1
蘇亮弟湛柳虯呂思禮薛憕薛寘李昶元偉
Su Liang; his younger brother Zhan; Liu Qiu; Lu Sili; Xue Cheng; Xue Zhi; Li Chang; and Yuan Wei.
2
蘇亮字景順，武功人也。 祖權，魏中書侍郎、玉門郡守。 父佑，泰山郡守。
Su Liang, courtesy name Jingshun, came from Wugong. His grandfather Quan had served Wei as secretariat gentleman and administrator of Yumen commandery. His father You was administrator of Taishan commandery.
3
亮少通敏，博學，好屬文，善章奏。 初舉秀才，至洛陽，遇河內常景。 景深器之，退而謂人曰：「秦中才學可以抗山東者，將此人乎。」 魏齊王蕭寶夤引為參軍。 後寶夤開府，復為其府主薄。 從寶夤西征，轉記室參軍。 寶夤遷大將軍，仍為之掾。 寶夤雅知重亮，凡有文檄謀議，皆以委之。 尋行武功郡事，甚著聲績。 寶夤作亂，以亮為黃門侍郎。 亮善處人間，與物無忤。 及寶夤敗，從之者遇禍，唯亮獲全。 乃長孫稚、爾朱天光等西討，竝以亮為郎中，專典文翰。 累遷鎮軍將軍、光祿大夫、散騎常侍、岐州大中正。 賀拔岳為關西行臺，引亮為左丞，典機密。
From boyhood Liang was quick-witted and perceptive, widely read, fond of writing, and adept at formal memorials. When first nominated as a xiucai candidate, he went to Luoyang and there met Chang Jing of Henei. Chang Jing thought highly of him; afterward he said to others, "Among the learned men of the Qin lands who can stand against those of the east — could it be this one?" Xiao Baoyin, Prince of Qi under Wei, brought him on as a military adjutant. When Baoyin later established a headquarters, Liang again served as its chief registrar. He followed Baoyin on the western expedition and was moved to recording secretary on the staff. When Baoyin rose to grand general, Liang remained on his staff. Baoyin had long esteemed Liang; every dispatch, proclamation, and plan passed through his hands. Soon he was administering Wugong commandery and won a strong reputation for his work. When Baoyin rose in rebellion, he appointed Liang gentleman at the yellow gate. Liang handled people well and gave offense to no one. When Baoyin fell, his followers were ruined; Liang alone escaped unscathed. When Changsun Zhi, Erzhu Tianguang, and others marched west, each made Liang a palace gentleman in sole charge of correspondence. He rose step by step to general who stabilizes the army, grand master for splendid happiness, attendant cavalier at leisure, and chief rectifier of Qizhou. When Heba Yue took the western mobile headquarters in Guanzhong, he made Liang his left aide and entrusted him with confidential affairs.
4
魏孝武西遷，除吏部郎中，加衛將軍、右光祿大夫。 大統二年，拜給事黃門侍郎，領中書舍人。 魏文帝子宜都王式為秦州刺史，以亮為司馬。 帝謂亮曰：「黃門侍郎豈可為秦州司馬，直以朕愛子出蕃，故以心腹相委，勿以為恨。」 臨辭，賜以御馬。 七年，復為黃門郎，加驃騎將軍。 八年，遷都官尚書、使持節、行北華州刺史，封臨涇縣子，邑三百戶。 除中書監，領著作，修國史。 亮有機辯，善談笑。 太祖甚重之。 有所籌議，率多會旨。 記人之善，忘人之過。 薦達後進，常如弗及。 故當世敬慕焉。 十四年，除秘書監、車騎大將軍、儀同三司，尋拜大行臺尚書，出為岐州刺史。 朝廷以其作牧本州，特給路車、鼓吹，先還其宅，幷給騎士三千。 列羽儀，遊鄉黨，經過故人，歡飲旬日，然後入州。 世以為榮。 十七年，征拜侍中。 卒於位。 贈本官。
After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei fled west, Liang was made a gentleman of the ministry of personnel, with added ranks of general of the guard and right grand master for splendid happiness. In the second year of Datong he became attending gentleman at the yellow gate and also served as secretariat aide. When Emperor Wen of Wei's son, Prince Yidu Shi, became inspector of Qin Province, Liang was appointed his chief administrator. The emperor told Liang, "A gentleman at the yellow gate is hardly meant to be chief administrator of Qin Province. I send my beloved son to his fief and therefore place him in the hands of a trusted man — do not take it as a slight." At their parting the emperor gave him an imperial horse. In the seventh year he returned to gentleman at the yellow gate with the added rank of general of rapid cavalry. In the eighth year he became minister director in the ministry of justice, received credentials, and acted as inspector of Northern Hua Province; he was enfeoffed as viscount of Linjing county with a fief of three hundred households. He was made director of the secretariat, concurrently supervising the works directorate and editing the national history. Liang was quick-witted and fluent, and delighted in easy talk and laughter. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai held him in high regard. In council he usually grasped the point at once. He remembered others' virtues and overlooked their failings. He lifted younger men ahead of him as though he himself could never catch up. For this his contemporaries honored and admired him. In the fourteenth year he became director of the secretariat archives, general of chariots and cavalry, and equal in protocol to the three dukes; soon after he was made minister of the grand mobile headquarters and sent out as inspector of Qi Province. Because he was returning to govern his home province, the court gave him a state carriage and musicians, had his house prepared in advance, and supplied three thousand mounted escorts. With full ceremonial display he traveled through his native district, stopping to feast with old friends for ten days before entering the province. People of the time took this as a mark of honor. In the seventeenth year he was recalled and made palace companion. He died in his post. He was posthumously granted his last title.
5
亮少與從弟綽俱知名。 然綽文章少不逮亮，至於經畫進趣，亮又減之。 故世稱二蘇焉。 亮自大統以來，無歲不轉官，一年或至三遷。 僉曰才至，不怪其速也。 所著文筆數十篇，頗行於世。 子師嗣。 以亮名重於時，起家為黃門侍郎。
In youth Liang and his younger cousin Chuo were both well known. Chuo's writing was a little less accomplished than Liang's, but in strategy and advancement Liang fell short of him. People therefore spoke of them as the Two Sus. From the Datong era onward Liang was promoted every year, sometimes three times in a single year. Everyone agreed his talent had come into its own and did not marvel at the pace. He left several dozen literary pieces that circulated widely. His son Shi inherited his place. Because Liang's reputation stood high in his day, Shi entered office directly as gentleman at the yellow gate.
