1
夫右賢左戚，尚德尊功，有國者所以治天下也。 殷肇王基，不藉莘氏為佐； 周成大業，未聞姒姓為輔。 及於漢世，外戚尤重，殺身傾族，相繼於兩京，乃至移其鼎璽，亂其邦國。 魏文深以為誡，明帝尚封頑騃。 晉之楊駿，尋至夷宗。 居上不以至公任物，在下徒用私寵要榮，繭犢引大車，弱質任厚棟，所謂愛之所以害之矣。 太祖初，賀訥有部眾之業，翼成皇祚，其餘或以勞勤，或緣恩澤，咸序其迹，舉外親之盛衰云爾。
A ruler governs the realm by seating the worthy at his right hand and kinsmen at his left, honoring virtue and rewarding merit. The Shang laid the foundations of kingship without leaning on the Xin clan for support; The Zhou brought their great undertaking to completion without any tradition of the Si clan acting as chief ministers. Under the Han, however, consort kin grew paramount; generation after generation in both capitals they ruined themselves and their entire lines, until some even seized the throne and threw the state into chaos. Emperor Wen of Wei made this a stern lesson, but Emperor Ming nevertheless continued to ennoble the obstinate and incompetent. Yang Jun of the Jin met with the annihilation of his entire house not long afterward. When those in power failed to assign offices with true impartiality and those below sought rank only through private favor, it was like harnessing a silkworm-calf to a great carriage or setting weak timber to bear a heavy beam—the very affection meant to help them brought ruin instead. In the founding years of Emperor Daowu, He Ne commanded a tribal following that helped secure the throne; others won their place through toil or imperial favor. Their careers are recorded here as a register of how consort kin rose and fell.
2
賀訥，代人，太祖之元舅，獻明后之兄也。 其先世為君長，四方附國者數十部。 祖紇，始有勳於國，尚平文女。 父野干，尚昭成女遼西公主。 昭成崩，諸部乖亂，獻明后與太祖及衞、秦二王依訥。 會苻堅使劉庫仁分攝國事，於是太祖還居獨孤部。 訥總攝東部為大人，遷居大寧，行其恩信，眾多歸之，侔於庫仁。 苻堅假訥鷹揚將軍。
He Ne came from Dai. He was Emperor Daowu's senior maternal uncle and the elder brother of Empress Xianming. His ancestors had long served as tribal chieftains, with dozens of affiliated groups from every quarter. His grandfather He was the first in the family to win distinction for the state and took a daughter of Emperor Pingwen in marriage. His father Yegan married the Liaoxi Princess, a daughter of Emperor Zhaocheng. After Emperor Zhaocheng's death the tribes fell into turmoil; Empress Xianming, the future Emperor Daowu, and the princes of Wei and Qin all took refuge with Ne. Fu Jian then sent Liu Kuren to share control of tribal affairs, and the future emperor returned to live among the Dugu. Ne assumed leadership of the eastern tribes as paramount chief, moved to Daning, and won many followers through kindness and good faith until his standing matched that of Kuren. Fu Jian granted Ne the provisional title General Who Displays the Hawk's Might.
3
後劉顯之謀逆，太祖聞之，輕騎北歸訥。 訥見太祖，驚喜拜曰：「官家復國之後當念老臣。」 太祖笑答曰：「誠如舅言，要不忘也。」 訥中弟染干粗暴，忌太祖，常圖為逆，每為皇姑遼西公主擁護，故染干不得肆其禍心。 於是諸部大人請訥兄弟求舉太祖為主。 染干曰：「在我國中，何得爾也！」 訥曰：「帝，大國之世孫，興復先業，於我國中之福。 常相持奬，[2]立繼統勳，汝尚異議，豈是臣節！」 遂與諸人勸進，太祖登代王位于牛川。
When Liu Xian later plotted rebellion, the future emperor heard of it and rode north with a light escort to rejoin Ne. Ne greeted him with a startled, joyful bow and said, "When you restore our state, you must not forget this old servant of yours." The emperor laughed and replied, "Just as you say, Uncle—I shall not forget." Ne's younger uterine brother Rangan was violent and jealous of the future emperor, constantly plotting treason; each time the imperial aunt, the Liaoxi Princess, protected him, so Rangan could not carry his schemes through. The paramount chiefs of the tribes then asked Ne and his brothers to propose raising the future emperor as their leader. Rangan objected, "How can this be done within our own domain!" Ne replied, "He is the imperial grandson of a great kingdom; restoring our former enterprise would be a blessing for our people. I have always backed him[2] in winning the merit of restoring the succession, yet you still object—where is the loyalty owed a subject?" He and the others then pressed the future emperor to accept leadership, and at Niuchuan he took the throne as King of Dai.
4
及太祖討吐突隣部，訥兄弟遂懷異圖，率諸部救之。 帝擊之，大潰，訥西遁。 衞辰遣子直力鞮征訥。 訥告急請降，太祖簡精騎二十萬救之。 遂徙訥部落及諸弟處之東界。 訥又通於慕容垂，垂以訥為歸善王。 染干謀殺訥而代立，訥遂與染干相攻。 垂遣子麟討之，敗染干於牛都，破訥於赤城。 太祖遣師救訥，麟乃引退。 訥從太祖平中原，拜安遠將軍。
When the emperor campaigned against the Tuguhun, Ne and his brothers turned disloyal and led their tribes to their aid. The emperor attacked and routed them completely; Ne fled westward. Wei Chen sent his son Zhilidi to campaign against Ne. Ne sent an urgent plea for help and offered to submit; the emperor mustered two hundred thousand picked horsemen to rescue him. He then resettled Ne's tribe and his younger brothers on the eastern frontier. Ne also entered into relations with Murong Chui, who enfeoffed him as Prince Who Returns to Goodness. Rangan plotted to kill Ne and seize his position; Ne then fought him. Chui sent his son Lin against them, defeating Rangan at Niudu and crushing Ne at Chicheng. The emperor sent an army to rescue Ne, and Lin withdrew. Ne followed the emperor in pacifying the Central Plains and was appointed General Who Pacifies the Distant.
5
其後離散諸部，分土定居，不聽遷徙，其君長大人皆同編戶。 訥以元舅，甚見尊重，然無統領。 以壽終於家。
Later the tribes were broken up, given land, and settled in fixed places; migration was forbidden, and their chiefs were registered like ordinary households. As senior maternal uncle he was held in great esteem, but he held no command. He died of old age at home.
6
訥弟盧，亦從平中原，以功賜爵遼西公。 太祖遣盧會衞王儀伐鄴，而盧自以太祖之季舅，不肯受儀節度。 太祖遣使責之，盧遂忿恨。 與儀司馬丁建構成其嫌，彌加猜忌。 會太祖敕儀去鄴，盧亦引歸，太祖以盧為廣川太守。 盧性雄豪，耻居冀州刺史王輔下，襲殺輔，奔慕容德。 德以為并州刺史，廣寧王。 廣固敗，盧亦沒。
Ne's younger brother Lu also took part in pacifying the Central Plains and, for his service, was enfeoffed as Duke of Liaoxi. The emperor sent Lu to join Prince Wei Yi in the attack on Ye, but Lu, as the emperor's junior maternal uncle, refused to accept Yi's orders. The emperor sent envoys to rebuke him, and Lu grew resentful. He and Yi's staff officer Ding Jian fanned their mutual grievance until suspicion deepened. When the emperor ordered Yi to withdraw from Ye, Lu also returned home and was appointed Administrator of Guangchuan. Lu was proud and overbearing; ashamed to serve under Wang Fu, Governor of Ji Province, he ambushed and killed Fu and fled to Murong De. De made him Governor of Bing Province and Prince of Guangning. When Guanggu fell, Lu perished with it.
7
訥從父弟悅。 初，太祖之居賀蘭部下，人情未甚附，唯悅舉部隨從。 又密為太祖祈禱天神，請成大業，出於誠至。 太祖嘉之，甚見寵待。 後平中原，以功賜爵鉅鹿侯，進爵北新公。 [3]卒。
Ne's younger cousin Yue. Early on, when the future emperor lived among the Helan, few were loyal to him; only Yue led his whole tribe to follow. He also prayed secretly to Heaven on the emperor's behalf for the success of the great enterprise, with utter sincerity. The emperor praised this, and Yue was greatly favored. After the Central Plains were pacified, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Julu for his service and later promoted to Duke of Beixin. [3] He died.
