Affairs of Government世説新語 政事第三
1Disloyal and unfilial, so no crime is greater than this
陳仲弓爲太丘長，時吏有詐稱母病求假，事覺收之，令吏殺焉。主簿請付獄，考衆姦。仲弓曰：「欺君不忠，病母不孝；不忠不孝，其罪莫大。考求衆姦，豈復過此？」
When Chen Zhonggong was magistrate of Taiqiu, a clerk lied that his mother was ill and asked for leave. When it came out, Chen had him seized and ordered the clerks to put him to death.
The Recorder asked that he be handed over to the prison and examined for his other crooked dealings. Chen said, "To deceive one's lord is disloyal; to say one's mother is ill is unfilial. Disloyal and unfilial, so no crime is greater than this. What could searching out his other crooked dealings turn up that goes beyond it?"
Interlinear notes 1
陳寔已別見。
Chen Shi has already appeared elsewhere.
2Is a robber killing a man for his goods as grave as kin destroying kin?
陳仲弓爲太丘長，有劫賊殺財主，主者捕之。未至發所，道聞民有在草不起子者，回車往治之。主簿曰：「賊大，宜先按討。」仲弓曰：「盜殺財主，何如骨肉相殘？」
When Chen Zhonggong was magistrate of Taiqiu, a robber killed the owner of some goods, and the officer in charge went to arrest him.
Before he reached the place, he heard on the road that among the people there was one who had left a newborn child to die. He turned his carriage around, went there, and dealt with it.
The Recorder said, "The robbery is the greater matter. You ought to look into that first."
Chen said, "Is a robber killing a man for his goods as grave as kin destroying kin?"
Interlinear notes 1
按，後漢時賈彪有此事，不聞寔也。
On examination, this happened to Jia Biao in the time of the Later Han; it is not heard of Chen Shi.
3The Duke of Zhou did not take Confucius as his teacher, nor Confucius the Duke of Zhou
陳元方年十一時，候袁公。袁公問曰：「賢家君在太丘，遠近稱之，何所履行？」元方曰：「老父在太丘，彊者綏之以德，弱者撫之以仁，恣其所安，久而益敬。」袁公曰：「孤往者嘗爲鄴令，正行此事。不知卿家君法孤？孤法卿父？」元方曰：「周公、孔子，異世而出，周旋動靜，萬里如一；周公不師孔子，孔子亦不師周公。」
When Chen Yuanfang was eleven he paid a call on Lord Yuan. Lord Yuan asked, "When your honored father was at Taiqiu, far and near all praised him. What was it that he practiced?"
Yuanfang said, "While my old father was at Taiqiu, he settled the strong with virtue and soothed the weak with benevolence, and let each rest in what suited him. The longer it went on, the more they revered him."
Lord Yuan said, "In days past I was magistrate of Ye, and I did just these things. I cannot tell. Did your father model himself on me, or did I model myself on your father?"
Yuanfang said, "The Duke of Zhou and Confucius were born in different ages, yet in their comings and goings, in movement and in stillness, across ten thousand li they were as one. The Duke of Zhou did not take Confucius as his teacher, and Confucius did not take the Duke of Zhou as his."
Interlinear notes 3
陳紀已見。
Chen Ji has already appeared.
袁宏《漢紀》曰：「寔爲太丘，其政不嚴而治，百姓敬之。」
Yuan Hong's Han ji says, "When Chen Shi held Taiqiu, his government was not stern and yet it was orderly, and the people revered him."
檢衆《漢書》，袁氏諸公，未知誰爲鄴令？故闕其文以待通識者。
Searching through the various Han shu, it is not known which of the lords of the Yuan family was magistrate of Ye. This passage is therefore left blank to await one of broader learning.
4The Kuaiji cock cannot crow
賀太傅作呉郡，初不出門。呉中諸強族輕之，乃題府門云：「會稽鷄，不能啼。」賀聞故出行，至門反顧，索筆足之曰：「不可啼，殺呉兒！」於是至諸屯邸，檢校諸顧陸役使官兵及藏逋亡，悉以事言上，罪者甚衆。陸抗時爲江陵都督，故下請孫皓，然後得釋。
When Grand Tutor He became Governor of Wu commandery, at first he did not go out of his gate. The powerful clans of Wu made light of him, and wrote on the gate of his office, "The Kuaiji cock cannot crow."
When He heard of it he went out on purpose, and at the gate he looked back, called for a brush, and added, "If it cannot crow, it will kill the boys of Wu!"
Then he went round the garrison farms and the great houses and looked into how the Gu and the Lu had put government soldiers to their own use and hidden runaways. He reported it all to the throne, and those found guilty were very many.
Lu Kang was commander of Jiangling at the time, and it was only after he went down on purpose and pleaded with Sun Hao that they were released.
Interlinear notes 2
環濟《呉紀》曰：「賀邵字興伯，會稽山陰人。祖齊，父景，並歴美官。邵歴散騎常侍，出爲呉郡太守。後遷太子太傅。」
Huan Ji's Wu ji says, "He Shao's courtesy name was Xingbo; he was a man of Shanyin in Kuaiji. His grandfather He Qi and his father He Jing both held fine offices. Shao served as attendant cavalier in regular attendance and went out as Governor of Wu commandery. Later he was moved to be Grand Tutor to the heir apparent."
《呉録》曰：「抗字幼節，呉郡人，丞相遜子，孫策外孫也。爲江陵都督，累遷大司馬、荊州牧。」
The Wu lu says, "Kang's courtesy name was Youjie; he was a man of Wu commandery, the son of the chancellor Lu Xun and the grandson of Sun Ce by his daughter. He became commander of Jiangling, and through a succession of posts rose to Grand Marshal and Governor of Jingzhou."
5East of the tower there is a great ox
山公以器重朝望，年踰七十，猶知管時任。貴勝年少，若和、裴、王之徒，並共言詠。有署閣柱曰：「閣東，有大牛，和嶠鞅，裴楷鞦，王濟剔嬲不得休。」或云：潘尼作之。
Lord Shan was weighty in capacity and had the regard of the court, and though he was past seventy he still knew how to manage the duties of the day.