6
亮弟湛，字景儁。 少有志行，與亮俱著名西土。 年二十餘，舉秀才，除奉朝請，領侍御史，加員外散騎侍郎。 蕭寶夤西討，以湛為行臺郎中，深見委任。 及寶夤將謀叛逆，湛時臥疾於家。 寶夤乃令湛從母弟天水姜儉謂湛曰：「吾不能坐受死亡，今便為身計，不復作魏臣也。 與卿死生榮辱，方當共之，故以相報。」 湛聞之，舉聲大哭。 儉遽止之曰：「何得便爾？」 湛曰：「闔門百口，卽時屠滅，云何不哭。」 哭數十聲，徐謂儉曰：「為我白齊王，王本以窮而歸人，賴朝廷假王羽翼，遂得榮寵至此。 旣屬國步多虞，不能竭誠報德，豈可乘人間隙，便有問鼎之心乎。 今魏德雖衰，天命未改。 王之恩義，未洽於民，破亡之期，必不旋踵。 蘇湛終不能以積世忠貞之基，一旦為王族滅也。」 寶夤復令儉謂湛曰：「此是救命之計，不得不爾。」 湛復曰：「凡舉大事，當得天下奇士。 今但共長安博徒小兒輩為此計，豈有辦哉。 湛不忍見荊棘生王戶庭也。 願賜骸骨還舊裏，庶歸全地下，無愧先人。」 寶夤素重之，知必不為己用，遂聽還武功。 寶夤後果敗。
Liang's younger brother Zhan, courtesy name Jingjun. From youth he showed purpose and integrity, and together with Liang he was famous throughout the west. In his twenties he was nominated as xiucai, made attendant at court audiences and palace censor, and given the added rank of supernumerary attendant of scattered cavalry. During Xiao Baoyin's western campaign, Zhan was made mobile headquarters gentleman and deeply trusted. When Baoyin was preparing to rebel, Zhan was confined to his home by illness. Baoyin sent Zhan's maternal cousin Jiang Jian of Tianshui to tell him, "I cannot sit here and wait to die. I must now look to my own survival and will no longer serve Wei. Whatever life or death, honor or disgrace may bring, we shall share it together — that is why I tell you now." When Zhan heard this he burst into loud weeping. Jian quickly hushed him and said, "How can you react like that at once?" Zhan said, "A household of a hundred souls faces immediate slaughter — how could I not weep?" After weeping many times he said slowly to Jian, "Tell the Prince of Qi for me: he came to the court in poverty, and only by the throne's support did he rise to such honor. Now the realm is full of troubles, and instead of repaying grace with full loyalty, would he seize a moment of weakness and aspire to seize the throne? Wei's power may be waning, but Heaven's mandate has not yet shifted. The prince's kindness has not won the people's hearts, and ruin will come upon him almost at once. Su Zhan cannot throw away generations of loyal service and see his whole clan destroyed for the prince's sake." Baoyin again sent Jian to say, "This is a plan to save our lives — there is no other way." Zhan answered again, "Any great undertaking needs the rarest men in the realm. Yet now you would carry this out with Chang'an gamblers and street boys — how could it succeed? Zhan cannot bear to see thorns spring up in the prince's own courtyard. Grant me leave to go home and die in peace, that I may lie whole beneath the earth without shaming my ancestors." Baoyin had always respected him and knew he would never be won over, so he let him return to Wugong. Baoyin was defeated soon after.
7
孝莊帝卽位，徵拜尚書郎。 帝嘗謂之曰：「聞卿答蕭寶夤，甚有美辭，可為我說之也。」 湛頓首謝曰：「臣自惟言辭不如伍被遠矣，然始終不易，竊謂過之。 但臣與寶夤周旋契闊，言得盡心，而不能令其守節，此臣之罪也。」 孝莊大悅，加授散騎侍郎。 尋遷中書侍郎。
When Emperor Xiaozhuang ascended the throne, Zhan was summoned and made a gentleman of the masters of writing. The emperor once said to him, "I hear your answer to Xiao Baoyin was eloquent — tell me what you said." Zhan bowed and said, "I am far less eloquent than Wu Bei, but in holding firm from first to last I believe I surpassed him. Yet I moved among Baoyin's circle for years and spoke my mind fully, and still could not keep him loyal — that is my fault." Emperor Xiaozhuang was greatly pleased and additionally made him attendant of scattered cavalry. Soon he was promoted to gentleman of the secretariat.
8
孝武初，以疾還鄉里，終於家。 贈散騎常侍、鎮西將軍、雍州刺史。
Early in Emperor Xiaowu's reign he went home on account of illness and died there. He was posthumously granted attendant cavalier at leisure, general who pacifies the west, and inspector of Yong Province.
9
湛弟讓，字景恕。 幼聰敏，好學，頗有人倫鑒識。 初為本州主薄，稍遷別駕、武都郡守、鎮遠將軍、金紫光祿大夫。 及太祖為丞相，引為府屬，甚見親待。 出為衛將軍、南汾州刺史。 治有善政。 尋卒官。 贈車騎大將軍、儀同三司、涇州刺史。
Zhan's younger brother Rang, courtesy name Jingshu. As a boy he was bright and eager to learn, with a keen eye for character. He began as registrar of his home province and rose step by step to vice-director, administrator of Wudu commandery, general who pacifies the distance, and grand master with the golden seal and purple ribbon. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai became chancellor, he brought Rang onto his staff and treated him with marked favor. He was sent out as general of the guard and inspector of Southern Fen Province. His administration won praise for sound policy. He died in office not long after. He was posthumously granted general of chariots and cavalry, equal in protocol to the three dukes, and inspector of Jing Province.
