Records of Wei 23: Biographies of He Qia, Chang Lin, Yang Jun, Du Xi, Zhao Yan and Pei Qian

Records of Wei 23: Biographies of He Qia, Chang Lin, Yang Jun, Du Xi, Zhao Yan and Pei Qian

He Qia

和洽

He Qia, courtesy name Yangshi, was a man of Xiping in Runan. He was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt and summoned by the Grand General, but he took up neither post. When Yuan Shao was in Ji Province, he sent envoys to welcome the gentlemen and officials of Runan. He Qia alone held that “Ji Province is flat land with strong people, coveted by heroes, a land open to war on all four sides. Benchu, riding on his resources, may well grow strong and great, but bold men are only now rising, and nothing is certain. Liu Biao of Jing Province has no far-reaching ambitions; he loves people and delights in scholars, his land is rugged and hard to approach, and the mountain tribes and common people are weak, so he is easy to rely on.”

和洽字陽士，汝南西平人也。舉孝廉，大將軍辟，皆不就。袁紹在冀州，遣使迎汝南士大夫。洽獨以「冀州土平民彊，英桀所利，四戰之地。本初乘資，雖能彊大，然雄豪方起，全未可必也。荊州劉表無他遠志，愛人樂士，土地險阻，山夷民弱，易依倚也」。

So he went south with his kin and old friends and followed Liu Biao, who treated him as an honored guest. He Qia said, “The reason I did not follow Benchu was to avoid a contested land. The ruler of a benighted age must not be approached too familiarly; stay long and you are in peril, for there will surely be slanderers and wicked men who sow discord between you.” He then crossed south to Wuling.

遂與親舊俱南從表，表以上客待之。洽曰：「所以不從本初，辟爭地也。昏世之主，不可黷近，久而阽危，¹必有讒慝閒其中者。」遂南度武陵。

When Taizu pacified Jing Province, he summoned He Qia to be a clerk on the Chancellor’s staff. At that time Mao Jie and Cui Yan were both managing affairs with loyalty and integrity, and in selecting men for office they gave first place to frugality and restraint. He Qia said, “The great vessel of the realm depends on the office and the man; they cannot be judged by a single standard of conduct. Frugality carried past the mean is acceptable as a rule for one’s own conduct, but if one measures others by this standard, much may be lost. Now in the deliberations at court, officials who wear new clothes and ride in good carriages are called unclean, while senior officials who pass by the camp with unadorned appearance and worn and tattered clothes and furs are called honest and pure.

太祖定荊州，辟爲丞相掾屬。時毛玠、崔琰並以忠清幹事，其選用先尚儉節。洽言曰：「天下大器，在位與人，不可以一節檢也。儉素過中，自以處身則可，以此節格物，所失或多。今朝廷之議，吏有著新衣、乘好車者，謂之不清；長吏過營，形容不飾，衣裘敝壞者，謂之廉潔。

It has come to the point that gentlemen and officials deliberately soil their clothes and hide their carriages and robes, and some senior officials of the court and ministries carry their own jugs and meals into the government offices. In establishing teachings and observing customs, what matters is to abide in the mean, so that it can be continued. Now you exalt a single uniform standard of conduct that is hard to bear and use it to judge men on different paths; if they force themselves to it, some will surely be worn out. The great teachings of antiquity strove only to be in accord with human feeling. Wherever conduct is extreme and eccentric, there is room for hidden falsehood.”

至令士大夫故汙辱其衣，藏其輿服；朝府大吏，或自挈壺餐以入官寺。夫立敎觀俗，貴處中庸，爲可繼也。今崇一概難堪之行以檢殊塗，勉而爲之，必有疲瘁。古之大敎，務在通人情而已。凡激詭之行，則容隱僞矣。」¹

When the state of Wei was established, he became Palace Attendant. Later someone reported that Mao Jie had slandered Taizu, and Taizu, meeting with his close ministers, was furious. He Qia stated that Mao Jie’s conduct had always been principled and asked that the matter be investigated and the facts established. When court was dismissed, Taizu issued an order: “Now the informant reports that Mao Jie not only slandered me but went on to bear a grudge on Cui Yan’s behalf. This damages the bond of grace and duty between ruler and subject and wildly laments and resents on behalf of a dead friend; it can hardly be tolerated. Of old, Xiao He and Cao Can rose from humble beginnings together with Emperor Gaozu and achieved merit and distinction.

魏國既建，爲侍中，後有白毛玠謗毀太祖，太祖見近臣，怒甚。洽陳玠素行有本，求案實其事。罷朝，太祖令曰：「今言事者白玠不但謗吾也。乃復爲崔琰觖望。此損君臣恩義，妄爲死友怨歎，殆不可忍也。昔蕭、曹與高祖並起微賤，致功立勳。

Whenever Gaozu was in straits, the two ministers were respectful and obedient, and the way of the subject shone all the more; that is why their fortune reached later generations. Palace Attendant He has recently asked that the facts be established, and the reason I have not heeded him is simply that I wish to look into it further.” He Qia replied, “If it is as the informant says, Mao Jie’s offense is so grave that heaven and earth cannot cover and bear it. I do not presume to twist reason on Mao Jie’s behalf and so bend the great principles. But Mao Jie was singled out from among the mass of officials and specially promoted to a prominent chief office, has enjoyed favor for years, and is upright, loyal and public-minded, feared by all; so it is unlikely that he would do such a thing.

高祖每在屈笮，二相恭順，臣道益彰，所以祚及後世也。和侍中比求實之，所以不聽，欲重參之耳。」洽對曰：「如言事者言，玠罪過深重，非天地所覆載。臣非敢曲理玠以枉大倫也，以玠出羣吏之中，特見拔擢，顯在首職，歷年荷寵，剛直忠公，爲衆所憚，不宜有此。

Yet human hearts are hard to vouch for, so it is essential to investigate and verify the facts on both sides. Now your sacred grace extends a forbearance that tolerates faults, and you cannot bear to hand him over to the law; but this only leaves the line between right and wrong unclear, and suspicion will begin close at hand.” Taizu said, “The reason I do not investigate is that I wish to keep both Mao Jie and the informant whole.” He Qia replied, “If Mao Jie truly spoke slander against his sovereign, he should be executed and exposed in the market and at court; if Mao Jie did no such thing, the informant has falsely accused a great minister and misled his lord’s ears. If neither is investigated, I am privately uneasy.”

然人情難保，要宜考覈，兩驗其實。今聖恩垂含垢之仁，不忍致之于理，更使曲直之分不明，疑自近始。」太祖曰：「所以不考，欲兩全玠及言事者耳。」洽對曰：「玠信有謗上之言，當肆之市朝；若玠無此，言事者加誣大臣以誤主聽；二者不加檢覈，臣竊不安。」

Taizu said, “We are in the midst of military affairs; how can I take someone’s word and immediately launch an investigation? Hu Yegu stabbed Yang Chufu at court, and this is a warning to rulers.”

太祖曰：「方有軍事，安可受人言便考之邪？狐射姑刺陽處父於朝，此爲君之誡也。」

When Taizu overcame Zhang Lu, He Qia set out a proposal that the army be withdrawn and the people moved in good time, which would save the expense of maintaining a garrison. Taizu did not accept it, but later he did in the end move the people and abandon Hanzhong. He went out to become Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he became Minister of the Household and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Ancheng Neighborhood. When Emperor Ming took the throne, he was promoted to Marquis of Xiling District, with a fief of two hundred households.