8
子泥，襲爵，後降為肥如侯。 太祖崩，京師草草，泥出舉烽於安陽城北，賀蘭部人皆往赴之。 太宗即位，乃罷。 詔泥與元渾等八人拾遺左右。 與北新侯安同持節行并定二州，劾奏并州刺史元六頭等皆伏罪，州郡肅然。 後從世祖征赫連昌，以功進爵為琅邪公，軍國大議，每參預焉。 又征蠕蠕，為別道將，坐逐賊不進，詐增虜級，[4]當斬，贖為庶人。 久之，拜光祿勳，為外都大官，復本爵。 卒於官。 子醜建襲。
His son Ni inherited the title and was later reduced to Marquis of Feiru. When Emperor Daowu died and the capital was in turmoil, Ni raised beacon fires north of Anyang, and all the Helan came to his call. When Emperor Mingyuan took the throne, the movement ceased. An edict appointed Ni, Yuan Hun, and six others to serve as remonstrating advisers at court. With Duke of Beixin An Tong he toured Bing and Ding provinces with imperial authority; he impeached Governor Yuan Liutou of Bing and others, who all confessed, and the region was brought to order. He later followed Emperor Taiwu against Helian Chang and, for his service, was promoted to Duke of Langye; he took part in every major deliberation on army and state. On another campaign against the Rouran he commanded a separate column; for failing to press the pursuit and falsifying enemy casualties[4] he faced execution but was ransomed to commoner status. After some years he was appointed Grand Master for the Glorious, made Grand Officer of the Outer Court, and had his original title restored. He died in office. His son Choujian inherited the title.
9
劉羅辰，代人，宣穆皇后之兄也。 父眷，為北部大人，帥部落歸國。 羅辰有智謀，謂眷曰：「從兄顯，忍人也，願早圖之。」 眷不以為意。 後庫仁子顯殺眷而代立，又謀逆。 及太祖即位，討顯于馬邑，追至彌澤，大破之。 後奔慕容麟，麟徙之中山，羅辰率騎奔太祖。 顯恃部眾之強，每謀為逆，羅辰輒先聞奏，以此特蒙寵念。 尋拜南部大人。 從平中原，以前後勳賜爵永安公，以軍功除征東將軍、定州刺史。 卒，諡曰敬。
Liu Luochen came from Dai and was the elder brother of Empress Xuanmu. His father Juan was paramount chief of the northern tribes and led his people to submit to the Wei. Luochen was shrewd and told Juan, "Our cousin Xian is a ruthless man—you should deal with him before it is too late." Juan paid no heed. Later Kuren's son Xian murdered Juan and seized his position, then plotted rebellion again. When the emperor took the throne he attacked Xian at Mayi, pursued him to Mize, and routed him completely. Xian later fled to Murong Lin, who resettled him at Zhongshan; Luochen led his horsemen to join the emperor. Xian, relying on his tribal strength, constantly plotted treason; Luochen always reported him first and for this won special favor. He was soon appointed paramount chief of the southern tribes. He took part in pacifying the Central Plains; for his cumulative service he was enfeoffed as Duke of Yong'an and, for military merit, appointed General Who Conquers the East and Governor of Ding Province. He died and was given the posthumous title Respectful.
10
子殊暉，襲爵。 位并州刺史。 卒。
His son Shuhui inherited the title. He served as Governor of Bing Province. He died.
11
子求引，位武衞將軍。 卒，諡曰貞。
His son Qiuyin served as General of the Martial Guard. He died and was given the posthumous title Upright.
12
子爾頭，位魏昌、廮陶二縣令，贈鉅鹿太守。 子仁之，自有傳。
His son Ertou served as magistrate of Weichang and Yingtao counties and was posthumously honored as Administrator of Julu. His son Renzhi has a separate biography.
13
姚黃眉，姚興之子，太宗昭哀皇后之弟也。 姚泓滅，黃眉間來歸，太宗厚禮待之，賜爵隴西公，尚陽翟公主，拜駙馬都尉，賜隸戶二百。 世祖即位，遷內都大官，後拜太常卿。 卒，贈雍州刺史、隴西王，諡曰獻，陪葬金陵。 黃眉寬和溫厚，希言得失。 世祖悼惜之，故贈有加禮。
Yao Huangmei was a son of Yao Xing and the younger brother of Emperor Mingyuan's Empress Zhaoi. After Yao Hong's fall Huangmei made his way to the Wei court; Emperor Mingyuan received him with great honor, enfeoffed him as Duke of Longxi, married him to the Yangzhai Princess, appointed him Commandant of Escort Cavalry, and granted him two hundred dependent households. When Emperor Taiwu took the throne he was made Grand Officer of the Inner Court and later Minister of Ceremonies. He died and was posthumously honored as Governor of Yong Province and King of Longxi, with the posthumous title Offering, and buried beside the imperial tombs at Jinling. Huangmei was open-minded, gentle, and warm, and rarely spoke of others' faults. The emperor mourned him deeply, and therefore granted him exceptional posthumous honors.
14
杜超，字祖仁，魏郡鄴人，密皇后之兄也。 少有節操。 泰常中，為相州別駕。 奉使京師，時以法禁不得與后通問。 始光中，世祖思念舅氏，以超為陽平公，尚南安長公主，拜駙馬都尉，位大鴻臚卿。 車駕數幸其第，賞賜巨萬。 神䴥三年，以超行征南大將軍、太宰，進爵為王，鎮鄴； 追加超父豹鎮東大將軍、陽平景王，母曰鉅鹿惠君。 真君五年，超為帳下所害，世祖臨其喪，哀慟者久之。 諡曰威王。
Du Chao, whose courtesy name was Zuren, came from Ye in Wei Commandery and was the elder brother of Empress Mi. From youth he was known for his integrity. During the Taichang era he served as Vice-Prefect of Xiang Province. On a mission to the capital he was barred by law from communicating with his sister the empress. During the Shiguang era Emperor Taiwu, missing his maternal kin, enfeoffed Chao as Duke of Yangping, married him to the Chief Princess of Nan'an, appointed him Commandant of Escort Cavalry, and made him Grand Herald. The emperor visited his home repeatedly and lavished rewards worth tens of thousands on him. In the third year of Shengui he made Chao acting General Who Conquers the South and Grand Mentor, promoted him to king, and stationed him at Ye; Chao's father Bao was posthumously honored as General Who Conquers the East and Illustrious King of Yangping; his mother was styled the Gracious Lady of Julu. In the fifth year of Zhenjun Chao was murdered by members of his own household; the emperor attended his funeral in person and mourned him at length. He was given the posthumous title King Majestic.
15
長子道生，賜爵城陽侯。 後為秦州刺史，進爵河東公。
His eldest son Daosheng was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chengyang. He later served as Governor of Qin Province and was promoted to Duke of Hedong.
16
道生弟鳳皇，襲超爵，加侍中、特進。 世祖追思超不已，欲以鳳皇為定州刺史，鳳皇不願違離闕庭，乃止。
Daosheng's younger brother Fenghuang inherited Chao's title and was also made Palace Attendant with Special Advance. The emperor still missed Chao deeply and wished to appoint Fenghuang Governor of Ding Province, but Fenghuang was unwilling to leave court, and the plan was abandoned.
17
鳳皇弟道儁，賜爵發干侯，鎮枋頭，除兗州刺史。
Fenghuang's younger brother Daojun was enfeoffed as Marquis of Fagan, garrisoned at Fangtou, and made Governor of Yan Province.
18
超既薨，復授超從弟遺侍中、安南將軍、開府、相州刺史。 入為內都大官，進爵廣平王。 遺性忠厚，頻歷州郡，所在著稱。 薨，贈太傅，諡曰宣王。
After Chao's death, his younger cousin Yi was again made Palace Attendant and General Who Pacifies the South, granted an opening office, and appointed Governor of Xiang Province. He was recalled to court as Director of the Inner Palace and promoted to King of Guangping. Yi was honest and generous by nature; he served repeatedly in the provinces and won a fine reputation wherever he went. When he died he was posthumously honored as Grand Tutor with the posthumous title King Xuan.
19
長子元寶，位司空。 元寶弟胤寶，司隸校尉。 元寶又進爵京兆王。 及歸而父遺喪，[5]明當入謝，元寶欲以表聞。 高宗未知遺薨，怪其遲，召之。 元寶將入，時人止之曰：「宜以家憂自辭。」 元寶欲見其寵，不從，遂冒哀而入。 未幾以謀反伏誅，親從皆斬，唯元寶子世衡逃免。 時朝議欲追削超爵位，中書令高允上表理之。
His eldest son Yuanbao served as Minister of Works. Yuanbao's younger brother Yinbao served as Commandant of the Metropolitan Province. Yuanbao was further promoted to King of Jingzhao. When he returned, his father Yi had already died;[5] the next day he was to enter court to give thanks, and Yuanbao intended to report the bereavement by memorial. Emperor Gaozong did not yet know of Yi's death; puzzled by the delay, he summoned him. As Yuanbao was about to enter court, those around him urged him: "You should decline on grounds of mourning at home." But Yuanbao wished to display that he still enjoyed imperial favor and would not heed them; he entered court while still in mourning. Before long he was executed for treason; his close kin and followers were all beheaded, and only Yuanbao's son Shiheng escaped with his life. At the time the court debated revoking Chao's title and rank; Director of the Secretariat Gao Yun submitted a memorial in his defense.
20
後兗州故吏汲宗等以道儁遺愛在人，前從坐受誅，委骸土壤，求得收葬。 書奏，詔義而聽之。 贈散騎常侍、安南將軍、南康公，諡曰昭。 世衡襲遺公爵。
Later former officials of Yan Province, led by Ji Zong, petitioned for Daojun's burial: his kindness still lived in people's hearts, yet he had earlier been executed by association and left unburied in the open earth. When the memorial reached the throne, an edict found the request just and granted it. He was posthumously honored as Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and General Who Pacifies the South, enfeoffed as Duke of Nankang, and given the posthumous name Zhao. Shiheng succeeded to Yi's ducal title.