10
柳虯字仲蟠，司會慶之兄也。 年十三，便專精好學。 時貴游子弟就學者，竝車服華盛，唯虯不事容飾。 遍 （授） 〔受〕《五經》，略通大義，兼博涉子史，雅好屬文。 孝昌中，揚州刺史李憲舉虯秀才，兗州刺史馮儁引虯為府主薄。 旣而樊子鵠為吏部尚書，其兄義為揚州。 治中，加鎮遠將軍，非其好也，遂棄官還洛陽。 屬天下喪亂，乃退耕於陽城，有終焉之志。
Liu Qiu, courtesy name Zhongpan, was elder brother of Liu Qing, director of revenue. At thirteen he was already wholly absorbed in study. The sons of great families who came to study all arrived in splendid carriages and dress; Qiu alone wore no finery. He studied [emended: received] the Five Classics and grasped their broad meaning; he also read widely in the masters and histories and loved to write. During the Xiaochang era Li Xian, inspector of Yang Province, nominated Qiu as xiucai, and Feng Jun, inspector of Yan Province, made him headquarters registrar. Soon Fan Zihu became minister of personnel, and his elder brother Yi became inspector of Yang Province. Qiu was made provincial director of governance with the added rank of general who pacifies the distance, but the post did not suit him, so he resigned and returned to Luoyang. As the empire fell into chaos, he retired to farm at Yangcheng and meant to live out his days there.
11
大統三年，馮翊王元季海、領軍獨孤信鎮洛陽。 于時舊京荒廢，人物罕極，唯有虯在陽城，裴諏在潁川。 信等乃俱徵之，以虯為行臺郎中，諏為都督府屬，並掌文翰。 時人為之語曰：「北府裴諏，南省柳虯。」 時軍旅務殷，虯勵精從事，或通夜不寢。 季海嘗云：「柳郎中判事，我不復重看。」 四年，入朝，太祖欲官之，虯辭母老，乞侍醫藥。 太祖許焉。 久之為獨孤信開府從事中郎。 信出鎮隴右，因為秦州刺史，以虯為二府司馬。 雖處元僚，不綜府事，唯在信左右談論而已。 因使見太祖，被留為丞相府記室。 追論歸朝功，封美陽縣男，邑二百戶。 虯以史官密書善惡，未足懲勸。 乃上疏曰：
In the third year of Datong Prince of Fengyi Yuan Jihai and army commander Dugu Xin held Luoyang. The old capital was then waste and empty, with scarcely a soul left; only Qiu remained at Yangcheng and Pei Sou at Yingchuan. Xin and his colleagues summoned them both, making Qiu mobile headquarters gentleman and Sou an aide in the command headquarters, each in charge of correspondence. People of the time said of them, "Pei Sou of the northern headquarters, Liu Qiu of the southern secretariat. Since they took charge military affairs were fully engaged; Qiu drove himself with tireless zeal and sometimes worked through the night without sleep. Yuan Jihai once remarked, "When Director Qiu of the Bureau decides a case, I never need to review it." In Datong year 4 he came to court. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai wished to appoint him, but Qiu pleaded that his mother was aged and asked leave to care for her and see to her medicine. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai consented. Before long he became opening-office attendant on Dugu Xin's staff. When Dugu Xin went west to garrison Longyou and was made inspector of Qin Province, Liu Qiu was appointed marshal of both offices. Although he held a chief staff post, he did not manage the office's business and only talked and debated at Dugu Xin's side. Sent on embassy to see Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, he was detained and made recording officer in the chancellor's office. His service in returning to court was rewarded with enfeoffment as baron of Meiyang, with a fief of two hundred households. Liu Qiu felt that when historiographers kept good and ill secret in their records, the practice fell short of warning and encouraging men. He therefore submitted a memorial:
12
古者人君立史官，非但記事而已，蓋所以為監誡也。 動則左史書之，言則右史書之，彰善癉惡，以樹風聲。 故南史抗節，表崔杼之罪； 董狐書法，明趙盾之愆。 是知直筆於朝，其來久矣。 而漢魏已還，密為記注，徒聞後世，無益當時，非所謂將順其美，匡救其惡者也。 且著述之人，密書其事，縱能直筆，人莫之知。 何止物生橫議，亦自異端互起。 故班固致受金之名，陳壽有求米之論。 著漢魏者，非一氏； 造晉史者，至數家。 後代紛紜，莫知准的。
In antiquity rulers appointed historiographers not merely to keep records, but to serve as monitors and warnings. Their deeds were written by the left historiographer and their words by the right, making virtue shine and vice stink, so as to set the moral tone of the age. Hence the attendant of Southern History held firm and exposed Cui Zhu's crime; and Dong Hu's brush in the records made Zhao Dun's fault plain. This shows that honest writing at court is no new thing. Yet from Han and Wei onward annals were kept in secret, heard only by later ages and of no use to the living — not the meaning of supporting what is good and correcting what is wrong. Moreover, those who write history do so in secret; even when the brush is honest, no one knows it. Wild talk spreads among men, and rival doctrines spring up on every side. Hence Ban Gu was accused of taking bribes, and Chen Shou of begging for grain. Those who wrote histories of Han and Wei were not of one house; and compilers of Jin history numbered several families. Later ages were tangled in dispute and knew no standard.
13
伏惟陛下則天稽古，勞心庶政。 開誹謗之路，納忠讜之言。 諸史官記事者，請皆當朝顯言其狀，然後付之史閣。 庶令是非明著，得失無隱。 使聞善者日修，有過者知懼。 敢以愚管，輕冒上聞。 乞以瞽言，訪之衆議。
I humbly consider that Your Majesty, in accord with Heaven, examines antiquity and labors over the myriad affairs of government. You have opened the way to criticism and receive loyal and forthright counsel. I ask that all historiographers who record events state their accounts openly at court, and only then deposit them in the historiographical archive. Then right and wrong may stand clear, and gain and loss go undisguised. Let those who hear of virtue daily improve themselves, and those at fault know fear. I dare, with my narrow view, lightly to lay this before Your Majesty. I beg that these blind man's words be submitted to the assembly for discussion.
14
事遂施行。
The proposal was thereupon adopted.
