Volume 55 Han Records 47

資治通鑑第055卷

Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 55.

【漢紀四十七】起閼逢執徐，盡柔兆敦牂，凡三年。

【Han Records 47】 From the first year of the Yanyu cycle through the last year of the Rouzhao cycle—three years in all.

春，二月，丙戌，邟鄉忠侯黃瓊薨。將葬，四方遠近名士會者六七千人。

In spring, in the second month, on bingxu day, Loyal Marquis Huang Qiong of Hangxiang died. As the burial approached, eminent scholars from near and far gathered—six or seven thousand in all.

初，瓊之教授於家。徐稚從之咨訪大義，及瓊貴，稚絕不復交。至是，稚往吊之，進酹，哀哭而去，人莫知者。諸名士推問喪宰，宰曰：「先時有一書生來，衣粗薄而哭之哀，不記姓字。」眾曰：「必徐孺子也。」於是選能言者陳留茅容輕騎追之，及於塗。容為沽酒市肉，稚為飲食。容問國家之事，稚不答。更問稼穡之事，稚乃答之。容還，以語諸人，或曰：「孔子云：『可與言而不與言，失人。』然則孺子其失人乎？」太原郭泰曰：「不然。孺子之為人，清潔高廉，饑不可得食，寒不可得衣，而為季偉飲酒食肉，此為已知季偉之賢故也。所以不答國事者，是其智可及，其愚不可及也。」

In earlier days Qiong had instructed students in his own household. Xu Zhi had studied under him to seek instruction in the great principles, but once Qiong attained high office, Zhi ceased all further association. Now Zhi came to mourn him, offered the libation, wept bitterly, and left—yet no one recognized him. The assembled scholars pressed the funeral steward for an account. He said, "A while ago a scholar came in coarse, thin clothing and wept with great sorrow—I do not remember his name." The company said, "That must be Xu Ruzi." They then selected an articulate man, Mao Rong of Chenliu, who rode lightly in pursuit and overtook him on the road. Rong purchased wine and meat in town, and Zhi ate and drank with him. Rong asked about affairs of state, but Zhi would not reply. When he turned to questions of farming, Zhi answered those. Rong returned and reported this to the others. Someone said, "Confucius said, 'To meet one with whom one may speak and not speak with him is to lose a man. Has Ruzi then lost a man?" Guo Tai of Taiyuan said, "Not at all. Ruzi is pure and lofty in integrity—when hungry he will not take food, when cold he will not take clothing—yet he drank and ate with Ji Wei because he already knew Ji Wei to be worthy. The reason he would not discuss affairs of state is that his wisdom may be matched, but his folly cannot be fathomed."

泰博學，善談論。初游雒陽，時人莫識，陳留符融一見嗟異，因以介於河南尹李膺。膺與相見，曰：「吾見士多矣，未有如郭林宗者也。其聰識通朗，高雅密博，今之華夏，鮮見其儔。」遂與為友，於是名震京師。後歸鄉里，衣冠諸儒送至河上，車數千兩，膺唯與泰同舟而濟，眾賓望之，以為神仙焉。泰性明知人，好獎訓士類，周遊郡國。茅容，年四十餘，耕於野，與等輩避雨樹下，眾皆夷踞相對，容獨危坐愈恭；泰見而異之，因請寓宿。旦日，容殺雞為饌，泰謂為己設；容分半食母，餘半庋置，自以草蔬與客同飯。泰曰：「卿賢哉遠矣！郭林宗猶減三牲之具以供賓旅，而卿如此，乃我友也。」起，對之揖，勸令從學，卒為盛德。巨鹿孟敏，客居太原，荷甑墮地，不顧而去。泰見而問其意，對曰：「甑已破矣，視之何益！」泰以為有分決，與之言，知其德性，因勸令遊學，遂知名當世。陳留申屠蟠，家貧，傭為漆工；鄢陵庾乘，少給事縣廷為門士；泰見而奇之，其後皆為名士。自餘或出於屠沽、卒伍，因泰獎進成名者甚眾。

Guo Tai was broadly learned and excelled in discussion. On his first visit to Luoyang none in the capital knew him, but Fu Rong of Chenliu, at a single meeting, was struck with wonder and introduced him to the Intendant of Henan, Li Ying. Ying received him and said, "I have met many scholars, yet none like Guo Linzong. His keen intelligence is penetrating and luminous, his cultivation refined and profound—in all the civilized realm today, few can stand beside him." He thereupon befriended him, and Tai's name resounded through the capital. Later he returned home. Gentry and scholars escorted him to the river in thousands of carriages. Ying alone shared a boat with Tai to cross; the guests gazed upon them as though they were immortals. Tai was by nature discerning in judging men and delighted in encouraging and guiding scholars, traveling through the commanderies. Mao Rong, past forty, was plowing in the fields. He and his companions sheltered from rain beneath a tree; the rest sat with legs sprawled facing one another, while Rong alone sat upright with growing decorum. Tai noticed this, was struck with wonder, and asked to stay the night. At dawn Rong killed a chicken for a meal, and Tai assumed it was meant for him; Rong gave half to his mother, set the other half aside, and himself shared plain vegetables with his guest. Tai said, "You are virtuous indeed—how far that virtue extends! Even I would trim the three sacrificial animals to entertain guests, yet you act like this—you are my friend." He rose, bowed to him, urged him to pursue learning, and Rong in the end became a man of eminent virtue. Meng Min of Julu, while lodging in Taiyuan, dropped a carrying pot to the ground and walked on without a glance. Tai saw this and asked what he meant. He replied, "The pot is already broken—what good is there in looking at it?" Tai took this as proof of decisive character, spoke with him and perceived his moral quality, urged him to travel for study, and he thus won fame in his time. Shentu Pan of Chenliu was poor and hired himself out as a lacquerer; Yu Cheng of Yanling in his youth served in the county offices as a gate attendant; Tai noticed them and was struck with wonder; both later became celebrated scholars. Among the others were men from butcher stalls and wine shops, from the ranks of soldiers and guards—through Tai's praise and promotion, very many came to renown.

陳國童子魏昭請於泰曰：「經師易遇，人師難遭，願在左右，供給灑掃。」泰許之。泰嘗不佳，命昭作粥，粥成，進泰，泰呵之曰：「為長者作粥，不加意敬，使不可食！」以杯擲地。昭更為粥重進，泰復呵之。如此者三，昭姿容無變。泰乃曰：「吾始見子之面，而今而後，知卿心耳！」遂友而善之。陳留左原，為郡學生，犯法見斥，泰遇諸路，為設酒餚以慰之。謂曰：「昔顏涿聚，梁甫之巨盜，段干木，晉國之大駔，卒為齊之忠臣，魏之名賢；蘧瑗、顏回尚不能無過，況其餘乎！慎勿恚恨，責躬而已！」原納其言而去。或有譏泰不絕惡人者，泰曰：「人而不仁，疾之已甚，亂也。」原後忽更懷忿結客，欲報諸生，其日，泰在學，原愧負前言，因遂罷去。後事露，眾人鹹謝服焉。或問范滂曰：「郭林宗何如人？」滂曰：「隱不違親，貞不絕俗，天子不得臣，諸侯不得友，吾不知其它。」泰嘗舉有道，不就，同郡宋沖素服其德，以為自漢元以來，未見其匹，嘗勸之仕。泰曰：「吾夜觀乾象，晝察人事，天之所廢，不可支也，吾將優遊卒歲而已。」然猶周旋京師，誨誘不息。徐稚以書戒之曰：「夫大木將顛，非一繩所維，何為棲棲不遑寧處！」泰感寤曰：「謹拜斯言，以為師表。」濟陰黃允，以俊才知名，泰見而謂曰：「卿高才絕人，足成偉器，年過四十，聲名著矣。然至於此際，當深自匡持，不然，將失之矣！」後司徒袁隗欲為從女求姻，見允，歎曰：「得婿如是，足矣。」允聞而黜遣其妻。妻請大會宗親為別，因於眾中攘袂數允隱慝十五事而去，允以此廢於時。

Wei Zhao, a youth of Chen state, asked Tai, "Teachers of the classics are easy to find, but a teacher of character is hard to meet. I wish to remain at your side and attend to sweeping and sprinkling." Tai agreed. Once when Tai was indisposed he had Zhao cook gruel. When it was done and Zhao brought it in, Tai rebuked him: "To cook gruel for an elder without proper care—this is not fit to eat!" He hurled the cup to the floor. Zhao cooked gruel again and presented it once more; Tai scolded him again. This occurred three times, yet Zhao's demeanor never altered. Tai then said, "I knew your face at first; only now do I know your heart!" He thereupon took him as a friend and treated him kindly. Zuo Yuan of Chenliu, a student in the commandery school, broke the law and was dismissed. Tai encountered him on the road and laid out wine and food to console him. He said, "Long ago Yan Zhuoju was a great robber of Liangfu and Duan Ganmu a great ruffian of Jin, yet in the end one became a loyal minister of Qi and the other a celebrated worthy of Wei; Qu Yuan and Yan Hui could not be without faults—how much more ordinary men! Take care not to nurse resentment—examine yourself alone!" Yuan took his counsel and left. Some reproached Tai for not breaking with wicked men altogether. Tai said, "When a man lacks benevolence, to hate him beyond measure is to invite disorder." Yuan later again secretly nursed anger and gathered retainers, intending to strike back at the students. That day Tai was in the school; Yuan, ashamed before his earlier pledge, then gave up the plan and went away. When the matter later came to light, everyone thanked Tai and acknowledged his foresight. Someone asked Fan Pang, "What manner of man is Guo Linzong?" Pang said, "In retirement he does not forsake his kin; in uprightness he does not cut himself off from the world. The Son of Heaven cannot treat him as a subject; feudal lords cannot treat him as a mere friend—I know no more than this." Tai was once nominated as a man of manifest virtue but would not take office. Song Chong of the same commandery, who had long revered his character, held that since Emperor Yuan none had been his equal, and once urged him to serve. Tai said, "By night I read the signs of Heaven; by day I observe human affairs. What Heaven has abandoned cannot be upheld—I mean only to spend my remaining years in ease." Yet he still moved in the capital, teaching and exhorting without rest. Xu Zhi warned him in a letter: "The great tree is about to fall—not one rope can steady it. Why do you hurry to and fro, never at peace?" Tai, stirred, said, "I accept these words with reverence as the model of a teacher." Huang Yun of Jiyin was famed for exceptional talent. When Tai met him he said, "Your eminent gifts surpass others and are enough to make a great vessel of you. You have passed forty and your reputation is already secure. Yet at this point you must hold yourself strictly in check—otherwise you will lose it all!" Later the Excellency of Works Yuan Wei wished to obtain a husband for a clanswoman. Meeting Yun, he sighed, "To gain a son-in-law like this is enough." When Yun heard of it he sent his wife away. His wife asked to gather the clan for a farewell, then before them all rolled up her sleeves and listed fifteen secret failings of Yun before she left. Yun was thereby disgraced in his day.

