of an Opener of Offices with the same privilege as the Three Excellencies, concurrently serving as Vice Director of the Imperial Household. Before long, an edict appointed Zhenzhi commissioner bearing credentials as Reassurance and Solace Envoy for the six provinces of Guang, Luo, Northern Jing, Yang, Yong, and Xiang, Walled City Commander of Northern Jing, and Acting Administrator of Guangzhou; his work in recruiting and pacifying won praise. King Wenxiang of Qi sent a letter of comfort and encouragement and bestowed robes and silk. Soon he was ordered to administer Ping Province and died in office. He was posthumously awarded the title Grand General of Agile Cavalry and Governor of Luozhou, with the posthumous name Gong.
40
子懿，[5]武定末，開府鎧曹參軍。
His son Yi, at the end of the Wuding era, served as Army Attendant in the Opener of Offices' Armor Bureau.
41
羊深，字文淵，太山平陽人，[6]梁州刺史祉第二子也。 早有風尚，學涉經史，好文章，兼長几案。 少與隴西李神儁同志相友。 自司空府記室參軍轉輕車將軍、尚書騎兵郎。 尋轉駕部，加右軍將軍。 于時沙汰郎官，務精才實，深以才堪見留。 在公明斷，尚書僕射崔亮、吏部尚書甄琛咸敬重之。 肅宗行釋奠之禮，講孝經，儕輩之中獨蒙引聽，時論美之。
Yang Shen, styled Wenyuan, was a native of Pingyang in Taishan — the second son of Zhi, Governor of Liang Province. From youth he possessed moral refinement, studied the classics and histories broadly, loved literary composition, and was also skilled at administrative work. In youth he shared the same ideals and formed a close friendship with Li Shenjun of Longxi. From Recorder in the Ministry of Works he was transferred to General of Light Chariots and Gentleman in the Cavalry Section of the Ministry of Works. Soon he was transferred to the Transport Section and additionally appointed General of the Right. At that time the corps of palace gentlemen was being winnowed, with emphasis on genuine talent and solid accomplishment; Shen was kept on account of his abilities. In public affairs he was clear and decisive; Vice Director Cui Liang of the Ministry of Works and Minister of Personnel Zhen Chen both respected and esteemed him. When Emperor Suzong conducted the school sacrifice and lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety, Shen alone among his peers was invited to listen; contemporary opinion praised this.
42
正光末，北地人車金雀等帥羌胡反叛，高平賊宿勤明達寇豳夏諸州。 北海王顥為都督、行臺討之，以深為持節、通直散騎常侍、行臺左丞、軍司，仍領郎中。 顥敗，還京。 頃之，遷尚書左丞，加平東將軍、光祿大夫。 蕭寶夤反，攻圍華州。 正平薛鳳賢等聚眾作逆，[7]敕深兼給事黃門侍郎，與大行臺僕射長孫稚共會潼關，規模進止。 事平，以功賜爵新泰男。
At the end of Zhengguang, Che Jinque of Beidi and others led the Qiang and barbarians in rebellion; the bandit Suqin Mingda of Gaoping raided the provinces of Bin and Xia. Prince of Beihai Yuan Hao served as Commander and Mobile Commandant to suppress them; Shen was appointed Bearer of Credentials, Palace Attendant Directly at the Gate for Regular Cavalry, Left Adjutant of the Mobile Commandant, and Army Strategist, while still holding the post of Gentleman of the Palace. When Hao was defeated, Shen returned to the capital. Before long he was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Ministry of Works, additionally appointed General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of Splendid Virtue. Xiao Baoyin rebelled and besieged Huazhou. Xue Fengxian of Zhengping and others gathered multitudes and rose in rebellion; an edict appointed Shen concurrently as Master of Ceremonies of the Yellow Gate Attendant, and together with the Vice Minister of the Great Mobile Commandant Zhangsun Zhi he assembled at Tong Pass to plan strategy and movements. When the affair was pacified, he was granted the title Noble of Xintai for his merit.
43
靈太后曾幸邙山，集僧尼齋會，公卿盡在座。 會事將終，太后引見深，欣然勞問之。 深謝曰：「臣蒙國厚恩，世荷榮遇，寇難未平，是臣憂責，而隆私忽被，犬馬知歸。」 太后顧謂左右曰：「羊深真忠臣也。」 舉坐傾心。 孝昌末，徐方多事，以深為東道慰勞使，即為二徐行臺。 莊帝踐祚，除安東將軍、太府卿，又為二兗行臺。 深處分軍國，損益隨機，亦有時譽。
Empress Dowager Ling once visited Mount Mang and gathered monks and nuns for a fasting assembly; the ministers and high officials were all present. As the assembly was nearing its end, the empress dowager summoned Shen forward and graciously inquired after him with words of comfort. Shen thanked her, saying, "Your subject has received the state's abundant grace and borne honor for generations; the rebels are not yet pacified — that is your subject's worry and duty. Yet suddenly such private favor has been shown me; even horses and hounds know where to return home." The empress dowager turned to those beside her and said, "Yang Shen is a true loyal minister." The whole assembly was deeply moved. At the end of Xiaochang, Xu Province was troubled with many affairs; Shen was made Envoy to Comfort and Solace the Eastern Circuit and concurrently Mobile Commandant for the Two Xu Provinces. When Emperor Zhuang took the throne, Shen was appointed General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Steward of the Palace Treasury, and again served as Mobile Commandant for the Two Yan Provinces. Shen disposed of military and state affairs, adjusting gains and losses as circumstances required, and also won contemporary repute.
44
初，尒朱榮殺害朝士，深第七弟侃為太山太守，性粗武，遂率鄉人外託蕭衍。 深在彭城，忽得侃書，招深同逆。 深慨然流涕，斬侃使人，并書表聞。 莊帝乃下詔曰：「羊侃作逆，霧起瑕丘，擁集不逞，扇擾疆埸，傾宗之禍，侃乃自貽，累世之節，一朝毀汙。 羊深血誠奉國，秉操罔貳，聞弟猖勃，自劾請罪。 此之丹款，實戢于懷。 且叔向復位，春秋稱美，深之慷慨，氣同古人。 忠烈遠彰，赤心已著。 可令還朝，面受委敕。」 乃歸京師，除名。 久之，除撫軍將軍、金紫光祿大夫。
Initially, when Erzhu Rong slaughtered court officials, Shen's seventh younger brother Kan was Governor of Taishan; coarse and martial by nature, he led his townsfolk and outwardly submitted to Xiao Yan. Shen was at Pengcheng when he suddenly received Kan's letter inviting him to join the rebellion. Deeply moved, Shen wept; he beheaded Kan's messenger and submitted a memorial reporting the matter. Emperor Zhuang thereupon issued an edict saying, "Yang Kan has rebelled; mist rises at Xiaqiu as the unruly gather, inciting and disturbing the frontier — the calamity of overturning the ancestral temple Kan has brought upon himself, the integrity of generations ruined in a single morning. Yang Shen serves the state with blood sincerity and holds his principles without duplicity; learning that his brother ran riot, he impeached himself and requested punishment. Such loyal sincerity truly moves one in the heart. Moreover, when Shu Xiang was restored to office the Spring and Autumn Annals praised the deed; Shen's ardor matches the ancients in spirit. His loyal valor shines far; his devoted heart is already manifest. Let him return to court and receive appointment face to face." He then returned to the capital and was dismissed from his post. After a long interval he was appointed General Who Pacifies the Army and Grand Master of Splendid Virtue with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon.
45
元顥入洛，以深兼黃門郎。 顥平，免官。 後拜大鴻臚卿。 普泰初，遷散騎常侍、衞將軍、右光祿大夫，監起居注。 自天下多事，東西二省官員委積，前廢帝敕深與常侍盧道虔、元晏、元法壽選人補定，自奉朝請以上，各有沙汰。 尋兼侍中，廢帝甚親待之。
When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, Shen was concurrently appointed Master of the Yellow Gate Attendant. When Hao was pacified, Shen was dismissed from office. Later he was appointed Grand Master for Festivals. At the beginning of Putai he was promoted to Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry, General of the Guard, Grand Master of Splendid Virtue on the Right, and Supervisor of the Diary of Activity and Repose. From the time the empire was troubled with many affairs, officials in the eastern and western headquarters piled up in accumulated ranks; the Deposed Emperor ordered Shen together with Regular Attendants Lu Daogan, Yuan Yan, and Yuan Fashou to select men for appointment and fill vacancies, from Court Gentlemen for Attendance upward — each rank was winnowed. Soon he was additionally appointed Palace Attendant; the Deposed Emperor treated him with great intimacy.
46
是時膠序廢替，名教陵遲，深乃上疏曰：
At that time the ritual schools were abandoned and in decay, and moral teaching was in decline; Shen thereupon submitted a memorial, saying:
47
臣聞崇禮建學，列代之所修； 尊經重道，百王所不易。 是以均塾洞啟，昭明之頌載揚； 膠序大闢，都穆之詠斯顯。 伏惟大魏乘乾統物，欽若奉時，模唐軌虞，率由前訓。 重以高祖繼聖垂衣，儒風載蔚，得才之盛，如彼薪楢。 固以追隆周而並驅，駕炎漢而獨邁。 宣皇下武，式遵舊章，用能揄揚盛烈，聿修厥美。 自茲已降，世極道消，風猷稍遠，澆薄方競，退讓寂寥，馳競靡節。 進必吏能，升非學藝。 是使刀筆小用，計日而期榮； 專經大才，甘心於陋巷。 然治之為本，所貴得賢，苟值其人，豈拘常檢。 三代、兩漢，異世間出。 或釋褐中林，鬱登卿尹； 或投竿釣渚，徑升公相。 事炳丹青，義在往策。 彼哉邈乎，不可勝紀。
Your subject has heard that exalting ritual and establishing schools is what every dynasty has cultivated; honoring the classics and revering the Way is what no true king ever changes. Thus when the communal school of Zhou was broadly opened, the eulogy of Illustrious Brightness was raised; when the Jiao-Xu school was greatly established, the song of Du Mu appeared. Humbly considering that Great Wei, riding Heaven's mandate to govern all things, reverently follows the seasons, models Tang and treads in Yu's tracks, and proceeds by the teachings of former ages. All the more when Emperor Gaozu succeeded the sage and governed through non-action, Confucian wind flourished abundantly, and the gathering of talent was like firewood piled high. Therefore it can pursue and match the glory of Zhou, and driving past the Han of fire, go alone beyond. Emperor Xuanwu carried martial virtue downward and followed the old statutes, thereby able to spread the grand achievement and jointly repair its splendor. From then down, the age reached its limit and the Way declined; civilized teaching gradually receded, shallow customs competed openly, yielding and forbearance stood lonely, and headlong rivalry knew no restraint. Advance depended on clerical ability; promotion came without scholarly craft. Thus petty scriveners with minor skills counted the days expecting glory; while great talents devoted to the classics were content to remain in humble lanes. Yet the root of good government lies in valuing the worthy; if one obtains the right man, why be bound by ordinary rules? The Three Dynasties and the two Han eras produced them in different ages. Some donned their first official robes in obscure woodland and rose straight to high ministerial office; some cast fishing rods from river islets and ascended directly to the highest offices of state. Their deeds shine in the historical records; their righteousness lives on in the chronicles of former ages. Such men, how distant in time! They are beyond numbering.
