Records of Shu 11: Biographies of Huo Jun, Wang Lian, Xiang Lang, Zhang Yi, Yang Hong and Fei Shi

Records of Shu 11: Biographies of Huo Jun, Wang Lian, Xiang Lang, Zhang Yi, Yang Hong and Fei Shi

Huo Jun

霍峻

Huo Jun, courtesy name Zhongmiao, was a man of Zhijiang County in Nan Commandery. His elder brother Huo Du had gathered a private following of several hundred men in their home district; when Huo Du died, Liu Biao, Imperial Protector of Jing Province, had Huo Jun take command of his followers. When Liu Biao died, Huo Jun led his men over to the First Ruler, who made him a General of the Household. When the First Ruler turned south from Jiameng to attack Liu Zhang by surprise, he left Huo Jun to hold the city of Jiameng. Zhang Lu sent his officer Yang Bo to entice Huo Jun, asking to hold the city together with him. Huo Jun said, “You may have my head, but you shall not have the city.”

霍峻字仲邈，南郡枝江人也。兄篤於鄉里合部曲數百人，篤卒，荊州牧劉表令峻攝其眾。表卒，峻率眾歸先主，先主以峻為中郎將。先主自葭萌南還襲劉璋，留峻守葭萌城。張魯遣將楊帛誘峻，求共守城，峻曰：「小人頭可得，城不可得。」

Yang Bo then withdrew. Later Liu Zhang’s officers Fu Jin, Xiang Cun and others led more than ten thousand men up the Lang River and attacked and besieged Huo Jun, but for nearly a year they could not take the city. Huo Jun had only a few hundred soldiers inside the walls, but he watched for a moment when the enemy grew slack, picked his best troops, sallied out and routed them, beheading Xiang Cun on the spot. When the First Ruler had settled Shu, he commended Huo Jun’s achievement, divided Guanghan Commandery to create Zitong Commandery, and made Huo Jun Prefect of Zitong and Lieutenant General. After three years in office he died at the age of forty and was brought back to Chengdu for burial.

帛乃退去。後璋將扶禁、向存等帥萬餘人由閬水上，攻圍峻，且一年，不能下。峻城中兵才數百人，伺其怠隙，選精銳出擊，大破之，即斬存首。先主定蜀，嘉峻之功，乃分廣漢為梓潼郡，以峻為梓潼太守、裨將軍。在官三年，年四十卒，還葬成都。

The First Ruler grieved deeply over him and issued an edict to Zhuge Liang: “Huo Jun was a fine gentleman, and he had merit in the service of the state besides. I wish to confer a title on him.” He then personally led his officials to attend the mourning rites and sacrifices, and stayed the night at the tomb, which the people of the time regarded as a great honor.

先主甚悼惜，乃詔諸葛亮曰：「峻既佳士，加有功於國，欲行爵。」遂親率群僚臨會弔祭，因留宿墓上，當時榮之。

His son Huo Yi

子 霍弋

His son Huo Yi, courtesy name Shaoxian, became a Retainer of the Heir Apparent in the last years of the First Ruler. When the Latter Ruler ascended the throne, he was appointed Internuncio. When Chancellor Zhuge Liang went north to garrison Hanzhong, he asked for Huo Yi as his Secretary and had him keep company with his son Zhuge Qiao. After Zhuge Liang died, Huo Yi became a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. When the Latter Ruler made Liu Xuan Heir Apparent, he made Huo Yi Cadet of the Heir Apparent’s household. Liu Xuan loved riding and archery and came and went without restraint; Huo Yi cited the principles of antiquity and remonstrated with him without holding anything back, and so fully grasped the way of mutual correction.

子弋，字紹先，先主末年為太子舍人。後主踐阼，除謁者。丞相諸葛亮北駐漢中，請為記室，使與子喬共周旋游處。亮卒，為黃門侍郎。後主立太子璿，以弋為中庶子，璿好騎射，出入無度，弋援引古義，盡言規諫，甚得切磋之體。

Later he became Army Adviser and Deputy Area Commander of the Laixiang garrison, and was then transferred to Protector of the Army while overseeing the same affairs as before. At that time the Yi and Liao tribes of Yongchang Commandery, relying on their rugged terrain, refused to submit and repeatedly raided, so Huo Yi was given concurrent charge of Yongchang as Prefect and sent with an auxiliary force to subdue them. He beheaded their chieftains and destroyed their settlements, and the commandery became peaceful. He was promoted to Army Supervisor and General Who Assists the Army, with concurrent charge of Jianning as Prefect, and returned to take charge of the affairs of the southern commanderies. In the sixth year of Jingyao his title was raised to General Who Pacifies the South.

