Records of Wei 11: Biographies of Yuan Huan, Zhang Fan, Liang Mao, Guo Yuan, Tian Chou, Wang Xiu, Bing Yuan and Guan Ning

Records of Wei 11: Biographies of Yuan Huan, Zhang Fan, Liang Mao, Guo Yuan, Tian Chou, Wang Xiu, Bing Yuan and Guan Ning

Yuan Huan

袁渙

Yuan Huan, courtesy name Yaoqing, was a man of Fule in Chen Commandery. His father, Yuan Pang, was Minister over the Masses of the Han.

袁渙字曜卿，陳郡扶樂人也。父滂，為漢司徒。

At that time most of the sons of the great officials overstepped the bounds of law and propriety, but Yuan Huan was pure and quiet, and in all his conduct he kept strictly to the rites. The commandery appointed him Officer of Merit, and the corrupt clerks of the commandery all took themselves off. Later he was summoned to the office of one of the Excellencies, was recommended with the highest rating, and was promoted to Attendant Censor. He was appointed Magistrate of Qiao but did not take up the post. When Liu Bei held Yu Province, he recommended Yuan Huan as Flourishing Talent. Later Yuan Huan took refuge between the Yangzi and the Huai, where Yuan Shu gave him a post. Whenever Yuan Shu sought his advice, Yuan Huan always argued for what was right; Yuan Shu could not stand against him, but he respected him and did not dare to treat him without courtesy.

¹當時諸公子多越法度，而渙清靜，舉動必以禮。郡命為功曹，郡中姧吏皆自引去。後辟公府，舉高第，遷侍御史。除譙令，不就。劉備之為豫州，舉渙茂才。後避地江、淮間，為袁術所命。術每有所咨訪，渙常正議，術不能抗，然敬之不敢不禮也。

Before long Lü Bu attacked Yuan Shu at Fuling. Yuan Huan went along with Yuan Shu, and in the end was again taken and held by Lü Bu. Lü Bu had at first been on friendly terms with Liu Bei, but later they fell out. Lü Bu wanted Yuan Huan to write a letter reviling and insulting Liu Bei, but Yuan Huan would not. Lü Bu pressed him again and again, but he still refused. In a great rage, Lü Bu threatened him with soldiers, saying, “Write it and you live; refuse and you die.” Without any change of expression, Yuan Huan laughed and answered, “I have heard that only virtue can put a man to shame; I have never heard that abuse can do so.

頃之，呂布擊術於阜陵，渙往從之，遂復為布所拘留。布初與劉備和親，後離隙。布欲使渙作書詈辱備，渙不可，再三彊之，不許。布大怒，以兵脅渙曰：「為之則生，不為則死。」渙顏色不變，笑而應之曰：「渙聞唯德可以辱人，不聞以罵。

If he is truly a gentleman, he will feel no shame at your words, General; if he is truly a petty man, he will send your meaning straight back to you. Either way the disgrace falls here, not on him. Moreover, the way I once served General Liu is the way I serve you today, General. If one day I left this place and in turn reviled you, would that be acceptable?” Lü Bu was ashamed and let the matter drop.

使彼固君子邪，且不恥將軍之言，彼誠小人邪，將復將軍之意，則辱在此不在於彼。且渙他日之事劉將軍，猶今日之事將軍也，如一旦去此，復罵將軍，可乎？」布慙而止。

When Lü Bu was put to death, Yuan Huan was at last able to come over to Taizu. Yuan Huan said, “Weapons are instruments of ill omen, to be used only when there is no other choice. Rouse men with the Way and virtue, campaign with humanity and righteousness, cherish the people everywhere and rid them of what harms them. Only then will they be willing to die with you and live with you. It is now more than ten years since the great disorders began. The people long for peace more desperately than a man hung upside down longs to be cut free, and yet violence and disorder have not ceased. Why is that? I suspect it is because government has lost its proper way!

布誅，乃得歸太祖。¹渙言曰：「夫兵者，凶器也，不得已而用之。鼓之以道德，征之以仁義，兼撫其民而除其害。夫然，故可與之死而可與之生。自大亂以來十數年矣，民之欲安，甚於倒縣，然而暴亂未息者，何也？意者政失其道歟！

I have heard that an enlightened ruler is skilled at rescuing his age: when the age is in chaos he brings it to order with righteousness, and when the times are false he steadies them with simplicity. As ages differ and circumstances change, the ways of governing a state are not the same, and this must be examined carefully. Adding to or cutting back the institutions is something in which past and present need not agree. But to love the whole realm alike and bring it back to what is right, and, though disorder is quelled by arms, to complete the work with virtue—this is truly the Way that a hundred kings have never changed. You, Lord Cao, are wise beyond your age. What the ancients did to win their people, you have already labored at; what men today do to lose their people, you have already guarded against. The realm within the seas relies on you and has been spared the calamity of ruin. Yet the people do not yet know righteousness; if only you, Lord Cao, will instruct them, the realm will be fortunate indeed!” Taizu took his words deeply to heart and appointed him Chief Commandant of the Southern Region of Pei.

渙聞明君善於救世，故世亂則齊之以義，時偽則鎮之以樸；世異事變，治國不同，不可不察也。夫制度損益，此古今之不必同者也。若夫兼愛天下而反之於正，雖以武平亂而濟之以德，誠百王不易之道也。公明哲超世，古之所以得其民者，公旣勤之矣，今之所以失其民者，公旣戒之矣，海內賴公，得免於危亡之禍，然而民未知義，其唯公所以訓之，則天下幸甚！」太祖深納焉。拜為沛南部都尉。

At this time people were newly being recruited to open up agricultural colonies, but they disliked it and many ran away. Yuan Huan said to Taizu, “People are content with their land and reluctant to move; they cannot be changed all at once. They are easily led by following their inclinations and hard to move against them. It would be best to go along with their wishes: take only those who are glad to come, and do not force those who are unwilling.” Taizu followed this advice, and the common people were greatly pleased. Yuan Huan was transferred to Chancellor of Liang. He constantly instructed the counties: “Take care of widowers, widows and the aged, and honor filial sons and chaste wives.

是時新募民開屯田，民不樂，多逃亡。渙白太祖曰：「夫民安土重遷，不可卒變，易以順行，難以逆動，宜順其意，樂之者乃取，不欲者勿彊。」太祖從之，百姓大悅。遷為梁相。渙每勑諸縣：「務存鰥寡高年，表異孝子貞婦。

As the common saying goes, ‘When the age is well governed the rites are elaborate; when the age is in disorder the rites are simple.’ Everything lies in weighing and adjusting between the two. Though the present is a time of turmoil in which it is hard to transform people through the rites, how we go about it is still up to us.” In his government he gave weight to teaching and instruction; he put himself in others’ place before he acted, and though mild and gentle outwardly he was decisive within. When he left office because of illness, the people missed him. Later he was summoned to be Grand Master of Remonstrance and Army Libationer to the Chancellor. The gifts he received over the years were very many, but he gave them all away, and his household had no savings. He never concerned himself with property; when he ran short he took from others. He did not make a show of scrupulous purity, yet the men of his time admired his integrity.

常談曰『世治則禮詳，世亂則禮簡』，全在斟酌之間耳。方今雖擾攘，難以禮化，然在吾所以為之。」為政崇教訓，恕思而後行，外溫柔而內能斷。¹以病去官，百姓思之。後徵為諫議大夫、丞相軍祭酒。前後得賜甚多，皆散盡之，家無所儲，終不問產業，乏則取之於人，不為皦察之行，然時人服其清。

When the state of Wei was first established, he became Minister of the Household and acting Imperial Counsellor. Yuan Huan said to Taizu, “The great troubles of the realm have now been cleared away. To use the civil and the military together is the way to endure. I think you should gather in books and records on a large scale and make plain the teachings of the former sages, so as to change what the people see and hear. If the whole land is made to turn toward refinement, then even distant peoples who do not submit can be brought in by civil virtue.” Taizu approved of his words. At that time someone reported that Liu Bei had died, and all the officials offered congratulations; but because Yuan Huan had once been an officer recommended by Liu Bei, he alone did not.

魏國初建，為郎中令，行御史大夫事。渙言於太祖曰：「今天下大難已除，文武並用，長久之道也。以為可大收篇籍，明先聖之教，以易民視聽，使海內斐然向風，則遠人不服可以文德來之。」太祖善其言。時有傳劉備死者，羣臣皆賀；渙以甞為備舉吏，獨不賀。

He died after several years in office. Taizu shed tears for him and granted two thousand hu of grain. One directive said, “Grant a thousand hu of grain from the Great Granary to the household of the Minister of the Household,” and another said, “Give a thousand hu of grain from within my own walls to the household of Yaoqing.” Outsiders did not understand the meaning. The directive explained, “Grain from the Great Granary is by the law of the office; grain from within my walls is as an old friend.” Also, the Emperor heard how Yuan Huan had once defied Lü Bu, and asked Yuan Huan’s cousin Yuan Min, “Was Yuan Huan brave or timid?”

居官數年卒，太祖為之流涕，賜穀二千斛，一教「以太倉穀千斛賜郎中令之家」，一教「以垣下穀千斛與曜卿家」，外不解其意。教曰：「以太倉穀者，官法也；以垣下穀者，親舊也。」又帝聞渙昔拒呂布之事，問渙從弟敏：「渙勇怯何如？」

Yuan Min replied, “In appearance Yuan Huan seemed mild and gentle, but when he faced a great test of principle or found himself in danger and difficulty, not even Meng Ben or Xia Yu could have surpassed him.” Yuan Huan’s son Yuan Kan was likewise pure, refined, calm and plain, with his father’s manner, and he served in turn as a commandery governor and as Master of Writing.

敏對曰：「渙貌似和柔，然其臨大節，處危難，雖賁、育不過也。」渙子侃，亦清粹閑素，有父風，歷位郡守尚書。¹

Earlier, Yuan Huan’s cousin Yuan Ba, who was fair, conscientious and capable in affairs, became Minister of Agriculture at the beginning of Wei; he and He Kui of the same commandery were both well known in their time. And Yuan Ba’s son Yuan Liang and He Kui’s son He Zeng, together with Yuan Kan, again enjoyed equal fame and were good friends. Yuan Liang was upright and firm, with learning and good conduct; he detested He Yan, Deng Yang and their like and wrote essays sharply criticizing them. He rose to be Intendant of Henan and Master of Writing. Yuan Ba’s younger brother Yuan Hui was known for his Confucian simplicity. When the realm fell into chaos, he took refuge in Jiao Province.

初，渙從弟霸，公恪有功幹，魏初為大司農，及同郡何夔並知名於時。而霸子亮，夔子曾，與侃復齊聲友善。亮貞固有學行，疾何晏、鄧颺等，著論以譏切之，位至河南尹、尚書。¹霸弟徽，以儒素稱。遭天下亂，避難交州。

The Minister over the Masses summoned him, but he did not go. Yuan Hui’s younger brother Yuan Min had martial skill and a fondness for water works; he rose to be Internuncio of the River Dikes.

