1
宗愛仇洛齊段霸王琚趙黑[1]孫小張宗之劇鵬張祐抱嶷王遇苻承祖王質李堅秦松白整劉騰賈粲楊範成軌王溫孟鸞[2]平季封津劉思逸
Zong Ai, Chou Luoqi, Duan Ba, Wang Ju, Zhao Hei, Sun Xiao, Zhang Zongzhi, Ju Peng, Zhang You, Bao Ni, Wang Yu, Fu Chengzu, Wang Zhi, Li Jian, Qin Song, Bai Zheng, Liu Teng, Jia Can, Yang Fan, Cheng Gui, Wang Wen, Meng Luan, Ping Ji, Feng Jin, and Liu Siyi.
2
夫宮腐之族，置於閽寺，取則天象，事歷百王。 身乖全品，任事宮掖，親由褻狎，恩生趨走，便僻俯仰，當寵擅權。 斯則伊戾、豎刁因而禍兩國，石顯、張讓所以翦二京也。 豈非形質既虧，生命易忽，譬之胥靡，不懼登高。 此亦苟且之事，由變不已也。 王者殷鑒，宜改往轍，而後庭婉孌遊宴之地，椒壼留連，終見任使。 巧佞由之而自達，權幸俄然而復歸。 斯蓋其由來遠矣，非一朝一世也。
The palace eunuch caste was installed at the gate-palaces in imitation of celestial portents, and rulers of a hundred generations have maintained the office. Denied full humanity, they served in the women's quarters; closeness bred through intimate familiarity, favor through constant attendance; with obsequious gestures they rose to dominate whenever they won the ruler's trust. This was how Yi Li and Shu Diao ruined two kingdoms, and how Shi Xian and Zhang Rang brought down the two imperial capitals. Once their bodies were marred, life counted for little; like felons under sentence, they had no fear of heights. Such conduct was merely opportunism, shifting endlessly with each new turn of events. Rulers ought to learn from past examples and mend their ways, yet in the rear palace where beauties feast and linger in the women's quarters, eunuchs are still entrusted with office in the end. Crafty flatterers gained access through them, and influence and favor soon flowed back to them once more. The practice had deep roots; it was not confined to one reign or one era.
3
魏氏則宗愛殺帝害王，劉騰廢后戮相，其間竊官爵，盜財賄，乘勢使氣為朝野之患者，何可勝舉。 今謹錄其尤顯焉。
Under the Northern Wei, Zong Ai murdered emperors and princes, and Liu Teng deposed an empress and killed a chief minister; besides them, countless others stole offices, seized bribes, and abused their position to tyrannize court and realm. Below we record only the most notorious among them.
4
恭宗之監國也，每事精察。 愛天性險暴，行多非法，恭宗每銜之。 給事仇尼道盛、侍郎任平城等任事東宮，微為權勢，世祖頗聞之。 二人與愛並不睦。 為懼道盛等案其事，遂構告其罪。 詔斬道盛等於都街。 時世祖震怒，恭宗遂以憂薨。
While Crown Prince Gong was supervising the realm, he scrutinized every affair with exacting care. Ai was cruel and violent by nature and often acted outside the law; the crown prince bore a deep grudge against him. The attendant Chou Ni Daosheng, Vice Director Ren Pingcheng, and others who served in the crown prince's household had begun to wield some influence, and Emperor Taiwu took notice. The two men were on bad terms with Ai. Afraid that Daosheng and the others would investigate him, he fabricated charges and denounced them. An edict ordered Daosheng and the others executed in the streets of the capital. Emperor Taiwu was furious, and the crown prince died soon afterward, overcome by grief.
5
是後，世祖追悼恭宗，愛懼誅，遂謀逆。 二年春，世祖暴崩，愛所為也。 尚書左僕射蘭延、侍中吳興公和疋、侍中太原公薛提等祕不發喪。 延、疋二人議以高宗沖幼，欲立長子，徵秦王翰置之祕室。 提以高宗有世嫡之重，不可廢所宜立而更求君。 延等猶豫未決。 愛知其謀。 始愛負罪於東宮，而與吳王余素協，乃密迎余自中宮便門入，矯皇后令徵延等。 延等以愛素賤，弗之疑，皆隨之入。 愛先使閹豎三十人持仗於宮內，及延等入，以次收縛，斬於殿堂。 執秦王翰，殺之於永巷而立余。 余以愛為大司馬、大將軍、太師、都督中外諸軍事，領中祕書，封馮翊王。
Afterward, as Emperor Taiwu mourned the crown prince, Ai feared he would be put to death and plotted treason. In the spring of the second year, Emperor Taiwu died suddenly—it was Ai's work. Lan Yan, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, He Pi, Duke of Wuxing and Palace Attendant, Xue Ti, Duke of Taiyuan and Palace Attendant, and others concealed the emperor's death and did not announce the mourning. Yan and Pi argued that because the designated heir was still a child, they should enthrone the eldest son instead; they summoned Prince Qin Han and kept him in a hidden chamber. Ti argued that the designated heir held the status of legitimate succession and that they could not discard the rightful choice to seek another ruler. Yan and the others wavered, unable to reach a decision. Ai learned of their plan. Ai had earlier incurred guilt toward the crown prince's household, but he had long been allied with Prince Wu Yu; he secretly brought Yu in through the inner palace side gate and forged an empress's order summoning Yan and the others. Because Ai had always been a man of low birth, Yan and the others suspected nothing and followed him inside. Ai had already posted thirty armed eunuchs inside the palace; when Yan and the others entered, they were seized one by one and beheaded in the hall. They seized Prince Qin Han, killed him in the Long Lane, and enthroned Yu. Yu made Ai Grand Marshal, Grand General, Grand Preceptor, and supreme commander of all armies at home and abroad, put him in charge of the Central Secretariat, and enfeoffed him as King of Fengyi.
6
愛既立余，位居元輔，錄三省，兼總戎禁，坐召公卿，權恣日甚，內外憚之。 羣情咸以為愛必有趙高、閻樂之禍，余疑之，遂謀奪其權。 愛憤怒，使小黃門賈周等夜殺余，事在余傳。 高宗立，誅愛、周等，皆具五刑，夷三族。
Once Ai had put Yu on the throne, he became chief minister, controlled all three secretariats, and held command of the palace guard; he summoned nobles and ministers to attend him at will, his power grew daily, and the whole court feared him. Everyone believed Ai would bring disaster like Zhao Gao or Yan Le; Yu grew suspicious and plotted to take his power away. Enraged, Ai had the junior palace attendant Jia Zhou and others assassinate Yu by night; the full account appears in Yu's biography. When Emperor Wencheng ascended the throne, he executed Ai, Zhou, and the others with the full five punishments and exterminated their clans to the third degree.
7
仇洛齊，中山人，本姓侯氏。 外祖父仇款，始出馮翊重泉。 款，石虎末徙鄴南枋頭，仕慕容暐為烏丸護軍、長水校尉。 生二子，長曰嵩，小曰騰。 嵩仕慕容垂，遷居中山，位殿中侍御史。 嵩有二子，長曰廣，小曰盆。 洛齊生而非男，嵩養為子，因為之姓仇。
Chou Luoqi was from Zhongshan; his original family name was Hou. His maternal grandfather Chou Kuan's family originally came from Chongquan in Fengyi Commandery. At the end of Shi Hu's reign, Kuan moved to Fangtou south of Ye and served Murong Wei as Wuhuan Protector-General and Colonel of the Long River. He had two sons: the elder was Song, the younger Teng. Song served Murong Chui, settled in Zhongshan, and rose to the post of Palace Attendant Censor. Song had two sons: the elder was Guang, the younger Pen. Luoqi was born a eunuch; Song adopted him as a son and gave him the surname Chou.
8
初嵩長女有姿色，充冉閔宮闈，閔破，入慕容儁，又轉賜盧豚。 生子魯元，有寵於世祖，而知外祖嵩已死，唯有三舅，每言於世祖，世祖為訪其舅。 是時東方罕有仕者，廣、盆皆不樂入平城，洛齊獨請行，曰：「我養子，兼人道不全，當為兄弟試禍福也。」 乃乘驢赴京。 魯元候知將至，結從者百餘騎，迎于桑乾河，見而下拜，從者亦同致敬。 入言于世祖，世祖問其才用所宜，將授之以官。 魯元曰：「臣舅不幸生為閹人，唯合與陛下守宮闈耳。」 而不言其養子。 世祖矜焉，賜以奴馬，引見。 尋拜武衞將軍，俄而賜爵文安子，稍遷給事黃門侍郎。
Song's eldest daughter was beautiful and entered Ran Min's harem; after Min's defeat she passed to Murong Jun, and was later given to Lu Tun. She bore a son, Luyuan, who won Emperor Taiwu's favor; knowing his maternal grandfather Song was dead and that only three maternal uncles remained, he spoke of them often to the emperor, who then sought them out. Few easterners took office at court then; Guang and Pen were both reluctant to go to Pingcheng, but Luoqi alone volunteered, saying, "I am an adopted son, and my body is incomplete; let me go first and test fortune for my brothers." He then rode a donkey to the capital. Luyuan, hearing he was on his way, gathered more than a hundred mounted attendants and met him at the Sanggan River; he bowed upon seeing him, and his followers did the same. He reported to Emperor Taiwu, who asked what office would suit his talents and was about to appoint him. Luyuan said, "My uncle was unfortunately born a eunuch; he is fit only to guard the inner palace for Your Majesty." He did not mention that Luoqi was an adopted son. The emperor took pity on him, gave him slaves and horses, and received him in audience. He was soon appointed General of the Martial Guard, then ennobled as Marquis of Wen'an, and later promoted to Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.
9
魏初禁網疏闊，民戶隱匿漏脫者多。 東州既平，綾羅戶民樂葵因是請採漏戶，供為綸綿。 自後逃戶占為細繭羅縠者非一。 [3]於是雜、營戶帥遍於天下，不屬守宰，發賦輕易，民多私附，戶口錯亂，不可檢括。 洛齊奏議罷之，一屬郡縣。
In the early Northern Wei the laws were loosely enforced, and many households hid themselves to escape registration. After the eastern provinces were pacified, Min Le, head of a silk-brocade household, requested permission to round up unregistered households to supply silk thread. Afterward many fugitive households were registered as fine-silk and gauze-brocade producers. Heads of miscellaneous and camp households then spread throughout the realm; they answered to no local magistrate, levies were imposed at will, many people attached themselves privately to them, household registers fell into chaos, and the rolls could no longer be audited. Luoqi memorialized to abolish the system and place all such households under county and commandery administration.
10
從平涼州，以功超遷散騎常侍，又加中書令、寧南將軍、進爵零陵公。 拜侍中、平遠將軍、冀州刺史，為內都大官。 興安二年卒，諡曰康。
He took part in the pacification of Liang Province and, for his merit, was promoted to Regular Attendant, then made Director of the Secretariat and General Who Pacifies the South and advanced to Duke of Lingling. He was appointed Palace Attendant, General Who Pacifies the Distance, and Governor of Ji Province, and served as Grand Officer of the Inner Capital. He died in the second year of the Xing'an era; his posthumous name was Kang.
11
養子儼，襲。 柔和敦敏，有長者風。 太和中，為虎牢鎮將。 初洛齊貴盛之後，廣、盆坐他事誅，世祖以其非仇氏子，不與焉。 還取侯家近屬，以儼為子。 後欲還本。 而廣有女孫配南安王楨，生章武王彬，即中山王英弟也。 仇妃聞而請儼曰：「由我仇家富貴至此，奈何一旦孤背恩養也！」 楨時在內都主司品臣，儼隸於楨，畏憚之，遂不敢。 九年卒，諡曰靜。 子振襲。 稍遷至中堅將軍、長水校尉。
His adopted son Yan inherited his rank. He was gentle, sincere, and dignified, with the bearing of a man of mature character. During the Taihe era he served as garrison commander of Hulao. After Luoqi's rise to power, Guang and Pen were executed on other charges; Emperor Taiwu did not punish Yan, since he was not a Chou by blood. He then took a close kinsman of the Hou family and adopted Yan as his son. Later he wished to return to his birth family. Guang had a granddaughter who married Prince Nan'an Zhen and bore Prince Zhangwu Bin, younger brother of Prince Zhongshan Ying. The Chou consort, hearing of it, pleaded with Yan: "It was through my Chou family that you rose to such wealth and honor—how can you suddenly abandon the family that raised you!" At the time Zhen headed the Inner Capital office that ranked officials; Yan was under his authority, feared him, and therefore did not dare. He died in the ninth year; his posthumous name was Jing. His son Zhen inherited his rank. He was gradually promoted to General of the Central Garrison and Colonel of the Long River.
12
廣、盆並善營產業，家于中山，號為巨富，子孫仕進至州主簿。
Guang and Pen were both skilled at building estates; their family settled in Zhongshan and was renowned for vast wealth; descendants rose in office as high as provincial chief clerk.
13
騰曾孫儁，位至龍驤將軍、驍騎將軍、樂平男。
Teng's great-grandson Jun rose to General of the Dragon Cavalry, General of Valiant Cavalry, and Baron of Leping.
14
段霸，雁門原平人。 父乾，慕容垂廣武令。 太祖初遣騎略地至雁門，霸年幼見執，因被宮刑。 乾尋率鄉部歸化雲中。
Duan Ba was from Yuanping in Yanmen Commandery. His father Gan had been magistrate of Guangwu under Murong Chui. When the Founding Emperor first sent cavalry to raid as far as Yanmen, the young Ba was captured and castrated. Gan soon led his township to submit and settle at Yunzhong.
