1
王叡王仲興寇猛趙脩茹晧趙邕侯剛鄭儼徐紇
Wang Rui, Wang Zhongxing, Kou Meng, Zhao Xiu, Ru Hao, Zhao Yong, Hou Gang, Zheng Yan, and Xu He.
2
夫令色巧言，矯情飾貌，邀眄睞之利，射咳唾之私，此蓋苟進之常也。 故甚者刑身瀹子，其次舐痔嘗癰，況乃散金秦貨，輸錢漢爵，又何怪哉？ 若夫地窮尊貴，嗜欲所攻，聖達其猶病諸，中庸固不能免。 男女性態，其揆斯一，二代之亡，皆是物也。 據天下之圖，持海內之命，顧指如意，高下在心，此乃夏桀、殷紂喪二邦，秦母、呂雉穢兩國也。 魏世，王叡幸太和之初，鄭儼寵孝昌之季，主幼於前，君稚於後，乘間宣淫，殆無忌畏，樹列朋黨，蔽塞天聰。 高祖明聖外彰，人神繫仰，御之有術，宗社弗墜。 肅宗不言垂拱，潛濟罕方，六合淆然，至於隕覆。 且承顏色，竊光寵，勢等秋風，氣同夏日，亦何世而不有哉？ 此周旦所以誡其朋，詩人是為疾羣小也。 太宗時，王、車之徒，雖云幸念，皆宣力夷險，誠效兼存，未如趙脩等出於近習趨走之地，坐擅威刑，勢傾都鄙，得之非道，君子所以賤之。 書其變態，備禍福之由焉。
Those who cultivate a flattering face and clever words, distort their feelings and ornament their appearance, and angle for advantage through a glance or a favor are only pursuing advancement by improper means. The worst would go so far as to maim themselves and sacrifice their children; the next would lick boils and taste sores. If they could even scatter gold or buy titles with cash, what is there to be astonished at? When one has reached the height of honor and power, desire still makes its attack. Even sages and masters are afflicted by it, and the moderate and ordinary certainly cannot avoid it. Male and female conduct follow the same pattern, and the ruin of the two dynasties alike came from such matters. When one holds the realm's map and the fate of all under heaven, with every nod and gesture made to produce what one wants and rank fixed by one's own will, that is how Xia Jie and Yin Zhou lost their two kingdoms and how Qin's mother and Empress Lü sullied theirs. In the Wei dynasty, Wang Rui won favor at the start of Taihe and Zheng Yan at the end of Xiaochang. With child rulers before and after them, they exploited the gaps to indulge lust almost without fear, built cliques, and shut out the ruler's enlightened hearing. Emperor Gao's enlightened virtue shone everywhere, and both people and spirits looked up to him. He governed with skill, and the state did not fall. Emperor Su ruled in silent repose, yet his hidden measures were few, and the whole realm fell into confusion and ruin. Those who court favor with a smile and secretly share in grace have power as fleeting as autumn wind and a temperament as hot as summer sun. In what age have they ever been absent? This is why the Duke of Zhou warned his companions and why the poets denounced the petty men. In Emperor Taizong's reign, the likes of Wang and Che, though favored, still threw themselves into hard and easy tasks alike, preserving both loyalty and service. They were nothing like Zhao Xiu and the others, who rose from the circle of close attendants and runners, sat there monopolizing power and punishment, and whose influence overwhelmed town and countryside. To gain power that way is not the proper path, and gentlemen despise it. I record their turns and changes so as to show the causes of fortune and disaster.
3
王叡，字洛誠，自云太原晉陽人也。 六世祖橫，張軌參軍。 晉亂，子孫因居於武威姑臧。 父橋，字法生，解天文卜筮。 涼州平，入京，家貧，以術自給。 歷仕終於侍御中散。 天安初卒，贈平遠將軍、涼州刺史、顯美侯，諡曰敬。
Wang Rui, courtesy name Luocheng, said himself to be from Jinyang in Taiyuan. His sixth-generation ancestor Heng served as a military aide to Zhang Gui. When Jin fell into chaos, the descendants settled in Guzang in Wuwei. His father Qiao, courtesy name Fasheng, understood astronomy and divination. When Liangzhou was pacified, he entered the capital, and because the family was poor, he made his living by his skills. He served in a series of posts and ended as Attendant Censor Zhongsan. He died at the start of Tian'an and was posthumously named General of Far Pacification, Inspector of Liangzhou, and Marquis of Xianmei, with the posthumous title Jing.
4
叡少傳父業，而姿貌偉麗。 恭宗之在東宮，見而奇之。 興安初，擢為太卜中散，稍遷為令，領太史。 承明元年，文明太后臨朝，叡因緣見幸，超遷給事中。 俄而為散騎常侍、侍中、吏部尚書，賜爵太原公。 於是內參機密，外豫政事，愛寵日隆，朝士懾憚焉。 太和二年，高祖及文明太后率百僚與諸方客臨虎圈，有逸虎登門閣道，幾至御座。 左右侍御皆驚靡，叡獨執戟禦之，虎乃退去，故親任轉重。 三年春，詔叡與東陽王丕同入八議，永受復除。 四年，遷尚書令，封爵中山王，加鎮東大將軍。 置王官二十二人，中書侍郎鄭羲為傅，郎中令以下皆當時名士。 又拜叡妻丁氏為妃。 及沙門法秀謀逆，事發，多所牽引。 叡曰：「與其殺不辜，寧赦有罪。 宜梟斬首惡，餘從疑赦，不亦善乎？」 高祖從之，得免者千餘人。
Rui learned his father's craft when young and had a grand, handsome appearance. When Emperor Gong was in the Eastern Palace, he saw him and thought him remarkable. At the start of Xing'an, he was promoted to Taibu Zhongsan, then advanced to head the bureau and take charge of the Grand Astrologer. In the first year of Chengming, when the Civilizing Empress Dowager was ruling the court, Rui won favor through connections and was rapidly promoted to Attendant Gentleman. Soon after, he became Palace Attendant, Palace Gentleman, and Minister of Civil Appointments, and was granted the title Duke of Taiyuan. Thereafter he was admitted to the state's secrets inside court and to its affairs outside it, and his favor grew daily; the court officials feared and deferred to him. In the second year of Taihe, Emperor Gao and the Civilizing Empress Dowager led the hundred officials and envoys from many states to the tiger enclosure, where a loose tiger climbed the gate corridor and nearly reached the imperial seat. The attendants on both sides were all thrown into panic, but Rui alone held his halberd and drove it back, and the tiger withdrew. His favor and trust therefore grew even greater. In the spring of the third year, an edict ordered Rui and Prince Pi of Dongyang to be included in the Eight Deliberations and granted permanent exemption from taxes and service. In the fourth year, he was transferred to Shangshu Ling, enfeoffed as Prince of Zhongshan, and given the added title of Great General Who Pacifies the East. Twenty-two palace officers were appointed; Zhongshu Shilang Zheng Xi served as tutor, and everyone from the Langzhong Ling downward was a noted man of the day. Rui's wife, Lady Ding, was also appointed as a consort. When the monk Faxiu plotted rebellion and the affair was exposed, many people were dragged in. Rui said, 'Rather than kill the innocent, it is better to pardon the guilty. It would be best to behead the chief offenders and pardon the rest where there is doubt. Would that not be good? The emperor followed his advice, and more than a thousand people were spared.
5
叡出入帷幄，太后密賜珍玩繒綵，人莫能知，率常以夜帷車載往，閹官防致，前後巨萬，不可勝數，加以田園、奴婢、牛馬、雜畜，並盡良美。 大臣及左右因是以受賚錫，外示不私，所費又以萬計。 及疾病，高祖、太后每親視疾，侍官省問，相望於道。 及疾篤，上疏曰：
Rui moved freely in and out of the imperial curtains. The empress dowager secretly gave him rare playthings and silks, unknown to anyone else; they were usually conveyed at night in curtained carts and delivered through eunuchs. Over time the gifts amounted to tens of thousands and were beyond counting. He also received fields, gardens, slaves, cattle, horses, and other livestock, all of them the best quality. The great ministers and his attendants also received gifts because of it, so that outwardly it seemed he was not keeping anything for himself, though the outlay again ran into the tens of thousands. When he fell ill, Emperor Gao and the empress dowager repeatedly came in person to ask after him, and attendants and officials were constantly moving back and forth along the road. When his illness grew grave, he submitted a memorial saying:
6
臣聞忠於事君者，節義著於臨終； 孝於奉親者，淳誠表於垂沒。 故孔明卒軍，不忘全蜀之計； 曾參疾甚，情存善言之益。 雖則庸昧，敢忘景行。 臣荷天地覆載之恩，蒙大造生成之德，漸風訓於華年，服道教於弱冠。 濯纓清朝，垂周三紀，受先帝非分之眷，叨陛下殊常之寵。 遂乃齊跡功舊，內侍幃幄，爵列諸王，位班上等，從容聞道，與知國政。 誠思竭盡力命，以報所受，不謂事與心違，忽嬰重疾。 每屈輿駕親臨問之，榮洽生平，惠流身後，犬馬之誠，銜佩罔極。 今所病遂篤，慮必不起，延首闕庭，鯁戀終日。 仰恃皇造宿眷之隆，敢陳愚昧管窺之見。
I have heard that those who are loyal in serving their ruler make their integrity and righteousness clear at the end of life; and those who are filial in serving their parents show their pure sincerity as death draws near. Thus Kong Ming died in command of the army and never forgot the plan to preserve Shu; and when Zeng Shen was gravely ill, his thoughts still rested on the value of good counsel. Though I am dull and ignorant, how could I dare forget such noble conduct? I have borne the grace of heaven and earth's covering and sustaining, and received the great virtue by which I was brought forth and nurtured; in my youth I was gradually shaped by instruction and embraced the teachings of the Way before I was twenty. I have washed my sash in the pure court for nearly three decades, receiving from the former emperor favor beyond my due and from Your Majesty extraordinary grace. Thus I came to stand beside former meritorious men, serving within the curtains at court, ranked among the princes, placed in the upper tier of office, hearing the Way at leisure, and sharing in state affairs. I truly hoped to spend my strength and life in repayment for what I had received, but events went against my wishes and I was suddenly stricken with a grave illness. Whenever Your Majesty bent the carriage to come in person and inquire after me, the honor I have enjoyed in life and the favor that will flow after death are beyond my power to repay; I bear them with loyal gratitude beyond measure. Now my illness has grown severe, and I fear I will not recover. I keep stretching my neck toward the palace court, weighed down with longing all day long. Relying on the greatness of the imperial grace and your long-standing favor, I venture to present this foolish, narrow view of mine.
7
臣聞為治之要，其略有五：一者慎刑罰，二者任賢能，三者親忠信，四者遠讒佞，五者行黜陟。 夫刑罰明則姦宄息，賢能用則功績著，親忠信則視聽審，遠讒佞則疑間絕，黜陟行則貪叨改。 是以欽恤惟刑，載在唐典； 知人則哲，唯帝所難。 周書垂好德之文，漢史列防姦之論，考省幽明，先王大典。 又八表既廣，遠近事殊，撫荒裔宜待之以寬信，綏華甸宜惠之以明簡。 哀恤孤獨，賑施困窮，錄功舊，赦小罪，輕徭役，薄賦斂，修福業，禁淫祀。 願聽政餘暇，賜垂覽察。 使子囊之誠，重申於當世； 將墜之志，獲用於明時。
I have heard that the essentials of good governance are five: first, be careful with punishments; second, employ the worthy and capable; third, draw near to the loyal and trustworthy; fourth, keep away from slanderers and flatterers; fifth, carry out promotion and demotion. When punishments are clear, evil deeds cease; when the worthy and capable are employed, achievements become visible; when the loyal and trustworthy are kept close, what the ruler sees and hears is dependable; when slanderers and flatterers are kept away, suspicion and estrangement disappear; and when promotions and demotions are properly carried out, greed and laxity are corrected. For this reason, careful and compassionate punishment is recorded in the Tang canons; To know people and thus be wise is what even an emperor finds difficult. The Book of Zhou sets forth texts praising virtue, and the Han histories present arguments for guarding against corruption. They examine both the hidden and the manifest, and they are the great ordinances of the former kings. Moreover, since the outer reaches are so broad and the affairs of near and far differ, those who govern the frontier wastes should treat them with generosity and trust, while those who pacify the civilized regions should favor them with clear simplicity. Show compassion for the widowed and solitary, relieve the distressed and poor, record the merits of old officials, pardon small offenses, lighten labor service, reduce taxes and levies, cultivate meritorious works, and prohibit licentious sacrifices. I hope that when you have leisure from affairs of state, you will condescend to inspect this. So that the sincerity of Ziniang may once again be made manifest in the present age; And the ambition on the verge of collapse may yet be put to use in an enlightened age.