初，允與漢中晉文經並恃其才智，曜名遠近，征辟不就。託言療病京師，不通賓客，公卿大夫遺門生旦暮問疾，郎吏雜坐其門，猶不得見；三公所辟召者，輒以詢訪之，隨所臧否，以為與奪。符融謂李膺曰：「二子行業無聞，以豪桀自置，遂使公卿問疾，王臣坐門，融恐其小道破義，空譽違實，特宜察焉。」膺然之。二人自是名論漸衰，賓徒稍省，旬日之間，慚歎逃去，後並以罪廢棄。陳留仇香，至行純嘿，鄉黨無知者。年四十，為蒲亭長。民有陳元，獨與母居，母詣香告元不孝。香驚曰：「吾近日過元捨，廬落整頓，耕耘以時，此非惡人，當是教化未至耳。母守寡養孤，苦身投老，奈何以一旦之忿，棄歷年之勤乎！且母養人遺孤，不能成濟，若死者有知，百歲之後，當何以見亡者！」母涕泣而起，香乃親到元家，為陳人倫孝行，譬以禍福之言，元感悟，卒為孝子。考城令河內王奐署香主簿，謂之曰：「聞在蒲亭，陳元不罰而化之，得無少鷹鸇之志邪？」香曰：「以為鷹鸇不若鸞鳳，故不為也。」奐曰：「枳棘之林非鸞鳳所集，百里非大賢之路。」乃以一月奉資香，使入太學。郭泰、符融繼刺謁之，因留宿。明旦，泰起，下床拜之曰：「君，泰之師，非泰之友也。」香學畢歸鄉里，雖在宴居，必正衣服，妻子事之若嚴君；妻子有過，免冠自責，妻子庭謝思過，香冠，妻子乃敢升堂，終不見其喜怒聲色之異。不應徵辟，卒於家。

Earlier Yun and Jin Wenjing of Hanzhong had both trusted in their talent and wit, their renown dazzling near and far, and refused all summons to office. They pleaded illness in the capital and would not see guests. Grandees sent pupils morning and evening to ask after their health; clerks and attendants sat crowded at their gates—yet they still could not gain an audience; Whomever the Three Excellencies meant to recruit, they would first consult these two; praise or blame from them determined appointment or rejection. Fu Rong said to Li Ying, "These two have no record of conduct or achievement, yet pose as heroes until grandees ask after their health and ministers sit at their gates. I fear their petty arts may rupture righteousness and hollow fame belie the fact—they ought especially to be scrutinized." Ying assented. The reputations of the two men gradually faded; their followers thinned. Within ten days they slunk away in shame, and later both were ruined by crime. Qiu Xiang of Chenliu was of the highest integrity yet plain and reticent—his neighbors in the district did not know him. At forty he became magistrate of Pu District. Among the people was Chen Yuan, who lived alone with his mother. The mother came before Xiang and accused Yuan of lacking filial piety. Xiang was astonished and said, "I passed Yuan's house not long ago—the compound was tidy and he farmed on time. This is no villain; teaching has simply not yet taken hold. You kept widowhood to raise an orphan, wore yourself out and gave your old age—how can one burst of anger undo years of toil? And in raising another's orphan, if you cannot see it through, should the dead have awareness—after a hundred years, how will you face your husband?" The mother wept, rose, and left. Xiang then went himself to Yuan's home, explained human relations and filial duty, and admonished him with words of fortune and ruin. Yuan was awakened and became a filial son in the end. Wang Huan, magistrate of Kaocheng in Henei, made Xiang chief clerk and said, "I heard that in Pu you did not punish Chen Yuan but reformed him—surely you have something of the hawk and falcon in you?" Xiang said, "I consider that hawk and falcon cannot compare with the phoenix—therefore I do not act like them." Huan said, "A thorn-brake is no roost for a phoenix; a hundred li is no path for a great worthy." He then gave Xiang one month's salary and sent him to the Imperial Academy. Guo Tai and Fu Rong called on him in turn and stayed overnight. At dawn Tai rose, stepped down from the couch, and bowed to him, saying, "You, sir, are my teacher—not merely my friend." When Xiang completed his studies and returned home, even at leisure he always wore proper garments; wife and children served him as to a strict master; If wife or children erred, he took off his cap and reproached himself; they would apologize in the courtyard, and only when Xiang put on his cap again would they dare enter the hall. Never to the end did one see his face or voice alter with pleasure or anger. He would not accept summons to office and died at home.

三月，癸亥，隕石於鄠。

In the third month, on guihai day, a meteorite fell at Hu.

夏，五月，己丑，京師雨雹。

In summer, in the fifth month, on jichou day, hail fell in the capital.

荊州刺史度尚募諸蠻夷擊艾縣城，大破之，降者數萬人。桂陽宿賊卜陽、潘鴻等逃入深山。尚窮追數百里，破其三屯，多獲珍寶。陽、鴻黨眾猶盛，尚欲擊之，而士卒驕富，莫有鬥志。尚計緩之則不戰，逼之必逃亡，乃宣言：「卜陽、潘鴻作賊十年，習於攻守，今兵寡少，未易可進，當須諸郡所發悉至，乃並力攻之。」申令軍中恣聽射獵，兵士喜悅，大小皆出。尚乃密使所親客潛焚其營，珍積皆盡。獵者來還，莫不潤涕。尚人人慰勞，深自咎責，因曰：「卜陽等財寶足富數世，諸卿但不並力耳，所亡少少，何足介意！」眾鹹憤踴。尚敕令秣馬蓐食，明旦，逕赴賊屯，陽、鴻等自以深固，不復設備，吏士乘銳，遂破平之。尚出兵三年，群寇悉定，封右鄉侯。

Du Shang, Inspector of Jing province, recruited various tribal peoples to attack Aicheng, routed the enemy utterly, and received the surrender of tens of thousands. The veteran bandits of Guiyang, Bu Yang and Pan Hong, fled into the deep mountains. Shang pursued them hard for several hundred li, destroyed three of their camps, and seized a great store of valuables. Yang and Hong still had a large following. Shang wished to press the attack, but his troops had grown proud and rich and none would fight. Shang reasoned that if he moved slowly they would not give battle, but if driven hard they would surely escape. He therefore announced, "Bu Yang and Pan Hong have been bandits for ten years and know how to attack and defend. Our numbers are few and an advance would not be easy—we must wait until every detachment raised by the commanderies has arrived, then strike with combined force." He then gave orders that the army might hunt freely. The soldiers were delighted and all went out, officers and men alike. Shang then secretly had a trusted follower set fire to their camp—all their hoarded goods were destroyed. When the hunters returned, every man wept bitterly. Shang comforted each man and took the blame upon himself, then said, "Bu Yang and the others have hoarded enough wealth to enrich their families for generations—you only failed to act together. What we lost is trifling—why dwell on it!" The troops were stirred to fury and eager for battle. Shang ordered the men to feed their horses and take a meal before sleep; at dawn he marched straight on the rebels' camp. Yang and Hong, trusting their mountain fastness, relaxed their guard. The officers and soldiers, fierce in attack, routed them completely. After three years in the field Shang had pacified every band, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Youxiang.

冬，十月，壬寅，帝南巡；庚申，幸章陵；戊辰，幸雲夢，臨漢水，還，幸新野。時公卿、貴戚車騎萬計，徵求費役，不可勝極。護駕從事桂陽胡騰上言：「天子無外，乘輿所幸，即為京師。臣請以荊州刺史比司隸校尉，臣自同都官從事。」帝從之。自是肅然，莫敢妄干擾郡縣。帝在南陽，左右並通姦利，詔書多除人為郎，太尉楊秉上疏曰：「太微積星，名為郎位，入奉宿衛，出牧百姓，宜割不忍之恩，以斷求欲之路。」於是詔除乃止。

In winter, in the tenth month, on renyin day, the Emperor toured south; on gengshen day he visited Zhangling; on wuchen day he visited Yunmeng, went to the Han River, then returned and visited Xinye. At that time grandees and imperial kin turned out carriages and riders by the ten thousand; levies and labor costs were beyond counting. Hu Teng of Guiyang, an attendant on the progress, memorialized: "The Son of Heaven knows no exterior—wherever the imperial carriage alights, that place is the capital. I ask that the Inspector of Jing be given powers like the Director of the Retainers, and that I be ranked with the Director of the Capital Offices." The Emperor agreed. Thereafter discipline was restored and none dared meddle with the local administrations. At Nanyang the Emperor's attendants all traded in illicit gain, and edicts frequently named men as palace gentlemen. Grand Commandant Yang Bing memorialized: "The clustered stars of the Supreme Palace Enclosure are called the Officers' Seats—within they guard the palace, without they govern the people. Your Majesty should cut indulgent favor and close the path of greedy petition." Edicts appointing such men then ceased.

護羌校尉段熲擊當煎羌，破之。

Duan Jiong, Protector of the Qiang, attacked the Dangjian Qiang and routed them.

十二月，辛丑，車駕還宮。

In the twelfth month, on xinchou day, the Emperor returned to the palace.

中常侍汝陽侯唐衡、武原侯徐璜皆卒。

The eunuch Tang Heng, Marquis of Ruyang, and Xu Huang, Marquis of Wuyuan, both died.