48
竊以今之所用，弗修前矩。 至如當世通儒，冠時盛德，見徵不過四門，登庸不越九品。 以此取士，求之濟治，譬猶却行以及前，之燕而向楚。 積習之不可者，其所由來漸矣。 昔魯興泮宮，頌聲爰發； 鄭廢學校，國風以譏。 將以納民軌物，莫始於經禮； 菁莪育才，義光於篇什。 自兵亂以來，垂將十載，干戈日陳，俎豆斯闕。 四海荒涼，民物凋弊，名教頓虧，風流殆盡。 世之陵夷，可為歎息。
I venture to say that present practice no longer observes the standards of former ages. Take the great scholars of our own day, the foremost in virtue of the age: when summoned to office, they advance no further than the Four Gates; when promoted, they rise no higher than the Nine Ranks. To choose men of talent in this fashion and expect good government is like walking backward to advance, or setting out for Yan while facing toward Chu. That ingrained custom cannot easily be changed; it has taken shape little by little over time. In antiquity Lu established the Pan Palace, and songs of praise then arose; Zheng abolished its schools, and the state's songs turned this into satire. To bring the people within proper bounds and set things in order — nothing begins before the canonical rites; to nurture talent as in the Jing'e ode, its meaning shining in the Book of Songs. Since the wars began, nearly ten years have passed; arms are arrayed day after day, while ritual vessels stand empty. Across the realm lies desolation; people and goods are wasted away; moral teaching has suddenly collapsed, and civilized refinement is all but gone. The world's decline is cause for deep lament.
49
陛下中興纂曆，理運惟新，方隅稍康，實惟文德。 但禮賢崇讓之科，沿世未備； 還淳反樸之化，起言斯繆。 夫先黃老而退六經，史遷終其成蠹； 貴玄虛而賤儒術，應氏所以亢言。 臣雖不敏，敢忘前載。 且魏武在戎，尚修學校； 宣尼確論，造次必儒。 臣愚以為宜重修國學，廣延胄子，使函丈之教日聞，釋奠之禮不闕。 并詔天下郡國，興立儒教。 考課之程，咸依舊典。 苟經明行修，宜擢以不次。 抑斗筲喋喋之才，進大雅汪汪之德。 博收鴻生，以光顧問； 縶維奇異，共精得失。 使區寰之內，競務仁義之風； 荒散之餘，漸知禮樂之用。 豈不美哉！ 臣誠闇短，敢慕前訓，用稽古義，上塵聽覽。 伏願陛下垂就日之監，齊非煙之化，儻以臣言可採，乞特施行。
Your Majesty has revived the dynasty and taken up the imperial succession; Heaven's mandate is renewed; the borderlands are gradually at peace — truly through civil virtue. Yet the institutions for honoring the worthy and exalting forbearance have never been fully established across the ages; as for the transformation that would restore simplicity and plain virtue — to speak of it now is already mistaken. To put Huang-Lao first and push aside the Six Classics — Sima Qian in the end became a destroyer of proper learning; to prize mysterious emptiness and look down on Confucian learning — that is why the Ying clan spoke out so boldly. Though your subject lacks talent, how could he forget the lessons of former ages? Moreover, even when Emperor Wu of Wei was campaigning in the field, he still maintained the schools; Confucius's settled teaching was that even in haste one must hold to the rites. Your subject humbly believes the National University should be rebuilt and imperial scions broadly enrolled, so that instruction at the master's lectern is heard every day and the libation sacrifice is never omitted. An edict should also go out to every commandery and kingdom to establish Confucian teaching. Examination procedures should all follow the old statutes. If a man is versed in the classics and upright in conduct, he should be promoted out of turn. Hold back the petty chatter of small-minded schemers, and advance men of broad and generous virtue. Broadly gather eminent scholars to enrich the ranks of imperial advisers; bind and keep men of rare talent, and together refine what is right and wrong. So that throughout the realm all strive after the spirit of benevolence and righteousness; and in the scattered ruins left by chaos, gradually come again to know the use of ritual and music. Would that not be splendid! Your subject is truly dull and limited, yet dares to follow the teachings of old, examine their meaning in light of antiquity, and lay this before your Majesty's hearing. I humbly pray that Your Majesty will extend the radiance of one who gazes upon the sun, and bring about a transformation pure as cloudless sky; if my words may be adopted, I beg that they be put into effect at once.
50
廢帝善之。
The Deposed Emperor approved the memorial.
51
出帝初，拜中書令。 頃之，轉車騎大將軍、左光祿大夫。 永熙三年六月，以深兼御史中尉、東道軍司。 及出帝入關，深與樊子鵠等同逆於兗州。 子鵠署深為齊州刺史，於太山博縣商王村結壘，招引山齊之民。 天平二年正月，大軍討破之，於陳斬深。
When Emperor Chu first ascended the throne, Shen was appointed Director of the Central Secretariat. Before long he was transferred to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Glorious Great Master. In the sixth month of Yongxi 3, Shen was additionally appointed Censor-in-Chief and Eastern Route Army Supervisor. When Emperor Chu entered the pass, Shen joined Fan Zihu and others in rebellion at Yan Province. Fan Zihu appointed Shen Governor of Qi Province; at Shangwang Village in Bo County on Mount Tai he built a fortress and rallied the Mountain Qi people. In the first month of Tianping 2, the main army crushed them and executed Shen at Chen.
52
子肅，武定末，儀同開府東閤祭酒。
His son Su, at the end of the Wuding era, served as Colonel-Director Opening-the-Fief, Eastern Pavilion Libationer.
53
楊機，字顯略，天水冀人。 祖伏恩，郡功曹，赫連屈丐時將家奔洛陽，因以家焉。 機少有志節，為士流所稱。 河南尹李平、元暉並召署功曹，暉尤委以郡事。 或謂暉曰：「弗躬弗親，庶人弗信，何得委事於機，高臥而已。」 暉曰：「吾聞君子勞於求士，逸於任賢。 故前代有坐嘯之人，主諾之守。 吾既委得其才，何為不可？」 由是聲名更著。
Yang Ji, styled Xianlue, was a native of Ji in Tianshui. His grandfather Fu'en served as Commandery Merit Officer; during the reign of Helian Qubugai he fled with his family to Luoyang and made it his home. From youth Ji possessed resolve and integrity and was praised by men of standing. Henan Intendant Li Ping and Yuan Hui both summoned him to serve as Merit Officer; Hui especially entrusted him with commandery affairs. Someone said to Hui, "If one is not personally diligent, the common people will not trust him — how can you entrust affairs to Ji and simply recline at ease?" Hui replied, "I have heard that the gentleman toils in seeking men of talent but rests once he has entrusted the worthy. That is why in former ages there were men who sat and whistled while others governed, and prefects who merely assented to what their subordinates did. Since I have entrusted affairs to a man who truly has the talent, why should I not?" From this his reputation grew even greater.
54
解褐奉朝請。 於時皇子國官，多非其人，詔選清直之士，機見舉為京兆王愉國中尉，愉甚敬憚之。 遷給事中、伏波將軍、廷尉評。 延昌中，行河陰縣事。 機當官正色，不避權勢，明達政事，斷獄以情，甚有聲譽。 平東將軍、荊州刺史楊大眼啟為其府長史。 熙平中，為涇州平西府長史。 尋授河陰令，轉洛陽令，京輦伏其威風，希有干犯。 凡訴訟者，一經其前，後皆識其名姓，并記事理，世咸異之。 遷鎮軍將軍、司州治中，轉別駕。 荊州蠻叛，兼尚書左丞、南道行臺討之。 還，除中散大夫，復為別駕，州牧、高陽王雍事多委機。 出除清河內史，轉左將軍、河北太守，並有能名。 建義初，拜平南將軍、光祿大夫、兼廷尉卿。 又除安南將軍、司州別駕。 未幾，行河南尹。 轉廷尉卿，徙衞尉卿，出除安西將軍、華州刺史。 永熙中，衞將軍、右光祿大夫。 尋除度支尚書。
Upon first taking office he served as Attending Palace Gentleman. At the time many officials in the princes' states were unfit for their posts; an edict called for upright men to be selected. Ji was nominated Attending Commandant in Prince Jingzhao Yu's state, and Yu greatly respected and feared him. He was promoted to Attendant Within, General Who Quells Waves, and Judge of the Court of Justice. During the Yan chang era he served as acting magistrate of Heyin County. Ji held office with an upright bearing, did not shrink from the powerful, understood government clearly, and judged cases according to the facts — he won great renown. Pingdong General and Jingzhou Governor Yang Dayan recommended him as Chief Clerk of his headquarters. During the Xiping era he served as Chief Clerk of the Pingxi Headquarters in Jingzhou. Soon he was appointed magistrate of Heyin, then transferred to magistrate of Luoyang; the capital submitted to his imposing authority, and few dared to transgress. Every litigant who once appeared before him — afterward he could recall their names and remember the facts of their cases; people everywhere marveled at this. He was promoted to Garrison Army General and Bureau Director of Sizhou, then transferred to Administrative Assistant. When the tribes of Jingzhou rebelled, he was additionally appointed Left Assistant Minister of the Department of State Affairs and Southern Route Mobile Commandant to suppress them. On his return he was appointed Regular Attendant for Dispersal and again served as Administrative Assistant; Provincial Governor Prince Gaoyang Yong entrusted many affairs to Ji. He was sent out as Administrator of Qinghe, then transferred to Left General and Governor of Hebei — in every post he won a reputation for ability. At the beginning of the Jianyi era he was appointed Pingnan General, Glorious Great Master, and concurrently Minister of Justice. He was also appointed Annan General and Administrative Assistant of Sizhou. Before long he served as acting Henan Intendant. He was transferred to Minister of Justice, moved to Minister of the Guards, and sent out as Annxi General and Governor of Huazhou. During the Yongxi era he served as Guards General and Right Glorious Great Master. Soon he was appointed Minister of Revenue.