21
賀迷，代人。 從兄女世祖敬哀皇后，皇后生恭宗。 初，后少孤，無父兄近親，唯迷以從父故蒙賜爵長鄉子。 卒，贈光祿大夫、五原公。
He Mi came from Dai. His cousin's daughter became Emperor Shizu's Empress Jing'ai, who bore Emperor Gong. In the beginning the empress was orphaned young and had no father, elder brothers, or close relatives; only Mi, as her father's cousin, was granted the title Viscount of Changxiang. When he died he was posthumously honored as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Duke of Wuyuan.
22
閭毗，代人。 本蠕蠕人，世祖時自其國來降。 毗即恭皇后之兄也。 皇后生高宗。 高宗太安二年，以毗為平北將軍，賜爵河東公； 弟紇為寧北將軍，賜爵零陵公。 其年並加侍中，進爵為王。 毗，征東將軍、評尚書事； 紇，征西將軍、中都大官。 自餘子弟賜爵為王者二人，公五人，侯六人，子三人，同時受拜。 所以隆崇舅氏，當世榮之。 和平二年，追諡后祖父延定襄康公，[6]父辰定襄懿王。 毗薨，贈太尉，追贈毗妻河東王妃。 子惠襲。 紇薨，贈司空。
Lu Pi came from Dai. He was originally Rouran; in Emperor Shizu's reign he came from that country and submitted. Pi was the elder brother of Empress Gong. The empress bore Emperor Gaozong. In the second year of Tai'an, Emperor Gaozong made Pi General Who Pacifies the North and enfeoffed him as Duke of Hedong; his younger brother He was made General Who Rests the North and enfeoffed as Duke of Lingling. That same year both were also made Palace Attendants and promoted to kings. Pi served as General Who Conquers the East and Director of Affairs of the Secretariat for Evaluation; He served as General Who Conquers the West and Director of the Central Palace. Of the rest of the clan, two were enfeoffed as kings, five as dukes, six as marquises, and three as viscounts, all invested at once. Such was the exaltation of the empress's kin; their contemporaries regarded it as the height of honor. In the second year of Heping the empress's grandfather Yan was posthumously styled Duke Kang of Dingxiang,[6] and her father Chen King Yi of Dingxiang. When Pi died he was posthumously honored as Grand Commandant, and his wife was posthumously styled Princess of Hedong. His son Hui succeeded to his title. When He died he was posthumously honored as Minister of Works.
23
子豆，後賜名莊。 太和中初立三長，以莊為定戶籍大使，甚有時譽。 十六年，例降爵，後為七兵尚書，卒。
His son Dou was later given the name Zhuang. When the Three Chiefs system was first instituted in the Taihe era, Zhuang was appointed Grand Commissioner for Fixing Household Registers and won wide acclaim. In the sixteenth year his rank was reduced under the usual rule; he later served as Minister of the Seven Arms and died.
24
紇弟染，位外都大官、冀州刺史、江夏公。 卒。
He's younger brother Ran served as Director of the Outer Palace, Governor of Ji Province, and Duke of Jiangxia. He died.
25
太安初，英為侍中、征東大將軍、太宰，進爵為王。 喜，左光祿大夫，改封燕郡。 從兄泰為安東將軍、朝鮮侯。 [8]訢子伯夫，散騎常侍、選部尚書，次子員，金部尚書； 喜子振，太子庶子。 三年，英領太師、評尚書事、內都大官，伏、寶、泰等州刺史。 [9]五年，詔以太后母宋氏為遼西王太妃。 和平元年，喜為洛州刺史。 初，英事宋不能謹，而睹奉宋甚至。 就食於和龍，無車牛，宋疲不進，睹負宋於笈。 至是，宋於英等薄，不如睹之篤。 謂太后曰：「何不王睹而黜英？」 太后曰：「英為長兄，門戶主也，家內小小不順，何足追計。 睹雖盡力，故是他姓，奈何在英上？ 本州、郡公，亦足報耳。」 天安中，英為平州刺史，訢為幽州刺史，伯夫進爵范陽公。 [10]英黷貨，徙燉煌。
At the beginning of Tai'an, Ying was made Palace Attendant, Grand General Who Conquers the East, and Grand Preceptor, and was promoted to king. Xi was Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with his fief changed to Yan Commandery. His cousin Tai served as General Who Pacifies the East and Marquis of Chaoxian. [8] Xin's son Bofu served as Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Minister of the Selection Bureau; his second son Yuan was Minister of the Gold Bureau; Xi's son Zhen served as Mentor of the Heir Apparent. In the third year Ying held the posts of Grand Preceptor, Director of Affairs of the Secretariat for Evaluation, and Director of the Inner Palace; Fu, Bao, Tai, and others served as provincial governors. [9] In the fifth year an edict styled the Empress Dowager's mother, of the Song clan, Grand Consort of the King of Liaoxi. In the first year of Heping, Xi was appointed Governor of Luo Province. Earlier Ying had not been dutiful enough in serving Lady Song, whereas Du attended her with the utmost devotion. When they went to Helong for provisions there were no carts or oxen; Lady Song, exhausted, could go no farther, and Du carried her on his back in a carrying frame. By then Lady Song thought little of Ying and the others and found them far less devoted than Du. She said to the Empress Dowager, "Why not ennoble Du as a king and remove Ying?" The Empress Dowager replied, "Ying is the eldest brother and head of the household; minor domestic lapses are hardly worth dwelling on. Du has indeed done his utmost, but after all he bears another surname—how could he rank above Ying? A ducal title in his home province or commandery is reward enough." In the Tian'an era Ying became Governor of Ping Province, Xin Governor of You Province, and Bofu was promoted to Duke of Fanyang. [10] Ying was guilty of venality and was banished to Dunhuang.
26
諸常自興安及至是，[11]皆以親疏受爵賜田宅，時為隆盛。 後伯夫為洛州刺史，以贓汙欺妄徵斬於京師。 承明元年，徵英復官。 薨，諡遼西平王。 始英之徵也，夢日墜其所居黃山下水中，村人以車牛挽致不能出，英獨抱載而歸，聞者異之。
The various Chang, from Xing'an down to this time,[11] all received titles and grants of fields and dwellings according to how close their kinship was; the age counted it a time of great splendor. Later, as Governor of Luo Province, Bofu was summoned to the capital and executed for corruption and deceit. In the first year of Chengming, Ying was recalled and restored to office. When he died he was given the posthumous title King Ping of Liaoxi. When Ying was first summoned, he dreamed that the sun fell into the water below Huang Mountain where he lived; villagers tried to pull it out with carts and oxen but failed, yet Ying alone embraced it and carried it home—those who heard the tale found it uncanny.
27
後員與伯夫子禽可共為飛書，誣謗朝政。 事發，有司執憲，刑及五族。 高祖以昭太后故，罪止一門。 訢年老，赦免歸家，恕其孫一人扶養之，給奴婢田宅。 其家僮入者百人，金錦布帛數萬計，賜尚書以下，宿衞以上。 其女婿及親從在朝，皆免官歸本鄉。 十一年，高祖、文明太后以昭太后故，悉出其家前後沒入婦女，以喜子振試守正平郡。 卒。
Later Yuan and Bofu's son Qinke jointly circulated anonymous letters slandering the court. When the affair came to light, the authorities enforced the law, and punishment reached five degrees of kin. For Empress Zhao's sake, Emperor Gaozu limited the punishment to one clan line. Xin was old; he was pardoned and sent home, one grandson was spared to support him, and he was granted slaves, servants, fields, and a dwelling. Confiscated household slaves numbered a hundred, and gold, brocade, and silk cloth ran to tens of thousands; these were distributed to officials from Secretaries downward and palace guards upward. Sons-in-law and close relatives who held office were all dismissed and sent home to their native districts. In the eleventh year, for Empress Zhao's sake, Emperor Gaozu and Empress Dowager Wenming released all the women of the family who had been confiscated earlier and later, and appointed Xi's son Zhen acting administrator of Zhengping Commandery. He died.
28
馮熙字晉昌，長樂信都人，文明太后之兄也。 祖文通，語在海夷傳。 世祖平遼海，熙父朗內徙，官至秦雍二州刺史、遼西郡公，[12]坐事誅。 文明太后臨朝，追贈假黃鉞、太宰、燕宣王，立廟長安。
Feng Xi, whose courtesy name was Jinchang, came from Xindu in Changle and was the elder brother of Empress Dowager Wenming. His grandfather Wentong is discussed in the Biography of the Eastern Sea Yi. When Emperor Shizu pacified Liaohai, Xi's father Lang was resettled inland and rose to Governor of Qin and Yong provinces and Duke of Liaoxi Commandery;[12] for an offense he was executed. When Empress Dowager Wenming held court, he was posthumously honored with the Credential with the Yellow Axe, the title Grand Preceptor, and King Xuan of Yan, and a temple was established for him in Chang'an.
