Records of Wu 17: Biographies of Shi Yi and Hu Zong

Records of Wu 17: Biographies of Shi Yi and Hu Zong

Shi Yi

是儀

Shi Yi, courtesy name Ziyu, was a man of Yingling County in Beihai. His original surname was Shi (氏). He first served as a county clerk and later took office in the commandery. The Chancellor of the commandery, Kong Rong, teased him, saying that the character 氏 was the character 民 (“people”) without its top, and that he might change it to 是; so he changed it. Later he attached himself to Liu Yao and fled the disorders to Jiangdong. When Liu Yao's army was defeated, Shi Yi moved to Kuaiji. When Sun Quan inherited and took charge of the great enterprise, he summoned Shi Yi with a gracious letter. On arriving, Shi Yi was treated with intimate trust, given sole charge of confidential affairs, and appointed Commandant of Cavalry. When Lü Meng planned a surprise attack on Guan Yu, Sun Quan asked Shi Yi about it; Shi Yi approved of the plan and urged Sun Quan to accept it.

是儀字子羽，北海營陵人也。本姓氏，初為縣吏，後仕郡。郡相孔融嘲儀，言「氏」字「民」無上，可改為「是」，乃遂改焉。¹後依劉繇，避亂江東。繇軍敗，儀徙會稽。孫權承攝大業，優文征儀。到見親任，專典機密，拜騎都尉。呂蒙圖襲關羽，權以問儀，儀善其計，勸權聽之。

He followed the campaign against Guan Yu and was appointed Colonel of Loyalty and Righteousness. When Shi Yi declined with thanks, Sun Quan issued an order saying, “Though I am no Zhao Jianzi, how can you refuse to humble yourself and be my Zhou She?” After Jing Province was pacified and the capital set at Wuchang, he was appointed Assistant General, later enfeoffed as Marquis of a Chief Village and made acting Palace Attendant. Sun Quan wished to give him troops again, but Shi Yi, considering that he lacked the talent for it, firmly declined and would not accept. During the Huangwu era, Shi Yi was sent to Wan to join General Liu Shao in luring Cao Xiu. When Cao Xiu arrived, they routed him utterly. Shi Yi was promoted to Lieutenant General; within the palace he oversaw the affairs of the Masters of Writing, outside he had general charge of adjudicating among the various offices, and he also handled lawsuits. He was further ordered to teach the young princes writing and learning.

從討羽，拜忠義校尉。儀陳謝，權令曰：「孤雖非趙簡子，卿安得不自屈為周捨邪？」既定荊州，都武昌，拜裨將軍，後封都亭侯，守侍中。欲復授兵，儀自以非材，固辭不受。黃武中，遣儀之皖就將軍劉邵，欲誘致曹休。休到，大破之，遷偏將軍，入闕省尚書事，外總平諸官，兼領辭訟，又令教諸公子書學。

When the imperial carriage moved east, the Heir Apparent Sun Deng stayed behind to guard Wuchang, and Shi Yi was made to assist him. The Heir Apparent respected him, consulted him first on every matter, and only then acted. He was promoted in fief to Marquis of a Chief District. Later he followed the Heir Apparent back to Jianye and was again appointed Palace Attendant and Central Law Enforcer, adjudicating among the various offices and handling lawsuits as before. The Investigator Lü Yi falsely reported that the former Prefect of Jiangxia, Diao Jia, had slandered the government of the state. Sun Quan was enraged, arrested Diao Jia and threw him into prison, and had everyone involved interrogated.

大駕東遷，太子登留鎮武昌，使儀輔太子。太子敬之，事先咨詢，然後施行。進封都鄉侯。後從太子還建業，復拜侍中、中執法，平諸官事、領辭訟如舊。典校郎呂壹誣白故江夏太守刁嘉謗訕國政，權怒，收嘉繫獄，悉驗問。

At that time, the others implicated in the case all feared Lü Yi and said together that they had heard it; Shi Yi alone said he had heard nothing. He was then pressed relentlessly for days on end, the tone of the imperial edicts grew ever harsher, and the officials held their breath for him. Shi Yi replied, “Now the knife and saw are already at my neck. How would I dare to cover up for Diao Jia, bring extermination on myself, and become the ghost of a disloyal man? But if something was heard and known, there must be an account of how it began and ended.” He answered the questions according to the facts, and his words did not waver. Sun Quan at last let him go, and Diao Jia too escaped punishment.