後為參軍庲降屯副貳都督，又轉護軍，統事如前。時永昌郡夷獠恃險不賓，數為寇害，乃以弋領永昌太守，率偏軍討之，遂斬其豪帥，破壞邑落，郡界寧靜。遷監軍、翊軍將軍，領建寧太守，還統南郡事。景耀六年，進號安南將軍。

That year, when Shu was absorbed by Wei, Huo Yi and Luo Xian of Xiangyang, Army Commander of Badong, each kept one region intact and brought it over in submission, and both were confirmed in their former posts and treated with added favor.

是歲，蜀並於魏，弋與巴東領軍襄陽羅憲各保全一方，舉以內附，咸因仍前任，寵待有加。¹²

Wang Lian

王連

Wang Lian, courtesy name Wenyi, was a man of Nanyang. In the time of Liu Zhang he entered Shu and became Magistrate of Zitong. When the First Ruler rose up at Jiameng and marched south, Wang Lian shut the city gates and would not surrender; the First Ruler thought him righteous and did not press him by force. After Chengdu had been pacified, Wang Lian was made Magistrate of Shifang and then transferred to Guangdu, and he achieved good results wherever he served. He was promoted to Colonel Director of Salt and managed the profits of salt and iron as a state monopoly; the revenue was very large and a great help to the state’s finances. He then selected men of talent to be his subordinates, and such men as Lü Yi, Du Qi and Liu Gan all in the end rose to high office; they were all men Wang Lian had raised up.

王連字文儀，南陽人也。劉璋時入蜀為梓潼令。先主起事葭萌，進軍來南，連閉城不降，先主義之，不強逼也。及成都既平，以連為什邡令，轉在廣都，所居有績。遷司鹽校尉，較鹽鐵之利，利入甚多，有裨國用，於是簡取良才以為官屬，若呂乂、杜祺、劉干，終皆至大官，自連所拔也。

He was promoted to Prefect of Shu Commandery and General Who Promotes Enterprise, keeping charge of the Salt Office as before. In the first year of Jianxing he was appointed Colonel of Garrison Cavalry with concurrent office as Chief Clerk to the Chancellor, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingyang Neighborhood. At this time the southern commanderies refused to submit, and Zhuge Liang meant to campaign against them in person. Wang Lian remonstrated that “this is a barren land, a home of pestilence; it is not fitting that one on whom the hopes of the whole state rest should go into such danger.” Zhuge Liang worried that none of his generals was his equal in ability and was set on going, but because Wang Lian’s pleas were so earnest every time, he held back for a long while. Then Wang Lian died. His son Wang Shan succeeded him and rose to be Prefect of Jiangyang.

遷蜀郡太守、興業將軍，領鹽府如故。建興元年，拜屯騎校尉，領丞相長史，封平陽亭侯。時南方諸郡不賓，諸葛亮將自征之，連諫以為「此不毛之地，疫癘之鄉，不宜以一國之望，冒險而行」。亮慮諸將才不及己，意欲必往而連言輒懇至，故停留者久之。會連卒。子山嗣，官至江陽太守。

Xiang Lang

向朗

Xiang Lang, courtesy name Juda, was a man of Yicheng in Xiangyang. Liu Biao, Imperial Protector of Jing Province, made him Chief of Linju. When Liu Biao died, he went over to the First Ruler. After the First Ruler had settled the lands south of the Yangtze, he had Xiang Lang oversee military and civil affairs in the four counties of Zigui, Yidao, Wu and Yiling. When Shu had been pacified, Xiang Lang was made Prefect of Baxi; soon afterward he was transferred, and then moved again to Fangling. When the Latter Ruler ascended the throne, he became Colonel of Infantry and succeeded Wang Lian as concurrent Chief Clerk to the Chancellor. When Chancellor Zhuge Liang campaigned in the south, Xiang Lang stayed behind to take charge of affairs in the rear.

向朗字巨達，襄陽宜城人也。¹荊州牧劉表以為臨沮長。表卒，歸先主。先主定江南，使朗督秭歸、夷道、巫、夷陵四縣軍民事。蜀既平，以朗為巴西太守，頃之轉任，又徙房陵。後主踐阼，爲步兵校尉，代王連領丞相長史。丞相亮南征，朗留統後事。

In the fifth year he followed Zhuge Liang to Hanzhong. Xiang Lang had always been on good terms with Ma Su; when Ma Su fled, Xiang Lang knew of it but did not report him. Zhuge Liang resented this, dismissed him from office and sent him back to Chengdu. Some years later he became Minister of the Household; after Zhuge Liang died he was transferred to General of the Left, and in recognition of his earlier services he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xianming Neighborhood and given the rank of Specially Advanced. In his youth Xiang Lang had read widely in literature, but he paid no attention to strict conduct and was known for his ability as an administrator. After leaving the post of Chief Clerk he lived at leisure with no duties for nearly thirty years, and then he devoted himself anew to the classics and records, working at them tirelessly.