29
熙生於長安，為姚氏魏母所養。 以叔父樂陵公邈因戰入蠕蠕，魏母攜熙逃避至氐羌中撫育。 年十二，好弓馬，有勇幹，氐羌皆歸附之。 魏母見其如此，將還長安。 始就博士學問，從師受孝經、論語，好陰陽兵法。 及長，游華陰、河東二郡間。 性汎愛，不拘小節，人無士庶，來則納之。
Xi was born in Chang'an and was raised by Wei Mu of the Yao clan. When his uncle, Duke of Leling Miao, was captured in battle and taken into Rouran territory, Wei Mu fled with Xi to the Di and Qiang and raised him there. At twelve he loved archery and horsemanship and showed courage and ability; Di and Qiang alike rallied to him. Seeing him thus, Wei Mu prepared to return to Chang'an. He began to study with erudites and learned the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects from his teachers; he also loved yin-yang lore and military strategy. When he came of age he traveled between Huayin and Hedong commanderies. Broadly affectionate by nature and unconstrained by petty proprieties, he welcomed all who came, noble or common alike.
30
熙姑先入掖庭，為世祖左昭儀。 妹為高宗文成帝后，即文明太后也。 使人外訪，知熙所在，徵赴京師，拜冠軍將軍，賜爵肥如侯。 尚恭宗女博陵長公主，拜駙馬都尉。 出為定州刺史，進爵昌黎王。 顯祖即位，為太傅，累拜內都大官。
Xi's paternal aunt had earlier entered the rear palace and served as Emperor Shizu's Left Lady of Bright Comportment. His younger sister became consort to Emperor Gaozong, the Wencheng Emperor—she who would become Empress Dowager Wenming. Agents were sent to search for him abroad; when his whereabouts were found he was summoned to the capital, appointed General Who Conquers Champions, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Feiru. He married the Grand Princess of Boling, daughter of Emperor Gong, and was appointed Commandant of Escort Cavalry. He was sent out as Governor of Ding Province and promoted to King of Changli. When Emperor Xianzu took the throne he was made Grand Tutor and repeatedly appointed Director of the Inner Palace.
31
高祖即位，文明太后臨朝，王公貴人登進者眾。 高祖乃承旨皇太后，以熙為侍中、太師、中書監、領祕書事。 熙以頻履師傅，又中宮之寵，為羣情所駭，心不自安，乞轉外任。 文明太后亦以為然。 於是除車騎大將軍、開府、都督、洛州刺史，侍中、太師如故。 洛陽雖經破亂，而舊三字石經宛然猶在，至熙與常伯夫相繼為州，廢毀分用，大至頹落。 熙為政不能仁厚，而信佛法，自出家財，在諸州鎮建佛圖精舍，合七十二處，寫一十六部一切經。 延致名德沙門，日與講論，精勤不倦，所費亦不貲。 而在諸州營塔寺多在高山秀阜，傷殺人牛。 有沙門勸止之，熙曰：「成就後，人唯見佛圖，焉知殺人牛也。」 其北邙寺碑文，中書侍郎賈元壽之詞。 高祖頻登北邙寺，親讀碑文，稱為佳作。 熙為州，因事取人子女為奴婢，有容色者幸之為妾。 有子女數十人，號為貪縱。 後求入朝，授內都大官，太師如故。 熙事魏母孝謹，如事所生。 魏母卒，乃散髮徒跣，水漿不入口三日。 詔不聽服，熙表求依趙氏之孤。 高祖以熙情難奪，聽服齊衰期。 後以例降，改封京兆郡公。
When Emperor Gaozu took the throne and Empress Dowager Wenming held court, many princes, dukes, and nobles rose in rank. Emperor Gaozu then, following the Empress Dowager's intent, made Xi Palace Attendant, Grand Preceptor, Director of the Secretariat, and Supervisor of the Secretariat Library. Having repeatedly served as imperial tutor and enjoying the inner palace's favor, Xi was unsettled by public opinion and, ill at ease, begged for an outside appointment. Empress Dowager Wenming agreed as well. Thereupon he was appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, with an opening office, as Commander-in-Chief and Governor of Luo Province; his posts as Palace Attendant and Grand Preceptor remained unchanged. Though Luoyang had been ravaged, the old Stone Classics in three-character script still stood intact; but when Xi and Chang Bofu served as governors in succession, the stones were abandoned, broken up for reuse, and largely ruined. Xi could not govern with benevolence and generosity, but he believed in Buddhism; from his own private wealth he built pagodas and monasteries at seventy-two sites across the provinces and garrison posts and had the complete canon copied in sixteen sets. He invited eminent monks and each day joined them in discourse; tireless in devotion, his expenditures were beyond counting. Yet in building pagodas and temples in the provinces he often chose lofty peaks and fine hills, causing injury and death to men and oxen. Monks urged him to stop, but Xi said, "Once completed, people will see only the pagoda—how would they know men and oxen were killed?" The inscription for the temple on Mount Beimang was composed by Jia Yuanshou, Vice Director of the Secretariat. Emperor Gaozu often visited Beimang Temple, read the stele inscription himself, and praised it as a fine work. While serving as governor, Xi seized people's sons and daughters as slaves; those with pleasing looks he took as concubines. He had several dozen children and was known for greed and excess. Later he asked to come to court and was appointed Director of the Inner Palace while keeping his title as Grand Preceptor. Xi served Wei Mu with filial devotion, as though she were his own mother. When Wei Mu died, he let down his hair, went barefoot, and took neither water nor food for three days. An edict forbade him to mourn, but Xi submitted a memorial asking to follow the precedent set by the orphaned son of the Zhao clan. Emperor Gaozu, finding Xi's grief impossible to turn aside, allowed him to wear unhemmed sackcloth for the full mourning period. Later, when noble ranks were reduced across the board, he was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Jingzhao Commandery.
32
高祖納其女為后，曰：「白虎通云：王所不臣，數有三焉。 妻之父母，抑言其一。 此所謂供承宗廟不欲奪私心。 然吾季著於春秋，無臣證於往牒，既許通體之一，用開至尊之敬，比長秋配極，陰政既敷，未聞有司陳奏斯式，可詔太師輟臣從禮。」 又勒集書造儀付外。 高祖前後納熙三女，二為后，一為左昭儀。 由是馮氏寵貴益隆，賞賜累巨萬。 高祖每詔熙上書不臣，入朝不拜。 熙上書如舊。
Emperor Gaozu took his daughter as empress and said, "The Baihu Tong states that there are three kinds of persons whom a king does not treat as subjects. The parents of one's wife—this is mentioned as one of them. This is what is meant by sustaining the ancestral temple without wishing to deprive one of private feeling. Yet my uncle-in-law appears in the Spring and Autumn Annals, and former documents offer no precedent for treating him as a subject. Since I have granted him this full personal exemption, to open the way for the utmost reverence—comparable to the empress taking her place beside Heaven, with feminine governance already established—I have not heard the responsible officials submit this procedure. Let an edict command the Grand Preceptor to cease observing the rites of a subject." He also ordered the Secretariat to draft the ritual and issue it abroad. Over time Emperor Gaozu took three of Xi's daughters—two as empresses and one as Left Lady of Bright Deportment. Thereupon the Feng clan's favor and eminence rose ever higher, and rewards totaled tens of thousands. Emperor Gaozu repeatedly decreed that when Xi submitted memorials he need not style himself a subject, and when he came to court he need not bow. Xi continued to submit memorials as he had before.
33
熙於後遇疾，綿寢四載。 詔遣醫問，道路相望，車駕亦數臨幸焉。 將遷洛，高祖親與熙別，見其困篤，歔欷流涕。 密敕宕昌公王遇曰：「太師萬一，即可監護喪事。」 十九年，薨於代。 車駕在淮南，留臺表聞，還至徐州乃舉哀。 為制緦服，詔有司豫辨凶儀，并開魏京之墓，[13]令公主之柩俱向伊洛。 凡所營送，皆公家為備。 又敕代給綵帛前後六千匹，以供凶用。 皇后詣代都赴哭，太子恂亦赴代哭弔。 將葬，贈假黃鉞、侍中、都督十州諸軍事、大司馬、太尉、冀州刺史，加黃屋左纛，備九錫，前後部羽葆鼓吹，皆依晉太宰、安平獻王故事。 有司奏諡，詔曰：「可以威強恢遠曰『武』，奉諡於公。」 柩至洛七里澗，高祖服衰往迎，叩靈悲慟而拜焉。 葬日，送臨墓所，親作誌銘。 主生二子，誕、脩。
Later Xi fell ill and lay bedridden for four years. Edicts dispatched physicians to inquire after him until the roads were lined with them, and the emperor's carriage also visited him several times. When the court was about to move the capital to Luoyang, Emperor Gaozu personally bade Xi farewell; seeing him in grave distress, he sighed and wept. He secretly instructed Duke of Dangchang Wang Yu, "If the Grand Preceptor should happen to die, you are to oversee the funeral at once." In the nineteenth year he died at Dai. The emperor was in Huainan; the officials left at the capital reported by memorial, and mourning was not observed until the court returned to Xuzhou. He wore the coarsest hemp mourning and ordered the responsible officials to prepare the funeral rites in advance; the tomb in Wei territory was opened,[13] and the princess's coffin was to be conveyed together toward Yiluo. Everything needed for the funeral procession was furnished by the state. An edict also supplied six thousand bolts of colored silk from Dai for the funeral. The empress went to the capital at Dai to mourn, and Crown Prince Xun also went to Dai to weep and offer condolences. At burial he was posthumously granted the Credential with the Yellow Axe, Attendant-in-Ordinary, Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs across ten provinces, Grand Marshal, Grand Commandant, and Governor of Ji Province, with the yellow-canopied chariot and left battle-ax banner, the full Nine Bestowals, and front and rear guards with feathered parasols and martial music—all following the precedents of the Jin Grand Preceptor, Duke Xian of Anping. The responsible officials submitted a posthumous name; an edict stated, "One whose authority was formidable and whose reach restored distant realms may be called 'Martial'—let this posthumous name be conferred upon the Duke." When the coffin reached Qilijian outside Luoyang, Emperor Gaozu went out in mourning robes to meet it, knocked upon the bier, wept in grief, and bowed. On the day of burial he accompanied the procession to the grave and personally composed the epitaph. He had two sons, Dan and Xiu.