15
十四年，除秘書丞。 秘書雖領著作，不參史事，自虯為丞，始令監掌焉。 十六年，遷中書侍郎，修起居注，仍領丞事。 時人論文體者，有古今之異。 虯又以為時有今古，非文有今古，乃為《文質論》。 文多不載。 魏廢帝初，遷秘書監，加車騎大將軍、儀同三司。
In Datong year 14 he was appointed secretariat adjutant. Though the secretariat oversaw composition, it had not handled historiographical affairs; from Liu Qiu's tenure as adjutant, he was first charged to supervise them. In year 16 he was made vice director of the secretariat, edited the imperial diary, and still retained the adjutant post. Contemporaries who debated literary style spoke of differences between ancient and modern. Liu Qiu also held that times differ between ancient and modern, but literature does not; he therefore wrote the Essay on Pattern and Substance. Most of the essay is not preserved. At the start of Emperor Fei of Wei's reign he was made secretariat director, with added ranks of general of chariots and cavalry and equal in protocol to the three dukes.
16
虯脫略人間，不事小節，弊衣疎食，未嘗改操。 人或譏之。 虯曰：「衣不過適體，食不過充饑。 孜孜營求，徒勞思慮耳。」 魏恭帝元年冬，卒，時年五十四。 贈兗州刺史。 諡曰孝。 有文章數十篇行於世。 子鴻漸嗣。
Liu Qiu was indifferent to worldly display, ignored small niceties, wore worn clothes and ate plain food, and never changed that way of life. People jeered at his ways. Liu Qiu said, "Clothes need only fit the body; food need only fill hunger. To strive and scheme without end is only wasted thought." In the winter of Emperor Gong of Wei's first year he died, at the age of fifty-four. Posthumously he was made inspector of Yan Province. He was given the posthumous name Xiao. Several dozen of his essays circulated in his day. Hongjian inherited his title.
17
呂思禮，東平壽張人也。 性溫潤，不雜交遊。 年十四，受學于徐遵明。 長於論難。 諸生為之語曰：「講《書》論《易》，其鋒難敵。」 十九，舉秀才，對策高第。 除相州功曹參軍。 葛榮圍鄴，思禮有守禦勳，賜爵平陸縣伯，除欒城令。 普泰中，僕射司馬子如薦為尚書二千石郎中。 尋以地寒被出，兼國子博士。 乃求為關西大。 行臺賀拔岳所重。 專掌機密，甚得時譽。
Lu Sili came from Shouzhang in Dongping. By nature he was gentle and mild and kept aloof from casual society. At fourteen he studied under Xu Zunming. He had a gift for disputation. Fellow students had a saying: "In lecturing on the Documents and debating the Changes, his edge is hard to match." At nineteen he was nominated as outstanding talent and ranked at the top in the palace examination. He was appointed merit officer on the staff of Xiang Province. When Ge Rong besieged Ye, Sili won merit in the defense; he was enfeoffed baron of Pinglu and made magistrate of Luancheng. During Putai, Vice Director Sima Ziru recommended him as two-thousand-bushel director in the Masters of Writing. Soon, on account of humble birth, he was dismissed and made adjunct erudite of the National University. He then sought appointment under the Guanxi mobile headquarters. Heba Yue's mobile headquarters held him in high regard. He alone managed secret affairs and won wide acclaim in his day.
18
岳為侯莫陳悅所害，趙貴等議遣赫連達迎太祖，思禮預其謀。 及太祖為關西大都督，以思禮為府長史，尋除行臺右丞。 以迎魏孝武功，封汝陽縣子，邑四百戶，加冠軍將軍，拜黃門侍郎。 魏文帝卽位，領著作郎，除安東將軍、都官尚書，兼七兵、殿中二曹事。 從擒竇泰，進爵為侯，邑八百戶。 大統四年，以謗訕朝政，賜死。
When Houmochen Yue murdered Heba Yue, Zhao Gui and others resolved to send Helian Da to welcome Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai; Sili took part in the plot. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai became area commander of Guanxi, Sili was made chief clerk of his office; soon he was appointed right assistant director of the mobile headquarters. For merit in welcoming Emperor Xiaowu of Wei westward, he was enfeoffed viscount of Ruyang with a fief of four hundred households, promoted to general who exerts majesty, and made vice director of the yellow gates. When Emperor Wen of Wei acceded, he served as director of composition; he was made general who pacifies the east, minister of justice, and concurrently oversaw the bureaus of seven troops and palace hall. After Dou Tai was captured, he was raised to marquis with a fief of eight hundred households. In Datong year 4, for slandering court policy, he was sentenced to death.
19
思禮好學，有文才。 雖務兼軍國，而手不釋卷。 晝理政事，夜則讀書。 令蒼頭執燭，燭燼夜有數升。 沙苑之捷，命為露布，食頃便成。 太祖歎其工而且速。 所為碑誄表頌，竝傳於世。 七年，追贈車騎大將軍、定州刺史。 子亶嗣。 大象末，位至駕部下大夫。
Sili was devoted to learning and gifted in letters. Though military and civil duties both fell to him, he never let go of his books. By day he governed; by night he read. He had a servant hold the candle; the drippings each night amounted to several pints. After the victory at Shaye, he was ordered to draft the victory dispatch and finished it within the time of a meal. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai marveled at his skill and speed. The stele inscriptions, dirges, memorials, and eulogies he composed all circulated in his day. In year 7 he was posthumously granted general of chariots and cavalry and inspector of Ding Province. Dan inherited the line. By the end of Daxiang he had risen to grand master of the imperial carriage section.
20
時有博陵崔騰、新蔡董紹竝早有名譽，歷職清顯。 騰為丞相府長史，紹為御史丞。 俱以投書謗議，賜死。
At the time Cui Teng of Boling and Dong Shao of Xincai had both won early renown and held clear, eminent offices. Teng was chief clerk in the chancellor's office, and Shao was assistant director of the censorate. Both were sentenced to death for sending letters of slander and criticism.
21
薛憕字景猷，河東汾陰人也。 曾祖弘敞，值赫連之亂，率宗人避地襄陽。
Xue Cheng, courtesy name Jingyou, came from Fenyin in Hedong. His great-grandfather Hongchang, during the turmoil of Helian, led the clan in flight to Xiangyang.
