1
蕭撝蕭世怡蕭圓肅蕭大圜宗懍劉璠柳霞
Biographies of Xiao Hui, Xiao Shiyi, Xiao Yuansu, Xiao Dahuan, Zong Lin, Liu Fan, and Liu Xia
2
蕭撝字智遐，蘭陵人也。 梁武帝弟安成王秀之子也。 性溫裕，有儀表。 年十二，入國學，博觀經史，雅好屬文。 在梁，封永豐縣侯，邑一千戶。 初為給事中，歷太子洗馬、中舍人。 東魏遣李諧、盧元明使於梁，梁武帝以撝辭令可觀，令兼中書侍郎，受幣於賓館。 尋遷黃門侍郎。 出為寧遠將軍、宋寧宋興二郡守，轉輕車將軍、巴西梓潼二郡守。
Xiao Hui, whose courtesy name was Zhixia, came from Lanling. He was the son of Prince Ancheng Xiu, a younger brother of Emperor Wu of Liang. Gentle and open-handed by temperament, he carried himself with notable dignity. When he was twelve he entered the Imperial Academy, where he read widely in the classics and histories and took a keen delight in writing. During the Liang dynasty he was created Marquis of Yongfeng with a fief of one thousand households. He began as an Attendant Within the Gates and later held the posts of Groom of the Heir Apparent and Palace Attendant to the crown prince. When Eastern Wei sent Li Xie and Lu Yuanming as envoys to Liang, Emperor Wu judged Hui's command of diplomatic language impressive and had him serve concurrently as Vice Director of the Secretariat to receive the tribute gifts at the reception hall. He was soon promoted to Vice Director of the Yellow Gate. He left the capital as General Who Pacifies the Distant and administrator of Songning and Songxing, then became General of the Light Chariots and administrator of Baxi and Zitong.
3
及侯景作亂，武陵王紀承制授撝使持節、忠武將軍。 又遷平北將軍、散騎常侍，領益州刺史軍防事。 紀稱尊號於成都，除侍中、中書令，封秦郡王，邑三千戶，給鼓吹一部。 紀率衆東下，以撝為 （中） 〔尚〕書令、征西大將軍、都督益梁秦潼安瀘青戎寧華信渠萬江新邑楚義十八州諸軍事、益州刺史，守成都。 又令梁州刺史楊乾運守潼州。
After Hou Jing rebelled, Prince Wuling Ji, exercising imperial authority, appointed Hui Bearer of the Staff of Authority and Loyal Martial General. He was next promoted to General Who Pacifies the North and Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, with responsibility for the military defense of Yi Province. After Ji declared himself emperor at Chengdu, Hui was made Palace Attendant and Director of the Secretariat, created Prince of Qin with a fief of three thousand households, and granted a full ensemble of martial music. As Ji marched east at the head of his army, he appointed Hui (Central) Director of the Secretariat, Grand General Who Pacifies the West, commander-in-chief of military affairs in the eighteen prefectures of Yi, Liang, Qin, Tong, An, Lu, Qing, Rong, Ning, Hua, Xin, Qu, Wan, Jiang, Xinyi, Chu, and Yi, and Governor of Yi, with orders to hold Chengdu. He also ordered Yang Qianyun, the governor of Liang Province, to defend Tong Province.
4
太祖知蜀兵寡弱，遣大將軍尉遲迥總衆討之。 及迥入劔閣，乾運以州降。 蜀中因是大駭，無復抗拒之志。 迥長驅至成都，撝見兵不滿萬人，而倉庫空竭，軍無所資，遂為城守之計。 迥圍之五旬，撝屢遣其將出城挑戰，多被殺傷。 外援雖至，又為迥所破。 語在《迥傳》。 撝遂請降，迥許之。 撝於是率文武於益州城北，共迥升壇，歃血立盟，以城歸國。
Knowing that the Shu armies were few and weak, the Grand Patriarch sent the Grand General Yuchi Jiong to take overall command of a punitive expedition. Once Jiong had passed through Jian Pass, Qianyun surrendered his province. All of Shu was thrown into panic, and the will to resist collapsed. Jiong marched straight to Chengdu. Finding fewer than ten thousand men under his command and the storehouses bare, with nothing left to supply the army, Hui resolved to hold the city. After fifty days under siege, Hui repeatedly sent his generals out to offer battle, and many were killed or wounded. Relief troops did arrive, but Jiong defeated them as well. This is recounted in the biography of Jiong. Hui then asked to surrender, and Jiong accepted. Hui then led the civil and military officials to the north of Yi Province city, where he and Jiong ascended the altar, swore a blood oath, and surrendered the city to Zhou.
5
魏恭帝元年，授侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，封歸善縣公，邑一千戶。 孝閔帝踐阼，進爵黃臺郡公，增邑一千戶。 武成中，世宗令諸文儒於麟趾殿校定經史，仍撰《世譜》，撝亦預焉。 尋以母老，兼有疾疹，五日番上，便隔晨昏，請在外著書。 有詔許焉。 保定元年，授禮部中大夫。 又以撝有歸款之功，別賜食多陵縣五百戶，收其租賦。
In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei he was made Palace Attendant, Grand General of Agile Cavalry, and Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, and created Duke of Guishan with a fief of one thousand households. When Emperor Xiaomin came to the throne, Hui was advanced to Duke of Huangtai and his fief was increased by one thousand households. During the Wucheng era, Emperor Shizong had the literary scholars collate the classics and histories in Qilin Hall and compile the Genealogies of the Age; Hui took part in this work. Soon afterward, with an aged mother at home and illness of his own, the five-day court rotation kept him from seeing her morning and evening, and he asked leave to write at home. The emperor approved his request. In the first year of Baoding he was appointed Grand Master of the Ministry of Rites. In recognition of his merit in surrendering in good faith, he was also granted the tax income of five hundred households in Duoling County.
6
三年，出為上州刺史。 為政仁恕，以禮讓為本。 嘗至元日，獄中所有囚繫，悉放歸家，聽三日，然後赴獄。 主者固執不可。 撝曰：「昔王長、虞延見稱前史，吾雖寡德，竊懷景行。 導民以信，方自此始。 以之獲罪，彌所甘心，幸勿慮也。」 諸囚荷恩，竝依限而至。 吏民稱其惠化。 秩滿當還，部民李漆等三百餘人上表，乞更留兩載。 詔雖弗許，甚嘉美之。
In the third year he was sent out as governor of Shang Province. His administration was humane and forgiving, grounded in courtesy and deference. On one New Year's Day he released every prisoner in the jail to go home for three days, after which they were to return. The officials in charge firmly insisted that this could not be done. Hui said, "Wang Chang and Yu Yan were praised in the histories of old; though I lack their virtue, I still aspire to follow their example. To lead the people by trust—that must begin here. If I am punished for it, I will accept that gladly; please do not worry on my account." Every prisoner, grateful for his kindness, returned within the allotted time. Officials and commoners alike praised his benevolent rule. When his term ended and he was due to return to court, more than three hundred local people led by Li Qi petitioned that he be kept for two more years. The court did not grant the request, but greatly praised the gesture.
7
及撝入朝，屬置露門學。 高祖以撝與唐瑾、元偉、王褒等四人俱為文學博士。 撝以母老，表請歸養私門，曰：「臣聞出忠入孝，理深人紀； 昏定晨省，事切天經。 伏惟陛下握鎮臨朝，垂衣禦宇，孝治天下，仁覃草木。 是以微臣冒陳至願。 臣母妾褚年過養禮，乞解今職，侍奉私庭。 伏願天慈，特垂矜許。 臣披款歸朝，十有六載，恩深海岳，報淺涓埃。 肆師掌禮，竟無稱職； 淅隈督察，空妨能官。 方辭違闕庭，屏迹閭里，低佪係慕，戀悚兼深。」 高祖未許，詔曰：「開府梁之宗英，今則任等三事。 所謂楚雖有材，周實用之。 方藉謀猷，匡朕不逮。 然進思盡忠，退安侍養者，義在公私兼濟。 豈容全欲狥己，虧此至公，乖所望也。」 尋以母憂去職。
When Hui came to court, the Lumen Gate Academy was being established. Emperor Gaozu appointed Hui, together with Tang Jin, Yuan Wei, and Wang Bao, as Literary Doctors. Because his mother was elderly, Hui submitted a memorial asking to return home to care for her, saying, "I have heard that going forth in loyalty and returning in filial piety lies at the heart of human conduct; to comfort her at night and greet her in the morning is a duty ordained by Heaven itself. Your Majesty holds the realm in steady hands, rules with effortless grace, governs the world through filial piety, and extends kindness even to grass and trees. That is why I dare lay my deepest wish before you. My mother, Lady Chu, has reached the age when she should be supported in her home; I beg to be released from my present post so that I may attend her there. I pray that your heavenly kindness will grant this request. For sixteen years I have served the court in good faith; your grace to me is deep as the sea and high as the mountains, while my repayment has been no more than a speck of dust. As master of ceremonies in charge of ritual, I proved unfit for the post; and as inspector on the Xi frontier I only stood in the way of men who could have served better. As I now leave the imperial court and withdraw to my home, I linger in longing, torn between devotion and dread." The emperor refused. His edict read, "The Director is a leading luminary of Liang and now holds rank equal to the Three Excellencies. It is the old saying: Chu may have the talent, but Zhou is the state that puts it to use. I am counting on your counsel to remedy my failings. Yet the man who serves loyally at court and peacefully supports his parents at home embodies the balance of public and private duty. How could I let you indulge yourself entirely at the expense of the public good? That is not what I expect of you." Soon afterward he left office to observe mourning for his mother.