34
誕字思政，脩字寶業，皆姿質妍麗。 年纔十餘歲，文明太后俱引入禁中，申以教誡，然不能習讀經史，故兄弟並無學術，徒整飾容儀，寬雅恭謹而已。 誕與高祖同歲，幼侍書學，仍蒙親待。 尚帝妹樂安長公主，拜駙馬都尉、侍中、征西大將軍、南平王。 脩，侍中、鎮北大將軍、尚書、東平公。 又除誕儀曹尚書，知殿中事。 及罷庶姓王，誕為侍中、都督中外諸軍事、中軍將軍、特進，改封長樂郡公。 誕拜官，高祖立於庭，遙受其拜，既訖還室。 脩降為侯。
Dan, whose courtesy name was Sizheng, and Xiu, whose courtesy name was Baoye, were both handsome and graceful in bearing. When they were barely more than ten, Empress Dowager Wenming brought them both into the inner palace and earnestly instructed them, yet they could not master the classics and histories; neither brother gained scholarly attainment and knew only to keep their appearance neat and conduct themselves with easy grace and respectful modesty. Dan was the same age as Emperor Gaozu; from childhood he attended him in study and continued to enjoy his personal favor. He married the emperor's younger sister, Princess Le'an the Elder, and was appointed Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, Attendant-in-Ordinary, General of the Western Expedition, and Prince of Nanping. Xiu held the posts of Attendant-in-Ordinary, General Who Guards the North, Minister, and Duke of Dongping. Dan was also appointed Minister of the Bureau of Rites and put in charge of palace affairs. When the practice of enfeoffing commoners as kings was abolished, Dan was made Attendant-in-Ordinary, Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs at Home and Abroad, General of the Central Army, and Special Advancement, and re-enfeoffed as Duke of Changle Commandery. When Dan accepted his appointment, Emperor Gaozu stood in the courtyard, received his bow from a distance, and then returned inside. Xiu was demoted to marquis.
35
誕與脩雖並長宮禁，而性趣乖別。 誕性淳篤，脩乃浮競。 誕亦未能誨督其過，然時言於太后。 高祖嚴責之，至於楚棰。 由是陰懷毒恨，遂結左右有憾於誕者，求藥，欲因食害誕。 事覺，高祖自詰之，具得情狀。 誕引過謝，乞全脩命。 高祖以誕父老，又重其意，不致於法，撻之百餘，黜為平城百姓。 脩妻，司空穆亮女也，求離婚，請免官。 高祖引管蔡事，皆不許。
Though Dan and Xiu both grew up within the palace precincts, their temperaments were utterly different. Dan was sincere and steadfast by nature; Xiu was shallow and competitive. Dan also failed to instruct and correct his brother's faults, yet would occasionally speak of them to the empress dowager. Emperor Gaozu sternly rebuked him and even beat him with a birch rod. Thereafter Xiu nursed a secret and poisonous resentment; he joined with attendants who bore ill will toward Dan, sought poison, and planned to kill him through his food. When the affair came to light, Emperor Gaozu personally interrogated him and learned the full circumstances. Dan accepted the blame and apologized, begging that Xiu's life be spared. Emperor Gaozu, considering Dan's advanced age and honoring his plea, did not put Xiu to death under the law but had him flogged more than a hundred times and reduced to commoner status in Pingcheng. Xiu's wife was the daughter of Minister of Works Mu Liang; she sought divorce and asked to be relieved of her official status. Emperor Gaozu cited the cases of Guan and Cai and refused both requests.
36
高祖寵誕，每與誕同輿而載，同案而食，同席坐臥。 彭城王勰、北海王詳，雖直禁中，然親近不及。 十六年，以誕為司徒。 高祖既深愛誕，除官日，親為制三讓表并啟，將拜，又為其章謝。 尋加車騎大將軍、太子太師。 十八年，高祖謂其無師傅奬導風，誕深自誨責。
Emperor Gaozu favored Dan; he often rode in the same carriage with him, ate from the same table, and sat and slept on the same mat. Princes Pengcheng Xi and Beihai Xiang, though stationed within the inner palace, did not enjoy such closeness. In the sixteenth year Dan was appointed Minister over the Masses. Since Emperor Gaozu deeply loved Dan, on the day of his appointment he personally drafted the three declining memorials and the petition; when the appointment was to be conferred, he also wrote the letter of thanks on Dan's behalf. Soon afterward he was additionally made General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. In the eighteenth year Emperor Gaozu said that he lacked a tutor to nurture and guide his conduct; Dan deeply blamed himself.
37
從駕南伐。 十九年，至鍾離，誕遇疾不能侍從。 高祖日省問，醫藥備加。 時高祖銳意臨江，乃命六軍發鍾離南轅，與誕泣訣。 左右皆入，無不掩涕。 時誕已惙然，強坐，視高祖，悲而淚不能下，言夢太后來呼臣。 高祖嗚咽，執手而出，遂行。 是日，去鍾離五十里許。 昏時，告誕薨問，高祖哀不自勝。 時崔慧景、裴叔業軍在中淮，去所次不過百里。 高祖乃輕駕西還，從者數千人。 夜至誕薨所，撫屍哀慟，若喪至戚，達旦聲淚不絕。 從者亦迭舉音。 明告蕭鸞鍾離戍主蕭惠休。 惠休遣其太守奉慰。 詔求棺於城中。 及斂迭舉，[14]高祖以所服衣㡊充襚，親自臨視，撤樂去膳。 宣敕六軍，止臨江之駕。 高祖親北度，慟哭極哀。 詔侍臣一人兼大鴻臚，送柩至京。 禮物轜儀，徐州備造； 陵兆葬事，下洛候設。 喪至洛陽，車駕猶在鍾離。 詔留守賜賻物布帛五千匹、穀五千斛，以供葬事。 贈假黃鉞、使持節、大司馬，領司徒、侍中、都督、太師、駙馬、公如故。 加以殊禮，備錫九命，依晉大司馬、齊王攸故事。 有司奏諡，詔曰：「案諡法； 善行仁德曰『元』，柔克有光曰『懿』。 昔貞惠兼美，受三諡之榮； 忠武雙徽，錫兩號之茂。 式準前迹，宜契具瞻。 既自少綢繆，知之惟朕。 案行定名，諡曰元懿。」 帝又親為作碑文及挽歌，詞皆窮美盡哀，事過其厚。 車駕還京，詔曰：「馮大司馬已就墳塋，永潛幽室，宿草之哭，何能忘之。」 遂親臨誕墓，停車而哭。 使彭城王勰詔羣官脫朱衣，服單衣介幘，陪哭司徒，貴者示以朋友，微者示如僚佐。 公主貞厚有禮度，產二男，長子穆。
He accompanied the emperor on the southern campaign. In the nineteenth year, when they reached Zhongli, Dan fell ill and could no longer attend upon the emperor. Emperor Gaozu inquired after him daily and saw that he received every medicine he needed. At the time Emperor Gaozu was intent on crossing the Yangtze; he ordered the six armies to march south from Zhongli and took tearful leave of Dan. All those present were there; none could hold back their tears. By then Dan was already failing; forcing himself to sit up, he looked at Emperor Gaozu, grieved yet unable to weep, and said he had dreamed that the empress dowager was calling him. Emperor Gaozu sobbed, clasped his hand, and went out, then departed. That day they were about fifty li from Zhongli. At dusk came word that Dan had died; Emperor Gaozu was overwhelmed with grief. At the time the armies of Cui Huijing and Pei Shuye were in Middle Huai, less than a hundred li from the encampment. Emperor Gaozu then returned west with a light escort, accompanied by several thousand followers. By night he reached the place where Dan had died; he caressed the corpse and mourned as for a closest kin, weeping without cease until dawn. Those who accompanied him also took turns raising cries of mourning. At dawn he notified Xiao Luan's Zhongli garrison commander, Xiao Huihuo. Huihuo sent his prefect to offer condolences on behalf of the court. An edict ordered coffins to be sought within the city. As the encoffining proceeded with successive cries of mourning,[14] Emperor Gaozu used the garment he was wearing as burial robes, personally inspected the rites, and removed music and meals. He proclaimed to the six armies to halt the expedition toward the river. Emperor Gaozu personally crossed north again and wept with utmost grief. An edict appointed one attendant minister also serving as Grand Herald to escort the coffin to the capital. Funereal goods and hearse fittings were prepared by Xuzhou; tomb and burial arrangements were set up by the officials awaiting at Luoyang. When the coffin reached Luoyang, the emperor was still at Zhongli. An edict to the officials left behind granted five thousand bolts of silk and five thousand hu of grain for the funeral. He was posthumously granted the Credential with the Yellow Axe, Bearer of the Staff, Grand Marshal, concurrently Minister over the Masses, Attendant-in-Ordinary, Commander-in-Chief, Grand Preceptor, and Imperial Son-in-Law—the ducal title as before. With additional exceptional honors, the full Nine Bestowals were provided, following the precedent of the Jin Grand Marshal, Prince You of Qi. The responsible officials submitted a posthumous name; an edict stated, "Consult the method of posthumous names: One who practices benevolence and virtue is called 'Yuan'; one who is gentle yet overcoming shines with brilliance is called 'Yi'. In antiquity, when Zhen and Hui combined their beauties, one received the glory of three posthumous names; When Zhong and Wu bore dual emblems, one was granted the splendor of two titles. Following the tracks of the former, it is fitting to satisfy universal expectation. Since childhood we were bound in close affection—I alone knew him. Examining his conduct to fix his name, his posthumous name shall be Yuanyi." The emperor also personally composed the stele inscription and dirge; the words were utterly beautiful and utterly mournful, exceeding what propriety required. When the emperor returned to the capital, an edict stated, "Grand Marshal Feng has already entered his tomb and forever lies in the hidden chamber—the weeping beside fresh grave grass, how could I forget it." He then personally visited Dan's tomb, stopped his carriage, and wept. He sent Prince Pengcheng Xi to instruct the officials to remove their vermilion robes and wear plain single garments with gauze caps, to accompany Dan in mourning as Minister over the Masses; for the exalted it showed friendship, for the humble it showed the relation of subordinate to superior. The princess was chaste, steadfast, and observant of ritual propriety; she bore two sons, the elder named Mu.