15
霸少以謹敏見知，稍遷至中常侍、中護軍將軍、殿中尚書，領壽安少府，賜爵武陵公。 出為安東將軍、定州刺史。 世祖親考內外，大明黜陟。 前定州治中張渾屯告霸前在定州濁貨貪穢，便道致財，歸之鄉里。 召霸定對，霸不首引。 世祖以霸近臣而不盡實，由此益怒，欲斬之。 恭宗進請，遂免霸為庶人。
Ba was known from youth for prudence and alertness; he rose to Regular Palace Attendant, General of the Central Guard, and Director of the Palace Masters of Writing, concurrently headed the Shou'an Junior Household, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Wuling. He was sent out as General Who Pacifies the East and Governor of Ding Province. Emperor Taiwu personally reviewed officials at court and in the provinces and made promotions and dismissals with unmistakable clarity. The former chief clerk of Ding Province, Zhang Huntun, reported that Ba, while governing Ding Province, had traded in contraband, taken bribes, used his official travel to amass wealth, and sent it home. Ba was summoned to answer the charges but would not confess. Because Ba was a close attendant yet would not tell the whole truth, the emperor grew angrier and wanted to execute him. Crown Prince Gong pleaded on his behalf, and Ba was stripped of office and reduced to commoner status.
16
霸從弟榮，雍州別駕。 兄弟諸從遂世居廣武城，修飾有士風。
Ba's younger cousin Rong served as Vice Governor of Yong Province. The brothers and their cousins then settled for generations in Guangwu city, cultivating refinement in the manner of scholar-gentry families.
17
王琚，高平人，自云本太原人。 高祖始，晉豫州刺史。
Wang Ju was from Gaoping; he claimed his family was originally from Taiyuan. At the founding of the dynasty he had been Governor of Yu Province under the Jin.
18
琚以泰常中被刑入宮禁，小心守節，久乃見敍用。 稍遷為禮部尚書，賜爵廣平公，加寧南將軍。 高祖以琚歷奉先朝，志在公正，授散騎常侍。 後為侍中、征南將車、冀州刺史，假廣平王。 徵還，進為征南將軍，進爵高平王，侍中如故，遣還冀州。 高祖、文明太后東巡冀州，親幸其家，存問周至。 還京，以其年老，拜散騎常侍，養老於家。 前後賜以車馬衣服雜物不可稱計。 後降爵為公，扶老自平城從遷洛邑。 高祖以其朝舊，遣左右勞問之。 琚附表自陳初至家多乏，蒙賜帛二百匹。 常飲牛乳，色如處子。 太和二十年冬卒，時年九十。 贈征南將軍、冀州刺史，諡曰靖。
Ju was castrated during the Taichang era and entered palace service; he served carefully and faithfully, and only after many years was he given office. He was gradually promoted to Minister of Rites, enfeoffed as Duke of Guangping, and made General Who Pacifies the South. Because Ju had served through earlier reigns with a reputation for fairness, Emperor Xiaowen appointed him Regular Attendant. Later he served as Palace Attendant, General Who Conquers the South, and Governor of Ji Province, with the provisional title Prince of Guangping. Recalled to court, he was promoted to General Who Conquers the South and Prince of Gaoping, kept his post as Palace Attendant, and was sent back to Ji Province. When Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming toured Ji Province, they visited his home in person and inquired after him with exceptional care. On returning to the capital, he was appointed Regular Attendant and allowed to retire at home because of his age. Over the years he received countless gifts of carriages, horses, clothing, and other goods. Later his title was reduced to duke; leaning on his staff, he followed the court's move from Pingcheng to Luoyang. Because he was a veteran of the court, Emperor Xiaowen sent attendants to visit and comfort him. Ju submitted a memorial saying that since returning home he had been in want, and received two hundred bolts of silk. He drank cow's milk regularly, and his complexion remained as fresh as a young woman's. He died in the winter of the twentieth year of Taihe (496), at the age of ninety. He was posthumously enfeoffed as General Who Conquers the South and Inspector of Ji Province, with the posthumous name Jing.
19
養子寄生，未襲而亡。
His adopted son Jisheng died before he could inherit the title.
20
子蓋海，襲祖琚爵。 初琚年七十餘，賜得世祖時宮人郭氏，本鍾離人，明嚴有母德，內外婦孫百口，奉之肅若嚴君，家內以治。 蓋海官至青州樂陵太守。
His son Gaihai inherited the title of his grandfather Ju. When Ju was in his seventies, he was granted a palace woman of the name Guo from the Taiwu era. A native of Zhongli, she was stern yet virtuous as a mother figure. The hundred-odd women and grandchildren of the household treated her with the reverence owed a household head, and under her the family was well run. Gaihai rose to the post of Administrator of Leiling in Qing Province.
21
趙黑，字文靜，初名海，本涼州隸戶。 自云其先河內溫人也，五世祖術，晉末為平遠將軍、西夷校尉，因居酒泉安彌縣。
Zhao He, courtesy name Wenjing, originally named Hai, came from a dependent household in Liang Province. He claimed descent from Wen in Henei. His fifth-generation ancestor Shu served in the late Jin as General Who Pacifies the Distance and Commandant of the Western Barbarians, and settled in Anmi County in Jiuquan.
22
海生而涼州平，沒入為閹人，因改名為黑。 有容貌，恭謹小心。 世祖使進御膳，出入承奉，初無過行。 遷侍御，典監藏，拜安遠將軍，賜爵睢陽侯。 轉選部尚書，能自謹厲，當官任舉，頗得其人。 加侍中，進爵河內公。
Hai was born just as Liang Province was pacified. He was castrated and entered palace service as a eunuch, and thereafter took the name Hei (Black). He was handsome and conducted himself with respectful care. Emperor Taiwu put him in charge of serving the imperial meals. Attending the emperor in and out of court, he initially committed no fault. He was promoted to palace attendant, put in charge of the treasury, made General Who Pacifies the Distance, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Suiyang. He was transferred to Minister of Personnel. Self-disciplined and strict, he made appointments that generally brought the right men to office. He was made Palace Attendant and promoted to Duke of Henei.
23
顯祖將傳位京兆王子推，訪諸羣臣，百官唯唯，莫敢先言者，唯源賀等詞義正直，不肯奉詔。 顯祖怒，變色，復以問黑。 黑曰：「臣愚無識，信情率意。 伏惟陛下春秋始富，如日方中，天下說其盛明，萬物懷其光景，元元之心，願終萬歲。 若聖性淵遠，欲頤神味道者，臣黑以死奉戴皇太子，不知其他。」 顯祖默然良久，遂傳祚于高祖。
When Emperor Xianzu was about to abdicate in favor of Prince Tui of Jingzhao, he consulted his ministers. The officials all mumbled assent, and none dared speak up first. Only Yuan He and a few others spoke plainly and refused to obey the edict. Emperor Xianzu grew angry, his face darkened, and he put the question to He once more. He replied: "Your subject is dull and ignorant, and speaks only from sincere conviction. Your Majesty is still in the prime of life, like the sun at noon. The realm praises your brilliance, all creation basks in your glory, and the people wish you long life. "If Your Majesty's sage nature runs deep and you wish to retire and cultivate the Way, this subject Hei would give his life to serve the Crown Prince—and knows nothing beyond that. Emperor Xianzu fell silent for a long time, then passed the throne to Emperor Xiaowen.
24
黑得幸兩宮，祿賜優厚。 是時尚書李訢亦有寵於顯祖，與黑對綰選部。 訢奏中書侍郎崔鑒為東徐州，北部主書郎公孫處顯為荊州，選部監公孫蘧為幽州，皆曰有能也，實有私焉。 黑疾其虧亂選體，遂爭於殿庭曰：「以功授官，因爵與祿，國之常典。 中書侍郎、尚書主書郎、諸曹監，勳能俱立，不過列郡，今訢皆用為方州，臣實為惑。」 顯祖疑之，曰：「公孫蘧且止。」 蘧最為訢厚，於是黑與訢遂為深隙。 訢竟列黑為監藏時多所截沒。 先是法禁寬緩，百司所典，與官並食，故多所損折。 遂黜為門士。 黑自以為訢所陷，歎恨終日，廢寢忘食，規報前怨。 踰年，還入為侍御、散騎常侍、侍中、尚書左僕射，復兼選部如昔。 黑告訢專恣，訢遂出為徐州。 及其將獲罪也，黑構成以誅之。 然後食甘寢安，志在於職事。
He enjoyed favor in both palaces, and received lavish salaries and gifts. At that time Minister Li Xin was also favored by Emperor Xianzu, and he shared oversight of the Personnel Bureau with He. Xin recommended Central Secretariat Assistant Cui Jian for Eastern Xuzhou, Northern Bureau Chief Clerk Gongsun Chuxian for Jing Province, and Personnel Supervisor Gongsun Qu for You Province—all allegedly for their ability, but in fact out of favoritism. He resented this corruption of the selection system and challenged Xin in open court: "Offices should go to the meritorious and salaries to the ennobled—this is the state's established law. "Central Secretariat assistants, ministry chief clerks, and bureau supervisors—even at their best reach no higher than commandery posts. Yet Xin has made them all provincial governors. I am genuinely baffled. Emperor Xianzu was uncertain and said, "Hold Gongsun Qu's appointment for now." Qu was Xin's closest ally, and from that day He and Xin became bitter enemies. Xin eventually accused He of widespread embezzlement during his tenure overseeing the treasury. The laws had previously been lax: offices shared their perquisites with their officials, so losses were common. He was demoted to the rank of gate guard. Convinced he had been framed by Xin, he brooded all day, sleepless and without appetite, plotting revenge. More than a year later he was recalled as palace attendant, Regular Attendant, Palace Attendant, and Left Vice Minister of Affairs, and again held the Personnel Bureau as before. He denounced Xin for abusing his power, and Xin was sent out as Inspector of Xu Province. When Xin was on the verge of punishment, He engineered his condemnation and had him put to death. Only then did he eat and sleep in peace, turning his full attention to his duties.
25
出為假節、鎮南大將軍、儀同三司、定州刺史，進爵為王。 克己清儉，憂濟公私。 時有人欲行私賂，黑曰：「高官祿厚，足以自給，賣公營私，本非情願。」 終無所納。 高祖、文明太后幸中山，聞之，賜帛五百匹、穀一千五百石。 轉冀州刺史。 太和六年秋薨於官。 詔賜絹四百五十匹、穀一千斛、車牛二十乘，致柩至都。 追贈司空公，諡曰康。 黑養族弟趙奴第四子熾為後。
He was sent out as commissioner with full authority, Great General Who Guards the South, Equal in Rank to the Three Dukes, and Inspector of Ding Province, and was promoted to king. He was self-restrained, frugal, and devoted to easing the burdens of both the state and the people. When someone tried to bribe him privately, He said: "My high office and generous salary are enough to live on. Trading public duty for private gain has never been my intention. In the end he accepted nothing. When Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming visited Zhongshan and heard of this, they granted him five hundred bolts of silk and fifteen hundred shi of grain. He was transferred to Inspector of Ji Province. He died in office in the autumn of the sixth year of Taihe (482). An edict granted four hundred fifty bolts of silk, a thousand hu of grain, and twenty ox-cart teams to convey his coffin to the capital. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Works, with the posthumous name Kang. He adopted as his heir Chi, the fourth son of his clansman Zhao Nu.
26
熾，字貴樂。 初為中散，襲黑爵，後降為公。 官至揚州安南府長史，加平遠將軍。 元嵩之死壽春也，熾處分安輯，微有聲稱。 神龜中卒，贈光州刺史。 黑為定州，與熾納鉅鹿魏幹女，有二子。
Chi, courtesy name Guile. He began as a Central University graduate, inherited He's title, and was later reduced to duke. He rose to Chief Administrator of An'nan Prefecture in Yang Province and was made General Who Pacifies the Distance. When Yuan Song died at Shouchun, Chi took charge and restored order, winning a modest reputation. He died during the Shengui era and was posthumously made Inspector of Guang Province. While He served at Ding Province, he and Chi married the daughter of Wei Gan of Julu, and they had two sons.
27
長子揆，字景則。 襲父侯爵，官至樂陵太守。 卒，贈左將軍、滄州刺史。
The eldest son was Kui, courtesy name Jingze. He inherited his father's marquisate and rose to Administrator of Leiling. He died and was posthumously made Left General and Inspector of Cang Province.
28
揆弟儁之，字仲彥，輕薄無行。 為給事中，轉謁者僕射，為劉騰養息。 猶以閹官餘資，賂遺權門，頻歷顯官而卒。
Kui's younger brother Junzhi, courtesy name Zhongyan, was frivolous and dissolute. He served as Supervising Censor, then Director of the Gate, and was adopted as a son by Liu Teng. Drawing on the residual wealth of eunuch office, he bribed the powerful, rose repeatedly to high posts, and died in office.
29
孫小，字茂翹，咸陽石安人。 父瓚，姚泓安定護軍。 為赫連屈丐所侵，人懷危懼，亡奔者相屬，瓚獨率眾拒守，見殺。 小沒入宮刑。 會魏平統萬，遂徙平城，內侍東宮。 以聰識有智略稱。
Sun Xiao, courtesy name Maoqiao, was from Shi'an in Xianyang. His father Zan served as Protector General of Anding under Yao Hong. When Helian Qubug invaded, the people were terrified and refugees streamed away. Zan alone led his troops in defense and was killed. Xiao was castrated and entered palace service. When Wei captured Tongwan, he was moved to Pingcheng and assigned to serve in the Eastern Palace. He was known for his intelligence and strategic ability.