時同坐人皆怖畏壹，並言聞之，儀獨云無聞。於是見窮詰累日，詔旨轉厲，群臣為之屏息。儀對曰：「今刀鋸已在臣頸，臣何敢為嘉隱諱，自取夷滅，為不忠之鬼！顧以聞知當有本末。」據實答問，辭不傾移。權遂捨之，嘉亦得免。¹

When Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of Shu, died, Sun Quan turned his attention to the western province and sent Shi Yi as envoy to Shu to renew and strengthen their alliance. He carried out his mission to Sun Quan's satisfaction and was later appointed Deputy Director of the Secretariat. When the two palaces, the Southern Palace and that of the King of Lu, were first established, Shi Yi, keeping his own post, served concurrently as Tutor to the King of Lu. Troubled that the two palaces stood too close to each other, Shi Yi submitted a memorial: “In my humble view, the King of Lu has fine virtue endowed by Heaven and combines civil and military gifts. What is fitting at present is that he should be posted to guard one of the four quarters and serve as a bulwark and support of the state. To proclaim his virtue abroad and spread the glory of his majesty far and wide is the sound plan for the state and what all within the seas look up to.

蜀相諸葛亮卒，權垂心西州，遣儀使蜀申固盟好。奉使稱意，後拜尚書僕射。南、魯二宮初立，儀以本職領魯王傅。儀嫌二宮相近切，乃上疏曰：「臣竊以魯王天挺懿德，兼資文武，當今之宜，宜鎮四方，為國藩輔。宣揚德美，廣耀威靈，乃國家之良規，海內所瞻望。

But my words are crude and rustic and cannot fully express my meaning. In my foolish opinion, there should be a gradation in rank between the two palaces, so as to set right the order of superior and inferior and make clear the foundation of moral instruction.” He submitted this three or four times. As Tutor he gave his utmost loyalty, often offering corrective remonstrance; he served his sovereign diligently and was respectful toward others.

但臣言辭鄙野，不能究盡其意。愚以二宮宜有降殺，正上下之序，明教化之本。」書三四上。為傅盡忠，動輒規諫；事上勤，與人恭。

He did not build up property or accept gifts, and built his house just large enough to hold himself. A neighbor was putting up a large mansion; Sun Quan, going out, saw it from a distance and asked who was building the great house. His attendants replied, “It seems to be Shi Yi's house.” Sun Quan said, “Shi Yi is frugal; surely it is not his.” On inquiry it proved indeed to be another family's. Such was the understanding and trust he enjoyed. He did not wear fine clothing or eat more than one dish at a meal; he relieved the poor and needy, and his household had no stored wealth. Hearing of this, Sun Quan visited Shi Yi's home, asked to see his vegetable fare, tasted it himself, and sighed over it. He at once increased his salary and gifts and added to his fields and houses. Shi Yi repeatedly declined, regarding such favor as a cause for anxiety.

不治產業，不受施惠，為屋舍財足自容。鄰家有起大宅者，權出望見，問起大室者誰。左右對曰：「似是儀家也。」權曰：「儀儉，必非也。」問果他家。其見知信如此。服不精細，食不重膳，拯贍貧困，家無儲畜。權聞之，幸儀捨，求視蔬飯，親嘗之，對之歎息，即增俸賜，益田宅。儀累辭讓，以恩為戚。

From time to time he recommended people for advancement, but he never spoke of others' shortcomings. Sun Quan often reproached him for not speaking out on affairs and never judging right and wrong. Shi Yi replied, “With a sage sovereign above, your subjects keep to their posts and fear only that they may not be equal to them. I truly dare not trouble Your Majesty's ears with my foolish, narrow views.” In several decades of serving the state, he never committed a fault. Lü Yi brought charges against one general, minister, and high official after another, and some were reported for crimes three or four times, but against Shi Yi alone he found nothing to report. Sun Quan sighed, “If everyone were like Shi Yi, what use would there be for laws and regulations?”

時時有所進達，未嘗言人之短。權常責儀以不言事，無所是非，儀對曰：「聖主在上，臣下守職，懼於不稱，實不敢以愚管之畜，上干天聽。」事國數十年，未嘗有過。呂壹歷白將相大臣，或一人以罪聞者數四，獨無以白儀。權歎曰：「使人盡如是儀，當安用科法為？」

When he fell ill, he left instructions that he be placed in a plain coffin and dressed in the ordinary clothes of the season, with everything kept simple and frugal. He died at the age of eighty-one.