55
機方直之心久而彌厲，奉公正己，為時所稱。 家貧無馬，多乘小犢車，時論許其清白。 與辛雄等並誅，年五十九。
Ji's upright and uncompromising spirit grew fiercer with the years; he upheld fairness and kept himself in check, and was praised by his contemporaries. His family was poor and owned no horses; he often rode in a small ox-cart, and public opinion praised his integrity. He was executed together with Xin Xiong and others at the age of fifty-nine.
56
子毗羅，解褐開府參軍事，卒於鎮遠將軍。
His son Piluo, upon first taking office, served as Opening-the-Fief Army Attendant and died while holding the rank of General Who Pacifies the Distance.
57
機兄順，字元信。 梁郡太守。
Ji's elder brother Shun, styled Yuanxin. He served as Governor of Liang Commandery.
58
順子僧靜，武定中，太中大夫。
Shun's son Sengjing, during the Wuding era, served as Palace Attendant.
59
機兄子虬，少有公幹。 頻為司州記室戶曹從事。 早卒。
Ji's nephew Qiu showed administrative talent from youth. He repeatedly served as Recorder and Households Clerk Attendant in Sizhou. He died young.
60
高崇，字積善，勃海蓨人。 四世祖撫，晉永嘉中與兄顧避難奔於高麗。 父潛，顯祖初歸國，賜爵開陽男，居遼東，詔以沮渠牧犍女賜潛為妻，封武威公主。 拜駙馬都尉，加寧遠將軍，卒。 崇少聰敏，以端謹見稱。 徵為中散，稍遷尚書三公郎。 家資富厚，僮僕千餘，而崇志尚儉素，車馬器服，充事而已。 自修潔，與物無競。 初崇舅氏坐事誅，公主痛本生絕胤，遂以崇繼牧犍後，改姓沮渠。 景明中，啟復本姓，襲爵，遷領軍長史、伏波將軍、洛陽令。 為政清斷，吏民畏其威風，每有發摘，不避強禦，縣內肅然。 朝廷方有遷授，會病卒，年三十七。 贈漁陽太守。 永安二年，復贈征虜將軍、滄州刺史，諡曰成。 初崇謂友人曰：「仲尼四科，德行為首。 人能立身約己，不忘典訓，斯亦足矣。 故吾諸子。」 〈闕〉}}
Gao Chong, styled Jishan, was a native of Tiao in Bohai. His fourth-generation ancestor Fu, during the Jin Yongjia era, fled with his elder brother Gu to Goguryeo to escape the turmoil. His father Qian returned to the realm at the beginning of Emperor Xianzu's reign, was enfeoffed as Baron of Kaiyang, and lived in Liaodong; an edict gave him the daughter of Juqu Mujian as his wife and enfeoffed her as Princess Wuwei. He was appointed Commandant of Mounted Escort, additionally made General of Pacifying the Distance, and died. From youth Chong was clever and was praised for his propriety and prudence. He was summoned as Attendant for Scattering and gradually promoted to Gentleman of Three Excellencies in the Department of State Affairs. His family was wealthy, with more than a thousand servants, yet Chong aspired to plain simplicity; carriages, horses, utensils, and robes were only enough to meet his needs. He cultivated himself and lived cleanly, striving against no one. At first Chong's maternal uncle was executed for a crime; the princess grieved that her birth clan had no heir, so Chong was made heir to Mujian's line and changed his surname to Juqu. During the Jingming era he memorialized to restore his original surname, inherited the enfeoffment, and was promoted to Chief Clerk of the Army of the Capital Garrison, General Who Quells Waves, and Magistrate of Luoyang. He governed with clarity and decisiveness; officials and commoners feared his authority; whenever he exposed wrongdoing he did not shrink from the powerful, and the county became thoroughly orderly. The court was just about to transfer and promote him when he died of illness at the age of thirty-seven. He was posthumously awarded the title Governor of Yuyang. In Yong'an 2 he was again posthumously awarded General Who Subdues the Barbarians and Governor of Cangzhou, with the posthumous name Cheng. Once Chong said to a friend, "Confucius's four categories of men — virtue and conduct come first. If a man can stand on his own and keep himself in check, never forgetting the teachings of the classics, that is enough. That is what I tell my sons." 〈The passage is lost in the source.〉
61
子謙之，字道讓。 少事後母李以孝聞，李亦撫育過於己生，人莫能辨其兄弟所出同異。 論者兩重之。 及長，屏絕人事，專意經史，天文算曆、圖緯之書，多所該涉，日誦數千言，好文章，留意老易。 襲爵，釋褐奉朝請，加宣威將軍，轉奉車都尉、廷尉丞。
His son Qianzhi, styled Daorang. As a youth he served his stepmother Lady Li and was renowned for filial piety; Lady Li in turn raised him even more tenderly than her own sons, so that no one could tell which brothers shared the same birth. Commentators praised them both alike. When he came of age, he withdrew from worldly affairs and devoted himself to the classics and histories; he mastered astronomy, calendrics, and prognostic texts, recited several thousand characters each day, loved good writing, and studied the Laozi and the Book of Changes with care. He inherited his father's title, entered office as Attendance at Court, was additionally appointed General Who Displays Might, and was transferred to Commandant of the Chariots and Assistant in the Court of Imperial Justice.
62
正光中，尚書左丞元孚慰勞蠕蠕，反被拘留。 及蠕蠕大掠而還，置孚歸國。 事下廷尉，卿及監以下謂孚無坐，惟謙之以孚辱命，□以流罪。 尚書同卿執，詔可謙之奏。
During the Zhenguang era, Left Assistant in the Department of State Affairs Yuan Fu was sent to console the Rouran, but was detained instead. When the Rouran finished their great raid and withdrew, they released Fu to return home. The case was referred to the Court of Imperial Justice. The Chief Minister and all officials below him, including the Supervisors, held that Fu was not guilty; only Qianzhi argued that Fu had disgraced his mission and should be sentenced to exile. The Department of State Affairs agreed with the Chief Minister, but an edict approved Qianzhi's recommendation.
63
孝昌初，行河陰縣令。 先是，有人囊盛瓦礫，指作錢物，詐市人馬，因逃去。 詔令追捕，必得以聞。 謙之乃偽枷一囚立於馬市，宣言是前詐市馬賊，今欲刑之。 密遣腹心察市中私議者。 有二人相見忻然曰：「無復憂矣。」 執送按問，具伏盜馬，徒黨悉獲。 并出前後盜竊之處，資貨甚多，遠年失物之家，各來得其本物。 具以狀奏。 尋詔除寧遠將軍，正河陰令。 在縣二年，損益治體，多為故事。 弟道穆為御史，在公亦有能名，世美其父子兄弟並著當官之稱。
At the opening of the Xiaochang era, he served as Acting Magistrate of Heyin County. Previously, a man had filled sacks with rubble, passed them off as money or valuables, fraudulently bought horses and men in the market, and then escaped. An edict ordered that the criminals be pursued and that the matter be reported once they were caught. Qianzhi then had a prisoner falsely placed in the cangue and set up in the horse market, announcing that this was the earlier swindler who had cheated the market and was now to be executed. In secret he sent trusted agents to listen to private talk in the market. Two men met and said with relief, "No more need to worry." They were seized and questioned, confessed fully to horse theft, and all their accomplices were captured. They also revealed the sites of earlier thefts; the stolen goods were very numerous, and families that had lost property years before each came and recovered what was theirs. He submitted a full report to the throne. Soon an edict appointed him General Who Pacifies the Distance and confirmed him as Magistrate of Heyin. During his two years in the county, he improved the structure of local governance, and much of what he did became precedent. His younger brother Daomu served as Investigating Censor and likewise earned a reputation for competence; contemporaries praised the whole family for their distinction in office.
64
舊制，二縣令得面陳得失，時佞幸之輩惡其有所發聞，遂共奏罷。 謙之乃上疏曰：「臣以無庸，謬宰神邑，實思奉法不撓，稱是官方，酬朝廷無貲之恩，盡人臣守器之節。 但豪家支屬，戚里親媾，縲紲所及，舉目多是，皆有盜憎之色，咸起怨上之心。 縣令輕弱，何能克濟。 先帝昔發明詔，得使面陳所懷。 臣亡父先臣崇之為洛陽令，常得入奏是非，所以朝貴斂手，無敢干政。 近日以來，此制遂寢，致使神宰威輕，下情不達。 今二聖遠遵堯舜，憲章高祖。 愚臣望策其駑蹇，少立功名。 乞新舊典，更明往制。 庶姦豪知禁，頗自屏心。」 詔曰：「此啟深會朕意，付外量聞。」
Under the old system, the two county magistrates could report problems and successes directly to the throne; the flatterers and favorites of the day hated anything that might be exposed, and together they memorialized to abolish the practice. Qianzhi then submitted a memorial saying, "I am without merit, yet have been wrongly placed as magistrate of the sacred capital. I truly mean to uphold the law without yielding, to measure up to the standards of office, to repay the court's boundless grace, and to fulfill a minister's duty of guarding his charge. But the collateral branches of great clans and the marriage kin of the imperial family — wherever my arrests reach, nearly everyone involved is of that sort. They all wear the look of thieves under threat, and all harbor resentment against their superiors. A county magistrate is weak and powerless — how can he prevail? The late emperor once issued a clear edict allowing magistrates to state their views directly to the throne. My late father, the former minister Chong, when he was Magistrate of Luoyang, was often able to enter court and report what was right and wrong; because of this the great officials of the capital held back and none dared meddle in government. In recent times this system has fallen into disuse, so that the emperor's authority has weakened and the concerns of the people no longer reach the throne. Now the Two Sages look far back to Yao and Shun and take the Grand Ancestor's institutions as their model. Your unworthy subject hopes to spur his feeble efforts and achieve even a little merit. I beg that old and new regulations be reviewed and the former system restored in plain terms. Then perhaps the powerful and lawless will know their limits and restrain themselves somewhat." The edict replied, "This memorial goes deeply to Our intent; refer it outward for deliberation and report."