30
未幾，轉西臺中散，每從征伐，屢有戰功，多獲賞賜。 世祖幸瓜步，慮有北寇之虞，乃加小左衞將軍，賜爵泥陽子，除留臺將軍。 車駕還都，遷給事中，綰太僕曹。 乃請父瓚贈諡，求更改葬，詔贈振威將軍、秦州刺史、石安縣子，諡曰戴。 轉小領駕部，課理有方，畜牧蕃息。 出為冠軍將軍、并州刺史，進爵中都侯，州內四郡百餘人詣闕頌其政化。 後遷冀州刺史，聲稱微少於前。 然所在清約，當時牧伯無能及也。 性頗忍酷，所養子息，驅馳鞭撻，視如仇讎。 小之為并州，以郭祚為主簿，重祚門才，兼任之以書記，時人多之。
Before long he was made a Central University graduate of the Western Platform. He followed the army on campaign, won repeated honors in battle, and received many rewards. When Emperor Taiwu visited Guabu, anxious about a northern attack, he made Xiao Left Guard General, enfeoffed him as Baron of Niyang, and appointed him Capital Garrison General. When the emperor returned to the capital, he was promoted to Supervising Censor and put in charge of the Ministry of Parks. He petitioned for a posthumous title and reburial for his father Zan. An edict granted Zan the post of General Who Quells Might, Inspector of Qin Province, and Baron of Shi'an County, with the posthumous name Dai. He was made minor Director of the Chariot Department. His management was effective, and the herds prospered. He was sent out as Champion General and Inspector of Bing Province and was promoted to Marquis of Zhongdu. More than a hundred men from four commanderies came to court to praise his governance. Later, as Inspector of Ji Province, his reputation fell slightly short of what it had been. Yet wherever he served he was austere and frugal—no provincial governor of the day could equal him. He was by nature harsh and cruel, driving and beating the sons he had adopted as though they were mortal enemies. When Xiao served at Bing Province, he made Guo Zuo his chief clerk. Valuing Zuo's family talent, he also put him in charge of correspondence—a choice widely admired at the time.
31
張宗之，字益宗，河南鞏人，家世寒微。 父孟舒，劉裕西征，假洛陽令。 及宗之貴幸，高宗贈孟舒平南將軍、洛州刺史、鞏縣侯，諡曰貞。
Zhang Zongzhi, courtesy name Yizong, was from Gong in Henan. His family had been humble for generations. His father Mengshu served as acting Magistrate of Luoyang during Liu Yu's western campaign. When Zongzhi rose to power, Emperor Wencheng posthumously enfeoffed Mengshu as General Who Pacifies the South, Inspector of Luo Province, and Marquis of Gong County, with the posthumous name Zhen.
32
初緱氏宗文邕聚黨於伊闕謀反，逼脅孟舒等。 文邕敗，孟舒走免，宗之被執入京，充腐刑。 以忠厚謹慎，擢為侍御中散，賜爵鞏縣侯，遂歷右將軍，中常侍，[4]儀曹、庫部二曹尚書，領中祕書，進爵彭城公。 出為散騎常侍、寧西將軍、東雍州刺史。 以在官有稱，入為內都大官。 出除散騎常侍、鎮東將軍、冀州刺史。 又例降為侯。 太和二十年卒，年六十九，贈建節將軍、懷州刺史，諡曰敬。
Early on, Zong Wen'ao of Gou gathered rebels at Yique and forced Mengshu and others to join them. When Wen'ao was defeated, Mengshu fled and escaped. Zongzhi was captured and sent to the capital, where he was castrated. For his loyalty and prudence he was promoted to palace attendant and Central University graduate, enfeoffed as Marquis of Gong County, and rose through the posts of Right General, Regular Palace Attendant, Minister of the Ceremonies and Treasury bureaus, and Overseer of the Central Secretariat, eventually becoming Duke of Pengcheng. He was sent out as Regular Attendant, General Who Pacifies the West, and Inspector of Eastern Yong Province. For his reputation in office he was recalled as Grand Director of Internal Affairs. He was sent out again as Regular Attendant, General Who Guards the East, and Inspector of Ji Province. His title was again reduced to marquis under the usual regulations. He died in the twentieth year of Taihe (496) at sixty-nine. He was posthumously made General with Staff of Authority and Inspector of Huai Province, with the posthumous name Jing.
33
宗之兄鸞旗，中書侍郎、東宮中庶子，兼宿衞給事。 加寧遠將軍，賜爵洛陽男。 轉殿中給事。 出為散騎常侍、冠軍將軍、涇州刺史，進爵為侯。 復為殿中給事、中常侍。 卒，贈洛州刺史，諡曰靖。
Zongzhi's elder brother Luanqi served as Central Secretariat Assistant, Junior Tutor of the Eastern Palace, and concurrently as a night-guard attendant. He was made General Who Pacifies the Distance and enfeoffed as Baron of Luoyang. He was transferred to palace attendant. He was sent out as Regular Attendant, Champion General, and Inspector of Jing Province, and was promoted to marquis. He again served as palace attendant and Regular Palace Attendant. He died and was posthumously made Inspector of Luo Province, with the posthumous name Jing.
34
始宗之納南來殷孝祖妻蕭氏，劉義隆儀同三司思話弟思度女也，多悉婦人儀飾故事。 太和中，初制六宮服章，蕭被命在內預見訪採，數蒙賜賚。 蕭兄子超業，後名彥，幼隨姑入國。 娶李洪之女，賴其給贍以自濟。 歷位太尉長史、武衞將軍、齊州刺史、散騎常侍、中軍將軍、金紫光祿大夫。 彥時來往蕭寶夤，致敬稱名，呼之為尊。 彥於河陰遇害，贈車騎將軍、儀同三司、徐州刺史。 子百年，西河太守。
Zongzhi had married the wife of the southern defector Yin Xiaozu, a Lady Xiao who was the daughter of Sidu, brother of Liu Yilong's Equal in Rank to the Three Dukes Sihua. She knew a great deal about women's ceremonial dress and customs. During the Taihe reforms, when the dress codes of the six palaces were first established, Lady Xiao was summoned to advise from within the palace and received many imperial gifts. Lady Xiao's nephew Chaoye, who later took the name Yan, came to Wei as a child with his aunt. He married a daughter of Li Hong and lived on her family's support. He served successively as Chief Administrator to the Grand Commandant, Martial Guard General, Inspector of Qi Province, Regular Attendant, Central Army General, and Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Girdle. Yan frequently visited Xiao Baoyin, showing deference and addressing him by his personal name, calling him "my lord." Yan was killed at Heyin and was posthumously made General of Chariots and Cavalry, Equal in Rank to the Three Dukes, and Inspector of Xu Province. His son Bainian served as Administrator of Xihe.
35
宗之養兄子襲紹爵。 襲，字子業。 高祖初，除主文中散，稍遷員外郎，京兆王大農。 久之，除義陽太守，為司空劉騰諮議參軍、散騎常侍、平東將軍、光祿大夫。 太昌初卒，年七十七。 贈驃騎大將軍、儀同三司、冀州刺史。
Zongzhi adopted his elder brother's son Xi to inherit his title. Xi, courtesy name Ziye. At the start of Emperor Xiaowen's reign, Xi was made Principal Writer Palace Attendant, then gradually promoted to Supernumerary Cadet and Grand Agriculture Officer to the Prince of Jingzhao. Some time later he was appointed Administrator of Yiyang and served as Staff Advisor to Liu Teng, the Excellency of Works, while also holding the posts of Regular Attendant, Pacifier of the East General, and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He died at the beginning of the Taichang era, at the age of seventy-seven. He was posthumously made General of Swift Cavalry, Equal in Rank to the Three Dukes, and Inspector of Ji Province.
36
子顥，邵郡太守。 卒，贈荊州刺史。
His son Hao served as Administrator of Shao Commandery. He died and was posthumously made Inspector of Jing Province.
37
顥弟璟，中散大夫。
Hao's younger brother Jing held the post of Master of the Palace.
38
璟弟瑋，武定中，豫州征西府長史。 諸中官皆世衰，唯趙黑及宗之後，家僮數百，通於士流。
Jing's younger brother Wei served in the Wuding era as Chief Administrator of the Pacification of the West headquarters in Yu Province. The great eunuch families all declined over the generations, but Zhao Hei and Zhang Zongzhi's line kept several hundred retainers and moved freely among the gentry.
39
劇鵬，高陽人。 粗覽經史，閑曉吏事。 與王質等俱充宦官，性通率，不以閽閹為耻。 文明太后時，亦見眷遇，為給事中。 高祖遷洛，常為宮官，事幽后。 后之惑薩菩薩也，[5]鵬密諫止之，不從，遂發憤而卒。
Ju Peng was from Gaoyang. He had a rough grounding in the classics and histories and was well versed in administration. He entered palace service as a eunuch alongside Wang Zhi and others. Frank by nature, he did not feel ashamed of his status at the gate-palace. Under Empress Dowager Wenming he also won favor and was appointed Attendant Within. When Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, he remained a palace official in the service of Empress You. When the empress fell under the spell of the monk Sa Pusa, Peng secretly urged her to stop; she refused to listen, and he died of grief and anger.
40
兄買奴，亦為宦者。 歷位幽州刺史。 才志遠不及鵬。
His elder brother Mainu was also a eunuch. He rose to serve as Inspector of You Province. His ability and ambition were far inferior to Peng's.
41
是時有李豐之徒數人，[6]皆被眷寵，出入禁闈，並致名位，積貲巨萬，第宅華壯。 文明太后崩後，乃漸衰矣。
At that time several men such as Li Feng enjoyed imperial favor, came and went through the inner palaces, attained high rank, amassed enormous wealth, and built lavish mansions. After Empress Dowager Wenming's death, their fortunes gradually waned.
42
張祐，字安福，安定石唐人。 父成，扶風太守。 世祖末，坐事誅，祐充腐刑。 積勞至曹監、中給事，賜爵黎陽男。 稍遷散騎常侍，都綰內藏曹。 時文明太后臨朝，中官用事。 祐以左右供承合旨，寵幸冠諸閹官，特遷為尚書，加安南將軍，進爵隴東公，[7]仍綰內藏曹。 未幾，監都曹，加侍中，與王叡等俱入八議。 太后嘉其忠誠，為造甲宅。 宅成，高祖、太后親率文武往燕會焉。 拜散騎常侍、鎮南將軍、尚書左僕射，進爵新平王，受職于太華庭，備威儀於宮城之南，觀者以為榮。 高祖、太后親幸其宅，饗會百官。 祐性恭密，出入機禁二十餘年，未曾有過。 由是特被恩寵，歲月賞賜，家累巨萬。 與王質等十七人俱賜金券，許以不死。 太和十年薨，時年四十九。 高祖親臨之，詔鴻臚典護喪事。 賜帛千匹，贈征南大將軍、司空公，諡曰恭。 葬日，車駕親送出郊。
Zhang You, courtesy name Anfu, was from Shitang in Anding. His father Cheng was Administrator of Fufeng. Near the end of Emperor Taiwu's reign his father was executed for a crime, and You was castrated. Through long service he rose to Supervisor of the Internal Directorate and Attendant Within, and was enfeoffed as Baron of Liyang. He was gradually promoted to Regular Attendant and placed in charge of the Inner Storehouse Directorate. At that time Empress Dowager Wenming held court, and eunuchs controlled affairs of state. Attending at the ruler's side and anticipating every wish, You became the most favored of all the eunuchs. He was specially promoted to Master of Writing and General Who Pacifies the South, advanced to Duke of Longdong, while still heading the Inner Storehouse Directorate. Soon he supervised the Directorate of Masters of Writing, was made Chamberlain, and together with Wang Rui and others joined the Eight Deliberations. The empress dowager praised his loyalty and had a mansion built for him. When the mansion was finished, Emperor Xiaowen and the empress dowager personally led court officials there for a banquet. He was appointed Regular Attendant, General Who Pacifies the South, and Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and was advanced to Prince of Xinping. He received his commission at Taihua Court with full ceremonial in the south of the palace city, and the crowds who watched considered it a great honor. Emperor Xiaowen and the empress dowager visited his home in person and held a feast for the entire court. You was respectful and discreet; for more than twenty years in and out of the inner sanctum he never once gave offense. For this he received extraordinary favor: month after month came rewards and gifts until his household held wealth counted in the tens of thousands. He and Wang Zhi, together with seventeen others, were granted gold certificates guaranteeing immunity from execution. He died in the tenth year of the Taihe era, at the age of forty-nine. Emperor Xiaowen came in person and ordered the Grand Master of Ceremonies to oversee the funeral. The court granted a thousand bolts of silk and posthumously made him General Who Pacifies the South and Duke of Works, with the posthumous name Gong. On the day of the burial the emperor personally escorted the coffin out of the city.
43
祐養子顯明，後名慶，少歷內職。 有姿貌，江陽王繼以女妻之。 襲爵，降為隴東公，又降為侯。 遷洛，廢替二十餘年，虛爵而已。
You's adopted son Xianming, who later took the name Qing, held palace posts from an early age. Handsome in bearing, he married a daughter of Prince Jiangyang Ji. He inherited the title, which was first reduced to Duke of Longdong and then to marquis. After the capital moved to Luoyang, he was sidelined for more than twenty years, holding nothing but an empty title.
44
熙平初，為員外常侍、兼衞尉少卿。 以元叉姊壻，故越次而授焉。 神龜二年冬，靈太后為肅宗采名家女，慶女入充世婦，未幾為嬪，即叉甥也。 正光三年，正少卿，尋出為將軍、高平鎮將。 卒，子迥洛襲。
At the beginning of the Xiping era he was made Supernumerary Regular Attendant and concurrently Vice Director of the Court of Guards. Because he was Yuan Cha's brother-in-law, he was promoted ahead of his proper turn. In the winter of the second year of Shengui, Empress Dowager Ling selected daughters of eminent families for Emperor Suzong. Qing's daughter entered the palace as an attendant to the heir-apparent's consort and soon became a concubine—Yuan Cha's niece. In the third year of Zhengguang he was confirmed as full Vice Director, and soon afterward was sent out as General and Commandant of Gaoping Garrison. He died; his son Jionglo inherited the title.