太祖克張魯，洽陳便宜以時拔軍徙民，可省置守之費。太祖未納，其後竟徙民棄漢中。出爲郎中令。文帝踐阼，爲光祿勳，封安城亭侯。明帝即位，進封西陵鄉侯，邑二百戶。

During the Taihe era, the Cavalier Regular Attendant Gaotang Long memorialized: “The seasonal winds do not come, and there are signs of decline and waste; this must be because the officials in charge are not diligent in their duties and have lost the constant order of heaven.” An edict was issued humbly taking the blame upon the throne and widely consulting differing views. He Qia held that “the people are few and those who farm are fewer, while those who eat without producing are many. The state takes the people as its foundation, and the people take grain as their life. Therefore to waste a single season of farming is to lose the foundation that nourishes life. That is why the former kings strove to eliminate burdensome expenses so that people could devote themselves wholly to farming.

太和中，散騎常侍高堂隆奏：「時風不至，而有休廢之氣，必有司不勤職事以失天常也。」詔書謙虛引咎，博諮異同。洽以爲「民稀耕少，浮食者多。國以民爲本，民以穀爲命。故費一時之農，則失育命之本。是以先王務蠲煩費，以專耕農。

Since spring and summer the people have been exhausted by labor service, farming has been neglected in places, and the common people are clamoring; that the seasonal winds do not come may well be due to this. Of the means to dispel calamity and restore order, none is greater than thrift. When Taizu established his great enterprise, he met the expenses of the armies and supplied the rewards for military service, yet his officials and soldiers had ample provisions and his granaries and treasuries overflowed with grain and silk, because he did not adorn useless palaces and cut off extravagant expenses. The essential thing at present is surely to halt and reduce toilsome and burdensome labor services and cut back on other undertakings, so as to build up stores for the army.

自春夏以來，民窮於役，農業有廢，百姓囂然，時風不至，未必不由此也。消復之術，莫大於節儉。太祖建立洪業，奉師徒之費，供軍賞之用，吏士豐於資食，倉府衍於穀帛，由不飾無用之宮，絕浮華之費，方今之要，固在息省勞煩之役，損除他餘之務，以爲軍戎之儲。

The defense of the three frontiers should rest on preparing in advance. We should gauge the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, gather soldiers and nurture the multitude, calculate strategies for victory in the ancestral temple, make clear the plans for attack and conquest, and consult widely among the people to find the right course. If plans are not settled beforehand and small enemies are taken lightly, so that the army is repeatedly raised and raised to no effect, it is what is called ‘delighting in arms without inspiring awe’—a warning of the ancients.”

三邊守禦，宜在備豫。料賊虛實，蓄士養衆，算廟勝之策，明攻取之謀，詳詢衆庶以求厥中。若謀不素定，輕弱小敵，軍人數舉，舉而無庸，所謂『悅武無震』，古人之誡也。」

He was transferred to Minister of Ceremonies. He was pure and poor and kept to frugality, to the point of selling his fields and house to support himself. When Emperor Ming heard of this, he granted him additional grain and silk. When he died, he was given the posthumous title Marquis Jian. His son He Li succeeded him. He Li’s younger brother He You was brilliant and capable, and rose to the offices of Commandant of Justice and Master of Writing for Personnel.

轉爲太常，清貧守約，至賣田宅以自給。明帝聞之，加賜穀帛。薨，諡曰簡侯。子離嗣。¹離弟逌，才爽開濟，官至廷尉、吏部尚書。²

Xu Hun, a man of the same commandery as He Qia, was the son of Xu Shao. He was pure and sincere and had discernment, and in the time of Emperor Ming he became Master of Writing.

洽同郡許混者，許劭子也。清醇有鑒識，明帝時爲尚書。¹

Chang Lin

常林

Chang Lin, courtesy name Bohuai, was a man of Wen in Henei. When he was seven, a friend of his father came to the door and asked him, “Is Boxian in? Why don’t you bow to me!” Chang Lin said, “Though I ought to defer to a guest, you name my father by his courtesy name before his son—why should I bow?” At this everyone praised him. When the Grand Administrator Wang Kuang raised troops to punish Dong Zhuo, he sent students to the subordinate counties to spy out in secret the offenses of officials and commoners, then arrest them and press them to pay money and grain to redeem their crimes; those who were slow had their entire clans wiped out, so as to exalt his authority.

常林字伯槐，河內溫人也。年七歲，有父黨造門，問林：「伯先在否？汝何不拜！」林曰：「雖當下客，臨子字父，何拜之有？」於是咸共嘉之。¹太守王匡起兵討董卓，遣諸生於屬縣微伺吏民罪負，便收之，考責錢穀贖罪，稽遲則夷滅宗族，以崇威嚴。

Chang Lin’s uncle beat a guest and was reported by one of the students, and Wang Kuang angrily had him arrested for punishment. The whole clan was terrified; they did not know how much would be demanded of them and feared they could not save the man in custody. Chang Lin went to see Humu Biao, a man of the same county as Wang Kuang, and said, “Lord Wang, with his high talents in letters and arms, has come to govern our humble commandery. Our commandery is girdled by mountains and rivers inside and out, its land is broad and its people numerous, and it has many worthy and able men, whom he may choose and employ as he pleases. Now our sovereign is young, rebel ministers crouch like tigers, and all China trembles; this is the season for men of great talent to rise and be used.

林叔父撾客，爲諸生所白，匡怒收治。舉宗惶怖，不知所責多少，懼繫者不救。林往見匡同縣胡母彪曰：「王府君以文武高才，臨吾鄙郡。鄙郡表裏山河，土廣民殷，又多賢能，惟所擇用。今主上幼沖，賊臣虎據，華夏震慄，雄才奮用之秋也。

If he wishes to punish the rebels of the realm and support the weakened royal house, wise men will hear of it and respond like an echo; overcoming disorder lies in harmony, and then what campaign would not succeed? But if he shows no grace or virtue and entrusts office to the wrong men, ruin will soon arrive, and what leisure will he have to set right and aid the court, or to establish merit and fame? Keep this in mind, sir!” He then explained the matter of his uncle’s detention. Humu Biao at once wrote to reproach Wang Kuang, and Wang Kuang pardoned Chang Lin’s uncle. Chang Lin then took refuge in Shangdang, where he farmed on a mountain slope.

若欲誅天下之賊，扶王室之微，智者望風，應之若響，克亂在和，何征不捷。苟無恩德，任失其人，覆亡將至，何暇匡翼朝廷，崇立功名乎？君其藏之！」因說叔父見拘之意。彪即書責匡，匡原林叔父。林乃避地上黨，耕種山阿。

At that time there were drought and locusts, but Chang Lin alone had a good harvest, and he called all his neighbors and shared it out by the pint and peck. He took refuge in the stronghold of Chen Yan, the former Grand Administrator of Hejian. The Chen and Feng families were old clans of hereditary officeholders. Zhang Yang coveted their women and craved their wealth. Chang Lin led their kinsmen and devised plans for them. They were besieged for more than sixty days, but in the end the stronghold was preserved.

當時旱蝗，林獨豐收，盡呼比鄰，升斗分之。依故河間太守陳延壁。陳、馮二姓，舊族冠冕。張楊利其婦女，貪其資貨。林率其宗族，爲之策謀。見圍六十餘日，卒全堡壁。

Gao Gan, Inspector of Bing Province, recommended him as Chief Commandant of Cavalry, but Chang Lin declined and did not accept. Later the Inspector Liang Xi recommended the renowned gentlemen of the province—Chang Lin, together with Yang Jun, Wang Ling, Wang Xiang and Xun Wei—and Taizu made them all county chiefs. Chang Lin governed Nanhe, where his administration and moral influence bore fruit, and he was promoted over the usual ranks to Grand Administrator of Boling and Inspector of You Province, achieving results wherever he went. When Emperor Wen became General of the Household for the Five Offices, Chang Lin became his Officer of Merit. When Taizu campaigned in the west, Tian Yin and Su Bo rebelled, and You and Ji provinces were stirred up.