65
謙之又上疏曰：
Qianzhi submitted another memorial, saying,
66
臣聞夏德中微，少康成克復之主； 周道將廢，宣王立中興之功。 則知國無常安，世無恒弊，唯在明主所以變之有方，化之有道耳。
I have heard that when the virtue of Xia waned in its middle age, Shaokang became a ruler who restored the dynasty; when the Way of Zhou was nearing collapse, King Xuan achieved the work of revival. From this one knows that no state enjoys permanent peace and no age suffers eternal decline — all depends on whether the enlightened ruler knows how to change affairs and has a Way to transform them.
67
自正光已來，邊城屢擾，命將出師，相繼於路，軍費戎資，委輸不絕。 至如弓格賞募，咸有出身； 槊刺斬首，又蒙階級。 故四方壯士，願征者多，各各為己，公私兩利。 若使軍帥必得其人，賞勳不失其實，則何賊不平，何征不捷也！ 諸守帥或非其才，多遣親者妄稱入募，別倩他人引弓格，虛受征官。 身不赴陳，惟遣奴客充數而已，對寇臨敵，曾不彎弓。 則是王爵虛加，征夫多闕，賊虜何可殄除，忠貞何以勸誡也？ 且近習、侍臣、戚屬、朝士，請託官曹，擅作威福。 如有清貞奉法不為回者，咸共譖毀，橫受罪罰。 在朝顧望，誰肯申聞？ 蔽上擁下，虧風壞政。 使讒諂甘心，忠讜息義。
Since the Zhenguang era the border fortresses have been repeatedly harassed; orders sending generals to the field have followed one after another, and military expenses and war supplies have flowed without cease. For example, those rewarded for passing the bow-drawing recruitment test all gained entry to office; those who scored spear thrusts and beheadings in battle again received promotion in rank. Therefore brave men from every quarter who wished to serve in the campaigns were many; each pursued his own gain, and both state and individual benefited. If army commanders were always the right men and rewards for merit always matched real achievement, then what enemy could not be subdued, what campaign could fail! Many garrison commanders were unfit for their posts; they often sent relatives who falsely claimed to have enrolled for recruitment, then hired others to draw the bow in the test and received conscript officer rank without merit. They themselves never went to the front but only sent slave retainers to fill the rolls; when facing the enemy they never so much as bent a bow. Thus royal ranks were handed out for nothing, and the ranks of conscript soldiers stood largely empty — how could bandits and invaders be destroyed, and how could loyalty and integrity be rewarded? Moreover, close attendants, palace attendants, imperial kin, and court officials solicit favors from government offices and wield power arbitrarily. If anyone was upright, upheld the law, and refused to bend, they all joined in slandering him and he suffered punishment without cause. Looking about at court, who would dare speak out? They hide the truth from superiors and block those below, damaging public morals and ruining good government. Thus slander and flattery flourish, while loyal remonstrance falls silent.
68
況且頻年以來，多有徵發，民不堪命，動致流離，苟保妻子，競逃王役，不復顧其桑井，憚比刑書。 [8]正由還有必困之理，歸無自安之路。 若聽歸其本業，徭役微甄，則還者必眾，墾田增闢，數年之後，大獲課民。 今不務以理還之，但欲嚴符切勒，恐數年之後，走者更多，安業無幾。
Moreover, in recent years levies and conscription have been frequent; the people cannot bear the burden and readily take flight. To preserve their wives and children they compete to evade imperial service, no longer caring for their homesteads, fearing only the penalties of the law. It is precisely because those who return still face certain hardship, while those at home have no secure path to peace. If they were allowed to return to their original occupations and corvée and taxes were lightly assessed, returnees would surely be numerous; reclaimed land would expand, and within a few years tax revenue would greatly increase. Now, instead of trying to win them back through reasonable policy, the court only seeks to enforce strict orders and tight commands — I fear that after several years there will be more fugitives and fewer who remain at their occupations.
69
故有國有家者，不患民不我歸，唯患政之不立，不恃敵不我攻，唯恃吾不可侮。 此乃千載共遵，百王一致。 且琴瑟不韻，知音改弦更張； 騑驂未調，善御執轡成組。 諺云：「迷而知反，得道不遠。」 此言雖小，可以諭大。 陛下一日萬機，事難周覽，元、凱結舌，莫肯明言。 臣雖庸短，世受榮祿，竊慕前賢匪躬之義，不避斧鉞之誅，以希一言之益。 伏願少垂覽察，略加推採，使朝章重舉，軍威更振，海內起惟新之歌，天下見復禹之績，則臣奏之後，笑入下泉。
Therefore the ruler of a state or a family does not worry that the people will not come back to him, but worries that his government will not stand firm; he does not rely on enemies refraining from attack, but relies on making himself not to be despised. This is what every age has observed and every sage king has held as one. When the qin and se are out of tune, the knowing musician changes the strings and restrings the instrument; when the paired horses are not in step, the skilled driver takes the reins and sets them to rights. A proverb says, "When you are lost, to turn back — the Way is not far." Though this saying is small, it can instruct what is great. Your Majesty handles ten thousand affairs each day, and it is hard to see everything; even men of wisdom hold their tongues and will not speak plainly. I am mediocre and of little account, yet I have received honor and salary for generations; I privately admire the former worthies' principle of not sparing oneself, and do not shrink from death by axe and halberd in hope of offering even one word of benefit. I humbly pray that Your Majesty will look into these matters and act upon them, so that court institutions are restored, military prestige renewed, songs of renewal rise across the realm, and the world sees achievements like those of Yu's restoration — then after this memorial I may go down smiling to the grave.
70
靈太后得其疏，以責左右近侍。 諸寵要者由是疾之，乃啟太后云：「謙之有學藝，宜在國學，以訓胄子。」 詔從之，除國子博士。
Empress Dowager Ling received his memorial and rebuked the close attendants around her. Those who held favor and power therefore resented him and memorialized the Empress Dowager, saying, "Qianzhi has learning and talent; he should serve in the Imperial Academy to instruct the imperial students." An edict approved; he was appointed Erudite of the Imperial Academy.
71
謙之與袁翻、常景、酈道元、溫子昇之徒，咸申款舊。 好於贍恤，言諾無虧。 居家僮隸，對其兒不撻其父母，生三子便免其一，世無髠黥奴婢，常稱俱禀人體，如何殘害。 以父舅氏沮渠蒙遜曾據涼土，國書漏闕，謙之乃修涼書十卷，行於世。 涼國盛事佛道，為論貶之，因稱佛是九流之一家。 當世名士，競以佛理來難，謙之還以佛義對之，竟不能屈。 以時所行歷，多未盡善，乃更改元修撰，為一家之法，雖未行於世，議者歎其多能。
Qianzhi renewed old friendships with Yuan Fan, Chang Jing, Li Daoyuan, Wen Zisheng, and others of that circle. He loved to provide for and care for others; in word and promise he never failed. At home, before his children he would not have male and female servants beaten for their parents' sake; when a servant bore three sons he exempted one from service; in his household there were no shaved or tattooed slave women, for he often said that all alike receive the human body — how could one mutilate it? Because his maternal grandfather's clan, Juqu Mengxun, had once held Liang territory and the official histories were incomplete, Qianzhi compiled a History of Liang in ten scrolls, which circulated widely. The Northern Liang had greatly favored Buddhism; in his treatise he criticized this and accordingly called Buddhism one school among the Nine Schools of thought. Famous scholars of the age competed to challenge him with Buddhist doctrine; Qianzhi answered with Buddhist reasoning, and in the end none could defeat him. Because the calendar then in use was in many respects still imperfect, he revised the era designation and compiled a calendrical system of his own; though it was never adopted, commentators admired his many talents.
72
於時朝議鑄錢，以謙之為鑄錢都將長史。 乃上表求鑄三銖錢曰：
At that time the court debated minting coin, and Qianzhi was appointed Chief Clerk to the Director of Coinage. He then submitted a memorial requesting that three-zhu coins be cast, saying,
73
蓋錢貨之立，本以通有無，便交易。 故錢之輕重，世代不同。 太公為周置九府圜法，至景王時更鑄大錢。 秦兼海內，錢重半兩。 漢興，以秦錢重，改鑄榆莢錢。 至文帝五年，復為四銖。 孝武時，悉復銷壞，更鑄三銖，至元狩中，變為五銖。 又造赤仄之錢，以一當五。 王莽攝政，錢有六等，大錢重十二銖，次九銖，次七銖，次五銖，次三銖，次一銖。 魏文帝罷五銖錢，至明帝復立。 孫權江左，鑄大錢，一當五百。 權赤烏年，復鑄大錢，一當千。 輕重大小，莫不隨時而變。
In general, money was originally instituted to pass goods between those who have and those who lack and to facilitate exchange. Therefore the weight of coin has differed from one age to the next. The Grand Duke established the Nine Treasuries round-coin standard for Zhou; by the time of King Jing of Zhou, large coins were recast. When Qin united the realm, coin weighed half a liang. When Han arose, because Qin coin was too heavy, elm-seed coin was recast. By the fifth year of Emperor Wen it was again made four zhu. Under Emperor Wu all existing coin was melted down and recast as three-zhu coin; by the middle of the Yuanshou era it was changed to five zhu. Red-edge coin was also minted, with one counting as five. When Wang Mang held regency, coin had six denominations: large coin weighing twelve zhu, then nine zhu, then seven zhu, then five zhu, then three zhu, then one zhu. Emperor Wen of Wei abolished five-zhu coin; under Emperor Ming it was restored. Sun Quan in the lands south of the Yangzi cast large coins, one counting as five hundred. In Sun Quan's Chiwu era, large coins were again cast, one counting as a thousand. Light and heavy, large and small — all changed with the times.