45
抱嶷，字道德，安定石唐人，居於直谷。 自言其先姓杞，漢靈帝時杞匡為安定太守，董卓時，懼誅，由是易氏，即家焉。 無得而知也。 幼時，隴東人張乾王反叛，家染其逆。 及乾王敗，父睹生逃逸得免，嶷獨與母沒內京都，遂為宦人。 小心慎密，恭以奉上，沉跡冗散，經十九年。 後以忠謹被擢，累遷為中常侍、安西將軍、中曹侍御、尚書，賜爵安定公。
Bao Ni, courtesy name Daode, was from Shitang in Anding and lived at Zhigu. He claimed his ancestors had borne the surname Qi. In the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, Qi Kuang served as Administrator of Anding; during Dong Zhuo's ascendancy, fearing death, the family changed its surname and settled there. None of this can be verified. In his youth, when Zhang Ganwang of Longdong rebelled, the family was implicated in the revolt. When Ganwang was defeated, his father Dusheng fled and survived, but Ni and his mother alone were captured and sent to the inner capital, where Ni became a eunuch. Careful and discreet, he served his superiors with dutiful humility and spent nineteen years in obscure, lowly posts. Later his loyalty and reliability won promotion, and he rose through the ranks to Regular Palace Attendant, General Who Pacifies the West, Attendant of the Internal Directorate, and Master of Writing, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Anding.
46
自總納言，職當機近，諸所奏議，必致抗直。 高祖、文明太后嘉之，以為殿中侍御，尚書領中曹如故，以統宿衞。 俄加散騎常侍。 高祖、太后每出遊幸，嶷多驂乘，入則後宮導引。 太后既寵之，乃徵其父睹生，拜太中大夫，賞賜衣馬。 睹生將還，見於皇信堂。 高祖執手謂之曰：「老人歸途，幾日可達，好慎行路。」 太和十二年，遷都曹，加侍中、祭酒，尚書領中曹、侍御。 [8]後降爵為侯。 睹生卒，贈秦州刺史，諡曰靖。 賜黃金八十斤、繒綵及絹八百匹，以供喪用，并別使勞慰。 加嶷大長秋卿。 嶷老疾，請乞外祿，乃以為鎮西將軍、涇州刺史，特加右光祿大夫。 將之州，高祖餞於西郊樂陽殿，以御白羽扇賜之。 十九年，被詔赴洛，以刺史從駕南征，常參侍左右。 以嶷耆舊，每見勞問，數追稱嶷之正直。 命乘馬出入行禁之間，與司徒馮誕同例。 軍回還州。
Once at the head of state counsel with duties close to the throne, every memorial he submitted was forthright and uncompromising. Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming approved and made him Attendant of the Palace Hall while keeping him as Master of Writing in charge of the Internal Directorate, putting him in command of the palace guard. Before long he was also made Regular Attendant. Whenever Emperor Xiaowen and the empress dowager traveled, Ni often rode in the accompanying carriage; inside the palace he served as guide to the inner quarters. Because the empress dowager favored him, she summoned his father Dusheng, made him Grand Master of the Palace, and rewarded him with clothes and horses. When Dusheng was about to leave, he was received in audience at Huangxin Hall. Emperor Xiaowen took his hand and said, "Old man, on your journey home, how many days until you arrive? Take good care on the road." In the twelfth year of Taihe he was transferred to the Directorate of Masters of Writing, made Chamberlain and Libationer, and continued as Master of Writing in charge of the Internal Directorate and Attendant office. Later his title was reduced to marquis. When Dusheng died, he was posthumously made Inspector of Qin Province, with the posthumous name Jing. The court granted eighty jin of gold, brocade, and eight hundred bolts of silk for the funeral, and sent a special envoy to offer condolences. Ni was further appointed Director of the Palace Park. Old and ill, Ni asked to retire on provincial salary and was appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Jing Province, with the added honor of Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. As he set out for his province, Emperor Xiaowen saw him off at Leyang Hall in the western suburbs and gave him the imperial white feather fan. In the nineteenth year he was summoned to Luoyang and, as provincial inspector, joined the emperor's southern campaign, constantly in attendance at his side. Because Ni was a man of long service, the emperor repeatedly greeted him with kind words and spoke often of his integrity. He was permitted to ride horseback in and out of the forbidden precincts, on the same terms as the Minister of Works Feng Dan. When the army returned, he went back to his province.
47
自以故老前宦，為政多守往法，不能遵用新制。 侮慢舊族，簡於接禮。 天性酷薄，雖弟姪甥壻，略無存潤。 後數年，卒於州。 先以從弟老壽為後，又養太師馮熙子次興。 嶷死後，二人爭立。 嶷妻張氏致訟經年，得以熙子為後。 老壽亦仍陳訴，終獲紹爵。 次興還於本族，給奴婢三十口。 嶷前後賜賞奴婢牛馬蓋數百千，他物稱是。
Seeing himself as an old hand from the eunuch service, he governed mostly by the old rules and could not adapt to the new institutions. He insulted the old aristocratic families and was lax in observing ritual propriety. By nature he was harsh and cold; even toward brothers, nephews, and sons-in-law he showed almost no kindness. Several years later he died in office in his province. He had earlier named his younger cousin Laoshou as heir and also adopted Cixing, a son of Grand Preceptor Feng Xi. After Ni's death, the two men fought over the succession. Ni's wife, Lady Zhang, sued for years and finally secured recognition of Feng Xi's son as heir. Laoshou kept pressing his claim and in the end also won the right to inherit the title. Cixing was sent back to his birth family and given thirty slaves and maidservants. The slaves, cattle, and horses Ni had received in gifts over the years probably numbered in the hundreds, and his other possessions were on the same scale.
48
老壽凡薄，酒色肆情。 御史中尉王顯奏言：「風聞前洛州刺史陰平子石榮、積射將軍抱老壽恣蕩非軌，易室而姦，臊聲布於朝野，醜音被於行路，即攝鞫問，皆與風聞無差。 犯禮傷化，老壽等即主。 謹案：石榮籍貫兵伍，地隔宦流，處世無入朝之期，在生絕冠冕之望。 遭時之運，逢非次之擢，以犬馬延慈，簪履恩念，自微至貴，位階方岳。 不能懷恩感德，上酬天施，迺咎彰遐邇，嚮穢京墟。 老壽種類無聞，氏姓莫紀，丐乞刑餘之家，覆養閹人之室。 蒙國殊澤，預班爵序，正宜治家假內， 〈疑〉 教誡閨庭。 方恣其淫姦，換妻易妾。 榮前在洛州，遠迎老壽妻常氏，兵人千里，疲於道路。 老壽同敝笱之在梁，若其原 〈疑〉 之無別，男女三人，莫知誰子。 人理所未聞，鳥獸之不若。 請以見事，免官付廷尉理罪，鴻臚削爵。」 詔可。 老壽妻常氏，萬敵弟女也。 老壽死後，收紀家業，稍復其舊，奴婢尚六七百人。 三女並嬪貴室。 為老壽祖父皆造碑銘，自洛就鄉而建之。 西方云，直谷出二貴人。
Laoshou was altogether worthless and gave himself over to wine and women. The Inspector of Censors Wang Xian memorialized: "Word has reached me that the former Inspector of Luo Province Shiyinzi Shi Rong and the Honorary General of the Rapid Tiger Bao Laoshou have indulged in rank debauchery, swapped wives and bedmates, and that foul gossip fills the capital and the roads alike. Upon investigation, all of it proves true. Laoshou and the others are the chief offenders against ritual and public decency. I respectfully submit: Shi Rong came from the military ranks, far removed from the eunuch class; he could never have expected to enter court, nor in ordinary life could he have hoped for official rank. By the luck of the times he was raised far above his station, advancing from humble service to the highest favor, from insignificance to a rank equal to a provincial governor. He failed to repay that extraordinary grace and instead brought shame on himself near and far, defiling the capital itself. Laoshou's origins are unknown and his clan unrecorded; he was taken in from a family condemned to castration and raised in a eunuch household. Granted extraordinary favor by the state and enrolled among the nobility, he ought to have managed his household and kept within proper bounds, 〈text corrupt here〉 and set an example of discipline within the family. Instead he gave himself to lewd adultery, swapping wives and concubines at will. When Rong was Inspector of Luo Province, he sent men a thousand li to fetch Laoshou's wife, Lady Chang, wearing out soldiers on the road. Laoshou was like a worn fish-trap on the rafter; as for the lineage 〈text corrupt here〉 there was no telling them apart—three children, and no one knew who the fathers were. Nothing like this has ever been heard among men; even birds and beasts do not sink so low. I ask that, on the basis of the facts established, they be dismissed from office and handed over to the Court of Judicial Review for punishment, and that the Grand Master of Ceremonies strip them of their titles. The edict approved the proposal. Laoshou's wife, Lady Chang, was the daughter of Wandi's younger brother. After Laoshou's death, the family estate was gathered and settled; it was gradually restored, and six or seven hundred bond servants still remained. All three daughters became concubines in the imperial inner apartments. He had commemorative steles made for all of Laoshou's grandfathers, then left Luoyang for the countryside to set them up. People in the west say that two great men came from Zhigu.
49
石榮者，從主書稍進為州。 自被劾後，遂便廢頓。 子長宣，武定中，南兗州刺史，與侯景反，伏法。
Shi Rong had risen from a clerk attached to the Director to a provincial governorship. After he was impeached, he fell into complete decline. His son Changxuan served as Inspector of Southern Yan Province in the Wuding era; he joined Hou Jing's rebellion and was put to death.
50
王遇，字慶時，本名他惡，馮翊李潤鎮羌也。 與雷、党、不蒙俱為羌中強族。 [9]自云其先姓王，後改氏鉗耳，世宗時復改為王焉。 自晉世已來，恒為渠長。 父守貴，為郡功曹，卒。 遇既貴，追贈安西將軍、秦州刺史、澄城公。
Wang Yu, styled Qingshi, whose original name was Ta'e, came from Zhenqiang in Lirun, Fufeng Commandery. He belonged, with the Lei, Dang, and Bumeng clans, to the great Qiang families of the region. [9]He claimed that his ancestors had originally borne the surname Wang, later took the clan name Qian'er, and in the reign of Emperor Xuanwu changed back to Wang. Since the Jin era, his family had regularly served as headmen of the military colony. His father Shougui was a Merit Officer of the commandery and died in office. After Yu rose to prominence, his father was posthumously enfeoffed as General Who Pacifies the West, Inspector of Qin Province, and Duke of Chengcheng.
51
遇坐事腐刑，為中散，遷內行令、中曹給事中，加員外散騎常侍、右將軍，賜爵富平子。 遷散騎常侍、安西將軍，進爵宕昌公。 拜尚書，轉吏部尚書，仍常侍。 例降為侯。 出為安西將軍、華州刺史，加散騎常侍。 幽后之前廢也，遇頗言其過。 及後進幸，高祖對李沖等申后無咎，而稱遇謗議之罪。 沖言：「果爾，遇合死也。」 高祖曰：「遇舊人，未忍盡之，當止黜廢耳。」 遂遣御史馳驛免遇官，奪其爵，收衣冠，以民還私第。 世宗初，兼將作大匠。 未幾，拜光祿大夫，復奪爵。 [10]
Yu was sentenced to castration for an offense, then served as a palace attendant; he rose to Director of Internal Service and Attendant Within in the Internal Directorate, was also made Supernumerary Regular Attendant and General of the Right, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Fuping. He was promoted to Regular Attendant and General Who Pacifies the West, and raised to Duke of Dangchang. He was appointed to the Masters of Writing, then transferred to head the Personnel Bureau while retaining his post as Regular Attendant. By established rule, his title was reduced from duke to marquis. He was sent out to serve as General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Hua Province, with the additional rank of Regular Attendant. Before Empress You was deposed, Yu had spoken at length about her faults. When she later regained the emperor's favor, Emperor Xiaowen told Li Chong and the others that the empress was innocent and charged Yu with slander. Li Chong said, "If that is so, Yu deserves death." Emperor Xiaowen said, "Yu is an old associate, and I cannot bring myself to destroy him outright—dismissal and disgrace will be enough." He then sent an imperial censor posthaste to dismiss Yu from office, strip him of his title, take back his robes of rank, and send him home as a private citizen. At the beginning of Emperor Xuanwu's reign, he additionally served as Grand Master of Construction. Before long he was made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and the title that had been taken from him was restored. [10] The History of the Northern Dynasties reads 'restored his former title,' which is clearer: the passage means his confiscated rank was given back, not that it was stripped away a second time.
52
廢后馮氏之為尼也，公私罕相供恤。 遇自以常更奉接，往來祗謁，不替舊敬，衣食雜物，每有薦奉。 后皆受而不讓。 又至其館，遇夫妻迎送謁伏，侍立執臣妾之禮。
When the deposed Empress Feng became a nun, few in court or in private life offered her support or sympathy. Yu, who had long attended her in service, continued to visit her with the same deference as before, and regularly sent her food, clothing, and other necessities. The empress accepted everything and never refused. When he visited her residence, Yu and his wife greeted and escorted her with full prostration, standing at attention and behaving like subjects before their mistress.
53
遇性巧，強於部分。 北都方山靈泉道俗居宇及文明太后陵廟，洛京東郊馬射壇殿，修廣文昭太后墓園，太極殿及東西兩堂、內外諸門制度，皆遇監作。 雖年在耆老，朝夕不倦，跨鞍驅馳，與少壯者均其勞逸。 又長於人事，留意酒食之間，每逢僚舊，具設餚果，觴膳精豐。 然競於榮利，趨求勢門。 趙脩之寵也，遇往還宗承，受敕為之監作第宅，增於本旨，笞擊作人，莫不嗟怒。 卒于官。 初，遇之疾也，太傅、北海王與太妃俱往臨問，視其危惙，為之泣下。 其善奉諸貴，致相悲悼如此。 贈使持節、鎮西將軍、雍州刺史，侯如故。
Yu was ingenious by nature and especially skilled at organizing work. Yu supervised construction of the dwellings of monks and laymen at Lingquan on Fangshan in the northern capital and the shrine of Empress Dowager Wenming; the archery pavilion in Luoyang's eastern suburbs; the expansion of Empress Wen Zhao's tomb park; and the design of the Hall of Grand Ultimate, its eastern and western halls, and all the inner and outer palace gates. Though he was already elderly, he never flagged from dawn to dusk: he rode horseback and shared the labor equally with men half his age. He was also skilled at managing people and took care over hospitality: whenever old colleagues visited, he spread out fine delicacies and wines in generous abundance. Yet he was greedy for rank and profit and ever courting the powerful. When Zhao Xiu was in favor, Yu paid him constant court; ordered to supervise construction of his mansion, he went beyond what had been authorized and beat the workmen until all who saw it groaned in outrage. He died in office. When Yu first fell ill, the Grand Tutor, Prince of Beihai, and his consort both came to his bedside; seeing how close to death he was, they wept. Such was the mourning he earned by his attentiveness to the great. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Bearer of the Staff, General Who Guards the West, and Inspector of Yong Province, with his marquisate unchanged.