8
尋薨，時年四十八。 高祖、文明太后親臨哀慟，賜溫明祕器，宕昌公王遇監護喪事。 贈衞大將軍、太宰、并州牧，諡曰宣王。 內侍長董醜奴營墳墓，將葬於城東，高祖登城樓以望之。 京都文士為作哀詩及誄者百餘人。 乃詔為叡立祀於都南二十里大道右，起廟以時祭薦，并立碑銘，置守祀五家。 又詔褒叡，圖其捍虎狀於諸殿，命高允為之讚。 京都士女謟稱叡美，造新聲而絃歌之，名曰中山王樂。 詔班樂府，合樂奏之。
Soon afterward he died, at the age of forty-eight. Emperor Gao and the Civilizing Empress Dowager personally came to mourn him in grief, bestowed a Wenming secret coffin, and Wang Yu, Prince of Dangchang, supervised the funeral. He was posthumously granted the titles Grand General of the Guard, Grand Marshal, and Governor of Bingzhou, with the posthumous title Prince Xuan. The chief eunuch Dong Chounu arranged the tomb, and when it was to be buried east of the city, Emperor Gao climbed the city tower to watch. More than a hundred literary men of the capital composed mourning poems and elegies for him. Then an edict ordered that a shrine be established for Rui twenty li south of the capital, on the right side of the main road; a temple was built for seasonal sacrifices, along with a stele inscription, and five families were assigned to maintain the shrine. Another edict praised Rui, had his tiger-defending pose painted in the various palaces, and ordered Gao Yun to compose a eulogy for it. The men and women of the capital flattered Rui's virtues, composed new airs, and sang them to string accompaniment, calling them Prince Zhongshan Music. An edict ordered the Music Bureau to record it and perform it as ensemble music.
9
子襲，字元孫。 年十四，以父任擢為中散，仍總中部。 叡薨，高祖詔襲代領都曹，為尚書令，領吏部曹、中部，如其品職，依典承襲。 文明太后令曰：「都曹尚書曹百僚之首，[1]民所具瞻。 襲年少，智思未周，其都曹尚書令可權記，使閑習政事，後用不晚。」 終太后世，寵念如初。 襲王爵，例降為公。 太后崩後，襲仍在高祖左右，然禮遇稍薄，不復關與時事。 久之，出為鎮西將軍、秦州刺史，又轉并州刺史。 十七年，輿駕詣洛，路幸其治，供帳粗辦，境內清靜，高祖頗嘉之。 而民庶多為立銘，置于大路，虛相稱美，或曰襲所教也。 高祖聞而問之，對不以實，因是面被責讓。 尚書奏免其官，詔唯降號二等。 二十年，以事為中尉所糾，會赦免，語在常景傳。 [2]景明二年卒，贈平南將軍、豫州刺史，諡曰質。
His son Xi, courtesy name Yuansun. At the age of fourteen, on account of his father's service, he was promoted to Zhongsan and given charge of the Middle Division. When Rui died, Emperor Gao ordered Xi to succeed him as head of the Dacao, made him Shangshu Ling, and put him in charge of the Civil Appointments Office and the Middle Division, letting him inherit according to the established regulations. The Civilizing Empress Dowager issued an edict saying: 'The Shangshu of the Dacao is the head of all officials and the object of all people's gaze. Xi is young, and his judgment and thought are not yet complete; the post of Shangshu Ling in the Dacao may be held provisionally, so that he may become familiar with government affairs, and he can be used later without delay. Throughout the empress dowager's reign, favor and regard remained as before. His princely title was, by custom, reduced to duke. After the empress dowager died, Xi still remained at Emperor Gao's side, but the rites and favor shown to him grew somewhat thinner, and he was no longer involved in current affairs. After a long while, he was sent out as General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Qinzhou, then transferred to Inspector of Bingzhou. In the seventeenth year, when the imperial carriage went to Luoyang and passed through his jurisdiction on the way, the hospitality arrangements were only roughly prepared, but the prefecture was peaceful, so Emperor Gao praised him highly. But many commoners had inscriptions set up for him and placed them on the main road, empty mutual praise, and some said Xi had taught them to do it. When Emperor Gao heard of it and questioned him, he answered falsely, and for this he was rebuked in person. The Shangshu bureau submitted a memorial asking that he be removed from office, and the edict merely demoted his title by two grades. In the twentieth year, he was impeached by the censor over some matter; an amnesty happened to coincide, so he was pardoned. The story is in the biography of Chang Jing. In the second year of Jingming, he died and was posthumously granted the titles General Pacifying the South and Inspector of Yuzhou, with the posthumous title Zhi.
10
子忻，襲爵，為太尉、汝南王悅記室參軍。 建義初，河陰遇害，贈散騎常侍、安北將軍、肆州刺史，諡曰穆。
His son Xin inherited the title and served as a records officer under the Grand Commandant and Prince of Runan Yue. At the start of the Jianyi era, he was killed at Heyin, and was posthumously granted the titles Palace Attendant, General Pacifying the North, and Inspector of Sizhou, with the posthumous title Mu.
11
子子暄，襲爵。 武定末，齊州驃騎府功曹參軍。 齊受禪，例降。
His son Zixuan inherited the title. At the end of the Wuding era, he served as Merit Officer-Captain in the Cavalry General's office of Qi Prefecture. When Qi took the throne, his rank was reduced as usual.
12
忻弟誕，字永安。 龍驤將軍、正平太守。 亦於河陰遇害，贈撫軍將軍、并州刺史。
Xin's younger brother Dan, courtesy name Yong'an. He served as General of Dragon-Pulse and Prefect of Zhengping. He too was killed at Heyin and was posthumously granted the titles General Pacifying the Army and Inspector of Bingzhou.
13
子希雲，舉秀才，早亡。
His son Xiyun was recommended as a xiaolian and died young.
14
誕弟殖，字永興。 司空城局參軍。
Dan's younger brother Zhi, courtesy name Yongxing. He served as a junior officer in the city bureau of the Minister of Works.
15
子祖幹，司徒行參軍，并州刺史。
His son Zugan served as acting cadet officer in the Ministry of Personnel and as Inspector of Bingzhou.
16
殖弟永業，司空參軍事。
Zhi's younger brother Yongye served as a cadet officer under the Minister of Works.
17
襲弟椿，字元壽。 少以父任拜祕書中散，尋以父憂去職。 後除羽林監、謁者僕射，母喪解任。 正始初，拜中散，出為太原太守，加鎮遠將軍，坐事免。 椿僮僕千餘，園宅華廣，聲妓自適，無乏於時。 或有勸椿仕者，椿笑而不答。 雅有巧思，凡所營製，可為後法。 由是正光中，元叉將營明堂、辟雍，欲徵椿為將作大匠，椿聞而以疾固辭。
Xi's younger brother Chun, courtesy name Yuanshou. At a young age, on account of his father's service, he was appointed Secretary Bureau Zhongsan; soon after, he resigned on the death of his father. Later he was appointed Supervisor of the Royal Guards and deputy director of the gate attendants, but laid down office when his mother died. At the start of Zhengshi, he was appointed Zhongsan, sent out as Prefect of Taiyuan, and given the added title of General of Pacifying Distance, but was dismissed for an offense. Chun had more than a thousand servants; his gardens and residence were splendid and spacious, and music girls and singing girls kept him amused, so that he lacked for nothing in those days. When some people urged Chun to take office, Chun only smiled and gave no answer. He had a refined gift for ingenuity, and everything he designed or built could serve as a model for later generations. Therefore, in Zhengguang, when Yuan Cha planned to build the Mingtang and Biyong and wanted to summon Chun as Grand Director of Construction, Chun heard of it and firmly declined on grounds of illness.
18
孝昌中，尒朱榮既據并肆，以汾州胡逆，表加椿征虜將軍、都督，慰勞汾胡。 汾胡與椿比州，服其聲望，所在降下。 事寧，授右將軍、太原太守。 以預立莊帝之勞，封遼陽縣開國子，食邑三百戶，尋轉封真定縣開國侯，食邑七百戶。 除持節、本將軍、華州刺史。 尋轉使持節、散騎常侍、殷州刺史。 元曄立，除都官尚書，固辭不拜。 永熙中，行冀州事。 尋除使持節、散騎常侍、車騎將軍、瀛州刺史。
In Xiaochang, after Erzhu Rong had seized Bing and Si and because the Hu of Fenzhou were in rebellion, he memorialized to add Chun as General Who Conquers the Barbarians and commander, to go and console the Fenzhou Hu. The Fenzhou Hu lived in the same region as Chun, and, impressed by his reputation, surrendered wherever he went. When affairs settled, he was appointed Right General and Prefect of Taiyuan. Because of his service in helping establish Emperor Zhuang, he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Liyang County and granted 300 households; soon after, he was transferred and enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhengding County and granted 700 households. He was appointed Holder of the Imperial Baton, with his former general rank, and Inspector of Huazhou. Soon after, he was transferred to be Imperial Envoy with baton, Palace Attendant, and Inspector of Yinzhou. When Yuan Ye was established, he was appointed Minister of the Court of Justice, but firmly declined and did not accept. In Yongxi, he was acting in charge of affairs in Jizhou. Soon he was appointed Imperial Envoy with baton, Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Inspector of Yingzhou.
19
時有風雹之變，詔書廣訪讜言，椿乃上疏曰：「伏奉詔書，以風雹厲威，上動天睠，訪讜辭於百辟，詔輿誦於四海。 宸衷懇切，備在絲綸，祗承兢感，心焉靡厝。 伏惟陛下啟籙應期，馭育萬物，承綴旒之艱運，纂纖絲之危緒，忘餐日昃，求衣未明，俾上帝下臨，愍茲荼蓼，永濟溝壑。 而滄浪降戾，作害中秋。 上帝照臨，義不虛變。 竊惟風為號令，皇天所以示威； 雹者氣激，陰陽有所交諍。 殆行令殊節，舒急失中之所致也。 昔澍雨千里，實緣教祀之誠； 炎精三舍，寧非善言之力。 譴不空發，徵豈謬應，誰謂蓋高，實符人事。 伏願陛下留心曲覽，垂神遠察，禮賢登士，博舉審官，擢申滯怨，振窮省役。 使夫滋水沒川之彥，[3]畢居朝右； 儀表丹青之位，未或虛加。 圜土絕五毒之民，揆日息千門之費。 巖巖廊署，無不遇之士； 忪忪惸獨，荷酒帛之恩。 則物見昭蘇，人知休泰，徐奏薰風之曲，無論鴻雁之歌，豈不天人幸甚，鬼神咸抃？」
At a time when wind and hail had caused calamity, an edict widely sought frank counsel, and Chun memorialized: 'I humbly receive the edict, which treats wind and hail as a show of stern power, moving Heaven's regard above and seeking candid words from the hundred officials while broadcasting the command throughout the four seas. Your sacred intention is earnest and complete in the imperial edict; I receive it with reverence and trembling, and my heart has nowhere to rest. I humbly think Your Majesty has opened the register and answered the age, guiding and nurturing all things, inheriting the hard fortunes of a drooping banner and continuing a thread of peril as thin as silk, forgetting meals at midday and seeking clothing before dawn, so that the Supreme Deity may descend, pity this bitter hardship, and forever help us across the ravines. Yet Heaven sent down its penalty and wrought harm in mid-autumn. The Supreme Deity looks down in illumination, so such a change cannot be without cause. I privately think wind is the voice of commands, the means by which Heaven shows its power. Hail arises when qi surges, and yin and yang contend with one another. It is probably caused by issuing orders out of season and by losing the proper balance between slackness and haste. In former times, when timely rain spread for a thousand li, it truly depended on sincerity in teaching and sacrifice; When the fiery essence moved three lodges, could that not have been the power of good words? A reproach is not sent out in vain, and a sign does not answer by mistake; who says Heaven is remote? It in fact accords with human affairs. I humbly beg Your Majesty to give this close attention and a careful reading, to extend your spirit to distant scrutiny, honor the worthy and elevate the able, make broad and careful appointments, promote the long-suppressed and aggrieved, and relieve the poor while reducing labor service. So that men of talent like the gentleman of the flooded Zi River [3] may all dwell to the right of the court; And that the offices of exemplar and portrait may never be granted in vain. Let the prison grounds be rid of the people of the five poisons, and by careful reckoning let the expenses of a thousand gates cease. In the lofty halls and offices, there should be no worthy man left unencountered; And the anxious, lonely, and helpless should bear the favor of wine and cloth. Then creatures will seem renewed and people will know peace; if one slowly plays the music of the fragrant wind, not to mention the song of the wild geese, would this not bring great fortune to heaven and humanity alike, with ghosts and spirits all clapping?