38
穆，字孝和，襲熙爵。 避皇子愉封，改扶風郡公。 尚高祖女順陽長公主，拜駙馬都尉，歷員外、通直散騎常侍。 穆與叔輔興不和。 輔興亡，贈相州刺史。 祖載在庭，而穆方高車良馬，恭受職命，言宴滿堂，忻笑自若，為御史中尉東平王匡所劾。 後位金紫光祿大夫，遇害河陰。 贈司空、雍州刺史。
Mu, whose courtesy name was Xiaohe, inherited Xi's noble rank. To avoid conflict with the enfeoffment of Prince Yu, he was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Fufeng Commandery. He married Emperor Gaozu's daughter, Princess Shunyang the Elder, was appointed Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, and served as Outer Attendant and Regular Bearer of the Fast Horse. Mu and his uncle Fuxing were on bad terms. When Fuxing died, he was posthumously made Governor of Xiang Province. While the ancestral bier stood in the courtyard, Mu rode in tall carriages behind fine horses, reverently accepting his appointment, feasting and conversing with a hall full of guests, smiling with untroubled satisfaction—and was impeached by the Censor-in-Chief, Prince of Dongping, Kuang. He later rose to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal and Purple Tassel, and met his death at Heyin. He was posthumously granted the titles of Minister of Works and Governor of Yong Province.
39
子冏，字景昭，襲爵昌黎王。 尋以庶姓罷王，仍襲扶風郡公。
His son Jiong, whose courtesy name was Jingzhao, inherited the title of Prince of Changli. Soon afterward his princely title was revoked because he was of common surname, but he nonetheless inherited the dukedom of Fufeng Commandery.
40
子峭，字子漢。 齊受禪，例降。
His son Qiao, whose courtesy name was Zihan. When Northern Qi received the throne, his rank was reduced according to precedent.
41
穆弟顥，襲父誕長樂郡公。
Mu's younger brother Hao inherited their father Dan's dukedom of Changle Commandery.
42
脩弟聿，字寶興，廢后同產兄也。 位黃門郎、信都伯。 後坐妹廢，免為長樂百姓。 世宗時卒於河南尹。
Xiu's younger brother Yu, whose courtesy name was Baoxing, was the deposed empress's elder full brother. He served as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and Baron of Xindu. Later, when his younger sister was deposed, he was stripped of office and reduced to a commoner of Changle. During Emperor Shizong's reign he died in office as Intendant of Henan.
43
聿同產弟風，[15]幼養於宮，文明太后特加愛念。 數歲，賜爵至北平王，拜太子中庶子，出入禁闥，寵侔二兄。 高祖親政後，恩寵稍衰，降爵為侯。 幽后立，乃復敍用。 后死，亦冗散。 卒，贈青州刺史。
Yu's younger full brother Feng,[15] was raised from childhood in the palace, and Empress Dowager Wenming doted on him with special tenderness. Within a few years he was ennobled all the way to Prince of Beiping, appointed Junior Mentor to the Crown Prince, and admitted to the forbidden gates; his favor rivaled that of his two elder brothers. After Emperor Gaozu took personal control of the government, his favor waned and his title was reduced to marquis. When Empress You was enthroned, he was again appointed to office by seniority. When the empress died, he was again cast off into idleness. He died and was posthumously made Governor of Qing Province.
44
崔光之兼黃門也，與聿俱直。 光每謂之曰：「君家富貴太盛，終必衰敗。」 聿云：「我家何負四海，乃呪我也。」 光云：「以古推之，不可不慎。」 時熙為太保，誕司徒、太子太傅，脩侍中、尚書，聿黃門。 廢后在位，禮愛未弛。 是後歲餘，脩以罪棄，熙、誕喪亡，后廢，聿退。 時人以為盛必衰也。
When Cui Guang concurrently held office in the Yellow Gate, he and Yu served on duty together. Cui Guang often told him, "Your family's wealth and honor have grown too great; in the end you are bound to fall into decline." Yu replied, "What has my family done to wrong all under Heaven, that you would curse us like this?" Cui Guang said, "Judging by what antiquity teaches, you must be careful." At that time Xi served as Grand Guardian; Dan as Minister over the Masses and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince; Xiu as Palace Attendant and Director of the Masters of Writing; and Yu in the Yellow Gate. While the empress who would later be deposed still held the throne, ritual honor and affection had not yet slackened. A little over a year later, Xiu was cast off for a crime; Xi and Dan died; the empress was deposed; and Yu withdrew from office. People of the time took it as proof that what rises to splendor must inevitably decline.
45
李峻，字珍之，梁國蒙縣人，元皇后兄也。 父方叔，劉義隆濟陰太守。 高宗遣間使諭之，峻與五弟誕、嶷、雅、白、永等前後歸京師。 拜峻鎮西將軍、涇州刺史、頓丘公。 雅、嶷、誕等皆封公位顯。 後進峻爵為王，徵為太宰，薨。
Li Jun, whose courtesy name was Zhenzhi, was a native of Meng County in Liang State and elder brother of Empress Yuan. His father Fangshu had served as Governor of Jiyin under Liu Yilong. Emperor Gaozong sent secret envoys to summon him, and Jun and his five younger brothers Dan, Ni, Ya, Bai, Yong, and others returned to the capital one after another. Jun was appointed General Who Pacifies the West, Governor of Jing Province, and Duke of Dunqiu. Ya, Ni, Dan, and the others were all enfeoffed as dukes and held eminent office. Later Jun's noble rank was advanced to prince; he was summoned to serve as Grand Preceptor, then died.
46
李惠，中山人，思皇后之父也。 父蓋，少知名，歷位殿中、都官二尚書，左將軍，南郡公。 初，世祖妹武威長公主，故涼王沮渠牧犍之妻。 世祖平涼州，頗以公主通密計助之，故寵遇差隆。 詔蓋尚焉。 蓋妻與氏，以是而出。 是後，蓋加侍中，駙馬都尉，殿中、都官尚書，左僕射，卒官。 贈征南大將軍、定州刺史、中山王，諡曰莊。
Li Hui, a native of Zhongshan, was the father of Empress Si. His father Gai won renown early in life and rose through the posts of Director of the Palace and Director of Punishments, both Masters of Writing, Left General, and Duke of Nan Commandery. Earlier, Emperor Shizu's younger sister, Princess Wuwei the Elder, had been the wife of the former King of Liang, Juqu Mujian. When Emperor Shizu pacified Liang Province, the princess had greatly helped through secret counsel, and so Gai received especially lofty favor. An edict ordered Gai to marry her. Gai's wife, of the Yu clan, was therefore dismissed. Thereafter Gai was additionally made Palace Attendant, Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, Director of the Palace and Director of Punishments, Masters of Writing, and Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and died in office. He was posthumously granted the titles of General Who Conquers the South, Governor of Ding Province, and Prince of Zhongshan; his posthumous name was Zhuang.