54
始遇與抱嶷並為文明太后所寵，前後賜以奴婢數百人，馬牛羊他物稱是，二人俱號富室。
From the beginning Wang Yu and Bao Ni were both favorites of Empress Dowager Wenming; she lavished on them several hundred bond servants, horses, cattle, sheep, and goods in proportion, and both were reckoned fabulously rich.
55
遇養弟子厲，本郡太守。 稍遷至右軍將軍，襲爵宕昌侯。 產業有過于遇時。
Yu adopted his younger brother's son Li, who served as Grand Administrator of their home commandery. He rose gradually to General of the Right Army and inherited the title Marquis of Dangchang. His wealth even exceeded what Yu had possessed in his prime.
56
苻承祖，略陽氐人也。 因事為閹人，為文明太后所寵，自御厩令遷中部給事中、散騎常侍、輔國將軍，賜爵略陽侯，兼典選部事，中部如故。 轉吏部尚書，仍領中部。 高祖為造甲第，數臨幸之。 進爵略陽公，安南將軍，加侍中，知都曹事。 初太后以承祖居腹心之任，許以不死之詔。 後承祖坐贓應死，高祖原之，削職禁錮在家，授悖義將軍、佞濁子，月餘遂死。
Fu Chengzu was a Di from Lueyang. Reduced to a eunuch for an offense, he won the favor of Empress Dowager Wenming; he rose from Director of the Imperial Stud to Attendant Within in the Central Directorate, Regular Attendant, and General Who Assists the State, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Lueyang, and was also put in charge of the Personnel Bureau while retaining his Central Directorate post. He was transferred to head the Personnel Bureau while continuing to lead the Central Directorate. Emperor Xiaowen built him a grand mansion and visited it repeatedly. He was raised to Duke of Lueyang and General Who Pacifies the South, made Palace Attendant, and put in charge of the Directorate of State Affairs. Because Chengzu held one of her most trusted posts, the empress dowager had granted him an edict guaranteeing he would not be executed. Later Chengzu was convicted of bribery and faced execution; Emperor Xiaowen spared his life, stripped him of office, and confined him at home under the mocking titles General of Perverse Loyalty and Viscount of Sycophantic Filth; he died a little over a month later.
57
王質，字紹奴，高陽易人也。 其家坐事，幼下蠶室。 頗解書學，為中曹吏、內典監。 稍遷祕書中散，加寧朔將軍，賜爵永昌子，領監御。 遷為侍御給事，又領選部、監御二曹事，復特加前將軍，進爵魏昌侯。 轉選部尚書，加員外散騎常侍。
Wang Zhi, styled Shaonu, came from Yi in Gaoyang Commandery. His family was punished for an offense, and he was castrated while still a boy. Well educated for his rank, he served as a clerk in the Internal Directorate and as Director of the Internal Canon. He rose to Palace Attendant in the Secretariat, was also made General Who Pacifies the North, enfeoffed as Viscount of Yongchang, and put in charge of the imperial guard. He was promoted to Attendant Service Within, again put in charge of both the Personnel Bureau and the Imperial Guard, additionally made General of the Vanguard, and raised to Marquis of Weichang. He was transferred to head the Selection Bureau and was also made Supernumerary Regular Attendant.
58
出為鎮遠將軍、瀛州刺史。 質在州十年，風化粗行，察姦糾慝，究其情狀，民庶畏服之。 而刑政刻峻，多所笞戮，號為威酷。 高祖頗念其忠勤宿舊，每行留大故，馮司徒亡，廢馮后，陸叡、穆泰等事，皆賜質以璽書，手筆莫不委至，同之戚貴。 質皆寶掌以為榮。 入為大長秋卿，未幾而卒。
He was sent out to serve as General Who Guards the Distance and Inspector of Ying Province. Zhi governed the province for ten years; he gradually improved local customs, investigated crime, pursued cases to the bottom, and the people feared and obeyed him. But his justice was harsh, and he flogged and killed so often that he was known as a merciless enforcer. Emperor Xiaowen valued his long loyalty; on every major occasion when the emperor remained at court or departed—Minister Feng's death, the deposition of Empress Feng, the Lu Rui and Mu Tai affair—he bestowed sealed edicts on Zhi, writing to him in his own hand with the same intimacy he showed his most honored kin. Zhi treasured them all as marks of honor. He returned to court as Grand Master of the Long Autumn and died soon afterward.
59
李堅，字次壽，高陽易人也。 高宗初，因事為閹人。 文明太后臨朝，稍遷至中給事中，賜爵魏昌伯。 小心謹慎，常在左右，雖不及王遇、王質等，而亦見任用。 高祖遷洛，轉被委授，為太僕卿，檢課牧產，多有滋息。 世宗初，出為安東將軍、瀛州刺史，本州之榮，同於王質。 所在受納，家產巨萬。 值京兆王愉反於冀州，堅勒眾征愉，為愉所破。 代還，遇風疾，拜光祿大夫，數年卒。 贈撫軍將軍、相州刺史，賵帛五百匹。 以弟子曇景為後，襲爵魏昌伯，為羽林監、直後。
Li Jian, styled Cishou, came from Yi in Gaoyang Commandery. At the beginning of Emperor Wencheng's reign, he was made a eunuch because of an offense. Under Empress Dowager Wenming's regency he rose to Attendant Within in the Central Directorate and was enfeoffed as Baron of Weichang. Careful and unobtrusive, he stayed constantly at hand; though he never ranked with Wang Yu and Wang Zhi, he too was given posts. When Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, he was given greater responsibility as Grand Master of Equine Affairs; under his oversight the imperial herds increased substantially. At the beginning of Emperor Xuanwu's reign, he was sent out as General Who Pacifies the East and Inspector of Ying Province—the same honor in his home province that Wang Zhi had received. Wherever he served he accepted bribes, and his household wealth ran to millions. When Prince Yu of Jingzhao rebelled in Ji Province, Jian raised troops against him and was defeated. On his return to the capital he was stricken with paralysis, was made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and died several years later. He was posthumously enfeoffed as General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Xiang Province, and five hundred bolts of silk were granted for his funeral. He made his nephew Tanjing his heir; Tanjing inherited the title Baron of Weichang and served as Commandant of the Feathered Forest Guard and Attendant in Direct Service.
60
秦松，不知其所由。 太和末，為中尹，遷長秋卿，賜爵高都子。 有罪免。 世宗復其爵，起為光祿大夫，領中常侍。 遷平北將軍，領長秋卿。 出為散騎常侍、安北將軍、并州刺史。 卒，贈大將軍、肆州刺史，諡曰定。
Qin Song's origins are unknown. At the end of the Taihe era he became Director of the Central Directorate, was promoted to Master of the Long Autumn, and was enfeoffed as Viscount of Gaodu. He was dismissed for an offense. Emperor Xuanwu restored his title and recalled him as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the added post of Regular Attendant Within. He was promoted to General Who Pacifies the North while continuing as Master of the Long Autumn. He was sent out as Regular Attendant, General Who Pacifies the North, and Inspector of Bing Province. He died and was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand General and Inspector of Si Province, with the posthumous name Ding.
61
白整者，亦因事腐刑。 少掌宮掖碎職，以恭敏著稱，稍遷至中常侍。
Bai Zheng, too, was sentenced to castration for an offense. As a youth he held minor posts in the inner palace; known for reverent diligence, he rose gradually to Regular Attendant Within.
62
太和末，為長秋卿，賜爵雲陽男。 世宗封其妻王氏為□□縣君。 [11]卒，贈平北將軍、并州刺史。
At the end of the Taihe era he became Master of the Long Autumn and was enfeoffed as Baron of Yunyang. Emperor Xuanwu enfeoffed his wife, Lady Wang, as Lady of □□ County. [11]He died and was posthumously enfeoffed as General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Bing Province.
63
劉騰，字青龍，本平原城民，徙屬南兗州之譙郡。 幼時坐事受刑，補小黃門，轉中黃門。 高祖之在懸瓠，騰使詣行所。 [12]高祖問其中事，騰具言幽后私隱，與陳留公主所告符協，由是進冗從僕射，仍中黃門。
Liu Teng, styled Qinglong, was originally a commoner of Pingyuan and was resettled in Qiao Commandery, Southern Yan Province. Punished for an offense while still a boy, he entered service as a Junior Yellow Gate Attendant and was transferred to Central Yellow Gate Attendant. When Emperor Xiaowen was at Xuanhu, Teng was dispatched to the imperial camp. [12]Emperor Xiaowen questioned him about affairs inside the palace; Teng set out in full Empress You's secret misconduct, which agreed with what the Princess of Chenliu had reported, and for this he was promoted to Supernumerary Vice Director while retaining his post as Central Yellow Gate Attendant.
64
後與茹皓使徐兗，采召民女。 及還，遷中給事，稍遷中尹、中常侍，特加龍驤將軍。 後為大長秋卿、金紫光祿大夫、太府卿。
Later he was sent with Ru Hao to Xu and Yan Provinces to gather commoner girls for the palace. On their return he was promoted to Attendant Within in the Central Directorate, then gradually to Director of the Central Directorate and Regular Attendant Within, with the additional rank of General of the Flying Dragon. He later served as Grand Master of the Long Autumn, as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and as Grand Master of the Treasury.
65
肅宗踐極之始，以騰預在宮衞，封開國子，食邑三百戶。 是年，靈太后臨朝，以與于忠保護之勳，除崇訓太僕，加中侍中，改封長樂縣開國公，食邑一千五百戶。 拜其妻時為鉅鹿郡君，每引入內，受賞賚亞於諸主外戚。 所養二子，為郡守、尚書郎。 騰曾疾篤，靈太后慮或不救，遷衞將軍、儀同三司，餘官仍舊。 後疾瘳。 騰之拜命，肅宗當為臨軒，會其日大風寒甚而罷，乃遣使持節授之。 騰幼充宮役，手不解書，裁知署名而已。 姦謀有餘，善射人意。 靈太后臨朝，特蒙進寵，多所干託，內外碎密，栖栖不倦。 洛北永橋，太上公、太上君及城東三寺，皆主修營。
When Emperor Xiaoming first took the throne, Teng was enfeoffed as Viscount of a state-founding fief with three hundred households for his service in the palace guard. That same year, with Empress Dowager Ling regent, he was made Grand Master of the Chongxun Palace Stud and Attendant Within for his part with Yu Zhong in protecting her, and was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Chang Le with a fief of one thousand five hundred households. His wife Lady Shi was enfeoffed as Lady of Julu Commandery; whenever she was summoned within the palace, the gifts she received ranked just below those given to princesses and the empress's kin. The two sons he had adopted served as commandery governors and secretariat officers. When Teng once fell gravely ill, Empress Dowager Ling, fearing he might not survive, promoted him to General of the Guard with the honorific rank equal to the Three Excellencies, while his other posts remained unchanged. He later recovered from his illness. When Teng was to receive his appointment, Emperor Xiaoming was to preside at court, but a bitter gale that day forced the ceremony to be canceled; an envoy bearing the imperial staff was sent instead to invest him with the rank. Teng had served in the palace since boyhood and could barely write; he knew only how to sign his name. He was surpassingly cunning and uncannily adept at reading what others wanted to hear. Under Empress Dowager Ling's regency he won exceptional favor; he pressed ceaseless requests and commissions, great and small, inside the palace and out, never resting. He personally oversaw construction of the Eternal Bridge north of Luoyang, the halls of the Grand Superior Duke and Grand Superior Lady, and three monasteries east of the city.
66
吏部嘗望騰意，奏其弟為郡帶戍，人資乖越，清河王懌抑而不與。 騰以為恨，遂與領軍元叉害懌。 廢靈太后於宣光殿，宮門晝夜長閉，內外斷絕。 騰自執管鑰，肅宗亦不得見，裁聽傳食而已。 太后服膳俱廢，不免飢寒。 又使中常侍賈粲假言侍肅宗書，密令防察。 叉以騰為司空公，表裏擅權，共相樹置。 叉為外禦，騰為內防，迭直禁闥，共裁刑賞。 騰遂與崔光同受詔乘步挽出入殿門。 四年之中，生殺之威，決於叉、騰之手。 八坐、九卿，旦造騰宅，參其顏色，然後方赴省府，亦有歷日不能見者。 公私屬請，唯在財貨。 舟車之利，水陸無遺； 山澤之饒，所在固護； 剝削六鎮，交通互市。 歲入利息以巨萬計。 又頗役嬪御，時有徵求； 婦女器物，公然受納。 逼奪隣居，廣開室宇。 天下咸患苦之。
The Personnel Bureau once tried to curry favor with Teng by recommending his younger brother for a commandery post with frontier garrison duty—a rank far above the man's merits. Prince Yi of Qinghe blocked the appointment. Teng nursed a grudge and, together with the Commandant-in-Chief Yuan Cha, had Yi killed. They confined Empress Dowager Ling in the Hall of Xuan Radiance; the palace gates were kept shut day and night, cutting her off from the court and the world beyond. Teng kept the keys himself; even Emperor Xiaoming could not see her and was allowed only to send food in. Proper meals and clothing for the empress dowager were cut off, and she went hungry and cold. They also sent Regular Attendant Within Jia Can, under the pretense of attending to Emperor Xiaoming's orders, to keep her under secret surveillance. Cha made Teng Duke of Works; together they wielded power inside and out, propping each other up in office. Cha guarded the outer palace, Teng the inner; they alternated at the forbidden gates and jointly decided who would live or die, who would rise or fall. Teng and Cui Guang were then granted the privilege of riding in hand-drawn carriages through the palace gates. For four years the power of life and death rested in the hands of Cha and Teng. The Eight Excellencies and Nine Ministers called each morning at Teng's house to read his mood before going to their offices; some waited days without gaining an audience. Every petition, public or private, was answered only with a price tag. They seized every profit to be had from boats and carts, by water and by land; the riches of mountains and marshes wherever they could claim them; they plundered the Six Garrisons and traded at the frontier markets. Their annual profits ran to millions. They also drafted palace women for labor and made constant demands upon them; women's valuables they openly accepted as bribes. They seized their neighbors' land and expanded their mansions without limit. The whole empire groaned under their exactions.