初，侍中寇榮，恂之曾孫也，性矜潔，少所與，以此為權寵所疾。榮從兄子尚帝妹益陽長公主，帝又納其從孫女於後宮。左右益忌之，遂共陷以罪，與宗族免歸故郡，吏承望風旨，持之浸急。榮恐不免，詣闕自論。未至，刺史張敬追劾榮以擅去邊，有詔捕之。榮逃竄數年，會赦，不得除，積窮困，乃自亡命中上書曰：「陛下統天理物，作民父母，自生齒以上，鹹蒙德澤；而臣兄弟獨以無辜，為專權之臣所見批抵，青蠅之人所共構會，令陛下忽慈母之仁，發投杼之怒。殘諂之吏，張設機網，並驅爭先，若赴仇敵，罰及死沒，髡剔墳墓，欲使嚴朝必加濫罰；是以不敢觸突天威而自竄山林，以俟陛下發神聖之聽，啟獨睹之明，救可濟之人，援沒溺之命。不意滯怒不為春夏息，淹恚不為歲時怠，遂馳使郵驛，佈告遠近，嚴文克剝，痛於霜雪，遂臣者窮人途，追臣者極車軌。雖楚購伍員，漢求季布，無以過也。臣遇罰以來，三赦再贖，無驗之罪，足以蠲除；而陛下疾臣愈深，有司咎臣甫力，止則見掃滅，行則為亡虜，苟生則為窮人，極死則為冤鬼，天廣而無以自覆，地厚而無以自載，蹈陸土而有沉淪之憂，遠巖牆而有鎮壓之患。如臣犯元惡大憝，足以陳原野，備刀鋸，陛下當班布臣之所坐，以解眾論之疑。臣思入國門，坐於肺石之上，使三槐九棘平臣之罪，而閶闔九重，陷阱步設，舉趾觸罘罝，動行絓羅網，無緣至萬乘之前，永無見信之期。悲夫，久生亦復何聊！蓋忠臣殺身以解君怒，孝子殞命以寧親怨，故大舜不避塗廩、浚井之難，申生不辭姬氏讒邪之謗；臣敢忘斯義，不自斃以解明朝之忿哉！乞以身塞責，願陛下丐亡兄弟死命，使臣一門頗有遺類，以崇陛下寬饒之惠。先死陳情，臨章泣血！」帝省章愈怒，遂誅榮，寇氏由是衰廢。

Earlier, Palace Attendant Kou Rong was a great-grandson of Kou Xun. Proud and exacting by nature, he kept few companions, and for this the powerful and favored resented him. A son of Rong's cousin had married the Emperor's sister, Princess of Yiyang; the Emperor had also taken Rong's grand-niece into the harem. The courtiers grew more envious still and joined in framing him. He and his clan were stripped of office and sent to their home commandery, where officials, catching the court's mood, hounded him ever harder. Fearing he could not escape, Rong went to court to plead his own cause. Before he arrived, Inspector Zhang Jing impeached him for leaving his district without authorization, and an edict ordered his arrest. Rong fled and hid for years. An amnesty came, yet he was not pardoned. Driven to extremity, he sent a memorial from hiding: "Your Majesty governs Heaven and orders all things, the parent of the people—from the first cutting of teeth upward, all have bathed in your grace; yet my brothers alone, though innocent, have been struck by power-holding ministers and slandered by whisperers until Your Majesty has forsaken a mother's kindness and loosed a father's unjust rage. Cruel, fawning officials have spread nets and traps; racing one another as at a feud, punishment reaches the dead and tombs are defaced—they would make the stern court heap excessive penalties; therefore I dared not offend Heaven's majesty and hid in the hills, waiting for Your Majesty to open sacred hearing, awaken singular insight, save those who may yet be saved, and rescue the drowning. I did not expect lingering wrath to know no spring or summer pause, nor deep resentment to ease with the year—couriers flew by post, notices went far and near, harsh words cut like frost and snow. Those who yielded were driven to ruin; pursuers filled the roads. Though Chu hunted Wu Zixu and Han sought Ji Bu, nothing could match this. Since my punishment there have been three amnesties and two redemptions—unproven charges enough to clear me; yet Your Majesty's hostility deepens. Officials blame my faint effort—if I stay I am destroyed, if I flee I am an outlaw; alive I am a beggar, dead I am a wronged ghost. Heaven is vast yet I cannot hide under it; earth is deep yet I cannot stand on it. On dry land I fear sinking; far from the wall I fear being crushed. If I have committed capital crime enough to be exposed in the open and meet axe and saw, let Your Majesty publish my offenses and resolve public doubt. I would enter the gate and sit on the red stone that the three huai and nine thorns might judge me—yet the ninefold gate is pit and trap, every step snares, every move entangles, with no path to ten thousand chariots and no season of trust. Alas—what comfort is there even in long life! Loyal ministers die to appease their lord's wrath; filial sons perish to quiet a parent's resentment. Great Shun did not flee the granary and the well; Shensheng did not refuse the Ji clan's slanders. How could I forget this and not offer my life to resolve the court's wrath! I beg to answer with my body and ask Your Majesty to spare my brothers, that our line may retain some remnant and Your Majesty's mercy be shown. Before death I lay bare my heart; writing this memorial I weep blood! The Emperor read the memorial and grew only angrier; Rong was executed, and the Kou clan fell into ruin."

春，正月，帝遣中常侍左心官之苦縣祠老子。

In spring, in the first month, the Emperor sent the eunuch Zuo Xin to offer sacrifice to Laozi at Ku County.

勃海王悝，素行險僻，多僭傲不法。北軍中候陳留史弼上封事曰：「臣聞帝王之於親戚，愛雖隆必示之以威，體雖貴必禁之以度，如是，和睦之道興，骨肉之恩遂矣。竊聞勃海王悝，外聚剽輕不逞之徒，內荒酒樂，出入無常，所與群居，皆家之棄子，朝之斥臣，必有羊勝、伍被之變。州司不敢彈糾，傅相不能匡輔，陛下隆於友於，不忍遏絕，恐遂滋蔓，為害彌大。乞露臣奏，宣示百僚，平處其法。法決罪定，乃下不忍之詔；臣下固執，然後少有所許。如是，則聖朝無傷親之譏，勃海有享國之慶。不然，懼大獄將興矣。」上不聽。悝果謀為不道；有司請廢之，詔貶為癭陶王，食一縣。

Liu Kui, King of Bohai, had long been devious and lawless, full of presumptuous conduct. Shi Bi of Chenliu, Director of the Northern Army, submitted a sealed memorial: "Emperors toward kin, though love runs deep, must show authority; though rank is high, must bound with measure—then harmony thrives and flesh-and-blood bonds hold. I hear King Kui of Bohai gathers ruffians without, drowns in wine and music within, comes and goes at whim, and his companions are cast-off sons and expelled ministers—surely a Yang Sheng or Wu Bei calamity awaits. Provincial officials dare not impeach; tutors cannot correct him. Your Majesty, in brotherly affection, cannot bear to restrain him—I fear the evil will spread and harm grow. I beg that this memorial be shown the hundred officials and the law applied fairly. Once guilt is fixed by law, then issue an edict of mercy; your ministers will press firmly, and then you may grant a little relief. Then the court will not be charged with harming kin, and Bohai will keep its kingdom. Otherwise I fear a great trial will come." The Emperor would not heed him. Kui did plot treason; authorities sought his removal. An edict demoted him to King of Yingtao with revenue from one district.

丙申晦，日有食之。詔公、卿、校尉舉賢良方正。

On the last day of the month, bingchen day, there was an eclipse of the sun. An edict ordered excellencies, ministers, and colonels to recommend worthy men of manifest virtue and upright character.

千秋萬歲殿火。

The Hall of Ten Thousand Years caught fire.

中常侍侯覽兄參為益州刺史，殘暴貪婪，累臧億計。太尉楊秉奏檻車征參，參於道自殺，閱其車重三百餘兩，皆金銀錦帛。秉因奏曰：「臣案舊典，宦官本在給使省闥，司昏守夜；而今猥受過寵，執政操權，附會者因公褒舉，違忤者求事中傷，居法王公，富擬國家，飲食極餚膳，僕妾盈紈素。中常侍侯覽弟參，貪殘元惡，自取禍滅。覽顧知釁重，必有自疑之意，臣愚以為不宜復見親近。昔懿公刑邴蜀阜之父，奪閻職之妻，而使二人參乘，卒有竹中之難。覽宜急屏斥，投畀有虎，若斯之人，非恩所宥，請免官送歸本郡。」書奏，尚書召對秉掾屬，詰之曰：「設官分職，各有司存。三公統外，御史察內。今越奏近官，經典、漢制，何所依據？其開公具對！」秉使對曰：「《春秋傳》曰：『除君之惡，唯力是視。』鄧通懈慢，申屠嘉召通詰責，文帝從而請之。漢世故事，三公之職，無所不統。尚書不能詰，帝不得已，竟免覽官。司隸校尉韓縯因奏左悺罪惡，及其兄太僕南鄉侯稱請托州郡，聚斂為奸，賓客放縱，侵犯吏民。悺、稱皆自殺。又奏中常侍具瑗兄沛相恭臧罪，征詣廷尉。瑗詣獄謝，上還東武侯印綬，詔貶為都鄉侯。超及璜、衡襲封者，並降為鄉侯，子弟分封者，悉奪爵土。劉普等貶為關內侯，尹勳等亦皆奪爵。

Hou Can, elder brother of the eunuch Hou Lan, was Inspector of Yi province—cruel, violent, greedy, and corrupt, amassing hundreds of millions. Grand Commandant Yang Bing memorialized that he be brought in a prisoner's cart. Can killed himself on the road; his baggage weighed more than three hundred cart-loads of gold, silver, and silk. Bing further wrote: "By old statute eunuchs served within the gates, keeping dusk watch and night guard; now they are over-favored, hold power and rule; followers are promoted on public business, opponents are destroyed in secret. They rank with kings, wealth rivals the state, tables overflow with delicacies, servants and concubines fill chambers of silk. Hou Can, younger brother of the eunuch Hou Lan, was greedy and cruel, a chief of evils, and brought ruin on himself. Lan, knowing the gravity of the crime, must doubt himself—I hold he should no longer attend the throne closely. Formerly Duke Yi of Wei punished the fathers of Bing Shu and Yan Zhi, seized Yan Zhi's wife, and made both ride beside him—he met disaster in the bamboo grove. Lan should quickly be cast out to tiger country; such men are beyond grace—I ask that he be dismissed and sent to his home commandery." When the memorial arrived, the Masters of Writing summoned Bing's staff and challenged them: "Offices are divided—each has its charge. The Three Excellencies govern without; the Imperial Secretary inspects within. Now you overstep to impeach palace officials—what classic or Han statute supports this? Let the Excellency answer fully!" Bing had them answer: "The Zuo Commentary says, 'Remove the ruler's evil—only exert your strength.' Deng Tong was negligent; Shentu Jia summoned and rebuked him, and Emperor Wen pardoned him at Jia's request. By Han precedent the Three Excellencies oversaw all affairs. The Masters of Writing could not rebut him; the Emperor, unwillingly, at last dismissed Lan. Director of the Retainers Han Yan then memorialized the crimes of Zuo Guan and his elder brother Cheng, Grand Steward and Marquis of Nanxiang, who had peddled influence in the provinces and amassed wealth by corruption; their clients ran wild and oppressed officials and people. Guan and Cheng both committed suicide. He also memorialized the corruption of Ju Yan's elder brother Gong, Chancellor of Pei; Gong was summoned to the Minister of Justice. Yan went to prison to apologize; the Emperor returned his Marquis of Dongwu seal and demoted him to Marquis of the Capital District. Chao, Huang, and Heng, who had inherited marquisates, were all demoted to district marquises; younger brothers and sons with separate fiefs lost their lands. Liu Pu and others were demoted to marquises within the passes; Yin Xun and others also lost their ranks.

帝多內寵，宮女至五六千人，及驅役從使復兼倍於此，而鄧後恃尊驕忌，與帝所幸郭貴人更相譖訴。癸亥，廢皇后鄧氏，送暴室，以憂死。河南尹鄧萬世、虎賁中郎將鄧會皆下獄誅。

The Emperor kept many inner favorites; palace women reached five or six thousand, and corvée attendants doubled that again. Empress Dowager Deng, proud in her eminence, quarreled with the favored Lady Guo in mutual slander. On guihai day Empress Deng was deposed, sent to the Dank Chamber, and died of grief. Deng Wanshi, Intendant of Henan, and Deng Hui, Captain of the Tiger Guards, were imprisoned and executed.