8
撝善草隸，名亞於王褒。 算數醫方，咸亦留意。 所著詩賦雜文數萬言，頗行於世。 子濟嗣。
Hui excelled in cursive and clerical script and was ranked just below Wang Bao. He also gave attention to arithmetic and medicine. His poems, rhapsodies, and miscellaneous writings run to tens of thousands of words and circulated widely in his day. His son Ji succeeded him.
9
濟字德成，少仁厚，頗好屬文。 蕭紀承制，授貞威將軍、蜀郡太守，遷東中郎將。 從紀東下。 至巴東，聞迥圍成都，紀命濟率所部赴援。 比至，撝已降。 仍從撝入朝。 孝閔帝踐阼，除中外府記室參軍。 後至蒲陽郡守、車騎大將軍、儀同三司。
Ji, whose courtesy name was Decheng, was gentle and generous from youth and fond of writing. Acting under imperial authority, Xiao Ji appointed him Loyal Martial General and administrator of Shu Commandery, then promoted him to General of the East Center. He followed Ji on the eastern campaign. At Badong they learned that Jiong was besieging Chengdu, and Ji ordered his son to lead their forces to the rescue. By the time he arrived, Hui had already surrendered. He then followed Hui to the Zhou court. When Emperor Xiaomin came to the throne, he was appointed recorder in the secretariat of the palace and capital offices. He later became administrator of Puyang, Grand General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies.
10
蕭世怡，梁武帝弟鄱陽王恢之子也。 以名犯太祖諱，故稱字焉。 幼而聰慧，頗涉經史。 梁大同元年，封豐城縣侯，邑五百戶。 除給事中，轉太子洗馬。 尋入直殿省，轉太子中舍人。 出為持節、仁威將軍、譙州刺史。 及侯景為亂，路由城下，襲而陷之，世怡遂被執。 尋遁逃得免，至于江陵。
Xiao Shiyi was the son of Prince Poyang Hui, a younger brother of Emperor Wu of Liang. Because his personal name violated the taboo on the Grand Patriarch's name, the text refers to him by his courtesy name. Clever from childhood, he had read widely in the classics and histories. In the first year of Datong of Liang he was created Marquis of Fengcheng with a fief of five hundred households. He was appointed Attendant Within the Gates and later became Groom of the Heir Apparent. He soon entered the Palace Attendance Office and was later made Palace Attendant to the crown prince. He left the capital as Bearer of the Staff, Benevolent Martial General, and governor of Qiao Province. When Hou Jing rebelled, his army passed below the city, stormed it, and took Shiyi prisoner. He soon escaped and fled to Jiangling.
11
梁元帝承制授侍中。 及平侯景，以世怡為兼太宰、太常卿，與中衛長史樂子雲拜謁山陵。 承聖二年，授使持節、平西將軍、臨川內史。 旣以陸納據湘川，道路擁塞，改授平南將軍、桂陽內史。 未至郡，屬於謹平江陵，遂隨兄修在郢州。 及修卒，卽以世怡為刺史。 湘州刺史王琳率舟師襲世怡，世怡以州輸琳。 時陳武帝執政，徵為侍中。 世怡疑而不就，乃奔于齊。 除車騎大將軍、散騎常侍。 尋出為永州刺史。
Emperor Yuan of Liang, exercising imperial authority, appointed him Palace Attendant. After Hou Jing was defeated, Shiyi was made concurrent Grand Mentor and Director of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and, together with Chief Clerk of the Central Guard Yue Ziyun, performed the rites at the imperial tombs. In the second year of Chengsheng he was appointed Bearer of the Staff of Authority, General Who Pacifies the West, and interior administrator of Linchuan. Because Lu Na held the Xiang region and the roads were blocked, his appointment was changed to General Who Pacifies the South and interior administrator of Guiyang. Before he reached his post, Yuwen Jiong captured Jiangling, and he joined his elder brother Xiu at Ying Province. When Xiu died, Shiyi was immediately appointed governor in his place. Wang Lin, governor of Xiang Province, led a fleet against him, and Shiyi surrendered the province to Lin. At that time Chen Wudi held power and summoned him to serve as Palace Attendant. Shiyi was wary and refused; he fled to Northern Qi instead. Qi appointed him Grand General of the Chariots and Cavalry and Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. He was soon sent out as governor of Yong Province.
12
保定四年，晉公護東伐，大將軍權景宣略地河南。 世怡聞豫州刺史王士良已降，遂來歸款。 五年，拜使持節、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，封義興郡公，邑一千三百戶。 天和二年，授蔡州刺史。 政存簡惠，不尚苛察，深為吏民所安。 三年，卒於州。 贈本官、加幷洛永三州刺史。 子子寶嗣。
In the fourth year of Baoding, Duke Jin Hu launched an eastern campaign, and the Grand General Quan Jingxuan advanced into the lands south of the Yellow River. Learning that Wang Shiliang, governor of Yu Province, had already surrendered, Shiyi came over to Zhou in turn. In the fifth year he was appointed Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Grand General of Agile Cavalry, and Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, and created Duke of Yixing with a fief of thirteen hundred households. In the second year of Tianhe he was appointed governor of Cai Province. His rule was simple and humane; he did not favor harsh scrutiny, and officials and commoners alike found security under him. In the third year he died in office. He was posthumously granted his former offices and additionally invested as governor of Bing, Luo, and Yong provinces. His son Zibao inherited his title and position.
13
子寶美風儀，善談笑，年未弱冠，名重一時。 隋文帝輔政，引為丞相府典簽，深被識遇。 開皇中，官至吏部侍郎。 後坐事被誅。
Zibao had an elegant presence and a gift for conversation and wit; before he was even twenty, his reputation stood high in his day. When Emperor Wen of Sui was regent, he brought Zibao into the chancellor's office as chief clerk and treated him with marked favor. During the Kaihuang reign he rose to vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He was later executed for an offense.
14
蕭圓肅字明恭，梁武帝之孫，武陵王紀之子也。 風度淹雅，敏而好學。 紀稱尊號，封宜都郡王，邑三千戶，除侍中、寧遠將軍。 紀率兵下峽，令蕭撝守成都，以圓肅為之副。 及尉遲迥至，圓肅與撝俱降。 授驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、侍中，封安化縣公，邑一千戶。
Xiao Yuansu, whose courtesy name was Minggong, was a grandson of Emperor Wu of Liang and the son of Prince of Wuling Ji. Refined and graceful in bearing, he was quick of mind and devoted to learning. When Ji declared himself emperor, Yuansu was created Prince of Yidu with a fief of three thousand households and appointed Palace Attendant and General of Distant Pacification. Ji marched his army down through the gorges, left Xiao Hui to hold Chengdu, and appointed Yuansu as his deputy. When Yuwen Jiong arrived, Yuansu and Hui surrendered together. He was appointed Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, and Palace Attendant, and created Duke of Anhua with a fief of one thousand households.
15
世宗初，進封棘城郡公，增邑一千戶。 以圓肅有歸款之勳，別賜食思君縣五百戶，收其租賦。 保定三年，除畿伯中大夫。 五年，拜咸陽郡守。 圓肅寬猛相濟，甚有政績。 天和四年，遷陵州刺史，尋詔令隨衛國公直鎮襄陽，遂不之部。
Early in Emperor Shizong's reign he was promoted to Duke of Jicheng, with one thousand households added to his fief. Because Yuansu had merit in surrendering and submitting, he was separately granted the revenues of five hundred households in Sijun County. In the third year of Baoding he was appointed Grand Master of the Jibo. In the fifth year he was appointed administrator of Xianyang. Yuansu balanced leniency with firmness and achieved notable success in office. In the fourth year of Tianhe he was transferred to governor of Ling Province, but soon received orders to accompany Duke of Weiguo Yu Zhi in garrisoning Xiangyang and never took up his provincial post.