67
正光四年三月，薨于位，年六十。 賵帛七百匹、錢四十萬、蠟二百斤。 鴻臚少卿護喪事。 中官為義息，衰絰者四十餘人。
In the third month of the fourth year of Zhengguang he died in office at the age of sixty. Seven hundred bolts of silk, four hundred thousand cash, and two hundred jin of wax were granted for his funeral. The Vice Director of the Court for Diplomatic Reception oversaw the funeral rites. More than forty eunuchs who had been his adopted sons wore mourning for him.
68
騰之初治宅也，奉車都尉周特為之筮，不吉，深諫止之，騰怒而不用。 特告人曰：「必困於三月、四月之交。」 至是果死，廳事甫成，陳屍其下。 追贈使持節、驃騎大將軍、太尉公、冀州刺史。 騰之葬日，閹官為義服，杖絰衰縞者以百數，朝貴皆從，軒蓋填塞，相屬郊野。 魏初以來，權閹存亡之盛莫及焉。
When Teng first began building his mansion, Commandant of the Imperial Carriage Zhou Te cast the divination and received an ill omen; he urgently warned him to stop, but Teng flew into a rage and ignored him. Te told others, "He is sure to meet disaster between the third and fourth months." And so it proved: he died just as the reception hall was finished, his corpse laid out beneath its roof. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Bearer of the Staff, Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Duke of Grand Minister, and Inspector of Ji Province. On the day of Teng's burial, hundreds of eunuchs in mourning dress for adopted sons walked with staffs and hemp bands; court nobles followed in such numbers that chariots and canopies choked the roads from the capital to the countryside. Since the founding of Wei, no powerful eunuch, living or dead, had ever known such splendor.
69
靈太后反政，追奪爵位，發其冢，散露骸骨，沒入財產。 後騰所養一子叛入蕭衍，太后大怒，因徙騰餘養於北裔，尋遣密使追殺之於汲郡。
When Empress Dowager Ling regained power, she stripped him posthumously of his titles, opened his tomb, scattered his bones, and confiscated his estate. Later one of Teng's adopted sons defected to Liang; the empress dowager was furious and exiled his remaining adopted sons to the far north, then sent secret agents to hunt them down and kill them in Ji Commandery.
70
賈粲，字季宣，酒泉人也。 太和中，坐事腐刑。 頗涉書記。 世宗末，漸被知識，得充內侍。 自崇訓丞為長兼中給事中、中嘗藥典御，轉長兼中常侍。 [13]遷光祿少卿、光祿大夫。
Jia Can, styled Jixuan, came from Jiuquan. During the Taihe era he was sentenced to castration for an offense. He had a fair acquaintance with written records. Near the end of Emperor Xuanwu's reign he gradually came to notice and was admitted to inner palace service. He rose from Assistant in the Chongxun Palace Stud to serve concurrently as Attendant Within in the Central Directorate and Director of the Internal Pharmacy, then as concurrent Regular Attendant Within. [13]He was transferred to Vice Director of Splendid Happiness and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
71
靈太后之廢，粲與元叉、劉騰等伺帝動靜。 右衞奚康生之謀殺叉也，靈太后、肅宗同升於宣光殿，左右侍臣俱立西階下。 康生既被囚執，粲紿太后曰：「侍官懷恐不安，陛下宜親安慰。」 太后信之，適下殿，粲便扶肅宗於東序，前御顯陽，還閉太后於宣光殿。 粲既叉黨，威福亦震於京邑。 自云本出武威，魏太尉文和之後，遂移家屬焉。 時武威太守韋景承粲意，以其兄緒為功曹。 緒時年向七十。 未幾，又以緒為西平太守，比景代下，已轉武威太守。
When Empress Dowager Ling was deposed, Can joined Yuan Cha, Liu Teng, and others in watching the emperor's every move. When Right Guard Xi Kangsheng plotted to kill Cha, Empress Dowager Ling and Emperor Xiaoming ascended together to the Hall of Xuan Radiance while the attending ministers stood below the western steps. Once Kangsheng had been seized, Can deceived the empress dowager, saying, "The attendants are frightened and uneasy; Your Majesty should go in person to reassure them." The empress dowager believed him; as she came down from the hall, Can took Xiaoming by the arm to the eastern wing, proceeded to the Palace of Xianyang, and shut the empress dowager back in the Hall of Xuan Radiance. As a member of Cha's faction, Can's power and favor shook the capital. He claimed descent from Wuwei, from the line of Grand Minister Wenhe of Wei, and moved his household there. The Grand Administrator of Wuwei, Wei Jing, eager to please Can, appointed Can's elder brother Xu as Merit Officer. Xu was then nearly seventy years old. Before long Xu was also made Grand Administrator of Xiping; by the time Jing returned from his tour of duty, Xu had already been transferred to Grand Administrator of Wuwei.
72
靈太后反政，欲誅粲，以叉、騰黨與不一，恐驚動內外乃止。 出粲為濟州刺史，未幾，遣武衞將軍刁宣馳驛殺之，資財沒於縣官。
When Empress Dowager Ling regained power, she wished to execute Can, but because Cha and Teng's followers were not of one mind she feared alarming the court and stayed her hand. Can was sent out as Inspector of Ji Province; before long Military Guard General Diao Xuan was dispatched posthaste to kill him, and his property was confiscated by the state.
73
楊範，字法僧，長樂廣宗人也。 高宗時，坐宗人劫賊被誅，範宮刑，為王琚所養，恩若父子，往來出入其家。 範為中謁者，轉黃門、中謁者僕射、中給事中、射聲校尉，加寧遠將軍，為中尹。 世宗崩，高陽王雍總政，出為白水太守，加龍驤將軍。
Yang Fan, styled Faseng, came from Guangzong in Changle Commandery. During Emperor Wencheng's reign, clansmen were executed for banditry and Fan was castrated; Wang Ju raised him with the affection of a father for a son, and Fan came and went freely in Ju's household. Fan served as Attendant of the Inner Gate, then rose through Yellow Gate Attendant, Vice Director of Inner Gate Attendants, Attendant Within in the Central Directorate, and Commandant of the Archers' Unit, was also made General Who Pacifies the Distance, and became Director of the Central Directorate. When Emperor Xuanwu died, Prince Yong of Gaoyang took overall governance and sent Fan out as Grand Administrator of Baishui with the additional rank of General of the Flying Dragon.
74
靈太后臨朝，徵為常侍、崇訓太僕卿，領中嘗藥典御，賜爵華陰子。 為平西將軍、華州刺史。 中官內侍貴者，[14]靈太后皆許其方岳，以範年長，拜跪為難，所司非要，故得早遂其請。 父子納貨，勞役兵民，為御史所糾。 子遂逃竄，範事得散。 赴京師，遂廢於家。
Under Empress Dowager Ling's regency he was recalled as Regular Attendant and Grand Master of the Chongxun Palace Stud, put in charge of the Internal Pharmacy, and enfeoffed as Viscount of Huayin. He was made General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Hua Province. [14]Various editions omit the character for 'within'; the text is restored here per the History of the Northern Dynasties. For eminent eunuchs in inner palace service, Empress Dowager Ling granted provincial governorships to all who asked; because Fan was elderly and found court ritual arduous, and because his posts were not critical to palace affairs, his request was granted early. Father and son accepted bribes and forced soldiers and commoners into labor; they were impeached by the censor. The son fled; Fan's case was dismissed. He went to the capital and was dismissed to remain at home.
75
後靈太后念範勤舊。 乃以範為中侍中、安南將軍，尋進鎮南將軍、崇訓太僕、華州大中正。 卒，贈征西將軍、秦州刺史。
Later Empress Dowager Ling remembered Fan's long service. She restored him as Attendant Within and General Who Pacifies the South, soon promoting him to General Who Guards the South, Grand Master of the Chongxun Palace Stud, and Chief Arbiter of Hua Province. He died and was posthumously enfeoffed as General Who Campaigns West and Inspector of Qin Province.
76
成軌，字洪義，上谷居庸人。 少以罪刑，入事宮掖，以謹厚稱。 除中謁者僕射。 高祖意有所欲，軌瞻候容色，時有奏發，輒合帝心。 從駕南征，專進御食。 于時高祖不豫，常居禁中，晝夜無懈。 車駕還，賜帛百匹。
Cheng Gui, styled Hongyi, came from Juyong in Shanggu Commandery. Punished while still young, he entered palace service and was known for prudence and steadiness. He was appointed Vice Director of Inner Gate Attendants. When Emperor Xiaowen wanted something, Gui watched his expression and, whenever he offered a suggestion, it always matched the emperor's mind. On the southern campaign he was solely charged with presenting the emperor's meals. When Emperor Xiaowen fell ill, Gui remained constantly within the inner palace, day and night without rest. When the imperial carriage returned, he was granted one hundred bolts of silk.
77
景明中，嘗食典御丞，僕射如故。 轉中給事中、步兵校尉，敕侍東宮。 延昌末，遷中常侍、中嘗食典御、光祿大夫，賜始平伯，[15]統京染都將，轉崇訓太僕少卿。 遭母憂，詔遣主書常顯景弔慰。 又起為本官，進安東將軍、崇訓衞尉卿。 久之，超遷中侍中、撫軍將軍，典御、崇訓如故。 尋除中軍將軍、燕州大中正。 孝昌二年，以勤舊封始平縣開國伯，食邑三百戶。 肅宗所幸潘嬪，以軌為假父，頗為中官之所敬憚。 建義初，軌迎於河陰，詔令安慰宮內，進爵為侯，增戶三百，并前六百戶，遷衞將軍。 其年八月卒，贈車騎大將軍、雍州刺史，諡曰孝惠。
In the Jingming era he served as Assistant Director of the Imperial Food Service while retaining his vice directorship. He was transferred to Attendant Within in the Central Directorate and Commandant of the Foot Soldiers and ordered to attend the Eastern Palace. At the end of the Yanchang era, he was transferred to Regular Attendant Within, Director of the Imperial Food Service, and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, granted the title Baron of Shiqiping, [15] put in charge of the Capital Dye Works Commandant, and transferred to Vice Director of the Chongxun Palace Stud. When his mother died, an edict dispatched Senior Clerk Chang Xianjing to offer condolences. He was recalled to his former office and promoted to General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of the Chongxun Guard. After a long interval he was exceptionally promoted to Attendant Within and General Who Pacifies the Army while retaining his posts in the Food Service and Chongxun. Soon afterward he was made General of the Central Army and Chief Arbiter of Yan Province. In the second year of Xiaochang, for long service he was enfeoffed as Baron of a state-founding fief of Shiqiping County with a fief of three hundred households. Concubine Pan, whom Emperor Xiaoming favored, took Gui as her nominal father; he was much respected and feared among the eunuchs. At the beginning of Jianyi, Gui went to Heyin to meet the emperor; by edict he was ordered to reassure those within the palace, raised to marquis with three hundred additional households for six hundred in all, and promoted to General of the Guard. He died in the eighth month of that year and was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Yong Province, with the posthumous name Xiaohui.
78
養弟子仲慶，襲。 歷位鎮軍將軍、光祿大夫。 卒。
He adopted his younger brother's son Zhongqing, who inherited the title. He rose to General Who Guards the Army and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He died.
79
子朏，襲。 齊受禪，例降。
His son Fei inherited the title. When Qi received the abdication, his rank was reduced by established rule.
80
王溫，字桃湯，趙郡欒城人。 父冀，高邑令，坐事被誅。 溫與兄繼叔俱充宦者。 高祖以其謹慎，補中謁者、小黃門，轉中黃門、鈎盾令。 稍遷中嘗食典御、中給事中，給事東宮，加左中郎將。
Wang Wen, styled Taotang, came from Luancheng in Zhao Commandery. His father Ji was Magistrate of Gaoyi and was executed for an offense. Wen and his elder brother Jishu both entered service as eunuchs. Emperor Xiaowen, because of his prudence, appointed him Inner Gate Attendant and Junior Yellow Gate Attendant, then transferred him to Central Yellow Gate Attendant and Director of the Halberd Shield. He rose to Director of the Imperial Food Service and Attendant Within in the Central Directorate, served in the Eastern Palace, and was also made General of the Left Middle Guard.
81
世宗之崩，羣官迎肅宗於東宮。 溫於臥中起肅宗，與保母扶抱肅宗，入踐帝位。 高陽王雍既居冢宰，慮中人朋黨，出為鉅鹿太守，加龍驤將軍。
When Emperor Xuanwu died, the officials went to the Eastern Palace to welcome Emperor Xiaoming. Wen roused Xiaoming from his bed; together with the nursemaids he supported the boy as he ascended the throne. Prince Yong of Gaoyang, having become Chief Minister, fearing faction among the inner courtiers, sent Wen out as Grand Administrator of Julu with the additional rank of General of the Flying Dragon.