護羌校尉段熲擊罕姐羌，破之。

Duan Jiong, Protector of the Qiang, attacked the Hanjie Qiang and defeated them.

三月，辛巳，赦天下。

In the third month, on xinsi day, an amnesty was proclaimed for the empire.

宛陵大姓羊元群罷北海郡，臧污狼籍；郡捨溷軒有奇巧，亦載之以歸。河南尹李膺表按其罪；元群行賂宦官，膺竟反坐。單超弟遷為山陽太守，以罪繫獄，廷尉馮緄考致其死；中官相黨，共飛章誣緄以罪。中常侍蘇康、管霸，固天下良田美業，州郡不敢詰，大司農劉祐移書所在，依科品沒入之；帝大怒，與膺、緄俱輸作左校。

Yang Yuanqun of the great Wancheng clan left office as Administrator of Beihai with corruption notorious in every record; even clever fittings from the privy in the prefectural quarters were carted home. Li Ying, Intendant of Henan, memorialized to investigate his crimes; Yuanqun bribed the eunuchs, and Ying was punished in turn. Dan Chao's younger brother Qian was Administrator of Shanyang; imprisoned for crime, Minister of Justice Feng Gun's examination brought him to death; palace officials banded together and sent flying memorials to slander Gun. The eunuchs Su Kang and Guan Ba had seized good fields and fine estates empire-wide; provinces dared not investigate. Grand Minister of Agriculture Liu You ordered confiscation by statute; the Emperor was furious, and Ying and Gun with him were sent to labor in the Left Construction Corps.

夏，四月，甲寅，安陵園寢火。

In summer, in the fourth month, on jiayin day, the dormitory of the Anling mausoleum burned.

丁巳，詔壞郡國諸淫祀，特留雒陽王渙、密縣卓茂二祠。

On dingsi day an edict ordered licentious shrines in commanderies and kingdoms destroyed, keeping only those of King Huan of Luoyang and Zhuo Mao of Mi.

五月，丙戌，太尉楊秉薨。秉為人，清白寡慾，嘗稱「我有三不惑：酒、色、財也。」

In the fifth month, on bingxu day, Grand Commandant Yang Bing died. Bing was pure and of few desires; he once said, "I have three things I do not indulge: wine, women, and wealth."

秉既沒，所舉賢良廣陵劉瑜乃至京師上書言：「中官不當比肩裂土，競立胤嗣，繼體傳爵。又，嬖女充積，冗食空宮，傷生費國。又，第捨增多，窮極奇巧，掘山攻石，促以嚴刑。州郡官府，各自考事，姦情賕賂，皆為吏餌。民愁鬱結，起入賊黨，官輒興兵誅討其罪。貧困之民，或有賣其首級以要酬賞，父兄相代殘身，妻孥相視分裂。又，陛下好微行近習之家，私幸宦者之捨，賓客市買，熏灼道路，因此暴縱，無所不容。惟陛下開廣諫道，博觀前古，遠佞邪之人，放鄭、衛之聲，則政致和平，德感祥風矣。」詔特召瑜問災咎之征。執政者欲令瑜依違其辭，乃更策以它事，瑜復悉心對八千餘言，有切於前，拜為議郎。

After Bing's death, Liu Yu of Guangling, whom he had recommended, reached the capital and memorialized: "Palace officials should not stand beside princes who hold fiefs, competing to set up heirs and pass down noble titles. Again, favored women crowd the palace; idle mouths empty the halls—wasting life and draining the state. Again, mansions multiply, pushed to bizarre artifice, digging mountains and quarrying stone under harsh punishment. Provinces and districts each conduct their own trials; bribery and craft all become bait for officials. The people, knotted in grief, rise into bandit gangs; officials then raise troops to execute them. Among the poor some sell heads for bounty; fathers and brothers take turns mutilating themselves, wives and children watch one another torn apart. Moreover, Your Majesty delights in secret outings to the homes of close attendants and in private visits to eunuchs' quarters, where guests trade in the markets until smoke and clamor scorch the roads; through this, violent indulgence goes unchecked and nothing is forbidden. Only if Your Majesty opens wide the path of remonstrance, broadly surveys the former ancients, keeps far from flatterers and the wicked, and dismisses the licentious music of Zheng and Wei will government reach peace and virtue summon auspicious winds." An edict specially summoned Yu to inquire into the signs of disaster and calamity. Those in power wished to make Yu equivocate; they therefore changed the topic and questioned him on other matters. Yu again answered with full care in more than eight thousand words, sharper than before, and was appointed Gentleman Consultant.

荊州兵朱蓋等叛，與桂陽賊胡蘭等復攻桂陽，太守任胤棄城走，賊眾遂至數萬。轉攻零陵，太守下邳陳球固守拒之。零陵下濕，編木為城，郡中惶恐。掾史白球遣家避難，球怒曰：「太守分國虎符，受任一邦，豈顧妻孥而沮國威乎！復言者斬！」乃弦大木為方，羽矛為矢，引機發之，多所殺傷。賊激流灌城，球輒於內因地勢，反決水淹賊，相拒十餘日不能下。時度尚征還京師，詔以尚為中郎將，率步騎二萬餘人救球，發諸郡兵並勢討擊，大破之，斬蘭等首三千餘級，復以尚為荊州刺史。蒼梧太守張敘為賊所執，及任胤皆征棄市。胡蘭餘黨南走蒼梧，交趾刺史張磐擊破之，賊復還入荊州界。度尚懼為己負，乃偽上言蒼梧賊入荊州界，於是征磐下廷尉。辭狀未正，會赦見原，磐不肯出獄，方更牢持械節。獄吏謂磐曰：「天恩曠然，而君不出，何乎？」磐曰：「磐備位方伯，為尚所枉，受罪牢獄。夫事有虛實，法有是非，磐實不辜，赦無所除；如忍以苟免，永受侵辱之恥，生為惡吏，死為敝鬼。乞傳尚詣廷尉，面對曲直，足明真偽。尚不征者，磐埋骨牢檻，終不虛出，望塵受枉！」廷尉以其狀上，詔書征尚，到廷尉，辭窮，受罪，以先有功得原。

Jing Province soldiers under Zhu Gai rebelled; joining the Guiyang bandits Hu Lan and others, they again attacked Guiyang. Administrator Ren Yin abandoned the city and fled, and the rebel force soon numbered tens of thousands. They then turned to attack Lingling; Administrator Chen Qiu of Xiapi held firm and resisted them. Lingling lay low and damp; they wove wood into walls, and fear spread through the commandery. A clerk urged Qiu to send his family away to safety. Qiu angrily said, "The Administrator shares the state's tiger tally and holds charge of a whole province—how could he think of wife and children and thus weaken the state's authority! Whoever speaks of this again shall be beheaded!" He then strung great logs into frames, used feathered spears as projectiles, drew the mechanisms and released them, and killed and wounded many. The bandits diverted rushing water to flood the city; Qiu, within the walls, used the terrain to turn the water back and drown the bandits. They held each other off for more than ten days without the city falling. At this time Du Shang returned from campaign to the capital. An edict appointed him General of the Gentlemen of the Household and ordered him to lead more than twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to rescue Qiu, mobilizing troops from the commanderies for a combined attack. He inflicted a great defeat, beheading more than three thousand of Hu Lan and the others, and Shang was again made Inspector of Jing Province. Cangwu Administrator Zhang Xu was seized by the bandits; he and Ren Yin were both summoned and executed in the marketplace. Hu Lan's remnant followers fled south to Cangwu; Jiaozhi Inspector Zhang Pan defeated them, but the bandits again crossed back into Jing Province. Du Shang, fearing he would be held responsible, falsely memorialized that the Cangwu bandits had entered Jing Province; Zhang Pan was therefore summoned and sent to the Minister of Justice. The case had not yet been decided when an amnesty arrived and he was pardoned, but Pan refused to leave prison and only tightened his grip on his fetters and staff of office. The prison officer said to Pan, "Heaven's grace is broad and clear—yet you do not leave. Why?" Pan said, "Pan holds the post of a regional lord, was wronged by Shang, and suffers punishment in prison. Affairs have truth and falsehood, and law has right and wrong; Pan is in truth innocent, and the amnesty removes nothing; if I endure this to gain release, I shall forever bear the shame of insult; alive I would be a wicked official, dead a broken ghost. I beg that Shang be summoned to the Minister of Justice so that right and wrong may be faced directly and truth and falsehood fully made clear. If Shang is not summoned, Pan will bury his bones behind prison bars and never leave on false grounds, looking to the dust while suffering injustice!" The Minister of Justice submitted his statement upward; an edict summoned Shang. When he reached the Minister of Justice his case collapsed, he received punishment, and because of earlier merit was pardoned.

閏月，甲午，南宮朔平署火。

In the intercalary month, on jiawu day, the Shuo-ping Office of the Southern Palace caught fire.

段熲擊破西羌，進兵窮追，展轉山谷間，自春及秋，無日不戰，虜遂敗散，凡斬首二萬三千級，獲生口數萬人，降者萬餘落。封熲都鄉侯。

Duan Jiong defeated the Western Qiang and pursued them relentlessly through the mountain valleys. From spring through autumn there was not a day without battle; the enemy was defeated and scattered. In all, twenty-three thousand heads were taken; tens of thousands were captured alive, and more than ten thousand households surrendered. Jiong was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duxiang.

秋，七月，以太史大夫陳蕃為太尉。蕃讓於太常胡廣、議郎王暢、弛刑徒李膺，帝不許。暢，龔之子也，嘗為南陽太守，疾其多貴戚豪族，下車，奮厲威猛，大姓有犯，或使吏發屋伐樹，堙井夷灶。功曹張敞奏記諫曰：「文翁、召父、卓茂之徒，皆以溫厚為政，流聞後世。發屋伐樹，將為嚴烈，雖欲懲惡，難以聞遠。郡為舊都，侯甸之國，園廟出於章陵，三後生自新野，自中興以來，功臣將相，繼世而隆。愚以為懇懇用刑，不如行恩；孳孳求奸，未若禮賢。舜舉皋陶，不仁者遠，化人在德，不在用刑。」暢深納其言，更崇寬政，教化大行。

In autumn, in the seventh month, Grand Master of Writing Chen Fan was made Grand Commandant. Fan yielded the post to Minister of Ceremonies Hu Guang, Gentleman Consultant Wang Chang, and remitted convict Li Ying; the Emperor did not consent. Chang was Gong's son; he had once been Administrator of Nanyang. Grieved that the region abounded in noble clans and powerful families, upon taking office he exerted fierce and stern authority—when great clans offended, he sometimes had officials tear down houses and cut down trees, fill in wells and destroy stoves. Chief Clerk Zhang Chang submitted a remonstrance, saying, "Wen Weng, Lord Shao, Zhuo Mao, and men like them all governed with warmth and generosity, and their fame flowed down to later ages. Tearing down houses and cutting trees will become severity and harshness; though one wishes to punish evil, it is hard to make one's reputation heard afar. The commandery is an old capital, a state of marquis domains; gardens and temples arose from Zhangling, the Three Empresses were born from Xinye—from the Restoration onward, meritorious ministers and generals have risen in succession through the generations. Your servant thinks that earnestly applying punishments is not as good as practicing grace; diligently seeking out wrongdoing is not equal to honoring the worthy. When Shun raised Gao Yao, the unkind kept far away—transforming people lies in virtue, not in using punishments." Chang deeply accepted his words, further honored lenient government, and instruction and transformation flourished.