The noble and brilliant young men — He Qiao, Pei Kai, Wang Ji and their like — all talked and sang of him together. Someone wrote on a pillar of the tower, "East of the tower there is a great ox. He Qiao is its breast strap, Pei Kai its crupper, and Wang Ji goads it and gives it no rest."
Some say Pan Ni wrote it.
Interlinear notes 3
虞預《晉書》曰：「山濤字巨源，河内懷人。祖本，郡孝廉。父曜，冤句令。濤蚤孤而貧，少有器量，宿士猶不慢之。年十七，宗人謂宣帝曰：『濤當與景文共綱紀天下者也。』帝戲曰：『卿小族，那得此快人邪？』好莊老，與嵇康善。爲河内從事，與石鑒共傳宿，濤夜起蹋鑒曰：『今何等時而眠也！知太傅臥何意？』鑒曰：『宰相三日不朝，與尺一令歸第，君何慮焉？』濤曰：『咄！石生，無事馬蹄閒也。』投傳而去，果有曹爽事，遂隱身不交世務。累遷吏部尚書、僕射、太子少傅、司徒。年七十九薨，諡康侯。」
Yu Yu's Jin shu says, "Shan Tao's courtesy name was Juyuan; he was a man of Huai in Henei. His grandfather Shan Ben was a filial and incorrupt candidate of the commandery, and his father Shan Yao was magistrate of Yuanju. Tao lost his father early and was poor, but from his youth he had capacity and breadth, so that even senior scholars did not treat him lightly. When he was seventeen a kinsman said to Emperor Xuan, 'Tao is one who ought to hold the reins of the realm together with Jing and Wen.' The emperor said in jest, 'Yours is a small clan. How did it get so bracing a man?' He loved Zhuangzi and Laozi, and was on good terms with Ji Kang. When he was an aide in Henei he lodged at a post station with Shi Jian. In the night Tao got up and kicked Jian, saying, 'What kind of time is this to be sleeping? Do you know why the Grand Tutor keeps to his bed?' Jian said, 'If a chancellor does not come to court for three days, a foot-long edict sends him home. What is there for you to worry about?' Tao said, 'Tut, Master Shi. Do not idle about between the hooves of horses.' He threw down his station pass and left. The affair of Cao Shuang did indeed follow, and he hid himself away and had no dealings with the business of the age. Through a succession of posts he rose to Master of Writing for the Ministry of Personnel, vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, junior tutor to the heir apparent, and Minister over the Masses. He died at seventy-nine, and his posthumous title was Marquis Kang."
王隱《晉書》曰：「初，濤領吏部，潘岳内非之，密爲作謠曰：『閣東，有大牛，王濟鞅，裴楷鞦，和嶠刺促不得休。』」《竹林七賢論》曰：「濤之處選，非望路絶，故貽是言。」
Wang Yin's Jin shu says, "At first, when Tao took charge of the ministry of personnel, Pan Yue thought it wrong within himself, and secretly made a song that ran, 'East of the tower there is a great ox. Wang Ji is its breast strap, Pei Kai its crupper, and He Qiao pricks it and gives it no rest.'" The Zhulin qixian lun says, "Because Tao held the office of selection, the road to what Pan Yue hoped for was cut off, and so he left these words behind."
《文士傳》曰：「尼字正叔，滎陽人。祖最，尚書左丞。父滿，平原太守。並以文學稱。尼少有淸才，文詞温雅。初應州辟，終太常卿。」
The Wenshi zhuan says, "Ni's courtesy name was Zhengshu; he was a man of Xingyang. His grandfather Pan Zui was left assistant in the Department of State Affairs and his father Pan Man was Governor of Pingyuan, and both were known for their writing. Ni from his youth had a clear talent, and his writing was warm and elegant. He first answered the summons of the province, and ended as minister of ceremonies."
6Gao Yao's stern and clear intent is not for me to sound
賈充初定律令，與羊祜共咨太傅鄭沖。沖曰：「皋陶嚴明之旨，非僕闇懦所探。」羊曰：「上意欲令小加弘潤。」沖乃粗下意。
When Jia Chong first fixed the statutes and ordinances, he and Yang Hu went together to consult the Grand Tutor Zheng Chong.
Zheng said, "Gao Yao's stern and clear intent is not for a dull and weak man like me to sound."
Yang said, "His Majesty's wish is that you broaden and polish it a little."
Zheng thereupon gave his opinion in rough outline.
Interlinear notes 3
《晉諸公贊》曰：「充字公閭，襄陵人。父逵，魏豫州刺史。充起家爲尚書，遷廷尉，聽訟稱平。晉受禪，封魯郡公。充有才識，明達治體，加善刑法，由此與散騎常侍裴楷共定科令，蠲除密網，以爲晉律。薨，贈太宰。」
The Jin zhugong zan says, "Chong's courtesy name was Gonglü; he was a man of Xiangling. His father Jia Kui was Inspector of Yuzhou under the Wei. Chong began his career as a secretary in the Department of State Affairs and moved to be Commandant of Justice, and he was said to hear lawsuits evenly. When the Jin received the abdication he was enfeoffed as Duke of Lu commandery. Chong had talent and discernment and understood clearly the substance of government, and he was skilled in penal law besides. For this reason he fixed the codes and ordinances together with Pei Kai, the attendant cavalier in regular attendance, and pared away the close-meshed net to make the Jin code. When he died he was given the title of Grand Steward."
王隱《晉書》曰：「沖字文和，滎陽開封人。有核練才，淸虚寡慾，喜論經史，草衣縕袍，不以爲憂。累遷司徒、太保。晉受禪，進太傅。」
Wang Yin's Jin shu says, "Chong's courtesy name was Wenhe; he was a man of Kaifeng in Xingyang. He had a talent for sifting and mastering things, was pure and empty and had few desires, and delighted in discussing the classics and the histories. He wore grass clothing and a padded robe and did not count it a hardship. Through a succession of posts he rose to Minister over the Masses and Grand Guardian, and when the Jin received the abdication he advanced to Grand Tutor."