五年，隨亮漢中。朗素與馬謖善，謖逃亡，朗知情不舉，亮恨之，免官還成都。數年，為光祿勳，亮卒後徙左將軍，追論舊功，封顯明亭侯，位特進。初，朗少時雖涉獵文學，然不治素檢，以吏能稱。自去長史，優遊無事垂三十年，¹乃更潛心典籍，孜孜不倦。

Even past the age of eighty he still collated books with his own hands and corrected their errors, and the volumes he gathered were the largest collection of his time. He opened his doors to guests and drew in and welcomed younger men, but he only discussed the principles of antiquity and never meddled in current affairs, and for this he was praised. From those who held the reins of government down to boys and youths just capped, all respected and honored him. He died in the tenth year of Yanxi. His son Xiang Tiao succeeded him and in the Jingyao era became Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk.

年逾八十，猶手自校書，刊定謬誤，積聚篇卷，於時最多。開門接賓，誘納後進，但講論古義，不干時事，以是見稱。上自執政，下及童冠，皆敬重焉。延熙十年卒。¹子條嗣，景耀中為御史中丞。²

His nephew Xiang Chong

侄 向寵

Xiang Lang’s elder brother’s son Xiang Chong was a Gate Standard General in the time of the First Ruler. In the defeat at Zigui, Xiang Chong’s camp alone came through intact. In the first year of Jianxing he was enfeoffed as Marquis of a Chief Neighborhood, and later became Commander of the Central Division in charge of the palace guard. When Zhuge Liang was about to march north, he submitted a memorial to the Latter Ruler: “General Xiang Chong is good and fair in character and conduct and well versed in military affairs. When he was tried in the past, the late Emperor praised him as capable, and so the common opinion put him forward as commander. In my humble view, if all matters of the camp are referred to him, he will surely keep the ranks in harmony and see that the able and the less able each find their proper place.”

朗兄子寵，先主時為牙門將。秭歸之敗，寵營特完。建興元年封都亭侯，後為中部督，典宿衛兵。諸葛亮當北行，表與後主曰：「將軍向寵，性行淑均，曉暢軍事，試用於昔，先帝稱之曰能，是以眾論舉寵為督。愚以為營中之事，悉以咨之，必能使行陳和睦，優劣得所也。」

He was promoted to Central Army Commander. In the third year of Yanxi he campaigned against the Man and Yi tribes of Hanjia and was killed. Xiang Chong’s younger brother Xiang Chong served successively as Colonel of Archers Who Shoot at a Sound and Master of Writing.

遷中領軍。延熙三年，征漢嘉蠻夷，遇害。寵弟充，歷射聲校尉、尚書。¹

Zhang Yi

張裔

Zhang Yi, courtesy name Junsi, was a man of Chengdu in Shu Commandery. He studied the Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals and read widely in the Records of the Grand Historian and the History of the Han. When Xu Wenxiu of Runan came into Shu, he said of Zhang Yi that he was quick and sharp in handling affairs, a man of the same stamp as Zhong Yuanchang of the Central Plain. In the time of Liu Zhang he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt and became Chief of Yufu; he then returned to the province as an Attendant Officer with concurrent office as Major of the Headquarters Guard. When Zhang Fei entered from Jing Province by way of Dianjiang, Liu Zhang gave Zhang Yi troops to resist him at Moxia in Deyang, but his army was defeated and he went back to Chengdu.

張裔字君嗣，蜀郡成都人也。治《公羊春秋》，博涉《史》、《漢》。汝南許文休入蜀，謂裔幹理敏捷，是中夏鍾元常之倫也。劉璋時，舉孝廉，為魚復長，還州署從事，領帳下司馬。張飛自荊州由墊江入，璋授裔兵，拒張飛於德陽陌下，軍敗，還成都。

He went as Liu Zhang’s envoy to the First Ruler, who promised to treat his lord with courtesy and to keep his people secure. When Zhang Yi returned, the city gates were finally opened. The First Ruler made Zhang Yi Prefect of Ba Commandery; he later returned to become General of the Household Director of Metals, in charge of making farm tools and weapons of war. Before this, the people of Yizhou Commandery had killed their Prefect Zheng Ang. Yong Kai, a leader of the local elders, was well known throughout the south for his kindness and good faith, and he kept envoys going back and forth to reach Sun Quan far away. So Zhang Yi was made Prefect of Yizhou and went straight to the commandery.