八月，戊辰，初令郡國有田者畝斂稅錢。

In the eighth month, on wuchen day, for the first time an order was issued that commanderies and kingdoms with fields should levy tax money per mu.

九月，丁未，京師地震。

In the ninth month, on dingwei day, the capital region suffered an earthquake.

冬，十月，司空周景免；以太常劉茂為司空，茂，愷之子也。郎中竇武，融之玄孫也，有女為貴人。采女田聖有寵於帝，帝將立之為後。司隸校尉應奉上書曰：「母后之重，興廢所因；漢立飛燕，胤嗣泯絕。宜思《關雎》之所求，遠五禁之所忌。」太尉陳蕃亦以田氏卑微，竇族良家，爭之甚固。帝不得已，辛巳，立竇貴人為皇后，拜武為特進、城門校尉，封槐裡侯。

In winter, in the tenth month, Minister of Works Zhou Jing was dismissed; Minister of Ceremonies Liu Mao was made Minister of Works; Mao was Kai's son. Gentleman of the Palace Dou Wu, a great-great-grandson of Rong, had a daughter who was an Imperial Consort. The palace woman Tian Sheng had the Emperor's favor, and the Emperor was about to establish her as Empress. Director of Corrections Ying Feng submitted a memorial, saying, "The weight of the Empress is the cause by which thrones are raised and cast down; when Han established Flying Swallow, the line of heirs was extinguished. One should reflect on what the Guan Ju seeks and keep far from what the Five Prohibitions forbid." Grand Commandant Chen Fan also, because the Tian clan was lowly and the Dou clan a good family, contended against it with great firmness. The Emperor, having no choice, on xinsi day established Imperial Consort Dou as Empress, appointed Wu as Special Counselor and Colonel of the City Gates, and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Huaili.

十一月，壬子，黃門北寺火。

In the eleventh month, on renzi day, the Northern Temple of the Yellow Gates caught fire.

陳蕃數言李膺、馮緄、劉祐之枉，請加原宥，升之爵任，言及反覆，誠辭懇切，以至流涕；帝不聽。應奉上疏曰：「夫忠賢武將，國之心膂。竊見左校弛刑徒馮緄、劉祐、李膺等，誅舉邪臣，肆之以法；陛下既不聽察，而猥受譖訴，遂令忠臣同愆元惡，自春迄冬，不蒙降恕，遐邇觀聽，為之歎息。夫立政之要，記功忘失；是以武帝捨安國於徒中，宣帝征張敞於亡命。緄前討蠻荊，均吉甫之功；祐數臨督司，有不吐茹之節；膺著威幽、并，遺愛度遼。今三垂蠢動，王旅未振，乞原膺等，以備不虞。」書奏，乃悉免其刑。久之，李膺復拜司隸校尉。時小黃門張讓弟朔為野王令，貪殘無道，畏膺威嚴，逃還京師，匿于兄家合柱中。膺知其狀，率吏卒破柱取朔，付雒陽獄，受辭畢，即殺之。讓訴冤於帝，帝召膺，詰以不先請便加誅之意。對曰：「昔仲尼為魯司寇，七日而誅少正卯。今臣到官已積一旬，私懼以稽留為愆，不意獲速疾之罪。誠自知釁責，死不旋踵，特乞留五日，克殄元惡，退就鼎鑊，始生之願也。」帝無復言，顧謂讓曰：「此汝弟之罪，司隸何愆！」乃遣出。自此諸黃門、常侍皆鞠躬屏氣，休沐不敢出宮省。帝怪問其故，並叩頭泣曰：「畏李校尉。」時朝廷日亂，綱紀頹弛，而膺獨特風裁，以聲名自高，士有被其容接者，名為登龍門雲。

Chen Fan repeatedly spoke of the injustice done to Li Ying, Feng Gun, and Liu You, requesting pardon and promotion in rank and office; his words were repeated and turned back upon themselves, sincere and earnest in expression, until he wept. The Emperor would not listen. Ying Feng submitted a memorial, saying, "Loyal ministers and worthy generals are the heart and backbone of the state. Your servant has observed that remitted convicts of the Left Commandant Feng Gun, Liu You, Li Ying, and others investigated and reported wicked ministers and applied the law to them without restraint; Your Majesty neither listened nor examined the matter, but rashly accepted slanderous accusations, and thus caused loyal ministers to share guilt with the chief villain. From spring through winter they received no reduction of punishment; near and far, all who saw and heard sighed for them. The essential point in establishing government is to record merit and forget faults; therefore Emperor Wu released An Guo from among convicts, and Emperor Xuan summoned Zhang Chang from among fugitives. Gun earlier punished the barbarians of Jing and matched the achievement of Lord Ji; You repeatedly supervised the inspectorates and possessed the integrity not to swallow wrongdoing; Ying established authority in You and Bing and left enduring love at Du Liao. Now the three frontiers stir with unrest and the royal army has not yet recovered; I beg that Ying and the others be pardoned to guard against the unforeseen." When the memorial was submitted, all their punishments were remitted. After some time, Li Ying was again appointed Director of Corrections. At this time Junior Palace Attendant Zhang Rang's younger brother Shuo was Magistrate of Yewang; greedy and cruel without principle, he feared Ying's stern authority, fled back to the capital, and hid in the hollow pillar of his elder brother's house. Ying learned the circumstances, led officials and soldiers to break the pillar and seize Shuo, handed him over to the Luoyang prison, and once his confession was complete immediately executed him. Rang pleaded injustice before the Emperor; the Emperor summoned Ying and questioned him on executing without prior request. He replied, "Formerly Confucius served as Minister of Crime of Lu and within seven days executed Shao Zheng Mao. Now your servant has held office for a full ten days; I privately feared that delay would be fault, and did not expect to receive the crime of excessive haste. I truly know my guilt and would die without turning my heel; I only beg to be kept five days more to destroy the chief villain, then withdraw to the cauldron—this is the wish of my whole life." The Emperor said nothing more, but turned and said to Rang, "This is your younger brother's crime—what fault has the Director of Corrections!" He then sent him out. From this onward all the Yellow Gates and Regular Attendants bowed with bated breath; on days of rest they did not dare leave the palace offices. The Emperor, wondering at the cause, asked; they all kowtowed weeping and said, "We fear Director of Corrections Li." At this time the court daily grew more chaotic and discipline slackened, yet Ying alone maintained stern standards and raised himself by reputation; scholars who received his attention were said to have ascended the Dragon Gate.

征東海相劉寬為尚書令。寬，崎之子也，歷典三郡，溫仁多恕，雖在倉卒，未嘗疾言遽色。吏民有過，但用蒲鞭罰之，示辱而已，終不加苦。每見父老，慰以農裡之言，少年，勉以孝悌之訓，人皆悅而化之。

Liu Kuan, Chancellor of Donghai, was summoned as Director of the Masters of Writing. Kuan was Qi's son; he had successively governed three commanderies. Warm and benevolent, greatly forgiving, even in sudden haste he never spoke harshly or showed a startled countenance. When officials or common people erred, he only punished them with a cattail whip to show disgrace and nothing more, never adding further suffering. Whenever he saw elders of the community he comforted them with words of farming and village life; to the young he exhorted filial piety and brotherly duty—and all were pleased and transformed by him.

春，正月，辛卯朔，日有食之。詔公卿、郡國舉至孝。太常趙典所舉荀爽對策曰：「昔者聖人建天地之中而謂之禮，眾禮之中，昏禮為首。陽性純而能施，陰體順而能化，以禮濟樂，節宣其氣，故能豐子孫之祥，致老壽之福。及三代之季，淫而無節，陽竭於上，陰隔於下，故周公之戒曰：『時亦罔或克壽。』《傳》曰：『截趾適屨，孰雲其愚，何與斯人，追欲喪軀。』誠可痛也。臣竊聞後宮采女五六千人，從官、侍使復在其外，空賦不辜之民，以供無用之女，百姓窮困於外，陰陽隔塞於內，故感動和氣，災異屢臻。臣愚以為諸未幸御者，一皆遣出，使成妃合，此誠國家之大福也。」詔拜郎中。司隸、豫州饑，死者什四五，至有滅戶者。

In spring, in the first month, on the first day xinmao, there was a solar eclipse. An edict ordered the excellencies, ministers, commanderies, and kingdoms to recommend supreme filial sons. Xun Shuang, recommended by Minister of Ceremonies Zhao Dian, answered in the examination, saying, "Formerly the sages established the mean between Heaven and Earth and called it ritual; among all rituals, marriage ritual comes first. Yang nature is pure and able to give forth; yin substance is compliant and able to transform. Using ritual to balance music and regulate and disperse its qi, one can therefore enrich the auspice of descendants and attain the blessing of long old age. By the end of the Three Dynasties there was excess without restraint; yang was exhausted above and yin blocked below. Therefore the warning of the Duke of Zhou says, "Then too none could attain long life." The Commentary says, "Cutting off the toes to fit the shoes—who would call that wise? Why follow such men, chasing desire to lose one's body?" Truly this is painful to consider. Your servant has heard that the palace women of the rear palace number five or six thousand, with attendants and serving maids beyond them besides; innocent people are taxed to supply useless women. The common people are impoverished without and yin and yang are blocked within—therefore harmonious qi is disturbed and disasters and anomalies repeatedly arrive. Your servant thinks that all who have not yet received imperial favor should one and all be sent out so that they may become wives—this is truly a great blessing to the state." An edict appointed him Gentleman of the Palace. In the Inspectorate of the Capital Region and Yu Province there was famine; of those who died, four or five in ten, and there were even households extinguished entirely.

詔征張奐為大司農，復以皇甫規代為度遼將軍。規自以連在大位，欲求退避，數上病，不見聽。會友人喪至，規越界迎之，因令客密告并州刺史胡芳，言規擅遠軍營，當急舉奏。芳曰：「威明欲避第仕塗，故激發我耳。吾當為朝廷愛才，何能申此子計邪！」遂無所問。

An edict summoned Zhang Huan as Grand Minister of Agriculture, and Huangfu Gui was again made General Who Crosses the Liao in his place. Gui, considering that he had held high office in succession and wishing to withdraw and avoid prominence, repeatedly submitted illness, but was not heeded. It happened that a friend's funeral arrived; Gui crossed the border to meet it and therefore had a guest secretly inform Bing Province Inspector Hu Fang that Gui had left his army camp without authorization and should urgently be reported and impeached. Fang said, "Weiming wishes to leave office and avoid the path of official advancement, and therefore provokes me. I ought to cherish talent for the court—how could I carry out this man's plan!" Thereupon nothing was investigated.