司徒辟，不至。¹徽弟敏，有武藝而好水功，官至河隄謁者。

Zhang Fan

張範

Zhang Fan, courtesy name Gongyi, was a man of Xiuwu in Henei. His grandfather Zhang Xin was Minister over the Masses of the Han. His father Zhang Yan was Grand Commandant. The Grand Tutor Yuan Wei wished to give his daughter to Zhang Fan as wife, but Zhang Fan declined and would not accept. By nature he was tranquil and quiet, delighting in the Way and indifferent to honor and profit; he answered none of the summonses and appointments offered him. His younger brother Zhang Cheng, courtesy name Gongxian, was also well known. Summoned as Upright and Correct, he was appointed Court Consultant and promoted to Chief Commandant of Yique. When Dong Zhuo raised his rebellion, Zhang Cheng wanted to gather followers and join with the rest of the realm to destroy Dong Zhuo.

張範，字公儀，河內脩武人也。祖父歆，為漢司徒。父延，為太尉。太傅袁隗欲以女妻範，範辭不受。性恬靜樂道，忽於榮利，徵命無所就。弟承，字公先，亦知名，以方正徵，拜議郎，遷伊闕都尉。董卓作亂，承欲合徒衆與天下共誅卓。

Zhang Cheng’s younger brother Zhang Zhao, then a Court Consultant, happened to arrive from Chang'an. He said to Zhang Cheng, “If you try to destroy Dong Zhuo now, your numbers cannot match his. Besides, with a plan made in a single morning you would be sending farmers from the fields to fight; the men have not been cared for beforehand and the troops are untrained, so success will be hard. Dong Zhuo relies on his soldiers and has no righteousness; he certainly cannot last long. Better to choose someone to attach yourself to and wait for the right moment to move. Then you can achieve your aim.” Zhang Cheng agreed. He untied his seal and ribbon, went home by back roads, and took refuge in Yang Province with Zhang Fan.

承弟昭時為議郎，適從長安來，謂承曰：「今欲誅卓，衆寡不敵，且起一朝之謀，戰阡陌之民，士不素撫，兵不練習，難以成功。卓阻兵而無義，固不能久；不若擇所歸附，待時而動，然後可以如志。」承然之，乃解印綬間行歸家，與範避地揚州。

Yuan Shu invited Zhang Fan with full ceremony, but Zhang Fan pleaded illness and did not go, and Yuan Shu did not force him to submit. Zhang Fan sent Zhang Cheng to meet him, and Yuan Shu asked, “In the past, when the house of Zhou declined, there came the hegemony of Dukes Huan and Wen; when Qin lost its grip on government, the Han took over and ruled. Now I, with my broad lands and my many officers and people, wish to seek the good fortune of Duke Huan of Qi and follow in the footsteps of Gaozu. What do you think?” Zhang Cheng replied, “It depends on virtue, not on strength. One who can use virtue to unite the desires of the realm, even starting from the position of a common man, will find it no hard thing to achieve the deeds of a hegemon or a king.

袁術備禮招請，範稱疾不往，術不彊屈也。遣承與相見，術問曰：「昔周室陵遲，則有桓、文之霸；秦失其政，漢接而用之。今孤以土地之廣，士民之衆，欲徼福齊桓，擬迹高祖，何如？」承對曰：「在德不在彊。夫能用德以同天下之欲，雖由匹夫之資，而興霸王之功，不足為難。

But if one presumptuously usurps and acts against the times, the multitude will abandon him, and who could raise him up?” Yuan Shu was displeased. At this time Taizu was about to campaign against Ji Province, and Yuan Shu asked again, “Now Lord Cao means to take on a host of a hundred thousand with a few thousand worn-out troops. You might call that not measuring his strength! What do you think?” Zhang Cheng said, “Although the virtue of the Han has declined, the Mandate of Heaven has not yet changed. Now Lord Cao holds the Emperor in his hands and issues commands to the realm; he could stand up to a host of a million.” Yuan Shu’s face darkened with displeasure, and Zhang Cheng left him.

若苟僭擬，干時而動，衆之所棄，誰能興之？」術不悅。是時，太祖將征冀州，術復問曰：「今曹公欲以弊兵數千，敵十萬之衆，可謂不量力矣！子以為何如？」承乃曰：「漢德雖衰，天命未改，今曹公挾天子以令天下，雖敵百萬之衆可也。」術作色不懌，承去之。

When Taizu pacified Ji Province, he sent an envoy to welcome Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan stayed behind at Pengcheng because of illness and sent Zhang Cheng to Taizu, who memorialized to have Zhang Cheng made Grand Master of Remonstrance. Zhang Fan’s son Zhang Ling and Zhang Cheng’s son Zhang Jian were captured by bandits east of the mountains. Zhang Fan went straight to the bandits and asked for the two boys, and the bandits returned Zhang Ling to him. Zhang Fan thanked them and said, “You have been generous in returning my son to me. Though it is human nature to love one’s own child, I pity Zhang Jian for being so young. I ask you to take Zhang Ling in exchange for him.”

太祖平冀州，遣使迎範。範以疾留彭城，遣承詣太祖，太祖表以為諫議大夫。範子陵及承子戩為山東賊所得，範直詣賊請二子，賊以陵還範。範謝曰：「諸君相還兒厚矣。夫人情雖愛其子，然吾憐戩之小，請以陵易之。」

The bandits admired the righteousness of his words and returned both boys to him. When Taizu came back from Jing Province, Zhang Fan was able to see him at Chen. Taizu made him a Court Consultant with a share in the military affairs of the Chancellor, and treated him with great respect. Whenever Taizu went on campaign, he always left Zhang Fan and Bing Yuan behind to guard the base with his Heir. Taizu told Emperor Wen, “In everything you do, be sure to consult these two men.” The Heir treated them with the courtesy of a son or grandson. Zhang Fan relieved the poor and needy until his household had nothing to spare, and orphans and widows from near and far all turned to him.

賊義其言，悉以還範。太祖自荊州還，範得見於陳，以為議郎，參丞相軍事，甚見敬重。太祖征伐，常令範及邴原留，與世子居守。太祖謂文帝：「舉動必諮此二人。」世子執子孫禮。救恤窮乏，家無所餘，中外孤寡皆歸焉。

He never refused gifts, but he never used them either, and when he left he returned them all. He died in the seventeenth year of Jian'an. When the state of Wei was first established, Zhang Cheng, as Libationer and Military Adviser to the Chancellor, also served as Administrator of Zhao Commandery, where his government and teaching took great effect. When Taizu was about to campaign in the west, he summoned Zhang Cheng to take part in military affairs; Zhang Cheng reached Chang'an and died of illness there.

贈遺無所逆，亦終不用，及去，皆以還之。建安十七年卒。魏國初建，承以丞相參軍祭酒領趙郡太守，政化大行。太祖將西征，徵承參軍事，至長安，病卒。¹

Liang Mao

涼茂

Liang Mao, courtesy name Bofang, was a man of Changyi in Shanyang. As a youth he loved learning, and in debate he always relied on the classics to settle right and wrong. Taizu summoned him to be a Clerk to the Minister of Works; he was recommended with the highest rating and appointed Attendant Censor. At that time Taishan was plagued by bandits, so Liang Mao was made Administrator of Taishan; within a month or so more than a thousand families came to settle there, carrying their infants on their backs. He was transferred to Administrator of Lelang. Gongsun Du, in Liaodong, detained Liang Mao on his own authority and would not let him go to his post, but Liang Mao never yielded to him.

涼茂字伯方，山陽昌邑人也。少好學，論議常據經典，以處是非。太祖辟為司空掾，舉高第，補侍御史。時泰山多盜賊，以茂為泰山太守，旬月之閒，襁負而至者千餘家。¹轉為樂浪太守。公孫度在遼東，擅留茂，不遣之官，然茂終不為屈。

Gongsun Du said to Liang Mao and his generals, “I hear that Lord Cao has gone on a distant campaign and Ye is undefended. If I now march straight on Ye with thirty thousand foot and ten thousand horse, who can stop me?” The generals all said, “Just so.” Then he turned to Liang Mao and said, “What is your view, sir?” Liang Mao answered, “Of late the realm has been in great disorder and the altars of the dynasty are about to topple, yet you, General, with a host of a hundred thousand, sit idly by and watch who wins and who loses. Is this truly how a subject should behave?

度謂茂及諸將曰：「聞曹公遠征，鄴無守備，今吾欲以步卒三萬，騎萬匹，直指鄴，誰能禦之？」諸將皆曰：「然。」¹又顧謂茂曰：「於君意何如？」茂荅曰：「比者海內大亂，社稷將傾，將軍擁十萬之衆，安坐而觀成敗，夫為人臣者，固若是邪！

Lord Cao grieves over the peril and ruin of the state and pities the sufferings of the people. He leads a righteous army to destroy cruel rebels for the sake of the realm; his achievements are lofty and his virtue broad, and he may be called without equal. It is only because the land has just been settled and the people have just begun to gather in peace that he has not yet called you to account for your crimes, General! And yet you would raise troops and march west. Survival or ruin would be decided before the morning was out. By all means, General, try your best!” When the generals heard Liang Mao’s words, they were all shaken.

曹公憂國家之危敗，愍百姓之苦毒，率義兵為天下誅殘賊，功高而德廣，可謂無二矣。以海內初定，民始安集，故未責將軍之罪耳！而將軍乃欲稱兵西向，則存亡之效，不崇朝而決。將軍其勉之！」諸將聞茂言，皆震動。

After a long while Gongsun Du said, “Master Liang is right.” Later Liang Mao was summoned and transferred to be Administrator of Wei Commandery and Chancellor of Ganling, and he achieved results wherever he served. When Emperor Wen became General of the Household for the Five Offices, Liang Mao was selected as his Chief Clerk and promoted to Army Instructor of the Left. When the state of Wei was first established he was promoted to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, and later became Commandant of the Capital and Minister of Ceremonies. When Emperor Wen was in the Eastern Palace, Liang Mao again became Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and was treated with great respect and courtesy. He died in office.

良久，度曰：「涼君言是也。」後徵遷為魏郡太守、甘陵相，所在有績。文帝為五官將，茂以選為長史，遷左軍師。魏國初建，遷尚書僕射，後為中尉奉常。文帝在東宮，茂復為太子太傅，甚見敬禮。卒官。¹

Guo Yuan

國淵

Guo Yuan, courtesy name Zini, was a man of Ge in Le'an. He studied under Zheng Xuan. Later, with Bing Yuan, Guan Ning and others, he took refuge from the disorders in Liaodong. After he returned to his home region, Taizu summoned him to the staff of the Minister of Works. Whenever matters were debated in open court he always spoke frankly with a stern face, and when he withdrew he showed no private partiality. When Taizu wished to set up agricultural colonies on a wide scale, he put Guo Yuan in charge of them. Guo Yuan repeatedly set out what should be reduced and what increased; he surveyed the land to settle the people, set up officials according to the number of people, and made clear the rules for assessing results. Within five years the granaries were full, and the common people vied with one another in diligence and were happy in their work.