74
竊以食貨之要，八政為首； 聚財之貴，詒訓典文。 是以昔之帝王，乘天地之饒，御海內之富，莫不腐紅粟於太倉，藏朽貫於泉府，儲畜既盈，民無困敝，可以寧謐四極，如身使臂者矣。 昔漢之孝武，地廣財豐，外事四戎，遂虛國用。 於是草萊之臣，出財助國； 興利之計，納稅廟堂。 市列榷酒之官，邑有告緡之令。 鹽鐵既興，錢幣屢改，少府遂豐，上林饒積。 外闢百蠻，內不增賦者，皆計利之由也。 今羣妖未息，四郊多壘，徵稅既煩，千金日費，資儲漸耗，財用將竭，誠楊氏獻說之秋，桑、兒言利之日。 夫以西京之盛，錢猶屢改，並行小大，子母相權，況今寇難未除，州郡淪敗，民物凋零，軍國用少，別鑄小錢，可以富益，何損於政，何妨於人也？ 且政興不以錢大，政衰不以錢小，惟貴公私得所，政化無虧，既行之於古，亦宜效之於今矣。 昔禹遭大水，以歷山之金鑄錢，救民之困。 湯遭大旱，以莊山之金鑄錢，贖民之賣子者。 今百姓窮悴，甚於曩日，欽明之主豈得垂拱而觀之哉？
I consider that among the essentials of food and goods, the eight policies of governance take first place; and in the value of gathering wealth, the instructions handed down in canonical texts. Therefore the emperors and kings of old, possessing the abundance of Heaven and Earth and the wealth of the realm, all filled the Grand Granary until grain rotted and the treasury until strings of cash decayed; once stores were full the people knew no hardship, and they could bring peace to the four quarters as though the arm obeyed the body. Formerly Emperor Wu of Han, with broad territory and rich treasury, undertook foreign campaigns against the four barbarian frontiers and thus emptied the state's resources. Thereupon humble men from the countryside came forth with wealth to assist the state; and schemes for increasing revenue were admitted in the imperial hall. Markets had offices for the wine monopoly; districts had orders for reporting concealed wealth. Once the salt and iron monopolies were established and coin was repeatedly changed, the Privy Treasury grew rich and the Upper Park's stores multiplied. Campaigning against barbarians abroad without increasing taxes at home — all of this came from calculating profit. Now rebellion has not ceased; on every frontier ramparts multiply; levies and taxes are already burdensome and a thousand gold is spent each day; stores gradually dwindle and the treasury is nearly exhausted — truly this is the season when men like Yang offer counsel and the day when men like Sang and Er speak of profit. When even the flourishing Western Capital changed coin repeatedly, large and small circulated together and mother and child coins balanced each other — how much more now, when banditry is not yet suppressed, prefectures and commanderies have fallen, people and goods are wasted, and military and state expenditure is scarce: to cast separate small coin can enrich the treasury — what harm to government, what injury to the people? Moreover, good government does not depend on large coin, nor does bad government come from small coin — what matters is only that public and private interests are properly balanced and governance suffers no harm; since this was practiced in antiquity, it should also be followed today. In antiquity, when Yu encountered the great flood, he used gold from Lishan Mountain to cast coin and relieve the people's distress. When Tang encountered great drought, he used gold from Zhuangshan to cast coin and redeem people who had sold their children. Today the common people are destitute and exhausted, more so than in former times — how can a reverent and enlightened sovereign simply stand aside and watch?
75
臣今此鑄，以濟交乏，五銖之錢，任使並用，行之無損，國得其益，穆公之言於斯驗矣。 臣雖術愧計然，識非心算，暫充錢官，頗覩其理。 苟有所益，不得不言。 脫以為疑，求下公卿博議。 如謂為允，即乞施行。
Your servant now proposes this coinage to relieve shortages in commerce; the five-zhu coin may be used freely alongside it — in practice there is no harm and the state will benefit. Duke Mu's words are here proved true. Though your servant's skill cannot compare with Ji Ran's, and my knowledge falls short of mental reckoning, in serving temporarily as coin officer I have seen much of how the system works. If there is some benefit to be gained, I cannot remain silent. If Your Majesty has doubts, I ask that the matter be referred to the chief ministers for full deliberation. If it is judged acceptable, I beg that it be implemented at once.
76
詔將從之，事未就，會卒。
An edict was about to approve the proposal, but the matter was not finished when he died.
77
初，謙之弟道穆，正光中為御史，糾相州刺史李世哲事，大相挫辱，其家恒以為憾。 至是，世哲弟神軌為靈太后深所寵任，直謙之家僮訴良，神軌左右之，入諷尚書，判禁謙之於廷尉。 時將赦，神軌乃啟靈太后發詔，於獄賜死，時年四十二。 朝士莫不哀之。 所著文章百餘篇，別有集錄。 永安中，贈征虜將軍、營州刺史，諡曰康，又除一子出身，以明冤屈。 謙之妻中山張氏，明識婦人也。 教勸諸子，從師受業。 常誡之曰：「自我為汝家婦，未見汝父一日不讀書。 汝等宜各修勤，勿替先業。」
Earlier, Qianzhi's younger brother Daomu had served as censor during the Zhenguang era and impeached Xiangzhou Inspector Li Shizhe on various charges, greatly humiliating him; Li's family had long resented this. At this time Shizhe's younger brother Shen Gui was deeply favored and trusted by Empress Dowager Ling. He immediately had a servant of Qianzhi's household bring suit claiming free commoner status; Shen Gui backed the case, went to the Department of State Affairs to drop hints, and Qianzhi was sentenced to imprisonment in the Court of Imperial Justice. Just as an amnesty was about to be proclaimed, Shen Gui memorialized Empress Dowager Ling to issue an edict ordering Qianzhi's death in prison; he was then forty-two years old. Every court official mourned him. He wrote more than a hundred essays, which were collected in a separate volume. In the Yong'an era he was posthumously appointed General Who Subdues Barbarians and Inspector of Yingzhou, with the posthumous title Kang; one son was also granted initial office rank to acknowledge the injustice done to him. Qianzhi's wife was Lady Zhang of Zhongshan, a woman of keen intelligence. She taught and encouraged her sons to study under teachers. She often warned them, saying, "Since I became your family's daughter-in-law, I have never seen your father go a single day without reading. You should each work hard and not abandon your ancestors' way of life."
78
謙之長子子儒，字孝禮。 元顥入洛，其叔道穆從駕北巡，子儒後踰河至行宮，莊帝見之，具訪洛中事意，子儒備陳元顥敗在旦夕。 帝謂道穆曰：「卿初來日，何故不與子儒俱行？」 對曰：「臣家百口在洛，須其經營。 且欲其今日之來，知京師後事。」 帝曰：「子儒非直合卿本懷，亦大慰朕意。」 仍授祕書郎中，轉通直郎。 後除安東將軍、光祿大夫、司徒中兵參軍、兼祭酒。 襲爵。 興和初，除兼殿中侍御史。 時四方多有流民，子儒為梁州、北豫、西兗三州檢戶使，所獲甚多。 後以公事去官。 武定六年卒，時年四十一。 子儒弟緒，字叔宗，明悟好學。 謙之常謂人曰：「興吾門者，當是此兒。」 及長，涉獵書傳，好文詠。 司空行參軍，轉長流參軍。 除鎮遠將軍、冀州儀同府中兵參軍，為府主封隆之所賞。 隆之行梁州、濟州，引自隨，恒令總攝數郡。 武定三年卒，年三十二。
Qianzhi's eldest son Ziru, styled Xiaoli. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, his uncle Daomu accompanied the emperor on the northern tour; Ziru later crossed the river to the traveling palace. Emperor Zhuang saw him and questioned him closely about conditions in Luoyang, and Ziru explained in detail that Yuan Hao's defeat was imminent. The emperor said to Daomu, "When you first arrived, why did you not come together with Ziru?" He replied, "There are a hundred mouths in my family still in Luoyang, and they needed his care. I also wanted him to come today so that he could report on later developments in the capital." The emperor said, "Ziru not only suits your original purpose; he also greatly reassures me." Thereupon Ziru was appointed Secretary Gentleman and later transferred to Direct Drafter. Later he was appointed General Who Pacifies the East, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Central Army Staff Officer under the Minister Over the Masses, and concurrently Libationer. He inherited his father's title. At the beginning of the Xinghe era he was appointed Concurrent Palace Censor. At that time displaced people were numerous throughout the realm; Ziru served as Household Inspector for Liang, North Yu, and West Yan, and registered a great many of them. Later he left office because of official business. He died in the sixth year of Wuding, at the age of forty-one. Ziru's younger brother Xu, styled Shuzong, was intelligent and fond of learning. Qianzhi often told people, "The one who will raise up our house will be this boy." When he grew up he read widely in books and records and loved literary composition. He served as Staff Officer in the Ministry of Works and was transferred to Chief Circuit Staff Officer. He was appointed General Who Pacifies the Distance and Central Army Staff Officer in the Ji Province Equerry Office, and was esteemed by his bureau chief Feng Longzhi. When Longzhi went to Liang and Ji provinces, he took Xu with him and regularly put him in charge of several commanderies. He died in the third year of Wuding, at the age of thirty-two.
79
緒弟孝貞，武定中，司徒士曹參軍。
Xu's younger brother Xiaozhen served as Staff Officer in the Records Section of the Minister Over the Masses during the Wuding era.
80
孝貞弟孝幹，司空東閤祭酒。
Xiaozhen's younger brother Xiaogan served as Libationer in the Eastern Pavilion of the Ministry of Works.
81
謙之弟恭之，字道穆，行字於世。 學涉經史，非名流儁士，不與交結。 幼孤，事兄如父母。 每謂人曰：「人生厲心立行，貴於見知，當使夕脫羊裘，朝佩珠玉者。 若時不我知，便須退迹江海，自求其志。」
Qianzhi's younger brother Gongzhi, styled Daomu, was known by his courtesy name in public life. He studied the classics and histories, and would not associate with anyone who was not a celebrated and outstanding gentleman. Orphaned in youth, he served his elder brother as he would his parents. He often told people, "In life one should toughen the heart and establish one's conduct — what matters is being recognized; one should be able to cast off a sheepskin coat at dusk and wear pearls and jade by morning. If the times do not recognize us, then one must withdraw to rivers and seas and pursue one's own purpose."