及寢疾，遺令素棺，斂以時服，務從省約，年八十一卒。

Hu Zong

胡綜

Hu Zong, courtesy name Weize, was a man of Gushi County in Runan. He lost his father when young, and his mother took him to escape the troubles in Jiangdong. When Sun Ce took charge of Kuaiji as Prefect, Hu Zong, then fourteen, became Patrol Officer of the Headquarters and stayed in Wu, where he studied together with Sun Quan. After Sun Ce died and Sun Quan became General Who Punishes Caitiffs, Sun Quan made Hu Zong Attendant Officer of the Treasury Bureau. Hu Zong followed the campaign against Huang Zu and was appointed Chief of E. When Sun Quan became General and set his seat at Jing, he recalled Hu Zong and put him in the Secretarial Bureau. Together with Shi Yi and Xu Xiang he had charge of the confidential affairs of the army and state.

胡綜字偉則。汝南固始人也。少孤，母將避難江東。孫策領會稽太守，綜年十四，為門下循行，留吳與孫權共讀書。策薨，權為討虜將軍，以綜為金曹從事，從討黃祖，拜鄂長。權為將軍，都京，召綜還，為書部。與是儀、徐詳俱典軍國密事。

When Liu Bei came down to Baidi, Sun Quan, considering that the troops he had on hand were few, had Hu Zong levy men from the counties. He obtained six thousand and formed the two divisions of the Jiefan troops; Xu Xiang led the left division, and Hu Zong commanded the right division. When the Wu general Jin Zong rebelled and went over to Wei, Wei made him Prefect of Qichun, a few hundred li from the Yangtze, from where he repeatedly raided and did harm. Sun Quan sent Hu Zong and He Qi with light forces to take him by surprise, and they captured Jin Zong alive. Hu Zong was given the additional post of General of the Household Who Establishes Martial Might. When Wei appointed Sun Quan King of Wu, Hu Zong, Shi Yi, and Xu Xiang were all enfeoffed as Village Marquises.

劉備下白帝，權以見兵少，使綜料諸縣，得六千人，立解煩兩部，詳領左部、綜領右部督。吳將晉宗叛歸魏，魏以宗為蘄春太守，去江數百里，數為寇害。權使綜與賀齊輕行掩襲，生虜得宗。加建武中郎將。魏拜權為吳王，封綜、儀、詳皆為亭侯。

In the summer of the eighth year of Huangwu, a yellow dragon appeared at Xiakou, so Sun Quan took the imperial title and changed the era name in keeping with the auspicious omen. He also had a great Yellow Dragon standard made, which was always kept with the central army; all the armies advanced or withdrew according to the direction it faced. He ordered Hu Zong to compose a rhapsody, which said: Heaven and Earth were first established, and the Three Powers came into being.
The Wolf and the Bow stars hung down their signs; these truly are the essence of arms.
The sages observed their pattern, imitated it and put it to work,
first fashioned weapons and sought to bring them to completion.
The Yellow Emperor and Shennong founded their ages, broadening and fixing the foundation of rule,
above following the mind of Heaven, below ending the calamities of the people.

黃武八年夏，黃龍見夏口，於是權稱尊號，因瑞改元。又作黃龍大牙，常在中軍，諸軍進退，視其所向，命綜作賦曰：乾坤肇立，三才是生。狼弧垂象，實惟兵精；聖人觀法，是效是營，始作器械，爰求厥成。黃、農創代，拓定皇基，上順天心，下息民災。

Gaoxin executed Gonggong, Shun campaigned against the Youmiao,
Qi had his army at Gan, Tang had Mingtiao.
Zhou's Muye, Han's Gaixia:
none but through arms achieved and secured their line.
Bright and brilliant is Great Wu; truly Heaven has endowed it with virtue.
With divine martial might it governs, the supreme standard of sovereignty.
From ancient times it has taken the Yellow Emperor and Yu Shun as ancestors,
passing through five dynasties, generation after generation in humble station.
Answering the appointed time it received the Mandate, rising in the southern land,
about to enlarge the great Way and renew our realm of Xia.