夏，四月，濟陰、東郡、濟北、平原河水清。

In summer, in the fourth month, the river water of Jiyin, Dong, Jibei, and Pingyuan became clear.

司徒許栩免；五月，以太常胡廣為司徒。

Minister over the Masses Xu Xu was dismissed; In the fifth month, Minister of Ceremonies Hu Guang was made Minister over the Masses.

庚午，上親祠老子於濯龍宮，以文罽為壇飾，淳金釦器，設華蓋之坐，用郊天樂。

On gengwu day the Emperor personally sacrificed to Laozi at the Washing Dragon Palace, using patterned felt for altar adornments, pure gold clasps on vessels, setting up a canopy seat, and using the music of suburban sacrifice to Heaven.

鮮卑聞張奐去，招結南匈奴及烏桓同叛。六月，南匈奴、烏桓、鮮卑數道入塞，寇掠緣邊九郡。秋，七月，鮮卑復入塞，誘引東羌與共盟詛。於是上郡沈氐、安定先零諸種共寇武威、張掖，緣邊大被其毒。詔復以張奐為護匈奴中郎將，以九卿秩督幽、并、涼三州及度遼、烏桓二營，兼察刺史、二千石能否。

The Xianbei, hearing that Zhang Huan had departed, recruited and joined the Southern Xiongnu and Wuhuan in common rebellion. In the sixth month, the Southern Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and Xianbei entered the frontier by several routes and raided and plundered nine commanderies along the border. In autumn, in the seventh month, the Xianbei again entered the frontier, enticing and leading the Eastern Qiang to join in covenant and curse. Thereupon the Shen Di of Shang commandery, the Xianling of Anding, and allied tribes jointly attacked Wuwei and Zhangye, and the frontier suffered heavily. An edict again appointed Zhang Huan General Who Protects the Xiongnu, with Nine-Minister rank to supervise You, Bing, and Liang provinces and the Du Liao and Wuhuan camps, and to review the competence of inspectors and commandery administrators.

初，帝為蠡吾侯，受學於甘陵周福，及即位，擢福為尚書。時同郡河南尹房植有名當朝，鄉人為之謠曰：「天下規矩，房伯武；因師獲印，周仲進。」二家賓客，互相譏揣，遂各樹朋徒，漸成尤隙。由是甘陵有南北部，黨人之議自此始矣。汝南太守宗資以范滂為功曹，南陽太守成□以岑晊為功曹，皆委心聽任，使之褒善糾違，肅清朝府。滂尤剛勁，疾惡如仇。滂甥李頌，素無行，中常侍唐衡以屬資，資用為吏；滂寢而不召。資遷怒，捶書佐朱零，零仰曰：「范滂清裁，今日寧受笞而死，滂不可違。」資乃止。郡中中人以下，莫不怨之。於是二郡為謠曰：「汝南太守范孟博，南陽宗資主畫諾；南陽太守岑公孝，弘農成□但坐嘯。」

Earlier, while still Marquis of Liyi, the Emperor had studied under Zhou Fu of Ganling; upon his accession he promoted Fu to Master of Writing. At the time Fang Zhi, Intendant of Henan and a fellow townsman, was famed at court, and locals sang of him: "The measure of all under heaven—Fang Bowu; Through his teacher he gained the seal—Zhou Zhongjin." The retainers of the two households traded mockery and suspicion, each building a faction until enmity took root. From this Ganling acquired its Northern and Southern factions, and partisan politics began. Runan Administrator Zong Zi made Fan Pang his Merit Officer, and Nanyang Administrator Cheng Ji made Cen Qi his; both gave them full trust to praise virtue, expose wrongdoing, and cleanse their administrations. Pang was especially resolute and stern, hating evil as one hates a personal foe. Pang's nephew Li Song was notoriously ill-behaved; Regular Palace Attendant Tang Heng recommended him to Zi, who took him on as an official; Pang ignored the appointment and refused to call him in. Zi turned his wrath on Clerk Assistant Zhu Ling and beat him; Ling looked up and said: "Fan Pang is incorruptible in judgment; I would rather be flogged to death today than disobey Pang. Zi then stopped. Throughout the commandery, everyone below the middle ranks resented him. Thereupon the two commanderies sang: "Runan has Fan Mengbo as its real master; in Nanyang Zong Zi only stamps approval; Nanyang has Cen Gongxiao; in Hongnong Cheng Ji only sits and whistles."

太學諸生三萬餘人，郭泰及穎川賈彪為其冠，與李膺、陳蕃、王暢更相褒重。學中語曰：「天下模楷，李元禮；不畏強禦，陳仲舉；天下俊秀，王叔茂。」於是中外承風，競以臧否相尚，自公卿以下，莫不畏其貶議，屣履到門。

More than thirty thousand students filled the Imperial Academy; Guo Tai and Jia Biao of Yingchuan stood at their head, and with Li Ying, Chen Fan, and Wang Chang they held one another in the highest esteem. Among the students they said: "The model for all under heaven—Li Yuanli; Who fears not the powerful—Chen Zhongju; The finest talent under heaven—Wang Shumao." Thereupon court and country took up the fashion, competing in praise and blame; from the highest ministers downward, all feared their censure and hurried shoeless to their doors.

宛有富賈張汎者，與後宮有親，又善雕鏤玩好之物，頗以賂遺中宮，以此得顯位，用勢縱橫。岑晊與賊曹史張牧勸成瑨收捕汎等，既而遇赦；瑨竟誅之，並收其宗族賓客，殺二百餘人，後乃奏聞。小黃門晉陽趙津，貪橫放恣，為一縣巨患。太原太守平原劉□質使郡吏王允討捕，亦於赦後殺之。於是中常侍侯覽使張泛妻上書訟冤，宦官因緣譖訴瑨、□質。帝大怒，征瑨、□質，皆下獄。有司承旨，奏瑨、□質罪當棄市。

In Wan lived a wealthy merchant named Zhang Fan, connected to the inner palace; skilled at carving luxury goods, he lavished bribes on the eunuchs, won high office, and abused his power without restraint. Cen Qi and Bandit-Catching Clerk Zhang Mu urged Cheng Ji to arrest Zhang Fan and his associates; an amnesty intervened; Ji executed them anyway, seized their clans and retainers, killed more than two hundred people, and only afterward reported to the throne. Junior Palace Attendant Zhao Jin of Jinyang was greedy, violent, and unrestrained—the scourge of his county. Taiyuan Administrator Liu Zhi of Pingyuan sent commandery official Wang Yun to capture him and, likewise, killed him after the amnesty. Thereupon Regular Palace Attendant Hou Lan had Zhang Fan's wife submit a memorial of grievance; the eunuchs used the occasion to slander Cheng Ji and Liu Zhi. The Emperor was furious, recalled Cheng Ji and Liu Zhi, and both were thrown into prison. The responsible officials, reading the imperial mood, memorialized that Cheng Ji and Liu Zhi deserved execution in the marketplace.

山陽太守翟超以郡人張儉為東部督郵。侯覽家在防東，殘暴百姓。覽喪母還家，大起塋塚。儉舉奏覽罪，而覽伺候遮截，章竟不上。儉遂破覽塚宅，藉沒資財，具奏其狀，復不得御。徐璜兄子宣為下邳令，暴虐尤甚。嘗求故汝南太守李暠女不能得，遂將吏卒至家，載其女歸，戲射殺之。東海相汝南黃浮聞之，收宣家屬，無少長，悉考之。掾史以下固爭，浮曰：「徐宣國賊，今日殺之，明日坐死，足以瞑目矣！」即案宣罪棄市，暴其屍，於是宦官訴冤於帝，帝大怒，超、浮並坐髡鉗，輸作右校。

Shanyang Administrator Zhai Chao appointed his fellow townsman Zhang Jian Eastern District Chief Officer. Hou Lan's family estate lay east of Fang, where they brutalized the people. Lan returned home to mourn his mother and raised a great tomb mound. Jian memorialized to impeach Lan, but Lan intercepted the report and it never reached the throne. Jian then demolished Lan's tomb and residence, confiscated his property, submitted a full report—and again it never reached the Emperor. Xu Huang's nephew's son Xuan was magistrate of Xiapi and was especially cruel and tyrannical. Once he sought the daughter of former Runan Administrator Li Hao in vain; he led officials and soldiers to her home, carried her off, and killed her for sport with bow and arrow. Donghai Chancellor Huang Fu of Runan heard of it, seized every member of Xuan's household without regard to age, and investigated them all. The clerks below remonstrated fiercely; Fu said: "Xu Xuan is a traitor to the state; to kill him today and die for it tomorrow is enough to close my eyes in peace!" He immediately tried Xuan and executed him in the marketplace, exposing his corpse; the eunuchs then pleaded injustice before the Emperor, who was furious; Chao and Fu were both shaved, fettered, and sent to labor at the Right Construction Office.