16
建德三年，授太子少傅，增邑九百戶。 圓肅以任當師傅，調護是職。 乃作《少傅箴》曰：
In the third year of Jiande he was appointed Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, with nine hundred households added to his fief. Yuansu, knowing his duty as tutor lay in guidance and care, took that responsibility as his charge. He therefore composed the 《Admonition of the Junior Tutor》, which reads:
17
惟王建國，辨方正位。 左史記言，右史記事。 莫不援立太子，為皇之貳。 是以《易》稱明兩，《禮》云上嗣。 東序養德，震方主器。 束發就學，《宵雅》更肄。 朝讀百篇，乙夜乃寐。 愛日惜力，寸陰無棄。 視膳再飯，寢門三至。 小心翼翼，大孝蒸蒸。 謀謨計慮，問對疑丞。 安樂必敬，無忘戰兢。 夫天道益謙，人道惡盈。 漢嗣不絕乎馳道，魏儲回環於鄴城。 前史攸載，後世揚名。 三善旣備，萬國以貞。 姬周長久，實賴元良。 嬴秦短祚，誠由少陽。 雖卜年七百，有德過歷而昌； 數世［一］萬 （一） ，無德不及而亡。 敬之敬之，天惟顯思。 光副皇極，永固洪基。 觀德審諭，授告職司。
When a king founds a state, he sets the cardinal directions and fixes the positions of all things. The scribe on the left records speech; the scribe on the right records events. In every case a crown prince is installed to serve as the emperor's second. Hence the 《Book of Changes》 speaks of "bright twofold," and the 《Book of Rites》 speaks of "the heir above." In the eastern school he cultivates virtue; in the quarter of Zhen he holds the sacred vessel. With hair bound he begins his studies and goes on to master the 《Xiaoya》. By day he reads a hundred texts; only in the second watch of the night does he sleep. He cherishes each day and husbands his strength, wasting not a single moment. He attends to his parent's meals twice daily and comes to the bedchamber door three times. With utmost caution and care, his great filial devotion ever ascends. He deliberates on counsel and strategy, questioning and answering to resolve doubts as the crown prince's aide. Even in ease and pleasure one must remain reverent; never forget fear and vigilance. Heaven's way rewards humility; the way of man abhors excess. The heir of Han was not cut off along the imperial road; the crown prince of Wei was driven back and forth at Yecheng. Earlier histories record these examples, and later ages proclaim their fame. When the three virtues are complete, the myriad states stand firm in loyalty. Zhou of the House of Ji endured long, truly through reliance on a worthy heir. Qin of the House of Ying had a brief reign, truly because of an unworthy young heir. Though one may read seven hundred years in the oracle, with virtue one exceeds the allotted span and prospers; for generation after generation without end (textual emendation: one) , without virtue one does not attain it and perishes. Be reverent, be reverent—heaven alone sees and considers. May you shine as the complement to the throne and forever secure the great foundation. Observe virtue, examine instruction, and convey this admonition to those who hold office.
18
太子見而悅之，致書勞問。
The crown prince read it with delight and sent a letter of appreciation and inquiry.
19
六年，授豐州刺史，增邑通前三千七百戶。 尋進位上開府儀同大將軍。 宣政元年，入為司宗中大夫，俄授洛州刺史。 大象末，進位大將軍。 隋開皇初，授貝州刺史。 以母老請歸就養，隋文帝許之。 四年，卒，時年四十六。 有文集十卷，又撰時人詩筆為《文海》四十卷，《廣堪》十卷，《淮海亂離志》四卷，行於世。
In the sixth year he was appointed governor of Feng Province, with his fief increased in all to thirty-seven hundred households. He was soon promoted to Senior Director with privileges equal to those of a Grand General. In the first year of Xuanzheng he entered the capital as Grand Master of the Directorate of the Imperial Clan and was soon appointed governor of Luo Province. At the end of the Daxiang era he was promoted to Grand General. Early in the Kaihuang era of Sui he was appointed governor of Bei Province. Because his mother was elderly, he asked to return home to care for her, and Emperor Wen of Sui granted his request. In the fourth year he died, at the age of forty-six. He left a collected writings in ten scrolls, and also compiled contemporary poetry and prose into the 《Literary Sea》 in forty scrolls, the 《Broad Mirror》 in ten scrolls, and the 《Record of Turmoil and Separation in the Huai-Hai Region》 in four scrolls, all of which circulated widely.
20
時梁元帝旣有克復之功，而大圜兄汝南王大封等猶未通謁。 梁元帝性旣忌刻，甚恨望之。 乃謂大圜曰：「汝兩兄久不出，汝可以意召之。」 大圜卽日曉諭兩兄，相繼出謁，元帝乃安之。 大圜以世多故，恐讒愬生焉，乃屏絕人事。 門客左右不過三兩人，不妄遊狎。 兄姊之間，止箋疏而已。 恒以讀《詩》、《禮》、《書》、《易》為事。 元帝嘗自問《五經》要事數十條，大圜辭約指明，應答無滯。 元帝甚歎美之。 因曰：「昔河間好學，爾旣有之，臨淄好文，爾亦兼之。 然有東平為善，彌高前載，吾重之愛之，爾當效焉。」 及於謹軍至，元帝乃令大封充使請和，大圜副焉，其實質也。 出至軍所，信宿，元帝降。
By then Emperor Yuan of Liang had already achieved the recovery of the realm, yet Dahuan's elder brother Prince of Runan Dafeng and others had still not come to pay their respects. Emperor Yuan of Liang was jealous and harsh by nature, and he deeply resented their absence. He therefore said to Dahuan, "Your two elder brothers have long stayed away; you may summon them as you think best." That same day Dahuan explained the matter to his two elder brothers, and they came out in turn to pay their respects; Emperor Yuan was then reassured. Because the times were turbulent, Dahuan feared slander and accusation and withdrew from worldly affairs. He kept no more than two or three retainers and attendants and did not casually go about in frivolous company. With his elder brothers and sisters he communicated only by letter. He devoted himself constantly to reading the 《Book of Songs》, the 《Book of Rites》, the 《Book of Documents》, and the 《Book of Changes》. Emperor Yuan once personally questioned him on several dozen essential points from the 《Five Classics》; Dahuan answered concisely and clearly, without the least hesitation. Emperor Yuan greatly admired him. He then said, "In former times the Prince of Hejian loved learning—you already have that; Linzi loved literature—you combine that as well. Yet there was also the Prince of Dongping, who excelled in goodness and stands even higher in the records of old; I esteem and love that example, and you should follow it." When Yuwen Jiong's army arrived, Emperor Yuan ordered Dafeng to serve as envoy to sue for peace, with Dahuan as his deputy—in truth a hostage. They went out to the army camp, and after two nights Emperor Yuan surrendered.
21
魏恭帝二年，客長安，太祖以客禮待之。 保定二年，詔曰：「梁汝南王蕭大封、晉熙王蕭大圜等，梁國子孫，宜存優禮，式遺茅土，寔允舊章。 大封可封晉陵縣公，大圜封始寧縣公，邑各一千戶。」 尋加大圜車騎大將軍、儀同三司。 幷賜田宅、奴婢、牛馬、粟帛等。 俄而開麟趾殿，招集學士。 大圜預焉。 《梁武帝集》四十卷，《簡文集》九十卷，各止一本，江陵平後，竝藏秘閤。 大圜旣入麟趾，方得見之。 乃手寫二集，一年竝畢。 識者稱歎之。
In the second year of Emperor Gong of Wei he lived as a guest at Chang'an, and the Grand Preceptor treated him with the courtesy due a guest. In the second year of Baoding an edict said, "Xiao Dafeng, Prince of Runan of Liang, Xiao Dahuan, Prince of Jinxi of Liang, and others, as descendants of the Liang house, should receive honored treatment; to grant them fiefs accords with established precedent. Dafeng is to be created Duke of Jinling, and Dahuan Duke of Shining, each with a fief of one thousand households." Dahuan was soon additionally appointed Grand General of the Chariots and Cavalry and Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies. He was also granted fields and dwellings, servants, cattle and horses, grain and cloth, and the like. Soon the Linzhi Hall was opened and scholars were gathered there. Dahuan was among them. The 《Collected Works of Emperor Wu of Liang》 in forty scrolls and the 《Collected Works of Emperor Jian》 in ninety scrolls, each existing in only one copy, were both stored in the secret archive after the fall of Jiangling. Only after Dahuan entered the Linzhi Hall was he able to see them. He then copied both collections by hand and finished them within a single year. Those who knew of it praised and marveled at the feat.
22
大圜深信因果，心安閒放。 嘗言之曰：
Dahuan deeply believed in karma, and his mind was at ease in a life of leisure. He once said:
23
拂衣褰裳，無吞舟之漏網； 掛冠懸節，慮我志之未從。 儻獲展禽之免，有美慈明之進。 如蒙北叟之放，實勝濟南之征。 其故何哉？ 夫閭閻者有優遊之美，朝廷者有簪佩之累，蓋由來久矣。 留侯追蹤于松子，陶朱成術于辛文，良有以焉。 況乎智不逸羣，行不高物，而欲辛苦一生，何其僻也。
Shaking out one's robes and lifting one's skirts, one escapes the net that lets no great fish slip through; hanging up one's cap and laying aside one's insignia, one still fears one's resolve has not yet been fulfilled. If one could obtain release like Zhan Qin, there would be the fine example of Ciming's withdrawal. If one were granted freedom like the old man of the north, it would truly be better than the campaign against Jinan. Why is this so? Life in the lanes and wards holds the beauty of ease and leisure; life at court carries the burden of rank and office—this has been so since antiquity. The Marquis of Liu followed in the footsteps of Master Songzi; Tao Zhu perfected his art with Xin Wen—there is good reason in that. When one's wisdom does not surpass the crowd and one's conduct does not rise above others, yet one wishes to toil through an entire lifetime—how eccentric that is.