《續晉陽秋》曰：「初，文帝命荀朂、賈充、裴秀等分定禮儀律令，皆先咨鄭沖，然後施行也。」
The Xu Jin yangqiu says, "At first Emperor Wen ordered Xun Xu, Jia Chong, Pei Xiu and others to divide among them the fixing of the rites and the statutes, and they all consulted Zheng Chong first and only then put them into effect."
7In all Minister Shan's choosing he never missed a man of talent
山司徒前後選，殆周遍百官，舉無失才。凡所題目，皆如其言。唯用陸亮，是詔所用，與公意異，爭之不從。亮亦尋爲賄敗。
Shan, the Minister over the Masses, made selections over many years, reaching through nearly every office, and in his recommendations he never missed a man of talent. Whatever label he set on a man, it always proved as he had said.
Only in the case of Lu Liang, who was appointed by edict, did his own view differ. He argued against it and was not followed. Before long Lu Liang too was brought down by bribery.
Interlinear notes 1
《晉諸公贊》曰：「亮字長興，河内野王人，太常陸乂兄也。性髙明而率至，爲賈充所親待。山濤爲左僕射領選，濤行業即與充異，自以爲世祖所敬，選用之事，與充咨論，充毎不得其所欲。好事者説充：『宜授心腹人爲吏部尚書，參同選舉。若意不齊，事不得諧，可不召公與選，而實得敘所懷。』充以爲然。乃啓亮公忠無私。濤以亮將與己異，又恐其協情不允，累啓亮可爲左丞相，非選官才。世祖不許，濤乃辭疾還家。亮在職果不能允，坐事免官。」
The Jin zhugong zan says, "Liang's courtesy name was Changxing; he was a man of Yewang in Henei and the elder brother of Lu Yi, the minister of ceremonies. His nature was lofty and clear and frank to the utmost, and Jia Chong treated him as an intimate. Shan Tao was vice president of the right and had charge of selection. Tao's conduct and work were simply not Jia Chong's, and he held himself to be honored by Emperor Shizu, so that when he discussed appointments with Chong, Chong could seldom get what he wanted. A busybody urged Chong, 'You ought to have a man of your own heart made Master of Writing for the Ministry of Personnel to take part in the selections with him. Then if your views do not agree and things do not go smoothly, you may leave Lord Shan out of the selection altogether, and in fact get what you have in mind.' Chong thought this right, and so reported that Liang was loyal and public-minded and without partiality. Tao knew Liang would differ from him, and feared besides that he would bend to favor and not be fair, and he reported again and again that Liang might do for vice chancellor of the left but was not the man for the office of selection. Shizu would not allow it, and Tao then pleaded illness and went home. Liang, once in the post, proved indeed to be unfair, and was implicated in a case and dismissed from office."
8Even heaven and earth and the four seasons have their waning and waxing
嵇康被誅後，山公舉康子紹爲祕書丞。紹咨公出處，公曰：「爲君思之久矣！天地四時，猶有消息，而況人乎？」
After Ji Kang was put to death, Lord Shan recommended his son Ji Shao to be assistant in the Palace Library.
Shao consulted him about whether to come forward or hold back, and Lord Shan said, "I have been thinking it over for you a long time. Even heaven and earth and the four seasons have their waning and waxing. How much more a man?"
Interlinear notes 3
《山公啓事》曰：「詔選祕書丞。濤薦曰：『紹平簡温敏，有文思，又曉音，當成濟也。猶宜先作祕書郎。』詔曰：『紹如此，便可爲丞，不足復爲郎也。』」《晉諸公贊》曰：「康遇事後二十年，紹乃爲濤所拔。」王隱《晉書》曰：「時以紹父康被法，選官不敢舉。年二十八，山濤啓用之，世祖發詔，以爲祕書丞。」
The Shan gong qishi says, "An edict called for an assistant in the Palace Library to be chosen. Tao recommended him, saying, 'Shao is even and plain, warm and quick; he has a gift for writing and he understands music. He will surely make good. Still, it would be better to make him a gentleman of the Palace Library first.' The edict said, 'If Shao is such as this, he may be made assistant at once; there is no need to make him a gentleman again.'" The Jin zhugong zan says, "Twenty years after Ji Kang met his fate, Shao was raised up by Tao." Wang Yin's Jin shu says, "At that time, because Shao's father Ji Kang had suffered the law, the officers of selection did not dare recommend him. When he was twenty-eight Shan Tao petitioned to employ him, and Shizu issued an edict making him assistant in the Palace Library."
《竹林七賢論》曰：「紹懼不自容，將解褐，故咨之於濤。」
The Zhulin qixian lun says, "Shao feared he would not be accepted, and as he was about to take office he consulted Tao about it."
王隱《晉書》曰：「紹字延祖，雅有文才，山濤啓武帝云云。」
Wang Yin's Jin shu says, "Shao's courtesy name was Yanzu, and he had an elegant gift for writing. Shan Tao petitioned Emperor Wu, and so forth."
9What is there to grudge in the fish of a pond?
王安期爲東海郡，小吏盜池中魚，綱紀推之。王曰：「文王之囿，與衆共之。池魚復何足惜！」
When Wang Anqi held Donghai commandery, a petty clerk stole fish from the pond, and the officer in charge examined him.
Wang said, "King Wen's park was shared with the multitude. What is there to grudge in the fish of a pond?"
Interlinear notes 2
《名士傳》曰：「王承字安期，太原晉陽人。父湛，汝南太守。承沖淡寡慾，無所循尚。累遷東海内史，爲政淸靜，吏民懷之。避亂渡江，是時道路寇盜，人懷憂懼，承毎遇艱險，處之怡然。元皇爲鎭東，引爲從事中郎。」
The Mingshi zhuan says, "Wang Cheng's courtesy name was Anqi; he was a man of Jinyang in Taiyuan. His father Wang Zhan was Governor of Runan. Cheng was mild and plain and had few desires, and followed no fashion. Through a succession of posts he rose to administrator of Donghai, and he governed purely and quietly, so that clerks and people alike were fond of him. When he fled the troubles and crossed the river there were bandits on the roads, and people were full of care and fear, but whenever Cheng met with hardship and danger he faced it serenely. When Emperor Yuan was General Who Guards the East, he drew him in as adjutant."