為璋奉使詣先主，先主許以禮其君而安其人也，裔還，城門乃開。先主以裔巴郡太守，還為司金中郎將，典作農戰之器。先是，益州郡殺太守正昂，耆率雍闓恩信著於南土，使命周旋，遠通孫權。乃以裔為益州太守，逕往至郡。

Yong Kai, however, hung back and would not submit, and, claiming the instruction of spirits, said, “Lord Zhang the Prefect is like a gourd jar: glossy on the outside, but truly coarse within. He is not worth killing. Bind him and hand him over to Wu.” And so he sent Zhang Yi to Sun Quan.

闓遂趑趄不賓，假鬼教曰：「張府君如瓠壺，外雖澤而內實粗，不足殺，令縛與吳。」於是遂送裔於權。

It happened that the First Ruler died, and Zhuge Liang sent Deng Zhi as envoy to Wu, instructing him to ask Sun Quan, in the course of his talks, to return Zhang Yi. In the several years since coming to Wu, Zhang Yi had drifted from place to place in hiding, and Sun Quan knew nothing of him, so he granted Deng Zhi’s request to send Zhang Yi back. Only when Zhang Yi was about to leave did Sun Quan call him in for an audience. He asked him, “The widowed daughter of the Zhuo family of Shu eloped with Sima Xiangru. Why are the customs of your land like that?” Zhang Yi replied, “In my humble opinion, the Zhuo family’s widowed daughter was still better than the wife of Zhu Maichen.”

會先主薨，諸葛亮遣鄧芝使吳，亮令芝言次可從權請裔。裔自至吳數年，流徒伏匿，權未之知也，故許芝遣裔。裔臨發，權乃引見。問裔曰：「蜀卓氏寡女，亡奔司馬相如，貴土風俗何以乃爾乎？」裔對曰：「愚以為卓氏之寡女，猶賢於買臣之妻。」

Sun Quan also said to Zhang Yi, “When you return you are sure to take charge of affairs at the western court; you will never end up as a farmer in some village. How will you repay me?” Zhang Yi replied, “I return bearing guilt, and I shall entrust my life to the officials in charge. If by good fortune I am allowed to keep my head, then my fifty-eight years up to now will have been the gift of my father and mother, and all the years after the gift of Your Highness.” Sun Quan laughed and talked with him in high good humor, and seemed to think highly of him. As soon as Zhang Yi left the hall, he bitterly regretted that he had not played the fool. He boarded his boat at once and traveled day and night at double speed. Sun Quan did indeed send men after him, but Zhang Yi was already dozens of li inside the border of Yong’an, and his pursuers could not catch him.

權又謂裔曰：「君還，必用事西朝，終不作田父子閭里也，將何以報我？」裔對曰：「裔負罪而歸，將委命有司。若蒙僥倖得全首領，五十八已前父母之年也，自此已後大王之賜也。」權言笑歡悅，有器裔之色。裔出閣，深悔不能陽愚，即便就船，倍道兼行。權果追之，裔已入永安界數十里，追者不能及。

When he reached Shu, Chancellor Zhuge Liang made him Army Adviser in charge of the affairs of the Chancellor’s office, with concurrent office as Attendant Officer of the Headquarters of Yi Province. When Zhuge Liang went out to garrison Hanzhong, Zhang Yi, as Colonel of Archers Who Shoot at a Sound, served concurrently as Chief Clerk of the Remaining Headquarters. He often praised Zhuge Liang, saying, “His Lordship does not overlook the distant when he rewards, nor favor those close to him when he punishes; rank cannot be won without merit, and punishment cannot be escaped through high birth or power. That is why the worthy and the foolish alike all forget themselves in his service.” The following year he went north to consult Zhuge Liang on affairs of state; several hundred people saw him off, and their carriages filled the road. Zhang Yi wrote to a close friend, “On the road lately I have been receiving guests day and night without a moment’s rest. Everyone is paying respects to the Chief Clerk of the Chancellor, and a fellow named Zhang Junsi just happens to be attached to him. I am tired to death.”