24
豈如知足知止，蕭然無累。 北山之北，棄絕人間，南山之南，超踰世網。 面修原而帶流水，倚郊甸而枕平皋，築蝸舍於叢林，構環堵於幽薄。 近瞻煙霧，遠睇風雲。 藉纖草以蔭長松，結幽蘭而援芳桂。 仰翔禽於百仞，俯泳鱗於千潯。 果園在後，開窗以臨花卉； 蔬圃居前，坐簷而看灌甽。 二頃以供饘粥，十畝以給絲麻。 侍兒五三，可充紝織； 家僮數四，足代耕耘。 沽酪牧羊，協潘生之志； 畜雞種黍，應莊叟之言。 獲菽尋泛氏之書，露葵征尹君之錄。 烹羔豚而介春酒，迎伏臘而候歲時。 披良書，探至賾，歌纂纂，唱烏烏，可以娛神，可以散慮。 有朋自遠，揚搉古今。 田畯相過，劇談稼穡。 斯亦足矣，樂不可支。 永保性命，何畏憂責。 豈若蹙足入絆，申脰就羈，遊帝王之門，趨宰衡之勢。 不知飄塵之少選，寧覺年祀之斯須。 萬物營營，靡存其意，天道昧昧，安可問哉。
How much better to know when one has enough and when to stop, living detached and free of burden. North of the northern mountains, leaving the human world behind; south of the southern mountains, transcending the snares of worldly life. Facing broad plains girded by flowing waters, resting on suburban fields and level heights, building a humble dwelling amid dense groves and erecting a single ring of walls in a secluded thicket. Looking near upon mist and smoke, gazing far upon wind and clouds. Using slender grasses to shade tall pines, planting orchids and supporting fragrant cassia. Looking up at soaring birds a hundred ren above, looking down at fish swimming in a thousand fathoms of water. An orchard lies behind, and opening a window one overlooks flowers and plants; a vegetable garden lies in front, and sitting under the eaves one watches the irrigation ditches. Two qing of land supply gruel and porridge; ten mu provide silk and hemp. Five or three serving girls can suffice for spinning and weaving; Four or so household servants suffice for the plowing and hoeing. Selling curds and tending sheep fulfills the aspiration of Master Pan; Raising chickens and planting millet answers the words of Old Master Zhuang. Harvesting beans, one seeks Master Fan's agricultural writings; gathering dew-wet mallow, one invokes Master Yin's records. Cooking lamb and pork and serving them with spring wine, welcoming the fu and la festivals and marking the turn of the seasons. Opening fine books and probing their deepest teachings, singing the 'cuancuan' and chanting 'wuwu'—one may delight the spirit and scatter one's cares. When friends come from afar, one debates and weighs the past against the present. Field overseers call on one another and earnestly talk of planting and harvest. This alone is enough; the joy is beyond bearing. Preserving life forever, why fear worry or reproach? How much better that than cramping one's feet to enter shackles, craning one's neck to accept bonds, roaming the courts of emperors and kings, and chasing after the power of prime ministers? Unaware that life is but a drifting speck for a brief moment, how could one sense that the years pass in an instant? The myriad things bustle without purpose; the Way of Heaven is obscure—how can one presume to question it?
25
嗟乎！ 人生若浮雲朝露，寧俟長繩系景，寔不願之。 執燭夜遊，驚其迅邁。 百年何幾，擎跽曲拳，四時如流，俛眉躡足。 出處無成，語默奚當。 非直丘明所恥，抑亦宣尼恥之。
Alas! Human life is like floating clouds and morning dew; as for waiting to tie the sun's shadow with a long cord—that I truly do not wish for. Holding candles for night revels, one is startled by how swiftly time runs. How few the years in a century—hands raised, knees bent, fists bowed in submission; the four seasons rush past like a stream; brows lowered, feet treading carefully. To serve or withdraw achieves nothing; to speak or stay silent—what is fitting? Not only would Qiu Ming find this shameful—Confucius himself would be ashamed of it.
26
建德四年，除滕王逌友。 逌嘗問大圜曰：「吾聞湘東王作《梁史》，有之乎？ 餘傳乃可抑揚，帝紀奚若？ 隱則非實，記則攘羊。」 對曰：「言者之妄也。 如使有之，亦不足怪。 昔漢明為《世祖紀》，章帝為《顯宗紀》，殷鑒不遠，足為成例。 且君子之過，如日月之蝕，彰于四海，安得而隱之？ 如有不彰，亦安得而不隱？ 蓋子為父隱，直在其中； 諱國之惡，抑又禮也。」 逌乃大笑。
In the fourth year of Jiande he was appointed literary companion to Prince of Teng You. Prince You once asked Dahuan, "I have heard that Prince of Xiangdong wrote the 《History of Liang》—is that so? Other biographies may be freely judged, but what of the imperial annals? To conceal would be untrue; to record would be [like reporting] the stolen sheep. He replied, "That is idle talk. Even if it existed, there would be nothing strange in that. Emperor Ming of Han once composed the 《Annals of Shizu》, and Emperor Zhang the 《Annals of Xianzong》—recent precedent is close at hand and sufficient as established example. Moreover, a gentleman's faults are like an eclipse of sun or moon, visible throughout the four seas—how could they be hidden? If something is not made manifest, how could one fail to conceal it? For a son may conceal a father's wrongdoing, and uprightness lies therein; concealing the state's disgrace is likewise a matter of ritual propriety." Prince You then burst into loud laughter.
27
大圜性好學，務於著述。 撰《梁舊事》三十卷，《寓記》三卷、《士喪儀注》五卷、《要決》兩卷，幷文集二十卷。 大封位至開府儀同三司。 大象末，為陳州刺史。
Dahuan was devoted to learning and dedicated himself to authorship. He compiled the 《Old Affairs of Liang》 in thirty scrolls, the 《Lodgings Record》 in three scrolls, the 《Commentary on the Rites for Scholars' Mourning》 in five scrolls, the 《Essential Decisions》 in two scrolls, and a collected works of twenty scrolls in all. Dafeng rose to Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies. At the end of the Daxiang era he served as governor of Chen Province.
28
宗懍字元懍，南陽涅陽人也。 八世祖承，永嘉之亂，討陳敏有功，封柴桑縣侯，除宜都郡守。 尋卒官，子孫因居江陵。 父高之，梁山陰令。
Zong Lin, whose courtesy name was Yuanlin, was a native of Nielu in Nanyang. His eighth-generation ancestor Cheng, during the Yongjia turmoil, earned merit in suppressing Chen Min, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chaisang, and appointed administrator of Yidu. He soon died in office, and his descendants thereupon settled in Jiangling. His father Gao Zhi served as magistrate of Liangshan.
29
懍少聰敏，好讀書，晝夜不倦。 語輒引古事，鄉里呼為小兒學士。 梁普通六年，舉秀才，以不及二宮元會，例不對策。 及梁元帝鎮荊州，謂長史劉之遴曰：「貴鄉多士，為舉一有意少年。」 之遴以懍應命。 卽日引見，令兼記室。 嘗夕被召宿省，使制《龍川廟碑》，一夜便就，詰朝呈上。 梁元帝歎美之。 及移鎮江州，以懍為刑獄參軍，兼掌書記。 歷臨汝、建成、廣晉三縣令。 遭母憂去職。 哭輒嘔血，兩旬之內，絕而復蘇者三。 每有羣烏數千，集於廬舍，候哭而來，哭止而去。 時論稱之，以為孝感所致。
From youth Lin was quick-witted and fond of reading, never weary day or night. Whenever he spoke he cited events from antiquity, and his neighbors called him the boy scholar. In the sixth year of Putong of Liang he was recommended as a xiucai; because he failed to attend the New Year assembly at the two palaces, by precedent he was not examined at court. When Emperor Yuan of Liang governed Jing Province, he told Chief Clerk Liu Zhilin, "Your district has many scholars—recommend one promising youth for me. Zhilin nominated Lin in response. That same day he was presented at audience and appointed acting secretary. Once he was summoned in the evening to lodge at the secretariat and ordered to compose the 《Stele for Longchuan Temple》; he finished it in a single night and presented it at dawn. Emperor Yuan of Liang praised it with admiration. When the prince transferred his garrison to Jiang Province, he appointed Lin Criminal Affairs Aide and also put him in charge of secretarial records. He successively served as magistrate of Linru, Jiancheng, and Guangjin. When his mother died he left office to mourn. Whenever he wept he vomited blood; within twenty days he lost consciousness and revived three times. Each time several thousand crows would gather at his mourning hut, arriving when he wept and departing when his weeping ceased. Contemporary opinion held that this was brought about by his filial devotion.
30
梁元帝重牧荊州，以懍為別駕、江陵令。 及帝卽位，擢為尚書侍郎。 又手詔曰：「昔扶柳開國，止曰故人，西鄉胙土，本由賓客。 況事涉勳庸，而無爵賞？ 尚書侍郎宗懍，亟有帷幄之謀，誠深股肱之寄。 從我於邁，多歷歲時。 可封信安縣侯，邑一千戶。」 累遷吏部郎中、五兵尚書、吏部尚書。 初侯景平後，梁元帝議還建業，唯懍勸都渚宮，以其鄉里在荊州故也。
When Emperor Yuan of Liang again took up the governorship of Jing Province, he appointed Lin Vice Administrator and magistrate of Jiangling. When the emperor took the throne, Lin was promoted to attendant gentleman of the Secretariat. He also issued a personal edict, saying, "In former times Fuli received a state and was called merely an old acquaintance; Xixiang received his fief originally as a guest. How much more when merit and service are involved, yet no title or reward has been granted? Attendant Gentleman of the Secretariat Zong Lin has repeatedly advised me in council and truly holds my deepest trust. He has followed me on many a journey over many years. He is to be enfeoffed as Marquis of Xin'an with a fief of one thousand households. He was subsequently promoted to director in the Ministry of Personnel, Minister of the Five Arms, and Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After Hou Jing's rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Yuan of Liang debated returning the capital to Jianye; Lin alone urged him to remain at Zhugong Palace, because his own homeland was in Jing Province.