82
御史中尉元匡高選御史，道穆奏記於匡曰：「道穆生自蓬簷，長於陋巷。 頗獵羣書，無純碩之德； 尚好章詠，乏彫掞之工。 雖欲厠影髦徒，班名俊伍，其可得哉？ 然凝明獨斷之主，雄才不世之君，無藉朽株之資，求人屠釣之下，不牽闇投之誚，取士商歌之中。 是以聞英風而慷慨，望雲路而低佪者，天下皆是也。 若得身隸繡衣，名充直指，雖謝周生騎上之敏，實有茅氏就鑊之心。」 匡大喜曰：「吾久知其人，適欲召之。」 遂引為御史。 其所糾摘，不避權豪，臺中事物，多為匡所顧問。 道穆曾進說於匡曰：「古人有言，罰一人當取千萬人懼，豺狼當道，不問狐狸。 明公荷國重寄，宜使天下知法。」 匡深然之。
Censor-in-Chief Yuan Kuang was selecting censors with exacting standards; Daomu submitted a petition to Kuang, saying, "Daomu was born under a thatched roof and grew up in a narrow lane. I have read widely among many books, but lack pure and solid virtue; I still love regulated verse, but lack skill in polished composition. Though I wish to stand among those glorious youths and rank with the outstanding — how could that be achieved? Yet a clear-minded sovereign who decides for himself, a ruler of unmatched heroic talent, does not rely on the credentials of withered stumps but seeks men among butchers and fishermen; he does not fear the reproach of blind selection but chooses scholars from among those singing in the marketplace. Therefore those who hear of heroic virtue and are stirred, who gaze at the lofty path and hesitate — such men fill the whole world. If I could join the ranks of the censors and fill the post of Direct Pointer, though I fall short of Master Zhou's alertness on horseback, I truly have the Ma clan's willingness to go to the cauldron." Kuang was greatly pleased and said, "I have long known this man and was just about to summon him." Thereupon Daomu was appointed censor. In his impeachments he did not shrink from powerful magnates, and Kuang often consulted him on affairs within the censorate. Daomu once offered counsel to Kuang, saying, "The ancients had a saying: when punishing one man, one should make ten thousand men fearful; when wolves and jackals block the road, one does not bother with foxes. Your Excellency bears the state's heavy trust; you should make all under Heaven respect the law." Kuang fully agreed.
83
正光中，出使相州。 刺史李世哲即尚書令崇之子，[9]貴盛一時，多有非法，逼買民宅，廣興屋宇，皆置鴟尾，又於馬埒堠上為木人執節。 道穆繩糾，悉毀去之，并發其贓貨，具以表聞。 又尒朱榮討蠕蠕，道穆監其軍事，榮甚憚之。 還，除奉朝請，俄除太尉鎧曹參軍。
During the Zhenguang era he went on mission to Xiangzhou. Inspector Li Shizhe was the son of Minister Over the Masses Li Chong; [9] for a time he was noble and powerful and committed many illegal acts — forcing the purchase of commoners' dwellings, building houses on a grand scale, all fitted with owl-tail roof ornaments; he also had wooden figures holding insignia placed on mounds beside his horse-racing track. Daomu prosecuted him according to law, had all these things destroyed, and also exposed his ill-gotten goods, reporting everything in a memorial. When Erzhu Rong campaigned against the Rouran, Daomu supervised his military affairs, and Rong greatly feared him. On his return he was appointed Attendance at Court, and soon after was made Staff Officer in the Armor Section of the Grand Commandant.
84
蕭寶夤西征，以道穆為行臺郎中，軍機之事，多以委之。 大都督崔延伯敗後，賊勢轉強，屢請益兵，朝廷不許。 寶夤謂道穆曰：「非卿一行，兵無益理。」 遂令乘傳赴洛。 靈太后親問賊勢，道穆具以狀對。 太后怒曰：「比來使人皆言賊弱，卿何獨云其強也！」 道穆曰：「前使不實者，當是冀陛下恩顏，望霑爵賞。 臣既忝使人，不敢虛妄。 願令近臣親檢，足知虛實。」 事訖當反，遇病不行。
When Xiao Baoyin marched west, Daomu was appointed Traveling-Palace Gentleman, and military affairs were largely entrusted to him. After Grand Commander Cui Yanbo was defeated, rebel strength increased; reinforcements were repeatedly requested, but the court did not approve. Baoyin said to Daomu, "Without your making this journey, troops cannot be usefully deployed." He then had him travel by post relay to Luoyang. Empress Dowager Ling personally asked about rebel strength, and Daomu answered in full according to the facts. The empress dowager said angrily, "Recently every envoy has said the rebels are weak — why do you alone say they are strong!" Daomu said, "Those earlier envoys who were untruthful must have hoped for Your Majesty's gracious favor and looked to receive ranks and rewards. Your servant, having the honor to serve as envoy, dares not speak falsely. I ask that nearby officials be sent to inspect in person — then the truth will be fully known." When the business was finished and he was about to return, he fell ill and could not make the journey.
85
後屬兄謙之被害，情不自安，遂託身於莊帝。 帝時為侍中，特相欽重，引居第中，深相保護。 俄而，帝以兄事見出。 道穆懼禍，乃攜家趣濟陰，變易姓名，往來於東平畢氏，以避時難。
Later, after his elder brother Qianzhi was killed, he could not rest easy and therefore placed himself under Emperor Zhuang's protection. The emperor was then Attendant-in-ordinary; he especially valued him, brought him to live in his residence, and protected him closely. Soon after, the emperor was removed from office because of the affair involving his elder brother. Daomu feared disaster, took his family and fled to Jiyin, changed his name, and moved back and forth among the Bi clan of Dongping to escape the troubles of the time.
86
及元顥逼虎牢城，或勸帝赴關西者，帝以問道穆，道穆對曰：「關中今日殘荒，何由可往。 臣謂元顥兵眾不多，乘虛深入者，由國家將帥征捍不得其人耳。 陛下若親率宿衞，高募重賞，背城一戰，臣等竭其股肱之力，破顥孤軍，必不疑矣。 如恐成敗難測，非萬乘所履，便宜車駕北渡，循河東下。 徵大將軍天穆合於滎陽，向虎牢； 別徵尒朱王軍，令赴河內以掎角之。 旬月之間，何往不克。 臣竊謂萬全之計，不過於此。」 帝曰：「高舍人語是。」 其夜到河內郡北，未有城守可依，帝命道穆秉燭作詔書數十紙，布告遠近，於是四方知乘輿所在。 除中軍將軍、給事黃門侍郎、安喜縣開國公，食邑千戶。 於時尒朱榮欲回師待秋，道穆謂榮曰：「元顥以蕞爾輕兵，奄據京洛，使乘輿飄露，人神恨憤，主憂臣辱，良在於今。 大王擁百萬之眾，輔天子而令諸侯，自可分兵河畔，縛筏造船，處處遣渡，徑擒羣賊，復主宮闕，此桓文之舉也。 且一日縱敵，數世之患，今若還師，令顥重完守具，徵兵天下，所謂養虺成蛇，悔無及矣。」 榮深然之，曰：「楊黃門侃已陳此計，當更議決耳。」
When Yuan Hao pressed toward Hulao, some urged the emperor to flee to Guanxi; the emperor asked Daomu, who replied, "Guanzhong today is ravaged and deserted — how could one go there? Your servant holds that Yuan Hao's troops are not numerous; that he was able to penetrate deep by exploiting an opening is because the state's generals charged with defense were not the right men. If Your Majesty personally leads the palace guard, offers high rewards for recruitment, and fights one battle with our backs to the wall, we your servants will give our all — crushing Yuan Hao's isolated army is beyond doubt. If you fear that success or failure is hard to foretell and that this is not a course for the Son of Heaven, then it is best for the imperial carriage to cross north and follow the river eastward. Summon Grand General Tianmu to assemble at Xingyang and advance on Hulao; separately summon Erzhu Wang's army and order it to proceed to Henei to attack from the flank. Within ten days or a month, what could fail to be taken? Your servant privately considers that no plan could be more secure than this." The emperor said, "Councillor Gao speaks correctly." That night they reached the north of Henei commandery, where there was no walled city to rely on; the emperor ordered Daomu, by candlelight, to draft dozens of edicts and announce them far and near, so that the four directions knew where the imperial carriage was. Daomu was appointed General of the Central Army, Supervisor in the Yellow Gate, and Duke Who Founded the State of Anxi with a fief of a thousand households. At that time Erzhu Rong wished to withdraw his army and wait for autumn; Daomu said to Rong, "Yuan Hao with his puny light force suddenly seized the capital, leaving the imperial carriage exposed — gods and men burn with resentment, the sovereign grieves and ministers are shamed; truly the moment is now. Your Lordship commands a million men, assists the Son of Heaven and gives orders to the feudal lords — you could divide troops along the riverbank, bind rafts and build boats, send crossings everywhere, go straight to capture the rebel band, and restore the Son of Heaven to the palace — the deed of Duke Huan and Duke Wen. Moreover, to let the enemy go for one day brings calamity for generations; if you now withdraw, Yuan Hao will again complete his defenses and levy troops throughout the realm — that is what is meant by "nurturing a viper until it becomes a serpent" — and regret will come too late." Rong fully agreed and said, "Councillor Yang Kan has already set forth this plan; we should discuss and decide further."
87
及莊帝反政，因宴次謂尒朱榮曰：「前若不用高黃門計，則社稷不安。 可為朕勸其酒令醉。」 榮對曰：「臣本北征蠕蠕，高黃門與臣作監軍，臨事能決，實可任用。」 除征南將軍、金紫光祿大夫、兼御史中尉。 尋即真，仍兼黃門。 道穆外秉直繩，內參機密，凡是益國利民之事，必以奏聞。 諫諍極言，無所顧憚。 選用御史，皆當世名輩，李希宗、李繪、陽休之、陽斐、封君義、邢子明、蘇淑、宋世良等四十人。
When Emperor Zhuang restored power, at a banquet he said to Erzhu Rong, "If we had not earlier used Councillor Gao's plan, the altars of state would not have been secure. Pour wine for him on my behalf and get him drunk." Rong replied, "Your servant was originally campaigning north against the Rouran; Councillor Gao served as my army supervisor — he could decide affairs in the field and is truly fit for use." Daomu was appointed General Who Subdues the South, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and Concurrent Censor-in-Chief. Soon after he received full appointment and still held the Yellow Gate concurrently. Outwardly Daomu upheld the law without favor; inwardly he participated in secret affairs — whatever benefited the state and the people he was sure to report. In remonstrance he spoke bluntly to the utmost, without any regard for fear. He selected and appointed censors, all famous men of the age — Li Xizong, Li Hui, Yang Xiuzhi, Yang Fei, Feng Junyi, Xing Ziming, Su Shu, Song Shiliang, and forty others in all.