既至蜀，丞相亮以為參軍，署府事，又領益州治中從事。亮出駐漢中，裔以射聲校尉領留府長史，常稱曰：「公賞不遺遠，罰不阿近，爵不可以無功取，刑不可以貴勢免，此賢愚之所以僉忘其身者也。」其明年，北詣亮諮事，送者數百，車乘盈路，裔還書與所親曰：「近者涉道，晝夜接客，不得寧息，人自敬丞相長史，男子張君嗣附之，疲倦欲死。」

His quick and fluent wit was all of this kind. In his youth he had been close friends with Yang Gong of Qianwei. Yang Gong died early, leaving an orphan not yet a few years old; Zhang Yi took the child in, divided his house so that they could live with him, and served Yang Gong’s mother as though she were his own. When Yang Gong’s son grew up, Zhang Yi found him a wife and bought him fields, a house and property so that he could establish his own household. He looked after old friends and helped relatives whose fortunes had declined, and his righteous conduct was of the highest order. He was given the additional title of General Who Supports the Han, remaining Chief Clerk as before. He died in the eighth year of Jianxing. His son Zhang Mu succeeded him and served as Prefect of three commanderies and as Army Supervisor. Zhang Mu’s younger brother Zhang Yu became Cadet of the Heir Apparent’s household.

其談啁流速，皆此類也。¹少與犍為楊恭友善，恭早死，遺孤未數歲，裔迎留，與分屋而居，事恭母如母。恭之子息長大，為之娶婦，買田宅產業，使立門戶。撫恤故舊，振贍衰宗，行義甚至。加輔漢將軍，領長史如故。建興八年卒。子毣嗣，²歷三郡守、監軍。毣弟郁，太子中庶子。

Yang Hong

楊洪

Yang Hong, courtesy name Jixiu, was a man of Wuyang in Qianwei. In the time of Liu Zhang he served in posts in various commanderies. When the First Ruler had settled Shu, the Prefect Li Yan made him Officer of Merit. Li Yan wanted to move the commandery’s administrative offices; Yang Hong remonstrated firmly, and when he was not heeded, he resigned as Officer of Merit and asked to withdraw. Li Yan recommended Yang Hong to the province, and he became Attendant Officer in charge of Shu. When the First Ruler was contending for Hanzhong, he sent urgent letters calling for troops. Zhuge Liang, the General and Military Adviser, asked Yang Hong about it, and Yang Hong said, “Hanzhong is the throat of Yi Province, the turning point between survival and ruin. Without Hanzhong there would be no Shu. This is a disaster at our very door.

楊洪字季休，犍為武陽人也。劉璋時歷部諸郡。先主定蜀，太守李嚴命為功曹。嚴欲徙郡治舍，洪固諫不聽，遂辭功曹，請退。嚴薦洪於州，為部蜀從事。先主爭漢中，急書發兵，軍師將軍諸葛亮以問洪，洪曰：「漢中則益州咽喉，存亡之機會，若無漢中則無蜀矣，此家門之禍也。

As things stand now, the men must fight and the women must carry supplies. Why hesitate to send troops?” At that time the Prefect of Shu Commandery, Fa Zheng, had gone north with the First Ruler, so Zhuge Liang memorialized that Yang Hong should take concurrent charge of Shu Commandery as Prefect. When every task was carried out well, he was given the post outright. Soon afterward he was transferred to Attendant Officer of the Headquarters of Yi Province.

方今之事，男子當戰，女子當運，發兵何疑？」時蜀郡太守法正從先主北行，亮於是表洪領蜀郡太守，眾事皆辦，遂使即真。頃之，轉為益州治中從事。

After the First Ruler had taken the imperial title, he campaigned against Wu without success and returned to stay at Yong’an. Huang Yuan, Prefect of Hanjia, had never been in Zhuge Liang’s good graces; hearing that the First Ruler had fallen ill, he feared trouble later, so he rose in rebellion with his commandery and burned the city of Linqiong. At that time Zhuge Liang had gone east to visit the sick sovereign, and Chengdu was left empty, so Huang Yuan had all the less to fear. Yang Hong at once informed the Heir Apparent, had him send out his personal troops, and dispatched the generals Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo to attack Huang Yuan. The general opinion held that if Huang Yuan could not besiege Chengdu, he would go by way of Yuexi and seize Nanzhong.

先主既稱尊號，征吳不克，還住永安。漢嘉太守黃元素為諸葛亮所不善，聞先主疾病，懼有後患，舉郡反，燒臨邛城。時亮東行省疾，成都單虛，是以元益無所憚。洪即啟太子，遣其親兵，使將軍陳曶、鄭綽討元。眾議以為元若不能圍成都，當由越嶲據南中。

Yang Hong said, “Huang Yuan has always been cruel and violent and has never shown anyone kindness or good faith. How could he manage such a thing? He will do no more than ride the current east, hoping the sovereign is well, and go with his hands bound to beg for death. If he has other intentions, he will simply flee to Wu to save his life. Just order Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo to block the mouth of the gorge at Nan’an, and he will be caught at once.” Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo followed Yang Hong’s advice and did indeed capture Huang Yuan alive. In the first year of Jianxing, Yang Hong was granted the rank of Marquis Within the Passes and again became Prefect of Shu Commandery and General of Loyal Integrity; later he became Colonel of Elite Cavalry while still governing the commandery as before.