《孟子》曰：「齊宣王問：『文王之囿，方七十里，有諸？若是其大乎？』對曰：『民猶以爲小也。』王曰：『寡人之囿，方四十里，民猶以爲大，何邪？』孟子曰：『文王之囿，芻蕘者往焉，與民同之，民以爲小，不亦宜乎？今王之囿，殺糜鹿者如殺人罪，是以四十里爲阱於國中也，民以爲大，不亦宜乎？』」
The Mengzi says, "King Xuan of Qi asked, 'Was King Wen's park seventy li square? Was it so large?' The reply was, 'The people still thought it small.' The king said, 'My own park is forty li square, and the people still think it large. Why is that?' Mencius said, 'Into King Wen's park went those who cut grass and gathered firewood; he shared it with the people. Is it not fitting that they thought it small? Now in Your Majesty's park, to kill an elk or a deer is punished like killing a man. This is to make a pit forty li wide in the middle of the kingdom. Is it not fitting that the people think it large?'"
10Flogging Ning Yue to set up a name for sternness is not the root of government
王安期作東海郡，吏録一犯夜人來。王問：「何處來？」云：「從師家受書還，不覺日晩。」王曰：「鞭撻甯越以立威名，恐非致理之本。」使吏送令歸家。
When Wang Anqi held Donghai commandery, a clerk booked a man who had broken the night curfew and brought him in.
Wang asked, "Where have you come from?"
He said, "I am on my way back from my teacher's house, where I received my lessons, and I did not notice that it had grown late."
Wang said, "To flog Ning Yue and so set up a name for sternness is, I fear, not the root of good government."
He had a clerk see him home.
Interlinear notes 1
《呂氏春秋》曰：「甯越者，中牟鄙人也。苦耕稼之勞，謂其友曰：『何爲可以免此苦也？』其友曰：『莫如學也。學三十歳，則可以達矣。』甯越曰：『請以十五歳。人將休，吾不敢休；人將臥，吾不敢臥。』學十五歳而爲周威公之師也。」
The Lüshi chunqiu says, "Ning Yue was a countryman of Zhongmou. He found the labor of plowing and sowing bitter, and said to his friend, 'What can I do to escape this hardship?' His friend said, 'There is nothing like study. Study for thirty years and you will get through.' Ning Yue said, 'Let me do it in fifteen. When others rest, I will not dare to rest; when others lie down, I will not dare to lie down.' He studied fifteen years and became the teacher of Duke Wei of Zhou."
11Give me back my palace attendant
成帝在石頭，任讓在帝前戮侍中鍾雅、右衞將軍劉超，帝泣曰：「還我侍中！」讓不奉詔，遂斬超、雅。事平之後，陶公與讓有舊，欲宥之。許柳兒思妣者至佳，諸公欲全之。若全思妣，則不得不爲陶全讓，於是欲并宥之。事奏，帝曰：「讓是殺我侍中者，不可宥！」諸公以少主不可違，并斬二人。
When Emperor Cheng was at Shitou, Ren Rang put to death, in front of the emperor, the palace attendant Zhong Ya and Liu Chao, general of the guards of the right.
The emperor wept and said, "Give me back my palace attendant!"
Ren Rang did not obey the edict, and in the end beheaded Liu Chao and Zhong Ya.
After the trouble was put down, Lord Tao, who had an old friendship with Ren Rang, wished to pardon him. Xu Liu's son Sibi was a man of the finest sort, and the lords wished to spare him. If Sibi were to be spared, then for Tao's sake Ren Rang could not but be spared as well, and so they meant to pardon them both.
When the matter was laid before the throne, the emperor said, "Ren Rang is the man who killed my palace attendant. He cannot be pardoned."
The lords, holding that the young sovereign was not to be crossed, beheaded them both.
Interlinear notes 6
《晉世譜》曰：「帝諱衍，字世根，明帝太子。年二十二崩。」
The Jin shipu says, "The emperor's taboo name was Yan and his courtesy name Shigen; he was the heir apparent of Emperor Ming. He died at twenty-two."
《晉陽秋》曰：「讓，樂安人，諸任之後。隨蘇峻作亂。」《雅別傳》曰：「雅字彦胄，潁川長社人，魏太傅鍾繇弟仲常曾孫也。少有才志，累遷至侍中。」
The Jin yangqiu says, "Rang was a man of Le'an, of the line of the Ren family. He followed Su Jun in his rebellion." The Ya biezhuan says, "Ya's courtesy name was Yanzhou; he was a man of Changshe in Yingchuan, the great-grandson of Zhong Zhongchang, the younger brother of Zhong You, Grand Tutor of the Wei. From his youth he had talent and purpose, and through a succession of posts he rose to palace attendant."
《晉陽秋》曰：「超字世踰，琅邪人，漢成陽景王六世孫。封臨沂慈鄕侯，遂家焉。父徴爲琅邪國上將軍。超爲縣小吏，稍遷記室掾、安東舍人。忠淸愼密，爲中宗所拔。自以職在中書，絶不與人交關書疎，閉門不通賓客，家無儋石之儲。討王敦有功，封零陽伯，爲義興太守。而受拜及往還朝，莫有知者，其愼默如此。遷右衞大將軍。」
The Jin yangqiu says, "Chao's courtesy name was Shiyu; he was a man of Langya, a descendant in the sixth generation from King Jing of Chengyang of the Han. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Cixiang in Linyi and settled his household there. His father Liu Zheng was summoned as senior general of the kingdom of Langya. Chao became a petty clerk of the county and moved by degrees to recorder and then secretary to the General Who Pacifies the East. He was loyal, pure, careful and close, and Zhongzong raised him up. Because his post was in the secretariat, he cut off all exchange of letters with others and shut his gate to visitors, and his household had not a peck of grain stored. He had merit in the campaign against Wang Dun and was enfeoffed as Earl of Lingyang and made Governor of Yixing. Yet no one knew when he received the appointment or when he went to court and came back, so careful and silent was he. He was moved to be grand general of the guards of the right."