高辛誅共，舜征有苗，啟有甘師，湯有鳴條。周之牧野，漢之垓下，靡不由兵，克定厥緒。明明大吳，實天生德，神武是經，惟皇之極。乃自在昔，黃、虞是祖，越歷五代，繼世在下。應期受命，發跡南土，將恢大繇，革我區夏。

Then, taking the seasons of Heaven as its law, a divine army was formed,
modeled on the Taiyi star, with five generals and three gates.
Swift, it is like lightning; slow, it is like clouds;
its advance and halt have measure, concise and not cumbersome.
The Four Spirits are arrayed, and the Yellow Dragon stands in their midst:
the sun-and-moon banner of Zhou's institutions, truly called the Taichang.
Towering, it stands alone, what the six armies look to.
Immortals above it survey the four quarters;
the spirits truly make it so, an auspicious blessing for the state.
When the army is about to change direction, the Yellow Dragon moves first;
without gong or drum sounding, the change is carried out in silence.
Its hidden plans are like those of the gods; it may be called a secret marvel.

乃律天時，制為神軍，取象太一，五將三門；疾則如電，遲則如雲，進止有度，約而不煩。四靈既布，黃龍處中，周制日月，實曰太常，桀然特立，六軍所望。仙人在上，鑒觀四方，神實使之，為國休祥。軍欲轉向，黃龍先移，金鼓不鳴，寂然變施，暗謨若神，可謂秘奇。

Of old, for the house of Zhou, a red crow brought a writing in its beak;
now, for Great Wu, a yellow dragon has breathed forth a token.
It matches the River Chart and the Luo Writing like the halves of a tally; its every movement accords with the Way.
Heaven assists and men are in harmony; all declare it auspicious.

在昔周室，赤烏銜書，今也大吳，黃龍吐符。合契河洛，動與道俱，天贊人和，僉曰惟休。

When Shu heard that Sun Quan had ascended the throne, it sent an envoy to renew their former friendship. Hu Zong composed the text of the covenant, whose language and meaning were very fine; its words are recorded in the Biography of Sun Quan.

蜀聞權踐阼，遣使重申前好。綜為盟文，文義甚美，語在《權傳》。

When Sun Quan moved down to make Jianye his capital, Xu Xiang and Hu Zong were both made Palace Attendants, promoted in fief to District Marquises, and made concurrently Commanders of the Army of the Left and Right. At that time some who had surrendered from Wei said that Wei's Area Commander of Hebei, the General Who Spreads Awe Wu Zhi, was under considerable suspicion. Hu Zong therefore forged, in Wu Zhi's name, three letters of surrender. The first said: “The net of Heaven has slackened and snapped, the Four Seas have crumbled and split apart, all living things are wasted and worn, and men of standing are scattered in flight. Wherever soldiers and bandits have passed, the towns are empty of inhabitants, and the dust of war and the smoke and fire of beacons rise everywhere.

權下都建業，詳、綜並為侍中，進封鄉侯，兼左、右領軍。時魏降人或云魏都督河北振威將軍吳質頗見猜疑，綜乃偽為質作降文三條：其一曰：“天綱弛絕，四海分崩，群生憔悴，士人播越，兵寇所加，邑無居民，風塵煙火，往往而處。

Since the Three Dynasties, there has never been such extreme disorder as at present. I, Zhi, am weak of purpose and had no means of coping with the times; bound to the soil and unable to take wing, I ended up serving the Cao family in military affairs. Stationed far off north of the Yellow River and cut off from the highway of Heaven, though I looked toward your influence, admired your righteousness, and longed to entrust myself to your great Mandate, I was ashamed to have no means of realizing my wish. Whenever travelers came and went, I secretly listened to reports of your governance and humbly learned that Your Majesty's virtue equals Heaven and Earth, your brilliance matches the sun and moon, and your divine martial bearing is endowed by nature.

自三代以來，大亂之極，未有若今時者也。臣質志薄，處時無方，繫於土壤，不能翻飛，遂為曹氏執事戎役。遠處河朔，天衢隔絕，雖望風慕義，思托大命，愧無因緣，得展其志。每往來者，竊聽風化，伏知陛下齊德乾坤，同明日月，神武之姿，受之自然。

You spread abroad the royal standard, and your transforming influence flows for ten thousand li; south of the Yangtze every household enjoys your covering and sheltering care. Among heroes, outstanding men, and men of lofty understanding, there is none who does not sing in his heart and chant within, delighting in the thought of submitting to you. At the end of the sixth month of this year, I respectfully heard that on an auspicious day you rose like a dragon and ascended the throne, to enlarge the great Way and set in order the net of Heaven, so that the remaining people might behold a settled lord. Of old, when King Wu attacked Yin, the people of Yin turned their spears around; when Gaozu destroyed Xiang Yu, songs of Chu rose on all four sides.