國淵字子尼，樂安蓋人也。師事鄭玄。¹後與邴原、管寧等避亂遼東。²旣還舊土，太祖辟為司空掾屬，每於公朝論議，常直言正色，退無私焉。太祖欲廣置屯田，使淵典其事。淵屢陳損益，相土處民，計民置吏，明功課之法，五年中倉廩豐實，百姓競勸樂業。

When Taizu campaigned in Guanzhong, he made Guo Yuan Chief Clerk remaining at headquarters, in charge of affairs left behind. Tian Yin and Su Bo rebelled in Hejian. After Tian Yin and the others had been defeated, there were remnants of their followers who were all liable to execution under the law. Guo Yuan held that they were not the ringleaders and asked that the punishment not be carried out. Taizu agreed, and more than a thousand people owed their lives to Guo Yuan. In reports of victories over rebels it had long been the custom to count one as ten, but when Guo Yuan submitted the tally of heads taken, he gave the true number. When Taizu asked him why, Guo Yuan said, “When one campaigns against foreign invaders, the number of heads taken and captives seized is inflated in order to magnify one’s martial achievement and to impress the people.

太祖征關中，以淵為居府長史，統留事。田銀、蘇伯反河閒，銀等旣破，後有餘黨，皆應伏法。淵以為非首惡，請不行刑。太祖從之，賴淵得生者千餘人。破賊文書，舊以一為十，及淵上首級，如其實數。太祖問其故，淵曰：「夫征討外寇，多其斬獲之數者，欲以大武功，且示民聽也。

But Hejian lies within our own borders, and Tian Yin and the others were rebels there. Though we won a victory and gained credit, I am privately ashamed of it.” Taizu was greatly pleased and transferred him to Administrator of Wei Commandery.

河閒在封域之內，銀等叛逆，雖克捷有功，淵竊恥之。」太祖大悅，遷魏郡太守。

At that time someone submitted a slanderous letter. Taizu hated it and was determined to find out who had written it. Guo Yuan asked that the original letter be kept and not made public. The letter quoted extensively from the Rhapsody on the Two Capitals. Guo Yuan instructed his Officer of Merit, “This commandery is large and is now the seat of the capital, yet there are few men of learning here. Pick some quick-witted young men; I want to send them to study with a teacher.” The Officer of Merit chose three, and before sending them off Guo Yuan received them and instructed them: “There is something your studies have not yet reached. The Rhapsody on the Two Capitals is a book of broad learning, but people today neglect it and few teach it. Find someone who can read it and study with him.”

時有投書誹謗者，太祖疾之，欲必知其主。淵請留其本書，而不宣露。其書多引二京賦，淵勑功曹曰：「此郡旣大，今在都輦，而少學問者。其簡開解年少，欲遣就師。」功曹差三人，臨遣引見，訓以「所學未及，二京賦，博物之書也，世人忽略，少有其師，可求能讀者從受之。」

He also secretly told them what he intended. Within ten days they found someone who could read it and went to study with him. The clerk then asked the man to write a note, compared it with the letter, and found that it was in the same hand as the letter-writer’s. The man was arrested and questioned, and the whole truth came out. Guo Yuan was promoted to Minister Coachman. Though he held the rank of a minister, he wore plain cloth and ate vegetables, and he gave away his salary and gifts to old friends and kinsmen. He kept himself respectful and frugal, and died in office.

又密喻旨。旬日得能讀者，遂往受業。吏因請使作箋，比方其書，與投書人同手。收攝案問，具得情理。遷太僕。居列卿位，布衣蔬食，祿賜散之舊故宗族，以恭儉自守，卒官。¹

Tian Chou

田疇

Tian Chou, courtesy name Zitai, was a man of Wuzhong in Youbeiping. He loved reading and swordsmanship. In the first year of Chuping, when the righteous armies rose, Dong Zhuo moved the Emperor to Chang'an. Liu Yu, Governor of You Province, sighed and said, “Rebellious ministers have caused chaos and the court is driven from place to place. All within the four seas are shaken, and no one holds firm to his purpose. As an elder of the imperial clan, I cannot behave like everyone else. I wish to send an envoy to show my loyalty as a subject, but where can I find a man who will not disgrace his mission?”

田疇字子泰，右北平無終人也。好讀書、擊劒。初平元年，義兵起，董卓遷帝于長安。幽州牧劉虞歎曰：「賊臣作亂，朝廷播蕩，四海俄然，莫有固志。身備宗室遺老，不得自同於衆。今欲奉使展效臣節，安得不辱命之士乎？」

The consensus of the discussion was, “Though Tian Chou is young, many speak of him as extraordinary.” Tian Chou was then twenty-two years old. Liu Yu invited him with full ceremony to a meeting, was delighted with him, and appointed him Attendant Officer, equipping him with carriages and horsemen. When he was about to set out, Tian Chou said, “The roads are now blocked, and bandits and barbarians roam at will. If I travel with an official title as an envoy, I will be marked out by everyone. I would rather go as a private traveler, with no aim but to get through.” Liu Yu agreed. Tian Chou then went home, picked from his household retainers and from brave young men who admired him and wished to follow him, and set out with twenty horsemen. Liu Yu came out in person to offer the travelers’ sacrifice and send him on his way.

衆議咸曰：「田疇雖年少，多稱其奇。」疇時年二十二矣。虞乃備禮請與相見，大悅之，遂署為從事，具其車騎。將行，疇曰：「今道路阻絕，寇虜縱橫，稱官奉使，為衆所指名。願以私行，期於得達而已。」虞從之。疇乃歸，自選其家客與年少之勇壯慕從者二十騎俱往。虞自出祖而遣之。

Once on the road, Tian Chou turned aside and climbed to the Western Pass, went out beyond the frontier, skirted along the north, and headed straight for Shuofang. Following hidden paths, he finally reached Chang'an and delivered his message. An edict appointed him Chief Commandant of Cavalry. Tian Chou held that while the Emperor was still in flight and without security he could not accept honors and favors, and he firmly declined. The court esteemed his righteousness. The Three Offices all summoned him, but he went to none of them. Having received the reply, he galloped back, but before he arrived, Liu Yu had already been killed by Gongsun Zan.

¹旣取道，疇乃更上西關，出塞，傍北方，直趣朔方，循閒徑去，遂至長安致命。詔拜騎都尉。疇以為天子方蒙塵未安，不可以荷佩榮寵，固辭不受。朝廷高其義。三府並辟，皆不就。得報，馳還，未至，虞已為公孫瓚所害。

When Tian Chou arrived, he visited Liu Yu’s grave to offer sacrifice, laid out and opened the memorial, and left weeping and wailing. When Gongsun Zan heard of this he was furious. He offered a reward for Tian Chou’s capture, and when he had him, he said, “Why did you take it upon yourself to weep at Liu Yu’s grave, and not send the reply to me?” Tian Chou answered, “The house of Han has declined and everyone harbors disloyal thoughts; only Lord Liu did not fail in his loyalty. What the reply says does not reflect well on you, General, and I feared you would not like to hear it, so I did not present it. Moreover, General, you are now launching a great enterprise to get what you want. You have already destroyed a guiltless lord, and now you make an enemy of a subject who keeps to righteousness. If you truly do this, the men of Yan and Zhao will all throw themselves into the Eastern Sea and die; how could any of them bear to follow you!”

疇至，謁祭虞墓，陳發章表，哭泣而去。瓚聞之大怒，購求獲疇，謂曰：「汝何自哭劉虞墓，而不送章報於我也？」疇荅曰：「漢室衰穨，人懷異心，唯劉公不失忠節。章報所言，於將軍未美，恐非所樂聞，故不進也。且將軍方舉大事以求所欲，旣滅無罪之君，又讎守義之臣，誠行此事，則燕、趙之士將皆蹈東海而死耳，豈忍有從將軍者乎！」

Gongsun Zan admired the boldness of his answer and spared him from execution. He held him in custody in the camp and forbade his old friends to have any contact with him. Someone advised Gongsun Zan, “Tian Chou is a man of righteousness. If you cannot treat him with courtesy and even keep him prisoner, I fear you will lose the hearts of the people.” Gongsun Zan then set Tian Chou free.

瓚壯其對，釋不誅也。拘之軍下，禁其故人莫得與通。或說瓚曰：「田疇義士，君弗能禮，而又囚之，恐失衆心。」瓚乃縱遣疇。

Having been able to return north, Tian Chou led his whole clan together with several hundred others who had attached themselves to him, swept a patch of ground, and swore an oath: “If I do not avenge my lord, I cannot stand in this world!” He then went into Mount Xuwu, where he settled on a level, open stretch of ground in a deep and rugged place, and farmed with his own hands to support his parents. The common people flocked to him, and within a few years there were more than five thousand households. Tian Chou said to their elders, “You have not thought me unworthy and have come from far away to join me. Now that so many have gathered to form a town and yet no one leads it, I fear this is no way to secure lasting peace. I would like you to choose the most worthy and senior among you to be your leader.”

疇得北歸，率舉宗族他附從數百人，埽地而盟曰：「君仇不報，吾不可以立於世！」遂入徐無山中，營深險平敞地而居，躬耕以養父母。百姓歸之，數年閒至五千餘家。疇謂其父老曰：「諸君不以疇不肖，遠來相就。衆成都邑，而莫相統一，恐非久安之道，願推擇其賢長者以為之主。」

They all said, “Good,” and together they chose Tian Chou. Tian Chou said, “We have come here not merely to find a safe refuge but to pursue a great cause, to take revenge and wipe out our disgrace. I fear that before we achieve our aim, frivolous people will wrong and insult one another, seeking momentary pleasure with no deep plans or far-sighted thoughts. I have a humble plan that I would like to carry out together with you. Will you agree?” They all said, “We will.” Tian Chou then drew up laws on killing and wounding, theft, and disputes and lawsuits: for the gravest offences the penalty was death, and lesser ones were punished according to the crime—more than twenty articles in all.

皆曰：「善。」同僉推疇。疇曰：「今來在此，非苟安而已，將圖大事，復怨雪恥。竊恐未得其志，而輕薄之徒自相侵侮，偷快一時，無深計遠慮。疇有愚計，願與諸君共施之，可乎？」皆曰：「可。」疇乃為約束相殺傷、犯盜、諍訟之法，法重者至死，其次抵罪，二十餘條。

He also established rites for marriage and weddings and founded schools for teaching, spreading these among his people. Everyone found them beneficial, so that things dropped on the road were not picked up. The whole northern frontier submitted to his authority and good faith. The Wuhuan and the Xianbei each sent envoys with interpreters to bring tribute and gifts; Tian Chou received them all kindly and made them refrain from raiding. Yuan Shao sent envoys several times to summon and appoint him, and even presented him with a general’s seal on the spot so that he might keep his followers in peace, but Tian Chou refused them all. When Yuan Shao died, his son Yuan Shang summoned him too, but Tian Chou never went.

又制為婚姻嫁娶之禮，興舉學校講授之業，班行其衆，衆皆便之，至道不拾遺。北邊翕然服其威信，烏丸、鮮卑並各遣譯使致貢遺，疇悉撫納，令不為寇。袁紹數遣使招命，又即授將軍印，因安輯所統，疇皆拒不受。紹死，其子尚又辟焉，疇終不行。

Tian Chou had long resented the Wuhuan for having killed so many of the officials and gentry of his commandery in the past, and he wanted to attack them, but lacked the strength. In the twelfth year of Jian'an, Taizu campaigned north against the Wuhuan. Before arriving, he first sent an envoy to summon Tian Chou, and also ordered Tian Yu to explain his intentions. Tian Chou told his followers to prepare quickly for the journey. One of his followers said, “In the past Lord Yuan admired you and sent courteous summonses five times, yet you would not bend, as a matter of principle. Now Lord Cao’s envoy has come just once, and you act as though afraid of being late. Why is that?”