31
及江陵平，與王褒等入關。 太祖以懍名重南土，甚禮之。 孝閔帝踐阼，拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司。 世宗卽位，又與王褒等在麟趾殿刊定羣書。 數蒙宴賜。 保定中卒，年六十四。 有集二十卷，行於世。
When Jiangling fell, he entered the Pass with Wang Bao and others. Because Lin's reputation stood high in the south, the Grand Preceptor treated him with great courtesy. When Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Lin was appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies. When Emperor Shizong took the throne, Lin again joined Wang Bao and others at the Linzhi Hall to collate the imperial library. He was repeatedly honored at banquets and granted gifts. He died during the Baoding era at the age of sixty-four. He left a collected works of twenty scrolls in circulation.
32
劉璠字寶義，沛國沛人也。 六世祖敏，以永嘉喪亂，徙居廣陵。 父臧，性方正，篤志好學，居家以孝聞。 梁天監初，為著作郎。
Liu Fan, whose courtesy name was Baoyi, was a native of Pei in Pei Commandery. His sixth-generation ancestor Min, during the Yongjia disasters, moved the family to Guangling. His father Zang was upright by nature, steadfast and devoted to learning, and was known at home for his filial devotion. At the beginning of the Tianjian reign of Liang he served as gentleman of the Masters of Composition.
33
璠九歲而孤，居喪合禮。 少好讀書，兼善文筆。 年十七，為上黃侯蕭曄所器重。 范陽張綰，梁之外戚，才高口辯，見推於世。 以曄之懿貴，亦假借之。 璠年少未仕，而負才使氣，不為之屈。 綰嘗于新渝侯坐，因酒後詬京兆杜騫曰：「寒士不遜。」 璠厲色曰：「此坐誰非寒士？」 璠本意在綰，而曄以為屬己，辭色不平。 璠曰：「何王之門不可曳長裾也！」 遂拂衣而去。 曄辭謝之，乃止。 後隨曄在淮南，璠母在建康遘疾，璠弗之知。 嘗忽一日舉身楚痛，尋而家信至，雲其母病。 璠卽號泣戒道，絕而又蘇。 當身痛之辰，卽母死之日也。 居喪毀瘠，遂感風氣。 服闋後一年，猶杖而後起，及曄終於毗陵，故吏多分散，璠獨奉曄喪還都，墳成乃退。 梁簡文時在東宮，遇曄素重，諸不送者皆被劾責，唯璠獨被優賞。 解褐王國常侍，非其好也。
Fan lost his father at nine; in mourning he conducted himself in full accord with ritual. From youth he loved reading and was also skilled with the pen. At seventeen he won the esteem of Marquis of Shanghuang Xiao Ye. Zhang Wan of Fanyang, a kinsman of the Liang house by marriage, was brilliant and eloquent and widely admired. Because of Ye's eminent rank, Zhang also presumed upon him. Fan was young and held no office, yet proud of his talent and high-spirited, he would not submit to Zhang. Once at a gathering of Marquis of Xinyu, Zhang, while drunk, insulted Du Juan of Jingzhao, saying, "This poor scholar knows no deference. Fan said sharply, "Who at this gathering is not a poor scholar? Fan's remark was aimed at Zhang, but Ye thought it referred to himself and his manner turned hostile. Fan said, "At which prince's gate may one not freely sweep one's robes? With that he shook out his robes and left. Ye apologized, and Fan was mollified. Later, while accompanying Ye in Huainan, Fan's mother fell ill in Jiankang, and Fan knew nothing of it. One day his whole body suddenly ached with pain; soon a letter from home arrived saying his mother was ill. Fan immediately broke into wailing and prepared to hurry home; he lost consciousness, then revived. The day of his bodily pain was the very day of his mother's death. In mourning he wasted away until he contracted a rheumatic ailment. A year after mourning ended he still needed a staff to rise. When Ye died at Piling, most of his former subordinates dispersed, but Fan alone escorted Ye's coffin to the capital and only withdrew after the tomb was finished. When Crown Prince Jian of Liang was in the Eastern Palace, because Ye had been greatly favored, all who failed to escort his funeral were censured and punished; Fan alone received special commendation. His first appointment was as attendant in a princely domain—not to his taste.
34
璠少慷慨，好功名，志欲立事邊城，不樂隨牒平進。 會宜豐侯蕭循出為北徐州刺史，卽請為其輕車府主簿，兼記室參軍，又領刑獄。 循為梁州，除信武府記室參軍，領南鄭令。 又板為中記室，補華陽太守。 屬侯景度江，梁室大亂，循以璠有才略，甚親委之。 時寇難繁興，未有所定。 璠乃喟然賦詩以見志。 其末章曰：「隨會平王室，夷吾匡霸功。 虛薄無時用，徒然慕昔風。」 循開府，置佐史，以璠為諮議參軍，仍領記室。 梁元帝承制，授樹功將軍、鎮西府諮議參軍。 賜書曰：「鄧禹文學，尚或執戈； 葛洪書生，且雲破賊。 前修無遠，屬望良深。」 梁元帝尋又以循紹鄱陽之封，且為雍州刺史，復以璠為循平北府司馬。
From youth Fan was ardent and ambitious, seeking fame and achievement; he meant to make his name on the frontier and had no taste for step-by-step promotion through routine posts. When Marquis of Yifeng Xiao Xun was appointed governor of Northern Xu Province, Fan immediately requested to serve as chief clerk in his light-chariots office, concurrently as recording secretary, and additionally in charge of criminal matters. When Xun was assigned to Liang Province, Fan was appointed recording secretary in the Trustworthy Martial Office and additionally served as magistrate of Nanzheng. He was further commissioned as middle recording secretary and appointed supplemental administrator of Huayang. When Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze and the Liang house fell into chaos, Xun, recognizing Fan's talent and strategic ability, placed great trust in him. Rebellions and disasters arose one after another, and nothing was yet decided. Fan thereupon sighed and composed a poem to declare his intent. The final stanza reads: "Sui Hui pacified the royal house; Yi Wu upheld the hegemonic achievement. Insignificant and useless in these times, I vainly admire the ways of old. Xun opened a grand office, appointed assistant scribes, made Fan advisory general, and additionally put him in charge of the recording office. Emperor Yuan of Liang assumed imperial authority and appointed him General Who Establishes Merit and advisory general in the Pacify-the-West Office. He sent a letter saying: "Deng Yu was a scholar, yet still took up arms; Ge Hong was a bookish man, yet was said to have routed the bandits. The great men of former ages are not far away; my hopes for you run very deep. Soon Emperor Yuan also had Xun inherit the fief of Poyang and appointed him governor of Yong Province; Fan was again made marshal of Xun's Pacify-the-North Office.
35
及武陵王紀稱制於蜀，以璠為中書侍郎，屢遣召璠，使者八返，乃至蜀。 又以為黃門侍郎，令長史劉孝勝深布腹心。 使工畫《陳平度河歸漢圖》以遺之。 璠苦求還。 中記室韋登私曰：「殿下忍而蓄憾，足下不留，將 （至） 〔致〕大禍。 脫使盜遮於葭萌，則卿殆矣。 孰若共構大廈，使身名俱美哉。」 璠正色曰：「卿欲緩頰於我耶？ 我與府侯，分義已定。 豈以寵辱夷險，易其心乎？ 丈夫立志，當死生以之耳。 殿下方布大義於天下，終不逞志於一人。」 紀知必不為己用，乃厚其贈而遣之。 臨別，紀又解其佩刀贈璠曰：「想見物思人。」 璠對曰：「敢不奉揚威靈，尅剪姦宄。」 紀於是遣使就拜循為益州刺史，封隨郡王，以璠為循府長史，加蜀郡太守。
When Prince of Wuling Ji assumed imperial authority in Shu, he appointed Fan vice director of the Secretariat and repeatedly summoned him; the envoy returned eight times before Fan finally reached Shu. He was further made vice director of the Yellow Gates, and Ji had chief administrator Liu Xiaosheng confide deeply in him. He had craftsmen paint the 《Chen Ping Crosses the River and Returns to Han》 and present it to him. Fan earnestly begged to be allowed to leave. Middle recording secretary Wei Deng said privately: "His Highness restrains himself yet harbors resentment; if you do not stay, it will (come) bring great calamity. If bandits should waylay you at Jiameng, you would be in mortal danger. How much better to build a great edifice together and win honor for both body and name! Fan said sternly: "Do you wish to plead on my behalf? My bond with the Marquis is fixed by shared duty. How could favor or disgrace, ease or peril, change my heart? A man who sets his will should hold to it through life and death. Your Highness is now spreading great righteousness across the realm; in the end you will not indulge personal spite against one man. Ji knew Fan would never serve his purposes, so he enriched his parting gifts and sent him away. At parting Ji again unfastened his girdle knife and gave it to Fan, saying: "When you see this object, think of me. Fan replied: "How dare I not uphold your august authority and cut down treacherous evildoers? Thereupon Ji sent envoys to appoint Xun on the spot as governor of Yi Province, enfeoff him as Prince of Suixiang, and make Fan chief administrator on Xun's staff, with the additional post of administrator of Shu Commandery.