敷演皇極，流化萬里，自江以南，戶受覆燾。英雄俊傑，上達之士，莫不心歌腹詠，樂在歸附者也。今年六月末，奉聞吉日，龍興踐阼，恢弘大繇，整理天綱，將使遺民，睹見定主。昔武王伐殷，殷民倒戈；高祖誅項，四面楚歌。

Compared with today, even these are not adequate comparisons. I, Zhi, cannot contain a wish as boundless as the vast heavens, and respectfully send Huang Ding of my own commandery, a man close to me, to present this memorial with due reverence, and also entrust it to those who surrender or defect, so that it may reach you by devious ways. What I wish to set forth is listed below.” The second said: “Of old, Yi Yin left Xia and entered Shang, and Chen Ping abandoned Chu and went over to Han. Their merits were written on bamboo and silk and their names handed down to later ages, and the rulers of their times did not call them traitors, because they considered that they understood the Mandate of Heaven.

方之今日，未足以喻。臣質不勝昊天至願，謹遣所親同郡黃定恭行奉表，及托降叛，間關求達，其欲所陳，載列於左。”其二曰：“昔伊尹去夏入商，陳平委楚歸漢，書功竹帛，遺名後世，世主不謂之背誕者，以為知天命也。

In the past I was befriended by the Cao family; outwardly we were bound as ruler and subject, but inwardly we were like flesh and blood. Kindness and obligation were closely intertwined; we came together and never parted, and I was at length entrusted with a regional command and given overall command of the armies north of the Yellow River. At that time my aims and hopes were high and great; I wished to live and die with the Cao family forever, and feared only that I might fail to achieve merit or accomplish my task. But when the Cao ruler died and his heir succeeded to the throne, a youth took charge of the government and slanderous talk grew ever louder.

臣昔為曹氏所見交接，外托君臣，內如骨肉，恩義綢繆，有合無離，遂受偏方之任，總河北之軍。當此之時，志望高大，永與曹氏同死俱生。惟恐功之不建，事之不成耳。及曹氏之亡，後嗣繼位，幼沖統政，讒言彌興。

My peers harmed one another through their power, and those of different inclinations found openings to speak against me; and I, being by nature careless and blunt, never deferred to others and in truth treated those few men with scorn—this too was my fault. I was then entangled by wicked talk, suspicion was aroused, and I was falsely accused of intending to rebel. Although those who knew the truth vouched for my loyalty, in a disordered age slander prevails, and lingering suspicion remains. I constantly fear that one day I shall suffer undeserved ruin, and my anxious heart is sorely pained, as if I were treading on ice and burning coals.

同儕者以勢相害，異趣者得間其言，而臣受性簡略，素不下人，視彼數子，意實迫之，此亦臣之過也。遂為邪議所見構會，招至猜疑，誣臣欲叛。雖識真者保明其心，世亂讒勝，余嫌猶在，常懼一旦橫受無辜，憂心孔疚，如履冰炭。

Of old, Yue Yi won merit in Qi for King Zhao of Yan; when King Hui took the throne, he suspected Yue Yi and took away his command, so Yue Yi left Yan and went to Zhao, yet his glorious achievements were not diminished. Did he wish to be inconstant in his loyalty? It was surely because he feared that his merit and fame would not be secured, and dreaded that disaster was about to befall him. Previously I sent Zhou Guang of Wei Commandery south, ostensibly as a trader and under the pretense of defecting, to convey my secret plan. Because the time was short, I did not dare prepare a formal memorial, and only had Zhou Guang pass it on by word of mouth.