太尉陳蕃、司空劉茂共諫，請□、□質、超、浮等罪；帝不悅。有司劾奏之，茂不敢復言。蕃乃獨上疏曰：「今寇賊在外，四支之疾；內政不理，心腹之患。臣寢不能寐，食不能飽，實憂左右日親，忠言日疏，內患漸積，外難方深。陛下超從列侯，繼承天位，小家畜產百萬之資，子孫尚恥愧失其先業，況乃產兼天下，受之先帝，而欲懈怠以自輕忽乎！誠不愛己，不當念先帝得之勤苦邪！前梁氏五侯，毒遍海內，天啟聖意，收而戮之。天下之議，冀當小平；明鑒未遠，覆車如昨，而近習之權，復相扇結。小黃門趙津、大猾張泛等，肆行貪虐，奸媚左右。前太原太守劉□質、南陽太守成□糾而戮之，雖言赦後不當誅殺，原其誠心，在乎去惡，至於陛下，有何悁悁！而小人道長，營惑聖聽，遂使天威為之發怒，必加刑謫，已為過甚，況乃重罰令伏歐刀乎！又，前山陽太守翟超、東海相黃浮，奉公不橈，疾惡如仇，超沒侯覽財物，浮誅徐宣之罪，並蒙刑坐，不逢赦恕。覽之從橫，沒財已幸；宣犯釁過，死有餘辜。昔丞相申屠嘉召責鄧通，雒陽令董宣折辱公主，而文帝從而請之，光武加以重賞，未聞二臣有專命之誅。而今左右群豎，惡傷黨類，妄相交構，致此刑譴，聞臣是言，當復啼訴。陛下深宜割塞近習與政之源，引納尚書朝省之士，簡練清高，斥黜佞邪。如是天和於上，地洽於下，休禎符瑞，豈遠乎哉！」帝不納。宦官由此疾蕃彌甚，選舉奏議，輒以中詔譴卻，長史以下多至抵罪，猶以蕃名臣，不敢加害。

Grand Commandant Chen Fan and Minister of Works Liu Mao jointly remonstrated, asking pardon for Cheng Ji, Liu Zhi, Chao, Fu, and the others; The Emperor was displeased. The responsible officials impeached them; Mao dared speak no further. Fan then submitted a memorial alone, saying: "Now bandits and rebels are abroad—an ailment of the limbs; Internal government goes unattended—a malady of the heart and belly. Your servant cannot sleep at night or eat his fill by day, fearing that those close at hand grow ever nearer while loyal counsel grows ever more distant, internal troubles mount, and external danger deepens. Your Majesty rose from the ranks of marquises to inherit the throne; even a small household worth a million in property would feel shame if its heirs lost the ancestral estate—how much more when the realm is yours, received from the Former Emperor, could you slacken and neglect yourself! If you truly do not cherish yourself, ought you not remember the Former Emperor's toil and hardship in winning the throne! Formerly the five marquises of the Liang clan poisoned the realm; Heaven opened your mind, and they were gathered up and executed. All under heaven hoped for a brief respite; The warning is still fresh, the overturned cart still before us—yet the power of close attendants again fans and binds together. Junior Palace Attendant Zhao Jin, the great rogue Zhang Fan, and others practiced greed and cruelty at will, fawning on those at your side. Former Taiyuan Administrator Liu Zhi and Nanyang Administrator Cheng Ji investigated and executed them; though killing after an amnesty is disputed, their hearts were sincere and their aim was to remove evil—why should Your Majesty be so troubled! Yet petty men grow ever bolder; they bewilder your ear until imperial wrath demands punishment—already too much, and now you would add heavy penalties and make them kneel before the executioner's blade! Moreover, former Shanyang Administrator Zhai Chao and Donghai Chancellor Huang Fu served the public without bending and hated evil as personal foes—Chao confiscated Hou Lan's property, Fu punished Xu Xuan—and both were punished without pardon. Hou Lan's tyranny—merely confiscating his property was already lenient; Xu Xuan's crimes deserved death many times over. Formerly Chancellor Shentu Jia summoned and rebuked Deng Tong, and Luoyang Magistrate Dong Xuan shamed the princess—yet Emperor Wen interceded for Dong Xuan, and Emperor Guangwu richly rewarded such men; never were those ministers executed for acting on their own authority. Yet now the eunuchs at your side, hating any harm to their faction, fabricate charges and brought this punishment about; hearing my words, they will wail and plead again. Your Majesty ought to cut off the source by which close attendants enter government, welcome the officials of the Masters of Writing and the court assemblies, select the pure and upright, and dismiss flatterers and the wicked. If so, Heaven will be harmonious above and Earth in accord below—how far could auspicious signs be!" The Emperor did not accept it. From this the eunuchs hated Fan all the more; whenever selections or memorials were submitted, inner-palace edicts rebuked and rejected them, and many from chief clerk downward were punished; because Fan was a famous minister, they did not dare harm him.

平原襄楷詣闕上疏曰：「臣聞皇天不言，以文象設教。臣竊見太微、天廷五帝之坐，而金、火罰星揚光其中，於占，天子凶；又俱入房、心，法無繼嗣。前年冬大寒，殺鳥獸，害魚鱉，城傍竹柏之葉有傷枯者。臣聞於師曰：『柏傷竹枯，不出二年，天子當之。』今自春夏以來，連有霜雹及大雨雷電，臣作威作福，刑罰急刻之所感也。太原太守劉□質，南陽太守成□，志除奸邪，其所誅翦，皆合人望。而陛下受閹豎之譖，乃遠加考逮。三公上書乞哀□質等，不見采察而嚴被譴讓，憂國之任，將遂杜口矣。臣聞殺無罪，誅賢者，禍及三世。自陛下即位以來，頻行誅罰，梁、寇、孫、鄧並見族滅，其從坐者又非其數。李雲上書，明主所不當諱；杜眾乞死，諒以感悟聖朝；曾無赦宥而並被殘戮，天下之人咸知其冤，漢興以來，未有拒諫誅賢，用刑太深如今者也。昔文王一妻，誕致十子；今宮女數千，未聞慶育，宜修德省刑以廣《螽斯》之祚。案春秋以來，及古帝王，未有河清。臣以為河者，諸侯位也。清者，屬陽；濁者，屬陰。河當濁而反清者，陰欲為陽，諸侯欲為帝也。京房《易傳》曰：『河水清，天下平。』今天垂異，地吐妖，人癘疫，三者並時而有河清，猶春秋麟不當見而見，孔子書之以為異也。願賜清閒，極盡所言。」書奏，不省。

Xiang Kai of Pingyuan went to the palace gate and submitted a memorial, saying: "Your servant has heard that August Heaven is wordless and teaches through celestial patterns and images. Your servant has observed the Seat of the Five Emperors in the Supreme Palace Enclosure and Celestial Court, with the punishing stars Metal and Fire blazing therein—by divination, this bodes ill for the Son of Heaven; Moreover both have entered Fang and Xin—the rule indicates no successor. Two winters ago, extreme cold killed birds and beasts, harmed fish and turtles, and bamboo and cypress leaves beside the walls withered. Your servant heard from his teacher: 'When cypress is injured and bamboo withers, within two years the Son of Heaven must answer for it.' From spring through summer until now, frost and hail have repeatedly fallen along with great rain, thunder, and lightning—these are stirred by ministers who act with authority and dispense favor, and by punishments harsh and severe. Taiyuan Administrator Liu Zhi and Nanyang Administrator Cheng Ji wished to remove wickedness; those they cut down all accorded with the people's hopes. Yet Your Majesty accepted the eunuchs' slander and sent officials far away to investigate and arrest them. The Three Excellencies begged mercy for Liu Zhi and the others—their pleas went unheeded and they were sternly rebuked; those charged with caring for the state will soon fall silent. Your servant has heard that killing the innocent and executing the worthy brings calamity upon three generations. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, executions and punishments have been frequent—the Liang, Kou, Sun, and Deng clans were wiped out to the last, and those implicated with them are beyond counting. Li Yun submitted a memorial on what a bright ruler ought not taboo; Du Zhong begged for death, presumably to awaken the sacred court; Yet there was no pardon, only brutal slaughter; all under heaven know their injustice—in all the rise of Han, never has remonstrance been rejected, worthies executed, and punishment wielded so deeply as today. Formerly King Wen had one wife and she bore ten sons; now palace women number in the thousands, yet no blessed births are heard—Your Majesty ought to cultivate virtue and reduce punishments to extend the blessing of the Zhongsi Ode. Examining from the Spring and Autumn period onward, and among ancient emperors and kings—never was the Yellow River clear. Your servant considers that the river represents the rank of feudal lords; what is clear belongs to yang; what is turbid belongs to yin. When the river ought to be turbid yet turns clear—yin wishes to become yang, feudal lords wish to become emperors. In Jing Fang's Commentary on the Changes it says: 'When the Yellow River is clear, all under heaven is at peace.' Today Heaven sends forth anomalies, Earth spews portents, and people suffer pestilence—all three at once, and yet the Yellow River is clear; it is like the unicorn in the Spring and Autumn Annals, which ought not to appear yet appeared—Confucius recorded it as an anomaly. I beg to be granted leisure and quiet to speak my utmost." When the memorial was submitted, it was not examined.

十餘日，復上書曰：「臣聞殷紂好色，妲己是出；葉公好龍，真龍游廷。今黃門、常侍，天刑之人，陛下愛待，兼倍常寵，系嗣未兆，豈不為此！又聞宮中立黃、老、浮屠之祠，此道清虛，貴尚無為，好生惡殺，省欲去奢。今陛下耆欲不去，殺罰過理，既乖其道，豈獲其祚哉！浮屠不三宿桑下，不欲久生恩愛，精之至也；其守一如此，乃能成道。今陛下淫女艷婦，極天下之麗，甘肥飲美，單天下之味，奈何欲如黃、老乎！」書上，即召入，詔尚書問狀。楷言：「古者本無宦臣，武帝末數游後宮，始置之耳。」尚書承旨，奏：「楷不正辭理，而違背經藝，假借星宿，造合私意，誣上罔事，請下司隸正楷罪法，收送雒陽獄。」帝以楷言雖激切，然皆天文恆象之數，故不誅；猶司寇論刑。自永平以來，臣民雖有習浮屠術者，而天子未之好；至帝，始篤好之，常躬自禱祠，由是其法侵盛，故楷言及之。

After more than ten days, he again submitted a memorial, saying: "Your servant has heard that King Zhou of Yin loved beauty, and Daji issued forth from it; Lord Ye loved dragons, and a true dragon wandered the court. Now the Yellow Gates and Regular Attendants are men marked by Heaven's punishment—Your Majesty loves and favors them beyond measure; the line of succession shows no sign—could it not be because of this! Your servant also hears that within the palace shrines to Huang-Lao and Buddhism have been established—this Way is clear and empty, honors non-action, loves life and hates killing, and reduces desire and abandons extravagance. Now Your Majesty will not put away old desires; killing and punishment exceed reason—having already strayed from this Way, how could you obtain its blessing! The Buddha does not lodge three nights beneath a mulberry tree, unwilling to let affection grow long—such is the utmost refinement; holding to the one with such constancy, only then can one attain the Way. Now Your Majesty's licentious women and gorgeous consorts exhaust all beauty under heaven; savory meats and fine drink exhaust all flavors under heaven—how could you wish to be like Huang-Lao!" When the memorial was submitted, he was immediately summoned in; an edict ordered the Masters of Writing to inquire into the circumstances. Kai said: "In antiquity there were originally no palace eunuchs; only at the end of Emperor Wu's reign, when he often roamed the inner palace, were they first established." The Masters of Writing, following the imperial intent, memorialized: "Kai does not argue with correct reasoning but violates the canonical classics, borrows celestial signs, fabricates what suits private intent, deceives the sovereign and misleads affairs—we request he be handed to the Director of Retainers to determine guilt under law and sent to Luoyang prison." The Emperor, though Kai's words were sharp and extreme, considered them all fixed astronomical signs, and therefore did not execute him; Still referred the case to the Minister of Crime for sentencing. Since the Yongping era, subjects and commoners have practiced Buddhist arts, yet the Son of Heaven has not favored them; under this Emperor he began to love it fervently, often praying and sacrificing in person; from this its teachings spread ever wider, and therefore Kai spoke of it.