22
憕早喪父，家貧，躬耕以養祖母，有暇則覽文籍。 時人未之奇也。 江表取人，多以世族。 憕旣羇旅，不被擢用。 然負才使氣，未嘗趣世祿之門。 左中郎將京兆韋潛度謂憕曰：「君門地非下，身材不劣，何不憕裾數參吏部？」 憕曰：「『世冑躡高位，英俊沉下僚』，古人以為歎息。 竊所未能也。」 潛度告人曰：「此年少極慷慨，但不遭時耳。」
Cheng lost his father early. The family was poor, and he plowed with his own hands to support his grandmother; when he had leisure he read books. Contemporaries had not yet seen anything remarkable in him. South of the Yangzi, appointments went chiefly to great clans. As an outsider living abroad, Cheng went unnoticed and unappointed. Yet he relied on his talent and was proud by nature; he never went to the gates of men who dispensed worldly salary. Left palace gentleman Wei Qiandu of Jingzhao said to Cheng, "Your family standing is not low, and your person is not inferior — why not lift your robe and visit the Ministry of Personnel several times?" Cheng replied, " 'Clansmen tread high rank; the able sink to low posts' — the ancients sighed over this. I myself cannot do it." Qiandu told others, "This young man is extremely high-minded; he simply has not met the right time."
23
孝昌中，杖策還洛陽。 先是，憕從祖真度與族祖安都擁徐、兗歸魏，其子懷儁見憕，甚相親善。 屬爾朱榮廢立，遂還河東，止懷儁家。 不交人物，終日讀書，手自抄略，將二百卷。 唯郡守元襲，時相要屈，與之抗禮。 懷儁每曰：「汝還鄉里，不營產業，不肯取妻，豈復欲南乎？」 憕亦恬然自處，不改其舊。 普泰中，拜給事中，加伏波將軍。
During Xiaochang he took up his staff and walked home to Luoyang. Before this, Cheng's collateral elder Zhendu and clan elder Andu had brought Xu and Yan over to Wei; Andu's son Huaijun met Cheng and became very close to him. When Erzhu Rong began deposing and installing emperors, Cheng retreated to Hedong and lodged with Huaijun. He did not associate with others, read all day, and copied extracts in his own hand — nearly two hundred scrolls. Only Prefect Yuan Xi would sometimes summon him and keep him awhile; Cheng received him as an equal. Huaijun often said, "You return to your home district, build no property, and refuse to take a wife — do you still mean to go south?" Cheng remained untroubled in his ways and changed nothing of his former life. During Putai he was appointed attendant within the gates, with added rank general who subdues waves.
24
及齊神武起兵，憕乃東游陳、梁間，謂族人孝通曰：「高歡阻兵陵上，喪亂方始。 關中形勝之地，必有霸王居之。」 乃與孝通俱游長安。 侯莫陳悅聞之，召為行臺郎中，除鎮遠將軍、步兵校尉。 及悅害賀拔岳，軍人咸相慶慰。 憕獨謂所親曰：「悅才略本寡，輒害良將，敗亡之事，其則不遠。 吾屬今卽為人所虜，何慶慰之有乎！」 聞者以憕言為然，乃有憂色。 尋而太祖平悅，引憕為記室參軍。 魏孝武西遷，授征虜將軍、中散大夫，封夏陽縣男，邑二百戶。 魏文帝卽位，拜中書侍郎，加安東將軍，增邑百戶，進爵為伯。
When Gao Huan raised troops, Cheng traveled east among Chen and Liang and said to his clansman Xiaotong, "Gao Huan blocks the armies and lords it over his sovereign; disorder has only begun. Guanzhong is a land of strategic strength; a hegemon is sure to hold it." So he and his clansman Xiaotong went together to Chang'an. When Hou Mo Chen Yue heard of it, he summoned Cheng as mobile headquarters gentleman and made him general who pacifies the distance and commandant of footsoldiers. After Yue murdered Heba Yue, the troops all congratulated one another. Cheng alone told those close to him, "Yue never had much talent or strategy; by rashly killing a fine general he has brought ruin near. We are about to become someone else's prisoners — what is there to celebrate!" Those who heard him thought Cheng was right and looked worried. Before long Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai crushed Yue and made Cheng recording secretary on his staff. When Emperor Xiaowu moved west, Cheng was made general who captures the enemy and grand master of palace attendance, enfeoffed as baron of Xiayang with a fief of two hundred households. When Emperor Wen took the throne, Cheng was appointed secretariat vice gentleman, given the added rank of general who pacifies the east, increased by a hundred households, and raised to count.
25
大統四年，宣光、清徽殿初成，憕為之頌。 魏文帝又造二欹器。 一為二仙人共持一缽，同處一盤，缽蓋有山，山有香氣，一仙人又持金瓶以臨器上，以水灌山，則出於瓶而注乎器，煙氣通發山中，謂之仙人欹器。 一為二荷同處一盤，相去盈尺，中有蓮下垂器上，以水注荷，則出於蓮而盈乎器，為鳧鴈蟾蜍以飾之，謂之水芝欹器。 二盤各處一床，缽圓而床方，中有人，言三才之象也。 皆置清徽殿前。 器形似觥而方，滿則平，溢則傾。 憕各為作頌。
In Datong year 4, when the Xuanguang and Qinghui halls were first finished, Cheng wrote eulogies for them. Emperor Wen also had two tilting vessels made. One showed two immortals holding a shared bowl on one dish; the bowl's lid bore a fragrant mountain, and one immortal held a golden flask above the vessel; when water was poured on the mountain it ran from the flask into the vessel and smoke rose through the mountain — this was called the Immortals' Tilting Vessel. The other showed two lotuses on one dish a full chi apart, with a lotus hanging down over the vessel; when water was poured on the lotus it flowed out and filled the vessel, ornamented with ducks, geese, and toads — this was called the Water Lotuses Tilting Vessel. Each dish stood on its own stand; the bowl was round and the stand square, with a human figure between them to represent heaven, earth, and man. Both were set before the Qinghui Hall. The vessels were square like a gong: full they stood level, overflowing they tipped. Cheng wrote a eulogy for each.