36
還至白馬西，屬達奚武軍已至南鄭，璠不得入城，遂降於武。 太祖素聞其名，先誡武曰：「勿使劉璠死也。」 故武先令璠赴闕。 璠至，太祖見之如舊。 謂僕射申徽曰：「劉璠佳士，古人何以過之。」 徽曰：「昔晉主滅吳，利在二陸。 明公今平梁漢，得一劉璠也。」 時南鄭尚拒守未下，達奚武請屠之，太祖將許焉，唯令全璠一家而已。 璠乃請之于朝，太祖怒而不許。 璠泣而固請，移時不退。 柳仲禮侍側曰：「此烈士也。」 太祖曰：「事人當如此。」 遂許之。 城竟獲全，璠之力也。
When he returned west of Baima, Daxi Wu's army had already reached Nanzheng; Fan could not enter the city and thereupon surrendered to Wu. The Great Ancestor had long known Fan's reputation and beforehand admonished Wu: "Do not let Liu Fan die. Therefore Wu first had Fan proceed to the imperial court. When Fan arrived, the Great Ancestor received him as of old. He said to vice director Shen Hui: "Liu Fan is a fine gentleman; how could the ancients surpass him? Hui said: "Formerly when the Jin ruler destroyed Wu, the gain lay in the two Lus. Your Excellency today in pacifying Liang and Han has gained one Liu Fan. At the time Nanzheng still held out and had not fallen; Daxi Wu requested that it be put to the sword, and the Great Ancestor was about to consent, ordering only that Fan's household be spared. Fan then pleaded at court, and the Great Ancestor was angered and refused. Fan wept and firmly persisted in his plea, standing before the throne for a long time without withdrawing. Liu Zhongli, standing in attendance, said: "This is a man of heroic resolve. The Great Ancestor said: "This is how one should serve one's lord. Thereupon he granted the request. The city was in the end completely spared; this was Fan's doing.
37
太祖旣納蕭循之降，又許其反國。 循至長安累月，未之遣也。 璠因侍宴，太祖曰：「我于古誰比？」 對曰：「常以公命世英主，湯、武莫逮； 今日所見，曾齊桓、晉文之不若。」 太祖曰：「我不得比湯、武，望與伊、周為匹，何桓、文之不若乎？」 對曰：「齊桓存三亡國，晉文不失信于伐原。」 語未終，太祖撫掌曰：「我解爾意，欲激我耳。」 於是卽命遣循。 循請與璠俱還，太祖不許。 以璠為中外府記室，尋遷黃門侍郎、儀同三司。
The Great Ancestor, having accepted Xiao Xun's surrender, also promised to let him return to his state. Xun had been in Chang'an for months, yet was still not sent back. At a banquet where Fan was in attendance, the Great Ancestor said: "To whom among the ancients might I be compared? He replied: "I always regarded Your Excellency as a heaven-sent heroic ruler whom Tang and Wu could not match; but what I see today falls even short of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin. The Great Ancestor said: "I cannot compare myself to Tang and Wu; I hope to stand with Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou; how can I fall short of Duke Huan and Duke Wen? He replied: "Duke Huan of Qi restored three perished states; Duke Wen of Jin did not break faith over the campaign against Yuan. Before he finished speaking, the Great Ancestor clapped his hands and said: "I understand your meaning; you mean to stir me on. Thereupon he immediately ordered that Xun be sent back. Xun requested that Fan return with him, but the Great Ancestor did not permit it. Fan was appointed recording secretary in the Central and Outer Office; soon he was promoted to vice director of the Yellow Gates with the status of Three Grand Equivalents.
38
嘗臥疾居家，對雪興感，乃作《雪賦》以遂志云。 其詞曰：
Once, while ill at home, stirred by the sight of snow, he composed the 《Rhapsody on Snow》 to give voice to his intent. Its words read:
39
天地否閉，凝而成雪。 應乎玄冬之辰，在於冱寒之節。 蒼雲暮同，嚴風曉別。 散亂徘徊，雰霏皎潔。 違朝陽之暄煦，就陵陰之慘烈。
Heaven and earth closed in mutual obstruction; breath congealed and became snow. It answers to the season of deep winter, falling in the months of extreme cold. Dark clouds at dusk blend together; harsh winds at dawn part and go. Scattered and drifting, swirling about; fine flakes gleam pure and bright. Turning from the morning sun's warm radiance, it settles upon the shaded slopes' bitter chill.
40
若乃雪山峙於流沙之右，雪宮建於碣石之東。 混二儀而竝色，覆萬有而皆空。 埋沒河山之上，籠罩寰宇之中。 日馭潛於蒙泛，地險失於華、嵩。 旣奪朱而成素，實矯異而為同。
Consider how a snow mountain rises west of the drifting sands, and a snow palace stands east of Jieshi. Blending heaven and earth into one hue, it covers the ten thousand beings and empties all. Entombing river and hill, shrouding all within the cosmos. The sun's chariot hides beneath the vast whiteness; mountain landmarks vanish along with Hua and Song. Having wrested red into plain white, it truly transforms difference into sameness.
41
始飄颻而稍落，遂紛糅而無窮。 縈回兮瑣散，暠皓兮溟蒙。 綏綏兮颯颯，瀌瀌兮渢渢。 因高兮累仞，藉少兮成豐。 曉分光而映淨，夜合影而通朧。 似北荒之明月，若西昆之閬風。
At first drifting lightly, then settling bit by bit, until it heaped in endless profusion. Whirling round in fine scatter; blazing white through mist and gloom. Softly, softly; rustling, rustling; drifting, drifting; swirling, swirling. Building by degrees from the heights; amassing from little into abundance. By dawn it divides the light and reflects purity; by night it gathers shadows into hazy unity. Like the bright moon of the far northern wilds; like the Lang-feng breeze of Mount Kun in the west.
42
爾乃憑集異區，遭隨所適。 遇物淪形，觸途湮跡。 何淨穢之可分，豈高卑之能擇。 體不常消，質無定白。 深谷夏凝，小山春積。 偶仙宮而為絳，值河濱而成赤。 廣則彌綸而交四海，小則淅瀝而緣間隙。 淺則不過二寸，大則平地一尺。 乃為五穀之精，寔長衆川之魄。 大壑所以朝宗，洪波資其消釋。 家有趙王之璧，人聚漢帝之金。 旣藏牛而沒馬，又冰木而凋林。 已墮白登之指，實愴黃竹之心。 楚客埋魂於樹裏，漢使遷饑于海陰。 斃雲中之狡獸，落海上之驚禽。 庚辰有七尺之厚，甲子有一丈之深。 無復垂霙與雲合，唯有變白作泥沉。
Then it drifts wherever different regions gather it, meeting each place as fate directs. Where it meets things, forms are drowned; whatever path it touches, traces are erased. How can clean and foul be distinguished? How could it choose high or low? Its form does not vanish at once; its substance has no fixed whiteness. Deep valleys freeze even in summer; low hills hold snow still in spring. By chance at an immortal palace it turns crimson; on reaching a riverbank it becomes red. Broadly it spreads to knit the four seas; narrowly it trickles through every gap. Shallow falls never exceed two inches; deep drifts on level ground reach a foot. It is the essence of the five grains, truly the sustaining soul of the myriad rivers. Great gorges hold it as tribute to the sovereign river; raging floods rely on it for their dissolving. In each house there is a jade disc of the King of Zhao; each person hoards gold of the Han Emperor. Cows are buried and horses submerged; trees are iced over and groves wither. Already fallen under the finger of Baideng; truly pained at heart like the Yellow Bamboo song. The Chu guest was buried in soul beneath the trees; the Han envoy endured hunger by the northern sea. Cunning beasts of the clouds perish; startled birds of the sea fall. In a gengchen year snow piled seven feet deep; in a jiazi year it reached a full ten feet. No longer does fine snow mingle with clouds; only whiteness turns to mud and sinks away.
43
本為白雪唱，翻作《白頭吟》。 吟曰：昔從天山來，忽與狂風閱。 逆河陰而散漫，望衡陽而委絕。 朝朝自消盡，夜夜空凝結。 徒云雪之可賦，竟何賦之能雪。
Originally meant as a song to white snow, it turned instead into the 《White-Haired Lament》. It recites: Long ago I came from Mount Tian, suddenly to be tested by raging winds. Against the river's northern bank I scattered; gazing toward Hengyang I faded and ceased. Day by day I melt away; night by night the sky freezes anew. In vain one says snow can be rhapsodized; what rhapsody could actually whiten snow back?
44
初，蕭循在漢中與蕭紀箋及答國家書、移襄陽文，皆璠之辭也。
Earlier, the letters exchanged between Xiao Xun and Xiao Ji in Hanzhong, the replies to the imperial court, and the dispatch to Xiangyang were all Fan's compositions.
45
世宗初，授內史中大夫，掌綸誥。 尋封平陽縣子，邑九百戶。 在職清白簡亮，不合于時，左遷同和郡守。 璠善於撫御，蒞職未期，生羌降附者五百餘家。 前後郡守多經營以致貲產，唯璠秋毫無所取，妻子竝隨羌俗，食麥衣皮，始終不改。 洮陽、洪和二郡羌民，常越境詣璠訟理焉。 其德化為他界所歸仰如此。 蔡公廣時鎮隴右，嘉璠善政。 及遷鎮陝州，欲取璠自隨，羌人樂從者七百人。 聞者莫不歎異。 陳公純作鎮隴右，引為總管府司錄，甚禮敬之。 天和三年卒，時年五十九。 著《梁典》三十卷，有集二十卷，行於世。 子祥嗣。
At the beginning of Emperor Shizong's reign, he was appointed grand master of the Palace Secretariat and put in charge of imperial edicts. Soon he was enfeoffed as viscount of Pingyang with a fief of nine hundred households. Upright, incorruptible, and plain-spoken in office, he did not fit the temper of the times and was demoted to administrator of Tonghe Commandery. Fan was skilled in governing and winning people over; before his term was half done, more than five hundred households of sheng Qiang submitted. Former and later commandery administrators mostly schemed to amass wealth; Fan alone took not so much as a hair's breadth, and his wife and children likewise followed Qiang custom, eating barley and wearing hides, never altering this to the end. Qiang people of Taoyang and Honghe commanderies often crossed borders to bring disputes before Fan for judgment. Such was the moral transforming influence for which other regions looked up to him. When Duke Cai Guang was stationed in Longyou, he praised Fan's excellent governance. When he was transferred to guard Shaanzhou, he wished to take Fan with him, and seven hundred Qiang gladly followed. All who heard of it marveled and sighed. When Duke Chen Chun was stationed in Longyou, he summoned Fan as chief clerk of the grand commandant's office and treated him with great courtesy and respect. He died in the third year of Tianhe, at the age of fifty-nine. He authored the 《Records of Liang》 in thirty scrolls and a collected works in twenty scrolls, both of which circulated in his day. His son Xiang succeeded him.