昔樂毅為燕昭王立功於齊，惠王即位，疑奪其任，遂去燕之趙，休烈不虧。彼豈欲二三其德，蓋畏功名不建，而懼禍之將及也。昔遣魏郡周光以賈販為名，托叛南詣，宣達密計。時以倉卒，未敢便有章表，使光口傳而已。

I considered that where the world will ultimately turn could be seen, and that where the will of Heaven lies—if not with Wu, then with whom? The people here long to become your subjects and servants; they crane their necks and stand on tiptoe, fearing only that your troops will be late in coming. If Your Sacred Grace would but show me a little trust and accept my offer, I will deliver the lands north of the Yellow River to await the royal army. The true red loyalty of my heart—the sun in Heaven is witness to it. Yet a year has passed since Zhou Guang left, and I have not heard so much as a cough in reply; I do not know whether my intention ever reached you. I gaze afar and sigh long; how many days and months have passed! Even the people of Lu longing for Gaozi are no adequate comparison.

以為天下大歸可見，天意所在，非吳復誰？此方之民，思為臣妾，延頸舉踵，惟恐兵來之遲耳。若使聖恩少加信納，當以河北承望王師，款心赤實，天日是鑒。而光去經年，不聞咳唾，未審此意竟得達不？瞻望長歎，日月以幾，魯望高子，何足以喻！

Moreover, I am now treated with growing coldness, and the buzzing of the blowflies goes on without end; I am certain to suffer this disaster, and it is only a matter of sooner or later. I privately surmise that the reason Your Majesty has not yet sent me clear reassurance must be that you think I, Zhi, am steeped in the way of humanity and righteousness and would not do such a thing, and so consider what Zhou Guang conveyed to be more falsehood than truth, or suppose that there is some other motive behind it; you do not know that I, Zhi, have been caught in slander and am under suspicion, fearing great harm. Furthermore, if I, Zhi, were guilty of a crime, I ought on that very day to hasten to the cauldron myself, bind myself, and await punishment; that is surely what befits a subject.

又臣今日見待稍薄，蒼蠅之聲，綿綿不絕，必受此禍，遲速事耳。臣私度陛下未垂明慰者，必以臣質貫穿仁義之道，不行若此之事，謂光所傳，多虛少實，或謂此中有他消息，不知臣質構讒見疑，恐受大害也。且臣質若有罪之日，自當奔赴鼎鑊，束身待罪，此蓋人臣之宜也。

Now, though guiltless, I am wantonly slandered and defamed, and am about to meet the fate of Shang Yang and Bai Qi. Considering the situation carefully, departing is also upright. If dying would not be righteous, what should I do but leave? When Yue Yi went abroad and Wu Qi fled, gentlemen lamented their misfortune, but none condemned them. I hope that Your Majesty will infer the present from the past and not regard me, Zhi, with suspicion or wonder. I also reflect that when a subject incurs guilt, he ought, like Wu Yun, to offer himself and exert his utmost, and ought not to seek lucky chances and exploit circumstances for gain.

今日無罪，橫見譖毀，將有商鞅、白起之禍。尋惟事勢，去亦直也。死而弗義，不去何為！樂毅之出，吳起之走，君子傷其不遇，未有非之者也。願陛下推古況今，不疑怪於臣質也。又念人臣獲罪，當如伍員奉己自效，不當徼幸因事為利。

But the present and the past differ in circumstances: north and south are far apart, separated by rivers and lakes. If I do not act myself, how can I escape? That is why I have set aside the scruples of a principled man and think instead of the duty to achieve merit. Moreover, I, Zhi, consider that the Cao heir is not where the Mandate of Heaven lies: his government is weak and his punishments disordered, power has been seized by his ministers, the generals wield authority arbitrarily in the field, each governing as he pleases with none of one mind, the soldiers are worn down and depleted, the treasuries are empty, the laws and principles are in ruins, and high and low are all benighted. I imagine that you have received many who surrendered or defected over time and have heard all about this. To absorb the weak and attack the benighted is to answer the season of Heaven; this truly is the time for Your Majesty to advance and seize.

然今與古，厥勢不同，南北悠遠。江湖隔絕，自不舉事，何得濟免！是以忘志士之節，而思立功之義也。且臣質又以曹氏之嗣，非天命所在，政弱刑亂，柄奪於臣，諸將專威於外，各自為政，莫或同心，士卒衰耗，帑藏空虛，綱紀毀廢，上下並昏，想前後數得降叛，具聞此問，兼弱攻昧，宜應天時，此實陛下進取之秋。

Therefore, humble as I am, I venture to offer a plan. If you now send troops into the Huai and Si rivers and occupy Xiapi, Jing and Yang provinces will rise in response on hearing of it, and I will sweep south from Hebei like rolling up a mat. Our positions will be joined into one, and our roots and fangs made firm forever. The troops west of the passes are tied to what they guard, Qing and Xu provinces dare not withdraw their garrisons, and the troops remaining at Xu and Luoyang number fewer than ten thousand—who could come east to contend with Your Majesty? This is truly an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years; how can you not think deeply and plan carefully?