疇常忿烏丸昔多賊殺其郡冠蓋，有欲討之意而力未能。建安十二年，太祖北征烏丸，未至，先遣使辟疇，又命田預喻指。疇戒其門下趣治嚴。門人謂曰：「昔袁公慕君，禮命五至，君義不屈；今曹公使一來而君若恐弗及者，何也？」

Tian Chou laughed and answered, “This is not something you would understand.” He went with the envoy to the army, was appointed Clerk of the Bureau of Households under the Minister of Works, and was received to give counsel. The next day Taizu issued an order: “Tian Zitai is not a man I should employ as a clerk.” He at once recommended him as Flourishing Talent and appointed him Magistrate of Xiu, but Tian Chou did not take up the post and followed the army to camp at Wuzhong. It was then summer with heavy rains, and the low-lying land along the coast was waterlogged and impassable; the enemy also held the key passes, so the army could not advance.

疇笑而應之曰：「此非君所識也。」遂隨使者到軍，署司空戶曹掾，引見諮議。明日出令曰：「田子泰非吾所宜吏者。」即舉茂才，拜為蓨令，不之官，隨軍次無終。時方夏水雨，而濵海洿下，濘滯不通，虜亦遮守蹊要，軍不得進。

Taizu was troubled by this and asked Tian Chou. Tian Chou said, “This road floods every autumn and summer. The water is too shallow for carts and horses and too deep for boats; it has long been a hardship. The old seat of Beiping Commandery was at Pinggang, and the road ran out through Lulong to Liucheng. Since the Jianwu era it has been in ruins and cut off for nearly two hundred years, but a faint track still remains that can be followed. The enemy now expects our great army to come by way of Wuzhong. If we cannot advance and so withdraw, they will relax and be unprepared.

太祖患之，以問疇。疇曰：「此道，秋夏每常有水，淺不通車馬，深不載舟船，為難久矣。舊北平郡治在平岡，道出盧龍，達于柳城；自建武以來，陷壞斷絕，垂二百載，而尚有微徑可從。今虜將以大軍當由無終，不得進而退，懈弛無備。

If we quietly turn the army back and cross the heights of Baitan from the mouth of Lulong, emerging into empty country, the way will be short and easy. If we strike where they are unprepared, Tadun’s head can be taken without a fight.” Taizu said, “Good.” He then led the army back, and set up large wooden signposts beside the road near the water, reading: “It is now the heat of summer and the roads are impassable. We will wait for autumn and winter and then advance again.” When the enemy’s scouting horsemen saw this, they truly believed the great army had gone.

若嘿回軍，從盧龍口越白檀之險，出空虛之地，路近而便，掩其不備，蹋頓之首可不戰而禽也。」太祖曰：「善。」乃引軍還，而署大木表於水側路傍曰：「方今暑夏，道路不通，且俟秋冬，乃復進軍。」虜候騎見之，誠以為大軍去也。

Taizu had Tian Chou lead his followers as guides. They climbed Mount Xuwu, came out at Lulong, passed through Pinggang and ascended Bailang Mound. Only when they were a little over two hundred li from Liucheng did the enemy notice in alarm. The Shanyu took the field in person, and Taizu fought him, killing and capturing great numbers, and pursued the fleeing enemy to Liucheng. When the army returned within the frontier, merit was assessed and fiefs were granted, and Tian Chou was enfeoffed as Marquis of a Village with a fief of five hundred households. Tian Chou considered that at the start he had merely sought refuge from trouble, leading his people into flight and hiding; he had not fulfilled his purpose or his duty, and to profit from it instead was not what he had intended. So he firmly declined. Taizu knew he was sincere, granted his wish, and did not override his resolve.

太祖令疇將其衆為鄉導，上徐無山，出盧龍，歷平岡，登白狼堆，去柳城二百餘里，虜乃驚覺。單于身自臨陣，太祖與交戰，遂大斬獲，追奔逐北，至柳城。軍還入塞，論功行封，封疇亭侯，邑五百戶。¹疇自以始為居難，率衆遁逃，志義不立，反以為利，非本意也，固讓。太祖知其至心，許而不奪。²

When Liaodong beheaded Yuan Shang and sent his head, Taizu ordered, “Anyone in the three armies who dares to mourn him will be beheaded.” Because Tian Chou had once been summoned by Yuan Shang, he went to offer condolences and sacrifice. Taizu did not call him to account. Tian Chou brought all his family and more than three hundred households of his kinsmen to live at Ye. Taizu granted Tian Chou carriages, horses, grain and silk, but he gave them all away to his kinsmen and old friends. After he returned from following the campaign against Jing Province, Taizu thought again of how outstanding Tian Chou’s merit had been and regretted having granted his refusal earlier. He said, “That fulfilled the wish of one man but damaged the great institutions of royal law.”

遼東斬送袁尚首，令「三軍敢有哭之者斬」。疇以甞為尚所辟，乃往弔祭。太祖亦不問。¹疇盡將其家屬及宗人三百餘家居鄴。太祖賜疇車馬穀帛，皆散之宗族知舊。從征荊州還，太祖追念疇功殊美，恨前聽疇之讓，曰：「是成一人之志，而虧王法大制也。」

So Taizu again enfeoffed Tian Chou with his former rank. Tian Chou submitted a memorial setting out his sincerity and swearing by his life to refuse. Taizu would not listen and tried to bring him to receive the appointment three or four times, but in the end he would not accept. The officials in charge impeached Tian Chou as stubborn and eccentric, defying the proper way and clinging to a petty principle, and proposed that he be dismissed from office and punished. Taizu treated the matter seriously and hesitated over it for a long time. He then referred it to his Heir and the high ministers for general discussion. The Heir held that Tian Chou was like Ziwen, who declined emolument, and Shen Xu, who fled from reward; his resolve should not be overridden, and his integrity should be honored.

於是乃復以前爵封疇。¹疇上疏陳誠，以死自誓。太祖不聽，欲引拜之，至于數四，終不受。有司劾疇狷介違道，苟立小節，宜免官加刑。太祖重其事，依違者久之。乃下世子及大臣博議，世子以疇同於子文辭祿，申胥逃賞，宜勿奪以優其節。

The Director of the Secretariat Xun Yu and the Director of Retainers Zhong Yao also thought his wish should be granted. Still Taizu wanted to make him a marquis. Tian Chou had always been on good terms with Xiahou Dun, so Taizu said to Xiahou Dun, “Go and try to persuade him as a friend. Speak as if on your own account, and do not tell him it is my wish.” Xiahou Dun went to stay the night with Tian Chou and did as Taizu had instructed. Tian Chou guessed what lay behind it and said nothing more. As Xiahou Dun was leaving, he patted Tian Chou on the back and said, “Master Tian, our lord’s intentions are so earnest—can you not give them any regard at all?”

尚書令荀彧、司隷校尉鍾繇亦以為可聽。¹太祖猶欲侯之。疇素與夏侯惇善，太祖語惇曰：「且往以情喻之，自從君所言，無告吾意也。」惇就疇宿，如太祖所戒。疇揣知其指，不復發言。惇臨去，乃拊疇背曰：「田君，主意殷勤，曾不能顧乎！」

Tian Chou answered, “How excessive your words are! I am only a man who betrayed his duty and fled into hiding. To have received grace and kept my life is fortune enough. How could I sell the Lulong Pass in exchange for rewards and emoluments? Even if the state favors me, could I alone feel no shame in my heart? If even you, General, who know me well, speak like this, then if there is truly no way out, I ask to give my life by cutting my throat before you.” Before he had finished speaking, tears were streaming down his face. Xiahou Dun reported everything to Taizu.

疇荅曰：「是何言之過也！疇，負義逃竄之人耳，蒙恩全活，為幸多矣。豈可賣盧龍之塞，以易賞祿哉？縱國私疇，疇獨不愧於心乎？將軍雅知疇者，猶復如此，若必不得已，請願效死刎首於前。」言未卒，涕泣橫流。惇具荅太祖。

Taizu sighed, realizing that Tian Chou could not be made to yield, and appointed him Court Consultant. He died at the age of forty-six. His son also died young. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he esteemed Tian Chou’s virtue and righteousness and granted the rank of Marquis Within the Passes to Tian Chou’s grandnephew Tian Xu, to carry on his line.

太祖喟然知不可屈，乃拜為議郎。年四十六卒。子又早死。文帝踐阼，高疇德義，賜疇從孫續爵關內侯，以奉其嗣。

Wang Xiu

王脩

Wang Xiu, courtesy name Shuzhi, was a man of Yingling in Beihai. He lost his mother at the age of seven. His mother had died on the day of the earth-god festival, and the following year, when the neighborhood held the festival, Wang Xiu thought of his mother and grieved deeply. When the neighbors heard of this, they called off the festival for his sake. At twenty he went to study in Nanyang and lodged in the house of Zhang Feng. Zhang Feng’s whole family fell ill and no one would look after them, so Wang Xiu cared for them himself with compassion, and left only after they had recovered. In the Chuping era, Kong Rong of Beihai summoned him to be his Registrar and made him acting Magistrate of Gaomi.

王脩字叔治，北海營陵人也。年七歲喪母。母以社日亡，來歲鄰里社，脩感念母，哀甚。鄰里聞之，為之罷社。年二十，游學南陽，止張奉舍。奉舉家得疾病，無相視者，脩親隱恤之，病愈乃去。初平中，北海孔融召以為主簿，守高密令。

The Sun family of Gaomi had long been powerful and swaggering, and their retainers repeatedly broke the law. When some of the common people committed a robbery, the robber took refuge with the Sun family, and the officers could not seize him. Wang Xiu led officers and townsmen to surround the house. The Suns barricaded themselves in, and the officers and townsmen were too afraid to approach. Wang Xiu ordered them, “Anyone who dares not to attack will share the criminal’s guilt.” The Suns grew frightened and handed over the robber. From then on the powerful families were cowed into submission. When Wang Xiu was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, he tried to yield the honor to Bing Yuan, but Kong Rong would not allow it. The realm was in turmoil at that time, so in the end he did not go.

高密孫氏素豪俠，人客數犯法。民有相劫者，賊入孫氏，吏不能執。脩將吏民圍之，孫氏拒守，吏民畏憚不敢近。脩令吏民：「敢有不攻者與同罪。」孫氏懼，乃出賊。由是豪彊懾服。舉孝廉，脩讓邴原，融不聽。¹時天下亂，遂不行。

Some time later there was a rebellion in the commandery. When Wang Xiu heard that Kong Rong was in danger, he hurried to him by night. When the rebels first rose, Kong Rong said to those around him, “The only one who would brave danger to come is Wang Xiu!” As he finished speaking, Wang Xiu arrived. He was again appointed Officer of Merit. At that time there were many bandits in Jiaodong, so Kong Rong again had Wang Xiu serve as acting Magistrate of Jiaodong. Gongsha Lu, a man of Jiaodong whose clan was powerful, had built his own fortified camp with moats and refused to answer levies of men and goods. Wang Xiu, with only a few horsemen, rode straight in through his gate and beheaded Gongsha Lu and his brothers. The Gongsha clan were stunned, and none dared move.