82
靈太后臨朝，徵還為中常侍、光祿大夫，賜爵欒城伯，安東將軍，領崇訓太僕少卿。 特除使持節、散騎常侍、撫軍將軍、瀛州刺史。 還，除中侍中，進號鎮東將軍、金紫光祿大夫。 遷車騎將軍、左光祿大夫、光祿勳卿，侍中如故。 孝昌二年，封欒城縣開國侯，邑六百戶。 溫後自陳本陽平武陽人，於是改封武陽縣開國侯，邑如故。 建義初，於河陰遇害，年六十六。 永安初，贈驃騎大將軍、儀同三司、雍州刺史。
Under Empress Dowager Ling's regency he was recalled as Regular Attendant Within and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, enfeoffed as Baron of Luancheng, made General Who Pacifies the East, and put in charge of the Vice Directorship of the Chongxun Palace Stud. He was specially appointed Bearer of the Staff with Full Powers, Regular Attendant of the Cavalry, General Who Pacifies the Army, and Inspector of Ying Province. On his return he was made Attendant Within and promoted to General Who Guards the East and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal. He was transferred to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Director of the Office of Splendid Happiness while retaining his post as Attendant Within. In the second year of Xiaochang he was enfeoffed as Marquis of a state-founding fief of Luancheng County with six hundred households. Wen later claimed origin from Wuyang in Yangping Commandery, and his fief was accordingly changed to Marquis of a state-founding fief of Wuyang County with the same number of households. At the beginning of Jianyi he was killed at Heyin, aged sixty-six. At the beginning of Yong'an he was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Bearer of Ceremonial Equal to the Three Excellencies, and Inspector of Yong Province.
83
養子冏哲，襲。 齊受禪，例降。
His adopted son Jiongzhe inherited the title. When Qi received the abdication, his rank was reduced by established rule.
84
孟鸞，字龍兒，不知何許人。 坐事充閹人。 文明太后時，王遇有寵，鸞以謹敏為遇左右，往來方山，營諸寺舍。 由是漸見眷識。
Meng Luan, styled Long'er, came from an unknown place. Punished for an offense, he entered service as a palace eunuch. During Empress Dowager Wenming's regency Wang Yu held favor; Luan, valued for prudence and quickness, attended Yu and traveled to Mount Fang to oversee monasteries and halls. Thereafter he gradually won favor and recognition.
85
靈太后臨朝，為左中郎將、中給事中。 素被病，面常黯黑，於九龍殿下暴疾，半身不攝，扶載歸家，其夜亡。 鸞初出，靈太后聞之，曰：「鸞必不濟，我為之憂。」 及奏其死，為之下淚，曰：「其事我如此，不見我一日忻樂時也。」 遂賜帛三百匹、黃絹十匹以供喪用。 [16]七日，靈太后為設二百僧齋，賜助施五十匹。 同類榮焉。
Under Empress Dowager Ling's regency he was made General of the Left Middle Guard and Attendant Within in the Central Directorate. He had long been ill and his face was habitually dark. At the Hall of the Nine Dragons he was suddenly stricken, half his body paralyzed; carried home in a litter, he died that night. When Luan first went out, Empress Dowager Ling heard of it and said, "Luan will surely not recover—I am anxious for him." When his death was reported she wept and said, "He served me so faithfully, yet never lived to see me glad even for a day." Various editions omit the character for gauze in yellow silk gauze; the text is restored here per the History of the Northern Dynasties. She then granted three hundred bolts of silk and ten bolts of yellow gauze for funeral expenses. On the seventh day Empress Dowager Ling held a vegetarian feast for two hundred monks and granted fifty bolts of silk as aid for the rites. His fellows among the eunuchs took it as an honor.
86
平季，字稚穆，燕國薊人。 祖濟，武威太守。 父雅，州秀才，與沙門法秀謀反，伏誅。 季坐腐刑，入事宮掖。 久之，除小黃門，以忤旨出為潞縣令，不拜。 仍除奉朝請。 靈太后反政，授寧朔將軍、長水校尉，領黃門令。 轉前軍將軍、中給事中。 時四方多事，太后每令季出使於外。
Ping Ji, styled Zhimu, came from Ji in Yan Commandery. His grandfather Ji served as Grand Administrator of Wuwei. His father Ya, a provincial graduate, plotted rebellion with the monk Faxian and was executed. Ji was castrated and entered palace service. After a long interval he was appointed Junior Yellow Gate Attendant; for defying the throne he was sent out as Magistrate of Lu County but declined the post. He was then appointed Attendant at Court. When Empress Dowager Ling regained power he was made General Who Pacifies the North and Commandant of the Long River, with charge of the Yellow Gate. He was transferred to General of the Vanguard and Attendant Within in the Central Directorate. With trouble on every side, the empress dowager repeatedly sent Ji on missions beyond the capital.
87
後慰勞西軍，還至潼關，華州羌人舜明等據嶮作逆，都督姜道明不能進討。 會舜明遣十餘人詐降入道明軍。 〈闕〉 遂散。
Later, returning from comforting the western army, he reached Tong Pass to find Shunming and other Qiang of Hua Province holding the passes in rebellion; Area Commander Jiang Daoming could not advance against them. Shunming then sent more than ten men to feign surrender and infiltrate Daoming's army. 〈Text missing in the received version.〉 The rebels thereupon dispersed.
88
子世冑，襲。 齊受禪，例降。
His son Shizhou inherited the title. When Qi received the abdication, his rank was reduced by established rule.
89
封津，字醜漢，勃海蓨人也。 祖羽，真君中為薄骨律鎮副將，以貪汙賜死。 父令德，娶党寶女，[18]寶伏誅，令德以連坐從法。 津受刑，給事宮掖。
Feng Jin, styled Chouhan, came from Tiao in Bohai Commandery. His grandfather Yu served as deputy general of Boguili Garrison in the Zhenjun era and was sentenced to death for corruption. [18]The History of the Northern Dynasties reads Chang rather than Dang for Bao's surname; Chang Bao is unattested elsewhere in the records and the name may be corrupt. Lingde married Bao's daughter; when Bao was executed Lingde suffered joint punishment. Jin was punished and entered palace service.
90
積官久之，除中謁者僕射，遷奉車都尉。 肅宗初，冀州大乘賊起，詔津慰勞。 津世不居桑梓，故不為州鄉所歸。 靈太后令津侍肅宗書。 遷常山太守。 孝昌初，除中侍中，加征虜將軍，仍除崇訓太僕，領宮室都將，冀州大中正。 超拜金紫光祿大夫。 二年，封東光縣開國子，食邑二百戶，鎮南將軍，兼中關右慰勞大傳。 [19]出為散騎常侍、征東將軍、濟州刺史。 永安初，中侍中、衞將軍，尋轉大長秋、左光祿大夫。 太昌初，驃騎大將軍、儀同三司。 津少長宮闈，給事左右，善候時情，號為機悟。
After long service he was appointed Vice Director of Inner Gate Attendants and promoted to Commandant of the Imperial Carriages. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaoming's reign the Dacheng rebels rose in Ji Province, and an edict ordered Jin to offer comfort. Jin's family had long lived away from their native place, and local people did not look to him. Empress Dowager Ling ordered Jin to attend Emperor Xiaoming's correspondence. He was transferred to Grand Administrator of Changshan. At the beginning of Xiaochang he was made Attendant Within and General Who Captures the Barbarians, then Grand Master of the Chongxun Palace Stud, put in charge of palace construction, and Chief Arbiter of Ji Province. He was exceptionally promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal. In the second year he was enfeoffed Viscount of a state-founding fief of Dongguang County with two hundred households, made General Who Guards the South, and concurrently envoy to comfort the region west of the passes. [19]Various editions read Grand Tutor where envoy is meant; as in Li Daoyuan's biography, a Passes Envoy is attested in the records, and for a eunuch the title takes the prefix Central. Jin was sent out as Regular Attendant of the Cavalry, General Who Campaigns East, and Inspector of Ji Province. At the beginning of Yong'an he served as Attendant Within and General of the Guard, soon transferring to Grand Director of the Palace Domestic Service and Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. At the beginning of Taichang he was made Grand General of Agile Cavalry and Bearer of Ceremonial Equal to the Three Excellencies. Jin had grown up within the inner palace from youth, serving at the emperor's side; skilled at reading the temper of the times, he was known as quick-witted.
91
天平初，除開府儀同三司、本將軍、懷州刺史。 元象初，復為中侍中、大長秋卿，仍開府儀同。 夏薨，年六十二。 贈都督冀瀛幽安四州諸軍事、本將軍、司徒公、冀州刺史，諡曰孝惠。
At the beginning of Tianping he was made Bearer of Ceremonial Equal to the Three Excellencies with an open office, retained his generalship, and was made Inspector of Huai Province. At the beginning of Yuanxiang he again became Attendant Within and Grand Director of the Palace Domestic Service while retaining open-office ceremonial equal to the Three Excellencies. He died in summer, aged sixty-two. He was posthumously enfeoffed Area Commander over Ji, Ying, You, and An, retaining his generalship, as Duke of the Ministry of Education and Inspector of Ji Province, with the posthumous name Xiaohui.
92
養兄子長業，襲爵。 齊受禪，例降。
He adopted his elder brother's son Changye, who inherited the title. When Qi received the abdication, his rank was reduced by established rule.
93
津兄憑，字元寄。 當時逃竄，後會赦免。 太和中，奉朝請，冀州趙郡王幹田曹參軍、定州彭城王勰水曹參軍、給事中、越騎校尉。 以討大乘功，除左中郎將，遷龍驤將軍、中散大夫。 孝昌中，歷恒農、武邑二郡太守。 尋除征虜將軍、光州刺史。 還，為平東將軍、光祿大夫，轉鎮南將軍、金紫光祿大夫。 除衞將軍、右光祿大夫。 初津被敕營出帝父廣平王陵。 永熙中，以營陵功，封津城陽縣開國子，邑三百戶。 津自有封，乃啟轉於憑。 後除衞大將軍、左光祿大夫。 興和三年夏卒，年六十七。 憑無他才伎，始終資歷，皆由於津。 津卒之後，憑亦無贈。
Jin's elder brother Ping, styled Yuanji. At the time he fled into hiding; later an amnesty pardoned him. In the Taihe era he served as Attendant at Court, agriculture staff officer to Prince Gan of Zhao in Ji Province, water staff officer to Prince Xie of Pengcheng in Ding Province, Attendant Within, and Commandant of the Elite Cavalry. For merit suppressing the Dacheng rebels he was made General of the Left Middle Guard, then General of the Flying Dragon and Palace Attendant. During Xiaochang he served in turn as Grand Administrator of Hengnong and Wuyi. Soon afterward he was made General Who Campaigns Against the Barbarians and Inspector of Guang Province. On his return he was made General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, then General Who Guards the South and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal. He was made General of the Guard and Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Earlier Jin had been ordered to construct the tomb of the Deposed Emperor's father, Prince of Guangping. In the Yongxi era, for merit in building the tomb, Ping was enfeoffed Viscount of a state-founding fief of Chengyang County with three hundred households. Jin already held a fief and memorialized to transfer this one to Ping. Later he was made Grand General of the Guard and Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He died in the summer of the third year of Xinghe, aged sixty-seven. Ping had no talent of his own; his entire career owed to Jin. After Jin died Ping received no posthumous honors either.
94
子靈素，襲。 齊受禪，例降。
His son Lingsu inherited the title. When Qi received the abdication, his rank was reduced by established rule.
95
津從兄荅，光祿大夫。
Jin's elder cousin Da served as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
96
子宗顯，司徒掾。
His son Zongxian served as a clerk in the Ministry of Education.
97
劉思逸，平原人。 父直，武邑太守。 與元愉反於信都，伏誅。 思逸少充腐刑。 初為中小史，轉寺人。 久之，除小黃門，拜奉朝請，坐事免。 後除東莞太守。 思逸雖身在閹寺，而性頗豪率，輕薄無行，好結朋遊。 又除左將軍、大長秋卿，遷中侍中、平東將軍。 武定中，與元瑾等謀反，伏誅。
Liu Siyi came from Pingyuan. His father Zhi served as Grand Administrator of Wuyi. He joined Yuan Yu's rebellion at Xindu and was executed. Siyi was castrated while still young. He began as a junior clerk, then became a palace attendant. After a long interval he was appointed Junior Yellow Gate Attendant and Attendant at Court, then dismissed for an offense. Later he was made Grand Administrator of Dongguan. Though he served in the eunuch establishment, Siyi was bold and free by nature, frivolous and unrestrained, and fond of gathering companions. He was again made General of the Left and Grand Director of the Palace Domestic Service, then Attendant Within and General Who Pacifies the East. In the Wuding era he plotted rebellion with Yuan Jin and others and was executed.
98
又有張景嵩、毛暢者，咸以閽寺在肅宗左右，而並黠了，甚見知遇。 俱為小黃門，每承間陳元叉之惡於肅宗。 元叉之出，景嵩、暢頗有力焉。 靈太后反政，未即戮叉。 時內外喧喧，云「叉還入知政事」。 暢等恐禍及己，乃啟肅宗，欲詔右衞將軍楊津密往殺叉。 詔書已成，未及出。 叉妻知之，告太后云：「景嵩、暢與清河王息巶欲廢太后。」 太后信之，責暢，暢出詔書草，以呈太后。 太后讀之，知無廢己狀，意為小解。 然叉妻構之不已，遂致疑惑。 未幾，出暢為頓丘太守。 後復出景嵩為魯郡太守。 乃密令御史掩暢，暢走免，尋捕殺之。 景嵩因入都，太后數其與暢同計之事，大致嫌責。 後為陽城、滎陽二郡太守。 孝靜時，位至中侍中，坐事死。
There were also Zhang Jingsong and Mao Chang, who served at the gate-palace at Emperor Xiaoming's side; both were sharp and clever and greatly favored. Both served as Junior Yellow Gate Attendants and seized every chance to report Yuan Cha's wickedness to Emperor Xiaoming. Jingsong and Chang had considerable part in Yuan Cha's removal. When Empress Dowager Ling regained power she did not at once execute Cha. Inside and outside the court buzzed with rumors that Cha would return to power. Fearing disaster for themselves, Chang and the others memorialized Emperor Xiaoming, proposing an edict for Right Guard General Yang Jin to go secretly and kill Cha. The edict was already drafted but not yet issued. Cha's wife learned of it and told the empress dowager, "Jingsong and Chang, together with Zhao, son of the Prince of Qinghe, wish to depose you." The empress dowager believed her and rebuked Chang; Chang produced the draft edict and showed it to her. Reading it, the empress dowager saw no plan to depose her and was somewhat reassured. But Cha's wife kept framing them, and suspicion finally took hold. Before long Chang was sent out as Grand Administrator of Dunqiu. Later Jingsong was also sent out as Grand Administrator of Lu Commandery. She then secretly ordered censors to seize Chang; he fled but was soon captured and killed. When Jingsong next came to the capital, the empress dowager repeatedly recounted his plotting with Chang and broadly resented and censured him. Later he served as Grand Administrator of Yangcheng and Xingyang. Under Emperor Xiaojing he rose to Attendant Within and was executed for an offense.