幷州刺史高幹表爲騎都尉，林辭不受。後刺史梁習薦州界名士林及楊俊、王淩、王象、荀緯，太祖皆以爲縣長。林宰南和，治化有成，超遷博陵太守、幽州刺史，所在有績。文帝爲五官將，林爲功曹。太祖西征，田銀、蘇伯反，幽、冀扇動。

Emperor Wen wished to go and punish them himself, but Chang Lin said, “I once had the honor of serving in Boling and was also in You Province, so I can gauge the rebels’ situation. The officials and people of the north enjoy peace and loathe disorder; they have long submitted to civilizing rule, and many hold fast to the good. Tian Yin and Su Bo are a herd of dogs and sheep gathered together, small in wisdom but large in schemes, and incapable of doing harm. At present the main army is far away and there are strong enemies abroad, and you, General, are the anchor of the realm. If you move lightly and march far, even victory would bring no martial glory.” Emperor Wen followed this advice and sent generals to attack them, and they were wiped out at once.

文帝欲親自討之，林曰：「昔忝博陵，又在幽州，賊之形勢，可料度也。北方吏民，樂安厭亂，服化已久，守善者多。銀、伯犬羊相聚，智小謀大，不能爲害。方今大軍在遠，外有彊敵，將軍爲天下之鎮也，輕動遠舉，雖克不武。」文帝從之，遣將往伐，應時克滅。

He went out to become Grand Administrator of Pingyuan and Chief Commandant of the Eastern Section of Wei Commandery, and came back to court as a clerk of the Eastern Bureau on the Chancellor’s staff. When the state of Wei was established, he was appointed Master of Writing. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he was promoted to Privy Treasurer and enfeoffed as Marquis of Leyang Neighborhood, and was transferred to Minister of Agriculture. When Emperor Ming took the throne, he was promoted to Marquis of Gaoyang District and moved to Minister of the Household and then Minister of Ceremonies. Sima Yi (King Xuan of Jin), because Chang Lin was an elder of virtue from his home district, always bowed to him. Someone said to Chang Lin, “Lord Sima is noble and eminent; you should stop him.”

出爲平原太守、魏郡東部都尉，入爲丞相東曹屬。魏國既建，拜尚書。文帝踐阼，遷少府，封樂陽亭侯，¹轉大司農。明帝即位，進封高陽鄉侯，徙光祿勳太常。晉宣王以林鄉邑耆德，每爲之拜。或謂林曰：「司馬公貴重，君宜止之。」

Chang Lin said, “Lord Sima himself wishes to strengthen the order between elder and younger and set an example for those who come after. His rank is not something I fear, and his bowing is not something for me to forbid.” The speaker withdrew in embarrassment. Public opinion of the time held that Chang Lin’s integrity was pure and stern and wished to raise him to one of the highest ministerial posts, but Chang Lin in the end claimed to be gravely ill. He was appointed Grandee of Splendid Happiness. He died at the age of eighty-three and was posthumously granted the title of General of Agile Cavalry, buried with the rites of one of the Three Excellencies, and given the posthumous title Marquis Zhen. His son Chang Shi succeeded him and became Grand Administrator of Taishan, but was executed for breaking the law. Chang Shi’s younger brother Chang Jing inherited the fief.

林曰：「司馬公自欲敦長幼之敘，爲後生之法。貴非吾之所畏，拜非吾之所制也。」言者踧踖而退。¹時論以林節操清峻，欲致之公輔，而林遂稱疾篤。拜光祿大夫。年八十三，薨，追贈驃騎將軍，葬如公禮，諡曰貞侯。子旹嗣，爲泰山太守，坐法誅。旹弟靜紹封。²

Yang Jun

楊俊

Yang Jun, courtesy name Jicai, was a man of Huojia in Henei. He studied under Bian Rang of Chenliu, who thought his capacity extraordinary. Yang Jun judged that with war and disorder just breaking out, and Henei lying at a crossroads open in all four directions, it was bound to become a battlefield, so he helped the old and weak make their way to the mountains between Jing and Mi; more than a hundred families went with him. Yang Jun relieved the poor and needy and shared what they had and lacked in common. Six families in all among his clan and acquaintances had been carried off and made slaves, and Yang Jun spent all his wealth ransoming them.

楊俊字季才，河內獲嘉人也。受學陳留邊讓，讓器異之。俊以兵亂方起，而河內處四達之衢，必爲戰場，乃扶持老弱詣京、密山間，同行者百餘家。俊振濟貧乏，通共有無。宗族知故爲人所略作奴僕者凡六家，俊皆傾財贖之。

When Sima Yi was sixteen or seventeen, he met Yang Jun, who said, “This is no ordinary man.” Again, Sima Lang had an early reputation, while his clan elder brother Sima Zhi was unknown to the multitude; only Yang Jun said, “Though Sima Zhi’s early renown does not match Sima Lang’s, in real substance he is actually superior.” Yang Jun moved on to take refuge in Bing Province. Wang Xiang of the same commandery had been orphaned young and was alone in the world, serving as someone’s slave; at the age of seventeen or eighteen he was set to herding sheep but secretly read books, and was beaten for it. Yang Jun admired his talent and character and at once ransomed Wang Xiang and settled him in his household, arranged a marriage for him and built him a house, and only then parted from him.

司馬宣王年十六七，與俊相遇，俊曰：「此非常之人也。」又司馬朗早有聲名，其族兄芝，衆未之知，惟俊言曰：「芝雖夙望不及朗，實理但有優耳。」俊轉避地幷州。本郡王象，少孤特，爲人僕隸，年十七八，見使牧羊而私讀書，因被箠楚。俊嘉其才質，即贖象著家，聘娶立屋，然後與別。

Taizu appointed Yang Jun Chief of Quliang; he then came to court as a clerk on the Chancellor’s staff, was recommended as Flourishing Talent, became Magistrate of Anling, and was promoted to Grand Administrator of Nanyang. He spread virtuous teaching and founded schools, and officials and people praised him. He was transferred to be Military Adviser to the General Who Subdues the South. When the state of Wei was established, he was promoted to Commandant of the Capital. When Taizu campaigned against Hanzhong, Wei Feng rebelled in Ye, and Yang Jun impeached himself and went to the place where Taizu was encamped. Expecting that he himself would soon be dismissed for his offense, Yang Jun sent a letter taking leave of the Heir. The Heir was displeased and said, “Commandant Yang just goes off like that—how very lofty and aloof of him!”

太祖除俊曲梁長，入爲丞相掾屬，舉茂才，安陵令，遷南陽太守。宣德敎，立學校，吏民稱之。徙爲征南軍師。魏國既建，遷中尉。太祖征漢中，魏諷反於鄴，俊自劾詣行在所。俊以身方罪免，牋辭太子。太子不悅，曰：「楊中尉便去，何太高遠邪！」

So he received a written order demoting him to Grand Administrator of Pingyuan. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he was again in Nanyang. At that time Wang Xiang was Cavalier Regular Attendant, and he recommended Yang Jun, saying, “I humbly observe that Yang Jun, Grand Administrator of Nanyang, possesses a pure and excellent nature and practices a broad magnanimity of loyalty and gravity; his embodiment of benevolence is enough to nurture all things, and his earnest sincerity is enough to move the multitude. He is good at bringing on younger men and tireless in kindly instruction; outwardly generous and inwardly upright, benevolent yet decisive. Since he first dusted off his cap for office, he has left a civilizing influence wherever he has served, and in his second term governing Nanyang his grace and virtue have spread abroad, so that people from other neighborhoods and districts have come carrying their infants on their backs.