頃之，郡中有反者。脩聞融有難，夜往奔融。賊初發，融謂左右曰：「能冒難來，唯王脩耳！」言終而脩至。復署功曹。時膠東多賊寇，復令脩守膠東令。膠東人公沙盧宗彊，自為營塹，不肯應發調。脩獨將數騎徑入其門，斬盧兄弟，公沙氏驚愕莫敢動。

Wang Xiu comforted and reassured the rest, and from then on the banditry abated somewhat. Whenever Kong Rong was in trouble, Wang Xiu never failed to come, even when he was at home on leave. Kong Rong often escaped harm thanks to Wang Xiu.

脩撫慰其餘，由是寇少止。融每有難，脩雖休歸在家，無不至。融常賴脩以免。

When Yuan Tan was in Qing Province, he summoned Wang Xiu to be his Headquarters Officer, and the Attendant Officer with Separate Carriage, Liu Xian, repeatedly disparaged Wang Xiu. Later, when Liu Xian was to be put to death over some matter, Wang Xiu pleaded his case and got him spared. People of the time thought all the more highly of him for this. Yuan Shao also summoned Wang Xiu and appointed him Magistrate of Jimo, and later he again became Yuan Tan’s Attendant Officer with Separate Carriage. After Yuan Shao died, a rift opened between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang attacked Yuan Tan, and when Yuan Tan’s army was defeated, Wang Xiu led officers and townsmen to go to his rescue. Yuan Tan said happily, “The one who has saved my army is Attendant Officer Wang.”

袁譚在青州，辟脩為治中從事，別駕劉獻數毀短脩。後獻以事當死，脩理之，得免。時人益以此多焉。袁紹又辟脩除即墨令，後復為譚別駕。紹死，譚、尚有隙。尚攻譚，譚軍敗，脩率吏民往救譚。譚喜曰：「成吾軍者，王別駕也。」

After Yuan Tan’s defeat, Liu Xun raised troops at Tayin, and all the cities rose in support. Yuan Tan sighed and said, “Now the whole province has turned against me—can it be that I lack virtue?” Wang Xiu said, “Guan Tong, the Administrator of Donglai, though he is out by the sea, is not a man to rebel. He will surely come.” A little more than ten days later Guan Tong did indeed abandon his wife and children to come to Yuan Tan; his wife and children were killed by the rebels. Yuan Tan made Guan Tong Administrator of Le’an instead. When Yuan Tan wanted to attack Yuan Shang again, Wang Xiu remonstrated: “For brothers to turn and attack each other is the road to ruin.”

譚之敗，劉詢起兵漯陰，諸城皆應。譚歎息曰：「今舉州背叛，豈孤之不德邪！」脩曰：「東萊太守管統雖在海表，此人不反。必來。」後十餘日，統果棄其妻子來赴譚，妻子為賊所殺，譚更以統為樂安太守。譚復欲攻尚，脩諫曰：「兄弟還相攻擊，是敗亡之道也。」

Yuan Tan was displeased, but he knew Wang Xiu’s loyalty. Later he asked Wang Xiu again, “What plan should I follow?” Wang Xiu said, “Brothers are one’s left and right hands. Suppose a man about to fight cut off his own right hand and said, ‘I shall surely win’—would that do? If a man casts off his brother and does not hold him close, who in the world will hold him close? There are slanderers about who will surely set you against each other in hopes of some momentary gain. I beg you, my enlightened lord, to stop your ears and not listen to them.

譚不悅，然知其忠節。後又問脩：「計安出？」脩曰：「夫兄弟者，左右手也。譬人將鬬而斷其右手，而曰『我必勝』，若是者可乎？夫棄兄弟而不親，天下其誰親之！屬有讒人，固將交鬬其間，以求一朝之利，願明使君塞耳勿聽也。

If you behead a few sycophantic ministers and make peace with each other again, and so hold off enemies on every side, you can range freely across the realm.” Yuan Tan did not listen; he went on fighting with Yuan Shang and asked Taizu for help. After Taizu had conquered Ji Province, Yuan Tan rebelled again. Taizu then led his army to attack Yuan Tan at Nanpi. Wang Xiu was at that time transporting grain at Le’an. Hearing that Yuan Tan was in danger, he set off to join him with the troops under his command and several dozen of his attendant officers. When he reached Gaomi he heard that Yuan Tan was dead. He dismounted and wailed, “Without my lord, where shall I go?”

若斬佞臣數人，復相親睦，以禦四方，可以橫行天下。」譚不聽，遂與尚相攻擊，請救於太祖。太祖旣破冀州，譚又叛。太祖遂引軍攻譚於南皮。脩時運糧在樂安，聞譚急，將所領兵及諸從事數十人往赴譚。至高密，聞譚死，下馬號哭曰：「無君焉歸？」

So he went to Taizu and begged to be allowed to recover and bury Yuan Tan’s body. Wishing to see what was in Wang Xiu’s heart, Taizu said nothing in reply. Wang Xiu spoke again: “I received great kindness from the Yuan family. If I may gather up Yuan Tan’s body and lay it out, I will have no regrets if I am then put to death.” Taizu admired his loyalty and granted the request. He made Wang Xiu Supervisor of Army Grain and sent him back to Le’an. When Yuan Tan was destroyed, all the cities submitted; only Guan Tong held Le’an and would not obey orders. Taizu ordered Wang Xiu to bring him Guan Tong’s head, but Wang Xiu, regarding Guan Tong as a loyal servant of a fallen house, untied his bonds and sent him to Taizu.

遂詣太祖，乞收葬譚屍。太祖欲觀脩意，默然不應。脩復曰：「受袁氏厚恩，若得收歛譚屍，然後就戮，無所恨。」太祖嘉其義，聽之。¹以脩為督軍糧，還樂安。譚之破，諸城皆服，唯管統以樂安不從命。太祖命脩取統首，脩以統亡國之忠臣，因解其縛，使詣太祖。

Taizu was pleased and pardoned him. The Yuan administration had been lax, and many who held office and power had amassed wealth. When Taizu took Ye, the property and goods he confiscated from the households of Shen Pei and others were counted in tens of thousands. When he took Nanpi and examined Wang Xiu’s household, there was less than ten hu of grain, but several hundred scrolls of books. Taizu sighed and said, “A gentleman’s reputation is not undeserved.” He then summoned him with full courtesy to be a Clerk to the Minister of Works, made him acting General of the Household Controller of Metals, and transferred him to Administrator of Wei Commandery. In his government he curbed the strong and supported the weak and made rewards and punishments clear, and the people praised him.

太祖悅而赦之。袁氏政寬，在職勢者多畜聚。太祖破鄴，籍沒審配等家財物貲以萬數。及破南皮，閱脩家，穀不滿十斛，有書數百卷。太祖歎曰：「士不妄有名。」乃禮辟為司空掾，行司金中郎將，遷魏郡太守。為治，抑彊扶弱，明賞罰，百姓稱之。¹

When the state of Wei was established, he became Grand Minister of Agriculture and Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace. When Taizu proposed introducing the mutilating punishments, Wang Xiu held that the time was not yet right for them, and Taizu adopted his view. He was transferred to Minister of Ceremonies. Later Yan Cai rebelled and attacked the side gate of the palace with several dozen of his followers. When Wang Xiu heard of the uprising, he called for his carriage and horses, and before they came he led his subordinates on foot to the palace gate. Taizu, watching from the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, said, “The one coming there must be Wang Shuzhi.”

魏國旣建，為大司農郎中令。太祖議行肉刑，脩以為時未可行，太祖採其議。徙為奉常。其後嚴才反，與其徒屬數十人攻掖門。脩聞變，召車馬未至，便將官屬步至宮門。太祖在銅爵臺望見之，曰：「彼來者必王叔治也。」

The Chancellor of State Zhong Yao said to Wang Xiu, “By old custom, when there is an uprising in the capital, the Nine Ministers each remain in their own offices.” Wang Xiu said, “When I eat a ruler’s salary, how can I avoid his troubles? Staying in one’s office may be the old custom, but it is not the duty of hastening to meet danger.” Soon afterward he fell ill and died in office. His son Wang Zhong rose to be Administrator of Donglai and Regular Mounted Attendant.

相國鍾繇謂脩：「舊，京城有變，九卿各居其府。」脩曰：「食其祿，焉避其離？居府雖舊，非赴難之義。」頃之，病卒官。子忠，官至東萊太守、散騎常侍。

Earlier, Wang Xiu had recognized Gao Rou when he was barely twenty, and had marked Wang Ji as exceptional when he was a small child. Both eventually rose high, and the world praised Wang Xiu as a good judge of men.

初，脩識高柔於弱冠，異王基於幼童，終皆遠至，世稱其知人。¹²

Bing Yuan

邴原

Bing Yuan, courtesy name Genju, was a man of Zhuxu in Beihai. In his youth he and Guan Ning were both renowned for their integrity and high principles, and he accepted none of the summonses from the province or the commandery. When the Yellow Turbans rose, Bing Yuan took his family out to sea and lived in the Yuzhou Mountains. At that time Kong Rong, the Chancellor of Beihai, recommended Bing Yuan as a man Possessing the Way. Because the Yellow Turbans were then at the height of their power, Bing Yuan went on to Liaodong. Liu Zheng, a man of the same commandery, was there with him; Liu Zheng was brave, resourceful and bold of spirit. The Administrator of Liaodong, Gongsun Du, feared and hated him and wanted to kill him, and arrested his entire family, but Liu Zheng got away.

邴原字根矩，北海朱虛人也。少與管寧俱以操尚稱，州府辟命皆不就。黃巾起，原將家屬入海，住鬱洲山中。時孔融為北海相，舉原有道。原以黃巾方盛，遂至遼東，與同郡劉政俱有勇略雄氣。遼東太守公孫度畏惡欲殺之，盡收捕其家，政得脫。

Gongsun Du notified all the counties: “Anyone who dares to hide Liu Zheng will share his guilt.” In desperate straits, Liu Zheng went to Bing Yuan for refuge, and Bing Yuan hid him for more than a month. At that time Taishi Ci of Donglai was about to go home, so Bing Yuan entrusted Liu Zheng to him. Afterward he said to Gongsun Du, “General, the other day you wanted to kill Liu Zheng because he was a threat to you. Now Liu Zheng is gone—is the threat to you not removed?” Gongsun Du said, “It is.” Bing Yuan said, “You feared Liu Zheng because he was clever.

度告諸縣：「敢有藏政者與同罪。」政窘急，往投原，¹原匿之月餘，時東萊太史慈當歸，原因以政付之。旣而謂度曰：「將軍前日欲殺劉政，以其為己害。今政已去，君之害豈不除哉！」度曰：「然。」原曰：「君之畏政者，以其有智也。

Now that Liu Zheng has escaped, his cleverness will be put to use. Why go on holding his family? Better to let them go and not add to his grudge.” Gongsun Du then released them. Bing Yuan also provided for Liu Zheng’s family and sent them off, and they all got back to their home commandery. While Bing Yuan was in Liaodong, several hundred households came to live near him within a single year, and traveling scholars and the sound of teaching never ceased.