洪曰：「元素信凶暴，無他恩信，何能辦此？不過乘水東下，冀主上平安，面縛歸死；如其有異，奔吳求活耳。敕曶、綽但於南安峽口遮即便得矣。」曶、綽承洪言，果生獲元。洪建興元年賜爵關內侯，復為蜀郡太守、忠節將軍，後為越騎校尉，領郡如故。

In the fifth year, when Chancellor Zhuge Liang was stationed in the north at Hanzhong, he wanted to make Zhang Yi Chief Clerk of the Remaining Headquarters and asked Yang Hong what he thought. Yang Hong replied, “Zhang Yi is naturally clear-sighted and perceptive and excels at handling heavy business; his talent is certainly equal to the post. But he is not fair-minded by nature, and I fear he cannot be given sole charge. It would be better to leave Xiang Lang. Xiang Lang has little falseness in him. If Zhang Yi accompanies you and works under your eye, he can show what he is capable of, and both matters will turn out well.” Earlier, Zhang Yi and Yang Hong had been close friends in their youth. While Zhang Yi was in exile in Wu, Yang Hong came to govern Zhang Yi’s home commandery; Zhang Yi’s son Zhang Yu was serving as a commandery clerk and was punished for a minor fault, and Yang Hong made no special allowance for him.

五年，丞相亮北住漢中，欲用張裔為留府長史，問洪何如？洪對曰：「裔天姿明察，長於治劇，才誠堪之，然性不公平，恐不可專任，不如留向朗。朗情偽差少，裔隨從目下，效其器能，於事兩善。」初，裔少與洪親善。裔流放在吳，洪臨裔郡，裔子郁給郡吏，微過受罰，不特原假。

When Zhang Yi later came back and heard of this, he deeply resented it, and his friendship with Yang Hong suffered. After Yang Hong had seen Zhuge Liang and come out, he went to Zhang Yi and told him everything he had said. Zhang Yi answered Yang Hong, “His Lordship has decided to leave me behind, and that is that. Not even you, sir, can stop it.” Some people of the time suspected that Yang Hong himself wanted to be Chief Clerk; others suspected that, knowing Zhang Yi disliked him, he did not want Zhang Yi to hold a key post in charge of affairs in the rear. Later Zhang Yi fell out with Cen Shu, the Colonel Director of Salt, to the point of anger and hatred.

裔後還聞之，深以為恨，與洪情好有損。及洪見亮出，至裔許，具說所言。裔答洪曰：「公留我了矣，明府不能止。」時人或疑洪意自欲作長史，或疑洪知裔自嫌，不願裔處要職，典後事也。後裔與司鹽校尉岑述不和，至於忿恨。

Zhuge Liang wrote to Zhang Yi, “When your camp was overrun at Moxia long ago, I was so anxious that I could not taste my food. Later, when you were cast adrift to the Southern Sea, I grieved and sighed for you and could not sleep in peace. When you came back, I entrusted you with great responsibilities so that together we might support the royal house, and I considered you and me to be friends as firm as stone, in the manner of the ancients. The way of such stone-firm friends is to recommend even an enemy for each other’s benefit and to cut their own flesh and bone to show their hearts to each other, and even then they do not thank one another. How much less should it matter that I have merely placed my trust in Yuanjian? Can you not bear even that?” From this, those who discussed the matter understood clearly that Yang Hong had acted without selfish motives.

亮與裔書曰：「君昔在陌下，營壞，吾之用心，食不知味；後流迸南海，相為悲歎，寢不安席；及其來還，委付大任，同獎王室，自以為與君古之石交也。石交之道，舉仇以相益，割骨肉以相明，猶不相謝也，況吾但委意於元儉，而君不能忍邪？」論者由是明洪無私。

In his youth Yang Hong did not care for learning, but he was loyal, upright, sincere and clear-minded; he worried over public affairs as though they were his own household’s, and he served his stepmother with the utmost filial devotion. He died in office in the sixth year. Earlier, Yang Hong had been Li Yan’s Officer of Merit, and before Li Yan had even left Qianwei, Yang Hong had already become Prefect of Shu Commandery.