20
椿性嚴察，下不容姦，所在吏民，畏之重足。 天平末，更滿還鄉。 初椿於宅構起廳事，極為高壯。 時人忽云：「此乃太原王宅，豈是王太原宅。」 椿往為本郡，世皆呼為王太原。 未幾，尒朱榮居椿之宅，榮封太原王焉。 至於齊獻武王之居晉陽，霸朝所在，人士輻湊。 椿禮敬親知，多所拯接。 後以老病，遂辭疾客居趙郡之西鯉魚祠山。 興和二年春卒，時年六十二。 贈使持節、都督冀瀛二州軍事、驃騎大將軍、尚書左僕射、太尉公、冀州刺史，諡曰文恭。 及葬，齊獻武王親自弔送。
Chun's nature was stern and discerning; he tolerated no corruption below him, and officials and commoners wherever he served feared him so much that they could barely move. At the end of Tianping, when his term was finished, he returned home. At first Chun built a hall in his residence, extremely tall and imposing. At the time people suddenly said, 'This is the mansion of Wang of Taiyuan; how could it be the Taiyuan mansion of Wang? When Chun had served as prefect there, everyone in the world called him Wang Taiyuan. Not long after, Erzhu Rong occupied Chun's house, and Rong was enfeoffed as Prince of Taiyuan. By the time Prince Xianwu of Qi dwelt in Jinyang, where the hegemonic court was located, men of talent flocked there. Chun was courteous and respectful toward relatives and acquaintances, and helped many of them. Later, because of age and illness, he resigned on grounds of illness and lived as a guest on West Carp Shrine Mountain in Zhao Commandery. He died in the spring of the second year of Xinghe, at the age of sixty-two. He was posthumously granted the titles Imperial Envoy with Baton, Commander of the Military Affairs of Jizhou and Yingzhou, Grand General of the Cavalry, Left Vice Director of the Shangshu, Grand Commandant, and Inspector of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Wengong. At the burial, Prince Xianwu of Qi personally came to mourn and escort the coffin.
21
椿妻鉅鹿魏悅之次女，明達有遠操，多識往行前言。 隨夫在華州，兄子建在洛遇患，聞而星夜馳赴，膚容虧損，親類歎尚之。 尒朱榮妻北鄉郡長公主深所禮敬。 永安中，詔以為南和縣君。 內足於財，不以華飾為意。 撫兄子收情同己子，存拯親類，所在周洽。 椿名位終始，魏有力焉。 元象中卒，贈鉅鹿郡君。 椿無子，以兄孫叔明為後。
Chun's wife was the second daughter of Wei Yuezhi of Julu; she was intelligent, clear-sighted, and possessed of far-reaching conduct, and knew much of earlier deeds and sayings. While following her husband in Huazhou, when her brother's son Jian fell ill in Luoyang, she heard of it and rode there day and night, her complexion and features wasting away, and her relatives praised her for it. Erzhu Rong's wife, the Great Princess of Beixiang Commandery, held her in deep respect. In Yong'an, an edict made her Lady of Nanhe County. She had enough wealth within her household and took no interest in ornament and finery. She cared for her brother's son with the same affection as for her own child, and supported her relatives, meeting their needs wherever they were. Throughout Chun's rise and standing, Wei had much to do with it. She died in the Yuanxiang period and was posthumously granted the title Lady of Julu Commandery. Chun had no son, so he took his brother's grandson Shuming as heir.
22
叔明，太尉參軍事、儀同開府祭酒。 死於晉陽，無子，以弟子暄子為後。
Shuming served as a staff officer to the Grand Commandant and as libationer of the Yitong open house. He died in Jinyang without a son, so he took his brother Zixuan's son as heir.
23
叡弟諶，字厚誠。 為給事中、安南將軍、祠部尚書，賜爵上黨公。 加散騎常侍，領太史事。 例降為侯。 遷太常卿。 出為持節、安東將軍、兗州刺史。 還，除光祿大夫，卒於官。 贈帛五十匹。
Rui's younger brother Shen bore the courtesy name Houcheng. He served as Attendant Gentleman, General Pacifying the South, and Minister of Sacrifices, and was granted the title Duke of Shangdang. He was further appointed Palace Attendant and put in charge of the Grand Astrologer Bureau. By custom his rank was reduced to marquis. He was transferred to Minister of the Taichang. He was sent out as Holder of the Imperial Baton, General Pacifying the East, and Inspector of Yanzhou. On his return, he was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Hospitality, and died while in office. He was given fifty bolts of silk in posthumous tribute.
24
子翔，字元鳳。 少以聰敏循良，詔充內侍。 自太和初，與李沖等奏決庶事，迄于十六年，賞賜前後累千萬。 是時政事多決於文明太后，后好細察，而翔恭謹慎密，甚被知任。 遷洛，兼給事黃門侍郎、尚書左丞。 襲爵，遷輔國將軍、太府少卿。 出為濟州刺史。 卒，贈大將軍、肆州刺史。
His son Xiang bore the courtesy name Yuanfeng. He was young, clever, and upright, and by edict was appointed to the inner court. From the start of Taihe, together with Li Chong and others he helped decide the many affairs of state; by the sixteenth year, the rewards and gifts bestowed on him had accumulated to the millions. At that time most state affairs were decided by the Civilizing Empress Dowager. She favored close scrutiny, and Xiang was respectful, careful, and discreet, so he was greatly trusted and employed. When the court moved to Luoyang, he concurrently served as Yellow Gate Attendant Gentleman and Left Assistant Director of the Shangshu. He inherited the title and was promoted to General Assisting the State and Vice Minister of the Grand Treasury. He was sent out as Inspector of Jizhou. He died, and was posthumously granted the titles Great General and Inspector of Sizhou.
25
子超，襲。 超，字和善。 奉朝請、并州治中。 超愛好人物，輕財重義。 性豪華，能自奉養，每食必窮水陸之味。 年三十四卒。
His son Chao inherited the title. Chao bore the courtesy name Heshan. He served as an attendant to the court audience and as Chancellor of Bingzhou. Chao valued people and held righteousness above wealth. By nature he was extravagant and could support himself well; every meal had to include the finest land and sea delicacies. He died at the age of thirty-four.
26
子景覽，襲。 武定中，衞將軍、右光祿大夫。 齊受禪，例降。
His son Jinglan inherited the title. During Wuding, he served as Guard General and Right Grand Master of Splendid Hospitality. When Qi took the throne, his rank was reduced as usual.
27
景覽弟景招，開府集曹參軍。
Jinglan's younger brother Jingzhao served as a cadet officer in the Open House's Administrative Bureau.
28
超弟穆，字思泰。 元象中，上黨太守。 卒。
Chao's younger brother Mu bore the courtesy name Sitai. In Yuanxiang, he was Prefect of Shangdang. He died.
29
穆弟綽，字思和，員外散騎侍郎。 上黨王天穆以為北道行臺郎中。 尒朱榮代天穆為大行臺，仍為吏部郎。 以預奉莊帝之勳，封猗氏縣開國侯，邑五百戶。 永安末，除征西將軍、豳州刺史，不之任。 元曄立，轉除驃騎大將軍、并州刺史。 興和中卒。
Mu's younger brother Chuo, courtesy name Sihe, was an attendant gentleman without regular office. Prince Tianmu of Shangdang appointed him Langzhong of the Northern Route Executive Office. When Erzhu Rong replaced Tianmu as Grand Executive Commissioner, Chuo remained as a Personnel Bureau officer. Because of his merit in assisting the enthronement of Emperor Zhuang, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yishi County with 500 households. At the end of Yong'an, he was appointed General of the Western Campaign and Inspector of Binzhou, but did not take up the post. When Yuan Ye was established, he was transferred to be Great General of the Cavalry and Inspector of Bingzhou. He died during Xinghe.
30
綽弟爽，司徒中兵參軍。
Chuo's younger brother Shuang served as cadet officer in the army bureau of the Minister of Personnel.
31
諶弟魏誠，為東宮學生，拜給事中，賜爵中都侯，加龍驤將軍。 卒，贈安南將軍、冀州刺史，諡曰恭。
Shen's younger brother Weicheng was a student of the Eastern Palace; he was appointed Attendant Gentleman, granted the title Marquis of Zhongdu, and added as General of Dragon-Pulse. He died and was posthumously granted the titles General Pacifying the South and Inspector of Jizhou, with the posthumous title Gong.
32
子靜，字元安，少有公幹。 拜中散，襲爵，例降為伯。 除員外郎、羽林監、兼尚書郎。 以明法除廷尉評。 轉游擊將軍，加冠軍將軍、岐州刺史。 趙郡王謐虐害，城民怨叛，詔靜以驛慰喻，咸即降下。 以奉使稱旨，賜帛五百匹。 除趙郡太守，以母老固辭不拜。 又授征虜將軍、廷尉少卿，有當官之稱。 坐公事左遷中散大夫，以母憂去職。 孝昌初，詔兼廷尉卿，尋行定州事，並固辭不起。 二年夏，除長兼廷尉卿，尋行定州事。 至冬病卒，年五十七。 贈撫軍將軍、并州刺史，諡曰貞。 無子，以從子伯豫為後。
His son Jing, courtesy name Yuan'an, was capable from youth. He was appointed Zhongsan, inherited the title, and by custom was reduced to viscount. He was appointed Outer Gentleman, Supervisor of the Royal Guards, and concurrently Gentleman of the Shangshu. Because he was versed in the law, he was appointed Judicial Review Officer in the Court of Justice. He was transferred to General of Guerrilla Cavalry, with the added titles of Champion General and Inspector of Qizhou. Because Prince Mi of Zhaojun was cruel and harmful, the townspeople grew resentful and rebelled; an edict ordered Jing to use the relay stations to comfort and persuade them, and they all immediately submitted. Because he fulfilled his mission to the emperor's satisfaction, he was given 500 bolts of silk. He was appointed Prefect of Zhaojun, but firmly declined because his mother was old. He was also appointed General Who Conquers the Barbarians and Junior Minister of the Court of Justice, and had a reputation for being fit for office. Because of an official matter, he was demoted to Middle Gentleman, and left office on account of his mother's mourning. At the start of Xiaochang, he was ordered to concurrently serve as Minister of Justice, and soon to act in Dingzhou affairs; he firmly declined both and did not take office. In the summer of the second year, he was appointed Long-Concurrent Minister of Justice, and soon acted in Dingzhou affairs. In winter he died of illness, at the age of fifty-seven. He was posthumously granted the titles General Pacifying the Army and Inspector of Bingzhou, with the posthumous title Zhen. Having no son, he took his collateral son Boyu as heir.
33
伯豫，襲爵。 武定中，冀州開府錄事參軍。 齊受禪，例降。
Boyu inherited the title. During Wuding, he served as Recording Officer of the Open House in Jizhou. When Qi took the throne, his rank was reduced as usual.
34
魏誠弟亮，字平誠。 承明初，擢為中散。 告沙門法秀反，遷冠軍將軍，賜爵永寧侯，加給事中。 出為安西將軍、泰州刺史。 後轉陝州刺史，坐事免。 卒於家。 亮子洪壽，早卒。
Liang, younger brother of Weicheng, bore the courtesy name Pingcheng. At the start of Chengming, he was promoted to Zhongsan. After reporting the rebellion of the monk Faxiu, he was promoted to Champion General, granted the title Marquis of Yongning, and added as Attendant Gentleman. He was sent out as General Pacifying the West and Inspector of Taizhou. Later he was transferred to Inspector of Shanzhou, but was dismissed for an offense. He died at home. Liang's son Hongshou died young.
35
子元景，正光中許復先爵，降為伯。 卒，無子。
His son Yuanjing was allowed in Zhengguang to recover the former title, but it was reduced to viscount. He died without a son.
36
洪壽弟嶷，字安壽。 除奉朝請，稍遷中散大夫。 以疾歸鄉里，遂移居上黨。 年七十一卒。
Hongshou's younger brother Ni bore the courtesy name Anshou. He was appointed to attend the court audience and was gradually promoted to Middle Gentleman Grandee. Because of illness he returned to his native place and then moved to Shangdang. He died at the age of seventy-one.
37
子夷，字景預。 有文才，少工詩詠，知名於世。 未官而卒。
His son Yi bore the courtesy name Jingyu. He had literary talent and, from youth, was skilled in poetry, becoming well known in the world. He died before taking office.
38
叡叔隆保，冠軍將軍、姑臧侯。 卒，追贈安東將軍、并州刺史，鉅鹿公，諡曰靖。
Rui's uncle Longbao was Champion General and Marquis of Guzang. He died and was posthumously granted the titles General Pacifying the East, Inspector of Bingzhou, and Duke of Julu, with the posthumous title Jing.