今政已免，智將用矣，尚奚拘政之家？不若赦之，無重怨。」度乃出之。原又資送政家，皆得歸故郡。原在遼東，一年中往歸原居者數百家，游學之士，教授之聲，不絕。

Later he was able to return home, and Taizu summoned him to be a Clerk to the Minister of Works. Bing Yuan’s daughter had died young, and at that time Taizu’s beloved son Cangshu also died. Taizu wanted them to be buried together. Bing Yuan declined, saying, “Joint burial is contrary to the rites. The reason I am accepted by you, my enlightened lord, and the reason you treat me as you do, is that I hold to the teachings and statutes and do not change. If I were to obey your command, I would be a commonplace man, and what use would you have for me then?” Taizu dropped the matter and transferred him to Consultant to the Chancellor.

後得歸，太祖辟為司空掾。原女早亡，時太祖愛子倉舒亦沒，太祖欲求合葬，原辭曰：「合葬，非禮也。原之所以自容於明公，公之所以待原者，以能守訓典而不易也。若聽明公之命，則是凡庸也，明公焉以為哉？」太祖乃止，徙署丞相徵事。¹

When Cui Yan was Clerk of the Eastern Bureau, he submitted a recommendation saying: “The Consultant Bing Yuan and the Court Consultant Zhang Fan both hold to virtue with purity and grace, and are loyal and upright in purpose and conduct. Their purity and calm are enough to improve public morals, and their steadfastness is enough to carry out affairs. They are what is called the dragon’s plumes and the phoenix’s wings, the great treasures of the state. If they are raised up and employed, those who lack benevolence will keep their distance.” Bing Yuan replaced Liang Mao as Chief Clerk to the General of the Household for the Five Offices. He kept his gate closed and kept to himself, and did not go out except on official business.

崔琰為東曹掾，記讓曰：「徵事邴原、議郎張範，皆秉德純懿，志行忠方，清靜足以厲俗，貞固足以幹事，所謂龍翰鳳翼，國之重寶。舉而用之，不仁者遠。」代涼茂為五官將長史，閉門自守，非公事不出。

When Taizu campaigned against Wu, Bing Yuan went with him and died.

太祖征吳，原從行，卒。¹

After this, the Grand Herald Zhang Tai of Julu and the Intendant of Henan Pang Chan of Fufeng were known for their purity and worth, and the Minister Coachman of the Yongning Palace, Zhang Ge of Dong Commandery, was known for his simplicity. Du Shu wrote his Family Admonitions, in which he praised Zhang Ge: “Zhang Zitai looks like a boorish, simple man, yet in his heart he seems not to know what in the world is beautiful or what is fine; he is so honest and plain that he seems to share his virtue with yin and yang. A man like this may well never be rich or noble, but from where could misfortune come to him? When the world has a man as lofty and bright as Zitai, many strive to admire him, but in embodying his ways they fall short.”

是後大鴻臚鉅鹿張泰、河南尹扶風龐辿以清賢稱，¹永寧太僕東郡張閣以簡質聞。杜恕著家戒稱閣曰：「張子臺，視之似鄙樸人，然其心中不知天地間何者為美，何者為好，敦然似如與陰陽合德者。作人如此，自可不富貴，然而患禍當何從而來？世有高亮如子臺者，皆多力慕，體之不如也。」

Guan Ning

管寧

Guan Ning, courtesy name Youan, was a man of Zhuxu in Beihai. When he was sixteen his father died. His relatives, pitying him for being orphaned and poor, all sent gifts toward the funeral, but he declined them all and accepted nothing, conducting the burial as his own means allowed. He was eight chi tall, with a fine beard and eyebrows. He was friends with Hua Xin of Pingyuan and Bing Yuan of his own county; they went to study together in other states, and all of them revered Chen Zhonggong. When the realm fell into great disorder, hearing that Gongsun Du’s orders held good beyond the sea, he went to Liaodong with Bing Yuan, Wang Lie of Pingyuan and others.

管寧字幼安，北海朱虛人也。¹年十六喪父，中表愍其孤貧，咸共贈賵，悉辭不受，稱財以送終。長八尺，美鬚眉。與平原華歆、同縣邴原相友，俱游學於異國，並敬善陳仲弓。天下大亂，聞公孫度令行於海外，遂與原及平原王烈等至于遼東。

Gongsun Du cleared out a guesthouse to await them. After Guan Ning had gone to see Gongsun Du, he built a hut in a mountain valley and lived there. At that time most of the refugees lived in the south of the commandery, but Guan Ning lived in the north to show that he had no intention of moving on, and gradually people came to join him. When Taizu became Minister of Works he summoned Guan Ning, but Gongsun Du’s son Gongsun Kang suppressed the summons and did not pass it on.

度虛館以候之。旣往見度，乃廬於山谷。時避難者多居郡南，而寧居北，示無遷志，後漸來從之。太祖為司空，辟寧，度子康絕命不宣。¹

Wang Lie

王烈

Wang Lie, courtesy name Yanfang, was at that time more famous than Bing Yuan or Guan Ning. He declined to serve as Gongsun Du’s Chief Clerk and took up trade to sully his own name. Taizu ordered him appointed Clerk to the Chancellor and Consultant, but he died beyond the sea before he could arrive.

王烈者，字彥方，於時名聞在原、寧之右。辭公孫度長史，商賈自穢。太祖命為丞相掾，徵事，未至，卒於海表。¹

When the central lands had become somewhat more settled, the refugees all went home; only Guan Ning stayed on serenely as though he meant to end his days there. In the fourth year of Huangchu an edict ordered the ministers to recommend gentlemen of solitary integrity, and the Minister over the Masses Hua Xin recommended Guan Ning. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne he summoned Guan Ning, who then took his family across the sea and returned to his home commandery. Gongsun Gong saw him off at the southern outskirts and gave him clothing and goods besides. Ever since Guan Ning had gone east, he had accepted and stored away everything Gongsun Du, Gongsun Kang and Gongsun Gong had given him over the years; now that he had crossed back west, he sealed it all up and returned it.

中國少安，客人皆還，唯寧晏然若將終焉。黃初四年，詔公卿舉獨行君子，司徒華歆薦寧。文帝即位，徵寧，遂將家屬浮海還郡，公孫恭送之南郊，加贈服物。自寧之東也，度、康、恭前後所資遺，皆受而藏諸。旣已西渡，盡封還之。¹

An edict appointed Guan Ning Grand Palace Grandee, but he firmly declined and would not accept. When Emperor Ming ascended the throne, the Grand Commandant Hua Xin offered to resign his post in favor of Guan Ning. An edict was then issued: “The Grand Palace Grandee Guan Ning cherishes the Way and virtue and holds the Six Arts close to his heart. His purity and detachment rank him with the ancients, and his integrity makes him a match for the present age. Formerly, meeting with a time when the kingly way had declined, he crossed the sea and lived in retreat; when the great Wei received the Mandate, he came carrying his children on his back. This is the way of the winged dragon, which lies hidden and then rises, and the principle by which sages and worthies come forth when employed and withdraw when set aside.

詔以寧為太中大夫，固辭不受。¹明帝即位，太尉華歆遜位讓寧，²遂下詔曰：「太中大夫管寧，耽懷道德，服膺六藝，清虛足以侔古，廉白可以當世。曩遭王道衰缺，浮海遁居，大魏受命，則襁負而至，斯蓋應龍潛升之道，聖賢用舍之義。

Yet since Huangchu summonses have been sent down many times, and each time he has pleaded illness, refused and not come. Is it that the government of the court is at odds with your aims, sir, or that you so love the peace of the mountains and forests that, having gone, you cannot return? Even with the sageliness of the Duke of Zhou, if the aged and virtuous did not come down to him, the singing bird would not be heard; even with the worthiness of Duke Mu of Qin, he still longed to consult the gray-haired. How much more must I, so lacking in virtue, wish to hear the Way from you, sir! Guan Ning is now appointed Minister of the Household.

而黃初以來，徵命屢下，每輙辭疾，拒違不至。豈朝廷之政，與生殊趣，將安樂山林，往而不能反乎！夫以姬公之聖，而耇德不降，則鳴鳥弗聞。¹以秦穆之賢，猶思詢乎黃髮。況朕寡德，曷能不願聞道于子大夫哉！今以寧為光祿勳。

The rites have their great bonds, and the way of sovereign and subject cannot be set aside. I expect you to come at once, to satisfy my wishes.” Another edict was sent to the Inspector of Qing Province: “Guan Ning, holding fast to the Way and cherishing his integrity, lies hidden in a corner by the sea. Lately I sent down letters summoning him, but he defies the command and does not come, lingering on and finding advantage in his retreat, holding his own affairs lofty. Though he has the constancy of the recluse who treads the plain path, he has lost the sense of duty by which Kaofu grew ever more respectful, and for years he has kept me waiting with open heart and outstretched neck. What does he mean by it?

禮有大倫，君臣之道，不可廢也。望必速至，稱朕意焉。」又詔青州刺史曰：「寧抱道懷貞，潛翳海隅，比下徵書，違命不至，盤桓利居，高尚其事。雖有素履幽人之貞，而失考父茲恭之義，使朕虛心引領歷年，其何謂邪？

If he wishes only to cherish his ease, he will of course follow his own inclination—but does he not consider that among the ancients too there were those who suddenly changed course to bring prosperity to the people? The days go by and the months pass, and his time is already slipping away. What does he mean to do with his cleansed body and his bathing in virtue? Zhongni said, ‘If I do not keep company with these people, with whom shall I keep company?’ Order the Attendant Officer with Separate Carriage, the Assistant of the commandery and the clerks to receive the edict and send Guan Ning off with due courtesy to the imperial residence, providing him with a comfortable carriage, attendant officers, cushions and bedding, and meals on the road, and report before he sets out.”

徒欲懷安，必肆其志，不惟古人亦有翻然改節以隆斯民乎！日逝月除，時方已過，澡身浴德，將以曷為？仲尼有言：『吾非斯人之徒與而誰與哉！』其命別駕從事郡丞掾，奉詔以禮發遣寧詣行在所，給安車、吏從、茵蓐、道上廚食，上道先奏。」

Guan Ning styled himself “a subject of the grass and weeds” and submitted a memorial: “I am a lonely and lowly man from the seashore, a worn-out farmer of no standing, yet I have been blessed with generous emolument and fortune. Beyond all desert, Your Majesty has inherited the great succession, with virtue equal to the Three Sovereigns and a civilizing influence that overflows even that of Tang. For a long time I have received your rich bounty, and twelve years have piled up, yet I have been unable to repay the blessing of Your Majesty’s care. Sunk in grave illness and lying bedridden near death, I have failed in the duty of a subject and servant to rush to your call with his clothes on backward, and day and night I tremble with dread and do not know where to put myself. In the eleventh month of the first year I received the edict of the jiashen day of the eighth month, sent down to the province and commandery by the Prefect of Official Carriages, summoning me and granting me again a comfortable carriage, clothing and bedding, and cushions, and ordering that I be sent off with due courtesy. Glory and favor came together, and generous commands arrived one after another; trembling and holding my breath, I was grief-stricken and at a loss.