洪少不好學問，而忠清款亮，憂公如家，事繼母至孝。六年卒官。始洪為李嚴功曹，嚴未去犍為而洪已為蜀郡。

He Zhi

何祗

He Zhi, whom Yang Hong had taken on as a clerk of his office, had talent, resourcefulness and practical ability. He was recommended as a commandery officer and within a few years became Prefect of Guanghan, while Yang Hong was still at Shu Commandery. Because of this, the people of the western lands all admired Zhuge Liang for making full use of the abilities of the men of his time.

洪迎門下書佐何祗，有才策功幹，舉郡吏，數年為廣漢太守，時洪亦尚在蜀郡。是以西土咸服諸葛亮能盡時人之器用也。¹

Fei Shi

費詩

Fei Shi, courtesy name Gongju, was a man of Nan’an in Qianwei. In the time of Liu Zhang he was Magistrate of Mianzhu, and when the First Ruler attacked Mianzhu, Fei Shi was the first to surrender his city. After Chengdu was pacified and the First Ruler took charge of Yi Province as Imperial Protector, he made Fei Shi Attendant Officer Supervising the Army; Fei Shi went out to serve as Prefect of Zangke and returned to become Major of the Front Division of the province. When the First Ruler became King of Hanzhong, he sent Fei Shi to appoint Guan Yu General of the Front. Guan Yu heard that Huang Zhong had been made General of the Rear and said angrily, “A true man will never stand in the same rank as an old soldier!”

費詩字公舉，犍為南安人也。劉璋時為綿竹令，先主攻綿竹時，詩先舉城降。成都既定，先主領益州牧，以詩為督軍從事，出為牂牁太守，還為州前部司馬。先主為漢中王，遣詩拜關羽為前將軍，羽聞黃忠為後將軍，怒曰：「大丈夫終不與老兵同列！」

and he refused to accept the appointment. Fei Shi said to Guan Yu, “Those who found a royal enterprise do not make use of only one kind of man. In the past, Xiao He and Cao Can were close friends of Gaozu from childhood, while Chen Ping and Han Xin were fugitives who came later; yet when it came to ranking them, Han Xin was placed highest of all, and we have never heard that Xiao He or Cao Can resented it. Now the King of Hanzhong has honored Hansheng for a single achievement of the moment, but in the weight he gives him in his heart, how could Hansheng ever equal Your Lordship? Moreover, the King and Your Lordship are like one body, sharing joy and sorrow, fortune and misfortune together. In my humble opinion, Your Lordship should not concern yourself with how high or low your title may be, or how large or small your rank and stipend.

不肯受拜。詩謂羽曰：「夫立王業者，所用非一。昔蕭、曹與高祖少小親舊，而陳、韓亡命後至，論其班列，韓最居上，未聞蕭、曹以此為怨。今漢中王以一時之功隆崇於漢升，然意之輕重，寧當與君侯齊乎！且王與君侯臂猶一體，同休等戚，禍福共之，愚為君侯不宜計官號之高下、爵祿之多少為意也。

I am only a messenger carrying out my orders. If Your Lordship will not accept the appointment, I shall simply go back. I only regret this conduct for your sake, and fear that you may come to repent of it!” Guan Yu was deeply moved and saw his error, and he accepted the appointment at once.

僕一介之使，銜命之人，君侯不受拜，如是便還，但相為惜此舉動，恐有後悔耳！」羽大感悟，遂即受拜。

Later, when the officials proposed urging the King of Hanzhong to take the imperial title, Fei Shi submitted a memorial: “Because Cao Cao and his son coerced the sovereign and usurped the throne, Your Highness wandered ten thousand li from home and gathered soldiers and people together in order to punish the rebels. Now, while the great enemy is not yet overcome, if you first set yourself up as emperor, I fear the hearts of the people will be filled with doubt. In the past, Gaozu made a pact with Chu that whoever first broke Qin would be king. Even after he had put Xianyang to the sword and captured Ziying, he was still inclined to decline the honor. How much more so now, when Your Highness has not yet stepped out of your own gate, yet wishes to set yourself up as emperor!

後群臣議欲推漢中王稱尊號，詩上疏曰：「殿下以曹操父子逼主篡位，故乃羈旅萬里，糾合士眾，將以討賊。今大敵未克，而先自立，恐人心疑惑。昔高祖與楚約，先破秦者王。及屠咸陽，獲子嬰，猶懷推讓，況今殿下未出門庭，便欲自立邪！

Your foolish servant truly cannot endorse this on Your Highness’s behalf.” He thus went against the King’s wishes and was demoted to Attendant Officer in charge of Yongchang.