46
祥字休徵。 幼而聰慧，占對俊辯，賓客見者，皆號神童。 事嫡母以至孝聞。 其伯父黃門郎璆有名江左，在嶺南，聞而奇之，乃令名祥字休徵。 後以字行於世。 年十歲能屬文，十二通《五經》。 解褐梁宜豐侯主簿，遷記室參軍。
Xiang's courtesy name was Xiuzheng. Bright from childhood, quick and eloquent in conversation, every guest who met him hailed him as a prodigy. He was renowned for the utmost filial piety with which he served his stepmother. His uncle Liu Qiu, a gentleman of the Yellow Gates famed south of the Yangzi, was in Lingnan; when he heard of the boy he was astonished and had him named Xiang with the courtesy name Xiuzheng. Thereafter he was known in the world by his courtesy name. At ten he could compose prose; at twelve he had mastered the 《Five Classics》. Upon entering service he became chief clerk to Marquis Yifeng of Liang and was later promoted to recording secretary.
47
江陵平，隨例入國。 齊公憲以其善於詞令，召為記室。 府中書記，皆令掌之。 尋授都督，封漢安縣子，食邑七百戶，轉從事中郎。 憲進爵為王，以休徵為王友。 俄除內史上士。 高祖東征，休徵陪侍帷幄。 平齊露布，卽休徵之文也。 累遷車騎大將軍、儀同大將軍。 尋以去官，領萬年令，未期月，轉長安令。 頻宰二縣，頗獲時譽。 大象二年，卒于官，時年四十七。
When Jiangling fell, he followed the usual practice and entered Northern Zhou service. Because he was skilled in formal language, Duke of Qi Xian summoned him as recording secretary. All the office's written records were placed under his charge. Soon he was appointed commander, enfeoffed as viscount of Han'an with a fief of seven hundred households, and transferred to attendant of affairs. When Xian was promoted to prince, he made Xiuzheng prince's friend. Before long he was appointed senior secretary of the Inner Historian. When Emperor Gaozu campaigned east, Xiuzheng attended him within the command tent. The victory bulletin announcing the pacification of Qi was written by Xiuzheng. He rose through the ranks to general of chariots and cavalry and general with equal standing. Soon afterward he left office to serve as magistrate of Wannian; before a full month had passed, he was transferred to magistrate of Chang'an. Governing two counties in succession, he won considerable praise at the time. In the second year of Daxiang he died in office, at the age of forty-seven.
48
初，璠所撰《梁典》始就，未及刊定而卒。 臨終謂休徵曰：「能成我志，其在此書乎。」 休徵 （始） 〔治〕定繕寫，勒成一家，行於世。
Earlier, Fan had just finished compiling the 《Records of Liang》, but before it could be edited for publication he died. On his deathbed he told Xiuzheng: "You can fulfill my wish; surely it lies in this book. Xiuzheng (begin) edited, copied, and finalized it into a coherent work that circulated in the world.
49
柳霞字子昇，河東解人也。 曾祖卓，晉汝南太守，始自本郡徙居襄陽。 祖叔珍，宋員外散騎常侍、義陽內史。 父季遠，梁臨川王諮議參軍、宜都太守。
Liu Xia, whose courtesy name was Zisheng, came from Jie in Hedong. His great-grandfather Zhuo, administrator of Runan under Jin, was the first to move from their native commandery and settle in Xiangyang. His grandfather Shuzhen served under Song as supernumerary regular attendant of the dispersed cavalry and interior secretary of Yiyang. His father Jiyuan was advisory general on the staff of Prince of Linchuan of Liang and administrator of Yidu.
50
霞幼而爽邁，神彩嶷然，髫歲便有成人之量。 篤好文學，動合規矩。 其世父慶遠特器異之。 謂霞曰：「吾昔逮事伯父太尉公，嘗語吾云：『我昨夢汝登一樓，樓甚峻麗，吾以坐席與汝。 汝後名宦必達，恨吾不及見耳。』 吾向聊復晝寢，又夢將昔時座席還以賜汝。 汝之官位，當復及吾。 特宜勉勵，以應嘉祥也。」
From childhood Xia was open and bold, with a lofty bearing; even in his early years he showed the measure of a grown man. He deeply loved literature, and his every action accorded with propriety. His father's elder brother Qingyuan especially valued him and regarded him as extraordinary. He said to Xia: "In the past I had the honor of serving our uncle the Grand Marshal; he once told me: 'Yesterday I dreamed that you climbed a tower, very lofty and splendid, and I gave you my seat. Your later fame and office will surely be achieved; I regret that I shall not live to see it. Just now I took a brief nap again, and again dreamed of giving you that former seat as a gift. Your official rank should again reach mine. You should especially strive hard to answer this auspicious omen."
51
梁西昌侯深藻鎮雍州，霞時年十二，以民禮修謁，風儀端肅，進止詳雅。 深藻美之，試遣左右踐霞衣裾，欲觀其舉措。 霞徐步稍前，曾不顧眄。 廬陵王續為雍州刺史，辟霞為主簿。 起家平西邵陵王綸府法曹參軍，仍轉外兵，除尚書工部郎。 謝舉時為僕射，引霞與語，甚嘉之。 顧謂人曰：「江漢英靈，見於此矣。」
When Marquis of Xichang Shenzao of Liang was stationed in Yong Province, Xia was twelve; he paid a visit according to common courtesy, with a dignified bearing and graceful, measured movements. Shenzao admired him and deliberately sent attendants to tread on Xia's robe to observe how he would react. Xia walked slowly a little forward and never once looked back. When Prince of Luling Xu became governor of Yong Province, he recruited Xia as chief clerk. He began his career as legal affairs general on the staff of Prince of Shaoling of the Pacify-the-West Office, then transferred to external troops, and was appointed gentleman of the Ministry of Works in the Secretariat. Xie Ju was then vice director; he drew Xia into conversation and greatly praised him. Turning to those around him, he said: "The heroic spirit of the Jiang and Han is seen in this man."
52
岳陽王蕭詧蒞雍州，選為治中，尋遷別駕。 及詧於襄陽承制，授霞吏部郎、員外散騎常侍。 俄遷車騎大將軍、儀同三司、大都督，賜爵聞喜縣公。 尋進位持節、侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。 及蕭詧踐帝位於江陵，以襄陽歸于我。 霞乃辭詧曰：「陛下中興鼎運，龍飛舊楚。 臣昔因幸會，早奉名節，理當以身許國，期之始終。 自晉氏南遷，臣宗族蓋寡。 從祖太尉、世父儀同、從父司空，並以位望隆重，遂家于金陵。 唯留先臣，獨守墳栢。 常誡臣等，使不違此志。 今襄陽旣入北朝，臣若陪隨鑾蹕，進則無益塵露，退則有虧先旨。 伏願曲垂照鑒，亮臣此心。」 詧重違其志，遂許之。 因留鄉里，以經籍自娛。
When Prince of Yueyang Xiao Cha came to Yong Province, Xia was selected as chief administrator and soon promoted to vice governor. When Cha assumed imperial authority at Xiangyang, he appointed Xia gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel and supernumerary regular attendant of the dispersed cavalry. Soon he was promoted to general of chariots and cavalry, general with equal standing of the third rank, and grand commander, and was granted the title duke of Wenxi County. Soon he was advanced to bearer of the staff, palace attendant, general of agile cavalry, and grand master with grand office and equal standing of the third rank. When Xiao Cha ascended the throne at Jiangling, he returned Xiangyang to us. Xia thereupon took leave of Cha, saying: "Your Majesty has revived the imperial destiny and ascended like a dragon in old Chu. Your subject once, by fortunate chance, early pledged his loyalty; by right he should devote himself to the state from beginning to end. Since the Jin house moved south, my clan has been small. A great-uncle who was grand marshal, a father's elder brother who was general with equal standing, and a father's younger brother who was minister of works all, by rank and renown, made their homes in Jinling. Only my late father was left behind to guard the ancestral graves alone. He constantly admonished us never to violate this resolve. Now that Xiangyang has passed to the Northern Court, if I followed the imperial procession, to go forward would be of no use, like dust and dew, and to stay behind would betray my father's intent. I humbly beg you to look upon me with understanding and grant this wish of my heart. Cha, loath to go against his resolve, thereupon granted his request. He therefore remained in his native place and amused himself with the classics.