39
王仲興，趙郡南欒人也。 [4]父天德，起自細微，至殿中尚書。 仲興幼而端謹，以父任早給事左右。 太和中，殿內侍御中散、武騎侍郎、給事中。 出入禁內十餘年，轉冗從僕射，猶參密近，為齋帥。 [5]從駕征新野有功，除折衝將軍、屯騎校尉。 又命率千餘騎破賊於鄧城。 除振威將軍、越騎校尉，賜帛千匹。
Wang Zhongxing was a man of Nanluan in Zhao Commandery. His father Tiande rose from humble beginnings to become Minister of the Palace Secretariat. Zhongxing was upright and cautious from youth, and because of his father's service was early appointed to serve at court. During Taihe he served as Palace Attendant Zhongsan, Gentleman of the Cavalry, and Attendant Gentleman. He spent more than ten years in and out of the inner palace, was transferred to deputy director of the miscellaneous attendants, and still took part in the confidential inner circle as a hall chief. For merit in accompanying the emperor on the campaign against Xinye, he was appointed General of Breakthrough and Cavalry Colonel. He was also ordered to lead more than a thousand cavalry to defeat the rebels at Dengcheng. He was appointed General Who Rouses Valor and Colonel of the Yue Cavalry, and awarded a thousand bolts of silk.
40
尚書後以仲興開國公，賞報過優。 北海王詳嘗面啟奏請降減，事久不決。 可久在徐州，恃仲興寵勢，輕侮司馬、梁郡太守李長壽，遂至忿諍。 彭城諸沙門共相和解，未幾，復有所競。 可久乃令僮僕邀毆長壽，遂折其脅。 州以表聞。 北海王詳因百僚朝集，厲色大言曰：「徐州名藩，先帝所重，朝廷云何簡用上佐，遂令致此紛紜，以徹荒外，豈不為國醜辱也！」 眾亦莫有應者。 仲興是後漸疏，不得徑入左右。 世宗乃下詔奪其封邑，出除平北將軍、并州刺史。 卒，贈安東將軍、青州刺史。
Later, the Secretariat made Zhongxing a founding duke, and his rewards were excessive and far too generous. The Prince of Beihai, Xiang, once personally petitioned for a reduction, but the matter remained undecided for a long time. While in Xuzhou, Kejiu relied on Zhongxing's favor and power and treated Li Changshou, the Sima and Commandant of Liang Commandery, with contempt, until the quarrel turned bitter. The monks of Pengcheng mediated and settled matters between them, but before long another dispute arose. Kejiu then sent his servants to ambush and beat Changshou, breaking his ribs. The prefecture submitted a memorial reporting the matter. At a court assembly of the hundred officials, the Prince of Beihai, Xiang, said sternly and at length: "Xuzhou is a famed frontier commandery, prized by the former emperor. How could the court appoint a deputy so carelessly and let matters sink into such disorder, spreading even to the remote borderlands? Is this not a disgrace to the state! No one in the crowd replied. After this, Zhongxing was gradually kept at a distance and no longer had direct access to the emperor's attendants. Emperor Shizong then issued an edict stripping him of his fief and sending him out as General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Bing Province. On his death, he was posthumously honored as General Who Pacifies the East and Inspector of Qing Province.
41
寇猛，上谷人也。 祖父平城。 猛少以姿幹充虎賁，稍遷羽林中郎。 從高祖征南陽，以擊賊不進免官。 世宗踐位，復敍用，愛其膂力，置之左右，為千牛備身，歷轉遂至武衞將軍。 出入禁中，無所拘忌。 自以上谷寇氏，得補燕州大中正，而不能甄別士庶也。 家漸富侈，宅宇高華，妾隸充溢。 微榮弟姪，然不及茹皓、仲興也。 卒，贈平北將軍、燕州刺史。
Kou Meng was a native of Shanggu. His grandfather was Pingcheng. In his youth, Meng was chosen for the Tiger Guards for his looks and physique, and was later promoted to Yu Lin Zhonglang. He followed Gaozu on the campaign against Nanyang, but was dismissed for failing to press the attack on the bandits. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he was restored to office. Admiring his strength, the emperor kept him close at hand as a Thousand-Armor Attendant, and through successive transfers he eventually rose to General of the Martial Guard. He came and went in the palace with no restraint whatsoever. Because he was of the Kou clan of Shanggu, he was appointed Grand Arbiter of Yanzhou, but he could not distinguish the gentry from the common people. His household grew increasingly rich and lavish, his home tall and splendid, with concubines and servants filling it to overflowing. He brought a measure of honor to his younger brothers and nephews, though not to the extent of Ru Hao and Zhongxing. On his death, he was posthumously honored as General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Yanzhou.
42
趙脩，字景業，趙郡房子人。 父惠安，後名謐，都曹史，積勞補陽武令。 脩貴，追贈威烈將軍、本郡太守，及葬，復贈龍驤將軍、定州刺史。 脩本給事東宮，為白衣左右，頗有膂力。 世宗踐阼，仍充禁侍，愛遇日隆。 然天性闇塞，不閑書疏，是故不參文墨。 世宗親政，旬月之間，頻有轉授，歷員外通直散騎常侍、鎮東將軍、光祿卿。 每受除設宴，世宗親幸其宅，諸王公卿士百僚悉從，世宗親見其母。 脩能劇飲，至於逼勸觴爵，雖北海王詳、廣陽王嘉等皆亦不免，必致困亂。 每適郊廟，脩常驂陪。 出入華林，恒乘馬至于禁內。 咸陽王禧誅，其家財貨多賜高肇及脩。
Zhao Xiu, courtesy name Jingye, was a native of Fangzi in Zhao Commandery. His father was Hui'an, later renamed Mi, who served as a clerk in the Capital Offices and, after long service, was appointed Magistrate of Yangwu. When Xiu rose to prominence, his father was posthumously honored as General of Majestic Valor and Commandant of his home commandery; at the burial he was further granted the title General of Dragon Soar and Inspector of Dingzhou. Xiu had originally served in the Eastern Palace as a plainclothes attendant and was quite strong. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Xiu continued as a palace attendant, and the emperor's favor toward him grew day by day. But he was dull by nature and unskilled at written documents, so he took no part in literary affairs. When Emperor Shizong took personal control of government, Xiu was repeatedly promoted within a month, serving successively as Gentleman Attendant of the Regular Audience without Concurrent Office, General Who Guards the East, and Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. Whenever Xiu received a new appointment, a banquet was held, and Emperor Shizong would personally visit his home, with all the princes, dukes, ministers, and officials following along; the emperor also personally met Xiu's mother. Xiu could drink heavily and would even press others to drink; even the Prince of Beihai, Xiang, and the Prince of Guangyang, Jia, were not spared and would inevitably end up drunk and disordered. Whenever the emperor went to the suburban altars or ancestral temples, Xiu customarily rode alongside him. When going in and out of Hualin, he always rode his horse all the way into the forbidden precincts. After the Prince of Xianyang, Xi, was executed, much of his family's property and wealth was given to Gao Zhao and Xiu.
43
脩之葬父也，百僚自王公以下無不弔祭，酒犢祭奠之具，填塞門街。 於京師為制碑銘，石獸、石柱皆發民車牛，傳致本縣。 財用之費，悉自公家。 凶吉車乘將百兩，道路供給，亦皆出官。 時將馬射，世宗留脩過之。 帝如射宮，脩又驂乘，輅車旒竿觸東門而折。 脩恐不逮葬日，驛赴窆期，左右求從及特遣者數十人。 脩道路嬉戲，殆無戚容，或與賓客姦掠婦女裸觀，從者噂𠴲喧譁，詬詈無節，莫不畏而惡之。 是年，又為脩廣增宅舍，多所并兼，洞門高堂，房廡周博，崇麗擬於諸王。 其四面隣居，賂入其地者侯天盛兄弟，越次出補長史、大郡。
When Xiu buried his father, every official from princes and dukes downward came to offer condolences and sacrifice, and wine, calves, and burial offerings filled the gate and street. When a stele inscription was made for him in the capital, the stone animals and stone pillars were all hauled to his home county using the carts and oxen of the people. All expenses for materials and supplies were paid entirely from public funds. Nearly a hundred carriages were used for funerals and celebrations, and all provisions along the road were likewise supplied by the government. At the time of the mounted archery event, Emperor Shizong kept Xiu behind to attend him. When the emperor went to the archery palace, Xiu again rode beside him, and the banner pole on the imperial carriage struck the eastern gate and snapped. Fearing he would not reach the burial day in time, Xiu rode hard by relay to the scheduled interment, with several dozen attendants, requested followers, and men specially sent with him. Along the road Xiu joked and cavorted, showing scarcely any grief. At times he and his guests assaulted women and stripped them for lewd display. His followers shouted and brawled without restraint, cursing freely, and everyone feared and despised him. That year his residences were greatly expanded, with many neighboring properties annexed; the arched gates and lofty halls, the broad rooms and wings, and the magnificence of the whole rivaled that of the princes. His neighbors on all four sides, the Hou Tiancheng brothers, bribed their way into his land and were promoted beyond their station to posts as chief clerks and in major commanderies.
44
脩起自賤伍，暴致富貴，奢傲無禮，物情所疾。 因其在外，左右或諷糾其罪。 自其葬父還也，舊寵小薄。 初，王顯祗附於脩，後因忿鬩，密伺其過，規陷戮之，而脩過短，都不悛防。 顯積其前後愆咎，列脩葬父時路中淫亂不軌，又云與長安人趙僧𢶏謀匿玉印事。 高肇、甄琛等構成其罪，乃密以聞。 始琛及李憑等曲事於脩，[6]無所不至，懼相連及，爭共糾摘，助攻治之。 遂乃詔曰：「小人難育、朽棘不彫，長惡不悛，豈容撫養。 散騎常侍、鎮東將軍、領扈左右趙脩，昔在東朝，選充臺皂，幼所經見，長難遺之。 故纂業之初，仍引西禁。 雖地微器陋，非所宜採； 然識早念生，遂陞名級。 自蒙洗濯，兇昏日甚，驟佞荐驕，恩加輕慢。 不識人倫之體，不悟深淺之方，陵獵王侯，輕觸卿相，門賓巷士，拜叩不接，囂氣豪心，仍懷鄙塞。 比聽葬父，侈暴繼聞。 居京造宅，殘虐徒旅。 又廣張形勢，妄生矯託，與雍州人趙僧𢶏等陰相傳納，許受玉印。 不軌不物，日月滋甚。 朕猶愍其宿隸，每加覆護，而擅威弄勢，侏張不已。 法家耳目，並求憲網，雖欲捨之，辟實難爽。 然楚履既墜，江君徘徊； 鍾牛一聲，東向改釁。 脩雖小人，承侍在昔，極辟之奏，欲加未忍。 可鞭之一百，徙敦煌為兵。 其家宅作徒即仰停罷。 所親在內者悉令出禁。 朕昧於處物，育茲豺虎，顧尋往謬，有愧臣民，便可時敕申沒，以謝朝野。」
Xiu had risen from lowly ranks and suddenly attained wealth and power; his extravagance, arrogance, and rudeness were hated by all. While he was away from court, those around him sometimes urged that his crimes be investigated. After returning from his father's burial, his former favor had noticeably waned. At first Wang Xianzhi attached himself to Xiu, but after they quarreled he secretly watched for faults and plotted to have him put to death; Xiu, however, was so flawed that he made no effort to reform or guard himself. Xian piled up Xiu's earlier and later offenses, citing his licentious and lawless conduct on the road while burying his father, and also alleging that he had conspired with the Chang'an man Zhao Senggui to conceal the jade seal. Gao Zhao, Zhen Chen, and others framed him for the offense and secretly reported it. At first Zhen Chen and Li Ping and others had flattered and served Xiu in every possible way,[6] but fearing they would be dragged in as well, they rushed to denounce him and joined forces in prosecuting him. An edict then said: "A petty man is hard to nurture; rotten thorns cannot be carved. One who persists in evil and never repents, how can he be tolerated and indulged? Zhao Xiu, Gentleman Attendant of the Cavalry, General Who Guards the East, and acting commander of the imperial attendants, was once selected at the Eastern Court to serve in the palace retinue; what one sees in youth is hard to forget later in life. So at the beginning of my reign, I still brought him into the western guard. Although his origins were lowly and his abilities crude, he was not the sort who should have been chosen. Yet because I recognized him early and kept him in mind, he was raised in rank and office. From the moment he was raised up by favor, his wickedness and folly grew worse by the day. Advanced again and again through flattery, he became arrogant and, under favor, increasingly contemptuous and insolent. He did not understand the proper order among people, nor the difference between what was fitting and what was not. He bullied kings and marquises, treated ministers lightly, and when guests or local scholars came to pay respects, he would not even receive their bows. He kept a loud, arrogant bearing and remained coarse and narrow-minded. More recently, when I heard of his father's burial, further reports of extravagance and violence followed. While living in the capital and building houses, he brutalized and abused his followers. He also made a great display of power, fabricated pretenses and claims, and secretly exchanged messages with the Yongzhou man Zhao Senggui and others, promising to accept the jade seal. His own conduct grew more and more improper and unruly by the day. I still pitied his former servile status and repeatedly protected him, but he abused his authority and flaunted his power without end. The law's eyes and ears all keep watch for the net of justice; even if I wanted to spare him, the punishment would be hard to avoid. Even though the Chu shoe has already fallen, Lord Jiang still lingers; Thus, at a single sound of the bell ox, the eastward rite is altered. Thus, Although Xiu is only a petty man, he long attended me, and I am still unwilling to proceed at once to the harshest punishment. He then should be flogged one hundred strokes and exiled to Dunhuang as a soldier. His own family home and all work on it should be stopped at once. Thus, All those close to him within the palace should be sent out of the forbidden precincts. I still was blind in dealing with affairs and fostered these tigers and wolves; looking back on my former mistakes, I am ashamed before ministers and commoners alike. Let the proper orders be issued at once to remove him, so as to apologize to court and realm.