47
惠弱冠襲父爵，妻襄城王韓頹女，生二女，長即后也。 惠歷位散騎常侍、侍中、征西大將軍、秦益二州刺史，進爵為王，轉雍州刺史、征南大將軍，加長安鎮大將。
Upon reaching manhood Hui inherited his father's noble rank; he married a daughter of Prince of Xiangcheng Han Tui and had two daughters—the elder became the empress. Hui rose through the posts of Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, Palace Attendant, General Who Conquers the West, and Governor of Qin and Yi provinces; his noble rank was advanced to prince; he was transferred to Governor of Yong Province and General Who Conquers the South, and additionally made Great General of Chang'an Garrison.
48
惠長於思察。 雍州廳事，有燕爭巢，鬬已累日。 惠令人掩獲，試命綱紀斷之，並辭曰：「此乃上智所測，非下愚所知。」 惠乃使卒以弱竹彈兩燕，既而一去一留。 惠笑謂吏屬曰：「此留者自計為巢功重，彼去者既經楚痛，理無留心。」 羣下伏其聰察。 人有負鹽負薪者，同釋重擔，息於樹陰。 二人將行，爭一羊皮，各言藉背之物。 惠遣爭者出，顧謂州綱紀曰：「此羊皮可拷知主乎？」 羣下以為戲言，咸無答者。 惠令人置羊皮蓆上，以杖擊之，見少鹽屑，曰：「得其實矣。」 使爭者視之，負薪者乃伏而就罪。 凡所察究，多如此類。 由是吏民莫敢欺犯。
Hui excelled at keen, thoughtful scrutiny. In the main hall of Yong Province headquarters, swallows were fighting over a nest and had been at it for many days. Hui had men secretly capture them, then tried ordering his chief clerk to judge the case—but all declined, saying, "This is something only superior intelligence can fathom, not what the untalented can know." Hui then had soldiers flick the two swallows with supple bamboo; soon one flew off and one remained. Hui smiled and said to his staff, "The one that stayed reckoned that its labor in building the nest had been great; the one that left, having already suffered pain, had no reason to remain." His subordinates submitted in admiration of his keen discernment. Two men—one carrying salt, one carrying firewood—likewise set down their heavy burdens and rested in the shade of a tree. When the two were about to leave, they quarreled over a single sheepskin, each claiming it had lain against his back. Hui sent the disputants out, then turned and asked the provincial chief clerk, "Can the owner of this sheepskin be determined by beating it?" His subordinates took it for a jest and none replied. Hui had the sheepskin placed on a mat and struck with a staff; a little salt dust appeared, and he said, "The truth is found." He had the disputants look; the firewood carrier then prostrated himself and accepted guilt. In nearly every inquiry he pursued, it was mostly of this sort. From this, officials and commoners alike dared not deceive or transgress against him.
49
後為開府儀同三司、青州刺史，王如故。 歷政有美績。 惠素為文明太后所忌，誣惠將南叛，誅之。 惠二弟，初、樂，與惠諸子同戮。 後妻梁氏亦死青州。 盡沒其家財。 惠本無釁，故天下冤惜焉。
Later he became Director with Protocol Equal to the Three Excellencies and Governor of Qing Province; his princely title remained unchanged. In every office he held, he left a record of fine achievement. Hui had long been resented by Empress Dowager Wenming; she falsely accused him of intending to rebel to the south and had him executed. Hui's two younger brothers Chu and Yue, together with all of Hui's sons, were executed along with him. His later wife, Lady Liang, also died in Qing Province. All of the family's property was confiscated. Hui had done nothing to deserve it, and so all under Heaven mourned the injustice.
50
惠從弟鳳，為定州刺史、安樂王長樂主簿。 後長樂以罪賜死，時卜筮者河間邢瓚辭引鳳，云「長樂不軌，鳳為謀主」，伏誅。 惟鳳弟道念與鳳子及兄弟之子皆逃免，後遇赦乃出。 太和十二年，高祖將爵舅氏，詔訪存者。 而惠諸從以再罹孥戮，難於應命。 唯道念敢先詣闕，乃申后妹及鳳兄弟子女之存者。 於是賜鳳子屯爵柏人侯，安祖浮陽侯，興祖安喜侯，道念真定侯，從弟寄生高邑子，皆加將軍。 十五年，安祖昆弟四人，以外戚蒙見，詔謂曰：「卿之先世，內外有犯，得罪於時。 然官必用才，以親非興邦之選。 外氏之寵，超於末葉。 從今已後，自非奇才，不得復外戚謬班抽舉。 [16]既無殊能，今且可還。」 後例降爵，安祖等改侯為伯，並去軍號。 高祖奉馮氏過厚，於李氏過薄，舅家了無敍用。 朝野人士所以竊議，太常高閭顯言于禁中。 及世宗寵隆外家，並居顯位，乃惟高祖舅氏存已不霑恩澤，[17]景明末，特詔興祖為中山太守。 正始初，詔追崇惠為使持節、驃騎將軍、開府儀同三司、定州刺史、中山公。 太常考行，上言，案諡法武而不遂曰「莊」，諡曰莊公。 興祖自中山遷燕州刺史。 卒，以兄安祖子侃晞為後，襲。 先封南郡王，後以庶姓罷王，改為博陵郡公。
Hui's younger cousin Feng served as Governor of Ding Province and chief clerk to Prince of Anle Chang Le. Later Chang Le was granted death for a crime; at the time the diviner Xing Zan of Hejian, in his testimony, implicated Feng, saying, "Chang Le's disloyalty—Feng was the chief plotter"—and Feng was executed. Only Feng's younger brother Daonian, Feng's son, and the sons of their brothers all escaped and went into hiding; only after an amnesty did they come forth. In the twelfth year of Taihe, Emperor Gaozu was about to ennoble his maternal kin and issued an edict seeking survivors. But Hui's various cousins, having twice suffered the slaughter of wives and children, found it hard to answer the summons. Only Daonian dared go first to the palace and report those who survived among the empress's younger sisters and Feng's brothers' children. Thereupon Feng's son Tun was granted the rank of Marquis of Baoren; Anzu, Marquis of Fuyang; Xingzu, Marquis of Anxi; Daonian, Marquis of Zhending; and his younger cousin Jisheng, Viscount of Gaoyi—all were additionally given generalships. In the fifteenth year, the four brothers Anzu and his kin, being received as favored maternal kin, were addressed by edict: "Your forebears, within and without the clan, committed offenses and were punished in their day. Yet office must be filled by talent; kinship is not the criterion for building a state. The favor shown to the maternal kin exceeded what was due in the dynasty's decline. From this day forward, unless one is a rare talent, no maternal kin shall again be falsely elevated and hurried into office. [16] Since you possess no exceptional ability, for now you may withdraw." Later, by precedent their noble ranks were reduced; Anzu and the others were changed from marquis to baron, and all military titles were removed. Emperor Gaozu was excessively generous to the Feng clan and excessively sparing toward the Li clan; among his maternal kin there was virtually no appointment by seniority. For this reason court and commoners whispered in private, and Grand Director of Ceremonies Gao Lu openly spoke of it within the forbidden precincts. When Emperor Shizong lavished favor on the maternal kin and they all held eminent posts, it became clear that Emperor Gaozu's surviving maternal relatives had received no grace;[17] at the end of the Jingming era, Xingzu was specially appointed Governor of Zhongshan by edict. At the beginning of Zhengshi, an edict posthumously honored Hui as Commissioner Bearing Staff, General of Agile Cavalry, Director with Protocol Equal to the Three Excellencies, Governor of Ding Province, and Duke of Zhongshan. The Grand Director of Ceremonies examined his conduct and submitted a memorial; according to the law of posthumous names, "martial yet not brought to completion" is Zhuang—his posthumous title was Duke Zhuang. Xingzu was transferred from Zhongshan to Governor of Yan Province. He died; Anzu's son Kanxi was made his heir and inherited the title. He was first enfeoffed as Prince of Nan Commandery; later, because he was of common surname, his princely title was revoked and he was changed to Duke of Boling Commandery.
51
侃晞為莊帝所親幸。 拜散騎常侍、嘗食典御。 帝之圖尒朱榮，侃晞與魯安等持刀於禁內，殺榮。 及莊帝蒙塵，侃晞奔蕭衍。
Kanxi was personally favored by Emperor Zhuang. He was appointed Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and Superintendent of the Imperial Tasters. When the emperor plotted against Erzhu Rong, Kanxi, together with Lu An and others, held blades within the forbidden precincts and killed Rong. When Emperor Zhuang fell into adversity, Kanxi fled to Xiao Yan.
52
校勘記
Textual Collation Notes
53
魏書卷八十三上諸本目錄此卷注「闕」，百衲本、南本、北本、汲本、局本卷末有宋人校記，云：「魏收書外戚傳上亡。」 殿本入考證，云「後人所補」。 按此卷大體以北史卷八０外戚傳中相同諸傳補，但也有溢出北史文句。 其序自首至「或以思澤」全同北史。 劉羅辰、李峻二傳，北史外戚傳無。 羅辰，北史卷二０附劉庫仁傳，此卷羅辰傳前半或掇取本書卷二三劉庫仁附劉眷傳末數語，後半則取之北史。 李峻傳不知所出。 大致此卷亦是以北史補，而以高氏小史等他書附益之。
In the table of contents of various editions of the Book of Wei, Volume 83a is marked "missing"; at the end of the volume in the Baibna, Nan, Bei, Ji, and Ju editions there is a Song-dynasty collation note stating, "The first part of the Consort Kin biographies in Wei Shou's book is lost." The Dian edition enters this into its textual verification, saying "supplemented by a later hand." According to this, the volume was largely supplemented from the corresponding biographies in the Consort Kin section of Northern History, Volume 80, though there are also passages beyond what appears in the Northern History. Its preface, from the opening down to "or by favor and grace," is entirely identical to the Northern History. The biographies of Liu Luochen and Li Jun are not found in the Consort Kin section of the Northern History. Luochen appears appended to the biography of Liu Kuren in Northern History, Volume 20; the first half of his biography in this volume may have drawn a few sentences from the end of the appendix on Liu Juan to Liu Kuren in this book, Volume 23, while the latter half was taken from the Northern History. The source of the Li Jun biography is unknown. In general this volume too was supplemented from the Northern History, with additions from the Gaoshi Xiaoshi and other texts.