是以區區敢獻其計。今若內兵淮、泗，據有下邳，荊、揚二州，聞聲響應，臣從河北席卷而南，形勢一連，根牙永固。關西之兵繫於所衛，青、徐二州不敢徹守，許，洛餘兵眾不滿萬，誰能來東與陛下爭者？此誠千載一會之期，可不深思而熟計乎！

Moreover, where I am there are many horses already, and in addition the Qiang and Hu regularly drive their horses out in the third and fourth months when the grass is good; by my private estimate, over three thousand could now be obtained. When Your Majesty sends out your army, you should time it for this season and bring many cavalrymen to take over the horses. All this I have settled beforehand and know point by point. As a rule, two armies cannot fully know each other's strengths and weaknesses; but the forces here are in truth feeble and easily conquered, and if Your Majesty moves, many will surely respond.

及臣所在，既自多馬，加以羌、胡常以三四月中美草時，驅馬來出，隱度今者，可得三千餘匹。陛下出軍，當投此時，多將騎士來就馬耳。此皆先定所一二知。凡兩軍不能相究虛實，今此間實羸，易可克定，陛下舉動，應者必多。

To settle the great enterprise above, so that all under Heaven is united, and below to let me, Zhi, achieve extraordinary merit—this is Heaven. If my offer is not accepted, that too is Heaven. I hope Your Majesty will consider it; I will set forth nothing more.” The third said: “Of old, Ziyuan (Xu You) abandoned Yuan and went over to Cao; his plans and calculations were promptly accepted, and so Yuan's army was defeated and Cao's enterprise secured. Had Cao not trusted Ziyuan, but harbored doubts and hesitated, unable to make up his mind, the world today would belong to the Yuan.

上定洪業，使普天一統，下令臣質建非常之功，此乃天也。若不見納，此亦天也。願陛下思之，不復多陳。”其三曰：“昔許子遠捨袁就曹，規畫計較，應見納受，遂破袁軍，以定曹業。向使曹氏不信子遠，懷疑猶豫，不決於心，則今天下袁氏有也。

I hope Your Majesty will consider it. I have heard recently that the border generals Yan Fu and Zhao Ji wished to submit to your great transforming influence, but were destroyed because the response to their call was not swift. Now I sincerely entrust my life to you from afar. If you again harbor doubts and do not act in time, leaving me isolated to suffer this grievous disaster, I fear that the heroes and valiant men of the world who wish to achieve merit will never again dare to entrust their lives to Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will consider it. August Heaven and Sovereign Earth truly hear these words.” When these letters were circulated, Wu Zhi had already gone to court as a Palace Attendant.

願陛下思之。間聞界上將閻浮、趙楫欲歸大化，唱和不速，以取破亡。今臣款款，遠授其命，若復懷疑，不時舉動，令臣孤絕，受此厚禍，即恐天下雄夫烈士欲立功者，不敢復托命陛下矣，願陛下思之。皇天后土，實聞其言。”此文既流行，而質已入為侍中矣。

In the second year, Yin Fan of Qing Province defected to Wu. He submitted a letter saying: “I have heard that when Zhou of Shang was without the Way, the Viscount of Wei was the first to leave; and because Gaozu was generous and enlightened, Chen Ping was the first to come over. At twenty-two I abandoned my homeland and entrusted my life to one who has the Way, and by the favor of Heaven's spirits arrived safely. It has been some days since I arrived, but those in charge treat me the same as other defectors and have not examined me closely, so that my fine words and subtle ideas cannot reach Your Majesty. I sigh again and again in frustration, and there is no end to it.

二年，青州人隱蕃歸吳。上書曰：“臣聞紂為無道，微子先出。高祖寬明，陳平先入。臣年二十二，委棄封域，歸命有道，賴蒙天靈，得自全致。臣至止有日，而主者同之降人，未見精別，使臣徽言妙旨，不得上達。於邑三歎，曷惟其已。

I respectfully come to the palace gate to present this memorial and beg to be granted an audience.” Sun Quan summoned him in at once. Yin Fan gave thanks, answered questions, and set out his views on current affairs with great eloquence. Hu Zong was then sitting in attendance, and Sun Quan asked him what he thought. Hu Zong replied, “Yin Fan's letter, in its grand talk, resembles Dongfang Shuo, and in its clever, nimble sophistry resembles Mi Heng; but in talent he falls short of both.” Sun Quan asked further what office he was fit for. Hu Zong replied, “He cannot yet be put in charge of the people. For now, try him in a minor post in the capital.”