遂被書左遷平原太守。文帝踐阼，復在南陽。時王象爲散騎常侍，薦俊曰：「伏見南陽太守楊俊，秉純粹之茂質，履忠肅之弘量，體仁足以育物，篤實足以動衆，克長後進，惠訓不倦，外寬內直，仁而有斷。自初彈冠，所歷垂化，再守南陽，恩德流著，殊鄰異黨，襁負而至。

Now his territory is peaceful and quiet, and he has no scope to display his wisdom and ability; he ought to be recalled to the court to exert himself beneath the imperial carriage and bring glory to the Emperor’s undertakings.”

今境守清靜，無所展其智能，宜還本朝，宣力輦轂，熙帝之載。」

From youth to maturity Yang Jun made it his responsibility to judge and guide men. Shen Gu of the same commandery and Wei Xun of Chenliu had both originally come from the ranks of common soldiers; Yang Jun helped, promoted and encouraged them, and both became fine gentlemen. Later Shen Gu served in turn as Grand Administrator of commanderies, and Wei Xun as Censor and county Magistrate; his clear discernment and righteous conduct were mostly of this kind. Earlier, the Marquis of Linzi had been on good terms with Yang Jun. When Taizu had not yet settled on his heir, he secretly consulted his officials. Although Yang Jun discussed the respective talents and strengths of Emperor Wen and the Marquis of Linzi together and did not come down on either side, he still praised the Marquis of Linzi more highly, and Emperor Wen always resented him for it.

俊自少及長，以人倫自任。同郡審固、陳留衛恂本皆出自兵伍，俊資拔獎致，咸作佳士；後固歷位郡守，恂御史、縣令，其明鑒行義多此類也。初，臨菑侯與俊善，太祖適嗣未定，密訪羣司。俊雖並論文帝、臨菑才分所長，不適有所據當，然稱臨菑猶美，文帝常以恨之。

In the third year of Huangchu, the imperial carriage reached Wan, and because the market was not prosperous and lively, the Emperor flew into a rage and had Yang Jun arrested. The Deputy Director of the Secretariat Sima Yi and the Regular Attendants Wang Xiang and Xun Wei pleaded for Yang Jun, knocking their heads on the ground until they bled, but the Emperor refused. Yang Jun said, “I know my offense.” Then he killed himself. Everyone grieved at the injustice.

黃初三年，車駕至宛，以市不豐樂，發怒收俊。尚書僕射司馬宣王、常侍王象、荀緯請俊，叩頭流血，帝不許。俊曰：「吾知罪矣。」遂自殺。衆冤痛之。¹

Du Xi

杜襲

Du Xi, courtesy name Zixu, was a man of Dingling in Yingchuan. His great-grandfather Du An and grandfather Du Gen were renowned in earlier times. Du Xi fled the disorders to Jing Province, where Liu Biao treated him with the courtesies due a guest. When Fan Qin of the same commandery was repeatedly singled out by Liu Biao as remarkable, Du Xi admonished him, saying, “The reason I came here with you was simply that we might coil like dragons in a hidden marsh and wait for the time to soar like phoenixes. How could we have thought that Governor Liu would be the lord to set the disordered world right, and plan to entrust ourselves to him for good?

杜襲字子緒，潁川定陵人也。曾祖父安，祖父根，著名前世。¹襲避亂荊州，劉表待以賓禮。同郡繁欽數見奇於表，襲喻之曰：「吾所以與子俱來者，徒欲龍蟠幽藪，待時鳳翔。豈謂劉牧當爲撥亂之主，而規長者委身哉？

If you do not stop showing off your abilities, you are no companion of mine, and I will break with you!” Fan Qin said with feeling, “I respectfully accept your counsel.” Du Xi then went south to Changsha.

子若見能不已，非吾徒也。吾其與子絕矣！」欽慨然曰：「請敬受命。」襲遂南適長沙。

At the beginning of Jian'an, Taizu welcomed the Emperor and made Xu the capital. Du Xi escaped and returned to his home district, and Taizu made him Chief of Xi'e. The county bordered the southern frontier, and bandits ran rampant. At that time the senior officials all gathered the people to guard the city walls, so they could not farm. The fields lay waste, the people were in distress, and the granaries were empty. Du Xi, knowing that he had bound the people to him by his kindness, sent the old and weak to scatter and take up their farming, keeping the able-bodied men to stand guard, and officials and people rejoiced. It happened that Jing Province sent out ten thousand infantry and cavalry to attack the city, and Du Xi summoned all of the county’s officials and commoners able to hold the defense, more than fifty men, and swore an oath with them.

建安初，太祖迎天子都許。襲逃還鄉里，太祖以爲西鄂長。縣濱南境，寇賊縱橫。時長吏皆斂民保城郭，不得農業。野荒民困，倉庾空虛。襲自知恩結於民，乃遣老弱各分散就田業，留丁彊備守，吏民歡悅。會荊州出步騎萬人來攻城，襲乃悉召縣吏民任拒守者五十餘人，與之要誓。

Those whose relatives were outside and who wished to go and look after them were freely allowed to leave; but all knocked their heads on the ground and asked to fight to the death. Then Du Xi took up arrows and stones himself and led them in striving together. The officials and people, moved by his kindness, all gave their lives for him. In the battle they took several hundred heads, but thirty-odd of Du Xi’s men were killed and the remaining eighteen were all wounded, and the enemy was able to enter the city. Du Xi led the wounded officials and people in breaking through the encirclement to escape; they were nearly all dead or lost, yet none turned traitor. He then gathered the scattered people and moved them to the camp at Mobei, and officials and people, admiring him, followed him as if returning home.

其親戚在外欲自營護者，恣聽遣出；皆叩頭願致死。於是身執矢石，率與戮力。吏民感恩，咸爲用命。臨陳斬數百級，而襲衆死者三十餘人，其餘十八人盡被創，賊得入城。襲帥傷痍吏民決圍得出，死喪略盡，而無反背者。遂收散民，徙至摩陂營，吏民慕而從之如歸。¹

Zhong Yao, the Colonel-Director of Retainers, recommended him and he was appointed Court Consultant and Army Adviser. Xun Yu also recommended Du Xi, and Taizu made him Army Libationer to the Chancellor. When the state of Wei was established, he became Palace Attendant and was employed alongside Wang Can and He Qia. Wang Can had a strong memory and wide learning, so when Taizu went on outings or came and went, he often got to ride with him in the carriage, but the respect shown him did not match that shown He Qia and Du Xi. Du Xi once had a private audience that lasted until midnight. Wang Can, who was impatient and competitive by nature, half rose from his seat and said, “I wonder what the Duke is saying to Du Xi?”

司隸鍾繇表拜議郎參軍事。荀彧又薦襲，太祖以爲丞相軍祭酒。魏國既建，爲侍中，與王粲、和洽並用。粲彊識博聞，故太祖游觀出入，多得驂乘，至其見敬不及洽、襲。襲嘗獨見，至于夜半。粲性躁競，起坐曰：「不知公對杜襲道何等也？」

He Qia laughed and replied, “How could the affairs of the realm ever be exhausted? It is enough for you to attend him by day. Fretting like this—do you want to have the night as well?” Later Du Xi served concurrently as Chief Clerk to the Chancellor and accompanied Taizu to Hanzhong to punish Zhang Lu. When Taizu returned, he appointed Du Xi Commandant of Attendant Cavalry and left him to supervise military affairs in Hanzhong. Du Xi pacified and cared for the people and guided them, and more than eighty thousand of the common people gladly moved out to Luoyang and Ye. When Xiahou Yuan was killed by Liu Bei, the army lost its commander-in-chief, and officers and men blanched.