《雅別傳》曰：「蘇峻逼主上幸石頭，雅與劉超並侍帝側匡衞，與石頭中人密期拔至尊出，事覺被害。」
The Ya biezhuan says, "Su Jun forced the sovereign to remove to Shitou. Ya and Liu Chao together attended at the emperor's side and guarded him, and made a secret plan with someone inside Shitou to bring His Majesty out. The matter came to light and they were killed."
《許氏譜》曰:「柳字季祖，髙陽人。祖允，魏中領軍。父猛，吏部郎。」劉謙之《晉紀》曰：「柳妻，祖逖子渙女。蘇峻招祖約爲逆，約遣柳以衆會峻。既克京師，拜丹陽尹。後以罪誅。」
The Xu shi pu says, "Liu's courtesy name was Jizu; he was a man of Gaoyang. His grandfather Xu Yun was commander of the center under the Wei and his father Xu Meng was gentleman of the ministry of personnel." Liu Qianzhi's Jin ji says, "Liu's wife was the daughter of Zu Huan, the son of Zu Ti. When Su Jun called on Zu Yue to rebel, Yue sent Liu with a force to join Jun. After the capital had been taken he was appointed metropolitan governor of Danyang. Later he was put to death for a crime."
《許氏譜》曰：「永字思妣。」
The Xu shi pu says, "Xu Yong's courtesy name was Sibi."
12Landu, landu
王丞相拜揚州，賓客數百人並加霑接，人人有説色。唯有臨海一客姓任及數胡人爲未洽，公因便還到過任邊云：「君出，臨海便無復人。」任大喜説。因過胡人前彈指云：「蘭闍，蘭闍。」群胡同笑，四坐並懽。
When Prime Minister Wang was appointed to Yangzhou, several hundred guests came, and he steeped every one of them in his welcome, so that each had a look of pleasure on his face.
Only one guest from Linhai, a man surnamed Ren, and a few Hu men were not content.
So the prime minister came round to Ren's side and said, "With you out here, there must be no one left in Linhai."
Ren was greatly pleased. Then he passed before the Hu men, snapped his fingers and said, "Landu, landu."
The Hu men all laughed together, and the whole company was delighted.
Interlinear notes 2
《語林》曰：「任名顒，時官在都，預王公坐。」
The Yulin says, "Ren's given name was Yong. He held office in the capital at the time and was present at Lord Wang's gathering."
《晉陽秋》曰：「王導接誘應會，少有牾者。雖疎交常賓，一見多輸寫款誠，自謂爲導所遇，同之舊暱。」
The Jin yangqiu says, "Wang Dao met men and drew them out and answered them so that few were put off. Even a slight acquaintance or an ordinary guest would often pour out his whole heart at a single meeting, thinking himself so well received by Dao as to stand with his oldest friends."
13You are the grown man and I the child, so at the time I did not know what to say
陸太尉詣王丞相咨事，過後輙翻異。王公怪其如此，後以問陸。陸曰：「公長民短，臨時不知所言，既後覺其不可耳。」
Grand Commandant Lu would go to Prime Minister Wang to consult him on affairs, and afterward he would always turn about and say something different. Lord Wang thought this strange and later asked Lu about it.
Lu said, "You are the grown man and I the child, so at the time I did not know what to say, and it was only afterward that I saw it would not do."
Interlinear notes 1
《陸玩別傳》曰：「玩字士瑤，呉郡呉人。祖瑁，父英，仕郡有譽。玩器量淹雅，累遷侍中、尚書左僕射、尚書令，贈太尉。」
The Lu Wan biezhuan says, "Wan's courtesy name was Shiyao; he was a man of Wu in Wu commandery. His grandfather Lu Mao and his father Lu Ying served in the commandery with honor. Wan's capacity and breadth were deep and elegant, and through a succession of posts he rose to palace attendant, vice president of the left in the Department of State Affairs, and Director of the Department of State Affairs, and he was given the title of Grand Commandant."
14The realm did not think it right that you let affairs go
丞相嘗夏月至石頭看庾公。庾公正料事，丞相云：「暑可小簡之。」庾公曰：「公之遺事，天下亦未以爲允。」
The prime minister once went in the summer to Shitou to see Lord Yu. Lord Yu was just then sorting through business, and the prime minister said, "It is hot. You might cut it down a little."
Lord Yu said, "The realm did not think it right, either, that you let affairs go."
Interlinear notes 1
《殷羡言行》曰：「王公薨後，庾冰代相，網密刑峻。羡時行，遇收捕者於途，慨然歎曰：『丙吉問牛喘，似不爾！』嘗從容謂冰曰：『卿輩自是網目不失，皆是小道小善耳。至如王公，故能行無理事。』謝安石毎歎詠此唱。庾赤玉曾問羡：『王公治何似？詎是所長？』羡曰：『其餘令績，不復稱論。然三捉三治，三休三敗。』」
The Yin Xian yanxing says, "After Lord Wang died, Yu Bing took his place as chancellor, and the net was close and the punishments severe. Xian was going about at the time and met men being taken into custody on the road. He sighed with feeling and said, 'When Bing Ji asked why the ox was panting, it was surely not like this!' Once he said quietly to Bing, 'You and your kind let no mesh of the net slip, to be sure, but that is all small ways and small goodness. As for one like Lord Wang, he could do even things that were out of all reason.' Xie Anshi was forever sighing over these words and repeating them. Yu Chiyu once asked Xian, 'How was Lord Wang's government? What was he good at?' Xian said, 'His other fine achievements I will not go over again. But three times he took hold and governed, and three times he let go and undid it.'"
15They call me muddled, but men after me will long for this muddling
丞相末年，略不復省事，正封籙諾之。自嘆曰：「人言我憒憒，後人當思此憒憒。」
In his last years the prime minister scarcely looked into affairs again, and merely wrote his assent on what came to him sealed.
He sighed to himself and said, "Men say I am muddled. Men after me will surely long for this muddling."
Interlinear notes 1
徐廣《歴紀》曰：「導阿衡三世，經綸夷險，政務寬恕，事從簡易，故垂遺愛之譽也。」
Xu Guang's Liji says, "Dao was chief minister through three reigns and ordered the state through smooth times and rough. In his government he was generous and forgiving, and in affairs he followed what was plain and easy, and so he left behind the fame of a cherished love."