45
是日脩詣領軍于勁第與之樗蒲，籌未及畢，而羽林數人相續而至，稱詔呼之。 脩驚起隨出，路中執引脩馬詣領軍府。 琛與顯監決其罰，先具問事有力者五人更迭鞭之，占令必死。 旨決百鞭，其實三百。 脩素肥壯，腰背博碩，堪忍楚毒，了不轉動。 鞭訖，即召驛馬，促之令發。 出城西門，不自勝舉，縛置鞍中，急驅馳之。 其母妻追隨，不得與語。 行八十里乃死。 初于后之入，脩之力也。 脩死後，領軍于勁猶追感舊意，經恤其家，自餘朝士昔相宗承者，悉棄絕之，示己之疏遠焉。
Thus, That day Xiu was at General Yu Jin's house playing pitch-pot with him, and before the game ended several men of the Feathered Forest came one after another, claiming an edict and summoning him. Thus, Xiu rose in alarm and followed them out, and on the road they seized his horse and led him to the office of the Commandant-General. Thus, Zhen and Xian oversaw the punishment, first choosing five strong men familiar with the case to take turns whipping him, with instructions that he must certainly die. The order fixed the punishment at one hundred strokes, but the actual count was three hundred. Thus, Xiu was usually stout and robust, with a broad waist and back, and he could endure pain and torment without even moving. At the time when the whipping was done, they immediately summoned relay horses and hurried him on his way. Afterward, leaving the west gate of the city, he could no longer support himself, so they bound him in the saddle and drove him on in haste. His own mother and wife followed after him, but were not allowed to speak with him. He then died after traveling eighty li. Initially, the empress's rise was due to Xiu's efforts. Afterward, Xiu's death, Commander Yu Jin still remembered their old connection and continued to look after his family; the other court officials who had once respected and served him all cut ties, showing their distance.
46
茹皓，字禽奇，舊吳人也。 父讓之，本名要，隨劉駿巴陵王休若為將，至彭城。 是時南土飢亂，遂寓居淮陽上黨。 皓年十五六，為縣金曹吏，有姿貌，謹惠。 南徐州刺史沈陵見而善之，自隨入洛陽，舉充高祖白衣左右。
Thus, Ru Hao, courtesy name Qinqi, was an old resident of Wu. His own father, Rangzhi, originally named Yao, followed Liu Jun and Prince Xiuruo of Baling as a general, and came to Pengcheng. At that time, that time the southern lands were suffering famine and disorder, so they took up residence in Huaiyang and Shangdang. At the time when he was fifteen or sixteen, Hao served as a clerk in the county finance office; he had a pleasing appearance and was careful and obliging. Thus, Seeing him, Shen Ling, Inspector of South Xu Province, approved of him, brought him along to Luoyang, and recommended him for placement among Gaozu's plainclothes attendants.
47
世宗踐祚，皓侍直禁中，稍被寵接。 世宗嘗拜山陵，路中欲引與同車，皓奮衣將昇，黃門侍郎元匡切諫乃止。 及世宗親政，皓眷賚日隆。 又以馬圈之勞，當擬補員外將軍。 時趙脩亦被幸，妬害之，求出皓為外守。 皓亦慮見危禍，不樂內官，遂超授濮陽太守，加厲威將軍。 其父因皓訟理舊勳，先除兗州陽平太守，賜以子爵。 父子剖符名邦，郡境相接，皓忻然於去內，不以疏外為戚。 及趙脩等敗，竟獲全免。 雖起微細，為守乃清簡寡事。 世宗幸鄴講武，皓啟求朝趨，解郡，授左中郎將，領直閤。 寵待如前。 皓既官達，自云本出雁門，雁門人諂附者乃因薦皓於司徒，請為肆州大中正。 府、省以聞，詔特依許。 遷驃騎將軍，領華林諸作。 皓性微工巧，多所興立。 為山於天淵池西，採掘北邙及南山佳石。 徙竹汝潁，羅蒔其間； 經構樓館，列於上下。 樹草栽木，頗有野致。 世宗心悅之，以時臨幸。 遷冠軍將軍、仍驍騎將軍。
At the time when Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Hao served on duty in the forbidden palace and gradually gained favor and access. Thus, Once Emperor Shizong was making a pilgrimage to the mountain mausoleums, and on the road he wanted to have Hao ride in the same carriage; Hao shook out his robes and was about to climb aboard, but only when Yellow Gate Gentleman Yuan Kuang urgently remonstrated did he stop. At the time when Emperor Shizong personally took control of government, Hao's favor and rewards increased day by day. He then was also to be considered for appointment as an Assistant General because of the service he had rendered at the horse enclosure. At that time, that time Zhao Xiu was also favored, and out of jealousy he sought to have Hao sent out as a provincial governor. Thus, Hao himself also feared danger and misfortune and was not fond of an inner-court post, so he was exceptionally promoted to Prefect of Puyang and given the title General of Awe-Inspiring Might. For that reason, Hao petitioned on behalf of his father's old service, his father was first appointed Prefect of Yangping in Yanzhou and granted the title of viscount. Thus, Father and son each received a fief in a famous commandery, and the two commandery territories touched; Hao was delighted to be leaving the inner court and did not regard being kept away from it as a sorrow. At the time when Zhao Xiu and the others fell from power, he ultimately escaped punishment. Even though he had risen from obscurity, as a governor he was plain and restrained, with few affairs. At the time when Emperor Shizong went to Ye to lecture on military matters, Hao petitioned to attend the court procession, resigned his commandery, and was appointed Left Middle Guard General, in charge of the palace gates. His own favor and treatment were as before. Thus, Once Hao was established in office, he claimed that he had originally come from Yanmen, and men from Yanmen who fawned on him then recommended him to the Minister over the Masses, asking that he be made Grand Arbiter of Si Province. The central office and ministries reported it, and the edict specially approved it. He then was transferred to General of Cavalry and placed in charge of the various works of Hualin. Thus, Hao had a slight talent for craftsmanship and created many constructions. He then built an artificial mountain west of Tianyuan Pond, quarrying fine stone from Beiman and the southern mountains. He then moved bamboo from the Ru and Ying rivers and planted it thickly among the grounds; Thus, he built towers and halls arranged in tiers above and below. He then planted grasses and trees, and the place acquired a somewhat rustic charm. Thus, Emperor Shizong was pleased with it and would occasionally come in person to visit. He then was transferred to General of the Champion Guard and remained General of the Agile Cavalry.
48
皓貴寵日升，關與政事。 太傅、北海王詳以下咸祗憚附之。 皓弟年尚二十，擢補員外郎。 皓娶僕射高肇從妹，於世宗為從母。 迎納之日，詳親詣之，禮以馬物。 皓又為弟聘安豐王延明妹，延明耻非舊流，不許。 詳勸強之云：「欲覓官職，如何不與茹皓婚姻也？」 延明乃從焉。 皓頗敏慧，折節下人。 而潛自經營，陰有納受，貨產盈積。 起宅宮西，朝貴弗之及也。 是時世宗雖親萬務，皓率常居內，留宿不還，傳可門下奏事。 未幾，轉光祿少卿，意殊不已，方欲陳馬圈從先帝之勞，更希進舉。
Thus, Hao's favor and influence rose day by day, and he became involved in government affairs. The Grand Tutor, the Prince of Beihai, Xiang, and everyone below him treated him with deference and attached themselves to him. Thus, Hao's younger brother, though not yet twenty, was promoted to fill an Assistant Secretary post. Thus, Hao married the paternal cousin of Vice Director Gao Zhao; to Emperor Shizong, she was a maternal cousin. On that occasion, the day of the wedding, Xiang personally came to the house and presented horses and other gifts as a courtesy. Thus, Hao also arranged for his brother to marry the younger sister of Prince Yanming of Anfeng, but Yanming, ashamed that Hao was not of the old established line, refused. Thus, Xiang urged him on, saying: "If you want to seek office, how can you not marry into Ru Hao's family?" Thus, Yanming then complied. Thus, Hao was quite quick and intelligent, and he lowered himself to meet others on their terms. Thus, But in secret he managed affairs and privately accepted gifts, and his wealth piled up day by day. He then built a residence west of the palace, beyond the reach of the court nobility. At that time, that time, although Emperor Shizong handled all affairs personally, Hao generally stayed inside, slept there without returning, and had memorials passed through the Gate Department. Before long, long, he was transferred to Junior Minister of Imperial Entertainments, and he was still unsatisfied, hoping to cite his service at the horse enclosure under the former emperor and seek further advancement.
49
初，脩、皓之寵，北海王詳皆附納之。 又直閤將軍劉冑本為詳所薦，常感詳恩，密相承望，並共來往。 高肇素疾諸王，常規陷害，既知詳與皓等交關相昵，乃構之世宗，云皓等將有異謀。 世宗乃召中尉崔亮令奏皓、冑、常季賢、陳掃靜四人擅勢納賄及私亂諸事，即日執皓等皆詣南臺。 翌日，奏處罪，其晚就家殺之。 皓妻被髮出堂，哭而迎皓。 皓徑入哭別，食椒而死。
Initially, when Zhao Xiu and Hao were favored, Prince Beihai Xiang all attached himself to them. The Director of the Palace Gates, Liu Zhou, had originally been recommended by Xiang, and always remembered Xiang's favor, secretly corresponding and keeping up relations with him. Thus, Gao Zhao long resented the princes and often schemed to frame and ruin them; once he learned that Xiang was closely friendly with Hao and the others, he plotted against them before Emperor Shizong, saying that Hao and the others were preparing some different scheme. Thus, Emperor Shizong then summoned the Censor-in-Chief Cui Liang and ordered him to report Hao, Zhou, Chang Jixian, and Chen Saojing for abusing power, taking bribes, and private misconduct; that same day Hao and the others were seized and all taken to the Southern Terrace. The next day, the case was settled, and that evening they were killed at home. Thus, Hao's wife came out into the hall with her hair unbound, weeping as she greeted Hao. Thus, Hao went straight in, wept his farewell, and died after eating pepper.
50
皓子懷朗，仕至南青州刺史。 興和初，以罪賜死，子姪徙邊。
Thus, Hao's son Huailang rose to be Inspector of Southern Qingzhou. At that time, the beginning of the Xinghe era, he was executed for his crimes, and his sons and nephews were exiled to the frontier.
51
冑，字元孫，河間人。 始為北海王詳所舉。 六輔時，出守本郡，與皓俱赴鄴宮講武，亦自乞留。 至洛，久不敍用。 詳又為啟，晚乃拜將軍直閤。
Thus, Zhou, courtesy name Yuansun, was a man of Hejian. He then was first recommended by Prince of Beihai Xiang. During that time, the period of the Six Auxiliaries, he was sent out to guard his native commandery, and when he and Hao went to the Ye palace for military exercises, he also petitioned to remain. Afterward, he reached Luoyang, he went a long time without being employed. Thus, Xiang again petitioned on his behalf, and only later was he appointed as General and Director of the Palace Gates.
52
季賢起於主馬，世宗初好騎乘，因是獲寵。 位至殿中將軍、司藥丞，仍主廐閑。 與茹皓通知庶事，勢望漸隆。 引其兄為朝請、直寢，娶武昌王鑒妹。 季賢又將娶洛州刺史元拔女，並結託帝戚以為榮援云。
Thus, Ji Xian rose from the stable office; when Emperor Shizong first took up riding, he won favor because of this. He then reached the post of Palace General and Assistant Commissioner of Medicines, while still managing the stables. He then communicated with Ru Hao about all affairs, and his influence and standing gradually rose. He then had his elder brother appointed to Court Audience Attendant and Palace Chamberlain, and married a sister of Prince Jian of Wuchang. Thus, Ji Xian also planned to marry the daughter of Yuan Ba, Inspector of Luzhou, and in every case he tied himself to imperial kin as a source of honor and support.