洽笑答曰：「天下事豈有盡邪？卿晝侍可矣，悒悒於此，欲兼之乎！」後襲領丞相長史，隨太祖到漢中討張魯。太祖還，拜襲駙馬都尉，留督漢中軍事。綏懷開導，百姓自樂出徙洛、鄴者，八萬餘口。夏侯淵爲劉備所沒，軍喪元帥，將士失色。

Du Xi, together with Zhang He and Guo Huai, took the armies in hand, and as an expedient they made Zhang He commander so as to unite everyone’s hearts; the three armies were at last steadied. When Taizu returned east, a Chief Clerk of the Rear Headquarters was to be chosen to guard Chang'an, but most of those chosen by the officials in charge were unsuitable. Taizu issued an order: “Why leave the thoroughbred unridden and go anxiously searching for another?” So he made Du Xi Chief Clerk of the Rear Headquarters, stationed in Guanzhong.

襲與張郃、郭淮糾攝諸軍事，權宜以郃爲督，以一衆心，三軍遂定。太祖東還，當選留府長史，鎮守長安，主者所選多不當，太祖令曰：「釋騏驥而不乘，焉皇皇而更索？」遂以襲爲留府長史，駐關中。

At that time the general Xu You held his own private troops; he would not submit to Taizu and spoke insolently of him. Taizu was furious and wanted to attack him first. Many of the officials remonstrated: “Xu You could be won over, and together we could strike at our powerful enemies.” Taizu laid his sword across his knees, his face darkening, and would not listen. Du Xi went in intending to remonstrate, but Taizu forestalled him: “My plan is already settled. Say no more.” Du Xi said, “If Your Highness’s plan is right, then I shall help Your Highness carry it out; if Your Highness’s plan is wrong, then even though it is settled it should be changed.

時將軍許攸擁部曲，不附太祖而有慢言。太祖大怒，先欲伐之。羣臣多諫：「可招懷攸，共討彊敵。」太祖橫刀於膝，作色不聽。襲入欲諫，太祖逆謂之曰：「吾計以定，卿勿復言。」襲曰：「若殿下計是邪，臣方助殿下成之；若殿下計非邪，雖成宜改之。

Your Highness forestalls me and tells me not to speak—why are you so closed toward those below you?” Taizu said, “Xu You slights me. How can I let him be?” Du Xi said, “What sort of man does Your Highness take Xu You to be?” Taizu said, “An ordinary man.” Du Xi said, “Only the worthy know the worthy, and only the sage knows the sage; how can an ordinary man understand one who is not ordinary? Now, when jackals and wolves stand in the road, you would deal first with foxes and wildcats. People will say that Your Highness avoids the strong and attacks the weak. Advancing would not be courage, and withdrawing would not be benevolence.

殿下逆臣，令勿言之，何待下之不闡乎？」太祖曰：「許攸慢吾，如何可置乎？」襲曰：「殿下謂許攸何如人邪？」太祖曰：「凡人也。」襲曰：「夫惟賢知賢，惟聖知聖，凡人安能知非凡人邪？方今豺狼當路而狐狸是先，人將謂殿下避彊攻弱，進不爲勇，退不爲仁。

I have heard that a crossbow of a thousand jun is not triggered for a shrew mouse, and a bell of ten thousand shi is not made to sound by striking it with a stalk of grass. Why should the petty Xu You be worth troubling Your Highness’s divine martial might?” Taizu said, “Good.” He then treated Xu You generously, and Xu You at once came over and submitted. At that time Xiahou Shang was intimate with the Crown Prince, and their friendship was very close. Du Xi considered that Xiahou Shang was not a beneficial friend and did not deserve special treatment, and he reported this to Taizu. Emperor Wen was at first much displeased, but later came to think back on it. The account is in the Biography of Xiahou Shang. His gentleness without giving offense was always of this kind.

臣聞千鈞之弩不爲鼷鼠發機，萬石之鍾不以莛撞起音，今區區之許攸，何足以勞神武哉？」太祖曰：「善。」遂厚撫攸，攸即歸服。時夏侯尚暱於太子，情好至密。襲謂尚非益友，不足殊待，以聞太祖。文帝初甚不悅，後乃追思。語在《尚傳》。其柔而不犯，皆此類也。

When Emperor Wen took the throne as King, he granted Du Xi the rank of Marquis Within the Pass. When he ascended the imperial throne, Du Xi became Censor Supervising Army Grain and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuping Village; he then became Law-Enforcer Supervising Army Grain, and entered the court as a Master of Writing. When Emperor Ming took the throne, he was advanced in fief to Marquis of Pingyang District. When Zhuge Liang came out into the Qinchuan plain, the Grand General Cao Zhen commanded the armies to resist him, and Du Xi was transferred to be Military Adviser to the Grand General; a hundred households were split off from his fief so that his elder brother Du Ji could be granted the rank of Marquis Within the Pass.

文帝即王位，賜爵關內侯。及踐阼，爲督軍糧御史，封武平亭侯，更爲督軍糧執法，入爲尚書。明帝即位，進封平陽鄉侯。諸葛亮出秦川，大將軍曹真督諸軍拒亮，徙襲爲大將軍軍師，分邑百戶賜兄基爵關內侯。

When Cao Zhen died, Sima Yi (King Xuan) replaced him, and Du Xi again served as Military Adviser; his fief was increased by three hundred households, making five hundred and fifty in all with what he had before. He was recalled because of illness and appointed Grand Palace Grandee. When he died he was posthumously made Privy Treasurer and given the posthumous name Marquis Ding. His son Du Hui succeeded him.

真薨，司馬宣王代之，襲復爲軍師，增邑三百，幷前五百五十戶。以疾徵還，拜太中大夫。薨，追贈少府，諡曰定侯。子會嗣。

Zhao Yan

趙儼

Zhao Yan, courtesy name Boran, was a man of Yangdi in Yingchuan. He fled the disorders to Jing Province, where he shared his wealth and plans with Du Xi and Fan Qin, and the three lived together as one household. When Taizu first welcomed Emperor Xian and made Xu the capital, Zhao Yan said to Fan Qin, “Cao, the General Who Guards the East, answers the call of the times and has come forth for his age; he will surely set China to rights and rescue it. I know where to turn.” In the second year of Jian'an, at the age of twenty-seven, he brought the old and weak of his family to Taizu, and Taizu made him Chief of Langling.

趙儼字伯然，潁川陽翟人也。避亂荊州，與杜襲、繁欽通財同計，合爲一家。太祖始迎獻帝都許，儼謂欽曰：「曹鎮東應期命世，必能匡濟華夏，吾知歸矣。」建安二年，年二十七，遂扶持老弱詣太祖，太祖以儼爲朗陵長。

The county had many powerful and cunning men who feared nothing and respected no one. Zhao Yan seized the worst of them, bound them, and investigated them, and all were found guilty of capital crimes. Having imprisoned them, he then petitioned headquarters to have them released, and from then on both his severity and his kindness were well known. At that time Yuan Shao raised troops and invaded southward, sending envoys to summon and entice the commanderies of Yu Province, and most of the commanderies accepted his commands. Only Yangan Commandery did not waver, yet its Commandant Li Tong was hastily collecting the household levy. Zhao Yan went to see Li Tong and said, “At present the realm is not yet united, and the commanderies have all rebelled. If you now also collect silk floss and silk from those who remain loyal—petty men delight in disorder—how could there be no lasting regret?