26
大統初，儀制多闕。 太祖令憕與盧辯、檀翥等參定之。 自以流離世故，不聽音樂。 雖幽室獨處，嘗有戚容。 後坐事死。 子舒嗣，官至禮部下大夫、儀同大將軍、聘陳使副。
Early in Datong many rites and regulations were still missing. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai ordered Cheng, together with Lu Bian, Tan Zhu, and others, to draft and codify them. Having been uprooted by the turmoil of the age, he would not listen to music. Even alone in a quiet room he often looked sorrowful. Later he was executed for an offense. His son Shu succeeded him and rose to lesser grand master in the Ministry of Rites, equal-protocol grand general, and deputy envoy to Chen.
27
薛寘，河東汾陰人也。 祖遵彥，魏平遠將軍、河東郡守、安邑侯。 父乂，尚書吏部郎、清河廣平二郡守。
Xue Zhi came from Fenyin in Hedong. His grandfather Zunyan had served Wei as general who pacifies the distance, administrator of Hedong commandery, and marquis of Anyi. His father Yi was a gentleman in the Ministry of Personnel and administrator of Qinghe and Guangping commanderies.
28
孝閔帝踐阼，進爵為侯，增邑五百戶，轉御正中大夫。 時前中書監盧柔，學業優深，文藻華贍，而寘與之方駕，故世號曰盧、薛焉。 久之，進位驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，出為淅州刺史。 卒於位。 吏民哀惜之。 贈虞州刺史，諡曰理。 所著文筆二十餘卷，行於世。 又撰《西京記》三卷，引據該洽，世稱其博聞焉。
When Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Zhi was raised to marquis, given five hundred additional households, and made middle grand master in the Office of Rectification. At the time the former secretariat supervisor Lu Rou was deeply learned and richly gifted in letters; Zhi stood equal with him, so the age spoke of Lu and Xue together. After some time he was promoted to grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal in protocol to the Three Ducal Ministers, and posted as inspector of Xi Province. He died at his post. Officials and commoners mourned him. He was posthumously made inspector of Yu Province with the posthumous title Li. More than twenty scrolls of his writings circulated in his day. He also compiled Records of the Western Capital in three scrolls; its citations were thorough, and the age praised his wide learning.
29
寘性至孝，雖年齒已衰，職務繁廣，至於溫凊之禮，朝夕無違。 當時以此稱之。 子明嗣。 大象末，儀同大將軍、清水郡守。
Zhi was deeply filial by nature; though old and burdened with heavy duties, he never missed morning or evening the rites of asking after his parents' warmth and coolness. His contemporaries praised him for it. Ming inherited his title. By the end of the Daxiang era he held the ranks of equal-protocol grand general and administrator of Qingshui commandery.
30
李昶，頓丘臨黃人也，小名那。 祖彪，名重魏朝，為御史中尉。 父游，亦有才行，為當世所稱。 游兄志，為南荊州刺史，游隨從至州。 屬爾朱之亂，與志俱奔江左。
Li Chang came from Linhuang in Dunqiu; his childhood name was Na. His grandfather Biao was a man of great standing in Wei and served as censor-in-chief. His father You was also talented and upright and won praise in his day. You's elder brother Zhi was inspector of South Jing Province, and You followed him there. During the Erzhu upheaval he fled south with Zhi to the Jiangzuo region.
31
昶性峻急，不雜交遊。 幼年已解屬文，有聲洛下。 時洛陽創置明堂，昶年十數歲，為《明堂賦》。 雖優洽未足，而才制可觀。 見者咸曰「有家風矣」。 初謁太祖，太祖深奇之，厚加資給，令入太學。 太祖每見學生，必問才行於昶。 昶神情清悟，應對明辨，太祖每稱歎之。 綏德公陸通盛選僚寀，請以昶為司馬，太祖許之。 昶雖年少，通特加接待，公私之事，咸取決焉。 又兼二千石郎中，典儀注。 累遷都官郎中、相州大中正、丞相府東合祭酒、中軍將軍、銀青光祿大夫。 昶雖處郎官，太祖恆欲以書記委之。 於是以昶為丞相府記室參軍、著作郎，修國史。 轉大行臺郎中、中書侍郎。 頃之，轉黃門侍郎，封臨黃縣伯，邑五百戶。
Chang was stern and impatient by nature and kept to himself. Even as a boy he could write and was already known in Luoyang. When Luoyang was building the Bright Hall, Chang, still in his mid-teens, wrote a Rhapsody on the Bright Hall. It was not yet fully polished, but his talent and craft were evident. Everyone who read it said, "He has his family's gift." On his first audience with Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai he was greatly admired, richly subsidized, and sent into the imperial academy. Whenever Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai met students he asked Chang about their talent and character. Chang was quick and clear-minded in speech; Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai always praised him. Lu Tong, Duke of Suide, chose his staff with great care and asked that Chang serve as marshal; Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai agreed. Though Chang was young, Tong treated him with special favor, and public and private affairs alike were decided through him. He also served concurrently as gentleman of the two-thousand-shi bureau and keeper of ceremonial precedents. He rose step by step to gentleman of the Court of Justice, chief rectifier of Xiang Province, libationer of the chancellor's eastern pavilion, general of the central army, and silver-gleam grand master for splendid happiness. Though Chang held a gentleman's rank, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai always wanted to put written records in his hands. He therefore made Chang recording secretary on the chancellor's staff and gentleman of compositions, editing the national history. He was transferred to gentleman of the grand mobile headquarters and secretariat vice gentleman. Soon he was made attendant gentleman in the Yellow Gate and enfeoffed as count of Linhuang with a fief of five hundred households.