88
於時用錢稍薄，道穆表曰：「四民之業，錢貨為本，救弊改鑄，王政所先。 自頃以私鑄薄濫，官司糾繩，挂網非一。 在市銅價，八十一文得銅一斤，私造薄錢，斤餘二百。 既示之以深利，又隨之以重刑，罹罪者雖多，姦鑄者彌眾。 今錢徒有五銖之文，而無二銖之實，薄甚榆莢，上貫便破，置之水上，殆欲不沉。 此乃因循有漸，科防不切，朝廷之愆，彼復何罪。 昔漢文帝以五分錢小，改鑄四銖，至武帝復改三銖為半兩。 此皆以大易小，以重代輕也。 論今據古，宜改鑄大錢，文載年號，以記其始，則一斤所成止七十六文。 銅價至賤五十有餘，其中人功、食料、錫炭、鉛沙，縱復私營，不能自潤。 直置無利，自應息心，況復嚴刑廣設也。 以臣測之，必當錢貨永通，公私獲允。」 後遂用楊侃計，鑄永安五銖錢。
At that time the coin in circulation had grown rather thin. Daomu memorialized, "The livelihood of the four classes of people rests on coin and goods; rescuing abuse and recasting coin is what royal government must put first. Recently, because of private casting of thin, debased coin, the authorities have pursued offenders, and many have been caught in the net. On the market, one jin of copper cost eighty-one cash; in private manufacture of thin coin, one jin yielded more than two hundred pieces. Once deep profit was held out to them and heavy punishment followed, though offenders were many, illicit casters grew all the more numerous. Today the coin bears only the inscription of five zhu yet lacks the substance of even two zhu — thin as elm seedpods, pierced at the top it breaks at once; placed on water it barely sinks. This is the result of gradual indulgence and lax enforcement — a fault of the court; what crime is theirs? Formerly Emperor Wen of Han, finding the five-fen coin too small, recast it as four zhu; by Emperor Wu's time three zhu was again changed to half-liang. In each case large was exchanged for small, heavy replaced by light. Applying antiquity to the present, it is fitting to recast large coin, inscribing the reign era to mark its inception — then one jin would yield only seventy-six pieces. Copper's price would fall to little more than fifty, and among its costs — labor, provisions, tin, charcoal, and lead — even private enterprise could not turn a profit. With no profit in it, offenders would naturally cease; how much more if strict punishment were widely enforced. By my reckoning, coin and goods would surely circulate freely, and public and private interests alike would be satisfied." Subsequently Yang Kan's plan was adopted, and the Yong'an five-zhu coin was cast.
89
僕射尒朱世隆當朝權盛，因內見衣冠失儀，道穆便即彈糾。 帝姊壽陽公主行犯清路，執赤棒卒呵之不止，道穆令卒棒破其車。 公主深以為恨，泣以訴帝。 帝謂公主曰：「高中尉清直之人，彼所行者公事，豈可私恨責之也。」 道穆後見帝，帝曰：「一日家姊行路相犯，極以為愧。」 道穆免冠謝曰：「臣蒙陛下恩，守陛下法，不敢獨於公主虧朝廷典章，以此負陛下。」 帝曰：「朕以愧卿，卿反謝朕。」 尋敕監儀注。 又詔曰：「祕書圖籍所在，內典□書，又加繕寫，緗素委積，蓋有年載。 出內繁蕪，多致零落。 可令御史中尉、兼給事黃門侍郎道穆總集帳目，并牒儒學之士，編比次第。」
Vice Director Erzhu Shilong's power at court was great; when he entered for an audience his ritual dress was improper, and Daomu immediately impeached him. The emperor's elder sister, the Princess of Shouyang, violated the cleared road; the soldiers with red staves who seized her did not stop when shouted at, and Daomu ordered them to smash her carriage with their staves. The princess deeply resented this and wept as she appealed to the emperor. The emperor said to the princess, "Supervisor Gao is an upright and fair man; what he did was public business — how can you resent him from private feeling?" When Daomu later saw the emperor, the emperor said, "One day my elder sister violated the road — I am deeply ashamed." Daomu removed his cap and apologized, "Your servant receives Your Majesty's grace and upholds Your Majesty's law; I dared not alone relax the court's statutes for the princess's sake — for this I fail Your Majesty." The emperor said, "I am ashamed before you, yet you apologize to me?" Soon he was ordered to supervise ritual regulations. Another edict read, "The secretariat's maps and registers, the internal canon and [damaged] texts — copying has also been added, and the silk and hemp rolls have piled up for years. When taken out, the internal clutter often leads to loss and scattering. Daomu, Censor-in-Chief and Concurrent Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, is ordered to collect all ledgers and, together with memorials to scholars of the classics, arrange them in order."
90
道穆又上疏曰：「臣聞舜命臯陶，姦宄是託； 禹泣罪人，堯心為念。 所以舉直措枉，事切曩賢； 明德慎罰，議存先典。 高祖太和之初，置廷尉司直，論刑辟是非，雖事非古始，交濟時要。 所謂禮樂互興，不相沿襲者矣。 臣以無庸，忝當今任，所思報效，未忘寢興。 但識謝知今，業慚稽古，未能進一言以利國，說一策以興邦，索米長安，豈不知愧。 至於職司其憂，猶望僶俛。 竊見御史出使，悉受風聞，雖時獲罪人，亦不無枉濫。 何者？ 得堯之罰，不能不怨。 守令為政，容有愛憎。 姦猾之徒，恒思報惡，多有妄造無名，共相誣謗。 御史一經檢究，耻於不成，杖木之下，以虛為實，無罪不能自雪者，豈可勝道哉。 臣雖愚短，守不假器，繡衣所指，冀以清肅。 若仍踵前失，或傷善人，則尸祿之責，無所逃罪。 所以夙夜為憂，思有悛革。 如臣鄙見，請依太和故事，還置司直十人，名隸廷尉，秩以五品，選歷官有稱，心平性正者為之。 御史若出糾劾，即移廷尉，令知人數。 廷尉遣司直與御史俱發，所到州郡，分居別館。 御史檢了，移付司直覆問，事訖與御史俱還。 中尉彈聞，廷尉科按，一如舊式。 庶使獄成罪定，無復稽寬； 為惡取敗，不得稱枉。 若御史、司直糾劾失實，悉依所斷獄罪之。 聽以所檢，迭相糾發。 如二使阿曲，有不盡理，聽罪家詣門下通訴，別加按檢。 如此，則肺石之傍，怨訟可息； 叢棘之下，受罪吞聲者矣。」 詔從之，復置司直。
Daomu again submitted a memorial: "Your servant has heard that Shun appointed Gao Yao and entrusted to him the punishment of wickedness and wrongdoing; Yu wept over guilty men, and Yao's heart was moved with concern. Therefore to raise the upright and set aside the crooked is a matter dear to sages of old; to make virtue bright and punishments cautious is a principle preserved in former canons. At the beginning of Emperor Gaozu's Taihe reign the Court of Imperial Justice Direct Examiner was established to review the right and wrong of criminal penalties — though the office was not ancient, it met the needs of the age. This is what is meant by rites and music rising in turn, not following one another blindly. Your servant, though without talent, unworthily holds the present charge; the service I ponder offering keeps me from rest day and night. Yet my understanding falls short beside knowledge of the present, and my learning shames comparison with investigation of antiquity — I cannot advance one word to benefit the state or offer one stratagem to raise the realm; seeking rice in Chang'an, how could I not know shame? Yet as to the cares of my office, I still hope to exert myself to the utmost. I observe that when censors go out on mission they wholly accept hearsay; though at times culprits are caught, wrongful excess is not absent. Why? Those who receive punishment must resent. Prefects and magistrates in government may harbor favor and hatred. Crafty and wicked men always think to repay evil; many falsely invent anonymous charges and mutually slander. Once a censor launches investigation, ashamed if he does not succeed — under the rods of torture, false becomes true; the innocent who cannot clear themselves — can they be numbered? Your servant, though dull and brief, in office would not borrow another's vessel; where the embroidered cloak points, I hope for cleansing and discipline. If we still follow former errors and harm good men, then the charge of eating salary without work admits no escape from guilt. Therefore day and night I worry, thinking to reform and change. In my humble view, I ask that following the Taihe precedent the Direct Examiner be restored — ten men, nominally under the Court of Imperial Justice, rank of fifth grade, chosen from officials with reputation whose hearts are level and natures upright. If a censor goes out to impeach, the case should be transferred to the Court of Imperial Justice, which assigns the number of men. The Court of Imperial Justice dispatches Direct Examiners to depart with the censor; arriving at each province and commandery, they lodge in separate quarters. When the censor finishes investigation, the file is transferred to the Direct Examiner for review; when the matter is done, both return together. The Censor-in-Chief reports; the Court of Imperial Justice applies the law — all as in the old form. Thus cases would be settled and guilt fixed, with no further lenient delay; those who do evil and meet ruin could not call themselves wronged. If censor or Direct Examiner impeaches wrongly, each is punished according to the crime of the case judged. They may use what each investigated to impeach the other in turn. If the two envoys show partiality and do not exhaust reason, the guilty family may go to the Gate Department to petition; separate review shall be added. In this way, beside the Lung-stone, complaints and litigation may cease; beneath the thorny clump, those who receive punishment will swallow their voices." An edict approved it, and the Direct Examiner was restored.
91
及尒朱榮之死也，帝召道穆付赦書，令宣於外。 因謂之曰：「自今日後，當得精選御史矣。」 先是，榮等常欲以其親黨為御史，故有此詔。 及尒朱世隆等率其部類戰於大夏門北，道穆受詔督戰，又贊成太府卿李苗斷橋之計，世隆等於是北遁。 加衞將軍、假車騎將軍、大都督、兼尚書右僕射、南道大行臺。 又除車騎將軍，餘官如故。 時雖外託征蠻，而帝恐北軍不利，欲為南巡之計。 未發，會尒朱兆入洛，道穆慮禍及己，託病去官。 世隆以道穆忠於前朝，遂害之，時年四十二。 太昌中，贈使持節、都督雍秦二州諸軍事、車騎大將軍、儀同三司、雍州刺史。
When Erzhu Rong died, the emperor summoned Daomu, handed him the amnesty edict, and ordered him to proclaim it abroad. He also said to him, "From today onward, censors can truly be carefully selected." Earlier, Rong and the others had often wished to appoint their own kinsmen and partisans as censors — hence this edict. When Erzhu Shilong and the others led their troops to battle north of the Daxia Gate, Daomu received orders to supervise the fighting; he also supported Minister of the Grand Storehouse Li Miao's plan to break the bridge, and Shilong and the others thereupon fled north. He was promoted to General of the Guard, Acting General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Commander, Concurrent Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Grand Agent of the Southern Route. He was also appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry; his other posts remained as before. Though outwardly the campaign was against the barbarians in the south, the emperor feared the northern army would fail and contemplated a plan to tour south. Before setting out, Erzhu Zhao entered Luoyang; Daomu, fearing disaster would reach him, pleaded illness and left office. Shilong, because Daomu had been loyal to the former court, then killed him — at age forty-two. In the Taichang era he was posthumously granted Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs of Yong and Qin provinces, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Third Rank Equivalent to the Three Dukes, and Governor of Yong Province.