符節令汝南蔡衍、議郎劉瑜表救成□、劉□質，言甚切厲，亦坐免官。 □、□質竟死獄中。 □、□質素剛直，有經術，知名當時，故天下惜之。岑晊、張牧逃竄獲免。晊之亡也，親友競匿之；賈彪獨閉門不納，時人望之。彪曰：「傳言『相時而動，無累後人。』公孝以要君致釁，自遺其咎，至已不能奮戈相待，反可容隱之乎！」於是鹹服其裁正。彪嘗為新息長，小民困貧，多不養子；彪嚴為其制，與殺人同罪。城南有盜劫害人者，北有婦人殺子者。彪出案驗，掾吏欲引南，彪怒曰：「賊寇害人，此則常理；母子相殘，逆天違道！」遂驅車北行，案致其罪。城南賊聞之，亦面縛自首。數年間，人養子者以千數。曰：「此賈父所生也。」皆名之為賈。

Keeper of Credentials Cai Yan of Runan and Gentleman Consultant Liu Yu memorialized to save Cheng Ji and Liu Zhi in language sharp and stern, and they too were dismissed from office. Cheng Ji and Liu Zhi ultimately died in prison. Cheng Ji and Liu Zhi had always been upright and firm, versed in the classics, and famed in their day, and all under heaven mourned them. Cen Qi and Zhang Mu fled into hiding and escaped punishment. When Qi was on the run, friends and kin competed to hide him; Jia Biao alone shut his door and refused him entry, and people of the time admired him for it. Biao said: "The tradition says, 'Act according to the times, and do not burden posterity. Gongxiao forced the ruler's hand and brought calamity on himself; now that he cannot even raise a spear in his own defense, how can one still shelter him!" Thereupon all submitted to his judgment. Biao had once been Magistrate of Xinxing; the common people, crushed by poverty, often abandoned their children; Biao sternly made regulations treating it as the same crime as murder. South of the city a robber plundered and killed people; north of the city a woman killed her child. Biao went out to investigate; the clerks wished to lead him south. Biao angrily said: "Bandits harming people—that is ordinary; mother and child destroying each other—that defies Heaven and violates the Way!" Thereupon he drove north and prosecuted her to conviction. When the bandit south of the city heard of this, he too bound himself and surrendered. Within a few years, those who reared children numbered in the thousands. People said: "This is what Prefect Jia gave life to." All named their children Jia.

河內張成，善風角，推占當赦，教子殺人。司隸李膺督促收捕，既而逢宥獲免；膺愈懷憤疾，竟案殺之。成素以方伎交通宦官，帝亦頗訊其占；宦官教成弟子牢修上書，告「膺等養太學游士，交結諸郡生徒，更相驅馳，共為部黨，誹訕朝廷，疑亂風俗。」於是天子震怒，班下郡國，逮捕黨人，佈告天下，使同忿疾。案經三府，太尉陳蕃卻之曰：「今所案者，皆海內人譽，憂國忠公之臣，此等猶將十世宥也，豈有罪名不章而致收掠者乎！」不肯平署。帝愈怒，遂下膺等於黃門北寺獄，其辭所連及，太僕穎川杜密、御史中丞陳翔及陳寔、范滂之徒二百餘人。或逃遁不獲，皆懸金購募，使者四出相望。陳寔曰：「吾不就獄，眾無所恃。」乃自往請囚。范滂至獄，獄吏謂曰：「凡坐系者，皆祭皋陶。」滂曰：「皋陶，古之直臣，知滂無罪，將理之於帝，如其有罪，祭之何益！」眾人由此亦止。陳蕃復上書極諫，帝諱其言切，托以蕃辟召非其人，策免之。

Zhang Cheng of Henei was skilled at wind-angle divination; calculating that an amnesty was coming, he taught his son to kill a man. Director of the Retainers Li Ying pressed the hunt for his arrest; soon afterward an amnesty intervened and he was spared; Ying's resentment burned hotter still, and in the end he prosecuted the case and executed him. Cheng had long used occult arts to cultivate ties with the eunuchs, and the Emperor also frequently inquired into his divinations; the eunuchs had Cheng's disciple Lao Xiu submit a memorial accusing Ying and others of "maintaining roaming scholars of the Imperial Academy, forging ties with student disciples in the various commanderies, driving one another on, forming partisan cliques, slandering the court, and disturbing custom." Thereupon the Son of Heaven was deeply angered, issued orders to the commanderies and kingdoms, arrested the partisans, proclaimed it to all under heaven, and made all share in wrath and loathing. The case passed through the Three Excellencies; Grand Commandant Chen Fan refused it, saying: "Those now under prosecution are all men of reputation throughout the realm, loyal ministers devoted to the public good—such men would receive pardon even to the tenth generation; how can men whose crimes are not clearly stated be seized and plundered!" He refused to countersign. The Emperor's anger grew still greater; he thereupon sent Ying and others to the prison of the Northern Monastery of the Yellow Gate. Those implicated in their confessions included Grand Steward Du Mi of Yingchuan, Director of the Masters of Writing Chen Xiang, Chen Shi, Fan Pang, and more than two hundred others. Some fled and could not be captured; bounties in gold were posted for them all; envoys went forth in all directions, one after another. Chen Shi said: "If I do not go to prison, the masses will have nothing to rely on." Thereupon he went of his own accord to surrender for imprisonment. When Fan Pang arrived at prison, the prison officer said to him: "All who are imprisoned here sacrifice to Gao Yao." Pang said: "Gao Yao was an upright minister of antiquity; knowing that Pang is guiltless, he will plead my case before the Emperor—if I am guilty, what use is sacrifice!" From this the others also stopped. Chen Fan again submitted a memorial remonstrating to the utmost; the Emperor resented his sharp words, using as pretext that Fan had recommended the wrong man for appointment, and dismissed him by edict.

時黨人獄所染逮者，皆天下名賢，度遼將軍皇甫規，自以西州豪桀，恥不得與，乃自上言：「臣前薦故大司農張奐，是附黨也。又，臣昔論輸左校時，太學生張鳳等上書訟臣，是為黨人所附也，臣宜坐之。」朝廷知而不問。杜密素與李膺名行相次，時人謂之李、杜，故同時被系。密嘗為北海相，行春，到高密，見鄭玄為鄉嗇夫，知其異器，即召署郡職，遂遣就學，卒成大儒。後密去官還家，每謁守令，多所陳托。同郡劉勝，亦自蜀郡告歸鄉里，閉門掃軌，無所幹及。太守王昱謂密曰：「劉季陵清高士，公卿多舉之者。密知昱以激己，對曰：「劉勝位為大夫，見禮上賓，而知善不薦，聞惡無言，隱情惜己，自同寒蟬，此罪人也。今志義力行之賢而密達之，違道失節之士而密糾之，使明府賞刑得中，令問休揚，不亦萬分之一乎！」昱慚服，待之彌厚。

At the time those implicated in the partisan prison case were all famous worthies under heaven. General Who Crosses the Liao Huangfu Gui, considering himself a magnate of the western provinces, was shamed at not being included; he therefore submitted a memorial of his own, saying: "Your servant formerly recommended the late Grand Minister of Agriculture Zhang Huan—this is attachment to the partisans. Moreover, when Your servant was formerly sentenced to labor in the Left Construction Corps, Imperial Academy students Zhang Feng and others submitted memorials pleading my cause—this shows attachment by the partisans; Your servant ought to be punished for it." The court knew of this but made no inquiry. Du Mi's reputation and conduct had always ranked next to Li Ying's; people of the time called them Li and Du—therefore both were imprisoned at the same time. Mi had once been Chancellor of Beihai; on his spring inspection tour he came to Gaomi, saw Zheng Xuan serving as district bailiff, recognized him as extraordinary talent, immediately summoned him and assigned him a commandery post, then sent him to pursue study—he ultimately became a great Confucian. Later, after Mi left office and returned home, whenever he called on the prefect and magistrates he often made many requests on others' behalf. Liu Sheng of the same commandery had likewise returned from Shu commandery to his home district; he shut his door, swept his tracks, and had no dealings with anyone. Prefect Wang Yu said to Mi: "Liu Jiling is a lofty and pure gentleman; many high officials recommend him. Mi knew Yu was trying to provoke him, and replied: "Liu Sheng holds the rank of Grandee and is received as an honored guest—yet knowing good he does not recommend it, hearing evil he says nothing, concealing his feelings and sparing himself, making himself like a winter cicada—this is a criminal man. "Now if Your servant reports worthy men of resolute purpose and forceful action, and privately denounces men who stray from the Way and lose integrity, would this not be one ten-thousandth of enabling Your Excellence to reward and punish with due measure, so that your reputation for good governance flourishes!" Yu felt shame and submitted; he treated Mi still more generously.

九月，以光祿勳周景為太尉。

In the ninth month, Grandee of Splendid Happiness Zhou Jing was made Grand Commandant.

司空劉茂免。

Minister of Works Liu Mao was dismissed.

冬，十二月，以光祿勳汝南宣酆為司空。

In winter, the twelfth month, Grandee of Splendid Happiness Xuan Feng of Runan was made Minister of Works.

以越騎校尉竇武為城門校尉。武在位，多辟名士，清身疾惡，禮賂不通。妻子衣食裁充足而已。得兩宮賞賜，悉散與太學諸生及丐施貧民。由是眾譽歸之。

Colonel of the Rapid Cavalry Dou Wu was made Colonel of the City Gates. In office Wu extensively recruited famous scholars, kept himself pure and hated evil, and would not accept bribes through ritual gifts. His wife and children had clothing and food barely sufficient—that was all. Whatever rewards he received from the two palaces he distributed entirely to Imperial Academy students and as alms to the poor. From this public praise converged upon him.

匈奴烏桓聞張奐至，皆相率還降，凡二十萬口；奐但誅其首惡，餘皆慰納之。唯鮮卑出塞去。朝廷患檀石槐不能制，遣使持印綬封為王，欲與和親。檀石槐不肯受，而寇抄滋甚。自分其地為三部：從右北平以東至遼東，接夫餘、濊貊二十餘邑，為東部；從右北平以西，至上谷十餘邑，為中部；從上谷以西至敦煌、烏孫二十餘邑，為西部。各置大人領之。」」

When the Xiongnu and Wuhuan heard that Zhang Huan had arrived, they all led one another back to surrender—two hundred thousand persons in all; Huan only executed the chief ringleaders; the rest he comforted and accepted. Only the Xianbei went outside the passes and departed. The court, troubled that Tanshihuai could not be controlled, sent envoys bearing seals and ribbons to enfeoff him as king, wishing to make peace through marriage alliance. Tanshihuai refused to accept, and raids and plundering grew still worse. He himself divided his territory into three parts: from Right Beiping eastward to Liaodong, touching Buyeo and Yemaek in more than twenty settlements—this was the Eastern Division; from west of Right Beiping to Shanggu in more than ten settlements—this was the Central Division; from west of Shanggu to Dunhuang and Wusun in more than twenty settlements—this was the Western Division. Each division had a great chief appointed to lead it.””

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