16Lord Tao stores up sawdust and bamboo roots
陶公性檢厲，勤於事。作荊州時，敕船官悉録鋸木屑，不限多少，咸不解此意。後正會，値積雪始晴，聽事前除雪後猶濕，於是悉用木屑覆之，都無所妨。官用竹，皆令録厚頭，積之如山。後桓宣武伐蜀，裝船，悉以作釘。又云：嘗發所在竹篙，有一官長連根取之，仍當足，乃超兩階用之。
Lord Tao was by nature exacting and severe, and diligent in affairs.
When he was in Jingzhou he ordered the officer of boats to enter and keep all the sawdust, however much or little there was, and no one understood what he meant by it. Later, at the New Year assembly, the piled snow had just cleared, and the courtyard before the hall was still wet from it. Sawdust was spread over the whole of it, and there was no hindrance at all.
When the government used bamboo, he had the thick root ends all entered and kept, and they were piled up like a hill. Later, when Huan Xuanwu attacked Shu and was fitting out boats, they were all made into pegs.
It is also said that once, when bamboo poles were being requisitioned from the district, one officer took his up root and all and used the root for a foot, and for this he was advanced two grades and employed.
Interlinear notes 1
《晉陽秋》曰：「侃練核庶事，勤務稼穡，雖戎陳武士，皆勸厲之。有奉饋者，皆問其所由。若力役所致，懽喜慰賜；若他所得，則呵辱還之。是以軍民勤於農稼，家給人足。性纖密好問，頗類趙廣漢。嘗課營種柳，都尉夏施盜拔武昌郡西門所種。侃後自出，駐車施門，問：『此是武昌西門柳，何以盜之？』施惶怖首伏，三軍稱其明察。侃勤而整，自強不息。又好督勸於人，常云：『民生在勤，大禹聖人，猶惜寸陰，至於凡俗，當惜分陰。豈可遊逸，生無益於時，死無聞於後，是自棄也。又老莊浮華，非先王之法言而不敢行。君子當正其衣冠，攝以威儀，何有亂頭養望，自謂宏達邪？』」《中興書》曰：「侃嘗檢校佐吏，若得樗蒲博弈之具，投之曰：『樗蒲，老子入胡所作，外國戲耳。圍棋，堯舜以教愚子。博弈，紂所造。諸君國器，何以爲此？若王事之暇，患邑邑者，文士何不讀書？武士何不射弓？』談者無以易也。」
The Jin yangqiu says, "Kan mastered and sifted every kind of business and worked hard at farming, and even the soldiers in the ranks he urged and spurred on. Whenever anyone brought him a gift he asked where it came from. If it had been won by the man's own labor, he was pleased and comforted him and gave him a reward; if it had been got elsewhere, he scolded and shamed him and sent it back. For this reason soldiers and people alike worked hard at farming, and every house had enough and every man was satisfied. He was by nature minute and fond of asking questions, rather like Zhao Guanghan. He once set the camps the task of planting willows, and Xia Shi, a commandant, stole and pulled up those planted at the west gate of Wuchang commandery. Kan later went out himself, halted his carriage at Shi's gate and asked, 'These are the willows of the west gate of Wuchang. How is it that you stole them?' Shi was terrified and confessed, and the three armies spoke of his clear discernment. Kan was diligent and orderly and never ceased from driving himself on. He also liked to watch over others and urge them, and he often said, 'The life of the people lies in diligence. The great Yu was a sage, and still he begrudged an inch of shadow; as for ordinary men, they ought to begrudge a tenth of an inch. How can one idle and drift, of no use to one's time while alive and unheard of afterward when dead? That is to throw oneself away. Besides, Laozi and Zhuangzi are empty flowers, not the lawful words of the former kings, and I dare not practice them. A gentleman ought to set his cap and gown straight and hold himself with dignity. What is this letting the hair go wild and nursing a reputation, and calling oneself broad and far-reaching?'" The Zhongxing shu says, "Kan once inspected his assistant clerks, and if he found dice or chessmen he threw them away, saying, 'Chupu was made by Laozi when he went among the Hu; it is a foreign game and no more. Weiqi was used by Yao and Shun to teach their foolish sons. Gambling was devised by Zhou. You gentlemen are vessels of the state. Why do you do this? If you have leisure from the king's business and are troubled by dullness, why do the men of letters not read, and why do the men of arms not shoot the bow?' The talkers had nothing to say against it."
17If I could get a gatekeeper like Guo Linzong
何驃騎作會稽，虞存弟謇作郡主簿，以何見客勞損，欲白斷常客，使家人節量，擇可通者作白事成，以見存。存時爲何上佐，正與謇共食，語云：「白事甚好，待我食畢作教。」食竟，取筆題白事後云：「若得門庭長如郭林宗者，當如所白。汝何處得此人？」謇於是止。
When General He held Kuaiji, Yu Cun's younger brother Yu Jian was Recorder of the commandery. Seeing that General He was worn out by receiving guests, Jian wished to petition that ordinary guests be turned away and that the household should measure out and pick those who might be let in. He drew up the petition and showed it to Yu Cun.
Cun was General He's senior aide at the time, and he was just then eating with Jian. He said, "The petition is very good. Wait until I have finished eating and I will write the reply."
When he had finished, he took up a brush and wrote at the end of the petition, "If I could get a gatekeeper like Guo Linzong, I would do as the petition says. Where are you going to find such a man?"
At this Jian gave it up.
Interlinear notes 3
《晉陽秋》曰：「何充字次道，廬江人。思韻淹通，有文義才情。累遷會稽内史、侍中、驃騎將軍、揚州刺史。贈司徒。」
The Jin yangqiu says, "He Chong's courtesy name was Cidao; he was a man of Lujiang. His thought and tone were deep and penetrating, and he had literary sense and feeling and talent. Through a succession of posts he rose to Clerk of the Interior of Kuaiji, palace attendant, general of the swift cavalry, and Inspector of Yangzhou. He was given the title of Minister over the Masses."