92
子士鏡，襲爵。 為北豫州刺史。 高仲密擁入關。
His son Shi Jing inherited the title. He served as Governor of Northern Yuzhou. Gao Zhongmi rose in arms and entered the passes.
93
道穆弟謹之，繼沮渠氏後。 卒於滄州平東府主簿，年三十五。 贈通直郎。 無子。
Daomu's younger brother Jinzhi succeeded to the Juqu clan line. He died as secretary of the Pingdong office in Cangzhou — age thirty-five. Posthumously granted General of Direct Communication. He had no sons.
94
謹之弟慎之，字道密。 好學，有諸兄風。 年二十三，卒，無子，以兄謙之第二子緒繼焉。
Jinzhi's younger brother Shenzhi, courtesy name Daomi. Fond of study, he had the character of his elder brothers. At age twenty-three he died, having no sons; the second son of his elder brother Qianzhi, Xu, succeeded to him.
95
史臣曰：宋翻剛鯁自立，猛而斷務。 辛雄以吏能歷職，任智效官。 羊深以才幹從事，聲迹可紀。 楊機清斷在公。 高崇明濟為用。 謙之兄弟，咸政事之敏，飾學有聞，列于朝廷，豈徒然也。 深失之晚節，至於顛覆，惜乎！
The historian writes: Song Fan stood firm and upright on his own, fierce and resolute in affairs. Xin Xiong advanced through office by administrative ability, employing wisdom in service. Yang Shen served with talent and capacity; his repute and deeds are worth record. Yang Ji was clear and decisive in public affairs. Gao Chongming was appointed for practical use. The brothers Qianzhi were all sharp in government affairs and famed for cultivating learning; to stand arrayed in court — was it for nothing? Shen lost his footing in his later years and came to ruin — a pity!
96
校勘記
Collation notes
97
北溝求救按「北溝」不見記載。 卷九肅宗紀孝昌元年十二月詔稱「北淯懸危，南陽告急」，即此傳所敍事。 「北溝」當是「北淯」之訛。 卷一０六下地形志下荊州有「北清郡」，錢氏考異卷三０據上引肅宗紀及卷七三楊大眼傳以為「清」當作「淯」。 其地在今河南南陽市之北，此傳上文說「裴衍西通鵶路」的第一鵶也即在其地，可證。
"Northern Ditch seeks rescue": Note: "Northern Ditch" appears in no other record. Suzong annals juan 9, decree of the twelfth month, Xiaochang year 1 reads "Northern Yu hangs in peril, Nanyang cries urgent" — that is the affair this biography narrates. "Northern Ditch" is likely a corruption of "Northern Yu." Geography Treatise juan 106B, Jing Province section, lists "Northern Qing Commandery"; Qian's Textual Variants juan 30, citing the Suzong annals above and juan 73 Yang Dayan's biography, holds qing should be yu. The place lies north of present-day Nanyang in Henan; earlier in this biography "Pei Yan opened the E road westward" — the first E was also there, which confirms it.
98
若不除煩收疾冊府卷六五五 〈七八四六頁〉 「收」作「救」，疑是。
"If one does not remove troubles and gather sickness": Cefu juan 655 〈folio 7846〉 shou (gather) appears as jiu (save/rescue); jiu is likely right.
99
東軍不守冊府卷四一七 〈四九七五頁〉 「軍」作「中」。 按上文稱永安二年元顥攻城，尒朱世隆狼狽退還云云，據卷七五世隆傳稱：「元顥逼大梁，詔假儀同三司、前軍都督，鎮虎牢。」 下文又說纂「還鎮虎牢」，知辛纂所守之城即虎牢。 卷一０六地形志中北豫州條，云太和十九年於虎牢置「東中府」。 這裏「軍」當是「中」之訛。 又上記辛纂官「平東將軍、中郎將」，「中郎將」上亦當有「東」字。
"Eastern army does not hold": Cefu juan 417 〈folio 4975〉 jun (army) appears as zhong (central). Note: Above it says in Yong'an year 2 Yuan Hao besieged the city and Erzhu Shilong fled in disarray, etc. According to juan 75 Shilong's biography: "Yuan Hao pressed Daliang; [Shilong] was ordered Acting Third Rank Equivalent, Forward Army Commander-in-Chief, to guard Hulao." Below it again says Zuan "returned to garrison Hulao" — knowing the city that Xin Zuan defended was Hulao. Geography Treatise juan 106, Northern Yuzhou entry, states that in Taihe year 19 the "Eastern Central Prefecture" was established at Hulao. Here jun (army) is likely a corruption of zhong (central). Again, above Xin Zuan's titles are "General Who Pacifies the East, Leader of Cadet Gentlemen" — before zhonglangjiang (Leader of Cadet Gentlemen) there should also be the character dong (east).
100
父敬宗北史卷五０辛雄傳附辛琛作「祖敬宗，父樹寶」。 按元和姓纂輯本卷三辛氏稱「敬宗曾孫術」，術即琛子，又唐書卷七三上宰相世系表也是敬宗、樹寶、琛分列三代，當是此傳脫去「樹寶」，「父敬宗」亦當作「祖敬宗」。
Father Jingzong. In the appended Xin Xiong biography in Beishi, vol. 50, Xin Chen has "grandfather Jingzong, father Shubao." The collated Yuanhe xingzuan, vol. 3 (Xin clan), calls Shu "Jingzong's great-grandson"; Shu was Chen's son. The Tang shu tables of chancellor lineages (73A) likewise arrange Jingzong, Shubao, and Chen in three generations. This passage has evidently dropped Shubao, and "father Jingzong" should be "grandfather Jingzong."
101
子懿北史卷五０辛雄傳末「懿」作「慤」。 按辛慤見北齊書卷四三源彪傳、元和姓纂輯本卷三、唐書卷七三上宰相世系表。 據姓纂，懿乃慤六世祖，不應同名。 這裏「懿」當是「慤」之訛。
Son Yi. At the end of the Xin Xiong biography in Beishi, vol. 50, "Yi" appears as "Que." Xin Que is attested in Beiqishu 43 (Yuan Biao biography), the collated Yuanhe xingzuan, vol. 3, and Tang shu 73A. According to the lineage compendium, Yi was Que's sixth-generation ancestor; the same name is impossible. Here "Yi" is surely a scribal error for "Que."
102
太山平陽人殿本考證云：「按北史羊祉傳 〈卷三九〉 祉太山鉅平人。 本書地形志 〈卷一０六中〉 泰山郡有鉅平，若平陽則屬高平郡，又有陽平，則屬魯郡，當以鉅平為是。」 按本書卷八八良吏羊敦傳、卷八九酷吏羊祉傳並云「太山鉅平人」。 羊氏本泰山南城人，羊祜封鉅平侯，後人或稱鉅平，或稱梁父，這裏「平陽」當誤。
"Native of Pingyang, Taishan." The Dianben kaozheng notes: "According to the Yang Zhi biography in Beishi 〈vol. 39〉 Zhi was from Juping in Taishan. The Geography Treatise of this work 〈vol. 106, middle〉 Taishan commandery included Juping; Pingyang would belong to Gaoping, and Yangping to Lu—Juping is correct." This book's biographies of the good official Yang Dun (88) and the harsh official Yang Zhi (89) both read "native of Juping, Taishan." The Yang were originally from Nancheng in Taishan; Yang Hu was enfeoffed as Marquis of Juping, and descendants used either Juping or Liangfu—"Pingyang" here is mistaken.
103
正平薛鳳賢等聚眾作逆諸本「正」作「王」，北史卷三九羊祉附羊深傳大德本作「正」，百衲本從他本改「王」。 按通志卷一四九羊深傳也作「正」，知北史本是「正」字。 本書卷一０六上地形志上東雍州有正平郡。 薛鳳賢於正平起事，見本書卷二五、北史卷二二長孫道生附長孫稚傳。 〈北史避唐諱「稚」作「幼」。〉 「王」字訛，今據改。
"Xue Fengxian of Zhengping and others raised a rebel band." Various editions read "Wang" for "Zheng"; in Beishi 39 (Yang Shen appended to Yang Zhi) the Dade text has "Zheng," but the Baipu edition follows others in emending to "Wang." Tongzhi 149 likewise has "Zheng," confirming the Beishi reading. Geography Treatise 106A places Zhengping commandery under Eastern Yongzhou. Xue Fengxian's revolt at Zhengping is recorded in this book, vol. 25, and Beishi 22 (Changsun Zhi, appended to Changsun Daosheng). 〈Beishi avoids the Tang taboo on Zhi by writing You.〉 "Wang" is a corruption; the text is emended to "Zheng."
104
憚比刑書北史卷五０高道穆附高謙之傳「比」作「此」，疑是。
"Feared comparison with the penal code." In Beishi 50 (Gao Qianzhi appended to Gao Daomu), bi ("comparison") appears as ci ("this")—possibly the correct reading.
105
刺史李世哲即尚書令崇之子北史卷五０高道穆傳「刺史」上有「前」字。 按卷六六李崇附李世哲傳，世哲此時已徵為兼太常卿，疑此傳脫「前」字。
Provincial Governor Li Shizhe was the son of Director Li Chong. Beishi 50 (Gao Daomu) has "former" before "provincial governor." Per vol. 66 (Li Shizhe appended to Li Chong), Shizhe had already been recalled as concurrent Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; "former" may have dropped from this passage.
106
與薛曇尚書使晉陽按薛曇尚，附卷四四薛野䐗傳，這時他以司徒左長史兼吏部尚書出使晉陽，授尒朱榮官。 疑「書」字衍。 但「曇尚」也可單稱「曇」，「尚書」作官名連讀，亦可通，今仍之。
"With Xue Tanshang, Director, as envoy to Jinyang." Xue Tanshang appears in vol. 44 (appended to Xue Yegou); he was then chief steward of the left and concurrent Director of the Department of State Affairs, sent to Jinyang to invest Erzhu Rong with office. The character shu ("Director") may be superfluous. Yet "Tanshang" may be shortened to "Tan," and reading shangshu as the office title is also possible—the text is left unchanged.