54
常相持奬按「常」疑是「當」之訛。
Regarding the phrase "had constantly supported and encouraged him": the character chang is likely a corruption of dang ("ought to").
55
進爵北新公諸本及北史卷八０賀訥附賀悅傳無「公」字，通志卷一六五賀訥傳有。 按賀悅先封鉅鹿侯，進爵自當為公。 這裏脫「公」字，今據補。
On the line "advanced to Duke of Beixin": most editions and the Northern History appendix on He Yue omit the word for "duke"; the Tongzhi biography of He Ne includes it. He Yue was first enfeoffed as Marquis of Julu; advancement in rank should accordingly have been to duke. Here the character for "duke" is missing; it is supplied on this basis.
56
詐增虜級諸本及北史卷八０賀訥附賀泥傳脫「級」字，不可通，今據通志卷一六五補。
On "falsely inflating enemy-head counts": all editions and Bei shi juan 80, He Ni with appended He Ni biography, lack ji (the cited text), "count," and the line cannot be read; it is supplied here from Tongzhi juan 165.
57
及歸而父遺喪按上文不記元寶出外，「及歸」二字無着，上當有脫文。
On "Upon returning, his father had died": the text above never records Yuan Bao departing, so "upon returning" hangs without context; something has dropped out above.
58
追諡后祖父延定襄康公諸本及北史卷八０閭毗傳無「定」字，通志卷一六五閭毗傳有。 按下云「父辰，定襄懿王」，知脫「定」字，今據補。
On posthumous enfeoffment of the empress's grandfather Yan as Duke Dingxiang Kang: all editions and Bei shi juan 80, Lu Pi biography, omit ding (the cited text); Tongzhi juan 165, Lu Pi biography, includes it. The line below reads "Father Chen, Prince Yi of Dingxiang," showing that ding (the cited text) is missing here; it is supplied on that basis.
59
遼西簡公諸本及北史卷八０「簡」作「蘭」，通志卷一五六作「簡」。 按諡法無「蘭」字，乃「簡」字形近而訛，今據改。
On Duke Jian of Liaoxi: all editions and Bei shi juan 80 read jian (the cited text) as lan (the cited text); Tongzhi juan 156 has jian (the cited text). Posthumous-name conventions include no lan (the cited text); the graph is a near-graphical corruption of jian (the cited text), and the text is emended accordingly.
60
從兄泰為安東將軍朝鮮侯通志卷一六五敍常氏事「泰」作「訢」。 按此句下緊接「訢子伯夫」，「次子員」官位，而上却不舉訢名，不知為常氏何人。 如通志「泰」作「訢」，便無問題。 但泰又見下文，且「泰」「訢」二字聲形俱遠，傳本何以「訢」字訛「泰」？ 疑通志以意改，非有他據。 此句下當脫訢名及官位。
On "Cousin Tai served as General Who Pacifies the East and Marquis of Chaoxian": Tongzhi juan 165, in its Chang-clan account, reads tai (the cited text) as xin (the cited text). Immediately below come "Xin's son Bofu" and the second son Yuan's offices, yet Xin is never named above; it is unclear which Chang-clan figure is intended. If one accepts the Tongzhi's tai (the cited text) → xin (the cited text) reading, the problem disappears. Yet Tai appears again below, and tai (the cited text) and xin (the cited text) are far apart in sound and shape; how would a transmitted text turn xin into tai? The Tongzhi reading is likely an editorial change without independent support. Xin's name and offices must have dropped out below this line.
61
伏寶泰等州刺史按此句連上文似也是常英歷官。 然伏、寶二州不見紀載。 上稱英「從兄泰」，則伏、寶、泰皆人名而非地名。 卷九四封津傳云：「父令德，娶黨寶女，寶伏誅，令德以連坐伏法。」 北史卷九二封津傳「黨寶」作「常寶」。 疑即此為「州刺史」之「寶」。
On "Fu, Bao, and Tai as provincial governors": taken with the preceding text, this line seems to belong to Chang Ying's sequence of offices. Yet no Fu or Bao provinces are attested elsewhere. Since Ying's "cousin Tai" is named above, Fu, Bao, and Tai must be personal names rather than toponyms. Juan 94, Feng Jin biography, records: "His father Lingde married the daughter of Dang Bao; Bao was executed by strangulation; Lingde was put to death as an associate." Bei shi juan 92, Feng Jin biography, has "Chang Bao" where this text reads "Dang Bao." This is likely the Bao in "provincial governor."
62
伯夫進爵范陽公張森楷云：「伯夫初無封爵之文，何得云『進』？ 疑『進』是『賜』之誤，否則前文失載。」 按此傳敍常氏事中多脫誤，恐非原文失載。
On "Bofu was promoted in rank to Duke of Fanyang": Zhang Senkai asks, "No prior enfeoffment is recorded for Bofu — how can the text say 'promoted'? Jin (the cited text), "promoted," is likely a corruption of ci (the cited text), "granted"; otherwise an earlier enfeoffment was omitted from the record." This biography's Chang-clan account is riddled with lacunae and errors; the trouble is likely textual corruption, not a gap in the original source.
63
諸常自興安及至是諸本及北史卷八０「安」作「公」。 諸本於「及」下注「疑」字。 通志卷一五六「公」作「安」，無「及」字。 按上文稱常英兄弟於興安二年授官封爵，為諸常貴盛之始，通志作「興安」是，今據改。 「及」字贅，但也可通，今仍之。 刪旁注「疑」字。
On "All the Changs from Xing'an down to this time": all editions and Bei shi juan 80 read an (the cited text) as gong (the cited text). Several editions mark yi (the cited text), "doubtful," beside ji (the cited text). Tongzhi juan 156 has an (the cited text) instead of gong (the cited text) and omits ji (the cited text). The passage above records Chang Ying and his brothers receiving offices and enfeoffments in Xing'an year 2, the start of the Chang clan's ascendancy; Tongzhi's "Xing'an" is correct and is adopted here. Ji (the cited text) is superfluous but still readable; it is left as is. The marginal gloss yi (the cited text), "doubtful," is removed.
64
遼西郡公卷一三文成馮皇后傳「遼西」作「西城」，墓誌集釋元悅妃馮季華墓誌 〈圖版八三〉 作「西郡公」，疑誌是。 參卷一三校記西城郡公條。
On Duke of Liaoxi commandery: juan 13, Empress Feng of Emperor Wencheng biography, has "Xicheng" for "Liaoxi"; the Muzhi jishi epitaph of Yuan Yue's consort Lady Feng Jihua 〈Plate 83〉 reads "Duke of Xijun commandery"; the epitaph reading is probably correct. See the juan 13 collation note on Duke of Xicheng commandery.
65
并開魏京之墓按「魏京」罕見。 據下文「令公主之柩俱向伊洛」，則公主當先死，葬亦必在代。 但當時未見有稱代為「魏京」之例，疑「魏」當作「代」。
On "and opened the tomb at Weijing": the toponym Weijing is rarely attested. The line below, "had the princess's coffin also proceed toward Yiluo," implies the princess died first and was buried at Dai. No contemporary usage calls Dai "Weijing"; wei (the cited text) is likely a corruption of dai (the cited text).
66
及斂迭舉北史卷八０無「迭舉」二字，疑涉上「從者亦迭舉音」而衍。
On the encoffining and die ju (the cited text), "taking turns raising [laments]": Bei shi juan 80 omits die ju (the cited text); the phrase was likely duplicated from "the attendants likewise took turns raising [laments]" above.
67
聿同產弟風按卷二一廣陵王羽傳見馮夙，以考績下下免中庶子官，自即此「馮風」，疑作「夙」是。
On "together with his uterine younger brother Feng": juan 21, Biography of Prince of Guangling Yu, mentions Feng Su, removed as Central Mentor for a bottom-tier evaluation - likely the figure meant by "Feng Feng" here; su (the cited text) is probably correct.
68
不得復外戚謬班抽舉按文義「復」下疑脫「以」字。
On "must not again allow consorts' kin to be recklessly promoted and selected": yi (the cited text), "by," likely dropped after fu (the cited text).
69
存已不霑恩澤按「已」當是「亡」之訛。
On "the living already do not share in imperial grace": yi (the cited text) is likely a corruption of wang (the cited text), "deceased" - the sense should be that living and dead alike receive no favor.