寧稱「草莽臣」上疏曰：「臣海濵孤微，罷農無伍，祿運幸厚。橫蒙陛下纂承洪緒，德侔三皇。化溢有唐。久荷渥澤，積祀一紀，不能仰荅陛下恩養之福。沈委篤痾，寢疾彌留，逋違臣隷顛倒之節，夙宵戰怖，無地自厝。臣元年十一月被公車司馬令所下州郡，八月甲申詔書徵臣，更賜安車、衣被、茵蓐，以禮發遣，光寵並臻，優命屢至，怔營竦息，悼心失圖。

I thought to state my case myself and set out my foolish feelings, but your enlightened edict restrained me and would not let me prepare even a brief memorial, and so I have been choked and silent until today. Truly I had thought that even heaven’s all-covering grace must have its limits, but unexpectedly its divine moisture has grown ever richer and more glorious. In the second month of this year I received the edict of the xinyou day of the twelfth month of the third year, sent down by the province and commandery, again granting me a comfortable carriage and clothing and ordering the Attendant Officer with Separate Carriage and the commandery Officer of Merit to send me off with due courtesy; and I also received a special letter under the imperial seal appointing me Minister of the Household, in which Your Majesty, toiling in humility, cited the examples of Zhou and Qin, diminishing those above to enrich those below.

思自陳聞，申展愚情，而明詔抑割，不令稍脩章表，是以鬱滯，訖于今日。誠謂乾覆，恩有紀極，不意靈潤，彌以隆赫。奉今年二月被州郡所下三年十二月辛酉詔書，重賜安車、衣服，別駕從事與郡功曹以禮發遣，又特被璽書，以臣為光祿勳，躬秉勞謙，引喻周、秦，損上益下。

On the day I received the edict, my spirit and soul flew apart, and I did not know where to throw myself to die. When I examine and weigh myself again, I find that without the virtue of Dongyuan Gong or Qili Ji I have received the honor of a comfortable carriage, and without merit like that of Dou Rong I have received the favor of an appointment under the imperial seal. A dull timber fit only for a bracket or a king-post, I am to bear the burden of ridgepole and beam; with my life all but spent, I am to obtain a place among the nine ministers. I fear there will be an evil omen like the drum that sounded of itself for Zhu Bo. Moreover, age and illness encroach on me day by day, growing worse and never better, and I cannot be helped into a carriage and take to the road to fulfil the duties laid upon me.

受詔之日，精魄飛散，靡所投死。臣重自省揆，德非園、綺而蒙安車之榮，功無竇融而蒙璽封之寵，楶梲駑下，荷棟梁之任，垂沒之命，獲九棘之位，懼有朱博鼓妖之眚。又年疾日侵，有加無損，不任扶輿進路以塞元責。

Gazing longingly toward the palace gates, my heart lingers about the court. I respectfully submit this memorial to set out my situation, and beg that you will take pity and consider it, restrain your favor and let me go, and not leave my bones to fill the roadside.”

望慕閶闔，徘徊闕庭，謹拜章陳情，乞蒙哀省，抑恩聽放，無令骸骨填於衢路。」

From Huangchu to Qinglong the summonses came one after another, and every eighth month he was sent gifts of oxen and wine. An edict asked the Inspector of Qing Province, Cheng Xi, “Is Guan Ning standing on principle and holding himself aloof, or is he truly old, ill and feeble?” Cheng Xi reported: “Guan Ning has a kinsman, Guan Gong, who is a clerk of the province and lives next door to him, and I have had him keep watch on how he is. Guan Gong says: ‘Guan Ning always wears a black cap, a cloth jacket and trousers and a cloth skirt, single or lined according to the season. He goes in and out of his house and courtyard leaning on a staff by himself, with no need of support.

自黃初至于青龍，徵命相仍，常以八月賜牛酒。詔書問青州刺史程喜：「寧為守節高乎，審老疾尪頓邪？」喜上言：「寧有族人管貢為州吏，與寧鄰比，臣常使經營消息。貢說：『寧常著皁帽、布襦袴、布裠，隨時單複，出入閨庭，能自任杖，不須扶持。

At the sacrifices of the four seasons he always makes the effort to change into better clothes, putting on a padded kerchief and the white cloth robe he had in Liaodong, and he presents the offerings himself, kneeling and bowing to complete the rites. Having lost his mother when he was small, he does not know what she looked like, so he always adds a special cup for her, and his tears flow. His house is also seventy or eighty paces from the water; in summer he goes into the water to wash his hands and feet, and looks over his garden.’ Weighing Guan Ning’s reasons for declining time after time, I judge that he simply feels that, having grown up in retirement, he is now old and his wits have failed, and so he lingers where he is and always humbly holds back. This is because Guan Ning is determined to keep his purpose and conduct whole, not because he is holding himself aloof.”

四時祠祭，輙自力彊，改加衣服，著絮巾，故在遼東所有白布單衣，親薦饌饋，跪拜成禮。寧少而喪母，不識形象，常特加觴，泫然流涕。又居宅離水七八十步，夏時詣水中澡灑手足，闚於園圃。』臣揆寧前後辭讓之意，獨自以生長潛逸，耆艾智衰，是以栖遲，每執謙退。此寧志行所欲必全，不為守高。」¹

In the second year of Zhengshi, the Minister Coachman Taoqiu Yi, the Minister of the Guards of the Yongning Palace Meng Guan, the Palace Attendant Sun Yong and the Gentleman Attendant of the Palace Secretariat Wang Ji recommended Guan Ning, saying: “We have heard that the dragon and the phoenix hide their brilliance and come forth in response to virtue, and that the wise and enlightened live hidden and wait for the right time to act. Thus when the yuezhuo phoenix sang on Mount Qi, the way of Zhou rose to glory, and when the Four Graybeards lent their help, the Han emperor was secure. We humbly observe that the Grand Palace Grandee Guan Ning is in accord with the balance and harmony of heaven and earth and combines the pure excellence of the nine virtues. With inner beauty and a plain nature, he is pure as ice and clear as a deep pool, profound, detached and tranquil, roaming at ease with the Way. He delights his heart in the Yellow Emperor and Laozi and lets his mind range over the Six Arts; he has ascended the hall and entered the inner chamber, fathoming their deepest recesses, holding past and present in his breast and embracing the essentials of the Way and virtue.

正始二年，太僕陶丘一、永寧衞尉孟觀、侍中孫邕、中書侍郎王基薦寧曰：臣聞龍鳳隱耀，應德而臻，明哲潛遁，俟時而動。是以鸑鷟鳴岐，周道隆興，四皓為佐，漢帝用康。伏見太中大夫管寧，應二儀之中和，總九德之純懿，含章素質，冰絜淵清，玄虛澹泊，與道逍遙；娛心黃老，游志六藝，升堂入室，究其閫奧，韜古今於胷懷，包道德之機要。

In the Zhongping era the Yellow Turbans ran riot, the Chinese lands tottered and the bonds of kingly rule slackened and broke. He then fled the troubles of the time, took a raft across the sea and lived as a sojourner in Liaodong for more than thirty years. At the time when Qian turns to Gou, he hid his shadow and concealed his light, withdrawing gracefully to nourish his vital spirit and keeping the learning of the Confucians and Mohists wrapped within him; yet his quiet influence flowed out on every side and spread among foreign peoples.

中平之際，黃巾陸梁，華夏傾蕩，王綱弛頓。遂避時難，乘桴越海，羈旅遼東三十餘年。在乾之姤，匿景藏光，嘉遁養浩，韜韞儒墨，潛化傍流，暢於殊俗。

In the fourth year of Huangchu, Emperor Wen, the Exalted Ancestor, consulted all his ministers in search of outstanding men, and the late Minister over the Masses Hua Xin put Guan Ning forward for selection. He was specially summoned by official carriage, and spreading his wings in that distant land he promptly came flying. On the way he met with hardship and fell ill, and he was at once appointed Grand Palace Grandee. Emperor Ming, the Illustrious Ancestor, admired his virtue and raised him to Minister of the Household. But Guan Ning’s illness was grave and he could not take the road. Now Guan Ning’s old illness has healed; he is eighty years old, yet his will shows no sign of flagging.

黃初四年，高祖文皇帝疇咨羣公，思求儁乂，故司徒華歆舉寧應選，公車特徵，振翼遐裔，翻然來翔。行遇屯厄，遭罹疾病，即拜太中大夫。烈祖明皇帝嘉美其德，登為光祿勳。寧疾彌留，未能進道。今寧舊疾已瘳，行年八十，志無衰倦。

Within the four low walls of his home with its brushwood gate, he rests in a poor lane, living on gruel and eating once in two days, yet chanting the Odes and the Documents he does not change his joy. In hardship he can still find his way; meeting with trouble he always comes through; passing through danger and treading perilous paths he does not alter his integrity. Like the sound of metal and the color of jade, he shines the brighter the longer he lasts. Judging him from beginning to end, he is surely one blessed by Heaven, who ought to aid the great Wei and assist in bringing about a harmonious and glorious reign. There is a vacancy among the highest offices, and all below look to him. In ancient times Gaozong carved an image to search for a wise and worthy man, and King Wen of Zhou consulted the tortoise to divine for a good assistant.

環堵篳門，偃息窮巷，飯鬻餬口，并日而食，吟詠詩書，不改其樂。困而能通，遭難必濟，經危蹈險，不易其節，金聲玉色，久而彌彰。揆其終始，殆天所祚，當贊大魏，輔亮雍熙。袞職有闕，羣下屬望。昔高宗刻象，營求賢哲，周文啟龜，以卜良佐。

How much more so with Guan Ning, who was honored by the previous reign and whose name and virtue are already well known, yet who has long remained in retirement without being summoned in good time. This is no way to honor and follow the enlightened teachings or to carry through the intentions of your predecessors. Your Majesty has ascended the throne and inherited the great succession. Your sagely reverence rises day by day, surpassing King Cheng of Zhou, and whenever you issue your virtuous words you consult your tutors. If you continue the precedent set by the two ancestors in summoning worthy men, and treat outstanding talents with the courtesy due to guests so as to spread the glory of your reign, the flourishing of your civilizing rule will equal that of former ages.

況寧前朝所表，名德已著，而久栖遲，未時引致，非所以奉遵明訓，繼成前志也。陛下踐阼，纂承洪緒。聖敬日躋，超越周成。每發德音，動諮師傅。若繼二祖招賢故典，賔禮儁邁，以廣緝熙，濟濟之化，侔於前代。

Guan Ning is pure, lofty and tranquil, modeling himself on the tracks of the ancients; his virtue and conduct are unequalled, without peer within the seas. Looking over those of former ages who were summoned with jade and silk—Master Shen, Mei Sheng, Zhou Dang, Fan Ying and their like—gauging their depths and examining their purity, none has improved the customs of his age and walked alone as Guan Ning has. It would truly be fitting to send bolts of silk with a jade disc and invite him with full ceremony, then grant him an armrest and staff, bring him up into the Eastern Hall to expound the ancient classics, and have him sit and discourse on the Way. Above, he would help set right the celestial instruments and bring harmony to the imperial order; below, he would enrich all living things and set the constant human relations in order. There would surely be something worth seeing, adding luster to the great work of civilization.

寧清高恬泊，擬跡前軌，德行卓絕，海內無偶。歷觀前世玉帛所命，申公、枚乘、周黨、樊英之儔，測其淵源，覽其清濁，未有厲俗獨行若寧者也。誠宜束帛加璧，備禮徵聘，仍授几杖，延登東序，敷陳墳索，坐而論道，上正璇璣，恊和皇極，下阜羣生，彝倫攸叙，必有可觀，光益大化。

If Guan Ning holds fast, immovable as a stone that will not roll, keeping to his resolve as on Mount Ji, following in the footsteps of Hongya and walking in the tracks of Chaofu and Xu You, this too would make your sagely court a match for Tang and Yu, honoring the worthy and displaying his record so that his fame endures for a thousand years. Though taking office and living in retirement are different roads, and bowing down and looking up different postures, in promoting good government and improving the customs their measure is one.”