32
太祖嘗謂昶曰：「卿祖昔在中朝，為御史中尉。 卿操尚貞固，理應不墜家風。 但孤以中尉彈劾之官，愛憎所在，故未卽授卿耳。 然此職久曠，無以易卿。」 乃奏昶為御史中尉。 歲餘，加使持節、車騎大將軍、儀同三司，賜姓宇文氏。 六官建，拜內史下大夫，進爵為侯，增邑五百戶，遷內史中大夫。 世宗初，行禦伯中大夫。 武成元年，除中外府司錄。 保定初，進驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。 二年，轉御正中大夫。 時以近侍清要，盛選國華，乃以昶及安昌西元則、中都公陸逞、臨淄公唐瑾等竝為納言。 尋進爵為公，增邑通前一千三百戶。 五年，出為昌州刺史。 在州遇疾，啟求入朝，詔許之。 還未至京，卒於路。 時年五十。 贈相瀛二州刺史。
Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai once told Chang, "Your grandfather in the central court was censor-in-chief. Your integrity and firmness of character ought not to fall from your family's tradition. But because the censor-in-chief's office of impeachment invites likes and dislikes, I have not yet given it to you. Yet the post has long stood empty, and no one can take your place." He then memorialized to make Chang censor-in-chief. After more than a year he was given bearer of the staff, grand general of chariots and cavalry, equal in protocol to the Three Ducal Ministers, and the surname Yuwen. When the Six Offices were established he became lower grand master in the inner scribe's office, was raised to marquis with five hundred additional households, and moved to middle grand master in the inner scribe's office. At the start of Shizong's reign he served as acting middle grand master of the Office of Equine Pasturage. In Wucheng year 1 he was made recorder of the central and external offices. At the opening of Baoding he was promoted to grand general of agile cavalry and opening-office equal in protocol to the Three Ducal Ministers. In year 2 he was transferred to middle grand master in the Office of Rectification. Because close attendance at court was a pure and important post, the finest men of the realm were chosen, and Chang together with Yuan Ze of Anchang West, Lu Cheng Duke of Zhongdu, Tang Jin Duke of Linzi, and others were all made nayan. He was soon raised to duke, with total fief including earlier grants reaching one thousand three hundred households. In year 5 he was posted as inspector of Chang Province. Falling ill in the province, he memorialized asking to return to court, and an edict approved. On the way back, before he reached the capital, he died on the road. At his death he was fifty. He was posthumously made inspector of Xiang and Ying provinces.
33
昶於太祖世已當樞要，兵馬處分，專以委之，詔冊文筆，皆昶所作也。 及晉公護執政，委任如舊。 昶常曰：「文章之事，不足流於後世，經邦致治，庶及古人。」 故所作文筆，了無藳草。 唯留心政事而已。 又以父在江南，身寓關右，自少及終，不飲酒聽樂。 時論以此稱焉。 子丹嗣。
Under Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, Chang already held a pivotal post; disposition of armies and horses was entrusted to him alone, and all edicts, enfeoffments, and state papers were his work. When Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu took power, his trust and appointment were unchanged. Chang often said, "Literary work is not enough to survive in later ages; governing the state and bringing order — that one may hope to match the ancients." So the writings he produced left no drafts at all. He gave his mind only to government affairs. Because his father remained in Jiangnan while he lived in Guanxi, from youth to death he neither drank wine nor listened to music. Men of the age praised him for it. Dan inherited his title.
34
時有高平檀翥，字鳳翔。 好讀書，善屬文，能鼓瑟。 早為琅邪王誦所知。 年十九，為魏孝明帝挽郎。 其後司州牧、城陽王元徽以翥為從事，非其好也。 尋謝病，客遊三輔。 時毛 （遯） 〔遐〕為行臺，鎮北雍州，表翥為行臺郎中。 會爾朱天光東拒齊神武，翥隨赴洛。 除西兗州錄事參軍，歷司空田曹參軍，加鎮遠將軍，兼殿中侍御史。 臺中表奏，皆翥為之。 尋副毛鴻賓鎮潼關，加前將軍、太中大夫。 魏孝武西遷，賜爵高唐縣子，兼中書舍人，修國史，加鎮軍將軍。 後坐談論輕躁，為黃門侍郎徐招所駁，死於廷尉獄。
At the time there was Tan Zhu of Gaoping, courtesy name Fengxiang. He loved reading, wrote well, and could play the se zither. Early on he was noticed by Wang Song, Prince of Langye. At nineteen he served as a mourning attendant at Emperor Xiaoming's funeral. Later Prince Yuan Hui of Chengyang, regional governor of Si Province, made Zhu a staff officer — work he did not care for. Before long he pleaded illness and traveled as a guest in the Three Metropolises. In those days Mao [emended: Dun] Xia was mobile headquarters, garrisoning northern Yong Province, and memorialized to make Zhu mobile headquarters gentleman. When Erzhu Tianguang marched east to oppose Gao Huan, Zhu followed him to Luoyang. He was made recording adjutant of West Yan Province, then field-bureau adjutant under the Minister of Works, given the added rank of general who pacifies the distance, and concurrently palace attendant censor. Every memorial and report in the censorate was Zhu's work. Before long he served under Mao Hongbin at Tong Pass and was given the added ranks of vanguard general and grand master of palace attendance. When Emperor Xiaowu moved west he was enfeoffed viscount of Gaotang, made secretariat draft writer and editor of the national history, and given the added rank of general who stabilizes the army. Later, for careless and rash talk, he was impeached by attendant gentleman in the Yellow Gate Xu Zhao and died in the Court of Justice prison.
35
元偉字猷道，河南洛陽人也。 魏昭成之後。 曾祖忠，尚書左僕射，城陽王。 祖盛，通直散騎常侍，城陽公。 父順，以左衛將軍從魏孝武西遷，拜中書監、雍州刺史、開府儀同三司，封濮陽王。
Yuan Wei, courtesy name Youdao, came from Luoyang in Henan. He was descended from Emperor Zhaocheng of Wei. His great-grandfather Zhong had been left vice director of the masters of writing and Prince of Chengyang. His grandfather Sheng held the ranks of regular attendant of direct communication of the scattered riders and duke of Chengyang. His father Shun, serving as general of the left guard when Emperor Xiaowu of Wei fled west, was made overseer of the secretariat, inspector of Yong Province, opening-office equal in protocol to the three excellencies, and enfeoffed as Prince of Puyang.