53
掃靜、徐義恭，並彭城舊營人。 掃靜能為世宗典櫛梳，義恭善執衣服，並以巧便，旦夕居中，愛幸相侔，官敍不異。 掃靜妻，義恭姊也，情相遺薄，室家不諧。 義恭恒忿恨之，親經世宗，訴其欺侮。 世宗以其左右，兩護之。 二人皆承奉茹皓，亦並加接眷，而掃靜偏為親密，與皓常在左右，略不歸休。 皓敗，掃靜亦死於家。 義恭小心謹慎，謙退少語。 皓等死後，彌見幸信，長侍左右，典掌祕密。 世宗不豫，義恭晝夜扶侍，崩于懷中。 靈太后臨政，義恭諂附元叉，又有淫宴，[7]多在其宅。 為嘗藥次御，出為東秦州刺史。 建義後，歷內外顯職。 武定初，卒於驃騎大將軍、左光祿大夫。
Thus, Saojing and Xu Yigong were both old men from the Pengcheng camp. Thus, Saojing was able to style Emperor Shizong's hair and comb it, and Yigong was good at dressing him; both were clever and handy, stayed in the inner court from morning to night, were equally favored, and held no different offices. Thus, Saojing's wife was Yigong's elder sister, and the two had grown cold toward each other, so the household was not harmonious. Thus, Yigong was constantly resentful of this and personally went to Emperor Shizong to complain of their mistreatment. Because they were both close attendants, the emperor protected them both. Both served Ru Hao and were likewise favored, but Saojing was especially close to him; he stayed with Hao around the emperor and hardly ever went back to rest. Afterward, Hao fell, Saojing also died at home. Thus, Yigong was careful and cautious, deferential and sparing of words. Afterward, Hao and the others died, he was even more trusted and believed, constantly attending the emperor and managing secret affairs. At the time when Emperor Shizong fell ill, Yigong attended him day and night, and the emperor died in his arms. When the Empress Dowager Ling governed, Yigong flattered Yuan Cha and held licentious banquets [7], often at his house. He then was appointed to taste medicine, then sent out as Inspector of Eastern Qinzhou. Afterward, the Jianyi period began, he held prominent posts both inside and outside the court. At that time, the beginning of the Wuding era, he died while serving as Grand General of the Cavalry and Left Grand Master of the Imperial Household.
54
趙邕，字令和，自云南陽人。 潔白明髭眉，曉了恭敏。 司空李沖之貴寵也，邕以少年端謹，出入其家，頗給按磨奔走之役。 沖亦深加接念，令與諸子游處。 人有束帶謁於沖者，時託之以自通。 高祖太和中，給事左右，至殿中監。 世宗即位及親政，猶居本任。 微與趙脩結為宗援，然亦不甚相附也。 邕稍遷至殿中將軍，猶帶監職。
Thus, Zhao Yong, courtesy name Linghe, claimed to be a native of Nanyang. He then had a clean complexion, bright beard and eyebrows, and was quick to understand, respectful, and diligent. At the time when Li Chong was rich and favored, Yong, though still young and upright, came and went in his household and often did various errands and menial tasks. Thus, Chong also treated him with deep favor and had him keep company with his sons. At the time when someone came to pay respects to Chong in formal dress, he would sometimes rely on Yong to introduce them. During that time, Emperor Gaozu's Taihe reign, he served among the attendants and rose to Palace Superintendent. Accordingly, when Emperor Shizong came to the throne and took personal control of government, he still remained in his original post. Accordingly, he had only a tenuous clan connection with Zhao Xiu, and though the two were allied, they were not especially close. Accordingly, yong was gradually promoted to Palace General, while still holding the supervisory post.
55
邕父怡，太和中歷郢州刺史，停家久之，以邕寵召拜太常少卿。 尋為荊州大中正，出除征虜將軍、荊州刺史。 怡乃致其母喪，葬於宛城之南，趙氏舊墟。 以老乞解州任，遷拜光祿大夫，轉金紫光祿。 卒，贈鎮東將軍、相州刺史。
Accordingly, yong's father Yi served as Inspector of Yingzhou during the Taihe reign; after staying at home for a long time, he was summoned because of Yong's favor and appointed Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Accordingly, soon he was made Grand Arbiter of Jingzhou and then sent out as General Who Conquers the Barbarians and Inspector of Jingzhou. Accordingly, yi then arranged his mother's funeral and buried her south of Wancheng, at the old Zhao family site. Accordingly, because of his age, he asked to be relieved of his provincial post and was promoted to Grand Master of Imperial Entertainments, then transferred to Golden Purple Grand Master of Imperial Entertainments. Accordingly, when he died, he was posthumously honored as General Who Guards the East and Inspector of Xiangzhou.
56
世宗每出入郊廟，脩恒以常侍、侍中陪乘，而邕兼奉車都尉，執轡同載。 時人竊論，號為「二趙」。 以趙出南陽，徙屬荊，邕轉給事中、南陽中正，以父為荊州大中正，乃罷。 轉長兼散騎侍郎、領左右、直長，出入禁中。 復為荊州大中正。 邕弟尚，中書舍人，出除南陽太守。 怡辭荊州也，尚求解郡，與父俱還。 未至京師，逆除步兵校尉。 邕祖嶽舊葬代京，喪自平城還葬南陽，贈平遠將軍、青州刺史。
Accordingly, whenever Emperor Shizong went to the suburbs or ancestral temples, Xiu always rode with him as attendant, while Yong, as Commandant of the Chariot, held the reins and rode in the same carriage. Accordingly, people at the time privately called them the "two Zhaos." Accordingly, because Zhao was from Nanyang and had been moved to Jing, Yong was transferred to Assistant Clerk and Arbiter of Nanyang; when his father became Grand Arbiter of Jingzhou, he was dismissed. Accordingly, he was transferred to Acting Chief Gentleman Attendant, in charge of the Left, and Palace Director, going in and out of the inner palace. Accordingly, he was again made Grand Arbiter of Jingzhou. Accordingly, yong's younger brother Shang, a secretary in the Secretariat, was sent out as Administrator of Nanyang. Accordingly, when Yi resigned from Jingzhou, Shang also asked to be relieved of his commandery post and returned home with his father. Accordingly, before reaching the capital, he was preemptively appointed Infantry Colonel. Accordingly, yong's grandfather Yue had long been buried in the old capital of Dai; when the family returned his coffin from Pingcheng for burial in Nanyang, he was posthumously honored as General of Pacifying Distance and Inspector of Qingzhou.
57
世宗崩，邕兼給事黃門，俄轉太府卿。 出除平北將軍、幽州刺史。 在州貪縱。 與范陽盧氏為婚，女父早亡，其叔許之，而母不從。 母北平陽氏攜女至家藏避規免，邕乃拷掠陽叔，遂至於死。 陽氏訴冤，臺遣中散大夫孫景安研檢事狀，邕坐處死，會赦得免，猶當除名。 自理經年，臨淮王彧時為廷尉，久不斷決。 孝昌初卒。
Accordingly, when Emperor Shizong died, Yong was concurrently Palace Attendant and Yellow Gate Gentleman, and before long was transferred to Minister of the Treasury. Accordingly, he was sent out as General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Youzhou. Accordingly, while in the province, he was greedy and unrestrained. Accordingly, he married into the Fanyang Lu clan, but the girl's father died early; her uncle agreed, but her mother refused. Accordingly, her mother, of the Yang clan of Beiping, hid the girl at home to avoid the marriage, so Yong had the Yang uncle beaten, and he died. Accordingly, the Yang clan complained of the injustice, and the court sent Senior Grand Master Sun Jing'an to investigate. Yong was sentenced to death, but escaped because of a general amnesty, though he still should have been struck from the rolls. Accordingly, he defended himself for more than a year; at the time, Prince Yu of Linhuai served as Minister of Justice, and the case remained undecided for a long time. Accordingly, he died at the beginning of the Xiaochang era.
58
侯剛，字乾之，河南洛陽人，其先代人也。 本出寒微，少以善於鼎爼，進餁出入。 久之，拜中散，累遷冗從僕射、嘗食典御。 世宗以其質直，賜名剛焉。 稍遷奉車都尉、右中郎將、領刀劍左右，加游擊將軍、城門校尉。 遷武衞將軍，仍領典御，又加通直散騎常侍。 詔曰：「太和之季，蟻寇侵疆，先皇於不豫之中，命師出討。 撫戎暴露，觸御乖和，朕屬當監國，弗獲隨侍，而左右服事，唯藉忠勤。 剛於違和之中，辛勤行餁。 追遠錄誠，宜先推敍。 其以剛為右衞大將軍。」 [8]後領太子中庶子。
Accordingly, hou Gang, courtesy name Qianzhi, was a native of Luoyang in Henan; his ancestors were from Dai. Accordingly, born into humble poverty, he was young and good at handling the cauldrons and serving food and drink. Accordingly, after a long while, he was appointed Zhongsan and, through repeated promotions, became Deputy Director of the Miscellaneous Attendants and Director of Tasting Food. Accordingly, seeing his straightforward nature, Emperor Shizong gave him the name Gang. Accordingly, he was gradually promoted to Commandant of the Chariot, Right Gentleman General, in charge of the Sword Bearers, and also added General of the Valiant Cavalry and Palace Gate Commandant. Accordingly, he was promoted to General of the Guard and still kept the office of Director of Tasting Food; he was also made Gentleman Attendant of the Regular Audience. Accordingly, in the later years of Taihe, petty bandits invaded the borders. The Former Emperor, while indisposed, ordered troops to go out and suppress them. Accordingly, while pacifying the army in the open and exposed to the elements, he offended the emperor's health and harmony. Since I happened to be acting as regent and could not accompany and attend him, the attendants and service staff could rely only on loyalty and diligence. Accordingly, gang, while the emperor was unwell, worked hard to carry the food service. Accordingly, in recognition of such remote service and sincerity, promotion should come first. Accordingly, therefore appoint Gang as Grand General of the Right Guard. Accordingly, later he was made Palace Tutor to the Crown Prince.
59
世宗崩，剛與侍中崔光迎肅宗於東宮。 尋除衞尉卿，封武陽縣開國侯，邑千二百戶。 俄為侍中、撫軍將軍、恒州大中正。 遷衞將軍，表讓侍中，詔不許。 進爵為公，以給侍之勞，加賞散伯。 熙平初，除左衞將軍，餘官如故。 侍中游肇出為相州。 剛言於靈太后曰：「昔高氏擅權，游肇抗衡不屈，先帝所知，四海同見，而出牧一藩，未盡其美，宜還引入，以輔聖主。」 太后善之。 剛寵任既隆，江陽王繼、尚書長孫稚皆以女妻其子。 司空、任城王澄以其起由膳宰，頗竊侮之，云：「此近為我舉食。」 然公坐對集，敬遇不虧。
Accordingly, when Emperor Shizong died, Gang and Palace Attendant Cui Guang welcomed Emperor Suzong at the Eastern Palace. Accordingly, soon he was appointed Minister of the Guards and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuyang County, with 1,200 households. Accordingly, before long he was made Palace Attendant, General of the Pacification Army, and Grand Arbiter of Hengzhou. Accordingly, he was promoted to General of the Guards; he memorialized asking to decline the Palace Attendant post, but the edict did not allow it. Accordingly, he was advanced to duke, and because of his service attending the emperor, was additionally granted the rank of Sanbo. Accordingly, at the start of Xiaping, he was made General of the Left Guard, while his other offices remained unchanged. Accordingly, palace Attendant You Zao was sent out as Inspector of Xiangzhou. Accordingly, gang said to Empress Dowager Ling: "In former days the Gao clan monopolized power, yet You Zao opposed them and did not bend. This was known to the former emperor and seen by all under heaven, but he was sent out to govern a province, which did not fully use his talents. He should be brought back to assist the sagely ruler." Accordingly, the empress dowager approved. Accordingly, once Gang's favor and appointment had grown great, Prince Jiangyang Ji and Shangshu Changsun Zhi both married their daughters to his sons. Accordingly, the Minister of Works, Prince of Rencheng, Cheng, secretly looked down on him because he had risen from the kitchen, and said, "This fellow recently fetched my food." Accordingly, even so, in public meetings and official gatherings, he was treated respectfully without any diminution.