《孫統存誄敘》曰：「存字道長，會稽山陰人也。祖陽，散騎常侍。父偉，州西曹。存幼而卓拔，風情髙逸，歴衞軍長史、尚書吏部郎。」范汪《棋品》曰：「謇字道眞，仕至郡功曹。」
Sun Tong's preface to his dirge for Cun says, "Cun's courtesy name was Daozhang; he was a man of Shanyin in Kuaiji. His grandfather Yu Yang was attendant cavalier in regular attendance and his father Yu Wei was of the western bureau of the province. Cun was outstanding from childhood, and his manner and feeling were lofty and free. He served as chief administrator to the general of the guards and as gentleman of the ministry of personnel." Fan Wang's Qipin says, "Jian's courtesy name was Daozhen, and he served as far as merit officer of the commandery."
《泰別傳》曰：「泰字林宗，有人倫鑒識。題品海内之士，或在幼童，或在里肆，後皆成英彦六十餘人。自著書一巻，論取士之本，未行，遭亂亡失。」
The Tai biezhuan says, "Tai's courtesy name was Linzong, and he had an eye for the measure of men. He labeled and graded the scholars of the realm; some were still children, some were in the market lanes of their villages, and more than sixty of them afterward became men of distinction. He wrote a book in one scroll discussing the root of choosing scholars, but before it was put about he met with the troubles and it was lost."
18If I did not look at these, what would you gentlemen live on?
王劉與深公共看何驃騎，驃騎看文書不顧之。王謂何曰：「我今故與深公來相看，望卿擺撥常務，應對共言，哪得方低頭看此邪？」何曰：「我不看此，卿等何以得存？」諸人以爲佳。
Wang Meng and Liu Tan went with Lord Shen to see General He, and the general went on looking at his documents and did not turn to them.
Wang said to He, "I have come on purpose today with Lord Shen to see you, and I hoped you would push aside your everyday business and answer us and talk with us. How can you sit there with your head down looking at these?"
He said, "If I did not look at these, what would you gentlemen live on?"
Everyone thought it well said.
Interlinear notes 1
《晉陽秋》曰：「何充與王濛、劉惔好尚不同，由此見譏於當世。」
The Jin yangqiu says, "He Chong and Wang Meng and Liu Tan did not like and esteem the same things, and for this he was mocked by the age."
19I am still afraid it is too heavy
桓公在荊州，全欲以德被江漢，恥以威刑肅物。令史受杖，正從朱衣上過。桓式年少，從外來，云：「向從閣下過，見令史受杖，上捎雲根，下拂地足。」意譏不著。桓公云：「我猶患其重。」
When Lord Huan was in Jingzhou he wished only to spread virtue over the Jiang and the Han, and was ashamed to bring things into order by awe and punishment. When a clerk was caned, the strokes merely brushed across the top of his red robe.
Huan Shi, who was young, came in from outside and said, "Just now I passed below the hall and saw a clerk being caned. Above, the cane grazed the roots of the clouds; below, it flicked the floor of the earth."
He meant it as a gibe that the strokes did not land.
Lord Huan said, "I am still afraid they are too heavy."
Interlinear notes 2
《温別傳》曰：「温以永和元年自徐州遷荊州刺史，在州寬和，百姓安之。」
The Wen biezhuan says, "In the first year of Yonghe, Wen moved from Xuzhou to be Inspector of Jingzhou. In the province he was lenient and mild, and the people were at peace under him."
式，桓歆小字也。《桓氏譜》曰：「歆字叔道，温第三子，仕至尚書。」
Shi was Huan Xin's childhood name. The Huan shi pu says, "Xin's courtesy name was Shudao; he was Wen's third son, and served as far as secretary in the Department of State Affairs."
20Ten thousand matters in a single day, so how can it be quick?
簡文爲相，事動經年，然後得過。桓公甚患其遲，常加勸免。太宗曰：「一日萬機，那得速！」
When Jianwen was chancellor, a matter once set going would take a full year and more before it could pass. Lord Huan was much troubled by his slowness and was forever urging him on.
Taizong said, "Ten thousand matters in a single day. How can it be quick?"
Interlinear notes 1
《尚書·皋陶謨》：「一日萬機。」孔安國曰：「幾，微也。言當戒懼萬事之微。」
The Shangshu, in the Counsels of Gao Yao, says, "Ten thousand springs of things in one day." Kong Anguo said, "Ji means what is minute. It says that one ought to be watchful and fearful of the minute beginnings of all affairs."
21Coming after a harsh government, it can be brought to order by gentleness and quiet
山遐去東陽，王長史就簡文索東陽云：「承藉猛政，故可以和靜致治。」
When Shan Xia left Dongyang, Chief Clerk Wang asked Jianwen for Dongyang, saying, "Coming after a harsh government, it can well be brought to order by gentleness and quiet."
Interlinear notes 1
《東陽記》云：「遐字彦林，河内人。祖濤，司徒。父簡，儀同三司。遐歴武陵王友、東陽太守。」《江惇傳》曰：「山遐爲東陽，風政嚴苛，多任刑殺，郡内苦之。惇隱東陽，以仁恕懷物，遐感其德，爲微損威猛。」
The Dongyang ji says, "Xia's courtesy name was Yanlin; he was a man of Henei. His grandfather Shan Tao was Minister over the Masses and his father Shan Jian was of rank equal to the Three Offices. Xia served as companion to the Prince of Wuling and as Governor of Dongyang." The Jiang Dun zhuan says, "When Shan Xia held Dongyang, his manner and government were stern and harsh and he leaned much on punishment and killing, and the commandery suffered under him. Jiang Dun was living in retirement in Dongyang, and he took men to his heart with benevolence and forgiveness. Xia was moved by his virtue and lessened his sternness and harshness a little."
22The Inspector is strict, and I dare not travel by night
殷浩始作揚州，劉尹行，日小欲晩，便使左右取襆，人問其故？荅曰：「刺史嚴，不敢夜行。」
When Yin Hao first became Inspector of Yangzhou, Liu, the Governor, was out walking, and as the day grew a little late he had his attendants fetch his bundle.
When people asked why, he answered, "The Inspector is strict. I dare not travel by night."