愚臣誠不為殿下取也。」由是忤指，左遷部永昌從事。¹

In the third year of Jianxing, Fei Shi followed Zhuge Liang on his southern campaign. On the way back they reached Hanyang County, where a man who had surrendered, Li Hong, came to see Zhuge Liang. Jiang Wan and Fei Shi were present when Zhuge Liang received him. Li Hong said, “Recently I passed by Meng Da’s place and happened to see Wang Chong, who had just come from the south. He said that when Meng Da went over to the other side, you, my lord, gnashed your teeth and wanted to execute Meng Da’s wife and children, and that it was only thanks to the First Ruler that this was not permitted. Meng Da said, ‘Zhuge Liang has treated me consistently from beginning to end; he would never do such a thing,’

建興三年，隨諸葛亮南行，歸至漢陽縣，降人李鴻來詣亮，亮見鴻，時蔣琬與詩在坐。鴻曰：「聞過孟達許，適見王沖從南來，言往者達之去就，明公切齒，欲誅達妻子，賴先主不聽言。達曰：『諸葛亮見顧有本末，終不爾也。』

and he did not believe Wang Chong’s words at all; his looking up to you and relying on you, my lord, knows no end.” Zhuge Liang said to Jiang Wan and Fei Shi, “When I return to the capital I must write to Zidu and get word to him.” Fei Shi came forward and said, “Meng Da is a petty man. Formerly he served the General Who Spreads Awe (Liu Zhang) disloyally, and then he betrayed the First Ruler as well. What is the use of writing to a man who changes sides like that?” Zhuge Liang was silent and did not answer. Wishing to entice Meng Da to be his ally on the outside, Zhuge Liang in the end did write to him: “Last year I campaigned in the south and returned before the year was out. I happened to meet Li Hong at Hanyang and learned your news, and I was moved to long sighs. Considering the aspirations you have always held, how could you have merely lent yourself in vain to fame and glory, and prized a parting of ways?

盡不信沖言，委仰明公，無復已已。」亮謂琬、詩曰：「還都當有書與子度相聞。」詩進曰：「孟達小子，昔事振威不忠，後又背叛先主，反覆之人，何足與書邪！」亮默然不答。亮欲誘達以為外援，竟與達書曰：「往年南征，歲末及還，適與李鴻會於漢陽，承知消息，慨然永歎，以存足下平素之志，豈徒空托名榮，貴為華離乎！

Alas, Master Meng! It was truly Liu Feng who wronged you and so damaged the righteousness with which the First Ruler treated his officers. Li Hong also tells me that Wang Chong made up false stories, but that you, reading my heart, did not accept what Wang Chong said. Recalling the words you declared and remembering our old friendship, I gaze toward the east with longing, and so I send you this letter.” After receiving Zhuge Liang’s letter, Meng Da was in frequent contact with him and spoke of turning against Wei. Wei sent Sima Yi (King Xuan) to campaign against him, and Meng Da was swiftly beheaded and destroyed.

嗚呼孟子，斯實劉封侵陵足下，以傷先主待士之義。又鴻道王沖造作虛語，云足下量度吾心，不受沖說。尋表明之言，追平生之好，依依東望，故遣有書。」達得亮書，數相交通，辭欲叛魏。魏遣司馬宣王征之，即斬滅達。

Zhuge Liang, for his part, believed that Meng Da had no true sincerity, and so he did not go to his rescue. When Jiang Wan took charge of the government, he made Fei Shi Grandee Remonstrant, and Fei Shi died at home.

亮亦以達無款誠之心，故不救助也。蔣琬秉政，以詩為諫議大夫，卒於家。

Wang Chong was a man of Guanghan. He was a Gate Standard General attached to Li Yan at Jiangzhou. Disliked by Li Yan and fearing punishment, he surrendered to Wei. Wei made Wang Chong Prefect of Leling.

王沖者，廣漢人也。為牙門將，統屬江州李嚴。為嚴所疾，懼罪降魏。魏以沖為樂陵太守。¹

Appraisal

評

Appraisal: Huo Jun held a lone city without letting it fall; Wang Lian kept his integrity firm and did not waver; Xiang Lang loved learning and never tired of it; Zhang Yi was quick and apt in meeting every situation; Yang Hong devoted his heart to loyalty and the public good; and Fei Shi spoke his mind frankly. All of them have something worth recording. Even under the broad magnanimity of the First Ruler and the strict standards of Zhuge Liang, Fei Shi was still pushed down and demoted for speaking honestly. How much worse would it be under mediocre rulers of later times!

評曰：霍峻孤城不傾，王連固節不移，向朗好學不倦，張裔膚敏應極，楊洪乃心忠公，費詩率意而言，皆有可紀焉。以先主之廣濟，諸葛之準繩，詩吐直言，猶用凌遲，況庸後乎哉！