53
太祖、世宗頻有徵命，霞固辭以疾。 及詧殂，霞舉哀，行舊君之服。 保定中又徵之，霞始入朝。 授使持節、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、霍州諸軍事、霍州刺史。 霞導民務先以德，再三不用命者，乃微加貶異，示之恥而已。 其下感而化之，不復為過。 咸曰； 「我君仁惠如此，其可欺乎！」 天和中，卒，時年七十二。 宣政初，贈金、安二州刺史。
The Great Ancestor and Emperor Shizong repeatedly issued summonses, but Xia firmly declined on grounds of illness. When Cha died, Xia observed mourning and wore the garb due a former lord. During Baoding he was summoned again, and Xia finally entered court. He was appointed bearer of the staff, general of agile cavalry, grand master with grand office and equal standing of the third rank, supervisor of all military affairs of Huo Province, and governor of Huo Province. In guiding the people Xia put virtue first; only for those who repeatedly disobeyed did he lightly impose censure and disgrace to shame them. Those under him were moved and transformed, and no longer committed offenses. All said: "Our lord is so benevolent and gracious - how could we deceive him! During Tianhe he died, at the age of seventy-two. At the beginning of Xuanzheng he was posthumously granted the posts of governor of Jin and governor of An.
54
霞有志行。 初為州主簿，其父卒於揚州，霞自襄陽奔赴，六日而至。 哀感行路，毀瘁殆不可識。 後奉喪泝江西歸，中流風起，舟中之人，相顧失色。 霞抱棺號慟，愬天求哀，俄頃之間，風浪止息。 其母嘗乳間發疽，醫云：「此病無可救之理，唯得人吮膿，或望微止其痛。」 霞應聲卽吮，旬日遂瘳。 咸以為孝感所致。 性又溫裕，略無喜慍之容。 弘獎名教，未嘗論人之短。 尤好施與，家無餘財。 臨終遺誡薄葬，其子等竝奉行之。 有十子，靖、莊最知名。
Xia was a man of resolve and integrity. When he was first chief clerk of the province, his father died in Yangzhou; Xia rushed from Xiangyang and arrived in six days. His grief moved passersby on the road; he was so wasted by mourning that he was nearly unrecognizable. Later, escorting the coffin up the Yangzi to return west, a wind rose midstream, and those in the boat looked at one another in alarm. Xia embraced the coffin and wailed in grief, appealing to Heaven for pity; in a moment the wind and waves ceased. His mother once developed an abscess between her breasts; the physician said: "This illness has no cure; only if someone sucks out the pus might one hope slightly to ease the pain. Xia at once responded and did so; within ten days she recovered. All regarded it as brought about by filial devotion moving Heaven. His nature was also gentle and generous, with scarcely any look of joy or anger. He broadly encouraged the teachings of propriety and never discussed others' faults. He especially loved giving to others, and his household had no surplus wealth. On his deathbed he left instructions for a simple burial, and his sons all followed them. He had ten sons; Jing and Zhuang were the most renowned.
55
靖字思休。 少方雅，博覽墳籍。 梁大同末，釋褐武陵王國左常侍，轉法曹行參軍。 大定初，除尚書度支郎，遷正員郎。 隨霞入朝，授大都督，歷河南、德廣二郡守。 靖雅達政事，所居皆有治術，吏民畏而愛之。 然性愛閑素，其於名利澹如也。 及秩滿還，便有終焉之志。
Jing's courtesy name was Sihou. From youth he was upright and refined, and read widely in the classics. At the end of Datong of Liang he entered service as left regular attendant of the Kingdom of Wuling, then transferred to acting legal affairs general. At the beginning of Dading he was appointed gentleman of revenue in the Secretariat and promoted to regular gentleman. Following Xia into court, he was appointed grand commander and successively served as administrator of Henan and administrator of Deguang. Jing was refined and adept in governance; wherever he served he had methods of good administration, and officials and people both feared and loved him. Yet by nature he loved quiet simplicity and was utterly indifferent to fame and profit. When his term ended and he returned home, he already had the resolve to end his days there.
56
隋文帝踐極，特詔徵之，靖遂以疾固辭。 優遊不仕，閉門自守，所對惟琴書而已。 足不歷園庭，殆將十載。 子弟等奉之，若嚴君焉。 其有過者，靖必下帷自責，於是長幼相率拜謝於庭，靖然後見之，勖以禮法。 鄉里亦慕而化之。 或有不善者，皆曰：「唯恐柳德廣知也。」 時論方之王烈。 前後總管到官，皆親至靖家問疾，遂以為故事。 秦王俊臨州，賚以幾杖，並致衣物。 靖唯受幾杖，餘竝固辭。 其為當時所重如此。 開皇中，以壽終。
When Emperor Wen of Sui ascended the throne, he issued a special edict summoning him, but Jing firmly declined on grounds of illness. At leisure and without office, he shut his door and kept to himself; his only companions were the zither and books. His feet did not cross the garden court for nearly ten years. His sons and younger relatives served him as if he were a stern father. When any of them had faults, Jing would always lower the curtain and blame himself; then elders and juniors together would bow in apology in the courtyard, and only then would Jing receive them and exhort them with ritual and law. The whole neighborhood admired him and took his example to heart. When anyone did wrong, people would say, "I only fear Liu Deguang might find out." Contemporary opinion ranked him alongside Wang Lie. Every regional commander who took office came in person to Jing's home to inquire after his health, and this became an established custom. When Prince Jun of Qin arrived to govern the province, he presented Jing with a folding stool and staff and also sent him clothing. Jing accepted only the stool and staff and firmly declined everything else. Such was the esteem in which his contemporaries held him. During the Kaihuang reign he died at a ripe old age.
57
莊字思敬。 器量貞固，有經世之才。 初仕梁，歷中書舍人、尚書右丞、給事黃門侍郎、尚書吏部郎中、鴻臚太府卿。 入隋，位至開府儀同三司、給事黃門侍郎、饒州刺史。
Zhuang, whose courtesy name was Sijing, was steadfast in character and possessed the talent to govern an age. He began his career under the Liang and served successively as Secretariat Drafter, Right Vice Director of the Secretariat, Attendant Within the Gates of the Yellow Gate, Bureau Director in the Ministry of Personnel, and Director of the Court of the Imperial Stud and Grand Steward. Under the Sui he rose to Director with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, Attendant Within the Gates of the Yellow Gate, and governor of Rao Province.
58
史臣曰：蕭撝、世怡、圓肅、大圜竝有梁之令望也。 雖羈旅異國，而終享榮名。 非有茲基，夙懷文質，亦何能至於此乎。 方武陵擁衆東下，任撝以蕭何之事，君臣之道旣篤，家國之情亦隆。 金石不足比其心，河山不足盟其誓。 及魏安之至城下，旬日而智力俱竭。 委金湯而不守，舉庸蜀而來王。 若乃見機而作，誠有之矣。 守節沒齒，則未可焉。
The historian writes: Xiao Hui, Shiyi, Yuansu, and Dahuan all enjoyed the eminent standing of the Liang court. Though they lived as exiles in a foreign realm, they still won honor and renown in the end. Without that foundation and their lifelong cultivation of learning and substance, how could they have risen so high? When Prince Wuling marched east at the head of his army, he entrusted Hui with responsibilities like those of Xiao He; the bond between ruler and minister ran deep, and the ties of family and state stood high. Neither metal and stone nor rivers and mountains could have bound their hearts and oaths more firmly. Yet when Yuchi Jiong reached the walls, within ten days both counsel and strength were spent. He abandoned his impregnable defenses without a fight and surrendered all of Yong and Shu to submit as a vassal king. That he acted when he saw his moment—this much is true. But to have held his integrity to the grave—that cannot be said.
59
宗懍幹局才辭見稱於梁元之世。 逮乎俘囚楚甸，播越秦中，屬太祖思治之辰，遇世宗好士之日，在朝不預政事，就列纔忝戎章。 豈懷道圖全，優遊卒歲，將用與不用，留滯當年乎？
Zong Lin's practical ability and literary talent won praise under Emperor Yuan of Liang. Later, taken captive in the Chu region and cast adrift in Qin territory, he lived in the age when the Grand Patriarch sought good government and when Emperor Shizong loved men of talent; at court he took no part in government, and among the official ranks he barely held a military post. Did he cherish the Way and seek to preserve himself, passing his years at ease—or was it simply that he was used or not used, and so lingered on?
60
梁氏據有江東，五十餘載。 挾策紀事，勒成不朽者，非一家焉。 劉璠學思通博，有著述之譽，雖傳疑傳信，頗有詳略，而屬辭比事，足為清典。 蓋近代之佳史歟。
The house of Liang held the lands east of the Yangzi for more than fifty years. Those who took up the brush to record events and set them down for posterity were not of one school alone. Liu Fan's learning was broad and penetrating, and he enjoyed a reputation as an author; though his work mixes doubtful and credible passages and varies in detail, in arranging words and comparing events it stands as a clear standard. It may well rank among the fine histories of recent times.
61
柳霞立身之道，進退有節。 觀其眷戀墳隴，其孝可移於朝廷； 盡禮舊主，其忠可事於新君。 夫能推此類以求賢，則知人幾于易矣。
Liu Xia's way of living showed moderation in when to advance and when to withdraw. Seeing his devotion to his ancestral tombs, one knows his filial piety could have served the court; seeing how he fulfilled every obligation to his former lord, one knows his loyalty could have served a new ruler. If rulers can extend such examples in seeking the worthy, then knowing men becomes almost easy.
62
全文以中華書局、一九七一年十一月版《周書》為本校。
The complete text has been collated against the Zhonghua Shuju 《Book of Zhou》 (November 1971 edition).