縣多豪猾，無所畏忌。儼取其尤甚者，收縛案驗，皆得死罪。儼既囚之，乃表府解放，自是威恩並著。時袁紹舉兵南侵，遣使招誘豫州諸郡，諸郡多受其命。惟陽安郡不動，而都尉李通急錄戶調。儼見通曰：「方今天下未集，諸郡並叛，懷附者復收其綿絹，小人樂亂，能無遺恨！

Moreover there are troubles near and far; you cannot fail to take great care.” Li Tong said, “Yuan Shao and the Grand General are locked in a desperate standoff, and the commanderies and counties on every side are rebelling like this. If the silk floss and silk are not collected and sent, those who watch will surely say that I am sitting on the fence and waiting for something.” Zhao Yan said, “Truly it is as you fear. But you must weigh which matters more. If you delay the levy a little, I will relieve you of this worry.” He then wrote to Xun Yu: “Yangan Commandery is now due to send silk floss and silk, but the roads are hazardous and blocked, and it will certainly suffer at the hands of raiders.

且遠近多虞，不可不詳也。」通曰：「紹與大將軍相持甚急，左右郡縣背叛乃爾。若綿絹不調送，觀聽者必謂我顧望，有所須待也。」儼曰：「誠亦如君慮；然當權其輕重，小緩調，當爲君釋此患。」乃書與荀彧曰：「今陽安郡當送綿絹，道路艱阻，必致寇害。

The people are impoverished and the neighboring cities have all rebelled, so it could easily collapse; this is the turning point for the safety of the whole region. Moreover the people of this commandery have held firmly to loyalty and not wavered in the midst of danger. If even small acts of good are always rewarded, those who act rightly will be encouraged. Those who govern a state well store its wealth among the people. I believe the state should extend comfort and consolation to them, and have all the silk floss and silk that has been collected returned.” Xun Yu replied, “I at once informed Lord Cao, and Lord Cao has sent a document down to the commandery: all the silk floss and silk is to be returned to the people.” High and low rejoiced, and the commandery was at last at peace.

百姓困窮，鄰城並叛，易用傾蕩，乃一方安危之機也。且此郡人執守忠節，在險不貳。微善必賞，則爲義者勸。善爲國者，藏之於民。以爲國家宜垂慰撫，所斂綿絹，皆俾還之。」彧報曰：「輒白曹公，公文下郡，綿絹悉以還民。」上下歡喜，郡內遂安。

He entered the capital as Registrar on the staff of the Minister of Works. At that time Yu Jin was stationed at Yingyin, Yue Jin at Yangdi, and Zhang Liao at Changshe; the generals were headstrong and often at odds with one another. Zhao Yan was made adviser to all three armies together, and he counseled and instructed them in every matter until they came to be on friendly and harmonious terms. When Taizu campaigned against Jing Province, he made Zhao Yan acting Prefect of Zhangling, then transferred him to Protector of the Army with area command, overseeing the seven armies of Yu Jin, Zhang Liao, Zhang He, Zhu Ling, Li Dian, Lu Zhao, and Feng Kai.

入爲司空掾屬主簿。¹時于禁屯潁陰，樂進屯陽翟，張遼屯長社，諸將任氣，多共不協；使儼幷參三軍，每事訓喻，遂相親睦。太祖征荊州，以儼領章陵太守，徙都督護軍，護于禁、張遼、張郃、朱靈、李典、路招、馮楷七軍。

He again became Registrar to the Chancellor, and was promoted to Prefect of Fufeng. Taizu moved out more than five thousand of the former troops of Han Sui, Ma Chao, and others, putting them under the supervision and command of the General Who Pacifies Troubles, Yin Shu, and others, and made Zhao Yan Protector of the Army in Guanzhong with overall command of all the armies. The Qiang barbarians repeatedly raided and did harm; Zhao Yan led Yin Shu and the others in pursuit as far as Xinping and crushed them. A tenant of the agricultural colonies, Lü Bing, proclaimed himself a general, gathered a band, and occupied Chencang; Zhao Yan again led Yin Shu and the others to attack him, and the rebels were at once destroyed.

復爲丞相主簿，遷扶風太守。太祖徙出故韓遂、馬超等兵五千餘人，使平難將軍殷署等督領，以儼爲關中護軍，盡統諸軍。羌虜數來寇害，儼率署等追到新平，大破之。屯田客呂並自稱將軍，聚黨據陳倉，儼復率署等攻之，賊即破滅。

At that time he received written orders to detach twelve hundred soldiers to go and reinforce the defense of Hanzhong, and Yin Shu escorted them there. Those who were leaving were suddenly parted from their families, and all looked anxious. The day after Yin Shu set out, Zhao Yan, fearing that there might be trouble, pursued them himself as far as the mouth of the Xie Valley, spoke words of comfort to each man, and also gave Yin Shu stern warnings. On his way back he lodged at the residence of Zhang Ji, the Inspector of Yong Province. Yin Shu’s army went forty li farther, and the soldiers did indeed mutiny; it was not known whether Yin Shu was alive or dead. The hundred and fifty foot and horse whom Zhao Yan had with him all came from the same units as the mutineers, or were related to them by marriage. When they heard this news they were all alarmed, put on their armor, and took up their weapons, no longer at ease.

時被書差千二百兵往助漢中守，署督送之。行者卒與室家別，皆有憂色。署發後一日，儼慮其有變，乃自追至斜谷口，人人慰勞，又深戒署。還宿雍州刺史張既舍。署軍復前四十里，兵果叛亂，未知署吉凶。而儼自隨步騎百五十人，皆與叛者同部曲，或婚姻，得此問，各驚，被甲持兵，不復自安。

Zhao Yan wanted to go back, but Zhang Ji and the others thought, “The men of your own camp are already in turmoil. Going there alone will do no good; better to wait for definite news.” Zhao Yan said, “Although I suspect that the home camp is in league with the mutineers, they will surely wait until they hear of the uprising among those who left before they make their move. Besides, there are some who want to do right but cannot make up their minds; while they are still hesitating, I must hurry to calm and reassure them. Moreover, if as their commander I cannot keep them settled and together, and suffer calamity myself, that is fate.” So he went. After traveling thirty li he halted, let the horses loose to rest, called together all the men who were with him, explained to them what leads to success and what to ruin, and comforted and encouraged them earnestly.

儼欲還，既等以爲「今本營黨已擾亂，一身赴之無益，可須定問」。儼曰：「雖疑本營與叛者同謀，要當聞行者變，乃發之。又有欲善不能自定，宜及猶豫，促撫寧之。且爲之元帥，既不能安輯，身受禍難，命也。」遂去。行三十里止，放馬息，盡呼所從人，喻以成敗，慰勵懇切。

They all declared with fervor, “In life or death we will follow the Protector of the Army; we would not dare to be of two minds.” He went on to the various camps, summoned the men in each, and sorted out more than eight hundred wrongdoers who had joined the mutiny. They were scattered over the countryside; he took only those who had devised the plot and their ringleaders and punished them, and questioned none of the rest. Those whom the commanderies and counties had arrested and sent in he released as well, and they then came back in groups and surrendered. Zhao Yan secretly reported: “A general should be sent to headquarters to request veteran troops to guard Guanzhong.” Taizu sent the general Liu Zhu with two thousand men, and the new troops were to be sent off only after he arrived; but the plan leaked out, and the camps were thrown into great alarm and could not be calmed.