60
後剛坐掠殺試射羽林，為御史中尉元匡所彈，廷尉處剛大辟。 尚書令、任城王澄為之言於靈太后，侯剛歷仕前朝，事有可取，纖芥之疵，未宜便致於法。 靈太后乃引見廷尉卿裴延儁、少卿袁翻於宣光殿，問曰：「剛因公事掠人，邂逅致死，律文不坐。 卿處其大辟，竟何所依？」 翻對曰：「案律邂逅不坐者，謂情理已露，而隱避不引，必須箠撻，取其款言，謂撾撻以理之類。 至於此人，問則具首，正宜依犯結案，不應橫加箠扑。 兼剛口唱打殺，撾築非理，本有殺心，事非邂逅。 處之大辟，未乖憲典。」 太后曰：「卿等且還，當別有判。」 於是令曰：「廷尉執處侯剛，於法如猛。 剛既意在為公，未宜便依所執。 但輕勦民命，理無全捨，可削封三百戶，解嘗食典御。」 [9]剛於是頗為失意。 剛自太和進食，遂為典御，歷兩都、三帝、二太后，將三十年，至此始解。 未幾，加散騎常侍。 御史中尉元匡之廢也，太后訪代匡者，剛為太傅、清河王懌所舉，遂除車騎將軍，領御史中尉，常侍、衞尉如故。
Accordingly, later, Gang was impeached by the imperial censor Yuan Kuang for having beaten and killed trial archers of the Feathered Forest, and the Judicial Office sentenced Gang to death. Accordingly, the Shangshu Ling, Prince of Rencheng Cheng, spoke to Empress Dowager Ling on his behalf, saying that Hou Gang had served through the former court and had merits worth considering, and that a minor blemish should not immediately bring legal punishment. Accordingly, the Empress Dowager then summoned the Judicial Court Minister Pei Yanjuan and Junior Minister Yuan Fan to Xuanguang Hall and asked: "Gang, in the course of official business, had people beaten and they happened to die; by the code, this is not punishable. Accordingly, on what basis, then, did you sentence him to death? Accordingly, fan replied: "Under the code, the rule that someone is not punished in an unexpected case refers to situations in which the facts are already clear, but the person conceals them and refuses to confess, so whipping is required in order to extract a truthful statement; that is, the class of cases in which blows are used to obtain the facts. Accordingly, as for this man, when questioned he fully confessed, so he should simply have been judged on the offense itself, and not subjected to arbitrary beating. Accordingly, moreover, Gang himself shouted for the beating, and the blows and pounding were unjustified; he already had murderous intent, so this was not an unexpected case. Accordingly, sentencing him to death does not violate the law. Accordingly, the empress dowager said, "You two may go for now; there will be another judgment." Accordingly, she then issued: "The Judicial Court's handling of Hou Gang is, by the law, severe indeed. Accordingly, but since Gang intended to act on behalf of the public, it is not appropriate to follow that ruling at once. Accordingly, still, he lightly destroyed a man's life, and by reason and law he cannot be wholly spared; his fief should be cut by three hundred households, and he should be relieved of the office of Director of Tasting Food." Accordingly, gang was therefore rather disappointed. Accordingly, from Taihe onward, Gang had served as Director of Tasting Food through two capitals, three emperors, and two empress dowagers for nearly thirty years, and only now was he finally relieved of it. Accordingly, not long after, he was added as Gentleman Attendant of the Cavalry. Accordingly, when Yuan Kuang was removed as imperial censor, the empress dowager sought a replacement; Gang was recommended by Grand Tutor Prince Qinghe Yi and was appointed General of the Chariots and Horses, in charge of the imperial censorate, while remaining Gentleman Attendant and Minister of the Guards.
61
及領軍元叉執政擅權，樹結親黨，剛長子，叉之妹夫，乃引剛為侍中、左衞將軍，[10]還領尚食典御，以為枝援。 俄加車騎大將軍、領左右，復前削之封。 尋加儀同，復領御史中尉。 剛啟軍旅稍興，國用不足，求以封邑俸粟賑給征人，肅宗許之。 孝昌元年，除領軍，餘官如故。 初元叉之解領軍也，靈太后以叉腹心尚多，恐難卒制，故權以剛代之，示安其意。 尋出為散騎常侍、冀州刺史、將軍、儀同三司。 [11]剛行在道，詔曰：「剛因緣時會，恩隆自久，擢於凡品，越昇顯爵。 往以微勤，賞同利建，寵靈之極，超絕夷等。 曾無犬馬識主之誠，方懷梟鏡返噬之志。 與權臣元叉婚姻朋黨，虧違典制，長直禁中，一出一入，迭為姦防。 又與劉騰共為心膂，間隔二宮，逼脅內外。 且位居繩憲，糾察是司，宜立格言，勢同鷹隼。 方嚴楚撻，枉服貞良，專任凶威，以直為曲。 不忠不道，深暴民聽； 附下罔上，事彰幽顯。 莫大之罪，難從宥原，封爵之科，理宜貶奪。 可征虜將軍，餘悉削黜。」 剛終于家。 永安中，贈司徒公。
Accordingly, when Yuan Cha, commander of the guards, took over as ruler and wielded power, he built up his own faction; Gang's eldest son was Yuan Cha's brother-in-law, so Yuan Cha brought Gang in as Palace Attendant and Left Guard General, and again put him in charge of Director of Tasting Food as a branch support. Accordingly, before long he was added as Grand General of the Chariots and Horses and commander of the left and right guards, and his earlier reduction of his fief was restored. Accordingly, soon he was also given the title of Peer-Equal official and again put in charge of the imperial censorate. Accordingly, gang petitioned that the army was now gradually growing, but the state funds were insufficient, and asked to use the revenues and grain from his fief to supply the expeditionary troops; Emperor Suzong granted it. Accordingly, in the first year of Xiaochang, he was appointed Commander of the Guards, while his other posts remained unchanged. Accordingly, when Yuan Cha was first relieved of the command of the guards, the Empress Dowager knew that his inner clique was still numerous and feared he would be difficult to control at once, so she temporarily used Gang in his place to reassure him. Accordingly, soon he was sent out as Gentleman Attendant of the Cavalry, Inspector of Jizhou, General, and Peer-Equal official. Accordingly, on Gang's way out, the edict said: "Gang, by fortunate timing and circumstance, has long enjoyed great favor and has been raised from the ranks of the common to lofty rank. Accordingly, in the past, for small services he received the same reward as those who established the state, and the favor shown him was extreme, surpassing his peers. Accordingly, he has never shown even the loyalty of a dog or horse to recognize his lord, yet he now harbors the ambition of a hawk or mirror that turns to bite back. Accordingly, he married into the powerful Yuan Cha clan and formed a party, violating established norms; he was long stationed in the inner palace, going in and out, and thereby became a source of corruption and obstruction. Accordingly, he also joined with Liu Teng as a trusted confidant, separating the two palaces and oppressing both inside and out. Accordingly, and since he holds a position where the statutes should be enforced and inspections carried out, he should be a model of strict words, with a power like an eagle or falcon. Accordingly, instead, he harshly beat the innocent and the upright into false confessions, and by relying on brutal force turned right into wrong. Accordingly, his disloyalty and lack of principle are openly and deeply heard by the people; Accordingly, his siding with the lower and deceiving the higher has been evident both in secret and in the open. Accordingly, the greatest of crimes makes pardon difficult, and the penalties for rank and title should properly be reduced and stripped. Accordingly, he should be reduced to General of the Conquering Barbarians, and all other offices stripped away and dismissed. Accordingly, gang ended his life at home. Accordingly, in the Yong'an era, he was posthumously granted the title of Minister over the Masses.
62
剛長子詳，自奉朝請稍遷通直散騎侍郎、冠軍將軍、主衣都統。 剛以上谷先有侯氏，於是始家焉。 正光中，又請以詳為燕州刺史，將軍如故，欲為家世之基。 尋進後將軍。 五年，拜司徒左長史，領嘗藥典御、燕州大中正。 興和中，驃騎將軍、殷州刺史。 還朝，久而卒。
Accordingly, gang's eldest son, Xiang, started as an attendant at court and was gradually promoted to Gentleman Attendant of the Regular Audience, General of the Champion Guard, and Chief of the Household Clothing Bureau. Accordingly, because there had once been a Marquis of the Hou clan in Shanggu, Gang then settled his household there. Accordingly, in the Zhengguang period, he also requested that Xiang be made Inspector of Yanzhou, with the general title remaining unchanged, in order to establish the foundation of the family line. Accordingly, before long he was promoted to General of the Rear Guard. Accordingly, in the fifth year, he was appointed Left Chief Clerk to the Minister over the Masses and given charge of Director of Tasting Food and Grand Arbiter of Yanzhou. Accordingly, in the Xinghe era, he served as General of the Cavalry and Inspector of Yinzhou. Accordingly, after returning to court, he died after a long time.
63
鄭儼，字季然，滎陽人。 容貌壯麗。 初為司徒胡國珍行參軍，因緣為靈太后所幸，時人未之知也。 遷員外散騎侍郎、直後。 靈太后廢，蕭寶夤西征，以儼為開府屬。 孝昌初，太后反政，儼請使還朝，復見寵待。 拜諫議大夫、中書舍人，領嘗食典御。 晝夜禁中，寵愛尤甚。 儼每休沐，太后常遣閹童隨侍，儼見其妻，唯得言家事而已。 與徐紇俱為舍人。 儼以紇有智數，仗為謀主； 紇以儼寵幸既盛，傾身承接。 共相表裏，勢動內外。 城陽王徽微與之合，當時政令歸於儼等。 遷通直郎、散騎常侍、平東將軍、武衞將軍、華林都將、右衞將軍、散騎常侍、中軍將軍、中書令、車騎將軍，舍人、常侍如故。 肅宗崩，事出倉卒，天下咸言儼計也。 尒朱榮舉兵向洛，以儼、紇為辭。 榮逼京師，儼走歸鄉里。 儼從兄仲明先為滎陽太守，至是，儼與仲明欲據郡起眾。 尋為其部下所殺，與仲明俱傳首洛陽。 子文寬，從出帝歿關西。
Accordingly, zheng Yan, courtesy name Jiran, was a man of Yingyang. Accordingly, he was a handsome man. Accordingly, at first he served as acting army officer for Minister over the Masses Hu Guozhen, and through this connection won the favor of Empress Dowager Ling, though people at the time did not know it. Accordingly, he was promoted to Assistant Gentleman of the Regular Audience without Concurrent Office and then to Director of the Inner Court. Accordingly, when Empress Dowager Ling was deposed, and Xiao Baoyin marched west, Yan was appointed an aide in the Open Mansion. Accordingly, at the beginning of Xiaochang, when the empress dowager returned to power, Yan requested to be sent back to court and again won favor and treatment. Accordingly, he was appointed Censorial Grandee, Secretariat Drafter, and given charge of Director of Tasting Food. Accordingly, day and night within the forbidden palace, he was especially favored. Accordingly, whenever Yan was off duty, the Empress Dowager would usually send eunuch boys to accompany him; when Yan saw his wife, he could only speak about household matters. Accordingly, he served together with Xu He as a secretary. Accordingly, yan relied on He's intelligence and strategy and took him as his chief planner; Accordingly, he, seeing Yan's favored status grow ever greater, bent himself to accommodate and serve him. Accordingly, the two complemented each other, and their influence moved both inside and outside the court. Accordingly, prince Chengyang Hui had a slight connection with them, and at the time policy and orders were controlled by Yan and the others. Accordingly, he was promoted to Assistant Gentleman of the Regular Audience, Gentleman Attendant of the Cavalry, General Who Pacifies the East, General of the Martial Guard, Commander of Hualin, General of the Right Guard, Gentleman Attendant of the Cavalry, General of the Center Army, Secretariat Director, and General of the Chariot and Horse, while his posts as secretary and attendant remained as before. Accordingly, when Emperor Suzong died, the matter happened in great haste, and everyone under heaven said it had been Yan's plan. Accordingly, erzhu Rong raised troops toward Luoyang, using Yan and He as his pretext. Accordingly, when Rong pressed on the capital, Yan fled back to his native place. Accordingly, yan's cousin Zhongming had earlier been Inspector of Yingyang; now Yan and Zhongming wanted to seize the commandery and raise a following. Accordingly, soon he was killed by his own subordinates, and he and Zhongming were both sent to Luoyang as severed heads. Accordingly, his son Wenkuan accompanied Emperor Daowu's death in Guanzhong.
64
徐紇，字武伯，樂安博昌人也。 家世寒微。 紇少好學，有名理，頗以文詞見稱。 察孝廉，對策上第，高祖拔為主書。 世宗初，除中書舍人。 諂附趙脩，遷通直散騎侍郎。 及脩誅，坐黨徙枹罕。 雖在徒役，志氣不撓。 故事，捉逃役流兵五人，流者聽免，紇以此得還。 久之，復除中書舍人。 太傅、清河王懌又以文翰待之。 及領軍元叉之害懌也，出為雁門太守。 紇稱母老，解郡還鄉。 至家未幾，尋入洛，飾貌事叉，大得叉意。 及叉父繼西鎮潼關，以紇為從事中郎。 尋以母憂歸鄉里。
Accordingly, xu He, courtesy name Wubo, was a man of Bochang in Le'an. Accordingly, his family had long been poor and insignificant. Accordingly, he loved learning from youth, had a reputation for clear reasoning, and was much praised for his writing. Accordingly, he was examined as Xiaolian, scored first in the policy examination, and Gaozu selected him as Chief Scribe. Accordingly, at the beginning of Emperor Shizong's reign, he was appointed Secretariat Secretary. Accordingly, he flattered and attached himself to Zhao Xiu, and was promoted to Gentleman Attendant of the Regular Audience. Accordingly, when Xiu was executed, he was implicated as a member of Xiu's faction and exiled to Buhan. Accordingly, though he was in penal labor, his spirit remained unbowed. Accordingly, by custom, five fugitives captured from penal service would earn release for the exiles; He was therefore able to return. Accordingly, after a long time, he was again appointed Secretariat Secretary. Accordingly, the Grand Tutor, Prince Qinghe Yi, also treated him for his literary ability. Accordingly, when Commander Yuan Cha harmed Yi, He was sent out as Administrator of Yanmen. Accordingly, he claimed his mother was old, resigned the commandery, and returned home. Accordingly, not long after reaching home, he soon entered Luoyang, polished his appearance, and served Yuan Cha; Yuan Cha greatly approved of him. Accordingly, when Yuan Cha's father Ji went west to garrison Tong Pass, He was appointed Chief of the Staff Office. Accordingly, before long he returned home for mourning after his mother's death.