36
偉少好學，有文雅。 弱冠，授員外散騎侍郎。 以侍從之勞，賜爵高陽縣伯。 大統初，拜伏波將軍、度支郎中，領太子舍人。 十一年，遷太子庶子，領兵部郎中。 尋拜東南道行臺右丞。 十六年，進位車騎大將軍、儀同三司。 以魏氏宗室，進爵南安郡王，邑五百戶。 十七年，除幽州都督府長史。 及尉遲迥伐蜀，以偉為司錄。 書檄文記，皆偉之所為。 蜀平，以功增邑五百戶。 六官建，拜師氏下大夫，爵隨例降，改封淮南縣公。
From youth Wei loved learning and had literary polish. At his coming of age he was made supernumerary attendant cavalier of the scattered riders. For his service as an attendant he was granted the title baron of Gaoyang county. At the beginning of Datong he was made general who subdues waves and gentleman of revenue, and also served as secretariat aide in the heir apparent's household. In the eleventh year he became vice tutor of the heir apparent and also served as director in the ministry of war. Soon he was made right aide of the southeast route mobile headquarters. In the sixteenth year he was promoted to general of chariots and cavalry and equal in protocol to the three excellencies. As a member of the Yuan imperial clan, he was raised to prince of Nan'an commandery with a fief of five hundred households. In the seventeenth year he was made chief administrator of the Yongzhou area headquarters. When Yuchi Jiong marched against Shu, Wei was appointed chief recorder on his staff. Every dispatch, proclamation, and record of the campaign was written by Wei. After Shu was pacified, his fief was increased by five hundred households for his service. When the Six Offices were established, he was made lower grand master in the Office of Masters; his title was reduced by regulation and changed to duke of Huainan county.
37
偉性溫柔，好虛靜。 居家不治生業。 篤學愛文，政事之暇，未嘗棄書。 謹慎小心，與物無忤。 時人以此稱之。 初自鄴還也，庾信贈其詩曰：「虢亡垂棘反，齊平寶鼎歸。」 其為辭人所重如此。 後以疾卒。
Wei was gentle by nature and loved quiet and repose. At home he did not trouble himself with earning a living. Deeply devoted to learning and fond of literature, he never set books aside even in the midst of public business. Careful and cautious, he gave offense to no one. Men of the time praised him for it. When he first returned from Ye, Yu Xin gave him a poem that read, "When Guo fell, Chuiji came back; when Qi was pacified, the precious tripod returned home." Such was the esteem in which men of letters held him. He later died of illness.
38
太祖天縱寬仁，性罕猜忌。 元氏戚屬，竝保全之，內外任使，布於列職。 孝閔踐祚，無替前緒。 明、武纘業，亦遵先志。 雖天厭魏德，鼎命已遷，枝葉榮茂，足以逾於前代矣。 然簡牘散亡，事多湮沒。 今錄其名位可知者，附於此云。
Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai was generous by nature and seldom suspicious. The Yuan kinsmen were all kept safe; inside and outside the court they were appointed to posts throughout the ranks. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, he did not change this policy. Emperors Ming and Wu carried on the work and likewise followed their predecessor's intent. Though Heaven had turned from Wei's virtue and the imperial mandate had passed elsewhere, the Yuan line flourished as never before. Yet records were scattered and lost, and many deeds sank into oblivion. Those whose names and offices are still known are recorded here.
39
柱國大將軍、太傅、大司徒、廣陵王元欣。
Pillar grand general, grand tutor, grand steward, Prince of Guangling — Yuan Xin.
40
柱國大將軍、特進、尚書令、少師、義陽王元子孝。
Pillar grand general, specially advanced, director of the masters of writing, junior preceptor, Prince of Yiyang — Yuan Zixiao.
41
尚書僕射、馮翊王元季海。
Vice director of the masters of writing, Prince of Fengyi — Yuan Jihai.
42
七兵尚書、陳郡王元玄，
Minister of the Seven Armies, Prince of Chen commandery — Yuan Xuan,
43
大將軍、淮安王元育，
Grand general, Prince of Huai'an — Yuan Yu,
44
大將軍、梁王元儉，
Grand general, Prince of Liang — Yuan Jian,
45
大將軍、尚書令、少保、小司徒、廣平郡公元贊，
Grand general, director of the masters of writing, junior guardian, lesser grand steward, Duke of Guangping commandery — Yuan Zan,
46
大將軍、納言、小司空、荊州總管、安昌郡公元則，
Grand general, court censor, junior minister of works, area commander of Jing Province, Duke of Anchang commandery — Yuan Ze,
47
侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、少師、韓國公元羅，
Attendant within, grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal in protocol to the three excellencies, junior preceptor, Duke of Han — Yuan Luo,
48
侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、吏部尚書、魯郡公元正，
Attendant within, grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal in protocol to the three excellencies, director of the ministry of personnel, Duke of Lu commandery — Yuan Zheng,
49
侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、中書監、洵州刺史、宜都郡公元顏子，
Attendant within, grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal in protocol to the three excellencies, overseer of the secretariat, inspector of Xun Province, Duke of Yidu commandery — Yuan Yanzi,
50
侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、鄯州刺史、安樂縣公元壽，
Attendant within, grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal in protocol to the three excellencies, inspector of Shan Province, Duke of Anle county — Yuan Shou,
51
侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、武衛將軍、遂州刺史、房陵縣公元審。
Attendant within, grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal in protocol to the three excellencies, general of the martial guard, inspector of Sui Province, Duke of Fangling county — Yuan Shen.
52
史臣曰：太祖除暴寧亂，創業開基，昃食求賢，共康庶政。 旣焚林而訪阮，亦牓道以求孫，可謂野無遺才，朝多君子。 蘇亮等並學稱該博，文擅雕龍，或揮翰鳳池，或著書麟閣，咸居祿位，各逞琳琅。 擬彼陳、徐，慚後生之可畏； 論其任遇，實當時之良選也。 魏文帝有言：「古今文人，類不護細行。」 其呂思禮、薛憕之謂也？
The historiographer writes: Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai quelled violence and restored order, laid the foundations of the state, worked late into the evening seeking worthy men, and together with them brought the realm to peace. He burned the forest to find Ruan and posted notices on the roads to seek Sun — so thoroughly did he hunt talent that none was overlooked in the land and the court was full of fine men. Su Liang and his fellows were all praised as broadly learned, masters of literary craft; some wrote at the Phoenix Pool, others compiled works at the Unicorn Pavilion — all held office and each shone with talent. Set beside the famous Chen and Xu, one would feel humbled by how formidable this younger generation was; and in their appointments and honors they were truly the best men of their time. Emperor Wen of Wei once said, "Writers ancient and modern, as a rule, do not trouble themselves with petty conduct." Was he not speaking of Lu Sili and Xue Cheng?
53
全文以中華書局、一九七一年十一月版《周書》為本校。
This text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the 《Book of Zhou》 (November 1971).