皆慷慨曰：「死生當隨護軍，不敢有二。」前到諸營，各召料簡諸姦結叛者八百餘人，散在原野，惟取其造謀魁率治之，餘一不問。郡縣所收送，皆放遣，乃即相率還降。儼密白：「宜遣將詣大營，請舊兵鎮守關中。」太祖遣將軍劉柱將二千人，當須到乃發遣，而事露，諸營大駭，不可安喻。

Zhao Yan said to the generals, “The veteran troops are few, and the troops from the east have not yet arrived; that is why the camps are plotting evil. If it comes to an uprising, the trouble will be beyond reckoning. We must take advantage of their doubts and make them decide early.” He then announced that a thousand of the steadiest and most good-natured of the new troops would be kept back to guard Guanzhong, and all the rest would be sent east. He summoned the officers in charge, had the rosters of the soldiers of all the camps brought in, examined their dependents and baggage, and immediately sorted them out. Those who were to stay were set at ease and became of one mind with Zhao Yan.

儼謂諸將曰：「舊兵既少，東兵未到，是以諸營圖爲邪謀。若或成變，爲難不測。因其狐疑，當令早決。」遂宣言當差留新兵之溫厚者千人鎮守關中，其餘悉遣東。便見主者，內諸營兵名籍，案累重，立差別之。留者意定，與儼同心。

Those who were to leave did not dare to stir either, and in a single day Zhao Yan sent them all on the road, using the thousand he had kept back, spread out around them, to hem them in. When the troops from the east arrived soon after, he again pressed and persuaded, moved the thousand as well, and had them catch up with the others and go east together. In all he brought more than twenty thousand people safely through.

其當去者亦不敢動，儼一日盡遣上道，因使所留千人，分布羅落之。東兵尋至，乃復脅喻，幷徙千人，令相及共東，凡所全致二萬餘口。¹

Guan Yu besieged Cao Ren, the General Who Conquers the South, at Fan. Zhao Yan, as a Consultant, joined Cao Ren’s military staff and went south, advancing together with Xu Huang, the General Who Subdues Bandits. When they arrived, Guan Yu’s siege of Cao Ren had grown tight, and the other relief forces had not yet come. The troops under Xu Huang were not enough to break the siege, yet the generals rebuked Xu Huang and pressed him to go to the rescue. Zhao Yan said to the generals, “The enemy’s siege lines are already strong, and the floodwaters are still high. Our foot soldiers are few, and Cao Ren is cut off and cannot join forces with us; such a move would only exhaust those inside and outside alike.

關羽圍征南將軍曹仁於樊。儼以議郎參仁軍事南行，遷平寇將軍徐晃俱前。既到，羽圍仁遂堅，餘救兵未到。晃所督不足解圍，而諸將呵責晃促救。儼謂諸將曰：「今賊圍素固，水潦猶盛。我徒卒單少，而仁隔絕不得同力，此舉適所以弊內外耳。

The best course now is for the vanguard to press close to the siege lines and send spies to get word to Cao Ren, so that he knows help is outside, and thereby encourage his officers and men. I reckon the northern armies will arrive within ten days, and Cao Ren can still hold out until then. Then, striking together from inside and out, we will surely defeat the enemy. If there is to be punishment for delaying the rescue, I will bear it on behalf of you all.” The generals were all pleased. They dug tunnels and shot letters on arrows to Cao Ren, and messages passed back and forth several times. The northern armies arrived too, and they joined forces and fought a great battle. Guan Yu’s army withdrew, but his boats still held the Mian River, so that Xiangyang was cut off. Then Sun Quan made a surprise attack and seized Guan Yu’s baggage train, and when Guan Yu heard of it he at once fled back south.

當今不若前軍偪圍，遣諜通仁，使知外救，以勵將士。計北軍不過十日，尚足堅守。然後表裏俱發，破賊必矣。如有緩救之戮，余爲諸軍當之。」諸將皆喜，便作地道，箭飛書與仁，消息數通，北軍亦至，幷勢大戰。羽軍既退，舟船猶據沔水，襄陽隔絕不通，而孫權襲取羽輜重，羽聞之，即走南還。

Cao Ren gathered the generals to discuss it, and they all said, “Now, while Guan Yu is in danger and afraid, we can surely pursue and capture him.” Zhao Yan said, “Sun Quan took advantage of Guan Yu’s being tied down in fighting us, meaning to fall on his rear and subdue him; but he was wary that Guan Yu would turn back to the rescue, and feared that we would profit from both of them being worn out. That is why he spoke submissively and offered us his service—he is exploiting the openings and changes of the moment to watch which way the advantage lies. Now that Guan Yu is isolated and in flight, we should rather keep him alive to be a bane to Sun Quan. If we push deep in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, Sun Quan will change his wariness of Guan Yu into designs on us, and will cause us trouble.

仁會諸將議，咸曰：「今因羽危懼，必可追禽也。」儼曰：「權邀羽連兵之難，欲掩制其後，顧羽還救，恐我承其兩疲，故順辭求效，乘釁因變，以觀利鈍耳。今羽已孤迸，更宜存之以爲權害。若深入追北，權則改虞於彼，將生患於我矣。

The King will surely be deeply concerned about this.” Cao Ren then stood his forces down. When Taizu heard that Guan Yu had fled, he feared the generals would pursue him, and indeed he sent urgent orders to Cao Ren—just as Zhao Yan had foreseen.

王必以此爲深慮。」仁乃解嚴。太祖聞羽走，恐諸將追之，果疾敕仁，如儼所策。

When Emperor Wen took the throne as King, Zhao Yan became a Palace Attendant. Shortly afterward he was appointed Commandant of Escort Cavalry and made acting Prefect of Hedong and Agricultural Commandant. In the third year of Huangchu he was granted the rank of Marquis Within the Pass. When Sun Quan raided the frontier, Cao Xiu, Grand General Who Conquers the East, led the armies of five provinces to resist him and summoned Zhao Yan to be his Military Adviser. When Sun Quan’s forces withdrew and the army returned, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yitu Village and transferred to General of the Household for Finance, then promoted to Master of Writing. He accompanied the campaign against Wu as far as Guangling, and was again kept there as Military Adviser to the General Who Conquers the East.

文帝即王位，爲侍中。頃之，拜駙馬都尉，領河東太守，典農中郎將。黃初三年，賜爵關內侯。孫權寇邊，征東大將軍曹休統五州軍禦之，徵儼爲軍師。權衆退，軍還，封宜土亭侯，轉爲度支中郎將，遷尚書。從征吳，到廣陵，復留爲征東軍師。

When Emperor Ming took the throne, Zhao Yan was advanced in fief to Marquis of a Chief District with six hundred households, and was made Supervisor of the military affairs of Jing Province, bearing the Imperial Credentials. He fell ill, however, and did not go; he again became a Master of Writing, then went out as Supervisor of the military affairs of Yu Province, was transferred to Military Adviser to the Grand Marshal, and entered the court as Grand Minister of Agriculture. When the King of Qi took the throne, Zhao Yan was made Supervisor of the military affairs of Yong and Liang with the Imperial Credentials, then transferred to General Who Conquers Shu, and promoted again to General Who Conquers the West, Area Commander of Yong and Liang. In the fourth year of Zhengshi, old and ill, he asked to return, and was summoned to be General of Swift Cavalry, then promoted to Minister of Works.

明帝即位，進封都鄉侯，邑六百戶，監荊州諸軍事，假節。會疾，不行，復爲尚書，出監豫州諸軍事，轉大司馬軍師，入爲大司農。齊王即位，以儼監雍、涼諸軍事，假節，轉征蜀將軍，又遷征西將軍，都督雍、涼。正始四年，老疾求還，徵爲驃騎將軍，¹遷司空。

When he died he was given the posthumous name Marquis Mu. His son Zhao Ting succeeded him. Earlier, Zhao Yan had become famous together with Xin Pi, Chen Qun, and Du Xi, all of the same commandery, and they were called “Xin, Chen, Du, and Zhao.”