若寧固執匪石，守志箕山，追迹洪崖，參蹤巢、許。斯亦聖朝同符唐、虞，優賢揚歷，垂聲千載。¹雖出處殊塗，俯仰異體，至於興治美俗，其揆一也。

A comfortable carriage with its wheels wrapped in rushes was therefore specially prepared, and bolts of silk with a jade disc were sent to invite him. Just then Guan Ning died, at the age of eighty-four. His son Guan Miao was appointed Gentleman of the Palace and later became an Erudite. Earlier, when Guan Ning’s wife died before him, his acquaintances and old friends urged him to remarry. Guan Ning said, “Whenever I reflect on the words of Zengzi and Wang Jun, I always admire them. How could I go against my true feelings now that the same thing has befallen me?”

於是特具安車蒲輪，束帛加璧聘焉。會寧卒，時年八十四。拜子邈郎中，後為博士。初，寧妻先卒，知故勸更娶，寧曰：「每省曾子、王駿之言，意常嘉之，豈自遭之而違本心哉？」¹

Zhang Jian and Hu Zhao

張臶、胡昭

At that time Zhang Jian of Julu, courtesy name Ziming, and Hu Zhao of Yingchuan, courtesy name Kongming, likewise cultivated their ideals and did not take office. In his youth Zhang Jian studied at the Imperial Academy, mastering both the classics and the esoteric prognostication texts, and later returned home. Yuan Shao summoned him repeatedly, but he did not respond and moved to Shangdang. The Imperial Protector of Bing Province, Gao Gan, memorialized to have him appointed Magistrate of Leping, but he did not take up the post and withdrew to Changshan, where he had several hundred disciples; later he moved to Ren County. When Taizu became Chancellor he summoned him, but he did not go. In the Taihe era an edict sought hidden scholars able to dispel calamities and avert portents; the commandery repeatedly put Zhang Jian forward and made ready to send him, but he was old and ill and did not go.

時鉅鹿張臶，字子明，頴川胡昭，字孔明，亦養志不仕。臶少游太學，學兼內外，後歸鄉里。袁紹前後辟命，不應，移居上黨。并州牧高幹表除樂平令，不就，徙遁常山，門徒且數百人，遷居任縣。太祖為丞相，辟，不詣。太和中，詔求隱學之士能消災復異者，郡累上臶，發遣，老病不行。

When Lu Yu, the Administrator of Guangping, had been in office three days, his chief clerk informed him that, following precedent, he should send his tablet and call on Zhang Jian. Lu Yu issued an instruction: “Master Zhang is what is called a man who above does not serve the Son of Heaven and below does not befriend the feudal lords. How could a call with a tablet add any luster to him?” He merely sent his Registrar to deliver a letter together with the courtesy gifts of a sheep and wine. An edict of the xinhai day in the fourth year of Qinglong said: “In the Xuan River of Zhangye Commandery the waters overflowed and surged, the waves leaping and crashing, and a precious stone appeared bearing a chart. It was shaped like a sacred tortoise and settled on the west bank of the river, towering up like a great rock. On a blue-green ground with white markings, the forms of the qilin, phoenix, dragon and horse stood out brilliantly, and written characters proclaiming the Mandate were clearly displayed.

廣平太守盧毓到官三日，綱紀白承前致版謁臶。毓教曰：「張先生所謂上不事天子，下不友諸侯者也。此豈版謁所可光飾哉！」但遣主簿奉書致羊酒之禮。青龍四年辛亥詔書：「張掖郡玄川溢涌，激波奮蕩，寶石負圖，狀像靈龜，宅于川西，嶷然磐峙，倉質素章，麟鳳龍馬，煥炳成形，文字告命，粲然著明。

The Grand Astrologer Gaotang Long submitted that it was something the sovereigns and sage emperors of antiquity had never been granted, truly an auspicious mandate for Wei and a treasure for the Eastern Hall for generations to come.” The matter was proclaimed throughout the realm. Yu Chuo, the Magistrate of Ren, took the proclamation to ask Zhang Jian about it. Zhang Jian said to Yu Chuo in confidence, “Spirits reveal what is to come; they do not go back over what is past. Auspicious signs appear first, and rise or fall follows after. The Han has long since perished and Wei already holds the realm—why should there be an omen of rising now, after the fact? This stone is a portent of change for the present and an auspicious sign for the future.”

太史令高堂隆上言：古皇聖帝所未甞蒙，實有魏之禎命，東序之世寶。」¹事班天下。任令于綽連齎以問臶，臶密謂綽曰：「夫神以知來，不追已往，禎祥先見而後廢興從之。漢已久亡，魏已得之，何所追興徵祥乎！此石，當今之變異而將來之禎瑞也。」

In the first year of Zhengshi, a hoopoe built its nest on the shady side of Zhang Jian’s gate. Zhang Jian told his disciples, “The hoopoe is a bird of the yang, yet it has nested on the yin side of the gate. This is an evil omen.” He then took up his zither and sang, composing two poems, and died some ten days later at the age of one hundred and five. That year the Administrator of Guangping, Wang Su, arrived at his post and issued an instruction to the counties under him: “When I was in the capital I heard of Zhang Ziming, and on coming here I meant to call on him, but he had already died. I deeply mourn and regret it.

正始元年，戴鵀之鳥，巢臶門陰。臶告門人曰：「夫戴鵀陽鳥，而巢門陰，此凶祥也。」乃援琴歌詠，作詩二篇，旬日而卒，時年一百五歲。是歲，廣平太守王肅至官，教下縣曰：「前在京都，聞張子明，來至問之，會其已亡，致痛惜之。

This man was devoted to learning and lived in seclusion, not competing with the world but finding joy in the Way. Long ago, when the old man of Jiang County was languishing in the mud, Zhao Meng raised him up, and the feudal lords lived in harmony as a result. I pity him that, though diligent in his love of the Way into extreme old age, he never received honor or favor. When this letter arrives, send officers to console his family and put up a plaque on his gate, and take care to treat them with special distinction, so as to comfort the departed and encourage those to come.”

此君篤學隱居，不與時競，以道樂身。昔絳縣老人屈在泥塗，趙孟升之，諸侯用睦。愍其耄勤好道，而不蒙榮寵，書到，遣吏勞問其家，顯題門戶，務加殊異，以慰旣往，以勸將來。」

Hu Zhao had first taken refuge in Ji Province; he too declined Yuan Shao’s summons and slipped back to his home district. When Taizu became Minister of Works and then Chancellor, he repeatedly summoned him with courtesy. Hu Zhao answered the summons and went, but on arriving he explained that he was merely a rustic with no use in military or state affairs, and sincerely asked to leave. Taizu said, “Each man has his own aims, and men differ in whether they take office or stay home. Hold to your noble ideals to the end; it would not be right for me to force you.” Hu Zhao then moved to live in the Luhun Mountains, where he farmed with his own hands, delighted in the Way and found his pleasure in the classics.

胡昭始避地冀州，亦辭袁紹之命，遁還鄉里。太祖為司空丞相，頻加禮辟。昭往應命，旣至，自陳一介野生，無軍國之用，歸誠求去。太祖曰：「人各有志，出處異趣，勉卒雅尚，義不相屈。」昭乃轉居陸渾山中，躬耕樂道，以經籍自娛。

The people of the villages respected and loved him. In the twenty-third year of Jian’an, the Chief of Luhun, Zhang Gu, received written orders to conscript able-bodied men to be sent to Hanzhong. The people hated and dreaded the long service and were all in unrest. Taking advantage of this, Sun Lang and others among the people raised troops, killed the county Registrar and rose in revolt, and the county town was left in ruins. Zhang Gu, leading a dozen or so officers and soldiers, took shelter with Hu Zhao, gathered the remaining people and restored peace to the altars of the land. Sun Lang and his band then went south and attached themselves to Guan Yu.

閭里敬而愛之。¹建安二十三年，陸渾長張固被書調丁夫，當給漢中。百姓惡憚遠役，並懷擾擾。民孫狼等因興兵殺縣主簿，作為叛亂，縣邑殘破。固率將十餘吏卒，依昭住止，招集遺民，安復社稷。狼等遂南附關羽。

Guan Yu gave them seals of office and troops, and they came back as raiders. When they reached Changle Pavilion south of Luhun, they made a pact among themselves and swore an oath, saying, “Recluse Hu is a worthy man. His settlement must not be touched in any way.” The whole valley relied on Hu Zhao, and no one lived in fear. When the realm had been pacified he moved his home to Yiyang. In the Zhengshi era, the General of Agile Cavalry Zhao Yan, the Masters of Writing Huang Xiu and Guo Yi, the Regular Mounted Attendants Xun Yi and Zhong Yu, the Minister Coachman Yu Yi, the Administrator of Hongnong He Zhen and others recommended Hu Zhao one after another, saying, “His nature is lofty and pure, and he grows more steadfast with age.

羽授印給兵，還為寇賊，到陸渾南長樂亭，自相約誓，言：「胡居士賢者也，一不得犯其部落。」一川賴昭，咸無怵惕。天下安輯，徙宅宜陽。¹正始中，驃騎將軍趙儼、尚書黃休、郭彝、散騎常侍荀顗、鍾毓、太僕庾嶷、²弘農太守何楨等³遞薦昭曰：「天真高絜，老而彌篤。

Profound, detached, tranquil and simple, he has the integrity of Boyi and the Four Graybeards. He should be honored with a summons to encourage good customs.” In the second year of Jiaping he was specially summoned by official carriage, but just then he died, at the age of eighty-nine. His son Hu Zuan was appointed Gentleman of the Palace.

玄虛靜素，有夷、皓之節。宜蒙徵命，以勵風俗。」¹至嘉平二年，公車特徵，會卒，年八十九。拜子纂郎中。

Earlier, Hu Zhao excelled at calligraphy and was as famous as Zhong Yao, Handan Chun, Wei Ji and Wei Dan; his letters were often taken as models.

初，昭善史書，與鍾繇、邯鄲淳、衞覬、韋誕並有名，尺牘之迹，動見模楷焉。¹²

Appraisal

評

Appraisal: Yuan Huan, Bing Yuan and Zhang Fan walked a pure path themselves and advanced or withdrew according to the Way; they were perhaps the equals of Gong Yu and the two Gongs. Liang Mao and Guo Yuan come next after them. Zhang Cheng’s reputation and conduct were second only to Zhang Fan’s; he can be called a worthy younger brother. Tian Chou’s steadfast integrity and Wang Xiu’s loyalty and uprightness were enough to correct the customs of the age. Guan Ning was profound, refined and lofty, firm and unshakable. Zhang Jian and Hu Zhao shut their gates and kept to quiet, taking no part in the affairs of their time. For these reasons they are recorded together here.

評曰：袁渙、邴原、張範躬履清蹈，進退以道，¹蓋是貢禹、兩龔之匹。涼茂、國淵亦其次也。張承名行亞範，可謂能弟矣。田疇抗節，王脩忠貞，足以矯俗；管寧淵雅高尚，確然不拔；張臶、胡昭闔門守靜，不營當世：故并錄焉。