99
史臣曰。 〈闕〉
The historian says. 〈Text missing in the received version.〉
100
校勘記
Textual notes
101
趙黑北史卷九０目錄及傳文「黑」作「默」。
Zhao Hei: Beishi juan 90 (table of contents and main text) reads Hei as Mo.
102
孟鸞北史卷九０目錄及傳文「鸞」作「欒」。
Meng Luan: Beishi juan 90 (table of contents and main text) writes Luan (the cited text) as Luan (the cited text).
103
自後逃戶占為細繭羅縠者非一北史卷九０仇洛齊傳「細繭」作「紬綾」，冊府卷五０四 〈六０五四頁〉 、卷六六七 〈七九八二頁〉 ，通鑑卷一二０ 〈三七九０頁〉 「細」都作「紬」。 按本書卷一一０食貨志也作「細繭」，冊府兩條即出本書此傳和食貨志，「細」却都作「紬」，與北史合。 「細」當是「紬」之訛。 「繭」「綾」音形皆殊，「綾」字當是北史所改。
"Thereafter fugitive households registering as fine-cocoon silk gauze and thin silk were not few": Beishi juan 90 (Chou Luoqi) reads xijian as chou and damask; Cefu juan 504 〈p. 6054〉 , juan 667 〈p. 7982〉 , Zizhi Tongjian juan 120 〈p. 3790〉 All read xi (fine) as chou (the cited text). Juan 110 of this book (Monograph on Food and Money) also reads xijian; the two Cefu entries come from this biography and that monograph, yet both read xi as chou, matching Beishi. Xi (fine) is surely a corruption of chou (the cited text). Jian (cocoon) and ling (damask) differ in sound and form; ling was probably changed in Beishi.
104
遂歷右將軍中常侍諸本並缺「歷右將軍中」五字，今據冊府卷六六五 〈七九五九頁〉 補。
"Then passed through Right General and Palace Attendant": all editions omit the five characters li you jiang jun zhong; restored per Cefu juan 665 〈p. 7959〉 Restored.
105
后之惑薩菩薩也南、北、殿、局四本及北史卷九０劇鵬傳、冊府卷六六六 〈七九七二頁〉 「薩」都作「薛」，百衲本、汲本作「薩」。 按「薛」是「薩」的本字，「菩薩」之「薩」本也作「薛」，似作「薛」是。 但卷一三幽后馮氏傳實作「高菩薩」，北史卷一三幽后傳同，則其人本姓高，「薩」「薛」都因涉下「菩薩」而訛。 今姑從百衲本。
"The empress's infatuation with Sa Pusa also": Southern, Northern, Palace, and Bureau editions; Beishi juan 90 (Ju Peng); Cefu juan 666 〈p. 7972〉 All read Sa as Xue; the Patchwork and Ji editions read Sa. Xue is the original form of Sa; the Sa in Bodhisattva was originally also written Xue, so Xue seems correct. But juan 13 (Empress Feng of Youzhou) and Beishi juan 13 both read Gao Pusa; the man's surname was Gao, and both Sa and Xue were corrupted through the following word Bodhisattva. For now we follow the Patchwork edition.
106
是時有李豐之徒數人諸本「李」作「季」，冊府卷六六五 〈七九六０頁〉 作「李」。 按卷五五劉芳傳見「中官李豐」，是馮太后時人，與此傳合。 「季」乃「李」之訛，今據改。
"At this time there were several followers of Li Feng": various editions read Li as Ji; Cefu juan 665 〈p. 7960〉 reads Li. Juan 55 (Liu Fang) mentions palace officer Li Feng, a man of Empress Dowager Feng's time, matching this biography. Ji is a corruption of Li; emended accordingly.
107
進爵隴東公諸本「隴」作「龍」。 按「龍東」無此郡名，下文稱養子顯明「襲爵，降為隴東公」。 即因祐由隴東公進封新平王，故降爵仍因舊封。 卷一０六下地形志下隴東郡屬涇州。 「龍」字訛，今改正。
"Advanced in rank to Duke of Longdong": various editions read Long (the cited text) as Dragon (the cited text). "Dragon East" is not a commandery name; below the adopted son Xianming inherits the title, reduced to Duke of Longdong. You had been advanced from Duke of Longdong to Prince of Xinping, so when the title was reduced it still followed the old enfeoffment. Juan 106b (Treatise on Administrative Geography, Part 2) places Longdong Commandery under Jing Province. The character "dragon" is erroneous; now corrected.
108
遷都曹加侍中祭酒尚書領中曹侍御按祭酒以上是新遷官，尚書領中曹、侍御是原官，上文已云「尚書領中曹如故」，這裏「侍御」下當脫「如故」二字。
"Transferred to Director of the Capital Office, additionally Attendant Within, Libationer, Master of Writing overseeing the Inner Bureau, and Attendant-in-Chief": Libationer and above are new appointments; Master of Writing overseeing the Inner Bureau and Attendant-in-Chief are original posts; above already reads "Master of Writing overseeing the Inner Bureau as before," so "as before" probably dropped out after Attendant-in-Chief.
109
與雷党不蒙俱為羌中強族百衲本、汲本「党」作「光」，南、北、殿、局四本作「党」。 按党是羌大姓，卷三太宗紀泰常四年六月見「羌酋党道子」。 元和姓纂輯本卷七党氏條云「本出西羌」。 「党」字形近訛「光」。 今從南、北諸本。
"Together with Lei Dang, Bumeng were powerful clans among the Qiang": Patchwork and Ji read Dang (the cited text) as Guang (the cited text); Southern, Northern, Palace, and Bureau editions read Dang. Dang is a great Qiang surname; juan 3 (Emperor Taizong), sixth month of Taichang 4, records Qiang chieftain Dang Daozi. The compiled Yuanhe Xing Zuan, juan 7 (Dang clan), says "originally from the Western Qiang." Dang was corrupted to the visually similar Guang. Now we follow the Southern and Northern editions.
110
復奪爵北史卷九二王遇傳作「復舊爵」。 較明白。 這裏意謂復所奪之爵，但易誤解為又一次奪去爵位。
"Restored the confiscated title": Beishi juan 92 (Wang Yu) reads "restored the former title." That reading is clearer. Here the sense is that a confiscated title was restored, but the wording easily suggests another demotion.
111
世宗封其妻王氏為□□縣君百衲本闕字作相當於二字的墨釘，他本都作「雲陽」，冊府卷六六五 〈七九六０頁〉 「為縣君」連文不空。 按北魏郡君、縣君是加於婦人的爵位，自有封邑，與夫之封邑無關。 下文劉騰封長樂縣公，其妻封鉅鹿郡君，初不從夫長樂之封，卷八三下外戚傳下胡國珍封安定郡公，妻皇甫氏封京兆郡君，繼妻梁氏封趙平郡君，亦不從夫安定之封，可證。 這裏白整封雲陽男，其妻未必也封雲陽。 本闕縣名，冊府遂逕連上文。 後人以為婦人必以夫之封邑為號，以意補缺，今從百衲本缺二字。
"Emperor Shizong enfeoffed his wife Lady Wang as □□ County Lady": the Patchwork edition marks a two-character lacuna with ink dots; other editions read Yunyang; Cefu juan 665 〈p. 7960〉 reads wei xianjun without a break. In Northern Wei, commandery lady and county lady were titles for women with their own fiefs, independent of the husband's enfeoffment. Below, Liu Teng was Duke of Changle County while his wife was Lady of Julu Commandery, not Changle. Juan 83b (Affinal Kin): Hu Guozhen was Duke of Anding; Lady Huangfu was Lady of Jingzhao and Lady Liang Lady of Zhaoping, neither following Anding. This confirms the point. Here Bai Zheng was Baron of Yunyang; his wife need not have been enfeoffed as Yunyang too. The county name was originally missing; Cefu ran the phrase directly onto the line above. Later editors assumed a woman's title must echo her husband's fief and filled the gap at will; we follow the Patchwork edition's two-character lacuna.
112
騰使詣行所冊府卷六六五 〈七九六一頁〉 「行」下有「在」字。 按此字似不宜省，然他處亦或作「行所」，非必脫文。
"Teng sent an envoy to the place where the emperor was traveling": Cefu juan 665 〈p. 7961〉 reads zai (at) after xing (traveling). This character seems hard to omit, yet other passages also read xingsuo without it, so it is not necessarily missing text.
113
轉長兼中常侍諸本「中常」下脫「侍」字。 按「中常侍」不得省稱「中常」，亦非他官之訛，上劉騰傳稱「中常侍賈粲」可證，今補「侍」字。
"Transferred to Chief Attendant-in-Chief concurrently Palace Attendant": various editions omit shi under zhong chang. Palace Attendant (zhongchangshi) cannot be shortened to zhong chang, nor is it another office corrupted; Liu Teng's biography above has Palace Attendant Jia Can as proof. Shi is restored.
114
中官內侍貴者諸本脫「內」字，不可通，今據北史卷九０補。
"Palace officers, inner attendants who are esteemed": various editions omit nei (inner), making the text unintelligible; restored per Beishi juan 90.
115
賜始平伯按下稱「孝昌二年，以勤舊封始平縣開國伯」，疑這裏「伯」當作「子」或「男」，否則下文「伯」當作「侯」，下王溫傳，先封欒城伯，「孝昌二年，封欒城縣開國侯」，事相類。
"Granted Baron of Shiping": below reads "In Xiaochang 2, enfeoffed as Baron of a State-Founding Fief of Shiping County for longstanding service," so bo here should probably be zi or nan, or the later bo should be hou. Wang Wen was first Baron of Luancheng, then in Xiaochang 2 Marquis of a State-Founding Fief of Luancheng — a parallel case.
116
黃絹十匹以供喪用諸本脫「絹」字，今據北史卷九０孟欒傳補。
"Ten bolts of yellow silk for funeral use": various editions omit juan (silk); restored per Beishi juan 90 (Meng Luan).
117
初季以兄叔良為襲季爵按原文當作「初季以兄叔子良為後，襲季爵」，脫「子」「後」二字，語不可解。 但無可參證，今不補。 又除南本外，他本皆「叔」字起提行。 南本「兄」字下空五格，北、殿、局三本「兄」字下注「闕」。 按弟名季，兄名叔，「叔」字本與上「兄」字相接，後人強為割裂，讀不可通，遂又於「兄」字下注「闕」字或空格，皆誤，今以「叔」字下六字逕接上文。
"At first Ji made his elder brother Shuliang inherit Ji's title": the original probably read "At first Ji made his elder brother Shuzi Liang his heir to inherit Ji's title"; zi and hou (heir) are missing, making the passage unintelligible. But there is no corroborating text; we do not restore it. Apart from the Southern edition, all others start a new line at shu. The Southern edition leaves five blank spaces after xiong (elder brother); Northern, Palace, and Bureau editions annotate que (lacuna) there. The younger brother was named Ji and the elder Shu; shu originally followed xiong above. Later editors split them, making the passage unreadable, then marked lacuna or blank space after xiong — all wrong. The six characters after shu are now run directly onto the preceding text.
118
娶党寶女北史卷九０封津傳「党」作「常」。 按卷八三上常英等傳有云「伏、寶、泰等州刺史」，連上文似是常英官，伏、寶、泰皆州名。 但魏無「伏」「寶」二州，「泰」見上文，是人名，則「伏」「寶」亦當是諸常之名，但外戚傳此傳脫訛，不知寶為常英何人。 党寶未見紀載，疑北史作「常」是。 參卷八三上校記[九]。
"Married the daughter of Dang Bao": Beishi juan 90 (Feng Jin) reads Dang as Chang. Juan 83a (Chang Ying and others) has "Inspector of Fu, Bao, Tai and other provinces"; read with the preceding text this seems to name Chang Ying's posts, with Fu, Bao, and Tai as provinces. But Wei had no Fu or Bao provinces; Tai above is a personal name, so Fu and Bao must also be Chang family names. The Affinal Kin biography is corrupt here, and which Chang Bao was is unknown. Dang Bao appears nowhere else; Beishi's Chang is probably correct. See juan 83a, collation note [9].
119
兼中關右慰勞大傳諸本「大傳」作「太傅」，百衲本作「大傳」。 按卷八九酈道元傳，道元為「關右大使」，「大使」屢見紀載，封津是宦官，故加「中」字。 「使」字舊本訛「傳」，後人遂改為「太傅」。 今姑從百衲本。
"Concurrently Chief Commissioner to Console the West within the Pass": in various editions "Grand Tutor" is written for "Grand Envoy"; the Patchwork edition has "Grand Envoy." Juan 89 (Li Daoyuan) has Grand Envoy to the West within the Pass; dashi appears often in records. Feng Jin was a eunuch, hence the added zhong (within). The old text corrupted shi (envoy) to chuan (transmit), and later editors changed it to Grand Tutor. For now we follow the Patchwork edition.