薨，諡曰穆侯。子亭嗣。初，儼與同郡辛毗、陳羣、杜襲並知名，號曰「辛、陳、杜、趙」云。

Pei Qian

裴潛

Pei Qian, courtesy name Wenxing, was a man of Wenxi in Hedong. He fled the disorders to Jing Province, where Liu Biao treated him with the courtesies due a guest. Pei Qian said privately to his friends Wang Can and Sima Zhi, “Governor Liu does not have the talent of a hegemon or a king, yet he wants to cast himself as the Earl of the West. His downfall will not be long in coming.” He then went south to Changsha. When Taizu pacified Jing Province, he made Pei Qian Military Counselor to the Chancellor; Pei Qian went out to serve in turn as magistrate of three counties, then entered the capital as a clerk of the Granary Bureau. Taizu asked Pei Qian, “You were once in Jing Province with Liu Bei. What do you think of Liu Bei’s talent and strategy?”

裴潛字文行，河東聞喜人也。¹避亂荊州，劉表待以賓禮。潛私謂所親王粲、司馬芝曰：「劉牧非霸王之才，乃欲西伯自處，其敗無日矣。」遂南適長沙。太祖定荊州，以潛參丞相軍事，出歷三縣令，入爲倉曹屬。太祖問潛曰：「卿前與劉備俱在荊州，卿以備才略何如？」

Pei Qian said, “Were he placed in the heartland, he could stir people up but could not govern them. But if he seizes an opportunity and holds a defensible position, he is quite capable of being lord of a region.”

潛曰：「使居中國，能亂人而不能爲治也。若乘閒守險，足以爲一方主。」

At that time Dai Commandery fell into great disorder, and Pei Qian was made Prefect of Dai. The king of the Wuhuan and his chieftains, three men in all, each styled himself Chanyu and ran the affairs of the commandery as they pleased. None of the previous Prefects had been able to bring them to order, and Taizu intended to give Pei Qian elite troops with which to subdue and punish them. Pei Qian declined, saying, “Dai Commandery has a large and flourishing population, and its soldiers, horses, and archers readily number in the tens of thousands. The Chanyu know that they have long been lawless and are uneasy at heart. If I go now with many troops, they will surely take fright and resist at the border; if I take few, they will not fear me.

時代郡大亂，以潛爲代郡太守。烏丸王及其大人，凡三人，各自稱單于，專制郡事。前太守莫能治正，太祖欲授潛精兵以鎮討之。潛辭曰：「代郡戶口殷衆，士馬控弦，動有萬數。單于自知放橫日久，內不自安。今多將兵往，必懼而拒境，少將則不見憚。

They must be dealt with by stratagem, not coerced by force of arms.” So he went to the commandery with a single carriage. The Chanyu were astonished and delighted. Pei Qian calmed them with quiet composure. From the Chanyu down they all took off their caps and knocked their heads on the ground, and returned all the women, implements, and goods they had plundered at one time or another. Pei Qian investigated and executed more than ten of the senior officials of the commandery who had been in collusion with the Chanyu, such as Hao Wen and Guo Duan; the northern frontier was deeply shaken, and the people gave him their hearts. After three years in Dai he returned to become a Clerk of the Legal Bureau of the Chancellor. When Taizu praised his achievements in governing Dai, Pei Qian said, “I was lenient toward the common people, but strict with the tribesmen.

宜以計謀圖之，不可以兵威迫也。」遂單車之郡。單于驚喜。潛撫之以靜。單于以下脫帽稽顙，悉還前後所掠婦女、器械、財物。潛案誅郡中大吏與單于爲表裏者郝溫、郭端等十餘人，北邊大震，百姓歸心。在代三年，還爲丞相理曹掾，太祖褒稱治代之功，潛曰：「潛於百姓雖寬，於諸胡爲峻。

Those who now plan affairs there will surely think that my governance was too severe, and will become more lenient and indulgent in their dealings. But the tribesmen have always been arrogant and unruly; too much leniency will surely make them slack, and once they are slack, trying again to restrain them with the law will give rise to strife. Judging by the situation, Dai will certainly rebel again.” Taizu then deeply regretted having recalled Pei Qian so soon. Some dozens of days later, news came that the three Chanyu had rebelled, and Cao Zhang, Marquis of Yanling, was sent against them as General of Valiant Cavalry.

今計者必以潛爲理過嚴，而事加寬惠；彼素驕恣，過寬必弛，既弛又將攝之以法，此訟爭所由生也。以勢料之，代必復叛。」於是太祖深悔還潛之速。後數十日，三單于反問至，乃遣鄢陵侯彰爲驍騎將軍征之。

Pei Qian went out as Chancellor of Pei and was promoted to Inspector of Yan Province. When Taizu halted at Mobei, he admired how orderly Pei Qian’s army formations were and gave him special rewards. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, Pei Qian entered the court as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. He went out as Agricultural Commandant of Wei Commandery and of Yingchuan, and memorialized that recommendations for office be opened to the agricultural administrations on the same basis as the commanderies and kingdoms; from then on the road to advancement for agricultural officials was open. He was promoted to Inspector of Jing Province and granted the rank of Marquis Within the Pass. When Emperor Ming took the throne, he entered the court as a Master of Writing.

潛出爲沛國相，遷兗州刺史。太祖次摩陂，歎其軍陳齊整，特加賞賜。文帝踐阼，入爲散騎常侍。出爲魏郡、潁川典農中郎將，奏通貢舉，比之郡國，由是農官進仕路泰。遷荊州刺史，賜爵關內侯。明帝即位，入爲尚書。

He went out as Intendant of Henan, was transferred to Military Adviser to the Grand Commandant and to Grand Minister of Agriculture, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qingyang Village with two hundred households. He entered the court as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, and memorialized to rectify the division of duties and to sort out names and realities; more than a hundred and fifty items of business were sent out for the government offices to decide. He left office to mourn his father, and was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He died in the fifth year of Zhengshi, and was posthumously made Minister of Ceremonies, with the posthumous name Marquis Zhen. His son Pei Xiu succeeded him. He left instructions that his burial be frugal: in his tomb there was only a single seat and a few pottery vessels, and nothing else at all.

出爲河南尹，轉太尉軍師、大司農，封清陽亭侯，邑二百戶。入爲尚書令，奏正分職，料簡名實，出事使斷官府者百五十餘條。喪父去官，拜光祿大夫。正始五年薨，追贈太常，諡曰貞侯。¹子秀嗣。遺令儉葬，墓中惟置一坐，瓦器數枚，其餘一無所設。

Pei Xiu became Supervisor of the Masters of Writing in the Xianxi era.

秀，咸熙中爲尚書僕射。¹²

Appraisal

評

Appraisal: He Qia was pure, gentle, and capable in administration; Chang Lin was simple and steadfast in his conduct; Yang Jun was a judge of men and practiced righteousness; Du Xi was mild and pure, with a grasp of essentials; Zhao Yan was firm and resolute yet measured; Pei Qian was even-tempered, constant, upright, and capable. All were fine gentlemen of their age. As for Chang Lin, who did not set his heart on the Three Excellencies but retired on account of age as a Grandee—how admirable!

評曰：和洽清和幹理，常林素業純固，楊俊人倫行義，杜襲溫粹識統，趙儼剛毅有度，裴潛平恆貞幹，皆一世之美士也。至林能不繫心於三司，以大夫告老，美矣哉！