Interlinear notes 1
《浩別傳》曰：「浩字淵源，陳郡長平人。祖識，濮陽相。父羡，光祿勳。浩少有重名，仕至揚州刺史、中軍將軍。」《中興書》曰：「建元初，庾亮兄弟、何充等相尋薨，太宗以撫軍輔政，徴浩爲揚州，從民譽也。」
The Hao biezhuan says, "Hao's courtesy name was Yuanyuan; he was a man of Changping in Chen commandery. His grandfather Yin Shi was chancellor of Puyang and his father Yin Xian was superintendent of the imperial household. Hao had a weighty name from his youth, and served as far as Inspector of Yangzhou and general of the central army." The Zhongxing shu says, "At the beginning of Jianyuan, the Yu Liang brothers and He Chong and the rest died one after another. Taizong, as General Who Nurtures the Army, was assisting the government, and he called Hao to Yangzhou, following the praise of the people."
23If there were no room for such men, what sort of capital would it be?
謝公時，兵厮逋亡，多近竄南塘，下諸舫中。或欲求一時搜索，謝公不許，云：「若不容置此輩，何以爲京都？」
In Lord Xie's time soldiers and servants often ran off and hid, and most of them took cover nearby at Nantang and went down into the boats there.
Someone wished to have them all searched out at once. Lord Xie would not allow it and said, "If there were no room to hold such men, what sort of capital would this be?"
Interlinear notes 1
《續晉陽秋》曰：「自中原喪亂，民離本域，江左造創，豪族併兼，或客寓流離，名籍不立。太元中，外禦強氐，蒐簡民實，三呉頗加澄檢，正其里伍。其中時有山湖遁逸，往來都邑者。後將軍安方接客，時人有於坐言：『宜糾舍藏之失者。』安毎以厚德化物，去其煩細。又以強寇入境，不宜加動人情。乃答之云：『卿所憂，在於客耳！然不爾，何以爲京都？』言者有慚色。」
The Xu Jin yangqiu says, "Ever since the Central Plain fell into ruin the people had left the lands where they belonged, and as the region east of the river was newly built up the great families joined and swallowed up what they could, so that some lodged as strangers and drifted about and their names stood on no register. In the Taiyuan years, while the strong Di were being held off outside, the true state of the population was gathered and reckoned, and in the Three Wu it was looked into with some thoroughness and the village groupings were set right. Among them were those who hid in the hills and lakes and came and went in the capital. An, General of the Rear, was receiving guests at the time, and one of those present said, 'The fault of harboring them ought to be looked into.' An always changed men by generous virtue and put away what was fussy and petty, and besides, since a strong enemy had entered the borders, he held that the feelings of the people should not be stirred. So he answered, 'What you are worried about is only your guests. Yet if it were not so, what sort of capital would this be?' The speaker had a shamed look."
24Wang Sengmi changes half the list to suit his own mind
王大爲吏部郎，嘗作選草，臨當奏，王僧彌來，聊出示之。僧彌得便以己意改易所選者近半，王大甚以爲佳，更寫即奏。
When Wang Da was gentleman of the ministry of personnel, he once drew up a draft list of appointments, and just as he was about to submit it Wang Sengmi came in, and he brought it out to show him.
Sengmi took it and at once changed nearly half of those chosen to suit his own mind. Wang Da thought it very good, copied it out afresh and submitted it at once.
Interlinear notes 2
王忱已見。
Wang Chen has already appeared.
僧彌，王珉小字也。《珉別傳》曰：「珉字季琰，琅邪人，丞相導孫，中領軍洽少子。有才蓺，善行書，名出兄珣右，累遷侍中、中書令。贈太常。」
Sengmi was Wang Min's childhood name. The Min biezhuan says, "Min's courtesy name was Jiyan; he was a man of Langya, a grandson of the prime minister Wang Dao and the younger son of Wang Qia, commander of the center. He had talent and skill and wrote a fine running hand, and his name stood above his elder brother Wang Xun's. Through a succession of posts he rose to palace attendant and Director of the Secretariat, and he was given the title of minister of ceremonies."
25Only that he and Zhang Zuxi grow fonder of each other by the day
王東亭與張冠軍善。王既作呉郡，人問小令曰：「東亭作郡，風政何似？」答曰：「不知治化何如，唯與張祖希情好日隆耳。」
Wang Dongting was on good terms with Zhang, the general of the Crown Army. When Wang Dongting was given Wu commandery, someone asked the younger Director, "Dongting has taken a commandery. What is his manner of governing like?"
He answered, "I do not know how it is with his ruling and teaching. Only that he and Zhang Zuxi grow fonder of each other by the day."
Interlinear notes 2
張玄已見。
Zhang Xuan has already appeared.
《續晉陽秋》曰：「王獻之爲中書令，王珉代之，時人曰『大小王令』。」
The Xu Jin yangqiu says, "Wang Xianzhi was Director of the Secretariat and Wang Min took his place, and people of the time spoke of the greater and the lesser Director Wang."
26Gao Yao made the code of punishments, yet he is not called unworthy
殷仲堪當之荊州，王東亭問曰：「德以居全爲稱，仁以不害物爲名。方今宰牧華夏，處殺戮之職，與本操將不乖乎？」殷答曰：「皋陶造刑辟之制，不爲不賢；孔丘居司寇之任，未爲不仁。」
When Yin Zhongkan was about to go to Jingzhou, Wang Dongting asked him, "Virtue takes its name from dwelling in wholeness, and benevolence takes its name from not harming things. Now you are to govern the Chinese heartland and to hold an office of putting men to death. Will that not go against what you have always held to?"
Yin answered, "Gao Yao made the code of punishments, yet he is not called unworthy. Confucius held the office of minister of justice, yet he is not called unbenevolent."
Interlinear notes 2
《古史考》曰：「庭堅號曰皋陶，舜謀臣也。舜舉之於堯，堯令作士，主刑。」
The Gushi kao says, "Tingjian was styled Gao Yao; he was a counselor of Shun. Shun recommended him to Yao, and Yao made him warden and put him in charge of punishments."
《家語》曰：「孔子自魯司空爲大司寇，三日而誅亂法大夫少正卯。」
The Jiayu says, "Confucius went from minister of works of Lu to be grand minister of justice, and in three days he put to death Shao Zhengmao, a great officer who threw the law into disorder."