65
靈太后反政，以紇曾為懌所顧待，復起為中書舍人。 紇又曲事鄭儼，是以特被信任。 俄遷給事黃門侍郎，仍領舍人，總攝中書門下之事，軍國詔命，莫不由之。 時有急速，令數友執筆，[12]或行或臥，人別占之，造次俱成，不失事理，雖無雅裁，亦可通情。 時黃門侍郎太原王遵業、琅雅王誦並稱文學，亦不免為紇秉筆，求其指授。 尋加鎮南將軍、金紫光祿大夫，黃門、舍人如故。
Accordingly, when Empress Dowager Ling took back power, because He had once been favored by Yi, he was again raised as Secretariat Secretary. Accordingly, he also served Zheng Yan with all sorts of flattery, and was therefore specially trusted. Accordingly, before long he was promoted to Assistant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, while still holding his post as secretary; he took overall charge of the affairs of the Secretariat and the Gate Department, and all military and state edicts passed through him. Accordingly, when matters were urgent, several friends were told to hold the pen,[12] and each, whether walking or lying down, was assigned a portion; in haste they all got it done without losing the point, and though it lacked elegance, it still conveyed the sense. Accordingly, at the time, Assistant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Wang Zunye of Taiyuan and Wang Song of Langya were both famed for their learning, yet even they had to let He take the brush and ask for his guidance. Accordingly, soon he was given the additional titles of General Who Guards the South and Grand Master of the Golden Purple Radiance, while retaining his Yellow Gate and secretary posts.
66
紇機辯有智數。 當公斷決，終日不以為勞。 長直禁中，略無休息。 時復與沙門講論，或分宵達曙，而心力無怠，道俗歎服之。 然性浮動，慕權利，外似謇正，內實諂諛。 時豪勝己，必相陵駕； 書生貧士，矯意禮之。 其詭態若此，有識鄙薄焉。
Accordingly, he was clever and quick with strategy. Accordingly, when handling official judgments, he could work all day without finding it tiring. Accordingly, he stayed almost constantly in the forbidden palace, with little rest. Accordingly, at times he also debated with monks, sometimes talking from night until dawn, and his mind and strength never slackened; both clergy and laymen admired him. Accordingly, but by nature he was fickle and sought power and profit; outwardly he seemed honest and upright, but inwardly he was truly flattering and sycophantic. Accordingly, when someone of higher status was present, he would certainly try to outdo and suppress them; Accordingly, when scholars or poor gentlemen were present, he deliberately lowered himself and was polite to them. Accordingly, such were his hypocritical ways, and those with any discernment looked down on him.
67
紇既處腹心，參斷機密，勢傾一時，遠近填湊。 與鄭儼、李神軌寵任相亞，時稱徐鄭焉。 然無經國大體，好行小數，說靈太后以鐵券間尒朱榮左右，榮知，深以為憾，啟求誅之。 榮將入洛，既克河梁，紇矯詔夜開殿門，取驊騮御馬十匹，東走兗州。 紇弟獻伯為北海太守，獻伯弟季彥先為青州長史，紇使人告之，亦將家南走。 羊侃時為太山太守，紇往投之，說侃令舉兵。 侃從之，遂聚兵反，共紇圍兗州。 孝莊初，遣侍中于暉為行臺，與齊獻武王督諸軍討之。 紇慮不免，說侃請乞師於蕭衍。 侃信之，遂奔衍。 文筆駁論數十卷，多有遺落，時或存於世焉。
Accordingly, once He became a heart-and-liver confidant and took part in deciding secret matters, his influence overflowed for a time and people from near and far crowded around him. Accordingly, his favor and responsibility were second only to Zheng Yan and Li Shengui, and people at the time spoke of "Xu and Zheng." Accordingly, yet he lacked a proper grasp of statecraft and preferred petty tricks; he told Empress Dowager Ling to use iron certificates to separate Erzhu Rong from the people around him, and when Rong learned of it, he took deep offense and asked that He be killed. Accordingly, when Rong was about to enter Luoyang and had already taken the Heliang crossing, He forged an edict and opened the palace gates at night, took ten imperial horses from the famous Hualiu stable, and fled east to Yanzhou. Accordingly, his younger brother Xianbo was then Inspector of Beihai, and his other younger brother Jiyan was Chief Clerk of Qingzhou; He sent messengers to tell them, and they too were going to flee south with the family. Accordingly, at the time, Yang Kan was Inspector of Taishan; He went to take refuge with him and urged him to raise troops. Accordingly, kan agreed, raised troops in rebellion, and together with He they surrounded Yanzhou. Accordingly, at the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, the palace attendant Yu Hui was sent as acting imperial commissioner, together with Emperor Wu of Qi to command the various armies against them. Accordingly, fearing he would not escape, He persuaded Kan to ask for aid from Xiao Yan. Accordingly, kan believed him and fled to Xiao. Accordingly, his writings and arguments ran to several dozen volumes, but many have been lost, though some still survive today.
68
史臣曰。 〈闕〉
Accordingly, the historiographer says. 〈Accordingly, 〈Gap〉〉
69
校勘記
Accordingly, collation notes
70
都曹尚書曹百僚之首按上稱「領都曹，為尚書令」，下稱「都曹尚書令可權記」。 這裏「尚書曹」疑當作尚書令。
Accordingly, the chief of the Capital Offices was the head of the hundred officials. The note says that the preceding line reads "in charge of the Capital Offices, serving as Secretary," and the line below reads "the chief of the Capital Offices, Secretary may be temporarily recorded." Accordingly, here, "Secretary" is probably meant to be "Secretary General."
71
語在常景傳按今常景傳 〈卷八二〉 以北史補，不載其事。
Accordingly, the wording is in the biography of Chang Jing. 〈Accordingly, 〈Volume 82〉〉 Accordingly, it is supplemented by the Northern History and does not record the matter.
72
滋水沒川之彥冊府卷五三０ 〈六三三四頁〉 「滋水沒川」作「丘樊林藪」。 按「滋水沒川」未詳，或有訛字，冊府恐是以意改。
Accordingly, yan of Zishui who "submerged the river"; Cefu, volume 530 〈Accordingly, 〈Page 6334〉〉 Accordingly, "Zishui submerges the river" is written as "Qiu fan lin sou." Accordingly, the phrase "Zishui submerges the river" is unclear; there may be a scribal error, and the Cefu version probably altered it by sense.
73
趙郡南欒人也按卷一０六上地形志上，南欒屬南趙郡，「南」字不宜省。
Accordingly, a man of South Luan in Zhaojun. According to the Geography treatise in volume 106, upper, South Luan belonged to South Zhaojun, so the word "South" should not be omitted.
74
為齋帥諸本「齋」作「齊」。 按下文作「齋」，「齋帥」屢見本書，又見隋書卷二七百官志中。 「齊」字訛，今改正。
Accordingly, zhai Shuai. In the various editions, "Zhai" is written as "Qi." Accordingly, the note says that below it is written "Zhai"; "Zhai Shuai" appears many times in this book and also in the Sui Shu, volume 27, Treatise on Offices, part 2. Accordingly, the character "Qi" is a scribal error; it is now corrected.
75
始琛及李憑等曲事於脩諸本「憑」作「馮」。 按卷六八甄琛傳、通鑑卷一四五 〈四五三五頁〉 作「憑」。 「馮」即「憑」本字，今統一作「憑」。
Accordingly, in some editions, "Ping" is written as "Feng." Accordingly, the note says that in volume 68, the biography of Zhen Chen, and in the Zizhi Tongjian, volume 145, it is written as "Ping." 〈Accordingly, 〈Page 4535〉〉 Accordingly, it is written as "Ping." Accordingly, "Feng" is the older form of "Ping"; here it has been standardized to "Ping."
76
又有淫宴北史卷九二茹皓附義恭傳「又」作「叉」，這裏「又」當是「叉」之訛。
Accordingly, in the Northern History, volume 92, in the attached biography of Ru Hao and Yi Gong, the word is "Cha" rather than "You"; here "You" must be a scribal error for "Cha."
77
其以剛為右衞大將軍墓誌集釋侯剛墓誌 〈圖版二四九之二〉 稱「延昌元年，進右衞將軍」。 按此時左、右衞將軍不見加「大」之例，下文說「熙平中，除左衞將軍」，也不加「大」，這裏「大」字當衍。
Accordingly, to appoint Gang as Grand General of the Right Guard. The epitaph collection says 〈Accordingly, 〈Plate 249, image 2〉〉 Accordingly, it states: "In the first year of Yanchang, he was promoted to General of the Right Guard." Accordingly, the Left and Right Guard Generals are not otherwise given the word "Great" at this time; likewise below, when it says he was appointed General of the Left Guard in Xiaping, it does not include "Great." So the character "Great" here is probably extraneous.
78
解嘗食典御諸本「嘗食」作「尚衣」，北史卷九二侯剛傳作「嘗食」。 張森楷云：「按前文剛只為嘗食典御，未嘗為尚衣，疑『尚衣』訛。」 按侯剛本以善於烹調進用，下文說他「自太和進食，遂為典御， 〈中略〉 至此始解」。 這裏作「尚衣」誤，今據北史改。
Accordingly, relieve him of the office of Director of Tasting Food. In various editions, "tasting food" is written as "clothing," but the Northern History, volume 92, biography of Hou Gang, has "tasting food." Accordingly, zhang Senkai says: "Looking at the previous text, Gang only ever served as Director of Tasting Food and never as Director of Clothing; I suspect 'clothing' is a scribal error." Accordingly, looking at Hou Gang's biography, he was originally promoted because he was good at cooking; below 〈Accordingly, 〈omitted〉〉 Accordingly, at this point, he was only then relieved. Accordingly, here, writing "clothing" is an error; it is corrected here according to the Northern History.
79
乃引剛為侍中左衞將軍墓誌集釋 〈圖版二四九之二〉 稱「入居常伯，還領禁戎」，即指此次除授，集釋卷五以墓誌前文「延昌元年，進右衞將軍」當之，實誤，但引正光六年劉根造象，剛結銜作「右衞將軍」，證這裏「左衞」為「右衞」之訛，疑是。
Accordingly, to bring Gang in as Palace Attendant and Left Guard General. The epitaph collection 〈Accordingly, 〈Plate 249, image 2〉〉 Accordingly, states: "Entering office as a regular attendant and again in charge of the palace guards," meaning this appointment. The collection, volume 5, takes the epitaph's earlier line "In the first year of Yanchang, he was promoted to General of the Right Guard" as the equivalent, which is actually mistaken; but an image inscription made in the sixth year of Zhengguang shows Gang's full title as "General of the Right Guard," proving that here "Left Guard" is likely a scribal error.
80
將軍儀同三司按「將軍」上無軍號。 據上文稱「俄加車騎大將軍」，又云「尋加儀同」，疑本作「將軍、儀同如故」，後人改「如故」為「三司」。 否則「將軍」上脫「車騎 〈或驃騎〉 大」三字。
Accordingly, general and Peer-Equal official. There is no army designation before "general." Accordingly, since earlier it says "He was soon added as Grand General of the Chariots and Horses," and then says "soon added as Peer-Equal," this probably originally read "general and peer-equal as before," with later scribes changing "as before" into "three offices." Accordingly, otherwise, the words "Grand" or "Great" are missing before "general, 〈Accordingly, 〈or General of the Cavalry〉〉 Accordingly, and "grand" or "great"
81
令數友執筆諸本及北史卷九二徐紇傳「友」作「吏」，獨百衲本作「友」。 按作「吏」似是，但下舉黃門侍郎王遵業、王誦亦為紇秉筆，不得稱「吏」。 今姑從百衲本。
Accordingly, several friends to hold the pen. In various editions and in the Northern History, volume 92, biography of Xu He, "friends" is written as "clerks"; only the Baina edition has "friends." Accordingly, looking at it, "clerks" seems right, but since the following examples are the Yellow Gate Gentlemen Wang Zunye and Wang Song, who also held the pen for He, they cannot properly be called clerks. Accordingly, for the moment, I follow the Baina edition.