謹詣闕拜章，乞蒙引見。”權即召入。蕃謝答問，及陳時務，甚有辭觀。綜時侍坐，權問何如。綜對曰：「蕃上書，大語有似東方朔，巧捷詭辯有似禰衡。而才皆不及。」權又問可堪何官？綜對曰：「未可以治民，且試以都輦小職。」

Since Yin Fan had spoken at length on criminal justice, Sun Quan made him Supervisor under the Minister of Justice. The General of the Left Zhu Ju and the Minister of Justice Hao Pu praised Yin Fan as having the talent to assist a king; Hao Pu in particular was on close terms with him and often complained that his talents were held back. Later Yin Fan plotted rebellion; the plot was discovered and he was executed. Hao Pu was reproached and killed himself. Zhu Ju was placed under restraint and released only after some time. Hu Zong was appointed Lieutenant General, concurrently Law Enforcer of the Left, in charge of lawsuits. Over the Liaodong affair, Zhang Zhao, General Who Assists Wu, remonstrated with Sun Quan in words so cutting that Sun Quan too flew into a great rage; Hu Zong did much to reconcile the two and keep a rift from opening between them.

權以蕃盛論刑獄，用為廷尉監。左將軍朱據、廷尉郝普稱蕃有王佐之才，普尤與之親善，常怨歎其屈。後蕃謀叛，事覺伏誅，¹普見責自殺。據禁止，歷時乃解。拜綜偏將軍，兼左執法，領辭訟。遼東之事，輔吳將軍張昭以諫權言辭切至，權亦大怒，其和協彼此，使之無隙，綜有力焉。

He was fond of wine by nature; after drinking he would shout merrily to his heart's content, and sometimes push the cups about and strike those around him. Sun Quan valued his talent and did not rebuke him.

性嗜酒，酒後歡呼極意，或推引杯觴，搏擊左右。權愛其才，弗之責也。

From the time Sun Quan took charge of affairs, nearly all the documents, proclamations, patents of appointment, and letters and credentials to neighboring states were composed by Hu Zong. Earlier, because there was much to do at home and abroad, a special regulation had been made that senior officials who suffered a death in the family were not permitted to leave their posts, but there were frequent violations. Troubled by this, Sun Quan had the court officials deliberate on it. Hu Zong proposed that the regulation be written into law with the death penalty as the sanction; once it was carried out on a single person, violations would surely cease. Hu Zong's advice was adopted, and from then on officials rushing home for mourning came to an end. He died in the sixth year of Chiwu, and his son Hu Chong succeeded him. Hu Chong was gentle and even-tempered and had literary ability; during the Tianji era he became Prefect of the Palace Writers.

凡自權統事，諸文誥策命，鄰國書符，略皆綜之所造也。初以內外多事，特立科，長吏遭喪，皆不得去，而數有犯者。權患之，使朝臣下議。綜議以為宜定科文，示以大辟，行之一人，其後必絕。遂用綜言，由是奔喪乃斷，赤烏六年卒，子沖嗣。沖平和有文幹，天紀中為中書令。¹

Xu Xiang

徐詳

Xu Xiang, courtesy name Ziming, was a man of Wucheng County in Wu Commandery. He died before Hu Zong.

徐詳者字子明，吳郡烏程人也，先綜死。

Appraisal

評

Appraisal: Shi Yi, Xu Xiang, and Hu Zong were all men who carried out tasks and advanced the enterprise in Sun Quan's time. Shi Yi was pure, scrupulous, upright, and plain; Xu Xiang repeatedly carried out missions as envoy; Hu Zong had literary brilliance and practical ability. Each enjoyed trust. If one likens the state to a great mansion, were they not the rafters that supported it?

評曰：是儀、徐詳、胡綜，皆孫權之時幹興事業者也。儀清恪貞素，詳數通使命，綜文采才用，各見信任，譬之廣夏，其榱椽之佐乎！